The following is a MechWarrior/BattleTech/MechAssault fanfiction.
I DO NOT OWN any pre-established characters, vehicles, planets, or BattleMech diagram rights to the I.P. This is a passion project and is in no way, shape, or form connected to FASA, TOPPS, Catalyst Game Labs or any subsidiary companies associated to these companies.
Please, enjoy.
CHAPTER IV.
PLANET: DUNIAN SHIRE
LOCATION: MAGISTRACY OF CANOPUS
DISTANCE FROM TERRA: 509.44ly
DATE: MAY 18 3066
After Marcus had left the briefing room, he was found a couch, and slept hard that night. He woke up the next day, after the big mechwarrior woke him with some shaking to his shoulder. "Marcus, I was told to wake you, we finished the deliberation." Marcus got up, and followed big man to the doors. They slid open, and as Marcus looked, he saw that Jameson and Silver were no longer inside.
Who remained on the left side of the table looked disheveled, and tired. Dark circles ringed their bloodshot eyes. Big Man took his seat to the left of the scarred NCO. Tanya, and the MechWarriors all seemed energized. "Cornet Greene, please step forward." Director Gallegos said.
Marcus stepped forward, maintaining his military bearing. "We have decided to have you in attendance for this vote, regrettably, representative Silver, was carried away to other important matters," 'Damn.' she continued; "However, he made it known how he would vote to the rest of the body, had he been able to stay in attendence. Those in favor of allowing Cornet Greene to take part in our operation, stand and say 'aye'." The MechWarriors and Jameson, who just entered the room, all said; "Aye" unanimously.
"Those opposed, stand and say 'nay'. The three suits stood and said; "Nay." Tanya speaks again; "Mr. Silver also answered in the negative, which leaves it to me for the tie breaking vote." She stands, and says, "Aye." She gives Marcus a subtle wink; "Now, with the vote logged, we welcome Marcus Greene to the table, you may take your seat, Marcus."
He nods, then relaxes his posture. "Thank you, director." Marcus walks over to the 'MechWarrior side of the table and Jameson slaps his hand on Marcus' shoulder. "Where were you?" Marcus asked.
"I was in the can." Jameson replied, almost breaking his composure to laugh at the situation. Gallegos clears her throat, drinks some water, then addresses Marcus again, "Marcus, I would like for you to meet your commanding officer, and your fellow lancemates." She purred. "From my left to your right, we have: Force Major Bianca Giscard d'Estaing and Sergeant Coriander Saleh, of the Magistracy Armed Forces, and Sergeant Israel Ulu-Ikaika, a former member of the Colonial Marshalls."
What followed after the introductions, was a dismissal of the MechWarriors, so that logistics could be discussed amongst Director Gallegos and the other suits. Bianca spoke with Marcus, "A pleasure, to formally make your acquaintance, Cornet Greene. I expect good things from you." Her voice, a heavily accented french that was soft on his ears. "Now, it's time to begin training simulations!"
Her voice became serious, speaking with authority that almost made Marcus snap to attention. "We will begin with 'mech-to-'mech skirmishes, and will convene in fifteen minutes. Make your preparations accordingly." They dispersed, and Jameson slaps his cousin on his shoulder. "Welcome to the team, buddy."
"Thanks, Jameson. Mind tellin' me where the locker rooms are? I'd hate to pass out from heat exhaustion the first day of trainin'." Marcus says, while gesturing to his civilian clothes. Jameson nods and says: "Follow me."
Marcus, with his bag in hand, and Jameson go towards the edge of level two; passing by cubicles, desks, and other people. Going clockwise around the floor, they reach the locker room. Inside, Sergeant Coriander was finished getting dressed into a loose black tank top, black combat shorts, and a set of black combat boots. As she walks past Jameson, she smacks his rear and gives him a wink. "Don't be too late to training. Just because you can't be in a 'Mech anymore doesn't mean any of us can skip."
Jameson turns, his chest puffed out, standing on the tips of his toes, and a flourish as though he had a cloak on. "Thee scratch'd mine own heart! As if't be true I couldst harb'r such a notion!" Coriander rolls her eyes, playing along with his 'act' an imperious look crosses her scarred face and she stands straighter: "I wouldst not dareth to harmeth thee. I speaketh only sooth. Alloweth me mendeth thy pride?"
Jameson laughs and wags his finger towards her. "Maybe after trainin', just because a stiff drink would be nice right now, doesn't mean you can have an excuse to skip." Corriander waves behind her, as she walks out. "Been awhile since I last heard you talk like that. You've always been the studious one between us."
Marcus commented, reminiscing all the times his cousin had mimed Shakespeare while listening to his plays. "It's not hard to find people who're familiar with the bard, it's harder to find someone to banter with though, so I've gotten a little rusty." Jameson said back. "I'm goin' to get dressed, so I'll see you later. Here's your locker, by the way."
He pats an empty locker, and goes over to another aisle. Marcus unpacks his bag, placing its contents he wouldn't be using inside. When he is finished dressing out, into his old taurian mechwarrior jumpsuit and brown zippered combat boots, he walks towards the simulation bay. In the entrance Israel stands in a thin white shirt, and thin tan shorts, ending just above his knees, and a set of black combat boots. Israel nods, to Marcus and speaks: "Welcome to the team, the Marshal speaks highly about you."
Marcus smirks "I don't see why, I'm nothin' special." Israels smiles in return, "I doubt very much that you're ordinary. If you go by your service record and the story you told, you're a welcome addition to any lance on those alone." Israel counters. Marcus thanks him, and they walk inside.
The simulation bay is the size of a large warehouse. Where they walked in, they are on a platform perpendicular to the longside of the bay. A catwalk rings the entire warehouse. A lift that fits around thirty people sits in the center of the platform. Israel and Marcus ride down, and they see a group sterile white buildings, encased in one way glass.
A simulation chamber sits in the center of the warehouse. The MechWarrior simulation pods sit at the far end of the bay, on an elevated grated platform. Techs are currently running diagnostics on the pods, to ensure that they are ready for use. Corriander is going pod by pod ensuring that the pods at least meet the standards for the lance about to use them. Israel and Marcus make small talk, while waiting for the other two to come to the bay.
Jameson arrives next, now wearing a navy colored MAF jumpsuit. The four of them nod to each other, and now just wait for the Force Major to arrive. She eventually does, fifteen minutes on the dot after they all last saw each other. She wears a form fitting rashguard, coolant tubing can be seen where the fabric stretches thin, the pink liquid inside circulates, which allows the mechwarrior to maintain a cooler body temperature, in the cockpit of the 'mech. Bianca calls us to gather around her and they begin to be debriefed.
"Welcome everyone, as we are all unaware of what our mission is, I've been given guidance for what environs we are to expect to operate in for our mission. I will input these instructions into the command console, and Marshal Greene, being the most experienced of us here, will be our mission handler for this operation, as well as oversee our training. I will now cede command to him, and we will receive all of our orders to him." Jameson walks up to Bianca, and she salutes. He salutes her back, prompting her to take a step back and allow him the position in front of us. He steps forward, performs an about face, and looks us in the eyes. "Let's get started."
NOTE(S):
Sorry for the delay for this chapter, personal matters got out of hand. I promise, that the BIG STOMPY 'MECHS will come soon. Thank you for understandin'. I'm determined to finish this fanfiction, and will update when I can.