As with other stories in my repertoire, this one is undergoing a facelift. I've been doing research, playing the games, and getting my act together to make this a proper and true MechWarrior story instead of a half-assed attempt at a MechWarrior story.

With that in mind, allow me to preface this properly. This is a part of Darklight02's "Digital Mechwarriors", but set from a different angle. Consider it a parallel of sorts. What involvement that this story may have with his is something that I won't reveal yet. You get to make that decision.

As it stands, this story could be considered an independent MechWarrior/BattleMech story, though after Chapter 4 it might prove a bit more difficult. I suggest you read both stories to keep tabs on what's going on – should he ever update again.

As always, I welcome questions and comments. Most of all, I welcome reviews, since without them I have a harder time making this story better. I should be able to update this as fast as or faster than DarkLight, which isn't hard given that he updates his story once a millennium.

Dramatis Personae:

Col. Michael "Vortex" Davids, Co-Commander
Col. Matthew "Clonemaster" Lysen, Co-Commander (Off-planet)

Remainder of the Command Lance

Capt. Julie "Harbinger" Athros, XO, Lance Commander (First Lance)
Capt. Ri'vel "Hunter" Kent, Lance Commander (Silent Lance)
Capt. Shelby "Blackeye" Keith, Lance Commander (Second Lance)

Other Officers

Cmdr. Jessica "Angel" Young, XO (Second Lance)
More names will be added as the story progresses.

No good story is published without praise and thanks. Thanks go out to Darklight02, first and foremost. His help and ideas gave me enough interest and desire to write this offshoot of his interesting storyline. I also want to thank the rest of the gang from the Academy, with whom I had many hours of fun and enjoyment destroying random mechs in the games. Also, the writers of the BattleTech/MechWarrior books deserve a great deal of credit, since their writings gave me plenty of good ideas.

Finally, we must cover the important legal section. This story is © 2003 – 2005 by ProjectVORTEX. All rights are reserved. MechWarrior, Battletech, and all source material related to them is © Whiz Kids and all rights are reserved. The MechWarrior computer games are © Microsoft Corporation and Whiz Kids, and again all rights are reserved. Anyone wishing to post this story elsewhere may do so as long as the following conditions are met: Permission must be sought from me first and I must be credited for it. If you plagiarize this story, then I sincerely hope you're prepared for the sight of a 75-ton Mad Cat Mk. II standing outside your door sometime in the foreseeable future. If that doesn't scare you, then I'm sure the Clans are looking for good bondsmen. ;)