Titania Media blackout lifted! An update on the conflict in the Station 42 region (Part 1)

 When a Hell Knights Battle Cruiser arrived in orbit over Titania last August citizens in the contested lands around Station 42 feared an overwhelming escalation of their conflict with the Smith and Wilson Agriculture corporation.  What they got instead was several months of court battles and a media blackout.  Through buyouts, bribes, and blackmail Smith and Wilson managed to gain control of the local media agencies.  Meanwhile their lawyers engaged in several legal battles to try and put pressure on the locals to abandon their property claims.
On August 19th the Hell Knights conducted three small raids on some of the more stubborn locals.  

 The Hell Knights raided a mining camp owned by the Venture Star Prospecting Company.  Expecting only light resistance Hell Knight forces consisted of mostly infantry units.

 Venture Star had however received had received an anonymous tip about the raid so they hired units from Nova Securities and the Wolfhound Friekorps mercenary company.  They were also backed up by renegade Titania Planetary Guards units.

 The Hell Knights situation became desperate early on when they realized that the Planetary Guard units included a battle tank.

 A Hell Knights assassin managed to kill most of the Wolfhound mercenaries and some of the Nova men before being taken down.

 Their other troops were however no match for the Planetary Guard Tank.  Most of their riflemen were cut down quickly and only a few assault troopers managed to escape the fighting.

 The Hell Knights also dispatched a force to the Redwing farm where they believed a number of Titania militia units were hiding.

 Hell Knight scouts managed to gain a good position early in the fighting using stealth to infiltrate deep within the compound.

 Another Hell Knights assassin was seen during this battle.  These types of troops have previously not been seen in this conflict.

 The Hell Knights Heavy equipment moved into the center of the compound and engaged the militia units and light vehicles.

 The Titania Planetary guard also arrived with a tanks but even that was not enough to secure the farm.  The Planetary guard tank and all the militia light vehicles were destroyed and the Militia units routed.

 The Davis Farm also came under attack by a Hell Knights infantry force backed up by fast moving Lagarev apcs.

 The defenders consisted of Planetary Guard and Militia units with a few improvised light vehicles.

 The battle was a close one and both sides took many casualties but the militia units took the brunt of the damage.

 At the end of the battle the remaining militia member retreated into the farmhouse as Hell Knight assault troopers close in.

Among the militia casualties was Mrs. Davis who was shot during the fighting at the farm house.  The Hell Knights were able to secure the farm and destroy a cache of supplies dealing a heavy blow to resistance forces.

For several months afterwards the conflict in  the Station 42 Region died down.  The Militia and renegade Titania Planetary Guard units had suffered numerous casualties and loss of supplies just as the Hell Knights received some significant reinforcements.  It seemed as if the conflict would finally be settled in the courts although that battle still continues while hostilities seem to have flared again in the region.  More reports on the renewed conflict coming soon.

Alphonso Marks, Titania News Network.

Notes:  We had a long unexpected break during this campaign and didn't play any battles through the last four months of 2012.  The last three battles we fought were a set of 1000 point raids using the No Limits rules system we have been using for this campaign.  We decided that the resistance had been dealt a pretty nasty blow and had mostly gone into hiding while the Smith and Wilson Agriculture Corporation went back to the courts to settle disputes over their claims.  We have had some other battles this year but I just kept putting off the updates about the campaign so I never posted that information.  I will be posting another report in the next day or two hopefully to bring things up to speed and get back on track.  We hope to bring this campaign to a close in the next few month with some larger battles.         

More "Station 42 War" battles coming soon!

From the 2nd Battle of the Ghost Compound

Our Station 42 War campaign got a little sidetracked when I took over the local Battletech campaign a few months ago.  The last battles we fought were three 1000 point skirmishes using the No Limits system back in August 2012.  I never even got a report up for them.  We finally managed to pick the campaign up last night with a 2500 point battle when the Hell Knights assaulted the Ghost Compound for a 2nd time.  

I will be posting a campaign update about the three skirmishes and what was going on in the campaign story since last August.  After that I will be posting a two part report covering the last battle we fought.  The first section will cover; the terrain set up, scenario, and force selection.  The second part will be the actual battle report.  I may decide to use this format for other reports.   

Hell Knights Army Book coming soon for No Limits

Hey folks I'm working on getting a Hell Knights army book written for the No Limits free war game rules system.  As we have been playing the Station 42 War campaign I have been developing this army and I have enough material to star putting together a more formal book.  I not only be including the army list but also pictures of every unit in the book as well as information about how I built and painted the miniatures and models.  I hope to release the book as a free PDF on the No Limits web site.
This will be a major undertaking so I plan to provide samples of the content here as I put the army list together.

Battle at the Old Mining Town (a No Limits Station 42 War Game Report)

A "Hell Knights" APC engages Militia vehicles.

 Titania News Network:  Just a few short hours ago Titania militia forces and renegade Planetary Guard units came under attack from the Hell Knights mercenary company.  Our "Flyspy" news drones managed to record several images from the battle as it occurred.  

A civilian truck comes under mercenary fire.

 Titania forces were escorting a convoy of civilian vehicles out of Station 42 loaded with supplies for the resistance when they came under attack from Hell Knights, armor, infantry, and mech forces.  At least one mech scale "Battle Suit" was spotted among the mercenary forces.

Titania Militia units engage a mercenary APC.

 The conflict going on in the Station 42 region has been escalating for months.  The government of Titania acquired several hydroponics farms and mining claims in the region by use of eminent domain claiming that the land was going to be used for terra-forming facilities to provide planetary upgrades.   Instead building the facilities a  company known as Smith and Wilson Agricultural purchased the land.  The farmers and citizens of the region banded together and refused to leave.

The convoy moves into a gauntlet of deadly fire.

 Smith and Wilson Agriculture then hired to "Hell Knights" to enforce their claim to the properties.  So far the fighting has been mostly small in scale and limited to the region around Station 42.  Sympathy for the resistance groups has been wide spread across Titania.

Tanks from both sides trade fire.

 The battle that took place today was small in scale but brutal.  The Hell Knights have employed armored units and mechs before but never so many at one location.  They seemed determine to stop the Titania convoy.  The convoy was escorted by a Planetary Guard tank and several improvised armored cars as well as trained militia units and Planetary Guard fire teams.

Carson Boon is spotted fighting along side a unit of Planetary Guard.

Carson Boon and members of his militia were among the combatants.  Boon is believed to be the senior leader of militia units involved in the conflict.

Damaged and destroyed civilian and militia vehicles crash into abandoned buildings.

 As the battle raged many of the civilian vehicles were destroyed by the mercenary mechs and armored vehicles.  Mercenary snipers positioned on the large mesa and old silo also did considerable damage to the light vehicles.

A mercenary APC feels the sting of a Laser Canon.

 The Planetary Guard Tank put up as strong resistance taking out three armored personal carriers and damaging the mercenary hover tank.

Mercenary and Planetary guard tanks engaged at point blank range.

 For a good portion of the battle these two heavily armored vehicles traded fire.  Though the mercenary tank was heavily damaged it was not destroyed.

A mercenary mech scores a hit on the Planetary Guard tank.

 The mercenary mech was also badly damaged but not destroyed.  It was instrumental in destroying several civilian and militia vehicles.

Militia sniper "Redjack" lies motionless on the ground.

 The notorious militia sniper known as "Redjack" was noted among the militia casualties although his status is unknown at this time.  Evidence points to one of the Hell Knights snipers as the shooter.

The wreckage of several resistance and mercenary vehicles.

Most of the civilian and militia vehicles were destroyed by the end of the fighting.  It is estimated that the Titania forces lost close to 20 fighters and drivers while the mercenary casualties numbered at least 15 fighters and three armored personal carriers.  Only one civilian supply truck managed to pass through the mercenary gauntlet and it's location is unknown at this time.

At the end of the fighting the remaining mercenary forces withdrew from the area leaving the Titania forces to attempt to salvage their supplies and tend to their wounded.

This has been Alphonso Marks reporting for the Titania News Network.

Additional "Flyspy" coverage of the battle can be found in this gallery: http://www.flickr.com/photos/43472766@N05/sets/72157630926721772/

Breaking News! Battle at the old mining town.

Titania News Network:  This just in.  Titania militia groups and renegade planetary guard units have come under attack at the old mining town.  Our "Flyspy" news drone captured this image of the intense fighting between Titania forces and the "Hell Knights" mercenary company.  It appears that the Titania forces have been ambushed while attempting to move a convoy of supplies and equipment out of Station 42.  We will bring you more on this story as it develops.

2nd Battle of Bunker 1138

 With the ammo recovered by the crew of the "Maxed Out" the Titania Planetary Guard and the local militia units decided it was time to re-take Bunker 1138.  The Hell Knights have been using the bunker as a Forward Operating Base since they took control of it early in the conflict.  The Hell Knights were outnumbered two to one but they had superior skill and equipment.

 The first shots exchanged were between the snipers.  The Hell Knights sniper wounded Redjack from Boon's Militia but Redjack and the other militia snipers returned fire and took the merc out.

 The Pleasant Valley Neighborhood Watch moved into cover behind some discarded barrels on the left flank of the Titania forces but many were gunned down by the Armored Assault squad in the bunker.  The heavy blasters of the mercenaries were more than a match for light militia troops.

A militia technical moves in to support the Titania forces.  These lightly armored but heavily armed vehicles have proven quite dangerous in previous battles.

 More technicals come into play providing cover for Dutton's gang. as they advance into cover near the center of the Titania Forces line.

 On the left flank of the mercenary line the Hell Knights Scouts trade fire with Titania Planetary Guard units.  Both sides take heavy casualties.

 On the mercenaries right flank another technical arrives and cuts the other Hell Knights scout squad to ribbons which causes the survivors to break and run.

 A Titania Planetary Guard tank enters the field on the Titania forces right flank.  Armed with a laser cannon and a scatter laser it is well equipped to handle heavy and light threats.

 One of the technicals is taken out of action by the mercenary "Marksman" battle suit but it take some damage in the exchange.

 Dutton's Gang doesn't find any more protection from the chemical barrels than the Pleasant Valley crew did.  The Hell Knights veteran rifle squads prove their marksmanship.

 Two other technicals are taken down by the battle suit and armored assault squad.  The open ground in front of the bunker is proving to be a nasty kill zone.

 The Planetary Guard Tank moves in and starts trading shots with the veteran rifle squad.  The tank takes some damage from the battle suit but continues to advance knocking down a tent in the middle of the field.

 One squad of veteran riflemen are taken down through the combined fire of the tank and the Planetary Guard troops on the opposite ridge.

 Dutton's Gang retreats from it's position in the center of the Titania line after suffering heavy casualties.

 Bodies begin to pile up in a crater on the Titania forces left flank.  The rest of the Pleasant Valley Neighborhood Watch lie dead or wounded along with several Planetary Guards.

 The Tank and the Battle Suit continue to exchange fire.  Both are damaged but not taken out of action.

 Carson Boon is shot down near the wreckage of one of the militia technicals.  His force field fails to protect him against the heavy blasters of the Armored Assault Squad.

Though they had inflicted serious casualties on the Titania forces the Hell Knights commander could see that it was unlikely that he or his men would survive.  The mercenary contacted the Planetary Guard commander and offered terms.  The Mercenaries offered to withdraw with their wounded if the Titania forces would halt their assault.  The Planetary Guard commander agreed to the terms.

Notes:  We played this battle out over a month ago.  Since then we have also played another Episode of "Maxed Out" that I need to put up.  I'm not entirely sure if I got all the details correct but this is basically how things turned out.  I believe we gave the Titania forces a point advantage because they were assaulting a fortified position.  I think the next battle will be a straight up fight.  

Maxed Out Episode 4 "Hopless Causes"

 

Late May 3031

There have been a number of strange things going on around Station 42 in the last few months. A number of hydroponics farms near the station have been attacked by well armed mercenaries. The government of Titania seems to be backing their claims that their farms have been purchased by an unnamed buyer who has every right to evict them. Many of the farmers and other locals have banded together to form a militia to fight these mercenaries. The “Militia” is being lead by Carson Boon. A well known local militia leader and trouble maker.

General Drake the leader of the Planetary Guard has resigned his commission and a number of Planetary Guard members have gone missing with their equipment including a few tanks. It is believed that at least a company of men have gone missing. General Drake was reported to have said that he “Can not let this kind of thing stand” as he departed the capitol building in Titania City.

In other news Mr. Biggs of the Venture Star Prospecting company was kidnapped a few weeks ago along with his Secretary and one of his scientist. Rosie from Station 42 salvaged the mercenary hover tank that was destroyed during an recent battle between the mercenaries and the militia near the Ghost Compound. Vinnie, one of the Blood Born pirate leaders, was also recently captured by Rocky Tomson and Jennie Tam and turned in for a bounty.

After capturing Vinnie Jennie Tam and Rocky Tomson hadn't had much work. They were doing alright for themselves but they were starting to run short on funds. The “Hell Knight” mercenaries had put out a bounty on Carson Boon for $4,000 and Rocky was tempted to start looking for him despite his recent status as a local hero. Boon was certainly not her favorite person and he didn't care for her much either. Still he was fighting the mercenaries who had been attacking the locals so now wouldn't be a good time to go after him.

As they were having lunch in the “Close Encounter” Rocky received a com from a man who identified himself as Lt. Jefferies formally of the Planetary Guard who had a job for them.

Meeting Lt. Jefferies

 

Rocky and Jennie decided to check the offer out so they traveled out to the meet coordinates. The meet was at some ruins outside of the Station. Lt. Jefferies was there with nine other men who were clearly members of the Titania Planetary Guard.

Lt. Jefferies explained that his men had arms and equipment but very little ammo. They needed some crates of ammo that had been given to Carson Boon at Bunker #1138 that had been lost when the mercenaries took that bunker over from the militia. The mercenaries had destroyed most of the Militia's supplies but the ammo was labeled “Property of the Government of Titania” so they mercenaries hadn't destroyed it. The renegade planetary guardsmen needed that ammo before they could mount an offensive to take back the bunker.

Jefferies had a file of false information about Carson Boon that they were to turn over to the mercenaries to gain their trust. He also wanted Jennie and Rocky to find out what kind of forces the mercenaries had at the bunker and what they were up to. The pay would be $2,000. Jennie and Rocky accepted the offer

Jennie decided to “muck up” the engines on the Maxed Out a bit so that they might have an excuse to stick around they bunker while she “repair” their ship.

Bunker #1138 under the control of the "Hell Knights" mercenaries.

 

As the Maxed Out approached Bunker #1138 a warning beacon on their instrument panel lit up warning them that a battery of anti aircraft missiles had locked onto their ship. “Maxed Out you are entering a restricted air space. What is your business for being here?” came a voice over their com system. Jennie explained that they had information on Carson Boon. They were allowed to land but were advised not to make any unusual maneuvers or power their weapons on their approach.

As they landed they noticed the anti aircraft missiles as well as another “Sky Sweeper” class attack craft similar to the “Maxed Out”.

Unfortunately Jennie had mucked up the engines a bit too well and they damaged one of their landing struts when they touched down too hard. Now they really did have a need for repairs.

The well guarded bunker.

 

Jennie and Rocky entered the well guarded bunker and met with Sargent Jones who seemed to be in command. Jones was impressed with the file on Carson Boon but said that they were have to wait around for a while so his men could check out the information. Jones also told them he would pay them $500 for the information if it was worth anything. He also offered them work providing air support for the mercenaries if they could get their ship fixed up.

Rocky chats with the mercenaries.

 

While Jennie worked on the ship Rocky decided to chat with some Mercenaries resting near some tents. One of the mercenaries was quite chatty and told Rocky a number of interesting things about their operation. His friends were upset with him but didn't seem too concerned.

Jennie meets Freddy the pilot of the other Sky Sweeper.

 

Jennie was working on the ship when a man approached her. He wasn't dressed like the mercenaries and he introduced himself as “Freddy” the pilot of the other Sky Sweeper. Jennie had heard of Freddy. She had seen him a few times at the “Close Encounter” back at Station 42. Freddy told her how the mercenaries hadn't expected any resistance so they hadn't really brought a lot of air support on this operation. They were paying him well to enforce their no fly zone around the bunker and the farms.

Jennie's map of the bunker.

 

Jennie and Rocky were at the bunker for several hours. Jennie managed to repair the landing strut but she wasn't sure how long it would hold without a better repair. In that time she managed to draw up a map of the bunker and camp as well as put together a report with the information they had gathered.

The two could not however figure out a way to steal the ammo crates. They decided to head back to Lt. Jefferies and give him the report.

Sargent Jones came out to talk to them before they left. He said their information had turned out to be helpful. They had even captured a few suspects. Jones payed them and again offered them a job after they got the ship patched up.

Lt. Jefferies was pleased with the report. He told Jennie and Rocky that the people the mercenaries had captured were plants who would be spying on the mercs and feeding the resistance information. He also suggested that they take up the mercenaries offer to fly patrols as a way to get back in and steel the ammo.

Jennie and Rocky came up with a plan. They went back to Station 42 and has Rosie help them repair their ship. They also purchased 200 ft. of cable and a wench from her which the attached to the bottom of their ship. While they were there they saw the hover tank Rosie had salvaged from the Ghost Compound. When they asked her what she was going to do with it she responded that she would most likely sell it back to the mercenaries. She didn't care about a bunch of “dirt farmers who didn't pay their bills”.

Back at the bunker.

 

The Maxed Out returned to the bunker. Jennie and Rocky again met with Sargent Jones to sign a contract with the mercenaries to provide air support. Jones told them that it would take a while to process their contract but that he would soon have an assignment. He told them to make themselves comfortable at the base.

Having "lunch" at the ammo crates.

 

Jennie and Rocky decided to take the opportunity to go check out the crates of ammo. The crates looked heavy and they knew it would take some time to hook them up. They decided to “take lunch” using the crates as a table. Jennie went back to the ship and carefully reached under to pull the cable out from the wench. As they were having lunch they hooked up the cable to the crates. A couple of the mercenaries noticed what they were doing but didn't say anything because there were now “part of the team”. When they finished lunch they went back to the ship and waited.

Sargent Jones came out a bit later with their first patrol assignment. Jennie and Rocky made their pre-flight prep.

The heist!

As the Maxed Out lifted off they slowly wound the cable back in with the wench. When the cable became taught the crates of ammo began to lift off the ground. Sargent Jones screamed at them over the com to land their ship or they would be shot down. The take off was rough with the extra weight of the ammo crates but Rocky didn't have much trouble with it. Again the warning beacon for a weapons lock flashed on the panel. An anti aircraft missile barely missed the ship.  Jennie returned fire and damaged the battery.  Another warning beacon lit up. The mercenary mech shot at them with it's AC5 Autocannon. The mech did not miss. Two rounds hit the ship. One tore through a wing and another damaged engine number one. Several other small arms shots came up as few of them deflected off the armoured hull of the craft. Rocky “punched it” and they made their escape!

They met Lt. Jefferies at the ruins again and dropped off the ammo. The guardsmen loaded the ammo into their truck. Jefferies paid Jennie and Rocky and directed them to a location where they could get their ship repaired. The heist had been a success but they would have to lie low for a while especially since the mercenaries had almost immediately taken out a bounty on them.

   

Notes: What happened to Episode 3? Good question. We played that session before our last move and lost our notes. I have pics of the action but I can't remember the details. I may post the pics and what we do have soon but I wanted to get this episode up since it leads into the next battle in our Station 42 War campaign.

There wasn't a whole lot of fighting in this session. Mostly a bunch of information gathering and role playing. That's okay some times. Of course we used the Savage Worlds role playing rules for this game as we have for the other “Maxed Out” episodes. Using the different systems is really working out well especially since we aren't trying to over lap them much. Each game provides another chapter to what is going on around Station 42 which is just the way we planned it.