Chapter 9:
Dropship Blackstone
Main Mechbay
March 3rd, 3059
0345 Hours
Raylan stood in the mechbay as the door opened and the cold, desert air rushed in. His breath caught in his chest as the pressure equalized but he smiled in spite of it. This was the big day, after all. The last push on Banshee. The Colonel had shared the casualty numbers with him a few days prior and every unit involved in the operation on Banshee had suffered massive damage. The Cavalry alone was looking at massive repairs, if not for the contracts repair and refit clause, totaling in the multi-millions.
It was a bad situation, but the pay had increased and if they could take "the Citadel", as it had become known, it would be more than worth it. His only real regret was that he wouldn't be riding with the attacking force. His injury was healing, of course, but Doc Winters was still concerned that any blow to the area could cause catastrophic damage. Instead he had elected to work with the techs on repairing mechs and equipment.
"Hey Major!" Mustang called as she and her Flamehearts marched towards Warhorse in full combat gear. They had been damaged and injured through a number of raids on smaller complexes but were probably the best off of all the Cavalry's units. "Guess you're still sitting this one out. Like the grease monkey look, by the way."
"Very funny, Mustang." Raylan said and she punched him lightly on the shoulder. "Almost makes me wish I had some infantry training. Maybe Doc would let me play with you guys."
"Doubt that. If Doc Winters had her way, you'd be strapped to a bed until that scar of yours heals." Mustang said with a chuckle. "Just keep an eye out, huh Wolfie? I got a weird feeling something is gonna come up while we're away and I'd like to have a ride off this hellhole once all's said and done."
"Yea yea, I got it. Good hunting out there." Raylan said with a wave as he turned back to the lift controls and brought it up to his mechs open knee actuator. He had taken a lot of time to read the manuals and readouts before even considering taking direct action. Even still, he was asking a lot of questions he was sure the actual techs found either ridiculous or hilarious.
One thing was for sure, he would rather do this than try and operate the mech commander seat again. After the disaster that was the trial run with Naomi, he had decided it would be better for everyone to leave that to the professionals. He couldn't operate outside of the cockpit, without looking the threat directly in the face he had no idea what to do tactically.
"Raylan, you'll need this wrench for those. Here." One of the techs said, handing him a large socket wrench.
"Thank you." Raylan said, taking the tool and beginning to remove the panel. "I hope I'm not being more of a detriment than an aid."
"Not at all! You're a little slow and obviously need some guidance, but if we could get more of you mech jocks to help out with repairs like this, we could perform much better field repairs. Chief's been saying that for years." The tech said with a smile, patting Raylan on the shoulder.
"Makes sense to me." Raylan said, pulling the panel off and handing it to the man. "This is much different from back in the Clan. If they saw me working on the inside of a knee actuator, they'd think it was some kind of punishment."
"No kidding? I would've thought…well I guess I don't know what I would've thought." The tech said, handing Raylan some type of electronic device that he inserted into the joint proper.
"Social standings were much…stricter in the Clan. You and I would never have interacted outside of me giving you orders." Raylan said with a small chuckle. "Honestly, after being with the Cavalry for awhile, it's dawning on me that system was probably more flawed than anyone realized."
The pair checked their work and then resealed the joint, Raylan climbing out so they could seal the structure completely. Down below, on the mechbay floor, more and more activity was happening as the other members of the Cavalry suited up and got ready. Mustang's Flamehearts were always the first to arrive, often sitting in the VTOL for more than 30 minutes before an operation.
"Raylan!" He heard Clara shout up at him as she waved. Raylan lowered the lift and smiled, embracing his sibkin as she stood ready to mount up and move on the Citadel. "Man, I wish you were coming with us. This isn't going to be the same without you."
"Believe me, I would rather be sitting in a cockpit but Doc Winters would kill me if I did that, even before the neuroshock had a chance to." Raylan said with a chuckle. Clara had a look that was a combination of both apprehension and excitement. "Don't look so worried, Clara. You've been doing a great job as lance leader in my absence. I have total faith you'll get the job done."
"Thanks, Raylan. It's just daunting, ya know? This is for sure the last operation on planet. Do or die." Clara said shaking her head. Didn't think we'd be here to see it all the way though to be honest."
"What? You don't think the Cavalry can survive a few zealots on a Kerensky forsaken dustbowl?" Raylan said with a chuckle and Clara smiled at him.
"I know we can, but I figured our 'handler' for the op would pull us out at the first sign of trouble." Clara said, referencing Lieutenant Colonel Ramsey. "Guess it just feels nice to be trusted."
"No kidding. I have to imagine it is not usually like this. From what some of the people where saying, normally mercenary commands are placed on a tight leash." Raylan said, checking the time. "Well, you had best get your final prep started. Good hunting, Clara."
"See you on the other side." Clara said as she jogged to her Marauder and climbed the scaffolding. Raylan smiled and turned back to the techs, putting earbuds in so he could monitor the battle frequencies even while he was stuck on the Blackstone.
….
Clara sat in the command couch of the Marauder and stretched, cracking her knuckles and neck. She began the start up sequence and watched as the HUD flickered to life in front of her. She twisted the command sticks and watched the weapon pods follow the motion. She smiled in spite of the whole thing feeling surreal as she spied Raylan on the mechbay floor, working with the techs again.
Clara was glad that Raylan had found something to do while he was still recovering. She knew he was probably still going stir-crazy, but at least he had something to occupy him for the moment.
"Panther Lance, report status." Clara said over the lance frequency.
"Panther 3, reporting all green." Alexa reported in after a brief silence.
"Panther 4, ready to go." Jason called out as well and Clara nodded to herself.
"Roger, form up on me and get weapons ready." Clara said, switching to the unit wide frequency. "Command, this is Panther 2. Panther Lance is all green and ready to go. What's our orders?"
"Copy, Panther 2. Sending NAVpoints now. Hope you three are ready for a helluva brawl." Naomi called back as NAVpoint appeared on Clara's screen. "The Wild Angel's rapid assault lance moved out earlier to try and soften the Citadel's exterior defenses. They ran into a wall, to put it lightly. From the reports we've received, one mech is down and two others look like swiss cheese."
"What's our objective? Are we raiding them or providing defensive support for Tiger Lance and Carlo's command lance?" Clara asked as she led Panther out of the Blackstone in a tight wedge with her in the lead position. She could hear distant gunfire and explosions and, even in the predawn light, the glow of ordinance was obvious.
"Honestly, at this point both of those are kind of one in the same. Mustang and our infantry are going to hit the Citadel internally as soon as we draw most of the defenders' attention. Her Flamehearts are going to sweep the interior, kill or capture anyone inside and take as much intel out as they can." Naomi said, pausing as she switched to Tiger Lance's screens for a moment. "Too bad Raylan couldn't learn this stuff fast enough. Could've really used the help up here. Anyway, the mech lances are going to hit from three directions and push towards the summit."
"Any prize for the first one to the top?" Clara asked, a mischievous smirk crossing her lips.
"Don't even think about it, Panther 2. Our repair costs are already astronomical and the Davion's good will is only going to last so long." Naomi shot back in a serious, no room for argument tone.
"Disregard that, Sergeant." Cassie said cutting in. "If you and Panther hit that summit before me and Tiger, I'll pay you out of my own damn pocket."
"And if we lose?" Clara asked, smiling even broader now.
"You and Panther are gonna scrub my dropship 'til it shines. It'll save me a metric ton in c-bills." Cassie said with a chuckle.
"Well guys, what do you think?" Clara said, opening the comms to her lancemates.
"I'm down for it. No way the Colonel and those big ol' clunkers are gonna climb the hill faster than us. Also, Lexi has jump jets." Jason said.
"Sounds like Panther is in for the challenge, Colonel." Clara reported.
"Good. See you at the top then, Clara. Hope you all like the smell of industrial strength degreasers." The Colonel said. Naomi sighed heavily and Clara could imagine her rolling her eyes and shaking her head in defeat.
Clara marched her battlemech at top speed towards her side of the Citadel, the massive level of firepower becoming apparent. She suddenly had a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach and swallowed hard. This type of nausea had only happened once before and it was towards the tail end of the invasion. During that operation, two members of her star had been killed and another was nearly captured. She could only hope that this wouldn't be a repeat of that mess.
The first target appeared, an automated turret, which Jason destroyed in an instant. The next three met similar fates from bursts of missile fire. Then the first mech appeared and the true scope of what they were about to do dawned on Clara.
The Mauler's quartet of autocannons ate terrain as the pilot walked rounds towards the three mercenaries as Clara returned fire. The enemy's compatriots appeared next to it and opened fire as well as Panther lance began to push up the slope. A Black Knight was on its right and snapped a PPC off that sizzled across Clara's torso. To its left, a Dragon and a Flashman stepped forward and over the ridgeline, opening fire from their superior position.
Clara gritted her teeth and returned fire at the enemy, blasting away at them to limited effect. She snarled at the lack of impact as the Flashman and Dragon retreated back behind their cover and the Mauler open up once more along with the Black Knight.
"Sarge! We could try and blow the ridgeline itself! It might collapse underneath them or, at very least, it could drive them out from their hide!" Alexa called out and Clara nodded in agreement, shifting her aim down and blowing dirt, rock, and, surprisingly, metal out from below the enemy. Part of the hillside collapsed but it was to the side of the nearest mech, causing no real harm. It did have the effect of pausing their fire. Another lance worth of red blips appeared on the radar and Clara sucked in a breath as she watched as two more appeared a moment later.
"Oh, this is getting bad." Clara thought as a wave of fire came flying down the hillside and blasted the ground around Panther Lance. She opened fire on the Mauler when it appeared, tagging it on her sensors as priority one for her lance mates. A swarm of missiles took flight and slammed into the assault chassis, although a good number of them detonated in the air as the enemy's Anti-Missile Systems activated.
"Panther 3 break left and move, 4 the same on the right. I'm pushing center. We need to split their fire!" Clara shouted as she gunned the throttle hard, trying to push a few extra kp/h out of the Marauder.
"Sarge, I don't know if this is the best idea. We're severely outgunned here and they can track each of us individually." Alexa called out, even as she began pulling away from their position.
"Well, if they keep us pinned together, they can keep raining PPCs and Gauss Rifles right into us and at least get one or two of us." Clara shot back as she placed the reticule over the Black Knight and fired almost everything she had. The center torso was practically shredded, leaving its internals completely open to the desert air as it fell backwards, locked up.
"OH SHI-!" Alexa's voice rang over the frequency before being cut her off.
"Panther 3, report! You alright over there?" Clara shouted, turning her head as much as she could to try and see her teammate.
"Dirty bastards blew my hip open! Knocked me down. I'm up but moving slow and they've got my range, Sarge!" Alexa shouted back.
"Roger that! Jason, collapse back on me and we'll move to Alexa's position! Alexa, try and find some cover!" Clara shouted as she twisted herself to the side and began making her way to Alexa's position. The Mauler opened up and the autocannon rounds blew armor off her Marauder as the Dragon added its autocannon to the deluge. Clara gritted her teeth in a snarl as she watched her readout drain armor.
"I'll do my best but this damn hill is barren!" Alexa shouted as Jason met Clara and the pair opened fire on the lance nearest to them. "Holy shit! I got something massive closing in on-oh FUCK!"
Clara and Jason came to Alexa's position and found a 100-ton behemoth bringing a massive mech mounted hatchet slamming into the underside of the Catapult's torso. Armor crushed from the impact and metal screamed as it was ripped apart.
"By Kerensky! What in the world is that thing!?" Clara screamed as she targeted the mech, finding it labeled as Berserker. "JASON, HELP ME BRING THAT THING DOWN!"
Both of the Cavalry members opened fire as the massive chassis turned and opened fire with a PPC, kicking the Catapult away.
"Alexa, are you alright!?" Clara shouted, taking her eyes of the Berserker for a moment to check the downed Catapult. It was still moving, although it was clearly damaged badly.
"Got a little rattled but I think I'm ok. Just gotta get up. That thing came out of god damn nowhere!" Alexa shouted as she tried to bring her mech upright.
"Its 100-tons, how the hell could it close so fast?" Jason asked as the mech suddenly turned and rushed at them. "What in the hell!?"
The Berserker charged and it suddenly dawned on Clara that it was probably equipped with MASC. She shifted her aim to the chassis leg and opened fire, trying to destroy the actuators and lock the limb up. Alexa had gotten to her feet and followed Clara's lead. The Berserker brought the hatchet down, crushing the Archer's arm in a horrible screech of metal on metal.
"GET THIS GUY OFF ME!" Jason shouted, throwing a punch at the mech with his remaining arm.
"We're working on it!" Clara replied as she and Alexa finally blew through the armor and hit the knee actuators. Clara rushed forward and brought her Marauder's head down, slamming into the Berserker's side, throwing it to the ground. "BLOW IT APART! KICK THE BASTARD IF YOU HAVE TO!"
The three basically ripped the Berserker open as it tried to right itself before shifting focus to the remaining members of the lance headed by the Mauler. The Dragon and Mauler rained autocannon fire as the Flashman began to strike with lasers. Metal armor blew away from the Cavalry members and lasers left burning wounds in their torsos. Clara could hear the chaos across the frequency as every unit was apparently being engaged by heavy contact.
"Colonel, I don't know if we're going to be able to keep this up on separate slopes. We've got two mechs critical and mine is heavily damaged." Clara called out as she kept firing upon the Mauler.
"I hear you, Panther 2, but there isn't a chance we'll be able to link up on this slope. They'll cut us apart and-" There was a pause and Clara could hear an explosion echo across the radio. "-DAMMIT! Naomi track that ejection pod! Brett just went critical."
"He alright?" Mustang interjected, the sound of the VTOL loud even over the comm. line.
"I don't know, Marisha. He punched out but that's all I know for sure right now." Cassie said and Clara was shocked to hear Mustang's actual name for once.
"He's got vitals, but he's hurt. I'm getting Honeybee spun up now and sending out the CSAR team." Naomi said quickly.
"I'm sure he's fine. We Hart's are tough." Mustang said, no more than a snarl.
"We know. Anyway, Clara, I need you to keep pushing up that damn hill!" Cassie shouted. "Angela, get on that damned Catapult! I want it dead two minutes ago!"
"Roger, Colonel. I've got it." Angela shouted.
"Tau, get up front and be our barricade!" Cassie ordered and Tau gave one of his usual grunts in response. "Carlo is saying they're hitting an equal level of resistance on their side. Milo, how long until you get that team in there?"
"45 Seconds but its gonna be hot as hell!" Milo shouted as Clara saw the Cavalry VTOL race by towards the top of the Citadel.
"Just get it done!" Cassie shouted. "Tiger Lance, keep it tight and let's push up there! Let's show them what the Cavalry's made of!"
Clara pushed forward and began firing a deluge of lasers into the Mauler, until one of its arms and torsos exploded, the ammo stored inside cooking off in a tremendous fireball, damaging the Flashman next to it. Alexa picked up that target and fired her missiles into the Flashman, driving the mech into the ground and destroying its reactor. The Dragon returned the favor, firing its autocannon and marching rounds up the Catapult until it clipped the missile rack.
Clara watched a massive fireball burst from Alexa's side, sending the Catapult to the ground. She hadn't seen an ejection pod and paused for a moment to try and see if her friend was alright. The rain of enemy fire made her keep moving.
"Panther 3 respond. Come on, Lex…" Clara said. "Naomi, do you have anything from Panther 3?"
"Uhhh…roger. Weak signals. She's alive but not by much. I'll prioritize CASEVAC to her location." Naomi said, Clara could hear the woman's fingers flying over the keys.
"JASON, TRACK THAT GOD DAMNED DRAGON AND BLOW IT TO HELL AND BACK!" Clara screamed, feeling a boiling, seething rage overtake her. She gunned her engine and moved as fast as she could in her Marauder up the hill, firing at the Dragon. Jason's swarm of missiles raced forward and slammed into the Dragon. The mech, in a wonderous fireball, fell backwards as armor rained down around it and Clara moved past it, targeting a Jagermech. Clara brought her lasers to bear, leaving seething wounds on the venerable chassis chest and turret-like arms.
Jason followed suit, launching another swarm of missiles at Clara's target. The Jagermech twisted and opened fire, blowing armor off the Marauder's right torso and arm. Clara snarled and kept firing, the holes in her armor becoming more and more obvious. Suddenly, an alarm blared, and Clara glared at her damage readout. Her right arm's shoulder actuator was gone and the arm itself was about to go.
The sirens were blaring in the cockpit and Clara slammed her hand down on the shutoff button, silencing them even as the cockpit remained bathed in the red light. A massive round slammed into her chest, driving her Marauder back a few steps.
Her targeting computer read two new contacts, twin Atlas, and she sucked in a breath as her stomach twisted in knots. She opened the operation wide frequency quickly as she watched the two turn and face her and Jason.
…
Raylan was listening intently to the battle chatter and grinding his teeth as the casualty total kept climbing. Then he heard the call.
"TWIN ATLAS! I REPEAT, TWIN ATLAS!" Clara screamed as the roar of battle echoed across the comm frequency. "COLONEL, I NEED ASSITANCE OVER HERE! I'M DOWN TO TWO MECHS AND WE'RE BOTH HEAVILY DAMAGED! WE CAN'T TAKE THEM!"
"Clara, I hear you but Tiger Lance is pinned down by the ears. Angela is missing and arm and a leg. Tau is getting ripped a new on and I'm down to half effectiveness. You're just going to have to hold until something breaks." Cassie called back.
"The Angels are also being held back on our sides. My Fast Assault Lance is all but destroyed and my command is down one mech and multiple weapons." Carlo called out.
"Roger that." Clara growled. "Mustang, any better luck inside?"
"Not really." Mustang shouted back, the sound of gunfire loud over the frequency. "We've captured a number of areas but I've got three dead and two more wounded."
Raylan had heard enough and tore the headphones out, racing to his locker and stripping down to his mech pilot gear. He grabbed his neurohelmet on the way out and placed it on his head.
"Whoa, Major, what are you doing?" One of the techs asked as Raylan stormed passed them.
"Someone has to go out there. We're getting shredded and nobody can provide assistance." He answered, scrolling through the mechbay list. "What is the most operable mech right now. I know my Cauldron-Born still needs work before its fully combat ready."
The techs paused and looked at each other, exchanging a nod after a second. They motioned for Raylan to follow them and he did so.
"Well, if you're really planning on disobeying Doc's orders we might as well send you out in something decent." The tech said, sighing in resignation. They hit some buttons and the tarps fell away from the rebuilt battlemech. "It was supposed to be a surprise for when you were fully recovered but…"
A smile crept across Raylan's lips as he looked up at the battlemech and he walked up to its foot.
"It's perfect…"
…
"Dammit, I can't hold them off Clara!" Jason called out as sirens began blaring over the comm. line. Clara could hear the weapons impacting against his Archer.
"Roger that. Punch out, Jason. No need to die on this damned hill." Clara said as she watched Jason's ejection pod take off. "Colonel, Jason ejected on my order. We can't make it up this hill with only the three of us!"
"We've gotta try! At the very least we need to keep their attention until Mustang is done in there!" Cassie fired back as the three attempted to move closer to each other as a focused wall of wire. "Mustang, how long do you need!? What is your status!?"
"We're down to the third level, but we've taken a number of casualties! Sunnuva…" There was a burst of gunfire and an explosion along with Mustang shouting orders. "…bastards are really dug in. It's gonna take us some time, Colonel!"
"We don't really have a lot of time, Mustang! I don't know how Carlo is doing but we're down to three battlemechs here!" Cassie shouted back as she fired her Axman's PPC at the Atlas.
"The Angels are down to a lance and we're not in any sort of shape to reinforce." Carlo said, surprisingly calm given the situation. "Sure hope Davion likes paying for repairs."
"Allied forces this is Ramsey. I'm observing the situation from orbit and it is beginning to look unwinnable. If it becomes to far, withdraw and evacuate." The Davion intelligence agent said as if on cue.
"Negative, I have people inside the Citadel. I will not leave them behind." Cassie replied, giving the encroaching Atlas every thing she had. "Cavalry, all fire on the left Atlas. At the very least, we'll bring down one and get the other damaged enough."
Suddenly, a burst of lasers sliced glowing metal from the Atlas' rear torso and a new friendly IFF signal appeared on their radars, a top the hill.
"Colonel, I appreciate your surprise. You will have to tell me where you found Clan tech lasers." Raylan's voice called out as Clara looked up and saw the Cauldron Born leering down at them from a top the hill.
"Major, its damn good to see you." Cassie said with a small laugh as Raylan continued to fire into the Atlas' rear torso before it turned. Its attention was now split and Cassie took the opportunity to race forward with the aid of her MASC system, slamming the ax her mech held and embedding it in the assault mech's hip.
Clara limped her Marauder forward, firing her remaining lasers at the Atlas. It turned, seeing an opportunity and blasted her leg with its AC/20, the limb bending and collapsing as it drove the mech to the ground. Clara snarled as her mech skidded down the hill, the false rocks bouncing and cutting her torso.
"You alright Clara!?" Raylan shouted as the Cauldron Born began moving and dodging as the Atlas they had been focused on turned and engaged him while its partner took its place against the Cavalry members.
"Peachy, Raylan! Just gotta get on my feet with a busted leg and severed arm!" Clara snapped, probably a little harsher than she intended.
"Well, make it quick Clara. Can't have you sleeping on the job." Raylan said back as the Atlas' PPC connected with his right torso.
Clara struggled and stood her battlemech back up and limped forward. She checked her damage readout and let out a string of obscenities. The readout was catastrophic and she might as well have just ejected when she slid down the Citadel's façade.
Clara howled in rage and pushed her Marauder forward, firing her remaining weapons at the Atlas. Her crippled battlemech limped slowly up the hill towards her enemy. The Atlas reciprocated, its withering firepower shredding armor in great melting rivers and flying shrapnel. The Marauder bucked in protest against the damage and Clara fought the controls back under her.
"Clara, can you handle it!?" Raylan shouted as he turned his focus away from the Atlas he and Cassie were engaged with. Clara snarled and pushed her mech as hard as she could, firing her lasers into the assault chassis hip. She smiled with satisfaction as sparks flew from the joint and she brought her damaged shoulder down into the behemoth.
The pilot wasn't expecting such a vicious assault from an already crippled unit and fell backwards. Clara brought her good leg down on the skull shaped cockpit, seeing the cockpit glass spiderweb underneath the impact. The Atlas recovered, grabbing her leg and pulling the mech to the ground.
Clara snarled and triggered her lasers, the beams scarring glowing injuries across the skull façade but its battle fist crashed against Clara's torso, smashing the armor and internal structure as Clara was rocked in her seat. The sirens in the cockpit screamed as her gyro was knocked out of position, threatening to destroy itself and leave her mech completely incapacitated.
Another burst of laser fire slashed through the Atlas' shoulder as Clara struggled to her feet. She triggered her weapon again, blowing the cockpit wide open and incinerating the pilot. Clara was sweating profusely as she turned and found Raylan and Cassie still engaged with the other Atlas, Tau having been driven to the ground, his mech being torn apart from the main barrage as it split its fire with the Axman. Cassie's mech was battered as well. Its one arm severed at the elbow, leaving its namesake weapon as the Colonel swung wildly at the enemy.
"Carlo, how are things on your side!?" Cassie called out as she connected with the axe, embedding it into the Atlas' side.
"Honestly, easier. A few of the remnants pulled back when your Wolf arrived. We're making progress up but its pretty much just myself and my X/O." Carlo reported, his voice calm but had an underlying tension that was undeniable.
"Roger." Cassie growled, returning her full attention to the Atlas and embedding the axe once more, a gush of coolant pouring out like blood. "Gotcha, ya bastard! Raylan, sounds like we have company coming!"
"I will deal with it, Colonel." Raylan replied, his voice icy calm as he turned away to face the next wave.
"Clara, can you make it up here?" Cassie asked as she paused to catch her breath.
"No problem, Cassie. I'll be up in a minute." Clara replied, wiping the sweat from her brow as she limped her Marauder up towards the peak.
"Mustang, I need a report!" The Colonel said as she moved herself up as well. Her mech was barely better off than Clara's but it was at least mobile.
"We're at the bottom level, but they've sealed themselves inside. We're cutting the doors open now. Give us…" Mustang paused to consult with her troopers. "…seven, maybe eight minutes."
"Roger that, Mustang. We'll give you the time." Cassie said as the first enemy came over the ridge. "Raylan, can you handle them for a minute? I have to do some more coordinating real quick."
"No problem, Colonel. More kills for me." Raylan said with a small chuckle as he began firing. Clara came to the top of the Citadel and took a place next to Raylan. "Good to have you back, sibkin."
"You too, Raylan. Guess you were feeling better than anyone thought." Clara said with a laugh as they both fired a torrent of lasers at the incoming enemies.
"Oh, not by a long shot. I am sure Doc Winter's will probably kill me herself once we get back." Raylan said, laughing as well, feeling the joy of battle hit him once more.
"You're damn right I will, Major! You're lucky you haven't fallen unconscious already!" Doc Winters shouted over the comm. line.
"Apologies, Doc, but I could not let the rest of the unit be destroyed while I languished on the Blackstone." Raylan said sincerely, still pouring lasers out of Ghira as the heat became evident to Clara just by looking at the chassis.
"Doc, we can discuss disregarding doctor's orders once we're out of this situation. How are they?" Cassie interrupted, directing Doc Winters to a situation report on their wounded. Doc sighed heavily in response.
"I've got the CSAR team at Brett's mech, they're pulling him out now. Tau walked to Honeybee himself. Angela is waiting for us in her cockpit, claiming a broken leg. I'm at Alexis' mech now. She's in very bad shape so I'm going to have to stabilize her here. I have the CSAR team routed to head to Jason's ejection pod as soon as they're done but he's reporting no injuries." Doc Winters paused to take a breath. "Thanks to you for that, Clara."
"Didn't want him to die on this Kerensky forsaken hill." Clara said, her voice barely a harsh whisper. She fired her lasers once more, driving a Centurion to the ground, it's ammo exploding in a terrific fireball. "Raylan take a step back, you're overheating."
"Copy that. Cooling now." Raylan reported. Cassie suddenly came charging past, her MASC system activated as she leapt her Axman up and drove the blade down, leaving an Assassin split, its arm dangling limply as it fell backwards. She spun and drove the ax into the side of a second Centurion, drawing the weapon back and kicking the mech back.
By this point, Raylan had cooled enough that he brought the Cauldron Born forward and opened fire. The lasers sliced the air directly over Cassie's shoulders, melting the Centurion's chest into an unrecognizable mess of molten armor. Cassie finished the job with another ax strike, locking the mech's reactor up as the blade tore into the sensitive internals.
"Two more!" Cassie shouted, turning and facing an Archer before charging it with vigor. Raylan turned to the other foe, a mirror of the Colonel's mech although in much better shape. It charged forward at its top speed, side stepping Raylan as he fired everything he had into the chassis. The axe sliced down, the blade severing Clara's other arm off, leaving her completely without weapons.
"Clara, punch out now!" Cassie shouted as she tangled with the Archer. "You're no use to me dead!"
"Not a chance, Colonel. I've still got a working leg!" Clara fired back, stepping forward to meet the Axman head on.
"Clara, this is not the time for heroics. We are already down to damn near 10 percent strength. And I don't recommend spending weeks in recovery. It is very boring." Raylan said calmly, melting armor off the Axman in great rivers. Clara responded by kicking the Axman as hard as she could in the knee, the armor crumpling beneath the attack.
The Axman responded with a blow from its trademark weapon that drove the blade into the cylindrical cockpit, leaving a gaping wound in the mech and once more slamming Clara around in her seat. Her Marauder stumbled a few steps but she caught herself before she fell. Smoke poured off her battlemech, great black clouds billowing into the desert sky. The heat was unbearable in the cockpit as sirens blared and warning lights lit the space in blood red.
She watched as Raylan stepped forward, planting his Cauldron Born's foot into the back of the same knee, knocking the Axman forward and to one knee. He triggered the lasers, searing metal off the battlemech like molten blood, scarring the ground below.
Clara kicked once more, planting her foot in the Axman's chest, the armor caving in around the blow. The Axman swung its weapon, blowing through the already damaged leg and crushing it. Clara slammed into the ground, her body slamming against the restraints and then again into her chair, her back cracking and the breath being forced from her lungs explosively.
Her vision faded to black for a moment but she could hear Raylan calling out to her, asking if she was ok. Clara weakly reached out for the override switch, but felt the strength drain from her body as the world seemed to lose its color and the alarms ringing were taken over by the pounding of her blood in her ears.
…
"Clara, respond! Dammit!" Raylan snarled, planting his mech's foot into the Axman's side, sending it sprawling before cutting into it with his lasers, leaving glowing wounds on its arms and torso. He was sure Clara would be alright, but she was unresponsive to any hails.
Raylan shook his head, his long white hair falling in his face under the neurohelmet as he refocused on the situation. It was another distraction he couldn't afford and he snarled at himself. He continued firing, marching forward and watching metal pour off the Axman.
Raylan slashed the battlemech apart, using the lasers to dissect the chassis, removing its arms and crippling its legs. Raylan felt a rage bubbling in him he hadn't felt since he was in the training sibko but took a breath, let it subside and turned to open fire on the Archer still engaging Colonel Kain.
The combined attacks of Cassie and Raylan drove the Archer down, decimating the mech and leaving it sprawled on the ground, blackened from internal ammo explosions.
"Mustang…we're clear on the surface. How are things inside?" Colonel Kain called out as she moved back up to meet Raylan, panting and out of breath. "And Raylan, remind me to authorize a raise for you when we get back."
"Just keep Doc off my hide and we'll be even." Raylan replied with a laugh.
"Can do. Mustang, still need that report." Cassie said, the smile clear in her tone.
"Its…god, Cass, it's a mess in here. I…you need to see this…" Mustang said, her voice tense, ragged and tired all at once.
A video feed began playing in all cockpits and allied feeds, a helmet cam from Mustang herself. The last floor of the Citadel was a slaughterhouse. Bodies lay crumpled on the floor and propped against walls. Blood pooled in great rivers, almost a lake of red on the floor. Shell casings rolled from their steps and, faintly, an audio broadcast could be heard playing.
"Brothers and Sisters, your fate doesn't end here. Cast off your mortal bodies and ascend back to the stars. Your next life awaits beyond." It called out before looping with a musical stinger.
"Blake's blood, Cass, they killed everyone in here. Every single god damned person and they shot them all. These people…." Mustang said in barely more than a whisper.
"Mustang! I've got a live one here!" One of her men shouted and Mustang ran to them, finding a teenager, much like the one they had captured earlier in the operation. She was blood streaked, and clearly in shock but alive. Mustang looked her over and her eyes fell on the pistol, still smoking in her hand.
"She was one of the damned killers. She just ran out of bullets!" Mustang's man snarled but Mustang calmed him by placing a hand on his shoulder. She knelt down, pulling the firearm easily from the girl's hand and placing it on her belt.
"Clean her up, cuff her and let's get up top soon. Marco, Julia I want you two to search every god damned room on this floor. Grab anything that even looks like intel." Mustang said in a cold, calm voice.
"What then, Mustang?" the woman named Julia asked as she readied herself for the task.
"Just get upstairs and on Warhorse. The sooner we're out of here, the better." Mustang said as she turned to head back up the elevator. "Colonel, tell Ramsey if he isn't already listening that we're clear. The Citadel is ours and the Remnant forces are all dead…all but one anyway."
"By Kerensky…copy that, Mustang. Get out of there quick. That place is bad mojo…" Cassie said as she shut off the feed. Raylan, on the other hand, left it on and looked at everything with disgust and fury. "Raylan, I hope we find some info on were exactly their leader is because I can't wait to put a bullet in him."
"You will have to wait your turn, Colonel." Raylan snarled "Besides, I doubt the Cavalry will be in any shape to fight soon."
Cassie sighed and there was silence on the line for a brief moment, but it was deafening after all the violence of the day.
"No…no we won't be but I want to talk to you and Mustang about that once we're back on the Blackstone. Davion might be footing the bill, but its still going to be a long time." Cassie said and sighed once more. "And here I was hoping to sign us up for Operation Bulldog. Dammit."
"What is Operation Bulldog?" Raylan asked in genuine confusion and interest.
"Like I said, we'll talk about it once we're home, alright. Maybe after I've had a long shower and a tall drink though." Cassie said. "You might as well start heading back now, Major. I think Carlo's remaining force and I can hold here."
"Neg, Colonel. You head back home. My mech is in better shape and I would rather stay here to make sure Clara gets out alright." Raylan said back.
"Fair point. Well, just don't be long Major. I'll see you at home." Colonel Kain said, her voice tired as she turned her Axman back and began to slowly make her way back to the Blackstone. Raylan took a position were he could watch the area around the Citadel from all angles and began a long range scan as he brought up feeds on his HUD that showed the CSAR team, Doc Winter's team, Mustang's group and a direct line to Naomi.
"Look like something is on your mind, Major." The Commander said, taking a long drink from her coffee mug.
"Did you ever find out who these people really are?" Raylan asked quietly, his voice harsh and full of malice.
"Nothing concrete, but we did get a few hits on a connection to Comstar, though that's not surprising. What is surprising is references we found to splinter factions within Comstar." Naomi said, smiling.
"Splinter factions?" Raylan asked, devoting his full attention to her screen. Naomi nodded.
"Yea, something that's never happened, at least not publicly. Seems like a decent amount of people aren't happy with the direction Comstar is going. No name to the Splinter Group yet, but they are radicals. Nothing like…this" Naomi said, making a wide motion in reference to the slaughter below. "…but certainly something to keep in mind."
"I understand. Thank you, Naomi." Raylan said as calm as he could.
"Hey, don't worry Major. We'll smoke 'em out sooner or later." Naomi said before Raylan closed the link and most of the other windows, he gaze tightening to a ferocious glare.
"I certainly hope so…." Raylan thought, his mind filling with horrific fantasies of what he would do to the leader of these Star Remnants when he found them. How far he would go. "…I certainly hope so."