MISSION: "KINGMAKER'S GAMBIT"
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Mission Briefing
Mission Type: Combined Operations (Strike or Diversion - Unit Choice)
Location: Fort Steadman (TCA Garrison) / Kemper Station Mining ComplexSituation
Commander Krine spreads a tactical map across the command table. Fort Steadman is marked with a red circle. Kemper Station—the refinery Ashen Lance was supposed to defend under a TCA contract—is marked with a blue triangle.
"We're done playing defense," Krine announces. The room is fuller than usual: Sergeant Voss, FTM tactical staff, and the three pilots of Ashen Lance. "The TCA has been consolidating since we hit Warden Station. They're pulling forces back, fortifying key positions, trying to create a defensive perimeter they can actually hold."
He taps Fort Steadman. "This is their lynchpin. A legitimate military garrison—not a mining post with improvised defenses, not a supply depot with security guards. This is 40 professional soldiers, hardened defensive positions, and at least two operational 'Mechs. It's also the command-and-control center for the entire northern TCA military district."
Krine looks up, meeting each person's eyes. "If we take Fort Steadman, we break their northern defensive line. We gain access to the rare earth mining operations they've been monopolizing. We prove the FTM can hold territory, not just raid it. This is the mission that changes the war."
He pauses. "But Fort Steadman is too strong to take head-on with our current forces. So we're going to use deception."
A second map overlay appears. Kemper Station, highlighted. "The TCA believes we're going to attack Kemper Station. It's their most valuable economic asset, it's lightly defended since the refinery workers are civilians, and hitting it would be textbook guerrilla warfare—destroy their economy, not their military."
Krine's finger moves between the two locations. "So we're going to make them believe it. While one force creates a convincing diversion at Kemper Station—threatening but not committing to full assault—the other force hits Fort Steadman with everything we have. By the time they realize which target is real, it'll be too late."
He looks directly at Ashen Lance. "You've proven you can execute complex operations. You've proven you understand mission priorities. Now I'm giving you a choice: which role do you want?"Option A: Strike Force (Fort Steadman Assault)
Option B: Diversionary Force (Kemper Station Feint)The Commander's Breakdown
Sergeant Voss steps forward with detailed briefings for each option.
"The strike force gets the glory," she says bluntly. "You'll be the ones taking Fort Steadman, capturing the garrison, claiming the victory. You'll also be facing the hardest fight—professional soldiers, prepared defenses, no room for error. This is the mission that wins or loses the war in the north."
She shifts to the second map. "The diversion gets the complexity. You have to make the TCA believe you're serious about hitting Kemper Station—enough to pull their reserves away from Fort Steadman—but without actually committing to a battle you can't win. Too weak, they ignore you. Too strong, you get stuck in a real fight and can't extract. It's a tightrope."
Commander Krine adds: "Both roles are critical. Both require professional execution. This isn't about who gets more glory or easier fights. This is about which mission suits your capabilities and your preference. I'll trust your judgment."
He pauses. "But understand—if you choose the strike, you're betting on your ability to win a hard fight. If you choose the diversion, you're betting on your ability to be smart and disciplined. Choose wrong, and the whole operation fails." -
Gigratu pulls the head mechanic aside before the oncoming battle.
"You better get your people in line. Last time I left with this mech, the left arm armor was falling apart and the paint was all scratched. I didn't say anything at the time because I knew it would be an easy mission, but I'm not willing to brush this aside twice. Get your shit together."
Gigratu then turns towards the group with avarice in his eyes, "Let's mop up these Fort Steadman nobodies and take the glory!"
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Incubus is tinkering in the corner and says " I need more fucking mechs. Let's assault the fort and take what we can." Then he wipes his hands and go into the head for some spicy poops.
