Tharkad City, Tharkad
Donegal Province
Lyran Alliance

Cairo's head rested against the window as the transport VTOL made its way across the rain-swept city. Sinead's head was resting on his shoulder, her eyes closed as she slept. They where both still dressed in their cooling vests and shorts, but the exertion of the battle had taken its toll on them, both physical and mentally. As he dozed, Cairo's mind drifted beck to the aftermath of the Battle of Thor's Gap…

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The transport VTOL had come in low, keeping below the edge of the cliffs, hugging the terrain all the way. Cairo had been busy supervising the securing of his 'Mech to the back of a prime-mover, and hadn't noticed it until it landed, the wash from the engine churning up a cloud of dust over everything.

The door had opened; a squad of troops in ComStar uniforms had jumped out, taking up position around the VTOL, their eyes scanning the surrounding terrain. Tiaret Nevversan then exited, her keen eyes scanning the battlefield. She smiled slightly, seemingly revelling with the carnage that turned Cairo's stomach. She turned back to the transport and nodded.

Precenter Martail Davion stepped out, his long coat flowing behind him as he walked to where Cairo stood, "You're a dangerous man Colonel: you don't follow orders and you have a growing contempt for authority. I have all the evidence I need to have you removed from your command, stripped of your rank, and sent for a full court martial." Cairo shrugged, "What's stopping you: I knew exactly what I was doing when I refused your order, and I fully except the consequences of my actions."

Davion shook his head, "No, you see, I can't court martial you: I sent you out here knowing that there was no way just one regiment could hold the pass against a determined attack by the Blakist's, knowing that you'd fail without reinforcements I didn't have to send."

Cairo was confused, "Then what in the hell just happened here?" He turned, his arm taking in the remains of almost 100-Mech's,  "We didn't do this on our own." Davion nodded, "Members of the city militia where monitoring the frequency I used to talk to you so that they'd know when you broke. The idea was that it would give them as much of a warning that the Blakist's where on their way as possible."

Davion folded his arms, "When you refused to retreat back to the city, the militia commander asked for permission to reinforce you. I refused, but when you called in the second air strike, he ordered his forces to advance anyway. They passed the retreating unit's that had held the other end of the canyon, and somehow managed to get them to turn and head back this way." He shook his head, "Your stubbornness rallied the troops: people why had given up hope where willing to throw themselves into battle to defend the capital of the Alliance. You're a stubborn man Colonel: one day that may get you killed."

He turned to leave, "We haven't won this battle, but we haven't lost it yet either."

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The VTOL banked sharply, bringing Cairo back to reality, his superior's words ringing in his ears. He rubbed his eyebrow, the movement waking his wife from her much needed slumber. Her hands moved down to her now visibly swollen belly. Cairo smiled as he planted a kiss on her forehead, "We're almost there."

Levelling out, the transport started it's final decent into the ComStar complex surrounding the HPG facility in the center of the city, a stones throw from The Triad its self. Hovering over the landing pad, the pilot took directions from the crew chief on the ground, making minor adjustments to counter the gusting wind, until they where lined up perfectly. With a barely noticeably jolt, the VTOL touched down.

Cairo waited until the pilot gave the all clear before opening his door. He stepped down onto the tarmac, reaching back to help his wife down. Ducking down, they ran through the rain to the open set of outer doors. The doors closed automatically, shutting out the storm. Cairo and Sinead shook themselves dry, and waited for the inner doors to open before them.

A blur of movement hit Sinead in the legs almost knocking her down. Cairo steadied his wife, then looked down, "Whoa there: no need to run." He reached down and lifted his daughter into his arms, "Last time I saw you, you where having trouble walking. Now look at you!" He sighed, handing her to Sinead, "Five years old: where has the time gone?"

To Be Continued