Rs Wild Bunch vs the Hook-Cummings Expidition

“Fokker circling left Zeewar*!”

“Don't shoot! Ours or theirs? Fin, full stop and track! Padwar if you please! Don't shoot unless I say.”

“Still coming slow, gunners not at his post, red pennant!”

“Right! Track, don't shoot. You lot, he should be dropping a red bag. Anything else, makes a move shoot them. Get a couple up top Odthan!”

“Coming in angled like and slow. Uuman officer, guns not manned.”

“Close up, watch for bomb!”

“Landing, right in front!”

“Right, open er up. Brew and sarnies. Sentries out, keep 'em up top, that Fokker might have attracted attention.”

Below you will notice that the one vehicle can field two parties. As in the last adventure, should some be lost the crew can be called on as reserves. There are others who may join the vehicle.

From this pool the active players are selected. Each has a name. All of a sudden you have a small, organic military unit that has purpose.

Wild Bunch, new crew.

Not present on this patrol:

Dwar Captain Leader3, Ambidextrous, Elite, Marksman2, Martial arts1, Tough1 Reactive 66

Sword (2) Pistol (4) 7

Odthan Ars  Elite, Marksman3, Martial arts4, Tough1 Reactive 48

Shotgun (4) * with bayonet (2) 10

Zeethan Fcar (Sniper)

The Iron Pig's crew, Zeethans, as they are all specialists. This makes the usual separation between service branches.

Eck (gunner) Reactive, Tech1, Tough1 Weaponmaster2 Marksman1, Martial arts2, Perceptive 35

Pistol (4) separate bayonet (2) 6

Fin (driver) Marksman1, Reactive, Tech1, Tough1 23

Shotgun (4) 8

Gad (engineer) Marksman1, Tech1, Tough1 17

Shotgun (4) * with bayonet (2) 10

Zeewar Hog (Wagon commander, as in the navy, he gets to outrank everyone whilst mounted) Leader1, Vet, Marksman3, Martial arts1, Reactive Tough1 45

Shotgun (4) 8

The “Passengers”

Padwar (junior officer, technically he outranks Hog) Hel

Leader2 Marksman1 Mart arts3, Steadfast, Weaponmaster1 30

Shotgun (4) 8

Odthan (think sergeant) Hoo

Leader1 Marksman1 Mart arts3, Reactive, Steadfast, Weaponmaster1 Veteran 35

Shotgun (4) 8

Edle (Pointman, usually a punishment) Marksman1, Reactive, Tech1, Tough1 23

Pistol (4) separate bayonet (2) 6

Alt Marksman1, Reactive, Tech1, Tough1 23

Shotgun (4) * with bayonet (2) 10

Goon Marksman1, Reactive, Tech1, Tough1 23

Shotgun (4) * with bayonet (2) 10

Zeethan “Doc” (Medic/technician) Medic2, Perceptive, Tech1, Tough1, Weaponmaster3

Monowire blade 3 (AP) 6

The Foundation

Dr Hook Civilian, Leader2, Marks2, Mart art2, Medic2 Tech1 28

Pistol 4

Col Saunders Marks 3 Mart art2 Steadfast2, Veteran 32

Pistol4

Prof. Cummings Civilian Marks3 Mart art2, Perceptive, Tough2, Xenologist 34

Hunting needler silent, 8

Pistol 4

3 Guards Civilian, Marks2, Mart art1, Steadfast1, Tough2 23

Rifle reload. 4 Bayonet 2

Total 201

* While no humans are present, most revert to the traditional ranks. Usually humans will mix the 2, so the Captain would usually be referred to as Dwar-Captain or Dwar.

Than (warrior) are regular rank-and-file within an army. They hold fealty to their Jed, and they are provided equipment and supplies.

Odthan (greater-warrior) are veteran and elite troops who lack the traits (tactics and leadership) to become an officer.

Padwar (junior-officer) are lieutenants. They are squad leaders in command of ten to twenty men, a team of two-man flyers or a patrol boat.
 
Dwar (lower-officer) equivalent of an army Captain or naval Commander. They command an Utan (100 men) or a Frigate-size ship with patrol element (small two-man flyers or patrol boats).

Odwar (higher-officer) General or navy Admiral.

Zeethan (technical-warrior) are specialist troops. They are technicians, artillery gunners, sappers, etc.

Zeewar (technical-officer) are like Warrant Offices, but with authority over Zeethan and Panzeethan personal, and are highly skilled engineers. 
 

The Game. “Right, listen up to the Padwar.” Nod. There are some caves and ruins 2 days to the north. Seems some nosey humans think there's summat of interest there, so that's of interest to Herr Jedwar. The flyer will guide us and scout the area. There is a professor and a doctor, sort of civilian Jedzee. We are to capture them and interrogate them. Doc, that's you job, get yer tickler ready. You are all under strict fire discipline. You don't shoot, or you shoot to wound until the targets are identified and captured.” (Mission 16, closest terrain is 7, dense terrain). Complication Space Vortex.

I gave Tony the choice of edge and took this pic to locate the expedition.

"Let's see wot happens when one depresses that one thayah".

 Edle the pointman edges forward, making for the high ground.

Goon hasn't heard of sublty and dashes forward with a crisp "Handyhocks hup!"  He now has 3 under the muzzle of his shotgun.

He's joined by Odthan Hoo while Alt heads for the high ground.

With 3 of mine effectively hostages, I can concentrate on the guards.

Getting in a good position, take aim- Crack!  alt is down, hurt.

My other guard, who was closest but without a clear target, gets chased off.

Then hunted.

Gets the worst of the exchange, badly wounded he crawls into shelter.

Closer, closer my guards work.

In sharp succesion, Alt is helped up by the Padwar, but he's been tracked, gets gutshot and dead.

Swiftly followed by Odthan Hoo who cops a nasty one in the head.

The tables are turned!

Now poor Goon is in a fix.  The aliens are restless, looking at dead Hoo.  He tries subduing Dr Hook but a very low score means he's lifeless upon the deck.

The Doc has been watching, waiting in the wings.  He gets the drop on a guard and out comes his tickler.  Down he goes, and his screams start-.

Goon makes sure of Colonel Saunders.

 A quick morale check.  Professor Cummings, a civilian after all, takes advantage of the confusion and legs it.

Everyone converges!  The last guard makes a bayonet charge from cover on Goon to free the Colonel but fails.

Padwar: "We came to Bag 'em, not Scrag 'em! Goon: "Sorry Padwar, I only gave 'im a light tap! Besides, we still got one of them." Padwar: "But he's the wrong bloody one!"

Good game!  When I lost control of 3 straight off, I thought that it was going to be very short.  Somehow my guards made their rolls and hit their targets.  Instead of the Wild Bunch having to aim carefully, it was me!

Quick note on scenery.  You've seen this board recently, but a very quick addition of  PVA & horticulture vermiculite.  The "trees" were made by, I think, Critical Mass for a demo game and produced for a short while.  I found them recently, realising that they predate my use of no-more-nails!  Even older is the top half a Kryomec tank that used to see service with my 6mm bugs.  I think I got it at a bring n buy in the 80's.