Idris Nasir

Somewhere in the Arctic Tundra North of Bascombe, Concord II Concord system - Free Worlds League May 27, 3031 (Friday) ______________________________________________ The artillery fire suddenly stopped. This was good because as I navigated the icy hills and tried to avoid the BattleMechs fighting each other, I had nowhere to hide. I was looking for the tank units we spotted earlier. According to Alyssa, it was an 80-ton AC/2 Partisan heavy tank, a 60-ton Pike support vehicle, and most likely a 60-ton Bulldog main battle tank. I didn't know how I would handle such firepower. Yes, I was wearing the Industrial Exoskeleton Combat Suit, or ICE-S for short, but it was not suitable for such monsters. Even one of them posed a serious threat to me, especially since I only had a Federated Barrett M61A laser rifle system, a light single-shot anti-vehicle weapon and explosives, and a grenade launcher on my rifle....Not that big of an arsenal considering what I caught. "I'm pretty sure the observer is dead. I just chased a Sherpa and crushed him," Jack Whitley said on the radio. This explains the sudden silence. I grunted and braced myself for the bitter arctic wind as I approached the coordinates provided by Home Plate. Soon, like a massive chunk of metal hiding in plain sight, I spotted the Partisan Heavy Tank. It was covered in white camouflage netting, but its enormous size was impossible to miss. The five barrels of the autocannons gleamed menacingly in the cold light, although they were partially hidden under the stealth net. My heart pounded in my chest as I approached, and every instinct told me to retreat, to run from the metal beast, but I swallowed the fear. It was impossible to do anything useful with this monster, so I turned my attention to other goals. The Pike support vehicle and the Bulldog main battle tank had to be hidden nearby. "Junaid to Aden," I radioed Captain Maxwell in a whisper. I didn't know why I was whispering, no one could hear me in my armor, through the winds of these frozen wastes, through the thick hulls of their assault vehicles, but somehow it felt right. As if just talking could alert the tanks to my presence. "Eden. Go ahead," Captain Maxwell’s voice responded immediately, unusual calm and steady contrast to the raging blizzard outside my shield. "I understand you're hunting for armor, sir. Got a visual on a Partisan," I said, keeping my eyes open for any sign of movement. "It's a big one. Disguised. I'll send you the coordinates." " Understood," Maxwell replied. I quickly put a mark on my wrist computer map and sent it to the captain's King Crab. I then continued pushing through the snow, staying away from the dug-in Partisan to avoid detection. The lizzard itself was an enemy, cruel and merciless, and a bad ally. It becomes increasingly difficult to see anything more than five meters away. But maybe it wasn't so bad. If I couldn't see them, there was a good chance they wouldn't be able to see me either. Suddenly, a sudden movement to the southwest caught my attention. I knelt behind the cover of the snow-covered hill, looked up at the top, and activated my binocular vision to pierce the blizzard. Two figures appeared beneath heavily camouflaged fabric, their crisp lines creating an unnatural contrast with the wild landscape around me. Despite the enemy's careful attempts to hide their combat vehicles in the form of rocks and other plains, the wind betrayed his attempts. The closer of the two figures was undoubtedly the Pike. I assumed that the much larger figure was the Bulldog, huge and imposing even from this distance. "Junaid to Eden..." I began with my voice dropping lower. "Eden. Go," Maxwell replied. "Got two more targets. It is Pike and Bulldog. I’ll send you the coordinates now." I quickly dropped two more markers on the map and sent them off. "They're dug deep, sir. I recommend an air strike if we can do it." "Air support in this storm is impossible," came Maxwell’s response. The weather turned out to be as serious an enemy as the tank division I was pursuing. "I'll take care of them. Move to a safe observation position." The captain's answer surprised me. I knew that he was not afraid of bold actions, but the idea of attacking the Partisan, Pike and Bulldog tanks alone, even in the King Crab, seemed unreasonable even for him. "Sir," I countered, "those seem like long odds, especially with the visibility so bad." "Idris," Maxwell's voice cut across the channel. "You've seen me pull longer odds ." Damn, he was right. I had. And not just once, but again and again, in increasingly difficult circumstances. But I knew that this luck could dry up over time. "Eden, I think I can help. I can take the Pike while you pull Partisan and Bulldog away." I explained. "60 tons is still punching significantly above your weight, Idris," Maxwell responded, his worry clear over the static. "Yes sir, but I'd rather give us any advantage I can," I hesitated and slowly crawled towards the covered tanks, adrenaline coursing through my veins. "I'd rather go down fighting than hiding in the snow." There was a long pause on the radio. While I was waiting for an answer, I crept up to the enemy position, using the blizzard as the best cover, turning myself into a mere ghost in the snowstorm. "Okay, Junaid," Maxwell finally said. "I'm less than 30 seconds out, coming in hot. Get ready to do this, and remember, I need you on the other side." I steeled my nerves that were jangling in anticipation. "Yes, sir," I replied, stealthily heading towards the Pike, trying my best. This was done so as not to alert the other two enemy tanks. The visibility was bad enough to hide me from their sensors. This is good, because compared to the Pike, the Bulldog and Partisans were real monsters. Approaching the spear, I prepared a plan of attack. I will have light anti-vehicle weapons ready to use. I positioned myself on the high ground directly behind and above the Pike's position. As Captain Maxwell began his assault, I'd charge the rear of the Pike and try to rip off its access hatch with brute strength. The Pike's weak spot, I remembered. If I could get it open, I could fire the light anti-vehicle rocket directly into the tank's interior, obliterating both its crew and its internals. I crouched behind a snowdrift, approaching the top of the hill. Just as I began to look at the blizzard, the form of Captain Maxwell's King Crab appeared, emerging from the storm like a vengeful snow god. "Go, Junaid!" Captain Maxwell shouted over the radio as his massive AC/20s opened fire on the nearby Bulldog and a distant Partisan. The ground shook beneath me under the onslaught of those huge guns. As expected, the two large tanks immediately attacked Maxwell's 'Mech and withdrew from their guard position. This was my moment. "Nasir, let’s do this," I said to myself, activating the exoskeleton’s jump pack. The world became a blur as I descended the hill, the stern of the Pike getting closer by the second. The sound of my jump pack drowned out the howling wind and I braced himself for impact. As I landed behind the spear, the force of the impact with the frozen ground sent a shockwave through my exoskeleton. I was a little disoriented, but nothing beat a good fight to clear your head quickly. Unfortunately, just as I reached the rear door of the tank, the Pike began to move forward, likely to aid his allies in attacking Captain Maxwell. I held onto the edges of the hatch with my gauntlets as the tank dragged me across the tundra. "I need to hurry," I muttered, pulling with all the strength the exoskeleton could muster to pull me onto the small aft deck. The wind howled and the tank lurched, shaking me as I struggled to stay on my feet. My gauntlets slipped, but I was able to grab the railing at the edge of the deck and climb all the way aboard. I took a deep breath and calmed myself before moving towards the hatch. Every step was difficult as the surface of the tank was covered with ice and slippery m snowfall. My boots were sliding on the deck and my heart was pounding in my chest. I knew that if I slipped, I probably wouldn't have another chance to board it again. I slowly approached the hatch, trying not to lose my balance. I took advantage of the moment and wrapped my fingers around the sturdy access handles. I pulled the exosuit as hard as I could against the frozen seal. With loud creaks and groans, the hatch eventually gave in. It banged open, revealing the warm, moderately lit interior of the Pike tank, as well as the shocked expressions on the crew's faces as they saw the exoskeleton's power armor. I didn't waste time on pleasantries and introductions. "Out. Now." she ordered. My voice sounded very deep and artificial from the power armor's external speakers. They clamored out, slipping and cursing on the icy deck, bailing out into the snow. As the last man evacuated the Pike, I raised the single-shot rocket launcher. Taking one last look at the empty cabin of the Pike, I made my move, pulled the trigger, and then immediately fired my jump jets. The rocket burst from the launcher with a powerful roar, illuminating the insides of the Pike with an eerie glow. The explosion was loud, echoing through the air and shaking the ground beneath my feet as I flew upward. Shrapnel hissed as I rode the exosuit into the sky, moving as far as possible from the destructive explosion. Reaching the top of my arc , I looked down at the Pike. Now it was a burning ruin, the hull of the ship was torn apart like a tin can, and thick black smoke rose from within. I was full of satisfaction, watching the light slowly dissipate into the snowstorm. "Junaid to Home Plate," I radioed. "Tango down. Pike eliminated."

Somewhere in the Arctic Tundra North of Bascombe, Concord II Concord system - Free Worlds League May 27, 3031 (Friday) ______________________________________________ To my surprise, the hatch to Nick's Orion opened without my intervention. Curie looked up at me from the top of the ladder, staring at me with stubborn determination despite the falling snowflakes hitting her face. "I climbed by myself," she explained, obviously reading the surprise on my face. "Well done," I responded, impressed. I then extended the arms of my exoskeleton to help lift her onto Orion's broad shoulders. "But down is tricky." Curie nodded, her eyes widening as I placed her on top of the 'Mech's body and pointed to the ground far below her. Aces Wild's tank line still held out, keeping the advancing enemy forces at bay. Their cannon fire roared through the blizzard, illuminating the snow with fiery orange flashes and casting long shadows. I saw the fear in Curie's eyes as Blackwood's Catapult and Lennox's Marauder suddenly abandoned their defensive positions near Pandora and rushed into battle. This can't be good sign, I thought, as Curie's shaking hands caught my attention. "Look at me," I ordered, grabbing her shoulders to try to focus her attention for the moment. The concern in her eyes diminished a little. "I'll protect you. It'll work just like before. I'll pick you up. Hold me tight. I'll use my jump pack and take you to the ground. We'll get you safe and warm to Pandora with Mallory and Levi." "Okay," Curie nodded, her voice shaking as did her hands. I could see her mind racing, probably assessing the likelihood of something going wrong. She took a step towards me and I nodded firmly, picking her up with my armored gloves and holding her protectively against my power armored chest once more. She wrapped her arms around my neck and held me while I activated the jump pack. The engine roared to life, kicking up a cloud of snow from Orion's shoulder as we began our ascent. I leaned forward slightly to get us away from the BattleMech's huge body. Once we were clear, I straightened and quickly turned the jets on and off to achieve a controlled descent. "Everything's fine?" I asked Curie on the radio. "Yes," she replied, her voice barely audible over the noise of the jets. As we passed by the Orion's wide body, the damage from its fight with the Enforcer was clearly visible. A sea of scorch marks, twisted armor plates, and leaking fluids formed a terrible image of the once majestic machine. As we got closer to the ground, I felt Curie tense up at the sight. Even for her, who was not a MechWarrior, the damage was clearly severe. "I'm going to set us down now," I warned her just as the jump pack let out a particularly loud howl of protest. I ignored the warning signs from my prototype and increased thrust to soften the landing. We landed on the ground with a thud, snow swirling around us. I hugged Curie tighter as she let out a short, muffled yelp from the sudden jolt. "I'm sorry," I apologized, releasing her arms. She smiled shakily back, releasing my armor and brushing the snow off her lab coat. Her fingers fumbled with the safety strap on her helmet, so I reached out to help her. "Are you OK?" "Yes…just…surprised," she explained. I saw the confusion in her eyes. This was not the world she was used to. She was brilliant in her own way, but this…this was a battlefield. And it was clear that she found it overwhelming. “Come on,” I said, pointing to the bulky cab of the Pandora recovery vehicle and its long, trailer that housed a combined mobile command center, medical bay, and workshop. Curie nodded and held one of my gloves for stability as we walked the few meters to the front door of the truck. When we got there, she pressed the access button on the control panel and the hatch opened to reveal Levi standing there with a tense expression on his face. “Thank Blake, for getting here alive! "Nick…is he okay?" Levi asked, eyes wide. He looked at Curie, who was next to me. “His BattleMech suffered some damage,” I replied in a calm voice. "But he wasn’t hurt in the process.” “He got hurt before,” Curie clarified. “On landing. Hurt ribs.” Levi's eyes widened. “Damaged ribs? This is not good, especially in a cockpit. The internal bleeding could be..." - he stopped mid-sentence and looked worriedly at Curie. “I fixed him,” she replied plainly. “Can I come in?” Levi quickly stepped aside and cleared the way for her. “Of course, Curie. Come in. Get warm." She nodded approvingly, walked past him, looked at me, and added, "Thank you, Idris." I nodded and began to turn around, my attention drawn to the sounds of the battle still raging, but Levi's voice stopped me. "Idris." I turned to him. He looked at me with a serious expression on his face. "You'll protect Nick, right?" he asked, and I could hear the concern in his voice. "I'll do my best," I promised. His eyes held mine for a moment longer before he stepped back and closed the hatch behind him. I turned around and walked back into the frozen chaos. "Juniad to Rebus,” I shouted into the radio. “The package has been delivered and secured. Let's get out there and clean up this mess."

Concord II Concord system - Free Worlds League May 27, 3031 (Friday) ______________________________________________ The parachutes exploded with a sharp boom, dragging me back, breaking through the biting wind of Concord II. Blinding whiteness spread in all directions as I quickly descended through the swirling snowstorm. The wind was relentless, ice particles hit my visor, and the snow-covered ground rushed towards me. Suddenly I realized that the horizon line was inclined at an acute angle - at least 50 degrees, if not more. I immediately realized that something was wrong. The wind had taken over my parachutes and I was now leaning hard to the left. I tried to correct the runway by tilting the power armor body as far to the right as possible, but nothing seemed to help. I approached quickly and at an angle that expected the left leg of my armor to bear the full weight and speed of the impact. I pressed myself against the frame of the armor, bracing myself for what I was sure would be a terrible encounter. The power armor computer screamed warnings. The ground was approaching fast - too fast - and then... An impact like I've never felt before. I landed on the icy ground with a deafening crash. I heard a very loud mechanical crack as my power armor slid through the snow in a violent cloud of ice and frost. My HUD was blinking on and off, damage reports were flashing in my visor. I had faced difficult situations before, but falling in the middle of a winter hell with broken power armor was a new challenge for me. I lay there for a while, dazed and disoriented. My vision became clearer, an alarm sounded in my ears, and the HUD flashed red. I quickly silenced it, I needed to concentrate. Looking at my instruments, I realized that I had left several pieces of my armor, but the most damage was done to the left leg of the suit. As I feared, it took the brunt of the impact, but the knee servo broke, completely disabling the limb. I moaned and forced my body to move. I had to assess the damage. The left leg of the armor was twisted unpleasantly, and I could see sparks around the knee joint. I tried moving my leg and experimented with different levels of force. Nothing. A feeling of dread came over me as I realized that I would have to venture into the cold and howling tundra to fix the problem myself. If I had not done this, my mission would have ended before it began. To prepare for the cold, I pressed the button on my right glove. The front of the armor cracked, and I immediately felt a sharp cold. As I struggled, snowflakes swirled around me, instantly covering me in a layer of white. The wind howled and screamed in my ears as I pushed away from it to turn around and look back at the damage to my armor. I realized that I was standing almost waist-deep in snow and that my suit had made a deep furrow in it, littered with fragments of armor. I pulled the combat knife from the sheath on its right leg and used it to cut away the destroyed parachutes before moving to inspect the damage to its left leg. The knee was a disaster. The broken servo's wires were ripped out and the whole thing looked like it had slipped halfway out of the joint. I didn't have the right tools or parts to make a proper repair, but it might be possible to make something homemade. I realized I needed to do two things: reconnect the disconnected wires and somehow get the servo back in place before my fingers froze in the ungodly cold. I quickly found a repair kit for my armor, and inside it was a roll of conductive tape, a hammer, a crowbar, and a folding crimping tool. Using the crowbar, I managed to tear off the armor casing from the damaged knee. Inside, I saw that the impact with the ground had dislodged the servo, causing the power and control cables to be severed. So my first task was to use a hammer to push the servo back into place as gently as possible without destroying it completely. I used the pry bar as a makeshift lever, forcing it between the incorrectly attached servo and the surrounding metal casing. As the wind howled like an enraged animal, I began to hit the end of the lever rod with a hammer, slowly returning the servo to its original position. I expected sparks or some kind of protest from the thing, but instead, over several icy, painful moments, it slid slowly and angrily into place. With my fingers now almost completely numb, I started working on the wires. The cold made every movement sluggish and painful. I pulled the ends back with shaky fingers, exposing them before applying the conductive tape. The glue connection wasn't as strong as it could have been due to frost clinging to the wires, but I just hoped it would hold up. I wrapped them as tightly as I could and prayed that they conduct enough electricity to power the servo. Now comes the last and most difficult part: the crimping pliers. I barely had enough strength to inflate the thing, but I knew that without proper clamping I would just continue lying in the snow waiting for the cold to come to me. I inserted the ends of the wire into the crimping tool as my eyes began to glaze over. Crimping is a delicate process, especially when it feels like your hand has been dipped into a bucket of dry ice. I squeezed the crimping tool as hard as I could. My vision was blurry. My grip slipped. The damn thing almost fell out of my frozen fingers. But then I felt it. A small but clear click. The crimpers did their job and secured the connection between the wires. Several small lights above the servo blinked, indicating that it was receiving power. I quickly grabbed the armor plate cover and hammered it into place before the weather could undo my work. After gathering my tools, I put my power armor back on and breathed a sigh of relief when the suit closed and the heater turned on. But a big test lay ahead of me: whether the suit would hold up at all. I bent my left knee. There was a terrible crunching sound from the power armor's left servo, but then the leg responded with the same movement. The renovation was a success. I put weight on it and expected the worst, but to my satisfaction it held up. With a triumphant grin, I stood the suit fully for the first time since landing. I took several experimental steps. The suit was heavy and slow, not as responsive as it should have been, but at least it moved. With renewed vigor, I made my way through the snow to the planned meeting point. “Junaid to all units,” I radioed, “I had a rough landing, but I’m moving and on my way.”

MRCN Sturmfänger Approaching Concord II Concord system - Free Worlds League May 27, 3031 (Friday) - 13:27 hours ______________________________________________ Captain Maxwell and Commander Jaeger looked at the audience while Specialist Franklin peered at the device in her hands. This news filled me with worry. I raised my hand. "Nasir?" Captain Maxwell acknowledged. "Sir," I said, standing to my feet. "This is a development of grave concern. If we are to be this badly separated, what is the plan for delivering the support resources to us quickly? I am worried about contingency situations where as example my own prototype breaks down or someone encounters an emergency."

MRCN Sturmfänger Nadir Jump Point Concord system - Free Worlds League May 25, 3031 (Friday) - 00:48 hours ______________________________________________ “I still don’t understand why we have to do this test so late at night,” I grumbled into my communicator as I waited in the airlock of the small aircraft bay. Curie, Nick, and Levi stared at me from the control cabin. “Like I said,” Levi’s voice sounded in my ear, “if something were to fail catastrophically, it would cause the least systems disruption at this hour." “Prepare for decompression,” Curie added. The red light came on in the door. A low hum filled the air as the atmosphere was evacuated from the compartment on the other side of the airlock. Then a slight vibration spread across the ground as the Sturmfänger's bay doors slowly creaked open, revealing the vast darkness of space beyond. “Decompression complete,” Nick said. “The temperature is dropping nicely there.” “Okay,” I muttered, my breath fogging the inside of my helmet. "Let's do this experiment." I waited for several long moments. Apart from the humming and occasional humming of the engines, there was complete silence in the airlock chamber. “We have reached the temperature threshold,” Curie finally announced. "Close the doors." The hum and vibration returned as the bay doors clattered shut and finally slammed shut with a shaking thud. The endless emptiness of space was once again replaced by the cold metallic interior of the bay. “Repressurize with unheated air,” Levy added. "This may take a minute or two." I nodded, knowing what they would see through the helmet camera. Finally, the red light on the gateway turned green, signaling the end of the process. “Continue, Idris,” Curie ordered. With a quick press of a button on the console to my right, the heavy airlock door opened, revealing a small aircraft bay that already had a very subtle sheen of crystalline ice. “Acknowledged,” I said, my voice echoing inside the helmet. I pushed myself forward, causing the giant exoskeleton to move forward with me. "Okay, Idris, you need to stand in the middle of the room, or at least get as close to it as possible when the star yacht is in the way. Once you're in position, Curie and I will turn on the sprinklers and start blowing air at you,” Nick explained. "Levi will monitor the suit's performance and provide you with test scenarios." “Got it,” I said and walked across the bay. The exoskeleton's servos whined as I maneuvered around the parked ship. There was something ominous about what was being tested, and I could hear my own breathing quicken inside the helmet. Soon I was standing in the middle of the room. "Ready." “Initiation of microclimate,” Curie announced. "Get ready, Idris." Before I could pull myself together, huge streams of water rained down from the sprinklers on the ceiling. It was like standing in a torrential downpour. Through the visor, I watched as the water quickly formed shimmering rivers that flowed over the visor of my helmet. “Okay, now for ice,” Nick warned, his voice sounding tense in my ear. As if on cue, heavy air valves began to blow the ship's oxygen reserves through valves set in a nearby wall, blasting me with strong gusts of wind. I felt the exoskeleton shake from the ferocious attack, and almost immediately ice began to form on my armor. “Diagnostics show that the systems are working, Idris,” Levi’s voice came through the headphones, calm, but with a small bit of concern. I flexed and straightened my limbs, testing my armor against the extreme cold. “The suit is still flexible,” I said. “Then let’s go a little further,” Nick instructed. The wind gusts increased and the rain became more intense. Snow began to form around me, gradually turning white. I pushed the exoskeleton forward, walking against the biting wind, every step an effort. “Start with slow movements. No jumping or squatting. We need to know the point at which the servos start to bind.” “Copy, Nick,” I replied, my voice ringing through the storm. I maneuvered the suit slowly and steadily. The ice continued to creep, millimeter by millimeter until it covered every corner of the exoskeleton. At some point, I felt that the exoskeleton’s arms were losing dexterity. “Suit hands are becoming unresponsive," I said. “Roger, Idris. Let’s see if you can lag out the leg servos with ice as well,” Levi ordered. “Walk around the bay. Let the water freeze at the joints.” Nodding, I began to walk around the bay, each step creaking as ice formed around the joints of my exoskeleton. Curie's simulated weather conditions seemed to worsen with each lap, but the protective suit insulated me and kept my body warm despite the cold. But slowly I felt his legs began to resist my commands, and even heard the components begin to creak under the influence of cold and ice. “My legs are getting stiff,” I said, my voice echoing through my headphones. “Copy,” Levi replied. “Now we know the limits. Let's check the defrost webbing and start warming it up before anything breaks." “Complying,” I replied, activating the new prototype external armor heating system. The resulting frost and ice began to melt and fell in pieces to the bottom of the bay. Little by little, the exoskeleton's limbs regained mobility until they began to move almost as smoothly as before, even though the Curie whirlpool continued to rage around me. The defroster webbing, a network of heated circuits attached to the armor's body, had activated. The ice has disappeared. “The heating is working well,” I announced, flexing the fingers of the armor to demonstrate full restoration of the ability to move. I felt relieved because I didn't like the idea of the vulnerability of being still in armor. "The servos are returning to normal operation." "This is good news!" Nick's voice sounded clearly relieved. “Let's shut it down for now and have Curie stop the weather. You've had enough ice dancing for today, Idris." “Agreed,” I replied, grateful to have completed the test. “Congratulations, team,” Levi added. “I think we have just completed our first successful research project.”

Site 187 Outskirts of Gellen's Heights Sheratan, Tikonov Free Republic April 14, 3031 (Thursday) ______________________________________________ I looked in the briefing projection with some concern. Hunting operations, security, usualy not too much of a problem. We did these things often in FWLM. But in a planet such as this with so much natural hazards, unfamiliar terrain? It raised such a risk profile to a higher level, especially against entrenched enemy or enemy who had time to learn environment strategy in ways we had not. Another worry was my armor. I built it as item of personal interest when I was not working on the repairs for this and that. Almost all testing was on Sheratan or other places where climate was not a concern. But , now we were to be taking our machines into extreme climate that could immediately injure or kill and I had not before subjected the armor to this kind of weather to see what it would do, if it would do anything. Too many shades of gray. I raise my hand. "Yes, Technician Nasir," Commander Jaeger responded. "Commander, I worry about the things we do not know on this mission. For example: we have no data on how prototype power armor will handle the cold or a failure in the cold. Also, I worry this OpFor will have significant local knowledge advantage and will take advantage of blizzards, other things that prevent us from seeing the land." "Certain points Idris," Commander Jaeger agreed. "What is the question?" I shifted my foot as I fixed posture to parade rest. "Sir, my question is what intelligence assets shall we employ on this job so we have adequate aid to know the land and hazards it contains? We may need drones, weather radar, and such just to hold the intelligence edge against the Lyrans. Especially as they are known for their heavy handed approach to combat."

Mad Igor's Armory House Gellen's Heights, Sheratan Tikonov Free Republic _____________________________________________________ The medium recoilless rifle I tested was heavy and full of power. I like the weight, the cold metal... the power was there. I pointed it into the shooting lane and pulled the trigger. The rocket flew out and a huge force hit me in the shoulder. The paper target was hit and shattered into pieces, scattered everywhere. I grinned. It was a good weapon. Nick was nearby and needed to try out the new laser pistol that replaced one that exploded during our last mission. As he fired, its bright light flashed. The shots crackled through the air and hit their targets. He smiled happily. “Idris, this gun, it’s fantastic!” he said when the smoke cleared. I nodded and was busy admiring my favorite weapon. “Yes, I saw your clusters, much denser than before. Good aim." Captain Maxwell was on the other side with his Hawk Eagle. The shop had just repaired it and he was checking it out. Many deafening shots echoed throughout the huge hall. This pistol had a powerful shot. I loaded another rocket into the recoilless rifle. I wanted to make sure it worked well since it needed to fit my battle armor. As I took aim and pulled the trigger, the force hit my shoulder again. The second dummy target exploded in shreds, just as satisfying as the first. My smile grew wider. Yes, a good weapon. I wanted to change a lot about it, but it was a good weapon. Nick continued to fire, his face glowing with laser light, until the battery died. With a quick wave of his hand, he quickly ejected the used energy cell and charged a new one. A few more tests, a few more injections, and he was done. "How is it working?" I asked, looking at his cooling gun. “Like a dream,” he said, handing it to me. It was lighter than I thought. Weight toward the barrel. The grip was strong. I nodded in agreement. Nick then added: “Unfortunately, it doesn’t have a remote detonator like the last one. I need to find someone to make it.” Meanwhile, Captain Maxwell stepped back, narrowing his eyes and examining his Hawk Eagle. Then he swore. "Damn! I just paid for this weapon to be repaired and it went off the rails again." I frowned at the shiny weapon in his hand. “Let me take a look,” I told him, holding out my hands. He grumbled something under his breath and reluctantly passed it on. The gun was heavy for a pistol and its worn metal had been used for years. I tilted it and examined it, as Charles had done, then turned it over in my hands, paying attention to the handle and trigger. “Ah,” I muttered when I discovered the problem. The pin was misaligned and prevented the carriage from aligning properly. I explained this to Captain Maxwell, who was understandably upset. "After so many years of fighting, you'd think these things would be held to a higher standard," he grumbled. “By this point I’ll have better luck with a hammer and nail.” I grinned at him and turned the gun over in my hands. "You can try, captain. But perhaps I can come up with a better plan. You know, Nick and I were discussing the same thing. We at Aegis have a lot of knowledge and experience in such things. Your wife has excellent technical knowledge. Nick knows a lot about computers. Levi and me? We are craftsmen and inventors. So why not put all our minds together and create a research group? We could create a weapon that never jams or misfires." The captain looked at the Hawk Eagle in my hands and then back at me. I could tell he was interested, but as always, he was cautious. "Research division? He scratched his chin and thought. “This could cost us a lot. And we are not swimming in C-Bills.” Nick shrugged and looked at his laser, which he wanted to modify. “Think about it, captain. How much do you spend on repairing and replacing faulty equipment? Weapons, 'Mech components, vehicle parts. All? Plus downtime waiting for repairs or replacement. A research unit could potentially reduce these. Not to mention... if something really good gets invented, we might as well patent it. Sell it." “Think of all the breakthroughs we've made using only the tools we have at our disposal,” I added. “Imagine what we could achieve with adequate funding and time.” Captain Maxwell placed the Hawk Eagle in his range holster and began slowly pacing. He crossed his arms. “Well, we don't have the resources for dedicated full-time scientists. But your idea deserves attention, and I think it's worth a try. I am OK to approve it under certain conditions.” Nick and I waited impatiently for the captain to continue. Maxwell looked us in the eyes and nodded to make sure he was understood. This was to be expected. The captain always made sure that the plans were correct for the larger plan for Aegis Division. “First of all,” he began. “The research department should not interfere with your normal duties. Do you understand? We are a mercenary unit, not a scientific laboratory. Our number one goal remains to fulfill our contracts and comply with them." “Secondly,” he shifted his weight from one leg to the other and addressed us sternly, “you have to work with the resources that you have. I will provide you with a work space and the necessary materials. In turn, you should contact me if you need anything purchased. If there's an unauthorized purchase, I'll stop the process so quickly it'll make your head spin, got it?" We both nodded again, recognizing the firmness and justice in his voice. “Yes, captain,” Nick and I said at the same time. “Third,” he continued, uncrossing his arms and pointing at both of us, “When we achieve something truly powerful or innovative, we don’t sell it. First we use it to enhance our outfit. Our needs come before everyone else. Clear?" Nick, being the rebel he is, raised an eyebrow but nodded silently. I myself nodded firmly: “Yes, captain.” “Fourth: we will have a contract soon. You will manage this program aboard the Strumfänger on our way to our next mission. I will ensure that the engineer allocates sufficient laboratory space in the hold for your projects. This is the best we can do without compromising our ability to fulfill the contract.” When he finished speaking, he picked up his Hawk Eagle again, then cleared the magazine to fix the stuck bolt. “Got it, captain,” Nick said firmly. He was already thinking about how to make the most of this space. I saw it in his eyes. “Finally,” the Captain continued, his tone softening slightly, “I would like you to include Curie in the pilot project if she wishes to join. She has a sharp mind and needs something to do other than wander the base. Keep in mind this may be good for her. Keep her distracted from...everything else." I looked at Nick, and he responded with a look that somehow expressed surprise or doubt. The captain saw us look at each other. "There is a problem?" he asked, finally cracking open the jammed gun with a loud click. Nick quickly shook his head. “No problem, captain. Curie is smart. Really smart. She could help. But... do we want her around guns now?" The captain glanced at Nick, his eyes narrowing slightly before he began to put the parts of his weapon away. “This project is not limited to weapons. Science, medicine and even cooking; if an idea makes sense, I want it to be explored. We need every advantage we can get to stay on top. Curie can certainly contribute in these areas. She is not a fragile vase. She is made of stronger stuff than you think." “I can confirm that,” I agreed, nodding in agreement. “With the right guidance, she will be a valuable asset.” Nick looked a little skeptical, but decided not to argue further. Instead, he nodded in agreement. "Yes, agreed." “Then it’s decided,” said Captain Maxwell, closing the box with the weapon parts in it. His tone was final. “Nick, as soon as we get back to base, start working on a proposal for this new research department. Idris, I want you to help him.: “Yes, captain,” I answered with a respectful nod. When I took another look at Nick's new laser, Captain Maxwell's Hawk Eagle, and my recoilless rifle, I realized we already had our first projects. I was looking forward to it.

CPC Bacchanal Geostationary Orbit above Gellen's Heights, Sheratan Sheratan System - Tikonov Free Republic March 26, 3031 (late) ______________________________________________ I woke up with a start. I was lying on the bed, in the room, in the dark, with all my clothes on. The alcohol surprised me and hit me harder than Centurion's AC/10. I tried sit up, but the world was spinning around me. I groaned and put my hand to my head. I looked around the dark room, then stood up and trudged to the bathroom for water. Suddenly my foot got caught in a pile of luggage that I had forgotten about and I fell to the floor with a loud grunt. My head felt like a bomb had just exploded in it. “Nasir, you’re a fool,” I grumbled. “Too much wine is bad for an old man.” I stood up shakily from the floor, trying to get to the bathroom again. When I stood up, I saw Mallory sleeping on the other bed. Next to him, someone else was fast asleep under the blanket, and only blond hair was visible in the darkness. Well done, Mallory, I thought drunkenly. Bringing home a gentleman friend. I didn't bother them and just trudged further into the bathroom. My reflection was a cruel sight: hair scattered like a sandstorm, stubble thick as a forest, and eyes so bloodshot that they would frighten Atlas. I drank three glasses of water, each of which felt like relief from the dry desert in my throat. I placed a wet towel on my throbbing forehead and sat heavily on the bathroom floor. “Nasir,” I said to myself, “you are too old for this.” A few seconds later I rushed to the toilet and released the poison from my stomach. It hurt, but it brought relief. I leaned my back against the wall and took a breath of air. When I pulled myself back out, the room was quieter than before. I slowly walked back to my bed, carefully avoiding the luggage trap that had caught me earlier. Mallory and his friend did not move. Good, I thought. Let the young ones get their rest. I looked at them and only then noticed that Mallory's companion's eyes were looking at me over the edge of the blanket. “Sorry to wake you, sir,” I said quietly, drunkenly. Confused, he blinked, then the man turned his head and looked at Mallory. When he saw that the doctor was also still sleeping, he seemed relieved and slumped back into the covers. I laughed quietly and trudged back to my bed. It was a big, fancy thing with too many pillows, not the bed I was used to. The room was spinning a little less now, my stomach was a little less upset. I was grateful for this. I miscalculated the distance to the bed and almost hit the footboard. I caught myself in time, swore and managed to take off my shoes before I fell onto the mattress. Too tired to deal with so many pillows, I pushed them away with my hand and let them fall to the floor. “Stupid pillows,” I muttered in a hoarse voice in the quiet room. I lay there for a while and thought drunken thoughts. I looked back at Mallory and his friend. My thoughts then turned to Amina, who had remained on Sheratan. She couldn't accompany us to the circus because she had obligations. I thought maybe I should call her and tell her about that crazy night. I reached for the communicator, but my hand was heavy. Then I remembered, Amina hates when I drunk call. I laughed quietly to myself. "Stupid alcohol." Mallory stirred in his sleep and whined softly. His partner immediately put an arm on the doctor and muttered something I couldn't understand. I smiled and then turned in the opposite direction. My eyelids felt heavier than any machine I had ever worked on. I sighed, closed my eyes and let the sound of the spinning air circulators drift me to sleep.

CPC Bacchanal Geostationary orbit, Gellen's Heights Sheratan V, Tikonov Free Republic March 26, 3031 (Saturday) ______________________________________________ While some went off to test skills behind the wheel in this bumper dance floor, I decided to test my abilities in one of the electronic galleries Steve has mentioned, the theme is "Wild West" and very unlikely to cause any catastrophies outside the kiosk. I walked up. The counter man just stared at me. “Greetings, partner,” I said slurringly, in drink. The seller narrowed his eyes at me, but remained silent. “I’d like to shoot,” I said louder. Suddenly the salesman rushed forward, his movements very rigid and mechanical. His eyes widened and his jaw dropped. “Well, hello, partner! My name is Bathtub Billy! Welcome to rootinist shootinist shooting gallery on this side of the Periphery!" he roared in a metallic voice. At that moment I realized that I was dealing with a robot, a very loud and simple robot. “I’d like to shoot,” I repeated, looking at the old mechanical shooting range behind the robot. "Beware of bushwhackers and sidewinders, ma'am!" Bathtub Billy responded with pre-recorded remarks, completely ignoring my gender. I just sighed. “There are many bandits in the hills. Ten C-Bills a game, partner." Feeling like I had no choice but to join in on the robot's charade, I drunkenly looked for my payment chip and put it across the counter to Bathtub Billy. His tinny, programmed laugh echoed as he scanned the chip. “Yee haa! Well then, get in the saddle, partner!" The robot's stiff arm pointed to the worn wooden stand to which a rusty rifle was strapped. Groaning, I made my way towards the rickety gallery, boots stomping heavily on the metal floor. The gallery resembled a small diorama of an old western town. Wooden buildings with saloon doors and creaking shutters, tumbleweeds on miniature dirt roads, and the mechanical figures of cowboys and bandits peeking out from behind barrels and rooftops. Round white and red targets were attached to various objects in the gallery. “Hold on tight, you hear? It's going to be a wild ride!" Billy exclaimed, his recorded accent ringing in my ears. I was just trying not to puke from the combination of cheap alcohol and the theatrics. “Ready... Ready... Let's draw!” Bathtub Billy's voice shouted. I squinted, clutching a rusty rifle as a line of mechanical cowboys and bandits came to life. The salon doors swung open and the bandit jumped out with reckless abandon. I pulled the trigger and was very surprised when the rifle responded with a loud bang and recoil, firing a live round that ricocheted off the salon sign and missed the bandit. “You need to improve your aim, partner!” Billy mocked me. “You didn’t say this is a real weapon!” I shouted back, although I knew that the robot could not hear me and would not answer. I tightened my grip on the rifle and took aim again. Another bandit appeared from behind the barrel. This time my shot hit the target. A cloud of dust rose, and the bandit rolled back behind the barrel. Another bandit came out of the fake hardware store. I fired again, this time my aim missed and the shot went over the bandit's head. "Holy crap! You missed it!" There was unbearable amusement in Billy's voice. The bandit hurried back out the doors of the store before another target appeared in his place, this time a cowboy on horseback. The horse galloped in place and the cowboy's arm throwing a six-point rifle into the air. I squinted, took a deep breath, and pulled the trigger. The cowboy's head snapped back and he disappeared beyond the visible horizon. “You managed to pass this round, partner! Let’s see how you do next,” Billy’s voice boomed. Suddenly, amid a deafening cacophony of mechanical clicks, bangs and whirrs, the entire scene changed: the dusty frontier town was replaced by a swamp. Mechanical alligator sat and quickly opened and closed his mouth. The fake birds hung in the air, flapping their puppet wings and flying to nowhere. Animatronic swamp rats scurried back and forth with manical glowing eyes. "Welcome to the old bayou, partner!" Billy sang as a rush of moist artificial air sprayed at me. “Damn,” I muttered under my breath, putting the rifle back on my shoulder as the swamp creatures began to attack. First, a mechanical snake jumped out of the gnarled stump with a hiss that sounded more like an almost empty compressed air tank. I quickly pointed the rifle at him and pulled the trigger. The snake's head tore off and it was spinning wildly in the murky "water." Then two mechanical alligators rushed at me from both sides. I turned around and fired one after another. Sparks flashed at the bullets mark, and the defeated alligators rolled back into their imaginary swamp. Then, with a whirring and clanking sound, an animatronic voodoo priest appeared in a cloud of smoke. It hovered menacingly over the “water,” its light bulb eyes glowing red in the gloom of the swamp. His recorded voice creaked and repeated incantations in unintelligible electronic gibberish. "What the hell?" I blurted out, glancing sideways at the floating figure. The priest spread his "arms" wide, revealing hidden compartments full of tiny mechanical spiders hurrying into the arena. "This is some crazy shit." Quickly swinging my rifle, I took aim and shot at the mechanical spiders. One by one they exploded on impact, their tiny pieces scattering across the artificial swamp. I grinned, pleased at my shooting. But then the voodoo priest raised his finger and sent a bolt of real electricity at me. "Incoming!" Billy shouted sharply from his permanent place at the bar. “Shooting ranges should not shoot back!” I screamed, jumping to the ground and feeling the impact of an electric bolt flying over my head. "Not so bad, partner! Bathtub Billy chuckled. “But let's see how ya handle the nightfall.” Suddenly the lights dimmed and the sounds of mechanical scene changes echoed through the room again as I stood up again. In the moonlight, the false swamp began to turn into a creepy cemetery. A pack of wolves howled. Mechanical bats flapped in the ceiling, red eyes blazing. “Damn, Billy,” I muttered under my breath, raising my rifle and preparing for the next target to appear. “This is some next level shit.” Then, with a loud clang, a marauding skeleton appeared behind one of the tombstones. I shuddered at the sight, but my trigger finger reacted faster than my fear. The bullet struck the skeleton's metal skull, showering the dark landscape with a shower of sparks and shrapnel. "Gotcha!" Then a pack of werewolves burst onto the landscape. I fired quickly and managed to hit three, with the last two rolling away into the depths of the ground amid the clanging and whirring of equipment. "Aww!" Bathtub Billy yelled. “You have to do better than that, partner!” As if on cue, the animatronics switched again, and the crunch of metal on metal filled the room. The artificial moonlight cast eerie shadows as a group of zombies emerged from the astroturf. "Magic hour!" Billy chuckled. "Let's see how you handle the undead!" Billy cackled. I rolled my eyes and muttered a few choice words before raising my rifle. The zombies were much less predictable than previous targets. They twitched and swayed, their movements were chaotic as they approached me, their green eyes glowing. I tried to aim, but the alcohol took over and I almost swayed to the sound of the animatronics ringing and groaning. “Too much booze,” I grumbled, adjusting my grip on the rifle. The zombie took a direct hit in the metal chest and fell back into the grass. Another managed to dodge my bullet. His rusty joints creaked unnatural dexterity. I shot again and again as the remaining three zombies zigzagged around the cemetery. "Time's almost up, partner!" Bathtub Billy's recorded dialogue heckling me. “Better make the bullets count!” I squinted, trying to concentrate as the undead monsters continued their mechanical dance. I pulled the trigger, the recoil shaking my already shaking hands. The zombie fell to the ground, another bullet hit the target and only one remained. The last zombie rushed forward, his eyes flashing. I adjusted the rifle's sights, took a deep breath, and pulled the trigger. The zombie's robotic head exploded into pieces of scrap metal, crackling circuitry, and fake blood. “And that’s three,” I grumbled, lowering the rifle with a satisfied grunt. “Yeeeeeeeeee haw! Good shooting, partner!" Billy's cheerful voice echoed through the hall as the animatronics hissed and buzzed. “You have earned enough points to advance to the BONUS ROUND!” "Bonus round?" I asked, confused. Bathtub Billy was silent. I looked around: the scene in the cemetery showed nothing, the room was filled with the hum of all the working mechanisms, the din and crackle of bolts and wires. I was afraid of what this "bonus round" might mean. The dim lights that barely illuminated the metal cemetery flickered. There must be some power fluctuations. Or maybe part of that bonus round. I heard a creak behind me and slowly turned around, clutching the rifle tightly in my hands. Suddenly, a giant animatronic clown burst out of the darkness and lunged straight at me. "Murder clown!" Bathtub Billy screeched excitedly. "Time to step up! Score a direct hit and you win the grand prize!" However, before I could understand what was happening, the gigantic mechanical clown crossed the distance on his metal rail and “finished off” me with a rubber axe, hitting me on the head. It didn’t hurt, but I staggered back in obvious surprise. “Oh, damn. You died!" Billy sang mockingly. "The game is over. You loooooooose." “I’d love to see you do it, Bathtub Billy!” I spat, regaining my footing. When the lights came back on, I put the rifle down on the rack and walked dazedly back to the rack where Billy stood, watching me with his empty eyes with endless amusement. I leaned against the counter, my heart still pounding. “Even if you don’t walk away with a prize, you won’t leave here empty-handed,” Billy’s voice was as cheerful as ever. “Why not soothe the sting of defeat in our ultra lounge with these drink vouchers?” As he said this, two drink vouchers popped out of a slot in the bar. I picked it up, my stomach lurching. “Uh, thanks, but I think I need to sleep it off, Billy,” I muttered, pocketing the vouchers and shuffling drunkenly towards the exit.

CPC Bacchanal Geostationary Orbit above Gellen's Heights, Sheratan Sheratan System - Tikonov Free Republic March 26, 3031 (Saturday) ______________________________________________ The "Bear Bar," as Steve called it, was actually a forest-themed lounge called "The Wood Shed," located under the glass dome of the Bacchanal's, next to the low-gravity pool. The layout was impressive; A wooden shed flanked the right side of the pool complex, and to the left was a spacious sun terrace with a restaurant hut, artificial turf, and carefully arranged lounge chairs that shimmered in the glow of the glass dome. There was currently a performance going on there featuring fire jugglers and swing dancers in colorful exotic costumes. In very low gravity, their movements resembled a slow, hypnotic ballet, each movement lifting them much higher off the ground than in normal gravity. Even the fire itself seemed to dance more slowly and sluggishly, its tendrils of flame stretching upward in thin, slow arcs before collapsing again. The low gravity pool was a spectacle in itself. Encased in a giant geodesic sphere, the water inside floated as if in a constant state of free fall, with enough gravity to give swimmers a sense of "up" and "down" as well as "surface" they could easily reach. Guests could dive from any direction and maneuver among the watery spheres with the grace and ease of creatures born in the sky. Each movement sent shimmering ripples across the sphere, casting reflections onto the steel-clad frame. I was told that the experience of floating in zero gravity is similar to flying. Orlex and I enjoyed the incredible spectacle for a while before heading to the Wood Shed. Before we even reached it, we heard some guttural sounds from inside. The roar was followed by loud laughter and the clinking of glasses. I raised an incredulous eyebrow when I noticed a sign near the entrance that read, “Get drunk with a real grizzly bear.” “Okay, this is crazy. I know Steve told us that was a thing, but where did they get the bear?" Orlex asked, looking confused. “You can not just go to the store and buy it.” “I have no idea,” I said, trying to understand the meaning of this strange sight. "It's crazy what people do for fun, isn't it?" We entered the wooden barn and discovered that it was not a shed, but a large vintage style salon. Dimly lit by dim yellow-orange gas lamps, the room was filled with guests from all over the ship. A bar counter, gleaming with polished mahogany, ran the length of the room. In the corner a piano was playing a jazz number, and no one was sitting at the keys. The crowd, loud and happy, drank drinks. In the middle sat a grizzly bear of colossal proportions, surrounded by his own bar counter, his dark brown fur glistening in the light. He was sitting on a huge stool, swaying heavily, and holding a large bowl of something. From time to time he let out a deep, hoarse, drunken roar. Various guests came to him, either to stroke his huge head, or to pour more foamy drink into the cup. The bear looked completely at ease and felt comfortable, like a king on his throne. “Ah,” Orlex exclaimed, eyes wide, “Steve definitely wasn’t exaggerating about this place.” At that moment, a man who apparently was in charge of the hall, dressed in a circus costume, approached us. “You look like a strong young man,” he began. “I think the bear wants to arm wrestle you.” I looked at him, raising my eyebrows in surprise. “Arm wrestling...with a bear?” “Yes, sir,” he answered cheerfully. “Here at the Wood Shed, that’s part of the fun. Our dear grizzly bear loves a challenge.” "Well, if it makes the bear happy, what's the worst that could happen? Heh,” I giggled, rolling up my sleeves and straightening my strong, calloused hands. "I guess it's no worse than repairing a 'Mech in the middle of a firefight." The crowd around us roared with laughter as I approached the bear, his massive figure constantly swaying on the stool. His beady eyes were half-closed, with a blurry, drunken expression, but when he saw me approaching, his vision sharpened. “Okay,” I muttered, reaching out and trying to take the bear's paw. Don't spill when I lean my elbow on the counter. "This should be interesting." The crowd fell silent and waited in expectant silence as the bear examined my hand with a seemingly knowing look. Finally he leans forward, placed his massive paw into my outstretched hand and burped. Its enormous size was enough to swallow my entire hand, and I felt great strength in its grip. “Ok, on your mark,” intoned the circus-clad presenter, an eager smile on his face as he placed his hands on top of ours in an impromptu judging position. "Get set..." The bear roared and hit my hand with its paw with great force. I grunted under pressure, but stood still. "Go!" The owner's voice rang out and the bear and I found ourselves in a showdown. I winced, my muscles tensed and my knuckles turned white as I pushed away. “Oh, so you have a fighting spirit,” I managed to spit through clenched teeth, pressing myself closer to the huge bulk of the bear. The crowd gasped in unison, their eyes darting between my sweat-drenched face and the unwavering gaze of the bear. The bear burped and again a monstrous sound echoed through the room. He pressed his mighty paw, and for a moment I felt my resolve weaken. "But I've fought stronger than you," I growled, every tendon in my body tense as I pushed with all the strength I could muster. But the bear held out and hit my hand on the counter. It was over. The bear roared and took a long sip of his concoction as the crowd burst into applause. Sweat ran down my forehead. "Good show, huh?" The presenter came up to me and patted me on the back, laughing heartily. His eyes sparkled with amusement as he handed me a mug of beer. “Boy your size, I thought you would last longer. Maybe next time, right?” His laugh echoed through the bar, a loud tune that worked my burning pride. I forced a smile, took a mug of beer and brought it to the bear. “Well done,” I said, my voice hoarse from the tension of the last skirmish. “Next time you won’t be so lucky." The bear, in his animal indifference, responded only with a grunt and slowly floated away in a drunken haze, the low gravity of the bar making his movements clumsy and comical. The crowd cheered, celebrating the bear's victory with wild cheers and loud laughter. "So, after the bear stepped on my ego, what's next on the list of entertainment on this ship?" “I asked Orlex, rubbing my sore arm and taking a long sip from my mug. The commander grinned and took a sip "Don't you ever relax, Nasir?" I was about to answer when Steve Jenkins, our effervescent host, appeared on scene...

Site 187 Outskirts of Gellen's Heights, Sheratan Sheratan System - Tikonov Free Republic March 26, 3031 (Saturday) ______________________________________________ I wondered about this trip as I walked outside to the pick up spot in where the departure point was arranged, to join the others. I had been to pleasure circus before, we visit it many times in FWLM, during leave. Of course, before we go we often received strict warnings from agents of SAFE that the circus is simply a front for Magistracy of Canopus intelligence, but we are not often bothered by this. After all, the Magistracy is mostly harmless. No, the real threat is the people who come to the circus because of House Centrella's philosophy that so long as all involved are consenting adults and no one is being harmed, Canopians are free to pursue any activity they desire. Maybe Canopians understand and respect this thinking, but there is much difference between people of Canopus and people of the Inner Sphere, many would take advantage of this open mindedness and trust for illicit reasons, use the circus as a front. This is what worries me, and why I made it a point to wear my preferred off duty clothes of linen t-shirt, desert scarf, cargo pants, and boots with special cut outs in the soles for carbon composite blades, custom formed with hilts that match the curve of each boot toe. I have great success moving these blades through security screens on many worlds, and although I never have to take someone's life with them in the past, it is good to know that they are there. I put my field knap sack over my shoulder and opened the front door to Site 187 lobby. Usually my bag is filled with the things essential to maneuvers in the field. Today it is full of things essential to stay over night on a giant space ship that is parts casino and theme park. The door swung shut behind me and the bright sun hit my eyes. Sheratan winter is short and now spring is the season upon us. It's not warm outdoors but neither is it cold. As I look around I see an old van. Very old. It has much similarity to the old vehicles used by some of the militants against who we would fight when I was in the Marik armed forces. As I look at it and chuckle, I heard Steve calling out to me. "Move quickly Idris! You are the last one and we are going to be in a hurry for the shuttle!" I sprint toward the van and see that it is already completely full of people. The back row has Nick and Levi and a very large bag that doesn't look like it fits in the cargo space. The middle row has Commander Orlex and Doctor Mallory, with the new person, Curie, seated in the middle. In the front at the wheel is Steve, which gives me a pause due to stories I have heard about the way which he drives. But the seat beside him is open, so I quickly fit my bag in the back of the van and then board in the front. "Hello Idris!" Steve said. Then he handed me many different plastic cards and such. As he did this the medals pinned to his shirt made a clinking noise, and as I look at the I see some that say things such as "Board of Lawyer Recognition - No misconduct Q1 3027" and "Wounded in Action - Sake Bath Professionals Guild." I wonder to myself who is the certifying agency tracking these sort of statistics. But before I can have much time to dwell on it, I feel something tapping my shoulder. "Hello." said a voice that was so familiar, except it was like someone else was using it who I didn't quite know. I flipped down my mirror and saw Curie leaned forward to reach me. I had not actually spoken to her since Eleos and after I had met with the leaders of Aegis Division about her change, I had strange nerves about trying to make It to new introduction. In FWLM when someone has the kind of injury that happened to our medic, we usually have to say goodbye. But here she was both gone and not gone, a ghost in one way but very much alive in another. I must have paused too long because she tried again. "Hi," she said. She was looking back at me in the same mirror which I found impressed me, that she could decipher where I was looking from the back of my head. "Hello, Curie. I don't think we have met. I'm Idris," I said. "Nice meeting you." "We have met...before," she said slowly, as she found her words. Her tone was light and as thoug h she were reciting a fact, like she was surprised I would say what I did. So I nodded. "Yes, you're right. But I have never met this version of you before." Curie was quiet ar first, then replied, "I have greeted everyone. Then she added "In the van," and then she sat back in her seat, a small smile on her face. I could not help but smile too. She was somewhat like Magistracy of Canopus, fun and mostly harmless. "OK everybody buckle your seat belts," announced Steve. "We must burn rubber to get to the shuttle." I looked at Steve and said a silent prayer to the seat belt gods that my restraints would hold.

DropShip Gambit Demeter Forest, Eleos Epsilon Eridani System - Tikonov Free Republic February 3, 3031 (Thursday) ______________________________________________ In that terrible moment of silence, I heard a gunshot, a brief woman's yell, and then this terrible scream in the headphones as Steve reacted to something unexpected. Time seemed to slow down as I turned towards the source of the commotion. Through the smoke and chaos, I saw Catherine fall to the ground, blood gushing from a wound on her head. During my time in the Free Worlds League army, I saw countless horrors and experienced first-hand the brutality of war. But nothing could have prepared me for the fact that our field medic was being murdered in cold blood right before my eyes. Killing an enemy soldier is one thing. But shooting the paramedic was an atrocity. The terrible burst of automatic weapons in front of us reminded me of the moment when the enemy crew that had survived Nick’s attack regrouped and again tried to barricade the passage to the next compartment. I swapped my laser rifle for MP20 and returned fire with indiscriminate fury. The walls of the narrow corridor echoed with the staccato rhythm of bullets, mingling with the screams and cries of battle. In this chaos, I counted the number of fallen I saw. It looked like Nick's attack had wiped out at least half the squad, but there were still enough left to make our escape dangerous. Nick threw another flashbang into the bay, which exploded with a blinding flash of light and a deafening explosion, causing another lull in the battle. I took advantage of the situation and looked at Captain Maxwell and Commander Jaeger, who were taking turns pushing the battle forward, and then looked back at Steve, who was still screaming for help on the radio. “I’ll get her, Captain,” I shouted over the noise of the battle, my voice tight with determination. “Cmdr Jaeger can cover me,” Captain Maxwell turned to me, a mixture of worry and hesitation on his face. "Negative!" he shouted, having apparently already come at a decision. "I don't need two of my heavies off the front line! I'll go back for her! Bastion! Take primary. Rebus, overwatch! Dionysus, move up here with Rebus. Pandora, get ready to move those hostages!" As we all confirmed our orders, I watched as Captain Maxwell returned to Steve, dodging enemy fire and staying low to the ground. Commander Jaeger came to me to command our advance, and Schuster took Maxwell's place. Jaeger's eyes were full of concern, but he nodded to me. Soon after this, Jenkins moved to the rear of our line. With a quick shove on my shoulder, Jaeger signaled for us to move forward. Clutching my MP20 tightly, I moved forward with the squad and entered the short passage that connected the rear cargo bay to everything beyond. The walls were now covered with traces of explosions, blood and bullet holes, and the unpleasant smell of burning metal hung in the air. The destruction was evidence of the violence that had unfolded. We passed several maimed enemy soldiers, more than I thought we had destroyed with artillery fire and explosives. The remaining forces had apparently retreated into the room we had now entered, and as we crossed the threshold I recognized the layout from at the briefing. The dimly lit room was littered with boxes and trash, making navigation difficult. “Bastion, this is the forward cargo bay,” I whispered into the headset. Jaeger nodded silently. “The front cargo hatches could be right behind them.” Perhaps we can use it to free ourselves and the hostages from the ship." “Well, first we have to overcome everything that lies between here and there,” Schuster interrupted gloomily. “Focus, you two. We cannot afford to lose ground any further,” Jäeger warned in a decisive voice. Before he had time to finish uttering these words, an incredible stream of laser and machine fire swept through the hold. The enemy dug in and used shipping containers as temporary cover. Sparks flew from bullets ricocheting off the metal, and the crates ignited as we ducked behind a partially destroyed cargo crate, its jagged edges offering us some protection from the onslaught. The deafening cacophony of weapons echoed in my ears, drowning out all other sounds. It was chaos, pure and unshakable. “Cover yourself!” - Commander Jaeger shouted. “Engage at will!”

Clothing: Technical Corps Work Shirt (short sleeve) Balaclava Work Goggles Equipment Suspenders BDU Pants Steel Toe Combat boots Undergarments (socks, underwear, undershirts) Load-bearing tactical vest Rucksack Tactical gloves Belt with utility and ammunition pouches Hip Holster Multi-terrain Pattern (MTP) camouflage netting Armor: Ballistic Plate Combat helmet with High-Capacity (HC) Micro Power Pack, Military Communicator, and Infrared (IR) Scanner Equipment: High-Capacity (HC) Power Pack (for electronic gear) Rangefinder Binoculars Holomap Noteputer with armored bracer Barrel-mount flashlight for primary weapon Tactical flashlight with spare batteries Portable Technician Kit (Diagnostic Computer, Various Tools) Water hydration system (in rucksack) Weapons and Ammunition: Primary Weapon: Federated-Barrett M61A Laser Rifle System Grenade Launcher Attachment Scope Secondary Sidearm: MP-20 Ammunition for primary and secondary weapons Magna Laser Rifle: High-capacity power pack (30 Shots) Power pack + recharger MP-20 (11mm Ballistic 30 Shots) Magazine Spare magazines: 3 Ballistic magazines, 3 Energy power packs Weapon maintenance kit Ammunition bandolier Weapon sling Combat knife Frag Grenades (6) Flashbang Grenades (6) Medical and Survival Gear: Medipack Vacuum-sealed bedroll Emergency rations (3 days' worth) Thermal blanket Water purification tablets Compass Fire-starting kit (lighter, waterproof matches, fire starter) Signal mirror Insect repellent Sewing kit Miscellaneous: Identification tags (dog tags) Aegis Division insignia patch Aegis Division Field Manual Paracord (15.24 meters/50 feet) Personal hygiene kit (toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, etc.) Notepad and writing implements Spare batteries (for all electronic devices) Position marking smoke

Demeter Forest - Gambit emergency landing site Eleos - 16th moon of Epsilon Eridani VII Epsilon Eridani System - Tikonov Free Republic February 3, 3031 (Thursday) ______________________________________________ I lay at the edge of the clearing, my heart pounding in my chest. Something didn't seem right about this place. The trees hung overhead, blocking most of the light, and the rustling of leaves in the darkness was like a whisper. I took a deep breath and crawled forward to get a better look at the landing pad. As I got closer, Gambit came into view, covered in battle scars. I was less than 200 meters away from it. My pulse quickened even more as the adrenaline of being so close to the enemy increased through my veins. I adjusted my ghillie suit and tried to get a closer look while hiding in the thick undergrowth. I took out my rangefinder and zoomed in on the dropship, noticing that many of the access hatches to its equipment had been removed, particularly in the areas I had damaged during the dogfight with them. It looked like they were doing a major repair, which was good news for us. The longer they stay here, the higher the chances of rescuing the hostages. I continued to scan the area and noticed a camp some distance from the craft. From where I was standing I could see about seven tents and at least ten people. The place looked like it had been there for a long time: piles of trash and discarded equipment were strewn about, smoke rising from a small fire, and several moving figures. I couldn't make out the details, but I could tell they were members of the ship's crew. They seemed to relax and I heard a faint laugh in the wind. That was a good sign: they didn't expect any problems. If I could get closer without being noticed, I might be able to gather valuable information that could help us in our mission. I slipped through the undergrowth toward camp, feeling branches and twigs crunching beneath me. I cursed myself for my clumsiness, but kept walking, keeping an eye on the camp. Now I could hear their conversations, the pitch and tone of their voices on this quiet day. I crawled closer, my pulse pounding in my ears, my breathing shallow and controlled. I could see them now, their faces and features clearer in the light of the setting sun, as I stopped behind a supply crate, just steps from their position. They were a scruffy-looking group of men and women, unkempt and rough, with the air of warriors. “Junaid to Dionysus,” I whispered into the headset, trying to keep my voice barely audible. “I’m on the northern edge. They appear to have set up camp to the west of the ship, about 600 meters from the bow. I counted about ten people. Please report status.” I paused, waiting for an answer, but there was only static. I swore under my breath and tried to reach Steve on the radio again, but at that moment, a deafening squelch came from the radio that made me jump, and I quickly turned down the sound. "Sorry, Juniad!" Steve's voice finally spoke, his tone too loud for the situation. “I turned on the radio as I crawled towards the bad guys. "What's your update?" I rolled my eyes, annoyed but not surprised at Steve's clumsiness. “Ten people camped west of the ship, they look relaxed. They don't seem to expect intruders. What do you see on the east side?" There was silence for a moment before Steve's voice came through the headphones. “It's quiet here. No activity. Wait wait." There was a pause and I heard the rustling of leaves. Then Steve spoke again. "I see some strange things sticking out of the brush. They're, um, like electronic things. Like those sticks you see in the ground to get rid of rodents and stuff.” I raised an eyebrow. “How are they located, Dionysus? You have to be precise.” Steve cleared his throat. “Well, they move in a straight line along the east side of the ship. Wait. Let me get the binoculars." I heard incredible sounds coming from the open mic and sighed, trying to focus. I reached into my backpack, pulled out a small camera and took photos of the landing site and the crew camp. Even the slightest press of the camera button sounded deafening in the silence of the forest. As I finished taking photos, Steve's voice shouted in my ears again. “They go all the way down the back of the ship and then down the long side to the south. I also see what looks like some sort of satellite dish on the east side, near where the fire comes from the engines when you turn them on. I can’t see anything else from here.” I nodded even though Steve couldn't see me. “Copy that, Dionysus. Be careful with these electronic gadgets, they could be motion sensors. We don't want to raise any alarms. Our job is to monitor and report, not to engage. Let me know what else you find.” "Aye aye sir!" the answer came. I carefully put the camera back in my bag, careful not to make any unnecessary movements that might give away my position, and continued to observe the enemy while Steve reconnoitered the other side of the ship.

Demeter Forest Eleos - 16th moon of Epsilon Eridani VII Epsilon Eridani System - Tikonov Free Republic February 1, 3031 (Friday) ______________________________________________ As nick finishes speaking his question, I raise my hand before Commander Jaeger can answer the first question. The commander looked at me with intruige. "Yes Idris, you have something to add?" he asked. I stood up and shifted on my feet, feeling the eyes of all on me. "Yes sir, to support the statement of Nick. All of this information, it is good, but it is not enough. To get to the ship, to disable security, this is easy, but if we do not know the number of the enemy, how many are waiting for us, then none of the information is useful. I would rather knowingly fight 50 men than go into combat not knowing the strength of the others. Sir," I declared. Captain Maxwell and Commander Jaeger nod their heads in understanding. "Yes, these are considerable points, Idris, but is there a question?" Captain Maxwell asked. I nodded. "Yes, sirs, we must have a way to determine their numbers and how they might be armed, are we doing this? Perhaps we use a drone with a heat scanner or something? Some information is better than no information when our own numbers are so small," I replied.

Demeter Forest Eleos - 16th moon of Epsilon Eridani VII Epsilon Eridani System - Tikonov Free Republic February 1, 3031 (Tuesday) ______________________________________________ As the evening sun set beneath the tall evergreen trees of the Eleos Forest, casting long shadows across the makeshift camp, I sat with my colleagues around a crackling fire. Levi handed me a container of food and always managed to find humor in the most unexpected places. “Hey Idris, what do you think about dehydrated chicken curry?” he asked, his voice filled with feigned enthusiasm. I giggled. “Well, this is definitely a sophisticated choice for our forest retreat, Levi. But I’ll stick with the canned beans, thank you,” I took the can from his outstretched hand, and we nodded in unison. The smell of rehydrated food filled the air as we passed out food, told stories and laughed a few times to ease the tension. Kat Franklin has been an unexpected but wonderful addition to our team. She sat next to me and looked at the flames. “I still can’t believe you got us off that jumpship,” she said with a hint of gratitude. "Thanks again." Captain Maxwell smiled warmly. “We take care of each other. You're one of us now, Kat. Kat's smile was a welcome sight in the midst of danger. “Well, I'm glad to be part of such a warm group,” she said. When we finished eating, someone suggested we cook dessert, and we started roasting marshmallows on the fire. The sticky sweet treat was a small but tasty treat considering the seriousness of our mission. It turns out Kat had never eaten S'mores before, and her eyes sparkled with joy as she took her first bite. By the time we finished dessert, the fire had already burned down. We were left almost in darkness, the forest around us was shrouded in a thick veil of shadows. Our laughter and camaraderie gave way to a quiet calm. Captain Maxwell stood up and we all followed suit. “Okay, let's rest,” he said firmly. "Dawn comes early and we have a lot of work to do." I nodded. “I’ll check the camp before I go to bed.” I grabbed a flashlight in the dim light of the dying fire and walked around the camp. The forest was eerily quiet, the only sound being the rustling of leaves in the wind and the hum of the small portable generator that powered our flashlights, creating a faint, constant background noise. I moved from one end of the camp to the other, checking that our makeshift barricades of boxes and machine parts were still in place. My flashlight skimmed above the surrounding trees and into the dense forest, where the dense underbrush provided ample cover for potential threats. Everything was fine, and I continued my rounds. When I reached the back of the camp, I checked on our animals. They were placed in a makeshift stable quickly constructed from guide wires. I patted the draft horse, who responded with a series of satisfied snorts and mutters. In the background I could see mules and blue horses looking at me suspiciously. I was glad for their restraint because the animals were our lifeline and their safety was important. When I returned to the center of the camp, the fire was almost out. Our companions settled into their tents, and the sounds of them getting ready for bed and quiet conversations became a surreal soundtrack to the eerie silence of the forest. After making sure everything was in order, I pulled my jacket tightly to protect myself from the cold of the night. After getting my toiletry kit out of the tent, I quietly unzipped the shared tent and slipped inside. I found the bathroom. A small light on the door illuminated the word “BUSY.” It was normal. But what struck me as strange was the impatient sound of someone inside making endless noise as they fiddled around. Looking at my watch, I realized that too much time had passed. What could they be doing there? I waited for what seemed like an eternity, shifting from one foot to the other, my patience wearing thin by the second. The sounds inside were a cacophony of shuffling, rustling, and muttered curses. Whoever it was, it seemed like they were engaged in an epic battle in this tiny enclosed space. Finally I knocked on the door and asked, “Are you almost done in there?” "YES GIVE ME A SECOND!" came the reply, which was not encouraging. Finally the door swung open to reveal Steve Jenkins, a thin bead of sweat glistening on his forehead and a look of panic on his face. At the same time, I was greeted by the foul cloud of Steve's work. The stench was overwhelming, an assault on the senses that made me want a gas mask. "I think somebody must of hooked the camp toilet up wrong" he said. "It made Septic everywhere." "That smells disgusting" I said. Steve's face turned red. "I'm sorry, it's the detox, it gave me diarrhea and pee." I just grunted and stepped into the portable toilet where my worst fears were realized. The smell hit me like a ton of bricks and I immediately knew where Steve's embarrassment was coming from. The portable toilet wasn't just clogged; it overflowed and the result was disaster. I took a deep breath and tried to suppress the nausea that came over me. “Steve,” I muttered through clenched teeth, “you've outdone yourself this time.” As Steve walked off into the night, I had to contend with the unholy chaos before me. It was a difficult task, and I never imagined it would become part of my duties as a BattleMech mechanic. I rummaged around for a pair of rubber gloves, found a container of disinfectant, and got to work. As I reluctantly set out to improve the situation, the terrible smell permeated my clothes and hair. The splashing and sloshing of my boots in the leavings on the floor only made my misery worse. But duty called, and I decided to restore order to the best of my ability. Wearing gloves and a strong stomach, I worked tirelessly to repair the portable toilet and disinfect the area, determined to remove all traces of this accident. When I finally emerged from the bathroom, I was greeted by Captain Maxwell standing with his toiletry bag in his hand and a surprised look on his face. He patted me on the shoulder and said, “Idris, you are a man of many talents. But who knew plumbing was one of them?” I couldn't help but smile as the absurdity of the situation washed away the unpleasant smell that clung to me. "Well, Captain, it's all about maintaining the integrity of our unit." With these words I returned to my tent, a little wiser and much more experienced in the unpredictable life of a mercenary.

Mosbyville, Eleos - 16th moon of Epsilon Eridani VII Epsilon Eridani System - Tikonov Free Republic February 1, 3031 (Tuesday) ______________________________________________ I stood on a dusty road in Mosbyville, a stretch of frontier town in the wilds of the forest moon. The sun was now high in the sky, warming the surface of my armor and making my hair stick to my face. The locals provided us with a unique set of animals for our trip. “Levi,” I called. "The animals. I'll check them for problems and see if they're up to the task." Levi laughed. "Idris, I don't think there are any parts of the horses that need to be checked or repaired or whatever." Then he pointed to the huge cattle and the Bluebacks that looked like a horse and a crocodile had offspring. "But we're a supply department, so I have to make sure the supplies are okay, right?" I asked. "If it makes you feel better, then go on," Levi nodded, searching through the available horses to make his choice. While the rest of the team did the same, I approached the animals one by one, calming them down as I approached. I checked their hooves, saddles and bridles and made sure everything was in order. Bluebacks fascinated me with their sleek reptilian design. The mules and draft horse were strong and able to withstand uneven terrain. The strange cow, with its flat back and unique equipment, this animal seemed capable of carrying the heavy load we would need. As I carefully examined the animals, checked their equipment, and checked their readiness for the upcoming mission, Commander Orlex approached me with a questioning expression on his face. “Idris, why are you so meticulous with these creatures? “We have a busy schedule,” Orlex asked. I paused and lowered my voice as I replied, "Commander, I work for the Quartermaster." My duties include ensuring that all equipment provided to all personnel in Aegis Division is in is in good condition, including the animals. They are our lifeline. in this mission. I have to make sure they are in great condition." Jaeger nodded in understanding, but I couldn't help but continue and express my doubts in a calm tone: "Also, sir, with all due respect, we met these townspeople not long ago. They were generous in their dealings, but we cannot know for sure whether their motives were entirely pure." Orlex raised an eyebrow. "I know what you mean, Idris, but let's hope you're wrong." As Orlex left to complete his duties, I focused on my preparations. I systematically checked and organized the equipment I would be taking with me. This was a commando and boarding operation, and our lives depended on the equipment we carried. I double-checked my battle armor, making sure every piece was secured and ready. On my belt were grenades, a Martial Eagle machine gun and a combat knife. I checked the charging status of my technical tools and made sure that my communication unit was working properly. I also looked at the mission-specific information tablet before putting it in my backpack. My bag contained medical supplies, equipment, and things I would normally need if I was stranded somewhere, but instead on this mission they will be of use while camping. As I worked, I noticed that Nick Schuster seemed confused and hesitant as he inspected the animals. I could tell he wasn't used to dealing with such creatures, and the unfamiliar choice seemed to surprise him. I walked towards him, my tall figure casting a shadow on him. "Nick, you need help with this, right?" I asked, patting him on the shoulder to calm him down. He nodded with relief and I led him to one of the riding horses. “This one, Nick. It is strong and easy to handle. He already knows the forest. Take care of him". “Thank you, Idris,” he said. "I will think about it." As I returned to my equipment I saw Steve Jenkins leaving the clinic on the arm of one of the local doctors. As he walked down the porch steps, he seemed in a good mood but also tired. I also saw that he was in full gear and I felt my eyes narrow in suspicion. Just an hour or two ago he had been delirious and attacking traffic signs, and now he seemed to be going back to his duties. I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease as I watched him walk towards us. This was a delicate operation that required all of us to be at our best, and if Steve wasn't prepared, it could jeopardize the entire mission. “Welcome back, Sergeant Jenkins,” I heard Captain Maxwell announce. I looked back and saw that the captain was already on one of the Bluebacks, with his arm around Kathryn Franklin's waist and helping her onto the big animal's back. She seemed apprehensive about the animals but wasn't surprised when Steve returned. I suspected that Maxwell and Franklin must have felt good enough about Steve's ability to allowed him to return to duty, but I still had my doubts. I continued working on the equipment and tried to push my worries about Steve to the back of my mind. A few moments later I heard him shout, "Wow, dinosaur!" I looked back and saw him trying to stroke a Blueback's face, but the animal wasn't having any of it. I quickly grabbed his arm before the Blueback could react and throw him off balance. “Easy, sergeant. Bluebacks may look friendly, but they can be quite temperamental. You don’t want to end up on the ground with a two-ton dinosaur on your head.” Steve laughed too loudly and I led him to the mules. “These mules are more the speed for you,” I explained. "They may not be as interesting as dinosaurs, but they are easier to handle, especially when you're not feeling well." Steve grinned and followed me to the mules, where I passed him to Levi with a warning look. “You may want to keep an eye on him,” I said to Levi, who nodded in response. I turned back to the horses, trying to decide what kind of mount I wanted, especially given my build and equipment. In the end I chose one of the regular horses myself as I decided the mission already had enough random chances and didn't want to add any. After mounting the animal, I became familiar with the horse's reins, stirrups, and character, and felt the familiar weight of my tools and equipment beside me. Then I waved him forward and stopped next to Orlex, who was standing in the street, looking first at the draft horse and then at the other animals. “Ready to roll out, sir,” I reported. I was ready to serve, but I still had doubts. “You look worried,” the commander said. For a moment I felt ashamed that I had allowed my feelings to be worn on my sleeve. "Speak freely." I took some time to think about my words. "Are you sure its wise, sir? Return Jenkins to duty as if nothing had happened?" asked quietly, trying not to make my voice louder than necessary for Orlex to hear from my horse. Commander's face remained expressionless, but I could tell he was thinking about my words. "I understand your worries, Technician Nasir. But we're in tight spot. We need all capable hands we can get if we may have a chance to succeed at this mission." I nodded. "I understand, sir. But in Free Worlds League, if a man were to have such an episode, he would be immediately grounded unless it was a situation of the most critical urgency." "This IS a situation of the most critical urgency, Nasir," Orlex admonished firmly. "Or have you lost sight of the multiple diplomats abducted and sitting in an enemy DropShip waiting our rescue?" I shook my head, I was chastened. "No, sir, I'll do everything I can to help accomplish our mission." Orlex nodded. "See that you do, Nasir, lives may depend on it, among them your own." Before I can say anything else, he gave me a curt nod and turned toward the rest of the team. We were soon to move out, we had a lot of ground to cover before we reach the camp site and time was of the essence.

Eleos - 16th moon of Epsilon Eridani VI Epsilon Eridani System - Tikonov Free Republic February 1, 3031 (Tuesday) ______________________________________________ Dust settled around us as outlaw Giancarlo Rodriguez and his two friends disappeared over the horizon, threats and demands fade into the air of Mosbyville. The locals watch us warily, while then officer stepped forward and looked sternly at our motley group. Marshal Jacob Evers." the officer continued. "You folks need some assistance? Looks like you got a man down there." Even though his words seemed friendly, I watched and saw him placing his hand on the handle of his well-worn laser pistol. Captain Maxwell stepped forward and introduced himself. “Marshal Evers,” he said, “I'm Captain Charles Maxwell and this is the Aegis Division mercenary unit. Ws are here on a mission to locate and board a landing craft that was involved in the kidnapping of four diplomats. We have reason to believe it may have come down near Mosbyville." Evers frowned, his tanned face suspicious. “And what is his deal?" Then, he points at Steve. Commander Jaeger leaned toward Evers and spoke quietly but urgently. "This was unexpected. We have a soldier suffering from Transit Disorientation Syndrome and he went insane for some reason. Sometimes this happens during jumps." Evers' gaze softened, perhaps realizing the gravity of the situation. “TDS, what? This can be difficult. We have a clinic nearby. Nurse Franklin can take your friend there. But don't think that this changes anything. I still have questions." We followed Evers through the dusty streets of Mosbyville, past a jumble of buildings constructed from scrap metal and worn-out plastic steel. The town stood in contrast to the modern worlds we often found ourselves in while working. Time seemed to have forgotten this place. As we entered the makeshift clinic, the smell of antiseptic mingled with the ever-present smell of city dust and decay. Nurse Franklin laid Steve down on the rickety hospital bed and talked to the local doctor duty. “He should be fine, he just needs some rest. TDS may be unpredictable, but it will recover.” Meanwhile, Captain Maxwell and Commander Jaeger returned to the marshal, who was now joined by a burly man in a well-worn Stetson hat, probably the de facto leader of the city. Now Marshal Evers was speaking again, in a less confrontational tone. “Look, I don't know what you're really up to, but we have our hands full already with our local criminals. We don't need more dropping on our heads and causing even more problems." Captain Maxwell nodded, a wry smile appearing on his lips. “We seem to have common interests, Marshal. Let's talk about how we can support each other." I leaned against the wall and listened to the four men speak of their plans and common goals. It seems the negotiations are to be as challenging as our leaders projected..

MRCN Tachi Epsilon Eridani VII Epsilon Eridani System - Tikonov Free Republic February 1, 3031 (Tuesday) ______________________________________________ Tachi shook and staggered as she fought Gambit. Each round of fire took place at almost clock-like intervals. Combined with the strange fluctuations in gravity I felt on the Tachi's deck, I assumed we were in some sort of orbit around the enemy ship as both dropships fell into the void, exchanging blows. Tasks to eliminate the consequences of damage were transmitted at a feverish pace via the Tachi communication system. My tablet beeped with notifications from Levi and Riggs as they tasked me with repairing a pipeline near the engine room. I took a deep breath, grabbed my tool kit and ran to the engine room. The corridor was dimly lit with red emergency lights, adding to the chaos of the ship's current state. As I walked through the corridors, I heard the muffled sounds of explosions reflecting off the hull. With every step the gravity fluctuations became stronger and I sometimes had to hold on to the walls to keep from falling. Eventually I reached the engine room and found plasma duct emitting smoke and sparks. The room was abuzz with activity as half a dozen crew members tried to contain the damage. As I got closer, Levi came out of the smoke and motioned for me to come over. “Idris! We need your help to stabilize the main flow from the deuterium tanks into the fusion reactor,” he said urgently. “If we don’t get this problem under control quickly, we will start to lose thrust.” I squinted at the leak, assessing its extent. This was no minor correction; It was a task for the entire team. But by the time Tachi was in the middle of the fight, all of the capable technicians were already busy. “We’re already in trouble,” I said, looking around the room to assess the extent of the damage. “It will take too long to fix the problem without losing ground. We need a way to slow Gambit down.” Levi looked at me completely confused and Chief Engineer Riggs aggressively walked towards me. “Speak quickly,” Riggs growled, his face contorted with anger. “We don’t have all day, Nasir.” “I was dual-classed as aerospace pilot at FWLM for a while,” I said, trying to keep my voice under pressure. "I can take one of the Staryachts and provide fire support to the Gambit. If I can disrupt them long enough, that could give the crew enough time to repair the pipeline so the Tachi don't lose ground." Riggs hesitated for a moment, then laughed and turned to Levi. “Prepare the star yacht for Nasir. We have no other options at this time.” Levi nodded and quickly led me to the starboard hangar on deck seven, where a large Staryacht lay in its berth. The silver hull of the wedge-shaped, chunky but aerodynamic ship gleamed in the artificial light of the bay and Levi looked at me with wide eyes as we approached. “You know this thing is usually run by three to five people, right?” he asked in a concerned voice as we walked up the ramp and into the cabin. “Are you sure you can do this on your own?” “I know,” I replied, determination coursing through my veins. “But we don’t have time for a full team. I will make it work." “Okay,” Levi sighed, pointing to the pilot’s seat. “Be safe there, Idris.” I nodded, buckled in and began my pre-flight checks when the cockpit door closed with a loud bang and hiss. As the engines began to spool with increasing pitch, the navigation and targeting displays came to life, showing me the layout of the environment and Gambit's proximity. After the preflight checks were completed, I transferred the stick and gun controls to my station. Since I had to do the work of at least two people, I consolidated all eight lasers scattered throughout the ship onto one trigger button and the missile launcher on another. It wasn't an elegant solution, but I had no intention of defeating Gambit. I just had to be able to hit him as hard as I could for as long as possible. Then I took a deep breath, activated the engines and lifted the Staryacht off the deck and out of the Tachi's hangar. As the acceleration increased, I felt the ship's massive girth pushing me back into my seat, and I gripped the controls tightly as I set off towards Gambit. The next thing I knew, I was in the middle of the battle: wild and disorganized volleys of autocannons, PPCs, lasers and missiles lit up the space between the two fighting giants. My vision was a blur of ships and weapons fire, my hands moving quickly over the Staryacht's controls as I tried to evade and get through the chaos. I steered the Staryacht sharply to the left, narrowly avoiding a stray beam of coherent energy fired from one of the Tachi's guns. The shuttle's maneuverability was its greatest advantage, and I had wanted to use it to my advantage to close the distance to the rear manifolds of the Gambit's engine. After bringing the Staryacht to maximum safe thrust, I attempted to match the enemy ship's maneuvers in the hope of getting a clear shot. The Gambit was fast and maneuverable for a ship her size, but I was determined to get closer. The moment I entered missile range, I pressed the Staryacht's LRM-15 launcher and unleashed a barrage of missiles on the Gambit's engines. The warheads raced toward the target, each leaving a smoky trail as they neared the mark. The missiles exploded on impact, causing the large cluster of bell-shaped engines to flare and sputter erratically for a moment before settling and stabilizing. The Gambit was far from defeated. It began to turn to the left, its stern and port guns returning fire at me with reckless abandon. It was a frightening sight to see the fire from Gambit's naval guns rush past the Staryacht in a stream of glowing energy, superheated projectiles, and electrified particles. I pulled the shuttle sharply to the right as another volley of laser fire and missiles flashed across my field of vision. A crescendo of explosions ripped through the Staryacht's hull and I felt my body convulse as the ship's armor took the brunt of the blow. For a moment I was disoriented. The Staryacht shook violently, sparks flying from the console as I tried to regain control. My fingers mentally moved over the controls, making tiny adjustments to the engines and firing volleys of cluster lasers at the Gambit. They shot across the enemy ship's armored hull, creating a dazzling display of sparks and molten metal. The ship was too heavily fortified for my weapons to do any real damage, and I had to remember that my goal was distraction, not destruction. I steered the Staryacht through a hail of autocannon fire, keeping my hands firmly pressed on the control yoke as I raced downward, pulling the shuttle into an S-turn and altering its flight. I wanted to crawl under the Gambit and fly along its belly back to the engine manifolds. A few quick glances at my radar showed that my diversionary attacks had indeed diverted the enemy ship from its retreat course and it was now on a trajectory that would allow the wounded Tachi to approach it. But I had to at least damage the Gambit's engines to give the Tachi a better chance of getting into range. I plunged deep, dodging the barrage of projectiles, and slid across the beast's belly. As the hull passed, I saw that the Tachi had actually done quite a bit of damage - several holes in the hull, smoldering holes where some of the weapon batteries had been, and a large portion of the armor had collapsed inwards. But Gambit still fought, still tried to dodge, still tried to escape. Flying behind the Gambit, I jerked the Staryacht's rudder sharply back and performed an aggressive Immelmann maneuver: the heavy shuttle dove up and turned in one smooth motion. Now I looked at the Gambit's engines and grinned as I fired a barrage of missiles and powerful laser fire. The missiles exploded in a heavy shower of shrapnel, hitting one of the Gambit's engines and causing it to stall and go silent. My laser fire burned through the other engine, causing it to burst into flames and spew flames. The Gambit shuddered and tilted as it tried to compensate for the sudden loss of thrust. With a grim smile, I put the shuttle into a turn and moved away from the stricken ship, knowing that I was still a very easy target for Gambit's weapons. Flying toward the Tachi I switched on communications and contacted Commander Dunlap. “Home plate, this is Junaid. I disabled one of Gambit's engines and severely damaged the other. He won't be able to outrun us anymore. What is the repair status of your fusion reactor?” Commander Dunlap's voice crackled in my ears as I waited for his answer. “Good shooting, Junaid. You bought us time to repair the leak. We'll take it from here. Come on home". I breathed a sigh of relief and felt the adrenaline still coursing through my veins as I led the Staryacht into a rapid descent to the Tachi's open landing bay. As I flew into the transport, I couldn't help but take one last look at the Gambit limping through space, smoke and flames billowing from its damaged engine as it turned to face the inky darkness ahead of us to run away from space. There was a sense of satisfaction in knowing that I had helped defeat such a formidable opponent, even if it was only a small role, and I couldn't help but feel a deep sense of gratitude for these crazy adventures that were our life.

Capitol Complex Gellen’s Heights, Sheratan III Sheratan System - Tikonov Free Republic January 26, 3031 ______________________________________________ "Okay, what's next?" Steve asked as an ambulance pulled up for some reason. I don't know where the team was, but they may be helping another rescuer. My heart was pounding as I looked at the devastation around me. The once magnificent Capitol Complex is now a smoldering graveyard of twisted steel and broken glass. War had means of turning the most magnificent buildings into ruins, today was no exception. “Steve, come on,” I spoke into the power armor’s rebreather, pointing to the place where we cut away the debris. “We have to get the survivors out. We are very close." The three of us dug with our hands, and I used the limbs of my power armor to lift and move the loose debris. It was slow and difficult work, but at the same time it was the most important work we could ever do. After several moments, we finally found the small group of survivors, a mixed group of people who looked like bureaucrats and their assistants. They were beaten, bruised and covered in dust, but alive. Some of them looked scared as they looked at my power armor. “Hello, my name is Idris Nasir. “We’re here to help you,” I said quietly, trying to calm them down. One of the survivors, a woman of about 45 with a bleeding wound on her forehead, began to cry when she saw us. Her tears seemed to inspire the others, and soon everyone was asking for help. I felt a knot form in my stomach. All I could do was apologize to them and assure them that we would get them out of here. Levi immediately began leading the survivors to the ambulance while Steve and I made sure no other survivors were trapped. We carefully searched the rubble, realizing that any sudden movement could trigger a second collapse. Eventually the medics returned and took the survivors with them. Meanwhile, Levi returned and began searching for survivors. His portable monitor showed the wreckage in front of us, and we slowly followed him, looking for signs of life. The dots on the screen resembled fireflies on a moonless night, faint but full of hope. As we continued our search, the rubble became thicker and more dangerous. We had to move slowly, navigating the wreckage, trying not to cause more damage than had already been done. The spots on the screen became brighter and I felt my heart pounding with anticipation. Of course there would be more survivors. Suddenly Levi's monitor beeped loudly and we all froze. He turned to us, excitement shining in his eyes. “I have a strong signal. We're close. Come on!" We followed the markers on the monitor until we came across an area of broken, bent steel, broken glass and a collapsed roof. "Over there!" - Steve shouted. I rushed towards the ruins, my power armor's servos whining loudly with every step. As we approached the crash site, I quickly noticed two arms waving frantically under the pile of rubble. “Even with my armor it will be more difficult,” I explained, assessing the situation. “We have to cut through much more debris. I can use my increased strength to help move the debris once it becomes detached. Levi, we need your thermal scanners to help us so that no survivors are crushed or injured. Levi nodded in agreement, and I pulled out my laser rifle and set it to continuous mode. Meanwhile, Steve took out his fusion knife again. Together, Steve and I worked to clear the wreckage, always keeping in mind the survivors trapped underneath. The melting cutter hummed, slicing through twisted metal like a hot knife through butter. As the rubble crumbled, Levi aimed his thermal imager at the spot where the survivor was and patiently led us through. Eventually the last piece of debris was cleared away and we saw him: a middle-aged man, dirty from the rubble that covered him. He was breathing heavily, his clothes were torn and bloody, but he was alive. “Thank Blake,” Steve breathed. "We have one more. What's your name?" The man looked at us with an expression of pain on his face. “My name is Alexei,” he groaned. "Thank you for saving me." I leaned over and reached out. Alexei holds out his hand. “We are from the Aegis division and are here to help. You can stand?" Alexei hesitated for a moment before nodding and taking my outstretched hand. I carefully and effortlessly lifted Alexei to his feet, my power armor making the task easier. As I began to loosen my grip, he cried out in pain. Levi quickly assessed the situation. “His leg is broken. We need to get him out of here, but he can't leave. We need a stretcher,” Levi explained. Steve responded, “Well, there was one person in the ambulance, but ambulance is gone.” “We can’t leave him here, especially in a storm like this,” I said. “But I can carry it. My power armor can do this." Levi frowns worriedly He was hesitant, but nodded. - If you are sure, Idris. I don't want your armor to become too heavy and you to end up being the next person we pull from the rubble. I reassured him with a nod before carefully lifting Alexei into my arms. As I lifted him, I felt his weight, despite the strength of the power armor, and the rubble began to crumble. Alexei groaned in pain as I moved over the uneven terrain, but I continued walking, determined to get him to safety. We clambered through the ruins until we got to the nearest safe zone, where a medical team was waiting for us. As we approached, a medical team quickly rushed to us, assessing Alexei’s condition and preparing to accept him for treatment. “Thank you,” Alexei breathed, looking at me with glazed eyes. "I didn't think I could make it." I simply nodded in response, feeling a sense of satisfaction wash over me. In the midst of the tragedy, we managed to save lives. It was a small victory, but it gave me hope. As the medical team began to take Alexei away, we stepped away from the chaos and huddled together, the pouring rain a constant background noise. "What's next for us?" I asked, looking at Levi and Steve with a feeling of uncertainty. Levi sighed heavily, his eyes taking in the destruction around us. “As long as your batteries are charged, we will continue to search for survivors,” he said, his voice heavy with gravity of situation. “There are still people who need our help.”

Site 187 Outskirts of Gellen's Heights, Sheratan III Sheratan System - Tikonov Free Republic January 26, 3031 (Wednesday) ______________________________________________ I looked around at my assembled colleagues. Then, when I found my resolve, I stood before the captain and commander and gave my opinion. “Sirs, I agree with First Lieutenant Maxwell. Her logic is sound. I think it would be wiser if we waited until the enemy forces reached Site 187 and assessed their strength and units before deciding to return to the city." Then I looked to Marius. "While I also believe that the information is probably correct, it is based on assumptions and even the best assumptions can be wrong." Then I looked at Levi. “Besides, we don't want to take the quartermaster out of Site 187 until we're sure everything's under control. You are coming back to town with us, no?"

Near Site 187 Outskirts of Gellen's Heights, Sheratan III Sheratan System - Tikonov Free Republic January 26, 3031 (Wednesday) ______________________________________________ I sat on the powerful shoulders of First Lieutenant Alyssa Maxwell's formidable Raven surrounded by a tumultuous symphony of tossing and turning. The thunderous boom of artillery fire, the crackle of energy bolts, and the ground-shattering footsteps of the BattleMechs mingled in breathtaking chaos. Clad in power armor, I adjusted my grip on the M61A laser rifle combat system slung across my back as the weight of my TK assault rifle and the reassuring presence of my Martial Eagle submachine gun anchored me in the moment. Alyssa's calm voice made her way through the chaos on the radio, the lifeline of the storm that had unfolded. “Junaid, we have company. Two Harrassers, an LRM and a medium laser variant closing in. Stay sharp." "Copy, Radar," I acknowledged, my fingers brushing my gauntlet controls. Through the visor of my helmet, I watched as the tanks maneuvered across the rough terrain, seeking cover in their approach. Balanced atop the Raven's back, I had a clear view of the unfolding scenario. Alyssa moved purposefully, dodging across the battlefield as the Harassers adjusted their trajectories. The LRM Harasser fired a cascade of missiles at her Raven. I braced myself for impact, but she skillfully dodged and fired back. The medium laser variant Harasser performed a flanking maneuver and its energy beams sliced through the air. The Raven opened fire with its lasers and SRM launcher. The energy beams hit the target exactly and make the tank tremble. With the follow-up shot, Alyssa bored a deep hole in its armor and the tank's full attention was now on the BattleMech. "Radar, this is Rebus," crackled our comrade's voices over the radio. "That Maxim Heavy Hover Transport is closing from the west, SRM-4 launcher hot." "Acknowledged. Listen up, Junaid," there was a touch of urgency in Alyssa's instructions. "I will divert the attention of the pursuers. As soon as they focus on me, seize the opportunity to engage the Maxim. Let's neutralize these threats together." My attention was drawn to the approaching transport, realization dawning. The stakes have increased significantly. "Acknowledged," I replied. "I'm on it." Leaping off the Raven's back, my power armor's thrusters propelled me through the air with precision. As my boots met the ground, I rolled into cover, my TK assault rifle firm in my grasp. Bullets flew from the barrel as I ran for cover. "Radar, I'm on the ground and moving," I said, explosions resounding in the background. "Be careful, Junaid," she replied, concentrating on her combat engagement I hid behind the rubble and approached the Maxim slowly. Its SRM-4 launcher unleashed volleys of destruction that whizzed past me, the ground quaking in response. My Martial Eagle submachine gun awaited my grasp, its caseless rounds offering rapid and precise firepower. Suddenly, with an explosive burst, the LRM Harasser met its demise, engulfed in flames and debris under Alyssa's punishing attack. But the tumultuous battlefield still roared around us, the Medium Laser Harasser still very much a threat, its turret swiveling to track Alyssa once again. The situation escalated when the Maxim suddenly turned his attention to the Raven and fired a volley of missiles at the small BattleMech. The Raven stumbled and shuddered under the attack as it veered aggressively into a series of evasive maneuvers. "Radar, I have a plan," I radioed firmly. "I'm going to try to detonate the Maxim's ammunition stores." Alice replied in a cautious but supportive tone. "Stay safe, Junaid. Don't take unnecessary risks." I waited for the right moment and rushed forward. Leaping from cover, I unleashed a barrage of bullet and laser fire at the Maxim, drawing its attention amidst the explosions all around me. The transport's SRMs exploded nearby, their shockwaves jolting the earth beneath me. My calculated movements drew the Maxim's focus, allowing Alyssa space to engage the remaining Harasser without hindrance. With practiced agility, I closed the gap swiftly. A leap launched me onto the Maxim's hull, and my armored gloves gripped its surface. Rapidly locating its missile feed belts, I affixed grenades from my M61A laser rifle combat system to the belt, my actions synchronized with the surrounding chaos. As soon as I finished, I pulled the pins from all of the grenades, and I leapt from the transport's hull, hitting the ground and rolling for cover just as the grenades went off, causing all of the SRMs in his feed belt to detonate in a spectacular burst. The Maxim succumbed to the detonation, the fiery spectacle a testament to our strategic collaboration. Breathing heavily, I spoke into the radio with a relieved voice. "Radar, Maxim is down". "Fantastic," Alyssa's words conveyed a mixture of pride and relief. "Stand by. The laser Harasser isn't going to be around much longer either." I ducked behind the fractured debris surrounding me, the adrenaline gradually ebbing away. The constant hum of my power armor accompanied me as I observed Alyssa's Raven in action, its graceful maneuvers dispatching the remaining Harasser tank in an enormous fireball. "Bogies are down!" Alyssa called out. “Junaid, I need to get you back and get you to the BRV quickly. Eden needs fire support, but I don't want to risk your life against the Zeus while you're attached to my hull." "Copy that," I acknowledged, throwing the M61A across my back and holstering my machine pistol. "I am going toward you now." The roars of the leviathans in battle exploded around me as I charged headlong into the center of the battlefield, charging frantically at Alyssa's Raven, who was running my way. Once the BattleMech was within range, I stood and fired my grappler from my left glove. The grapnel rose into the air, its cable paying out with a loud, insistent hum. A second later, the hook made a piercing clang as it collided with the Raven's arm with a loud bang. I locked the cable spool and unfolded may parafoil to prepare for what was to come next. As the Raven swooped past me, the cable went taut and I was thrown violently into the air behind the racing war machine. "Junaid to Radar, I'm safe, I'm safe and ready to go," I radioed as the wind whipped around me and I dangled from the cable, suspended between the ground and the Raven, aloft above the rage of armored combat. "Copy Junaid," Alyssa's voice crackled over the radio. "Come on down when you're ready." With a strong whir, my power armor's winch activated and the cable began to retract, quickly pulling me towards the BattleMech. Its hull rushed towards me and in a few moments I was on board, clinging tightly to its handholds. I gingerly moved toward the Raven's arm and picked up my boarding gear, holding as tight as I could to the machine's hull so I would not get bucked off while while Alyssa charged us to the BRV. "Pandora coming up on us! You ready to bail, Junaid?" "Nearly!" I answered, spooling the cable as fast as I could. A few seconds later, the recovery vehicle was directly below us. I unfolded the parafoil again, jumped off the Raven's back, and glided toward the ground. Seconds later, I landed with a very hard impact that made me tumble for several meters. Quickly, I got up, closed my parafoil, and secured my gear to make sure nothing was left behind. Then I ran after the BRV, which was now moving at a more deliberate pace. Its rear hatch lowered, and I ran inside. The interior was a hubub of focused activity. Levi was at the controls, his hands steady as he navigated the vehicle over the rugged terrain. "Hey Idris, nice to have you aboard. Need anything?" Levi asked, never taking his eyes off the fight. "A bottle of water would be nice," I sighed as I took my helmet off and wiped sweat from my face. "You know where it lives," Levi replied, jabbing his thumb in the air toward the Pandora's mini fridge. I decided to take him up on his offer. I doubted that my next fights would go as easily as this one had.

"Are there any other ambiguities that I can clarify?" asked the Tribune. I leaned back in my chair. He didn't impress me and his insults towards me meant nothing. In the 8th Marik Militia I had seen officers of real strength and skill. This man was a politician, not a warrior, and also a pompous fool who believed his plan was infallible. I looked left at Lt. Maxwell, who seemed frustrated and even a little scared. Then I looked at Lt. Blackwood. He too seemed demoralized. I knew they feared for our unit, and rightly so. I knew I had to speak. "The Marik washout would like to talk," I said, echoing the insult intended for me from the Tribune Montgomery. The tribune squinted at me, obviously annoyed at being provoked. But I didn't give in. I had fought in the trenches, seen the horrors of war, and survived to tell the story. "You hired us simply to serve as a backdrop for a political summit that is the biggest risk for an attack we've seen since the end of the 4th Succession War. However, you urge us to protect lives at this event. But when protecting life results in property damage, you threaten to not pay us. You have tied our hands in a situation where we should have the freedom to act to truly protect this event.” Captain Maxwell's face turned red and I immediately realized that I had overstepped bounds. But my deed was already done. Tribune Montgomery scoffed. “You are not paid to question your orders, Nasir. You get paid to do them. And if you don't do them, you don't get paid.” I got up from my chair, fists clenched. "Then withhold my payment. Because if innocent people are in danger, I don't give a damn about your fancy boat docks or your expensive statues. I choose life.” The room went silent as everyone turned to me, not knowing how to react. "I'll see myself out," I said, turning on my heel and leaving the room. I could hear murmurs and whispers behind me, but I didn't care. I knew I'd probably just benched myself for this job or maybe even destroyed my career, but my morals weren't for sale.

Site 187 Outskirts of Gellens Heights, Sheratan Free Republic of Tikonov November 4, 3030 _______________________________________________ Alyssa left the gym in a hurry, she had urgent business with Jaeger, and she had to interrupt our sparring session. I was wondering what was the matter, but then I realized that I was glad that I was not an officer. I gathered my things and went to my room to clean myself up. Arriving there and taking a shower, I plopped down on the bed and breathed a deep sigh of relief. It was nice to be back from the field, although there was still a lot of repair work ahead of us. As I lay there, my mind drifted back to my hometown of Teleopolis, back to Chertan. It's been years since I saw my family and I missed them terribly. I wondered what they were doing at that moment and if they were thinking about me. But then my thoughts were interrupted by a loud knock on the door. "Who is this?" I asked. "This is Amina," came the reply. Amina was a technician in the Aegis Vehicle Corps and one of the few people with whom I was even a little more than just a colleaguen. Like me, she was from the Free Worlds League, and we shared a common experience. I got out of bed and opened the door. There she stood with a mischievous smirk on her face. "What's happening?" I asked curiously. “Ever since we got back from Duggaknott, all you've been doing is hiding in this base,” Amina teased. — I thought we could have some fun tonight." I raised an eyebrow questioningly, trying to figure out what she was up to. Amina was known as a wild card, always ready to have a good time. "What do you think?" I asked. "I mean we're going tonight," she explained, her smirk widening. "There's a bar not far from here that I've heard is popular with the locals." I groaned inwardly. As much as I like Amina, I hated going to bars. Loud music, crowds and the musty smell of alcohol have never appealed to me. “I don’t know Amina. I'm not quite in the mood for that.” I hesitated. "Oh, come on. You can't stay locked up here all night," Amina pleaded, her eyes shining with excitement. "Live a little, Nasir." I sighed in defeat. Despite my reluctance, I nodded in agreement. Maybe a little entertainment will still do me good. We left the base in the pouring rain and headed towards the bar. The streets was busy and I couldn't help but be a little wary. I was used to being on a battlefield that was often chaotic, but this was different. It was civilian life and I felt uncomfortable. As we approached the bar, a place ironically named "The Silent Knight", I couldn't help but notice the bright energy emanating from it. Outside, people were bustling about, laughing and talking loudly. The sound of music and the clinking of glasses filled the street. Amina grinned mischievously, grabbed my arm and dragged me to the bar, where we were immediately overwhelmed by the roar of music. The place was full, and the smell of alcohol and sweat hung in the air. Amina led me to the crowded bar and ordered drinks for us. I watched her lean over the counter, her dark hair falling in waves across her face. She caught my eye and smiled playfully. I took a sip of my drink. “So this is probably the most casual thing we've done,” I said awkwardly, trying to strike up a conversation. Amina giggled. "Yes, I know. Still, it's nice to take a break from all the fighting. Just let go and have fun. You know what 'fun' is, don't you, Idris?" I rolled my eyes. "Of course I do, Amina. It has just been long since I've done something like this." She nodded and took another sip of her drink. "Well, let's make up for lost time." For the next few hours we drank, laughed and finally danced on the crowded dance floor. As the night wore on, the music got louder, people were noisy, and my mind was clouded by alcohol. Amina and I stopped our conversation a long time ago and now just enjoyed each other's company. I could feel her warm breath on my neck as we swayed to the music, her body pressed against mine. I couldn't help but feel a wave of desire wash over me at her scent mixed with alcohol and sweat. Suddenly, on a crowded dance floor, it seemed that we were just the two of us. Without warning, Amina grabbed my arm and dragged me towards the exit. We went out into the rain-soaked street and giggled uncontrollably. Amina paused for a moment to catch her breath, then turned to me, smiling. "Let's go somewhere more private," she whispered in my ear, her breath burning my skin. My heart was pounding as she took my hand and led me outside of the bar into the night and the rain-soaked street. I had no idea where we were going, but I didn't care. All I knew was that I felt alive for the first time in a long time.

SNS Trident Serati Sea, Sheratan III Sheratan System - Tikonov Free Republic October 28, 3030 - late morning _______________________________________________ I woke up in my little bunk aboard the Trident, stiff and aching from yesterday's battle. Even though I was in power armor on the first deployment and heavy combat armor on the second, it still took a toll on my body. The Sheratan Navy was kind enough to allow those of us who wanted to rest to sleep aboard the ship as we sailed straight for the Gellen's Heights. At first I was very surprised that they didn't want to just drop us back to Daggaknott, but Captain Sisko explained to us passengers that the local government had to convince the people of the town that what they saw was just wargames, which will not work if a bunch of mercenaries are then again unloaded from a warship without explanation. Instead, they wanted to take us and the prisoners back to the capital, and have our equipment transported in a secret convoy overnight. So I decided to find a galley on the Trident and have breakfast. Maybe I would also introduce myself to some sailors. Walking through the corridors of the Trident, I marveled at the size and complexity of the ship. It was comparable in scale and layout to a Free Worlds League Navy heavy cruiser, with multiple levels and compartments for crew quarters, armories and the like. I've been on my fair share of ships over the years, but the Trident was definitely one of the most impressive, no small feat for a predominantly agricultural planet like Sheratan. When I finally reached the galley, I was greeted by the smell of fresh coffee and the sounds of sailors talking. I took a tray and filled it with eggs, bacon, toast and a second cup of coffee. Finding a seat at one of the long tables, I couldn't help but notice the sailors around me. Most of them were young, fresh faces who looked like they had just finished their basic training. Several older sailors, probably in their 20s and 30s, were also scattered around the room. I decided to strike up a conversation with one of the junior sailors sitting opposite me. “Hey, friend,” I said, nodding in his direction. "What is your name?" The sailor, who looked no more than 18 or 19 years old, looked at me with wide eyes. "Uh, I'm Sailor Jones, sir," he said almost in a whisper. I laughed. “Relax, kid, I'm not an officer. I'm not even in the Navy. Just a passenger,” I introduced myself as I scooped up my breakfast and savored the taste of hot, crispy bacon. "An impressive ship you have here." Sailor Jones seemed to relax a little at my reassurance. "Thank you, sir," he said, a slight smile on his face. "I am honored to serve on board." "I'm sure of it," I replied, taking a sip of my coffee. "So, how long have you been in the Navy?" “A little over a year, sir,” Jones replied. "I joined right after school." I nodded, impressed. “This is a serious commitment. And how do you like it so far?” "It's hard, sir," Jones admitted. “But I am proud to defend our way of life. Sheratan's role in the stability of the Inner Sphere is really important." I could tell that Jones was dedicated to his work and I respected him for that. “Well, keep up the good work, sailor. You're doing great." “Thank you, sir,” Jones said, beaming with pride. After finishing my breakfast, I continued to chat with the sailors around me and questioned them about their duties and experiences aboard the Trident. I learned that her commander, Captain Sisko, was a respected leader among the crew and that there were more than 200 sailors on the ship, including 84 paratroopers. Many of the sailors were Sheratan locals who prided themselves on serving their planet. I finished my meal and thanked the sailors for their hospitality before heading to the workshop to see if there was anything I could do to pass the time. Walking around the ship, I couldn't help but marvel at the level of technology and engineering that went into building such a magnificent ship. It was clear that the Sheratan Navy took great pride in their work, and this was reflected in every inch of the Trident. When I arrived at the workshop, I was greeted by one of the aircrew members. “Good morning, uh, Idris,” he said, nodding at me and reading the tag with my name on it. "How did you sleep?" “Like a rock,” I replied, stretching out my arms and cracking my neck. “By the way, thanks for letting us spend the night on board the ship. We are very grateful." “No problem, we'll take care of our own. And speaking of your own, if you've come here looking for some business, we could use an extra pair of hands to patch up some of Typhoon's armor. I don't know how much you know about aircraft,” said the crew member, whose nametape said Petty Officer Takana. “I can handle a wrench and a welding torch,” I replied with a smile. "Lead the way." For the rest of the morning, I worked with Petty Officer Takana and other crew members, repairing the armor of the Trident's Typhoon fighter. It was a welcome change in the pace from the previous day's fight, and I enjoyed working with my hands and solving practical problems. By the time we finished the Typhoon was in much better shape and I felt the satisfaction of a job well done. As the day turned into noon, I decided to walk around a bit more and find the rest of Aegis Division, curious about how far we still had to go and what the rest of the team was up to.