Location - Port Jacksson - A few miles east of the dropship landingsite
July 22nd - 3044
The wheat fields swayed gently in the soft breeze as Elke, in her new commanding role, directed the scout lance through the expansive terrain. The trio of mechs, each with its unique characteristics and capabilities, moved cautiously, their sensors scanning for any signs of potential hostiles in the sector.
"Samurai proceed to sector 2-5, scan for hostiles"
"Copy"
"Ballerina, keep up the pace, sweep the left flank"
"Understood"
Elke's leadership was untested and showed as she orchestrated the movements, her attention focused on the tactical situation. The information provided by the sensors was crucial for detecting any hidden threats in the area. The absence of immediate danger allowed for a momentary sense of calm, but the anticipation of potential encounters lingered in the air.
As the scout lance continued its advance, Elke maintained a vigilant gaze on the surrounding landscape, ready to respond to any sudden developments. The wheat-covered fields, while seemingly peaceful, held the potential for unexpected challenges, and Elke's strategic approach reflected the mindset of a rookie mechwarrior.
"Havoc Lance, I've got movement at sector 3-6. Looks like three technicals and one light mech advancing west due west"
The voice of Fox cut into their soft radio chatter, she was surveying the mission from the UAV that circled above making sure the rookie pilots didn't fuss up.
The soft hum of the mechs resonated in the open field as the Havoc Lance, under Elke's command, adjusted their course in response to Fox's intel. The mention of three technicals and a light mech advancing to the west added a layer of urgency to their mission. The wheat fields, once calm and tranquil, now concealed potential threats.
As Elke guided her own mech in the direction of sector 3-6, the lance moved with a synchronized precision, as she sipped on some coffee from her thermos cup. Each pilot maintained focus, their training and experience coming to the forefront. The anticipation of the impending engagement hung in the Elke's leadership ensured a violent resolution.
"Prepare for engagement, Havoc. Let's make sure they regret crossing our path. Bring the pain."
Elke's voice conveyed a determined resolve as they closed in on the reported location. The contrast between the serene landscape and the imminent conflict highlighted the unpredictable nature of their profiteering missions.
The landscape changed as they moved. Small rocky outcrops rose up as the wheat fields ended and small patches of trees could be seen.
Suddenly Elke spotted a heat signature flare up on her tactical display.
"Fox, Gunman. Do you see that heat signature at 4 o'clock my location, range 300?"
"Stand by."
Seconds passed as the UAV circled around.
"Copy Gunman, we have a scout mech, designation Jenner. Weapons Hot, make sure it does not escape"
Elke grinned widely and put her cup into the cup holder and stroked the tooth necklace that dangled in front of her in the cockpit, and closed the vizor of her helmet.
"Ballerina, Samurai flank that frakker. I've got it"
The Havoc Lance responded swiftly to the detected threat. Elke's leadership and quick decision-making were evident as she coordinated the actions of the lance. The rocky terrain and patches of trees provided both cover and challenges for the approaching engagement.
"Copy, Gunman." Samurai's acknowledgment over the radio resonated in Elke's ears, confirming the nature of the threat as a scout mech, a Jenner, with the directive to engage. The dynamics of the mission intensified as they closed in on the location of the heat signature.
"Roger, Gunman. Flanking now." Ballerina's voice chimed in, indicating her readiness to outmaneuver the scout mech.
As Elke prepared to confront the Jenner, the adrenaline of the impending battle surged through her. The tooth necklace in her cockpit served as a tangible reminder of her own warrior spirit. "Let's make this dance memorable, Havocs." With determination in her voice, Elke advanced towards the scout mech, ready to engage and ensure it didn't escape their grasp.
The serene wheat field and nearby woods erupted into a world of smoke and fire as Elke unleashed the short-range missiles and laser fire at the Jenner. The cacophony of explosions and smoke created a chaotic scene, obscuring the vision and adding a layer of uncertainty to the skirmish.
Elke's agile Commando, nicknamed "Lady Anarchy" had the center stage in preventing the Jenner from reaching the safety of the nearby woods. The streaks of smoke from the missiles and the bright beams of green laser fire painted a vivid picture of the ongoing battle.
"Havoc, don't let it reach the trees. Fire, fire, fire!" Elke's urgent command reverberated over the radio, emphasizing the importance of preventing the Jenner from utilizing cover.
As if choreographed, the two flanking mechs unleashed a barrage of firepower, transforming the landscape before Elke into a chaotic symphony of dark smoke and explosions.
"Like cherry blossoms in spring, the leaves fall in autumn." Samurai's poetic words resonated over the radio as she skillfully fired controlled bursts.
Ballerina, showing a preference for lasers over missiles, continued her relentless assault, maintaining a steady stream of laser fire to avoid overheating.
Elke, seated in her cockpit, was drenched in a glistening layer of sweat. Each press of the trigger to release destructive force elevated the heat level inside her mech. In an attempt to stay cool, she wore only a pair of shorts and a tank top, but the neuro helmet made her head feel like it was in a stifling sauna.
The Jenner, on the verge of reaching the safety of the trees, met its downfall. It tumbled over and crashed into the ground, one of its legs torn off at the knee joint.
The trio advanced toward the Jenner as it overturned, resting on its back.
"Ask it to surren..." Samurai's words were abruptly halted as the Jenner's hatch swung open, and its pilot emerged, crawling out into the open.
"Pilot, do you surrender?" Elke inquired, her voice resonating loudly through the external speaker, echoing across the landscape.
The pilot, now standing on the cockpit of the toppled Jenner, defiantly raised a hand into the air, offering Elke a rude gesture.
"Such impoliteness, a disrespect to the sanctity of life" Ballerina snorted, and Elke, well-acquainted with her Commando after years of training, couldn't help but grin. The atmosphere shifted abruptly as Lady Anarchy, Elke's menacing mech, moved with calculated precision.
There was a sudden burst of red mist, a gruesome aftermath of Lady Anarchy's left foot connecting with the unprotected pilot. The smear on the mech's foot hinted at the violent outcome as the remains of the pilot were propelled into the nearby woods. It was a stark reminder of the harsh reality of battle.
"Havoc Squad, proceed" Elke's voice over the radio signaled the team to move forward, the incident serving as a stark punctuation in the ongoing mission.
Elke anticipated a potential disagreement with Samurai over the act of killing the pilot, a discussion she knew they would likely have back in the mech bay. Despite that, a sense of satisfaction enveloped her for the moment. She figured Fox would approve of her decisive action, yet she also considered the possibility of Samurai garnering the support of Raptor himself. However, those concerns were left for a later time. Right now, she faced a more pressing challenge – adversaries lurking just a mile ahead in the woods. These enemies needed to be dealt with promptly before they posed a threat to another convoy from the village that had contracted the services of the Raptors.
In the tac room, Carol Fischer found solace in the quietude, accompanied only by the subtle glow of her cigarette. Her gaze was fixed on the vid screen, a canvas painted by the circling UAV that diligently observed the maneuvers of the rookie pilots. The chatter from their headsets wove a narrative, ensuring she remained fully immersed in the unfolding perspectives from the battlefield.
As she inhaled the familiar tendrils of smoke, Carol couldn't help but reflect on the passage of time. The acuity of her senses and the resilience of her body, once indomitable, now bore subtle reminders that age was weaving its threads. The hum of the UAV and the distant voices of the pilots served as a backdrop to her contemplation, emphasizing the evolution of her role from the frontline to the strategic command post. It was a realization that, like the tendrils of smoke dissipating into the air, hinted at the ephemeral nature of youth and the inexorable march of time.
On her vid screen, Carol Fischer observed the ballet of war unfolding before her eyes. The dense forest reluctantly released three Commando mechs, poised to engage three lightly armored cars equipped with autocannons, and a nimble 20-ton Locust mech armed with dual medium lasers.
The precision in Samurai's movements was a testament to her skill, swiftly dispatching one of the technicals with lethal efficiency, causing it to erupt in a fiery spectacle. Ballerina's distinctive style, unmatched by any other mechwarrior in Carol's extensive experience, played out on the field. With a unique blend of grace and panache, Ballerina navigated her 25-ton mech as if engaged in an intricate dance, leaving an indelible mark on the battlefield.
As Elke plunged headlong into the midst of the combat, missiles and lasers erupted from her mech, creating a dazzling display of firepower. The relentless assault was directed toward the Locust, marking Elke's unwavering determination in the face of the enemy. The tactician in Carol analyzed the choreography of destruction, each movement and shot painting a vivid picture of the ongoing skirmish.
As Carol Fischer sat in the tac room, her thoughts involuntarily wandered back to the Battle of Twin Valleys—a grim memory etched in the annals of their contract history. The loss of half the mercenary had cast a heavy shadow over their path, leaving scars that time could only soften, not erase. The sacrifices made in that brutal engagement lingered in her mind, a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of their chosen profession.
Yet, in the present moment, as she monitored the trio of Commandos on the vid screen, a surge of pride welled up within her. The fresh faces of the new pilots, each navigating their mechs with a blend of skill and determination, evoked almost maternal feelings in Carol. Their tenacity and prowess in the ongoing skirmish mirrored the resilience required in the harsh world of mercenaries.
A sense of admiration filled her as she watched the battlefield unfold. The unique styles of each pilot painted a vibrant tableau of coordinated chaos. Samurai, with her calculated precision; Ballerina, dancing through the fight with unparalleled flair; and Elke, plunging headlong into the fray with unwavering determination. Carol's heart swelled with pride at the growth of these new warriors, a testament to the resilience of the Raptors of Thrakad.
Amidst the chaos, Carol's mind went to her husband, Rhyan 'Raptor' We'ber, the indomitable leader of their mercenary band. The love she felt for him intensified each day, as she witnessed the trio of Commandos expertly obliterating their opposition. In those moments, the good will and shared purpose of the mercenary life felt like a familial bond—one forged in the crucible of battle, bound by loyalty and tested by the relentless pursuit of survival.