Tharkad City, Tharkad

Donegal Province

Lyran Alliance

The six Mech's came to a stop outside a huge building that Cairo's HUD identified as The Triad. He looked up at its imposing bulk, the seat of Lyran power since 2407. He knew little of the history of the Grate Houses, and cared even less. But given that his own people had declared him an outcast, and that his wife was Lyran by birth, he had decided that he needed to learn a few things if he was to fit in.

The chain link ladder tumbled down the side of his Templar, making a racket as it did so. This didn't draw any attention form onlookers: the sight of 4 immaculate Assault Mech's, including a brand-new Mad Cat II, had a tendency to capture peoples attention without any problem. Quickly pulling his coveralls over his cooling vest and shorts, Cairo climbed down to the ground.

Sinead was already waiting for him, as where René Alphonse and Vassili Dante, two of the few remaining Solaris VII recruits, had also dismounted. Cairo looked round, "Ok, René, Vassili, stay here and keep an eye on our Mech's: there are a lot of disposed Mech-jocks round here, and was just walked in with some rather nice looking kill-wear." The two MechWarriors nodded, taking up position at the foot of their Mech's, hands near but not touching their holsters.

Hauptmann Carlyle had climbed down from his Archer, and Cairo could see from the rings under his eyes that he hadn't slept in a long time, "Colonel, if you'd follow me please: The General is in the war-room with the Precenter Martail."

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The trek through The Triad took a long time and Cairo noticed that his wife was getting more and more tense as time passed, "You ok?" Sinead shook her head, "I'm just a Mech-monkey from backwater world: I shouldn't be here. Add to that General Steiner is also from Somerset: his family where big, being cousins of the Archon and all." Cairo chuckled, "Scared of looking foolish in front of the big-wigs from your old home world? You think I'm enjoying myself?" He put his arm round her shoulders, "Relax: everything will be fine."

A squad of soldiers in Cavalier Battle Armour manned the final checkpoint, and the three MechWarrior where subjected to fingerprint and retinal scans before the heavy metal doors opened. The massive war-room beyond was a hive of activity. It reminded Cairo of the Combat Operations Center on the Spirit Sight, but on a much larger scale: hundreds of soldiers in LAAF uniforms sat at communication and sensor stations, keeping tabs on a planetary-scale battle. A huge ceiling height holo-tank filled the center of the room, casting eerie green shadows over everything.

The imposing form of Tiaret Nevversan saw them first, and bent down to whisper in the Precenter Martail's ear. Victor Davion looked even more ragged then he had back on Tukayyid 3 years before. He waved them over, moving to stand next to a man in a LAAF field uniform, the name STEINER stencilled over the left breast, "Colonel Steven Cairo, General Adam Steiner, commanding officer of the allied forces on planet." Cairo saluted instantly. General Steiner looked him over, "So you're the one who's gotten Simon Clearwater so riled? What you do to upset him?"

Cairo shrugged, "I honestly couldn't say sir: I am not exactly on speaking terms with Precentor Clearwater at this time. We had a minor disagreement before I left Tukayyid." Davion laughed, "You could say that: the Colonel threatened to kill Clearwater." Steiner whistled, "Threatening to kill the head of ROM? That must have taken some guts." Cairo's face froze, "I was unaware of his exact rank at the time, and it was more of a promise then a threat. The promise still stands."

General Steiner chuckled, then looked pasted Cairo, "Oh for gods sake Carlyle, I told you to go get some sleep: you've been up for almost 3 days straight." The Hauptmann nodded, "With respect sir, I am needed here." Steiner shook his head, "Your no good to me if your to tired to think straight. Surly you're farther taught you that?" Carlyle saluted, "Sir!" He snapped his heels, turned a sharp 180, and marched off.

Davion shook his head, "Kids gut guts, you have to give him that." Steiner nodded, "The problem is he's still living in his fathers shadow. He's trying to make his own mark, but he'll kill himself if he doesn't stop trying so damb hard." He shrugged, turning back to Cairo, "Now Colonel, we need you to deploy your regiment 150-km north of here." A few commands taped into the holo-tank chanced view to a topographic map of the area surrounding the city, "Word of Blake forces are attempting to breakthrough this pass here." An area of the map was circled in red, "Thor's Gap. It's the only way to get past the mountains for thousands of kilometres in either direction. They can't use DropShip's while our fleet is in orbit."

Cairo looked at the map, "How wide is the pass at it's widest?" Davion looked at a readout, "Just under 1km, but it's very steep." Cairo nodded, "If we deploy the irregulars on either side, angled slightly, we could catch the Blakist Bastards in a nasty crossfire. Any reports of them using nukes?" Steiner shook his head, "No, thank God. We do have our own, but the Archon refuses to order their use unless it's a last resort." He looked sadden, "I only hope it doesn't come to that. Well Colonel, you have your orders. Good luck."

To Be Continued…