Goody! We get to see him influence the Falcon Guards and Aidan Pride! Hmm...butterflies...helps keep Aidan alive so he can become Sa-Khan under Marthe?
Falcon's Rising
- Thread starter MarkWarrior
- Start date
Chapter 19
MarkWarrior
Well-known member
Chapter 19
“Well,” I muttered as I tossed my few meager belongings back into a rucksack. “I never thought that I’d be fighting for the Clans if it ever came to Tukayyid,” I scratched Gray’s chin. “It’s a bit odd, isn’t it?”
I then stood and whistled for her to follow as I headed for the dropships, regardless of how things might have turned out, this was my life now. And I had a plan to reform at least Jade Falcon. Either that, or I would die trying.
–
–
“Star Commander,” Joanna greeted me as I entered the room that I had been assigned.
“Star Captain,” I replied as I stored my duffle before resting on the bunk that I had been assigned. “I was unaware that I was to be roomed with you.”
“It was at my request,” the woman frowned. “You are not like the rest of the Guard, you have not been deemed dezgra, for all that you are Abtakha, your codex speaks well of you and the engagements that you have been engaged in.”
“So?” I raised an eyebrow. “I am far older than most solahma. The only units that would take me were garrison clusters or the Falcon Guard. I desired a front-line post. This was what was available to me, there is nothing more to it than that.”
“Freebirth,” Joanna rolled her eyes. “I am watching you. You have no place here, and should you fall behind… Well, that is where we will leave you.”
I climbed into my Warhammer, Gray settled into the seat behind me as I began to power cycle the ‘Mech and prepare it for an orbital drop. My Star had been designated as part of the path-finding Trinary, and as such, I would be responsible for leading a third of the Omnimechs that would be securing the landing for the Raptor.
“Alpha Trinary, signify status!” Joanna barked.
“This is Bravo Star, Ready op,” I reported as I received the status of my Mechwarriors.
“All Stars are ready op, Raptor, begin drop.”
The Bobby B shook as my ‘Mech was slowly ‘shoved’ out of the dropship, the ceramic pod beginning its descent through the atmosphere as it slowly burned away, my sensors guiding me along the path that had been designated for me to follow.
Then, at a safe distance above the ground, I ignited the pack that was bolted on, the jets flaring as they slowed my path enough for me to hit the ground with a solid ‘Thump’, the explosive bolts sending the pack to the ground as I regrouped with my Star.
“Star Captain, Bravo Star is ready, following previous instructions,” I reported as the star scattered around me to clear out the immediate area, our normally silver and green ‘Mechs scorched as black as the darkness around us.
After a few moments of each Star securing their area, Star Captain Joanna reported. “Falcon Guard Trinary Alpha has landed, sir. Area is secured and marker beacons are up. Your orders?”
Star Colonel Pryde then gave his orders and Joanna’s followed shortly afterward.
“Bravo and Charlie Stars, I want a three-kilometer security zone set up around the LZ. Bravo, once that is done, prepare to assist in disembarking the incoming Battlemechs. I will transmit deployment patterns shortly.”
My Star secured the zone with Charlie as the Raptor continued her descent, the Overlord-C eventually setting down and beginning to offload ‘Mechs, supplies, and Elementals. The newcomers moved to locations ordered by Joanna as my Star shifted to direct the disembarkation while Alpha relieved us of our security duties.
Sometimes, the way that the Clans waged war was modern, the tactics somewhat resembling the sort of things that I’d seen in the past in my own training and research. And then sometimes, it was nonsensical bullshit.
I didn’t know whose bright idea it was to have the entirety of the Jade Falcon Forces march through a field in formation, but if I ever did find out, there would be hell to pay. I understood the direct approach, hell, I loved the idea of just kicking someone's door in instead of trying to sneak up on them. But this? This was stupid. And I felt like a target.
But I wasn’t going to fight it for now. Especially given how quickly I’d find myself cashiered if I did so.
Instead, I maintained the formation as ordered, the Falcon Guard had shifted to secure the right flank of the overall forces, and both Bravo and Charlie Stars from Trinary Alpha had been molded in with a Nova from Echo.
As we moved through the night, we eventually encountered the Comstar forces arrayed against us, their hit-and-run tactics claiming both meat and machine throughout the night.
By the time that day had come, we had slowed to a crawl as we neared the Prezno River, the damage to the Falcon Guard was minor, but our battle lines grew thin as we were slowly ordered to spread out.
Then, ten kilometers shy of the river, we were ordered to halt. Many of the Warriors popped their cockpits and shifted to a relaxed position, but I did not. I allowed my Star to enjoy the break, but I merely continued scanning as dawn broke across the horizon, Star Colonel Pryde had dismounted and boarded a VTOL heading for Command.
“Star Commander, you may rest,” Star Captain Joanna’s voice came over a private line.
“Neg,” I replied. “Someone needs to stay on alert, and the rest of my Star is eating at the moment. I will step down once one of them can take my place at the watch.”
“Understood,” Joanna responded after a moment. “As you were, Star Commander.”
And so I stayed on standby, my Warhammer’s sensors scanning the fields and skies for any sign that Comstar might be lurking in ambush.
Then, after about an hour of this, two of the members of my Star boarded their ‘Mechs and powered back up.
“Star Commander, We will take over your watch, quiaff?”
“Aff,” I replied, putting my ‘Hammer into a soft shutdown before popping my hatch, the fresh cool air greeting me as I lowered the ladder down and began to descend. Then, when I reached the ground, I held out my arms and whistled sharply, Gray then jumped out of the cockpit and into my arms where I set her down.
“Thank you,” I nodded at the technician who had a meal set aside for me. “You can go get some rest too.”
After a few hours of rest and rotation of the watch, the Clans finally shifted forward, with the Falcon Guard pushing along with the Twelfth Falcon Cluster, the Twelfth’s ‘Mechs pushing forward to take the bridge ahead of us.
“Falcon Guard, press forward at best unit speed,” Pryde ordered, his voice coming in clear through the comms as my Star pushed forward in a staggered formation.
Then, as we reached the area around the bridge, the Star Colonel surged forward with a few members of his Command Star, their jump jets alight with fire and fury as they forced Comstar’s forces back while the rest of us pushed forward and then held our positions.
Then, as Comstar fell back, the Twelfth surged forward, their Star Colonel pushing to cross the bridge as the bridge vanished into the rapids below. Comstar’s forces then reappeared, with combat vehicles and ‘Mechs sniping at us while Aerospace fighters streaked across the sky.
“We hold,” I commanded my Star as a VTOL vanished in a beam of manmade Lightning.
Unfortunately, we of the Falcon Guard stood alone as the Twelfth fled with the loss of their Star Colonel.
Unfortunately, while my ‘Mech was capable of fighting for a long time given my reliance on energy weapons aside from my lone SRM pack, the same could not be said for the remainder of the unit, and as the ammunition stores drew low, Star Captain Joanna ordered us to fall back, eventually leaving me in my Warhammer and her in her Stormcrow to cover the retreat.
Slowly, the entire force of the Jade Falcons was pushed back by Comstar’s forces, and for all of the aggression that the Clans had displayed when they first invaded the Inner Sphere, they seemed to lack that killer edge in this case.
“Star Captain,” I opened a private channel to Joanna. “Why are we falling back? It is only in advance that victory is won. If we continue to fall back, they will continue to have the momentum and the eventual victory.”
There was a pause as Joanna’s Stormcrow seemed to hesitate for a second before my comm crackled. “We do as we are instructed, Star Commander. Lest we forget that we are a part of the whole Clan.”
“Understood, Ma’am,” I replied. “I will do as you command.”
–
–
As day turned into night, the senior officers were once again summoned to Command to begin planning for the advance now that the bridge had been destroyed.
Before he had left though, the Star Colonel had given the order that all of our ‘mechs should be equipped with Jump jets.
But I did not have an Omnimech, and as such, If I wanted this done in a timely, I would have to assist my technicians with both the calculations, as well as fitting the required pods to my ancient ‘Hammer.
“We are going to have to pull the six-pack, and a Heat sink,” I did some napkin math side by side with a main tech. “But if I am doing the math right, we can remove half a ton of armor to just shrink it down to a four-pack and we should be able to add three jets, quiaff?
“Neg, Swap the pulses for smalls and keep the sixes,” the tech modified my math. “That leaves you with the extra armor,” he sighed. “But it is going to take time. Time that the others will not.”
“I am going to help,” I reached into a nearby footlocker and pulled out a set of coveralls. “Now, we should get started.”
I headed for the nearby gantry and began climbing up the ladder as I headed for the ‘Mech’s shoulder, there was a lot of work to be done, and not a lot of time to do it in.
–
–
“Star Commander,” Joanna’s voice resounded through the ‘Mech bay. “What are you doing?”
“Outfitting my ‘Mech with Jump Jets as ordered by the Star Colonel” I pulled myself out of the jets that we had installed on the legs. “Run the tests!” I called out to the tech. “I think we’ve got it calibrated correctly.”
“And why are you arms deep in your ‘Mech?” She inquired, her arms crossed.
“Because otherwise it would not be finished in time,” I wiped my hands off on a nearby towel. “I have not been granted an Omnimech, and I will not request one when it would be better in the hands of someone more accustomed to it. Neg, I will do the work required to perform at whatever level to my own ‘Mech.”
“Is it ready?” Joanna jutted her chin at the Silver and green painted Warhammer. “I warned you that if you fell behind we would leave you.”
“Star Commander,” The tech approached. “All tests are green, the jets are properly installed as are the lasers.”
“Yes,” I replied, turning to face the Star Captain. It is ready for whatever task it is that you require of us.”
“Get yourself cleaned up,” Joanna scoffed. “We are to set out with the 2nd Falcon Jaegers at Dawn.”
“Well,” I muttered as I tossed my few meager belongings back into a rucksack. “I never thought that I’d be fighting for the Clans if it ever came to Tukayyid,” I scratched Gray’s chin. “It’s a bit odd, isn’t it?”
I then stood and whistled for her to follow as I headed for the dropships, regardless of how things might have turned out, this was my life now. And I had a plan to reform at least Jade Falcon. Either that, or I would die trying.
–
–
“Star Commander,” Joanna greeted me as I entered the room that I had been assigned.
“Star Captain,” I replied as I stored my duffle before resting on the bunk that I had been assigned. “I was unaware that I was to be roomed with you.”
“It was at my request,” the woman frowned. “You are not like the rest of the Guard, you have not been deemed dezgra, for all that you are Abtakha, your codex speaks well of you and the engagements that you have been engaged in.”
“So?” I raised an eyebrow. “I am far older than most solahma. The only units that would take me were garrison clusters or the Falcon Guard. I desired a front-line post. This was what was available to me, there is nothing more to it than that.”
“Freebirth,” Joanna rolled her eyes. “I am watching you. You have no place here, and should you fall behind… Well, that is where we will leave you.”
I climbed into my Warhammer, Gray settled into the seat behind me as I began to power cycle the ‘Mech and prepare it for an orbital drop. My Star had been designated as part of the path-finding Trinary, and as such, I would be responsible for leading a third of the Omnimechs that would be securing the landing for the Raptor.
“Alpha Trinary, signify status!” Joanna barked.
“This is Bravo Star, Ready op,” I reported as I received the status of my Mechwarriors.
“All Stars are ready op, Raptor, begin drop.”
The Bobby B shook as my ‘Mech was slowly ‘shoved’ out of the dropship, the ceramic pod beginning its descent through the atmosphere as it slowly burned away, my sensors guiding me along the path that had been designated for me to follow.
Then, at a safe distance above the ground, I ignited the pack that was bolted on, the jets flaring as they slowed my path enough for me to hit the ground with a solid ‘Thump’, the explosive bolts sending the pack to the ground as I regrouped with my Star.
“Star Captain, Bravo Star is ready, following previous instructions,” I reported as the star scattered around me to clear out the immediate area, our normally silver and green ‘Mechs scorched as black as the darkness around us.
After a few moments of each Star securing their area, Star Captain Joanna reported. “Falcon Guard Trinary Alpha has landed, sir. Area is secured and marker beacons are up. Your orders?”
Star Colonel Pryde then gave his orders and Joanna’s followed shortly afterward.
“Bravo and Charlie Stars, I want a three-kilometer security zone set up around the LZ. Bravo, once that is done, prepare to assist in disembarking the incoming Battlemechs. I will transmit deployment patterns shortly.”
My Star secured the zone with Charlie as the Raptor continued her descent, the Overlord-C eventually setting down and beginning to offload ‘Mechs, supplies, and Elementals. The newcomers moved to locations ordered by Joanna as my Star shifted to direct the disembarkation while Alpha relieved us of our security duties.
Sometimes, the way that the Clans waged war was modern, the tactics somewhat resembling the sort of things that I’d seen in the past in my own training and research. And then sometimes, it was nonsensical bullshit.
I didn’t know whose bright idea it was to have the entirety of the Jade Falcon Forces march through a field in formation, but if I ever did find out, there would be hell to pay. I understood the direct approach, hell, I loved the idea of just kicking someone's door in instead of trying to sneak up on them. But this? This was stupid. And I felt like a target.
But I wasn’t going to fight it for now. Especially given how quickly I’d find myself cashiered if I did so.
Instead, I maintained the formation as ordered, the Falcon Guard had shifted to secure the right flank of the overall forces, and both Bravo and Charlie Stars from Trinary Alpha had been molded in with a Nova from Echo.
As we moved through the night, we eventually encountered the Comstar forces arrayed against us, their hit-and-run tactics claiming both meat and machine throughout the night.
By the time that day had come, we had slowed to a crawl as we neared the Prezno River, the damage to the Falcon Guard was minor, but our battle lines grew thin as we were slowly ordered to spread out.
Then, ten kilometers shy of the river, we were ordered to halt. Many of the Warriors popped their cockpits and shifted to a relaxed position, but I did not. I allowed my Star to enjoy the break, but I merely continued scanning as dawn broke across the horizon, Star Colonel Pryde had dismounted and boarded a VTOL heading for Command.
“Star Commander, you may rest,” Star Captain Joanna’s voice came over a private line.
“Neg,” I replied. “Someone needs to stay on alert, and the rest of my Star is eating at the moment. I will step down once one of them can take my place at the watch.”
“Understood,” Joanna responded after a moment. “As you were, Star Commander.”
And so I stayed on standby, my Warhammer’s sensors scanning the fields and skies for any sign that Comstar might be lurking in ambush.
Then, after about an hour of this, two of the members of my Star boarded their ‘Mechs and powered back up.
“Star Commander, We will take over your watch, quiaff?”
“Aff,” I replied, putting my ‘Hammer into a soft shutdown before popping my hatch, the fresh cool air greeting me as I lowered the ladder down and began to descend. Then, when I reached the ground, I held out my arms and whistled sharply, Gray then jumped out of the cockpit and into my arms where I set her down.
“Thank you,” I nodded at the technician who had a meal set aside for me. “You can go get some rest too.”
After a few hours of rest and rotation of the watch, the Clans finally shifted forward, with the Falcon Guard pushing along with the Twelfth Falcon Cluster, the Twelfth’s ‘Mechs pushing forward to take the bridge ahead of us.
“Falcon Guard, press forward at best unit speed,” Pryde ordered, his voice coming in clear through the comms as my Star pushed forward in a staggered formation.
Then, as we reached the area around the bridge, the Star Colonel surged forward with a few members of his Command Star, their jump jets alight with fire and fury as they forced Comstar’s forces back while the rest of us pushed forward and then held our positions.
Then, as Comstar fell back, the Twelfth surged forward, their Star Colonel pushing to cross the bridge as the bridge vanished into the rapids below. Comstar’s forces then reappeared, with combat vehicles and ‘Mechs sniping at us while Aerospace fighters streaked across the sky.
“We hold,” I commanded my Star as a VTOL vanished in a beam of manmade Lightning.
Unfortunately, we of the Falcon Guard stood alone as the Twelfth fled with the loss of their Star Colonel.
Unfortunately, while my ‘Mech was capable of fighting for a long time given my reliance on energy weapons aside from my lone SRM pack, the same could not be said for the remainder of the unit, and as the ammunition stores drew low, Star Captain Joanna ordered us to fall back, eventually leaving me in my Warhammer and her in her Stormcrow to cover the retreat.
Slowly, the entire force of the Jade Falcons was pushed back by Comstar’s forces, and for all of the aggression that the Clans had displayed when they first invaded the Inner Sphere, they seemed to lack that killer edge in this case.
“Star Captain,” I opened a private channel to Joanna. “Why are we falling back? It is only in advance that victory is won. If we continue to fall back, they will continue to have the momentum and the eventual victory.”
There was a pause as Joanna’s Stormcrow seemed to hesitate for a second before my comm crackled. “We do as we are instructed, Star Commander. Lest we forget that we are a part of the whole Clan.”
“Understood, Ma’am,” I replied. “I will do as you command.”
–
–
As day turned into night, the senior officers were once again summoned to Command to begin planning for the advance now that the bridge had been destroyed.
Before he had left though, the Star Colonel had given the order that all of our ‘mechs should be equipped with Jump jets.
But I did not have an Omnimech, and as such, If I wanted this done in a timely, I would have to assist my technicians with both the calculations, as well as fitting the required pods to my ancient ‘Hammer.
“We are going to have to pull the six-pack, and a Heat sink,” I did some napkin math side by side with a main tech. “But if I am doing the math right, we can remove half a ton of armor to just shrink it down to a four-pack and we should be able to add three jets, quiaff?
“Neg, Swap the pulses for smalls and keep the sixes,” the tech modified my math. “That leaves you with the extra armor,” he sighed. “But it is going to take time. Time that the others will not.”
“I am going to help,” I reached into a nearby footlocker and pulled out a set of coveralls. “Now, we should get started.”
I headed for the nearby gantry and began climbing up the ladder as I headed for the ‘Mech’s shoulder, there was a lot of work to be done, and not a lot of time to do it in.
–
–
“Star Commander,” Joanna’s voice resounded through the ‘Mech bay. “What are you doing?”
“Outfitting my ‘Mech with Jump Jets as ordered by the Star Colonel” I pulled myself out of the jets that we had installed on the legs. “Run the tests!” I called out to the tech. “I think we’ve got it calibrated correctly.”
“And why are you arms deep in your ‘Mech?” She inquired, her arms crossed.
“Because otherwise it would not be finished in time,” I wiped my hands off on a nearby towel. “I have not been granted an Omnimech, and I will not request one when it would be better in the hands of someone more accustomed to it. Neg, I will do the work required to perform at whatever level to my own ‘Mech.”
“Is it ready?” Joanna jutted her chin at the Silver and green painted Warhammer. “I warned you that if you fell behind we would leave you.”
“Star Commander,” The tech approached. “All tests are green, the jets are properly installed as are the lasers.”
“Yes,” I replied, turning to face the Star Captain. It is ready for whatever task it is that you require of us.”
“Get yourself cleaned up,” Joanna scoffed. “We are to set out with the 2nd Falcon Jaegers at Dawn.”
Chapter 20
MarkWarrior
Well-known member
Chapter 20
I arose with the sun, the meager four hours doing little to rest my weary body, but I understood that needs must, so I quickly brewed a pot of coffee before drinking it and climbing up into my ‘Mech, Gray following me as I climbed the ladder and secured myself into the command chair.
I hadn’t powered the machine off fully, so it was a simple matter to input my security passphrase and code before the full power of the extralight fusion engine rumbled underneath me.
“Star Commander, gather your Star,” Joanna ordered as her Mad Dog passed by me. “You are to attempt scouting the river for a place where we can make our way across with our Jump Jets.”
“Understood,” I signaled my response as my Star’s ‘Mechs began to power up. “Bravo Star, give ready status and follow me, we are acting as recon, quiaff?”
“Aff,” they replied and signaled ready status, the other four ‘Mechs following me as we moved the thirty kilometers back to the river.
The rapids were beyond what I would have classified as ‘Class V’ Back home. With the river moving swiftly enough that most machines would be swept away, and the remainder being heavily damaged. And worse, there were very few places where even a Light ‘Mech would be capable of jumping across with no issue.
“Star Commander,” a familiar voice pinged my private comms. “I thought I told you to be careful.”
“Hello Darya,” I grinned. “I was careful, unfortunately, it was not enough, and they wished to send me to a garrison cluster.”
“I see that has been rescinded. Are you now a proud member of Pryde’s Pride, quiaff?”
“Neg,” I shook my head. “I am a member of the Falcon Guard, but I am not a member of his… Cult of Personality.”
“An interesting turn of phrase. I shall have to borrow it at some point in the future. Regardless, we are summoned, it seems they have found a point to cross, and we are needed. And Mark, I expect to see you after the battle.”
“Should we survive, we shall see,” I replied before ordering my Star to follow as I headed for the coordinates that had been transmitted to me.
–
–
We neared the place where the crossing was to take place, the ‘Mechs clustered already beginning to jump over as the Star Colonel’s Timber Wolf jumped first into a tranquil part of the river, that had been created by sacrificing several Omnimechs to the river. Then, he jumped clear to the other side.
He was followed by lines of four ‘mechs, each jumping as he did, first into the calm, and then across where they were assigned defensive positions. Unfortunately, two ‘Mechs failed the jump. One, a Summoner, had its jets malfunction and send it rocketing into the artificial breakwater, the pilot drawing as his cockpit seals failed, the other, missed the location and ended up downstream, where his ejection seat didn’t clear the cliffs, and left him as a bloody smear on the wall.
But then it was my turn, and I could almost feel the stares as I leaped, the jets igniting my older ‘Mech and arcing me into the middle of the river where I carefully stopped and measured the next jump before igniting the jets again and clearing the other side with meters to spare.
“Bravo Star is clear,” I reported. “Shifting to defensive positions.”
Once the remainder of the ‘Mechs had crossed, both clusters split into their respective groups, with the 2nd Falcon Jaegers moving to assist the Plough Bridge, while we shifted and began moving towards Robyn’s Crossing.
Star Colonel Pryde ordered us to spread out, each Star following the battle plan that had been laid out beforehand. “Slow to half-speed” came over an open channel as the gleaming white ‘Mechs of Comstar appeared.
I held my breath as I watched Comstar take the bait, thinking that we were about to begin one-on-one combat, then I flipped up the cap on the button that I had assigned to my Jump jets.
“Those who are to speed up, advance at double rate. Those who are to jump, do so in ten seconds.”
One heartbeat, two, then I counted to ten and jumped in sync with the rest of the group, my lasers arcing out with my SRMs to find holes and punch through armor as I floated through the cluster of Comstar's Mechs. We poured through the gap that had been created in their ranks, as everything seemed to slow. It was odd, despite the advanced warfare, and the new weapons, we had just mounted an old-school cavalry charge and broken through infantry lines.
Then time accelerated, and I melted a Griffin with a PPC, another ‘Mech finishing it off as it slumped to the ground.
Then we were through the ComGuard lines, and heading towards Robyn’s Crossing, the ‘Mechs left behind attempting a pursuit as a few Falcon ‘Mechs covered the rear.
New white gleams appeared, shining in the sunlight as they turned to face us, the ‘Mechs guarding the crossing now fighting both the Seventh Falcon Cluster across the river as well as the forces that we had brought to bear.
Now that the heat had left my ‘Hammer, I triggered my PPCs, both beams of man-made lightning arcing out and striking a Rifleman, the autocannon ammunition going up and sending what was left of the ‘Mech crashing to the ground.
The ComGuards held firm at first in the face of our advance, and then they began to give way, eventually retreating and allowing us to have the crossing.
“They are retreating!” Joanna crowed.
“And we have the crossing,” I muttered as I took up a guard position. “Star Captain, requesting permission to advance.”
“Negative. Hold until given further orders.”
“Understood,” I looked at my tactical overlay and sighed as I realized that one of my star’s Omnimechs had been taken out in the fighting earlier. “Guess we’re short now, huh Gray,” I reached back and stroked her head as I kept an eye on my screens.
“Good to see that you are alive and well.”
“Darya, I assume the battle at the bridge went well?”
“Aff,” she replied. “As well as could have been expected. I am still expecting you tonight. After all, there is much to catch up on. It has been over a year since we last spoke, after all.”
“Agreed,” I relaxed for a brief moment. “But there are still battles to be fought and won before we meet again.”
–
–
I listened to the channels as they began debating over what and why Olalla looked abandoned and deserted, with nothing appearing on sensors or even close.
Then Alpha Heavy volunteered to go down and check out the town, and I felt a pit form in my gut as the one fully intact Star moved through the deserted town, the sun beginning to set behind the mountains.
I tuned out the conversation as I flipped through various sensors and vision modes, trying to find out the location of the ambush.
“Remember the first ambush, when Mechwarrior Faulk lost his leg? The ComGuards came out from underneath the orchard.”
“We must get Alpha Heavy out of there!” Joanna roared as Comstar began to attack.
“Bravo, push!” I ordered as I began to move into the city, my PPCs striking out with alternating beams of lightning interspersed with laser fire.
I focused on a King Crab, its back turned away from me as I hammered its rear torso until the assault ‘Mech tipped over, its pilot ejecting as I shifted to a Highlander.
The Highlander tried to kill Star Commander Jula Huddock’s Executioner, but I shattered its knee as I moved close enough for my missiles and small lasers to carve away, my Star falling in as we moved to relieve Alpha Heavy.
“Star Commander, what are you doing?” Joanna asked as I stepped in front of the Executioner, taking autocannon fire intended for the assault ‘Mech before returning fire, a Shadow Hawk falling prey to my missiles as the SRMs cratered against the cockpit, the medium halting in its tracks before LRMs from the other forces hit it in the rear.
The Star Captain had decided not to hold back anymore and had moved through the ComGuard forces, shattering ‘Mechs with missiles and lasers as she neared the small circle of ‘Mechs that made up the remnants of Alpha Heavy and Bravo Star.
Then I heard something that made me stutter step, and narrowly avoid a flurry of missiles that would have impacted my cockpit, instead cratering and rendering one of my lasers inoperable as molten metal dripped down and closed off the opening.
A Dropship’s fusion torch lit up the sky as Kael Pershaw began to give us the bad news.
“-- The Falcon Guards are needed back at the bridge. Our Warriors are pinned down. We are to retreat to the Dropships, and I must ask-No, order- the Falcon Guards to provide cover for the withdrawal.”
I listened as Aidan Pryde eventually won the war within himself and ordered us to move back to Robyn’s Crossing to cover the retreat.
“Star Colonel, Star Captain,” I opened a channel. “Allow me to take a Star and take Humptulips if they have left no defenders. I can at least plant our banner and then retreat.”
“I will render aid as well,” Darya broke into the channel.
“If Kael is correct, we cannot spare a full Star,” Pryde sighed. “You two may go, but know that there will be no support provided.”
“I will go alone,” I finally stated as the dropships began to fall on the other side of the city.
“Then go now,” Joanna’s Mad Dog seemed to salute me. “We will cover the retreat.”
I shifted my ‘Mech into passive sensor mode and took off at a full run, it would take an hour to make it to the next city, and I doubted that I had enough time to take it and hold it before the rest of the Falcons fell back and left Tukayyid behind.
“Well Gray, I always wanted to go out in a last stand. I might as well make it an epic one.”
I arose with the sun, the meager four hours doing little to rest my weary body, but I understood that needs must, so I quickly brewed a pot of coffee before drinking it and climbing up into my ‘Mech, Gray following me as I climbed the ladder and secured myself into the command chair.
I hadn’t powered the machine off fully, so it was a simple matter to input my security passphrase and code before the full power of the extralight fusion engine rumbled underneath me.
“Star Commander, gather your Star,” Joanna ordered as her Mad Dog passed by me. “You are to attempt scouting the river for a place where we can make our way across with our Jump Jets.”
“Understood,” I signaled my response as my Star’s ‘Mechs began to power up. “Bravo Star, give ready status and follow me, we are acting as recon, quiaff?”
“Aff,” they replied and signaled ready status, the other four ‘Mechs following me as we moved the thirty kilometers back to the river.
The rapids were beyond what I would have classified as ‘Class V’ Back home. With the river moving swiftly enough that most machines would be swept away, and the remainder being heavily damaged. And worse, there were very few places where even a Light ‘Mech would be capable of jumping across with no issue.
“Star Commander,” a familiar voice pinged my private comms. “I thought I told you to be careful.”
“Hello Darya,” I grinned. “I was careful, unfortunately, it was not enough, and they wished to send me to a garrison cluster.”
“I see that has been rescinded. Are you now a proud member of Pryde’s Pride, quiaff?”
“Neg,” I shook my head. “I am a member of the Falcon Guard, but I am not a member of his… Cult of Personality.”
“An interesting turn of phrase. I shall have to borrow it at some point in the future. Regardless, we are summoned, it seems they have found a point to cross, and we are needed. And Mark, I expect to see you after the battle.”
“Should we survive, we shall see,” I replied before ordering my Star to follow as I headed for the coordinates that had been transmitted to me.
–
–
We neared the place where the crossing was to take place, the ‘Mechs clustered already beginning to jump over as the Star Colonel’s Timber Wolf jumped first into a tranquil part of the river, that had been created by sacrificing several Omnimechs to the river. Then, he jumped clear to the other side.
He was followed by lines of four ‘mechs, each jumping as he did, first into the calm, and then across where they were assigned defensive positions. Unfortunately, two ‘Mechs failed the jump. One, a Summoner, had its jets malfunction and send it rocketing into the artificial breakwater, the pilot drawing as his cockpit seals failed, the other, missed the location and ended up downstream, where his ejection seat didn’t clear the cliffs, and left him as a bloody smear on the wall.
But then it was my turn, and I could almost feel the stares as I leaped, the jets igniting my older ‘Mech and arcing me into the middle of the river where I carefully stopped and measured the next jump before igniting the jets again and clearing the other side with meters to spare.
“Bravo Star is clear,” I reported. “Shifting to defensive positions.”
Once the remainder of the ‘Mechs had crossed, both clusters split into their respective groups, with the 2nd Falcon Jaegers moving to assist the Plough Bridge, while we shifted and began moving towards Robyn’s Crossing.
Star Colonel Pryde ordered us to spread out, each Star following the battle plan that had been laid out beforehand. “Slow to half-speed” came over an open channel as the gleaming white ‘Mechs of Comstar appeared.
I held my breath as I watched Comstar take the bait, thinking that we were about to begin one-on-one combat, then I flipped up the cap on the button that I had assigned to my Jump jets.
“Those who are to speed up, advance at double rate. Those who are to jump, do so in ten seconds.”
One heartbeat, two, then I counted to ten and jumped in sync with the rest of the group, my lasers arcing out with my SRMs to find holes and punch through armor as I floated through the cluster of Comstar's Mechs. We poured through the gap that had been created in their ranks, as everything seemed to slow. It was odd, despite the advanced warfare, and the new weapons, we had just mounted an old-school cavalry charge and broken through infantry lines.
Then time accelerated, and I melted a Griffin with a PPC, another ‘Mech finishing it off as it slumped to the ground.
Then we were through the ComGuard lines, and heading towards Robyn’s Crossing, the ‘Mechs left behind attempting a pursuit as a few Falcon ‘Mechs covered the rear.
New white gleams appeared, shining in the sunlight as they turned to face us, the ‘Mechs guarding the crossing now fighting both the Seventh Falcon Cluster across the river as well as the forces that we had brought to bear.
Now that the heat had left my ‘Hammer, I triggered my PPCs, both beams of man-made lightning arcing out and striking a Rifleman, the autocannon ammunition going up and sending what was left of the ‘Mech crashing to the ground.
The ComGuards held firm at first in the face of our advance, and then they began to give way, eventually retreating and allowing us to have the crossing.
“They are retreating!” Joanna crowed.
“And we have the crossing,” I muttered as I took up a guard position. “Star Captain, requesting permission to advance.”
“Negative. Hold until given further orders.”
“Understood,” I looked at my tactical overlay and sighed as I realized that one of my star’s Omnimechs had been taken out in the fighting earlier. “Guess we’re short now, huh Gray,” I reached back and stroked her head as I kept an eye on my screens.
“Good to see that you are alive and well.”
“Darya, I assume the battle at the bridge went well?”
“Aff,” she replied. “As well as could have been expected. I am still expecting you tonight. After all, there is much to catch up on. It has been over a year since we last spoke, after all.”
“Agreed,” I relaxed for a brief moment. “But there are still battles to be fought and won before we meet again.”
–
–
I listened to the channels as they began debating over what and why Olalla looked abandoned and deserted, with nothing appearing on sensors or even close.
Then Alpha Heavy volunteered to go down and check out the town, and I felt a pit form in my gut as the one fully intact Star moved through the deserted town, the sun beginning to set behind the mountains.
I tuned out the conversation as I flipped through various sensors and vision modes, trying to find out the location of the ambush.
“Remember the first ambush, when Mechwarrior Faulk lost his leg? The ComGuards came out from underneath the orchard.”
“We must get Alpha Heavy out of there!” Joanna roared as Comstar began to attack.
“Bravo, push!” I ordered as I began to move into the city, my PPCs striking out with alternating beams of lightning interspersed with laser fire.
I focused on a King Crab, its back turned away from me as I hammered its rear torso until the assault ‘Mech tipped over, its pilot ejecting as I shifted to a Highlander.
The Highlander tried to kill Star Commander Jula Huddock’s Executioner, but I shattered its knee as I moved close enough for my missiles and small lasers to carve away, my Star falling in as we moved to relieve Alpha Heavy.
“Star Commander, what are you doing?” Joanna asked as I stepped in front of the Executioner, taking autocannon fire intended for the assault ‘Mech before returning fire, a Shadow Hawk falling prey to my missiles as the SRMs cratered against the cockpit, the medium halting in its tracks before LRMs from the other forces hit it in the rear.
The Star Captain had decided not to hold back anymore and had moved through the ComGuard forces, shattering ‘Mechs with missiles and lasers as she neared the small circle of ‘Mechs that made up the remnants of Alpha Heavy and Bravo Star.
Then I heard something that made me stutter step, and narrowly avoid a flurry of missiles that would have impacted my cockpit, instead cratering and rendering one of my lasers inoperable as molten metal dripped down and closed off the opening.
A Dropship’s fusion torch lit up the sky as Kael Pershaw began to give us the bad news.
“-- The Falcon Guards are needed back at the bridge. Our Warriors are pinned down. We are to retreat to the Dropships, and I must ask-No, order- the Falcon Guards to provide cover for the withdrawal.”
I listened as Aidan Pryde eventually won the war within himself and ordered us to move back to Robyn’s Crossing to cover the retreat.
“Star Colonel, Star Captain,” I opened a channel. “Allow me to take a Star and take Humptulips if they have left no defenders. I can at least plant our banner and then retreat.”
“I will render aid as well,” Darya broke into the channel.
“If Kael is correct, we cannot spare a full Star,” Pryde sighed. “You two may go, but know that there will be no support provided.”
“I will go alone,” I finally stated as the dropships began to fall on the other side of the city.
“Then go now,” Joanna’s Mad Dog seemed to salute me. “We will cover the retreat.”
I shifted my ‘Mech into passive sensor mode and took off at a full run, it would take an hour to make it to the next city, and I doubted that I had enough time to take it and hold it before the rest of the Falcons fell back and left Tukayyid behind.
“Well Gray, I always wanted to go out in a last stand. I might as well make it an epic one.”
Chapter 21
MarkWarrior
Well-known member
Chapter 21
“I’m pretty sure I told you that I was going to do this alone,” I sighed as Darya’s Adder fell in behind me. “You know that we’re both going to die out here, right?”
“Death comes for all at some point. I might as well spend my life as I desire. Not wasting it away on something not of my choosing.”
“I won’t take away your decision,” I maintained my speed in the darkness as I used the night-vision mode that was built into my cockpit. “But if you make it out and I don’t… I want you to take care of Gray.”
“We will fall or rise together,” Darya laughed. “I have tied my fate to yours, and they shall either curse our names or sing our praises, but we will not be forgotten!”
After that, silence overtook the comms as we continued towards the city of Humptulips, the second objective that the Jade Falcons were supposed to take in order to win this Trial that Focht had laid before us.
Darya’s Adder gradually overtook my ‘Hammer, and I got a solid look at the light ‘Mech’s condition as I established a connection with the Omnimech.
Her armor was still mostly in the green, and her weapons loadout was intact, with minimal pod damage. Whereas, my ‘Mech, was armor state Orange, with the wireframe diagram showing only a few patches of green and yellow to mix in with the red of my two lasers that were out of commission.
Then the buildings of the city began to rise in the darkness of the horizon.
“Go active sensors,” I told Darya as I went from passive to active, my ‘Mech lighting up to whoever was still present in the city.
“ComGuard forces, this is Star Commander Mark of the Jade Falcon Clan, what forces do you bid for the defense of the city?”
You could almost feel the sense of panic as the radio silence stretched out for the first thirty seconds, and then into five minutes as Darya fell back into step with my ‘Hammer.
“This is Acolyte Admiral Henderson, we bid one Level I in defense of Humptulips.”
“I would avoid damage to the city. Shall we do battle here in the fields surrounding it? I will not fire until your forces are ready, quiaff?’
“That’s acceptable. Give us five minutes.”
“Bargained well, and done.”
“You are granting them time to call for reinforcements,” Darya commented on our private line.
“Better that they come to us,” I sighed. “That way we do not have to root them out the hard way.”
“Agreed,” she replied. “I suppose that should we eliminate them, that we will then fall back to the LZ?”
“Yes. If we take them out then we will need to fall back as our objectives will have been completed.”
In the darkness, a ‘Mech, tank, and a small group of infantry appeared at the outskirts of the city, the Archer flanked by a Manticore and a platoon of jump infantry.
“I hope you came prepared to die,” the Acolyte muttered over the open channel.
“No, we came prepared to win,” Darya ignited her jump jets as she fired her jump jets and a pair of lasers carved away the armor on the Manticore, her flamer attempting to ignite the infantry as I began dodging the missiles from the Archer.
Spinning on my legs, I shifted to a knee and fired both PPCs, one going wide while the other arced in and closed one of the four missile racks that were spitting fire in my direction.
Swearing as Betty informed me of a missile lock, I ignited my jets while kneeling, the foot pointed at my rear sending me under the missile's initial lock while the one mounted in my torso brought me up and onto my feet again.
And now, I was within range to use the missiles of my own, and I fired my two remaining lasers and my six-pack, along with a PPC.
The Archer staggered as the PPC, lasers, and missiles all hit the same spot I’d hammered earlier, the shoulder of the ‘Mech sparking when the missile doors ceased working.
But the other Heavy wasn’t defenseless, and it lunged forward with its fists proudly on display while lasers struck my left arm, rendering my PPC there useless as the linkage failed.
But I wasn’t defenseless yet, and I lunged forward, my missiles arcing towards the cockpit and glancing off before I kicked the Archer’s knees out from underneath the other heavy, the impact of my foot and the missiles sending the other ‘Mech crashing to the ground as the ammunition in the legs exploded.
“Humptulip is ours, Star Commander,” Darya reported, her foot still planted on the Manticore that she had kicked over, the burning corpses of the infantry littering the ground behind her.
“To any remaining ComGuard forces in Humptulips, we have taken out your defenders, speak now, or consider the city to have fallen to the Jade Falcons.”
There was no response, and I waited until I saw the dim light of fusion torches in the skies before I signaled to Darya that it was time to leave.
“Will we not hold?” Darya asked.
“We have taken the city,” I replied. “I do not believe that we can hold it for long. Neg, we retreat to the LZ, and if the Falcons remain, we will leave with them.”
“And if they are not?”
“Then we fight.”
Meanwhile,
At Robyn’s Crossing, something unusual was happening.
In one universe, Alpha Heavy perished in Olalla. But in this one, three ‘Mechs of the Star survived.
And while that might not seem like much, it made all the difference in the flight back to the Raptor. Aidan Pryde rallied the survivors and they temporarily pushed back ComGuard, inflicting severe losses before the remnants of the cluster boarded the Raptor, their CO still alive despite the fate that should have happened.
And down below, the final two Jade Falcon Warriors remained.
“Star Colonel Aidan Pryde, we succeeded,” the sound of distant explosions happened in the background of the audio log that had reached them. “Humptulips was ours. The Jade Falcons completed both objectives.”
The man coughed, and a wolf howled in the background as his pet wolf climbed into his lap.
“Reactor’s going critical! I have to punch out!”
The audio vanished as static took over the line.
“The last remnants of the Star League,” Marthe muttered. “And with him, one of my best warriors.”
“This is Star Captain Pryde of the Jade Falcon Clan,” a voice announced on open coms. “I request Hegira.”
“Why should we grant it to you? Who has ignored Zellbrigan?”
“Because I and the Star Commander have dealt honorably with your forces at Humptulips. We challenged them properly, and we won the day despite your opposition.”
“I will allow it. There will be no more deaths on this day. Collect your fallen and leave with him, one dropship may land, but no further.”
“Well bargained and done!”
“Seyla,” the remnants of the Falcon Guard and 2nd Falcon Jaegers responded as the Raptor once again began to descend under orders from the Star Colonel.
A lone Adder limped aboard, two figures on one of the shoulders as it boarded and the dropship once again began to lift off, the Jade Falcons had fought hard this day. And fate had been changed.
“I’m pretty sure I told you that I was going to do this alone,” I sighed as Darya’s Adder fell in behind me. “You know that we’re both going to die out here, right?”
“Death comes for all at some point. I might as well spend my life as I desire. Not wasting it away on something not of my choosing.”
“I won’t take away your decision,” I maintained my speed in the darkness as I used the night-vision mode that was built into my cockpit. “But if you make it out and I don’t… I want you to take care of Gray.”
“We will fall or rise together,” Darya laughed. “I have tied my fate to yours, and they shall either curse our names or sing our praises, but we will not be forgotten!”
After that, silence overtook the comms as we continued towards the city of Humptulips, the second objective that the Jade Falcons were supposed to take in order to win this Trial that Focht had laid before us.
Darya’s Adder gradually overtook my ‘Hammer, and I got a solid look at the light ‘Mech’s condition as I established a connection with the Omnimech.
Her armor was still mostly in the green, and her weapons loadout was intact, with minimal pod damage. Whereas, my ‘Mech, was armor state Orange, with the wireframe diagram showing only a few patches of green and yellow to mix in with the red of my two lasers that were out of commission.
Then the buildings of the city began to rise in the darkness of the horizon.
“Go active sensors,” I told Darya as I went from passive to active, my ‘Mech lighting up to whoever was still present in the city.
“ComGuard forces, this is Star Commander Mark of the Jade Falcon Clan, what forces do you bid for the defense of the city?”
You could almost feel the sense of panic as the radio silence stretched out for the first thirty seconds, and then into five minutes as Darya fell back into step with my ‘Hammer.
“This is Acolyte Admiral Henderson, we bid one Level I in defense of Humptulips.”
“I would avoid damage to the city. Shall we do battle here in the fields surrounding it? I will not fire until your forces are ready, quiaff?’
“That’s acceptable. Give us five minutes.”
“Bargained well, and done.”
“You are granting them time to call for reinforcements,” Darya commented on our private line.
“Better that they come to us,” I sighed. “That way we do not have to root them out the hard way.”
“Agreed,” she replied. “I suppose that should we eliminate them, that we will then fall back to the LZ?”
“Yes. If we take them out then we will need to fall back as our objectives will have been completed.”
In the darkness, a ‘Mech, tank, and a small group of infantry appeared at the outskirts of the city, the Archer flanked by a Manticore and a platoon of jump infantry.
“I hope you came prepared to die,” the Acolyte muttered over the open channel.
“No, we came prepared to win,” Darya ignited her jump jets as she fired her jump jets and a pair of lasers carved away the armor on the Manticore, her flamer attempting to ignite the infantry as I began dodging the missiles from the Archer.
Spinning on my legs, I shifted to a knee and fired both PPCs, one going wide while the other arced in and closed one of the four missile racks that were spitting fire in my direction.
Swearing as Betty informed me of a missile lock, I ignited my jets while kneeling, the foot pointed at my rear sending me under the missile's initial lock while the one mounted in my torso brought me up and onto my feet again.
And now, I was within range to use the missiles of my own, and I fired my two remaining lasers and my six-pack, along with a PPC.
The Archer staggered as the PPC, lasers, and missiles all hit the same spot I’d hammered earlier, the shoulder of the ‘Mech sparking when the missile doors ceased working.
But the other Heavy wasn’t defenseless, and it lunged forward with its fists proudly on display while lasers struck my left arm, rendering my PPC there useless as the linkage failed.
But I wasn’t defenseless yet, and I lunged forward, my missiles arcing towards the cockpit and glancing off before I kicked the Archer’s knees out from underneath the other heavy, the impact of my foot and the missiles sending the other ‘Mech crashing to the ground as the ammunition in the legs exploded.
“Humptulip is ours, Star Commander,” Darya reported, her foot still planted on the Manticore that she had kicked over, the burning corpses of the infantry littering the ground behind her.
“To any remaining ComGuard forces in Humptulips, we have taken out your defenders, speak now, or consider the city to have fallen to the Jade Falcons.”
There was no response, and I waited until I saw the dim light of fusion torches in the skies before I signaled to Darya that it was time to leave.
“Will we not hold?” Darya asked.
“We have taken the city,” I replied. “I do not believe that we can hold it for long. Neg, we retreat to the LZ, and if the Falcons remain, we will leave with them.”
“And if they are not?”
“Then we fight.”
Meanwhile,
At Robyn’s Crossing, something unusual was happening.
In one universe, Alpha Heavy perished in Olalla. But in this one, three ‘Mechs of the Star survived.
And while that might not seem like much, it made all the difference in the flight back to the Raptor. Aidan Pryde rallied the survivors and they temporarily pushed back ComGuard, inflicting severe losses before the remnants of the cluster boarded the Raptor, their CO still alive despite the fate that should have happened.
And down below, the final two Jade Falcon Warriors remained.
“Star Colonel Aidan Pryde, we succeeded,” the sound of distant explosions happened in the background of the audio log that had reached them. “Humptulips was ours. The Jade Falcons completed both objectives.”
The man coughed, and a wolf howled in the background as his pet wolf climbed into his lap.
“Reactor’s going critical! I have to punch out!”
The audio vanished as static took over the line.
“The last remnants of the Star League,” Marthe muttered. “And with him, one of my best warriors.”
“This is Star Captain Pryde of the Jade Falcon Clan,” a voice announced on open coms. “I request Hegira.”
“Why should we grant it to you? Who has ignored Zellbrigan?”
“Because I and the Star Commander have dealt honorably with your forces at Humptulips. We challenged them properly, and we won the day despite your opposition.”
“I will allow it. There will be no more deaths on this day. Collect your fallen and leave with him, one dropship may land, but no further.”
“Well bargained and done!”
“Seyla,” the remnants of the Falcon Guard and 2nd Falcon Jaegers responded as the Raptor once again began to descend under orders from the Star Colonel.
A lone Adder limped aboard, two figures on one of the shoulders as it boarded and the dropship once again began to lift off, the Jade Falcons had fought hard this day. And fate had been changed.
MarkWarrior
Well-known member
Changed the name of the fic. Figured this fit better for those who hadn't read BOTH
Chapter 22
MarkWarrior
Well-known member
Chapter 22
"Even if we count the Ghost Bears' Victory at Spanac and consider Prezno a win for the Jade Falcons, you have still won our bargain. The Clans will press no further toward Terra than this world for the next fifteen years."
Focht shook his head. "Would I sound like a hopeless romantic if I said I did not thing even fifteen hundred years would be worth this cost?"
–
–
Aidan Pryde considered the woman in his bed with a soft smile, Marthe slept so peacefully, a drastic change from how she was when she was awake.
A knock on the door of his room broke him out of his reverie as he stood and pulled on a pair of shorts.
"Yes?"
"The Star Commander is awake, sir," a Medtech informed him. "You wished to be informed when he did so."
Nodding his thanks, Aidan allowed the tech to leave while he turned and began to put on a fresh uniform. Marthe stirred and woke up as he pulled on his boots.
"Aidan," she murmured. "Where are you going?"
"To greet the one who eked out a victory from the face of defeat. Without his sacrifice, we would not be one of the three Clans to have claimed a Victory on Tukayyid."
Marthe nodded and rose, grabbing her uniform from the night before and beginning to pull it on. "I will follow. For he was my Bondsman."
"I am not certain that either of us can claim him or his glory," Aidan replied. "But all the same, he has earned a place among us."
The two left the cramped quarters and headed for the medical bay of the Jade Talon.
–
–
"You should not have done that," Darya muttered as she stroked Gray's head, her eyes glued to an old man who lay in the bed before her.
As she scratched the Octo-Wolf's head, her mind returned to the surface of Tukayyid, the dark fog of the night and the fierce retreat from Humptulips.
Two 'Mechs ran across the bridge at Robyn's crossing, Darya's Adder ahead of the Warhammer by a slim margin as they reached the plains where the Raptor had once been.
The ComGuard were facing the wrong way though, and even as the Overlord-C and other dropships lifted off, Mark's 'Mech and her own began shredding the ComGuard from behind.
The first 'Mechs hadn't even hit the ground before she alternated fire, her streak LRMs homing into a Commando as Mark punched through the reactor of a Rifleman, the two 'Mechs falling to the ground.
But they were outnumbered, and the ComGuard knew that, and a cluster of missiles cratered against her left leg, damaging the actuators there.
The Adder began to warm up, the heat sinks working overtime to keep her cooled off as she spammed a large pulse laser as fast as it could cycle.
An Archer launched three of its four missile racks at her before a large figure stepped in front to act as a shield, the Warhammer buckling under the explosions as Mark ejected.
–
With a supreme effort, Darya pulled herself out of the memories of that night a week ago and recentered herself in the present.
A nurse was standing by the Old Man's bedside, and running over some checks.
"Do you have any updates?" she asked.
"He should be waking up soon. I would not be surprised if by this time tomorrow he were attempting to begin the recovery process."
"Thank you," Darya inclined her head as she sagged in relief.
After the medic had left, she made to stand and leave, regardless of how she felt or what she wanted, she had responsibilities to attend to, and they would wait for no one. Smiling gently, she trailed her hand across his arm before pausing at his hand. There was a lone band remaining on his finger signifying something from his past that he refused to let go of.
Rubbing at the silicon band for a minute, she then shrugged and turned to leave before the hand tightened down on her own.
The monitors beeped as a doctor and a small group of nurses and medics forced her away as they began to run tests and checks.
"Come Gray," Darya called the Octo-Wolf. "We will return when there are less problems gathered around him."
I don't remember much of the few weeks after Tukayyid, I remember Darya's Adder climbing into the Raptor, I remembered being carted off into the med bay where I heard the cries of other wounded soldiers.
Then it was dark, and I didn't see anything for a time, I heard Darya speaking to me. And I vaguely recalled waking up and speaking with the Star Colonel. But then it was dark, and it felt like I was back on the farm that I had built with my own two hands.
"It's peaceful, isn't it?"
"Yeah. I miss it sometimes. But, all the same, I'm grateful to be around people again."
"It is not good for man to be alone."
"Got that right. Y'know, I kinda feel bad for the Bobby B. She served well for nearly four hundred years. She endured a lot, and in the end did everything that I asked her for and more."
"She did save your life in one final action."
"Yeah," I grimaced. "The reactor was supposed to go up. But it didn't."
"You've been given a second chance. Try your best not to waste it, and keep in mind that some change is good."
"I'll see what an old man can do," I chuckled and glanced down at my hands, my finger rubbing at the white area where my wedding band had been for decades. "After all. It's not like everyone gets to do life over."
–
–
This time, I woke up and stayed awake, instead of my vision blurring and fading in and out along with my hearing, everything was clear.
I pushed myself up to a sitting position and sighed in relief as I looked around the medbay that i was in. A medtech noted that I was awake and made his way over.
He ran through some standard medical tests, checking my faculty and my vitals before writing some notes on my chart.
"You had extreme spinal compression when you were first brought in. It is a part of why you have been in and out of consciousness. While you are on track to make a full recovery, we had to operate to fix the old injuries that were located in your neck. It seems that improper treatment had led to a lasting condition that was exasperated by the ejection. We fixed that issue as well as treated you for the spinal compression. But, you will be on bedrest for the next three to six weeks, followed by physical therapy until you have adapted to the rebuilt tissue and musculature in your neck."
"Thank you," I nodded at the medic before he stepped away to check on other patients.
"And now I get to wait here," I sighed. "I kinda wish I had a book right now."
"I can see about finding one for you," a voice said from behind me.
"Star Colonel," I tried to move to attention as he waved for me to sit back down.
"Rest, Star Commander. You have done your duty to the Clan in securing victory. Now you are to recover so that you can step up to the post that is required of you."
"What do you mean?" I raised an eyebrow at Aidan Pryde.
"Galaxy Commander Mar Helmer perished in the fighting on Tukayyid, Khan Crichell was wounded, and Star Colonel's Senza Oriega, and Gran Newclay perished as well. This leaves many positions open for advancement. Khan Chistu has called for no trials to be held for a three month period while we bring in personnel and resources from the homeworlds."
Aidan grinned at me. "When we have returned and consolidated our losses there will be many changes made. Enjoy your rest, Star Commander. You will not have it for very long before you are needed for action once more."
"Even if we count the Ghost Bears' Victory at Spanac and consider Prezno a win for the Jade Falcons, you have still won our bargain. The Clans will press no further toward Terra than this world for the next fifteen years."
Focht shook his head. "Would I sound like a hopeless romantic if I said I did not thing even fifteen hundred years would be worth this cost?"
–
–
Aidan Pryde considered the woman in his bed with a soft smile, Marthe slept so peacefully, a drastic change from how she was when she was awake.
A knock on the door of his room broke him out of his reverie as he stood and pulled on a pair of shorts.
"Yes?"
"The Star Commander is awake, sir," a Medtech informed him. "You wished to be informed when he did so."
Nodding his thanks, Aidan allowed the tech to leave while he turned and began to put on a fresh uniform. Marthe stirred and woke up as he pulled on his boots.
"Aidan," she murmured. "Where are you going?"
"To greet the one who eked out a victory from the face of defeat. Without his sacrifice, we would not be one of the three Clans to have claimed a Victory on Tukayyid."
Marthe nodded and rose, grabbing her uniform from the night before and beginning to pull it on. "I will follow. For he was my Bondsman."
"I am not certain that either of us can claim him or his glory," Aidan replied. "But all the same, he has earned a place among us."
The two left the cramped quarters and headed for the medical bay of the Jade Talon.
–
–
"You should not have done that," Darya muttered as she stroked Gray's head, her eyes glued to an old man who lay in the bed before her.
As she scratched the Octo-Wolf's head, her mind returned to the surface of Tukayyid, the dark fog of the night and the fierce retreat from Humptulips.
Two 'Mechs ran across the bridge at Robyn's crossing, Darya's Adder ahead of the Warhammer by a slim margin as they reached the plains where the Raptor had once been.
The ComGuard were facing the wrong way though, and even as the Overlord-C and other dropships lifted off, Mark's 'Mech and her own began shredding the ComGuard from behind.
The first 'Mechs hadn't even hit the ground before she alternated fire, her streak LRMs homing into a Commando as Mark punched through the reactor of a Rifleman, the two 'Mechs falling to the ground.
But they were outnumbered, and the ComGuard knew that, and a cluster of missiles cratered against her left leg, damaging the actuators there.
The Adder began to warm up, the heat sinks working overtime to keep her cooled off as she spammed a large pulse laser as fast as it could cycle.
An Archer launched three of its four missile racks at her before a large figure stepped in front to act as a shield, the Warhammer buckling under the explosions as Mark ejected.
–
With a supreme effort, Darya pulled herself out of the memories of that night a week ago and recentered herself in the present.
A nurse was standing by the Old Man's bedside, and running over some checks.
"Do you have any updates?" she asked.
"He should be waking up soon. I would not be surprised if by this time tomorrow he were attempting to begin the recovery process."
"Thank you," Darya inclined her head as she sagged in relief.
After the medic had left, she made to stand and leave, regardless of how she felt or what she wanted, she had responsibilities to attend to, and they would wait for no one. Smiling gently, she trailed her hand across his arm before pausing at his hand. There was a lone band remaining on his finger signifying something from his past that he refused to let go of.
Rubbing at the silicon band for a minute, she then shrugged and turned to leave before the hand tightened down on her own.
The monitors beeped as a doctor and a small group of nurses and medics forced her away as they began to run tests and checks.
"Come Gray," Darya called the Octo-Wolf. "We will return when there are less problems gathered around him."
I don't remember much of the few weeks after Tukayyid, I remember Darya's Adder climbing into the Raptor, I remembered being carted off into the med bay where I heard the cries of other wounded soldiers.
Then it was dark, and I didn't see anything for a time, I heard Darya speaking to me. And I vaguely recalled waking up and speaking with the Star Colonel. But then it was dark, and it felt like I was back on the farm that I had built with my own two hands.
"It's peaceful, isn't it?"
"Yeah. I miss it sometimes. But, all the same, I'm grateful to be around people again."
"It is not good for man to be alone."
"Got that right. Y'know, I kinda feel bad for the Bobby B. She served well for nearly four hundred years. She endured a lot, and in the end did everything that I asked her for and more."
"She did save your life in one final action."
"Yeah," I grimaced. "The reactor was supposed to go up. But it didn't."
"You've been given a second chance. Try your best not to waste it, and keep in mind that some change is good."
"I'll see what an old man can do," I chuckled and glanced down at my hands, my finger rubbing at the white area where my wedding band had been for decades. "After all. It's not like everyone gets to do life over."
–
–
This time, I woke up and stayed awake, instead of my vision blurring and fading in and out along with my hearing, everything was clear.
I pushed myself up to a sitting position and sighed in relief as I looked around the medbay that i was in. A medtech noted that I was awake and made his way over.
He ran through some standard medical tests, checking my faculty and my vitals before writing some notes on my chart.
"You had extreme spinal compression when you were first brought in. It is a part of why you have been in and out of consciousness. While you are on track to make a full recovery, we had to operate to fix the old injuries that were located in your neck. It seems that improper treatment had led to a lasting condition that was exasperated by the ejection. We fixed that issue as well as treated you for the spinal compression. But, you will be on bedrest for the next three to six weeks, followed by physical therapy until you have adapted to the rebuilt tissue and musculature in your neck."
"Thank you," I nodded at the medic before he stepped away to check on other patients.
"And now I get to wait here," I sighed. "I kinda wish I had a book right now."
"I can see about finding one for you," a voice said from behind me.
"Star Colonel," I tried to move to attention as he waved for me to sit back down.
"Rest, Star Commander. You have done your duty to the Clan in securing victory. Now you are to recover so that you can step up to the post that is required of you."
"What do you mean?" I raised an eyebrow at Aidan Pryde.
"Galaxy Commander Mar Helmer perished in the fighting on Tukayyid, Khan Crichell was wounded, and Star Colonel's Senza Oriega, and Gran Newclay perished as well. This leaves many positions open for advancement. Khan Chistu has called for no trials to be held for a three month period while we bring in personnel and resources from the homeworlds."
Aidan grinned at me. "When we have returned and consolidated our losses there will be many changes made. Enjoy your rest, Star Commander. You will not have it for very long before you are needed for action once more."
Aidan still present to temper Marthe. Add in a dash of crazy old guy to bring them around to true warfare expectations...gonna get crazy in here!
yes,Mark would change at least one Clan,or die trying.
Chapter 23
MarkWarrior
Well-known member
Chapter 23
“It is good to see that you are awake,” Darya stood at the foot of my bed while Gray poked her head up by my arm and began licking my hand. “I was concerned that you would be unable to uphold your end of things.”
“Sorry I worried you,” I smiled a bit. “But I am alive and well.”
“You are indeed alive. But the medics tell me that you are not quite as whole as you say.”
“Give me a few months and I will be back up to peak condition. Now, we need to talk.”
“What would you speak of?” A bit of anger flashed behind her eyes. “It is not as if you have been willing to actively explain anything before.”
“I understand,” I sighed, resting my head back against the end of the bunk. “So I’m going to lay things out for you one at a time, and then we need to make a decision about how we move on from there.”
“Continue,” Darya locked eyes with me, her arms still crossed.
“One, before all of this,” I gestured to the medbay and tried to encompass everything. “And before I was stranded on a farm, I was married. I had children,” I closed my eyes for a second as the memories flowed back through my mind. “Then I was alone, for nearly fifty years I spent time alone, eking out and building a home in a place that didn’t even have a name.”
I paused to make sure she understood what I was saying.
“Two, I’m old,” I chuckled. “Darya, I’m old enough to be your grandfather. And despite opening up to the idea, I still have reservations about having that sort of relationship with someone that’s that much younger than I am.”
“Three, and this is the most important one to me,” I took a deep breath. “I’m not one to just engage in a sexual relationship. I didn’t do that before I got married, and I haven't even had sex in…” I paused to do math before shaking my head. “Far too long. So if we do this, it’s not like a Freebirth and a Trueborn, it’s not as a random relationship where we just go our separate ways after coupling,” I matched her gaze. “I don’t do things halfway, if we do this, you’re stuck with me for as long as I live. After I’m dead?” I shrugged. “Do what you will. But if you want to make this work, it will take just that, work. I’m old, and I find that just because I can change, that doesn’t mean that I necessarily will change. So, I’ll give you some time to make your decision, just let me know exactly what that decision is.”
“You fool of an old man,” Darya shook her head as she moved to sit on my bed. “I was simply waiting for you to tell me what it is that you wanted. I considered taking what I wanted, and then leaving it in the wind, but I reconsidered after speaking with a Widow, of sorts.”
She then leaned in and gave me a searing kiss, her tongue prodding at my lips for entry as my tongue met her own before she pulled back.
“Get better soon,” She called over her shoulder as she walked away, a sharp whistle calling my dog over to her side. “You have a lot more to look forward to, after all.”
“At least she wasn’t an elemental,” I smiled to myself. “Now that would have been interesting.”
What followed that day was weeks of physiotherapy as the doctors helped me acclimate and rebuild lost musculature. Now that I wasn’t considered old and worthless or near dezgra, I was granted the full capabilities of Clan medicine. Which conveniently included several methods that slowed the aging process.
And given that I pushed myself hard, by the time the Falcon Guard had made landfall along with the 2nd Falcon Jaegers and the others who had survived Tukayyid I was nearly back in the condition I had been before.
“Unfortunately, there are not enough Omnimechs to replace those lost on Tukayyid available at the moment,” Aidan briefed both myself and the remaining living officers of the Falcon Guard, his eyes trailing over each of us, pausing at Star Captain Joanna, Star Commander Jula Huddock, and myself. “Those of you who still possess your ‘Mechs will be given priority for repairs.”
“And what of the losses that we have taken?” I asked. “How are we to proceed?”
“We will make do with what we have at the moment,” Aidan stated. “We have been instructed by Khan Chistu to focus on rebuilding our forces. That said, we will also be preparing for the trials that are to come. The Steel Vipers have been at our throats since they were deployed to this invasion corridor. We will meet their challenge, and break their fangs with our talons. I intend to secure their supplies for our use.”
“And how will we accomplish this?” I asked. “We have no full cluster to bear at the moment.”
“We are going to be adopting your model, Star Commander,” Aidan smirked. “Omnimechs work, and are malleable to each scenario that we might face. But, given the circumstances, and the availability of said ‘Mechs, we have turned to an alternative with the factories and resources that we possess, Joanna.”
Aidan nodded at the Star Captain.
“The Khans have ordered that our Brian Caches be opened, and we will begin receiving shipments from the equipment that was stored shortly. While there are some older Omnimechs that will be distributed, the majority of them will be older designs,” Joanna continued. “However, most of these will be traditional battlemechs. Should we prove victorious against the Vipers, you may claim an Omnimech should one be a part of the isorla. But until such a time as more become available, we are restricted.”
“After we have completed our objective, we will begin preparations for the Inner Sphere retaliations,” Aidan stepped forward. “We fought against Comstar’s forces on Tukayyid, we did not face the nations of the Inner Sphere. They have no reason to abide by the truce that we are bound to. And I expect they will shortly see fit to strike. But they will not find us lacking.”
The rest of the briefing went over what was expected of us over the next few weeks before Aidan caught my attention, waving both Joanna, Jula, and myself over.
“We do not possess many Omnimechs as part of our resupply,” he looked at Jula and me in particular. “But you two handled yourselves with distinction, and should you desire it, the few that we were granted, you will be given.”
“I would prefer a Warhammer,” I shrugged. “Give the Omnimech to someone who is better talented with it. Although, I would like to have this one upgraded with modern technology.”
“We can arrange that,” Aidan replied. “There is plenty among the salvage that we have obtained from the Inner Sphere, just as we have pulled some from our reserves.”
“I will take one of the Omnimechs,” Jula replied. “My Executioner is best used as parts to maintain other machines.”
“We will work out the details later,” Aidan looked at the three of us. “But for now prepare for a Trial against the Steel Vipers. I expect we shall take them by surprise, but I would rather be prepared for them to abandon zellbrigen should they believe that we will come to possess their supplies, quiaff?’
“Aff,” we replied, taking his nod as dismissal as we went to our barracks.
There were only two left alive among my Star from Tukayyid, and we would be consolidating the Cluster into three Trinaries. Four, if you included Aidan’s command Star.
But there was work to be done, and if I wished to advance, I would need to prepare for this upcoming battle with the Steel Vipers. After that, we would see how things went.
“It is good to see that you are awake,” Darya stood at the foot of my bed while Gray poked her head up by my arm and began licking my hand. “I was concerned that you would be unable to uphold your end of things.”
“Sorry I worried you,” I smiled a bit. “But I am alive and well.”
“You are indeed alive. But the medics tell me that you are not quite as whole as you say.”
“Give me a few months and I will be back up to peak condition. Now, we need to talk.”
“What would you speak of?” A bit of anger flashed behind her eyes. “It is not as if you have been willing to actively explain anything before.”
“I understand,” I sighed, resting my head back against the end of the bunk. “So I’m going to lay things out for you one at a time, and then we need to make a decision about how we move on from there.”
“Continue,” Darya locked eyes with me, her arms still crossed.
“One, before all of this,” I gestured to the medbay and tried to encompass everything. “And before I was stranded on a farm, I was married. I had children,” I closed my eyes for a second as the memories flowed back through my mind. “Then I was alone, for nearly fifty years I spent time alone, eking out and building a home in a place that didn’t even have a name.”
I paused to make sure she understood what I was saying.
“Two, I’m old,” I chuckled. “Darya, I’m old enough to be your grandfather. And despite opening up to the idea, I still have reservations about having that sort of relationship with someone that’s that much younger than I am.”
“Three, and this is the most important one to me,” I took a deep breath. “I’m not one to just engage in a sexual relationship. I didn’t do that before I got married, and I haven't even had sex in…” I paused to do math before shaking my head. “Far too long. So if we do this, it’s not like a Freebirth and a Trueborn, it’s not as a random relationship where we just go our separate ways after coupling,” I matched her gaze. “I don’t do things halfway, if we do this, you’re stuck with me for as long as I live. After I’m dead?” I shrugged. “Do what you will. But if you want to make this work, it will take just that, work. I’m old, and I find that just because I can change, that doesn’t mean that I necessarily will change. So, I’ll give you some time to make your decision, just let me know exactly what that decision is.”
“You fool of an old man,” Darya shook her head as she moved to sit on my bed. “I was simply waiting for you to tell me what it is that you wanted. I considered taking what I wanted, and then leaving it in the wind, but I reconsidered after speaking with a Widow, of sorts.”
She then leaned in and gave me a searing kiss, her tongue prodding at my lips for entry as my tongue met her own before she pulled back.
“Get better soon,” She called over her shoulder as she walked away, a sharp whistle calling my dog over to her side. “You have a lot more to look forward to, after all.”
“At least she wasn’t an elemental,” I smiled to myself. “Now that would have been interesting.”
What followed that day was weeks of physiotherapy as the doctors helped me acclimate and rebuild lost musculature. Now that I wasn’t considered old and worthless or near dezgra, I was granted the full capabilities of Clan medicine. Which conveniently included several methods that slowed the aging process.
And given that I pushed myself hard, by the time the Falcon Guard had made landfall along with the 2nd Falcon Jaegers and the others who had survived Tukayyid I was nearly back in the condition I had been before.
“Unfortunately, there are not enough Omnimechs to replace those lost on Tukayyid available at the moment,” Aidan briefed both myself and the remaining living officers of the Falcon Guard, his eyes trailing over each of us, pausing at Star Captain Joanna, Star Commander Jula Huddock, and myself. “Those of you who still possess your ‘Mechs will be given priority for repairs.”
“And what of the losses that we have taken?” I asked. “How are we to proceed?”
“We will make do with what we have at the moment,” Aidan stated. “We have been instructed by Khan Chistu to focus on rebuilding our forces. That said, we will also be preparing for the trials that are to come. The Steel Vipers have been at our throats since they were deployed to this invasion corridor. We will meet their challenge, and break their fangs with our talons. I intend to secure their supplies for our use.”
“And how will we accomplish this?” I asked. “We have no full cluster to bear at the moment.”
“We are going to be adopting your model, Star Commander,” Aidan smirked. “Omnimechs work, and are malleable to each scenario that we might face. But, given the circumstances, and the availability of said ‘Mechs, we have turned to an alternative with the factories and resources that we possess, Joanna.”
Aidan nodded at the Star Captain.
“The Khans have ordered that our Brian Caches be opened, and we will begin receiving shipments from the equipment that was stored shortly. While there are some older Omnimechs that will be distributed, the majority of them will be older designs,” Joanna continued. “However, most of these will be traditional battlemechs. Should we prove victorious against the Vipers, you may claim an Omnimech should one be a part of the isorla. But until such a time as more become available, we are restricted.”
“After we have completed our objective, we will begin preparations for the Inner Sphere retaliations,” Aidan stepped forward. “We fought against Comstar’s forces on Tukayyid, we did not face the nations of the Inner Sphere. They have no reason to abide by the truce that we are bound to. And I expect they will shortly see fit to strike. But they will not find us lacking.”
The rest of the briefing went over what was expected of us over the next few weeks before Aidan caught my attention, waving both Joanna, Jula, and myself over.
“We do not possess many Omnimechs as part of our resupply,” he looked at Jula and me in particular. “But you two handled yourselves with distinction, and should you desire it, the few that we were granted, you will be given.”
“I would prefer a Warhammer,” I shrugged. “Give the Omnimech to someone who is better talented with it. Although, I would like to have this one upgraded with modern technology.”
“We can arrange that,” Aidan replied. “There is plenty among the salvage that we have obtained from the Inner Sphere, just as we have pulled some from our reserves.”
“I will take one of the Omnimechs,” Jula replied. “My Executioner is best used as parts to maintain other machines.”
“We will work out the details later,” Aidan looked at the three of us. “But for now prepare for a Trial against the Steel Vipers. I expect we shall take them by surprise, but I would rather be prepared for them to abandon zellbrigen should they believe that we will come to possess their supplies, quiaff?’
“Aff,” we replied, taking his nod as dismissal as we went to our barracks.
There were only two left alive among my Star from Tukayyid, and we would be consolidating the Cluster into three Trinaries. Four, if you included Aidan’s command Star.
But there was work to be done, and if I wished to advance, I would need to prepare for this upcoming battle with the Steel Vipers. After that, we would see how things went.
Chapter 24
MarkWarrior
Well-known member
Chapter 24
“This is not the usual Warhammer that is pulled from a Brian cache,” I said as I looked through the readout that a nearby technician handed me. “This has been upgraded.”
“This is the state it was removed from the cache in,” the Tech shrugged. “It is a capable ‘Mech, even if it is not an Omnimech.”
“The Omnipods and ‘Mechs are best given to others,” I waved him off. “Ensure that the maintenance is updated on it. I will check over your work later, quiaff?”
“Aff,” the Technician looked uncertain for a moment before nodding and walking along the gantry to inspect my new ‘Hammer.
“We’ll have to figure out what to name the new one, huh Gray?” I asked, receiving a short bark in response.
It was interesting, for all that the Clans tried not to push attachment to some things. They seemingly understood and were okay with a Mechwarrior naming his ‘Mech. Or, if the Solahma were in a tank, then with that crew naming their tank.
I wonder if neurohelmets had influenced a significant part of this development as the Clans grew and moved on through time.
“All senior officers, report to the briefing room.”
–
–
“Our objective is the SLDF facilities that remain on Antares,” Star Colonel Aidan Pryde began. “The Steel Vipers have turned it into a logistical depot, and we will challenge them for it. We have need of the supplies that they have stored there, and our cluster, as well as those that participated in Tukayyid, require those supplies if we are to rebuild. If we waited for those supplies to arrive from the Homeworlds, we would be here for many months before we were able to resupply. Instead, we will remove the Viper's ability to challenge us, and put their resources to work for the Jade Falcons.”
“The area that we are trialing for is arid and hot,” Star Captain Joanna stood up and took over the briefing. “We will equip with heat-efficient weapons for this fight with our Omnimechs,” she glanced at me. “And others will simply make do with what they have. Because our objective is to secure resources, you are being instructed to eliminate the Steel Viper warriors. We wish to salvage what we can from the enemy, not lay waste to everything that they have.”
“In other words,” I spoke up. “We want as much isorla as we can reasonably achieve. We can repair broken machines, and we will need to, but remember that we do not have the numbers for you to waste your lives, quiaff?”
Date: July 20, 3052
Location: Aboard Aegis-Class Cruiser Jade Talon
“I regret to inform you, Star Commander,” Joanna met my eyes. “But you will not be participating in this Trial of Possession.”
“Because I have not been granted permission by the Medics,” I nodded. “I have been preparing to coordinate the salvage efforts. I should be capable of fighting again in a few weeks. But until then, I shall use the other skills and talents that I possess.”
“Good,” Joanna nodded in affirmation. “I would like to inspect your efforts should we possess the time.”
“I am merely preparing the techs and the warriors that do not possess ‘Mechs at the moment,” I shrugged. “We will need all of us should we prove successful in this endeavor.”
“You would have the warriors work with the technicians?” She raised an eyebrow.
“Aff. There is a need, and we must not waste resources,” I replied. “We must all do our part if the Clan is to both succeed and thrive in the coming years.”
“Aff,” Joanna agreed.
–
–
The Raptor descended ‘Down’ towards the surface of Antares, the Steel Vipers leaving the dropship alone as the Overlord-C eventually landed a mere hundred kilometers away from the location that was being trialed over.
“Remember, if they break zellbrigen, you are free to coordinate fire as you desire,” Aidan Pryde reminded the Trinary that he led across the steppes towards the combat area.
“Steel Vipers, I come ready to fight for this location,” Aidan broadcast. “I have already submitted my bid, do you dare challenge me?”
“If you came to win this battle, you will be disappointed.”
Contacts began to appear on the Timber Wolf’s scanners, the ‘cursed’ ‘Mech had not been an issue since the Battle of Tukayyid.
“Trashborn scum!” Aidan spat as two Trinaries appeared on the sensors.
“Star Colonel,” Mark’s voice broke through the channels. “I’m ordering the Raptor to shift to the facility. If the Steel Vipers have broken zellbrigen, then we will need to do some unusual maneuvers if we are to win this battle.”
As soon as the Star Commander’s voice finished peaking, the ground rumbled as the massive dropship’s fusion engines ignited, the dropship spinning as it hovered over the Steppes on its way to the SLDF facility, its long-range armaments striking and wounding Steel Viper ‘Mechs as it passed by.
“We will be collecting our isorla early,” Mark’s voice taunted the Steel Vipers. “You will fail here as you did on Tukayyid. You are shamed, dezgra.”
The Steel Vipers then turned to chase the Overlord-C, turning their backs on the Trinary aside from a handful of assault ‘Mechs that were left behind to stall them.
Aidan grinned as he shifted his ‘Mech into a fast ‘jog’.
“Your opponent, is us,” his lasers and missiles hammered one of the assault ‘Mechs.
“Charlie Star, you are to engage the Star that was left behind to cover their retreat, Alpha, harass them. Bravo… We are going to shatter the Steel Vipers today!”
A Gargoyle slowed to fight Diana Pryde’s Warhawk, an Atlas II moving in support as the two assault stars clashed, freeing up the rest of the Trinary to aggressively chase the enemies that had given chase to the Raptor.
–
–
“Star Commander, you’ve not been cleared to pilot as of yet,” a medic reminded me as I slipped on a cooling vest.
“Tell that to the Steel Vipers,” I grabbed my neurohelmet before climbing onto the gantry. “Bravo Star, we need to deploy and secure the area, the Steel Vipers violated zellbrigen, and so we are free to engage as we see fit.”
I looked at the techs and warriors that I had organized and left on standby. “Get ready to start grabbing whatever gear you can. Omnimechs, standard Battlemechs, if you can cram it into our bays, then do so. We’ll keep them distracted while you grab all of the kit left behind.”
I climbed into my new ‘Hammer and quickly ran through the power-up sequence and security systems.
“Let’s go kill some snakes.”
“This is not the usual Warhammer that is pulled from a Brian cache,” I said as I looked through the readout that a nearby technician handed me. “This has been upgraded.”
“This is the state it was removed from the cache in,” the Tech shrugged. “It is a capable ‘Mech, even if it is not an Omnimech.”
“The Omnipods and ‘Mechs are best given to others,” I waved him off. “Ensure that the maintenance is updated on it. I will check over your work later, quiaff?”
“Aff,” the Technician looked uncertain for a moment before nodding and walking along the gantry to inspect my new ‘Hammer.
“We’ll have to figure out what to name the new one, huh Gray?” I asked, receiving a short bark in response.
It was interesting, for all that the Clans tried not to push attachment to some things. They seemingly understood and were okay with a Mechwarrior naming his ‘Mech. Or, if the Solahma were in a tank, then with that crew naming their tank.
I wonder if neurohelmets had influenced a significant part of this development as the Clans grew and moved on through time.
“All senior officers, report to the briefing room.”
–
–
“Our objective is the SLDF facilities that remain on Antares,” Star Colonel Aidan Pryde began. “The Steel Vipers have turned it into a logistical depot, and we will challenge them for it. We have need of the supplies that they have stored there, and our cluster, as well as those that participated in Tukayyid, require those supplies if we are to rebuild. If we waited for those supplies to arrive from the Homeworlds, we would be here for many months before we were able to resupply. Instead, we will remove the Viper's ability to challenge us, and put their resources to work for the Jade Falcons.”
“The area that we are trialing for is arid and hot,” Star Captain Joanna stood up and took over the briefing. “We will equip with heat-efficient weapons for this fight with our Omnimechs,” she glanced at me. “And others will simply make do with what they have. Because our objective is to secure resources, you are being instructed to eliminate the Steel Viper warriors. We wish to salvage what we can from the enemy, not lay waste to everything that they have.”
“In other words,” I spoke up. “We want as much isorla as we can reasonably achieve. We can repair broken machines, and we will need to, but remember that we do not have the numbers for you to waste your lives, quiaff?”
Date: July 20, 3052
Location: Aboard Aegis-Class Cruiser Jade Talon
“I regret to inform you, Star Commander,” Joanna met my eyes. “But you will not be participating in this Trial of Possession.”
“Because I have not been granted permission by the Medics,” I nodded. “I have been preparing to coordinate the salvage efforts. I should be capable of fighting again in a few weeks. But until then, I shall use the other skills and talents that I possess.”
“Good,” Joanna nodded in affirmation. “I would like to inspect your efforts should we possess the time.”
“I am merely preparing the techs and the warriors that do not possess ‘Mechs at the moment,” I shrugged. “We will need all of us should we prove successful in this endeavor.”
“You would have the warriors work with the technicians?” She raised an eyebrow.
“Aff. There is a need, and we must not waste resources,” I replied. “We must all do our part if the Clan is to both succeed and thrive in the coming years.”
“Aff,” Joanna agreed.
–
–
The Raptor descended ‘Down’ towards the surface of Antares, the Steel Vipers leaving the dropship alone as the Overlord-C eventually landed a mere hundred kilometers away from the location that was being trialed over.
“Remember, if they break zellbrigen, you are free to coordinate fire as you desire,” Aidan Pryde reminded the Trinary that he led across the steppes towards the combat area.
“Steel Vipers, I come ready to fight for this location,” Aidan broadcast. “I have already submitted my bid, do you dare challenge me?”
“If you came to win this battle, you will be disappointed.”
Contacts began to appear on the Timber Wolf’s scanners, the ‘cursed’ ‘Mech had not been an issue since the Battle of Tukayyid.
“Trashborn scum!” Aidan spat as two Trinaries appeared on the sensors.
“Star Colonel,” Mark’s voice broke through the channels. “I’m ordering the Raptor to shift to the facility. If the Steel Vipers have broken zellbrigen, then we will need to do some unusual maneuvers if we are to win this battle.”
As soon as the Star Commander’s voice finished peaking, the ground rumbled as the massive dropship’s fusion engines ignited, the dropship spinning as it hovered over the Steppes on its way to the SLDF facility, its long-range armaments striking and wounding Steel Viper ‘Mechs as it passed by.
“We will be collecting our isorla early,” Mark’s voice taunted the Steel Vipers. “You will fail here as you did on Tukayyid. You are shamed, dezgra.”
The Steel Vipers then turned to chase the Overlord-C, turning their backs on the Trinary aside from a handful of assault ‘Mechs that were left behind to stall them.
Aidan grinned as he shifted his ‘Mech into a fast ‘jog’.
“Your opponent, is us,” his lasers and missiles hammered one of the assault ‘Mechs.
“Charlie Star, you are to engage the Star that was left behind to cover their retreat, Alpha, harass them. Bravo… We are going to shatter the Steel Vipers today!”
A Gargoyle slowed to fight Diana Pryde’s Warhawk, an Atlas II moving in support as the two assault stars clashed, freeing up the rest of the Trinary to aggressively chase the enemies that had given chase to the Raptor.
–
–
“Star Commander, you’ve not been cleared to pilot as of yet,” a medic reminded me as I slipped on a cooling vest.
“Tell that to the Steel Vipers,” I grabbed my neurohelmet before climbing onto the gantry. “Bravo Star, we need to deploy and secure the area, the Steel Vipers violated zellbrigen, and so we are free to engage as we see fit.”
I looked at the techs and warriors that I had organized and left on standby. “Get ready to start grabbing whatever gear you can. Omnimechs, standard Battlemechs, if you can cram it into our bays, then do so. We’ll keep them distracted while you grab all of the kit left behind.”
I climbed into my new ‘Hammer and quickly ran through the power-up sequence and security systems.
“Let’s go kill some snakes.”
The phrase that motivates Mechwarriors no matter if they're Inner Sphere or Clan!
Darya Pryde
MarkWarrior
Well-known member
This is the closet thing I could find online to what I pictured Darya Pryde as in my own head. (She's a named one-off canon character in one of the books. But she doesn't have any art.)
I think, for me, Aidan Pryde feels a little wooden. I'm not sure if you're intending for us NOT to have an 'inside' look at him yet which would justify it. Because moving Mark up to be his 2nd means that he'd have to have a good understanding of Mark in order to want to grant him that trust. We just haven't really seen any character interaction between the two that would have built that sort of understanding...at least to me it hasn't developed yet.
MarkWarrior
Well-known member
More aptly, it's Mark being moved up to Joanna's 2nd. But still, I think it's something more than that. Shrugs. I'll figure it out.
Highlighted the reason I thought you were assigning Mark directly to Aidan.
Blasterbot
Well-known member
My thought would be we could use a bit of focus on the clanners during some down time to flesh out their personalities and friendships a bit more. clanners in general seem rather standoffish sure. but we have talk of the ghost bears liking football and other such things as well.
Chapter 25(Rewritten)
MarkWarrior
Well-known member
Chapter 25
My unnamed Warhammer sped out of the bay as the extralight engine surged underneath me. Maybe it was how much newer the ‘Mech was, or maybe it was that this wasn’t my ‘Mech, but something felt off. It wasn’t anything obvious, or anything that would get me killed immediately, but the ‘Mech didn’t respond the same way that the Bobby B had. Sure, the controls, layout, and even security measures had been reinstated, but it just wasn’t the same.
“Star Commander, incoming Star,” the Overlord reported. “Looks to be light Omnimechs.”
“Hit them hard!” I ordered. “Elementals, I want the Omnis for salvage, shred the cockpits, and get teams out here!” I heard responses from the Elementals that were mounted onto each of our ‘Mechs as we surged forward.
I then toggled my Anti-Missile Systems to cover not just the missiles that would be coming in at my ‘Mech, but those in a ‘bubble’ around me. I wanted my Star to be protected from as much as possible, given our recent losses, every single member of the Falcon Guards was valuable. We could replace machines at the moment, either through salvage or through trials such as the one we were attempting now. But the people. They weren’t able to be replaced at the moment.
After I had switched the system over, Betty began yelling as A Fire Moth appeared, the fast scout dodging fire as a pair of Adders and a Mist Lynx followed, the obvious leader being the Shadow Cat that trailed slightly behind. The Medium ‘Mech’s Gauss rifle flashed, and the Stormcrow in my star barely managed to evade, the slug digging into the dry ground and sending up clods of sand and dirty into the sky.
“Pick your targets and close in,” I ordered, squeezing the triggers on my PPCs, the range advantage that the new Warhammer had given me coming into play as one of the beams narrowly missed the Shadow Cat, while the other slagged armor over one of the medium lasers.
“That’s right,” I muttered as the Shadow Cat began to focus on me. “I’m your target.”
I closed in, the slight hesitation I had felt in the ‘Hammer vanishing when the adrenaline of combat set in. Twisting away from the Gauss Rifle that the Steel Viper Medium aimed at me, I carved away at the medium’s armor with lasers before all six of my missiles carved into the holes that I had punched.
“Star Commander, the Steel Vipers have Broken off, and a trinary is moving to your position.”
“That is going to hamper our salvage efforts,” I replied, dodging yet more fire from the medium. “We are still in the process of loading up what we can.
My shoulder finally got hammered by a Gauss slug, the armor shattering and the wireframe on my readouts flashing orange. “Fuck it,” I sighed and held down the trigger on both of my PPCs finishing off the Shadow Cat, the ‘Mech going limp as the Fusion Engine seemed to just stop. “Start packing it up!”
“Just hold them off for as long as you can,” an Elemental replied. “We have had to change the plan.”
“Fine,” I sighed, noting that the rest of the light Star had been destroyed, and a few salvage trucks were pulling up to the Omnimechs and beginning to drag them back into the Raptor’s bays. “Bravo Star, Sitrep!”
“Armor state Green, ammunition is running dry though.”
“Armor State Yellow, we are still able to fight, Star Commander.”
“Elemental Points are at seventy percent combat effectiveness. Mounting up now.”
“Form up, we have to buy our teams some time,” I shifted to lead the Star to engage the incoming Trinary.
“Star Commander, you need only hold for a few moments,” Star Captain Joanna informed me over a private channel. “We will hit them at their flanks and ensure that they do not survive, quiaff?
“Aff,” I replied. “We will hold the line.”
Joanna’s Mad Dog surged forward as she moved into a flat-out run, the Falconer’s Omnimech matching pace with the Star Colonel’s Timber Wolf and the other heavies and mediums that made up their Binary.
“Star Colonel, the Raptor and Star Commander Mark are holding, they will be the anvil to our hammer.”
“Affirmative,” Pryde replied. “We will engage at range as soon as we are able.”
The binary crested a nearby hill, the sightlines clearing up and showing a vicious fight near the complex that they were trialing over. The Jade Falcon Star was clearly at a disadvantage, but none of the Vipers had broken through as of yet.
Joanna’s computers gave her a tone as she locked onto a Grizzly, the older garrison ‘Mech was limping and already damaged when her missiles struck the heavy, sending it crashing to the ground.
The Star Colonel’s fire was much more effective than Joanna’s own, his lasers carved away and destroyed a medium before his missiles homed in and savaged an enemy Kingfisher, the assault ‘Mech’s gyro screeching to a halt as the Steel Viper pilot ejected.
Then the Jade Falcons began to close in, and the Steel Vipers were caught between two forces, and even though Star Commander Mark’s Star was now down two ‘Mechs and some Elementals, they had held and now the Vipers had nowhere to go, if they wanted out, they would have to fight.
“Will you grant Hegira?” The leader of the remaining Steel Vipers asked as they were slowly battered down into nothing more than a Star.
“Aff,” Aidan replied. “But you will only have what can still move under its own power. The rest of it, is our Isorla. We have won this battle today, now depart, and know that your dezgra tactics have not won you the day. Those warriors that you have left behind, they are now the Falcon Guard’s Bondsmen. They will serve the Jade Falcons under my direct command.”
“We will accept.”
The six Steel Viper ‘Mechs limped away from the field of battle as the Assault Star that the Falcon Guard had left behind finally crested the hill.
“Thanks for the assist,” a private channel opened to Star Captain Joanna, the image and wireframe appearing on Joanna’s Computer showing that he and his ‘Mech were on their last reserves of strength.
“You have performed well,” Joanna replied. “Dismount and continue with your previous efforts to coordinate our salvage.”
“Yes ma’am,” Mark replied. “Pulling back to the Raptor now.”
–
–
“So this is why they were so eager to defend this. And even willing to break Zellbrigen,” Aidan mused, his eyes passing over the resources that were stored here and the twin Steel Viper Dropships that were parked nearby.
“Indeed. We will be able to crew them and claim the ‘Mechs as Isorla,” Horse replied. “But we will need to hurry before the Steel Vipers can mount a force to challenge us for the position.”
The Lion and Sassanid parked nearby had been claimed by the Jade Falcons, and their crews had been claimed as Bondsman.
“We will not be able to take everything,” Aidan glanced at the salvage teams hauling what was left of the Steel Viper Trinaries onto the Raptor while other teams loaded the two Isorla dropships. “But this is a victory that the Khans cannot ignore.”
“There is enough equipment here to rebuild our Cluster as well as at least one other,” Joanna stepped up and handed a clipboard to Aidan. “The Star Commander is to be commended for his efforts today.”
“He has performed well,” Aidan agreed. “Should he conduct himself well upon our return he will be promoted to Star Captain. He will serve as your second if you believe that he is capable.”
“I will have to evaluate him some more,” Joanna replied, her eyes darkening. “While he performs well, we know little of him or his character.”
“Did he not serve with the Second Falcon Jaegers?” Aidan asked. “Get into contact with them, it is possible that they may have something more to offer on him and his history.”
I stopped for a moment and hid away in one of the dark parts of the Raptor, the pain and pressure in my head were reaching its peak and I needed a break for a minute.
So I leaned against the cool metal and breathed, there was only so much that I could do at once, and pain was a warning. One minute passed, then two. The pain eased for a moment and I stood up straight to hand in my report.
But instead of the straight and proper march that I’d intended turned into a hobble as the pain I’d ignored in my knee made itself known again. So instead. I limped to where our CO and XO were standing over the storage facility.
“Everything is loaded up that we can fit,” I informed them both, handing them an updated report. “The Dropships are ready to take off when we are.”
Star Colonel Aidan Pryde simply stared at me for a moment before giving me an approving nod.
“You have done well today. Even though you lost most of your star, the warriors and their ‘Mechs were recoverable, that is commendable.”
“Dead soldiers aren’t able to work,” I shrugged. “And we need every one of our warriors, the next generation of warriors is not in the Inner Sphere as of yet. So each one of us is irreplaceable at this time. Lest we find ourselves struggling against the Steel Vipers and the Federated Commonwealth.”
“Remember that sacrifice may still be necessary,” Aidan replied. “Go to the medbay. It is obvious that you were not fully recovered from Tukayyid before today’s combat.”
“Were it so easy,” I chuckled. “No, it was necessary for me to lead my Star today. It has set back my recovery by a few weeks, but it will take time for us to rebuild anyway.”
“Star Captain, it would do you well to remember that it is not only your Star that would suffer if you should fall. But the entire Cluster, now go, see to your injuries. After you have been cleared, you will report to me, I have questions, and you will answer them.”
My unnamed Warhammer sped out of the bay as the extralight engine surged underneath me. Maybe it was how much newer the ‘Mech was, or maybe it was that this wasn’t my ‘Mech, but something felt off. It wasn’t anything obvious, or anything that would get me killed immediately, but the ‘Mech didn’t respond the same way that the Bobby B had. Sure, the controls, layout, and even security measures had been reinstated, but it just wasn’t the same.
“Star Commander, incoming Star,” the Overlord reported. “Looks to be light Omnimechs.”
“Hit them hard!” I ordered. “Elementals, I want the Omnis for salvage, shred the cockpits, and get teams out here!” I heard responses from the Elementals that were mounted onto each of our ‘Mechs as we surged forward.
I then toggled my Anti-Missile Systems to cover not just the missiles that would be coming in at my ‘Mech, but those in a ‘bubble’ around me. I wanted my Star to be protected from as much as possible, given our recent losses, every single member of the Falcon Guards was valuable. We could replace machines at the moment, either through salvage or through trials such as the one we were attempting now. But the people. They weren’t able to be replaced at the moment.
After I had switched the system over, Betty began yelling as A Fire Moth appeared, the fast scout dodging fire as a pair of Adders and a Mist Lynx followed, the obvious leader being the Shadow Cat that trailed slightly behind. The Medium ‘Mech’s Gauss rifle flashed, and the Stormcrow in my star barely managed to evade, the slug digging into the dry ground and sending up clods of sand and dirty into the sky.
“Pick your targets and close in,” I ordered, squeezing the triggers on my PPCs, the range advantage that the new Warhammer had given me coming into play as one of the beams narrowly missed the Shadow Cat, while the other slagged armor over one of the medium lasers.
“That’s right,” I muttered as the Shadow Cat began to focus on me. “I’m your target.”
I closed in, the slight hesitation I had felt in the ‘Hammer vanishing when the adrenaline of combat set in. Twisting away from the Gauss Rifle that the Steel Viper Medium aimed at me, I carved away at the medium’s armor with lasers before all six of my missiles carved into the holes that I had punched.
“Star Commander, the Steel Vipers have Broken off, and a trinary is moving to your position.”
“That is going to hamper our salvage efforts,” I replied, dodging yet more fire from the medium. “We are still in the process of loading up what we can.
My shoulder finally got hammered by a Gauss slug, the armor shattering and the wireframe on my readouts flashing orange. “Fuck it,” I sighed and held down the trigger on both of my PPCs finishing off the Shadow Cat, the ‘Mech going limp as the Fusion Engine seemed to just stop. “Start packing it up!”
“Just hold them off for as long as you can,” an Elemental replied. “We have had to change the plan.”
“Fine,” I sighed, noting that the rest of the light Star had been destroyed, and a few salvage trucks were pulling up to the Omnimechs and beginning to drag them back into the Raptor’s bays. “Bravo Star, Sitrep!”
“Armor state Green, ammunition is running dry though.”
“Armor State Yellow, we are still able to fight, Star Commander.”
“Elemental Points are at seventy percent combat effectiveness. Mounting up now.”
“Form up, we have to buy our teams some time,” I shifted to lead the Star to engage the incoming Trinary.
“Star Commander, you need only hold for a few moments,” Star Captain Joanna informed me over a private channel. “We will hit them at their flanks and ensure that they do not survive, quiaff?
“Aff,” I replied. “We will hold the line.”
Joanna’s Mad Dog surged forward as she moved into a flat-out run, the Falconer’s Omnimech matching pace with the Star Colonel’s Timber Wolf and the other heavies and mediums that made up their Binary.
“Star Colonel, the Raptor and Star Commander Mark are holding, they will be the anvil to our hammer.”
“Affirmative,” Pryde replied. “We will engage at range as soon as we are able.”
The binary crested a nearby hill, the sightlines clearing up and showing a vicious fight near the complex that they were trialing over. The Jade Falcon Star was clearly at a disadvantage, but none of the Vipers had broken through as of yet.
Joanna’s computers gave her a tone as she locked onto a Grizzly, the older garrison ‘Mech was limping and already damaged when her missiles struck the heavy, sending it crashing to the ground.
The Star Colonel’s fire was much more effective than Joanna’s own, his lasers carved away and destroyed a medium before his missiles homed in and savaged an enemy Kingfisher, the assault ‘Mech’s gyro screeching to a halt as the Steel Viper pilot ejected.
Then the Jade Falcons began to close in, and the Steel Vipers were caught between two forces, and even though Star Commander Mark’s Star was now down two ‘Mechs and some Elementals, they had held and now the Vipers had nowhere to go, if they wanted out, they would have to fight.
“Will you grant Hegira?” The leader of the remaining Steel Vipers asked as they were slowly battered down into nothing more than a Star.
“Aff,” Aidan replied. “But you will only have what can still move under its own power. The rest of it, is our Isorla. We have won this battle today, now depart, and know that your dezgra tactics have not won you the day. Those warriors that you have left behind, they are now the Falcon Guard’s Bondsmen. They will serve the Jade Falcons under my direct command.”
“We will accept.”
The six Steel Viper ‘Mechs limped away from the field of battle as the Assault Star that the Falcon Guard had left behind finally crested the hill.
“Thanks for the assist,” a private channel opened to Star Captain Joanna, the image and wireframe appearing on Joanna’s Computer showing that he and his ‘Mech were on their last reserves of strength.
“You have performed well,” Joanna replied. “Dismount and continue with your previous efforts to coordinate our salvage.”
“Yes ma’am,” Mark replied. “Pulling back to the Raptor now.”
–
–
“So this is why they were so eager to defend this. And even willing to break Zellbrigen,” Aidan mused, his eyes passing over the resources that were stored here and the twin Steel Viper Dropships that were parked nearby.
“Indeed. We will be able to crew them and claim the ‘Mechs as Isorla,” Horse replied. “But we will need to hurry before the Steel Vipers can mount a force to challenge us for the position.”
The Lion and Sassanid parked nearby had been claimed by the Jade Falcons, and their crews had been claimed as Bondsman.
“We will not be able to take everything,” Aidan glanced at the salvage teams hauling what was left of the Steel Viper Trinaries onto the Raptor while other teams loaded the two Isorla dropships. “But this is a victory that the Khans cannot ignore.”
“There is enough equipment here to rebuild our Cluster as well as at least one other,” Joanna stepped up and handed a clipboard to Aidan. “The Star Commander is to be commended for his efforts today.”
“He has performed well,” Aidan agreed. “Should he conduct himself well upon our return he will be promoted to Star Captain. He will serve as your second if you believe that he is capable.”
“I will have to evaluate him some more,” Joanna replied, her eyes darkening. “While he performs well, we know little of him or his character.”
“Did he not serve with the Second Falcon Jaegers?” Aidan asked. “Get into contact with them, it is possible that they may have something more to offer on him and his history.”
I stopped for a moment and hid away in one of the dark parts of the Raptor, the pain and pressure in my head were reaching its peak and I needed a break for a minute.
So I leaned against the cool metal and breathed, there was only so much that I could do at once, and pain was a warning. One minute passed, then two. The pain eased for a moment and I stood up straight to hand in my report.
But instead of the straight and proper march that I’d intended turned into a hobble as the pain I’d ignored in my knee made itself known again. So instead. I limped to where our CO and XO were standing over the storage facility.
“Everything is loaded up that we can fit,” I informed them both, handing them an updated report. “The Dropships are ready to take off when we are.”
Star Colonel Aidan Pryde simply stared at me for a moment before giving me an approving nod.
“You have done well today. Even though you lost most of your star, the warriors and their ‘Mechs were recoverable, that is commendable.”
“Dead soldiers aren’t able to work,” I shrugged. “And we need every one of our warriors, the next generation of warriors is not in the Inner Sphere as of yet. So each one of us is irreplaceable at this time. Lest we find ourselves struggling against the Steel Vipers and the Federated Commonwealth.”
“Remember that sacrifice may still be necessary,” Aidan replied. “Go to the medbay. It is obvious that you were not fully recovered from Tukayyid before today’s combat.”
“Were it so easy,” I chuckled. “No, it was necessary for me to lead my Star today. It has set back my recovery by a few weeks, but it will take time for us to rebuild anyway.”
“Star Captain, it would do you well to remember that it is not only your Star that would suffer if you should fall. But the entire Cluster, now go, see to your injuries. After you have been cleared, you will report to me, I have questions, and you will answer them.”
Chapter 26
MarkWarrior
Well-known member
Chapter 26
“Star Captain,” Aidan greeted the woman Marthe had assigned to brief him.
“Star Colonel, I was told that you desired to speak with me.”
“Yes,” Aidan replied. “I was told that you are close with Star Commander Mark. I would seek to understand his motivations and what drives him. He is an excellent warrior, yet I know almost nothing about him aside from the reports that were submitted upon his admittance as a Bondsman.”
“Where would you like me to begin?” Darya asked. “There is much I could speak of here.”
“In case I am missing something, give me his background, what drives him? Where did he come from? What are his plans for the future?”
“I will begin with the reported facts, and branch off from there.”
Darya adjusted her seat to be more comfortable before leaning in.
“Mark Hull, no reported rank or records aside from a brief mention of a ‘civilian’ mentioned in the writings of the late Captain James Cromwell. He is the last remaining survivor of the SLS Manassas. After waking up and dealing with the dead crew, he decided that it would be easier to survive on the planet they were orbiting than it would be to repair the ship.”
“Given the reports I have on the Manassas’s K-F drive, he was not incorrect in that assessment,” Aidan agreed.
“Still, he made landfall and began to eke out a life on the planet. Should the 2nd Falcon Jaegers have not stumbled upon the Manassas, I believe that he would have remained there until he eventually passed away.”
“All of that is in his file,” Aidan stated. “I have no need to learn of that which I can read from a report.”
“He seeks change,” Darya said after a brief pause. “You must remember that he grew up and knows what the Star League was at its height. What the Hegemony was, and how they worked. He wants to change the Jade Falcons, and the Clans with them. That is his goal. And now, it is mine as well.”
“What would he change? And why? Have not the Clans proven themselves the most capable in this war so far?”
“Neg,” Darya shook her head. “We lost at Tukayyid, despite the victory that we eked out along with the Ghost Bears. We lost at Twycross, and we have been forced to cease in our tracks. Star Colonel, the Clans must change, or we will die. I have chosen that which I believe to be the honorable path, all that is left is for you do choose for yourself as well. Just as Khan Crichell and SaKhan Khistu have. If you require more, you must ask him yourself. But know that he does not think in the same manner that we do.”
“I shall have to do so,” Aidan wrote down another note. “You are dismissed Star Captain, I expect that Star Colonel Marthe will need you back soon, quiaff?”
“Aff,” She rose. “Star Colonel, something to consider before you approach him on your own. “The Clans are supposed to abhor waste, and yet we waste the most precious thing available to us. The lives that we have been gifted with. Whether Tankborn or freebirth, each life must be weighed carefully and measured against that which we intend to pursue. Is the cost of such waste worth it in the end? Or have we all been caught up in folly?”
“Hey there,” I looked as the door to my quarters slid open, revealing Darya Pryde. “I didn’t expect to see you for another few months at the very least.”
“I was summoned,” she replied as she sat down on my desk. “Star Colonel Aidan will be coming to ask you some questions soon. I suspect that you have a lot of work ahead if you intend to persuade him to join your faction.”
“Faction?” I scoffed. “Darya, I’m an old man and a mere Star Commander. I don’t have a faction.”
“Do you not?” Darya asked. “You, a bondsman who rose through the ranks to become a warrior, who works with other castes as needed to complete a mission. One of only two warriors to ensure that Clan Jade Falcon won the day on Tukayyid. You do not have a faction?” she sighed and rested her face in her hands. “Did you believe that your deeds were meaningless? Or that I alone would notice or care?”
“Kinda?” I replied as I took in just how exhausted she seemed to be. “It is easy to be caught up in the bubble of what your immediate Star, Trinary, and Cluster are doing. And I was a bit busy recovering and then preparing for our raid against the Steel Vipers.”
“That is understandable. But you cannot remain in ignorance for much longer. The trials for Galaxy Commander Mar Helmer’s position will begin soon, and you and I will have the opportunity to trial for the command of many Clusters. At least three Star Colonels perished in the fighting on Tukayyid, and while the trials were postponed they cannot be for much longer lest we lose the chance to advance.”
“And if the Khan should perish?” I asked. “Khan Elias Crichell was wounded on Tukayyid. I suspect that if he dies, that Star Colonel Marthe shall try to push for the position of SaKhan.”
“She certainly does not lack ambition,” I agreed. “But neither does Aidan lack ambition. And now that he has won honor and glory for restoring the Falcon Guards to a position of respect, I believe that he will at least push a claim for Mar Helmer’s position.”
“Regardless,” Darya shifted her position and leaned in. “We have not spent much time together as of late. And I would do so before I depart.”
“I know there are a few gorgeous parks around this city,” I grabbed a map that I had collected earlier. “We can go look at the sights.”
“Maybe later,” She sighed. “For now, I simply wish to rest. You are not the only one that has been busy after the Battle of Tukayyid.”
“Well come here then,” We shifted to the bed and I pulled her close, her smaller body radiating warmth as I pulled a blanket over and whistled for Gray, the Octo-Wolf settling down at our feet. “Rest and recover. You are safe here.”
Her breathing slowed and stilled as she drifted to sleep, and I shifted a bit to get her long hair out of my face before resting my head on the pillow and following suit.
I closed my eyes and inhaled, a warm feeling filling my body as I relaxed in a way that I hadn’t relaxed since I’d first existed in this universe. And with a full exhale, I released a tension that had built up since our conversation on the Jade Talon.
She still wanted me, even as old and broken as I was, and if nothing else. Having someone that desired you for being you, was worth treasuring.
“It always comes down to time,” I thought. “There’s never enough of it to spend as you wish.”
And as I slipped off into sleep, I thought about a poem I’d heard a long, long time ago.
“I have only just a minute, only sixty seconds in it. Forced upon me, can’t refuse it. Didn’t seek it, didn’t choose it. But it’s up to me to use it, I must suffer if I lose it. Give account if I abuse it. Just a tiny little minute, but eternity is in it.”
“Star Captain,” Aidan greeted the woman Marthe had assigned to brief him.
“Star Colonel, I was told that you desired to speak with me.”
“Yes,” Aidan replied. “I was told that you are close with Star Commander Mark. I would seek to understand his motivations and what drives him. He is an excellent warrior, yet I know almost nothing about him aside from the reports that were submitted upon his admittance as a Bondsman.”
“Where would you like me to begin?” Darya asked. “There is much I could speak of here.”
“In case I am missing something, give me his background, what drives him? Where did he come from? What are his plans for the future?”
“I will begin with the reported facts, and branch off from there.”
Darya adjusted her seat to be more comfortable before leaning in.
“Mark Hull, no reported rank or records aside from a brief mention of a ‘civilian’ mentioned in the writings of the late Captain James Cromwell. He is the last remaining survivor of the SLS Manassas. After waking up and dealing with the dead crew, he decided that it would be easier to survive on the planet they were orbiting than it would be to repair the ship.”
“Given the reports I have on the Manassas’s K-F drive, he was not incorrect in that assessment,” Aidan agreed.
“Still, he made landfall and began to eke out a life on the planet. Should the 2nd Falcon Jaegers have not stumbled upon the Manassas, I believe that he would have remained there until he eventually passed away.”
“All of that is in his file,” Aidan stated. “I have no need to learn of that which I can read from a report.”
“He seeks change,” Darya said after a brief pause. “You must remember that he grew up and knows what the Star League was at its height. What the Hegemony was, and how they worked. He wants to change the Jade Falcons, and the Clans with them. That is his goal. And now, it is mine as well.”
“What would he change? And why? Have not the Clans proven themselves the most capable in this war so far?”
“Neg,” Darya shook her head. “We lost at Tukayyid, despite the victory that we eked out along with the Ghost Bears. We lost at Twycross, and we have been forced to cease in our tracks. Star Colonel, the Clans must change, or we will die. I have chosen that which I believe to be the honorable path, all that is left is for you do choose for yourself as well. Just as Khan Crichell and SaKhan Khistu have. If you require more, you must ask him yourself. But know that he does not think in the same manner that we do.”
“I shall have to do so,” Aidan wrote down another note. “You are dismissed Star Captain, I expect that Star Colonel Marthe will need you back soon, quiaff?”
“Aff,” She rose. “Star Colonel, something to consider before you approach him on your own. “The Clans are supposed to abhor waste, and yet we waste the most precious thing available to us. The lives that we have been gifted with. Whether Tankborn or freebirth, each life must be weighed carefully and measured against that which we intend to pursue. Is the cost of such waste worth it in the end? Or have we all been caught up in folly?”
“Hey there,” I looked as the door to my quarters slid open, revealing Darya Pryde. “I didn’t expect to see you for another few months at the very least.”
“I was summoned,” she replied as she sat down on my desk. “Star Colonel Aidan will be coming to ask you some questions soon. I suspect that you have a lot of work ahead if you intend to persuade him to join your faction.”
“Faction?” I scoffed. “Darya, I’m an old man and a mere Star Commander. I don’t have a faction.”
“Do you not?” Darya asked. “You, a bondsman who rose through the ranks to become a warrior, who works with other castes as needed to complete a mission. One of only two warriors to ensure that Clan Jade Falcon won the day on Tukayyid. You do not have a faction?” she sighed and rested her face in her hands. “Did you believe that your deeds were meaningless? Or that I alone would notice or care?”
“Kinda?” I replied as I took in just how exhausted she seemed to be. “It is easy to be caught up in the bubble of what your immediate Star, Trinary, and Cluster are doing. And I was a bit busy recovering and then preparing for our raid against the Steel Vipers.”
“That is understandable. But you cannot remain in ignorance for much longer. The trials for Galaxy Commander Mar Helmer’s position will begin soon, and you and I will have the opportunity to trial for the command of many Clusters. At least three Star Colonels perished in the fighting on Tukayyid, and while the trials were postponed they cannot be for much longer lest we lose the chance to advance.”
“And if the Khan should perish?” I asked. “Khan Elias Crichell was wounded on Tukayyid. I suspect that if he dies, that Star Colonel Marthe shall try to push for the position of SaKhan.”
“She certainly does not lack ambition,” I agreed. “But neither does Aidan lack ambition. And now that he has won honor and glory for restoring the Falcon Guards to a position of respect, I believe that he will at least push a claim for Mar Helmer’s position.”
“Regardless,” Darya shifted her position and leaned in. “We have not spent much time together as of late. And I would do so before I depart.”
“I know there are a few gorgeous parks around this city,” I grabbed a map that I had collected earlier. “We can go look at the sights.”
“Maybe later,” She sighed. “For now, I simply wish to rest. You are not the only one that has been busy after the Battle of Tukayyid.”
“Well come here then,” We shifted to the bed and I pulled her close, her smaller body radiating warmth as I pulled a blanket over and whistled for Gray, the Octo-Wolf settling down at our feet. “Rest and recover. You are safe here.”
Her breathing slowed and stilled as she drifted to sleep, and I shifted a bit to get her long hair out of my face before resting my head on the pillow and following suit.
I closed my eyes and inhaled, a warm feeling filling my body as I relaxed in a way that I hadn’t relaxed since I’d first existed in this universe. And with a full exhale, I released a tension that had built up since our conversation on the Jade Talon.
She still wanted me, even as old and broken as I was, and if nothing else. Having someone that desired you for being you, was worth treasuring.
“It always comes down to time,” I thought. “There’s never enough of it to spend as you wish.”
And as I slipped off into sleep, I thought about a poem I’d heard a long, long time ago.
“I have only just a minute, only sixty seconds in it. Forced upon me, can’t refuse it. Didn’t seek it, didn’t choose it. But it’s up to me to use it, I must suffer if I lose it. Give account if I abuse it. Just a tiny little minute, but eternity is in it.”