The Tengu Project - A Wargame/Collaborative Fiction

[EmperorGrimm]

Introduction

Welcome to my first war-game slash collaborative fiction set at the beginning of an alien invasion of Earth. It is March, Twenty Fifteen and the world is two hours into an aggressive invasion of an unknown enemy from Earth's orbit. This will not be a straight forward war-game as there will be a story with some guidance from myself but with substantial contributions from the players. If anybody is familiar with the Free Company by Lord Durham, this will share some similarities.

Storylines can range from war, campaigns, political situations, love, revenge, and so forth. Stories can be light hearted or serious, gripping, tragic, and funny. Although the overall vibe of the game and story will be serious.

The game will be divided into Scenarios instead of turns where back and forth role-play and tactical decisions will be made. The rules are simple, keep within the spirit of storytelling (no arguing, limited OOC, maintain the storyline and don't go off on your own obviously, and realism). Dates and times must be included along with every post. If you make an OOC post try to attach it to a IC post.

As for the wargame aspect. Characters will fill leadership roles and must make tactical and strategic decisions. Squads will have stats which include Soldiers, Morale, Experience, and Equipment.

Players are welcome to provide input, suggestions, and the like and I will try my best to include them as long as they work well with the plot outline that I have and the game mechanics.

How To Play

The game will be played by scenarios lasting an undetermined length of time both in game and out. The scenario may have certain challenges or situations that must be dealt with or they may just consist of storytelling.

It is not required but encouraged to include hooks in your posts so that other players may latch on to and create continuing side plots. There will be absolutely no killing off of characters without the permission of the player behind the character.

There are no orders just in game actions posted in the form of a story.

To create your character provide the following.

Name:
Age:
Class: Rifleman, Sniper, Heavy Weapons, Support
Desired Position: Squad Commander, Sub-Commander, Trooper (Only riflemen and heavy weapons can be commanders)
Background: You should have extensive combat experience in some way shape or form. You are all members of the Tengu Project (T-Com)

You will receive the following stats.

John Doe (28)(Heavy Weapons)(Squad Commander of 1st Squad "Roughnecks")

Class defines your general role within T-Com. Rifleman are regular troopers that are used to take and hold positions typically. Snipers are ranged killers who are typically used to take out important enemy leaders or help suppress enemy troops. Heavy Weapons are used as shock troops armed with rocket launchers, heavy machine guns, and the like. Support are made up of medics and special weapons personnel.

Platoons make up of 24-48 soldiers. Squads made up of 12-24 soldiers.

Tengu Field Operation Division (TFOD)
Chief Commander: James "Fortune" Fortney (GM)
Location: Forward Operating Base Manhattan-1 (Soho, Manhattan, New York City)
Supply Points (SP): 500 (These are spent on buying squads)
0/6 Platoon Commanders (commands platoons)
0/6 Squad Commanders (commands squads)
0/infinity Troopers

Example of Squad
1st Rifleman Infantry
Personnel: 13
Morale: Excellent
Experience: Veteran
Equipment: 100%

 

[EmperorGrimm]

Tengu Command (Undisclosed Rocky Mountains, Colorado)

Section One - Research and Development

Class Kits

Rifleman
1 A-19 (30 round mag/kevlar piercing)
3 Pulse Grenades
1 Diamond Knife
1 Nanite Armor (body/helmet)

Heavy Weapons
1 X-34 (100 round pack/kevlar piercing)
3 Pulse Grenades
1 T-12 MicroNuke Launcher (5 shells)
1 Heavy Nanite Armor (body/helmet)

Sniper
1 K-16 (12 round mag/kevlar piercing)
1 Nanite Armor (body/helmet)
3 Pulse Grenade

Support
1 Pulse Cannon (unlimited/2 minute recharge)
1 Nanite Armor (body/helmet)
1 Medical Kit

Section Two - Training and Education
Section Three - Intelligence
Section Four - Field Operations

Tengu Field Operation Division (TFOD)
Chief Commander: James "Fortune" Fortney (GM)
Location: Watts and Church Rally Points, Manhatta, New York City
Supply Points (SP): 500 (unavailable)
0/3 Platoon Commanders (commands platoons)
1/6 Squad Commanders (commands squads)
1/infinity Troopers

1st Rifle Platoon
Personnel: 50
Commander:

Rifle Squad (SqCom Thomas W. Hill)
Personnel: 4 (0 snipers/1 support)
Morale: Stable/Persevering
Experience: Veteran
Equipment: 43%

Seal Team 3 ()
Personnel: 5
Morale: Stable/Persevering
Experience: Veteran
Equipment: 18%

9th Battalion Remnent ()
Personnel: 11
Anthony L. Prescott (Sniper)
Morale: Shaken
Experience: Veteran
Equipment: 20%

1st Civilian Conscripts ()
Personnel: 30
Morale: Scared
Experience: Veteran
Equipment: 15%

2nd Rifle Platoon (Commander Fortney)
Commander:
Personnel: 8

Rifle Squad
Personnel: 5
Morale: Stable
Experience: Veteran
Equipment: 17%

Rifle Squad
Personnel: 3
Morale: Stable
Experience: Veteran
Equipment: 28%

1st Heavy Weapons Platoon ()
Commander:
Personnel: 18

Heavy Weapons ()
Personnel: 5 (1 support)
Morale: Excellent
Experience: Veteran
Equipment: 35%

Heavy Weapons ()
Personnel: 12 (2 support)
Morale: Excellent
Experience: Veteran
Equipment: 30%

Section Five - Living Quarters
Section Six - Strategic Command

Foreign personnel from secure friendly countries of the United States are allowed.

 

[EmperorGrimm]

Prologue

February 12th, 1945

Early Morning, Banaba Island

Gravity left the dirt that Tayama stood caused by the dazzling blue explosion from the jungles. He floated subtly in midair and managed to glimpse the terrifying firefight against what would later be referred as the "Tengu". Was this a new weapon from America or something never come across by human beings? Now was not the time for those questions, survival was the only thing on Tayama's mind.

"Banzai!!" poured out of the mouths of the rest of his unit who charged fearlessly into the blue haze drifting out of the tropical wilderness. Tayama joined them but he was not as enthusiastic as they were. He was a university student when he was conscripted and sent to the front as the Second World War was coming to an end.

"Over there!" a soldier shouted in Japanese. They concentrated their machine gun fire toward the area his finger pointed. In the haze and burning trees there was moving figures deftly avoiding their rounds. Now their unit was massed in the area shooting rifles, throwing grenades, and whatever else they could muster. Their enemy responded with another gravity shifting blast and then an explosion in the center of their group killing most of them. Tayama fell far away into a tiny river ditch along with two other soldiers. The strongest strike yet.

Tayama pulled out his sword. He was ready for death, the code of bushido having prepared him for it. "Go back to hell demons!" he shouted toward the approaching figures, he stood ready with his katana. Strange echoes grew louder, light did not reveal the enemies. "Dishonorable scum!"

The figure knocked Tayama down with its shoulder. Tayama though swung his sword as he fell but only struck air. A high pitched scream comes from behind him as he stood back up. Another strike but Tayama managed to move enough to avoid falling. The figure in front of him was nothing he had seen before. Slick metal equipment glowing blue, the eyes were soulless. Tayama returned to his defensive stance and struck with his sword quickly but it broke in two against its armor. He stood defenseless now and accepting death's embrace took off his last grenade and pulled the pen. He ran toward the figure and grabbed onto it blowing himself to pieces. The shadow, his advisory was knocked to the ground but was trapped under a fallen tree.


October 19th, 1945

Afternoon, Banaba Island


"Howdy, i'm from the Office of Secret Services, they tell me you found something of interest?" the young officer was not interested in small talk

The marine lieutenant replied, "Well yes sir but i'm not sure you're going to know the hell it is either"

Escorted by a squad of marines they entered the jungle of the island. A strange scent radiated from everywhere, there were three levels of checkpoints. The closer they got to the quarantine zone the blacker the soil but it possessed a purple hue. The OSS officer, Lieutenant Ray Curtis had been sent to the Pacific as part of a special weapons unit. Japanese prisoners of war captured on Okinawa had reported a strange occurrence when they were on the island. Demons with powerful weapons with blue soulless eyes. It was widely dismissed until an American unit reported the finding of a corpse buried beneath mud and a tree.

"Here we are sir, sometimes its gadgets turn on and thats when some of our boys float in air. We're pretty sure the feller is dead though!"

Curtis climbed down into the hole. A tree sitting on the side. He examined the body and the equipment it was wearing. "Marine..ill be taking this with me!"

June 10th, 1967

Afternoon, Arlington, Virginia (DARPA HQ)

High ranking officers filled the room. Cigarette smoke billowed from half of them. Slides of the "Tengu" specimen and photographs of American GIs extracting it from a mud hole on the Banaba Island. They were there to discuss the future of the Tengu Project. Colonel Ray Curtis sat in front of a package of files and slides.

"Colonel Curtis, we have convened this meeting to discuss the future of your alien project. Your progress in the top secret study of the only specimen of alien life ever found has been outstanding. Your pioneering research into its technology and biology is of the utmost importance for the future of the West in its struggle against the communist menace. However in the twenty two years since the discovery of specimen one the project has yet to produce anything of value in terms of weaponry or intelligence systems. Indeed it is the opinion of this special board that funding for the Tengu Project has become too difficult and risky to fund under the noses of the President and Congress. Furthermore we simply don't have the budget required to continue research to areas that are not productive. So with that said we have decided to suspend the project until resources and technology become available to effectively integrate alien technology into the regular forces."

Ray Curtis, a genius scientist and former agent of the intelligence services was not surprised. His life's work had produced nothing of use for the military and the reality was that the alien technology was far beyond the quality in possession by humanity. It was time for it to end, at least for him.

"I understand sir. I would like to make a statement for the records."

"Proceed colonel"

"The Tengu Project is of the utmost importance for the survival of humankind. The Soviets are not the strongest enemy of the United States, the enemy we should fear exists beyond Earth and possesses enough firepower to eradicate life on this planet. I recommend that the project's status be reviewed periodically every ten years and that when our capacity for understand and adaptation becomes a reality that it should be revived in ernest for the survival of the species."

"Your statement shall be added to the records. Well with everything said i'd like to wish you good luck in their next endeavors. The Department of Defense thank you for your services.

TFOD is currently located at their Forward Operating Base in Soho, Manhattan. An unknown enemy have attacked numerous cities across the planet. New York City has yet be assaulted although intelligence report a large enemy ship will arrive in the skies within the next hour. Scenario One will begin soon and will allow for the characters to get used to the storytelling aspect of the game. No supply points will be spent this scenario.

 

[Stuckenschmidt]

Name: Thomas W. Hill
Age: 28
Class: Rifleman
Desired Position: Squad Commander
Background: Thomas joined the US Army after leaving school. Right after his basic training he was assigned to the 2nd Infantry Division. When President Obama sent units of the 2nd to Afghanistan, Thomas was among them and gained valuable combat experience.

 

[EmperorGrimm]

Scenario One

Briefing

TFOD awaits the arrival of enemy forces traveling from the Arctic. FOB Manhattan-1 have taken over a nearby apartment building and established a functioning headquarters. Their objective is to simply field test top secret weaponry reversed engineered for human use against enemy forces. New York City is expected to fall within 24 hours. Once TFOD receives orders to evacuate Manhattan they will make their way to the retrieval point along the Hudson River.

Objectives

1. Hold FOB Manhattan-1 until evac order is transmitted. I will roll the die to see if the evac order is called or if TFOD must fend off an attack. There will be at least three skirmishes.

2. Travel to the evac point on the Hudson River. Evac will be by boat as air transport is considered too dangerous currently.

OOC: Die rolls will commence after we get enough players.

 

[EmperorGrimm]

Breaking News - International News Network

General Adler Issues Statement

Adler: "At 0348 hours a cluster of two dozen large mechanical structures appeared in orbit around Earth. At 0420 these structures launched hundreds of smaller structures that entered Earth's atmosphere and initiated the dropping of an unknown number of enemy ground and air forces in three different locations including Tokyo. At 0450 similar attacks occurred at a dozen other locations in what is a campaign of rapid dominance by an unknown enemy force.

We have established secure communications with the major military powers of the world including China, Russia, Europe, and India in order to begin the exchange of intelligence and establish methods of mutual military assistance. Currently the United States is under attack in Los Angeles, Chicago, and two other zones along the east coast. Communication with Chicago was lost fifteen minutes ago.

The President and Congress have been moved to emergency shelters at undisclosed locations. A statement will be released by President Obama granting special powers in order to more effectively coordinate the resistance. Five refugee zones have been designated *is shown on screen* protected by the military as headquarters and strongholds. We ask that people make their way to these zones as quickly as possible. Thank you"

 

[Stuckenschmidt]

Thomas W. Hill - 05.00 AM - Manhattan / NYC

He looked at the street signs. Broome Street. Mercer Street. He wondered, how anyone could keep track of where he actually is in this labyrinth of streets. Especially now. He looked around. The street was filled with cars and pedestrians, trying to make their way to the Holland tunnel. The NYPD, supported by some quickly assembled units of the National Guard, tried to maintain order and keep the traffic flowing.

Evacuating New York City. Insane. He was from North Dakota. Compared to that, even Afghanistan was densely populated. But New York alone had ten times the population than his whole home state. And all of them were on the move now. He felt like he was in a movie.

"Thomas!", he heard a voice shouting. It was his Commanding Officer.
"Yes, Sir?"
"Some news are in. This is a global strike. Attacks on population centers all over the world. Heavy fighting in Los Angeles. Communication with Chicago is lost. They are not here yet, but that is just a matter of time."
"Orders?"
"No tasks so far. The local law enforcement forces seem to have the situation under control, so we better not obstruct the evacuation. Move along Mercer Street to Spring Street and wait fur further orders."
"Yes, Sir!"

He made a sign for his men to gather. They crossed the Broome and walked down Mercer Street. A narrow street. A few scaffoldings. A lot of small shops. Zimmerman. Vince. A weathered sign reading `Rosenbluth Bros.`. Ben Sherman. His wife would love to be here for shopping.

Then they reached Spring Street. The traffic was less intense here, nevertheless there were many people on their way. He saw couples with worried faces. Scared children and parents not able to tell them what was going on.

"Alright, men. Secure the crossroad and wait for orders."

 

[EmperorGrimm]

James Fortney - 0510 Romeo, Manhattan, New York City

James Fortney, or "Fortune" as everybody back at TComm called him was quite accomplished. Graduated high school at fifteen, attended University of Chicago studying economics before abandoning his studies to join the Air Force at nineteen. Served with the intelligence unit at Mildenhall Air Force Base in England. Selected for psychological operations in Afghanistan. At 24 he left the Air Force to educate private contractors on Afghan culture. In an attempt to join NASA's study on human psychology and society in a theoretical space colony his resume was passed on to the top secret Tengu Project.

He had some combat experience but as Chief Commander of the Tengu Field Operations Division we was expected to fight and lead soldiers more hardened than he was into battle against a theoretical alien foe. But DARPA wanted him in because he was an exceptional intelligence troop and was going to be hired by NASA to work for them. They needed somebody not attached to the hierarchy, somebody who had the talent and capacity to lead soldiers into battle but also the intellectual background to help develop the Tengu unit into a more formidable force.

The Tengu Project in its current incantation was the progeny of an abandoned project of the same name and purpose that existed during the fifties and sixties. A top secret government program to study the technology and biology of a alien corpse found on a Pacific island in the waning days of World War Two. Fortney knew it all as he sat in his tent listening to the entire city prepare for an attack that was unimaginable the night before.

He had studied the autopsies, the Japanese report by two survivors on Banaba Island. Everything compiled by the late Ray Curtis with extensive notes. The Tengu specimen was a humanoid body of four feet, ten inches tall, ninety pounds. Their heads were large and bulbous. Their eyes had no pupils. Despite their slight frame they possessed incredibly advanced technology. Little has been able to be adapted except for the reverse engineering of their pulse cannon which relies on electric power. Their weak points and anatomy have been throughly studied. Without their armor they could be easily eliminated by a musket round. It seems they possess some sort of gravity manipulation capability as their primary weapon's tech turned on eight months prior to the invasion.

It was this indication that led to the reinstating of the Tengu Project and the emergency build up of the unit along with emergency preparations with the military. Foreign governments allied to the United States have limited knowledge but have records of the Tengu specimen. For eight months TFOD have been training everyday in preparation for an alien invasion.

Now Fortney and his troops were settled up in the middle of SoHo, Manhattan with civilians still making their way to evac points. The alien tech was far superior to what they possessed with them at the FOB. Their weapons were mostly high grade nano tech only developed in 2008. They possessed high powered semi-automatic rifles capable of blasting through kevlar. MicroNukes as the strongest of their small explosives. And of course the pulse cannon which with the aid of nano tech was able to emulate the technology of the alien arm cannon. What is expected to balance things out is the electromagnetic disturbance systems connected to atmospheric satellite relays. These disturbances have shown to disrupt alien tech at least in the specimen's armor for up to three minutes. Fired at a continuous rate this would allow human forces a fighting chance.

He heard some commotion coming from down the hallway. The troops were watching the news on a big screen in the lobby. Some were talking amongst themselves ignoring the images of battle and terrified civilians.

OOC: Please include your character's name, time of day, day, month, and year at the top of each post.

 

[Stuckenschmidt]

OOC: Come on people. This is the chance to repel an alien invasion (or utterly fail at it). You know you want to do that.

 

[EmperorGrimm]

James Fortney - 0520 Romeo - Manhattan, NYC

The Germania Bank Building a historic landmark located on Spring Street was now the forward operating base of TFOD. While first rifle platoon secured the perimeter, second rifle platoon secured the building. First heavy weapons platoon stood ready in the lobby, they were expected to make first contact with the enemy. Fortney walked outside, the streets were flooded with scared civilians, nobody knew exactly what was going on. The idea that aliens were really invading had yet to sink in with many people. A lot of them were going to die he thought.

"Sir! General Adler is on the line." a troop brought the smart phone tengu issued.

"So General I take it they've finally let you know what the hell we're about here."

"Yes commander I have been informed of your mission. You will be operating independently from the regular forces in the city. But I will require update son your status and position of course starting now."

"Yes Sir, well we've secured the Germania Bank Building in the middle of SoHo. We intend to hold this position until relieved by our command"

"Charlie Mike, listen here commander, orders from the Pentagon are for the army to hold New York City until the Air Force can deliver a hundred thousand pounds of ordinance onto enemy elements schedule at 1000 Romeo. Evac points and withdrawal directives have been provided for our forces. My command will withdrawal to the west by land to link up with the 10th Mountain Division and 101st Airborne Division. This force shall constitute 3rd Defense Group which shall aid in the defense of the northeast United States. This is the plan..for now but I have the feeling that things won't be as simple."

"I share your sentiments General. I'll keep you updated."

[/url]

Red = TFOD
Green = US Army elements
Blue = Evac Points
Black = Defense Lines
Pink = Germania Bank Building/FOB Manhattan-1

 

[Stuckenschmidt]

Thomas W. Hill - 05.45 AM - Manhattan / New York City

Thomas and his squad had arrived at the Germania Bank just a few minutes ago and were standing around. The streets were still a bloody mess.

"So this is the Broadway.", one of his men said, but did not sound impressed. And indeed, although the street had four lanes, it made a cramped impression. Surely, the streets were filled, but he wondered, whether it was really that different from the usual traffic.

"Sir?". His radio operator approached him.
"Yes?"
"HQ."

Thomas spoke to his Commanding Officer.

"1st Squad here."
"Thomas, TFOD is supposed to secure the area. I want your squad marching northward to Houston Street. Take up position there and keep an eye on the situation."
"Is something going on, Sir?"
"Not for the time being. So, move your unit."
"Aye."

Thomas gathered his men and together they began to walk northward. Their destination was just 400 meters away, so there was no need to hurry. And there had been no opportunity to hurry anyway, since all the people were going in the opposite direction.

Shortly after crossing Prince Street he heard a female voice.
"MOM? MOM??"

A young girl of maybe thirteen years was desperately looking around.
"Hey, what`s the problem?"
"I have lost my mom. I was just running back home for I forgot something and she wanted to wait here but now she is gone and..."
"Hey, no need to worry. What is your name?"
"Natalie. Natalie Parker."
"Good Natalie. Listen to me. Do you see all these people? They are urged to keep moving. Probably a policeman made your mother move on. Now look on this map. Do you see the Holland tunnel?"

The girl nodded.

"Fine. You go there and when you are in Jersey you move on to this place. Lincoln Park. The Army is there with food and water for all civilians. There is also a checkpoint to register in case you have lost relatives during the evacuation. Got me?"
"Yes."
"So what are you doing?"
"Holland tunnel, then to Lincoln Park. Register at checkpoint."
"Very good, Natalie. Always remember. Everything is gonna be okay. Good luck."

The girl, still upset, began to move. When Thomas waved at her, she smiled for a second and then walked southward. Shortly later he and his squad arrived at Houston Street. The area opened up a bit, since Houston was broader than the other roads and one could actually see a bit of the sky.

"Williams! Gutierrez!", Thomas shouted. A moment later two of the soldiers appeared.
"Sir?"
"Do you see the building at the northwestern corner? I want you up on the roof asap. Report anything unusual."
"Yes, Sir!", the men said and ran across the street.

Thomas looked around. So far the evacuation went considerably smoothly. He wondered how much time was left until shit would hit the fan here. But every calm minute was a good minute. Army units did spread all over Manhattan and according to rumors the Air Force was preparing to defend this island. Good news. But probably the enemy would have air support too. And if they dominated the sky, this city could not be defended. At best they could gain more time for the civilians. A worthy cause.

 

[EmperorGrimm]

Scenario One - The Blackening of Skies (Engagement One) (All replies may take place up to one hour from 0620)

March 3rd, 2015 Common Era

0620 Romeo (Eastern Standard Time)

It was around 0609 that the alien ship arrived and positioned itself above New York City. Already Chicago was assumed lost and Los Angeles was barely holding off the advance on the west coast. The latest news coming in from emergency radio and television broadcasts was that Japan had not communicated in five minutes. In Russia it was announced by President Putin that the nuclear and chemical options were now in consideration if not already in action. NATO which had knowledge of the Tengu Project at the highest echelons of responsibility for eight months had organized their own specialized forces to handle an enemy of much greater technological progress with tremendous firepower on its side. NATO powers contributed resources and their best soldiers to the First Group Adaptable Division. They along with the regular armies of the alliance are fighting a desperate resistance as the enemy have already engulfed the continent with troops and assets. According to the First Group plan for the initial invasion a series of strongholds would be selected for the most defensible populated centers, essential assets, and resource proximity. However they could not execute the necessary preparations without shocking the world. Forty percent of the Midwest was now dark.

In New York City elements of all branches of the military were mobilized. Unlike Chicago and the West Coast, the East had yet to be attacked allowing two hours of preparation and positioning. Most of the civilian population were still trapped in the city.

General Adler's Headquarters, Staten Island

"We have visual on enemy ship, sir." a young air force captain reported. "Alpha Wing reporting zero hostiles currently."

A massive black saucer shining purple light brightly onto the streets is shown. F-35s escorting AWACs are panned to

General Adler turned to Colonel Harcourt, commander of the Air Force operations in the northeast. "Whats the word from Colorado?"

Harcourt twisted his body left, "The president is still weighing his options but if you ask me we're gonna have to nuke these assholes sooner than later before they cripple our launching capacity."

"And the three million deaths in Siberia doesn't give you a second thought colonel?"

"I rather be alive on a burnt rock than to die or become some kind of slaves to these things. Its a matter of the will to live and now we're being tested for the first time in eons to see what we're made of again. And besides, we have plenty of room in the shelters for millions, a small victory but a victory nonetheless."

"Well I hope they're not blown to pieces before they get there."

"Sir! Fifty hostiles inbound!" the young captain, Sellers had been transferred to Adler's command two hours prior

A swarm of small enemy ships screeched out of the much larger saucer. Their architecture had no continuity by human standards. The AWACs immediately descended hoping to escape the onslaught or at least be close enough to the ground to not die after bailing. But alien ships pounced on the two awacs quickly shooting them down.

"The president has postponed his decision on the nuclear option." Harcourt reported after a call with the President.

Adler stood up. A West Pointer and highly decorated and respected general of the United States Army stood only five foot three inches and had a mediterranean complexion. He was from Brooklyn. "Well lets get to it. Lets not allow nukes to be an option for us. Huuah!"

Roof Of Germania Bank Building - James Fortney - 0619 Romero

Eight months of preparation were now going to be tested against an enemy that could build such things like the gigantic saucer blocking out the sunrise. The whole city started to scream and on the streets below the civilians were no longer the only ones running. NYPD and firefighters had abandoned most of their posts. Basements were filling up to the brim while others started faster toward the river to try and reach the evac points before they were gone.

TFOD was deployed in a circle with nanite mobile plates strategically placed inside the building. Vehicles and other big items surrounded the the front of Germania along with sandbags, nanite plates, and heavy machine guns. First platoon which had secured the perimeter was laying in wait for an ambush. This was ad hoc of course and when the saucer arrived it was apparent that an ambush wouldn't even be feasible with these beings.

In the skies above New York City the air force was already fighting and soon dozens of aircraft began to rain down. "Fuck! Everybody get inside!" Fortney shouted. A F-35 nearly missed Germania and crashed down Spring Street.

"Sir! Contact with enemy elements in Harlem and Queens."

*silence as the radio provides reports from the front lines*

"...Visual On Enemy Targets! Fire Fire Fire.."

"..Bravo Company Requesting Immediate Air Support.."

"This is 12th Rifle Platoon, we're taking heavy fir..*static*"

Fortney armed with an A-19 now took on the role of military leader. "Whats the status of the lobby group?"

"I don't know sir, can't get a hold of em!"

"Alright troopers get to the windows and find some cover! Mathenjwa follow me to the lobby!"

Fortney and his radioman reached the lobby to find the 2nd platoon unharmed and in positions. He glided outside to assess the streets. Civilians were packed into buildings or sitting confused. More aircrafts were falling, none of them were the enemy's.

"I got the guard on line, sir. He says enemy elements with overwhelming firepower are pushing deeper into Manhattan from the north. TCom has sent the latest tactical situation."

Jim downloaded the report into his retinal feeds powered by his armor's battery. Enemy elements were swarming the entire region with their soldiers. No frontline can be formed against an enemy that were being contacted in the dozens per minute now. Above drop ships released large capsules full of troopers to the cityscape. Their airborne forces made the line in North Manhattan worthless and surrounded.

Green Dots - US Army/Friendly
Red/PurplePink - Enemy Elements
Dark Blue- Germania Bank Building
Teal Dot - 1st Platoon
Lime Green - 2nd Platoon

***First Contact**

1st Rifle Squad takes fire from enemy elements. Their firepower is overwhelming, laser beams and alien kinetic rounds killing 2 and wounding 1. A rocket is fired from the enemy and kills 1 and wounds 4 wounded.
Die Roll..1 (3 KIA, 5 Wounded)
1st Rifle Squad frantically returns fire. A support troop fires off a pulse shot sending its electrical beam into an enemy soldier wounding it. Snipers take out 2 more. Enemy fire continues to rip into the squad and another 3 soldiers die.
Die Roll..2 (3 KIA)
1st Rifle Squad is totally suppressed when the 1st Heavy Weapons squad opens fire into the enemy killing 4 aliens. Their assistance allows for 1st Squad to retreat into a nearby apartment building.
Die Roll..3 (0 KIA)
The enemy numbers seem to quadruple suddenly and soon enough TFOD is concentrating its fire into the mass coming from the northeast. A firefight ensues leading to 5 dead/8 wounded for 2nd Rifle Squad, 3 dead/5 wounded for 1st Heavy Weapons, 3 dead/6 wounded for 1st Rifle Squad, and 3 dead/3 wounded for 2nd Heavy Weapons.
Die Roll..4(14 KIA, 22 wounded)

 

[Stuckenschmidt]

Thomas W. Hill - 06.05 AM - Manhattan / New York City

Williams and Gutierrez were on the roof for maybe five minutes , when Thomas heard them via his headset.

“Sir! Incoming.”
“What is it, Gutierrez?”
“Big, Sir.”
“Can you be more precise?”
“It is a huge…saucer, Sir. If you ever saw `Independence Day`, imagine something like that, but smaller. It is hovering over Long Island.”

Thomas was already running to the building, but it took some minutes to get on its top. When he arrived, he saw his two soldiers looking flabbergasted to the south. And he was shocked too. It was really huge and black.

Then he saw, how many small objects came out of the ship, while he heard some jets of the Air Force closing in.

“And so it begins.”

Then the first explosion. Not as loud and dramatic as in the movies, but bad enough. He saw a US airplane getting hit and crashing into north Brooklyn. A second one was hit close to their position, coming down on Spring Street in the south.

Manhattan. 1.6 million people live here and of course a lot of them were still on the island. The evacuation routes for Manhattan were in the west, for the northern routes via the Bronx were needed to evacuate Long Island. But now, that the people on the ground realized, that something was going on and with the explosion close to them, tens of thousands of worried civilians turned into a panicking, screaming, running crowd.

“Sir. Look at it!”, Williams said. He pointed at larger objects coming out of the ships and landing after a short flight. Thomas looked at his map.

“They are landing. Look. Prospect Park and Green-Wood Cemetery. They will start there.”
“More of these landing crafts, Sir. They are heading north.”, Williams said.

Thomas looked at the map again.
“Of course. They need room for these ships. And look here. There are huge parks in the north of the Bronx and eastern Queens. What are potential targets in Manhattan?”
“You mean besides Central Park, Sir?”

Thomas suddenly looked to the north. Manhattan had a lot of small parks, but Central Park was large enough for these ships. And one could spread in all directions from there. Impossible to establish a proper defense perimeter around it.

“And here is another problem, Sir.”
Williams pointed at a green spot in Jersey. Liberty State Park. A bit south of the Holland tunnel.
“If they land there, our retreat is probably blocked, Sir.”
“Indeed. Lincoln tunnel just became our exit option two. But maybe we are lucky. Donaldson!”, he spoke into his headset.
“Sir?”, his radio operator answered.
“Make contact to the Platoon.”
“I can`t, Sir. I am already trying. Anything beyond 200 meters seems to be out of range.”
“Then send Wayans as messenger back and report, that the enemy is using the parks as landing zones. We need to keep Holland and Lincoln tunnel open. I propose as defense perimeter in our area Chambers Street in the south and the Bowery in the east. And they have to tell the army to keep the retreat lines in Jersey open. Especially the area around Liberty State Park.”
“Yes, Sir.”

Thomas looked at the chaos on the ground. 1.6 million people in Manhattan. Not everyone would make it. Now they had to keep the tunnels and bridge to Jersey open as long as possible. The best option was to retreat to the west and northwest through New Jersey. Those escaping to the north through the Bronx would soon be trapped in the city. Not a good start.

 

[Stuckenschmidt]

OOC: Less lurking, more joining please. This is a neat writing exercise.

 

[Stuckenschmidt]

Thomas W. Hill - 07.30 AM - Manhattan / New York City

He was running a few yards south to take cover and…

BOOOOM

The blast of a nearby explosion carried him off his feet and he did skid over the ground while he got showered with small glass fragments and debris parts. He needed a few seconds to find his bearings again.

He stood up and looked southward. They were almost back at the Germania bank. The top floor had received a hit and stood in flames. He saw thick smoke coming out of it. Then he remembered his men. He turned northward and saw Wayans, Wood and Larsson. Was that Gallagher on the ground? The others…?

“FIRST SQUAD! FALL BACK, FALL BACK.”

The four soldiers looked in his direction and saw him making signs to run.

“RUN, RUN. DAMMIT, MOVE YOUR ASSES OUT OF HERE.”

The five men began to run south and, when reaching Spring Street, turned westward and kept on running for their lives. They made a quick next sidestep into Mercer Street. Just two hours ago they had been here and walked in the opposite direction.

When Thomas had ordered Wayans to report to Platoon, it was already too late. A minute later they saw an alien landing vessel heading for Washington Square Park and out of it poured hundreds of enemy soldiers. In the meantime the friendly air forces were either destroyed or forced out of the combat zone. The ground forces were left to their own devices.

The first wave of the enemy attack already caused serious casualties, but when the second wave arrived, it had been suicidal to stand ones ground. They had to slowly retreat southward and take further casualties.

All order was gone. He had not heard anything from HQ and nobody was at the Germania Bank. A sure sign that things were lost. A few units of the army were supposed to operate east of Broadway, but there was probably no hope for them. And if he and his remaining men wanted to survive this day, they had to get off this island quick.

When they reached Broome Street, they turned westward again. Hopefully the tunnel was still open.

 

[EmperorGrimm]

James Fortney - 0800 Romeo - Manhattan, New York City

Fortney: "Where's Hill's squad!?"

Kirkland: "Still can't get them on line, sir! Their gravity fields are disrupting our communications somehow."

Germania was surrounded by enemy elements approaching from every direction. The perimeter established by the Army here had melted away and communications were disrupted by the strange "gravity fields" of their enemies. Fortney though made mental notes, the alien troops were not like the one discovered in 1945. They were nothing like them at all except for some of the weaponry and technology. Indeed they were receiving mostly kinetic rounds from some high tech machine gun. Still though they were much stronger than their own force let alone the regular forces being routed in a storm of disaster.

"Alright we can't wait for Hill any longer, we have to retreat to the evac point. TCOM knows our situation. Trooper keep reaching out to Hill's squad, we're falling back."

Commander Fortney has ordered a retreat toward the evac point located on the lower west side of Manhattan. Hill and his squad have no idea of this. Their only option is to try and get to the evac point at this point.

Engagement Two will take place during TFOD's struggle to reach the evac point.

 

[Stuckenschmidt]

Thomas W. Hill - 08.00 AM - Manhattan / New York City

When Thomas and his four remaining squad members reached the western end of Broome Street, they met some retreating army soldiers. A Captain stopped him. Thomas saluted.

"Thomas Hill, Tengu Field Operation Division."
"Captain Howards, US Army. TFOD? Heard about you. Your orders?"
"We were at Broadway and Houston when the attack began. We got pushed back and are now retreating to the Holland tunnel."
"Forget the tunnel. Already jammed with civilians and routing military personnel. There is an Evac point at Canal Park roughly half a mile from here. We are going there now. I suggest you come with us."
"Glad to accompany you, Sir."
"Then let`s go. By the way, interesting weapons you have there."
"Prototypes, Sir."
"Useful?"

Thomas pointed at his four soldiers.
"That`s the rest of a squad of 24 soldiers."
"I see. I guess somebody had more hopes about these nice gadgets."
"Indeed, Sir."

Thomas and Howards and their men ran down Watts Street as fast as they could to reach the Evac Point.

 

[EmperorGrimm]

Scenario One - The Long Haul (Engagement Two) - 0810 Romeo - Manhattan, New York (Posts make take place from 0810 to 0930)

General Adler's 2nd Defense Force was a made up of a mishmash of elements from the United States Army and Marine Corp as well as various other infantry units from the Air Force and Navy. The Navy had managed to reach New York City and establish a perimeter around the five boroughs, they were now bombarding the Queens and Brooklyn while fending off enemy aircraft that had already sunk five destroyers and an aircraft carrier. It was firepower of the Navy that had slowed the advance of enemy troops in the first two hours of the assault.

2nd Defense Force was by eight in the morning a mess of scattered soldiers who were totally disorganized. For most of them only escape was a viable option and so the Lower Manhattan Stronghold collapsed into a mass retreat toward the evac points along the Hudson River. The whole city was burning and the guns of the navy were growing quieter and smaller. Thomas Hill's squad had made its way down Broome Street but as they turned down Watts they were ambushed by the bulbous headed Tengu.

**Ambush On Watts**

1st Rifle Squad plus 9th Infantry Battalion elements (10 healthy/8 functional but wounded) immediately find cover under the onslaught of heavy beam weaponry.
Die Roll..(1 KIA)
A firefight ensues, enemy elements have taken up positions on roofs as well as the street. Hill exhaust their pulse grenades and are running low on ammunition.
Die Roll..(3 KIA, 4 wounded)
Suddenly the enemy halts as its technology begins to fail. "TCOM here, we have received your coordinates automatically commander, Electromagnetic Distruption System fully charged and engaging. Continuous fire package incoming for approximately one hour before six hour recharge period. Kill them all, ugg ugg!". Hill's group begins eating away at the crippled alien troopers. Without their technology the bulbous heads are slow and struggle awkwardly to walk. 20 enemy troops are killed.
Die Roll..(0 KIA)
Suppressed friendlies mass at the intersection of Watts and Broome Street killing dozens of doomed aliens. Enemy troops are falling back sending a ripple effect into nearby blocks. 60 enemy killed.
Die Roll..(0 KIA)
The southern flank of the Lower Manhattan Evac Zone has been secured..for now.

1st Rifle Squad along with remnants of various regular forces have congregated at the Watts Rally Point. Communication with TCOM is restored to all units of TFOD. Hill earns 30 supply points which he can spend on additional units.

Seal Team 3 remnent (10 SP)
Personnel: 5 Navy SEALS
Morale: Good
Experience: Veteran Special Forces
Equipment: 32%

Civilian Conscripts (5 SP)
Personnel: 30 (armed with scavenged weaponry)
Morale: Terrified/Stable
Experience: Green
Equipment: 21%

US Army Regular Infantry remnant (8 SP)
Personnel: 15
Morale: Shakened
Experience: Average
Equipment: 42%

Armored Personnel Carrier (20 SP)
Personnel: 3
Morale: Shakened
Experience: Average
Equipment: 80%

Meanwhile Fortney and the rest of TFOD made their way south along Broadway. Echo Company had held firm after debris and rubble cut off the largest corridor west from the alien force. Echo though was going to die as their heroic stand was suicidal but instrumental and protecting retreating soldiers behind them.
Die Roll..(0 KIA)
Once they reached Canal Street the TFOD forces walked right into a firefight ripping the block apart. Alien forces were being held by two tanks that had blocked off the approach toward west. Fortney is caught up in the struggle over the intersection. Enemy firepower is focused on the tanks allowing TFOD and friendlies to kill ten aliens. However the tanks are eventually blown to pieces.
Die Roll..(0 KIA)
After the tanks are eliminated the aliens begin their advanced against the infantry. Enemy troops begin to employ heavier weaponry and their aircrafts set up perimeters, firing beams into human forces. Losses begin to mount.
Die Roll..(5 KIA, 3 wounded)
The intersections is overrun. TFOD falls back toward the west which turns into a jogging paced retreat down Canal Street to Church Street. They are ambushed and a protracted firefight takes place.
Die Roll..(7 KIA, 5 wounded)
"TCOM to Commander Fortney come in, we have received your coordinates, electromagnetic disruption system volleys incoming!" Suddenly enemy elements falter. Their technology disrupted by the EDS. TFOD and friendlies counter attack the aliens gaining such momentum that the intersection at Canal and Church Streets is cleared of enemies retreating away from the area. TFOD kills 30 aliens.
Die Roll..(0 KIA)

Fortney is at Church Rally Point regrouping his and scattered regular forces. The EDS is proving quite effective at halting and dispersing enemy advances so far. Communications are restored between TFOD's units and with TCOM. An update is forthcoming on everything. Fortney receives 30 SP.

 

[Dyranum]

Hmm, I might join if I have the time over to read through what has happened to date. I must say, though, that it'll be hard writing a location which is quite unfamiliar... and it is not a fictional one where one does not have to worry about such things.

 

[Stuckenschmidt]

Hmm, I might join if I have the time over to read through what has happened to date. I must say, though, that it'll be hard writing a location which is quite unfamiliar... and it is not a fictional one where one does not have to worry about such things.

Don`t worry. I have never been to NYC either, but Google Maps is your friend.