Blood on the Horizon
- Chapter 83 -[]
<<Next Chapter - Return to Story Index - Next Chapter>>
A Blood Oath for Revenge[]
Date: June 7th, 3008
Location: New Aragon, Contested
My Warhammer moved in sync with the handful of Wolf's Dragoons and Marksman 'Mechs and vehicles that had been assigned to this mission.
<("Alright people,")> Captain Natasha Kerensky's voice came over our comms channel, her Marauder leading the way. "The Waco Rangers and McCormack's Fusiliers are nearly back to their dropships. We want to keep up the pressure and make sure that it stays that way. Give ready status and prepare to engage."
"This is the Marksman," I confirmed my company's status. "We're ready op."
(("Wolf's Dragoons Alpha Regiment Charlie Company is ready op,")) Natasha's company XO reported.
<("Confirmed,")> Natasha's voice was laced with anticipation. <("Beginning operation and going weapons hot!")>
As she spoke, her black and red painted Marauder kicked up dust and began to lead us into the valley where the other two Merc Units were trying to hold onto.
{{"Enemy detected}}" Betty's calm voice notified me as an enemy battalion appeared on our scopes.
"Marksman, we're here for the payday, glory can come later. Control and focus your fire. I'd rather not send any of you home in a box today," I melted a few tons of armor off of a Bulldog before shifting to an enemy Vindicator, the medium's PPC narrowly missing as it scattered missiles around me.
{{"Incoming Missiles}} " Betty politely informed me as a Catapult lifted itself into the air and tried to dump both missile racks at me.
I crouched at the last second, causing all but a handful of them to strike across my shoulders while Natasha Kerensky began to dance across the battlefield.
"TOC, we have encountered elements of the Waco Rangers, no sign of the Fusiliers at this location," I informed Jaime Wolf and the rest of the people in charge.
(-"Copy that, we are shifting elements of Gamma Regiment to render aid. Be advised, artillery support will take time, you will have to operate without it for at least fifteen mikes."-)
"Understood TOC, Marksman One, out."
"Captain Kere-"
"I heard," the woman cut me off as she stomped the remnants of a Locust beneath her feet. "Artillery's a ways off, that just leaves more for me to take out."
I could hear the bloodthirsty grin through the speakers before the light for the open channel opened up while I harrowed a hovercraft with my missiles and lasers.
"You in the 'Hammer!" an angry voice sounded through. "I've got a bone to pick with you."
A worn Battlemaster's PPC arced into one of my Hunter refits, the crew bailing as the 'Vehicle trailed smoke and came to a halt.
<<"Colonel Hull, you killed my son, prepare to die.">>
Strategic Meeting[]
Date: June 17th, 3008
Location: New Avalon, Federated Suns
"The first reports are coming in from New Aragon," Colonel Hanse Davion reported to his brother.
"I told you to relax, Hanse," First Prince Ian Davion didn't look amused. "But please, tell me what action has been going on while I've been chained to the desk here."
Plopping down into his chair, Ian spun around and slung his booted feet onto said desk while opening a bottle of whiskey and pouring two drinks.
"The Wolf's Dragoons, Deneb Light Cavalry, and Marksman have pushed the Northwind Highlanders, Waco Rangers, and McCormack's Fusiliers back and are continuing to encircle them and cut off their supply lines. The Avalon Hussars, Crucis Lancers, and other elements of our forces have already, or are dealing with the entrenched positions of the Capellans as well as can be expected."
"What I wouldn't give to be on the battlefield," Ian tossed back the liquor, not taking even a second to savor it before pouring another drink. "Unfortunately, our success on the Capellan Front is leading to issues along the Robinson March. The Sandovals are beginning to push for more men, material, and training to push back against the Combine."
"And we just dedicated a large amount of resources to our offensives against the Confederation," Hanse finished. "Which means we can't swing around to support more activity along the Combine border until we have seen to it that the forces we just committed make good on their losses."
"So, what's the plan?" Hanse asked.
"I'm finally getting out from behind this desk," Ian grinned. "I'm taking the Davion Assault Guards and heading to the Combine Border. "I want to ensure that the snakes don't think that this is the time to strike while we're a bit distracted dealing with the Capellans."
"I suppose that's something to drink to," Hanse raised his glass in a toast and sipped it before setting it back down. "Did we hold the discussions with the Taurians for the purchase of Mithril yet?"
"Haven't had the time," Ian waved Hanse off. "It's not like we haven't been busy."
"I understand that," Hanse clenched and unclenched his jaw. "But this is a strategic and tactical asset we can't afford to ignore. If we don't jump on this, one of our enemies will."
"If you want this done so bad, then you have my permission and blanket authorization to do what you need to in order to bring them in," Ian sighed. "But, this also comes with responsibility. You're going to have to figure out how we're going to put something like this to use."
"Consider it done," Hanse agreed, standing and shotgunning the last of his whiskey. "Now, I've got a dropship to catch and some studying to do if I'm going to do this."
Joining a man on the Move[]
"Colonel, I don't think I'm qualified for this," Rebecca Green-Davion looked at the briefing that Hanse Davion had handed her as she walked beside him.
"I need someone who's intelligent and able to think for herself as well as already familiar with the Taurians and how some of their systems work. Our Ambassador is useless. So, I went to the next best thing."
"Sir, I'm not sure that I'm the person you should bring with you. I'm a legal expert, not a logistics or people person." she told him.
"I think you'll find that you're exactly what I need," Hanse smirked. "After all, you've already got something worth more than all of those other qualities."
"And what might that be, sir?" Rebecca hurried to catch up to the man's loner strides.
"A relationship with them," Hanse placed his cover back on his head as he left the building and a vehicle pulled up. "The Marksman have a Battalion deployed to the Concordat, and they're partial owners in Taurus WarWorks. I need that relationship to get me in the door. If I don't use it, then they'll continue to find ways to stonewall us. The Federated Suns needs this advantage, Major. We need it before the Dracs, Capellans, and God only knows who else manages to get a hold of it. So, you're assigned to my unit."
He climbed into the car.
"Get in the car, Major. We leave in an hour."
The woman hesitated for a minute before closing her open jaw and getting in the car after the heir to the First Prince.
"Now, I didn't get to spend a lot of time around the Marksman aside from those few weeks, but you spent a lot more time getting to know them. I need to know how they act, who to speak to in order to smooth ruffle feathers, and a plan on how to get our foot in the door without getting kicked out of the Concordat on sight."
"The last one, we've got handled," a man said from the inside of the car, his smile lightening the atmosphere. "It's the first two that we have issues dealing with when we only have MIIO reports to work off of."
The man paused and then extended his hand. "Captain Ardan Sortek at your service, Major. I've heard a lot of good things about you. It's going to be a pleasure to work with you and see how far we can take this."