Posted 15 September 2016 - 08:49 PM
***The Long Dark Day Ends by Fire***
As the nights hours begins to bend away you could not tell that it was forcasted to be a sunny day. The mountain by the river city has blocked most of the light of the suns leaving a pale twilight dim and Erie. Most civilians and citizens have already fled their homes towards government bunkers for shelter. What are left is the military presence, looters looking for quick cash, degeneratives who prey apon the stragglers and then there are those whom has no where else to go. A hot day is what the told, it's cooler than expected, much cooler. The penetrating craters left by the Stonehammers fill with blistering steam which glows yellow deep within their pits. Ashe, like snow, falls over the region with tremors keeping the wonderers on their toes. Smoking twist of metal faintly resembling the walking giants that it once was a machine of death. Soldiers and metal Monsters ate called back to their lines to rest if they can get, to eat if they can stomach it, repair or reload if they need it, and pray even if they are not heard. As casualties are light they still a reminder of the grime facts that war takes a piece of humanity piece by piece, body per body. Some are easily recognized others fill out a small bucket with a name written on the lid. That was said the fate of Echo Five One Two who took the blunt force of an assault lance. Death was swift but still a death that even left his mech unrecoverable. Echo Five oh Five turns to look back at the city he defended that night. A few buildings wrecked and some messed up asphalt but in all not a bad run. Each of his mechs under his command caries a platoon of men with each holding the dead or wounded as they travel to the ordered rally point.
“Echo Command to All units, play ball at E2, repeat Ball field at E2, support detail in route. Instructions Relayed to all Star Commanders. Sitrep onsight, hostels have fled Grid, one hostel Egg in nest no hatchlings sighted. Rotation of Patrols. Guards on high alert. Air defense units grounded by volcanic disturbance. Datalink will remain Active. Over and out “
Major Washe received a packet of information on the repair and reloading of his units mechs then issued out directions to the rest of the unit.
“Echo 501 to all of Echo Five, pull up Grid map on hud display. L5 north east corner of Liam Control. There is a sports complex, everyone set point Charlie to regroup. 5-0-Five, this is a plug and play facilities. It has two bays that can run off the reactors of either an assault or heavy, I ask that you plug in first. After debrief I have to report to Liam Central. Bravo Four, goid job last night, report to point Lamda for refit and reasignment to escort duties. Get repairs folks and get some sleep. Over”
With a squeel all pilots confirmed and moved to a large domed garage off the base grid where the local community uses to replace and repair civil units used in construction which is perfect for mech repair and reloading. Beside it was an arena which was converted to a staging point, triage and company Hqs with each VIP box catering to Star Command offices with bunks. Echo Five hooks up mech to power the mechbays then rushed to debriefing with only a motorcycle helmet with wet scarf to keep from breathing in ashe. They had coffe and doughnuts in the ready room as pilots filed thermos and canteens to the fill grabbed a few doughnuts and stood there overthrow recap of the last battle.
“last night was an interesting one,” Major Washe resigh to the House report, “Planet Wide invasion, Stonehammers reduced forces by 60% with heavy casualties and tonnage lost. Two the south, our location, sizmic event triggered, unknown cascade effects eminent. Liam Forces and House Mercenary units engaged high volume of aggressors. Attackers still Unknown. Unusual weapons and tactics from innersphere mechs reported. Active Dropships secure held territory. Climate shift eminent with ashe saturation, 20 degrees off normal. Air assets effected, ground assets effected. Hydo assets popped atmosphere and is regrouping waiting for further details. Good work people. They thought they could just roll over us in a night. “
“Any word on the mech we splattered, sir”
“Preliminary reports from the recovering salvage units are sketchy, I don't want to come to conclusion as of yet on what we are dealing with. Hardfall Two is still there smoke has ceased and we can't even get a person close enough now to scout.”
“What of Nelson, sir, he got wiped hard, his sister is on Styx.”
“His share of thus bounty of the night will still go out to her plus his off world mechs could either be sent to her or sold but his account will be closed” sighing as the Major always hates dealing with losses of men.
“we have three gimpy units, one kia, inoperable Cattapult, lrm seized. Echo Nine. He can hold back just a few with infantry here to coordinate intel radio traffic getting irratic. When his mech is op. Defend Charlie point as I feel we are not done here.”
“Agreed,”with a knock on the door the Major is handed a report. “ok. Salvage report by tonage, we are up 600 tons people, one swarm, 320, 4 atlases, 400, 2 stalkers, 160, 3 humps, 150, star of floaters from hardfall two, look like your Destroyer left a care package to the curious cats, we are being credited for those kills, nice. Oh waite, the splash from the north and two lances of Jenner that appear out of nowhere are also our kills. Bringing us over 2,200 tons. Cost estimate 1030 tons for repair, salvage ,reloading and a kia. That's not bad, let's try keep it to metal not meat. Get some rest I'll see you in six Echo Five. “
It's wasn't more than five and a half hours later when the Major shows back up in a confounded rush. Lieutenant Zorivich was laid back with a bed roll tarped over his window to deter any light to get in. Washe knocked on the mech waking the light sleeper telling him he needs to talk privately as soon as possible. Peter gets up puts his flight suit back over his shoulders, grabs his helmet with scarf and down chain latter he goes following the major to the buildings office where he was going to be debriefed on critical information.
“Okay, what's up Major, you look flushed, is there anything wrong? “
“The salvage Report and preliminary findings on the aggressors came in over at Central Command. It was very interesting to say less. We've been given triple Combat tonage because of its important finding. “
Curious and confused Peter gasped at what he just heard, “Triple weight, was there gold bars?”
“Nope, better, Clan Tech.”
Trying to hold back the anthusiasm, “Clan Tech!”
“yes, the whole lot, weapons, computers, armour, the works. Everything but the design. All mechs was the Innersphere class chassis. But what is odd is that the pilots remains we, say Liam Command, recovered had not clan markings or tattoos. Furthermore, their DNA results are inconclusive too.”
“Have they checked the record fir any other anomilies, Clan genetic rituals are strict and highly coveted in their ranks, this would be a blasphemy to their culture and way of life.”
“General Mayeborn realized that, too. The two light mechs you and the infantry ambushed I sold to Liam Central for a healthy price that I could not refuse plus git big salvage of the rest to boot. “
“What about the region? Is there going to be an offensive to help assist other grids that are occupied?
“No word as of yet, we still have a Dropship with full weapons hot and now assuming those maybe hybrids as well. What is it Peter, you got that look?”
“You said hybrids, get back with Liam Command on a secured line. Have them run those DNA test with the comparison to House Steiner. It's just a hunch.”
“A hunch, that sounds logical since House Steiner clasps in the upper quadrant where the Clans first invaded. I'll see what I can did up but for now I got us a treat. Mine and your mechs are the last to be repaired. Reason for is that no one is to know that the service crews are ordered by Liam Control to refit our mechs with the salvage technology and weapons. Don't want others to get jealous or greedy. Alot of back stabbing can happen in times of war.”
“Energy weapons one don't see an issue with but missiles and ballistics, isn't clan ammo different from innersphere. How would I reload latter.”
“That's the trick, Clan Tech adapts to Innersphere tech ammo with only a performance decrease. Like the old NATO caliber system. It will be good with either type. Now your Ac-5’s are being replaced with clan Lbx5’s which is lighter, holds a little more ammo and longer range, but higher heat and tlit has a spread instead of a single point.”
“I've used LBX before, pretty much walking shotguns, just got to watch fir friendly fire. ER larger lasers will be hotter but extra heatsinks will compensate. Medium lasers not a problem. “
“Then you really going to love this, your TatCom is going to be changed giving you sniper like precision and your going to be trolled for your AMS is lams recovered from wrecked mechs. NO ammo anti missile just heat build might be issue. “
“Heat build? “
“Yes, someone put a ersmall pulse laser on an AMS turret instead of a ballistic depending system. Never seen before tech but they was loaded down with them. Only T-Bolts are uneffected by it. We only have patrolling duty tonight for now while Liam Forces deal with other grids”
“Glorious, so when do we get this done?”
“two hours to finish up the rest of these Yahoos and they said it will take three or so hours to refit. We have roamers from Central in area doing sweeping. Just a few Heavy tanks and scorch”
“Roger, that, anything on the mountain ”
“not of yet other than the weather patterns have changed as the ashe is lowering temperatures here in the lower hemisphere. Sizmic activities noted around a chain down the coastal area. This is got these invaders pulling off coast too. Liam Forces might exploit this tomorrow morning. “
A few short hours later, both the major and the lieutenants mechs was put into both bays while a stripped down and crippled Cattapult powered the machinations pulling damaged armour plating, gearing out arm and leg joints, releasing panels, stripping pods, wrenching anything they could get their hands on. Occasionally washing down the dust with a detergent oil solution. It was an orchestra of clockwork amusing labor to get these Masters of death fully converted to a demigod like state. They run a Final dyagnostic while nano-coating a new camo paint job. They released and walked them out ready for their gladiator to approve.
“You still ain't got a proper evo-suit? “
“They're out Sir, can't get back to hanger 12 to search for one, MP’s locked out all non regular personel. That's why we had been given this repair site.”
“Ok, just watch the exposure to this crap. The stonehammers have left there mark. We are seeing what could be a super volcanic clasp they say,...Is that..I thought the Areotech forces was grounded .”
Just then a rumbling thunder with a whistling harmonic following.
" No, uh Sir…. That's incoming!!!!”
“Start her up, this is just the beginning, signal an all call”
“Liam Central, thus Echo Five oh Five, we have inbound ordnance, Longtoms and Arrows, warning inbound.”
“Affirmative 505, we see it, Hardfall Two is angry, firing blindly, ,waite we have two columns coming in off grid. South Southwest and north north west, indication they are making a move on base. Fast movers, Assault and Heavy formations. Note: fast movers couture to a hundred per.”
“ Echo 501 we have fast moving tanks followed by heavy duty assault groups.”
“The north west defence will engage first.”
Central Command orders all units hot while the main base turrets keeps the aggressors getting in the peremeter. Un able to target the fast movers the enemy mechs stay beyond a hill line. But then from afar ordinance began to hit their marks. “They're Taging the turrets, Liam Guard engage those mechs” the frantic orders of the Base commander rang true”our turrets can't take much of this. All Mercenary units prepare fir action, contract initiated. Standby, “
“This is the Black Dollia, let's see how they like it, FIRE! “
***Incoming Stonehammers***said LT Zorivich’s computer as he watches them lay waste to the distant Dropship.
“Good Luck down there, we see in……..” the Com link dies abruptly.
“Off world communication is down, Comstar being jammed. Warning southern offensive moving towards city. Echo Company protect these four power conduits. We are tied into the city main grid. We have to atleast secure one to keep turrets online. Over”
“You heard the lady, get into your mechs if you haven't already and get stomping, we are out numbered and out gun.” Echo Command disturbing bark of orders rang like bells twitching the ears. The last battle reduced forces by 25%. With no reinforcements they chased glory, victory or death as the night only got darker and the ashe fall thicker.
Peter Zorivich orders all missile runners on the mountain to watch for targeting from allied mechs as line of sight is reduced to 500 meters. Infantry Scouts was told to move silently and swiftly as two substations was located inside the city itself given alot of coverage and mobility. Moments past as each unit prepared for am all out push. The smaller mechs got an advantage as the ashe blended them in with the surroundings. The battle began with only a few fast runners tripping peremeter mines that was meant to cripple the mechs but another area was set with claymores to be used later. The ashe began to subside as the mechs entered the city. Echo 501 tried to get his lance to blind side but traded Atlas to Atlas as 504 took Thunderbolts(arrows) to center mass. 503 got knocked off his feat but took an Orion and Cattapult down. Mangled he was ordered to evade and retreat. Echo 09 cat, and 10 took lrm fire and was left smoldering. Echo 503, 507,508 IFF went silent Mia. They regrouped after the Lieutenant finished off the local fast movers with help of the few tanks in the area.
“Echo 506, what's your status,?”
“506 is Yello down to half ammo.” tiredly responding.” Awesome and a Vindicator scratched from bingo card, damn roaches keeps narcing me.”
“505 is same Yello plus down half ammo,” agitated and angry the lieutenants demeanor getting ruffled.”the football team is whipping us up. I count three on my board and with help of our missing Jenner took two crabs. Have not heard from them as their ammo got low plus our cat was scratched who was with the. 3k tons down and more coming. “
“511, 25% ammo, still green. Popping at range, stalker and a cat. 501 look out!”
Two king Crabs came over the hill with a helmet head following. The major ordered to spread out, causing a mini dust storm. The enemy mech fired furiously but the dust hindered the mark. 506 sneaked behind one of the Crabs lined up his strike, then as he pulled the trigger that would split the crabs back armour slap open and then some, the ground around him gave way as his mech dropped feet first into a lova pocket. Zorivich watched as the escape pod leaped into the air but then out of nowhere a ppc bolt incinerated it. The Atlas had split off the confusion.
“505 , 7 clicks out you see it?
“Yeah, but I don't believe it, “ an enemy drop ship had moved from off grid to take up position where hardfall two was.”this is getting to hot to handle, there artillery will be up by morning. “
“Go find that Atlas…..” just as he finished a Longtoms mark flattened the head of Major Washe’s Battlemaster and the King Crab grabbed it a drug it away.
“Morning my arse, Central this is Echo 505, heavy ordinance active again, over, need reinforcements over”
“Copy on heavy hitters. Reinforcements not available. Base no longer being attacked over. Keep them off those power relays. Will advise.”
“Roger Central, 511 on me, let's go hunting!”
Two scourchers and Hardbringer tanks joined up to help fight in city. The tanks met up with an unfriendly Raven giving it a fair well gift of shrapnel. This brought in the Atlas and his new found buddies. Vultures, the same two from the night before, all shined up and repaired.
“511 let's drag them near that petro farm near the substation. They are the only threat we have right now and the other stations are clear ..”
“I get ya, roast and toast the birdies with the helmet head,”
Weaving on and out of the skyscraper landscape, luring them to the right position taking minor hits and returning critical hits. The two mechs drive the three enemy units where they knew victory was theres. Stepping into sight diverted the enemy gaze onto the Rifleman right beside the substation as the Trebuchet lashes out with laser fire onto the flammable tankerage of of the petro farm bursting into a chain reaction. The Atlas was on process of firing as the concussion wave and heat struck from behind causing his rounds to graze Zorivich then leveling the grid control building creating an EMP surge knocking Peters mech out. The Atlas went critical rupturing it in half throwing the vultures further in the flames around the area. Peter hurried to try to get his mech to restart as the heat was getting hotter. He just got it going as he heard over the Com link a despairing message.
“This is a General Order, retreat. All personel are ordered by Liam Control, Retreat. Report to designate Dropship, we break atmosphere in five.”
“511 get out of here, now I'll make it . Just grab and go.”
“505, goodluck buddy, Sherman out,.”
He watches as his friend is joined up with the 502, and the two lost Jenner 507 & 508. Moments later while his mech was still trapped in a hot spot shutting down his mech trying to cool itself. He sees multiple liftoffs. The last two was civilian Class Drop Shuttles that he could see begin to take hits the exploding causing another Emp that zapped Peter causing him to pass out. It was a few hours it seemed that he awoke. His mech was still hot but the flames of petro had ceased while the ashe had started to snow down again. The street light Erie glow with the ashe gloomed ever so gentile. Except fir the heat warning buzzing, it was solumed and quite out with an occasional rumble from the glowing mountain. He unbuckles. Calls out on his radio but nothing. NO power. Malfunctioning mechs communication was locked out as with with the heat shutdown. He Crawls back opening his Bugout case removing tools and an old radio taking apart to see if life was still in it.
****to be continued ***
***Next chapter, the Gathering****
Dear Reader. I would like to thank you for your time in reading my story. I'm not an advate linguist but would like to know if you are enjoying this. Thanks again
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