Durgama Takeover

*Begin Recording*

“Greetings commanders, this recording is the after action report of an experimental technology test conducted recently. The technology, dubbed “space bug”, is designed as a delivery system for the Maghariba TAG in orbital and deep space operations. Utilizing the chaos of the combined attack on the Raveneye an assault was quickly planned to test the effectiveness of the system. The port battery was chosen as a suitable infiltration point, the goal a system access key to allow further infiltration of the station. While the capabilities of a technology are important, their implementation and the feasability of the tactics they enable are important too. Following is a recording of the assault itself.”

*Pictures of the port battery appear, presumably from security cameras*

An explosion rocks the area as a large metal scorpion slams through a bulkhead, a small cadre of EVA suited soldiers and remotes quickly following it in and taking up defensive positions. Nomad forces, already on high alert, quickly form a picket line to scout for threats and screen vulnerable assets.

A single trooper, irregular by the looks of his uniform and animal features, runs forward to scout the breach. The scorpion-tank, positioned to defend the ingress of its supporting troops, lets off a shot as it ambushes the nomad. The irregular trooper is evaporated by the heavy round and the Nomad forces erupt into action. The Nomad TAG quickly claims the high ground in between the two forces, sending shots at the Maghariba as it advances. The return fire scores a hit, and the TAG uses its position to provide covering fire for the main response. Several figures dart forward from the Nomad lines towards the invaders flanks, a Chimera and her attendants. A small sensor blur, helpfully picked out in red, advances directly towards the frontlines. As it does so one of the support bots detects it, highlighting it and revealing the Nomad skirmisher to be a Heckler. The Heckler attempts to continue its advance, but is blinded by the support bots covering fire. The other Nomad skirmishers reinforce their picket line with deployable weapons, several mines getting dangerously close to the Haqq forces. The Chimera continues to dart forward until one of the Haqq troopers detects them, dodging around a corner to bring his flamethrower to bear. The Chimera dodges into cover, while her buddies rush the flamer. A blast of flame fails to connect, although the fire activates one of the perimeter weapons which takes out the poor trooper. He has bought his comrades time though, successfully stalling the Chimeras flanking maneuver. Several Nomad remotes take up firing positions to guard their flanks against a counterattack.

The Haqq counterpush begins with a lone soldier advancing into the middle, activating perimeter defenses and dodging with inhuman grace. The unit, labeled Namurr in the recording, advances on the Heckler. Several rounds of buckshot down the Nomad but not before he can deploy a repeater. The Namurr advances again, putting shots into the exposed Chimera, downing her too. On the right flank the Maghariba advances, attempted to break through the Nomad remotes, but is stymied by a large chemical spill which seems to be disrupting its targeting.

With the Haqq TAG slowed the Nomad TAG, now labeled Szalamandra, advances. Pouring heavy fire into the Haqq lines it takes down several remotes, the Namurr, and a trooper overwatching with a missile launcher. One of the picket troops, a Moran, decamps and heads to the downed Chimera. Unfortunately he is unable to lift and evacuate her.

The Maghariba attempts to punch through the flank to answer the Szalamandra but is again unable to make headway against the guarding remotes, though it does manage to take out one of the Nomad hackers. An additional Haqq trooper, a Nahab, zips through the breach and lands, then uses an adjacent remote to launch a network attack on the remaining Nomad hacker taking it out too.

The Szalamandra again continues its advance, removing the rest of a now exposed Haqq fireteam. This allows a second Moran the space it needs to advance to and pick up the Heckler, although the Nomad forces appear to have run out of momentum at this point. As they draw back slightly and take up defensive firing positions.

With most of its support gutted, the Maghariba charges straight forward, laying heavy fire on the Nomad remotes and finally managing to break through. Fire into the exposed flank of the Szalamandra destroys it and an attack from behind takes out the Moran and Heckler, denying any intel they might have retrieved.

“Conclusion; while the inclusion of the Maghariba allowed for heavy armor tactics in a situation it would not normally be available, the technology itself needs some adjustment. The entry was too violent, and the destructive effects on the environment severely hampered operational effectiveness. For future tests we would also like to requisition a small scouting element. The coverage the Nomad troops were able to achieve with their skirmishing units suggests some amount of counter skirmishing will be necessary in future engagements. The engagement itself proved inconclusive, although we can claim small material advantages.”