Another One Bites the Sawdust After-Action Report, Battlefield II Indoor Paintball Arena, Osseo WI 1/14/07
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Colonial Marines Mission Assignment:
The Recovery of the ITV Sawdust City, 14 January, 2257, Earth Standard Reckoning.

Mission Background: The year is 2257. The Arcturus Corporation Interstellar Transport Vessel Sawdust City has been discovered drifting over twelve parsecs off the trade lane in deep space. Up until now, the ‘Dust was assumed lost with all hands, since she failed to arrive on Alpha Centauri Prime after a resupply mission to the Arcturus Mining Colony over three years ago. A Colonial Marines ship, the USS Ballentine, has been dispatched from ACPrime to inspect and secure the derelict vessel in preparation for its salvage or recovery. Since damage scans indicate that the loss of the vessel was not due to pirate attack or mechanical mishap, the unit has been told to prepare for possible xenomorph contact.

Cmdr. Log, USS Ballentine: 1100 hrs
Contact Reported by Wolf Recon Squad Alpha at 1030 hrs, Cargo Bay Airlock – Deck I. Encountering heavy resistance from unidentified xenomorphs in low-light conditions, humanoid-form xenos with projectile-throwing capabilities, probable small arms capable. Vertical surfaces of Sawdust City interior covered in slimy multicolored secretions, footing unsure, floors covered in chitinous flakes. Required two flashbomb barrages and the loss of three squads to gain the first stairwell to belowdecks. Request permission to recall forward units and issue Power Armor to advance squads.

ACPrime Mission Command: 1107 hrs - PERMISSION DENIED. CASUALTIES ACCEPTIBLE. SECURE VESSEL AND OBTAIN XENOMORPH SPECIMENS. PROCEED AS INSTRUCTED.

Cmdr. Log, USS Ballentine: 1200 hrs
Surviving elements of Wolf Recon Alpha hold Deck II central stairwell, with Marine Beta occupying Deck I cargo bay. 80% casualties in Beta Squad, bodies of two Marines KIA lost to xenos. “Warrior” xenos appear to be unusually resistant to small arms fire, possibly armored, no specimens recovered. Grenades effective. Request forensic analysis of xenomorph secretions before proceeding to Deck III.

USS Ballentine Forensic Specialist Report: 1215 hrs
Xenomorphs tentatively identified as species Sapiocephala Arcturus, called “Hive Worms.” Aggressive parasites resembling large flatworms, able to neurologically manipulate, sustain and use mammal or large reptile corpses as protective shells, first identified 2246ESR on Arcturus Mining Colony, (this section CLASSIFIED under Standing Interstellar Security and Commercial Patent Rights Order 147.) Full lifecycle unknown, forensic analysis team to follow Marine forward units as they advance. Quarantine Protocol Blue in force as of 1235 hours - no personnel or human remains may be evacuated from ITV Sawdust City until lifted. Live xenomorph specimens to be preserved in situ for shipment to Interstellar Defense Base ACPrime.

Cmdr. Log, USS Ballentine: 1230 hrs
Marine squad holds Deck III central stairwell. Xenos on this level more vulnerable to fire, forensic specialist reports this is due to our having penetrated the Hive Wall, their defensive perimeter. Xenos of three distinct types, scavenging unarmed “workers,” armed “drones,” and armored “warriors.” Xenos use standard small arms, likely from Sawdust City’s weapons locker. Xeno method of communication undetermined. Have recovered four Hive Worm larvae for forensic analysis and opened all three stairwells below, but at the loss of entire squad. Marines KIA used as Hive Worm larva hosts if corpses not guarded. Marines forced to fire on our own reanimated dead in self-defense.

Cmdr. Log, USS Ballentine: 1400 hrs
Squad holds starboard stairwell on Deck IV. Damn worms use live humans to incubate their eggs! Recovered one crewmember from Cargo Bay IV with xeno egg implanted. Xenos able to release some sort of paralysis agent. Toxin bomb like a big black egg, ruptures to release toxin. With all due respect, why the hell weren’t we informed of possible chemical agents? One Marine taken alive while paralysed by toxin, now a f-----g Bug Incubator. Eggs silvery, approximately 25cm diameter. Resistance most stiff on Decks I, II & IV, have sealed airlocks to these levels, recommend assault team in hard-vacuum Power Armor armed with flashbomb launchers evacuate survivors, then decompress entire vessel.

ACPrime Mission Command: 1402 hrs – DO NOT DECOMPRESS VESSEL. CLEAR OF HOSTILE XENOMORPHS ONLY. REPEAT: POWER ARMOR USE DENIED - RISK OF DAMAGE TO VESSEL TOO GREAT. PROCEED WITH MISSION.

Cmdr. Log, USS Ballentine: 1600 hrs
Squads entered Reactor Core Subdeck through shield airlock after sealing stairwells. Reactor Core emergency strobes made target acquisition difficult, one squad lost in the advance. Two more Hive Worm types encountered, “queen” and “guard,” both armed and armored. Hive “queen” nested in Reactor Core Engineering Station, impossible to power up vessel without eliminating remaining xenos. Dud grenade failed to neutralize queen, cost four Marines KIA to overcome queen and guards at close quarters with small arms. Have lost contact with forward squad. Request permission for immediate med-evac and decontamination of survivors. I hope to hell this damn transport tub was worth it.

ACPrime Mission Command: UNITS ABOARD VESSEL ARE UNDER QUARANTINE – DO NOT EVACUATE. USS BALLENTINE IS ORDERED TO RETURN TO BASE IMMEDIATELY. FORENSIC PRESERVATION TEAM EN ROUTE TO VESSEL TO ASSIST SURVIVORS.
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CLASSIFIED – YOUR EYES ONLY.
Exerpt of Forensic Preservation Team Exit Report, ITV Sawdust City Recovery,
18 Jan 2257ESR:

…surviving Marines were found comatose in Reactor Core and implanted with ovospheres, blood samples indicate (BLACKOUT.) Incubation monitoring is proceeding as instructed, all xenomorph specimens appear viable, the first captive hatch is expected (BLACKOUT.) The commercial potential of this xenomorph genome is estimated as High, and this team recommends continuation of captive Hive development. The monitoring team requests relocation of the Hive Host Vessel >former ITV Sawdust City< to orbit above an isolated terrestrial habitat so the entire species life cycle may be observed, as our research indicates that full maturation to the adult “queen” form may require a period of subterranean dormancy of unknown duration. Suggested terrestrial site: (BLACKOUT.)

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Organizer’s Note: I’d like to thank the wonderful Jason & Judy Doerr of Airsoft Battle Zone for sponsoring, Jason Rogers of Battlefield Paintball in Osseo, WI, for hosting, Felicia and Maddy for technical assistance, and all the players for their patience while I fumbled about fine-tuning the scenario. This was my first indoor CQB scenario, and it showed, so I want to congratulate all involved for outstanding sportsmanship under difficult circumstances. No more balloons for armor, I promise….

Todd Meyer
Event Organizer

Gryphon/Posted by Armsdealer