[Commodore Benjamin Maxwell]

____________________________

- Incoming Coded Message -- Command Instruction Follows -
- Decode Satak Protocol - NOVAxGamma 182nd: 3rd -
- Disseminate by need only -
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Operation Codname: Moonshield II
Type: Defense
Planet: Rochelle
Terrain: Barren Tundra
Heat Efficiency: 100%
Time: Day

NARRATIVE

The Free Worlds League has offered us a contract for assistance on the border planet Rochelle. Several garrisons from the Free Worlds Guards are currently stationed there, and are under severe enemy attack. Originally believed that the attackers were from the Lyran Commonwealth, their advanced technology and brutal military strategies are too much even for House Steiner to mount. The Free Worlds League Intelligence believes that only leaves Clanners. How they would have gotten so far into the Inner Sphere, with such a strike force, is unknown, but the tactics and technology are consistent with previous Clan encounters.

Due to the need for major reenforcements on the planet, our unit is being sent in along with another merc outfit - the Band of Five, a division of Ryan Universal Unlimited (RUU), to repel the enemy assaults. As the Five will be making planetfall ahead of us, we will attempt to deploy in the vicinity of their units, as they will no doubt have accrued more intel regarding the situation by the time of our arrival. Unfortunately, at this time our intel is rather limited, but we do know that the Free Worlds Guards cannot hold much longer against this unknown force. Although our objectives and area of operations are seperate from the Band of Five's, this is still considered a joint operation. We will rendevous with an FWL JumpShip at the New Earth jump point at the time of our departure.





Our given objectives are the defence of a mining base on the southern continent of Martinasia, in one of the few 'safe zones' in the aftermath of the Second Succession War. The base is moderately sized, consisting primarily of light industrial facilities. Limited vehicle support is available, along with a marine barracks which houses approximately thirty combat personnel. Apart from this, the base is staffed with an additional thirty civilians, who perform various roles, ranging from technicians, to miners, to administrators.

DEFENSIVE CAPABILITIES:

Defenses at the Martinasia facility are primarily automated. The base is ringed by eight turrets total, two facing each point of the compass. Each pair consists of one dual Ultra AC/10 turret and one dual LRM-15 turret. The positioning of the turrets alternates, such that every other turret is the same. The facility has no AMS system; however, it does possess adequate anti-aircraft guns - to wit, two triple LB-5X AC turrets, both of which have a firing arc locked to the sky. Four mobile LRM carriers, each paired with a medium tank for defense, are also reportedly positioned on the base's perimeter.

The Free Worlds League has mobilized two lances of military-grade BattleMechs to assist in the defense of the base. The reported force composition of these lances is as follows:

Heavy Lance
T-IT-N10M Grand Titan [100 tonnes]
YMN-6Y Yeoman [60 tonnes]
Firestarter F [45 tonnes]
HER-5S Hermes II [40 tonnes]

Medium Lance
WR-DG-02FC War Dog [75 tonnes]
STN-3M Sentinel [40 tonnes]
Firestarter B [45 tonnes]
Firestarter C [45 tonnes]


MISSION OBJECTIVES

Primary

- Reenforce base

- Defend base from enemy attack until additional FWL military units can arrive to relieve RUU and Legionnaires

Secondary
- Allow minimal to no damage to base structures

THREAT REPORT

• Limited Data Available.
  
  
• Unknown enemy forces, attacking in non-standard unit formation with brutal efficiency.
  
  
• Originally believed to be Lyran forces, idea dismissed. Now believed to be Clan forces, however it is unlikely.
  
  
• The Band of Five may have additional information available upon rendezvous.

FRIENDLY SUPPORT
The Legionnaires will be assisted by Ryan Universal Unlimited's Band of Five mercenary outfit. Their motto, "'Mech or Dagger, Dead is Dead," seems particularly apt, as the Band of Five have quickly become one of the most feared units in the various splinter factions emerging in the ruins of the Chaos March.

Though they have nowhere near the training or equipment of other, more legitimate mercenary groups, they have a brutality and savagery about them that manifests in their willingness to do anything to achieve victory. Whether on the battlefield or off, whether through traps, ambushes, assassinations, intimidations, hostage taking — to the Band of Five, only winning matters.

Although they are more a gang, or a band of thugs, than a true military unit, they usually get the job done. Many MRBC leaders have attempted to brand them renegades and have accused them of numerous atrocities, but the Band of Five have somehow managed to survive intact. After all, with every side vying for control on numerous worlds, results are what matters — and the Band of Five provide those results in spades.

The Five will meet us planetside, having already taken up garrison at the base. Unfortunately, in order to get to them, we will be forced to set down over five kilometers out from the installation, as the sky over the mining base has been declared a no-fly zone by the planetary government in the wake of the attack. Any units observed airborne over the base are being considered hostile, and are accordingly being destroyed on sight. The Band of Five has provided us with a ground-based entry route that they allege is clear of hostiles; however, this information is speculative at best, and all due caution should be practiced upon our arrival.

There will be no lance assignments for this operation, as the strike coordination will be handled remotely by FWL military MechCommanders, who are already garrisoned within the base. They will patch into our C3 network upon our arrival, and assign attack vectors and nav points individually to each MechWarrior. Sergeant Hobson will also be monitoring the situation aboard the Thorin, and will deploy support assets and upload tactical updates as needed. It is unknown at this time what support assets the Band of Five possess; however, their BattleMech assets are as follows:

• One AS7-D Atlas (Assault, 100 Tons)
  
• One CP-CS-A Cyclops (Assault, 90 Tons)
  
• One Timber Wolf Prime (Heavy, 75 Tons)
  
• One DTS-4R Deimos (Heavy, 70 Tons)
  
• One Hellbringer Prime (Heavy, 65 Tons)

PLANETARY OVERVIEW

With vast mineral resources capable of sustaining a broad industrial base, and further blessed by an abundant water supply and soil rich enough for planting, Rochelle was an easy colony world to establish and settle in the early days of mankind’s race to the stars. After the fall of the Terran Alliance, this world became a part of the Federation of Skye, thanks to a trading alliance with the McQuiston family on Skye, which further boosted its economic and industrial growth, until its subsequent conquest by the nearby Free Worlds League. In the wars that followed the collapse of the original Star League, Rochelle and its material wealth were hotly contested, and it was particularly ravaged during the savagery of the First and Second Succession Wars. In fact, as the Second War finally ground to a halt, House Marik’s economic experts concluded that the mining, refining, and manufacturing centers on Rochelle had become hopelessly damaged by the widespread use of weapons of mass destruction. Indeed, so much nuclear and chemical waste had been released in the past eight decades of warfare that the League officially classified Rochelle as “unsalvageable”; reconstruction efforts were soon abandoned, and the planet virtually evacuated. Despite this, the proud people who remained on Rochelle, suffered through two centuries of war and death, but continued to mine valuable ore for export to industries deeper within the League. For a time, the world even became the headquarters of MediQuick, an interstellar mobile medical services corporation that offered its services to close to two dozen worlds on the Steiner-Marik border, until questionable business practices led to that company’s demise. Despite the best efforts of the locals, the economy and infrastructure of this tortured and poisoned world continued to erode, leaving it a mere border post for League military forces to guard against their Lyran counterparts.

COMMANDER'S NOTES

This isn't going to be easy, MechWarriors. The planet Rochelle has been hotly contested for its mineral deposits in the past and very well could be again.

The Free Worlds League believes it is Clanners attacking them, but that is highly unlikely due to the location in the Inner Sphere; it is more likely a large Lyran strike force, although the Free Worlds Guards swears its an enemy unlike anything they've seen before. So we have to be extremely careful - we don't know what we are facing yet. The Band of Five has offered to share what intel they have with us when we rendevous with them, we'll let you know more when we can.

One more thing, MechWarriors, there are civilian refugees in that military base at this time. It is imperitive that we do NOT allow the enemy to capture or destroy the base. The Free Worlds League has even offered a bonus if we can ensure minimal damage to the base structures. I dont know about you guys, but I could always use a few extra C-bills. Let's have at 'em, MechWarriors.

-- END OF TRANSMISSION --



____________________________

Sender: Captain Adam 'Gunman' Wolf
Encryption Priority: HIGH
HPG Relay 29XA01-OMEGA-9184
Recieved: OP Comp. 0653 Standard Terran Time
____________________________

[Captain Adam Wolf]

Somewhere outside The 'Vertigo' Lounge
Lakefront South District
Harlech, Outreach
May 10, 3067
__________________________________________________

As I made my way through the less than crowded back alleys in Harlech's Lakefront South District my anger quickly subsided, it was another quirk of mine, generally speaking I had a very long fuse but the bomb attached to it was also very large and when it did go off you knew it, however it was like a flashbang grenade, one moment brilliant and painful, the next completely gone minus the whole being blinded and deaf for a bit thing. Of course certain things could drastically cut that fuse down, such as the whole thing with Aisa. I knew I had acted in childish manner, but still being as young and headstrong as I was I'd be damned if I'd admit it to anyone but myself. Obviously there was more to the situation than I was willing to see, or hear about, but it nevertheless got deep under my skin with how easily everyone else seemed to be accepting it. Having just exited from one of the nearly vacant alleyways into a much busier thoroughway I slowed by exceptionally quick pace, made that much more so due to my longer legs and hence longer stride, and pulled out my communicator to check the time.

"1421 hours, hmmm" I mumbled to myself as I made a note of the time, we were scheduled to head off world today and head back to Tau Ceti IV, but that wasn't until 2000 hours. That meant I had about 4 hours to kill while still giving me ample time to get back to the Thorin and help oversee the final loading of whatever equipment and supplies we were taking with us. Now that my head had cleared of the red cloud of irrationality I had allowed to grow in Aisa Thastus' presence I could clearly think of a few things to pass the time. I already said my goodbyes to my parents before I left to come to The 'Vertigo' Lounge so I had no need to head back there, I did however feel that some physical exercise would be great to keep my mind clear and at the same time allow me to work out some of the frustration I still felt lingering. With that in mind I hailed a cab with the intent of heading back to the Thorin to pick up some gear and then head out to the Wolf's Dragoons' The Practice Fields, a conglomeration of various battlemech, aerotech, infantry, and vehicle testing facilities. The Practice Fields were open for use by any member of a MRBC registered mercenary unit for running various drills in almost situation. While the facility did not have the advanced holographic and shielding capabilities of Solaris VII's game arenas, the artificial proving grounds were more than adequate for most mercenary units.

Several hours later....

I quickly ducked into a tight combat roll over my left shoulder, the encumbering combat armour making the roll much more difficult than it usually would be. The armor itself was based off the Marine Combat Environment Suit, a pressurized and fully sealed suit with impressive armor, for infantry, a built in life support system and built in battery pack. The armor I had was customized for a better fit and modified to allow use of a combat neurohelmet in place of the standard helmet in order to allow interfacing with a Battlemech without the need to change helmets. Several ruby pulses scored the metal bulkhead just above my crouched position behind a tipped over vending machine, they were working hard to try and pin me down and if they'd had a support pulse laser instead of just the pulse laser rifles they probably would have been able to succeed. As it was I was the only member of my team left in the area, and it appeared that there were only two enemies remaining. The old convention centre had been turned into a makeshift base of operations for our opponents and if there were any members of my team still operational they would be on the other side of the base making an attack from there as we had decided on a two front assault.

As a fresh burst of ruby red laser rounds flashed down the hallway I slipped by head up slightly above my left shoulder to look over the overturned vending machine that was serving as my temporary cover, several blackened marks dotted its surface as well as the wall past me. Swinging the Mauser 960 Assault System, the fancy name for the Star League era laser assault rifle I had been issued, up over my cover, the power cables running back to the integral high capacity battery pack within the armour suit, and opened fire with a spray of blind fire. The emerald coloured pulses ripped down the corridor in the opposite direction of the previous ruby onslaught and while horribly inaccurate it forced my aggressors to take cover all the same allowing me the precious few moments I needed to spring from my location and race across the hall into an adjoining corridor. As I neared the archway leading to the perceived safety of this new corridor a renewed fury of laser fire washed down the hall with several rounds striking the left side of my armour and leaving slightly smoking blackened impact points. A quick check on the basic HUD displayed inside my helmet displayed that my armour, after those last hits, was done to about 40% effectiveness and I only had 30 shots left with the Mauser's pulse laser before my battery pack was drained.

Another burst of laser fire forced me further down the new corridor and I began to try and search for a way to flank the two opponents who were entrenched at the end of the previous hallway. After a few moments I found an open window that lead into a small courtyard like opening with another window opening into another hallway presumably to the right side of the two enemies so I could attack their left flank. Jumping through the window, the heavy armour making it slightly difficult and creating an awful noise as the ablative angled surfaces scraped across the window frame. Slipping across the courtyard opening, bypassing the closed door that appeared to lead back into the original hallway I had come from with the tipped over vending machine, I quickly took up position below the other window, this one broken rather than just being open. Peering inside I could see an old water fountain and a few metal trolleys that were haphazardly strewn about in the hallway to my left, towards where I believed my opponents to still be, but it was otherwise empty. Careful to avoid the broken glass as much as I could I hoped through the window again, landing as lightly as the metallic boots of the armour suit would allow. Keeping a low profile I began to move down the hall towards my targets using the water cooler to held guard against any possible surprise attacks.

Reaching the location that the enemy had previously been firing at me from I could see that they had clearly left their entrenched position, however I spotted one of them down the hallway towards where I had entered the adjoining corridor. Without wasting any time I brought the Mauser to bear and fired 3 rounds centre mass on my target, the first two rounds struck the bulky ablative/flak vest the enemy was wearing while the 3rd just barely went wide as he turned to face me. Without missing a beat I fired another 3 rounds in quick succession each round striking dead center into the armor vest sending the man sprawling onto his back where he lay immobile. A crunch of glass snapped my attention back to the left, towards the window I had just come through, and I quickly turned in that direction bringing the Mauser 960 Assault System to aim in that direction. I was second too late however and as soon as I was turned to face down the hall a spray of ruby red laser bathed across my entire armour. The wash of red light didnt halt until the HUD in my display was flashing red stating that my armour had been breached and fell backwards onto the hard tile floor, the suit's systems winking out moments before I hit.

A few seconds later and an orange flashing light began to oscillate from on the wall as a single klaxxon sounded briefly and then the internal PA system boomed to life.

"Round Complete. Red Team is the victor."

Apparently I had been the only member of my team left I mused as the man you had just gunned me down extended a hand to help me up to my feet. Grabbing hold I stood up mostly on my own, the extended hand more a guesture of good sportmanship than any real need to assist.

"You did a hell of a job buddy, took down 3 of us that I know of and from what I heard you're suppose to be a MechWarrior aren't you?"

I chuckled a little as I removed the helmet from the armour suit, having slung Mauser 960 over my shoulder onto an integral weapon mount, another customization option I had added to the armour, "Thanks, and yeah I am a MechWarrior, though I definately enjoy being put through my paces on the ground every once in a while."

"Thats good, too many of you guys are all arrogant asses that wouldn't know what to do without 10 tonnes of armour around you. Though I see you still like your armour." The man chuckled as he eyed the heavy Marine Combat armour I wore.

"Oh I do like my armour, but I've got no issues with doing some cross-training in an infantry role, hell you never know when you might have to get out of your 'mech for some reason or another."

"Fair enough, I'm pretty sure some guy named Adam Steiner said something about cross-training being a good idea, maybe you've heard of him."

"Haha, yeah I think I might have. But infantry training is one thing, aerospace fighters are a whole nother ball game, don't think you'd willing get me in one of those too often."

As we continued our friendly little banter we headed back towards the staging area, along with all the other people who had taken part in the little war game we had been playing for the past two hours. After having turned in all our equipment, the armour I still had one as it was my own the Mauser however I had to relenquish, I headed into the locker room to get dressed back in my regular fatigues and then proceeded to make my way back to the spaceport to help with loading the Thorin.

[Lieutenant Commander Marcus Braddock]

Oh, we can begin posting? I was waiting for a heads up on the setting/time etc. before I wrote anything.

[Commodore Benjamin Maxwell]

Yes, we're free to post. In fact I'm working on one myself right now. Please feel free to send up whatever final business you've got going on Outreach, and once everyone's aboard the Thorin, we'll be dusting off. The new contract has been sent out to everyone's BattlePOCs, and those interested should have their character receive it and send back an acknowledgement.

[MechWarrior Kazuki Kintaro]

I drummed my fingers on the table, rattling out a nonsensical tune until my finger tips were red and numb. The mobile communicator's screen was still lifeless in sleep mode, awaiting my input. I periodically escaped the rhythmic rapping to tape the refresh button just below the display. The same thing appeared every time I pushed the button. It was the mission brief Maxwell had forwarded to me. The large illuminated 'mission accept' digital button glared at me angrily.

“Why am I even contemplating this?” A groaned to myself. I couldn't accept. I leaned back into the old office chair. The cabin I was given aboard the Thorin was almost beginning to feel like home. Mementos of Harlech cluttered my desk. A single photo of myself, Near and Vivian was pinned to the wall. The tactical data printout of our previous mission was curled up and had nestled itself on my pillow like a faithful pup. I let out a slow and steady sigh and locked my fingers together before sticking them behind my weary head. “I cant accept.”

There was just too much at stake. Vivian now knew the truth about Near and how much danger she could potentially be in. While my short time in the Legionnaires helped provide a a little income and a half decent, it was time to resign and protect those closest to me.

And then what? Drift around the Inner Sphere like some vagrant, all the while supporting two dependants on what little money I have? It was suddenly dawning on me how much I had taken on. This wouldn't be a for a few days, weeks or months. I would be on the run for the rest of my life protecting those two. Should we be discovered, our lives would be in constant danger.

If there was one thing this entire ordeal had taught me, it was that General Azrael Ren was a tenacious bastard if ever there was one. If I was going to survive this calamity, I would need funding...

“Blake wept...” I sighed, begrudgingly pressing the 'mission accept' button on my mobile communicator. The device produced an hour glass graphic before confirming my reply was sent. “Oh Vivian; little do you realise how pissed off you are going to be with me...”

[MechWarrior Alex Thorn]

I replied to the call from the Commodore about the next mission, before I continued working on my 'Mech. I had gladly accepted the mission. The Legionnaires were my new home and I knew that I would be staying here for a long time. Some of the techs had given me strange looks when I told them I wanted to work on Wolf's Teeth myself. Some of them apparently knew enough about Clan culture to know that it was odd for a mechwarrior to work on his own 'Mech. It didnt bother me, I was actually not a trueborn myself, and working on my own 'Mech was something I had picked up from Phelan. I had just crawled out from where the left knee actuator was and was getting ready to head up and check on the right one when whispered concerns were coming from around me. I looked up to see Maxwell and Hobson walking into the 'Mech bay with someone new in tow. I strained to get a better look and was greeted with one of the most beautiful women I had ever seen, once again the freebirth in me coming out. As they walked closer I realized her stride was slightly different from the Commodore's or Hobson's. She had a certain look upon her face, almost as if she despised the people giving her stares. It was then I realized that she was a clanner like me. A hope rose in me. Having another clanner on board might help ease some of my tension, then she locked eyes with me. My hope was instantly dashed away. Those eyes, the face, and the stride. I knew who had just joined with us. It was Aisa Thastus. I had heard about her while I was with Wolf-in-Exile, had even seen a few pictures, but now standing face to face with her I knew things would get worse. Her being a clanner did not bother me like it did the others, what bothered me was that she was from Jade Falcon, a rival clan. I kept my expression as neutral as possible as she walked by, even giving her a nod. I watched as they continued to keep walking. After a few moments I then went back to my work. A Crusader with a Warden, I thought to myself. This can not be good.

[Captain Adam Wolf]

The competitive war game I had played earlier had helped relieve a lot of the stress I had been feeling over the whole situation with Aisa Thastus joining the Legionnaires, and while I was still not ok with it my head was clear now and I could accept the fact that she would be a valuable asset to the time, provided she try shooting any of us in the back.

The loading of the Thorin was moving along quite well, we were scheduled to lift off from Outreach inside the hour and with the last of the cargo being transported into the cargo holds and safely secured for travel it looked like we would be ready to go with time to spare. I headed back inside the Thorin's central cargo bay through the rear loading bay and proceeded to make a final check on the equipment loaded there.

Due to the selling of most of our unuseable salvage, good quality salvage just not useable for our unit at the time, and the fact that the BattleMaster I had used was staying on Outreach we had several tonnes of free cargo space for the journey back to Tau Ceti IV. The money we had gotten from both the contract and the sale of the salvage had been put to good use however and we were once again running the old girl very near her limit for weight, not to mention putting the Legionnaires' unit bank account close to the red again as well. The C3 computer systems accounted for a bulk of the cost, even if not a large amount of the actual weight of supplies, but were more than worth it. We had managed to get them below regular market value despite some issues with accquiring them and I knew from experience that the tactical advantage they could provide us on the battlefield was invaluable. As I made my way through the organized chaos that was the Thorin's main cargo bay I made note of what supplies were already aboard on my BattlePOC, which I currently had stored in a bracer like case on my left forearm. The touchscreen keyboard allowing me to easily enter information with only a single hand.

Earlier I had recieved confirmation of the contract that I knew had been in the works with the Free Worlds League through the MRBC. Although I hadnt known the full details until receiving the confirmation, I knew that we were requested to work with another mercenary unit on a planetary scale to help defend Rochelle. Once we had officially accepted the contract according to the MRBC, I had finished up writting a mission brief with the help of the Commodore and sent the contract out to all the Legionnaires members on planet. As was expected the response was fairly quick and it appeared that just about everyone had agreed to the contract, even those that weren't officially Legionnaires or were listed as "undecided".

Having made my way through the cargo bay and noting that the last load of ammunition was being loaded carefully into the hold, while it looked like the final load of supplies was about ready to come aboard after, I decided to head up to the Thorin's bridge and use the ship's communication system to send a message to the local HPG station. Arriving on the bridge I gave Sergeant Hobson a breif update on the cargo loading process, though I'm sure he was already aware of it, and in return he gave me a breif update on the Thorin's status. The old girl's fusion reactor was already warmed up and all the systems would be operating at peak capacity within 10 minutes, she was ready to fly now but Hobson wanted to give the ship as much time as needed to warm up fully, having sat cold and powered down, save for some minimal systems, for the entire time we were on Outreach meant it would be best not to rush it, not that we needed to.

Grabbing a seat in one of the side terminals I plugged my BattlePOC into the universal input on the console and pulled up the comm system opening a channel to Outreach's HPG station.

"This is Captain Adam Wolf of the Legionnaires, requesting permission to transmit message through ComStar HPG network."

"Roger that Captain Wolf, this is Outreach HPG reading you loud and clear. Is this a priority message?"

"Negative, it can be sent with the regular batch of messages."

"Copy that, do you have the message prepared or would you like to record it now?"

"I've got it prepared, sending it now on channel 237B. Message contains text, graphics, and voice." I said as I brought up the message I had previously stored on the BattlePOC and then sent it using just a standard compression stream, the actual data in the file already having been encrypted with one of the Legionnaires security keys.

The message itself was not of vital importance but some of the data included with it could be considered classified enough to warrant encryption. The message was simply instructing the techs back on New Earth to begin modifications to the Thunderbolt stationed at base there so that we could easily install the C3 Master when we arrived. The message including explanations on the modifications as well as a TRO of the new 'mech layout and several blueprints detailing some of the finer details.

"Alright, we've got the message, its passed screening and its ready to be loaded into the batch. Has the destination changed from Tau Ceti IV as indicated in the message header?"

"No, the desitination is still the same."

"Ok, message is loaded into the batch, is there anything else today?"

"No that was everything."

"Ok, the messaging fee has been deducted from the Legionnaires' account and your message will be sent out with the next batch."

"Thanks.

"Have a nice day Captain Wolf."

As I finished the communications I unplugged the BattlePOC and got up from the station. Turning back towards Sergeant Hobson I couldn't help but notice the smile that was tracing the edges of his face, he was clearly glad that we were almost underway again, he always seemed to withdraw a little whenever we were planetside, he was clearly born to be in space or at the very least in the air. A quick salute and I turned and headed back towards the cargo bay just to make sure all the final adjustments were made properly and we could take off as scheduled.

[MechWarrior Kazuki Kintaro]

A few days had passed since our return to Tau Ceti IV. For some, leaving Outreach was akin to being torn away from a mother's embrace. For others, it was a welcome thought to return home from shore leave. However, for me, it was a very different experience.

Needless to say, Vivian was less than pleased that she would be looking after Near again, especially now that she knew what he was. It took a lot of convincing and I don't know what exactly I had said to change her mind, but I knew I was eternally grateful to her when she said she would do the honours. Perhaps it had something to do with the money I promised her...

Several days had passed since then, and we were already aboard the Thorin, waiting for our next mission to begin.

Things had been tense on the ship. The mission itself seemed daunting. Unknown enemy forces, an unfamiliar terrain and cooperation alongside another mercenary unit were just a few worries to mention. It felt as if we were being forced into a meat grinder head first. Tensions have been especially high ever since Captain Wolf and Commodore Maxwell's argument. They may have made up, but there still remained the issue of the clanner. Wolf's hatred for her was apparently masked well by his Captain's protocol. That said, it wouldn't take a well train psychologist to pull back the curtain of his psyche and expose his true feelings of discontent. Any normal man would have continued to object to her presence. Adam was seemingly bottling it up inside, or at least that what I had thought. I could only assume the clanner had put him on edge. At least I liked to think it was that reason – I would of dreaded the thought of something I didn't know about putting the otherwise happy-go-lucky Captain into a bad mood.

I had now found myself walking towards the small briefing room. Adam had requested that I meet him there and to not be late. He had an awkward, almost unnatural way about him when he requested my cancel. I had to be honest, it made me feel uneasy. Perhaps things with the clanner had become too much for the man. Whatever the case was, I would surely soon find out.

The metal door slide open to reveal the darkened briefing room. The dim hum of the holographical display bathed the small room in unnatural warmth. I was immediately taken aback when I saw Thorn and Marcus already waiting inside. They both turned to me and nodded a greeting.

“Captain Wolf requested your presence too?” I enquired. Suddenly a feeling of dread gripped my heart. If this really was about the clanner, why had he assembled two other people? Was he plotting to get rid of her!?

“Yes he did.” Marcus answered. “Me and Alex were discussing why he might have--”

Before he could finish his sentence and before I could express my concerns, the rear door to the briefing room slide open menacingly and my heart skipped a beat. Captain Wolf made his appearance.

“At ease.” He muttered, dumping a data pad onto the small stand next to the microphone. He took a moment to compose himself before scanning his eyes between us all. “I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but there's been a problem with the mission already. An additional object has been set that we cannot ignore. I hope you're all ready for a shit sandwich, because we're all going to have to take a bite.”

[Captain Adam Wolf]

Aboard the Thorin
Enroute to Tau Ceti IV's Nadir jump point
Rendevous with FWL jumpship
May 18, 3067
_______________________________________________________

We were on route to meet the FWL jumpship at Tau Ceti IV's Nadir jump point when we had recieved the news, further complications with an already difficult OP. Neither the Commodore, nor myself were very pleased with the sudden change. We quickly weighed our options and decided on what we had to do, and while we were'nt satisfied with the results we knew it was the best option we had. Due to some new information the Free Worlds League Guard had acquired we now had to split or relatively small unit into two seperate groups, and since I would be leading the second group it was now left to me to inform the members of this second task force with the news.

Fumbling idly with the datapad containing the new mission info I entered the breifing room aboard the Thorin from the side entrance which gave direct access to the front of the room by the podium and holographic display. The other 3 members of the Legionnaires that would making up the unit were already present so I was able to being immediately.

"At ease, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but there's been a problem with the mission already. An additional objective has been set that we cannot ignore. I hope you're all ready for a shit sandwich, because we're all going to have to take a bite."

Flicking on the holographic display the room was awash in an eerie green glow and the emitters aligned themselves, flickered out of focus and then readjusted and brought the topgraphic map from the original mission breif into view. Plugging in the datapad to the terminal beside the display, I punched in a few keys and the original overlay showing the location of the FWL base was displayed along with an additional mark a few kilometers away.

"Alright, it would appear that the Free Worlds Guards managed to find some more information regarding their opponents. While it doesnt help us any in identifying who we are to be engaging, they were able to determine the approximate location of one of the enemy's outposts. That big red blinking square thats several kilometers outside of our original mission operation zone is where its suppose to be. Apparently they can't give us a definate fix on its location because its not stationary. Its a mobile field base, or rather a collection of mobile field bases, along with some pre-fab structures that can easily be dissambled and moved and some tents and supply crates. Seeing as how we are still several days out from Rochelle even after we make the jump into system in a few hours its understandable that the enemy could decide to move the outpost. Once we reach Rochelle the FWG will let us know where their recon units last spotted the outpost."

"As you've probably guessed, the Legionnaires are the lucky ones that they've requested to take out the outpost. According to the latest details we've recieved, they can't afford to send anyone after the outpost themselves as they are barely able to hold what bases they have left. The Band of Five have met with less resistance than expected at the mining base, but they are still just holding the line and therefore cannot send any units to investigate the outpost either. Thats where we come in, the Legionnaires will split into two units, one will continue on to the base and reinforce the Band of Five as originally planned, the other unit will go investigate and destroy the outpost. We're the lucky bastards that get to go treasure hunting."

Forgoing the usual formality of a mission breifing I left the holographic display behind me and sat backwards on a seat near the other 3 members of the Legionnaires, looking to each one individually before continueing.

"I don't like it, but we don't have much of a choice. We're the only unit heading to Rochelle soon enough that can afford to check out this outpost, and if this is a base that the enemy is using for a strategic hit against the FWL we can't ignore it. You all remember the original breifing, we have to set down outside the no fly zone that has been set up around the mining base so we can't just do a fly over of the outpost. The four of us are going to be hot dropped from the Thorin at the nearest point along our approach vector, from there we will enter the no fly zone by 'mech and search for the outpost. The Thorin, the Commodore and the rest of the Legionnaire assets will continue to the designated LZ and proceed to the mining base as before. Once we find the outpost we are to assess its strategic value, gather any and all information about the enemy that we can, and then dispose of the base and all its assets as we see fit. According to the FWG there was a small contingent of 'mechs present, but all were light and there was only 6 of them. However, if this is indeed an advanced staging point for the enemy, I wouldn't be surprised if we run into more than that."

Getting up from the chair I turned back to the main display at the front of the room and brought up a short mission brief detailing what our lance would be doing and listing what intelligence we currently had to work with.

"So, as you can see, we are now going to have a lance assignment for us unlike in the original brief. Kintaru, you'll be Spectre-4, your Stinger is going to have to be our eyes and ears. Thorn, you're Spectre-3, that Marauder IIC of yours is going to be the heaviest firepower we've got available, let's hope we don't need it all. Braddock, that makes you Spectre-2 and leaves me as Spectre-1. Any questions?"

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Operation Codename: MoonShield II

Submission: Spectre Lance Assignment

Type: Search and Destroy
Planet: Rochelle
Terrain: Barren Tundra
Heat Efficiency: 100%
Time: Day

NARRATIVE

A secondary objective has just been given to the Legionnaires, an enemy outpost is located somewhere near the FWL mining camp and we are tasked with finding and neutralizing it. The enemy outpost is semi-mobile and as such an exact location is uncertain. It is believed that the outpost is being used as a staging ground for a large assault on the mining camp and FWL bases beyond within the next few weeks. Free World Guards recon indicates that the outpost consists of 3 mobile field base units and around a dozen pre-fab structures that are easily dissassembled and transported. Surrounding all of these structures were around two dozen tents of varying size. The last known location had concrete roadblocks and barbwire fencing around the perimeter as a semi-portable basic defensive line. Along the barbwire a few weapon emplacements were noted, mostly appearing to be heavy machine guns or similar anti-infantry and anti-vehicle weaponry, no anti-'mech weapons were seen. However there was 6 enemy 'mechs in the vicinity of the outpost, all of which were Light 'mechs.

Our mission is to search out and destroy this outpost. The Legionnaires will be split into two units, with our unit being given the codename Spectre Lance. Spectre Lance will be hotdropped during the initial approach along the edge of the no-fly zone close to the last known location of the outpost. The remainder of the Legionnaire's assets will continue on with the original mission, while we search the area for the outpost. Upon finding and identifying the outpost we are to gather whatever intelligence we can from the outpost and then to destroy the outpost along with any enemy assets in the area. Upon successful destruction of the outpost Spectre Lance is to regroup with the rest of the Legionnaires at the mining camp and continue with the original mission.

MISSION OBJECTIVES

Primary

• Search for enemy outpost
  
• Gather intelligence on enemy from outpost
  
• Destroy enemy presence
  
• Regroup with other Legionnaire assets at FWL mining camp

CALLSIGNS

Spectre Lance

• Pilot: Adam Wolf
  Battlemech: TDR-9NAIS-L Thunderbolt (Class: Heavy)
  Callsign: Spectre-1
  
  
• Pilot: Marcus Braddock
  Battlemech: CPLT-C1 Catapult (Class: Heavy)
  Callsign: Spectre-2
  
  
• Pilot: Alex Thorn
  Battlemech: Marauder IIC (Class: Assault)
  Callsign: Spectre-3
  
  
• Pilot: Kazuki Kintaro
  Battlemech: STG-6L Stinger (Class: Light)
  Callsign: Spectre-4

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

[MechWarrior Alex Thorn]

I stirred as Adam briefed us on this new objective. I didn't like it at all; the sudden change bringing more danger into this mission. I spoke up as soon as Adam asked if we had any questions.

"Sir, is our objective to head straight for the last known location of this mobile base as soon as possible, or are we to engage any enemy assets along the way?"

Something told me that we were to head straight for the base at best speed, but at the same time I had a feeling that we would have to fight our way there. To me it seemed that if this was a forward base, even a mobile one, would be more heavily guarded than just a few light 'mechs. My uneasiness didn't come lightly. I was still worried about this Jade Falcon that had come aboard. I had heard about Adam and Ben's argument over her joining with us, but to me it paled in comparison to the tension that was between members of Clan Wolf-in-Exile and Clan Jade Falcon. In fact I was relieved to find that it was just us for on this part of the mission and that she was not coming along. Finally Adam spoke.

"That will be a decision that is made in the field. We will only engage enemies if I give the order. I'd prefer not having to deal with the enemy along the way. So if it can be avoided, then yes we will make best speed to the objective." He then looked at the other two pilots, waiting to see if either of them had questions on our new assignment.



I went ahead and mentioned Aisa because I didnt know how we would play out the others, but I kinda liked the prospect of the story of the relationship dynamic between Adam, Alex, and Aisa.

This post has been edited by MechWarrior Alex Thorn: 01 March 2010 - 09:55 PM

[Captain Adam Wolf]

No worries, the other characters are all still there, we just currently don't have active posters portraying them, doesnt mean we can't refer to them or interact with them. Btw, if any of them read this, please feel free to join in, just because we didnt write your character in immediately doesnt mean anything, we've got more than enough creative minds around here to come up with a way in story for you to join and we'd love to have you.

I too was interested in the whole thing with Alex, Adam, and Aisa as well (haha, just noticed that they all start with "A" as well, not that it means anything just kinda neat, lol), maybe with luck she might check the site and see we're up and running again.

[MechWarrior Kazuki Kintaro]

I wasn’t sure if Captain Wolf had realised it, but I was feeling rather ashamed of myself. How naïve it was for me to believe that the Captain could even suggest such a devious plot. As embarrassed and ashamed of myself as I was, I was overcome with relief.

”Damn paranoia.” I cursed.

The new mission objective came as a surprise, however, I felt confident we could pull it off. The unpredictable often becomes the most interesting. When it was my turn for questions, I quickly declined. As the Captain had said, we would have to wait until we got onto the battle field before we could determine exactly what we were dealing with.

All heads turned to Marcus.

[Lieutenant Commander Marcus Braddock]

Earlier...
_____________________

I awoke with a start, and neatly slammed my head into the roof of the low bunk.
Little glittering spots danced and blurred before my eyes for a few moments, before the the pain of the impact cut its' way through the drowsy haze in my mind and brought me to full awareness.
"Aughh... Damn it all..."
I kicked off the single sheet and swung my legs out into the comparitive room of the cabin, gingerly prodding the bruising tissue on my forehead with tentative fingers.
Another day-cycle aboard the Thorin. Consciously stooping a little to avoid further damage, I pushed off in the reduced gravity for the far side of the cramped quarters, to where my PDA blinked and cheerily announced todays date and time. This took two steps.
Like I said, the cabin was tiny.
On the previous trip aboard the Thorin I had been billeted with Schuster - A problem I had managed to work around by only being present in our quarters when I needed something, or when Nick was on shift. There isn't space enough for infighting on a ship this size - but that didn't mean I went out of my way to get involved with him. For this op however, I was quartering with the much more amiable Thorn.
That I felt more comfortable around an enigmatic Clanner-In-Exile says something about Schuster, doesn't it?

Hefting the PDA, I squinted at the palm-sized display - There was a message on the intra-Legionnaires' network for me, which explained why the blasted device had woken me up.
I pulled it open with a tap of my thumb - a curt paragraph of text tagged with Captain Wolf's visual identifier, requesting that I report to the Thorins' briefing room immediately.
This was unusual in a mid-transit situation. I wondered what Gunman could need to tell me in such an official capacity, quickly deciding that this meant either our information on the mission had significantly changed, or something important was happening wtih regards to the unit itself. Neither option was particularly free of foreboding.
After stowing the PDA on my belt and quickly pulling on a plain fatigue-tee, I opened the door and made my way up the primary arterial corridor towards our small display room at the nose of the ship.

My route took me past the 'Mech bay where Jackal was stored. In the intervening days back on our primary Tau Ceti complex, we had taken the time to make repairs that had been deemed unecessary on Outreach, noncritical mechanics, cosmetic plates and the like - the weathered old Catapult looked almost as new again. The new C3 battle telemetry units we'd picked up on outreach had been installed without a hitch - some of the minor eletrical systems had been a bit twitchy after their nuclear exposure, but a full restore had seen things back on the level. As the finishing touch, in the hours before we loaded up the Thorin to dust off again, I'd taken an old spraygun out of the warehouses and marked out two shooting stars in blue and white, streaking up either side of the 'Mechs armoured nose. The same stars that emblazoned the StarRiders insignia on my pilots' jacket.
Just for looks, right?

I nodded at a passing crewman as I palmed open the door to the briefing room. Alex was already inside, and he nodded in response to my waved greeting.

___________________


My first hunch had been on the money - New mission-critical intel.
I looked over the force composition display on the holotable, in silent approval of the weight ratio in the makeshift lance - Until I realised everyone was staring at me. Captain Wolf cleared his throat gently.
Whoops. My turn to speak, Ii seemed.
"So," I started. "We're running search and destroy on enemy supply and command infrastructure." Gunman nodded in confirmation, although he knew I was simply reiterating.
That was good. I'd had plenty of similar experience with this type of operation. I continued.
"These mobile structures - can we be expecting any opportunity to salvage from the outpost? I know for a fact that many of these forward bases ship with long-range ComCon rigs that'll sell for a fair few C-Bills, assuming we have the time to stick around afterwards.
The way this puts it," I indicated the display with a wave of my right hand, "the mining camp will be in need of us too soon for us to make use of it."



Does anyone else here keep thinking/referring to the 'Band of five' as 'Party of five' in their heads?

This post has been edited by Lieutenant Commander Marcus Braddock: 02 March 2010 - 08:25 PM

[Captain Adam Wolf]

Thorin briefing room
Enroute to Tau Ceti IV's Nadir jump point
Rendevous with FWL jumpship
May 18, 3067
_______________________________________________________

"These mobile structures - can we be expecting any opportunity to salvage from the outpost? I know for a fact that many of these forward bases ship with long-range ComCon rigs that'll sell for a fair few C-Bills, assuming we have the time to stick around afterwards."

"The way this puts it," Marcus said as he gestured towards the display, "the mining camp will be in need of us too soon for us to make use of it."

The Leftenant had brought up a valuable point, salvage, he always seemed to have a knack for seeing the positive side of things, and things that could be profitable for the unit. Not that money was a driving factor in the man, but this seemingly natural insight was often invaluable and definately hadn't hurt in his promotion to Leftenant Commander, yes his official rank was Lieutenant Commander but years of upbringing with a decidely Canadian/British ancenstry from ancient Terra still had me saying Leftenant.

"Excellent point Marcus, these mobile field bases most definately present a great opportunity for salvage and while I'd love to say that yes we will be salvaging them, I simply don't know one way or the other right now. If all goes according to plan, and we all know how often that happens, then yes once we find the base and acquire whatever useful intelligence we can, we will eliminate any enemy resistance, salvage what is usable and then destroy the rest. However, dependant upon the enemy presence, what value is actually available for salvage, and how heavy the fighting is at the mining camp we may or may not have that opportunity."

As I answered, the other three men nodded in acknowledgment and while I wasn't certain I was pretty sure that they were all aware that most questions they would have I unfortunately did not have answers to right and wouldn't have answers at least until we made planetfall. Nonetheless I turned to each of them in turn before continueing.

"Well gentlemen, if there are no further questions thats all I have for now. We should be arriving at the Nadir jump point within 2 hours and making the jump to Rochelle immediately. After that we'll have a mere 4 days and then things will start getting interesting. I suggest we get some good shut eye while we still can, lord knows we're going to be busy once we hit the dirt."

After saying goodbye the men that would be making up Spectre Lance I turned and left the breifing room via the same door I had entered from, smiling to myself as I thought of mission ahead. Daunting as it was, the task at hand still seemed to fill me with a boyish giddiness that I couldn't seem to ignore and the team I would be leading was an almost perfect fit for the mission. While I hadn't had any real extensive tours with any of them save the Leftenant, their individual performances on Saffel and the way they seemed to just click as a team made me confident I couldn't have picked a better lance. Combat wise we had almost every tactical role filled, we had a recon/scout 'mech with Kintaro's Stinger, we had fire support with Braddock's Catapult, we had heavy firepower from Thorn's Marauder IIC which could also double as a close range brawler if absolutely necessary, and then my Thunderbolt provided Command and Control as well as an electronics warfare package and precision striking to finish off an enemy.Yeah, I thought to myself as I made my way towards the bridge, I've got a good team, I think we'll do just fine as long as there aren't too many surprises.

I never saw the show so I can't say the reference really came up for me, but for some reason when reading that I thought of the Jackson Five, never really listened to them but apparently that doesn't mean much, lol.

[Lieutenant Commander Marcus Braddock]

Making my way back down the length of the Thorin in the half-lope necessitated by the lessened gravity, I glanced at my watch.
0527 Mission-time. I was on shift with Hobson in half an hour.
This shift would see the Thorin reach our Jumpship and make the gut-wrenching vault to Rochelle.
That ruled out eating, not that Bonesaw could do much for me with the limited scope of our 'budget ship rations.'
I winced involuntarily at the thought of food as I reached my cabin and slid the door open (the door-motors, like many things on the old Aurora, were malfunctioning).

Eyes fixed on the jacket I had come to collect, I didn't notice Alex until I was nearly on top of him. I almost leapt back when my eyes did register him, perched on the edge of his compact bunk in what surely couldn't have been comfortable repose. His stance more closely resembled a big cat about to launch itself at unsuspecting prey.
"Wha- Blakes' blood, man!" I managed to sputter out, before adding; "Didn't see you there. Sorry." His head moved up to track mine with those piercing eyes, and he answered in that perfectly calm, hard-voweled clan accent.
"I'm sorry if I startled you, Lieutenant. These are my quarters as well." After a moments' pause, his features split into the teeth-bared grin that often passed for laughter in Clan society.
I flashed a grin in return, although inside I was still trying to adjust to the fact the I was dealing with a full-blooded clanner. Almost anyone born of the Inner sphere would have shared a degree of my slight unease.
"So, Alex. What do you think of this latest task? Feeling up for the job?"
He answered as I edged past him in the confined space of our quarters, reaching for my pilots' jacket which hung on the wall.
"With Captain Wolf leading us, we will succeed with ease." Typically blunt and confident, I thought. Good qualities in certain situations.
Outwardly, I nodded along. "It's not faith misplaced, Thorn. Wolf is a damn fine leader and a better pilot, and I'm pleased to see you've already developed confidence in him."
Thorns' brow furrowed as he thought. "He fought exceedingly well on Saffel. I could not easily forget that battle."
There was a twinge. In the look on his face I sense something more.
"...And?" I prodded. "It's Thastus, isn't it - The Falcon woman. Wolf hates what she is, and that strikes a chord with you, right?"

Even before he answered, I could see I was right. I'd picked up a rudimentary understanding of clan politics from the Diamond Shark liasons on Menabar, which included the deep-seeded rivalry between the Wolves and the Jade Falcons. On the other hand, I knew next to nothing about the new clanner-recruit, Aisa Thastus. To be honest, I had avoided her like the plague, even when we'd been confined to the Thorin as we were now. The hyper-militant Falcons pushed the general unease for clans such as the Sharks and Wolves into downright apprehension. It was nothing personal - like I said, I didn't know her - but I'd been happy enough to leave her under the supervision of the Commodore.
"You are perceptive, Talus."
"Thanks, I get that a lot." I quipped. Thorn furrowed his brow even further, if that was possible. I glanced at my watch again, and pulled my jacket with its' three blazing comets over my shoulders.
"Chin up Alex, we'll be jumping in a few hours. We've got to be ready to meet this head-on, ayia?" I doubt he understood the Menabaran suffix, but the intonation was clear enough.
He stood up as I made for the door. "Yes, Lieutenant. I do look forward to fighting with the Legionnaires again."
I nodded and slid the door closed behind me.

Now you've done it, Adam. The Band of Five shall henceforth be known in my mind as the Jackson Five. Their pilots: Jackie, Tito, Marlon, Jermaine and Michael. Their mission: To bring the power of funk-soul MoTown to backwater Rochelle. The enemy don't stand a chance.

Note: I don't think you're at all wierd for spelling Lieutenant 'Leftenant'. I'm reasonably sure that's how the Australian Defence Force does it too. I just adjusted, assuming this site had a primarily American population.