New Belfast
Jade Falcon Occupation Zone
9 April 3052 (Day 9 of the New
"I am sorry, Galaxy Commander, but things are in such a haphazard shape here. It will take us several days to organize everything."
"Star Colonel, I know you are stalling. You will obey....."
"I am sorry, but that’s the way of things" said Dal, turning off the communicator.
"She’s not going to be happy." said Robert.
"Enough. You know the plan."
"It is almost dawn."
"Any reports?"
"Neg. The instant his mech approaches, we will blast him."
"Neg, Star Colonel, you will allow him to come to
"He deserves no honor. He is Not-Named."
"Whether he deserves it or not, I wish to give him that honor. I want to kill him with my own two hands."
"It is not your decision, Star Captain." Said Dal forcefully. “Learn your place, freeborn.”
A whistle came from the communications console. “Enemy mech approaches. It is a Grendel.” Said David’s voice on the other end.
“Messer pilots a Stormcrow.” Said Robert. “What trick is this?”
“The pilot requests safcon. His name is Mechlanthon.”
“So, the coward of New Vision reveals himself at last.” Said Dal. “I had wondered at his fate after the capture of the Emerald Hawk. Seems he lacked the courage to take his life in dishonor. How fitting.”
“This is a trick.” Said Robert.
“Messer sends another in his place.” Said Pryde. “It seems we have been outsmarted again. Grant Mechlanthon safcon to our camp and order the others to battle readiness.”
“Yes, sir, Star Colonel.” Said David.
“Let us see what Mechlanthon offers us from the man who holds his leash.”
"The coward sends another in his place. One named Mechlanthon." he said with a disgusted tone.
“You seem disappointed?” said Richard.
“It is a trick. Messer is up to something.”
“Scared, Robert?” taunted Lisa. A quick backhanded slap silenced her.
“Whatever trick he is pulling, know this. I will kill Joshua Messer. There is no rescue for you, Lisa MacLeod. You are mine.”
“That’s enough, Robert.” Said Richard. “Shouting at her won’t change anything. We’d best make ready for whatever Messer might be planning.”
“You know something I don’t, dear brother?”
“Only to expect something underhanded. Such as a commando raid on this camp. Joshua surely knows its location.”
“Good thinking.” Robert yanked his belt off the tent post and tied it about his waist. On it, his claymore clattered in its scabbard. "Come to see things my way, quiaff?"
“I can’t help you if you’re dead, Robert.”
“Still the coward.” Said Robert. “I’d see the whole world burn and you’d not lift a finger to stop me. All because of some misplaced sense of family loyalty. So be it. If you’ll not fight against me, fight with me.” Robert tossed a pistol holster to his brother. Richard drew the laser from its holster to check its charge.
“A fully charged laser!” thought Lisa as she watched Richard. “You could end this right now. One shot is all it would take. But no, Robert is right, you’d stand by while he’d rape and pillage the whole universe.”
Richard slid the laser into its holster and then pulled it around his waist. Robert smiled. “Messer will rue the day he dared to challenge the both of us.”
New Belfast
Jade Falcon Occupation Zone
9 April 3052 (Day 9 of the New
"Special operations team dispatched. Good luck." said Ryan Smith. Behind him marched an intact Uller, nearly repaired and given to Daisaku to replace his old one.
"This had better work." said Amanda from her nearby Loki.
"You’re telling me. We’re under strength after our losses yesterday and now we’ve reduced our forces further by sending off an elite strike team. Daisaku, you’d better know what you’re doing. Never would have thought a plan as crazy as this would come from him."
"Where to now, fearless leader?" taunted Amanda at Ryan.
"Nowhere. We sit and wait for them to come to us."
"Probably the hardest thing you can do when some of your best friends are out there, probably on their way to die."
New Belfast
Jade Falcon Occupation Zone
9 April 3052 (Day 9 of the New
Star Captain David crested the rolling hill to see a single Omnimech moving its way towards him from the southeast. He lowed the crosshairs of his mech’s left arm onto the mech and triggered the zoom feature on his targeting system. The image of a battered Grendel appeared before him, painted in the dark green, royal blue, and burgundy paint scheme of the Star Swords.
"Scout Commander to base, our guest has arrived." he reported via his communicator.
"Good, David. Escort our new arrival to the camp." responded Dal Pryde.
"Aff, Star Colonel. Scout star, fall into formation."
The five mechs of David’s star pulled into line behind him. The Grendel paused when it spotted them, and then changed course to meet them. Wary, David kept a bead on the enemy mech with his left arm, but the Grendel’s approach was casual. It was not the fast-paced run of an intercept. Still, it would pay to be cautious.
"Falcon star commander, what are you intentions?" said Mechlanthon.
"We have been ordered to escort you to Star Colonel Pryde. You are granted safcon."
"Very well." said Mechlanthon.
"Fall into formation behind
Mechlanthon’s mech did so. The four other Falcon mechs formed a echelon formation to the aft of the Grendel. David watched the Grendel through his rear camera, constantly suspicious of treachery.
He would be disappointed. The five minute journey to the Falcon camp was uneventful, except for the occasional roll of distant thunder. A dark menacing storm was forming over the
Dal marched out into the center of the Clan encampment. Mechlanthon’s Grendel cleared a nearby hill and closed with the camp, followed by the scout star. The guard force over the camp moved to intercept, but Dal waved them off. "Stand down, Gamma star. He is not a threat."
"As you wish, Star Colonel."
Robert walked up to Pryde. "So, what does this Mechlanthon bring to us?”
"Stay. See for yourself.”
Mechlanthon’s mech marched up to the center of the camp then stopped. Mechlanthon himself climbed down from the cockpit and walked forward to stand before Dal and Robert.
“It has been a long time, Star Colonel.” Said Dal. “How goes the command of the 7th Reserve Cluster?” he taunted.
“I am here to negotiate the release of the prisoner Lisa MacLeod.”
“Messer should come himself if he wants his woman back.” Said Pryde. “I am not in the mood to parley with his attack dog.”
“He has, Pryde!” called a voice. Joshua stood up from his hiding place inside the hand of Mechlanthon’s Grendel.
“Kill him.” Ordered Dal without hesitation.
“No!” cried Robert. “He is mine. I call for a Trial of Grievance against him. In this solemn affair, let none interfere.”
“He is dezgra! He is Not-Named. He dies now!” said Pryde. Dal paused when he heard the sound of a laser charging up.
“I suggest, Star Colonel,” said Richard. “that you give my brother his wish.”
“You dare draw a weapon against me.” Snarled Pryde as Richard came out of his hiding place. “I will have you all shot.”
From his mech, David could see the whole scene. He tapped into his communications relay and shot a tightbeam message straight to Pryde’s headset. “Give the freebirths what they want. What is there to lose? If Messer wins, you can simply shoot him once it’s done and you are rid of Robert and his brother. If Robert wins, you will have your proof and you can shoot Richard and even Robert at your leisure.”
Pryde said nothing in response to this. He turned to Robert. “So be it. You can have your trial.”
“I am glad, Star Colonel, that you see things our way.” Said Robert. Richard moved up and holstered his pistol.
Joshua climbed down from the mech, carrying his sword, Anduril. The crowd of Clanners moved around and encircled the scene, with Mechlanthon’s Grendel at one end and Pryde and O’Malley at the other.
“I want to see her.” Demanded Joshua.
“You are in no position to make demands, Not-Named. You are only alive because of the insistence of my subordinate.”
“No, let him see. Richard, go fetch her.” Said Robert. Richard moved away and returned shortly with Lisa under one arm. She locked eyes with Joshua, but they said nothing to one another.
"A battle to the death then, blade versus blade." said O’Malley, drawing his claymore and tossing the scabbard aside. "You know that you will never leave this Circle of Equals alive."
"You cannot defeat my brother, Joshua. I know this." called Richard. "He will destroy you."
"I need no counsel from you, backstabber." retorted Joshua. "I should never have trusted you, no matter what Juan said."
Richard smiled smugly but said nothing.
"Richard values his family, Joshua." said Robert, walking into the circle. "More so than any vow or pledge he might have made to you."
"Then he can be the one to bury you." said Joshua, slowly drawing Anduril and letting the scabbard fall at his side. He gripped the broad sword with both hands.
"Let it begin." said Robert, charging at Joshua. "For Lisa."
"For Lisa." said Joshua, rushing at Robert. The two met in the middle of the circle, their weapons striking one another with a loud clash. Joshua brought his weapon under and up, only to meet O’Malley’s parry.
"You have improved since our last battle. Too bad it will not help you."
"Overconfidence is foolishness." said Joshua, letting go of the hilt of his weapon with his left hand and smashing his fist into Robert’s nose. Surprised, Robert staggered backward.
Joshua brought his sword up and smashed it down against Robert’s almost futile parry. Robert had now lost the initiative. Joshua swung, right, left, right again, each time Robert barely managed to fend off the blows.
Richard let out a gasp of his own, surprised at Joshua’s skill and tenacity. Lisa watched silently, praying for Joshua’s success.
Joshua came at O’Malley again, swinging Anduril again from below in an effort to penetrate Robert’s barely functional defense. Once, twice, he got through, slicing into Robert’s skin on his arms and legs. Robert, knowing he would have to regain the offensive, lashed out with his left leg. His kick connected with Joshua’s right knee.
Joshua stumbled and dropped his guard. Seizing his chance, Robert slashed downward, his blade biting into Joshua’s right shoulder. Blood sprayed up from the wound and splattered on Robert’s face.
"Yeah!" cried Richard, letting out a yell of encouragement. In doing so, he released his grip on Lisa.
"I have to do something." thought Lisa. She was about to step forward, to impose herself between the two combatants, but something held her back. "I can’t move. I’m too scared to move." She remembered the fear, the same fear that had gripped her after Robert’s first violation of her all those months before. “I’ve lost my courage!”
Joshua staggered back to his feet, gripping his wound and putting some distance between him and Robert. Robert had regained the initiative.
Robert pressed his advantage. He slashed across Joshua’s chest, hoping to deliver the killing blow, but Joshua brought his broadsword up just in time. The parry was weak and the blow knocked Anduril from his hands. The sword spun away and landed at Dal Pryde’s feet.
Joshua dashed after his sword. Robert intercepted him and bowled him off of his feet. Robert chuckled and the Clanners in the crowd cheered him on.
"Oh, God, please don’t let him die." prayed Lisa quietly.
Joshua picked himself and started towards his sword. Blood loss was starting to get to him and he staggered and nearly fell over again.
Robert walked behind him, his claymore resting on one shoulder. After a couple of paces, he brought it down and slashed it across Joshua’s back. The crowd went wild with cheering and applause. The razor sharp blade turned crimson as it cut through Joshua’s unprotected back. Joshua fell forward and lay on his face for a few seconds. Robert merely stood over him, grinning demonically.
“A bit deeper and I sever your spine. You’ve lost, Messer, but I’m going to have a bit of fun first.” Taunted Robert.
Joshua got up and started to walk forward again.
“Still trying to win?” Robert followed him for a few more paces and slashed Joshua’s back again. The crowd roared again and Joshua fell forward.
"Get up!" taunted Robert. "I’m not done with you yet."
Joshua tried to stand again, but Robert planted his boot in Joshua's side and knocked him over again. The pain was becoming unbearable. He started to crawl forward, dragging himself forward with his hands. Robert stepped in front of him.
Without a word, Robert brought his blade down and impaled Joshua’s right hand to the ground. Joshua cried out in pain and he tried to wrench the blade out. Robert, who standing over him gloating, kicked again, smashing his boot into Joshua’s face. Joshua’s head whipped back and fell forward, blood dripping from his broken nose and cut lip.
Robert smashed another kick into the side of Joshua’s head as he pulled the claymore out. Joshua collapsed on his side and stopped moving except for his breathing.
Robert turned and raised his arms in triumph. The crowd was ecstatic and Lisa, her eyes now filled with tears, looked at Dal Pryde. Pryde had a look of smug triumph on his face. She then looked at Robert, and her heart burned with anger.
With Robert otherwise occupied, Joshua gathered up what little strength he had left and finished crawling the three short meters to his weapon. He reached out for it with his left hand, only to have Pryde plant his boot on Joshua’s left elbow. Joshua screamed in pain and Pryde stepped back. Robert turned and moved beside Joshua. He rolled him over with his boot and knelt down next to him.
“Finish him.” Ordered Pryde. “I grow bored with this pathetic spectacle.”
"As you wish, Star Colonel.” Robert stood up and raised his weapon to land the killing blow.
In that instant, Lisa dashed forward, running as fast as her nightgown-hindered feet could carry her. Robert saw her coming and checked his swing. Richard let out a cry of surprise behind her and began to chase. She snatched up Anduril from the ground and swung it at Robert.
Robert shifted his claymore to defend himself. Surprised by her attack, his parry was half-hearted and weak. Lisa swung again, cutting low. The still shaken Robert was not fast enough this time, and Anduril slashed across his gut. The cut was deep, slicing through Robert’s abdomen and disemboweling him. Before Robert knew the grave wound he’d been dealt, he swung downward. His blow bit deeply into Lisa's shoulder. Lisa pitched forward, landing on Joshua, as Robert dropped his blade.
In the brief second after their strikes, Robert dropped to his knees. Blood vomited up from his mouth and he pitched forward into the grass. Robert O’Malley was dead.
“No!” cried Richard. “No, it can’t be.”
Rain began to fall. "What a shame." said Pryde, walking over to the unmoving pair. "All are dead. You fought for nothing, Not-Named." He drew his pistol and turned to Richard. “Now, there is the matter of you drawing a weapon on me a minute ago…”
Before he could even finish his sentence, a Subutai fighter roared over the horizon, flying less than 20 meters above the surface of the planet at nearly Mach 3. The wake of air behind the ship kicked up water from the grass and sprayed it over the already wet crowd.
An aide ran up to Pryde. "Sir, perimeter sensors just went wild. There’s an enemy unit closing on this position rapidly."
"Get the mechwarriors to their mechs." said Dal. "Leave the dead for later.” He then looked at Richard. “There will be another time, freebirth. That I promise you.”
Dal ran towards his Masakari, trying not to slip on the muddy ground. Mechlanthon stepped forward as the Clanners ran to their machines. With great effort, he hoisted Joshua and Lisa over his back and carried them back to his mech.
New Belfast
Jade Falcon Occupation Zone
9 April 3052 (Day 9 of the New
"Here they come." screamed Ryan Smith. "Hit them hard and fast."
Star Sword mechs and aerospace fighters roared into the fray as the final battle for New Belfast’s freedom began. Ryan rained 40 LRMs onto a Clan Loki, shredding its thin armor. He followed that up with a blast from his twin large lasers. The Loki spun off, a flaming ruin as its ammunition stores exploded.
Daisaku unloaded into a pair of Jaeger Koshi’s, blasting both mechs to kingdom come. As the battle progressed, it seemed that the Star Swords were winning.
Dal Pryde’s massive Masakari waded into the fray. It locked onto a Swords Grendel and blew it apart with its heavy PPCs. Pryde then turned and blasted a pair of Ullers.
Pryde’s arrival turned the tide back against the Swords. He opened a broadcast channel to his opponents. “Your leader lies dead, as does the daughter of the Duke. Now I come to finish the rest of your pathetic band.”
“Not if I can help it, Pryde.” Said Ryan. He moved his Mad Cat on an intercept course. “We still owe you for New Vision.”
“Another Not-Named yet lives? Good, there will be some sport today.” He dropped his reticule for this PPCs onto the charging Mad Cat.
Ryan rushed forward with his Mad Cat, letting slip a pair of barrages from his LRM launchers. Forty missiles rained down on the Masakari, putting tiny potholes in its armor, but little more.
Dal fired his PPCs. His accuracy was uncanny even without the huge mech’s advanced targeting system. The blasts flayed two tons of armor from Ryan’s mech. Ryan’s Mad Cat was no wimp, but against Pryde he stood little chance.
Ryan fired again, drawing two ugly scars with his lasers up the torsos of Pryde’s mech. Pryde let loose a pack of his own LRMs, smashing Ryan’s Mad Cat about. He followed that up with another PPC barrage. Another hit like that and Ryan’s mech would be taking serious damage. Its armor was almost gone in several places.
Ryan knew Pryde had to be taking incredible heat, but the Clansman continued firing without regard to the consequences of overheating. Ryan knew that was his weakness. The power of the Masakari had a big drawback. If not fired in a way to avoid heat buildup, the Masakari would cook itself into shutdown in less than a minute. If Ryan withdrew like he knew should, that would give Pryde time to correct his mistake.
"If you’re going to cook, let’s really make you cook. Come and get me." Ryan dashed up to near point blank range, trying to use his speed to make himself a harder target.
It was a nice attempt, but when Pryde took the bait he hit hard. Two of the PPCs connected solidly with his already damaged leg, blowing it off at the thigh. His Mad Cat crashed into the soil, helpless.
“Now you die.” Said Pryde in triumph. At that moment, a warning alarm sounded in his cockpit. “No!” he exclaimed as his mech’s automatic safety measures turned off his engine and weapons to let the freezers vent his excess heat. Pryde tried desperately to get his engine started again as he saw Amanda’s Loki close the gap.
A volley of SRMs from the Loki slammed into his mech’s left shoulder, tipping the 85-ton mech. With its engine shutdown, Pryde could not regain his balance and his mech toppled into the mud. Amanda pulled up to the crippled mech at point blank range and pointed its right arm at Pryde’s cockpit. She squeezed the trigger.
The head exploded a half second before Amanda’s PPC shot fired. Pryde’s ejection pod hurled skyward. The PPC bolt ripped through the mech’s head, disintegrating its entire cockpit.
“Damn! Half second too late.” She swore.
“Move on to another target. Let’s finish this.” Said Ryan. He propped up his own crippled mech and let loose with an LRM volley at another Jade Falcon mech.
Amanda marched forward, blasting away with her PPCs at a Clan Vulture. But the destruction of Pryde’s Masakari had taken the fight out of the Falcons. They had begun to withdraw.
“Enemy forces withdrawing.” Amanda reported. “Request further orders.”
Daisaku’s voice came in reply. "All Star Swords mech, withdraw and regroup. We’ve got them on the run. Let them go. We’ve won. New
A chorus of cheers greeted his ears as the Star Swords watched the Clanners began a full retreat.
“Mechlanthon, this is Kommandant Hayakusora. The Jaegers are withdrawing. Report. Did you get Lisa?”
“I have them, Kommandant.” Came the reply. “Both are badly wounded and need medical attention. I am rushing them to aid as fast as my mech can carry them.”
“Dear God,” said Daisaku. “Ryan, mop up here. I’m heading back to meet up with Mechlanthon. Join me when you can.”
“Yes, sir.” Came the reluctant reply.
New
Tamar March, Federated Commonwealth
10 April 3052
Mechlanthon had rushed the wounded Joshua and Lisa back to the Swords base camp, where a medical team stabilized them and then a medical helicopter airlifted them back to
Dr. Adam Jefferson emerged from the operating theatre. He was tired and dirty, having been patching injured from the battles for days. The awaiting Star Swords jumped to their feet, eager for any news.
"They're going to be fine." said
"Can we see them?" asked Erik.
"Later. Let them rest." With that,
Joshua, who’d been holding Lisa’s hand, chuckled. "When you get in my position, Daisaku, you’ll have influence."
"How are you feeling?" asked Erik, who followed Daisaku in.
"Like shit." said Joshua bluntly. His arm was in a sling, but he otherwise looked to be recovering nicely.
"You look it." said Daisaku. "We were rather worried."
"Sorry." said Joshua. He looked at Mechlanthon. “I owe you one, Star Colonel. Without you, I would not have made it into the camp, nor would either of us be alive if you hadn’t pulled us out.”
“I am pleased you were not more badly injured. What you did took immense courage.”
Joshua looked at Lisa. “And I owe you one also.”
“We’re in this together. You said it yourself.”
“I told you that you’d find your courage again.” Joshua kissed her hand.
A few minutes later, even more visitors arrived.
"Miranda!" said Lisa. "What are you doing here?"
"James Sebastian and I just flew in from
"I hear
"It will. But let's not worry about that now. We've won." said Miranda.
"So what now?" asked Erik.
"You say that as if I could get up and walk out of here to go celebrate." responded Joshua. "If you hadn’t noticed...."
"I meant after you recovered."
"Duke Jameson's already called for a celebration banquet to honor the warriors who freed this world." said Daisaku. "But it won't be until most of you are back on your feet."
"You'll need a date." said Miranda flatly.
"Is that a hint?" said Daisaku slyly.
Tamar March, Federated Commonwealth
29 April 3052
Lisa looked out from the east tower over the crimson waters of the
"I’m home. My home is free."
"I kept my promise." said Joshua, moving to her side.
“In every way you could.” She replied. He came up behind her to embrace her and a surge of panic overtook her. She screamed and backed away from him. Joshua, startled by her reaction, backed up.
Lisa gripped herself tightly, trying to control her shaking. Joshua took a hesitant step forward. "I’m sorry. I didn’t mean...."
“No, it’s not you.” She stood up and took a couple of deep breaths. After about a minute, she regained her composure. "It’s not you.”
“I’m sorry. After all you’ve been through, I should know better. I keep forgetting about what horrors must have been done to you."
“I wish I could forget.”
Joshua offered her his hand. "I know. We’ve been through tough times before. We’ll make it through this."
"Will we? Joshua, I’m not sure the person you love exists anymore. I’m barely a shadow of the woman I once was."
“You found courage enough to strike Robert down. You’ll find courage enough to make your way back to me.”
"This will get worse before it gets better." warned Lisa. She seemed suddenly distant, as if thinking about something else.
"I have faith in you. We’re still looking in the mirror dimly, but the day is coming when that will no longer be so."
"Joshua...." Lisa began. “I have to tell you something.”
“And that is?”
Lisa began to cry. “They found out when I was in the hospital. Only Dr. Jefferson knows at this time. It might be yours, but I don’t know, and if it’s his...”
"You’re pregnant?"
Lisa nodded through her tears. "The demon is inside me."
"We don’t know that. As you say, it might be mine.”
"I’ll never escape. Robert was right. Even from the grave, he curses me."
"Stop that." said Joshua firmly. But it was no use. Lisa broke down and wept, not hearing anything Joshua was saying.
"You look like hell." said John flatly.
"So I feel." responded Joshua.
"Lisa?"
Joshua nodded. "I have accepted her resignation. She’s a civilian now."
“That bad, huh?” asked Ryan.
“Between her family, her doctor, and myself, we all thought it best. She’s a very traumatized human being. Doc
"I see. You think she’ll ever be back?" asked Erik.
"Someday.” Joshua paused, wondering how he should share his next bit of news. “She’s also pregnant.”
“Oh, my God…” exclaimed Amanda. “With his?”
“We don’t know.”
“If it is…”
“If it is, then it is innocent of its father’s crimes. If it isn’t, then it is my son or daughter. Either way, it is the beginning of my family.”
“Hardly how you imagined that ever happening, I’m sure.” Said Daisaku.
“No. Lisa said it herself. This is going to get worse before it gets better. I will need your help, my friends. This planet may be ours, but my battle is really just beginning.”
End
of Star Swords : Forged
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