Butler
Tamar March, Lyran Commonwealth
April 19th 3051
Where my DropShips had landed was our base of operations east of the center of the continent. The 39th had their own DropShips scattered, with at least five kilometers between them. I knew that having mine all together made them a tempting target for bombing runs, but the Clans seemed to rarely want to use bombers. In a pinch, we could relocate some of our DropShips, at least the aerodyne ones, while the others would have to risk going sub-orbital – easy prey for enemy Aerospace if unescorted. I had the workings of a plan to use some DropShips as bait if it became necessary, but only if it became necessary.
I had met with Hauptmann General Bragg, who commented that I was taller than she had expected. She was a no-nonsense commander who was very honest about the capabilities of her RCT. They were brave, would follow orders, and had decent equipment, but they were not as good as the Clan opponents they had fought. The tactic that had seemed to work best during their hit-and-run attacks was to have two sacrificial lambs turn and be closest to the pursuers while heading in a perpendicular direction. The Diamond Sharks had regularly taken the bait, allowing their 'Mechs and armor to stay on the run.
My battle plans were not overly complicated. The goal was to have their 'Mechs hit our forward elements, who would 'fade' back into more entrenched positions – bloody their nose and then fall back to the next prepared position. Paths clear of mines would be used, with pre-aligned ranges targeted into our artillery so that when the enemy 'Mechs followed the safe path my own 'Mechs took, they would be at ground zero for dozens of artillery shells.
I knew that the easiest way to circumvent this defense plan was simply to go around, which was why we had elements whose goal was to lure the enemy into where we wanted them. If they didn't take the bait, it would get dicey. However having cleared safe paths to what would become their rear while they forged through fresh forest would allow further opportunity to flank and harass their approach, but if that failed we had a final layer of defense before they reached our DropShips. Strafing by their Aerospace elements would be countered by our flak munitions and the Aerospace wings we had.
I missed both my Gargoyle and my Phoenix Hawk, but I was a quick learner, and the Kingfisher was quite an impressive machine. Two large pulse lasers, two medium pulse lasers, an LRM-10, a Streak SRM-6, and an ER small laser made for some significant firepower. The type of engine wasn't tonnage-efficient, but it was less likely to be destroyed than the powerful XL engines. It ran cool, and almost all its weapon systems could be fired without worrying about heat.
Lautner had wanted to continue piloting his Atlas, but missing one of the torsos made that a bad idea. It would be kept back at the DropShips and used as a last resort. Instead, he would use the Zeus that Mark Harris owned but couldn't currently pilot. His injuries were severe, but if NAIS could give Justin Allard a new arm, I bet they would be able to find a way for Mark to pilot again. Sadly, the Zeus in question lacked any of the technological advancements of the past twenty years. Still, I had no doubt that Colonel Lautner would make good use of it.
Outside of the Kingfisher, none of the 'Mechs taken as salvage would be usable in this battle. However, if we survived, I had hopes that the Executioner could be restored. The engine and gyro were still functional, though the remaining leg was shot, and the entire cockpit – along with the sensors and life-support systems – was destroyed. Between my own wrecked Gargoyle and the two destroyed Diamond Shark Gargoyles, Westfield thought they might be able to do something, but it would be a lengthy project.
We managed to get one of the Imps back in service, so Lautner still had a 'brute lance' composed entirely of assault 'Mechs. In terms of other Clan technology beyond my new Kingfisher, I had one Summoner, which would be piloted by Kommandant LeBeau, two Hellbringers, four Kit Foxes, an Adder, and an Ice Ferret. The lighter 'Mechs would be perfect for bait and lure tactics.
Our armor was going to be difficult to employ properly, but just because the region was forested didn't mean every inch of it was covered in trees. Much like Bragg's early efforts, we physically tore down trees and conducted a few controlled burns to create escape routes and firing lanes. The result was more of a loop into the woods and then back to the open areas.
The clock struck midnight – or rather, near midday local time – and the Diamond Sharks immediately began to move. We had low-flying VTOLs providing intelligence, with orders to scatter if any Aerospace units came their way. I had a single lance of Aerospace on patrol, with orders to retreat into field gun range if the enemy chose to engage them.
The Diamond Sharks were advancing, with Clusters about a klick apart. I signaled the artillery to begin firing on their leftward flank, and immediately, a hundred 'Mechs surged in that direction. I was a bit surprised by the forceful response.
Hmm they are going to run over my speedbump without any issue. Time to see if we can spread them out.
I ordered some of Bragg's lighter 'Mechs to hit the right flank and then immediately retreat. If we could pull their force in multiple directions, we might be able to then defeat them in detail. As I kept abreast of the activity, I began issuing orders to swing our 'Mechs toward their left flank. A few minutes later I learned contact had occurred with light 'Mechs and the enemy was firing back, but was not taking the bait.
Damn.
They were still headed toward our DropShips and had hit the first 'speed bump.' I knew that, at this very moment, dozens of my infantry were dying. The lead enemy 'Mechs ignored them, but the following ones took their time to eliminate them, all the while facing artillery fire through the trees. There was no real elegance to the enemy's approach; they were just driving hard directly for their objective.
I honestly had expected a bit more finesse. If I had known this was their plan, I would have adjusted things. As it was, I gave several orders in quick succession and instructed the vehicles to take the pathway back toward the DropShips. Meanwhile, I ordered the lead artillery units to quickly pack up and retreat. Kommandant LeBeau would strike at another salient, either pulling units away or letting that battalion of Spitfire Cannons fire all battle long.
My personal company included some of the heavier 'Mechs we had received from Nondi, while most of the Clan-tech 'Mechs were with LeBeau. Lautner would hold anchor at the DropShips. Bragg kept the pressure up on the right flank, but they still weren't taking the bait.
Ah, there it is – Aerospace fighters have launched. Five Stars, or fifty of them. They should have more, but maybe they want to keep some in reserve if we try to escape off-planet.
"Kommandant Mauer, you have permission to launch. Launch, then retreat to sector 2040. Good hunting."
"Copy that, HQ. We are locked and loaded."
***
Butler
Tamar March, Lyran Commonwealth
April 19th 3051
Star Colonel Lionel Arlond had taken command of the Galaxy and knew that if he was successful here, he might even be able to become the next Diamond Shark Khan. The earlier battles with the Hussars had been full of annoying tricks and disgraceful behavior, so he would not be playing their little game of being lured away from their main host. He would personally deal with the Dezgra artillery with 20 Stars of 'Mechs, two Stars of Elementals, and 5 Stars of Aerospace fighters. Meanwhile, the bulk of his force attacked their DropShips. They would need to protect them, or they would try to flee with them.
"Star Colonel Arlond, we have multiple JumpShips and DropShips that have arrived at the system's Nadir Point. We suspect it is another one of their RCT formations."
"Keep me informed as to what they do, but it will be at least two days before they can join the fight. I will not waste Aerospace assets on them when they may be needed here. It is now critical to end this battle as soon as possible."
Ahead, his lighter Stars reported a minefield. They scouted a path for his thrust at the artillery, and then they continued. Just past the minefield, they were hit by light tanks and SRM infantry. Lionel raced forward, eager to get into a proper fight. The Diamond Shark 'Mechs would make short work of them, but if he hurried, he might get a piece of the action.
"Clan OmniMechs have hit us. We count nearly two Stars and…"
The line went dead. Now eager, Arlond raced forward, but by the time he arrived, the enemy OmniMechs were gone, and artillery fire was raining down. He growled and ordered them to push further in. His recon units were getting hit hard, but the artillery had to be close.
Just a bit further…
A mine went off and ripped away some of the protective armor from his Timber Wolf.
"Stravag! They cannot have an infinite number of these. Go around and then gut the filthy freebirths!"
His armor took minor damage as an artillery shell exploded across his arm. These weapons were not deadly unless they were massed together, but bits of armor blasted off in a long march could quickly add up. A friendly Nova suddenly tipped over, its legs collapsing beneath it. The weight of the 'Mech itself leaned forward, but with the leg stuck, twisted metal screeched.
More artillery, more groups of infantry selling their lives for small delays. Finally, though, they reached the defensive line. 'Mechs and tanks dotted his sensor array, and he let his LRMs fly into a Crusader.
"Enemy Aerospace sighted; we are engaging." Shortly afterward, "The cowards are fleeing. Permission to pursue?"
"Neg, it is a trap, maintain overwatch of the battlefield."
Massed fire eradicated a friendly Mad Dog. In the lead was a Kingfisher that had sent waves of pulse lasers into it, alongside missiles and autocannon fire from Inner Sphere 'Mechs. Seeing a worthy fight, he tried to lock on, but the 'Mech moved around a tree. His LRMs and lasers pulped the thick tree, but did minimal damage in the carnage to the enemy 'Mech that had been behind it.
Infantry jumped up around his 'Mech, and he did a double take. They were not Elementals, but unarmored infantry. They were carrying a heavy satchel, and after a moment of shock, he shook his 'Mech forward and backward violently, throwing them and their satchels off. It went off with an explosion. That sort of blast would not have done significant damage, but it was still a danger. He fired his machine guns and watched their bodies explode into red splotches.
Distracted by the jumping infantry, he almost did not see the massive tank lumber through some fallen trees. It was only two hundred meters away, and the roar of autocannons shook him and his 'Mech as they smashed through armor plating with a relentless fusillade.
Enraged that he could not immediately engage with the Kingfisher, he turned his wrath on the tank. His LRMs and lasers smashed into it as it tried to find cover. He ignored the plink of smaller-caliber autocannons hitting him from yet another accursed infantry platoon and kept his focus on the tank until it shuddered to a halt and began to smoke. The crew exited, but he finished them off with another wave of machine-gun fire.
The bulk of his 'Mech force started to enter the fray as the artillery fire cadence picked up. He estimated that at least a battalion, at a minimum, was unleashing their payload. With the tank finished, he turned to find the Kingfisher, who was already in the thick of it. A Star Commander in his Cluster, who piloted an Adder, had been annihilated by sustained laser fire, followed up with SRMs. A Summoner from his Star had its leg kicked and had fallen to the ground, only for the Kingfisher to stomp down on the cockpit.
The pilot slew two 'Mechs in the time it took me to finish off the tank?
"I am Star Colonel…"
He never finished his challenge as an enemy Summoner and three Kit Foxes hit him with LBX autocannon fire, SRMs, lasers, and an ER PPC. The combination of firepower found the holes in his armor that the AC/20s on the tank had opened. Gyro hit, engine hit, and ammo exploded in his left torso. Superior Clan technology meant his entire 'Mech was not dead, but the combined damage, loss of torso, and gyro hit sent him to the ground. Blood in his mouth, he could only curse the Dezgra freebirths as the Kingfisher bothered to notice him and send deadly accurate pulse laser fire into his 'Mech, completing the kill.
***
Butler
Tamar March, Lyran Commonwealth
April 19th 3051
It was about as perfect an encounter as I could arrange, and the losses were still horrendous. Artillery raining down, my boldest jump-capable infantry, fixed and well-protected field guns, my four Demolishers, two battalions of armor courtesy of the Hussars, and two battalions of my own regiments were fighting them. Even with all that, I lost three of my Demolishers, almost the entirety of the two battalions of armor, and a battalion of my own 'Mechs. It was a bloody affair, but through combined fire and the sacrifices of my men, we managed to annihilate the attackers.
The main thrust of the enemy had smashed through two more of our speed bumps and straight across the minefield toward our DropShips. Not around, through, from the word I was receiving, two Stars of 'Mechs had taken enough damage to be left limping or had completely lost a leg. It was almost insane how single-minded they were.
On the bright side, from my position, our artillery was still in effective range of the main force, and we continued to pound the enemy as best we could. I gave orders, and the jaws of the various commands began to shut in on the Diamond Sharks. This required coordination to make sure we didn't destroy our own 'Mechs, but Colonel Fischer was quite good at that.
The enemy Aerospace had played cat and mouse outside of effective range with Kommandant Mauer, but after we defeated the thrust against the artillery, they changed tactics and chased my Aerospace down, right into our flak guns. I was dumbfounded by how stupid our enemy could be at times and felt if I ever fought an effective Clan commander, my luck might just run out.
Still, they were Clan fighters, and even after downing two dozen of them with massed flak munitions, they tore apart my own Aerospace units. Kommandant Mauer survived, but with only half of his Aerospace squadrons remaining. They would need to refuel, so I sent them back to the DropShips to do so before the rampaging bull of an enemy took out said DropShips.
I had two companies of 'Mechs along with one battalion of the 39th at the DropShips. We had two full regiments of armor there and two battalions of artillery. Leftenant General Withers also had a full regiment of infantry. The remainder of the 'Mechs and armor that Hauptmann Bragg had were going to swing in from the flank and aim to fully engage just as the enemy reached the outer edge of our DropShips range.
I would, sadly, be late to the party, but I could only hope the guns on my DropShips would help equalize the disparity. The battalion I had with me contained all my Clan 'Mechs, minus a Kit Fox that had been destroyed.
***
Butler
Tamar March, Lyran Commonwealth
April 19th 3051
Hauptmann General Bella Bragg ground her teeth in frustration. The enemy had not done what they had expected; they had not followed her lighter harassing units. Instead, they had simply shot back, killing one or two, and then largely ignored them. She had a full regiment of infantry out there, ready to provide distraction and split apart the enemy. Instead, they had bypassed it all and even pushed through a minefield that was supposed to cause additional delay.
The princess had sent orders for them to hit the flank, but moving through the trees made timing difficult, and the enemy was already sweeping into their base camp by the time they had caught up and were in position. She ordered the assault, and at last, she had her first full-on clash with the Clans.
Her Battlemaster fired it's PPC, striking a 'Mech called an Adder. The light 'Mech fired back with two of its own PPCs, each dealing more damage than her own! Nearby, she saw a Hunchback miss with its autocannon, only to be torn apart by a 'Mech that carried what looked like a dozen lasers.
She managed to keep her 'Mech from falling and let loose with her medium lasers and SRM-6. The light 'Mech seemed to dance around the terrain, and she missed with over half of her attacks. Once more, she felt her 'Mech shudder – as, within less than a minute of combat, its torso already had internals exposed.
Her XO advanced with his Grasshopper and speared the 35-ton 'Mech with four lasers. The enemy 'Mech shuddered as its hip actuator fused together, and Bragg seized her chance. She thundered forward, shoulder-charging the 'Mech – less than half her weight – and smashed it along with a tree to the ground. She finished it off with her lasers while it lay helpless.
Her XO faced off against a medium 'Mech, and Bella nearly gagged at the sheer brutality of the exchange. Twenty LRMs swarmed out alongside twelve SRMs, followed by four pulsating lasers – every single shot striking her second's Grasshopper. Explosive impacts sent it crashing to the ground.
Jesus Christ, how the hell are those LRMs so accurate at near point-blank range?
"Get up, I'll cover you!"
Only, that wasn't to be the case, as Elementals launched SRMs at her before clambering onto her 'Mech.
She kept her cool, recalling the intelligence briefing on Elementals. She swung at one, managing to knock it aside, but the blow was too light to finish it off. Rotating her torso in an attempt to fling the rest off, she found they had clamped on tight, refusing to be dislodged. They fired their lasers at her even as they clung to her 'Mech.
To her horror, the Stormcrow continued to carve into her downed XO, and her console flashed with 'Mech signatures winking out. She slammed another Elemental off of her just as one of her regiment's Clint pilots approached, seizing an Elemental and crushing it to death. The Clint paid for its bravery, taking two ER PPCs to the chest and going down in a single, devastating salvo.
By the time she finally ripped the last Elemental off, her armor was pockmarked, and the Stormcrow had turned on her. Laser fire scoured away more armor, allowing the SRMs and LRMs to destroy delicate, critical systems within her 'Mech. She ejected, flying high above the battlefield. Luck was with her, and she landed safely away from the battle, but she knew her flank attack had almost completely disintegrated against a superior opponent.
***
Butler
Tamar March, Lyran Commonwealth
April 19th 3051
The quick and efficient work of the engineers attached to the 1st Royal FedCom Guards would never cease to be a marvel for Colonel Lautner. They had taken flat, forested terrain and transformed it, adding artificial elevation and small hills to serve as cover. As the enemy advanced, they faced over a hundred artillery tubes, with two battalions of Spitfire Cannons and the 39th Hussar artillery, which was mostly Thumpers and Sniper Artillery Pieces – laying down fire.
Even so, they would have been overrun if they hadn't had over two hundred tanks to help stiffen the line. The boom of the Long Tom on the Fortress DropShip was also music to his ears as he fired the last of the LRMs at a heavily wounded Mad Dog. He agilely pulled back behind the piles of earth that made up the artificial hill he was using as cover and watched as rapid-fire lasers tore through empty air and earthworks.
Prior to the start of the battle, his bruised ribs, throbbing head, and chipped tooth had made him irritable, but now, in the heat of battle, all those distractions were gone. Grinning to himself, he peeked out again and stabbed the enemy 'Mech with his large laser and AC/5. A squad of five Elementals rocketed onto the hill and then attempted to dive down on him and his old war dogs.
"We are the Steiner Fist of the Lyran people!"
His shout of exultation ended with his 'Mech's weapon being used as a bludgeoning instrument on an Elemental, pounding it into the earth with unstoppable force. All but one Elemental suffered a similar fate; the last one managed to fire off his own small laser before Lautner shot both his medium lasers in an X pattern across the Elemental's chest, killing it in one swoop.
The Mad Dog was trying to come around, but five artillery shells landed on it, and the combined damage from that and its earlier battle damage took it out of the fight.
Cutting it close there Fischer!
Lautner surveyed the scene and saw another wave of 'Mechs advance. This time, they did not stop at range to trade blows against a foe in cover and swarmed around the hill. An enemy Stormcrow took wave after wave of indirect LRM fire from the LRM carriers of the 39th – for once, a Clan pilot seemed to go down from being unbalanced by so much armor being stripped from their 'Mech. Lautner was more than happy to add his own autocannon and large laser to the troubles of the prone 'Mech.
A hardier 'Mech advanced, a Warhammer IIC, which took aim and destroyed a Vedette before rounding the hill to come face-to-face with Lautner's Zeus. Wasting no time, he fired his medium lasers, dearly wishing they were upgraded ones, but that wasn't the true threat. No, it was the arm that the laser was attached to that was the real threat. He had aimed for the head, but that was a difficult target. Instead, the arm crashed into the shoulder of the Warhammer, sending it into a partial spin. Before it could fully recover, Lautner slammed into it with a kick and then another punch. The enemy pilot tried to trigger its weapons, but in the confused melee, he missed with all but one laser.
His lance had held his area, but the others were being overtaken, and after he defeated the Warhammer IIC, he called for his lance to pull back. The enemy was now in range of the outermost DropShip, a Union, which was starting to fire its LRMs and other weapons. The enemy carved into it with a mass of firepower, silencing its guns, savaging its sides, and almost certainly permanently ending its long lifetime of service. The enemy was now dangerously close to the artillery, but Fischer's men kept firing, adding more kills to their tally.
Colonel Withers' infantry bravely advanced in APCs, with one even ramming into a Fire Moth's leg. The Badger's lasers and SRMs, had scoured away armor before the crash finished destroying the leg.
Despite individual heroics and massed fire, it seemed the enemy would prevail as the defenders had to continually fall back, but then came the princess. Her Kingfisher, still mostly untouched, wading into enemy formations that were low on ammo and had already taken heavy damage from earlier fights and their artillery. With ruthless efficiency, she picked out weaker foes and put them down. Every re-cycle of her weapons sent another 'Mech to its death.
It was not just her firepower, but the incredible agility and awareness she used in piloting the 'Mech. Lautner saw glimpses of it as he continued to fight – the Kingfisher turning aside and avoiding a deluge of laser fire, the small laser striking incoming missiles, causing one to explode and throwing the rest off their trajectory.
Glorious!
Elementals fought against Hauptmann Rogers' Elementals, and the young LeBeau added to the carnage by firing his ER PPC with pristine precision. Everywhere he looked, the Diamond Sharks were starting to go down as the intense fire from the DropShips combined with Princess Katherine's charge, whittled them down.
The grinding battle finally came to an end. The casualties were immense, but they had done it. They had slain an entire Galaxy of the enemy. He was not sure if they even had enough left to deal with the PGC on the other continent, but they had won here, and the 4th Davion Guards were on their way.
***
Butler
Tamar March, Lyran Commonwealth
April 20th 3051
The battle had been both easier and harder than I would have believed. Easier in the sense that the Diamond Sharks had been utterly juvenile in their tactics, but harder because they had almost won simply by dint of their superior technology and immense individual skill. They were good, on average, a step up from the Jade Falcons I had fought on Blackjack. In terms of accuracy and piloting, they were impressive as hell.
But marching through a minefield? Not bothering with probing attacks, or having sufficient munitions for a longer battle? They had to have spotted the artificial hills we had created. Why not send another flanking force to encircle the artillery I had on the left flank? Why not use bombers to hit my DropShips and force a fight above the area my AA weaponry could reach?
I'm honestly worried I'll come to expect this kind of stupidity and then they'll pull the rug out from under us at the worst possible time and finally use their brains.
Despite all their inadequacies, the butcher's bill was astronomical. The infantry, between my own and the 39th, suffered thousands of casualties. From a starting point of roughly four regiments of armor, we were now between the two units left, a solitary regiment. I lost two Union DropShips damaged beyond repair, and one of the Overlords was badly damaged and unfit for space travel, though we thought it could be repaired given time.
From a 'Mech standpoint, I was down to a solitary battalion. Bragg's formation had been reduced to two companies. The one area where we had not suffered was in artillery – the enemy never made it to our guns, and now we had the most lopsided force ever conceived. Despite all the death, I was relieved to know that neither Lautner nor LeBeau had fallen. Bragg had also survived the destruction of her 'Mech.
I sent communication up to Marshal Alberta Orsina that the Falcon PGC in the capital was all hers. She sounded horrified by the casualties we had endured but had no issues with getting her own soldiers involved in battle without our assistance. Her formation was elite and would outnumber the enemy 'Mechs by at least three-to-one. Elite RCTs typically have more 'Mechs, with each battalion including a command lance, bringing them to 40 'Mechs apiece. Three battalions brought it to 120, and then a command company put it at 132.
That was just the beginning, however, as she also commanded nearly 500 combat vehicles. Due to a lack of DropShips, she hadn't brought the full five regiments of infantry, but she had brought two, along with her artillery battalion and two full wings of Aerospace fighters.
There were RCTs and then there were RCTs.
The salvage operation would take some time. We would eventually have more Clan 'Mechs to use, as not all kills resulted in the total destruction of a 'Mech. The biggest issue would be replacing engines, which we simply couldn't do at the moment, though Outreach might theoretically be able to produce extras. There were frustrating bottlenecks dealing with Clan technology; the Blackwell facilities were more boutique in nature, focused on specialized constructions rather than mass production. The more I learned about the various supply chain components needed to fully create an OmniMech or even an Elemental suit, the more I realized we wouldn't be able to upgrade our factories to match the Clans for decades.
The myomers they used were different, and the sealant in Elemental suits, Harjel, was a substance that might not even exist in the Inner Sphere. Still, the pieces and remains of over 250 OmniMechs would be put to good use. We also collected the shattered remains of nearly 150 Elementals. How well we could put all that together again was too early to tell, but I had hopes of 5-10% being a reasonable figure.
Interestingly enough, in the final battle, two separate snipers shot the same Elemental at the same time, leaving two bullet holes in its visor. A lack of legitimate targets for over a dozen Gustav-trained snipers meant that some Elementals came under fire from multiple angles. Though, few had the incredible accuracy of the FCIS-trained agent.
The enemy Galaxy seemed oddly 'Mech-heavy. We also had a decent number of bondsmen. Though a part of me wished to execute them, I knew they would be far too useful. Initial conversations suggested that my victory against their Khan had proven me worthy enough to command bondsmen and, eventually, Clan warriors.
I'm still not keen on that idea, if I experiment with it, likely I will do so with Drack first.
After the salvage operation was completed, I would need to return to Blackjack to rest and refit. I knew I wouldn't be getting any new goodies for some time, but I had been thoroughly distracting. The addition of the Diamond Sharks to the mix probably meant my nation would still be under pressure, but pushing further now would be a mistake.
Two days later, Marshal Orsina obliterated the Jade Falcon PGC. Not even a day after that, JumpShips and DropShips arrived in-system, promising fresh Jade Falcon opponents. I wanted to scream and rage, but I knew time was of the essence. A batchall came through, and I realized we had a bit of time. I got everyone shoved into the DropShips and made a sub-orbital hop over to the main continent and capital. Urban fighting was never ideal, but unless a batchall could be negotiated with favorable terms, I wanted Orsina's 4th Davion Guards to be in close and on prepared ground. They skewed toward light and medium 'Mechs, which meant they had very little long-range capability.
I have no mines left. The 4th Davion Guards don't have them as standard equipment. Most of my 'Mechs still need repairs, and the only big thing I have going for me is my artillery. Shit, how badly do these bastards hate me?