The encampment was hidden in the woods. With only four mechs, and slow-moving ones at that, it could take the Coral Vipers years to find them. If they even knew they were out there.

Eli worked on the Marauder with what astechs he brought with him. There was easily another week until it was finished. During which time, the mech's would-be pilot needed to acquaint himself with the brute. Eli announced that he would return by evening.

He climbed into one of the civilian vehicles at their hidden camp. Two and a half hours later, he was back in the creatively named Capital City.

The city had one and a quarter million inhabitants. So far as cities went, it was a small one. It was also the largest city on the planet. His first stop was low-income housing. MechWarrior Kurt Beckett, the only AFFS mechwarrior on the planet, was hiding in one of the poorer neighborhood in Capital City.

He skillfully parallel-parked his vehicle – there were no others in the area – and took a look at the building. It was not made of ferro-crete, but brick. Even a light BattleMech could level it in a matter of seconds. Eli shook his head and stepped through the front door.

While building codes kept the apartments looking nice from the street, they did nothing to prevent the graffiti splattered all over the walls inside. While not from a wealthy family, he had never had to live in such a place.

Eli found the wooden staircase leading to the upper floor. The boards were heavily worn, and some were even unpainted. Most creaked as he made his way up. Upstairs, the walls were just as disgusting. He found apartment 2F and knocked on the door.

"Come in," he heard. Eli cautiously opened the door to find a semi-automatic pistol pointed at his chest. When its wielder recognized Eli, he hid the gun in his jacket. "It's about time you showed up."

"Leftenant Beckett. Kurt," he corrected. "Rebbie is in a safe place." The techs had taken to calling Lincoln's Marauder "Rebbie" because of its red/blue paint scheme. "Are you ready to go?"

Kurt nodded. He grabbed his duffel bag, which was leaning next to the door frame, and followed Eli to the car outside. Once Eli started up the car, Kurt asked his questions. "Where are our forces?"

Eli drove away from the curb and made his way down the street. "The 3rd Capital LI and 5th MI are in the woods. The 1st and 2nd were captured, as expected. Captain Marcus from the 3rd tells me the 4th LI was killed in the attack." Kurt closed his eyes.

Technically, Eli had been higher-ranking than Kurt, but the tech's skills did not make for an effective military leader. And the infantry were not a part of the Armed Forces of the Federated Suns. As the only available AFFS soldier, Governor/Colonel Lincoln awarded him with a field commission and ordered him to take control of the planet's garrison upon his death. And the Coral Vipers had been quick to announce Roger Lincoln's death.

The tech glanced over at Kurt. "There's nothing you could have done."

Instead of answering, Kurt opened his eyes and looked out the window. "Where are we going?" Instead of the suburbs he expected to see, the buildings looked considerably more grand and expensive than the apartment he had been staying in.

"Spaceport. A few days ago, I heard about a genius aerospace tech working aboard one of the dropships. Since the Vipers froze off-world traffic, I think it's worth seeing if he can help with Rebbie."

"Aerospace tech? That's a pretty different field from BattleMechs, isn't it?"

"Fusion is fusion. If we can't get the engine working, that Marauder won't do us any good."

"Whatever you think needs to be done."

Xxxxx

The spaceport was not particularly grand. There was enough space for a few dropships, but nothing extravagant. As to be expected from an insignificant planet like the one they were on. Only one dropship was currently on-planet. Eli parked nearby and led Kurt to the terminal. "Anyone can get in," Eli explained, "but getting through there another matter." Kurt looked to where Eli pointed out the window, and saw a red and black Crusader standing between the dropship and the terminal.

"They used to garrison here, right?" Eli nodded. "That's the only downside to mercenaries. They only work for you so long as you offer the biggest paycheck."

The eateries were filled with people wearing jumpsuits. Everyone there was either from the dropship or working for the mercenaries – except, of course, for Eli and Kurt. Eli picked out a man whose jumpsuit contained a large number of pockets.

"Excuse me," Eli said to the man.

The crewman glanced up. And up. Eli was a tall man with very broad shoulders. If he wanted to be, Eli could be very intimidating. But it wasn't in his nature. The crewman did his best to appear confident. "Yes?"

"You wouldn't know where we could find a tech named Wadsworth, would you?" The crewman involuntarily glanced at another table. Kurt followed his gaze to see a woman seated by herself.

"What do you want with Wadsworth?" asked another man at the table. Eli turned to Kurt for a cue, but he was missing. Eli saw him approaching the lone woman and assumed it was a MechWarrior's hormones.

"I may have a job for him." The seated crewmen claimed to have no idea where he was. Eli sighed and approached a second table, this time selected at random.

It was dinner time, Kurt realized. And here she was, the only person in the room sitting alone. Maybe it was because he hated being by himself, or maybe it was just hormones, but Kurt could not stand to see her there.

Her plate was half-finished, and the woman sat hugging herself. He started to remove his jacket and suddenly stopped himself. It would not do for her to discover his side-arm. "Do you want some company?" he asked her.

When she looked up from her plate, the woman did a double-take. Kurt smiled, flattered. It was a good sign. "I – I suppose."

Kurt sat down across from here. "Is the food terrible, or is the food terrible?" he asked, to break the ice. The woman shrugged. "I'm Kurt."

"Dana," she said, after a moment. He wished he could tell her that he was a MechWarrior, but there were mercenary guards nearby. That usually went a long way when it came to women. Another part of him didn't want her to know right away. He had no doubt that she would have the opportunity to learn more about him.

"If I had any money, I'd invite you to a more flavorful dinner. As it is, the only thing I can offer you would taste like military rations." Dana giggled. Of course, that was because he only had military rations.

She wanted to like him, but there was still a skeptical voice shouting in the back of her head. "And this is where you say my place or yours?"

Kurt scratched his sideburn. "I can't ask that question yet. I don't know you well enough." He glanced towards the guards. "And they're still here."

Dana growled. The noise surprised Kurt; it was definitely a growl. "I can't wait until those Drac mercs are kicked off the planet."

"Same here. Maybe you can help get rid of them."

Dana blinked. "What do you mean?"

"I hear the remnants of Davion's forces are looking for skilled techs."

"Really?" She had an eyebrow raised; her interest was peaked.

"One in particular, actually. Someone named Wadsworth."

Dana lowered both her eyebrows at the name. "You're putting me on."

"Why do you say that?"

"I know I'm talented, but I'm not that good."

Kurt remembered that the other man had looked in her direction when Eli mentioned Wadsworth's name. Of course. Eli had just assumed it was a man. "I can't tell you exactly what work needs to be done, but my friend can." He looked around the room. Eli was standing in the middle of the room very frustrated. Kurt waved him over. "Dana, this is Eli Helm. Eli, meet Dana Wadsworth."

Realization lit in Eli's eyes. "Here you are," Eli said, a grin on his face. He joined them at the table. "Miss Wadsworth, I'd like your help." From there, he went into technical jargon that Kurt had only passing knowledge of. Dana asked clarifying questions until she was satisfied.

"I assume these are BattleMechs you need fixed," she said, finally.

Eli gave a straight answer. "One, actually."

Dana's eyes widened. "I see." Then she looked over at Kurt. "Is he the MechWarrior?" Kurt nodded. "So young." Kurt looked her over; she was definitely gorgeous, with dark brown hair and hazel eyes. Probably in her mid-twenties. He decided not to take offense. "Sorry."

"Will you come with us?" Eli asked.

Dana closed her eyes to contemplate. A habit she shared with Kurt, Eli noted. She finally opened her eyes a few moments later, a smile on her face. "Yes."