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3. Here Be Pirates
13km East of Fire Base Fox Alpha, New Gobi Desert, "C'mon ye wee panty-waists! Are ye gonna let these bastards get the better o' ye?" Lance Major Bruce McCorbeck thrust his Highlander's left arm high in the air. On the end was a massive articulated hand which gripped a battered banner pole. The flag attached to it caught the breeze and unfurled, letting the Royalist colours wave majestically against Degu's cloudless, azure sky. "C'mon, lads, stand and fight...we're no beaten yet!" In the face of the advancing enemy, McCorbeck held his position for several long seconds that seemed to stretch into an eternity as he waited to see how his men would respond. He was just about to follow them, when a loud roar in his ear made him jump in his seat. Pride welled up within him as the radio net was filled with a multitude of defiant yells. Given the hopelessness of the situation, he could not blame his troops for pulling back. As he stopped and turned to get his bearings on their next fall-back position, the rest of the company stopped in their tracks, turned about and began to reform their battle line. As he turned back to face the enemy, they rallied behind him, charging up and over the hill and firing everything they had at the pirate line. Raising his mech's right arm, he speared a Grasshopper through the cockpit with his Highlander's gauss rifle. Switching targets, he locked on and launched a flight of LRMs at an approaching Warhammer. The exploding missiles caused it to stagger, but did not stop it, as the 'Hammer fired its two arm-mounted PPCs, the ion bolts hitting the Highlander's centre torso. McCorbeck's HUD went on the blink instantly, His main view screen and secondary displays crackling with static. "I've got 'im, sir! Just keep that flag high!" A barrage of autocannon shells tore into the 'Hammer's lower torso and it's upper legs, smashing a hip joint. The mechs' momentum caused the damaged leg to be wrenched from it's joint, sending the pirate heavy crashing to the ground. McCorbeck looked around and quickly identified his wingman. "Good shot, Donald!" "You're welcome sir!" Lance Leftenant Donald 'Duck' Douglas jogged his Rifleman up level with McCorbeck's Highlander, simultaneously dousing a jet black Awesome with fire from its twin rotary autocannon, the pummelling preventing the pirate from getting a clear shot off with the mech's lethal trio of PPCs. That didn't stop its pilot trying and azure streams of fire narrowly missed both Royalist mechs. "He's getting hot! Pop him, Ryan!" "I'm on it, sir!" A Kingfisher KU, its elaborate tartan colour scheme still relatively unblemished, broke from the Royalist line, flanked by an Assassin and an Exterminator. As it closed, the pilot triggered his twin LB10-X autocannon, blasting the Awesome with 180mm cluster munitions. The 80 tonner shudderd to a halt, its gyro destroyed by a critical hit, before falling backwards, hitting the ground hard and raising a huge cloud of sand. From within the cloud came a bright flash and a cloud of smoke, as its remaining SRM ammo exploded. The loss of two powerful mechs in rapid succession, gave the pirates pause for thought. The intensity of their onslaught faltered and their advance bogged down, as a number of pirate mechs halted and stopped firing. The Royalist pilots looked on in amazement as, lance by lance, the numerically superior pirates turned tail and made best speed for the horizon. With bruised bodies and battered mechs, McCorbeck's men did not give chase, instead contenting themselves with the odd parting shot. Unable to believe this sudden turn of events, they slowly formed up around McCorbeck's damaged Highlander, awaiting their next orders. "Good show, lads. I'm proud of you all. I've just received a message from Fox-Alpha. Recon flights show another enemy unit massing in Madrino Valley. Looks like they're preparing for an attack on the field base at Bonnet's Gap. We need tae get back to the fire base immediately, re-arm and re-fit, then head out to intercept them. Intel reckon we have no more than 12 hours before they attack... 18 hours, max. After today, I know we can do it, lads!" |
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4. R&R
Capital City, Colonel Jenkinson led the way back to the humvee. Once they'd all squeezed in (military vehicles weren't known for their spaciousness or creature comforts) he pulled back into the mid-morning traffic, which was thankfully light. "I shall just give you a quick guided tour of the town...it won't take long and it is a good idea to get acquainted with your surroundings. The 13th Volunteers have been stationed here for nearly six months and I can categorically state this is definitely one of our better postings". They took a mazy route through the garrison town's main streets, with James pointing out all the stores, bars, restaurants, workshops and other places of interest. "And over there", Jenkinson said pointing out the window and nearly crashing into a parked hovercar while steering one-handed, "is the recently completed Cineplex, also boasting a bowling alley, fitness centre and gaming arcade. Several chaps from the battalion are regular customers...including myself. I heartily recommend you pay a visit as soon as you get some free time". Receiving no response Jenkinson checked the rear view mirror again to see Nuyriev sitting back with his arms folded across his chest, a look of mild disgust creasing his features. Risa Clearwater was taking in her surroundings, peering out the windows with no discernible expression on her face. Star Captain Steele was doing likewise, with what might have been a smile of approval. Tamzarian had remained slumped in his corner of the seat but perked up at the mention of the Cineplex and gaming arcade. Alanna Jerricho was doing a very good imitation of her commanding officer. She caught James' glance in the mirror and gave him a smile that was more of a grimace. "The old girl obviously doesn't get much practice", he thought as he hastily brought his attention back to the road. About half an hour later, Colonel Jenkinson pulled up outside his favourite bar, having grown tired of holding a one-way conversation. 'Maybe a few drinks might make them more talkative', he thought inwardly. He got out and gestured for the others to follow him. "This, ladies and gents, is the Irregulars'usual watering hole. Great booze, good company and food that is occasionally edible...though do not tell the barman I said that", he said in another ill-fated attempt at levity. The Clanners looked at him blankly. James sighed and held the door open for the others. At this time of day, the Red Lion was less than half full. A few of the patrons looked up and gave the newcomers lingering glances but on seeing Colonel Jenkinson, most went back to whatever they'd been doing. The barman came over, a broad grin on his face as he recognised one of his favourite customers. "Bit early for you Jim, what's up?" "Hi Mickey. I'm just showing some of our new friends around town and thought I would show them the best bar in Carshalton". "You're too kind sir", said Mickey with a mock bow, "What'll it be?" "Umm...a Cherry Starburst Max for me...no alcohol on duty and all that". "And how about your friends?" Mickey asked, looking past James to the strangely-dressed newcomers. "Do you have any Fusionnaire Light?" asked Nuyriev. James groaned inwardly, closing his eyes and looking away, sure the barman would peg them as Clanners since that particular drink was very rarely found outside Clan space. Mickey gave them an odd look but didn't comment. "Well, as it happens, you're in luck. I just got a small shipment in last week...though don't ask how I got it". He tapped the side of his nose and looked serious, "A good barkeep never reveals his sources". "I was not about to", replied Alexei, an expression of mild confusion on his face. Mickey shot him another curious look before disappearing into the storeroom. Jenkinson took a sip of his Starburst Max and gestured for the others to make themselves comfortable on the stools that lined the bar. They were just about to take their seats when James' personal communicator beeped. He looked down at the small device clipped to his belt and checked the number. "What the...I told them not to buzz me while I was gone!" He sighed, "Excuse me ladies and gents". He slipped off his stool and walked a short distance away. The mercenaries watched as he punched a few keys and held the device to his ear. While they were watching, Alexei suddenly became aware of a large scruffy-looking man standing in front of him, an expression of hatred on his face. "You lot are Clanners ain't ya?" he snarled. For a moment Nuyriev was too surprised to react, but he quickly pulled himself together, "You are mistaken, although I do not see what concern it is of yours if we are", he replied coldly. Risa put a warning hand on his arm and gave him a meaningful glance. "I'll tell ya wot concern it is of mine", the man said, breathing alcohol fumes over the Star Colonel. "My family were killed by you bastards back in '51...slaughtered, you murdering scum!" he spat, jabbing Alexei in the chest. Wot you got to say for yerself, eh? You've got a bloody nerve just waltzing in here". He grabbed Nuyriev's jacket lapels...a grave mistake on his part. The Coyote Star Colonel displayed lightning reflexes, rabbit punching the man squarely in the face, breaking his nose, following up with a hard blow to the stomach, winding him. The man slowly sank to the floor, groaning, clutching his face and chest. Jenkinson came back over at that moment, his face grim. "Bad news, I'm afraid, chaps", he began. He looked down at the man Nuyriev had floored and raised a quizzical eyebrow at his guests. "He was being grossly disrespectful", was all the Star Colonel would say. "He was harassing the Colonel", said Risa somewhat more apologetically. "He possibly had too much to drink and for some strange reason mistook us for Clanners", she said, raising her voice just enough to make sure the bar's handful of other patrons heard her. When James looked back up he saw Mickey staring over the bar disapprovingly. "Sorry Mickey, can you deal with him? Something's come up". He looked back at the Cavaliers. "As I was about to say, I'm afraid your welcome tour will have to be cut short. I have just had some rather bad news from Command". "What has happened?" asked Risa. "Intel is a bit sketchy at the moment, but it appears pirates have arrived in force in the Kamchatkan Rift. They hit a pleasant little desert outpost called Degu IX. It looks like our little gift to you may come in handy". |
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