Mission Three
Mission Objective: A downed dropship is located at Op. Able. Eliminate the surrounding forces, capture the dropship and rendezvous with the Mobile Field Base.

Primary Objectives: Secure dropship with Mobile Field Base at Op. Able. Protect dropship from attack at Op. Able.

Secondary Objective: None

Difficulty: Medium

Mech Recommendation: Heavy, but agile, Mech armed with primarily long-range laser and missile weapons.

Bring up Op. Able on the radar screen and begin advancing toward the dropship position. Before you get very far, however, an Avatar Mech powers up ahead. Soon after, two light Strider Mechs appear close behind. A third Strider powers up to the opposite side, usually behind your position. Take out the Avatar first, commanding your lancemates to attack the target. It'll usually come over a hill, making it easy pickings against some long-range weaponry.

After the Avatar has been destroyed, clean up the Striders from the area. With three lancemates at your side, the light Mechs shouldn't pose much of a problem. Once you've cleared the area, you'll probably need repairing at the MFB. Use the start position so you don't venture too far toward Op. Able.

Once you're repaired, resume your course to the dropship. As you near the ship, five Elemental Mechs appear from the right side of the map. Also, three helicopters (again with those frustrating missile salvos) emerge from behind the dropship. Order your lancemates to attack the Elementals (which they'll dispatch quickly and easily) while you set your laser sights on the helicopters. Before calling in the MFB to Op. Able, make sure all helicopters and Elementals are taken out. One the area is clean, call the Mobile Field Base to rendezvous at Op. Able.

Watch out for the Elemental force that comes to defend the dropship.

After the dropship has been secured, the enemy is alerted and not too pleased with the current situation. Two Owens Mechs are dispatched to the left area of the dropship (as if you were facing from Op. Able). These two light Mechs shouldn't pose a huge threat. Command your lancemates to follow and they'll rip through the Owens in no time. After one Owens is destroyed, command two of your lancemates to follow you while you leave one lancemate engaged with the final Owens.

Return to the dropship and head to the right (again, as if you were facing from Op. Able). A far greater threat approaches from this direction - an Orion Mech and two Avatars. Command your lancemates against the oncoming heavier Mechs. Once the last Owens is destroyed, bring that third lancemate into the fray. Pound the Orion and Avatars as much as possible from a distance then surround them with your fellow lancemates. If you're taking too much damage, retreat back, but not to the MFBs. Get out of the area and let your lancemates finish the job. From a safe distance you can also use your long-range lasers to snipe at their legs or heads.

After these final three Mechs are destroyed, the dropship will be secure and the mission ends successfully.

Next: Operation Three, Mission Four