Longing By David Miskey#30379

Frank always envied the gods and their massive weapons of warfare. He longed for even the smallest of the war machines. For just having one of the destructive weapons would make him feared. He was captured by the pirates and made a slave to their war gods. His job was to clean up after them while they were away looking for more plunder and captives and to take care of the massive mech between raids. He would not be allowed to pilot the massive weapons of war because he was not really one of them and they did not trust him because of this.

In his free time he would read all the manuals he could find about the mechs he coveted as well as anything he could find about the wars on ancient Terr. In his readings he found some strange stories about people sending war equipment home by sending it a piece at a time. He wondered if he might be able to procure a mech in the same fashion. Would he be able to get work in hangars and get access to the parts he needed? Would it be possible to steal the parts without anyone noticing? If it was possible he would need to rotate between the pirate clans so the missing parts would be less noticeable. He would also need to recruit others to help him steal the larger pieces. He also needed to find a place to hide all of the spare parts.

He began to feel out some of his fellow captives and see if they might be willing to help him in his endeavor. He had to be careful about who he approached for if the pirates found out what he was up to they would kill him. He knew about an abandoned base where he could stash the parts needed to build his own army. He just needed to find people willing to help him acquire the necessary parts to build it. Once he had the parts he could begin building his army and training his followers to pilot the massive avatars of destruction.

He discovered that it was easy to divert the parts and equipment he needed. The pirates had so much plunder that they did not notice when some of it disappeared. He even managed to steal entire mechs without raising any suspicions. He was able to recruit some pilots from among the captives and began to train at the abandoned base.

Soon he knew they would need some battle experience. He noticed that the clans were beginning to send scouts to check out the pirates operation. He decided to use this as a cover to train his troops in battle. If anyone was ever captured or even killed they could just say that they were part of a clan and the pirates would be none the wiser. If he was lucky he might even be able to recruit some pilots from the clans. Once everything was ready he would launch an assault on the pirate base that would make them forget all about the skirmishes with the clans.

 Submitted by David Miskey#30379

Mech Pilot's Creed By Brian Lee #896391

Lasers blazing, cannons raking.
Missiles arcing, fire baking.
Metal gleaming, chunks flying.
Wrecks steaming, pilots dying.

Valor proven, honor won.
Corpses stinking in the noon day sun.
For what do we sacrifice our bodies and minds?
A chance to win a medal? Walk away with first prize?

We fight and we die, do it over again.
Weapons of destruction hurl death at our men
And women, lest we forget, gender matters not.
Nor race, red the only color we've got.

To prove our worth, bleed not for powers that be.
Protecting our clansmen our dying creed.
For what do we do these acts to each other?
To protect the backs of our sisters and brothers.

I watch your back, and you watch mine.
Together we'll take the many niodes we find.
To strengthen our steeds, the metal creatures we feed.
And hurl them back into the fray, come what may.

Submitted by Brian Lee #896391

Mecha Properties By Kalevi Karvinen#863817

First number is level when that effect change and in parenthesis is how big that effect is after change. In case of slots, it's how many of those are.

I usually cross out previous level(effect) when new one replace it, make it easier to follow, and names of effects are bigger text, but that did go away when pasted text here.

Red Ant 10t

Speed
1 (10), 96 (22), 110 (34)
Precision
86 (15), 91 (30)
Shield
60 (15), 70 (30), 80 (45)
Laser Damage
1 (5%), 5 (10%), 10 (15%), 15 (20%), 20 (25%), 25 (30%), 30 (40%), 35 (50%), 40 (60%), 90 (80%)
Laser Shield
63 (10)
Missile Shield
66 (10)
Proj. Shield
69 (10)
Cockpit Slot
6 (1), 18 (2), 100 (3)
Chassis Slot
28 (1)
Shield Slot
54 (1), 74 (2)

Anzu 15t

Precision
75 (10)
Speed
1 (12), 3 (14), 6 (16), 9 (18), 15 (20), 25 (22), 35 (24), 50 (44), 100 (94), 110 (134)
Laser Damage
1 (3%), 5 (8%), 120 (28%)
Proj. Damage
1 (3%)
Kickback
1 (20% odds 25% dam), 30 (40% odds 37.5% dam), 65 (45% odds 23.75% dam)
Chassis Slot
5 (1)
Engine Slot
12 (1), 20 (2), 55 (3), 65 (4), 90 (5)
Cockpit Slot
28 (1), 115 (2)

WarHorse 15t

Speed
1 (8)
Freeze
1 (5%), 12 (10%), 22 (15%), 32 (20%), 50 (25%), 51 (40%)
3X Damage
1 (3%), 2 (6%), 39 (12%), 44 (16%), 62 (24%)
Laser Damage
4 (5%), 14 (11%)
Proj. Damage
6 (5%), 16 (11%)
Missile Damage
8 (5%), 18 (11%)
Cockpit Slot
3 (1)
Shield Slot
7 (1), 37 (2), 56 (3)
Chassis Slot
17 (1), 68 (2)
Engine Slot
27 (1)

Axe Bot 20t

Speed
1 (5), 28 (10), 38 (15), 78 (25)
Crit-Kill
1 (2%), 12 (4%), 50 (9%)
Trample
22 (8%), 90 (28%)
Shield
4 (3)
3X Damage
1 (3%), 8 (6%), 32 (9%), 56 (19%), 64 (29%), 72 (39%)
Engine Slot
6 (1), 16 (2), 36 (3), 66 (4)
Chassis Slot
14 (1), 76 (2)
Cockpit Slot
26 (1)
Shield Slot
50 (1)

Shocklite 20t

Speed
1 (7)
Missile Damage
1 (8%), 5 (11%), 10 (14%), 15 (17%), 20 (20%), 28 (28%), 38 (36%), 50 (56%), 60 (66%), 73 (76%)
Splash
12 (4%), 40 (14%), 83 (34%), 93 (54%)
Fork
110 (20%)
Cockpit Slot
5 (1), 36 (2), 60 (3)
Shield Slot
11 (1)
Engine Slot
18 (1), 100 (2)
Chassis Slot
66 (1)

Hoplite 25t

Speed
1 (6), 12 (8), 70 (28)
Freeze
3 (3%)
2X Damage
1 (5%), 11 (9%), 20 (14%)
3X Damage
23 (3%), 50 (28%)
Splash Shield
5 (15%)
Trample Shield
38 (10%), 48 (20%), 58 (30%), 61 (40%), 88 (55%)
Laser Shield
6 (5%), 30 (10%)
Missile Shield
10 (5%), 35 (10%)
Proj. Shield
15 (5%), 40 (10%)
Fire Shield
20 (5%), 45 (10%)
Ice Shield
25 (5%), 50 (10%)
Shield Slot
6 (1), 26 (2), 60 (3), 75 (4)
Chassis Slot
9 (1)
Engine Slot
13 (1), 65 (2)
Cockpit Slot
18 (1)

Nerio 25t

Precision
4 (2), 12 (4), 68 (14), 90 (24), 105 (39)
Speed
1 (7), 28 (11), 37 (15), 46 (19), 50 (29), 85 (39)
Crit-Kill
80 (4%)
3X Damage
8 (5%), 16 (10%), 24 (15%), 32 (20%), 40 (25%), 62 (30%), 72 (35%)
Missile Damage
1 (5%)
Proj. Damage
1 (5%), 60 (25%)
Cockpit Slot
3 (1), 21 (2), 25 (3), 66 (4)
Shield Slot
7 (1), 14 (2), 56 (3)
Engine Slot
9 (1), 74 (2)

Trooper 30t

Precision
1 (2), 31 (7), 50 (22), 90 (37)
Speed
1 (4), 12 (14), 32 (24), 42 (34)
Trample
28 (4%), 38 (8%), 78 (11%)
2X Damage
1 (4%), 8 (12%), 14 18%), 22 (16%)
3X Damage
36 (5%), 61 (15%), 71 (25%), 81 (35%)
Fire Vulnerable
12 (2%), 28 (5%), 56 (15%)
Ice Vulnerable
13 (2%), 29 (5%), 64 (15%)
Chassis Slot
4 (1), 14 (2), 34 (3)
Cockpit Slot
9 (1), 44 (2)
Engine Slot
24 (1)
Shield Slot
54 (1), 84 (2)

iMech 30t

Speed
1 (5)
Slow
18 (4), 26 (6), 36 (10), 44 (14)
Shield
30 (5), 50 (15), 80 (25)
Crit-Kill
1 (2%), 90 (7%)
Proj. Damage
1 (5%), 10 (10%), 13 (15%), 32 (18%), 63 (23%), 70 (28%)
Cockpit Slot
2 (1)
Chassis Slot
4 (1), 22 (2)
Shield Slot
10 (1)
Engine Slot
36 (1), 60 (2)

Orcus 35t

Speed
1 (7), 3 (10), 6 (13), 9 (16), 12 (19), 15 (22) 50 (28), 63 (32), 90 (36)
Shield
26 (3), 36 (6), 46 (9)
Trample Shield
51 (60%)
2X Damage
52 (10%), 72 (20%)
3X Damage
57 (10%)
Proj. Damage
1 (7%), 11 (14%), 21 (21%), 31 (28%), 41 (35%), 61 (42%), 81 (49%)
Engine Slot
2 (1), 18 (2), 48 (3), 60 (4), 77 (5)
Chassis Slot
2 (1)
Shield Slot
12 (1), 28 (2), 56 (3)
Cockpit Slot
38 (1), 90 (2)

Keradon 35t

Trample
1 (3%), 15 (6%), 18 (9%), 21 (12%), 81 (16%), 118 (20%)
3X Damage
1 (3%), 6 (6%), 12 (9%), 40 (14%), 45 (19%), 50 (24%), 60 (26%), 70 (28%), 80 (30%), 90 (32%), 100 (34%), 110 (36%), 120 (38%) 130 (40%), 140 (42%)
2X Damage
3 (3%), 9 (6%), 30 (11%), 35 (16%), 50 (21%), 59 (24%), 68 (27%), 77 (30%), 86 (33%), 95 (36%), 104 (39%), 113 (42%), 122 (45%), 131 (48%), 140 (51%)
Chassis Slot
2 (1), 26 (2), 137 (3)
Cockpit Slot
2 (1), 155 (2)
Shield Slot
4 (1), 22 (2), 48 (3), 93 (4)
Engine Slot
4 (1), 18 (2), 73 (3)

Holmes 35t

Speed
1 (1)
2X Damage
10 (8%), 20 (16%)
Laser Damage
5 (3%), 10 (6%), 15 (9%), 20 (12%), 25 (15%), 30 (18%), 40 (21%), 50 (34%)
Engine Slot
5 (1)
Chassis Slot
5 (1), 12 (2), 22 (3)
Cockpit Slot
11 (1), 30 (2), 60 (3)

Zadok 35t

Shield
1 (3), 50 (9)
Speed
4 (3), 8 (6), 12 (9)
Freeze
18 (2%)
2X Damage
33 (4%)
3X Damage
38 (4%)
Laser Damage
21 (4%), 56 (10%)
Missile Damage
22 (4%), 60 (10%)
Proj. Damage
24 (4%), 64 (10%)
Fire Damage
26 (4%), 68 (10%)
Ice Damage
28 (4%), 72 (10%)
Cockpit Slot
11 (1), 41 (2), 55 (3)
Chassis Slot
13 (1), 43 (2), 63 (1)
Engine Slot
15 (1), 45 (2), 71 (3)
Shield Slot
17 (1), 47 (2), 79 (3)

Nifthel 40t

Slow
1 (3), 40 (8), 45 (13), 50 (23)
Ice Damage
1 (5%), 5 (8%), 10 (11%), 15 (14%), 20 (17%), 25 (20%), 30 (23%), 35 (26%)
Chassis Slot
2 (1), 51 (2)
Engine Slot
3 (1), 11 (2), 31 (3), 55 (4)
Shield Slot
8 (1), 18 (2)
Cockpit Slot
21 (1), 41 (2)

Nephilax 40t

Speed
1 (+4)
Precision
1 (1), 24 (4)
Shield
6 (2), 50 (12)
Slow
10 (5)
3X Damage
1 (5%)
Proj. Damage
12 (5%), 18 (10%), 23 (15%), 58 (21%)
Laser Damage
14 (5%), 66 (11%)
Missile Damage
19 (5%), 82 (11%)
Fire Damage
28 (5%), 90 (11%)
Ice Damage
33 (5%), 74 (11%)
Shield Slot
12 (1), 42 (2), 60 (3)
Engine Slot
14 (1), 44 (2), 64 (3)
Chassis Slot
16 (1), 46 (2), 68 (3)
Cockpit Slot
18 (1), 48 (2), 72 (3)

Dread 45t

Speed
1 (+1)
Trample
3 (5%), 6 (10%), 9 (15%)
Missile Damage
1 (5%), 12 (9%), 15 (13%), 18 (17%), 30 (23%), 40 (31%), 50 (41%)
Shield Slot
2 (1), 28 (2), 81 (3)
Cockpit Slot
2 (1), 22 (2), 36 (3), 38 (4)
Chassis Slot
11 (1), 31 (2)
Engine Slot
13 (1), 64 (2), 68 (3)

Luison 45t

2X Damage
1 (5%), 50 (55%)
Laser Damage
3 (4%), 18 (9%)
Proj. Damage
6 (4%), 21 (9%)
Missile Damage
9 (4%), 24 (9%)
Fire Damage
12 (4%), 27 (9%)
Ice Damage
15 (4%), 30 (9%)
Shield Slot
2 (1), 5 (2), 33 (3), 60 (4)
Engine Slot
10 (1), 37 (2)
Cockpit Slot
12 (1), 35 (2), 70 (3)
Chassis Slot
16 (1), 31 (2)

Fides 50t

Proj. Damage
1 (8%), 18 (16%)
Missile Damage
10 (10%)
2X Damage
1 (5%), 50 (25%)
Speed
8 (+2), 16 (+4), 24 (+6), 32 (+8), 40 (+10)
Chassis Slot
2 (1), 4 (2), 28 (3), 71 (4)
Shield Slot
2 (1), 12 (2), 22 (3), 61 (4)
Cockpit Slot
3 (1), 38 (2), 44 (3)
Engine Slot
9 (1), 18 (2), 81 (3)

Oggun 50t

Trample
1 (5%), 20 (10%)
2x Damage
3 (2%), 6 (4%), 9 (6%), 12 (8%), 15 (10%), 18 (12%), 22 (14%), 24 (16%), 27 (18%), 30 (20%), 33 (22%), 36 (24%), 39 (26%), 42 (28%), 45 (30%), 48 (32%), 50 (34%)
Cockpit Slot
5 (1), 31 (2)
Engine Slot
10 (1)
Shield Slot
15 (1), 37 (2), 60 (3)
Chassis Slot
20 (1), 22 (2), 25 (3)

Cindron 55t

Fire Damage
1 (5%), 4 (8%), 8 (11%), 12 (14%), 16 (17%), 20 (20%), 24 (20%), 28 (23%), 32 (26%), 36 (29%), 40 (32%), 44 (35%), 48 (38%), 50 (53%)
Splash
1 (5%), 15 (10%), 50 (20%)
Engine Slot
3 (1),13 (2), 18 (3), 31 (4)
Chassis Slot
4 (1), 26 (2)
Cockpit Slot
6 (1), 11 (2), 61 (3)
Shield Slot
14 (1), 35 (2), 76 (3)

Namtar 60t

Speed
1 (-4)
2X Damage
1 (5%), 3 (8%), 6 (11%), 9 (14%), 12 (17%), 15 (20%)
3X Damage
50 (10%)
Laser Damage
45 (5%)
Proj. Damage
46 (5%)
Missile Damage
47 (5%)
Fire Damage
48 (5%)
Ice Damage
49 (5%)
Crit-Kill
1 (4%), 25 (6%), 35 (8%)
Shield
1 (4)
Kickback
1 (8% odds 50% dam), 10 (12% odds 50% dam), 20 (15% odds 50% dam), 30 (17% odds 50% dam), 40 (18% odds 50% dam)
Engine Slot
4 (1), 36 (2)
Chassis Slot
4 (1), 33 (2)
Cockpit Slot
5 (1), 16 (2), 48 (3)
Shield Slot
6 (1), 20 (2), 26 (3)

Buchis 60t

Speed
1 (-2)
Crit-Kill
1 (2%)
Trample
50 (10%)
Slow
22 (4), 28 (8), 31 (12), 37 (16)
3X Damage
7 (1%), 13 (2%), 16 (3%), 19 (4%), 43 (8%), 47 (12%)
Laser Damage
1 (6%), 3 (8%), 6 (10%), 9 (12%), 12 (14%), 15 (16%), 18 (18%), 21 (20%), 24 (22%), 27 (24%), 30 (26%), 33 (28%), 36 (30%), 39 (32%), 42 (34%), 45 (36%)
Proj. Damage
1 (6%), 2 (8%), 5 (10%), 8 (12%), 11 (14%), 14 (16%), 17 (18%), 20 (20%), 23 (22%), 26 (24%), 29 (26%), 32 (28%), 35 (30%), 38 (32%), 41 (34%), 44 (36%)
Shield Slot
2 (1), 14 (2), 34 (3), 40 (4), 64 (5)
Engine Slot
3 (1), 19 (2), 27 (3)
Cockpit Slot
4 (1), 42 (2)
Chassis Slot
6 (1), 12 (2), 80 (3)

Submitted by Kalevi Karvinen#863817

Revised Circuit Fights By Pat Willis#224534

Circuit fights have undergone a change recently where they now resemble KOTM tourneys with limited tonnage. There seems to be mixed reviews on the player board in so far as this being a good thing or not. Some are saying it gives you a chance to flex your formation muscles and test it out amongst others, some are saying it makes no sense to have circuit fights geared this way as we already have such limits in various KOTM.

Well personally I am in the camp of those who do not like it. As circuit fights pay out double the crystal to you for a victory it is the source of many players crystal farming. Now if you are one of those players who doesn't see the need to clutter your hanger with 10 of every mecha in the game or so, like myself, this change over greatly impacts how you gather resources. Everyone plays differently, some use weapon specific mechas, some prefer tonnage specific etc, etc. I like my 26 mechas total and rework those into what I need to play the game, and for Clan Wars. Beyond that I really don't see the need to have one or more of everything. I use what I need, play where it is permissible by tonnage and leave it at that.

We already have tonnage specific, weapon specific, various rainbow formations, point mecha, front line, and king chrono KOTM. So why would we need to change and mess with circuit fights? It gives you nothing beyond the crystals for farming really. Why not make it an option to enter into whichever limited circuit fight is going on at that time, or join the regular unlimited variety we all know and love? Or why not put it in the wave challenge? Like a 65 ton wave challenge, or a fire & ice wave challenge, or a single rainbow? Why all of a sudden just up and flip the script on folks without even so much as a warning it's going to happen?

Even if I did go out and buy lets say two of everything in the game mecha wise, I still have to level it all, it still costs resources to do, which means I need to enter into now limited circuit fights to try and gather resources. Which will lead to me not gathering much as my formation will be drastically under par for the event, which will lead to not collecting any resources to level, equip, or arm any of the new stuff I bought specifically so I could participate in such an event. Overall it just seems as though we have basically two KOTM going on. One the legitimate KOTM which pays out the prizes per usual, and the other the now mutated circuit fights which pays out the same crystal and niodes as it always did, but nothing else aside from that and a shiny badge for your profile if you make top ranks. BUT only if you have the resources and mechas to make it worth your while in the first place to even enter the thing.

Submitted by Pat Willis#224534

Who Passed Gas

Tales From The Barracks Part 5 Old Copies, New Copies By David McCallum# 701548

Fuller was seated in his office, elbows on the table while one hand cradled the ever present coffee mug. He had just placed a call on his desk comms unit while his eyes scanned the data slate in front of him.

“Mac, I need to ask you something. There’s been a lot of reports landing on my desk of incidents of petty theft from the pilot’s quarters across our clans. Have you heard anything about it?” he queried.

The response was slightly slurred with interference and Fuller grimaced as he tried to understand the reply. “Am I on speakerphone there Boss?” came the response. Not entirely what Fuller was expecting.

He frowned. “Yes, why?”

“Is anyone else in the room with you?”

Fuller shook his head in bemusement. “No, just me. Look, do you know anything or not?” he demanded.

The voice came back and the words were again unexpected. “Yes, I do. It was me, and it’s necessary.”

Fuller was caught completely off guard by the admission, especially coming from somebody who was generally classified as ‘prime suspect’ followed by ‘slippery git with an alibi’. “What the… Mac, how many of the guys have you stolen from?” he asked in a stunned voice.

Even over the static, the tone of voice was disgustingly smug. “Everyone, including you. Trust me, it was necessary. I promise I’ll tell you everything shortly, but I need you to send out a full pilot recall back to Prime Base, OK? Let me know when everyone is back. Mac out.”

“What the…,” Fuller just managed to repeat unnecessarily as the line went dead.

****

Even at the ungodly hour of four in the morning, Fuller and Toenjes were already in the pilot’s ready room as the door opened to admit two figures, one male, the other female and carrying a large suitcase.
“General, Colonel, allow me to introduce Pilot Iskanslet of the Light Brigade,” Mac gestured around all three by way of greeting. His demeanor had little of the usual flippant insolence that was the norm. Instead, he got straight to business and declared, “We have something to show you.”

“This got something to do with the thefts and the full recall Mac?” demanded Toenjes.

“Yes it does sir,” confirmed Mac. “We are about to check who, if any, of our senior pilots are clones.”

That brought both senior officers up short and they glanced at each other. “OK, I’m listening,” stated Fuller, standing up from where he had hitched a hip on one of the tables while they had been waiting.

Karen, the female and most junior pilot in the room deposited the suitcase on the now vacated table and popped the lid back so the full contents were displayed. Inside were row upon row of crudely made, yet each distinctly individual dolls.

With a complete lack of preamble, the pilot known as the ‘Combat Momma’ began her presentation.

“Observe,” she said, selecting two in particular. One was sporting a cowboy hat, while the other was holding what appeared to be a large mug. The word coffee had been scrawled on the outside. She held both dolls in her left hand while her right drew a combat knife from its boot sheath and flicked it end over to catch it lightly by the blade.

“Cute…” growled Toenjes sarcastically, “but this isn’t the time for jokes or toys. Tell us how you are planning on... HOOOPH!!”

 Toenjes had doubled over, heavily winded, clutching his stomach and gasping for air as Iskanslet had rapped the cowboy doll smartly in the stomach with the knife hilt.

Fuller was too much of a combat veteran and simply reacted. Seeing his number two go down he drew his sidearm and pointed it at the female pilot. Karen was faster and a second wrap with the knife hilt aimed at the other doll’s arm sent Fuller howling in pain as he clutched his gun hand, his weapon skittering uselessly across the floor where he had dropped it.

His gasp was cut short as he felt a sharp pressure across his throat. She had flicked the knife again, and this time had the blade pressed lightly to the dolls neck. The Combat Momma raised an eyebrow, as if to invite further action.

The tableau remained frozen for a few seconds until Mac broke the silence. “Stand down please Pilot,” he said calmly. The knife was removed and Fuller breathed easier.

Mac smirked coldly. “I take it we have your full attention now?” he inquired, then noting the grudging nods he continued. “Good, then an explanation is probably in order. As you can see, well, have felt, there is a link between these dolls and the person they represent. Don’t ask me how, but it exists. To some extent that link is facilitated by a personal possession which is used in the manufacture… hence the minor round of pilfering I’ve carried out.”

Fuller had a distinctly foul look on his face as he kept glancing at the doll Iskanslet was holding, even as he rubbed his still numbed hand. “So how does this help us flush out clones?” he asked grudgingly.

It was the female pilot who offered an explanation in a dispassionate, offhand voice. “First, a clone is not the true person. They were a part of that person to start with perhaps, like an old toenail or a hank of hair were, but those parts cannot feel in and of themselves… they are mere reflections. A cut toenail feels no pain. The possessions provide a link to their true owner, providing the possession is old enough that it predates the cloning.”

Seeing that Karen’s explanation was doing nothing of the sort, Mac interjected. “So long story short, these dolls are linked to real people, not clones, and what you do to the doll is felt by the actual person they represent,” he summed up. Then beaming at the two senior officers he added, “Congratulations by the way, you both passed.”

Toenjes shot him a foul look while still clutching his stomach. “Great, thanks for that. OK, next question, do both of you have dolls?

Karen raised an eyebrow. Mac replied smoothly, bypassing the full extent of the question. “Of course I do. General, here’s mine,” he said as he handed a doll over to Fuller.

Fuller regarded it from all angles for a few moments, then sharply twocked it on the side of the head.

“Ow!” Mac yelped as his head jerked to one side.

Toenjes shrugged. “Proves nothing, he was watching and could have just reacted to it,” he stated.

Mac scowled, rubbing his temple. “Very true Colonel, well observed,” he conceded. “In which case I suggest that you do it again at a random point in the future when I’m not looking and see if there is a reaction. Does that suit?”

Toenjes shrugged again. “I can live with that I guess.”

“Good. Now, if you could get the other pilots to assemble in the main hanger, we can get this over with.” He started to turn towards the door, then had second thoughts and turned back. “Come to think of it, it may pay to clear the area of all other personnel too. Just in case.”

****

The pilots stood in loose groups in the main hanger area, grumbling and looking disheveled and mostly still half asleep due to the early wake up call. The hanger itself was cathedral like, its high vaulted ceiling dipping to side concourses where personal hangers and associated workshops lay. The effect was perhaps even more pronounced in that the area was unnaturally quiet; no hubbub of repair or upgrade, machinery all dormant, no people rushing to and fro on various errands. In side bays, mecha stood like sentinel statues in their alcoves, watching ever vigilant over the central nave.

Footsteps echoed loudly and the various conversations subdued somewhat, only to pick up again when it had been noted that there was little urgency around the arrival of senior officers or the two pilots accompanying them.

Mac peeled away from the group of newcomers and headed towards a gaggle of Support and Prime pilots who were renewing acquaintances.

“Chong, how are you man?” he nodded to one of the senior pilots and received a bob of the head in return. “LEG HUMPER!! I hear you’ve been traumatizing the newbies that have been rotated up!” he grinned, then broke into laughter as the pilot in question threw him a one finger salute.

Mac ignored the up-swept digit and thrust forward his hand to shake that of his old comrade and sparring partner. Eric smiled grudgingly and accepted the grasp, only to be pulled off balance as Mac drew him into a rough embrace.

“I knew you’d missed me!” Mac declared, then grinning wickedly continued, “Here you are, just for old time’s sake!” and with that started vigorously thrusting against the other pilot’s leg. Eric was not amused in the slightest, but the rest of the gathering broke into peals of laughter.

A voice rang out across the hallway. “Cut the crap Mac. Let’s get this done,” ordered Fuller.

With a wink, Mac let go of Eric and still smiling headed over to where Iskanslet had propped the suitcase open on a waist high tool trolley, its lid obscuring the contents from the rest of the assemblage. He stood and turned back around to face the gathered pilots.

“Look guys, sorry about this, but we had word from Q that there could have been some glitches in the neuro-callisthenic feedback machines we use in training.” A few looks of concern passed across the attentive faces and there was more than one sideways glance to see how this news was being taken.

Mac waved his hands in a palms down motion to try to put a damper on any kind of panic. “Listen, Q told me it shouldn’t be too much of a concern, maybe just a few twitches and some clumsiness, and it can be very easily reversed. We just need to know if anyone has been affected and if so what the extent is. If you could all just sort of…” he paused a second, “line up I guess, try to relax and we’ll see if the remote unit here throws anything up.” He finished his speech off with a flash of a grin.

He turned back toward Combat Momma and stated, “Miss Iskanslet, you may proceed.”

Karen stood there for a moment with both eyebrows raised, incredulous at the bare faced lie that had just spewed from Mac’s mouth. It took the prompting of another encouraging nod from the senior pilot before she turned her attention back to the contents of the suitcase. Toenjes and Fuller edged closer in order to see which doll she selected first.

Choosing a doll at random, she started to lightly scratch it at the hairline of its unnaturally spikey hair. Looking up, the quartet noted that Spike, the top dog from H2 had started rubbing his forehead then removed his hand to glance at his fingers. Another rub and he glanced upward, stepping slightly to the side as if he could feel something dripping on him from above.

She then selected a doll holding a model sandwich that was implausibly large for the scale of the mannequin and tapped it lightly on the leg. In the line-up, Skoob grimaced and rubbed uncomfortably at his thigh.

Mac let out a startled ‘Oww’ and rubbed the back of his head. He glanced back at Fuller who shrugged and nodded.

Karen continued manipulation of the dolls in front of her. Squeezing one on the shoulder she noted that Pete started to look uncomfortable and began to rotate his own shoulder joint as if to alleviate stiffness.

Mac yelped again, drawing all eyes on to himself. He glared over at Fuller who was trying to hide a certain doll behind his back while looking all around the hanger, attempting and yet failing completely to portray an air of innocence.

Karen struck another doll on the ankle and in the line Kev’s eyes shot wide in surprise. He looked down towards his foot, shaking sensation back into it.

The assembled pilots were by now definitely realizing that something was very wrong. Some were checking out the uncomfortable movements of those who were feeling unseen effects while others were starting to murmur and throw poisonous stares across at Karen and the two senior officers.

Noting that things were starting to go to pieces, Mac attempted to calm the situation. “Its OK guys,” he called out, “just try to relax, we were sort of expecting th..hrrrgh!!!”

Mac felt as if his left leg was being torn from its socket while simultaneously his chest was being constricted to the point he couldn’t breathe. Barely able to turn, he saw Karen staring at him with a raised eyebrow, however over her shoulder Toenjes and Fuller could quite clearly be seen wrestling with his doll.  The squabble was more like those of pre-schoolers rather than fully grown men. Fuller had tight hold of it while Toenjes was pulling its leg trying to get it off him while they argued through gritted teeth.

“I want a turn…!

“I’m not finished yet..!”

Realizing what was going on behind her, Karen turned and glared at the two officers. Her voice was like a whip crack. “Gentlemen! Kindly stop playing with the toys!”

Toenjes let go of the doll’s leg as if it had scolded him and both men mumbled a ‘Yes m’m’ while finding a new and fascinating interest in their feet. Fuller was starting to blush from the collar upward.

Iskanslet turned back to her work but Mac continued to glower at the two officers. Fuller poked his tongue out in response.

By now the pilots were close to an all-out mutiny, and comments of “What the hell was that?” and “What’s going on?” could be heard up and down the line. It was old timer ‘Gampy’ Bob who supplied the answer.

“Are those things voodoo dolls?” he demanded. “I’ve heard about those, they’re dangerous! What kind of crap are you trying to pull on us Mac?”

“I don’t have to put up with this!” Eric pointed out forcefully. “This has got nothing to do with mechs. Count me out, I’m getting a drink!” he added as he stepped out of the line and made to head off towards the hanger bay exit.

“Pilot, this may interest you,” Karen informed Mac in a voice that while soft still managed to slice through the furor that had erupted. She had selected a doll that for some reason had been made with some rather obvious additions in the trouser department and was flicking it rapidly in its mouth.

Lifting the doll from the suitcase, Mac smiled almost sadly. “You’re right Eric,” he called loud enough to be heard over the chaos. For some reason at that point the noise calmed momentarily.

“You don’t have to put up with it,” Mac continued in softer tones, then in an unexpectedly harsh movement slammed the doll’s head down onto the trolley frame. “After all,” he continued, “these things only work on real people, not clones.” He raised the doll and regarded it before looking back at Eric. “Want to guess who’s one this is?”

Silent shock reigned for just a few seconds longer before the assembled pilots realized what had just been seen and heard. As one, shocked faces turned towards Eric.

Snarling, the pilot copy pulled his firearm and the cavern echoed as he pumped shot after shot at Mac.

To be continued…

Submitted by David McCallum id# 701548

The Raid By James Blewitt#865153

 James had jumped at the chance of promotion to Brigade. To finally hang out with the big dogs of the clan was an opportunity offered to few. His previous experience had prompted the step up and he had been over confident in his mechs and skills.  As a result he had spent most of this war stuck in defense mode, watching for enemy commanders who were out of  formation, picking off the stragglers as he was able.  It had been hard, and boring, and he had been looking forward to bolster the defenses and letting loose in the upcoming raid, that they all knew was coming.

  Suddenly the alarms sounded as the jump portals opened and  hundreds of mechs had started pouring through. James was already riding out on patrol, which was going to prove a lucky break for him.  Chatter over the comms was suggesting major problems in the Mech bays, the muffled sound of explosions coming from the main base indicated that some one or some thing had already penetrated the outer defenses.

 “Shit” thought James, “wrong place, wrong time again.”

 “Chief, this is Blewitt one-niner, making my way to base. Where are they hitting from Chief?”

 “Negative, Blewitt one-niner, negative, mech's are malfunctioning back here. I repeat friendly fire in the Mech bays.  You are ordered to Support Commander Kelley at gate Alpha-Foxtrot four.”

 Brian Kelley was the leader of the clan, usually when he was in the action, it would be the big boys like Teaxe and Sheri giving him the support.  Something was not right.

 “Confirm base, proceeding to gate Alpha-Foxtrot four”.  James was halfway there when he was flanked by a group of familiar mechs, He recognized straight away that Shauns Krampus smurf Mech was leading the group.  “Good to see you shau.....” Krampus mech opened fire without warning, a full salvo of Rockets, followed quickly by the slam of a massive number of projectiles.

Two of James Mechs buckled and collapsed immediately unde the onslaught, several others smoked and sputtered as the nanobots desperately tried to keep them running.

 “Cease fire, Shaun seven-sixty, you are firing on a friendly, repeat your blowing your own guys away”.

 The firing did not stop. If anything it intensified, lasers and ice weapons looking to find the breaches in mech armor that the missiles and projectile weapons had carved into James Squad. James ordered his squad to take evasive s, still calling over the comms for Shauns squad to cease fire.

 “Blewitt one-niner, this is base. Shauns squad is 5 clicks from your position, they are not firing on you, repeat not firing on your position”

 “Then who the heck is blowing the smeg outta my squad base,” replied James

 “Unknown at this time, evade if possible, destroy if necessary Blewitt one-niner, that is an order”
James Jinked left as yet another salvo of missiles descended on his position.

  “Blewitt one-niner to squad, take down those mechs, repeat take 'em down.”]

 “But sarge..”

 “That is an order squad.”  James then whispered to himself “And gawd help us if we are wrong, Shaun's gonna want some serious repair bills paying.”

 James squad wheeled around, looking to pick the weak points in shauns Mechs, just as he had done in training. The fighting was fierce, but James won. He won more easily than he should have, and it was weird, Shauns skills had always out matched James, and this squad of familiar mechs hadn't operated in the usual tactics for Shaun.

 “What now sarge?” said one of the privates in the squad.

 “We still have to reach Commander kelley at the gate, our orders still stand, double time squad”
 “But Sarge, we're in shape to support in a portal incursion!”

 “Peterson, if we don't reach the commander, we won't be in condition to do anything, now lets haul ass and get there” Replied james.  The private was right, but there was no way he was letting the commander down.

  “Blewitt one-niner, Base here, come in please”

 “Base, this is Blewitt one-niner we are on route to support Commander Kelley, sorry we got a little bogged down, what the Smeg is going on out there?”

 “Blewitt one-niner, orders stand, make best speed to support Commander Kelley. Please be advised, there are multiple malfunctions on Squad mechs which are unmanned,  several have been spotted operating by remote.  If you encounter any squads except Commander Kelley's or Peli's you are too engage and destroy.  I repeat engage and destroy.”

 “Base, please give authorization code, I could swear you just told me to blow our own clan members away?”

 “Blewitt one-niner, Base repeats, If you sight any mechs not belonging to either Commander Kelley or Captain Peli you are to engage and destroy. Authorization code  one-six-Deca-five-five-aplha-zulu.”

 Well the authorization code was authentic, but what the heck was going on to warrant those orders?  “You heard base team, keep an eye out, and engage if spotted.”

“Erm.. Sarge?” Queried Peterson.

“We have our orders Peterson, unless you want to be up on a disciplinary, I suggest you follow them.” Interrupted James.

“Yeah, but sarge, aren't those your Ants making a bee-line for us??”  James scanned left and could hardly believe his eyes.  They were definitely his.  Some were still trailing charging cables, and several looked like they had taken some serious damage. A warning sounded from James Consoles as laser locks were registering from them.

 “Open fire, all weapons, splat 'em” Ordered James.  The Ants were no match for the biggest and baddest of James Team, but they had still put a few decent hits in to the squad.  “This day is just getting weirder and weirder” Though James. “And I just got them all buffed an all”

 Another click, and James Squad had reached Commander Kelley's position.  The sky was thick with smoke with mech after mech pouring through.  Ignis, Anubis and Boreas mechs spewing out of the Vortex.  Commander Kelley and Captain Peli where already laying down a rain of suppressing fire from either side of the giant ring.

 “ Good to see you James, Get your dreadnought and Frigis up on the left flank. The rest of your squad watches our backs” Barked Commander Kelley. “If your mech goes down your on ammo finding duty, so consider yourself warned, this is gonna be the fight of your life”.

 For the next 12 hours the onslaught continued. Peli's greater knowledge of tactics allowed for the Smurfs to stop too many of the enemy mechs from breaching the kill zone in front of the gate, whilst the lesser pilots watched the rear, mechs from all of the clan members stomping in trying to reach the big  mechs defending the immediate area around the gate.

 “Not my axe bot,” cried Peterson, as the one mech he own swooned under from the withering laser fire of his clan mates. As the smaller mechs fell, their unlucky pilots found themselves dodging live fire and explosions trying to find any sort of ammunition which might be suitable for the larger mechs.  The laser turrets on James Jaddoon were in danger of melting from the heat, whilst his Frigis had long found it self frozen in place, weapons still firing into the abyss of the wormhole.  Slowly the size of the mechs began to diminish, although not their numbers.  A row of Shocklites piled with nuke burst through the Gate, temporarily knocking out the larger mechs of Peli, James' Ogguns plugged the gap, buying valuable time for the nano's  to try to get some semblance of life into Peli's Antithesis before the next wave swarmed through.

 “Ammo's getting low” Called James.

 “I don't care if you have to throw rocks and harsh insults at 'em, Keep firing” barked Kelley.

“Last one standing, gets his mechs repaired for free,” Joked Peli, a stray missile exploding just in front of him. The remainder of his armor trying to soak the damage before smouldering into ash.  “Not sure my shields can hold much more of this punishment” Yelled James

 “You don't get to die till I order,” Replied Kelley “You keep firing, even if your mechs legs buckle and your cockpits crushed, you stop and you'll have me to answer to, and that's an order.”

 The last order seemed to lift the smurfs, the grunts desperately trying to keep as much friendly fire off of the Captain and the commander.  The smoke was so thick, none of them could make out more than muzzle fire coming from the gate, and still the fierce crossfire continued.  Finally the ammo counters reading zero, the laser temperature gauges screaming in protest, and the missile racks long emptied, the onslaught ceased.  The enemy had finally run out of mechs. Either that or there was simply such a pile of scrap in front of the gate that nothing more could physically materialize.

 The troops were still tense, aware that any moment another wave could be pushing through, straining their eyes for the laser lights of another mechs punching through the gate. They slowly became aware, as the thickening choking fumes cleared that the gate had finally closed. No one breathed, waiting to see if another portal would open, minutes passed by, no one speaking save to confirm they were still standing.

 “Base to Blewitt one-niner, Blewitt one-niner, report please.”

 “Gates clossed, Captain and the commander are still here and we have held our position.”

 “Roger that Blewitt one-niner, hold position and await further orders. By the way, Shaun says you owe him for two new Krampus.”

 “Base, this is Commander Kelly, tell Shaun, if he wants to keep count, he owes me for three new Bishops, so he can shut up or pay up”, interjected Commander Kelley. “The kid did good, he proved himself when we needed him and didn't loose his cool under pressure, so he can back off, and you can get me some beers.”

 The Portals stayed closed, no new gate activity reported.  The damage to the base had been massive, with more than a few nukes going off within the bays, causing secondary explosions in the ammo silos and Generates. Much of the Mechs that had not been on Patrol were completely destroyed beyond any kind of repair.  But the Smurfs had held, and James had proved himself worthy of being with the Brigade.
 Right place, right time, if he had been trapped in the base, chances are he wouldn't be here, knocking back a warm beer with the boss, smoking debris warming the evening sky.  It was gonna be a great evening, and James was with Brigade to stay.

Submitted by James Blewitt#865153

Impressionable One By Brian Lee#896391

I once got asked how the mechs got their names. I really had no clue. So I started going to the military archives in the evenings I was off-duty. I found an old journal one night tucked away behind some armament manuals, the leather was cracked, and twisted. I blew a cloud of dust off, and was barely able to read the title, Life in Boot Camp, by Private Miller. It was mostly boring notes about what kind of P.T. he has doing, or what kind of food he had that day, but somewhere there in the middle, I hit pay dirt. Apparently he was privileged to be under a salty old Engineering Chief named Blair Norris. This guy made an impression on our young private, because he took specific notes on a couple of his speeches.

Here is the first speech:

"You Rooks gather 'roond! Jadoon Buchissers need to Hoplite yer lives depended onnit when I say hop!
Me nephew Gordon wuz always Yallan when I treed ta' tell 'im the enemy don't Keradon bit about ye!

"Unc!" He'd say. "They dunna' fill me with Dread. Nought a wee bit even!" He thought 'e was a real Trooper that one! Well 'e wuz Freon brawn, more'n a wee bit short oon gree mattar! "Unc!" He telled me, "I got a big Oggun, I'll Sever 'em in twain!" I dinnae know what Warhorse he thinked he rode in on, but he jest filled me up with a Torrent of lies. I'll tell ye more next time, get outta me sight, yer Krampus'n me style!"

And further in his journal, after more P.T. complaining, and food choices, and how many urinals he had to clean, was another detailed write up of what I'm assuming is speech number two:

"Why it turns oot me nephew, he wuz the very Antithesis of breevery oonce the enemy shewed up onnis doorstep. They pulled 'im and his wife right outta their Holmes, Orcussin' and a spittin' They laid an Inferno right inna middle of 'is hoose, burnt it to tha' roots they did. Lemme con Fides in ye lads, it were naught a pretty sight. I watched 'em Boreas right inna the
groond, himin hiz missus both. And before I go Luison 'nuther one a ye lads, I'm a gonna tell ye, even the toon Bishop could nae identify Nerio one. So listen well when I tell ye lads, When yer Ballista' the wall, n' yer feelin all Frigis inna gut, that's when ye gotta strike! So be like the Red Ant, 'ye works hard wit' nae complainin, Anzu just might get outta' this alive!"

Shortly after this speech, Private Miller must have been called to action, because the last entry was this one line. "Thank God for Chief Norris. I might actually survive this damned thing after all, signing off. Andrew Miller."

Not sure if anyone has heard of Andrew Miller, but I would bet thanks to Chief Norris he did survive, and was probably assigned to mech design.

'




Submitted by Brian Lee#896391

Anzu Mecha Review By David McCallum#701548

Anzu – Worth a second glance.

We’ve all piloted them, these 15 ton lightweights that seemed so powerful when we were greenhorns. But most of us left them behind long ago. Why?

Let’s look at the advantages. It’s a cheap mech to run, costing only ferrite and bioptics. You can get a full equipment load without using crystals as well. With the amount of engine slots it receives coupled with it’s in built speed enhancement it is one of the fastest mechs in the galaxy, so for its weight bracket you can be almost assured of getting off the first shot.

Which leads us to the big drawback. That one shot is probably all you can count on, because the cumulative kickback (45% for 85% damage) that is inherent on this chassis will shut you down before you get to fire twice. That’s probably why we all left them behind and never looked back.

So apart from the new up and coming pilots, does the Anzu have a place on the battlefield in today’s universe of Heavy and BFM mecha? Yes… yes, it does.

In the specialist category of 20 ton mech, the Anzu faces 3 opponents. It is better armored and faster than the Red Ant. It is cheaper and faster by a long way compared to the crystal based Shocklite missile mech, and is an alternative that anyone can afford when you compare it to the excruciatingly expensive Axebot. In fact it’s that cost that is its biggest... well… selling point. If you don’t want to use crystal for a massively underutilized formation, fill it with Anzus.

Or if not fill the formation, at least have a line out front armed with crit-kill weapons to break up that unexpected Axebot formation. If you only have one shot, make it your best… because in an Anzu, you know it will be the fastest.

Submitted by David McCallum#701548

Some Old And Some New News By Pat Willis#224534

Hello Ladies and Gentlemen, here's what is going on with us here at G.G. lately and how it could effect you. First off we're looking to get folks paid! The niodes for comments program has given us some great feedback, and been entertaining to boot. The ideas for comic script submissions have been wonderful thus far, but we are still going with them. So anyone who would like to see their ideas made reality let us know what your script would be for our comics page and we'll see what we can do about getting it made.

We are still on the lookout for original clan logos to be displayed in our pages, so by all means if you want to sport your colors loud and proud hit me with a Facebook PM containing your user name/ID#/ and clan logo and we'll put it here, as well as get you paid for it. Lastly we are looking for a new editor for these pages. We have an interested party as stands, but just so no one is left out here's what to do. Again via FB PM send me a write up of some sort (Mecha review, pilot story, news, whatever) along with any questions you have about the position.

 This is so we can see where your writing style is at, as well as get a broader base of folks to choose from. The position pays a straight wage of Niodes weekly, along with a lil extra according to what you write up yourself that week. I ask that an editor be able and willing to write a couple articles a week, of about 2 paragraphs or so in length. As well as edit any incoming stories, join in whatever discussions we have on the editors page, and submit filler work when needed. So that's pretty much all the new and exciting stuff around here for today. Got an idea for a comic? Submit it. Got an original clan logo to show off? Submit it. Want to be an editor? Lemme see what you got!

Submitted by Pat Willis#224534

Here There Be Dragons

Advice By Chester Cheeta#907377

Being new but not new I can now look back at the mistakes and just plain ole oversights in making a new Presence within the Mecha galaxy Universe. My first bit of advice ask questions make friends there are many of more seasoned pilots out here that would happily steer you on a safe course. I can't tell you every way to get better gear in this game that could take a really long time.  When you walk out onto that field for the first time in that red ant your piloting looks huge.....until you take a few steps and realize there be monsters here.

My advice is take your time fight a few fights get an idea how you want to fight,then slowly level up by doing your missions and a few fights from time to time do not rush do not sell your start up gear....yet some say never sell but if you want better gear from time to time sell is an evil that can't be avoided. for now your main mission is to get past lvl 12 and the circuit fights 2 niodes and 10 crystals to enter  they are your ticket for now. Even if you don't fight they will happen roughly once a day or every other  day and free is free .So thats day one the next installment will be forthcoming and include formation building and mech weapons  and layouts.

Submitted by Chester Cheeta    907377

Greenhorns

Comments From The Peanut Gallery Part 2 Of 2 A Comment Thread From The Players Forum

DISCLAIMER:
This is an original article, reporting on a forum post. Any other reports on this posting may appear similar, but are in fact separate stories entirely.This is a post from the players' forum that generated quite a lot of attention, including mine. It was so entertaining, that Molly requested that I post it as a news article on the Galaxy Gathering site; I am doing just that, however, I really see no need to edit it. It is fantastic all on it's own.


THIS IS THE SECOND HALF OF THE THREAD.....MAKE SURE TO READ PART ONE FIRST!....

1645 Hours

A message from the Exiles congratulating us for the Gold. Is it real? Or is it a trap to lull us into complacency?

“Welp, congrats on your gold. It was over as soon as we gave up more than a few offensive losses. You can't give away points like that when you're already assuming you've given away free points with the low level guys.”

Jason Smith
“I'm not buying it”
…………………………………………………….

1750 Hours

Brandon Cascio
“103 79”

David Feagle
“well here they come”

Adam Bensley
“exiles are on a bit of a run”

Debbie Cole
“Will we hold them off?”

Brandon Cascio
“depends if they keep giving defense wins.”

Debbie Cole
“I see their top guy with 1 left with Jeff, 2 with me, 1 with Mike and maybe 1 with Frank”

Jason Smith
“Damn, if xxxxx had waited just 1 more hour, I might have had him.”

The second Exiles offensive came close to breaching our lines. Only the tired formations of Debbie Cole, David Feagle, Adam Bensley and Jason Smith managed to make any counterattacks. The score was 109-92. We had only a dangerously thin lead of 17 points.
…………………………………………………….

1945 hours

Finally some good news from the front! Michael Telladira’s formation launched a mad suicidal attack on the enemy positions and gained us additional 5 points lead!

But there were not much joy in the celebrations, for our reserves were seriously depleted.

Michael Telladira
“who else has points for us?”

Brandon Cascio
“No more sure wins but might have 2.”

Joshua Magsino
“sir jeff hadnt made his runs didnt he?”
“oops, he did”

And then we noticed Exiles were making mistakes. Was it desperation? Or carelessness? No time to waste! Strike now!

Michael Telladira
“they gave us 3 more def wins”

Michael Telladira
“GUYS”
“XXXXX”
“OUT OF FORMATION”

Joshua Magsino
“COPY!”

Michael Telladira
“HURRY BUT DOUBLE CHECK BEFORE”

Joshua Magsino
“shot!”

Daniel Chung
“dammit he switched back”

Joshua Magsino
“hes planning to attack some 50 tonner”

Daniel Chung
“take note of xxxxx, he might switch formation again.”

Daniel Chung
“damn... he did switch but got back into formation”
“is michael/jason/debbie/chad/jeff around?”

Debbie Cole
“iM HERE”
“ooops.”

Tensions were getting impossibly worse.

Brandon Cascio
“DONT ENGAGE HIM”
“hes got hoplite lead... but tones still 1600”
“i almost fell for it.”
“and its changed back to ammo”
“F**K he just had ammo lead for 50 ton missed him again”
…………………………………………………….

2100 hours

Both armies stood their ground, exhausted, hated glares to each other across a battlefield littered with broken mechs and broken guns and broken corpses. Not an inch of ground was visible. There were still opportunities to attack but all are risky with the outcome very much in doubt. Both sides watched each other like hawks.

One Exiles was caught in wrong formation! Like a pack of savage dogs, the Chessmen descended on him and tore his formation to pieces, netting 8 precious points. But then a Chessmen’s formation was also out of sync! And Exiles tore into him netting back the 8 lost points.
…………………………………………………….

2230 Hours

136-129.

7 PRECIOUS POINTS

1.5 hours seemed like forever that day

Brandon Cascio
“Do Not Engage Without Clearance ,To Do so Can and Will Result In Reprimand.”

Brandon Cascio
“they getting desperate. i got a def win.”

Jason Smith
“I'd be sitting a little easier if we had another 10 points on them.”

Debbie Cole
“I still have may be 3, then the 50-50”

Jason Smith
“Where's Chad? I only see a few attacks from him. Is he done?”

Daniel Chung
“I'm at -2. Already stretched my luck with xxxx just now”
…………………………………………………….

2330 Hours

141-131

10 points. If the last big push is to come, it’ll be now.

Debbie Cole
“What or why are they waiting”

Joshua Magsino
“they got xxxx to attack, why didnt he attacked?”

Brandon Cascio
“How we doin?”

Jason Smith
“We're down 7 Brandon.”

Joshua Magsino
“wtfreak!”

Jason Smith
“Oh . . . wait. . . wrong game.”

Some jokes to relieve the tension. It didn’t help much…

A plan was then hatched by Jason and Michael. We must be prepared of Exiles launching a surprise attack to snatch the lead in the final seconds of the Round. And thus, they will initiate an attack themselves with their final reserves.
…………………………………………………….

2357 Hours

Daniel Chung
“Come on come on come on”

Brandon Cascio
“I thought we were down 7, someones getting a kick in the d**k... hahah”

Jason Smith
“That'd be Michael”

Daniel Chung
“132-144 I think we got it”

Joshua Magsino
“29 secs”

David King
“145-132”

Joshua Magsino
“its over!”

Jason Smith
“147-132 final”

Michael Telladira
“damn we owned it”

Jason Smith
“I took xxxxx @ 57% mecha health. LOL”

Brandon Cascio
“Gratz gentlemen”
…………………………………………………….

And so it ended. 147-132

Few would have guessed the result. Did we just made history as the first clan to defeat a higher division champion? Maybe yes, or maybe it has already been done before. But for sure this is the stuff of legends in the chapters of the Chessmen’s annals.

And 99th Chessmen R&D banner flew yet again, its tyranny over Division 8 unbroken.

LOL thank you for sharing this with us Chessmen

Comments From The Peanut Gallery Part 1 Of 2 A Comment Thread From The Players Forum

DISCLAIMER:
This is an original article, reporting on a forum post. Any other reports on this posting may appear similar, but are in fact separate stories entirely. This is a post from the players' forum that generated quite a lot of attention, including mine. It was so entertaining, that Molly requested that I post it as a news article on the Galaxy Gathering site; I am doing just that, however, I really see no need to edit it. It is fantastic all on it's own.


Division 8 - Gold Medal Round

We were not expected to win. Not this round. So far as I’ve known, never in the history of Mecha Galaxy had a higher Division Champion lost to a lower Division Champion.

There they were in the distance, marching to the battlefield, banners held high, clouds of dust streaming away to the side.

Exiles Legacy, Division 7 Champions

News from intelligence was despairing. Mighty indeed were their armies. Discounting their 3 decoy formations, their lowest fighting formation outranked ours by 11 levels. Their highest formation outranked ours by 17 levels.

Shall we fold then? Curl up in the corner with hands over our heads and wait for it to end? Or charge forward, hit any and all in blind defiance?

No, we shall fight! To the bitter end! For legends will be made if we did the impossible!

Comms channel was a hive of activity:

Brandon Cascio
“Do test runs. Watch previous rounds fights.. do not engage if you are not sure your gonna win.”

Joshua Magsino
“xxxxx masks his formation, his ants are at the back of his aspis”
“they are literally ants”

Debbie Cole
“I had a few hits yesterday, i can post if you want to see.”

Brandon Cascio
“Do you think we could have 2-3 people hit off at.the bat and then have everyone else hit until there's 3 hours left ?”

Daniel Chung
“Important is we MUST maximize our points on the bottom 3 guys. Everybody must hit them 2x”

Debbie Cole
“Have posted the 4 i had a go at in CCC, not good for me”

Daniel Chung
“Damn... the way they massacre the 35 tonners, I'm freaking out myself lmao”
“Round 2 is ours”

Brandon Cascio
“Gratz guys”
“Now to prepare for round 3”

Debbie Cole
“Seriously not looking forward to that”

We had exactly 24 hours to sort things out, making strategies, last minute adjustments, or even redoing entire formations.

Brandon Cascio
“okay im here i will be revamping all my specialists”
“did anyone do the math to see Avg. ?... thats a bunch of folks above 55+”

Michael Telladira
“brandon can u hit me? ill put my normal formation in, testing the skriag placement”

Brandon Cascio
“gimme a second to save this double rainbow im working on and sure.”

Roger Poulin
“there s 2 line of thought.. 1 , put your best early to kill as much as you can, but that can be counter by crit kill and attrition”
“2, put them for last, wipe out the left over”

Brandon Cascio
“xxxx, xxxx, xxxx, xxxx are missing half or more Hg.”

Debbie Cole
“What are the specialists for them?”

Debbie Cole
“Brandon do you have a 50 T i can retest my line up?”

Brandon Cascio
“okay 50 ton revamped. 10 ton revamped.”
“okay.. so i dont have alot of confident with my double rainbow beating there guy... the 900 im 50/50. on the weaker one.”

Michael Telladira
“Win or lose they woke me up, last clan to wake me up was Macleods”
“I actually re did my spec line ups for them”

FORWARD CHESSMEN! GO NOW TO YOUR DEATHS, GO. DIE IF YOU WILL BUT DIE WITH YOUR JAWS IN THEIR THROAT!!!
…………………………………………………….

0000 Hours

News from the front was grim.

Exiles began their offensive with twin pronged assaults from their top and bottom formations. The score was 10-0 before the Chessmen could make any response. Adam’s formation heralded our counteroffensive, decimating the decoy formations, but alas, was stopped by the third decoy formation.

Adam Bensley
“I lost against the bottom 140 tonner. I was mortified!”

Even the gods of RNG were conspiring against us.

Brandon Cascio
“im going after that 10 ton, hes got very few HG right now.”
“might be my only chance for an easier win.”
“Nope.”

Joshua Magsino
“i think i exhausted my attacks for this round”
“well, its the first time i've seen us losing in the first hours, hmm, the tides will come!”

Brandon Cascio
“its not over till the fat lady sings... that why we duct tape her mouth shut until we are winning”

David King
“want me to put together someting and try?”

Daniel Chung
“Defensive losses 5-1. We are giving way too many.”

Joshua Magsino
“just an update, we gave them 7 points”

And Chessmen pressed on desperately with the battle, trading shattered mech for shattered mech. The night danced, lighted by bright flashes of laser fire criss-crossed everywhere. Like a f**king disco of death. Missiles slammed into armoured torsos and erupted in a shower of sparks and flames; some of the missiles slammed into the mech beside the target, ruinous double hit with one salvo. Cannons blazed, firing way above the safety rate, racing against time to deal as much damage as possible before the mech became another casualty. AP rounds smashed into enemy mechs and punched through its back to hit the rear ranks. 90 ton monsters staggered and moved onwards from hits that disintegrates anything lighter than 50 tons.

Formations rushed into battle throughout the night, their banners held high, only to be struck down in flames, and rise again drenched in blood.

We were desperate. Desperate enough to detonate our mechs in suicide attacks to bring down the bigger mechs.

Holmes08 fires a Diablis Nozzle at Dante

163% damage

Hit for 1118
Dante Destroyed!
Shield absorbs 35 damage
Fire % shield blocks 76
2X DAMAGE
3X DAMAGE
Kickback! 3354 damage
MECH SHUTDOWN
…………………………………………………….

Morning came.

In less than 12 hours the score was 76-51, more than our entire Round 2 fights. Somehow, amazingly we held the ground. It may be a feint by Exiles before made their all out assault but for now we held the high ground. Many of our heavy formations were spent, most had very little reserves, perhaps good for another sortie or two. And, our defensive losses were grievous. We gave 10 losses to Exiles’ 7.

Daniel Chung
“i still refuse to believe you lost to him”

Brandon Cascio
“IT HAPPENED MAN, WE ALL SAW IT! IT FRICKEN HAPPENED!!!”

Daniel Chung
“he must hv sacrificed his sperm sack“
“def losses 10-7. thats 10 precious points we can't afford to give out. Do not hit unless you're 90% sure you can win”

Michael Telladira
“I got 4 wins Daniel”
“I was saving them for later to kill a momentum shift”

Daniel Chung
“cool “
“their top 3 guys havent make a move yet. thats what worrying me”

Jeff Kirk
“i have only hit 1 attack this round so still lots left for me”

Daniel Chung
“thats great guys. hold them for now. we currently have 22 points lead. if exiles start hitting, do not let them get lower than 10 points lead”
“xxxxx just lost to joshua and fransiskus. we MIGHT pull off a miracle here”

Jeff Kirk
“tried xxxxx and lost”
“sorry”

Daniel Chung
“damn... he's tough”

David King
“this is my match from last night against the 140 tonner. it is a edge of ur seat fight”
https://www.facebook.com/l.php…

Jeff Kirk
“86-60 now”

...................................TO BE CONTINUED...................................

The Revelation Of Sgt Ron By Monk Malone/ Ron Frye#879655

Hello all you grease monkeys, ratchet heads, wreck runners and junkyard jockeys; Monk Malone coming at you here with a hot story, right off the runway! My editor, Sean Collin McFae (also known as Sgt Ron Frye by his criminal associates), just released to me some ASTOUNDING news! He has been recognized by the Inter-Galactic Legal Tribunal and the Spiritual Council of Trans-Universal Beliefs, as the leader of an acknowledged religion! After a lengthy and boring period of legal and bureaucratic hearings and procedures, he has officially been designated as the highest representative of his personal religion, which also has been ratified and acknowledged by the above stated organizations, making both he and his church legally recognized entities in all branches of our government and society.

Skipping all of the mumbo jumbo and bull *bleep* that went into how this all went down, I will jump right into the why he did it and what he is planning to do next.

After a prolonged drug and alcohol fueled trip to New Tijuana in the Frat-house System, Sean Collin decided to make a side trip to the CCCC (Cheech and Chong Center of Consciousness) in order to pay his respects at the grave of Jerry Garcia's favorite bong. While there, he accidentally ingested one pound of LSD and a quart of DMT, thinking that they were stale Hersey's gummy bears and a bottle of Schweppes ginger ale. He was pronounced dead at the scene; however, he overdosed so dramatically that he broke the fourth wall and Dead Pool was so insulted by it that he delivered Sean Collin back to the site of his demise just in time for the after school cartoon hour to start. Sean was so impacted by the event that he instantly swore his soul to the first deity that would give him insight into this event. At that precise moment, a passing cargo van hit a pile of trash and launched an empty bottle of Jamison's Whiskey into his lap. On the back of the bottle was a picture of Dionysus performing a obscene act with the ultimate great grand daughter of both Miley Cirus and Lindsay Lohan.

In his own words, here is Sean Collin McFae's, aka Sgt Ron's, statement to the world, "I am born again, swearing my life to the service of Dionysus, the God of Tits and Wine. This event is so momentous that it leads me to realize I must be one of his prophets. This self discovery brings me to the conclusion that, from now on, rather than being addressed as the God of Tits and Wine, I shall henceforth be known as: Sgt Ron Frye aka Saint Stumpy, prophet of the God of Tits and Wine, patron saint of lechers, drunkards and cripples as well as the first apostle of fan fiction and arch seraphim of pulp literature, but you may address me as Sir Drinksalot, Sgt Tittymotorboat, or simply Saint Stumpy."

He also went on to say that while he has no immediate plans, he will continue to edit my articles due to the fact that his land lord will not accept eternal pleasure in the after life as payment for his rent.

Wow. What a guy!

Sincerely,
Monk Malone

Submitted by Ron Frye # 879655

Morale Welfare And Incentive A Critique Of This Clan War By Sgt Ron Frye#879655 Junior Editor, The Galaxy Gathering

The past few wars, we have been part of an ongoing debate concerning the balance between rewarding those who have worked their way up the ranks and those just starting who need the boost to compete in the upper echelons on the game. It is a delicate situation, that must be weighed carefully or the precarious perch between cheap skate and Monty Hall will tip. Chef and his staff have done their best to placate the gaming community; however, these words still ring as true today as they did decades ago when first spoken, "You can't please everyone.". This having been said, it is my opinion that the scale has been tipped; not intentionally, but due to an attempt to appease the few players who felt unhappy by the system put in place to handle the needs of the vast majority.

This war, the rewards given versus the effort expended were inadequate to say the least. In an attempt to balance the game's rewards, Chef inadvertently shorted us in not only loot, but also chances at loot. The smaller raid quantity of enemies made the raid quicker, easier, and more attainable in the given time frame for the smaller, less experienced, and less equipped clans, but left the larger, more established clans hanging in the breeze with not enough rewards to compensate for the expenditure of their time and energy. Quite frankly, if the members of the larger clans chose to do king of the hill, watch videos, or just hit the circuits, they could get more stuff than doing this war.

I am not trying to insult anyone. Chef has a hell of a hard job, as do the staff supporting him. I just feel that this was a case of trying to make everyone happy, when that is an impossibility. Now, I never point out an issue without also pointing out a solution to that issue. It is a part of my character that was ingrained in me during my service in the military and serves me in all aspects of my life. In essence, do not just sit around bitching about a problem, point it out and find a way to fix it. If you have a flat tire, you don't just sit on the roadside and have a good cry about it, you get your tools out, find a spare, and fix your car, while at the same time, trying to find out what caused the tire to go flat in the first place, so you can make sure it doesn't go flat for that reason ever again.

Here is my solution to this problem:

Next clan war (or faction war, etc.), leave the rewards for the actual battles pretty much the same; with a slight upgrade in the mechs given as loot. Bigger mechs means players get more active in an effort to upgrade those mechs as well as giving them a reason to want more niodes, which leads to either more niode purchases or more activity in watching niode videos (etc.), in an effort to acquire more niodes.

Secondly, when the raid kicks off, leave the numbers the same for the lower brackets, but at least double, triple or even quadruple the numbers *maybe even more* to give the higher brackets more chances to roll on loot, which encourages them to fight more, gain more experience, gain more levels, and promote the concept of advancing in the game rather than just sitting around farming. Active players equal more activity in the game, which leads to happy advertisers, more publicity and more game revenue, which is good for everyone.

To summarize, though, this clan war was very disappointing. We need to increase the loot, increase the numerical opposition, and institute a sliding difficulty scale in the raid.

Sincerely (hoping this helps as a constructive critique).

Submitted by Sgt Ron 879655

Alts Rising By Kalevi Karvinen#863817

King Of The Mountain, Single Rainbow and my penalty continues. So really nothing to do but check what other KOTM participants do, are there new opponents emerging? I must always keep eye on players, if there is another Nephilax hunter starting, or someone with big loot mechs that I need to watch out for... or just spend ridiculous amount of time just following who hit who and when, without any rational reason... Did I say that I do like this game?

So anyway, clicking division after division. Mostly familiar players there, nothing actually new showing, until I ended in division 9... It was full of never seen players, which really was not big surprise, considering levels of that division. What caught my attention was that bulk of players from same clan, joined one after another... and names were number x number... sure there could be group of friends who start at same time and decide to take similar names to make new clan... but as game is as it is, my first thought was alt clan.

By the way, I'm quite okay with alts, specially in form of Clan of One, as then you can be reasonably sure that all will be online at same time and fight exactly like you want them to do. No pressure to take unnecessary xp from fights that really are not needed to fight. And if someone has got time to maintain at least eight accounts, or even sixteen, that's all right. I just wonder how long someone has strength (and interest) to continue that. One war for sure, maybe even two or three, but after that... I would think that temptation of using money to speed things up would grow as time go by.

Only concern I have with alts, is that they may end up at different sides in same division. Full alt clans I don't care about, but ones with real players in the mix when temptation of using alts to fix outcome of round of war... so, maybe I should take notes of accounts that look like they are played by same player? Nah, too much work. I leave that to leaders, I just want to play and make predictions.

But back to the topic. Alt clan in division 9... how new is this group? Found them on Laser Power event, once before they are not present, but again in KOTM event before that... and then nothing. So quite a new clan, but as I looked at only clan name, I really can't say anything about individual players. Maybe they are all new, or maybe some are older and they just formed clan. And shared same interest to make x named players... sure they did. So what else there is?

Division eight. Found one clan with names taken from same cartoon. Could be group of people with same interest. Clicked open all other clans there was... there was few names that looked related to one another, but that could be coincidence. Four clans, where all members were below level 11. No one had used any skill points. Maybe just cautious players, or haven't even noticed yet that there is skill points to distribute... don't know, but suspicious I am.

...And I'm not alone with that. Found few more people talking about those clans in different conversations, and most seem to suspect alts. Nobody there did know who was behind this avalanche of alts, or at least did not mention if they did know. But consensus, as it were, was that there was more than one who were behind this, they just emerged at same time as opportunity was so good, specially when war was closing us again. And after few weeks most of them would be only little more than zombies anyway... So I settled down to wait, if they would fight at all in this kotm.

Things started to look more interesting, when player named “stupid_chef” emerged. He was from clan “Cooking up some stupid” with clan motto “It doesn't take brains to work out the whole division is made up of Alts.” Weren't able to follow his whole climbing up, but did see enough that he hit more opponents than was necessary to go up. This was really interesting, hardly could wait what would happen next. And talks activated again, if that would be real Chef out there, or just another regular player with another alt.... and when would resets hit and would someone yell about it. This was most fun to follow how things would evolve.

Time went by, there was few fights in division eight and nine, but not more than usually. No resets that I noticed, so it started to feel more like anticlimax than exciting event. Then came end of that event and next one started. So I waited who would show up, or should I say would not show up. First from alt clan, then next from same clan, then one from totally different group. Another. There, other alt clan show up... but alone? Where are the others? This does not look like “normal” behavior of an alt clan, there is too long interval between entry times. And they don't join one after another.

Maybe they do this on purpose, trying to avoid attention... or maybe last time they just were all online at same time and joined as fast they could when they noticed a new event. Not that it would explain close related player names... actually I don't know if you can change your name after you start game? That would explain a lot about some clans.

Well, better forget this at this time and make all ready for war, got some new weapons that needed to put in place for every formation... would take hours to compare all possibilities...

Finally there is divisions. We are in division 16 with 105th, Exiles and two from AFF (there was others, but these I know to worry). Division 17 included five AFF clan, talk about fights in a family. Division 18... what the...? Three clans where all players were level 4. And one clan where all players were level 8. That's it. Only four clan. I wonder who in there will win... well not really that, but if they are actually clans run buy devs. As I cant find those other alt clans who were in kotm. But if those really is run by players, then this is quite a bold move. Or maybe stupid would be better word, but still bold. I wonder how they will decide what clan they left without medal, and if they actually fight enough so all in there get those eight kills need...

Found post on players page about division 18. Some seems to know who is behind all, and that this is not first time he/she has done this. Not naming anybody of course, so I still don't know anything. And are those on 18 run buy same player as those in kotm? Or is there more players involved. Or even if there is clan full of real players, that just happened to start game at this moment when so many alts emerged... feel kinda sorry for them if they were there. Would take long time before anybody would believe that they are not alts.

Real life hinders game time, and when I'm back, there is no post any more. Gone. 18 is still there, with all players present. With total fights in whole division rising in huge amount of five points. Wow. Are they really real?? Who would do this like that?? Like they try to make painstakingly clear that what we see is division of alts. I would bet now that they are devs making a point. Or maybe players making point. But they can't be serious about taking loot after this show... or can they?

Round ended. First pair scored 6 – 0, another 82 – 56. Winner of first pair did not hit single hit, but all were defense points. From another pair there was only 23 lost fights between them, which seem odd as they all are identical as far as I can say. That is one odd division... Now there is another post about division 18, but no real info there, not yet anyway. And second round is on, almost halfway already, and not a single hit yet in division 18. Well, nothing better to do, so I follow what happens there and try take notes, maybe something interesting will come out there.

Second round done. First pair 3 – 0 (all lost fights, done by one player), second 5 – 2 (all done by two from one clan). They did not even make any effort to go through motions of fighting. Do they try to play smart by avoiding xp, or are they just tired to log on every account...?

Third round about halfway, and gold fight score is 2-0... and both are defense points... really? Would they actually leave it like that...

War ended. Gold fight 5-0, all points done by losing. Bronze fight scored 66-38, total fight lost 8. One clan hit 70 times, another 34. This looked little like first round results, even by fighting order, first one clan make all hits, then another clan make all hits. This could be just time zone thing, there is some clans that look like players there play about same time, and that would really make sense, as war last only 24 hours and there is always real life to take account...

Not really sure what to think all this. They could be alts, as style of fights would suggest, but they could also be just highly organized groups of players who happened join war just now. And maybe they could even be run by devs, testing something in real war without impact to regular player clans. But I would bet that this was aimed to make some point... but what point actually... and by who? One player? Multiple players? Or devs? Maybe we get to know that someday. But will be interesting to wait when we see these clans again, those from kotm and these from war.










Submitted by  Kalevi Karvinen#863817

Jack Myers #396694 Clan War Interview With Luc Lachance# 676923

Hello ladies and gentlemen and fans of mass carnage and destruction.  This is Jack Myers and I'm here with Luc Lachance of Orion Nebula. Congratulations on the new clan.  You guys came out swinging hard and look like you could be a dominating force for quite some time.

Thanks Jack. Indeed this is our first clan war and we wanted to go out with a bang ! Also, this is the first public interview for our otherwise secretive clan.

I am honored to hold that distinction.  How have you found the competition so far and is there anyone that worries you?

I must admit that the way that divisions have been made has given us some advantage this time. Things might have been different if div 3 had 8 clans. Last battle will be against Hereos Support. I will be mainly a spec battle with them running 7 specs out of 8 players. It will be a good test for our specs lines with a diversified set of specialties.

Preparation is key to so many aspects in this galaxy. It seems the specialist roles are really well bedded in now, with so many fighters finding their own preferences. How are you finding this particular facet of warfare. Do you have a personal favorite?

50 tons is my actual favorite. Some likes specs, some are hating them. For myself, I like the options that they offer and the fact the devs are changing the maximum allowed number from CW to another CW.

That definitely keeps the clans on their toes.  I enjoy that aspect of game as well, it has added a whole new dimension and strategy.  You have won your first two fights by an impressive margin. Do you see round three of this war being more challenging?

Heroes has won its first two battles, so we respect them for this achievement. This being said, our specs lines are ready and we approach this war with optimism.

Do you have any thoughts or ideas that you would like to see implemented into the game?

I would like to see a better crystal chassis at 95 tons. But about game play...I would like kotm prizes to be reviewed, Devs have made some changes for div 2 but there is still more room for improvement. For example, at lower divisions, you win weapons that you can actually use. This is no longer the case for top 25 at div 3-4...ok you can sell the weapons for niodes but you still catch only 33 % of the face value
I would suggest to offer only one weapons but one which is way better and better than available crystal weapons at this level. Players would still have the option to sell it too. Also, some "long term prizes" could also be envisioned...like a prize if you win 5 golds in KOTM

That is a good idea.  I thank you for your time Luc and best of luck to you and the rest of the clan in round 3.  Its time to get ready to rumble.

Yeah, In less than one hour...It will be all blood and ferrites














Submitted by Jack Myers# 396694 & Luc Lachance#676923