Fan Fiction : Waking The Sleeping Dragon
By ; Storm_Seraphin; ...Vampire_Seraphin;.... Bane_Seraphin
A slight hum murmured through the cockpit as she stood crouched, power on minimal, waist deep in water. Not a healthy place for a Madcat to say the least.
Life support running a little to close to home, weapons loadout display flashing listing only half a payload of C-SRM6's & the PPC's capacitors ruptured giving only enough power out-put of a IS Large Laser. Phek! InnerSphere Large Laser.
That last fire fight hurt her bad. The pilot wiping the sweat from his brow sat back watching the Radar. While the radar cycled through from 100metres to 200Meters & back, constantly displaying if any movement was close enough to detect him, his mind never still, is 200 meter too much, will it be enough time to stand, I cant risk too much power they’ll see me for sure.
The thought carried on as if stuck in time ‘ Adjustments, adjustments, power, weapons.
The Madcat slightly customized belonged to none other than a Seraphin Mechwarrior, known to be the heartiest of all clansmen. Though loyal to all the keep on their good side, a caution to be hold is that they will turn a weapon back on you if betrayal rear’s its head.
This situation was tough one Madcat to take on Mismatched highbred Innersphere Tech. Mismatched why, those, those, what's the use the pilot argued, those scum stole & they will pay….Pay is an under statement. A slow grin moved across his face outlining a scar from a previous encounter with the InnerSphere. Rubbing the scar his thoughts flashed, to how he had recieved his fleshy trophy in the games on Solaris VII in 3056 almost ten years earlier.
This band is IS warriors pillaged the last remaining out post of the Seraphin (Pain) the last bastion of refuge for the clan. ‘Pain’ a discarded battle torn moon of little interest to anyone on the outer rim, just past Star’s End.
While the Seraphin were off on a hmmm shall we say recon & retrieval mission. The Force a IS Mech’s jumped a dropship in close orbit & raided the weapons depots & command buildings. All homes were burnt to ash. The devastation was great enough to be seen from low orbit, a black scar had appeared on the landscape were home once was.
The Plans for advances in the Serapins weapons had been taken, Clan weapons, configurations, contacts all gone, not one stone left unturned.
"By the Blood of Grayson " the Mechwarrior's thoughts cried, those upstarts will pay. Just two more hours hiding in the bloody cave & we'll have a party. Just two more hours till the drop ship picks up the cats signal, just two more hours before these upstarts understand the meaning of seraphin.
The Pilot weary from his past run in with the Sphere choose to hide & wait for his fellow band, knowing that one couldn't not defeat the many, with only half systems running, if that.
Dusk is approaching, the time will be soon.....................soon...... oh yes!...very soon..................
The pilot lay back in his chair, calming himself, the sound on the Cat’s reactor humming gently, the vibration making the water lap around the Madcats hull. ‘Home he thought, I would be nice just to go home’. Arh Trellwan the dusty dune of a planet but with an outbreak of tropical land mass at the lower equator & frozen artic circle, H..o…m…e.., he thought.
The Computer came to life, lighting up the pilots face, Blip! Blip! Blip!, waking from his semi-slumber his eye fixed on the computer readout. ‘What is it, what is!, thoughts running through his head, faster & faster, anticipation boosted his heart rate, WHERE IS IT! Thoughts racing, scanning the screen looking for a sign of danger.
In an instant the Madcat stood up, proud & majestic, pitching slight due to an over compensation in the leg actuators, She rose from its water seat yawing & pitching as if it was a being of its own. She turned left towards the entrance of the cave. The entrance only slightly visible. ‘No-one could have known I was here, they couldn’t have seen’. There, there it is.
Almost by instinct the Madcat fired two rounds from a small machine gun array as if she’d had known. The pilots thoughts raced hard & fast through the helmets neural interface it seemed almost as if the cat knew before he did where to fire.
Badboom! Badboom!, shock waves flew across the water as the rounds left the barrel,
‘Infantry! Was it , its must have been’, The pilot collecting his thoughts, knew only too well it was a solider. “ Target destroyed” flashed on the screen, …………………………………
*Vampire
'Reactor at 98% base effciency'
'Radar systems active'
'Ecm ready'
'Weapons hot'
As a leopard class dropship raced across the dunes spraying a storm of sand bedhind it a a grim faced mechwarrior ran down his check list.
'Life support Optimal'
'Targeting ready'
'All systems operational'
It was time.
The raiders had dropped on Pain and the damage was evident even from orbit as the Seraphin dropships raced for the distress signal. The home guard had fought and died to buy this time. Sensors had picked up only the single distress signal. The butchers had done thier work well, but had not counted on the crafty Seraphin mechwarriors. And the bill was about to be tallied.
Top command aboard the jumpship had spotted an enemy overlord on the surface, not telling how many mech the attackers had landed. The would be plenty of vengeance to go around. Even now, the command lance were hitting the raiders main forces to the south while high in space top command planned the rescue of thier brother. Leaving the raiders command post woefully under guarded the warrior thought with a dark smile. Time to show them how REAL pirates fight.
This strike would wipe out thier command post. With thier commanders and dead supplies destroyed, the raiders would be easy picking for the elite elements of the Seraphin heavy lances.
Looking out across the bay at the gattling guns on his Tenchi's stubby wings, and the lance of warriors with him. Preforming a final weapons systems check, his cannon fully loaded and all sixty rockets ready overhead, it was time to dance with the devil again.
"Ready for hot drop dropship command."
"Roger lance leader, we'll drop you five kilometer fromt the target. Good luck Seraphin!
With a roar the dropship doors opened and four titains of steel leaped out. Angels of death descending on pillars of hell fire.
As his lance hit the dirt they were already running at top speed. It was only a matter of moments now and the enemy would know the true meaning of pain. They had crossed a Seraphin for the last time. They only needed to close to range, then oblivion would claim thier foes.
He could only pray that the field guns were ready at thier position ten kilometers to the north. They would be needed now.
On top of the enemy position in mere moments, the fire was coming thick and heavy. Thier fire rocked his Tenchi murderously as he juked closer every second.
"Come on babe, hold together a little longer. But If this be the last dance of the angels of death, let us go out like Seraphin!" a whisper nearly lost amid the roar of battle
*Sto
Knowing his position was now compromised the pilot checked the list for the Madcat.
‘Reactor @ 75% - Charging, Max output – in T Minus 29 Seconds’,
‘Weapons – PPC – Left Arm – 67% - holding – Error, Error - Shielding Malfunction!’
Smack! Smack! His fist hit the screen
‘Weapons - PPC – Left Arm - 67% - Holding.
“ That’s better he thought”
‘Weapons – Right Arm – 89%- Charging- holding – charging - holding’
‘Weapons – C-SRM Streak6 - 4 banks @ 180 Rounds’
The computer continued relaying information while the pilot edged the Madcat to the opening of the cave. ‘Time, Time, it must be close now, he thought, Dusk had come fast, but the sight of the Infantry solder come an even faster. ‘How many IS troops are here, ‘what do they want with us’.
The pilot looked at his clock, noted that the time was close for him to make a choice. The choice being, to stay & hide, live for a while longer or end it here in a fire fight worth remembrance…
Just as that thought ran through his head, the IFF beacon flashed on his instrument panel.
‘Wait, what!, he tapped the panel with fear it was a mistake, the light flashed again. Wit h hast the pilot pressed button on the computer panel, Radar 200 meters, 400 Meters,
1 Kilometre , 5 Kilometres. The computer listed all the information in it topographical data-base, green triangles flashed before his eyes, Moving green Triangles!. He couldn’t believe it, the dropship had made it. A smile rose across his face, knowing he wasn’t alone & his brethren had made it through any obiting ships that lay in wait. Slow down, slow down, it could be a trap, trap … no! it has to be real. But what if its not them
‘Targets @ 4.9 Kilometres- north – north east’,
‘Reactor 99.99% - holding - the computer relayed’
Time to move.
Slowly the Madcat made it’s way out of the entrance, water dripping from every line on its lower torso. A quick flick on a switch, ‘Radar – Passive Mode’ . The Madcat stood proud of the entrance to the cave, twisted left then right, the pilot using eye-sight & the Heads up display to pin point any objects that seemed to be out of place.
There, behind the tree line a group of small armoured vehicles, ‘ they must have known I was here, must have seen the tracks my mech had made’.
‘Alacorns’! Those scum, how dare those use our own tanks against us. The radar list 4 Alacorn mkVII Tanks, 15 Solders, ‘ HA! I should be honoured, the chuckle seemed to echo around the cockpit.
With his finger poised on the Madcats joystick control, his left hand tight on the throttle, The neural interface reading every wave the pilot thought.
The madcat leaped forward gathering speed with every step, 25, 40 kph, 60kph, gigantic bits of ground got threw up by the mechs feet as every impression dug further down adding to the grip, 85KPH, the mech ran, shacking the ground as it trod.
The on-looking solders from the tree line couldn’t believe their eyes, this fearsome machine heading straight for them not even a flinch. The Alacorn’s opened fire unleashing a rain of gauss upon the madcat. The cockpit rattled with every direct hit, ‘ Com’on baby hold it together’, Crashing through the sparce line the madcats massive feet tore up the weedy undergrowth, throwing great lumps of Earthy, sandy ground into the path of the now fleeing solders.
The Madcat pitched to the right, right arm extended & fired, a blue haze shot out from the PPC hitting the first Alacorn, ‘Target Disabled’ , with almost lightning reaction the madcat twisted left, just being missed by another guass round. The legs of the madcat now caught up with it’s torso & facing the 2nd & 3rd Alacorn, two bright bolts flashed from its arms, one bolt of light hitting each of the tanks. ‘ Targets Disabled’. The forth Alacorn was trying to make his way through the growth followed by running footsmen. Without hesitation the pilot headed towards the retreating solders, The madcats feet stomping with every step, a group of running men saw a shadow appear overhead & stopped as if to see what could cause such a darkness so quickly. In a blink, it was over an impression lay deep in the ground where the band of men once stood, & now only one target remained.
Lurching forward the Madcat to several giant steps towards the final tank, weaving & pitching to its barrage of gauss rounds. With an almighty crash & grinding of metal the Cat had put a massive foot on the tank, compressing it & its crew.
The Pilot pulled back on the throttle till the display said 0% output, took a deep breathe, a stared at his right hand which gripped the stick so hard that his knuckles had turned white.
Twisting the cat around he could see clearly the 2nd & 3rd tank still sparking with the residual charge of his weapons. Two squeezes of the trigger, unleashed two more bolts of blue lightning followed by a crackle of machine gun fire. ………… All that remained of these two was a chargrilled stains on the landscape.
The pilot turned the cat in the direction of the first Alacorn he had disabled moved slowly towards it. The pilot noticed the shrubery in the distance was moving, not taking a risk the pilot twisted the cat on its torso carpeting the area with machine gun fire. leaves, parts of tree’s, earth all flew around the air as if it had been picked up by an invisible force, then silence. Smoke rose in front of the pilots cockpit window as the machine guns ceased, & with the silence the ground had stopped moving.
The madcat now faced the first of the tanks. The pilot stopped his mech within 200 meters of the tank & set her to crouch facing it. The tank still showed faint blue sparks flowing around its hull. Suddenly the access panel opened & 3 men came from within, the first holding a white shirt in his hand, waving it as he exited the vehicle.
The pilot looked in amazement as these three men stood looking like large ants, just facing him. One of the men knelt down on the ground and raised his hands as if to pray. The pilot looked in puzzlement at this action. ‘A thought raise its head, do I take these whom have defiled my planet, my home, stolen what is close to me & mine, do I take prisoners………………………
“ I am Seraphin!”
With that thought, a mass of flame & blinding blue light flowed towards the men. With horrific shock & a split second, darkness fell on the ground where the tank once stood, nothing but twisted metal remained. With this final action the Pilot stood the Madcat & led her away, leaving the wreckage still molten & glowing as he passed his judgement.
The Pilot set the throttle to automatic control. He removed his glove which had hidden a plasma burn from an accident which happen when a conduet blow out in his madcat some time previous. Wiped his brow with his palm, then touched the consol of the computer, patting it gently.
Blood & sweat, Always blood N sweat.
now.......4.1 kilometers to go ……………………………………..
The Madcat moved off with the grace of a canter, striding lively as if needed a workout to shed the cobwebs from its system. The pilot check through the controls “ all seems ok, lets get you home.
By now the battle was raging, the Dropships had landed, Seraphin taking back what was lost. “ must get home” . The pilot looked at the horizon where the tree line met a small mountain range, smoke could be seen over the distance , plumes of tar black smoke.
“ those boys are giving the IS bastards a run for their money I wager”.
Faster faster the madcat strode 99.9% engine output, the reactor humming a familure song, 3.6 Km, 3.5 Km, with every step the Madcat seemed to take nearly 100Mtrs from the ground, massive footprints left their dusty trail of impressions, as if a prehistoric giant had been marching through the valley.
The smoke was getting closer & closer the Pilot checking constantly for the friendly contacts. Distant firing could be heard, thunderous blasts followed by bursts of radiant light. The dust gave way to a rocks at the base of a mountain, The Madcat stumbled slightly as the Gio’s over compensated for the new terrain. The pilot eased back the throttle, looking from the side windows for a path upwards. “ Where is it, I know its around here”, flicking through the stored maps on his system looking for a path. There I knew it,
Twisting to the right & with a squeeze of the trigger boulders flew. A small way lay ahead, if you didn’t know where to look you’ll miss it, a supply route for the trucks lay open, barley enough room for the Madcat to fit.
Slowly the Cat inclined the path leading upward, every step sure footed on the crumbled rock. The shear weight hold her in place. As if the sun shone of the horizon of the mountain the madcat peered over the crest.
Almost filled with a sense of home sickness & longing the pilot looked around at the sight.
The Madcat stood majestic on the mountain top as if a watcher to a great play.
Suddenly a crackle came from the comm’s. “# Damn glad you could drop in boy, now how about you get that Madcats rusty arse down here & gives us a hand!”. The voice broke off with a burst of static. The pilot threw the throttle all the way forward, “ Reactor @ 45%, 50% 60%. The Madcat lurched forward as if a mountain lion stalking prey. The ground shifted as the Cat weaved its way down the loose terrain, Rocks sliding as the tonnage took its toll.
“Com-on girl hold it together” the pilots thoughts racing as the Cat threw its way down the mountain side, great blasts of light flaring all around, smoke rising from every wound on the ground, “ LRM, LRM” the computer spat out at the pilot, the pilot jerked hard on the controls, the Madcat lunged to the right sliding too much for the rock to hold. The right leg stepped out & she tipped, over & over the madcat went, limbs trailing out as if it was in pain, without hesitation the pilot punched the crouch command on the computer consol, trying to eliminate the damage his machine could take. Both legs folded, under on the next revolution. The computer still shouting “LRM, LRM”, then on the last call the ground shook & rubble came crashing down the mountain side with an avalanche of dust.
Blood pored from a wound on the pilots cheek as the cockpit glass splintered under the shockwave, “ Breach, Cockpit failure, Breach, life-support warning!” the computer reeled off. The pilot shook his head trying to shake off the dust from his face. With his blooded left hand he wiped the grit from the consol, punching commands as he went along. The Madcat heaved as he commanded movement before the next volley came his way.
Left then right , left & right he shook the stick, the Madcat stood up shacking the debris from its skin. “no time to waste” the Cat heaved into action raising its torso from the dust & marching off towards the battle.
The Black fog lay thick from the battle, artillery shelling with smokers, trying to conceal the Innersphere’s treachery. Suddenly with out warning the Madcat got knocked to the left. “ what was that!”, nothing showed on the radar. With instinct the madcat twisted right & as it done so the comm’s opened again “# hey you ok in there kid, you know I saw that, if this was a gym class I would have get given you a 9.0 for that one, but it aint so you coming for some fun with this Innersphere scum”.
With the surprise at the statement the pilot showed a slight grin as his wake up call came from a Tenchi showing Seraphin colours.
His heart racing he poised the Cat forward following the Tenchi’s lead into the battle.
*vampire
"Contact! Contact! Contact!"
The wailing rose from Omega Leads radar console. So many targets he thought as he juked his Tenchi to dodge incoming autocannon fire. There were never supposed to be this many here. At least two heavy lances were guarding the base.
That left the Omegas out numbered by two to one, and likely out tonned by twice that. Omega lead the only heavy mech in the Seraphin Special Ops. lance.
"Alright Omega lance, by the numbers! Omega lead and Omega two engage the enemy. We need to keep them busy while Omega's three and four pinpoint the coordinates and feed them to the field guns!"
A sharp turn around a building brought him face to face with a pristine looking dragon. No time to think his Tenchi's guns roared and he watched as the armor buckled and the pirate mech's leg disintegrated at the knee. Firing his jets he did not wait to see the final results.
"Omega three is down!" Fours cry echoed across the communication bands like a banshees wail on his spirit.
"Omega two, take three's targets!" the leader roared as he heaved his mech around yet another corner.
"Targets aquired lance leader, broadcasting to the guns." Two's voice was calm amid the roar of missiles and thunder of shells.
"Guns fire at will, repeat fire at will!" Omega lead shouted and as he fought he could hear the shrike of incoming rounds.
"New contact Omega lead. One km due south. Siesmic makes it heavy!"
"Omega lead moving to cut off enemy reinforcements, Omegas withdraw to the east then circle back to guard the guns!"
The Tenchi leaped around final building and raced south towards this new contact. As he sped towards the contact he could hear the insistant beeping of a missile lock. Looking to the rear he could see the pirate catapult far out of his range. All he could do was jink his mech and hope for the best.
Across the field he sped certain of death working to buy time for his embattled lance. As he rounded a bend in the ridge the missile tones thankfully went away.
Looking up for the enemy he must face he found instead a sight majestic to behold. A Seraphin Madcat, battered but proud standing tall at the top of the ridge.
"Damn glad you could drop in boy, now how about you get that Madcats rusty arse down here & gives us a hand!” The relief evident even in his voice.
Like a banshee wail from beyond the grave Omega lead watched as missiles from the forgotten catapult shrieked into the cat, knocking it from its perch. As it fell he watched with his gun camera even as he turned to face the catapult. The fall was spectacular and left him suprised as the Cat pilot somehow held it together.
"hey you ok in there kid, you know I saw that, if this was a gym class I would have get given you a 9.0 for that one, but it aint so you coming for some fun with this Innersphere scum”
"Omega lead to Topship command I have found our missing man and his Madcat. Omega lance currently heavily engaged, not looking good. Enemy CP destroyed by artillery. Status of Omega three unknown."
With that he completed his turn towards the catapult and leaped forward with a vengeance, at a speed none but the fastest could hope to escape, the battered cat racing up behind, the barrels of its PPC's already blue with the glow of the electrical wrath inside.
*storm
The Madcat hard pressed to stay close to the Tenchi followed the dusty mist from its footfalls the pilot opened his comm’s “# Omega lead, on your six, taking position as Omega 5, Good hunting”, “ Roger Omega 5, stay tight” the voice answered.
The pilot double checked the systems, PPC’s showing slight fluctuations but holding reaction, intermittent hums came from the conduit from behind, ‘not now!, come-on you can hold it together just a few longer’, vibration rattled the behind the pilots seat as the PPC’s held the charge forcing feedback against the already over compensated systems.
The Tenchi picking up speed, legs looking like they just grazed against the broken ground with every step. The madcat hot on its tail keeping a watchful eye on incoming fire.
Without warning streaks of blue lightning passed by behind the Tenchi, The madcat pilot gasped as they just past behind by just a few metres. The madcat twisted left still maintaining forward motion, there behind a rocky outcrop just barely visible against the smoke fill landscape, a small light, a mechs running light. The pilot, with two fingers striking over the controls, ‘Radar on, pattern recon on, “ Got ya” Radar off’, “# Omega lead this Omega 5, we have a Puma tucked @ 10 o/c”, “ Roger 5 break & deal”, with that the madcat swung left , Legs finding centre against the motion of the torso, a full speed turn. The madcats arms poised.
The pilot unable to use radar could only remember the place the Puma had been, approximately 650mtrs out. Suddenly the Puma broke from its hiding place scurrying like a rabid turtle. A blue bolt left the madcats left arm, recoil shook the madcat, The wave struck the puma on the right leg leaving a flashing blue scar, another bolt from the right arm hit the same spot stripping the armour a burning the leg actuator out. The puma fell face first in the dust, sliding a mound of dirt into the air.
The madcat still at full speed turned a headed back to the last direction that he left the Tenchi. “# Omega lead, Puma disabled, resuming position”, “Roger 5 good job” by this time the Tenchi was just a small spot on infront of the madcat, the pilot knew he had to make up the gap. The Tenchi took off jump-jets blazing, up & over a burnt out building the Tenchi went. The madcat pilot could only watch in awe as the Tenchi rained rounds down on its target.
The madcat closing in fast saw movement from what was left of the building, flashes of light, smoke plumed, wild missiles flew into the air, then if the devil himself had lit a match under the Catapult it came charging straight forward from the wreckage right in the line of the madcat. Too close to fire with out getting damaged himself the pilot pulled the madcat out of its path. The Tenchi hot on its tail spit-balling rounds at the back of the retreating mech. Karboom!, holy shit! The madcat rocked with the sound wave narrowly missing as she tried the pull away, a heavy round flew past hitting the Catapult dead centre in the lower torso armour flew off like paper the catapult still trying to run.
The Tenchi still cracking rounds at it as it tried to escape.
.................................................
*bane
Aboard the Seraphin Invader class jumpship in a pirate orbit above Pain, a radioman announced “Wicked sir we have flash traffic Pain is lite up with battle chatter and heavy coded transmissions , it seems the Innersphere has been pillaging our home!”
Wicked switching the 1MC on and announced to both Union class dropships,” I want both ships to make preparations for a high G burn planetside seems we have some unwanted guests making themselves at home.”
Bane deep in the cavernous bay of the mech hanger busily making modifications to his Warlord . speaking to himself this should be the last sanction , now we should be able to carry those newly aquired Elemental battle armor. Soon he noticed the once almost quiet bay was a blaze with activity. “Fatal whats all the hustle about ? “ wow there really is a lot of Sera pilots down here .. “Ya’ll sudden have the urge to get off this tub and breath real air” laughing.
“Bane where you not just listing to the 1MC ?”
“No what is going on ?”
Trent piped up from the gantry next to his MK2 “I think you need to pull your head out of your mech once in a while and listen to what is going on around you.”
“We have five planetside taking on the IS invaders and it is going to be a hot drop.” Fatal added.
Is that fear I am feeling , but why it is only those annoying spheroids, hell it is not like we are facing the Clans they are a real test of a Mechwarriors skill.
“Well at least I will be able to introduce ‘Brat Slapper’ to them with those erppc’s we pickup on that last run and that new targeting computer for the ALM20’s I should be able to hit the proverbial broad side of a barn.”
On the bridge of the Invader Wicked turned to the radioman, “Get a micro burst ready to send to our people on the ground, tell them stay alive for 15 hours evade to survive help inbound. Did you get that!”
The tech replied, “Yes Sir, stay alive 15 hours , evade, help inbound.”
“When the command Monolith unfolds update them as soon as possible.”
“Yes Sir.”
I just hope there is some one on the receiving end of that micro burst or if Vamp get this will he be able to reply. They are going to pay for this invasion.
Bane making final preparations almost as if he was intergrated into his Warlord one with this suit of armor lost in thought, I hope Caille and the others that remained behind as a skeleton crew to keep Pain protected from invasion of pirates, a major house has invaded I hope they made it to the bunkers. Keying up his mic to the general tact frequency, “Hey can this tub move any faster I got freebirth to kill.”
*vampire
"Topship theres alot more of them here than their are supposed to be! I have a pilot down and am facing a heavy demi-company with light mech support. What happened to the heavies suckering them off to the south before this?"
"Combat drop of heavy elements was delayed Vampire, you and the Omegas are on your own for 15 hours. Evade and escape."
"Delayed! My people are dieing and our rescued pilot in his Madcat is not fast enough to keep up if the rest of us book it!"
"Rgr Omega lead, get the guns out of there and do what you can. We are sending both our Aerofighters to assist with extraction.
Top ship rocked with the momentum as a pair of Sabutai heavy fighters stolen from the Jags burst into space like the phoenix from the ashes.
"Angel flight on the way Oemga lead."
"Rgr. Top ship" The voice barely heard against the fire of cannon behind.
"Drop ship GodHammer This is Omega Lead. Zone is to hot for our extraction. Touch down and get the guns off this rock, they have served their purpose. Angel flight will get you off planet."
"Godhammer enroute to guns. Good Luck Omega Lead."
"Angel flight to Omega lead, you have assault elements inbound to your position, looks like two lances. ETA 30 minutes."
We have to finish this mission Vampire thought to himself, if these building don't go the entire attack could fail.
"Omegas confirm artilleries kills on those buildings and we're getting out of here!"
Damn the luck Vampire thought. Getting my medium elements stuck in a firefight. Target approaching though. As the Tenchi came to the wall Vampire realized the guns had missed one of the enemies hastily assembled comm towers. If that thing did not go down they had not a chance in hell with an Overlord on planet.
With a roar he triggered his jets and as he leaped poured fire into the tower as he flew over the wall guns and rockets ripping the tower to pieces. A wild flight of missiles rose towards him the forgotten catapult now a very real threat in his view screen. As he watched it ran past him and out through a gap in the wall. Towards the damaged Madcat. With a shout of rage he gave chase.
As he watched, the catapult rushed the cat like a drunken boxer. The massive Seraphin mech just barely ducking to the side. Switch his guns to rapid fire, vampire let loose with his full weapons array into the cat's rear before it could turn for another rush. As the catapult disintegrated his Tenchi rushed through the fearsome explosion of ammunition and armor at full speed.
As he was flung around inside the Tenchi the Vampire could only pray for his survival. A violent blow rocked his mech and his neurohelmet smashed into the control board. Darkness.
"Omega five to survivors lead is down! repeat lead is down!"
"Two to Five, can you confirm? Two and Four heavily engaged. Three presumed dead or unconcious, unable to confirm."
Searing light, and a blitz of radio.
"Two, this is lead, I just took a knock to the head, I'm okay. Report status."
Looking around as Two gave his report. Vampire realized that the blow had knocked him unconcious and his Tenchi was laying at the end of a fresh trench carved as it slide to a stop. The landing must have been brutal, glad I missed it he thought grimly.
Reactor at 67% base effciency
Right side rotary autocannon jammed.
Left side operational
Electronic counter measures at 53%
Ammunition loads at 34% of base
Life support at 85%
Armor at 43% of base
The list went on and on. Flack Bait had taken a beating but could still run and more importantly, fight.
"Just one more for the record books eh old girl"
"Two, regroup to my position , we are getting out of here, mission is accomplished. Lets see them handle the heavy lances without a central command." Vampire grinned wickedly.
As he watched the wreckage of the enemy base a much battered pair of shadowcats emerged from the destruction. They raced to his position, his radar showing a wedge of red triangles moving up behind them. At a run, the remaining Omegas raced for the cover afforded by the mountain trail.
"Lead this is two, we passed Three on the way out. His cockpit was breached, it didn't look hopefull."
"Rgr Two, we'll be back for him as soon as we can. We can't risk the lance on half-hopes, right now there is nothing we can do for him. Vampire grimaced as he said it, the pain of leaving a man behind a raw wound in his mind.
"Two, how effective was your end of the mission?"
"All major command and control buildings are down lead. Their light elements won't be giving chase any time soon. We need 5 new kill markers for our Shadowcats."
*storm
“# Omega lead, may I suggest moving to the cave about group 2Km out, its over the mountain range or should I say under! & should provide enough cover & time for a stock take”, “# Good idea 5, if I remember right there’s an old smuggler complex under there which we destroyed the entrance to”. “# Omega lance, move up & stay tight, we’re getting out of here for now”.
The Remaining omega lance regrouped & headed over the mountain led buy Vampire in his slightly torn up Tenchi, a Shadowcat raced past & top speed up the narrow path way, skimming shingle as it picked up momentum & jump- jetted off a rocky crest causing it to gain a much higher altitude than if it was jumping from a normal run.
In mid-flight the Shadowcat twisted to face an overview of the battle field, The computer took streaming shots of the entire wasteland, the Shadowcat twisted back round & with skilful featuring of the jump-jet controls landed on the reverse of the mountain side.
“# Omega lead this is 4, map captured will relay as soon as we stop”, Roger 4 nice flight only a few could pull that one off”.
The Tenchi took the lance to a large group of boulders at the base of the mountain. “# Omega 4, do you have high explosive in you kit”, “Sir,, erhmm Yes sir, but may I ask”,
“it’s ok 4, I don’t want you to blow yourself up just yet, I want you to crouch down near that large central boulder & jettison you explosive pack”, “ Oh, ……. Roger”.
The Shadow cat parked just 2 metres from the wall of boulders, crouched down & dropped explosive container on the ground. The shadowcats pilot froze for a second as the canister hit the ground. ‘phew, I aint blood doing that again’. “#Omega lead container dropped”, “ Omega Lance, clear out, we’re going to heat this up a little”, “ Roger that sir”. The voices repeated.
“# Omega lead to 5 lock on & alpha that pack”, “aye Sir”. That madcat moved forward to a run pulling away from the pack, 200mtrs, 250,300, 380, the madcat turned & headed straight towards the explosives, PPC’s charging, CSRMs pointed in the direct of the canister. The Madcat rocked on release, the pilot saw bolts of blue mixed with flames as the arsenal raced towards it target. An almighty fireball leapt up, as rocks flew in every direction.
The Madcat came to a stop just in front of where the boulders had been, the pilot facing an entrance to what seemed to be a cave at first glance but soon realised that this was man made.
“# 5, you first, Lance form-up & follow, it’s a little snug on the way down”.
The pilot switched his night running lights on, illuminating a narrow passage which spiralled away. Moving slowly the madcat made its way down the passage only barely missing the walls on either side. After 500mtrs downward climb the madcat was stopped but a large double door 50feet across & 120feet high. “# sir the way is blocked, & I don’t have the firepower to get through this especially not in here”, “ one minute 5, im trying to get the access code”. Suddenly with that statement the ground shook as the doors opened, air rushed by the madcat as if a pressure seal had been broken.
The air around the group looked like fog as the madcats lights shone through the opening. The Madcat made its way through the doors & led the lance into a round armoured room. Debris everywhere small munitions lay abandoned, crates opened & unopened, the place had seen much better days. looking around the structure seemed to have been made up of bays, Refit bays.
“# Omega’s, this is our situation, we have just over 14 hours before we get backup, I want minimal power in here, if you can find anything of use left laying around in here, fit it, if it doesn’t fit, MAKE IT! & hope it works”, “ Omega’s 2 & 5 if you can get one of these old bays working do so, Omega 4 show me that stream you so gracefully took”.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
*bane
Deceleration ETA Planet side – 00:45:30
During the grueling burn to Pain orders where passed out to the individual lances on the tact COM those that did not have jump capabilities would remain on board until touch down. Those that could where cacooned and prepped for H.A.L.O. deployment.
Bane and others from various lances formed a very mixed company consisting of Assault battlemechs down to Toads and Chameleon Battle Armor. Battle armor was fitted to mechs that could carry the added tonnage and packed into the cocoons with the Battlemechs.
On the external feed the company could see twenty Battle Taxi’s being escorted by a complete air wing made of Slayer IIc‘s the just some of the booty recovered from the recent campaign in clan space. Hum that must be the BA infantry, no question of loyalty here.
The Union Class dropships mechbay doors began to grind open and the care packages of death were deployed from both dropships. Bane felt the effects of vertigo then Pain‘s gravity grasp the pods and began pulling them rapidly to earth, the altimeter started clicking off the kilometers, “Hear we go, if you had to use the head your too late!”
An unknown voice said, “I don’t think I can get my tray to close.” General chuckling, then there was a loud thump, I hope the drogue chute is big enough for this load, if not this is going to be a very short offensive. Green light the cocoons began opening and raining death, the mechs where to ride the last 500 meters on jets of superheated gases, Easy now pulse the jets we don’t want to crush a knee actuator and be out of commission.
Touch down, “OK head count did we loose any on the way down?”
“All green Bane, we are ready for the piggy back all tie downs have been removed.”
“Roger that hang on.”
The Warlord began to move forward in the direction of the pre-designated LZ. Overhead one could see more dropships descending on white plumes of plasma and contrails of the Slayer IIc‘s streaking towards the base of the mountains where the IS forces have dug in for a multiple front battle.
Over the tact COM came a static laden transmission, “I…Repeat….ccess….supply…..cut…..”
“Weapons hot people, fire at will!” Fatal ordered over the company frequency.
Scanning…scanning come on give me something to kill….
“Contact! Contact! Multiple boogies 265 range 1.5 and 245 range 1000 meters!”
“We found the picket now lets make them pay!”
Almost an instant a Shadow Hawk exploded from simultaneous shots of laser and railgun fire. All the Toads and Battle Armor leaped on pillars of super heated gas out ahead and to the flanks of the column now running head long into the entrenched forces of this unknown house………
( Continued?)