.png){kind=link}
<<Next Chapter - Return to Story Index - Next Chapter>>
Chapter 8 - This is the Way the World Ends - Wolf Skinners (3024)[]
75 km NNW of WSDS Mondez's intended landing point (and 8 km N of MIKE FOUR's former position)
Astrokaszy
1315-1335 Local Time
21st July, 3024
The Vulcan's presence seemed to be enough to deter the locals, at least after a lucky hit at near maximum range got their attention. The Flea and jeeps turned east.
Ten minutes later, the MASH and APC linked up with MIKE FIVE and the two 'mechs standing guard over it. The MASH hastily debarked both Flight Deck Crew and several other passengers, then sped off toward MIKE FOUR and their critical casualty with an ETA of 1350.
.png){kind=link}
Vulcan Medium 'Mech
At 1300, the group collecting rations reported they were complete and initially heading for MIKE FIVE to link up with the forces there, but WHISKEY ROMEO FOUR reported the beacon they were using to home in on MIKE THREE abruptly shut down.
Five minutes after that, ROMEO FOUR reported they were at the position the beacon had been broadcasting from, but MIKE THREE was not there. What was there was evidence of two 'mechs and two vehicles loading up MIKE THREE and heading east...
Occasional sightings of the patrol groups from the west were reported over this time, but those forces did not engage any more than they already had.
.png){kind=link}
Flea Light 'Mech firing its lasers.
75 km NNW of WSDS Mondez's intended landing point (and 8 km N of MIKE FOUR's former position)
Astrokaszy
1400 Local Time
The Drillson settled on its skirts as the Doc hit the button to extend the MASH unit's operating theater to full size. The critical casualty was starting to wheeze despite the two units of blood that had been pumped into them since they'd been recovered. At least they were better off than the stacked body bags further aft in the hover tank. Stability achieved, the Doc finished scrubbing up and donned surgical gloves as the lights came to full power. First order of business was removing the body armor the patient's rib had penetrated from the INSIDE. The Doc could only imagine the forces that had caused that, though the two other (wounded) survivors had said the trooper had ALMOST managed to dodge the onrushing jeep. Probably a corner of the bumper or hood had caught the unfortunate JUST right, leaving them with a broken rib protruding in a way that made even the veteran Doc shudder. It was going to be HOURS before they could be called "stable".
.jpg){kind=link}
Centurion Medium 'Mech
While the Doc was working on the wounded, Captain Skinner was trying to sort out everything else. The Centurion and Whitworth were just arriving with an Escape Pod #6 cradled in the Centurion's arms, while the Whitworth had a tangle of parachutes in its own. The infantry in the pod stumbled free once the pod was set down, and several of them threw up one last time.
The S-3 was leading a rag tag group toward Pod #5 and it's APC escort, while the Rifleman and JagerMech stood guard. The Stinger and Mirage had just reported rendezvous, after confirming Pod #3 was NOT where it landed, and that quite a few 'mech footprints and tire tracks were all that was where it had been. That trail led East. The enemy Hermes and Flea, along with their jeeps, had been sighted several times, but had declined to engage any more than they already had. Overall, it looked like things were finally starting to come together.
Astrokaszy
75 km NNW of WSDS Mondez's intended landing point
1630 Local Time
The Javelin, Mirage, and Stinger led the APC back into the temporary bivouac around Pod 1. The MASH still stood with its walls and roof expanded to provide room for the Doc to conduct surgery. The Vulcan, their lance leader, was missing. It took very little time to determine that SOMEONE had to guard the Major's Marauder, or the locals who had already destroyed two escape pods would be giving it some attention. Apparently Captain Skinner had determined the Vulcan was best suited for the job.
.png){kind=link}
Javeline Light 'Mech
The Major's heir-apparent was discussing matters with Lieutenant Harris (the S-3) and Captain Lindeman (the infantry company commander). A medic was also present, and seemingly explaining something other than good news. Pod #1 was lashed to the deck of the Recovery Vehicle, along with the other two pods still in the unit's possession. Everybody knew the pods contained the water purification equipment that would mean the unit's survival on Astrokaszy's inhospitable surface, hence the shock at the wanton destruction of two of the pods, and concern over the apparent theft of the third.
As the trio of Mechwarriors watched, a decision was apparently made, and the officers scattered to get things moving. The radio crackled to life shortly thereafter with orders. A security detail was to be left with the MASH until surgery was over, and the rest of the unit would move to recover the Major's Marauder, and find the best place to camp close to the crash site. Captain Skinner had pointed out dropship impacts could bring water to the surface, and that long term survival counted on that fact. Neither Harris nor Lindeman had argued.
Astrokaszy
75 km NNW of WSDS Mondez's intended landing point
0200 Local Time
22nd July, 3024
The surgery took a grueling 12 hours, and even then, Doc Ozora knew the patient would require further surgery. But that would have to wait until they were stronger, maybe in a few weeks. For one tense moment two hours in, the patient's heart had stopped, requiring extreme measures to keep them alive. Fortunately, they were resting in post-op now. The Doc recommended at least six more hours before moving the MASH.
Astrokaszy
Wolf Skinner bivouac around WSDS Mondez's impact site
1934 Local Time
25th July, 3024
Lieutenant Erica Summers sealed the hatch before taking her seat. Major Skinner and Captain Harris were the only other two in the escape pod with her. Skinner seemed to have aged in the few hours since their last meeting.
"All right, recon to the north is hereby good enough. Tomorrow, send Stevenson northeast. We need to know sooner than later if there's anything better than the unstable rock around here for shelter," Skinner said, a defeated tone in his voice.
"Roger that, boss. I think we can spin the story that with what we obtained moving units in from the north, today's recon was good enough. Right, Erica?" Harris said, trying to put on a brave face.
"Yeah," the spacer agreed, nodding. She'd seen Ludak when he was pulled out of the tunnel, and it was still haunting her. The Doc said he'd make a full recovery, eventually. But he wasn't going to be any use until then, even if his exoskeleton could be repaired without his active participation.
Seeing her thousand yard stare, Skinner shook his head and tried to straighten his back. "Things aren't looking good, but we'll get through this," he said, trying to convince himself too. "When you two can look less glum, send Top in. I think he needs to be read in."
"Aye sir," Erica said, taking a deep breath to try to clear her head. Harris already had his hand on the hatch. She stood to follow him out.
Top was waiting outside, a question written on his craggy features. He saluted the officers as they left and the pair heard, "Shut the hatch and have a seat, Sergeant Major..." from inside the pod.