Wherever the Universe Takes Me
by Ulquiorra9000
Chapter 27
Site Alpha, Vorarlberg
Free Rasalhague Republic
November 10th, 3051
Overste Bjekkon felt like a deflated balloon as he stared at the vidscreen mounted on his office wall. Numb shock weighed on every nerve. "This..." He ran a hand over his face. "This is what we prepared ourselves for, isn't it?"
"It is, Overste," Major Stottmen said on the screen. His eyes looked dead. "I advise that you gather your personnel and prepare to withdraw deeper into Rasalhagian space at a moment's notice. I am not certain that my Vorarlberg Royals can hold the planet in the face of Clan Wolf."
"With what forces are they invading? Can you confirm?"
"Yes, Overste. A recording..."
On the screen, Major Stottman typed something into his keyboard, and Overste Bjekkon heard a different voice speak. "This is Star Colonel John Ward of the Eleventh Wolf Guards. For this battle, I bring my entire cluster of front-line OmniMechs, Elementals, and aerospace fighters. With what will you defend Vorarlberg?"
"With every damn thing I have," Major Stottman's voice said flatly. "You think I'm going to hold anything back against you now?"
"You can hardly afford to, quineg? I suppose there was no need to ask," Star Colonel Ward said with a sharp sneer in his tone. "Very well. We land within three hours. Meet us at Clwynd Hill. Star Colonel Ward out."
On the screen, Major Stottman visibly swallowed. "Estimates do not look good, Overste. Your trainees are not ready for this, I imagine. Standing orders from KungsArme top brass is to withdraw vital assets in the face of overwhelming odds. That means your trainees and their commanders. They need not die for Vorarlberg."
Overste Bjekkon took two deep breaths. Then he slammed his fist on his wooden desk hard enough to crack it. "Kamigott ist kusjeb ardott-ne!" His breath hissed between clenched teeth.
"I am sorry, Overste," Major Stottman said, and human emotion crept into his voice for the first time. "These are orders from above, not from me. I will hold the Wolves as best I can. Today, we lose. Tomorrow... we may just win. That is how the FRR is to survive."
He vanished from the screen.
No. No, no no! Overste Bjekkon knew this day was coming, and that changed nothing. The Rasalhagian peoples had suffered oppression from House Kurita through the long centuries, and now, in the dawn of their independence, the mysterious Clan Wolf devoured the realm one bite at a time. Never faltering. Never hesitating.
It was already the dusk of the Free Rasalhague Republic.
But...
Overste Bjekkon prepared to spread the message to all of Site Alpha. But he also needed to include those bastard mercenaries. They weren't trainees...
*o*o*o*o*
"I think I remember a saying," Kathy said dryly once she fastened up her cooling vest in Site Alpha's primary 'Mech bay that afternoon. "When God sends a gift, he wraps it in hardship."
Chen knew that Kathy was more or less agnostic, but he couldn't argue with the shared wisdom. "We wanted Black Knights, and we got them... along with VIP event passes to the biggest battle of our lives."
"Ain't that the truth." Kathy smirked and clapped a hand on Chen's shoulder. "Just don't let anything happen to your new ride. The Rasalhagians aren't dying just so we can insult their generosity."
Chen snorted. "I think these people are too busy to care."
Around them, Site Alpha personnel were double-timing just about everything, putting finishing touches on the 'Mechs, gathering supplies to take with them during evac, and passing around orders over the general din. In the distance, Chen could hear the distinctive rumble-roar of aerospace fighters soaring high over the land.
It was time to move. Chen wished Kathy the best of luck, and he climbed the scaffolding up to his Black Knight and into the distinctive helmet-shaped head. This was now his 'Mech to keep, no questions asked, and he had already programmed it to his liking (and swapped out some of the decor).
"For what were you born?" the 'Mech's computer asked in Mandarin.
Chen answered in kind. "To defy my death."
"And for what shall you fight?"
"Every new dawn gives me an answer."
With two security questions, both in a language rarely spoken outside Liao space, Chen was sure that no one could run off in his machine. Of course, he also had plans to install dart throwers and poison gas emitters in this cockpit in case some thief managed to hack their way into the Black Knight's security anyway. He had tasted the bitter flavor of Dispossession, and had his old Vindicator blown out from under him some eleven years ago. No more shall he lose 'Mechs to rogues and bastards on the battlefield or elsewhere.
He jumped when his comm crackled to life. "Universe's best girlfriend to Scrappy, come in. Over."
Chen tried not to laugh. "Goddamn it, Kath. Do you have any idea what's gooing on here?"
"Let's not forget, Scrap, that we're mercenaries," Kathy told him casually. "We're sitting in the reason we didn't take the next JumpShip out of this system: the loot. We don't owe the Overste or the KungsArme our loyalty. There's a battle to fight, and that's it."
Chen nodded. "True enough."
Indeed, the condition was to help the Vorarlberg Royals perform a delaying action and buy Site Alpha enough time to evacuate properly, and once that was done, Chen and Kathy were free agents. But that also meant no more KungsArme backup.
As for Peter, Kathy made damned sure that he was given secure transport from his hotel to the evacuation zone.
"Moving out," Chen reported, and he gently eased his booted foot onto his Black Knight's pedal. The 75-tonner took a slow step forward, then another, and another. Chen steered his metal titan to the open 'Mech hangar doors, and he heard the footsteps of Kathy's own mount following right behind him. And they weren't alone here.
"Overste Bjekkon to Sergeants Yeung and Bliss!" came a familiar voice. "You are to board the Dropship Freya's Wrath and group up with the Vorarlberg Royals at Clwynd Hill, and obey all further orders of the Royals commander. Is that clear, mercenaries?"
"Yes, Overste," Chen said, and Kathy echoed him.
"Good. Now move it. Give those Black Knights some exercise."
Chen was counting on it.
*o*o*o*o*
DropShip Lupus Fang, Vorarlberg
Free Rasalhague Republic
Star Colonel John Ward wouldn't tell his men, but he felt a bit foolish, even now as the battle was about to be joined. In his excitement to conquer this pitiful planet, he neglected something that always made conquest worthwhile. The hunt.
He tapped into the comm in his DropShip's comm room, and right on time, Star Colonel Ward appeared on the screen. The man's lean face and narrowed eyes were like a wolf sizing up its opponent. "What is it?" he asked curtly.
John clasped his hands behind his back and cleared his throat. "I have seen to it that our victory here is assured, Star Colonel Ward. However, my warriors have no sport in a battle like this. I will provide them such sport at the training facility 50 klicks away from the capital city. Greenhorn warriors will be sent, a mere Nova Binary of them. Let us see what they can make of the defenders."
The corners of Conal's lips twitched in a smile. "Feeling adventurous, Star Colonel? Suppose your men are walking into a trap."
"Hence I am sending my greenest forces. They will conclude the battle with much glory, or in early graves. Either outcome is proper for a warrior, quiaff?"
Conal nodded once. "A Supernova Binary, I am sure we can spare for your little game. Be advised, however, that the Rasalhagians have proven themselves quite tricky and stubborn before, in case you have forgotten, and perhaps that Nova Binary shall be sorely missed in the battle to come after all."
John shook his head, and now he was the one fighting a smile. "I have confidence in my forces, Star Colonel. Just see to it that your Red Keshik does not stumble and tarnish its victory streak."
"I need no such words of caution from you, Star Colonel," Conal hissed. "Ward out."
The screen went black.
*o*o*o*o*
Site Alpha outskirts, Vorarlberg
Free Rasahague Republic
Chen was halfway to the waiting DropShip when Overste Bjekkon entered the comm. "Attention, all Site Alpha personnel! Scans show Clan forces inbound. Looks like a raid. Form a defensive perimeter and buy time for all noncombatants to withdraw for the nearest starport. This includes all mercenaries on site."
There was a lot of confused babble after that, and even some of the cadets got on the comm. "We can fight," Gregoro put in. "Overste, we have learned how to shoot -"
"Trainees have no chance against Wolves," Overste Bjekkon cut in. "All security personnel and mercenaries are responsible for Site Alpha's defenses."
"Sir," added a security MechWarrior. "Our defenses are looking pretty thin. We might not be able to hold the Wolves for long, even with a delaying action."
"Are you questioning me, Menig?" Overste Bjekkon snapped. "The trainees are to -"
"Overste. We are ready and willing to help," Tsuya added. "Requesting permission to form a defense company. Sergeants Yeung and Bliss could command us. They've taught us a lot."
"This is lunacy," Overste Bjekkon said tightly. "Sergeant Yeung, Sergeant Bliss, you've been a thorn in my side you got here. Doing things off-script, getting my trainees injured, giving me an attitude... and now you've won over my trainees? This is not how the KungsArme operates."
Chen didn't know what to say. Neither, it seemed, did Kathy.
Then Overste Bjekkon spoke up. "But damn it all... I like the fire in these trainees. They're already exemplary fighters. And I've seen the reports of their progress." He huffed. "So be it. You want to see action that badly, trainees? Form a company with Sergeants Yeung and Bliss at the helm. Let's see how you handle the real thing. Overste Bjekkon out."
Chen couldn't help an incredulous grin. Indeed, he, Kathy, and the Overste had been at each other's throats this entire time, but if the trainees really were ready and willing to fight... why stop them now?
"Sergeant Bliss here," Kathy stated on the comm. "Sergeant Yeung and I need ten of our best trainees on hand to form a company. Cadets Gustafso, Svennog, Olafsdottir, Brennoff, Abbantuj, and..."
Soon enough, twelve BattleMechs assembled in an open space at the bustling Site Aphla, with Chen and Kathy's twin Black Knights forming the command squad along with cadet Darren Brennoff and another cadet named Olan Nijabjat. Meanwhile, Gregoro, Tsuya, Mikael, and Lukas formed their own lance, and a lighter lance completed the makeshift company. And they'd have something to before long.
Chen checked the tactical report that Site Alpha's intelligence team fed his 'Mech's computer. "Looks like ten 'mechs and power armor suits of some sort, headed our way. We've got the numbers, but they probably hold several advantages of us. I doubt this is a suicide run."
"If these are the same monsters we fought on Romulus, those armor suits are gonna give us a worse fight than the 'Mechs," Kathy commented. "I saw what they're capable of. Cadets, this isn't going to be a conventional fight. Watch each other's backs, and don't let those little bastards sneak up on you. They'll swarm you."
"Power armor?" cadet Brennoff scoffed. "The very thought."
"I fought one of them," Chen told him. "In person. They're giant men and women with suits too tough for small arms fire. Only 'Mech and vehicle weapons can stop them."
"How can something that like exist?" Gregoro asked.
"Wish I knew, cadet," Chen said darkly. "Just be careful how you aim. Let's move."
They weren't alone; two more lances of the defense force joined them, along with two lances of tanks and two lances of Maxim hover transports, each loaded with infantry for additional support. Altogether, that made for twenty 'Mechs and sixteen tanks, along with two platoons of soldiers. Would it be enough? Chen had long since learned that numbers didn't do anything except to represent potential casualties.
Chen prayed that the personnel of Site Alpha wouldn't run afoul of stray Clan Wolf forces, and he resolved that if he didn't see Peter alive and well on the next JumpShip out of this system, he'd personally strangle each commanding officer in the crumbling KungsArme. By now, he knew that his loyalties lay with the people dear to him... and his own survival. No flag or nation would bound him. The anti-mercenary attitude of the Rasalhagians reminded him once again that he was adrift in the Inner Sphere, and he would make his own future... or lose it. All on his own.
"This area looks defensible," Chen said on the comm as the assembled force drew close to some hilly pine forests, and there were some small cliffs and scattered boulders for additional cover. "This rough terrain allows us to perform hit and run attacks, and keep the enemy off balance."
"Armor assets, these forests are rough," Kathy added. "Maybe too rough for your machines. Will you create a defensive bulwark in the open?"
"We will," came a tank commander's voice. "Armor assets will draw enemy fire, and your 'Mechs can take the heat off us and confuse the enemy."
"Infantry commander here," came another voice. "We're taking up positions at the edge of the forest. Marking your maps now. We've got Inferno rounds and portable machine guns and LRM launchers in here for support. Lure the enemy close, and we can hit them."
Chen was aware that Elementals would tear apart conventional infantry with ease. He warned them.
"We'll do what we can, mercenary," the infantry commander said, his voice taut. "You just make it worthwhile."
That would be the easier part.
A new voice joined the comm a few minutes later.
"This is Nova Captain Kiera," it stated coldly. "I bid my Supernova Binary to battle for control of Site Alpha. With what will you oppose me?"
Chen hesitated. Who would answer that battle challenge? Or should they ignore her?
"Kathy Bliss here," came a familiar voice. "You can choke and die on your challenge for all I care. We're gonna kill you sons of bitches, simple as that. Come and get us."
Nova Captain (what the hell kind of rank was that?) growled like a wolf on the comm. "Barbarian trash! I should have known. Let us meet in battle and see who is more worthy!" She cut the comm.
"Uh... Sergeant?" Gregoro piped up. "Are you seeing this, too?"
"I sure am, cadet," Chen said. On his radar, ten 'Mechs approached, arranged into two pentagons. But each 'Mech was also loaded with five smaller pips, probably to mark Elemental suits. Chen swallowed and felt himself start to sweat, even without firing a single laser. "The power suits are called Elementals. They're tricky bastards. Don't let them corner you with their weapons or attack your cockpit."
"Armor assets in position!" the tank commander barked. "Infantry, what's your status?"
By now, the eight Maxim hover transport tanks were already parked at the forest's edge, and Chen knew that eight full platoons of soldiers were getting their big guns ready. The infantry commander confirmed it.
"We're ready," the tank commander said smugly as the eight tanks settled into position between two hills. "BattleMechs, prepare to - shit!"
The moment Clan Wolf 'Mechs crested the hill, Chen knew that the tanks were lost. Painted mottled brown and gray, the Wolf 'Mechs wasted no time in raining fire on the tanks. Despite being ready for this, the tanks crumbled before the assault, and two Bulldog tanks succumbed entirely to enemy fire in blinding fireballs. Charred armor scraps scattered all over the place.
The six surviving tanks scattered as best they could, and the Wolf 'Mechs fanned out to cut off their escape routes. A Saracen twisted its turret around and spat out a full payload of missiles at a short Wolf 'Mech, but at this awkward range, half of its ten LRMS flew right over the 'Mech while the rest peppered its oddly shaped torso. The Saracen's triple SRM 2 launchers had better luck; all six warheads pounded the strange 'Mech's squat body, and armor chunks blasted right off. But it didn't stop the bigger machine.
As Chen moved his and Kathy's company into position to ambush the Wolf 'Mechs, he caught a glimpse of the tank-vs-'Mech duel as it played out. The strange 'Mech fired not one, not two, but seven medium lasers, which vaporized nearly all of the Saracen's armor in one dazzling volley. The poor tank ground to a halt, its hover skirt mangled beyond use, smoke pouring from its body. In desperation, the tank fired another SRM volley, but this time, the odd 'Mech was ready. It vaulted into the air on jump jets, allowing the SRMs to race past underneath. From a couple of dozen meters in the air, the squat 'Mech finished its foe with a few more lasers.
"How are these 'Mechs not overheating?" Mikael wondered. "Look at them go! Shooting like crazy!"
"No, they've gotta be overheating," Lukas Abbantuj said. "We can take 'em and make good on the tanks' sacrifice."
"Cut the chatter, cadets!" Chen demanded. "The security lances are in position. Ready... go!"
The cadets let out a war cry as twelve 'Mechs crested a hill and rained fire on the Wolf force's exposed flanks. PPCs, LRMs, SRMs, and more peppered the enemy's machines all over the place in a dizzying and chaotic web of fire, and Chen took heart in that. Good. A frontal assault would show these Wolf bastards what they could do!
Kind of.
"Is that all?" Nova Captain Kiera's voice scoffed. "You may as well dismount your 'Mechs and beat our machines with your fists!"
"Scatter!" Kathy cried.
The Wolf 'Mechs had already pounded the tanks into submission, and now they turned their wrath on the twenty BattleMechs. Chen bared his teeth and twisted his joysticks to get his Black Knight moving, and enemy PPCs and lasers narrowly missed his machine as he went. Then he came face to face with a 'Mech of similar size, and it looked ready to kill.
The Wolf 'Mech looked rather humanoid, with wide shoulders and a mask-like face, and its short, stiff arms ended in gun muzzles. Chen felt his breath catch in his throat when he realized that while the right arm bore six medium lasers, the left carried a deadly autocannon 20. It fired.
"Dammit!" Chen narrowly sidestepped the barrage of shells, and the rounds tore long gouged into the ground. Gunpowder wafted into the air.
Then it fired again.
Already?! Chen was too slow to react in time; half of the next volley slammed into his Black Knight's right thigh, and just over a third of the armor vanished, just like that.
Chen let out a frustrated cry and backed up, firing his PPC straight into the strange 'Mech's large head. The blue bolt hit dead center, and the Wolf 'Mech staggered back as crackling blue lightning arced all around its head and shoulders. That bought Chen enough time to regroup with the others.
Kathy, meanwhile, fired her two large lasers at another enemy 'Mech, one that resembled a Marauder-Catapult hybrid, and her beams scoured armor off its reverse-canted legs. "This ain't good, Scrappy!" she cried. "Is it infantry time?"
"Yeah, I think so," Chen said as the firefight raged on. Two 'Mechs on his side had gone down by now, but no Wolf 'Mechs had fallen yet. "Let's give 'em a surprise. Cadets! Fall back for infantry support! They won't see it coming."
"Yes, Sergeant! Let's do it!" Gregoro's Centurion spat out one more defiant LBX-10 volley, then motioned with its left arm for its fellows to join in the retreat. Right on cue, the defenders fell back to the forest, and as hoped, the Wolf 'Mechs followed at once. They smelled blood, after all.
"Sergeants! Where are those power armor suits you told us about?" Cadet Brennoff asked breathlessly. "Surely we should see them by now?"
Chen frowned. True enough, he hadn't spotted any Elementals yet. Oh, no -
"Taking heavy casualties!" the infantry commander cried. "Giant infantry are on our asses! Need support!"
Upon reaching the forest's edge, Chen confirmed the worst: nearly fifty Elementals were running amok, slaughtering infantry with impunity. Their small pulse lasers and machine guns worked wonders on regular soldiers, and no small arms fire could stop them. Already, several trees were on fire, and the Elementals leaped around on thruster packs, looking for more victims. The eight Maxim tanks, meanwhile, were panicking and firing every which way with their SRM 6 launchers and machine guns on their turrets to fight off the Elementals, but it did little good.
And the Wolf 'Mechs were closing fast.
"Stuck between a forest of Elementals and ten invincible 'Mechs," Kathy commented on the comm. "This line of work is never boring, huh, Scrappy?"
Chen forced himself to laugh. "Can't you ever be wrong for once?"
