Gellen's Heights

[Captain Benjamin Maxwell]

The city of Gellen's Heights is immense, stretching for well over 30 square miles. The capital city of Sheratan, Gellen's Heights is the cultural and economic focal point of the planet. Theaters, libraries, museums, government offices and commercial structures dot the landscape, while hovercars whisk down tree-lined streets and spacecraft touch down at the Gellen's Heights spaceport. The atmosphere here is very modern, while at the same time incorporating elements of Victorian-era architecture from the early part of Terra's 20th century, and the effect creates a charming, yet sophisticated look.

Sidewalk cafes mingle with holoarcades, night clubs, car dealerships, military outfitters, and interactive movie theaters in the city's retail district, while in the more somber government sector, the sound of the wind blowing is only occasionally interrupted by the chirp of birdsong echoing from within the Romanesque approaches to the many government offices which dominate the landscape.

The city itself has been built with the intention of keeping the land's natural beauty preserved, and it is not at all uncommon to find waterfalls cascading down alongside busy roadways in the heart of downtown. There is no better place to be on Sheratan than in Gellen's Heights, and the volume of people present here at all hours seems to support this.

[Wedge Lourde]

Quartermaster and I popped into his personal transport, I looked to the left to see Mamba, Kintaru, and Shuster get into a transport.

"You guys going to town?"

"Sure are, care to join us?" Said Mamba.

"Sorry, Quartermaster and I are going car shopping. I'm getting myself a Thunderhead. It's a possibility that I may see you guys around.

"Ok, then, have a good time."

"You, too, and good luck. Hey, if you need me, I've got my Handheld."


Quartermaster put the speeder into drive, and zoomed off towards the darkening night sky, and into a world of lights and noise. I pulled out my handheld to notify everybody else I was gone, and that I'd be black with my Black Thunderhead Speeder. I sent it on the main channel so everyone with a Handheld device could see it and notify the other Legionnaires. Just as I started typing, we cleared the foliage and a beautiful city came into view. It was amazing.

[Nicholas Schuster]

As the sun set, painting the sky in a firey deep orange, mixed with hues of purple and blue, our Humvee whisked down the suburban roads that led into Gellen's Heights, supposedly the social center of the planet. I sat between Mamba, riding shotgun, and Kintaru, who manned the wheel, leaning back with my eyes closed, as the wind from the open windows swirled through my hair. It was bliss - easily the most relaxing sensation I had experienced in ages, and the murmer of conversation between the two lulled me into a trancelike state, which...

"Hey. Nick. We're here."

My eyes fluttered open. It was now almost dark, and Mamba was nudging me, with a smile on her face.

"Take a look."

I stepped out of the Hummer, rubbing my eyes, and looked around.

We were in a metropolitan paradise.

Neon billboards exploded into the night sky around us, bathing nearby skyscrapers in Technicolor hues that radiated throughout downtown. Hovercars zipped past, mingling with the sea of pedestrians that flocked from building to building in a single mass of energy and life, and a monorail raced overhead, cast into shadow by fireworks which arced skyward over a prominent waterfall, painting the starry canopy above us with dazzling blossoms of flame and glitter. A live orchestra performed at a nearby bandstand, drawing a large knot of people who cheered as tunes new and old wafted across the night air.

So THIS was Gellen's Heights.

I looked to Mamba.

"So...where to?"

[Dr. Jessica Saturina]

The trip to the city was pretty uneventful, but very pleasant. Kintaru driving, me on shotgun, Nick between us. Nick seemed to really enjoying it. His head laid back on the seat, the look on his face was so peaceful. It was good to see him like this for a change. Kintaru seemed exhilarated to be driving. Something he must love to do.

We finally reached Gellen Heights. It was beautiful. So many places to explore. So many people. This was going to be exciting. I already felt the extreme excitement from just being here, now I was going to get to go exploring, shopping, try out the restaurants here. This was going to be a very good trip. Nudging Nick gently.

"Hey Nick, we're here"

He sat up looking around.

"Take a look"

He scanned his surroundings.

"So...where to?"

I don't know where to start, there is so much to see. I can't believe we are here, its like a dream.

I looked over at Kintaru. Even he seemed impressed with our new surroundings.

So, Kintaru what do you think? You too Nick? What do you guys want to do first? I'm a little hungry. Could you guys eat something? I would love to try one of their exotic restaurants.

Kintaru and Nick looked at each other with a questioning look on their faces. I waited to see what they thought.

[steelecho]

Aww, blast it all to Hell. What sort of malarkey is this garbage?

Looking at the newest lineup of mechs in the lastest holovid of Solaris VII.

Thomas chuckled.

You can't expect everyone to love the same Battlemechs as you Brian.

Bull. I can make every last one of 'em.

We both laughed and walked around the corner the main street in downtown Gellan's Heights.

Knowing you Brian, you would try. Though you'd only get so far before we'd have to go put your sorry hide in the slammer.

Gotta stop me first. I replied sarcastically.

Yeah, well the next I ever box with you, I'm wearing a damned suit of Power Armor.

Nah, you're not that bad. Just you need to work on your left side more. You're too dependant on your right arm.

I'll keep that in mind.

Well, you're the only one that will be able to take my place once I leave in my opinion.

Leave? Where the hell are you going?

I'm joining a Mercenary outfit. They have a base not too far from here.

The Legionniares?

Yes.

Well, I can't say I blame you. Of course I saw it coming. Ever since the FedCom Civil War ended, you've been one bored pain in the ass.

I chuckled. Partly because he was right.

We walked past a halfway decent restaurant that I enjoyed Mr. Mishima's Mandarin and we walked in.

Let get some grub.

Yeah, you better stock up on what real food you can get ahold of. I can't imagine Mercenary outfits eat much better than the military.

All the better to take advantage of that now don't you think?

Point taken.

We laughed some more and I turned to the Hostess.

Just two where there's room.

Right this way.

[Gen Miyamoto]

I stepped out into the balmy dusk of Gallen Hieghts after the debriefing, taking in the city's charm. I was headed out to take care of some buisness, namley taking care of a replacement for my destroyed Centurioun. As a free-agent, the burden of mech costs were placed upon my shoulders and I was none too happy about my brief performance.

"8:23" I announced as I looked at my watch. I thought better of mech hunting after normal buisnss hours, I had made a promise to Bravo lance for drinks and I had about an hour and a half to find this "Flamming Wreckage" bar. I hailed a hover-taxi and slipped in alone.

[Wedge Lourde]

I was standing around in the theatre district after I had parked my new transport, when I saw Commander Miyamoto walk into a local pub.

I crossed the street, and put away my handheld, and pulled out some loose bills.

When I walked in, I was greeted with a foul stench of alchohol. I walked to where Miyamoto was sitting, and I sat next to him.

"Good day, Miyamoto. Would you like a drink?"

"Hello, Lourde. Drinks on me. What would you like?"

"Mmmm... I've always stuck with the good old Inferno. Y'know, it's 6 C's in these parts now."

"G'imme an Inferno, and a shot of Tequila for starters."

"Coming right up, sir."

"So, are you enjoying Gellen?"

[Gen Miyamoto]

Wedge and I sat in the Cantina for a moment, among all the other Legionnaires, making light conversation as alot of people tried to come down from the staggeringly tense series of OPs. Bravo team made sure to have me make good on my deal, swiftly ordering swarms of drinks, like a good merc should.

I liked to start myself with a shot of strong liquor. It warms the throat and tells the stomach that friends are on thier way. "So, are you enjoying Gallen?"

"Well, I had a lot of paper work to tie up after debriefing so I haven't been anywhere yet. I don't really have a plan, just going to see what there is."

Suddenly, one of the newwer members to the Legionnaires rose and up began to deliver a sloshed speech to his lancemates. I ordered up some whiskeys and preparred for a relaxing evening.

Wedge, you may want to watch the Cantina, that seems to be where the action is.

[Wedge Lourde]

I woke up in some kind of chair, and I threw up.

"He's drunk." Said a voice. I opened my eyes to see myself in a dark jail cell, and I had a terrible head ache.

"Wedge Jamison Lourde, please come with me."

A gate was opened, and I was lead into a small room with a computer and a holo-computer.

"You may make one contact. You may not take longer than 5 minutes."

I entered Maxwell's address on the computer, and began a holo-message.


=MESSAGEBEG=

"Captain Maxwell, I have been imprisoned for drinking please come bail me out... If you get this message, I'm... I'm sorry I broke the law... I never told you I was only 20... I'm sorry, please don't... Your time is up, please end the..."

=MESSAGEEND=

I was put back in my tiny cell, and given a cup of water.

I threw up again, and sat on the stone bench, praying that Captain Maxwell would come and bail me out... I began to cry, and I fell asleep.

[Captain Benjamin Maxwell]

The Humvee tore down the sprawling highway that led into Gellen's Heights, its headlights casting twin ovals on the road before us. Twin suits of Longinus Battle Armor clung to the vehicle's sides as Technician Forrester piloted us toward the city's government sector. I yawned sleepily, the aftereffects of the Steiner PPC finally starting to take hold, as my eyes slowly closed. The next thing I knew, a hand was nudging my shoulder.

"Captain. Captain. We're here, sir."

I opened my eyes. Our vehicle sat before the sweeping, regal entrance of a Romanesque building marked "Metropolitan Police." The Longinus pair had already disembarked, and stood waiting a few scant meters away. I quickly opened the passenger door, nodding to Technician Forrester, and stepped out into the cool night air.

We made our way up the grand marble staircase, passing through the ornate doorway, and stopping before an equally-imposing precinct desk. The Sergeant of the Watch looked up at us from his chair, an expression of fear flickering across his face as he noticed the ferrosteel giants standing behind me, their rebreathers hissing loudly in the confines of the lobby.

"C...can I help you, sir?"

I leaned an arm on the counter.

"Sergeant...I'm Captain Benjamin Maxwell of the Legionnaires mercenary unit. I understand you're holding one of my men for an alcohol violation. What will it take to get him released?"

The Sergeant shuffled some paperwork, avoiding eye contact with the Battle Armors as best he could.

"Five thousand C-Bills for the fine, plus eighty C-Bills for court costs."

I glanced at my heavily-armed escorts, a look of mock horror on my face. Removing the company credit tube from my breast pocket, I handed it to the Sergeant. A few keystrokes and a retinal scan later, the Sheratan government was five thousand-eighty C-Bills richer, and we were being led back to the holding cells. The Sergeant stopped at a small corner cell, which reeked of vomit and feces. Unlocking the door, he strode in, and yanked the blanket off of a fetally-positioned figure laying on a concrete bed. It was MechWarrior Lourde.

"Well, well, MechWarrior...you've had quite the evening."