Here's my game notes for the Ambush. Since I had so many player characters and multiple goons that I know I lost track of them by the end of the second round of combat. Too many moving pieces for me to keep track of while re-familiarizing myself with the Palladium rules.
This episode stars the following characters:
- Corporal Anton Towers ............... Veritech Fighter ............ Veritech Fighter Pilot O.C.C.
- Corporal Ethan St. John ............. Veritech Fighter ............. Veritech Fighter Pilot O.C.C.
- Corporal Zaadu ............................ Excalibur Destroid ........ Zentraedi Military Specialist O.C.C.
Plot Synopsis:
Captain Bell* of B Wing summons the characters and assigns them to protection duty for a prominent RDF engineer and scientist, Professor Hector de León. RDF Intelligence believes he is being targeted by the Santos de la Muerte Negra ("Black Death Saints"), more commonly known just as SMN. They are a local criminal cartel of some renown for violence and drug trafficking. It is unknown why the gang wants the professor, but it can't be good since the Professor is the area's leading expert on Robotechnology. The characters are assigned to the professor's protection detail.
* This character is a tribute to an old friend from way back. He was the one who introduced the Robotech series and the RPG to me. My friend is no longer with us but not forgotten.
The professor is schedule to give a speech at a Robotechnology Engineering symposium in Ascendance City. The player characters will meet the professor at his home and set up the security detail. Sergeant Atencio, Corporal Ortiz, and Corporal Abernathy remain at the professor's home setting up the security detail there. Corporals Towers, St. John, and Zaadu escort the professor's automobile in their mechs. While the player characters escort the professor to the symposium, the SMN will make their attempt to snatch the professor. If the SMN can't get at the professor, they will then try for his daughter in the hope they can exchange her for him or she dies.
Why do the SMN want the good professor? The cartel has been infiltrated by the Zentraedi terrorist faction known as the Red Path. The Red Path want the good professor and his expertise so they have agents in the SMN kidnapping squad and when that fails, the professor's regular security. The Red Path plan for SMN to do all of the work and then the Red Path will take the professor from the gang. If that fails, they will directly attempt to snatch the professor from his security detail (a.k.a. the characters).
The Ambush
Professor de León's motorcade is travelling through the south-western district of Ascendance City as the Professor makes his way to the Robotech Symposium that he is scheduled to speak at. This route was chosen primarily because the area has automated factories with a minimal amount of civilians present.
Adventure Layout
Scene 1: Ascendance City, RDF Command, Captain Bell's Office.
Captain Bell receives his orders and assigns B Wing of Vagabond Squadron to Professor de León's security detail. Captain Bell is unhappy with the rules of engagement but orders are orders.
- B Wing splits into into two units.
- Vagabond Squadron are given the orders of engagement that they cannot fire until they are fired upon first. Missile use within city boundaries also require RDF Command authorization. Zaadu and Anton both grumble about that last order, but not aloud enough to be heard.
- One will travel with the Professor and act as his security detail while the rest remain at the Professor's home. Corporals Towers, St. John, and Zaadu will accompany the Professor. The second unit consists of sergeant Atencio and corporals Abernathy and Ortiz who have set up base in the Professor's home. Ortiz is in radio contact with B Wing in the field while Atencio has a direct line to RDF Command.
Scene 2: AutoFactory District, South*Western Ascendance City
It is mid-day and the RDF motorcade is on schedule as it takes its (supposedly) secret route through Ascendance City's automated manufacturing plants. Zaadu's Excaliber destroid is following the motorcade while the two two Veritechs (in Guardian mode) are hovering above it.
- Suddenly an amphibious all*terrain vehicle blocks the street ahead while two more vehicles block the motorcade's exit. Three Zentraedi tactical battle pods and one light artillery battle pod appear from their ambush locations - two on each side of the motorcade. All of the Zentraedi battle pods are decorated with the colourful paintings and insignia of the SMN.
- The PCs' veritechs and destroid immediately detect the vehicles and Zentraedi mecha.
*Jose Cordova steps out of the Recon vehicle with a loud speaker and demands that Professor de Leon be turned over to them or else they all die. Zaadu's voice booms out from his destroid's loudspeaker, "Not on my watch you're not."
Ambush Positioning
COMBAT BEGINS - ROUND 1
INITIATIVE 20:
- Anton Towers radios in to report that they are under attack by hostile Zentraedi forces. He request permission to engage (since standing orders states they can only fire if fired upon). He gets confirmation from Ortiz that they are allowed to engage the enemy.
- He decides to target the light artillery pod first. He fires a long burst from his GU-11 Gun Pod at the mecha's missile pivot. That's a called shot - needs a 12 or higher to hit. He rolls a 17. That's a hit. The opponent attempts to dodge but fails and takes 16 points of mega*damage. He attempts to roll with the damage but fails and takes full damage.
- He fires another long targeted burst at the same target. He got a 20 on that attempt. The battle pod tries to dodge and does so! (-1 attack next round).
- Anton fires another targeted long burst at the same target and gets a 18. The target attempts to dodge but fails. He takes 23 points of mega*damage. The missile pivot is destroyed thus rendering the missiles useless.
- Anton gains +100 XPs for the good idea of striking at the pod's missile pivot.
INITIATIVE 17:
- Glosk is driving Car #3. He steps out with a heavy laser rifle and fires two shots at the rear RFD motorcade car. One blast hits and it does 3 mega-damage to the car.
- SMN #5 jumps out of Car #3 and moves towards the motorcade with his sub*machine gun ready.
INITIATIVE 16:
* Jose Cordova pulls out a heavy laser rifle and aims at the first car in the motorcade. He got a 12 which hits the car. It takes 4 M.D. to its body. The front of the car is a smoking wreck.
INITIATIVE 15:
- The Zentraedi Lunzar is in Tactical Battle Pod #1. He is targeting St. John's Vertitech Fighter with with his dual mounted Particle Beam Cannons. He fires four blasts with rolls of 2, 2, 4, and 21. That's one hit and three misses. Ethan attempts to dodge the attack. He gets a 15 and fails. That's one hit. Ethan rolls with the blast and his Veritech takes 8 M.D.
- Zaadu gains +100 XPs for the good idea of striking at the AAR-Recon vehicle.
INITIATIVE 14:
* Zaadu fires one of his Particle Beam Cannons at the AAR-Recon vehicle (driven by SMN #1). He gets a 15. The driver of the AAR-Recon attempts to dodge the blast but fails (he rolled a 5). The vehicle takes 26 M.D. and becomes a burning wreck! 16 M.D. carries over to those inside the vehicle. Cordova is thrown from the blast, he rolls with it, and takes 4 points of damage. The other five SMN members in the vehicle get a Dodge check to see if they can exit the vehicle before it blows up; they get rolls of 6, 9, 12, and 18. Only SMN #4 makes it out of the vehicle alive (but he takes 5 points of damage as a result; it was 10 damage but he successfully rolled with it with a 18). Scratch SMN #1, SMN #2, SMN #3 from the combat.
INITIATIVE #13:
- First up is Ethan St. John. He requests permission to use missiles (since they are still in city limits). Ortiz responds on the radio that his request has been relayed to HQ, wait for confirmation (next round). In the meantime, Ethan only has 3 attacks available on this round (he used two to dodge previously). He fires 3 long bursts from his gun pod at Tactical Battle Pod #2 (piloted by Zentraedi Pell). He rolls a 13, 16, and a 20 for 3 hits. Pell tries to dodge the attacks. He gets a 11, 20, and a 22. He dodges two attacks but the third one hits for 23 M.D. total (he failed his roll with impact save).
- Over comms, Ethan asks Zaadu if he knows the Zentraedi they're fighting. Zaadu tells Ethan off in so many words. The voice of Sergeant Atencio comes across the radio telling them to cut the chatter.
- RDF Driver #1 pulls out his RDF issued laser pistol and fires at Cordova (from the window). He gets a 18 for the hit. Cordova attempts to dodge but he's too slow. He takes 19 points of damage. The driver gets another shot off and hits with a 20. Cordova takes full damage - all 15 points. Cordova is seriously hurt (no S.D.C. left and is taking HP damage).
- RDF Driver #2 does the same but he takes a shot at Glosk in Car #3. He missed. He tries again and hits with a 18. Glosk attempts to dodge but fails. Glosk takes 16 points of damage.
- Pell gets to return fire against Ethan's Veritech. He has only one attack remaining. He fires an individual blast from his particle beam cannon. He rolls an 11. Ethan gets a 20 for his dodge and he ignores the attack (-1 attack next round).
INITIATIVE #12:
- SMN Enforcer #1 fires his submachine gun at Car #2 but does no damage (his weapon does normal damage and not mega-damage). He is using his sub-machine gun as suppressive fire at those inside the vehicle.
- Zentraedi SMN #1 and Zentraedi SMN #2 are both armed with heavy laser rifles that they fire at Zaadu's destroid.
- Zentraedi SMN #1 gets a 15 and 17 for his attacks. Zaadu ignores his attacks. His destroid takes 5 M.D.
- Zentraedi MSN #2 gets a 17 and 23 for his attacks. Zaadu allows his destroid to take damage. He wants his full attacks on his next round. His destroid takes another 5 M.D.
INITIATIVE #8:
* The Zentraedi Light Artillery Combat Pod fires his dual mounted particle beam cannons at Anton's Veritech. He gets a 4, 11, and a 20. Anton attempts to dodge the two hits. He gets a 20 and a 31! He dodges both attacks (-2 attacks on next round).
INITIATIVE #4:
* SMN Enforcer #2 is in Car #3. He fires his heavy laser rifle at Car #2. He gets an 8 and 11. The car can't move and takes the damage. The car takes 6 mega*damage total! The driver attempts to escape the wreckage. He rolls a 16 and gets out of the car in time. He takes 3 damage total.
INITIATIVE #2:
* SMN #5 grabs Cordova and makes a break for it. He moves to the north end of the street.
COMBAT - ROUND 2
INITIATIVE #20:
- Anton goes first. A natural 20 for initiative again (2 times in a row so far). That was a surprise. Anton has only one attack available this round. An important announcement comes across the radio that they have permission to use missiles! Anton fires a volley of three high explosive (med.) SRM at the Light Artillery Battle Pod. He rolls a 17 for a hit for the volley. The LABP attempts to shoot down the incoming missiles which uses all three of his attacks for this round. He rolls a 1, 2, and a 11. Two missiles hit their target! The pod takes 75 mega-damage (he made both of his roll against impact saves)! The Zentraedi inside takes the remaining damage. Luckily his armour absorbs it (leaving 25 M.D.C. protection). He has exited the pod's wreckage and is armed with his Zentraedi assault rifle.
- RDF Driver #1 is using the vehicle's radio to call for support. The Professor is unarmed but their car is seriously compromised and the second vehicle has been destroyed.
INITIATIVE #19:
* Zentraedi SMN #1 fires his heavy laser twice at Zaadu's Excaliber destroid. He rolls a 14 and a 18 for hits. Zaadu ignores their "stings" (3 M.D.).
INITIATIVE #16:
* Ethan has all five attacks available. 1) He fires 1 volley of high explosive (heavy) SRM (2 missiles) against Tactical Battle Pod #2. He gets a 15. Pell tries to dodge but gets a 12 and a 13 (*2 Attacks next round). Pell then attempts to roll with the explosion but gets a 13 so fails. His battle pod takes 200 M.D. and Pell dies in the explosion. 2 & 3) He fires 2 long bursts from his gun pod at Tactical Battle Pod #1. He rolls a 17 and 27! Lunzar tries to dodge. He gets a 21 and a 23. He dodges one blast but the other does 24 M.D.. Lunzar fails to roll with the damage. 4) He fires a plasma/heat (heavy) MRM at the same target. He gets a 20. Lunzar fails to dodge and to roll with the blast. He takes 80 M.D. Lunzar's battle pod explodes but Lunzar himself survived the blast with no body armour and a slight flesh wound. He is still armed with a Zentraedi assault rifle. 5) He fires a long burst at Lunzar with a 13. Lunzar dodges the blow (-1 Attack).
INITIATIVE #15:
- RDF Driver #2 makes his way to Car #1 where he takes cover behind it. He fires his RDF laser pistol at the exposed target of SMN Enforcer #1. He gets a 2 and 19. That's one hit. The enforcer attempts to dodge but fails (rolled a 1). The target takes 10 points of damage and is wounded.
- SMN Enforcer #1 yells at Glosk to retreat (Glosk is driving the Car #3). In the meantime, he fires 2 short bursts from his submachine gun back at the RDF Driver. Since the driver is under cover, this requires a called shot to hit (12 or higher to hit). The Enforcer gets a 9 and a 17 so that's one possible hit. The RDF Driver attempts to dodge both attacks. He gets a 15 and fails. The driver takes 14 points of damage and is seriously wounded (no S.D.C. left).
INITIATIVE #14:
* SMN #5 has Cordova and are making their way to escape during the chaos of the battle.
INITIATIVE #13:
* Zaadu grits his teeth when he ushers the following words on his loudspeaker, "You with the pea shooters, lay down your arms and surrender or face annihilation." He aims his particle beam cannons at the two land rovers (Car #3 & Car #4). They don't seem to be surrendering so Zaadu fires his cannons at the vehicles. He has 5 attacks.
1) He fires at Car #4 with a (modified) 20. The driver attempts to swerve but fails (he got a roll of 4). The car gets hit for 53 M.D.! It explodes in a fiery blaze. The occupants make a Dodge roll in an attempt to escape the burning wreckage. They all succeed (modified rolls of 20, 20, 22) and are thrown from the blast taking 14 points of damage each (all three failed their roll with impact saves).
2) He fires his second PBC at Car #3 and hits with a modified 12. The driver attempts to swerve but fails his drive skill roll and the vehicle takes 50 M.D. exploding in flames! Glosk, Enforcer #1, and Micronized Zentraedi #1 and #2 are all killed in the blast!
End of Combat:
The remaining Zentraedi pods make a run for it but are wiped out by missiles fired from the Veritechs. Cordova has escaped to regroup with the SMN. Alternate transportation and security forces arrive by the RDF and the local Argentinian city police. The RDF get jurisdiction since the attack included malcontent Zentraedi. The local police argue that they have jurisdiction since the attack was by the SMN. Professor de Léon doesn't care about the attack and only wants to make it to his symposium (which he is late for already).
The Symposium goes without a hitch and the Professor heads home afterwards without any further incident. His daughter, Mariana dots over him once she learned of the attack (from radio chatter at the communications layout set up Corporal Ortiz at the Professor's home). (Ortiz gains 100 XP from setting up the communications array).
I awarded Anton, Ethan, and Zaadu 150 XPs each for the combat.
Debriefing:
Sergeant Atencio gives the PCs a debriefing where he tells them that intelligence has reported that the Santos de la Muerte Negra has supposedly been infiltrated by the Zentraedi terrorist organization known as the Red Path.
Anton asks how the attackers knew their route. He thought it was supposedly a secret. The Sarge agrees and mentions that there must be a mole somewhere in the RDF operations for those plans to leak. (Unknown to them, the leak is in the Professor's personal house security; they got paid off by the SMN). This leads to the next part where the SMN kidnaps Mariana de Léon in the hope to exchange her for her father. That's my next task... writing up Episode 2: Enter the Red Path.
Cheers,
Tim
