Chapter 5
Victor Bravo 117, Northern edge of the Oasis Forest, Astrokaszy
Vondrasek protectorate
Periphery
7 June 3059
16:00:00 localtime
Allen raised his Battlemaster's right arm as a visual cue for the column of survivors to halt. Allen had ordered the immediate evacuation of the camp after hearing the reporter's description of the devastation that occurred in St. Ivan City. He surmised that anyone who would completely destroy a civilian population would be coming back to finish the job they started with his group. During the breaking down of the camp a messenger had arrived bringing word from Ryan. The waves of relief at hearing that most of Ryan's people had survived nearly overwhelmed Allen's exhausted mind. The column of survivors had been traveling for 10 straight hours and operating under radio silence, leaving each of the 'Mech Warriors alone with only their own thoughts as company. The going had been slow.
Allen had purposely chosen a round-about path to get to the rally point Ryan had indicated in his message. The column was also moving at a torturously slow pace due to the injured and those that had to walk due to lack of vehicles to transport them. Not to mention that most of the 'Mechs were badly damaged and couldn't move at anything better than a slow limp.
But we made it! Allen thought as he sat staring out of his canopy Where is Ryan?
Loose sand blew all around, brushing swirling designs across Allen's field of vision. At nearly 100 meters from the edge of the forest the signs of the violent storm beyond were now ever present. Allen risked exposure and swept the area with his 'Mech's sensors.
Nothing? Where are they? Could the enemy have intercepted them? Allen thought as the creeping depression brought on by the march and nagging guilt at having left his men back in the fire storm caused him to, again, doubt himself.
A sudden rapping on his overhead canopy caused Allen to snap his head back in surprise. His Neuro-Helmet collided with the back of his seat causing Allen's head to bounce around roughly inside. When he finally managed to get his wayward head under control and properly angle himself to see straight up, there was Ryan, dangling upside down by a cable and wrapped in his suppression camo. From the look on his face, Ryan was clearly struggling to suppress his laughter.
Cutting on his external speakers Allen boomed, "Dammit Ryan! I march all this way to find you playing in the trees!"
"Sorry boss, " Ryan barked between short coughs of laughter, "I couldn't resist. We knew someone was coming and got ready. When we confirmed it was you, we stayed put to make sure we could help if you were being followed. Butt.. when I got the all clear.. I just couldn't resist. Is your head alright?" With that last question he nearly laughed hard enough to fall from his precarious position.
"Right," was all that Allen could think to say. A combination of relief and embarrassment flustered his ordinarily quick wit.
"We're setup over there about 40 meters," Ryan pointed off to the right, slightly back into the forest, "there's a good spot to park the 'Mechs so they are well hidden. Oh, and I've got someone you should meet."
"Right," Allen wondered who on earth Ryan could have encountered out here during one of Astrokaszy's vicious sand storms, but he figured he'd find out soon enough. He turned his 'Mech to face the indicated direction, as other members of Ryan's team descended to the forest floor. Allen proceeded to issue orders to the rest of the column, "follow the soldiers to the new camp, Ryan? Want a lift?" Allen raised his 'Mech's free hand up to where Ryan was still perched and opened it up to reveal it's palm.
"Don't mind if I do, " Ryan called as he cut his ties to his support cable and performed a half somersault into the 'Mech's open hand.
Victor Bravo 117, Northern edge of the Oasis Forest, Astrokaszy
Vondrasek protectorate
Periphery
7 June 3059
16:40:00 localtime
Allen stood atop a small mound surveying the progress of the combined group of his and Yanskoff's people as they went about establishing the new camp. Their progress was going well under the expert direction of Ryan and his team, who were breaking the large assembly into smaller groups and positioning each sub camp for camouflage and defensibility. Allen had to admit that this was an excellent location.
Due to the shape of the terrain, each sub camp was positioned in such a way that they would look like extensions of a hill or fill in a small valley to create the illusion of a continuous mound. The 'Mechs, Battlearmor, and vehicles were safely stored in a large underground cave whose entrance was nearly invisible until you were actually standing in the opening. Ryan had explained that the composition of the rocks, their natural formation and the heavy iron content of the trees and surrounding vegetation all conspired to create the visual illusion that could not be penetrated by sensors. He wouldn't have found the cave if one of the Battlearmor units hadn't fallen in after jumping over the hill from the other side. The techs had already begun converting the large natural formation into a functional service and re-arm depot that would go along way to making the severely damaged units battle ready. A makeshift hospital was being erected further back in the cave.
It had taken the better part of the last forty minutes to get the 'Mechs and vehicles ushered into the cave and round up the stragglers from the long march.
And now to find out more about this "guest" Ryan has been talking about Allen thought as he headed in the direction of the new command center Ryan had already established under the exposed root structure of one of the largest trees. Allen had to duck under an overhead branch as he entered the command center. He stopped short just after entering as he took in the impressive difference between the nearly undetectable and very natural looking exterior and the inside which was filled with various portable computers, all interconnected, displaying an incredible array of views of the camp, the surrounding areas, and technical readouts from seismic and passive radar installations.
Damn! Ryan has been busy! Allen noted that one of the technicians, wearing an oversized headset, seemed to be cycling through listening devices that looked, on the visual display, to be scattered throughout the camp and, if the map on the display was to be believed, up to 700 meters around the camp!
I've got to remember to give him a raise after this! Allen thought with earnest
IF we get out of this he morbidly added to remind himself of the gravity of the situation.
Spotting two soldiers standing guard over a third man, who by the looks of his clothes could be the universes tackiest used hovercar salesman, Allen started to walk over to their encave. As he approached he got a closer look in the dimly lit center. The man had bandages on his head and arms and a leg wrap and splint on his right leg and he had been shackled. A horrible tweed jacket was draped over the back of the chair.
There is something else, a look in his eye, the cut of the man's form. He is no used hovercar salesman. Although, he must have some really important information, 'cause I might have shot him for just wearing that tie!
"So, " Allen began.
"Ahh, you've meet our guest, " Ryan called as he entered the command center.
"No, actually, I was just about to. But, since you're here perhaps you can handle the formal introductions," Allen replied in a mock aristocratic tone.
"My pleasure, " Ryan seemed to be truly enjoying the theatrics as he continued, " Captain Allen Martius, let me introduce you to Mr. Jason Kotare, " Ryan paused with a broad smile painted across his face, obviously waiting to see if Allen could derive some important nugget from simply hearing the man's name.
Jason Kotare? I don't think I've ever heard of a Jason Kotare. What could I possibly get from just hearing that nam… Kotare?! That can't be it, can it? Isn't that a … Clan name!
Before Allen could verbalize his thoughts Ryan, either because he'd seen the conclusion of Allen's thoughts written on his face or out of impatience, blurted out, " Businessman of Clan Smoke Jaguar."
"CLAN SMOKE JAGUAR!" Now Allen truly was shocked! "Are they…" Ryan was already shaking his head no when the prisoner jumped into the conversation.
"NEG! Clan Smoke Jaguar would never, " but Allen cut him off.
"Yeah, I'll bet that's what you told everyone before Edo Bay!" Allen snapped angrily. The prisoner seemed to seethe as he tried to jump to his feet, only to be thrown hard back into his chair by the shackles around his wrists and ankles. Ryan stepped in close to Allen in a smooth half turn and placed a restraining hand on his shoulder.
"No Allen. This guy wouldn't have been caught unaware in harms way, if it was them."
At least that reasoning makes some sense Allen thought as he eased up a little in Ryan's grip but remained locked in a hard stare with the man in the chair.
"Ok, if it wasn't them, then what's he doing here?" Allen asked without blinking.
"I'm here on business." Replied the Clansman in a defiant tone.
"What kind of business brings a Clansman all the way out to Astrokaszy?" Allen barked, the look in his eyes daring the Clanner to give him an excuse to feed him to the storm raging outside.
"A Star League depot." Ryan replied flatly before either of them could continue their little love fest.
The Clansman seemed taken aback by this announcement, and began to respond in an indignant tone, "I never .."
Ryan completed his sentence, while looking between Allen and the prisoner, "told me why you're here. I know. But it's my job to know Who's on first."
"What?!" The Clansman shrieked, with a look on his face like he was surrounded by madmen.
"No, What's on second, but that's not important right now." Ryan replied, in a flat tone with just a hint of mischievous undercurrent.
Allen's head was rotating like it was mounted on a swivel, following the rapid fire exchange between the other two. Ryan was clearly enjoying keeping Allen and their prisoner off balance.
"What is important is your presence. I had unconfirmed reports of a small Clan force, Smoke Jaguar in particular, operating on the Southern Continent prior to our arrival here. Reportedly looking for a lost Star League supply depot. Your presence would seem to confirm that report." Holding up his hand to forestall the obvious rebuttal working it's way across the Clansman's face, Ryan continued, "This was mixed with the reports of others also seeking the same treasure. It seemed likely due to your Clan's current situation what with the Star League Defense Force invasion of Clan Smoke Jaguar worlds last month."
"Star League … Invasion?!" The Clanner rocked in his chair, with a look of total disbelief written on his face.
Allen's numb mind was quickly recovering from the shock of having a Clansman in his command center, and putting together more and more of the pieces that Ryan was so carefully laying out.
"And, if you were actually out this far looking for new business, it would be more likely that you'd be on Canopus than Astrokaszy. Business is a little exotic on this world for Clan tastes." Ryan finished with a sly grin.
The Clanner was silent. He was staring at a point over Ryan's shoulder mouthing the word invasion.
Allen felt it was his time to jump in, "So, this new force may have taken the Smoke Jaguar presence here as proof of the depot's existence and decided to come in force."
"There's a good chance." Ryan replied with a knowing grin.
"But who? I don't know of any Pirates with this kind of fire power. The Houses are currently fixated on the new Star League business. Could it be another Clan?" Allen queried.
Ryan started shaking his head again, "No, it doesn't fit. They struck at us, and steam rolled over St. Ivan without so much as a HI THERE. Then preceded to take a swing at Astrokaszy City. I know how you feel about the Clans, but Edo was punishment for civilian rebellion not unprovoked wholesale genocide. Besides, a Clan force would have gone after the Smoke Jaguars on planet first."
"Perhaps a rogue Clan then, like, what were they called? Clan Wolverine?" Allen shot back, thinking aloud.
The Clanner snapped back to the present at the mere mention of the Unspoken Clan's name.
"I doubt it, " Ryan began slowly, as though chewing through a possibility that he hadn't considered, "Those fighters we encountered were Inner Sphere designs. But.. it would explain why they destroyed the civilians, leaving no traces of their presence would be one of their highest priorities, given the sea of love their former allies still have for them, " he indicated the completely enraged look on the prisoners face with a jerk of his thumb.
"WELL?" Allen barked at the Smoke Jaguar, "Could this be them?"
The businessman opened his mouth to refuse the possibility, but then seemed to stop and reconsider his response before speaking, a talent lacking entirely from the Smoke Jaguar Warrior Caste. A couple of long minutes passed as the prisoner glared up into Allen's face, a deep internal turmoil played itself out across his features.
Then, a look of resignation surfaced and he finally responded, "I would love to refute these charges, but I can not. It is recorded that the Not Named Clan was destroyed entirely, but it is well known that what was recorded is not completely accurate. The honor-less dogs, if they still exist, could certainly be responsible for attacking undefended civilians. I can say that secrecy would be, as you have said, of utmost importance to those Surat scum. All true Clans would abandon all other concerns and rush to destroy them if they were to surface. And the depot, if the Stravag thing exists, might be enough to entice those Freebirths to risk this action."