[EN] Missions 12-15 pro-Arab

[McBenn]

Could you elaborate on that idea?

[0dd1]

I haven't really thought that out in detail. I assumed that a mission revolving around attacking would fit best, to keep the same format of last missions am and ru, as well as to stick to our ideas so far. I also thought that simply taking the beating from Russians is a repetition of the ru14 and the destruction of new nishapur. In alliance mission 13 it was said that arabians often move their bases, but it was never actually witnessed by the player.

With these points in mind, here's an idea in case the previous propositions don't work out:
In ar13 (so far the same as planned) when Heike gets to samarkand they quicky asses the situation and conclude that the Russians are too much to take head on. There's also no reason to think they would stop at destroying samarkand. They decide to hit them where they live (don't know exactly what the target should be) to make them withdraw, kind of like burlak does by attacking kabul. Alas, the attackers are closing, and so Heike stays to draw some attention while the base personnel withdraws to bases to the north (as in am11, by the mudriver I think they called it). Since time is of the essence, some of the Samarkand's personnel packs some resources and avoiding the attackers goes further into Russian territory to prepare a base near Heike's next target. Once everyone is out of samarkand (and artifact measurements taken) Heike rushes toward her next target while the Russian attackers continue on to mudriver bases. News of Abdul's death could come at the end of ar13 or beginning of ar14.

In ar14 Heike arrives at the newly made base and is ready to attack straight on. Since their main base was destroyed however, they will need to quickly gather resources to stage an all out asault on motherlode even if they succed in diverting the Russian attack. So the mission objectve would include destroying a Russian base, should probably have some time limit, and gathering resources (capturing convoys/smaller bases in the area?) or sending convoys back north. Since we know Legion was working with the Russians recently they could also appear, though I haven't really thought it through.

[McBenn]

I don't think we ever summed up exactly what Ar12 and Ar13 should look like but as I remember it in Ar13 Heike is called to a bare stretch of land to defend the retreaters from New Samarkhand which was suddenly and violently attacked by the Russians. That's a situation (we hope) makes tigers, mastodonts and sheikhs (Omar) viable. Heike never arrives at New Samarkhand as I has already fallen at this point.

But sticking to your ideas of a retaliation attack I think I've got something. The news of Abdul's death comes at the end of Ar13 forcing Heike, Omar and everyone else to retreat to the bases of Am11 (mudriver) instead of New Kaaba. The artifact readings from Ar13 has yet to be analysed so the Arabs are not fully aware of the motherlode yet. The Russians have gone all in on their attack on New Samarkhand leaving many of their core bases undermanned. Heike wants to use this opportunity to strike at the heart of their kingdom. Omar agrees, somewhat reluctantly. The remaining Arab forces will keep moving their bases around in the mountains to avoid being attacked.
The map for Ar14 would be that of Ru12 with the four Russian bases. All are still fairly well protected and they help each other by sending reinforcements and the like (probably using teleporters like in Ar14a). Maybe we can put in some kamikazis and remote bombs from Legion. As you say there should be some time limit and Heike just have to do as much damage as possible (Am07 like). I like the thought of sending back resources. After all the two major bases of the Arabs have fallen so they probably won't have much left. This could force Heike to set up a small support base to build cargo bays so she can carry resources with her back. This amount would be directly proportional (if not equal) to the amount available to build war machines for use in the final battle in Ar15.

[0dd1]

I just assumed Ar12 would be about researching contamination, and as for Ar13, I thought that Heike arrived at finds Samarkand at least partially intact and brings the fight out to make more efficient use of arabian mobility. It could also mean that the artifact research would be acutally conducted in the base, with the data from artifact being transmitted remotely (like the artifact would be kept in remote cargo) to the lab from various places in the map. Anyhow, the outline You just gave sounds fair egnough, except it would probably be better to have a new map created instead of reusing original one again.

What about the final artifact use? If the newly discovered artifact effect (by trying to destroy it after contamination research) would be found to be repeatable, some scientist could come up with a way to use it. It would be brought up, at beginning of Ar15, same as any other scientific idea throughout the campaign. After one finished research it would open the possibiliy of attacking the alliance to get the other ones. The player would decide wheather to go with it or focus on conventional weaponry and saving time, by just preparing striking force and moving to next part of the mission. That way, it would be more or less the same as using artifacts to win last alliance mission or bomb in Ru15. Would that be good egnough?

[McBenn]

Ar12 is about contamination research, yes, using your intricate plot about Farmer trying to steal the American siberite bomb research / bomb itself. As for the artifact data gathering in Ar13 I imagined it just happening in the field without any particular base. It would add some stress to the mission if the player also has to manage this besides defending retreaters. About the map I dunno yet. Multiplayer maps like Babylon and Highlands look interesting and if they fit the needs I can't see why we shouldn't use them.

Hm yes the artifacts. Number 4 is clearly in the player's posession. Number 3 JMM brings with him to the Alliance. Number 5 is probably stolen by Alliance from the Arabs (mudriver, Am11). It sounds very plausible that the Arabs find new interesting properties of the artifacts by trying to destroy them - noone else has ever tried that. So the way you outline Ar15 sounds splendid. The first part the player has to prepare the strike force. He/she can choose to attack the nearby Alliance base to gain the other artifacts and their tech for use in the final battle (gotta come up with some interesting and useful ones here). Or just focus, as you say, on conventional weaponry. The only slight problem is that "conventional weaponry" for Arabs typically is just mortars and healers. Ok you could gather some kamikazis and maybe invent siberite implosion (although I would prefer not to to keep that tech unique to the Legion branch of the campaign just as siberite decay is unique to the pro-Arab part). Perhaps one could balance it by making the final battle somewhat easier if you don't capture the extra artifacts simply because you attack earlier.

[0dd1]

I like the distinction between Legion having sib implosion and Arabs the contamination, but contamination isn't a weapon, or at least it's very difficult to find a tactical use for it. Would introducing it later than in Legion missions, that is Ar15, be not egnough?

If the second part of Ar15 had few possible routes of getting to the motherlode, the map could be designed to favour one type of weaponry over another. A large number of rockets with little or no other weapons, maybe even kept mobile to make harder to hit, placed on a hill, would be more easily delt with by vehicles than mortars, simply because those are not so fast and can't move while they fire.

About my Ar12 proposition:

Spoiler:

Personally I like complex plots, but am not so sure it fits into the game as a whole. Don't remember any other mission being so complicated and somehow it seems like overdoing it.
After some more thought to the plan, there are some things I'd reconsider.
Namely, Legion seems overpowered - there's a lot of their activity considering they barely formed - waiting for signal from Gensher is like a direct repetition of previous mission and the base's location makes no sense - why would they build a base where it can be so easilly sourounded? It would have to be that the hilltop base was originally American outpost, guarding the entrances of the valley.

All this complication is basically due to the condition of not attacking Americans at the very beginning.I was wondering if it would not be better to simplify things: Lets just say that the reason for the above is that priority, as ordered by Abdul, is to develop the contamination technology. As they are oustide Arabian territory they wouldn't want to stick their necks out any longer than necessary, especially that they have allerted the Americans and Legion already. If they were to destroy the Americans first, there is no guarantee that Legion would not focus solely on Heike instead. So:
Intro goes as before. Heike arrives south of the Legion base just as it is by Americans from the research base (she could be informed by some scout when to attack). Takes over the base receives the reinforcements and reserches the contamination while repelling Legion and maybe Americans comming from the south. Soon after she destroys the research base contaminates the deposit and swiftly leaves the area. Some activity ouside the map can be mentioned, for example Gensher attack on Legion bases to the east, maybe to make them stop attacking when Heike engages the Americans, or Russian attack from the south on Gamma, suggesting they work with Legion.
If it has to be a bit more complex, here's my very first idea: the hill Heike is on stretches out so much, that the way down is at least a few minutes trip.

Ar12.JPG (45.75 KiB) Zobrazeno 3731 x

On general map looking like this:(just as an example, not saying it has to be there)

mapa.jpg (79.88 KiB) Zobrazeno 3731 x

The idea is that the player prepares an attack squad which then dissapears in area of entrance 1. A timer starts countdown and afer 10min or so the attacking squad appears in the area of Entrance 2. Heike could work here with some scouts posted to the south of her, informing of enemy movements. If an attack was comming from the south, either Americans or Legion (presumably Legion might try to attack Heike directly later in the mission, when she becomes too much of an obstacle), then she would be informed and the area became inaccessible until the danger passes.

[McBenn]

Implosion vehicles: Ye your right, siberite decay isn't exactly a weapon. If it has to be I would not introduce implosion vehicles until Ar15.

And interesting idea with multiple routes to the motherlode. This could be as simple as just where you spawn in the final map, or more advanced like an intermediary map before reaching the map featuring the motherlode.

OK trying to sum up Ar12 (and adding some extra ideas). Tell me if I have overlooked something.

Spoiler:

In New Kaaba Heike picks a suitable deposit from a map of known deposits. The one she chooses is to the north-west, a territory that's supposed to be unoccupied. Gensher notes that that's the way deserters were running and insists on sending few scouts ahead, in case they can be around.
Heike is on the road. Abdul calls and says there's a change of plan - some scouts reported enemy activity in the area. Gensher explains that his scouts followed legion troops and discovered American research outpost sitting right on the deposit Heike meant to contaminate. Legion has fortified on top of a hill to the south, covering south and east exits of the valley, cutting off the enemy and securing the way in for vehicles attacking from somwhere in the east. Gensher's intel revealed that the fortifications are mainly pointing at the Americans, and there's little that protects them from the south. Heike has no chance against Americans and Legion with what she's got, and there's no time or room in the area to build another base. Heike chooses to takeover Legion's base, meanwhile Abdul sends her reinforcements and Gensher leads some of the UPF to smoke out the attackers in the west.
Heike arrives at the Legion outpost. It's formerly American so it has primarily American buildings. She takes over the base and captures some prisoners in the process. After some time she receives the reinforcements from Abdul / Gensher. The plan is still to contaminate the siberite deposit in the American base but if Heike attacks while Legion is still around she could be caught in between the Americans and Legion. So she has to wait for Gensher to fend off Legion. In the meantime she ofc researches the contamination tech as well as defend against Legion attackers who aren't too happy about having Heike around. If Heike's defences go too low her prisoners will try to escape and she will have to recapture them before they get away.
Secondary objective: The scientists want data about the contamination process so either a scientist or a remotely controlled radar vehicle must be present in the contaminated area for the full duration of the contamination. This is complicated by attacking Americans (Legion?).
Hm should there be some kind of time limit? Heike is supposed to get out of the way as quickly as possible. It could be in the form of a secondary objective or like after some time endless waves of American reinforcements pour in.
Funny idea with sending troops out of the map to have them reappear somewhere else but I don't think it's necessary. Actually having the hill as wide open as possible would be an advantage because the player wouldn't as easily be able to simply set up remote mines where enemies spawn.

Btw what do you think of my revised version of Ar14 (four posts ago)?

[0dd1]

Siberite implosion appears in arabian forces in Am11, so if it was restricted to Legion it would only be so in arabian campaign, which makes it a little inconsistent. Introducing it in last mission would be the same as invisiblity in American campaign where it becomes available in Am12a and Am15. I'd say implosion in Ar15 is reasonable though not necesarily mandatory.

Ar12:

Spoiler:

- The American hilltop base would have defences pointing south and both entrances of the valley (assuming more or less the given design). Legion attacked from south so these would be partially destroyed. They would have to build extra turrets on the north-western side of the hill, as the Americans wouldn't build turrets facing their own base so there should be a mix of Arabian and American defences.
- Legion should be on the lookout from American reinforcements comming from south. The only reason they would not is if they somehow were convinced that none were comming. For example: Russians harrasing Americans from the south, presumably Gamma base, preventing any force going north. Revealing something like this might put more sense into Heike's takeover.
- It might me worth including 1 or 2 American attacks (like they managed to fight off the Russians for a while) comming at Heike or into the valley, to make it more interesting.
- Comparing secondary objectives with Am13 is again a little repetitive, but not unreasonable given the different circumstances of Arabian research. In parallel with Am13, wouldn't it be more funny if secondary objective were to get the contaminating scientist to the siberite lab before he dies? (and thus collecting data on radiation). Or, why not use living "radars" such as apes to take measurements?
- Who is going to be the head scientist in this mission (in parallel with Stevens/Bystrov)? Paul Khattam is suitable, given that it was mentioned that he worked on EON and the contamination is developed basing on alien aritfact. Only some new replacement for him would be needed if he wasn't accepted by Heike previously.
- I know we disscussed the matter of dying during contamination, but how is it going to look in this case? The ideology of destroing the siberite is one thing, but would anyone really be willing to give up their life for a field test? Would it not be a little absurd if they were drawing straws about this, or do we just add a random scientist just to be killed here? I think this task requires some real dedication, which again has been showed by Khattam. Also, to make it more interesting, I'd suggest making them conclude that there is a high probablilty instead of certainty that they will die.
So as Heike would face the prospect of ordering one of her friends to die, Khattam might step up to take the risk himself.
- I was thinking if it was possible to include mobile control towers as part of attacking force (giving a clear tactical target). Of course, going along with the rest of vehicles, as lapsers do, would make no sense, but they could appear in some remote places of the map, being kept on the move, maybe with some guard, though the map would likely have to be made bigger for it.
- If You really want to highlight Legion having the bombs, why not make that one of secondary objectives? Something like immobilizing or taking over a vehicle with the bomb and maybe dismanling it in factory, as to make a thorough investigation. Like this: timely damaging of a bomb with combustion engine and destruction of any control tower around. A mechanic would empty the tanks immobilizing it, fix it a little and push it up to the factory. It would have to be done fast or after regaining control Legion would push the self destruct button.
- Another advantage of sending people of the map, is that the player would have to prepare a sufficient attacking force as well as defence of the base, if it was to be attacked in the meantime.
- We have considered time limits for 2 other missions (and kind of in Ar13 too). Might be used as a secondary objective, for lack of a better one, but it seems like pushing it.

The Ar14 outline looks good to me so far. I haven't given it more thought yet, except that the target could be Russian bomb research base. Farmer would be interested in aquiring a bomb for himself, so if he wouldn't get a finished one in Ar13 (according to his plan) he might be preparing to raid Russian base once they are finished. Nothing like a definite plan of attack, rather gathering intel about Russian movements and defences and spying for weak points, incase he would see benefit in betraying the Russians or vice versa. That's where legion prisoners come in. They might be briefed on some of Farmer's plans and reveal an important target such as that research base. It could be the one from Am12, but definitely not the same map - how about making Heike aproach from the north, and using the northern bit of Am12 fill the bottom of Ar14? The layout, as You said before, would also include few other bases around, Legion acitvity maybe with a small base of their own. In parallel with other campaigns, would it be fitting to include killing Farmer, same as Gorky and JMM are in other campaigns?

[McBenn]

Ar12:
That's actually a brilliant secondary objective: Capture a siberite implosion vehicle from Legion. That would justify how they learn to build it. If the player doesn't complete the objective implosion vehicles will not be available in Ar15 (and Ar14 I guess?).

Yeah we can throw in a few American attacks in late game, sure. The background story with the Russians harassing the Americans while Legion takes care of the research base fits fine.

Ok ok ok, let's say the scientists recognize the contamination is not that healthy and want to use a remotely controlled vehicle with radar to make the measurements. Risking your life is just silly if you have other means. About the "apemen radars" some could be sufficiently cynical to demand apemen into the area to see the effects of the radiation on animals (Aviradze?).
About the head scientist I already have a new character in mind (a reference to something else ofc ). Khattam is a otherwise candidate but "unstable" in the sense that he isn't necessarily present.

Mobile control towers. Giving the player a reason to step out of the defence. A sound plan. They could appear on hilltops around the map, not necessarily moving around the map but disappearing from on hilltop and appearing on another between Legion attacks.

Another advantage of sending people of the map, is that the player would have to prepare a sufficient attacking force as well as defence of the base, if it was to be attacked in the meantime.

The would probably abandon the base when attacking the Americans anyway. Why keep defending it when you can just take over the American base temporarily and then finish the mission? Having to move out of the base to take out control towers justifies it somewhat.
Edit: Ah ofc, you would have to keep defending the outpost base because there's where the prisoners are. They would run away if noone was around.

Time limit: Hm now that you mention it there would be time limits (explicit or implicit) in all four missions.
In Ar12 you could stick with the "American reinforcements incoming" and just make a one big wave. It's not unrasonable that the Americans would charge in even after their base has fallen simply to prevent possible research results to fall into enemy hands.
Ar13 - argh, time limit. Not really. Not one that the player has to worry about. The mission just ends after a set of waves.


Ar14:
That's maybe even a better layout. It utilizes the prisoners, justifies why there would be bombs and kamikazis (I want it ), and it's still possible to make it a strictly time limited mission which I think would be necessary, not just because it makes story-wise sense (leaving Omar and the remaining Arabs alone on the mountains for too long is risky as well as the risk of Russian reinforcements) but it also makes the "resource gathering" objective challenging. Stopping the Russian research would be the main objective (hm we like to disrupt bomb research eh ) - killing Farmer and otherwise destroying as much as possible would be secondary.

[0dd1]

Ar12:
Having a new top scientist is fine, but would that leave any role for Khattam? He was fairly well introduced and then studdenly removed never to appear again in American campain and I think there is an opportunity to fill that gap. Having him develop and then carry out the first contamination would be a brief but pronounced part. Otherwise it might be a good idea to give him some role to play later on.

I'm not sure You got my meaning regarding the contamination. I wasn't refering to the radiation alone, but that, as far as I know, the scientist who carries out the contamination must die (which rules out no loses medal here and in Ar15), so this mission is sure to kill one of player's characters (killing off a random guy would seem ridiculus from player's perspective). Who is it going to be and how will You go about this?
It does seem like a detail right now, but I think some thougth should really be given here.

About the measurement, using radar is exactly the same as secondary objective of Am11, so I'd say it should be avoided. Recall that other objectives are to keep head scientist alive and have someone take readings and return to the sib lab. Hence my reasoning: it would make kind of a reverse situation, where the scientist is sure to die and the final measuring is only a sideline. By setting this as a secondary objective, I mean't that the scientist doing the contamination (not just anyone wandering into the radiation area) would have to either go across the map, with other healers and stimulants prepared, or have a lab build close to the deposit in order to make it. It could be justified as an effort in countering the lethality or even saving the scientist.

If we have reached general consensus here, does it mean some initial work on it may start now? Do You still want me to help out with doing the mission? If so, the intro, map itself and some general dialogue outline may start to form, next time I have some free time.

Ar14: There's still one thing not accounted for. Previous ideas assumed Heike would somehow take over the leadership. Because there were no additional sheiks introduced to the story it leaves only Gensher's authority over Heike to overrule. Would it not seem like a negligence if Omar simply promoted Heike over Gensher?

[McBenn]

the scientist who carries out the contamination must die

Eh, where did that come from? Ok it could be something like this: When sib decay tech is researched the top scientist tells that they are pretty sure it works but no exactly how. That is, they don't know how violently the deposit will react (slowly decay over time or outright explode). So whoever carries out the contamination may die in the process. Khattam could step in here and volunteer. [Whoever does it doesn't necessarily die because as we know a siberite deposit just decays slowly over time].

Regarding the measurements it may be a repetition of Am13 (although not exactly since the radar must be inside the affected area) but nevertheless fitting. And if we demand the radar must stay inside the contaminated area for the full duration there is time for the Americans to make their counterattack forcing the player to defend both the outpost and the (former) American base.

Ar14:
Hm the easy solution would be to let Gensher get killed either in New Kaaba or New Samarkhand. Otherwise we will have to think of something justifying Heike getting the job and not Gensher (who after all is UPF leader and Ar14 is also about hunting Legion / Farmer).

If we have reached general consensus here, does it mean some initial work on it may start now?

Not yet. Ar14 and Ar15 still need to be more refined and there are still some unresolved questions about Ar12 and Ar13. I have begun compiling a manuscript for the missions but I'm not gonna finish it until tomorrow.

[0dd1]

I dindn't made it up. It's a part of the game - any scientist who finishes the contamination has his health continually decreasing, even when outside the radiation field and long after the deposit is gone. He will only be alive for as long as there are people to continously heal him.
Your outline is more or less what I've been thinking, except if he is going to be saved, some explanation is probably due.

if we demand the radar must stay inside the contaminated area for the full duration there is time for the Americans to make their counterattack forcing the player to defend both the outpost and the (former) American base.

Fair egnough. I still think doing it by focusing on the dying man is more characteristic to the Arabians (and after all, they're not developing a weapon here, so why would they be interested in the radiation, as long as it works and the sib is gone), but that can work too.

Ar14: Can't the two ideas be somehow merged? Why not send two strike teams, Heike and Gensher, and make the plan of attack depending on cooperation between them? Then appearance of Farmer would distract Gensher, and made him get killed or ambushed while trying to do two things at once. If Heike steped up to save the day couldn't that earn her the command?

[McBenn]

I dindn't made it up. It's a part of the game - any scientist who finishes the contamination has his health continually decreasing, even when outside the radiation field and long after the deposit is gone. He will only be alive for as long as there are people to continously heal him.

I did not know this. Omg I feel like a noob But it makes sense in a way. It can be prevented with some SAIL magic but I think this is a fine opportunity to add some drama Forget about the radar. We're going for your idea with getting the contaminating scientist to the siberite lab before he/she dies. It won't save the scientist but complete the secondary objective. I would also like to add a main objective about getting a scientist to the contaminated deposit after it has exploded to confirm there really is no siberite left. Nothing difficult. It's just a story-thing.
Now, who should do it? Khattam, yes, if he is there. Else I'm inclined to let the player pick any character he/she wants.
And there should certainly be some dialogue discussing if this field test is really necessary given it will kill someone. The conclusion is yes, it's the only way to be sure this actually works, and it won't all be for nothing: If it works there will be one siberite deposit less in the world.

About the American counterattack, we can move it a little forward in time making it take place when the player is attacking the American base. Gensher is too preoccupied with Legion to take notice of American movements so this attack will come as a surprise. And now that I think of it, it's actually necessary to achieve the player splitting forces between attacking and defending because after this point Legion will attack no more (Gensher has driven them away).

Btw is "attack area 2" necessary? IIRC Legion also attacks from here. Wouldn't they be more focused on Heike if they have to get past her fortifications to get to the Americans?

Ar14:
Given the information from the Legion prisoners the Arabs know Farmer is (probably) in the area and why he is there. As it doesn't come as a surprise it won't distract Gensher. But knowing that the Arabs have some of his men and therefore probably will come to stop him Farmer could set up an ambush and kill Gensher in the beginning of the mission (during the intro I guess).

I have uploaded the manuscript to bitbucket (the Arabian Campaign repository). It's located in the root folder. Stuff surrounded with square brackets [ ] requires further discussion.

[0dd1]

From the script:
Ar13:

It is shortly mentioned that some Arab bases in the north-western region (Am11) has been attacked by unknown forces (Alliance) (and that artifact 5 was found here recently)

Why would they not recognize American/Russian weapon and soldiers? They could only be puzzled if they saw them working together, but is that even necessary? It kind of spoils the suprise attack on New Kaaba and the artifact 5 could be claimed from there along with Gossudarov.

[Heike must first do some research on the artifact before siberite decay tech is made available?]

Unless there is to be some secondary objective comming from that, I'd say it depends only on balance of the mission: If the player will be busy egnough, defending the base, it may not be needed, otherwise it could be added to prolong the research a little.

[There is an issue with attackers. It would seem a little funny if e.g. Legion attack shortly after some of Heike's units have gone downhill. How did they avoid the attackers?

Couldn't Heike's men be ordered to stay low if they detect anyone comming? That would simply add some delay in their arrival if an atttack came while they were gone.

After dismantling the implosion tech is made available to the player. [The secondary objective only requires dismantling the vehicle, not researching the tech or building an implosion vehicle?]

I assumed the implosion was to be left till later and it should be fine to left it at dismantling. Besides, the player doesn't have an access to a siberite deposit in this mission, so it would have to be scavenged from more Legion vehicles. That could make even for a second medal, if nothing else is devised for that.

[When is it revealed that the Americans are building the bomb?

There wouldn't be such need for Heike to charge at the enemy if there was no bomb produced there. It has to be in the intro.

[If the player is too slow defeating the American base they do build the bomb and fire it at Heike's base?]

Previously I assumed the mission would end in Legion eventually taking over American base, hence the "attack area 2". The reasoning was that is was longer way around, so less likely to be used by Legion, but as Heke is becoming more of an annoyance, they keep sending proggressively increasing forces through there, until the base is overrun. By now that is pretty much outdated so it would be the bombing end.
Alternatively, assuming there is no way into the valley from north or northeast, how about having Legion try to teleport vehicles accross some inaccessible terrain, by few bazookas obtained from Russians? That way staging a suprise attack? Would stoping such (by killing the bazookas) make for a secondary if not a main objective?

[Analysis of these readings leads to the Arabs knowing about the motherlode so I guess it should be a primary objective but what if the player doesn't make the readings before the last wave?

It sounds like it wolud fit better as a secondary objective. If Heike doesn't finish her research, Omar will do it in Ar14 and the final discovery of motherlode location will take longer. It could be mentioned in Ar15 intro and add some fortifications on the final map or affect a time limit if there is to be any.

Ar14:
I keep thinking the target should be something else than research base, because it's so repetitive. How about altering the main theme at least? Not making it an attack but rather a quick heist. Like it's said in Am15 - Kozlov steals the plans (that's assuming he teamed up with Farmer at this point) for Legion. Kozlov's plan could relay on secretly moving teleport exits, tricking the Russians to send something/someone important straight into Legion's hands or creating a back door to the research base.
Heikes and Genshers parts in this could be separated too. Something like: Heike went straight from Ar13 map to Ar14 without withdrawing and handed the prisoners over to Omar. She relied mainly on the info from stolen documents at this point. Later on Gensher finally had the chance to interrogate the prisoners and found out about Farmers plan. This couples the the idea we have been considering before: he sets off to kill Farmer despite objections, partially for revenge (that would mean Abdul was killed by Legion during Alliance attack) and partially because the chain of command had faltered. In game, Gensher would arrive at the map telling Heike to go with him on a manhunt. Having met the same objection as from Omar he moves on himself. After confering with Omar over radio, Heike must go after him and get him out of some ambush or something. The reason for that is the same as again considered before - UPF is their main force and without Gensher to keep the men in line, more people could stop following orders. After that he would agree to follow Heike's lead.

[McBenn]

Why would they not recognize American/Russian weapon and soldiers? They could only be puzzled if they saw them working together, but is that even necessary? It kind of spoils the suprise attack on New Kaaba and the artifact 5 could be claimed from there along with Gossudarov.

Dunno if it spoils the surprise attack, heralds it perhaps. Anyway I'm good with letting noone attack the Arab bases from Am11 and just let Alliance attack New Kaaba to both capture artifact 5 and free Gossudarov. Artifact 5 should just be mentioned somewhere so the player knows Alliance has taken it. It could be as late as when Heike is informed that New Kaaba has fallen.

Unless there is to be some secondary objective comming from that, I'd say it depends only on balance of the mission: If the player will be busy egnough, defending the base, it may not be needed, otherwise it could be added to prolong the research a little.

I have a feeling it might come in handy as a prolonger. Let's keep it in mind.

Couldn't Heike's men be ordered to stay low if they detect anyone comming? That would simply add some delay in their arrival if an atttack came while they were gone.

That works for me.

I assumed the implosion was to be left till later and it should be fine to left it at dismantling. Besides, the player doesn't have an access to a siberite deposit in this mission, so it would have to be scavenged from more Legion vehicles. That could make even for a second medal, if nothing else is devised for that.

Good point considering the player's access to siberite. Legion attacks with remotely and apemen controlled vehicles so you can't take them over (we make some tricks to make it possible to take over the implosion vehicles - for consistency this could ofc be propagated to all remote vehicles). We stick to dismantling.

There wouldn't be such need for Heike to charge at the enemy if there was no bomb produced there. It has to be in the intro.

It does justify it even more (and that UPF is mobilized too).

Previously I assumed the mission would end in Legion eventually taking over American base, hence the "attack area 2". The reasoning was that is was longer way around, so less likely to be used by Legion, but as Heke is becoming more of an annoyance, they keep sending proggressively increasing forces through there, until the base is overrun. By now that is pretty much outdated so it would be the bombing end.

So actually "attack area 2" shouldn't be there? It should just be a wall of rock leaving only the south-eastern and north-eastern entrance into the valley. That way it makes even more sense that the Americans built the outpost to keep anyone from coming into the valley (easier than defending the research base since it's not higher elevated).

Alternatively, assuming there is no way into the valley from north or northeast, how about having Legion try to teleport vehicles accross some inaccessible terrain, by few bazookas obtained from Russians? That way staging a suprise attack? Would stoping such (by killing the bazookas) make for a secondary if not a main objective?

Hehe that sounds interesting How exactly is this gonna work? Drive in from "normal" entrances to the valley and "teleport" up on Heike's hill?
Btw should Legion also attack with bazookers using time+space shifting rockets?

It sounds like it wolud fit better as a secondary objective. If Heike doesn't finish her research, Omar will do it in Ar14 and the final discovery of motherlode location will take longer. It could be mentioned in Ar15 intro and add some fortifications on the final map or affect a time limit if there is to be any.

Sounds fair enough.

Ar14:
So it's like a two-staged mission? In the first part you attack the Russian base(s); in the second part you help Gensher. The incentive for Heike to attack is just some important Russian installation (not necessarily a research base - could be a major factory base)? Does Gensher go for Farmer just because he wants revenge or because the prisoners told about a possible connection to Kozlov? In the last case wouldn't Heike be interested in helping so Farmer wouldn't get the bomb?

PS. I have update the manuscript.