Operation 2 : MoonShield II

[MechWarrior Sergei Zhukov]

While waiting for Captain, I stood guard. It was rather humorous considering that the Blakists could simply use another Nuke.

After a few minutes, we were preparing to move out. I fell into formation opposite of Spectre-5 and ran a system check. Once I saw green across the board, I checked my armor levels.

Still in the yellow. Bah, I just hope that the ejection system works.

Spectre-4 reporting I'm in formation and ready to perform my duties. All systems are green, ammo at 100% and armor at 65%.

[General John "Aegis" Murlance]

It was dark, and hot. The acrid smell of burning plastic and insulation wafted past my nostrils, as thr crackling of exposed live wires echoed through the compartment in which I was now entombed. I could hear yelling, and a great deal of clanging and milling about somewhere beyond the steel bulkhead under which I had been pinned, and I knew a rescue effort was underway. But I could not move, much less cry out for help.

I had been running along "C" deck, making my way toward one of the ship's exit gangways, when the blast hit. It sounded like a thunderous concussion the grew louder and louder, to the point that it became unbearable, and when it reached that point, it hit the Thorin broadside, shredding through the ship's thin internals with a banshee shriek that must be experienced firsthand to be truly understood.
The ship's lights flickered, then extinguished entriely as the freight train of a shockwave barreled through, crushing decks and destroying superstructure as it tore down its path of destruction. There was a massive explosion near the drive housings, and I was thrown to the deck, a massive support beam crashing from the ceiling and falling across my chest and legs. The bulkhead it was supporting fell inward, compacting the beam further against my ribs and chest. I cried out as several bones exploded under the pressure, and my breath started coming only in short gasps as I slowly began to be suffocated by the extreme weight of the wreckage. The combination of pressure and pain began to overwhelm me, threatening to tear me from consciousness, as I fought to stay awake.

I don't know how long the ordeal lasted, but I did, ultimately, succumb, and when I came to, I found myself entombed in the remains of the once-great vessel, unable to speak or move. The sound of weapons fire echoed outside, affording an interesting backdrop to the sounds of the rescue effort. I tried to keep alert by guessing which weapons were being fired based on their sounds. Gauss rifles were easy to detect, as well as PPCs and Thunderbolt missiles. Autocannons were the easiest - the shotgun-like concussion they emitted was a distinct, sweet sound to any seasoned MechWarrior who had fired them.

Eventually, I grew tired of counting weapons, and sought to focus my mind instead on trying to identify the 'Mechs that were fighting based on their footsteps. I didn't get very far, however, before I heard an announcement echo across the bases' P.A. system that sent a chill down my spine.

"Attention. Attention. This is Commander Marcus, installation commander of the Free Worlds' League firebase Scorpio. All civillians must immediately prepare for off-world evacuation. This is not a drill. Pack only what you can carry, and board the nearest DropShip. Dustoff will commence in 30 minutes. Evacuation begins now."

I heard a great deal of commotion outside, and the clanging of tools being dropped as the civillian rescuers left their posts to evacuate. The ConstructionMech, which had been digging through the Thorin's remains, went stomping off, and I was left in silence. A great deal of yelling could still be heard, but it, too, faded, as my brain slowly began to succumb to asphyxia.

Whenever I envisioned my own death, I always thought homocide would be involved. Funny how things turn out...

[Lieutenant Kei-teh Kintaru]

"Attention. Attention. This is Commander Marcus, installation commander of the Free Worlds' League firebase Scorpio. All civillians must immediately prepare for off-world evacuation. This is not a drill. Pack only what you can carry, and board the nearest DropShip. Dustoff will commence in 30 minutes. Evacuation begins now."

Oh god…

The civilians immediately gave up the salvage and ran towards the base, dropping their cutting tools and making a full dash for Scorpio command centre. I looked at Captain Maxwell. He didn’t waste anytime looking around at the civilians, he pressed on cutting away at scraps of metal in hopes of finding the General. I was in too places. I was enraged at the fact that these civilians had just dumped the salvage mission… but on the other hand they needed to get out, and I didn’t think I could manage to see another civilian fall.

While I was deep in thought, the ConstructionMech that was near us dropped a large shaft of metal and turned to face the base. I darted after the mech that was about to leave.



“WAIT! We need that mech!!” I shouted in an effort to stop the pilot of the mech. The mech plodded on, gradually picking up it’s speed. I shouted again, but my voice was drowned out my the roar of sirens coming from a civilian ambulance that was charging past me. The ambulance was filled with civvies, some were even on the roof. The ConstructionMech powered down, and the pilot slid down the emergency ladder and waved down the ambulance. The ambulance travelled a little over walking speed as the pilot jumped aboard.

Lucky him… now is my chance!

I jumped into the mech and powered it up. The control system was a little different from any battle mech I had piloted. The weapon systems were replaced with controls for the manipulators, crushing jaws etc. Driving it was a synch, and I plodded along at maximum speed towards the Thorin. The thudding of the mech's foot steps made Maxwell look up at me.


“Sir! We don’t have long till the WOB hits here! Where do I start?” I shouted over the megaphone system. Time was not on our side, or the Generals (if he was still alive). The WOB could even launch another nuke… That thought sent a chill down my spine. God help us if that happened. The Captain seemed to have no idea at first, his eyes trailed along the wreckage that was the Thorin.

“Try over to the far left, where deck B or C used to be. I think I’m above the Generals cabin, so if he isn’t here he has got to be along that route somewhere!” Maxwell shouted, with desperation in his tone. He knew that the WOB could easily cripple us if we weren’t prepared. And right now, with 3 of Spectre Lance currently not on the battlefield. If we wanted any hope of finding the General and saving him, now was the time. Things were not looking good.

Aegis… where the hell are you damn it?!

I began to dig the manipulator arms into the rubble…

[Captain Adam "Gunman" Wolf]

Continueing my scanning of the horizon, I kept a close eye on the 2 dust clouds steadily getting larger and closer. Without taking my eyes from the disturbances for more than a few moments, I made my way around to the backside of the base to see how things were with Captain Maxwell. As I glanced back, my stomach felt like it dropped clear down to my feet and my heart just dissappeared into a black hole. Funny how such feelings can be caused by seeing the utter destruction of things and people so close to you. Snapping my view back to the disturbances in the distance I almost started to panic as I couldn't find them, but then I saw them again rounding the crest of a distant hill, and breathed a sigh of relief.

Looking back at the wreckage once more, I could see Maxwell still cutting through the debris while a construction 'mech worked away at some heavier debris a little to the left, I figured it was Keith since his NightStar was seen powered down nearby.

Suddenly a swarm of LRM missiles soared down seemingly from the sky heading straight for the base, the LAMS powered up, the turrets aimed up towards the missiles and fired arcing orange laser fire into the missile paths destroying them before they even got close. The LRM turret on the West side of the base only had one pod operational, but returned fire with what sounded like such viciousness as the missiles arced skyward on a return path, checking my radar I still didnt have any tracks, but I knew something must be out there.

Just as the missiles dissappeared from my view, my comm channel lit up, flicking it open, the FWL commander made a quick announcement.

This is Commander Marcus, we have 2 enemy tracks to the left of the base, still visually tracking 2 enemy groups to the North and North East. All non occupied MechWarriors, please report to your 'mechs immediately. All non-essential base personnel, join the civilians in the evac to dropships.

Looking back at the wreckage I could see both Ben and Keith pause for moment from their work, before continueing on at a slightly slower pace, probably trying to decide what to do, I thought. Flipping the comm channel over to just Keith and Ben, hopping they both had their personnel communicators on them. I made the choice for them.

Spectre-1 to Spectre-2 and Spectre-5, Ben and Keith, keep doing the rescue work. We can handle the two 'mechs no problem. The other tracks are still a good 4 clicks out, Leatherneck still has his unit here as well. We need to get as many survivors out of there as we can, including the General. Annoying as he can be, he's tough as nails too. He's alive, I know he is. I've got you guys covered.

Swinging my Battlemech to the right, I head to the west of the base, plodding off at top speed around 60km/h I barrel past the base turret defences and finally pick up a track on my radar. Locking in the target I come to the edge of a hill and get visual contact with the two enemy units at the bottom. An Initiate, and an Anubis. Both of them having their LRM racks just finishing up cycling. Smiling I tore down the hill gaining even more speed, the old BattleMaster chassis creaking and groaning as it accelerated to over 70km/h way faster than it was ever intended to go. The sight of a 85 ton beast barrelling down on them that fast with a Gauss rifle aimed right for them, must have done at least something to their moral, despite being Blakists. I weighed more than both of them combined, and I was charging them at nearly their flank speeds. Chuckling to myself I fired a round from my Gauss rifle, the heavy depleted uranium slug rocketed forth from the barrel and seemingly split the air itself as it left a small electromagnetic wake in its path of destruction. The shaped projectile plowed into the left torso of the Initiate, instantly coring its weak armour and nearly crippling the LRMs mounted there.

The Anubis back pedalled like hell trying to get to a better range for its LRMs, firing its small lasers as it does so. The lasers streak forth from its barrels connecting squarely with my left leg and left torso. The lasers doing little more than melting an inch or two of armour in small little pockets. Nothing to worry about. At that moment the Initiate fired its tri-mounted ER small lasers from its arm directly into my center torso, as the armour melted under the heat, I made a note to myself that 3 small lasers is something to worry about, returning fire with my quad medium lasers, I cored the cut the left arm clear off the damaged Initiate, not even giving him a chance to fire his medium lasers.

As I hit the bottom of the hill I pulled Feral Wolf back to a more manageably speed and began circling to the right of the Initiate, getting the Anubis behind him to avoid most of his fire. As I began the circling one round of LRMs streaked towards me from the left, the missile salvo struck square against the shielded left arm, doing minimal damage but tilting my 'mech slightly to the right. Easily regaining balance, I did my best to keep the Initiate between the Anubis and myself. Firing a salvo of SRMs towards the Initiates exposed left torso, its AMS system fired up and destroyed all 6 missiles on me.

"Damn you stravag," I cursed out loud, as andrenaline pumped wildly through my veins. Pulling the trigger hard I fired the quad lasers into the Initiate's right torso. Once again coring the armour as the emerald beams sliced right through to the internals. Striking the missile loader for his SRM launcher, the heat from the lasers set off an internal ammo explosion, the blast ripping through the medium 'mechs tender internals. The Initiate swung wildly back and to his left as the entire ride side of the 'mech was blown wide open, as the 'mech violently twisted and tried to regain control, I fired and expertly aimed Gauss round right past the contorted frame of the Initiate, the projectile piercing through the smoke and debris and slamming into the Anubis' weak armoured frame. The impact shattered the armour in the center torso with such force that it even cracked the ferro-glass canopy above it the impact. As the Anubis reeled wildly out of control, stumbling over backwards, I turned and fired a finishing round of lasers into the crippled Initiate, the quad emerald beams lancing in from the damaged left torso, the high energy beams ripped through the interals the crippled 'mech, and cored into the reactor and engine of the medium 'mech. Swinging Feral Wolf into a wide swing to the left, I watched in joyous approval of the large reactor explosion to follow as the 'mechs gyro disentegrated slamming into the fully exposed reactor core and setting off a beautiful explosion of light and various debris. Completing my wide swing, I brought my 'mech to rest right by the Anubis. Dropping my right foot down onto the destroyed torso armour, I pinned the helpless 'mech to the ground. Turning my comm channel to an open short range frequency to ensure that he could hear me, I aimed my now reloaded Gauss rifle straight at the head and cracked ferro-glass of the 'mech.

This is what you get for attacking civilians, you Blakist bastard.

Shattered glass and fragmented steel blasted in all directions as I fired my Gauss rifle point blank.

[Captain Benjamin Maxwell]

The ConstructionMech gave a mighty heave as it displaced the fallen bulkhead with a resounding crash. As the dust settled, a crop of brown hair could be seen protruding above a shattered crossbeam, and I frantically waved and gestured at Keith to move the wreckage. Bringing the squat 'Mech's manipulator arms down, he delicately plucked the support from the structure, and tossed it aside, revealing General Kleais' motionless body.

I yelled for Keith to come join me, and leaped across several large piles of rubble to get to his resting place. Reaching across his neck, I frantically groped for a pulse. He was still alive, but his breathing was shallow and his pulse was weak. Blood adorned several spots on his uniform, and a quick assessment revealed several broken bones. It was a miracle he had even survived.

"We've got to get him out of here!" I yelled, as Keith approached.

"Are you sure we can move him safely?" Keith asked, a look of concern spreading across his face.

"No, but it's better than leaving him here. Quick - bring the ConstructionMech over, and see if you can't pick up that door over there. We'll use it as a body board and carry him right into one of the DropShips."

"Right, got it." Keith replied, taking off for his 'Mech. I flipped open my communicator, and put in a call to the Ghosts' DropShip, requesting that their MedBay be on standby for a critical patient. Not waiting for a reply, I stuffed the unit back into my pocket as Keith's ConstructionMech arrived, gingerly lowering the steel blast door just enough for me to move General Kleais onto it. Once I had secured him, I stepped back, and gave him the signal to move out. He replied with a look of confusion, and I motioned toward my Stone Rhino.

I wasn't going to leave my favorite toy behind.

[Captain Adam "Gunman" Wolf]

Coming back out from the small gulley that I just fought in, I saw the Construction 'mech frantically working on a small section of the debris, and then go running off at a rather dangerous speed, grab something and head back. I figured they must have found who they were looking for, which I hoped had been General Aegis Kleais.

I continued to watch while the construction 'mech moved away from the wreckage, gingerly holding a steel board with the body of someone aboard, and heading towards the "Ghosts" dropship that was behind the remains of the Thorin. Shortly afterwards Captain Maxwell's Stone Rhino, Vengeance, powered up and began plodding its way towards the front of the base.

The sound of laser fire and autocannons wrenched my attention back to the front of the base where the first wave of Blakists had just came into firing distance. As the AC turrets let loose with round after round of Armour Piercing shells, they were greeted by the return fire of all sorts of energy weaponry, several beams lancing past the turrets and striking various base structures. Immediately slamming Feral Wolf into flank speed, I charged towards the front of the base, looking for a target as more began to round the hill.

My radar sprang to life with enemy IFFs all over the place, at least six of them to the front and left of the base, with another unit moving in from the front right side a little farther out. Flipping the comm to the FWL frequency, I sent a message to the base to make sure they know of the danger.

Scorpio-1, this is Spectre-1, get those Civilians out of there NOW!! We've got Blakists coming in on all fronts the Civilians have to exit through the rear, its their only chance.

Copy that Spectre-1, we'll take the situation into consideration. Scorpio-1 out.

"You blasted Stravags!" I yelled out within the confines of my cockpit, not bothering to even reply with the comm knowing that it would be useless. They know how dire the situation is, yet they still won't take any sound advice if it comes from a Mercenary.... Those Civilians aren't going to pay on my account though. The sudden scream of missile lock on warnings immediately snapped my full attention to the battle at hand. As a swarm of LRMs beared down on my 'mech, I pulled up to a full stop and swung violently to the left, wrenching on the controls just to maintain my footing as the missiles streaked through the sky arcing towards me and adjusting their trajectory. The shift was just enough to throw the majority of missiles off course enough that they circled around me before hitting the ground. A few found their mark across my center torso, out to my right arm. The damage was spread out so thin that it was nearly negligiable as I brought my 'mech to face down whoever launched those missiles.

Popping up down from behind a hill and using a turret between us as extra cover, I spotted a Griffin, a 55 ton 'mech with decent firepower, but no match for my BattleMaster. Charging towards him I fired a Gauss round at him the next time he popped up, the hyper velocity round slamming into the LRM-15 mounted on his shoulder. The impact nearly knocking the 'mech over as the loaded LRMs were either destroyed or jammed into place, completely disabling the launcher. With its LRMs gone, the Griffin piloted used its jump jets to fly up a little higher and fired off an ER PPC before dropping back to the earth, the shot was badly aimed and flew over my shoulder leaving nothing but a mild EMP static effect for a breif moment. By the time my Gauss rifle cycled, I was at the hill looking down on the now diminuitive Griffin. Firing quad lasers down into him I melted through the various layers of armour across its shoulders and torso. Dropping over the ridge I fired a swarm of SRMs which raced down slamming into his left arm, blowing chunks of armour to the side and my 85 ton 'mech landed a critical blow to the head and right torso by DFAing him as I fell over the hill.

The 'mech was knocked off its feet and down to the base of the hill, and I expertly slide my 'mech the rest of the way down the steep incline managing to keep it upright. With the Griffin still laying on the ground with its weak rear armour exposed, I quickly fired my quad lasers into the center torso easily ripping through the armour and melting internals before firing a crippling blow from the Strk-6, the missiles shredding internal components and vital equipment, I watched as the gyro disentigrated upon itself leaving the Griffin helpless.

3 medium lasers lanced into the rear of my 'mech staggering me forward slightly as the armour disintegrated from the frame, warning sounds and lights blared across the console as my left rear torso armour was demolished, spinning the 'mech around to face my new adversary, I immediately fired a Gauss round which struck the attacking 'mech in the left leg, the armour buckled and then shattered outwards from the impact revealing in some places the internal actuators as the 'mech struggled to remain upright. My C3 computer identified it as a "Raijin" and that it weighed 50 tons, I had never seen it before, but I didnt plan on finding out just how effective it was. Firing quad emerald beams from the chest of Feral Wolf the energy lanced out into the Raijin's turret mounted where its left arm should have been. As the beams hit there was a violent explosion tilting the 'mech to the right as the turret detonated inside itself, leaving nothing but the smouldering remains of what I assumed to be its main weaponry. As I worked my way along the base of the hill towards a natural ramp that would allow me to get back to the base, the Raijin returned fire with a large pulse laser, the beams arcing out and striking me all across my torso and left arm. Leaving dangerously deep molten pockets in my armour after each strike. Figuring that the 'mech must be nearly overheated by now, I fired another round of quad lasers followed up with a swarm of SRMs into the 'mech. The lasers struck the 'mech dead center in the face as he ignited his jump jets and tried to hop over the missiles, but they arced upwards in extremely sharp movements and struck the 'mech across the underbelly and back. The explosion ripping through the weak rear armour and nailing a critical hit on a jump jet, sending the 'mech listing violently to the left out of control. The swarm of 30 LRM missiles indicated that he had come up high enough for the base's LRM turrets to lock on, and as the missiles slammed into the small 'mech I turned and continued up the hill knowing the Raijin would never survive.

Reaching the top of the hill I could see the carnage taking place. The FWL lances were out doing their best to fend off the relentless Blakists. Captain Maxwell's Stone Rhino was currently demolishing the remants of a Blue Flame, one of the few quad 'mechs I had ever seen. The 'Ghosts' were battling it out with the new Assault unit that had arrived, the heavy fighting over there indicated they were almost evenly matched. As I finished surveying the battlefield my 'mech lurched violently forward. As my rear camera went to static I could barely make out the visual of a second Blue Flame, its large lasers still smoking from the discharge.

As I stumbled forward trying to regain control, alarms and klaxons sounded off inside the cockpit nearly defeaning me as warning of internal fires light up the console. Bloody hell you stravag, I called out as the internal SRM stores exploded in my right torso. The resulting explosion send Feral Wolf plowing face first into the dirt. As the CASE II system easily vented off the main force of the explosion, it unfortunately had turned the vents into miniature jets with just enough force to topple me. Internal sensors in the right torso went black indicating there was nothing operational left, not even the lasers. Cursing to myself I struggled to get the 'mech upright as the comm came to life.

This is FWL Firebase Scorpio to all friendly units, the civilian convoy is leaving the base, all units fall back and defend the convoy. I repeat, all units fall back and defend the civilian convoy. We are abandoning Firebase Scorpio.

[Captain Benjamin Maxwell]

Clearly, the pilot of the Blue Flame didn't know how to pick his fights. So preoccupied was he with hammering away at Captain Gunman's 'Mech, that he didn't even notice my behemoth Stone Rhino, which outclassed his diminutive quad 'Mech by an impressive 55 tons, closing into firing range. I drew a bead on the center of the Blue Flame's left flank, and opened fire with my twin gauss rifles and rotary autocannon, bludgeoning the 'Mech with such force that its center of gravity was badly displaced, and it collapsed onto its right side, all four legs sprawled gracelessly on the ground as I plodded toward it for the kill.

Emerald beams of energy spat forth from my Stone Rhino's torso, melting away at the Blue Flame's already badly damaged left flank. I fired my gauss rifles again, this time into the rear left leg, causing the 'Mech to stagger and stumble as it dragged itself to its feet. A gratuitous hammering with my autocannon ensured that the 'Mech was displaced onto the ground again, and I entered into a counter-clockwise circle of death as I locked my LRM-15 launchers onto the beast's cockpit, squeezing the trigger and ending the pilot's life with a barrage of hellfire that left his 'Mech sprawled lifelessly on the ground, smoking badly, core threatening to breach.

Swinging my guns around toward Captain Gunman, I opened the channel.

"We've done all we can here. Let's get the hell off this rock."

[Star Captain Killian Bekker]

A Word of Blake Assault Group ran headlong into the Assault Lance of the FWL Forces and was taking it's toll. While all 4 mechs were still fighting, the current ferocity of the battle indicated that the FWL forces wouldn't last much longer.

FWL Assault Lance, be advised this is Ghost Lance of the Legionnaires. Recommend you pull back to the civilians. We can hold them here.

Affirmative Ghost Lance, we are falling back to the civilians. We hope to see you at dustoff.

Ghost-3, and 4. I know you're outgunned here, but make sure the FWL get the hell outta here and back to the civilians. We can take it from here.


Copy that Ghost-1, we will screen the FWL mechs as best we can and return once the FWL units are clear.

The Assault Lance began to pull away and Ghost-3 in a Hunchback IIc and Ghost-4 in a Bushwacker using their smaller mechs was too much for the Blakists to ignore. They decided to go after the smaller mechs figuring that they'd catch up to the FWL momentarily.

Now it's time to avenge some innocent lives. Ahhhh!

Ghost-2, take the Rifleman, I'm going for the Legacy. We'll worry about the Avatar last.

Affirmative Ghost-1, I have a visual and am engaging.

The Blakist Rifleman tried to get in an Alpha Strike, but Ghost-2's Marauder IIc was just too fast and too far out of the firing arc to catch much of the attack. The Marauder IIc replied with all 3 of it's ER PPCsinto the left leg of the Rifleman. The Rifleman began to limp as the actuators in the left leg were damaged. Ghost-2 now had a much slower opponent who could not dodge the firepower that the Marauder IIc could bring to bear. Ghost-2 now expertly kept himself behind the Rifleman and once the ER PPCs recycled, unloaded an Alpha Strike into the back of the cripppled mech. The armor melted and was cored to the internals. Another blast from the ER PPCs made the reactor go critical as the pilot ejected too late and was immolated in the explosion.

Outweighing me by 15 tons, the Legacy was a force to be reckoned with, but tended to suffer from serious heat issues and I intended to exploit that fact. Just then my comm crackled.

This is FWL Firebase Scorpio to all friendly units, the civilian convoy is leaving the base, all units fall back and defend the convoy. I repeat, all units fall back and defend the civilian convoy. We are abandoning Firebase Scorpio.

Ghost Lance, fall back, but I want us to go wide. Let's not draw the Blakists towards the civilians. So fall back, but do not disengage and allow them to attack any more civilians.

(Ghost Lance units checking in affirming.)

As we began to pull back, another group of Blakist Assault Mechs began to move in. A Rifleman fired oth of it's Light Gauss rifles and hit my left torso.

Well, this is going to get ugly.

[Lieutenant Kei-teh Kintaru]

As I plodded along towards the Ghost’s Drop ship, with hellish gunfire sounding off around the area, I glanced at Aegis. Still unconscious… This isn’t a good sign. I finally reached the drop ship, something that seemed to take forever. As I made my final approach to the open bay doors, a team of medics with a stretcher and something that looked like an advanced dialysis machine, I carefully lowered the improvised stretcher onto the flattest looking surface I could find. As the medics raced around Aegis, gently placing him on their stretcher and giving him a quick check over, they rushed him inside the Drop ship.

Good luck Aegis.

It was all I could say under my breath. I swung the ConstructionMech around and hurried back to the NightStar I still had parked at the Thorin. After I reached the Thorin and exited the ConstructionMech, I raced towards my parked powered down vehicle. But before I did that… something caught my eye. Hanging out of the Thorin rubble was Tou Chou, my original catapult. She was nothing but a skeleton now, only her inner structure was showing. It was lucky the inner core didn’t explode when the nuke did, or else we could of never of found Aegis. I stood looking at Tou Chou, knowing that this could be the last time I ever saw her. And things were certainly looking that way…

Goodbye Tou Chou. You’ll be remembered.


And with that, I took flight towards the NightStar, quite possibly the new Tou Chou. I powered her up straight away. The weapon systems came online, just in time for a horrific sight. I could see in the distance something that looked like a swarm of insects. As it drew nearer and nearer, it became more obvious that they weren’t insects. It was a swarm of angry Blakists, coming to plague the base. However, I didn’t have time to gawk at that sight. Just as I began to back peddle away from the ever nearing swarm, I received a single gauss round to my left arm. My computer systems showed that the single pulse laser the NightStar was equipped with, was damaged and was recommended NOT to be used. I flicked a couple switches, turning the weapon off.


Better safe than sorry

I swung to my left to see a cluster of light mechs charging towards me. Four in total, an Owens’, a Hackman, and two Stilettos. I fired my twin gauss rifles at the Hackman before it had time to recycle his. It crashed the ground, the well placed shot to its feet that I had fired caused the couplings holding the foot in place to buckle under pressure and crash to the floor. As I began to charge up my PPC’s I fired both of my medium lasers at one of the Stilettos, making it stumble as the laser rounds melts various amounts of armour. As I did that, the other Stiletto attempted to scorch me with its Flamer. The flamer was well out of reach, but had managed to give itself and the Owens some visual cover. That didn’t save the Stiletto. The PPC’s were now fully charged, and my systems had locked onto the helpless mech. My PPC round went through the flames and hit the mech square in the cockpit. The Flamer spurted a few last flickers of fire, as it began to moved into a near “spastic powered down” posture. As the shroud of smoke disappeared from the cockpit area, the effect was outstanding. The entire cockpit had ruptured and caved in from the round. Just as I had finished that, my radar showed a large number of SRM’s heading my way. They were a little gift from the Owens. I was so distracted with the first Stiletto, that I hadn’t realised the rockets were closing in on me till it was too late. Five rockets hit my torso area, causing me to take a few steps back but not toppling me over. As soon as I began to charge up my PPC, the Owens back-pedalled away from me and the surviving Stiletto charged towards me. As soon as the Stiletto was close enough, I fired my twin gauss rifle point blank at the mech. This move proved wrong on both of our parts. The Stiletto’s cockpit was destroyed instantly; however it lurched towards me as the mechanisms controlling the legs and feet continued to function for a couple steps, before collapsing on top of me. As I began to fall back I fired the PPC at the Owens, taking its leg clear off forcing it to career to the ground. I crashed on my back, the destroyed Stiletto pinning me down.

“Shit! Get off’a me!!” I shout in frustration. As I looked to my left, I saw the crippled Hackman, climbing to it’s feet… or rather it’s foot. It had managed to stand up normally by putting most of it’s weight into the other foot. Surprisingly it managed to take the weight, and it began to hobble towards me, very slowly. I tried to get up, but the Stiletto was proving that difficult. I couldn’t even aim from my position. In frustration, I punched buttons into the computer, stamped on the gas peddle, jostled the controller stick in a futile attempt to shift the Stiletto. It was beginning to budge, however the Hackman was getting closer and closer, making ever second feel like an agonising hour.]

“This is FWL Firebase Scorpio to all friendly units, the civilian convoy is leaving the base, all units fall back and defend the convoy. I repeat, all units fall back and defend the civilian convoy. We are abandoning Firebase Scorpio.” My comms blared out as I haplessly tried to get myself free.


“MOVE YOU FAT BITCH!” I screamed at the Stiletto. If the mech could smile, it would be smiling evilly at my right now. A single gauss rifle round to my exposed cockpit could end my life, and with each hobbling step the Hackman was getting closer to accomplishing it’s mission. I struggled more with the Stiletto and contemplated about abandoning the mech. I opened up the comms.

“Spectre Lance this is Spectre – 5. I am in dire need of assistance!” I shouted down the mic. The Hackman took another step closer…

[MechWarrior Sergei Zhukov]

“Spectre Lance this is Spectre – 5. I am in dire need of assistance!”

This is Spectre-4, I have a visual Spectre-5. Looks like you could use some help.

An Alpha Strike to the Owens while it was trying to right itself quickly dispatched it as internal ammo explosions rocked the mech and it fell silent.

I turned and placed my crosshairs on the Hackman's functioning leg and fired a gauss round. The crackle of superheated air from the round was music to my ears as it sailed into the Hackman's leg which was already overworked and toppled it like a child's toy.

Not today stravag...

While Spectre-5 struggled to right his Nightstar pinned by the Stiletto, I turned towards the Hackman that was moving in. I fired both of my ER Medium Lasers coring a hole into the armor. As I moved closer to the downed mech, I saw the Hackman pilot trying to escape and he began running towards Spectre-5's Nighstar.

Persistent little bastard aren't you.

Moving Panther into position I sped towards the pilot now trying to get to Spectre-5 and avoid my lasers at the same time. However, he couldn't find sufficient cover and I crushed the Blakist with my mech.

Ooops. Heh heh.

I moved towards Spectre-5 and kicked the Stilletto the best I could with my 55 ton Shadowcat. Eventually, between my hitting the mech and the Nightstar's motion to get back up, Spectre-5 finally was able to right his mech.

Hey Spectre-5, did ya miss me?

[Captain Benjamin Maxwell]

As Gunman and I charged toward the Ghost DropShip, we passed by an engagement between Keith's Nightstar, Zhukov's Shadowcat, and a Blakist Stiletto. I wanted to intervene, but I could not risk disengaging from my escort of the Captain's crippled Battlemaster just to go blow a few holes in an already trashed lesser threat. Besides, it appeared that the two Legionnaires already engaged with it had things well under control. I was content to fire for effect in the general vicinity of the 'Mech as I passed by, no doubt scaring the hell out of the already badly outguned Blakist.

We arrived at the DropShip moments later, and Gunman dragged his Battlemaster into a nearby stall, while I stood guard at the entrance to the vessel, obliterating VTOLS and tanks that foolishly attempted to engage the retreating friendlies.

Suddenly, my EWS alarm began to wail, and I glanced down at my C3 console to see an Emergency Action Message scrolling across its screen. My face paled as I read it:

BLAKIST ORBITAL FORCES BEGINNING NUCLEAR STRIKE. RECOMMEND IMMEDIATE EVACUATION.

No shit...I have no intention of staying for THAT party...

I slammed my fist down on my comm toggle.

"This is Spectre-2 to all Legionnaire units - get back to the DropShip on the double. We have to get off this rock NOW!"

[Lieutenant Kei-teh Kintaru]

Hey Spectre-5, did ya miss me?

"Im in your dept, thanks alot Spectre - 4" I replied, straightening the NightStar and adjusting my self in the cockpit.

"When we get back, drinks are on me" I added, hopeing we wouldn't be going to the Cantina after all this.
Looking to my right i saw the Swarm of Blakists growing closer.


This isn't looking good is it?The sergeant said in a steady tone.


"Nope... not good at all."[color=RedI replied, checking over the console. The computer analysis showed i had 75% armour remaining and 78% ammunition left.[/color]


Ready to stand your ground Kintaru?

"My family brought me up to BE ready sir..." I said, aiming my gauss rifle at the growing mass. It was still out of range, but if those Blakist bastards were prepared i was going to maek sure i wasnt going to be caught off gaurd. We spread out a little from our current formation and stood waiting. Seconds felt like minutes. Minutes felt like hours. Time again seemed to slow down for me... the calm before the storm.


"This is Spectre-2 to all Legionnaire units - get back to the DropShip on the double. We have to get off this rock NOW!"

My consentration shifted, as if i was slapped around the face. I flicked the comms open to the Sergeant.


"Best we make our move Sir."

"All ready ahead of you kid." Replied Sergei, as he began to move in the direction of the Ghost's Dropship. I followed him at maximum speed, ensuring that i would get back safely. As we made our approach, Maxwell's Stone Rhino was firing at a group of WOB tanks and troopers who were making a vain attempt to attack the ship. Giving a helping hand, Segei and I continued to walk OVER the tanks and troopers crushing them to death. And though it was morbid to think this... each crunch was a satisfying sound to my ears. These bastards were paying for their sins. Murdering civialians was something i certainly didn't abide by. With these thoughts milling in my head, i thought about Zep, wishing he could have made it out of this hell hole alive.


Rest in peace Zep

As we reached the bay doors, i quickly settled the NightStar into the correct area and opened the comms to Maxwell.


"Spectres 4 and 5 are inside the bay Spectre 2. Repeat, Sectres 4 and 5 are inside the bay sir." I spoke into the comms, giving out a sigh of reliefe. Time to get off this shit hole once and for all...

[Captain Benjamin Maxwell]

As the final elements of Spectre lance and the Ghost units began to filter into the DropShip's 'Mech bay, I backed my Stone Rhino in, continuing to fire into the fray that was rapidly approaching us. The 'Mech bay doors slid closed as soon as we were aboard, and I heard a hiss as the bay itself pressurized. We were loaded beyond capacity, and without enough stalls to accomodate all the 'Mechs and vehicles that had crammed aboard, several pilots were forced to remain in their cockpits for the duration of the flight, maintaining their machines' senses of balance to prevent them from toppling over under the gravitational shifts and fluxes of space travel. My Stone Rhino had a very low center of gravity, however, and I felt comfortable leaving it crouched and parked as the vessel’s crews prepped for takeoff.

As I exited my ‘Mech, I heard several thunderous concussions erupting against the hull as a flight of missiles slammed into the side of the DropShip. There was a great deal of yelling, and alarms sounded off as the Ghost crews manned their battlestations. Yet the DropShip itself remained on the pad, and the fusion drives remained quiet. I grabbed a nearby tech and demanded an explanation.

“You there! Crewman…Edwards. Why hasn’t the Captain given the order to dust off?? Are we just going to sit here?"

[Star Captain Killian Bekker]

As the last of evacuees boarded the Dropship Jinmu Tenno, I began arguing with the Chief Enginner about the extra tonnage aboard.

Sir, we are almost double the recommended dustoff tonnage. I'm not so sure we can get off, let alone manuever.

Well, I don't know either. I will tell you this though. We will die sitting here and if we don't make it off this rock, we won't know it anyhow. So if you don't mind, if we are going to die, I'd like to die trying to save these people.

At this point the Chief Engineer paused, siged and then began to belt out orders with a fiery passion.

Alright, gimme everything we got. If it's not essential for weapons, comms or maneuvering, I want the resources pumped into getting us off this rock and into orbit.

As the Dropship lurched and creaked under the added tonnage that was close to the ships breaking point and well outside of the ships safe operating limits. Slowly, but surely the Jinmu Tenno dusted off and began plodding it's way towards the awaiting Jumpship.

Close all viewports, secure all bulkhead doors and stay on your toes. We are off the ground, but I don't think that they are going to let us go that easy.

Sir! Inbound Aerotech Fighters. With all the added weight, we aren't going to be able to maneuver well enough to fight effectively.

Well, if it were easy we wouldn't be elite. Time to call in a favor.

Raise Agent Starlight. I think it's high time to call in my overdue favor.

Connected sir. Full Security Protocols. Line is secure.

Agent Starlight, you know that favor you owe me?

Yes? What is it?

We are exiting the planet's atmosphere and preparing to vacate the Rochelle System. Think you can offer a hand?

You ask the obvious Dillenger. We are heavily engaged with the Blakist's fleet, but I'm sure we can spare some fighters to help you out some.

Outstanding. I hope you aren't going to get yourself killed.

It's a bit late for that sort of talk isn't it?

Understood. Do your best. Out.

Sir, we are taking heavy damage on all sides, we won't make it at this rate!

The fighters we hammering away at the overworked fusion drives of the Junmu Tenno. Few of the fighters were being taken out, but they were much faster than many of the weapons could track.

Inbound friendlies sir. There looks to be a small squadron approaching. Unknown who they belong to sir!

Very well, keep an eye on them, but as far as I'm concerned as long as they shoot the other guy, I could care less who they are.

The newly arrived fighters began firing and were making quick work of the Blakist AeroTech Fighters.

15 minutes of frenzied combat later and the Jinmu Tenno exited Rochelle's atmosphere and began approaching the Samurai's Destiny. The fighters stayed and escorted the dropship as it made it's way to the big JumpShip.

Sir, beginning docking procedures. Sensors report that there is heavy naval warfare and that the battle will soon involve us.

This is Commander Dillenger. Make preparations for an immediate jump out of the Rochelle system. Let's not stick around to see how big the Blakist Navy is.

Aye aye sir. We have confirmation that there are two warships. One is a Destroyer Class and the other is a Carrier that are on flanking postions of the Samurai's Destiny.

Better hope they are friendly...

[Captain Benjamin Maxwell]

I pounded down the corridors of the unfamiliar DropShip, the sound of my boots clanging against the metal deck grating mingling with the wail of the ship's alert klaxons. I followed signage up several staircases and across a few twisting, turning decks until, at last, I arrived at the entrance to the infirmary. I stepped through the hatch, nodding to several armed guards as they warily allowed me to pass, and arrived at General Kleais' biobed.

It was empty.

"Looking for me, Captain?" came the all-too familiar voice, a tenor with a slight Lyrian accent. I whirled around to find General Kleais standing behind me, his torso covered in bone-knitting bandages, shrugging his uniform top on as he repressed several expressions of pain.

"General Kleais...you-"

"Are alive, thanks to you and Kintaru. The medics filled me in. I am in debt to you. And I intend to take advantage of the opportunity to repay you now."

"What did you have in mind?"

"This."

With that, General Kleais produced a tiny device that was instantly recognizable. It was an MRBC emergency transponder, standard issue to high-ranking officers of the esteemed review board. When activated, the device sent a high-powered signal containing positioning and identification data across the HPG network, which relayed the data packet to the nearest allied unit within range. Kleais knew something I didn't.

"How can you be sure we won't get a freighter with that thing?"

"If we do, it'll at least buy us some time to get the hell out of here. In either case, I'm not certain how much of a beating these friends of yours can truly handle. I'll take whatever help I can get." Kleais chuckled, punching the "transmit" button.

Outside the diminutive DropShip, chaos ensued as the Samurai's Destiny and the Kerensky weathered a firestorm of Naval PPC and Naval gauss bombardment, returning fire as savagely as they received it. The Kerensky was taking the brunt of the punishment, and listed badly to port as fire erupted from wounds in the JumpShip's ravaged hull. Its fusion drives were beginning to develop cool blue fractures around their housings, and both fleets knew that it was only a matter of time before the vessel fell...