406 replies to this topic

[Thom Frankfurt]

(hope this isn't too awful.)

Solaris Mech Space
International Zone
Solaris City, Solaris VII
20:36 hours

DeMarkus was deliberatly taking his sweet time backing One-Eye into it's berth. Doing so gave him a chance to try to figure out what Slater and the suits were here for, while also annoying them. Slater was wearing a similar getup as last time lots of denium and a black leather vest which strained against the big man's barrel chest as he paced back and forth like a caged beast. Finally the Jagermech pilot stopped his pacing and stood looking up at the Commando's cockpit with hands on hips.

"Capellan!! Get down here now you pudd-pulling sissy, before I climb up there and drag you down by your short curlies!!"

Demarkus keyed his external mic and spoke gruffier than usual.

"Yo relax man, I'll's be right's down."

Markus shut One-Eye down then nonchalantly tossed his neuralhelm onto it's cradle. Then getting up rifled trough his dufflebag (he's still living in the Commando.) pulling out his jumpsuit and put it on. As an afterthought he straped on his needler pistol...

Just incase.

Popping the hatch and climbing out onto One-Eye's shoulder he got a good look around the mechspace. He saw Rick and the dark haired lady having a conversation, as well as several tech's toiling away at repairing various mechs.. He sighed, then climbed down the rungs welded onto his mech. Shaking with rage and reeking of cheap booze, Slater was there to greet DeMarkus when he touched the coolant stained ferrocrete.

"You trying to skip out on our deal, a-hole?" the bassy voice whas a low rumble, like distant rolling thunder.

"What da s**t you's talkn about's man?" The Capellan shot right back.

"What Mr. Slater is talking about is how your just up and leaving without notifing either him or the mechspace." Sal butted in. "By leaving unexpectanly with Slater's property, you find yourself in a very precarious position." He added on.

DeMarkus cast a withering glare Sal's way. That's when he noticed a large man that looked rather familar, despite wearing a suit there was no way to hide the black toothed grin that Jimmy had. DeMarkus scoffed at the guy then turned back to Slater.

"Hey man, I'ms just moving da mech across da steet. I's didn't forget about ya, you'lls get your cash after I's a win my's match." Saying that seemed to make the other mechwarrior relax a little.

"So when's your fight, Frankf-" Slater was cut off by Sal, whom DeMarkus was really wanting to start beating then and there.

"Oh yes, about moving across da street.." he began to imitate D's outragous accent. "there's the matter of your slip fee, which Slater here flat out refuses to pay, then the cost to haul all this junk away.." He jestured at all the scraped wiring and bent up twisted armor plate which cluttered his space. "Then there's the proplem you have about not ever making a deposit for the slip to begin with- Markus cut him off there.

"Yo, just spit's out a numba man!" He growled at Sal, who took a step back.

"Three thousand C-bills even." Replied Sal from behind Slater's massive shoulder.

"Dat's it? You's come all da way's out heres to bust my balls over three thousand C-bills?" The Capellan reached into his jumpsuit's pocket and pulled out a fat wad of C-bills, he quickly counted out thirty scripts of green paper with a smug looking Jerome Blake on them and threw the green backs into a startled Sal's face.

"Don't waste my time over chump change again A-hole!" He then moved to walk off but stopped and pointed a boney finger at Slater.

"You'lls be getting your money, don't forgets dat." He then stormed off leaving a stunned group behind him.

[RogueSpear]

Rainbow Stables Office
International Zone
Solaris City, Solaris VII
April 18th 18:48 Hours

"What in the Archon's name did you think you were doing?" Erin screamed at him. Two armoured bodyguards flanked the door, a fact he had made no efforts to hide his disdain for when he entered the room. The claymore was missing, to Jack's disappointment. It would have been no more use now than it would have before, but it would have amused him to further push on Erin's nerves.
"Who's the suit? Ye bring me a lawyer?" Jack grinned. "Awwww, ye like me after a', do ye?"
Von Bremen felt the muscles along the back of his spine tighten. That is a truly offensive creature. He touched Erin lightly on the wrist as she began a furious retort. "Not quite Mr. Churchill. I am the chief recruiter for these stables, Randolf von Bremen. Normally you would have met with me before being recruited if Mr. Kirov had not put in for you to be enlisted at the first opportunity. You must have impressed him...Blake knows why. I felt it was about time we were introduced."
Jack leered at him. "Diddums. So ye're the boytoy." He spread his arms as he slumped into the armchair. "We've met. Was there something?"
Was there somethi- "You destroyed a media van, disgraced this stable-" His voice didn't raise, barely changed in tone, but the LOKI agent's face could not hide his annoyance at the arrogant wretch. Von Bremen was aware of this and made a mental note to correct the issue even as he was interrupted.
"Ah didn't know it was there. Even once ah wiz over the ridge ah barely got returns fae the ither four mechs about or thae Guard buggers who showed up even with them running fusion reactors. The radar's either knackered or Dan's no half as good as ah thought he was-"
"Dan?" Hissed Erin. "That would be the tech that showed up with your other mechs?"
"Aye, that'd be him." Jack replied, nonplussed at the interruption. "Ye'll need to be hiring him by the way." He continued talking over Erin's explosive outburst. "Unless he f*cked the radar or missed that it was o' course. Ah'll go over it wi' taemorrow and let ye know if ye need to get me a new one or no." He hid a smile under an impassive face as Erin's bottled fury set her trembling. This time, Von Bremen made no move to calm her. Uptight one. Embarassed o' being caught? He's stuck up enough. Doesnae care now, hit his ain limit? "As fer the shoutin'...ye did say to distract their attention."
"So you decided to act like an utter buffoon? Make a joke and-"
"Kid on ah don't care? Weeeellll..." Jack stretched the word as Erin bit her tongue again. "Aye, technically, since ah did care that it would make you look bad and start yer wee carnival off with jobbie on it's breeks." Okay, no from the Isle o' Skye, Jack thought as he saw the momentary confusion on their faces. "Means sh*te on it's troosers lads." Even von Bremen looked distinctly offended now. Erin gaped as Jack delighted in imagining her mind clawing for a suitably scathing retort as her eyes bulged. Both the Lyrans jumped slightly as he clapped his hands. "Right. So now ah'll tell ye what happens noo."
"You'll tell us?" Erin shrieked. "I'll tell yo-"
Jack held up a hand and leaned forwards in a surprisingly calm gesture to quiet her. Erin froze and after a second looked at Von Bremen, who nodded curtly.
Leaning back in his seat, Jack crossed his legs and folded his hands. It was a posture he had not worn for some time. Mad Jack had never had an overwhelming need to play politics. Hans James and done his utmost best to avoid it, but he had played. He had even been passing good at it. "Let's be blunt. No one hires someone like me when they know who ah am." He shrugged. "They don't. You did. That means you're desperate for mechwarriors. Good ones. Even then, anyone with nothing on the line would be stupit to hire me. Means you have something on the line. You tried to control me with blackmail. That means gang or politics." Keenly he watched both figures for tells. He was not disappointed. "Your loathing of pirates," He nodded at Erin, "And your belief that the threat of the polis would hold me in check says you're not gang. A gang would have blackmailed and threatened. A good gang would have offered a carrot as well. That means government. I'm guessing Lyran, but I don't care." He stroked his beard. "Well, I'm curious, but I don't actually care. Frankly, it's irrelevant beyond one thing. A gang would bump me off. Inside of a week I'd have some nasty accident. Ah'd get mugged, have some armour plating fall on me, reactor overload. There'd be something." He could see the smug look in Erin's eyes as he said it and smiled, as he noted Von Bremen very slightly raise his head. "Your boy knows why that would be stupid. You're not thinking, which is why I explain. Or should I let Mr...Bremen? Von Bremen? Explain?" He cocked his head slightly at the assassin.
"Mr. Von Bremen, thank you." He turned to look at Erin. "If he dies there will always be doubt. Certain parties could be intrigued."
Jack dipped a shallow nod at Von Bremen. "Which would be bad for whatever it is ye're trying to do here. Gives me at least a month. An' you won't reveal me to be a former pirate." He spread his arms again. "It's been a day! No one would believe you didn't know if you let it out the bag before two weeks, people will suspect and mebbe investigate depending on how the Rainbows are doing if you reveal it inside of 6. Maybe as far as a year. That's jist a bad egg." Erin sullenly shifted her weight and looked away. "Which you knew, and thought I wouldn't realize. Silly. Which leaves us at the point of this exercise, half baked as it was. You now know I can make you miserable just as easily as you can make me, and I can do it with less repercussions for me very own self."
"So what do you propose Mr. Churchill?" Von Bremen said stiffly.
"Simple. Stay out my way." Now Mad Jack came back to the fore. "I'll fight for ye. I'll bleed for ye. Ah'll knock down any punter ye put in front of me. An' ah'll do it on me ain terms. Ye stay out o' my way, an' I'll no sh*te in yer living room. Savvy?"
"I think we understand you, Mr. Churchill. However, you must understand us. From this moment on..." Von Bremen paused for an interruption that did not come, and continued. "You will behave as the most cleanshaven mechwarrior in this stable. Or the consequences of having you in our employ will outweigh the benefits."
Jack mulled it over. "No more than one bar fight a week, no hangovers at a fight, fix the Heavies, beard stays."
"No bar fights, no drinking within 48 hours of a fight, we fix the Champion, attend official practice daily, beard goes." Von Bremen countered.
"One bar fight a fortnight, no drinking 24 hours o' a fight, fix the Jagermech pro Bono, Champion's mine, attend team practice on demand, beard stays."
"Practice 4 days a week plus any team practice on demand, beard goes."
"Practice 5 days a week, make my own hours fer it, plus team practice, beard stays."
"Team practice on time, sober, no hangover."
"Beard stays?"
"Beard stays."
Jack spat in his palm and held it to shake. "Done."
Von Bremen stood ramrod straight for a long moment before mimicking the gesture with obvious distaste. As the two men were but a fraction away from clasping, Erin's voice cut into the silence, sickly sweet. "And you make a public apology."
Jack stared at Von Bremen's hand as it held his own and hung his head. "Ahhh fer ****'s sake." He muttered.
Erin smiled tightly. "We'll dress you nice. And you'll read from cards. Get out of my office."

As Jack left, Von Bremen excused himself. Returning a moment later, drying his hands on a towel he reentered the room. "Astonishingly intelligent for a homicidal maniac."
Erin whirled on him. "How did he know?"
Von Bremen shrugged. "He's smart and we were playing seperate games. He didn't even think of a legitimate corporate sponsor, did you notice?"
Erin huffed into her chair. "Barely better than gangs. Some of them."
Von Bremen sat across the desk from her. "True, but it didn't occur to him nonetheless. It never occurred to us to think like a pirate." He cocked his head. "Did he seem different to you?"
"The accent you mean?"
"Yes...it was nowhere near as thick when he was negotiating. That...creature is a very complicated man."
Erin muttered an oath beneath her breath. "Will he stick to that deal you made with him?"
Von Bremen winced internally at the barb. "I believe so. Shall we get a drink...?"
Erin glared at him for a moment, then held out her hand. Groaning silently, he raised a finger to wait as he stood and turned to go fetch the liquor.

Solaris Mech Space
International Zone
Solaris City, Solaris VII
April 18th, 20:42 Hours

Jack strolled into the mechspace as he looked around for Dan. A cursory investigation of the Rainbow hangar had shown his Jagermech and half the assorted jumble of spare parts from his bays, but not the Challenger or the rest. And he did need to talk to Dan about that radar, and take him to task if it was incompetence to blame. Besides, the Commando pilot, DeMarko, and his mech were supposed to be here. Much as he hated to admit it, Jack and the beast both knew the afternoon's display had caused bad blood with the man.
And neither of them were quite through with Erin yet.
A quick conversation with the first tech who, literally, came to hand dropped to the ground when Jack released him. He headed into the depths of the hangar in the direction the man had pointed, just in time to see the familiar figure throw a sheaf of C-Bills into the face of a group of suited men and a a barrel chested mechwarrior in leathers and denims. DeMarko the Hangman turned to storm off, before whirling round and pointing a finger at one of the men as Jack accelerated into earshot. "You'lls be getting your money, don't forget that!" He stormed out of his bay.
Jack tilted his head down and cleared his throat. "Hangman!" He called. The angry mechwarrior looked over at him. "Hold up." He closed the distance with the other man, sizing him up as he did so. He was wearing a jumpsuit over his cooling vest, hanging a little loosely on his slim frame. The scar over one eye and the fact he was still piloting made Jack respect the guy a lot more than he would have. If there was anyone else around, he'd have wagered there was plenty of other scars to match. Stones. Fighter. 20 C-Bills and a pint of malt says if he gets in a corner, whatever puts him there dies screaming. He held out a hand. "Jack Churchill. Urbie pilot from earlier. I uh..." He scratched his neck after shaking with DeMarkus. "I owe you a thank you. An apology too for the quote ah guess. Didn't know ye were actually there." He cast a lingering look at the gaggle of figures. "Y'all right?"

EDIT: Grammar check

Edited by RogueSpear, 01 July 2012 - 02:50 PM.

[ChaosGrinder]

" You´re not the one for smoking, eh ? " She said laughing, as she lit her cigar. " Better be so, you know how to keep you healthy."

She nodded. " THe whole leg´s one twisted mess. He´s already suspended in the rail crane, but the leg´s barely hangin´ in there. I hope the new one arrives soon, they said it could take a good few weeks. I´ve compiled a list of all things that have to be done, but i don´t know, if that´s really all. I guess there are some minor things i haven´t seen , but that´s not a big deal, i´m doing this on a daily basis. "

She took the beer and capped it. " Never refuse a beer, you´ll never know when you can heve your next one. " She laughed.

They walked over to the Stalker and Liz flicked on the Bay lights above the mech. " That´s it, my pretty lill Bunny. Got scrapped pretty badly. I´ll hand you the damage report if you need it, got it just over there... So whatcha say , doable ? "

[Thom Frankfurt]

Solaris Mech Space
International Zone
Solaris City, Solaris VII
April 18th, 20:44 Hours


"Hangman!" The voice rang out across mechspace, stopping D'Markus dead in his tracks. In response he looked over his shoulder at the voice's owner; a wildly bearded man whos grease stained clothes strained against his girth. He wasn't fat per se, but the bulging stomach hinted at a man who loved his food and drink. He turned around to reguard the man as he trotted on over arching an eyebrow as he came. Gruff and dirty... tech? No couldn't be, he knew almost every tech in the mechspace by now, he had quite a fan following after hospitialising the bullish Jimmy. He glared in the direction of Jimmy as he went about picking up the cash that he had thrown in Sal's face.

(FYI my name IRL is James and I'm not a big fan of having a d-bag NPC named Jimmy. Oh and Rogue let me know if I'm off on Jack's description. I'm going from memory and trying to picture what I think Jack looks like.)

"Hold up." The fat stranger called and Markus arched an eyebrow. He sized the bigman up as he approached and he felt certain that he could add 'tough' to the list, judging by the scars he was able to see dotting the mans leathery skin and how the man moved with a confident swagger that only harda$$es had. And there was a twinkle in the stranger's eye, one that spoke of a keen intellegence. The Capellan was certain that he likewise was being visually examed.

Great now what?

He held out a hand. "Jack Churchill. Urbie pilot from earlier. I uh..." The man trailed off like he was unsure of what to say. De'Markus took the rough skinned hand and gave it a firm handshake.

And strong. He added to the list. He thought of Rick being obese and how he was able to manhandle large armor plates around barehanded. Then he thought of this man as an older, dirty, gruffier version on Rick and almost wanted to chuckle. Jack broke off the handskake and reached up to scratched the back of his neck.

"I owe you a thank you. An apology too for the quote ah guess. Didn't know ye were actually there." He cast a lingering look at the gaggle of suited figures lurking before One-Eye casting withering looks their way. "Y'all right?"

DeMarkus shrugged.

"Been's bedder... been's worse too." He shrugged then took a look at his Mickey Mouse watch. "Hey man, we's in da same stable, teammates, or whatevea's." He paused. "So hey, wat happen out der? I means I saw you's flies on over.. you didn't know da van was der? It's been der for a long time. Over's a week now, I's think." He thought about it then shrugged again.

Not sure what that crap you're shouting over the intercom was all about, but I'll find out sooner or later.

"So no worries, I's told da chick dat shoved da camera n my's face dat you's didn'ts know about da van. And it was all a's accident. I'ms preddy sure's dat's what happend. I mean's you'd land right atop it if you'd awanna... Luckilies nobody's was ahurt dat bad."

He suddenly claped his hand once.

"But ahey's it's late, an I's still haven't moved my's stuff or my girls' on over's to da stable yet. So we'lls a catch up's later. See you's around, Jack."

Edited by Thom Frankfurt, 28 June 2012 - 07:51 PM.

[RogueSpear]

Solaris Mech Space
International Zone
Solaris City, Solaris VII
April 18th 20:45 hours

"Yeah, mah radar wasnae pickin' up squat. Barely got a return from the rest o' yer mechs. But aye, ah'll catch you about. Should chase mah tech." Jack nodded at the man and headed off into the hangar to look for Dan.
Not bad. Seems...decent. Jack shook his head. It'd been a long time since he'd had company of a reputable and honest nature. This should be...something.

[MacabreDerek]

Solaris Mech Space
International Zone
Solaris City, Solaris VII
20:36 hours


"Lil' Bunny huh? I like that name. It's like buying the most vicious blood thursty riding bull in the world just to name it Buttercup." Rick took a swig of his cheap beer, and then sucked in the smoke from the cigar into his mouth. After watching the near-wreck Mech for a moment, he breathed out, trying to savour the flavour while not letting his face go green.

"Yea, depending on the parts and how many of the boys are wanting to work off shift, we could probably have it ready in thirty hours. Not the first and wont be the last mech I pulled doubles for. If you have a damage chart, that might come in handy."

Walking along the foot of the assault mech, he rubbed his hand over the tears in the armour. "Well, I'd say we could probably make due with replacing the leg. The real problem is your gyro. See how your mech wants to fight to the left? I'd be willing to bet it was calibrated for a different gravity. Have you been making sure your techs have been adjusting it on a mission per mission basis? You might not feel it much, but Bunny sure knows. Puts unnessisary strain on it and goes through wear and tear sooner than you'd think."

"Looks like some of the Myomer can be salvaged, probably can get some of it stripped off with a kettle. Steam em and make em pliable, shouldn't be too much of an issue. Probably helps that most of the shrapnel seems to went outside. Worst thing about Mechs, the damage is always more long term, small pieces of sharp steel end up inside it's casing and start shredding up joints and whatever else they can wedge themselves into."

Rick poked his head inside one of the larger gashes and took a long drag off his cigar, the light from the cherry illuminating the dark space behind the armour plating. "Looks like the ankle joint might have been impacted. What happened, ya drop off a cliff? Didn't think people would put Jay-Jays in Stalkers...."

Pulling out a small PDA, he started inputting a list of tools and components he would need from his work station. He looked up to check which cranes were not in use, and what the dimensions of the remaining hanger bay was by eye.

"So what's the story? Solaris match gone wrong? Where did ya get her? Lil Bunny looks to be a Triad model, I didn't think I would see one in my life time. Sure Irian makes em higher quality, and Trellshire makes them like the Soviet Union from Terra made the AK-47, but a Triad is somethin' special. I thought they went out almost a eighty years back..."

Rick dropped flat on his belly to start inspecting the bottom of the foot in among the segmented plates. "Wow, I've seen stress fractures, and then I've seen Stress Fractures. There's a reason they don't make em like they use to."

Rolling over, he brought the cigar to his mouth and clenched it in his teeth. Placing the beer down upon the cold ferocrete floor, he looked up at Elizabeth, his eyes wide like a kid in a candy store. "So tell me Elizabeth, short version, what's your story, what's happened to Lil' Bunny, and what brings you to my operating table?"

Edited by MacabreDerek, 26 June 2012 - 11:54 PM.

[ChaosGrinder]

Solaris Mech Space
International Zone
Solaris City, Solaris VII
20:36 hours


" In one of the crates. Brown Paperback, you can´t miss it. It´s the one with the Bunny sticker", she said and pointed to one of the smaller open crates storing Mech parts.

She pulled over a cloesd box to sit down and snickered.

" My ... tech ? I´m my own techie. Have you seen someone else around here ? I´m a loner, i have to take care of my mechs on my own. If you look closely, you can see the Aramide-fabric on the inside of the armor plating. Got that done a while ago to prevent exactly that. Gotta do that to the new Armor plates too. "

She was puzzled, as Rick asked her about her past. She didn´t like talking about her past, but he seemed too nosey to deny.

" Uh, long story short, imma merc, i sell may Walker to the highest bid, i used to work for the military, done this, went there ... You know. Last mission got me on the wrong foot, the knew we where commin´ and placed a Trap for us. See .. " she said and sightet. " That´s the toll i paid for my freedom ." She took her Boots and with a flick of the wrist she took them off with her lower legs.

" Lost them about one and a half years ago. Not really sorry about my legs, more ´bout my Raven i´ve lost them in. I can tell you a story about agonizing pain."


Le Edit : Minor Grammar fixes

Edited by ChaosGrinder, 27 June 2012 - 07:39 AM.

[MacabreDerek]

Solaris Mech Space
International Zone
Solaris City, Solaris VII
20:37 hours

Rick nodded slowly. "Well Elizabeth, not gonna lie to ya and say 'I think I understand', because I don't. Pretty thing like you though shouldn't take the lone road, but that's not for me to judge. Hell, I'm just a fat bald tech who just happens to be able to do some good on this rock." He tried not to pay her handicap any mind, though it was always awkward for him. Sometimes, you get the answers you really didn't want, and this was what he got for sticking his nose where it didn't belong.

Putting out the cigar on the ferrocrete floor, he stood up from under the Stalker's foot. Walking to the crate he picked up the list. "Actuators, bones, myomer, could probably weld you up some frame pieces.... Yea, looks like you got everything ready."

"Ya know, I would love to have a Stalker. Heat is a problem sure enough, but it really feels like a mech I'd feel good in. Sad truth about my Archer, it requires a pilot who's a damn sight better than I am. Guess you could say my vision of competing in the games died in the cradle. If I was in a light mech and had some pilot background, sure, wouldnt be a problem. But at that weight, most of the competition would shred me, and it doesn't help how many of the arenas are designed for brawling to add excitement."

Rick brought the beer to his lips and pounded back the rest. Crumpling the can in frustration, he tossed it into a nearby scrap bin. "Guess it just wasn't meant to be. Not sad about it though, I get to meet a lot of people who are up and comers, I get to see and work on their mechs, and I guess I am more valuble with a wrench and welding goggles than a stick and neural helm..."

"Ahhh, enough with my pity party, we got work to do. Ya think you're ready to get your hand's dirty again? I'm going to get more beer, this could make for a long shift."

Taking a pencil from his breast pocket, he scribbled something beside the sticker on the list before putting the clipboard down. He began walking away, leaving the sheet in view, a little bunny sticker with a poorly drawn carrot beside it and the words 'Om nom nom' scribbled all around the cheerful rabbit.

[ChaosGrinder]

Solaris Mech Space
International Zone
Solaris City, Solaris VII
20:37 hours


" You´re the right man ath the right place at the right time. Don´t feel uncomfy bout that, i don´t do it too. " With that she put on her Boots again and stood up.

" If you have a bit of fire control, you get away with that pretty good. I just need something to smash sh*t up. Eh, all a question of practice."

She was alright working now, though she had slept only afew hours the last days. But the time for sleeping had yet to come and her Stalker needed the repairs.Badly.

" Awwright, let´s get started. I´ll get some of the Stuff we need and we can start off. I brought along my own tools, but if you wanna use yours i don´t mind either. "

She liked working on her mech. It was kind of relieving for her. Her mechs had been her company for quite a while and sometimes she felt that that´s all she needed. She snickered, as she saw the Bunny Rick had left on his Clipboard. That was a quite unusual way for her to start her working day.

[Sparks Murphey]

Solaris Mech Space
International Zone
Solaris City, Solaris VII
April 18th, 20:02 hours

Vulpesveritas, on 22 June 2012 - 08:54 AM, said:

"What happened? I was wondering why you were missing." said Fredrick, rather suprised.

“She was fooling around up on one of the gantries here and fell. My stupid fault, I should have kept her on the ground.” Bertie checked his watch. “Speaking of the little terror, it’s getting late and I should be home by now. Do you mind if I scoot and meet you at Rainbow’s offices tomorrow morning, say, around nine thirty?”

Bertie passed Frederick Von Bremen’s card with Rainbow’s address, conveniently tucked into the folder of paperwork, and headed for the exit.

[Vulpesveritas]

Solaris Mech Space
international Zone
Solaris City, Solaris VII
April 18th, 20:03 hours

Frederick sighed as Bertie walked out. He hoped the best for Bertie's daughter's health, though he couldn't help shake the feeling that he was more or less being forced into the stable. Taking a look around the hanger, he shrugged, and started heading to his apartment. On his way, he couldn't help but look at the shadows to his right and left. Something felt off to him, but he wasn't sure what it was, or if it was merely his imagination. Sighing once more as he reached his apartment door, he walked in, turned on the light, and took off his jacket, laying the papers he was given with it. Making sure to lock the door, he walked to his room and plopped back on his mattress, then looking to his left to check that his alarm was set swiftly fell asleep.

[Thom Frankfurt]

(A bit short, but I need to get some sleep. It's been a long week.)

Solaris Mech Space
International Zone
Solaris City, Solaris VII
April 18th 20:52 hours

RogueSpear, on 26 June 2012 - 09:22 PM, said:

"Yeah, mah radar wasnae pickin' up squat. Barely got a return from the rest o' yer mechs. But aye, ah'll catch you about. Should chase mah tech."

As DeMarkus packed up the exotic assortment of tools scattered around Kaylee's workstation, and tossed them into her pink toolbox, he kept playing the Urbanmech pilot's words over and over in his head.

Sensors busted, or... jamming. The Capellan thought back on it and he couldn't remember ever really looking at his sensor feeds when he was anywhere near the vacinity of the SBC news van. But then again Ole One-Eye's sensors did have an autocannon round go through them. He tried to dispell the thought from mind as he pushed the rolling toolbox out to the exit leading towards the street, and then beyond to Rainbow Stables.

[Sloth901]

[[April 19^th, 13:00 hours
Steiner Coliseum
Solaris 7]]

Last few days had gone in a blur, since that news crew turned up Alex knew he needed to debut soon to stop people from having time to analyse him. He wasn’t happy about the rush and couldn’t stop laughing when he heard about the Urbie, but now was the time, 6 mechs went in 1’s coming out. He didn’t even know who he was facing, he was told all pilots are in lights and he would find out the rest when he enters the arena, It was time, he exited the tunnel to the cheer of the crowd, The place was by no means packed but incredibly busy for a light match. But they were probably here for the Heavy match after this one.

Alex could be distracted by that though, he needed to scope his competition, and he could see 3 targets leaving tunnels near him, A Jenner, A Commando and a Locust. The Locust was immediately to his right, whereas the other 2 were comparatively far away. The Locust would be his 1^st target, he keyed it in and the targeting computer identified it as a LCT-1S.

The Claxon Sounded 4 SRM’s streaked towards Alex almost before he could turn, 1 struck his arm but the rest trailed harmlessly into the air. Alex’s Small lasers chain fired at the Locust as he accelerated forwards, he made sure to target the weaker legs as he fired, The locust strafed firing its medium laser scorching the right arm were the Missile hit, but doing no real damage. The Locust stopped and fired another Salvo of SRM’s at Alex, This time 3 out of 4 made contact doing damage to the right torso.
Wait... This guy’s a Rookie he has to stop to use his SRM’s. Alex now knew how to get this guy he turned and continued to fire his small lasers into the locust that had begun moving again and waited for his next opportunity. He got it sooner than he asked for, The Locust stopped to line up a shot and two streaks of light and two SRM’s struck into his left arm SRM, even Alex couldn’t miss at this range. The light mech began to back pedal away from the Panther as Alex fired yet another salvo of SRM at him. Alex was then bringing his PPC online to finished him when the Locust pilot ejected, It was soon clear why as LRM’s struck the mech from a Commando that had just finished off a Jenner.
Alex started to close the distance on the obviously crippled Commando, it was limping so couldn’t run and it looked like the only weapon system he had left was that LRM 10, he fired another missile salvo striking the Panther in various places and damaging the Left arm acculator locking his small lasers forward. But now it didn’t matter Alex was within the LRM’s minimum range before he could reload and he had one this fight, using the last of his SRM ammo to do so.
According to his radar there was only one mech left, A Firestarter Alex turned to face the new opponent and froze. He... He knew this mech, the black armour and personal emblem of a horse’s skull on fire, his faction emblem had been painted over (badly) and you could see some silver through the black paint where it used to be. Even the load out was the same, 4 flamers and an AC 2, Alex could feel the anger burning inside him. This was the mech that killed his parents...

Alex went into a blind rage, The Panther ran straight at the pirate at full throttle, The AC 2 poured into Alex’s mech tearing through the weakened armour and bringing warnings to Alex everywhere, he kept charging and the Firestarter kept firing, Alex ignored the warnings, several telling him to eject and kept pushing, not even bothering to fire. He reached the Firestarter just as the weight of fire got too much and a hole was blasted in the lower cockpit, sending Rebar through Alex’s leg. He screamed in agony as the Panther ploughed into the Pirate, buckling the armour on its centre torso. Alex’s Panther fell twisting from the impact and landing on its back.

Alex must have blacked out for a second, he awoke to the smell of blood and coolant mixing in the back of his cockpit, The Firestarter was lowering a flamer to the hole in the torso Alex tried to move but there was no power to the engine, it had all been diverted.
A Com came through on an open channel “Any last word’s Boy”
“DIE”

The PPC made contact with the Firestarter’s buckled chest and let loose a point blank burst of lightning blue energy. The Firestarter fell with a thud, a neat hole leading into the pirate’s cockpit still glowing hot. Alex couldn’t feel the pain through his leg anymore; he couldn’t even feel the backlash from the PPC overloading and sending electricity through him, amplified by the metal in his leg. He had won, his head felt heavy and he let the darkness take over
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[April 19^th, 13:37 hours
Solaris International Hospital
Solaris 7]]

“GET THIS GUY TO AN OPERATING TABLE NOW”

“Were losing him, heart beat dropping”

“CLEAR” BZZZZZZZTTTT “CLEAR” BZZZZZTTT

“He’s breathing”


“WHERE’S THAT SURGEON, WEN NEED THIS REBAR OUT NOW”



[[April 19^th, 18:00 hours
Solaris International Hospital
Solaris 7]]

Alex opened his eyes and was immediately blinded by the light and brightness of the room. His head was throbbing but that was about it, he must be drugged up on pain killers he thought to himself, He turned to see a crowd outside the door being held back by hospital security. He attempted to sit up but his body wouldn’t cooperate.
“Don’t worry your ok, you’re in hospital” A doctor walked into his vision” You’re lucky to be alive Alex, why didn’t you eject?”

Alex didn’t answer him but instead proposed a different question “What’s going on out there?”

“They’re news crews here for you”

“Why me? I’m nothing special”

“Nothing special” the doctor looked stunned “you went berserker and killed a pilot who was the favourite of the match, whilst being unheard of yourself. The replays of that match are being played on almost every channel” He picked up a remote and turned on a TV in the corner of the room, The Doctor Placed a card with a rainbow on it on Alex’s bed. “These guys paid for your private room. They said to call them when you feel better. But for now you need rest, at the moment were keeping everyone out. If anyone who isn’t from the media wants to see you I’ll send a nurse to ask if you know them, but for now you need rest” and with that the doctor left into the corridor and Alex went back to sleep.

[Thom Frankfurt]

Rainbow Stables
International Zone
Solaris City, Solaris VII
April 18th 20:52 hours


As DeMarkus pushed the rolling toolcrate down the garbage strewn sidewalk he looked over the four story structure with a critical eye noting the well lit exterior and numerous security cameras dotting the whitewashed building. He stared up at one of the cameras that slowly swiveled over to point straight at him then waved at it, then giving in to his inner child began to make faces at the device. Chuckling he pushed the pink crate on towards where the tinted glass double doors awaited. As he approached the two infantrymen standing sentry he cast an approving glance at the recently painted Rainbow Stables painted upon the wall. His approach had curious results though, DeMarkus noted the visible tensing of the guard's hands as he neared. Like they were ready to spring on him, bringing their laser carbines up and gun him down on the spot.

Damn, these guys are on edge. Wonder what's going on?

"Hey yo, I'm's DeMarkus Frankfurt. I'm's joining da stable. Hey ah, you's guys ain'ts gonna's gun me's down are ya?" He was slightly relieved as the two freakishly huge men relaxed.

Well that's a relief.

"Apologies sir. You were expected hours ago." The man's voice was surprisingly sweet. Not the gruff, German accent heavy rumbling he'd expect from the giant of a man. With that the sentry mumbled something into a collar mounted mic.

"Please Mr. Frankfurt, this way. I'll show you were you can stow your.... tools." As the man began to walk off he grinned while eyeing the huge pink toolbox.

Edited by Thom Frankfurt, 30 June 2012 - 06:34 PM.

[Thom Frankfurt]

Rainbow Stables
International Zone
Solaris City, Solaris VII
April 18th 20:59 hrs


Bang, bang, bang. The guard pounded a beefy fist against the massive steel roll up door. He then then gave it a savage kick which dented the door and made it rattle in protest.

"Hey, open the damned door!!" The Mountain of man rumbled at the others on the other side of the portal. The clinking of chains and squeal of metal on metal answered his call as the door slowly began to inch up. Light bled out as the door yawned open chasing away the darkness which had decended upon Solaris City.

The scents of hot metal, coolant, and paint greeted them first. Followed closely by a portly curly haired tech clad in grease stained coveralls and welding goggles.

"Yeah?" The tech pulled the goggles down leaving a black smear of grease upon his pockmarked face. He then spat out a stream of brackish tobacco juice.

"This is DeMarkus Frankfurt, that new tech Kaylee's boss. Show him around." After that the thug turned to go back to his post at the main entrance leaving D alone with the grease smeared tech. The tech looked about.

"No mech?" Greasy asked while allowing DeMarkus to push the glittery pink toolchest inside the hanger.

"Nah not tonight's man. Tomorrow." He muttered. The tech shrugged then letting the chain slide through his fist, the door shot down to clang against the ferrocrete floor with a mighty crash. Many techs looked their way, including Kaylee who clad in an anti-static suit began running over from where she was installing bundles of myomer on a much abused looking Catapult.

As she ran over he continued to push the toolchest, but he looked around checking out the mechbay. It was huge, easily able to hold a company's worth of mechs. Though empty for the most part, with next to no mechs what so ever, the mechyard was well stockpiled with slabs of armor plates and neatly piled crates of munitions dominating the center of the building. He watched as a tech used some sort of crane system to move about more bundles of myomer over to the hole riddled Catapult. It was easy to see that the man was an expert by how he cracefully handled the contraption. He looked over the assembled mechs. Along side the Catapult was the familar sight of an Urbanmech, beyond that something he never seen before. He had no idea what it was and was about to turn to ask greasy what it was when Kaylee sprang into his arms and hugged him around his neck.

"Whoa, ahem... Kaylee, can'ts... breathe..." He managed to cough out. She loosened the grip and looked up at him.

"I was so worried about you, when I heard that there was some sort of accident, and oh my God, is that blood!?" She began to franticly search about his hands and arms for gashes.

"Kay, it's not's mine. I's a patched up dis lady's head. She's had a cut's about dis two's inches long here." He pointed to her forehead and traced out the direction and length of the laceration. Relieved she took a step back and put her hands on her hips.

"Still you had me worried. Oh look my tools!" she beamed as if noticing the toolchest for the first time. DeMarkus nodded.

"Sorries girl, took One-Eye out's for a's spin, and dat accident ahappens. Got helds up by's da Lyran Guard an press. Den Slater an some d-bags from da mechspace. Sometin about's me not apaying for da space an leaving unexpected like. Oh well..."

He looked around the place again.

"So's hows is it here? You's like it." He asked.

"Well the quarters they gave me is kinda small, but it's all mine." She smiled at him then leaned in close "They've even gave me a couple of greenies to train. So work on One-Eye should be alot faster now." He smiled as she spoke, he was glad see her this excited.

"But you look positivly exhausted. Come let me show you to the warrior's quarters. Oh don't mind the tools, I'll get them when I comeback down.. "

She began to lead him off to a small office in the near corner of the hanger, where two techs typed away at data terminals trying to requisition parts. She led him in through the gray room and further on down a long hallway to an elevator. She stabbed the call button with a gloved hand.

"It's kind of dumb seperating us like this, there's enough room for two in my place... But they insisted that we be seperated." She pouted.

The elevator arrived interupting their conversation. Wordlessly they entered the elevator and rode it up to the top floor. Kaylee began leading them down the hall.

"So... how's everyone's atreating you's?" Markus broke the awkward silence that had fallen between the two of them.

"Oh everyone has been so sweet. Well, except for Randal, he's that tech that opened up the rollup door. Oh yeah and the two guards at the main entrance... What's up with those guys? They getting ready for the fifth sucession war or something?" She made the odd face she always made when she was thinking.

DeMarkus began thinking about it himself, they were extreamly well armed for being just door guards.

Laser carbines, auto pistols, bodyarmor and vibro knives...

"Well we're here." Kaylee's annoucment broke off his chain of thought and he turned to look at the oaken door that stood before them. Upon the dark stained door was a plaque that read 'Team One.'

"Team's One?" He asked Kaylee, who shrugged. "Maybe they indend for you to do group combat." She offered.

Edited by Thom Frankfurt, 01 July 2012 - 09:02 PM.

[Thom Frankfurt]

Rainbow Stables
International Zone
Solaris City, Solaris VII
April 18th 21:19 hrs


"You's sure dis it da right room?" DeMarkus asked Kaylee while eyeballing the placque. She nodded.

"Yeah. Von Bremen showed me where you'd be bunking. Come on, let's go!" With that she grabbed his hand and threw open the door revealing a large room with a hardwood floor. A large gray throw rug sat square in the middle of the rectanglar room, upon it sat a large leather couch before a fairly big vidplayer. Here and there potted exotic plants dotted the room. And several paintings of strange landscapes and motivational posters took up space on the off-white walls. On the far side of the room was a small kitchenette. Kaylee paused as she stopped and looked around curiously. She poked her head down one of the hallways that branched off from the main room.

"Hey your room is over this way!" She called out from the hallway and he went over to check it out. As he neared her he happend to chance a look at the motivational poster mounted by his door. It said; 'Achieve the impossible.' and showed a still shot of Legend Killer, Gray Noton's old Rifleman bouncing an emerald large laser beam off the battle grid at Steiner Stadium and blowing out the back of a Thunderbolt. Kaylee cast a curious glance his way than looked at the poster which held him spellbound. She cocked her head to the side then turned back to look at him.

"Noton fan eh?" She said echoing the words that the creepy Lyran customs official said to him days prior, the words brought him back to the here and now.

"So yeah, this is your room, let's check it out." She threw open the door. A small room lay before them, with bare white walls and a study area cramed into the corner next to the closet. In the space beyond was a decent sized dresser which also served as a nightstand. The bed was a twin, unmade, the matress some sort of plastic foam hybred. Kaylee pulled the blinds and revealed a fantastic view of the moon reflecting off of the Solaris River. Beyond lay the bright lights of the Davion Zone, the Black Hills. She let out a long low whistle.

"Your room is pretty small and ugly, but you atleast have a view." She stated while stairing out at cities bright lights. DeMarkus took a good look out at the brightly lit horizon and nodded. Tossing his duffle upon the bed he set out to unpack the few things he possessed. He neatly placed his good set of fatigues into the dresser then pulled out and tossed upon the floor the rest of his clothes. Kaylee was looking at him.

"Wat?" He asked curious. She opened her mouth to speak but then cocked her head to the side 'Company' she mouthed the word.

"Alright boss, I'll see ya in the morning!" She beamed then made for the door just as Von Bremen made was making to knock on the doorframe. Something was different about the man Demarkus narrowed his eyes and thought hard about it, something wasn't right. Well dressed as always he strode in in a white doublebreasted jacket with a ruby red slik shirt underneath. Matching rubies sparkled from a white gold ring.

"Ah, good you are both here." Von Bremen cleared his throat then held out a manilla envolope to DeMarkus. He took it and casting a glace it's way arched an eyebrow at the Lyran.

"You got what you wanted Mr. Frank...err, Markus. You got your fight with Min, on the 20th. In the dump." Randolph stated.

"Heh? In the Dump?" Frankfurt asked.

"Yes the Dump. Well, officially it is known as arena number 74. It's an old junkyard and recycling center that's been abandoned since the Free Worlds League attcked Solaris back during the third, hence the unoffical name. It's the opening fight of the night, best I could do, sorry."
He held out his hands showing his frustration.

"Inside the packet you'll find detailed maps on the arena, and I've arranged for one of the guards to take you on out there to see it for yourself." He paused whether for dramatic effect or to gather his thoughts Markus wasn't sure. "Also the boss is happy with how you handled yourself out on the proving grounds today. Those were some nasty questions that those reporters were tossing your way. Good job on not loosing your temper, I would."

I seriously doubt that. DeMarkus thought. Von Bremen claped his hands once suddenly.

"So it looks like you two have a busy day tomorrow, I suggest you get some rest." with that the Lyran turned and left them standing there. DeMarkus tore open the packet that the spook gave him and dumped the maps all over the bed. He then layed down to study them.

It wasn't long before the Hangman was passed out on his back with a high altitude photo of the entire dump covering his face. Soon after that Kylee curled up and dozed off beside him.

Edited by Thom Frankfurt, 01 July 2012 - 01:08 PM.

[RogueSpear]

Rainbow Stables
International Zone
Solaris City, Solaris VII
April 18th, 22:12 hours

Jack dropped the crate he was carrying onto the foot of one of the guard's foot with a slight toss. Over the yelp, utterly deadpan he spoke. "What."
The other guard was now holding his rifle at the ready, half raised. "We need to check your gear for contraband. Procedure."
There was a heavy thump as the first guard angrily yanked his foot out from under the crate. Jack looked over his shoulder at Dan. "Ye might want to set that down lad. This'll take a minute."
Armoured guards with rifles. Carrying near as much gear as the gate guards. By the halls to the dorms...Meaning Erin is unclear on oor arrangement.
Turning back to the guards Jack sighed loudly. "Sorry lads." He spread his arms and arched his back slightly, cracking his shoulders and lower back, and dropped his hands to his sides. A taut moment passed before the guards realized he wasn't doing anything. A quick glanced passed between the armed men. One of them moved forward, holstered his weapon across his back as Dan relaxed and put down his own crate, glad to be avoiding the fight. Leaning forward, the guard held out an arm to the crate, then a second as he reached for the clasps. He took hold of them the still armed guard relaxed, lowering his weapon prematurely.
Jack's knee caught the bent over man in the face, bursting his nose and sending him reeling backwards into the door. Like lightning, his left hand swung in an arc and caught the second guard's helmet as he moved to block the swing, hauling him over the crate and sending him sprawling. Spinning forward, he cracked the first guard back into the door with his right, following through to clatter him off the doorframe. A cursory glance saw the man's eyes rolling back into his head as he slumped to the ground. Snapping his head right, he lashed out a foot with surprising grace and knocked the raising autopistol out the guard's hand. He swung the foot back to the ground and used the momentum to grab his shoulders and spin him slightly, that much better an angle to headbutt him from. The guard went straight into the ground, bouncing and rolling as Jack missed a grab for him. Recovering, Jack missed the vibroknife to the shins that the guard intended by millimetres, the front of his grubby overalls parting with a whisper. The two men faced off at each other, moving in small, calculated moments in silence. Abruptly Jack looked up in surprise and frowned, earning him the opening he needed as the man flicked his eyes at Dan, who was trying to open the chest he'd been carrying. Jack wrenched the other man into him and held him with the knife arm locked under his left armpit, his right hand clamped around the man's left elbow. He stared into the man's eyes for a long moment as he struggled and then paused, a look of confusion across his face. "Fall over, please." Jack let go of the man, who stumbled backwards. Jack promptly kicked him in the groin, grabbed his neck and rammed him full tilt into the wall at waist height, crumpling him to the ground. Straightening his jacket, he turned to Dan, who'd just got the crate open.
"Where did you learn to fight like that?" Dan spluttered.
"Dated a Drac once. Refused to go near me unless ah learned her bushido nonsense." He shrugged. "Comes in handy sometimes when ah don't have a chair to hit someone wi'. Close that up, and stick it in the room. An' fer the record, weapons are in the blue crate," He pointed at the one he'd been carrying, "No' the green wan, an' ye don't touch them unless ah ken what ye're doin' wi' them." He picked it up again and shouldered the door open. "Plush room."
"Yeah...uhh...why did you knock out the guards? You know this is a team dorm right?" Dan eyed the crumpled figure of the first guard uneasily as he stepped over it.
"It's whit?" Jack halted abruptly to look at him.
"Yeah, on the door?" Dan nodded his head back at it as it swung shut.
"Ah...woops." One loose cannon could mean she has more..Jack winced as he turned back round.
"So...why did you hit them?" Dan pestered as he crossed the room to figure out where they were going.
Jack nodded his head to the right as he spotted his name on a door. "Because it's that Erin chick taein' the **** again. Probably. And ah'm literally carrying contraband." He hefted the crate meaningfully. "Ah shi-shhhhhhh."
Jack slowly lowered the crate and held a finger up to his mouth, opening the door for Dan quietly and gestured at the open door across the hall where a figure could be seen in bed. Silently they carried the crates into the plain room, a mirror to DeMarkus'. Opening Jack's curtains proved to hold a view of the area of flattened concrete that served as a testing and loading ground for the stable's mechs over a long, slanted section of roof that began a couple of floors below. Jack stepped back into the hallway to close his teammate's door, then stopped. The moon's bright light fell over the room, illuminating a man's body, with a distinctly feminine but distinctly clothed leg across his own. What looked suspiciously like a large polaroid was draped across the man's face, and the bed was scattered with maps and other photos. Stepping quietly back he whispered, "Dan!"
"What?" The other man immediately hunched over and looked guilty as he left Jack's room, looking around furtively.
Jack slapped him. "Stop acting the prat and go check the board in the living room, see if anyone's scheduled for a match."
Dan scampered off as Jack crept into the room. Walking slowly, rolling his steps around the edges of his feet he crossed the room. A quick glance confimed the multitude of maps, aerial photographs and pictures of landmarks. Arena info. He slowly lifted the edges of the photo on the man's face, and dropped it immediately as soon as the man groaned and shifted his weight, setting the woman off as well. DeMarkus...I think. Skinny enough...Standing back from the bed he waited silently as Dan waved in the doorframe frantically for him to get out. Breathing slowly through his mouth he waited for a full count of one-twenty before moving again and closed the curtains in silence, then crept out the room. Dan moved out the way as he backed through and closed the door and nodded to join him in the living room.
"What were you doing?" The tech hissed as they entered.
Jack shrugged somewhat sheepishly. "I wanted to see what he was looking at myself. He's fighting soon isn't he?"
Dan rolled his eyes. "Yeah, the day after tomorrow." He pointed up at the board mounted across the living room from the main door, nestled between a pair of expensive looking plants. It was a flat screen with a red display running in horizontal strips, the letters spelled in dots, similar to those found in spaceports or near roadworks. "Hangman, April 20th, unset time, unset time. You think they don't know those or they just haven't finished programming it yet?" He looked back at Jack, who frowned.
"Ah think...anyone who falls asleep wi' a light that bright and a woman like that still wearin' a' her clothes studyin' fer a fight is someone who kens the score." His eyes flicked up at Dan. "Knows what's going on ah mean. And if it's not up there," He said, flicking his hand at the board, "Then it's something special."
Dan nodded. "So that's why you closed the curtain and the door?"
"Aye. Ye look after yer lancemates, and they look after you. That's the job." He stood up. "Mon. Clear out o' here."
"What about the guards?"
Jack made a face. "Gimme a minute."
Dan followed him into the corridor and watched as he examined the dropped autopistol and checked it's clip.
Those...are not darts or rubber bullets.
He rubbed his hand over his face wearily and reloaded the weapon. "Run down to the desk on your way down. Find someone who can get Von Bremen. Tell 'em a couple of the guards tripped on patrol and Jack's just realized our friend may be clean after a' an' ah'll be waitin' here."
Dan hesitated. "Jack...have I ever told you you're a stupid b*stard sometimes?"
Jack eyeballed him until he left, jogging down the corridor.
"No...but if ye havenae thought it before now ye're dafter than I thought." He sighed and tucked a pair of 50 C-bill notes from his jacket into the two guard's breastplates, found a pen and paper he wrote 'Sorry, my bad on', hauled the two bodies down the corridor with the note and fetched a ringmail coat of a slick, glossy black metal from it's oiled cloths in his chest and a small lever shotgun,sat outside the dorm and waited for someone to show up.

Edited by RogueSpear, 29 September 2012 - 07:28 PM.

[SageOfBattle]

(Hope I'm not jumping time ahead too much)


Boreal Reach
Black Hills
Solaris City, Solaris VII
April 18, 2200 hrs

“Alright people, buck up, we’ve got 3 more mechs to test, so let’s get to it, and go home!”

A chorus of exasperated groans sounded from the technical staff. To Maligo, such frustration simply served to irk him as well. Despite all their talk about being the best techs in the Sphere, he had seen nothing but moaning and griping and longing for their next paycheck. To say that it was a stark difference from the dedication in Quality Control at Defiance Industries would be a world-ending understatement. As the group of 40 technicians and test pilots gathered in a circle, the Chief Technician flipped open his clipboard and read from the paper on it.

“Alright, so Hunchback HBK-4P. Engine breach was fixed, 2 medium lasers replaced, operator’s seat and ejection charges replaced. Eckert, you’re up.”

The female pilot sighed and shook her head. “I hate Hunchbacks.” She walked off to mount up.

“Firestarter FS9-H, leg replaced below the knee, ferrofluid suspension retuned, armor patched. Ishikawa?”

“On it.” The small Japanese man trudged off towards his mech.

“Panther PNT-9R, full skeletal restoration on right arm, ferroglass replaced, full armor replacement for upper torsos, PPC replaced, SRM ammo locker replaced. This is yours Brezchnev…. Brezchnev?”

“He’s out with his wife on parental leave.” Maligo offered.

“Great. Then you do it Maligo.”

His face lit up at the prospect of being able to pilot a mech. “Right away.”

He ran over to the mobile gantry truck and rode the basket up to the cockpit of the Panther. A moment later he was strapping himself in and throwing the activation switches.

The computer came to life and began its security checks. “Name and Check-“

“Technical override, authorization Three-Five-India-November-Six-Six.”

“Override confirmed. Unit joints unlocked. Master arm safe. Master arm requires additional override.”

He pulled down the mic from the neurohelmet and spoke into it. “Control, this is Sponge, all systems online and mobile, awaiting command.”

The Chief Technician’s voice replied. “Alright, we don’t have too much time left here, so make the tests quick. Environment, get us a flat plains simulated.” Before Maligo, the entire floor morphed, grass spontaneously sprouting and rolling hills forming. As it finished, the Chief spoke again. “All units, begin test patterns. Assigned teams, I want reports rolling along with them.”

----------------------

Solaris Mech Space
International Zone
Solaris City, Solaris VII
April 19th 0032 hrs

The rattling of the mech carrier’s diesel engine echoed in the lifeless hangar. With the lights out, the shadows of the Battlemechs in their berths stared down imposingly on Maligo as he drove the truck through the aisle. Though testing had gone well, it still left a sour taste in his mouth to hear all the complaints about their jobs. Despite this being the Planet of Games, the techs seemed to lack the upbeat atmosphere that name seemed to carry along with it. It was often what made him think carefully about his choice to come to Solaris VII, but there wasn’t too many places for a war criminal to go other than the Periphery, and he would never survive there, so Solaris it was.

At the end of the aisle, an open lighted berth was the only thing lighting up the room. On the wall was a small sign that read Maligo Valetudo, No Stable/Faction. The carrier’s brakes whined as it came to a stop. Exiting the truck, he climbed up on the back of the trailer, hitting a button along the way and causing the tarp covering it to roll up. Inside was his Zeus ZEU-5S, badly damaged, and barely mobile. Its tan-brown tigerstripe desert camo paint was scorched, pitted and cracked in places. The ferroglass that covered the cockpit was severely cracked, and the right arm had numerous armor breaches where snapped myomer fibers hung out of. He hopped over the edge and landed on its upper torso, next to its cockpit, opening it with a small access panel. Dropping in, Maligo triggered the start-up sequence, the fusion engine purring to life. In all the punishment the Zeus had taken, it seemed near impossible that the engine was intact, but Maligo took it as a testament to the strength of the design.

The machine whined and screeched, damaged actuators protesting their activation. He hit the button for the lift assist on the trailer, hydraulics whining as jacks helped the Zeus stand upright. As soon as the mech was upright, Maligo wasted no time positioning it in the open gantry. As he moved, wails, chattering and howling filled the air as the tortured skeleton barely withstood the stress of movement. As soon as the mech was in place, Maligo shut it down, not wanting to risk any more stress on the skeleton. With the mech in place, automatic systems took over and gantries and walkways closed in. He opened the cockpit and stepped out, taking a small maintenance elevator to the floor, taking the carrier and parking it outside. He walked back inside and turned the light that illuminated his Zeus off. Taking the elevator up once again, he returned to the Zeus’ cockpit, leaving the hatch open. A compartment beneath his seat contained his duffle bag and a blanket, which he draped over himself. Reclining his seat back as far as it could, he closed his eyes and settled in for the night.

Edited by SageOfBattle, 01 July 2012 - 08:47 PM.

[Sparks Murphey]

The Grotto Hotel
Black Hills
Solaris City, Solaris VII
April 18th, 21:13 hours

During the taxi ride back to his hotel, Bertie skimmed through Rainbow’s legal documents. It all seemed much as he’d expected it. They’d pick his fights, but would repair his ‘Mech for him. He’d get a portion of his winnings, and paid health care, but they’d keep any salvage from matches - not that salvage was often granted on Solaris. His Enforcer remained his own property, but they could choose what to fit it with.

He flipped the folder shut and sighed. In many ways, it was like being back in a House regiment. It offered security in return for trust that your higher-ups knew the hell what they were doing. It was a solid wage you didn’t have to struggle for. But that security hadn’t helped Kathy on Alrescha, when a squad of Death Commandos hit the HQ.

He passed a twenty kroner bill to the driver and pushed through the revolving door of the hotel’s lobby. Though the radio chattered late-night talk back in the corner, the reception desk was clear. Bertie rung the bell on the counter. After a moment, a clerk appeared, a steaming cup of coffee in one hand and a stock-standard hospitality smile plastered on.

“Yes?”

“Just...” no second thoughts, Bertie, just do it, “...just wanted to let you know, we’ll probably be checking out in the morning. Room 104,” he added.

The clerk wrote a note on a desk pad. “Very good, sir. We’ll have your bill tallied by the morning.” The smile was back, almost but not quite covering the look of “will you let me get back to my coffee now?”

“Thanks,” Bertie mumbled, and scaled the staircase to the first floor, fumbling in his pocket for the magkey.

Heather was asleep on the couch, the vid playing a cartoon about a talking book and its magical friends. The ugly bruise covering most of the left side of her face looked almost like strange shadow from this angle. She snored softly to herself.

“You’re faking,” Bertie said, switching off the vid, “Real children aren’t cutely asleep when their parents arrive home late.”

She blew him a raspberry.

“Now, if you were all sprawled out with drool running down your cheek,” he mimed a twisted and uncomfortable position, “that I could believe. You had dinner?”

“Yes. I had one of your meals,” Heather replied, sitting up. Bertie nodded. She’d been stealing his MREs since she was two.

“Good girl. Now, do your teeth and then, bed.”

[Thom Frankfurt]

Rainbow Stables
International Zone
Solaris City, Solaris VII
April 18th, 22:22 hours


She bit me... I can't believe that crazy b!tch bit me.

Von Bremen thought while standing in the harsh white light casted by bathroom's flourescent lighting, gawking at the red teeth indents on his shoulder and neck. Grimacing he turned his head to the side and looked at a brackish red hickey sticking out like a sore thumb the alabaster white skin on the other side. Flinching he slowly turned around to see that blood had seeped from the clawmarks Erin gave him to stain his outrageously expensive designer undershirt. He then cast an annoyed glare at the lighting, lighing that made every mark and blemish stand out like a Dutch brothel. It wasn't a very flattering reflection.

Ring.

The high pitched ring of the vidphone from the other room ended the withering stare long enough for Randolph to look at his watch. A masterwork of engineering made of white-gold and bejeweled with black diamonds read that the local time was 22:25. With a final look of disgust at his not so good looking at the moment looks in the mirrior, he killed the lights and strode over to the vidphone.

This better be good. The look on the geeky overnight receptionist's face was proof enough that it wasn't.

Great what now?

"Yes?" Asked the irritated Von Bremen.

"Umm sir, there's been umm..." the girl began to stamper out.

"Christ, just spit it out Lisa." He snapped college girl.

"Sir it's Jack, ummm... Mr. Churchill. The camera's just showed him be-" Lisa's voice was cut off by the booming sound of someone running up behind Lisa, the face peeking over the receptionist's shoulder showed it to be Jack's tech, Dan.

"Hey!" the tech was huffing and puffing from his run. "Uh, hi, I need to talk to Von Bremen for Jack? Oh cra- Mr. Von Bremen, umm, Jack says," Dan contorted his face as he tried to remember Jack's exact words and mimic the accent, 'Two guards took a trip on patrol an' Jack's just realized our friend is maybe clean after a' an' ah'll be waitin' here.' Uhh, your friend and not mine I think. And he's there, not me. Umm."."

Great. What has that fool done now?

"I'll be up in 5." He caught his reflection in the vidscreen. "Better make that 10, go let him know that I'm coming." With that he stabbed the power button with a well manicured finger shutting off all power to the vidscreen. He then fetched his wristcommunicator from where he left it by his bedstand. He hated everything about the plain metal device, but it had it's uses. He sqeezed the small activate button and spoke in a clear professional manner.

"Hugo, this is Von Bremen. I need a security detail to meet me up in the fouth story corridor by the elevator leading towards the team one dorm, in five."

With that the Lyran went to his wardrobe and pulled out a smokey red turtlenecked sweater. Like the writst communicator, he hated everything about the turtleneck. But it had it's uses, just like everything else. Even loose cannons like Jack Churhill.

Edited by Thom Frankfurt, 04 July 2012 - 07:28 AM.