CHAPTER 6
Review Corner
The Colonel: Just because tanks don't have 2 legs doesn't mean they don't get a spotlight :LOL:
Kobe,
Solaris City, Solaris VII,
Freedom Theater, Lyran Alliance,
January 19, 3075
The streets of Solaris were strictly for civilian use. No battlemechs were allowed on the surface, except for police mechs. Battlemech transports were done using underground tunnels or trucks. Unfortunately for Noloty and Keiichi, the tunnels only connected stables, arenas, and starports. Where they were going, there was no underground channel, so they had to use a transport.
The 70-ton JI-100 creaked and squeaked as it carried the 95-ton Sagittaire through the busy street of Solaris City. It drew a lot of attention, and instigated several traffic jams, since the wide profile of the JI-100 required 2 lanes to go through. Yet Keiichi kept the rig rolling, seemingly unfazed by the traffic and the dirty looks from bystanders. He was in his own universe, as always.
"How's your head?" Noloty said as she observed the bruises on Keiichi's face. The swelling had subsided, but half of his face turned dark purple.
"Good," Keiichi snapped a reply. He didn't take his sight off the street.
"Risa did a good number on your injuries," Noloty baited him into talking. She didn't have medical background, and she didn't know whether turning purple was actually a good sign. She just wanted to see where Keiichi stood with the love-triangle situation.
"She is a good medic. That one I know for sure," Keiichi blurted. "Everything else is up for interpretation."
"Interpretation?" Noloty scoffed. "Or wishful thinking?"
"What's the difference?" Keiichi snapped a curt reply. He took the JI-100 to the highway, then suddenly spoke with a gentler tone. "How do you know when you're in love?"
Noloty held her stifle, lest she offended – or worse, demoralized – her master technician. "Why?"
"I don't know. Just making conversation," Keiichi shrugged.
"I don't know how. I just know when it happened," Noloty leaned her head on the truck's headrest. "To have fallen in love completely and unreservedly makes all your personal and even the Inner Sphere's troubles seem small and petty."
"I thought my perception of Risa would change," Keiichi muttered vacantly. "I used to look at her as an angel, pure and bright. It turns out she's only human. She submitted to earthly desire and slept with Vash. Tai-I Vash, of all people. Multiple times. I thought I would never forgive her for betraying my own image of her. But in the end, it doesn't matter. I still want to be with her, doing all the fun stuffs I planned for her, if she has time to spend with me."
"Coming from you, that is deep," Noloty jested.
"I'm a virgin but I know what being in love is," Keiichi sneered. "And I can say, with conviction, that I am in love with Risa. She may never see me as more than a friend, but that is fine. She is more important than my feelings for her. I just hope she realizes it and appreciates it one day."
The conversation made the trip feel shorter, and next time they knew, they were on the front yard of DC Equipment Liaison. A few battlemechs, most of them heavily modified and badly damaged, lined up next to the hangar door while a Wolverine and a Griffin stood in the opposite side. They looked to be stock and in nominal condition, although the Wolverine carried a hand gun in each hand, clearly a modification of some sort.
"What do you make of those?" Noloty motioned at the two mechs.
"If I have to guess, the Wolverine is a -7M model though stock it carries 2 ER Large Lasers on the right arm," Keiichi replied as he parked the JI-100. "I like it this way, though. It's smart to split the large lasers, so when the right arm gets blown off, you don't lose 2 hard-hitting weapons. The Griffin can be anything, from -1A to -6S. They all look alike. But it's a Griffin. You can't go wrong with any of them."
"I want those bad boys in our lineup," Noloty jumped off the truck. "Let's see how reasonable the owner can be when we talk about money."
Keiichi got out of the truck and followed Noloty inside the hangar. Hundreds of technicians worked on a dozen battlemechs in various conditions. The sound of metal grinding against metal dominated the hangar, and spark showers descended from meters above the ground, creating curtains of light that enveloped the two Ryuken-go officers. Forklifts went flying by left and right, carrying supplies and weapons.
Noloty went to the front desk where a big guy with excessive facial hair greeted her.
"I'm Tai-I Noloty Malche, Ryuken-go battalion. We spoke on the phone," Noloty said. "The Sagittaire is at the front, on the JI-100. You can take it down whenever you like."
The hairy man stuck his head out of his cubicle to get a look at the said mech. "I told you on the phone, normally we only do this for arena mechs. We don't do this for front line mechs. However, I am in good terms with Sho-sa Scarlet. I can pull some strings to get it done."
"All help is appreciated," Noloty nodded. "The arm was blown off a few months back, and what's in there now is just a proxy. I want a brand new Imperator UAC10, brand new wirings, brand new supporting structures, and top-of-the-line armor platings. After that, I want it washed and waxed."
The hairy man threw a funny look at Noloty. "Uhm… what?"
"Washed and waxed," Noloty reaffirmed her previous statement.
"And you said you didn't bring it to the arena?" the hairy man scowled.
"That is correct."
"Then what's the point? Nobody's gonna appreciate the hard work we put into the cosmetics!"
"I do," Noloty grinned.
"Alright, suit yourself," the hairy man puffed and scribbled something on his notepad.
"Damn. I love Casio, but I will never have it washed and waxed," Keiichi grumbled. "It's a battlemech, ferchrissake. It's not a doll that you can bathe, clothe, and brush."
"What can I say, Keiichi, I'm a dork," Noloty smiled and swatted Keiichi's shoulder playfully. She returned to the hairy guy when he finished with his notepad. "How much do you want for those two medium mechs outside?"
"The Wolverine is 13.2 mils, the Griffin is a little less at 12.8."
"Thirteen million c-bills?" Noloty's eyes bugged out. "Rolling out of the factory, the Wolverine is only eleven-ish! Much less on the Griffin!"
"Those are not fresh-from-the-factory mechs. Thirteen million is low for Solaris-modded mech."
"Yeah, well, we are not mechjocks, and the Ryuken-go is not a stable."
"Sorry, Miss, I already give you some slack with the Sagittaire. Can't do it twice. Tell you what, I can let them go at 25 million c-bills. It's still pretty cheap for Solaris standard."
"Goddamn leaches!" Noloty cursed under her breath. "Where do I get 25 millions? I barely have 15 for both. I thought DC Equipment Liaison was supposed to help Kuritan warriors?"
"Kuritan Solaris mechwarriors, not just any mechwarriors," Keiichi muttered. "Some of the broken ones might cost under 10 mil, if you want to take the chance."
"But I have to buy parts, which sums up to what he asks for the good ones," Noloty sighed. "I miss the days when DCMS provides the mechs and ammunitions."
"You could… sell the Sagittaire," Keiichi said nonchalantly. "Think about how much money you can get for a modded assault like that."
"I will kill you if you ever say that again!" Noloty growled. She looked at the hangars, wondering if she could find a way to get money without including her Sagittaire, but she was at her wit's end. She threw up her arms in the air and started to trudge back toward the JI-100. "Let's just get out of here."
"Hey, Miss! Do we have a deal on the mechs?" the hairy man shouted.
"No, sorry!" Noloty replied halfheartedly and walked out of the hangar, with Keiichi two steps behind.
Noloty's Sagittaire had been dismounted from the JI-100 and taken toward the back end of the hangar. Noloty leaned on the JI-100, looking at the pair of medium mechs standing proudly in the sun, waiting for their new owners to take them to the arenas. Or elsewhere.
"What a shame," she sighed. "I really like those bad boys. I want them on our dropship."
"Yeah, well, Solaris people only speak one language," Keiichi replied. "C-bills. No money, no mechs."
"There is another way. I know somebody who needs a favor."
Noloty and Keiichi jerked their heads toward the source of the comment. A young man stood by the JI-100. His jet-black hair stuck up atop his head, and his pair of matching eyes exuded confidence. His red vest dangled on his shoulder, revealing his taut body underneath. A red ying-yang pendant hung almost loosely on his neck. His hands were wrapped in black fingerless gloves.
"Who are you?" Noloty reached for her sidearm, but stopped short of drawing it as she realized that the young man was unarmed.
"The name's Drake, I came from a backwater planet in the Brocchi Cluster, Qandahar," the young man introduces himself. "I overheard you talking about getting battlemechs. I agree with you, c-bills is the main language of Solaris but not the only one. Some people regard service just as highly as c-bills. I know somebody that will pay you a lot of money if you are willing to do some service for him."
"This is a text-book scam for Solaris visitors," Keiichi scoffed. "Just because we're not from Solaris, doesn't mean we're stupid."
"I am not trying to con you. I was a Kuritan paramilitary in a backwater planet. I'm not a real Kuritan soldier, but I feel the need to support Kuritans anywhere. It's the spirit of Bushido. If you still believe in Bushido, then you know that my intention is true."
"In this world, I don't know what to believe," Noloty squinted skeptically. "Don't tell me you're being a good Samaritan because I do not believe there is such thing as charity in Solaris."
"It is not, and I do want something, but it's not like what you think," Drake insisted. "I have but one desire: to serve House Kurita. Accept me as a member of your unit, and I will take you to places where you can get mechs fast and cheap."
"That sounds desperate," Keiichi leaned over to Noloty. "I'd say we ditch this guy."
"Yes, but we need mechs, and we need mechwarriors," Noloty muttered under her breath. "I'd say we play this guy."
"Are you sure?" Keiichi whispered. "He knows we're short on cash and he offers aid for something trivial in return. In case you don't know, that's Scamming-101. Or worse, he's underground mafia hoping to trap unsuspecting visitors like us."
"I agree with your concern. But if he's right, we can get bargain mechs. Maybe some good mechwarriors as a bonus." Noloty smiled and winked. "Two can play that game. Just put your guards up and follow my lead."
"Alright, you're the boss," Keiichi sighed in defeat.
"You're a mechwarrior, Drake?" Noloty asked. "We need good ones."
"I drove a Crab for 4 years during my service with the planetary militia."
"Good mech, but I don't need somebody that just drive mechs. I need mechwarriors who can take orders but also initiative in the battlefield. I want loyalty and ingenuity at the same time. And most of all, I want mechwarriors who are willing to give their lives for Draconis Combine. Are you willing to give your life for Draconis Combine?"
"I am, and I did. My unit was obliterated by a mercenary band. I was lucky to be alive, but know that I did not give up an inch until my mech was blown."
"Maybe you're alive because you turned your back on your friends."
"You can say anything you want. I am telling the truth."
"And why should I trust the words of a Solaris mechjock?" Noloty threw venom through her words. "Why should I care for somebody who cares for nothing but himself, his fame, and his money?"
"I'm not much of a mechjock as you imply," Drake growled. "I arrived at Solaris only weeks ago. I tried to make do with VEST Invitational but I was ousted on the first game."
"So you need sponsorship to get back in the game."
"I only need a Kuritan unit to serve."
"Do you know what the Ryuken-go is, Drake?"
"Sho-sa Scarlet is a legend back in my planet. The Kuritan hero that killed 100 mechs."
"One hundred mechs?" Noloty shot a sour smile. "I don't know Scarlet has triple-digit body count. Have you heard of it, Keiichi?"
"I heard some snippets of it, but I thought it was just a fairy tail," Keiichi replied with a shrug.
"That's how her mech got the name 'Titania'. I know about Ryuken-go more than you think, Ma'am."
"Alright, Mechwarrior Drake, you got my trust," Noloty saw some potential in the young man. "I am Tai-I Noloty Malche, Ryuken-go 2nd in command. This is Chu-I Keiichi, Master Tech. I will put you as probationary member of the Ryuken-go until you prove yourself in the line of duty."
"I am honored to serve, Ma'am," Drake bowed heartily.
"Alright, so now tell me what you have in mind for the Ryuken-go."
"The stable master of Qishan Stable served in the 4th Arkab Legions during the Great Refusal. He has a lot of mechs, a lot of mechwarriors, and a lot of money. If he is an honorable Kuritan, he may want to help fellow DCMS. If not, I know he holds a grudge against a small stable in Montenegro called the Ground Control."
"What kind of grudge?" Noloty cocked her brows. "And what kind of 'service' does he need?"
"I don't know. Perhaps it's better to hear it from him. I can take you there."
Noloty traded look with Keiichi. His worried gaze met her wary one, but they met in the middle ground. It was an opportunity to juicy to pass up. "Meet me at Ishiyama in 2 days," Noloty said. "We'll see if your intent actually has any weight."
