OBT Forum

Nice, I liked it do not leave us hanging!

I will leave it to other to spot the Mistakes! I am not one for spoting grammar! 

I have noticed as I write these chapters I tend to put kind of an epilogue paragraph or two at the end of each one, found its easier and requires a lot less dialogue (which I think I use a little too much), glad you like that.

I'm hoping there aren't too many mistakes as I did proof read and edit the chapter several times trying to fix everything I could find but inevitably there will be things I missed

Looks interesting

Wow, Cage's Pride destroyed in the Huntress system?

Ice Hellions at the Jags Homeworld?

Foundation of the Clans era? maybe

And speak of the devil... I have a little time before bed so I figured I'd post this up.

3rd Battalion, 1st Free Worlds Guards Control Room
Onboard FWLS St. Lucia
Grounded on Unknown Planet
April 10th 3060
Jump Plus 13 Days

   Karin glanced around the table seated were the various officers leading her ‘Mech companies along with Captain Wade who commanded the DropShip and Captain Simon who was in command of the battalion’s infantry assets.

   â€œYou were all there and you’ve all read the reports, we have to consider the Barbados and all those aboard as lost and move on.”

   As per usual her XO, Captain Strife was the first to speak up.

   â€œWe have no evidence they were all destroyed, we made it to ground why couldn’t they?”

   â€œFranklin, do I have to spell it out? We made it to ground because the Barbados and her crew along with the pilots of Delta and Gamma squadron gave their lives to hold the clanners off!”

   At least that’s what she told them and herself, more likely was that they had made it to the surface based purely on luck. The Barbados and her fighters had engaged the clanners and from the look of it had caused some real damage, but they were simply too outnumbered and they hadn’t had any contact from the Barbados or any of its fighters since. Really “spelling it out” however would do nothing but hurt morale; fortunately Franklin didn’t press the issue.

   â€œInstead of dwelling on what we have lost we should instead take stock of what we have. We’re still at full battalion strength with two platoons of Special Forces infantry in support under Captain Simon. We have enough equipment and supplies to get us through at least six months, maybe even a year or more if we scrounge and forage a bit, and we have this ship-“

   With a slight cough the attentions of the group were pulled away from Karin and to Captain Wade.

   â€œA ship we must abandon I assume, unless you’re confident enough in your battalion’s ability to defend it indefinitely?”

   The DropShip captain was right of course but Karin had expected him to resist the suggestion when she inevitably had to make it, not to be the one who suggested it himself.

   â€œNow that you mention it, yes we will have to eventually abandon this vessel as we cannot hope to defend it forever but I think it would be a good idea to use it as a base for now while we recon the area, find out what we’re dealing with, and where we are.”

   Then from the corner of the room a woman spoke, she had been standing there the whole time but was barely noticeable and even though she wasn’t raising her voice she commanded the attention of all in the room with every word.

   â€œI can tell you were we are.”

   The speaker was Reshondra DesCastis, former Star Captain of the Clan Smoke Jaguar 19th Striker Cluster whom Karin’s XO had taken bondsman. Why he had brought her here Karin did not know but after a few seconds she decided that the former clanner’s knowledge could be useful.

   â€œIs this Huntress?”

   â€œNo”

   â€œYou’re sure?”

   â€œI was decanted on Huntress, I went through Sibko training on Huntress, I tested out as a ‘MechWarrior on Huntress. This is not Huntress.”

   Karin thought a moment and decided she was probably telling the truth, plus it fit all of the evidence. Just as she was about to respond Captain Jeffries of Charlie Company spoke up.

   â€œWell that’s good, maybe the rest of our forces did make it to Huntress and after they are done there they’ll come rescue us!”

   The rest of the room stayed silent.

   â€œWell they could!”

   Again Captain Wade spoke as the voice of reason.

   â€œThey would have no way of knowing where we are, or if we are even alive. Think about it Chelsea, no one is coming.”

   Captain Jeffries looked crestfallen and Karin had to admit that having it given that straight was a bit disheartening.

   â€œSo rescue is most likely out of the question, but even if the possibility does exist we still need to survive to be around if it does come. So what do we know about this planet?”

   Captain Wade again took the floor.

   â€œWe know this is a dry world, our sensors told us that. The planet has five continents, of which we are on the largest in the southeast corner. Initial estimates from orbital scans put the population at around at least a million but scans from lower orbit show the cities are largely abandoned and the population is most likely lower than half a million. We can confirm at least two Clans in system, the Ice Hellions and the Cloud Cobras, both of which we have never dealt with before, nor have anyone from the Inner Sphere that we know of.”

   Karin thought that about summed it up.

   â€œI still wish we knew exactly what planet this was, Reshondra you said you might know.”

   Still speaking in barely more than a whisper the Clan ‘MechWarrior commanded the attention of the room.

   â€œWe are on Babylon”

   Again it took Karin several seconds before she collected her thoughts to respond.

   â€œBabylon? Isn’t that one of the Clan ‘Pentagon’ Worlds? I would have expected they would have higher populations and much more industry. Plus we saw definite signs that Clan forces were assaulting the large city to our west. I thought inter-clan fighting stayed away from population centers. The evidence points to these clans attempting to subdue the populace, something they shouldn’t have to do on a world they’ve owned for a couple centuries.”

   â€œI can not explain these things but I am telling you, this is Babylon. I have seen the maps and I have no doubt. The Smoke Jaguar watch had estimated the population of the planet between 50 and 60 million, their absence and the lack of industry are very peculiar but I am certain that this is Babylon. The presence of the Ice Hellions and the Cloud Cobras confirms it and you will also find Coyotes and Diamond Sharks on this world.”

   The revelations of Reshondra’s statements took a while to sink in. They now knew where they were but several things were still unexplained. Had there been some sort of insurrection sparked by the Inner Sphere assault that had spread to the other clan worlds? Even that wouldn’t explain the loss of over 98% of the population especially in such a short time, and all these new clans, four different ones to deal with.

   Several hours of discussion later the battalion’s mission had become clear. With rescue virtually impossible their only course of action would be to cause as much harm to the clanners as possible. They would fight a guerilla style conflict and support the indigenous population if they could.
   So it was that 48 hours later Karin found herself leading Alpha company north away from the DropShip. The plan was for Beta Company to head northwest and Charlie Company to head west. They would then converge on the nearest large settlement and attempt to contact its inhabitants to gather intel.
   Captain Wade and a few crewmembers had decided to stay with the DropShip. Captain Simon’s Special Forces had set explosive charges and Captain Wade’s plan was to keep the DropShip powered down and lure the clanners to their doom.

*****

   The destruction of their flagship and three of its attending DropShips along with another DropShip and nearly an entire aerospace star shortly afterwards were crippling blows to Clan Ice Hellion. While Clan Cloud Cobra did eventually come to their aid by destroying the Titan class DropShip and its fighters and chasing the Overlord class DropShip to the surface before rescuing survivors from the Cage’s Pride the relationship between Clan Ice Hellion and Cloud Cobra was soured from that point as the Ice Hellions felt that the Cloud Cobras could have come to help sooner.
   Less than three weeks later the Ice Hellions would track the Overlord DropShip to its landing site and find it seemingly abandoned. Hoping to salvage the vessel to replace one of their own Khan Cage dispatched ‘Mech forces with infantry support to secure the DropShip. Unfortunately for the Ice Hellions they walked straight into a trap and lost several ‘Mechs and a significant infantry force when the Overlord exploded.

WoW  They in for some trouble

Wow!..... Agog!   Ok This is good now what?
 

Wow!..... Agog!   Ok This is good now what?

Very interesting- looking forward to the next installment.

Thank you both, and here you go:


Outskirts of Hope
Solath, Babylon
May 2nd 3060
Jump Plus Five Weeks

   Karin was getting worried, she had met up with her XO and Beta Company just two days after they were planned to rendezvous but Charlie Company was late by almost a week. She had decided to move on lest they stay in one spot too long and the clans decide to stomp them out. Moving northwest it wasn’t long before the infantry scouts were reporting small settlements up ahead and she knew they were getting close to the city they had learned was named Hope, which she hoped was a good sign. After resting up the morning of the 2nd Karin ordered her two companies forward.
   There were signs that the city ahead was sparsely populated for its size, reflecting the fact that it was most likely built for a larger population and Karin doubted they had much in the way of military equipment but she didn’t want any surprises. Keeping their sensors on passive scanning and broadcasting friendly IFF frequencies the ‘Mechs of Alpha and Beta Company made every effort to dissuade the indigenous population from combat until they could get in contact with a representative of the city. Unfortunately with their sensors off Karin had no idea what was happening just ahead.

   â€œCharlie-Actual to Charlie-Second, have one of your lights flash their beacons and give me a sit-rep.”

   â€œWill-co Commander.”

   It took several seconds for Franklin to report back, in that time Karin could swear she saw something just off to the east but it was most likely a house or silo or something of that sort.

   â€œNot much to report over here Commander.”

   â€œAlright Franklin I want you to keep circling west and I will take my Company to the east let me know if you come into contact with friendlies or hostiles.”

   â€œAye Commander”

   â€œOkay guys I want Third Lance to scout ahead in pairs, I and First Lance will take the rear, that leaves point to you Second Lance. Let’s move out!”

   This was the part Karin hated, the long mundane marches that people conveniently forgot in their romanticized view of  ‘Mech combat but then again it could be worse, much worse. Nearly 20 minutes of maneuvering later had produced nothing significant and it was time for her scouts to check in, but one pair failed to do so.

   â€œCharlie-Actual to Charlie-Alpha-11 come in. Charlie-Alpha-12 report.”

   Damn where are they?

   â€œAlright guys go sensor hot we need to find some of our scouts and make sure they’re okay.”

   A few switches and Karin’s Sunder was bouncing radar waves off of everything within a kilometer, immediately she knew something was wrong.

   â€œCharlie-Alpha-4 to Charlie-Actual, are you seeing what I am?”

   â€œAffirmative 4 let me assess the situation, keep your eyes peeled.”

   The radar was lit up with contacts all over the place. To the northeast, where her missing scouts should be, there were no less than eight contact that looked like ‘Mechs but there were also six or seven contacts due north.

   â€œCharlie-Alpha-8 and 9 form back with the main group, all Alpha Company form up on me we need to concentrate our forces I count no less than a company of ‘Mechs in range and they probably aren’t friendly.”

   A chorus of “Yes Sirs” and “Affirmatives” followed her order but Karin didn’t recognize her two remaining scout’s voices.

   â€œCharlie-Alpha-8, Charlie-Alpha-9 reports!”

   â€œMAYDAY this is Charlie-Alpha-9, Charlie-Alpha-8 is down and I have several ‘Mechs on my tail… looks like a Locust, a Stinger and what looks like a Talon.”

   Immediately Karin knew she had fallen into a trap, the clanners had to know they would try to contact the nearest settlement. It was a good bet that they had already taken that settlement and had set a trap to destroy her battalion. No time for retrospection though, she had to try to save her company and hopefully Beta Company as well. Ordering her company due north they moved to support her scout Hermes and engage the smaller of the two ‘Mech concentrations.
After several agonizing minutes Karin’s Sunder broke out of a group of trees and the northern ‘Mechs came into view, ‘Mechs her forward elements were already engaging. Wincing Karin realized her scout Hermes had fallen along with two others from Beta Lance.

   â€œCharlie-Alpha-5 you have some advanced optics don’t you? Take a look at that larger ‘Mech in the back, what does that look like to you?”

   â€œThat’s an Avatar sir, definitely.”

   â€œCharlie-Alpha form up on me, that’s Charlie-Charlie you’re fighting, STAND DOWN! That goes for you too Charlie-Charlie”

   A PPC blast zipped past Karin’s Sunder just before the radio crackled back to life.

   â€œForce Commander is that you?”

   â€œAffirmative Charlie-Third, that’s my ‘Mech your trying to fry.”

   â€œI apologize Commander but we didn’t realize it was you. We’ve been trying to fight off a group of Clan ‘Mechs all day.”

   â€œI think we’ve ran into them as well, they took out my scouts and almost succeeded in playing us off on each other.”

   â€œI hate to interrupt sirs but we have company!”

   As if on queue a barrage of Laser, PPC and Autocannon fire erupted as the clanners broke from the same tree line Karin had just exited. The clanners followed their initial barrage with multiple missile salvos and then several switched right back to their initial weapons, all while traveling at full speed.
   With little time to think Karin swung her Sunder around and unleashed an Alpha Strike on the nearest enemy ‘Mech she could find. Several weapons went wide but her AC/20 and at least one Large Laser connected and the enemy Stinger was nearly obliterated in the onslaught.

   I hope that’s the same Stinger that took was chasing Phillip, he was a good ‘MechWarrior. These must be lowly garrison forces if they’re still using ‘Mechs like a Stinger.

   Karin had no time to revel in her kill as the clanners kept coming and it wasn’t long before several of her companions had fallen and things didn’t look like they were going very well.

   â€œCharlie-Third to Charlie-Actual I have a plan.”

   â€œHit me with it Chelsea, I could use anything right about now.”

   â€œMy first lance form on me, we’ll charge them and hold them off and you can pull the rest of our force out.”

   â€œUnacceptable Chelsea, I can’t let you do that – I should be the one to do it, besides my Assault ‘Mech would be better for that mission anyways.”

   â€œSorry sir but my lance has already decided, either you take this opportunity to escape or we will have died in vain.”

   With that Karin watched as her subordinate and her friend, another friend, gave her life so that Karin could continue on. Furious at Captain Jeffries but more furious at herself for allowing them to get in this situation, Karin had no choice to but to pull her remaining forces back to the northwest. Over the course of the next few days Karin and what was originally a company comprised of ‘Mechs from both Alpha and Charlie Companies executed a force march circling wide to the north then hard east and north again to swing around and behind the city of Hope. Several more engagements with the clanners would whittle her forces down to two lances and leave her and her forces exhausted. They eventually reached relative safety however and even met up with the remnants of Beta Company. Captain Strike and ‘MechWarrior DesCastis had only been able to save two others of their company after they were ambushed by a similar force that Karin’s company had encountered. Even after rest and some time to stop and patch up their ‘Mechs and recover nearly a platoon of infantry forces including Captain Simon, Karin was still feeling quite down from their defeat. Captain Simon however presented her with her first real ray of hope; he had come in contact with some locals and was confident he could arrange a meeting between Karin and a local leader.

*****

   The Ice Hellions demanded the right to hunt down the forces that had caused them so much damage, so while the Cloud Cobras prepared to move on to Corsen the Ice Hellions had deployed forces by DropShip to the northwest of the city of Hope. The Ice Hellions quickly secured the city, mainly by attacking from a direction the defenders of Hope had not expected. The Hellions then leveraged their conquest of Hope to set a trap for the forces who had set their own DropShip trap southwest of Hope.
   Khan Cage initially proclaimed the Hellion victory over the unknown battalion for everyone who would listen but further investigation would reveal that it wasn’t the great victory he made it out to be. While the two Binaries the Hellions had dispatched against the Battalion did defeat them and destroy two-dozen ‘Mechs they suffered right around 50% casualties themselves and were unable to regroup in time to pursue the survivors. This “victory” would come back to haunt the Hellions.