AAR for Muscovite Dirigible Action

OK, Crew, I know everybody was pretty hungover after the victory over the Muscovy Airship, but you know the Captain's guidance.  We conduct AARs.

This was a flash mission.  Command cadre was made aware of the target and approximate location and ordered up ship in a hurry.  Fortunately, ground support crew has done an excellent job in keeping the Renegade mission ready.

Mission planning was conducted en route; using our vastly superior speed, catch up and maneuver to their 6 o'clock.  Forward Tesla's disable their engines and then we systematically maneuver to bring accurate fire on their point defense systems.  After the weapon systems are down, move to a side by side position, fire the boarding harpoons and insert the assault platoon.

All that proceeded according to our normal mission profile.  Things went slightly south after the ground assault platoon secured its insertion position.  The Muscovites both tried to bottle us up at the point of penetration-our initial foothold on board their vessel-and defended in depth along the main access corridor. That, plus the sheer volume of fire they brought to bear, prevented the ground platoon from establishing fire superiority and the ability to maneuver within the Muscovite dirigible.  We got word from the assault platoon sergeant that two of his squads were red on Thompson ammo.

At that point, the Captain made the call to insert the reserve squad directly into another point in the Muscovite dirigibles hull.  Nicely done, reserve squad members, kitting up and getting to the boarding ropes.  The insertion went well and you were quickly able to orient onto the Muscovite defenders and approach them from the rear.  Those that were still alive five minutes later surrendered.  Despite the tough fight, we got off lightly.  Three WIA--2 GSWs and 1 from a flashbang.

Looting went well as usual; not incredible amount on this haul other than some really good vodka and a stack of well used AK-74s.

The usual: three sustains and three improves.

New Resume

TO: CPT XO

From HR:

Re: Another Resume

Sir:

I know you're feeling a tad...delicate...this evening, after the post-battle celebration, but we received another resume via the general Airship email and this one is a bit intriguing.

We can always use another medic and this one is a licensed massage therapist.  I'm thinking ground crew bartender/masseur?

Not sure what to do with the Fez collection, though.

Dear Captain, 

Qualifications 

Small arms maintenance (US Army)

Field Medic (Army)

Tinkerer (life)

Fez collection 

Dad 

Former Teacher 

Licensed Massage therapist 

Cartman

Thank you for your consideration 

Ps I live in Florida on the Treasure Coast 

Resume for Gunnery Officer position

TO: CAPTAIN XO

FROM: HR

Sir, see below for a resume for the Gunnery Officer opening.  Looks like our recruiting campaign is working!  I like his moxie.  He TELLS us what position he is going to take.

Let us know and we'll arrange an interview time.

RESUME BEGINS:

I’m your gunnery officer, responsible for the training of crews, maintaining the weapons, and employment in raids. Yes I’m being uppity and assuming, but I’m also willing to fight for it using my collection of nerf guns and replica lightsabers in order to avoid permanently damaging any other uppity crew members.

Qualifications are based on past experience as a TOW Missile gunner, Counter-battery Officer, Fire Direction Officer, Air Cavalry Fire Support Officer, and Firing Battery Commander.

Additional experiences are directly related to playing too many RPGs, Avalon Hill board games, and various computer games of the strategy, simulation, and FPS variety. 

I also respect the use of the Oxford comma and endeavor to use it appropriately.

Additional Duty request: Designated Sober Person. Every crew needs one in order to prevent “good ideas” like indoor fireworks, watching the Airship drift on its own with no one on board, rides from grapple guns, and charging personal electronics by Tesla Cannon. Planning to use my share of any alcoholic related stipend as an award, bribe, or cleaning solvent, whichever is most appropriate based on what is recovered during raids.

Subject to your questions.

After Action Review, raid on M/V Abiba

For starters, well done.  No casualties on our end, other than some bumps and scrapes--except for a Tesla Gunner burning his hand.

Approach went well.  We hit the target exactly at 2 am.  Ventral forward Tesla Gunner--great shot on the engines.  Forward grapple gun ripped out the comms antenna beautifully.

Helm, another great job on station keeping.  You maintained position nicely, and gave the gunners a stable platform, not to mention making it right easy for the assault platoon.

Which brings us to assault platoon...the Captain has authorized a double share for each and every one of you.  The work you did on the yacht guard force below decks was excellent; the one prisoner that you took and then tossed overboard warmed this old pirate's heart, especially when you threw the life ring to him.

Three cheers for the assault platoon!

Looting went well.  I know everyone is eager to hear about what the take was:

$55 Million US in bearer bonds.
1.1 pounds of gold jewelry
1 Picasso sketch
12 barely fired H&K G 36 assault rifles
6 cases of good champagne
close to a pallet load of booze
a crate full of vintage vinyl records

Ok, Captain will want the usual: three sustains and three improves.

Raid Briefing

Please hold your questions for the end.

Our target for tomorrow is the Abiba, a superyacht owned by an extremely wealthy currency trader.  We have reliable intelligence that this is a 'business/pleasure cruise;' he is hosting buyers for bearer bonds--sources conflict on the exact amount, but we can expect a range between  $50 to $100 million, US.  There are at least 15 armed guards, primarily ex-SOF normally assigned to the yacht, and we can expect at least 10 additional bodyguards.  We can plan that the ex-SOF bubbas will have access to automatic weapons, sidearms, and flashbangs.  The bodyguards will primarily have handguns and perhaps subguns.

The Abiba is a on a Med cruise and is expected to pull into Monaco in two days.  One of our HUMINT sources planted a beacon on board, so we have a precise fix on its location.  We will hit it 0200, Monday morning.  Standard yacht raid protocol.

Approach from the rear, Tesla gunners to take out the engines and fire a low power shot into the flying bridge to fry the electronics.  Use a grapple gun to rip the radio antenna out.

Once the vessel is disabled, assault platoon will fast rope in.  Sweep the deck, aft to fore before entering the vessel.  Bearer bonds will likely be in a safe belonging in the owner's cabin. Microcharge will deal with that.  Secure the bonds, sweep the galley and bar for good liquor, check the cabins and passengers for money or jewelry.  Any passengers or crew want to be a hero, put them on their ass.  Anybody waves a gun around, kill them.  You can expect that the yacht guard force and the passenger body guards will resist.

No more than a half hour on board.  I will accompany the assault platoon.  First Officer will be in command aboard the Renegade while I am on the yacht.

What are our questions?

Administrative note from the Captain

I've had a couple of inquires already from folks looking to make sure that any additions or stories they want to add to the Pirate Dirigible are in harmony with canon.

Bit hard to have canon for something you make up as you go along (amiright, George Lucas?) but, loosely:

The Renegade, Pirate Airship is both now, near future, and in a 1930s dieselpunk world of my own imagination.  The only thing I've got set hard and fast is that international borders and the ability for nations to project power are a little looser--hence our ability to raid Russian Oligarch estates in Scotland and a certain yacht in Huron, OH.  Also, Russia has fragmented and the western portion is now called Muscovy.  Because fuck Russia.

The Renegade is really big, somehow doesn't get tracked back to its home airbase in Wick, Scotland, and has an on-board pub called the Plunder and Lightening.  A ground assault platoon is on board for raids and boarding action.  Swords, pistols, and Thompson guns are encouraged.

And Tesla cannon.  Lots of Tesla cannon. I'm not entirely sure what those are yet.  But they're super cool.

Influences on Pirate Dirigible include: the art of Jakub Rozalski, classic pulp stories, Call of Cthulhu, Crimson Skies, and the endless ream of fantasy, sci-fi, and horror I have consumed over the years.

Eventually, I'll need an XO TO the XO, to help me out with this.  Hopefully.

The ship's email account is: renegadeairship@gmail.com. I check it daily.

Stalwart Souls Sought

Are you tired of living a life devoid of action and adventure?

Do you long to seek fortune and glory on the high seas…or better yet:

THE SKIES!

The Renegade, an Armed Dirigible, has immediate openings for:

Tesla Cannon Gunners and Maintainers

Ground Assault personnel

Dirigible ground crew (experienced line handlers eagerly sought)

Boarding Harpoon loaders

Turbine mechanics

Bartenders (air and ground)

All crew, both air and ground, receive a monthly stipend—dependent upon position and experience—as well as shares in the Renegade’s financial fortunes.  Hard work, initiative, and discipline are rewarded with promotion potential.  Former mortar crew need not apply.

Send your resume, cover letter, and list of professional references to: RenegadeAirship@gmail.com

The Renegade is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Renegade does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law.  Except for mortars, because no one likes them.

After Action Review, Raid on [REDACTED] Yacht

The Captain/XO has directed that we conduct After Action Reviews (AARs) on all our major events, whether actual raids, training, etc.  He reminded me that since most of us are ex-military, it's a format and process that we are all comfortable with and recognize the need.

This is first one; AAR of our recent raid on the [REDACTED], luxury yacht docked in Huron, Ohio.

For starters, our intel was excellent.  There were no air defenses and the transponder codes we hacked continue to pay dividends.  We arrowed in on the correct yacht quickly, took up station keeping (nice job, Helmsman!) and got the Jacob's ladders deployed.

Ground assault force: nice job.  Stealthy, quick.  No casualties on either end--of course it helps that the crew was asleep.  Next time, though, steal art from someone with better taste.  The silver will be easy to move, though.  It's already on our way to our favorite dealer.  Platoon Sergeant--The XO doesn't mind of you keep a FEW bottles for yourselves, but don't hog all the good stuff.  We're a team.  You're just one component--everyone deserves a shot at the 18 year old Macallan.  If leadership catches wind of one of your assault platoon folks making noises about how 'pogs don't deserve the best' that troop will find themselves...well...they won't be part of the team anymore.

Again, Helmsman, nice job on station keeping.  Engineer, I don't know what magic you work to make the engines so quiet in this stealth raids, but well done.

Groundpounders, again nice job on the exfil.  You got the booty loaded into the nets efficiently and air crew got it aboard quiet as a could be.

One question, though...who cut the lines and set the yacht adrift?  It was all over the news.

Alright crew, you all know the drill: 3 sustains and 3 improves.  Go.