Dear fellow Warriors,
despite House Kurita's efforts to analyse and identify the best strategy to employ in this scenario the following represent the first two turns of the battle in progress.
A tactical analysis report was devulged to the Command and Pursuit lances as to the best strategy to follow - the Kurita Command Lance commander in his infinite wisdom however chose a more straightforward approach, followed by the captain of the Pursuit lance, with predictable results. Honour shall forever befall the Combine despite its choices in this engagement. The mandate was to avoid contact with the Atlas, use hit-and-run tactics in the rear of the Steiner 'Mechs, and concentrate fire on either of the Zeus 'Mechs. The battle of course still lies in the balance and as commander of the untarnished Support lance I have but great admiration for our Commander's....more direct approach.
The Kurita tactical analysis briefing suggested our forces concentrate on either of the Steiner Zeus 'Mechs but a wanton concentration of fire by the Command Lance Commander prioritized the Banshee as the most important target. Our Commander almost closed the battle two turns in with a hail of Combine firepower, while all other briefing parameters were ignored and the Support and Pursuit Lance Commanders look forth to how the battle will unfold forthwith.
The initial deployment
Everything that isn't painted red is yours truly's Support lance - the Commander scoring great shots in the rear of the Banshee making him the new priority target
The ambush forces pound into the Banshee with all they have, giving the Combine forces a great chance to bring down the Steiner invaders early on in the game
Unfortunately, the strategic overview was ignored by the lance commanders who chose to go head to head with the Steiner Atlas
Of course the results were rather predictable....
While the Support lance chipped away as by the strategic advice given by House Kurita's modelling publication, the Commander and Pursuit lance captains opted for a more direct approach. Please note yours truly's Support Lance 'Mechs (unscathed) taking pot shots and dropping heat from afar while the other lances pour in for an all out brawl
The Steiner forces having rendered two Kurita 'Mechs beyond repair need only one more to gain a minor victory, though the Combine forces also only need bring down the Banshee to equalize a minor victory for both sides.
As the code of honour of the Combine dictates, the Support Lance cannot but congratulate the Command Lance for his esteemed choice of tactics as his personal vision far outweighs any tactical analysis gathered by the House's strategic report. With most of the Command and Pursuit lances in ruin, only the Support lance led by the humble yours truly abided the advice of higher command but the battle still hangs all but in the balance.
As the Commander of the Support Lance I believe to the end that House Kurita will carry the day despite the misgivings of these early turns. I trust our esteemed Command Lance Commander has a strategy in place to carry the day for the Combine and will wilfully support any effort my forces are called upon to fulfill in line with our Bushido code of honour.
For the honour of the Combine - Steiner shall not take this field, our Commander knows what he's doing and we're but pawns in his experienced hands.
We shall fight to the death for the Combine.