Jade Falcon Occupation Zone
15 March 3052
Four huge Aegis cruisers orbited the tiny green ball known as New Belfast. From the bridge of the Frost Falcon, Star Colonel Dal Pryde, Star Captain Robert O’Malley, and Galaxy Commander Marthe Pryde all conspired together.
"General Messer seems to like non-standard jump points." explained Star Colonel Pryde. "He is most likely to jump into the system at one of these two LaGrange points." Dal indicated with a laser pointer at two points on a three dimensional map of the New Belfast system.
"This one only places him a day out from the planet. It is probably his most likely entry point. I think we should cover it with three of our Aegis warships. With that much firepower, we can blast Messer and those accursed Star Swords into space dust without them ever touching the planet’s surface. Even the Emerald Hawk can’t stand up to that much firepower.”
Commander Pryde shook her head. "I do not like the idea of destroying one of our Nightlord warships. It is too valuable to simply blow up in a space battle. Is there any way we could board her and try to take her intact?"
"That would be very dangerous, but it might be possible. It makes sense that we should regain our prized warship. I fear for the success of an operation to take the ship. Messer has recently learned the value of the elemental soldier. He will be well-equipped to repel any boarders we send."
"It would be playing by his rules." Added Robert. "He stole the Emerald Hawk in that fashion in the first place."
Dal interjected. "True. Playing by his rules tends to be a generally fatal mistake on our part when dealing with our Not-named friend. With our technology in his hands and his tactics, he has an annoying habit of turning even the most minor advantage into something he can exploit for victory."
"As I recall, Garrison was hardly a victory for him." said Marthe mockingly.
"You would not be in command of this galaxy if not for that battle." reminded Dal.
"We went to Garrison with every intention of destroying him utterly." said Robert. "Despite out numerical superiority, he took advantage of our bidding system to force our hand into reducing our numbers too low. He found a weakness in what we chose to bid away and went right for it. Our lack of aerospace cost us our chance. Yes, we hurt him and yes, he did run, but it was certainly not the total defeat we meant to give him."
"Are you questioning our way, freebirth?" snarled Marthe at him.
"Do you doubt his assessment, Commander?" said Dal. "The bidding system is not what is in question. It is how our clusters chose to bid. They sacrificed their aerospace assets, either ignoring or forgetting the fighter complement of the Emerald Hawk at its capture. The Star Swords found the weak link in the chain and they knew exactly where and how to hit us."
“Part of that was your own doing.” Reminded Marthe. “You manipulated the system so that your rivals would soften up the Swords by landing first.”
“A mistake I do not intend to repeat.” Said Dal. “Besides, this time he will be the attacker and we the defenders. No need to bid. He must dislodge us at our full strength.”
“And it is hardly that after Garrison…”
"The question on the table is still what to do with the Emerald Hawk.” Interjected Robert. “If it reaches New Belfast unmolested, what is to stop him from simply blasting us from space?"
Marthe nodded. "We cannot afford the loss of elemental troops in a costly boarding action. Nor can we allow the Emerald Hawk to reach New Belfast orbit. If we are to win this battle, we must make some sacrifices ourselves. The Emerald Hawk will be destroyed. Deploy the fleet as you specified."
Jade Falcon Occupation Zone
15 March 3052
The Scout vanished again back to whence it came almost immediately after depositing the Shadow class in the New Belfast system. Soon thereafter, the Shadow roared towards the planet. Daisaku headed for the mech bay to inspect his Uller. He found Juan, Richard, and Lisa all down there already.
The acceleration of the dropship gave the illusion of gravity, but in the wrong direction. As the Shadow class was an aerodyne dropship, its false gravity pulled towards the rear of the ship, rather than downward. Daisaku’s magnetic boots kept him firmly secure to the floor, but the feeling of constantly pulled towards the back wall always bothered him.
His Uller seemed to be fine. He noticed that everyone had left the bay, except for Lisa, who had sat herself down beside her mech with her head in her arms.
It didn’t take a genius to figure out she was upset over something. He walked over to her.
"Still upset about Joshua? Or something else this time?"
“No, just my regrets and my worries. Same as before we jumped.”
“You’d best put them behind you. We’re in system and the operation has begun.”
“I know. This mission is important. It means a lot of Joshua.”
"You can't tell me it doesn't mean a lot to you as well. This is your home we are fighting for this time."
"As I said, the stakes are higher this time."
Daisaku laughed. "You are more like him than you know. Dedicated, brave. You feel nothing without intensity: anger, sorrow, worry, love. I once counseled him to bring his raging passions under control or they would be the death of him. They very nearly were...several times now. I offer the same advice now. We need your head in the game, Lisa.”
“It’s not a game.” Said Lisa grimly. "Daisaku, promise me something....."
"What’s that?"
"You are a Wolverine and are under the Blood Rite. I am Joshua’s wife and a former lover of Robert O’Malley. If Pryde catches you alive...."
"...or dead. It does not matter. He will have his proof."
“Right. And if O’Malley catches me alive…”
“Don’t you dare ask me what I think you’re going to.” Said Daisaku fearfully.
"You don’t know what Robert will do."
"I was there when he raped you the first time."
"Then you should know what awaits me." Lisa became emotional. "You don't know what it's like. It's like your very soul being violated."
“I won’t do it. I won’t kill you to spare you that. Call me cruel or heartless or whatever else. But I won’t do it to you or to Joshua. You survived it once. You found your strength, your courage. You can do that again. You’re a survivor, Lisa, like the rest of us. When there’s life, there’s hope. If you are taken, and God I do hope not, stay alive. Joshua will come for you. You know that.”
"I hope it won’t come to that, but I doubt it." Replied Lisa grimly.
Immediately, a loud klaxon sounded.
"What’s going on?" said Daisaku.
"I don’t know. We’d better go see."
Juan motioned towards a single star in the sky, a star that was moving.
"Stars should appear stationary from our point of observation. That’s an enemy ship of some kind."
"A fighter patrol?" said Lisa.
"Unlikely. We’re too far out from a fueling station."
"Unless that is a fueling station." offered Daisaku. "An enemy warship." he clarified.
"ID’s coming through." said the pilot. "Unfortunately, Kommandant, you are correct. Hostile reads as one Aegis class battle cruiser. Heading straight towards us."
"Did they detect our system entry?"
"Unless they were specifically looking at the pirate point they wouldn’t."
"Dal Pryde and Robert O’Malley are getting better at predicting our strategy." said Daisaku. "He might have expected us to jump in at a pirate point."
"So it’s in transit towards the LaGrange point.”
“Seems that way.”
“It’s making a high G transit burn as are we. Neither one of us can decel enough to engage.”
The powerful transit drives of interplanetary spacecraft rocketed their craft at tremendous speeds. As such, there was no way for either craft to decelerate enough for them to come to blows. They would simply pass by one another.
“Still, he can signal the planet of our approach.” Said Lisa. “Kick in full stealth mode. Engage ECM and cut all running lights and engines. Let’s make like the space around us and see if he can find us."
"Agreed." said Daisaku, lowering his voice to a whisper as the cabin lights went out. Talking in whispers was useless, as sound can’t travel across space, but it was reflex reaction for all of them.
The Aegis continued straight at them. Juan began to worry about another possibility, one that had become worse once they had activated their stealth mode.
"Are we in danger of collision?"
"I hope not. If we fire thrusters now, they’ll know exactly where we are."
The Aegis pulled towards them. The computer readouts showed it would pass by very close to them. Juan and everyone on the bridge began to hold their breath.
The Aegis slid past them, a mere 500 meters off their starboard. Juan prayed no one was looking out a window at them. A Shadow class dropship was painted black, but anyone looking would notice the stars wink out as it blocked line of sight.
"ECM is picking up no active scans from the Aegis. If they were, being this close to our ECM shroud with alert them if a burst of scrambled readings."
"No scans, huh? That would mean they weren’t out here looking for anything."
"But they are on a course for our pirate point." said Daisaku. "You don’t suppose that a warship was dispatched to each of the likely pirate points Joshua would use."
Juan shook his head. "Not all of them, as there are too many. Only a handful of points are within a day or two of the planet. Let’s see how many."
Juan hit the computer keyboard, tapping away to bring up the data files of the New Belfast system. "How many?" queried Daisaku.
"There are several in an asteroid belt between the system’s third and fourth planets. Only two are in the clear. Ours and the one Joshua intends to use."
“If we know this, then so do they.That means there is at least one other warship at the other point."
"Joshua’s going to be jumping into a trap. This time he won’t be able to bluff his way out of a naval battle."
New Belfast
Jade Falcon Occupation Zone, Federated Commonwealth
18 March 3052
"Ah, Star Commander Breetai, please come in." beckoned Dal Pryde. Robert O’Malley and Galaxy Commander Marthe Pryde were both in the room with him, looking over a 3-D map of the planet’s surface. Tiny pewter mech models represented each of the clusters on the planet.
"All forces report in position. The munitions and supply ship will arrive in one week with support personnel, repair equipment, and ammunition."
"Until then, we are vulnerable. Weeks of heavy fighting have our men down to the bare necessities." said Marthe. "Do you think Messer will strike early?"
"Garrison cured Messer of his impulsiveness. He’s going to play this one more cautiously." said Robert.
"Your language, Star Captain." scolded Dal Pryde. Robert had used a contraction by accident, considered poor grammar to a Clanner and therefore crude and uncivilized.
"Excuse me. I sometimes slip."
"What makes you so certain he is not out for blood? That he will not throw caution to the wind?" asked Marthe.
“No, my subordinate is correct. Messer will be cautious. In fact, it is highly likely that Star Sword forces are already on-world.”
“Impossible.” Retorted Marthe.
“You underestimate him. He learns fast.”
“He is after all, one who has escaped our grasp nearly a half dozen times now.” interrupted a voice. All turned to see Star Captain David walk into the room.
“Ah, your superior arrives at last.” Said Dal to Breetai. He turned then to David. “I began to wonder if I would have to convey all of this briefing through your aide.”
“My apologies, Star Colonel, Galaxy Commander.” He looked at Robert, “Governor.”
“It’s Star Captain now, as you well know.” Corrected Robert.
“But you are still forgetting your vulgar contracted speech. If you wish to claim yourself as one of us, stop talking like one of them.”
“Enough. We are not here for a grammar lesson.” Said Marthe.
Dal returned to the map. “It would seem that our forces are evenly matched." said Dal. "You concern yourself about his caution. Another reason for it is tactical necessity. Whatever his desire, he will not be able to so easily carry out a genocidal assault upon us. He will plan out his attack to the fullest, to ensure his victory. Or so he thinks. His caution will be his undoing." Dal turned to David. "Your aide was reporting on our deployment just before you arrived.”
"The warships have taken up their positions at the two non-standard jump points as ordered.” Said David. “The Frost Falcon reports an infra-red trace at its destination, but further scans revealed no ships."
"An infra-red trace? The aftermath of a FTL jump?" said Marthe, worry creeping in on her voice.
"That is the opinion of Star Captain Von Jankmon"
“The Spheroids have a saying,” said Dal. “’I told you so.’ His scouts are here.”
"I am suspicious of this maneuver." Said Robert. “There may be another purpose behind it.”
Dal had learned to trust Robert’s hunches when it came to the Star Swords. "What are you thinking, Star Captainl?" he asked.
"He should already know what forces we have here, thanks to the bait we planted. He is not likely to learn any more by risking a handful of mechs and pilots on a recon drop." Robert nodded as ideas came to him. "They are here to stir up trouble."
"How so? What threat are a small handful of Star Swords?"
"I do not know. Messer must have discerned a weakness in our defense. They would not be here otherwise."
"Better question is what is this weakness? And can we correct it before the Swords exploit it?"
New Belfast
Jade Falcon Occupation Zone,
18 March 3052
The vast open area of rolling hills and plains that was the Reynold’s Collective Farm was covered with the lush green stalks of newly planted wheat and grain. On it, the black bird-like Shadow class showed up like an ink blot on a blank sheet of paper.
"I wish we could find some way of hiding that." said Bedwyr. "Everything else is in camouflage."
"We won’t have to." said Juan. "Once we get everything unloaded, the Shadow will launch again and take to orbit. Since all of the Clan warships have left orbit to set their trap for the rest of the Star Swords, it should be pretty safe up there."
"Besides, do you think we would have gotten past that Clan warship without our black skin masking us against the stars?" asked Daisaku. "I’d like to see us sneak past it showing up like the negative of this scene."
"How are we doing?" asked Juan of their progress.
"We should be done within the hour." said Richard. "Miranda and Bedwyr are ready to go. The rest will be shortly."
"Miranda,” said Lisa, “take Bedwyr and recon a five kilometer radius from this position. There might be a Clan outpost near here. I don’t want to run into one of their patrol ships."
"What do I do when I find it, Sis?"
"Try to keep hidden and report its location back to us. If my guess is correct, we might be able to confirm the location of the munitions from whatever orders we might find there."
"How do you intend to get a look at those orders?" asked Bedwyr.
"That’s my problem.” Said Lisa. “You just get your mechs on the move."
"Roger.
It’s your show."
It took Miranda and Bedwyr fifteen minutes to spot the series of pre-fab buildings under guard of a handful of Clan second-line mechs. He radioed back to Lisa and informed him of its location. Lisa and the others met up with them within the hour, six mechs and two tracked personnel transports.
Juan and Richard walked out of their mechs dressed in two Jade Falcon uniforms. Daisaku was taken aback.
"Is that such a good idea?"
"You got a better idea? If we use our commandos to attack, we’d alert the planet’s defenses that we’re here, not to mention we could lose men we will need later. No, I didn’t spend three months aboard a Clan flagship without learning a few tricks. And Richard is an expert at deep cover ops. " He looked back to examine the troop transports. A handful of commandos were unloading a motorcycle.
"Good. We’ll make camp here and await your report.” Said Lisa.
“We should return in a few hours. If you don’t hear from us by morning, you’ll have to conjure up some idea of your own after all."
"Good luck."
"Thank you.” Juan turned to Lisa. “Be carefully here. This close to a Clan outpost, you’re bound to encounter a patrol."
"Understood."
"See you later. I hope."
"What now?" complained the weary commander.
"It appears to be a motorized bicycle of some sort." To that, the commander rolled his eyes.
"Natives, traveling too close to the base for their own good. Send out a point to warn them off."
"Yes, sir."
"What are they using?"
"Motorcycles like ours. Must be some sort of welcoming committee." Juan lowered his binoculars. "I’d rather not make this an official visit, if you know what I mean."
"They probably think we’re locals. Coming out to warn us away."
"Our Clan uniforms are well enough hidden for now. Pretend we’re just a couple of folks out for a Sunday drive."
"Problem is, we seem to be the only people out and about." The weather was not terribly conducive to what Juan had proposed.
"Could be worse. Ever spent an extended amount of time on Tharkad?" asked Juan.
"If you think this would be any more pleasant on that iceball....." replied Richard. Juan laughed.
The Clan infantry squad reached them a minute later. "This area is off-limits to civilians. Please return to where you came." said the Clansman sternly.
"Oh, sorry. I dinna think we was this close to you Falcon boys. Me and me bud were out enjoyin the snow, ya know." said Juan. His mix of American Appalachian and Scottish Highland accents would have insulted anyone from either area, but the Clanner bought it hook, line, and sinker.
"Please move on." said the Clan infantry man. Juan silently wondered what genetic defect had pushed this man to what the Clans considered their lowest position in the warrior caste, the unarmored infantry trooper. Lack of intelligence was Juan’s best answer.
The Clanner patrol moved off at the same time as Juan. Juan drove over the next ridge until he was out of sight and then watched the Clanners as they disappeared through his binoculars.
"A temporary setback. We’d better hurry if we’re going to make it back by our deadline."
Juan walked down the hallway. The handful of Clanners they encountered either ignored him or saluted. Juan had a Star Commander’s insignia on his stolen uniform, which gave him some rank, but he wasn’t a high enough rank to attract attention.
His best bet was the base commander’s office. It was fairly easy to find. Juan gave it a short knock, expecting to hear either a response or nothing. He heard nothing and he reached for the knob. To his surprise, the door was not locked.
"I keep forgetting they have no reason to suspect enemy activity here." thought Juan.
"They are a trusting bunch, aren’t they?" whispered Richard.
"I told you as much." Juan opened the door and peeked inside.
The office was an office, a briefing room, and quarters rolled into one. With the thick door now open, Juan could hear the sounds of human coupling from the quarters section. A memory of the reports of Robert O’Malley’s governorship of world came into Juan’s mind.
“I hope that isn’t your brother.” Whispered Juan
"They seem to be enjoying themselves, so I don’t think so." replied Richard softly. “Somehow I doubt Robert’s victims are quite so enthusiastic.”
Juan pointed towards the quarters. Richard drew his sonic stunner and moved towards the archway. There he waited for Juan’s signal, which he gave. Richard darted around the corner and fired his weapon. The ultrasonic burst rendered the two lovers unconscious.
"Easy enough." said Juan.
"I just hope he thinks his partner was so boring he fell asleep during sex. If he remembers he was stunned, we’re had."
"It won’t matter much. We’ll be out of here within 15 minutes."
"Sonic stunners usually only keep you out for less than ten." reminded Richard. Juan moved over to the desk and opened the drawers. In the top drawer was a schedule of events. Juan read it quickly, uncovering one item of note:
March
25
Munitions ship arriving at M. City Spaceprt.
Munitions ship arriving at M. City Spaceprt.
"That gives us time to plan and get there."
"Let’s get out of here."
Twycross system
Tamar March,
24 March 3052
"I don’t like this going in blind." said Ryan, hobbling over the holographic map of New Belfast that was projected above the briefing room table. “We know who is there, but we don’t know where they are.”
"We don’t have much choice." Said Joshua.
"I would have wished you had kept more of your command officers off that raiding party." said Mechlanthon. "With all three battalion commanders gone, we are a bit limited in the planning department."
“Thank you, Mechlanthon.” Said Joshua sardonically. “That was argument to keep Lisa behind, as you’ll recall.”
“An unsuccessful one at that. Your wife is too stubborn.”
"Not much we can do in the way of planning anyway. At least not until we can tell where Dal’s hiding his forces." Said Joshua. “ Best we stick to a very basic strategy. We don’t know where he is, but we do know where the principal points of interest on world are: The major cities, the spaceport, the center of government, the major collective farms. Pryde will be guarding those.”
“Spaceport needs to fall into our hands quickly to open up our supply lines.” Said Mike, who Joshua had brevetted to command of 3rd Battalion in Daisaku’s absence.
“Agreed.” Said Joshua. “The Spaceport and
“Also likely to be among the most heavily defended.” Said Kou.
“Then I share the risks.” Said Joshua. He didn’t really need to point that out. Kou, Mike, and their other allies who had stood against Joshua just a few months earlier were no longer his opponents. They had seen him put that very idea into action on Donegal.
Joshua continued. “Ok, first hits
"It spreads out our forces. Is that wise?" said Mechlanthon.
“Perhaps not, but as we’ve already discussed, we don’t know where they are. This plan gives us the greatest likelihood of close action early on. Once we’ve ascertained who’s guarding what, we can modify the plan. I don’t intend for this to be a quick battle, unless fortune hands the Falcons some devastating defeats in the first few days. No, this will be a slow one. The longer we can hold the Clanners on planet, the more crippling their lack of supplies becomes."
"There is something else to consider." said Ryan. “Something we’ve not yet discussed.”
"Which is?"
Erik answered for him. "Enemy warships. There’s no reason to think that the Falcons will keep them out of the fight this time."
Joshua nodded. It was something he had not considered. He looked to Mechlanthon.
"The 2nd Jaegers have a single Aegis class warship. Much slower, but it carries almost equal the firepower and armor of this ship." said Mechlanthon. "I doubt however that he could beat us in an initial engagement. We could deploy our dropships, giving him a choice to either chase after them or fight the Star Sword."
“And the other clusters, do they have warship support?”
“They do. Also Aegis class vessels. But Dal Pryde does not command them and their cluster commanders may be reluctant to engage us.”
“If they attack en masse, we wouldn’t stand a chance.” Said Kou.
“But that is not the Clan way.”
“Irrelevant.” Said Erik. “We are dezgra, remember? They’ll do whatever it takes.”
“Therefore, we need to avoid warship combat at all costs.” Said Joshua. “The Star Sword needs to jump in, deploy the dropships, and then jump back out. Aegis are slow. Our dropships will outrun them in short order.”
“Will we have enough charges for that?” asked Mike. “I know this ship carries a lithium-fusion battery and all.”
“We’ll have to make sure it does.”
“With the Star Sword as a deterent, will the Falcons then use their own ships against us on the ground?”
“Neg,” said Mechlanthon. “After the Smoke Jaguars destroyed a city from orbit on a Draconis Combine world, the ilKhan has forbidden the use of that tactic. While it may be tempting for them to do so, I doubt even Pryde would risk reprisal from the ilKhan.”
"So once we’re on planet, we don’t have to worry about the warships. End of problem."
"Except they can get their supplies in.” said Mike. “Dropship doesn’t have to land at a spaceport to offload supplies. They will control space.”
Joshua slid into his chair and groaned. "This should be simpler."
"It is difficult to unload large quantities of bulk goods at field locations." reminded Mechlanthon. "If we occupy the spaceport at
"That will have to do.” Said Joshua. “Just pray they don’t get bold with those transports."
New Belfast
Jade Falcon Occupation Zone
26 March 3052
The man slowly sipped his hot cider, waiting. An attractive young woman stepped into the bar, ignoring the catcalls and whistles from several dozen drunk patrons.
"You know I hate this place." she said to the man.
"Too rowdy for the Watch to come snooping for us. What’s so urgent?"
"This." she said, pulling out several photographs. They showed a group of troop transports and Battlemechs marching across a grain-covered field.
"Omnis? They’re not using a Falcon camouflage scheme though."
"Correct? Could these be mechs from the same unit we encountered last August?"
"Possibly. Where were these photos taken?"
"Roughly 50 klicks northwest of here. They appeared to be headed towards
The man lowered the photos, his face covered with a look of revelation. "The munitions ship landed yesterday, didn’t it?"
"Yes, sir. None of them have been unloaded and shipped yet." Suddenly it dawned on her as well.
"These are Star Sword mechs. They’re going to blow up the Clanners supplies."
"Why?"
"Why? Because the rest of the unit is on its way. That must be why so many new units have been brought on-world recently. The FedCom’s going to try to take us back."
"Those munitions are guarded by two clusters of mechs, one of Omnis, one of second-line. They’ll be obliterated."
"They must succeed. They must know they’re going to be outmatched, so they’re trying to even the odds by robbing the Clanners of their supplies."
"I know that look. You intend for us to help them. You’re as crazy as they are. That’s a suicide mission."
"Oh, come on. We’ve gone up against worse opposition than that before. We are going to help them."
"James Sebastian, you are an idiot or a madman."
"Yeah, but I’m an idiot who wins."
New Belfast
Jade Falcon Occupation Zone
28 March 3052
The pale white camouflage of Lisa’s Fenris stood out against the jet black sky. She glanced at the chronometer on her mech’s computer panel.
"One minute until perimeter defense shut down. Remember that we have less than thirty seconds to cross their perimeter sensors before we have to turn them back on." said Daisaku.
"Roger."
"All mechs report in."
"Fenris One standing by." said Lisa.
"Cobra One standing by." said Bedwyr.
"Caesar One standing by." said Richard.
"Griffin One standing by." said Miranda.
"Thor One standing by." said Juan.
"Thirty seconds to perimeter clear." said Daisaku. His Uller marched up to the edge of the perimeter sensors.
"Perimeter down." reported Juan.
"Let’s move, people." said Daisaku.
Daisaku pushed his mech into a run, followed closely behind by his companions. The four infantry transports roared over the dusty ground into the heart of the MacLeod City Defense Zone.
"Twenty minutes to
"What is it?" said O’Malley, yawning. He’d been up for over 24 hours overseeing the arrival of the Galaxy’s munitions.
"One of our guard posts is not responding." said David.
"Guard 34, this is Star Captain Robert. Why are you not at your post?" said O’Malley into the communicator. "Guard 34, can you hear me? Please respond."
"No response, sir."
"Put the base on yellow alert."
"Is that not a bit extreme, Star Captain?" Robert straightened and turned to face Dal Pryde as he entered the command center.
"We have 7000 metric tons of ammunition sitting on the spaceport tarmac."
"It is just one guard. He probably fell asleep, as you are in danger of doing yourself."
"Sirs, the perimeter sensors on the south edge appear to be malfunctioning." said David.
"Excuse me?"
"They winked off for about a minute and then back on. I cannot explain it."
"I can." said Robert. "Saboteurs."
"Bring the base to yellow alert." said Dal, now convinced. "If we have intruders about, I want them eliminated. Double the security on the munitions and order my command star and Trinary Alpha onto active status. Captain David, mount up and join my command star."
"Aye, Colonel." said David. "Let’s go, Star Captain Robert. We have work to do."
"Roger."
"Go!"
Not more than a second later, Juan opened fire, his lasers illuminating the dark night. The flash silhouetted several large shapes closing with them rapidly."
"Enemy forces at 3 o’clock. A star of second-liners."
"Hit them hard and fast. See you on the flip side." said Daisaku, kicking his mech into a run.
Lisa fired, tracing a PPC blast across the flank of a small fast mech nicknamed Baboon. The heavy weapon decimated the small mech, sending it spiraling into the ground to burn in defeat.
"This one’s for Daniel." said Lisa, firing her PPC again at a meatier target, a Hellhound. The Hellhound let loose with its pulse laser and the battle was joined.
"The Star Swords." said Robert.
“As we expected.” Said Dal. “As you predicted.”
“I told you that you would not regret my aid.”
“And I have not. Put the base on red alert and call all units to active status. I want those Star Sword barbarians crucified on the
Robert and Dal marched their mechs onto the tarmac. Flashes of laser and PPC fire appeared on the southern horizon. Their huge mechs were joined by almost a dozen others.
Robert let his breath whistle through his teeth. "This is going to be a slaughter." He smiled. "Wonderful."
"It is now or never." said Nelson, charging his small laser. He motioned for his star to make the dash for the Clanner transport.
The group got about halfway across the tarmac when a missile exploded in the middle of the group. Startled, Nelson turned to see what was amiss. Five Falcon Elementals and a Grendel anti-infantry mech marched out from the mech hanger. Caught out in the open, the Star Sword elementals were vulnerable against their adversaries, despite their advanced armor.
"Kommandant Daisaku, team #1 abort." screamed Nelson, hoping his message would get off before the Clanners killed him where he stood. "Enemy mechs at transport."
The Grendel raised its arms to fire its eight heavy machine guns. One barrage could decimate an entire unarmored infantry company in less than ten seconds. Smashing that many light rounds against elemental armor was not pretty either.
There was a flash from the left torso of the mech. Nelson recognized it instantly: Ammo explosion.
"Get down!" screamed Nelson. He and his star went prostrate on the concrete as the Grendel blew itself apart. Since it was less than 20 meters away when it blew, debris rained down on the Star Sword troopers like a spring shower.
The five enemy elementals were knocked prone themselves by the blast. Nelson picked himself up and dropped the sight of his laser on the lead enemy. He didn’t know why the Grendel had blown up, but it evened the odds immensely. He opened fire on the dazed elementals. The mech class weapon spat a beam of emerald light, catching one of the prone Clanners. The beam seared the heavy armor of the enemy trooper, but did not penetrate. The other Sword elementals followed suit, many dashing for cover as they fired.
The battle was short and quick. The Sword troops soon overwhelmed their foes.
The rattle of small arms fire diverted the Star Swords from the now dead Elementals. A squad of unarmored Clan infantry was firing on them from the transport. Nelson dropped the sight to his SRM backpack onto them and fired.
There was a whistling sound from the mech hanger as the unit fired their missiles in unison, but it seemed noisier than it should have. Recognizing a new threat, Nelson spun to fire his laser at this new group of Clanners when the missiles, all of them, struck the target. A flash of blinding white light appeared and a wave of heat washed over the commandos: Inferno rounds.
The white-hot napalm coated the outside of the munitions transport. Those the elementals’ missiles didn’t kill were soon deep fried. Nelson ordered his men to cease fire.
A group of men and women in technician outfits marched out of the hanger. They all carried various weapons, mostly assault rifles. The leader held a two pack missile launcher on one shoulder.
"Greetings, Star Swords. I am James Sebastian, leader of the partisan movement here on New Belfast. Welcome to my home."
"I had thought you dead." said Nelson flatly, his voice sounding artificial to those outside of his armor.
Juan’s Thor and Daisaku’s Uller moved up onto the tarmac. "You seem to have nine lives, Sebastian." said Juan through his loudspeakers.
"I told you I’ve been in worse scrapes than that Clan assault. You should have more faith, Major." said James Sebastian. "Now are we going to stand here and chat or are we going to blow this joint?"
"Set the charges. There’s not much time."
She marched past a parking garage to walk along side a smaller one-story building, exposing her mech from the waist up. A barrage of weapons fire came out of nowhere, slamming into her mech.
Surprised, Lisa tried to maintain control of her mech as half of her control panel went red. She forced her mech to stay standing, scanning her radar for information on the new threat. She recognized the machine that now displayed on her monitor and she forced down a sense of panic.
Robert O’Malley’s Behemoth raised its twin gauss rifles to take another shot.
"Miranda, this is Juan. Team #1 has completed their mission." said Juan.
Miranda was about to let out a whoop of joy when a gauss rifle shell slammed her mech in the shoulder. The blow spun her mech around, sending its critically damaged left torso and arm flying off into space.
"All mechs report." said Daisaku.
"Perimeter’s surrounded." said Bedwyr. "There’s too many of them. They’ve cut off our escape."
"All forces retreat. Try to get free, no matter what." said Daisaku.
"Belay that, Star Swords." said a voice. It was James Sebastian. "Converge to the spaceport. My rebels and I can get you out."
Miranda was about to question what the hell was going on, but the sight of the Vulture with its twin gauss cannon bearing down on her made her think twice. She shoved the throttle forward, putting her mech up to its maximum speed of 90 kph.
"You go, Miranda. I’ll cover you."
"There’s too many of them!" she exclaimed.
"Don’t worry about
The Rifleman’s four lasers pulsed crimson beams into Bedwyr’s stolen Steel Viper machine. Without regard for honor, the Masakari launched a pair of ball lightnings from its PPCs. The PPC bolts slammed home, blasting the Battle Cobra and its pilot to pieces.
"Daisaku, I lost Bedwyr!" she cried in fear. Laser, missile, and PPC fire flew past her, her erratic running skewing the aim of her enemies.
"Where are you?"
"I’m entering the city now. I’m two kilometers from the west gate of the spaceport."
"I’ll cover you when you reach the tarmac. Make for the dropship hangers on the north side." said Juan.
"The Clans are tightening their ring. We need to get out of here fast."
"Where’s Lisa and Richard?"
"Beats me. I can’t raise them on the radio."
"Dear God." Said Daisaku in alarm.
Miranda cleared the fence on the west side of the tarmac. A Clan Marauder IIC moved across her flank, firing its PPCs at her. Juan’s Thor stepped forward, firing away with its heavy lasers. Still running, Miranda could see Daisaku’s mech 500 meters ahead. There was no other sign of any Star Sword mechs. She pulled her machine to a stop and hit her scanners.
"Where is she? Where’s my sister?"
"I don’t know. We have to find her."
"There’s no time, Kommandant Hayakusora." said Sebastian.
"I won’t leave one of my best friends out here to die." retorted Daisaku. "Or worse." he thought to himself.
A PPC blast hurled over the head of Daisaku’s Uller. Daisaku glanced back to see none other than Dal Pryde’s own frost white Masakari bearing down on them.
Daisaku paused as his scanners showed no sign of Lisa. "God forgive
Robert had to admit she was beating him, or would be had their mechs been evenly matched. If one of her allies showed up to assist her, he would be hard pressed to win that fight.
"I never knew you were so tenacious, Lisa." said Robert into his communicator.
"You ain’t seen nothing yet, Colonel."
"Don’t make me destroy you, Lisa." said Robert softly. "Please."
"That’s all you’ve ever wanted."
"No, you’re all I’ve ever wanted." He said. Hearing that phrase from O'Malley's lips chilled her to the bone.
"You’re mad, O’Malley."
"I will have you!" he declared angrily. "Whether you want it or not."
Hidden behind cover, Lisa assessed her damage. Her mech was barely holding together. Although, she’d lost no vital components, her armor was all but gone. Another good hit and her mech would literally fall apart at the seams.
"Over my dead body." snapped Lisa.
"If that is your wish!" said Robert, moving forward. His radar blared an alarm warning him of the presence of another enemy mech.
"What!?" he twisted his mech about to face the new enemy. His sights dropped onto a curious sight, a new Caesar Battlemech. He zoomed in on the mech’s chest, and saw beside the Star Swords emblem, the arms of his own family: the O’Malleys.
"Richard!"
"Don’t do this, Robert. I’m here to take you home."
"You’ve done enough, Richard. The brother you knew is dead."
"If you attack her, I’ll stop you."
"You won’t fire on
Sensing the reprise, Lisa tried to escape. She darted her mech alongside the building to come around the other side.
"Oh, no you don’t." said Robert. He hit his jump jets and he launched his 100 ton monster over the top of the building, bringing it down right in Lisa’s path.
Lisa slammed her throttle into reverse. She closed her eyes, expecting the inevitable barrage of weapons fire that would destroy her mech and send her to the here-after. But the barrage didn’t come.
Lisa opened her eyes and looked at view screen. It showed Robert’s Behemoth standing within arm’s reach of her. His weapons, however, were pointed downward at the ground.
"Give up, Lisa. I don’t want you to die. I’ll spare you. Don’t expect Pryde to be as generous."
“I’ll take him over you any day.” Said Lisa fiercely.
Robert backed away. He wanted to end this conflict peacefully, but he wasn’t so dumb as to realize that Lisa wasn’t going to cooperate. At point blank range, Lisa could inflict a lot of damage to his mech.
Lisa opened fire. PPC and laser fire tore across the Stone Rhino, but it held together.
"Very well, MacLeod." said Robert. "It comes to this." He pressed down on his triggers.
Gauss shells and a laser pulse hit home on Lisa’s machine. Lisa screamed as her computer monitors blew up, sending shards of glass into the air, cutting her clothes and skin. Electricity arced back and forth from the smashed electronics, some coercing through her body. The pain was excruciating, so much so that Lisa didn’t even feel herself falling as the top half of her mech raced downward to smash into the concrete. When it hit, her restraining straps broke, sending her flying forward into the dashboard. Her head struck it hard and blackness took over.
"Fine now you've killed her.” said Richard coldly. “Now we talk."
"No, Star Sword. You will surrender." said a voice. It was David. "There will be no talking." His Rifleman came around behind Richard, all four pulse lasers trained on the Caesar.
"This is not over, Robert." said Richard, powering down his mech.
“No, brother, it is not. Send for a recovery team. There is likely another prisoner inside that ruined Ice Ferret.”
"The MacLeod Clan aren’t the only nobles on New Belfast, Kommandant Hayakusora." said a voice from the darkness. An older man stepped forward. Daisaku recognized him as Baron Patrick O’Brian. At his side stood a young man, his son Malcolm.
"My lord." said Daisaku with a nod of respect. "You are part of the rebellion?"
"One of our silent partners." said Sebastian, dropping down off of the ladder to land beside Daisaku. "His position in society prevents him from taking a more active role."
"How did it go, Sebastian?"
"I think we got most of the ammo. It looked like a few trucks had already been unloaded. Lost about two Star Sword troops to enemy elementals. Lost three mechwarriors too."
"Not bad for a suicide mission." said O’Brian coldly. "It could have been much worse." he said more softly.
"Piece of cake." said Sebastian. "Now let’s get out of here."
"Marcus, Malcolm, O’Shaugnassey, is the train ready?" said O’Brian. He turned and began to make his way down the tunnel, using only the flashlight he’d had hidden in his pocket.
"Aye, mi’lord. We’re waiting for you at the manor."
Daisaku decided not to mention just who one of the mechwarriors was that they had lost. Daisaku knew full well who O’Brian was, or rather, who one of his sons had been.
"How do you know about the tunnels?" asked Juan.
"Old family secret. The O’Brians and the MacLeod’s have always been close. Back in ancient days, when the colony was first being built, these tunnels were made to provide for clandestine travel between our two manors and the spaceport." O’Brian chuckled. "It’s been used for secret travel ever since. When he was barely out of diapers, my son used to use it to visit his friend, Lady Lisa, thinking I didn’t know. Of course, when he and Lisa fell for one another, they used it then too. Probably for things I don’t want to know about."
At that, Miranda burst into tears. Baron O’Brian paused. “Miranda? I dinna recognize you. What’s wrong?"
“Lisa was one of those we left behind.” Said Daisaku coldly.
"Lord have mercy." said O’Brian, crossing himself.
New Belfast
Jade Falcon Occupation Zone
29 March 3052
"That’s quite a ship, Major." said Sebastian. "Now where do you plan to go in it?"
"The Star Swords are due in system the day after tomorrow." said Juan. "You told me earlier that you didn’t think we got all of the munitions."
"Yeah, so?"
"Then the odds are still in the Clanners favor. We need to make the odds more even."
"What do you mean we, Major?"
"You’ve been fighting the Clans ever since they took over. Don’t tell me you don’t have the stomach to help us throw them off-world for good?"
"I didn’t say that. I just don’t want you dragging my rebels into hell on some harebrained scheme."
"You haven’t even heard what I have in mind."
"Alright then, tell me."
"I wonder if rather than take away the Clanner’s ammunition, we take away their weapons themselves."
"You mean take away their mechs? Ridiculous, what would we do with them once we got them? You certainly don’t propose that I put my rebels in them. Against seasoned Clan mechwarriors, they’d be slaughtered."
Juan scratched his chin, his unshaven beard revealing his weariness. "I don’t know what we’ll do with them once we have them. We just have to get them away from the Clanners."
"I don’t think it’s going to work." said Sebastian.
Daisaku walked up, shaking his head. "I have to agree with Mr. Sebastian. It doesn’t seem like a reasonable idea."
Juan shook his head in frustration. Exhaustion had made him irritable. Daisaku turned to Sebastian. "There is a way, however, that we can screw with the Clans."
"What do you have in mind?"
"As best we can tell, most of the Clan forces on-world have stationed themselves inside the large cities. If we were to incite a massive rebellion within one of those cities, it would tie up at least one of the Clan clusters while the Star Swords fight the others."
Sebastian snapped his fingers. "That, my friend, is a good idea."
"You need to get as many of your rebels into one of the cities as you can. Say......."
"
"
Next Chapter
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