Chapter 20
Outskirt Eselex, Callone VI, Federated Suns,
September 27, 3078
The downloaded floor plan of the prison proved to be very useful. The prison had four levels, each hosted 30 to 35 cells in a U-shape building. There was, however, a secret underground level that was encrypted, so it was not immediately available for amateur users. But it took Reeza only 90 seconds to crack the encryption code and opened the secret underground level. Sure enough, cell D15 was located underground.
"Hansen's Roughriders will assume that we don't know about the secret underground level," Rocher said as he reviewed the prison floor plan. "They will concentrate their guards on each entry point to the prison, and spread even more guards along the four levels. Then they'll put mechs surrounding the prison. That's what we'll make them believe. We'll pretend that we don't know about the underground level. We will attack the prison with mechs. As our mechs battle the Roughriders, a second team will sneak into the underground level though the sewer system. We know the location of cell D15, so we can do this swiftly. As soon as we retract Jenna Alcatar, our mech force will disengage the Roughriders and retreat. By the time the Roughriders know what's going on, we're already outside their range."
"The Roughriders will deploy their regulars to guard the prison," Kyle mused. "I won't be surprised if they put in a battalion, two companies surrounding the prison and one more to block our exit. They will trap us in a crossfire. Shuran and I are the only ones that have been in a pitched situation like that. I don't think Austin's men have, and neither have the 8th Syrtis Fusiliers. It can be done, but at a terrible cost."
"We may not be inexperienced but we will give our best," Austin interjected. "We fought during the civil war. We know the risk, and we know the consequences. None of us will turn our back against the battle and run."
"It'll help if we knock out their radar grid," Reeza added. "The old library is used as a listening post. If you destroy their radar at the library, the Roughriders will go blackout for a moment, and they'll have to reconfigure their signal coverage. Or maybe they can't, which means you have a small window to enter their grid."
"No, I don't think it will happen that way," Shuran shook his head. "If this listening post is knocked out, they'll assume we come from the library. They'll redeploy their troops to cover this gap, which means the area at the exact opposite of the library will be slightly open. We'll have the best chance to bleed the Roughriders at this instance, assuming most of their mechs move to cover the library."
"I'll hit the listening post," Kyle volunteered. "Shuran, Rocher and Austin will come from the opposite side and hit the Roughriders' flank."
"Sorry, guys, I'm going in with the sneak team," Rocher said. "With Kaito in the hospital, there's not enough firepower on the infantry side. I'll balance the power."
"I'll be alright Rocher," Meiko said unenthusiastically. "Between my Rorynex and Samantha's big sniper rifle, I think we have enough firepower to retrieve Jenna Alcatar and make it back. Your double PPCs are needed to even the odds with the Roughriders."
"You may be tough, Meiko, but an extra pair of eyes are always useful to watch your back," Rocher flashed a cocky smile. "I'm quick, and I'm nimble. I'll be a good compliment for the cumbersome Samantha."
"Don't underestimate the size of my body and the size of my gun," Samantha snorted, clearly annoyed at Rocher's unsympathetic comment. It was easy to assume that she was underpowered, since she was barely 5 feet tall, and her sniper rifle was almost as big as her. But she was not a delicate flower. "I can kill you without you knowing it."
"I believe you, but I'm not your enemy," Rocher grinned without losing eye contact with Meiko. "Our enemies are hundreds of Hansen's Roughriders hungry for blood. Your sniper rifle can only fire so many rounds before you are overwhelmed by angry mob. I can tip the scale in our favor a little."
"I'll take Rocher's place," James, who was silent from the start, spoke up. "My Dragon has equal firepower with Rocher's Uziel. Not as fast, but with slightly better armor."
"See? Problem solved!" Rocher smiled like a kid getting a candy. "Alright, ladies and gents, let's wrap this up. Battlemech team, this is your first Nav point," he highlighted a spot at the outskirt of Bunkieki about 5 kilometers from the jail. "Take out the listening post at the old library and observe enemy's movement. If they're as dumb as we think they are, they'll pour in their mechs to the old library, hoping to catch an easy meal. Then you strike their flank and make them pay for being stupid. Infantry team, we start 2 hours before the battlemech team move out. We take this sewer system until we reach the jail. Battlemech party starts at 1500 hours. At 1515 we bust into the jail, clean up the guards as necessary, get Jenna Alcatar, and return to where we come from. We'll blow the sewer to close the door behind us. Battlemech team, disengage enemy units at 1530 and get the hell out of Bunkieki. Rendezvous at Eselex and declare victory. Short and sweet. Now dismiss and take 6 hours rest before moving out."
As the group dispersed, Meiko approached Rocher. Her eyes and her body language told him that she was not satisfied with the plan. "You are a mechwarrior, Rocher, and a good one," she said. "You should be fighting with your mech. Shuran, Kyle, Austin and James will be outnumbered by 5 to 1, and they need your firepower."
"And you will be outnumbered by 50 to 1," Rocher retorted. "The battlemech team will be behind inches of ferrofibrous armor. You have nothing. You want James to cover you? He can't even shoot firearms, for crying out loud! Samantha's rate of fire is not enough to help you through 50 guards at a time. Admit it, you need another gun to watch for your six, and I'm your best shot."
As much as Meiko hated it, it was the truth. Samantha might have a big gun but she might not have the speed to stop the guards coming at them at once. She needed a mass destructive weapon like Kaito's Inferno, and although Rocher didn't have that, he did provide cover of some sort.
"You know what? We have 6 hours before we start our mission," Rocher shot a mischievous smile. "We do have an unfinished business, don't we?"
Meiko could only shake her head. "You are a pig, don't you know that?"
"I might be, but let me tell you a little secret. Women that called me pig also enjoyed spending time with me because I have the 'right' size to give them what their partner couldn't. And by 'right', I mean the 'real man' size. You get what I mean?"
"I'm going to say this once," Meiko walked up right at him. "Screw yourself!"
"You're missing out big time, Meiko," Rocher spread his arms invitingly. But Meiko couldn't care less. She just walked out toward her own tent to rest and prepare for the mission.