Second Falcon Jaegers Headquarters
New BelfastJade Falcon Occupation Zone
29 March 3052
A furious Marthe Pryde marched over to Dal Pryde, David, and Robert O’Malley as the two prisoners were brought forward. The elementals forced Lisa and Richard to their knees as the Galaxy Commander came to a stop, glaring menacingly at Dal.
"What happened?"
"An attack on our munitions supplies." said David.
"I know that much, freebirth. How did they get past our defenses?"
"They had assistance from rebel elements in the populace.”
Marthe turned to her aide. "Find a village near here of reasonable population and level it. Record it so we may transmit it planet-wide. We will teach these vermin who rules them." Without missing a beat, she turned back to Dal. "Now what? The Swords found our weakness."
"Some supplies survived, but we are in desperate need."
"I am going to reinforce
"It will take them at least five days to travel overland to here from Glasgow." reminded Dal.
"Only a few hours by dropship." retorted Marthe.
"Is it wise to abandon
"You are not making the decisions here, Dal."
"With our supplies limited, it is unwise to place the lion’s share of our forces in one location, particularly one with only one escape route." countered Dal. "We would be besieged, trapped like rats.
"And what then would you have us do?"
"Take our remaining munitions and abandon the city entirely. Take our chances out in the open." said Dal.
"I will not leave the city and its spaceport undefended. Move your Jaegers from the city. Star Captain David, I leave your Eyries to hold the city."
"We will not fail."
"What of these prisoners?" asked Robert somewhat more eagerly than he had hoped.
"They are yours." said Marthe to Dal. "If you wish, make a public spectacle of them when you execute them."
"It is the desire of my subordinate that they be spared."
"It is your decision." said Marthe, emphasizing a single word to remind Dal of who held authority in his cluster. Dal ignored the implication.
Marthe turned and departed. Dal spun to face Robert. "You have your wish. They will be spared. They are yours. If they behave themselves, I will not intervene. If they do not, I will not hesitate to have them put to death. Remember that, Star Captain. I have already made many allowances for you and your erratic behavior. I will not tolerate much more."
Robert walked over and took charge of his brother and former lover.
"What I am doing here?" said Lisa softly, a defeated tone on her voice. "Why are you taking me there?"
"I’m taking you home."
"I’d rather you’d left me to die." Her mind brought up images of what O’Malley could and probably would do to her. She looked back at Richard, who sat in the back seat.
"He'll do nothing for you, Lisa. In his heart, my brother is a coward."
“That’s enough, Robert.” Retorted Richard.
“And what will you do to silence me?” taunted Robert. “As I said before, you’ve bent over backwards to help me before. You’ll not stop now.”
“This is different. You’ve lost your mind.”
Robert laughed evilly. “Have I? I’ve never felt freer.”
“What have they done to you?” lamented Richard.
“Shown me my true self, the one you always tried to make me bury within, the one you and father always tried to hide from the rest of the world. Can’t have Baron O’Malley’s nutcase son causing trouble, making scandals, being an embarrassment. A bribe here to a public official, a few strings pulled, maybe a ticket to Outreach or Galatea, and little Robert is off the hook again.”
"That's enough, Robert." repeated Richard firmly. "I came to take you home. Away from this, away from the Falcons. I want my brother back!"
"Oh, really?" replied Robert incredulously. "Come to rescue me, have you? And if I don’t want to leave? What then?"
Richard did not answer.
"Hah! Hadn't counted on that possibility. I suppose you figure I owe you something for all the times you bailed me out of trouble."
Robert parked the jeep inside the castle courtyard. He turned to his brother. "I owe you nothing. Everything I ever wanted the Falcons have given to me." He grabbed Lisa by the shirt and pulled her close. "Including her."
Lisa tried to ignore him, but his smell, his breath on her cheek was almost too much. “This is it, Joshua. Our worst nightmares realized!”
Robert shoved her back and stepped out of the car. "Come, Lisa." said Robert, reaching his hand out to her.
Lisa took his hand and stepped out of the jeep. To Richard’s surprise, it seemed a willing gesture.
"Lisa?" exclaimed Richard in surprise.
"My fate is sealed." She said despairingly while looking intently at the older O’Malley. Her eyes spoke volumes. He could stop this, they said to him. Richard’s own eyes darted to the ground, avoiding her gaze. He was here for Robert, not for her.
The memory boiled up her anger, casting away the passive acceptance of her fate that had so surprised Richard moments before. "You bastard!" she swore, swinging a hard right at Robert. Robert made no effort to dodge the blow. He staggered back against the wooden door, stunned.
Lisa ran. Robert recovered from her blow and took off after her. "That’s more like it. You were making this too easy." He taunted her. Lisa made to the end of the hall and yanked at the large wooden door there. Robert leaped forward and tackled her, pinning her to the floor.
"You hate me. You want to kill me. Do it! Do it now!" snarled Lisa, the horror of his first rape upon her now driving a growing fear within her. She knew another was coming and at that moment, she meant what she said.
"Oh, no. You ran away. That calls for a greater punishment than that. You aren’t getting out of this one that easily." Lisa closed her eyes as his mouth closed around hers, trying to force her consciousness to some haven in her mind where her imminent fate could not touch her.
Against such an assault, where could anyone hide?
New Belfast
Jade Falcon Occupation Zone
31 March 3052
"Hit them hard and fast." yelled Juan, pulling his inferno launcher into line with the closing Uller. He squeezed the trigger and the missile roared out, exploding white-hot napalm all over the light Clan mech.
Blinded by the inferno hit, the Uller reeled and tried to maintain its balance. It slipped on the ice-covered street and smashed into a small office building. Rebels in fire-protective suits ran up to the stuck mech and slapped satchel charges into its knees. The "fire commandos" turned and fled. The charges exploded, blowing out the mech’s knees and keeping it from moving anywhere.
The
"This is working well." said Daisaku from the top of a nearby building.
"So far so good. The city’s hindering their suppression of the uprising. I’m sure this is pissing someone off." said Malcolm, stroking his heavy sniper rifle. Also with them was Duncan O’Brian, Daniel’s older brother.
"Sebastian’s wanting to make contact with Miranda."
"Kommandant Miranda, Mr. Sebastian would like you to contact him as soon as possible." said Daisaku on his headset radio. Direct communication was not possible with the rebels shoddy equipment and the interference of the buildings.
"Sebastian, eh? Wonder what he wants to whine about now?" said Juan. "Daisaku, have your men finish this one off. I’m going to go talk to our fearless leader."
"Damn. Get me Galaxy Commander Pryde." Said Diane Anu.
"Yes, Star Colonel."
The communicator’s view screen filled with static, which cleared into Dal Pryde’s face.
"Can I help you, Colonel Anu?"
"Do not toy with me, Dal. Where is the Galaxy Commander?"
Dal said nothing and stepped aside. Marthe Pryde stepped forward.
"We have become aware of your situation, Star Colonel. They are just rebels. You should be able to dispose of them on your own."
"Perhaps you would like a real warrior to do your job for you, Diane." said Dal mockingly from the background.
"It is foolish for them to attack us now. If I receive assistance then we can prove this to them."
"That is exactly what they want us to do." said Dal. "I am surprised someone of your limited intelligence managed to obtain your rank and position, Diane." Dal kept using her first name in an attempt to insult her further by refusing to acknowledge her Bloodname, largely as retaliation for her doing the same to him.
"Silence, Star Colonel." snapped Marthe. "The Star Swords raided our munitions three days ago. We know they had rebel help. We have every reason to believe a planetary assault force will touch down here within the week. If we resort our forces now, some of the cities will become vulnerable to attack. The rebels want to tie up our resources further. We do not want to let them do that."
"You gave the 1st Strikers to
"Neg. I reconsidered that option."
"They are still in
"You speak above your station, Star Colonel. Do not test me again. Galaxy command out."
"Now what, Star Colonel?" asked Anu’s aide.
"We deal with it. By ourselves." She responded bitterly.
"Those are dropships. Two Overlord class and a
"Pretty obvious." said Sebastian, his sarcastic tone indicated he interpreted Juan’s answer as haughty.
"To a mechwarrior, of course." said Juan, either oblivious or deliberately trying to grate the former mob boss’s nerves.
"You don’t suppose there’s something we could do about this, is there?"
"They don’t seem to be very well guarded."
"No, I’ve had a patrol watching them for some time. All the mechs they were using to cover their asses have been moved towards the city to help suppress us."
"Attacking their dropships is going to bring fire and brimstone down on our heads." Said Kacey.
“No, I don’t think so.” Said Juan. “They’ve committed their full reserves. If we can keep them tied up somehow…”
“I might have a way.” Said Sebastian.
"You have a plan?" asked Juan/
"Yes, I do." said Sebastian. "You expected otherwise?"
Juan looked at the hand-written draft that Sebastian handed him. "We’re going to need a mech."
New
Jade Falcon Occupation Zone
31 March 3052
"Enemy contact. Four warships. A Black Lion and three Aegis class." cried the Star Swords helmsman just as the Star Sword emerged at the lagrange point.
"Ambush!" swore Mechlanthon. "We are trapped."
"Open fire! Concentrate fire on the Black Lion. Prepare for a 3G acceleration. Red alert." barked Joshua, gripping the arms of his command chair.
The massive naval gauss rifles on the Star Sword fired their luminous shells, the shots slamming the Black Lion across the side. Devastated by the Star Sword’s broadside, the Black Lion began to drift away from the circle.
"Once more into the breech. Fire the engines." said Joshua. "Get us out of here."
"Aye, General."
The massive ion engines on the Star Sword roared to life. Joshua felt himself pressed back into his seat as his weight increased to 300% normal by the ship’s acceleration. Although easily capable of such a fast speed, it was not comfortable at all on its crew.
"Alert, the Aegis are firing."
Naval autocannon and particle cannon flashed across the depths of space towards the Star Sword. Nearly half hit home, jarring the Star Sword off course. Joshua and most of the bridge crew were thrown from their seats. Joshua slammed against the helm and staggered back. Joshua floated away, rubbing his ribs and noting that the acceleration was gone.
"Damage report." he barked.
"Ion engine failure. We’ve got station keeping thrusters only. Casualty reports are coming in from every deck."
"Damn. We need those engines. Return fire. Engineering, how long till we have main engines back online?"
"At least ten minutes, sir." came a voice from the comm panel. "Assuming we take no further damage."
"We’re dead in the water." said Joshua.
"Aegis classes are closing for the kill."
"Return fire. All batteries. Keep them off of us." barked Mechlanthon.
Frustrated, Joshua slammed his fist against his chair. "It can’t end here."
"The jump drive is still intact." said Mechlanthon. "We can retreat."
Joshua’s face lit up as an idea hit him. "Helm, gravity well status of our present position?"
"Null." responded the helmsman. "We're still within the LaGrange point."
"Place the New Belfast system on the monitor. Gravitic scan." After the system map showed up on the screen, "Helmsman, calculate a hyperspace jump to place us at LaGrange L-3."
"You plan to jump to another pirate point?” questioned Mechlanthon. "Short distance jump? That's suicide."
"We can do that or retreat. We won’t get another shot at this."
"This is highly risky. As your aide, I must advise against this. We must withdraw."
"Lisa’s on that planet. I won’t leave her."
"She knew what she was getting into when she volunteered for her mission. They all did." reminded Mechlanthon.
"And they were counting on us. I will not let them down." Joshua looked back at Mechlanthon. "Honor." he said. Mechlanthon nodded in understanding and did not say anything more.
"Calculations made. We must jump on my mark. Countdown 10...9..."
"Distance to Aegis."
"...8....7....6..."
"25 kilometers. She’s too close."
"5...4...3...2..."
"All aft batteries fire!" said Joshua.
"...1....Mark!"
"Sir, I’m detecting an infra-red surge. They are making a hyperspace jump."
"The cowards are retreating." said Von Jackmon.
Suddenly, a massive barrage of gauss rifle and autocannon fire, along with lasers and PPC, flashed from the rear of the Swords’s Nightlord. The lasers struck first, slashing through the front armor of the vessel, followed by the PPC strikes. Finally came the autocannon and gauss shells.
The explosions ripped through the nose of the Aegis, Explosions flashed from beneath armor plating as the massive barrage penetrated into the central hull of the Falcon ship. Still moving forward, the Red Talon ceased firing and accelerating as the Star Sword began to shimmer out of sight.
The Star Sword’s jump field shot out, enveloping the crippled Red Talon. The Nightlord class warship vanished into jump space, leaving the blazing debris of the Red Talon behind, the mauled hulk of the Clan ship torn apart by the transcosmic stresses of an unexpected hyperspace jump.
Joshua felt ill as the sensations of the hyperspace jump tore at his senses. The sensation passed after a moment. To his great relief, he found himself still alive and on the bridge of his ship.
"Status." he barked.
"Jump successful. No enemy vessels detected." There was a pause. "It won’t take them long to find us. We only traveled about 1 AU.”
"Engineering. You've got your ten minutes. Get those main thrusters working. Prepare to deploy dropships." Joshua sat down in his command chair.
"You're not heading for your dropship?" queried Mechlanthon.
"I'll stay with the sinking ship for now, Star Colonel. Go, get to your mech. I'll join you shortly."
New Belfast
Jade Falcon Occupation Zone, Federated Commonwealth
31 March 3052
"White Aegis reports Star Sword jumped out of the system."
"They ran?" said Dal Pryde in confusion.
"I do not believe it." said Robert. "Are you certain?"
Star Commander Breetai shook his head in confusion. "Their jump cone destroyed the Red Talon, although one final barrage into the 305th’s warship’s forward section may have crippled that vessel before the jump. We have no other reports of contacts in-system."
"Hah! We scared them off." said Dal. "It appears that Messer no longer has the stomach for war without his woman and friends."
An aide came running up to Star Commander Breetai. Out of breath, the poor fellow had a look of pure panic on his face.
"What is it, Aide Geoffrey?"
"Dropships inbound, sir."
Dal’s eyes grew wide with shock and surprise. "H...How?"
"An inter-system jump." reported Breetai. “The Star Sword simply jumped from one point to another.”
Robert grinned. "He is quite resourceful, quiaff?"
New Belfast
Jade Falcon Occupation Zone, Federated Commonwealth
2 April 3052 (Day 1 of the New
"Richard!" cried Robert. "Richard, where are you?"
"Here, Robert." responded Richard. He was sitting quietly in the bedroom, watching Lisa. Lisa was not moving, but she was not asleep. She simply stared upward with a catatonic look. Nude, Robert had chained her to the bed by a dog’s leash.
"Is this all that matters to you?" Richard said in disgust.
“I take it you did not appreciate watching.” Said Robert. “Am I to now receive another slap on the wrist from my big brother? Spare me. I've better things to do than listen to you preach to me."
"You were never this bad before. I remember a time when you could control it." said Richard. "I need to take you away from this. Get you some help."
"I don't need help." snarled Robert. "Not yours. Not anyone's." He turned to Lisa. "She asked for this!" snarled Robert, yanking Lisa to her feet. "She betrayed me! Left me like they all do!" He yanked on the leash again, causing Lisa to cry out. "She did this to me!"
"You’re not thinking rationally."
"And I suppose you're the sane one. The good brother as opposed to me as the evil one. Let's not forget how many rapes you covered up for me. All for the sake of 'family.' That's why you're here, Richard, isn't it? To bring me back? Make us all one nice happy O'Malley family again, with father the Baron, you the spy, me the mechwarrior, and sis the logistics officer. All happy and loyal to the Highlander cause. Too bad it's a lie. It always was." Robert sneered at his brother. "How far will you go, Richard, to see it become real? Huh? You never stopped me before. And you won't now."
"Somewhere inside you, Robert, is my real brother. All this hate hasn't driven it completely out of you."
“That’s where you’re wrong, Richard.” Robert stabbed his chest with his thumb. “This is your real brother. You had best get used to it. Get your things. We are leaving.”
"Why?"
"The Swords are making a landing northwest of the city. The Star Colonel does not want us trapped within."
"The Star Swords? They are here?"
"They have already landed forces outside of
Richard smiled. “Right on time.”
"We thought they’d retreated out of the system when they jumped away from our ambush at the lunar LaGrange point. Turns out they jumped to another pirate point and launched their dropships. They got a battalion burning in on
“Give her some dignity, for Christ’s sake.” Said Richard. He fetched a robe and put it over her shoulders.
“I hope you’ll lose this pointless sympathy for her.” Snarled Robert at his brother’s defiance. “Now follow me.”
Robert’s Stone Rhino sat outside the castle walls. He directed Richard towards a nearby transport helicopter, and handed Lisa’s leash to him. Robert kissed her forcefully and then shoved her into Richard’s arms. He ran over to his mech and began climbing the ladder.
Richard looked into Lisa’s eyes. Behind them, he saw nothing but cold despair. “I’m…I’m sorry.” He led her aboard the helicopter.
Robert watched the chopper take off and beyond it he could see the white smoke trails of a descending dropship. The Star Swords had landed.
New Belfast
Jade Falcon Occupation Zone
2 April 3052 (Day 1 of the New
The mechs of the Star Sword’s 1st Battalion cleared the southernmost peaks of the mountains lining
“No need to tax ourselves here. We’ve got them outnumbered and outgunned.” Said Joshua to his soldiers. Joshua worked the control sticks of Galileo, his old Shadow Hawk, somewhat gingerly. His Ryoken had not survived the beating it had taken on Donegal.
“We may outgun them, but you don’t, sir.” Said Ryan. “We’ll try to salvage you a new Ryoken before this is over.”
“I can fight just fine in this machine.” Replied Joshua. “Go to it.”
Ryan marched his Mad Cat forward, firing a PPC blast at the lead Eyrie mech. It struck a Clan Marauder IIc, drawing first blood. Beside him, Amanda let slip a barrage of LRMs, then a double tap of from her mech’s right arm autocannon. Joshua popped off a single PPC shot at it as he ran past.
Mechlanthon hit his Grendel’s jump jets and rushed to engage an emerging Warhammer IIc. Ten LRMs from his shoulder mounted launcher, shredding armor from the massive assault mech. Behind him, Ryan cut loose with 30 more LRMs, finishing the Marauder. Without losing a beat, he switched targets, pumping two PPCs into a running Shadow Hawk IIc.
"Two kills in less than a minute? I thought I told you restraint." Said Joshua, moving up.
"They’ll live." said Ryan with a sly smile.
Joshua loosed a PPC bolt into a Kraken. Beside him, a Swords Black Hawk pumped six medium laser shots into the 100 ton mech. With an advanced targeting computer, the mech’s pilot easily stripped the armor from the center of the mech’s chest.
"He’s yours. Where’s their commander?"
"We’re hitting them pretty hard. They’re withdrawing into the city."
"I won’t fight them in the streets if I can help it. Take them down. Take them down now."
"So much for restraint." commented Ryan, blasting away a Hellhound medium mech.
"Joshua, I’ve got a small handful of mechs trying to withdraw to the northeastern part of the city."
"There’s no way out that way. Just a sheer cliff leading down to the sea."
"I’ve got reports of naval transports off-shore."
"So that’s how they’re going to get out. Dirty Dozen company, move to intercept them."
"Roger that, Joshua."
"Mechlanthon, assume command of Beta and Delta companies. I’m going with Ryan."
"Aff, General."
Five enemy mechs were north of the city, within one kilometer of the sheer cliff face. Ryan triggered an LRM volley, blasting through the light armor of a Jenner IIc. Sensing the danger of this new threat, Star Captain David fired his jump jets. His Rifleman shot over the side of the cliff, falling fast toward the deck of a freighter in the seas below.
He triggered his jump jets at the last minute to break his fall, landing on the deck hard, but not so hard as to severely damage his mech. Joshua triggered a laser volley at him, scoring the deck of the ship at his feet. David responded by firing his four lasers into the cliff at Joshua’s feet. Joshua backpedaled as the rocks collapsed, narrowly escaping being caught in the landslide.
The last three Jade Falcon mechs also fired their jump jets. Amanda ripped an autocannon burst across the legs and lower back of a Hellhound. The shells smashed shut the mech’s jump jet ports, causing the mech to spin out of control. It smashed into the bow of the ship and exploded. The other two landed safely.
"Let them go. We’ll finish up the rest." said Joshua, turning away.
New Belfast
Jade Falcon Occupation Zone
3 April 3052 (Day 2 of the New
The midnight moon rolled across the sky as Joshua marched Galileo onto the tarmac. A blast crater nearly a meter deep sat in the ferrocrete. "Lisa’s team must have been successful. Takes a lot to mar ferrocrete. There must have been a few hundred tons of munitions there." said Joshua aloud to no one in particular.
"General, all stations report secure. We have control of
"Any Falcon mechs left?"
"I’ve got patrols searching the city for any stragglers. We should be rid of them by dawn."
"The Clan commander was hardly an original thinker, quiaff?"
"Gyrfalcon Eyrie. These were the amateurs of the Falcons."
"And the destroyers of New Vision, if you’ll remember."
"We are avenged for that now." said Ryan, climbing down the leg of his mech to join Joshua on the ground.
"I figured Pryde would be here."
“He’s a snake. He’ll hide in his den until the others have had their fun with us. Just like Garrison.” Said Ryan. “Aerial recon has located his cluster sitting nice and pretty about 200 klicks north of here."
“So we know where his den is. He’s making his position obvious for a reason. He wants us to come to him."
“On open ground where the advantage is his. He knows how tough it is to dislodge us when we don’t want to move. Another lesson from Garrison."
"Anyway, let’s set up shop.” Said Joshua. “I’d like a command center set up in
"I’ll get right on it." Said Ryan. “Oh, you may want to double-check among the machines we salvaged. I think we might have a present for you.”
“Found me that Ryoken, did you?”
“I believe so.”
"We’ve not dropped a force there yet." said Joshua surprised. "4th Battalion is under repair and won’t land for another few days."
"I’ll try to get a direct communication from
Ryan’s eyes lit up with surprise. "Sir, it appears there is also some trouble aboard the Star Sword."
Joshua gained a frightened look. "The Sword made planetary orbit five hours ago. What could it be?" He moved to a nearby communications console. "I’ll use this console here. Patch me through."
The vidscreen filled with static that soon cleared to show the face of the acting skipper of the Star Sword.
"Leftenant Austin, what seems to be the problem?"
"This is a little hard to explain. It seems we picked up some stowaways on Pandora before we left."
"Stowaways? Excuse me."
"Perhaps I should show you who they are."
"Oh, my God." said Joshua, placing his head in his hands. "Your grace, what are you doing?"
"I wanted to be one of the first to step onto a free New Belfast. I pulled some strings and managed to smuggle myself aboard."
"Smuggle? What strings?"
"Don’t hold it against her, General. I know I acted improperly."
"Sir, you realize how close you came to getting your entire family killed." said Joshua. "We were ambushed when we entered the system."
"I wanted to take the same risks as my daughters. We all did. This is our home too, General. My people are helping you fight for its freedom. It’s only fitting that their leader join them in taking the risk."
"You are a brave man. Or perhaps foolish. You’re no warrior. It’s still dangerous here. I’ll have to detain you aboard the Star Sword."
"But......"
"The instant the last Clanner is booted off you’ll be the first to know. I promise. Now please be cooperative. Leftenant, assign them some guest rooms and keep an eye on them."
"Aye, General. Star Sword out."
"New
"I’ve got
Joshua sighed. "Patch me over." The monitor came to life and James Sebastian’s face appeared.
"I should have known. Mr. James Sebastian, isn’t it?"
"What can I do you for, General?" joked Sebastian.
"What the hell’s going on up there?"
"We decided to throw a party for you. We’re giving the 5th Battle Cluster a hard time."
"Who’s with you? Just your rebels?"
"Nay. I’ve got your strike team with me."
"Who?"
"Majors Miranda and Hayakusora. Lady Miranda MacLeod. Several of those giant infantrymen. Sorry, I don’t remember their names."
"Lisa?"
"I’m sorry, General, but no. She was lost during the raid." Sebastian paused. “I hate to be the bearer of bad news.”
Joshua looked crestfallen. "Keep me updated, Sebastian.” He said quietly. “I’m dropping mechs on you on the April 5. Hold out until then if you can."
"We’ll try.
Ryan walked over as Joshua signed off. He had overheard. Joshua sat there for several minutes, saying nothing. "If you need me, I’ll be in the East tower." he finally said, getting up and walking out the door.
New Belfast
Jade Falcon Occupation Zone
4 April 3052 (Day 2 of the New
Ryan Smith dreaded seeing Joshua at this time. He marched up the winding stairs of the East tower to the top. Joshua had been up there all night long. Ryan stepped onto the top level of the tower and was taken back by the view. Straight ahead was the vast
"Good morning, Ryan." said Joshua quietly.
"Joshua, are you alright?"
"I’m fine." He paused. "I don’t think I have any more tears left." For a brief moment, he smiled as a memory came to mind. "Gwen used to say something like that. Now I know what she meant. I’ve lost them both, Ryan. Gwen, Lisa, they’re both gone. I thought I’d never have to feel this way again. Show’s you how much I know."
"We've no proof that she’s dead." reminded Ryan. “All Sebastian said was that she was lost. She might have been taken prisoner.”
"The sad thing is, I actually hope she's dead. Because if Robert got a hold of her...." He let his voice trail off.
"There's only one way to resolve this. Come on. Let's see if we can find some clues."
New Belfast
Jade Falcon Occupation Zone
4 April 3052 (Day 2 of the New
Joshua walked a wide circle around the wreckage of a battlemech. They, that is he, Ryan, Erik, and Amanda, had been at his for several hours. Searching the city street by street was slow work, but it had proven fruitful. They had discovered a wrecked Fenris Omnimech with an almost intact Caesar behind it.
"That’s definitely Richard’s machine." said Ryan. "Looks like he surrendered."
Amanda peaked out of the Caesar’s cockpit. "It’s an intact machine. No serious damage. He appears to have shut it down willingly."
"He surrendered." said Joshua. "Why?"
"He and Lisa got trapped." suggested Erik. "This Fenris looks like hers, but with the carbon scoring on the surface, it’s hard to confirm it is indeed Pen-Y-Cat."
"I don’t see much point in this." said Amanda. "Do you really want to know how she died?" She dropped down and joined the others beside the Fenris.
"Ryan's right. I need to know." said Joshua. His mood changed dramatically when they found the wreckage.
"There's armor fragments further down the street, probably shot off of whatever she was fighting."
"Whatever it was, Richard didn't bother to fight it as well. Or it didn’t bother to fight him." said Joshua. "He'd have some battle damage if he did."
"Are you implying something?" asked Erik.
"Only the very reason I really didn’t want Lisa to go.” Said Joshua angrily. “I always felt that when it came down to this moment, Richard would not have the stomach to do what he had promised to do. I'll bet real money those fragments down the street are off of a Behemoth. Robert’s Behemoth."
“Richard betrayed us?”
Joshua slumped. "This is worse than learning she's dead."
"We haven’t checked the cockpit." reminded Ryan.
"If she is dead, then she’s probably still inside." said Amanda grimly. “I’ll look. You don’t need to see that, sir.”
"She's not there." said Joshua with a grim confidence. "Robert has her."
“Then she’s alive. And with him.”
Joshua nodded. “Time to draw up some battle plans.” He said defiantly. “I know my wife. She’ll fight as long as she can. But I’m not leaving her with that monster any longer than I have to. Assemble the commanders. We’re going after the Jaegers.”
New Belfast
Jade Falcon Occupation Zone
5 April 3052 (Day 5 of the New
Hauptmann Donald O’Brian scanned the horizon with his binoculars. The landing of his forces had gone largely unhindered. A handful of Clan aerospace fighters had tried to attack 4th battalion’s dropship, but failed to get through the Star Sword fighter screen.
"Where are they?" he muttered to himself.
Sergeant Major Michael Wallace walked up beside him. "Our aerial recon of the city just came in."
"Report."
"Aerial recon shows that several sections of
"I thought I saw smoke coming from the city."
"One report spotted heavy fighting in this neighborhood." Wallace pointed to a map.
"We attack now. If the rebellion is as bad as these aerial photos show it to be, then the Clan force here is in total confusion. Time to capitalize on that."
"Aye, Hauptmann."
"We set out within the hour."
"Damn these rebels." she swore.
"Star Colonel, perimeter patrols report first contact with the Star Sword battalion. They are attacking the city."
"Finally, an enemy I can sink my teeth into. Send Alpha Trinary to repel invaders. And follow me."
"Star Colonel, our forces are dangerously depleted. We do not have enough firepower to repel the new attackers."
"What is our unit status at present?"
"We have 8 mechs and 7 points of elementals fully functional. The enemy boasts 40 mechs and 10 points of elementals."
"Begin a fighting withdrawal to the dropships. We cannot afford to be trapped in the city."
“We are retreating?” said the other mechwarrior in disbelief.
“Aff. They have won this round.”
Diane marched her mech to the head of her star and they ran to the edge of the city. The remnants of Alpha Trinary had already arrived and a pitched battle was taking place.
"Time to die, Star Sword." said Diane, locking onto a nearby Star Sword’s Ryoken. She fired, sending a spray of missiles as well as PPC and autocannon fire into the smaller mech. It staggered and turned to face the new threat.
Miranda MacLeod forced her mech to stay upright against the barrage of fire from Diane Anu’s Thor. She overheard Star Colonel Anu’s next message. "5th
Miranda spotted a townhouse and darted behind it to avoid the next shot from the Thor. "Coward! You cannot run from
"Surprise!" said Miranda with a grin, firing a barrage of lasers into her startled opponent. Even with almost a dozen extra freezers, the heat from the weapons washed through the cockpit. The blast had hit home and the Thor staggered to one side, crashing into a building.
"Now, you’re mine." Miranda silently wished her weapons would recycle faster, although if they did she really would cook herself. She marched up to the Thor as it struggled to regain its footing.
Diane fired her jump jets from a squat position, rocketing her mech upward. A risky maneuver for even the most skilled of pilots, Diane nearly succeeded in slamming her mech into the opposite building at top speed. Miranda squeezed off a quick shot with the one laser that had cycled back to active. It tore an ugly scar across the Thor’s foot as the larger mech roared away.
"Miranda, beside you!" cried out Michael Wallace, who was fighting a few blocks over. His enhanced Beagle sensor system on his Loki allowed him to see the location of every mech on the battlefield. Miranda twisted to see an Uller marching up a side street towards her. She twisted and fired. The Uller let out a barrage of fire at the same time. Autocannon shells tore across her Ryoken’s flank, breaching the armor there and destroying several heat sinks. Laser fire inched its way up her right leg and a spray of missiles dug four large chunks out of her chest armor.
Her barrage vaporized nearly all the armor on the Uller. One of her lasers snapped the Uller’s right arm off at the elbow, sending the limb, with its weapons, spinning back into a department store. Despite the damage, the small mech kept coming.
"You are unwise to lower your guard." said Anu, rushing down the same street from the other direction at Miranda. She was pinned between two enemies and with the Clanners using combined fire now, there was nothing stopping both mechs from blasting her into dust.
Anu fired her autocannon, sending a hail of explosive clusters at the battered Ryoken. The shells slammed against Miranda’s mech’s beaten body. Miranda expected the worst as the shells inched their way up the chest of the mech. Then the cannon stopped firing suddenly.
"Out of ammo?" asked Miranda slyly.
"My PPC does not require it, fool!" A PPC shot launched out of the other arm, slamming into the upper torso of the Ryoken. An electrical discharge struck her cockpit, shattering a monitor. Shrapnel and sparks flew through the cockpit, one knife-sized piece struck her shoulder and pinned her to her seat. Blood sprayed everywhere as Miranda spasmed in agony.
Anu let loose again with her PPC and also her missile launcher. The PPC melted the armor on the Ryoken’s left arm and boiled through into the myomer musculature underneath. Missiles smashed armor into powder and knocked her mech back into an apartment building. The 55 ton monster crashed through the brick wall like it was paper, sending debris crashing down on top of the Ryoken.
The Uller moved up. "This one is mine, Mechwarrior. Withdraw for repairs." ordered Anu to its pilot.
"Yes, Star Colonel."
Miranda’s eyes fluttered open. She could taste blood in her mouth and she realized she must have bit her tongue while her mech was being knocked around like a rag doll. Her left shoulder felt like fire and she couldn’t move that arm. She saw the blood flowing down it from her shoulder wound. A brick fell off the building and bounced off the bent frame of her shattered viewscreen. It knocked a slip of paper loose, which gently floated down into Miranda’s lap.
She looked up and saw the Thor closing for the kill. She picked up the sheet of paper and turned it over. It was a photograph of her family: Manuel, Jameson, herself, and her baby girl. Miranda closed her eyes and felt the tears run down her face.
"I will not leave my children parentless." she swore and she slammed her feet down onto the pedals. Her mech strained forward, ripping out more of the building as it came to its feet.
Anu didn’t hesitate when she saw her prey still kicking. Another PPC blast slammed into the Ryoken, blowing off the nearly destroyed left arm. The blow was too much for the damaged Ryoken, which stumbled backwards down the street. Miranda, unable to resist the pain any longer, blacked out.
"You have courage, freebirth, I will give you that." muttered Anu, oblivious to Miranda’s condition. "But it cannot save you now."
A damaged Jade Falcon Black Hawk turned the corner and closed to the rear of Miranda’s mech. "This one is mine, Mechwarrior. Choose another target."
"Sure thing." said the Black Hawk pilot nonchalantly. He dropped his arm and fired six medium lasers...into Diane Anu’s Thor.
Shocked, Diane realized her mistake. The Black Hawk was another rebel mech, captured by their infantry. She hadn’t noticed that the Falcon insignia had been spray painted off until too late. She backed away, hoping to put some distance between her and the nearly intact rebel. Behind her she saw Falcon mech after Falcon mech falling back. Curious, she fired her jump jets. The Black Hawk did not give chase to her surprise.
Diane touched down on top of a heavy parking garage. This section of city had almost been completely leveled to rubble. Her mechs were withdrawing all right, being pushed back by a combined rebel and Star Sword force. She hoped they’d managed to damage the Sword battalion somewhat.
"All 5th
"Don’t try to move. I just finished dressing your wound." The voice was familiar, but who? She tried to look to her side, trying to see her medic, but felt a sharp pain shoot through her neck. She looked back. She saw her mech, what was left of it, standing on the sidewalk nearby, a trail of blood leading from it to her. Beside it was a Black Hawk in Jade Falcon urban camouflage, its Falcon emblem covered with red spray paint.
"Where am I?"
"Fifth and
Her name. Whoever it was knew her. "Who?"
A shadow moved across her face and she looked up to see who it was. "D...Daisaku?"
"I’m here." He took her in hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.
"How…how went the battle?"
“Very well. Rest for now.”
Juan Miranda walked up. “How is she?”
“She’ll be fine.” He said.
"The 5th
"Good. I’m going to assume command of 4th Battalion and take the fight to the 5th
“Sounds like…a good plan.” Said Miranda, fighting for consciousness.
Daisaku turned back to her. “You’ll hear about everything later. An ambulance should be here shortly. You just be quiet and rest." He leaned over and kissed her on the cheek.
Daisaku walked inside, rubbing the back of his neck. Up until now, he hadn’t really realized how tired he was. Inside were Wallace and O’Brian. Also present were a couple of Fourth Battalion’s company commanders and Kacey, Sebastian’s assistant and current romantic interest.
"Effective immediately, I am assuming command of 4th Battalion."
"Where is Miranda?" asked Wallace.
"Which one? Last name or first name?" said Daisaku, trying to crack a joke to lighten the mood.. "Miranda MacLeod will be alright. The wound is not as serious as it could have been. She just lost a lot of blood, that’s all. As for Juan Miranda, he’s busy with another project. I’ll be commanding our forces in the field."
"Another project?"
"You’ll find out soon enough, Hauptmann. Trust me."
"If you hadn’t shown up..." said Wallace, "Hate to lose another of the good Duke’s daughters."
“Let’s not dwell on that now.” Daisaku missed Lisa terribly, but he was surprised to discover how worried he was for her sister as well.
"Enough of the small talk." demanded Donald. "Where’s Kommandant Juan Miranda and what is he up to?"
“As you were, Hauptmann.” Snapped Daisaku. “At this point, I’ll turn the briefing over to Kacey here.”
Kacey nodded. "We’ve got a little trap set for Star Colonel Anu and her 5th
"What do you have in mind?" said Hauptmann Meyers, commander of 4th Battalions’ Gamma company.
"Right now, the 5th
"Only to come back later, fully repaired and reinforced."
"Hard to repair and reinforce when you have no extra supplies or munitions." said Kacey. "Your boys’ mission was successful......with a little help." She slapped Daisaku on the back for emphasis.
"Besides, we have another little surprise waiting for them outside the city. They need our battalion to push them out there." said Daisaku.
"Understood, sir. Give us a few more hours to repair and we’ll flush your Clanners for you."
"Thanks."
"And sir, since we’re not in the field, I’m ordering you to get some rest." said Wallace.
"Getting delusions of grandeur, eh, Wallace?"
"You can court martial me later, sir. Right now, I think we’d all rather have you at full fighting capacity. That means getting some sleep."
"He’s right, Daisaku. You haven’t slept in over forty eight hours. Go stay with Miranda." said Kacey. "I’ll take over from here."
New Belfast
Jade Falcon Occupation Zone
5 April 3052 (Day 5 of the New
"The latest report has the 5th
“Not going to be much left of that city at this rate.” Said Robert. “Too bad.” He said insincerely.
David was standing nearby, looking down at O’Malley’s cot. Lying within it, bound with a fearful look in her eyes was Lisa. "Broken her in yet, Robert?"
Robert ignored him. "So what now?"
"We prepare for an attack. Tomorrow, we will trap the Star Swords within
"Headhunters?"
"Aff." Pryde looked over at David, who was stroking Lisa’s bare arm in a mocking pantomime of Robert. "Enjoy your isola today. Tomorrow, I will need you in battle."
"As you wish, Star Colonel." Said Robert with enthusiasm. With that, Star Colonel Pryde turned to leave. A quick snap of his fingers brought David over to him and they departed together.
"He seems to like Lisa too." said Richard, who has been sitting quietly in another part of the tent. “Or is it that they relish what they’ve turned you into?”
“David and I have had a close working relationship, and yes, he did encourage my acceptance of my true self.”
“Why do you keep telling yourself that?”
“Why do you refuse to believe it, brother dear? Now since you prefer not to watch, go and ready my mech.”
Richard paused and seemed ready to restart their argument, but instead he spoke. "Fine.”
"At least in regards to some things, you learn quickly."
Richard departed and Robert moved over to the cot, disrobed to begin his foul task again. Lisa had largely stopped trying to resist him days ago, but now retreated within herself, trying to cling to the hope that it would all end soon. As he violated her again, she reached up to grasp the dog leash that had held her captive since her being given to Robert. She struck on an idea.
Taken completely off-guard, Robert gurgled helplessly. Lisa was out of reach, so he grasped at her futilely. Robert moved forward himself, giving him a moment of slack where he gasped for breath. He snatched at her again, but Lisa darted behind the cot, trying to wrap the leash around a support pole. Robert clenched at the chain as it bit into his neck.
“You thought me broken. Now in a few seconds, I will be rid of you forever." Taunted Lisa, fury in her voice.
A flash of crimson light and the loud sound of superheated air popping filled the room. Lisa fell back, the leash snapped in two and smoking. Standing in the door, holding a laser pistol, was Richard.
Robert staggered to his feet, gasping for air, yanking off the chain.
“How…how could you?” stammered Lisa in shock and despair.
Richard said nothing. As Robert regained his composure, Lisa started to run for the door of the tent. Richard darted into her path. With all her strength, she brought her foot up into Richard's crotch.
Richard let out a yelp and dropped to the floor. She was about to leap over him when an overhanded punch from Robert knocked her down. Robert pounced on her as she fought against him. She hit and kicked at him until Richard crawled over and grabbed her hands to keep her still.
"Damn you. I could have been free." she snarled at Richard. “Why did you stop me?”
"I won't let you hurt my brother."
"He's not your brother. He's a demon." snarled Lisa as Robert yanked her to her feet. "Why can't you see that? You see what he does to me." A violent slap across her face from Robert silenced her.
“Not so broken indeed.” Said Robert. “Seems we’ll have to fix that.” He turned to his brother. "Richard, find me some new bindings." As his brother departed, he turned back to Lisa with a diabolic grin. "As for you, you should take a lesson from Richard. He knows his place. You, on the other hand, still haven’t learned who you belong to yet, have you? Well, Lisa, I will teach you and I will continue to teach you until you understand. School is about to be in session."
Next Chapter
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