CHAPTER 2

Pummelo, Outworlds Alliance,
August 6, 3074

The readings from Mogami's battleROM was hazy at best. The computer could identify the type of the mech, but the image from the camera was pixelated and distorted. The engineers did their best to smoothen the image, but it only helped little. They still didn't know the paint scheme and the markings of the mechs.

"I can't make out anything out of this recording," Commander Korra muttered. "This is like the other one; Sam and Clover also intercepted unidentified radio transmission from unknown source, but the engineers couldn't decipher the conversation."

"I know that the Navarro family does not utilize state-of-the-art mechs like Osiris, Ma'am," Sergeant Mogami stated. "The warring families in this planet still use Succession Wars and Clan Invasion era battlemechs. That lance most definitely came from off world. I'm willing to bet, they are the Redfield Renegades."

"We know they are coming, and we know they are mobilizing army as we speak," Neptune added. "I think we need to start gnawing their behind."

"But what if this is an ambush?" Korra massaged her temple. "What if this is what they want us to do? To think that they are an easy prey, then walk into a trap? We need more intelligence. More information. More data of the battlefield." She put up an overhead map of Langmore-Navarro border. "There are 450 kilometers of border between the two families on the eastern plain, full of hills and valleys, the textbook spots for ambush. I want this territory scouted before I even think of sending my troops there."

"My lance is capable of covering those range in a day," Mogami said.

"Then, Sergeant, let's just lock it in," Korra grinned wolfishly. "This is an intelligence gathering mission. Reconnoiter the eastern plain stretch. Find the bulk of the Redfield Renegades, or find out if they're already here at all. Take head count the best you can. I'm going to send my Pursuit Lance to cover the western plain. I want to map everything before making any decision."

"Yes, Ma'am." Mogami tossed a quick salute.

Neptune observed the map. The western plain was filled with rocky formation. 'Plain' was actually a misnomer. It was hard, if possible at all, for dropship to land in the western plain, and for battlemechs to travel through it without considerable effort. The eastern plain was much less treacherous. Anybody with working logic would choose the eastern plain for a drop-off site.

It might be just a coincidence, but after seeing the treacherous side of Commander Korra's mind, Neptune suspected that Korra didn't send Mogami's lance to gather information. She already knew the Redfield Renegade was at the eastern plain. She sent Mogami's lance as a bait. He didn't know what Korra wanted to accomplish with that feat. He only knew that she was sending Mogami's lance to their doom. And Mogami, with all her naivete, was eager to carry her order.

"Mogami's lance had already made contact with enemy lance," Neptune argued. "We have to assume that the enemy has seen them. Sending them back for a recon might be too dangerous. Perhaps it is better if they switch places, where they go to recon plain and our Pursuit Lance go to recon eastern plain."

"What are you saying, Lance Commander? My lance cannot handle a simple recon job?" Mogami sneered. Her eyes flickered in anger, thinking that Neptune was trying to belittle her contribution in the grand scheme.

"No I do not mean to insult your lance capability, Sergeant," Neptune replied. Mogami was just as stubborn as he was, and he had a feeling that she wouldn't take it easy. "I just merely state the fact that they had seen you. Next time you were there, they would kill you without questions. Our Pursuit Lance, on the other hand, had not been seen by the enemy."

"I know this place more than you do. I know its hills and valleys like the back of my hand. So do my lance mates. If anybody should perform high profile reconnoiter, it should be my lance."

"Then let me and my lance back you up."

"I have another plan for the Support Lance," Korra stated. "Your hindsight in this matter is appreciated, Neptune, but not required. Leave the planning to me. Just do your job and let others do theirs."

Neptune was not convinced, but there was nothing else he could do. Pushing this matter further would end up bad for him. So he just tossed a quick salute at Korra. "Yes, Ma'am," was all he could say.

"Any question, Mogami?" Korra gave Mogami a grievous look.

"No, Ma'am." Mogami straightened up her stance. "I will ready my team, Ma'am."

"Alright, then, dismiss," Korra concluded. "Everybody to battlestation. Let's get this done quick and with merit, so we all can go home."

As Korra and the other members of Lexington Legends cleared the command center, Mogami approached Neptune. Her stare was austere. "I know we are a small group of Davion loyalists in the periphery, and we are using old-tech mechs compared to yours. But to think that we are not capable of carrying our job is haughty. Next time you undermine my capability again, I will have you in a duel. Simulator, real time, bare handed, whatever you choose to assert your dominance over periphery mechwarriors. I will meet you."

"It is not my intention to demean your battle-worthiness, Sergeant," Neptune replied. He stole a quick glance at Korra, who was checking out the battleROM for additional information. "Walk with me," he said, then headed out of the building.

Mogami stood in silence for a couple of minutes, wondering if she should follow Neptune or regrouped with her lance mates instead. In the end she decided to follow Neptune since she had a feeling that he was about to give her more crucial information.

"You saw the map," Neptune rambled, making sure nobody was around to catch the conversation. "Eastern plain was the perfect spot for the Redfield Renegades to set up a landing zone. Western plain was rocky terrain. We know that the mercenary is on the eastern plain."

"I know that. I know the terrain. And I know the danger." Mogami replied curtly. "Still, we need this intelligence report. We need to know the strength of the landing force. We need to know how they set up their logistics. We need to know what entry point we can use to sneak behind their backs, if that's how you carry your war. I know how to do reconnaissance. And I seriously doubt that you do."

"You're lucky if this is an intelligence gathering mission," Neptune sighed.

"What do you mean by that?" Mogami cocked her brows.

"I don't think my commander needs more intelligence. I know she knows where the damn Redfield Renegades is located. And even if she needs more recon duties, she would've sent our Pursuit Lance to do the job. There's no sense sending your lance. You saw them, so we have to assume they saw you too."

"What are you saying?" Mogami perked her ears. "She has her own agenda?"

"To tell you the truth, I'm having some doubt about Commander Korra's leadership," Neptune lowered his voice. "You know she still keeps the Kuritan POW, don't you?"

"What does it have anything to do with this?" Mogami grunted.

"I don't know about politics, but I know that the Lexington Legends is not on equal footing with the Redfield Renegades. And you know what? So is the Okita family. The Renegades are here to wipe out the armed forces of the other families and to install the Navarro family as the sole ruler of the planet. If I were in Korra's position, I would use the prisoner to make a temporary alliance with the Okita. The enemy of my enemy is my friend. Yet Korra chooses to interrogate and torture the Kuritan prisoner for a crack at the Brian's Cache everybody has been crazy about."

"Probably relying on the technological advantage the Brian's Cache has to offer," Mogami starts to see where Neptune was going.

"The problem is the prisoner does not know anything, and we are here wasting time relying on information that she does not have in the first place."

"You certainly pay a lot of attention to the prisoner," Mogami groused.

"Why?" Neptune scoffed. "You jealous?"

It was a lighthearted comment that was not meant to spark a squabble, but being confronted with reality stung. "No I don't!" Mogami blurted, with a hint of nervousness in her voice. "Why would I be? She's just a Kuritan POW. Not that you're interested in her, are you?"

Neptune noticed the increase of pitch in her voice, and the redness in her cheeks. He had no idea his lighthearted comment ended up as an upsetting note for Mogami. This could be an interesting conversation. But the time was not right. He still had things to worry about.

"My point is, Sergeant, Commander Korra had been taking questionable decisions," he said. "I'm worried that she sent your lance to the border for a reason other than intelligence gathering."

Mogami looked at Neptune for a long time. "Why are you telling me this?"

"I uh… I hate to lose good warriors," Neptune tried to be as subtle as he could. The truth was he cared about her, a lot, but he didn't want to complicate things before the shooting started. "Especially when carrying out a folly."

Mogami turned around and observed the Lexington Legends battlemech row in the distance. The mercenary unit used similar technologies to the Davion loyalists; mechs from Clan Invasion era, although with much-advanced electronics and weapons. She was confident that she could do the same things they could. Her lance mates Sam, Alex, and Clover were capable mechwarriors, albeit a little quirky at times.

"Thank you for your concern," Mogami said gently. "But we don't have a choice in the matter. The order has been delivered, and I will carry it out. Surely you understand the chain of command, don't you?"

"Then please take all necessary measure to stay alive," Neptune replied, his voice coarse with gravity. "You will be alone, with no support, against an enemy that knows you are coming. Don't try to prove anything, and don't try to be a hero. Just carry out the order and go home."

Mogami was taken aback by Neptune sincere attention. He was different than mercenary stereotype that she learnt and observed for a long time. He was affectionate and empathic. She would gladly take back what she said about him, but it had to wait.

"I appreciate your attention," she said with a straight voice, but she failed to hide the delight in her face. "I will relay this information to my lance mates. In the mean time," she came closer to Neptune, lest somebody eavesdropped her, "be careful with who you talk to about Commander Korra. You don't know who's on your side and who wants to see your head on a spike. The wager of mutiny is death."

"You're the only one I share my thoughts with, and I don't plan to add another one," Neptune gave her a wink. "Thank you for your note."

"Consider it as a thank you note for your warning," Mogami backpedaled a good distance, then snapped a salute before turning away.