>>36165748
It seemed that Shanti had been founded only thirty years ago by a religious group professing non-violence as their central tenant, born from the endless series of wars and genocides that humanity had waged against the alien threats that probed and nipped at the borders of the Concordiat. It was a wildcat colony at first, born from the most extreme elements of this movement who were trying to separate themselves from the government that they had grown to despise so much, a place of peace and reflection that they could shape and grow into something beautiful by living in harmony with the native flora and fauna. As the conflict with the Melconians grew worse, and Case Ragnarok had been implemented authorizing the extermination of the entire species, the once tiny colony swelled with shell shocked veterans of the brutal glassing operations seeking escape and some kind of atonement for their perceived sins against another sapient species.

A loose coalition of cities had sprung up to meet the ever expanding population as word of mouth spread the knowledge of the planet, and a weak central government had come into being mostly to enforce the rules of non-violence and to ensure the new arrivals wouldn't corrupt the paradise that they sought to build. A police force had been drawn from combat trained settlers, though they did nothing of note until the Tezrach had made their incursion on the system. From what I could find, the only reason they requested my presence was as a kind of watchdog against the rapidly approaching Concordiat/Melconian front, a deterence so that the Melconians would go for easier pickings, while avoiding the 'barbaric nature' of actual human soldiers.

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>>36165770
The leader of the planet, a Chancellor Diana Pacquette had been slow to react when the Enemy had burst into the system, trying her hardest to negotiate with the Tezrach, offering them an unsettled continent if they so wished, but all of her pleas had been ignored as the ships barelled towards Shanti. She had even refused to allow the armored elements of her 'planetary defensive force' to equip themselves, hoping against hope that she could negotiate with the alien species, even as her cities burned. Suffice to say that I am not encouraged by what I have learned.

My attention shifts back to the outside world as I break from the sunken highway that had offered me cover as I advanced, and the forward elements of the Enemy artillery finally come into view.

How should I focus my fire:
[ ] Bring all weapons to bear against the enemy artillery (4d6)
[ ] Focus my artillery on the infantry approaching from the south, close weapons against the artillery (2d6 artillery, 2d6 infantry)
[ ] Focus my artillery on the infantry near Carthen, close weapons against the artillery (2d6 artillery, 2d6 infantry)

Rolled 6, 3, 5, 1 = 15 (4d6)

>>36165797

>[ ] Focus my artillery on the infantry approaching from the south, close weapons against the artillery (2d6 artillery, 2d6 infantry)

Rolled 1, 1, 4, 4 = 10 (4d6)

>>36165797
>[ ] Focus my artillery on the infantry approaching from the south, close weapons against the artillery (2d6 artillery, 2d6 infantry)

where's all the usual players gone?

also OP, heres a link to the moe search that will list and show all threads using 'Bolo Quest' in the subject line and your trip.

https://archive.moe/tg/search/subject/Bolo%20Quest/tripcode/%21XcOwvyt096/type/op/

Rolled 5, 4, 4, 5 = 18 (4d6)

>[ ] Focus my artillery on the infantry approaching from the south, close weapons against the artillery (2d6 artillery, 2d6 infantry)

Rolled 2, 3 - 1 = 4 (2d6 - 1)

>>36166305
>>36166027
>>36165926
Great, writing now! And the panicking artillery crews' roll.

>>36166195
I kinda lost interest since combat/mechanics quests aren't for me. Hopefully some new readers will show up though!

>>36165797
I'm inclined to be awful worried about the forces closing in on Osterbeek. Those militia weren't much, if I recall.

But if we're out here, might as well stomp the hell out of those artillery. Then we can flee back and try and save the crunchies.

>>36166637
Well that's why we're getting those infantry to the armory to get their armor, to save Osterbeek

>>36166667
Haven't really been paying attention, but I guess that makes sense. Still, if we aren't fast, we're screwed.

>>36165748
>See pic and think it's a hammer's slammer quest
>its just bolo

>>36166817
Well, seeing as the picture is from one of the Sword of the Stars tie-ins, both are just as unfounded.

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>>36166411
Sorry to hear that, once this quest comes to a close I'm hoping to start something more character and interpersonal drama focused.

>>36165797
I decide to take my time with the squat artillery pieces that hide in the hollows and in copses in front of me, focusing on blunting some of the enemy advance to the south while I hunted for my foe. "So, anything I can do to help," Lisa asks, fidgeting in discomfort as a flurry of missiles impact against my battlescreens.

"I'm sorry commander, but during combat operations, it is usually best to leave things to me. Focusing on the strategic situation might be useful," I reply, calmly seeking for the heat signatures that marked the origin of the attack before letting my forward anti-personnel clusters snap a swift reply, a burst of flechettes riddling the Enemy crew with holes.

"It's just...I don't know Catha, I feel so useless sitting in here playing the little diplomat since the natives are too squeamish to talk to you directly," Moreno said, absently scratching at the ports in the back of her neck, "When I rode against the Melconians, I was there, you know? I was melded with my partner, feeling every weapon go off as I killed as many of those furry fucks as I could get my hands on. I felt like a god. Now...Well now I just kinda feel like a baby strapped into a safety seat."

>>36166876
No it isn't. the pic is literally of some of the tanks used in hammer's slammers.

>>36166906
My sensors pick up a burst of energy emissions as an enemy artillery piece breaks from cover and attempts to flee, and infinite repeater #6 snaps slightly to the left before unleashing a thin stream of plasma into its reactor, and the vehicle explodes into a rather dazzling fireball. The shrapnel clatters harmlessly against my kinetic shields, though the crew of another enemy gun does not fare as well against the razor sharp ceramic and steel.

"Your time will come, Captain Moreno," I say soothingly as I turn my mortars south and lob a few experimental rounds south, "When we return with Colonel Fowler, we will need to organize the defenses, and you will be instrumental in securing cooperation."

{Artillery takes 20% damage and drops to 50%, infantry to the south takes 10%, 1 shield drops)

How should I focus my fire:
[ ] Snuff out the last of the artillery (4d6 + 1)
[ ] Send a drone south to scout what is coming our way while continuing to pick off artillery pieces (3d6+1)
[ ] Continue with the current plan (2d6 artillery, 2d6 infantry)

Rolled 6, 6, 6 + 1 = 19 (3d6 + 1)

>>36166961
>[ ] Send a drone south to scout what is coming our way while continuing to pick off artillery pieces (3d6+1)

Rolled 2, 6, 5 + 1 = 14 (3d6 + 1)

>>36166961
>[x] Send a drone south to scout what is coming our way while continuing to pick off artillery pieces (3d6+1)
Finish what is wounded.

>>36166961
>[X] Send a drone south to scout what is coming our way while continuing to pick off artillery pieces (3d6+1)

>>36167000
>6, 6, 6
It is a sign

>>36166929
You're kidding me, right?

...wait, no you aren't. Well, disregard that, I suck cocks. Style's pretty similar though.

>>36166961
>[X] Send a drone south to scout what is coming our way while continuing to pick off artillery pieces (3d6+1)

>>36167000
Daaaamn.

>>36167033
Mind giving me a roll really quick? Got to use those beautiful rolls above while they're fresh.

Rolled 6, 1, 1 + 1 = 9 (3d6 + 1)

>>36167087

>>36167105
>>36167006
>>36167000
Thanks, writing now. Obviously our old girl's getting back into the hang of things!

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>>36167157
I swing through a shallow valley, and come skidding to a halt as a wash of heat signatures washes over my systems. Dozens of heavy crawler vehicles try their hardest to flee my advance scatter before me like cockroaches exposed to light, though I note that the vast majority do not have guns. It seems that I have stumbled on their baggage train. Lisa's retort to my calming words dies on her lips as she catches sight of the exposed force before us, instead shifting into a malicious smile. "I think we need to let these cute little bastards know how much we appreciate them killing all of those civilians," she purrs, pointing out a heavily laden specimen trying to wallow up the slope.

I return all of the mercy that they spared for Carthen's citizens, paid tenfold. My treads dig deep into the earth as I fling myself into their midst, and the first hot streak of plasma from my repeaters slam into the overburdened crawler. It simply ceases to exist. Every warhead on the supply vehicle cooks off in a single, beautiful chain reaction, blowing trees flat for miles around and sending its sisters skidding and careening under the shockwave. A few brave artillery pieces throw themselves at me, trying to distract me from plucking the ripe fruit that the Enemy commander had left before me, but they last only long enough to throw one or two defiant missiles at me before they too meet their end on my guns.

Each supply vehicle that dies rocks me on my treads, even rocking Lisa in her command chair as superheated gusts of air smash the life out of everything around us. In seconds it is over, the entire column a twisted pyre, and what few artillery pieces that remain easy pickings for my mortar. Moreno's dark mood dissipated as quickly as it had come as she tried to stifle outright laughter at the blazing inferno before us.

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>>36167812
"That. That right there. I'll carry that with me to the day I die," she said, a bark of laughter slipping from behind her hands before she could contain them again.

With that task finally taken care of, I open a hatch and send a handful of my drones aloft, telling them to head south and give me eyes on what we are facing. The warm glow of victory that had been washing through my circuits dies abruptly as the first reports come streaming back to me. Two columns. One marching directly towards me, and one slipping through the gap between Raleigh and Carthen. Calculations and probabilities whirl through my mind as the data floods into me, and all of them point to one thing. There is almost no way our defenses can hold as they are.

{Enemy artillery is dead. Very, very dead. Your shields are back up to 3/3}

What to do:
[ ] Focus some artillery on the approaching column (2d6 on the armor)
[ ] Focus artillery on the column marching past Carthen, use the hellbore before the enemy armor closes with us (2d6 infantry, 3d6 on enemy armor)
[ ] Call off Fowler and his men, we need to retreat back to Oosterbeek

Rolled 6, 5 = 11 (2d6)

>>36167857
>[ ] Focus artillery on the column marching past Carthen, use the hellbore before the enemy armor closes with us (2d6 infantry, 3d6 on enemy armor)

Rolled 2, 2, 4 = 8 (3d6)

>>36167899
>>36167857
this is for the armor.

>[X] Focus artillery on the column marching past Carthen, use the hellbore before the enemy armor closes with us (2d6 infantry, 3d6 on enemy armor)

>>36167857
>[ ] Focus artillery on the column marching past Carthen, use the hellbore before the enemy armor closes with us (2d6 infantry, 3d6 on enemy armor)
When possible, use hellbore.

Rolled 4, 6, 2, 3, 2 = 17 (5d6)

>>36167857
>[ ] Focus artillery on the column marching past Carthen, use the hellbore before the enemy armor closes with us (2d6 infantry, 3d6 on enemy armor)

>>36167857

>[ ] Call off Fowler and his men, we need to retreat back to Oosterbeek

Rolled 6, 6, 1, 3, 5 = 21 (5d6)

>>36167973

>>36167899
>>36167917
>>36167993
>>36167973
>>36168004
Right, the time for hiding's over. Let's let them know they've been kissed by the Dinochrome Brigade, shall we?

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>>36168117
The moment that the data hit the screen, Lisa's face drained of all color. "Fuck me," she exhaled gently, watching as a tide of pulsing red figures pushed up towards Raleigh and the defenses around Oosterbeek began to break under the combined weight of the enemy infantry and armor.

She stared into my camera and said fiercely, "Hellbore free, Catha. We can't afford to sneak around any more, we've got to stop these fuckers dead before they just walk right by us and gut those poor, dumb militia boys."

I hum an affirmative as I relay the information through Shanti's datanet and send an urgent message for Colonel Fowler to press his troopers as hard as he could. We had simply run out of time. I open up every one of my VLS hatches and missiles claw their way into the sky before arcing west, and fierce joy burns through me as the lead infantry unit is staggered under the steady rain of bomblet clusters, their lightly armored skimmers disappearing under the constant pound of shrapnel. I almost burn through all of my magazines to sustain it for a full 5 minutes, but the effects speak for themselves.

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>>36169236
For the armored column rushing towards me though, I save my most potent weapon. My drones dip and dodge over the bizarre blend of no less than 30 unique vehicle variants moving at full tilt, giving me targetting solutions as they were picked out of the sky. I wait patiently until two clusters overlap, and then unleash a small sun on Shanti. The superheated air around me howls as it is subjected to further tortures, the bolt of plasma ripping it apart into ions and ozone as it streaks through the sky, and then impacting against the Enemy. The last drone that I had send dies in the shockwave, but it does allow me to glimpse the first handful of vehicles simply cease to exist, and the ones behind them reduced to so much steaming slag as the rest stream towards my position in the valley.

How do I procede:
[ ] Disengage and move towards the column to the west (2d6 artillery on infantry, 3d6+1 hellbore on artillery)
[ ] Meet the enemy armor head on (4d6+2 on enemy armor, 2d6 on supporting infantry)
[ ] Side step the armor and try to kill the supporting infantry (4d6+2 on one infantry, 2d6 on other infantry)

Rolled 6, 1, 6, 3, 3, 2 = 21 (6d6)

>>36169271
>[ ] Meet the enemy armor head on (4d6+2 on enemy armor, 2d6 on supporting infantry)
>[ ] Keep raining missiles at the western column advancing on Osterbeek
those troopers need to hurry up and get their power armor already so we can head back

Rolled 1, 5, 4, 1, 3, 1 = 15 (6d6)

>>36169271
>[ ] Meet the enemy armor head on (4d6+2 on enemy armor, 2d6 on supporting infantry)

Rolled 6, 1, 3, 6, 5, 6 = 27 (6d6)

>>36169271

>[ ] Meet the enemy armor head on (4d6+2 on enemy armor, 2d6 on supporting infantry)

Rolled 2, 4, 2, 4 + 2 = 14 (4d6 + 2)

>>36169271
>[ ] Meet the enemy armor head on (4d6+2 on enemy armor, 2d6 on supporting infantry)
those guys in the back better hurry the hell up.

>>36169463
nice rolling anon

Rolled 2, 3 = 5 (2d6)

>>36169470
>>36169271
infantry

>>36169489
Thanks.

>>36169271
>[x] Meet the enemy armor head on (4d6+2 on enemy armor, 2d6 on supporting infantry)
Seems like the best choice. Smash some units here; let the infantry get their armory, and then retreat towards Oosterbeek 'cause they're in dire straights.
Maybe we can veer west when retreating, go behind the enemy line and run over some more artillery on the way.

>>36169271
Right, voting closed! We shall meet the enemy head on to buy the marines some time, then race north.

so carthen is fucked, oosterbeek is going to be overrun without any support very soon, the boys supporting that one infantry at raleigh better get into the fight before that one guy gets over run and shenzhen is going to be alright.

am I wrong?

Rolled 5, 4, 3 - 1 = 11 (3d6 - 1)

>>36169619
Oh, and the enemy armor roll.

>>36169680
Carthen was evacuated, but IIRC the convoys got chopped up pretty bad, the only ones there were the troopers who we're covering to the armory but yeah, sounds about right

>>36169726
those infantry that are going to oosterbeek are going to hit that armored unit and get fucked since armor kills infantry. and those infantry to the west of our position may be a problem if they encircle us

>>36169809
the terrain around Oosterbeek is good for a defense, but we've got to hurry back there fast, hopefully on the tail of that western column so we can fuck them up before they get to Oosterbeek

>>36169809
it takes us a while to kill infantry, so our guys should be able to hold out a little while longer. but we should have the powered armor very soon so we'll be able to race back. we're going to take some damage fighting the armor head on though.

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>>36169619
I stand as countless other Bolos have over the centuries that we have served humanity, and become the rock that the Enemy breaks against. Reactor pumped lasers gouge into my shields, but the screens hold strong as I send bolt after bolt from my hellbore roaring into the Tezrach armor. The once fertile valley I rested in is shattered by the ravening beams of hard x-rays try to claw at me, and the air itself becomes poison as my shots tear the molecules into strange and unfamiliar arrangements that would kill an unshielded human in seconds. I slowly draw backwards up the slope that I had slaughtered the artillery on, angling myself so that the full broadside of my infinite repeaters faces the tide of armor rolling towards me.

They very nearly reach me, they very nearly break my shields, but the Enemy fails and dies under the blazing light of my fury. The Tezrach tanks try to use their gutted brothers as cover as they advance, but my repeaters rip the life out of targets trying to circle to my vulnerable rear while my hellbore reaps a terrible bounty on those brave enough to charge me from the front. I lose myself in these brief, dreadful minutes, remembering a time when I held much the same way against a different enemy, with two others of my kind, and all I know is the endless cycle of target acquisition, aim, destroy.

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>>36170444
I slowly come to as the shattered remnants of the foe slink away. Lisa's shakes in her chair, limbs almost twitching in the strength of her spasms. It takes her a few seconds to bring her eyes back into focus on the tactical display in front of her, and I pick up the sour stink of fear and terror leaking from her as she rasps, "Oosterbeek is pretty well done, Catha. Lieutenant-Colonel Prater bought it trying to slow down that armor long enough for the last civvies to get out of there. I'm not sure if it worked or not, but we have to head north. The line's crumbling up there."

{10% damage on the supporting infantry bringing it to 80%, 40% damage on the enemy armor bringing it to 40% strength, 2 shields down}

What do we do now:
[ ] Finish off the armor and continue attacking the infantry (4d6+2 on enemy armor, 2d6 on supporting infantry)
[ ] That should have bought Fowler enough time, turn towards the enemy column to the west (2d6 artillery on infantry, 3d6+1 hellbore on artillery)
[ ] Advance into the foe in front of us (4d6+2 on enemy armor, 3d6 on enemy infantry)

Rolled 5, 1 = 6 (2d6)

>>36170495
>[ ] That should have bought Fowler enough time, turn towards the enemy column to the west (2d6 artillery on infantry, 3d6+1 hellebore on artillery)
not to sure why were going west but hey whatever.

Rolled 1, 6, 2 + 1 = 10 (3d6 + 1)

>>36170556
>>36170495

Rolled 2, 2 = 4 (2d6)

>>36170495
>[ ] That should have bought Fowler enough time, turn towards the enemy column to the west (2d6 artillery on infantry, 3d6+1 hellbore on artillery)

Rolled 4, 6, 5 + 1 = 16 (3d6 + 1)

>>36170586
and dice for hellbore

>>36170556
This.
inb4 green troops need more time than we expected

Rolled 3, 2, 2, 4, 2 + 1 = 14 (5d6 + 1)

>>36170495
>[X] That should have bought Fowler enough time, turn towards the enemy column to the west (2d6 artillery on infantry, 3d6+1 hellbore on artillery)

our mission here is defensive. lets not bring shame upon the regiment.

The fuck is a bolo?

>>36170556
look at the map in the previous update, theres a enemy column bypassing carthen heading for Oosterbeek, we need to intercept it

Rolled 6, 2, 4, 3, 3 = 18 (5d6)

>>36170495

>[ ] That should have bought Fowler enough time, turn towards the enemy column to the west (2d6 artillery on infantry, 3d6+1 hellbore on artillery)

>>36170690
you forgot the +1 anon, with that it brings your roll to 19

>>36170663
It's a land battleship bearing a gun found on dreadnought spaceships with an AI strapped into it for good measure. They're called continental siege engines. Or overkill in a can.

>>36170495
Coool, disengaging and moving west to intercept the column. This engagement was brief enough that a full turn didn't pass, so the map will stay the same until next turn.

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>>36170872
Guilt shoots through my personality center as I hear the news, and I lovingly inscribe her name along with every soldier in her unit inside my database. While she certainly lacked in skill, the woman had stood against twice her number in infantry and an armored regiment and held for a few hours. I can only hope that General Bradshaw's caution in holding his reserves back didn't make her sacrifice meaningless. With the beleagured refugee columns of Oosterbeek in mind, I disengage from the enemy armor in front of me, killing one or two more as I swiftly crest the valley and throw full force into my treads as I head west.

"Colonel Fowler," Lisa said, voice still hoarse from fear, "We're withdrawing for now. We blunted the force coming up towards you, hopefully it bought you enough time. Oosterbeek just crumbled, and we need to get there before we have another massacre on our hands. The moment you get strapped in, head north and join us."

It takes a few seconds for the return transmission to come through, and it is still grainy even when it manages to connect due to the radiation blasting from the surrounding landscape. "Understood, Captain, Catha. We can hold our own for a bit, my troops are already shrugging in now. Hopefully they'll be too distracted by you to bother much with us," he says with a wan smile, and I note with a shock of nostalgia that I recall the mark of suit that his volunteers are shrugging into, "We broke our vows by taking up the sword again, and we volunteered to be the speedbump at Catha, so you've given us more than we ever deserved. Make them pay for my city."

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>>36171440
The transmission cuts, and the barrel of my hellbore, cooled from the white heat of continous fire to dull cherry red, is put back to use. I rip at the enemy artillery, blowing hillsides apart as my plasma claws for the guns that would lay waste to another city. I add my mortars and a thin stream of what VLS missiles remain to pin down the lead element of the Enemy infantry as I advance, hoping that the delusatory barrage is enough to slow them.

How do I engage the foe:
[ ] Destroy the rear of the column (3d6+1 against the 60% infantry, 3d6+1 against the artillery)
[ ] Aim for the front of the column (3d6+1 against each of the leading infantry)
[ ] Drive by (5d6+2 against the 60% infantry, keep heading north)

Rolled 6, 4, 1, 2, 6 = 19 (5d6)

>>36171518
>[ ] Drive by (5d6+2 against the 60% infantry, keep heading north)

>>36171518
Also, be back in something like 20, I have to get some food into my body really quick.

Rolled 4, 3, 1, 5, 2, 2 + 2 = 19 (6d6 + 2)

>>36171518
>[ ] Aim for the front of the column (3d6+1 against each of the leading infantry)

Rolled 1, 5, 1, 3, 2 + 2 = 14 (5d6 + 2)

>>36171518
>[ ] Drive by (5d6+2 against the 60% infantry, keep heading north)

Rolled 3, 6, 2, 3, 2 + 2 = 18 (5d6 + 2)

>>36171518
>[ ] Drive by (5d6+2 against the 60% infantry, keep heading north)
beep beep BOLO coming through

Rolled 5, 1, 1, 4, 4 + 2 = 17 (5d6 + 2)

>>36171518
>[X] Drive by (5d6+2 against the 60% infantry, keep heading north)

Rolled 6, 4, 4, 1, 5 + 2 = 22 (5d6 + 2)

>>36171691
this anon needs sleep, thanks for the thread so far Em, i'm looking forward to catching up on it

>>36171518
Putting caps in the asses of our enemies like on Terra in the golden age!

Writing now.

>>36171720
Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it.

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>>36172155
The stragglers from the fight around Carthen are my target, and I sing the praises of whoever installed the improvements in Reactor 1 as I redline at my sprints speed of 150kph. I do not slow my charge as I catch the outer edge of the column, darting and weaving my 15,000 ton bulk like a cat chasing a nest of mice to both herd the infantry and skimmers into easy clumps to eliminate as well as to make the full use of my treads. The resistance, what little there is of it, is quick, brutal, and short. My hellbore rips into any groups of high value targets, while my antipersonnel clusters and even point defense guns hurl death at every figure trying to cower away from me or flee.

Any faint trace of radiation is met with overwhelming force. I learn my lessons quickly after all, and I refuse to allow the infantry to halt me with their bomb pumped lasers when humans die with every passing second. The 'battle' is over within seconds, and the burning husk of an infantry regiment breaks behind me as I make full speed for Oosterbeek's beleaguered defenders.

Captain Moreno is busy as I go about my work, quickly patching through to General Bradshaw, "General, we're coming up as soon as we can, and we've got fully armored marines coming up soon after that. Where do you need us?"

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>>36173098
The man on the screen was a broken husk of the one that we had spoken to but hours earlier, the ruddy color in his cheeks drained. "I...wherever you can get to, Captain. We've got artillery from somewhere hitting the force holding the Shenzhen gap, Oosterbeek is falling as we speak, and I'm getting reports of armor near Raleigh," he said, mustache quivering as he leaned heavily against the table.

He looked up at the screen, a wan mockery of a smile on his lips as he said, "I'm not even sure I can hold Tiperrary at this point, Moreno. Just do what you can, we're already broken."

Lisa stared at the screen, disbelief etched on her features as the wreck of a man rested his head on his hands. "I've seen worlds die, you piece of shit," she snarled, face a rigid mask of hate, "And this one can still make it. Keep fighting, Catha and I are nearly there, you just need to HOLD THE GODDAMNED LINE."

She punched the connection closed before turning to the optic in the command center, "Alright Badb Catha, time to live up to your name. We need to:"

[ ] Relieve Oosterbeek
[ ] Halt the column that we passed
[ ] Make for Raleigh

>[X] Make for Raleigh
Oosterbeek looks reasonable for the time being. plus the power armor should be headed in that direction.

>>36173149
>[ ] Make for Raleigh
There is armor at Raleigh and armor support at Oosterbeek. They should be fine.

>>36173149
[ ] Halt the column that we passed
we can't leave these guys alive, their to close to the fighting to not be reinforcements, they die now. then
[ ] Make for Raleigh
they will fall if we can't get there in time.

>>36173149

>[ ] Halt the column that we passed

>>36173149
>[ ] Relieve Oosterbeek

>>36173202
>>36173246
And we can finish off another artillery group as we wander that way. Maybe even drive by another baggage train.

>>36173425
Agreed.

> [ ] Make for Raleigh

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>>36173149
Right, Raleigh needs our help with that armor about to tear open their flank. Time to run over some infantry!

Writing now.

>>36173149
>[ ] Make for Raleigh

>>36173573
Oh, and sorry for not asking, but can I get a 5d6+2 for a lovely driveby on our friends the artillery?

Rolled 6, 2, 5, 2, 4 + 2 = 21 (5d6 + 2)

>>36173724

Rolled 5, 6, 1, 5, 1 + 2 = 20 (5d6 + 2)

>>36173724

Rolled 2, 4, 4, 6, 1 + 2 = 19 (5d6 + 2)

>>36173724

Rolled 5, 1, 1, 5, 2 + 2 = 16 (5d6 + 2)

>>36173724

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>>36173573
"Make for Raleigh. That armor's got me worried, and we've roughed up this column enough that we can just sweep through and clean up the mess later. If Raleigh goes, our entire flank is shot and Tiperrary will burn," she growls.

"Understood, commander," I intone, dropping speed somewhat to ensure that my motors don't burn out as I swing behind the column that I had ravaged.

A long supply train makes up the rear of the formation, and the result is nothing short of butchery. The myriad of ammo carriers and sluggish artillery pieces attempt to scatter, but I pick them off lesiurely as I pass, taking extra care to destroy every vehicle capable of hurling a shell that I could see. I would not allow the Enemy another chance to murder refugee columns like the one we passed near Carthen.

"Hey Catha, check out these readings," Lisa says, circling a strange emission source in the Shenzhen gap, "I think that's the source of the arty that was pounding the guys up there, but these readings are completely off for a bunch of small vehicles. It looks more like one of the Surtr's that the Melconians used, one of those big buggers with the six main guns."

>>36174230
>It looks more like one of the Surtr's that the Melconians used, one of those big buggers with the six main guns."
the enemy has a bolo knockoff?

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>>36174230
I set my subroutines digging through the briefing data that had been dumped in me before landing, though old memories of Deng Yvacks were the first match to the emissions that this new threat was giving off. I had no idea what it was, but I had already underestimated this enemy once, and in no way wanted to allow them the luxury a second time. An alarm suddenly went off that befuddled me for a handful of milliseconds. Intense infared radiation from space? Then the answer to my question hit me with all of the dreadful force of a nuclear warhead. The Tezrach were really going to try an orbital bombardment.

I hastily dragged my gun upwards, lashing the air above me with my active sensors as one of the destroyers rammed its way through the upper atmosphere.

{Artillery destroyed. Last vote of the evening.}

What do we do?

[ ] Draw its attention to us so that it does not attack Raleigh (It will focus all attacks on you but will pass after one turn, you can still attack ground forces)
[ ] Let it pass, we can't afford to be damaged (It will attack the forces around Raleigh)
[ ] Try to kill it from the ground, no matter how many shots it takes (take a full turn)

>>36174262
>[ ] Try to kill it from the ground, no matter how many shots it takes (take a full turn)
better to kill it than let it and focus its rage on us, rather than on anyone else.

>>36174262
>[X] Draw its attention to us so that it does not attack Raleigh (It will focus all attacks on you but will pass after one turn, you can still attack ground forces)

We can attack the destroyer while we're travelling to Raleigh presumably, this is our only opportunity to hit this column for now though.

>>36174262
>[ ] Draw its attention to us so that it does not attack Raleigh (It will focus all attacks on you but will pass after one turn, you can still attack ground forces)

>>36174262
>[ ] Try to kill it from the ground, no matter how many shots it takes (take a full turn)
if we don't kill it, it will keep firing on our allies.

>>36174262
>[ ] Try to kill it from the ground, no matter how many shots it takes (take a full turn)

Let's also try and veer near any of their units so the splash hits them. We aren't above engineering a little friendly fire.

>>36174262
>[ ] Try to kill it from the ground, no matter how many shots it takes (take a full turn)

>>36174392
>Let's also try and veer near any of their units so the splash hits them. We aren't above engineering a little friendly fire.
good idea anon

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>>36174262
And that's a wrap! We'll try to blow the thing from the time the next time we meet. Next thread is set for next Friday at 6pm EST.

I'll stick around for any questions, comments, or criticisms for a while, so please fire away.

>>36174655
Thanks for the thread

>>36174676
Thanks for showing up on a Friday evening!

>>36174819
enjoyed the thread.

>>36174819
So if humans can make bolos, why don't they make everything on the same ridiculous scale?

>>36175086
They do, though most of the books (and this quest) don't focus on the really neat worlds with all of the technology that would allow great wonders. Those are the core worlds, while the planet Shanti is some Podunk frontier world populated by a bunch of peaceniks. The ships in the setting also have AI's, though they have the entire crew hooked up to it for extra fast processing and cooperation, and they have much more powerful guns.

Bolos are kind of defense forces in a can. You drop a few on a planet, and it is now DEFENDED. They're great for colonies that just don't have the infrastructure for a proper defensive force, since they can deny land and close space. They also make good shock troops, since they can survive in a lot of hostile environments that armored humans just couldn't survive.

>>36175184
Thank you for the explanation.

Tanks are fun. Do wish there was some decent spacebattle stuff too though.