[[Posted by MechRat, 09-06-2010, 06:25:05]]Here's another update...*****
Scott briefly studied the tactical map, smiling as the second
Heck winked out. A 'Mech
Boom-Boom's computer identified as a
Zeus joined a
ShadowHawk and were closing on on Katya. He was confident that the two of them could handle themselves. Branching off from the command lance was a another lance consisting of two
Griffins and two
Commandos. As the Militia 'Mechs closed, the two
Griffins launched their missile complement at Scott and Lizzie. While a few missiles cratered the
Tiger, all of them missed his
Bombardier.
'Ha! The bastages haven't seen a Bombardier
before!' He sent a full spread of thirty missiles at the lead
Griffin. Most of them hit, causing the 'Mech to stumble.
Liz and Sargent Jenna Thompson each contributed their part; the Gauss Rifle on Liz's
Tiger cleanly removed an arm from one of the
Commandos and Jenna's
Bombardier hit the other
Commando hard enough to knock it to its knees.
*****
Hauptmann Vinson-Tollenson blinked to clear her vision. The last hit from the
MadCat had hit the cockpit and rung her like a bell. Everything was still intact, for now. She heard Williams’ scream as one of the unknown Tiger 'Mechs savaged his 'Mech. Still, it was three against two; if she could just get a good hit on the
MadCat the odds would that much better. Suddenly, her own tactical display warned her of the imminent destruction of the two
Commandos in the second lance. “Support Lances, move forward and engage the Resistance rear elements while their ‘Mechs are occupied.”
“Roger, Command. Support lances engaging as ordered.” From the behind the Militia 'Mechs, twelve
Vedette and four
Manticore tanks surged forward.
*****
Scott and the others had done their jobs right; the TacNet showed that their attack on the Militia had spooked them enough to call out their armor reserves. Now that the Militia tanks were driving hard for the Tigers and the Kowloonese reserves, Scott called out over the comm, “OK folks, we've got their attention, time to bring the kids to the party. Fall back according to plan.”
“Gotcha, Boss,” answered Jenna.
“Acknowledged, sir,” came Eleanor’s reply.
“Right behind you,” said Lizzie.
Nothing from Katya. According to the TacNet she was still engaged with the Milita
Hecatoncheires. He waited almost 30 seconds before shouting out, “Katya! Fall back now! That’s an order!”
A few seconds of static greeted him until she replied, “This is not an honorable tactic.”
Scott felt his face get red. “I don’t give a flying crap what you think! Move it!”
“Aff.”
‘B needs to talk with her about this damn Clanner honor crap. I’m sure there’s a place for it, but not here with me.’*****
Mallory’s broke into a grin as she watched the Tiger ‘Mechs fall back.
’Must have been the tanks. As flimsy as Vedettes
can be, being outnumbered almost 5 to 1 must scare those furballs.’ “First and Second lances, advance and engage those damn pussy cats. Support lances, get your ass in gear and support my right flank.” It never occurred to her that all of the Tiger ‘Mechs were virtually undamaged; she was too busy riding the high of pushing the Resistance forces back. As far as Williams was concerned, he was stupid enough to expose his rear to the Tiger ‘Mech and they were lucky to hit him. The
Commandos were lightweights – they had no place here with the big boys and girls. She’d protested when Condit assigned them to her but was overruled.
*****
Lieutenant MacKenzie keyed Sgt. Dayyan’s frequency. “OK, Sergeant, our guests are headed to the party.”
“Understood, sir.” Moshe looked over at Rabbi Nguyen, “Crank up the noise, Rabbi, its time for our surprise.” The Rabbi turned around and circled his hand in the air, indicating to his small group of Engineers to start up the generator for the crude and hopefully effective ECM gear they had set up in the back of one of the remaining panel trucks.
Nguyen turned back to face Moshe, “If it works, we should have an effective radius of almost 150 meters. And that’s a big if.”
“It’ll have to do, Rabbi.”
When Scott was within about 150 meters, his tactical display started to fuzz as it reacted with the ECM shield.
’Great job, Moshe. This is gonna be great.’Meh, too much effort for some squashing light-weight baggers. The guys (including the girl) must be shooting for artistic impression ...
Nice update.
Doing it with style...
I know that tech has decreased over the centuries but it appears history and common sense have too.
Even if the 90ths reputation is ignored, there are still the Kowloonese militia who noted for been VERY stubborn. Both retreating at the same time in apparent panic without casualties couldn't say ambush more if you put up a 50ft neon sign saying "Ambush this way, please hurry to your doom!"
How come Rimjobs (who are the official bad guys in most 90th stories) have competent leadership but the Lyrans (who appear to be good guys most of the time) have leadership bordering on a load of inbred, farm-animals-in-the-family-tree, morons? ???
I would guess because the Lyrans ARE incompetent, at least the top level/upper mid, it wouldnt be until the Jihad that the higher ups would be purged by baptism of fire of the incompetents and political generals
How come Rimjobs (who are the official bad guys in most 90th stories) have competent leadership but the Lyrans (who appear to be good guys most of the time) have leadership bordering on a load of inbred, farm-animals-in-the-family-tree, morons? ???
Because that is the Lyran officer archetype. The Rimjobs aren't dumb enough to throw an officer's commission to anyone willing to spend enough cash for it. The more you spend, the higher your rank in the LCAF. If you know Gilbert and Sullivan the LCAF has institutionalized promotion based on 'polishing up the brass knocker faithfully'.
I know that tech has decreased over the centuries but it appears history and common sense have too.
Even if the 90ths reputation is ignored, there are still the Kowloonese militia who noted for been VERY stubborn. Both retreating at the same time in apparent panic without casualties couldn't say ambush more if you put up a 50ft neon sign saying "Ambush this way, please hurry to your doom!"
How come Rimjobs (who are the official bad guys in most 90th stories) have competent leadership but the Lyrans (who appear to be good guys most of the time) have leadership bordering on a load of inbred, farm-animals-in-the-family-tree, morons? ???
German nobles. And I am a real-life German myself. Back in 1919 we should he wasted everyone with "von", "van" and "zu" in the family name.
but herr hindenburg was not incompentant. just in his latter yrs did he slip.
How come Rimjobs (who are the official bad guys in most 90th stories) have competent leadership but the Lyrans (who appear to be good guys most of the time) have leadership bordering on a load of inbred, farm-animals-in-the-family-tree, morons? ???
Because the example set by the "Social Generals" is often enough to drive the competent ones out of the service and into the private sector (either as Mercs or businessmen)...?
Nice work and thanks for sharing. I agree with the portrayal of the Lyran leadership's effectiveness (or lack thereof), in that if they were the competant cream of the crop they would be up to their shoulders in either Falcon feathers or Wolf fur. While this is going on the Lyran High Command is having real problems (The invading Clans) and they assigned the marginal and borderline officers somewhere that it was hoped that they would not get to many soldiers killed or to much equipment destroyed. In this case, the High Command's hopes were dashed. Hence Archon Melissa's housecleaning and hastily put together relief package that is in the works. All of the officers fighting against Liz's assumption of authority are dead but just having had the good grace to stop breathing yet.
but herr hindenburg was not incompentant. just in his latter yrs did he slip.
Hindenburg was one hell of a General - no question. But for every good one you had lots of inbred chaff. And they were glass ceilings in the Kaiser's Military for non-Nobles - make up your own opinion on that.
And that is not the worst: the NSDAP did only have the parliamentiary majority in the Reichstag after January 29th, 1933, in coalition with the German Nationalist Party which was the party of the big Industrialists and the Nobles ... Hitler never could have formed his Government without their MP's votes, never could have set himself up as a Dictator without their MP's votes for the "Ermächtigungsgesetze" ... the rest is the worst part of Human History.
There was actually Civil War after 1918 in parts of Germany: Check the "Bavarian Soviet Republic" article on the English Wikipedia ...
And that is not the worst: the NSDAP did only have the parliamentiary majority in the Reichstag after January 29th, 1933, in coalition with the German Nationalist Party which was the party of the big Industrialists and the Nobles ... Hitler never could have formed his Government without their MP's votes, never could have set himself up as a Dictator without their MP's votes for the "Ermächtigungsgesetze" ... the rest is the worst part of Human History.
Hope you include Stalin in the worst part of human history.
Hitler was failed mass murderer (he was stopped) with approximately 11 million dead to his name while Stalin was a successful murderer with upto 60 million deaths regarded as his. Not specifically death camp victims but mass exections of anybody he thought might be a problem.
I had Stalin down for anywhere between 8-15 million inside the Soviet Union between the two World Wars - but I am the first to admit that I may be wrong. Anybody dying in WWII gets flat out attributed to Hitler which would make approximately 55 million. Regardless to say that the exact numbers will never be known ... numbers become moot anyway past a certain point.
If you agree I'd like to leave our dialog as it is In Memoriam of all the victims of crimes against Humanity.
yes i just wish that the rest of the world would share this view instead of gloryfiying these two men. a bitter pill to swallow. unfortunately history will repeat itself as humanity is currently not remembering or learning from its recent past.