Task Force Doppelgänger [X-COM/Battletech]

[Murks74]

@Murks74 how much will it cost to get the heavy equipment needed for a reservoir? it sounds like it would be useful in the long run too. a handful of construction vehicles would be real useful

Click to shrink...

the heavy equipment would be for tunnel boring in general and would come in at around 50 points

Radar stations: Is there any way to operate one of theese without making it blindingly obvious there is a radar station there? The X-Com secret base radars kind of hint that's very doable for X-com, just want to doublecheck that's the case here too.

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I assume XCOM would operate a modern AESA radar. So if you can hide it kind of depends on how good the other side is. But unless they are actively looking for it they wont find shit.

If we want to put a well & radio tower on that mountain to the north, would we need to put an outpost there too?

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On the mountains a few day travels away yes on the mountain next to the camp no (no well here tho).

Would it be needed for a radar station?

Click to shrink...

Yes

 

[Blademaster]

[X]plan new outpot(cause we need the water)
-[X]heavy construction tools 50
-[X]research team 60
-[X]outpost materials 10
-[X]engineer team 20

this gets us a research team to boost influence, and anything needed for a new outpost to get water. this has to be now, as water is needed urgently and this is the safe way to get them. we need engineers to tend to the new outpost. than we could also get radar next turn when the basic base is set and we get the first readings from the comm tower.

the pioneer team can protect the new base(they are running out of stuff to do here anyway) and hopefully we can send 3rd platoon there soon. since the outpost is in difficult terrain, small, and supposedly hidden, it shouldn't need too much defense. and the main outpost had the pioneers on the first turn anyway

 

[Anti-No]

Not getting any troops, SPARKS or combat gear at all really sounds like overextending, because we will need to keep scouting in addition to holding those two bases.

 

[Yatr]

[X] Konstantin Volikov
[X]plan new outpot(cause we need the water)

@Murks74 how big is an engineer team?

 

[Murks74]

[X] Konstantin Volikov
[X]plan new outpot(cause we need the water)

@Murks74 how big is an engineer team?

Click to shrink...

about 10

 

[Blademaster]

Not getting any troops, SPARKS or combat gear at all really sounds like overextending, because we will need to keep scouting in addition to holding those two bases.

Click to shrink...

the radar station we buid next turn will be more useful than another scout force, and the pioneers are more than enough to defend a hidden mountqin outpost. just to be sure, we can send a few SPARKS with them. now with APCs, they are not as critical for scouting. anyway we don't reaply have a choice-its the only sure way to get water and we can't afford to wait

 

[Anti-No]

the radar station we buid next turn will be more useful than another scout force, and the pioneers are more than enough to defend a hidden mountqin outpost. just to be sure, we can send a few SPARKS with them. now with APCs, they are not as critical for scouting. anyway we don't reaply have a choice-its the only sure way to get water and we can't afford to wait

Click to shrink...

A sure way to get water? That sounds... optimistic. Another option is scouting further up the valley. Trying to dig a well up in the mountains is an obvious thing to do, but no guarantees it will actually work. Murphy is strong.

Even deep drilling by the gate is not a sure thing, as we technically could get gas instead. The fact there is woods in the valley means there is water (trees drink A LOT of water) (unless those forests are silicon based or something), we just have not found that water yet.

What really, REALLY confuses me is that we have gotten no messages about rivers or streams yet. Water purification plant would have been a nice "plan B". Actually, do we even have records of clouds in the sky?

 

[Yatr]

And the more I think about it, the more I feel we should do a more complete scout before we commit to building another base. Might be we find a much better spot for the radar station, or indeed we find a lake or river nearby.

[X] Plan Look Before We Leap
-120 Research Team x2
-20 ATV x4

Need more influence, and now that our xenobiologist is arriving it's time to start learning. Additionally, need more wheels to quickly scout the area.

Something to keep in mind is that heavy drilling machinery aren't exactly subtle. If any other lifeforms have any kind of a technological or innate sense for tremors we will give ourselves away. If it's our only option, fine, but we should check the rest of the immediate area first. Currently we're in no danger of running out right @Murks74 ?

 

[Anti-No]

Something to keep in mind is that heavy drilling machinery aren't exactly subtle.

Click to shrink...

Also worried that roads would be hillariously visible from above. The tracks tanks would leave being the main reason for me to keep the tanks in base instead of scouting along the valley floor with them. The longer we can stay undetected, the better.

 

[Murks74]

Scheduled vote count started by Murks74 on Apr 28, 2022 at 4:11 PM, finished with 20 posts and 5 votes.

• ---

  3 people have voted

  [X]Col.Christopher Salcido

  • sunrise
  • Anti-No
  • LordEdric

  3 people have voted

  [X] Plan Construction
  -[X] 15 3xUAV, Infantry Platoon
  -[X] 5 1xNanomedikit, Infantry Platoon
  -[X] 60 research team
  -[X] 30 105mm Artillery gun (6 soldiers)
  -[X] 10 outpost materials(from field beds and tents to razor wire)
  -[X] 20 radar station equipment

  • sunrise
  • Anti-No
  • LordEdric

  1 people have voted

  [X]plan new outpot(cause we need the water)
  -[X]heavy construction tools 50
  -[X]research team 60
  -[X]outpost materials 10
  -[X]engineer team 20

  • Blademaster

  1 people have voted

  [X] Plan Look Before We Leap

  • Yatr

 

[Yatr]

Scheduled vote count started by Murks74 on Apr 28, 2022 at 4:11 PM, finished with 20 posts and 5 votes.

• ---

  3 people have voted

  [X]Col.Christopher Salcido

  • sunrise
  • Anti-No
  • LordEdric

  3 people have voted

  [X] Plan Construction
  -[X] 15 3xUAV, Infantry Platoon
  -[X] 5 1xNanomedikit, Infantry Platoon
  -[X] 60 research team
  -[X] 30 105mm Artillery gun (6 soldiers)
  -[X] 10 outpost materials(from field beds and tents to razor wire)
  -[X] 20 radar station equipment

  • sunrise
  • Anti-No
  • LordEdric

  1 people have voted

  [X]plan new outpot(cause we need the water)
  -[X]heavy construction tools 50
  -[X]research team 60
  -[X]outpost materials 10
  -[X]engineer team 20

  • Blademaster

  1 people have voted

  [X] Plan Look Before We Leap

  • Yatr

Click to shrink...

Is the vote closed then?

 

[Murks74]

What really, REALLY confuses me is that we have gotten no messages about rivers or streams yet. Water purification plant would have been a nice "plan B". Actually, do we even have records of clouds in the sky?

Click to shrink...

Smaller water sources have been found and it has rained. But the problem is mostly one of volume there would not be enough water to be worth the effort.

Currently we're in no danger of running out right @Murks74 ?

Click to shrink...

You get enough water trough the portal for now but should probably start looking for one you got a lot of people by now.

Also worried that roads would be hillariously visible from above

Click to shrink...

First few tiers of roads would mostly be the removal of obstacles and stacking out a safe path. Not too visible from above you aint gona start laying asphalt anytime soon.

Is the vote closed then?

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I normaly give 2 day inbetween updates for now. But I was busy so I didnt have time to write.

Murks74 threw 12 6-faced dice. Total: 39

Murks74 threw 12 6-faced dice. Total: 40

Murks74 threw 12 6-faced dice. Total: 49

Murks74 threw 8 6-faced dice. Total: 32

 

[Murks74]

I probably missed something somewhere.

Week 4 plan

vote:
[X] Plan Construction
-[X] 15 3xUAV, Infantry Platoon
-[X] 5 1xNanomedikit, Infantry Platoon
-[X] 60 research team
-[X] 30 105mm Artillery gun (6 soldiers)
-[X] 10 outpost materials(from field beds and tents to razor wire)
-[X] 20 radar station equipment
[X]Col.Christopher Salcido

At the end of the week you once again wait for the opening of the gate. The scientists have been industrious and crates upon crates of edible or otherwise possibly useful plants are stacked besides it. In your hands you hold the file for your future military advisor.

Shivering you close up your jacket, it has been getting colder lately, when the gate finally springs open and trough strides vahlens little maniac and assistant. You are happy to stay with your metal bits and oil, less squishy stuff everywhere.

"Hey Lily, how is it going? Found anything interesting so far? I am real excited to cut open some interesting aliens." "Welcome to Task force doppelgänger Tina." You gesture to your right at some poor squaddie. "Bertmann here will show you your quarter and the lab." "Excellent, the second truck is carrying my lab equipment. Please send it after me."

You turn to the second person of interest to you. "You are of course also welcome onboard Mr.Bahar." The middle aged and slightly overweight man shakes your hand with a genuine smile. "As am I, as am I. Never would I have imagined myself to write history myself instead of writing about one. Feel free to call me by my first name Miss Shen. And I sure hope to prove myself worthy of being chosen." "I have no doubts you will." You take a look at the gate, it seems the supplies are mostly through. With the gate closing shortly you two exchange some paperwork and you send him back with his orders for this week.

While walking back to your nice warm and cozy command bunker, you take in the bustling base which houses nearly 200 personnel by now. Most basic facilities have been established and it seems you are finally moving forward.

Taking your seat at the table you start off this week's planning session. "So we have our research advisor now." You gesture towards Tina who waves. "Mr.Bahar will be working on earth and gather more support. I have also chosen a military advisor Col.Christopher Salcido who will hopefully be joining us next week. Anyway we still have a lot of work to do. Any concerns that you want to bring up?" "Yes," Tina says."I have looked over the weather patterns and they seem to indicate a trend towards a colder period. The plant life seems to support this so I would say that winter is coming and we should have at least decent barracks in a few weeks and a stable supply of water."

Current forces :
-1st Infantry Platoon Cpt. John Burke (25 soldiers)(X-COM)(nanomedikit)
-2nd Infantry Platoon Lt. Panikos Valleas (28 soldiers)(X-COM)(nanomedikit)
-3rd Infantry Platoon Lt. Jurrian Buren (28 soldiers)(X-COM)(green)
-1st Tank Platoon Lt. Ismael Gallego (4 M1A2 SEP XR)(16 crew)(US ARMY)(green)
-1st Pioneer Platoon Lt. Isabela Sato (28 soldiers)(X-COM)
-4 SPARK
-6 engineering teams
-1 research team
-6 ATV
-2 APC

Military Actions (assign vehicles and SPARKs to units if you want to use them and assign units to tasks):

[] Scout towards the valley entrance to the West (forest)
[] Scout towards the head of the valley to the East (forest)
[] Scout towards the South (mountain)
[] Survey the North (mountain)(take a closer look and try to find areas of interest)
[] Defend (location?)
[] Explore vicinity (location?)
[] Build (what?)(Pioneers can build field buildings)
[] Train 3rd Infantry Platoon dc 40 (which platoon?)

Build Actions (5)(repeated build actions will lower dc by 10):

Gate Base
- basic gate, hospital
- basic field fortifications
- field hospital, barracks, lab, workshop(1eng), foundry

[]comms tower (set up a comms tower nearby for better reception)
[]improved fortifications (get the welders and the concrete lets build a proper bunker) dc 50
[]improved hospital (put that operating table in that corner) dc 50
[]basic workshop (maintenance and repair of vehicles)(needs engineers to man) dc 30
[]basic foundry (construction and modification of equipment)(needs engineers to man) dc 30
[]basic barracks (you can live here for some time) dc 30
[]basic laboratory (better workspace for researchers to analyze and preserve samples) dc 30
[]field storage depot (open up options to stockpile larger amount of supplies e.g. all the mines or months of food)
[]basic command bunker (make sure the coffee machine does not eat dust every time someone drives by a tank) dc 30
[]field airstrip (needed for the operation of raven interceptors, kind of obvious from above)
[]field hangar (can hold 2 raven or 1 Skyranger)
[]lay the groundwork for a small nuclear plant. Eventually you will want to keep the gate open indefinitely this will require you to supply large amounts of power from your side.(long project with multiple steps)
[]field paths towards the north (allows you to penetrate further into the north mountains and also the establishment of an outpost there) dc 50

Diplomacy actions (1)(Seif Bahar dip 18):

[]petition the council for a hyperwave relay (communications with earth) dc 80
[]petition the council nations for military support (random military unit)
[]gather support (influence equal to (1d50+dip))
[]prepare first contact package (lets try and not start a second war)

Research actions (1)(Tina Emerson lear 22)(these will net you influence):

[]valley general study fauna and pack and bag it dc 30
[]valley geological study and pack and bag it dc 50
[]dissection "Armabearillo"
[]repeat search for beneficial plant life dc 30
[]search artifact site "Tin Can" for any other artifacts or hints

Personal actions (2):

[]manage an outpost (supports all build actions in an outpost)
[]support action
[]work on your support drone project
[]modify an existing piece of equipment (what?)

-Form staff, officers have those don't they? (advisors will cost influence)(advisors may take actions on either side of the gate e.g. a political advisor could champion for more support on earth)
[]try to recruit an intelligence advisor to your staff
[]try to recruit an engineering advisor to your staff

 

[Anti-No]

Hmm..... so, basic stuff:

Diplomacy actions (1)
I would have said first contact package... except, there is no way to actually make it, is there? We probably don't even have a good recording of their radio signals yet. So first contact package or random military unit? I'm pretty certain we can use anything landbound.

Military actions
- pioneers build field hangar, maybe, just in case Bahar is lucky and gets something that needs it? Otherwise field storage.
- Train 3rd infantry with 1st infantry
- Survey north (2nd infantry, 2 APCs, 2 ATVs, 4 sparks)
- Defend base: Tanks
- Reserve: 3 ATVs

Build actions (5)
- Improved fortifications
- Basic barracks (winter is coming)
- Groundwork for nuclear plant (this might be tricky when the snow has fallen)
- Field paths to the north (We want that radio tower & radar, at a minimum, up there. Might even get water.)
- Basic laboratory?

... and of course... do we actually have 5 build actions, or do we only have 3, with two engineers bound up in workshop/foundry? Or is it enough to actually have two engineers in base, and they can do other stuff too?

Research action:
- Dissect "armabearillo"

Personal actions
- Support build actions in camp
- Support drone project


@Murks74 : Question about units undergoing or doing training. Would they be available in case the alarm goes off? Trying to decide if we should just drop the whole retraining thing for now and send a group of infantry and tanks up the valley instead.

 

[sunrise]

You can work on a first contact package even before you meet the other side as you can start planning on what to say, if you are going to give them something, prepare any gifts.
There is also the option to prepare a basic description of the rules of math with diagrams as they might recognize the diagrams and can figure out the text next to it as the basis of learning our language.
or a book that starts with simple pictures and a single word that describes them for a while before the single words become short sentences as you keep reading.

 

[Anti-No]

...not to mention just having been given a first contact package gives us the implied ability to make at least some deals with whoever lives here, if it seems like a good idea. Yeah, getting that first contact package sounds better the more I think about it. We don't have to use it after all, if they prove to be marauding cannibal slaver tribes or something.

[X] Plan: Prepare the Mountain

[X] Diplomacy actions (1)
[X] - first contact package (hopefully we will get updates to that package as we give more information about the situation on this planet - languages, culture etc.)

[X] Military actions
[X] - Pioneers build field storage
[X] - Survey north (1st infantry, 2nd infantry, 2 APCs, 6 ATVs, 2 SPARKs) "I want to know about everything up there, but water sources and good radio and radar sites in particular, of course."
[X] - Defend base: Tanks, 3rd infantry, 2 SPARKs assigned to the pioneers

[X] Build actions (5)
[X] - Improved fortifications
[X] - Basic barracks (winter is coming)
[X] - Groundwork for nuclear plant (this might be trickier to do properly when the snow has fallen)
[X] - Field paths to the north (We want that radio tower & radar, at a minimum, up there. Might even get water.) (Get assistance from the tanks if necessary.)
[X] - Basic laboratory

[X] Research actions (1)
[X] - Dissect "armabearillo"

[X] Personal actions (2)
[X] - Manage an outpost (Gate Outpost)
[X] - Work on your support drone project

Slight formatting changes to make it more readable. The only thing I'm really uncertain about is whether to start the drone project, or get an engineer advisor. Kind of want to wait with the intelligence advisor until we've listened a bit to the radio so we have some kind of idea what kind of intelligence advisor we actually need. The green third infantry and green tank platoon will just have to rank up the normal way is seems. We can't afford to set aside that many field troops, at least not this turn.

 

[sunrise]

[X] Plan: Prepare the Mountain
If we are limited to 3 build actions I would take:
[] - Basic barracks (winter is coming)
[] - Groundwork for nuclear plant (this might be tricky when the snow has fallen)
[] - Field paths to the north (We want that radio tower & radar, at a minimum, up there. Might even get water.)

 

[Blademaster]

don't we have 6 engineers? why only 5 actions?

 

[Anti-No]

don't we have 6 engineers? why only 5 actions?

Click to shrink...

Build Actions (5)(repeated build actions will lower dc by 10):

Gate Base
- basic gate, hospital
- basic field fortifications
- field hospital, barracks, lab, workshop(1eng), foundry

Click to shrink...

Proobably because one is stuck in the workshop.

 

[Blademaster]

Proobably because one is stuck in the workshop.

Click to shrink...

I thought of that, but then one should be in the foundry, so its four or six. five doesn't fit either way

 

[Murks74]

I thought of that, but then one should be in the foundry, so its four or six. five doesn't fit either way

Click to shrink...

You dont have any foundry projects right now so you would probably not man it.

 

[Murks74]

Adhoc vote count started by Murks74 on May 3, 2022 at 1:22 PM, finished with 8 posts and 2 votes.

• ---

  1 people have voted

  [X] Plan: Prepare the Mountain
  [X] Diplomacy actions (1)
  [X] - first contact package (hopefully we will get updates to that package as we give more information about the situation on this planet - languages, culture etc.)
  [X] Military actions
  [X] - Pioneers build field storage
  [X] - Survey north (1st infantry, 2nd infantry, 2 APCs, 6 ATVs, 2 SPARKs) "I want to know about everything up there, but water sources and good radio and radar sites in particular, of course."
  [X] - Defend base: Tanks, 3rd infantry, 2 SPARKs assigned to the pioneers
  [X] Build actions (5)
  [X] - Improved fortifications
  [X] - Basic barracks (winter is coming)
  [X] - Groundwork for nuclear plant (this might be trickier to do properly when the snow has fallen)
  [X] - Field paths to the north (We want that radio tower & radar, at a minimum, up there. Might even get water.) (Get assistance from the tanks if necessary.)
  [X] - Basic laboratory
  [X] Research actions (1)
  [X] - Dissect "armabearillo"
  [X] Personal actions (2)
  [X] - Manage an outpost (Gate Outpost)
  [X] - Work on your support drone project

  • Anti-No

  1 people have voted

  [X] Plan: Prepare the Mountain

  • sunrise

Murks74 threw 12 100-faced dice. Total: 739

Murks74 threw 1 6-faced dice. Total: 6

 

[Anti-No]

@Murks74: Kind of curious: Is there any way to get platoons up to full strength again, aside from buying PSI-operatives and inserting them in the reduced-strength Platoons?

 

[Murks74]

@Murks74: Kind of curious: Is there any way to get platoons up to full strength again, aside from buying PSI-operatives and inserting them in the reduced-strength Platoons?

Click to shrink...

Uh right gona have to do that.
Anyway expect the update coming weekend because i am currently pretty damn busy and it just doesnt want to flow.

Murks74 threw 6 100-faced dice. Total: 380

 

[Murks74]

Fuck it, here it is.

Week 4 "Don't Panic"

vote
[X] Plan: Prepare the Mountain
[X] Diplomacy actions (1)
[X]96- first contact package (hopefully we will get updates to that package as we give more information about the situation on this planet - languages, culture etc.)
[X] Military actions
[X] 53- Pioneers build field storage
[X] 2- Survey north (1st infantry, 2nd infantry, 2 APCs, 6 ATVs, 2 SPARKs) "I want to know about everything up there, but water sources and good radio and radar sites in particular, of course."
[X]48 - Defend base: Tanks, 3rd infantry, 2 SPARKs assigned to the pioneers
[X] Build actions (5)
[X] 71- Improved fortifications
[X]61 - Basic barracks (winter is coming)
[X] 56- Groundwork for nuclear plant (this might be trickier to do properly when the snow has fallen)
[X] 64- Field paths to the north (We want that radio tower & radar, at a minimum, up there. Might even get water.) (Get assistance from the tanks if necessary.)
[X] 76- Basic laboratory
[X] Research actions (1)
[X] 94- Dissect "armabearillo"
[X] Personal actions (2)
[X] 41- Manage an outpost (Gate Outpost)
[X] 77- Work on your support drone project

Taking a look at the mountain of papers on his desk Seif lets himself fall onto his chair with a sigh. In hindsight asking some old friends and fans for material for a first contact package for cultural and diplomatic exchange might have been not the best idea. After moving aside a pile to take a look at his monitor, he checks his emails which results in his head hitting the desk and a low groan.
[dc:0 roll:96+18=114 critical success]
Your political advisor has managed to assemble an "extensive" first contact package. This should help greatly to avoid any misunderstandings on contact and is likely to make any early negotiations easier. The great amount of cultural data might also benefit further relations if applicable.

You are working on the hover system for your little project when you are rudely interrupted by a figure in a blood splattered hazmat suit asking for all your grinders. The scientist disappears with his bounty, muttering something about a crazy scientist and damn tough bears. You turn back to the workbench and continue making great steps forward. You wonder if you should arm your drone or instead leave more space for support equipment.
[dc:0 roll:77+24=101 success]

[]Mount weapons
[]Leave more space for support equipment

You never see those grinders again, but you receive a lengthy dissection report. Apparently your armabearillo as opposed to most other local life is not of terran ancestry, but an alien life form which has according to Emerson not been engineered and are glorious killing machines that most likely evolved naturally. You eye the request for some live specimen with trepidation. Of more immediate concern are old scarred laser and bullet wounds on the bear's armor and the conclusion that you will need anti vehicle weapons against these monsters.
[dc:0 roll:94+22=116 success]

The time you do not work on your drone you spend overseeing the various construction projects in the base. The improved fortifications are erected in no time and soon concrete reinforced fighting positions dot the surroundings of the camp. Further and better barracks and laboratorys go up in no time and even clearing a path north goes without much trouble.
[Improved fortifications, Basic barracks, Basic laboratory,field storage and field paths to the north build]

You also oversee the excavation for the nuclear plant that you are planning to build, which again reminds you of the need for a dependable water source. You are going to need a lot if you want to keep the reactor cool.
[dc:0 roll:56+24=80 success]

While on your way to another construction project. The base is suddenly bathed in light from behind you. You turn around to witness something disappearing behind the mountains to the north, on a pillar of fire. After shaking yourself out of your suprise you drop everything and start sprinting, while around you the base goes mad as everyone scrambles. When you arrive at the command tent, you bulldoze your way to the radio.
"Command this is Racon 1, we have a big spherical spacecraft coming in for a landing about 15 kilometers to our north. Estimating size at around 100 m diameter. It seems to have some kind of advanced engine, maybe some kind of fusion torch or nuclear thermal drive. We are not picking up much radiation. Question. What are your orders? And should we go radio silent? Over."

[]Pull back and leave the area. Go radio silent.
[]Hide and send in a small scouting party to assess the situation. Go radio silent.
[]Just hide. Go radio silent.
[]Try to openly establish contact, by sending in a small party.
[]write-in

[]send to the north (who?)

The gate will open in 2 days, with alien forces close by you assume you could probably get a emergency transfer of any forces you manage to arrange for with the next contact.
Current forces :
North
-1st Infantry Platoon Cpt. John Burke (25 soldiers)(X-COM)(nanomedikit)
-2nd Infantry Platoon Lt. Panikos Valleas (28 soldiers)(X-COM)(nanomedikit)
-2 SPARK
-6 ATV
-2 APC
At the Gate
-1st Tank Platoon Lt. Ismael Gallego (4 M1A2 SEP XR)(16 crew)(US ARMY)(green)
-3rd Infantry Platoon Lt. Jurrian Buren (28 soldiers)(X-COM)(green)
-1st Pioneer Platoon Lt. Isabela Sato (28 soldiers)(X-COM)
- Lily Shen
-2 SPARK