Second Game of Necromunda: Nitro Oni falls to House Orlock

Optan collapsed tiredly onto the couch. The Nitro Oni spread out around him in a similar state of weariness.

"That battle was brutal," Optan addressed his gang. "We got our butts handed to us again. But a smaller gang. But we learned a lot."

"Our time with the weapon testing program is coming to end and we need to finalise our loadouts for the battles ahead."

Around him, the Oni's all focused. That was good. It would be needed in the battles to come. They hadn't done well that last round. He himself had tucked tailed and run.

Of course, that fool of a second Regha was still in recovery. What was he thinking rushing into combat with the grenade launcher?

Even a juve knows better. Rayrn, humiliated by being taken out of combat so easily, would also need some rest and recuperation. He needn't have been so hard on himself, that opposing champion's arch hammer was nasty. But it hurt his tough guy persona that he cherished so much.

"Gres Ti, you performed the best in our last two engagements. You're also the best marksman in the gang outside of the Oni's leadership. You'll take a grenade launcher and lasgun, provide fire support to the rest of us. Focus on groups with the frag setting and take out tougher gangers with the krak grenades."

Jaewe, the lowest ganger of the Oni's roster handed Gres Ti his assigned weapons. "I'm gonna call her the Beast," grinned Gres Ti as he stroked his new friend. "I'll miss that grav gun though."

"We're not a rich gang and we lost the last two engagements," Optan said by way of explanation.."Also, stick close to Hegon, he's trained with the best munition experts of the House and can help keep that launcher fed. I'm also giving him a grav gun, shorter range but still capable of slowing enemy advances. That will give you some cover. Don't go charging into combat like that drop-kick."

The rest of them laughed.

"Yeah, that was pretty funny," gruffed Hegon. "I didn't even flinch when that hot head went down and I was standing right next to him. Deserved what he got."

"To be fair," said Gres Ti, "he was trying to make up for the first fight against the Rust Fangs where he went down like a chump."

"That was my fault," admitted Optan. "Called that bad, should have let him charge in that one."

"Hegon, apart from the grav gun, I am also giving you a plasma pistol and a auto-pistol. That should give you firepower and plenty of rounds to throw down-range. Your background will also allow you to manage ammo. You can return that piece of crap plasma gun back to the factory. Don't forget to file a report. The House's name should not be tarred by such shoddy work."

Hegon frowned. "Yeah, that thing jammed on me like four times. Aim was also off, couldn't hit the broad side of Ogryn standing in front of me."

" Focus Hegon, your job is to when possible cover and support Gres and take out targets of opportunity. To make sure you're a little more survivable, I am giving you some additional armor."

Hegon positively beamed as he was handed his ablative overlay.

"Jaewe you'll join them to make fire team 1," continued Optan. "You'll take a laspistol and some photon flash grenades. Blind the enemies if you can otherwise pin them so they can't charge your fire team."

Jaewe looked nervous. Optan grinned, "relax, I'm putting you with Hegon. His grav gun hopefully will reduce the number charges. You have no mesh, so it will at least increase the odds of you coming out alive."

Everyone laughed again.

"Regha will lead fire team 2," said Optan. Waduy did not look happy. Optan shrugged. "Sorry, the hot head needs you servo-medicae or we're never going to get any use out of him. His mother is my aunt, nothing I can do. You'll take a las sub-carbine. Good for close work."

"How is he?" asked Waduy. Despite his dislike of his new team leader, Waduy took his job of medicare support very seriously.

"His hands took a serious hit. Won't be much good at close combat so luckily I returned that spider rig. But since he likes to get so close, I am assigning him a auto-pistol and plasma pistol. He can blaze away to his heart's content. Even better, fortune smiled on us and we have gained the patronage of the Water Guild. Their help will help us recuperate faster. Regha will be able to join us for the next battle."

"That's smart boss," said Hegon. "Regha likes to tinker with his weapons. He can improve both weapons. His ocular implants also works with the auto-pistol, unlike infra-sights."

"My thinking exactly," said Optan. "Rayrn will be your team's long range gun, with a lasgun, or at least what passes for long range in these god-forsaken twisting corridors."

"What about you boss?" Jaewe asked.

"There is just enough credits for me to get two laspistol upgraded. I'll be roving support. You know I've always been good at running and gunning. Remember your fire teams, but also exercise good judgement to change tactics as needed."

Optan smiled. "Remember, Onis, our motto!"

Everyone, "Shoot first, then shoot again!"

EDIT: Ended up giving Optan the grav pistol due to his greater mobility and a las-carbine to provide suppressive fire. Also, additional photon flash grenades to Waduy to work with the -2 initiative from the grav pistol. Used the extra money to put infra-sights on Hegon's plasma pistol so the two main finishers have ability to ignore penalties from smoke, darkness and some cover.