CHAPTER 5

ROAD BLOCK

Review Corner:

longbowchris50 (and all Zoids fans): I hope this chapter gives you enough information about the world of Mechwarrior / Battletech

jdoug4118: not so fast. First they need the most essential thing in the world (as you'll see in this chapter)

Free Zone, Antallos,
Inner Sphere Periphery,
December 20, 3064

The morning sun illuminated the dark corner, giving Saskia a complete view of the Gilvader for the first time. The armor was shredded beyond recognition. Oil dribbled from multiple sections, giving an appearance that the zoid was slowly bleeding to death. Steam hissed from hydraulic lines, torn and melted by excessive exposure to PPC and missile blasts.

"Oh, Gilvy…" Saskia whimpered in hapless agony. The Gilvader purred in assurance, letting her know that it was still in good shape, but Saskia knew better. She knew the Gilvader wouldn't last long in this condition. In Planet Zi, she knew where to go and what to do to fix her zoid. Here, she was completely hopeless. She had no control of the situation. The only thing she could think of was to take it home, and even then it was still in doubt.

"Looks like the Band of The Damned had returned to Port Krin," Trystan returned from recon. "The quicker we go, the faster we get out of here."

"Please, Gilvy, I beg of you," Saskia hugged the Gilvader's claw as far as her arms could reach. "Stand eclipsed beneath these rocks. Wait for my return. I shall take us home. Please, just… be still."

The Gilvader emitted a soft purr, and Saskia knew she could trust the zoid. She followed Trytan to climb the escarpment, a 50-meter rocky wall that stood almost vertical. It was not a hard climb; the cliff had a lot of places to step on, but Saskia was out of shape. Trystan had to grab her hand and pull her up on dozens of occasion. Her face was drenched with sweat, and when she finally reached the top, she sprawled on the ground, breathing strenuously. Her arms and legs felt like jelly.

"Are you OK?" Trystan asked without a single glimpse of fatigue.

"Yes… heart but requires a moment…" Saskia muttered between heavy pants.

"Is your puppy going to be OK by itself?" Trystan looked down the ledge.

"Yes, he is fine," Saskia pulled herself up. "We can go."

"Why can't you just shut it down?" Trystan asked as he started walking. "That's what I would do with my battlemech. When I need to be on foot, I just shut it down."

"I can't cease Gilvy's core," Saskia huffed. "There is no shut down button. Think of it a human, shut down when breath forfeited. Zoids stand in equal footing."

"This is killing me," Trystan rubbed his temple. "You've been dragging that zoid like you're carrying a baby. It needs constant nurturing and attending and pampering. And holy crap, was it jealous!"

"He stood a titan against pirates!" Saskia took offense of Trystan's last comment. "Where is your battlemech? Did it rise to honor when yours is defiled? Did it come to rescue during servitude? Did it extend hands when escape from pirates?"

"Things don't work the way they work in your place," Trystan spat. "Battlemechs do not walk around by themselves wreaking havoc the way your zoid did. They are armored combat vehicles, able to turn a city block into rubbles in a matter of minutes, and controlled by your brain. Imagine you are wearing the most awesome body armor in existence, with unlimited power that responds to your command in a flick of a button. You'll feel like a god of war. But it's not a living organism. It's your armor, not your body part."

"A droid, absent soul," Saskia mused.

"Battledroid does have a nice ring to it, but some people don't like the use of the name and threaten to take legal measure," Trystan smirked. "Anyway, most battlemechs are designed in close resemblance to humans, with 2 hands, 2 legs, torso that twists at the waist, and head as the cockpit. They weigh 20 to 100 tons, the lightest being the fastest ones and the heaviest being the most armed and armored models. Often parts of their arms were replaced with weapons, cannons, machine guns, or missile launchers, giving the fearsome appearance for the opponents. As the wise Alexander Kerensky himself once stated: Fear Itself is Our Ally.

"The human pilot, called mechwarrior, controls the battlemech with a neural network embedded in the helmet, fashionably called neurohelmet. The neurohelmet reads the brain waves of the mechwarrior and used them to perform functions of the battlemechs: balance, movement, power management, heat management, weapons, and so on. You can't control all these aspects with your hands, the way you control automobile. Sometimes you think of something, and you'll need two seconds for your hands to materialize your thought into action. A neurohelmet negates the necessity of hand control. You think it, your battlemech immediately performs it, in a blink of an eye. It makes the battlemech, in essence, an extension of your body."

"The sound of tongue introduces the weight of mind," Saskia shot a small smile.

"What, too boring for a country girl like you?" Trystan scoffed. "Start to think I'm a nerd?"

"On the contrary. I myself have trained in the art of robotics as a Master Technician at Helic Republic. Your battlemech account but spurs my intent."

"Master Technician, huh?" Trystan snapped a mock salute. "That's 'Technical Sergeant' in Inner Sphere military structure, isn't it?"

"A rank long expired, best forgotten," Saskia giggled with a glint of blush. "I have since departed the military."

"The life too harsh for a country girl like you?" Trystan teased her more. Her blushing suddenly sent euphoria through his veins. "I have been working under a battlemech technician for a year. I learnt things I never thought I would, but now I'm glad because you and I have something in common, don't you think?"

"Then let words return to mechanics," Saskia quickly changed the subject. "What power does battlemechs feed?"

"Compact fusion reactors. Half of the mechwarriors in the Inner Sphere does not know this, but essentially they were sitting on top of a nuclear bomb."

"How is this detail ignored?" Saskia raised her brows.

"It is how the society dictates. A mechwarrior resides at the top of the society's echelons. It's an elite 'caste' of the society, in which the 'lower' castes work for them. It makes the mechwarriors ignorant about who actually make their battlemechs work in the first place."

"The resemblance with Zi is striking," Saskia added. "A past still bleeds the heart."

"Doesn't it aggravate you that you did the most work and somebody else gets the credit?" Trystan sneered. "I was once a mechwarrior and I never paid attention of this aspect of battlemechs. No wonder Lei Fong is a bitter man. When I get the Blazing Aces back, I'll give the techs the same priorities as the mechwarriors…"

"Words flow yet meaning fades," Saskia looked at Trystan funny.

"Sorry, I digress. Anyway, this reactor produces a lot of energy to power the battlemech and the weapons it wields. There are 3 types of weapons: ballistics, like autocannons and machine guns that shoot bullets and cannon shells, energy-based like laser and particle cannons, and missiles. Autocannons are highly destructive but depends on ammunition. Energy-based weapons do not have ammunition but generates a lot of heat. Missile weapons are like ballistics, depend on ammunition but generate little heat. And it is very versatile in wars. You can arm missiles with armor-piercing, high-explosive, or incendiary warheads, depending on the nature of the engagement."

"That weapon that hit Gilvy at the city…"

"Particle Projection Cannon, or PPC for short. It is one of the best weapons in existence. The shots have multiple effects on your battlemech: to destroy armor and structure, to increase heat, and to jam your electronics. Too many PPC hits will fry your radar. It is a very destructive weapon. But, it generates a lot of heat. Firing too many PPC too quick will shut down your battlemech."

"Do you own a battlemech?" Saskia asked.

"I did, but somebody stole it," Trystan sighed. "It was a rare Star-League Thunderbolt, with ultra-autocannon in place of classic missile launcher on its left shoulder. I hated it when I first got it. I wanted a battlemech with long range weapons. I wanted a sniper with a PPC, while the Thunderbolt was more of a medium-to-short-range brawler. But over time I learnt how to use it to my greatest advantage, and now I miss it."

"What is of Star League?"

"Star League is…" Trystan stopped walking and looked at Saskia in the eyes. "This part wouldn't interest you. You'll fall asleep before I can even explain what Star League is."

"Scores of paces in the coming stride," Saskia replied. "I prefer void filled with knowledge of your world."

"As you wish, then," Trystan continued to walk toward Port Krin. "Humans developed the faster-than-light travel in the 22nd Century, by building the first interstellar ship Pathfinder. After that, waves of waves of colonization fleet left Terra to find new places. One of the colonization ships was Globally 3, considered lost and scratched from Terran Fleet roster in the 24th Century, but apparently arrived in your home planet. It might have detoured from its original destination, or misjumped to an uncharted territory."

"By the 25th Century, human civilization had reached 550 light years away from Terra, covering 2 million stars and 2000 inhabitable planets. This region is called the Inner Sphere. To govern the vast civilization, humans created the Star League, a peace-keeping body that lasted 250 years. This was the golden age of human civilization. Technology reached its peak. But like all good things in human history, Star League crumbled in the 28th Century. Human civilization was divided into Successor States, or 'tribes' if you will, and engulfed in a debilitating war for almost 300 years, with no end in sight. All we gained during Star League era was virtually lost during the Succession Wars. Here we are, in the 31st Century, and we are still stabbing each other in the back. And since battlemechs are the pinnacle of military hardware, they are the center of any battlefield. Whoever controls battlemechs, controls the world."

"Where does Antallos lie?"

"Antallos lies outside the Inner Sphere, a region called Periphery. It is an independent world, ruled by pirate Band of The Damned. It is not caught in the wars among the Successor States, although the Band of The Damned is in a war with local bandit and mercenary holdings."

"And the Successor States?"

Trystan stopped again. "Do you really want to know about Successor States?"

"No," Saskia replied matter-of-factly. "Yet when mind requires distraction, knowledge serves purpose well."

"If it's knowledge you seek, then it's knowledge you'll get," Trystan sighed. "The Inner Sphere, as of now, is divided into 5 major regions. House Kurita, rules the region with bushido from ancient Japanese tradition; House Steiner, Bavarians who value their beer and large-bored Gauss guns above all else; House Marik of the Slavic descendants; House Liao, from the far-east land of China; and House Davion of the Anglo-American descendants. There are a few other minor states and mercenary commands, but these 5 makes up 80 percent of the armed forces of the Inner Sphere…"

Trystan went the great length to describe each Successor States, minor powers, and mercenary commands in the Inner Sphere. Saskia listened and took mental notes about everything Trystan said. The two of them were engrossed in the conversation until they arrived at Port Krin 2 hours later.

The city was on high alert with pirate battlemechs, helicopters, armored vehicles, thugs, and occasional fighter jets scrambling every corner of the city, presumably looking for the Gilvader. Trystan dipped his head to avoid detection from thugs and infantrymen, and chose to walk behind covers of cars or buildings, or right in the middle of a crowd.

"You tense from the pirate's alarm," Saskia noticed Trystan's behavior.

"Don't forget I am a renegade," Trystan whispered hoarsely. "Now keep your head down and don't make eye contact with the pirates. They can detect fugitives like sharks smelling blood."

"Perhaps I could elevate you to discovery, and spend reward for ticket back to Zi," Saskia quipped.

"You think they'll give you a reward for such betrayal? They're pirates, for crying out loud! Betrayal is their way of life!" Trystan snarled. He didn't know if Saskia was capable of doing something like that, and he hated the realization that he had to watch her as much as he had to watch for the pirates. "Is this how you treat somebody that saved your life?"

"Ease mind, I merely jest," Saskia smiled, enjoying Trystan's overreaction.

"I really appreciate it if you save your 'jest' for more appropriate time," Trystan grumbled. "Now is the time to focus!"

Saskia wanted to tease Trystan more but she could see him in utter distress. She didn't want to make their relationship sour, not when she still needed him to take her and her zoid out of Antallos. She followed his direction, walking in shadows, avoiding contacts with armed thugs on the streets, until they reached the space port.

Trystan checked the roster for dropships in the space ports, then walked toward a Union-C dropship by the corner. The big, bulbous ship was in mediocre condition, with pockmarks and burnt craters decorating its armor plating. Some technicians congregated around one of its engines, and Trystan could smell the foul stench of burning oil reeking from the engine.

"The roster said that these guys are just delivering goods and will leave Antallos soon," Trystan said to Saskia. "I will talk to the captain. Don't say anything. If they hear your accent, they may get suspicious."

"Fine. But I listen," Saskia replied. "If you seek advantage of me or Gilvy, I will shred your guise and raise alarm."

Trystan gave Saskia a dirty look, then approached the man shouting orders to the technicians.

"Is your dropship having problem?" Trystan asked.

"Only minor oil leak," the man replied. "It should be fixed tomorrow, if not sooner." He looked at Trystan from head to toe, wondering if the scrawny young man was worth his time. "Why are you asking?"

"I need a service out of Antallos," Trystan said coldly.

"What's the cargo?"

"Two people, me and my companion," Trystan threw his gaze at Saskia for a quick second, "and a large 'package', 500 tons give or take."

"What's in the package?" the man sneered, boasting a set of decaying teeth.

"None of your business."

"Aha. Contraband?"

"You could say that. Anyway, have you heard a world called 'Zi'?"

"What?" the man pricked his ears, looking at Trystan like he was an alien of some sort. "What did you say?"

"Zi System, Zi Planet, Zi Constellation?" Trystan said.

"Never heard anything like that before," the man said, then yelled at somebody inside the dropship. "Hey Cole! Have you heard a place called Zi before?"

"What?" the guy shouted back.

"Zi! A place called Zi!"

"No! What place is that?"

"I don't think my first mate know about it either," the man shook his head. "Is that where you're going?"

"Possibly," Trystan winced.

"Well this dropship is not going there, that's for sure," the man grumbled. "We are leaving at noon tomorrow, and will dock with Jumpship Eternal Sunshine 6 hours later. If you want a hike, be here by noon tomorrow and bring 300,000 c-bills."

"Three hundred grand?! Why that expensive?" Trystan bemoaned.

"Hazardous oversight. You wouldn't tell me what's in your package, so I have to cover for the bribes if somebody makes a big deal about it, and to keep my crews off your package lest they make a big deal about it. I will guarantee, though, that I will keep your package 'virgin'. No one will touch it under my watch."

"Where do I get 300,000 c-bills in a day?"

"Not my problem, Man. Be here, or not be here tomorrow at noon. And be here with money. You're not going on my 'ship without money."

"Aw, crap!" Trystan let out a sharp sigh. He grabbed Saskia by the arm and led her to a shady corner of the spaceport. "Listen, there are some complications…"

"There are other vessels in this place," Saskia hissed. "Find one absent complications!"

"You don't understand…" Trystan looked into Saskia's eyes in the earnest. "I don't think anybody here knows about Planet Zi."

"What makes head come to said conclusion? Did tongue spread words about Zi to other captains?"

"No, but the result will be the same."

"An assumption drawn from lazy mind!"

"You want me to ask, I'll ask!" Trystan growled. "But it's the least of our problems. No one will take us without money. Do you understand the concept of money? Universal trade system. Green pieces of paper with certain values."

"Do not think me fool! I know what money is!" Saskia retorted.

"The captain demanded a large amount of money to take your zoid. I don't have that money. In fact, I don't have money at all. You may have some but I doubt anybody will take it."

"Come to plain words," Saskia said, suspecting that Trystan was suggesting something.

"We may have to sell your zoid," Trystan said slowly, preparing for a hail storm from Saskia.

"What?!" Saskia reacted exactly the way Trystan anticipated. "No! He goes wherever I go!"

"The cost for our tickets is less than 1 percent of what the captain suggested. The captain charged us with astronomical fee because of your zoid. I know you love it, but we are in this position because of it. Come on, consider selling it. Buy tickets, go home, and buy another one just like that."

"No!"

"It's just a machine! How come it's more important than your life?"

"He is my heart," Saskia looked into Trystan's eyes with embers in her eyes. "I will not see it stopped beating, or treated like a clunker!"

"Why are you such a stubborn idiot?" Trystan lost his patience.

"One deserving own decision, absent ingrate runt that whined for his life, only to sell the shield that keeps head attached to chest!" Saskia started to walk away. "I told you I did not need help!"

"What do you think you're going to do?" Trystan said, half yelling. "Your zoid is half dead anyway!"

"Then I shall fall with him!" Saskia snorted.

Trystan didn't understand the devotion of Saskia to her machine. He had seen mechwarriors that treated their battlemechs like friends, but in a situation like this, they would sell their machines in a heartbeat. Nobody would choose his battlemech over his life. If Saskia didn't say she came from a planet nobody had heard before, Trystan would have thought she was mentally ill.

But regardless, her words held the truth. Trystan got a shot at freedom because of Saskia and her zoid. As stupidly ludicrous as it was, selling the zoid would cheat them from what they deserved.

"Alright, alright, I may have another way," Trystan had a feeling he would regret this decision. "I will visit a friend…"

"Friend?" Saskia turned and stabbed Trystan with her stern stare.

"I am not selling your zoid, if that's what you're asking," Trystan replied. "He may not have 300 grand but he may have a pointer on how to get such money within a day."

"What do you want me to do?" Saskia asked.

"Just trust me. I am trying to get us out of here…"

"Three of us," Saskia quickly howled. "I shall have words Gilvy is coming!"

"Cross my heart," Trystan made a cross in his chest with his arms. "Like before, let me do the talking."