Operation V: Endgame

[Captain Benjamin Maxwell]

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- Incoming Coded Message -- ALERT: Priority One Emergency Transmission -
- Command Instruction Follows -
- Decode : Alpha Protocol - GALxBravo 23rd: 119th -
- Disseminate by need only -
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Operation Codname: Endgame
Planet: Valasha
Terrain: Dense Urban
Time: Night

NARRATIVE:

Mercenaries, the political dissent on Valasha has reached a boiling point.

Spurred by resentment over the massive class-culture divide between the planet's impoverished and outspoken Russian population, and the elitist members of the Latin aristocracy that control most of Valasha's political and economic interests, a revolution has begun.

The planetary government includes a board of freely-elected Senators who carry out most of the legislative capacities on planet. But corruption has swept this council, with strongly questionable ties developing between the military and the world's largest corporations.

Ballots are being rigged, funds are being embezzled, and dissenters who dare speak out against the governement are being silenced. Reports indicate that Eridius Chavez, Governor of Valasha, has been assasinated.

Publicly, Jorge Almarez, the planet's Arbiter of Defense, and ringleader of the corruption, has declared a planetary state of emergency, imposing martial law on the populace, and activating emergency political powers which have effectively given him total control. To justify this, Almarez has claimed pirates are responsible for the rising anti-establishment violence sweeping Valasha. The Outworlds Alliance has continually taken him at his word, and has done nothing to investigate the near-continuous stream of reports coming in that seem to
contradict these claims.

As the poor languish and the outspoken quietly rage, pressure has built. A large, militant resistance, led by Mikhail Sveshnikov and Peytre Alexeev, and calling itself 'The Reach,' has been gaining strength and support over the past year. Essentially, this movement is seeking political entitlement. The growing Russian majority is frusterated with its inept and uncarring government, as well as the domineering and heavy-handed tactics it employs.

The rebels not only want to reinstate the former republican institutions, but furthermore, they want total political independence from the Outworlds Alliance. The organizers of the rebellion are looking to earn provincial status from the Federated Suns, or to opperate as an independent political body, the former bringing with it the military assests necessary for ensuring that no aggressive attempts for repatrioting will take place.

At its most basic, the seperatists wish for the political entitlement they feel they have been denied. They will be free, or they will be dead. They will be slaves to no one.

And they have enlisted our help.

In just under a week's time, Sveshnikov and Alexeev plan to strike at the heart of Valasha's government, and remove Almarez and his thugs from power. The Reach believes our presence will give the revolution the edge it needs to succeed.

Mission objectives are to strike two key installations on the continent of Vojvoda. Our targets are the Tierra Verde military base, and the capital city of Puerto Valacia itself.

The Reach will be doing a worldwide strike on all fronts while we go in, and the government will be spread thin trying to suppress the rebellion. With the destruction of these two critical locations, Almarez will no longer be able to support his regime, and the government will collapse.

The Legionnaires stand to benefit greatly from successful completion of this mission. The Reach has offered us 1% gross planetary income for one fisical quarter, effective six months after contract. Not a bad deal.

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MISSION OBJECTIVES:

Mission objectives have been divided into two theaters, as the Legionnaires will be hitting both targets simultaneously.

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THEATER I: Puerto Valacia (ALPHA LANCE)

Overview:

The seat of the planetary government is located in the captical city of Puerto Valacia. Although it is normally heavily defended, the simultaneous strike on the Tierra Verde military base will ensure that reenforcements will not be able to respond to our attack.

Alpha Lance will insert on the rolling plains that border the city, approximately 5.8 kilometers out, and move inward, maintaining radio silence, and avoiding enemy patrols, so as to catch the city's defenders off-guard. Once Alpha Lance arrives at the city, Almarez's militias must be swept from Puerto Valacia. When this has been accomplished, Alpha Lance will move to the heart of the city, and take the capitol building, wiping Almaraz's palatial estate off the map.

Not only will this attack cripple the current government, but The Reach believes that the destruction of such a symbolic structure will send a profound psychological message to supporters of the old regime that their reign has come to an end.

Because the rebels have so few assets currently in the city, we are to then hold our position until Bravo Lance has completed its objectives.

Primary Objectives:

I. Avoid enemy patrols while en route to Puerto Valacia. Maintain radio silence until the city has been reached and the first attacks have been launched. Essential communication is to be performed using text readout only

II. Eliminate all loyalist forces in and around Puerto Valacia. Minimize property damage

III. Secure the capitol building, destroying Almaraz's palatial estate and its support buildings

IV. Hold city pending completion of Bravo Lance objectives

V. Extract


CONTINGENCY: If Bravo Lance cannot complete its objectives, Alpha Lance must defend Puerto Valacia at all costs. The city must not fall to Almarez's forces.

THREAT REPORT:

Heavy. We have received multiple reports of rioting, urban fighting between heavily armed loyalists and rebels, car bombings, and a rash of major thefts from military motor pools, air fields, and munitions caches. Even the most insignificant foot soldiers may potentially
be armed with enough firepower to take out a 'Mech. Expect Puerto Valacia to be awash in violence.

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THEATER II: Tierra Verde Military Complex (BRAVO LANCE)

Overview:

The Tierra Verde Military Complex is Vashala's largest fortification, and serves as the focal point from which all military activity planetwide is coordinated. It houses Vashala's entire stockpile of military hardware, and is the key instrument which Almarez uses to suppress the population. Destroying it will cut off his ability to do so, and the government will no longer be able to defend against the rebel attacks.

Attacking this facility will be no easy task, and for a single lance to do on its own would be suicide. Bravo Lance will therefore drop 8 kilometers southeast of the base, in the Bosque De Almería, a large forest that The Reach has secured. There, they will link up with Peytre Alexeev, one of the rebellion's leaders, as well as his forces, and together, they will assault the base.

At this point, the mission objectives become very clear-cut - Bravo Lance is to assist The Reach in eliminating the installation's defenders, and levelling the command structures to the ground.

Once this has been accomplished, Bravo Lance will move to support Alpha Lance, escorting Peytre Alexeev and his forces to InfoSource, the government-controlled global media outlet in Puerto Valacia, where he will break into planetary programming and announce The Reach's victory over the Almarez regime.

Alpha and Bravo Lances will then move to the Puerto Valacia spaceport for extraction.


Primary Objectives:

I. Rendezvous with Peytre Alexeev and his forces in the Bosque De Almería

II. Eliminate all defenders of the Tierra Verde Military Complex

II. Destroy all command structures

III. Escort Peytre Alexeev and his forces to InfoSource at Puerto Valacia

IV. Extract

THREAT REPORT:

Extremely heavy. Tierra Verde is a hardened structure with multiple automated and manned defenses, as well as a wealth of BattleTech and AeroTech assets. Exact numbers are not known at this time, but Peytre Alexeev is thought to have captured intelligence pertaining to
this. Expect anything.

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PLANETARY OVERVIEW:

Planet Details: Valasha[/b]



Star Type: G8V
Position in System: 4 (of 7)
Number of Moons: 1 (Rusalka)
Days to Jump Point: 2
Surface Water: 63%
Atm. Pressure: Standard (Tainted)
Surface Gravity: 1.02
Equatorial Temp: 37° C
Highest Native Life: Mammals
Population: 271,487,000 (approximate)
Governor: Eridius Chavez
Planetary Legate: Consuelo Lombardi

OVERVIEW:

Colonized August 15, 2569, by pilgrims following the teachings of Admiral Julius Santiago Avellar, Valasha was, at first, settled as a haven for those wishing to escape the intense political environment of the Inner Sphere. Featuring a tropical, Terra-like ecosystem, with lush jungles, sandy beaches, and rolling plains, the world was an ideal location for cash-strapped wayfarers to begin anew, by making a living off the land, and selling their harvests for profit.

By 2600, the population on Valasha had soared to exponential numbers. Still an agricultural society, dependent on trade, the largest city on the planet, Puerto Valacia, played host to a wealth of markets, harbors, and the world's only spaceport. This sprawling metropolis quickly became a popular pit stop for spacefarers from all walks of life, from pilgrims to tourists, merchants to pirates, and, occasionally, Clanners in search of trade and intelligence.

Because of the then-total neutrality of the world, and the lack of any sort of governing political bodies to create and enforce rule on Valasha, its society was a lawless one. This did not present a problem to its original inhabitants, who were peaceful followers of the Omniss cult, but as the population expanded to incorporate many immigrants who did not ascribe to the religion's tenets, crime began to spread, and without any sort of law enforcement present, any 'justice' that needed to be meted out became largely the work of vigilantes. By the time Admiral Avellar founded the Outworlds Alliance, of which Valasha became a member, the planet's first governor, Marchita Alvarez, had her work cut out for her. The planet had become a haven for outlaws, political exiles, and pirates, who used the world as a base of operations from which to conduct their cutthroat business. Puerto Valacia itself had been taken over by El Mano de Hasan, a powerful crime family who controlled the population through fear and intimidation. Their stranglehold on the planet's largest businesses nearly destroyed Valasha's economy before Governor Alvarez was finally able to remove the last of Hasan's thugs from power.

Although Alvarez did much to improve the quality of life on Valasha, her reign was short-lived. Her appointment to planetary governor, which was intended to bring a greater sense of order to the planet, had the opposite effect on the populace, and in short order, hundreds of political factions had formed, each one attempting to orchestrate its rise to power through whatever means necessary. In the third year of her governorship, Alvarez was assassinated by a member of a radical political sect which quickly seized control of the world. This type of violent succession continued, largely unchecked, with one ruler after another being slaughtered every few years, until, at last, the armies of the Avellar regime were large and strong enough that local militias were able to be posted on all of the Outworlds. Their presence helped to quell local uprisings, and an era of peace ensued.

In recent years, the people of the Outworlds Alliance have become increasingly frustrated with their seemingly-inept, increasingly uninvolved government. Political corruption has begun to run rampant, and crime is on the rise. The Alliance, once a haven for refugees seeking asylum from the near-constant wars of the Inner Sphere, has begun to fracture, as uprisings against the Avellar regime have begun.

Reports from the Outworlds Alliance indicate that Valasha itself has fallen into a state of political instability. Communications, garrison control, trade routes and jump monitoring stations have been disrupted, and an underground political movement, calling itself The Reach, has claimed responsibility.


POLITICAL NOTES:

Of all the government systems to emerge in the Periphery, the Outworlds Alliance claims the strangest collection of separatists and anti-social types. Indeed, many political commentators have referred to the Outworlds Alliance as a geographic expression of collective political chaos. Unlike the Taurian Concordat or the Magistracy of Canopus, the Outworlds Alliance was never intended to be a lasting political entity. Indeed, its existence was due to accident as much as to design.

The founding father of the Outworlds Alliance was Admiral Julius Santiago Avellar. As a junior naval officer in the closing years of the 2300s, Avellar was appalled by the ease with which the states of the Inner Sphere sought to settle their differences through increasingly destructive wars. Withdrawing to the world of Alpheratz in 2413, Avellar devoted the rest of his life to literary denunciations of the warmongers of the major Houses.

Though he may have planned to live out his life in obscurity, Avellar became the leader of a virtual cult. His compassionate pleas for an end to war created the Omniss, a new philosophical sect. Advocating the rejection of any technology that did not contribute to the preservation of life, followers of Omniss flocked to Avellar's agrarian haven in the Periphery, much to the chagrin of the hermit-like Avellar.

Before long, people from every social order began to descend on his home on Alpheratz. As the hundreds quickly became thousands and the thousands became tens of thousands, Avellar's homestead was quickly overrun with political and social dissidents. Expanding outward from Alpheratz in all directions, Omniss farmers and their supporters began to colonize neighboring star systems in a frenzy, persuaded by Avellar's writings that galactic doomsday was just around the corner. Faced with the growing problems of managing and caring for the well-meaning but technologically inept multitudes on his doorstep, Avellar was forced to do the one thing that he hated most: to create a government able to provide for the needs of his newfound followers. The result was the Outworlds Alliance, a union born more of necessity than actual desire.

Since the beginning of the 31st century, the situation in the Outworlds Alliance has become particularly grim. With the general loss of technology, Alliance worlds have suffered from declining population and literacy levels. Though protected by a strong military, many of these planets are unable to feed their own people. The people feel that their government has betrayed them, and there have been many riots and demonstrations against the hereditary Avellar regime in recent years. Although no one has yet seriously challenged the right of House Avellar to rule the Outworlds, armed rebellion is likely if the deteriorating situation does not reverse itself.

COMMANDER'S NOTES:

MechWarriors, I know you were all looking forward to our return to Sheratan for some well-deserved R & R. Unfortunately, we're going to have to put that off for a short while. The MRBC practically pleaded with us to take this contract, and after all they've done for us, I can't turn down an opportunity to return the favor.

Besides which, not only is this a lucrative contract, but it is a historic moment that you all should be very proud to be a part of. Never has a revolution of this scale been attempted in the Outworlds Alliance.

And we get a free tactical advisor, too. Not a bad bonus.

Be careful out there.

- TRANSMISSION ENDS -

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Sender: Captain Benjamin Maxwell
Encryption Priority: HIGH
HPG Relay 12XV76-DELTA-2116
Recieved: OP Comp. 1544 Standard Terran Time
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[ - Soundtrack - ]

[Captain Benjamin Maxwell]

"What? You can't be serious!"

"I am, Benjamin. You know her credentials. They speak for themselves."

"But she's a Clanner, Tom. And a Jade Falcon one at that. The crew isn't going to react well."

"That's not my problem. But I will say this - if you return Thastus to the Dragoons in anything less than living condition, your Mercenary rating will suffer tremendously because of it. She's not to be harmed."

"It would have been nice to let me know about all of this before we accepted the contract."

"I'm not the one who accepted an unidentified tactical advisor sight-unseen, Benjamin." Tom paused, and smiled. "Besides, she may surprise you."

"In more ways than I'd like to be surprised, I'm sure. Very well. When the transport arrives at Slocum, have them meet us at the JumpShip Rising Storm. Maxwell out."

"Good luck out there, Benjamin. Edwards out."

I sat in the quiet confines of my tiny cabin contemplating our current predicament. I had accepted a last-minute contract on the eve of our return to Sheratan, and while the crew had, for the most part, taken the sudden change of plans well, I was worried that dropping another bombshell on them - the inclusion of a captured Jade Falcon bondsman on loan from the Wolf's Dragoons - might just be the straw that broke the camel's back.

I glanced at my watch, and my heart jumped into my throat. Unwittingly, I had argued with Tom far longer than I had anticipated, and I now had less than two minutes before the briefing started. Leaping from my desk, I grabbed my uniform jacket, and shrugged it on, stuffing the Operation's roster under my arm and slamming the hatch to my stateroom as I charged down the Liberty's cramped corridors.

After winding my way up several staircases, I found myself on the Command deck. Slowing to a fast walk, I caught my breath, and rounded the corner to approach the large blast doors that led to the briefing room. Fortunately, the lights were still up, and a few stragglers wandered in as I made my way up the center of the amphitheater, attempting to make as little eye contact as possible with onlookers who were accustomed to my near-pathological promptness.

Miyamoto sat in the front row of chairs, which faced the the sweeping holo-display dominating the room's largest wall. Noticing my presence, he stood, and I nodded to him as I approached the podium. He stepped to the front of the room, standing a few paces behind and to the right of me as I took the stand.

"Good afternoon, MechWarriors. Thank you for being here. I know the past few days have been particularly trying for all of us, as we've struggled with various losses and setbacks, and I want you to know that it means a great deal to me that you all stuck with it, and saw our last Operation through to the end. The people of House Liao owe you a debt of gratitude, as do I.

"I know everyone here was looking forward to getting back to Sheratan, and as such, you're probably wondering why we're holding a briefing. If you've read ahead, you already know the answer.

"Last night, the MRBC contacted us directly with an emergency contract that they received from a third party in the Outworlds Alliance."

On queue, the lights dimmed, with a single spot casting a cylinder of light onto the podium. The main display flashed to an animated orbital approach of a lush, blue-green world.

"The planet Valasha. A political revolution is underway here - a group of resistance fighters known as The Reach are poised to strike at the planetary government. They hope to overthrow the current regime, and install a new leader for whom they have high hopes. Our contract requires us to make sure they succeed."

I looked over my shoulder to Miyamoto, who stepped forward into the light.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like to introduce you to Gen Miyamoto. Mr. Miyamoto is a freelance agent who's had a wealth of experience, participating in contracts which have taken him across the Inner Sphere and even into Clan space. Most recently, he served as the Head of Covert Operations for Crayven Securities, Incorporated, before the Jihad claimed the world. After Operation: Phoenix Down concluded, we were fortunate enough to get him signed on with us."

Miyamoto nodded to the gathered cadre.

"With Captain Wolf unable to participate in this Op, the loss of Commander Garland, and the subsequent acceptance of a last-minute contract, the need for a seasoned interim Commander became paramount. To that end, Mr. Miyamoto will be assuming these responsibilities for the duration of this Op. I ask that you all work with him to the best of your abilities to ensure the success of this mission. It is imperative."

A number of heads nodded.

"Because of his experiences in the Outworlds Alliance, Mr. Miyamoto also has a well-rounded understanding of the political and tactical climate currently brewing there. His expertise in this area proved invaluable in our planning for this Operation, and at this time, I would like to turn the briefing over to him."

[Wedge Lourde]

I strode into the Brefing room and sat beside Sargeant First Class Holms Net. After flashing throught to brefing, I downloaded it to my handheld and read it through. ALPHA -3: ASIA THATIUS.

"Captain Maxwell... She's a clanner! We're NOT having a clanner..."

"Sargeant, listen to me. She's a Dragoon Bondsmen. She was a FORMER clanner. Listen. We have to keep her safe, she's more involved in this revolution than any of us. Sargeant, this is major. If the Govonment silences this planet, they would seize full control and make life hell. We need the help of this Bondsmen to take them down. Just think of this as Kentares IV."

Kentares... I see now... ...we never got the help of any damn mercenaries...

"Damn, I guess we'll just have to slide on past about any ship that are in space. This one is going to be a good one."

[Lance Commander Marcus Taylor]

I stared hard at the screen. A Clanner? Jade Falcon at that. I had my own opinion about the Clanners, a slightly skewed and perhaps biased one which ended up more like a Clanners perspective than one of the Inner Sphere.

Wedge interrupted the briefing with an outburst regarding this manner. I decided to join in and give my 2 C-Bills.

Damn, I guess we'll just have to slide on past about any ship that are in space. This one is going to be a good one.

Wedge! Have you totally lost your mind in regards to the Clanners? Yes, she's from Clan Jade Falcon and while I'm not exactly thrilled to deal with THAT particular Clan...

Among a few others...

...YOUR previous superior officer AND who was OUR personal responsibility to protect her life at any cost, WAS a CLANNER! She was probably one of the best mechwarriors I've ever met, probably better than me even. Not to mention SHE LET US LIVE! You, me and Schuster are all alive because of a Clanner.

Silence covered the room as Wedge looked at me, slightly angry for being insubordinate and partially because he knew as well as I did that I was right. I turned to Captain Maxwell and spoke.

Captain, I'm sure you know my history from my Dossier regarding Clanners. Some dealings, bloody and violent and others the sole reason I'm still standing before you today. While I do not have the level of trust that I might be expected to have, I have been around Clanners long enough to know that sometimes you just need to find out for yourself.

I sat down and returned to reviewing for the Mission. Something wasn't right, but I couldn't put my finger on it. Was it the fact that we had someone from Clan Jade Falcon with us? Or was it something else?

My mind ran back to when I first discovered Commander Wayne was a Clanner. At first, I was angry. Then, I learned that not all Clans are the same. Some had different ideals about how things should be done when they returned to the Inner Sphere.

I learned much about the Clans when I fought Clan Smoke Jaguar. The rest I learned through Cmdr. Wayne and I remembered the fact that Clan Jade Falcon was one of the most fanatical.

I looked up as the Captain finally began to comment on our outburst.

[Gen Miyamoto]

"I realize that many of you may be uneasy serving under a different lance leader, and I know with the recent circumstances there might be some hard feelings. Just remember you're mechwarriors and you have a job to do. I trust those of you with your doubts have the personal responsibility of putting them aside and carrying out this op with the utmost of thier skill. I assure you this is no milkrun and there is no room for dissent."
I looked about the room, gauging the response. No lynch mob yet.

"That said, let's move to the mission at hand. Our primary objectives on this mission will be to destory the major military assets of Vojvoda while also capturing or killing the dictator of Valasha, Jorge Almarez.

This will be achieved by a two pronged attack by both remaining lances on the Puerto Valacia spaceport and Tierra Verde military complex. If both teams are successful, we should effectivley trap Almarez on planet and have roundly destroyed loyalist military forces.

Valashan forces will be numerous at both sites and we can expect air support, battlemechs, and vehicals. We can expect moderate piloting and gunnery skills in their mechwarriors along with good to excllent skills in thier air craft and tanks. These Valashans are trained mostly in crowd control and rebel suppresion, they will not have much expereince fighting a supperior foe. So play it safe and clean, heroics and risky moves will only get you killed.

Remember, if this op fails, those who had to eject will almost definatley be captured, tortured, and killed. That being said, I'd like to open up the floor to questions."

[Captain Benjamin Maxwell]

Miyamoto's speech effectively quashed the argument taking place on the briefing room floor. I would address the matter of Aisa Thastus once the Op-related questions had been asked and answered.

[Lieutenant Kei-teh Kintaru]

A clanner aye?… Interesting I thought to myself as I sat in the very back corner of the briefing room. I held no immense feelings for clanners (though our last dealings with these type of people left a mild feeling of… discomfort so to speak). I scratched at my itching wounds that were still healing. I was amazed with within less than a week my wounds only needed light bandage dressing and some mild pain killers to help the healing process. It amazed me that I was still alive after such a horrific beating.
Ren…
The events that took place not too long ago still laid fresh in my mind like turn soil in a farmer’s field. I still felt ashamed of myself. Ren had the one thing my life was significant for… those first few days after being released from the infirmary left me with mixed emotions. I was simultaneously filled with perpetuated self loathing for my failure… but I also felt relieved that there was a chance that Ren didn’t get EVERYTHING he wanted.

My mind went back to the matter at hand, back to the briefing as Miyamoto took the centre stage. As he spoke, explaining the Alpha and Bravo lance’s role in the OP, I quickly glanced through the Mission Brief that was sent to each of us via email. Something caught my attention.

The room came to a gradual silence as the floor was open for questions.


Sir… about the rebels… ‘The Reach’… what is known about them?”

Surely it was a coincidence… another group calling themselves “The Reach”. Surely the creators of the Jade Stone Fortune hadn’t changed themselves to rebels… to “freedom fighters”.

“… Not much is know Lieutenant. They appear to have come from years of hiding in a remote section of the planet… if you want me to give you the dossier on what IS known your more than welcome to take a look at it after the briefing.” Miyamoto replied as he shifted though his paper work looking for the specific report. He finally fingered it and briefly waved it in the air to signal that he found it.


“Thank you sir.” I replied, relaxing back into my chair. No… I didn’t seem that The Reach I knew would fight for other people’s freedoms. Especially when THEY caused secret wars to help shape the Inner Sphere. And I doubt they would have had a change of heart.

I seriously doubted that.

I sat inattentively for the breifing to end. The sooner it was over, the sooner I could get prepared…

[MechWarrior Alex Thorn]

I was, to my suprise, ready for another OP. I looked up as Miyamoto opened the floor to questions.

"Sir. As being part of Bravo Lance I was wondering if we knew exactly what kind of defenses we would be facing sir at the base?"

I sat back waiting for a reply. We had faced impossible odds this last mission and they were quite unexpected. I wanted to be ready this time.

[Captain Benjamin Maxwell]

Miyamoto glanced at me. I had prepared a holographic presentation to address this particular question. As I stepped forward, I clicked a button on the holoscreen's remote, and a three-dimensional representation of the Tierra Verde installation flickered into existence.

"Excellent question. While there has been some question as to how current The Reach's intel is, preliminary reports indicate that the loyalists will be well-equipped with Commando, Locust, Panther, Hatchetman, Sentinel, and Dervish-class BattleMechs, as well as a host of vehicle and AeroTech assets. The base will also have stationary emplacements. It's going to be one hell of a firefight. There's a tactical supplement in your briefing file that details the expected enemy assets and their numbers, if you're interested. I suggest browsing through it."

I awaited the next question.

[Dr. Jessica Saturina]

Once in the briefing room I took a seat, listening intently to the Captain, then the New guy. I wasn't sure why they needed me at the briefing but I was asked to come so here I am.

All the questions posed were interesting and valid. I would not trust the clanner they were letting in, but I would do my duty when called upon.

My loyalties belong to the Legionnaires. I had sworn an Oath to them to always take care of them and use all of my skills to perpetuate their lives and the quality of their lives.

I had no real questions pertaining to the Op, so I just sat and took all the info in. Just waiting for someone to dismiss us.

[Wedge Lourde]

"Captain, I know everyone else in Alpha may not accept the Clanner, But I do, sir."

I walked over to Taylor.

"Corporal, why are you so worried about having a clanner? She's not even in your lance."

...YOUR previous superior officer AND who was OUR personal responsibility to protect her life at any cost, WAS a CLANNER! She was probably one of the best mechwarriors I've ever met, probably better than me even. Not to mention SHE LET US LIVE! You and I are alive because of a Clanner. You can't say things about Clans just because you were SAVED by a clanner."

I walked off in a half-boiling mood. This washed away quickly as I approached my seat. I knew a fight before an Op was not good.

"Miyamoto... Sir. When and where will Alpha Lance redevzous with Colonel Thatasus?"

[Gen Miyamoto]

Upon hearing Lourde's request, I replied, somewhat confused, " I am afraid I don't deal in that area sergent, you'll have to ask Maxwell. I am able to answer any questions on theatre 2 or bravo lance objectives though."

I then glanced over to Maxwell, as we traded positions.

[Captain Benjamin Maxwell]

The controversy over Star Colonel Aisa Thastus had reached a boiling point - enough so that it was causing many members of the cadre to lose their focus. Great rifts were beginning to form between opposing groups, and I had to act quickly to regain control of the situation. I stepped to the podium, projecting an authority normally reserved for the most grievous of situations.

"MechWarriors - let's get it in check. I knew this issue would stir old emotions and bring out many, many strong - and, admittedly - justifiable, prejudices - and I don't blame any of you for harboring these feelings. Especially as concerns Clan Jade Falcon - arguably the most fanatical and sadistic of the crusader Clans. To many of you, she undoubtedly represents the very embodiment of evil.

"Every one of you is entitled to your opinions, and no one of you is more 'right' than anyone else. There is a time and a place for debate, but this is not it. If ever an Operation required teamwork and comradarie, it's this one. As Mr. Miyamoto so aptly put it, there is no room for dissent."

A flurry of murmers swept across the room. I waited for the noise to subside before continuing.

"Now, to clarify some information concerning Thastus.

"When we accepted this contract, we accepted the presence of a tactical advisor appointed by the MRBC. Evidently, they, too stand to gain a substantial commission for successful completion of this Op, and so, it stands to reason that they would want to protect their investment.

"The information that was withheld from me at the time the contract was accepted, however, and which I admittedly failed to investigate, was the identity of said advisor. This was not revealed to me until about an hour before this briefing. When I learned that it was Star Colonel Aisa Thastus, I was...surprised, to say the least.

"To provide a bit of background - Thastus is a full-blooded Jade Falcon clanswoman who was captured as a bondsman by the Wolf's Dragoons during a campaign on New Wessex, in 3063. Since that time, she has continued to function in their service, ultimately gaining the trust and, yes, even the respect, of many entities both within and outside of their organization, and has garnered a reputation as a cunning tactician and a loyal warrior. She's even authored several publications on battlefield tactics and resource management - her entire dossier is available in the repository if any of you are interested.

"I admit, even I have some...misgivings...about working alongside someone who very likely commanded forces I engaged during the Invasion - but her credentials speak for themselves - and I do believe that her knowledge of the Periphery and formidible tactical prowess can only serve to benefit us."

"But what if she decides to betray us?"

I nodded.

"As unfavorable a scenario as that may be, and relatively unlikely one given her track record, that contingency has been considered. Thastus wears a monitoring chip at all times, so her whereabouts and activities can be tracked. Additionally, her 'Mech has been outfitted with a command interface which allows a remote operator to monitor, and selectively assume control of, or override, virtually all of its vital systems. If she tries anything, we'll know about it, and be able to take appropriate action.

"I'm not asking you to like her. I'm not even asking you to trust her. But I am asking you to work with her, and to take any advice she may dispense into consideration. That is her purpose for being here - to help us function more cohesively as a unit.

"She will be arriving at the Slocum jump point within the hour, and will board the Liberty within the hour. She will report directly to me, and will carry out no actions without my explicit approval. Any problems you may have with her are to be brought to my attention immediately. Understood?"

There was a smattering of grumbled acknowledgements.

"Very well. Mister Miyamoto has some closing remarks, after which this briefing will be concluded. We jump to Valasha in four hours. Good luck, MechWarriors. I look forward to seeing you all on the battlefield."

I yielded the podium to Miyamoto once again.

[Gen Miyamoto]

"Very well. Mister Miyamoto has some closing remarks, after which this briefing will be concluded. We jump to Valasha in four hours. Good luck, MechWarriors. I look forward to seeing you all on the battlefield."

I stood for a moment, allowing the seriousness of Maxwell's remarks to set in. Then approached.

"Alright, now are there any last questions? Yes, corporal...."

"Schuster. I was wondering if we can expect any assistance from the reach, sir."

"We can count on all the military assets the rebels can spare. Probably more than they can spare. If it's any indication how much thier banking on us, one of the two recognized leaders of this rebellion will be joining the battle. No less in a mech that was bought with more money than five Valacians make in a year."

" We can count on the very best equipment and pilots. Those in battle won't be migrant silver miners from paraska. We'll be having experienced ex-military personel who support the reach's cause. To answer your question corporal. Yes, a hell of a lot." As I finished my speech, I could see I was letting my opinions crompromise my briefing. I had better call it.

"Well, I think everybody here knows the situation and knows what they have to do. Maxwell with your permission..." He sends a reafirming nod, and with it a bussle of conversation picks up as Legionnaires rise from thier seats to leave. Suddenly I remember.

"Oh, and one other thing mechwarriors. Bravo lance, I'm buying drinks for every pilot who makes it back with thier mech in one piece. That is all." My last sentence was muffled by cheers. I think I found myself the right lance.

[Gen Miyamoto]

Once the room had cleared, I approached Maxwell.

"Maxwell, a moment. I understand we've got a clan Jade Falcon pilot coming among our ranks."

The captain nodded and said, "mmm, yes that's correct. As I said in the briefing, she's a bondsman of Wolf's Dragoons."

I interuppeted him "Right, I know. I just want you to be careful around her. She was manufactured by the clans you know. She might seem tame now, but she's still a ruthless killer deep down. A loss in battle can't reverse years of desensitizing."

The captain had a bit of a scowl, he didn't like what he was hearing. "I am aware of the risks Miyamoto, thank you for your concern. Thank you also for addressing them to me privately. I will keep an eye on her"

We had arrived at the door, it opened, and we stood for a minute in silence, exchanging a stare. I then said, "Be sure you keep both on her" and with that I left, the door closing behind me.