Hap stood at the foot of his Griffin surveying the damage the Jump Infantry Platoon had done to his 'mech. There were pot marks and cracks all over the armor. There was also a dent he suspected he had made when he tried to "sweep" the infantry off his mech. On top of all this were the scorch marks and blistered and peeling paint from where Joker had sprayed his 'mech down with his Firestarter's flamers.
Hap glanced at the other 'mech's in his lance. Joker's Firestarter had lost most of the armor on its right leg from an anti-mech mine, and there were a few pot-marks from infantry crew-served weapons. Mag's Jenner had a deep crater in the chest armor, it looked like an energy weapon had made it. Finally was Anastasia's Valkyrie. Her 'mech didn't appear to have any damage.
Mags and Joker approached him, "Man those infantry bastards really did a number on your 'mech." Joker said. "Lucky for you I was there."
"Yeah. Thanks again." Hap said as he felt the heft and weight of the vibro-dagger that had previously been owned by one of the ill-fated jump-infantry.
Anastasia walked up to Hap and pushed herself under his arm. The techs and Selene also walked up. Selene stood next to Anastasia and with a simple hand motion Anastasia commanded the coyote to sit. Hap wondered if Selene would obey a command from him, let alone a casual hand wave.
"Damn Hap, what the hell happen to your 'mech?" Brant asked
"Jump Infantry." Hap said.
"I should have guessed." Brent seemed to be mentally calculating the amount of work. "It's probably not as bad as it looks."
"You can't see it from here, but they also damaged my cockpit hatch, I'll come by later and help you fix it."
"Don't worry about what Roweyna said, we'll get you taken care of. No worries. Mags' Jenner just needs some armor replaced, the Professor managed to avoid getting her 'mech damaged, and I can tell from here that the damage to Joker's 'mech is pretty easy too. It's usually easier to replace a whole portion than to patch."
"What you got there, Hefe?" Mags asked
Hap passed the vibro-dagger over to her, "A jump-infantry vibro-dagger. The last owner was trying to use it to pick the lock of my 'mech's hatch."
Mags took the vibro-dagger and weighed it in her hand. She skilfully flipped it a few times before she activated the vibro function and then turned it off before turning the blade in the sunlight.
"Looks like she used it more of a tool than a weapon." Hap said
Mags nodded, "My old man used to tell me when you're an infantryman every microgram counts. He'd said they'd never carry anything more than you had to. So the knife you cut your rations with, was the knife you pried open your ammo crate, and the knife you used to clear your weapon, dig out an ingrown nail, and the knife you used to kill your enemy. He said he was always looking for one good knife would do it all."
"I hope he cleaned it before and after meals and personal hygiene" Anastasia said.
Mags shrugged and continued to examine the knife as Joker said, "You know once you're in the field you get dirty, you may as well stay dirty, right? A good layer of filth can protect you from a lot of things."
"Not cholera, dysentery, or food borne infections like e. coli or salmonella, botulism-"
"I don't think you can get botulism from a rusty knife, I thought that was bad rations." Joker said.
"Well you can certainly spread it with your unwashed knife." Anastasia replied
"Maybe I want to give my enemies botulism." Joker said.
"That would mean you are intentionally using bacteria as a weapon which is a violation of the Ares Convention, and tantamount to a war crime."
Mags rolled her eyes as she pulled out a silver tube from one of the pouches on her pistol belt and shook out the half of the cigar she'd been smoking earlier. "You going to keep this knife Hefe?"
"I don't have a sheath for it."
Mags nodded as she continued to examine the knife. She looked over at Joker, "Hey, give me a light."
"Funny thing, I don't have a light." Joker said.
"Really? You pilot a-" Anastasia stopped herself, "I see why that's a 'funny' thing."
Joker laughed maniacally, as Hap pulled a lighter out of his go-bag. "I got ya, Mags."
"Why do you have a lighter?" Anastasia asked.
"For starting fires?" Hap said, and saw Anastasia's sour look, "Sorry, that was flippant. It was my dad's lighter, he gave up smoking after my Uncle died of lung cancer, but used his lighter for starting welding torches." Hap gave Mags the lighter and she used it to toast her cigar while he explained, "When I left for Albion he gave his lighter to me and told me, 'everyone you meet, you'll give a little something of yourself, and everyone will give you something of them.' He gave me this lighter to remember that."
Mags lit her cigar, blew through it, then inhaled and held the smoke in mouth before exhaling. She offered the lighter back to Hap. Anastasia took it and examined it. It had a simple shield with a cross and "O L'aide Dieu" engraved beneath it.
"What's this?" Anastasia asked.
"Dad said this was Calahad family coat of arms, something that goes all the way back to old terra. The crest is a red cross on a white shield, and 'O L'aide Dieu' is our Family Motto. Dad had no idea what it meant, but thought it was Latin. I always meant to look it up."
"It's French, love, it means 'With God's help', and a red cross on a white field is the crest of Sir Galahad, the purest of King Arthur's knights. Perhaps your ancestors can trace their lineage back to Galahad. Calahad is similar enough to Galahad that it could be explained with linguistic alterations over time."
"Sounds like you're pretty excited about this idea. What's so great about Galahad?" Joker asked
"As I said, he was the purest of King Arthur's knights, considered to be the most gallant and chivalric."
"So among a group of bad asses Hap's ancestor was known for being the most polite and least likely to get laid?" Joker said.
"Joker don't use my possible ancestry to pick fights with my wife." Hap reached over and kneaded the back of Anastasia's neck, "maybe you shouldn't let him bait you."
"No. This is important, Galahad's martial skills were equal to the other knights of the round table, and Merlin prophesied that his Valor would exceed his father Lancelot. Galahad's adherence to the code of chivalry set him apart even more than his valor. His purity of motivation made him worthy to pursue the Holy Grail, the very cup that-." Anastasia said.
"Wait, the Holy Grail is a cup? I always thought it was a spear or some weapon. You're saying this guy had a choice of sex, or finding some cup?" Joker said.
"The Holy Grail isn't just 'some cup'. It represents the highest and most noble of honorable quests, and speaks to the greatest of chivalric ideals. If that doesn't make it compelling, then perhaps the fact the Holy Grail granted immortality."
"Immortality without sex? No thanks." Joker looked over at Mags, "What are you thinking?"
"Hefe is here with us, Donkey Brains, so Galahad must have had a wife." Mags said
A Compact officer with an upside-down V scare on his face approached the group of MechWarriors. He snapped his fingers and looked expectantly.
Selene made a quizzical sound as she looked at the stranger, "She's generally friendly, but she doesn't often respond to strangers." Anastasia said
"She is not the dog I am calling." The man responded. Something about the man seemed familiar to Hap, but he couldn't quite place it. He also didn't think he liked this man.
"Is there another dog around here?" Anastasia said looking around.
"Which of you mercenary whores is in charge?" The man said, "You must follow me."
Hap suddenly realized this was Sang Wei Zhang. The scar was new. It probably happened when his 'mech was destroyed, but Hap knew the sneer and the voice. They were both familiar just like the urge to punch him. On the best of days Sang Wei Zhang tried Hap's patience, but today Zhang was probably going to push him too far.
"Beg pardon." Anastasia said
"You heard me. I did not stutter, and my English skills are far superior to yours. "
Anastasia responded by raising a questioning eyebrow.
Hap decided to literally and figuratively step between Zhang and his lance, "Zhang, let me make this clear-"
"Do not attempt to speak to me like an equal. You and your kind are all wh-"
Before he could stop her, Mags tackled Zhang and knocked him to the ground. In a moment he was on his back and she was straddling him. Mags had one hand on his neck and was pinning him down with her weight, and she raised the arm and activated the vibro-dagger. Selene was just as quick and had caught hold of Zhang's sleeve. Zhang was trying to get Mag's hand off his neck with his free hand as he tried to shake the Coyote off of him.
Hap grabbed Mag's wrist and held it so she couldn't bring the vibro-dagger down. "Selene, drop it. sit." Hap commanded, and to his surprise the Coyote let go of the Compact officer's sleeve and sat but she continued to growl and bare her teeth.
Zhang tried to get up, but Hap put his boot on Zhang's shoulder and pressed him back down. "I could have sworn we've talked about this before, and I guaran-damn-tee this will be the last time. I get you don't like Mercenaries, and you like to push people around. What you have to understand is you're dealing with trained killers, so show a little respect.
"You should also know that my wife and I are liaison officers with this company. We're members of the Federated Commonwealth Armed Forces, and here to help you. Call my wife a whore again, and I'll pay this very skillful woman to cut you."
"I'll do it for free, Hefe. Hell, I'll pay you." Mags said
"You dare threaten me?" Sang Wei Zhang said.
"A threat would imply that Mags does not intend to cut you. I assure you the only thing between you and serious bodily injury is my husband. Further, when it comes to your mastery of English, I would submit that ending a sentence with "yours" is not the best grammar, or at least not formal grammar, which you should use to showcase your alleged English skills. It's bad form, similar to ending a sentence with a dangling participle. If you wish to demonstrate unquestionable proficiency in English you should say, 'My grammar is superior to your grammar'."
"Now apologize for how you spoke to us, and thank Anastasia for helping you improve your English." Hap said.
"Wait." Joker said, "While we're giving advice, I'd like to point out it's important to provoke the Professor only to the point she gives you short answers, and you got a face people just want to punch." Joker added.
"I don't believe your last statement is an observation, not advice." Anastasia said
"But it's a correct observation, right?" Joker said.
Anastasia gave a simple nod in response.
Another compact officer approached, "I was sent to see what was delaying you." She paused and looked at the four mechwarriors and her prone comrade. "I see that Sang Wei Zhang has fallen and you were attempting to assist him."
"Yeah, he almost fell on this vibro-dagger." Mags said as she shut it off.
"Let's get him up before that happens." Hap said as Joker helped Mags get up, and Hap took his boot off of the Compact officer's shoulder and offered Zhang his hand.
Zhang scrambled away from Hap and onto his feet. "If you lay hands on me again-"
"It will be life alternating." Hap said.
"For you, puta." Mags added as she gave Zhang a cold stare.
Anastasia looked at the female compact officer, "Chyou, it's good to see you again. Are you well?"
Chyou smiled warmly, "Yes, my friend. It is good to see you and Hap again, Anastasia. Who are these? They are different than your other lance mates."
"This is Joker and Mags." Hap said, pointing to his Lancemates. "The mercenary company we're with is a reinforced company, and we were part of a force package last time. This time we're with our normal lance."
Chyou nodded, "Very good, I am pleased to meet you, Joker and Mags." She said as she politely bowed to each of them and awkwardly shook their hands. She turned back to Hap and Anastasia, "We must hurry now, you are expected."
"Yes." Zhang said as he dusted himself off, "You have much to answer for." He shook his finger at Hap and then noticed the bite marks in his sleeve.
"Oh don't have hard feelings." Joker said, "just because you tripped and we were trying to help you up."
"No, you have to answer for our injured comrades, and the vehicle that you lost."
"That vehicle got hit by the enemy." Mags said. "Seems to me your comrades were driving. I think you should say they lost it, or the enemy destroyed it."
"An enemy you were supposed to protect it from."
"We agreed to ensure no more than 10% losses." Anastasia said, "The loss of one vehicle is within the acceptable margins of the contract."
"You may discuss it with our Commander." Zhang said, "And I assure you will not like this discussion."
Chyou started to walk away, "Please follow. I believe our commander wishes to discuss our upcoming operation."
Zhang half jogged to distance himself from the Mercenaries and get in front of them so it would be clear that he was leading them and Chyou.
"I am pleased to see you Anastasia." Chyou almost whispered to Anastasia. "Lately I have felt surrounded by psychopaths. It is refreshing to be around a friend who is also a person of grace and good manners."
"I quite agree." Anastasia whispered back, "It was very comforting to see you as well, and I know the feeling of being surrounded by violence and impulsive individuals."
Hap fell into step behind the two women comforted by the fact Anastasia didn't revel in the death and destruction. He looked forward to a long talk with her later.