Chapter 2 Fighting the War
Isokoru: Duty is a mountain.
A BattleMech regiment on the move, the sight takes your breath away. The Black Tigers and Ryukaze were advancing on Chicago driving a full division of Amaris Dragoons ahead of them. Isokoru Satoh watched from an overpass as a mixed regiment of Rim World troops tried to make a stand near a truck stop on the main highway. The alternating dark and light blues of the enemy machines would have been soothing, almost pretty if they weren't mud and snow spattered, blackened from battle damage. If they could catch their breath the Amaris troops could have overwhelmed the Tigers before the advancing Eridani Light Horse could arrive to support them. The Black Tigers wouldn't let them. As he watched, a salvo of Arrow IV missiles slammed into the core of the Amaris formation shattering 'Mechs and tanks. A battalion of Terran heavies in the new black and red paint job the 90th had adopted hit their front lines and Isokoru noticed Alex Winter's Black Knight in the middle of the fray. A column of enemy machines streamed from the rear approaching the Rim World command position. The enemy commander must have sensed something amiss. His hundred ton Great White turned towards the approaching 'Mechs which were painted black with red claw marks on the shoulders. The lead Hecatoncheires a seventy to heavy opened fire then. The class twenty autocannon in it's left arm decapitated the enemy 'Mech.
That's the signal the ex Combine officer thought. Turning he raised his Dragon, "Kachiko's" arm.
"Ryukaze ticket to the last stop, let's close the circle!"
Accelerating to almost 90kph the Combine made heavy was joined by seventy other medium weight and fast heavies all painted in the deep blood red of the 1st Sword of Light. Black claw slashes set these machines apart as did the Cameron star in the coiled dragon insignia. To the northwest a new formation of dark blue machines was approaching. The colors marked them as Amaris House Guards, the 2nd most likely as intel placed them in the area. The new formation hesitated as they caught sight of the Kuritans.
"Ryukaze on me, open channels."
As one the hardened samurai of the 1st Ryukaze Volunteer Regiment turned and over an open frequency screamed out "Banzai!".
Isokoru could imagine the confusion in the teki's mind. In the middle of fighting SLDF regulars to be set upon by Kurita troops. By a Swords regiment. Even the most skilled and disciplined enemy units would have reason to pause.
Lord Kurita would have a canary, Isokoru thought, whatever a canary is.
Fire began to lance out from the Guards troops but the swift Combine machines closed the distance and crashed into the Rim Worlders. From an outsiders perspective it looks like chaos and madness. There is a purpose and an order even here. Shocked by the appearance of a nominal allies' most fearsome troops right in their faces the Amaris commanders hesitated for a critical second. This allowed the Kuritans fight on their terms. No soldiers any where are better at close combat in a BattleMech than Kurita regulars. The blood red machines instinctively targeted points of cohesion, enemy commanders, and "heroes" rallying troops to counterattack. Disciplined fire smashed any strong point before it could develop. It was however a costly way to fight. A blue Hecatoncheires slipped out of a knot of Jenners, the few Isokoru had remaining. It's shotgun like autocannon bringing one down while its battle fist batted another aside. Coming around its right flank Isokoru charged in striking the hulking enemy 'Mech with his shoulder. "Katchi's" lower center of gravity and bulked up shoulder myomers shoved the bigger machine to the side where laser and cannon fire from a Wolverine cut into its lower back touching off the Amaris machine's ammo bin.
"Arigato Kurita-san"
"De nada, boss, a little hairy, huh?"
"A bit, Francine, a bit." A sudden thought nagged at him. "Don't get to far away from me, I don't want to explain to the Coordinator how I got his cousin killed."
"Just tell Minoru-sama I was working off stress, he'll understand." Her laugh was a little ragged.
Slicing at a nearby Shark with the 9cm pulse laser replacing Katchi's 40mm autocannon, Isokoru nodded. He'd trained "Little Frankie" Kurita and knew that years of being a guest of Stephan Amaris had taken it's toll on the younger woman. Like that little Sarah girl, Francine Kurita was a distant family member posted to Terra to put a name in the diplomatic process. The Combine had several such, giving rise to the old tired joke that there were more Kuritas on Terra than on Luthien. Unlike Sarah Davion, with her diplomatic training, Francine was a warrior. She needed to fight. And she was right, her cousin would understand.
A Great White loomed out of the dust then, spitting out waves of short range warheads at Kachiko. Isokoru twisted in his linear frame sending the Dragon to the right avoiding the bulk of the missiles, but enough hit to rattle him around in his cockpit like a doll. Yellow framework appeared all over his status displays as he returned fire. The Amaris assault 'Mech could spit out thirty six 80mm free flight rockets at once and backed it up with a standard model particle cannon in each arm. It had the heat sinks to use these weapons liberally which it proved by sending two whips of charged particles at Francine. The two Kuritans split and began circling the bigger machine carving at its flanks but the pilot was superb twisting and feinting using his weight and threat of physical attack to fend off the lighter machines. Two of his Jenners joined the fight circling behind the monster to add their own rockets and lasers to the mix. A Rimmer Hecatoncheires chased them off a minute later and two Sharks began to flank the Kuritans.
"Uh Boss…"
"Don't have a canary Frankie."
Sending the last of his 60mm LRM's to keep one of the Sharks honest turned to the Great White and prepared to charge, thinking; Frankie could get clear, maybe, my honor is safe. A wave of fire swept over the Rim Worlds assault machine. Too many twisting rocket contrails to count and at least four argent streaks from gauss fire. The massive assault 'Mech twisted like a live thing as it came apart. The Sharks turned to run but a black and red Marauder's deliberate fire cored both machines before they could get up to speed.
500 meters away four battered Highlander assault 'Mechs led a wall of steel that was sweeping around the wounded Combine unit.
Isokoru's TACNET crackled to life then.
"'Ko, what're you doin' buddy hogging all the RimJob Guards?"
A relived laugh burst from him as his optics picked up the amazon carrying an assault rifle on the leg of Colonel Samuel Winter's "Bertha". Overhead his IFF showed fighters belonging to the Light Horse strafing and bombing the retreating Amaris troops.
"Hell Sam you know us damned Snakes, always hogging the glory."
"Looks like DeChevalier's plan worked."
"The teki went gunning for the Tigers once they knew you were on the field."
"When they didn't run outright, plus their comms are jammed with questions about a Sword of Light regiment attacking them, know anything about that?"
"Not a clue, Sam."
A sun bright flash of light interrupted them suddenly. And a deep rolling thunder swept over the battlefield.
"Orbital Fire?" Isokoru asked, surprised.
"Yeah, that should be the demise of the 224th Amaris Rifles, Isokoru recognized the voice of 3rd Battalions commander Justine Sinclair, and at least part of the 103rd Dragoons."
"The Tiger Claw caught a break in the fun upstairs and we were able to set up a shot."
Justine continued, "The remains of the Rim Worlds Navy are being turned into scrap as we speak."
"So much for Stevie-boys escape plan, Francine quipped."
Over the broadband a triumphant voice sounded."
"To all SLDF units, The Greenhaven Gestapo and its support have been eliminated, the Italian peninsula is free, I repeat…."
"Well that's good news, Justine chuckled dryly.
"Sooner they clear Europe, the sooner they get here. Samuel said.
"Just whish they'd move it, sir, unless they think we can break the Unity Line without 'em."
Isokoru knew what Sam was thinking even before he spoke the words.
"Be a hell of a thing if we could."
Alex: A long war.
Elmo's damage displays glared red at him as he pulled the Black Knight into 1st Battalion's bivouac. Sorry big guy, he thought, we'll have you fixed soon, but I can't promise you any rest. Unhooking his harness and setting his neurohelmet on the shelf behind his linear frame he took a moment to throw a parka over his combat suit, before opening the hatch at the rear of the Knight's head. A cherry picker's basket appeared a moment later to carry him down the ten meters to the snow below. In winter you never wanted to climb a 'Mech's basic ladder if you could avoid it. The combo of ice and heat was never pretty.
The last thing I need is to get killed slipping off my 'Mech, he thought with a sudden grin.
Nodding thanks to the technician running the lift he spotted MechRat one of Bruce's lance second, for some reason he never could remember the mans name but his moniker was unmistakable. So was his reputation as a first rate scrounger.
"What's the word 'Rat?"
"You'd know better than me, Major, but I'd have to say we kicked their asses.
Alex laughed nodding and gestured to the Hecatoncheires 'Rat was driving.
"How's the new ride."
Rat grimaced looking up at the lean heavy 'Mech.
"Ugly piece of Amaris junk, but …well honestly not that bad, those RimJobbers knew what they were doing on this one."
Alex nodded
"Don't worry we'll have you back in a proper Terran machine before long, they wont fall for that trick twice."
"Thanks, Major, Check this out though, you can really see it on Wally's D model Heck.'
"What am I looking for?"
"The gun rack housing on mine and the housing on the missile racks on Wally's.
"They're the same!"
"Yeah, when we were fixing them up, I noticed this early on, I don't think they can swap 'em in the field, the software is a bitch but It's the same chassis. The MasterTech and I think it's much easier to repair them in the field just swap out the bad systems, just like the Mercurys we use."
"Might be something for the boy's in R&D, good eye."
"Thanks sir."
Isokoru came up while we were looking over the Heck and stood watching us for a moment.
'Rat, he asked, got a question."
Rat looked back surprised.
"Yeah, Colonel?"
"What's a canary? As in don't have a canary."
"Oh, it's a little yellow bird."
Isokoru looked stricken for a moment then laughed.
As he walked off the Terran's heard him mutter;
"I just told a Kurita not to have a little yellow bird."
"Sir…"
"Yeah I know Drac's are weird.'
"Anyway you're off rotation for now the Eridani's are taking our place."
'Were out of it?"
"For the moment, General DeChavalier wants us in top form when we take on the Unity line, till then where going home."
'Rat's smile was worth a thousand words.
It was going to be a long war and Alex thought such smiles would be rare. He looked north towards the Unity Line. The defensive ring around Unity City was like nothing the SLDF had seen before, and hell we built it. Even worse Amaris had been making improvements. Walking to the command center he spotted Isokoru and Francine by the coffee machine, she looked furious and he; resigned and sad. As Alex watched Frankie put a hand on Isokoru's shoulder spoke quietly and walked off past Alex.
"Frankie what's up?"
"I'm going to beat some sense into my cousin, that's what!"
"You're….wait a minute you mean…."
"Cofucking ordinator Minoru stuck up the ass Kurita that's who I mean."
"Uhhh"
Her expression softened then and she laid her porcelain hand on Alex's mahogany one.
"Al on your honor promise me something."
"Yeah sure, you've got it."
"Take care of the Ryukaze, you and your Tigers, I've been recalled to Luthien, but the 'Kaze, they…
"Frankie?"
"They've been declared eta, they've been exiled all of them."
"God why.'
"My cousin thinks the League will fall, he looks forward to it."
She shook her head in disgust.
"He never saw the League the way I did, as a place we were free to be Kurita without enemies on three sides, that to be Kurita meant serving our people and keeping them safe. Never understood that we could serve with honor and Jinjiro's worse."
Alex looked at her with surprise. This was definitely not the image of the warmongering Drac Samurai.
But then none of the Ryukaze were.
"We will Francine, they're Tigers now, you all are."
Francine's clear blue eyes looked up at him.
Domo arigato Busosenshi Winter."
She stalked off fuming.
Alex went to get Isokoru, his father and a bottle of scotch.
In that order.
It was going to be a long war.
Samuel: A while later
One thing never changes, Samuel Winter thought. You just can't get decent pizza outside of New York. It's not much, but you take what you can get. Or not he mused, listening to his battalion commanders hash out the latest news from the high command. The smell from two slices of said pizza kept distracting him from the conversation. As usual Majors Christian Traumintieri and Justine Sinclair were at odds. The North American Front was holding where it was until the divisions in Asia and Africa caught up . Under strict orders to hold what they had, but not to press. Chris of course, was arguing for an aggressive posture. The big blonde Italian had a working mans sensibilities and an iron will. These qualities served him well leading his "Bloody Paws" the 90th's assault battalion. Chris tended to be direct and forceful, which worked well when one led a battalion of 100 ton Pillagers. On the political battlefield however…
Justine Sinclair was almost a polar opposite. The Argentine born commander of the "Hungry Tigers", was slender and olive skinned with raven black hair and a model's features. Outside of the cockpit Justine, known as "Sin" by her troops was the public face of the unit with a keen political mind. Inside her Marauder "Wendigo" she was just as direct as Chris, leading her battalion with a wild abandon. At the moment her famed cool looked about to crack.
"We should be in their faces, Chris was arguing, now more than ever."
"The Cappies and the Snakes, no offense Isokoru, are just waiting to finish the job Amaris started, not to mention that moron, Kenyon.
The only one in the room not in SLDF olive drab, smiled sadly at Chris and shrugged.
"Shigata ga nai Chris I'm not a Drac anymore."
Immaculate in his gray DCMS mechwarrior's jumpsuit, Isokoru Satoh was the oldest man in the room. Didn't look it though, Samuel thought, Drac's must seriously believe in clean living. The Kurita officer's long black hair and goatee were untouched by gray and his brown eyes normally danced with a wicked humor. A humor that even the Coordinator's son Jinjiro, had come to dread while Isokoru commanded the 1st Sun Zhang Academy Cadre. Motivated by honor a loyalist regiment of DCMS regulars, most of whom had served in the SLDF, had joined the Black Tigers shortly before the liberation began. With over thirty years of experience and a natural leader Isokoru was the logical choice for commander. Looking over his friend, Samuel knew they'd paid the price for their actions. Every Ryukaze soldier had been regulated to the class of eta or unproductives, exiled.
Justine was going over the General staff's, position for the umpteenth time.
"Look just do the math, the damn Unity Line's too strong and after we whacked their fleet the RimJobbers know they've go nowhere to run." Under her smooth, lightly accented English Samuel heard a tension building.
"But if we go in now we could lose it all, Africa's a mess and Kerensky's still bogged down in a Russian winter…."
Wonder if she's gonna take a swing at Chris, Samuel thought, be a hell of a fight.
"Sam?" Isokoru spoke up.
"Yeah, 'Ko"
"You gonna eat those last slices, they're getting cold"
"Split 'em, good huh?"
"Yup, almost as good Dani's back on Luthien….."
"Wha…. Chris sputtered.
"Yeah, It's on Shiro and Dieron."
Alex looked scandalized, even Justine looked miffed.
The tension in the room disappeared, as the conversation turned nostalgic, Alex shared a look with Isokoru and turned back to his father.
"Sir you wanted to know when the Stalker's were ready for action?"
"And?"
"We're at 100% with the 'Kaze survivors transferred in, and Captain Gilmour's company back in town."
"Bruce got back Wednesday didn't he?"
"Yeah, running those last Rimmers to ground took a lot out of 'em, so I'm requesting a weeks leave for the entire company.
Samuel nodded, with records destroyed and civilian police and intelligence services almost nonexistent many ex Rim Worlds soldiers in the liberated zones were simply disappearing into the population. Since many of these troops had been stationed on Earth since the occupation began they were being uncomfortably successful. The repercussions would last for decades. In the end though, the Amaris military was finished.
A call coming in from Major John Zazula of the 2005th Royal Combat Support Group, Samuel nodded to bring the meeting to a close. As Alex was leaving Samuel motioned for him to stay. Closing of f the link he turned to his son.
"You know the fight's almost over when the engineers get more action than the mechwarriors."
Nodding wearily, his son chuckled.
"Got plans tonight Al?"
"CJ and I are going out to dinner with Bruce and Sarah."
"The Davion girl, that serious?"
"I think so, she was engaged, but it was political, some rumors got out she was, well, um…"
"Gotcha."
"Anyway they're running shows on Broadway again."
"So soon?"
"It's not quite business as usual, but I don't think the city shut down even in the middle of the battle."
"That photo in the Times with Justine holding a press conference in Starbucks, a latte in her hand proved that."
"Humph, that moron Donner won't shut up about it." Samuel snorted.
"He still causing trouble?"
"Trying to be a big fish in a small pond, since DEPCOM didn't get gutted the way other government agencies did they've been the ones with the infrastructure to get things done….Donner's been using that."
"Sick Bruce on him."
For a second Samuel just stared at his son began to chuckle.
For the first time in over five years father and son shared a laugh.
"Might not be a bad idea."
Bruce: A night on the town.
Who ever designs dress uniforms must be a sadist, I thought, pulling at my collar. Not enough pockets, too tight around the chest, and what's up with the hat? Hell with it. I tossed the fur cap on the bed and looked at my self in the mirror catching sight of my graduation photo on the dresser. My family owns a small house just off the Fort Hamilton base. I'd been surprised to find it untouched after ten years. Closed up and wrapped as if for a move. No sign of my father though. Old man was probably was one of the first guys the Rimmers grabbed. I picked up the photo. Me, Al, Rachel Miller; dead in a battle dozens of light years away. Dad was on New Avalon still, the old man stood behind us hands on mine and Al's shoulders. We were in full dress looking totally squared away but damn it we looked like children. The Colonel looked so proud. I shook my head with a snort. Shit I still had both eyes then too.
A light touch on my arm shook me out of my musings.
Sarah stood at my side, eyes searching my face. I realized I must have been standing there for a while staring at the photo. Then I caught a good look at her.
Damn the hell she doin' with me.
Now mind you Sarah's gorgeous to begin with, lustrous red hair falling in waves to the middle of her back, warm hazel eyes a perky nose and full lips. She was wearing a black gown in the style popular in the Magestery of Canopus, reminiscent of Hollywood stars in the 1940's and 2450's. The daigumo silk left her shoulders bare and showed of her creamy white skin. She grinned impishly and stepped back to give a twirl.
"You're drooling Bruce."
I muttered something I don't remember but it must have been the right thing cause she kissed me lightly. Then she took my shoulders and gave me a once over.
"Your wearing your medals" It wasn't a question.
"Umm well I look like a damn Lyran"
She arched an eyebrow.
"Yes dear."
She shook her head.
"Sometimes you can be clueless Captain Gilmour."
"Why?"
One finger came up.
"First this is a big event, the first Broadway premier after the occupation.
The press will be all over this."
Another finger rose.
"Second; film of you in the Battle of the Flatiron, hunting down stragglers and during the reconstruction efforts over the past couple of months are all over the news.
She paused and crooked her head in almost in disbelief.
"You don't even know do you?"
"Been a bit busy hon."
"You're the 'Hero of New York'."
WTF, oh that.
"Sarah that story in the Post was all fluff."
"The public believes it, that's enough."
"But.."
Sarah placed a finger on my lips silencing me. With her chin tilted up and eyebrows raised I knew what was coming next.
"Third, I'm a Davion dear, think about it."
"Aunt Gladys will call the 3rd Guards if I don't look good enough?"
All the airs went away and she giggled looking like the little girl from New Avalon who was the first girl I ever kissed, and who threw mud in my face a minute later. Well we were ten at the time.
Needless to say I wore my full salad bar and my gunslingers medallion, I lost the damn cap at the theatre though. Strangest thing.
"And now we have Lydia Hilton from the premiere of 'Jocasta' at the McKenna theatre on Broadway, Lydia;
"Thanks Ryan, New York's brightest were out in style tonight, at what is turning into a gala celebration of liberty from Amaris Tyranny. Thomas Kennedy, Silvia Cho, and holo star Kelsey DaMarco all turned out in true New York style, but the most hubbub surrounded Lady Sarah Davion in a stunning Nadine Krantz original, escorted by Hometown Hero Captain Bruce Gilmour of our own 90th Black Tigers . Many are saying this pair are symbolic of both the trials and strengths of the Star League. Both lost family, Lady Davion's father Duke Paul and retired General Malcolm Gilmour and his wife Janet are both still unaccounted for……"
Entertainment Tonight coverage of the premiere of Donald Marquette's drama 'Jocasta'"Welcome back to Straight Talk with Jimmy Hoyle, your source for the real deal. With us today is George Donner, Director of Special Economic Projects or SEP for the Department of Communications. Director Donner, welcome.
"Thanks Jimmy, my pleasure.
"Well top of most news feeds is the reopening of the Broadway theatre district tonight and I understand we have the SEP to thank for that perhaps you'll tell us about that.
"We at the SEP take a lot of pride in our work, Jimmy, and it's not just restoring the basics people need to survive, it's also about preserving our heritage as Terrans. After all for more than a millennia New York has been a center for culture and the arts for all Terrans. Even in the remotest parts of Human Space, if you mention our fair city the first thing that comes to mind is Broadway. So once we had the lights back on and the military presence cleared from the city we realized the restoration projects would create much needed jobs, the rest as you say is history."
"Will you be attending?"
"Wouldn't miss it for the world."
Straight Talk with Jimmy Hoyle interview with SEP director George Donner.
The play at least was good, Sarah thought, Bruce had something to focus on. The walk down the red carpet had been second nature to her. For all his confidence in the field, her old friend seemed like a deer in the headlights in front of the press. She glanced at him, relaxed and enjoying himself at her side.
I've got a lot of work to do, she mused. Looking away she caught sight of that Donner man glaring at them across the aisle. By the Unfinished Book man, get a life. If life as a Davion taught you anything, it was spotting opportunists. As the defacto FedSuns embassy, Sarah and her aunt had been coordinating her Uncle John's relief efforts on Terra. Working with the SEP was inevitable. When they'd met he'd been outgoing and seemingly selfless but under it all Sarah always came away with an oily nasty feeling. When Donner had found out about just who her boyfriend was, he'd become cold, distant. Video of the incident on 6th avenue and the backstory had hit the Internet by then and Donner was still trying to spin his way out of it.
As the lights came up and the crowd applauded Sarah looked back at Bruce, the smile forming on her lips died as she saw the look he directed at Donner. The last time she'd seen a look like that it was on a documentary on Tigers, real ones, she'd watched as a kid. There was no emotion to it, just a predator sizing up prey. As they left he glanced down at her his one hazel eye gleaming. Humanity flooded back into his face and he smiled slipping an arm around her shoulders.
"Good show ,huh?"
"Yup, have fun? She cuddled closer.
"Always."
"Listen, I..uh, we're getting' kinda serious y'know..
"Really, I hadn't noticed..
Bruce raised an eyebrow.
Sarah grinned, "Go on."
"Justine gave me a grilling about you on behalf of the CIB, no big deal, but she said you were engaged?"
Her smile slipped, Bruce took a deep breath and went on.
"Look Sarah I don't play second fiddle to anyone."
"I was engaged, to Sebastian Green."
"Sebastian, are you kidding me."
"It was family not choice… And I thought you liked him."
"I do, but he's like a little puppy dog."
"I know he still is, did you know he's a Guards captain now?"
"Really?"
"Yeah with the 5th on Kathil, MechWarrior too."
"So what happened?"
"Stephan Bloody Amaris happened, almost ten years away, rumors start."
"Rumors?"
"That I'd been as Aunt Gladys would put it, soiled."
"They bought that?"
"Appearances are everything with Lady Green."
Bruce just shook his head in disgust as they got in the limo.
"Relax honey, after all that's happened I'd have called it off."
She slipped onto his lap and smiled.
"Look at it this way, your girlfriend's loaded."
"I knew there was a reason I kept you around', he said with a smirk.