The Cairo Saga, Book 2: The Solaris Irregulars
Part 47: Once more into the breach dear friends…
Europe planes
Callisto V
Lyran Alliance
The Irregulars stopped dead in their tracks.
Cairo took a moment to way up the options: He couldn't order a retreat, as there was nowhere to go. Surrender was out of the question, as he had caused enough trouble to warrant the death sentence as far as Word of Blake was concerned. He took a deep breath then slowly let it out: This was not his decision to make.
He switched his radio to the company-wide channel, "I will not lie to you: I do not believe we can escape or win out. But I for one plan to leave this life the way I came in: kicking and screaming. If any of you want to try and make a run for it, then by all means do so. I've told you before that I will never surrender to Word of Blake, but if any of you feel that you would be better off if you did, then by all means do so. I will not order any of you to fight. You have proven your dedication many times, and I consider it an honor and a privilege to have served with you. Now if you don't mind, I'm going to go pick a fight."
Cairo griped the Orion's controls firmly and pushed the throttle forwards, setting the old Mech off at optimum speed. He brought his Active Probe online, and slaved it to the Targeting Computer. He powered up his lasers, and loaded his ATM launcher and LBX Autocannon. He glanced at his sensors and saw that the rest of the Irregulars had formed up on ether side of him. He sighed slightly: he had hoped that some of the lighter Mech's would have made a run for it, or hung-back to protect the Mobile Field Bases. He did see that most of the Elementals had stayed behind: only Rix's and Jake Kabrinski's points where with the main force.
"Go on: ask." Seined's voice came over the radio.
"Will it make any difference if I do?"
"No, but you have to try."
"Stay out of this fight."
The shadow of the SHD-5D Shadow Hawk his wife piloted covered his view port, "I told you before Steven: I'm in this for the long-run."
"I had to ask." Cairo smiled sadly.
"I know." Seined sounded equally sad.
The first volley of LRM's from the Word of Blake line started to fall amongst the Irregulars, sending up geysers of dirt and flame. Several impacted against Cairo's Mech, denting the Clan-made Ferro-Fibrous armour. He brought up the nearest Wobbly Mech and let loos with a flight ER-ATM rounds, scoring with 5 but missing with the other 4. He slammed the targeting interface with his left fist, and the system reset itself to optimal.
A second flight of missiles struck the enemy Mech hard, every one of them hitting. The ageing Orion shuddered as a gauss round ploughed into the upper right torso, shattering the shoulder joint and dropping the arm to the ground. Cairo smiled as he backtracked the round and targeted a W.o.B Hollander with his ATM and sent a spread of High Explosive missiles its way.
To Be Continued…