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Post by Lance Commander Marcus Taylor on Jul 14, 2005 13:40:40 GMT -5
Spectre-2 to all units: I think we can call it clear out here.
I copy that Spectre-2. However, upon closer inspection, it seems that I snapped several boards in my neurohelm interface, jammed one of my pedals and I'm getting zero response from any other controls.
Can you right yourself Spectre-4?
Negative Spectre-2. I think that the dual Heavy Gauss rounds to the back coupled with my mechs resulting acrobatics did more than what I can see from here.
The air hung with silence for a moment as I waited for the intended course of action. I watched as Spectre-2s Raven began approaching and surveying the damage from the outside.
Spectre-4, I can't see the extent of the damage on the rear, but you've got a good deal of rock and debris jamming up your hips. The front is pretty mashed up too and you're missing an LRM-5 rack.
Ah, damn. I was afraid of that. I knew about the front and the LRM-5 rack.
I popped the hatch on my prone Bushwacker and climbed out. What I saw was a total mess. I saw huge creases of armor that had melted away from the Fafnir's punishing laser array and I could see the scorch marks from the LRM-5 rack that was torn away. Thankfully, the ammo didn't explode.
I walked around and checked the hip which was thoroughly jammed with rock from the force of the impact. Portions of the foot were torn and I could see the jagged edge of a shattered foot actuator.
Spectre-4 to Spectre-2, my mech is in bad shape, but she's in good shape for the shape she's in. I figure they can fix this for the most part, nothing critical, save for a busted foot actuator.
Affirmative Spectre-4. I'll contact Echo-1 and see if we can get you a salvage rig. Hang tight.
I pulled out an energy bar and climbed atop my mech's leg and sat down.
Affirmative Spectre-2, I'm not going anywhere.
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Post by Captain Benjamin Maxwell on Jul 14, 2005 13:54:51 GMT -5
Hearing the radio traffic, I brought my Hellhound to a stop, and swung it around to face the section of battlefield where Corporal Taylor's 'Mech lay.
"Miyamoto - stand by, one. Spectre-4, nice mess you've got there. With five pilots either down or missing, we need all the firepower we can get. I'm calling in the Liberty."
"Copy that, Echo-1. I'll stand by for DropShip extraction."
I switched over to the tight-beam uplink that allowed direct communication with the Liberty.
"DropShip Liberty, this is Echo-1. We've got several 'Mechs down out here, and the tac situation is dicey. We could use the extra firepower, if you're in any position to relocate to my transponder coordinates."
There was a pause.
"Echo-1, this is Yeoman Hobson aboard DropShip Liberty. We're all buttoned up here, sir - expect us to touch down at your location in approximately one-five minutes. We'll be coming in weapons hot."
"Roger that, Liberty. You'll be a sight for sore eyes."
Suddenly, there came a rumble from the spaceport. A vessel was ascending from the wreckage of one of the hangers - and its transponder was switched off - a good indication that something was very wrong. My comm unit crackled to life with the voice of Corporal Schuster.
"Sir....that's the Oracle! There's no reason anyone should be at the controls! We need to shut it down!"
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Nicholas Schuster
Regular
DECEASED
"Blakists are like a virus. And WE are the cure."
Posts: 139
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Post by Nicholas Schuster on Jul 14, 2005 14:16:08 GMT -5
"Sir....that's the Oracle! There's no reason anyone should be at the controls! We need to shut it down!"
"Copy. Try disabling it - I don't want to destroy the ship with Zhukov and Kintaru in the spaceport. Your Gauss rifle should be more than enough to knock out its drives."
I charged my Shadow Cat forward, running toward the spaceport as the vessel lifted off. I leveled my crosshairs on the Oracle's engine manifolds, and waited for the reticule to turn red. As soon as it did, I sqeezed the trigger.
Nothing. I checked my weapon status indicator.
[glow=red,2,300]AMMUNITION JAM[/glow] DAMN!
I ejected several gauss rounds through the feed port, trying to clear the weapon. But it was still jammed. To add insult to injury, my laser suite was completely gone and firing SRMs at the Oracle was much too risky. But then, I remembered the stunt I had seen Miyamoto pull earlier.
I throttled up to full, charging down the sloping embankment that laid before the spaceport. As soon as I got to within a hundred meters of the hanger, I fired my Jump Jets, and sailed through the air. As soon as I was above the Oracle, I shut them off, and my 'Mech began to drop like a rock. With a huge crash, I landed on one of the ship's horizontal stabilizers. The weight of my 'Mech caused the ship to list severely to port, and I fired my jets again, crashing down on the spot I had landed on the first time. The strees of a second impact was too much for the little transport to handle, and the stabilizer tore off, sending my Shadow Cat and the Oracle both crashing back to earth. I managed to get one last shot off with my Jump Jets before I hit the ground, and I was spared the worst of the impact. I levelled my weapons on the wrecked ship as two ejection pods rocketed away from the ship's roof, disappearing into the night sky before I could get an SRM lock on them.
"Echo-1...the Oracle is down. Two ejection pods just took off from the wreck. Other than that, I don't know if there were any survivors."
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Post by Gen Miyamoto on Jul 14, 2005 16:37:37 GMT -5
As I sat in my Thor coming down from the battle, quite a bit happened. The comms filled with check-in chatter, damage reports, drop ship orders and the like, a mech pilot in a shadowcat pulled some impossible stunt of leaping on to a moving shuttle in mid transit, and I was offered a contract.
For the past two years I had been working odd jobs when I could find them and now a career fell in my lap. In my life I had always lived feast and famine, bouncing between extremes, but never had the contrast been so striking. This morning I was a two-bit rent-a-jock squating in a dirty hut, now I was sitting at the controls of a mech negotiating employment contracts.
I have seen my fair part of action, and the Legionnaires was no easy ride. I suppose there's not much left for me anywhere else. Not much left but the thunder of battle, untill one day I die.
I waited till the comms settled and hit the open frequency, all the legionnaires would know my reply.
"I'll do it. I'll sign."
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Post by Wedge Lourde on Jul 14, 2005 17:34:40 GMT -5
With the mental and physical status and clearance from Dr. Edwards, I began to move about the Liberty once more. I walked to the bride to the see the Liberty moving toward the Tikonov Spaceport. Yeoman Hobson had been ordered to go to the battlefeild. Looking around, I saw 3 Raptors that had their Cockpits crushed. A black, crushed, and smoking Fafnir sat near gates. From my view, I saw Taylor, Maxwell and Alex's 'mech. In the distance, I saw a downed DropShip. I missed all this?!?!?!? Damn Uziel... I returned to the Infirmary to sit and think about if anyone had received my message. I hoped they had. I walked to the 'Mech Bay to greet the pilots.
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Post by Dr. Jessica Saturina on Jul 14, 2005 20:59:11 GMT -5
I was running around the infirmary getting things ready for the wounded that might be coming from the battle that just took place in Tikonov Spaceport. Yeoman Hobson had just radioed me, to let me know the Liberty would be going there for gun support and of course the medical staff would be there as well to attend to the wounded. I looked around the infirmary noticing something was out of place.
Dr. Edwards where is Sargent Lourde? Did he have medical clearance to leave the infirmary?
Yes Dr. Mamba. I gave him clearance he was much better. His memory has returned and his wounds are mostly healed.
That's good, glad to hear, next time inform me when someone is released from our care. Ok then let's all hustle, get the beds ready, equipment warmed up. I want all my techs here in the infirmary on alert.
Yes Doctor, don't worry we will be ready. Tech Wyatt assured me.
The Liberty was already on her way to the battle site. Everyone was busy getting things ready. I went to the mech bay taking one of the techs with me to drive. We started up the M.A.S.H unit, waited for the Liberty to land so we could get out there and get to work.
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Post by Captain Benjamin Maxwell on Jul 15, 2005 7:35:04 GMT -5
"I'll do it. I'll sign."
A slight smile flashed across my face. Miyamoto had incredible promise. His contributions to the Legionnaires would be invaluable.
"We're honored to have you aboard, Mister Miyamoto. I look forward to fighting alongside you. Once we've got this area secured, the Liberty's facilities are at your disposal. Please feel free to make full use of them. We'll get your contract paperwork hammered out once we dust off.
"Spectre and Echo lances - we're not quite finished here. We're still missing three pilots, and Soban. I have a feeling we're going to find what we're looking for aboard that vessel. Those of you whose 'Mechs are still operable...move to secure it. I've already requested six points of Longinus Battle Armor be prepared to board the ship as soon as the Liberty arrives. In the mean time - let's make sure that thing doesn't get off the ground again."
I cleared the comm as the roar of the Liberty's drives began to fill the sky. As golden light, which radiated from the DropShip's engine ports, began to bathe the starport in an artificial dawn, I began maneuvering my BattleMech toward the crashed Oracle. In the pit of my stomach, I knew that all the answers we were looking for would be found within.
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Post by Holms Net on Jul 15, 2005 7:43:00 GMT -5
My Raven scampered across the battlefield to the wreckage of the Oracle. Cpl. Schuster's Shadow Cat was already there, training its weapons on the wreck, and shining its searchlight across the hull as it looked for survivors and hostiles. My sensor suites were powered to full, and I tried to ping the inside of the ship to see if I could get intel about what was inside. Unfortunately, none of my equipment allowed me to do that.
Once I got out to the ship, I had an idea. My Raven weighed 35 tons - 10 tons less than Cpl. Schuster's Shadow Cat, but still heavy enough to keep the ship grounded. I fired my jump jets, and sailed up onto the roof of the vessel. With a clang, my Raven's birdlike feet touched down, and I was standing on top of the ship.
"Spectre-2 to Echo-1...I don't think this ship's going anywhere."
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Yeoman Hobson
Yeoman
Senior DropShip Pilot
DropShips...the only way to fly!
Posts: 18
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Post by Yeoman Hobson on Jul 15, 2005 8:03:48 GMT -5
The spaceport was a disaster. Smoldering 'Mechs littered the battlefield, fires burned throughout the complex's ancient ruins, and a crashed vessel, its running lights still partially illuminated, lay in the center of what once was the main terminal. A Raven stood atop the ship, while a Shadow Cat swept its hull with a searchlight.
Three BattleMechs - a Grim Reaper, a Legionnaire,, and a Hackman all sat parked in a row near the complex, their hatches open. A fourth 'Mech, a Bushwaker, lay on its back, surrounded by the carcasses of several Raptors and a Fafnir. The Bushwaker's pilot sat calmly atop one of the 'Mech's leg actuators, eating his dinner.
As we made our final approach, and touched down in an area of the field relatively clear of debris, Captain Maxwell's Hellhound and Miyamoto's Thor stomped past us, headed for the wreckage of the Oracle. I quickly dropped the Liberty's main ramp, and an APC sped out, carrying the Longinus squads toward the spaceport.
"Castle-1 to Echo-1...the welcome wagon has arrived. The Gladiators have been prepped and are en route to your location. Medical, salvage, and recovery assets are now deploying as well."
"Thank you, Castle-1. Any updates on Garland?"
I hesitated. I didn't want to have to break the news to Captain Maxwell this way.
"Sir...search and rescue combed his return path and the surrounding area for over three hours. They found his BattleMech."
There came the hiss of an open comm. I could hear the footsteps of the Captain's 'Mech over the channel.
"He wasn't in it, sir. His ejection pod had been deployed. The transponder was knocked out in the combat at Suhdanjin, so we didn't know about it. The pod could have ended up anywhere."
After another lengthy pause, the Captain replied.
"Very well. Thank you, Yeoman. Keep the weapons hot. We don't know what surprises are still in store for us. Once we've dusted off, we'll perform an orbital sweep.."
"Copy, Echo-1."
I closed the channel, and looked to Machia.
"That was...hard."
Machia just nodded.
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Post by Lieutenant Kei-teh Kintaru on Jul 15, 2005 12:43:17 GMT -5
A thundering crash, followed by a harsh landing awoke me from my discomforting state. The cargo bay was dark. The lights that had illuminated the area were all destroyed. However, even though there was no artificial light… I could just make out the outline of everything as the light from outside bleed through like still shots of laser beams.
“...K-Kintaru…” I heard someone wheeze in the darkness. My eyes darted around the area. To my right lay someone. It wasn’t Ren… and it sure as hell wasn’t who I thought it was.
“…Zhukov?” I said with equal discomfort in my voice. I was still hurting from my battle with Ren. My whole body ached.
“…Kintaru… are… you ok?” Zhukov replied, continuing his wheezing.
“Zhukov where are you?”
As I said that, the red back up lights fluttered the room. It appeared the back up generator of this ancient ship had just kicked in. The cargo bay was cascaded with a blood red light that seem appropriate in conjunction with the current state of the Oracle. The place was a mess. Old cargo containers were splayed open with hundreds of years worth of dust pouring out of them. At the section that separated the bridge and the cargo bay, was what appeared to be a mech’s leg which had divided the ship in two. As I scanned the heavily damaged area, I noticed Zhukov only half a meter away from the divider. Blood dribbled from his mouth as his body laid slumping to his left, away from the mech leg.
“Zhukov… what happened while I was out?!” I said, straining as pain gripped my entire body while I tried to sit up more.
“… We were taking off… Next thing I know… Ren… was crushed by that… pile of rubble…” he struggled to say as he tried to gesture towards a large pile of mounted rubble that had ended Ren’s fate. I felt disgusted for a second that I wasn’t the one to finish the job… However, I needed to help Zhukov who appeared to be in a worse shape than myself. There would be time for self loathing later…
Using my “Ryu” katana to stand myself up, wincing as I did, I forced my way towards my fellow Legionnaire. I stumbled around as I tried to walk in as straight a line as I could. Occasionally things went blurry, but I pressed on. I finally managed to reach Zhukov.
“… I think… I… might have… broken… ribs…” he said, straining under the intense pain.
Don’t talk anymore Zhukov. I’ll… call in for help.” I said, in turn straining under my intense pain that engulfed my entire body. Standing wasn’t helping… but neither would laying down. Before I opened the comms. I spoke to Zhukov.
“Zhukov… you endured a lot of pain because of me, because of the stone. You didn’t need to make him think that you had the stone… I should of just said that I was it‘s keeper. I just wanted to say… I'm sorry--”
I was cut off by a familiarly evil laugh, a laugh so vial it wanted to make me vomit. The giant pile of rubble shifted and violently erupted as Ren arose from the ashes. The blue field around him shined brightly before dimming itself ever so slightly.
“YES! Thank you indeed Mr Zhukov! Now I KNOW who to talk to regarding the stone!” he said, unscratched by the rubble and eager to press on with some important issues the mad man needed to settle.
“Mr Kintaru! I believe you’re in possession of a certain Jade Map Stone!” he cackled taking giant strides towards me. I looked at him, with fear gripping me. Something grabbed my ankle. I looked down staring directly into Zhukov’s weary eyes.
“..go… NOW!” he wheezed.
“OH haven’t you DIED yet, you worthless pile of excrement?” Ren said bitterly.
“No… I have to settle this…” I replied quietly. And with that, I forced myself to unsheathe my bladed weapon. The intense pain throttled my body as I struggled to move into my normal fighting stance.
“So I see we have spirit! What a shame that spirit alone wont save you Mr Kintaru. I’ve had enough of games!” Ren shouted as he charged towards me. I thrust my sword towards him, hoping that he would impale himself. Unfortunately, he side stepped it and connected his elbow with my chest, sending me rocketing across the cargo bay. I rolled backwards on myself until stopped on my back side. I stood back up with great pain that reminded me that I was in NO condition to fight. Still I pressed on. I moved at a steady jog, the fasted speed I could attain, and began to swing my sword around in desperate hope that I could hit him. Without much difficulty Ren just side stepped my attacks, laughing all the way.
“Your too weary to fight Mr Kintaru… its beginning to bore me!”
He swatted my sword away, sending it across the room, clattering through its travel. The field around Ren grew intensely around him as he delivered a flurry of blows that sent excruciating pain around my tired body. I stumbled back as he delivered the final blow of his attack. Ren giggled in delight. Without a doubt, he was enjoying this.
“NOW! What do you intend to do? Are you going to TELL me where I can find the STONE? Or are you just… going to stumble around like an idiot until I KILL YOU!?” he shouted with much disgusting delight. Such a vial beast. I stumbled around searching for my weapon. I finally found it laying in the far corner opposite the tied up tribes man. Anger gripped me as I finally realised… I could never defeat Ren.
“I… I…” I stuttered with tears flooding my eyes.
“Hmm? What’s that boy?” Ren said, his wicked smile spreading across his face.
“I… I… I WONT BE BEATEN!!” I screamed charging towards the man who had caused me so much pain, so much hatred… so much regret… so much sorrow.
“YOU STUPID PATHETIC CHILD!” he replied as he took a strange stance. His hands met together. The blue field around his shone brightly. As his hands separated, something horrific happened. The red lights flickered and the very air around Ren seemed to illuminate and rush towards his hands. A blue ball of intensely bright light filled his hands, and grew larger by the second. Lightning bolts streaked the metallic room… much like that of a PPC shot being charged. The energy sphere grew to the size of a soccer ball.
“I’VE HAD ENOUGH!!” he screamed “TASTE MY ULTIMATE ATTACK!”
As I charged towards him, he threw the energy sphere at me. It glided gracefully until it came into contact with me. It hit be chest and exploded, like an intensely hot ball of fire. The roof of the oracle flew off as the sphere tore away at my flak jacket. I was flung backwards my protective armour fell to pieces. I crashed into the wall behind me with utter shock filling the very depths of my soul. My chest was naked and bleeding profusely, as if the flesh on my chest was burnt off. I withered in pain as I screamed a silent scream… the pain was to great for me to add any tone to my voice. Day light filled the Oracle as the dust settled and as Ren made his way towards me.
“Well well! Still alive? Not for much longer---” ---” Ren said, cutting himself off with utter shock. That face of shock was instantly replaced with his usual evil grin. The grin spread into a fiendish smile as he reached down to pick something up that laid next to me. He raised the object towards the sun and began to hysterically laugh. My dreary daze glanced up.
“Well, it appears my efforts have paid off at last Mr Kintaru!” he cackled “THE JADE MAP STONE IS MINE!!!” he turned away, laughing as he did.
“..REN!” I shouted, bringing up fresh blood. The bastard stopped mid walk and turned to look at me.
“SILENCE! You can live as you are now! You don’t deserve another chance at stopping me! You don’t even deserve to die at my hands. I shall leave you as you are: pathetic and WEAK!” His words filled me with sorrow. Tears streamed down my eyes as I tried to get up… but it was no use. I couldn’t move.
Suddenly Ren was engulfed in bright red flames as a thunderous explosion hit his body. I couldn’t believe it. In his final ounce of strength, Zhukov had managed to retrieve his rifle and fire off a round from the pump action grenade launcher that was attached to it. However, his efforts were in vain. Ren stepped out of the flames and carried on towards the nearest exit. Zhukov, perhaps deluded, continued to pull the trigger on his rifle, each pull sounded off a “click”.
“You deserve nothing less! …You both sicken me.” Ren said with such despicable evil in his tone. “NOW… I must take my leave!” he finished saying, laughing wildly as he did. Zhukov slumped on the floor, then rolled over to help his breathing. He wheezed crazily. With my very last ounce of strength I opened my comms.
“Maxwell…” I said, accidentally gargling the blood that had made it’s way up into my mouth.
“KINTARU?! Whats going--”
“Ren has the stone… please… YOU HAVE TO STOP HIM…”
I began to cry.
“PLEASE…” I sobbed until I fell unconscious. My head set crackled into life, the sound of people‘s voices began to mute, as did my awareness. I thought I heard someone mention a medical team to be sent to my coordinates. Perhaps there would be enough time for Zhukov? The world faded into nothingness as I wheezed a long sigh…
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Post by Captain Benjamin Maxwell on Jul 15, 2005 14:11:07 GMT -5
“Ren has the stone… please… YOU HAVE TO STOP HIM…”
An explosion rocked the inside of the Oracle as my Hellhound pounded toward it. Holms Net's Raven leaped into the air as the section of hull plating on which it stood caved in, his Jump Jets illuminating the vessel's interior for a brief moment as they carried him to safety. Schuster's Shadow Cat took several steps backwards, allowing the Raven to land precariously close by.
"KINTARU! Where are you? Where's Ren?" I demanded, sheer panic filling my mind as I frantically swept my zoom window across the wreck. There came no reply, but moments later, my questions were answered, as a figure wearing a blood-red uniform dashed from the wreckage, hurtling through the ruins of the spaceport in an erratic pattern.
Ren!
I tore after him, my Hellhound's feet smashing through walls, crushing ancient vehicles and cargo containers, and leaving a path of destruction in their wake as I bore down on the insane General. He dove into a fallen section of ferro-steel ductwork, and I opened fire on it, my autocannons shredding its corrugated exterior, and my laser suites punched holes through it. I didn't dare fire my SRMs - the explosion had the potential to shatter Kintaru's stone, and I now understood the significance of the information it contained.
I frantically stomped around the outside of the compound that Ren had entered. I couldn't see him - and BattleMechs couldn't track infantry - and thus, I felt near-helpless as I took pot shots at the semi-destroyed structure before me.
The scream of the MIT23's siren as it raced toward the Oracle diverted my attention momentarily. I flicked on the rear camera in time to see the six Longinus Battle Armors using their claws to tear away a section of the ancient vessel's hull. A medical team, with Dr. Mamba in the lead, charged through the hull, disappearing into the ship's darkness.
A flicker of movement caught my eye, and I turned back toward the forward view. Ren had emerged on the far side of the football field-sized compound, and was quite literally heading for the hills. I fired my lasers blindly at him, crashing through the complex as I throttled my Hellhound to its fullest possible speed. I was nearly through the building when I felt a tremendous explosion shove my 'Mech forward, and both man and machine were thrown violently to the ground as a Naval Gauss round slammed into the Hellhound's thin rear armor. The scream of fusion drives passing overhead mingled with the scream of damage indicators that now filled my cockpit. I struggled to right the BattleMech, and eventually managed to get it to its feet.
But I was too late.
The small Aerodyne-class DropShip - undoubtedly the same vessel that had stowed away aboard the Phoenix, disappeared into the night sky, with General Ren still scrambling aboard. Vainly, I fired as many Alpha strikes as my 'Mech could muster at the vessel, the light from my laser suites, SRM launchers, and autocannon muzzle flashes painting the starry sky with a brilliant display.
"You son-of-a-bitch..." I muttered, as the vessel eclipsed the maximum sensor range of my 'Mech, and disappeared from the scopes forever.
"Echo-1 to all units...stand down. Initiate salvage and recovery protocols. We dust off in 45 minutes."
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Yeoman Hobson
Yeoman
Senior DropShip Pilot
DropShips...the only way to fly!
Posts: 18
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Post by Yeoman Hobson on Jul 15, 2005 15:39:11 GMT -5
"What? Are you certain? But we were told there was no body! Oh...I see. Right. I'll let Hobson know. Yes, Sergeant. I appreciate it."
I swiveled in my pilot's chair as Yeoman Machia finished her conversation, and closed the private comm channel.
"Is something going on?"
Machia didn't make eye contact with me for several long moments. I switched my consoles to "auto," and stood up, walking over to her station.
"What...what's wrong?"
Machia slowly looked up at me. Her eyes glistened, and I could tell she was fighting back tears.
"Hobson...that was Staff Sergeant Lourde. I don't know how to tell you this...but Commander Garland...is dead."
I felt like I had been hit in the chest with a sack of bricks.
"What?"
Machia's voice faltered.
"Apparently, they found a beheaded, half-buried body near his 'Mech. They thought, at first, that it was a raider, because it was so badly burned and mutilated. So they ignored it. That was the report that we got - the same one you related to the Captain. But apparently, one of the salvage techs went back and took a closer look. He dug up the body completely. It was a Legionnaire. And he was able to identify who it was...through the dog tags, personal effects, and the uniform."
I was speechless, and suddenly felt violently ill.
"I'll...um...I'll notify the Captain...shortly..." I replied. Then, I ran to the latrine. I was going to be sick.
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Post by Wedge Lourde on Jul 15, 2005 16:26:14 GMT -5
Returning to the tech booth, I speechlesly opened a com to the Bridge.
"Yeoman Machia, this is Staff Sargeant Wedge Lourde. Please tell the Captain that... Com.. Commander... Comander Garett Gardland is... Dead. Commander Garett Garland is dead. Please pass on my... my...
I heard the Yeoman say something, but I walked away from the speaker. I walked out to see a box in the 'mech bay. I sat in a bench. Too much had gone on. The life of a mercenary was truly exciting, but a DEATH?!?!?! Who could have done such a thing... I had no idea about the other Legionnaires. Garland and I were really becoming good friends. I wondered about Kabrinski and Bekker. If the life of a Clan Member was more satisfying...
Snapping back to reality, I walked into the booth to notify Spectre- all of the Legionnaires of... Garland's death.
"Everyone, this is Staff Sargeant Wedge Lourde. I have returned to full mentality, but I have scars and cuts that will take time to heal. But... Coma... The Commander..." A hint of sadness and sorrow creeped into my voice, and a tear welled in my eye... "Commander Garret Garland is dead. His body was found buried next to his 'mech. This is confirmed. That is all.
I couldn't take it anymore. Garland. DEAD. Never... I stole and empty crate from a buisy tech's hands, and smashed it on the ground. The crate's remains flew around the bay, and I flung myself into the bulkhead. Landing on the ground, I ran aimlessly. I tripped over my untied boot, and was approached by a 'Med.
"Sargeant, calm down. I may have to ask you to return to the Infirmary.
"MY COMMANDER IS DEAD! YOU EXPECT ME TO SIT AROUND AND DO NOTHING?!!?!?"
"There is absolutely nothing you can do, Sargeant! Now calm down or i'm putting you to sleep and...
Cutting him off, I rammed past him, and started up a Guila suit. The foam padding hurt my cut and burned chest. Ignoring the pain, I ran straight, and dove right out of the remaining crease of the closing doors. I slammed into the side of a door, and rolled right down the ramp. I wasn't going to just stand around!
"Sargeant, there is NOTHING you can do! Come back inside, or i'll call a retreval squad and you'll be back in the Sick Bay untill I personally release yo... (Static, distant talking) Staff Sargeant, this is Dr. Edwards. Don't make this mistake. Your Commander is dead. Captain Maxwell has instructed that we dust off in 45 minutes. You cannot do a thing. I will instuct for the doors to be opened, come inside. I'll have to decide what to do with you next. If you do not calm down, I may have to instuct you to stay away from the other Pilots for a time. Sargeant, listen to me. Get inside now!"
He's right. I took a moment to look around at the battlefield. The damage. ...
I returned inside, and removed the BattleSuit. I sat on the bench and put my head in my hands. Now I have this to clean up...
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Post by Dr. Jessica Saturina on Jul 15, 2005 17:00:42 GMT -5
The Liberty landed, the bay door drew open. My driver shifted the MIT23 into forward. We went flying off the ship. I had called for Dr. Edwards and one more tech to accompany us in the vehicle, I knew I would need more help in the field then I once thought. The driver stopped the vehicle close to the spaceport. We all quickly jumped out. I looked around surveying the area. I didn't see anyone down out here. I looked at the downed spaceship and the Longinus tearing away at the frame of the hull.
This way team follow me, I have a feeling the ship is where we need to be.
We all made a dead run toward the ship. As soon as the Longinus were done clearing an opening for us we charged in. We were carrying as much medical equipment as we could to get someone stabilized and onto the ship.
I didn't know what happened in here, but it looked like all hell had broken loose. I seen two bodies laying on the floor.
Dr. Edwards, you and Zurichi take that one over there. Wyatt your with me.
I ran over to the body slumped on the floor. Kneeling beside him I gently rolled him over so I could assess the extinct of his injuries. I gasped
Dr. are you ok? Wyatt said to me.
It's ...... it's Kintaru, he is in bad shape Wyatt. Dr. Edwards what do you have over there?
It's Zhukov and he is in really bad shape. He is having trouble breathing. The scanner shows several broken ribs. He has multiple contusions and a head injury.
Ok everybody, both of our guys are in really bad shape. Kintaru is unconscious. I'm going to radio for some stretchers. Let's stop the bleeding, immobilize any broken bones, lets get them stabilized enough to move them to the ship. They are going to need a lot more care then we can give them in the field.
Archangel to MIT23 techs. I need some stretchers out here on the double guys.
Both our teams were working over the guys quickly getting them ready for transport. The other two techs came in the ship with the stretchers. They dropped one off for each of the teams.
I need you two to go check on that man in the corner over there tied up. Make sure he is ok. Find out who he is and report to the Captain or me.
Both teams quickly but carefully loaded their precious cargo. We loaded them on to the MIT23. I gave orders for us to get back to the Liberty fast.
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Post by Star Captain Killian Bekker on Jul 15, 2005 20:24:27 GMT -5
[glow=green,2,300]Meanwhile, somewhere in Clan Space[/glow] I adjusted my neurohelmet and got into a comfortable position in the command couch of my mech. I toggled a few buttons and powered up my mech from a cold reactor start.Reactor Online.
Sensors Online.
Weapon Systems Online.
All functioning systems nominal.
Active Radar Engaged.I eased the throttle and followed my assigned Nav Points out to a wide open field that stretched for several miles of desolate looking rocks, swirling dust clouds and red forbidding earth. My radio came to life as I reached my destination. This would be one of the most important Nav Points in my life.Trial of Bloodright.Earlier, I had placed my dogids into the well and awaited my turn in a series of the one-on-one duels. Thus far, I had performed well and this was the final duel.Okay Star Captains. If you want to claim your right to the Clan Ghost Bear Bloodname Bekker, you must defeat your rival Star Captain in mech Combat.
While this does not have to be to the death, you know what you must do.I am Star Captain Killian Joseph Dillenger and I have come to prove what is rightfully mine.Ah, Star Captain Dillenger. It's nice to see you're in high spirits today, too bad it is I Star Captain Edward Charles Gavin, that will earn the right to the Bekker Bloodname.In your dreams freebirth...Enough talk, face your defeat by my hands!I threw my Hellbringer to a moderate crusing speed of 54 Km/h. I checked my systems several times before the first traces of my opponent's Linebacker came charging in at the 65 ton mech's max speed of 97.2 Km/h.
The combined speed alone ensured that there was no escaping the impending clash of battle hardened mechwarriors.I'm coming for you.Several days earlier Star Captain Sara Kabrinski (Wayne), had earned her Bloodright to the Kabrinski name. While we had used the Bloodnames before the Trials, she now held the very right to that Bloodname. Now it was my turn to eanr mine, else I should be shamed and never allowed to participate in Clan Politics.
While I had no intention of trying to become Khan or ilKhan, I did wish to have the honor of claiming the Bloodname of my ancestors.
My mind returned to the impending battle. 1000 Kilometers and closing fast I lined up my first volley of fire from my ER PPCs. As we closed he fired off his LRMs and ER PPCs.
My dual ER PPCs crackled and hissed as they tore across the rocky field and slammed home on the center torso of the Linebacker. My AMS tore the LRM salvo to shreads before they became a threat and one ER PPC glanced off my left arm and the second went wide.You're gonna have to do better than that Gavin.As the distance closed to short range combat he slowed he Linebacker to a more managable speed. I keep my mech at a steady crusing speed as I circled around and brought to bear the awesome firepower of my Hellbringer at close range.
I toggled my ECM Suite to full power and sent a punishing Alpha Strike that tore into the Lineackers Right and Center Torso. I glanced at my mechs heat gauge and watched as Missles and ER PPCs melted and tore the Heavy Mech's armor in bits of slag.
His return Alpha Strike was off center a second time, but punished my Mech's leg armor on the left side. He began a slow circle of death with my mech as we traded ER PPC and missle volleys.Warning, AMS ammunition critical.Time to bring this little debacle you call a battle to a close...I waited until my all of my weapons recycled and began slowing my mech forcing it to turn tighter and faster than Gavin expected. This made his next volley go wide and completely miss as I sent another punishing Alpha Strike into the left side of the Linebacker, tearing off the left arm and effectively taking out one of his ER PPCs.
The battle raged on as Gavin attempted to use his mech's higher speed to try and gain an advantage that was now lost by half of his primary firepower.
He was down to a single ER PPC, Streak SRM-4, LRM-5 and a small laser.Just give up, you're no match for me Gavin.But we are Clanners and I knew that wasn't ever going to happen.
I slowed my mech to a slow crawl as I waited for Gavin to put me squarely into his sights.
As he lined up his shot, I punched the throttle and turned and unleashed a fresh Alpha Strike into his right torso. I watched in slow motion as a chain reaction of SRM ammunition explosions rocked the mech and sent it toppling over. I waited for my weapons to recycle and waited.
Gavin began to right his mech and at that point I unloaded everything into the gaping hole that was the right torso and as I did so I watched the ejection pod rocket away from the mech as it fell lifeless back to the ground.Congratulations Star Captain. You've just earned your Bloodright to the Bloodname Bekker.
Report to Mech Bay 03 and be prepared in your Dress Uniform for the official ceremony and celebration.Affirmative command. Disabling weapons and returning to Mech Bay 03.Now it's official.
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