Paradiso 204 Narrative Campaign

"The Kaplans can rest for this mission, I'm going with another specialist amongst your Order," Tevesh announced to the two PMCs who were attempting to hide their excitement. "You're dismissed from the briefing." Iman stood, saluted and strode out with Yazan mimicing the motions half a beat slower hiding a grimace. Tevesh nodded at the two Naffatun who had an entire side of the table to themselves. "My lucky charms are coming with you, which is going to certainly help our cause. Thabit, please continue." Tevesh slid into his chair and leaned back.

Thabit kept an even clip as he made introductions to another Lt. "Yaminah, I hope your namesake carries us forward. These two are Naffatuns, Ifrit and Lana." Lana was slightly startled and turned to Thabit with a blank stare.

Ifrit ashed his cigar. "I burn things," he claimed. There was a pause, allowing the Naffatun a follow up but he was too lost in the flavour of his cigar to make any more contributions.

A Naffatun - I Swears

Continuing the introductions, Thabit ignored the interruption, as he motioned towards the Kaplan who had a Red Cresent on her should pad. "This is Nashida," Thabit didn't need to consult the personnel file. "She's served as part of airport duty, got a taste of action after repelling some Kum and has recently arrived on Paradiso. Someone give her a shovel, as I see you've forgotten to dig your own hole. A very immediate transfer, I see."

"Khalid is on loan from the Old Man, he'll be our powered armored support," Thabit gestured towards a plain man with obvious veneration. Khalid looked generic, almost boring, a trait that was obviously genetically engineered with the Asawira's quiet grace and nimble movements.

"Mufid, you're responsible for Dish-01." Thabit was entirely serious as the entire tabled glanced at the Kameel which was still displaying Nomad Advertisements in its HUD. 'Fun with Furries' with a Maya site direct link, a coy anthropomorphic fox was tugging on her bikini while being hugged by a very busty anthropomorphic cat who stared at the viewer with innocent eyes in a single piece swim suit. The Snake Charmer stared death at the Kameel as a few laughed around the table. The Snake Charmer didn't become first in its class to play with holoprojected pornography.

Tomasz Dobrowolski's Farzan

Alireza had a baby face, which he knew became problematic for advancement into the Farzan Sect as a Commander. He was bitter about the kid treatment, which Thabit knew to avoid. "Alireza will be supporting our forward based men."

As if on que, a man stumbled into the briefing room without a uniform, smelling of cheap liqour and fast women. He was unshaven, squinted his blood shot eyes at the lights and mumbled an apology before falling into his seat.

"You must be Ahmed," Thabit glared at the Hunzakut who nodded his head and waved his hand dismissively at the Husam. Ahmed turned noticied that he was sitting next to a very pale, dark eyed beauty. He started chatting at her but she only stared blankly back. Eventually, the Hunzakut realized he was talking to a Naffatun. He immeidately turned to his left to ask for a light when he realized he was sandwhiched between two Naffatun. He went pale, still and silent.

Seeing that the interruption was over, Thabit gave the floor to the Barid Lt. Yaminah.

"We're going to be using assets with Infiltration expertise to quickly gain control of the centre. Alireza and Mufid, use your skills to gain control of the beacons. Ahmed, please use your Hunzakut charm to disrupt the enemy, assisting Alireza and Mufid." The Farzan and Snake Charmer nodded while Ahmed sat stock still.

agent_venom's Hunzakut

"Once we have the control nodes, the sky will rain with drop ships. We'll coordinate a few but also use this time to eliminate any exposed opponents. Don't want retaliation to be too easy. The plan is to escort one of these scientist-assets off of the field. Afterwards, we want to keep any out of the hands of our opponent.

"Khalid will be supporting us against any disruption with his Spitfire. Routing the enemy would be ideal, but when the risks are this high, no one merely rolls over. Our two friends here will guard flanks," Yaminah gestured towards the Naffatun. "Nashida, you may need to get into the thick of things but mainly make sure we make it back alive. I have read the survival rate on this unit, but I also understand the importance of its missions. Any questions?"

There were none.

Tevesh glanced at Thabit who took the cue to dismiss the soldiers. "Eat, Sleep, Pray. Allah akbar."

 HAQQISLAM - 45th Regiment
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GROUP 1:
 BARID (Forward Observer) Lieutenant Yaminah - Rifle + Light Shotgun / Pistol, Knife (17)
 HUSAM Thabit - Rifle + Light Shotgun, Panzerfaust, D-Charges / Pistol, Knife (25 | 0.5) - Specialist
 KAPLAN Doctor Nashida - Combi Rifle, Blitzen / Pistol, CCW (28)
 NAFFATÛN Ifrit - Rifle + Heavy Flamethrower / Pistol, Knife (12)
 NAFFATÛN Lana - Rifle + Heavy Flamethrower / Pistol, Knife (12)
 ASAWIRA Khalid - Spitfire, Nanopulser / Pistol, Shock CCW (59 | 2)
 HUNZAKUT (Forward Observer, Deployable Repeater) Ahmed - Rifle + Light Grenade Launcher, Antipersonnel Mines / Pistol, Knife (24 | 0.5)
 HAWWA' Hacker (Hacking Device) Mufid - Boarding Shotgun, D-Charges / Pistol, Knife (33 | 0.5)
 FARZAN (Forward Observer) Alireza - Rifle + Light Shotgun / Pistol, Knife (25)
 KAMEEL (EVO Repeater) Dish-01 - Electric Pulse (13 | 0.5)

248 Points | SWC: 4

Mission 204 - Paradiso: Debriefing:

"I was fond of him," Tevesh grumbled.

Yaminah sputtered at the warlord's remark. Thabit didn't know what to say to such a confession, so he glanced at his report. "We faced a numerical superior force and only took one casualty. These tricky Nomad bastards had Reserve Deployments. Their Spec Op recovered, so we can expect to face him in the future. A Holoprojecting Engineer."

"Oh? What were they packing?" Thabit answered Tevesh's question by passing a data file to the warlord.

 BAKUNIN JURISD. COMMAND - Robock's Bakunin
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GROUP 1:
 REVEREND CUSTODIER Hacker (Hacking Device Plus) Lieutenant Combi Rifle + Marker / Pistol, Knife (38 | 0.5)
 VORTEX Combi Rifle / Pistol, Electric Pulse (9) - Holoprojector 1, Engineer
 MODERATOR Hacker (Hacking Device) Combi Rifle / Pistol, Electric Pulse (21 | 0.5)
 3x MODERATOR Combi Rifle / Pistol, Electric Pulse (9)
 ZERO Hacker (Hacking Device) Combi Rifle, Antipersonnel Mines / Pistol, Knife (30 | 0.5)
 CLOCKMAKER Combi Rifle, D-Charges / Pistol, Knife (18)
 DAKTARI Combi Rifle / Pistol, Knife (14)
 SALYUT (Total Reaction) Combi Rifle / Electric Pulse (21)

GROUP 2:
 CHIMERA Combi Rifle, Nanopulser, Zero-V Smoke Grenades / Viral CCW (21)
 3x PUPNIK DA CCW (3)
 MORLOCK Chain Rifle, Smoke Grenades / Pistol, Shock CCW (7) - +1 ARM
 MORLOCK Chain Rifle, Smoke Grenades / Assault Pistol, AP CCW (10) - +1 ARM
 MORLOCK Combi Rifle+ Light Smoke Grenade Launcher / Pistol, Shock CCW (16 | 1) - X-Visor
 SALYUT (EVO Repeater) Electric Pulse (13 | 0.5)
 2x WARCOR Flash Pulse / Stun Pistol, Knife (3)

254 Points | SWC: 3

"What went down?" Tevesh passed the data file back.

Thabit disinterestedly turns to Yaminah, informing her that this was her duty.

Yaminah straightened her uniform, gathering her will before pressing the attack. "I had our men spread over various points, to keep multiple look outs on each beacon while ready to press the attack. Seeing that the Bakunin unit had placed a Total Reaction Salyut within sight of the Activation Beacon, I made the call that it had to go. Khalid took out the Remote but got more of a fight than previously bargained, as he Discovered a Zero Hacker before taking him out as well.

"Ahmed activated the Beacon which opened the hangar doors, dropped two Mines while getting into position to make a grab for the enemy Coordination Beacon. He fired his Light Grenade Launcher twice at unseen Morlockes, but he completely missed. Allah does seem to have a sense of humour; however, one of the Grenades scattered on top of a Custodier and took her out. Ahmed, bold with his accomplishment, moved on top of the Coordination Beacon but was stopped by a Morlocke's persuasive Combi Rifle. Alireza attempted to avenge Ahmed, but he was too hasty and failed to kill the Morlocke.

"I thought that the Nomads would press the advantage after dropping our Irregular but Ahmed's Grenade put the Nomads into a disarray. We were truly blessed, the Nomads were bickering over who would be the Lt. While they were bickering, they didn't notice that they had let go of the leash on their Morlocke and Chimera.

Chimera by K1lleet

"Knowing that the Chimera would be trouble, I asked Khalid to take her out which he did. I saw that Alireza had a clear path to an enemy Coordination Beacon and asked him activate the Beacon. He did so, crossing back to our side to activate a Coordination Beacon on our side.

"The Morlocke that had dropped Ahmed held his ground, the other followed the Chimera's path and fate as well. Khalid has a sure shot. Nomad's Daktari are no match for our Haqqislam healing, she let her patient, the Custodier, slip from this world. The Moderator Link Team knew it was their time and sprung into action. The Link Team activates one of their Beacons, discovers one of Ahmed's Mines and disables it. They are preparing for a breach into our territory for one of our Beacons.

"Alireza crosses to the middle, activating the last of the Coordinating Beacons and allows us to call forth the Dropships. I call for a Dropship but fail, I ask Alireza to follow up and he succeeds. Seeing Allah's luck, I ask him to call once more and he succeeds again. I do not want the Moderators having free reign, I ask Ifrit to confront the Moderators but he is dropped by the heathen's Combi fire.

"The Moderators breach into our territory, Discover Mufid who narrowly escapes the Combi fire of the Moderator team. The majority of their team is held in a small flank, but their Link Leader uses Suppression on the main corridor we have available to counter-attack. The Morlocke is still holding, awaiting a better circumstance to spill our righteous blood.

Morlocks by Studio Giraldez

"The Dropships land, I saw a choke point which would ensure that Morlocke would run forth to get at Allah's soldiers. Both ships squeeze into place. Seeing the stalemate, I ask for Khalid to break it, which he does by killing the Moderator on over-watch. Unfortunately, I do not know how long the Dropships will remain in spot so I ask Khalid to unload his Spitfire down lane, I hope the Nomads stay Suppressed. I ask Lana to check on the Dropships, she finds nothing in the first and a Scientist in the second. She pulls the Scientist out of the ship and brings them into safety.

"The Morlocke takes this opportunity to rush at us, but unfortunately for the Impetuous Mutant, he forgot Ahmed's first Mine and pays his own life with such a miscalculation. The Clockmaker, who has been hidden for the most part, takes a grand time to enter the stage. He activates a Coordination Beacon on his way to attack us. When he brings his Combi Rifle to bear on Khalid, he succeeds in dropping our noble Heavy Infantry. Moderators reform their Link and begin moving towards our Coordination Beacon.

"I saw the priority and asked Lana to escort the Scientist off of the battlefield. She complied, ensuring our victory. Now, I saw our capability to turn to full offensive power. I asked Alireza to avenge Khalid, he succeeds at sending the Clockmaker to the afterlife. I saw an opening and shot at the disorganized Link Team, but failed to take out my target. Khalid's body gives out as the Asawira attempts to stand.

Asawria by Studio Giraldez

"The Moderators fan out, they were desperate but still able to carry out the mission. One Moderator overlooked our main corridor, as the others moved closer to my position and the beacon. They attempt to activate the Beacon, but fail to do so. At this point, the Moderator's desperation causes them to tip their hand. Their Lt. leaves the Link and uses his Rifle to Suppress my vector of attack. I was confident in my team, so this did not bother me.

"Alireza Camouflaged before engaging the Moderator who was staring down the corridor, taking that Nomad cop out of the fight. Alireza moved up, but I advised against engagement considering that by my calculations the Nomads were finally in Retreat.

"The Nomads' Moderator Hacker activates the final beacon and calls a Drop Ship while the Vortex and her prepare for a final stance.

"Alireza drops both before they can take advantage of their Drop Ship. At this point, the Nomads begin to evacuate, we do the same before someone carpet bombs the area. Khalid's Cube was retrieved, Ahmed had miraculously survived despite being Unconscious in a veritable hot zone. Regrettably, Ifrit's wounds were too grievous for Medevac," Yaminah finishes her summary. She did not sound sorry that the Naffatun died.

"Great job," Tevesh bared the facsimile of a smile. "Not only did your advice bring the mission to a successful close, you're the first Lieutenant to not take a bullet in this campaign." That fact gave Yaminah pause. Tevesh sloppily saluted, dismissing both of the Hassassins. Yaminah was surprised by the abrupt change in attitude, especially since she just provided good news.

When the Hassassin pair was out of ear shot Thabit decided to take pity on the Yaminah. "He was a Naffatun before rising to the rank he holds. He has a soft spot for them in his black, cold heart," Thabit informs with a heavy hand on Yaminah's shoulder. He turns down a different corridor, leaving the Barid to contemplate this tidbit, alone.

Mission 204 Statistics
MVP - Alireza the Farzan: Completes an entire objective by himself, takes out the majority of a Moderator Link Team, avenges the Asawira and passes rolls where leaders fail.
Surviving Points: 153
Promotion: No
VP: 5
Game Status: Won
Casualty Report:
 NAFFATÛN Ifrit - KIA - Succumbed to wounds from Moderator Combi Rifle during Medevac in Mission 204.
 BARID Hacker (Hacking Device) Lieutenant Qusay - KIA - Crane Pheasant's Anti-Hacker Protocol is a contributing factor in Qusay's death from a Sentry's Total Reaction Combi Rifle in Mission 202. Bury with full military honours.
 MUYIB (X Visor) Qamar - KIA - Perforated from Rui Shi Spitfire in Mission 202.
 HAWWA' Hacker (Hacking Device) Rafiq - KIA - Succumbed to trauma during Medevac from Crane Pheasant's Anti-Hacker Protocols in Mission 202.
 AZRA'IL Nasser - KIA - Succumbed to wounds from Lizard's HMG during Medevac in Mission 102.
 GHULAM Doctor Aisha - KIA - Succumbed to wounds from Lizard's HMG during Medevac in Mission 102.
 BARID Hacker (Hacking Device) Fiddah - KIA - Succumbed to wounds from Lizard's HMG during Medevac in Mission 102.
 TUAREG Hacker (Hacking Device) Hussein - KIA - Decapitated by Morlock's Shock CCW in Mission 102.
 MUYIB Lieutenant Rashad - KIA - Succumbed to wounds from Morlock's Chain Rifle during Medevac in Mission 102.
 KAPLAN Engineer Sabir - KIA - Succumbed to wounds from Lizard's HMG during Medevac in Mission 102.
 REM FANOUS Scarab-01 - Unrecoverable - Destroyed by Reaktion Zond's HMG in Mission 102.
 HUSAM Khan - KIA - Burned to death from Tiger Soldier Flamethrower in Mission 101
 RAGIK Hacker (Hacking Device) Mohammed - KIA - Picked off by Haramaki Contender in Mission 101.
 BARID Hacker (Hacking Device) Barre - KIA - While defending Saladin with his own body, Barre was slain by a Tiger Soldier Combi Shots in Mission 101. Bury with a proper plot.
 KAPLAN Engineer Ibrahim - KIA - Burned to death from Shang-Ji's Flamethrower in Mission 101.
 KAPLAN Engineer Yasmine - KIA - Succumbed to wounds from Tiger Soldier's Pistol during Medvac in Mission 101.
 ODALISQUE Ayan - KIA - After taking a Wound from a Crane's MULTI Rifle, succumbed to her wounds from a MECA-Engineer's Combi Rifle in Mission 101. Bury with full military honours.
 KAMEEL (Minesweeper) Shrapnel Magnet-01 - Unrecoverable - Destroyed by Tiger Soldier's Flamethrower in Mission 101.