Calvin snorted as he heard Yasan's barb towards Kiera and tried to contain a chuckle. He failed.

Once he finished with chuckling, he shot a response to Lilith. " Well Lilith, as Mary just said, we sit on our asses and "contain the enemy" while "protecting the artillery", as our objectives state." He used finger quotes, only realizing after that he couldn't be seen by the others. He shrugged, before realizing they couldn't see that either. He stopped then. " So basically, until the Cents send more our way than one or two snipers, we do precisely jack shit. And occasionally make fun of people to pass the time. "

"But if we start doing that, we'll be putting our mission control out of the job. That's their field of expertise," she retorted, her thumbs twiddling with the controls.

After only a few seconds behind cover, she was already going out of her skull, fiddling with instruments and drumming on random surfaces. Waiting was not her thing. Sitting was not her forte. She wanted to shoot, to fly, to kill. She enlisted for the opportunity to see the enemy consumed by explosions, and she'd seen precious few.

Still. She'd charged once, and that didn't turn out so well. She wasn't planning on a repeat performance.

Kara ignored the chatting around her, activated her stealth, and watched for the sniper. [1,2,3]

Battle for Kalm, Part II: All Things Kalm on the Northern Front

February 17th, 2999. 6:45 AM.

Silence.

It felt like a week, maybe a month since the last shot was fired.

Kara couldn't see the Sniper, nor route through every possible hiding hole. But it seemed that for now at least things were quiet. It was impossible to say whether he was ordered to fall back, ran back himself when he saw the Federation lines begin to regroup or was simply biding his time for a second shot. The only thing one could do in this situation was be on edge.

Still, the gun was aimed at her. At least for now.

Inspite of the damage, the Garnet crews were unharmed. Which was odd. The Artillery, in all honesty, was likely doing more damage than the Frames would.

"Is the dude even there anymore?" Dennis grunted from behind cover.

Mary responded only with tense silence, while Yasan sighed and sniggered.

Order of Battle [In the Grand Scheme]:

• Federation: 1045 Active frames.
• Centauri: 200-362 Active Frames.

Position: South-South-East. No-Man's Land.

• Primary Objective: Contain Centauri Forces.
• Secondary Objective: Protect Artillery
• Tertiary Objective: Eliminate Centauri Forces.

Federation

• Megallen, "Kamikaze": 140% [Full Cover]
• Black Dragon, "Foxfire": 125% [Full Cover]
• Quicksilver, "Echo": 90% [Partial Cover]
• Megallen, "Blaze": 140% [Full Cover]
• Cobalt, "Foxtrot 7": 200% [Full Cover]
• CVW, "Sunrise": 80% [Partial Cover]
• Titanus, "Full Metal": 200% [Full Cover]
• Quicksilver, "Alchemist": 150% [Full Cover]
• Garnet Artillery: 100% [Fortified]
• Garnet Artillery: 100% [Fortified]
• Garnet Artillery: 100% [Fortified]

Centauri

Frames:

• ???? [????]

edited 4th Mar '12 6:58:10 PM by Fauxlosophe

Calvin blew his blond bangs out of his eyes boredly and sighed. " Well this is fun." He said sarcastically. "Wonder if the Cents will figure out we're bombarding them before their roofs all fall on them."

He supposed that it was good that he just got to sit here doing nothing, but it felt wrong. He'd spent his entire day and the day before that on edge in anticipation of the Battle for Kalm, and now it was just... nothing. The others making themselves look like fools, that was just average. No mass Frame charges, no air raids, or falling buildings. Just sitting in his Frame, doing nothing.

To distract himself, Calvin started fiddling with the Frame's computer, checking to make sure everything was alright. Seemed that mechanic, (Jakob?) really knew his stuff. Everything was in top condition, good as new. It pleased him to know his baby was well-taken care of when she got scratched up. He'd have to visit that guy one of these days, he thought to himself. Most Frame pilots ignored their mechanics, but he liked any man who kept his baby beautiful and running. He'd drop by the garage with some liquor sometime and see what he could do about getting his baby upgraded.

Moving on from that, he checked on his kill count. He was pretty sure he had...

Calvin blinked when he saw the number.

Four.

He had four kills.

Five was Ace status.

He just needed one more kill, and he'd be a fucking Ace! He snapped up to attention, his previous lethargy forgotten. He'd get that kill today no matter what he did. The Cent attack couldn't come fast enough, he decided.

Lilith drummed her fingers in her cockpit, enjoying the spectacular nothingness that was wasting her time.

So, in the spirit of Rhode Island, she began to sing. Loudly. With the radio off.

"Which state resides wholly in the sticks? Who cause the market crash of 2066? Who still builds their houses with mortar and bricks? Ol' Rhode Island, with all our old tricks!
Which state still uses plasma screens T Vs? Who still gets our honey from friggin' bees? Who accidentally torched all our own TREEEEEEEES? Ol' Rhode Island, as you can sees.
Oh Rhode Island, we'll never forget you, with your endearing rustic charm and backwardness too. Oh Rhode Island, my heart belongs to thee because you still cure insanity with lobotomy. OOOOOOOOOH...
Who's got a policy a little behind the times? Who can't even make up proper songs? Yes we know the last line didn't rhyme, but nobody cares because it's Rhode Island.
Ol' Rhode Island, we are very sorry for, that huge blunder, in 2144. Hey Rhode Island, it's not yet the end, I like you, so you now have one friend. Hey!"

She paused, and then briefly felt bad that her home state had adopted that song as its official anthem.

edited 4th Mar '12 11:03:20 PM by RenaTheArchmage

Kiera sighed.

[1][2][3][4]She leaned out, searching for the enemy sniper.

Battle for Kalm, Part II: All Things Kalm on the Northern Front

February 17th, 2999. 6:45 AM.

The radio came on;

"Southern Centauri forces are being pulled West to prevent capituation, I repeat Centauri forces are being moved West. All Southern forces are to begin their advance north. Victory in reach."

This was followed shortly after by a message from Hunting

"This should be a low risk operation. Centauri are still pinned down and split. I don't see a reason to take any more risks than you have to. Move briskly but keep aware. We have the advantage so don't do anything stupid in the name of heroism."

This brought a spark of life to the lines. Previously other frames which had been standing still as statues, awoke and began to march or fly. Pidgeons and Phoeni scattered about in panic.

Yasan smiled to himself wordlessly and began moving after them, expecting his flight to do the same.

"Felt like a month down there waiting," Dennis grumbled and his frame moved from its cover, "I thought high command had forgotten about us."

"Get off it," Mary replied with equal enthusiasm, "Let's get a move on."

Meanwhile...

"Southern Centauri forces are being pulled West to prevent capituation, I repeat Centauri forces are being moved West. All Southern forces are to begin their advance north. Victory in reach."

Gene looked up from his hiding spot. This would go far to explain his recent lack of success in snipe hunting. A recent one in particular with an white-grey paint job eluded him. It was unfortunate as well. He had a trapping frame, being put on a forced march north was rather unfortunate, especially after having been isolated from his group, though his model of frame allowed him and made him familiar with working alone. Though charging against them now as his orders presently seemed to be appeared rather foolhardy.

Looking out too, he saw a pair of flights working in tandem, these would help support this move north, if only to serve as protection and distraction while he found away into Centauri defences.

"Finally! About time we got some action, L-Rachne." Gene said, "Well, full speed ahead!" With that, gene piloted his frame onto the roof of a nearby building, making for the front and angling towards the support group.

Centauri forces were hidden under cover but artillery bombardment revealed most. Anti-frame weaponry stood out as well. Little was left hidden as when they arrived, it was already firing on other Federation forces.

They had the chance to approach the Centauri forces carefully, or else fly in guns blazing. Well camoflaged and moving through full cover, they could get very close.

Yasan himself made this move, he signalled for Phil to follow. Kara was signaled to cover him, activating stealth and taking full cover. Dennis meanwhile took a more direct approach, mobing toward the enemy's main line, taking only partial cover and firing as he went. Mary followed his lead but stayed behind in her heavier frame.

Dennis pulled up the communications screen, "Everyone here? What do you think we should do?"

Yasan's voice came on, "Call off the damn artillery, for one before they blow us to hell as well."

Mary replied more calmly, "The way it's lined up, they stand to do a lot of damage to the Centauri forces here, if you don't act rashly, they can do the work for us."

"Like hell I need that," Yasan replied, "The kills are all nice and lined up, I say we wipe them out."

Order of Battle [In the Grand Scheme]:

• Federation: 1045 Active frames.
• Centauri: 200-362 Active Frames.

Position: South-South-East. No-Man's Land.

• Primary Objective: Contain Centauri Forces.
• Secondary Objective: Protect Artillery. [Completed]
• Tertiary Objective: Eliminate Centauri Forces.

Federation

• Megallen, "Kamikaze": 140% [Full Cover]
• Black Dragon, "Foxfire": 125%
• Quicksilver, "Echo": 90% [Partial Cover]
• Megallen, "Blaze": 140% [Full Cover]
• Cobalt, "Foxtrot 7": 200%
• CVW, "Sunrise": 80%
• Titanus, "Full Metal": 200% [Partial Cover]
• Quicksilver, "Alchemist": 150% [Partial Cover]
• L-Ranche, "Creed": 150%

Centauri

Frames:

• Legion: 145% [Partial Cover, Long Range]
• Legion: 130% [Full Cover, Medium Range]
• Spiteful: 105% [Fortified, Close Range]
• Spiteful: 75% [Full Cover, Long Range]
• Spiteful: 65% [Full Cover, Medium Range]
• Spiteful: 60% [Partial Cover, Close Range]
• Howitzer: 50% [Fortified, Close Range]
• Howitzer: 50% [Partial Cover, Medium Range]
• Howitzer: 35% [Partial Cover, Medium Range]

edited 10th Mar '12 2:20:01 PM by Fauxlosophe

Calvin jolted his Frame into action, moving towards a building flanking Yasan's advance[1] and taking full cover from the Cent artillery and Frames[2].

"I say we let 'em keep firing for a little while," He called over the radio. "They're all in cover and fortified, so if we let the artillery keep firing they'll have to move out of cover or get blown to pieces. As soon as they move, we can jump onto them."

Calvin licked his lips nervously, hands tightening again and again on the controls of his baby. This is it right here., he thought, his adrenaline building. Back there was nothing, this is the where the real fight starts.

He tried to push away his anxiety, and replaced it with a wide grin. He patted his display affectionately. Let's do this, baby.

"Ugh! More waiting?" Gene thought impatiently as he took full cover in the blind-side of a building[1].

Quickly checking that all systems were green, a small grin lit his face. "Ah well, we've waited months for a chance like this. A few more minutes won't hurt us, huh L-Rachne?" he thought

Kiera took complete cover, waiting for orders[1].

Mary and Dennis took cover, firing on the Cent forces, both scoring clear hits.

The most damaged frame fled for cover with a decoy closer to the rear. Kara marked him for death.

A few Cent frames bravely moved out from partial cover to fire on the Feds, but had little success. One stray shot hit Mary head on but against her newly minted heavy frame that meant little.

Artillery reigned down on one unfortunate soul, who saw the building before him reduced to rubble as the frame around him collapsed under shelling.

"Garnet crews, hold on shellings, 08th is advancing," Yasan sent out the signal.

Yasan signalled for Phil to wipe out the near by Artillery crew and offered Calvin free reign, though he made it clear he was after the one near by. With that, he moved in on the fortified Cent and aimed for the kill, nearly wiping out his opponent and trapping him in combat.

Mary and Dennis continued their barrage, though this time Dennis retained the upperhand, all but wiping out one of the Spitefuls sitting at Medium range.

Kara fired her shot only for it to hit the decoy.

Order of Battle [In the Grand Scheme]:

• Federation: 1045 Active frames.
• Centauri: 200-362 Active Frames.

Position: South-South-East. No-Man's Land.

• Primary Objective: Contain Centauri Forces.
• Secondary Objective: Protect Artillery. [Completed]
• Tertiary Objective: Eliminate Centauri Forces.

Federation

• Megallen, "Kamikaze": 140% [Full Cover]
• Black Dragon, "Foxfire": 125% [Full Cover]
• Quicksilver, "Echo": 90% [Partial Cover]
• Megallen, "Blaze": 140% [Full Cover]
• Cobalt, "Foxtrot 7": 200%
• CVW, "Sunrise": 80%
• Titanus, "Full Metal": 165% [Partial Cover]
• Quicksilver, "Alchemist": 135% [Partial Cover]
• L-Ranche, "Creed": 150%

Centauri

Frames:

• Legion: 145% [Partial Cover, Long Range]
• Legion: 130% [Full Cover, Medium Range]
• Spiteful: 30% [Fortified, Close Range, Engaged by Yasan]
• Spiteful: -Killed by Artillery Fire-
• Spiteful: 5% [Full Cover, Medium Range]
• Spiteful: 10% [Partial Cover, Long Range]
• Howitzer: -KO'd by Phil-
• Howitzer: 50% [Partial Cover, Medium Range]
• Howitzer: 35% [Partial Cover, Medium Range]

"Frickin' finally!" Lilith shouted, watching as something finally started to happen.

"Sunrise here," she radioed in, seeing the opportunity to get a few shots in. "Requesting permission to move out and kick ass!"

"Orders, sir?" called Kiera.

"Creed signing in. Ready and raring to roll, Sir."

Calvin heard the others ask for Yasan's commands and grinned in response, his previous nervousness drowned beneath a rising tide of adrenaline and bravado. I got my orders. He thought gleefully as his barrels began to spin. Kill all sonsabitches.

His weapon rumbling noisily to life, Calvin edged out into partial cover[1] and let out a burst of explosive fire at the furthest Spiteful[2, Rapidfire], seeing as he couldn't hit the closest one.

edited 14th Mar '12 7:36:19 PM by rabbitRider

"Guess that's our cue." Gene thought, activating the cloaking system[1],and moving to partial cover[2].

"Go! Go, L-Rachne!" Gene yelled as he unloaded both particle rifles into the (35%) Howitzer[3,4]

edited 16th Mar '12 8:53:44 PM by Bstarman

"...Who the hell are you?" Yasan grunted between swings, "Why the hell are you asking for orde- aaaand yeah."

"Fucking typical."

Yasan looked up as the Cent frame gave pause. It was nearly wrecked but the Pilot held on, trying to block the blows desperately.

Mary spoke up on her comm to the others from cover as bullets whizzed past her,

"Your orders are to advance," Mary said, taking a deep breath, "Due caution. Just follow along with the rest of your respective flights and you'll be fine. Ideally, keep the radio chatter minimum."

"Legalese there," Yasan spoke up, "For stop asking st-"

A second pause and a loud grunt, "Stupid questions. Some of us are trying to work."

edited 18th Mar '12 10:14:21 PM by Fauxlosophe

Emboldened by the sudden rush of chatter and activity, Lilith carefully scoped out the immediate area [1], and quickly moved out to lighter cover, where she would be more mobile [2], before checking her frame's condition and resources. [3]

The shelling ceased.

Lilith couldn't see much through the smoke, but even with her poor vantage point, the location of most of the Cents were obvious, others were too weakened and tired for an ambush. Some still functional frames had been abandoned, but others seemed determined to fight on.

Yasan smirked as he dismembered the frame infront of him. Slice after slice, he didn't blink until he was certain it was downed. The pilot inside died of heat as the blade sliced through the cockpit.

Calvin's shot narrowly crippled the escaping frame, his camera caught the enemy ejecting and credited him with the kill.

Gene's shots meanwhile flew wide of the mark, save one that scratched at his target.

Dennis' shots decimated one Howitzer, while Mary found herself under too much fire to make much progress.

Phil moved up and took cover as he hoped to finish off a stray, which he did with pin point accuracy, nailing the pilot inside in the explosion. However he soon found that he had advanced too far, making him an easy target for the remaining Legions.

Order of Battle [In the Grand Scheme]:

• Federation: 1041 Active frames.
• Centauri: 200-356 Active Frames.

Position: South-South-East. No-Man's Land.

• Primary Objective: Contain Centauri Forces.
• Secondary Objective: Protect Artillery. [Completed]
• Tertiary Objective: Eliminate Centauri Forces.

Federation

• Megallen, "Kamikaze": 140% [Full Cover]
• Black Dragon, "Foxfire": 125% [Full Cover]
• Quicksilver, "Echo": 90% [Partial Cover]
• Megallen, "Blaze": 70% [Full Cover]
• Cobalt, "Foxtrot 7": 200%
• CVW, "Sunrise": 80%
• Titanus, "Full Metal": 165% [Partial Cover]
• Quicksilver, "Alchemist": 135% [Partial Cover]
• L-Ranche, "Creed": 150%

Centauri

Frames:

• Legion: 145% [Partial Cover, Long Range]
• Legion: 130% [Partial Cover, Close Range to Phil/Full Cover, Medium Range to Others]
• Spiteful: -Killed by Yasan-
• Spiteful: -Killed by Artillery Fire-
• Spiteful: -KO'd by Phil-
• Spiteful: -KO'd by Calvin- ACE!
• Howitzer: 50% [Partial Cover]
• Howitzer: -KO'd by Dennis-
• Howitzer: 35% [Partial Cover, Medium Range]

edited 8th Apr '12 7:11:44 PM by Fauxlosophe

"...As they say, 'screw this'."

She opened fire on the undamaged Legion[1][2][3][4].

Calvin pumped his fist in victory as the Spiteful crashed and burned. "Five kills!" He roared through the comm line, adrenaline pumping. "That makes me an Ace baby! Whooooooooh!"

He let loose a victory shout, and turned his minigun upon the only untouched howitzer left standing[1,2].

"Who wants some more?" He yelled, intoxicated on the rush of combat. "Me and my baby got enough for all y'all!" He cackled, fingers trembling uncontrollably on the commands.

edited 8th Apr '12 7:42:14 PM by rabbitRider

"Like hell am I gonna sit around while Calvin smirks in our faces! Eat this, you sonsofapiglovin' bitches!" Moving out from behind her cover [1], Lilith opened fire on the damaged Howitzer, hoping to score some easy kills. [2]