Marco Domici: The map, please

OOC: I'm assuming Jozu shared his insight into Evern.

Sergeant Arne read Verner's body language, turned to Marco and announced "Sergeant Arne of the Pine Ridge Mountain Men." He offered a crisp salute from his entire two meter frame.

Without thinking, Marco came to attention and returned Sergeant Arne's salute just as formally. He smiled, then, and shook hands.

The room smelled of beer, of course, but not overly so. The half wood, half sheetrock walls had recently been painted pale maroon on top and the wood stained dark on bottom. Images on the wall commemorated rustic life without idealizing it. In one corner was a mounted head of some creature Marco thought he had seen out during their hunting trip.

The floor creaked under the thin carpet as Marco walked to the center table. Off to the left, at the far end of the room, was a quarter portal for serving food and drinks. It was currently covered but looked well used. Obviously the room was the local meeting spot, and for Marco it felt comfortable without being too cozy.

"I reckon I am about the closest thing to 'in charge' of this unit. We heard Verner and some Voxholm Mountain Men were headed to these parts. When Derek called for help, well, we sort of dropped everything and came running. So I guess we're at your disposal, Sir."

As the sergeant detailed out the unit, Marco nodded, and asked a question or two.

"So what's the mission, Sir?" asked Sergeant Arne.

Marco looked at the sergeant for a moment, and then at the mayor. He seemed to belatedly remember that he was standing there in armor, with a lacar clipped off.

He nodded to himself, and smiled. "One moment, please." Sticking his head out of the door, he asked Betty "Ma'am; can you send Patrick, Johanna, and Rasmus this way? Sandwiches, if they can be found, and lots of coffee. I'm sure the war chest can get everyone a good hot meal. Thanks."

While they waited for the others, Marco turned to Evern. "Sir, the Mountain Men have entrusted you with a lot, and I understand if you are concerned about the future." He pointed at Evern's wedding ring. "That says you're willing to make a commitment, and you're willing to take care of others. That makes a man respectable."

"Still, tough time lay ahead. I'd like you involved in our mission. The Mountain Men seem to agree. If you're in, you're in all the way. If not, I understand. Your call." He paused. "But we need to know now. What we're going to talk about will put us at risk if we fail. I don't intend to fail, though. If you're not aware of what we're doing it might go easier on you should someone ask questions."

"Of course, if you're in, well, you and your family are as protected as we can make it. It probably means a change in life-style, but I'm thinking it's for the better."

[Evern answers. I rolled a 6 base, not counting Marco's insight based on Jozu's info or the elegance of his soliloquy.]

Food, coffee, and the others arrived. Patrick carried in a large wooden platter of sandwiches and Rasmus had two large thermos carafs of coffee. They set everything on a side table while Evern went to the portal to ask for coffee mugs and hand towels.

"Nice!" Marco said, and then added. "Wait, Patrick. Please." He turned to Gabbie. "It's always better to have the Almighty on our side. Would you say grace?"

Gabbie blushed, but nodded. Her prayer was for all of them; success, safety, and a place in eternity for the righteous. Everyone added an "amen" and then Marco said "Room! Attention to orders." He turned to Gabbie, and added. "Lieutenant, please excuse me." He removed one of her collar insignias and turned to Arne.

"Lieutenant Arne, welcome to the Blue Dragons!" Everyone clapped. "We are the military arm of the Biter Interim Government. Nominally formed as a Raider company, our capabilities are growing, though. Everyone, eat! I'll start the briefing. The rest of the unit should be getting chow now. Once we have the basic plan you'll brief your teams."

Within minutes the heaped platter was severely depleted. Gabbie had gotten an extra stack and set it on a towel near Marco. He also got a steaming hot mug of coffee that he very gratefully accepted.

"Arne, you're up first. Our first goal is to rescue Matthias Dovell from Camp M. You probably guessed that. There are some details you might have missed, but may be guessing at."

Marco pointed around the room. "Guide members. Red Cards, Mountain Men. We even have a poet and a retired acrobat. Our first unit action is the raid on Camp M. We will rescue the unjustly held prisoners and exfiltrate each and every one of them. Not just Matthias. Everyone."

"I hear there are some folks there who ought to be in prison." Arne said.

"Yes." Patrick replied. "I lead the hostage rescue teams, lieutenant. Our primary purpose is to ensure we get everyone out. I was talking to a few of your men outside, you have a lot of medical expertise we will need. Still..." He looked at Marco, who nodded. "Some of those people deserve to be in prison. Or worse. One of my teams will deal with that."

"You'd kill them?" Arne asked, looking directly at Patrick.

"Yes." Patrick replied. "My wife and daughters are at home right now hoping we succeed. They are praying that we do. They are praying that we make the world a better place. I'll do what I have to so that happens."

Arne nodded.

"Arne, here's the deal." Marco said as he pointed to the map they had comp'd out on the table. "This raid is our first action. Our real goal is to take the planet. Verner and Ingalil lead the Biter Interim Government on the hope that the Star Confederation is about to launch an invasion. Hofud struck at the Confed and they are going to retaliate. Biter will be a stepping stone to Hofud itself."

"Win or lose, we all know about the horrific cost a war of conquest would entail. Everyone in this room has chosen an alternative; we will take over the planet and officially request Star Confederation technical and medical assistance."

"You're joking...you're not joking, are you?"

"Nope." Marco shook his head. "My jokes are never that good anyway."

Patrick nodded.

Arne looked around the room. He saw the different shapes and sizes of the people there. He saw the determination in their eyes, as well.

"We're in, sir. What do you need?"

"Right now, eyes on the target." Marco pointed at the map. "Send your best two two-man recon teams in to do a detailed passive recon. One scout, one sniper." Marco pointed to the map. "We know what should be there, but let's verify. Two more teams, small, range out as flankers to ensure there are no hidden surprises in the hills. Your people know the area, give us the best path to the Camp and then the best route to leave by."

"They will get as embedded as they can, given the short time frame. One team on the far left, near Guard tower four. The other opposite Guard tower six. We'll bring on of your vehicles up to the gate and act lost. When the shooting starts the marksmen take out the guards on all the towers. Start from the back as attention will be on us up front. Those if us at the gate will deal with anyone there on the ground."

"Take one of your vehicles and drop the recon teams as far forward as you dare. We need them moving in 30 minutes. Your comms person, Bohrs? Sit him in our command vehicle to get used to the gear. Derek can help out but he needs a rest, too. Derek may be able to open the doors in the sequence we need. Bohrs can probably help."

He pointed at Johanna. "She's our Command and Control lead. If the recon teams can do a low level signal our comms should be able to pick it up. She'll relay it back to us and we can adjust our plans as we need to."

"Work with Patrick to put some of your medics with the Hostage Rescue Teams. Any supplies you need to buy here in town, grab them and send me the bill. If you have extra weapons, some of our people are short-handed."

"I'll have the point team. If you have anyone good in CQB and blowing doors, send them my way. Otherwise you and Verner organize the best long range shooters and close in combat teams. Integrate with Gabbie's people, she could use another fire team. Johanna can help your mix your people in. We'll use your vehicles as anchor points."

"My guess is that the camp defenses are going to be focused on anti-vehicle options. We will move in with boots on the ground and bring in the vehicles if needed, or once the major defenses are down. We will need a lot of vehicles to get everyone out."

"That's the high level." Marco said. "Go sort your teams and get those scouts out. It's zero-two-forty-eight now; have everyone briefed and fed by zero-three-thirty. I'll give everyone a quick run down and then we sack out. The scouts should be in place by zero-six and we can give everyone five hours of blissful rest until the day gets lively."

"At zero seven thirty our intel should be in and we will start the dry runs. Questions?"