6 replies to this topic

[Julmust Jaeger]

Coming soon^tm to a forum near you!

And we are live from Sunny Solaris!

Edited by Julmust Jaeger, 08 January 2017 - 08:04 PM.

[G is for Gamma]

Theodore York, a self identified member of the Word of Blake (an individual who believes in the divinity of Jerome Blake, founder of ComStar, and practices a religion based primarily on the writings and quotes of Blake and his successor Conrad Toyama), once called the Blade of Blake by Warrior Magazine following his impressive one versus two comeback victory over Hombre stables has had a string of stunning performances over the last several seasons under the banner of Aldrich Stables. However, York was at the heart of a storm of controversies last week when he spoke out against what he called the “Unlawful occupation of the Free Rasalhague Republic by ComStar.” while at a fundraising banquet hosted by fellow gladiator and team owner Gary Aldrich to raise funds for Clan War survivors. Though hushed by his own Stables public relations team before he could speak further on the topic his words echoed across the mediasphere, applauded by some and mocked by many.

“Yeah, I heard whats he said and let me tell'ya, he's a nutter. I hear he's a full blown toaster worshiper that York guy. I don't trust him, and I don't need him speaking out for me.” Says one Rusty Shackleford, a local resident of Solaris City with dual Commonwealth -Republican citizenship. Rusty in his own words is “done, just done.” with the current rise in political conversation coming from many Solaris VII Mech Jocks. A trend that Mr. Shackleford says detracts from the competitive nature of the sport and tarnishes its reputation. “What happened to the love of the game?” Mr Shackleford asks while reminiscing over the old Solaris Games.

While many people find themselves at odds with the rise of political awareness shown by professional athletes York's stand seemed to resonate with many of the FRR refuges that have relocated to the Xolara, a suburb of Solaris City proper, following the end of the clan war. Multiple Republicans I spoke with praised the Blakists words, agreeing with York's claims that in order to protect the few remaining Rasalhague worlds from the threat of further clan aggression Prince Elect Haakon Magnusson simply traded one conqueror for another in the form of diplomatic and military alliances with ComStar. One woman I spoke with (who choose to remain anonymous, citing fear of reprisal from within her community) went so far as to claim that ComStar and Prince Magnusson have come to an agreement that the FRR's population will serve as an indentured workforce to repair it's (ComStar's) forces for another battle against the Clans.

With emotions high on both sides I sought out Theodore York himself, and after being ran through hoops by Aldritch Stables PR and Legal teams I was able to have a sit down, or rather a stand up with Mr. York in the unlikeliest of places.

Sarah Stone: Mr York, hello. I'm Sarah Stone with Channel 7 News.

Theodore York: Please, call me Teddy. It's a pleasure to meet you Mrs. Stone.

]SS: The Pleasure is mine, Teddy. Though I must say I find it rather odd to be interviewing you here...”

<York laughs>

TY: And why is that Mrs. Stone?

SS: Well, I've interviewed mechwarriors in bars, hotel lobbies, mech bays, press conferences, the backs of cars...but well, I can't say I've ever interviewed a mechwarrior at a soup kitchen.

TY: Well, Blessed Blake once said “If you can not feed a thousand, then feed one.”, I believe it's my duty as a True Believer to follow his teachings, plus I also believe that it's important to give back to your community.

SS: But isn't your community Black Hills? I know there is no love lost between the Federated Suns and House Marik recently. Why travel across all of Solaris City into Montenegro, the purple heart of the Free Worlds League here on Solaris VII. when you yourself are a resident of the Pro-Davion quarter of the city?

TY: Well, yes. My apartment does happen to be in Black Hills. Speaking for myself, I was born on on Venus in the Sol System and so lack any House Affiliation. I guess you could say that I view Solaris as my home now and all of Solaris City as my community. As to why this soup kitchen in particular. Its chronically underfunded and understaffed compared to the others I've volunteered at around the City. Blake teaches his followers to go where they are most needed, and I feel like I can do the most good here.

<York motions across the room>

These people deserve a warm meal and a bit of kindness, even if that means I have to take the 411 to get here.

<York and Stone both laugh>

SS: Outside of your charitable work, you've also had quite the string of success since you've come to Solaris, Mr. York. Not only do you lead your team in Kill-Assists but you’re also one of only seven competitors to score confirmed kills while piloting three different weight classes of battlemechs this season. That's no easy feat. To what do you attribute your success ?

TY: Well, I can't claim all the credit. Any success I've had in the arena is due to the hard work of the men and women of our organization, we've assembled a fantastic cadre of mechwarriors, technicians, and support personnel.

SS: By Organization you of course mean Aldrich Stables, currently ranked 3rd on the Team Circuit. If you don't mind, Mr York, would you briefly tell our viewers how you became part of such a well respected team?

TY: Oh, certainly. And please, Teddy is fine. Mr. York sounds like an Immortal Warrior villain with a monocle and a bad New Avalon accent...ahem, Well now... I came to the game world in '55. Like a lot of Clan War veterans I had found myself...at odds with the political climate in the Innersphere. I'd of course read about Solaris as a boy and the games have always had an appeal to me so I figured “why not?”, booked passage off of Terra and thanks to a minor hull breach, missed the start of the season by about two weeks. With teams already locked in I was forced to sit out the season. The proceeding year I was picked up by Overlords and served as First Alternate on their doubles team, before being traded to Aldrich in exchange for the late Colin Baker, Blake rest him. I performed well enough to earn a spot on Aldrich's first lance and have been lucky enough to retain my position there.

SS: Now, some would say that moving from Overlords, a well respected Stable with an impressive amount of Top 100 competitors, to a Team Circuit organization like Aldrich would be a step backwards in the perspective career of a mechwarrior but I gather you don't feel that way?

TY: I don't consider it a step backwards at all. While I respect the dueling raw talent that the Dueling Circuit and the Top One-Hundreds competitors posses, team events be they doubles or lance sized matches require an entirely different skill set. Individual talent is important of course, but the level of coordination required to succeed in team events is staggering. A perfect example, look to Victor Vandergriff. In my opinion perhaps the best quad pilot to ever grace the Top 100 but failed miserably in his team match when paired with Glenn Endenhoffe against Kai Allard Liao and Galen Cox. Similarly, we can look at the Adler/Baxa pair of the late 20's. They ran the table for years only for Baxa to attempt his own solo career and fall into obscurity following his quarter final loss to Mad Jack Churchill.

So no, to answer your question Mrs. Stone I'm quite happy where I am. Both in my career, and presently serving fried chicken to the needy.

<A man in line recognize York. York Smiles as he serves a portion of fried chicken to the gushing fan>

You're too kind sir, Blake be with you.

<Served Fan: Hey, You too man. Go Alds!>

SS: If you don't mind me saying, Teddy. It seems that your beliefs, both spiritually and politically has drawn heavy criticism in recent days...

<York serves a piece of fried chicken to a dirty looking young women in a winter coat.>[/color]

TY: Blake be with you.

<girl mumbles, “Yeah...and you?” before moving in line>

SS: ...what do you have to say to your detractors?

TY: <sighs> Well, foremost I'd like to apologize to all those who came to the banquet only for me to ruin their evening. We raised well over a hundred thousand cbills for the cause (Clan War survivors fund), and while I'm grateful for that I wonder how much more we'd have raised if I'd not made a scene. So yes, I believe an apology is in order. Not just to those in attendance but also those whose life I made more difficult by interrupting the charity event....that being said, I stand by my words. Despite their poor timing.[/color]

SS: Can you elaborate on what you mean?

TY: I served with the ComGuard for a number of years and saw combat against the Clans on a number of occasions. At Tukayyid we relocated, often times by force, the world's entire population. We said we were doing it for their protection. To limit civilian casualties. I participated in those efforts and believed what we were doing was a good and righteous thing...but the Clan War is over. Has Focht allowed those peoples to return home? No, instead he's turned the whole of that world into an armed camp. People’s livelihoods, their homes, photo albums, memories. Pushed to the wayside so that the Order can flaunt its....”

SS: So you blame Anastasius Focht for the situation in the Free Rasalhague Republic?

TY: Well, along with many others. The Prince Elect...

SS: Despite many calling Focht the savior of the Innersphere?

<York's face hardens, but before he can answer a man wearing a suite steps in front of the camera.>

Man: Okay show’s over. You, turn off...hey, hey buddy, I'm talking at you. Turn off the camera. This interview is over.”

<a hand reaches out and covers the camera lenses>

Following the forced conclusion of our interview I made several further attempts to meet with Mr. York each of which were denied by both his personal Agent and Aldritch Stable's legal team. However, even after our short time spent together I feel like I got a glimpse of the real Theodore York. Polite, compassionate, a genuinely kind individual who seemingly would do anything to help someone get back on their feet. Yes, his personal politics are perhaps a bit skewed and yes worshipping the words of a man who a little more than two hundred years ago worked for the Star League government is a bit of a stretch of the imagination but does it really matter? Here on Solaris VII we’ve always prided ourselves on our ability to look past a person's origin, their creed, colour, or sex. Instead judging mechwarriors by two simple metrics. Are they winning? And what have they done for the people of Solaris VII?.

Well, Aldritch Stables position on the leader board is in no small part thanks to the efforts of Theodore York so that answers the first question.

And as for the second,

When was the last time you saw a gladiator take off the neuro-helmet dawn a smock, grab a pair of tongs, and serve the needed people of Solaris VII a warm meal with a smile on their face?


This is Sarah Stone, with Channel 7 News, Good Night Solaris, see you tomorrow.

Edited by G is for Gamma, 23 December 2018 - 11:06 AM.

[G is for Gamma]

Funeral services will be held at the Historic New Ben Ezra Synagogue in Black Hills this Saturday for Gary “The Natural” Aldrich, Forty-nine, of Black Hills. Mr Aldrich, best known for success in the battlemech arenas of Solaris City, was fatally wounded on Wednesday during a licensed match against the New Olympia Argonauts. Highly regarded within the sports community here on Solaris Mr. Aldrich served as both Owner and Team Captain of Aldrich Stables better perhaps better known to sports fans as simply “The Alds”. Aldrich is survived by his wife, Hanna Lefkowitz-Aldrich and Mother Christian Aldrich. He is also survived by one brother, two nephews, and a great niece.

Born on Robinson, Federated Commonwealth, on December 14th, 3011. Aldrich was the youngest of three children belonging to John-Mark and Christian Aldrich both employees of the State. Prior to his time on Solaris Aldrich served as a member of the elite Federated Commonwealth's Heavy Guards, seeing battles against enemies of the House Steiner-Davion on at least two occasions and earning the rank of Leftenant before leaving the service to follow a career as a Gladiator-Warrior here on Solaris VII. Following his arrival on the Game World Aldrich experienced a meteoric rise reaching the top echelons of the Dueling Circuit with several deep runs into the top twenty over several years.

“Gary was as talented a mechwarrior as any I have ever had the pleasure to work with.” Says Drew Hessek-Davion owner of Blackstar Stables and former business associate of Aldrich. “During his tenure at Blackstar Gary set the example for what a mechwarrior and loyal son of House Davion should be. Compassionate and giving outside of the cockpit, but competitive and fierce within.”

Jordan McNair, a retired competitor with the unique status as being the first mechwarrior to sign with Aldrich Stables following its creation in '55 spoke about her mentor's innate gifts “He was never the most technically skilled pilot, but there is reason he was billed as the 'Natural'. You knew it was Gray behind the stick of his Axeman the moment you saw it move. He'd just make it strut.”

Beyond his success in the ring Aldrich was also known within the Black Hills community for his charitable work. In February of last year Aldrich alongside Aldrich Stable mechwarriors Sarah Halstead, Theodore York, Jonathan “Mechs” Manziel and Sven “Moose” Iwamoto started the nonprofit Aldrich Foundation which raises awareness for the problems facing families living along the Clan front within Lyran and Rasalhague space. Locally he has also been engaged with charitable events hosted by New Ben Ezra and was called “a pillar of the community” by Rabbi Yosef Zuckerman.

Saturday’s service will be in the tradition of the Jewish faith and will lead by Rabbi Zuckerman, though Aldrich stable mechwarrior and close friend of the family, Theodore York will open the service with Blake's Prayer which is to be followed by a traditional ceremony. The service will be a closed to the public, however later that night Aldrich Stable will be hosting a candlelight service in their founder's honor and fans are encouraged to stop by and share their grief with the Alds mechwarriors and support staff. Fans are also encouraged to wear their team memorabilia as opposed to dress clothes, with wife Hanna saying “Gary loved his fans more than almost anything, nothing got him to smile more than seeing an Alds t-shirt or cap while we were out shopping.” Refreshments are to be provided.

[Sparks Murphey]

Harisha “Nightwolf” Narang
45° Target Snap: 0.30s
2nd Target Switch: 0.45s
30m Jump Precision: 91cm
9 Pole Drill: 11.05s

Overview
Prior to last year’s entry in the live fire leagues, Narang dominated the sim leagues as a rising star. His 3057 year with the Designated Drivers saw him take 14 kills and 12 assists for just 8 deaths, which led to him being picked up by the Undefined for their 3058 season. He spent much of the first half of 3058 in stand-by after a weak opening match, but returned strong after Nicole “Lady Icepick” McQueen stood down from injuries. An impressive 3059 season was capped off with a shot at lance command during the Undefined’s successful semi-final match against Shoelaces United. Ninjas in Mechs and the Dead Hare Brigade both bid heavily to recruit him, but he ended up choosing to leave the sims in favour of a position with live fire team Aldrich Stable. Despite high expectations, Narang’s first live fire season went poorly, and although he ranked well on assists, his number of kills, average time to kill, and 45° target snap all fell well under his career average. 3060 also saw him take out a record for registered team damage, a statistic now weighing on him heavily as he enters 3061 with the rebranded Black Hills Heroes.

Analysis
STRENGTHS Savagely precise with his opening barrages, often capable of winning the early psychological battle. Despite mellowing, his reaction time remains high, which serves both in snap firing and damage evasion. Keeps his cool during an attack, knowing when to retreat to prevent return damage. Piloting precision may have the makings of a melee champion; it’s rumoured that GM Marshall Rhodes may be grooming him for a spot at the helm of Aldrich’s old Axman.

WEAKNESSES Target identification often placed secondary to landing the shot, leading to damage both to friendlies and diverted from primaries. Lack of situation awareness in regards to his team. Still adjusting to more complicated team plays. Relatively untested against the physical rigours of live fire.

BOTTOM LINE Narang has a knack for delivering firepower on point, though not always where it’s needed. While raw talent may have been enough to see Narang through the sim leagues, his live fire opponents present him with a refined confrontation. If the Black Hills Heroes are able to harness his abilities and get him to work better within their team, he could become a force to be reckoned with. Otherwise, 3062 may see him replaced by other up-and-comers such as Isaac Walsh or Marybeth Rios.

[Listless Nomad]

Welcome back everyone! I’m Douglas Peterson, and he’s Abu “The Hammer” Sharif and you're listening to Peterson and the Hammer on Solaris Radio. It's the top of the hour, and that means it’s time for “The Stable Report”, brought to you by Solari-O’s. Get your little gladiator ready with this important part of a balanced breakfast.

[P]: You know what I love about commercials? They make you say the most ridiculous things. Solari-O’s? Part of a balanced breakfast? My eight year old eats it every day, and I can tell you from his pant size there’s nothing “balanced” about them.

[H]: Speaking form experience Doug, breakfast is the MOST important meal for a mechwarrior. Cause when you’re about to go into the ring you never know if you’ll get another meal, so like Coach always said. “Eat Early, Eat Often”

[P]: You have an endorsement from Solari-O’s don’t you Hammer?

[H]: Can’t you tell? <Laughs>

[P]: <laughs> Not at all. It’s been an interesting preseason so far hasn’t it Hammer?

[H]: Don’t I know it Doug, teams closing, teams appearing, team's rebranding. I think there are more names on the Market this Free Agency than I’ve seen in twenty years in this business.

[P]: Most of the elite names have been snapped up already. Wyvern got Jacobs. Douglasson went to the Eire Stable. Anyone out there you think is worth investing in still?

[H]: Well you’re right about that. Jacobs was by far the best of the lot and you know how I feel about Douglasson. The kid’s a lemon if there ever was one. As for the rest of the pack? We’ve seen a lot of moves in the last few days, but the most sensible move in my opinion was one made by my old buddy Marshall Rhodes, the New GM over at Black Hills’ Heroes.

[P] I still can’t believe you think Douglasson is a lemon. 1st overall in his bracket in operational time, 3rd overall in assist rate per match. I get that the kid is young but, give me a break.

[H]: I bet you Dollars to Dimes that Douglasson is washed out within a year. He’s good, technically. But did you see his match against She-Wolf Harper? No Heart. As soon as he started taking noticeable CT damage he threw up the white flag! No Heart, No Spine.

[P] No one ever questioned your heart Hammer. I know you are a big time character guy. Speaking of, is that why you like the recent move by the Heroes so much?

[H]: Ha! More than one doctor has questioned my heart, but I’ll tell you what Doug, that’s exactly why I like that move. Quentin Lang might not have the best overall record, the kid’s riding the Mendoza line, but if he’s got anything its heart. And a pair of brass….well, you know.

[P] I have to admit, I was a bit surprised by the move from the Heroes. Nothing against Lang, but he’s been in this league a long time, and I feel like at this point we know who he is. He’s a character guy, a team guy. But he’s not winning matches for you. I know the Heroes are rebranded, but they have a proud history. I feel like they can do better.

[H]: Marshall Rhodes is a smart guy. You don’t GM one of the biggest stables on Solaris VII for a decade without being a smart guy and when he signed Quentin Lang out of Free Agency he knew exactly the guy he was getting. After the devastating loss of their previous owner, Gary “The Natural” Aldrich and the savage mauling the organization took when more than half its roster signed on with other teams a...what’d you call him? “Character guy” is what you need. Let’s be honest here, chances are Lang might not ever see the light of day, but just having that kind of dependable, hard working, local boy on the roster is going to make all the difference in the world during the “rebuilding years” that the Heroes are going to go through.

[P] You bring up an excellent point Hammer. Sources inside of the organization are reporting that despite a decent free agency contract given to Lang, he’s been relegated to the alternate list so far. How much impact do you think he’s going to have on the season? When you were competing, how much did alternates play a role?

[H]:I think, even before the ink was dry, Lang new that he was being hired to be an alternate, but let me tell you what, no one is as hungry and as hardworking as Team Circuit alternates. Now, I was lucky enough to start from rookie to retirement, minus a few matches where I was on injured reserve but the very nature of alternates inspires a competition within an organization. Really pulls the sweat out of everyone. Cause, yes. You’re all team mates. You are all working for the same goal, but you know that the guys on the bench are getting better every day and if you don’t push yourself just as hard as they do. Well, soon. Soon you’re going to be the one on the bench watching them step into the arena.

[P]: Those are all great points Hammer.

[H]: As for personal impact, well that depends on two key factors. How coachable is Lang, is he going to listen to his instructors be alert during team meetings, follow his dietitians orders and...how bad is Harisha "Nightwolf" Narang going to play this year.

[P] Nightwolf is an interesting player. Coming up from the sim leagues two seasons ago, Narang was highly coveted by the Heroes’ late owner, despite getting, let’s be charitable, mixed reviews from some talent scouts. We’ve talked to a few GM’s and a butt load of players on the show last season, and no one really seemed sold on Nightwolf. He’s got the raw talent, but he’s not refined yet. If he has another season like last, he’ll be a wash out for sure. That being said, it’ll be interesting to see how Lang pushes him.

[H]: He might just push him right out the door. I’ve seen some talent in my years, and Narang’s got it in spades, but the kid is just a hindrance to any organization he’s on. He set a new record for registered team damage last season and in the Sim Leagues and not on purpose now. The kid’s like a bear on a hot plate, just taking swings at anything he sees.

[P]: Except this bear is going to have teeth out there. After the tragedy last season, and the loss of Freyda Jorgen, officials and teams are being extra aware of team on team fire. It’s just something you can’t afford in the arena.

[H]: We call that “Green on Green” in the business, Doug. And you’re 100% right. Its not something any team can afford. Especially if the gaming commission finds a pilot guilty of intentional fire at unsuspecting friendly. Rough hits like that can cost an organization hundreds of thousands in c-bills and for a team like the Heroes, that kind of money is going to be scarce

[P]: I imagine that “green on green” could be handled internally as well on the teams. Did you ever have issues with that when you were in the arena hammer?

[H]: Did I personally? No. I was lucky in that regard, however I did pilot for Warlock Stable the year that two of its pilots, “Bitchin” Betty Johansson and Eric Rupert, had their infamous “lover’s quarrell” while inside the tunnels of the Iron-Mountain. Their personal firefight had such intensity that along with the shortened sensor returns due to the iron deposits hidden in the Drac Arena their opponents, got confused in cross fire and ended up accidently turning fire against each other. Turing the whole match into a one vs one vs one vs one. <Laughs> While it hysterical to think about now, at the time we were all terrified as pilots. The Gaming Commission came down hard on us, oh boy did they ever. And when they showed us the gun camera footage from Rupert’s Battlemaster? That was some dirty, dirty fighting.

[P]: To say the least <laughs>. Shall we take some calls?

[H]: Let's do it.

[P]: We go to Andre, in a hover car. Andre are you there?

[A]: Ey, its ya boy Andre. How yall doin ta’day?

[H]: Doing well Andre.

[P] What’s on your mind Andre?

[A]: Good ta hear, Hamma. And yeah, I got a question. Hamma man. I love you. But how you going to sit there and say that this Lang kid deserves the kind of contract Heroes are throwin at him. He’s makin pro money and he’s sim league at best. I just don’t know what you see in this kid. I mean he’s….

[H]: Woah woah, let me stop you there Andre. Lang’s good now. He might not have the raw talent of Jacobs, Smith, even Douglasson but it takes one hell of a gladiator to dismantle a Copperhead the way he did.

[A]: Okay, okay. I get that its just…

[H]: While his own mech, a Firestarter that looked like it was rebuild with chicken wire and Starscout know-how was literally ablaze.

[P]: Ouch. I’d forgotten about that fight. That was on Top 10 lists for a while after that comeback. Thanks for the call Andre.

[H]: Next caller, you’re on the air.

[AK]: Hey, this is Amanda from Kobe. First time caller, but I love the show.

[P]: Appreciate that Amanda. What’s on your mind?

[AK]: I gotta say Doug, I love what you guys are doing with the show, but I just don’t understand why you guys are always down on everyone. People out here are just trying to make a living! You weren’t even a gladiator and you are passing judgement on people like Nightwing?! Nightwing rules!

[P]: Thanks for the call Amanda. <laughs>. Nightwing. That one is sure to stick around for a while. <laughs> You know? I hate to hang up on people, but there was nothing really nice to say back. We aren’t passing judgement on anyone out here, this all opinion folks. Looks like our next caller wants to discuss the upcoming preseason match between the Heroes and the Black Lions Cooperative. Jeff you are on the air!
[J] Hey guys. Can you hear me?

[P] Sure can. What’s up

[J] Hey Doug. I actually have a question for Hammer. I’m a big fan of yours, and watched all your matches when I was a kid.

[H]: Appreciate that Jeff, always love to hear from a fan. What can I do for you son?

[J] My girlfriend is from Black Hills, she was a big Alds fan and stayed a Heroes fan after the switch. My problem is I’m a huge Lions fan, I am really pulling for them for the opener...

[H]: Sounds like a house divided, Doug. <laughs>

[P]:<laughs> I don’t envy that.

[J] <laughs> Yeah, it gets a little tense around match day. Do you think the Heroes have a chance against my Lions?

[H]: I understand that son, my wife has been a Starlight fan her whole life. Even when I was battling their warriors! <laugh>.

[P] Hope you never threw any matches there Hammer <laughs>

[H]: No fear there Douglas, you know how Alice is. If I won she was mad at me for beating her team, if I lost? Well I didn’t try hard enough. If you ever want some life advice listeners. Don’t marry Dracs. Now to answer your question Jeff, and we appreciate the call, I personally favor the Lions, despite the inherent chaos that comes from Mechwarrior Cooperatives in team matches. I’m not sure we even have a final roster of the Lion’s lance but with the loss of Gary Aldrich the iconic Aldrich/Heroes tactic of three lance members driving opponents into range of that Axman’s Luxor Devastator class-20 Autocannon just isn’t going to be near as efficient. And that’s if the Heroes still even have Aldrich’s signature mech. After selling so many team assets to cover Gary’s outstanding debts following his death last year….but, any given sunday. Moose and Nightwolf are both natural talents in the cockpit and that can help hide a lot of tactical mistakes. We’ll just have to see how the Heroes lance performs under new leadership.

[P]: Brilliant analysis as always Hammer. We’ll be back to the calls after a quick commercial break. You are listening to Doug and the Hammer, here only on Solaris Radio!

[Julmust Jaeger]

Farewell Party; three weeks prior to start of season

"Sarah please, don't leave," the words hung in the air of the nearly empty mechbay. The few techs who had stayed for the farewell party had all left about an hour ago, leaving the two women alone. Where not long ago camaraderie and laughter had colored the tone of their conversations, the sense of privacy afford by lack of bystanders allowed the them both to drop their guard. The two women couldn't have been more different. Sarah, a mechwarrior, was...regal. Tall, facial features indicative of high society, and a shoulder length blonde ponytail, colored and styled to match the most common fashion set by Katrina Steiner.

Her opposite was short and petite, with vaguely Slavic features and spoke with a barely perceptible Tikonov accent. In contrast to the mechwarrior, Anna Dmitriyevna Demidova, the Black Heroes' chief mechanic, was anything but regal, dressed in a oil splattered coveralls, her hands were dyed a perpetual black from endless days spent working on the team's Battlemechs.

"There's no future here for me, Anya. Even if Rhodes can get the Alds...sorry, the "Heroes" turned around it could take years for them to be relevant again. I'm a mechwarrior, a good mechwarrior, I've got to do what's best for my career now not hope that things will be great in three or four seasons. The Argos are willing to pay top c-bill to have me on their team now, as a starter, Anna. I can’t pass up this opportunity." Sarah's voice was soft, almost protective. The voice someone would use to explain a hard truth to a child.

"Sarah! You can't seriously be thinking about their offer! They killed Ald, they killed him right in front of us! For God’s sake, you were right next to him when-"

"Anya!" Clearly taken aback by her lover's sudden harshness. "We've talked about this...it was an accident, accidents happen in this line of work. What happened to Gary could have happened to any of us. Myself included. Why are you making this so hard?"

Silence filled the room as Anna struggled to find her voice, "Because I'll never see you."

"Sure you will," Sarah said, reaching out for Anna only to be rebuffed

"When? When will I see you, Sarah? I work sixteen hour shifts, six days a week, and with the banks taking an entire lance of our mechs to pay Gary's debts, I've got my team working doubles just to keep the remaining six together. You know that’s not going to change any time soon," Anna bit her lip in frustration, clearly struggling against her emotions. "I guess I’d at least see you for a couple of hours every night…"

"About that...The..." Sarah cleared her throat. "The Argos want me to move into their training facilities on Greyland. I'll fly in on game days but..."

"So you’ll be on the other side of the world, without me? I hope all that money makes you happy."

"Damn it Anya! It's not about the...I can’t. I’m not having this argument with you right now…"

"Then when are we going to have it Sarah? Tomorrow? Next week? In six months?"

"You're right...you're right. Let's not drag this through the mud, maybe we need to just call it qui-" Before she could finish her thought the double doors behind her, doors that lead to the main lobby of the Heroes' facility, opened to reveal the bookish form of mechwarrior Theodore York.


"Sarah," York stopped in the doorway, holding the rightmost door open, his baritone voice cut through the silence created by his entrance into the room. "The Argonauts have sent a car to fetch you, I believe it’s time to go."

Sarah turned away from Anya without so much as a goodbye and walked to where York was standing in the doorway, she paused and gave the tall man a once over before hugging him tightly. "See you around, Ted." She spoke without letting him go, "Good luck out there, I’ll be rooting for you guys."

York returned the hug. As the two parted he smiled warmly at his former teammate, the bushy bristles of his mustache curling with his lips, "Blake be with you, Sarah Halstead."

Sarah smiled a tear taking shape in her eye as she left the room without turning back.

Anya on the verge of tears but unwilling to show it in front of the Blakist stormed off in the direction of the hanger's office sending a wrench loudly clattering to the floor in her wake. Practically kicking the well-worn door of its hinges she found herself facing Sven, who reclined with his feet on the sole desk in the office as he watched cartoons and demolished a healthy serving of Chinese takeout.

"Sven...what are you doing?"

"Kar'tooms," the large mechwarrior replied seriously, speaking around a mouthful of rice noodles and beef. His eyes intent upon the weirdly off season Captain Zed and the Justice Strikeforce Christmas Special playing on the small television mounted in the corner of the room.

Anya let a out a loud sigh and collapsed onto the tattered old leather couch that had been haphazardly deposited in the room. The pair sat in silence, with Sven casting careful glances at the distraught woman.

Finally breaking the silence, Anya spoke with a quiver to her voice,"Okay, Moose. How much of me and Sarah did you hear over Captain Zed?."

"Enough," the laconic mechwarrior replied.

"I don’t know what to do Sven...I just….I thought I loved-" Her words catching in her throat, Anya covered her mouth as she fought back tears. Lost in her own thoughts, she jumped when a loud bang rang throughout the tiny office. Raising her eyes she saw Sven, his large hands holding a clear bottle, alongside it a pair of upturned shot glasses.

"On Trondheim, we have a solution for problems like this," Sven said as he began to fill the two small glasses he had arranged in front of him with a liquid that smelled suspiciously like paint thinner, somehow burning her eyes even from across the table.

She reached for the proffered glass. A shadow cast over her right as she went to shoot back the cheap vodka.

"Everyone okay in here?" Theodore asked directing the question at the room rather than at Anya directly. He carried himself in a priestly manner, and for a moment she debated spilling her emotional problems at his feet hoping that perhaps the older warrior had some words of wisdom. Before she could embarrass herself Sven interjected.

"Cartoons," The big man said as he poured himself a second shot.

"I can see that," The Blakist laughed. The two warriors shared a mischief streak, both acting as surrogate brothers for the tech. For better or worse they were as much part of her family as her Grandad was.

"Teddy?" She asked, her voice weak. The shot glass still in her hand.

"Yes, Anya?" Teddy's voice carried his concern for the young technician.

"Nothing. Don't worry about it," she said leaning back into the couch. Afraid that if she'd started opening up she might begin to cry and never be able to stop.

"Okay, well I'm heading home for the night...Be safe you too, see you in the morning," the gladiator turned from the room and began to walk out.

"Good night, Teddy," Anya said while Sven merely grunted in acknowledgement, pouring his third consecutive drink.

"Oh," York said, stopping just outside of the doorway.. "Have faith, Anna. Remember 'It's good to have old memories, but necessary to have young hopes.'"

"Did Blake say that?"

"Hmm? Oh, no, it was in my fortune cookie," she could hear his smile as he shut the door behind him.

The two remaining occupants of the tiny office laughed as the shut the door behind him.

Anna looked down at her shot glass and downed it in a sudden motion before handing it back to Sven. The clear liquid burned fiercely and she couldn’t help by grimace at the awful taste. The Rasalhagian piloted grinned at her and nodded approvingly as he poured her another round.

"Moose, does it ever get easier to lose someone important?"

"No," he grimly replied. "But you get used to it."

Edited by Julmust Jaeger, 12 January 2017 - 02:12 PM.

[Julmust Jaeger]

Black Hills Heroes Press Conference; two weeks before the start of the season.

Welcome back to Solaris Sports Broadcasting, the number one holo-channel for sports news, scores, and games, where we return live to the press conference of the recently rechristened Black Hills Heroes, where veteran General Manager Marshall Rhodes just announced that Sven Iwamoto will serve as the team captain for the coming season following the departure of Sarah Halstead.

"...Moose how is the team dealing with the loss of mechwarrior Halstead to your principal rivals? Any hard feelings with Mrs. Halstead joining the Argonauts considering what happened between your teams last season?" The reporter, from the rear looks identical to his compatriots in the crowd. His question is directed to the two men seated behind a table at the front of the room. A banner showing the Heroes logo is prominently displayed behind them. One is broad shouldered and tall. A true grizzly of a man, his hair cut indicative of his profession as a mechwarrior. The other is older and whip thin, nursed a Solaris Bucks coffee in his weathered hands.

A brief, but uncomfortable silence followed, and clear irritation emanated from the large mechwarrior when he finally speaks, "We are all professionals here, we all know the risks..."

"And you GM, any hard feelings?" Like a dog on a bone, the reporter attacked the question again, perhaps hoping to get a more visceral reaction from the older man.

Sitting besides the burly mechwarrior, General Manager Marshall Rhodes looks calm and collected. Taking a sip of his coffee before answering, he appeared to be completely unfazed by the crowd of journalists. "I think Moose said it well. We, myself and the rest of the Heroes staff that is, wish Sarah the best on her future endeavors. She's a fantastic competitor and I have no doubt that she'll be productive mechwarrior for the Argos. So no, we have no 'hard feelings'"

He takes another sip before continuing. He pauses to savor his drink. "As for how we're 'dealing with it, right now our only focus is our Pre-season opener against the Black Lions mechwarrior Cooperative. One hundred percent of our attention is focused on that match. We don't play the Argos until the seventh week of the season, they aren't even in our wheelhouse right now. Next question."

Another reporter interjects, this one female. Her voice is difficult to hear over the buzz of media personal talking at once. "How do you think her departure will affect the team this close to the start of the season? I mean, two weeks, is that really enough time to build a Championship team?"

"Look," Rhodes chuckles clearly amused by the reporter's question. “The transition from Aldrich Stables to Heroes was never going to be easy. Ownership changes always bring with them a level of inherent chaos. Players leave, contract disputes occur. Replacing the previous GM with me did clear up any of those problems. However, the new ownership is a realist. He knows that a team is built from the ground up, brick by brick. Championships aren't even in our sphere of concern right now. We have thirty six games to worry about before play offs even become a concern. Next."

A new figure rises from the mass of sitting media types. He's differentiated by his lack of sport coat. "Sven, last year your teammate Theodore York made several public statements about the state of your homeland, what do you have to say to York and other players across the league who have since taken to social and traditional media on the topic?"


With a frown on his face the Rasalhagian straightened up in his chair, his previous indifference replaced by a barely contained fury,"I am a Solaris pilot, I am a team captain, and my sole concern is leading my team to victory in the arena."

"Come on guys," Rhodes chided, annoyed by the question. "No one wants to talk about politics this early in the morning.” A smattering of laughter ripples across the crowd.

"Coach Rhodes, do you think Quentin Lang is ready to fill Sarah's position on the team?" The same female reporter from before asks.

"I do. Over the last few weeks, I've found Lang to be a fine addition to our line up. He's a hard worker. Even if we hadn't had been forced to readjust our lines following Halstead's departure, I think it's possible that Lang would still have been a starter by the end of the season."

"Uh, yes. Michael Smith, Channel 7. Moose. Ummm... You've recently been named Team Captain, can you tell us a little bit about how you feel about the added responsibility? And how do you feel you will compare to the late Gary Aldrich in regards to being the 'face' of the franchise.", Asks a young man his voice breaking as he stumbles through what is clearly his first press conference.

"It's my responsibility now, that's all," Moose replied. "As for Aldrich, I respected Gary, he was a great man, and he died like a true mechwarrior. However, I am not Aldrich, we are two very different men. It will of course be hard to replace him, but I am confident in my own abilities and those of my team."

Not finding the drama they wanted, no needed, the journalists once more turned their attentions to Rhodes. An ancient looking reporter waved a hand with such fervor that Rhodes finally had no choice but to gesture in his direction, uncertain whether the man was having a stroke or simply had a question at the ready.

"Mr. Rhodes, you've been out of the professional scene for the last two years following your departure from Lynch Stables. Do you believe your leave of absence will hurt your organization and are you worried the aftershocks of your scandal…"

"Let me stop you right there, hoss. My personal life has very little bearing on my professional life despite what my previous employer might have believed. The game will always come first, and trust me, I've got a string of ex-wives who you can question if you need proof of that. "Again a smattering of laughter crossed the room. "As for my 'leave of absence' I'll tell you the same thing I tell my new employer. I might have been in my penthouse for the last few seasons but I was never 'out of the game'. I kept up with everyone, watched all the holos, and let me tell you the holos don't lie."

"Can you elaborate on what that means, Coach?"

"The holos. They don't lie. I'm not sure how I can be make that more clear to you. We're in the business of winning, and part of that business is watching every single match every single opponent played and plays. From as many angles as possible. You can ask Moose here, I'm sure he's sick to death of watching game film, but as they say 'Knowledge is half the battle'. Next question."


Speaking with clipped, almost hostile tones, another female reporter rose to the challenge. Dressed to the nines, she had an air of superiority to her, as if the very idea wasting time at the press conference of a struggling stable represented a loss of status.

"Yes, this question is for Iwamoto. Your first pre-season match is only a few weeks away and you'll be playing against the Black Lions Co-Op, currently ranked in the Top 10 by Warrior Magazine. My question is, how prepared do you feel your lance will be against such a tough opponent and what challenges do you believe they will present?"

"I have no doubt that we'll be ready. The Black Lions are a tough bunch, no question about it, but we are tougher," Sven coolly answered. "Individually they have some of the finest pilots this side of the truce line. However, this isn't the Dueling Circuit or even the Doubles circuit, this is the Team Circuit. It's as close to a real battle as you can come, and on the battlefield individual skill is worth a whole lot less than unit cohesion, I can tell you that from my personal experiences fighting the Clans...And as a team, the Black Lions just don't cut it."

"Oh yeah, we'll be ready alright," Rhodes added with a grin, clearly pleased by the confidence shown by his subordinate. "We'd be ready to go tomorrow, but you know, the boys in the office say that we have to give the PR machine enough time to do it's magic...okay, our handlers are giving us the signal so I guess that's all the time we'll have for today…"

Edited by Julmust Jaeger, 12 January 2017 - 02:17 PM.