30 April 2009, 3-4 Spring, TN1920: Getting shelled at a mine is old hat.

The Miners of Tulsa

The townsfolk's excitement had ebbed somewhat, once the train thieves were collectively tossed in the small ferrocrete cabin that was Tulsa's jail house.

"Never a dull moment in Tulsa," a miner chuckled to Karin Hassan, jerking his thumb towards the train yard as he stepped up to the cash counter at the caravan. "Well, little lady, how much do I owe you fer all these?" he flashed a toothy grin and heaved two slabs of springer steaks, a bottle of whiskey and a large chunk of chocolate onto the counter. He grinned wider still when he produced the box of condoms.

Karin didn't blink. Tulsa wasn't the first town full of rowdy, horny labourers the caravan had visited. There were women here too, but even Karin knew that she was fresh meat. She looked down at the springer steaks, frowned, and then looked at the leering diamond miner.

"Hm, that's ... " she did the calculations silently, nodding, "seventy two dinar, all told."

"I'll give you fifty for the lot," the miner grunted, suddenly all business.

Karin scoffed, leaning closer, "you'll pay seventy two. All our prices are knocked down for you grimy bastards." She winked, "seventy two, take it or leave it."

"Awww...shit, how can I say no to a little diamond like you?" the miner fished around and deposited two bills on the table. His hands were grimy and calloused, "there, seventy two!" he declared.

"Sold!" Karin smiled and made change, "next!" she called. An even dirtier, hornier man leered at her with crazed black eyes from behind an enormous stack of porno data-disks. His beard effectively doubled the size of his head.

It was going to be a good evening's trading.

-----------

"I told Zeke he'd be a fool doing what he did," a grizzled veteran of the mines spat out at Sam from across the poker table. "I told him, I told him: 'them diamonds ain't worth squat the way they are. And where you gonna off-load 'em anyways?'"

Sam did not respond.

"So he must have found someone to offload them from the train. Still..." the miner continued as if he had Sam's complete attention, "still there's always the Westridge Rail Line. If he had made it to that spur, he coulda gotten away up north towards Wounded Knee. I betcha them smugglers up there would pay a pretty penny..." the man had a gleam in his eye.

Sam looked uninterested.

"Hey, you even listening to me?" the man grunted?

"Hmm? What? Oh, full house, tens over sixes," Sam laid his cards down.

"Awww...crap."

23 April 2009 - I hear that train a'coming, a'rollin' round the bend.....

"And then he says...he says...." Kain Delacroix was laughing so hard that tears, actual, honest-to-Prophet tears were sparkling on his cheeks. Catching his breath, he continued, "'I don't know where the brake is!'" Peals of laughter exploded from the other participants in the skirmish on board the train. The rest of the crew exchanged looks, some knowing, some confused.

Sam, Kain, and Connor had returned late in the evening, slightly the worse for wear. Connor certainly had received a concussion. Kain was a little battered, apparently as a result in a sudden lurch of the train (eyes rolled at that excuse), and Sam was covered in smoke, apparently a product of a flashbang.

The caravan had only recently rolled into Tulsa, a mining town firmly centered in the middle of nowhwere. They had been received enthusiastically by the miners and the madame of the local hotel. Trade had been brisk on the eve of Collins' Day, and morale, after a grueling trip of hot-bunking, was high.

In the midst of the festivities, the three men had spotted some suspicious activity amongst the gravity-cars in the train yard, and discovered a small gang in the middle of a diamond heist.

of course, the diamonds were uncut and of comparatively low value, and the gang of thieves was a pack of less-than brilliant former miners. After a few exchanged gunshots, and some on-the-top-of-the-train acrobatics, Sam, Kain, and Connor had managed to board the locomotive and apprehend the thieves, avoiding by mere moments a disastrous derailment.

The dim-witted miners were now in custody, and Kain and Connor, with the occasional observation by Sam, were sketching out the action for the crew.

"I saw Kain...slip...and so I, uh, I jumped down after him. But I misjudged and landed square on the coupling," Connor explained. "The footing was treacherous!"

Kelly winked at Karin as she said, "It's lucky Kain was there to save you saving him, eh?"

"Damn lucky," Kain agreed. Lucky too, he thought, that none present had been there to see him completely miss his jump. There'd have been no living that down....

16 April 2009 - Gearmageddon: 37 Winter TN1920

The caravan was still on full alert when the four gears rolled back into the main compound. They kicked up a heavy cloud of dust that mixed with their exhaust fumes. As those machines began powering down, the perimeter defense gears arrived in pairs. A Hunter, a Warrior III, a Hunter Recon AG, a Jager, and finally a large Bear roared into the compound. After Bill Pearce gave the all clear signal from the machinegun position on top of the Behemoth, the cacophany of v-engines subsided.

The dust settled. A collective sigh of relief could be felt throughout the caravan crew. Every man and gear had come back in one piece.

As Kain and the rest dismounted, Natty caught up with Gade and hugged him tightly. Ari and Peter shook hands, smiling. Kelly clambered down from her Bear and levered open a beer bottle off the massive machine's knee armour plate. She then settled in a heap at her gear's foot.

"Kim Bistrotta wants a status report," Ben pushed a datapad into Kain's hand.

"Tell her everything is under control," retorted Kain, dryly. He considered summoning Prabal, but decided he would deal with the camera footage later. It was time to leave Lance Point, before Officer Michel showed up for his next bribe.

*****

Josephina looked over at the Warrior III she drove during the four-on-four gear duel out on the salt flats. Gade had selected the location after the caravan team won the coin toss. She didn't like the fact that it had all come down to a coin toss in the end. Had the Indy Dueling League team won, they would have had a serious terrain advantage. She leaned over her plate of beans and barnaby loaf, sitting alone atop a Longrunner truck, her legs dangling over the side. She could feel the weight of her locket around her neck the most at times like these, after the fight was over and she was still alive.

It hadn't been a particularly desperate battle. A couple of hairy moments, sure, but with their terrain advantage neutralized, the Indy League team had to rely on their wits alone. It didn't hurt that Kain had put up a jamming screen. It didn't stop the pilots from talking to each other, but after watching the footage of Arnold "Axe" Black being so soundly defeated in supposedly neutral territory, Josephina was sure that something else was going on.

She glanced down at her locket. Being alive felt good. Even the beans tasted vibrant and gratifying. The barnaby loaf was another story.

Being Gade's wingman in that dustup wasn't much of a problem. She respected the duelist, even if he was still reckless at times. She chuckled, having nearly walked in on him and Natty again after his gear was stowed. Josephina still had a couple of bruises from where Natty had thrown a dish at her before they arrived in Lance Point. She was relieved that those two had reconciled.

The tall, fit Josephina had done well, keeping one of the Indy League Jagers busy while Gade tangled with that Sidewinder, and then the Python. Rushing them off the bat was a good tactic, even if it was risky.

But luck had been on their side today.

Scrapnel

HEAVY GEAR VEHICLE RECORD SHEET
NAME:					VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
Scrapnel					SIZE:			6
MODEL:					CREW:			1
OACS-01L/AS Blitz Iguana					BONUS ACTIONS:			0
CLASS:					CREW SKILLS
Light strike Gear					PILOT:
					GUNNERY:
					MOVEMENT
					PRIMARY COMBAT:			5 / 0
					PRIMARY TOP:			9 / +1
					SECONDARY COMBAT:			7 / +1
					SECONDARY TOP:			14 / +2
					MANEUVER:			+1
					ELECTRONICS
					SENSORS:			+1 / 4km
					COMMUNICATION:			+1 / 20km
					FIRE CONTROL:			0
					ARMOUR
					LIGHT DAMAGE:			14
					HEAVY DAMAGE:			28
					OVERKILL:			42
WEAPONS
CODE-NAME:				RANGE	DAM	ACC	RoF/CLIP	Special
FGC-Riotmaster Mk 6 Frag Cannon				1/2/4/8	x7	+1	(+2) / 20	Anti-inf; Frag Ammo
106mm Paxton LGPC Snub Cannon				1/2/4/8	x28	-1	0 / 3
HG-HG-2 hand grenade				0	x15	-1	0 / 6	Anti-inf
VB-VU-11 vibromachete				0	x8	0	0	Physical only
LRP/32-Vogel-8				1/2/4/8	x12	-1	+4 / 32	Indirect Fire
PERKS
NAME:				RATING:	GAME EFFECT				AUX
Back-up Sensors				-	Absorbs first "Sensors" hit
Hostile Env. Protection				-	Desert
Man. Arm x 2				6	Can Punch
Reinforced Armor				1	Front
FLAWS
NAME:				RATING:	GAME EFFECT				AUX
Annoyance				-	Cramped cockpit, max Build is 0
DEFECTS
NAME:				RATING:	GAME EFFECT				AUX
None
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Lex Talionis

HEAVY GEAR VEHICLE RECORD SHEET
NAME:					VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
Lex Talionis, "Lex"					SIZE:			7
MODEL:					CREW:			1
OACS-01H/SU Spitting Cobra					BONUS ACTIONS:			0
CLASS:					CREW SKILLS
Command / Fire Support					PILOT:			2 + 1
					GUNNERY:			2 + 1
					MOVEMENT
					PRIMARY COMBAT:			3 / -1
					PRIMARY TOP:			6 / 0
					SECONDARY COMBAT:			5 / 0
					SECONDARY TOP:			10 / +2
					MANEUVER:			-1
					ELECTRONICS
					SENSORS:			+1
					COMMUNICATION:			+1
					FIRE CONTROL:			0
					ARMOUR
					LIGHT DAMAGE:			21
					HEAVY DAMAGE:			42
					OVERKILL:			63
WEAPONS
CODE-NAME:				RANGE	DAM	ACC	RoF/CLIP	Special
HAC Rollerson M8 40mm				3/6/12/24	x12	0	+1 / 40
LMG-MGU-77 minigun				1/2/4/8	x3	0	+4 / 400	Anti-inf
HG-HG-2 hand grenade				0	x15	-1	0 / 6	Anti-inf
VB-VU-11 vibromachete				0	x9	0	0	Physical only
MRP/18-Vogel-9				2/4/8/16	x18	-1	+3 / 18	Indirect Fire
MRP/18-Vogel-9				2/4/8/16	x18	-1	+3/18	Indirect Fire
PERKS
NAME:				RATING:	GAME EFFECT				AUX
Hostile Env. Protection				-	Desert
ECM				2	Offensiv EW Equipment				Yes
ECCM				2	Defensive EW Equipment				Yes
Man. Arm x 2				7	Can Punch
Reinforced Crew Comp.				-	Absorbs first crew hit
Weapon Link: MRP/18				-	Firing both counts as one action
FLAWS
NAME:				RATING:	GAME EFFECT				AUX
Large Sensor Profile				1	Easy to detect
DEFECTS
NAME:				RATING:	GAME EFFECT				AUX
None
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GUN

Gun, a Tiger-class heavy gear, is the property of Gade Vonyran. Mostly built in TN1917-1918 in Khayr-ad Din, Gun was finally completed in TN1919 in time for the first Khayr-ad Din Dueling Circuit Tournament. The regular SV-1000A V-engine was replaced by a Southern WC-760J usually found on the Desert Viper Mk. II. This provided a great deal of extra torque: Gun moves slightly faster than other Tigers and sports close combat reinforcements in addition to a ram plate. Of particular interest is the modular armour system installed during a massive overhaul between matches in the Dueling Tournament. The modular system allows for rapid in-and-out swapping of individual armour plates or entire pieces. The only other piece of equipment of note is the Bazooka Revolver designed by Vonyran himself. This is a short-barreled, 100mm rocket launcher with a revolver feed system. The revolver feed is fully motorized, allowing for the rapid launching of a volley of destructive rockets if absolutely necessary. Vonyran has built one additional "quick change" revolver cylinder which is located on the gear's hip plate. The Bazooka Revolver has demonstrated acceptable ranges out to 400m, after which the performance drops off considerably.

Gun's service record is good. As a rookie dueling gear with a rookie duelist, it did relatively well during the Khayr-ad Din tournament, ranking 2nd in its heat of five. In combat operations, Gun performs exactly as a Tiger should: very well. The gear's heavy armour, advanced targeting computer and powerful weapons have kept its pilot and its caravan safe.

HEAVY GEAR VEHICLE RECORD SHEET
NAME:					VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
GUN					SIZE:			6
MODEL:					CREW:			1
HACS-08MG-MP Tiger					BONUS ACTIONS:			0
CLASS:					CREW SKILLS
Heavy Trooper Heavy Gear					PILOT:
					GUNNERY:
					MOVEMENT
					PRIMARY COMBAT:			5 / 0
					PRIMARY TOP:			9 / +1
					SECONDARY COMBAT:			7 / +1
					SECONDARY TOP:			13 / +2
					MANEUVER:			0
					ELECTRONICS
					SENSORS:			0 / 3km
					COMMUNICATION:			0 / 12km
					FIRE CONTROL:			+1
					ARMOUR
					LIGHT DAMAGE:			17
					HEAVY DAMAGE:			34
					OVERKILL:			51
WEAPONS
CODE-NAME:				RANGE	DAM	ACC	RoF/CLIP	Special
LBZK: Revolver				2/4/8/12	x15	0	1/6
Vibroblade				0	x8	0	-	close combat
APGL				50m	x3	-1	0/6	AI, IF AE=0
Heavy Panzerfaust				100m	x20	-1	1	Disposable
Chassis Reinforcement								+1 Physical Attacks
Med. Autocannon				150m	x10	0	1/40
PERKS
NAME:				RATING:	GAME EFFECT				AUX
Hostile Environment Protection					Desert
Manipulator Arms x 2				6	Can Punch
Ram Plate (F)					1/2 damage from collisions
ECM				2	Offensive EW Equipment				YES
Easy to Modify					+2 to Repair/Modify Rolls
FLAWS
NAME:				RATING:	GAME EFFECT				AUX
Annoyance					Easy to Modify for Armor only
DEFECTS
NAME:				RATING:	GAME EFFECT				AUX
None
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Moby Dick

The Ferret Heavy Gear is perhaps the most unique military walker on Terranova. Designed by Lianya Keimuri, owner of Keimuri Motorcycles and a mechanical design genius, the Ferret combines the features of both a gear and a motorcycle. The Ferret is capable of high wheeled speeds by sitting back on it's oversized rear secondary movement system wheel and locking the legs together in what is a 'reverse tricycle' configuration. In walker mode, the Ferret stands some 3.6m tall. In SMS mode, it is a short 1.79m, and has all the characteristics of an oversized motorcycle. Designed as a light scout and recon vehicle, the Ferret is now in the process of being replaced by the more advanced, more humanoid Cheetah.

Moby Dick was acquired by the Badlands Caravan Guild assault on the Green Trading House compound in Khayr-ad Din in TN1919. Originally a Wild Ferret electronic warfare variant, the more advanced electronics suite was removed, since the only two people in the Caravan crew small enough to pilot the gear were Karin Hassan and Tessa Lin, non-combatants. The gear was relegated to a small corner of 'The Cave,' the Longrunner used as a vehicle maintenance hangar, and forgotten by all except the two girls. After nearly a season spent in clandestine planning and parts gathering, the two girls set to work to turn Moby Dick into a finely tuned drag racing Ferret. Moby Dick has a noticeably higher top speed in motorcycle mode due to the girls' tinkering. The gear is painted a stark white with black detailing and a classic shark-mouth finish on the nose of the cockpit.

Piloted by Karin Hassan, the gear won second place in the Lance Point Gear Rally Drag Racing Heats on 32 Winter, TN1919, losing only to Zephyr, a Chasseur hover-variant of the Jager frame.

HEAVY GEAR VEHICLE RECORD SHEET
NAME:					VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
Moby Dick					SIZE:			5
MODEL:					CREW:			1
HACS-02LG-SCT Ferret					BONUS ACTIONS:			0
CLASS:					CREW SKILLS
Scout					PILOT:
					GUNNERY:
					MOVEMENT
					PRIMARY COMBAT:			3 / -1
					PRIMARY TOP:			6 / 0
					SECONDARY COMBAT:			8 / +1
					SECONDARY TOP:			15 / +2
					MANEUVER:			+1
					ELECTRONICS
					SENSORS:			0
					COMMUNICATION:			0
					FIRE CONTROL:			0
					ARMOUR
					LIGHT DAMAGE:			12
					HEAVY DAMAGE:			24
					OVERKILL:			36
WEAPONS
CODE-NAME:				RANGE	DAM	ACC	RoF/CLIP	Special
Vibroblade				0	x8	0	-	Close Combat
PERKS
NAME:				RATING:	GAME EFFECT				AUX
Hostile Env. Protection: Desert
Low Profile					+1 Conceal under cover
Manipulator Arms x2				6	Can punch
FLAWS
NAME:				RATING:	GAME EFFECT				AUX
Annoyance					Cramped Cockpit: Max BLD: -1
Annoyance					Low Profile in SMS Only
Decreased Maneuverability				2	Subtract from Maneuver in Primary
Exposed Movement System					Movement Damage one step worse
DEFECTS
NAME:				RATING:	GAME EFFECT				AUX
None
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