Disclaimers: I do not own Battletech
A/N: Finally, we are back on the Argo ready to take off. I get that there hasn't been any mech combat despite their being the ninth chapter but we're getting there. Nico and the crew have to navigate the process of going from mercenaries to professional military and it's not an easy one. But they will get some action while on the way to Fjaldr along Nico and Kamea begin to show early hints of their relationship of friendly and professional turning into something else.
Back to the Argo
Two Days Later
It was done in a hurry, a lot of people got pissed off and a lot of parts had to be moved around, but finally, it was done.
Tomorrow, the ACS Argo would finally ready be for its maiden voyage as an official military vessel, and Nico was going to check every nook and cranny to make sure it was up to par. His first stop of course was the heart of the ship, the mech bay.
It wouldn't take him long to get there seeing everyone, both old crew and new, got out of his way when they saw him coming. Since most of the old crew were just former mercenaries with no military background whatsoever, a number of them forgot to salute him as he walked by but Nico didn't care much for that. Kamea informs him that she would be having military instructors and such come on board to help maintain proper order and discipline and to help get everyone up to military standards.
Nico made a mental note to have a closed-door meeting with them the minute they all arrive, anything to get his mind of certain matters.
As he reaches the elevator which would lead down to the bay, a voice calls from behind him.
"Colonel Strong, sir! One moment please, sir!"
He turns around to see Captain Andris bounding down the hall toward him while weaving in and out of the way of the crew with half a dozen data-slates in her hands. The woman comes to a halt in front of him and leans over to catch her breath.
"I thought you would have been in better shape, Captain Andris", Nico voices.
"I...have been running all day, sir. Trying to get everything situated for my troops and all. All the other company officers have delegated this task to subordinates but I figure I might as well do it myself to make it go smoother", she says as she catches her breath, "Also, I'm not used to being on a ship this way, sir. I got lost a couple of times."
"I see", Nico nods as he brings up his communication watch to his mouth, "Sumire, this is Dragon."
"Go ahead, Dragon", the Executive Officer answers.
"I want a communication watch to be assigned to Captain Andris, as of this moment, she is the official liaison for all of the army detachments on board the Argo. Get everything set up."
"Copy that, Dragon", Sumire acknowledges.
Nico still looks over at the surprised Captain, "That should make your task easier."
"W-what just happen, sir?", Andris questions.
"Simple, you have been promoted in a way. You answer directly to me for all matters regarding the army units", Nico told her.
"But why, sir?"
"Because you haven't changed since Panzyr. You are still trying to do what is best for your men", the mechwarrior explained, "I respect that."
All Karen Andris could do was stare at the man as the elevator door open up and he entered into it.
"The elevator is going down, captain. If you have something to tell me, I suggest you get on."
Andris snaps out of her trance follows after him just as the doors close. Afterward, she hands him a data-slate.
"As you can see, sir, I have some questions regarding some of the accommodations you have on the Argo and whether or not my men can use them", Andris began, "Mainly regarding the arcade, pool, and library."
"Hmm, that is a fair point. In all the commotion in the past month, I guess I forgot that people outside of the crew would be using them as well. I'll talk with Captain Oliveira and have him come up with a proper schedule so that everyone onboard has equal time allotted to them for these rooms."
"Thank you, sir", Andris says, "Now there is also the matter of discipline on board."
Nico raises an eyebrow at this as the elevator reaches its destination and the doors open to the bay.
"Sir, if I may, in my short time here I have notice that a number of the original crew has not fully embrace military standards onboard this ship, particularity your Lance Commanders", Andris informed Nico, "The main issue being that nearly everyone still refers to you as "Dragon" instead of "Sir".
"I will be holding a mandatory staff meeting once we are underway to address these issues, Captain. Until then, deal with it as best you can", Nico says.
"Yes sir. Also, request permission to speak freely."
"Oh boy, this is going to be fun, I just know it", Nico thought, "Granted."
"Sir, with all due respect, I am actually surprised by how well you are adjusted to the position of a senior officer. You seem to be more professional than quite a few others I have seen with your rank", Andris states.
Nico actually finds himself chuckling a little at the statement, "Well, let's just say I come from a strict background. I know the ropes of military life."
"Sir, it's well known that you are exiled nobility from the Deep Periphery even among the masses, but beyond that, no one really knows much about you" Andris points out.
"And I prefer to keep it like that, Captain Andris", Nico tells her.
"Sir!", Andris says as she snaps to attention, "Forgive me for intruding, sir! I overstep my boundaries, sir!"
"It's alright, captain. You are not the first to question me about my history and I doubt you'll be the last", Nico says right before he elevator came to a stop and the door open up to reveal High Lady Kamea, in her regular military uniform surprisingly, the Aurigan Crown now her latest addition to it, surrounded by a gaggle of advisors, royal guards, and Alexander. She looked to be in the midst of arguing with an advisor when she notices him and Nico swore her eyes lit up as though she was gazing upon her savior.
Which according to some of the war stories the Coalition media was airing about him, he was in a way.
"Ah Colonel Strong, excellent timing. You have saved me the trouble of having to come to find you", she said before turning her attention to Andris, "Captain, if you will, I have some matters to discuss with the colonel in private."
Andris snaps to attention, "Ma'am, yes ma'am! I will see myself out, ma'am!", she says before exiting the elevator and Kamea enters it. As she turns around she holds up a hand, halting the tide of her group from entering with her.
Nico couldn't help but notice that they seem a little too eager to get on the elevators or the fact that they were casting wary glances at him.
"I will meet you all at my working quarters for our noon meeting. Have your reports ready for me to look over by then. Captain, you and your men are free to retire until that time", Kamea orders as the doors close.
Living Alexander and the rest of Kamea's entourage standing there staring at the elevator doors. The Royal Guards turn to leave after a moment no doubt heading back to report to the captain, leaving the head of House Madeira alone with the advisers.
"Hmph", one of them, a Carla Vanstan of Heliat, says as she turns up her nose, "The High Lady has been spending far too much time with that mercenary."
"I beg your pardon?", Alexander says, the words coming out of his mouth before he could stop them.
"I understand that he did what he was paid to do and help her win the war but she should have just let him and his goons leave afterward. We are now in the process of rebuilding, we have no need for low-lives like them", Miss Vanstan finishes as a sneer appears across her face.
Alexander notices that the other three advisors were nodding their heads, agreeing with her.
High Lady Kamea's right-hand man then levels each of them with a steady glare.
"Just as you said, that "low-life" is the main reason High Lady Kamea won the civil war and is able to wear the Aurigan Crown on her head. He also played a major role in saving my life, allowing me to see my wife and son", he said in a low, deepening voice, catching the advisors off guard, "I will ignore your slip of the tongue this time but I suggest you become wise enough in the future not to voice your personal opinion while in the presence of her royal majesty for she might not be as lenient as I."
As soon as the elevator's doors closed Kamea turns to look at Nico.
"Have the cameras been install in the elevators yet?", she asks.
"They have but they won't come online until later today after my approval", he answers.
"Thank goodness", as she falls back on the wall and drops her face into her hands, letting out a sigh of exhaustion in the process.
"Like vultures, aren't they?", Nico chuckles.
"I have not had a moment's peace since I woke up this morning", Kamea replies through her hands.
"And you saw me as the perfect escape", Nico finishes.
"I pray that you do not take it personally", Kamea said as she lifts her head up.
Nico merely shrugs, "Eh, it's whatever. I'm heading to the mechbay by the way."
"Perfect, I was planning on heading down there sometime today anyway", Kamea says as the elevator came to a stop and the doors open up to reveal Behemoth, Medusa, Dekker, and Glitch all standing there.
The four lance commanders briefing exchanges glances with one another before turning back to the duo.
"Dragon, High Lady Kamea", Dekker starts, "What brings you to the mech bay?"
"I have business with Yang if he is available", the High Lady answers, "And for future reference, you can just call me Kamea when no one else is around. The four of you have definitely earned that privilege."
"Awww, you're making us blush!", Glitch giggles causing Behemoth to roll her eyes.
"Well anyway, Yang is over by your Dragon's Highlander, berating the mech tech for not installing the heat sinkers in yet", Medusa spoke up.
"Then that is where I will be heading", Kamea states, "Would you four to join us so I can discuss some matters with you."
"Lead the way, my lady", Behemoth acknowledges while Glitch gives a perky salute and the four Lance Commanders fall in behind Kamea and Nico, waiting for them to move; but instead Kamea raises an eyebrow at them.
"Something the matter?", Nico questions.
"I forget that you guys are not up-to-date with Aurigan Nobility practices, plus it was not in the brief Alexander gave you", Kamea says before looking over at Glitch and Behemoth, "Seeing how I sent my guards away, protocols dictate that in such a public setting like the mech bay I am to be flank on both sides by ladies if at all possible while the men unless they are family, are to walk a respectable distance behind us."
Both the Behemoth and Glitch stare at Kamea for a moment before looking over at Medusa who merely shrugs.
"What? You think I know anything about this just because I grew up in the Reach?"
Then the three of them look over at Dekker and Nico.
"It's not all that surprising when you think about it", Dekker started, "The Reach used to belong to the Capellan Confederation and a good number of the noble houses maintain such a tradition though they are way more strict about it."
"Is this really necessary? It seems a bit much", Nico asks.
"Unfortunately, it is necessary", Kamea answers, "Not all of the advisors and such coming to the Argo belong to House Arano. A good number of them belong to the other Founding Houses, and if they witness me being too lenient with those who are supposed answers to me, they would no doubt tell their superiors and they would use it against me. Also, if it makes you feel any better, the roles were reversed with my father when he wasn't accompanied by guards or my mother."
Nico exhales through his nose before looking at his pilots.
"You heard the High Lady. Glitch, Behemoth, get on her sides. Dekker, Medusa, back here with me", he tells them and the four mechpilots quickly do as they were told, although there was some grumbling from Behemoth.
"This is the stupidest thing I have ever done and I had to show Alexander how to properly lift weight in the gym."
"Save your complaints for someone who cares", Nico replies as he was now flank on both sides by the male pilots while the females look back at him from their position alongside Kamea. It was Behemoth on her left with Medusa behind her while Glitch was on her right with Dekker behind her; and smack dab in the middle was Nico with Kamea in front of him.
"Everyone good to go? Excellent, let us be off", Kamea states, and this time it was Nico rolling his eyes.
"I better not catch you staring at my ass, Medusa, or you're a dead man", Behemoth threatens.
"Not even if you were the last woman alive", came his response, earning a cough from Nico.
"If you two are done, I have other things to do today."
And with that, the six of them took off, with the men hanging back for a second to give Kamea and the others some time to get ahead.
"So how you four adjusting to your new positions as captains?", Kamea asks.
"Ain't much different than before", Behemoth answers with a shrug, "All you did was slap some shiny and a title on us."
Medusa finds himself shaking his head at the giant woman's lack of tack, "I think what she means to say is that while we appreciate you bestowing upon us officer's ranks, our duties and responsibilities have not changed much in terms of us still only being in charge of one lance on board the Argo."
"One lance?", Kamea repeats before coming to a stop and turning around to face Nico, "Have you yet to inform them?"
"Inform us of what?", Glitch wonders as she and the other all turn their attention to a slightly uncomfortable looking Nico.
"I was waiting for a more appropriate time once I got everything together to make the transition smoother for them", Nico confesses.
"Smoother transition for what?", Medusa asks.
Nico took a breath and exhale slowly before speaking, "Lady Kamea feels that in order for the special forces to be used to their full capacity, you four should be in command of what she deems to be, and I can't believe I'm actually using this word, CAL units."
"What the flying fuck is a CAL?", Behemoth questions, earning a hard look from Nico.
"It is an experimental unit military reform that I want to use in order to strengthen the Coalition", Kamea interjects, "I see this upcoming pirates extermination as the perfect time to test it out.
"Still have yet to receive an answer to what the fuck a CAL is", Behemoth points out, earning yet another glare from Nico.
"Watch what you say to High Lady Kamea when we are out in the open like this", he reminds, causing Behemoth to promptly shut her mouth.
Nico then looks over at Kamea, "I suggest we move this discussion to the Command Center to explain it better."
The ruler of the Reach takes one look at the baffled Lance Commanders and nods her head, "I believe that would be best."
Command Center
"The Combined Arms Lance also known as the CAL", Kamea starts as she hologram projections which showcase the letters, "A new tactical doctrine which I hope will elevate the Aurigan Coalition's military to one that is respected and feared by our neighbors. For starters, it means that as Lance Commander you will not only be in charge of one lance during combat but two if the mission calls for it.
"You want me to be in charge of eight mechs in a single mission!", Glitch screams out from her place in the room, causing everyone around her, including Nico and Kamea, to flinch back and earning her the glares of everyone else in the room which included the entire senior staff of the Argo along with Alexander as everyone else was ordered to leave the compartment was sealed off.
"Was that necessary?", Nico questions from his spot in the room.
"Sorry", Glitch sheepishly replies, "It's just a lot to take in. Sometimes it was hard enough leading just one lance in combat."
"I realize that which is why we are in the experimental phase so we can smooth out the wrinkles", Kamea says.
"Combined Arms Lance?", Dekker repeated, "That means we won't just be in charge of mechs, will we?"
Kamea nods, "As expected of a former scion of House Liao. As I said, along with two lances of mechs, you will also be in command of infantry, combat vehicles, and aerospace fighters. I mostly got the idea from some of the Successor States military doctrines, only I want to try it at a lower level than the ones that they use."
"Hmmm", Dekker says as he rubs his chin, "Innovated if anything. Risky, but could pay off big time if it works."
"I am pleased to hear that from someone who actually served in a military that utilizes such a tactic", Kamea nods, "Also, just so you are aware, as captains you are supposed to be in charge of three lances of mech but even the Argo has limitations."
"Might I inquire what the layout of these new units will be?", Dekker asks.
"From what Nico and myself drew up, a standard CAL will consist of two full lances, an arrangement of tanks and artillery pieces, at least four companies of mechanized infantry, and a single wing of aerospace fighters launched from the Argo or one of the Leopard", the High Lady explains, "All these individual units will constantly train together and will belong to a single command structure centered on the Lance Commander at the top of it."
Behemoth, Glitch, and Medusa all stare at High Lady as if she had sprouted a second head.
Sumire then raises a hand.
"Yes?", Kamea acknowledges.
"What is the purpose of this? I'm not questioning the design or anything, but what is the end goal from the CAL?", the former navigator asks, "During my time in the Concordat, the Taurians were always trying out battle plans and such, always trying to get the edge at the battlefield. The thing was though that all these were driven by the single goal of defending Taurian's space against the Federated Suns' forces should they ever invade."
"Ah yes, I see where you are getting at. I believe that the CAL will allow me to achieve my future goals, at least the military ones, for the Reach, which are all implemented in my Four-Year Plan", Kamea answers.
"Four-Year Plan?", Darius questions only to have Alexander step forward.
"This is an overview outline to bring the Aurigan Coalition at least back up to pre-war status within a span of four years", he began to explain as he presses a button and holograph came up. It outlined five key points:
Aurigan Coalition Four-Year Plan:
1. Rebuilding the Military and Strengthing the Borders
2. Stabilize the Economy
3. Deal with Internal Affairs
4. Establish Alliances and Trade Relations
5. Expansion
"The majority of these goals are self-explanatory, such as the first and second goals", Alexander spoke, "The third will focus on consolidated Lady Kamea's rule as well as weeding out the House Espinosa's remnants, including assaults on their strongholds if needed. Of course, the fourth will be handle by our diplomats and economic advisers."
"And the last one?", Farah asks, "Call me stupid, but that seems to be the one that is going to ruffle a few feathers around here if it means what I think it means."
"It means exactly what it says", Kamea answers, "The Aurigan Coalition will be expanding its borders."
"In what directions?", Darius says, "There are powerful enemies all around us"
"Not in the south nor the west", Kamea corrects him.
"The Rimward Frontier?", Sumire says.
"Exactly", Kamea says as she brings up the map of the particular region of space, "The Reach lost a lot of resources during the war, ones that we need to regain in order to truly flourish. The frontier is brimming with worlds that have what we need; you saw it yourself while you were out there."
"True, but it's not like those planets are just going to willing give them up", Darius says.
"I assure you that we will use every ounce of diplomatic means before we resort to military action. If they are willing to set up a trade relationship that greatly benefits our side, then only a small military outpost will be established to oversee it, we will even give them the option to be peacefully annexed by the coalition if that is what they want", Kamea tells him.
"And if they don't?", the CO of the Argo kept going.
"Well, Darius", Alexander step in, "You once told me yourself that the majority of these planets could barely field a company of mechs, and most of them were in dire need of repair. Should one such planet have the resources we need and are not willing to accept our trade terms, then that is where commands like the Argo will come in; using precise strikes and attacks on key military targets to force their hand."
Nico couldn't help but notice the small glint in Kamea's eye as Alexander said this, something that worried him.
"May have to have a small talk with her off to the side", he told himself.
"But you should all know that this is more of an end goal than anything. We must first complete the other four objectives before such plans are even brought to the table to accomplish the fifth", Kamea explains, "Are there questions regarding the Argo's roll in all this?"
Yang raises his left hand from his seat in the corner.
"Yes?", Kamea asks.
"This is regarding your CAL idea and having the Lance Commanders in charge of them", he says.
"Okay, what is on your mind?", Kamea questions, "Critiques are most welcome."
Yang takes a deep breath before speaking, "That has got to be the stupidest idea I have ever heard!"
The Dragon of the Reach grabs the bridge of his nose and lets out a breath, "Yang..."
"No, I will not be quiet about this!", the mechtech said as he raises his right arm, "I have heard of dumb ideas before, one of them lost me by arm, but this is insane!"
Nico moves to talk only to be stopped by Kamea.
"No, no, let him speak. Yang has made sound decisions before, such as on Artru, and I trust his judgment despite the bluntness of it", she says.
"Kamea, your plan is actually a pretty good one that could help the Coalition being a powerful force on the battlefield! But it would be better to try it out on more seasoned mechpilots who are old wrinkly farts who have to take pain medicine just to pee in the morning let alone pilot!", Yang states.
A snort from Farah temporarily draws everyone's attention and the engineer had to struggle to keep herself from laughing out loud.
Once everyone goes back to Yang, he points to the Lance Commanders, "But these four chuckleheads are the last people who need to have that much responsibility, and that includes Dekker, who has the most experience in a military leadership position out of any of them!"
Behemoth cracks her knuckles and glares at the former Capellan service member, "What exactly are you trying to imply, Yang? We have the highest kill counts in the Reach."
Darius leans over to whisper to Sumire who was standing next to him, "If I have known this meeting would have been this entertaining, I would have brought some popcorn", he whispers, causing Sumire to cover her mouth to hide a smile and a giggle.
"Five C-bills say they go at it and Yang's first hit isn't with his right arm", Qartio says from Darius' right side as she puts out a cigarette to light, "Ten if Behemoth tries to rip it off."
"Having a high kill count doesn't equate to being a seasoned commander. It just means you're good in a fight. Now while I have complete faith that the four of you can command two separate mech lances in the field with no real problems, adding infantry, tanks, and such, along with fighters to the mix is a whole different ball game which I feel you are not ready for!", Yang answers, "We're not talking about a couple of lives at best being at stake here if you make a bad decision, we're talking about hundreds!"
"Which is why Behemoth, Medusa, Glitch, and Dekker are going to undergo an extensive training schedule while on route to Fjaldr", Alexander spoke up, "One that will be supervised by Nico and Kamea."
"Also you should know that until we feel they are ready to command on their own, all CAL operations will be under the direct control of Kamea and myself and we will be directing them from the bridge of the Argo", Nico adds, "We are not just dumping this much responsibility on them."
"That only makes me feel slightly better at best", Yang informs him as he gets up and leaves, without a word to anyone.
Running his hand down his face, Nico lets out a groan, "To be honest, given what happened to him at St. Loris, that went far better than I expected."
"To be fair, the fact that he was included in this discussion is far more than any Inner Sphere military would have given him", Kamea comments before looking over at Farah and Qartio, "That applies to you two as well."
The Med Tech merely shrugs while Farah begins walking toward the door.
"I'm going to make sure that Yang doesn't swat one of his Mech Tech too hard upside the head with his metal arm. Y'all most likely don't need me here anyway for the rest of this meeting", she tells them.
Nico merely nods and the engineer takes her leave.
…
It was quiet in the room for a time until Nico got fed up with it and look at his four Lance Commanders.
"Three days after the Argo launches, you guys are going to be in the simulators running scenarios design by Kamea and myself whenever you're not sleeping, working out, or eating. I suggest you take what time you have now to get prepare yourself", he says.
The four mechpilots all nod and move to leave.
"One more thing", Nico then calls out, stopping them in their tracks, "During this time, you will need to appoint two mechpilots as your vice-commander and sub-commander. They will serve as your backups should you become unavailable to lead as well as someone you can send on a mission in your place."
The captains exchanged looks with one another. Up till now, lances for combat missions were mainly comprised of whatever pilots Nico threw together for the mission with either one of the four Lance Commanders or himself being in charge of it in the field. Also, while yes all of the mechwarriors onboard has been split into one of the four mechs units, it surprisingly has never dawned on any of them to choose a second and third in command.
"Who are the ones we can choose from?", Medusa asks.
"Obviously from within your individual units, but I will initially approve anyone you choose. Let them know beforehand though they will be put through the same training as you during the trip to Fjaldr. If they do not perform to my standards, I will have you choose someone else", Nico answers as he looks at each of them directly in the eyes, "I suggest you choose carefully."
"You got it, Dragon", Glitch says with the others nodding in agreement, and with that, the four mechwarriors left the room.
The four of them walk in silence for a moment, only exchanging small greetings and nods to the people that they passed. They reach the primary cafeteria in a few short minutes and took a table for themselves off in the corner.
"Holy crap", Behemoth said, "It's really starting to dawn on me that we are now in the honest to God military. This ain't the merc's life anymore."
"I know, right?", Medusa states, "We are really going to have command over a large number of people along with our mechpilots"
"At least four hundred infantry", Glitch adds.
"Along with some armor and light combat vehicles", Behemoth states.
"And even some Aerospace fighters", Medusa finished before looking at Dekker.
"What is it?", the pilot asks upon noticing this.
"You were an officer in the military before. Is there a cheat or a tip to help lead effectively? To make this easier?", Medusa asks.
"Yeah, you got to know something", Behemoth join in.
"Come on, tell us!", Glitch says.
Dekker shakes his head at his friends, "Okay, for starters, I was in the Confederation Navy for most of my time in, transporting ground units instead of leading them. When I got transferred to a MechWarrior unit, I only command a single lance until I got out."
"There must be something you pick up during your time there", Medusa said before looking around and lowering his voice, "We are possibly on the brink of war with the Capellans and/or the Taurians and they want us to lead non-mechwarriors into battle. That's a lot of pressure right there."
Dekker takes a look at each one of his fellow captains, each one eyeing him with looks of expectations, especially Glitch.
The man just shook his head before letting out a sigh, "Delegation. If there is one thing I learned during my time in is that if you assign the right people to the right task at the right time it will maybe your job infinitely better and easier. You just got to remember that just because someone is your friend doesn't mean they're the right one for the job."
Medusa nods at this piece of advice, "That actually makes sense."
"So with that mindset, I suggest we choose our vice and sub-commanders carefully and not on a whim because we are good buddies with them, got it?", Dekker tells them, "
Meanwhile back in the Command Center, the ace mech pilot turned to Qartip once the door closed behind the Lance Commanders, "You're welcome to stay if you wish but what we're about to talk about doesn't really refer to your field of expertise."
The Med Tech shrugs as she lights her cigarette, "I'm going to get the med-bay ready in case Yang sends a few of the techs that way due to his anger issues, catch you, kids, later", as she leaves the room and Nico watches the door closes behind her. He stares at it for a few more moments before speaking.
"This is a way off-topic, but I can't be the only one that has the feeling that something more was going on between her and Raju", Nico states.
"If such a notion is true then she would not be the only one if my suspicions are correct", Alexander unexpectedly added, causing everyone in the room to turn to look at him.
"What are you talking about?", Darius questions.
"Well, it would seem that Raju served directly under House Centrella of the Magistracy of Canopus for a time and got quite involved with a certain Lady Ana Maria Centrella", Alexander answered.
"Nooo", Sumire says as she places her hand over her mouth, unable to believe what she was hearing.
"She did get off-course in our talks whenever Raju's name came up. She would go on about him in great lengths and she was quite devastated when I inform her about what happens on the day of the coup and even more so when I told her about Weldry ", Kamea admitted, remembering the distraught look on the elegant woman's face that day and how she even cut the meeting short upon hearing the news, "I assume the two of them were close during the length of Raju's service to her house though I dare not dwell any deeper to see how close they were."
"Huh, now that I think about it, I do recall seeing him often hanging around a maid of my house back out in the Deep Periphery", Nico says before getting up from his desk.
"The man probably had a girl in every system he went to", Darius murmurs under his breath before shaking his head, "Anyway, what did you want to discuss?"
"Simple", Nico said he moves to look out the window for a moment before turning to look at both Darius and Sumire, "There's going to be some changes around here on the Argo, effective immediately, and I'm going to need your help enforcing them. But first, there is one more thing we have to discuss and this doesn't leave the room."
Darius and Sumire both felt a change in the air as the mood suddenly began way more serious as while as Nico's facial expression darkening.
"What's going on here, Dragon?", the Commanding Officer of the Argo asks.
"I want to keep it under the radar for the time being but I feel that it could potentially affect the entire crew which is why I'm letting only you two know and we'll tell everyone else later", the ace Mechwarrior answers.
"Tell us what?", Darius asks.
"I...have a contract out on my head. One that I wasn't aware of until two days ago", Nico answers, "It was issued by the former Director Santiago Espinosa before the war ended."
This causes both Sumire and Darius to exchanges looks of disbelief with one another.
"Wow, that's...something", the Executive Officer says.
"Wait until you hear who accepted it", Alexander says.
"Who? A mercenary company?", Darius asks.
"Ha, I wish!", Nico chuckles darkly, "That would be all too easy if it was."
"Then who? Who took up the contract?", Sumire questions.
...
Not a word is spoken from Nico as he gives them a thousand-yard stare, only the sounds of the ship's engines running being heard in the room.
He then took a breath and lets it out slowly before speaking, "The contract was picked up by...The Bounty Hunter."
A/N: Kamea has ambition and Nico is a little wary of this.
So yeah...The Bounty Hunter has taken the contract on Nico's head. Nico is the best Mechwarrior in the Reach, but can he hope to stand a chance against one of the best among the stars? And no, this isn't far-fetched, since you actually face the Bounty Hunter in the actual game.
Funny thing, according to the wiki, Both Behemoth and Medusa have the military trait in their tags with the latter even having been an officer. It's funny because neither of their bios saying anything about them being in actual professional military service, unlike Dekker.
Combined Arms Lance: basically a combination of the Augmented Lance and the Air Lance only it's regular infantry instead of Battle-Armored Infantry.
Yes, I understand that Augmented Lances were created by the CCAF after they witness how effective the Novas used by the Clans were. But the combined arms concept already exist before that in-universe it just at a regimental and battalion level. Kamea is just aiming a bit lower to see the effects of it and it shows that she can come up with ideas as well.
One last thing:
Argo: 18 mechs when it is fully upgraded
Leopard: 6 mechs in total
The Argo will have three Leopards accompanying it so that 36 mechs overall not even counting the ones that Yang "stores away". That's a battalion worth of mechs so I figure each Lance Commander could have two lances under their command with the last one being a reserve/command lance.