OBT Forum

Well I've gotta say some really cool updated BattleTech classics in this one

https://www.deviantart.com/spooky777

All appears to be well now my friend. 

I see the main forums are down again.

I missed the Merry Christmas thread so Happy New Year to everyone.

Indeed, quite a happy new year for all.

Time to refresh this topic i see, Happy New Year everyone!

Merry Christmas folks!

Great to see your still posting DC!

I've been uber busy at work and looking forward to catching up.

Mo’s Bar, Springfield outside Teppokhan Prime   
Noisiel, Alarion Province
Lyran Commonwealth
11th January 3122

   Following the deaths of Karlsdotter and Katz the Triple Zeros had attended a wake for their fallen pilots. Now only Hawke, Santini, Murphy and Salva Nieto, Murphy’a co-pilot, remained all sat around the table of a downtown bar on the outskirts of the capital to grieve the losses of their two pilots and the Donner Helicopter. Paramedics from the bar siege they had just helped defuse had recovered the bodies and confirmed the deaths of the two pilots, many of them had attended the wake joining the Triple Zeros in their grief.

"I'm going to kill him" Hawke said angrily taking a drink from his pint glass of the local beer. It was a frothier drink than the smooth Australian beers he was used to but today he didn’t care.

"String, it's war Moffat sees us as the bad guys..." Murphy suggested taking a drink from his pint. "You've been to war..."

"I didn't murder anyone" String said defiantly looking at the other old pilot war was different this had been murder, “they were ambushed unable to defend themselves.”

"An ambush is a legitimate tactic" another voice broke in. Hawke instantly recognized it looking up he watched at the bar as the man turned to face him, he had dark blonde hair which was combed over to the right, his tanned skin gleaming, he wore a maroon flight jacket with three green feathers attached to the left breast, one each for successful missions against the Jade Falcons. "Moffat!" Nieto shouted angrily leaping to his feet, he was younger than the others, reaching for his sidearm. A single shot rang out, there were screams throughout the bar of surprise and horror, but it wasn't Moffat that fell instead Nieto slumped to the ground blood gushing from a gunshot wound to his forehead. The back of the man's head blown out he was clearly dead. At the corner off to Moffat's left stood a man with a sidearm drawn and ready to fire again.

"Now, no more sudden moves Hawke or you'll lose more than an argument." Moffat taunted with a smile reaching for his drink he took a sip from the thin wine glass "to fallen comrades" he toasted continuing to smile towards the three men.

"You can take that and shove it where the sun should never shine" Santini said angrily glancing down at Nieto’s body.

"Old man quiet, you should never have been involved in this you don't have the balls for what needs to be done." He snapped

"At least I don't think with them you son of a *****" Santini cursed back, Moffat had been known as a ladies’ man in the past and was known to make impulsive decisions.

"I can't help people find me irresistible."

"What do you want Moffat?" Murphy asked he turned back to the table with the drinks ignoring him Moffat which clearly didn't like.

"To toast our fallen comrades, they died in this conflict that has spawned between us." Moffat answered quite confident "and to warn you off, I have my orders, you have sequestered property that belongs to House Steiner." He explained "I understand your reasoning for removing them from the grasp of the Triple Zeros for security reasons, but now I must insist they are returned."

"Go to hell" Hawke answered.

"I have a mission to complete, there are plenty heathens on this world that must answer for their crimes..."

"Yeah, one of them is right here" Murphy said removing his glasses looking over his shoulder.

"You saw war Murphy; you and Hawke know that sacrifices need to be made to accomplish a mission. Last chance."

"Go to hell" Hawke repeated for all three of them "kill us but you'll never find those aircraft." He promised the rogue pilot, the two remaining helicopters were shrouded from sensors, their fusion engine signals covered. Overhead they head the distinctive low whirling sound of rotor blades of a Darkwind Attack Helicopter.

"I'm not going to kill you, I want your helicopters, I want your allegiance." He glanced at the still bleeding body "I only target threats, leave me to do my work, Hawke" he said almost prancing out the door, quickly the gunman followed. “If you don’t, you’re a dead man, you’re all dead men.”
Hawke, Santini and Murphy rushed to the door intent on taking their revenge but outside Moffat was already climbing into the craft. Hawke reached for his radio "any callsign this net Moffat and Darkwind spotted my coords! Any callsign copy?" He asked

"This is the Armadillo; we can keep visual" Dean Gallagher answered from the Rotunda that his team has found. Moffat almost taunted them by keeping the Darkwind low and pointing towards them. The two weapon gun pods either side of the craft were retracted into their cruise configuration making the aircraft look like any other civilian craft.

"Armadillo” Hawke thought “you're armed if he's within range take him out" Hawke demanded as the Darkwind leapt onto the air.

"We're a lifesaving organization, Hawke, not a life taking one!" Gallagher responded angrily "you've got beef with the man deal with it on the battlefield!"

"He murdered Nieto, Dean do something about it now!"

"Sighting on target" another voice in the vehicle said "firing SRMs" he said continuing. From their position they could see two missiles streak through the sky. "Impact lower rear, one missile, minimal damage. he's coming around for a strafing run" he said continuing the commentary. "No damage, he has us dead to rights..." There was some commotion inside the vehicle and the line went quiet.


Back at the Triple Zeros base Hawke marched straight towards the Armadillo seeing Dean climb out "you had a prime opportunity!" Hawke shouted angrily pushing Jake back against the vehicle.

"We are not a life taking unit!" Dean repeated pushing the older man back "I told you that! He turned his guns on us, had us lined up dead to rights, we are lucky to be alive. We’re alive because he didn’t see us as a threat."

"He murdered Nieto!” Hawke repeated “I gave you the opportunity to get two maybe three rounds of at him!' Hawke shouted angrily pushing back against Dean again by now his two brothers had exited the vehicle as well one was wearing a Nighthawk Power Armour suit. “All you needed was one lucky one.”

"The only one of us who has any experience firing any sort of weapons is Lochy and he was in a suit!" He balled back at Hawke who continued to hold him up against the Rotunda. Hawke wasn't a large man but he dwarfed the shorter Dean.

"This isn't a toy Mr Gallagher; you shouldn't be playing with it if you're not ready. Anyone deploying with this should have had a trained gunner, and a full squad of Power Armour suits" Murphy cautioned calmly, like an old teacher, neither he nor Santini had made any aggressive moves.

"We are still figuring it out, it's ours and we're keeping it" Chase the youngest Gallagher said "this was a test run not a patrol, we answered because you asked" he explained. "Lochy got two-man portable rocket launches at them as they left as well, one hit." He said trying to put a good spin on in as others from the buildings arrived Hawke recognised some of them including Michelle LaTourneau and Michael Briggs represent in his white suit. His glasses now had one lens completely blacked out and he walked with a white cane.

"I see you're getting on well with others Hawke." He remarked calmly smiling looking at the scene, LaTournaeu looked anything but calm.

"Nieto Is dead, Moffat’s man shot him in the head." Hawke said releasing Dean.

"Oh my god" Michelle Letourneau said startled, she’d encountered plenty of death in the rescue business but she hadn’t had people she was working with be murdered.

"And then he escaped" he said angrily looking at Dean.

"He didn’t quite escape" Wheezer said getting Hawke’s immediate attention "Heidi here" he said indicating to the ginger headed young woman. "Was in one of the MedEvac Choppers on the other skirts of the city. She saw Moffat fly into the mountains."

"He flew right past me like I wasn’t there, didn't think I was a threat" the young woman explained unlike Hawke and the others Heidi was young no older than thirty years old she wore a blue and red flight suit and her red hair was tied back into a ponytail.

"So, we know he's out of the city whoopee" Santini said trying not to sound too down about their extra intel.

"That's where Austin here comes in" Wheezer said turning to the dark-skinned young pilot in a blue and white flight suit said, Austin was like Heidi young but he had short dark hair which was almost shaved MechWarrior style at the sides and was longer on the top.

"I was running cargo, late at night, low lights on, minimal radar signature and no military radar on our planes." He explained "I heard Heidi and thought you might want more information so I kept my radio off and an eye on him." He explained seeing the others wanted more "I followed him to a secluded Warehouse."

"No military sensors so not a whole lot but something..." Hawke began but was interrupted by the younger pilot.

"I can keep a chart and I can draw a layout of the facility." Austin explained showing them his skills “I tracked them every step and there isn’t a lot to the place.”


   During the rest of the night, they discussed a strike plan against Moffat’s facility. Unfortunately, it came down to one thing, the Triple Zeros alone did not have enough firepower to take on the bases fixed defences. Instead, they would be restricted to monitoring the rogue pilot and hopefully minimalizing his efforts using their own aircraft contain them and hopefully ambush Moffat in the air. Michael Briggs suggested that he may be able to secure more firepower for the unit at least over a short-term basis but it wasn’t going to happen during the night.

   In the morning Frank Murphy was up early to look over his Donner Surveillance Helicopter and he saw the young red-headed rescue pilot Heidi looking over her Soar Helicopter. “They are good birds” Murphy admitted looking over the Soar, “looks like she’s been well cared for you should be commended.” He said walking around the smooth snub-nosed craft. The Soar weighed in at fifteen tons, it had a large open glass cockpit, four large blades above the aircraft and a fantail rear rotor. In many ways the aircraft was quite similar to the Darkwind and Donner in its layout, the contained rear stabilizing rotor and sleek fuselage lines. Unlike the two heavier military-built choppers the Soar utilized an electric fuel cell engine and carried no weapons instead they were equipped with rescue equipment and were capable of carrying up to six passengers.

   “On Auz we had a full maintenance crew to look after them” Heidi admitted “here we’ve all got to muck in.” Heidi said laughing

   “Of course, since the losses we have taken facing off against Moffat, we have been doing the same.” Murphy said “not the easiest but we’re getting it done.” He joked as Heidi continued to work on her aircraft. “I hoped Nieto would be ready to take over from me.”

   “He was a good lad” Heidi admitted stopping looking at him “why are all you old boys involved in all of this?”

   “Hey! Less of the old” Murphy joked laughing lightly as he found a small stool and took a seat “I guess I wanted to serve. I’m too old to serve on the front lines anymore. I’ve fought Clans Jade Falcon and Wolf in my years of service. This was supposed to be a plumb assignment some testing of a new aircraft and some law enforcement support missions.” He explained “Briggs and Moffat changed that with their ‘mission’” he continued.

   “You do not sound convinced?” she said leaning on the red and white painted Soar.

   “I’m not afraid to admit it, I’m not.” He answered seeing she wasn’t entirely happy with the answer. “Moffat sees enemies around every corner, especially ones created by the state and in response to state actions. There are threats on this world like most built up worlds but not as many as Moffat thinks there are, he’s a little too zealous for me.” He said standing back up again “I’ll let you get back to your maintenance.”

   “What you going to do about Nieto’s seat?” She asked

   “I’ll find someone, you want the job?” He half joked for a moment he thought she was going to say something but he could see her thinking and then she smiled.

   “I’m too attached to this baby, I’m a rescue pilot. I was born to help people.” She said Murphy nodded and walked off leaving her to the maintenance, in the short term he could pilot the Donner solo.


   While the Triple Zeros believed they had time to keep an eye on Moffat not knowing their decision had other ideas intent on eliminating the Triple Zeros as a potential threat one part at a time. While the Adelaide-class Patrol Ship Hammersley was crossing the Sea of Trontay in the southern hemisphere during the night when explosions set the rear of the ship on fire. Captain Mike Flynn rushed onto the bridge as the ship was rocked by gunfire as a Darkwind Helicopter bore down on one side of the craft. Behind him he could hear defensive machine gun fire attempting to engage their attacker.

   “Return fire!” He ordered “Dutchy, main guns, Sarge point guns, leave the AMS on auto fire that’s where her main firepower comes from!” He shouted as the ship continued to manoeuvre “Two-Dads turn us hard port and starboard keep us on the zig-zag!” He ordered as the forward autocannons fire attempting to engage the helicopter.

   “Helm’s sluggish, sir” the young blonde-haired man reported “think there’s damage from the first missile strike!”

   “Do what you can, keep us weaving!” Flynn ordered, they needed to avoid sailing in a straight line, glancing around realizing his wife and XO Commander Kate Flynn was missing “where’s the XO?” He asked looking around there was no answer as the main two autocannons at the front of the craft opened fire with a roar. “XO, to the bridge” Flynn ordered into the comms as the Darkwind bore down on them firing the bullets narrowly missing the bridge windows.

   “We can’t take much more of this, sir!” Dutchy said continuing to engage the enemy aircraft as missiles bore down on the craft the anti-missile systems opened fire from either side of the ship opened fire cutting down missiles, bullet shells rained all over the moving deck rolling into the sea. Crewmen at weapons stations ducked out of the way of the weapons fire.

   “RO, throw out a mayday, we need help!” He ordered the radio operator who nodded and began broadcasting the mayday. Suddenly Hammersley took a heavy hit to the power side and power spluttered out. “REPORT!”

   “Flooding into the engine compartment!” Sarge reported “we’re holed below the water line!” He reported as the ship was rocked by another attack from the Darkwind’s machine guns “we’re dead in the water, sir!”

   Mike Flynn stood for several moments looking around the bridge, defence fire was negligible now that the main power was out and the ship was taking on water. He looked out the cracked front windows as the Darkwind turned away heading north, the ship was no longer a threat. “Abandon ship, all hands to the life boats.” He commanded glancing around seeing the shocked looks from his bridge crew “I SAID GET OUT!” He snapped desperate to see some of his crew escape alive “to your evac positions, get the crew off!” He ordered heading off the bridge himself heading below decks searching for Kate.

   The Hammersley was going down fast but there was a near deathly silence as the crew climbed onboard the lifeboats. Each of oval shaped pods were capable of carrying seven people but there was not that many in either of the mid-ship pods when they launched into the sea. Each life pod had enough supplies to keep the survivors alive Normally Flynn would pull up his staff for what they were doing but even making the short trip along the Hammersley’s hull he had seen five of his crew had been killed.

   Heading into the ship he could feel the three-hundred-ton ship was slowly filling with water from the aft, the deck of the ship was slowly tipping down at the back. He passed several crewmen who were evacuating “head aft, the mid-pods are launching!” He shouted as they passed “have you seen the XO?” He asked but none of them answered. Flynn pushed further into the ship reaching the rear access hatch which was beginning to flood, there he found his wife and executive officer.

   Kate was laying just inside the door she had three bullet wounds in her left arm and shoulder alone along with at least one more in her left leg. “Jesus Kate!” Flynn cursed checking her pulse he found it was very low. “Com’on, we need to get outta here” he said picking her up, she moaned as they moved. “Com’on, I need you to work with me here” he said as he dragged them through the ship. “COM’ON KATE!” He shouted but she had fallen unconscious, the ship was beginning to tilt more now as it continued to sink faster. “Well, I’m not leaving without you” he said slumping against the bulkhead.

   “Not today, boss” another voice said grabbing him by his shoulders.

   “Buffer??” He asked glancing at the tanned short haired man “you should be…” he felt the Hammersley rock again as she filled with water “grab the XO!” Buffer looked at her and could see the wounds “she’s alive! Buffer com’on!” The other man didn’t need any more motivation he grabbed her and yanked pulling her onto the deck with Mike Flynn climbing out behind them. Glancing over he saw one of the emergency lifeboats.

   “Swaine is onboard, Dutchy gimme a hand!” Buffer explained as the two of them dragged the unconscious injured woman onto the lifeboat “Com’on, sir!” He shouted back seeing Mike Flynn still standing on the deck of the rapidly sinking ship, he quickly followed them. “We’ve called for rescue choppers.” Buffer reported as Swaine and another crewmen began to work on Kate Flynn.

   “How the hell is she still alive?” Swaine wondered as they worked on her. Behind them the Hammersley disappeared slowly under the waves.

   “She was a good ship” someone said, Mike Flynn suddenly realised that he had been the one that said it, he turned back to Kate who was still getting treatment Flynn knew he had lost several members of his crew, he just didn’t need to lose this one.

Questions from the main BT forum and my answer included in this big update

Oh, how the questions are building. First of all, great story-telling I am enjoying this departure from the military first BT norm.

Now some of my thoughts:-

Has Moffet et al confirmed their target was killed?
If not, will he blame the rescuers and now target them?
Will the entire group the attackers belonged to, be disavowed by their employers?
The splinter group does not seem to have a problem with collateral damage or even killing their own people, so are they protected bby separate orders?

Looking forward to reading the next installment.

The decision I took with this one to go the opposite direction from the military first angle of BT was very intentional (largely based on the TV shows I've taken inspitiation from but also to set a different scene and show different professionals). It's probably getting more militarised as it goes on but that's also intentional to drive the story in a BT style way. At its core the civilian stuff is still the prime angle for the fiction.

I'll hopefully answer your questions in my next update and the last update which will follow it. You'll definently find out the answers to a couple of them in this update

I've chosen to not post the designs yet. I'm going to do a unit breakdown at the end detailing the Triple Zeros and their assets, I'll post the designs then and link them all together.

Glad you've enjoyed it

Recovery, Triple Zero Base
Thanothar, Noisiel
Alarion Province, Lyran Commonwealth
9th January 3122

   Michael Briggs III was comfortable; he couldn't remember laying down in the bed or where he was and he had a terrible headache so he guessed it must have been a good night. The pain wasn't going away... In fact, it was getting worse... Pain. He woke up screaming in agony his eyes wide open, his head pounding and his leg in agony looked down at his legs to see where he was hurt and then he realized... He couldn't see... Immediately his hand went to his eyes but he couldn't see his hand and all he could feel was bandages... Ever the survivor his rational mind kicked in "NURSE!" He screamed over and over again.

   That was three weeks ago all he could now remember was the pain. They had places him in a medically induced coma for two of those weeks as his body recovered from forty percent burns and four bullet wounds. When he has awoken his head was still bandaged but the Triple Zero personnel were able to manage his pain levels far better and he was making steady progress.

Today the bandages on his head would be removed and then they could see if there was any lasting damage. "Michael, you're going to feel the bandages coming off. Do not rush to open your eyes, we've got the lights down low but still take it easy." One of the doctors said as he felt the bandages being rolled around his head, finally they cam  off and the eye protection was removed. Slowly he opened his eyes but something wasn't right.

"There’s something wrong!" He exclaimed surprised. "I can’t see through my left eye!" He added

He felt hands on him holding his head as one of the doctors a man who was rounder than well built. "Close your right eye, can you see any of the lights?"

“No, I can't damnit" he snapped angrily swatting him away opening his eye.

“We were afraid of this, I’m sorry Mr Briggs, but it appears that you may have lost use of that eye…” the doctor said “great strides have been made with artificial replacements…” he suggested but Briggs just laid back and closed his eyes.


   While the Triple Zeros had been establishing themselves on the airfield, in the air and at sea Dean and his team of rescuers and engineers had spent the last three weeks converting the old fire station into a functional rescue base. They had already started operations, the ground floor had been converted into a garage for four vehicles, two Rovers and two Ambulances, while the next level served as an accommodation, they had converted the top level into a communication hub while on the roof a helipad had been added. Now that the main clearance and building work had been completed the engineers were going back to the airfield and Vince was due to arrive to take over command of the base with a team of controllers which would allow Dean and the rescuers to concentrate on rescue operations.

   Dean Gallagher was packing equipment into one of the Apocalypse Rovers while his brother Chase was working on one of the hatches the engineers hadn’t been able to open. “Chase, whatcha doing?” Dean asked “the engineers said that probably leads to the street sewage network.” He said picking up a box of climbing wires. “It’s got all the markings…”

   “I know, but it doesn’t make sense that the municipal services wouldn’t want to access it regularly?” Chase suggested still working on an electronic control key pad. “From what we know this building has been used as a dumping ground for what the last twenty years? Maybe longer… you can’t tell me that the local council just decided that they didn’t need to access this section of the sewers for twenty years.”

   “Well maybe they have an alternative entrance, you know maybe this is a redundant one.” Dean suggested giving logical answers to the question of why they hadn’t needed access. “Me and Lochy are going out on patrol” he said as their other brother entered the garage “Lara, is in charge until we get back or Vince arrives. You hear me?” He asked as Lochy climbed into the driver seat of the six wheeled red and white painted all-terrain vehicle. Don’t break anything.” He said shaking his head as Chase continued to fiddle with the controls.

   “I won’t” the youngest of the three brothers said as the red door at the front of the garage opened and the vehicle drove out. The rescue team often patrolled the outskirts of the capital in case of an emergency that needed more than a regular ambulance response. The two ambulances based at Rescue Base Two often assisted local hospitals in transporting patients.

   The electronic lock took longer than Chase would have liked to admit he had gone through dozens of combinations of numbers from an old log book which appeared to be linked to the door. Like what Dean had suggested the book suggested that this was a sewage access but Chase didn’t believe that someone would put such a difficult lock on a simple services access.  Three hours later and several caffeine filled drinks and he had finally cracked it just as Lara arrived to check on his progress. The door slowly slid open “Chase you did it!” Lara exclaimed excited to see what he had found.

   “It doesn’t smell like sewage…” Chase said smirking “coming?” He asked his sister-in-law; Chase had known Lara for almost as long as Dean had and he had known the two of them would end up together before they had. He liked her energetic side; she liked to take chances and the life she brought to his brother.

   “Of course,” she said tying her blonde hair back in a pony-tail and following Chase underground. They followed a metal spiral staircase which creaked heavily as they went down a full level. At the bottom of the stairs, they found a door that led underneath the garage which Chase led Lara through. “Wow!” Lara whispered

   “Jackpot!” Chase smiled as the two of them stepped into what appeared to be a hidden bar located underneath the garage. There were five small round wooden tables each with four seats, on the wall opposite the door there was a bar, with six stools on the closest side, that took up the entire wall and behind it four large cabinets filled with what looked like alcoholic beverages, and the glasses to serve them. “We’ve got our own pub…”

   “The booze in those bottles alone could be worth more than this entire building depending on their age.” Lara said slapping him on the back “Chase, this could change our lives.”

   “We got a bar…” he repeated smiling broadly stepping into the room, it was covered in dust but otherwise looked in good condition. Chase stepped through the bar door and turned to Lara “could I set you up with a drink?” He asked her Lara laughed and sat on one of the stools.

   “Of course, barkeep” she joked as Chase opened one of the cabinets. Inside he reached for one of the perfectly preserved bottles of Skye Whisky however he stopped for a moment when he noticed a small silver switch that looked like a square handle on the bottom of the cabinet.

   “No way!” Chase said excited he pulled the handle. Nothing happened immediately but then the sound of machinery moving filled the room and the cabinets began to shake a little. Chase jumped backwards out of the way returning to the same side of the bar as Lara as the two middle cabinets of alcohol slowly moved backwards into the wall then slid behind the front two cabinets. “What in the hell…” Chase whispered peering into the next room.

   “And somehow none of the bottles smashed…” Lara laughed looking at one of the bottles as they both stepped back behind the bar to see what else they had found; the alcohol alone was worth a fortune before she could say anything else she stopped too stunned to speak. “Chase, what the hell have we found?”

   Inside the second room was a four wheeled vehicle which resembled an ancient painted jet-black Rotunda Reconnaissance vehicle but it had a longer and slightly higher rear compartment. The Rotunda was the best known “spy” vehicle of the Star League-era it had featured in more spy tri-vids than any other including a series featuring a dashing Davion MI6 agent who always seemed to get into the most ridiculous situations against the enemies of the Federated Suns often ending up in shoot-outs in the middle of massive metropolises across the Inner Sphere.

The vehicle weighed in at twenty tons and resembled a regular road vehicle but had many hidden features, this one seemed to have been extensively modified. As they stepped into the room lights lining the roof automatically came online and in front of the car, they could see a garage door above the door was the Cameron Star of the original Star League Defence Force. On both side walls of this new garage, they could see enough personal weapons to outfit a couple of platoons of infantry. “This is so cool!” Chase beamed happy with what they had found but it wasn’t over yet moments later the side doors of the vehicle automatically opened as well revealing two Nighthawk Mk XXI Power armour suits on each side of the vehicle. Beside them were mounts to hold weapons that the operator could use.

   “Jackpot!” Lara exclaimed echoing what Chase had said when they had found the bar, this place was the gift that kept giving. “The booze is worth a fortune but these…”

   “These are amazing” Chase said walking past the left-hand side of the vehicle looking at the dark green Power Armour suits each carried the Star League Star on their left chest and the two on the left had the numbers “001” and “003.”

   “Some sort of special forces unit?” Lara pondered walking along the right side of the vehicle “hidden here all these years, but how? Any military vehicle passing by would have detected the void under the building or this things fusion engine.”

   “There must be some sort of camouflage shielding this garage space” Chase suggested “but now we own the building so the bar and all of this is ours. I’ve wanted to have a go in one of these for a while” he said

   “We’re not a military unit Chase…”

   “We don’t have to use them in combat, these things could help us quickly reach people in need of help.” Chase suggested “plus we’ve made at least one enemy on this world, having armed back up wouldn’t hurt.”


It was afternoon before Michael was able to get up and about, he'd been able to acquire a blue flight suit, a cane to help him walk and an eye patch the cover his damaged left eye. He hadn’t recovered from many of his burns and despite their medication he was still in quite a bit of pain.

He walked out of the DropShip onto the airfield's apron and saw there was a hive of activity, the Triple Zeros had been busy over the last three weeks. It felt like a military operation but the people here were moving around medical supplies and loading various propeller driven aircraft.

"I heard you were up and about" Michelle LaTourneau said approaching him. “I was a little surprised in all honesty are you alright?”

   "Your doctors suggested I get out and about to maintain muscle mass, apparently laying on my back for three weeks isn’t good for it.” He half joked “who dobbed me in one of my staff or yours?" He half joked he'd seen several of the people from the Gray Boys helping the Triple Zeros on the base.

"A bit of both" she admitted "we've treated them like we'd have wanted to be ourselves. None of the survivors from your hanger have left." She explained

   "No, I wouldn't have thought they'd have left." he muttered quietly, she was surprised if she had been in their position she would likely have left the base as soon as she could. Michael however was looking over where his hanger had once been, now just a pile of metal and stone rubble. "What a mess" he remarked

"Your rogue employee Moffat returned about a week after the initial incident and flattened it" she explained "missile volleys began the morning. “However, they didn't expect our DropShips turrets" she said indicating to the turrets on the upper surface of the Nathan James which still guarded the sky. "Not sure if they got in any lasting hits but he left quickly after that and hasn't returned yet."

"Did he get the other helicopters?" He asked he hasn't seen any of the three helicopters on the base either in the DropShip or in the hanger the Triple Zeros appears to be doing most of their work from.

"No, Hawke was out looking for Moffat, Murphy had his aircraft were assisting the Hammersley finding a secure dock." She explained "after the attack we didn’t want her out in the open. Hawke has moved all three aircraft to a secure position, he hasn't even told us where it is, nor have any of your personnel said anything about your unit or its purpose, its mission. They have helped us with rescues, the local security services, the Hammersley at sea and with building work here, I can't praise them enough." She explained smiling the Triple Zeros had completely renovated one hanger and were well on their way to restoring function to a second, while the air radar and control tower had also fully been restored.

"As it should be" Michael said gruffly "should we walk" he indicated away from the hanger with his cane. As they walked Michael handed her his ring which appeared to be flashing. "Short range radio and surveillance jammer. Only human Intel could tell what we're saying now and that would be by reading lips." He explained "my people are all volunteers; they hail from every corner of the Commonwealth.” He said Michelle allowed him to continue “officially, unofficially” he mused “we are part of Lyran Intelligence; however, we are part of the side of Intelligence that the Lyran State will never admit to existing. We are tasked with accomplishing missions that no other is willing. Do you understand?" Michelle nodded thinking she did understand there was a side of the Lyran Intelligence a secret police and special forces unit known as Loki which took out threats to the state by any means necessary, legal or otherwise.

   "Moffat compromised our unit. And with me temporarily out of the way my people have done what they needed to do they could survive." He said continuing "they are probably now as much yours as they were ever mine."

"But now your back..." She began but Michael shook his head.

"Unfortunately, if I know Moffat he will have reported us compromised for failing to eliminate the Cacafuego and everyone onboard her. If he has done that then he will either already have a new team on planet or one will be on the way." Michael explained “as is the nature of the beast, he will count me at the very least a threat.”

"Could they be a problem for us? I have civilians here Michael we aren't a military command."

"No, he won't strike here, well not immediately, not with your DropShip. Hawke did the right thing taking he aircraft away from here, Hawke’s people are more of a target than you. And I'm sure he is hunting Moffat when he's not helping you?" He asked Michelle nodded, she knew Hawke was running his own operations with Murphy and the other pilots. "That could cause trouble. I need to make my company contacts aware I'm alive without tipping Moffat off" he explained "then I need to get my allies in the Firm to turn against Moffat so we can end his rein."

"That sounds dangerous."

"It's the business I am in. I'm not going to bring everything down on you Michelle, I was honest with you before your unit is a perfect cover for our operations and that would have been fine if I had controlled Moffat better, my fault I won't make that mistake again." He said looking around "you're doing good things here Michelle, I'm not going to take my people away from you, even Hawke is probably happier working with you than me."

"He has mentioned it a couple of times" she admitted jokingly

"So, I'll do a deal with you. You can keep them all under your employ but I might need to borrow them from time to time. Everything will be as above the book as I can make it." He promised her, "we'll find and take down Moffat and I may be able to bring more resources in to help you. What do you think?"

"I don't want a repeat of the Cacafuego" Michael nodded but didn't speak "we'll proceed cautiously, I'll trust your people to make the right choices regardless of your orders." She offered him the choice as well as her hand in agreement which Michael shook.



   One of Hawke’s two Donner Scout/Surveillance Helicopters was patrolling over the city of Kethawich in the Teppokhan region monitoring Police Service Radio signals. In the city the Police force had cornered a group of heavily armed bank robbers inside the same bank they had been trying to rob. Sitting in the left pilot seat pilot Radko Karlsdottir was listening to the negotiators who were getting nowhere with the robbers. Although built as a military aircraft the Donner had been built specifically to monitor radio traffic and support Police forces. Radko glanced at his co-pilot Beverly Katz who nodded her agreement in taking action and Karlsdottir turned the aircraft towards the bank.

   Soon after the Donner was over the bank with the police forces surrounding it. The bank was a stand-alone two storey building which was roughly rectangular with an additional square area at the rear left-hand side. There was a car park at the front of the building while a secure loading area was at the rear. “Thunder Two to Police negotiators, we are on station and willing to assist.”

   “Thunder Two, mind tellin’ me what your capabilities are? These guys are dug in and we don’t have anything to open up that door while under fire.” A voice responded moments later.

   “We have advanced sensors, rockets with various payloads and a door opener cannon.” The pilot said

   “Thunder Two, we have two police officers heading to the morgue and two more in critical condition, I’d like some of them to be prosecuted.” The police negotiator below said.

   “Roger” Karlsdotter said thinking for a minute looking at the scans “alright, I’ve got an idea. The upper level of the bank looks unoccupied, I can put two rockets through the upper windows one will have noise makers and the other will have smoke cannisters at the same time I’ll put an autocannon round through the main doors. If you people charge the doors directly after that you can catch them unaware?”

   “If you think you can do it we’ll welcome your support”

   Karlsdotter glanced at Katz, “you think you can do it?” He asked her trying not to laugh

   “Well, you’ve volunteered my services already Loverboy.” She said using her nickname for him, the two of them had been together for sometime and they were a good team. Under their helmets they were the stereotypical Germanic/Lyran couple both with blonde hair and blue eyes, everyone ma jokes about them constantly. “Give me a second, we’ve got a noisemaker in launcher one and a smoker in launcher two. Both are hot, none of the explosives are hot. Cannon primed, now hold us steady, I’m ready.”

   “Thunder Two to ground team, fire in the hole!” He radioed down “go for it Katz” moments later the first and then the second rocket fired from the helicopter. The first rocket went through one window and exploded almost as soon as it was inside sending rattlers and noise makers into the room. Moments later the second rocket flew into another room and spat out dozens of gas cannisters into the level. The forward mounted ProtoMech autocannon carried by the Donner then spat a stream of fire into the front door blowing the doors inwards.

   Eight police officers rushed in following the Donner’s strike while Karlsdotter and Katz watched from above. The moments ticked past and then several people were led out of the building in cuffs “Thunder Two, thanks for the assist, Bravo Zulu.”

   “Roger, if you don’t need us, we are RTB?”

   “Safe flight Thunder Two”

   “Safe weapons and coming to the right” Karlsdotter said pulling the stick back and turning the aircraft onto a new course however as it turned missiles struck down onto the nose of the aircraft followed by a second volley that struck the top rotor. “****, ****, ****!” Karlsdotter screamed as the aircraft wobbled under the attack, “losing power to the main rotor, we’re going down, mayday, mayday, mayday Thunder Two under attack going down!”

   As he called out the Donner began to lose power as they thought for control “cutting the rotors” Katz said “use the jet stabilizers to maintain control!” She suggested “I’m dumping all ammunition firing the rockets in a volley, the recoil might slow us!”

   “Oh hell” Karlsdotter said fighting the aircraft both rotors were losing power but the jet stabilizers on either side of the craft were giving them some power to maintain control as they fell towards the ground, they could survive a controlled crash landing. The autocannon ammunition fell out of the bottom of the aircraft then in pairs the remaining eighteen rockets fired in pairs slowing their speed and the descent. “It’s working, she’s fighting me but I’ve got her!”
Unfortunately, their attacker was not finished as more missiles slammed into the rear of the aircraft followed by volleys of AP Gauss Rifles and machine guns which tore through the rear of the helicopter. “We’re dead already you *******!” He swore out loud as the aircraft began to plunge out of control towards the surface, their altitude disappearing quicker than they could count. For a moment time seemed to stop before they crashed Karlsdotter looked at Katz “I love you” he said clearly enough for Katz to look over from her controls.

   “I love you too” she almost whispered back as the twenty-five-ton slammed into the ground nose first, the nose of the aircraft was torn underneath the craft killing both of the pilots instantly, the aircraft rolled over and over before coming to a stop. The attacker a Darkwind Attack Helicopter hovered over the area for a moment before heading away as police and emergency services attended the crash-site.