Chapter VIII, by Kat Wylder


Scimitar Temp. HQ,
Irian, Free Worlds League,
April 12, 3068

Colonel Aari heaved a sigh as he walked out of the infirmary and started peeling the bandages off his forehead.

"Ken, for the last time, will you stop doing that?" Nannen scolded as she trotted up beside him. She thwacked his wrist and frowned. "Honestly, you're like a little kid."

Aari yielded and replaced the dressing. "Okay, okay," he grumbled. "Hey, how's Audren doing?"

"Oh, he'll be fine in a day or two. Amazingly, he was only a little beat up-- no major injuries. Speakin' of-- good work out there."

Aari simply nodded. He still couldn't believe that actually worked, but it was a brilliant stroke of fate. Losing another MechWarrior right now would be very bad for morale, in addition to the obvious tragedy. "Is everyone ready for the briefing?" he asked finally.

"Yep. Just waitin' on you, sugar."

The two continued down the corridor of the old radar station to what served as a briefing room. All of the IBMU complex buildings were occupied at the moment, so their employers had cleaned out a previously abandoned firebase and its surrounding facilities. The field nearby was wide and flat, and provided a nice landing space for the company's dropships. That was a benefit he was most glad to have, considering how quickly the opposing forces had shown up earlier.

"You made it," observed Jameson. He leaned back in his chair and smiled as Aari and Nannen walked into the room. Whit sat to his right and Major Farthings, the armor was seated in his left. Ramesh, the only absent member, was out on patrol.

"Evening, kids," Aari said with a chuckle as he and Nannen each took a chair.

Whit nodded and cleared his throat. "Uh, sir? I… have some… bad news. Our Nagereboshi found the escaping 'Mech. Unfortunately, a group of Harassers found it, too."

"The pilot got out of his 'Mech and made a wide-band transmission," said Farthings, "but the Harassers jumped out and ordered him to surrender."

"So, I'm guessing those weren't his friends. The FWL?"

"No, sir," she said. "We already asked the defenders and local PD. They don't know anything about it, and there were no insignias on the tanks. We did get the MechWarrior's transmission. He identified himself as Mario Cruz and tried to raise 'Command Lance' over the comm. We didn't pick up any response, and I don't think he did, either."

Nannen chuckled. "Well, this is interesting. I'm guessing we'll be doubled up on patrols, from now on."

Col. Aari nodded. "We still don't know who the attackers were or how many of them are left in the field. Now we have to watch out for the group commanding those tanks… Whit, see if the local defenders know anything about this unmarked group, and get an extended terrain map. As soon as you find anything on the attackers or the rogues, send the Nagereboshi out on recon. Farthings, I want the Drillsons out on perimeter duty."

"Will do," she chimed.

"Until this contract is over, I need two MechWarriors on garrison duty at all times. When Ramesh's lance gets back in, we can set up a shift chart. In the meantime, I'm going to go have atalk with out 'guests'."

"Better be careful," said Jameson with a grumbly chuckle. "The more vocal one says he wants a piece of 'the jerk in the Marauder.' He said a few other things that I decline to repeat."

"I'll keep that in mind."

"If you don't let me outta here, right now, I'll--!"

"You'll what? Annoy me to death?" Hyper chuckled and smiled, as she tilted the piece of scrap she held back towards her face like a tanning mirror. "Hm, this place really isn't so bad. Kinda 'meh', but not bad."

"When we get out of here, you're going to get it good, girl."

"Oh, you're going to get something for me?" she giggled. "You're too sweet." Hyper grinned and turned back away from the fuming prisoner and grinned wickedly. Guard duty was so much fun sometimes.

"Give it a rest, Blitzie," said one of the pilots from the scout lance. "They're not going to let us out any time soon."

"That all depends," Col. Aari said, as he walked across the field to the garage-turned-brig. "If you cooperate, I might be willing to let bygones be bygones. If you don't I might just keep you here awhile longer, or I could turn you over to the FWL…"

Before anyone else could respond, a young woman spoke up. "Can't speak for them, but I don't want to deal with the Mariks."

"What are you doing?!" growled another.

"Quiet!" Aari growled. He turned to the young woman. "Does the name Mario Cruz ring a bell?"

"Yeah," she said with a nod. "He's the lance-leader for Fire Lance."

"Shut up!" growled Blitzie, grabbing the bars between their cells.

"I'm not telling him anything classified, you idiot!" she shot back.

"Does Cruz or your company have any enemies around here? Any that might have dropped by Irian recently?" continued Aari.

The young woman looked a little confused and shook her head. "Not that I know of."

Aari frowned and chewed his lip, as he turned and walked back across the field. This was even more of a puzzle. If there was no one on Irian who had a reason to capture the MechWarrior, then the Scimitars could be targeted as well. This was situation was growing less enjoyable by the minute. The IMBU never warned them of any rogue groups, rebels, or pirates. A third mercenary company was unlikely, but it was a possibility.

"Blick," he called, as he walked into the building that served as a barracks. "Get your gear, we're going on a little field trip."