Battle Report: 3/31/06

DX · Post by DX » Sat Apr 01, 2006 9:24 pm

Well, our season-opening war was earlier tonight, from 7 PM-9 PM. Unfortunately, Waterbridge was unable to field a team and Belisaurius himself could not go. But the Ridgewood Militia had already mobilized and armed too many people to cancel. So we decided to turn it into a battle winthin ourselves. There were 15 of us, so we split by the squad groups that we had decided on a while ago. I headed a group of 8, Nibordude had a group of 7. So the battle was 8v7, each side with a Douchenator.

So it starts: [remember, it is pitch dark]
Nibor and company walked down the West Bank and disappeared. I took my group along the East Bank to the Gazebo on the left side of the park. The gazebo had a blinding light on the top, with an open area of trees and a mulch mound to the left. Darkness and a small area of woods was on the right. We set up there, intending to draw an attack. The attack finally came from the left, after exchanging a few Douchenator blasts. Nibordude started putting more pressure on the flank and we sent a few scouts out ahead to make contact. Logan fired the first actual shot and Jay was hit in the exchange. Enemy artillery was not accurate, but made us dive for cover.

Nibordude's group now spread out and advanced so that they would overwhelm the flank. Seeing this danger, I called for a retreat. In haste we feld back to the gazebo, gathered our gear, and used a back exit out into the dark woods on the right. I was fearing being surrounded and trapped with our backs to the OB line, but Nibor made no move to block the path out. We got the hell out of there once we realized they weren't coming.

We sprinted to the Spring St. Bridge, where we started, and crossed to the West Bank. The East Bank is rather open, so we saw Nibor and company in pursuit. Further down the path we set up an ambush, hiding behind trees on the beginnning of the bluff. Mike stood in the middle of the path wielding the Douchenator and Jay behind him with his searchlight. Empty shots from the Douche plus Jay's light signalled to Nibor that we were somewhere around there. Mike fell back with Jay also falling back, still shining the huge light. This drew them in closer, nearly parallel with my position, which was the closest to them.

2 from Nibor's group began to climb the hill 30ft in front of me. I thought to myself "hold your fire, hold your fire, hold your fire, get ready, NOW." I leaped up to spring the ambush and took shots at the 4 closest people. That started a brief, but rather intense exchange of fire. They were starting to fall back when I whispered to my team "We are going to do a false charge, when I yell charge, take a few steps but don't actually do it." "CHARGE!" I took 10 running steps and Nibor's group reeled back, running back to the bridge while we came out of the false charge and ran the other way. Regouping way down the bluff, we decided to get Jay's searchlight, which we left at the gazebo.

Chris had to leave, so it was 7v7 and still 0-1 in score.
There was no other direct action in this battle, other than our slow retreat to the opposite bridge and manuever back to the gazebo. They had a leisurely pursuit and never left the West Bank. We next saw each other on opposite banks near the Spring St. Bridge, but it was 9 and the battle was officially over.

So I lost 0-1. But whatever, it was a good war and very intense.

joannaardway · Post by **joannaardway** » Sat Apr 01, 2006 10:10 pm

Wow, I wish I could get 15 people to turn up in the same location for anything, let alone a water war.

How many people live in your area?

I'd love to do this, but as far as I know, I am the only real soaker enthusiast around here, and without help, I have no idea how to muster that kind of force.

Anyway, I'm sure that you enjoyed it. Night battles aren't really my thing, but it adds a twist.

DX · Post by DX » Sat Apr 01, 2006 10:34 pm

The RM roster and claims list includes 34 people, Waterbridge's has 30. Remember that our last battle of 2005 was a 5v2 and until 2 weeks ago neither team had a roster of more than 16. This would have been 15v4 if Waterbridge had been able to take the field against us.

If it weren't for a mutual "slowdown" agreement, we would still be actively recruiting and adding to the already swollen rosters. Right now, members have actually been joining on their own initiative/will rather than us recruiting them. Last night, someone said they were at a party and the Douchenator popped up as a conversation topic. So the thrill of our water wars has been spreading rather rapidly. It is not impossible that we could have 20v20 scale battles by mid-season. Maurader 4 would be proud.

joannaardway · Post by **joannaardway** » Sat Apr 01, 2006 10:43 pm

So it's just a case of "get out there and try to recruit"?

I presume my school would be a good place to start. I also need to destroy sceptism. Hmm, my CPS 27K, 3200 and when it's been made, Cerberus should impress.

I assume no posters - they'll just be ripped down by immature little (tries to think of soaker related metaphor) pieces of Electronically Enhanced Soakage (that should do) from the lower years.