The Cairo Saga, Book 2: The Solaris Irregulars

by JA Baker

The Word of Blake Jihad has begun, and Steven Cairo must form a band of MechWarrior dedicated to stopping the deadly fanatics. But, in a universe full of plots and intrigue, who can you really trust?

37. Ambushed

The Cairo Saga, Book 2: The Solaris Irregulars
Part 37: Ambushed

Europe planes
Callisto V
Lyran Alliance

Cairo watched as the company of Word of Blake Mech made their way across the open grassland, and approached the three line where two of his companies were hidden, their Mech's powered down. His eyes alternated between the view from his cockpit window and his laser-rangefinder.

When the first Mech reached 100-meters, he fired his ATM-launcher at it.

The high explosive rounds struck the ANV-3M Anvil dead center, ripping armor plates apart. This was also the signal for the other Mechs to open fire: a wall of destruction shot forth from the tree line and decimated the W.o.B Mech's. Soon, the entire enemy formation was destroyed.

Cairo surveyed the scene, then opened a com-channel to Star Captain Jake Kabrinski, "That was way to easy: we have used the same trick twice before, and yet they walked right into it."

"Aff Major," Kabrinski seemed uneasy, "it does not make any sense for them to repeat the same mistake for a third time."

Cairo was about to respond when the air was filled with the high- pitched wine of incoming artillery rounds. The shells exploded less than 10-meters of the Irregulars.

Cairo hit the Battalion-wide channel, "SCATER!" The Mechs shot-off by Lances, heading to different rendezvous points. Cairo stood his Orion at the start of a dirt track and counted-off the Mechs of his command Lance: Sinead's Shadow Hawk, MechWarrior Josh's Timber Wolf and Hawk-that-Settles' Avatar. He took one last look around to make sure that the rest of the Mech's where clear, and followed on behind the others.

The shelling continued, slowly moving across the plains, following the line of retreat. Cairo gritted his teeth as rounds started to fall around his slower Mech. The road before him erupted in a geyser of dirt and smoke. His Orion stumbled in the shell-hole, almost falling, but he was able to keep it upright.

"This is bad Steve, really bad." Sinead's voice came over their private link.

"Yes," Cairo's eyes narrowed, "but it proves a theory of mine."

"What theory?"

"We have a traitor in our midst."

To Be Continued…