Chapter IX, by RogueBaron

Note: Sorry for the delayed update. We both have new schedules, and both are caught up with our own pet projects, so this story is a bit 'sidetracked'. But we don't completely forget about this. So here there are. Hope you enjoy it.

Irian, Free Worlds League,
April 14, 3068

Mario lost track of space and time. All he saw was the same bay, the same old man who still refused to say anything to him. His hunger and thirst was denied by the guards. By the end of the third day, he started hallucinating. The images of his lance getting blown up by Marik soldiers haunted him, and it kept him awake through most part of the night.

However, by the end of the third day two soldiers came in and dragged him out of his cell. They put him at an empty cell and threw water at him. Mario licked the water as much as he could, and after half an hour, he came to his senses. The big man and the petite woman entered the cell, and they let Mario roam the cell without restraint, which Mario took it as good news.

"We intercepted radio communications from a mercenary unit hired by the Free World," the big man said. "They were looking for a Mario Cruz, CO of fire lance of Screaming Eagles. Isn't it the name you claimed to be yours?"

"I told you that you got the wrong person," Mario replied.

"Why does the Free World want you?" the woman tuned in.

Mario was tired, hungry, and didn't see the point continuing his resistance. This group was clearly not associated with Free World. So he opened up, "The Screaming Eagles are contracted by the FedCom to download information from IBMU. According to FedCom's planetary recon, the complex was lightly guarded. It wasn't, and my lance was torn apart."

"Had you told us earlier, you wouldn't have to be hungry," she said in a timid tone.

"How do I know you're not one of them?" Mario grunted. "Who are you people?"

"We are just a group of IBMU hater," the big man explained. "My name is Goran, I am the anointed leader. This is Ilsa, my girlfriend and my right hand."

"What's up with you and the IBMU?" Marion couldn't suppress his curiosity.

"Let's just say we don't like the factory too close to our home," Goran mentioned. "They dump a lot of factory waste to waters, making people sick."

"Well maybe we can work together," Mario suggested. "After all, we're fighting the same enemy. You help me download the information, I help you attack their plant."

"Attack their plant, huh?" Ilsa chuckled. "How? Throwing stones?"

"Have you forgotten that I still have a mech?"

"The Scimitars have it," she replied. "It's the mercenary unit hired by the Mariks to garrison IBMU. It's a strong unit, consists mainly of heavies. You'll need a regiment before you can think of attacking IBMU. But we agree with you, we can help each other."

"Scimitars Nagereboshi and Drillsons are crawling over the field, looking for you," Goran said. "We'll wait until they recall their patrols. Then we'll hijack IBMU transports to get inside the plant. You can get whatever information you need, and rescue your friends if they're still alive. Whatever information it is, just make sure you use it to hurt the IBMU."

"Sounds good," Mario grinned. "How many of you can pilot a mech?"

"Three: Ilsa and two other technicians, but she is the only one capable of fighting. The techs drive them only for testing purposes. Why?"

"There should be plenty of new mechs lying around inside IBMU. If we're going inside, might as well steal some. You can get yourself a battlemech lance. I can teach you basic functions of battlemech weaponries, so you can use it to fight."

"In exchange of what?" Ilsa mused.

"Transportation out of Irian."

Goran and Ilsa looked at each other. "I like this kid," Goran stated.

"Then let's get him fed," Ilsa smiled, cueing Mario to follow her. "Come! It's not a'la carte, but you'll be surprised how tasty the food is."