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

[neutronium]

Hux was about to say something, make a movement, but then Kylo was shouting, and--dragging over to him? He wanted to protest, to shake himself free and clear, but for some reason he didn't. This put them even, for now, standing side by side--and that wasn't what he expected. They hadn't been in this position since the Starkiller, which felt years ago. It settled something in his chest for a moment, helping him find his center. Old times, like with Snoke. This was something he could handle--if he just allowed himself to think, and stop getting frustrated over petty squabbles.

At least for now.

The soldiers hadn't moved, and Hux kept his eyes moving between them and Ren, wanting to see what he had planned...and he removed his weapons. Ah. Realizing that in order to have this happen, he should follow suit, Hux removed his rifle as well, followed by his pistol, and the knife from his boot, placing them all on the ground carefully. His hands went up as well, lips pressed into a thin line. If Ren wanted to do the talking, fine. He would step in if things went sideways.

The three soldiers tilted their heads almost in unison, but didn't make a move at first, as if they were contemplating the two men before them. Hux was starting to get annoyed at the lack of movement, and was about to say something as well, before the one who had shot at him stepped forward, and put a hand up--two gloved fingers pointing at each of them. He curled the fingers inward once, twice--beckoning.

He wanted them closer.

...lovely. The unease wasn't letting up, and Hux knew that this was a test; one they needed to pass.

[ergosphere]

He was aware of Hux moving next to him, glancing to the side only briefly to confirm that he was following his lead. The knife didn't escape his notice, but he kept his focus on the Regency agents. His senses would be fogged to any attempts of attack from Hux -- and the agents, which left him tense and ready to lash out. Counting his breaths, Kylo forced himself calm.

They hadn't been shot or killed yet, so he counted it as progress. When they were summoned closer, Kylo swallowed, inhaling through his nose and then exhaling through his mouth.

Regardless of how Hux reacted, Kylo took one step forward, then two. It was like walking into water, deeper and deeper as his body adjusted to the pressure; his chest constricted, his hearing became cottony and his vision swam. He didn't dare get too close, and stopped about a yard or two away, standing straight and tall. His breathing was labored, and he was clearly under strain, but he imagined they'd forgive him this show of weakness. That he hadn't succumbed entirely to whatever it was they'd deployed in this fog should be a show of strength, instead.

[neutronium]

Hux has no other weapons, now; regardless of the situation, he is no fool--he'd never attack Ren in this configuration. It was too risky, and had no true reward. This would work better if they worked together, which was something he wanted--

--it working, that is.

The oppressive force hits him like a wall as they move forward, but Hux knows it isn't as bad for him as it is for the man next to him. Still, he just focuses on the Regency soldiers in front of him, one step in front of the other, making sure to keep pace with Ren. This was no different than dealing with his father--oppression takes many forms. It was a test like any other.

After a few moments, the leader(?) held up his hand, and Hux stopped walking, trusting Ren to do the same as well. Distance had been closed, but it wasn't as close as he would like--at least Hux would like, had the buzzing in his head not been there.

Still, the officer gestures to his other men who start to walk forward, hands on their weapons still, advancing. Hux can't see their faces, but he can sense that they are smirking

He wants to say something--he feels that it might be important to do so. But to do so, before Ren does, might cause another squabble, and they can't afford that. He just has to trust that Kylo can act as the leader he is pretending to be.

[ergosphere]

Of course they'd come even closer -- that had been the point of approaching them, after all. It would be beyond humiliating if he passed out while standing right next to Hux, and there was the chance that they were aiming to kill them after all. This wasn't an enemy they really knew. Perhaps they liked to toy with their prey before landing the killing blow.

Kylo turned his hands out again, maintaining the appearance of peace. He hated it, and he knew Hux did, too. They'd both come so far, and now they were stuck at the bottom. He'd always felt small in the presence of Snoke, weak and insignificant next to his power. It felt almost worse than that here, because Snoke's punishments had been swift and he struck quickly, making his point abundantly clear. Kylo had not endured this sort of pressure against his self and his powers with such oppression in any memory of all his training.

"We want to talk." It bore repeating. By now he was starting to doubt they'd have anything to say back to them. It wasn't like any members of COST running around were authorized to make decisions on behalf of the group. Getting some sort of signal was the goal, as low a bar as it was to set.

[neutronium]

Hux doesn't turn his hands out, but keeps them at his side, neutral. Having both of them making placating gestures would just be too much; he simply can't do it--even if it would be proper to copy his Leader.

Instead, he listens, and when the Regency people say nothing, he finally adds his voice, keeping it even, careful--deferential. More-so than he might even with Snoke, who he never truly respected.

"COST brought us here; but we did not ally ourselves with them."

Perhaps too much; but it is his own stance. He suspected that Ren might say something to him about this, afterwards, but--

--well.

The Regency members don't say anything, don't do anything--but their 'leader' looks between the two at his side, and gives a nod. As if Kylo and Hux had somehow passed a test. The two of them start to approach, leaving the one in the middle standing behind. Each of them pulls something from their pockets, a beetle-shaped item, golden and too reminiscent of what had been used on his father...but he stayed still despite the shiver that ran down his spine.

The pressure was overwhelming, but Hux managed to stay standing, as his officer reached him (at the same time one reached Ren), offering him the insect item to take. A peace offering, then?

[ergosphere]

There was the brief impulse to glare at Hux, or do worse, for speaking out when he had no grounds to do so. He swallowed it down, not taking his eyes off of the prize, such as it was. Whatever the agents meant to do, he hoped it was soon, or he wasn't going to last much longer against this.

He straightened when they were offered the golden trinkets, attention zeroing in on them. He felt something like a tremor from Hux, muted through this fog, and brushed it off as nerves. If he felt this queasy, there was no way Hux wasn't just as affected.

With his palm already turned up, it was a simple gesture to extend his hand, and accept the beetle. He closed his fist around it once he had it, dropping his arms back to his sides and nodding at the Regency agents. Asking what it was would be pointless, he decided. They weren't going to answer or speak, and perhaps even had gag orders. Their own stormtroopers weren't meant to be conversing with ranking officers, after all.

[neutronium]

Hux watched Ren take the beetle; he needed to do the same thing himself; he needed to take it. But it felt--was this a test? Had they known--? Was this somehow telling him that they knew? Would it suddenly somehow open up and bite him, strike him dead?

Still, he couldn't be seen as a coward, and he couldn't let Ren see him sweat. So he took the scarab, perhaps grabbing it and putting it in his bag a bit quicker than he should have, but he felt the need to get it out of his hand as fast as possible.

Keeping his chin raised, Hux let out a breath, giving a slight nod of his head.

The two Regency shoulders looked between them, and Hux could almost feel them smirking. They raised the hand that each had held the scarab in and pressed it to their mouths, and it almost seemed like they were whispering? No words, but it seemed a symbol for what they were supposed to do with them. Perhaps.

After that their hands went down, and they started to back up.

[ergosphere]

The little tremor he'd felt from Hux persisted, and since he'd already taken his scarab, he was momentarily distracted by the way Hux just grabbed his, stuffing it away immediately. Kylo imagined his felt warm in his fist, and for a moment he considered that Hux knew something he didn't, that the little gold beetle was dangerous in a way he didn't understand.

Nothing worse happened, though, and his attention went back to the agents. This was a calling card, maybe, or some way to communicate or signal information. He wasn't surprised there'd be no clear instruction or direction.

Once the agents started backing up, Kylo did the same, the sweat that had collected on his brow, neck and under his arms was starting to cool in the cold air, making him shiver. There -- that had been progress. Something they wouldn't have had if they took Hux's method of sitting around and waiting for the right opportunity.

Kylo let out a breath once the agents were far away enough to clear the fog in his head a little, and he pocketed the scarab. He looked to Hux, working his jaw in an attempt to look unaffected. "Now they know."

[neutronium]

Once Hux felt himself capable of walking again, he did so, backing up without taking his eyes off the Officers. While he felt there had been progress, the fact that it was a scarab still unsettled him. It was probably a coincidence, and nothing more--but he disliked believing in such things.

It seemed the Regency was moving away as well (for now), and as the oppressive feeling lifted, Hux let out a breath, running a hand through his hair. Hearing Kylo, he glanced over, lips pressing into a thin line.

"Yes, they do. I suppose its our move, next."

[ergosphere]

"In due time," Kylo said, shoulders slouching in relief before he corrected his posture. They weren't safe, nor was he entirely comfortable letting his guard down in front of Hux, of all people. "We're supposed to be guarding this place. Check the perimeter."

Hux might defy him, but he was too tired to care. They did still have a job to do, and any progress with contacting the Regency would be undone if they got themselves killed by Turks. Plus, he doubted this meant the Regency agents would hesitate before opening fire on them in the near future.

[neutronium]

Hux rolled his eyes; of course they weren't going to discuss what the scarabs might mean, what any of this might mean--Ren was going back to ordering him about to try and reassert his need for dominance.

"Of course, Supreme Leader."

There will never not be sarcasm when he says those words, but Hux still pulls his rifle off his shoulder and checks the bullet in the chamber, starting off to walk the edges of their little dugout.