Here's MS rules presented in the .odg file.

Hopefully the concept of "phantom DC points" wont be too confusing.

Well, that's basically everything I've gotten ready and done up at the moment.

So here comes the thing, I'm still in a bit of a quandry about how to properly do Veteran and Newtype skills, with regards to pricing mainly, but also just how some of them should work.

For instance, a fair few of the veteran skills are simply attatching special rules already found in the rulebook, like Leader, Sniper, Inspiring or Infiltrate. Then there are other special rules, like HANO specialist, Shock Trooper and Ambush Specialist.

Then there's the Newtype powers.
As was discussed last time, Newtype powers worked by giving the pilot a basic invulnerable save which would be better depending on how powerful a newtype he would be. Also, a high level newtype would be able to pick and choose from a suite of abilities.

>>8974147
Newtype powers as low-key psyker powers, maybe vaguely similar to stuff like Fortune and Doom? Most of it seems to be high situational awareness that they use to get the drop on others.

And maybe, as far as it goes, Vets for normal groupings of mobile suits might just work like that - Pay 10 points, designate a model as Veteran, choose a special rule for that squad from a list.

For actual characters, of course, they can have any sort of special rules... Char should probably get a 3x Faster reference: "Any model piloted by Char gets an extra 1" of movement so long as it is painted red" or something.

>>8974184

Yeah that sort of thing.

As for Newtype abilities, the ones I've got pencilled in currently are:

One that counts you MS as having one extra "phantom DC" than it does, so it attacks 1 extra time in CC and Firefights, and it pushes stuff out of the way and takes more Blast Markers to break.

Accuracy - Some kind of increase in accuracy, some people were saying that a universal +1 to hit things is OP, so perhaps a single re-roll per turn for a failed hit roll instead or something?

Then there are the Newtype Pressure suite of abilities. Including "Pressure: Materialised" (DAT JUDAU) and Pressure: Corrosive (Dat Scirroco)

Then there's the one that lets you detect enemies at long range and provides bonuses to Psychommu Bit use.

Then there's the ones which I have NO IDEA how I'm going to implement. Such as Elaines NT skill, Kamilles ability to talk to dead people and how to do Davids unsual level of endurance, which he showed during that fight with the Newtype in Pezun.

>>8974027
I always meant to ask about the whole New Yark thing. It doesnt seem to be in the same place on the maps as New York. Is it possible they mean Newark over in Jersey?

So as for the Early War lists I've been toying with the following sort of layout.

Zeon: MS heavy, Tanks and Infantry can only be bought as support formations. You can have up to 50% of your army list be Warmachines if you so choose (although Early Zeon doesn't really have much to choose from.)

Federation: Tank and Air Power heavy, up to 50% of the army can be Air Units and you can 0-1 Experimental MS team, made up of either Zanni's, Stolen Zaku's or Prototype Guntanks (which I fear I have grossly overpowered somewhere.)

>>8974359

I've always thought it was a badly named New York, coupled with Japans shaky understanding of Geography outside of Japan. Kyalifornia largely confirms this.
I also think they never really call them this beyond the original series do they?

>>8974279
For Elaine: Every time she inflicts a blast marker on an enemy unit, she may add/remove (whichever is beneficial; I don't know exactly how Armageddon works) 1 to any one of her next rolls.

>>8974401

The problem is that Blast Markers don't really work like that. But every kill she makes would work... How about instead of a +1 to her next roll, she adds a re-roll to a pool of re-rolls? Maybe give it some kind of limit based on Level. So a Level 3 Juggernaught could only have at most 3 re-rolls 'stored' this way?

>>8974375
>Prototype Guntanks (which I fear I have grossly overpowered somewhere.)

That's because they ARE grossly overpowered.

>>8974399
This, pretty much. "Great Canyon" falls under the same banner. Weirdly enough, later on in the series we actually have Belfast, Ireland.

>>8974477
And then we hit Turn A. Welcome to the Kingdom of Bostonia, in the great kingdom of Ameria, neighbors and friends of Lusianna.

>>8974462

That's just the IGLOO effect at work. If they were supposed to be that good then the Feds never would have had the need to develop mobile suits.

That said:

RTX-440 Guntank Prototype 100pts
Type Speed Arm CC FF
MS 30cm 5+ 5+ 3+
Weapons Range FP
220mm Cannon 60cm AP4+ AT4+ or (BP1 Indirect)
x2 Arm Cannon 20cm AP4+ AT5+
MS Scale Flamethrower 15cm 1BP Disrupt
Missile Launcher 20-40cm 2BP Slow Firing
MLRS 60cm 2BP Indirect One Shot
Notes
Reinforced Armour, Mobile Suit

Is DAMN powerful for Epic.

>>8974499

To be fair, Turn A is set hundreds if not thousands of years in the future.

>>8974445
Sounds good.

>>8974514
It is, and I goddamn love that mustache suit, don't get me wrong, but it made me laugh when I realized what was going on with the names.

>>8974501

To put this in context your looking at a Mobile Suit that can at range 80, fire indirectly, with a 5 BP barrage.
Each.
This is means that even if 1 fires, it produces an extra Blast Template, hitting everything underneath on AP 3+ and AT4+ (due to the fact that indirect fire requires you to take a sustained fire action)

Squads in SoS is 3.
So that's 3 of these things hurling out a BP15 indirect blast, 3 templates, 3 extra Blast Markers on top everything else, AP3+ AT4+.

When you take into account that these things are DAMN dangerous up close as well, then it get's a little unfair. I mean, why even develop the Guntank if you already have this?

>>8974656
Better armor? I'm pretty sure the Guntank and its MP model had far better range as well, what with their indirect fire abilities.

>>8974656
Is that some Gear Krieg, or the most GRIMNDARK Guntank in the history of Guntanks?

>>8974656
the best answer would be expense - the design incorporates a lot of dead end prototype tech that can't really be developed further and is atrociously expensive. So basically, adjust the points cost up until they become balanced.

>>8974703

The latter oddly enough.

>>8974697
I suppose, then there's also the fact that the Missile Launcher is slow firing and the VLS is a one-shot. So after that first turn, it's going to drop in performance.
Alternatively I was going to have the Guntank's main guns be 2BP, so if I reduce the Prototypes Missile Launcher down to 1 BP. That way, the Prototype is better up close, wheras the Guntank is more consistent.

How about it?

>>8974849
Sounds good to me. The 440 seems more like a linebreaker then the dedicated artillery units its descendants are.

I think I might need to see stats on some sort of Zaku before I can start being sure what freaky mobile armor death machines should be like, but maybe that's just me.

>>8974656
The other day I basicly came to the conclusion that based on the Federation's technology strengths and specialties they never should have developed Mobile Suits. Instead they should have built aircraft type Mobile armor, somthing along the lines of the Val Varo.

When the recent episodes were so sonar heavy (Foxbat, Calvin, talk about how precious sonar units were to Zeon) I came up with the following idea of representing sonar in Soldiers of Sorrow:

Sonar has a range, affecting all enemy units within that distance of the sonar unit. Within this range, it cancels cover saves of MS.

A Flipper could have maybe sonar 30cm or something, while a monster like Foxbat has sonar 75cm.

>I mean, why even develop the Guntank if you already have this?

More interchangable parts between the units, probably.

An mid-war guntanks are even more OMG WTF. Little wonder that they actually managed to push Zeon off Earth again.

>>8974375
uh...Zeon was conventional unit heavy on Earth. Odessa itself was mostly conventional units fighting other conventional units.

In addition to things like wappas, magellas etc the MS were:
MS-05B Zaku I
MS-05G Zaku I Land Warfare type (if I recall correctly)
MS-05S Zaku I Commander
MS-06C Zaku
MS-06J Zaku
MS-06S Zaku II Commander

Remember how in first gundam garma sent in all of those units, but only had like an MS team or two? And how it was a bit of a bitch for Char to get some spare Zakus in space after he attacked Side 7, despite being on a specop mission and all?

Here's the Guntank MK II and some size comparison.

Apologised, I see you statted the Sauropelta as a (light) vehicle. Don't you think it (and the Wappa) would be better represented by just giving the 'mounted' trait to an infantry unit?

>>8975413
There they go calling it a Magellan instead of a Magella again.

>>8974932
>I think I might need to see stats on some sort of Zaku before I can start being sure what freaky mobile armor death machines should be like, but maybe that's just me.

Here you go.

MS-06F Zaku II 60pts
Type Speed Arm CC FF
MS 15cm 4+ 4+ 4+
Weapons Range FP
2x Pod Space
Cracker Grenade 10cm 1 BP
Notes
Reinforced Armour, Mobile Suit, Walker,

>>8975197
Nice, and it works with how Epic basically ignores things like radar and information warfare and the like, due to it being set in 40k.

>>8975418
Wappa's are technically Skimmers instead of mounted.
Also, the Sauropelta is pretty much a textbook light vehicle. Zeonic biker infantry is in though.

>>8975779
You know, Zeon Bike Infantry is only a step (and 74 years) away from this bad boy.

>>8975779
>Wappa's are technically Skimmers instead of mounted.

But 'mounted' lets you use infantry rules for anything but movement. So maybe both? Mounted and Skimmer? Or would you rather say Wappa infantry is infantray with the skimmer trait?

>Also, the Sauropelta is pretty much a textbook light vehicle.

You're right. I always keep forgetting how trikes and stuff are counted as vehicles in E:A.

Another thing about infantry: Would they all be armed with smallarms, or is a single heavy weapon for each stand in order? I am a bit sketchy on OYW canon in that regard.

>>8975886
>Wappa infantry is infantray with the skimmer trait?

This. It seems to be the most elegant solution.

Wappa Riders 40pts
Type Speed Arm CC FF
Inf 30cm 5+ 6+ 4+
Weapons Range FP
Mounted MG 15cm AP4+
Demolition Charges contact Macro Weapon
Notes
Skimmer, Scout

>>8975779

Shouldn't the Zaku also get a Jumpack?

>>8975931

Nice. I'd say drop the armour to 6+ or get rid of it alltogether, though. Wappas do not really strike me as able to resist any kind of firepower if hit.

>>8975886
Anti-material weapons seem present in UC canon. There's shots of Fed infantry aiming what look like LAWs at Zakus or Doms.

>>8975968
The Gouf was the first suit that could rocketjump properly. Zakus couldn't do it until the G-Type was created, I think.

>>8975968

I think it's covered in the basic MS rules. Hmm, guess not.

Okay, the idea I'm toying with is that all MS get thrusters of some kind, but they can only use them with a Double or Treble move order, in which case 50% of their move can be taken as if they had the Jump Packs rule.

What do you think?

>>8976032
>Nice. I'd say drop the armour to 6+ or get rid of it alltogether, though. Wappas do not really strike me as able to resist any kind of firepower if hit.

Armour 6+ represents the Wappas small size and speed. It mentions this when it talks about Light Vehicles in the rulebook.

>Anti-material weapons seem present in UC canon. There's shots of Fed infantry aiming what look like LAWs at Zakus or Doms.

Well, I've got three types of Infantry for the Feds: Standard , Mortar teams and AT Teams. Whereas Zeonic Infantry comes in Special Forces and Standard flavours, both intended to be fairly multirole.

>>8976046
>The Gouf was the first suit that could rocketjump properly. Zakus couldn't do it until the G-Type was created, I think.

They were doing it in the Hildolfr episode of IGLOO, which was back in April. So at the very least I'd say the J types are capable of it.

There doesn't happen to be any good Gunpla or figures in the appropriate size out there, does there?

>>8976557

No, mores the pity. Certainly not outside randomised Gatchapon, and that's not really what were looking for is it?

Space Marines would make good proxies for Epic Scale Zaku's. Lord know what you could use for Federal MS.

>>8976588
Maybe a Guardsman with some Tau bits thrown on? Fed MS are much slimmer and more angular then Zeon ones. Getting the right head shape would require some work though.

>>8976588

Ah well, I suppose there's always card proxies for most things, if nothing else.

>>8976588

Infantry, tanks, jeeps etc should be easy enough to convert from the massive line of Epic minis that are already out, it's just bigger things that would be troublesome. I really can't think of a much better idea than some sort of papercraft or something.

>>8976852

Yeah, tanks and what not are pretty easy to do, either with Epic models or WW2 models in the same scale.

>>8976643

Yeah, I guess. I just wish Bandai did stuff in that scale.

>>8976852
is there no virtual tabletop program currently supporting epic? I hate to say it, but that will probably be the only realistic way to actually play this, barring paper cut-out gundams.
On that note I suppose there IS that one cardboard ork dreadnought from 2nd ed 40k

Zeon beam weapon equipped AMBAC fighter based on that other kitbash.

>>8977274
Based on this thing.

Didn't Zeon actually have a rocket pack to use on their Zakus for jumpin' as shown in 0083?
Don't know when that was introduced, but I get the feeling it was late 0079/0080?

>>8977089
The Vassal 40k team had an Epic module, don't know how complete it was.

I think I've figured out David's newtype power, or at least an aspect of it. He's great with minute details. This makes him excellent at testing mobile suits, adusting where he gets hit, noticing disguises and disarming stuff like bombs.

>>8977519

I was actually thinking it might be something based more on Newtype pressure rather than sensitivity, since everyone else in our unit seems to be sensitivity based in one way or another.

>>8977579

Well, he did make that newtype chick we fought at Pezun *freak the fuck out* afterwards.

>>8977633

There is that too, yeah.

>>8977633
>>8977650
Amuro did seem a bit unnerved by our paint scheme. Perhaps that was part of it?

>>8977712

So...

David's Newtype power is scaring the crap out of people?

... I'm okay with this!

>>8977735

Maybe only other Newtypes, maybe David even messes with their powers. Of course we could also all be totally wrong about it all.

>>8977735

Moar like image related probably.

>>8977817

Reverse "speaking with death people", "NO! the Gravity keeps YOU! soul down nao!" or something

>>8977712

Amuro was unnerved because there was a giant skeleton chasing after him with a gigantic bazooka.
That's normal.

>>8978147

Aw.

This is going to lead to endless speculation until you tell us what the newtype power is, you realise?

>>8978147
meh, I could hope.

>>8978147

How close are you to a full version of at least the early war army lists and rules modifications? I think at this point that we're only really going to see how it works with some real play-testing.

Epic Newtype powers concerning bits:

I would model bits as standard weapons with indirect fire capability.

A Newtype with a special predilection for controlling bits gets an extra shot out of those weapons and/or increases their range. (+10cm range might be one power point, +1 shot costs two)

>>8978289

Stats and individual points costs are done. Things like the army lists themselves, Veterans and Newtypes aren't finished.

>>8978392

To be fair, considering at the moment were mostly concerned with the Earth war so bits aren't something to concern overly with just yet.

>>8978409

Well, once the list is done and posted, I might have a few friends willing to do some playtesting. With proxies and all rather than real models, but still.

>>8978409

You already did the points? I would have thought that to be the hardest part.

For the army lists: Do you want to do this more the Epic way (i.e. single flexible list per faction) or more like FoW (multiple lists per faction, representing a specific type of large scale formation)?

First options seems both easier and more attractive to me.

Standard detachment + upgrades list. Veterans/Newtypes will be one possible kind of upgrade.

Or perhaps veterans will be a limited detachment choice during the early war list - few veterans available, those who are are likely to be grouped together in their original units, while during mid and late war lists they will become upgrades that can be bought for any detachment (possibly more of them, but scattered all over the force)? Seems a bit complicated though. So I'd just stick with making them upgrades right from the get go.

>>8978505

As 3d and vectors and stuff always tend to get so bloody complicated I thought we would keep the space rules basically the same - just played on a black table instead of a green or brown one?

(Plus I would have thrown in an extra rule for AMBAC, which can only be used by MS in space battles. Giving them a cover save even in the open. Also, space lists would obviously be different from Earth sphere lists.)

>>8978617

Not really, I basically worked out how much an individual Leman Russ and Forge Knight costs and then extrapolated on how much better or worse certain units are from there.

Then of course there are the ideosyncrasities of the system where everything must be rounded to nearest quarter of a hundred.

>>8978711

That was the idea, but for now we'll concentrate on ground warfare.

there were a couple sets of Gunpla Gatchapon over on hlj...

>>8978797

So what detachments would be possible in an early war Earth attack force list?

MS Squads (3 Zaku II - possible upgrades: Veterans, company commander, exchange any MS for D-type, exchange up to one Zaku for a Gouf)

Tank squads (5 Magella)

Infantry platoon (4 stands of Zeonic infantry - possible upgrades: special forces (add 2 special forces stands), Wappa team (add 2 Wappas), Sauropelta (add 1), APCs (add 2))

Land cruiser (1 Dabude - possible upgrades: company commander)

Dopp squadron (5 Dopps)

Gaw (1 Gaw - possible upgrades: parasitic Dopps (add 8 Dopps))

Lugguns and Fat Uncle don't really seem to fit the scope of this. Anything else?

So, guess that's all the discussion we're gonna have for the day. Once again, it's been fun gentlemen.

hey, just throwin it out there, but for models....there's a huge selection of 1/144 stuff :P
.
just scale up the ranges apropriately......

There is just one last thing...

RULES FOR AMPHIBIOUS MOBILE SUITS.

Units with the Amphibious skill have the following ability.
These units can move through water terrain as if it was open. If in impassible water terrain then they count as being outside of LOS to other enemy units unless they are another amphibious MS in the same terrain feature.
Furthemore an Amphibious unit starting it's turn in water terrain counts as having infiltrate.
It may also enter play as if it had Teleportation, but may only deploy in impassible water terrain.

What do you think?

>>8980012

Even 1/144 scale is deceptively big. If they made more stuff in 1/400 or 1/550 then it would be great.

Take this Musai kit for instance. Those Zaku's a nearly perfect.

http://www.gundammad.co.uk/index.asp?section=products&idd=42

>>8980340
its the logistic of it man, who wants to buy several musais just to use the wee little zakus? i dont exactly have casting gear to pop out resin copies either. i wouldn't think using 1/144 would be so much of an issue really. people play 28mm battletech, for example

>>8980340
>>musai
>>out of stock
>>gundammad
no surprise ;_;

>>8980292

Sounds good. I would throw in an 'overheat' trait on top of that to simulate watercooled beam weapons on the amphibious suits.

Maybe like this: A weapon with overheat counts as a oneshot weapon when the MS is not in water terrain. It counts as slow reloading when the suit is in water terrain, and as a normal weapon when the MS is in impassable water terrain.

Alternatively directly toggle the number of shots.

Hmm. Doesn't feel quite right yet. Can't put the finger on it though. Mayber just force a reroll when out of water? An overheat weapon has to make two to hit rolls when on dry land, worse one counts?

>>8980392

Yeah, but you can play Battletech with 4 models.

Hell playing it 5 models apiece and things get clunky if there's only one player on each side.
Basically, it's a Vassal Module or nothing.

>>8980495
compuetar geams :/

Operation Terminus

August 1st, 0079 - 10:10 California Local


Commander Pete Wesell of the 3rd Zeonic Engineering Corps leaned back in his chair and shrugged.
"On paper the Jormungand Super Particle Cannon seems like an interesting idea. I dont know how practical it would be however. Maybe if we'd had the thing at Loum or been able to use it to help protect the colony during Operation British it could have proven it's usefulness. Little late to be bringing it up this far into the war wouldnt you say?"

The man from Zeonic Intelligence opened the metal briefcase that was handcuffed to his arm, pulling out three pieces of paper. Without a word he slid them across the table.

Picking them up Wesell examined the first print out.
"'Hypersonic Minovski Bomb Projectile' eh? What'll you guys think of next?" He asked jokingly.

Looking more closely he quickly recognised various minovsky field parts that belonged to the Jormungand. Glancing up he saw that the spook was still just as emotionless as before. The second page had plans for a massive artillery system that would launch the devices. It was hard to get an idea of the scale until he noticed the base entrances large enough for Mobile Suits.

"You cant be serious, we could build a Musai with this much material."

>>8980560
The third page showed the projected range for an operation 'Terminus' with notations scribbled on in marker regarding flight times and average atmosphereic density.

"This is insane. Even if you could get the projectiles to land where we THINK Jaburo is located it still wouldnt mater! They'd either be too weak to punch through the rock and nuke hardening OR it would be so powerful the Feddies would think we'd broke the Antarctic treaty! Oh, and STILL probably not break through their base shielding."

"We're giving you two weeks to begin construction on a site to these specifications. You'll recieve various housings and components transferred from another project in South East Asia. As much of these matarials are to be built on the exterior of the base as possible."

"Cooling problems?"

"Not quite. All concrete and rebar for the project will be procured on-island. When it is time to begin installing the cannon components you will close off the top of the construction as though they are already in place. Over the next few days cargo vehicles carrying containers will enter and exit only via the main ground level doors. ...Would you like to guess what will be inside the containers?"

"I have no idea, cruise missiles and launchers?"

"No. Six squads of our new Heavy Mobile Suit that is now entering production."

Pete looked confused for a moment. "What?" He finally said.

"In two weeks time these papers and this briefcase are going to be found by the Federation along with the body of a dead Zeon Colonel. We dont really expect your construction to be completed until November. It's your job to make sure that a maximum number of people on the ground believe that this is a live project. Lie to your own men if you have to, I dont care, but expect a heavy Federation attack on your site a anytime after 2 weeks from now."

>>8980428

How about a "Water-Cooled" Trait that means that outside of water terrain it counts as being Slow?

>>8980426
>>8980392

I would still buy the fuck out of that model though if given the chance. It's just a really nice model.

>>8980573
August 3rd, 0079 - 08:25 Cuba Local

A Fat Uncle transport cruised above the island of Cuba approaching a large construction site. A Lieutenant Miles Sarn waved the commander over to a window when they got closer.
"What do you think?" he shouted to be heard over the engine noise. "Has potential doesnt it?"

Wesell watched as a series of explosions blasted out rock from the large crater taking shape.
"How long ago did construction begin?" he asked.

"They've been working on clearing the site for about two months. It was supposed to be for a large communications project that could cut through the Minovski interferance. Eventually they figured out they could use some of the various telescopic observatories in the western US for ground to orbit laser pulses. They didnt tell us to stop work though."

"We're looking at a tight timetable for the arrival of the... the main equipment. How soon could we begin pouring concrete?"

"We'll, it'll take us a few days to get the rebar assembled into the shapes we'll need since you're the only one with the design plans. If it wasnt for that I'd say we could start within 48 hours."

"As soon as we land get your people clearing the blasting debris so we can do a proper laser scan survey. When that's finished I'll combine the data so we can start distributing the need to know stuff."

"How much do I need to know about this project?" asked Sarn.

"You'll get most of it dont worry. Before everybody is told what's happening though I want materials estimates taken care of so the MP's can seal us off from the outside world."

"Understood!"

>>8980590
August 5th, 0079 - 12:30 Local

Wisell stood at the bottom of the large crater that the Zeonic Engineering forces had cleared. The rock and debris that had been blasted out was being held in another location for use later either as backfill or aggregate for concrete. All around him survey teams were taking bearing and measurement readings, compiling them all onto boxy computers shielded against minovski particles.

"So sir, seriously what is this thing?" Asked Lieutenant Sarn. From what he'd seen of the younger man over the past day or so Pete Wesell had come to the conclusion that he was competent but impatient. He figured the other officer was proably the perfect choice for someone to keep him on schedule.
"A gun." He responded at length.

"A gun? What kind of gun would need a turret this big?"

"Lieutenant have you ever heard the old Earth wartime saying 'loose lips sink ships?'"

"No sir but... I think I get your meaning."

"Good. Now... we're not building any turret we just need to be able to traverse the gun ten degrees left or right. Elevation'll be a diffrient story."

"Understood. A standard concrete coffin type setup would probably be the best bet then. It'll only be a question or size and bearing."

"The laser surveys have already given me enough for a rough bearing. South by south east."

"But the only thing that way is..." Sarn's voice trailed off in thought then his eyes went wide.

The commander grinned then looked back through the survey cam.
"Now you've got it."

>>8980533

It's not that bad, the BFG module for it's pretty good actually.

>>8980623
August 11th, 0079 - 09:00 local

Cranes assisted by Zaku tanks moved rebar cages and concrete forms into position. Over the past week the Lieutenant had been working like a man possessed. Wesell had already needed to warn him that this project had to be carried out the right way, not necessarily the fastest way. If they had to stop and jackhammer out a bad batch of concrete it would cost days. Days that they didnt have.

"Haste makes waste Lieutenant." Wesell mumbled under his breath, looking around the construction site through the survey cam.

The lowest levels of the bunker complex were already taking shape. The last major thing needed before work began on the 'coffin' was a roof over the main MS bay. Off to the sides among the piles of steel and rebar being prepared were the large support braces that would help distribute the weight of the facilities above the bays.

Suddenly the air raid sirens began to spin up around the work camp. Personnel everywhere scrambled into action. Soldiers and engineers ran for prepared stockpiles of camo netting and tarps. At the far end of the construction site Zaku I's lifted a large rolled up tarp and began spooling it out over the main bunker.

There was some momentary confusion among the crane crew as they struggled with the rebar cage already hovering above the site. Lt. Sarn rushed over to the Zaku tanks already assisting and waved for the crane to drop the load. Despite the risk the crane operator let it loose and the salvaged Zaku arms whined under the increased strain. Within seconds they lowered it into place nearly spot on. Not waiting for their work to be checked the tanks beat a hasty retreat for the -now- camoflaged storage sheds.

>>8980587
>How about a "Water-Cooled" Trait that means that outside of water terrain it counts as being Slow?

That would be along the lines of the first idea. Problem I have with that is, that it makes the watercooled guns just too effective on land for my tastes. Slow means every other turn. So an amphibious MS with two beam cannons could be happily firing one of them each turn without any worries. Doesn't feel right.

>>8980671
A few minutes later Lt. Sarn arrived at the Command Post, out of breath and covered in dust.
"Reporting in... site... secure!"

Wesell barely acknowledged him scanning the skies with an old pair of binoculars.

"Anything?" asked Sarn.

"Not yet."

It was still another minute before they spotted the contrail at high altitude.

"Recon plane. Gotta be."

The Federation plane crossed the sky from east to west obviously taking image data of the entire island.
"Should we have scattered Minovski particles?"
"No, that would only confirm our presence here. Still they're going to figure out something is up soon."

A soldier with the operations unit walked over, hand covering the mic on a phone. "Sir the Dopp squadrons from Florida report that they should have some planes in our area in another 15 minutes."

"They wont get here in time to catch him. Still, best to have them send out a small force. We dont want the Feddies thinking that we'll let them roam unopposed."

>>8980701

'The body drop shouldnt even have happened yet.' Wesell thought. 'But they might already be getting suspicious about what we're working on.'

"Hopefully nobody has tipped off a Feddie ELINT unit about our operations here."

Sarn spoke up. "The Federation does tend to do fairly regular combat patrolls and recon runs through Central America. A few months ago they even launched a Fanfan raid against our other positions in Cuba. It's been quiet ever since their navy pulled out of the area though. I heard they might be deploying to the Pacific."

"What's our current AA compliment again?"

"We have a several dozen light anti aircraft guns and artillery with flak ammo, 10 Magellas converted for anti air work and uh... the usual mix of APC's, light vehicles and such. Plus the 20 normal Magellas of course."

"That's not very much. I'll see if I can get more called in first thing tomorrow. If they do decide to raid us I want to be ready."

August 15th, 0079

Workers swarmed over rebar cages helping to direct the flow of concrete being piped in from the edges of the site. Making sure the depth and consistency was right was tricky work when taking into account how fast it would take to set. This far into the project however the local workers and Zeon Engineers were all very familiar with the properties of the materials they worked with. Within 24 hours this layer would be hard enough to support the weight of the ones above it.

Still at that rate constructing the facility called for would take more than three months. For more than a week Wesell had been caught between Lieutenant Sarn wanting to speed things up any way possible, and intel reports hinting he should find some way to halve the construction time.

With little other choice available they had begun prefabrication of concrete slabs and sections that could be linked together to form upright walls. In the void space between them the crews were throwing a mix of backfill, concrete, and prefab support braces. He was making damn sure that it was all packed down before each completed block was capped off. It was far from his usual ideals of sound construction practice. To make up for any overall weakness incurred by the design changes, interior spaces like hallways and the MS hanger were now being braced more heavily with rebar.

All of the reinforcing bar in the Earth Sphere wouldnt mean anything if they didnt start getting in some of the anti-aircraft weaponry he'd requested. The Intel people were stalling him on trying to bring in any more troops or vehicles until the dismantled project parts started arriving from Asia and now that wouldnt be until early September.

He was running out of time if they were to get all of the defensive emplacements ready to a Federation attack. At this point it would only take a pair of squadrons to compltely destroy the site and delay construction even longer than they'd been at work.

>>8980764
August 18, 0079 17:25 local

"There's been a change in plans." said the unnamed Zeonic Intelligence officer in a calm manner. It wasnt the same one that had recruited him for this assigment though, probably just a flunky that he could spare. Still, the Commander had the feeling this man was used to always being in control of the situation.

"You dont say. I could have guessed that on my own." Wesell replied frostily.

"The equipment from Asia will not be available in time for the operation. My superiors have come up with another plan that you should still be able to carry out."

"Oh, do tell."

The intel man glanced around the open air command post noting the general lack of privacy.
"Not here."

Once inside a nearby office module the Zeonic spook swept the room with a device of sime kind.
"Clean." he eventually decided.

"I run a tight ship."

"Undoubtably. Do you know what happened to the Lunar Mass driver Commander?"

"Do I! Feddies managed to take it out with cruise missiles after we started wrecking their shit with it."

The other man winced slightly as the crude phrasing. "Well we salvaged the remains. They'll be arriving at the cargo landing field on August 31th via HLV. I reccomend having a dock pit ready."

>>8980638
i just prefer oldschool physical tabletops, what i was raised on. i just love seeing it all come together...the scenery...the models...
>>8980587
i think we can all agree that it is one sexy musai :D

>>8980793
"And what am I supposed to do with all of that?"

"It's in the updated design specs I have for you. Feel free to look through them later. I hope this change wont cause too much of a delay, afterall we do want this project operational by September 10th."

"What?!" Wesell's head spun. September 10th was too soon, far too soon. They didnt have enough time.

"We're confident in your abilities Commander."
The spook handed over a radiation shielded hard drive then walked out the door without another word.

Collecting his thought Wesell started up his computer and hurriedly uploaded the new files to the CAD programs. Minovski shielding or not the computers were still fast. If the new completion date had been shocking the new data he found himself looking at was like being at ground zero of a nuclear barrage.

"Oh my God." Shutting down the computer Pete picked up an in-base land line. "This is the Commander, full base lockdown! No aircraft are allowed to lift. Get security on full alert and bring in Extra MP's, have some of them meet me at the landing field."

Grabbing his pistol and holster he ran outside and made a bee-line for the motor pool. He was going to get to the airfield and prevent that intel officer from escaping even if he had to tear through half of the construction site to do it. He reached the light vehicle bunker just as a 2 man patrol was pulling out in a jeep. He was able to flag them down easily enough and jumped in the empty passenger seat.

"Airfield! Floor it!"

>>8980825
The soldier threw the jeep into gear and tore off down the crushed gravel roads. Wesell took the opportunity to belt on his side arm then checked the vehicles weapon holster, pulling free an old submachinegun.
"That gun's older than half the Earth Sphere Commander but it still works pritty good."

This particular roadway was quite rough in places from all of the vehicle traffic that moved around the site daily but Wesell refused to let the soldier slow down.

"Maybe we should have taken the main road sir!"
"This way is faster. We've got to catch someone that wants to escape and we need to get there before them!"
The jeep came close to bottoming out on a couple of potholes but they held their speed.

At last they came around a bend and skidded to a stop at one of the airfields side gates.
'What's the rush Commander?" asked the gate guard, coughing from the cloud of dust the jeep had kicked up.

"Nevermind that! Open the gate then get on the horn! Any planes that take off before I give the all-clear are to be shot down, you got that?"

The guard serioused up and snapped into action, an 'oh shit' expression on his face.
"Right away sir!"

The driver gunned the engine as the gate opened, kicking up a spray of gravel.
"Head for the main entrance."

>>8980863
What few soldiers stationed here were arming up and stockpiling ammo for the AA guns. Otherwise the general lack of activity was an indication of just how undermanned they were here.
As they approached the main gate they could see another jeep edging it's way though the Guards there. Shielding his eyes against he glare Wesell was able to make out the intel man waving for the soldiers to get out of the way.

"Put us in front of that bastard, I dont care if you have to hit him to do it!"

The order to ram turned out to be unnecessary as the other driver slowed upon seeing the Commanders jeep. Still, he wasnt expecting it to come screeching to a halt in front of him. The two jeeps kicked up another dust cloud from the hard stops momentarily obscuring both of them.

Pete stepped over the hoods of the jeeps and pointed his gun at the spook.
"Get out."

"What's the meaning of this?" he asked only somewhat anxiously, not moving from his seat.

Wesell pulled back the bolt on the SMG.
"Hands where I can see them and get OUT of the vehicle. Slowly."

Rolling his eyes the man stepped out and the other soldiers surrounded him.
"Search him. The last thing I need is to get shot or stabbed."

>>8980896
Once they'd confiscatd a pistol and some small knives off of him the Commander grabbed him by the arm and dragged him a short distance away.
"Do the words 'Inert non-firing display model' mean anything to you?"

"Possibly." he smirked.

"This site was not supposed to produce a working weapon. I'm now here protecting what will deffinitely be a live weapon system with far less than a quarter of the defenses I was promised. Where are my Hildolfers? You knew I'd still need one if only to help calibrate the sonar. And the Heavy Mobile Suits where are those?"

The spy dusted off his uniform. "I'll tell you what Commander, I'll have your artillery you requested sent here tomorrow and some of the MS, maybe even the MA in say five days?"

"Not. Good. Enough." He enunciated very carefully. Backing up slightly the commander shouted "Get me some MP's over here!"

"What are you doing?"
"I'm creating an insurance policy for my promised equipment."

After a few tense moments the MP's arrived. "What's wrong sir?"
"Take this man into custody, on suspicion of being a Federation spy."

>>8980926
>Derp Field too long, wall 'o text

An hour later the airfield resumed normal operations. The Fat Uncle transport that the Intelligence Officer had been scheduled to hitch a ride on was one of the first to leave. The plane's captain had been asked to relay a message when Zeonic Intelligence realised their agent hadnt come back.

"Start sending the equipment I was promised." -Commander Pete Wesell, 3rd Zeonic Enginerring Corps

>>8980966
August 20, 0079 23:50 local
It was a dark and stormy night when the next transports arrived. A light rain fell and thunder rumbled in the distance. Work never slowed though, everyone just found ways to cope.
The Commander and Lieutenant Sarn watched from the edges of the field.

"What's so special about this shipment sir?" asked the Lieutenant.
"You'll see soon enough. Did you use enough sealant and waterproof tarps to protect from the rain?"
"Should be fine as long as the wind doesnt get too strong. I hate these storms they get here on Earth."

The first thing to roll off the plane was an MT-05A Hildolfer Mass production type. As the lightning storm moved closer it's flashes lit up the huge Mobile Armour and it's 300mm main gun.

"Wow! Commander when you promise something you really pull it off."
"Calm down. I was promised two or three of these at the start of the operation, but that was based on an October or November time table. I really doubt we'll get any more."

Once the Hildolfer was parked in a clear zone set aside for it the pilot popped the hatch.
"Sir! I have a message for you from command. You'll recieve three of the specials you requested on the first of September and not before."

"Any idea what that means?" asked Sarn
"I think so." Wesell grinned. "As soon as the weather clears we're going to start test firing that Mobile Armor. Loudest round we can load to calibrate the ground sensors."

>>8981016
The rest of the equipment being offloaded from the aircraft were smaller artillery systems and AA guns. By the time the two officers had returned to the work site the storm had moved closer. Huge lightning bolts arced above, some from cloud to cloud others reaching the ground several kilometers away.

Lieutenant Sarn visibly flinched from one flash and a passing worker shouted something to him in spanish before laughing.
"What did he say?" Asked Wesell.
"He said 'What's the matter am I afraid of lit-ning?'"
"It's 'lightning' and dont worry about it. We've got a lightning rod attached to a grounded cable up on the top of the big crane."

"I've been inside for most of these storms elsewhere. I never realised they were this intense."
Both men stepped into the command post, protected from the rain on three sides by clear plastic tarps.

"This is nothing. I'm sort of glad we sped up construction in some ways. It means we wont have to work through hurricane season."
"I never really studied Earth weather growing up on side 3. It tended to be optional. I was too busy with language studies actually."

"You know the Eye of Jupiter? A hurricane is basicly a lot like that only smaller. Ones on Earth can stretch for hundreds of kilometers and can be very destructive when they come on land. This lightning for instance is just static electric discharge."

"I had no idea. Still they cant be that dangerous if they're just static."
"Ha! One of those bolts could match fusion reactor output for a couple of seconds."

"How do you know all of this stuff sir?"

"I had a rich Aunt and Uncle on Earth. They payed for me to go on a structural archeology studies project. Basicly I analysed how all of the old buildings were deteriorating after having been abandoned for 50 years. I'm not sure if it was ironic or just fitting really seeing as I was an advocate for the colony drop."

A bolt of lightning reached out from the couds and struck the lightning rod on top of the crane. Both men's hair stood up on end and the commander frowned.
"Maybe we should have grounded that thing farther away."

When the storm at last broke the construction site became a flurry of activity. Cranes lowered slabs of concrete into place and larger interlocking blocks were wrestled into position by Zaku Tanks. Within hours the low sloped staircase like construction of the coffin took shape. Crews with survey scopes and laser levels were there every step of the way. The coffin had to be sloped properly to support the main gun or it would be next to useless.

On the other bunkers and attacked structures crews sprayed sealant to prevent the concrete from absorbing or losing any more water. Following the storm there were some concerns about how well certain walls were curing. Still with the extra rebar and fiber mixture added during most of the pouring there was a good chance that it would be ready in time.

>>8981123
September 1st, 0079. 09:50 hours

The HLV set down in the large dock pit a reserve work crew had built over the last few days, engings gradually reducing thrust.

Most of the civillian work crews had been cleared out of the area a few hours ago. The remaining work could be done easily enough by the Zeon Engineering teams and the sepecialists about to arrive. A trio of Fat uncle transports had already landed earlier in the morning, each had offloaded a samson heavy cargo truck. Their tarped over cargo now sat in the Main MS bay, the contents unknown to anyone on base but the Commander and the intel supplied specialists.

The Dopp squadrons from Florida orbited the site keeping watch. While Zeon might have dozens of HLV's available to them it wouldnt be the case for long if they let the Federation start shooting them down. Within minutes of the HLV's landing unloading had begun. Zaku's removed assemblies of large metal rings from the ship and loaded them onto waiting flatbeds. As to be expected the ubiquitous camo netting soon covered each load as it was ferried to the main sie.

"The coffin's top cover should be finished by tomorrow morning."
"Good. What's the status of the AA bunkers?"

"The 20 closest to the site are finished. We have double that still being poured, but they'll be done in a couple of days."

>>8981157
"Everything is coming together. The coffin is finished and just needs two more days to set. The AA defenses are getting stronger by the day, and most importantly the final pieces to the project have arrived."
He turned.
"This is it Lieutenant, we're on the home stretch."

"Seig Zeon sir."

Wesell raised his binoculars and looked to the south.
"Victorious Zeon indeed."

+ + +

September 5th, 0079. 12:00 hours

The large tracks of the Hildolfer Mobile Tank shook the ground with it's passing. Stoping in front of the Trebuchet the MA turned in place to face the south east.

"Magnesium Composite round loaded."
"Get ready to rock." The MA pilot lined up the targeting reticle. "Firing!"

All around the work site in the front arc of the Trebuchet's structure Zeon engineers took cover.

>>8981264
The elevated main gun of the Hildolfer belched a massive fireball. Shockwaves rippled off of the 300mm projectile, shaped specifically to disrupt the air with it's passing as much as possible. Dispite the huge amounts of drag placed on the round it maintained it's supersonic speed for some time. The bright light of it's magnesium body streaked out over the horizon. As the echoing of the blast dissapated cheering could be heard from points all over the base.

"Ho-ah! That was one hell of a blast!" Shouted Sarn.

Commander Wesell stepped out of the back of a parked APC and removed the vehicle crew headphones.
"The sensors all worked out for the most part. I think some might be a bit too sensitive for measuring the Trebuchet though."

"This is outpost three. One of our men, uh... we may have some minor injuries from the test firing."

Wesell sighed and put a hand to his forehead. "Lieutenant start checking the sonar records, it may also give us an idea of the base structural integrity. I'll go send out the medics."

"Aye sir!"

Sarn glanced over to the coffin where the crane was resuming work. The specialists were making use of it now to lift something from the deepest parts of the bunker to the covered over surface area.
"That has to be the gun assembly. Cant wait to see what the Feddies think of her."

>>8981299
September 6th, 0079. 18:00 Local

"Welcome to the Trebuchet Sir!" Greeted Chief Gerulf, a slightly older man who had long gone bald.

"It's about damn time I had access to my own base."

"I assure you it'll have been worth the wait sir."
The two men proceeded down one of the interrior corridors passing work crews still installing cabling and piping.

"How long until you get this all operational?"
"We're on schedule for a test firing on the ninth, but I wanted to talk to you about our power concerns first."

"Do the reactors not have enough kick? We only just installed those."

"That's partly it. Normally it wouldnt be a problem, we'd just install a larger capacitor and take longer to charge it. Watch your head."

The two men ducked under a low cross brace that was pressed against the wall in that section, waving to the pair of soldiers working on the surrounding section.

"But?" Asked the Commander.
"But we dont have any more spare capacitors. Even if we did the time between shots would prevent us from landing many hits before a Federal counter attack."

"I hope this is the part where you tell me you found a solution."

>>8981348
Gerulf smiled and nodded. "Yes sir. You know the big new mobile suits that were shipped in?"

"Yes, the MS-09 Dom's."

"They have a scattering beam emitter built into the front of them. What we've done is connect the powerfeeds from it into the base powergrid. It should be enough to keep firing until we run out of ammo."

"What happens when the base is attacked?"

"We should be able to disconnect them from the base and have them ready to go in 5-10 minutes."

"Is there anything else about the project that you're cleared to tell me?"

The chief snapped his fingers remembering that he'd been meaning to talk about.
"The Ammo. It's something we dug out of the California Base munitions depot. Awhile back somebody decided that if they ever wanted to put old ocean going battleships back into action they might as well give them something new to shoot.

They designed a shell that when fired acts as a scramjet engine. The Cannon launch acts as a first stage booster and by the time the thing runs out of fuel it's in the stratosphere. It gives it one hell of a ballistic trajectory. Supposedly they were going to be used to shoot down satellites in low orbit but Minovski particles screwed over that plan."

>>8981389
"Why didnt they just use them for hardpoint bombardment like we're doing?"

"No idea. That part of the base was a bit washed out though... Maybe all of those munitions techs bought it in the Colony Drop?"
The Chief shrugged.
"In any case after these land there shouldnt be enough left for the Feddies to analyse."

"Except for the Thumpers right?" questioned Wesell.

"The what?" Gerulf looked at him blankly.

"The things that fool the Feddie sonar."
"Oh right the sonar decoys! Yeah those and the Minovski emitters should survive the drop. The power for them is not going to last long after impact though. I'm estimating two hours tops."

"Let's hope that's all we'll need."

>>8981447
September 9th, 0079 20:45 Local

Warning sirens blared around the former work site as engineers and soldiers bunkered down for the test firing.

"Our Gallop at the waterline reports that their Acguy is in position."

Chief Gerulf hung up the phone at his station. "Lieutenant Sarn says that all above ground teams are braced for the blast wave."

Wesell frowned and remained standing, looking over the shoulders of the system operators. "This had better work, we dont have time for a replacement option now."

The Chief turned in his chair. "If I'd known installing those extra heat sinks would have taken so long sir I-"
"Stow it. What's done is done."

The operations tech finished typing a last few commands on her computer console. "Capacitors are at max charge, all reactors reporting full output."

"Load and commence firing when ready. We cant waste any more time."

The large industrial lift at the back of the main gun rumbled to life, raising one of the large projectiles from the deeply burried munitions bay. When it was in position a hydraulic ram nudged the scramjet slug into the gun barrel.

"Gun is locked and loaded. Elevator is descending. Commencing firing sequence in Five, four, three, two, one. Launch!"

Lights dimmed and the comand center shuddered for several seconds. Any items and objects not secured rattled or shook as the vibrations died down. All were silent until the last of the shaking stopped.

Wesell swallowed and broke the silence. "All stations report in."

Each of the operators shouted out the status reports for their respective areas in turn.
"Electronics systems green across the board."
"Heat falloff is good and should allow another shot within 1.5 minutes."
"Power should be good for a second shot already."

"Air pressure sensors directly below the gun mouth are nonresponsive. All seismographs are good, nothing showed above a 5.0 earthquake."

"The Acguy reports that we overshot our target zone by plus one hundred kay-em."

The Commander nodded. "Try to get some more accurate numbers from that Marine MS before morning. It should allow us to recalculate where the shots will land. Other than that are we good?"

Chief Gerulf turned his chair. "Yes sir."

"Okay then, Inform Lord Garma that Operation Terminus is set to be carried out on schedule. Everyone whose stuff checked out get a few hours sleep, we have a long day ahead of us tomorrow."

>>8981542
September 10th, 0079 05:00 Local

I'm glad we finished building all of those bunkers. Now we can swap filling sandbags outside in the blazing sun, heat and humidity, for doing it inside with heat and humidity."

"You know running your mouth isnt going to fill these sandbags any faster Frakes."

"Here we are in an age of space colonization and giant robots and we dont even have a machine that fill sandbags!"

"We did, it got fried by Minovsky particles remember?"

"And sandbag lined trenches, why do we need those with these bunkers we went to all the trouble of building?"

"I swear to God Frakes I'm going to hit you with this sandbag if you dont shut up."

The whine of warning sirens filled the air for half of a minute before being replaced by an officer yelling over the loudspeakers.

"All Personnel standby for firing! This is your only warning!"

>>8982303
"So Sarge are we going to go watch this time?" Asked Frakes.

"Close the hatch you idiot and use the periscope. I want my skin still attached to my body when we're done here today."

The steel door clanked shut but unfortunately Frakes mouth didnt close along with it.
"Jeez Sarge, chill out. It's not like they'd just start shooting before all stations checked in."

A sharp electronic horn like sound issued from all of the base loudspeakers, different from all of the other times.
"Commencing live firing!"

"Besides, I cant see anything through this periscope, what did they use welding glass?"
Turning towards the Trebuchet the hapless soldier was just in time to see the first reound exit the gun barrel as a speed closer to Mach 5 then 4. The shockwave was powerful enough to translate through the periscope and pop out the glass of the bottom eye pieces.

"AGHOh God my eyes! My face! Jesus fucking christ!"

The Sergeant looked over his shoulder then shook his head in disgust.
"Calm down you'll be fine." Walking over he picked up the transparent prism that had fallen to the floor. "Look you idiot, the glass didnt even break."