Celestia's Finest: Comrades in Arms

[Miltonian]

"Taking us in," Star says, flashing Love a smile.

The 'Bird begins its approach, distracting Star from any further witty comments as she guides it towards the landing pad. A small cadre of security officers and one griffon wearing a bronze-colored suit of full plate stands by and waits for them to touch down. Presumably, the armored one is the knight-liason, and he looks the part of a griffon-knight. The others, a mixture of ponies and griffons, are dressed for more conventional modern warfare, with body armor and assault rifles, but the knight has not yet given way to modernity. He stands at attention, one claw on a sword at his side and his legs locked in the proper position. As the ramp descends, he steps smartly up and peers inside.

"Harrier squad, I presume?" he says in a rough, gravelly tone.

[DigoDragon]

"Aye, sir. Harrier Squad present and ready," Rose responds. She'll stand up and perform a respectful salute after judging the rank (rolled 10 out of 16).

"Lt. Rose Croix, sir."

[Elbeyon]

Star has her co-pilot there to help put the 'bird in park.

Love runs a search/database to try to pull information on the knight in the background while she works.

She silent comms the results, "The big fellow is the latest to carry the title of 'Sir Wingfeather'." She displays the crest and insignias and labels them correctly.

Spoiler: Information

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The names of the knights are not general knowledge, but Love has her ways. She knows this griffon is the latest to hold the title of 'Sir Wingfeather'. The crest on his chestplate bears the family emblem.

As for rank, the insignias near his shoulder put him at the lowest rank of the Vedinian knights. No longer a squire, but not having earned any distinctions as of yet. Presumably, this is why he's been assigned as your greeter.

[D.KnightSpider]

The clasp unfastens on his restraints. He stands up to follow Rose's lead.

"Sir Longshot Scope," The introduction only feels slightly awkward. Yes, he'd been practicing. "And you're Sir Wingfeather?"

S.comm.: "Thanks for the heads up, Love."

[Miltonian]

The griffon inclines his head. "You are correct, sir, I am Sir Wingfeather." He grins. "Never met an Equestrian knight before. Have any skill with swords?"

He clears his throat. He speaks with a strange accent, one hard to quantify in text, and so I will have to ask you all to think of a very light, Russian accent. "The car is waiting," he says, "So if you have what you need, let's get on the road. I'm sure you all are eager to get into battle."

[DigoDragon]

He speaks with a strange accent, one hard to quantify in text, and so I will have to ask you all to think of a very light, Russian accent.

Rose's player knows that accent from experience. It's all good. Rose-wise she picks up her bags and will head for the car.

[D.KnightSpider]

Longshot shakes his head and attempts to match the griffin's mannerism in an effort at respect.

"I'm too junior to have any skill with a blade. I specialize in long-range ballistics. Although I have some skill at boxing, if such interests you, sir."

Light steps take him down the ramp. He pauses near Wingfeather. "We carry what we immediately need. As soon as our pilot and copilot are ready we can depart with you. What can you tell us of the battlefield situation?"

[Elbeyon]

Love is talking and working through landing procedure with Star. They wouldn't want the firebird flying off on her own.

[Miltonian]

Fortunately, the ship is landed and Star is powering down the engines. She unstraps herself from the seat, smoothes out her mane, and pats Love on the shoulder. "Come on. The shipboard computer will keep watch over her. Let's get going."

The knight looks at Longshot's rifle and back to him. "I see, I see. Well, we'll take what we can get."

Once everyone is ready, he will lead the way down the tarmac and to a squat, armored car. "The corvids, dishonorable thieves and murderers, have taken a few islands off our coast. They use them to stage raids on the mainland. At the moment, they're trying to establish control over a group of small towns along the coast. We're going to push them out."

"It's a pretty standard tactic of theirs, but we spotted General Ironclaw's battle banner in one of their raids. If he's here, then there's something to all this we're not seeing. So we sent for the best."

[Elbeyon]

Once the engines are off, Love unbuckles and gathers the equipment under her seat. She feels the pat on her shoulder while she is bending down and smiles. Love sings, "Coming~" She grabs her stuff and packs it away in her bag. She hops to her hoofs. She analyzes the ride over, "Firebird is flying smoothly. It's good she is at her best again. The support crew and 'bird supporters have done really good work." Love runs a hoof over the feather in her mane. She says to the air, "Let's go." The robots infesting the ship gather into Love's bag were she turns most their radios off by patting on the bag's surface.

Love walks towards the ramp. She tries to dress to griffon procedure (looks like they are all in armor) and introduce herself correctly. "Sir Wingfeather." She introduces herself, "Lt. Love." Love does have a sword! If proper, she draws attention to her blade and says to him, "Nice *proper sword name*." Love has some skill with swords. Practice, mostly. She has fought someone with a sword. Really, Sickle was more swinging her battering ram at her, but Love had a sword on her person!

Spoiler: Roll

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(3d6)[12]
vs 13 (Savoir-Faire (Military))
or 15 = 13 (Solider) +2 (Software)

[D.KnightSpider]

"It'll be our pleasure and honor to help."

Curious. It would be interesting to see the immediate history of this engagement, but arrival was the more pressing concern.

Longshot prepares to board the armored car. Wingfeather's comment is dismissed. The time would come to prove himself soon enough.

[DigoDragon]

Definitely a pleasure. Rose will follow Longshot to get into the armored car (Funvee?).

[Elbeyon]

Love follows along to the next destination while listening.

Love asks, "The islands they've taken. Are they populated?"

They are expecting a briefing? The answer should be public knowledge, more or less, so Love sees no harm in asking.

"We're here to help."

[Miltonian]

Wingfeather's face turns grim. "They were," he answers Love.

The vehicle is not exactly a humvee, more an armored sedan than anything. But it is roomy inside and allows the entire squad to pack in. Wingfeather takes the wheel and drives them through the airfield, across a bridge, and onto the base proper. Flags and pennants hang from every pole, ponies and griffons patrol every point, watching for any sign of attack or infiltration, and here and there, Harrier Squad spots a person wearing the same armor as Wingfeather.

The guards salute as they pass the gates and pull up to the main entrance. "The Knight-Commander is waiting for you," Wingfeather says, "Right inside."

[DigoDragon]

Rose exits the vehicle once it stops and follows the escort inside.

[D.KnightSpider]

"Thanks for the lift."

Longshot unpacks himself from the car and gives the area a quick visual once-over. Once the others have disembarked, he closes the car door and follows them into the main building.

Subvocal Comm.: "Let's get TacNet up and running between us."

[Elbeyon]

Love frowns at the news. "I'm sorry." Sad times.

Love gets in the armored vehicle. If possible she sits next to Rose and flashes her a smile. Most of the trip is Love examining the people and base as they move through it. It seems like people are on high alert and expecting attacks any second.

Knight-Commander? Love sees if she can grab any information on the Knight-Commanders.

Love pays her respects to, "Sir Wingfeather." She hangs around as Longshot says their farewells then moves on with the group.

Scomm, "Let me bring her up on the priority list." TacNet runs. "I always liked that TacNet feel. Feels like there is another Love nearby." She chuckles in her throat. The corners of her mouth turn up slightly at the idea she can watch everypony. Thank you, Null.

Spoiler: Roll

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Leave a good impression on Sir Wingfeather?
(3d6)[9] vs 16 (Diplomacy) +4 (Charisma p. 41) +2? (Relevant Skill p. 495) +1? (Computer Wizard p. 89) +1? (Merchant p. 209) +2? (Wealth (Multimillionaire 1) p. 26) +1? (Reputation (EDF) p. 27) +1? (Rank (Lieutenant) p. 29) +/- Other(s)

[Miltonian]

Wingfeather accompanies them up to the door, then steps aside and salutes as they enter. The room immediately inside has only two people in it, a pegasus mare and a griffon, both in bronze armor. They turn and rise as Harrier Squad enters. The griffon's ornate armor declares that he is the Knight-Commander, leader of this particular order of knights and overall commander of the military force fighting the corvids. Knight-Commander Aurum, according to the files. Beside him is Knight--Sub-Commander Steel Hammer, his second-in-command. She smiles at them.

"Greetings, comrades!" she says in a thick, Vedinian accent.

The Tacnet whirs to life and begins identifying everything around Harrier Squad. The armor they wear, though it looks archaic, has been converted to power armor. Each set is made of an orichalcum-admantite alloy, which makes it ludicrously expensive.

"Harrier Squad, I presume?" Aurum rumbles, "Come, sit. We have much to discuss."

[DigoDragon]

Rose salutes and then takes a seat as asked.

[D.KnightSpider]

"Harrier Squad reporting, sir." Longshot salutes. "Were ready to help however possible."

He approaches his seat. "Greetings to you as well." He returns Steel Hammer's greeting with a minimal amount of reserve.

[userpay]

"How can it not be fun? Two athletic ponies goin round the country sides. Mostly kept up on all my ol tried and true tricks." To all the playful gas quips Brazen whistles innocently. There was a reason he had to occasionally sleep on the couch.

At the news of the corvids staging attacks on towns a hard glint catches itself in Brazen's eyes. Though it is soon covered as he secures his helmet in place. "Lt Brazen reportin fer duty. Rest assured the corvids will git whats comin to them." This was starting to shape up to much like how Brazen initially got noticed, abet hopefully with less cratering involved.

Brazen salutes as well when they reach the commander though part of him was distracted by the power suits. Just how much power did they have while retaining such archaic form?

[Elbeyon]

What a friendly greeting by Steel Hammer! She smiles back.

Love salutes, "Knight-Commander Aurum. Harrier Squad's Lt. Love reporting, sir." She answers his orders, "Yes, sir!" She starts moving to her seat.

She smiles at Steel Hammer again. With a pleasant tone, Love says, "Greetings, Comrade, Knight--Sub-Commander Steel Hammer!"

Spoiler: Roll

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(3d6)[13]
vs 13 (Savoir-Faire (Military))
or 15 = 13 (Solider) +2 (Software)

[Miltonian]

"Harrier Squad, yes. The heroes of Equestria, so I'm told," Aurum states, "Let's hope you live up to your reputation."

He moves to stand behind the podium at the front of the room. Steel Hammer trots up and stands at attention, slightly behind and to the left of him. "You're familiar with Corvids, of course, but you may not be familiar with General Ironclaw. The murderous scum is an expert in deception and underclawed tactics. He'll lure you into a trap and kill you before you even knew what happened. On top of that, he's a coward. Fierce fighter, but never takes on anyone when he doesn't have a clear advantage. He sends others to do that for him."

"Normally, we could beat back the odd corvid incursion, but with him at the helm, the commander before me was thoroughly outmaneuvered and, well, he was taken prisoner a week ago now. Deep strike. Aerial assault against this very facility. No hope for him, I'm afraid. That's when they called my order in, and I sent out a request for Celestia's finest. They chose to send you."

He nods to Steel Hammer and she hands him a remote. He presses the button and the projector flickers to life, showing a map of the Vedinian coast. Red marks criss-cross the land and sea in a vaguely circular pattern. "Now. As to the plan, Ironclaw's been advancing in a set pattern along our coast and we think we know where he'll strike next. There's a small, fishing village, here. If he sticks to the pattern, he'll need to bring it under his control soon, if not next. We're going to get there first and set up an ambush for him."

[D.KnightSpider]

Longshot remains silent as he absorbs the presentation. He studies the layout of the map before him and concentrates on putting his new knowledge of strategy and tactics to work. There was nothing like real world application to cement knowledge, after all.

... Now if only that title drop could be a little less distracting.

Spoiler: Roll

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Strategy
(3d6)[6][6][3](15) VS 17 (14 Skill + 2 Software + 1 Extra Time)

"A successful Strategy roll lets you deduce, in advance, enemy military plans unless another person with this skill leads them. In that case, the GM rolls a Quick Contest of Strategy. The amount of information gained depends on how well you roll (but not on the quality of the foe's plans). If you fail an uncontested roll or lose a Quick Contest, the GM gives you false information." p.222

[DigoDragon]

"What's the last known civilian population there in the village?"

[Elbeyon]

Love pulls out a chair, looks over the chair, and takes a seat. She hopes they are the right team for the job. A lot of people need saving, and they are counting on the Commander and them.

Love pays attention as the Commander and Sub-Commander move to present the mission briefing. General Ironclaw is a real tough cookie. Murder. Lying. Clever. Cowardly. Strong. He very well may be a flight risk as the battles progress. They need to be ready for his retreat.

She frowns at being informed that the last commander was taken prisoner some time ago. No wonder everypony is on guard. They don't feel secure in their own home. There is too much of that going around lately. Ironclaw must be quite cunning if he felt safe enough to directly attack a military complex. His yellow belly hasn't blunted his aggressive tactics. Commander Wildcat would never hide while he sends others to do his work. How did Ironclaw get enough information to attack the facility? That needs considered.

The predictable pattern made her cautious of a trap. If not at one of these next targets, then somewhere else more unexpected. Love rubs her chin while she looks over the map. "Is there some standard to the size of their attack force?" If the Vedinain military has been losing battles that means the corvids may well be equipped with a decent stock of military-grade weaponry.

[Miltonian]

"Population is a little over a three hundred," Aurum answers, "A small but stable lot. They trade with the mainland, but have little interaction besides paying their taxes and answering the draft."

"Attack forces have so far been...unpredictable," Steel answers, "We suspect some form of espionage, but rooting out those who would work with corvids has proven more challenging than we initially thought. So we have briefing in a secure room, comrades. It makes free conversation."

"If they weren't well-equipped before, they have a lot of our weapons now," Aurum mutters with some heat in his voice.

[D.KnightSpider]

"It's an interesting situation. We'll be certain to pay them back for the death they've caused... Are any precautions being taken to protect the village or are you afraid that will tip off Iron Beak?"

Longshot continues pondering the advances displayed on the screen since he took the Extra Time option on that last roll.

[DigoDragon]

Rose is studying the maps right now.

[Miltonian]

"We will be 'replacing' the local population with trained soldiers," Aurum says, "The island has a large number of caves underneath, so the civilians should be safe down there. With the soldiers under disguise and reinforcements waiting just offshore, the corvids will swoop in, expecting easy targets, and we'll blast them out of the air before they have time to realize their mistake."

Steel nods. "Due to security concerns, this mission is, of course, top secret. Only the most loyal soldiers will be accompanying you."

Rose commits the map to memory.