“I would like to scout the base before daybreak if it’s two hours in and two hours out I want to be on the ground no later than 1am. I recommend we do this very carefully to avid detection. If we have the time what I would like to do is watch their pattern of activity for at least 24 hours. That will give us a chance to understand their security procedures.”

Vadim raises an eyebrow, "I don't think it's a good idea at all.  Maybe if there were some Notui available to scout it out, but I think it just gives the Sathar a chance to detect and pick off Gregor for essentially little gain.  Especially considering we are going there to rescue prisoners and eliminate the base, knowing watch rotations doesn't really add much except increase the risk of detection and telegraphing we're going to attack soon if detected.  Because regardless of what a scouting mission yields whether it is a success or disaster, we are going to attack.  Better to do that en force and adapt to the circumstance so we keep the initiative."

"With all due respect. This isnt my first rodeo. I wont be detected. The intel I bring back will make the attack more likely to succeed. I asked what we know about the base and the answer was basically nothing. We would be going in completely blind. That is exactly the type of attack their security will be ready for. You know nothing about the condition of the prisoners, their location, the timing of guard rotations, lighting, security measures at the perimeter."

"You won't be detected?" Vadim shrugs, "You might be fine with betting your life on that but how do you know?"

The New Pale scout continues, "We know where the base is, that it has our shipmates, and that it is manned by Sathar.  You're adding another full day's delay to tell us what?  Whether they have lighting or maybe if the Sathar have guns and walk around the perimeter of their base?  Another day for our people to suffer but also another day where they have the opportunity to find us.  But we certainly are going to attack given what Desiraye and the others have said about these new aliens...we have no choice regardless of the outcome of your proposal."

"We can certainly time our arrival so it is closer to night (taking advantage of IR Jammers) and even send a scout forward to check things out when we are much closer rather than a two hour hike.  Or not.  But I'm not seeing any great reward considering the risk if you are detected....just mostly risk."

"Perhaps if we staged some sort of distraction as Gregor performed his infiltration it would improve his chances of not being seen."

Vadim shrugs, "Putting them on alert with a distraction would likely make it harder.  And possibly give up the initiative once they know that we're close and likely moving on that base.  I just don't see it as worth the risk of losing Gregor or delaying an attack we have to make regardless if we are going to stop these Qantariates."

"Look I just think we need to put eyes on this place before we go in blasters blazing. I can do a far recon and a close recon and return with the intel we need to carry out a rescue. Distractions could come into play when we carry out the attack. Like I said I will not be detected, they will not even know I was there. This is not an infiltration. Its a recon. I will take a look at the place and report back. But...."

Turning to Desi. "You are the captain, I will support whatever you want to do."

OOC: It seems like the most middle of the road plan was Bartja's. You all go in to the border of the scanners, and Gregor scouts in from there. If you're okay, we can go with that. Could go with Gregor's proposed 1:00 a.m. departure if everyone doesn't mind the darkness and dangers of the forest.

If you all go, you could take Bartja, Desi, Gregor, Rix, Orvo, S'krllk, Vadim and Shemp. Appleburg will go if you want him instead of Shemp. This would fill up two aircars and set you just outside the radar perimeter with about a 2 hour hike in, as mentioned above.

The biggest danger of going alone will be if you encounter a random encounter alone.

I guess Desi decides the final procedure? I'm ready when you are.

Bartja looks back and forth between Appleburg and Shemp as the scouts hash out their final plan.  Shaking his head sadly, he motions for Shemp to move back as he approaches Appleburg.

"Doc.  You've been to this base before and I think we're going to need your expertise in Sathar as well as medicine before this is over.  Will you take the last spot in one of the aircars and help us bring out the other captives?"

He doesn't expect Appleburg will balk at this but is a little disappointed that the repaired Shemp has no place on this mission.  He has loaded the spider-bot, however and takes a closer look at its capabilities.

Gregor grabs his gear and heads for the aircar when the time comes to depart. He is carrying with him one of the glijet kits as well as his pack. Gregor accepts what Desi decides without disagreement.

OOC - As I said I do whatever the Captain says.

Vadim looks to Desi as he gathers up his kit.

OOC
Ready to move on

OOC: I suppose technically you could take Shemp and Appleburg. It's just that the aircars only take up to 4 each. You could shuttle back and forth a group and only take up an extra 2 hours (1 hour each way).

The other issue not discussed is that, assuming you get the prisoners out alive, how are you going to get them back to the ship? You don't know how many there are in total because, like Appleburg, there may be prisoners you are not currently aware of.

Just food for thought.

Bartja gnaws on his thoughts, speaking them aloud for a general group consideration.

"We could shuttle everyone to a landing zone and establish a base camp near the Sathar using the aircars.  We could also send Shemp and Appleburg in with the Explorer and hope they don't get hopelessly lost or attacked.

I'm inclined to think of the base camp as the best option, going in with our assault team first to establish the perimeter and then shuttling in our support ops after we have it secured.  This will give us the doc and Shemp to help collect and support any wounded once we are ready to assault - and might give Gregor time to give us eyes on the perimeter at least."

OOC: OK, sorry for the delay...

BIC: ...Desiraye finishes the quick rundown of her gear before speaking.  "OK Gregor.  You're on point.  It's a big responsibility and you're being trusted with it!  Maybe, just maybe, you can find a way in without starting too much of crap show.

Like Bartja stated, I think we take both air cars in, unload our ground force and set up a small operating base or a casualty collection point.  Air cars go back and grab any supporting personnel or gear we may need to get out of the area.  If we need to ferry out to an area where we can use the explorer, if it can't get slose enough.  Plus, it's another vehicle since we're unsure of just how many prisoners there may be.  We jump off from there to the Sathar camp.  I don't think we try and have Shemp try to drive in unless they can be guided in until at least after we take the camp unless, Bartja thinks he can handle it or with another body.

Not sure about bringing the Glijets with us due to space on important munitions and support gear we may need for the assault.

Everyone should bring an extra weapon with them in case the prisoners are up to helping us on the way out."

You proceed as Desi describes using Bartja's plan with Gregor to do freely as he wishes.

You land the aircars and hike through the woods without encountering any dangers. You approach from the southeast to a clearing where the base has been erected.

In the southeast area is a Sathar vehicle (different from the scout ship) parked on a landing pad.

There are three sets of glass entryways into the building itself on the east side of the building, which you can see leads to a kitchen-like area (south) and a conference room like area (2 north sets of doors).

(Not clear if you brought Appleburg with you. If not, you can show him video remotely, and he confirms this is the place he escaped from. He says that whole eastern area was not really guarded. The area he was held captive was downstairs.)

In the southern rotunda area, you do see video security cameras. Appleburg mentions that he recalls there being a couple of robots patrolling around the building as well.

Vadim crouches and looks to the others whispering, "Wait for a patrol to pass and then move in?"

Orvo tries to gauge how long it will take to go from the wall to the closest door. He agrees to wait for a watch to pass first and will follow in. As a Dralasite, he is a little slower than some of the others.

Desiraye eases her binos down in both of her hands after scanning.  "I would like to try and spread us out along this perimeter for a half-hour, forty-five minutes to try and get an idea of any other security measures.  I would like more but, time isn't on our side.  Maybe find a fault in their security system or patrol.  How does that sound?  I'm open for more quick suggestions," she says reaching for her comms.

"Doc Appleburg, it's Desi.  Are you able to see all of this on your end of the feed?  Can you tell us where you escaped from in here?"
This message was last edited by the player at 03:32, Tue 09 Nov 2021.

OOC

What time of day is it?

Gregor follows Desi lead waiting to shoot anything that poses a threat.

9:00 a.m.

The security cameras are in the top corner in the northeast and on the wall at the southern rotunda. They sweep back and forth.

Orvo inspects the time to cross over. You could hide behind the ship and then make a break for it, and it would probably only take 3 to 5 seconds to get to the door. This can be timed with the sweep of the security cameras (you can choose to roll against intuition or dexterity with potential added bonuses).

Appleburg says he can see through the video feed. He says he escaped through the door at the southeast entrance closest to the ship. There is a security entrance to the lower level where they keep the prisoners and other secretive projects.

You wait in the shadows and after a few minutes see a patrol consisting of two heavily armed robots pass by. You can't tell exact details about them because they are Sathar construction that you have not seen before.

After a few more minutes, a drone sweeps the perimeter of the building. It is smaller and swiftly goes around the building.

You wait and monitor, finding the following:

The drone circles the facility once every 2 minutes. The two combat robots circle it once every 6 minutes. The security cameras sweep the area in tandem and provide approximately 4 seconds of a hole where the area between the ship and closest door is not monitored.

You watch this pattern for 30 minutes and find that it is consistent and unaltered. You do not see any signs of Sathar life.
9:30 a.m.

Vadim readies to move in with the team.

Edit- 20:49, Today: Vadim tul Mhora rolled 70 using 1d100.  stealth.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:51, Fri 12 Nov 2021.

If others are doing it, Orvo will make a break for it between the cameras, drone, and robots and try to remain unseen.

Bartja nods in agreement to those who want to make a break for the door between the security sweeps.

Speaking quietly into coms as if debating with himself, he adds;
_{"I'd like to disable that escape vehicle so they can't beat us out of here.  Then again, we might have need of it ourselves."}

After a pause as if waiting for feedback, he continues;
_{"We could attempt to disable the video cameras, but that will give away our presence... or at least bring out some technician."}

Once they have the routes of the cameras and robots down, Desiraye will propose the following plan.  "Vadim, Gregor.  If you're up to it, you take whoever you need inside with you and get the prisoners.  Bartja, myself and whoever you don't need will hold here so you have a way out.  We can keep them occupied as best we can with what we have.  Worse comes to worse, I'll be your quick reaction force (QRF) if it gets that bad.  I'm not a huge fan of splitting up our forces but, under the circumstances I think it's our best option.  Anyone that doesn't think so, sound off now or you go when the next window presents itself."

---

"I've got a kilo of TD-19 at our disposal if you want me to set it up for remote detonation?  This way if we need it, it's ours to use."