Strange Telemetry [Batrep #12]

United States - North American Combine Command [USNACC - 1] 03:34:07 zulu

Several short-burst ELF radio transmissions from just outside of the old Sheffield Nuclear Plant are detected by SATINT USNACC-1 EURCOM relays. 

INCOMING TRANSMISSION TO USNACC.

Priority: Normal.

Title: Unidentified radio burst near Sheffield, UK. Close proximity to site of former Sheffield OGREWERX factory.

Source: undetermined.

Destination: undetermined.

Anomalous Machine Language. unidentified.

Objectives: Reconnaissance in force. Establish control of Sheffield OGREWERX area of operations. Ensure no ongoing United Kingdom operations are active. Eliminate any UK presence in AO without sacrificing operational effectiveness. The use of Tactical Nuclear Missiles is authorized. 

Strategic Air Transport will be standing by and remain in the AO until the Evac signal 'Geronimo' is called.

MILTEK MEMORANDUM FOR IMMEDIATE CIRCULATION

From: Chief Operating Officer - Miltek Corporation

To: 7th Brigade Command Department; MiltekCom; LogisticsSupplyCom;

To all concerned departments and personnel:

The MilTek Corporation has been called on to meet contractual obligations through the Pan-European Intelligence Service and the ECC as the premiere rapid-response units in the British Isles. 

Assignment: Meeting engagement with US NAC troops deploying in and around the former Sheffield OGREWERX plant.

Area of Operations: Sheffield, United Kingdom.

Target: United States NAC units moving toward the area of Sheffield, England. 

Background: The United States North American Combine Command has deployed combat resources inside the ECC [English] Area of Operations near the old Sheffield OGREWERX factory. These forces have a large slow-moving artillery train which has a high probability of including nuclear missiles. The USNACC-1 Command is in direct violation of Pan-European and British interests. It is unclear as to the objectives of this force.

SigInt has provided us a window of opportunity to launch a strike against this heavy recon force of 18 hours. The mission of the USNACC is unclear, but must be high priority to move this size force into the English mainland. 

Several low-bandwidth ELF signals were detected in the immediate area of the OGREWERX approximately 48 hours before the deployment of NAC forces. This may be a reaction force to determine the source of those signals.  

At this time, no intelligence assets are aware of the nature of these transmissions. The signals terminated and have not been detected again.

The 7th Brigade will deploy a large Combined Arms Force to the AO and eliminate the US NAC units. The 7th Tigers will deploy all assets that can be combat ready within 10 hours to include tactical missiles. Per the contract Service Level Agreements in place, and with no PE or ECC units in the AO, the 7th is Free to Fire First. The 7th Brigade OOB can be read here:

This operation is expected to be casualty heavy as the 7th Brigade may need to dig-in and defend the area. Several Companies of infantry will be deployed for this purpose.

The Analytics Department has deemed 40% losses to be acceptable, though the Strategic Planning Board does not agree to this estimate with the threat of Cruise Missile Crawlers being in the operations area.

Good hunting Tigers!

Scenario - Meeting Engagement

Forces involved: 350 Points of MilTek Corporations 7th Brigade vs. 350 points of the United States North American Combine Command

Objective - No Objectives defined. Kill Points only.  Forces will deploy from the table edge.

The Strategic Map:

The Tactical Map:

The Miltek 7th pushed two flights of GEVs forward to get eyes on targets.

The MilTek right flank with GEV-CMD vehicle in the maneuver element. 

The USNACC-1 forces spread out to meet the opposition forces in and around Sheffield.

The maneuver element on the right flank keeps pace with the slow movers deploying into the urban enclave. 

MilTek GEV Flight 1 takes first blood on the US forces.

USNACC heavy armor and artillery move into Sheffield. 

The MilTek Commander takes the nuclear initiative as First Strike was authorized. 5 Heavy Tanks and 2 Light Tanks were vaporized and three Super Heavy Tanks and 2 Light Tanks were disabled for a turn.

MSL GEV's skirmish with the Heavy Armor and Artillery on the Eastern edge of the battlefield.

MilTek Infantry and Artillery finish deploying in the urban area while the maneuver element consolidates on the hills and in the forests. 

And then the Americans unleash the first of two nukes which would obliterate the MilTek right flank. 

The American missile took out exactly 5 heavy tanks and 2 light tanks equaling the toll that the British forces exacted with theirs. 

The USNACC pulled the bulk of the armor into the center of the battlefield and got ready for the final push on the MilTek ad-hoc stronghold...

The American Commander contemplates the current battlefield conditions. The battlefield looked to be firmly in his control at this point.

GEV Flight 2 harassed the American armor in the middle, but was overrun. Only the GEV commander, 'Tiger 2' was able to separate and fall back.

The US Commander fires the other missile at 'point-blank' range for a missile... but the British artillery take it out over his forces.

MilTek Infantry and Artillery hunker down in the cover of the urban area and wait for the Americans to strike.

The USNACC Commander reluctantly orders the advance against the dug-in British positions.

The British Commander decides that dying en mass inside cover is not the British way, and orders the armor forward into the middle of the American lines:

The MilTek armor takes its' toll on the advancing Americans. This was the last stand for the MilTek 7th, and a very British gamble.

At this point, the battle came down to straight dice - and the MilTek Commander had his GEV-CMD vehicle positioned so the 10-inch command radii covered almost every firing unit, giving them a +1 on the Attack Dice. It was a "Bloody Smashing success!" for the British gunners.

The USNACC-1 Commander calls Geronimo at this point and begins to withdraw from the field and ready the remaining American units for air transport.

 

The MilTek Commander allows the NAC units the peaceful withdrawal and evac from the Area of Operations without terms.

The source of the strange telemetry was not discovered.

MILTEK MEMORANDUM FOR IMMEDIATE CIRCULATION

From: Chief Operating Officer - Miltek Corporation

To: MilTek_BOD; MilTek_CMD;7th Brigade Command Department; MiltekComHR; LogisticsSupplyCom;

To all concerned departments and personnel:

The recent action in the Sheffield Area by the 7th Brigade resulted in a complete withdrawal of USNACC forces in the area.

Due to the bravery and valor of the 3rd company 'SuperCat' Super Heavy Company, the Brigade XO, The 2nd Armor Company CO and XO were all KIA.

The HR Department has opened up these positions to be filled until further notice and encourages all qualified officers to apply.

There will be Krumpets and Tea served in the HR Breakroom/HQ Facility at 0900 hours tomorrow.

Cheers,

FINAL SCORE:

American  USNACC-1: 162 points.

MilTek 7th Brigade: 202 points.

MilTek 7th Victory!

OGRE Batrep #11: Through Fields of Black Smoke

  OGRE Battle Report [BatRep #11]

Through Fields of Black Smoke

MILTEK MEMORANDUM FOR IMMEDIATE CIRCULATION

From: Chief Operating Officer - Miltek Corporation

To: 7th Brigade Command Department; MiltekCom; LogisticsSupplyCom;

To all concerned departments and personnel:

The MilTek Corporation has won a short-term contract through the Pan-European Intelligence Service and the ECC. 

Assignment: Surgical strike operation intended to reduce or eliminate combat effectiveness of defending troops deployed in and around a high-priority manufacturing facility. To extract all Q-bit inventory and anything else that is of intelligence importance from the facility.

Area of Operations: Dulce, New Mexico.

Target: Manufacturing facility owned by the holding companies funding the North American Combine. This manufacturing facility fabricates computer chips for Q-bit AI machines used in OGRE synthetic intelligence platforms. 

Background: The North American Combine has recently reallocated their combat assets away from this facility and have contracted out the defense of the facility to a Private Military Contractor [designation: "American Eagle PMC"]. 

++Note the AE PMC assets helped the IRS forces against the ECC++

SigInt has provided us a window of opportunity to launch a strike against this target of 72 hours. During this time, the AE PMC will have minimal assets on the ground while the bulk of their forces are railheading to the site.

The 7th Brigade will deploy a small armored Task Force supported by Light GEVs and Artillery.  You are expected to operate for a maximum of 12 hours to complete the operation. The TF will airlift to the Area of Operations and the BRIGADE COMMANDER [Charlie 71A] and the BRIGADE XO [C72] will deploy in SuperCats with this strike force and command the operation from the ground. This is a priority contract and bonuses will be paid for reclamation of the Q-bit assets. 

Intelligence: The OpFor [American Eagle Private Military Contractor] Group is expected to be armor heavy with a mix of Super Heavy, Heavy and Light Tanks. This force is likely to have a small contingent of GEV assets as well.

This operation is a high-risk high reward type contract. The Analytics Department has deemed 80% losses to be acceptable, though the Strategic Planning Board does not foresee this many casualties.

Good hunting Tigers!

Scenario - Meeting Engagement

Forces involved: 120 Points of NA Combine "American Eagle Private Military Contractors" vs. 120 points of MilTek Corporation assets

Objective - No Objectives defined. Kill Points only.  Forces will deploy from the table edge.

The Strategic Map:

The Tactical Map:

The MilTek Corporation initial advance corridor toward the Dulce manufacturing plant.

The AE PMC response

MilTek C71A moves the strike force straight into Dulce with no resistance.

The AE PMC Commander responds quickly, drawing first blood.

LGEV and Light Tanks begin skirmishing around the plant. 

MilTek LGEVs take out a heavy tank and then retreat back into the industrial area.

C71A SuperCat and 1st Platoon E Company push into the AE PMC armor.

C72 and 1st platoon D Company turn left into the SuperHeavies taking positions on the hill. 

The American Eagle units at the front of the ill-fated spearhead are wiped out - but the flanking hill looms over the MilTek forces. C71A orders an advance.

Crimson Tiger assets advance through the industrial park.

MilTek Artillery makes short work of the Super Heavies, but not before they took  a toll on the MilTek advance wiping out 2 heavies and white smoking another.

MilTek 7th took out the last armor squadron and the 1 GEV left hiding behind the hill, for a total wipe of the American Eagle Contractors. The MilTek Commander ordered the hasty removal of intelligence assets and withdrawal of forces through fields of black smoke.

The MilTek 7th Task Force would take the Q-bit assets and head to the airlift AO to the south unmolested. Bonuses were paid!

MilTEk Total Victory!

OGRE Batrep #10: The Descartes Gambit

 OGRE Battle Report [BatRep #10]

+++This scenario is third-hand information stolen by the Belarussian SigInt battalion through satellite communications which were not encrypted.+++

The Descartes Gambit

Inside the hardened bowels of the Denver International Airports'  Deep Underground Military Base, server blades powered on and began wargaming a very specific scenario. One that was programmed 5 years earlier and contingent upon certain fail-safes. Fail-Safes put in place by the North American Combine AI network in tandem with a high level Federal Agency: The IRS.

This was the Descartes AI and it was programmed to become self-aware and operative only if certain conditions were met. 

The Descartes program ran through 3,577,289 scenarios in just under 3.73 seconds. It analyzed the results in another 27 seconds and some change and made its' decision. It reached out to an IRS agent program hibernating somewhere in the Black Sea and brought it to life. It issued orders and waited for a response.

The Eastern European Cooperative [An upstart coalition of Ukrainian, Latvian, a smattering of Romanians and a few Serbian territories] had borrowed a rather large sum of credits from the NA Combine with only the promise to pay back the Federal Taxes at interest over a 5 year period. A simple contract. One the EEC failed to complete.

+++++++++++++++

Somewhere at the bottom of the Black Sea a Mark V OGRE rumbled to life, sent an affirmation of orders to the Descartes AI and began making way for the Port of Odes[s]a in the Ukrainian Territories. It would rendezvous with a small escort battalion of heavy armor already being transported into the Area of Operations and move north into the province of Novo-Stara. The OGRE was designated [Bones] and was an agent of the NA Combines' IRS Federal Seizure assets.

+++++++++++++++

Having completed the routines as instructed, the Descartes program powered down: Bones and its' escorts were enroute to the objective area. The chances of success were estimated to be 88.76102 percent if the chosen configuration of forces was correct.

Scenario - Meeting Engagement

Forces involved: 300 Points of NA Combine vs. 300 points of Eastern European Cooperative Forces

Objective - No Objectives defined. Kill Points only.  Forces will deploy inside deployment zones.

The Strategic Map:

The Tactical Map:

+++These are unedited and unformatted pictures from stolen satellite data. Most information gathered can be assumed to be speculative at best.+++

This is the widest angle photo available among the drone and/or sat images captured from the NA Combine IRS uplinks.

The Mark V IRS Agent Bones arrives with Super-Heavy escorts

The 'asset seizure program' commences north of the port city of Odes[s]a, Ukraine Territories.

The IRS heavy escort for the OGRE MK V

This view from the north shows initial disposition of forces with the ECC units in the foreground and TF Eagle to the left top and the IRS units in the top right.

The Ground Effect Units met in the lake in the middle of the map before the armor could negotiate the crowded terrain.

The ECC GEV forces picket the TF Eagle GEVs out on the lake while their armor assets closed with the MK V.

In a close-up of the above photo, Intelligence shows the IRS assets in green supported by a Task Force of NA Combine regulars designated as TF Eagle. The blue, gold, and black assets are ECC forces from the Ukraine, Latvia, Romania and Serbia.

The two forces met in between Novo and Stara Territories north of Odes[s]a.

The blue and gold ECC forces take the fight to the NAC IRS OGRE and escorts just outside of the Novo territory, Ukraine.

Approximately 7km from the MK V, TF Eagle and what looked to have been a secondary detachment from the ECC met in the woods in around the town of Novo.

From initial intel, this battle appears to have been won by the ECC forces.

ECC forces disposition at the beginning phase of the battle of Novo:

ECC forces disposition at the end of the battle of Novo:

'Agent Bones' rolls up on the ECC remaining forces and lets loose with missiles, mains and secondary batteries scoring multiple X and XX hits on the ECC

After the MK V collected its' taxes in arrears the remaining ECC units capitulated to it:

Not much of the ECC force was left to seize. 

SigInt believes the remaining ECC forces were seized as partial payment due and picked up for transport with the remaining NAC forces minus the OGRE. The Mk V designated 'Bones' made it's way back to the Black Sea. 

FINAL SCORE:

IRS/TF Eagle NAC: 71point margin over the Eastern European Cooperative

CRUSHING IRS Victory!