Scouting Mission
12 Light Year from Taurian Concordat
Periphery
2nd March 3085
The cockpit of Sonja Nova Cat's cockpit was warmer than it was outside the mighty seventy ton OmniMech which was a relief to the Nova Cat Star Commander. BattleMech and OmniMech cockpits were always warmer than the outside but this particular world was a special case, one moment it was boiling hot, the next it was cold and unwelcoming. For the last week Sonja's lone Star had conducted recon operations of the world's northern hemisphere and so far the weather was the only thing that made the world stand out, nothing that screamed at making it a world worth colonizing, nothing that ruled it out.
As for Sonja she hated this work, it was luck of the draw her Cluster's Star Colonel had said, coincidence another had said, Sonja wasn't convinced and everyone knew it. A week after her assignment to the unit the 21st Nova Cat Regulars Cluster, a veteran combat unit within the Nova Cat Touman, had received orders to join the New Worlds Program and been assigned to scout new planets for colonization or for potential mining opportunities. Sonja couldn't be absolutely sure but she had bet on some sort of political move by her father to keep her out of trouble on her first true tour of duty. She was the freeborn daughter of the Nova Cat's Khan, anywhere else she would have been target to Trials of Grievance from other Clans and maybe even her own people.
Unfortunately this "protection" had not made her any friends within the 21st Regulars, all of whom blamed her for their assignment, it could have been just their turn to do this but most had vented their frustration against her. Sonja had fought two Circles of Equals since the announcement of the mission, the first she'd broken her opponent's nose the second she'd shattered her opponent's left leg. It was them her Star Colonel had chosen her Star to do solo recon of this backwater, a two week recon, he'd called it her first true independent command something to take pride in, so far she couldn't see it. Finishing her patrol Sonja began to head back towards her unit when her headset began to crackle. "Blade One, Eagle Nest, say again static" she said again static "returning to LZ" she reported accelerating slowly to 80kph closing on her ship's landing zone. The sun was beginning to lower soon it would be dark, fighting in the dark against an unknown enemy would just add to the challenge.
The scene at the landing zone could only be described as chaos, the four Nova Cat Mechs propped up against their Broadsword-class DropShip fighting against nearly a company of enemy Mechs, armour and battle armour. Turning her heavy Mech's torso Sonja opened fire with her arm mounted LB-class autocannon followed by her lasers on the other arm hitting two of the enemy Mechs. She followed with a salvo of long range missiles into a third Mech. Looking at the multiple enemy Mechs Sonja saw the bull insignia of the Taurian Concordat displayed prominently. Walking her Dragon Cat forward Sonja continued to fire her lasers, autocannon and missiles striking multiple targets at once, she was breaking every rule of Clan warfare but it didn't matter this was all about survival.
From the centre of the Taurian line a pair of Awesome assault Mechs stepped forward each raising their triple particle cannons at the Nova Cats, Sonja cut her weapons low into one of the Awesomes knocking the Mech back. Suddenly both Awesomes fired together Sonja braced for the impacts which never came, the beams went high over the Dragon Cat slamming into the Broadsword, Sonja realized what they were doing and targeted both enemy Mechs triggering an Alpha Strike she fired everything the Mech had into both Mechs equally. The Awesomes ignored her fire and fired at the DropShip again, Sonja looked at the monitors the DropShip was taking heavy damage. Firing again and again one of the Awesomes buckled at the knee and fell flat on its face but it was too little too late, another salvo struck the Broadsword breaking through the armour of the DropShip there was a surge of energy and the DropShip exploded, the four Nova Cat Mechs standing against the DropShip were almost completely vapourized, as the shockwave hit Sonja's OmniMech the force of the explosion picked up the Mech like it was a rag-doll.
Flicking all the switches on one side of her Dragon Cat's cockpit she primed the ejector seat in one fluid motion suddenly the entire head section of the Dragon Cat shot into the air flying through the expanding explosion of the Broadsword. The Dragon Cat was an ultra modern OmniMech with the entire head section protecting her body Sonja was safe from the flames however she was not protected from the kinetic force of being thrown around the ballistic cockpit, within moments of the head section leaving the Mech's body Sonja was unconscious knocked, even if she had remained awake there was nothing she could do her Mech was destroyed, her Star gone, her transport obliterated, she was very much alone.
Scouting Mission
12 Light Year from Taurian Concordat
Periphery
3rd March 3085
The morning cold woke Sonja still strapped in her command chair, her head throbbed constantly, and she could see light entering the cockpit from areas that had been smashed by the landing. The sun had just been lowering when the DropShip had been attacked meaning she'd been knocked out for at least eight hours, which so far was the length of this world's night. Pulling herself upright she sat in the chair for a moment, all emergency power and residual heat in the cockpit were gone, likely drained off during the night. It had probably kept her alive when unconscious but limited her options now; she pulled off the neurohelmet and tossed it to the side then unbuckled the harness holding her in the command chair.
Slipping past the command chair she opened the equipment locker built into the back of the chair. Like all Nova Cat Mechs the seat had been modified from the Star League standard operated by most of the Clans behind the chair was a locker with all the survival equipment needed to keep a warrior alive for seven days in the wild. Many of the new Nova Cat Mechs had full head ejection systems of the older Mechs which only ejected the pilot's chair their chassis and cockpits had been modified accordingly. For once Sonja was most grateful to have a Dragon Cat under her, she'd been assigned the Mech because of her father, Canin Rosse, he'd made the design as famous as the Nova Cat OmniMech and it was a very capable design however she'd have preferred something lighter like a Shadow Cat or Huntsman, something with a lower profile and more varied capabilities. The Dragon Cat for all its additional targeting systems and advanced weapons was more a command Mech than anything else which although Sonja did not complain about, was not all she strives to have.
In the locker Sonja found a set of full body camouflage fatigues, combat boots and a utility belt to protect her from the elements, far better than her coolant suit which offered little protection outside the cockpit pulling the fatigues over the coolant suit they'd be a nice extra layer. Additionally there was MRE (Meals-Ready-to-Eat) for a week, a small but powerful torch, a survival knife with a serrated edge which she could use to saw wood for a fire if needed and the prize a Gauss Submachine Gun. One of the reasons for the changes to the cockpit and command chair was the Gauss Submachine Gun, Clan Nova Cat had gained manufacturing rights from Clan Sea Fox and her father had directed that it should be the primary Personal Defence Weapon of Nova Cat warriors. Although designated as a Submachine Gun it was more the size of an assault rifle a boxy weapon with full ambidextrous hand grips, the 30 shot magazines slipped into the top of the weapon's frame while power packs slipped into the stock. A very capable weapon and a far better one than the single laser pistol or combat knife many warriors were left with. She strapped the weapon to the front of her jumpsuit and let it hang there, the straps would hold the weapon in an accessible place but leave her hands free to do other things, she then pulled the utility belt around her and slipped the two extra magazines and power packs into the pockets. Glancing around the cockpit she couldn't see anything else left that was of use and flicked a single control on the back of the command chair before running out the hatch, the cold morning had toughened the ground giving her a solid base for her movements. Running quickly her muscles ached as she moved but there was little else for it, she reached about twenty metres from the cockpit module before the self-destruct charge exploded consuming the last piece of her OmniMech, leaving it intact wasn't an option it would attract anyone looking for her and with the breach in the cockpit window it would prove little shelter, from now on she'd have to fend for herself, time to put her training to its test.
She knew that the other Nova Cats would be returning for her in a few days, the Scouting mission was to last between ten and fourteen days, they'd already been on the planet eight days. When the JumpShip arrived in the system and their DropShip was not waiting a ground team would be sent to search for them, the Taurain force wouldn't be able to hold a full Nova Cat landing force and she'd be rescued, if they could find her. She knew the best chances of being found were to be in the vicinity of the DropShip landing zone, undoubtedly the Nova Cats would search the wreckage and with luck she'd find supplies there that would sustain her longer if her rescue team took their time.
It took Sonja more than an hour to cover the distance between her crashed cockpit module and the destroyed DropShip. The sun was high in the sky when she arrived at the wreckage the fire still burning from the hull of the smashed Broadsword which was still ablaze from several positions, Sonja could see parts of the ship’s hull had been blown clear of the vessel the two Awesomes she'd been sparring with had been smashed by one of the DropShip's exit doors. The area was surprisingly quiet Sonja couldn't see any Taurian forces around it was worth the chance of closing on the wreckage if only for the chance of claiming for equipment she could use to survive.
The heat coming from the flames were enough to keep Sonja at a distance from the wreckage glancing around Sonja saw some movement to her left hand side looking over she saw a large hulking figure moving around the area. Ducking behind some broken metal she saw the suit was burned and damaged the end of its left arm completely missing, knowing she couldn't outrun a Battle Armoured trooper she had no chance but to chance her luck she opened fire with her Gauss Sub-machine gun, the weapon was nearly silent as it fired a three round burst. Her enemy was so large it was impossible to miss firing constantly she cut into the suit's armour several rounds smashed into the suit's head and others into a large gash on its leg. The suited trooper stood there and took the fire seemingly unbothered by Sonja's weapons fire she kept firing concentrating on the head and torso area, but even the powerful gauss rounds were barely making a dent in the armour. In response her enemy raised its right arm and fired off the large weapon mounted there the artificial lightning bolt flew between the suit and Sonja's position, she dived out of the way of the weapon's fire just as the bolt hit the wreckage a steam of electricity bounced off the metal slamming into Sonja's back she could feel the heat of the blast burn through her fatigues and the moments later the pain steaming through her back. Sonja screamed loudly it was an intense shooting pain that flew up her back and down her limbs, she tried to ignore the pain as she rolled over the suit was still closing on her, in the prone position she fired her Gauss Sub-machine gun at the suit time and again, the pain from the electricity blast continued to pulse through her veins but she knew that would be the last thing she'd have to worry about if the suit reached her.
Pulling the trigger again three final bullets fired slamming into the armoured behemoth that now towered over her, she pulled the trigger again but nothing happened. She reached for another ammo cartridge but the pain of the electricity blast continued to pulse through her and she couldn't get to it before passing out. The Taurian armoured trooper still standing over her.
Wreckage
12 Light Year from Taurian Concordat
Periphery
3rd March 3085
To awake was to awake to the pain Sonja opened her eyes and could barely see her head pounded her eyes felt like they were on fire and her body felt sore just about everywhere. Over her a sheet of metal had been extended protecting her from the rain she tried to move but it hurt and her arms wouldn't respond, it took her a moment of panic to realize they were bound behind her. Turning her neck to the left and then the right she could see the ruined Battle Armour suit standing near a crackling fire. Beside the fire there was a hunched figure dressed in little more than a t-shirt and shorts she could see his left arm was cut badly near the shoulder and his body was burned in a few places she wasn't sure but it looked like her weapon had penetrated the armour causing the wound to his arm. He'd obviously tried to bandage some of his wounds but not gotten far now he laid staring into the flame, she studied him for a moment he was older than Sonja, which wasn't difficult she and her brother had been classed as special cases by their trainers, there freeborn heritage well known within the Nova Cats. Instead of an initial Trial of Position at their eighteenth birthday both Sonja and Grayson had taken their first Trials on their seventeenth birthdays. This hadn't caused any issues for Grayson who had excelled and become a Star Captain but Sonja had struggled and was only a Star Commander, she was still one of the youngest at that rank in the entire Touman. Now looking at this man she realized he was nearer his late twenties perhaps even his thirties and had seen far more combat than she in her first mission. He continued to stare into the fire Sonja followed his gaze her eyes beginning to clear as she looked at the flame, and there it was... an image.
Looking at the fire Sonja stared intently she'd heard her father speak of visions he'd had and other Nova Cats had claimed to have over the years, she and her brother Grayson had both tried and failed to ever see anything in the flames even after following the methods used by Nova Cat warriors in the past. Sonja had written it off perhaps it wasn't her path, she was freeborn daughter to a Trueborn warrior and a freeborn noble, she'd thought perhaps she was too far removed from the path. But now looking into the flame she saw something it looked like an animal four legs, a large sturdy body with horns from its head - a bull! - she realized symbol of the Taurian Concordat of the enemy solider sitting crouched over the fire. Continuing to stare into the fire Sonja realized there was something else there... before she could make it out the image was gone and with her strength sapped away she lapsed into unconsciousness.
Hours must have passed before Sonja awoke again this time, the sun was gone as was her pain, her eyes clearer, she could hear the rain still fell above her but she noticed the fire was out. The towering battle armour suit stood tall but the solider was gone. Using her legs she somehow found the strength and pulled herself up into a sitting position, looking around she could see various parts of the destroyed DropShip and other wreckage, under one massive girder was the remains of a Huntsman OmniMech the girder which had most likely been part of the DropShip's Mechbay had impaled the Mech smashing through the back of the cockpit down through the torso into the ground. Sonja wondered how the Mech's fusion engine had not exploded from the damage, if it had this entire area would likely have been in a lot more worse condition.
Looking around the small "campsite" the Taurian warrior had created she could see her survival pack and utility belt near the fire along with her medical kit and food, she suddenly realized she was hungry, how long had it been since she ate or drank? She honestly couldn't remember, moving her shoulders was agony her back burned by the particle blast from the Taurian armour testing the bounds still holding her arms she realized she wasn't breaking them. Knowing she couldn't escape at least at the moment she chose to bide her time, something would happen and she'd have a chance to escape and hopefully wait it out until the Nova Cats arrived to recover her.
As it turned out she didn't wait long for something to happen against the metal covering her there was a series of explosive "bangs" followed by a figure leaping over another piece of the shelter, she could tell it was her Taurian captor still dressed in just a T-shirt and shorts but now in full motion raising her Gauss Sub-machine gun to head height he snapped off several rounds in one direction then in another. He looked down at Sonja and suddenly she felt very vulnerable "about time!" He shouted more loudly than he needed to Sonja guessed he may have ear damage, looking back up he raised the sub-machine gun and fired several more rounds before ducking down again grabbing her gruffly by the shoulder he turned her over quickly, the pain was incredible but short lived as with one movement the Taurian slit her bounds releasing her arms "listen up, don't attack me!" He shouted into her ear, standing up he fired off another burst of fire ducking back down again. "We got pirates closing on us, they want me more than you but I reckon you'd be a nice prize too after all the mess you're Clan has made of this area!" He continued to shout "you want to stay free, we work together!"
Coming to her senses quickly Sonja rolled onto her chest, ignoring the pain she pushed herself up into a crouch "a weapon?" she croaked her mouth dry, "water" she whispered. The Taurian stood up again fired off another burst of gauss projectiles, Sonja could hear the return fire was widely inaccurate covering the wrecked Nova Cat DropShip. Moving across the camp she swiped up a water canteen tossing the lid to the side she downed most of it in one continuous drink "easy with that, we don't have much!" The Taurian shouted looking at her.
"You do not have to shout" Sonja said in return eyeing a second Gauss Sub-machine gun behind a box "been scavenging?" She said swiping up the weapon
"You Clanners come well equipped to a fight." He said, on the plus side he wasn't shouting anymore.
"Who are they?"
"Pirates, bounty hunters, ex-employees with a grudge pick one" he said "likely someone that doesn't like having a Calderon back on the throne." He said stepping up firing another burst at their enemy, the weapons fire was getting closer.
"We need to get out of here. Can the suit move?"
"No the DropShip explosion and your fire disabled too many systems"
"Good" she said quietly smiling at least her defence hadn't been in complete vein, raising from her position she looked for enemies but there were none to be seen "time to move follow me." She said breaking cover she moved towards another piece of wreckage more weapons fire followed her but all went wide. Stopping she turned and sighted two of her enemies snapping off two burst she could see one hit its mark, moments later her Taurian partner joined her.
"Where are we going?"
"Fallback position 1" She said without another word she ran towards another piece of wreckage near the nose of the Broadsword, looking up she could see the cockpit of the DropShip was a burnt out hole. Turning again she searched for her enemies but could see none the Taurian joined her quickly. "Keep moving for the tree line, I will cover" she said keeping her Gauss Sub-machine gun raised, her captor turned ally nodded and continued to run more bullets ran out one slamming into his leg, the Taurian's legs gave way and he it the ground quickly. "Damnit!" Sonja shouted firing of three bursts into the woods near where the fire had come from and than towards the Taurian moving under his left shoulder she helped picking him up and then the two limped into the wood. "Come on keep moving!" She shouted pain crossed his face but as they got further into the woods the weapons fire began to taper off Sonja continued to push but the wood was more like a bog her feet disappearing into the ground as she moved it didn't help with her injured ally. "So I cannot keep thinking of you as The Taurian" she stated "what is your name?"
"Erik" he said through the pain and exhaustion.
"Nice to meet you, I am Sonja" she said just as her foot disappeared again into the mud, this time further than before. Moments later the ground in front of her disappeared and Sonja felt gravity drag her down with Erik still holding on. "Hang on!" She screamed as they both began to tumble down the hill, Sonja smashed into some rocks as they fell quickly everything went dark as she lost consciousness.
Cave, unamed world
12 Light Year from Taurian Concordat
Periphery
4th March 3085
Sonja awoke within what looked like a cave looking around she saw Erik leaning against a wall, his left leg covered in blood, he was barely conscious. "Erik?" She whispered her head pounded. "What happened?"
"The ground gave way below us, knocked you out, I dragged you here but the bullet in my leg restricted what I could do." Sonja tried to get up but felt dizzy and sat back down "take your time, you took quite a knock."
"My head does not matter, if we do not stop that wound you could bleed to death." She said standing unsteadily looking through her utility belt pouches removing the combat first aid kit. "I will warn, I was not the best at Field Dressings" she said smirking lightly; Erik just nodded the blood loss finally becoming too much for him." Sonja put pressure on the wound, there was no exit wound meaning the bullet was still in there but she wasn't going to go poking around inside. She wrapped the dressing around his leg tieing it firmly, trying to stem the blood. "That should help a little, but you need a doctor."
"I'm not the only one, you're not the most steady on your feet" he croaked "might be a concussion, you shouldn't move around too much."
"I will not move around too much if you do not use so many contractions" Sonja said sitting down opposite him leaning up against the cave wall glancing out the entrance she saw it was raining again "we are not colonizing this planet." She whispered
"Continuous rain season, nice camouflage if you don't mind the rain." He said Sonja flinched "sorry, do not mind the rain" Erik sad correcting his speech.
"I mind" Sonja said quietly looking back at Erik "so let me get this right you Taurians ambushed us and destroyed my DropShip and then these pirates ambushed you?"
"Sort of" Erik said "if you Clansmen knew anything about this region you'd realize that this world is used by pirates to raid the Taurian Concordat. We assaulted your DropShip as we thought you were a pirate force who have been plaguing our world recently." Erik explained "we thought we had the drop on the pirates but instead we hit you, they bombed your DropShip as we attacked, the explosion devastated both your people and mine leaving the pirates to pick over our remains."
"Great and now we are stuck on a pirate hole both injured, what I do not get is why they are still after you?" Sonja asked looking at the Taurian warrior.
"You don't know who I am?" He asked surprised "then your intelligence is slacking." He said smirking knowingly "I'm Erik Martens-Calderon" he announced "Protector of the Taurian Concordat." Sonja just stared at him, she hadn't even thought about it why would she? What the hell the Protector of the Taurian Concordat would be on a backwater like this?
"Why would the Protector be here?" Sonja asked not convinced
"Training and Recon, I don't want to forget all that I was taught." Erik countered
"And your pitiful bodyguard unit?" Sonja asked her unit was small as she only ranked as a Star Commander, a leader of a nation even a periphery one should have a decent sized unit of support and defence.
"We are in the middle of nowhere, this was a training operation."
"Of course" Sonja said, by her side she found her Gauss SMG lay on the ground wrapping her fingers around the trigger she slowly raised it "well Protector, I claim you as my bondsman" she said aiming the weapon at him.
"Of course" he repeated "you do young Clans woman, your great victory against me brings you the Spoils, I think not" he said not moving she kept the SMG trained on him. He slowly moved glancing at Sonja "after all I've done to keep you alive. I trust you in a fight Nova Cat but not when I turn my back." He said his left arm rose in it he held a power pack, Sonja realized it was her SMG's power source. "We need to start working together" he said slowly "now get some sleep, tomorrow will be a big day."
Cave, unamed world
12 Light Year from Taurian Concordat
Periphery
5th March 3085
The night passed with no incident or at least none that Sonja noticed, she awoke the next morning her head far clearer, she noticed that Erik was still slumped against the wall, an SMG at his side she could also see the power pack for her own weapon and that his bandages were soaked through. Sonja knew that right now she could take his weapon and be in control for the first time since meeting him; if he was the Protector of the Taurian Concordat she could prove to all of Clan Nova Cat her worth in one act. Looking at the injured man who had been her captor, ally and saviour she realized she held no ill for him, his people had killed her unit but that was combat it was nothing personal.
Moving slowly she got closer to Erik and opened the first aid kit, inside she noticed there was only a couple of bandages left. Slowly slicing away the soaked bandages she could see the wound wasn't bleeding as badly as it had before but still would require more attention, carefully she bandaged his leg with clean dressings. She then opened a meal ready to eat ignoring the flavouring these bars had everything in them that needed to keep her alive despite the taste of cardboard.
As she ate Erik came too seeing her so close he shifted to the side in surprise then he noticed his bandages had been changed.
"Good morning" he croaked.
"Morning" she said continuing to demolish the bar, "you should eat one of these, will keep your strength up." She said handing him a bar, "you did say that today was a big day?"
"Indeed" he said opening the bar taking a bite "oh god" he whispered "these are worse than Taurian combat rations." He said continuing to eat the bar "yeah, I was thinking last night, we need communications of some sort to call either my people or your people."
"Fallback Position 1 would have communications, ammo and more of these" she said holding up the bar "but it is a fair distance from here but it should be worth it."
"Better than hiding in a cave." He said looking down at his leg "from pointing a gun at someone to bandaging them up, thank you" he remarked forcing his legs to move he moved to get up Sonja grabbed his arms helping him upright. "When you're ready, I am" he said.
"We should go" Sonja said grabbing her utility belt and Gauss SMG turning to face Erik he saw his hand outstretched with the power pack for the weapon. Sonja reached out to take the pack but Erik's grasp held firm, "we work together now" he said Sonja nodded and he released the power source. The two continued leaving the cave heading into the rain soaked forests, it had obviously rained again during the night, the ground and plants were soaked, Sonja would have to watch her footing and make sure the same accident did not repeat itself. Erik was making slow progress behind her his injured leg slowing him considerably, ahead of Erik Sonja stopped and turned her attention to a small tree with her combat knife she sliced down on one of the arms of tree removing it. She then began to strip off the smaller branches attached to the piece of wood. Erik joined her shortly afterwards.
"What are you doing?" He asked watching her; finished with the branches she now cut off the jagged end and handed it to him "I have the rifle" he said indicating to his SMG which despite the name was sized more like an assault rifle.
"It is to help you walk" Sonja said with a smirk before heading off, Erik smiled himself as he braced his injured side on the stick, it wasn't perfect but it helped take the pressure off quite a bit and helped his balance. They were able to pick up their pace slightly Sonja was still faster than Erik but he was at least keeping up now. As she was out ahead Sonja was able to keep an eye out for any pirates or hazards before Erik caught up with her and she was able to search for markers that would guide her to the Fallback Position, the woods all looked the same. Fortunately she could still see smoke from the DropShip's fires blowing in the wind above the tree line, and she knew roughly where the Nova Cat Supply Cache was to where the DropShip had landed.
They travelled for what seemed like hours but was actually only a little over an hour before Sonja saw movement up ahead, crouching down she raised her weapon as she saw five pirates all unshaven and wearing various pieces of old torn clothes standing near the entrance to a small cave. Each was armed with a rifle of some sort but none wore any type of heavy armour or protective garments. Erik joined her crouching down as best he could with his leg. "Are we there yet?" He said quietly Sonja didn't know if he was joking or being serious. "Only five?"
"As far as I can see, I think we can take them. If I flank them to the left and you stay here providing cover fire it should keep them down, then I will catch them in a cross fire."
"Let's go" Erik said getting into a decent firing position "I'll give you a minute then open up." Sonja nodded and began to sneak through the trees, soon she heard the shouts from the pirates as Erik began to fire, his Gauss SMG was so quiet they were having trouble working out where he was and were firing their rifles into the trees wildly. Sonja thought she was a decent distance from Erik and turned around towards the store again. She could see two of the pirates were down on the ground bleeding; the other three were spraying the trees around Erik's position with as much fire as they could muster making an absolute racket. Dropping her rifle's sights over the pirates Sonja squeezed off her first burst, of the three shots two slammed into her enemy while a third went through the log he'd been sheltering besides shattering it. Her fire had turned the pirate fire concentrated on Erik into an uncoordinated mess, the remaining two pirates fired wildly into the trees around them. Both Erik and Sonja had little trouble with single bursts each to bring down the last two men. Not wasting time Sonja leapt over the log and closed on the Nova Cat storage cave as she walked past the fallen pirates she raised her SMG and fired a burst into each trooper finishing each off whether they were alive or dead, Erik hobbled over to her as she finished the last trooper.
"The amount of noise they made we'll probably have company soon."
"Aff" Sonja said "We should grab what we can and disappear, follow me." She said entering the cave, about five metres inside the mouth of the cave was a large circular door; Sonja could see a blast mark where the pirates had unsuccessfully tried to enter the cache. Moving over to the right of the door Sonja raised the butt of her SMG and smashed it into the rocks there, to Erik's surprise the rocks shattered like glass revealing a control panel "blast resistant but hit it in the right place and shatters like an egg." Sonja explained tying in her code the door groaned and creeked as it began to slowly roll out of the way.
"I don't suppose we can lock ourselves in here?"
"Well it is air-tight once sealed so not a good plan, and now that I have exposed the controls they could get in." Sonja said heading over to a control panel she activated a series of controls "get us some supplies, I will send the message."
"The pirates will likely hear that too" he warned as he began to look through the supplies instantly picking up a Gauss Pistol, smaller than his SMG, he slipped the weapon into a pocket.
"Aff, but it is either this or we live the rest of our lives on this rock."
"I can think of worse company" Erik said quietly as he grabbed a charcoal jumpsuit and began to strip off his own bloodstained clothing, his comment brought a vaguely amused look from Sonja. Erik picked up a backpack and glanced inside a first aid kit, some Clan MRE Rations and what looked like a tent were folded inside. Placing two near the door he began to look at other supplies grabbing several cartridges of Gauss SMG ammo as well, at the door however he could hear movement, reaching for his newly acquired pistol he barely had time to draw it before seeing the first pirate. Snapping off two shots he saw one catch the pirate in the shoulder throwing him back out of the way. "We've got more company!" He shouted a warning firing another couple of shots.
"Fire in the hole!" Sonja shouted from behind him and Erik saw a small object fly past his head instinctively he ducked moments later the object exploded in the cave mouth collapsing the rocks there effectively sealing them in.
"You think that was the best idea?" We're trapped in here and their Mechs could dig us out." He warned.
"Aff, we can use the escape tunnel." Sonja said moving past Erik she set some more explosives behind the fallen rocks then re-entered the cache "come on in" she said Erik looked at her cautiously.
"You said it was air-tight." He said, the last thing he wanted to do was seal himself into a hole with someone who had been his enemy just days before.
"Looks like they finished the secondary tunnel, once I seal this one the other should unlock instantly." She said grabbing a Mauser IIC Assalt Rifle off the weapons rack slinging it over her shoulder. "The signal has been set to a repeating pattern. You have the supplies?"
"Here" Erik said handing her a pack "anything else?"
"Just this" Sonja said picking up a small pack. Heading for the emergency exit tunnel the door door at the end was as Sonja had said ajar but as they got there Erik noticed why they could not remain within the cache, the door led out the other side of the hill and was completely exposed it wouldn't take the pirates long to find and breach it. Before she left the tunnel Sonja dropped her second pack "move as quickly as possible towards the tree line" she said pointing out ahead of them "move" she ordered. Erik began to move ahead of her as Sonja worked on the pack for a moment before joining him helping speed up his pace, moments later the entrance to the cave exploded behind them.
"Nice precaution" Erik noted looking over his shoulder, Sonja continued to move but Erik pushed her to the ground "DOWN!" He shouted seeing the incoming pirates, as she fell out the way Erik pulled up his Gauss SMG and peppered the area where the pirates were coming from. On the ground Sonja rolled over to her side and pulled the Mauser IIC into her arms spraying the pirate's area with pulse laser blasts. "We're in trouble" Erik said quietly looking down at the prone Nova Cat warrior he could see more pirates than she.
"Let's even the odds" she said rising to her feet she flicked the secondary trigger on her Mauser IIC launching a fragmentation grenade. The grenade landed between several of the pirates and exploded sending bodies flying everywhere. Instantly Sonja triggered a second grenade followed by more pulse laser fire sending more pirates for cover. Erik continued to add his Gauss SMG to her cover fire however they were not moving and did not have an infinite amount of ammunition.
"Oh hell!" Erik shouted a warning seeing the pirates extra firepower "trust them to have a BattleMech close at hand." He said the torso mounted machine gun and laser immediately opened fire both Erik and Sonja hit the deck. "Got anything else to even the odds?" He asked as the BattleMech continued to fire into the area Sonja aded another grenade to the launcher.
"That is not a BattleMech. It's a Sarissa" she said quietly looking at the Mech "an IndustrialMech dressed up as a BattleMech. See how it likes this" she said raising the Mauser again she fire this time when the grenade reached the Mech it exploded just before impact showering the Mech in napalm. "Something our scientists have been working on, poor man's inferno." She said smirking Erik nodded watching as pirate infantry scrambled to clear the fire, it wouldn't stop the Mech but it would slow it down.
"If you find a poor man who has a weapon like that, point him in the direction of my quartermaster, I want his supplier’s name." Erik said as the two of them began to crawl away from the scene, they were by no means in the clear but hopefully they had bought themselves some more time clear of the pirate forces. And on this planet time was all they needed.
 
Unnamed world
12 Light Year from Taurian Concordat
Periphery
5th March 3085
Helping each other almost until they could not move anymore Sonja and Erik finally stopped under several large trees there the two collapsed in a heap exhausted, the pirates had given up their chase but now both were exhausted and lost. "We'll rest here" Erik said opening up his survival pack he noticed a couple of bullet holes, looking through the pack he noticed they'd gone straight through his survival tent in several places "this could be a problem" he said pulling it out, "what a mess." He said as it began to fold out, the Clan built tent was made of mimic-weave cloth and stands by attaching an electrical charge it should instantly assemble to a pre-determined shape, however when Erik added power to his tent it barely assembled several bullet holes appearing.
"It probably saved your life." Sonja said indicating to the bullets that fell from the pack "we can share mine." She said pulling out her tent which assembled perfectly it was only a one person shelter but it was better than nothing as the rain began again. Climbing into the tent together Erik initially tried facing away from Sonja but it didn't work neither felt comfortable so he rolled over facing her back. Surprisingly Sonja snuggled up to him as they laid there "don't get any ideas, Taurian." She whispered using a rarely used contraction.
"Trust me Nova Cat I have no idea what is going on. One minute it's a simple mission, next we have enemies everywhere and now I'm sleeping with one of those enemies." He remarked "all I can say is it's been one crazy week." He said, "I bet you anything this is the last situation you expected to be in?" He asked quietly "Sonja" he whispered but got no response, it took Erik a few moments to realize she was asleep. Leaning over to his side he checked and found his Gauss SMG laying beside him ready at a moment's notice, he'd rest but he'd make sure Sonja was safe while she slept she was more mobile than he if either of them was going to pull them through it would be her.
The night had passed uneventfully Sonja had awoken after a few hours sleep to find Erik still awake keeping watch over her. Checking his wounded leg she changed his dressings again then forced the Taurian to take some sleep and let her take watch, with the small tent she'd slept close to him sharing his body heat and making it comfortable for the two of them. Within the Clans this would be seen as simple survival, if Sonja had been a Trueborn she'd perhaps have seen nothing in this situation however Sonja was a freeborn brought up as the daughter of Canin Rosse and Yvonne Nova Cat, she knew how things could develop and the strength in such things, as a Clan Warrior she'd never expected have anything like her parents life. Although she felt nothing but comradely for Erik, he was her ally not her lover, she wondered if laying like this was how it always felt for those who loved another.
The morning came and it continued to rain, Erik was still exhausted and Sonja let him sleep, save his energy for when they needed it she was also growing used to his presence there. Erik didn't lay there asleep for long only a couple hours after the sun had risen he awoke almost immediately raising his weapon pointing it at the door of the tent. "It is all quiet" Sonja whispered "seems they have decided to leave us alone for a while."
"Probably still trying to get into the weapons cache." Erik muttered "shame we have to leave it for a bunch of pirates."
"The explosives probably messed it up a bit." Sonja said Erik nodded "with luck the communications is still broadcasting."
"Indeed" Erik agreed "so what do we do now?"
"I do not like hiding" Sonja said rolling onto her back slitting up slightly "but our weapons will not return fire against a Mech" she said unhappy at being unable to get some payback, they hadn't done too bad so far but even against the sole IndustrialMech she'd seen so far they couldn't do much.
"Some of my people could be alive." Erik said quietly, so far he hadn't mentioned his own people Sonja knew that her people were likely dead killed in the DropShip explosion. "I don't know how much difference us two could make but you never know."
"I think we have a mission" Sonja said smiling, Erik nodded "let's get packed up and head out. If the pirates are still searching the wreckage of my DropShip and the Cache we might get lucky at your LZ." She said crawling out of the tent at the door she raised her Gauss SMG and checked all around the the tent making sure there was no-one close by.
"It's would be just like us to have good luck" Erik said quietly crawling out behind her, it was more difficult with his leg but he could tell the bandages were helping his wound, he could feel the strength slowly returning. "Let's go" he said smirking it was so easy with Sonja, for the first time in a good while he enjoyed just being Erik instead of Erik Martens-Calderon Protector of the Taurian Concordat.
After a short time they had completed their tidying up the camp and began heading for the Taurian's LZ this time Erik taking the lead while Sonja followed him watching their rear. The two continued through the woods in silence for a while but soon they both realized there was no-one near them or searching for them. "So how are your Nova Cats enjoying the Periphery?" Erik had asked beginning the conversation, he was purely curious from a personal perspective but he also knew anything he learned could help his nation.
"We are doing as we always do, following a vision of the Khan." Sonja said quite spookily. Erik looked confused "our Khan and Oathmaster before the Invasion of the Inner Sphere shared a vision that put the Nova Cats on their own path away from the other Invading Clans, if we stayed in the Homeworlds we were dead, if we invade the Inner Sphere we would cease to be the Clan that we were. So we chose our own path."
"So wait you invaded a pirate realm following a dream one of your leaders had? Are you nuts?" Erik asked both surprised and annoyed
"Some of the other Clans think so." Sonja confirmed "however the results of the Nova Cat labours cannot be denied, we have flourished where we are despite what is there."
"Just because the Davion's have given you an easy ride" Erik said "if they had stood up to your threat, we would have support them, despite our differences we know a real threat when we see one." Sonja laughed out aloud.
"If only you could hear yourself." She said stopping short "scared of the menace that has never once caused you issue."
"You are scouting worlds near us." Erik accused
"For colonization, our population grows faster than we can currently support and sustain." Sonja explained "and as for the Davion's they know what threat we pose them" she said "none."
"We'll see a time will come when Davion sees you as a threat as they see us." Erik said giving her a warning he'd heard all his life Cham Kithrong, the man who had raised him with his mercenary mother was not a great believer in the Calderon belief that the Federated Suns was a major threat to the Taurian Concordat however Erik had slowly began to see where many of his Marshals and where the Calderon belief came from. Not because Davion regularly caused them issue but because of the hatred many Taurians felt for the Federated Suns, it wouldn't be hard to believe from a Davion perspective that the irrational hatred from the Taurians could spill out into violence and everyone knew the Taurians would be willing to use weapons of mass destruction if it came to it in offence or defence. All it would take is one Taurian to believe the Federated Suns had wronged them for a major war to begin. The Nova Cats on the other hand were a major threat to the Federated Suns, Erik had heard stories of their mighty WarShips and their armies of advanced technology, and already experienced combat against Clan Elementals, he knew their worth in combat and had the scars as a reminder.
"We will be no threat until our Khan changes, after all our current Khan understands the Federated Suns and First Prince Victor Steiner-Davion better than anyone else within our Clan." She saw Erik's confusion "his partner for life, wife you would saw, is Victor's younger sister Yvonne Steiner-Davion. His children, the first children to a Khan since the founding of the Clans, are of their blood. Freeborn and likely never leaders of our Clan, never able to take a Bloodname but still important parts in understanding the Federated Suns."
"You have sons of Davion in your ranks" Erik said stunned "perhaps I underestimated your Clan, taming House Davion is quite a feat." He remarked
"House Davion is hardly tamed, and it is a Son and Daughter." Sonja shot back Erik smiled at her near instant comeback at his comment "my brother and I" she finished. Now it was Sonja's turn to smile as Erik's face was covered in shock as he realized exactly who Sonja was. "Changes things Quiaff?" She asked moving off ahead of the Taurian.
"Aye" Erik answered he couldn't help but respect the Clans woman. She had put past their differences shared supplies with him, kept him alive, shared a tent and bed to keep him awake. Despite her Clan origin he trusted her with his life, but could he get past the knowledge that she had Davion blood in her? A direct descendant of the ruling line of the Federated Suns, the Concordat's historical enemy. Since Erik had assumed the Protectorship he had questioned some of the old beliefs, but could he ever get past that? He followed her slowly still thinking about it, it was strange how moments before his thoughts had been completely different, would the Calderon family ever change? Stopping for a moment he looked up at her still moving away watching the forests for pirates, he watched Sonja move, carefully methodically, just like a Davion, no just like someone wanting to stay alive. Just like the woman who had engaged his Battle Armour suit with the weapon at her side knowing she was hopelessly outgunned and could not win. How could he treat her different just because of something she could not control? Erik decided right there that from him the Calderon line would be different not judge each book by its title, or each person by their name, he needed to his life could depend on it.
Unnamed world
12 Light Year from Taurian Concordat
Periphery
5th March 3085
It took the two of them almost three hours to travel between their campsite and the area used by the Taurians as a staging area most of which was spent in silence from both travelling companions working out exactly where they stood with each other. Fortunately Erik's sense of direction did not let him down as they travelled through the rain soaked forest and soon they could see the Taurian DropShip still standing where Erik had left it all those days before. The DropShip, a Union sat in a small clearing with a small fenced off area near it, there was one BattleMech a twenty ton Wasp on patrol as well as a couple of pirate troopers visible but none seemed particularly interested in what they were doing. "Anything special about the DropShip?" Sonja whispered, they were still a distance from the vessel but better not to take chances.
"The Aerospace Launch doors are fake" Erik answered "that entire deck was gutted by engineering teams instead we carried a Battle Armour maintenance and training area. Large enough for sixteen troopers." He explained "otherwise it's standard Union, the weapons are upgraded to Star League Standard."
"No special security?" Sonja asked surprised that the vessel that had carried the Taurian leader had no special systems.
"The Battle Armour were security as well as a deployable asset, the corridors are slightly wider so they could pass anywhere in the ship but all the original suits were destroyed fighting the Nova Cats and the pirates." Erik said plainly trying not to think about the men that had been his platoon killed fighting to defend him. "I think the crew would probably be held on the Battle Armour deck if they are still alive, if we can get to them we could maybe launch, it would maximize our chances of being picked up."
"Aff" Sonja nodded agreeing without saying much else her eyes searching the area around the DropShip.
"What are you thinking?" Erik asked watching her eyes
"I think if you could run this would be easier." Sonja said bluntly "I will make a distraction, you make for the Mechbay doors, get aboard and make sure they can not lock me out." She said raising heading off "move as quickly as you can when you see my signal." She said moving off.
"I assume I'll know it when I see it." Erik whispered more to himself than anything. Sonja rapidly disappeared into the trees cutting diagonally across the face of the DropShip carefully staying hidden by the trees and plants. Once beyond the DropShip she got behind the fenced off area and saw exactly what she needed, within the area was a whole load of BattleMech ordinance from Machine Gun ammo to reloads for missile and rocket launchers.
"Perfect" she said pulling back she climbed a small tree, level with the head of the Wasp BattleMech. In her hands she held the Mauser IIC, aiming at the BattleMech she knew she couldn't do any major damage to the huge machine but that wasn't the intention. Aiming for the light Mech's head she triggered off her first and second bursts, pulse laser blasts tore across the Mech's lightly armoured head. The blasts did not damage but they got the Mech's attention as well as the attention of the pirate infantry guards that were around the DropShip. Snapping off another burst she hit the Mech again before pulling back behind the ammo dump. The Wasp continued to close it's machine gun spraying the tree Sonja had just jumped down from with fire, the pilot obviously not a rookie carefully avoided walking into the ammunition store walking around while continuing to cover the trees in machine gun fire. Knowing that the pilot would soon have traveled around the ammo and could fire on her directly flicked the Mauser to it's secondary trigger and fired her last grenade into the ammo dump while diving for cover, the Mauser IIC flying from her hands as she dived.
The explosion was massive more than one hundred tons of ammo exploded almost as soon as the napalm like substance made contact with the crates, the explosion picked up the Wasp and threw the twenty ton machine nearly sixty metres through the air smashing head first into the ground the pilot if not killed by the explosion was definitely killed by the impact, the Mech somersaulted several times before crashing to a halt. Sonja rolled over on the ground as trees burst into fire all around her, avoiding the flames she leapt back to her feet as two of the pirate infantry approached somehow they had avoided the exploding ammunition and flying BattleMech. She reached for her Gauss SMG at her back but the pirates were almost on her their weapons raised, raising her arms she prepared to surrender just as two bursts of fire caught the pirates from behind, looking up Sonja saw Erik moving for the DropShip firing his SMG at the pirate troopers it was a wonder shot to have taken both pirates down with such precision but Sonja did not question it instead running for the DropShip drawing her own SMG.
Erik climbed the ramp into the DropShip before Sonja and immediately fell back on his close quarters training covering all the corners of the room he quickly gunned down two pirates who had been answering the explosion outside. In the bay there were two pirate BattleMechs present a medium Griffin and a heavier Catapult, looking up at both Mechs Erik was glad neither Mech was powered or had pirates near them. If even one of the Mechs had been powered up it would be game over for their plan. Moving into the room the sound of assault rifle fire filled the air as the pirates within the DropShip reacted, Erik dived for cover only popping up to return fire, Sonja quickly joined him in the Mechbay "three shooters, twelve to three o'clock elevation three metres!" Erik shouted rapidly over the noise of the incoming fire Sonja quickly popped up gunning down one of the pirates in the centre of the three.
"Two, twelve and three!" She shouted back ducking down as more assault rifle fire cut through the area Sonja looked at Erik and both nodded, popping up together they peppered the area where the pirates were, both remaining pirates fell in a hail of Gauss SMG fire. "Moving!" Sonja called out rushing forward she fired more rounds into the downed pirates seeing an AX-22 Imperator Assault Rifle on one of the pirates she grabbed up the weapon and two additional magazines pushing her Gauss SMG back to her back. "Clear!" she called back to Erik, dropping to one knee she covered the main entry door and elevator as the Taurian warrior caught up with her and moved past.
"Moving!" Erik answered as he moved passing Sonja's crouched position into the corridor clearing the first three rooms in the corridor before dropping to a crouch in a doorway. "Clear" he shouted back. Sonja then repeated his move clearing the next three rooms stooping at the foot of an access ladder checking both up and down before stopping. As Erik joined her she climbed the ladder up to the next level waiting for him at the top. Two more pirates appeared on that level Sonja emptied the remains of her AX-22 magazine cutting both men down as Erik appeared on the level. Swapping over mags the two cleared the rooms, moving methodically room to room finding no resistance.
"Quiet?" Sonja said
"Too quiet" Erik agreed as the two moved up the stairs before they could reach the top of the spiral stairs machine gun fire cut through the air cutting into the bulkheads above them. "Nice" Erik shouted "they've jury rigged a Battle Armour Machine Gun." He said seeing the weapon even from a distance he was acutely aware of the weapon and it's dangers. "One thing they probably haven't considered" he said after the machine gun fired a second burst just missing his head, there was an audible thud down the corridor "that thing runs hot" he said standing up, the two pirates were looking at their now useless overheated weapon, two rapid bursts cut down both pirates.
Heading down the corridor they found a secured door, punching in his override code Erik quickly released the door both he and Sonja raised their weapons as the door opened revealing seven members of the DropShip crew. "Protector" one of them called out with surprise.
"Where's the rest of the crew?" Erik asked knowing there should be double that amount of crewmen and techs.
"Most of the Battle Armour and Mech techs were taken to the Clan DropShip to identify salvage. The Captain and two senior officers were executed for failing to help the pirates."
"We're taking back the ship follow us." Erik said handing one of the DropShip crew his Gauss Pistol while others grabbed up pirate weapons dropped on the deck. With more manpower they rapidly cleared the next two levels of the DropShip finding little resistance until they reached the entrance to the bridge. Two more pirates died in a hail of weapons fire trying to stop Erik, Sonja and the DropShip's crew again Erik's personal override code opened the doors to the bridge to the dismay of both the pirates in the room both of whom surrendered immediately. "Subaltern, secure the Mechbay and seal all pressure doors, prepare for immediate take off." Erik ordered the most senior member of the DropShip crew "you men secure these two in one of the crew quarters." He said looking at the two captured pirates who were quickly marched away.
"What about your friend?" One of the crewmen asked looking at Sonja still clutching the AX-22 in her hands.
"She's with me." Erik said in a clear tone, no-one was to go near her, it was obvious to everyone in the room Sonja included that Erik was in charge no-one spoke up until the vessel was prepared. Both Erik and Sonja secured themselves in jump seats as the Subaltern counted down the launch procedures, two Pirate BattleMechs had approached the vessel but the weapons of the DropShip were keeping them at bay. Then suddenly the vessel shot into the air blasting clear of the forests quickly heading into space.
"Two minor hull breaches reported sir, but manageable" one of the crewmen said manning one of the consoles "we've began to broadcast on all Taurian military frequencies, if there's a JumpShip out there they'll pick it up."
"Excellent work." Erik said as natural gravity began to disappear to be replaced by the DropShip's thrust generated lighter gravity "Captain" he said turning to the Subaltern. "We're going to retire to my quarters, have the crew do a full sweep of the vessel and ensure we have no pirates still aboard. Apprise me of any changes." Erik said rising from his chair Sonja released herself from her chair and followed Erik from the bridge still clutching the AX-22. Erik's personal quarters were not far from the bridge, the pirates had made a complete mess of the room but at least the bed was still in one piece. "You're not going to need that again aboard this vessel." He said taking the assault rifle from her hands slowly calmly, placing it on a table nearby. "You can have the bed, I'll sleep on the couch." He said turning away from her after a moment moment's later Sonja's arms appeared around him.
"Space is cold, you shared my bed once, share it again" she asked turning him in her arms, for a moment there was only them their eyes could see nothing else. A kiss gave Sonja all the answer she needed for her request. The DropShip would take another three days to reach the the jump point in that ti
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Topic: Alternate Timeline with Thanks (FULL) (Read 159756 times)