Spectre: Operation Cabin Fever

[Olsson]

I've been meaning to get into more scenario based wargaming for awhile now, and I picked up the Spectre book and it seems pretty ideal for that. So been trying to figure out the logistics of making this happend, and I'll be having this thread in a attempt to motivate myself to actually get working. So the biggest initial challenge for me is my lack of modern terrain, as I have historically either been playing sci-fi or fantasy games.

So for my initial scenario I was inspired by one of the fantastic dioramas made in the Spectre book.


- Image from Spectre Miniatures, linked from Beasts of War.

So in essence my idea is a meeting between a cartel leader and a terrorist banker in the US set out at some isolated cabin for privacy while discussing how to smuggle various threats into the United States. A Special Activities Division team is sent in by the CIA to capture the terrorist banker, and either capture or kill the cartel leader. In essence I want to play this as the cartel and terrorists being both controlled by what in essence is a GM, and while both against the SAD forces are not quite on the same side so could potentially come into conflict with eachother.

So in essence the current writeup looks something like this.

Operation Cabin Fire: Capture & Extract HVI.

An asset has informed the Agency of a time and location for an exchange between Erasto Kaar, the banker for Asad Kaahin and Santino Rivas of the Sosa Cartel. The exchange is said to be about Kaahin making use of the cartel's smuggling network into the United States.  The meeting is to take place at a hunting cabin owned by Santino outside of Boston. Both parties are expected to bring armed escorts. Intel suggests one Amid Hajjad, former South African Special Forces is present, connected to several terror acts in the MENA regions and suspected lieutenant of Kaahin.

Mission:

SAD
Primary Objective: Capture Erasto Kaar
Secondary Objective: Capture Santino Rivas, Kill Amid Hajjad.
Tertiary Objective: Kill Santino Rivas, Leave no man behind.

Terrorist
Primary Objective: Escape with Erasto Kaar.
Secondary Objective: Kill all SAD forces.

Cartel
Primary Objective: Kill all SAD forces.
Secondary: Escape with Santino Rivas.

FORCES

SAD:
x1 Elite Commander with Assault Rifle, Red Dot & Laser Sight, Med Kit, Long Range Comms, Frag, Stun, Smoke, Pistol
x4 Elite Fighters
x1 with Assault Rifle, Red Dot & Laser Sight, Med Kit, Comms, Frag, Stun, Smoke, Pistol.
x1 with Assault Rifle, Red Dot & Laser Sight, Med Kit, Comms, Frag, Stun, Smoke, Pistol, Trauma Kit, Stim Kit
x1 with Assault Rifle, Red Dot & Laser Sight, Med Kit, Comms, Frag, Stun, Smoke, Pistol, Breaching Tools
x1 with Assault Rifle, Scope, Med Kit, Climbing Gear, Comms, Frag, Smoke, Stun, Pistol,

Cartel:
x1 Trained Commander with Pistol, Long Range Comms
x2 Militia Squad Leader, x1 with Machine Pistol & Frag, x1 with SMG & frag.
x10 Militia with Assault Rifles

Terrorist:
x1 Civilian with pistol, long range comms
x1 Elite Squad Leader with Assault Rifle, Under Barrel Grenade Launcher, Body Armor, Long Range Comms.
x1 Trained Squad Leader, Combat Shotgun, Body Armor, Frag
x4 Trained Fighters, Assault Rifle, Body Armor, Frag

Board: 4x4
Terrain Type: Forest, Cabin, Hunting Tower, Cars.
Visibility: Night? Day?
Alertness: SAD begins Alert, Criminal and Terrorist Unalert.
Initative: SAD begins with the Initative.
Other: Elite Squad Leader mentors Trained Squad to Professional.

[DavyJones]

Sounds interesting. Please keep us informed about your progress. 

[ChargeDog]

Another Spectre player! Looking forward to seeing how this project goes along!

[S_P]

Great scenario

[commissarmoody]

Looking forward to seeing this. Just one quick thought though. in the Alphabet soup that is US intelligence agency, domestic ops would most likely be handled by FBI, DEA, DHS along with Federal marshals, local police and possible Military being brought it.
With such a small group, I would think a joint op with FBI, DEA with local Marshals going into make the arrest/shoot every one and county Sheriff's or police department providing a cordon.   
Or if it is a quick scrabble op then say FBI or DEA trying to do a quick grab before the meeting breaks up. With the Baddies trying to get away before the more law enforcement arrives and cuts off their escape.

[Olsson]

So far my biggest challenge seems to be getting my hands on the reccomended 20mm bases, Spectre Miniatures just sold out before I was gonna put in an order for them and the bad guys. Do the rest of you who play Spectre use the 20mm bases or 25mm ones since that makes the models also useable in various other systems as it is a more common size? I do quite like the tokens they have that fit around the base.

And a fair point commissarmoody! Mostly I want to make use of the lovely Deniable Operators range from Spectre (https://www.spectreminiatures.com/collections/deniable-operators) which to with their utter lack of uniform to me spoke of something maybe not fully on the books. Perhaps something military would be more suitable? Although I am also a bit inspired by a lot of media I'll admit, not being american myself where the CIA often take quite some liberties with the whole "not meant to operator domestically" or I could just make this take place in say, Europe or something and change out the cartel for some mob.

[ChargeDog]

I use 25mm bases with no issues. The only downside is figures take up a little more space and the tokens fit on the base rather than around them.

[Ultravanillasmurf]

Renedra do 20mm round bases (they also come in the Perry WW2 sets).

I have used 25mm bases for my starter set because that is what I have used for my other moderns. I have used Warlord lipped flat bases for them (urban bases).

[Olsson]

Some mishaps with my first primer had me all covered in black paint, but managed to atleast start to paint one of the guys today. Not sure I am entierly done yet, my attempt to make a dark leather jacket I am not happy with. And it feels like he might be too dark. And pictures always makes it all seem worse to me.

My first miniature in a few years now, and the more realistic style of Spectre is so tiny compared to most of what I am used to. I'm thinking perhaps brighter, more contrasting colours. Suggestions are most welcome.





Better picture with my camera, somewhat less flattering.

[Ultravanillasmurf]

For non military paint jobs, I would suggest having a look through the following:
https://opponent-theory.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Walking%20Dead

[commissarmoody]

I honestly usually just use metal washer for bases.
And No problem, I was being a little to serous last night when I posted. Dudes can totally be CIA acting domestically using deniable assists. Could lead to a cool problem say in a campaign where other government agencies don't know who they are and try to take them down.

[Ultravanillasmurf]

Of course, if you have watched Quantico, anything goes.

[Olsson]

Starting back on this a bit, been doing some painting recently.

It's my first time working a lot with non-plastics, and the more realistic anatomy of the Spectre miniatures are a challenge! But it's fun.

Mostly done with a few of the SAD team and two of the cartel members.

[ChargeDog]

Looking good!

[dinohunterpoa]

Very nice!

AMAZON sells LiTKO's clear round 20mm bases. 

https://www.amazon.com/1-5mm-Clear-Miniature-Bases-Circular/dp/B00MNMKA6W