Vanguard Mission Briefing

Briefing Summary

We cannot let the Jovangellian strike on The Pillars go un-answered, particularly because it appears to be a means of establishing legitimacy for the new Sector Command Squad in the region, The Heard. An influential union chief from Taizhil, Armstrong O'Brian,  has offered to use his remaining resources to fund the deployment of a Vanguard Squad to strike back. Unfortunately, moving even a small force out of the Pillars region into Imperial territory is a fraught proposition for Terra Rising. Luckily, recent offensives have uncovered an ancient set of underground tunnels connected to the myriad sub-levels beneath The Slate Sepulchre. Unstable, uncharted, and unnerving, this serpentine labyrinth is rumored to lead to some sort of neutral zone/dissident’s outpost near the target region we believe the nuclear attack originated from, but getting half a dozen mechs and the limited logistical support that can be afforded for this mission through will prove. . . fraught. Especially with reports that Jovangellian units are beginning to plumb the depths from their end, too.

Objective

Find a safe route into Jovangellian territory, ideally without tipping them off about how we are maneuvering back and forth. Secondary objective: follow-up on the rumors of potentially friendly — or at least definitively neutral — dissidents in the area; any allies we can amass are vital.

Target

Your final and most absolute target is The Heard, who control this region of Jovangellian territory and perpetrated the Taizhil bombing. There may be surveyors in the tunnel system on the Jovangellian side, either associated with the Heard or a smaller outfit; ensure they do not succeed.

Employer

This offensive is primarily funded by Union Chief Armstrong O'Brian, current leader of what remains of the Heavy Alloys Worker Collective, HAWC. O’Brian managed to escape the devastation of Taizhil and is eager to put the union’s remaining resources toward claiming vengeance against the Empire.

Rules of Engagement

At this time, avoid threatening or engaging in violence against civilians or otherwise directly causing civilian casualties. We are unsure how loyal the locals in this region are to the Imperial cause, as this territory has been in substantial flux over the decades of occupation.

You should avoid unnecessary use of explosives in the tunnels as they represent an important strategic advantage; however, if they are compromised and offer the enemy a direct route back to our base of operations, you may need to destroy them and find another means of return at your discretion.