Chapter 24

Outskirt Eselex, Callone VI, Federated Suns,
October 3, 3078

With Jenna at the helm, help started pouring in. In a week's time the battlemech demi lance had grown almost company-strong, with numerous combat vehicles and foot soldiers joining the team. Meiko's prediction was accurate; when words about Jenna Alcatar leading a resistance movement spread out, people that were still loyal to the Alcatar family raced to lend a hand. They were still inferior to the Hansen's Roughriders, but the growing number of supporters had become the much-needed morale booster.

Jenna recovered well. She was humbled to see such supports from people of Callone VI, and determined to step up to the challenge. She was still inexperienced in terms of strategic skill, but with Rocher, Shuran, and Kyle as her ad-lib military advisors, she learnt quickly.

"We lost Bervalla because the Roughriders have strong air and artillery supports," Shuran said as the four of them looked over the holographic map of Callone VI. "We don't have anything to answer it, so we have to destroy it on land, especially their Mechbusters. We have to destroy their airbase before they mount up another carpet bombing on another city."

"But we don't know where their air base is located," Jenna complained. "We can't kill what we can't see."

"True, but such a large air power will need a large flat plain," Rocher added. He manipulated the hologram image until it showed a portion of Callone VI overlooking 3 wide fields. "There are 3 possibilities, all are within 30 minutes flying from Bervalla. The Roughriders may use all 3 for their Mechbusters. We need to recon the areas."

"This area is semi swampy," Jenna highlighted one of the fields, using her knowledge of the area. "The ground is soggy and soft. There won't be enough support for landing strips. This part has jagged edges and cliffs. It'll take the Roughriders months to make it flat for the air strips."

"That leaves us with this field," Kyle zoomed in to the third area. "A perfect place for an airfield and logistics. The air control tower, hangars and warehouses are our priorities. If we're lucky, we may catch Mechbusters lying on the ground. Take them out as many as we can."

"I'd still recon the area before we do it," Rocher said. "The Mechbusters may be aground, but that doesn't mean the airfield is not guarded by battlemechs. I don't want any surprises, not at this stage of the war."

"Do you want to do it?" Kyle said. "Your Uziel is fast enough to do a power recon."

"Sure, why not?" Rocher shrugged. "I'll get the tech to make sure that my battleROM works properly."

"Alright, let's take a break. We reconvene to analyze Rocher's input," Jenna summarized the meeting. "Again, I appreciate you sharing your experience with me."

"Always a pleasure, Highness," Rocher smiled with a playful bow, then exited the tent.

The technicians had put a lot of work on his Uziel. Both arms were intact; each carried a PPC on its barrel. His SRM6 and machine guns were topped off with ammo. His coolant container was filled to the brim. And all fried electronics were replaced with the new ones. His battleROM was undamaged, but the techs made sure it worked. Some minute details might be caught in the battleROM, and they could change the course of the war.

"Jenna told me that you're going on a recon run," suddenly Meiko appeared as Rocher made his final check. "I hope everything goes smooth with your mech."

"Austin has connection to good technicians," Rocher nodded. "My mech was literally in pieces after the fight with Shuran and Kyle, but now it looks shiny new. One thing I need to make sure is the battleROM. It's crucial in a recon job." He paused a moment, looking at Meiko curiously. "What are you doing here?"

"I uh…" Meiko stammered a bit. "I just want to say I'm grateful for your support of our cause. We have significant supports from people that are still loyal to the Alcatar family. That wouldn't be possible if the prison break mission failed. Your help in setting up the mission was insurmountable, and you performed exceptionally well on that mission."

"The Federated Suns sent me to avenge the loss of the fallen Davion warriors in the hands of the Hansen Roughriders. That's what I'm doing. However," Rocher grabbed Meiko's hand and drew her close, "this campaign is very rewarding even before its conclusion. You know, I'll go on a solo mission tomorrow. Some ancient tribes had a tradition where the women indulged the men with a lot of love all night long before they went to war the next day. I don't mind we try that. And who knows you're the one that'll get a treat. I am a 'big' boy, and from my experience, bigger is better."

Meiko squirmed and pushed Rocher as hard as she could. "What is wrong with you? You just made me regret doing the right thing!"

"Hey, I'm just being honest," Rocher said firmly. "I fancy you, and you fancy me too."

"What? No!" Meiko backpedaled. "Where did this come from, all of sudden?"

"All of sudden? This is not all of sudden! What about the day we kissed at the library? Does that mean anything to you? Do you think it's just a diversion tactic to save James and Reeza? If I remember correctly, you enjoyed it as much as I did! Admit it, Meiko!"

"Enjoy? Enjoy?" Meiko blurted. There was, indeed, some moments worth remembering out of that episode, but the rest was just a stunt to secure the mission objective and to save James and Reeza from falling into enemy's hands. "There was nothing to it but work, Rocher. If you think otherwise, then you're just making an ass of yourself."

"Then tell me what you feel about this," Rocher grabbed her head and planted a deep, gentle, passionate kiss on her lips.

Meiko could tell how Rocher felt about her, and he wasn't lying about fancying her. It was full of respect and adoration, and it confused the hell out of her. On one side, Rocher was a narcissistic individual who seem to be very proud of his large 'member' (and that was still highly doubtful). On the other hand, he was this highly-trained mechwarrior from Federated Suns who took pride in his skill and professionalism. Maybe he was both. Then again, maybe he was neither.

But regardless, the guy could kiss. And against her best judgment, she reciprocated.

"So what do you say?" Rocher said as he parted himself from Meiko. "Just look at me in the eye and tell me if that doesn't mean anything to you. Then I'll leave you alone."

"I don't sleep with just anybody, Rocher," Meiko said painfully, trying to fight back the urge to jump at Rocher and kiss him again. "If you think I'm that cheap, then you're insulting me."

"I don't kiss just anybody either," Rocher replied, "Just the hottest one whom I like the most but eventually repulses me..."

Meiko burst into laughter, and with that, her inhibition melted. She was not a typical thrill hunter who fell for "bad boys". She was a professional who put her work ahead of personal interests. But it was the feel of being wanted that intrigued her. Nobody had touched her that deep with just two kisses, and whether Rocher was a great-kissing asshole or a diamond in the rough, she was bound to investigate more.

"I know this great place," she squeezed Rocher's hand, looking into his eyes with burning desire. "But we have to be back in 5 hours. Jenna and I have a lot of things to discuss, and I don't want to piss her off by being missing when she needs me."

"Five hour's a plenty," Rocher smiled and buried his lips on Meiko's, who was only eager to kiss him back.