Softlove's Survey AAR - Red Planet Adventures

[Dr DeAth]

The next episode in the Adventures of Captain Sebastian Softlove  AAR to follow shortly.

Softlove’s Survey: The Maligned Influence of Colonel Richard Fitzwell

“What the hell was Softlove doing there in the first place?” roared Fitzwell. “I’ll have his bloody commission for this”. Colonel Richard Fitzwell, commander of the Prince’s Own, was on the verge of apoplexy; and the young subaltern who had just delivered the news was considering bolting for the door before the Colonel drew his revolver.  The Colonel was furious that Captain Sebastian Softlove had dared to returned from the Martian wastes ahead of his men. "It's a bloody outrage I tell you! Bad enough being rescued by the Japanese Navy in the first place, but leaving men behind! Unthinkable! What will they think of the Prince's Own at Horse Guards now".  

Colonel Richard 'Dick' Fitzwell was an old school soldier, duty before all and be damned of the consequences. One of his uncles had died at Gandamak with the 44th and another had been blown to pieces charging the guns at Balaclava; his older brother had perished with Gordon at Khartoum. He came from an ever dwindling family of military martyrs and Softlove's conduct was an anathema to him. He was determined to remove the Captain to somewhere where he couldn't discredit the regiment further and two days later an ideal opportunity presented itself, courtesy of the Japanese Ambassador.

Softlove and Ruffbrute pushed through the thronging midday crowds of New Victoria, wending their way through the packed streets towards the Victoria Barracks.  Earlier that morning Softlove had been requested to present himself at the Regimental HQ to receive new orders.  Jackson, the ADC who delivered the message, didn't give any details but explained that "it was best the Captain wasn't late on account of the Colonel looking for any excuse to flog him".  Softlove wasn't looking forward to the meeting, he'd managed to avoid the Colonel since he'd got back and he had hoped the whole affair would blow over.  He'd fallen foul of his commanding officer once before and it was a very disquieting experience; fortunately the Padre's daughter was a shrewd young lady and without any solid evidence the Colonel had to let the matter drop, but this time he'd doubted he'd be so lucky.

"Ah, Captain, 'bout time" grumbled Fitzwell as Softlove and Ruffbrute wheeled into the Colonels office and presented at attention. "I'll not beat about the bush Softlove, I don't like you. I'd have you shot myself for dereliction of duty but Horse Guards won't let me, apparently we've a shortage of officers on Mars. So I'm going to do the next best thing." He half smiled, half grimaced as he imagined the possible horrors that could befall the unfortunate Captain. "Those damn fool Japanese have a mind to go digging around in the sand looking for some Martian Atlantis or other such nonsense and their embassy think it politic that it's a joint endeavour".  He paused and looked Softlove and Ruffbrute up and down, then continued.  "I don't hold with it myself 'cause it aint real soldiering, but we need to show willing for the politicals." He paused again for effect. "Pack your kit Captain, you're off into the desert where you can't do the Regiment any more harm; and if God is willing you'll not come back. Dismissed."

Softlove and his sergeant stepped out of the Barracks into the bright Martian sunlight, and as Ruffbrute paused to adjust his pith helmet he thought to himself, "'ere we go again.”

For those unfamiliar with Softlove's previous adventures on the LAF, please see the following threads:

Last Train to New Victoria  http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=65676.0
The Search For Softlove  http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=66254.0
Softlove's Drift  http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=66555.0

[FramFramson]

Looking good. Can't wait!

[OSHIROmodels]

Hooray 

cheers

James

[Malamute]

Can't wait to give Softlove a drubbing tonight

[Dewbakuk]

Can't wait to give Softlove a rubbing tonight

Fixed that for you 

[Furt]

Fixed that for you 

    

Looking forward to this gents.

[Malamute]

Fixed that for you 

 

Naughty boy

[Dr DeAth]

Can't wait to give Softlove a drubbing tonight

Fixed that for you 

I can see where this is heading 

[Malamute]

I can see where this is heading 

Don't start talking about head...

[FramFramson]

Naughty boy, go to my room

[Malamute]

 

[OSHIROmodels]

Much fun was had but did Softlove escape with the survey team 

cheers

James

[Malamute]

Much fun was had but did Softlove escape with the survey team 

cheers

James

And was he wearing shiny boots?

[Dr DeAth]

Softlove's Survey - AAR

A Dr De'Ath Production

The game was played on a 4 x 4 board using the Little Lead Adventure rules.  The Anglo Japanese Survey team and escort set up in the centre around the martian relic and the Martians started off the table.  The Martian's arrival was randomly determined with them deploying on one of 8 places on the board edge. 

Sorting out the Characters; Little Lead Adventures uses a card deck to determine sequence of play.



The Anglo Japanese Survey team take stock.



Lt Nikkon of the Imperial Japanese Army starts to translate the Martian inscriptions.



Lt Odaka drills his troops to relieve them of their boredom, little do they know they're about to get plenty of excitement.



Major Hitachi and Lt Rhydes-Ruffleigh compare etchings.



Cpt. Softlove and Sgt. Ruffbrute scout the base of the mesa. 



Martians are sighted approaching from the East.



The Daas-Ak-Maa move swiftly forward to defend their ancient burial site from desecration by the Earther invaders.



Malamute performs the obligatory Sgt. Ruffbrute impersonation and orders his men to stand to.



Softlove prepares to receive the Martian attack.



The Thin Red Line (with a bit of khaki and blue on the end)



The Daas-Ak-Maa charge home.



Overhead shot of the melee taken from a passing balloon of the Great Martian Trading Company.



The initial attack is held and repulsed, the Daas-Ak-Maa were not at their fighting best having run 50 miles for the fight (meaning that we all forgot that Martians get two attacks in melee)



More hand to hand fighting, the gallant Brits holding their own.



The Daas-Ak-Maa's tiredness is starting to show as Softlove and his men repulse the attack (still not remembered about the two attacks).



Meanwile to the west, the Raas-Ak-Naa tribe are advancing towards the expedition site.



Lt Odaka spots the new group of Martians and prepares his men for a volley.



The last of the Daas-Ak-Maa fight on and die to a man.



The Survey team make for cover as Lt Odaka prepares to cover their escape.



The Raas-Ak-Naa charge in.



Having come a short distance to the fight the Raas-Ak-Naa are much more energetic in the fight (we've now remembered that the Martians get two attacks in melee).



Despite the vicious melee, Lt. Odaka and his men fall back in good order and blast the Martians with a close range volley, causing them to break and retire.



The Game was a victory for the Anglo Japanese who's survey team will be back to finish the job.  The outcome could have been different if the Daas-Ak-Maa hadn't had to travel so far to the fight 

[Malamute]

Excellent photos and report. Can't wait for the next one now