Hello again, everyone, and welcome back to my MechWarrior/BattleTech crossover.

I'm happy to see that all of you enjoyed the previous chapter. I always wondered what would happen if Insurrectionists went up against the SLDF in a fight like that. Good to see that the SLDF has still got it.

In addition, we'll have another exposition chapter after this one. After that, the timeline's going to be advanced by quite a few years. We're also going to be seeing major changes during that time as well, so stay tuned!

As always, leave a review, and enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own the MechWarrior/BattleTech or Halo franchises. They are the respective properties and trademarks of Microsoft Studios, 343 Industries, Bungie, FASA Corporation, FASA Interactive, WizKids, Catalyst Game Labs, Piranha Games Inc., etc. Any material original to the franchises belongs to their respective developers and publishers. Any material not original to the franchises is of my own invention. I do not own any music listed in each chapter. Any music listed belongs to it's original composers and/or artists.

Soel III

SLDF HQ

March 21th, 2516 (2786)

The meeting room inside of the SLDF HQ was solemn and silent as Kerensky and his guards waited for the others to arrive. It seems as though Nicholas' paranoia saved us a space station, and most importantly, a lot of lives, Alek mused quietly. He knew that what had happened was an inevitability, and that the only variable was when this was going to happen. Still, the fact that the Insurrectionists were willing to employ nuclear weapons was more than a little concerning. They desire nothing short of our total annihilation.

The door chimed, and when invited inside, Aaron DeChavilier, along with the brothers Nichola and Andery and a few others, stepped inside. The first was the liaison for the UNSC/UEG, a man by the name of Richard Halbeck. A tall man with a stocky build, brown eyes and black hair, Richard had served in the UNSC before retiring to become an ambassador. Rumors had it that he greatly preferred life in the UNSC, and that he had been more than pleased to be the liaison to the Star League.

The other person was Elizabeth Hazen. A short woman with sharp brown eyes and dark brown hair, Elizabeth Hazen looked more like a grandmother than anything, but anyone that thought that would be shocked to learn that she was a legendary MechWarrior. Following their settling on Soel III, Alek had seen fit to promote her to Major General, before placing her in charge of the SLDF BattleMech regiments. As a result, she was powerful enough to be kept in the loop on various events that happened.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Alek greeted them as the guards closed the doors and locked them. "Thank you all for coming today." Once they were seated, he continued. "It has come to my attention that we are facing another major crisis today, concerning the Insurrectionists."

"What happened?" Richard asked, his expression going from that of boredom to immediate alertness. His tone of voice also indicated this, and that he was paying full attention to what was being said.

"I can explain," Nicholas spoke up. Clearing his throat, he said, "Yesterday, at 0430 hours local time, the Insurrectionists hijacked a DropShip that was heading for Omicron VII, the Herald of Free Enterprise to be exact. They brought with them a FENRIS thermonuclear warhead and intended to detonate it in order to either destroy the station, or knock it out of orbit and send it on a crash landing trajectory with the colony."

"However," Andrey added, "they didn't anticipate Director Nicholas anticipating that kind of eventuality by creating a counter-insurgency program. When the hijackers attempted to dock to the station and load the bomb onboard, members of the 11th Infantry Division not only detected the bomb, but to also boarded the DropShip and took them into custody. No lives on our side were lost, and we captured most of the Innies."

"Where are they now?" Richard inquired.

"We have them in a classified holding facility," Nicholas explained. "In fact, just an hour ago, we managed to break one of them and find out why they attacked us. Apparently, Colonel Robert Watts, the leader of the Insurrection's United Rebel Front cell, was trying to shatter the alliance we created between the UNSC/UEG and SLiE, and get revenge for the First Contact battle at Sigma Octanus."

Richard hissed loudly. "That bastard!" he snarled.

"You know of him?" Andrey asked.

"Yes," Richard replied. "Colonel Watts was one of my closest friends when the Insurrection began. We had a falling out, though, when he began to express sympathy for the Innies and say they might've been right. A few months later, he defected to them and ever since, he's been a thorn in the side of the UEG. It's because of him that the Innies have lasted as long as they have."

"I see," Alek mused. It would explain why he attacked us, he ruminated, resting his chin on his clasped hands. Putting those hands down, he said, "If that is the case, then what I suspected is correct. The 'Innies' see us as an enemy due to our signing of the Treat of Soell with your government."

"Yeah," Richard replied, a frown on his face. "I'm sorry that the Innies roped you into the fight. Looks like you're in the same boat as we are."

"That we are," Kerensky agreed. "However, like the rest of the UNSC, we have experience when it comes to dealing with insurrections. We dealt with quite a few just before the Amaris Coup, when the Periphery Nations began rebelling against the Star League. One of the reasons why I joined in during the fighting was to show the Periphery that violence was not the way. We must do the same to the Insurrectionists: punish them for their crimes by arresting those responsible for the atrocities they have committed."

"I second that," Elizabeth Hazen concurred. "We'll teach those dishonorable pirate scum that they made the wrong choice when they attacked the SLiE."

Alek nodded. "Quite so. However, we must be crafty in how we go about doing this. One wrong move, and we might end up making the Insurrectionists stronger, rather than weakening them." Turning to Nichloas, he asked, "Have you reached a solution to the problem, Nicholas?"

"I think I might have," Nicholas replied. "My brother and I have recently begun reading a number of books from ancient Terra, including one called the Art of War. My proposal is that we have spies infiltrate the Insurrection's every cell, so that we can gather intel on them, allowing us to determine where they are and what they're doing. Then, when the time comes, we crush them like ants."

"I don't know if that's going to work," Richard countered. "ONI has been trying to do that for years, but so far, they've had little success. What makes you think that you can do better? No offense intended."

"None taken," Nicholas reassured Richard. "In fact, it's the first thing that I asked myself, and I know the answer. The Insurrectionist has a lot of sympathizers within the UEG and UNSC, sympathizers that feed them information. In short, the Insurrection is able to foil ONI because ONI is too predictable. When it comes to us, however, they have no such support, and they know nothing about us, aside from our weapons and armor."

"And that gives you the edge," Richard realized. "That's genius, Director Kerensky! The question is, how do you plan on getting spies into the Insurrectionist's cells?"

"What better way than to create false sympathizers?" Nicholas asked rhetorically.

"An excellent plan," Alek agreed. "In fact, the author of the Art of War would agree that such a strategy is a wise one. Learn all you can about your enemy and how they think, then feign disorder to lure them in, before crushing them. Be prepared, however, to have multiple strategies ready to go, as the Innies will adapt once they realize we're onto them."

"That's why we've got another plan," Nicholas reassured Alek. "Andrey?"

"Yes," Andrey replied, coughing slightly to clear his throat. "My plan is that the SLiE begins sharing more technology with the UEG/UNSC in order to allow both sides to benefit. For one thing, we can share with them the designs of our Capital Weapons, along with the armor our ships use. We can also have their scientists work with our own to improve the Kearny-Fuchida Drive.

"In addition, I also think that a PR campaign is in order. My suggestion is that we make the SLiE look like the innocent victim of a an unlawful and unprovoked attack by the Innies and broadcast this throughout UEG space. In addition, I propose that we rebuild our standing army, and allow more immigrants to come to the SLiE in order to bolster our numbers further. I also recommend sending military advisors to the UNSC's training camps, as part of my plan involves sharing SLDF infantry equipment with them."

Alek could see where Andrey was going with this, though he wanted to know why. "And why do you propose this?"

"I'm going to be blunt, sir. We don't have the manufacturing capability to maintain and repair our equipment. The projections say that it will be another two years before Misriah Armory, Hannibal Weapon Systems, Chalybs Defense Solutions and other companies that supply the UNSC get fully set up in the Soell system. That means that we have two years where we won't be able to maintain our equipment, and that will cause all manner of problems. By sharing the tech we use in our Navy, as well as the Army, we'll not only help the UNSC become stronger, we'll allow their military corporations to manufacture the equipment for us. In doing so, everyone will benefit and become stronger as a result."

"A bold strategy," Hazen noted, "though I'm not sure if that is wise. We would be basically handing over much of our gear to the UNSC."

"I agree with Hazen," Aaron added. "This doesn't sound like that good of an idea. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for sharing our technology with the UNSC. I just don't want us to become completely dependent on them. We run the risk of becoming a puppet state if we do so."

"It's a risk that we have to take," Andrey said defensively. "If we do not do so, we will start to suffer equipment shortages, and that will leave us vulnerable to the Innies."

"As good a reason as any," Alek agreed. "I already did such a thing when I signed the Treaty of Soell. In addition, the rest of Andrey's reasons are logically sound as well. We will have to depend on UNSC corporations until we gain enough population to not only create manufacturing facilities, but to also create corporations of our own as well. It isn't the ideal solution, but rarely is there such a thing as an 'ideal' solution.

"Besides, we will not be completely dependent on the UNSC and UEG. I have already received reports that mining facilities have been built in the asteroid belt near Soell III, and that prospecting surveys have found asteroids rich in the materials we need. Within a year's time, we will be fully independent in terms of mining resources. We are also reaching self-sufficiency for food production, and our water supplies are doing excellently." Looking at Richard, he asked, "Do you find Andrey and Nicholas' plans agreeable?"

Richard nodded. "Certainly. I think that'll give us the edge we need against the Innies. Besides, after their failure to strike back at you, they'll be twice as hesitant to strike. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to speak to my superiors. They will want to know about this." With that, Richard left.

"Major General Hazen?" Kerensky asked.

"Yes sir," Hazen replied.

"Inform the SLDF BattleMech Regiments to begin a series of war games in preparation for dealing with the Insurrectionists. I want you to coordinate with your equals in the Army as well."

"I will begin at once," Hazen agreed. She marched out of the room, closing the doors behind her as she did so.

With those two having left, Alek said, "It seems as though you have more to share with me, Nicholas."

"That I do," Nicholas confirmed. "Dr. Richard Cranston, our foremost expert on the K-F Drive, has been working with Guilty Spark as ordered. In fact, I'm very happy to say that we've made a potential breakthrough."

"Go on."

"Well, it's twofold," Nicholas explained. "The first is that they've been able to increase the resilience and integrity of various components in the K-F Drive. They project that, if all goes well, we'll gain the ability to hot-charge our K-F Drives without causing molecular damage to the internal components, which will shave off a few days from the recharge time when combined with the solar sail. In addition, Guilty Spark is looking up ways to make the K-F Drive's capacitor core able to recharge faster, while allowing the drive to use less energy per jump.

"The last one, though, is the most unique idea I've heard yet. They think that they can miniaturize the Lithium Fusion battery to where it's a third of the size, but is capable of holding the same charge. In addition, they're thinking of creating so called 'Lithium-Fusion Battery Banks,' allowing for more LFB's in the same space as one, which would drastically increase jump range. This, combined with the stronger internal components, means that a ship with an LFB Bank would be able to jump again within 10-8 hours."

That had Alek's full attention, with the cogs and gears in his mind quickly turning. "Impressive," he noted. "Not only will our drives take less time to recharge, we can jump more frequently as well. What about the range for a single jump?"

"Guilty Spark isn't certain, but he believes that, by utilizing an redesigned K-F Coil, the jump range could be increased without having to use a specialized booster like the ill-fated Manassas did. It's in the preliminary stages, but he thinks that, if his designs work, we'll see the jump range double. In fact, projections show that, if things go extremely well, we'll see a 500% to 1000% increase in our jump range within the next three decades."

Now that was more than enough to catch Aaron's attention. "Five hundred to a thousand percent!" he gasped. "That means that, theoretically, the jump range would increase from thirty light years to between a hundred and fifty to three hundred light years! Combine that with the LFB Banks that they think they can create, and you'd be looking at a ship that could possibly jump nearly a thousand light years within a few days!"

To Alek, the tactical implications of such an advanced K-F Drive were already evident. This would not only allow us to explore a wider region of space, it would allow us to quickly react to any threat. "That truly is impressive," he noted. "What about potential jump points?"

Nicholas smiled. "Again, it's theoretical, but Dr. Cranston and Guilty Spark think that, with the advent of artificial gravity and anti-gravity, courtesy of the UNSC, we might be able to find a way to cancel out any gravitational influences, which could allow us to jump from practically anywhere. We wouldn't need to rely on specific jump points. We'd just have to input coordinates near a planet, and then off we go,if the mathematics hold up."

"An understandable concern," Kerensky agreed. "Still, if all goes well, then we will be seeing a paradigm shift in K-F Drive technology, as Aaron here said. Can it be done given our alliance with the UNSC and UEG?"

"Affirmative."

"Make it so," Alek ordered. "If we can improve the jump range, integrity and recharge times of the K-F drives in our WarShips, then that will give us a decisive edge against the Insurrectionists." Turning to Aaron, he said, "Make sure that Guilty Spark and Dr. Cranston have the resources they need to get the job done. Work with Nicholas to get it done."

"That we will," Aaron agreed. With that, the two left, leaving Andrey and Kerensky.

"I'll see to it that the rest of the SLDF prepares for the counter-insurgency operations against the Innies," Andrey decided.

"See that you do," Kerensky decided. Already, he could see that the cogs and gears of war were starting to turn once more.. His only hope was that the UNSC/UEG and SLiE would come out of it stronger than ever.

. . .

It wasn't just the K-F Drives that got some love from the engineers, either. At Weapons Research Facility T12A on Algolis, Evan Holmes, M.E, was examining the latest project he was assigned to with considerable interest. Nearby, other scientists and engineers from other companies, such as Hannibal Weapon Systems and Chalybs Defense Solutions, were looking at one of the UNSC's latest legal acquisitions from the SLiE.

If I was told I'd be working on an SLiE vehicle, I'd have laughed at whoever suggested such an idea, he thought to himself. Now that he was looking at such a vehicle, he couldn't help but marvel at the engineering that had gone into what they were looking at. This particular machine was the SLiE's pride and joy, the Marauder BattleMech.

Right now, the 'Mech was still fully assembled, with the angular armor plating and weapons giving it a menacing look. They don't call it the Marauder for nothing. That thing looks like it could squash a Scorpion like a bug and not notice. To the left and right, in similar servicing bays, he could see what the SLiE had called a Warhammer, as well as a Catapult, Commando, Crab and King Crab.

Above his head were catwalks, as well as powerful lights that brightly illuminated the place. The polycrete walls and floor were quick to remind anyone that walked inside what this place was meant for: the servicing and storage of advanced weapon systems and vehicles. He could also see that the servicing bays had been modified with robotic arms, lifts and chain pulley systems, all needed to service the massive war machines they would presumably be working on.

"Now that is amazing," said another voice. Evan watched as a man with reddish-brown hair, tanned skin and dark green eyes that was dressed in a mechanic's outfit came over. A tall but stocky man, Jared Greaves was the kind of man one might expect to find in a body-building documentary. Such people would've been forgiven for thinking that, as those people wouldn't have seen the sharp intellect inside the mind of what most would've called a 'meathead.' "A true marvel of engineering," Greaves added a moment later. "You know, I wonder what might've happened if the UNSC decided to make something like this."

"I don't know," Evan shrugged. "If I had to guess, though, it would've been something like this. Good luck getting it past the REMFs inside of the UNSC's bureaucracy. All they think about are 'expenses' and things like that." He spat at the ground in disgust. "As if they know how to design and build shit like this. Lazy assholes."

"I hear you," Greaves agreed. "You'd be forgiven for thinking they have their heads so far up their butt puckers that they can't see squat. Still, at least the UNSC's Admirals told them to shut up and play nice for once. I must admit, I can see why the SLDF uses them: they're menacing as fuck."

"Tell me about it," Evan remarked as he scratched the back of his head. "Wonder what they use for armor plating. It certainly isn't Titanium-Ceramic like what we use."

"I have a feeling we're about to find out," Jared finished as he pointed to the left. Looking in that direction, Evan watched as five people walked towards them. The first person was a woman dressed in a black Naval uniform, with the arm patches clearly identifying that she was a member of the Office of Naval Intelligence's Section Three, specifically the Materials Group Subdivision. Next to her where four individuals, three men and a woman, that wore the jumpsuits that Evan had learned were standard issue for SLDF BattleMech Technicians, the men and women that kept the SLDF's 'Mechs in working condition.

"Ladies and gentlemen," the woman, identified by her uniform's name tag as Alexandria Pierce, greeted them. "Welcome to Weapons Testing Facility T12A. Do any of you know why you are here?"

"Not really, no," Jared spoke up for the others. "We were just told to sign the Non-Disclosure Agreements and report to the Intrepid Explorer as soon as possible. We were hoping that you might inform us, though I assume that it has something to do with what are obviously SLDF 'Mechs."

"Your assumption is correct," Alexandria Pierce concurred. "All of you have been brought here from various military corporations in the UEG, from Chalybs Defense Solution and Acheron Security, to Misriah Armory and Hannibal Weapon Systems, to reverse-engineer a vehicle class that the SLiE was kind enough to share with us. These 'BattleMechs' will be the next generation of ground-based warfare for the UNSC Defense Force and for ONI." Turning to one of the BattleMech Technicians, she said, "Oliver Payne, you may begin."

"Thank you, ma'am," Payne replied, his voice deep and rumbling, like that of a volcano waking up. Clearing his throat, he said, "What you see here, ladies and gentlemen, are some of the finest BattleMechs that have graced the Star League Defense Force since the founding of the Star League, from the mighty Marauder to the venerable Rifleman II. Over the next two years, we will be helping you guys learn how to design, test and build your own BattleMechs. As such, I believe that we should familiarize you with how these 'Mechs work when fully assembled. Ladies and gentlemen, to the Vehicular Test Range."

The Vehicular Test Range was a large testing range that was a fifteen minute drive from the facility in question. Stepping out of the car, Evan was greeted with the rocky terrain that the facility was built near. The Test Range itself was built in a bowl valley, with the sides flanked by tall gray mountains with snow-capped peaks, while the valley itself had conifer-like trees, running streams and green grass. The sun was up in the sky, with said sky being a bright deep blue.

Moving along the polycrete sidewalk, they came to part of the Test Range, which had bleachers installed so that visiting officers and people could see the various vehicles being tested today. Right now, the range was empty, with only the bare ground being present. Once everyone was seated, Payne said, "Now that we are all seated and accounted for, we can begin the demonstration." Speaking into a mike, he said, "Alpha 1-1, you may proceed into the VTR arena." With that, the team waited.

They didn't have to wait long. As Evan made himself comfortable, he thought he felt the ground vibrate. It wasn't much, but it was just enough to catch his attention. A moment later, a large hangar door opened up, and whatever was causing the ground to shake came out into the open.

Evan stared with awe as a Marauder just like the one he'd been piloting came into view. Instead of moving like a mechanical machine, he was surprised to see that it moved as fluidly and organically as a living being. Two arm-pods came down from the central chassis, which was connected to a pair of metallic hips which, in turn, were connected to two, chicken-like legs that ended in three toed feet. On the top of the central chassis, he could see a single gun mounted, and he guessed that the arms held similar weapons as well. Painted on part of the chassis was the eight point star that Evan learned was called the 'Cameron Star.'

Greaves, seeing the Marauder moving out of the hangar, whistled in appreciation. "Impressive," he noted. "Is this what they call a Marauder?"

"Correct, Jared Greaves," Payne replied. "This specific model is known as the MAD-2R, which is outfitted with Kinslaughter H-Class ER PPC's and Double Heat Sinks, which helps with the increased heat load, along with Ferro-Fibrous Armor and CASE for the Autocannon's ammo. This particular MAD-2R is piloted by one of the MechWarriors that was in the now defunct Gunslinger Program, and she has modified it with a Lubalin Ballistics LB 10-X Autocannon as well as Blankenburg Technologies Medium Pulse Lasers. It also uses a Vlar 300 Fusion Engine, which is a micro-scaled nuclear fusion reactor, to power the entire vehicle" A hand was raised in the air by a man that was identified as Harold Yeets by his name tag. "Yes?" Payne asked patiently.

"Why is that Autocannon called an LB-X Autocannon?" Yeets asked. "In addition, what makes it so special compared to our main tank guns, like the M512?"

"A good question," Payne agreed. "To keep it short, the Autocannons were developed based off of the tank guns the UNSC uses, which we call 'Rifles.' Autocannons are not only lighter than Rifles, they can store more ammunition, do greater amounts of damage and can hit at comparable ranges. As for the name, LB-X Stands for Lubalin Ballistics, and LB-X Autocannons are an upgrade over the standard model, in this case the Autocannon/10. The Mercury-IV Targeting System allows the LB 10-X AC to engage at longer ranges, and the design allows it to fire both standard HEAP shells, as well as a specialized anti-'Mech Cluster munition that's also useful against Aerospace fighters and infantry. Does that help explain?"

"Yes it does," Yeets admitted, satisfied with the answer.

"Very well," Payne replied with a smile. "Now, all of you are going to see a demonstration of the MAD-2R's capabilities in the hands of a veteran MechWarrior. Colonel Patricia Needs, the MechWarrior in question, is going to engage four M808B Scorpions as well as four M850 Grizzlys that are being remote operated. Their goal is to neutralize her 'Mech, while her goal is to destroy them. Live munitions are being used, but we have ensured that if an emergency arises that the vehicle's kill switches will be activated." Using the microphone, he said, "Alpha 1-1, you may begin."

"Affirmative," came the reply. With that, the demonstration began. A camera feed winked on, showing the vehicles that were mentioned rolling out of garages, before heading towards Patricia's 'Mech. As she topped a rise, she fired on the remote-controlled vehicles, even as they fired at her.

Evan watched, with amazement, as two particle bolts tore out of the ER PPC's with a howling electrical screech mixed with a sound like thunder. The bolts, traveling at high velocity, ripped into one of the Grizzlys, causing its ammo to cook off once the bolts tore through the armor and into the vehicle. The automated turret was promptly blown off, while the central chassis was ripped open by a powerful explosion.

A couple shells from the other Grizzly smacked into Patricia's 'Mech, only for the armor plating to ablate as required. Looking at a slow-motion feed, Evan watched as the rounds hit the armor, only to ricochet off thanks to the angled plating. A shallow trench was carved into the hard steel-titanium alloy but beyond that, there was little damage.

In response, Patricia fired the Lubalin Ballistics LB 10-X mounted on her 'Mech. There was a loud KRA-THOOM as the cannon roared, sending a HEAP round directly towards the offending Grizzly. The round smacked into the central chassis of the Grizzly, tearing through the armor and penetrating deeply. While the vehicle was still mobile, it was now moving much more sluggishly. Two emerald beams of pulsing light promptly finished it off, blasting the offending vehicle apart.

It went on like this for a few minutes, with Patricia expertly maneuvering her 'Mech to avoid being hit, or to minimize the damage she took if she knew she was going to be hit. At one point, she had performed a combat roll to the left to avoid a missile fired by one of the Grizzly's. The sight of the 'Mech leaping to the left and rolling on it's right shoulder and back onto it's feet with the missile missing her by mere inches caused Greaves to leap up from where he sat and cheer. In fact, practically everyone in the bleachers did the same thing, with only Alexandria keeping her composure, though her expression indicated that she was clearly impressed. Payne and the other SLDF personnel remained composed as well, though they smiled at the sight.

Before long, Patricia had neutralized all of the Grizzly's and all but one of the Scorpions. Disabling the vehicle with a well aimed hit from one of her pulse lasers, she walked her 'Mech over to the vehicle, whereupon she raised the right foot of her 'Mech and stomped on the Scorpion… hard. There was an awful and shrill tearing sound as the 'Mech crushed the Scorpion, flattening the turret and the center chassis in one swift stroke.

At that, there was a stunned silence as Patricia guided her Marauder back to the stands, whereupon she raised the right arm pod in a salute to the others. "There you have it," Payne said with finality. "A demonstration of one of the mightiest BattleMechs in the SLDF's arsenal." As the questions began to roll in, one thing was clear to Payne: the future was looking quite bright for BattleMech technology.

(Author's Q&A)

SulliMike23: Well, they got the chance to see one in action in this chapter.

RoyalTwinFangs: They're about to get to that.

Just a Crazy-Man: Thank you.

Believer218: Not for a few more chapters. We'll see them soon, but the next few chapters will show how the relationship between the SLiE and UNSC/UEG grows over time. After that, the really juicy parts begin.

Blanchimont: Thank you for the feedback. I appreciate it. As for MJOLNIR going the same route as Elemental Battle Armor, we'll see.

Guest: Thank you.

edboy4926: Yep. Things will begin to change dramatically.

Violet Toyger: Well, to be frank, the Innies aren't exactly the sharpest tool in the shed, or the brightest bulb for that matter.

Memer557: The UNSC will. As for the SLDF, their primary long arm is the Mauser 960 Assault System. Its a pulse laser rifle.

taintedahab: Me too.