CHAPTER 15
Shigata, Ashio,
Ashio Prefecture, Dieron Military District,
Draconis Combine,
October 20, 3074
The Markham Marauders were still outside the 1 kilometer radius from Shigata, but Vash could already feel the tremors of battlemechs feet pounding the ground. A company of battlemechs, mostly heavies with a few assaults, marched toward Shigata in Word of Blake's customary 4 Level-II's. Why the mercenary followed Word of Blake's formation, Vash didn't know. Nor he cared. It would make no difference.
Coming into 1-click radius, Vash inspected the assault force through his binnoculars, looking for its crown jewel. Much to his chagrin, the Bull Shark was not there leading the charge; rather it came late, 500 meters behind the main bulk, protected by yet another Level-II of heavy and assault mechs. Half of its torso was gone, and its limping gait was imminent. Its armor was barely hanging in there. Yet, it marched like it owned the battlefield, the quintessential trait of a true leader.
"Yankee Tornado, Ivory Hunter," Vash called Scarlet. "They play it well. Dultom Markham rides the chariot of cowardice half a click behind the main force, 30 battlemechs total. I can't touch him. By the time he falls into our guns, the main force will be on top of us."
"Very well. Proceed as planned," Scarlet replied coldly.
"Ryokai." Vash switched to different frequency. "Alright, Ryuken-go, fire on my mark. Target the closest mech. Stand by." He waited until the first Marauders, a Penetrator, fell within 700 meters from the city, then dropped the hammer, "Fire!"
Two land-based UAC2 cannons bellowed, spitting depleted-uranium projectiles over the vast land. Most of them whizzed all around the Penetrator, but a few busted its kneecap. The Penetrator shuddered but shrugged off the attack. It kept on marching until the LRM launchers let loose a hail of warheads. Half a dozen of them flayed the Penetrator, shredding a few tons of armor, forcing it to turn away from Shigata.
A few more mechs broke the perimeter defense and launched missile and laser salvos at the Ryuken-go positions. The building where Vash stood rocked with explosions. A wave of laser bolts swept the land-based UAC2, throwing the cannons up in the air in a series of explosions. Another missile volley strafed a LRM emplacement atop a squat building. The warheads ignited the ammunition bins. The missile emplacement erupted, taking down half of the building and setting fire on what was left standing.
"Dammit, there are too many of them!" Vash sprinted down the stairs of the rocking building. "All hands, to the APCs! Yankee Tornado, they're too strong. I made a few dents on their defense and forced them to waste their ammunitions, but that's it. I'm taking my men out!"
"Acknowledged, Ivory Hunter. Take the civilians to safety! Renegade Falcon will lead the mercenaries to the minefield!"
"Ryokai on that!" Vash jumped off the last steps of the stairs amidst falling debris. He busted out of the building, just in time to see the building collapse under the intense shelling of the Markham's Marauders. He continued south, joining a stampede of Ryuken-go infantry running toward a few APCs. A few troops carried their wounded comrades, and Risa courageously attended their injuries outside the lead APC, wrapping quick bandages and shooting morphines to help with their pain.
Vash grabbed her arm and pulled her aside. "You're one hell of a medic, but you're not a soldier. This is your last chance to join the rest of the civilians."
Risa shook her head. Fear and determination bled from her eyes. "I'm staying with you."
"Very well." Vash led her to board the lead APC then directed his men to fill up the APC. "Bust your asses, soldiers! We're leaving!" When he was sure that his men were all accounted for, he climbed into the lead APC and took a seat next to Risa. He grabbed her hair, forcefully turned her face toward him, and kissed her on the lips.
Risa was so taken aback by Vash's brusque advance that she could only whimper. Vash drank the sweetness of her lips for a while, to which she made no attempt to reject, then broke the kiss and greeted her blank stare with an impish smile of his own. "A thank you note for everything you've done for my men," he winked, "and for good luck."
An earth-shattering explosion forced Risa to duck and cover her head with her arms. Vash slammed his fist on the interior wall and yelled at the driver, "Let's go let's go let's go! Get us the hell outta here!"
Kiyomi watched her radar, waiting for the lead Marauders lance to come into the range of her triple PPC. The front most mechs were too engrossed in wiping out the infantry to notice a lance of Glory support tanks, reinforced by a DI Morgan, a Marksman, and a lance of Thumper, waiting for them. They kept raining down their missiles and ballistics upon empty buildings while inching toward the trap.
"Hold fire," Kiyomi hissed. A few mechs started noticing the armor assets and shifted their firepower on the biggest target on the field. Autocannon rounds ricocheted on the DI Morgan armor. Shards whizzed every which way. The crew murmured in restlessness, but Kiyomi was undaunted.
"Hold fire!" she yelled again. Her seeming hesitation turned the mechs cocky. They pressed forward, getting into PPC and laser range. The energy bolts lit up the plain in strobe-light fashion. As the mechs sprinted to bring their killer weapons to bear, suddenly the ground went alive with explosions. Half a dozen mechs slowed down as vibromines, planted just inside 600 meters from the city, ravaged their leg actuators. By the time they realized they were deep inside a minefield, it was too late.
"That's a minefield for you assholes!" Kiyomi erupted in glee, watching half a dozen mechs came to a screeching halt. "All hands, open fire! Come on, men! Burn them! Give everything you've got!"
The barrage of hundred-something missiles struck terror in the Marauders rank. A few mechs turned around to flee, inadvertently exposing their lightly-armored backs to the incoming missiles. The missiles descended upon them like killer bees and clobbered the thin armor. Fireballs blossomed with every strike, tossing shrapnels to a wide area. A couple of mechs tried evasive maneuver, triggering more vibromine in the process. The explosions shredded their leg myomers, rendering them sluggish.
The Glory tanks followed up their missiles with long burst of RAC5, backed up by artillery strikes from the Thumpers. Kiyomi's DI Morgan provided steady streams of PPCs. With hitting percentage above 60 percent, the line quickly collapsed. Limbs were thrown everywhere, and one by one the forward Marauders crumbled into a heap of scrap.
But the Markham Marauders quickly rebounded. The Bull Shark – far outside the Glory's reach – launched a retaliatory attack at the Ryuken-go's position. It took the Bull Shark only 3 shots of spotting. The fourth one slammed right into the hull of the remaining Marksman, disintegrating the main cannon.
"Goddamit, Dultom Markham!" Kiyomi groaned, watching the crew of the Marksman abandoned their tank in the advent of ammo explosion. "Thumpers, spread fire at the back of their columns! Find that bastard and kill him, or flush him into the open! He's already in combat loss grouping! I need one strike! Just one strike!"
The Thumpers turned its long cannons and sent their projectiles whistling, hammering the back end of the Marauders' formation. But Dultom Markham was well covered behind a wall of battlemechs that would happily take the bullets for him. The Bull Shark staggered as it lobbed its Thumper shells, arcing across the minefield, and smashing the DI Morgan's turret. Kiyomi covered her head as struts and panels flew in every direction in the tank's command center. The armor stopped the shell but with a hefty price. Half the electronics went offline.
The Glory tanks shifted target at the new incoming mechs, but being outnumbered nearly 5-to-1 against heavy and assault battlemechs, it was clear that the line was not going to hold very long. The ammunition ran low and the Marauders' counter strike started clawing into the structures.
"We're getting low on ammo and catching a lot of flaks, Ma'am," one of the tank commanders chirped in. "How long do you want us to hold?"
"That's it," Kiyomi weighed in their situation. "We've done all we could. Retreat and rendezvous at the Reeducation Camp. We'll take them on our last stand." She switched frequency to Scarlet. "Yankee Tornado, Renegade Falcon. We're pulling out. Ivory Hunter's minefield slows them down but not knocks them out. We took out a Level-II and squeezed more of their ammo, but Dultom Markham spoiled everything. I hate to sound like a sore loser, but they have more guns than what we can handle."
"Acknowledged. Regroup at Reeducation Camp. We'll take them on there."
"Yeah, let's hope that Shaolin Spirit didn't screw this up," Kiyomi backed up her tank, which was scorched and shredded. "All units, move in on me! Back to the Reeducation Camp!"
The billowing smoke, the earth-shuddering explosions, and the incoming stampede of Ryuken-go war machines told Noloty that the Markham's Marauders were coming in hot. She expected it. The Kuritan battalion had proven itself to be a formidable force, beating up the Word of Blake and holding the Marauders back longer than anybody anticipated. She knew Dultom Markham and his band of mercenaries were eager to close the fight.
Noloty didn't expect to see much fight, the way she went toe-to-toe against Dultom Markham two days ago. Her Sagittaire was barely standing, losing much of its vital organs and getting drained from precious ammunition. She only had 2 shots left on her remaining UAC10. Her energy weapons could still discourage lighter mechs, but the armor was basically nonexistent. One good salvo would take the Sagittaire out for good. However, she didn't expect to see Dultom Markham in action either. If her memory served her right, the Bull Shark was just as decrepit as her Sagittaire. Her last-second body slam took out a good portion of the Bull Shark's engine. If the Bull Shark was still operational (and from the reports from Vash and Kiyomi, it was) it would be nothing more than a morale booster.
Vash's horde of APC parked behind the mech row – Scarlet's Marauder, Noloty's Sagittaire, and Keiichi's Carbine – as the infantrymen dismounted and scattered behind them. Vash's adamancy to die side by side with the rest of the Ryuken-go gave the Ryuken-go a big boost in morale. Regardless his personality, Noloty was glad – and honored – to have somebody like Tai-I Vash in her team.
The tanks arrived a minute later, forming a barricade in front of the mechs with the Glory's as the main block. Kiyomi's 100-ton tank swerved and took position next to Scarlet's Marauder. The Thumpers positioned themselves in front of Keiichi's Carbine in line abrest formation.
Five minutes passed and the Marauders started pouring in. One by one the Marauders cleared the buildings and made 2 staggered rows, both of which had unadulterated firing line at the Ryuken-go merely 150 meters away. Half of them were battered and bruised, being stripped from precious armor platings. A few were missing limbs and weapons. But Noloty could feel the heat of enmity bleeding through their guns, even before they were fired. The Bull Shark came in last, standing at the very back of the formation, covered by 5 battlemechs.
"This is it… we're all gonna die," Keiichi's trembling voice echoed through the comlink. "We're all gonna die… I can't believe I'm gonna die…"
"Cut the crap, Keiichi!" Scarlet roared. She didn't bother using Keiichi's callsign. Perhaps she didn't see the point anymore. "Quiet or I'll make sure you'll die first!"
"We're not gonna die," Noloty replied. "Have faith in Shaolin Spirit. She's going to get out of here."
"R-Ryokai," Keiichi stammered, but his mic picked up his labored breaths, laden with fear and anxiety. "Oh God I'm gonna die…"
"Shigata defenders, this is Lieutenant Colonel Dultom Markham, commanding officer of the Markham's Marauders," Dultom's voice swept through the vicinity through external speaker. "I will only say this once. You put up a commendable effort to defend Shigata, but now you are outgunned and outnumbered. There is no escaping the Markham's Marauders this time. Exit your mechs and surrender, and I guarantee your lives are spared. Refuse, and we will cut you down you to the last man. You have one minute to respond."
Instead Scarlet stepped forward in an act of defiance. She swerved past the DI Morgan then trundled slowly until she reached the midpoint between the Ryuken-go and the Markham's Marauders.
"Sho-sa…" Kiyomi's tank started rumbling forward.
"Stand down!" Scarlet snapped. "Should anything happen to me, make sure Dultom Markham dies."
"But…"
But Scarlet cut off the comlink. She switched to external speaker, matching Dultom's act a minute ago. "This is Sho-sa Scarlet, Ryuken-go battalion, Draconis Combine. I will not surrender, and nor will my men."
"Ah, Sho-sa Scarlet, an honor to be in your presence," Dultom Markham left the comfort of his fortification and met Scarlet's Marauder face to face. The 95-ton Bull Shark towered over the 75-ton Marauder, giving a false impression that it could crush the smaller mech, even though it was heavily damaged. "You reputation of fighting 100 battlemechs precedes you. You should have come forward earlier so we could have an interesting fight…"
"I have no desire to play a game, Lt. Col. Markham," Scarlet replied brusquely. "My mission is to reestablish Draconis Combine sovereignty in Ashio. I am giving you a chance to turn away and leave Ashio within 24 hours, or I will personally remove the name of Markham's Marauders from MRBC."
"Oh how I love Kuritans," Dultom chuckled. "Defiant to the last drop of blood."
"Then I guess you are taking the hard way," Scarlet growled. "Very well, if it is your choice."
"Look around, Sho-sa. Are you saying you and your depleted army could stand a chance against the might of Markham's Marauders? Are you willing to put money where your mouth is?"
"No. I am saying that I have positioned my reserve unit at your six, 5 minutes behind you. Your force is low on armor, low on ammo, and standing in a crossfire, Lt. Col. Markham. My force is depleted but we hold tactical advantage. Even if you can survive us, there won't be much left of the Markham's Marauders at the end of the day."
"You're bluffing," Dultom sneered.
"If you don't believe me, check your logistic line."
An unsettling pause ensued as Dultom tried vainly to establish communication with the Marauders' logistic camp. Noloty lined up her crosshair with the Bull Shark, ready to strike if Dultom, or any Marauders, dared to harm Scarlet. Sweat beaded in her forehead and her thumb nervously rubbed the alpha-strike button as she waited for the absolution.
"As you can see, Lt. Col. Markham, my reserve unit has destroyed your logistic camp, and is in position to exploit your rear flank," Scarlet broke the silence with growing confidence. "If you wish for blood, then you'll get blood… our blood. Both Markham's Marauders and Ryuken-go will cease to exist, and the Word of Blake wins the day. I suggest you take my offer to leave Ashio. Everybody will get a piece of the cake."
"Looks like I have underestimated you, Sho-sa Scarlet," Dultom replied, with a much graver tone. "Very well, I will take my unit out of Ashio, but on one condition. You and your unit must also leave Ashio. We leave this cursed planet together, and let the Word of Blake deal with the planetary defense. If you refuse, then I will order my men to attack, and we end everything right here, right now. We shall see if your flanking maneuver could pull your ass out of trouble. Or perhaps we shall see if everything you said bears any truth at all."
Scarlet took a deep breath. Dultom's term would prompt the Ryuken-go to leave Ashio prematurely. Even though the Markham's Marauders would exit the world, the World of Blake was still there. Her mission was not accomplished, and leaving Ashio short of that was equal to failing. The only thing she got to bring home was shame.
However, with their skeleton crews hanging on thin threads, the Ryuken-go could do little more than survive. The Markham's Marauder still had the strength to take on another fresh Kuritan battalion. Scarlet hated to have to resolve to this, but barring trickery, there was no possible way for the Ryuken-go to beat the Markham's Marauders. If she agreed to Dultom's term, she would send the mercenary off world, leaving the crippled Word of Blake as the sole occupation force in the planet. Even Duke Nikolai Jansma could handle it.
"I give you my word," Scarlet finally spoke. "The Ryuken-go will leave Ashio by the time of your departure."
"I expect nothing less from you, Sho-sa Scarlet."
"I am a Kuritan. My words are written in blood. I would rather die than cheat an agreement. Can I get the same treatment from you, Lt. Col. Markham?"
"I am a man of my words. What I said, will be done."
A long sigh of relieve escaped Noloty's lips. She turned her weapons offline and sunk into the command chair. Her arms dangled freely at the side, for she suddenly found her energy evaporated. All the battles she fought in this planet flashed before her eyes, and she wondered if she had brought honor or shame to the Ryuken-go. She urged Scarlet to take unconventional route to force the Markham's Marauders to leave Ashio, but she did it only to save the Ryuken-go from total annihilation.
As the Markham's Marauders turned to leave Shigata, her private channel flashed. Thinking it was Kayoko, Noloty rushed to accept it, only to find her throat clenched when she heard the voice from the other end.
"We have an unfinished business, Heishi Noloty," Dultom Markham crackled. Hatred reeked from every word. "The first one was luck. This one, an anomaly. Next time we meet, I swear, it will be the end of our acquaintance. I will kill you before we see the end of jihad!"
"I don't hold a grudge against you, Lt. Col. Markham," Noloty replied matter-of-factly. "But if you stand in the way of Draconis Combine, I will remove you from the path. Just like everybody else."
"Then it's a date. I look forward to it." The big Bull Shark turned around and rejoined the Marauders to walk away from the Ryuken-go.
Noloty watched the Bull Shark limped away until it disappeared behind a building.
