Chapter Twenty-Eight - Vanishings
MacLeod City
New Belfast
Tamar March, Federated Commonwealth
19 June 3055
The stranger scribbled his name across the payment invoice. “So tell me, how is business?” he asked.
The hostel manager took the invoice and read over the name. “Pretty good, Mr. Martin. Getting better actually, now that Dal Pryde is dead and the Falcons seem to have lost interest in us.”
“Pryde is dead?” the stranger perked up at the news.
“Yeah, a year ago. They say General Messer took his sword and ran it through his throat.” The manager thrust his arm forward for dramatic effect, imitating how he thought Pryde’s execution was accomplished. “Brought us justice for that year under Pryde’s tender care.”
The stranger chuckled grimly. “I know. I was a prisoner for a time under that ‘tender care.’”
The manager shivered. “I don’t want to know what horrors you faced under Pryde and that monster O’Malley. But then,” The manager glanced downward to the stranger’s crotch, “you don’t exactly have the right equipment for O’Malley to have been interested in you.”
“True enough.”
“So a month then, Mr. Martin?”
“Quicker if I can manage it. Looking for a ship to take me aboard.”
“You star sailors. All alike. You journey from planet to planet like restless vagabonds. Then the job dries up, the company dumps you on some planet, and you wait until some other opportunity comes along.” The manager smiled. “I know your type. We get your kinda folk in here all the time, and the dropship captains know to come looking for you here. I’ll keep my eyes open. It shouldn’t be too long. As I said, with Pryde dead, New Belfast’s back in business again.”
“Good. This place holds some bad memories for me. I’d rather not stay longer than I have to.”
“I can imagine. Good day, Mr. Martin.”
Ski Resort
New Belfast
Tamar March, Federated Commonwealth
21 June 3055
Lisa rolled over and snuggled up against the warmth of her husband. “I’m so glad you brought us here.” She murmured under her breath.
“Daisaku found this place a few years ago.”
“I remember. Your guys’ weekend away when I was having my….troubles.” She rubbed her cheek against the stubble on his chin. “I’m so sorry for all that I put you through.”
“Stop it.” Said Joshua firmly, but gently. “I’ve long since forgiven all that, as I hope you’ve forgiven me.”
“I have.” She said, giving him a light kiss. She hovered over his face, as if uncertain what to do next. “Do you hear that?”
Joshua paused to listen. “Helicopters.”
“Coming for us.” Said Lisa. As if on cue, their personal communicators across the room began to beep with the recall signal. “Damn.”
“Oh, there’s still a little time.” Joshua grabbed her and rolled over. “We were working on another one.”
“There’s no…time.” She gasped slightly as he entered her. “Stop it you’ll wake him.”
Joshua looked back at the crib where Daniel was sleeping quietly. “Only if you cry out, my love.” He thrust again.
“You don’t make…it very easy.” She replied. Joshua laughed.
Their lovemaking was hurried, but ultimately still interrupted by the rapid knock at their door.
“Just…a…minute.” Barked Joshua to the door as he reached climax. He rolled off of Lisa. “Enter.” He ordered.
“Joshua!” exclaimed Lisa, grabbing for the covers. Joshua made no effort to cover his nudity.
Gwen entered and glanced over the couple. “I apologize for interrupting, but this is a matter of great urgency.”
“The Falcons had better be invading again.” Grumbled Joshua, as he stood up.
“I wish.” Said Gwen grimly. She held up a vid-chip. “This arrived less than an hour ago via ComStar. It will be broadcast planetwide once you and the Duke have seen it. Erik is waiting to give the word to release it to the public.”
“What is it?”
Gwen turned to the tri-vid screen and inserted the chip. Joshua picked up the waking Daniel as the screen flickered to life.
“Oh, my God.” Said Joshua. Behind him, Lisa let out a gasp of horror and grief.
“Yeah,” said Gwen. “Now you know.”
“This changes everything. Assemble the Swords.”
“Already done. Recall went out just a few minutes ago. You’d best get dressed and packed. Vacation’s over.”
MacLeod City
New Belfast
Tamar March, Federated Commonwealth
21 June 3055
The stranger bustled down the street with some haste. His face was filled with a look of frustration and it made the others walking the streets of New Belfast’s capital city pause and move aside to avoid a confrontation with this obviously angry man.
Above him, on the side of the New Belfast Broadcasting Building, one of the tallest in the city, was a giant tri-vid screen. Upon it, the network displayed its daily broadcast, the same as could be seen in any home, only here displayed upon a screen 10 meters in height. People often stopped in the street to gaze upward to see the latest news or weather report or the goings on of their favorite soap opera characters. Whatever grabbed their fancy. The presence of these gawkers only added to the stranger’s annoyance.
The screen flashed bright yellow with the words “Special Report” and the volume, already loud enough to be heard clearly in the city street below amplified to get people’s attention. The stranger stopped, as did everyone, to note what sort of emergency news the network was bringing to them. The last time it had done so was to broadcast word of Dal Pryde’s attack the year before.
The familiar image of two newscasters appeared on-screen. “We interrupt your regularly scheduled broadcast for this special news report.” Said the one, visibly shaken. “It is our sad…” He sobbed for a moment and fought to regain his composure. “…our sad duty to inform you that Archon Melissa Steiner was assassinated on Tharkad two days ago.”
The second took over for his troubled partner. “This footage, arrived just moments ago…” The screen shifted to an image of carnage. “…comes to us from the Frederick Steiner Memorial Library, whose dedication the Archon was keynoting. A bomb blast ripped through the assembled delegates, killing dozens and wounding many more. We have received confirmation that Archon Melissa was among the deceased.”
“Son of a bitch, Steiner. What sort of mischief have you gotten into since I’ve been gone? The Conspiracy is dead or nearly so and you do this? Victor will slaughter us to the man in revenge.” The stranger shook his head in further frustration. “Madness. This whole rebellion has become an exercise in madness.”
Star Swords Command Center
New Belfast
Tamar March, Federated Commonwealth
22 June 3055
Joshua sat quietly as he looked over the latest news reports he’d received from the front. He sought distraction from the horrible news from Tharkad. Ten months, nearly a year, since Dal Pryde found final defeat on New Belfast. Ten months of peace, now shattered by an assassin’s bomb.
Peace may have reigned on New Belfast, but elsewhere was different. Prince Victor had fought back the Capellans in the Sarna March and fought back the Conspiracy until now it held only a fraction of the worlds it once did. Clustered around Northwind, the remaining rebels dug in and waited for what was now inevitable. But the hammer blow had not yet come. Victor found further distraction from Clan incursions near the Periphery border, the so-called Red Corsair.
“The warrior in him runs from battle to battle, as if dodging the tasks of head of state. I wonder if Steiner and O’Malley found vulnerability in our Prince’s distracted state.” Mused Joshua silently.
The sound of Daniel playing on Joshua’s office floor drew Joshua’s attention away from his thoughts. He smiled as his son battled toy Battlemechs against one other.
“It must be so easy for you, my son. But soon the warrior’s duty will be entrusted to you also.” Daniel looked up at his father, only barely understanding the meaning, but smiling nonetheless at his father’s voice.
There came a rap at the door. “Enter.” Barked Joshua.
Lisa walked in with Marian close behind. “It’s time.” She said.
Joshua nodded. “I know.” He stood up, gathered up the things he would need for the briefing. Marian moved to sit down on the floor next to Daniel, resuming as she so often did her task of babysitting the toddler when duty called away his parents.
“You be good, Daniel, with Auntie Marian while Mommy and Daddy have their meeting.”
“Ok.” Piped up the 2 year old.
“I got word today that they’ve finally gotten Gil-Galad put back together.” Said Joshua to his wife as they headed down the hall. It was obvious attempt to avoid the subject that weighed on everyone’s mind.
“Took them long enough.” Complained Lisa, playing along and grateful for the distraction. “It’s not that old a mech.”
“Mounting Clan technology weapons on an Inner Sphere frame can be a tricky proposition.”
“The Dark Rangers didn’t seem to have too much trouble with it.”
“Yeah, but they’ve got Doc.” Said Joshua. “I certainly wouldn’t mind having him on our team.”
“Logan would shoot you if you tried to recruit him away from them.”
“I know. Speaking of the Rangers, I’ve heard they’re back on Babeski after a successful year in the Combine. Came back with a new dropship and everything.”
“A new dropship?”
“Yeah, some experimental thing they stole from the Smoke Jaguars.”
“And the Combine let them keep it?”
“Not sure the Combine knew about it.”
“They’re going to need it.” Said Lisa, bring both their thoughts back to the real matter at hand.
“Yeah, I imagine so.” Together, they entered the briefing room.
“All rise!” barked Mechlanthon. “General Messer arriving.”
“As you were.” Said Joshua. It had been a long time since the Swords had used that level of formality, but the gravity of the last two days seem to merit it.
Joshua glanced past the assembled officers to the window that overlooked the headquarters grounds. Outside, the Federated Commonwealth flag flew at half-mast.
“Given recent events, I doubt it’s any surprise as to why I’ve called this briefing.” Began Joshua. “Daisaku on Evcilier will be apprised of our discussions, as they will have bearing on the 2nd Swords as well. Orders came down less than an hour ago from the hand of Victor himself. He’s accelerating his timetable to attack Northwind and bring Duke Ryan to heel.”
“As predicted. But you say orders?” said Erik.
“Yes, orders. Victor wants the Star Swords, both regiments, as part of the attack force. And he wants our help with something else.”
“What precisely?” asked Lisa.
“Victor knows, as I’ve long suspected, that most of the Highlanders have lost their stomach for this fight. Victor wants to subvert them and to that end he has put together a team to undermine completely their relationship with Duke Ryan. Heading up that team is your old friend Nathan Bairn.” Joshua looked at Lisa. “Nathan’s been given a lot of leeway in choosing his team. He’s asking for Justice to sign on again.”
“I’m not so sure about that.” Said Lisa grimly.
“It’s purely voluntary. Even if you choose not to go, my dear, I would like to send one of our own to Northwind nonetheless.” His eyes darted to Gwen, but even if they hadn’t, everyone knew she would be the one.
“Why? Victor will provide us all the recon we’d need.” Said Ryan.
“Prince Victor may be interested in subverting Highlanders. I’d like to subvert one of Duke Ryan’s other defenders. Reports have come in that at least one other unit is now garrisoning Northwind against us.”
“Fourth battalion.” Said Erik. “Juan’s brought Fourth battalion home to roost.”
“Yes, Juan Miranda’s been quite busy throughout this war, causing all sorts of trouble within the Combine, but he’s been recalled back to Northwind for the final stand. I’m prepared to offer him a bit of amnesty if he’ll order his forces to stand down and surrender when Victor launches his attack. I’m sure whatever attack force Victor is putting together will be relieved to not have to face down Clan Omnimechs.”
“A bit of amnesty? Explain.” Asked Ryan.
“Simple. He and his officers return with their stolen equipment to us here on New Belfast, with reduction in pay and rank as befits soldiers having gone AWOL.”
“A slap on the wrist?” Said Ryan with annoyance. “He betrayed us.”
“It’s a better offer than any he’ll receive from Prince Victor and he’ll know it too.”
“If Lisa refuses, I’ll go.” Said Gwen. “It’s what you had in mind anyway. I know Northwind almost as well as Lisa and I’ve also worked with Agent Bairn also.”
“As to the rest of us, as I said, Victor has requested the presence of both 1st and 2nd regiments’ mech forces for the final assault. We should be on the move as soon as possible. Victor will not long delay after his mother’s funeral to make the attack.”
“No, he’ll want to bring things to closure soon and decisively. This rebellion has gone on too long already and we have paid too dear a price for the delay.” Said Lisa. “There are murmurs, rumors. The Lyran sector is becoming increasingly dissatisfied with Prince Victor’s handling of the Conspiracy crisis.”
“And with Melissa now dead, those rumors will blow out of control.” Said Joshua. “Yes, this is a delicate time. With Melissa dead, the twin nations of the Lyran Commonwealth and the Federated Suns come together at last under one ruler. The Federated Commonwealth is now a reality in every way it can be. That’s a tall order for any man and all the more reason to bring those in open rebellion to heel now.”
Everyone in the room nodded. “Everyone, prepare your units for departure. Lisa, my dear, I hate pressure you about this, but I would have your answer within a day. You need to go on ahead of us to Northwind as soon as possible.”
Lisa nodded. “I know.”
“That is all. Dismissed.”
Shetland foothills, near Castle MacLeod
New Belfast
Tamar March, Federated Commonwealth
23 June 3055
The stranger crept through the woods silently. Nearby, he could hear the conversation: Two women together, with the additional sound of a small child laughing and playing nearby. He paused, leery of being discovered. His quarry was near.
“It seems each time I try to escape my past it comes back with a vengeance.” Mused the one. “Look at him, Gwen. Red hair, freckles, he’s more his father every day.”
“That’s not Daniel’s fault.” Said the other firmly. “Lisa, you can’t fault your son for his father’s crimes. Joshua doesn’t.”
“And I don’t want to. But it’s hard when every time I look at Daniel, I see Robert.”
“You need to put that behind you.”
“I know. But that’s my point. My past hangs on me like the literary albatross. Now Joshua wants me to go back to Northwind, back to there, back to all those horrid memories.”
“You can refuse that request. I’ve already told Joshua I will go in your stead. Bairn can live without Justice. You don’t need to do that to yourself.”
“No, Gwen, I do. Juan knows me, we fought together, bled together. He’ll listen to me. You are a newcomer, a stranger to him. He has no reason to trust what you say. He’ll believe me.”
“So, seeking to subvert Agent Miranda, are they? No surprises there. The fewer Conspiracy troops they face when the inevitable invasion comes, the easier their victory will be.” Mused their hidden observer silently.
“Then you’ve made up your mind.” Said Gwen, rubbing her horse on the nose.
“I have.” Said Lisa, watching little Daniel as he waded in a nearby stream.
The stranger stepped forward from the woods. It was time to put his plan in motion.
Lisa and Gwen both spun with a start at his appearance. “Afternoon, ladies. It was been a while.”
Gwen’s sword flashed from its scabbard with blinding speed. “O’Malley! Here?”
O’Malley’s pistol spoke once and Gwen went sprawling. “Typical Star Sword. Drawing a blade when a gun would do.”
Lisa broke into a run, scooping up Daniel from the stream and running towards her own horse. O’Malley’s gun spoke twice more. The horses let loose agonized whinnies as the bullets tore into them both.
“Oh, no, you’re not escaping me this time. You and your son.”
Those words chilled Lisa to the bone. He wasn’t just after her. She went to where Gwen lay unmoving in the grass. Dropping Daniel beside her, she picked up Gwen sword. It was the only weapon they had.
“So much better this way, isn’t it?” said O’Malley. “You’ve been itching for this fight for some time now.”
“You’ll not take my son.” Said Lisa, bringing the sword up between them.
“Oh, but I will. He is my brother’s heir. An O’Malley, as your conversation a minute ago made perfectly clear.” Richard fired again. The bullet tore into her left shoulder and passed through. Lisa spun from the shock of the impact and dropped to the ground. She struggled back to her feet.
“But I’m not interested in what you want.” O’Malley continued. “Dead by blade or gun, it doesn’t matter to me. I’ll not make the same mistake twice of allowing you to linger long enough for some cavalry to come to the rescue. But it’s my brother’s son I’m here for. You’re just icing on the cake.”
With that, O’Malley moved to snatch the crying Daniel. Lisa hauled herself to her feet, sword still in hand. She swung at O’Malley. He parried with the only thing he had available, his pistol. The blow smashed the gun beyond repair and went through to cut a nasty gash in Richard’s hand.
“You’ll have to finish me before I let you touch him.” She said with ferocity. “Daniel, run!” The toddler, frightened by his mother’s frantic tone, did as he was told, wobbling up the hill as fast as his short legs could carry him.
Richard backhanded Lisa, sending her sprawling. He then headed up the hill after Daniel, turning his back on Lisa. Lisa dove for his ankles, knocking him down with a tackle. Lisa was first back on her feet and raised her sword to strike a killing blow.
O’Malley rolled over and slammed both feet into Lisa’s gut. The blow knocked the wind out of her and she went flying down the hill. Rather than repeat the mistake of turning his back to Lisa, he pressed his attack, jumping to his feet and heading after her.
Lisa had staggered back to her feet when O’Malley came upon her. His first move was to grab her sword arm, keeping the deadly weapon from him. Lisa responded by smashing a series of punches to his face. Although not as strong as O’Malley, especially so with her wounded shoulder, her blows were well aimed, striking his right eye and temple repeatedly. Richard slammed her elbow against his knee, snapping the bone and causing Lisa to drop her sword. The sudden pain of having her arm broken made her cease her attack.
O’Malley, using her injured arm as leverage, threw her into the stream. Hitting the cold water revived Lisa somewhat, and she grabbed the nearest object she could find, a rock. Standing up, she threw the rock with her good arm, striking Richard dead center of his chest. There was a crack and Lisa knew she’d broken his breastbone.
O’Malley staggered for a second, and Lisa was on him like lightning. She slammed her knee into his gut, causing him to double over. She then brought her knee against his injured chest, once, twice, three times before O’Malley lost his footing and fell over in pain.
“Damnit, die already.” She snarled.
Lisa tried to press her advantage by stomping down on the back of his neck, but Richard rolled over, snagging her leg in the process. With her leg pulled out from under her, Lisa went down, landing on her wounded arm. Agony shot through her body as she hit, stunning her for a critical few seconds.
O’Malley grabbed her by her shirt collar and hoisted her into the air. “I underestimated you again, Lady Lisa.” he gasped. “You prove tougher each time. But not again.”
“This isn’t over yet.” Lisa slammed her foot forward, catching him just below the rib cage. O’Malley dropped her and doubled over, falling into the stream as he did so. “You will never take my son away from me.” she swore, kicking him repeatedly.
O’Malley, mustering what little strength he had left, caught one of those kicks in mid-motion, and shoved backwards against Lisa. That unbalanced her and knocked her into the water. Richard grabbed a rock of his own and smashed it down on Lisa’s head as she tried to stand. She slumped into the cold water.
He was about to hold her under to finish her when he felt the earth tremor. “Damn!” he swore and he staggered to his feet. Clearing the trees not more than 100 meters behind him was a Cauldron Born battlemech. It raised its right arm as O’Malley dashed up the hill after Daniel, trying to close the distance between himself and the child before the mech opened fire. The aforementioned cavalry was here.
Joshua had been nearby taking his mech out for a spin with Ryan and Amanda when he heard the tell tale sound of a pistol shot. Knowing that spelled trouble, he’d headed in the direction of the sound. Now he found his wife in a life-and-death struggle with someone he was astonished to see on New Belfast.
Joshua pressed his finger on the trigger of his small laser. A crimson beam of light lanced out from the mech’s right arm, superheating the soil not more than three meters from O’Malley. The small explosion that occurred knocked Richard off his feet.
“Move again and I guarantee I won’t miss.” said Joshua, moving his finger to the trigger for the small laser’s bigger counterpart, one of the mech’s two ER mediums. Even a near miss with that weapon would fry O’Malley alive.
But O’Malley didn’t come out from behind the cloud of dust, or so it seemed. Joshua stepped forward, trying to get a better look. He glanced over at Daniel, but his son had disappeared.
“Damn, he’s got a stealth suit.” swore Joshua. “Amanda, I need you.”
Amanda’s mech, the Loki, was the only one even capable of seeing Richard when he had his suit activated. With its advanced Beagle Probe, she could detect something as minute as the buttons on Lisa’s clothing at this range. Her mech emerged from the woods behind Joshua to begin scanning.
Joshua disembarked and ran over to where Lisa was lying in the stream, heedless of the danger of an invisible O’Malley.
“Where is he?” snarled Joshua, as he helped his dazed wife to her feet.
“I can’t find him. I’m getting a lot of bad readings.” Responded Amanda on his headset radio.
“That doesn’t make sense. What’s wrong?”
“There’s an ECM field. O’Malley planned this well.”
Joshua’s scream of rage filled the New Belfast air as rain started to come down in torrents.
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