Something Wicked this Way Comes (Completed)

In a stunning upset, Wilson's Fusiliers, Bravo Company, Lance 2 (or Magruder's Scrappers as the warriors of your unit have nick-named you based on some of the comms during the fight) defeated a Veteran lance of the famed 8th Donegal Guards in simulated combat. After parking your 'Mechs you are rushed by congratulatory Mechwarriors and Techs, all heavy with praise at your accomplishment. From your vantage point on the shoulders of your comrades, you have a clear view of the several 'burn trails' that are descending from the sky. You all know this as the telltale marking of a dropship incursion.

The crowd falls silent as Captain Johann "Big-John" Faulkner answers a call on his Personal Communicator:

"Yes sir?...yes sir...yes sir, the last lance has just returned to HQ...yes sir....YES SIR!"

"Alright ladies, listen up. Planetary Intelligence has just verified two Kuritan Jumpships have been detected in-system and those rocks", Faulkner motions upwards, "are their kittens". "It looks like a raid, not enough dropships for a full scale invasion. Why they just noticed the Jumpships is beyond me, they must have been there for several days already. Regardless, we got a fight on our hands."

Faulkner turns to your Lance commander "Magruder, your 'Mechs are still warm, I need you to hustle out to the Bio-Research facility and set up a defensive perimiter. Hold it if practicable, or until you are reinforced...GO!"

You know from your weekly Intel briefing that the Bio-Research facility that Faulker mentioned is a NCUW (New Cambridge University of Wessex) outpost that is doing work in the field of Terraforming. It is a fortified campus many miles from any military base or population center. Whatever those eggheads are doing out there, it must be important, if a 'Mech lance has been assigned to protect it.

As you are travelling to your post, you learn that, apparently, their has been unusual solar flare activity in the Laurent system for the past week, and transmissions from the Jumpstation were not able to get through the atmosphere to the planetary defense forces. That's why no one knew about the enemies jump in-system. Just another reminder of the vast technological losses mankind has suffered over the past two-and-a-half centuries.

While en-route to the bio-research facility, I will attempt to gather intelligence on the number of drop ships and their sizes, as well as the trajectory they were taking to try to determine roughly how many mechs may be in our sector of the planet. I will also see if we can find out which units they may be, and if that can be determined, what we know about them. I also want to see if it will be possible to get any artillery support, or possibly some mines to defend the perimeter of the facility.

As your Lance makes it's way to the research facility, Lieutenant Magruder is requesting up-to-the-minute Intel reports from Battalion Command. Apparently there are only 6 Dropships heading for this continent, and no reports of drops over other landmasses on planet. One Dropship is on a trajectory very near your assigned post. It is medium sized, probably a Union Class vessel. (One of you easily makes the target roll of Knowledge: 5, to remember that Union class dropships can hold a maximum of 12 mechs).

No mine-layers or artillery support can reach your location for some time. This facility is usually assigned to a Veteran Company from the 8th Donegal Guards, but the delay in the planetary alert means they will not be here for some time. It will be up to your Lance, and your Lance alone to protect the facility, unless the enemy delays (something Draconis Combine forces are not known for).

It is currently unknown what Regiment(s) are dropping, and in all likelyhood, your unit will be the first to make contact with the enemy.

An hour later, as you are making your final approach to the research facility, this likelyhood is confirmed as you receive a report from the security personnel at the outpost that at least 4 enemy 'Mechs are moving towards the post from the North. You will arrive just ahead of them.

Your final orders from command are:

1. Protect the Bio-Research facility if practicable. (in Merc speak this means do your best but don't sacrifice the fighting ability of your entire unit if overwhelmed)

2. Report back to Battalion Command as soon as you can confirm the Unit(s) that are attacking.

Good work out there men. We secured the facility and picked up two mechs as salvage. We are getting better with each engagement and going a long way towards making a name for our Lance. In recognition of your good work, I am taking the Lance out for a night of R&R in town. Good work gentlemen!

Lt. Magruder