Wicker Vengeance Campaign Journal

[mwaschak]

Log Begins
------------------------------------
In accordance with the founding of this esteemed organization by veteran pilots, myself Marcus “Wolfhound” Gaius, and my second-in-command Bootros “Mako” Haliburton, we have begun operations as of July. It was my fortune to obtain the esteemed dogfighter Mako before beginning our fist operations in South America. His skill and innate talent for bringing down enemy fighters.

July 7th: We toured a facility in Myanmar and Cuba this week. We hired two more rookie pilots and formalized our MAS contract agreements with the World Mercenary Guidance League. The former being a Mr. Crux McCoy, or Winterhaven as he was called in DSP, and Alan “Weevil” Topol.

As of this date we are compromised of exactly 2 F-4 Phantoms, and two Chinese refurbished MiG-21’s. This next campaign should be easy and good experience for us. We have only worked together in test flights and simulator runs. I need to know how these guys will handle the pressure.

July 9th: Lost a contract to PTSFP, again.

July 24th: Today I read a book, and took a mission to blast an advancing armor column. We destroyed them courtesy of our recent windfall of cash and the purchase of a tank busting A-10. Works as designed, my compliments to the engineers.

August 1st: Weevil approached me again about a salary increase. Given his record I had could not argue. Also had to hire two more ground crew, but not enough for a new pilot yet. We can hardly manage their salaries as it is.

August 3rd: Jaegar made a close fly by over our base in the Seychelles. They have been really pushing their luck, and itching for a fight.

August 6th: I met with member of the Crimson Pirate and Peace Through Superior Firepower Squadrons today. Met with a contract to support the evacuation of our employer’s forces from their front lines.
The mission went off well considering the egos flying today. Weevil took out a SAM site forward with his A-10, while Winterhaven only managed to bang up our F-4. We sold the remaining MiG-21 in the hopes of a better craft before we get to Siberia. A buddy of mine informs me he can get us a deal on a Tejas. That should be adequate.

August 16th: Ah, the frozen north.


August 17th:
We were sent on a recon mission over a target area for the employer, and met heavy resistance. In fact I would say we were lucky to get away with our necks. Ultimately we ran out of fuel, and I was shot down 100 miles north of the target area by an F-5. Mako downed 3 bandits, and I one. It was an intense day, and I think my back is going to be feeling that parachute landing for weeks. Competition for work up here is fierce.
The resistance was simply higher than we expected. It was enough to tangle with the first batch on a simple reconnaissance run but hitting six bandits is enough to ruin anyone’s day. We ran out of ammo, fuel, and luck. That last Tiger strafed my old F-4, and was just too much to recover from. Now the MAS has more pilots than planes. Winterhaven is going to love sitting around and collecting his salary.
There was a local village nice enough to help me get back in time to complain to our employer, who shouldered none of the burden for this. We still have the cash from the sale of the Fishbed to the “Air Weasels” down in Iberia.
Mako has earned himself the distinction of Ace, holding the squadron’s Top Gun title by a wide margin. We have to plan our next move carefully. We just can’t afford to take on another risky mission.

September 1st: We transfer to the Pacific for a wave of new contracts. All of which have been gobbled up by our competitors to date. Our name needs more weight behind it or we will never get the jobs we need to stay afloat. I am tempted to hire out Weevil with the A-10 for a mission. We need to replace that F-4 and F-5 is a tempting plane. The guys from PTSFP are itching for a run in the simulator which may alleviate some of the barracks boredom for Winterhaven, Weevil, and Mako. I wouldn’t mind a crack at that Birk fellow of theirs.


September 2nd:

> ----------------------------------------------------------
>
> CO Maj. Steve Wright
> Crimson Pirates, Inc. MAS
>
> Crimson Pirates, Inc. (formerly Crimson Sky Pirates) is interested in
> leasing an A-10 with qualified pilot for our next mission.
>
> We offer: 8 Mk 82s, your A-10 activation fee, your pilot's fee upon
> his return from the mission (we have $3 in our account if we pay for
> your plane and bombs, so you're guy gets paid, ours won't if we
> fail), 25% of the payoff (bid of 60 so $15) and any bounties
> collected (if you destroy the ground target, you get the $3).
>
> We will be sending an A-10 with 9 Mk 82s and a twin cannon pods with
> a ground ace at the stick (6 ground kills, 1 air kill), an F-5 with
> armed with A-Darters (pilot with 3 confirmed aerial kills), and an F-
> 4 with a mix of A-Darters and Marta Magic AA missiles (pilot with 1.5
> kills).
>
> Your response either way is required ASAP so we can finalize our
> mission ops.
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------

Looks like Weevil is heading out for a mission. He has been assigned to the mission, arriving at their field with our compliments and a case of sake, on fumes. I have dispatched some ground busting gear with him to support the mission and carry our share of the burden. This is cash we need right now to buy some new craft.


September 13th
I think Weevil made some new friends today. Returning from the port strike, he has officially earned himself his ace status by destroying a port repair facility on the mission with CP. Their new CO has sent his regards on a job well done. Not only that we have cash in the coffers and can bid on the next mission.
There was some amazing footage sent back from his gun camera. They happened upon a destroyer escort in the straights. Weevil took the initiative and riddled it with cannon fire. They didn’t sink but never had a chance to fire.
If I can reach my contacts I may be able to get a new J-10, Harrier, or Fulcrum. That would leave is lean on ordnance, but I could stick that slacker Winterhaven in the old F-4.

Note: (Pilot Stats and Organizers available)

[mwaschak]

September 20th
Once again we had to join forces with our brethren in CP and PtSFP. The mission ahead was exceedingly difficult. Fortunately for us my contacts paid off and I picked up a MiG-29 for Mako on this run. It is not quite the same as his favored Tejas but I think it suites his talents better. He and Weevil will be working with them to break up some tankers inbound.

I was amazed how much firepower these three organizations can pull. While the profit will be low it is almost certain that we will make cash on this for little risk. That is an alternative I prefer at the moment until we are all up and flying again. I may move us over to some of those favorable north shore missions I heard about to get back on our feet.

Mission Update: Success! I was terribly impressed by one fellow in particular flying for the Crimson Pirates. This guy came in low over the water and nailed on of those old light missile cruiser. They must not have detected his approach ahead of our formation because he nailed them early.

We did well, scoring a few hits on sea targets. There was near disaster when we were jumped by a formation of Flankers but lucky that none of our planes took damage. I must remember to rebuy harpoons for the group.