GROUPS 1 & 2: War, what is it good for.

[millimeter]

WHO? Groups 1 & 2!
WHAT? HRHR missions, as detailed here.
WHEN? January 15, 1916 (February 9th, OOC) onward.
ANYTHING ELSE? Planning thread here and submissions here.

A JOINT EFFORT

GROUP 1: FIGHTERS & GROUP 2: TECHNICIANS
OBJECTIVE: RETRIEVE SUPPLIES & CONTACT FRENCH SHIPS FOR EVACUATION

Groups 1 and 2 will be working together for the duration of their missions.

Group 1 is combat-focused; their objective is to locate and retrieve any supplies they can find (specifically food, medicine, and ammunition). They're also tasked with supporting Group 2.

Group 2 requires technically minded characters; their objective is to contact nearby French ships who are pulling out of Cape Helles and request their aid in evacuation. They'll need radio parts and knowledge of how to use and repair shortwave radios—or at least easily learn the ropes from anyone savvy.

Both groups are headed for an abandoned command center at the Nek, not far from their current position. However, due to the trench layout and dangerous circumstances, it'll be a tedious journey.

Characters will encounter these obstacles:

• Reaching the dugout; the Regency will tail these groups the most conspicuously.
• A skirmish upon arrival; it seems someone (hmmm) tipped off Turkish soldiers.
• The possibility of being trapped by enemy fire.
• Salvaging any supplies, without losing them in the skirmish.
• Successfully repairing the damaged radios.
• Transporting the radios to a nearby hill and contacting the French.
• The enemy will attempt to shell the dugout, if left unattended.
• Returning to Lone Pine in one piece.

TRACES OF THE REVOLUTION

The Battle of Nek was fought as part of the Gallipoli campaign in August, 1915. It was a futile bayonet attack by Australian forces on the Ottomans; losses were extremely one-sided and the bodies of many Australians remain where they died, in some places six men high.

The area has a fairly straightforward trench layout, but boasts a higher elevation. The dugout that characters are looking for is a former command center, with supplies and radio equipment abandoned in the retreat. They've survived as well as they can, but need some excavating.

Peculiarly, this area of the trenches isn't entirely Australian; the rotting uniforms, mementos, and other traces of the men who once stood this ground are French. A few letter scraps make mention of a man named Jacques Louis; provided their BCE has a French datapack installed (or they know French already), characters can learn he is captain of a ship called the Marie Antoinette and a well-respected commander in the French military. This dugout's existence is attributed to him.

---

GROUP 1 SUBMISSION & RESULTS

Mamoru Hijikata, Achilles, Heine Rammsteiner, Kylo Ren, Shinobu Jacobs, Mordred, Morrigan, Ryuji Sakamoto, Siegfried, Soldier: 76

SCOUTING THE AREA/FINDING THE DUGOUT

• Before departing, the group will make an attempt to scout the area. Achilles is familiar with the geographical location and has supernatural speed on his side to map the area and surrounding trenches quickly, making note of impassable, difficult-to-navigate routes. Morrigan can shapeshift into a crow and can survey the potential routes from above.
• Because of Grothia's warning about Regency engagement, Group 1 will be approaching with caution, and will attempt to move as covertly as possible, securing safe transport routes for future use.

Once Group 1 finds the dugout, 76 will assign rotations and yell at people for slacking keep everyone on task if necessary. In the interest of keeping things flexible OOCly, we don't have a concrete roster, but all characters in Group 1 will be aiding Group 2 as detailed in their submission, as well as cycling through the following tasks:


SECURING THE DUGOUT

• Group 1 is composed largely of combatants and will engage the Turkish soldiers as soon as they're attacked. The goal is to drive them back to secure a defensible position at the dugout. Siegfried can provide sniper support to the operatives on the ground.
• Once the dugout is secured, watch shifts and guard patrols will be added to the rotation to ensure that we can hold the position while Groups 1 and 2 salvage the dugout and sort/repair/organize supplies. Group 2 will be handling most of the equipment repair, but Group 1 is able to lend a hand when necessary. Their primary task, however, will be holding down the fort, keeping an eye on the Regency, and protecting the dugout from further Turkish attacks. Mamoru has some shades that can help him determine ballistic trajectories, potentially allowing us to pinpoint the enemy position more easily.
RESULTS: 20/30, success! Barely, but there.

Scouting and securing the dugout is a close shave, but you make it barely. Enemy soldiers dog you the entire way, and you barely stay ahead of them. There are some close calls, possibly people are almost lost in the chaos, up to you! It's a tense trial, but you do make it in the end.


SUPPLY RUNS

• Working in small groups, the team will make supply runs into the surrounding area to see what might be salvageable. In the interest of not being caught all together with all of the supplies, Group 1 will stagger transportation of items back to Lone Pine, making several trips back and forth along the safe routes mapped out by the scouts.
• Ryuji in particular will be scavenging for medical supplies and local medicinal plants.
• We've got a few "good at lifting very heavy things" types on the team, which is, you know, good for carting around lots of stuff.
RESULTS: 22/30, swing and a miss.

The supply runs don't work as well as they could, and while it's easy enough to find supplies, it's very hard to send them back or get them where you want them to go. It's very difficult and supplies get lost in the firefight, when it becomes much safer to retreat in order to save lives.


BODYGUARDING/ESCORT MISSIONS (WITH GROUP 2)

• Group 1 will assist Group 2 with equipment transport, and will provide bodyguard detail to teams setting up the radios and constructing transponders.
• Points of contact have been designated as Ryuji for Group 1 and Prompto for Group 2. Mamoru will also be keeping an eye (haha) on the positioning of Turkish soldiers and relaying the information between groups accordingly.
• Once the equipment is in place, Group 1 will guard both it and the Group 2 members as they contact the French.
• Then we will all go back to Lone Pine except EVERYTHING CHANGED WHEN THE REGENCY ATTACKED
RESULTS: 30/30, holy shit.

Despite all the tension and difficulty getting shit in place and moving it around, once you get to the meat of the mission, things run incredibly smoothly. Guarding is easy, and you meet only the most token of resistances. Keeping in contact with other teams is smooth as hell. Getting back to Lone Pine is a cinch, if only because you sure as hell know how not to do it after all the fuckery of transporting supplies. You're actually able to recoup some losses, finding discarded supplies and a small cache of extra ammo and tinned food someone left a long time ago. Hey, it's still good; eat up.

---

GROUP 2 SUBMISSION & RESULTS

Eren Yeager, Rey, Prompto Argentum, Aximili-Esgarrouth-Isthill, Merlin Sawall, Armitage Hux, Prelati, Samus Aran

REYDIO REPAIR

Radio repair is split into two different groups. The first group (Rey, Ax, Samus, and Merlin) have the main radio for contact purposes, while the second (Ax, Samus, Merlin, Prompto, and anyone else who wants to lend a hand) try to get backups up and running. The second group is also working on transponders to help the signal. Everyone here actually has really high tech competency levels besides Prompto, thanks to a natural knack for it and/or sci-fi backgrounds (or fantasy, in Merlin's). Prompto's skills aren't terrible, but he's learning on the job.

Hux is in charge of group oversight, direction, and morale (lol). He will probably give a speech and get on people's cases if they aren't on task. The latter is probably more effective than the former, but hey, the guy is influential in the First Order for a reason, right?

Characters from Group 1 are helping out on the protection/combat front! Especially if they're trying to fend off Turkish soldiers during all of this.

RESULTS: 28/30, holy shit, that was an overwhelming success. The margin of success is 14!

Their radio signal comes in incredibly strong.


TRANSPORT

Transporting the radios falls on Prompto and Rey, with assistance from Ryuji and Mordred from Group 1. They'll do their best to get the equipment where it needs to go in good condition, but Rey and Mordred are getting kidnapped after they complete their parts of the mission. And Ryuji will nearly get kidnapped, because this group has really terrible luck. Prompto and Rey both can do the sneaky thing if necessary, are fairly low profile, and can passably defend themselves (Rey is better at this than Prompto, but Prompto is a normie who won't have to deal with the distraction of any power nullifiers). Ryuji and Mordred both have magic and hit pretty hard, and Mordred also can do the Heroic Spirit ghost thing, so that's useful in terms of scouting and keeping the others safe.

Meanwhile, other characters get the transponders into place! Again, everyone is very competent on the tech front and Ax, Samus, and Merlin are all more than a little combat-capable. Ax does need to morph for this and Andalites kind of stick out in WWI, but he's willing to morph if absolutely necessary (he'll just try to be sneaky about it). Samus and Merlin will be backup to the transport team, ready to rendezvous if shit goes too off the rails because of the kidnappings or other interference. Samus is super buff and super competent; Merlin is also very competent, although he relies pretty heavily on magic. Still, their skillsets are diverse and complement each other pretty well.

RESULTS: 25/30! Success!

Characters don't lose any of their shit during transport, and aren't pinned down by enemy fire for a prolonged period of time. They even manage to actively avoid enemy fire, seeing enemy soldiers before they're spotted and ducking out of the way. Your stealth level is out of sight!


CONTACT

Prelati and Eren are our French contacts! They'll have assistance from 76 and possibly someone else from Group 1. Prelati knows French and Eren is a shounen hero, so together they should be able to wrangle something. Both of them can also easily do tech things to get the radios set up and effectively defend themselves (Prelati is on the more magical end, while Eren has regeneration and all the fun shit that comes with being a Titan shifter). And 76 is a responsible, highly capable dude with a Trilingo app.

Ryuji is also a general contact for other groups for Group 1, while Prompto is Group 2's.

RESULTS: 29/30! Ridiculous success! Again.

In a stroke of insane luck, they manage to catch someone fluent in English manning the radio channel. In the long, clear, and in-depth conversation they're able to have, the team is put in contact with Jacques Toussant, a half-English soldier whose fluency in English is only matched with his talkativeness. He's very friendly and extremely informative, giving the characters information on the ship they're on (The Marie Antoinette) and their commander (General Jean-Louis Egalite).


HOLDING DOWN THE FORT

Hux and Kylo from Group 1 will stay behind to defend the bunker while the rest of the group is busy focusing on transport and contact. They will get shady with the Regency and Kylo will get kidnapped around this time. Hux continues to be Hux, while Kylo is an angry space wizard, so their skillsets cover each other's blind spots. How well they actually get along is debatable, but hey, common goals.

RESULTS: 10/30. Can't win 'em all.

However, things fall apart a little when you have to hold down the fort. You've got a few options, here. One, you can have characters get trapped inside and need rescue from another team. Two, you can have the attack happen and need to leave and lose some supplies in the escape. Three, you can fight fire with fire and sustain some serious injuries / losses. Feel free to combine all options, or do whatever works for you! It's not a total drag-out failure, you're just discovered by enemy soldiers (Regency or otherwise or both, up to you) and the spot you're in isn't safe anymore. War, huh? What is it good for?

Comments

[prizeneck]

[Mamoru actually tenses when he turns around a little more to face him - the last time he had met with Armitage, he had a slightly injured ankle, which made his now-recovered gait sound different, a walk that his ears didn't recognize.

He still snorts at that comment - this guy still doesn't really know his real name, does he? And definitely not its meaning? It was a coincidence, but still.] Not exactly.

[He had spent the last year protecting a kid, true, but it wasn't really his job to do so. Not really--

Why does he end up in this situation? Not because of the people he's protecting,

but the people he's protecting them from, right? ]

'pparently people here need protecting.

[neutronium]

[Though Mamoru can't see it, Hux has to smirk; well, at least the man doesn't see himself as some creature who looks after injured birds. He'd never been fond of those types--it never was going to serve them well. A waste of resources, most of the time.

Still, he took a drag off his cigarette, glancing back at those working on the radio, well at hand--adding more hands might only complicate things.]

Yes, but this isn't digging people out. This is holding back impossible odds. Do you think you are up to the task?

[prizeneck]

[He's reaching behind his head, but it's not a sheepish or humble motion - a tug at the fastenings of the gas mask he's wearing, having loosened up with wear and tugging to remove the sand from where it slipped into. It moves back into place, but not in time to hide the grin - it's mirthless and with too much edge - that clawed out of Mamoru's mouth.] I wouldn't have volunteered if I wasn't confident in what I can do.

[Volunteered to do what? This mission? To join COST? All of the above.]

Do you?

[neutronium]

[Ah, now Hux saw that smile. That was more to his liking. He didn't trust all these soft smiles, these people who were too well meaning, lining up for the slaughter like the cause was just, or worth it--it was neither.]

I'm confident in what I can do, when I know I have competent people around me. I know none of these people enough to trust that they are that--

--and despite what people in rebellions think, one person never can stop the tide.

[prizeneck]

[He chooses not to mention this "rebellion" he spoke of. He almost expected the word to land on the sand somewhere near their feet, with the way it was spat out of his mouth.] People who are competent were once incompetent, no?

[A jerk of his head to the back, where the nerds rest of the group is] What do you think of them, then?

[neutronium]

I suppose; but at some point you reach an age where the incompetence never ends.

[The First Order attempts to make sure people never reach that place. There are other places for them outside the chains of command.

Still--]

They're doing an excellent job; given the wide range of technological knowledge between all of us, and the basics we are working with, I'm impressed. Sometimes poor technology mixed with high technological knowledge can be as bad as not knowing anything. But they all seem to have adapted to their roles, well.

[prizeneck]

[He can't help but snort at that.] You sound like you know frustration well.

[Still, it's kind of telling, and confirms Mamoru's suspicions that he had been in some sort of command. While he's not exactly the pleasing type, he can't help but wonder what his subordinates thought of him - he seemed competent, regardless.

Mulling that over it for a second or two, Mamoru nods. It's what tends to happen when one specializes in something complicated. The complex terms become familiar but get lost whenever approached by someone new. Simplifying them is one of the hardest things to do - and why most intelligent people talked simply about complicated matters.

He supposes that translated to many other things, such as this one.] They're unprepared but smart.

[neutronium]

I do. We currently had person come into power that is beyond incompetent--which means I simply have to pick up the slack.

[He doesn't mention the man is here, of course. Hux never cares if he's liked; but he likes to think most of his men respect him, at least--he tries for that. A careful, firm, even hand can go a long way.]

Yes--and they adapt quickly. Adaptation is probably the greatest trait among them. Without it, we would have floundered.

[prizeneck]

Let me guess, someone with the right connections skipped the ladder?

[The story seems to be the same everywhere. From the ordinary desk job to the highest elite in the military, passing through diplomat sons and gang lords. Mamoru figures it's one of the few blessings of the lifestyle he chose, that in a fighting ground everything was of the same level.

Or it had been, so far. These abilities and powers he's been hearing seem to change the rules of the game a little bit. Memory wiping, regeneration...

Well, he'll deal with that when the time comes.]

Yeah. I'm not sure about our superiors' recruiting methods but at least they have picked some with enough survival instinct to get through with this. [It's a mammoth effort, he knows, but that's as far as he goes in terms of complimenting them.]

[neutronium]

A bit more complicated than that, actually. But the result is the same.

[Slicing the former leader in half, and then choking him--yes, that is a bit more complicated than right connections...but it certainly was 'skipping the ladder'.]

So far, at least. [Hux looked over the ridge, his fingers running along the smooth wood of his rifle.]

I just wonder when things will get worse. And why Regency hasn't dropped more bombs.

[prizeneck]

Is it ever simple? [The sound of gloves around the wooden grip make him glance at his movements.

But Hux does pose a good question - He could argue that since they deployed boots on the ground, the bombings ceased to avoid the loss of their numbers. But still, it doesn't make sense. A force as big as that one, losing some numbers seemed casual.

No. The stalking, quietly observing, hidden except obvious. He has studied psychological warfare enough to know what they're probably doing.]

I think it has. This is a test.

[neutronium]

No, though I wish it was. Too many things are complicated, when they don't need to be.

[Ah, and there it was. Hux hadn't said it--but Mamoru had come to the truth of it. Another reason Hux thought the man was worth his salt.]

I have no doubt we've been somehow found wanting. Perhaps they are over confident...but somehow, I doubt that.

what the heckie i didn't get the notif for this

[prizeneck]

Why do you think that is?

[Mamoru looks forward, eyes squinting with heavy eyelids. He absently reaches up to scratch at where the mask clings to his skin - some stubble there, overgrown, the skin rubbed red. It's the only thing that actually makes him uncomfortable, the kendo masks from before being in better condition, treated with better care.

He knows what most people reply to that "People make things complicated", "Circumstances", "It's the way things are". He's genuinely curious as to which Armitage will pick.]

I think it's not due to caution. They're being... surgical. [If Hux spots he's saying this with a distant sort of appreciation, he won't be wrong.]

no worries!

[neutronium]

The short answer is 'the nature of humanity' I suppose. But I think it often comes from too little thinking, or too much, depending on the circumstance. Almost every complication can be boiled down to that essence, I've found.

[Perhaps an overlong answer, but Hux disliked to give a general answer when he could be specific--especially when it came to something like this.]

They are.

It's what I would do. No point in wasting resources unnecessarily.

[prizeneck]

In other words, lack of common sense?

[He snorts.]

It's simply good strategy. What would you do next?

[neutronium]

I suppose. But even those with common sense can second guess themselves and falter.

[He has even been guilty of it at times.]

What would I do if I were Regency, or what would I do now, as COST?

[The question had been open ended after all.]

[prizeneck]

There's a reason trial and error is considered one of the best ways of learning something.

[A shrug, but Mamoru tenses as he rolls his shoulders lower. Jaw setting under the mask, he mutters quietly 'Magnify', making the sunglasses zoom in a particular patch of the landscape.

A seagull waddles past in a far away dune. ] There are animals nearby. This means the Turkish troops aren't close, or they've taken another path.

[He listens closely to the BCE. No report from any other groups, not yet.] About your question... how about both?

[neutronium]

It is the best way to learn, but sometimes you can't even be allowed a second chance.

[That is why the Trooper program goes through so many simulations; still, not everything can be accounted for, and there will always be something new. Hux has to rely that people can adapt.]

...could Regency soldiers move about without disturbing the birds?

[Hux simply hasn't been around them enough to know if they have that capability.]

Hm.

As COST, I would give better, more direct orders. While we are all working quite well together--that is more due to us than any direction. Perhaps COST has realized we work better with a light hand, but I have not been here long enough to know that. I know that sometimes such a light touch, less interaction, can breed chaos and unnecessary losses when things go awry.

If I was Regency, I'd just remove all of us from the map, if it were possible. But again, I don't know their capabilities. It's too soon.

[prizeneck]

There's a thin line between can't and shouldn't, though, isn't there?

[While his gaze is still fixed on the seagull, which opens its wings to lift off and fly away with loud sqwaks, he shakes his head slowly.] Most animals? Maybe, but birds are a lot more sensitive, that with having some sort of internal magnetic compass. If whatever they are or are using is making some people uneasy, I'd be willing to bet it would at least make them quiet. [A tilt of his head, as if acknowledging Hux's caution.] Still, no reason for us to lower our guard.

[Covered by the mask, Hux may not see Mamoru's focus solely on him. Maybe he does sense it, though, having been surrounded by many people wearing them.] So. A higher chain of command?

Why do you think they haven't, then, if they're able?

[neutronium]

...yes, there is. And sometimes I don't think that line matters.

[The line does matter; but those who control the line...they are the ones who end up which side it lands on. His father always came down on the harsher side. Hux tried--tried to be more forgiving. To mixed results.]

Hm--and how is it that you know so much about birds? [It isn't a suspicious question, merely curious. Hux agrees on not lowering their guard, however. He shifts his weapon slightly, still scanning the horizon.

He does sense the focus shift to him, but he doesn't acknowledge it. He's used to people watching him, analyzing him. He wears a stoic mask for a reason, to lock everything away.]

Yes, a higher chain. Or at least a tighter leash. Though I know some would balk at the idea.

[A slight shift upward of his chin. It's a defense mechanism, one he never realizes he's doing.]

Predators often like to play with their prey.

[prizeneck]

Only sometimes. [Allowing himself to contemplate on the mere concept of second chances is a well-proven mistake, but still, he indulges.] 'suppose there's a time and a place for everything.

I'm used to working outdoors. The animals in your surroundings can be used to your advantage. [It's not really something that is learned in kendo schools, but if you go out of your way to show interest, talk to the teachers about advanced styles of fighting, attacking and defending. If you reach an understanding with the older instructors, then you do find yourself in the middle of the woods, studying tracks, bent branches, the broken path of insects and when animals quiet down. Even if he had mostly worked in urban settings, that knowledge did help him on the occasion he found himself surrounded by nature.]

And who, do you think, would be at the chain of command, then? [He kind of wonders if he knows the answer to that.]

That is assuming that they find any enjoyment out of this, though. They seem studious, rather than taunting.

[neutronium]

Ah. I confess I have spent most of my life indoors. Spacetravel and all. [A low chuckle. Can't believe he would have spent that time outside, certainly. Even when he was in the Academy, on a planet, his work was relegated mostly to simulations and things that kept him far away from the field. Though he did get out there enough to do some training, at least.]

I don't know; I haven't been here long enough to judge that. I haven't even spoken to any of the command besides those that briefly spoke to me during the recruitment. [Which is part of the issue.

At the next part, Hux hesitates, as if debating if he should say something. But really, he can't help himself.]

I don't think the two have to be at war with one another. I helped develop the system that trains our soldiers; they go through many simulation programs, 'games' almost--it's a way to study behaviors, but sometimes we push, do things that could be seen as taunting, because we know that it's necessary to learn more.

It's a different situation, of course; we're trying to train people to become better soldiers, and not to kill them--surely you see my meaning, however.

[prizeneck]

Not many space animals, either, right? [A snort, even if he almost expects Hux to reply with some sort of species that survives in space. He's almost expecting anything at this point.

He nods.] So this is your first mission? With COST, I mean. [It's blatantly obvious that he's part of some military group. Whatever this intergalactic group may be.


And his reply shows it, once again. Even if it also informs him that Hux is probably not one to stay in the front lines - which would explain his... discomfort? seems like the wrong word for the tension the man holds.

But he does understand - hell, Mamoru has taught people through taunts,
challenges, a mere mocking tone inflicted at the last syllable in a sentence. All with the intention of making a certain type of person want to practice out of their own initiative. ]

Nah, I get it. Arriving late to a duel to piss off the opponent. Hasten the adversary to do something rash. Psychological warfare.

[neutronium]

Not in space itself, no. The Purrgil do, but besides that, I know of very few. [Though it is no surprise he is not a biologist.]

And yes, it is my first mission with COST. This is...more hands on than I prefer to be, but I understand it. [Despite what some might think, Hux understands that sometimes officers must be on the field; he does not shy away from it as others do--but he also knows that he better serves the Order on the bridge.]

Yes, exactly. I think the battle of the mind is always the one to win, first. Often people think might make right, but if one can outsmart the enemy, it makes up for any physical strength they have over you.

[As someone tall but lean, who often had to deal with people much more bulky in size--Hux learned this well.]

[prizeneck]

The what? [A tilt of his head. Mamoru has been learning so many new things, now, but his curiosity doesn't really stop. Anything could be useful, so he's willing to listen.]

How different is this from the battles you're used to? [It's kind of telling, really, from this conversation and the previous, that they're both used to different things. But while Mamoru has studied and knows of the horrors of Earthian war, he still knows there are nuances to them.]

Not just physical. Any leverage will do. [He nods. He stands at a tall and strong 6'1", and yet he's a sturdy believer that tactics and strategy are paramount.] Doesn't hurt to be prepared.