Anywhere
Tamar March
Federated Commonwealth
9 March, 3050
The choice of battlefield had been a necessity in order to prevent the clanners from following the remnants of the militia attack force, but now, in the narrow confines of the gap, Fiona was less sure of her surroundings than she would have liked. She had taken her mech to the gap, and the rest of the resistance forces had beat a hasty retreat with the time she was buying, but the clanners were slow to make the rendezvous, or at least slower than she was expecting. Thus far they had been nothing but bold and aggressive, and now, there were signs of caution. That was going to work against her.
Her Wyvern stood in the middle of the gap, which was little more than a plowed road through the steep ridgeline. The walls on both sides were relatively steep, and covered with undergrowth and brush. For the most part, the path looked relatively unused. Her unit hadn't spent enough time on the planet to get to know the terrain beyond maps and charts.
The timer that she set was steadily counting down from the agreed upon ten minutes, and yet there was no sign of a clan advance. There had been a few trace contacts on the edge of her sensor range, but nothing of significance and nothing that had moved on her position. With the timer nearly up, she contemplated opening a channel to try to goad the clanners into action, but decided against it. She would just have to be patient.
Thus far, she had won two duels with this unknown enemy, and in both cases she had faced off against an opponent significantly lighter than her own Battlemech's weight. Even those were tough fights. She had no idea what kind of Mech this Star Commander Lovvins would bring. Her mech was battered, but not significantly damaged from her earlier combat. She would win. She had to win. That's all there was to this resistance. Just win the next fight. Sooner or later, help would come.
As the timer hit zero, she dialed her sensors up to maximum. Her sensors painted five enemy mechs arrayed about a kilometre and a half away, but none of them made any move. She was puzzling this out, when movement caught her eye on the normal vislight display of her cockpit. There was some kind of movement amongst the undergrowth, and despite it being relatively close to her mech, her sensors told her nothing. Was it infantry? Why would they send infantry against a mech?
Just then, she remembered some of the scattered comms traffic when the Falcons had first attacked. There were rumblings of some kind of super-infantry that were tearing up much of the conventional forces. But they were infantry, how much of a threat could they be?
As that thought crossed her mind, her systems wailed the tone of a missile lock, and seemingly from every direction, small smoke trails blossomed. Her mech shook under the impact of what felt like a full barrage of SRMs. As she tried to make sense of the tactical situation, a few spears of light lanced from cover, slashing her armor like talons. It was then that she spotted the source of her torment.
She first spotted the one bounding from cover. It was larger than an infantryman, and oddly shapen, with an almost bulbous chest. But it ran like a man, and shot spears of laser energy from it's right arm as it raced towards her. She triggered her SRM launcher, which sent 6 missiles lashing towards the insect-like attacker. They exploded around him, showering the area with debris and death that would shred an infantry attack. Yet out of the smoke and chaos, the thing bounded ever closer to her.
It was not alone. At least three or four more of the little beasts were all scrambling straight for her mech, taking pot shots with their lasers and seemingly oblivious to the danger of charging against a Battlemech. She speared the one in front of her, who had somehow survived her missile volley, with her crosshairs and pulled the trigger for her large laser. The beam struck the little creature square in the chest, and seemed to stagger him for a moment, as the bulbous frontal plate that was his chest absorbed the energy, then he fell onto his back and lay still.
She had little time to ponder the idea of these armored bugs that took a large laser to put them down, as her mech was rocked with several thuds. After a few seconds, she realized that the little thuds were the little bugs jumping onto her mech. She learned this as her system began rapidly painting holes in the armor diagram.
She saw one of the little creatures tearing away at her mech's skin on her left torso. With as much control as she could manage, she worked the controls and brought her mech's right hand around and grabbed the offending enemy. She flung the armored bug away, only to see the thing break it's fall into a roll, and come up into a crouch. Then it poited it's barrel arm at her and snapped off a laser shot that melted armor from her mech's head.
She had no idea what to do. There was no training for this. Her first instinct was to try to execute a kind of drop and roll, although she worried that the damage she did to her own mech might outweigh whatever these little armored insects were doing. Before she had a chance to test her theory, one of the bugs appeared on her cockpit canopy and began pounding away at the ferro-glass with an ugly claw.
It took only a few impacts before the creature managed to shatter and carve enough away to make a breach, and once the cockpit was breached, it pulled it's claw arm out and thrust it's laser barrel into the opening. Thinking of nothing else, all Fiona could do was grab the pull handle for her mech's ejection seat and pull with all her might.
Before the enemy could trigger his laser, the explosive bolts fired, and her command couch rocketed skyward. Well, not quite skyward. The armored enemy must have somehow impacted the ejection sequence, because her command couch thrashed about aimlessly on a far shallower arc than it should have.
She remembered little of what happened next. One impact, then another, then they all blended together. Darkness, a falling sensation, then an abrupt stop. Then unconsciousness.
Tuesday, April 28, 2020
Monday, April 27, 2020
Anywhere
Tamar March
Federated Commonwealth
9 March, 3050
Fiona thumbed the trigger for her large laser, and the shot rang true. As energy poured into the clan mech, the temperature in her cockpit rose to almost unbearable levels. Part of her wanted to close her eyes and sink away, but she fought through the urge to unconsciousness and was rewarded with the sight of the enemy Uller collapsing, limp on the ground as pieces of the massive gyro that had been keeping it upright spun off in all directions.
She had won. Now all those fools back at the resistance camp would be forced to take her tactics seriously. For days they had argued over the best way to go about liberating supplies from these clan invaders, and in the end, they had compromised. The militia got their way, and a large scale raid was planned. In fact, the raid was probably going on right now. But Fiona had stuck to her guns. These clanners were obsessed with duels, and she could use that. She had managed to wrangle permission to take her Wyvern out alone, and test her theory while the main group pulled off a coordinated raid.
She had marched her mech to one of the supply dumps they had been targeting, challenged the defending clanners to a duel for three trucks worth of supplies, and now she had won. A single battle had netted three entire trucks worth of munitions and spare parts. While she hoped that the main attack was going well, even if it did, there could be no arguing that her way was more efficient. It involved lower risk, and bigger payoffs.
She contemplated getting out of her mech to supervise the loading, but instead opted for the safety of her cockpit. She watched as a recovery crew swarmed over her downed opponent. The mechwarrior inside emerged uninjured, but looked ready to start a fight all over again if need be. He was clearly unnerved at having lost the duel. Who were these people? These Clan Jade Falcons? There would be time enough to discover that later, she supposed.
The trucks were almost loaded when a burst came over her comm line.
"Kendrick...you there?"
So much for operational security. She recognized the voice of Hauptmann Clay in spite of the near panicked tone of his voice "Yes sir, I'm here, and I have recovered supplies. I'm heading to the-"
He cut her off before she could finish her report. "That's all fine and dandy, but we've kicked a hornet's nest over here. We hit them hard, but they were on us with reinforcements in minutes. We're all shot up and trying to break contact. We need your ass on the line here, and fast. We're planning to make a stand of it at one of the passes over the ridge line. Pull up your AFFC map and it will be marked as Mitchell's Gap. We're gonna blunt these Falcons in the nose...or beak..or whatever at the pass, hit them hard, kick 'em in the teeth, then break contact fast. You got all that girl?"
She sighed. "Understood. I'll make best speed to the gap and help you boys get your fat out of the fryer."
By the time she arrived at the pass, it was clear that the plan had gone all to hell. She stumbled into a disorganized mob of mechs and vehicles, and her tactical display was showing a large contingent of enemy contacts heading their way very quickly.
"Who's in charge here?" She barked over the comms.
"Clay here, don't act all smug now. We're trying to get organized to put up a defense of the gap here, just take your place in line and we'll get you all situated."
She slammed her fist against one of the displays in the cockpit in frustration. Once again, the higher-ups were making an absolute disaster of the situation.
"Sir, you don't have time, they're right on top of us. Their mechs run faster and cooler than ours, and they're going to be on our ass any second now."
Once again, the disheartening drawl of Hauptmann Clay came over the line in response. "Don't get your panties in a twist, we know this is serious, and we're gonna' handle it."
She fought off the urge to curse over the comms. "No. I'm going to handle it"
She turned her Wyvern, battered from her earlier duel, in the direction that her tactical display said the Falcons were coming from and pushed the throttle forward.
"Where in the hell are you going, Kendrick? Get your ass back-" she switched the militia channel to mute and opened a broadband frequency.
"Jade Falcons, I am Leftenant Fiona Kendrick of the Ivaarson Chasseurs. I challenge you to a trial by combat. If I win, you will cease your pursuit. If you win, we will lay down our arms and cease all resistance. Who will accept my challenge?"
She waited for what seemed like ages, but in actuality was only a few seconds. "I am Star Commander Lovvins, of the 8th Falcon Regulars. Your batchall is late. You have already broken the tenets of zellbrigen and fought like rabble. I will not afford you honorable combat now. You are dezgra. You fight like bandits, you shall be treated as such."
Damn Hauptmann Clay and his people, they've endangered the one weapon we have against these people. There must be a way around this...."Star Commander Lovvins, I apologize for the conduct of the troops behind me. Their conduct will be dealt with later. But I am no bandit. Twice I have defeated you Jade Falcons in single combat, once during the invasion, and again just a few hours ago I defeated one of you in a trial for possession of supplies. My conduct is honorable. You cannot use that to cover your fear."
Again, there was a few moments of silence.
"Ha! Such insolence from a beaten people is ripe. It seems your claim is just, but I will not extend the honor to those surats that cower behind you. You may not protect them with your honor. If you wish single combat, that will be granted as your right, but the pursuit of these vermin will not stop."
Her mind raced with possibilities. There had to be a way to make this dueling system work in her favor, she just had to find it. She would have to stall for time. "Be careful who you call bandits and vermin. We are all warriors of the Armed Forces of the Federated Commonwealth. Our conduct might not be pure, but we are no pirates."
This time the deep voice of the clan commander responded quickly. "I grow tired of these words. I grant you a Trial of Grievance for declaring you dezgra. You may choose the location for this trial, but choose quickly."
An idea formed in her head. "Very well, Star Commander. I choose the site known as Mitchell's Gap. While we fight, none of your forces may pass through the gap. You can continue your pursuit all you like, just not through our battleground, at least until we're done."
The clanner scoffed at her. "Very well. You grant too much honor to the mob that you seek to protect. You may have it your way. The surats may retreat, and we will fight our trial at the Gap in ten minutes. I hope the cowardly rabble behind you are appreciative of your sacrifice, though they do not deserve it. I bid my point of force against you. Remember your decision after I have vanquished you, little Inner Sphere warrior."
Tamar March
Federated Commonwealth
9 March, 3050
Fiona thumbed the trigger for her large laser, and the shot rang true. As energy poured into the clan mech, the temperature in her cockpit rose to almost unbearable levels. Part of her wanted to close her eyes and sink away, but she fought through the urge to unconsciousness and was rewarded with the sight of the enemy Uller collapsing, limp on the ground as pieces of the massive gyro that had been keeping it upright spun off in all directions.
She had won. Now all those fools back at the resistance camp would be forced to take her tactics seriously. For days they had argued over the best way to go about liberating supplies from these clan invaders, and in the end, they had compromised. The militia got their way, and a large scale raid was planned. In fact, the raid was probably going on right now. But Fiona had stuck to her guns. These clanners were obsessed with duels, and she could use that. She had managed to wrangle permission to take her Wyvern out alone, and test her theory while the main group pulled off a coordinated raid.
She had marched her mech to one of the supply dumps they had been targeting, challenged the defending clanners to a duel for three trucks worth of supplies, and now she had won. A single battle had netted three entire trucks worth of munitions and spare parts. While she hoped that the main attack was going well, even if it did, there could be no arguing that her way was more efficient. It involved lower risk, and bigger payoffs.
She contemplated getting out of her mech to supervise the loading, but instead opted for the safety of her cockpit. She watched as a recovery crew swarmed over her downed opponent. The mechwarrior inside emerged uninjured, but looked ready to start a fight all over again if need be. He was clearly unnerved at having lost the duel. Who were these people? These Clan Jade Falcons? There would be time enough to discover that later, she supposed.
The trucks were almost loaded when a burst came over her comm line.
"Kendrick...you there?"
So much for operational security. She recognized the voice of Hauptmann Clay in spite of the near panicked tone of his voice "Yes sir, I'm here, and I have recovered supplies. I'm heading to the-"
He cut her off before she could finish her report. "That's all fine and dandy, but we've kicked a hornet's nest over here. We hit them hard, but they were on us with reinforcements in minutes. We're all shot up and trying to break contact. We need your ass on the line here, and fast. We're planning to make a stand of it at one of the passes over the ridge line. Pull up your AFFC map and it will be marked as Mitchell's Gap. We're gonna blunt these Falcons in the nose...or beak..or whatever at the pass, hit them hard, kick 'em in the teeth, then break contact fast. You got all that girl?"
She sighed. "Understood. I'll make best speed to the gap and help you boys get your fat out of the fryer."
By the time she arrived at the pass, it was clear that the plan had gone all to hell. She stumbled into a disorganized mob of mechs and vehicles, and her tactical display was showing a large contingent of enemy contacts heading their way very quickly.
"Who's in charge here?" She barked over the comms.
"Clay here, don't act all smug now. We're trying to get organized to put up a defense of the gap here, just take your place in line and we'll get you all situated."
She slammed her fist against one of the displays in the cockpit in frustration. Once again, the higher-ups were making an absolute disaster of the situation.
"Sir, you don't have time, they're right on top of us. Their mechs run faster and cooler than ours, and they're going to be on our ass any second now."
Once again, the disheartening drawl of Hauptmann Clay came over the line in response. "Don't get your panties in a twist, we know this is serious, and we're gonna' handle it."
She fought off the urge to curse over the comms. "No. I'm going to handle it"
She turned her Wyvern, battered from her earlier duel, in the direction that her tactical display said the Falcons were coming from and pushed the throttle forward.
"Where in the hell are you going, Kendrick? Get your ass back-" she switched the militia channel to mute and opened a broadband frequency.
"Jade Falcons, I am Leftenant Fiona Kendrick of the Ivaarson Chasseurs. I challenge you to a trial by combat. If I win, you will cease your pursuit. If you win, we will lay down our arms and cease all resistance. Who will accept my challenge?"
She waited for what seemed like ages, but in actuality was only a few seconds. "I am Star Commander Lovvins, of the 8th Falcon Regulars. Your batchall is late. You have already broken the tenets of zellbrigen and fought like rabble. I will not afford you honorable combat now. You are dezgra. You fight like bandits, you shall be treated as such."
Damn Hauptmann Clay and his people, they've endangered the one weapon we have against these people. There must be a way around this...."Star Commander Lovvins, I apologize for the conduct of the troops behind me. Their conduct will be dealt with later. But I am no bandit. Twice I have defeated you Jade Falcons in single combat, once during the invasion, and again just a few hours ago I defeated one of you in a trial for possession of supplies. My conduct is honorable. You cannot use that to cover your fear."
Again, there was a few moments of silence.
"Ha! Such insolence from a beaten people is ripe. It seems your claim is just, but I will not extend the honor to those surats that cower behind you. You may not protect them with your honor. If you wish single combat, that will be granted as your right, but the pursuit of these vermin will not stop."
Her mind raced with possibilities. There had to be a way to make this dueling system work in her favor, she just had to find it. She would have to stall for time. "Be careful who you call bandits and vermin. We are all warriors of the Armed Forces of the Federated Commonwealth. Our conduct might not be pure, but we are no pirates."
This time the deep voice of the clan commander responded quickly. "I grow tired of these words. I grant you a Trial of Grievance for declaring you dezgra. You may choose the location for this trial, but choose quickly."
An idea formed in her head. "Very well, Star Commander. I choose the site known as Mitchell's Gap. While we fight, none of your forces may pass through the gap. You can continue your pursuit all you like, just not through our battleground, at least until we're done."
The clanner scoffed at her. "Very well. You grant too much honor to the mob that you seek to protect. You may have it your way. The surats may retreat, and we will fight our trial at the Gap in ten minutes. I hope the cowardly rabble behind you are appreciative of your sacrifice, though they do not deserve it. I bid my point of force against you. Remember your decision after I have vanquished you, little Inner Sphere warrior."
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