OBT Forum

Jax stared out over the battlements; they had fortified their training camp with an assiduous detail. Recruitment had continued and today they would enrol a new cadre of infantry into the Dark Falcons. He could not afford to slacken the pace as he knew not whether or when the Frigate would return. Local machinery was turning out chemical propelled weapons as fast as they could; Billy had consented to release a number of light tanks and they had the Heavy Mechs which they had brought back into service. The recent fight with the Ice Hellions had also provided a number of Light Mechs and Elemental suits. They were still very reliant on the renegade AI’s favour though, and that made Jax uncomfortable.

Only two of the Ice Hellion Elementals had accepted to join the Dark Falcons; they had a repugnance of acknowledging their inferiority and Jax had ordered them removed from the complex. His plan was to repatriate them on the return of the Frigate. In the meantime, they were just one more problem. The Dark Falcons aerofighter wings were easily outnumbered by the drones and without the unspoken menace of planetary bombardment he felt ill at ease with the AI’s subservience.

Elana had once again chosen an elite of local fighters and they were being trained in the use of the powered armour which was available. Back-engineering of Tech had been halted with the overbearing presence of Billy and this training area was one of the few places where the AI had no direct feed. Flyovers by drones were frequent, explained by the AI as regular patrols, but Jax was not convinced.

His musing was interrupted by the arrival of a column of hover-trucks and Jax allowed himself a small smile of satisfaction. Quickly the gates were opened and the trucks hurried into the covered warehouse. Jax loved giving surprises and here was one he would guard for the correct moment.

*

Billy checked his images from around the training area. He had seen the trucks arrival and had a good idea, or so he thought, of what they contained. His surveillance system was extensive and so he had followed Jax’s collection of the spoils of war with interest. It was nothing he could not deal with though, and so he changed his view.

From cameras in the detention centre, he studied the Ice Hellion prisoners. Arrogant, precipitate; they almost reminded him of himself. He had watched their demeanour change with their enforced imprisonment and had taken a personal interest in their welfare. Now was not the moment to introduce himself; soon though.

*

“What do you think?” asked Elana of her leader.

“Good,” he replied, “but will they be ready?”

“They will be, trust me.”

The four stars of Elementals had demonstrated their prowess; the veterans had tested the new recruits vigorously. There was no benefit of genetic engineering for the majority of the new force. Granted a small number had remained with Jax and the two Ice Hellions had helped, but the rest of these men were locals. At first Elana had gone for the biggest of them, in keeping with her own thought process. That was until Jax had reminded her of the ease with which he had adapted under Walter and she had radically altered her selection criteria.

They were a mixed bunch; the weeding out had been harsh and these were mostly hardened rebels although a couple of the ex-Emperor’s soldiers had passed the tests. Those who had failed would provide the backbone of the non-coms for the infantry.

“Very well,” said Jax, nodding in approval, “accelerate their training.”

A short while after, he found himself opposite a row of light Mech’s their owners making last minute adjustments. These pilots were those from the Hanseatic League who had accepted service and had survived the bitter battle on the planet’s surface. They had proven themselves competent in battle and had taken to their new roles with an energetic pride. He just hoped that they were ready for what might happen.

The lance leader recognised him and saluted.

“Ah, Esteban,” said Jax, “how are the men coming along?”

Esteban grinned, relaxing as Jax took him by the arm and moved him to one side. The ex-League officer was more than content. He could not help but compare Captain-General De La Cruz with his new commanding officer. Jax stood much less on ceremony and was more than willing to listen to his men.

“Men and machines,” here he waved his arm across the silent Mechs, “are just waiting for the word, Sir.”

The Hellion Prime in front of them was Esteban’s own ride and now sported the distinctive crest of the Dark Falcons.

“No regrets?” Jax asked the man.

“No, Sir,” replied Esteban, “top of the line Mech’s, a clear understanding of our purpose and a feeling of worth. What more could a fighting man ask for?”

Jax liked this young officer; he had shown himself quick to learn and his men followed him willingly.

“A mission, I suppose,” he said, “But that’s why I’m here. Walk with me and I’ll tell you what I want you to do.”

The wind stirred the long grass in which Jonti hid. He had followed the God’s message to the letter and, in the company of two of the small metallic creatures, was now camped near to the strange humans’ encampment. The noise of the huge objects which had bounded skywards on columns of fire, had almost unmanned him. They were only the first of his many terrifying experiences.

Armoured parodies of humans stalked the earth on their gigantic legs; one had raced by him at an incredible speed, another leaping high into the air, flames wreathing its legs. The God had told him to watch and occasionally spoke to him in a tinny voice from within one of his unwanted companions. It was difficult for Jonti to describe exactly what he saw; he had a limited vocabulary when it came to divine creatures and their works.

Now he waited for night and his horrifying assignment. He was to approach the camp as close as possible, facilitating the God’s minion access. For him, it would have been much easier for the thing to approach on its spindly legs than him on his chattering ones. Jonti was sure that these monsters would be able to hear him at any moment. So, he waited, now and again bobbing up from cover to check what was happening.

A roar of sound made him fall to earth, covering his ears against the onslaught. It seemed to be coming closer and he supposed that another of the monsters was about to pass him by. The sudden movement of the God’s creatures frightened him further; they shot away on tiny legs, trying hard to hide within the grass. One almost made it, as the other disappeared in a boiling cloud of something, but the force of the explosion shattered two of its legs. It was given no other occasion to escape as a shadow whizzed over the prone man, followed by a heavy thump. The air was rent by a chattering roar and then there was silence apart from the tread of heavy feet.

“What do we have here?” boomed an awful voice. Jonti fainted.

*

Esteban had been warned by his Tech that they were picking up strange signals and had immediately redoubled his vigilance. Scanning equipment soon gave the direction and immediate location of the spies and he had sent his Icestorm out to draw the attention of whoever it was. He did have another reason; triangulation of the position and the use of the Omnimech’s TAG. In the meantime, Esteban had mounted a show, with his other Mech’s marching to and fro, infantry pretending training manoeuvres and one Elemental sneaking out under the cover of all the furore.

It had been the Icestorm’s pilot, Santos, who had provided him the signal’s location and his lone Elemental the opportunity of closing in. Whatever could be said of Ice Hellions they certainly moved quickly. Close on the heels of his SRM, the Elemental Moore, had finished off the enemy. That at least had been his brief report. He had also mentioned a little surprise, and Esteban zoomed in on the approaching warrior, a bundle of something slung over his shoulder.

*

Jonti kept his eyes closed; he had already emptied his stomach over the rear of the monster’s shoulder and he truly wanted to die. Without warning he was dumped to the ground, the fall bringing up against an enormous foot. Jonti screamed and fainted once more.

“Now this,” said Esteban through his external speakers, “cannot be our threat?”

“No,” replied Moore, “there were two small robots.”

“Were?”

“They will no longer be a threat,” replied Moore smugly.

“And will not allow our Tech’s the pleasure of investigating them?” asked Esteban, sarcastically.

“That is correct,” replied an unchastened Moore.

Esteban decided that this one would need watching, closely. With a sigh, he popped the hatch on his Mech and began to climb down. He should look on the bright side, they did at least have someone to question.

*

Esteban stared at the crumpled sheet of paper in front of him. He had copied the sign on it a number of times; a manic doodle which he hoped was a mistake. That Billy was looking for it gave him real pause for thought. The Graven hills poked over the horizon in a quietly ominous fashion and he took the only decision left to him. Grabbing his cooling jacket he stalked from his tent, shouting.

“Mount up, we’re moving out!”

*


The group of unwashed tribesmen poked the ground with their sticks, following the commands given by their God. It was late in the afternoon when one called excitedly. His wooden implement thunked against something hard. He prodded two or three times to be sure and then began scraping the earth clear. Slowly, joined by his fellows, he unearthed a grey stone structure. With hard work they cleared a roughly six metre square section and cried with joy at their success.

“The sign! The sign!”

There painted clearly on the opening was what they had been looking for. A small silver machine skidded across the exposed surface and began transmitting a live feed to its Master, who laughed gleefully to himself. They had found it.

*

A token crew had been left at Esteban’s camp-site and they scrambled to their feet as they heard the incoming rumble of the shuttle’s engines. Their officer had been insistent that they could only communicate his message directly to Jax. When the ship landed, no time was taken to discharge any of the supplies, instead the craft immediately lifted off, returning in the same direction from which it had come.

Unseen against the fading sun, a sleek silver shape banked and began to descend rapidly, stooping down upon the fat shuttle. Billy was taking no chances.

Boulders showered down upon Moore as he pushed forward; the drone had last been seen streaming smoke as it disappeared behind the hills. Esteban’s orders had been terse; get up the hill and secure the position and use whatever force is necessary. So far they had seen no-one, but intelligence suggested there were at least some of Jonti’s brother tribesmen about. Another rock spanged off his armour and Moore opened up with his machine gun. There was a satisfying shriek and the thud of a falling body.

Being precipitous by nature, Moore was loath to wait any longer.

“Missile. There!”

An answering roar signalled that he had been obeyed and a huge hole was blown in the covering rocks. Two more bodies were thrown away and he urged his men on. Lasers fired, machine guns stuttered and soon there was nothing but bleeding and broken tribesmen sprawled ungraciously in death. A flash of silver caught Moore’s attention and he reacted automatically, bullets smashing into the small robot. It squealed and fell over .

“Position secured!” he reported and turned, ready to vent his displeasure on the small mechanical device, but it had disappeared.

*

“Elana, we are on our way,” transmitted Jax, careless in his haste. Billy would hear anyway, and he was more concerned about getting back, than being overheard. Only static answered him.

“We’ve got company, Sir,” said the pilot, indicating the points on his tactical display, “and they are not friendly.”

“What can we do?” Jax was calm, if nothing else, he needed his people confident.

“If we can reach the low hills, then we have a chance.”

“Do it,” Jax agreed, “and tell me that we at least have something with which I can fire back.”

The pilot grinned at him and then passed him his pistol.

“Well, that’s something…” grunted Jax.

*

Esteban climbed down from his Mech and walked over to the exposed structure. It was a stone archway, which had been filled in with rubble and the tribesman had begun the laborious work of uncovering it.

“It is over here,” Moore indicated what appeared to be part of a metal door. On it was etched in much clearer lines of black and yellow the sign. There could be no mistake.

“They will be coming for this,” he said to Moore, “we need to hold this position until we can get in touch with Jax.”

“Who?” The question was asked in a flat, unconcerned voice and Esteban was at last relieved he had Moore with him.

“Whoever and whatever Billy can throw at us,” replied Esteban.

Moore nodded and began shouting orders.

Elana was troubled: no word had been received from either Jax or Esteban’s force. She was certain that the AI was to blame and had put the whole of their forces on alert. All outlying personnel had been recalled and Mech’s were patrolling the approachs to the Fortress. What fighters they possessed had been recalled and their ship had been moved out of close orbit. It would be ready for when they need it, but she wanted to avoid any action on behalf of Billy.

Shuttles were waiting, powered up, to rapidly move her Elementals wherever they would be needed and a drop ship was also standing by. Where were they?

*

“Interference, Sir,” Jax nodded, it was as they had feared.

“Keep trying for a short while, although I really want to avoid any surprises from our erstwhile ally.”

Jax and his men were still within the shelter of the foothills; it would have taken him a lot les time if they had all been equipped as he, but that could not be helped. They needed to re-enter Billy’s complex with as little fuss as possible. Drones would be able to pick them up on their scanners, so they needed some form of diversion. As much as his men wanted to protect him, he was the only one who could do this job.

“Wait until you see the fireworks start, and then come running..”

He did not wait for an answer, but began to run. The exhilaration of the suit’s movement overtook him, and he soon forgot about the danger. Billy had made his first mistake in leaving him alive, it would not be his last.

*

The rubble was cleared away and Esteban could see the entrance clearly. Beyond the attempts at camouflage, a large tunnel stretched away. It was easily tall enough for his Mech to pass, but in the first instance precaution indicated that the Elementals would have to scout out any hidden dangers.

“Moore,” he said quietly, “the job is all yours.”

Moore and his team activated their external lights and moved inside, scanning as they did so. The walls were clearly man-made and a double metal track cut through the rock of the floor. Lights dotted the ceiling and walls, but they were inactive. Whoever had left this facility, had one so after shutting down all power.

“Nothing so far,” said Moore, as he led his men further in.

The floor sloped down, leading to a large circular chamber. Abandoned machinery littered the open space and they had to take some care to avoid the obvious pitfalls. On the other side of the chamber, another tunnel mouth could be seen and he motioned his team towards it.

*

Esteban was the first to receive indication of an approaching enemy; tactical information rolled across his screen, identifying the red dots as SLDF equipment. He had no doubt that they were unfriendly forces, but he tried hailing them anyway. Silence was his only reply and he ordered his men to their stations.

“Drones and shuttles,” he muttered, “what surprises to do you have tucked away, Billy?”

They had little time to wonder as the first missiles screamed towards them, blasting huge chunks of rock from the hillside.

“Return fire only when you have a lock,” he ordered. Esteban was more concerned at what was coming next. They had little ammunition and a long fight would be a serious disadvantage.

Good to see this back in action. Thanks Rayo!

Chapter Five


“What can you see?” asked a voice from the semi-darkness.

“Nothing, give me more light…” replied Moore.

“Stop. What’s that?”

Moore turned and peered more closely, the boxes lay haphazardly against the wall, each one seemingly left where they had fallen, as though an undue haste had galvanised their former owners.
 
“Take care,” growled Moore, “experience tells me that this is just a little too easy.”
 
As if in direct response to his comments, the overhead lights flickered and were followed by a grinding noise.
 
“Contact!” screamed one of his men, “We have movement. Metallic and…frak!”

Moore had no need to ask for any explanation as a squat shape trundled into the corridor, arms extended towards him. He saw the puff of flame, followed by the roar of igniting gas. His sensors were blinded by the brilliant display and he heard a scream to his right, where one of his less-shielded men took the full brunt of the boiling discharge.
 
“Oh, no you don’t,” he said, aiming his auto cannon and firing.

*

Billy was unprepared for Elana’s arrival. None of his sophisticated spy network had warned him of the threat. As far as he was aware, she was still entrenched in the fortress awaiting his pleasure. There was only one real explanation and that was not all of his loyal troops were so. Weapons fire from outside, was mirrored internally. He switched his feed to the main warehouse area and was greeted by the sight of a pitched battle. Explosions ripped through his parked equipment, as shapes flitted forward, muzzle flashes stabbing forth. Well, he could deal with that.
 
“You said that you were willing to listen…”

All turned to watch the small screen which flickered into life. One man moved forward and nodded.
 
“Your freedom will be the reward if you provide me with a small service.”

“I am listening,” Star Captain Norizuchi growled, his deep voice expectant.

“I have a little trouble with some wayward Dark Falcons. Deal with them.”

“With pleasure,” said the Star Captain, and the cell door clicked open.

“Follow my directions to the letter. There are weapons awaiting you. Do not fail me or try any tricks. Your lives depend on it.”
 
Norizuchi smiled. He had been waiting for a chance, some way of regaining both honour and revenge. It seemed as though someone had been listening.
 
*

They were trapped. Esteban knew that there was no way down; light tanks and attack drones would tear them apart, the moment they stepped out from their defensive positions. However, he smiled to himself, the tanks still needed a way up here.
 
“All missiles will fire on the co-ordinates I am transmitting…now!”

He waited for the confirmation of his men then gave the order. With a whoosh, a volley of SRM’s arced upwards, their trajectory’s short and deadly. Almost at once they struck, their detonations tearing huge holes in the hillside and sending rocks tumbling down. The avalanche of stone gained momentum, a second volley striking at the now pockmarked hillside. With a groan, one side of the hill peeled away and added its irresistible force to its bouncing brethren. Slowly, the dust cleared and Esteban was satisfied. No tank could get through that. The only problem was that neither he or his men were going anywhere.
 
*

Elana hunched down beside Jax, her Elementals firing continually at the entrance way into the complex.
 
“Well, I would think that he knows that we are coming now?”

Jax laughed, “I’m sure that he does. The real question is how are we going to get inside?”
 
“Our fighters are airborne and our dropship and Mechs are on their way. They will land once we have neutralised his defences.”
 
“No,” said Jax, clear for the first time on his plan of action, “there is somewhere else we need to be.”
 
“What of our people inside?” asked Elana.

“Can you contact them?”

“Yes.”

“Okay,” Jax said, determination in his voice, “they are to cause as much damage as possible and make their way to us. We will form a beachhead in this entrance and hold it until they reach us.”
 
“And if they cannot?”

“Then they will make us proud,” replied Jax through gritted teeth, “and we will make sure that they are remembered.”