"Slowly, slowly now!" The cries of techs and other support crew filled the hangar. The progress with restoring the military-grade equipment that had been seeded across Addicks and nearby systems that had been brought here to Damocles, Addick's largest and farthest moon was proceeding fast. Perhaps it had something to do with the moon's lighter gravity, rated at approximately zero point five seven, slightly over half standard gravity, which made loadwork much more easier to deal with. Or maybe it was due to the sheer efficiency of the techs, coming from who knew where. Only Kaukatsu and Kaiden, the two Ks, as Jun had come to call them, knew from where they were coming from, he did not recall this number of techs and laborers in his father's service on Addicks.
He wondered why so much resources were available so readily, especially at this time, with the HPG networks down, the only way to get orders or messages around were via the semi-regular journeys of merchant craft and jumpships. He'd need to ask Kaiden, the more senior of the two, about that. Before he turned away from the rail overlooking the cargo bay, which also served as the aerospace fighter hangar, he looked over their small aerospace contingent.
The small aerospace wing was composed of four craft, two DFC-0 Defiance medium fighters, once again complemented with Clan-level battle technology, and two light craft, CRX-0 Corax fighters. Jun noted the minor oddity, that both craft had the '-0' designation. He rubbed his hand on the rail a bit, then turned to leave, the hustle and noise of the work bays fading as he walked down the hallway.
The moon base wasn't very large by far, if you calculated the actual area of the chambers and rooms, but it had extensive corridors. The young Koshimitsu, coming out of his grief-state was once more returning to his old self, in part, had observed a great number of peculiarities about the base, one of which was the great lengths of the hallways, and the prodigiously large numbers of small cubicles and turns in the network of halls. There had to be a use for all of it, and he filed that away again as something else to ask Kaiden.
Here though, away from most of the people in the base, silence reigned and it was something Jun was grateful for. Perhaps that was one of the reasons his father made these halls as such, he surmised. He sat down on a nearby bench in one of the cubicles in the corridor; there was one at every turn and at every central portion of a hallway. He let himself relax a bit, and let his mind wander. For the moments of peace, few as they were, he appreciated them greatly. He knew that once he personally began his work against Tomark, he would have far less of them.
After a while he opened his eyes, his mind clear and focused once again. He stood slowly, letting himself take in the image of the empty hallway once again. It all seemed a bit, sluggish, he thought. As of late he seemed to be feeling that peculiar sensation. Perhaps it was an aftereffect of stress, or grief, but he'd thought he dealt with that already. Or maybe he'd only just fooled himself into believing so, after all, it had only been a week and a few days since then, far too short for most people to overcome grief of a close family member, especially since he had no siblings, and no parents. But by nature he was a child of both steel and heart, as his father had once called him.
"Enough of this, I've wasted enough time reflecting." He raised his hands to slap the sides of his face lightly, breaking free from the "zero-state" as he called it. No one knew about his lapses, which was good. He smiled grimly, it would be decidedly a bad thing if Koshimitsu's son was actually a psychotic. His steps began again, and he walked down towards the training area, where a small 'mech simulation room, a physical-combat training room with a gravity system, and the 'mech bays were. As he passed through the 'mech bay, he noticed that unlike the other work bays, this one was virtually empty. Only a pair of techs were there, checking up on the Centurion and Shadow Hawk.
He hadn't seen any tech approach the demi-Hatchetman, Shadow Cat, or the No-Dachi II ever since he'd arrived with them about two days ago. He shrugged it off, and continued over the walkway towards the inner areas of the base, where the residential quarters and the training area was. The sounds of combat reached his ears as he drew close to the dojo gravity-room, which simulated an additional point two five gravity, which gave the combatants nearly standard gravity. Kaukatsu stood on the side, arms folded, nodding when one of the two fighters in the center of the mat made a good move, or a slight shake when a mistake occurred.
He opened the door, and felt the additional gravity pull down on him. Upon arriving the other day, he'd ordered that all personnel undergo gravity training in the dojo at least once a day, an hour a day, to maintain their physical strength. The lack of gravity often deteriorated one's physical abilities, never a good thing. He didn't know why he had ordered that, but Kaiden had immediately implemented it into the daily regimen of the growing moon base crew.
"Stop, that's enough. Jomer, Richel, rest for five and return to standard drills." Kaukatsu's voice ordered, halting the sparring match. The two soldiers immediately halted, bowed slightly then turned to get their brief respite. Around them, a few others, most of these others members of the security force, continued practicing the drills Kaukatsu had spoken of, various general exercises and basic combat drills.
"Sumimasen, Kaukatsu-san." Jun greeted the security-chief with a tight smile. Quick recovery or not, he could not smile easily as before.
Kaukatsu nodded in his own way of greetings. "Jun-kun, I'm glad you could join us. The security force is just midway in their training session, aren't we?" He directed the last part to his team, who replied with a half-shout and half-groan.
"You push them hard, I see, Kaukatsu-san", Jun pursed his lips, another half-smile on his face. It was easier to deal with things when people were positive around you.
"Indeed I do, after all, since this place has less then standard gravity, they should be able to do more work, shouldn't they? I've only added an extra twenty percent worth of workload, when I should add at least thirty!" Again, he emphasized the latter part, eliciting another cry from his troop, though this time it was more independent. As the groans faded and they returned their attention fully to their work, the security chief looked back at Jun.
"Well, have you come for your one hour worth of training?" Kaukatsu grinned at the youth.
The youth shook his head. "No, not right now. Actually, I came to look for Kaiden, would you know where he is?"
"Ah, Kaiden…I do believe he is in the 'mech simulator room. He is always there, ever since we came here to Damocles base, if he isn't busy with something. I think he considers it his relaxation time, just like I consider performing my katas and shooting training my own way of unwinding." Kaukatsu murmured, enough for Jun to hear, alternatively looking at the young man and at his force as they trained. He paused and gave Jun a full look as he said, "I hear that in one of the recent shuttles an old mechwarrior of your father's former company came aboard to help us against Tomark. You would do well to meet him as well, I think."
"I understand, thank you for your advice." Jun nodded, and bowed slightly as he made to leave. Kaukatsu returned the gesture, and turned back to his men.
Just before Jun could leave, the man shouted, "Oh, and Jun-kun, could you remind Kaiden to get the techs to get working on the complement of battle armor we dug up from your father's personal armory?"
"Will do, Kaukatsu-san!" Jun gave the man a wave and left the training room, the door sliding shut behind him with a soft hiss. He made his way alone once again, this time heading towards the 'mech simulator room. It wasn't too far off, and he got there in a few moments of walking. The simulator room was smaller then the training dojo by a margin, having just four advanced simulator pods. Not the top of the line ones, which simulated every single detail of 'mech combat, but advanced enough for the mechwarrior inside to feel the one most significant detail of 'mech combat: heat.
One of the pods hissed, steam escaping from it, and revealing the aged mechwarrior Jun knew as Kaiden. The man, quite old as he was, was still relatively fit especially now as he shed off the pounds he'd gained for his Gotsu persona. Barely more then a week later, the man was already showing signs of weight loss, though that may be in part to some medical supplements he was taking. Regardless of which, Kaiden was slipping back into the mechwarrior persona of old, his role as Han-Xin's chef long gone.
"Ah, Jun-kun. Are you looking for me?", the man asked Jun, wiping the sweat of his brow with a small towel, and shaking beads of sweat from his silvery, stringy hair.
"I was, Kaiden-san. You know as well as I do, that I need your help if I wish to stop Katrina Tomark's ambitions, or at the least hinder them. I lack the practical experience or knowledge to do so." Jun spoke, though he had no doubt to the man's reply.
"True, and false. You do need my help, as well as that of a many other people. You do lack the practical experience. But…" he paused, as he unzipped his combat suit, "…you do not lack the knowledge to do so. Wisdom perhaps, but not the raw knowledge. Your father has trained you well, I know. Besides, I had a hand in that as well. You know much of the arts of war, and you have a talent for people-keeping. With those two, you will go a long way. For the rest, I and others shall help to fill.
"And so I will begin training you in the two most important things you shall need. First, is your ability in dealing with people. Most of the people here, gathered to the cause of fighting against Tomark, have come out of loyalty to your father, and perhaps in some cases your grandfather. They think me the leader of this movement, which is of course false." Kaiden stopped to emphasize the latter part of his statement, and placed a hand on Jun's shoulder.
"You are going to be the leader, and none other. Like your ancestors before you, you have ability enough for leadership. We shall cultivate that. You will have to learn how to gain the loyalty of your people."
"I shall endeavor to do so." Jun replied evenly.
"You will do so." Kaiden amended Jun's words, with a light smile. "Then, there is the second thing, which is of just as great importance with the first, and is in all actuality tied up with it. Tomark could once have been dealt with using softer tactics, but now with the HPG black out and from what reports I'm hearing from other worlds, it is a new time of war. The only way we will be able to stop her, is through war and nothing else. And so, it is time to cultivate your second talent, 'mech piloting, and enmesh it with all the other skills of warfare. To this end, we shall be training you hard in the art of war, both strategic and tactical, from the seat of mankind's finest weapon, the battlemech."
"And let us hope you learn fast, young Jun. Time is of the essence here." Another voice joined in their conversation, and the pair turned to it.
"Ah, you have finished, good." Kaiden nodded approvingly, then made to introduce Jun to the newcomer. "Jun-kun, this is Mechwarrior Vincent, a former bondsman of your father, formerly from the Ghost Bears, or the Rasalhague Dominion. It is fortunate I was able to find him so close to Addicks, especially now."
Jun took this in, all the while studying the Clan warrior. The man seemed like a stereotypical Clan mechwarrior, or at least Jun's image of one. Dark blue eyes and naturally light hair that seemed like a blend of silver and blond characterized his physical features, besides of course the near flawless physique that he seemed to have. If by looks alone, Vincent was quite formidable.
"Greetings, young one. You very much look like the son of Han-Xin, that is of no doubt." Vincent nodded, extending a hand out for Jun to shake, and which the young man took, feeling the strength in that grip. "It was fortune only that I was seeking Han-Xin now, before the blackout and I managed to find him here. My condolences, he will be missed."
"I greet you as well, Mechwarrior Vincent, and as for my father being missed, I have little doubt of that." Jun backed away from Vincent, and turned to look at Kaiden.
"It seems you two have gotten off to a decent start, very well." Kaiden took out a small communicator. "As Vincent said, time is of the essence here. First, a basic skill you must have, is the ability to field a battlemech, as your father once did. In the time of war, respect is most easily garnered from leading on the field, as you can see throughout the history of mankind. That is somewhat an oversimplification, here in the Inner Sphere of course, but that is the core of it. Among the Clans, simple military prowess is almost all what you need, as Vincent here may explain to you another time."
"In short, whelp, Kaiden is saying this: basic battlemech training." Vincent grinned predatorily at Jun.
In the lighter gravity of the moon, and the low temperatures that it had, 'mech combat was decidedly easier for most 'mechs. When they began Jun noted that in his 'mech, the No-Dachi II, a greater degree of gravitational pull and a more moderate amount of temperature level would have been more ideal. Using triple-strength myomer required a certain degree of heat to function at optimal levels, and the aid of more gravity would have made his melee attacks more effective.
But those were things he wasn't very concerned with right now, as he struggled to learn the differences between piloting a military-grade battlemech and driving a mere IndustrialMech.
"Come on, hurry up slacker!" came Vincent's call through his neurohelmet. Again, another difference between industrial mechs and a battlemech, was the relative complexity of the warmachine. Keeping his balance wasn't too hard, or running. Doing both, in the lighter gravity of Damocles and in the darkness of the far side of the moon, was however.
He stared ahead annoyed at the ease in which Vincent seemed to be piloting his own 'mech, a modified Highlander IIC. The assault 'mech pounded along at top speed, which in the lighter gravity and with a more powerful engine translated to almost 90 km/h. While it certainly wasn't faster then his own 'mech, it actually was quite a bit slower since the No-Dachi II could have maxed out at around more the 120 km/h here, he was finding it hard to keep up.
"Argh!" That was his only cry, muffled somewhat, as he spurred his 'mech on, traversing the gorge floor that Vincent had chosen for them to practice Jun's piloting skills in. A while ago, after more then a few hours worth of having the young Koshimitsu practice all the basics of running, walking and maneuvering his 'mech through sections of the rough course, he'd detected the youth's growing impatience, and challenged him to a race. If Jun won, they would proceed to the next phase of training, which was combat. If not, the youth would have to undergo at least two hours more of piloting drills, of which the final test was a long jaunt to make their way to the base, rather then using the Leopard-Class dropship, Amber Sword, to get home.
He'd accepted of course, of which ended up in this merry chase.
As he breathed heavily, and a bit dizzily, he thought that perhaps he could have tried waiting two hours instead of facing this humiliation. But he'd committed to this, and he'd finish it, lose or not. He calmed himself down, and refocused himself on just trying to move as fast as he could. The 'mech crushed beneath its feet the lunar soil as he ran on, a few hundred meters behind Vincent's Highlander IIC.
"How disappointing, all your days of piloting IndustrialMechs and that intense training I just ran you through, I thought you showed promise! But you can hardly keep up with a 'mech twenty tons heavier. If you were in the Clans, you would have washed out your sibko even before the Trials for becoming a mechwarrior!" Vincent blithely commented, inciting a spark of irritation. He couldn't catch up at this rate, the small lead the Clanner had was more then enough for Vincent to claim victory, and his lack of ability to thread through the multitude of boulders and rocks in the canyon meant he couldn't bring his superior speed to bear. He grit his teeth again in annoyance, as he suffered the half-taunting words coming from Vincent
If only I could find a clearer stretch of terrain!
As if his wish came true by some divine being, he caught sight of a small section of the canyon wall. It was there, a lengthy ridge with few obstacles. If he could get up there, he may overtake Vincent's mech. He quickly began to search for a pathway up, and found one coming up as the canyon turned. Gambling on this last shot, he turned away from the central path and made his way to the higher ground, crashing through a short stretch of even rougher ground.
"What do you think you are doing, Jun?" He barely heard Vincent's words, so focused on maneuvering past the broken ground covered with sharp rocks and littered with boulders that made almost every step a chancy one. Before long though, he managed to break loose of the unforgiving terrain and onto a more moderate piece. With a relatively clear path ahead of him, he made use of his 'mech's superior speed, barreling along at a breakneck pace. The canyon wall sped beside him, becoming a mere blur as he pilot his mech past the few obstacles in the way.
After a few moments, he found himself catching up, and even passing Vincent who was trudging along below through the rougher ground. Admittedly, he was up high, he would need to find a way down, he realized. He noticed then that the ledge was getting smaller, but also it was getting lower, sloping once more down towards the canyon gorge's bottom. Excellent, he thought, and onward he continued. Before long, the two racing 'mechs found their way towards the last stretch before the finish line, which was denoted by the awaiting dropship.
Down the lat turn however, Jun noticed something which brought a measure of horror to his heart, as he realized that the canyon ledge he was on stopped some hundred meters short of the finish line. Damn it!
Apparently, Vincent had noticed this as well, and his laughter rang out loud in Jun's neurohelm. "Your gamble has failed, whelp, maybe if you tried to backtrack you may yet catch my dust cloud."
Jun was Han-Xin's son, Vincent had said. And it was true in more then just looks and like mind. Like Han-Xin before him, Jun had a measure of pride and the unwillingness to lose when a chance remained, and it was this pride, which surfaced now, that spurred the young mechwarrior on to make a choice. Eking out every last bit of speed that he had in the No-Dachi II, he forced himself onwards, the end of the ledge drawing nearer and nearer.
"Give it up, young one, you can not win this match, concede defeat and resign yourself to your fate!" Vincent spoke out again once more, his voice steady this time, rather then mocking. He'd noticed the slight increase of speed from Jun's 'mech, and it did not bode well.
Before he could hear any more words from the Clanner, Jun shut down his communication gear, and went on his spur-of-the-moment plan. The edge came with alarming speed, and in a matter of seconds he reached the end of the ledge, and began his leap of faith. Mechs he soon appreciated, were not very aerodynamic, or were they meant to fly. However, the sheer momentum he built up, aided by the decreased gravity, helped him to leap quite a large distance before the ground began rushing up to meet him.
The landing was hard, and for a moment Jun thought he'd blacked out. But somehow he'd he enough presence of mind to spring from the ground rather then lock his 'mechs legs. The status diagram glowed orange, showing moderate damage to the internal structure of his 'mech's legs. They were still functional however, his woozy mind managed to realize, but his sense of balance from the jump or fall, as some may call it, was totally out of control. Closing his eyes he did the one thing he was capable off, which was to send his 'mech ahead once again on full throttle, this time with no pretense of avoiding obstacles in his way. The ring of metal on rock filled the canyon walls with their echoes.
He let himself settle into his own world, letting his mind regain its sense of balance and focus, shutting out everything but that. He reopened his eyes when it cleared enough, to see a large wall of steel rushing towards him, to which he reacted in three ways.
First, was immediately putting his 'mech into reverse, so he would slow down. Second was to pull back his 'mech's sword to avoid skewering the dropship. And third, was to turn his mech so his cockpit wouldn't smash against the dropship's side.
This 'mech definitely needs jump jets.
That was his last thought before he slipped into unconsciousness.
He awoke later to a bright light, and he idly wondered why people always seemed to awake to bright lights. He coughed a bit, and breathed in deeply. There seemed to be no pain, so at least he didn't suffer any torso damage. He moved his legs a bit, and was relieved to find them still functional. As he was trying out himself to see if he was all right, he heard a few voices around him. He shook his head to clear his mind, but unlike the other actions, this one was greeted with an intense throbbing.
Well, I'm not quite unscathed after all…The pain brought him back fully to consciousness, and he realized he was in the moon base's infirmary. Kaiden, Vincent, and Kaukatsu were in the room, with a medical tech, who Kaiden dismissed with a nod of his head. Kaukatsu stood on his left with arms folded, an expression of concern on his face, while Vincent, the complete opposite was relaxedly sitting on a couch, a half-smile on his face.
"Well, are you ready for your next training session?" were the first words that came out of the 'mech warrior's mouth.