RE: [IC][Story][Arc 1] The Big Raid
05-02-2021, 05:34 PM (This post was last modified: 05-02-2021, 05:40 PM by robkelk.)
05-02-2021, 05:34 PM (This post was last modified: 05-02-2021, 05:40 PM by robkelk.)
The Plan
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
December 17, 2016
7:44 am ET
Teletha took the stage. Instead of her uniform, she was wearing a white skirt and jacket over a navy-blue blouse, along with her signature navy-blue hair ribbon. She'd added a pair of zero-prescription glasses with rectangular frames, making her look a half-decade older than she actually was. Considering some of the people in the assembled force, she needed to look as mature as possible.
Unfortunately for her plan, her outfit also made her look more desirable to exactly the same people. It took Ben and Sosuke three minutes to quiet down the more... "appreciative" men in the room.
Tessa did her best to conceal her annoyance. "For those of you who seem to have forgotten why we're here today, the Unseelie in this part of the world are a clear and present danger to the surrounding towns and cities, including this one. We need to teach them that attacking us leads to retaliation. Intelligence -" (Kazari Uiharu nodded in acknowledgment.) "- has gathered sensor readings consistent with a large number of opposing forces at the identified Unseelie base, which we will refer to by the name of the closest civilian settlement, Calabogie.
"Intel has not detected active sensors at Calabogie. However, our consultants tell us that the opposing force uses magic, not technology." (Kate Crackernuts waved to the group.) "Thus, we will assume that they know who we are and what we can do, and use encrypted communications to keep a communications advantage as per standard operating procedure. Communicators of MITHRIL grade will be issued to all personnel taking part in this operation. This gear is to be returned to quartermaster at the end of the operation." (At the side of the stage, Washuu waved at everyone.)
"The operation is primarily a hostage rescue. Get in, rescue any surviving hostages, do the maximum amount of damage in the minimum amount of time, and get out.
"Stage one: The advanced unit will make themselves conspicuous near but not at the entry, and allow themselves to be captured. It is the advanced unit's job to be taken inside the Calabogie base and activate a beacon in a location that can be secured easily. All members of the advanced unit will have paranormal abilities that can be used to defend themselves, but will not be drawn from the pool of espers and mages known to the opposing force.
"Stage two: The reinforcement unit will be teleported in to the beacon, where they will join forces with the advanced unit. Both teams are to rescue any hostages that they might encounter, and wreak havoc throughout the enemy base. Ideally, we will leave no opposing forces conscious.
"Simultaneously, the artillery support unit will enter the Calabogie base through the same entrance that the advance unit was taken through, and will also wreak havoc throughout the enemy base." Ryoko grinned at that - it had been a while since she'd last had the opportunity to cut loose. Tessa pretended to not notice.
"Stage three: Command post will give the signal to evacuate, at which point the deployed units will make their way out of the Calabogie base by the fastest means possible consistent with operational secrecy.
"The reserve unit will remain in reserve unless the command post deems it necessary for the deployed units to make a tactical retreat, at which point the reserve unit will be deployed to rescue the previously-deployed units.
"Are there any questions?"
"Yeah," Jayne asked. "You want us - the reserves - to sit on our asses and wait for the girls to fuck up. Why not just send us in to start with?"
"If all we were doing was a raid, we would. However, you have no ability to discern possible hostages from enemies that can assume human form, and your weapons do not have a stun setting. Any mistake you might make would likely be fatal for somebody."
"So?"
"Possibly for you."
"Oh."
"So we aren't actually killing any of the Unseelie?" Haruka asked.
"I would prefer to carry out this operation with a minimum loss of life. We will also be giving Usagi the chance to use her Moon Healing Escalation ability to rescue fae who have been corrupted to the opposing side. The local experts have informed me that some of the fae races can be brainwashed into joining the Host; we should at least try to let these fae re-join the Sidhe. In the best case, Sailor Moon will undo the conditioning of everyone who was brainwashed into joining the Unseelie, and those fae will make their escape after we withdraw. However, there is always the possibility that command might authorize the use of lethal force."
At the side of the stage, Ben stood up. "I'm of a similar mind to Ms. Testarossa. We should save lives where possible. It's what sets us apart from them. That said, however, the maxim that all life is precious cuts the other direction as well. Your lives are important. Do not think even for a minute that your life is any less valuable than one of theirs. If someone is trying to kill you, you kill them first. And if one of us makes a mistake and a noncombatant is killed... Well, we'll sort out what went wrong after everything is over so we can do better if there is a 'next time'. But keep this in mind: if you do kill an actual noncombatant, remember that whatever you did to them is a mercy compared to what the Unseelie would do or have done to them. These things are no better than the Reavers from Mr. Reynolds' universe and you should act accordingly. Are we clear on this?"
"Like crystal," Usagi replied.
Shirou raised his hand. "What if the advance unit is attacked with lethal force instead of taken prisoner?"
Tessa frowned for a brief moment as she replied, "In that case, use of lethal force in response is authorized, and we will break off the operation. Are there any further questions?" Seeing a raised a hand, she continued, "Yes, Ms. Kino."
Sailor Jupiter stood up. "The briefing notes said that there is a chance of us going up against giants during this operation. Why aren't we sending in your Arm Slaves?"
Tessa sighed. "Sgt. Sagara, answer the question, please."
Sosuke stood to attention. "Ma'am, yes ma'am. According to the briefing notes compiled by the local experts, the possibility of encountering multiple giants is higher than the possibility of encountering one giant. There were three giants present in the caverns the last time the local experts were in the stronghold. There's no guarantee that there won't be more now. And while Uruz 2, Uruz 6, and Uruz 7 could fight giants one-to-one, it is certain that there will also be infantry-sized opposing forces present that we could not deal with while engaged in combat with forces our size or larger."
"And mecha are vulnerable to attackers our size, for the exact same reasons why tanks are vulnerable to infantry with LAWs or RPG-7s," added Ben, seeing the look of confusion on Makoto's face.
"Exactly," Tessa concluded. "Unless there are only giants in the Unseelie complex, ordering Arm Slaves in would potentially be the same as ordering their pilots to suicide. However, we will deploy the Arbalest in the reserve unit, with ECS functioning at all times." She waited for a moment, then repeated, "Are there any more questions?" After looking around the room, she continued, "No? Then report to the quartermaster, who will issue communicators to you and open a portal to the van that Mr. Donaldson has driven to the staging point. You leave at 8 am sharp."
Calabogie, Ontario, Canada
December 17, 2016
7:52 am ET
Rob parked at the side of the road, close to but not within line-of-sight of the Unseelie stronghold. "Well, here we are. Later than I wanted, but still before we needed to be here."
"Just barely," Jacky replied. "You're not going to make me go back in there, are you?"
Rob shook his head. "No, we need you out here, staffing one of the communications stations. Speaking of which, could you help me get them all running, please?" He pulled the keys out of the van's ignition and headed for the battery bank at the back of the van, to double-check that everything was plugged in and working properly. After six minutes of activity, he switched on the last communicator and spoke into it. "Goalkeeper, Polar Bear Actual. Final comms check."
"Polar Bear Actual, Goalkeeper. Comms are good," replied Kazari's voice.
"TDD Actual, Polar Bear Actual. Advance base is ready. You may teleport when ready."
Back in Ottawa, Tessa spoke into her microphone. "All units, TDD Actual. Headquarters authorizes commencement of Stage One."
Neither Rob not Jacky noticed the panel truck on the other side of the river... or its high-gain antenna pointed at their van.
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
December 17, 2016
7:44 am ET
Teletha took the stage. Instead of her uniform, she was wearing a white skirt and jacket over a navy-blue blouse, along with her signature navy-blue hair ribbon. She'd added a pair of zero-prescription glasses with rectangular frames, making her look a half-decade older than she actually was. Considering some of the people in the assembled force, she needed to look as mature as possible.
Unfortunately for her plan, her outfit also made her look more desirable to exactly the same people. It took Ben and Sosuke three minutes to quiet down the more... "appreciative" men in the room.
Tessa did her best to conceal her annoyance. "For those of you who seem to have forgotten why we're here today, the Unseelie in this part of the world are a clear and present danger to the surrounding towns and cities, including this one. We need to teach them that attacking us leads to retaliation. Intelligence -" (Kazari Uiharu nodded in acknowledgment.) "- has gathered sensor readings consistent with a large number of opposing forces at the identified Unseelie base, which we will refer to by the name of the closest civilian settlement, Calabogie.
"Intel has not detected active sensors at Calabogie. However, our consultants tell us that the opposing force uses magic, not technology." (Kate Crackernuts waved to the group.) "Thus, we will assume that they know who we are and what we can do, and use encrypted communications to keep a communications advantage as per standard operating procedure. Communicators of MITHRIL grade will be issued to all personnel taking part in this operation. This gear is to be returned to quartermaster at the end of the operation." (At the side of the stage, Washuu waved at everyone.)
"The operation is primarily a hostage rescue. Get in, rescue any surviving hostages, do the maximum amount of damage in the minimum amount of time, and get out.
"Stage one: The advanced unit will make themselves conspicuous near but not at the entry, and allow themselves to be captured. It is the advanced unit's job to be taken inside the Calabogie base and activate a beacon in a location that can be secured easily. All members of the advanced unit will have paranormal abilities that can be used to defend themselves, but will not be drawn from the pool of espers and mages known to the opposing force.
"Stage two: The reinforcement unit will be teleported in to the beacon, where they will join forces with the advanced unit. Both teams are to rescue any hostages that they might encounter, and wreak havoc throughout the enemy base. Ideally, we will leave no opposing forces conscious.
"Simultaneously, the artillery support unit will enter the Calabogie base through the same entrance that the advance unit was taken through, and will also wreak havoc throughout the enemy base." Ryoko grinned at that - it had been a while since she'd last had the opportunity to cut loose. Tessa pretended to not notice.
"Stage three: Command post will give the signal to evacuate, at which point the deployed units will make their way out of the Calabogie base by the fastest means possible consistent with operational secrecy.
"The reserve unit will remain in reserve unless the command post deems it necessary for the deployed units to make a tactical retreat, at which point the reserve unit will be deployed to rescue the previously-deployed units.
"Are there any questions?"
"Yeah," Jayne asked. "You want us - the reserves - to sit on our asses and wait for the girls to fuck up. Why not just send us in to start with?"
"If all we were doing was a raid, we would. However, you have no ability to discern possible hostages from enemies that can assume human form, and your weapons do not have a stun setting. Any mistake you might make would likely be fatal for somebody."
"So?"
"Possibly for you."
"Oh."
"So we aren't actually killing any of the Unseelie?" Haruka asked.
"I would prefer to carry out this operation with a minimum loss of life. We will also be giving Usagi the chance to use her Moon Healing Escalation ability to rescue fae who have been corrupted to the opposing side. The local experts have informed me that some of the fae races can be brainwashed into joining the Host; we should at least try to let these fae re-join the Sidhe. In the best case, Sailor Moon will undo the conditioning of everyone who was brainwashed into joining the Unseelie, and those fae will make their escape after we withdraw. However, there is always the possibility that command might authorize the use of lethal force."
At the side of the stage, Ben stood up. "I'm of a similar mind to Ms. Testarossa. We should save lives where possible. It's what sets us apart from them. That said, however, the maxim that all life is precious cuts the other direction as well. Your lives are important. Do not think even for a minute that your life is any less valuable than one of theirs. If someone is trying to kill you, you kill them first. And if one of us makes a mistake and a noncombatant is killed... Well, we'll sort out what went wrong after everything is over so we can do better if there is a 'next time'. But keep this in mind: if you do kill an actual noncombatant, remember that whatever you did to them is a mercy compared to what the Unseelie would do or have done to them. These things are no better than the Reavers from Mr. Reynolds' universe and you should act accordingly. Are we clear on this?"
"Like crystal," Usagi replied.
Shirou raised his hand. "What if the advance unit is attacked with lethal force instead of taken prisoner?"
Tessa frowned for a brief moment as she replied, "In that case, use of lethal force in response is authorized, and we will break off the operation. Are there any further questions?" Seeing a raised a hand, she continued, "Yes, Ms. Kino."
Sailor Jupiter stood up. "The briefing notes said that there is a chance of us going up against giants during this operation. Why aren't we sending in your Arm Slaves?"
Tessa sighed. "Sgt. Sagara, answer the question, please."
Sosuke stood to attention. "Ma'am, yes ma'am. According to the briefing notes compiled by the local experts, the possibility of encountering multiple giants is higher than the possibility of encountering one giant. There were three giants present in the caverns the last time the local experts were in the stronghold. There's no guarantee that there won't be more now. And while Uruz 2, Uruz 6, and Uruz 7 could fight giants one-to-one, it is certain that there will also be infantry-sized opposing forces present that we could not deal with while engaged in combat with forces our size or larger."
"And mecha are vulnerable to attackers our size, for the exact same reasons why tanks are vulnerable to infantry with LAWs or RPG-7s," added Ben, seeing the look of confusion on Makoto's face.
"Exactly," Tessa concluded. "Unless there are only giants in the Unseelie complex, ordering Arm Slaves in would potentially be the same as ordering their pilots to suicide. However, we will deploy the Arbalest in the reserve unit, with ECS functioning at all times." She waited for a moment, then repeated, "Are there any more questions?" After looking around the room, she continued, "No? Then report to the quartermaster, who will issue communicators to you and open a portal to the van that Mr. Donaldson has driven to the staging point. You leave at 8 am sharp."
Calabogie, Ontario, Canada
December 17, 2016
7:52 am ET
Rob parked at the side of the road, close to but not within line-of-sight of the Unseelie stronghold. "Well, here we are. Later than I wanted, but still before we needed to be here."
"Just barely," Jacky replied. "You're not going to make me go back in there, are you?"
Rob shook his head. "No, we need you out here, staffing one of the communications stations. Speaking of which, could you help me get them all running, please?" He pulled the keys out of the van's ignition and headed for the battery bank at the back of the van, to double-check that everything was plugged in and working properly. After six minutes of activity, he switched on the last communicator and spoke into it. "Goalkeeper, Polar Bear Actual. Final comms check."
"Polar Bear Actual, Goalkeeper. Comms are good," replied Kazari's voice.
"TDD Actual, Polar Bear Actual. Advance base is ready. You may teleport when ready."
Back in Ottawa, Tessa spoke into her microphone. "All units, TDD Actual. Headquarters authorizes commencement of Stage One."
Neither Rob not Jacky noticed the panel truck on the other side of the river... or its high-gain antenna pointed at their van.
--
Rob Kelk
Sticks and stones can break your bones,
But words can break your heart.
- unknown
Rob Kelk
Sticks and stones can break your bones,
But words can break your heart.
- unknown