CHAPTER 20

INTO THE LIGHT

Review Corner

SulliMike23 and The Colonel: And more of him…..

AncientRaig: Maybe you're right, but my source also suggests the -5Sd replaces the Large Laser with Large Pulse Laser. So it removes LRM15 with 2 tons ammo (9 tons), 2 MG with 1 ton ammo (2 tons), and Large Laser (5 tons) for a total of 16 tons, and installs UAC5 with 2 tons ammo (11 tons) and Large Pulse Laser (7 tons) for a total of 18 tons. Considering everything else the same, the -5Sd is still 2 tons overweight. Something else has to go, and I just assume it's the SRM2.

Solaris City, Solaris VII,
Freedom Theater, Lyran Alliance,
March 3, 3065

"The Bertoli Mafia is a thorn in our flesh," Captain Morton from Solaris City PD explained as Trystan, Saskia, Valen, Dee Dee, Ronan, Lei Fong, and Osiris sat in his office. The holo-projector flashed images of members of the Bertoli family. "Their primary business is gambling. They fix matches, bribe players and officials, sabotage battlemechs, and blackmail personnel to control the outcome of the games. In addition to that, they also trade contrabands, prostitution, and money laundering. Anything you would expect from a mafia family."

"Why did you get tangled with the Bertoli Mafia?" Captain Kyle Garret from 160 Davion Guards added.

"It started 2 years ago when I first visited Solaris City with my sister," Trystan explained. "We were recruiting at that time. We went to Thor's Shieldhall and got into a fight with Mac Storm and his girlfriend. It's been 2 years; I didn't even remember it when I returned to Solaris. I came to hook up with Ronan O'Reilly, a candidate I interviewed 2 years ago but couldn't follow up due to the passing of my mother."

"My condolences," Kyle Garret said. "Captain Morton said he worked on this case."

"I did for a while, but SCPD froze the case for lack of progress," Morton added. "All the suspects and witnesses left Solaris before I could do anything."

"The murderers are on their way to Chara III as we speak," Trystan scoffed.

"And you know this how?" Morton raised his brows.

"It's a long story, but we are going there to intercept them. The only reason we stop at Solaris is to pick up Ronan O'Reilly. I swear, we do not have other intention. I had already forgotten the incident with Mac Storm. I did not know that he still held a grudge against me and my sister, or that he was tied to some mafia."

"Solaris games are not the Olympics, son," Morton snorted. "There is a lot of money involved in Solaris games. And where there's money, there's mafia."

"Like flies to dung," Kyle Garret added.

"Understood, Sir," Trystan nodded. "We'll be on our way, as soon as we can find the next jumpship to Chara System. We missed our designated flight."

"The next one could be in 2 months," Morton sighed. "Might as well find something to do here."

"Uhm, I don't think we can wait, Sir," Trystan looked at Saskia. "We have to be at Chara III in days."

"Sorry, son, but I can't help you with it."

"I tell you what," Kyle Garret drew his notebook. "I know Lieutenant Colonel Jason Youngblood, the head instructor of Pacifica Training Academy at Chara III. The 160 Davion Guards worked with Pacifica several times in the past. There is a FedCom ship going to Chara System. It will stop at Solaris VII in two days. I will ask Jason if you can take a ride. If he agrees, then you can hop on that FedCom ship. That's your only chance to get out of here quickly."

"Anything is good, Sir," Trystan beamed with much expectation. "Thank you very much!"

"Contact me tomorrow night, I will tell you what Captain Garret says about this arrangement," Morton tuned in. He turned to Kyle, "Are you comfortable letting them go?"

"Do you have enough to hold them?" Kyle replied with a shrug. "The Vandenberg case is frozen anyway."

"All right then, you can go," Morton huffed at Trystan. "You have two extra days at Solaris City. Stay away from the mafia. If I have to bust you out from the Bertolis again, I'll lock you all up for tampering with police work. Now get out of my office."

"Thank you Sir," Trystan rose to his feet and shook the hands of Captain Morton and Captain Kyle Garret vigorously. "I really appreciate your help!" He turned to his crews and ushered them out of the room like a kindergarten teacher herded a bunch of little children back to the classroom.

"We've been lucky so far," Valen made a comment as they went out of the building. "Between the mafia and getting stuck here for a long time..."

"Dude, I don't mind staying here," Dee Dee rebuked. "The compensation of fighting in Class-6 arena is enough to buy a new mech. You can fund a stable after winning some championships. That's what I want to do, to build a stable, hire good mechjocks, and retire rich."

"If you're good enough to get past the arena fightings," Lei Fong spat. "You're eyeing the wrong aspects of Solaris. You wanna die rich? Bet wisely. You can make a fortune without firing a single shot."

"Freebirth! Surat!" Osiris mumbled in disgust. "You barbarians disgrace the sanctity of war with your stravag greed! Freebirth savashri!"

Trystan held Saskia's arm to let the rambunctious team walk farther away from the police station, then turned toward her. "I know you are upset about the encounter with the mafia, and the delay to go to Chara III. I am sorry, I didn't anticipate my past to catch up with me and raise blockade in our course."

"An unnecessary entanglement, born of thick skull," Saskia, who was mostly silent since Solaris cops invaded the arena, spoke solemnly. "Lei Fong and I gave voice to reason, yet it fell on deaf ears. This is but the price due, encumbering all who follow."

"Again, I am sorry, I overlooked Mac Storm," Trystan bemoaned. "I just have to get O'Reilly in my squad. His skill is invaluable for our hodgepodge lance. We need him."

Saskia let out a long, drawn sigh. "Be grateful the wait is not more than 2 days. Now strike it from thoughts, and place mind and effort towards more reasonable pursuits. Perhaps weaving your men into a tight-knit unit."

"I'll look into it," Trystan nodded and smiled, then held Saskia's hand tighter and drew her closer to him. "Speaking of my men, don't ever bet their lives again. They are my men, not yours."

Saskia yanked her hand free and looked deep into Trystan's eyes, fighting fire with fire. "What would you have me do? Fight Mac Storm in your stead? What would your men think upon laying eyes, their commander cowers with shriveled cock? Your men, your responsibility. Fight for them, and see labor rewarded with respect."

"I was working on it! I was coming up with a scheme without putting their lives on uncertain future!"

"Mac Storm fought for reputation. You fought for life, and the lives of your men. Result gleams as the sun at break of dawn."

"It's not that simple, considering I haven't fought in a battlemech for more than a year."

"You yet stood victor. A beast strikes hardest when fights with back against wall. You know not what you are, Trystan. Reticence tethers hands to ground. Break shackles and set mind to purpose. If you are to lead your men to full potential, you must start with your own."

Trystan could only shot a bitter smile. He still groused over Saskia's overstepping, but he started to see her reason. She merely did his job to protect his team, something he should've done in the first place. What would happen if she didn't do it? He would die, obviously, and the rest of the team would lose their assets. They would be stranded in Solaris with dubious future. And Saskia, she would definitely take the shortcut: fight to the death before the Bertolis could take advantage of her.

And what would happen if she stepped up to fight Mac instead of him? Nobody would respect him as a leader. Trystan should've been thankful Saskia didn't humiliate him in front of his crews.

"I uh… I don't know what to say," he exhaled sharply. "You saved the team and my face. I shouldn't be ingrate and complaining. Now I see you more befitting to lead this unit than myself."

"There are many words I would use toward your disposition," Saskia replied with a much gentler tone. "Unfitting lives not amongst them. I see things in you that you yourself do not. An ember, fueled by love of a mother. It needs air and tinder to ignite, and flames shall test gold."

"You see a lot in me," Trystan said, trying to hide the pinkish blush in his face. Her compassion really moved him, to the point he felt small in her presence. He started to see Saskia the way he never saw anyone before. "I admit my disadvantage. I have not seen many things in you."

"Eyes mature with age," Saskia gave him a small smile. "Presently, let 'gratitude' balance the scale."

"Gratitude, eh?" Trystan snickered as he remembered a smooth maneuver to sweep a girl off her feet, told by his sister when they were teens. At that time he scorned her. But now he was willing to do anything to enchant the wonderful woman in front of him. "You know, I'm Swedish. The Swedes have a unique way to express 'gratitude' to each other, especially when they are overwhelmed by deep gratification. With your permission, I will show you my utmost gratitude and respect in the Sweden's way."

"Uhm… alright," Saskia scowled, but with a glint of curiosity in her voice.

"Here we go," Trystan grabbed her by the arm, gently leaned toward her, and kissed her on the lips.

It was meant to be a quick peck, but the feeling was so mesmerizing his entire body ceased to function. His mind exploded with brilliant colors. His spine turned to mush, and he struggled to not fall forward. His senses stopped working, giving way to the taste of her silky, tender, moist, and oh-so-sweet lips. He closed his eyes to savor the taste, and before long, he started mashing his lips on hers.

Saskia stood like a statute, letting him have his way, but after a while she started to reciprocate. Soon the kiss became deeper and more enthusiastic, and Trystan started to feel his pants became tighter. Trystan had not coupled with anybody, but he knew his body well. He knew what would happen if he continued, so he painfully broke contact before good times turned into utter embarrassment.

"A fascinating way," Saskia's eyes fluttered open. "An honor, to be the receiving end."

"Well then, do you want to uhm… " Trystan smiled awkwardly, "… continue?"

"Gratitude well received, yet we need not elevate ourselves to climax," Saskia smiled, noticing the bulge in Trystan's pants, which impressed her with its size. "One step at a time."

Trystan had already opened his mouth when he noticed somebody was watching them a few steps away. He turned to see who it was, and gasped when he recognized the person. His face turned completely red as he tried to strategically cover the bulge in his pants, but it only made him look even more ridiculous.

"Lieutenant Lantham," he cleared his throat, trying his best to look professional. "Good to see you again."

"I told them that I am done with them," Vicky spoke calmly, as if Trystan's awkwardness didn't bother her. "I told them that I was not a secretary, or an office administrator, or a personal assistant. I am a pilot. I am a warrior, a very good one. I am wasting my talent taking the Duke's relatives to leisure interests. My place is on the front line, between flaks and explosions and sonsofbitches trying to shoot me down."

"Well, uhm, good!" Trystan nodded. "You have come to your senses."

"Is your offer still open?"

"To join my crew? Well, things have changed since we last met…"

"Save the negotiation for later," Vicky interjected. "If you still have it, I'll take it." She turned to Saskia, pouring bile from her eyes. "We'll see if I'm the right girl for the position, or just somebody who wiggles tongue in proper assholes!"

"Well, then, welcome aboard, Lieutenant!" Trystan snapped before Saskia could say anything. "We leave in two days. Here is my number. Call me for time and place to liftoff."

"Pleasure," Vicky grabbed Trystan's hand, then walked away as briskly as she came.

"Are you going to allow this?" Saskia raised her voice.

"Of course!" Trystan replied. "We need eyes in the sky, and she's a good one."

"I'm a pilot! I can be your eyes in the sky!"

"But you're not staying with me, are you? You're going home. I need somebody who commits for a few years."

"She's unreliable, egotistical, and resolves to but spreading legs when presented with circumstances she cannot fight her way clear of!"

"What's with your hostile mood?" Trystan couldn't help but cringed. "Saskia, are you jealous?"

"Jealous? I'm not jealous! Your tongue flaps too freely within mouth!" Saskia blurted, but the burst of pinkish hue on her cheeks was evident enough of her lying. "See it confined, or find it wagging between improper places!"

"You're jealous of Vicky!" Trystan sniggered, watching Saskia making a fool of herself for the first time.

"Why would I? The sentiment is far removed!" Saskia quickly turned around and started leaving Trystan behind. "Once again goodwill counsels, only to be spurned like rotten eggs! Don't lament with teary eyes when she takes you down with her lacking!"

"Oh, come on, Saskia!" Trystan followed her, grinning from ear to ear. He didn't know what it was, either the kiss made him drunk, or the clear evident that Saskia was consumed by blind jealousy, but he felt like he was flying between clouds, with the warmth from the sun made him fuzzy. Never mind the gritty struggle with Mac and the mafia, he just wanted to savor the delight, and hoped it never ended.

Backdraft Eastern-Front Facility,
Eastern Continent, Planet Zi,
March 4, ZAC 2129

For a few days Khyron pulled all the images and videos from every camera in the facility, but none of them showed the identity of the intruder. He only saw two men dressed in complete black breaking into Backdraft defense and downloaded information about Faster-Than-Light travel, the project he was working on to build a 'bridge' from Planet Zi to Terra.

Khyron replayed a sequence for the hundredth time, trying to find a glimpse of the intruders, but he couldn't get anything. The intruders seemed to know the position of the cameras inside the facility. They never looked directly into the camera's direction. And the fact that they knew exactly where to go made him think that the intruders knew the facility.

"Either they were professional, or they were Backdraft employees," one of his computer engineers stated.

Khyron agreed. The evidence was overwhelming. He had been suspecting Laeta since she changed her behavior following the disappearance of Saskia. Before Saskia went missing, Laeta was a submissive employee who carried orders without questions. Then she started questioning orders, appearing in places she was not supposed to be, and missing work, which became exponentially worse after the break in.

But he couldn't bring her to light. She maintained a clean record. She had defense for every single excuse she made, and he couldn't find a hole to exploit. She was a model employee. Her productivity decreased after the break in, but everybody confirmed that she was rebuilding a relationship with her high school sweetheart. She was spotted numerous times doing things Khyron didn't even care to know.

However, he had a hunch that Laeta was not as innocent as she looked.

"What is of the recording of my organoid?" Khyron suggested.

"None that merit replaying; it was too damaged to divulge anything," the engineer replied. "It bludgeoned head upon zoid. Everything was lost."

"Play it again!" Khyron growled.

"Sir…"

"Play it again!" he barked. "Fact shall press itself to discovery if presented with resolve!"

The engineer switched the disc. A blurry image appeared on the screen, too grainy to show anything meaningful. The only thing visible from the broken record was movements. There were a lot of movements recorded in the file, but it was almost impossible to make out anything else.

Khyron waited patiently until the clock showed the time around the break in. He squinted in painful fashion as the screen moved erratically. Then the movement stopped for a brief moment, following by a massive quake before everything came to a complete stop.

"Hold! Hold! Hold!" he instructed the engineer. "Take a few seconds back!"

The engineer followed his direction, rewinding the tape to the time around the brief pause.

"Hold! Interpolate!"

"Sir, days past we interpolated absent result…"

"Rattle tongue and see career advanced no further!" Khyron roared. "Interpolate! Now!"

The engineer tapped a few keys, and the image on the screen became smoother, but still there was nothing to extract. However, Khyron saw something that he missed before.

"Increase power of interpolation," Khyron demanded.

"Sir, it would burn days to complete…"

"Then decrease grid. Here," he pointed at the screen. "Just this area."

The engineer did what he said. The area he designated became clearer and clearer, and after nearly half an hour, it started to show the head of a woman.

"By Helic's blood! How did you know?" the engineer exclaimed.

"Run the facial recognition system!" Khyron snarled.

The engineer followed his direction. Even though the image was still blurry, the program picked up the facial features in no time. Within one minute Laeta's files and mug shots sprawled across the screen.

"Bitch!" Khyron roared. "I knew it was her!" He turned to his lieutenants. "Bring her in!"

"She had been absent for two days," one of them stated.

"Then find her! Turn Rose City upside down if you must! Take her to interrogation chamber!"

"What is of her boyfriend, Sir?"

"Take but his head!" Khyron grimaced. "Hold it as example of Backdraft's standing in dealing with thieves!"

Author's Note:

Part 2 is complete. At this point the story has received 1000+ hits with 29 reviews, which is not bad for an R-rated crossover. Thank you all for reading and reviewing. I will take a break to pursue other "interest". I will return with Part 3 in October, give or take a week.