The Return to Arcturus

Operation Galvanic Logistics Planning Chairing this meeting is General Cosgrove of the UEEF, who has been tasked with the unenviable task of developing a Karbarren defence force and providing manning and material support to Operation Galvanic .Despite a rather successful public relations campaign, he has faced a challenging time focusing civilian efforts towards a militaristic mindset.With so many elements in play, there were bound to be set backs. These early morning meeting were beginning to ware on the Generals nerves, he required a sharp mind when dealing with members of the civilian counsel. Ego’s were delicate, he could not simply order them to carry out tasking, as he would members of his unit. No, here he needed to subtly influence conversation topics and decision processes. Permit the elders to assume that they had arrive at these decisions themselves, decisions that would just happen to align with logistics and mission objectives that were looming closer. Far closer than he was comfortable with. Three cups of coffee in the last hour perhaps had not been the smartest of ideas, his fatigue had been suppressed, but his mind was unfocused.The delegation was late, he, Xander and Xander's section had been seated in the briefing room for a little over 20 minutes. Ineffective time, time that most certainly could be more effectively spent. The General was relieved that Xander had been carefully reviewing recommendations made in the logistics dossier. Efficiently underlining elements, making side entries. This was the style of officer that Cosgrove preferred dealing with, focused, professional, mission oriented. Xander in return had been observing tell tail signs of the Generals growing frustration. A slight tick next to his right eye a display of fatigue perhaps. The fidgeting, tapping and spinning of his stylus pen around his index finger. Indicative of mounting frustration and perhaps a slip in self-discipline, yet another indicator of the differences between Micronian and the superior Zentraedi Military culture. Refocusing on the key information points within the dossier, Xander ran a finger down the page as he mused the effect that the proposal would have on the detachment fleets fighting effectiveness. This new “Fury” Mecha was mildly concerning. A fusion of Mirconian Veritech and Zentraedi Power Armour, to create a new hybrid mecha. Necessity dictated this sort of cannibalization, yet Xander felt irritation at the perceived Corruption of a proven Zentraedi weapon system. It felt as though his ties to the past were slowly being eroded, perhaps these were nostalgic musings. Change was a constant undercurrent that one could not fight successfully. The door to the briefing room finally opened as a senior corpsman escorted the Karbarren delegation in. Sanding, both UEEF Officers payed their respects as etiquette dictated before Cosgrove , with certain efficiency guided the conversation on to point. You all have security clearance here, what I am about to say can not in any way be repeated outside of these walls.The forces that we have to defend Karbarra are barely adequate, we are now required to split these forces in order to address a potential threat that exists on planet Arcturus .  In essence, the forces that have been left behind the main fleet were designated as second line units. For those unfamiliar with the term, these are inferior, outdated and under supplied in regards to out standard operating requirements.

Together General Cosgrove, Xander and Sean Tillman managed to request vehicles and hardware from the reluctant Karbarren Elders.  They were able to secure the support of a salvage operations team, both within the Karbarren sector and a detached fleet to travel with them to Arcturus. New Assets added to the Detachment 100 Karbarren made hover bikes. 25 standard flat bed hover trucks (hostile environment cab). 10 Heavy hover trucks (modified to carry Recon Pod Sensor packages). 100 Fury modified Veritech/Queadlunn-Rau Mecha fusion. Unfortunately (due to operational requirements) the General has recalled all of the Alpha fighters to supply his younger, greener, combat wings.  He has moved older Macross era Veritechs into the Battle cruiser Cook's hold and provided a supplement of experienced pilots for them.  Cosgrove was  also able to provided two obsolete (and very aged) Oberth Class Guided Missile Space Destroyers.  The temperamental zentraedi Female power Armor pilot was transferred to the detachment though under careful observation. Under advisement, the Karbarren Elder Su’Veno , Master of Repairs on the Karbarren Space Station, has begun salvage operations within the Karbarren system.  His focus being trying to recover the power supply of Invid Starfish Battle cruiser which was destroyed in system at the beginning of the conflict. Traveling at Sub light speed the Battle cruiser entered the outer orbit of Arcturus, carefully detaching two cyclops recon units, the fleet crept forward, sensors actively probing. Nothing moved, there were no defensive unit to be found?  Xander had experienced this behavior before and would not be drawn into a trap.  Fanning out, the flotilla edged forward.  There hiding amongst the asteroid and debris field surrounding the planet were five Inorganic Boarding craft, identical in design to those that the older member of the team had encountered previously. Maintaining extreme range, with Cyclops Recon units painting targets the fleet held nothing back and pulverized the Inorganic units in a short and explosive display.  Inorganic Boarding torpedo's, launched early in the encounter, raced forward on an intercept course to strike down a squadron of Karbarren Landing craft.  Yet foresight had seen the team launch unmanned decoy units, units filled with explosives instead of landing troops.  As the Inorganic assault torpedo's smashed into the decoys, massive explosions enveloped both fleets, leaving smoking ruin in its wake. A gaping hole punched in the enemy defense line left the way open for landing craft to make planet fall, which they did amongst raining asteroid debris, in order to disguise their presence.  Sections split off racing to know enemy hot spots, a landing field and the Domed Entry to the City of Formicarium .   All teams reported no contact with the enemy, no signs of them?  The Domed Entry to Formicarium has collapsed and snow and ice melt plugged the main shaft down. The landscape of Arcturus has changed.  Aspen pines dominate a previously sparse terrain, small pockets of oxygen shift around these trees, apparently just enough to sustain the new animal life forms roaming the tundra?  What has happened here? 

Meeting the Locals Not long after Xander and Sean put down near the buried remains of the City of Formicarium,  that they detected life forms heading towards them at high speed.  Readying themselves, but holding fire they permitted the life forms to approach their position.  Sailing an ice skiff, they were met by two angry indigenous Karbarren's. Stut'war and Kik're bedecked in medieval armor, leather and furs combined with archaic atmospheric re-breathers.  The Indigenous Karbarrens appear to have reverted to a viking like warrior culture.  Talks with them revealed their hatred/fear of technology and the teachings of the forgebear (who they believe lead their people into temptation and weakness).  They also partially blame the player group for frightening away the native game that they have been hunting, in an already depleted area. Respecting only strength and martial prowess, they propose a quest, a test for the players to defeat two beasts that have been actively thinning the herd that they hunt.  The first (an inorganic Scrim) is lured into a trap by the players by using Xander in Cyclone power armor as bait.  The Karbarrens are suitably impressed, however the other beast, a (possibly a Giant Bear, the translation was unclear) has yet to be found.   Xander and Sean are on guard however.  Is is highly uncommon for a lone Scrim to be found operating independently, where is the rest of it's unit?