>>38474181
>>"Not yet. I'll go check up on her now."

>>38474181
>"Not yet. I'll go check up on her now."

>>38474181
>"Not yet. I'll go check up on her now."

>>38474181
>"I don't really have the time. I need to brief my team."

File: Nina4.jpg (8 KB, 299x168)

8 KB JPG

>>38474181
"Not yet," you say. "I'll go check up on her now. She might know something useful."

"I'll leave you to it then," DuLac says. "We should be ready in about three hours."

You nod and go looking for the local clinic where Brightward is resting. The doctors said she was fine, but you asked Nina to look after her and posted Jetje and Karl to guard the clinic just in case. It's odd enough that the Imperials would expose themselves for a simple kidnapping. You don't want to take any chances, especially if they also have agents in the city.

Jetje and Karl let you into the clinic. Nina is leaning against the wall just outside Brightward's room.

"How is she?" You ask.

"She's fine," Nina says. "She's really pissed at the Imperials right now, but it looks like she's calmed down a bit. You can go talk to her if you want, but I don't think she knows anything."

"Alright, thanks." You knock on the door. "Miss Brightward? My name's Renard de Velde. I'm with the Gallian Army. I'd like to ask you some questions if that's alright."

"Come in," Brightward says.

File: Adeleine Brightward 2.jpg (445 KB, 1200x750)

445 KB JPG

>>38474918
You enter the room and bow politely. Brightward is sitting in her bed. She has some bandages around her arms, but her complexion looks good and she seems alert.

"Thank you for rescuing me from those bastards," she says. "Honestly, I can't believe they're this upset over my joining Gallia. That was years ago and it's their own fault for having such a mediocre conservatory. What's the Empire thinking?"

"That's the question," you say. "We think they have a base nearby and the team that captured you was well equipped, but this is too far from the front lines. They shouldn't be able to get any supplies. The situation just doesn't make sense. Did you hear anything when they captured you? Anything that would else us find out what they were up to?"

"I'm sorry." She shakes her head. "All I know is that they took me first and… shot everyone else afterwards. I was knocked up afterwards."

"That's alright," you say. "We'll find out what they were up to when we attack their base."

"You're going there now?" She asks.

"In a few hours, actually," you say. "We need to make sure no one else is attacked."

"Would… would it be possible for me to accompany you?" Brightward asks. "I need to find out why this happened. I need to see this for myself."

>"I'm sorry, that won't be possible. I can't risk your safety like this."
>"I… I'll see if I can come up with something."

>>38474942
"Oh the mission? No. A little afterwards when the foe is dead or captured? That will be the best i can do miss Brightward. What ever they wanted you for, i will not risk them achieving it or you getting shot."

>>38474942
>"I'm sorry, that won't be possible. I can't risk your safety like this."

>>38474942
>I was knocked up afterwards."
what

>>38474942
>"I'm sorry, that won't be possible. I can't risk your safety like this."

>I was knocked up afterwards.
Those bastards!

>>38475042
>>38475066
Well that was an interesting typo.

>>38474942
>"I'm sorry, that won't be possible. I can't risk your safety like this."

>>38474942
>"I'm sorry, that won't be possible. I can't risk your safety like this."

File: Adeleine Brightward.jpg (255 KB, 1920x1080)

255 KB JPG

>>38474942
"I'm sorry, that won't be possible," you say. "I can't risk your safety like this. If we find out anything, I'll let you."

"I suppose I understand." Brightward sighs. "Please me careful. I'd hate for you to be hurt because of this."

"I never take unnecessary risks." You bow and take your leave.

You arrange for some of DuLac's people to take over guard duty so you can free up your people for the attack. She was already planning on letting some of her subordinates here to organize the city's defenses, so it won't affect your numbers in the next battle.

After that, you gather your team at a one of the local pubs.

>(1/2)

File: 8cqnu.jpg (89 KB, 1280x720)

89 KB JPG

>>38475595
"This is technically a volunteer mission, but Captain DuLac's taking responsibility for it and she'll make sure we're getting paid," you say. "We have to put down the Imperial forces before they become a threat. If we can kind out why they're carrying abductions, even better."

"We can't just ignore the Imperials," Karl says. "Which reminds me, I heard a funny rumour from DuLac's people that we're supposed to be on vacation right now."

"Yeah, I was just messing with you about going to the desert," you say.

"I hate you." Nina grumbles. "So, so much."

"Focus on the mission, people." You take out a crude map of the area. "The Valkyrur temple is like most of the others. The front is open, but the back is completely covered. If the Imperials have fortified their position, forcing our way in will be difficult."

"That's an understatement," Jetje says. "I guess we'll just have to deal with it to the best of our ability."

"We always do." You roll up the map and hand it over the Vanessa. "Any questions?"

Everyone shakes their heads. It isn't much, but you've done all the planning you can for now.

"In that case, get ready for the operation."

The team leaves to gather their equipment. You still have some time to kill.

>Check up on DuLac's squad.
>Do some maintenance on your rifle.
>Walk around town.
>Just relax and wait for everyone to get ready.

>>38475614
>Do some maintenance on your rifle.

>>38475614
>>Do some maintenance on your rifle.

>>38475614
>>Walk around town.
Ask the locals for some rumors and legends surrounding the temple.

>>38474942
Calling it now, the False Songstress is a dormant Valkyrur.

>>38475614
>>Do some maintenance on your rifle.

>>38475614
>Check up on DuLac's squad.

>>38475614
>Check up on DuLac's squad.

>>38475614
>Do some maintenance on your rifle.

File: Ernestine4.jpg (11 KB, 300x168)

11 KB JPG

>>38475614
It's been a while since you've given your sniper rifle a full overhaul and you don't want to take any risks on a mission like this. You find some place quiet to take it apart. You set the components in front of you and get to cleaning. You brush off the dirt, oil the parts, clean the scope and put it all back together. Then you check every single one of your bullets to make sure they're not warped, dented or otherwise damage.

You don't have access to a shooting range, but there's a forest not far from here. You might be able to hunt something. It should be safe so long as you don't stray too far away, so you walk until you're just outside the town limits and wait for a squirrel or something to show. It takes a while, and at some point you decide to just sit down and give your legs a break.

"I see you're not too busy to keep your skills sharp."

You turn around and see Ernestine walking towards you with her own rifle.

"I just gave my rifle a full maintenance run," you say. "I want to make sure it actually works properly, but the animals here have a surprisingly good survival instinct."

Ernestine sits down next to you and stares into the woods, waiting for the first sign of prey.

"It's the same for me." She pauses for a moment. "Everyone's talking about how you rescued that signer."

"So I'm told," you say.

"She must have been very, very grateful," Ernestine says.

>"About as much as you'd expected."
>"Jealous?"
>"She threw herself at me, but your Darcsen doll warded her off."

>>38476118
>>"She threw herself at me, but your Darcsen doll warded her off."

>>38476118
>"She threw herself at me, but your Darcsen doll warded her off."

>>38476118
>"She threw herself at me, but your Darcsen doll warded her off.

>>38476118
>>"She threw herself at me, but your Darcsen doll warded her off."

>>38476118
>>"She threw herself at me, but your Darcsen doll warded her off."
then
>>"... are you jealous?"

File: Vanessa3.jpg (7 KB, 300x168)

7 KB JPG

>>38476118
"She threw herself at me," you say, "but your Darcsen doll warded her off."

Ernestine snorts.

"Sorry, but you're not that handsome," she says. "You should have said that she'd offered you tickets to her next concert or something. I might have believed that."

"Yeah, but that would have been boring."

The leaves in one of the trees rustle slightly and you instinctively raise your rifle. Through the scope, you see a tiny black squirrel sitting on one of the branches. You adjust your rifle a little and pull the trigger. The squirrel's head explodes and its corpse flies deeper into the forest.

"Good as new." You stand up. "I'll see you at the battlefield."

"Sure," Ernestine says. "Just don't expect my Darcsen doll to ward off bullets."

"Well, it did work once," you say, "but I'd much rather not try it again."

You return to the town's entrance where most of the soldiers are waiting. You'll be taking trucks part of the way there before making your final advance on foot. It'll be a long walk, but you've had worse. The rest of your team arrives and gathers around you.

"Remember the plan," you say. "We expect to be outnumbered, but the Imperials shouldn't have overwhelming odds in their favours. All we need to do is grind them down."

"Sir, it's likely that the Imperials will be waiting inside the temple," Kreuss says. "If you'd like, I might be able to take advantage of the chaos of the battle to sneak in."

>"No, I'd rather encircle them and close in."
>"That's not a bad idea. It might help us obtain some intelligence."

>>38476840
>"No, I'd rather encircle them and close in."

>"That's not a bad idea. It might help us obtain some intelligence.

>>38476840
>>"That's not a bad idea. It might help us obtain some intelligence."

>>38476840
>"That's not a bad idea. It might help us obtain some intelligence."

>>38476840
>>"No, I'd rather encircle them and close in."

>>38476840
>>"That's not a bad idea. It might help us obtain some intelligence."
And while she's there, she should plant some bombs as well.

>>38476840
>"No, I'd rather encircle them and close in."

File: Vanessa1.jpg (6 KB, 300x168)

6 KB JPG

>>38476840
"That's not a bad idea," you say. "It might help us obtain some intelligence. We'll figure out the details when we get there."

Captain DuLac arrives to take charge of the convoy, so you sit back and wait for instructions.

"Alright, everyone!" She yells. "We'll get as close to the forest as we can by truck and walk the rest of the way there. Intelligence is minimal, so don't do anything stupid and alert your teams immediately if anything seems at all off."

Your convoy makes its way to the ambush spot, then small teams head into the forest. It's tricky to keep everyone far enough apart that you can't all be taken out by a grenade or a tank shell, yet close enough that you can call for backup if necessary, but Kreuss guides you with no problems and you make sure to keep the other teams in your sight.

You walk for about four hours until you finally reach a fence.

"The temple should be nearby," you say. "Kreuss?"

She climbs up a nearby tree and climb back down almost immediately.

"I can see the temple," she says. "I wasn't able to see how many troops they have though."

"We'll see them soon enough." You signal for the nearby forces to proceed with caution. "Let's get going."

It doesn't take you much longer to reach the temple. You can see it in the distance as the forest begins to thin. You can also see the Imperial troops.

>(1/2)

File: Imperial Shocktrooper.jpg (22 KB, 391x350)

22 KB JPG

>>38477460
There are shocktroopers. A lot of shocktroopers, all behind the cover of sandbags. You also see about half a dozen tanks.

"This is going to be a pain in the ass," you say. "We'll get ripped to shreds if we approach them carelessly."

"My lances can destroy their cover," Nelson says, "but if I'm focusing on the shocktroopers, then I can't focus on the tanks. Then again, I'll have to attack the tanks from the front where their armour is thicker."

"First things first," you say. "Kreuss, sneak around and see if you can find some useful information for us. Nelson…"

>"… give us a hand with the shocktroopers."
>"… prioritize the tanks."

>>38477482
>>"… prioritize the tanks."

>>38477482
>>"… prioritize the tanks."
Shocktroopers will have to eat grenades instead.

>>38477482
>"… prioritize the tanks."
We can pin down the shocktroopers with bullets.

>>38477482
>>"… prioritize the tanks."

Well, the situation isn't stellar. Attacking tanks head-on will do little good, but we can't ignore them at all, since they still have main guns AND machineguns.
However, if we somehow manage to knock out a couple of vehicles, it'll make further assault easier.

>>"… prioritize the tanks."

I hope we have mortar support.

Tanks it is.

I need 2d100.

Rolled 52, 22 = 74 (2d100)

>>38477883

I wish we had some smoke grenades at least.
Hope's high for high roll.

Rolled 79, 74 = 153 (2d100)

>>38477883
boom!

Rolled 76, 18 = 94 (2d100)

>>38477883

Rolled 29, 62 = 91 (2d100)

>>38477883

File: William Nelson.jpg (71 KB, 600x900)

71 KB JPG

>>38477482
"Nelson, prioritize the tanks," you say. "We'll be safe from the shocktroopers as long as we stay behind cover, but the tanks won't have a hard time knocking down those trees. Let's get too it!"

Kreuss sneaks away to find an opportunity to sneak around the Imperial defenses, while the rest of the team gets ready for the fight. In practice, it's really just you and Garcia. Your fencers don't have the range to take on all these shocktroopers and Stroheim's rifle just isn't enough. However, you put a bullet right through a shocktrooper's skull, while Garcia manages to get a lucky burst on another shocktrooper.

One of Nelson's lances gets through and hits a tank right at the base of the turret. It's not an immediate kill, but there's no way the tank will maintain its full combat effectiveness.

The rest of the battlefield is much the same. Fencers are providing a defensive vanguard, while everyone else is showering the Imperials with as much lead as they can. The Imperial shocktroopers aren't able to fight back, but tank shells knock away more than a few trees. You're lucky the forest isn't dry or else you'd be in the middle of a forest fire right about now. Even so, you keep an eye on the blue ragnite flames. Just in case.

You're still outnumbered, but while the Imperials clearly saw you coming, they you still managed to take them by surprise. Momentum is on your side.

>Keep going like this. It's working for you so far.
>Use your fencers to push forward.
>Pull back and wait for Kreuss to return.

>>38478156
>Use your fencers to push forward.

>>38478156
>>Keep going like this. It's working for you so far.

>>38478156
>>Keep going like this. It's working for you so far.
Let's try to get some more tanks. But they clearly have much higher firepower so we won't be able to have an even fight, and must retreat to tree cover soon. With luck we can draw them out and even the odds with terrain. Tanks won't maneuver too well in a forest.

>Use your fencers to push forward.

If we don't force them into close quarters, it's just a matter of time before a lucky tank shell or a grenade gets someone.
Additional benefit would be, that they (supposedly) won't use tanks to get rid of our fencers, since they are likely to injure their own troops.

>>38478384
If we try to push forward we'll be crossing an open field with stormtroopers and tanks blasting away at us all the while.

>>38478156
>Use your fencers to push forward.

>>38478156
>Keep going like this. It's working for you so far.

I'll count that as more of the same, plus a fencer rush after the Imperials are softened up a bit more.

Roll 2d100.

Rolled 50, 11 = 61 (2d100)

>>38478603

>>38478435

Reasonable point.
But then again - remaining where we are currently isn't a panacea, aswell.
We'll see how it goes, nonetheless.
What voice in Renards head will reign supremem I wonder.

Rolled 98, 16 = 114 (2d100)

>>38478603

Rolled 4, 10 = 14 (2d20)

>>38478603

Rolled 56, 46 = 102 (2d100)

>>38478603

File: Jetje5.jpg (8 KB, 300x168)

8 KB JPG

>>38478156
"Nelson!" You yell. "Give that tank another shot!"

"With pleasure, sir!"

A second lance streaks over the battlefield. It strike the damaged tank at about the same spot. This time, the top of the tank goes flying as the lance explodes. It's not going to pose any more problems.

Even better, the shocktroopers near the tank immediately run away from it as it catches fire and starts exploding. Garcia and Stroheim both get lucky shots in, while you hit a third shocktrooper right in the chest as he leaps towards another pile of sandbags. His body lands on the ground and slides a few feet more, but it's all inertia. He won't be getting up again either.

Half of the enemy opposition in this area is gone. You decide it's time to take some risk.

"Leifstel, Schreiner, I need you to lead a charge in," you say. "We need to break through the Imperial line."

The two of them not. They raise their shields and advance.

A tank shell slams into Schreiner's shield and detonates. The two of them are immediately thrown back into the trees and even from behind cover, you feel the heat and pressure of the explosion.

"Shit! Stroheim, help me pull them back!"

"On it, sir!"

The two of you pull the fencers back into the forest.

"How are they?" You ask.

"It looks like they're still conscious," Stroheim says. "That's good. A few burns, a few broken bones, and a lot of bruises. It'll take time, but I can treat this."

"Lieutenant!" Kreuss runs back towards you. Her face turns white when she sees Schreiner and Leifstel. "Are they-"

"They'll be fine," you say. "Did you find anything?"

"I think so," Kreuss says. "I found a tunnel into the temple, but there wasn't anyone inside. We could use it to flank the Imperials though."

>"Let's give the tunnel a shot. We'll leave Leifstel and Schreiner here."
>"We'll do this the standard way. I can't leave Leifstel and Schreiner behind."
>"Stroheim, get Schreiner back on his feet. We're going in."

>>38479035
>>"We'll do this the standard way. I can't leave Leifstel and Schreiner behind."

>>38479035
>"Let's give the tunnel a shot. We'll leave Leifstel and Schreiner here."
>Call over DeLuc's medic to see to them.

>>38479035
>>"Stroheim, get Schreiner back on his feet. We're going in."
Move it move it move it!

>>38479035
>>"Stroheim, get Schreiner back on his feet. We're going in."

>>38479035
>"Let's give the tunnel a shot. We'll leave Leifstel and Schreiner here."
>Call over DeLuc's medic to see to them.

>"Stroheim, get Schreiner back on his feet. We're going in."

Tunnel probably will be chock full of mines and other traps.

>>38479035
>>"We'll do this the standard way. I can't leave Leifstel and Schreiner behind."

File: Karl3.jpg (87 KB, 750x500)

87 KB JPG

>>38479035
"Stroheim, get Schreiner back on his feet," you say. "Kreuss, find us a medic to look after Leifstel. We're going to check out that tunnel."

It takes you less than a minute to get Leifstel and Schreiner sorted out.

"Schreiner, are you sure you can fight?" You ask."

"Yes, sir," he says. "I'll be sore for days, but I can take it."

After that, Kreuss leads you to the tunnel entrance. The Imperials didn't even leave a token force behind to defend this place. Kreuss and Schreiner take point, while Garcia brings up the rear. The tunnel is surprisingly wide for what's probably an emergency exit, but it doesn't take you very long to reach the other side.

The inside of the temple is illuminated by ragnite lamps. You see modern tables and other instruments scattered all over, but it's all in a mess. The Imperials must have cleared the place out before leaving. They must have left something behind, but you can't worry about that now.

The battle is still raging on outside and you can't leave the troops you were fighting alone. It's a good thing you have cover and they don't.

"We're getting back into the fight," you say quietly.

>Keep to the standard approach: guns and lances.
>Explosions! Throw in a grenade and a few lances to finish them off.

>>38479392
>Why not all 3?

>>38479392
>>Explosions! Throw in a grenade and a few lances to finish them off.
When in doubt, blow stuff up.

>>38479392
>>Keep to the standard approach: guns and lances.

>>38479392
>Why not all 3?

>Keep to the standard approach: guns and lances.

Looks like we're using ALL THE DAKKA.

I need 1d100.

Rolled 44 (1d100)

>>38479652

Rolled 40 (1d100)

>>38479652
dakkadakkadakkadakkadakkadakka!

>>38479652

Rolled 89 (1d100)

>>38479652

>>38479712
Oh thank the mercies, a decent fucking roll.

Rolled 78 (1d100)

>>38479712

Oh boy, supply department is going to love us.

>>38479712
Nice one.

File: Valkyrur Temple.jpg (741 KB, 1000x707)

741 KB JPG

>>38479652
"Let's just go nuts," you say. "Guns, lances, grenades, everything. Take those Imperials out."

You lie down to steady your shots, but by the time you're peering through your scope, your side of the battle is over. Nelson's lance scores a direct hit on the tank's radiator, causing it to explode. Kreuss and Garcia shoot down two shocktroopers, while Stroheim's grenade kills two more. You score a headshot on the last one.

The battle quickly turns to Gallia's favour after that. The Imperials are thrown into confusion once they realize they've been flanked. Captain DuLac immediately exploits the opening to step up her assault.

Whatever the Imperials were hoping to accomplish here, it's over.

"Looks like this place is secure," you say. "That's one less thing to worry about."

"Oh, I'm sure something new will come up soon," Stroheim says. "It always does."

>Get back to Leifstel. Captain DuLac can deal with the temple.
>Have a look around the main hall.
>See if you can get down to the temple's lower levels.

>>38479857
>See if you can get down to the temple's lower levels.

>>38479857
>See if you can get down to the temple's lower levels.

Time for adventure!

>>38479857
>>See if you can get down to the temple's lower levels.
>ask the Captain if jetje is alright

>>38479857
>>See if you can get down to the temple's lower levels.
Let's see if the imps left anything interesting behind.

>>38479857
>See if you can get down to the temple's lower levels.

>Have a look around the main hall.

We'd check on insignia and ranks of soldiers here. Who knows, what we can find out.

>See if you can get down to the temple's lower levels.

After that - checking the remaining parts of temple for any additional point of interests. We might even find something, that would shed light on what was going on.
Well, apart from obvious shooting.

>>38479857
>See if you can get down to the temple's lower levels.

File: Valkyrur Ruins.jpg (270 KB, 600x686)

270 KB JPG

>>38479857
>Valkyrur Temple Assault - Combat Report
>Two Tanks, Ten Shocktroopers
>6600XP, 3960DCT

"These temples have lower levels," you say. "They're usually sealed unless the temple is heavily damaged, but I don't think the Imperials would have come all the way here just for the main hall."

You walk around the main hall, looking for anything that looks like a door.

"Lieutenant, I believe I found something," Roberta says.

You walk up to her. She's standing in front of what looks like a spiral door, but it's closed and there's no obvious mechanism.

"Looks like the Imperials weren't able to get in," you say.

"No, I'm certain they were able to go through this door," Garcia says. She turns her lamp towards the ground.

There's a trail of blood leading from the very edge door to main hall, but the door itself isn't stained. Whoever left that blood must have moved through here when the door was opened.

"Better get Captain DuLac," you say. "I think we'll be here for a while."

>>38480350
And that's all for today. Next thread will be next Wednesday at around 7PM EST. I'll see you all then and thanks for playing.

>>38480370
thanks for running

>>38480370
Thanks for running. Shame there seems to be fewer players lately but I'm still having fun.

Late to the party dammit