Transformers: MASK 88 - After Action Report 02

April 1988

One month following the battle at the energon mine outside Jasper, Nevada...

The Boulder Hill headquarters of MASK begins seeing new personnel brought in by GIJoe and the Autobots. Most of the Joe personnel are "green shirts" assigned to maintenance and upkeep of the facility and its equipment. They are placed under the general command of Buddie "Clutch" Hawks. As the base personnel expands, Clutch suggests to Coax that they might want to consider a cover as a working facility; as to better explain why numerous cars keep going in and out of the area. Coax suggests the idea of a "reclusive millionaire creating a new car factory."

To study the energon mine crystals, the Autobots send over their top geologist: Beachcomber. And to provide additional security, they also send Ace (as the player of this PC was available to join the party for session 2).

As the MASK team settles into a routine, Coax is provided a home in the nearby city of Jasper. He is aided in moving in personal effects by Siren.

Siren: "If you wish assistance relocating to your new domicile, please let me know."

Coax: "Ahhhhhhh. Sure. What's the Cybertronian equivalent of buying you a pizza?"

Siren: "A six-pack of lubricant."

Coax: "Wow. That wouldn't go over the same with humans."

Meanwhile, as Beachcomber studies the energon crystal, Brainstorm studies the Vok ruins alongside his mini-con partner Arcana and Law Dawg. After excavating more of the ruins and studying the runes on the Vok structure, Brainstorm comes to the conclusion that this structure might serve as a Vok spacebridge.

Brainstorm gathers the team to explain his findings. But before he can over-excitedly activate the Vok device, Ace, Lawg Dawg, and Siren hear the distinctive sound of an incoming artillery shell. There is a massive explosion, as the front of the cavern explodes. As the dust clears, lights from several HISS Tanks illuminate the night and the shouts of "COOOBRAAAAA!" are heard as a battle begins.

Three HISS tanks, commanded by Major Bludd, and two dozen Cobra Troopers attack the MASK team. Coax opens up with his rifle and incapacitates Major Bludd's personal HISS with a couple of well-placed shots. Before Bludd can retaliate, Siren transforms around Coax, placing him in her car driver seat.

Ace takes to the air and strafes another HISS tank. From her aerial vantage point, she witnesses another vehicle in the distance that is a mobile artillery platform with a howitzer cannon. Ace maneuvers to attack the cannon, but is strafed in the sky as the VENOM aircraft Switchblade converts from stealth plane mode to assault helicopter and unloads its rotary cannon into Ace's side.

The remaining Autobots scatter for the cave entrance and fight back against the Cobra forces. Law Dawg takes out the second HISS tank, while Coax shoots the third from Siren's car seat. The third HISS is severely damaged and decides to return to base before they are captured. 

Ace escapes from Switchblade by using her speed to vanish into the night sky. Switchblade changes targets to attack Siren and Coax. Siren is gravely injured from the rotary cannon attack, losing one of her legs. Taking cover in a crevasse, Coax opens fire on Switchblade, causing the VENOM aircraft severe damage and forcing Mayhem to flee.

As the tide of the battle turns, Gearwagon manages to heal many of his Autobot allies. Major Bludd flees the scene alongside several Cobra troopers, but only after deploying several Cobra B.A.T.s to cover their escape.

The VENOM mobile weapons platform "Outlaw" is radioed by Mayhem to flee, but he leaves too late. Coax shoots through the vehicle's engine block, immobilizing Outlaw and forcing its driver, Nash Gorey, to surrender.

With the Cobra forces defeated and several prisoner taken, including a valuable VENOM agent, the MASK team calls in for GIJoe to arrive and secure the area. General Hawk eventually arrives with Law and Order to personally take in Nash Gorey for interrogation.