JOTUNN COMPANY
One of the Varangians' five companies, Jotunn is a mixed, jack-of-all-trades Company, capable of approaching most situations effectively, but potentially finding themselves outclassed by specialist formations in unfavorable scenarios. A Company is composed of three Lances of four BattleMechs. Our protagonist, Cian, is part of Iron Lance; Jotunn's Heavies.
Iron Lance:
Name: Cian Serrano
Origin: Free Worlds League
BattleMech: Black Knight (BL-7-KNT)
Name: Vishali Varma-Neophytos
Origin: Magistracy of Canopus
BattleMech: Marauder (MAD-3R)
Name: Konomi Dereje
Origin: Draconis Combine
BattleMech: Dragon (DRG-1N)
Name: Zahir ibn-Fyodor
Origin: Tortuga Dominions
BattleMech: JagerMech (JM6-S)
Silver Lance:
Name: Shen Naranbataar
Origin: Taurian Concordat
BattleMech: Kintaro (KTO-18)
Name: Maya Barrata
Origin: Federated Suns
BattleMech: Blackjack (BJ-1)
Name: Valeria McCord
Origin: Draconis Combine
BattleMech: Trebuchet (TBT-5J)
Name: Lawali Dubkane
Origin: Federated Suns
BattleMech: Centurion (CN9-AL)
Brass Lance:
Name: Yifeng Alderman
Origin: Lyran Commonwealth
BattleMech: Phoenix Hawk (PXH-1D)
Name: Viktor Cadiz
Origin: Marian Hegemony
BattleMech: Assassin (ASN-21)
Name: Dragomir Fontaine
Origin: Capellan Confederation
BattleMech: Jenner (JR7-D)
Name: Jiro Hiruma
Origin: Draconis Combine
BattleMech: Jenner (JR7-D)
"The main criticism I hear about mercenaries is that they're loyal to no nation. This ignores one, irrefutable truth; every merc outfit is a nation unto itself." - Major Jean Ribeaux of McCarron's Armored Cavalry
Iota Asteroid, Menelik System, Free Worlds League
August 17th, 2965
Relatively informal as it may have been, Cian quickly fell into a familiar routine aboard the Bardiche, which departed Ellsworth just a couple of hours after landing. It returned to the Miklagard at the system's Nadir jump point and docked with it, joining the Halberd and Glaive. The Miklagard still needed another day to recharge its jump drive. Once it was charged, the ship made the jump to the Menelik system without a hitch. JumpShips were not built for standard drive travel, so once they were in the system, the three DropShips detached from the Miklagard and began the several day journey toward Iota.
Cian was polite and friendly enough with the crew of the Bardiche, but he found himself keeping to the fringes, not going out of his way to join any groups in the mess hall or during down time. When he wasn't working out or eating, Cian was in his room, idly browsing books and vid-programs from the ships network on his datapad.
The reason for Cian's isolation wasn't anything too overt. He wasn't brooding away from people under some belief it would be easier to let them go if they died, nor did he think himself above the Varangians for some reason. Cian just didn't feel ready for it yet, simple as that. He only hoped it wasn't offending anyone.
The call to action came when they were a few hours out from Iota. Cian changed into what he normally wore in the cockpit. Objectively, it was a silly look; the somewhat bulky cooling vest over a pair of short trunks, then heavy duty boots. It was also practical. 'Mechs ran hot, especially laser boats like El Cid. Better to look silly than die of heat stroke or dehydration in the literal heat of battle. The same belt that took some of the weight of the heavy vest off Cian's shoulders also held a holstered laser pistol and a survival knife.
Cian left his billet and headed for the Bardiche's war room, his Neurohelm under his arm. A MechWarrior dressed like Cian was a regular sight for so long that it bore no special attention from anyone he passed in the halls, though a couple of crew members did wish Cian good luck.
The war room of the Bardiche was a semicircular room with a circular holotable at its center. Tall chairs that allowed a good view of the table were bolted to the floor around it. Vishali was already there, as was Konomi, along with a half-dozen others. Cian went to stand with his fellow Lancemates behind the circle of chairs.
"Cian. You ready?" Vishali asked, looking determined.
"Absolutely, ma'am." Cian assured her. He would not let his new Lancemates down, no matter what.
"Good, good." Vishali enthused. "Inaya's been going on about El Cid, you know. I've never seen someone so excited to see a four-hundred year-old serial number." The Major chuckled.
Cian allowed himself a half-smile. From what he'd seen of their interactions, the Vishali and Inaya had a good relationship. It had defied Cian's expectations, but that was probably because he'd seen the "twins who are polar opposites that hate each other" trope too many times in the vid-shows.
"I'm surprised there's any original pieces left. I figured it was a ship of Theseus by now." Cian joked.
"Knowing her, she found the only original three inches of wire somehow." Vishali said with a snicker.
Someone else entered the room. He had light olive skin and short, curly hair, with an overall hawkish countenance. Cian had, of course, met him by now.
"Zahir." Cian greeted his fourth Lancemate.
"Hello, Cian. Konomi. Major." Zahir ibn-Fyodor replied with a nod. "Do you not think that it's a perfect day for blasting some pirate scum?" The question seemed to be directed at all his Lancemates.
Konomi just shrugged.
"I'm of the opinion that every day is a good day for blasting pirate scum." Cian replied.
"Good man. You and I, Sir Serrano, are going to get along swimmingly, I think." Zahir said happily.
"Cian's just fine. I'm only a Knight in name anymore." Cian said.
"Certainly. Consider the very idea scrubbed from my mind." Zahir declared with a upraised finger.
"Still unable to use one word when you can use three, I see." Vishali sighed.
"You have my deepest sympathies for utterly mundane speech." Zahir told her.
Vishali raised an eyebrow and cleared her throat.
"...for your utterly mundane speech, ma'am." Zahir corrected.
"Better." Vishali said with a smirk.
The other MechWarriors of Jotunn Company filtered in, as well as the pilots of the Bardiche's two aerospace fighters. The familiar, almost electric anticipation Cian knew well began to fill the air as battle loomed. He couldn't stop a rueful half-smile from touching his lips as he realized he felt more comfortable, more secure, than he had since leaving the FWLM.
The holotable beeped, drawing the attention of Jotunn Company. Commander Schneider's shoulders and head appeared in its center, flickering slightly and washed out of color. The conversation in the room faded to nothing as everyone gave their full attention to Ketill.
"Is everyone present and accounted for?" Ketill asked.
"Jotunn Company is ready, sir." Vishali informed him.
"Alfar Company's all here, sir." Said another voice. It was Major Nathaniel Keeling aboard the Glaive.
Ketill nodded. The other three companies would be present in the room with him on the Halberd. Thus, he began the briefing.
"The job today's about as simple as simple could be, at least on paper." Ketill said.
His image faded way. An image of part of the target asteroid's surface appeared, centered upon a large crater, into which Voidguard Iota had been built. Such construction had essentially been a template for both the Star League and the Terran Hegemony that had preceded it, the crater providing some natural shelter from the various things that could come flying out of the void of space. The end result was, essentially, a huge bowl coated in an uneven layer of steel and concrete structures. As Cian had expected, the holo-blueprint included turret defenses surrounding the crater. They were a nuisance at best on their own, but Cian suspected the Varangians wouldn't have been hired to deal with a minor nuisance.
"The Duke of Menelik wants this base rendered uninhabitable." Ketill explained. "Intel's spotty on how much resistance the pirates are ready to mount, so we're going in cautiously. There's pretty much no way our approach will go unnoticed, so hopefully it will make them tip their hand."
The image zoomed out, showing the landscape around Voidguard Iota. Four circles appeared around the crater, each one labeled with at least one Varangian company's name. A red arrow pointing away from the base also appeared, labeled "Designated North."
"This approach is going to be by the book. Alfar Company will be coming in from the southwest, through these crevices here. If our aerospace assets can't get a good look, you'll come out of their to scout what's what. Otherwise, you'll be waiting in ambush." Ketill said.
"Understood, sir." Major Keeling confirmed. Alfar Company was entirely Light and Medium 'Mechs, all of them focusing on speed above armor or firepower. They were the Varangians' primary scouts, ambushers, and flankers.
"Vishali, you'll be bringing Jotunn here, from the northwest. Take the turrets out at range, if you can, but I want you there to draw some eyes. If pirate assets engage, pull a fighting retreat, string them out. Don't give them a full engagement unless I give the go ahead." Ketill continued.
"We'll get it done, sir." Vishali assured him.
"Good. Valkyrie and Kraken will come from east-southeast here, while Aimar brings Fafnir from the south-southeast. They'll be the hammer's head here. Kill any defenders first. Then, when it's all said and done, I want this crater to be nothing more than slag and smoke." Ketill concluded.
It was a sound plan. Valkyrie was focus on long-range fire support with missiles and autocannons, while Kraken was kitted out for close-up brawling. Fafnir, meanwhile, was home to eight Heavy 'Mechs, and an entire Lance of Assault 'Mechs. The Assault Lance was led by Ketill's second-in-command, Colonel Aimar Izarra, in their King Crab.
"Questions?" Ketill asked.
"Are we accepting surrender?" Asked Captain Yifeng Alderman, leader of Brass Lance, from across the room. She was willowy, in her early forties, her dark hair kept short.
"That's why I want the defenses down before we attack the target. We're not here to incite a massacre. Contract says destroy the base. Doesn't say anything about the people in it." Ketill answered.
"Sir." Yifeng confirmed.
"Anyone else?" Ketill asked.
No one spoke up.
"Then let's get to it, Varangians." The Commander ordered.
Iron Company filtered out of the war room, heading for the MechBay. Cian walked with his Lance, a familiar procession to him. If he closed his eyes, he could fool himself into thinking he was walking with Dusk Company once again.
"Let's do this by the book, everyone. Stay sharp and good luck." Vishali bid Jotunn Company as they spread out to go to their 'Mechs.
Cian went to El Cid's cubicle to find Inaya climbing the ladder out of it.
"Everything alright?" Cian asked her as she reached his level.
"Oh, definitely. I just wanted to run one last check on those double heat sinks." Inaya assured him.
There was some mischief in her eyes and in her smirk. Cian hoped the Varangians didn't have a history of hazing new members with intentional BattleMech malfunctions or some other insanity. Inaya had asked where Cian wanted the new sinks installed, which was new. He was used to MechTechs doing what they thought best, not consulting the MechWarriors that gave them so much extra work through reckless behavior.
"Thanks for all the work you've put into it. I'll try to bring it back in one piece." Cian said.
Inaya scoffed. "Never heard that one before, and it definitely never precedes me spending an all-nighter in here." She took the heat from her retort with a wink, "worry about keeping yourself in one piece first, eh? No matter how bad you mumbledick it, I can always fix these junk piles back up. Not so much with people."
Chuckling at the word "mumbledick", Cian replied. "Fair enough. I'll do my best." He made for the ladder.
"Knock 'em out, Strider." Inaya said, then went on her way.
Strider. Cian felt like he'd heard that before. From a movie or something? He'd ask later.
Looking over the edge and down into the cubicle, Cian could see that El Cid had been repainted in Varangian colors. Most of it was a royal violet. Paint mimicking golden torques wrapped around the neck and upper arms of the 'Mech, the terminals ending in serpent heads. A broad band of golden knotwork wrapped around the waist. Both sides of the head read "El Cid" in heavily stylized letters meant to evoke runic script. Cian paused to appreciate the artistry. Seeing his Black Knight still bearing purple paint…it quieted a certain suspicious part of his mind.
Cian climbed down into El Cid's cockpit, closing the hatch behind him. He immediately checked to make sure his dispenser of atmospheric foam was in its place within reach of the pilot's seat. They would be fighting in vacuum, where even the smallest cockpit breach could prove fatal. A quick application of the quickly expanding and hardening foam had saved the life of many a MechWarrior fighting in a hostile environment.
Cian looked down at the console before him, tilting his head to one side as he saw a sticky note on the casing of his battle computer. He snatched it up and held it to his eyes, reading it quietly.
"I saw the playlist on your BC. Hope you don't mind me updating it. No one else on board is into the good shit so I had to share."
A grin quirked up the corners of Cian's mouth. It felt like his first truly genuine smile since coming aboard the Bardiche. Inaya's gesture was, in some ways, presumptuous, but that didn't bother Cian. It was mostly just exciting to know someone else on board the ship he was serving on also liked the same music, for once. He'd lost a lot over the years, but his love of over the top and epic metal had been one of the things to carry him through it all. Something about that music always just seemed to give him a shot of motivation or inspiration right when he needed it, no matter how low Cian felt. Was music about slaying dragons and raiding in a longship silly? Of course. And that was half the charm.
Cian began going through his pre-fight checklist, warming systems up one at a time as the Bardiche began to shake in a telltale sign of nearing touchdown. The fusion core wouldn't be fully activated until they were ready to deploy, so he used battery power. Everything was looking good. The Techs had done well getting El Cid ready.
"Thirty seconds to touchdown." Informed the voice of Captain Lief Harbjorn, the commanding officer of the Bardiche itself.
Cian breathed in, breathed out, then pulled on his Neurohelm. It synced up with El Cid's battle computer, Cian's HUD coming online.
The Bardiche sank down on its landing struts. Almost immediately, the ramp behind El Cid began lowering down, letting in the light of distant stars and the significantly closer sun of the Menelik System. Cian brought full power to the fusion core as the platform beneath his 'Mech began to rotate one-hundred and eighty degrees.
"Reactor online. Sensors online. Weapons online. All systems nominal." A digital voice said.
Cian gripped the controls El Cid finished rotating, a barren landscape of grey rock and impact craters stretching out before him. As he throttled up and got the Black Knight moving, he habitually turned on his battle music.
"DRAW YOUR STEEL AND SPLIT THE SKY! WITH ME, HEROES, WIN OR DIE!"
The unfamiliar music threw Cian off for a moment, but once the opening riff kicked off, he found himself locking in like his last battle had been just yesterday.
"You know your assignments, Jotunn. Brass One, get your head start." Vishali commanded.
"Copy, Iron One. We're off." Yifeng said, taking her Scout Lance forward; a Phoenix Hawk, an Assassin, and two Jenners. Cian could see Yifeng's Phoenix Hawk cresting a rise ahead, the distinctive jump jet intakes on its shoulder marking a common silhouette on the battlefields of the Inner Sphere.
Iron and Silver followed in their wake. Being the Heavy Lance, Iron took the lead, with the Medium 'Mechs of Silver trailing close behind, ready to provide Iron with fire support, repel flankers and ambushers, push for openings that were created, or cover retreats.
"Steel Actual, Mercury One. We've got eyes on Voidguard Iota. Sensors confirm active turrets and aerospace assets in the process of launching. Company strength BattleMechs with vehicular support visible dirtside." Reported one of the Varangian aerospace pilots.
"Confirmed, Mercury One. Keep your people out of turret range and clear the skies." Ketill commanded.
"Understood, Actual."
"Just a company? Feels like overkill." Zahir said.
"Overkill or not, we have a job to do, Iron Three. Keep alert. You'll be helping Mercury with their bird hunt." Vishali said.
"Yes, ma'am." Zahir said. His JagerMech was an ideal anti-aircraft machine, armed primarily with two AC/5s and two AC/2s. Cian's L lasers could help in a pinch, but they lacked the range and rate of fire to really be useful against aircraft.
There was more radio chatter as Iron advanced, mostly the other companies checking in with their scouts as Vishali occasionally did with Yifeng. The alien landscape around them felt like walking on an ocean floor, or in a desert of eternal night. The terrain didn't make sense like on most terrestrial bodies, with odd formations melding with impact craters. Here and there one could see the skeletons of abandoned mining operations.
"Hey, Cian." Vishali got his attention on a private comm channel.
"Ma'am?" Cian asked.
"Feeling alright over there?" Vishali queried.
"Uh. Yeah?" Cian replied.
"Just making sure before we make contact. I know it's your first time back in the saddle in a while." The Major said.
"Oh. Thank you, but I am good. Better than I've been in a long time, honestly." Cian assured her.
"Good." Vishali said. "And I hope Yaya messing with your BC isn't a sore spot", she paused to laugh quietly, then, "if it's not metal, 'Mechs, or something with swords and dragons in it, she almost never gets excited about anything."
Cian smiled to himself. Looking out for her subordinates and her sister. It was a simple but good sign.
"No, I'm grateful, honestly. Been needing to update my playlist for years now." Cian said.
"Glad to hear it…" Another pause from Vishali. "Brass is about to make contact. Ready up."
"Copy." Cian said, refocusing.
There would be no cacophony of combat outside in the vacuum. The first streaks of light began appearing overhead as pirate aerospace fighters engaged Mercury Wing. Cian's sensors tracked friendly and hostile flyers in their deadly dance. It blended with the music in his cockpit into the sort of surreal lightshow one might expect at a concert.
"Firing." Zahir informed them. Fire and smoke belched from the barrels of his autocannons.
"Copy. Silver Two, help out. Everyone else, save your ammo and heat. Sweep data from Alfar is showing a holding pattern from hostiles. They're smart enough not to get strung out for now." Vishali said.
"Copy, Iron One." Replied Silver Two, Lieutenant Maya Barrata, who turned her Blackjack's AC/2s turning upward as well.
A fireball blossomed overhead.
"Scrub one bird." Mercury One reported.
"Contact, Iron One. Enemy Light Lance, a dozen or so vehicles on high ground in support. Mixed bag; mostly Hetzers and Harassers, couple Scorpions, one Partisan. Marking them." Yifeng reported.
Even though he couldn't see them, small blips appeared on Cian's HUD, marking the enemy vehicles and 'Mechs.
"Pull back in good order, Brass. Give them a run around. Iron and Silver will keep them sweet." Vishali commanded.
"On it, Major." Yifeng confirmed. The terrain around the craters was too steep for 'Mechs without jump jets, but luckily, Brass Company's BattleMechs all possessed such equipment.
"Steel Actual, Iron One. Permission to engage?" Vishali asked.
"Granted, Jotunn. Give 'em hell." Ketill said.
"Time to earn our pay, then, Jotunn Company." Vishali enthused. "Smoke 'em if you lock 'em. Iron Two and Four, lead the way."
"Copy." Cian and Konomi replied at almost the same time.
They were walking up a long rise. Consulting with his digital map, relayed from Mercury Wing's sweeps through the Bardiche, Cian saw the rise they were going up was actually part of a crater that had been smashed into the bottom of one that had already existed. The enemy vehicles were situated in a crescent on the rim of the first, higher crater. The pirate 'Mechs were back slightly, no doubt hoping the vehicles would bog Jottun down and set them up for a flanking.
It was a vain hope.
A volley of missiles streaked away from the chest of Konomi's Dragon, her sensors able to lock without line of sight. Tiamat was a sixty-tonner, fast for a Heavy, with a good spread of weapons. The missiles sped from view. A moment later, one of the radar blips disappeared.
"Strike one Harasser." Konomi said.
Cian's fingers rested on the triggers of his L lasers. "Marking my targets, Iron Three."
"Copy." Konomi confirmed.
El Cid and Tiamat reached the upper crater, Cian firing all three of his L lasers the moment they were clear. The blue beam from Eld Cid's right arm speared the vulnerable underside of a Hetzer, cooking the crew within before it could fire. The two lasers from the Knight's torso went almost straight ahead, burrowing into the nose of a Scorpion and melting the tank's barrel. The AC/5 in Tiamat's right arm unloaded, striking the Partisan, which was by far the most dangerous vehicle with its heavy armor and quad-AC/2s. The heavy tank weathered the shell, a swathe of armor ablating as it tracked El Cid.
The vehicles around the lip of the crater opened up. The Hetzers were AC/10 variants, trading the firepower of the AC/20 they usually carried for range, more armor, and more ammo. But, the Hetzer was to combat vehicles as the UrbanMech was to 'Mechs in many ways. It was accessibly cheap, but that showed in its design. Whichever weapon was on a Hetzer was mounted directly onto the vehicle's hull, unable to traverse
The vehicles waiting around the crater all opened up. Cian and Konomi charged ahead, fire raining down around them. Cian received alerts as several missiles and AC/2 rounds found their mark, but he riposted with his M lasers, raking the lip of the crater, reducing a Hetzer and a Harasser to slag. Konomi's LRM-10 and AC/5 both targeted the Partisan, which had been tracking El Cid. The turret was blown off the tank, sent high in the low gravity.
Vishali and Zahir emerged close behind. Vishali's Marauder, Mastani, unleashed the dual PPCs mounted in its underslung arms, the AC/5 on its back hurling forth a shell. Two more Hetzers were deleted from existence. Zahir's JagerMech, Arbalest, removed the remaining Scorpion from the field. In just a few short moments, the obvious superiority of the BattleMech over a greater number of combat vehicles was clearly shown. The few surviving vehicles were already pulling back.
The 'Mech Lance that had been accompanying the vehicles, no doubt intending to mount their attack before their allies were either destroyed or retreating, sprang into action, arriving on either terminus of the crater's curve with the clear intention to pelt Iron Lance and, most likely, pull back before return fire could arrive. However, as the Light 'Mechs showed themselves, they were immediately set upon by Silver Lance. One of the pirate 'Mechs, a twenty-ton Commando, was almost immediately obliterated by Silver One, Captain Shen Naranbataar. His fifty-five ton Kintaro was armed mostly with missiles, and sent the payloads of three Short Range Missle-6 launchers and two M lasers into the much smaller 'Mech. The Commando was reduced to a vaguely humanoid junk pile, pitching over the crater's lip to tumble down its slope.
The other pirate MechWarriors, apparently seeing the folly of maintaining this position, pulled back with only a token exchange of fire. Whoever was commanding the pirates at least had common sense, which was not as prevalent among military commanders in the Inner Sphere as Cian would have hoped.
Above the ground battle, Cian noticed another aerospace fighter exploding. He'd been too focused on what was directly ahead to take note of any developments above. Hopefully, Mercury was winning.
"They're booking it, Iron One. Permission to engage?" Yifeng asked Vishali.
"Granted. Fall back if you get in range of the base's turrets, though." The Major replied.
"Confirmed." Yifeng said.
Iron and Silver reached the lip of the upper crater, coming out onto mostly level ground. In the distance, the remaining Hetzers were already destroyed, their wheels unable to handle the terrain like tracks would. Brass Lance was among the fleeing pirate forces, lasers cutting bright brushstrokes through the dark of the void. More vehicles exploded. A pirate Locust 'Mech toppled.
Tiamat let loose a volley of LRMs, as did the 'Mechs of Silver who also had them. The explosive rain battered the pirates, target locks preventing friendly fire, and before long Yifeng contacted Vishali.
"Board is clear for now, Iron One." She said.
"Outstanding. Well done, Jotunn. Everybody in good shape?" Vishali asked.
There was a round of affirmatives.
"Let's keep up the momentum, then. The base isn't far. All other companies are reporting good progress." Vishali said.
Cian throttled El Cid up to cruising and got moving once again. So far, the op was by the book. Sherbrooke had been by the book, too, up until it wasn't. He wouldn't let his guard down or get overconfident.
"I owe you for that Partisan, Iron Three." Cian said.
"Oh. Uhm That's…just what Lancemates do, right?" Konomi replied.
"True enough." Cian said as he nodded to himself. Still, he'd be remiss not to point it out.
The landscape opened up. A long, rocky downward grade transitioned to the rise that sloped upward to Voidguard Iota's crater. Turrets on raised towers ringed the crater. The landscape blocked Cian's line of sight to where the other Varangian companies were engaged, but the aerospace battle seemed to be winding down.
Turrets by themselves were not much of a threat to BattleMechs. They were much better for supplementing more dynamic defensive assets like 'Mechs and vehicles. Jotunn Company was able to pick them off at a distance with ease, taking minimal return fire. When the turrets were scrapped the order for a general advance was given. The Varangians would surround the crater and give the pirates a chance to surrender. Cian got El Cid moving up the incline.
A bloom of orange drew his gaze skyward. An aerospace fighter was dropping out of the sky. It was a controlled descent, he realized, and at first he thought the pilot was attempting a crash landing away from battle.
Then he noticed where the craft's nose was pointed. The pilot, in a last act of defiance, intended to take revenge on their way off the mortal coil.
Cian called out a warning but didn't wait to see if it helped. He mashed the El Cid's throttle to max, grateful he'd already been cruising, and turned the 'Mech as sharp as the gyrostabilizer would allow. Legs facing the side, torso facing the burning fighter, he slammed into Mastani.
There was a deafening crash. Cian's music stopped as warnings screeched at him and the world seemed to spin. Low-gravity had him drifting down, hitting the asteroid's surface like a stone skipping on a pond. El Cid struck down again, this time digging into the dirt, facing the starscape above.
Cian's ears rang, his body aching from being jerked around in his harness. Something hurt when he breathed, but no blood came up so that was something. Clearing his head, Cian blinked rapidly. He reached with bionic right arm and grabbed the sealant foam, raising it to the canopy in front of him. There was a spider web of cracks, so he ended up spraying it across the entire thing, covering it in dark blue, rapidly hardening foam. He'd have to navigate by sensors alone, which would be fine if the battle was done.
"Iron Four! Iron Four! Respond!" Vishali was calling. Cian realized she had been for almost thirty seconds. Mastani was standing over El Cid, with only a minor bit of scuffing where Cian had rammed the Marauder.
"I'm here, Iron One. Alive and mostly well. I think." Cian replied, his voice hoarse.
"Oh, thank god." The Major sighed with relief. "Can you move? Can El Cid stand?"
"Working on that." Cian said. He tried moving El Cid's arms. The right was still attached but not responding. The left was gone. Still, a 'Mech could stand up without its arms. He worked the controls for the actuators in El Cid's ankles, knees, and hips, managing to push himself up a bit by turning the 'Mech's torso onto the non functioning right arm. Little by little, the actuators audibly straining through metal and myomer, El Cid rose to its feet.
When he was fully righted, Cian assessed the damage the readouts were giving him. The enemy had been aiming for Mastani's cockpit, which was right at El Cid's center of mass, where its armor was thickest. That was the only thing that had saved him, but even so, Cian could tell there was damage all throughout the BattleMech. Literally every weapon but the S laser on El Cid's head was destroyed or disabled. The new double heat sinks, at least, seemed to be intact. Thank god he'd had them put in the legs.
"Iron Four, Steel Actual. We're bringing the DropShips in closer. Get aboard as soon as you can." Ketill ordered.
"Copy, Actual." Cian confirmed.
Ketill spoke again, but on a general broadcast. "This is Commander Ketill Schneider of the Valdr's Varangians mercenary company. Voidguard Iota, respond on this frequency. Our mission is to destroy the base, not kill anyone in it. In accordance with the Ares Conventions and common fucking sense, I would like to negotiate a surrender. If you require transportation, it can be provided under terms of disarmament and captivity in a cargo bay. Necessities will, of course, be provided for the duration. You have one hour to consider from this broadcast's timestamp; 1633 Hours Standard. Message repeats."
The broadcast began to loop, but a reply was forthwith.
"Commander Schneider, this Doctor Sandra Morowitz. I'm the station's chier medic and currently the one in charge, it seems. There are approximately one-hundred noncombatants present here. We agree to your terms. We don't have any other choice."
"Understood, Doctor Morowitz. We are as good as our word. Your people will be provided for." Ketill said.
Ketill and Sandra continued going back and forth on the details. The more Cian sat and let the adrenaline fade, the more pain he was in. His head throbbed and his neck felt like it had been twisted in a full three-sixty.
"Hey, Major…" Cian croaked.
"Lieutenant?" Vishali replied.
"Tell your sister the new heat sinks are fine." Cian joked.
On the other end, Vishali laughed.
The med bay of the Bardiche had four medical cots with just enough room for a person to pass between them. Cian was the only one occupying a bed. Doctor Singh wanted to run some tests to ensure Cian wasn't bleeding internally before releasing the MechWarrior for duty. At present, some high quality painkillers had Cian feeling only semi-solid as he only half paid attention to a vid-show on his datapad. Around him, the med bay was bright and sterile. A heart monitor quietly kept track of his vitals. Cian was currently clad in only his trunks, but had a blanket up to his navel. The flesh and blood parts of his torso bore countless small scars from the same shrapnel that took two of his limbs.
Doctor Singh was at his computer near the door to the hallway outside. He was a somewhat stooped, snowy bearded man, wearing a violet turban.
Someone entered the room. Cian looked up to see Vishali was standing in the door, having traded her cockpit gear for a jumpsuit. Behind her, Konomi and Zahir were peering into the med bay.
"How's the patient, doctor?" Vishali asked.
"Could have been much worse." Doctor Singh informed them. "Two ribs are certainly cracked, most of them bruised. There is soft tissue inflammation, strained neck tendons from whiplash…all in all, Lieutenant Serrano will need to be off duty and on a strict regimen of steroidal anti-inflammatories and pain medication. Not the worst fate for someone who caught a crashing aerospace fighter with their face."
"Was only a Rogue. Small for a fighter." Cian said.
"Indeed." Singh said dryly.
Vishali stepped into the infirmary. Konomi followed behind her. Zahir remained in the doorway, looking sour.
"Something wrong, Zahir?" Cian asked.
It was Vishali who fielded the question.
"The Lieutenant voiced some strong opinions about Commander Schneider's choices in regards to staffing." Vishali said, her voice carrying a cocktail of tone both saccharine and forceful.
"You don't have to talk in fucking circles. You can just say it." Zahir griped. Then after a pause. "...ma'am."
Cian looked between the two of them.
Konomi said, "the doctor on the radio. Doctor Morowitz?"
Cian nodded.
"The Commander wants to bring her on to replace Doctor Singh since he's planning on retiring soon." Konomi finished, keeping their eyes everywhere but on Zahir.
Zahir looked like he wanted to gripe, but let out a rough breath and said, "either way, glad you're alive and alright, Cian. You're alright in my book. We'll focus on that instead." He popped his neck. "I need a drink." He walked away.
"Zahir grew up in the Tortuga Dominions. He's got…strong opinions about pirates." Konomi explained to Cian.
"And you would think that upbringing would be proof enough to him that just because you associated with pirates before doesn't mean you'll always be one. But that's his issue." Vishali said, sitting on the that was beside Cian's. "How are you feeling, Lieutenant?"
"Like I'm going to be in a world of hurt when the drugs wear off." Cian replied.
Doctor Singh chuckled.
Vishali grinned, but it was a wan expression. "Thank you, Cian. I mean it. You saved my life out there. And", she held up a finger, cutting him off as he began to speak, "don't say something like 'I just did what anyone else would do', because I can assure you, most people wouldn't have thought to do that, let alone gone through with it."
"I won't say it, then. But Lancemates are supposed to look out for each other." Cian said.
"We are. And you've proven you're willing to do that. Whatever else, you've definitely proven you're committed to being one of us." Vishali said, growing serious. "That commitment will not be in vain, I promise you."
It was a far more serious conversation than Cian had been expecting. But, the Varangians weren't just a deployment, were they? For those that were part of the company, from the MechWarriors to the galley staff to the 'Techs in the bays, this was home. This was life. Cian hadn't just show commitment to a flag or a nation or a Great House, but to a group of people who relied on each other to survive and flourish.
"I'm happy to do it." Cian finally said at length.
"Good." Vishali said, standing up. "But, you know…maybe be a little less happy to go that far next time, if only to spare Yaya and her team all that work." She winked. "You focus on resting. Doctor Singh will take good care of you."
"It will certainly make for an interesting final patient with the company." Singh said.
Vishali left.
"Glad you're ok, Cian." Konomi added quietly, dipping their head before making their way out as well.
Cian settled back in his bed, a long breath puffing out. It was probably strange that the thing he was most worried about was the workload he'd dumped onto Inaya and the other MechTechs. He never liked it when other MechWarriors in the FWLM took their MechTechs for granted. The way some of them acted, they seemed to assume 'Techs were magicians who just mystically took shrapnel-riddled, laser-slagged machines and made them combat-worthy again with the wave of a hand. There were a lot of things on a BattleMech that couldn't be fixed with robotic arms and automated processes. Myomer could snap and remove digits or entire limbs. Damaged armor sections weighing a ton or more could fall off and crush someone. Being a MechTech was, in many ways, as dangerous as being a MechWarrior, but was utterly lacking in the glory and recognition that latter job got from the wider Inner Sphere.
As Cian felt exhaustion and painkillers start dragging him into unconsciousness, he resolved to do something to thank the 'Techs for the mountain of work they would have to do to fix up El Cid. Before he could settle on exactly what that was, however, he was fast asleep.
Menelik, Menelik System, Free Worlds League
August 26th, 2965
The noncombatants taken from Voidguard Iota were brought to Menelik. Ketill told the Duke who ruled the planet, the Varangians' employer in this contract, that they had been hostages and needed help either returning to their homes or setting up new lives on Menelik. The Duke promised to render what aid he could. There was no real way to know if he was going to keep his word, but it was the best the Varangians could do. Doctor Singh also chose to depart on Menelik, intending to begin the journey back to his homeworld in the Federated Suns.
It had taken a couple of days for Cian to be up and about. He spent a lot of time walking in circles through the main hallway ringing the crew deck, feeling restless since he was under strict orders from Doctor Morowitz not to push himself.
As for Cian's thanks to the MechTechs, there was only so much he could do while aboard ship. With the last of House Serrano's assets sold off, a lot of Cian's money had gone to settling debts and ensuring his former staff were squared away and could either retire or have something to tide them over while they found new work. What he had left for himself wasn't a lot on the scale of Inner Sphere nobility, but with all his living expenses now covered, it was also more than Cian needed for himself. Thus, with some C-Bills handed over to the ship's quartermaster, Cian was able to ensure the Bardiche's 'Techs received a couple of extra beers with their dinner one night; and soda for those who didn't partake in alcohol, of course. It wasn't much, really. They deserved more than Cian could give. But it was something.
Cian was on the floor in his billet, doing the light exercises Sandra had assigned him to minimize his loss of muscle mass during his down time. It felt weird trying to both hold himself back and exert himself at the same time, but he did the exercises diligently, wishing he could use the weights in the rec room.
There was a knock on Cian's door frame. He turned from where he sat to see Inaya standing there, an open can of beer in her hand, leaning against the frame. She had the sleeves of a grease-stained pair of coveralls tied around her hips, wearing a tanktop emblazoned with a fire-winged griffon breaking a guitar in its claws. "STRONGHOLD" read stylized letters above the griffon. "FIGHT AND FLIGHT" the same font spelled out beneath it. A band and album Cian rather liked.
"I'm guessing you're not allowed to indulge while on those meds." The MechTech said, sloshing the can for emphasis.
"Much to my chagrin." Cian confirmed. He gingerly got up off the floor and sat on his bed.
"Mm", Inaya grunted. She looked at the wall across from where she leaned, lips pursed. The rings through her bottom lip turned in slow circles as her tongue rotated them inside her mouth. "Thanks for the beers. My people needed it."
"Thanks for making that pile of junk I pilot operable again." Cian replied.
"Yeah, well, it's going to be about a month for that. Maybe more. You fucked it pretty bad. They're going to have to name a new way myomer can shred after you. And don't get me started on the bastard safety sensor on the fusion core that keeps thinking I'm trying to roast a side of beef when it's actually colder than…", she silenced herself with a drink, letting out a rough breath. She sounded angry. "Sorry. Fuck. I'm not mad at you. Anything but, honestly. I'm just…I'm really bad at this kind of thing, ok?"
"What kind of thing?" Cian asked.
"I may want to launch her out of an autocannon some days, but Fish is my best friend. My sister. I can count the days we've been apart with only one boot off. You probably saved her life out there. If that Rogue hit Mastani where it hit El Cid…" She trailed off again, then finished the can she was holding. "I'd rebuild your 'pile of junk' from the ground up if I had to, is what I'm trying to say."
Cian wasn't sure how to respond to that. So he said nothing, hoping Inaya would fill in the gap.
"I guess…'thank you'", Inaya finally managed to get out. "There." She said, standing up from where she leaned. "Yeah. Get well soon, Strider. Fish'll be pissed if she doesn't get a chance to return the favor."
The MechTech walked away.
"You're welcome." Cian said at her back, but Inaya was already gone. Pondering that rather odd interaction, Cian went back to his exercises.
As he worked, Cian pondered on this odd group he'd found himself in. He hadn't been trying to win anyone's favor or create debts. If you could help your comrades, you did, because you were all each other had when lasers and missiles were burning the air. Maybe they hadn't expected him to treat mercs like that after serving in a "proper" army. Who knew. Cian didn't know. It wasn't as if it would change his behavior regardless.
If nothing else, Cian decided, it was promising that the Varangians held fidelity to their siblings in arms in such high esteem. Another good sign. Would it stay good? Only time would tell.