Chapter 6
Victor Bravo 117, Northern edge of the Oasis Forest, Astrokaszy
Vondrasek protectorate
Periphery
7 June 3059
19:10:00 localtime
Allen sat, strapped in his Battlemaster's cockpit, checking and double checking his systems, listening to the low chatter from the command center carried to his 'Mech via hard ground connection. Already the heat in the cockpit was reaching oven like conditions as he stood his 'Mech just inside and to the right of the cave entrance. Layers of long vines dangled over the mouth of the cave stretching toward the ground where high shrubs reached up to meet them, nearly blocking out all light from outside. Yellow and red damage indicators glared up at Allen from the left most control panel cycling through the systems check, indicating the extent of the damage suffered during the brief but vicious air raid. Three of his heat sinks were destroyed and the remainder, although double, were struggling in the desert climate to keep the 'Mech cool just standing idle. All upper body armor indicated damage but, right now, there were no breaches. All weapons checked in operational, and his Short Range Missile system had been reloaded.
Weather reports siphoned from the command center indicated that the sand storm was still raging over most of the continent visible to Ryan's equipment. The massive Sand storms on Astrokaszy were known to last for weeks. They sprung up so fast that even Star League era technology could not predict when one would occur, only the locals seemed to have the eerie ability to know in advance with any accuracy.
To Allen's left stood the unit's massive Atlas, the only fully functional and battle ready 'Mech in the ragtag group. By hoisting one of Yanskoff's light 'Mechs onto her 'Mechs shoulder, Wendy had protected her 'Mech from the brunt of the aerial assault. That action had the added bonus of providing a "take home" bag of spare parts and armor for her Atlas.
If I had to choose one to be fully functional! Allen thought with some comfort as he glanced up from his damage console to observe the mighty titan hidden in the shadows.
Behind them, on either side of the cave were the remaining operational 'Mechs. Jessica's Maurader stood just back and right of Allen, the damage to the arms was mostly repaired. Which gave Jess one operational Long Range PPC and two Long Range Medium Lasers. However, the dorsal mounted autocannon was completely destroyed and the tech had explained that while there was little wrong with the right arm PPC, the simple part required to fix it was not in their supplies but, he happily announced, it would only cost a couple of C-Bills to get one later.
Heh, poor guy! Jess seemed quite pleased with herself as she mounted her Maurader. If scuttlebutt is to be believed it might have been kinder to have him shot than the detail she assigned him! A flashing on his right console caught Allen's attention and snapped him back to the situation at hand.
Judging by those seismic readings they are just about on top of us! According to the readings there is at least a Regiment coming! Dear God! They're going to stomp right through the camp! If they don't follow the trail Ryan's people hastily created into the storm, we're done. Allen glanced at the far right and left sides of his compressed 3600 display strip that painted the rest of the unit's 'Mechs lined up along either wall, and further back the huddled groups of survivors in the far reaches of the cave, as red heat blooms against the cold black of the cave walls.
The vibrations from the swarm of 'Mechs passing overhead began to penetrate the walls of the cave and were becoming strong enough to be felt through Allen's command chair. The constant shaking started creating feedback in his neuro-helmet that was making him nauseous.
"One, this is Mongoose," Ryan's hushed voice broke Allen's concentration on his growing nausea. He was attempting to decide whether it was being caused by the feed back in his helmet or the physical awareness of the hoard overhead.
I hope this cave can stand the pounding!
"Mongoose, report."
"We've got 104 contacts,"
ONE HUNDRED AND FOUR! Allen's mind reeled at the implications.
Ryan continued in his usual professional manner despite the fact that he was casually describing a force that could easily wipe their pitiful band from existence, "24 are medium, 12 are light the rest are heavy or assault. We're cross referencing seismic with passive sensors and camera views, we'll have a compete unit make-up by the time they pass."
"Pass?" Allen broke in, unable to contain himself, before Ryan could complete his report, anxious hope causing him to become nearly as giddy a death row prisoner who just found out the warden forgot to pay the electric bill.
"Yes, they are moving through at flank speed, " Ryan's voice seemed to be both pleased to be delivering this information with confidence and relieved at the same time, " at the speed their moving and maneuvering out into the storm I'd doubt they'd notice us if you walk all the 'Mechs out of the cave and lean on a tree!"
Laughter, born of long minutes of stress and anxiety, broke onto the command channel as those listening heard Ryan's light hearted assessment of their apparent survival.
Ten minutes later the shaking began to subside as the last of the assault 'Mechs waded out of the forest and into the violent storm beyond.
They're headed for Astrokaszy City Allen thought, his feelings becoming bitter sweet, our reprieve has become another's doom! {Naughty}ards! What kind of monsters are these scum?! They are absolutely driven to perform genocide against a nearly defenseless planet!
As if reading his thoughts Jessica's voice cut in on their private command channel, "They're going to finish the job." A statement, not a question. "Any ideas on how to stop them?"
"No, " Allen replied quietly, " we wouldn't even draw off a company of those 'Mechs to buy those people some time, let alone stop them." Allen broke off bitterly.
"Think we can get to the Antelope?"
Jessica sounds very tired. No. Resigned.
"I think…" Allen began, his tired mind refused to consider the fate he was leaving for the innocent people of Astrokaszy (if any one on Astrokaszy could be called innocent).
"One, Mongoose, new contact coming in fast!"
"Report!" Allen barked into his mic
"In progress, initial readings indicate one light, 20 tonner moving at over 100 klicks."
"Damn! That pilot must be suicidal, trying to navigate those trees at that speed! Is it a rear guard, or a straggler trying to catch up?"
"Unknown. The last 'Mech in the column seems to have noticed the approach and is slowing, 30 meters straight East of your position at the edge of the forest. "
Directly in front of us then, great. "Is there any communication to the new comer?"
"Negative, The storm is interfering with sensors and communications but that guy seems to have picked up the movement. Wait? The new comer, confirmed - it's a locust, is firing! Medium laser, slashing cut across the left leg, damage looks superficial at best."
"Firing? On what?"
"A Warhammer IIC! The others are continuing into the storm, thankfully, but that one is turning back.
"IIC? Clan second line?!" Allen's mind raced at the possibilities. Damn! If this is some cursed outlaw Clan then we might be done for. How the Hell are we going to survive some genocidal Clan?
"Confirmed, " Ryan's voice was tight, " a third of the 'Mechs we've verified were either Omni or second line Clan"
"Yanskoff, are you on?"
"Yeah pup, I'm here." Came the colonel's tight pirate like drawl.
"Is that Locust one of yours?" Allen demanded.
"Nope, we had none…" Yanskoff's voice trailed off as though in thought, "I only knew of a couple of Locusts on the planet, Caliph Anonrin had one, but he's clear on the other side of the planet and Sultan, what's 'is name? He got a couple but he's about 280 klicks North of here, his people could be in the area, but I doubt it. He never takes risks."
"Ok, so some suicidal Locust pilot has decided to take on 80 tons of Clan 'Mech. Soo, when do we engage?" Wendy's voice carried the eager tone all of the survivors felt, the need to repay these maniacs. Allen could practically hear Ryan straining to hear the go order.
If we don't move the {Naughty} will slag another hapless soul who's either defending his home, or trying to avenge the fallen. We might get some salvage, given the way these {Naughts} are moving I doubt the Warhammer is going to stick around. The very mercenary thought caused a twinge of guilt to lurch in Allen's gut. On the other hand, if we wade into this, and deliver a much needed can of whoop-ass we might get some more intel but the rest of that force may come back.
Allen's mind was working overtime, ethics battling with responsibility, cold logistics warring with conscience. Then like thunder piercing a howling wind the answer came to him. The storm is the answer!
"Ryan, the storm is affecting sensors and comm. right? How far out do the rest have to be before this straggler can no longer reach them?"
Ryan's voice was filled with knowing delight as he responded, "Right! 500 meters would be my best guess with Clan tech, the last of their column will pass beyond that in 30 seconds. Special Forces are all reporting green, Sir."
"Right! Give me 35, with a count down at 10. Wendy, you and I will pounce on the mark."
"Acknowledged." Wendy sounded down right giddy at the coming prospects.
Finally armed with a tactical situation that allowed him to exercise his particular talent Allen began delivering his orders, his voice filled with a command presence most Inner Sphere Generals would envy.
"Jess, you and Reverend move forward and stand just undercover in case they discover where we came from, the rest move up in order. But stay put! I don't want to have any more strength reported than necessary in case we're wrong about their comm. Wendy, Hit your ECM the second we break cover, if the call gets out we finish this guy fast and break into the forest, we need to lead them away from this area. If we get separated proceed to Victor Tango thirty-three, Delta Gamma twelve, or Alpha one-four in descending order. Ryan your people are the last line, if they discover our little hiding place blow what you have and create a distraction! Jess, if this goes south, get everyone to the DropShip and get off this planet!"
"What about…" Jessica started, but Allen spoke over her, answering her question before it was formed.
"Get out system and spread the word. Wendy and I will go to ground if you get out before we can get to you. We're not going to survive here long without help, that little parade only represents a third of what we saw as they burned in, if that was the only landing! Get the word out before you think to come back. And don't worry about us, Hey, we survived the Falcons." Allen added, inflecting as much humor into his voice as he could muster.
Thirty seconds.
The tactical map painted the Warhammer IIC 30 meters straight ahead and the Locust 50 meters behind to the left. Three dimensional images created by the battle computer from information fed via Ryan's sensors spread throughout the area showed the Locust firing again with it's Medium Laser, then breaking right behind a nearby tree as the Warhammer opened up with both ER PPCs. Both 'Mechs' shots went wide of their targets. The Warhammer began re-entering the forest at a slow walk, no doubt the pilot was cautious because his 'Mech's sensors were having difficulty penetrating the foliage, and getting intermittent readings due to the massive trees, who's heavy iron content all but blinded 'Mech sensors. Leaving the Pilot to hunt visually. However, the apparent battle was so lopsided that there was little doubt about the out come.
Appearances can be deceiving. Allen thought mischievously.
Twenty seconds.
The Warhammer had moved to 15 meters from the cave, swinging left, then right around two of the trees. The Locust was now 35 meters behind Allen's position to the right. The Locust snapped off a shot and scored a hit on the massive 'Mechs' chest. Unfortunately, the Locust's weapon only marred the assault 'Mechs' paint. The Locust just made it around behind the next tree when man-made lightning tore through the space where it was standing a moment ago.
At this rate, it would take that Locust pilot a month to wear that Warhammer down to a point where they might be equal! I just hope he stays lucky until we're ready. Keep Moving! Allen Willed the little icon that represented the Locust.
Ten seconds.
The Warhammer had stopped 10 meters from the cave entrance, with the Locust still circling 25 meters out. Shots were again exchanged, the Locust pilot's luck held as the Warhammer's shots passed scant meters from the small 'Mech. However, this time the Locust missed as well.
Eight seconds.
The Locust scored another hit with his laser, and added his machine guns to the mix. The Warhammer pilot remained in his position to get a better lock but only managed to nick the Locust with a Medium Laser.
Seven seconds.
What's the Warhammer pilot doing? He's walking in this direction with his torso rotating to track the little bug that keeps sniping at him! He's down to 6 meters! Allen brought all his weapons to bear, but refrained from using a weapons lock to prevent the Warhammer pilot from detecting him.
Five seconds.
God! If he doesn't stop he'll walk right into the cave! Three meters, two, one!
Three seconds.
The Warhammer stopped just one meter from the cave entrance, thinking it was a solid wall, and using it as a natural shield to force the Locust to come into a narrowed field of fire.
Allen cut the connection to the command lines, and pressed the button to eject the hard connection.
Two seconds.
Another laser shot passed over the Warhammer's left shoulder and penetrated into the cave, just above the Atlas' head.
One second….
The Warhammer pilot's plan worked, and his right PPC connected with the lightly armored left leg of the Locust, cutting it cleanly off. The Locust toppled in slow motion to the right.
Mark!
ECM jamming squealed in Allen's ear as both assault 'Mechs moved forward as one. Wendy was faster though and setting her left arm out and slightly up in front of her while moving her right arm up, as though brushing the overhanging vines out of the way, she reached forward with her 'Mechs' left hand and grabbed the Warhammer by the shoulder and brought her right fist down hard on the cockpit!
And it was over. Allen's hands shook, fingers hovering over the firing stubs. The speed with which 80 tons of Clan 'Mech was reduced to free standing sculpture left Allen stunned, and contemplating his own mortality.
