NationStates Jolt Archive

OOC: OOC sign up is here (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=541085)

Secret IC:On the surface of Mars

A group of martians were gathered in chamber, their bodies suspended by metalic arms.

One of them opened the conversation "My fellow elders. We are gathered here to discuss our species' predicament."

A second elder continued the discussion "Mars is incapable of sustaining life! Our attempts at maintaining the biosphere are exhausted. The temperature and water table decrease annaully, as does our population."

"The only consequential course of action is the conquest and occupation of Earth, our young sunward neighbour"

"Earth is abundant with life, and resources are bountiful. The environment will seem... 'uncomfortable', but not inhibitive."

"The problem is of course the humans. They have developed primitive intelligence. Yet their society is based on perpetual conquest and conflict. A rapid offensive to their social and economic heart, should prevent any significant opposition"

The lead Elder then spoke "The means and methods for this attack have already been realised! Large scale hydrogen accelerators have been constructed. They will launch suspension pods carrying the assault forces. We have not had the need for such destructive weapons for more than 5000 years, yet modifications will take place and should prove adequate to defeat the inferior human defences."

-------------------------

IC:Midnight. 12 August

As astronomers looked into the depth of space they noticed something. A huge jet of luminous green gas erupted from Mars. Across 200 million miles of void, invisibly coming towards it, came the first of the missiles that would bring calamity to Earth. As people watched, there was a second jet of Gas! It was another missile, starting on its way!

OOC: It is up to you what you believe is happening on Mars.

"Yes sir, I agree it is strange, leave it with us sir don't worry, good night sir" With a chuckle constable Brownlaw set down the telephone receiver and went back to his copy of Exchange and Mart. So far it had been a quiet shift and after the weekends chaos he was glad of it. Sergeant Wilson came out of his office with a mug of tea. The aging copper cast a glance at what the young constable was reading, "Thats a mans car Rob, too much for a lad like you." He placed the cup of tea on the front desk. "Anything important?"
Yeah, Cheryl 's fed up of m' van, wants us to get a new motor, women eh!"
Wilson shook his head in exasperation "The phone call you pillock!"
Brownlaw sniggered " Nah, just some teacher, rang from his mobile" He went back to his magazine. "He's out with his astrology class, star gazing"
"Astronomy" Corrected Wilson
"Yeah whatever, any road, it seems he saw some explosions or something on Mars, you know.. the planet"
"I know what Mars is!"
"He said something about it not being a meteor strike, He seemed pretty excited. I reckon he'd had a bit too much to drink sarge, I told him I'd pass his sightings on to the relevant authorities.
Wilson nodded. "Not our usual crank call, did you get his name?"
"Sorry sarge pen rang out of ink"
Wilson groaned "You're a bloody liability sometimes, give me the phone I'll ring back."
It would have been an excellent idea, unfortunately just then the telephone rang, Wilson cursed and went to answer it.

In his office, the Chancellor was yelling at his Minister of Science. "What", he screamed, "you still haven´t found out what that thing on Mars was? What have you been doing with all the money we have poured into your department? Used it as toilet paper? I want results, and you will give me results. Don´t come here and babble about some "unknown fenomen". You have twenty-four hours to find out what that thing was, then i´m going to fire your lazy ass and place you in the sewer-cleaning department. Is that understood?"
The Minister shivered. "Yes, Chancellor", he said weakly.
"Good. Now get out of here. I´ve got an meeting with the Minister of Agriculture".

Narcissus stared up at the sky as Maleficius hurriedly explained the sightings on Mars. Narcissus raised his hand suddenly, and Maleficius stopped talking.
"What your saying," Nariciccus said, in his monotone, cybernetic voice, "Is that there was some kind of explosion on Mars?" Maleficius nodded. Narcissus smiled, until his gas mask. "Ready a SOUL unit. Set them to amber alert, but don't raise a standing army yet."
Maleficius bowed then ran off towards the HQ. Narcissus looked back up at the sky. Something was coming. He could feel it.

OOC: I will give everyone a chance to respond before I move into the 'main phase' of this RP

IC: And that's how it was for the next ten nights. A flare, erupting from Mars. Bright Green, drawing a green mist. A beautiful, but somehow disturbing site...

Whitehall. London.
17th August 1400 hours GMT
Emergency Cabinet meeting

The PM went over the last of the reports. Telescope and satellite imaging made it clear that these objects were heading towards Earth, to make matters worse the boffins were saying that the objects were dense with a high metallic content, there was a very good chance they would not be breaking up in Earths atmosphere. "Very well, I'll inform Her Majesty of the situation, Have your departments implement all the relevant emergency contingencies place the military both here and overseas on alert. I'll speak to the nation tonight, try to reassure them that we have the situation well in hand"
"And do we Prime-Minister?" Asked one of the assembled ministers
I don't know Harold, The odds are pretty good that we won't be hit, most likely we will have a lot of coastal damage due to ocean impacts, but we should be able to weather that storm. I'm sure we'll know more in a few more days when we have a clearer knowledge of impact coordinates."

OOC: Just to let everyone know I'm not RPing Japan at all like it is in RL, more like it's my nation.
IC:
"Volcanic Eruptions? For ten nights at regular intervals?"
"Erm, well, yes-"
"Unacceptable. Get me a more comprehensive report whithin twenty-four hours."
"Yes your Excellency. We will not fail you."
"See that you don't."

OOC: While I'll also be following the Canadian government response, I thought it might be interesting to have a "person on the ground"...

IC:

Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada

"Right this way," said the technician. "We go on the air in two minutes."

Dr. Lewis MacDonald nodded and sat down in the CBC radio studio. This was not a new experience for him - as one of the leading astronomers of the country, he's been in front of the media a number of times to explain scientific discoveries or, more rarely, in debates on science policy.

Today, he was going to discuss the strange occurances observed on the planet Mars. And what he had learned so far was enough to unnerve him.

"Going on the air in 5, 4, 3, 2..." The "ON AIR" light went on and Lewis put on the headphones, as the host for this program - speaking from the CBC Studio in Toronto - began his pitch:

"Welcome to a special edition of 'Information Morning'. I'm Craig Williams, filling in for Costas Halabresos. Today we're discussing the event that has captured headlines the world over; the strange plumes observed on the surface of Mars.

"In the studio with me is General Pierre LaCombe, current head of the Royal Canadian Armed Forces..."

They called in the army? That was odd, Lewis thought.

"And joining us in our Fredericton studio is Dr. Lewis MacDonald, professor of astronomy at the University of New Brunswick and author of the popular science book 'The Galactic Oddysey'. Gentlemen, thank you for joining us today."

"Thank you," Lewis said into the microphone. "It's good to be here."

"Dr. MacDonald, let's start with you. We've been observing these plumes for ten days now. Has the scientific community come to an explanation on what's happening?"

Lewis chuckled. "Well, Craig, I have to say that we're honestly stumped by this one. Mars has always given us surprises in the past but this is a real puzzle."

"There have been some people who have said those plumes could be volcanic activity."

"A reasonable assumption," Lewis replied, "Given that Earth is volcanic, and Mars has certainly been volcanic in the past - Olympus Mons proves that. But, geologically speaking, Mars is a dead world - it lost what internal heat it had millions of years ago."

"So... are there any ideas?"

"Nothing I'd bet my reputation on, so far. We've had people speculating on meteor impacts on the Martian surface to intelligent activity. But right now... there's just no evidence to support any theory."

"General LaCombe, perhaps you can comment on the 'intelligent activity' angle. Could we be looking at an invasion?"

"Probably not," LaCombe's voice came through the headphones in clear, crisp tones. "At least, not in a traditional military sense. We do know that NASA's Project SPACEGUARD is tracking a series of objects that appear to have left the vicinty of Mars at the same time of the plumes and which are on a course that could intersect the Earth."

"And impact the Earth, perhaps?"

"There's a good chance."

"Does this explain why some Canadian forces units here at home have been mobilized? And is there any truth to the rumours that we might be pulling our troops out of the NATO mission in Afghanistan?"

Lewis had to grin at that - not even an apolitical issue like this was immune to the growing jibes at the government for their involvement in the Afghanistan war.

"To answer your first question," said LaCombe, "yes, we are moving some of our infantry and combat engineering units to active status. If there are impacts, we may have to mobilize troops in aid efforts if one or more of those objects hit a populated area."

"If I might add a comment or two," Lewis said.

"Go ahead, Dr. MacDonald."

"The actual damage caused depends on the size of these objects. Now I confess I haven't recieved any data on how big these objects are, or how fast they are moving, but we can make a few reasonable guesses based on meteor impacts in the past."

He relaxed a little - this was his territory. "Generally, smaller asteroids, usually ten to one hundred meters across, would be the more common threats to a city if - and I'd like to stress the 'if', Earth still has a lot of territory that doesn't have anyone living there - they should impact. When you get to the hundred meter range, you'd have an impact that would be equal to a good-sized nuclear bomb."

"Of course, that's if one of these objects hit a city."

"Exactly. Taking Canada for an example, we've got a lot of relatively uninhabited space; even here in New Brunswick there's lots of forest and farmland. An impact there would certainly be devastating to the area, but nobody would be directly endangered. It's a good chance that these objects will hit such an unpopulated area." He chuckled. "So I don't think we'll have to head for the hills just yet."

"Thank you, Dr. MacDonald. I think I can breathe easier now," Craig Williams said with a chuckle of his own. "Now we're going to open up to public questions. You can reach us by calling the CBC at..."

That's it for now - general Canadian response thus far is heightened alert in the event of a meteor impact and damage to a populated area.

<snippy>


OOC: I thought for a moment you were going to include 'The chances of anthing coming from Mars are a million to one' :D

"Your Exellency."
"What is it?"
"Several object, from eight to twelve of them, have been detected moving from Mars to Earth at high speeds. Size of the objects are unknown. ETA is unknown. At least one, according to our calculations, will hit Japan, outside Tokyo, in one to seven days time."
"What are they? Asteriods?"
"Perhaps. In any event, we should evacuate Tokyo."
"WHAT! Do you realize how hard it will be to evacuate a city of over 8 million people?! It's impossible!"
"Than I advise military forces set up in and around the city."
"Why? Expecting an attack from little green men from Mars?"
"No sir. However, medical and evac aide will be needed, as well as forces to stop looters and whatnot if something does happen."
"A poor excuse. What do you really think?"
"Your Exellency...I do feel some fear of extraterrestrial invasion."
"Don't we have a department that deals with that kind of thing?"
"Section 3, yes, they deal in alien, paranormal, and supernatural encounters."
"Do they have experience?"
"Well, before you came into power, they've successfully completed over 369 missions on 5 different continents."
"You joke."
"I most certainly do not."
"Mobilize them immediatly."
"Yes your Excellency."
With that a small, discreet force deployed. Men and women in gray combat gear, gray APCs, black helicopters, and black cars patrolled the streets, much to the curiosity of the general populance. But this was Japan. They'd seen stranger. Life went on.

The phone on the Chancellor´s desk rang. "Yes?".
"Sir, we have a man here that says that he is the director of the Institution of Experimental Science. He wants to see you".
The Chancellor thought about it. "Isn´t they the ones that tried to develop a system for detecting incoming asteroids?"
"Yes, sir".
"Oh well, send him up".
"Will do, sir".
Ten minutes later the man walked into the office.
The Chancellor rised. "Good afternoon. You wanted to discuss something with me?"
The man nodded. "As you problably know we have tried to develop a system, we call it Stareye, to detect incoming asteroids. Well, thing is, this morning Stareye detected something, actually more than one, heading for the earth. We don´t know what they are, but we have calculated that at least one will hit Germany".
"Are you serious?"
"Yes, according to all estimates one will hit Koblenz and it´s a 50% chance one will crash in the Stuttgart area"
"Thank you. Now, please go and get me more information".
"Yes, Chancellor".
He leaved. The Chancellor lifted the phone. "Get me the Minister of Defence, the Minister of the Interior and the Inspector General of the Bundeswehr".
"Will do, sir".

OOC: To stop me repeating this post several times, this post applies to 4 of you. 4 pods have landed at the following locations:-

The Isles of Albion - South of Hemel - Hempstead
Zaheran - North of Potsdam
Void Templar - 25 miles south of Karasi
Xiscapia - 20 miles north of Tokyo

If the rest of you feel 'left out', don't worry you'll be attacked tomorrow ;). You may of course respond to these landings.

IC:Then came the night the first missiles approached Earth. As they entered the atmosphere, they appeared an ordinary falling star. However, they crashed with a flash like Summer lightening. The impact from the 'landing' destroyed everything underneath it, and leaving a large impact crater.

People nearby came out to see what lay in the pit. A cylinder, 40 yards across. Glowing hot, with faint sounds of movement coming from within. Suddenly the top began moving, rotating, unscrewing. However, the intense heat stopped anyone getting near the pod...

[OOC: Until the various gigantic and invulnerable ballistic missile shields of the Earth's nations utterly destroy any incoming contacts.]

Having been somewhat forewarned, local Bundeswehr forces and Zivildenst units, along with police and the fire brigade, quickly took control of the scene. Shocked civilians were evacuated and the fires caused by the crash were put out. A particulary bold policeman walked to the crater and looked down. What he saw maked him stumble backwards with fear. "It is...it is moving."
Other policemen and soldiers walked to the edge. "What are you talking about?", one of the men asked. "How can it be...". He stopped. "Holy mother of God, it is actually moving!".

"Civillians! Move back!" A group of heavily armed SOUL troopers, Apache Gunships and APC surrounded the pod, aiming heavy duty weaponry at them. The APC's had 90mm cannons with Inferno shells, and the Apache's had armor piercing missiles armed. Now, they waited.

E Company (MG), 3rd Battalion of the Royal Anglican Regiment under the overall command of Major Ian Couch was at the moment of impact 5-km south east of Hemel Hempstead.
The Territorial Army unit was shepherding fleeing refugees from Watford further to the south, while at the same time making sure emergency services would have a clear run down the A41 into Northern London.
Couch knew when the object hit London there would be no survivors. He also knew there was a good chance the resulting shock-wave could even reach this far some 25-km away from the impact centre. Trying to evacuate London had proved to be a logistical nightmare. In the end people on the whole had decided to stay hoping for a miracle. The Government was now in York. The Queen went against the PMs advice stayed in the Palace, she would not desert her people.
Couch looked at his driver, a butcher by trade from Bury St Edmunds, he was chewing his lip nervously, he was looking out of the land-rover they were in towards the front of the column just as they heard the sonic boom. As the column had halted due to a civilian vehicle breaking down Couch could quickly disembark, he did so and joined his men also clambering from the vehicle. RSM Newton pointed to the South East, it was a redundant gesture, the entire sky in that direction was ablaze with light, The screams started as panic set in.
Couch couldn't believe how calm he felt, then it hit him, the trajectory was all wrong it wasn't going to hit the capital, his stomach clenched as he came to the conclusion that it was going to come down on his command and the thousand or so civilians he has swore to protect. The sound overtook everything, The Major closed his eyes as the temperature around him rose.
Everything seemed to slow as the object passed over the panicking soldiers and civilians. Then it dipped and impacted some 2-km from the motor-way. Every one was blown from their feet by the shock-wave, every window within 10-km was shattered, the resulting explosion was to everyones surprise rather mild, where everyone had expected a firestorm none arose. They had not died, people began gingerly picking them selves up, a few moaned or screamed with pain from either broken bones or cuts and lacerations. Couch could not believe it, it was impossible, it went against every physical law he could think of. "RSM.." He was at a loss as to what to order. It wouldn't have mattered, he was being ignored, everyone was looking to the vast plume of smoke that was rising from the crater to the west of them. For a few seconds he tried to take it in, then his training took over. "RSM, all officers and senior platoon NCOs to me, Lance corporal Denny!" The RSM started bringing order to the chaos as the major's R/T man staggered over, blood streaming from his nostrils. Noting his officers concerned look "Im ok sir i was slammed into a door by the shock-wave"
"Good lad. Ok get me Battalion I need to speak to them sharpish"
Denny went to it just as the first of the officers ran over. Lieutenant Tom Walsh, 1st Platoon c/o was a well built young man who played scrum half. "Jesus Ian I thought we were goners" The other two platoon commanders, 2nd lieutenants McVane and Conroy along with a number of sergeants and RSM Newton soon joined them.
"Any casualties?" Asked Couch
"A few cuts and bruises, corporal Lewisham has a broken collarbone, he was blown from a land-rover" Replied McVane.
"Sir, what happened?" asked a young sergeant
"Your guess is as good as mine Peterson, Denny any luck raising Battalion?"
"Negative sir. Nothing from Brigade or Divisional HQ either, its just static"
"Could be EM pulse, sir" put in Lt Walsh.
"At this moment Tom It could be anything, keep trying Denny. Right to business, number three platoon I want you policing our civilians, give what ever first aid you can, Second platoon go over all the vehicles I want to remount if possible within the hour, get that buggered up lorry of my road.
RSM, have first platoon gear up for NBC operations, we're going to check that hole out.

Section by section the 30 soldiers of 1st platoon moved forward, they were encumbered by the NBC suits they wore but they still made good time over the two kilometers, cradling their GPMGs and L110A1 LMGs the MG platoon swept through the burnt remnants of some poor farmers crop.
All felt the heat radiating from the crater ahead of them, all could see the rim of the crater grow nearer and nearer.
Ten meters from it the lead fire-team of number one section called for a halt, he turned to the private by his side and motioned him forward, without hesitation the soldier did so, first in a crouching trot then on his stomach as he came to the upturned earth of the craters edge, he felt the warmth of the ground under him as sweating he crawled up, strangely he could also feel the ground faintly vibrating, a constant throb that moved through his body, after a few moments he reached the edge, raising his head he peered over.
Major Couch saw the private give a hesitant hand signal to form on him, his sergeants moved the sections forward fanning out along the ridge, they did it with professionalism and discipline but Couch could tell something was amiss, "What the hell is that throbbing" He thought to himself, he pulled himself up to take in his first glimpse of the crater, then he saw it and couldn't believe his eyes. He turned to his RSM. "This has to be a fucking joke!"

OOC: To stop me repeating this post several times, this post applies to 4 of you:-

The Isles of Albion - South of Hemel - Hempstead
Zaheran - North of Potsdam
Void Templar - 25 miles south of Karasi
Xiscapia - 20 miles north of Tokyo

IC:The morning of 24th August, the impact craters

The waiting crowds got what they had wanted. Two feet of shining screw projected when suddenly the lid of the pod fell off.

Two bright green eyes appeared above the rim of the pod. A huge; rounded bulk, larger than a bear, rose up slowly supported by a metal arm. Its red skin glistening like wet leather in the sunlight. It lipless mouth quiver and slabbered. The snake like tenticles attached to the lower part of the body rived as the awkward body breathed and pulsated.

It just 'sat' there, casting its huge eyes over the crowd, breathing heavily (maybe struggling to breath in this atmosphere?)

"What the hell is that thing?" Screams of disgust ran through the crowd, and the SOUL troopers opened fire on the cylinder.
"Kill them, then salvage any technology." yelled the commander. The civilians scattered.

"What is that?", one of the soldiers screamed. They all raised their weapons, not sure what to do. A senior officer called Military Command. "Sir, we have investigated the area and we found something". He told the man at the other end of the line what they had seen. "No sir, I´m not drunk. We can all confirm it. What do you want me to do, sir?". He listened. "Confirmed sir, we will take no action until you get here. Yes, sir".
He walked back to his men. "Take no action against it. We just wait here and watch it. Do not fire if not fired upon".

"What the hell is that thing?" Screams of disgust ran through the crowd, and the SOUL troopers opened fire on the cylinder.
"Kill them, then salvage any technology." yelled the commander. The civilians scattered.

The Martian made a hasty retreat into the Cylinder, the weapons bouncing harmlessly off the pod. In the Martian's place came a huge funnel. It pointed towards the soliders. A white light came out the end of it, and they were instantly turned to fire. Everything became a mass of flame at the touch of this savage, unearthly heat ray.

The heat ray blazed a trail of systamatic destruction round a huge perimeter. When it was satisfied it withdrew back inside.

"What is that?", one of the soldiers screamed. They all raised their weapons, not sure what to do. A senior officer called Military Command. "Sir, we have investigated the area and we found something". He told the man at the other end of the line what they had seen. "No sir, I´m not drunk. We can all confirm it. What do you want me to do, sir?". He listened. "Confirmed sir, we will take no action until you get here. Yes, sir".
He walked back to his men. "Take no action against it. We just wait here and watch it. Do not fire if not fired upon".

The Martian cast its green gaze over the crowd. It then returned to the pod. Soon, just like in Void Templar, a tall funnel rose and heat ray struck the area. The heat ray carved its trail of destruction around the pod. It didn't target anything in particular, just efficently covered every scrap of unburned earth around. The heat ray paused, seeming admiring the destruction it had caused, before it slipped back inside the pod.

Over the radios, the communications officers in Military Command heard screams and crackles of fire. Then the lines went dead. One of the operators turned to his workmate. "Good Lord, did you hear that?". The other man shivered. "Something terrible must have happened".

The phone on the Chancellor´s desk rung. "Yes?".
"Sir, this is General Bragen at Military Command. You know about that thing that crashed north of Potsdam, I suppose?".
"I do, General. Go on".
"Well sir, we sent out some units to take a look at it. First the colonel in charge called in and talked about some "living creature" coming out from the thing. We ordered him to stand by. Then, just ten minutes ago, we heard screams over the comlinks and now we can´t make contact with them. Sir, I think we have an alien invasion coming".
The Chancellor lighted a cigarette. "Any chance that this is just a joke?", he asked.
"Negative, Chancellor".
"Good Lord. Take whatever assets you have in the area and exterminate that thing. I want it dead by tomorrow, General. Do whatever you have to do, I just want it dead. Understood?".
"Yes sir".

<snippy>

Back in the pod the Martians continued hammering and stirring. Sleeplessly constructing something. Now again a light, like the beam of a warships searchlight swept the area and the heat ray was ready to follow...

In the early morning, two Eurofighter Typhoons attacked the pod with air-to-surface missiles. They fired the missiles and turned away, flying back. Ten minutes later, a Panavia Tornado flew over the site, photographing it to see what damage they have done.

<snippy>

The pod appeared slightly dented, but no real damage from the aerial attack.

The day drifted ontowards the evening...

The sound of weapons cocking and calls of alarm caused Couch to turn back towards the object, he watched in amazement as a creature emerged, he heard himself shout an order to hold fire. "Lt Walsh, send a runner back to the road, get those civilians out of here now. Denny anything on the radio?"
"Sir yes sir, Its fairly faint, i'm getting a hell of a lot of interference but I have Regimental HQ"
"Good give it here"

Regimental HQ, Royal Anglican Regiment was already at the highest alert when E Company called in. Couch was a respected battalion commander, an officer not known for flights of fantasy. Within minutes of his call the regulars of 1st Battalion (mechanised infantry) had been ordered to reinforce Couch along with A and B companies of the 3rd Battalion, their mortars and anti tank weapons would add much needed support.

Lt General McColl CBE DSO was soon speaking to his Divisional commanding officer, he would soon have support from the Challenger tanks of 2nd Royal Tank Regiment and elements of the Household Cavalry Regiment in their recon Scimitars. Major General Everson was not a happy man when he informed the PM.

The martian withdrew back into the cylinder

Then, the events experience across the world happened again. The tall funnel rose, and the white 'finger' of the heat ray struck british soil. Metal just melted under its influence, and ammunition exploded. Everything just became a mass of flames.

The heat ray scanned the vincity, looking for survivors. Content there were none, it retreated back inside.

Private Emmet was blown forward onto the ground as a wash of immense heat passed over him, he twisted round to where mere seconds ago he had been. all he saw was carnage, the blackened bodies of his platoon smoked in the afternoon sun, some had been blown apart by ammunition exploding. Emmet swallowed the bile that threatened to choke him, it wouldn't have done him any good to puke in his gas mask, he turned and with tears streaking down his sweat covered face he pushed himself to his feet and ran towards the motor-way.

2nd lieutenant Conroy had been facing the crater when the heat ray hit, he'd been watching the running figure of the soldier heading his way and wondered what was up. Suddenly he saw it happen. 1st platoon was suddenly bathed in light, some sort of beam passed over their position. In its wake it left flaming pyres of once living men. He couldn't believe it thirty men just gone up in smoke, no warning no chance to even retaliate. The civilians reacted first they ran, a long stream of frightened people just dropped what they were holding and ran for it, some headed North and South others headed across the fields to the East. It was an unorganised rout and Conroy couldn't do a thing about it. McVane ran over "What do we do?"
"Take your platoon and have each section try and organise these civilians, get them to safety, My section will stay here, i want to know what we're dealing with".
"Roger that, good luck Johnny"

Conroy motioned for his R/T man.
"This is Echo Hotel Two to Echo Hotel come in over"
"This is Echo Hotel, hold for one, patching you through to Romeo Alpha at Regimental HQ, over and out"
A seconds pause as the uplink came on
"Romeo Alpha, Go ahead Echo Hotel two, over"
"Be Advised Echo Hotel Actual has come under what seems to be hostile fire, I say again we have come under hostile fire, We've lost a third of the platoon, Major Couch and Lt Walsh are dead, The civilians we were escorting are on the run, I need some fucking help here."
"Stay calm Echo Hotel two, we have support heading your way ETA five zero minutes, hold your position and report any change"
"Roger that Romeo Alpha, Echo Hotel out"
He handed the mike back to his operator and turned to the ever present Sergeant Hawkings. " Have the men dig in, and get those vehicles off the road.

Emmet staggered to a halt in from of his mates pulling off his gas mask and hood. "Its fucking martians." He gasped.

Within the hour Conroy felt a lot better he was relieved to first hear then see the arrival of the 1st troop of 2 Scorpions and 2 Scimitars of the Household cavalry speeding up the motor-way from their barracks at Windsor.

As the afternoon wore on more arrived and soon the crater was surrounded by a ring of steel. A layered defence of armour and infantry, forty eight heavy Challengers with their 120mm guns moved into position, supported by Scimitars and Scorpions who would range ahead if the situation warranted it. The infantry had already disembarked from their Warrior IFVs. These vehicles would be using their light cannons and speed to combat any hostiles. Over head flew elements of the army air corps, a lone Gazelle helicopter sent live video feed both to the commander of the battle group and Divisional command at Aldershot. Temporary HQ for the battlegroup was set up in Hemel Hempstead along with a tactical reserve of 12 Challengers of A Squadron, 2nd Royal Tank Regiment. Air support came from a flight of Lynx anti tank helicopters.

Nothing was happening so far, a strike request had been denied on the grounds that anything that was dense enough to survive reentry and a crash was impervious to anything short of a nuclear weapon.

To make matters worse it seemed the UK was not the only targeted country.

The soldiers ignited, and ran screaming in pain. Only Maleficius and his elite guard reamined, out of firing range. Maleficius nodded a few times, then yelled into his radio, "They have some kind of heatray. Careful if any other pod's appear." The troops poured a circle of gasoline and gunpowder, with a series of trip mines inserted. If the Aliens tried to get through, they'd lose at least one.

He hoped.

<snippy>

Whilst the British built up their forces, the Martians were constructing something of their own. The searchlight swept across the area, focusing on the build up of armour and other weaponry. The heat ray, was always ready for anything that got too close.

<snippy>

The Martians payed little attention to what was happening outside their pod. Alien sounds of hammering were clearly auidible. Now again, the light swept the area. The heat Ray, was ready to eliminate anything that got too close...

OOC: New pods have landed at the following locations and concern the following nations:-

Trivalivia - 13 miles East of Ottawa
Kontor - 12 miles North of Washington DC
Cazelia - 11 miles West of Yarkai City
Indonesian States - 15 miles North of Kota Laut

IC: Four more falling Stars, with a trail of Green mist, landed with flashes like summer lightening. Yet more cylinders.

Unlike the first wave, these ones were slightly different, and were unscrewing much faster... something was in a hurry to escape...

The next morning, the Bundeswehr tried again. Under the night, artillery pieces had been brought in, and they now shelled the pod from a safe distance. A infantry battalion was also waiting in the area, to protect the artillery and to keep the aliens from breaking out.

<snippy>

But the Germans were too late. Far too late. Almost at the same moment as the artillery opened fire, they had been spotted. Coming out of the pit area were 3 engines of Glittering metal. Monsterous tripods (http://www.frontiermodels.co.uk/images/products/P93.jpg) higher than the tallest building. Attached to the end of the 'hood' was a huge funnel. And the soliders realised they had seen this awful thin before!

From a nearby hill, the chief of the operation, Colonel Erich Neuman, saw the tripods. "Evacuate the artillery!", he screamed over the comlink. "Get the infantry here now!".
The artillery fired a last round and withdrew. Soldiers with anti-tank missiles and grenade launchers jumped into the holes they had been digging under the night. They awaited the martians next move.

OOC: I guess my "person on the ground" idea just got tossed into the bin. Ottawa, hm? Very well...

IC:

From the CBC daily news program "The National":

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. I'm Peter Mansbridge.

"Tonight's top story is the sudden display of force at four impact sites around the world, and the impact of more alien objects.

"In Germany, Great Britain, Void Templar, and Japan, local armed forces and civilian onlookers were massacred by the alien machines, which scientists now believe to have come from the planet Mars. We have lost contact with our local correspondents in these countries, and are trying to gain an accurate picture of the situation there.

"New pods have landed in the United States, Indonesia, Cazelia, and Canada. So far the governments of these countries have declined to comment, but CBC news has learned that Prime Minister Harper has ordered tanks and planes to converge on the Martian pod that has landed outside of Ottawa...

"Just a moment..." Mansbridge pauses as if listening to an unseen speaker. "We now take you to Parliament Hill, where the Prime Minister has called a press conference to speak on 'The Martian Threat'..."

* * *

As Canadians were being informed by their elected leader that the country was now in a state of war, members of the Royal Canadian Armed Forces were being called into service. At CFB Petawawa, the Royal Canadian Dragoons - the only tank forces in the area - had their Leopard tanks prepared for deployment.

Elsewhere, CF-18s were flown into CFB Trenton for refuelling, before proceeding to the Impact Site.

A forward scouting unit was the first to arrive at the scene. Given reports of the failure of earlier attacks against the alien pod, the Canadians decided on a risky strategy: the scouting units would wait until the pod opened before signalling the attack. Air-to-ground missiles fired from the CF-18s would aim for the pod opening itself. If the missiles were able to detonate inside the pod, it might be enough to destroy the alien weapons or kill their occupants.

Time was working against them, however, as the scouts reported the pod was opening faster than its companions in Germany and Great Britain. However, the Canadians were ultimately not worried: there had been no signs of the Martians seeking to gain any more ground than the immediate surroundings around their landing site. If the first attacks failed, high-altitude bombing might succeed in eliminating the threat.

Of course, the dodo might have thought the same thing about the first hunters it saw, as well...

OOC: I guess my "person on the ground" idea just got tossed into the bin. Ottawa, hm? Very well...


OOC: I can change the landing site if you prefer?

OOC: Nah, I can roll with it. On further thought it might make things easier on my end, as RL means I cannot devote as much time to this as I would like.

<snippy>

3 more Fighting machines advanced out of the pod. The 6 Machines formed a line. They then advanced towards the infantry lines, raised themselves to full height; before firing there high-power heat rays. Although the infantry had dug themselves in, it didn't take long for the heat rays to find the correct angle of attack of the trenchs. Although the heat rays had to stop firing to cool down between each 'shot', with six heat ray striking the line, it was unlikely to be much of a problem.

OOC: Sorry, I've been in Miami. Been away too long...
IC: When the pod landed, twenty miles north of Tokyo, it crushed a farmhouse, and much of the surrounding farm, flat, killing three people. Whithin minutes after landing APCs, tanks, fighter jets, helicopter gunships, soldiers, and armored jeeps had crowded around the pit. When the alien poked its head out, weapons were raised but the Commander shouted. "Hold your fire!" A loudspeaker began to inquire the alien's origins and intent, but it withdrew, placing a large gun of some sort in it's place. The gun fired heat, destroying and killing everything whithin about a two-mile radias. Now snipers stay far back, trying to pick of aliens from afar, but with no effect. Subsequent airstrikes had little effect as well. Both sides waited. Suddenly machines rose out, heat-rays striking with terrifying percision! Vehicles were shot down or blown into the air, soldiers vanished in bursts of hellfire, the remainder ran for their lives. Civilians, kept far back, turned as one and ran for Tokyo. A few soldiers left fired their rifles, pistols, or rocket launchers, but caused no visable damage. They, too, were quickly killed.

IC <snippy>

Just like the 4 previous landings, the lid fell off. However that was the only similarity between the pod landings. Out of this one came a machine. It quickly raised itself to full height. It was a tripod monstrosity. Unknown to the army, smallier than the ones rampaging through Germany. It was followed by a second. Then a third came. All three of these machines (The blue-eyed one) (http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a313/evilnerfherder/Various/marsattacks.gif)

The three also had heat rays (though smallier than the ones controlled by the fighting machines) They then advanced quickly on the formed mass of the army.

<snippy>

OOC: Thanks for saving me the bother of repeating my posts ;)

IC: With the last of the human troops destroyed, the Machines emitted deafening victory howls that roared like thunder.

"Ullah! Ullah!!!!"

Colonel Neuman saw how his men were butchered in the battlefield below. He grabbed the radio. "Military Command, this is Neuman. We need air-support now, repeat now! My men are slaughtered down here!".

The soldiers now had a quite clear understanding of what Hell was. The heat rays had melted many of their comrades to pools of hissing slush and the battling ground now was a smoking wasteland. Still they fought on, firing their weapons against the enemy. Grenades rained at the enemy and dozens of anti-tank missiles were fired. The soldiers fought on with cold determination, willing to give their lives to save their country and avenge their fallen comrades.

<snippy>

As more and more troops joined the increasing melted bodycount, it appeared they were fighting a fools battle. However, at last their courage got the breakthrough it surely deserved.

1 anti tank missile hit the top of the martian's hood. Something caught fire on top for a few seconds, before it exploded in a green fireball. If any soliders were a)Alive and b) composed enough, they would see bits of martian hanging out of the damaged hood. The machine -now without its pilot - fell to the ground and exploded. The 5 remaining fighting machines continued there massacre of the infantry.

The forward scouts gaped at the sight of the tripod. The sargeant was on the radio almost at once: "Change of plans," he told his superiors, describing the tripod. "Recommend the Hornets target the tripods first..."

Another scout unit further down the line panicked as one tripod advanced toward them. The gunner aboard the LAV opened fire.

Meanwhile, the CF-18 Hornets, already enroute, recieved new orders to target the tripods, while the Leopard tanks attempted to form a perimeter...

<snippy>

The Scount machines fired their heat rays on the forward scouts. As the heat rays struck, the scouts were quickly being sent to a firey oblivion. However, this gave the Hornets a stationary target...

OOC: Thanks for saving me the bother of repeating my posts ;)

IC: With the last of the human troops destroyed, the Machines emitted deafening victory howls that roared like thunder.

"Ullah! Ullah!!!!"
Heavy Artillery was being rolled into position. 25 Supersonic jets roared in, flying in at triple didget speeds. They unleashed their bombs and missiles, some flying directly at the machines, others speeding towards the ground in hopes of it caving in and tripping the machines up. Tokyo was being evacuated the best it could, but millions of people would still be trapped there in the invaders were not stopped. On the outskirts and countryside near the great city, mines and explosive traps were being layed down. If the enemy wanted to get to Tokyo, they would have a tough time of it. Back at the fields, the artillery fired, adding their shells to the rain of bombs and missiles

<snippy>

The 6 Machines found the aircraft an annoying destraction. There motion-guided heat rays fired at them with shocking accuracy. However, when the artillery fired, several shells hit simaultaneously; decapitating a fighting machine. The martian inside was slain by explosion, and the body - now little more than a intricate device of metal went whirling to destruction.

The remaining machines now began to advance on the artillery.

The artillery, firing from new positions, laid out a smoke screen, in cover of which the infantry finally fell back. The air-support, 25 Eurofighters, arrived and attacked the martians with air-to-surface missiles.

At the government headquarters, the Chancellor spoke to his people.
"My friends, as you problably know we have been attacked by what seems to be extraterrial forces. Our comrades in the Bundeswehr is trying to drive them away. The initial strike was north of Potsdam, where a vessel crashed two days ago. In this moment, Bundeswehr forces is trying to keep the invasion forces from spreading from that area until we have the strength to strike back. Their struggles have been quite succesful, we have managed to hold the aliens back this long. But as a precaution, all cities near the area will be evacuated, further information will come at the evening news. But I can say now that if you live in one of these cities, pack warm clothes and enough food and water for one day, and wait for the evacuation orders. Berlin will not be evacuated yet, but may be later. Also, all men over 20 years in the state of Brandenburg shall report in to their local mobilization station".

The 6 Machines found the aircraft an annoying destraction. There motion-guided heat rays fired at them with shocking accuracy. However, when the artillery fired, several shells hit simaultaneously; decapitating a fighting machine. The martian inside was slain by explosion, and the body - now little more than a intricate device of metal went whirling to destruction.

The remaining machines now began to advance on the artillery.
Of the 25 jets, only 7 of them survived the heat rays deadly flash. They zoomed away, then turned and fired all their remaining ATG missiles directly at the far left machine, hoping to destroy it too. One of the jets, out of bombs and missiles, kamikazed straight for the machine in the middle, like the planes of the Japanese in WWII. Farther out, the artillery readied themselves to fire once more.

To the south of the martian landing zone some 24-km away, 210 and 215 Battery of the 1st Regiment of Royal Horse Artillery deployed their twelve AS-90 155mm self propelled howitzers and support vehicles. Their digital fire control/ballistic computers began recieving fire mission data from recon assets and it wasn't long before each gun elevated into position.
This battery of twelve guns, each firing 43 kg projectiles with a burst firing speed of six rounds per minute, could deliver over 3 metric tonnes of ordnance per minute for up to three minutes. An immense weight of fire which could be delivered with very high accuracy. The army had taken casualties today, these gunners wanted some revenge.

<snippy>

Just as in Japan, the Fighting Machine's heat rays tracked the aircraft with shocking accuracy. The fighting machines survived relatively unscathed from this barrage, although some were sporting serveral scars and dents. They advanced on the artillery, trampling on the infantry as they attempted to flee. The smoke did not prove a problem for the martians...

<snippy>

The martians did not break stride in heat raying the remaining fighters. The fighting machines survived the air attack, although most were wearing visible dents and cracks. They moved at full speed towards the artillery.

The artillery fired one last time before the gunners and spotters abadoned their positions and fled into the countryside. If the Martians didn't blow up the guns, they were rigged with exposives and trip-wire, ensuring that any fighting machine that walked though would be minus all it's legs.

<snippy>

The shells rained down on the fighting machines, who were quick to move forward and stride over hills and trees towards the British artillery. 1 was hit fataly by a shell and istantly exploded, scattering metal debris across the area. The remaining 5 were almost within range of the British artillery.

<snippy>

1 Fighting machines was disabled as a shell hit one of its legs. It collasped to the ground with a crash. The 4 that were still mobile happily heat rayed the guns. As the martians halted there advance, assisting their 'wounded colleague' back to the cylinder for, thier howls again filled the air "Ullah! Ullah!"

The troopers used this time to escape, they were picked up by helicopters and flown away. At Tokyo more people were being evacuated by the hour, by shipor by plane out of the country, or by truck and car to another part of the island. Tanks and ani-tank crews were being positioned along the road and countryside to Tokyo. They'd be damned if the Martians got there without a fight. Spy planes flew high above the pit, out of range of the heat-ray. Later huge cargo planes flew overhead. little specks dropped out, growing larger and larger. Paratroopers. Elite Black Ops, their mission was to destroy the pod and hopefully the Martians. Maybe even capture a fighting machine. They knew they'd be struck out of the air. But there was too many of them to kill in one blow, and even as they fell troops on the ground, assisted by jeeps and APCs, rushed the pit. The Martians would need to concentrate their fire on two different enemies.
OOC: They're basically committing suicide, aren't they?

OOC: Sorry, but due to RL commitments, this will by last post until thursday :(

Secret IC: The Elder chamber, Mars

"The reports from the first pod suggest that our attack was... 'mis-calculated'"

"The human defences appear more organised than we predicted... perhaps the pods will be destroyed?"

"Our fighting machines are forcing the humans back. Soon, our more specialised machins will assist them in destroying the humans. As long as we hold our nerve, eventual victory is assured"

The shells rained down on the fighting machines, who were quick to move forward and stride over hills and trees towards the British artillery. 1 was hit fataly by a shell and istantly exploded, scattering metal debris across the area. The remaining 5 were almost within range of the British artillery.

ooc

we need to back track a bit, shall i narrate the war machines leaving the crater, thats when the forces surrounding it will attempt to stop them, the artillery will only be opening fire when the tanks and troops get chewed up

The Gazelle saw them first as they seemed to uncrouch from the massive pod, The martians were moving, large alien constructs on stilted tripod legs. "Contact, contact, Brass eye to Iron man we have six hostiles"
Iron man, the code name for Commander Battlegroup South watched as a signals officer added the data to his tac map while another fed the details into is computer. "Iron man to all units fire at will"

The six alien macines raised themselves up offering a challenge to anyone brave enough to heed it, gracefully for such cumbersome looking things they moved out of the crater.

"Target 12 0 clock, SABOT". Called out Sgt Mcfee to his gunner. Collins the gunner pressed the trigger on his weapons laser range finder, 1400 meters well within range he thought. His loader already had the shell in the breech. "Target acquired"
"Fire!"
The huge gun roared and the Challenger's turret was soon filled with fumes that its ventilation system sucked away. The shell flew true, in flight the sabot fell away and the high density kinetic penetrator finished the rest of its short explosive trip, Specially utilised to penetrate armour plate it should have caused some damage, it should have just gone through it but it didn't, with a screech of metal it ricoched away.

The rest of the MBTs in Mcfees troop of four fared little better as their shells failed to cause any more damage than a heat scar. As the martians turned their way, those who could see, were shocked to see the energy build up of the terrifying heat rays. Each tank to its credit managed another shot before three rays of energy destroyed them, the crews vaporised instantly as the temperature in the tanks set off their ammunition, mere seconds before the tanks actually caught fire.

The three tripods moved as one, sweeping all aside, wire guided Milan anti tank missiles from the infantry sections flew with pinpoint accuracy, again to no avail, the missiles could not penetrate the alien armour. Bravely they reloaded and shifted their aim towards the more fragile looking legs. For one split second it looked as though it had worked, the walkers staggered, but alas they were undamaged. The heat rays flashed again and soon carnage reigned, the infantry had no chance.

From the their north flanking position twelve Challengers moved into the fray, they opened fire at the martians as they were sweeping the area to the east that was occupied by fleeing infantry men, trying to reach their secondry positions on the otherside of the A41. The Twelve Challengers roared their defiance, the hi-explosive shells they fired bathing the sides and bellies of the horrifying martian behemoths with liquid fire, now two of the martian machines had signs of damage, deep craters and holes where the shaped charges and nearly penetrated. Those twelve tanks did not get a second chance, The heat rays washed over them and B squadron of the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment ceased to exist.

Within minutes of the opening shots Iron man had lost a third of his armour, This was impossible, the Challenger was the finest tank in the world. he turned to his field coordinators "Pull the heavies back to secondary positions, have the mortar teams lay smoke to cover them. Get the faster IFVs and light tanks screen the withdrawal. Get them all out of there, this is a bloody slaughter. Order the air assets to their firing positions and get me some artillery support. Some one get me a line to General Everson at Divisional HQ.

The slaughter continued as the darkness of night turned bright as day everytime the martians fired. Strange shapes caused by the battlefield smoke gave some element of cover to the withdrawing tanks and infantrymen, The Scimitars, Warriors and Scorpions performed with bravery, their faster speeds gave them some protection but their light weapons were as irritating as a wasp sting on elephant hide. In ones and twos they were destroyed, three quarters of them were destroyed before they finally withdraw, their ammo gone.

Firing from natural cover the four anti tank Lynxs helicopters opened fire with their wire guided TOW missiles, the targeting mast atop their rotor meant they could stay out of sight and still get shots of, within moments they had loosed off all their shots, 80% of the shaped charges detonated on target scoring deep wounds in the martian vehicles.

With a sound like an approaching freight train the first of the 155mm shells landed amidst the three martians, they rocked under the shock wave as the ground shifted under them, then it seemed as if the earth was suddenly exploded, as for the next minutes shell after shell rained down. It left one of the machines a wreck, blown apart by a lucky hit.

The Gazelle orbiting above made a note of this, the armour seemed slightly weaker on top. of course that made sense, the machines were made to tower over an opponent. The pilot never managed to call for a second fire mission to exploit this weakness, he and his machine were swatted out of the sky.
All video feed to HQ suddenly stopped. For now Iron man was blind.

The remaining five tripods turned south and with long strides moved away. Without a doubt London was there new target.

The shells rained down on the fighting machines, who were quick to move forward and stride over hills and trees towards the British artillery. 1 was hit fataly by a shell and istantly exploded, scattering metal debris across the area. The remaining 5 were almost within range of the British artillery.

Always alert for enemy counter-battery fire, the AS-90s were already in the process of relocating to secondary firing positions, However it came as a surprise when the five martian fighting machines came into view. As one the guns began moving off. Most of them made it. A heat ray fired from long range was lucky enough to strike a Field Artillery Ammunition Support Vehicle, the resulting explosion as 118 rounds of high explosives detonated totally destroyed two AS-90s and caused another three to shed tracks, these were easily destroyed by the martians as they strode on.

The lead Hornet caught sight of the Martian tripods as they destroyed the forward positions. As the last LAV burned, the pilots recieved the order to fire. Within moments, six air-to-ground missiles were on their way, two to a tripod.

Just as in Japan, the Fighting Machine's heat rays tracked the aircraft with shocking accuracy. The fighting machines survived relatively unscathed from this barrage, although some were sporting serveral scars and dents. They advanced on the artillery, trampling on the infantry as they attempted to flee. The smoke did not prove a problem for the martians...

11 airplanes were destroyed. The remaining 14 turned and headed back to their base. The artillery fired again, this time with live rounds. The infantry were severily decimated, but about a quarter of the original force made it to a force of rescue helicopters, which had recently arrived. The artillery withdrew after firing of their last rounds.

As the battle for Potsdam was to be counted as lost, newly mobilized forces now prepared to defend Berlin. The city was being evacuated, and the militiamen were busy transforming the whole city into a fortress. If the martians tried to attack Berlin, they would have to take the city street by street. It´s inhabitants would not give up without a fight.

ooc
to Zaheran, these forces will add 250 challengers, 96 self propelled guns,
18 multiple launch rocket systems, and 23000 soldiers, most if not all are situated in central and western germany.

ic
From: CINCUKSC(G)
To:CINCAFOC

In this time of International Emergency I am authorised by HM Government to place under at your disposal for immediate deployment as per NATO treaty obligations
1st Armoured Division

4th Mechanised Brigade
7th Armoured Brigade
20th Armoured Brigade
102nd Logistics Brigade
All sub units of 1st Armoured Division

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ooc
Trivalvia
same for you but a lot less, only 30 challengers and numerous IFVs, plus a few gazelle helicopters

From: CINCLANDUK
To: CINCCANCOM

In this time of International Emergency I am authorised by HM Government to place under at your disposal for immediate deployment as per Commonwealth And NATO treaty obligations all British Army Training Units currently based at CFB Suffield (BATUS) and all elements of 29th Flight, Army Air Corps.

ooc

we need to back track a bit, shall i narrate the war machines leaving the crater, thats when the forces surrounding it will attempt to stop them, the artillery will only be opening fire when the tanks and troops get chewed up

OOC: if you think so, soz if I rushed ahead

<snippy>

IC: The fighting machines attempted to chase the artillery, but after a brief chase they halted, apparantly losing interest. They then turned about and walked back towards the pod.

IC <snippy>
OOC: They're basically committing suicide, aren't they?

OOC: Yep :)

IC: It was a brave gesture by the Japanese, but ultimately wasteful. As the paratroopers got lower, the 4 working set to work melting them in mid air, those that made the ground bearly having enough time to say 'Martian!' before joining hs fellow comrades - dead.

However it appeared a small group had gone unnoticed. No fighting machines nearby. However, they then noticed something waiting for them. It was a squat, metallic spider (http://forbiddenplanet.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2006/06/Martian%20machine%) with huge, dexterous claws. It reached up and plucked the paratroops from the air as though they were fruit. With one claw it grabbed them, then with the other it through them into a huge metal basket on its back. It couldn't grab them although. Those that landed on the ground were heat rayed by this machine.

<snippy>

As the German army fled, the martians cried out after them 'Ullah! Ullah!'

The martians did not pursue, but returned to the cylinder.

The lead Hornet caught sight of the Martian tripods as they destroyed the forward positions. As the last LAV burned, the pilots recieved the order to fire. Within moments, six air-to-ground missiles were on their way, two to a tripod.

The 3 machines shook violently under the impact, but were not destroyed. They stopped attcking the scouts and headed straight for the hornets.

As the German army fled, the martians cried out after them 'Ullah! Ullah!'

The martians did not pursue, but returned to the cylinder.

The martians decision to not pursue was foolish, as it gave the Germans time to stabilize the situation and bring in reinforcements. The cities around the area captured by the martians were transformed into fortresses; if the martians tried to take them they would have to pay in blood. The Germans would give everything to defend their beloved country.


To: United Kingdom(Isles of Albion)
From: Chancellor Reinhard Sterling
"We thank you for your help in these dark times. Your equipment and soldiers will be a great help".

IC: The fighting machines attempted to chase the artillery, but after a breif chase they halted, apparantly losing interest. They then turne dabout and walked back towards the pod.

The remnants of the battle group were pulling out and regrouping on the outskirts of Hemel Hempstead when the fighting machines came back in sight. Near the downed martian tripod stood a lynx helicopter rotor blades slowly revolving, under muted headlights from two land rovers a lone section of men in NBC suits were collecting remnants of the alien craft and its biological occupant and placing them into the three vehicles. they has thought themselves relatively safe with the machines gone. They were thus surprised when their radios began issuing warnings, The pilot began to increase power, his hand signals trying to quicken the men to get aboard. Other soldiers dropped what they were holding and ran towards the the land rovers. Would they make it?

Commander battle group south was reading his casualty reports, there were very few wounded, it seemed the heat ray did not leave many alive. In destroying one machine Lt Gen McColl had lost over 60% of his own regiment the Royal Anglicans, 3rd Battallion was down to company strength. 1st Battalion fared a little better they had lost only 50% of their infantry strength, the biggest blow had been the loss of nearly 90% of their warrior IVFs. The Household Cavalry Regiment was down to four light tanks. 2nd Royal Tank Regiment had effectively lost 20% of its Challengers, The commanding general was not aware of his artillery casualties. At that rate of attrition the army would have no chance, Next time its the RAFs chance. "Get me RAF Cottesmore"

<snippy>

At dawn, a falling star with a trail of green mist landed with a violent crash. This was the second pod. Upon landing it began opening quickly.

OOC: It has landed 1 mile north of the first pod

<snippy>

The fighting machines 'furiously' aimed their heat-rays at the lynx and fired.

Moments later, a second pod crashed into ground very close to the first one. It began opening immediately upon landing.

The pilot of the lead Hornet grinned as he saw the explosions on the tripods. "Lead to HQ, we have hits on all three hostiles. Going in for another pass to confirm kills..."

The smoke and flame cleared away, revealing the tripods... unscathed.

The pilot bit down an epithet. "Lead to HQ, hostiles unaffected, I say again unaffected."

"Acknowledged, Flight Lead. Keep trying. Tanks will be in range shortly."

The pilot muttered an acknowledgement, then radioed the other planes. "Okay, let's give it another go. Second salvo, try concentrating on just one tripod..."

"Lead, this is Five! I've been hit!--*"

Flight Lead looked to one side to see a fireball where plane 5 had been moments before. There was no parachute.

"Dammit. All planes, evasive! Regroup and fire on the center tripod!" He banked left as he barked orders.

They lost two more planes on the attack run. Four missiles now streaked for the tripod in the center of the formation, but only three planes remained. If this worked, they would not have enough firepower to down another.

* * *

The tank troop dispatched by the Royal Canadian Dragoons saw the explosions from the Hornets... then they caught sight of the Tripods.

The troop commander gulped as he saw two Hornets destroyed... one almost directly above his head. Whatever weapon the Martians used, it outranged the Leopards.

This particular part of Ontario had few forests, but there were enough trees in the area to provide cover. The commander ordered the tanks into the woods. While they would not be able to cross through the woods, the commander hoped the tanks would be hidden enough for the tripods to pass over, then attack the tripods from behind.

* * *

Special communication to the Isles of Albion

The Canadian government welcomes assistance from our British allies. We hope to be able to return the favour in short order.

OOC: forgive the lack of protocol, but I confess I'm a little rusty on Canadian/Commonwealth/NATO command and communication protocols.

The Minsiter of Defence called the Chancellor.
"Chancellor, there is coming reports of a that a new pod have landed".
"Christ, not another one", the Chancellor mumbled to himself. "What resources do we have to take it out?".
"Sir, I recommend that we wait and see. Our resources are stretched to the maximum, we cannot afford to lose anything on meaningless assaults".
"Your right, I suppose. Oh well, put it under surveillance, but do not do anything at the moment".
"Yes, sir".

OOC: Yep :)

IC: It was a brave gesture by the Japanese, but ultimately wasteful. As the paratroopers got lower, the 4 working set to work melting them in mid air, those that made the ground bearly having enough time to say 'Martian!' before joining hs fellow comrades - dead.

However it appeared a small group had gone unnoticed. No fighting machines nearby. However, they then noticed something waiting for them. It was a squat, metallic spider (http://forbiddenplanet.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2006/06/Martian%20machine%) with huge, dexterous claws. It reached up and plucked the paratroops from the air as though they were fruit. With one claw it grabbed them, then with the other it through them into a huge metal basket on its back. It couldn't grab them although. Those that landed on the ground were heat rayed by this machine.
Only small snitchs of voices could be heard though the radio due to interference. "Attack...unsecces...massive casualties...fallback...armor destroyed...Gaarugh-" The signal was abruptly cut off. Of the entire assualt, only the cargo planes dropping troopers in made it out and there was 100% casualties. The enemy hadn't seemed to take so much as a scratch. The military sat back and reviewed their attack. Direct attacks and air strikes had little to no effect. Artillery had limited effect, but much of it had been destroyed. Ground troops entirely unseccessful. At Tokyo the Navy assembled. Submarines with cruiser missiles were set up. At the mark they fired some 200 percision-guided cruise missiles at the enemy. Mobile Missile Platforms added another 100 small rockets. It seemed the only way to beat these things was from long-range with extreme power.

The combined fire power of the fighting machines and the landing of the second pod vaporised the salvage team before they could flee.
Troops had watched the second pod pass over head, they saw it landing just over a mile away. Some prayed, some wept, most cursed and turned to each other finding strength in each other none of them were willing to fail their friends and comrades.

The command centre was a scene of organised chaos. Gen McColl spoke orders calmly "Order a complete withdrawal, make sure we leave no civilians behind, We'll make our next stand in Watford, Inform Horse Guards, 4th division HQ and Commander Regional Forces. We'll have air support this time chaps"
Another officer walked into the command post. "You'll need a rearguard John"
McColl turned to see Colonel David Jeffries C/O of the tank regiment.
"That would be suicide, i couldn't order any man to certain death"
"My lads want a crack at those bastards out there, with the help of the air force we can buy you the time you need to get your men out. I'll take A squadron and move north, attack them there. keep them occupied while you slip south east".
"You're right of course, good luck, someone get the colonel the call signs and tac channels for the air support"

Many miles to the north but rapidly closing at almost tree top level were the Harrier GR7s of A flight, Number 4 Squadron of the Royal Air Force. Six aircraft in two sections armed with the latest in ground support weaponry. Each Harrier had four 1000 pound Paveway III GBU-27 laser guided bunker penetrator bombs and two Brimstone fire and forget anti tank guided missiles along with their twin 30mm Aden cannon. Squadron leader Nathan Phillips knew they were a formidable force.

On the ground near the martian landing zones troopers of the Honourable Artillery Company slid into position, a specialized unit within the army, they had driven hard all day to get where they were, They only had sidearms for protection, their mission. Surveillance and Target Aquisition, each scout for thats what they saw themselves as, had a laser designator with which to paint a target with, invisible except to the guidence system of certain weapons, weapons in this case currently approaching at just under mach one, slung under the wings of twelve RAF Harriers. They would begin their part of the mission when the Harriers got to ten miles out.

<snippy>

The lead scout machine, lacking the armour of the fighting machine, instantly exploded as the missiles hit. However, the hornets were now easy prey for the 2 remain scout machines


------

With the hornets vanquished, the scout machines turned their attention to the tanks. Although the tanks did try to hide, they had already been spotted. The two machines fired their heat rays into the forest nearby to the tanks. Instantly, the forest became a raging forest fire. Semmingly content at the destruction, the two machines returned to their cylinder. As they moved, the haunting calls of "Ullah" were heard across the are

<snip>

The Elder chamber

"The second pods are reporting no resistance upon landing."

"Just as we predicted. The humans lack the strength to maintain their offensive operations"

"The humans are taking up strong defensive positions, and we do not have the firepower needed to eliminate them'

"All in due time. Once our specialist machines are constructed, we shall eliminate the humans like the disgusting animals they are. They have no right to deprive us of Earth's valuable resources.'

"One of our pods reports that they have successfully adjusted the suspension pods to Earth's gravity"

"You see? Already we now have the advantage of surprise. With our flying machines ready for combat, we have a weapon that can fly out of range of most human projectiles, and still attack. Soon, we shall eliminate human society..."

<snippy>

The machines had just enough time to retreat into the pod as the bombardment hit. They emerged moments later undamaged. However, the pod bore the scars and could not provide anymore protection the the machines.

Moments later, a violent crash announced the landing of a second cylinder, a mile or so away from the first

<snip>

As the Honourable Artillery Company tropers watched, the lid of second cylinder fell off. Out of it came 3 scount machines. They raised themselves to full height, and set off to engage the Harriers.

Then out of the pod appeared a small, grey machine...

((OOC: Don't forget about me!))

The machines had just enough time to retreat into the pod as the bombardment hit. They emerged moments later undamaged. However, the pod bore the scars and could not provide anymore protection the the machines.

Moments later, a violent crash announced the landing of a second cylinder, a mile or so away from the first

((OOC: Don't forget about me!))

OOC: I didn't

The machines had just enough time to retreat into the pod as the bombardment hit. They emerged moments later undamaged. However, the pod bore the scars and could not provide anymore protection the the machines.

Moments later, a violent crash announced the landing of a second cylinder, a mile or so away from the first
"We've been tracking an object, coordinates say it will land about a mile or so away from the first."
"Our subs and MMPs will take time to reload and recharge. Get an airstrike and artillery immediatly on it."
Some 10 artillery pieces were quickly moved into posision to fire on the latest cylinder.
20 jets flew out of a Tokyo airport, armed with bunker buster and white phosperious bombs. It the next cylinder could not be penetrated, they would set the entire area on fire. If it was, the fire would be used to kill the biologicals inside (if they had not already died upon penetration) and melt the machines and parts inside into so much useless liquid metal. In the meantime artillery was was loaded and calibrated. In a few seconds all pieces would fire, and moments after than the airstrike would come in. No mercy would be shown this time.

<snip>

But it was already too late. Moments before the attack came, the lid of the pod fell off. Out came 3 smallier tripods. They raised themselves to full height, and ready themselves for the attack.

As the Honourable Artillery Company tropers watched, the lid of second cylinder fell off. Out of it came 3 scount machines. They raised themselves to full height, and set off to engage the Harriers.

Then out of the pod appeared a small, grey machine...
The Harriers mission was to destroy the five martian war machines still at the landing site, they had laser guidence from ground troops and the added diversion of tanks. Vampire one wouldn't know what hit them, the fighting machines were sitting ducks.
The new threat appeared on the Harriers radar as they increased altitude nine miles from the martian landing zone.
"New target, new target, designate vampire two"
The seeker heads of their bombs searched for their target point indicators upon the group known to them as vampire one, seconds later they had lock on. Red one loosed first, the rest soon followed, five fighting machines had a total of forty eight bunker busting bombs targetted on them, The RAF were confident they wouldn't fail.
"Go missiles hot, target vampire two, Blue section come in from the west, Tally ho Tally ho!"
The six Harriers of blue section moved off in a sweeping curve, in a few seconds they were in position and their targets were soon aquired, soon the sky was filled with the streaks of Brimstone anti tank guided missiles homing in on the three new martian machines.

The martian scouts intent on the incoming Harriers ran straight into twelve Challenger tanks, the tankers were just as surprised they had not known the martians had reinforcements on the ground, They reacted like the professionals they were. Four tanks engaged one martian, it was a tactic last used when Sherman tanks fought Tiger tanks in the 2nd world war, they expected high casualties but it was the only way, the first shot first kill doctrine was gone, every combat was a slug fest now.

On the ground near the landing site Corporal Bennet noted the small grey machine, unfortunetly he was not in a good position to aquire it, instead he radioed it in. Whatever it was, in time they would target it.

<snippy>

The Scout machines were forced to engage the tanks as they could not walk through them. One exploded under combined fire from the harriers and the challengers.

It looked like maybe this would be an easy victory, however, the harriers noticed the familar form of the fighting machines appear in the horizion. Within moments, they would be within range to help the socut machines. However, first they had to contend with the harriers. Their repaired armour absorbed the first attacks, and without any back up, the harriers would suffer horribly at the hands of the heat ray.

The Scout machines were forced to engage the tanks as they could not walk through them. One exploded under combined fire from the harriers and the challengers.

It looked like maybe this would be an easy victory, however, the harriers noticed the familar form of the fighting machines appear in the horizion. Within moments, they would be within range to help the socut machines

ooc
dont forget those first five fighting machines have laser guided bombs already targetted on them.

ooc
dont forget those first five fighting machines have laser guided bombs already targetted on them.

OOC: They do?

ooc
Yep, laser designators from the honourary artillery regiment painted them for the Harriers, who designated them vampire one, they loosed their bombs at nine miles away to fall in a parabolic arc (which is what they do). The Harriers then moved in to attack (with missiles) the scout machines designated vampire two attacking the tanks.

looking back at the post I can see the confusion, I will edit.

<snipped> Semmingly content at the destruction, the two machines returned to their cylinder.

OOC: What, no "ullah ullah"? :p

IC: General Pierre Lacombe listened to the reports of the first attack. One flight of aircraft and one troop of tanks destroyed... versus one alien tripod eliminated.

Not good odds. Lacombe was normally proud of the Canadian forces - they've had to work with tight funding and often-ageing equipment and they still managed to serve as an effective fighting force. However this was a whole new class of combat, and good training plus poor equipment was not going to cut it here.

It was only a cold comfort that Lacombe had recieved word of how more numerous and more advanced attacks against the Martians had likewise failed. While he was happy that the British had released control of the 30 Challenger tanks to him, it now seemed about as useful as adding a second chalk circle to the first to keep the bad spirits contained.

Worse, the aliens elsewhere were getting reinforcements. Lacombe had to wonder if the same thing would happen here. That would not be a report he would relish delivering to the Prime Minister.

A lieutenant approached him. "Sir? We have a few reports from survivors who managed to escape."

"Survivors?"

"Some of the tank crews from the Dragoons. They had to abandon their tanks when the Martians attacked. The good news is that the Martians have not pressed their attack. They seem to be guarding the pod they arrived in."

Lacombe nodded at this. "Not, I suspect, because of our sterling defense, I presume." He sighed. "Still, it might give us some time. When will the British reinforcements get here?"

"Um... another three hours, sir."

"Very well. In the meantime, let's make use of the respite. Inform the 2nd Regiment of the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery to set up to bombard the pod and the immediate area." Lacombe tapped a paper on his desk. "A few reports from the British note that the tripods have weaker armour on the tops of their heads than they do elsewhere. Maybe some shells from above might be enough to keep them contained."

But it was already too late. Moments before the attack came, the lid of the pod fell off. Out came 3 smallier tripods. They raised themselves to full height, and ready themselves for the attack.
The artillery shells sped faster than the speed of sound though the air, incrediably accurate, falling in a concentrated series on expolisions on and around the walkers. Moments later the jets came in, launching their bunker buster and white phosphorus bombs directly at the aliens.

ooc
Yep, laser designators from the honourary artillery regiment painted them for the Harriers, who designated them vampire one, they loosed their bombs at nine miles away to fall in a parabolic arc (which is what they do). The Harriers then moved in to attack (with missiles) the scout machines designated vampire two attacking the tanks.

looking back at the post I can see the confusion, I will edit.

OOC: also edited

OOC: What, no "ullah ullah"? :p

IC: <snip>

OOC: Edited for your amusement. BTW, is your artillery actually firing?

The artillery shells sped faster than the speed of sound though the air, incrediably accurate, falling in a concentrated series on expolisions on and around the walkers. Moments later the jets came in, launching their bunker buster and white phosphorus bombs directly at the aliens.

One of the machines exploded as the shells hit, the remaing two moved out of the area the artillery. Now seperated form each other, they struggled to effectively fight off the jets. They semmed content trying to avoid the attack, more than fighting.

However, the jets noticed the 4 working fighting machines advancing on the second pod cylinder.

The Harrier pilots noted with dismay that though damaged the five fighting machines were intact, it was as if their armour regenerated. "This is Red leader to all aircraft, disengage, I repeat disengage break for home"
Red leader banked to port and hit his afterburner. He silently prayed for the remaining tanks as he accelerated to just under the speed of sound.
Maybe the Tornadoes and newer Typhoons would stand a better chance, they at least could carry heavier payloads.

With a heavy heart the tankers realised the RAF had faired little better, they all knew it was their time to die. All units target scout two, get amongst them so the heavies can't get a clear shot"

Commander Battle group south listened in on the radio chatter, it was a nightmare, what did it take to kill these bastards. His scouts reported a high hit rate on the tripod fighting machines, those bombs were designed to knock out underground hardened bunkers. He hoped the RAF had something heavier to lob at them or they were done for.

One of the machines exploded as the shells hit, the remaing two moved out of the area the artillery. Now seperated form each other, they struggled to effectively fight off the jets. They semmed content trying to avoid the attack, more than fighting.

However, the jets noticed the 4 working fighting machines advancing on the second pod cylinder.
The jets were able to avoid Martian return fire, although one was struck down. The pilots cheered as they saw the artillery strike and destroy one of the Martians. The attack seemed to have little affect, and the four remaining fighting machines were advancing on the second pod. 10 of the jets fired their missiles from long range at the advancing machines. Meanwhile the artillery fired once more at the smaller, new fighting machines. The subs off Tokyo and the MMPs were readied and fired their missiles at the new pod, some 100 cruise missiles and another 200 rockets. Back at the first pod tanks advanced, hoping to take control of the pit and destroy or capture anything still left. Specifically, the spider-like machines.

<snippy>

Without the support of the harriers, the challengers lacked the fire power to destroy the scout machines. Successive heat ray bursts caused horrific damage to the armour. However, one lucky shot hit one of the scout machines legs. It fell to the groud badly damage, but not destroyed.

The moment of victory was short. Now the fighting machines came within range, and the their heat rays offered the challengers little hope of survival

<snippy>

The fighting machines seemed unaffected by the long range missile attack. However the artillery was responsible for a second scout achines destruction. The remaining scout advance rapidly on the artillery and within moments was within range with its heat ray. The fighting machines were close behind them, watching the jets to see thy didn't get too close.

Out of the cylinder came a small grey machine. It had some sort of container strapped to its back. It 'limped' away from the cylinder towards the first landing site, just as the naval barrage arrived. The attack missed the martian machines, but the second pod caved in on itself and was as good as destroyed...

--------------------

The tanks advanced on the first cylinder. Suddenly a tripod figure confronted them. The fifth fighting machine had been repaired and advanced upon them.

The Challengers died a fiery death. In their last seconds they fired into the downed martian machine. A last desperate attempt to take out another of the invaders before they died.

Silence smothered the field of battle. The Martians had won the day. they knew it as well, mockingly they cried out their victory, the strange undulating sound sent a shiver of terror through all those that heard it.

The fighting machines seemed unaffected by the long range missile attack. However the artillery was responsible for a second scout achines destruction. The remaining scout advance rapidly on the artillery and within moments was within range with its heat ray. The fighting machines were close behind them, watching the jets to see thy didn't get too close.

Out of the cylinder came a small grey machine. It had some sort of container strapped to its back. It 'limped' away from the cylinder towards the first landing site, just as the naval barrage arrived. The attack missed the martian machines, but the second pod caved in on itself and was as good as destroyed...

--------------------

The tanks advanced on the first cylinder. Suddenly a tripod figure confronted them. The fifth fighting machine had been repaired and advanced upon them.
Hurriedly reloadeding and recalibrating, the artillery fired again at the advancing scout. The jets flew at a distance, then broke away as they realized the artillery was doomed and made for the first pod to assist the tanks.
1st Pod...
The men in the tanks, who had not been expecting this, were terrorfied. All 30 tanks fired at once on the machines legs as it rose, hurridly growling forward, hoping to make it inside the pit where the machine might not be able to strike as easily. The jets were still some 30 seconds away, and they flew in hard and fast, readying the last of their bombs to fire at the machine should the tanks attack fail.

OOC: Edited for your amusement. BTW, is your artillery actually firing?

OOC: The artillery are in the process of being deployed; the Canadians had assumed that the Hornets and tanks would have been enough (Blame the Prime Minister for not conversing with his allies soon enough... no I don't like Stephen Harper in RL; the martians are free to fry his plane when he tries to escape :P ). So the 2nd Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Cavalry, are arriving late to the party.

Besides, I wanted to replicate some of the arrogance that Wells' British troops had when they first tried to wipe out the Martians in the original book.

But, back to the war...

IC:

Artillery units were established a few kilometers away from the Martian cylinder, with nervous infantry serving as both perimeter defense and spotters for the artillery.

The forest fire the Martians had ignited continued to blaze, while ground firefighting crews worked feverishly to contain the blaze. But while the Martians remained capable of shooting back, the water bombers remained at their airfields.

Camoflagued infantry slipped through parts of the forests and fields that were free of the fire, and, once in sight of the cylinder and the tripods, they began to transmit back ranging data to the artillery teams. Within minutes, the first volley of shells were arcing over the burning trees towards the Martians. A second volley followed almost immediately.

OOC: For reference, I understand that the Canadian army employs towed artillery, with ~100 mm shells - folks feel free to correct me for accuracy. So we're looking at 18-20 shells per volley.

EDIT: 105mm howizters are being used for this attack. Special thanks to Isles of Albion for the correction.

^^^^^^

You are predominatly armed with 105mm howitzers, though a little bird tells me you have around 30 M777 155mm howitzers,(all towed) though six are overseas, For some reason in the mid 2000s you got rid of your M109 self propelled guns.

Thanks. I'm editing the post to account for this.

<snippy>

Two fighting machines carried away the badly damaged scout machine. The martian inside cried out "Uuuuuuuullllllllaahhhhhhhh!". Unlike the victory calls of the other martians, this one appeared to be a cry of pain and fear.

1 of the other fighting machines carried away the severed leg of the scout. The martians did not move to attack the British defences. What were they planning?

<snippy>

The first volley struck. The 2 scouts had taken cover inside the cylinder. As the artillery guns reloaded, the infantry noticed a 'flash' inside the pit. Before they could warn the artillery, the martian projectile hit the artillery. The explosion was immense, surely wiping out everything within the blast radius. The infantry watched as there was a second flash, and a then a third...

<snippy>

Most of the shells missed in the panic and the scout withstood the ones that hit. The fighting machines added their heat rays to the fray, and that was the end of the artillery

--------------------

The tanks had a good tactic, but seriously lacked the composure to implement it. Most of their attacks missing the machines legs, and those that did not having an effect. The heat ray then struck the armour...

-----------

The jets were almost in range to help the tanks. Then 'they' appeared. 3 grey machines rose into the air and floated. They had a small grey 'head' and 2 grey pods attached to the side. These flying machines 'charged' at the jets. The jets had lost their advantages of speed and height. The flying machines heat rays hit the fighters. If they tried to run, the flying machines were faster. If they tried to dodge, the flying machines were more agile!

Of the entire attack force, 5 managed to get of their shots before being struck down. Bombs headed for the fighting machine in the pit. A 6th jet fired Air-to-air missiles before turning into a speeding ball of flame. The entire wing was destroyed, with 5 jets managing to bomb the machine and one able to fire missiles at the flying machines.

<snippy>

The flying machines were damaged by the attack but survived. As did the fighting machine. It was clearly seriously damaged, with smoke streaming from several breaches in the armour. But the Japanese armour stood little chance of destroying it, as the flying machines flew above the armour, assisting the fighting machine in eliminating them.

Nothing could be done for the rest of the evening. It would take time for the different regional commanders to meet and come up with a combined operations plan.

London was fully alerted with all its troops ready for combat. The remains of Battle Group South was digging in and fortifying the town of Watford, the civilian authorities and emergency services were evacuating the people south and east away from the town, but they were hard pressed made more difficult and time consuming by the fact they were working at night. Dawn was still a few hours away.

The 2nd Division, 3rd (UK) Mechanised Division and the 5th Division were already making ready to send troops to reinforce Major General Everson's 4th Division. The first units were already on their way from depots all over the country. That those logistics took time to get in place was on everyones mind.
The PM had ordered all naval vessels of the Royal Navy to head home.
RAF Airlift Command and the Royal Navy Fleet Auxillery were under orders to begin the immediate ferrying home of all combat units overseas except those in Canada and Germany.
Under protest the Queen was being evacuated from London, She would be flying to join the rest of the Royal Family in Balmoral.

The Cabinet had received the first combat reports, It was undecided whether they should attempt to engineer a ceasefire, the aliens had proved themselves without a doubt to be hostile and extremely powerful. The issue of battlefield tactical nuclear weapons was raised. It was deemed too early to decide, consent was given for individual regional commanders to deploy chemical weapons at their discretion, depending of course on civilian safety.

Not many people slept that night, The PM had to address the media then speak to the nation.
The troops in Watford, got what sleep they could. The surveillance troops at ground zero kept watch on the landing zones. If anything new happened they would be the first to know.

RAF Flyingdales was busy shifting satellite orbits so the RAFs newest weapons could be brought on line, Busy ground crews were already attaching Storm-shadow cruise missiles to underwing pylons, these weapons with their two stage warhead are made up of an initial shaped charge, which cuts a passage through armour, concrete or earth, allowing a larger following warhead to penetrate inside the target. The weapon is designed to allow a cruise missile to achieve the degree of hard-target penetration formerly only possible by the use of laser-guided gravity bombs. At dawn a section of Typhoons from Number 11 Squadron would be ready for combat operations.

Everyone was waiting for dawn and what a new day would bring

By this point over two million people had been evacuated from Tokyo. Military Law had been enacted, trying to stop any riots or looting before it might start. Tokyo was being fortified. Tanks sat in alleyways, missile lauchers hid in windows, jets screamed though the air and helicopters, APCs, and soldiers patroled the streets. Outside Tokyo more artillery had been set up, as well as thousands of traps around the countryside. Anti-tank mines, rigged C-4 charges, explosives planted in the ground which could level an entire city block, AA and SAMs, remote-controlled anti-armor rifles, and many more. Off Tokyo in the ocean lay perhaps the greatest threat to the machines: The Navy. Once in range, the ships offshore would fire their huge guns, with shells as big as minivans falling down onto the machines. AA, SAMs, heat, radar, and laser guided missiles could easily take care of the flying machines. Another 50 small rockets were launched at the small, Scout machine. As for the remaining machines, atomic weapons would be a last resort. From behind the machines, in the opposite direction of Tokyo, several battalions of tanks and artillery were being rolled in for a final assualt on the first pit.

Colonel Neuman crept closer to the second pod. He switched on the laser and pointed it on the opening. He switched on the radio. "It´s done. Drop the bomb".
A sole Eurofighter appeared. It fired it´s AGM-65 Maverick bomb and fled. Neuman smiled. He would avenge his fallen comrades.

By this point over two million people had been evacuated from Tokyo. Military Law had been enacted, trying to stop any riots or looting before it might start. Tokyo was being fortified. Tanks sat in alleyways, missile lauchers hid in windows, jets screamed though the air and helicopters, APCs, and soldiers patroled the streets. Outside Tokyo more artillery had been set up, as well as thousands of traps around the countryside. Anti-tank mines, rigged C-4 charges, explosives planted in the ground which could level an entire city block, AA and SAMs, remote-controlled anti-armor rifles, and many more. Off Tokyo in the ocean lay perhaps the greatest threat to the machines: The Navy. Once in range, the ships offshore would fire their huge guns, with shells as big as minivans falling down onto the machines. AA, SAMs, heat, radar, and laser guided missiles could easily take care of the flying machines. Another 50 small rockets were launched at the small, Scout machine. As for the remaining machines, atomic weapons would be a last resort. From behind the machines, in the opposite direction of Tokyo, several battalions of tanks and artillery were being rolled in for a final assualt on the first pit.

OOC: you haven't launched an attack here have you? Just you used the words 'were launced' and not 'would be launched'

<snippy>

A few hours before dawn, the 'spies' saw the 5 fighting machines advance... straight at them. The five machines raised there heat rays and fired at them. Any that survived, they pursued for a time until they were too far away from the pods to report back...


-----------------
Just outside Watford

The garrison heard something. Click, click, click The sound of something moving. Then they saw it. It was the scout machine, approaching watford with its heat ray raised.

Colonel Neuman crept closer to the second pod. He switched on the laser and pointed it on the opening. He switched on the radio. "It´s done. Drop the bomb".
A sole Eurofighter appeared. It fired it´s AGM-65 Maverick bomb and fled. Neuman smiled. He would avenge his fallen comrades.

However, it had been left to late. Although the pod was destroyed, the colonel was dismayed to find it empty. The lid was already off. Where had these martians gone?

However, it had been left to late. Although the pod was destroyed, the colonel was dismayed to find it empty. The lid was already off. Where had these martians gone?

"This is Neuman. The pod is empty. Seems like the enemy has alredy run off".
The communications officer at Military Command swore. "Any clue of where they going?"
"Negative".
"Crap. Okay, report back to base. I tell the boss".

OOC: you haven't launched an attack here have you? Just you used the words 'were launced' and not 'would be launched'
OOC: 50 small rockets were fired at the remaining Scout machine.

OOC: 50 small rockets were fired at the remaining Scout machine.

OOC: of course lol. Stupid morning brain :mad:

IC: This rocket attack signalled the destruction of the remaining scout. But the price that the japanese had paid to kill just 3 martians was immense

-------------------

Little did the 'raiders' of the first pit know, but the martians were expecting an attack and had prepared themselves accordingly

OOC: 'Pause' your post at the split second you are about to attack, I need to respond before you open fire.

"This is Neuman. The pod is empty. Seems like the enemy has alredy run off".
The communications officer at Military Command swore. "Any clue of where they going?"
"Negative".
"Crap. Okay, report back to base. I tell the boss".

The martians did not reappear that day. The only possible place they could be was the first landing site... but why weren't they attacking?

Lacombe had to keep from snarling when he read the report from the survivors of 2 Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery. All three batteries of artillery had been destroyed. Reports from the forward scouts - now recalled, save for occasional volunteer teams that slipped in and out of what was now referred to as the Martian Controlled Zone - had indicated some kind of mortar or howizter had been used by the Martians... but the explosive yield was far beyond anything they'd seen.

He turned to the map. Based on the firing range of the tripods and now this new weapon, Lacombe had defined the MCZ as a ten kilometer circle centered on the Martian cylinder. His reinforcements, both from the British contingent and from other Canadian bases, were arriving, but he personally doubted he would be able to launch another attack... not unless he had overwhelming force.

He toyed with the notion of asking NORAD to fire a nuclear warhead on the site, but rejected it. Ottawa was only twenty kilometers away, and even if the nuke was successful, the firestorm and fallout would make the nation's capital unliveable for months.

And if the Martians emerged from their cylinder and started an offensive, the city would likely be their first target. Assuming, of course, the Martians understood the city's significance.

Lacombe sighed, and picked up the phone, connecting him with the Prime Minister's office. He would have to ask the Prime Minister to evacuate Ottawa... and every other town and village within twenty kilometers of the MCZ.

* * *

While Lacombe was giving the Prime Minister the bad news, other elements of the Canadian Army were busy setting up their own "line in the sand".

Leopard tanks, joined by the British Challengers, began to set up on all major roads between Ottawa and the MCZ. Infantry arrived, and machine gun positions were set up. Some infantry units with shoulder-mounted rocket launchers began to scout potential ambush points.

Meanwhile, the rest of Canada's air force was being brought in. The military took control of Ottawa's major airports, allowing civilian aircraft to leave, but not land. Fighters began to land shortly, to take on fuel, and their pilots to get some much-needed rest before the inevitable battle.

Meanwhile, the British Gazelle helicopters joined the volunteer scout teams in keeping a wary eye on the Martian cylinder. If the Martians moved again, the Canadians would know it.

<snippy>

But martians did not move. They seemed reluctant to leave the cylinder and 10 kilometre zone around it. A whole day past, and not one martian was spotted...

What the canadians did not know was the martians lacked the firepower to attack. With only the 'scout' cylinder in place, and no fighting machines, the martians could do nothing but wait...

The perimeter troops on the northern outskirts of Watford grasped their weapons more tightly as the scout machine came into view, whispered radio messages were passed from the first unit to see them. In commandeered billets more soldiers were roused from sleep.
Three Challengers were reinforcing that part of the defences of the town where the scout machine was they were hull down in hastily dug berms, the previous owners of the garden allotments long gone, corregated iron sheeting from a torn down private garage broke up their outline further.
The troops were further helped by two 81mm support mortars and a section of Milan armed anti tank missile infantry. The soldiers were all armed now with LAW80 one shot disposable anti tank rocket launchers, an excellent weapon but only a range of 500 meters.The infantry knew they would have to wait till the martians were almost on them.
Battle Group Souths remaining lynxs took to the air ready to engage with anti tank missiles from a hopefully safe distance. This time using the buildings as cover.

A spy plane flying over the second pit reported the last Scout machine destroyed. Now only four fighting machines remained in all of Japan, and hopefully the strike on the pit would take care of that.
20 miles from the 1st Pit...
Artillery growled into position as the tanks moved forward. Soldiers with portable missile lauchers provided back-up should the artillery be directly attacked. A ring was being constructed around the pit, miles around the pit, careful to never get too close. The ring was booby-trapped, providing yet another threat to the Martians.

<snippy>

Suddenly the Scout machine stopped. It rotated its 'head' towards the massed lines of British troops and armour. Despite al their efforts at concealment, they had still been spotted. The martian then paced up and down, glaring at the british lines agonisingly out of range.

ooc
What range is it at?

A spy plane flying over the second pit reported the last Scout machine destroyed. Now only four fighting machines remained in all of Japan, and hopefully the strike on the pit would take care of that.
20 miles from the 1st Pit...
Artillery growled into position as the tanks moved forward. Soldiers with portable missile lauchers provided back-up should the artillery be directly attacked. A ring was being constructed around the pit, miles around the pit, careful to never get too close. The ring was booby-trapped, providing yet another threat to the Martians.

The martians did respond... yet. The air was filled with something... the Japanese troops sensed somethin wasn't right as they got closer, and closer.

ooc
What range is it at?

OOC: Out range of your armour and infantry, but not any artillery. Exact numbers uncertain lol.

The troops and tanks stopped abruptly. Several spy planes flew over the pit, trying to ease the soldiers fears.
OOC: What do they see, and is this an introduction to Black Smoke?

ooc
6000 meters is out of range of all my ground stuff
5600 meters will put it in range of my mortars
4000 meters my Challengers
3750 meters for my lynx missiles
2000 meters for the milans

He's lucky my artillery and airforce is not here

The newly promoted lance corporal Emmet, turned over onto his side to speak to his officer, Conroy now a full lieutenant, "Ere sir, whys it stopped?"
They lay together in some ones back garden. behind them in an abandoned house were the remains of their platoon. "Maybe he's scared, I mean who in their right mind would want to come to Watford" He flashed a grin at the younger man. "Just stay sharp corporal since the crater the lads seem to believe you're their lucky charm, it would upset them if you got killed"
"Not half as much as it would upset me sir" He paused for a second unsure of himself. "Sir we will beat them won't we?"
"Of course we will, I'm sure of it" He lied
"Yeah me too" replied Emmet just as straight faced

The troops and tanks stopped abruptly. Several spy planes flew over the pit, trying to ease the soldiers fears.
OOC: What do they see, and is this an introduction to Black Smoke?

OOC: Shh... don't the surprise for others and not yet. The spy planes see the following:-

8 small, slender towers with heat rays attached
4 larger towers with larger heat rays attached
1 'buried' coloumn, with a long cannon on the end
The fighting machines
A grey machine
2 'spider' machines and they were in the middle of building something
The flying machines, which took off and pursued the spy craft for a short distance, before turning back.

ooc
6000 meters is out of range of all my ground stuff
5600 meters will put it in range of my mortars
4000 meters my Challengers
3750 meters for my lynx missiles
2000 meters for the milans
<snipp>

OOC: About 5800 metres then

IC: Behind the scout machine appeared the form of a fighting machine. Other came, and another until all 5 were advancing. They appeared to be no in hurry to join the scout machine, whch was pacing up and down like an impatient child. Whether this was a deliberate attempt to unnerve the watford defenders, or just because they were slower than the scout machine was uncertain.

The general listened to the report on the radio. "I want the rest of the armour to move to the front and engage, retreating back into the town when the martians get within 1000 meters. From then on do what they can to split the martians up, We'll fight them within the confines of the town where theres more cover for our infantry anti-tank squads, we have to buy enough time to evac the civilians, Get our three helicopters to hit them when they get in range, then get the hell out, use them as medivac for the civilians". He looked round at the assembled officers, Gentlemen its been an honour, God bless you all"
He moved outside of the command post and into a warrior mobile cp. "Lets get to the front". He ordered inserting a magazine into an assault rifle

At the front tensions ran high, they could see the more destructive war machines moving into view. Faced with certain death some prayed, some silently cried, but none would leave their post.
Soldiers moved through the darkened streets with grim determination, they moved to the uppermost floors of buildings, some positioned themselves on roof tops. All then waited in silence for the first shot to be fired.

<snippy>

The martians took up the following formation still out of range:-

---SM
-FM--FM
FM-FM-FM

Then the scout cried out. "Ullah!"

The fighting machines answered, adding their voices to the howling which caused roof tiles to fall off houses, "Ullah! Ullah!"

Then in the distance the troops heard additional voices, "Ullah! Ullah!"

What was it? The answer came...

OOC: If you feel the next part of my post is a Godmode, I will edit it

IC:... the troops heard a humming in the air and looked up. Only 4000m away were 3 flying machines above there heads! They didn't even know they were there! The troops, who had focused their weapons on the tripods, desperately tried to aim at the aerial threat. However, now the fighting machines advanced. Who would they target? Already the flying machines were hovering above the armour, having to focus their heat rays on each tank to destroy them, but they were rapid-fire heat rays.

I dont think you need the flying machines, we have nothing that could touch them if they have the same sort of armour as the tripods, not a single air to air missile would be able to damage them, aircraft mounted cannon would just bounce off, the tripods are doing a good enough job as it is. At least, if we can get enough shells and missiles lobbed at them we can destroy one, I think having flying machines with rapid fire heat ray as well would move from the book a bit too much. But lets still go with it, bring them on. It all adds to the fun.

by the way is the scout machine to the rear of the formation or the front?

OOC: Shh... don't the surprise for others and not yet. The spy planes see the following:-

8 small, slender towers with heat rays attached
4 larger towers with larger heat rays attached
1 'buried' coloumn, with a long cannon on the end
The fighting machines
A grey machine
2 'spider' machines and they were in the middle of building something
The flying machines, which took off and pursued the spy craft for a short distance, before turning back.
OOC: I thought the flying machines were relatively easy to destroy?
As soon as the spy planes saw this the tanks were called off. The artillery was set up, and several AA guns and SAM vehicles were placed with the artillery. 25 Cruise Missiles, as missile supplies were low and more missiles were still being rolled in, fired on the pit from the sea. Simultanesly, 50 artillery pieces fire at the pit with terrifying accuracy. The soldiers tense, expecting a quick counterattack.

I dont think you need the flying machines, we have nothing that could touch them if they have the same sort of armour as the tripods, not a single air to air missile would be able to damage them, aircraft mounted cannon would just bounce off, the tripods are doing a good enough job as it is. At least, if we can get enough shells and missiles lobbed at them we can destroy one, I think having flying machines with rapid fire heat ray as well would move from the book a bit too much. But lets still go with it, bring them on. It all adds to the fun.

by the way is the scout machine to the rear of the formation or the front?

OOC: The flying machine have fast, but weak heat rays. secondly their maiun defence is being out of range of most projectiles

The scout was at the front, but didn't move with the fighting machines

OOC: I thought the flying machines were relatively easy to destroy?
As soon as the spy planes saw this the tanks were called off. The artillery was set up, and several AA guns and SAM vehicles were placed with the artillery. 25 Cruise Missiles, as missile supplies were low and more missiles were still being rolled in, fired on the pit from the sea. Simultanesly, 50 artillery pieces fire at the pit with terrifying accuracy. The soldiers tense, expecting a quick counterattack.

OOC: They are, if you hit them with more than a few missiles

IC: As the artillery fired, the martian 'buried' tower launched its own devasting projectiles back. Also, the fighting machines left the pit to engage the artillery to.

It was just too dark to see anything in the air, the infantry knew something was there but it was just too high, they huddled deeper into cover and waited as the giant war machines came ever closer.
The three lynx helicopters had picked up the threat, The flight leader knew the troops below had no anti-aircraft missiles, so he decided to abort his anti-tank mission and try something new. The helicopters broke cover and moved to intercept the alien craft.
If they were lucky they would get to within 3500 meters and be able to fire. When they fired they had to guide the missiles by wire this meant that both target and firing platform had to stay relatively motionless, not a problem against slow tanks, if the martians ceased hovering there was little chance of hitting, at a speed of 1000-km/hr (621-mph) would the missiles be fast enough it would take the missiles 12.5 seconds to reach their targets, less if the helicopters could get closer without detection. All of the pilots were suddenly wishing they had a couple of air to air missiles for defence against aircraft.

The fighting machines moved closer when they moved into range the mortars opened up, projectiles arced over roof tops and out of Watford to fall upon the martians, high explosive shells exploded on and around them

At 4000 meters the Challengers opened up with 120mm Sabot high kinetic energy depleted uranium shot. They kept up the barrage till destroyed or when they retreated. The infantry stayed out of it for the time being, they would have to wait a while longer before they could fire, the huddled into cover as the barrage of fire passed over them.

Once again, the first pod was surrounded with soldiers. A lesson learned from the first attack was that simply digging themselves in was not a guarantee of safety. This time, they digged deep. Behind the first line of defence, a bunker complex was created. Behind this, artillery positions were set up. For some bureaucratic reason a battery of anti-aircraft guns and large quantity of surface-to-air missiles had also arrived. Traditionally, the German soldier was good at defence. Soon, that would be put to the test.

OOC: They are, if you hit them with more than a few missiles

IC: As the artillery fired, the martian 'buried' tower launched its own devasting projectiles back. Also, the fighting machines left the pit to engage the artillery to.
OOC: What is it firing, and did the missiles and shells have any effect?

OOC: What is it firing, and did the missiles and shells have any effect?

OOC: They damaged some of the heat ray towers, partically the smallier ones. It is firing high-explosive rounds

<snippy>

The flying machines Disengaged the tanks to attack the lynxes. As the helicopters had several parts that were affected by the heat rays, they stood little chance. However, 1 missile hit a machine on the side, a plume of smoke shot out. This gave the challengers on the ground with an attractive target, and the flying machines were at a better angle now...

--------------------

Despite the heavy fire, the fighting machines continued on. They raised themselves to full height. Then the heat ray struck the city. Instantly the watford was ablaze. The fighting machines began to pick out the infantry on the ground, although they were happy to destroy the houses.

Once again, the first pod was surrounded with soldiers. A lesson learned from the first attack was that simply digging themselves in was not a guarantee of safety. This time, they digged deep. Behind the first line of defence, a bunker complex was created. Behind this, artillery positions were set up. For some bureaucratic reason a battery of anti-aircraft guns and large quantity of surface-to-air missiles had also arrived. Traditionally, the German soldier was good at defence. Soon, that would be put to the test.

3 scout machines appeared out of the pit, and advanced on the positions of the German army.

Watford died, the heat rays tore the place apart the army tried to put up a defence but it made no odds. The wounded flying machine was hit by no less than three milan anti-tank warheads, in its spiraling death throes in crashed amongst the mortars situated in the centre of town the resulting explosion killed anyone within the vicinity setting uncontrollable fires amongst the town centre cafe quarter.

The Martian fighting machines came on regardless of the Armys massed fire, the flying machines had no opposition they just attacked anything that moved, it did not matter to them if the targets were fleeing civilians or soldiers it killed them all, men, women and children were slaughtered without mercy.
Challenger after Challenger went up in flames, they tried to maneuver amongst ruined buildings and under cover of belching black smoke but it was no good. They were doomed, what the tripods missed were picked off by the flyers. The infantry fared a little better, after the initial destruction of the tanks the soldiers went to ground leading the tripods into careful ambushes, they would wait till a tripod was on top of them before initiating an attack then half a dozen men would launch their LAW rockets at point blank range into the underbelly of a machine, damage was caused but it wasn't enough.

The martians soon grew tired of these tactics and simply swept the areas around them. Buildings and men were swept away by the heat rays.The Harlequin shopping centre, Watford football ground, the ancient Church of St Mary the Virgin had just over 400 frightened praying people in it when it was blown out of existance.
The martians advanced through the town herding humans away from them, soon the cover was gone, no one in Watford could live through the heat generated by the inferno. Streams of civilians were slaughtered as they tried to flee from the martian machines. There was no finesse to the attack, no surgical application of force, Watford was simply bludgeoned out of existance.
Come dawn an estimated one hundred thousand people would be dead or dying. Only one soldier got out alive. those in London and other surrounding towns and cities saw the orange glow of fire light their horizon and wondered who would be next.

<snippy>

OOC: I was actually going to allow your defence to be more effective, but never mind :P

IC: The martians stood over what was Watford - Now just blackened ruins total silent, deserted. They called out "Ullah! Ullah! Ullah! Ullah! Ullah!"

A few martians made trips backwards and forwards to the first cylinder throughout the morning and late afternoon. Then the familar alien sounds of hammering from 'Ground Zero' could be heard. But no martians were seen outside of 'Watford'

OOC: They damaged some of the heat ray towers, partically the smallier ones. It is firing high-explosive rounds
The shots destroyed 10 artillery, 1 SAM, 3 AA guns, and some 14 soldiers, but these were lighter losses then expected. For some strange reason, possibly the way the artillery had been spaced out rather than grouped, many of the shots had missed. An airstrike, covered by special AA fighters, was ordered on the pit. 10 bombers escorted by 5 fighters flew towards the pit. The bombers dropped their payloads in advance, new techology "earthquake" bombs, as well as enough high-yield explosives to level a skyscraper.

3 scout machines appeared out of the pit, and advanced on the positions of the German army.

Neuman was scanning the site through his binoculars. "We have three bastards incoming", he reported through the comlink. "They look different than the ones we have encountered so far".

OOC: I was actually going to allow your defence to be more effective, but never mind :P

ooc
well i figured the massacre went along with the book where they destroy Weybridge.

ooc
well i figured the massacre went along with the book where they destroy Weybridge.

OOC: Indeed. Just saying that in my next attack, you don't have to be instantly wiped out

The shots destroyed 10 artillery, 1 SAM, 3 AA guns, and some 14 soldiers, but these were lighter losses then expected. For some strange reason, possibly the way the artillery had been spaced out rather than grouped, many of the shots had missed. An airstrike, covered by special AA fighters, was ordered on the pit. 10 bombers escorted by 5 fighters flew towards the pit. The bombers dropped their payloads in advance, new techology "earthquake" bombs, as well as enough high-yield explosives to level a skyscraper.

The main explosion of the bombs was followed by a larger explosion inside the pit. As the aircraft flew over the pit, the 3 surviving large heat rays towers fired their incredibly intense heat rays at them. The 6 surviving smallier towers did not have the range to hit the aircraft, and the small 'artillery' tower continued firing.

Now, the fighting machines advanced, attacking any machine in front of them. The flying machines took off and attempted to attack the AA guns. The Handling machines were observed by any surviving aircraft carrying the new machines they were building into the cylinder, followed by the grey mahcine.

Neuman was scanning the site through his binoculars. "We have three bastards incoming", he reported through the comlink. "They look different than the ones we have encountered so far".

The scouts appeared to be heading for the AA guns. The fighting machines followed, heading for the infantry positions. Then, the strange martian artillery tower fired at the German artillery. Then the flying machines took off, and assisted the projectile tower in attacking the artillery.

"Flying objects incoming. Suspected attack against artillery positions".
"Roger".
10 Eurofighters and 30 F-4 Phantoms roared through the sky against the strange flying machines. 20 MBDA Meteors and 60 AIM-7 Sparrow missiles were fired.

The artillery shot back at the martian positions. Some hits had been taken, but on the whole the well diggen-in artillery was doing well.

Dozens of anti-tank missiles were fired against the scouts and fighting machines. From a hill to the west of the martians, a group of soldiers led laser-guided missiles, fired from 5 Eurofighters, against the martian artillery positions.

Britain prepared its counterstrike, all through the morning and afternoon a series of artillery batteries were setting up in locations spreading from Luton to Slough.
Positioned in five different counties each battery had the latest in GPS and targetting computers so was able to synchronised with the other so every shell and missile would hit at the same time.
The airforce had launched two squadrons of Tornado fighter bombers and a squadron of Typhoon fighters. With satellite support and remote surveillance aircraft Britain had the landing zones zeroed in.

At 15.30 Hours the command to commence Operation Steel Fist commenced
Sixty eight 105-mm L118 howitzers fired from a range of 17-km, in fifteen seconds their gunners burst fired three rounds. Then they hurriedly began the process of relimbering the light guns to their transport land-rovers ready to be driven to their next fire position
At the same time 30-km from ground zero fifty five 155-mm AS-90 self propelled howitzers burst fired three rounds, due to auto systems this only took 10 seconds, once fired each armoured vehicle moved away, They knew the reaction time of the martians and didn't want to be surprised again.
Furthest away at 42-km were the twelve mobile tracked M270 Multiple Launch Rocket systems, each had a pod of twelve missiles, each missile held 644 Duel Purpose Improved Conventional Munitions, each one capable of penetrating armour, they were called 'iron rain' by some or the 'grid square removal service' by others, each missile was targeted at the landing zone. Like the AS-90 they had a shoot and scoot policy, as soon as the missiles were off so were they.
Lending ground support to these assets were twenty eight Challengers of the Royal Yeomanry. Air defence was in the form of eight batteries of Rapier and Starstreak guided missile systems.

The Royal Air Force let loose there Storm Shadow stealth cruise missiles at a range of 100-km, The missiles went to treetop height and sped on at 1000-km/h, it would take them 6 minutes to get to the target. There were forty eight of them.
At 27-km the twenty four Tornadoes of no 25 and no 43 squadrons loosed their AGM 65 Maverick missiles, there were 96 of these travelling at Mach 0.93 it would take them mere seconds to arrive.As soon as their missiles were spent the Tornado pilots broke for home
Flying top cover were twelve Eurofighter Typhoons of no 11 squadron ready to pounce on any enemy aircraft that came with 180-kms of the Tornadoes they were shepherding they had a total of seventy two air to air missiles ready for them.
Throughout the next ten seconds 50 tonnes of explosive would hit ground zero, in another five minutes another 21 tonnes of deep penetration cruise missile warheads were due to hit.
=============================================
my reference stuff so i know what to mark off when u retalliate

210 battery 1st Royal horse artillery 5x AS-90
A,B,C,D battery 19th regiment Royal Artillery 33x AS-90
40th Regiment Royal artillery 14x L118
101st Northumbrian Regiment (volunteers) Royal Artillery 11x MLRS
105th Regiment Royal horse artillery (Vol) 0x L118
kings troop Royal horse artillery 0x L118
7th parachute regiment Royal horse artillery 18x L118

106th Regiment Royal Horse artillery Starstreak and Rapier air defence
104th Regiment Royal Horse Artillery starstreak air defence
21st Air defence battery 47th Regiment Royal Artillery Rapier air defence
Royal Yeomanry 27x Challengers

no 4 squadron Harriers 9 aircraft operational
no 800 Naval squadron Harriers 8 aircraft operational
no 11 squadron Typhoons 16 aircraft operational
no 25 squadron Tornadoes 16 aircraft operational
no 43 squadron Tornadoes 16 aircraft operational
no 653 squadron Apaches 4 aircraft operational
no 662 squadron Apaches 3 aircraft operational

"Flying objects incoming. Suspected attack against artillery positions".
"Roger".
10 Eurofighters and 30 F-4 Phantoms roared through the sky against the strange flying machines. 20 MBDA Meteors and 60 AIM-7 Sparrow missiles were fired.

The artillery shot back at the martian positions. Some hits had been taken, but on the whole the well diggen-in artillery was doing well.

Dozens of anti-tank missiles were fired against the scouts and fighting machines. From a hill to the west of the martians, a group of soldiers led laser-guided missiles, fired from 5 Eurofighters, against the martian artillery positions.

One of the flying machines was struck by multiple missiles and instanlty exploded, showering the infantry below in shards of alien metal. The remaining 2 focused their attention on the fighters. Although armed with weak heat rays, the rapid firing capabilities were particulary adept at destroying the fighters....

---------------------

1 scout machine exploded under the barrage. However, the remaining machines now found the correct position to attack the German artillery and infantry positions. The heat rays sweeping along the line, leaving the defenders with no hope of escape

--------------------

The Artillery tower re-aimed its weaponry at the 'hill'. returning fire with lethal power and accuracy.

<snippy>


2 Eurofighters and 6 Phantoms were destroyed, but the others engaged the flying machines with short and medium range air-to-air missiles.

The German infantry was well diggen in. The artillery positions were abandoned, but the infantry returned fire with machine guns and anti-tank missiles.

The Germans had counted on that the martians would strike back at the hill. The soldiers there had moved on to another position and continued to lead in missiles at the martian artillery positions.

OOC: Thank you. Would it help if I briefly described my units to you?

IC: As the day switched to evening the martians still remained amongst the smouldering ruins of Watford. They appeared reluctant to attack for some reason.

ooc

So what happened at ground zero, did my attack succeed in destroying their 'basecamp'. I dont want these guys building any more fighting machines :p

ooc

So what happened at ground zero, did my attack succeed in destroying their 'basecamp'. I dont want these guys building any more fighting machines :p

Did you attack? Sorry I thought you were just positioning yourself :eek:

Did you attack? Sorry I thought you were just positioning yourself :eek:

Attack began at 15.30. Operation Steel Fist commenced on the afternoon of Watfords destruction, which means unfortunatly the fighting machines are not gonna get hurt because they are in the ruins of Watford :headbang:

2 Eurofighters and 6 Phantoms were destroyed, but the others engaged the flying machines with short and medium range air-to-air missiles.

The German infantry was well diggen in. The artillery positions were abandoned, but the infantry returned fire with machine guns and anti-tank missiles.

The Germans had counted on that the martians would strike back at the hill. The soldiers there had moved on to another position and continued to lead in missiles at the martian artillery positions.

Although abandoning the artillery pieces had saved many German lives, it also blunted the 'teeth' of the German defences. The scout machines gladly destroyed the pieces at their leisure...
----------------------

One flying machine exploded after multiple missile hits, but the surviving one continued heat ray the fighters...

-----------------------------------

The fighting machines appeared unaffected by the infantry attacks, although a few were showing signs of damage. The continued heat raying the infantry.


---------------------------

At last, after several guided missile strikes, the Martian artillery tower fell silent.

The barrage wasn't targetted on Watford it was targetted on the landing zones, thats why i was saying the fighting machines were uninjured.

<snippy>


The German infantry fought on, bombarding the martians with missiles, grenades and machine gun fire.

The battle in the air had become a war of attrition. The Germans had the numbers on their side and more planes were on their way. The remaining flying machine was the target of about 50 missiles. Another Eurofighter and 4 Phantoms fell victim to the heat ray...

From hidden holes in the ground, 50 men attacked the scout machines. They ran as close to the "legs" as they could, strapping magnete mines to the machines...

5 megatons of TNT buried, 5 000 000 tons of explosive. thats more explosive power than all the bombs dropped in world war two.
just to put that into perspective it would take a train 1000 miles long to transport that much material
the B-83 nuclear bomb is 1.2 megaton, and thats the largest in US active service.

The barrage wasn't targetted on Watford it was targetted on the landing zones, thats why i was saying the fighting machines were uninjured.

OOC: It was? You can change if you want...

It seemed like the infantry was trapped. So however was not the case. The martians had stepped into a trap. In the ground beneath the fighting machines, 5 megatons of TNT was buried. While the fighting machines were kept in place by machine gun fire and anti-tank missiles, the explosives were triggered. The German soldiers threw themselves down at the bottom of their holes and plugged their ears. A loud explosion was heard. The soldiers looked up and saw nothing but smoke...

The battle in the air had become a war of attrition. The Germans had the numbers on their side and more planes were on their way. The remaining flying machine was the target of about 50 missiles. Another Eurofighter and 4 Phantoms fell victim to the heat ray...

From hidden holes in the ground, 50 men attacked the scout machines. They ran as close to the "legs" as they could, strapping magnete mines to the machines...

OOC: Ok... How did you do ALL that in a few hours?

OOC: Ok... How did you do ALL that in a few hours?

OOC: Your right, I suppose, it´s a bit weird. Edited.

OOC: It was? You can change if you want...
ooc
Id rather not, my tactic was to destroy the martians ability to make more machines, thats why it was such a large bombardment. I wanted to wipe out their base first then worry about what was left.
The watford crew can happily carry on making poisons gas without my knowledge.

everyones proberly recovering from candy sickness brought about by halloween

yay my half century post

I think he responded, look at the last post on page 10, post *150

The main explosion of the bombs was followed by a larger explosion inside the pit. As the aircraft flew over the pit, the 3 surviving large heat rays towers fired their incredibly intense heat rays at them. The 6 surviving smallier towers did not have the range to hit the aircraft, and the small 'artillery' tower continued firing.

Now, the fighting machines advanced, attacking any machine in front of them. The flying machines took off and attempted to attack the AA guns. The Handling machines were observed by any surviving aircraft carrying the new machines they were building into the cylinder, followed by the grey mahcine.
OOC: Lol, what did my attack do?
IC: The tanks and artillery fired at the advancing machines, their operators coldly calculating vectors, velocity, and other factors. They fired for the joints connecting the legs to the main body, hoping to topple the machines into helplessness, like fallen giants. The AA fired their chain weapons and small shells into the air at the flying machines. SAM lanched missile after missile, guided by radar. .50 Call machine guns mounted on the tanks fired too at the aircraft. The planes over the pit survived as a whole, although 3 fighters and two bombers were destroyed. The planes flew away, but in the direction they flew there was Heavy Artillery, which fired the largest, most destructive shells. They planned to destroy these towers, and fired as one while the towers were distracted, hoping to utterly vaporize the aliens in a single concentrated blast. If this attack as a whole didn't work, the military was out of options.

ooc
Id rather not, my tactic was to destroy the martians ability to make more machines, thats why it was such a large bombardment. I wanted to wipe out their base first then worry about what was left.
The watford crew can happily carry on making poisons gas without my knowledge.

OOC: Ok. Ignore my post again LOL

IC: The attack hit the old landing sites but destroyed nothing useful. The martians continued constructing things in Watford, but did not leave Watford

OOC: Your right, I suppose, it´s a bit weird. Edited.

OOC: Merci :)

IC: The Flying machine was just outnumbered by the enemy aircraft. Although it fought on, one of it's suspension pods was hit, causing to plummet to the ground and crash.

-----------------

The scouts were taken by surprise by this attack. The infantry managed to strap a few mines to the nearest one. But then, the heat Rays incinerated all 50 of them almost instantly. However, this set off the mines, instantly destroying the machine. The surviving went back to destroying the artillery.

-----------------------

It was no time for the infantry to die. Although they fought bravely, they had little chance of winning. However, there attack disable one of the fighting machines, blowing off one of its legs. It fell to the ground with a large crash. A second one exploded after several missile hits. The remaining 3 continued their endless onslaught on the infantry.

OOC: Lol, what did my attack do?
IC: <snippy>

OOC: You destroyed 3 heat ray towers, and causing some light damage to soem of the others

IC: The flying machines were hopless lacking in armour! The AA fire eliminated 2 of them before they were even within firing range! The surviving one fled back into the pit, sporty some heavy damage.

The 4 fighting machines were shortly within range. One was destroyed before it reached firing range, but the other 3 raised their heat ryas and fired!

The artillery burst hit some of the towers, 2 of them being destroyed. An artillery tower opened fire, returning martian explosive rounds back at the heavy artillery.

OOC: Merci :)

IC: The Flying machine was just outnumbered by the enemy aircraft. Although it fought on, one of it's suspension pods was hit, causing to plummet to the ground and crash.

-----------------

The scouts were taken by surprise by this attack. The infantry managed to strap a few mines to the nearest one. But then, the heat Rays incinerated all 50 of them almost instantly. However, this set off the mines, instantly destroying the machine. The surviving went back to destroying the artillery.

-----------------------

It was no time for the infantry to die. Although they fought bravely, they had little chance of winning. However, there attack disable one of the fighting machines, blowing off one of its legs. It fell to the ground with a large crash. A second one exploded after several missile hits. The remaining 3 continued their endless onslaught on the infantry.

The aircraft, having won the battle in the air, now focused on helping the infantry. The surviving scout machine was targeted with 8 air-to-surface missiles. The other aircraft attacked the 3 fighting machines, firing 25 missiles. Another 2 Eurofighters and 12 Phantoms arrived.

While the fighting machines were busy with destroying the infantry, a small force of 100 men had gone around the martian force and now attacked the pod itself. Mines would be placed on the cylinder.

The infantry was slaughtered in their positions. However, they fought on, both of love for their motherland and for seeing a load of vehicles appear behind the martians. The mobilisation had finally taken effect. 20,000 German soldiers had arrived, low on training but full of rage and battle-lust, and maybe more important, heavy on anti-tank equipment.

While the fighting machines were busy with destroying the infantry, a small force of 100 men had gone around the martian force and now attacked the pod itself. Mines were strapped to the surface. The soldiers backed 100 meters and triggered the explosives.



OOC: hold on. I have heat Ray towers protecting the cylinders ;)

OOC: hold on. I have heat Ray towers protecting the cylinders ;)

Slightly edited. Behold the might of would.

[QUOTE=Xiscapia;13182258]OOC: Lol, what did my attack do?
IC: <snippy>QUOTE]

OOC: You destroyed 3 heat ray towers, and causing some light damage to soem of the others

IC: The flying machines were hopless lacking in armour! The AA fire eliminated 2 of them before they were even within firing range! The surviving one fled back into the pit, sporty some heavy damage.

The 4 fighting machines were shortly within range. One was destroyed before it reached firing range, but the other 3 raised their heat ryas and fired!

The artillery burst hit some of the towers, 2 of them being destroyed. An artillery tower opened fire, returning martian explosive rounds back at the heavy artillery.
The tanks, men, and artillery were destroyed in great numbers. Balls of flame and plumes of smoke rose and twisted. A few survivers fired a last defiant blast at the closest machine before being destroyed. The soldiers abandoned their AA guns and fled, the SAMs roared away as fast as they could. On the other side of the pit a few blasts of the Martian artillery took out over 60% of the Heavy Artillery. The remainder fired, and the planes came back for one last run.

Slightly edited. Behold the might of would.

OOC: Again, merci ;)

IC: As the infantry entered the pit, 8 small heat ray towers aimed there heat rays at them and fired. 4 Larger ones were on hand should this burst of death not halt them.

------------

The scout was hit by most of the missiles, and was smoking from the damage but it had survived. It aimed its heat ray at the nearest aircraft and fired.

-------------

The fighting machines survived this attack, as the armour on top of the machine had not be damaged by the infantry. What little was left of them were surely annilated now...

The tanks, men, and artillery were destroyed in great numbers. Balls of flame and plumes of smoke rose and twisted. A few survivers fired a last defiant blast at the closest machine before being destroyed. The soldiers abandoned their AA guns and fled, the SAMs roared away as fast as they could. On the other side of the pit a few blasts of the Martian artillery took out over 60% of the Heavy Artillery. The remainder fired, and the planes came back for one last run.
The Artillery attack was much more accurate this time, perhaps guided by the martian artillerys firing position? However, with the huge loss of numbers, only the damaged heat ray tower was destroyed. As the Aircraft flew over the pit, they saw only 2 large heat ray towers survived, and they had only seconds before they fired at them

------------------------------------

The last burst damaged one of the fighting machines. Its leg blown off. However, it fell slowly, almost as though the martian inside was controlling it. It would of course be repaired. The remaining 2 then attacked the abandoned human weapons, before carrying their damaged comrade back to the cylinder for repairs

OOC: Again, merci ;)
<snippy>


The men dived to the ground, but 20 them was killed. They had counted on surprise, so what should they do now? For the moment, they just threw grenades at the heat ray towers.

The aircraft did another attack against the scout. A Phantom exploded in mid-air. The others fired their remaining missiles and then attacked the scout with gatling-canons.

Only 25 men remained of the initial 3,000. Knowing that they would die they fired their remaining weapons and charged the machines, shooting frantically with rifles and pistols.

The newly arrived reinforcements saw the slaughter and were filled with rage. Poorly trained civilians, now mobilised and called soldiers, fired their weapons in cold fury. Hundreds of missiles flew against the fighting machines.

The Artillery attack was much more accurate this time, perhaps guided by the martian artillerys firing position? However, with the huge loss of numbers, only the damaged heat ray tower was destroyed. As the Aircraft flew over the pit, they saw only 2 large heat ray towers survived, and they had only seconds before they fired at them

------------------------------------

The last burst damaged one of the fighting machines. Its leg blown off. However, it fell slowly, almost as though the martian inside was controlling it. It would of course be repaired. The remaining 2 then attacked the abandoned human weapons, before carrying their damaged comrade back to the cylinder for repairs
Only a few of the soldiers and AA operators and SAM survived that attack. The planes were blown out of the sky, but not before two small smart bombs hit the damaged tower. The attack, while damaging, had failed. The military, and Japan as a whole, could do nothing but wait.

<Snippy>.

The tower the infantry targetted was damaged, but survived. Then the much heavier heat ray towers joined in the slaughter...

---------------------

The socut could take no more. It exploded in a massive fireball, scattering bits of metal and martian across the landscape.

---------------

The small arms fire had no effect on the thick armour of the fighting machines and that was the last thing they saw. Most of the missiles fired by the 'green' troops missed. However a few flew true, destroying another one of the fighting machines. Now the full fury of the remaining 2 machines fell on the newbies...

Only a few of the soldiers and AA operators and SAM survived that attack. The planes were blown out of the sky, but not before two small smart bombs hit the damaged tower. The attack, while damaging, had failed. The military, and Japan as a whole, could do nothing but wait.

The smart bombs found their target, destroying it. However, the human attack had been a partial failure. The martians had survived, although barely.

Later that evening, the third cylinder landed, close to the first

OOC: Would be interesting/helpful for anyone if I gave a brief description of each of my machines?

OOC: Would be interesting/helpful for anyone if I gave a brief description of each of my machines?

Sure I'd like to see them

Did my air attack and barrage manage to destroy the pods the martians came in?

<Snippy>

Another 25 men were killed. The others decided they had enough and retreated.

With the scout defeated, the full wrath of the Luftwaffe was turned against the fighting machines. A fully 30 missiles roared against them.

As in the battle in the air, the Germans had numbers and time on their side. Across the country, more and more military units were mobilised. The 22,000 soldiers although poorly trained, could fire such a enourmos amount of missiles that the martians never could resist them forever. More and more men were killed, but the soldiers kept a cool head and continued the firing. Sooner or later, the enemy would fall.

Sure I'd like to see them

Did my air attack and barrage manage to destroy the pods the martians came in?

OOC: Yes, but there was nothing in them

Another 25 men were killed. The others decided they had enough and retreated.

With the scout defeated, the full wrath of the Luftwaffe was turned against the fighting machines. A fully 30 missiles roared against them.

As in the battle in the air, the Germans had numbers and time on their side. Across the country, more and more military units were mobilised. The 22,000 soldiers although poorly trained, could fire such a enourmos amount of missiles that the martians never could resist them forever. More and more men were killed, but the soldiers kept a cool head and continued the firing. Sooner or later, the enemy would fall.

The 2 remaining machines, now heavily damaged decided retreat. They headed back towards the cylinder. They fired there heat rays in the air, in an attempt to destroy the aircraft. They rapidly disappeared behind the lip of the pit, and the heat ray towers rose up; daring anyone to come in and attack.

OOC:

A brief description of the machines you have seen so far

The scout machine

This machine is equipped with a light heat ray and thin armour. It is not specially designed to lead attacks. However, with its speed and agility it has excellant support and reconassiance capabilities

The Fighting Machine

The fighting machine is the primary martian attack weapon. It is armed with a heavy heat ray and a small projectile launcher. This combination of speed, armour and firepower allow it to carve through most enemy opposition.

The Flying Machine

This machine is equipped with 2 suspension pods. These allow it to hover above the ground, out of the range of most human projectiles. However, it has light armour and a weak heat ray making it vulnerable to most direct attacks.

The Handling Machine

The Handling machine is a versetile tool. It is responsible for construction, repair and general maintance of martian machines and buildings

The digging mechanism

This machine is designed to move the thick Earth soil, and construct several different defensive positions.

The smart bombs found their target, destroying it. However, the human attack had been a partial failure. The martians had survived, although barely.

Later that evening, the third cylinder landed, close to the first
"A third has fallen.'
"Our forces are badly damaged, and it will take time and money to mount another attack. This campain had already cost us billions upon billions of dollars."
"As long as we can keep them contained and away from the city and continue evacuating, we should be alright."
"Any news from any others? China, Vietnam, Korea, the Philippines?"
"Nothing. All lines of communications have been cut."
"The Templars has been a strong allie. Do you think we could get help from them?"
"Chances are no. They are probably wrapped up in fighting these things as much as we are."
"Strange. Are we the only resistance? Why have we not heard from anyone else?"

"A third has fallen.'
"Our forces are badly damaged, and it will take time and money to mount another attack. This campain had already cost us billions upon billions of dollars."
"As long as we can keep them contained and away from the city and continue evacuating, we should be alright."
"Any news from any others? China, Vietnam, Korea, the Philippines?"
"Nothing. Nothing has happened there."
"The Templars has been a strong allie. Do you think we could get help from them?"
"Chances are no. They are wrapped up in fighting these things as much as we are."
"Strange that only a few countries have been hit."
'Chances are they are trying to establish a few strong beachheads before taking over the rest."
OOC: Just a note. I'm 'assuming' that multiple attacks have been launched across the world and are at are similar stage in neighbouring countries

The satellite and ROV surveillance feed showed a cratered and still smoking landing zone the pods had been obliterated. A cheer went through the command post, The martians would be unable to construct any more fighting machines or other alien craft.

'That seemed almost too easy.' Pondered Major General Everson

'I have to agree' Replied Lt General Nick Parker 'Inform RAF Strike Command that I want another airstrike set up ASAP.'

'Watford?' Queried Everson

'I think the bastards pulled a fast one on us Peter, move the mobile artillery into firing range of the town, we need to get back some sort of initiative, inform the air corps to sortie with their Apaches.'

Everson glanced at the large tactical map. 'It'll take about half an hour for the arty and their support units to get into position, another ten minutes for the MLRSs to reload rocket pods.'

'Very well,' he looked at his watch, 'The next bombardment will commence 16.30 hours.'

'Nick, what about civilian casualties?'

'You've read the reports general.'

'I'll get started sir'

At RAF Wattisham in East Anglia twenty four Westland Apache attack helicopters of 653 and 662 Squadrons of the Army Air Corps took to the air.
Armed with eight AGM-114 Hellfire anti tank guided missiles, 30mm chaingun and two Sidewinder AIM-9 they were given the mission of tripod hunting and maybe if they got the chance they would knock down one or two of those fancy flying machines the martians had. All had their orders and radio chatter was kept to a bare minimum. Some where at higher altitude RAF Typhoons still kept a guard, orbiting till their fuel forced them to return to base.

The sight of Watford shocked the young crewmen as it came into visual range, it was a mass of flame and smoke. Cold anger soon replaced the shock, and at a prearranged sign the Apaches split into their individual sections, each three helicopter unit hunting, locating and opening fire on anything that looked even vaguely martian. The air over Watford was filled with missiles, heat rays, the ripping sound of 30mm cannon and the excited, sometimes frantic radio chatter of young airmen.

Then upon receiving a coded signal, those Apaches that could withdrew, seconds later the artillery bombardment hit Watford, it lasted just three minutes. twenty four 500lb warhead guided surface to surface missiles and just under one thousand high explosive shells hit the torn and shredded city. The artillery then moved and waited impatiently for a new fire mission.

The 2 remaining machines, now heavily damaged decided retreat. They headed back towards the cylinder. They fired there heat rays in the air, in an attempt to destroy the aircraft. They rapidly disappeared behind the lip of the pit, and the heat ray towers rose up; daring anyone to come in and attack.

Two more aircraft were destroyed, but it seemed that the Germans were victorious. It vas a hard-won victory. 5,000 dead men covered the battlefield. A third of the artillery had been destroyed. Many aircraft had been shot down. For now, the Germans took care of the wounded and rested. They were to tired to do anything else.

<snippy>

The Apaches spread out through Watford. Some encuntered the two surviving flying machines and were in serious trouble! They had successfully destroyed one before the signal came. However, as they attempted to flee the flying machine pursued them, outrunning them...

A second group encountered the 2 surviving scouts (the damaged one since repaired) The 2 machines survived the attacks, although barely. As the apaches left, they pursued but could not quite keep up.

A third groupd saw an impressive looking martian structure, and in the distance the 2 handling machines and the digging mechanism fleeing the area. However, all eyes were on the small and massive heat ray towers now ready to fire on them. Despite the losses they suffered, 2 small towers and 1 big one was destroyed before they fled.

Then the artillery barrage hit. The towers were wiped out, but the large martian structure survived. As the artillery awaited further orders, they spotted the familar forms of the fighting machines advancing on them.

Two more aircraft were destroyed, but it seemed that the Germans were victorious. It vas a hard-won victory. 5,000 dead men covered the battlefield. A third of the artillery had been destroyed. Many aircraft had been shot down. For now, the Germans took care of the wounded and rested. They were to tired to do anything else.

This was indeed what the martians hoped. It gave the 2 damaged, but mobile Fighting machines time to repair.

Suddenly, a third cylinder landed just 'behind' the first cylinder and began to open!

"A third has fallen.'
"Our forces are badly damaged, and it will take time and money to mount another attack. This campain had already cost us billions upon billions of dollars."
"As long as we can keep them contained and away from the city and continue evacuating, we should be alright."
"Any news from any others? China, Vietnam, Korea, the Philippines?"
"Nothing. All lines of communications have been cut."
"The Templars has been a strong allie. Do you think we could get help from them?"
"Chances are no. They are probably wrapped up in fighting these things as much as we are."
"Strange. Are we the only resistance? Why have we not heard from anyone else?"

The martians continued there preparations. Now these humans would witness the true power of Mars!

OOC: whats your first 'defensive' line between the landing Zones and Tokyo?

The Apaches swooped into the attack, 'Red leader, this is Red four, watch the east tower boss'
'Red four acknowledged, Gold flight engage the eastern tower'

Red leader pulled on the collective as a martian sped past, He pulled the Apache round in a 180 degree turn, his thumb depressed on the chain gun trigger, tracer and explosive rounds impacted against the flying machine shredding armour. Red leaders weapons officer let loose his two sidewinders and they shot off, the machines agility saved it as one missile lost lock and hit the ground, the second exploded twenty meters behind the martian but damage was negligible.

'Gold two, gold two watch that flak tower'
'I see it, Gold four no worrie...' Gold two erupted in a massive fireball as the heat ray struck him

'Blue five, this is blue six, head north, ill draw fire,'
'Roger blue six'

'I can't shake him, i can't shake him'

'I have impact.. negative damage, Green two target four oclock, watch for....'

'The flaks too heavy, Im losing losing oil pressure'

'I got one, its going in'

'Thats the signal, Red leader to all sections scoot'

'Its still coming, where the fucking RAF...'

The Apaches spread out through Watford. Some encuntered the two surviving flying machines and were in serious trouble! They had successfully destroyed one before the signal came. However, as they attempted to flee the flying machine pursued them, outrunning them...

The two flying machines soon found themselves the target of the RAF flying high cover a total of twelve AIM-120 AMRAAM left underwing pylons and sped towards the two flying machines. the missiles noted the destruction of one and compensated within seconds the remaining martian flying machine was targeted by all twelve missiles


Then the artillery barrage hit. The towers were wiped out, but the large martian structure survived. As the artillery awaited further orders, they spotted the familar forms of the fighting machines advancing on them.

The artillery stubbornly refused to play by the martians rules, as soon as the fighting machines were detected leaving Watford the mobile units were already moving. The gunners and drivers were in no mood to face those heat rays. Spread out as the mobile artillery was they knew the martians would be afraid to split up and go after individuals. In a way some hoped they would, the Challenger tank commanders were hoping to catch a war machine on its own. For all its armour and firepower the machines could be destroyed, enough hits would kill it, the machines heat ray wasn't quick enough to take out multiple moving targets.

The martians continued there preparations. Now these humans would witness the true power of Mars!

OOC: whats your first 'defensive' line between the landing Zones and Tokyo?
OOC: The first line of defense is a long line of tanks and artillery, light and heavy, between the pits and Tokyo. Behind them are the MLRs, then a series of AA guns and SAM. Beyond that is several miles of mines, tripwires rigged to C4 demolition, areas of the land that if you put enough pressure on them they would cave in, and other traps. Each line in backed by fighters and bombers from the Air Force, and once you get to the last line you're in range of the Navy's guns. Tokyo itself is also very heavily defended.
IC: More and more people evacuated every hour, but it wasn't enough. Half ot Tokyo's population, some four million people, had left, but the other half remained. Most were simply too poor to afford transport, and the military was providing it for them. Tanks patrolled the streets and soldiers lay heavy machine gun nests and missile lauchers in buildings as helicopters hovered.
Waiting.

OOC: The first line of defense is a long line of tanks and artillery, light and heavy, between the pits and Tokyo. Behind them are the MLRs, then a series of AA guns and SAM. Beyond that is several miles of mines, tripwires rigged to C4 demolition, areas of the land that if you put enough pressure on them they would cave in, and other traps. Each line in backed by fighters and bombers from the Air Force, and once you get to the last line you're in range of the Navy's guns. Tokyo itself is also very heavily defended.
IC: More and more people evacuated every hour, but it wasn't enough. Half ot Tokyo's population, some four million people, had left, but the other half remained. Most were simply too poor to afford transport, and the military was providing it for them. Tanks patrolled the streets and soldiers lay heavy machine gun nests and missile lauchers in buildings as helicopters hovered.
Waiting.


In the afternoon, somethign was spotted. 3 scout machines were slowly advancing on the defensive lines. Behind them appeared 3 fighting machines

<snippy>.

The flying machine was tottlly outnumbered. It fired its heat ray as long as it could but was overwhelmed. The two scouts stopped and looked nervously at the surrounding aircraft, adn braced themselves for an attack...

-----------

The fighting machines did not pursue the units as they scattered. The reasoning was unclear, however, they turned back and attempted to catch the fleeing specialist machines

OOC: Not dead - although other events have certainly claimed my attention recently. Given that, last time we saw the Martians in Ottawa, they were "unable to mount another assault", I think it's safe to assume that each side has been nervously waiting for the other to move.

IC:
Ottawa

"It's been three days since the Martians arrived and the situation can best be described as a standoff. Elements of the Canadian armoured and artillery divisions, as well as forces contributed from our British allies, have established a defensive line between the Martian Controlled Zone and Ottawa, but since the first battle, there has been no new activity.

"While Prime Minister Harper has not called for an official evacuation, many families in Ottawa have already begun to leave the city. Businesses have shut down. It is the same in Hull, just across the river.

"While our soldiers man the line, a special cabinet session has been called. General Pierre Lacombe is said to be in attendance, but for now, no information has been given to the press. We can only wait for some change... and hope.

"This is Mike Rathburne, CBC, Ottawa."

This was indeed what the martians hoped. It gave the 2 damaged, but mobile Fighting machines time to repair.

Suddenly, a third cylinder landed just 'behind' the first cylinder and began to open!

The Germans decided that their position was untenable and retreated 2 km to a second, stronger, defence position. This had been built while the battle was raging. It consisted of minefields, bunkers, hidden artillery positions and, as a last resort, 5 tons of TNT buried in the ground. 200,000 newly mobilised soldiers were currently working on the defences. More and more arrived with each hour. Two Mechanized Infantry Divisions were also on their way. Two small units were creating minefields at the first German position, now abandoned.

The Apaches were a spent force, out of twenty four aircraft only seven survived to land at RAF Wattisham, it was a dispirited group of airmen who sat in the debriefing room.

The Typhoons high over head, wanted to engage the scout machines and other but they were very low on fuel, hadn't the right type of missiles and doubted their cannon would be able to do any damage, reluctantly they sped away for refueling with an airborne tanker.

It was also noted that the fighting machines had no air cover. The RAF wanted to exploit that edge and get in an attack before the machines reached cover in Watford. The Harriers of number 4 squadron and 800 naval squadron scrambled, loaded down with six 1000lb gravity bombs each. It would be a classic low level bombing run.

Streaking in at a height of just over one hundred meters the Harriers came in pairs. A mere twenty seconds between each attack. Twenty four Harriers came in from four different points of the compass. The first pair had it the easiest, they had surprise on their side, dropping their load they banked away. Bombs bracketed the machines, the explosions and debris adding to the risk of every other aircraft coming in afterwards, they would have to contend with both the heat rays and accidental damage from bomb fragments. Weapons dropped the survivors fled the scene.

OOC: Not dead - although other events have certainly claimed my attention recently. Given that, last time we saw the Martians in Ottawa, they were "unable to mount another assault", I think it's safe to assume that each side has been nervously waiting for the other to move.

IC:
<snippy>


OOC: No problem anyway. I had A) nothing planned for these 3 days and B) You told me you had RL issues so no biggy :)

IC: That evening a falling star, with a trail of Green mist landed with a flash like summer lightening. this was the second cylinder. It had landed within the MCZ

The Germans decided that their position was untenable and retreated 2 km to a second, stronger, defence position. This had been built while the battle was raging. It consisted of minefields, bunkers, hidden artillery positions and, as a last resort, 5 tons of TNT buried in the ground. 200,000 newly mobilised soldiers were currently working on the defences. More and more arrived with each hour. Two Mechanized Infantry Divisions were also on their way. Two small units were creating minefields at the first German position, now abandoned.

Why the Germans retreated and prepared, the martians repaired themselves. With the Germans now out of range, the Handling machines - Careful to avoid the mines - Dragged the two damaged, but living, fighting machines into the pit. By now the second cylinder was opened, and out came 3 new scout machines.

The Apaches were a spent force, out of twenty four aircraft only seven survived to land at RAF Wattisham, it was a dispirited group of airmen who sat in the debriefing room.

The Typhoons high over head, wanted to engage the scout machines and other but they were very low on fuel, hadn't the right type of missiles and doubted their cannon would be able to do any damage, reluctantly they sped away for refueling with an airborne tanker.

It was also noted that the fighting machines had no air cover. The RAF wanted to exploit that edge and get in an attack before the machines reached cover in Watford. The Harriers of number 4 squadron and 800 naval squadron scrambled, loaded down with six 1000lb gravity bombs each. It would be a classic low level bombing run.

Streaking in at a height of just over one hundred meters the Harriers came in pairs. A mere twenty seconds between each attack. Twenty four Harriers came in from four different points of the compass. The first pair had it the easiest, they had surprise on their side, dropping their load they banked away. Bombs bracketed the machines, the explosions and debris adding to the risk of every other aircraft coming in afterwards, they would have to contend with both the heat rays and accidental damage from bomb fragments. Weapons dropped the survivors fled the scene.

The scout machines turned away, almost in disappointment and headed over to Rendevous with the fighting machines.

----------------------

As the aircraft got closer, they noticed something odd about the fighting machines. They now had long cannons above their eyes. However, before the pilots could reflect further, the machines had aimed their heat rays and fired towards them.

In the afternoon, somethign was spotted. 3 scout machines were slowly advancing on the defensive lines. Behind them appeared 3 fighting machines
The Commander of the first line snarled. "I am so over these goddamn things! Shoot the American bomb at them!"
The American bomb. Called "the Mother of all bombs" it was the largest non-nuclear explosive in the world, with a incrediable 900 foot blast radias, America's answer to Russia's device. A single bomber swooped in out of nowhere and dropped it exactly on the middile fighting machine. There was a terrible, huge explosion, and mountains of dirt and plants were heaved up like a giant hand had thrown them. Explosives covered the entire area, leveling what had once been a series of rolling green hills.
OOC: I think this actually exists, I'm going to check Wiki.

As the aircraft got closer, they noticed something odd about the fighting machines. They now had long cannons above their eyes. However, before the pilots could reflect further, the machines had aimed their heat rays and fired towards them.

The Harriers pressed the attack, anti aircraft fire was nothing new to them.
They broke into their four elements and continued the bombing run, the heat rays scored first turning three aircraft into three fireballs, there were no chutes, one of the Harriers was caught in the explosions, it tore a wing off and it went cartwheeling into the countryside, erupting in flame it exploded. Busters three and five completed their run and twelve bombs rained down. The second flight launched their attack as the martian machines let loose another barrage of heat ray fire at the two receding Harriers of Buster flight. Again the Harriers came in low each one picking up damage from flying debris, they dropped and made their escape. the martians tracked them with their weapons and three Harriers were blown out of the sky the sound of the multiple explosions as the thirty six bombs hit was deafening, the targets were obscured by fire and smoke when the third group of six Harriers soared in, they were not so lucky as heat rays tore into them, the navy pilots never made it to their targets, the final Harrier flight only lost one plane as the fighting machines frantically spun their machines round to aim at them. they dropped their loads and hit afterburner, one more was destroyed before they disappeared out of sight below a run of hills. The pilots would not know how they had fared till they returned to base for debriefing.

The Commander of the first line snarled. "I am so over these goddamn things! Shoot the American bomb at them!"
The American bomb. Called "the Mother of all bombs" it was the largest non-nuclear explosive in the world, with a incrediable 900 foot blast radias, America's answer to Russia's device. A single bomber swooped in out of nowhere and dropped it exactly on the middile fighting machine. There was a terrible, huge explosion, and mountains of dirt and plants were heaved up like a giant hand had thrown them. Explosives covered the entire area, leveling what had once been a series of rolling green hills.
OOC: I think this actually exists, I'm going to check Wiki.

The fighting machines were massacared! All three machines were destroyed instantly by the huge explosion. The bomber saw the behind them 3 smallier machines advancing. The scouts were waiting for them.

The Harriers pressed the attack, anti aircraft fire was nothing new to them.
They broke into their four elements and continued the bombing run, the heat rays scored first turning three aircraft into three fireballs, there were no chutes, one of the Harriers was caught in the explosions, it tore a wing off and it went cartwheeling into the countryside, erupting in flame it exploded. Busters three and five completed their run and twelve bombs rained down. The second flight launched their attack as the martian machines let loose another barrage of heat ray fire at the two receding Harriers of Buster flight. Again the Harriers came in low each one picking up damage from flying debris, they dropped and made their escape. the martians tracked them with their weapons and three Harriers were blown out of the sky the sound of the multiple explosions as the thirty six bombs hit was deafening, the targets were obscured by fire and smoke when the third group of six Harriers soared in, they were not so lucky as heat rays tore into them, the navy pilots never made it to their targets, the final Harrier flight only lost one plane as the fighting machines frantically spun their machines round to aim at them. they dropped their loads and hit afterburner, one more was destroyed before they disappeared out of sight below a run of hills. The pilots would not know how they had fared till they returned to base for debriefing.

The attack destroyed one of the martians, and damaged the other two. However, the jets were wise not to launch a second attack. That evening, the third martian cylinde landed just outside of Watford.

Flyingdales early warning system tracked the third pod in and immediately informed Army Command.

Lt-General Parker checked his watch, 20.25hrs. He knew the RAF planned an airstrike under cover of darkness but that was upon the surviving machines. His Artillery could in theory do it, but they were positioned for a strike on the large construction in Watford.

Parker turned to his Royal Navy liaison, 'Captain are your boats ready to get involved?'

'Aye sir, we've had them in position since this morning,

'Good, give them the coordinates to the new landing site, I want it destroyed.'

'With pleasure sir'

Submerged just of the coast of East Anglia and Sussex lay five silent killers. HMS Trafalgar, Turbulent, Talent, Triumph and Superb. Electronics technicians plotted and replotted their bearings. The submarines had received firing coordinates and wanted to be sure they were in exactly the right spot they needed to be for firing. Commanders and weapons officers checked Tomahawk status boards. Seconds passed slowly till weapons launch. 'Commence launch sequence.'
Switches were thrown on five different vessels, lights blinked red, commanders and weapons officers inserted their keys in the firing panel and turned them. Petty officers on firing panels turned a handle to the left arming the missiles. In the bow of the submarines the guidence systems of five Tomahawk cruise missiles were fully activated. 'Initiate launch'

The first missile broke the surface of the English Channel at 20:40:54; only the seagulls saw the cylindical shape rise on its solid rocket booster, a second later another missile broke the surface, then another, soon twenty Tomahawk missiles were in the air. In the North Sea HMS Superb launched her five.

Twenty five missiles were now in the air. on leaving the water they went to a height of three hundred meters, where their wings and jet engine air intakes deployed. They then began a shallow descent to ten meters above the ground. On board radar scanned ahead to keep the missiles close to the ground. They sped on.

'HMS Trafalgar reports all vessels achieved a successful launch, impact in eight minutes. Superb's missiles will impact four minutes later.'

At 20:48 hours twenty 1000lb warheads and burning fuel detonated on the third landing zone. Four minuted late HMS Superb's five arrived on the scene, their nose cones sprang away and thirty five hundred bomblets began sprinkling over the area. Each bomblet was the equivalent of a combined incendiary/explosive mortar shell. After dropping their loads the Tomahawks climbed straight up, stalled and crashed back down to earth, adding their own fuel load to the destruction.

<snippy>

IC: 12 minutes after landing, the third cylinder was open. The scouts emerged first from the pod and surveyed the seen, making sure nobody was watching. But the martians knew they had no time to waste. The Handling machines had brought their latest creation to the cylinder. 3 martians without 'bodies' emerged slowly. It was a slow process, even with the help of the handling machines. But eventually the martians entered the new machines.

By now the missiles had been launched, and the handling machines had to hurry. They unloaded the new supplies from the cylinder wth just minutes to spare. The new machines then headed for Watford. Then the missiles hit, eliminating the now empty cylinder.

IC: That evening a falling star, with a trail of Green mist landed with a flash like summer lightening. this was the second cylinder. It had landed within the MCZ

"It landed a kilometer further north from the first cylinder," the lieutenant told General Lacombe. "We... had a scout on foot in the area when it hit. We haven't heard anything from him since."

"A second cylinder." Lacombe grumbled. "Just what we needed. Has there been any further movement from the first cylinder?"

"Nothing sir."

Lacombe digested this. "The Prime Minister called me on the carpet in that meeting. He wants us to remove the cylinder as soon as possible. Heaven knows how he'll take the news that it has a friend."

He looked at the map. By now, groups of Challenger and Leopard tanks had been set up in six locations around the border of the MCZ. The remaining artillery units of the 2nd Royal Canadian Horse Artillery had been set up with them. That would be enough to contain a conventional ground force.

But the Martians were another story.

Lacombe asked, "What about our air assets?"

"We've got a two squadrons ready to sortie at any time, and another two squadrons ready as a reserve."

"So long as the Martians are within the cylinders we might not be able to harm them... but they can't harm us either," Lacombe thought aloud. "Get them in the open and we can take them down but at an appalling cost."

He reached a decision. "Let's see if we can eliminate the first cylinder before the second one gets its machines in the field. Order those two squadrons into the air right now, and have a third squadron prep for immediate sortie: there are reports the Martians have started employing flying machines at the other sites, and I want to be able to deal with them if they appear.

"The tanks and artillery will stay where they are; we'll use them to contain the machines if any survive the attack. But order in infantry teams with AT rocket launchers - teams of two. Keep them scattered and under cover."

"Sir? What could infantry do against those... things?"

"To my knowledge," Lacombe replied, "nobody's ever attempted to shoot at these machines from directly beneath. I'm willing to bet the Martians haven't armoured the bottom as well as they have the sides.

"Get some infantry teams in there, and while the Martians are busy fighting our aircraft, the teams might be able to shoot them where it will hurt most."

"And if the bottom is as well armoured as the sides?"

"We've nothing to lose by trying, and if nothing else the attack from below might confuse the Martians; get them to divide their fire. Lastly; have some volunteers prepare to carry C-4 right up to the cylinders themselves. Either while the machines are fighting or afterward, I want to be able to blast those cylinders apart from the inside. Get to it."

"Yes sir!"

* * *

Small knots of infantry crept toward the cylinders; using trees - either burnt or living - as cover, or crawling on their bellies. A few had sheets of camoflague to pull over themselves once they got to their positions; now they had to wait for the fireworks to start.

An hour after the infantry were issued their orders, two squadrons of F-18s roared from their runways and took to the air. Two planes would go in first with a couple of air-to-ground missiles aimed at the cylinder. The Martians were about to get their wake-up call.

Commander Regional land forces UK, slammed the latest report down on a mat table in frustration. 'We almost had them, Captain how soon can the submarines launch another attack?

'They need to replenish General, that means putting in at Portsmouth, thirty six hours minimum sir.

'Damn, damn, damn!' He soon calmed. 'Very well can't be helped, your boats did an admiral job, luck wasn't with them today'

'The RAF will still be sortieing at 22:00 sir, the artillery is all set up, we should be able to do some more damage sir'

At 22:00 hours the attack commenced Two Squadrons of Tornados from bases in Scotland launched their Storm Shadow cruise missiles as they passed over Northhampton, their mission accomplished they turned and headed home.
At 22:07 the artillery opened fire on Watford in an attempt to destroy the martians, Rockets and shells rained down. This time the lighter 105mm guns also took part in the bombardment, it was strange to note their fire fell short of Watford. This wasn't by accident they were scattering anti tank mines in an attempt to damage any machine that left the ruined town.
At 22:08 the forty eight specialised bunker buster Cruise missiles impacted the strange martian building.

<snippy>

But the martians were wide awake already. As the infantry approached, suddenly large towers rose up. At the end was a heat ray and fired down at the infantry. Larger towers rose up behind these ones, and were preparing to fire...

F-18's encountered the larger towers between them and the cylinder. 1 stopped 'looking' at the infantry and aimed at the aircraft and fired. The 2scout machines also appeared and ready themselves to attack. the secodn cylinder was not yet open.

Commander Regional land forces UK, slammed the latest report down on a mat table in frustration. 'We almost had them, Captain how soon can the submarines launch another attack?

'They need to replenish General, that means putting in at Portsmouth, thirty six hours minimum sir.

'Damn, damn, damn!' He soon calmed. 'Very well can't be helped, your boats did an admiral job, luck wasn't with them today'

'The RAF will still be sortieing at 22:00 sir, the artillery is all set up, we should be able to do some more damage sir'

At 22:00 hours the attack commenced Two Squadrons of Tornados from bases in Scotland launched their Storm Shadow cruise missiles as they passed over Northhampton, their mission accomplished they turned and headed home.
At 22:07 the artillery opened fire on Watford in an attempt to destroy the martians, Rockets and shells rained down. This time the lighter 105mm guns also took part in the bombardment, it was strange to note their fire fell short of Watford. This wasn't by accident they were scattering anti tank mines in an attempt to damage any machine that left the ruined town.
At 22:08 the forty eight specialised bunker buster Cruise missiles impacted the strange martian building.

The martian structure could not survive a second pounding and was destroyed. As the artillery celebrated something happened. The 3 latest martians machines, from inside Watford, were bombarding their position with martian projectiles. This caused massive explosions, and despite the range, were landing very close to artillery and some were hitting.

'Counter-battery fire' warned an electronics technician
'Jesus thats new'

Even spaced as they were there were losses, five AS-90s were destroyed and a further twelve damaged to such an extent they would have to be removed from operations for a few days. One MRLS was lost. worst hit were the lighter less mobile 105mm pieces, thirty six pieces were destroyed by the martian counter fire, the gunners died while frantically trying to pull out, over two hundred killed and wounded.

'Counter-battery fire' warned an electronics technician
'Jesus thats new'

Even spaced as they were there were losses, five AS-90s were destroyed and a further twelve damaged to such an extent they would have to be removed from operations for a few days. One MRLS was lost. worst hit were the lighter less mobile 105mm pieces, thirty six pieces were destroyed by the martian counter fire, the gunners died while frantically trying to pull out, over two hundred killed and wounded.

Suddenly, the bombardment ceased. The martians spent the evening and morning repairing and regrouping.

'We must keep up the pressure gentlemen, recon shows the complete destruction of their buildings, I want round the clock air attacks, can you do that Torpy?.

Air Chief Marshal Sir Glenn Torpy an ex fighter pilot himself replied
'Yes we can, already sorted General, at 01:00 hours numbers 12, 14 and 15 squadrons will be commencing stand off missile attacks, I plan to hit those martians with a total of ninety six Storm Shadows.'

'How long can you keep doing this kind of operation?

With the Storm Shadows, up to five attacks depending on numbers of aircraft, RAF Germany has a number of them but the jerries will be making use of those. then we start lobbing Mavericks and Paveways, I've seen the casualties from bombing runs and they don't make good reading, We'll use gravity bombs as a last resort.'

'You'll be recommending those Harrier pilots for decorations'

'Yes without doubt'

'Well at the minute the martians haven't left Watford, lets try and keep them there'


In the early hours of the morning the silence of RAF Lossiemouth in Moray, Scotland was shattered as forty eight Tornadoes took to the air, they came to a southern heading and flew towards England and their target the flight to the launch point in West Yorkshire was a twenty minute trip at 1500kph. On board computers absorbed targetting data and uploaded it to the missiles. The missiles launched on time and in good order, satisfied with them selves the pilots turned for home.
Like their brothers before them the cruise missiles sped at low level towards their target, they reached it and individual warheads searched out their prey, Watford and the martians were again swallowed up by fire and explosion.

As the missiles approached, the 3 fighting machines and the 3 new machines launched 2 canisters each. As these canisters hit the ground, they released a black smoke into the air. However, against the ruins of Watford and the early morning sky it was invisible to the naked eye.

The smoke quickly rose up into the air and spread out to form a smokescreen. As the missiles entered the screen, the gas reacted with the explosives and making them detonate early. Observers could see the missiles exploding too early. Moments after the last missile exploded, the gas began to settle as a thick, black dust on the ground.

'We have multiple impacts.' shouted a excited radar man then he looked a bit puzzled about something. 'Wait one.' The technician began looking with alarm at his instruments. 'Sir telemetry shows.' He looked round in shock.
'Sir, premature detonation on all missiles.'

'Whaat, how?'

'Unknown sir, there was no anti missile fire, the missiles just denotated over the target.'

Informing General Parker was the next step. The news was received with some alarm.

Parker called a briefing for all his senior officers

'Gentlemen as you may all be aware by now the enemy has managed to counter our missile barrages, how is at the moment unknown'

'Force fields?' Asked brigadier Dennis commander of 15th Brigade.

'Sounds a bit too much like science fiction for me.' Replied Major General Cubitt. Commander of the army London District Command

'And martians invading aren't' Snorted General Everson. 'Bloody hell Bill'

'Well at the moment we don't know what we're dealing with' Interrupted Parker. We need real time recon and fast. our satellite isn't able to penetrate the smoke and darkness over Watford, its infra-red abilities are compromised due to the radiating heat background. Our ROVs have the same problem now.'

'Which means we have to either get some of our chaps into Watford for a look around or send in a recon bird.' Finished Everson.

'Well my Jaguars at number six squadron could handle the job' replied ACM Torpy

"Very well. meanwhile David..'

'Aye sir, I've got a wee bunch of lads from the 23rd SAS just itching for some action.' Drawled the commander of 51st Scottish Brigade, Brigadier David Kirk.

'Good, I'll want to see your plan of action by 09:00, Now if you'll all excuse me, I need to inform the PM of our latest action.'

OOC: Where's your next defence position between Watford and London?

OOC: Where's your next defence position between Watford and London?

Harrow district of NW London, spread along the A404, a massive suburban area. with a couple of parks. just give me time to do a bit of research for troops to deploy there.

But the martians were wide awake already. As the infantry approached, suddenly large towers rose up. At the end was a heat ray and fired down at the infantry. Larger towers rose up behind these ones, and were preparing to fire...

F-18's encountered the larger towers between them and the cylinder. 1 stopped 'looking' at the infantry and aimed at the aircraft and fired. The 2scout machines also appeared and ready themselves to attack. the secodn cylinder was not yet open.

OOC: I'm assuming these towers are *outside* the cylinder. Geez, the Martians were busy...

IC:

Several infantry teams were immolated from the sudden attack. Two teams were carrying C4, and the heat rays caused them to detonate. The remaining teams scattered as best as they could.

One of the teams equipped with the AT launcher decided to return fire. Using an exposed boulder as cover, he aimed the launcher while his partner loaded it. Before the heat ray could turn its attention to them, the launcher fired, sending its missile straight to its target. Seeing the contrail, three other teams followed suit, each aiming at the same tower as the first.

The tower that diverted to focus on the incoming aircraft had allowed one C4 bearing team to escape destruction. They continued forward.

The F-18s split their attention between the towers and the scout machines. The two "bait" planes adjusted their target for one smaller tower south of the cylinder, and two air-to-ground missiles were dispatched.

The first squadron to arrive on the scene after the bait planes deployed against three of the larger towers, six missiles per tower. The second squadron remained on its focus against the scout machines. Two flights went in, each flight targetting one machine and firing. Six air-to-ground missiles were dispatched against each scout machine. A third flight provided interference, attempting to attract the attention of both towers and scouts and buy time for their comrades.

The report of the towers reached command. General Lacombe waited for reports on how the attacks against them went, but as a precaution, he ordered the tanks to advance. If the missiles didn't destroy the towers outright, the tanks might be able to finish the job.

The fighting machines were massacared! All three machines were destroyed instantly by the huge explosion. The bomber saw the behind them 3 smallier machines advancing. The scouts were waiting for them.
The bomber peeled off, it's crew living to fight another day. Knowing f the Scout's weak armor, a flight of bombers flew out to intercept. Meanwhile the MLRs stationed thoughout the area fired. About 25 Cruise missiles landed among the Scouts, creating explosions which paled in compariosn to the awesome power of the previous bomb. The bombers, 10 strong, came in, taking care to fire off their missiles well before reaching anywhere near the Scouts.

Harrow district of NW London, spread along the A404, a massive suburban area. with a couple of parks. just give me time to do a bit of research for troops to deploy there.


OOC: Ok. you ready?

OOC: I'm assuming these towers are *outside* the cylinder. Geez, the Martians were busy...

<Snippy>

OOC: Yep ;)

IC: The infantry successfully destroyed the smallier tower. But 3 others survived to focus their fire. 1 of the larger towers joine din the carnage...

-------------

The larger tower survived the air strike with bearly a scratch. It returned fire at the aircraft...

The scout machine also survived, although obviously damaged. They tried to attack the aircraft with their hat rays also.

However, in the confusion, one of the infantry was entirely ignored by the martians and approached the cylinder. As they approached, a fairly small, black machine attempted to flee from them

The bomber peeled off, it's crew living to fight another day. Knowing f the Scout's weak armor, a flight of bombers flew out to intercept. Meanwhile the MLRs stationed thoughout the area fired. About 25 Cruise missiles landed among the Scouts, creating explosions which paled in compariosn to the awesome power of the previous bomb. The bombers, 10 strong, came in, taking care to fire off their missiles well before reaching anywhere near the Scouts.

The scouts took some damage, but their agility allowed them to avoid destruction. The smallier machines continue dto advance whilst the enemy focused on the scout machines...

OOC: Ok. you ready?

ready

ready

IC: As the spy plane flew over it noticed that 9 martians were on the move towards london - 3 scouts, 3 fighting machines and the 3 new machines. The remaining martians were just outside Watford, surrounded by 'scortched Earth' as the ground appeared from the air.

'Contact, nine hostiles on a heading towards London, three heavies, three scouts and three unknowns'

'Looks like the mines didn't faze them at all, Inform Battle Group London of the situation'

Brigadier Roy Maddox-Wilde recieved the warning and began issuing orders, the first units the martians would engage were quartered in the district of Harrow. The Brigadier didn't like the situation, Harrow was a major suburb with few open areas to deploy his guns.
He had 7th Para Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery with their remaining eighteen 105mms defiliaded just to the rear of Harrow on the Hill three miles to the rear of the designated front line which was the A410 between Hatch End and Edgware.
B Squadron of the Royal Yeomanry and D Squadron (10th Hussars) of the Kings Royal Hussars had their eighteen Challenger tanks deployed in three tank troops supporting the massed infantry.
3rd Battalion The Duke of Lancasters Regiment formed a tactical reserve in their Warrior IFVs they were ready to reinforce the line from their muster point in Harrow.
1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers was dug in deep around Harrow Weald Golf course, its Warriors in shelters on the much dug over and now ruined course itsself.
7th Battalion the Rifles were under wood cover at Hatch End.
The Township of Harrow Weald was held by 4th Battalion The Mercian Regiment while the town of Wealdstone held the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Welsh.
Air defence if needed was given to 104th Regiment Royal Artillery.
This part of Londons defence made up the entirety of 4th and 5th Infantry Divisions. London itself was garrisoned with the heavier 3rd Mechanised Division and London District HQ.

The Scout machines continued their march on London, with the fighting machines shadowing them. Again, they stopped just out of range of the Harrow defenders (OOC: But within range of any artillery ;) ). The troops on the ground had an idea of what they were doing - sizing up the opposition. They could see the fighting machines close behind, sporting their new 'cannons'. Somewhere in the distance the 3 bombardment machines were lurking, but could not be seen just yet.

The scouts took some damage, but their agility allowed them to avoid destruction. The smallier machines continue dto advance whilst the enemy focused on the scout machines...
Defensive Line...
"Enemy in range...20 seconds...10 seconds...in range. All batteries, fire on my mark." The spotter beside him muttered a string of coordinates. The Commander spoke into the radio. "All artillery fire, coordinates (******), set up a line of fire." The artillery, long range, heavy and light, fired. The shells made a solid line, leaving no chance for the Martians to dodge away on their agile legs. Meanwhile the smaller machines would be encountering tripwires rigged with explosives, landmines, pop-up machine gun traps, pits, and barbed wire.

The Scout machines continued their march on London, with the fighting machines shadowing them. Again, they stopped just out of range of the Harrow defenders (OOC: But within range of any artillery ;) ). The troops on the ground had an idea of what they were doing - sizing up the opposition. They could see the fighting machines close behind, sporting their new 'cannons'. Somewhere in the distance the 3 bombardment machines were lurking, but could not be seen just yet.

'We have a fire mission, grid reference two nine, range nine thousand and two metres. Area suppression, fire for effect.'

'By battery three round burst, make ready to fall back to secondary, open fire' The gunners fired and the loaders moved like greased lightning to get the shells in the breach, a ripple of fire spread across the rear of the hill as the field guns unloosed hell. The shells screamed over Harrow and the A410 motorway to land among the martians. Terrified of the accurate counter battery fire from the fighting machines drivers began reversing their land rovers into position where they could hook up to their guns. The mobile command post was already beginning to move after the fifth second of fire, its radars scanning for incoming fire.The last shell fired had all the gunners moving, gun commanders urging their men to move faster. Would they be lucky?

A few soldiers on the front line cheered as the incoming shells hit the martians, The tankers didn't, it was there job to get up close to the martians, a task they did not relish. An entire regiment of Challengers had been totally wiped out only hours ago, they had seen footage of the attack, the casual ease in which the martians had destroyed their comrades. Amongst the ground troops were the new Javelin guided anti tank weapons, a step up from the older Milan that the Territorials had used, the gun crews silently hoped they would be able to do better. they stayed out of sight and just waited for their moment.

<snippy>

The fire claimed the life of a scout machine. The remaining two scurried away sporting heavy damage. They had served their role. Somewhere in the distance, the bombardment machines opened fire. (OOC: The have a much greater range than Line Of Site ;) ) Their projectiles exploding in and around the retreating artillery.

The fighting machines now made up the front line. They advanced until in range... and then for no apparant reason advanced some more. What were they doing?

Defensive Line...
"Enemy in range...20 seconds...10 seconds...in range. All batteries, fire on my mark." The spotter beside him muttered a string of coordinates. The Commander spoke into the radio. "All artillery fire, coordinates (******), set up a line of fire." The artillery, long range, heavy and light, fired. The shells made a solid line, leaving no chance for the Martians to dodge away on their agile legs. Meanwhile the smaller machines would be encountering tripwires rigged with explosives, landmines, pop-up machine gun traps, pits, and barbed wire.

One of the scouts was destroyed, but the remaining two could not afford to retreat. The loss of the fighting machines meant they were leading this attack. They opened fire with their heat rays on the forward positions...

The 3 bombardment machines stopped just outside of the traps in front of them. Their heat rays dispensing any machine gun traps near them. The larger cannon on top launched very hig explosive shells on top of the artillery.

While the initial Martian assault from the Scouts did only a moderate amount of damage, the fire from the bombardment machines made it much, much worse. Arillery caught fire and exploded, were flipped into the air like a childs toy. Decimated, the remaining arillery of the first line fired again at the Scouts before their crew abadoned them. More planes were searching for a way to destroy the bombardment machines, but could not accuratly pinpoint their location.

While the initial Martian assault from the Scouts did only a moderate amount of damage, the fire from the bombardment machines made it much, much worse. Arillery caught fire and exploded, were flipped into the air like a childs toy. Decimated, the remaining arillery of the first line fired again at the Scouts before their crew abadoned them. More planes were searching for a way to destroy the bombardment machines, but could not accuratly pinpoint their location.

The bombardment machines finished off the remaining Artillery before deciding to retreat. They feared the aircraft and without fighting machines to defend them, they were vulnerable

The two scouts, now seriously damaged also decided to retreat. But they were not 'out of range' just yet...

(OOC: The have a much greater range than Line Of Site ;) ) Their projectiles exploding in and around the retreating artillery.

no need to explain, guns don't need line of sight anymore, I would imagine the martians learn quickly and certainly understand the concept of trajectories.

no need to explain, guns don't need line of sight anymore, I would imagine the martians learn quickly and certainly understand the concept of trajectories.

Just letting you know. They can't see much further than my regulary machines, but they have a very long range though.

The bombardment machines finished off the remaining Artillery before deciding to retreat. They feared the aircraft and without fighting machines to defend them, they were vulnerable

The two scouts, now seriously damaged also decided to retreat. But they were not 'out of range' just yet...
The jets swooped in like hawks on prey, firing on missiles and armor-piercing cannons. Artillery was being scrambled to the front line, but it was doubtful they could get there before the Scouts were out of range.

As the gunners began limbering up, the first shells were heard, 'Incoming, take cover!' those not manhandling the guns flung themselves into slit trenches, huddling deep. Drivers, NCOs and officers were frantically urging everyone to move faster. The first three shells hit the ridge of the hill and walked down, the explosions were massive the shockwave alone destroyed three guns and two landrovers, it shattered bone and pulverised internal organs, bodies flew everywhere. The soldiers had no time to recover when another three shells hit. The explosions tore apart the majority of guns and gunners. The ground shook as the high explosive did its work, there was no trench deep enough to hide from the horror unleashed. Two more salvoes finished the job, the only remnants left were half buried in deep wide impact craters. Only three guns and seventeen men managed to get away.
They pulled back to a secondary position and waited for further orders.

'I need air support and I need it now General' urged Brigadier Maddox-Wilde. I've just lost artillery support, how long before I can get some heavies, those mobile guns are the only ones that have half a chance of getting away in time.

'I understand Roy.' Replied Cubitt. We have a battery of 155s moving already, they caught us on the hop with this one Roy, The RAF will do what they can. Hold them as long as you can Brigadier, I'm on my way by helo. Ill see you in your command bunker within the half hour'

'Range three thousand seven hundred, why are they stopping?

'Hoping to pinpoint our tanks maybe?'

'I don't like this, relay to all armour, hold fire till ordered'

'Sir I have the airforce, inbound six minutes'

'Very well, thats when the armour will open fire,,relay the order'

Number 25 squadron flew its Tornadoes fast and low, this was their second sortie against the martians, though of a different type, this was a standard bombing run, gravity bombs being the munition of choice. They had heard of the slaughter reaped upon their slower comrades in their Harriers. They wanted pay back. 'Green Leader' took his section of four in first' Both he and his wingman dropped and pulled away in a tight arc, g-force pressing them into their seats. Two by two they came, they dropped and ran. Then Green leader led them in again, two 27mm cannons blazing.

The troops watched as the aircraft swooped in, shouting and urging the pilots on, the tankers had there orders, six tanks targeted each of the three fighting machines, 120mm shells flew true, the sabot spears lashed into the armoured behemoths.

The jets swooped in like hawks on prey, firing on missiles and armor-piercing cannons. Artillery was being scrambled to the front line, but it was doubtful they could get there before the Scouts were out of range.

The Jets destoyed one of the scout machines. The surviving one counter-attacking with it's heat ray. It then limped away, following the Bombardment machines.

<snippy>

The Bombardment machines ceased fire, whilst waiting for the scouts to 'protect' them.

The fighting machines raised themselves to full height, before launching a canister each on top on the tanks. These released the black smoke over the tanks. The fighting machines heat rayed any tanks not aught up in the 'cloud'

OOC: I doubt I have to explain what the black smoke is ;)

From their positions along the front line, the Challengers watched as their shells tore into the martian fighting machines, the six shells that had hit each one staggered them and tore away protective armour, Reload orders were given, then something strange happened the martians were of course retaliating that was expected, what was not expected was the belching black canisters that flew into the lines
'I don't believe it their popping smoke!' Shouted one tank gunner.
'Switch to thermal, the bastards don't get away that easy. All troops stay on them'
The heat rays lanced out, tearing through the barricades and cover the Royal Engineers had built. A Challenger was hit, its glacis plate simply melted away killing the driver instantly and crippling the tank. 'Bale out' shouted the sergeant in command, hatches were thrown open and the crew scrambled to safety before another shot could finish them.

The infantry simply had to sit the barrage out. Another tank was torn apart as a heatray tore its turret open igniting a full load of shells, soon the smoke began drifting towards the town, if anyone noticed it was moving against the breeze they didn't have time to mention it, they were too busy keeping their heads down. Another tank was sheared in half, its commander and loader managed to get out, they sought safety in the cover of the smoke. It washed over them they ran for a few more steps before convulsions hit them, choking they fell to the ground dead before they hit it.
The black smoke insinuated itself amongst the front line troops, choking and clinging, soldiers began clawing at their throats, the alarm went up 'Gas!' Thanks to their training and constant practice the soldiers began pulling on gasmasks and protective clothing. The alarm was passed on up the line.

General Parker was worried, his men would be relativaly fine, Gas was a problem because of the logistics that went into decontamination, The 'noddy' suits would sap strength, endurance and moral. Tasks would take longer to accomplish, combat effectiveness could drop by as much as 50%.
It was the millions of civilians still in London that was his greater worry,
He turned to the commander of 2nd Division, Major General McDowell.
'Davie this is a job for your lads, this is a MACC cat A, you agree.'

'Aye sir I agree, I'll have 51st Brigade under Dave Kirk liase with the civil authorities, he has plenty of support units who can help, they've been on standby since we learnt of the Mars situation'

'Good, get every vehicle you can spare, get as many civilians out.'

McDowell nodded as he reached for a radio to inform his subordinates.

OOC: Also note, it makes ammunition explode

OOC: Also note, it makes ammunition explode

ooc
All ammo or just warheads filled with some form of explosive?

something like a sabot round isn't explosive you see, its a solid length of depleted uranium tungsten, no warhead on it

ooc
All ammo or just warheads filled with some form of explosive?

something like a sabot round isn't explosive you see, its a solid length of depleted uranium tungsten, no warhead on it

OOC: The book never specified, but I'd assume only explosive rounds.

OOC: The book never specified, but I'd assume only explosive rounds.

Are you sure, my copy never mentions anything about black smoke being anything but a lethal gas.

OOC: It isn't, I think Moleland is just taking literary licence.
IC: The soldiers cheered as they watched the last alien machines limp away, badly damaged. "That's right, you'd better run!" shouted one man. The jets didn't take further risks, breaking off as soon as the first machine was destroyed, although two fighters took hits from the heat ray and exploded in furious balls of flame. The Japanese forces kept the line, but began to collect their dead and remove the flaming shells that used to be artillery pieces.
OOC2: It occurs to me that the size I'm RPing and the way I'm RPing I should have chosen Americans ;)

OOC2: It occurs to me that the size I'm RPing and the way I'm RPing I should have chosen Americans ;)

It don't matter, as long as you're enjoying yourself, Moleland hasn't complained so don't worry. Obviously your Japan negotiated a peace at the end of WW2 and didn't have to have just a defence force. ;)

Are you sure, my copy never mentions anything about black smoke being anything but a lethal gas.

It appears I am incorrect. I'm sure I read that somewhere :confused: