Chapter VIII
Chapter VIII FCS Farragut, Eagle-Class Frigate,
Carver V Recharge Station,
Chaos March,
January 2, 3060
The pro-Davion citizen from Hastina had been safely transported to Farragut, a FedCom frigate that was operating close to Carver V. The captain of the ship had announced that Farragut would jump out of the system. Morale was high, but some still felt queasy because the Knell's Cavaliers would leave behind a number of lance mates without proper burial, the Psycho was still on the loose, and the mole had not been revealed. So Sebastian went to talk with the Shooting Stars, and the rest of the Knell's Cavaliers went to the bar to relax and talk about their situation.
"I'm just happy we're getting out of here," Bill Xander stated, feet up on a table, chugging his scotch. "This campaign is ill-fated from the start. We were just shields for the Shooting Stars down there. How many men we lost? Five! How many men the Shooting Stars lost? None! See what I'm saying?"
"You can't count the Psycho," Evee commented. "He's not deceased. He left us."
"I agree with Bill," Daniel Wilks tuned in. "We accept this job because we thought it was just an evacuation mission. With all the resources we lost, I'd say FedCom should pay us more for hazardous oversight."
"They're not gonna," Kangpae puffed. "It's not their fault that our friend sold us."
"We still leave them on Carver V," Allison bemoaned. "We haven't even salvaged their mechs. This mission is too costly for us. Our loss is more than our gain, even with Davion's money."
"You talk like kids," Jules Hidleman hissed. "We're living off a contract, and less lance mates mean more money for you! What, you haven't learnt arithmetic in your life? You morons!"
"So you're just getting happier and happier if more lance mates getting killed in the battlefield," Daniel rebuked. "You're just one cold sonofabitch!"
"That's the life of a mercenary," Jules replied unenthusiastically. "There's no place for camaraderie, only money."
"You know what I think?" Bill got up and walked toward Jules. "You're right. You're so damn right, you gave up our position to the Liao so they could intercept the Scout Lance. I bet you're working with Psycho. So Ash, Matt, Chris, and Sandra died, and you just pick up the pieces for yourself."
"I was a Davion, and am still a Davion," Jules replied curtly. "Who are you judging me? Your entire life is nothing but a thief, yet you talk like a missionary. I know about you. Redjack Ryan puts a price on your head because you're stealing from him. Once a traitor, always a traitor!"
"Alright, guys, fighting among ourselves will not help us," Evee tried to stop them. "Let's talk with cool heads…"
"I'm done thinking," Bill fizzed. "When this mission is over, I'm getting out. I'm done working with traitors."
"Then this will change your mind," suddenly Sebastian entered the bar, followed by Mayor Systain. "Mayor Systain said that there's an HPG uplink station 30 kilometers south of Hastina. It's hidden in a mountain range, but now that Hastina is swarming with Zhanzheng deGuang, FedCom wants it destroyed before the Liao bastards can use it. They want us to evacuate the crew and destroy the HPG uplink."
"This is too much for such a small amount of money," Daniel protested. "We're not paid well enough."
"I will authorize some bonus from the city fund of Hastina," Systain replied. "The city of Hastina will pay you for each Liao terrorist you destroy. Just take this as a token of our appreciation when you get us out of danger. Unfortunately, we can only support a lance."
"Evee, Allison, I'm sorry but you're out for this one," Sebastian said. "Nothing against you girls, but I just need heavy firepower. Bill, you in?"
"No Sir," Bill Xander replied unenthusiastically. "I'll sit this one out."
"Very well, then. Daniel, Jules, Kangpae, we'll drop off at the site in 20 hours. While the crews pack up and mount explosive on the HPG uplink, you provide cover fire for any possible harm. We'll take off 30 minutes later. If everything goes well, you don't even have to fire your weapons. But if we do engage in fighting, that'll work for your advantage. This is a win-win game for you."
"How can we be sure that nothing will go wrong?" Kangpae asked. "This is supposed to be a simple evacuation mission, but so far we already lost 5 lance mates."
"I know we still have some mole issue," Sebastian drew a long breath. "But it can be anybody. As the commander of the Cavaliers, I will trust you. Just keep your eyes open. However, if you dare to betray my trust, I will crush you. Understand?"
"Yes Sir!" everybody answered in unison.
"Alright then, you have 20 hours. Use it wisely."
As Sebastian and Systain left, Jules left the bar, followed by Kangpae, Daniel, and Allison. Evee saw Bill continued drinking alcohol, and remembered that he was the only one that did not raise his hands. She decided to play a little detective on him, so she sat in front of him and ordered a beer for herself.
"Are you that sick of fighting with this unit?" she popped the bottle. "You passed the opportunity to become twice as rich."
"Sick?" Bill chuckled. "Listen to me girl. I'm a mercenary at heart. I'll fight anything to get money. But I also love myself. I ain't gonna go back to Carver V knowing that one of us is a traitor. I might be greedy but not that greedy. You should be lucky the commander didn't pick you up."
Evee wanted to hit Bill with her bottle, but she refrained. "Is it true that you're wanted by the Redjack Ryan because you stole from him?"
"Why do you ask?" Bill smiled mockingly. "Checking out if I'm the traitor?"
"Are you?"
"Huh! Are you? No one is clean. I am sitting here with you talking about things, but I think you could be the traitor, and I know you are thinking if I'm it. That's why I lost interest in this unit. Once trust is lost, there's nothing to fight for… even when the money is big. "
Once again, Evee was amazed by the depth of individuals in her unit. Even the seemingly greed-driven Bill Xander passed the opportunity to make money because of trust. Bill was right, there was no trust among the mercenaries anymore. Well, she knew Allison was not the traitor, but that was it. Evee finished her bottle, said goodbye to Bill, then went to her bunk to rest.
Next on Escape from Carver V:
"Commander! Commander, are you alright?"
"My mech's damaged. The gantry was booby-trapped. Farragut, this is Sebastian Knell, dropship is out… repeat, dropship is out! Request immediate evacuation! Farragut… do you read? Get out of here Kangpae. Save yourself."
"No! We can signal the FedCom for med-evac. I'm taking you with me."
"They jammed the transmission. I'm doomed. Leave me and save yourself."
"With all due respect, Sir, I'm not leaving you alone.