Simulator Mission V: Proving Ground

[Captain Benjamin Maxwell]

I stepped into the battle simulator and waited for Wedge to join me. As a new member of the Legionnaires, Wedge had just submitted the specifications for his Thanatos-class BattleMech, and I wanted to ensure that any kinks in the design would be worked out ahead of time. The simulator was the ideal place - and realistically - the only place - this could currently be accomplished, as our current position - low orbit over New Rochelle - did not lend itself well to actual field tests.

"Captain Maxwell - I hope I'm not late!" Wedge exclaimed, as he dashed into the simulator, "I'm still learning my way around the DropShip."

"Not a problem at all, Recruit. In fact, I just finished loading your 'Mech's specifications into the database, and, when you're ready, we can begin the combat tests. I suggest the Tau Ceti IV village defense test. I'll be joining you in this one, as I've been running some figures to improve the efficiency of my Stone Rhino, and I'd like to put it through some simulated paces as well. Let me know when you're ready to get started."

I keyed a command into the simulator's control podium, and a three-dimensional mission brief flickered into life, suspended in the center of the chamber.

____________________________

- Incoming Coded Message -- Command Instruction Follows -
- Decode Sabre Protocol - GALxBravo 182nd: 2nd -
- Disseminate by need only -
____________________________

Operation Codname: Lone Wolf
Planet: Tau Ceti IV
Terrain: Tropical hills
Time: Day

NARRATIVE:

We have received reports of an incursion of an unspecified nature taking place near the fishing village of Sonoma. Details are sketchy at this time, but reports have indicated that a lance of renegade tanks has taken the town by force, and is terrorizing the citizens. Intel has also reported a scout-class BattleMech in the area. Orbital satcams have identified it as an Uller.

The mayor has called upon the Legionnaires for assistance. Because the majority of our forces are heavily engaged elsewhere, we can only spare a single BattleMech for this operation. The success of this operation, therefore, rests upon you, MechWarrior.

Engage and destroy all hostiles, and route the intruders from the city. Terminate any and all resistance you encounter with extreme prejudice. Leave no hostile forces intact.

The Uller must also be located and eliminated, MechWarrior. Do not, under any circumstance, disengage until this has been accomplished.

Collateral damage to civillian structures and assets must be kept to a minimum. Civillian fatalities are unacceptable. Deviation from this directive will result in disciplinary action.

Fight well, MechWarrior. We're counting on you.

- TRANSMISSION ENDS -

____________________________

Sender: Captain Benjamin Maxwell
Encryption Priority: HIGH
HPG Relay 29XA01-OMEGA-9184
Recieved: OP Comp. 0700 Standard Terran Time
____________________________

As the briefing concluded, the holoprojection equipment faded away, and Wedge and I found ourselves standing on the upper gantry of a simulated replica of the Tau Ceti IV BattleMech facility, our respective 'Mechs parked to either side of us.

A bittersweet realization of where we were spawned a mental note to have the techs remove our former home from the simulation.

[Wedge Lourde]

As I ran across the hall to the simulator, I yelled to the Captain to reassure him I had found my way around. I stepped into the simulator room just in time to read a message from command. Then, As the lights faded, Maxwell and I found ourselfs next to our mechs in a Dropship, techs moving about making final repairs. The doors of the ship were open, and in the distance was a small town. There was smoke rising from a 30 Ft. building, and tanks dotted around the landscape.

I climbed aboard my mech, and began a Hot Reactor Startup. The 20 minute wait would give Maxwell and I time to make a plan. None of the patroling tanks seemed to notice the Dropship sitting on the hill...



"Captain Maxwell, what is the plan?"

"I think I have and idea."

"Sir?"

"Tanks are not the problem. That Uller is the biggst threat."

"I don't think I understand. One shot of my cannons, and he's left for dead!"

"Good, but you must remember that really nothing but a heavy Assault mech can live through a mech's meltdown procces. We would have all hostiles eliminated, but there wouldn't be much left of Sonoma to see. This is a very small city, and most of the action goes on in the heart. The patrols would be where the action is. And as in any civilian rescue-and destroy mission, We don't want the target AND the objective dead."

"I see. What do we do?"

"Here's what we'll do. We'll take out the tanks. Don't even waste ammo, unless your enemy poses a threat. Squash 'em. As for the Uller, we'll lead him away from the city and show him to never mess with civilans again."

"Good plan."

"Recruit Wedge, your callsign for this Op is: Snake-3.
As for me, I'll still be know as... Bishop-2."

"Yes sir! Ready for a squash party?"

Less power was needed, because there were less mechs to power up. A com light winked once, an acknowlagement from Maxwell, saying go.

I stepped out of the dropship behind Maxwell who was also in an 80 Foot walking tank, ready for orders and action. This was my time to prove my skill in difficult situations. I was where I belonged, on the field. I was ready. It was time to show what I'm made of.

[Captain Benjamin Maxwell]

"Okay, Snake-3 - you are lead for this run. Patching into your C3 system now."

My 100-ton Stone Rhino fell in alongside the substantially lighter Thanatos, which ran at half speed to allow my Assault-class 'Mech to keep up. As we pounded toward the village, we were immediately greeted by a hail of autocannon fire from the first of several lances of hovertanks and treaded vehicles we would be encountering this run. Their light fire didn't even puncture my 'Mech's armor, and I plodded straight for them, crushing a Condor under one of the Stone Rhino's massive feet as I dispatched a Regulator with twin gauss rounds that easily imploded its main turret, finding their mark deep within the tank's internal structure.

The simulation was definitely never designed with an Assault 'Mech in mind, let alone one that was accompanied by a 75-ton Heavy, so I tried to keep the amount of 'fun' I had with this run to a minimum. This was, after all, Wedge's moment to prove himself, and he seemed to be taking delight in kicking the lightly armored tanks across the landscape as we neared the village.

Always a good sign.

My threat indicators lit up as we entered the outer perimeter of the Sonoma fishing village. Townsfolk fled in terror as the Uller, identified by the planetary militia through their network of spy satellites, thundered down the town's dirt roads, crushing sidewalk cafes, vendor carts, and vehicles under its feet as it rampaged wildly, oblivious to our presence. I maneuvered my Stone Rhino off to the side, and keyed open my comm unit.

"Alright, Snake-3. This one's yours. Let's see what you've got."

"Roger that, Bishop-2. Engaging."

[Wedge Lourde]

There was A Stone Rhino mech behind me, as I was lead. We neared the city, and Automatic fire coming from tanks flew past us. We squashed some Condors, Tanks, and Harrasers that were patrolling the area.

"Sir, the've sent a communication to the Patrolling Mech. They know we're here. The'res not much of a threat so, I would request to active passive sensors. For you, anyways. He'll see me on radar and start to chase me. His SRM's don't reach but 100 FT. He'll need to come closer, so I'll draw him into the swamp. I'll activate passive sensor, and I'll come up behind him and destroy him. I won't use Ammo Weapons, So I'll use Energy. Heat won't be much of a problem in this watery area. There's plenty of water."

"Roger that, Snake, less enemies firing at you is a good thing. I'll destroy the tanks in the city. "

"Copy, and try your hardest not to squash civilans. Also, try not to get your mech' nocked of its feet by those autocannons. We'd be safest not to risk communication untill that Uller is dead, so i'll report and and help you squash tanks when my mission is done. Snake out."



I saw a red circle on my radar. There it was. Perfect. As I started for the woods, the circle came closer to me. Red lasers flew by me. This would be an easy fight. I went behind a some foliage, activated "Radar Camoflouge", As my old team on Kentares called it, and crouched my Mech. The Mouse was coming to the Snake. Perfect.

[Captain Benjamin Maxwell]

The Uller charged across town, smashing through houses and knocking shrubbery aside as it made its way straight toward Sergent Lourde's Thanatos. I followed it with my targeting reticule as it moved. My Stone Rhino commanded such overwhelming firepower that it would be so easy to obliterate the tiny scout 'Mech in a single Alpha strike. But I held my fire, as I wanted to see how Wedge handled this. Besides, his Thanatos had the Uller outclassed by a serious margin, and I doubted he would have any trouble.

A tourist peered out of the window of a nearby cottege, and started snapping holographs of my Stone Rhino as it stood guard over the town's fish market.

I sighed.

They made these simulations entirely too real sometimes.

[Wedge Lourde]

I crouched My mech. The foolish Uller was moving around, so I could hear him.

"Sir, I don't see him! He ran away, I think he's afraid of..."

His voice was cut off by a PPC to the back. I continued to puncture his mech with my MLAS, and I activated my LAMS. His simple SRM's missed my mech with every round he wasted. Another PPC blasted and destroied his left leg. Then, there was smoke, fire, and destruction. His mech detonated, and he didn't eject. He had been defeated, and I didn't have a scratch.

It was too easy, Maxwell. He stopped moving after the First PPC.

Maxwell and I formed up and squashed the remaining tanks. It was all set up for us. Although there wasn't a doubt, I smiled and reported: Mission Complete. Maxwell and I walked back to the ship. It was over.

[Captain Benjamin Maxwell]

The scenery whisked away, with the earth and sky dissolving into the obsidian-colored grids which were the simulator's floor and walls. Sergeant Lourde stood before me, a look of anticipation on his face.

"Well done, Sergeant. You showed remarkable restraint in the face of what could have been a very easy kill. Tactics such as yours save lives and spare property, a mindset not so common in this age. Congratulations."

I snapped a salute.