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16km South Royce, Capital City
Fletcher, Star League Protectorate
18th March 3081

   â€œCaptain, I have an unidentified vehicle at long range, permission to move out and check on it.” Lieutenant Michael Lawrence commander of the Scout lance said over the ready, like the others of the Company he was green and eager for some action.

   â€œWhat makes you think it needs checked Lieutenant?”

   â€œI was tracking it before we entered town, they turned away when we got into range of town.” Something was wrong the SLDF controlled this planet no-one just avoided SLDF patrols they were welcomed, they had brought peace to this former Chaos March world.

   â€œCan you identify it?”

   â€œLooks like a Mike-India-Tango-2-3 MASH vehicle sir.”  One of the new range of medical vehicles to populate the Inner Sphere armies.  Not the cheapest piece of kit and one normally protected by at least a lance, something was seriously wrong.

   â€œWe don’t have any on Fletcher.  Could be a mercenary unit that has strayed from their area ‘accidentally’ check it out with Pursuit Lance.  We will hold here and fly the flag.”

   â€œThank you sir” Michael replied the glee in his voice obvious as he switched communication frequency “okay boys and girls we have a job that should keep us busy for about three minutes if Laura gets there as quick as I think she will.  MIT-23 on long range sensors doesn’t want to be stopped by a Star League unit.  We are tasked with finding out.  Laura, range ahead you’re the quickest of us out here but don’t stray out of our reach just in case. The rest follow at best speed.”

   â€œLike anything will happen here” Laura replied her Nyx BattleMech suddenly accelerating beyond one hundred kilometres an hour.

   â€œGoing high” Steven said moments later his factory new Spider BattleMech launched skyward, with its new improved jump jets he could jump around three hundred metres in a single bound, the Mech was now able to avoid any obstacle surprise many an unsuspecting opponent.

   â€œThat leaves us boss” Debbie Cameron said her fifty-five ton Shadow Hawk and his fifty ton Ghost were not designed to be sprinters, they could keep up with Steven’s Spider on the ground and if it walked and they ran but that was not where their strength was.  Where the other two would be forced to run and jump to stay alive both of the heavier Mechs carried the firepower and protection to stay in a fight longer.

   â€œAs always Debs, let’s get moving.” Michael said as both Mechs accelerated to just over ninety kilometres per hour.

   â€œBoss, I’m in range it’s a standard MIT-23.  Painted white and teal no national or merc unit markings.”

   â€œOkay don’t approach until we are all in range just keep it on visual.”

   â€œRight it’s keeping its pace up but you should meet it in three minutes.”  She said

   â€œKaren, I have your back, about one hundred-eighty metres your east.”

   â€œHave you on sensors, no other contacts.  Lieutenant, I see one further marking on both side and back a bloody red hand inside a circle.”

   â€œUnderstood continue monitoring.”

   â€œPoint  Four, under heavy fire!” Steven suddenly shouted as his Mech jumped into the air as he jumped even at this distance Michael could see particle cannon and missile blasts rock the Mech.

   â€œPoint Three turning to assist” Karen replied only for her Mech to freeze in position before falling down completely out of control “full systems failure, power overload unknown source, I’m going down!!” Karen shouted a warning.

   â€œDebs, assist Point Three, I have Four” Michael ordered moving out the two heavier designs splitting up.  The Ghost’s over shoulder mounted Particle Cannons moved slightly left and right as he moved forward while the hatches to his Multi-Missile Launchers opened on the Torso.  “Steve, are you still active?”  All he heard was static "point 3", approaching the Spider’s last location he saw the thirty ton Mech on the ground surrounded by six four legged Battle armour troopers “This is Lieutenant Michael Lawrence.  We represent the Star League Defence Force and you are on our ground identify and stand down your aggression.”  he said into a wide beam comm. channel hoping someone in town would hear it.  Various machine guns, particle cannons and what appeared to be anti-personnel gauss weapons replied.  “Fair enough" he grumbled triggering his comm system to full power "this is Recon Lance One, Third Royal BattleMech Regiment grid three-two-six north requiring assistance.”  He said firing both his missile launchers and particle cannons at almost that very moment a pair of autocannons and a group of missiles struck his back destroying what little armour was there and crushing his Mech’s gyro.  With firing a single volley his Mech was down and out of the fight not exactly the best start to a career, as he thumbed for the ejection switch some of the Battle Armour fire struck his cockpit whipping Michael’s head back knocking the MechWarrior out.

   Although he did not know how long he had been out Michael knew that something was wrong when he woke up his head felt like he’d been ten rounds in the boxing ring, his hands and feet were bound to a cold table and he was completely naked, there was a strong pain in his left arm but he couldn't see it.  Over him stood a man with a scared jaw and forhead, the top left half of his head was replaced by a metal plate “I don’t know who the hell you think you are but you won’t get away with this I am a Star League MechWarrior and officer!  They will look for me!” Michael screamed, his left arm screamed with pain as he strained against his bounds.

   â€œWe know exactly who you are Michael Lawrence, twenty-four, originally from Wichita North America on haloed Terra itself.  Currently serving the Star League Defence Force, the Third Royal BattleMech Regiment as a Lieutenant.  Don’t worry you and your lance mates will be well taken care.”  The man said Michael glanced to his side and saw Steven, Karen and Debbie all lying on similar tables to him all three were naked, bound and gagged.  Karen had a nasty cut that ran down the length of her left arm while Steven’s right foot and lower leg were bandaged heavily from what Michael could see the limb was missing.  Debbie looked like she was in the best condition until she rolled her head to the left and he noticed half her face had been burned away her skin and hair melted into each other, Michael couldn't imagine the pain she was in.

   â€œWhat are you doing with us?  You have declared war on the SLDF by attacking us, people will look for us.”  He warned his voice trembling in fear and anger.  The other man laughed.

   â€œPeople have been looking for me for a long time, and war was declared long ago."  He said crossing the room beginning to do something to Steven.

       "Leave him alone, we have done nothing to you."

       "Of course you haven't.  Don't worry Michael, we are going to enlighten you in Blake’s Holy teachings.  Allow me to put you at ease, I am your friend, I will take care of you and your people" the man said turning back to Michael "you can call me Arthur.”

Hope you enjoy