Eleven hours later, the mercenary team was orbiting around the rim colony Ulaan II (in a space-ship, of course), ready for re-entry. From space, there was not much visible of the conflict on the surface, the earth-like planet seemed peaceful. But as the spaceship landed one hour later, the war was omnipresent: The spaceport was filled with several miltary transporters, one-man space/air fighters and hordes of busy soldiers who were commanded around by loud and angry officers. Several of the large Goliath Battle Tanks and a SPMA
1 battery were currently unloaded or were on their way to leave the space port.
As you walk down the ramp, you notice the elderly man awaiting you. His big mustache and his broad and wrinkled face give him an fatherly appearance, but his aura of authority and the three-star badge on the shoulder signalize that this is in fact the commander of the ninth Mercenary Fleet. As he seems James, his mouth form a warm smile and he begins to walk towards the group. As the two leaders meet, they exchange a friendly hug and some plesant comments about their outer apperance.
Finally, James comes to the point: "You bring up some heavy gear here. How have you got the money?" The smile disappears immediately on the old face. "The NEG stands behind this. They seem to fear these rebels out there. But you know how they are. We have to return all of it without a scrath or we will be the next they send their troops against." James chuckles and answers in a mocking tone: "I'm always there to help a friend in need. Just tell me where -" The Commander interrupts bluntly: "I know you and I know what you want. You wouldn't be here if there weren't something in it for you." The Necri ignores this comment and continues: " - our barracks are so that my boys can get their rest. We will talk about that in privacy." With that, he points at one of the soldiers standing around and gestures him to bring you to the barracks.
Half an hour later, James returns with a sheet of paper, two recruits carrying weapon boxes and a bad mood. He places the sheet at the table and waves you forward to look at it.
View attachment 94125
"This is our position. The enemy holds the last crossing of this river, a small ford here in the area. The river itself flows between three cliffs, forming a peninsula on which they have errected their camp. They have built SAM launchers and other turrets on the western cliff, making it impossible to use greater air transports or to start a frontal assault. That is you first target. Get up the hill and disable these turrets to make the path clear for the infantry.
Then he has demanded over ten tasks that are impossible to do, even if we were more persons. First, lay mines on the escape route in the east so that these rebels stay where they are. Secondly, take out the snipers that sit on the nothern cliff. Thirdly, destroy the Goliath and the SPMA the rebels have captured. You can see their estimated position on the map, but the Goliath is probably not parked outdoors at night. I assume that the northernmost building is a garage. Fourthly, mark the Surveillance Tower, the Head Quarter, the Armory and all other building down there for Artillery strikes.
As you may have noticed, that is largely impossible. So I suggest the following: You first of all disable the turrets. Then two of you stay up there and try to deal with the snipers on the other cliff as good as you can while the third runs east and places the mines. I would suggest K'rak for that since he is the fastest and most silent. After the mines are laid out, the ones on the cliff mark two buildings and give the signal for attack while the third moves north and seeks a hidden place from where he can snipe at any escapers.
Which bring us immediately to the next point: armament. This is a moonless planet, so there will be complete darkness. This is not a problem because you will get Nightvisions and Infrared scopes. This mainly means that you cannot use energy weapons because they are too bright and that you shoudl try not to destroy the turrets with an explosion."
James turns to the two weapon chests. The first is filled with mines. "Anti-Person land mines, extra light and small so that you can take a lot of them."
The second is filled with different weapons. James takes out three guns that look like ordinary Assault Rifles. "Silenced Assault Rifles with Gauß Technology. No sound, no muzzle flash. Just a quick death. They are small and light enough to be worn at the girdle. I did'nt know that they actually finished developing them." The next thing is a Sniper Rifle. "This is the one I bought for us, so unlike anything else i give you you can treat this one a bit rougher. Everything else is NEG property and has to be handled with double care." He glances at Jay and then takes out two more Sniper Rifles. "Just in case you need them. These two have to stay in one piece." Then he presents two strange-looking rifles. "Target Painters. Use them to mark the targets."
Then he closes the box and finishes his speech: "That would be it. Discuss your tactics, missions starts at midnight. Before i forget it: Payment. They have got a fixed amount of money from the NEG for which they have to rent the vehicles, buy the weapons and pay the soldiers. What is left of this sum tomorrow will be distributed between the Commander and me. So make sure that these guys also waste no ressources when attacking."
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1Single Person Mobile Artillery. The SPMA is a low-range, but highly mobile and independent artillery vehicle extensively used by all factions. It shoots deadly shrapnel missiles that reduce even reinforced building to rubble quickly. For aiming, it can deploy a floating camera which is unfortunenately very vulnerable and visible and allows AVRiLs to track back to the SPMA by following the radio connection.
