Tamar March, Federated Commonwealth
20 January 3050
"Is something wrong, Joshua?" asked Daisaku. The two of them were marching through the mech hanger, heading for their machines. Joshua's lance had patrol duty for that night.
"Should there be?"
"You've been quiet as hell since we left New Avalon."
"I miss everyone. Getting that ComStar message from Marta didn't help matters any."
"This was your idea." Reminded Daisaku.
"Don’t remind me. But it’s more than that…."
“Lisa, Marta, Matthew, Erik, everyone.” He paused. “But, yeah, Lisa most of all.”
"You’re not going to like me saying this, but honestly, Josh, I think you're going to have to put her behind you. I know you just got over losing Gwen, but you're going to have to do it again."
"New
“Look, I know you’re fond of her. But she’s there. You’re here. There’s guys there. There’s women here. You know what I’m getting at.”
“There’s more to life than the hookers in the brothel outside the base.”
“Don’t insult me, Joshua. We don’t know how long we’re going to be here. It could be decades before the Clans show up, if they show up in this part of space at all. Out there is a whole planet full of eager young women, and perhaps among them is another that’ll stir your heart like Gwen and Lisa both did. You don’t usually find ‘the one’ on the first try, or the second, maybe not the third either. But you can’t just hold out for her, because you have no guarantee that she’ll do the same for you.”
“That’s why it’s called trust.”
“Suit yourself. But frankly, those very dry 18 months on New Avalon have gotten to me. You had your fun with Lisa. Now it’s my turn to be the swanky playboy, and I’ve even got a nice crisp uniform to woo them in.”
“You as a lady’s man is something I’ve got to see.”
“What? You don’t think I can pull it off?”
“Right now, we have other concerns.” Said Joshua, stopping at the foot of his Shadow Hawk.
“I know.” Daisaku turned and headed for his own Wolfhound. "Maybe we'll meet some of those rebel creeps that have been messing around here for the last 10 months."
Both men climbed into their machines and began to power them up. As Joshua was going through the start up sequence, one of his lancemates, Larry Kyle, spoke up across the communicator. "Good thing the rebellion fell flat after the battles on Planting and other worlds six months ago." Larry’s Wasp came out of its repair bay and marched towards the exit of the hanger. Already outside was Wendy Scotch's Blackjack.
"Don’t be too certain.” Said Wendy. “Rasalhague has too much of an interest keeping them going. Keeps us nicely distracted."
“As if there was any real chance the Lyrans would invade.” Added Daisaku.
“Alright, everyone,” cut in Joshua. “Cut the chatter and form up. Our patrol sector is Windaria Chasm. It’s rocky terrain, steep, very unforgiving, and there’s been rebel activity in the area to boot. Look sharp.”
Joshua took up position in the back with Wendy's mech, since hers was the slowest of the group. Daisaku and Larry pulled ahead and they began their patrol.
Windaria Chasm was a mere thirty kilometers out from the base. With the reports of rebel activity so close to the mech base, the commanders of the 10th Donegal were taking no chances and had begun regular patrols of the area. It did not take the lance long to get there.
"I hate this place." said Wendy over the comm..
"I don't blame you. Too many places for bad guys to hide." said Daisaku.
"As if these guys were a threat…" said Larry.
Joshua did not like Larry’s cocky attitude. His ignorance was going to get them into trouble by planting a false sense of security. "Keep the channel clear, people. There’ve been three other revolts on worlds near here over the last four months, and one here on Chateau." Said Joshua. "Don't get careless. These people know we’re in mechs and will fight accordingly."
“Dirty tricks.” Said Daisaku.
“And this is the place for them. So keep alert. Larry, you take point.”
Larry began to descend into the chasm. Daisaku followed about 150 meters behind him, and Joshua another 150 behind him. Wendy took up the rear.
"Hey, wait a minute....." said Larry suddenly.
"What is it?" asked Joshua.
"I'm getting some strange readings on my sensors. The magnetoscope is off the chart. Unusually large quantities of ferrous metals in this region of the chasm. Those weren't here last week."
"I'm confirming Larry's readings." Said Daisaku. "What could it be?"
"Could it be a hidden mech?" asked Wendy, a hint of fear on her voice.
"Negative. There’s too much. It's a field at ground level approximately 70 meters in length. Don't recognize it. Doesn't appear to be a minefield." Reported Larry.
"I have a bad feeling about this. Larry, proceed, but avoid that area. Use your jump jets." Ordered Joshua. He moved his Shadow Hawk out to cover his advance.
"Yes, sir."
Larry reached the region and flamed his jets. As he started to fly over the unusual area, Joshua spotted something out of the corner of his eye.
"Bogey! Two o’clock." He cried.
An azure beam of light shot down towards the Wasp. It missed Larry’s mech and struck the ground. There was a blinding flash of light.
Flash compensators kept Joshua and the others from being blinded, but the shock wave that slammed them a second later knocked them off their feet.
"Ambush!" yelled Joshua, trying to keep from blacking out from his falling mech. He hit the ground and slid, but the soft ground did minimal damage to his thick armor.
Joshua brought his mech back to its feet a few seconds later. Daisaku was also up and ready. Larry's Wasp had been caught in the explosion and now lay at the far side of the now detonated field. Both of its legs were blown off by the explosion, and there was no response to hails.
"Bogeys at 2 and 12 o'clock." said Daisaku. "Rasalhague Kungsarme BattleMechs."
"My God, Larry's dead." said Wendy. "He's....."
"Pull yourself together, Corporal." snapped Joshua. His blood was pumping as he remembered once more the feeling of real combat. It had been a long time, not since the horrible days of the New Vision massacre.
The two mechs who appeared marched towards the patrol lance, firing as they came. "I've identified a Dragon and a Warhammer." Declared Daisaku.
"Shit, heavies. Unit designations?" said Joshua as a PPC blast came his way from the Warhammer. It struck his left torso
"Uncertain. They are from Rasalhague however."
"Return fire. Move to engage." said Joshua, triggering his ER PPC. The blast tore armor from the Warhammer's left arm.
Daisaku fired his large laser at the Dragon. It hit home as an autocannon blast from the Dragon flew over his head. Daisaku had hit at a range of 475 meters, well out of maximum range of a normal heavy laser.
The Dragon pilot slowed his advance, surprised by Daisaku's lostech weaponry. Joshua fired his jump jets and rocketed towards the Warhammer.
"Now we see just what the rest of this Inner Sphere has to offer." Though Joshua, lining up the cross-hairs for his secondary weaponry on the Warhammer. He fired his short range missile system and his twin medium lasers, peeling more armor off of the Warhammer.
The Warhammer pilot too seemed surprised by Joshua's potency. Joshua's Shadow Hawk was far from ordinary and his lethal accuracy was planting shots into the Warhammer at maximum range.
The Warhammer fired his medium lasers and six pack missile launcher. Joshua's jumping mech was difficult to hit, but one laser hit home, tearing an ugly scar down his right leg.
The Dragon opened fire on Wendy's stationary Blackjack. Daisaku was trying to draw the 60 ton mech's fire, but it seemed content to blast the mech of the terrified Wendy.
"This will make him think twice about picking on a helpless pilot." said Daisaku, pressing a switch on his fire control system. "There is no honor in fighting a weaker foe."
Daisaku brought his heavy laser in line with the head of the Dragon and fired. A blood red beam of light pulsed out of his right arm and hit the Dragon dead on the head. The mech staggered and Daisaku realized his shot had knocked out the pilot. Daisaku finished the Dragon with another head shot, easier with the mech now motionless.
"Wendy, are you alright?" asked Daisaku.
"Y....yes." she responded.
“Get your ass moving!” snapped Joshua. He had his hands full. His Shadow Hawk carried almost as much armor as a Warhammer, but half the firepower. Joshua knew his opponent lacked double strength heat sinks, making it critically weakened by heat, by the way his foe fought. He found it difficult himself to maintain his own heat, even with 11 double heat sinks. That PPC built up tremendous levels of heat.
Two medium lasers boiled armor off of Joshua's torso. Joshua, his confidence strong, fired his PPC and struck the Warhammer's left arm again. The shot blew the arm off at the elbow.
"Take that, you son of a bitch." Snarled Joshua, forgetting his military protocol yet again. He was drunk with victory. He knew he had won this battle and it was a refreshing change from the last real battle he’d fought, on New Vision in what seemed like a lifetime ago.
The Warhammer began to back away, its pilot now convinced he was not dealing with the green pilots he was told would be on this patrol route. Joshua fired his PPC and twin medium lasers into the mech's left leg. One of the lasers fused the Warhammer's hip joint, making impossible to get away from the already speedier Shadow Hawk.
"Good shooting." asked Daisaku. "We’ve got them now."
Joshua switched his communicator over to wide-beam, knowing the Warhammer pilot would hear. "Surrender now. You have no hope of escape."
The Warhammer paused as its pilot considered Joshua's demand. Joshua watched as his sensors of the Warhammer showed its engine shut down. He had surrendered.
"Daisaku, retrieve the Warhammer pilot. I'm going after Larry."
"Yes, sir." said Daisaku.
Joshua and Daisaku dismounted. Joshua dashed over to the wrecked Wasp. He walked over to the head of the mech and opened the cockpit hatch. The panel slid back like normal, which was a good sign. Joshua looked down inside and saw Larry in his seat.
Joshua dropped into the cockpit and gave Larry a shake. Larry did not respond. Joshua unhooked his neural helmet and pulled it off. Larry's head had been smashed against the side of the helmet by the impact, his skull was crushed by the blow.
“Is he?” asked Wendy over the comm..
“Yeah, he is. Daisaku, contact the infantry garrison to come out here and clean up this mess. Tell them we have three mechs to salvage, a prisoner to process, and a body to recover."
"You all right?"
"Just a little shaken. I hate seeing people under my command die."
"I’m sorry.”
Joshua stepped down from Larry’s crippled machine. “You had best get used to this. “He thought to himself. “If we are to fulfill our destiny, then we will bathe in more blood than any one should, and not all of it will be that of our enemies."
Sarna March, Federated Commonwealth
20 January 3050
Erik Iolair watched as a sleek Lightning fighter pulled to a stop in the hanger of the 21st Flying Tigers. Erik walked over to greet his wingman, who he had yet to meet.
The canopy slid back on the Lightning and out stepped the pilot. "He" pulled off his helmet to reveal a mass of jet black hair.
"Uh!?" said Erik as his female wingman turned to look at him. She was absolutely stunning.
"Is something wrong, Leftenant?" she asked.
"Uh, no."
"You must be Erik Iolair. I'm Sergeant Michelle Harrington. I've been assigned to your wing." she said with a sharp salute. Erik was too busy taking her in to return to the salute.
"Uh, yes."
"I don't bite, Leftenant." said Michelle with a smile.
Erik shook his head and regained his composure. "Sorry, Sergeant." He finally saluted.
"You look like you've never seen a girl in your entire life." said Michelle.
Erik gained a slick grin. "Well I thought I had, until today."
Michelle blushed. "Are you always this charming?”
“I try.”
“You a rookie too?"
"NAMA class of ’49."
"Yeah. I’m Nagelring. Also ’49. Just graduated." Nagelring was the top military academy in the
“Probably why they put us together.”
"Birds of a feather...." Michelle smiled. "Come on. Since we're going to be flying together, we might as well get to know one another over some drinks. You game?"
“Absolutely, especially if you’re buying. Lead on, Sergeant."
“First round’s on me. The rest, well…”
Suddenly, a loudspeaker barked above them. "Epsilon squadron, please report to the briefing room."
"That’s us." Said Michelle. "I wonder what’s up?"
Tamar March, Federated Commonwealth
21 January 3050
Ryan Smith, Matthew Jiwe, and Kou Fairchild sat down together at the base cafeteria for breakfast. "Groan, two weeks and nothing to do. We're too far from the Rasalhague border to get any action here." complained Kou.
"You say that as if it is a bad thing." said Ryan.
"You lack confidence, my friend." Said Matthew. "Your skills are some of the best in the Commonwealth. No Rasalhague pilot or Periphery bandit is going to be a problem for you."
"Be careful about underestimating your foes, Leftenant.” said a voice. ”You may do well in an academy setting, but we’re a long way from the academy out here.”
Ryan and Kou shot to their feet and saluted. Matthew slowly stood up and faced the female Leftenant who had joined them.
"With all due respect, miss, I don’t think I am underestimating my abilities." Said Matthew.
"Not known for your humility, are you, Sergeant Jiwe?"
"Leftenant Perrens, can we help you?" asked Kou.
"Hauptmann Miranda wishes to see the three of you in his office."
"Yes, ma'am." said Kou. "Come on guys, we've got an appointment with the local DMI spook."
Kelly Perrens gritted her teeth at Kou's comment, but ignored it. She turned and followed the three NAMA graduates out of the cafeteria.
Juan was waiting for them when they arrived. "Ah, hello, gentlemen. I was talking to General Anderson and he believes this job is one for a bunch of novices like yourselves." Juan paused as angry looks crossed the faces of the trio. "Don't take that personally, guys. You guys are academy trained, which is better than most of the poor grunts out here. I think, and so does General Anderson, that this is a job that'll hone your skills without getting you guys killed."
“Appreciate that.” Said Kou.
"What is the mission, sir?" asked Ryan.
"A group of Periphery bandits have holed up in the northern city of
"Do they have control of the city?"
"As best we can tell. The city was garrisoned only by infantry. There are only a handful of them. Our job will be to flush them out and destroy them. Our mechs will be loaded aboard King Karnov transport choppers and deployed by airdrop outside of the city. We leave at 2000 hours."
Draconis March, Federated Commonwealth
21 January 3050
Isaac checked his neurohelmet and frowned. He never liked the bulky primitive version of this device that the Inner Sphere used. He was still fond of the older, better, and smaller version of the helmet he had used on New Vision.
"What have you gotten us into, Joshua?" thought Isaac to himself as he ran through his pre-launch checklist. "Whatever you told the Prince about where we were to be assigned has gotten us placed in a number of combat assignments. I’ve only been here two weeks and already I’m preparing for an objective raid.
"The others are all in the Tamar March, where regional flare-ups are as common as dirt. They’re bound to see some action. I thought I was off the hook, sitting here less than one jump to Terra. But no, we’ve got to strike at Quentin to help some Stealthy Foxes steal some technical data. Since when did I join military intelligence?"
"You seem rather quiet." Said a voice over his comm. Isaac looked up across the dropship’s bay at Mike Koren’s Wolverine.
"I’m just wondering why we didn’t get an easy ride with our first assignment. We’re rookies."
"I might be. You aren’t."
"Well, I’m still hardly a veteran."
"You complain too much. I almost prefer this. We won’t be bored, and we get some field experience right off the bat."
"And we risk our necks without that experience. Humor me if I’m a little nervous about this. My last experience on the real battlefield was anything but pleasant."
"You and your friends never talk about what happened there except in vague generalities.”
“If you’d been through it, you’d know. Those aren’t things I like to remember. It’s almost time for launch. We’d better get out and strap ourselves down for take-off."
Tamar March, Federated Commonwealth
24 January 3050
Ryan Smith turned his Marauder about to face his newest foe. These Periphery bandits had proven to be most troublesome. When Juan and the NAIS graduates arrived in Seton, the bandits fled into the nearby hills. The F-C team headed after them, but had managed to destroy only two of the enemy mechs after four days of searching.
The mech on Ryan's back was a rather battered Stalker assault mech. Ryan was amazed at the amount of battle damage the mech had sustained. Despite being ten tons heavier, in its current condition, the Stalker was no match for Ryan's refitted Marauder.
Nonetheless, the bandit opened fire with his twin large lasers. They tore two huge gashes in Ryan's heavy armor, but failed to penetrate. Ryan triggered his twin PPCs and watched his heat spike. Both connected, one hitting the Stalker's torso, the other blowing its left leg off at the hip.
"Hauptmann Miranda, bagged another one." said Ryan.
"Good going, Sergeant. We've just found the other three on the ridge one klick north of you. We are now engaging them."
"I'll join you in one minute."
"Don't bother. These mechs are as torn up as the first two. They’ll be dead by the time you get here. Secure your position. We’ve got these."
"I knew the Periphery had poor quality equipment, but this is ridiculous." It was Kou.
"That's severe battle damage, Kou, not lack of maintenance." said Juan. "It doesn't make sense.....Got one..... Why would they attempt a raid with badly damaged mechs?"
"No choice?"
"That doesn’t seem likely. I’ve faced Periphery forces before." Said Juan. "Their mechs are in poor shape usually, but these are beyond anything I’ve ever seen."
"Hopefully, we can get some answers from the survivors."
"Yeah,
something's up and I want to know what."
A couple of hours later, Ryan found himself
sitting in a tent in a makeshift camp on the outskirts of the hills. Matthew
was with him. A handful of the Seton infantry unit was also present. Juan was
there interrogating one of the bandits.
"So you say the reason you dropped onto a
Behind him, the two Wolverines sat silently. They had listened time and again to the stories of these raiders and they all rang with a frightening similarity.
"No, my friend, I think you were here on another raid." Said Juan with disgust. "Your aborted take-over of Seton is proof of that." Juan turned towards the guard at the door. "Get him out of here."
The guard scooped up the bandit and dragged him outside. Juan looked over at his two young comrades.
"Well?"
"Same story as the last two. Given the battle damage on their mechs, it makes sense." said Matt.
“There is a certain consistency in their story. But why invade the Periphery? There’s nothing out there." Said Juan. "Especially here. Just a bunch of near abandoned backwater worlds that used to make up the old Rim Worlds.”
“There’s another force out there, sir.”
"You two know something, don’t you?"
Ryan and Matt looked at one another, wondering how much, if anything, they should tell Juan. Ryan looked back at his superior. "Maybe. As you may be aware, Matt and I are from a Periphery world ourselves."
"Yes, I was briefed. You’re part of a group of survivors that a former associate of mine brought back with him on another mission. I’ve read the report from your files, and I knew Daniel O’Brian. He spoke of you from time to time."
"If you’ve read the report," said Matt, "then you know of how we came to be in the
"Who were they?"
"We don’t really know." Said Ryan quickly, his expression covering up the lie. "But we do know that the tales these bandits are telling us have an awfully familiar ring to them."
"We’re almost 500 light years from where your homeworld is located. These planet-destroying raiders sure like to get around." Said Juan. "Do you think they’re coming here?"
"My guess would be yes. But I don’t know for certain."
"When we get back to headquarters, I'm going to contact Marshall Bryant on Wotan. Maybe there are other 'refugees' like these guys appearing on other border worlds. If so, then we’d better get some sort of defense ready for them when they arrive."
Tamar March, Federated Commonwealth
25 January 3050
"Hello, Lisa." said Chris, as he finished brushing the back of a fine Thoroughbred stallion. Lisa had made her way down to the family stables. Ever since he was old enough to ride, Chris had a passion for horses. Lisa knew that she could find Chris here.
"Good morning, Chris. Did you sleep well?"
"I did." Chris smiled as he looked at Lisa's attire. "It's good to see you out of that blasted uniform for once."
"Yeah, I get used to wearing it. Forget what civilian clothes are like."
“So, Colonel O’Malley gave you a day off for once. I’ve not seen much of you since you’ve been home.”
"Still it's good to be home." she looked at the horse for a moment. "A new one?"
"This is the Colonel’s stallion,
"Good morning, Chris." said O'Malley walking inside, as if on cue.
"Good morning, Colonel."
"Robert, Lady Lisa.” Corrected O’Malley. “We're both off-duty, so no need for those annoying ranks."
"Yes, si....uh, Robert." Lisa smiled. "No need I suppose then for the honorific of nobility. Make it just Lisa from now on."
"Very well." Said O'Malley and then directed his attention at
"See you later, Robert." said Lisa, turning to leave.
"Lisa, wait up for me.” Said Chris. “I'll walk back to the castle with you."
"Okay, brother."
The two walked up the hill towards the castle. They met Marian and a young man on their way down to the stables. "Good morning, Marian, Scott." Said Chris.
"Hello, Chris." said the young man.
"Lisa, I'd like for you to meet my boyfriend, Scott Burning."
"Pleased to meet you, Scott." said Lisa.
Chris scowled for a moment. "O'Malley's out riding."
Marian let out her breath in disgust. "Damn."
"Well, we can go off someplace else." suggested Scott.
Marian ran her hand through her long red hair. "I guess we'll have to. See you two later."
Chris watched his sister walk away with disgust.
“What was that about?” asked Lisa with a puzzled look.
“Marian has definitely grown up, and not in the best of ways.”
“Off for a daylight tryst with her boyfriend? Never knew you to be prudish.”
“If she kept one around, I wouldn’t mind so much. If it has two legs and a cock, then she's probably been in bed with it. And she has a habit of discarding them and finding new ones with phenomenal regularity."
"Marian? A slut?" said Lisa with disbelief. "Now that I can't imagine."
"Bored and rebellious. A bad combination. A lot has changed since you left. As for Marian, I worry most about who she’s singled out to seduce next."
"That being?"
"The good Colonel. Fortunately, whatever lack of judgment he may show with the ladies in town, he knows better than to sleep with the 16 year old daughter of his liege. Statutory rape is an unpleasant crime anywhere, let alone when it’s with the daughter of a planetary duke. O’Malley likes his employment and his freedom too much to lose it on a roll-in-the-hay with her, but it doesn’t stop Marian from trying."
“That sort of behavior is begging for scandal.”
“And now you understand my disapproval. Father does nothing to reign her in.”
“She would only revolt all the more if he tried. Now what’s this you say about O’Malley?”
"Well, there are rumors he’s been frequenting the Scottish Lass in town."
"That place is still around?" exclaimed Lisa in disbelief.
"Unfortunately." Said Chris. "It moves around every time the police raid it, but Sebastian keeps the brothel open. Rumor has it that Sebastian’s recently cut some sort of deal with O’Malley to keep the police out."
"With O’Malley in charge of the police as well as the military, that would be nice for Boss Sebastian, wouldn’t it? I’m surprised he’s still around."
“Like most mob bosses, they’re notorious for avoiding prosecution.”
Lisa decided to change the subject. "By the way, Chris. Have you heard anything about Father sponsoring another medieval feast to celebrate my return home?"
"Word travels fast. Father decided to delay the usual Twelfth Night festival and decided to combine it with one to celebrate your return home. It's in one week. It was supposed to be a bit of a surprise."
"So, I guess I need to find someone to take me to the dance.”
“That you would, my sister.”
“I’ve only been home 10 days. Who am I going to find?
“I
suspect that they will find you soon enough. Daniel’s brothers in particular
might take an interest. There’s a whole slew of O’Brian’s around: Donald,
Duncan, and Malcolm. There, I remembered them. Tough to keep them straight.”
“Malcolm’s
just a kid. He’s Marian’s age. Duncan
“I
wouldn’t put it past either of the older brothers to ask. I thought for a long
time they were a bit jealous of Daniel.”
“Yes,
Donald especially. Last I heard, he was off-world.”
“He’s
stationed not far from here, over on Dell with the 24th Arcturan. He
has enough clout with his regimental commander that he can arrange an extended
stay about once a year. I imagine he’s already on-world by now.”
“Duncan
“Not
really.”
“Well,
I’ve got a week. Guess we’ll see what happens. Bound to be some eligible
bachelor on this rock who can escort me.”
Phillipe DuBois, Baron O'Brian's steward, greeted Lisa as she entered the extensive O'Brian manor house. It was not as elaborate as her own home, but definitely showed the wealth attributed the ruling families of New Belfast. Lisa had been in the manor house many times, but this was the first time she'd seen it since she'd returned. A cold chill ran up her spine as she looked about.
"I assume you are here to pay respects, Lady Lisa?" said Phillipe. “Or are you here to visit his lordship? I fear the Baron is not in now, although Lord Donald is present.”
"No, no need to bother him. I haven't the chance to see Dan's grave until today. Figured I'd stop by. As you say, pay my respects."
"Very well. Come this way."
Phillipe led Lisa out into the garden. In the center was a tall stone monument. "I will leave you alone. If you need anything, you know how to reach me."
"I'll see myself out, if you don't mind."
"Not a problem. There was once a time when you practically lived here."
"Don't remind
Lisa stepped up to the monument and read the inscription.
Daniel
Ian O'Brian
Born
January 15, 3024 AD
Died
May 17, 3049 AD
Born
January 15, 3024 AD
Died
May 17, 3049 AD
She was quiet for several minutes, as if trying to form the words to tell Daniel. "I’ve been doing well," she began, "I graduated from NAMA, got assigned here as a Hauptmann. I outrank you, so hah!" She said playfully.
“I also fell in love with someone else. I said yes to your proposal, but it was a lie. Joshua, I loved him practically from the moment I met him, and you were to blame for that. You rescued him from New Vision. But he’s light-years away and you’re wherever the dead go. And I’m as alone as I’ve ever been.”
After that, she just stood there and stared, contemplating her feelings. She didn't notice Robert O'Malley, led by Phillipe, enter the garden. O'Malley stepped up behind her. Lisa began to sob softly.
"He meant a lot to you, didn't he?"
Lisa jumped, startled. Robert reached out and put his hands on her shoulder. "Sorry to frighten you."
Lisa turned, "That’s okay. I should have seen you.”
“You were lost in thought.”
“Can I help you, Colonel? Knowing your predecessor’s feelings about you, I doubt this is a social call to the O’Brians.”
O’Malley chuckled. “I guess my reputation precedes me.” He looked towards the grave. "He died bravely, Lisa, trying to protect the freedom of innocents from an invader. I know that doesn't take away the pain, but........" Robert paused. "His death was not in vain."
Lisa smiled sadly through her tears. "Thanks, I needed to hear something like that. So what does bring you out here?"
"Business. There’s been quite a bit of chatter in military channels. There’s word of increased activity in the Periphery and the whole Tamar March is on alert. We need to go over some logistics reports and make sure we’re ready for whatever it is that’s going on. "
"What is going on?"
"I don’t know. Something big. Apparently there’s been this horde of refugees fleeing into the Commonwealth. Command doesn’t know what’s going on, but they do know what refugee ships mean."
"Invasion,” said Lisa, “but of the Periphery?"
"I don’t know, but we need to bring the militia up to alert status and I want get things started as soon as possible. I’ve summoned all the command staff to headquarters, but you could not be found. So I guessed that you might have come here and I came looking."
"Okay, I’m ready. I've done what I wanted to do."
Dieron Military District, Draconis Combine
26 January 3050
Isaac dropped his crosshair onto a Kurita WFT-1 Wolf Trap medium mech and fired. The PPC bolt slammed into the mech, blasting armor plates off in all directions. It staggered and collapsed. "Mike, how are you doing?"
"Not bad. These Kurita troops aren’t that tough. Must be rookies like us, just without the benefit of a NAMA education."
"Don’t be so cocky and cut the chatter," Said another voice, heavily accented with the Scottish brogue of Northwind. It was Major Ian O’Malley, the commander of the Northwind Highlander battalion that was assisting in the raid. Isaac and Mike’s unit, the 22nd Avalon Hussars, made up the bulk of the raiding regiment. But Isaac’s company was holding the precarious position between the Hussars on the east flank and the Highlanders on the west, so he was getting battle reports and communications from both sides.
Mike fire away with his upgraded autocannon. Throwing out shells at twice its normal rate made the weapon somewhat erratic and it was rare for all the shells to land in even roughly the same part of the target mech. His shots hammered at a Jenner, crippling it.
"They’re falling back." Said O’Malley. "Send in the Foxes."
The commando team, lead by O’Malley’s son Richard, stormed out of their hovercraft for the nearby laboratory. Isaac moved his mech to cover the running infantry, sitting ducks to the massive BattleMechs that towered above them.
Just as the commando team cleared the open ground, a lance of Kurita mechs appeared, seemingly out of nowhere. It was an ambush. Isaac grew frightened as he noticed the markings on these mechs made them as part of a Draconis Elite Strike Team, or DEST, squad. It was a trap!
"Major O’Malley, we’ve got company." He reported. "DEST mechs!"
"Richard, get your men out of there. We’ve got an ISF squad waiting for us." Ian barked at the commando team. If the DEST mechwarriors were bad, everyone knew that their commando soldiers were far worse. Trained as ninjas and equipped with state-of-the-art weaponry, they could make mince meat of Richard’s team in no time. Ian sighted up a Kurita CRK-5003-2 Katana assault mech and fired his Class 20 autocannon at it. The heavy shells tore into the DEST mech’s armor, light for its weight class, blasting plates off into the dirt.
Isaac moved his Zeus about to avoid getting too close to O’Malley’s VTR-9B Victor. Friendly fire could be exceptionally unpleasant when it was a Class 20 cannon doing the firing. Even with its advanced systems, the Katana was outmatched.
Isaac punched up a tactical display on one of his monitors. The rest of the lance consisted of a HTM-27T Hatamoto Chi, a DRG-5K Grand Dragon, and another Wolf Trap; two assaults, a heavy, and a medium class, all with recovered Star League technology. Of the F-C force, only Isaac and Mike carried any advanced technology whatsoever.
Isaac turned back to the battle, ready to take on the Hatamoto, when he suddenly noticed something curious and glanced back at his tactical monitor. "That’s a standard Wolverine battle formation, one developed by Khan Michael centuries ago! But it was based on a five-mech star, so where is the…."
Isaac’s question was answered when he saw a Highlander CTF-1X Cataphract explode nearby. "They’re behind us!" exclaimed an unknown mechwarrior. "We’re trapped!"
"No, but you’re supposed to think that.” Thought Isaac. “Belay that. It’s a ruse. It’s only one mech.” He barked into his own communicator. “That fifth mech has to be a powerhouse or this tactic doesn’t work. What could it be?"
He got his answer as a AS7-K Atlas strolled out of its hiding place, blasting away at everything nearby. It was in the thick of lighter designs, mechs that couldn’t handle the firepower the Atlas’s twin heavy lasers and gauss rifle could dish out.
"Get those mechs out of there, Major." Snarled Isaac.
"They’ll break our line!" responded the Highlander, ignoring the younger mechwarrior’s impertinence.
"They’re going to anyway! Get those men out before they’re killed!" Isaac moved his Zeus to intercept the Atlas, knowing he was heavily outgunned. The Hatamoto Chi moved in to intercept him, cutting him off.
There were only five mechs against their forty four, but the battlefield was in complete and utter confusion. These DEST soldiers had managed to completely ruin any battle formation the Highlanders had come up with. That was all they needed. Isaac could see the rest of Quentin’s garrison, the dreaded Ryuken-ni regiment closing on their position from the north. Isaac launched a volley of LRMs at the Hatamoto Chi as a warning to have it keep its distance. It took up the warning, but being at a distance did not seem to bother it much, because it cut loose with a pair of particle cannon. Isaac’s mech rocked from the impact.
"He’s a good shot!" said Isaac, who admitted regretfully that he hadn’t read up very well on all these strange and innovative Kurita BattleMechs. The Katana he knew, even piloted one once; it was based closely on the old Star League Crockett training mech.
Off to one side, he could see the Wolf Trap had singled out Mike and was hammering his mech to pieces with its heavy autocannon. Isaac noticed that the Ultra cannon on the Wolverine had jammed from being fired once too often on double rate. That left his friend nearly defenseless.
"All forces withdraw!" came the order, this time from the Hussars’ commander. Isaac spotted a Maxim hover transport dart around his legs, carrying the survivors of the Stealthy Foxes to safety.
Isaac triggered a double burst with his PPC and laser into the Hatamoto Chi and then dashed towards the Wolf Trap. Seeing a Zeus assault mech bear down on him made the DEST pilot pull back from Mike’s battered mech. That gave Mike the chance to run, which he did.
Now Isaac faced off against two DEST mechs. He saw the Ryuken forces move across his flank, ignoring him for other prey, but cutting him off from easy escape. Isaac’s mech was in good condition, but he knew he was outmatched. He triggered his PPC at the Wolf Trap, hoping it would have similar effects as it did when he struck down the other earlier in the battle. To his dismay, the Wolf Trap darted aside nimbly and his shot missed by a mile. In response, the Wolf Trap opened up with its autocannon.
Isaac felt the thumps of autocannon rounds against his upper torso. Fearing head impacts, he swerved his mech to one side, causing the remaining rounds to pass behind his mech. A spread of missiles from the Hatamoto Chi smashed into his armor. Isaac tried to back away, but noticed the Wolf Trap moving for his rear and the softer armor thereof.
He recognized this tactic as well, nicknamed "Badgering the Bear." No matter which way he tried to go, a lighter faster mech would move for his vulnerable rear, forcing him in the direction of the heavier mech. He now knew that the DEST team had learned Wolverine tactics, but how he couldn’t answer.
Isaac knew breaking the trap required a risky maneuver of its own. Isaac spun on the Wolf Trap and opened up into it with everything. The 45 ton mech was tough, but it was no match for the full firepower of Isaac’s upgunned 80 ton Zeus. The PPC struck the leg, blasting it off at the knee. LRMs tore across the mech’s upper body, a few tearing through the fragile head armor. He heard a scream, a woman’s scream, through his radio as those missiles hit. The large laser went wide, missing entirely, but it was no matter. The Wolf Trap was no longer functional.
The Hatamoto Chi took advantage of his exposed back and bore down on him, PPCs blasting away. Isaac saw a handful of his systems go critical as the PPC bolts and short range missiles ripped through the armor to the sensitive components beneath. He brought his mech up to full speed and headed straight towards the rear line of the Ryuken-ni, knowing that his friends were on the other side.
The
mechs of the Ryuken were surprised by his arrival, darting aside to
avoid being run over by the Zeus. Seeing him, a small group of Hussar mechs
struck at the east flank of the Ryuken at the moment, trying to give him
an escape route. It worked. As the Kurita mechs fell back, Isaac dashed through
them from behind, going as fast as his damaged behemoth could carry him.
Within hours, they had lifted off the
planet. The Kurita forces had let them go, presumably thinking the Davion
troops bloodied enough. Once the Ryuken had arrived, the battle turned
ugly. Of the 80 mechs in the raid, only 55 made it out. Most of the survivors
were Highlander mercenaries, whose lighter mechs managed to withdraw more
quickly than the regular Davion troops, who had heavier slower designs.
With the day’s work finished, Isaac sat back in his bunk and started up at the ceiling. While it was certainly possible, he’d never considered that there might have other survivors on New Vision, perhaps some even picked up the Kurita team on that ComStar dropship. After all, neither he nor any of his companions had been allowed near the Kurita quarters on that dropship. Likewise, he knew it was also a possibility that the Kurita troops who had come to New Vision might have confiscated tactical manuals and used them to learn those tactics, but the other alternative intrigued Isaac far more. Those troops could have been trained by Wolverines recovered from
Tamar March, Federated Commonwealth
26 January 3050
Lisa dove right in when she learned that her father had delayed the Twelfth Night feast. With it no longer a surprise, she was free to help out. It helped take her mind off of things, particularly the chaos that had the military so panicked. She joined her sister, brother, and stepmother in the preparations. She was quite busy over those few short days: transmitting invitations, hiring musicians, and decorating the castle.
Although the castle was occupied and well used, certain rooms were only used every so often. The Grand Feast Hall was no exception, it was opened for the first time in at least six months. It was dusty and dirty and Lisa and Marian set out to clean it up.
They practically collapsed when they finished that task. They wolfed down their evening meal (brought to them in the Feast Hall) in a rather unseemly fashion and then leaned back against the stone walls to relax for a few minutes.
"I’m tired. This room was a mess."
"Not many wanted to spend much time in here after it was last used." Marian looked at Lisa.
"Daniel’s wake?"
"Aye." Said Marian. "I didn’t tell you for fear of how you’d react."
“I wasn’t here. I have no memory of that event, thus it cannot haunt me.”
“You were on New Avalon for too long. You were missed.”
“With only stuffy old Christopher here to take care of you, is that why you sought other diversions?”
“Chris has been tattling on me, now hasn’t he?”
“A bit. It’s a dangerous road you’re going down.”
“Yes, mother.” Said Marian sarcastically. “So, speaking of that, Lisa, have you an escort for the Feast yet?"
"No, actually I don’t. I’ve been too busy around here with things for anyone to ask. Chris thinks one of the O’Brian brothers will ask.”
“Hmm, Malcolm’s cute. The others are old.”
“For you perhaps. Malcolm’s a kid. Donald isn’t bad.”
“And what about you? Scott again?”
"Nay, a commoner named Benton Randall. He’s from down in the city."
"Not met him. Keeping to yourself with him, I take it."
"Chris makes it difficult. I’m running out of hiding places. Of course, now you’re turning into him two. Both of you need to get laid. You’ll lighten up.”
“And what makes you think I haven’t? I was on New Avalon for four years, dear sister?”
"You and Daniel?"
“Yeah, and another.”
“You cheated on Daniel? Now that I can’t believe.”
“No, this was after he died.”
"You met someone else and said nothing? Who then? Be quick, sister, I want all the juicy details."
“Enough, you little gossip. I’m not going to share that kind of stuff with you, you little slut." She said the insult playfully. They both laughed.
"Father would have a fit if he knew."
“I was a thousand light-years away, and in case you hadn’t noticed, I’m more than old enough to make my own decisions about who I want to be with and how.”
“So what if Donald doesn’t ask? You going to the Feast anyway?"
"And have the wrath of Duke Jameson on my back, no thanks. It’s being done in honor of my homecoming remember? I’ll be there, lonely or no."
"So whatcha wearing?"
"I’ve a rather regal looking green dress for tomorrow. Gold linin’ and a blue cape. You’d like it."
"Why do prim and proper? Like always, ‘tis a costume ball. Why not something a bit more scandalous?"
"You have a one-track mind, Marian, and it’s always in the gutter. It shows enough, so my escort’ll hardly be disappointed."
Marian smiled. "I knew you’d loosen up after getting some. Still leaves us the problem of Chris being too much of a tight ass…."
"You are the devil incarnate, do you know that?"
"Aye, and I enjoy the role." Marian sat up, her face shone as if she’d just conjured some diabolic plan. "Hey I’ve an idea. Why not the Colonel?"
"O’Malley? Are you daft?" Lisa chuckled. “I can tell I’m home. I haven’t used that word in ages.”
“New Avalon hasn’t driven all of New Belfast out of you.” Laughed Marian. "Why not? He’s not bad looking, and no older than Donald."
"Ten years older. I’d say early thirties." Said Lisa. "Chris said you were after him."
"Aye, I am, but that doesn’t mean anything. He’d not responded to me."
"For obvious reasons. You’re still a minor and there’s too much legal trouble for you and him if you were ever caught together."
"Oh, please. Give me a little credit. So what do you think?"
"You’ve got an ulterior motive."
Marian shrugged innocently. "Who, me?"
"What is it?"
"O’Malley’s kinda strange. He keeps to himself most of the time. Just rides his horse and works at the militia base.”
"Chris says there are rumors of him visiting a brothel in
“Well, at least that part of him is normal. Come one. I’m sure he’s invited. And if Donald hasn’t said anything yet, I doubt you’ve got many other options. You’ve only got two days."
Lisa
shrugged. "Oh, well, how bad can it be? It’s only for the one night."
"Robert?" she said. He turned away from
"Hello, Lisa, can I help you?"
"I came to ask you something. I might be too late, but…."
"Late for what?"
"Do you have an escort for Twelfth Night yet?"
“As a matter of fact, I don’t. Not that your sister hasn’t tried.” He paused. “Are you asking?”
“I guess I am.”
“I would be honored.”
Lisa had not honestly expected an affirmative. She said nothing as Robert returned to
"I’m surprised you asked." He said.
“Why is that?”
“Well, the whole thing with Daniel and that other guy.”
“I never told you about Joshua.”
“I overheard you at the gravesite. Thought you might be carrying a torch.”
“It’s just one costume ball. Nothing more.”
O’Malley shrugged. “Well, you can’t fault me for trying.” After that, he was quiet.
Tamar March, Federated Commonwealth
28 January 3050
Marian MacLeod made her way across the banquet hall to where Chris and his escort were sitting. The entire castle was done up as if it were a 12th Century AD Twelfth Night feast. Everyone in attendance, which was every noble on New Belfast, was dressed up in medieval garb. Everyone was enjoying themselves immensely. Most people had more than their share of wine and mead. Those that could still keep their balance reasonably well were out on the floor dancing.
Marian gave her older brother a nudge. Chris turned from the revelry of the Twelfth Night celebration and looked at her.
"Good evening, Marian. You look quite nice tonight." The statement was polite, but not truthful. Chris’s frown at Marian’s buxom dress showed that.
"Thank you, Chris. Look at Lisa." Pointed out Marian, deflecting Chris’s disdain.
"She is quite ravishing, isn't she?"
"I'm more interested in the way she's acting. It’s as if she's become enamored of the good colonel."
“I wouldn’t read too much into that. She was pretty aloof and he was bit presumptuous with her, as I understand it.”
"Yeah, but they spent most of yesterday together, and I don’t think all of it was professional."
Marian gave Chris a smug look. "Well, she seems to be happy." He said.
"Well, Daniel died over six months ago. I guess Lisa has decided it’s time to move on."
“I think she already did. Wasn’t there another guy on New Avalon?”
“Yes, there was. Joshua, I guess was his name. But as I understand it, he was posted to another unit and is many light-years away from here.”
“I’m curious. Why are you so keen on seeing O’Malley and Lisa together? I thought you wanted him.”
“I could care less who it’s with. I just worry about her, and I know you do too. Daniel, this Joshua guy, she loved them both, of that I’m certain. But they’re not here. She’s alone and it shows.”
“So this is all some sort of grand scheme?”
“It’s a start. If nothing comes of this with O’Malley, fine. But maybe it’ll get her to open up again.”
“I seem to have underestimated you, Marian.”
“I enjoy my little trysts, but that does not mean I have stopped caring for my family. Even you, dear brother.”
Christ stood up. The dance was finishing and he was determined to cut in on the Colonel so he could talk with Lisa.
"You are quite a dancer, Colonel." said Lisa as Christopher approached.
"I see all those mundane studies have not robbed you of your courtly graces, Lady Lisa."
"May I, Colonel?" interrupted Chris.
"Certainly, Lord Christopher. I'll sit this one out."
The music started again. "Are you enjoying yourself this evening, Lisa?" asked Chris.
"Very much so, Chris. What is it?"
"You seem to be a bit infatuated with the Colonel."
"Are you now getting overprotective of me, Chris? I can take care of myself.”
“I don’t trust him. There are some suspicious irregularities in his past.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I’ve seen his file. He’s noble-born from Northwind, from the O’Malley clan who sit on the ruling council of that planet. Yet he’s all the way out here. No explanation.”
“Does he need one? Miranda is noble-born and she serves far from here. Does that make her suspicious?”
“In a sense, yes it does. Father did not approve of her leaving.”
“And that’s all it could be, a rebellious scion of a noble house looking for adventure. Just like our sister.”
“Just be careful.” He said as the music stopped.
“I will be.” Chris walked away and Lisa felt a presence behind her. She turned to find Robert waiting there.
“A polite little dance with big brother. How quaint. Knowing Lord Christopher, he did that to warn you about me.”
“He’s overprotective big brother.”
“Oh, I’m not faulting him. I have one myself. Shall we?”
Lisa admitted to herself that she did indeed find Robert O’Malley to be quite charming, hardly the rogue or the threat Christ suspected him to be. Her feelings for Joshua now seemed so distant and faint. “Probably just the festivities of the evening, and maybe a few glasses of mead on top of it all. Either way, I may as well simply enjoy the moment for what it is.” She thought to herself.
Tamar March, Federated Commonwealth
28 January 3050
Joshua brought his kendo sword down with a hard smack against Daisaku’s armor. Daisaku pulled off his helmet. "That's the fourth match you've beaten me at. Damn."
"Don't discredit yourself, Daisaku. Those matches were hard-fought victories."
"Face it, Joshua, you can kick my ass at sword play. But at least I'm twice the mechwarrior you are."
"Sure, Daisaku, whatever you need to say to cushion that bruised ego."
"Oh, shut up. Come on, I'll buy you a drink, you victorious bastard."
"Sure."
The two young men headed for the showers. "You still upset about Larry's death?"
"I try not to think about it much. He died on my orders."
"It wasn't your fault, Joshua. There was no way you could have known that was a trap. You proceeded just like any other commander would have."
"I know. I acted according to proper procedure. But I don't feel any better." The two stepped into the showers and began to wash of the sweat of their exercise.
"Been thinking about Lisa lately?" asked Daisaku, making small talk.
"What is it with you trying to get me all depressed and moody? Back on New Avalon, you were the one who knocked me out of my funk. Now you’re trying to know me back into it."
“Just a question.” Said Daisaku defensively.
"Alright, fine. Yeah, I have been thinking about Lisa....a lot."
"I wish I had your problems."
"You must be kidding me."
"No, I mean it. Take Gwen for instance. Gorgeous, funny, smart, creative, passionate. I can’t imagine what she might have been like in bed. But you’ve had that experience. You might never have had it at all. And Lisa. We come here to the Inner Sphere and what do you do? The hottest girl in the NAMA senior class immediately attaches herself onto you, admittedly not a romance at first, but it certainly developed. You are the luckiest guy I know."
“There’s a flaw in your theory. For all my luck, I don't have anything to show for it. Gwen is dead and Lisa is off on her home planet. And I’m here all alone again."
“Still, like the old saying. Better to have loved and lost…”
“Only someone who has never had their heart broken would say that. I hate that old proverb.”
“Suit yourself. Still, I do envy you. My luck here hasn’t been very good. That brothel is starting to look appealing.”
“Do what you must.”
“Come on. We’re not on patrol again for another 24 hours. Let’s head into town, hit the bars, and see who’s luck is the mightier tonight.”
“Is that a challenge?”
“Sure.”
“Fair enough. Let’s go.”
Tamar March, Federated Commonwealth
28 January 3050
Robert O'Malley staggered up to Lisa's room. Lisa was at his side. Both were half-exhausted half-drunk from the celebrations of the evening.
"Oh, I need sleep." said Lisa. “One too many glasses.”
"I'm surprised you can still stand after all the wine you drank."
"All I need is a bathroom and a bed and I'll be fine." She slumped against the wall. “Oh, yeah, I’m drunk.”
She looked at Robert. Both burst out laughing. "I really enjoyed myself this evening, Lisa." He said.
"So did I, Colonel."
"Now what did I tell you about how to address me when off-duty?"
“Be nice to me. I’m ineb…I’m inebr…” Lisa stumbled over the word.
“I believe the term you are looking for is ‘shit faced.’”
“That’ll do.” The two laughed again.
"Can I ask you something, Lisa?"
“Sure.”
"I know you said this was just to be a one night thing, But I'd really like to start seeing you regularly. Would you like that?"
“You realize that as shit-faced as I am, to use your word, I could say anything to that and not even remember tomorrow.”
“So should I ask you when you’ve sobered up?”
“It’d probably be better if you asked now, seeing as when I’m sober I’ll actually care that I’ve made a promise to someone else and I’ll tell you ‘no.’”
“Joshua?”
“Yeah, him.”
“Seeing
as it would be unfair for me to take advantage, I will indeed wait until the
morning. Now let’s get you to bed to sleep this off.”
Tamar March, Federated Commonwealth
29 January 3050
Lisa sat at her desk nursing her hangover and going over logistic reports. There came a rap at her office door. “Come.” She barked.
Robert entered. “How are you feeling this morning?”
“Death warmed over.”
“You did have a bit much.”
“I don’t usually overindulge like that.” She rubbed her forehead. “Now I’m paying for it.”
“Sorry.”
“You know, I have this strange memory that you propositioned me last night.”
“Well, not exactly. Did I ask if you wanted for us to keep seeing each other?”
“And I told you one night only, just for celebration.”
“And I also said you can’t fault me for trying. Look, if it isn’t obvious, I like you a lot, Lisa. You're different that most of the women around here. You're smart, pretty, and the only one I’ve met so far that is anything close to understanding the military life.”
“I made a promise.”
“Last night, you’d have broken it if I’d asked.”
“Last night I was drunk off my rocker. Besides, is it such a good idea for a commanding officer to date one of his subordinates? Even in this more relaxed environment, I’m sure that violates some sort of military protocol.”
“Well, who’s going to court-martial me? Myself?”
“Father could fire you.”
“He could, but it’s not like it is with your sister. You’re an adult and you have a choice. I’m not a bad guy. Really! Just give me a chance.”
“Why did you leave Northwind?”
“I got into a bit of trouble. Embarrassed my family, and they’re pretty important.”
“What sort of trouble?”
Robert scratched his head. “Got a girl pregnant. Papers made a big to-do about it. So my Father asked me to leave. If it hadn’t been for the damned tabloids, I’d have never left. But since they made such a stink, here I am. It’s all politics.”
“And the girl?”
“Father paid her for an abortion and probably paid her to keep quiet. Don’t know what happened to her.” He paused. “Does that satisfy your curiosity about my mysterious past?”
“Why make that such a secret? Doesn’t seem so bad a thing.”
“As I said, politics. Baron O’Malley of Northwind didn’t want the bad press from an out-of-control son. So it was hushed up, even on my military record.” Robert paused again. “Now, what about us? Do I get a chance?”
“If I say no, are you going to hold it against me?”
“No, but I’ll probably keep asking.”
“And if I tell Father you are harassing me?”
“You’re going out of your way to make this difficult.”
“Yeah, it’s kinda fun actually.” She smiled. “It’s not every day I get to torment my commanding officer.”
“You’re teasing me. Does that mean what I think it means?”
“Alright,” Lisa relented. “one more date.”
“You won’t regret it. I promise.”
Next Chapter
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