The Cairo Saga, Book 2: The Solaris Irregulars
Part 24: Rescue Mission

Tukayyid City
Tukayyid
Free Rasalhague Republic

Cairo called the assembled Irregulars together, as well as Ivan Leroux and Jo Carns. As the last of the warriors stumbled into the briefing room, he dimmed the lights and turned on the over-head projector linked to the computer in front of him: A face appeared on the screen. Cairo began the mission briefing, "This, to those of you who don't know, is Major General Archer Christifori, of the LAAF. He's a war-hero who won the Star League meddle of Horner on Huntress, and served under Victor Davion during the Fed-Com civil war."

A few keystrokes, and the image changed to a map, "At the start of the jihad, he was on his home world of Thorin, but was called back to here, Hesperus II, to defend the Defiance Industries plant there. When Hesperus II fell to Word of Blake, Christifori's command company fought a holding- action while the units under his command pulled-back and managed to get off- planet." The map changed again to a photo taken from orbit. "As of last communication, Christifori is here, in the Myoo Highlands. Our job is to go in and pull what ever is left of his command out." The projector turned off and the lights came back on.

Cairo sat up straight in his seat "Due to the fact that the Spirit Sight only carries one DropShip, and the Nature's Wrath can't carry any, we are going to leave the Shimmering Star behind. Our new DropShip is the Mary- Ellen Carter, an Overlord. We only have her for this one mission, so let's keep her clean and tidy." A few laughs came from the assembled Irregulars, but Cairo dealt them scarce attention.

Vassili Dante put up his hand, and Cairo nodded permission to speak, "Who is stepping in as executive officer until Sinead gets back on her feet?"

Cairo winced uncomfortably at the mention of his wife's condition, but he knew the question deserved an answer, "The Precenter Martail said he would assign someone for the time being. They should arrive today."

"They have arrived." A voice called from the doorway, "Good to see you again Steven."

Cairo turned to look Jack Cameron in the eyes. The former leader of the Dog Soldiers Company of the Wolf Dragoons stood at attention in his uniform.

Jackson reacted quickly, tackling Cairo as he drew his revolver from its holster: the bullet missed wide and hit the doorframe. Rix grabbed the gun from Cairo's hand and pulled him to his feet. Cairo looked at Cameron; hate in his eyes "YOU! What the hell are you doing here?"

"I was assigned here." Cameron shrugged, "They said you needed a new executive officer. Something about your regular one being in hospital. Where is Sinead by the way?"

Rix fought the urge to let go.

"She's the one who's in Hospital you bastard!" Cairo's snarled.

"But the file I was given gave the name of your former XO as S Clark?" Cameron seemed miffed, "Hang on: you got married, and when you decided to leave, you started using your real name. My mistake, I apologise. I'm sorry to hear about what happened. I'll visit her."

"You go near her and I'll kill you myself! "Cairo almost broke-free of Rix's grip. "Stay away from her! You're the one who sent her to spy on me. If you think I'm having you as my XO, you're mistaken."

"Orders, signed by Precenter Martail Davion himself." Cameron shook his head, "It's me or nothing, and your need every MechWarrior you can get for this mission. What do you say?"

"This mission, then your out of here so fast your feet won't touch the floor." Cairo spat at the floor, "You get me?"

Cameron nodded.

To Be Continued...