Facility X

[Guy Farrish]

Thomaston’s Project Slow Burn in the Imagi-nations section reminded me that for some time (several years in fact – oops!) I’ve been meaning to revisit the Island of Gambala, a large island off the African coast, not unlike Madagascar but even more uncannily like the Isle of Man. (I’ve got lots of maps of the IoM).

The IoM  has stood in for the scene of 19th Century colonial adventurism and diplomatic games in Africa and the Far East, Greek islands in WWII  and various other island based shenanigans including the post Colonial world of Gambala, split on decolonisation into a western aligned Southern Republic and a ‘Communist’ aligned Northern Gambala.

The latest idea is based in a post Soviet collapse era where the North has been looking further afield for support. I can’t match Thomston’s inventiveness in terms of Hermit Crabs and Girl Scouts, nor am I making my own figures, but only slightly daunted by that I have started the ball rolling.

The South has become aware of something nasty going in the woods, tropical rain forest, about 20k over the border. They don’t know exactly what but their erstwhile Western allies have some idea and don’t like the look of it. They send a mixed team of Southern Republic and western SF to go and have a peek.

Red cross marks the spot

Satellite imagery

The (as it turned out complete lack of) fun, about to start

The full story of what happened just before this, and after is available here.

[Steve Johnson]

Great idea to use the IoM as a basis for your games Guy. Nice that you were also able to get your son involved too.

[Guy Farrish]

Thanks Steve.

Yes, that was unexpected. He used to play a few games but he’s not been bothered over the last couple of years. I haven’t pushed, he’s got enough problems without having his dad using him as a conscripted opponent.

As it was he gave this a go of his own volition and we played together in a sort of combined solo against the game.

I think the free kriegsspiel idea was useful for him as well, we talked through what might happen and what chance an action would have. That gave him a better feeling of involvement rather than the sometimes arcane pronouncements of rule books.

However he now says he wants to have a go at a ‘proper’ wargame!

Not sure what that says about my GMing in that game.

[greg954]

Thanks Guy, an enjoyable read!

I am however intrigued as to what these labs are all about. Labs in my experience are rarely up to anything good. Good background and nice to see the team’s mission go smoothly. Even if no shoots were fired!

[Guy Farrish]

Thanks!

The downloads and photographs Dr ‘Davies’ and Cpl ‘Price’ took are even now being assessed in a secret location and plans being made.

There are several options on the table about what may be discovered, some weirder than others.

I think we can safely say however, that whatever it is is too horrible to risk being dispersed by a bombing raid and someone will have to go and sort this out on the ground.

 

[Deleted User]

That satelite photo look a lot like what kicked off teh Cuban Missile Crisis.

I’m jealous of your dice rolls, you much share what rituals you performed to apeal to the dice god.

[Darkest Star Games]

That’s a pretty brilliant game, and the fact that there wasn’t more “excitement” is exactly the sort of outcome operators would want from this sort of mission.  Congrats!

"I saw this in a cartoon once, but I'm pretty sure I can do it..."

[Guy Farrish]

Thanks! Appreciate it.

At the time I was surprised rather than disappointed at the success- although my son would have appreciated a more ‘shooty’ experience I think.

Which brings me to what Thomaston said – if I knew how to get dice to roll like that believe me I’d do it a lot more!

I have played a Late Roman v Sassanid game since and my Sassanid’s rolled exactly as my norm – losing in three turns, so I have not turned a corner in my relation with dice!

Maybe its a d10 thing vice a d6.

We’ll see what happens when whichever Western Government is involved decides how serious things are.

 

[Deleted User]

I forgot to ask. What did you use to make the fence?

[Guy Farrish]

David’s (now David’s Isopon) Aluminium mesh – mine from Halfords – a car bodywork repair mesh.

The fencing is cut in strips (cut across the diagonals to give diagonals running at angles like chain link fencing) for the main stretches with thin strips cut along the diagonal and rolled on a cocktail stick to make the concertina razor wire on top.

 

PS

The base and support are cut from Slaters black plastikard sheet.

[Deleted User]

Thanks

[Guy Farrish]

I should have said – all the buildings are scratch built with Pastikard, except the oil tanks which are plastic tops off something -can’t remember what – foraged and stored for ages before finding the perfect use for them., and the satellite dish which is a bit of plastic sprue and a tiddlywink on a Plastikard base.

The wire is more of the aluminium winding and the sandbags and bunkers are Greenstuff.

[Benjamin Cato]

A very clever scenario and fantastic AAR.

The terrain is great as well.

A couple of ideas to borrow here.

 

[Guy Farrish]

Thanks!

Borrow away, you are very welcome.

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