Two
As Prince Burton Davion reached the Mechbay he saw several techs swarming over his Templar fitting a high atmosphere descent rig. The OmniMech had jump jets which could do the job but this system was more efficient and easier to control. "Looks about ready Chief Tech?" He asked the senior maintenance technician.
"Yes sir, we just have safety checks to do..."
"Hang them" Burton interrupted "trust your techs to do their jobs first time and move on we're on a clock"
"The Captain said to make certain you had the best chance..."
"This is still my company do your jobs right first time around and get this company ready. Start on Mechs that lack jump jets give as many MechWarriors a chance."
"Aye, sire" the tech replied triumphantly "you hear that you lazy sods the Prince wants a company ready. Sack the safety checks but double each other as you go." He ordered the 'tech checks' took half the time as regulation safety checks but were just as effective and a mainstay of battlefield operations.
Burton nodded satisfied the techs had the company in order and moved to his Mech the senior tech took a step with him "Chief, I'm a big boy I can look after myself help your people."
"Thank you sir" the chief said taking a step towards the next Mech that even now techs were swarming over.
"And Chief?" The Tech turned towards him "make sure your people don't overstay on the sinking ship" he said the Chief glanced up then back at Burton who nodded. The tech understood what Burton meant and how bad things could be stood and gave Burton a full salute in thanks for the Prince's warning.
Changing quickly into his coolant suit Burton climbed the ladder to the Templar's shoulder as he did sirens sounded warning of an immediate course change. Burton braced as the Union felt like it had turned end over end in a tight turn. One of the Techs slipped off the Marauder he was working on but the safety harness saved him from a messy end.
Staggering into the cockpit Burton squeezed down onto the command chair. Immediately he began start up checks and switched on both his communication suite and sensor package as a Company Commander's Mech its systems were tuned to the DropShip's own giving Burton at least a glimpse of what was happening.
Outside in space Burton could see the Lancers had arranged themselves in two groups one contained the Mech and ground forces while the other contained the Regiments assault forces and the Avalon One, Burton's personal ship, he'd gotten lucky since up until the last jump he had been on that ship instead of this one at least her be could prepare for a fight.
As the potentially hostile Congress closed on the Lancers the DropShip groups began to cross and merge the idea was simple give the WarShip gunners too many targets for their guns to effectively engage. Most AFFS DropShip Captains had trained against the Federated Suns' own Congress-class vessels which were better equipped to handle this kind of tactic. At the same time the Avalon One and her escorts would try to punch through the enemy defences. Hopefully gaining their attention making the WarShip and turn to chase them as the theory was they wanted to kill the Federated Suns heir.
As the two opposing forces met further alarms sounded and lights popped throughout the Mechbay as the DropShip made further course changes. Burton felt the gravitational forces on his body as the DropShip accelerated, he did his best to blank out the pressure concentrating on the display. An unlucky Gazelle type DropShip took a naval autocannon blast and disappeared from sensors just before the Avalon One and her escorts made a daring run at the Congress.
According to the Union's sensor feet to Burton's Templar the Avalon One came within one hundred and twenty metres as it and the two Blockade Runners tried to take some attention off the other ships.
Further course changes came as the Union continued to move evasively Burton briefly wondered if it was Pamela at the helm before the sensor image got his attention again. The Avalon One's move had bated the Congress but perhaps too much as the Frigate turned its full broadside on the ship. Although the sensor image showed none of the DropShip's death throws Burton could imagine laser, autocannons and missiles tearing the ship to pieces. As it disappeared from the screens Burton saw that the ship's sacrifice had bought them enough time to reach planetary orbit over Chesterton. As the Union began to change course a Tech ran out and began to indicate to Burton it was time to move.
Bringing the Templar full online he stepped the eighty five ton OmniMech from its alcove the additional thrusters made the Mech feel far from right but after a few steps Burton could tell they were balanced perfectly as they Mech's gyro fed back to his neuralhelmet. Stepping to the doors he saw the red light turn to amber bracing for atmospheric insertion Burton felt the friction against the DropShip as it entered the atmosphere the three thousand six hundred ton DropShip shook heavily for several minutes as it transited through the space/atmosphere barrier.
Then all of a sudden, like the eye of a storm, there was complete calm. The bay doors opened showing Chesterton's atmosphere and the amber light turned to green. Burton's training kicked in taking several steps forward he launched the Mech into the open air without hesitation knowing the next Mech would be waiting. Like the paratroopers of ancient Terra they had to trust that their training and their equipment would see them through.
After a few moments of frantic free fall the descent pack kicked in and the Templar's descent became a far more orderly affair almost like an elevator within a large building. With the rush of free fall over the Prince was happy to see that all twelve of his Mechs were clear of the DropShip and descending at an acceptable pace. Above them the DopShip was clearing their glide trajectory.
It wasn't over however higher above from orbit naval weapons fire lanced through the sky. One blast smashed into the top of the Union crumpling its armour instantly turning the spheroid vessel into a ball of flame as its descent turned into an uncontrolled fall.
"No!" Burton called out but it was too late the ship was gone. His thoughts went to Pamela Achernar, her beautiful face and bright future, but then he was brought back to reality as the Templar's sensors detected the Aerospace Fighters raising towards him and the rest of the Lancers, none with friendly IFF tags...
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Topic: The Needs of One (AU) (Read 7611 times)