INTERLUDE 2

Pummelo, Outworlds Alliance,
May 31, 3074

It was still vivid in Talon Sergeant Drake's memory the time the Yakuza's contingent dropped off at Pummelo. Morale was at all-time high. The sight of Yakuza's war machines looked like a summer parade that heated up the icy world of Pummelo. He didn't know that the Yakuza was there for its own agenda – he learnt about it later. He thought it was the end of the hundred-war conflict at Pummelo between warring families, and the world would unite under Okita's banner.

Barely 6 months after that, the Yakuza left with tails between their legs. Their military power failed to subdue the Langmore family, which was supported by one – ONE! – company of mercenaries. Drake didn't know why it happened. The Kuritans had superior numbers, more advanced battlemechs, and better-organized supply chain. Perhaps they were overconfident, thinking that the Langmore family were finished. Perhaps they celebrated too soon. Or perhaps the mercenary was not just any mercenary unit. Whatever it was, the Yakuza just couldn't hold their positions. They suffered 65-percent casualties in less than 6 months. Hundreds of lives were lost. Dozens of battlemechs were wasted.

And now they left the Okita family, bruised and battered, at the mercy of the indomitable Davion forces.

The last Union-class dropship dusted off in a long trail of smoke, and Drake wondered why such a staunch supporter of the Draconis Combine would readily betray the honor given by the Coordinator. True, the Yakuza's presence was driven by the Brian's Cache – like every other off world forces that came to Pummelo – but there were Draconis Combine loyalists, citizens that share borders with the uncouth Davions and the ruthless local mafias. The Yakuza couldn't just leave after picking fights with local gangsters.

However, that was not his biggest concern.

"Okita-buchou, Master Sergeant Kasumi is still held captive by the Langmores," Drake persuaded the head of Okita family to save Kasumi.

"Master Sergeant Kasumi is lost," the Okita head was cold and unforgiving. "She is trained in the art of Bushido. She would choose death over being taken prisoner by the enemies of Draconis Combine!"

"I have solid information that Master Sergeant Kasumi is still alive and held prisoner by the Davions and their mercenary dogs!" Drake wouldn't give up. "The Langmores and their mercenary scums will torture her! We have to rescue her!"

"We will not sacrifice battlemechs for the life of one mechwarrior!" the head of Okita family snarled. "We lost many battlemechs and armor assets! I don't want to waste any more assets! Kasumi is an invaluable member of the Okita family! Her loss will be missed! But the survival of the Okita family is above the life of any mechwarrior! Such is our decision and it is final!"

"How could you do this to your own family member?!" Drake let out his frustration. "I am not letting you treat Master Sergeant Kasumi that way! Give me a company and I will get her!"

"That is enough, Talon Sergeant! You are not to talk about this matter anymore!" the Okita elder roared. He drew his tanto and shoved it at Drake in an ominous fashion. "I should gut you for subordination, but we are short on mechwarriors, so I will turn the other way. But only this once! If you ever bring this up again, I will have your head!"

Drake could have lunged at the old man and swatted the tanto from his hand easily, but it wouldn't make any difference. The Okita was losing the war, and they would not spend any more efforts to retrieve their POWs. The way everything went down, he realized he couldn't trust the Okita anymore, and had to rely on himself to get Kasumi out of the Davion's grips.

"So what now, Talon Sergeant?" one of his subordinate asked as he left the Okita command vehicle.

"I don't know what happens between Kasumi and the rest of the Okitas, and I don't really care!" Drake growled bitterly. "I am not leaving Master Sergeant Kasumi in the hands of mercenary dogs! I'm getting her out of there myself!"

"You and what mech, Sir?" another one chimed, reminding Drake that he didn't have his Dragon anymore.

"I'll find one!" Drake replied. "There are plenty scattered around here!"

"Sir, this is a very dangerous undertaking," the third one tuned in. "The Langmores know we are coming. They are going to set up another trap. We will walk right into their trap, and this time we may run out of luck."

"I will not stop until she is safe, and I do not expect you to come with me on this one," Drake said. "This is personal matter. If you want to reconsider your involvement, I understand."

Nobody moved from their spots.

"You're all brave warriors," Drake tossed a salute. "We know that our enemies are very strong, with state-of-the-art battlemechs and sharp battlefield generalship. But we bled them, and what can bleed can be killed! Fist we are going to acquire battlemechs, then we snatch Master Sergeant Kasumi from their grips, then we leave this world for a better place! I'm done serving the Okitas!"

"Yes Sir!" Drake lance mates replied in unison.

"Good! Now let's find them battlemechs!"

By Draconis Combine doctrines, captured Kuritan soldiers were expected to be killed. Master Sergeant Kasumi knew that the Okita would not come to rescue her, and baring Drake's successful attempt (which she didn't know failed twice) she was left at the mercy of the mercenary barbarians. She knew she was not going to be released. The mercenaries would keep her as a bargaining chip, in case the Okita made another attempt at Langmore's territory. She expected to be treated harshly, because that was what she would do to prisoners of war.

But when the chain of command shifted, she feared that the worst was yet to come. The mercenary commanding officer, a woman with no compassion and without remorse, was far more cruel than merciful. She ravaged Kasumi's sensitive soles with terrible intensity for information she didn't have. Kasumi summoned all energy she had remained to stay incorruptible, to deny her capturers the satisfaction, but before the day's end, her strong will had broken. Barely able to keep from being driven to insanity, she prayed for the kind mercenary who offered her deliverance. But after grueling many days, she found only a mad mechwarrior, gripped by lust of power and perversion to see her suffer in endless agony.

She began to beg.

"I do not know anything!" she wailed. "Please, please, please, have mercy!"

"You are a member of Okita clan, one of the ruling families in Pummelo," Korra dragged the foul tool across Kasumi's bare soles. It made her squirm, that after so many hours tormenting her feet, the effect only increased tenfold. "Do you really expect me to believe that you don't have the location of the Brian Cache?"

"I am telling you the truth!" Kasumi had reached the limit of her endurance, but she managed to form words. "I have told you everything I know! I was granted relief! Please! Stop! Have mercy!"

"Lance Commander Neptune does not have the authority to grant you anything! I do!" Korra grabbed Kasumi's hair – soaked with sweat – and forced the hapless captive to look at her. "You can have this as easy as you want or as painful as you want. It's your choice."

"I told you everything I know," Kasumi wept. "Please, don't do this!"

"Your foolish resistance only gives me pleasure," Korra released her grip and moved toward the end of the bench. "Tell me where the Bian Cache is, and I'll kill you. Resist, and I'll keep this up until you can't tell the difference between night and day!"

"No! I swear! I don't know!"

But whatever Kasumi said didn't matter anymore. She felt the cold steel harassing her helpless soles, and she couldn't help but scream.