Chapter Thirteen - Refuge and Rebuilding
Skye March, Federated Commonwealth
15 November 3050
A Stingray and a Lightning aerospace fighter converged on the massive warship now orbiting the blue-green world known as Skye. The fighter bays opened to accept them. The Nightlord was soon to receive a new paintjob, its green and gold replaced by white and blue, as well as a new name. The Emerald Hawk would soon become the Star Sword.
Five minutes later, Hauptmann General Joshua Messer marched onto the flight deck. Lisa, herself now a kommandant and commander of the Star Swords 1st Battalion, walked beside him.
The lead pilot disembarked and tossed his helmet to Joshua. Joshua caught it and tucked it under his arm. The pilot proceeded to salute. "Request permission to come aboard."
"Permission granted, Leftenant General Iolair."
Erik stretched. "I still like the sound of that....Leftenant General."
"Report, General." Ordered Joshua.
"We have arrived in the Skye system. Patrols have made contact with the local aerospace contingent and the planetary command has been informed of our arrival."
"Good."
"Can I ask why we’re maintaining a combat ready stance? We’re as deep in Steiner space as you can get."
"Just trying to keep an element of discipline among the troops. We’ll stand down once I’m satisfied that all system entry procedures have been followed properly.”
"Understood. I suppose it gives the troops something to do. Keeps their mind off New Belfast and whatever other defeats they’ve undergone recently."
“Exactly.”
Erik's wingman came around the nose of his ship. She saluted Joshua.
"Welcome aboard, Kommandant Harrington." said Joshua to Michelle. "I’ve received Erik’s request for you to become his aide-de-camp and I have approved it. Congratulations."
“Thank you, sir.” Said Michelle. She moved up to Erik and took him by the arm.
"Incidentally, Joshua,” said Erik. “I'd like to see about keeping my Stingray and getting her one."
"You don't want to switch to an Omnifighter?"
"In truth, no. I've grown rather attached to her. Granted, I wouldn’t mind a factory refit if you can swing it."
“We should be able to manage that. We have a surplus store of weapons that the Shiphil Factory might be able to retrofit onto your ship. We’ll have to see how cooperative they are. Come, we have a briefing.”
Erik followed Joshua into the main briefing room of the Star Sword. Sitting inside was their entire clique from NAMA: Ryan Smith, Matthew Jiwe, Isaac Mizar, Kou Fairchild, Mike Koren, and Daisaku Hayakusora. Juan Miranda and Kelly Perrens were also present. All stood to attention when Joshua entered.
Joshua gestured to the empty seats. "At ease, everyone. Erik, Lisa, please take your seats."
Lisa, Michelle, and Erik sat down at the table. "I've called this meeting because now that we've arrived on Skye we need to begin putting this unit together. There's been no reports of further progress by the Jade Falcons since late August. Reports indicate some sort of mourning period for the death of their leader at Radstadt in the
"We have come to Skye to test our new equipment and train our troops in the use of said equipment. First, however, each of you need to review the men and women under your commands and discern who is most qualified to pilot what machine. Those of us present here have all chosen the Omnimech we will pilot. Our job now is to assign the remaining mechs to our troops."
"Is that all?"
"We will begin training within the week. I'd like for those mech and fighter assignments completed no later than 48 hours from now. I know that's not much time, but we've been saddled the job of turning these 200 or so refugees and survivors from other now-destroyed units into an elite fighting force. This is no easy task and I'm not going to delude anyone here by pretending it’s a cake-walk. Now get to it. Meeting adjourned."
Joshua stood up to leave. Lisa walked up beside him. "We are still short a large number of mechwarriors and aerospace pilots." she commented. "Have you any ideas on how we're to fix that problem?"
"I do. But for right now, we need to report to Field Marshall James Ellis, the Skye March commander."
"He should have received his orders concerning us from Marshall Hasek-Davion before we entered orbit.” Said Erik. ”That should be no problem.”
“What else is on your mind?" asked Lisa.
"A ship from Twycross."
"My family or the Clan prisoners?"
"Both. They are scheduled to arrive next week sometime."
"Well,
we'll have to give them one hell of a welcome."
The meeting with the Field Marshall was pretty routine and went smoothly. Arrangements had been made for the Swords to train against the Skye garrison force, the 11th Federated Commonwealth RCT. It was commanded by Hauptmann General Amos Harrington, the father of Erik’s girlfriend Michelle.
The pair departed for the 11th’s headquarters for their meeting with Harrington. Harrington received them curtly at his office. He offered them drinks, poured himself one, and then sat down at his desk.
"I have been informed that my men are to assist your unit in training and preparation."
"That is correct." Said Joshua.
"Let me be forward, General." He spoke Joshua’s rank with a sneer. "If Hanse Davion really wanted to create an elite anti-Clan unit, he should have put a seasoned commander at the helm, not some NAMA upstart. You are unproven."
“We’re here to help remedy that. That’s the whole point behind this, General.” Said Joshua, trying to ignore Harringon’s provocation.
“You don’t deserve this command, General.” Harrington spat the last word with contempt. “Such valuable equipment should not be in the hands of whelps. I have lodged a formal protest to the High Command. I doubt it will go anywhere on my word alone.”
"It is not for you to question the decision of your Prince."
"First off, he’s not my Prince. He’s the Federated Suns Prince. I am a Lyran citizen. My allegiance is to Tharkad and the Steiners, not to a Davion. Secondly, I am very angry that the loot of your little operation is not going to be distributed for research or given to more seasoned units who will make better use of them.”
“Like yours?” retorted Joshua, no longer ignoring the bait.
"Still,
under any circumstance, once my troops best yours with ease in our exercises,
command will be more receptive to my way of thinking. Enjoy your command while
it lasts, General. Soon enough you’ll be back in the trenches where you belong.
Good day." Harrington dismissed them with a disrespectful wave.
Joshua let his anger bleed off. He saw too much of his father in Harrington and it made him uneasy. Lisa walked with him towards the airstrip. Her face showed fatigue.
"Everything okay?" said Joshua.
"I'm fine. Just hungry and tired. I was not expecting such a cold reception.”
“Don’t let it get to you.”
“It's been a long enough day. Come on. Let's get a bite to eat."
Lisa nodded and followed Joshua over to a ground car. They drove it into the city. They quickly found a restaurant that looked good. Soon thereafter, they were eating. Joshua had forgotten how good food tasted after having spend many months on board starships. Although she had suffered that same fate, Lisa stopped before she was even halfway into her hamburger. She just picked at her food after that.
Joshua paused in his own eating, reached out and took her in hand. Lisa resisted slightly, but didn't pull free. Joshua now knew something was wrong.
"What's wrong, Lisa?"
"Nothing. I'm just tired."
"Come on, Lisa. It's me, Joshua. I've seen you like this before. I know something's bothering you."
“It’s nothing. I get these moments, when things…just little things remind me of home. Everything I had, everything that meant something to me for the last year is gone. My home is in enemy hands. And I betrayed you for a man who I thought was charming and honorable and strong. He ended up raping me, the monster. I feel so stupid. How could I give you up for him?”
“Lisa, you seem determined to beat yourself up over things that are not your fault. You lost your home. That’s enough. You needn’t burden yourself with so much more.”
“You don’t understand.”
“What don’t I understand? Rape? No, I don’t know how that feels, but you keep acting like it’s somehow your fault. You did nothing to deserve what he did to you."
“That’s not my issue. I didn’t see it coming.”
Joshua gave up at that point. He saw little point in arguing with her like this. “Fine. Don’t listen to me then.”
“Josh, don’t be like that.”
“What do you want from me? To join you on this let’s-beat-up-on-Lisa-because-she-feels-rotten-and-wants-to-feel-worse game?”
“I just feel so alone. So lost.”
“Look, I may not know about rape, but I do know what it’s like to lose one’s home and loved ones. I’ve been there, you know that. I came to New Avalon with nothing more than some clothes and a few trinkets. I was lost and frightened, surrounded by people I didn’t know. I had my friends, but they weren’t much help. They were just as lost and scared as I was. Loneliness is the worst part. But, you are not alone. I am here, and I will be no matter what."
“I know. I’m sorry I’m not good company. If you don’t mind, I'll return to base. I'd like a little time to myself." She stood up and headed out.
Joshua reluctantly fought the urge to follow Lisa out of the cafeteria. After several minutes, he stormed back towards the quarters he'd been assigned.
“This is going to be harder than I thought.” Said Joshua to himself.
Skye
Skye March, Federated Commonwealth
15 November 3050
"The 11th have finally been briefed on our purpose here, so you can begin deploying our forces on the surface." said Joshua, sipping a cup of coffee as he spoke to Erik Iolair.
"We'll be ready to launch our dropships come morning." Erik paused as Joshua rubbed his forehead. "Something's bothering you, Joshua?"
"It's been a bad day."
"I’ve heard of your argument with Harrington." Erik grinned. "Of course, there was the little fact of my return this morning." he said in self-mockery. "I’d imagine if I’d disappeared among the stars, you’d have thought this a very good day."
Joshua smiled at Erik’s attempts at humor. "Always the clown."
“Hey, I try. Let me guess, not Harrington, not the troops, I’m gonna have to go with Lisa.”
Joshua rubbed his chin in frustration. “Yeah. Wants to be alone all the time. Won’t talk to me. Does her duties as an officer of this unit, but nothing more. She’s so cold anymore. I mean, I can’t really blame her. She’s been through hell. I just wish there was something I could do to help her through this.”
"Reminds me of you and Gwen." Offered Erik. “We’ve had this conversation before.”
"I noticed that too." said Joshua. “I feel like I’m a curse. All the women I fall in love with are doomed to misfortune and tragedy.”
“Stop it. You don’t believe that, so don’t say it. Don’t even think it. It’s a horrible coincidence that Lisa and Gwen share some sad events in their lives, but that’s all it is: coincidence. Look, right now, Joshua, you've got the hardest job in the Inner Sphere. You don't have time to worry about your relationship with Lisa. I know she's been moody lately. We've all noticed that. But you’ve got to let things work themselves out. Give it time and you worry about the task at hand."
“Speaking of the familiar. You’ve given me that very advice before.”
“Have I?” said Erik with a sly smile. “The more things change…” He paused. “There is one very important difference.”
“And that is?”
“Lisa’s going nowhere. As moody and as depressed as she is, she’s not letting you go. Take comfort in that.”
A thud came at the door. Joshua stood up and put down his cup of coffee. "What was that?" asked Erik, his hand reaching for the sword at his side.
"I don't know." Joshua stood up from his desk and headed for the door.
He opened the door and in fell the half-conscious form of Lisa MacLeod. In one hand was a one quarter full bottle of some form of alcohol.
"Oh, God, Lisa." said Joshua. “Erik, give me a hand.” Joshua took the bottle from her, Scotch of some kind, and set it on the desk beside his coffee pot. Together with Erik, he picked her up and they carried her over to a sofa near the side wall.
Lisa sputtered, sending small balls of saliva over Joshua's face. Her eyes fluttered open. "Oh, hi, Joshua....How are you?”
“I should ask that of you.”
“I’m feeling great.”
“I can tell.” Said Joshua sardonically.
"Where's my booze?"
"Away."
"That's no fun."
"You're drunk, Lisa."
"Of course, I'm drunk." Lisa snarled in exaggerated anger. “It’s good to be drunk. It makes you stop giving a damn.”
“This isn’t like you, Lisa.”
“Who cares? I just wanna forget. Make me forget it all.”
“Right now, what you need is to sleep this off.” Joshua turned to Erik. “Can you help me get her to our quarters?”
“I’ll try.”
The two men managed to guide the inebriated Lisa through the hallways of the command center back to the barracks where Joshua had just that morning moved in. Erik fumbled with the door while Joshua tried to keep Lisa from keeling over on the floor again.
“Jesus, Lisa, how much did you have?” grumbled Joshua.
“Where are we?”
“Our room. Time to stop. Party's over."
"Already? That sucks." Lisa put her arms around Joshua's neck. "Well, what are we going to do now?" She tightened her grip, bringing her face close to Joshua's and making it harder for him to carry her.
"Lisa, I would appreciate you not moving around. This is not as easy as it looks."
Erik opened the door quickly. “I think that’s my cue. I’ll leave you lovebirds alone. Enjoy yourselves.” He darted back down the hallway and out of sight.
“Thanks.” Said Joshua to his feeling friend as he tried to half-carry, half-drag Lisa into the room.
"Where are you taking me?"
"I'm putting you to bed."
"Oooh! Aren’t we frisky today?”
Joshua chose not to respond to that. He kicked back the covers and unceremoniously dropped Lisa into the bed. Lisa, however, refused to let go of her embrace, hauling Joshua over on top of her.
"Oh, Joshua, I like you aggressive."
“Would you please let go of me?” said Joshua, now exasperated with her. Lisa's grip was solid.
"Oh, how silly of me. I still have my clothes on." Lisa proceeded to unbutton her shirt.
"Thank you." said Joshua, now free from her grasp and backing away. Lisa tossed her shirt at him, covering his face. Joshua pulled it down to look at the very drunk half-naked Lisa.
“This isn’t you, Lisa. Why did you do this?” asked Joshua. He wasn’t really expecting an answer.
"Come on, Joshua. I'm waiting." sputtered Lisa. Then her eyes rolled back and she slumped into the bed asleep.
“Sleep well, my love. We’ll deal with your hangover later.” He did not want to leave her alone, so he went over to his desk next to the far wall and turned on the computer terminal there to do some work.
A few minutes after Joshua sat down, Lisa rolled over. "Are you there, Josh?"
“Always.” He answered sentimentally, but sincerely.
With that, Lisa began to cry. Joshua got up from his desk and went to the side of the bed.
“It’s alright, Lisa. Just let it out. God knows, you’ve got plenty of reasons to cry.”
Skye
Skye March, Federated Commonwealth
16 November 3050
Lisa stirred as the warmth of the early morning came through the window to her bed. She felt Joshua near her and it felt good to know he was there. Then it hit her, a headache the likes of which she’d never felt before.
“Oh, God.” She muttered, trying to sit up. Doing so only doubled the agony in her head. Joshua stirred next to her.
Joshua opened his eyes and looked up at Lisa. "So you're awake."
"Uh, Joshua, what happened last night?"
“You got drunk, very drunk.”
“How did I get back here?”
“You made your way back to my office, a not-unimpressive feat given how little time we’ve been here. Erik and I got you the rest of the way.”
“I feel like shit.”
“You look it too.”
“Thanks.” She replied sarcastically. “God, my head hurts.” She lay back down on the pillow and stared at the ceiling.
“You know what you need?” said Joshua.
“A whole bottle of aspirin?” joked Lisa.
“Aside from that.” Said Joshua. “But I’m serious. I’ve been thinking. You, your family, the troops, we all need something to help make us feel better. You’re far from the only one who’s hurting from loss of home. We need a celebration.”
“What is there to celebrate after all the crap we’ve been through?”
“Marry me, Lisa.”
Lisa looked at him as if he had sprouted a second head. “I’m lying in bed, half dressed, with a killer hangover and you’re proposing to me?”
“Is that a ‘no’?”
“Joshua Messer, I will never understand you as long as I live. Why here? Why now?”
“Why not? We talked about this before when we were at NAMA. All our grand schemes…”
“A lot has happened since then.”
“Yes, a lot has changed. But not our feelings for each other. Erik was right about us. In spite of all that’s happened, you’re not leaving me and I’m not leaving you. We’re in this together. Let’s make that official.”
“You are out of your mind.”
“Is that a ‘yes’?”
Lisa nodded. “Not exactly how I always envisioned this moment. You really know how to dash a young girl’s dreams, you know?”
“Hardly.” He leaned over and kissed her.
“I’m not sure why, but I do love you.”
“And I you. Now let’s get you that aspirin and see what else we can do about this headache of yours.”
Lisa rubbed her forehead as she marched towards the disembarking Omnimechs at the spaceport. Joshua walked several steps ahead of her. Lisa swore, angry that the aspirin she'd taken earlier wasn't helping.
"Hey, we tried." Said Joshua flippantly back at her.
An aerospace fighter roared overhead, hurting Lisa's sensitive ears and making her cringe. Joshua stopped and let her catch up beside him.
“But you had to bring me out here to the noisiest place on the whole damn planet.”
“Duty calls.”
Next to a nearby dropship, Daisaku Hayakusora spotted the pair walking towards him. Daisaku saluted Joshua and spoke. "We're starting to unload our first dropship now."
As if on cue, a huge mech bay door on the dropship began to open, revealing an Omnimech, a Masakari assault mech. Sitting in the open cockpit hatch was Isaac. He waved at the trio below.
"Hey, Joshua, this one's mine."
Joshua shook his head. "I'd hate to see Jiwe's choice."
Another huge mech marched out of the adjacent bay door. It was a Daishi design, fifteen tons heavier than Isaac's monster and much more intimidating.
"You had to ask." said Daisaku with an amused smile. "Matt couldn't wait to get into the pilot's seat."
"Why am I not surprised?"
"So when are our first wargames?" asked Daisaku.
"Day after tomorrow. I'm assuming you'll have your duty rosters finished by then."
"Should. Not sure about any of the others." He said, looking at the hung-over Lisa.
"Don't start." She responded. “This has been a strange enough day already.”
“What do you mean by that?” asked Daisaku.
Joshua took Lisa in hand. “We are getting married.” He announced with a smile.
“You’re shitting me? Really? Oh, God, that’s the best news I’ve heard in a long time. Congratulations. I am thrilled for the both of you.”
“Thanks, Daisaku.”
“Now what’s the story behind this hangover? You two go out celebrating?”
“The less said about that the better.” Said Lisa, covering her ears from the noise of the tarmac.
Skye
Skye March, Federated Commonwealth
22 November 3050
Ryan Smith twisted his mech about to face the incoming enemy. Two enemy Thor Battlemechs were closing rapidly on his Mad Cat.
"Son-of-a...." swore Ryan, pressing the triggers for his twin LRM launchers. Forty imaginary missiles roared towards the first Thor and plastered all over its heavy armor. His computer
registered that the hits had penetrated the mech's cockpit, "killing" the pilot.
"That was quick. These must be the guys Jiwe and his lance were softening up in the east sector."
Ryan pressed his mech forward after the second. It let loose with its autocannon, hitting Ryan's Marauder-like mech in the elbow. The armor held, but not by much. Ryan swore again.
The Thor let slip with its PPC next, ripping away at Ryan's center torso armor. The Mad Cat was one tough customer, but Ryan had taken a fair amount of battle damage from previous engagements. The Thor was not wimp of a mech either and it was mostly undamaged.
"Ryan, do you need help? Do I have to pull your ass out of the fire again?"
It was Amanda Lilly's voice, the Hatchetman pilot from the 8th Arcturan that had saved him during the battle on Here.
"What would I do without you?" said Ryan. "Hell yes, I need your help."
Amanda's Loki crested the hill and fired both PPCs into the Thor. With its advanced targeting system, the Loki could more easily target a mech's limbs. Amanda had done so, blowing the Thor's right leg off.
"How's that?"
Ryan just shook his head. "Nice job."
"You know you're pathetic, Ryan."
"But you love me anyway." said Ryan with a grin.
Ryan heard Amanda let out her breath on the other end of the communicator. "Don't ask me why."
"Hauptmann Smith, report?" It was Lisa's voice.
"Amanda and I just mopped up the last of Red Army's First Company."
"Ahem?" said Amanda, somewhat miffed.
"Alright, Amanda just mopped up the last of Red Army's First Company."
"Casualties?"
"Lost four mechs and I think my girlfriend feels a little unappreciated right now."
Lisa, five klicks away, just shook her head. Any normal military commander would have turned green at their casual attitude. But then, the Star Swords were far from normal. Joshua's liberal command style was boosting morale rapidly, but it was giving the Star Swords the reputation of a loose cannon.
"Good job, guys. Because of you the right flank held. Now get your ass over here and help out the center."
"Roger." said Ryan. A illusory projectile shot across Lisa's flank, a computer representation of the metal slug fired by a gauss rifle. Gauss rifles were cannon that used magnetic accelerators rather than gunpowder explosions to fire their projectiles. She spun her mech, a Fenris, to face her opponent.
She recognized it.
"So Joshua finally exposes himself to the battle." Thought Lisa. She lowered the Fenris's PPC and opened fire on Joshua.
Joshua almost skipped his mech sideways to dodge Lisa's shot. She swore as he let loose with the four lasers in his left arm. Three struck home, boiling away armor on Lisa's already damaged left hip. She felt her mech jerk and realized he'd taken her leg off. The computers sent her mech into a controlled fall forward. Despite the fact that her arms moved up to catch her fall, avoiding damaging the mech in a simulated battle, the fall jolted her about the cockpit.
"Damn you, Joshua. One of these days I'm going to be able to beat you again."
"Don't take it personally, love. You just happened to be the first available target."
"Doesn't matter. You probably don't know that your flank attack was driven back. I may have been beaten myself, but your Red Army has lost the battle."
Lisa watched as Joshua blasted Daisaku’s Uller to dust.
"Come on, Ryan, Amanda. He's single-handedly ripping apart our center defense line."
The small pseudo-fortress that Lisa and her handful of mechs had been defending exploded as Joshua's lance claimed their prize. Lisa swore as Ryan and Amanda came over the crest. "We've failed." swore Lisa in rage.
Joshua's mech turned to face the incoming Blue Army reinforcements. His battered lance was cut to pieces by the eight fresh mechs coming onto the field.
As one blast from Amanda's PPC "killed" Joshua's Ryoken, Lisa could hear him sigh. "Well, guys, let's call it a day."
Lisa brought her mech to its feet. All around, the "destroyed" mechs of her forces and Joshua's stood.
"So how did we do?" asked Lisa.
"You lost the bunker. We completed our objective." Said Joshua.
"But not without the destruction or disabling of all of your mechs." responded Lisa. "So who won?"
"Under those conditions, neither side won. This is a good example of the kind of battle we're training to avoid fighting. I don't want pyrrhic victories. I want one side to utterly annihilate the other before it even gets within five klicks of the target zone."
"We've got a long way to go, don't we, Joshua?" It was Daisaku Hayakusora.
"We'll make it. We’re adjusting to brand new equipment and we haven’t really devised any strategies to make good use of it yet. It’s only been about a week and already I’m seeing improvement."
“Well, we have things to celebrate.”
Although there was no doubt to Joshua’s sincerity in proposing to Lisa, most everyone knew he was right about making it into something the whole unit could rally around. The past week had proven that. Those native to New Belfast were ecstatic over the news that their “princess” was to be wed. Their joy was infectious and soon the whole unit was in much better spirits. That translated to improved performance in their war games.
“Alright, everyone,” said Joshua, bringing the operation to a close with a quick summary. “As I said, better, but still not there. We do not want battles won or lost like this one. We’re getting a real sense of just how much power these new machines have. Now we need to start thinking of how to apply that power without getting slaughtered. In a real battle, we can’t afford those sort of losses."
"Understood." Said Isaac. The silent implication was that the Star Swords would abide by the Wolverine edicts, in this case, the Third.
"Let's go home everyone."
"No training tomorrow?" asked Ryan Smith.
"Neg." said Joshua. "Clan MacLeod's dropship is landing tomorrow at 1100 hours. We have a dress inspection."
Ryan smacked his forehead. "God, I forgot. Duke MacLeod and his family are arriving with the Clan prisoners tomorrow."
"Yeah, the techs are going to be up all night making sure each and every one of our command mechs are shiny enough to see yourself in them. As for you, get a good night's sleep. No messing around tonight. I want you and everyone else as rested and pretty looking tomorrow as you can be." Joshua parked his Ryoken into its repair bay, powered it down, and opened the hatch to get out.
"Hey, it's me." Replied Ryan.
"I know. That's why I'm worried." said Joshua talking into his headset mike as he climbed down.
Ryan also climbed down from his Mad Cat. Amanda walked up beside him. Amanda had removed her cooling vest, but had not put on a jumpsuit. That left her wearing little more than a string bikini and Joshua was taking in the full view of her shapely backside.
"What are you looking at, husband-to-be?"
Joshua jumped as if bitten. He turned to see Lisa, leaning on the foot of his mech, her chin resting on her hands.
“Just mourning my lost bachelorhood.” His eyes took her in. “I’m done. It was an abbreviated grief period.”
“It had better be. Or you get none of this.” With, one quick motion, she unzipped her jumpsuit and let it fall to the floor. Like Amanda, she was wearing little more than bra and panties underneath.
“Very abbreviated.” Said Joshua. Lisa laughed. Joshua smiled and looked at her. “You aren’t usually this immodest.”
“Apparently, I need to be careful with eyes that wander like yours so often do. I got to keep your attention somehow.”
“Amanda is Ryan’s lover. My interest in her is purely professional. She must keep herself, like all my soldiers, in top physical condition. I was just…making sure.” Joshua ran his hand across Lisa’s bare abdomen. He savored the touch with her soft skin and noticed that she seemed to enjoy it as well. “Perhaps another inspection is in order.”
“You are such a tease.” Smiled Lisa. She looked over at Amanda herself. “I can see why you sneak glances at her. Our friends have not chosen poorly. Amanda, Michelle, they’re not hard on the eyes, are they?”
“No, not really.” Admitted Joshua sheepishly. “In all seriousness, you’re not jealous, I hope.”
“One, I know you’d never betray me. Two, I know you’d never betray them. You call them friends, but they are your brothers, Joshua. You’d never do anything to harm them.”
“Yeah. I guess you do know me.” Joshua looked over at Amanda and Ryan again. “It’s good that they are finding people. I’ve had you, as a friend and more, practically from the moment we all first set foot on New Avalon. But Erik and Ryan and the others, they’ve been alone. We’ve had each other, but its not the same. And I’m not the only one who lost a lover on New Vision.”
“You’ve mentioned that before. Who else?”
“Ryan. There was an infantry cadet from our city named Melissa that he was taken with. But like Gwen and so many others, she was lost when the Falcons attacked.” He noticed Lisa darken at the mention of his homeworld. “Sorry, I suppose stories of my home remind you of yours.”
“It’s ok. We’ve all got our burdens to bear. You’ve made mine a lot lighter.”
“So, you think this is a good idea? Us getting married?”
“Of course, I do. Hell, it was going to happen sooner or later. It might as well be sooner.”
“Be interesting to see your parent’s reaction to the news.”
“Yes, that it might be.” Lisa nodded. She pulled her jumpsuit back on and gave Joshua a peck on the cheek. "I'm hungry. You want to meet for dinner after we shower up."
"Sure. I'll meet you at our room in about 30 minutes."
"See you then."
Joshua filed his reports quickly and then made his way back to the room he shared with Lisa. She had arrived first and was already cleaning herself up when Joshua arrived. “I'm not quite ready yet." She said, walking out of the bathroom in a bathrobe.
“No hurries. I still need a shower. By the way, this isn't anything special. You don't have to get all done up."
Lisa pouted at him. "I've spent the last four days on a dusty battlefield. Tonight, I want to feel like a lady rather than a grunt." She darted back inside the bathroom and continued dressing.
"I figured you'd have enough of that tomorrow. Your father's dropship is 16 hours out."
"I intend to look quite regal tomorrow as well, thank you. I am Lady Lisa Anna Marie MacLeod of the Duchy of New Belfast, the betrothed of Hauptmann General Joshua Messer, and I intend to look the part, tonight and tomorrow." Lisa thickened her Scottish brogue when he said her full name and title, something that made Joshua smile.
“Yes, mi’lady. Now if you don’t mind, I’d like to get into that shower.”
The intercom whistled. "
“So close,” said Joshua with mild annoyance. "Yes, Erik, what is it?"
"The items you ordered arrived a few minutes ago. What do you want us to do with them?"
"Gather the officers together. They get their pick of whatever they want. You should have the assignments on your desk for the enlisted. You can have the lance commanders handle those."
"I take it we're supposed to wear these tomorrow."
"We most certainly are. That's why they have to be passed out tonight."
"Is this such a good idea? This is a rather private tradition."
“We call ourselves the Star Swords now. It seems appropriate that we symbolize our name in our dress uniform.”
“Alright. One more step, I guess, towards unity and morale.”
“Precisely.” Said Joshua. “Lisa and I will probably be over later. We’ll probably see you then."
"Okay. Erik out."
"Joshua out." Joshua pressed the button and turned off the intercom.
"What was that all about?" asked Lisa.
"Well, our sw...." said Joshua, turning. He never finished his sentence.
Lisa was standing there in a green sleeveless tank top and a brown suede knee-length skirt. Her long red hair was loose, falling around her shoulders.
“Um, and to think I was staring at another woman’s ass earlier today. What the hell was I thinking?”
“Stop drooling. It's not very pretty. The shower is yours.”
“I know. I told Erik to let me know when the swords arrived and he did.”
“Swords?”
“Yes, every soldier in the Star Swords will carry one. I’m creating a new tradition.”
“Much as you and your friends do.”
“That’s a legacy of our Wolverine Clan heritage. The sword is a symbolic weapon. It has stood for strength, chivalry, and honor for thousands of years. It is our symbol and it will be the Star Swords’ symbol, a reminder of who we are and why we’re here.”
“It’s more than a symbol to you and your fellow Wolverines. I’ve seen you fight with it. You’re quite good.”
“I could teach you.”
“And add another weapon that you are better than me at using?” said Lisa. “Maybe. I’ll think about it. Now get in that shower. I’m hungry and I’m not waiting forever.”
Skye
Skye March, Federated Commonwealth
23 November 3050
Joshua checked his scabbard to make sure it was secure. Within it was Anduril Lisa had returned to him at graduation almost one year ago.
Lisa smacked his hand as he fidgeted with the sword again. "You're as nervous as a bridegroom, Joshua, and you’ll be that soon enough. Leave the sword alone. It looks fine." She grabbed his cloak and pulled it around his neck, fastening it on the other side.
"I'm sorry, Lis. It’s a dress inspection and I want to look my best.”
"It's my father, Joshua.”
“That makes it worse. My future father-in-law.”
“Right now, only you and I know that. What matters at the moment is that you’ve put the pride of New Belfast back together from the dregs of defeat. That's what he'll see and that's what matters." She paused. “The rest we’ll tell him later.”
Lisa attached her own sword to her belt and straightened it. "I wasn’t sure about this last night, but now I like this idea of bearing a sword. And yes, you can teach me to use it someday.”
“I may require that of all our soldiers. Another means to bring unity to these troops, a common task, a common goal.”
“We have a number of those, thanks to you.”
“The strongest armies history has ever known fight as one. If there’s anything I can adopt or suggest or implement that can bring us closer to that goal, I’ll do it.”
"Let's go. Marshall Ellis and our friend General Harrington are waiting for us."
Erik Iolair was also waiting for them. All three were in their dress uniforms. Lisa's sword was a 17th century-era basket-hilt Scottish claymore. Erik had also taken a claymore, a larger older two-handed medieval version.
The trio then moved outside to the tarmac, where the Field Marshall and General Harrington were waiting. Across the tarmac, a small Monarch class dropship was coming to a stop. Shaped like a giant airplane, this Monarch was almost identical to the one Joshua and the Lohengrin commandos had used. This one was a true passenger carrier, like most, and this one was owned by a travel company. It was the equivalent of a luxury liner.
As the dropship rolled to a stop, the lance commanders whipped up their "troops" with a quick marching cadence. Erik, Lisa, and Joshua hopped into the back of a waiting jeep, which drove them slowly and deliberately to the front of the troops. Behind them in another jeep was Ellis and Harrington. Coming up behind the rear line of Star Swords were two Omnimechs, Joshua's Ryoken and Lisa's Fenris, piloted by technician volunteers.
The jeep came to a stop and Joshua slowly got out. He moved to the lead of the procession and ordered his men to stop marching. He then called them to attention, and the 150 so mechwarriors snapped to it, creating two neat lines of men leading down to the waiting Battlemechs.
Joshua turned back to the dropship, whose personnel gantry was now descending. Ellis moved to the lead and Harrington took up position beside Joshua. Joshua was not pleased at his presence here. By all rights, neither should Ellis have been present, as the Swords were free from AFFC jurisdiction. But the Swords were on Skye as guests of Ellis’s office. Harrington had no reason whatsoever for being present, but had invited himself along to make sure everyone thought he was important.
Duke Jameson MacLeod stepped down from the gantry. He was dressed in a fine suit, with a kilt and sash colored in the yellow and black tartan of Clan MacLeod. Behind him was Leianna MacLeod, the duchess. Following her were Christopher and Marian. Christopher was dressed like his father. The women were finely dressed, but their clothes were not as ethnically colorful as the men’s clothing.
Joshua broke protocol for the moment to look back at Lisa. She was beaming, overjoyed to see her family again.
"Welcome to Skye, your grace." said Ellis to Duke MacLeod as he stepped off the gantry.
“Thank you,
“And you also, your grace.” Said Joshua.
"Are these my men?"
"They are indeed.” Said Ellis. “Come, would you like to see them?"
"I would."
Ellis stopped before Joshua and Harrington. Harrington looked surprisingly smug, despite the fact that his troops were not being reviewed. "He still sees himself the better leader with the better unit." thought Joshua. "I can’t wait to smack that smirk right off of his face."
"Your grace, this is Hauptmann General Amos Harrington, commander of our garrison force: the 11th
"Your grace, welcome to Skye." Said Harrington politely.
"Thank you, General."
"And of course, you clearly remember Hauptmann General Joshua Messer.”
“He and my daughter are rather close.” Said MacLeod to Ellis. “Now about my troops…”
"We’ve been hard at work, your grace." Said Joshua.
"I'd like to see just what kind of fighting force you've made my men into."
"Not much of one." Joshua heard Harrington whisper under his breath. If the Duke heard him, he made no sign.
"We would like to take our leave, your grace." Said Marshall Ellis. "General Messer can accommodate you from here."
"Very well. Marshall, General." The Duke bid them farewell in turn.
Duke Jameson let out his breath and sputtered something in a language Joshua didn't understand, but recognized as Scottish Gaelic.
"Alright, enough of this prim and proper bullshit." He looked at Joshua with a fatherly grin. "Well now, son, you've had four months to whip these boys up. What all have you done?"
"Well, your grace, I'd first like to introduce you to my two top advisors. This is Leftenant General Erik Iolair, who commands the Star Swords aerospace forces and is my second in command."
"Pleased to meet you, General."
"The honor is mine, your grace." said Erik.
"And I believe you know my other advisor very well. As you said, we’re rather close."
"Lisa, come here and let me look at you." Duke Jameson outstretched his arms. Lisa ran to him and was scooped up in his embrace. After holding her for several seconds, he let go. Lisa did not seem to want to let go herself, but did so.
"Now, what does this kid have you doing now?"
"I'm commander of First Battalion, Father. And Joshua's chief advisor."
"Advising him on what, eh?" teased Jameson with a grin. Lisa blushed.
"You've got a fine officer here in this one." said the Duke to Joshua. "You take good care of her."
"No worries there." said Joshua with a wink to Lisa.
"Now, how are my troops shaping up?"
After several minutes, they finally made to the end of the procession where the two mechs were standing. Joshua was amazed. The Star Swords were made up of roughly a full battalion of former New Belfast militia. The Duke was able to spot every native Belfastian he passed. The Duke would stop at each and every one of them, ask how they were and if their families were safe. Most didn't know, and Joshua knew that applied to most everyone in the ranks.
"It's a sad story, Colonel." said the Duke at the end of the line. "When we fled the world, we left behind so much. We understand so little about these invaders. We have no idea if those we left behind are suffering untold atrocities at the hands of these Jade Falcons, or if they've experienced little if any change from the norm."
"If it is one thing that drives us forward, your grace,” said Joshua. “be we born on New Belfast, Here, or some world untouched by the Clans, it is the freedom of those people we left behind. Someday, we will walk the soil of New Belfast again. I make that pledge to your daughter and now I make it to you. We will return to your home planet."
“And I will hold you to that promise, young Joshua.” said the Duke.
“It’s actually not the only promise I’ve made lately.”
“Oh?” The Duke eyebrow raised in curiosity.
“Joshua proposed to me last week, Father.” Said Lisa, taking Joshua in hand. “We’re going to be married.”
Duke Jameson smiled. “I wondered when that was coming. Oh, Lisa dear, I am so happy. I thought Daniel’s death would be the end of you, and then the barbarity of what O’Malley did. Yet you keep springing back. You’ve found a fine young man. My best wishes to both of you.”
“Thank you, your grace.”
“So when is the big day.”
“We haven’t decided just yet, but soon.”
“I trust you will inform me.”
“Of course, Daddy.” Said Lisa informally.
Joshua’s personal communicator buzzed under his coat. “Excuse me, your grace.” He stepped away to answer it.
“Report!” barked Joshua with annoyance.
“Sir, we have a problem. The Falcon prisoners…when we tried to transfer them. They’ve broken free.”
Next Chapter
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