The three Mechwarriors sat moping around the campfire built in the middle of their three Mechs. Harry was poking the fire with a twig, while Jock was lying down as if asleep. Trisha was the only one looking uncomfortable, fidgeting every once in a while, looking around the place she sat as if waiting for some attack to happen. Around them, technicians were working hard at repairing the Mechs for any further combat. If there were any more battles. A scientist, with nothing much else to do, sat at another campfire with his compatriots playing a sad tune on his harmonica. The mood was nothing but somber.
"Don't you think they'll come back?"
"Probably not. Captain Jenna said that they finally beat back the Hellhounds besieging the starport with the additional support from Gillfillan's Gold, and will be arriving to back us up in another 5 hours. But it doesn't hurt to be ready for action. Those 2 mercs left might try something again soon, before our backup arrives."
Trisha seemed unhappy with the explanation from Harry. "So these mercs will just get away with this?"
"Trish …… it can't be helped. The Rim Collection government isn't strong enough to wage war against the Capellans, you know. Furthermore we hardly salvaged anything from this site. Just a few Mech components and blueprints for a stupid ....", Harry threw down the stick in his hand angrily, " .... bloody damned existing hyperdrive engine!!" Harry took a deep breath, and then continued calmly.
"We can only try to find out who leaked our information and submit our complaints to the Star League council."
"But those bastards …. killed the lieutenant."
Jock suddenly spoke up, with strong conviction. "He didn't get killed by those dogs. The lieutenant would never let himself get killed. He took down that Dragon with him."
Trisha was astonished by the sudden outburst from Jock. But she understood how he and Harry felt. Both of them had served with the lieutenant for many years, and had looked upon him as a father.
She looked out upon the empty plains surrounding the hill, illuminated only by the planet's single moon. Out there, lies yet another valiant Mechwarrior, never again to pilot a Mech and never again to walk the land of which he fought so hard to defend. The serene scene seemed the only consolation the planet offered to appease the spirit of the lieutenant, frustrating her. Determination came to life in Trisha; the determination to seek out the traitor and avenge her lieutenant.
