[Twilight:2000] Operacion Guillotina: A Long Afternoon War tie-in anthology

The Something Awful Forums > Discussion > Traditional Games > The Game Room > [Twilight:2000] Operacion Guillotina: A Long Afternoon War tie-in anthology

Kaal: May 22, 2002; through thousands of posts in D&D over a decade, I now believe I know what I'm talking about. if I post forcefully and confidently, I can convince others that is true. no one sees through my facade.

This seems super cool, and I�m definitely interested. Evening schedule conflicts may be a bit of an issue, since I�m already fairly committed to several games, but I could probably make things work for the occasional session.

# ¿ Jan 12, 2024 16:39

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# ¿ May 18, 2024 22:10

Kaal: May 22, 2002; through thousands of posts in D&D over a decade, I now believe I know what I'm talking about. if I post forcefully and confidently, I can convince others that is true. no one sees through my facade.

The new updated system looks pretty neat! I�ve never played it before, but I was checking out a blog from someone playing a solo campaign variant of it and it seems quite fun and compelling.

https://mindlands.blog/2022/01/02/escape-from-kalisz-a-twilight-2000-solo-mini-campaign/

Kaal fucked around with this message at 16:20 on Jan 16, 2024

# ¿ Jan 16, 2024 16:00

Kaal: May 22, 2002; through thousands of posts in D&D over a decade, I now believe I know what I'm talking about. if I post forcefully and confidently, I can convince others that is true. no one sees through my facade.

I filled it out as well. Should we indicate each of our open hours, or when a three-hour session could begin?

# ¿ Jan 20, 2024 17:13

Kaal: May 22, 2002; through thousands of posts in D&D over a decade, I now believe I know what I'm talking about. if I post forcefully and confidently, I can convince others that is true. no one sees through my facade.

Elendil004 posted:

Ideally when the 3 hour session could begin but we're down to 1 slot and 2 folks still to fill it out so this week is probably hosed, will put up another tomorrow unless the last two can miraculously do tomorrow.

Alrighty fair. Well I added a few more hours of availability to my response. If evening sessions are what folks need, then I can probably swap things around and make something work.

# ¿ Jan 20, 2024 20:07

Kaal: May 22, 2002; through thousands of posts in D&D over a decade, I now believe I know what I'm talking about. if I post forcefully and confidently, I can convince others that is true. no one sees through my facade.

Alrighty, I'm looking forward to playing this game. I haven't tried out Twilight: 2000 before, but it looks like a really cool system.

Session 0 was great, and it looks like we've got a number of good characters. Here is the introduction for mine:

quote:

SM Luis Marcelo Martinez
Amphibious Commandos Group - IMARA

Martinez grew up as a Working-Class kid on the streets of Buenos Aires, Argentina, in the barrio of South Almagro. As a teenager he helped part-time as a Mechanic in his father's taxi-cab garage, but he never really picked up an affinity for technology. What he learned was the value of discipline and hard work. See where you want to go, and follow the road that gets it done. His motto is that leadership is not a prize, but rather a duty and a responsibility. He started with not much, and his father with even less, but he knew his family was going places.

Straight out of high school he joined the Argentinean Naval Infantry - Infanter�a de Marina de la Armada de la Rep�blica Argentina - or as they're called in Hollywood: the Marines. These Combat Arms guys were tough hombres, and he learned a lot about becoming a Rifleman, but he wanted to work with the best. So once he got promoted, he put in his papers to apply for Special Operations. He pushed through the grueling months of training, and finally he was accepted into Agrupaci�n de Comandos Anfibios (APCA). If dad's garage was a poor fit for Martinez, then the Amphibious Commandos Group was the perfect one. He learned to be a Ranger, a Paratrooper, an Infiltrator, and above all a Sniper. After 18 years, Martinez found himself having spent more of his life within IMARA than outside of it. He rang in his 36th birthday while undergoing SERE Training, and drat it - that was the way he liked it.

Now he's the APCA battalion's senior noncommissioned officer, a Suboficial Mayor. In the US Marine Corps he'd have been a Sergeant Major. He has a lot of responsibilities, but he still has to salute every butter bar Teniente de corbeta that he comes across. But that's alright, because really he's saluting the rank, and the flag of Argentina. She's given him everything, and now that war has broken out he's ready to give something back.

The Amphibious Commandos have a long and proud tradition, as they're one of the oldest special operations forces in Latin America (after their fellow Argentineans in the Agrupaci�n de Buzos Tacticos or �Tactical Divers Group� of Naval Submarine Command). They were the first to land near Port Stanley and seize the British Government House during the Guerra de las Malvinas, and have earned a fierce reputation ever since. While Operaci�n Guillotina is focused on Punta Arenas, Chile, Martinez dreams of upholding the legacy of the APCA and retaking the entirety of occupied Tierra del Fuego. Argentinean territory cannot be stolen by invaders - Chinese or otherwise.

"Stirps Virilis"

Kaal fucked around with this message at 20:17 on Feb 9, 2024

# ¿ Feb 4, 2024 05:47

Kaal: May 22, 2002; through thousands of posts in D&D over a decade, I now believe I know what I'm talking about. if I post forcefully and confidently, I can convince others that is true. no one sees through my facade.

SM Luis Marcelo Martinez
Amphibious Commandos Group - IMARA

The flight into Rio Turbio had been like old times. The plane from Mar del Plata had a cargo hold filled with carefully-packed radar equipment and diving gear, and the seats mostly occupied by confident Argentinean commandos who exchanged old jokes and stories in their rapid-fire Buenos Aires Spanish. Martinez had even known a few of the NCOs from previous joint training operations, and made sure to wish them luck on whatever classified mission they were embarked upon. Then the A/N SPS-40B radar was dropped off at Puerto Montt, and the somewhat lightened aircraft somehow felt roomier as they neared their port of final destination. But after the Buzos Tacticos disembarked and made their way to a group of waiting helicopters, only four disparate commandos were left. They were met by an anonymous officer from Chilean military intelligence, who guided them to a van in the tiny parking lot of the airport. The short ride from Rio Turbio to Puerto Natales was quiet, after the hours of affable noise.

The group made their introductions in a diverse range of Spanish accents. The small team was composed of the following members:

Taps: Sous-Lieutenant (2nd Lieutenant) S/Lt. Đa Minh Germain, French Foreign Legion - "Pathfinders" 2e REP Commando Parachute Group (GCP)
Kaal: Suboficial Mayor (Sergeant Major) SM Luis Marcelo Martinez, Argentine Marines - Amphibious Commandos Group (APCA)
Kumei: Sargento Segundo (Sergeant) SG2 Dante "Al Toque" Laguna, Peruvian Army - 125th Commando Infantry Battalion (BFE)
Mederlock: Sargento Segundo (Sergeant) SG2 Jorge Brice�o, Chilean Army - Intelligence Directorate (DINE)

After arriving at Julio Gallardo Airbase the squad listened to their initial briefing by the unreadable Colonel Gabriela Fernandez. After she finished, the group stared at each other over their styrofoam coffee cups, and began discussing the three options.

quote:

"Option A of the fishing boat insertion is considered to be the lowest risk. We already have a contact there, and could potentially build on that network when reaching out to the resistance forces in Punta Arenas. However, we'd all need to PERSUADE the border guards and would be limited to basic civilian equipment in order to make the bluff work. That would limit our actual contributions to the paramilitaries. Plus if things go wrong, we'd be completely at the mercy of the Chinese forces.

Option B of the aerial drop would be something of a gamble. It would put us within close proximity of the city, and allow us to carry heavy equipment that could supply both ourselves and the resistance, but we'd immediately attract the attention of the PLA. While I am highly confident in my own abilities as a trained Paratrooper, we'd all need to have the MOBILITY to perform the drop successfully. A HALO jump is not a good time for on-the-job learning. Still, it would be a way to make a quick impact, and it's a skill that the Amphibious Commandos, like the FFL Pathfinders, and Peruvian special forces, practice over and over.

Option C of the ground infiltration might be a compromise of sorts. The long trek would require ample RECON and STAMINA from our team, but I believe that everyone would be up to the task. We could carry a moderate amount of equipment - and it's possible that we could bring or commandeer a small vehicle to assist in the effort. However, I believe that there was evidence of PLA motorized patrols in the region. Adding to that complication, the downing of Trident 1-1 will attract additional attention to the area. We might be able to assist the crew, but it could also jeopardize our own mission. Argentine Naval Intelligence has made their classified report on the incident available to APCA, and I'll provide it to all of you."

Clearly a big job had landed on their shoulders. Time to get to work.

"Stirps Virilis"

Kaal fucked around with this message at 20:18 on Feb 9, 2024

# ¿ Feb 6, 2024 18:17

Kaal: May 22, 2002; through thousands of posts in D&D over a decade, I now believe I know what I'm talking about. if I post forcefully and confidently, I can convince others that is true. no one sees through my facade.

SM Luis Marcelo Martinez
Amphibious Commandos Group - IMARA

The Guillotine Team discussed matters for several hours, debating the merits of each option.

SG2 Jorge Brice�o posted:

"For this problem, we face risks on all 3 approaches. The clean, civvy clothes insertion probably reduces the odds the most , but until we make contact with the resistance it's safe to assume we need to be 100% self sufficient. When I was doing my training in infiltration, I actually did some of it with the Lautaro Commando Company near the Ejercito Chile' 5th div Base, just north of Punta Arenas and South of the airport. They have a large lease of land near -53.0491357, -70.9065500. The terrain looks flat from the sky, but on the ground it's all rolling hills of scrubland, gullies, swampland. With the PLA 4th BDE opening a gap in their line to push West, we have a pretty good route in. If we can get into the national parklands, it's fairly dense forest and mountainous hills with plenty of locations to set up a home base to work from. We'll probably want to move at night across the low-lying and flat areas of the isthmus. After looking at the map some more I think the biggest danger is crossing the narrows area at -52.7436118, -71.2102179, and getting across Y-50 which is presumably resupplying the PLA 4th BDE. If we do it during the storms at night, it's likely going to turn out fine though. We'll have trees, thick bush, and shallow ravine/valley cover basically most of the way after that. Zoom in close on satellite and a topo map and you'll see the rest of the overland route is not favorable to sentry work unless they have 24/7 orbiting planes with FLIR and Synthetic Aperture Radar watching every gully and dry creek."

S/Lt. Đa Minh Germain posted:

It would not be fun to be caught up by a sudden mechanized troop movement. I�m not opposed to the hike. Let's play out all the constraints though. Is there PLAN aerial recon over the route? Naval marine deployments in from the coast? If someone gets hurt enough, where do we detour to for friendly help on that route? Whats the town SW of Ankle like? Occupied?

SM Luis Marcelo Martinez posted:

There is the Pecket Coal Mine. It was really active in the early 1990s. At one point there was quite a number of troops there. They've moved on now, but some might remain. That jetty is an interesting feature as well. Possibly we could make use of it, or else blow it up. We can keep it in our mind as a feature for the future. Just getting to Punta Arenas will be enough of a goal without a detour.

SG2 Dante "Al Toque" Laguna posted:

I think I agree with going overland. A good 80km hike should be good for the soul, and if it's one hex per shift (not on roads) then we're just looking at like four days. I like it. It's better than getting shot at just to jump out of a perfectly good plane or helo, and it's better than getting there pretending to be fishermen or whatever with virtually nothing with us. Plus, I think not only are we built more for land stuff, I think the overland might be better for the mission too.

SG2 Jorge Brice�o posted:

Temperatures aren't that cool yet, it's still like +20 during the days. And actually, the terrible rainy weather is a huge advantage for us. So we have 4 days of heavy rainy weather to insert if we start on the 13th, 3 days if the 14th OSINT sources has shown the PLA has been primarily using HWY 9 and secondary route Y-50, but we can ask Col. Gabriela Fernandez for the latest intel on the primary lines of PLA reinforcement and patrols.

A consensus on the plan reached, Guillotine Team agreed on Option 3: The Ground Infiltration. It'll be an 80 km trek through enemy lines, and will require several days, but there's a break in the front and poor weather, so the opportunity should be seized immediately. Since the team won't be parachuting in, some things may need to be left behind, but it's a good compromise. There's some discussion about what specialty equipment will be needed for the mission. Some of it will be needed for the insertion, and other things can hopefully be airdropped into the area after the resistance has been contacted. After consulting with Col. Fernandez, the group proceeds down the hall to draw their gear.

"Stirps Virilis"

Kaal fucked around with this message at 20:18 on Feb 9, 2024

# ¿ Feb 7, 2024 15:48

Kaal: May 22, 2002; through thousands of posts in D&D over a decade, I now believe I know what I'm talking about. if I post forcefully and confidently, I can convince others that is true. no one sees through my facade.

SM Luis Marcelo Martinez
Amphibious Commandos Group - IMARA

After storing what personal items I had in a locker, I chatted idly with the rest of the group as we went through the depot's extensive list of stores. Maybe an American Navy SEAL would have had better gear, but these Chilean intelligence folks are remarkably up to date. Certainly they have everything we need. I fill my pack with survival and reconnaissance essentials, double-check my weapons, and make sure to fill my canteen at the sink. Once I'm finished and have carefully stowed all my gear, I promptly have to get it all back out again so that the quartermaster can dutifully check out all of my equipment on his log. Paperwork is eternal. With that in mind, on the way out the door I swipe a notepad and a pencil off the bemused NCO clerk's desk.

"Stirps Virilis"

Kaal fucked around with this message at 20:21 on Feb 9, 2024

# ¿ Feb 8, 2024 04:08

Kaal: May 22, 2002; through thousands of posts in D&D over a decade, I now believe I know what I'm talking about. if I post forcefully and confidently, I can convince others that is true. no one sees through my facade.

SM Luis Marcelo Martinez
Amphibious Commandos Group - IMARA

With our first night out past the frontlines, the reality of the mission ahead of us is beginning to set in. Away from the order of garrison or the controlled chaos of the frontlines, this was a different sort of warfare. Still, a long march with nothing more than nightvision devices to guide them reminded Martinez of going out on training maneuvers with his troops. Only now people were actually trying to kill him. After dawn broke, the team found a place to hide up and wait out the day. Setting up the tent was trickier than expected - to be honest Martinez preferred his old bivy. But finally he got it done, and was able to collect his thoughts and write up a few notes into his journal while tucked into his sleeping bag. It was stressful and distracting to consider tackling a complicated task like retaking Punta Arenas with what were effectively three strangers. The members of CSAD, the people of Chile and Argentina, and indeed of the entirety of South America were relying on them to get this done right. Successfully retaking Punta Arenas could be the first step to getting back to Tierra del Fuego. It could be the key to turning this whole campaign. The responsibility weighed on him, and at first it was difficult to fall asleep: Martinez found it helpful to remind himself of how each of the team member's strengths contributed to the whole:

quote:

S/Lt. Đa Minh "Con Qua" Germain, French Foreign Legion - "Pathfinders" 2e REP Commando Parachute Group (GCP)

Command AD*, Persuasion AC*, Ranged Combat BC, Driving BD, Recon AC, Survival AC - PsyOps, Tactician

A persuasive leader who has been to many places and is as equally comfortable behind the wheel of a classic Bugatti as they are hacking their way through the Vietnamese jungle. Đa Minh isn�t quite as fast or robust as the other commandos, but his ability to quickly ascertain a situation is invaluable to the team.

quote:

SM Luis Marcelo Martinez, Argentine Marines - Amphibious Commandos Group (APCA)

Recon BA*, Ranged Combat AA**, Survival BC, Stamina BC**, Mobility AD*, Tech B* - Mechanic, Sniper, Rifleman, Infiltrator, SERE Training, Paratrooper

A career soldier, Martinez is a recon-sniper through and through. While not necessarily as well-rounded as the other commandos, he�s quite an expert within his wheelhouse. The good stamina and mobility is to be expected, but he also remembers a few things about fixing machines from his days in his dad�s garage.

quote:

SG2 Dante "Al Toque" Laguna, Peruvian Army - 125th Commando Infantry Battalion (BFE)

Survival AD**, Tech AC*, Recon AC, Driving BD, Mobility BC, Ranged Combat BC, Stamina BC, Close Combat BD - Navigator, Scrounger, Electrician

Toque�s very much the scroungy �jack of all trades�. He�s capable at many different things, from orienteering, hunting, and reconnaissance, to driving vehicles and keeping technology in good working order. He�s a trained soldier, and is the best hand-to-hand fighter on the team.

quote:

SG2 Jorge "Aguja" Brice�o, Chilean Army - Intelligence Directorate (DINE)

Tech AC**, Recon AC***, Persuasion BC*, Medical Aid BD*, Ranged Combat BB, Mobility BC - Linguist, Comms, Investigation, Intelligence, Medic, Infiltrator, Combat Engineer

Brice�o is the intelligence specialist on the team - adept at using communications technology and explosives, and is also fluent in Chinese. While fieldcraft is not his strong suit, he�s a good shot and insightful when analyzing the surroundings. He�s also the team medic, and while he�s not as strong as the burly soldiers he is quite nimble.

�Stirps Virilis�

Kaal fucked around with this message at 15:53 on Feb 10, 2024

# ¿ Feb 10, 2024 05:08

Kaal: May 22, 2002; through thousands of posts in D&D over a decade, I now believe I know what I'm talking about. if I post forcefully and confidently, I can convince others that is true. no one sees through my facade.

SM Luis Marcelo Martinez
Amphibious Commandos Group - IMARA

While the rest of the team sneaks into their ambush positions, Martinez will act as overwatch. He drops his ruck, moves up onto the ridge-line overlooking the beach site, and takes partial cover amongst the debris. He points his M40A5 sniper rifle at the sailors manning the inflatable boat, carefully aiming for the radio operator's head with his telescopic scope, and prepares to fire once the others spring their ambush.

quote:

Slow Aim+2
Elevated Position+1
Sniper Specialty+1

Short Range+0
Exposed Passenger+0

Called Shot-2
Heavy Rain-1

Agility A, Ranged Combat A, (+1) = 2d12

�Stirps Virilis�

Kaal fucked around with this message at 17:30 on Feb 16, 2024

# ¿ Feb 15, 2024 01:13

Kaal: May 22, 2002; through thousands of posts in D&D over a decade, I now believe I know what I'm talking about. if I post forcefully and confidently, I can convince others that is true. no one sees through my facade.

SM Luis Marcelo Martinez
Amphibious Commandos Group - IMARA

Martinez dove for cover after getting magdumped, but then resumes overwatch of the boat. He targets the head of the sailor standing in the boat that shot at him.

quote:

Slow Aim+2
Elevated Position+1
Sniper Specialty+1

Medium Range-1
Exposed Passenger+0

Called Shot-2
Heavy Rain-1

Agility A, Ranged Combat A, (+0) = 2d12

�Stirps Virilis�

Kaal fucked around with this message at 21:31 on Feb 16, 2024

# ¿ Feb 16, 2024 21:27

Kaal: May 22, 2002; through thousands of posts in D&D over a decade, I now believe I know what I'm talking about. if I post forcefully and confidently, I can convince others that is true. no one sees through my facade.

SM Luis Marcelo Martinez
Amphibious Commandos Group - IMARA

Once the last Chinese soldier surrenders, "Toque" moves in to take him into custody. The team grabs their packs from the bluff, and turn to take in the battlefield. The rest of the PLA troops are either shot dead with critical wounds or incapacitated and dying from the close-proximity grenade blast. The team moves into action:

"Toque" and Martinez begin a quick search of the battle site. "Toque" is a natural Scrounger and focuses their attention on the fallen Chinese naval Commander. He certainly isn't getting interrogated with that hole in his head. Was he carrying any hidden documents or equipment that could explain their presence on this relatively minor mission? Could we make use of anything the officer was carrying? Martinez doesn't have any particular expertise in this field, but he assists "Toque" by quickly walking around grabbing the obvious military weapons, ammunition, and other gear.

Toque posted:

Well, first thing first, I'll disarm and restrain the POW, and then I think we should focus on the officer to see if he has orders and keys and such, and on the boat to see if it has supplies. After we've spent enough time doing that, I think we should think about taking that boat south a ways, scuttle it and whatever we can't carry, and co tinue our trek. Sleeping as appropriate, of course

Con Qua posted:

Yah lets collect cellphones, radios, etc into the boat. Do we leave the corpses or take em with and dump em off shore as we go?

"Aguja" and "Con Qua" take charge of the prisoner. Aguja uses their fluent Chinese as a Linguist to interrogate the soldier and ask them about the purpose of their mission here, as well as the curious presence of the high-ranking Chinese naval officer. "Con Qua" is highly persuasive despite the language barrier, as the Chinese troops have generally learned basic Spanish, and employs their expertise in Psychological Operations to confuse the soldier about the nature of Guillotine Team's presence here, and convince them that the group�s mission is now completed.

Aguja posted:

Wanna play good cop/bad cop "Con Qua"? I'll be good cop since I can be our translator, and you can be bad cop because you genuinely probably have strong feelings about the PLA military men and I can be like "sorry, my friend here has a really short temper for foreign invaders, I can't promise I can hold him back if he loses hold of himself if he doesn't get an answer he likes. I'm gonna be frank, I think we gotta kill this guy after we get some answers out of him. We /really/ don't want our appearances and group size, etc. out there. I think there's some kind of roll you've got to successfully do to kill in cold blood like that though, but like, this is a major liability. God drat this mission is already making me cold as gently caress

Martinez posted:

Maybe see how the interrogation / psyops goes before deciding. This is still basically the frontline. The guy could probably be convinced that our team's mission was to target the frigate in the Otway, or to take out the manpads, or to capture that commander. Leaving him alive wouldn't necessarily give them much information.

Toque posted:

We can give him bad gouge for whenever he gets found by his people. Plus, any information he can give, won't get to the PLA until at minimum when the Frigate realizes something is wrong and sends somebody else to the shore, and who knows how long that'll take.

After a brief stretch, Guillotine Team finishes chatting with the prisoner, and takes what they have gathered and loads it into the boat. They want to set sail south as soon as they can, to avoid any entanglements with the mothership eight miles off-shore. However, there is the delicate matter of what to do with the prisoner and the bodies. That decision may depend on what "Aguja" and "Con Qua" can report about their conversations.

�Stirps Virilis�

Kaal fucked around with this message at 05:05 on Feb 18, 2024

# ¿ Feb 18, 2024 04:33

Kaal: May 22, 2002; through thousands of posts in D&D over a decade, I now believe I know what I'm talking about. if I post forcefully and confidently, I can convince others that is true. no one sees through my facade.

SM Luis Marcelo Martinez
Amphibious Commandos Group - IMARA

quote:

ZzzzzzzzzZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzZZZZZZZZ.......ZzzzzzzZZZZZZZ.....ZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz......zzzzzzZZZZZZZZZZzzzz

Martinez boards the boat and, in the way of veteran troops throughout history, manages to get some quick shut-eye. He'll spend this shift sleeping, and be ready for whatever comes next.

�Stirps Virilis�

# ¿ Feb 21, 2024 14:34

Kaal: May 22, 2002; through thousands of posts in D&D over a decade, I now believe I know what I'm talking about. if I post forcefully and confidently, I can convince others that is true. no one sees through my facade.

SM Luis Marcelo Martinez
Amphibious Commandos Group - IMARA

quote:

Did you participate in the game session? You get one XP just for being there.: Yes, I participated in the session

Did you follow your moral code despite significant risk to yourself or your group?: Yes, I followed my moral code of pursuing my duties as a soldier and responsibilities as a non-commissioned officer, and advocated abiding by the rules of war in regards to the PLA POW, despite the risk of their report to both myself and the group.

Did you risk or sacrifice something significant to realize your big dream?: Yes, we risked discovery and attack by the PLA by electing to take the boat and the MANPADs, then navigate close to the Mina Pecket Outpost, and finally keep the boat nearby rather than scuttle or abandon it - bold decisions that were made to quickly advance towards our objective of Punta Arenas while retaining capabilities needed for retaking Tierra del Fuego.

Did you travel through at least one hex on the travel map that you had not visited before?: Yes, we traveled through several new hexes

Did you overcome one or more dangerous events, using violent or non-violent means?: Yes, we fought a PLA littoral patrol

Did you risk your life for the PC who is your buddy?: No, I did not have a buddy during this session

Martinez is also an Infiltration specialist, but rather than accompanying Toque and Aguja on their recon he decides to find some sort of vantage point and provide overwatch with his binos and tactical radio. He keeps an eye out for patrols and other nuisances so that the team knows what is happening around them while they're focused on the camp.

�Stirps Virilis�

# ¿ Feb 25, 2024 16:09

Kaal: May 22, 2002; through thousands of posts in D&D over a decade, I now believe I know what I'm talking about. if I post forcefully and confidently, I can convince others that is true. no one sees through my facade.

SM Luis Marcelo Martinez
Amphibious Commandos Group - IMARA

quote:

In a tent, towards the left side of the compound someone is tip tapping away on a keyboard using a red light to protect their nightvision. A small line runs out of their tent to a well camouflaged satellite dish. If not for their tent flap slipping open you never would have spotted it.

While observing the camp from a vantage point, Martinez recognizes the incongruity of this sighting, and motions Con Qua over to take a look through the binoculars. It could be nothing more than a homesick Chilean, or it could be as serious as a Chinese informant. With Toque and Brice�o finishing up their conversation with El Abuelo, and the overwatch no longer needed, the two agree to check out this secretive data site. They communicate their intentions over the encrypted tactical radios, then pick up Brice�o's extra medicine to bring into the camp. The pair then make their way to the camp entrance. They wave to the man on sentry, and explain that they're bringing in the donations of antibiotics and antiseptics that were requested by El Abuelo. After dropping the medicine off with Brice�o, Martinez and Con Qua quietly make their way along to the left edge of the compound. They're both pretty good at avoiding being noticed, and the bustle and noise of the twilit camp provides ample cover for them. Once they reach the tent site, they take a quick look around to see if there are any guards or other anomalies, then make their way to the tent flap. After glancing at each other, considering what they might find, Martinez makes his way inside - followed by Con Qua.

"Good evening, is this the internet cafe? I need to charge my batteries."

�Stirps Virilis�

Kaal fucked around with this message at 15:56 on Mar 5, 2024

# ¿ Mar 5, 2024 15:37

Kaal: May 22, 2002; through thousands of posts in D&D over a decade, I now believe I know what I'm talking about. if I post forcefully and confidently, I can convince others that is true. no one sees through my facade.

SM Luis Marcelo Martinez
Amphibious Commandos Group - IMARA

Martinez and Con Qua take in the scene of the dejected gamer collapsed in his chair, having lost yet another game of DOTA. "Yeah you really got make sure to get those last-hits in while jungling, or otherwise you don't have the XP advantage when you get ganked," says Martinez. "I've heard there's a sequel being developed that should have some build suggestions and other improvements." The guy quickly recovers from his surprise at being interrupted by strangers while in the midst of digital combat, but seems amiable enough. Though he insists that he is not playing DOTA, but rather the recently-introduced League of Legends.

Apparently the nearby camp neighbors are pretty used to this guy's antics at this point, and the handful of curious heads poking out of tent flaps quickly return to their business - grumbling about how "that Gupaudar kid" needs to keep it down because folks are trying to sleep. Apparently he's the kind of nerd who goes by his online handle in real life as well as online. Sometimes trail nicknames can be weird. "Gupaudar" helpfully offers to let Martinez charge his batteries and Con Qua to send off a quick message to command. Neither the laptop nor the satellite connection will be secure, but Guillotine team had already expected to use civilian comms to communicate, and the officer is quite familiar with the single-use codes and dead-drop emails that are being used for this op. Martinez idly chats with "Gupaudar" while the batteries charge and Con Qua makes his report - he asks how the guy ended up here in the woods, what life is like out here, and if he has any friends that are still in Punta Arenas.

�Stirps Virilis�

Kaal fucked around with this message at 00:35 on Mar 8, 2024

# ¿ Mar 5, 2024 17:30

Kaal: May 22, 2002; through thousands of posts in D&D over a decade, I now believe I know what I'm talking about. if I post forcefully and confidently, I can convince others that is true. no one sees through my facade.

SM Luis Marcelo Martinez
Amphibious Commandos Group - IMARA

With the rush of combat pumping adrenaline into his system, Martinez didn�t have much time to take stock of the seeming allies that materialized out the woods, nor make sense of their mysterious battle cry. But he was quick to react when his grenade blast was quickly followed by a crackle of shots catching the entrenched PLA ambushers in enfilade. The last defender dropped dead, and he sprinted for the cover of the trench - barely noticing the metal fragments that had injured his left leg.

Jumping into the cover of the slot trench, Martinez ignores the gruesome sight of the torn apart soldiers, and grabs a rifle out of the hands of one of the fallen troops. Soon he�ll be able to turn the weapon against the invaders.

�Stirps Virilis�

# ¿ Mar 10, 2024 04:56

Kaal: May 22, 2002; through thousands of posts in D&D over a decade, I now believe I know what I'm talking about. if I post forcefully and confidently, I can convince others that is true. no one sees through my facade.

SM Luis Marcelo Martinez
Amphibious Commandos Group - IMARA

Martinez sees his buddy Al Toque struggling in hand to hand combat with the Chinese soldier. Trusting that the newfound partisans are friendly, Martinez turns his back on them and carefully aims his purloined QBZ-95 assault rifle at the prone figures and delivers a series of shots at the PLA trooper on top of Toque.

Ranged Combat A / Agility A
Rifleman +1
Prone -1
Moving Target -1

Total: D10 D12
ROF: 6

�Stirps Virilis�

Kaal fucked around with this message at 22:34 on Mar 10, 2024

# ¿ Mar 10, 2024 18:31

Kaal: May 22, 2002; through thousands of posts in D&D over a decade, I now believe I know what I'm talking about. if I post forcefully and confidently, I can convince others that is true. no one sees through my facade.

SM Luis Marcelo Martinez
Amphibious Commandos Group - IMARA

Taking in the condition of the team, Martinez quickly sees that the group is in no state to object to the woman's request. Everyone is injured, and Aguja is suffering from a sucking pneumothorax wound that could prove fatal if not treated quickly. Fortunately Con Qua was able to treat Aguja during the firefight, and in a move straight out of a telenovela he was able to insert a medical spile and perform a needle thoracostomy - immediately relieving the tension.

Martinez digs into his pack and pulls out the tent shelter that he's been carrying since departing Puerto Natales. "Finally a use for this maldito thing" he grumbles to himself. Quickly rigging the poles and the fabric as an improvised litter, he waves over "Al Toque" and asks him to help manhandle Aguja onto the litter and lift him into the air. Two klicks isn't far, but carrying a casualty over rough terrain is always an exhausting pain in the rear end. Hopefully there won't be any mud, bushes, or other things in the way. "We're just taking a little constitutional, Aguja. Think good thoughts and concentrate on not drowning in your own spit."

With Con Qua carrying Aguja's backpack and applying pressure to Aguja's critical wound, and Toque and Martinez maneuvering the weight of the casualty, the team starts following the partisans towards their outpost. This is precisely the sort of thing that Ranger training focused on, but this is really a four-person job so it's a good thing that the litter-bearers have both Strength and Stamina. Joder!

�Stirps Virilis�

Kaal fucked around with this message at 22:55 on Mar 14, 2024

# ¿ Mar 14, 2024 22:02

Kaal: May 22, 2002; through thousands of posts in D&D over a decade, I now believe I know what I'm talking about. if I post forcefully and confidently, I can convince others that is true. no one sees through my facade.

SM Luis Marcelo Martinez
Amphibious Commandos Group - IMARA

With Aguja healing under the care of the resistance doctor, Guillotine Team is able to take a moment to rest and recuperate. Martinez checks out the proffered MREs with a practiced eye. With Con Qua immediately eyeing the Thai Chicken, the remaining options look slightly less appealing. But food is food, and the Boneless Pork Chop seems like it's fairly inoffensive. The Peanut Butter, Pretzel Sticks, and Plain M&Ms sides look like they'd be good to save, and the chocolate powder would be nice to warm up later if there's still a chem heater around.

After finding a rock or something and waiting for his entree to heat up, Martinez strikes up a conversation with Toque. The two talk about the sort of things that veteran NCOs tend to chat about in a chow hall: idly comparing the food options and sleeping accommodations, sharing funny stories about past officers and idiot privates, and exchanging casual theories about what the PLA must be thinking to come all the way down to this desolate corner of the world. More painful topics like how friends and family are doing back home, or what the future might bring, are generally avoided. There�s no point in dwelling on something that you can�t change. But the two buddies enjoy indulging in light banter and conversation, and feel the stress of combat begin to ease.

�Stirps Virilis�

Kaal fucked around with this message at 00:52 on Mar 18, 2024

# ¿ Mar 17, 2024 21:33

Kaal: May 22, 2002; through thousands of posts in D&D over a decade, I now believe I know what I'm talking about. if I post forcefully and confidently, I can convince others that is true. no one sees through my facade.

SM Luis Marcelo Martinez
Amphibious Commandos Group - IMARA

The team takes some time to regroup. They had been pretty dinged up after the last battle, with a variety of injuries and equipment issues to deal with. However, Gaviota's resistance fighters had some actionable intelligence on an important PLA target, and it was clear that they planned to mount an attack with or without our help. A successful operation could be key to gaining the trust of the partisans, as well as striking a significant blow against the invaders. The PLAGF and PLAN are having a major planning conference at their headquarters. They are defended by a couple of APCs, several machine-gun positions, and numerous soldiers. It would be a tough nut to crack. While reviewing the information available, the team chatted about the HQ attack:

Martinez posted:

So the mortar can fire one round of smoke or CS gas? We could plan to hit the barracks area with that, and hopefully delay their reinforcements while we deal with the guards and vehicles. Now that we�ve connected with the resistance, we can also request additional equipment from them. For example Aguja wanted to grab some body armor once he could cache some of his equipment, and I�m interested in securing a carbine rifle like an M4A1. The others might want grenades, optics, or resupply. We also will want to consider such things as part of a future supply drop. I suggest each member of Guillotine Team leads a squad of 12, and focus on doing a bunch of damage. We've got 4x LMGs and 8x LAWs (they're disposable single-shot) so we could have one machine gunner and one grenadier in each squad.

Toque posted:

I'm kind of thinking something like this. It feels a bit of a risk to put the LMGs in one spot, but it makes a good fortified location and putting two of the launchers there will probably be good for defense against armored vehicles. I figure Martinez is a good sniper, and would be good calling the shots there, directing fire and finding targets. Aguja in the NW building with maybe another group of soldiers and a launcher would probably be appropriate. Maybe split one LMG unit off and put it with Aguja for suppressing fire. Then I reckon Con Qua and Al Toque maybe starting at that side street to the West with the rest of the soldiers, make an assault after we've made the air a bit more inclusive of minerals and metals? What's the likelihood we could tactically acquire one of those vehicles? I think it makes sense to do the LMGs, or at least some of them, in those fortified buildings to the West, with a Launcher or two over there. I also think putting somebody to provide sniper cover makes sense, for an assault anyway. But, if we want to try to make an infiltration, that changes the priorities of the mission, which likely changes the layout.

Con Qua posted:

Maybe we wait for them to have their stupid meeting like normal, and then when they get in the jeeps to leave� thats when you use the launchers on the jeeps and just mangle em. Then we just make our escape, and not even engage any response. I have explosives. What if I get a hold of a Chinese uniform and walk in with a ruck of plastic explosive and accidentally leave it behind in the HQ hallway and walk away? Whatever we do, I love the idea of only killing the naval officers for extra chaos.

Aguja posted:

Let's not get too scope creeped. It's pretty clear Gaviota's trying to twist our arms into helping them, by trying to challenge us into "proving" ourselves. Seems ballsy to straight up waltz in and start shooting up some PLA before we make contact with command and read the lay of the land, but now we'll lose face if we refuse to help. We can also maybe try to preferentially try to target only one of the factions, to stoke up the tensions between them. Probably the Navy, as they're the one's actually facilitating the supply transfer. So, I think we use sniper fire to assassinate all of the PLA Navy guys, use the AT weapons to deal with those light armor cars, and the MG teams and non-precision weapons to suppress the enemy's bunkers and pillboxes and checkpoints and poo poo, and then run away.

A rough consensus reached, Guillotine Team chats with Gaviota and present their plan. The light infantry platoon (secci�n de tiradores*) is inexperienced, but could become a potent force if well-led. They can be divided into squads (grupos) and fireteams (equipos). While Golf Platoon will remain under Gaviota's operational command, the Guillotine team members will act as squad leaders (jefes) for Alpha, Charlie, Tango, and Mike Squads: Each consisting of ten light infantry armed with rifles, one light machinegunner (LMG), and one grenadier with a carbine and a pair of light anti-tank weapons (LAWs). There is also a nearby mortar section available by radio that can either suppress with tear gas or conceal a maneuver with smoke. Infiltrating the headquarters seems too risky, so the plan is to sneak into the buildings on the western end of the compound, quietly eliminate any guards, and then wait for the conference to end. Once the officers begin exiting the HQ to return to their vehicles in the motor pool (T3), Guillotine Team will open fire on the PLA officers - targeting the naval members when possible to attempt to drive a wedge between them and the army. Meanwhile the resistance squads will direct their fire towards the APCs (T1 and T2), as well as enemy strongpoints outside the HQ (T4), and within the Plaza (T5). We expect enemy reinforcements to come from the Barracks (T6). As the attack develops we can decide whether to press the assault or signal a withdrawal to the west.

As the platoon prepares themselves for combat, they can elect to leave behind their multi-day backpacks and/or excess equipment at camp. This will improve soldier mobility at the cost of carrying capacity. However, given that it will be a major battle the team is advised to contact the resistance quartermaster and stock up, if possible. While their stores are limited, basic equipment or resupply such as food, water, ammunition, or medical kits may be available. Martinez requests to exchange his purloined QBZ-95 Assault Rifle for an M4A1 Carbine, one of the standard rifles of the Comandos Anfibios, as well as several magazines of 5.56x45 ammunition. While his trusty M40A5 sniper rifle is generally his weapon of choice, he'll need a carbine for close quarters battle while clearing the western buildings or potentially entering the headquarters. Fortunately he should be able to carry both if he leaves his night vision equipment and extra rifle ammo in his pack.

*These are functional equivalents to the US military battle order. The direct translations would be section, group, team, and chief. By tradition, South American militaries typically don't use the terms platoon (pelot�n) or squad (escuadra), and organize things in their own way.

�Stirps Virilis�

Kaal fucked around with this message at 21:33 on Mar 25, 2024

# ¿ Mar 25, 2024 18:08

Kaal: May 22, 2002; through thousands of posts in D&D over a decade, I now believe I know what I'm talking about. if I post forcefully and confidently, I can convince others that is true. no one sees through my facade.

SM Luis Marcelo Martinez
Amphibious Commandos Group - IMARA

Mike Squad has taken one casualty, but is still in the fight. Martinez has a good vantage point from his spot in the building, and can observe the course of the battle. The primary targets have mostly been eliminated, though there's one officer left. Alpha and Charlie Squads are taking a lot of fire, and a number of them are suppressed. The PLA are advancing in the north, while trying to regroup in the south. With the alarm klaxon sounding, we'll want to pull out soon before we attract the attention of more patrols from the barracks - or an enemy helicopter.

With Tango Squad covering the Plaza and beginning to peel back by fireteam, Martinez directs his squad to lay down a base of fire against the protective bodyguard detail near the motor pool (T3). They've popped smoke to conceal their position against Charlie Squad, but Mike still has a clear view of them and they should be able to have a good effect. Lt. Con Qua squawks over the radio that he intends to fire off his squad's last LAW and try to finish off the Chinese naval leaders before withdrawing to the vehicular rally point. Before he does, Martinez takes a quick aim with his sniper rifle on the last remaining PLAN officer outside the HQ (T4) and squeezes off a shot.

�Stirps Virilis�

Kaal fucked around with this message at 14:55 on Apr 1, 2024

# ¿ Apr 1, 2024 14:16

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# ¿ May 18, 2024 22:10

Kaal: May 22, 2002; through thousands of posts in D&D over a decade, I now believe I know what I'm talking about. if I post forcefully and confidently, I can convince others that is true. no one sees through my facade.

SM Luis Marcelo Martinez
Amphibious Commandos Group - IMARA

The sudden attack from the unseen tank has decisively changed the dynamic of the battle. The building that Mike Squad was sheltering in erupts into a hail of broken glass as heavy machine gun fire rips apart the windows and several resistance members, and then the building rocks as a tank round blows apart the entire second story. The squad drops through the floor and many who survive the initial explosion are subsequently killed in the fall or buried in rubble. Thankfully Martinez�s experience as a Paratrooper serves him well in this moment, for he was taught to bend his knees and roll in order to reduce falling damage.

The building has become nothing more than a cloud of plaster dust and shattered masonry, and all Martinez is left with is his Ranger training: Seek cover, break contact, move past a terrain feature, avoid linear danger areas, and keep traveling towards the rally point. SERE School emphasized the same principles - as well as the brutal consequences of failing to escape and falling into the hands of the enemy. Martinez quickly examines the remains of his squad, hoping to perform some combat first aid with his Personal Medkit, though most of the fighters are critically injured or dead. He�s no medic, but hopefully he can help one of them get back on their feet despite the risk of moving while critically wounded. He does what he can, and then it�s time to go.

With the street beginning to fill with colored marker smoke from the grenades, Mike Squad is afforded a bit of concealment from the tank to the south. Martinez orders the fireteam of survivors to follow as he exfiltrates west, bounding from cover to cover and relying on their camouflaged uniforms and his skills in Recon (Infiltration) to evade detection. He can hear friendly suppressive fire rattling away, but the wounded remains of Mike Squad focus on putting some distance between themselves and the enemy.

Martinez�s perspective narrows to only scanning for the next immediate threat or opportunity: A parked car, a crowded alley, a fire hydrant, an open street, a convenience store, some decorative bushes, an overturned cart� They�re headed for the western rally point where the mortar section and the vehicles should be waiting for them - unless they�ve been attacked as well. Enemy helos are circling in the distance, and Punta Arenas seems to be erupting into a hive of PLA activity. If necessary, Martinez will have to lead his team all the way into the Magellan National Reserve on foot. Hopefully the results of this mission will be worth the price being paid for it.

�Stirps Virilis�

# ¿ Apr 11, 2024 15:53

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