Battle Mecha Hack - Operation Lifesaver I
[This is the first mission of my short campaign of trying out Mecha Hack Solo. I used the setting of BattleTech for this, specifically the Revolt of Anton Marik in 3014.
If you're interested in the small adjustments I made to play the system solo, how I interpreted things to fit the BattleTech theme, have no idea what either Mecha Hack or BattleTech is, or simply want to see the character sheet, you can go over to my introductory post here: https://daydreamingmoose.bearblog.dev/battle-mecha-hack-0/
If you want to check out Mecha Hack yourself, you can go here: https://absolutetabletop.com/products/the-mecha-hack
For the maps, I've used old FASA maps you can get from Sarna, and the tokens are created via Tokenstamp, using BattleTech miniatures I've painted myself.]
27th September 3014
FWL Dropship Kahuna, Union Class
Orbit of New Olympia III
New Olympia
The Jumpship entered the New Olympia system with a violent jolt. Typical for less experienced pilots utilizing Pirate Jump Points - less well mapped and unstable jump points through which a Jumpship can enter a system closer to their target planet, instead of having the dropships go through weeks of travel towards a planet.
It also meant being far away from the enemy forces blockading the regular jumppoints at the local sun.
Immediately upon arrival, the Dropship detached from the much larger Jumpship and began its speedy descent towards the planet's surface. The moment it was at a safe distance to the Jumpship, sirens began to blare inside the Kahuna. The Jumpship behind them jumped out of the system again, leaving them alone until more reinforcements would arrive next month.
While the two aerospace fighters that accompanied the Union class dropship scrambled from their hangars to begin their escort duties. Thanks to the valiant efforts of the cadets on New Olympia III the revolutionary's air forces have been decimated to a point where two fighters and a dropship would be enough of a deterrent to allow for a safe landing of the ship.
Suddenly, the coms-system inside Jasleen's cockpit opened up. She had been strapped inside her Thunderbolt's cockpit ever before the jump, since the Mech itself was placed inside the protective drop cocoon. It was starting to feel cramped.
'Listen up people! The jump was uncomfortable, but we're nearly there. The first drop will begin in one hour.' That was the voice of Captain Maradin, the leader of the ragtag group of mercenaries a recruiter from the Loyalist FWL forces had hired on Regulus IV.
'Our goal is to hit the Eighteenth Marik Militia as hard as we can to relieve pressure from the beleaguered forces of the Allison MechWarrior Institute and the Lloyd Marik-Stanley Aerospace School. They're mostly cadets with training 'Mechs, so it's time they get some proper reinforcements. We only need to help them hold the line until the big boys from the 21st Centauri Lancers arrive in a couple of weeks. I'll give you your separate assignments shortly.
The Captain made it sound easy. But in truth they were just a handful of mercenaries, not even the full company that could have fit into the dropship. Some of them didn't even have their own machines and had them lent by the recruiter for this mission specifically. And they haven't fought as a group ever, except for the Captain and his two lieutenants.
Not that it would matter, since most of them would be dropped behind enemy lines to conduct a series of single attack raids on the enemy's supply lines, and then would have to find their way to the Loyalist's bases on their own. By all accounts, this whole thing screamed suicide, but it was a very lucrative job, which is why Jasleen had signed up.
The coms flared up again.
'Alright Kaur. Your mission is simple, and you’re the second to drop. The Kahuna will drop you off close to a guard post that is used as a logistics centre for resupply. You go in, smash the place up, and move on. You're close to the New Greenland Mountains in which the Loyalists are hiding, so you should be able to regroup with us fast. I'll be already on site, holding the lines with the Cadets to welcome you with a Timbiqui Dark. Good luck.'
Jasleen was just about to say that she didn't drink, but Captain Maradin had already moved on to the next mercenary and their assignment. While the mission sounded easy enough in theory, the closeness to the enemy lines would mean a stronger resistance as well. The Captain was probably hoping that she and her Thunderbolt would be able to smash through the lines easily enough.
She leaned back into her command couch and sighed.
Mission 1 Combat Drop
27th September 3014
New Olympia III
Coastal Plains beneath the New Greenland Mountain Range
Three hours later.
'Five Minutes to Drop. We'll drop you close to a street leading north towards the mountains. Follow that and you'll stumble upon the logistics centre.'
'Roger that. Ready to drop.' Jasleen answered the Captain and braced herself. Dropping from a flying ship was never a fun experience, especially not in a 'Mech without jumpjets.
Shortly after that, her stomach lurched and the drop pod started the freefall, a mechanical female voice rang out the distance until touchdown.
'1500 meters.'
The pod started shaking, with the protective cocoon shearing off due to heat and wind resistance.
'1000 meters. Engaging manoeuvring thrusters.'
The pod started automatically correcting itself.
'500 meters. Engaging breaking thrusters.'
With another lurch to her stomach, the thrusters engaged and finally slowed down the fall. First slowly, and then ever more strongly the closer the ground came.
'200 meters to touchdown. Engaging parachutes.'
A final hard lurch, and seconds later the Thunderbolt landed on the other side of a ridge that hid the logistical centre from view.
Disengaging the parachute and thruster, Jasleen stepped her heavy 'Mech forward, surrounded by the smouldering remains of the cocoon.
'MechWarrior Kaur here. I've landed safely and am engaging.'
'Good Hunting Kaur. We'll see you in the mountains.'
It didn't take long to reach and cross the ridge, and as soon as she reached the top of the ridge, she already saw the centre down near a river crossing. Transports where frantically taking off towards the north, and a few defending 'Mechs where ready to attack her. It looked like only two Locusts gunning for her.
Systems Test to spot the Mecha Sniper (Panther) vs 14: 12 -> Success!
Suddenly another warning flashed on her radar, there was another 'Mech hidden on a hill on the opposite side, a Panther. Great, a PPC that's going to hack at her the whole fight.
Initiative vs System 14 (two Tests for Two turns): 13 and 10, Jasleen acts twice before all enemies.
Slowly moving up towards the bridge spanning the river, Jasleen flicks open the switch for the LRM rack in the Thunderbolts right shoulder.
'Let's see how you like that.' she said and locked the LRMs onto the spotted Panther up on the hill.
Use Action; Module Missile Barrage, Test Power vs 15: 6 -> Hit! 4D4 Damage: > 3, 1, 4, 2, 10 Damage Total Test reactor: 5; Success`
The hatches on the missile rack opened up, and a second later a swarm of fifteen angry bees streaked towards the Panther. It tried to open up with its long range PPC, but the shot went wide when the first missiles hit the enemies' chassis. Explosions rang from the hill and a second later the Panther fell over, the head pocked with explosions.
The pilot must have immediately died in that hail of missiles.
Aiming her large laser at the Locust on her side of the river, Jasleen was hoping for a second shot like that.
Attack Action; Heavy Ranged Weapon (Large Laser) vs 15: 2+2 = 4 -> Success! Damage: 1D8+2: 5
The blue laser streaked towards the Locust, scorching the armour diagonally from its left leg to the right shoulder. Armour was dripping off of the Locust in rivulets, burning the grass beneath the 'Mech's feet.
Moving up closer, Jasleen turned her 'Mechs torso over towards the hit Locust, while keeping the arm with the Large Laser trained on her second enemy on the other side of the bridge.
Free Action: Switch weapons, unequip Heavy Ranged Weapon Large Laser, equip > Light Ranged Weapon Medium Lasers
Movement Action; Move 5 Hexes (Near)
Attack Action; Light Ranged Weapon (Medium Lasers) vs 15: 11 -> Hit!
Damage: 1D8: 3
Triggering the Medium Lasers in her Torso, Jasleen grinned as the beams scoured across the running Locust, hitting the already damaged left leg the hardest. With what must have been a loud snap outside the cockpit, the leg broke off and with a loud thump the Locust fell into the dirt and remained lifeless.
'So far so good. One of these idiots left. Quite obvious they are just militia, and probably the worst of them left behind to guard this place...' she said to herself. Then she shook her head.
She was definitely working on her own way too much. Talking out loud to herself like this can't be a good sign.
Suddenly her cockpit flared up red.
Warning. Incoming Missiles. Warning. the internal systems shouted into her ears.
'Shit, shit, shit.' she cursed out loud, trying to evade the enemy’s attack.
Enemy Jump Pod (Locust) uses Guided Rocket Pods, Evasion vs Systems Twice > (can aim at two enemies) vs 14: 9 and 13, two Successes!
Jump Pod (Locust) moves towards the hill.
Still cursing herself for being this reckless, Jasleen manipulates the controls of her Thunderbolt like a madwoman, barely evading the LRMs streaking in.
She definitely did not notice that both of these Locusts were of the 1M variant, armed with LRM launchers instead of the typical machine guns. In hindsight, the paper-thin armour of the first Locust she destroyed should have been an obvious indicator.
'No matter, time to finish this.' Jasleen thought and immediately regretted it when two gun emplacements in the logistics hub went live, as well as the fourth 'Mech of the enemy lance appeared on the other side of the river. She had started to wonder where that one had been hiding.
And of course it was a Trebuchet. The militia loves those things. Lots of fire and forget ordnance, once the missiles have locked in.
She started forward, deciding to ignore the Locust up on the ridge for now, maybe she could destroy the gun emplacements before they got a bead on her, and then worry about all the missiles that might come raining down on her soon.
Use Action; Module Missile Barrage, Test Power vs 15: 3 -> Success!
Aiming at both Sentry Guns (Gun Emplacements)
Damage: 4D4: 4, 1, 1, 2, 8 Damage Total
Test Reactor: 7, Success!
Attack Action; Light Ranged Weapon (Medium Lasers) vs 15: 15 -> Miss!
Triggering another salvo from her LRMs, Jasleen aimed her medium lasers at the gun emplacement on the other side of the bridge, but the turret was too small of a target to hit properly from this distance and the green beams went wide, carving glowing furrows into the concrete of the logistics hub. Luckily, the LRM salvo she concentrated on the other turret rained down perfectly and destroyed not only the turret she aimed at, but the barracks it was placed on top of as well.
Less work to do once she's done with mopping up, at least.
Use Action; Module Missile Barrage, Test Power vs 15:12 -> Success!
Aiming at Sentry Gun (Gun Emplacements) and Mechwalker (Trebuchet)
Damage: 4D4: 2, 1, 1, 2 6 Damage Total
Test Reactor: 7, Success!
Attack Action; Light Ranged Weapon (Medium Lasers) vs 15: 12 -> Success! > Damage: 1D8: 4
With another series of explosion and another salvo of LRMs gone from her magazines, the second gun emplacement was hit hard, but she had to waste another shot of her medium lasers to destroy it completely. It was starting to get very hot now - literally and quite figuratively inside her cockpit - and standing on the bridge there wasn't much cover to be had. She braced for impact from incoming LRMs, trusting in the above average armour of her Thunderbolt to protect her.
Jump Pod (Locust) tests for Recharge of their Guided Rocket Pods: 5 -> Success!
Enemy Jump Pod (Locust) moves back into range and uses Guided Rocket Pods, Evasion vs Systems Twice (can aim at two enemies) vs 14: 12 and 12, two Successes!
The first blaring of her missile warnings wasn't due to the Trebuchet, though, it was the pesky Locust back up on the hill that triggered another salvo as well. Luckily, most of them rained down harmlessly into the water around the bridge instead of hitting her Thunderbolt. Maybe all the flames and smoke from the destroyed turrets confused their targeting systems.
Mechwalker (Trebuchet) moves up towards the hill as well and triggers their Thunder Cannon (LRMs), evasion vs Mobility 9: 16 -> Failure!
Enemy Damage: 1d10: 4 Damage
But then the real salvo came, with the Trebuchet having by far a larger arsenal than the small Locust, and it rained hell down onto the Jasleen and her Thunderbolt, leaving the Armour pockmarked from explosions, black streaks smeared across the beige paintjob.
'Can't take many salvoes like that, I need to get rid of that Trebuchet. Fast.' She thought to herself, getting ready to answer the LRMs with a salvo of her own.
Free Action: Switch weapons, unequip Light Ranged Weapon (Medium Lasers) and equip Heavy Ranged Weapon (Large Laser)
Use Action; Module Missile Barrage, Test Power vs 15: 5 -> Success!
Aiming at Mechwalker (Trebuchet) and Jump Pod (Locust)
Damage: 4D4: 3, 2, 3, 4 12 Damage Total
Test Reactor: 2, Failure! Reactor Die gets downgraded to 1D6 Mechwalker (Trebuchet) takes 9 Damage (has 1 Damage Reduction), 3 Damage against Jump Pod (Locust)
Attack Action; Heavy Ranged Weapon (Large Laser) vs 15: 3+2 = 5 -> Success! Damage: 1D8+2: 6
Raining down yet another salvo while sweat was dripping down her brow, Jasleen manages to trigger an ammo explosion in the torso of the Trebuchet, and the enemy 'Mech goes up in a blinding series of explosion, raining shrapnel down on its surroundings. The SRMs in her torso flare out and hit the enemy Locust as well, staggering it. Quickly aiming at it with her large laser, she hits it square in the centre torso, melting the paper-thin armour and blasting through the engine shielding. The light behind the enemies' cockpit goes dark and the Locust falls down to the ground.
She lets out a relieved sigh. This was a lot more resistance than she bargained for, but luckily for her, these guys weren't of the highest calibre the Militia has to offer. But that's probably going to change soon enough when she moves up towards the frontlines.
But for now, the only thing that remains was destroying the stockpiles and buildings here before moving on.
Right after she's restocked her own ammo and fixed the armour damage, of course. No use in letting that go to waste, after all, and since everybody except the combatants has fled the base already, she should have enough time to do it, too.
Oracle Roll Yes/No; 50/50; 'Is there any Infantry left back in the base?' - 76; No.
Slowly but surely Jasleen pilots her Thunderbolt over to one of the larger 'Mech Bays that were used to repair and powers down her machine after a last visual scan using her optics. Unbuckling from her command couch, she opens up the small compartment for personal items to the left and above her head and pulls out a pair of pants, a tank top and her Mydron Auto-Pistol. It was always cramped inside a cockpit, but for a woman of the size and bulk like Jasleen, getting on her pants always took a lot of wriggling and turning, but she definitely didn't want to wear them inside the scorching hot confines of her 'Mech. And she definitely didn't want to put them on outside and get literally caught with her pants down, in case somebody was still hanging around.
Once she was dressed and her Mydron loaded and gripped tight in her right hand, she cautiously opened the hatch of er T-Bolt and peered outside, checking her surroundings carefully before climbing out onto the service gantry. It smelled like fire and explosions, but it was eerily quiet. Her heavy boots on the gantry and the ladder leading down towards the workshop floor reverberated loudly in the empty hall, and once down on the floor she hurried over towards a forklift to start loading up on ammunition, and then roughly welded some armour plating over the holes in the armour. It wasn't a pretty job, and it was rushed to get everything done before reinforcements showed up, but it should hold until a proper tech can do the work for her.
Short Rest: Regain Armour Points, Reactor Die goes back to D8.
Afterwards, she didn't bother to put the scissor lift she was using to weld out of the way. She simply climbed up into the cockpit again and walked right through it - in a few minutes’ times and a lot of laser fire, this whole place would be going up in flames anyway. Especially once she set fire to the ammo stores.
And it would definitely be a very good signal fire towards the beleaguered loyalists that reinforcements had finally arrived.
Just too bad about all the salvage she had to leave behind.