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A purple haze above a yellow storm, the 302nd went rumbling on towards their destination. Deep in Zeon territory now, many soldiers had already left the fleets hold, moving for different lines in the front. Andrew Vinsko and Susan Steel had left early in the morning to intercept a squadron sighted as coming from Europe. Ross Howe and Berthold Stulinger had been called to Odessa, reassigned to the space theatre as problems there intensified. The only officer who remained on the ship at this point was SS Scharfuhrer Steve Myer, who watched carefully in the hangar of the Intrepid as tech crews quickly refitted his mobile suit for the arid sandstorm below. "Sir, your mobile suit will be done in eight hours." Myer was getting a little annoyed with his technicians at this point. They seemed to do everything so slowly. However, before he could voice his complaints as fully as an SS member was trained to do, word rang out over the intercom. "Captain, you're needed on the bridge. We have almost thirty enemy fighters inbound." The hell... Myer thought. How could thirty fighters slip by the Zeon patrols? The Lackluster Fortune, very aptly named, was sitting in some of the worst weather its crew would ever see. Sand and dust flew around in the air like the word gravity held no meaning, and visibility at more than 10 feet was impossible. Mobile suit crews worked hard to keep everything they could in tip top shape, all of a dozen mobile suits sitting on or around the Big Tray. Having punched through the North African defenses, they were at an advantagous position between South Africa and Alexandria, right in the way of the 302nd. Sniper teams readied their weapons as Daren Sanders thought in silence, hoping that the sandstorm would hide the monstrous ship and its team of mobile suits. Two GM Snipers equipped with Long Range Beam Rifles, two GM Desert Types, one GM Land Combat Type and a GM Sniper II all equipped with ballistic sniper weaponry. A Guntank, and a mixture of other mobile suits carrying a combined total of five beam rifles were all ready to try their luck at shooting down a Gaw through a sandstorm. They'd been preparing for the North African assault for a while, and nearly half of the mobile suits had already been refitted or made for desert conditions. They were operating very well in the storm. The ace in the hole however, was flying above. A Dish recon aircraft, kept in line by a powerful laser signal from the Lackluster Fortune, relayed targetting data to the host of snipers. Having launched aircraft just before the storm hit, over two dozen assorted Jet Core Boosters, Depp Rogs and even a few Tin Cods hovered around the Dish, guarding it from assault by enemy Gaws. The Himitsu, having arrived from South Africa before the 302nd, was keeping the planes afloat by doing repeated aerial refuelling. Harold Bernette's mobile suit was still incredibly damaged, but as a former logistics officer he could at least help by keeping Sanders planes in the air. Once the fighting actually began the Himitsu was to make a break for Gibraltar. It was already damaged and couldn't sustain an assault, especially not against the 302nds impressive defenses. The plan was relatively simple. Get a lot of beam rifles shooting in the air, and try to blow up some ships before the 302nd walked over the meager force presented against it. Although a Big Tray had an impressive fighter compliment, it wasn't near as impressive as that of Vinsko's fleet, and most of the Fortunes fighters were not dedicated interdiction fighters. The Jet Core Booster, while an excellent anti mobile suit fighter, was at best about as good at dogfighting as a Tin Cod and three times the cost. At worst, it was not as good as a Tin Cod at this role, let alone a Dopp, and let alone a Dopp with a pilot who'd just been through hell and back in South Africa. Myer arrived on the bridge just in time to realize that there wasn't much for him to do. Plans were already in motion. Still carrying close to fourty Dopps, the 302nds fighters launched to take out the enemy airforce. The battle was quick and bloody. The Jet Core Boosters, having a substantial frontal armament, took out several Dopps in the initial pass, but were quickly overrun. Experience showed as JCB after JCB was shot down by more maneuverable fighters and better pilots. The Himitsu, which retreated even before the fighting began, took several missile shots, its already battered hangar gaining a few more holes. "Sir, we're going to lose the Dish soon, when do we fire?" Ion Bossa-Nova asked Sanders. The 302nd was almost right on top of the Lackluster Fortune, but minovski particles and a sandstorm almost perfectly masked them from Zeons view. However, Ion only had coordinates on the Gaws positions while the Dish was still flying, and escort after escort was falling out of the sky by the second. "Wait for it... They're almost right on top of us..." Daren responded. Everyone was feeling a little uneasy. Dino Fiddler tried to get a good view of the battlefield, his GM Sniper II having a much better visual sensor array than any other mobile suit on the planet, but even his optics couldn't bust through the thick sandstorm. Two more JCBs went down before Sanders finally gave the word. The four Gaws of the 302nd barely even noticed as mega particles shot out of the storm below, beam rifles, beam sniper rifles, and even ballistic railguns firing up into the sky. Most of the shots were off the mark. Even with telemetry from the Dish and even with mobile suits refitted for harsh conditions, a storm is a storm, and it blew mobile suit arms this way and that, forcing shots to go wide. Ion Bossa-Nova, however, was used to the desert from his time defending Gibraltar. Adjusting for the heavy winds he fired his beam rifle, which was tethered safely to the Big Tray. The wind pushed the GM Snipers arms to the right, and the constant stream of particles cut through the Raven like a butterknife, the Gaw exploding instantly. "It's a trap!" Myer yelled, and demanded that the fleet climb. The remaining three Gaws tried to build altitude even as the Dish was destroyed, but a number of beam spray gun rounds caught the already severely damaged Griffin. The Gaw sputtered and started losing altitude, dropping into the storm. Sandy winds cut it open as it fell, the fallen husk of a battleship breaking into pieces as it hit the Sahara floor. A few seconds later the last of the Lackluster Fortunes fighters went down. However, unable to enter the sandstorm, the Dopps were unable to return the assault on the Big Tray, which quickly started moving beneath the storm, trying to prevent the chance of pursuit. Daren was just about to call his men into stand down alert when heavy gatling rounds slammed into the Tray from the rear, blowing up one of his GMs and cutting wide gashes into the ships base. Bossa-Nova's GM Sniper took several rounds in the back, only saved by thick Luna Titanium armor. The various EFGF soldiers looked around, unable to find their attacker. A second barrage of gatling rounds rang out, felling another GM. Hidden by the storm, Ardan Massenfer, on contract by the 302nd, carefully took aim at a third Federation mobile suit. "Those pretty pink beams will show me where you are no matter how bad the weather is." Massenfer mused to himself. His Gouf was custom equipped with mostly ranged weaponry, and he and his wingman had dropped off the Raven at first sight of enemy fighters. They would meet back up with the Falcon later that day by Alexandria, accepting a heroes welcome for at least sighting the enemy and preventing it from being a complete disaster for Zeon. As he was lining up the shot on the third GM, a shell blast through his mobile suits left shoulder. Massenfer reduced the zoom on his camera to see Fiddlers GM Sniper II aiming a second shot. Knowing he couldn't outfox a dedicated sniper mobile suit, he and his wingman Zaku II threw smoke grenades and retreated. A few hours later, Daren was on an encrypted line with command, desperately trying to get more fighter support out to Africa. After the fiasco over the Atlantic he wasn't well trusted by Ryer, but at least he'd finally started paying them back. Daren Sanders - 1 days damage, 10 VP gained Ion Bossa-Nova - 3 days damage, 9 VP gained Dino Fiddler - 1 days damage, 9 VP gained Harold Bernette - no damage, 10/2 VP gained Ardan Massenfer - 2+1 days damage, 8 VP gained Steve Myer - no damage, 7/2 VP gained "Swordfish has signaled it is in position, sir." Edward Yuu reported from his station. The entire crew had already gotten into their vacuum suits, though most had their face-shields up or helmets off at the moment. The effect it had on Yuu's fidgeting was comical, every nervous movement exaggerated by the bulky suit. "Very well. Signal fleet, operations commence in T-minus five minutes," Arcaile Nasr spoke from his seat on the Sleipner. He felt just as nervous as his Communications Officer looked, but the appearance of confidence was more than just necessary to assure his crew they were in good hands. At least he hoped. Outside the Salamis, Candice Ro and David Renault ran through their last minute checks while maintaining a private line to chat the last few minutes together. "Wonder what they wanted with Gimpy, all I got was some sort of test." David Renault mused, their teammate having been summoned back to Side 7 before the operation. "Not sure, Princess," the young woman replied, using the nickname Danyan had given him instead of his preferred monicker of 'Nightmare'. "But I wish they hadn't taken him before this op. Would be a lot easier with him around." David moved to reply, but the timer running in the top left of his main viewscreen flashed to red, signalling the attack was about to commence. Truth is, he'd probably feel better with the Juggler and it's pilot nearby too, though he still didn't fully buy into the 'newtype' bull. Elsewhere, the Swordfish and it's accompanying mobile suit force readied themselves for their part in the assault. The three Public gunboats floated nearby, the crews chomping at the bit to get at the Zeeks. Cherish Woods paced the Swordfish in her Sabrefish II space-fighter, three large anti-ship missles loaded on the hardpoints. Most of the pilots in the fleet saw her as slightly insane, continuing to pilot such an outdated craft instead of switching to a new mobile suit, as most fighter pilots had already done. There were conversations whether her continued survival was purely luck or skill based. None, however, doubted her courage. The GM most fighter pilots wished for after switching stood on the foward deck of the Fuji class ship, Nolan Harkin in his Light Armor GM. Taking an already nimble mobile suit, stripping it of al but the barest of armor had produced something that was just short of "suicidal". In a Light Armor, you didn't get hit by enemy fire, at all, if you wanted to survive. "Operation commences in T-minus 30 seconds," Melendez's voice droned over the loudspeakers of the ship and support craft. Several pilots added "Vigilance" to the end of the announcement. "Sir, I've got something here," the pilot of the Seydlitz's reconnaisance Zaku II reported to Von Hellsing, aboard his Tivvay Graf Zeppelin. "Looks like Federal ships, three Salamis class, with support." The Zeonic commander frowned, wondering if this was just a probe or if the Federation had aims for Granada. "Get range and open fire, launch mobile suits." Von Hellsing commanded cooly, the crew going from stark silence to a flurry of activity. Outside, the first few Zakus were being launched. If this was an attack, Von Hellsing would not be accused of cowardice. They'd beaten Federals before easily enough, anyway. "Ma'am, they've begun launching mobile suits," the young officer manning the Observation hub reported to his superior officer, Rachel Mila. Her ship was a decoy, the two flanking Salamis nothing but balloons. Behind her, the main force waited for the Swordfish to flank the patrol fleet. Hope we can do this, Arcaile... she thought as she eyed the Tivvay and it's escorts. "Alright, launch all foward tubes. Guns, get range and provide cover for our mobile forces. We just need to keep them occupied long enough for our striking arm to get there." Outside, the Saberfish and GMs of the fleet rocketed foward, Renault and Ro's units included. "Alright, let's show these bastards what we're made of!" David spoke, sighting in on a Rick Dom. "I've got the skirt." he spoke to his wingmate, Candice Ro. "Roger that, Princess," she replied with a stifled laugh, leaving just enough in the reply to bring some levity before the furball started proper. She sighted in on a spiked Zaku II, one of the commander types, and pursued it. While the mobile suits entered into a massive dogfight, the Zeon gunners had already burst one of the balloon decoys, and were zeroing in on the Horatio, two lances of mega particle turning the grey paint a char black as they passed. Von Hellsing templed his fingers as he observed the battle, a second ballon decoy bursting under the fire from his ships. He was annoyed that a missile had managed to detonate near enough to his ship to scratch the paint, the fact it appeared to be a single Salamis not helping his mood. "Alright, destroy that ship and let's clean up the mobile-" he began to order as a voice came through over the loudspeaker located near his chair. "SIR!! Second contact coming in from below us!!" the Markgraf's Zaku II E shouted in a panic. A flash of light followed by his entire ship lurching away from the origin of the light, Von Hellsing belated realizing it was the Seydlitz exploding. "KILL THAT SALAMIS AND GET US OUT OF HERE!!!" he bellowed, wanting revenge for his lost escort. "YEE-HAW!!!" Cherish Woods shouted as she flew through the diminishing fireball that had been a Musai moments before. She had gotten lucky, both the anti-ship missiles she had fired had hit, as well as one from one of the Public's. She blasted above the Zeon fleet with two Publics in tow before the gunners even knew they were there. The third, was not so lucky as the Graf Zeppelin's gunners struck back at the attackers with a vengeance, destroying the fast assault craft. Two beams shot from below, one scoring a glancing blow on the red Zeon ship, Nolan Harkin and the Swordfish's GM E joining in the attack. The Zeon MS force, having been pushed back by the more experienced Federal force, now fought desperately to keep the Federal craft away from the remains of the fleet. Inside his GM, David spotted the second Rick Dom, having dispatched the relatively inexperienced pilot of the first fairly easily. Ditching his empty beam spray gun, he produced his GMs beam saber and launched himself toward the second skirted mobile suit, catching it offguard and removing both arms before the pilot realised he was engaged. A quick thrust finished the skirted suit off, as David shot away, placing his tall shield between his mobile suit and the exploding Rick Dom. Candice was having a tougher go with her opponent. The commander type wasn't making it easy, though it was missing it's shielded arm and a good portion of it's left leg. Candice had taken relatively little damage, but the guy wasn't giving her any opennings to exploit for a kill shot. Nothing for it, then... Bringing her shield in front of her, Candice goosed the throttle and shot toward the Zaku, who pelted the heavy shield with fire from his 120mm machinegun. By the time he realised the intention of the advance, it was too late as the GM slammed into the Zaku, shield first, the arm holding it crumpling. Leaving no time for the pilot to recover, Candice activated her beam saber and slammed it through the shield and into the Zaku, the resulting explosion throwing her away and leaving her shield all but completely useless. "Sir, we'll be in range in moments. The Horatio is taking a pounding though.." one of the bridge officers stated. Arcaile wasn't paying attention to which one. The remainder of his force had moved foward while the flanking force struck the fleet, and were lining up for their shots at the Zeon patrol fleet. "Alright. Watch out for our people out there. Launch a volley of missiles, followed shortly by guns." The Sleipner and Pliskin both fired a full compement from their foward missile tubes, the mega particle cannons joining soon after. The second Musai exploded as several missiles rammed it, leaving it standing still for the mega particle lance that gutted it soon after. "Seydlitz is gone! Our mobile suit forces are retreating!" the Comm Officer to Von Hellsing's left shouted as yet another Saberfish fighter was shot down by the ship's anti-aircraft guns. "Fire final volley and get us out of here while we can still outrun them," Von Hellsing commanded as he slumped back into his seat. The ship began turning almost before the final shots were fired. On the bridge of the Horatio the battered but still alive crew stared as the Zeon mobile forces began their retreat. From her command chair, Rachel Mila slouched as she allowed herself to relax. "You did it, Arcaile.." "Ma'am!! High energy projectile!!" one of the observers screamed. Several of the crew screamed briefly in horror before the bridge and it's occupants were vaporized by the parting shot of the Graf Zeppelin, the reactor overloading and destroying the ship soon after. "Sir.." a shocked officer stared as the Horatio disintergated in a flash of light, "The Horatio.. it's gone. Zeon cruiser is fleeing, Melendez is asking if he should pursue?" Inside, Arcaile felt numb. It couldn't be really happening, not like that. His crew needed him still, though. The Tivvay was outpacing their advance, and the mobile suits didn't have the range to continue to attack while dealing with the AA. "Recall our forces, we'll organize search parties to pick up any survivors who might be EVA." Arcaile Nasr: 11 VP gained, lightly damaged, promoted to Sublieutenant David Renault: 11 VP gained, one days damage, promoted to Petty Officer 1st Class Candice Ro: 11 VP gained, three days damage, two days injured, promoted to Petty Officer 1st Class Cherish Woods: 11 VP gained, one days damage, promoted to Chief Petty Officer Nolan Harkin: 11 VP gained, no damage, promoted to Petty Officer 1st Class The asteroid mine floated lazily in the upper orbit of Mars, drifting ever so slowly around the red planet. Approaching quickly, the Rick Dom maneuvered towards the newly constructed mining operation. Safe within the confines of his cockpit, Samson Ellison watched the asteroid, considering his options. The rogue wanted to capture the facility intact, but he hadn't realized the mammoth proportions of the operation until he had arrived on site. "Well, every rogue has to get started somewhere," he said softly aloud, checking his ammunition readout on his 360mm giant bazooka. The massive weapon was fully loaded. He boosted his Rick Dom, powering it to full speed, towards the Equity Return. As he closed in, he quickly fired off a pair of 360mm bazooka rounds. Both rounds powered forward, striking against the surface of the asteroid mine, resulting in a pair of small explosions. Samson reached over to his communications panel and punched his radio button. "Attention," he announced, "Equity Return, surrender immediately. Failure to do so will result in death." He powered back on his throttle, slowing his approach towards the asteroid mine. Several minutes passed as he waited for a response. He shifted his suit's grip on the giant bazooka every so slightly, and was about to speak again, when a response filtered over his radio. "This is Equity Dream," a gruff, older voice replied, "Go fuck yourself, rogue. If you want this place, come and fucking get us." Samson gritted his teeth, angry that the asteroid mine didn't surrender. He sat there, pondering how to reply - he couldn't exactly enforce his will, by himself, on a large number of probably armed men. What, then, was his course of action? Before he could decide on a course of action, he was rudely interrupted by his mobile suit suddenly spinning out of control, a 120mm cannon round slamming into his Rick Dom. From above, a Ball "K Type" powered forward, its twin 120mm cannons firing rapidly. Samson quickly reoriented himself, firing all of his thrusters to maneuver out of the stream of incoming round. Samson replied with his 360mm bazooka, letting loose two more rounds in quick succession. Antoni Silverthorn hit his Ball's thrusters, trying to maneuver around the incoming bazooka rounds. Fortunately for Samson, Antoni was a moment too slow and one of the rounds struck the side of the Ball, sending the tiny mobile suit tumbling towards the asteroid mine, where it struck violently. "Hrm," Samson said aloud, the only apparent threat to him dispatched. "I guess I'll have to figure out another plan." Antoni Silverthorn: 10 VP gained, 3+1 Days Damaged Samson Ellison: 8 VP gained, 1+1 Days Damaged |