Skye
Skye March, Federated Commonwealth
14 December 3050
The sun was setting as Joshua dismounted from his mech. The mech bay was empty, all the techs and crew now off-duty. Joshua pulled a jumpsuit over his sweaty cooling vest and shorts and headed for the exit.
A figure stepped out of the darkness. Joshua recognized it as Erik Iolair. "Good evening, Erik." said Joshua.
"Hey, I saw you come in. The others are at the Officer's Club celebrating the victory. Care to join them?"
"You didn't come over here just to escort me to our victory celebration. What's on your mind?"
"Nothing really. It’s just that today was the first time in a long time I’ve been in a good mood. Lisa and you have gotten married. We’ve had a victory against that pompous jackass Harrington. Just needed someone to share my excitement."
“There are plenty of them at the Officer’s Club. Including your wingman.”
“Yeah, she’s there.” Erik looked down quietly. “You know, after New Vision, I thought that was it. I thought we were alone.”
“Obviously, that’s not proven true. You’re not usually the one to get melancholy. That’s my job.” Joshua continued talking as he walked out onto the tarmac.
“Like you have reason to be, Mr. Newlywed.” Said Erik, following. “Harrington may still have his head up his ass, but today proved that what you have been doing is working. I’ve no doubt that when we leave this rock in April, we’ll be ready.”
“You know where we’re going.” Said Joshua, looking up at the stars. “Lisa needs a wedding present from me.”
“Let me guess. Our first target once we leave Skye…is New Belfast.”
“The Clans have ceased their advance. Now is the time to strike. Now is the time to take the fight to them for once. And yes, New Belfast will be that battleground.”
New Belfast
Jade Falcon Occupation Zone
2 January 3051
James Sebastian pried open the crate to reveal a package of assault rifles. "This will do nicely." Said Sebastian.
Sebastian had undergone a change since the Clan occupation began. Once a criminal who cared about nothing but his illegal businesses and their bottom line, now a partisan determined to see the Clan invaders driven from his world. He’d already begun sponsoring a number of small rebel outfits, but they had proven disorganized and ineffective. He soon realized his syndicate was the means to unite them into one single organized and well-equipped rebellion. When he acted on that, their coordinated actions quickly gained the attention of the Clan militia.
McHenry was the result. But the village massacre had only hardened Sebastian’s resolve.
"Where did you get these?" he asked.
"I’ve managed to purloin some of the militia’s old weapons before the Clan occupation force arrived. The real prize from the base was the location of the back-up stores for the old militia. I managed to delete the files so the Clan garrison would not recover them." The man, Samuel O’Grady, had been a sergeant in the old militia’s infantry, one who had been left behind when the rest of the militia evacuated.
"Where is that list?"
"I’ve got it on me. It’s safe."
"Good work. How many more of these crates do you have?"
"Only a handful, and not much ammunition, I’m afraid."
"Guns don’t help us without bullets." Said the voluptuous woman next to Sebastian. She carried a "blazer" rifle, a lethal double-barreled laser rifle. Her name was Kacey. She had started out on New Belfast as an immigrant, orphaned when her mechwarrior parents were killed in 3039. Without money or any place to go, she ended up as one of Sebastian’s prostitutes. She was 17 at the time. Over the last 11 years, she had learned to fight. As time went on, she gained clout and moved out of the brothel’s bedrooms to being the "madam." After that, Sebastian noticed her fighting skills and made her his chief bodyguard.
"James!" cried one of the sentries. "I’ve got seismic readings 5 kilometers southeast of here."
"Clan mechs?" asked Sebastian.
"Must be. We’ve only a few minutes."
“Damn. They’re coming to make another McHenry.” Said Samuel.
“Not this time.” Said Sebastian. "Malcolm! Get your snipers into position." The lanky young man nearby hoisted up a large rifle and ran off.
"You’re going to fight?" exclaimed Samuel.
"Damn right" said Sebastian. Without missing a beat, he turned to the bulky man behind Samuel. "Marcus, set up your inferno teams at the southeastern side of town. Kacey, start to evacuate the residents of that area."
"Roger." Said Kacey with a sardonic salute. She followed Marcus out the door.
"Orders for me?" asked Samuel, almost condescending. It had always been obvious that Samuel did not respect Sebastian or his new found martial talents.
"Get these guns and your ass out of town as fast as you can."
Samuel nodded, his resentment fading as reality set in. "I understand."
"Jean, you’re with
"Oui, mon capitan." Said the Gallic man. He brandished a submachine gun.
The two men darted out into the streets. A large group of ragtag freedom fighters had already gathered, bearing everything from pistols to hunting rifles to military-class small arms. "It’s our task to stop their elementals that make it past the snipers. Remember to aim for the faceplate. It’s heavily armored, but it’s the only place on those monsters that you can hurt with small arms. Use your grenades as a last resort to blind them and cover your escape. Break off into teams of four. You know your positions. Go!"
Sebastian turned on his handset radio. "Malcolm, are you in position?"
"Aye. I’ve got a confirm on the enemy force. One mixed element star. Two BattleMechs, a Clan Rifleman and a BattleMaster. Two Svantovit hover transports with ten elementals riding shotgun."
"You know your job. Take down those elementals. Leave the Mechs and the vehicles to Marcus. Go!"
"I detect no enemy military vehicles of any kind. Several civilian craft. If there are rebels in the village, Star Captain, they are only infantry. Easy pickings."
"Another massacre then?" asked Robert. "A full Star is too much for these bandits."
“Examples
must be made.” Said David. “At least here, there may be a bit of sport.” He
signaled the entire star. “The governor wants prisoners. Make sure not to
disappoint him.” David moved his mech into the lead.
"Sebastian, this is Marcus. The Rifleman has moved out ahead."
"Fire at will, Marcus. Take that bastard down!"
As David closed with the city, streams of missile fire flew out from the homes on the outskirts of the village. The missiles exploded short of the Rifleman, splashing flaming napalm gel all over the outside of the mech. Infernos!
Inferno rounds were designed not to destroy a mech, but to cripple it. With its fusion reactor and high powered weapons, a BattleMech generates a tremendous amount of waste heat, which is cycles out of its system through its heat sinks. Infernos would overload that cooling system, eventually causing the machine to shut itself down. Fortunately for David, and unfortunately for the partisans, the Clan Rifleman contained a very efficient heat system.
The infernos were a threat for another more pressing reason. All that flaming gel on the surface of his mech made David blind as a bat. None of his sensors could function through the inferno gel, nor could he even see out his own window.
"Satchel him!" ordered Marcus. The inferno gel would burn off within a minute. Marcus had planned to make use of that time to move his men to point-blank range.
Marcus had been a member of the 10th Donegal Guards anti-mech infantry platoon. He had been the sole survivor of that platoon after Pryde’s Jaegers demolished the Guard. He had been using his training to teach this band of rebels how infantry could take down a mech. Now would be his first real test of how well his men had learned.
Marcus pulled a heavy metallic pack out of his backpack. He flipped a switch on it, which set both a timer and a large electromagnet. He ran up to the leg of the Rifleman, well below the still flaming inferno gel, and slapped the charge onto the foot. A dozen other men did the same. As quickly as they had run out, they began to ran back. The gel burned away and David brought his deadly pulse lasers to bear.
"Fools!" he swore, triggering the lasers. Four crimson beams machine-gunned out from the long barrels on each arm of the mech, chewing through the running rebels. Marcus himself dove behind a small brick wall as one of the lasers sliced the ground near him. The brick wall vaporized under the powerful beam, showering Marcus with debris and dust.
Then the bombs went off.
The sudden explosion blasted both feet off of the Rifleman. No longer able to hold itself up, and lacking "real" arms with which to catch itself, the Rifleman pitched forward onto its face. The impact with the ground ripped the mech’s arms off.
"He’s down!" exclaimed Marcus, standing up.
"Pull out!" cried Malcolm. "The rest of the force is moving up."
Robert had a laugh at David’s expense, but at the same time recognized that Sebastian’s rebels were growing more sophisticated. McHenry appeared to do little to discourage them.
“The
Star Captain is down. I, Robert O’Malley, military governor for the Jade Falcon
Clan, am assuming command.” He moved his BattleMaster forward, firing his PPCs.
“Alpha Star, attack at will.”
Marcus shot a quick glance over his shoulder to see the BattleMaster closing with the village. It fired its twin particle cannon, blasting a nearby house to splinters. Marcus ducked as he was once again showered with debris.
"Pull back!" yelled Marcus. Beside the BattleMaster, he could see five elementals leapfrogging their way towards the village.
A loud crack filled the air. One of the leapfroggers came down and did not launch again. That was Malcolm, who was the best shot Marcus had ever seen. He was an amateur competitive marksman. Samuel had found a powerful Barrett Mark 3015 sniper cannon for him among the militia’s cache. It had been a "toy" of one of the militia snipers, one that had not survived the battles of the previous June. The gun had the range and power to hit the elementals when they were still 500 meters out from the village. Malcolm had the skill to hit their faceplates when they were on the jump at that distance.
Marcus picked up his rocket launcher. Only about half of his squad had made it. David’s one barrage had cost him 10 men. The rest were uninjured. (Given their power, battlemech energy weapons rarely left wounded. You either survived them or you didn’t.)
Malcolm’s snipers started firing. Their Federated Long Rifles could hit at a good distance, well before the elementals could bring their deadly lasers to bear. Problem was, to obtain their long range, this type of rifle used a very light round. Malcolm had feared that it would not be strong enough to penetrate the armored glass on the elementals’ viewplate. His fears were justified. None of the elementals ceased their advance, save when Malcolm took one down with his gun.
The BattleMaster began to fire on the snipers positions, blasting away the buildings they were in. The PPCs made short work of the wooden houses on the outskirts and the brick buildings in the center of town. It was those brick structures were the snipers had hidden themselves.
"We can’t win a stand-up fight. We’ve got to get out of here!" said Sebastian as he saw the village erupt into flames from the PPC fire. He burned with anger at watching the innocent civilians lose their homes and businesses. "All rebels withdraw."
"If ve can’t outpace those transports, ve’ll never escape alive." Said Jean.
"Our cars should be fast enough. It’s that BattleMaster I’m most worried about."
"Malcolm, are you there?" said Sebastian.
"I’m fine, a little singed from where they took out my building. I’ve got a few of my men, but not many. We’re heading for the vehicles now."
"Marcus?"
"En route. I think I was luckier than Malcolm. Lost half my men to that Rifleman."
"Attrition will ruin us." Said Sebastian bitterly. "Let’s move."
"The enemy is retreating in civilian cars. Request permission to pursue." Asked the elemental commander of Robert.
"Neg. They will just outpace us. Burn the village to the ground. And as Star Captain David said, bring me prisoners." Said Robert, “Oh, and don’t forget to fetch the Star Captain.”
New Belfast
Jade Falcon Occupation Zone
3 January 3050
David rubbed his forehead angrily. The bandage there was a constant reminder of his failure. He sat up in his hospital bed and looked at the television. There was very little on that interested him, a great deal of sexual interaction programs. He had heard them called "soup operas." He found them trivial and foolish.
Robert walked in. David shot him a baleful glance. "Here to gloat?”
“Sebastian is getting stronger, not weaker. Burning towns and villages only seems to embolden him.”
“If you are here only to state the obvious, then leave. Otherwise, I would hear whatever brilliant plan you might offer to defeat him.”
“Pinning him down will prove difficult.”
“Why is that?”
“We recovered several prisoners and many bodies of rebels. But what they have told us disturbs me.”
“And that is?”
"Sebastian has no permanent base of operations, just a series of hideouts."
“Did none of these prisoners reveal any of his current hideouts? I am sure the men appreciated the benefits of honesty over allowing their women into your tender care.”
“We know some, but again if Sebastian’s clever enough, he’ll be scouting for new ones in the near future. If my guess is correct, he’s left his old haunts from his criminal enterprise alone. None of his rebel supporters know of their location."
"Do you?"
“I told you already I wasn’t able to shut him down. That hasn’t changed.”
“No matter. Sebastian will eventually make a mistake. Then we will have him. As for your prisoners, they have served their purpose. Kill them.”
The Clan interrogators had been merciless on Kacey, pumping her system full of drugs until she told them all she knew about Sebastian. Despite her strong will, they had broken her within a few hours. Rather than return her to the packed cells, they had left her separate.
Robert passed the room, looking in on the unconscious woman. She did not stir. Two of the Clan technicians that had been interrogating her walked up to him. "Has there been a decision on the fate of the prisoners?"
"Yes, Star Captain David wants them executed for treason." His eyes chanced upon a 16 year old girl. "Leave that one and the rebel woman you interrogated."
"As you wish, Governor. Any preference on method of execution?"
"Make it look painful. Hang them with wire from the street lamps of
The tech nodded malevolently. "It shall be done."
Elementals came down shortly there after a few minutes, shuffling the frightened and unknowing prisoners out of the prison to their fate. Robert separated out the teenager. There was a scuffle as her father tried to stop him. He was struck by an elemental with a cattle prod, one that was set to electrocute rather than stun. The man twitched a few times as the prod fried his nervous system. The sight of one of their number killed before them triggered a panic. The huge elementals waded in with their prods, killing until the crowd was quelled. Thirty lay dead.
"Your habit is causing problems." Snarled the Point Commander.
“This is the Star Captain’s wish.” Retorted Robert. “The populace must be made fearful and compliant.”
“What about the other one?”
“I’ll return for her later. You have your orders.”
“There will be no one to guard her.” Reminded the point commander.
“Seal the jail cell. She’s too doped up to go anywhere.”
Kacey was left to her slumber as the elementals and technicians left to perform their grim task. A few minutes passed and a man walked in unnoticed.
"Hey, miss!" he said, splashing cold water on her face. "Wake up!"
Kacey shook her head and came around. "Where…who…"
"My name is Duncan O’Brian. I’m with the rebels."
"The Baron’s heir?"
"Aye."
"Why are you here? Where is here anyway?"
"You’re in MacLeod City Jail. You were brought here for interrogation." He began to untie her from the chair.
"How did you get in?"
"No one to guard. They’ve hauled everyone out to be killed."
"Why wasn’t I?"
"Because Colonel O’Malley wants to fuck you." said
"Did Sebastian get away?"
"Your boss is the luckiest man alive. He’s still free and clear. Father knows where he is. We’ll be joining him shortly."
“And the villagers?”
“Nothing we can do for them.” As if to emphasize the point, machine gun fire could be heard in the distance. He finished untying her hands and feet. "Let’s get out of here."
"Nice mech." Said
"You know about mechs? I didn’t know you were a mechwarrior."
"I am. My father taught me in his Black Knight before he gave it to Daniel."
"Your brother died in that mech." Reminded Kacey.
"A little secret, known only to a few. There’s a series of passages underground that link the government complex with my father’s manor house, the MacLeod castle, and the military base. Only the members of my family and the MacLeods know of them. I know where the entrance is."
"And from there to where?"
"My home. My father has a ship waiting for you that will take you to Sebastian’s last known location. By dawn, you will be hundreds of kilometers from here."
New Belfast
Jade Falcon Occupation Zone
29 January 3050
Sebastian slapped the barrel of a large laser. "Mech class weapons, small arms, enough munitions for several weeks of intense combat. You have found us a gold mine, Samuel."
Kacey leaned back against a stack of autocannon shell crates. Beside her was
“Civilian vehicles and Workmechs will have to do. Some of them are sturdy enough to take a weapon mount.”
“We can also steal them.” Said Samuel. “Enemy mechs, that is.”
“You’ll need pilots, mechwarriors. And most of those who survived left on the militia’s dropships.” Said
“We have you, mi’lord.” Said Sebastian. “And you can teach us.”
"As for the land vehicles,” Said Kacey. "We’ll need trained technicians to jury rig our craft and install the equipment."
"That, I think I can arrange. " said Sebastian. "It will take several months to refit all our craft."
"It would only take a matter of days to convert them in a proper facility." Said Marcus impatiently.
"Any and all proper facilities are under a close watch of our Clan benefactors. We’ll have to smuggle our technicians out here."
"We need recruits after that mess at McDonaugh." Commented Samuel.
"They’ll be beating down our doors to sign up after all this butchery." Said Malcolm. "Over five hundred people killed between the massacre at McHenry and the execution of the survivors at McDonaugh. Lined them up to hang off every lamp post in town with piano wire. The corpses are still hanging after almost a month."
"Either that or they’ll be too scared to act." Said
“They don’t strike me as terribly flexible in their thinking. There will be more atrocities before this is over.” Said
Sebastian spat. “I should have had my men kill him rather than that Messer fellow all those months ago. Fucking traitor. No, the more they kill the angrier the people become. We’re fed up with this tyranny, with this barbarism. It’s time we struck a real blow for New Belfast. I want to drive the Clans from one of our cities. Probably
Kacey nodded. "Can we do it?"
"We’ll find out soon enough."
Donegal March, Federated Commonwealth
18 March 3051
Hauptmann Matthew Jiwe’s huge Daishi assault mech pulled into line with the other various mechs of the Star Swords. As a token gesture of strength, a parade was being held to show off the Star Swords and their Clan mechs.
The Daishi was the heaviest Omnimech used by the Clans. Known as the Dire Wolf to them, the Jade Falcons apparently did not favor the design, having only three such mechs on board the Emerald Hawk. Jiwe’s fondness for assault mechs had made this mech a dream machine for him.
Jiwe had built a configuration on the modular mech that included six large pulse lasers and the extra heat sinks to bleed off the heat those weapons would generate. The lasers were mounted three to each arm. The mech was not too unlike the Supernova used by the Wolverines, a mech Matt had trained on frequently as a cadet. Over the mech’s right shoulder was a Streak SRM launcher with six missile tubes.
Matt had been fond of the old Supernova and its laser configuration. Due to weight restraints, it was unable to mount the heavier pulse lasers. Matt could not only make that modification, he had room to spare for the missile launcher. Like its more primitive cousin, the Daishi could destroy most any mech with those lasers. It was truly the deadliest mech in the Star Swords arsenal.
Before him in the parade line were the other field commanders of the Star Swords. All the mechs were painted in the burgundy, navy, and forest green parade scheme of the Star Swords. Likewise, the officers were dressed in uniforms of those colors. All members of the Star Swords brandished swords on their belts; field officers of Hauptmann rank or higher could bear two. Only a handful had chosen to do so, Daisaku Hayakusora with his katana-wakisashi pair was the highest ranking officer of them.
Daisaku’s light Uller mech was second-in-line in the parade group, sandwiched between Joshua’s Ryoken and Lisa’s Fenris. Behind her was Juan Miranda, who piloted a Thor. Those were the battalion commanders, those of Kommandant rank. After them were the Hauptmann, the company commanders. Several of them were members of the old New Belfast militia, the rest were either NAMA friends of Joshua or officers from the 8th Arcturan and 10th Donegal. Kou in his Vulture, Michael in his Black Hawk, and Matt were the well known members of that group.
Behind the Omnimechs were two "stars" of Elemental armor, 50 soldiers in all. For ease of use, Joshua had chosen to keep the elementals in the Clan organization pattern, while he kept Inner Sphere organization for the Battlemechs. Having been raised on Clan organization, Joshua would have preferred their military patterns, but knew that would both confuse his Inner Sphere subordinates and tip off the already suspicious Clans to his origins.
Following the elementals were several of the new upgraded Inner Sphere designs. In a massive military built-up, the nations of the Inner Sphere had rushed into production a number of new versions of their old mech designs that used the newly rediscovered Star League weapons. They were as potent as the designs the Wolverines had fielded and were far more numerous than the stolen Omnis the Star Swords possessed.
It was an impressive set and everyone knew it was going to be quite a show. Most of the populace of Tharkad, the capital of the
Matt’s radio barked to life. It was Joshua. "Sword leader to all parade mechs. Begin your advance. Keep the mech in front of you 50 meters away. All mechs set speed to 10 kph. Let’s get this show on the road."
"Roger." Acknowledged Matt. He brought his machine online. The huge XL engine hummed to life as he brought the Daishi out of stand-by. Joshua’s Ryoken had already begun to march down the street, looking sluggish as it moved forward a barely more than a tenth its maximum speed. As the line advanced, Matt moved his machine forward.
"Six pulse lasers?" questioned a skeptical mechwarrior. The parade was over and now the crowds had come. To avoid overflow, the capitol grounds had to be sealed off by armed guards after so many people had gone in. When some left, more could be let inside. Regardless, the normally serene grounds were packed with people.
Matt was not the only one having answer questions for the awestruck crowd. Joshua had found himself surrounded, by everyone from curious mechwarriors to gawking teenagers. Joshua was enjoying his new celebrity.
Erik Iolair and Michelle were also enjoying the celebration. With their fighters still aboard the Star Sword, they found themselves among the crowd. They had taken to annoying their friends with stupid questions.
Daisaku Hayakusora was the first to tire of their game, quaintly telling Erik where to shove his dumb questions. After that, Erik found something else to keep himself entertained and left his friends alone.
Lisa had gotten tired of the questions and had crawled up into her mech to take a break. Joshua broke off from his mech to go over to her. He climbed up after her and shot her a rapid hello. Lisa jumped, not expecting anyone to come up after her.
"Joshua! What are you doing?" she said with annoyance. She sounded very tired.
"Too bad they’re all this cramped." commented Joshua with a flirtatious tone.
Lisa nodded. “Yeah, too bad.” She said with a smile. “No room for passengers or for anything else.”
"Your choice surprised me a little." said Joshua. "This is a far cry from Gil-Galad. No jump jets, a PPC and missile launcher instead of lasers."
"I can reconfigure the weapons."
"But no jump jets without severely cutting down your firepower."
"It’s still the same style of mech, a fast medium weight scout. And for the record, I’ve actually increased my firepower."
"Only because the Clan weapons hit harder."
"I could make the same argument for you." said Lisa, leaning back. "Galileo II and Galileo share only their weight in common. You sacked your jump jets and mix of weapons for a mech without them and an entirely laser configuration."
"Touché!" said Joshua.
The day was warm, neither hot nor cold. Juan had discarded his dress uniform. He felt a hand on his elbow and he spun in surprise.
"You’re getting sloppy, Juan." Said the red-headed man behind him.
"Richard? Why are you here?"
Richard O’Malley shrugged. "Personal business. I slipped behind the lines to search for my brother."
"He was on New Belfast, was he not?" said Juan, remembering. "When last I saw you, you had just helped him move there."
"You remember correctly.”
"Any luck?"
"None, so I must assume he’s dead. But I have heard you may be heading there."
"Yes, we are en route there after all this BS is over with here on Tharkad."
"Then I have much to tell you. Can you join me for some drinks?"
"I think I can slip off."
"Good. We have much to discuss."
Jade Falcon Occupation Zone
30 April 3053
"Not again!" thought Robert subliminally. He was seeing the death of his mother; the Kurita warrior, his brother, all of it. As he awoke screaming, his mind spat out a single thought. "Don’t leave me!"
Again, the nightmares continued; his willing participation in the Clan brutalities had done nothing to rid Robert of them.
“Damn you.” He swore aloud. He looked down at the young woman on the floor beside his bed. “Damn all of you.”
David threw open the door to Robert’s room without knocking. Robert reached for a weapon, but stopped when he realized who it was.
“What did I tell you about coming into my private chambers?”
“I do not need your permission to go or do anything. You live at my discretion, Governor.”
"Why are you here, Star Captain?"
"Rebels have struck at our garrison in
"Another lightning raid?"
"Aff. They crippled one mech and made off with several tons of munitions."
"Kenichi unable to respond?"
"They disappear, as your people say, back into the woodwork. They continue to receive aid from the general populace." Snarled David in frustration.
"So what do you propose?"
"I will butcher another town! I will kill all them if that is what it takes.”
“This isn’t working, Star Captain. And you can’t kill them all.”
“Watch me.” Said David, giving the girl a nudge with his boot. To O’Malley’s surprise, she stirred. David reached behind him to O’Malley’s ceremonial katana. He drew it and brought it down swiftly on the girl. He whacked her twice more with the blade before becoming satisfied that she was dead.
“You did not finish what you started.” Said David coldly. He cleaned the blade and returned it to its scabbard.
"You are mad." Said O’Malley in an almost frightened tone.
“And you are one to talk? Avenging yourself every night upon the whore mother who abandoned you?”
“How dare you?”
“You scream it from your sleep! Do not deny it! At least my madness, my brutality, serves a purpose. When a dog disobeys, you beat it. If it continues in its disobedience, you dispose of it. I use you and your twisted vices to serve that purpose. But make no mistake, you are as much a monster as I!”
"You did not come here to murder my latest paramour or give me a lesson in psychology.”
“No, I did not. My purpose is two fold. One is that we must discuss plans to deal once and for all with these rebels. But there is another purpose.”
“And that is?”
“Your service to us has not gone unnoticed. It seems Star Colonel Pryde has sent a gift for you. He deigns to make you a warrior and wishes you to be instructed as such."
“I live to serve.” Said Robert sardonically.
“This is no typical honor, spheroid. Do not mock it.” Snapped David. “I was freeborn, the product of a rape not unlike those you commit upon the women of this planet every night. Star Colonel Pryde took me under his tutelage, allowed me to train and test as a warrior. He now grants you the same gift, as well as a proper machine in which to do it.”
Robert knew enough of history to recognize the mech, although some superficial changes in its appearance had occurred. David was already powering up his Rifleman for the exercise. They did not fight each other in most cases, the risk of death was too high for the "cadet." Instead, they ran the distance of an automated target course together, one that did shoot back with live rounds however. Robert had fought with David once before and lost horribly.
Robert slid into the cockpit of his mech. It smelled new, something Robert had never experienced before. His BattleMaster was a hand-me-down. His Cataphract, the same, a gift of inheritance from an uncle.
"Are you ready, Robert?"
"Aff, Star Captain. Lead on."
New Belfast
Jade Falcon Occupation Zone
20 July 3051
Star Commander Bailey moved her Incubus forward at full speed. The growing snowstorm had her worried. Winter had come to New Belfast again. The harvest was over and the cargo ships had left for the stars, carrying the first fruits of their conquest back to the Jade Falcons.
Bailey nursed her wounded leg. She had fought in a Trial of Position, facing off with a captured Inner Sphere warrior. He had beaten her and two other companions. It was rare for a trueborn warrior to claim three kills in their Trial, let alone some freeborn pet of Star Captain David. The defeat was all the more bitter when she realized that her two companions, friends of hers since birth, had not survived.
"Star Commander, we are detecting unusual signals 1000 meters from your position. We are transmitting coordinates now."
"I detect nothing. Are you sure?" This storm, although mild, had a habit of playing hell with their instruments. She moved her Incubus towards the coordinates, bringing her weapons on-line.
When she was short only 200 meters from the coordinates, her radar picked up the signals at last. Four vehicles, civilian tracked vehicles designed for travel over snow and ice. They were nicknamed "snow cats," after snow caterpillar in reference to their tracks. They were used for a number of purposes, none hostile.
That was before a quad spread of SRM missiles came out of one of them. The small missiles smashed into the torso armor of the Incubus. It was followed up by laser strikes.
"Enemy power-up detected." Intoned the computer of the Incubus. More vehicles appeared, smaller snowmobiles. They too were armed, this time with small lasers. There were nearly a dozen craft swarming around the Incubus.
"Star Commander Bailey to command, rebel vehicles in sector. Scramble all units for defense."
Another SRM spread slammed into the Incubus’s armor, blasting through the mech’s hip to smash the sensitive join there. That crippled the mech. Behind her, Star Commander Bailey saw the rest of her star: a Bane, two Clan Shadow Hawks, and a Glass Spider.
The Glass Spider fired its twin gauss cannon into one of the Snow Cats. The light vehicle exploded under the impact of the heavy weapons.
"Point unit reports heavy losses, but one mech has been crippled. They’ll not be able to hold them much longer."
Sebastian slapped the Snow Cat he was riding on top of. "Can’t these things move anything faster?"
"The snowstorm is keeping our speed low. There’s no visibility."
"We have to get our main force into the city before those mechs break off."
"Request permission to pursue." Said the Glass Spider pilot.
"Neg." she said. "Point Three, pick up in one minute." She cracked her canopy, letting in the snow and cold air.
"Roger." Responded one of the Shadow Hawk pilots. His mech moved over to her crippled mech. He bent down to retrieve her. She stepped out onto the hand of the Shadow Hawk. It stood back up and headed back towards the city.
They moved to within a kilometer of the city. Suddenly, without warning, Bailey pitched over in her perch and fell the four meters to the ground. "Star Commander?" exclaimed Point Three in surprise.
"Enemy contacts!" said the Bane pilot. His eight light autocannon roared to life, chewing up the snowy plains and the vehicles on them.
"They are within the city!" said Point Three, triggering his lasers.
"Enemy contacts behind us. It’s the group we fought before."
"The freebirth slime trapped us!" said Point Three, looking at his monitors as his hopes for victory or even escape diminished rapidly.
“Damn these rebels.” Said the Star Commander. She tried to stand, but the fall had broken a leg. “It is not the most glorious death, but at least we shall take some of them with us. Fire at will!”
Next chapter
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