Welcome to the HeavyMetalPro Forums

Colonel Mohammed As`Zaman Bey sat at his desk and shut off his ledgerpad. Rubbing his eyes, he sighed and peered at the dimly lit chronometer on the bulkhead. Accoring to the last report it would be at least another twelve hours before the jump drive would be repaired.

His comm module emitted a muffled chirp and he casually tapped the reply stud, "As`Zaman."
A tinny female voice responded, "Aquid Bey, this is Naquib Benhaddad. I have favorable news."
"Please continue, Naquib Faarishah Rachel Benhaddad, although I have already told you that you need not call me 'Lord Colonel' when out of formation."
There was soft laughter, "Aya, Colonel, and you are not required to recite my full rank, title and name either but you always do."
He replied, in mock annoyance, "Naquib Faarishah Rachel Benhaddad, did you not have something to report?"
More musical laughter, "The repairs are complete and we shall be jumping within two hours, sir."
"Very good, Naquib Faarishah Rachel Benhaddad, please relay that report to the other commanders -if you have not already done so." He cut off his comm module before another bubbly reply. He shook his head, reactivated his ledgerpad, and resumed writing his report.

Colonel As`Zaman commanded the 8th Arkab Legion, a unit slowly being brought up to strength. Recalled to the Arkab system after years as a mercenary, he assembled a unit of his fellow Azami sect members specifically to fight the invading hordes that called themselves the Clans. The 8th Legion was actually composed of Fifty-nine battlemechs, twenty combat vehicles, twenty aerospace fighters and a battalion of infantry plus ample support elements. Such a force would be lackluster if it wasn’t for the fact that the slowly growing unit was made up of rare Star League equipment as well as generous uptech modifications.
Intelligence gathered from various sources, including his personal interrogation of Clan prisoners, helped guide Colonel As`Zaman’s formation of his fighting unit, which he modeled after Clan organization as closely as possible. There were still a lot of gaps unfilled on these invaders but the more he could learn from them, the better the Azami and their Draconis Combine allies could fight them and ultimately defeat them.

A lean, swarthy man in his mid thirties, As`Zaman had a short beard and deep, dark eyes. He contemplated his report. His last mission was enlightening but a mild disappointment.

The 8th Arkab was assigned to supplement the remnants of the 2nd Sword of Light on its mission to the Clan Smoke Jaguar occupied system of Courchevel. The 8th was to act as the forward reconnaissance for that elite unit which was still rebuilding after being mauled over a year before during the early months of the invasion. Eager to face the Clans, the 8th Arkab Legion gladly accepted the assignment.

Landing unopposed, the 8th deployed with textbook precision, each element fanning out in a pre-plotted search pattern, looking for the enemy. With disappointing predictability, the enemy, instead of being dispersed in the countryside and ready to do battle, were still in their billeting area when the 2nd Sword of Light’s commander issued the official challenge to the commander of the Clan unit defending the planet.

“Provisional Garrison Cluster?” Colonel As`Zaman asked himself, studying the sensors of his Mongoose. His star had been cautiously searching acres of tilled fields, knowing that the chances of enemy presence in his search cordon being depressingly low to nil. If any fighting began, he was too far away to be part of it. Seconds after the challenge was accepted by the Smoke Jaguar commander, there was a crackling message over unit frequencies: “All Arkab units are to withdraw from the starport and billeting areas, do not interfere with Clan elements –the challenge is between the invaders and the 2nd Sword of Light only.”
As`Zaman shook his head. “We were offered full salvage- Our allies planned to take it all from the beginning.” He reluctantly acknowledged the command then passed it to the other stars on patrol.
“Gundam bastards.” Came a reply in Arabic, followed by the clicking of microphones in agreement over the Legion’s frequency. He knew they were being monitored but he had to laugh, Captain Benhaddad’s derisory comment of comparing the 2nd Sword of Light to large, colorful, fighting cartoon robots seemed fitting.
Captain Dame Rachel Benhaddad piloted the heaviest battlemech in the unit, the sole Atlas. Dame Rachel was a knighted veteran of the 4th Arkab Legion and in over 10 years, her cheerful disposition had not diminished since the day he met her during their orientation at the Sun Tzu Academy. Even while the unit was being robbed of training, glory and salvage, Rachel found reason to joke.

The 8th Arkab stood at a safe distance, battle cameras observing the one-on-one challenges between the regiment of Inner Sphere battlemechs and the battalion-sized Clan unit from every angle. The first thing Colonel As`Zaman noticed was that most of the battlemechs used by the Clan were of older, familiar designs. Only two were omnimechs, as the Clan military called them. He recalled that on a raid on Ridderkirk, where two Lyran RCTs were used to draw off Wolf Clan units and severely mauled, that omnimechs, and those monstrous Elementals seemed to be everywhere.
“Obviously, they save their best for the front lines.” He thought, wincing as another Combine mech shut down and was allowed to pull away from the fight. Another 2nd Sword of Light battlemech stepped up, the pilot announcing his name, rank and family pedigree.
“What a waste of C-bills.” Commented Captain Benhaddad, “They may as well issue these fools muskets and have them volley fire at each other.”
“Aya,” replied the Colonel, “this is bloody attrition –Napoleonic warfare with battlemechs, where the winner merely outlasts the loser. No maneuver, no tactics, no skill needed at all.” He frowned, “Barbaric.”
After the last Smoke Jaguar battlemech fell with a shattered leg, the Clan commander accepted defeat and turned over his remaining assets to the 2nd Sword of Light. Not long after, Colonel As`Zaman received a message from a 2nd Sword of Light staff officer to remain clear of the billeting area and to prepare to depart in five days. “Acknowledged.”

He removed the white embroidered taqiah from his shaven head, placed it on his desk and walked over to his bunk. He sat down heavily, unlaced his boots and lay back, closing his eyes, hoping to be asleep before the jumpship got under way. He dreamed of endless dunes of pristine sand, blue skies and more sand, as far as he could see.

He walked slowly through the tall grass, which waved slowly in the slight breeeze. Recovery vehicles and crews were busy loading another battlemech onto a trailer. By the placement of the weatherworn wreckage, it was clear that the successive lines of assault and heavy battlemechs attempted one vain holding action after another before being overwhelmed. Some were nearly intact save for their cockpits being ripped open.
“They left the bodies here to rot.” He said, “And to the carrion beasts.” There was a severe coldness in his voice that seethed with indignation. “Barbarians.”

The 10th Alshain Regulars had fought its last battle defending Courchevel against the invaders over a year ago –the unit virtually annihilated in a running battle across Harcourt Plains. The warm sun smiled down upon the crews of technicians who were salvaging black boxes and ROMs from the trail of wreckage that stretched almost a hundred kilometers to a rocky quarry known to the locals as Dragon’s Rift, where the light `mechs and vehicles made their final stand. He had tersely ordered the soldiers’ remains to be carefully gathered, logged and given a mass burial with full military honors. He thoughtfully studied the battlefield forensic reports, hoping to find something more about how these invaders fought and how his small unit could gain an advantage over them.

In the time allotted, the 8th Arkab managed to salvage nineteen battlemechs and six vehicles from the abandoned battlefield. The greatest surprise came from the starport –the proud 2nd Sword of Light chose to leave a partially stripped Union dropship and a pair of Centurion aerospace fighters for the taking. Colonel As`Zaman shook his head, “Strange, how Allah disperses his gifts. True, the 2nd Sword of Light won a great victory, recovering many Clan battlemechs, capturing pilots and technicians of great value yet it cost them severe losses, almost three battlemechs to each captured.” He watched the damaged machines left neglected and scorned by the enemy being loaded into the recovered Union. “The Smoke Jaguars shall pay for their arrogance –these machines shall rise from the battlefield to smite them.”

_________________
[i]And Allah turned back the unbelievers in their rage; they did not obtain any advantage, and Allah sufficed the believers in fighting; and Allah is Strong, Mighty.[/i] from The Koran, 33rd Sura- The Clans

Interesting story Mohammed. Thanks for sharing.

_________________
[img]http://www.heavymetalpro.com/countries/flag-us.gif[/img] [img]http://www.heavymetalpro.com/countries/mil-navy.gif[/img] [img]http://www.heavymetalpro.com/countries/mil-seabees.gif[/img]

Allah be praised.

Interesting story. Do you plan to post any more?

_________________
General Brett "Hitman" Coote S.L.M.H., P.H. w/9 Clusters, S.S.B.
S.L.A.F. (Retired)
[img]http://www.heavymetalpro.com/countries/ ... da-red.gif[/img] [img]http://www.heavymetalpro.com/countries/can-ontario.gif[/img]

"If we lose the capitol we will avenge our honor by defeating the Clans on other worlds. We cannot fight this war for pride or honor, or even for planets. We must fight this war for our survival, and the survival of our way of life. If the Clans succeed in conquering the Draconis Combine as they have the Free Rasalhague Republic, we--and everything we have ever known and cherished--would be destroyed. We would cease to be the Draconis Combine; we would no longer be the inheritors of the samurai tradition. And that, my friends, would be the cruelest dishonor of them all." -Theodore Kurita, Kanrei of the Draconis Combine

Colonel As`Zaman inspected the makeshift repair site erected in the mall parking lot. Columns of DCMS militia vehicles drove by while teams of 8th Arkab technicians calmly tended their assigned battlemechs and vehicles. He looked into the skies before checking his watch. The 8th Arkab and the slowly rebuilding 2nd Sword of Light had successfully raided the system of Courchevel, defeating a garrison of Smoke Jaguar battlemechs. At the same time, the invading Clans had renewed their conquest, pushing the border further into Draconis Combine space. The return had been risky -the jumpships pushed to minimize the travel time. A misjump delayed his craft for several hours while the bulk of the 2nd Sword of Light continued on its way to it home base in Baldur. It was when repairs were being made that the remaining elements were rerouted to reinforce the defenses of Luthien, their arrival on the Draconis Combine capitol planet literally hours before masses of Clan jumpships and warships appeared.
Allah was generous indeed.

At one end of the plaza, several young militiamen filled sandbags and constructed defensive positions. When he appeared, the men dropped their implements and snapped to attention.
“Please carry on, soldiers, I did not mean to disturb your work.” He noted an extra shovel leaning against the wrought iron fence and rolled up his sleeves. “Allow me to give you a hand.”

The parapet was nearly finished. As`Zaman had removed his kefiyyeh before working and wiped the perspiration from his brow. The work was tiring but it allowed him to forget much of the bothersome occurrences of late. He noticed the militiamen looking behind him, rising to attention and he was about to turn when he heard Captain Benhaddad’s voice, “Did not the Prophet himself join building the defenses of Yathrib?”
“And were not the unbelievers confounded?” He responded, noting the setting sun. “It is almost time for evening prayer, Naquib Faarishah Rachel Benhaddad.” He looked at her, and turned to the ranking militiaman, “Gunsho Onishi, allow me to introduce Tai-i Dame Rachel Benhaddad, the pilot of yon Atlas.” He smiled as the men in uniform gazed in amazement. After a polite exchange of greetings the two walked back to the billeting area.
“We have a battle tomorrow.” She said. “Have you had time to send word to your family?”
He shook his head “I’d rather not tie up communications with personal messages, Captain. There is a note among my personal affects in case I join my ancestors –and I shall tell them later, should the hand of Allah deign to protect me.”

3048, The Periphery
His light lance trudged silently over the barren surface of a nameless Periphery moon. The pirates they were chasing proved to be a rogue battalion of Oberon Confederation battlemechs and their support elements. The rogue unit had located in an ancient Castle Brian, holing up inside it. Their dropships and jumpship had been ordered to return home- the only way off the moon was through a regiment of mercenary battlemechs and aerospace fighters.
Special infiltration units managed to gain access to the buried fortress, starting a battle between computer technicians for control of the security systems. That battle ended when mercenary commandos captured the rogue techs after storming the Castle Brian command center.
Moments later, the rogue battlemechs poured out of massive, hidden caverns.
The battle was short and savage, Lieutenant As`Zaman commanding a company of light battlemechs, dashing through enemy ranks, calmly coordinating them against the heavier rogues. His centuries-old Mongoose shuddered as it was raked by laser fire. He struggled with his controls, his diagnostic panel indicating that his `mech’s lower left leg actuator frozen due to an armor breech. He looked up to see the pirate Hunchback trundling up and taking aim, the bore of its AC20 looked like a vast cavern. As`Zaman casually centered the target pip on the Hunchback and fired his array of lasers, examining his Beagle Active Probe’s screen, only to see that his weapons barely scratched the fifty-ton `mech’s paint.

“Razin, Q’arandar, the Enforcer at your nine. Haidar, TAG that quad.”
Colonel Valborg’s voice sounded over the comm, “Lieutenant As `Zaman, you’re `mech is disabled, you may shut down!”
“Not while I have units to command, sir.” He smiled at the flash of an Arrow IV missile, which nearly toppled the Scorpion it struck. Eyeing the Hunchback, he muttered under his breath, “Only Allah, the mighty and merciful, knows who is destined for the Garden and who deserves the Fire.”
The heavy autocannon fired, the Hunchback recoiled. As `Zaman saw the look of astonishment on the Hunchback pilot’s face after the heavy projectiles flew harmlessly past the crippled Mongoose.
“Sardan,” he commanded, “follow that Shadowhawk.” His lasers raked the Hunchback once more in defiance, he gritted his teeth and saluted the opponent he could see from his cockpit, “Those who are Believers cannot fear, for Allah is Great.”

“Lieutenant As`Zaman,” came the call from the Commander, “you may shut down, they are surrendering!”
“Acknowledged, Colonel Valborg.” He replied, “I am Mulazim Awwal Mohammed Hajj ben Maruf As`Zaman Bey!” Again his lasers blazed in the moon’s cold silence. The Hunchback’s own lasers caused the stationary Mongoose’s armor to bubble and sag. The AC20’s rounds again sailed wide, raising plumes of dust and ash from the bleak surface of the moon. As`Zaman could see the Hunchback's pilot sag in his cockpit, frozen in shock.
“You cannot deny the judgement of Allah.” The Hunchback turned to flee but shut down after seeing the unit’s dropships no longer sitting at their landing zone.

Aerospace fighters thundered overhead. “We shall be departing in a few hours –those squadrons are going up to intercept the Clan dropships.” Colonel As`Zaman sat up on his cot, pointing out deployment patterns his lead elements would need to accomplish their jobs. “Allow none to get through –Our Draconis allies must have time to prepare their defenses.”
As`Zaman was not happy about having his two stars of aerospace fighters taken away and put under DCMS command but accepted the order in his usual stoic manner.

The upper atmosphere of Luthien twinkled with the light of thousands of weapons as two mighty forces collided at the edge of space.
Star Commander Mihlabi piloted his Transgressor, fixing his sights on the dropships towards which Ground Control guided his star.
“Mu`afa, they appear to be a Union and a Leopard, with two points of escorts.” His wingman clicked his microphone in agreement.
The only Azami pilots in the star, Mihlabi and Mu`afa flew Transgressors. The remaining pilots were from the Free Rasalhague Republic, from broken units able to flee before the Clan invasion. They had been promised the opportunity to fight the Clans and on this day, they would have much work to do.
One point of their star was pulled away to assist another unit, the Second Star of Tahrani’s Chai e’ Kaveh (Tea and Coffee) Binary would have to do with a pair of Transgressors, a Lightning, three Stingrays and a pair of Shilones. The craft were all upteched in some manner, mostly with adequate double heat sinks.

“Star Commander Mihlabi of the 8th Arkab Legion welcomes you to Luthien.” He announces over the open frequency, “You have entered Luthien airspace without proper clearance and are to surrender immediately, bloody-handed murderers of Edo!”
“So… the primitives of the Inner Sphere are finally learning…” came the reply, “We are Clan Nova Cat and have nothing to do with Edo.”
“My apologies, we seemed to have lost your invitation to Luthien.” He switched to his DCMS assigned frequency, “Galland, take the Leopard. Lund, get the mediums. Baarlund, you hold back and take readings.

The first exchange of fire was savage, both sides picking individual targets in Clan fashion and loosing all weapons. “Look at their bloody armament!” exclaimed Baarlund, his Shilone equipped with a Beagle Active Probe. “What the…?
Two of the Clan heavy fighters suddenly shut down.
“We accept your surrender,” chimed Mihlabi, “But in atmosphere,” he instructed, “the correct way is to slow down and lower your landing gear.”
“We are not surrendering!” snapped an angry voice, “Inner Sphere surats!”
“These Clanners are so emotional!”

One of the light fighters managed to lock onto the tail of the Shilones, who still yawed around the ugly furball. Baarlund and Ziegler looked at each other and grinned as Clan laser fire slagged wing and tail armor. Each of the Legion fighters launched a cloud of missiles from their aft-mounted LRM10s. The light fighter’s nose armor was stripped away, the pilot shaken and cursing.

After a minute of fighting, the Clan escorts were driven away, their fighters severely mauled. The 8th Arkab fighters turned their attention to the dropships and made several coordinated runs at the Nova Cat Union, causing it to ground itself many kilometers from its intended landing zone. Two of the Legion’s fighters had to abort their attacks due to heavy damage caused by the retaliating banks of dropship weapons.

On the ground, the 8th Arkab Cluster moved to intercept the invaders.

_________________
[i]And Allah turned back the unbelievers in their rage; they did not obtain any advantage, and Allah sufficed the believers in fighting; and Allah is Strong, Mighty.[/i] from The Koran, 33rd Sura- The Clans

Very good.

_________________
Be careful what you wish for. I might let you have it.

Yes. Very good. I await the next installment.

_________________
General Brett "Hitman" Coote S.L.M.H., P.H. w/9 Clusters, S.S.B.
S.L.A.F. (Retired)
[img]http://www.heavymetalpro.com/countries/ ... da-red.gif[/img] [img]http://www.heavymetalpro.com/countries/can-ontario.gif[/img]

Thank you gentlemen. Unfortunately, we are now caught up to where my character is in the campaign -The Battle for Luthien, where his unit, with the grace of Allah, shall emerge to fight another day.
No matter what happens, his tiny unit might possibly earn mention in a historical footnote, hence the title.

Until the next scenario on Luthien, I'll be adding brief flashbacks from my character's colorful career.

Cheers,

MB

_________________
[i]And Allah turned back the unbelievers in their rage; they did not obtain any advantage, and Allah sufficed the believers in fighting; and Allah is Strong, Mighty.[/i] from The Koran, 33rd Sura- The Clans

Another nice installment. I look forward to reading more Mohammed.

_________________
[img]http://www.heavymetalpro.com/countries/flag-us.gif[/img] [img]http://www.heavymetalpro.com/countries/mil-navy.gif[/img] [img]http://www.heavymetalpro.com/countries/mil-seabees.gif[/img]

3039, Galetea III
“Please fill the forms out as completely as possible.” The receptionist smiled then returned to her work terminal, upon which she was busily interweb surfing earlier.
Mohammed as`Zaman Bey frowned, muttering under his breath, “By Allah, I hate filling out paperwork.” He sat down in the small recruiting office, hunched over the table and began to fill in the forms he was handed. He had graduated with high marks from the Sun Tzu Academy and completed a year of reserve training with the 4th Arkab Legion -not very impressive for a mercenary looking for employment but at least he had his own battlemech.

Mohammed Bey rested in his hotel room. The accommodations were not what he was used to but Galatea III was not a tourist resort. Dressed in his embroidered gambas, he meditated on is prayer rug. There was a soft knock at his door and it slowly swung open. “My lord, your evening meal.”
Opening his eyes, Mohammed Bey nodded to his servant. “Good evening Ali.” The two young men wore similar clothing, reflecting their affiliation with the conservative Shia sect known as the Azami. Mohammed Bey, a slim, swarthy descendant of the many North African Tuaregs who ventured into the stars almost a millenia before, calmly watched his servant wheel in a brass dinner cart. “I must apologize, my Bey, the only lamb available has been previously frozen.”
With a slight wave of dismissal, the young lord nodded, “This world is so backward.” The scent of steaming couscous and baked lamb filled the room as Ali uncovered the serving trays.

“Who?” Mohammed Bey looked over the printout the receptionist handed him.
“The Kerensky Pride.” Repeated the young woman, scrolling information on her console. She touched the screen and read the data that appeared. “Small unit, they’ve been around for quite a while.” She looked up at him and smiled, “Colonel Valborg wants to meet you at noon.” She handed him a slip with an address.

The meeting at a small, sidewalk café had been amiable. Colonel Valborg, a tall, gray-haired man in a modified Rasalhagian military uniform, was eager to meet the young recruit. “I see you have been trained in the Arkab Legion reconnaissance methods –that is very valuable.” Mohammed Bey dipped his head in agreement.
The Colonel’s gray brows lifted, “Mongoose?” He looked up from the data sheets in the folder before him, “Your `mech is a Mongoose?”
“Yes, Colonel,” replied Mohammed Bey, “an old one. It’s been in my family for many generations.”
“How many?” asked Valborg, leaning forward and lowering his voice.
The younger man shrugged, “At least five generations, sir.” He motioned for a waiter to refill his hot chai.

They strode through the battlemech storage hangar. Colonel Valborg seemed more eager to see As`Zaman’s battlemech than to interview him. “Here we are.”
The Mongoose towered above them, its mottled sand camouflage seemed out of place in the urban surroundings. Its previous unit marking had been painted over.
The two used the access lift to view the cockpit. “It looks fast.”
“Just under one hundred thirty at a run.” Replied Mohammed Bey, climbing into the cockpit.
“Is that your neural helmet?” asked Valborg.
The young mechwarrior reverently placed the helmet upon his head, “Yes, Colonel,” he prepared his control panel for powerup. “is there something wrong?”
“Uh, no!” He leaned into the cockpit, watching intently. “I’ve never seen a neurohelmet so… compact.”
Mohammed Bey muttered lowly in Tuareg dialect and the console before him began to light up, cooling fans whirring. He opened his databook and tranferred a chip to the console. “This is one from my data library, from my last training exercise.” The control and diagnostic indicators on the console sprang to life. Colonel Valborg gripped the sides of the hatch. “Wow!” The controls indicated that the mech was running at full tilt, making its way through a small, abandoned town. On a tiny screen he could see moving targets in various colors.
Mohammed Bey opened a compact holovid player and jacked it into the control panel. “Here, this is what I see on my HUD.” The holovid flickered for a moment and Valborg gasped. A tiny battle was alive on the holovid player. “I’m running up to that Wasp at my ten.”
Valborg could see the light battlemech turn as lasers raked its side and back. The Wasp staggered and rose into the air. Plumes of smoke and dust obscured all vision. A small readout indicated that the Wasp was suffering severe loss of armor and a damaged gyroscope. Another target moved into sensor range –an Urbanmech!
“Time to make some tracks.” The Mongoose turned and sped down an alley, projectiles and energy beams cutting through the smoke and dust. As`Zaman tapped a button and the action on the holovid froze. “This may appear to be a replay of a battle but the Beagle Active Probe also acts as a battle simulator, allowing the data to be used in variations of the battle. He restarted the program and he once again charged the Wasp. Instead of using its lasers at range, the Mongoose ran up to the twenty-ton battlemech, fired its lasers then executed a kick that caused the lighter battlemech to spin and fall, arms flailing, its jets roaring in a futile attempt to remain upright. He turned and tried to run down the alley as before but was cut off by the Urbanmech, which touched down in his path autocannon blazing. Breach warning lights and alarms sounded. He set the program on pause, freezing the action.
“I got too close to do that kick –cost me precious seconds to turn and get up to speed. That Urbanmech was from the Fourth.”
“Amazing… but what about it? You’d still have time to turn and run for cover, right?”
Mohammed Bey tapped a button and swung his Mongoose towards a clear plaza. His battlemech staggered, more alarms and flashing lights as the simulator indicated his rear torso armor breached and his reactor damaged. “Warriors of the 4th Arkab are taught to have incredibly quick reactions.” He shut down the simulator.
“I’ve never seen anything like this.”
“Yes, the Beagle is difficult to find, sir.” He nodded, “And few technicians have the training to maintain the few that are still around.” He smiled, “Ali has been my personal mechanic as his father cared for this machine for my father.”
“I have a contract right here,” said Col. Valborg, with unconcealed eagerness in his voice “-you’ll find the terms very generous.”

Reporting to the Kerensky Pride administrative office the next day, Mohammed Bey was handed the large envelope, “An assignment, already?”
“Yes,” replied the Colonel, “Your transportation expenses and per diem are covered by the unit.”
“Hometown recruiter?”
Colonel Valborg smiled, “Yes! I need more people like you –with battlemechs, if possible.”
Mohammed Bey hid his disappointment, instead of commanding a lance he’d be piloting a desk for the next few months.

(Edited for spelling and grammatical corrections)

_________________
[i]And Allah turned back the unbelievers in their rage; they did not obtain any advantage, and Allah sufficed the believers in fighting; and Allah is Strong, Mighty.[/i] from The Koran, 33rd Sura- The Clans

Well he is in a new unit. You have to walk before you can run. Good installment.

_________________
General Brett "Hitman" Coote S.L.M.H., P.H. w/9 Clusters, S.S.B.
S.L.A.F. (Retired)
[img]http://www.heavymetalpro.com/countries/ ... da-red.gif[/img] [img]http://www.heavymetalpro.com/countries/can-ontario.gif[/img]

Tairakana Plains, 0600 Hours
Outrider Binary Q’arandar formed the Left and Center lead scout units. On the Right was Ukbari’s Reconnaissance Star.
The Clans Smoke Jaguar and Nova Cat had grounded their dropships despite heavy aerospace resistance. The lead scout elements counted the burned-out wreckage of many fallen flying craft as they advanced. They also noted the many destroyed ground vehicles, most blackened hulks but a few of them twisted and torn open.
Colonel Mohammed Bey piloted his Mongoose about one kilometer behind the lead elements. The invaders were not mobilizing as they have in past planetary invasions. Instead of blacking out their landing zones, the areas were well illuminated. An immediate, massed attack was expected –instead, the Clan battlemechs seemed to be taking their time.
“Avoid stands of trees and groves.” Announced As`Zaman. “The wreckage indicates Elementals were sent forward as soon as possible.” His command lance was centrally located, ready to react and support the front line should they encounter more than they could handle, although his command could offer little more than additional targets –a Mongoose, a pair of Mercuries, an Ostscout and a Hussar.
“Star Colonel,” said Kohlhaas, the pilot of the Ostscout, “massive readings ahead, five kilometers. Smaller formations closing in –fast.”
As`Zaman clicked his microphone. He had ordered his lead units to maintain radio silence, although that would be normal practice. “They know we’re approaching –Elementals are watching from concealment, be careful.”

The approach was eerily unopposed, those battlemechs designed to intercept enemy communications could make out the unmistakable, clipped battle language used by the Clanners. Hours of listening to battle ROMs and recordings of Clan transmissions made a lot of it understandable.

Base Camp, Shirokiya Plaza
“My lord, a messenger has delivered an invitation to an Officer’s Council.”
Mohammed As`Zaman Bey opened one eye. He was trying to get some rest before his unit was to be sent forward to intercept the invading forces of Clan Smoke Jaguar and that other, new Clan, Nova Cat. “Are they mad?” He muttered, sitting up on his cot. “Ali, lay out my dress uniform and swords.”

The staff car brought him to a very fancy hotel that was heavily sandbagged. The lower windows were taped and the upper floor windows were painted from the inside. Officers in their parade uniforms milled about the lobby as his driver led him to a private conference room where he could see a placard with his name on it.
The long table was made of ornately carved and polished rosewood of a deep, red hue. The walls were sparse, save for the series of hanging tapestries with intricate paintings of landscapes. Stepping closer, he could see that these landscapes were actually tiny battles with armies of samurai, on foot and mounted, fighting bitterly. The same theme seemed to be repeated in each miniature image –the sense of one side facing overwhelming odds.

Draconis Combine officers filed in. He stood behind his seat and bowed to the officers, recognizing most of them from the 2nd Sword of Light. He raised a brow as the commander of the 1st Sword of Light walked in and sat at the head of the table, joined by several of his officers. “Something is going on.” He thought.
“Thank you for responding in such short notice.” Said the Tai-sa. “This is the most significant battle in the history of humanity. We are defending human civilization against an alien and barbaric invader.”
The officers listened intently to the speech that was surprisingly brief and to the point –losing was not an option.
The officer to Mohammed Bey’s left rose to his feet, “Honorable Commander!” He exclaimed, “I humbly request for my unit to be the first to attack the invaders!” The identical request echoed from other officers, was shouted in the hall. As`Zaman sat in silence, wishing that he was asleep in his uncomfortable cot.
The Draconis Combine commander raised his hands to silence the room of exuberant warriors. He motioned to the servants to serve the hot sake. “My fellow officers, it is our good fortune that the 2nd Sword of Light and its accompanying elements were forced to make a detour on their homeward journey.”
Mohammed Bey looked across the table and he finally realized that the officer sitting across from him was the commander of the 2nd Sword of Light –He and the bulk of his unit should have returned to Baldur by now. Somehow, the entire remnants of the 2nd had been diverted to Luthien.
“The Dragon needs forward units trained to locate the enemy, report as much about their disposition ans prevent hostile reconnaissance elements from doing the same.” He continued, “That is why I have chosen Sho-sa Mohammed As`Zaman Bey and his 8th Arkab Legion to spearhead our advance.”
As`Zaman lowered his head in a bow, “Why did he have to announce this?” he thought to himself, “I may have to fight my way back to camp, the way these vainglorious Combine officers practically climbed over each other for this honor.” He straightened and replied, “The warriors of the 8th Arkab Legion are humbly ready to hunt down the enemies of the Dragon. Together, we shall punish them for their greed and arrogance!” He bowed once more, the scent of hot sake wafted from the clay bottle placed on the tray in front of him. He thought, “The sacrifices I have to make for our allies.”

“Movement ahead!” reported Star Commander Khaldun, she commanded a star made up of two Spiders, two Assassins and a Jenner, all modified to some extent.
“Bearing two five zero, two stars.” Replied Binary Commander Q`arandar. His star was composed of only four points, his Mongoose, a pair of Hussars and a Hermes. He didn’t like even odds against Clan battlemechs –he liked being outnumbered by them even less. “You know the drill, people. Stay alive.”

“This is Binary Commander Ahmed Q’arandar Bey of the 8th Arkab Legion,” He announced on a known enemy frequency, “I welcome you to Luthien, where you shall be cloaked with the mantle of ignominious defeat.”
“Prepare to be crushed by the 315th Battle Galaxy of Clan Smoke Jaguar, primitive savage!”
The formations rushed towards each other, the Smoke Jaguar battlemechs in mottled gray paint scheme, the Arkab `mechs in blotchy sand camouflage.

“Dasher on the left flank –don’t allow it to get by.” Said Haidar in her Hermes “It appears to be the fastest `mech in the two formations. She was thankful that their briefing included updated information, silhouettes and statistics of Clan battlemechs accumulated by other units. Isadore Haidar, a veteran of the 4th Arkab was one of the many dispossessed members of the newly formed 8th Arkab. Her ride had been purchased in poor condition at auction and required a complete rebuild. With a new endo-steel frame and extra-light power plant, her `mech sped over the tall grass and brush at over one hundred fifty kilometers per hour.
She was able to identify a pair of Clan battlemechs the DCMS labled the Koshi, followed by two slower, squat `mechs. She smiled as the Clan stars parted, passing on either side of a large stand of dense woods.
Flights of long-range missiles were exchanged with little effect, the range being long and both sides sprinting over the plains at top speed.

Eyes concentrating on his sensors, Binary Commander Q’arandar scrolled his pipper on the two `mechs which had advanced the furthest forward. “Wolfpack!”
Both stars suddenly swarmed after the Dasher and leading Koshi on the left flank, weapons blazing at point-blank range. Each Hussar raked the Dasher’s legs and torso with their extended range large lasers and medium lasers. The Jenner pounded the Dasher with long range missiles and a medium pulse laser.
The leading Koshi, rocked by a pair of the Mongoose’s medium lasers, fired its light autocanon and what appeared to be a large laser at one of the Hussars. The Hermes’ extended range laser and its medium laser dealt telling damage.
In seconds, both Clan battlemechs tumbled to the ground, the Koshi’s left arm exploding as it fell. Q’arandar grinned, the Clanners backed off for a moment, the odds seemed even for the moment.
Both Legion stars raced across the plains and sprayed their weapons at the closest Dragonfly on the right flank, driving it back as it loosed clouds of long-range missiles.
The other Dragonfly moved forward, a battery of large lasers firing. A pair of Koshis jumped forward through the heavy woods, still out of range. Plodding up from behind of each star was a Puma.

Over the Combine frequencies, the flanking units chattered. On the 8th Arkab’s left flank, was the Genyosha, which fought in calm, near silence, their tactics similar to that used by the 8th. To the right, the 2nd Sword of Light seemed to be in trouble- mixing up with the enemy in traditional Combine style but being assailed by swarms of Elementals.
Mohammed Bey switched frequencies, “2nd Sword of Light, Sho-sa As`Zaman.”
“Tai-sa Tok Do, speak.”
“If you require assistance, I have an extra lance to allocate.” Replied As`zaman
“Noted, Sho-sa As`Zaman Bey,” he snapped, “but unnecessary. Out.”

The combat swirled, Kaminski in his Spider racing up to the right side of one of the Pumas. He fired his lasers, getting the worst of the exchange before his `mech gave the Clanner a kick.
In his Jenner, Mechwarrior William Nitta, one of the latest recruits the 8th picked up while on Satalice in the Rasalhague Republic, tore into the Uller, his medium laser and medium pulse laser leaving rents in his rear torso. He finished his attack with a satisfying kick, leaving the Clan techs a nice dent to deal with.

“Elementals!” Haidar saw a point of the squat monsters leaping from a clump of trees, a small cloud of missiles raking one of the Hussars.
Another pack of Elementals dealt more damage to Kaminski’s Spider, laying the right torso open.

Nitta saw his chance and bolted Westward, towards the Clan dropships. The Dasher tried to rise and failed, causing its other leg to malfunction and fall off. The Koshi managed to use its jump jets and right itself, vainly chasing after the sprinting Jenner.

While another point of Elementals boarded the damaged Dragonfly, the other Dragonfly, the Puma and both Koshis on the right flank moved forward, joined by the Puma, Koshi and Dragonfly from the left flank. Long range missiles and laser fire filled the air –more from the Smoke jaguar `mechs. One of the Hussars, an Assassin and Kaminski’s Spider had to leave the field, their armor stripped away in some places. “These guys are good!” he muttered, his speed causing many of the shots taken at him to miss but barely. Almost reaching the safety of his fellow 8th Arkab Legionnaires, the Spider suffered further barrages from the Puma and Koshi, which were in hot pursuit. The Spider pitched forward, its right torso falling away, causing its expensive and fragile extra light fusion engine to shut down. Kaminski crawled from the cockpit, submachine gun in hand, stuffing the data storage chip into his boot.
“Kaminski!” The remaining battlemechs of his star stepped forward, daring the Elementals in the nearby woods to show themselves as the stocky mechwarrior from the Free Worlds League scrambled through the tall grass, heading East to Luthien.

“First reserves, move into position.” As`Zaman Bey could see his light stars grievously beset by the well-armed Smoke Jaguar batttlemechs. His next line of `mechs would have to hold the waves that his sensors indicated were quickly approaching. His Mongoose motioned for his star to speed up.

“Sho-sa As`Zaman Bey.”
“As`Zaman here, over.”
“You are to send two lances to support the 2nd Sword of Light’s withdrawal. The 8th Arkab is to pull back, maintaining the front, over.”
“Acknowledged.”
“Kanrei Theodore Kurita, out.”

“Trinary Commander Shamash, you are to immediately take your second and third stars to bolster the 2nd Sword of Light. Take Bahar’s first star too.”
“Aya, Aquib As`Zaman Bey!”
As`Zaman muttered, “The 2nd Sword’s front is collapsing, I hope they get there in time."
A Koshi on the right flank dropped to mass fire as the 8th Arkab line of reconnaissance battlemechs reluctantly gave ground.
“Trinary Commander Bahar, advance to first reserve position.”
“Dame Rachel, have Nikopol advance his battlemechs to the artillery positions.”

“Colonel As`Zaman Bey.”
“As`Zaman here, over.”
“Nitta here, I have the Clan dropships in sight. Be ready to receive data feed.”
As`Zaman inserted a fresh data chip into his console. “Transmit.”
“Sending.”
As he received and recorded the data, Mohammed Bey sent the signal directly back to the 1st Sword of Light. He smiled, “Mission accomplished.” He gleaned over at the data and shook his head, “Look at all those damn `mechs!”
“Nitta, you are on your own discretion, get home as best you can.” There was no reply.

The front was stabilizing, the 8th Arkab and it flanking units slowly retreated in the face of advancing Clan units. Not far away, DCMS units dug in to defend

_________________
[i]And Allah turned back the unbelievers in their rage; they did not obtain any advantage, and Allah sufficed the believers in fighting; and Allah is Strong, Mighty.[/i] from The Koran, 33rd Sura- The Clans

Well its a good start. There losses wern't to heavy. Two damaged & one destroyed. Good story. Keep it coming.

_________________
General Brett "Hitman" Coote S.L.M.H., P.H. w/9 Clusters, S.S.B.
S.L.A.F. (Retired)
[img]http://www.heavymetalpro.com/countries/ ... da-red.gif[/img] [img]http://www.heavymetalpro.com/countries/can-ontario.gif[/img]

A couple of more nice installments Mohammed. Again thanks for sharing.

_________________
[img]http://www.heavymetalpro.com/countries/flag-us.gif[/img] [img]http://www.heavymetalpro.com/countries/mil-navy.gif[/img] [img]http://www.heavymetalpro.com/countries/mil-seabees.gif[/img]

_________________
[i]And Allah turned back the unbelievers in their rage; they did not obtain any advantage, and Allah sufficed the believers in fighting; and Allah is Strong, Mighty.[/i] from The Koran, 33rd Sura- The Clans

Another good installment. Please keep them coming. You research is excellent.

_________________
General Brett "Hitman" Coote S.L.M.H., P.H. w/9 Clusters, S.S.B.
S.L.A.F. (Retired)
[img]http://www.heavymetalpro.com/countries/ ... da-red.gif[/img] [img]http://www.heavymetalpro.com/countries/can-ontario.gif[/img]

Yep, more good stuff.

_________________
[img]http://www.heavymetalpro.com/countries/flag-us.gif[/img] [img]http://www.heavymetalpro.com/countries/mil-navy.gif[/img] [img]http://www.heavymetalpro.com/countries/mil-seabees.gif[/img]

8th Arkab Assets, The Battle of Luthien

Trinary Shamash:
Al-Dabbab		Mercury
Mu`awiyah		Mercury
As`Zaman 		Mongoose
Zaghlul		Hussar		
			
Shamash		Crab27
Maliq		Kintaro
Murom 		Crab27
Ramsey		Crab27
Yazeed		Dragon
			
Fath		Shadow Hawk
Kamal		Catapult*
Kuropatkin 		Catapult*
Misbah		Wyvern6
Akram		Wyvern6

Trinary Al-Sayyid
Arbas		Kintaro
Qudamah		Kintaro
Hafiz		Dragon
Dharr		Crab27
Najib		Crab27
			
Amjad		Lancelot 
Tengri		Archer*
Ahwaz, M		Archer*
Al-Sayyid		Archer*
Assan		Archer*
			
Zamarah		Marauder*
Essarhad		Marauder*
Sanbalat		Marauder*
Nebuzardan		Marauder*
Wahid		Black Knight

Binary Qarandar
Kaminski		Spider (Destroyed)
Khaldun		Spider
Mahir		Assassin (Damaged)
Rahman		Assassin
Nitta		Jenner (MIA)
			
Q’arandar 		Mongoose
Abbud		Hussar (Damaged)
Rashad		Hussar
Haidar		Hermes*
Kohlhaas		Ostscout*

Ukhbari's Recon Star
Ukbari		Gabriel
Farqad		Rotunda
Nassaj 		Lightning
Firyabi		Lightning
Bashani		Cyrano
Ammad		Cyrano

Benhaddad's Guard Binary
Benhaddad		Atlas
Warthani		Puma
Khudria		Puma
Shadhan		Puma
Qannad		Von Luckner
Musqsim		LRM Carrier
Aws		Horned Demon
Abdul-Ward		Fury
			
Nikopol 		Jagermech*
Zayad		Crab20
Ahwaz, K		Crab20
MacDonald		Thorn

Sardan's Flying Striker Trinary
Kensington		Stinger
Radulovic		Wasp
Kuyar		Wasp
Sardan		Javelin
Petrie		Falcon
			
Rezin		Panther
Ito		Panther
Henricksen		Panther
Maeda		Panther
Majid		Wyvern5
			
Bahar		Victor*
Al-Athir		Victor*

Abu Badr's Battery
Musaddid		Marksman
Umayyah		Marksman
Abu Badr 		Chaparral
Ibn-Masruq		Thor

Tahrani's Chai e Kaveh (Tea and Coffee)
Kulayb		Lucifer*
Al-Aziz		Lucifer
Nasrabadhi		Lucifer*
Van der See		Lucifer
Hague		Lucifer
Bergman		Lucifer
Nuihaus		Samurai
Haas		Samurai
Tahrani 		Thunderbird*
Kallal		Thunderbird*
			
Mihlabi 		Transgressor*
Mu`afa		Transgressor*
Galland		Lightning
Hartmann		Stingray
Lund		Stingray
Jons		Stingray
Utrecht		Shilone
Petersen		Shilone
Baarlund		Shilone
Ziegler		Shilone

The 8th also has a company of Jump infantry, a company of Anti-mech Grenadiers, a combat Engineer Company, a small detachment of Marines, and adequate numbers of medical and support elements and vehicles.
The * denotes unit equipment

_________________
[i]And Allah turned back the unbelievers in their rage; they did not obtain any advantage, and Allah sufficed the believers in fighting; and Allah is Strong, Mighty.[/i] from The Koran, 33rd Sura- The Clans

Not a bad looking unit. The way you have them set up makes repair & resupply alot easier.

_________________
General Brett "Hitman" Coote S.L.M.H., P.H. w/9 Clusters, S.S.B.
S.L.A.F. (Retired)
[img]http://www.heavymetalpro.com/countries/ ... da-red.gif[/img] [img]http://www.heavymetalpro.com/countries/can-ontario.gif[/img]

_________________
[i]And Allah turned back the unbelievers in their rage; they did not obtain any advantage, and Allah sufficed the believers in fighting; and Allah is Strong, Mighty.[/i] from The Koran, 33rd Sura- The Clans

Tairakana Plains, Luthien 3052

The retreat had been steady and orderly, ground being given a few meters at a time. The Smoke Jaguar lines formed at a gradual pace, as if streaming from their dropships a star at a time. On the right flank was Clan Nova Cat –An unknown factor in this battle. Nova cat trinaries formed up on the elements of the First and Second Sword of Light, making sudden lunges leading with their heavy and assault battlemechs, slowly wearing down the thin line of defenders.
Fearing a collapsed right flank, Mohammed As `Zaman Bey offered to detach some reserves. It was refused by the commander of the First Sword of Light, who was senior to the commander of the remnants of the Second Sword of Light. In turn, the acting commander of the Second Sword of Light gave commands to the 8th Arkab Legion.
Eventually, a direct order from the Kanrei Theodore Kurita himself had As`Zaman send two stars of his reserves to shore up his wavering Draconis Combine allies. Confident of his own position at the moment, he sent three stars to his allies on his right flank.

Three light stars defended a front over five kilometers across, a kilometer and a half behind them, the First Reserve. One and a half kilometers behind the First Reserve, was the Second Reserve, made up of a light/medium lance and a heavy lance with two Victors supporting them. The Forlorn Hope was made up of the unit’s slowest fighting elements, two partial lances. Not far behind them the artillery was located, with its attached lance of defenders. Four kilometers behind the artillery was Basin Lake, where the DCMS prepared to make its first attempt at resisting the invaders on the ground.

Left Flank		Center			Right Flank
Mongoose		Mercury			Gabriel
Hussar			Mercury			Rotunda
Hermes			Mongoose		Lightning
Spider			Hussar			Lightning
Assassin						          Cyrano
 						              Cyrano
First Reserve:
Kintaro			Lancelot
Kintaro			Archer
Dragon			Archer
Crab			     Archer
Crab			     Archer

Second Reserve:
Marauder			Victor		Panther
Marauder			Victor		Panther
Marauder					    Panther
Marauder					  Panther
Black Knight				       Wyvern5

Forlorn Hope:
Atlas			Von Luckner
Puma			LRM Carrier
Puma			Horned Demon
Puma			Fury

Artillery:			Escort:
Marksman		Jagermech
Marksman		Crab
Chaparral		Crab
Thor			Thorn

Sent to 1st Sword of Light:

Kintaro			Shadow Hawk		Stinger
Crab			Catapult			Wasp
Crab			Catapult			Wasp
Crab			Wyvern			Javelin
Dragon			Wyvern			Falcon

0800 Hours
Tai-sa As`Zaman Bey didn’t like the situation. Despite their best efforts at maintaining distance from the approaching enemy ranks, every one of his front line mechs and vehicles had sustained damage. Fortunately, only the tiny, five-ton Gabriel scout hover had to break away and return to the repair facilities several hours away. As a precaution, he ordered two Maxim hovercraft forward to stand by in case a pilot or crew needed to be extracted. He sent another pair of Maxims to the 1st Sword of Light where battlemechs were clearly falling.

There was a change on his command console screen that puzzled him. The unit command symbol of the 1st Sword of Light faded and was replaced with the insignia of the 2nd Sword of Light. “Sho-sa Hiromassu is now honored with the command of this front.” Came the curt message from the 1st’s commander.
Mohammed Bey swore under his breath, “That cannot be, Hiromassu, his command lance and a portion of his battalion were still at Basin Lake, conferring with 1st Sword headquarters.”
“As`Zaman Bey, this is Tai-i Sardan.”
“As`Zaman Bey, go ahead.”
“The mechs of the 1st Sword are breaking off, commander. They leave us!”
His mind racing, Mohammed Bey pieced together the implications –The 1st Sword of Light was leaving the field to consolidate the defenses at Basin Lake. Sho-sa Hiromassu, the acting commander of the 2nd Sword of Light was being honored in characteristic Draconis Combine fashion: His front line units were being abandoned to fend for themselves while their commander rushes to the front to command them in a last stand. “The 1st Sword of Light is fleeing the field!” he announced over the open comm. “and they give us the honor of dying for the Dragon.” He grit his teeth, studying his unit’s dispositions.

Sardan asked, “What are your orders, Mohammed Bey?”
“Support the 2nd as best you can, relief is on the way.” He switched to the Second Reserve’s frequency. “Tai-i Bahar.”
“Sir.”
“Immediately take the Second Reserve to support the 2nd Sword of Light. Do your best to extract them while Sho-sa Hiromassu advances.”
“Acknowledged.”
“Elias,” he added, “stay alive.”
“As you command, my Bey.”

_________________
[i]And Allah turned back the unbelievers in their rage; they did not obtain any advantage, and Allah sufficed the believers in fighting; and Allah is Strong, Mighty.[/i] from The Koran, 33rd Sura- The Clans

Well this looks like its going to be an interesting battle. Good work on the writing.

_________________
General Brett "Hitman" Coote S.L.M.H., P.H. w/9 Clusters, S.S.B.
S.L.A.F. (Retired)
[img]http://www.heavymetalpro.com/countries/ ... da-red.gif[/img] [img]http://www.heavymetalpro.com/countries/can-ontario.gif[/img]

Tairakana Plains, Luthien 3052
The 8th Arkab had been slowly retreating for over an hour, the right flank was slowly stabilizing but much of that area was still chaotic. The terrain on the right flank became more and more urbanized. Observing the layout of the terrain, As`Zaman Bey saw an opportunity to blunt the enemy’s advance. The stands of light and heavy woods looked to be perfect to slow the enemy, giving his long-ranged missiles a chance to be used indirectly without his mechs being exposed to enemy fire. One of his Cyrano VTOLs was equipped with a mast sight, he hovered below treetop level and observed the approaching trinary.
The First Reserve moved up to position and the 8th Arkab was ready to give the pursuing clanners a bloody nose.
“Commander! There are enemy units emerging from the heavy woods on our right flank.” Reported one of the scout hovers. “They are behind us!”
Mohammed Bey immediately saw the danger of his unit’s retreat being cut off and being surrounded. In the chaotic battle on his right flank, two stars of clan omnimechs managed to sneak through the heavy woods along a highway. “Ignore the approaching enemy stars.” He said. “All units, attack the flankers before they surround us.”

The entire First Reserve turned to face the fast, light omnimechs that marched into the clear. The air filled with missiles fired from both sides as the 8th maneuvered to confront and destroy the units that threatened to close the door on their route of escape.
The Lightning scout hovers threaded their way between the swiftly maneuvering mechs, LRM10s and medium pulse lasers raking targets of opportunity. The Cyranos, each armed with extended-range large lasers, buzzed overhead, all but ignored by the enemy as they fired as fast as their weapons could recharge. The 8th’s four Archers, each packing a pair of LRM 20s, concentrated their clouds of death on the clan omnimechs daring to get too close, stripping away layers of armor.

“Al-Sayyid,” called Mohammed Bey, “report.” He led his lance toward the swirling battle.
“Two stars,” he replied, punctuated with the muffled roar of two LRM 20 launchers. “I see a pair of Dragonflies, a Fenris, a Ryoken and a Black Hawk. I cannot see the second star very clearly but there’s a Vulture among them.”
“We’re on our way.” Replied As`Zaman, wondering how much help his pair of fragile Mercuries, a Mongoose, and a Hussar could provide. They were all damaged, too.
“One Dragonfly down.” Declared Tai-i Al-Sayyid triumphantly.

The Maxims glided between the ranks, firing its LRM 5s whenever a target presented itself, which was often. More than once, it seemed like they would fire in every direction, twin LRMs from the front, one in the rear, and streak SRM 2s on each side.

Mohammed Bey saw his console light up, the damage indicator showing that the armor on his mech’s right leg no longer existed. In the chaos, a Dasher had run up and was firing what apeared to be a battery of large lasers at him, melting away armor. “Pressure them! We have to punch through!” He spun his battlemech around to face his attacker, who was well out of range of his medium lasers. As the enemy’s front line sped to close the trap, another Dragonfly’s left torso exploded, shutting down its fusion engine, which had previously taken damage.

Taking fire from behind, two of the Archers turned as the clan omnimechs closed, Elementals dismounting. The Lancelot fired at the Dasher then kicked it, destroying its leg as the Elementals fired their SRMs and attacked. Unbalanced from its kick, the Lancelot fell on its side, the pilot ejecting away.
One of the Kintaro’s suffered an ammunition explosion, losing its right torso and arm.

Attacking one of the Archers, Elementals managed to damage its leg actuator. “Eject! Your mech cannot move fast enough to break away!” A Maxim sped to retrieve the pilot, weapons blazing in all directions.

Two stars of Elementals which had dismounted from the Dragonflies, attracted the fire from a dozen mechs and vehicles. The ammunition in the Fenris’ right and left torso exploded, scattering its Elemental riders and causing the mech to shut down. An Arrow IV missile slammed into the ground where a lone Elemental stood among its fallen comrades, defiantly waving its arms as it disappeared in a ball of flame.
The way of retreat was cleared.
“Tai-sa As`Zaman Bey, this is Hiromassa, you may pull back now.”
“Acknowledged.” Replied Mohammed Bey, “Congratulations on your promotion.”

The front was stabilized once again. Mohammed Bey grimly counted his losses this morning. Mechwarrior Kaminski’s Spider lost a torso and shut down. Kaminski was missing.
Mechwarrior Nitta and his Jenner were missing behind enemy lines.
Mechwarrior Amjad was forced to abandon his Lancelot after falling –The Elementals were climbing onto his mech. He was picked up by one of the Maxims.
Unable to flee, Mechwarrior Tengri ejected from his Archer. One of the Maxims quickly rescued him.
Mechwarrior Mu`awiyah had to leave the field, his Mercury’s right leg and right arm without armor.
His Assassin’s left torso laid open, Mechwarrior Mahir had left for repair three hours ago, accompanied by Mechwarrior Abbud in his Hussar, also stripped of armor in places.
Mechwarior Qudamah’s Kintaro was ordered to leave the front due to a missing right torso.
To his satisfaction, his unit had taken seven enemy mechs out of combat and destroyed at least a dozen Elementals.

Retreating to Basin Lake, As`Zaman used his active probe to examine the status of his unit’s remaining mechs and vehicles. His Mongoose had no armor protection on its right leg. He was fortunate that the Lancelot intercepted the Dasher –That clan pilot seemed intent on dropping his damaged battlemech and almost succeeded. There was going to be more fighting to do before the day was over and he had to be there to lead his unit.
“Chu-i Nikopol, As`Zaman.”
“Yes sir?”
“Send Mechwarrior Ahwaz forward to meet me.”
“Yes, sir.”

After about fifteen minutes, Mechwarrior Khalil Ahwaz approached, piloting one of the unit’s Crabs. “Sir, you sent for me?”
Mohammed Bey took a deep breath, “I’m sorry that I have to do this but I have to commandeer your battlemech and send you to the repair depot in my Mongoose.”
Obviously disappointed, the young mechwarrior nodded, “I am yours to command, my Bey.”

_________________
[i]And Allah turned back the unbelievers in their rage; they did not obtain any advantage, and Allah sufficed the believers in fighting; and Allah is Strong, Mighty.[/i] from The Koran, 33rd Sura- The Clans

Good stuff. Keep it coming.

_________________
General Brett "Hitman" Coote S.L.M.H., P.H. w/9 Clusters, S.S.B.
S.L.A.F. (Retired)
[img]http://www.heavymetalpro.com/countries/ ... da-red.gif[/img] [img]http://www.heavymetalpro.com/countries/can-ontario.gif[/img]

nice work.

_________________
Having more fun than a human being should be allowed to have-Rush Limbaugh
For more from Rush go here: www.rushlimbaugh.com
Still crazy after all these years.
Force of nature : :
[img]http://www.heavymetalpro.com/countries/flag-us.gif[/img]
[img]http://www.heavymetalpro.com/countries/ ... chigan.gif[/img]

Excellent story! That last battle was a knuckle biter!

Thank you gentlemen,
In this last campaign battle, I had the skilled assistance of Fred, commanding the First Reserves and Wellington, who handled the vehicles. Those two made the nine turns move quickly and efficiently, despite the number of figures on the table. Thanks, guys!

The Battle for Luthien is far from over. While my unit is not in a stand-up battle, the mechs sent back for repair will be out for many hours. The 8th is slowly suffering from attrition despite the damage inflicted on the enemy. I do not know exactly how many scenarios I have to fight before my unit is allowed to rest and refit so I have to weigh the opportunities to hurt the enemy with preserving the 8th for the next battles. I may be able to rearm but there will be no repairs for a long time.

The 8th Arkab was fortunate that the flanking stars arrived early in the battle. Had we been locked in combat with the advancing line, the trap would have caused more casualties. Had the first star dashed across the field and deployed their Elementals, the 8th would have been blocked and severely mauled. As it is, the 8th survives to fight another skirmish.

MB

_________________
[i]And Allah turned back the unbelievers in their rage; they did not obtain any advantage, and Allah sufficed the believers in fighting; and Allah is Strong, Mighty.[/i] from The Koran, 33rd Sura- The Clans

That was another good installment MB.

_________________
[img]http://www.heavymetalpro.com/countries/flag-us.gif[/img] [img]http://www.heavymetalpro.com/countries/mil-navy.gif[/img] [img]http://www.heavymetalpro.com/countries/mil-seabees.gif[/img]

Finally got around to reading this series of stories now.

Wow. I am fully impressed.

_________________
Medron Pryde - The Great and Terrible
[img]http://faileas.greywolf.googlepages.com/WOTD.png[/img]
[url=http://www.pryderockindustries.com]P.R.I.[/url] - The home of BattleTech programs and files
"I'm gonna Tea Party like its 1776." - Medron Pryde
Who is John Galt?

Basin Lake, 1100 Hours
The 8th Arkab Legion assembled behind the surried regiments of the 1st Sword of Light. Their being attached to the 2nd Sword of Light assured the Legion that their battlemechs and vehicles would have a place in line for rearmament –there was no time for repairs.
Mohammed As`Zaman Bey directed his units with the lowest stores of ammunition remaining to rearm first. As he reassigned his formations, a regimental headquarters vehicle pulled alongside his Crab. A crewman waved and disembarked from the vehicle, trailing a cable. Mohammed Bey keyed his external speaker, “The panel is on the left leg, just above the heel.” The crewman acknowledged and patched the comm cable to his mech.
“Commander As`Zaman,” came a familiar voice over the hard link, “This is Hiromassa.”
“As`Zaman here, sir.” He turned in the monitor screen. The Combine officer looked haggard.
“How are you fairing?”
Mohammed Bey was surprised at such a question. “Frankly sir, it has been a long day.” He commented, in his usual discreet manner of understatement.
“Hiromassa chuckled, “Well, I’m exhausted! You traded your damaged Mongoose for a pristine Crab.” He said, “I had to eject from my Grand Dragon –both legs shot out from under me!”
“Would you like a mech, sir?” offered As`Zaman, “I have several unit machines left and will gladly loan you one.”
Hiromassu pondered for a couple of seconds, “Tempting but no, I have been promised another mount but it is being brought from Luthien.” He replied. “Thank you for your generous offer but you need all your assets –your mechs arrived in time to extract the remnants of my unit.”
Mohammed Bey nodded, “I am glad the units I sent to your flank were able to be of help.”
“Help? You provided three times the strength I expected –Half your total force!” replied Hiromassu, “In the end, there were more Arkab machines holding my front than those of the 2nd, we owe you a lot.”

Mohammed Bey took time to send more of his unit to the RAF (Repair, Ammunition and Fuel) points. Kohlhaas in his Ostscout reported a mass of Smoke Jaguar units in wedge formation quickly moving to contact with the front line units.
Nikopol reported massive enemy aerofighter movement. During the brief lull, Commander Hiromassu provided the Legion'’ Crab 27s with uplink access to the planetary milsat network. DCMS fighters were scrambling to intercept the waves of fighter wings enroute to where the forces were about to meet.
Curiously, the Clan Nova Cat ground forces were taking their time to reorganize their own lines while Clan Smoke Jaguar’s massed formation collided with the lead elements of Basin Lake’s defenders.
All across the front the rumble of massive explosions shook the ground –The lead elements of Clan Smoke Jaguar had found that the first ranks of defending battlemechs were in fact standing wrecks and mockups, loaded with explosives and detonated via remote control. The ground was generously sown with vibrobombs, causing massive confusion and consternation among the invaders. Still, the infuriated mass of Clan omnimechs pressed forward, to confront the forces of the 1st Sword of Light in the center. On the left flank, the 1st amd 2nd Genyosha moved forward to engage and contain the enemy. On the right flank, the Elite Otomo surged forward, bypassing the 2nd Legion of Vega for the position of honor beside the 1st Sword of Light.

Counting the cost of the day’s fighting, six battlemechs and one vehicle had been sent back to Luthien for repair. Seven mechs had been either destroyed or abandoned on the field, with one mechwarrior killed and another wounded. Mechwarrior Nitta was somewhere behind enemy lines, missing. As`Zaman made a note that four of the seven destroyed mechs were those of the recruits picked up while in the FRR –they had not trained long with the unit. Nitta too was non-Azami. Mohammed Bey had promised the ex-mercenaries that they would get to fight the Clans…

“Commander,” reported Major Bahar, on the 8th’s right flank, “I could see fighting from here.”
“Acknowledged.” Mohammed Bey could hear the 1st Sword’s commander exhorting his warriors to hold their line. Despite the life support cooling his cockpit, As`Zaman was perspiring. Although Clan Smoke Jaguar appeared to have been halted, Clan Nova cat was moving forward at a swift pace.
“Cyranos forward.” Ordered Mohammed Bey, “The enemy is massed and stalled, drop as many cluster rounds as our artillery can fire.” He called back to have reloading crews ready with pallets of ammunition.

“As`Zaman Bey,” called Hiromassu, “It looks bad for the 1st Sword of Light.”
“Agreed,” replied Mohammed, “they are just standing their ground and firing.”
“Those fools are treating Smoke Jaguar like any other Inner Sphere force.” He said, revealing his true reason for communicating through a cable link –he needed to voice his opinions to someone who would not consider his honesty an affront to the Combine.
“The Genyosha, the Arkab and the 2nd Sword of Light know what it is like to face the Clans, the 1st Sword and the Otomo, skilled as they are as individual warriors, have no idea what they are facing and will not let anyone tell them anything.” Replied As`Zaman.
“I’m afraid that the 1st Sword of Light will not be able to hold the enemy for long.” Commented Hiromassu.
“As`Zaman looked at his command screen. The massed Clan Nova force was now pouring though the center of the Smoke Jaguar wedge. “Clan Smoke Jaguar is the least of my worries. Look at Nova Cat.”
From his command console in the regimental headquarters vehicle, Commander Hiromassu could see the moving column of Clan Nova Cat heavy and assault mechs sweep through the 1st Sword of Light’s ranks. “They’re coming this way.”
“Break time’s over, brothers and sisters.” Announced Colonel As`Zaman Bey over the 8th’s frequencies, “We cannot allow any of the invaders through, no matter what the cost.”

Left Flank:
J21. Mongoose			
J12. Spider					
J23. Hussar			
J24. Hermes

B11. Kintaro
B13. Dragon
B14. Crab27
B15. Crab27

B22. Archer2
B24. Archer
B25. Archer

A31. ShadowHk
A32. Catapult
A33. Catapult
A34. Wyvern6
A35. Wyvern6

A21. Crab27
A23. Crab27
A24. Crab27
A25. Dragon

U13. Maxim

Right Flank:
H11b. Rotunda
H12a. Lightning					
H12b. Lightning					
A11. Mercury
					
D11. Stinger					
D13. Wasp					
D14. Javelin		
D15. Falcon					
					
B31. Marauder				
B32. Marauder				
B33. Marauder				
B34. Marauder				
					
D31. Victor				
D32. Victor				
D21. Panther 				
D22. Panther2	
D25. Wyvern5

U14. Maxim

Center:
H13b. Cyrano			
H13a. Cyrano					
J13. Assassin
A14. Hussar

C11. Atlas
C12a. Puma Hvy Tank
C12b. Puma Hvy Tank	
C13a. Puma Hvy Tank
C13b. Von Luckner
C14a. LRM Carrier

A13. Crab20 (As`Zaman)
C25a. H. Demon
C25b. Fury

C21. Jagermech 				
C23. Crab20				
C24. Thorn				
A15. Ostscout				
				
T11a. Marksman
T11b. Marksman
T12a. Chaparral
T13a. Thor

U11. Maxim
U12. Maxim					
					
Damaged:					
J14. Assassin				
J22. Hussar
H11a. Gabriel
A12. Mercury
B35. Blk Knight
C22. Mongoose
B12. Kintaro2

Destroyed:
J11. Spider (MIA)
D23. Panther
D24. Panther2 (WIA)
D12. Wasp2 (KIA)
B21. Lancelot
B23. Archer
A22. Kintaro

Missing:
J15. Jenner

The scenarios have been fought soley between the 8th Arkab Legion and the Clans. This time around, there will be remnants of the 2nd Sword of Light on the board as well as units usually found in the rear echelons. 

Stay tuned.

_________________
[i]And Allah turned back the unbelievers in their rage; they did not obtain any advantage, and Allah sufficed the believers in fighting; and Allah is Strong, Mighty.[/i] from The Koran, 33rd Sura- The Clans

Here we go again. Another good installment. Please keep them coming.

_________________
General Brett "Hitman" Coote S.L.M.H., P.H. w/9 Clusters, S.S.B.
S.L.A.F. (Retired)
[img]http://www.heavymetalpro.com/countries/ ... da-red.gif[/img] [img]http://www.heavymetalpro.com/countries/can-ontario.gif[/img]

Basin Lake, Midday
The Crab stood poised in the heavy woods like an alien fifty-ton insect hunched over and ready to ambush its prey. The battlemech was painted tan, mottled with green and brown and almost disappeared within the woodline. Inside the Crab’s cockpit, Tai-sa Mohammed As`Zaman Bey calmly gave the 8th Arkab Legion its final directions before the imminent battle. “We are the last line of defense before the Draconis Combine’s capitol city. If we fail here, our allies and countless other worlds shall disappear into the dark clutches of these alien, barbaric invaders.” On his monitors, he could see the last lines of the 1st Sword of Light slowly being pushed aside by the leading units of Clan Smoke Jaguar.

“In the eyes of Allah, the Lord of All Worlds, these Clans are an abomination –they are bred as cattle, they are shameless unbelievers who seek to steal and destroy the works and properties of others.
In Luthien, though we may be far from our own homes, we defend our homes. We defend our families. We defend all that we live and strive for as a free people. We shall not suffer the chains the Clans offer us. We will not tolerate their taint in our universe.” The final rank of 1st Sword of Light mechs fell to the massed fire of the spearhead of Clan heavy and assault battlemechs.
“On this day we cannot settle for anything less than victory. Today, in each battle, I am proud to say that we have inflicted upon the invaders far more damage than they have dealt upon our units. Yes, we are weary and our ranks have thinned. Yes, some of us return to battle damaged and almost depleted of ammunition. Despite all that we are up against, the risks and the seemingly unending masses of invaders, there is no place in this universe that I would rather be than here among my brothers and sisters, fighting in the name of Allah.”

“Allahu akhbar!” the response rose in a chorus over the 8th Arkab’s frequencies.

There was a moment of silence as Mohammed Bey placed the firing pipper on the lead battlemech, still far out of range of his Crab’s twin Star League grade heavy lasers and obscured by swirling dust and smoke.

“Do not forsake me, oh, my darling…” sang Tai-i Sir Draco Zaghlul, who sat in his Hussar, observing the enemy’s approach from the center of the 8th’s line. “…on this our wedding daaaaay…”
As`Zaman looked at the digital chronograph on his HUD and smiled, it was 11:59:10.
“Tai-sa As`Zaman Bey,” called Benhaddad, whose Atlas stood sixty meters to the command Crab’s right, “isn’t that the song from that ancient Gary Cooper vid?”

“High Noon.” replied Mohammed Bey, joining in the song. “Do not forsake me oh, my darlin’ –Wait, wait along…” He could make out the first rank of gray and black mottled battlemechs –a Black Hawk, a Vulture, a Man O’ War and a Masakari, running towards the center of his formation. His sensors indicated another line of mechs behind them, approaching quickly.

“Ah, an excellent allegorical vid,” remarked Benhaddad, singing along, “I do not know what fate awaits me, I only know I must be brave…”

“The paradoxical theme of the script was clear,” added Nikopol, leading his lance to reinforce the center in his Jagermech, a Crab and Thorn at his sides. “…for I must face the Clans who hate me… or die a coward, a craven coward… or lie a coward in my grave.” There was laughter over the comm.

The three Puma Heavy Tanks, sitting at the feet of Benhaddad’s Atlas began firing their particle cannon at long range, targeting the lead Vulture, the crews singing in chorus, “Oh, to be torn twixt love and duty. S’posin’ I lose my fair-haired beauty. Look at that big hand movin’ on, nearin’ high noon…”

Bashani in his Cyrano grinned as he hovered behind the stand of woods, observing the enemy through the mast above his rotors. Cluster rounds from two medium guns had just scored a direct hit on the Man O’ War, striking its torso, arms and head. The light tube’s high explosives caused damage to its legs. “He made a vow while in state prison –vowed it would be my life or his’n. What will I do when he comes along? What will I do if you leave me?” He chuckled, “You gotta love Tex Ritter… and Grace Kelly.”

As the Horned Demon, Fury and Von Luckner on the left flank emerged from the woods on the left flank, weapons firing, the 8th Arkab sang, “Do not forsake me, oh my darlin’ –You made that promise as a bride. Do not forsake me, oh my darlin’ –Although you’re grievin’ don’t think of leavin’ now that I need you by my side.”
Sho-sa Hiromassa sat in the confines of his mobile headquarters vehicle, shaking his head as he directed the remnants of the 2nd Sword of Light forward to support the 8th Arkab.

Clouds of missiles filled the air, gauss weapons crackled, sending their hypersonic projectiles towards their targets. On the left flank, the Black Hawk sprinted ahead of its fellow Clan omnimechs and was torn apart by massed fire. The Vulture Prime running toward the center was similarly ripped apart by the Puma Heavy tanks as they rushed forward, like eager attack dogs at the bidding of the stationary Atlas.

Benhaddad concentrated her gauss weapon, twin particle cannon and missile rack at the Man O’ War, which shuddered at the telling damage. The Masakari blasted her Atlas with its battery of particle beam weapons, managing to scatter damage over the massive mech. Just behind the Atlas, a parked coolant truck sprayed the hundred ton mech with coolant as directed. “Thanks, guys.”

Mohammed Bey identified three more Vultures and a Loki moving up at a run. Behind them, the horizon seemed to abound with approaching shapes. He knew the 8th Arkab could defeat what he could see but there seemed no end to the number of enemy omnimechs that were heading toward his unit’s position.

High Noon
Star Colonel Sean Wirth growled as his Gargoyle staggered, missiles, particle beams and gauss projectiles tearing rents in its once pristine armor. “Trinary Commander Maximillian Devalis,” he sneered over the link, “Why do your stars not advance to support my unit? I am being attacked by massed vehicles.”
Devalis answered casually, “I do not recall my trinary being attached to support you, Star Colonel.” He mocked, “Your task is to sweep aside all resistance –Is not your broom big enough for the job?”
“Have a care, Nova Cat!” hissed Wirth, “Lest I teach you a lesson in a Circle of Equals.”
“Obviously the ones wielding the brooms are out of their depth…”
Mohammed Bey listened to the strange argument among Clan commanders for a moment longer, wondering if the enemy would soon be shooting at each other…
The argument was cut short when both of Benhaddad’s particle cannon and a volley of missiles struck the Man O’ War in the head, shearing it away. The Clan omnimech tumbled to the ground as if in slow motion. “Show off.” Chuckled As`Zaman Bey, firing his lasers into the fray.

Over the 8th’s comm sounded Momtaz Kuyar, who often acted as meuzzin to the unit:
“Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar!
Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar!
Ash-hadu an la ilaha illa-llah
Ash-hadu an la ilaha illa-llah
Ash-hadu anna Muhammadan rasulu-llah
Ash-hadu anna Muhammadan rasulu-llah.”
It was the noon prayer.
“God is Supreme! God is Supreme!
God is Supreme! God is Supreme!
I witness that there is no god but God
I witness that there is no god but God
I witness that Muhammad is the messenger of God
I witness that Muhammad is the messenger of God.”

The Masakari broke off, heading to the left flank where the 2nd Sword of Light reconnaissance battlemechs rushed to support.

“Hayya `ala-s-salah.
Hayya `ala-s-salah.”
“Come to the prayer.
Come to the prayer.”

In a vain attempt to intimidate the Puma Heavy Tanks, the three Vultures and the Loki sauntered up to the massive vehicles and appeared as if they were trying to face them down. In a brilliant maneuver using sheer aggression and daring, the three vehicles accelerated past the four omnimech, swiveling their turrets and loosing their particle beams and missiles into the backs of the enemy line, the crews recited, “La hawla wa la quwwata illa bi-llah.” “There is no power and no strength except by God.”

Rushing up to the stand of trees that Mohammed Bey directed the battle from, one of the Vultures took aim at the lone Crab with its pair of gauss rifles.

“Hayya `ala-l-falah.
Hayya `ala-l-falah”
“Come to success.
Come to success.”

At one hundred fifty meters, the twin nickel-steel alloy projectiles tore through leaves and branches and passed harmlessly on either side of As`Zaman’s Crab. Once again, the hand of Allah brushed aside threats to his life. “La hawla wa la quwwata illa bi-llah.” “There is no power and no strength except by God.” Said Mohammed Bey, his large lasers melting armor from the Vulture’s torso and right leg.

“Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar!
La ilaha illa-llah.”
“God is Supreme! God is Supreme!
There is no god but God”

“Naquib Faarishah Rachel Benhaddad,” said As`Zaman, “You are to refuse the left flank, be ready to pull back.”
“Negative sir,” she replied, “I’m not leaving while you and the Pumas hold back the tide.”
“That is an order.” Said Mohammed Bey, his Crab shuddering as a gauss round struck his mech’s left leg. He took aim and concentrated his fire on the Vulture’s right leg, burning away myomer and melting exposed actuators. “Try to follow me now, dog!” His sensors showed endless lines of advancing enemy units. There was no hope in stopping them but he would obey orders to the last.

The Cyranos hovered within a hundred meters of their targets, lasers firing as fast as they could recharge. They were ignored as the arriving trinary of Nova Cat omnimechs poured merciless fire towards the three heavy tanks. The Fury had to retreat, its gauss weapon jammed. The Hussar was ordered to pull back, its center torso armor stripped away.

“Commander As`Zaman Bey,” called Hiromassa, “the Kanrei has given the order to withdraw, you must pull away now.”
“Unable, sir…” replied Mohammed Bey, “I have to extract my armor.”
“You know that they cannot break away,” said Hiromassa, “You will take unnecessary losses trying to save them.”
“Acknowledged.” As`Zaman felt ill, he had to tell his Puma Heavy Tanks that they were on their own, while they stood between two lines of Clan omnimechs and fired in every direction.

The 2nd Sword of Light reconnaissance lances reached the left flank in time for the recall. The Masakari fired its quad particle weapons and tore the leg from a Jenner. Mohammed Bey sent a Maxim hovercraft to retrieve the pilot. The pilot, Sergeant Goro, refused to abandon his mount, rose onto one leg and stayed in the heavy woods, ready to fight to the death.

“8th Arkab Legion,” announced As`Zaman, “disengage from the enemy as best you can. Pull back to Waseda Hills.” He took a deep breath, “I am aware that the left flank and some vehicles may have difficulty withdrawing. Do your best to survive in or out of your mounts, my brothers and sisters. The Legion will do its best to replace your losses –Just return to our repair area alive.”

Once again, the 8th Arkab Legion made Clan Smoke Jaguar pay dearly for captured ground but the cost was higher this time –several units missing in the near rout. Clan Nova Cat’s omnimechs were barely touched, despite the constant rain of artillery. Where would the 8th be in its next battle? Mohammed Bey was too tired to think that far ahead.

_________________
[i]And Allah turned back the unbelievers in their rage; they did not obtain any advantage, and Allah sufficed the believers in fighting; and Allah is Strong, Mighty.[/i] from The Koran, 33rd Sura- The Clans

Dam. Form the sounds of thing. The 8th was lucky to get out of the battle with what it did.

_________________
General Brett "Hitman" Coote S.L.M.H., P.H. w/9 Clusters, S.S.B.
S.L.A.F. (Retired)
[img]http://www.heavymetalpro.com/countries/ ... da-red.gif[/img] [img]http://www.heavymetalpro.com/countries/can-ontario.gif[/img]

Fantastic stuff, eagerly waiting for the next part.

excellent work.

The Skies Above Basin Lake, 1200 Hours

Four silver Lucifer aerofighters streaked over Basin Lake, where the ground forces of the DCMS struggled against Clan Smoke Jaguar and Clan Nova Cat. From an altitude of three thousand five hundred meters, Aeropilot Kulayb identified a formation of enemy fighters on a bearing for the battlefield below. “Bogies, 10 o’clock low –At about two five, follow me.” The other pilots clicked their microphones in acknowledgment and followed the lead fighter as it rolled and dove at the four clan fighters.

The Lucifers of the 8th Arkab Legion started the morning by fiercely attacking the Clan dropships during their descent. The fighters were now scrambled to intercept waves of Clan omnifighters that threatened to attack DCMS ground forces already beset by Clan units.

“Fire as soon as you are in range,” instructed Kulayb, “and concentrate on one target if possible –Clan fighters are well armed but often insufficiently armored for a long fight. We have to knock them down as fast as possible.” As the Arkab craft closed, the pilots could see that each Clan fighter was laden with rack-mounted bombs.
“I can make out a pair of Visigoths, a Batu and one heavy fighter that I am unfamiliar with.” Said Nasrabahdi, flipping through the silhouette recognition program, “It’s very heavy so stay out of his way.”

Firing at long range, the four Lucifers concentrated their large lasers and missiles at the closest Visigoth, riddling its right wing. “Let’s mix it up!” shouted Al-Aziz, taking note of the Clan Nova Cat insignia.
The Clan omnifighters reacted quickly, jettisoning their ordinance and maneuvering to face their challengers. “Predictable.” Chuckled Kulayb, who lined up for his second firing pass on the damaged Visigoth. Despite the quality of the Clan pilots as individual, they seemed tactically lacking, allowing the Arkab pilots to fire upon them with little reply.

The Batu proved to be very fragile and was driven off after a pair of the gleaming Lucifers raked it with energy and missile fire. A monsterous exchange took place as one Arkab fighter was tailed by a Visigoth. In turn, the ninety-ton Clan Nova Cat omnifighter was chased by one of the Lucifers and a confused, vicious, furball took place, energy weapons slicing the air, clouds of deadly missiles released.
In a matter of seconds, the Visigoth pilots ejected and one Lucifer shuddered, its fusion engine severely damaged. The last heavy fighter, stripped of tail armor, was closely followed by one Lucifer, the others were closing in.

“I have two more hostiles at the edge of my scope.” Said Nasrabahdi, “Heavies.”
“Perhaps this group of Inner Sphere surats will be worthy opponents.” Came a derisive transmission from the approaching omnifighters.
“Its those accursed Smoke Jaguars,” muttered Kulayb, thinking quickly. He keyed his microphone, “Nova Cat warrior, you have proven an able and skilled opponent.” He continued, “We offer you hegira so that you might return to face us another day.”
“If you offer hegira,” replied the Clan Nova Cat pilot, “a chance to leave combat with my honor intact, I accept.”

“My engine’s about ready to quit on me…” said Nasrabahdi, his fighter belching dark billows.
As the Nova Cat omnifighter pulled off, trailing a thin plume of smoke. Kulayb keyed his microphone, “Time to dive away and head for home.” He rolled his craft over and aimed his nose down.
“No! Cowardly Inner Sphere surats! Come back!” howled the Clan Smoke Jaguar commander in anger.
“So solly, no speakee Standard, baka gaijin!” replied Van der See, laughing. He knew that Clan Smoke Jaguar hated being ridiculed.
The furious Smoke Jaguar Subotais dove after the fleeing Arkab fighters, slowly gaining on them.
“These guys must be fuming,” said Al-Aziz, “they don’t even see the four fighters jumping them.”
“Who are those fighters?” asked Nasrabahdi. “They’re painted bright yellow.
“That would be the mercenary unit” answered Kulayb, “-Wolf’s Dragoons.”

_________________
[i]And Allah turned back the unbelievers in their rage; they did not obtain any advantage, and Allah sufficed the believers in fighting; and Allah is Strong, Mighty.[/i] from The Koran, 33rd Sura- The Clans

Cool!! My old unit is getting into the fight. Keep us update.

_________________
General Brett "Hitman" Coote S.L.M.H., P.H. w/9 Clusters, S.S.B.
S.L.A.F. (Retired)
[img]http://www.heavymetalpro.com/countries/ ... da-red.gif[/img] [img]http://www.heavymetalpro.com/countries/can-ontario.gif[/img]

Waseda Hills, 1330

Most of the 8th Arkab Legion retreated along the shore of Basin Lake and set out for the rolling wooded Waseda Hills. The hilly terrain was crisscrossed with small secondary roads as well as a major highway.

Mohammed As`Zaman Bey contacted his flank commanders. “Tai-i Bahar, report.”
“Bahar here, Tai-sa Az`Zaman Bey.” Replied the left flank commander, “Sho-sa Sardan lost his Javelin, he was wounded but recovered; Gunsho Majid’s Wyvern, destroyed, Majid wounded and recovered; Nebuzardan and Rezin wounded, still able to fight. All units are at fifty percent ammunition. End of report, sir.”
Mohammed Bey added the report to the 8th Arkab Legion’s history –The unit had done more fighting this morning than it had done in the last two years. The day was yet to see an ending. “Sho-sa Q’arandar, report.”
“Q’arandar, Tai-sa As`Zaman Bey,” replied the right flank commander, “regretfully, Shamash’s Crab was destroyed, he did not eject; Al Razi’s Maxim hover destroyed, crew missing; Teng’s jump infantry squad bailed out. We are down to half our ammunition.”
“Shamash was one of the best,” Said Mohammed Bey, “one of my mother’s clan.”
“He held back a star of Nova Cats in order to buy us time.” Added Q’arandar, “We shall mourn his loss when this is over.” He paused for a moment, “Commander, we are being pursued and request the artillery tubes to drop smoke to cover our retreat.”
“You shall have your artillery immediately.” Answered As`Zaman. “I’ll send the Cyranos to spot for you.”

“Commander As`Zaman Bey,” a familiar voice sounded over the command frequency, “Sho-sa Hiromassa here.”
“As`Zaman, go ahead, Sho-sa Hiromassa.”
“Direct your units to the small town indicated on the milsat map.” Said Hiromassa.
Mohammed Bey touched his command screen, “Tengoku?”
“Affirmative.” responded the commander of the 2nd Sword of Light. “We shall assemble there to rearm and repair.”
“Very good, commander Hiromassa.” Said Az`Zaman, “What of the repair and supply vehicles who can’t keep up? Many are wheeled and cannot make it through the heavy woods.”
“The bulk of them are Redemption units,” explained the Combine officer, “they have been instructed to follow and do the duties expected of them.”
“I shall dispatch my hovers to direct them and any other stay units to the assembly point.” Added Mohammed Bey, “I have to deploy my artillery to cover the retreat of my left flank units, who have been separated when the Nova Cats pushed their breakthrough.”
Hiromassa paused for a moment, “Yes, do what you have to do. We have some time while Clan Nova Cat reorganizes for its next push. At the moment, Clan Smoke Jaguar is pursuing the retreating units but they have broken up.”

“Sho-sa Hiromassa, how are you doing?” asked Mohammed Bey.
“My replacement ride is on a trailer, burning.” Chuckled Hiromassa. His tone suddenly grew somber, “The 2nd Sword of Light has been reduced to a company.”
“Is there any good news, sir?”
“There has been a massive air battle over Basin Lake –It appears we have won air superiority.” Announced Hiromassa, triumphantly.
Mohammed Bey thought of his aerofighter assets, he thought of the good pilots and crews dead, wounded and missing, “Now, we make them pay.”

_________________
[i]And Allah turned back the unbelievers in their rage; they did not obtain any advantage, and Allah sufficed the believers in fighting; and Allah is Strong, Mighty.[/i] from The Koran, 33rd Sura- The Clans

Excellent. This could be the turning point. Now that you have control of the air those assets can be used to harass the Clansmen. I look forward to the next installment.

_________________
General Brett "Hitman" Coote S.L.M.H., P.H. w/9 Clusters, S.S.B.
S.L.A.F. (Retired)
[img]http://www.heavymetalpro.com/countries/ ... da-red.gif[/img] [img]http://www.heavymetalpro.com/countries/can-ontario.gif[/img]

Very excellent addition, MB.

_________________
Je vous aurais bien aide, mais je ne vous aime pas.

Dr. J. Edgarlove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love The Inferno Gel

"If you're not careful, you'll get us all whacked. Ha ha! Body in a woodchipper." - Phil Ken Sebben

What is inside the silo? Can it fly? A needle in a haystack... To crack the sky!

Tengoku, Luthien, 1400 Hours

The column of battlemechs and vehicles moved with caution along the secondary road. The lead elements consisted of a pair of Lightning hovercraft and a Rotunda scout car. The road cut through the wooded portion of the Waseda Hills, the 8th Arkab Legion, in a swift and organized retreat from Basin Lake managed to avoid pursuit by Clan battlemechs and detection by Clan aerospace assets. As they cruised along the snaking road, a savage battle for air superiority raged above their heads.

Gunsho Farqad drove his Star League era Rotunda through a clearing. He slowed as he saw the massive concrete raised highway towering over a hundred meters above the ground. He had seen plumes of smoke rising over the wooded canopy and he easily spotted the collapsed battlemech near one of the massive concrete pillars. Upon closing with the highway, he made out at least two more wrecked machines.
“Commander, there are at least three destroyed battlemechs near the highway.” The reconnaissance sergeant transmitted. “They are of Clan Nova Cat –One of the wrecks is a Daishi.”
“Acknowledged.” Responded As`Zaman. He wondered to his self, “How could they get here?”

The Rotunda pulled up near the fallen Daishi and examined it. “Numerous projectile hits –Mostly leg strikes. This is not the work of some local militia.”

“Commander Hiromassa, are you able to contact the defenders here?” inquired Mohammed Bey.
“Negative, Commander As`Zaman Bey.” Replied the leader of the 2nd Sword of Light.
The Lightnings skimmed over the plowed fields, circling around agricultural processing plant designated as a resupply area. The Rotunda rumbled over the uneven ground and shuddered as a plume of dirt erupted from under one of its tires. “Minefield!” shouted Farqad, slamming the vehicle into reverse. There was the grinding of gears, the sound of broken fragments rattling off the frame and chassis. The sergeant grabbed his submachine gun from its rack and bailed out, shouting blistering curses.
A cloud of missiles winged it way from a clump of distant trees, flying wide of one of the Lightning hovercraft. A laser lanced out and seared the front of the stricken Rotunda as the driver took cover behind its rear, occasionally rising to shake his fist at his tormentors.

Moving up to the massive viaduct, Captain Zaghlul in his Hussar saw some flashing from the distant woodline prior to the attack. He reversed his mech and took cover behind a pillar. Sure enough, someone had signalled from the far clump of trees. “These yokels cannot identify us –They’ve never seen Star League battlemechs or vehicles.”
Mohammed Bey broke in over the frequency, “Do not, I repeat, do not fire upon defending units.” His Crab was approaching alongside the road, two kilometers behind the lead elements. “Avoid contact until we can be identified.”
MacDonald in his Thorn stood under the viaduct, “It appears that they attempted to use a semaphore code on the recon elements but they were moving too fast.” The battlemech stepped into the clear and used on of its lights to click off a short signal in the direction of the defending units.

“Kohlhaas, report.” Transmitted As`Zaman.
The pilot of the Ostscout tuned his scanners in the direction of the vital intersection. “I have some massed readings at various points.” He announced. “The closest in the warehouses to the South.”
Mohammed Bey’s screens lit up. To the East were massive movements, over a hundred battlemechs had assembled just over a set of ridges. They were not friendly. His finger jabbed the 2nd Sword of Light icon on his screen. “Hiromassa, you want to see this.”

Nikopol in his Jagermech reported in, “Commander, I have several enemy targets in the air on the other side of that ridge. They seem to be landing. I do believe that they have VTOLS”
“They are rearming and possibly doing repairs.” Muttered As`Zaman to himself, “I’d give anything for artillery and airstrikes.”

Hiromassa’s command vehicle, flanked by a Jenner and a Dragon, pulled up under the raised highway and established contact with the defenders. Mohammed Bey sent a Maxim to pick up Sergeant Farqad, who was still furious that his Rotunda had to be abandoned in the minefield. There were no recovery vehicles in the area. Had there been one available, that Daishi would have found a new owner.

The rear elements of the column filed into the defensive perimeter, several ammunition carriers, two coolant trucks, a field supply trailer with the Fury and Horned Demon as the rearguard. As`Zaman directed the rearming vehicles to the defenders –they were almost depleted of missiles. Near the center of the perimeter was a mech repair bay. The most damaged battlemechs were immediately directed there.

Jumping onto the raised highway that cut though the countryside, Mechwarrior Mahir scouted the surrounding terrain. From his prominent position, he could see a winding gap in the ridge where the first probing Clan omnimechs appeared, only to be ambushed by the defending unit, the Tsukude Provisional Training Cadre. Composed entirely of vehicles, someone in the upper chain of command had decided that these elements had no place in the battles fought earlier today.
Mahir scanned an area, a copse of heavy woods, that Kolhaas indicated concealed a large mass of equipment, some three hundred fifty tons or more. Sure enough, Mahir spotted a star of Clan heavy omnimechs. Two laser beams snapped out at his Assassin and he had to scramble along the raised pavement to increase the distance. “Found them!”
Fortunately, the enemy mechs declined to pursue, probably aware that the defenders stopped the earlier probing star with the combined firepower of fourteen Tokugawa medium tanks, each armed with a midrange caliber autocannon. These tanks were being repaired in a large warehouse -A warehouse that possessed enough bays to repair a conpany of vehicles at a time!

Not long after the 8th Arkab Legion began deploying and engaging in repairs, a small column of batlemechs arrived –The mechs Mohammed Bey sent back for repairs had been turned away before reaching Luthien. “The officers told us that only equipment missing limbs or with severe internal damage would be allowed into the repair depots.” Reported Mechwarrior Khalil Ahwaz, who piloted Mohammed Bey’s damaged Mongoose –Nearly all of the mechs sent back in the earlier battles only had armor missing.
“Get them to the repair bay.” Commanded As`Zaman, “I don’t know when the enemy will start their next push but we won’t have enough to stop them.”

Behind the returning battlemechs came a tractor and trailer with a battlemech under a tarp. “Inform Commander Hiromassa that his replacement mech has arrived.”
after speaking with the defending unit's commander, Hiromassa exercised his authority as commander of the 2nd Sword of Light -He added the Tsukude Provisional Training Cadre to his unit as an auxillery element.

Mohammed Bey attempted to get some rest while he could.
“Sir...” rang a muffled voice though the open hatch of his Crab.
The weary commander of the 8th Arkab Legion opened one eye and growled, “What is it?”
The messenger sent to his mech was from the Tsukude Provisional Training Cadre, “Uhm…I was sent here to inquire on whether you’d like to interrogate the prisoner.”
Mohammed Bey snapped to full alertness, “You have a prisoner?”
“Yes sir.”
“Don’t tell me,” muttered As`Zaman, “-He was taken in the action that occurred before we arrived.”
“Yes sir.”
"Grrrrrr."

The dusk was turning to darkness. Mohammed Bey shivered and wondered if his people would be ready for a night action.

Dear Readers, depending on how the scenarios are set up, I shall end this thread soon and continue the story as "Footnote, Day Two" -MB

_________________
[i]And Allah turned back the unbelievers in their rage; they did not obtain any advantage, and Allah sufficed the believers in fighting; and Allah is Strong, Mighty.[/i] from The Koran, 33rd Sura- The Clans

Another excellent installment. Just one thing. Why would you not send the least damaged BattleMechs to the repair bays? As they could be repair the fastest & be back in action sooner.

_________________
General Brett "Hitman" Coote S.L.M.H., P.H. w/9 Clusters, S.S.B.
S.L.A.F. (Retired)
[img]http://www.heavymetalpro.com/countries/ ... da-red.gif[/img] [img]http://www.heavymetalpro.com/countries/can-ontario.gif[/img]

1) There are no techs present, all we can do is hang armor.
2) I have several mechs, mostly light, which have no armor in spots. These will live longer with some armor.
3) I know I don't have enough time to repair all my mechs.
4) The ref won't let me repair mechs in the vehicle repair area.
5) My guys have to rest or be fatigued in the next battle.

MB

_________________
[i]And Allah turned back the unbelievers in their rage; they did not obtain any advantage, and Allah sufficed the believers in fighting; and Allah is Strong, Mighty.[/i] from The Koran, 33rd Sura- The Clans

The Warehouse looking building is actually a vehicle repair facility. It is equiped with low overhead gantrys to move heavy equipment and vehicle components. This overhead arrangement makes it too low for mechs to go within.
The single Full-sized Battlemech bay can handle a single battlemech at a time. It is in this location because of a nearby training range and is used for repairing any damage due to training accidents. It however does not have any Techs permenantly assigned to it, but is intended to be utilized for repairs by Techs from whatever unit is using the nearby training range at the time. It only has a facility caretaker staff. It does have a small store of parts, repair kits, & armor. It does not have an ammunition magazine here.
Old Mohammed Bey is getting more resourceful a he keeps falling back! He is willing to give ground if possible for Clan blood!

Vaidom

the vic bay would have techs and lots of repair parts and test stands for components, training breaks lots of stuff, now very little in the way of armor would be around (unless units like to do live fire against each other). but it is up to the GM

Waseda Hills, 1400 Hours

The column of supply and support vehicles crawled along the single, winding road the threaded it’s way though the sparsely wooded landscape. Sho-sa Al-Sayyid could not believe his luck. Despite the masses of aerofighters in the air, none had come down to identify the vulnerable line of vehicles that snaked along towards Combine lines.
As his lance of three Archers moved with the formation’s center, Al-Sayyid monitored his scanners.

The battle at Basin Lake had cost the 8th Arkab’s left flank only one battlemech –A Crab. The pilot, Sho-sa Shammash, had been killed while buying time for his comrades’ retreat. Because the support vehicles were strung out in a line over two kilometers long, the unit’s mech lances were also spread out, trudging along the road that meandered Eastward through Waseda Hills.

“Al-Sayyid, this is Gafla One.”
“Gafla One, Al-Sayyid –Go ahead.” Responded the commander. He was relieved, Gafla (Gadfly) flight was the 8th’s pair of Cyrano VTOLs.
“You have company, Al-Sayyid.” Said Bashani the Cyrano pilot. “One light star approaching from your ten, about one point two kilometers.”
“Enemy sighted, out.”

The Smoke Jaguar light star of omnimechs danced across the roadway, avoiding contact with the battlemechs escorting the convoy. Some weapons fire was exchanged but the light mechs were not a factor. The three points of Elementals they dropped in the path of the moving column may have been a problem…

The light lance may not have been much of a threat but it wasted no time calling in other stars. Al-Sayyid’s mouth grew dry when he saw the Ryoken dash between the copses of trees, followed by a pair of Vultures, a Madcat and barely able to keep up, a Daishi.

With an exultant cry of “You’re it!” Chu-i Arbas rushed forward and struck the Ryoken with a small cloud of missiles and a NARC beacon. The pair of Crabs and Dragon also rained furious weapon fire at the too eager Ryoken.

Al-Sayyid calmly arrayed his three Archers and two Catapults in battle line, darkening the sky with two hundred missiles, converging on the Madcat, causing it to stagger but it withstood the first deadly storm.
The return fire stripped the Dragon of its frontal armor, forcing it to retreat. The Kintaro was fortunate and avoided severe damage, closing with a Vulture and attaching a beacon to that omnimech before falling back. Laser, missile and particle cannon fire filled the air with smoke and crackling bolts of energy.

Two of the Archers were mauled, one losing an arm, the other its left torso. The Ryoken’s left torso exploded as it fell over, the cloud of missile launched by the pair of Catapults guided by the NARC beacon causing grievous damage.
The Madcat’s pilot cursed furiously as over a hundred missiles darkened the sky again, pecking away at his armor and internal structure. Its left leg ripped to shreds, the omnimech tumbled to the ground.

A third star of light and medium omnimechs appeared on his sensors. “Fall back.” He ordered, seeing the longer the unit fought, the more enemy would be attracted by the scent of blood. “We have to get moving.”

The massed fire of a dozen light battlemechs couldn’t prevent a point of Elementals from attempting to close and attack the Sun Zhang Academy Cadre’s Assassin, raking it with missiles.
More medium mechs managed to sweep away the remaining two points of Elementals, clearing the escape route toward Tengoku.

Tengoku, 1530 Hours

In the command vehicle, As`Zaman Bey and Hiromassa briefed the other commanders on their options.
They could dig in and block the enemy’s advance –Buying the Combine time with their lives.
They could dig in and be bypassed, only to suffer the enemy’s scorn when they are driven from Luthien.
They could pull out and attempt to slip through enemy lines.
They could pull out and strike at enemy units already facing defenders.

Firing artillery would be out of the question –The enemy was too close and would take immediate and deadly action if they knew what kind of firepower the units in Tengoku possessed.

“Waiting here is a bad idea –If they attack en masse, we would hold for a while before ultimately being overwhelmed.” Said Hiromassa.
“I have no intention of waiting here while the most important battle in the history of humanity is being fought a few kilometers away." Replied Mohammed Bey.
“Agreed. We move in one and one half hours. The engineers and infantry will be setting up obstacles along the road to slow the enemy. All we have to do is to break away and not be followed.” concluded Hiromassa, rising to his feet. "Let's get going."

_________________
[i]And Allah turned back the unbelievers in their rage; they did not obtain any advantage, and Allah sufficed the believers in fighting; and Allah is Strong, Mighty.[/i] from The Koran, 33rd Sura- The Clans

Another good installment. Smart move on the part of Al-Sayyid to get him column out of there before he could be pinned down. Pulling out and striking at enemy units already facing defenders sounds like it would the best & most useful thing to do.

_________________
General Brett "Hitman" Coote S.L.M.H., P.H. w/9 Clusters, S.S.B.
S.L.A.F. (Retired)
[img]http://www.heavymetalpro.com/countries/ ... da-red.gif[/img] [img]http://www.heavymetalpro.com/countries/can-ontario.gif[/img]

Kado-guchi Valley, 1630 Hours.

Onaga-dori mansion was a huge structure of teak and maple. The ornate rooftop of blue green glazed clay tiles gleamed in the afternoon sun. Sgt. Tompkins scanned the verdant green slope that terminated at the floor of the valley a kilometer and a half away. “Ain’t this a good seat for the show?”
“That it is,” agreed Pvt. Mulrooney, taking a sip from his bottle of Luthien Dark beer, “and the kitchen is well stocked too.”
The squad of jump infantry lounged on the roof of Onaga-dori mansion occasionally taking cold bottles of beer from an ice filled cooler and quenching their thirst. On a balcony was a small gas grill keeping sausages and eggs warm. The soldiers enjoyed the best meal they’d had all day courtesy of whoever left the mansion abandoned.
“Tally ho!” shouted Sgt. Tompkins. “One lance of hostiles walkin’ up the road as if they owned it.”
“The nerve of them!” commented Pvt. Murphy, flinging an empty bottle in the direction of the enemy, “Party’s over.”
“Tell th’ commander that we `ave company, private.” Said Tompkins, stuffing a bottle into a cargo pocket.

Sgt. Tompkins left Murphy to make his call and peered from his vantage point on the mansion’s rooftop to look out into the grounds, surrounded by a continuous line of light woods forming a wedge of level land on the side of the massive valley. The main roadway bent around the tip of the wedge of land. Concealed behind the wooded line stood the defenders –four Marauders, four Panthers, a pair of Whitworths and crouched beyond the bend in the road where two Victors. Also concealed on the once well manicured grounds were four Tokugawa heavy tanks.

Sho-sa Bahar calmly observed the approaching images on his screen. “Confirmed, three Fenris omnimechs and a pair of Dragonflies.” He monitored their speed, “They are breaking into a run –Hold fire until they are at medium range.”
The Nova Cat omnimechs dashed up the gradually steepening slope. At three hundred meters, a pair of Marauders, two Panthers, a Whitworth and two tanks opened fire, sending beams of energy, missiles and projectiles at the lead omnimechs.

Sgt. Tompkins slapped his knee, “That shook `em good!” He was observing the battle from his perch on the roof, a hundred meters above the ground and less than five hundred meters away. The other infantrymen scrambled across the tiles to get a better view and cheered the machines below.
“Give t’em!” Shouted Murphy, a bottle clenched in his fist.

Two of the Dragonflies skirted around the tip of the wedge of woods, now bristling with enemy `mechs and armor. As the two Nova Cat omnimechs passed the tip of the forested boundary, the two waiting Victors rose from their crouching positions, weapons blazing with telling accuracy. Before the clan machines could turn and run the Arkab assault `mechs fired again. As the pair of clan Nova Cat mechs slumped to the ground in pieces, the two Victors resumed their crouch.

“They’re turning tail and runnin’!” exclaimed Mulrooney. The men on the rooftop raised their bottles in salutation before downing their cold brew.
Two clan omnimechs scurried down the slope, both severely damaged and trailing smoke. The cheers grew still as another star of enemy machines began the upward walk.
“Another Dragonfly, sarge.” Announced Pvt. O’Donnel, viewing the star through his enhanced video monitor. “A Thor… two Lokis and a Mad Cat.”
Murphy tapped his headset, “Sergeant Tompkins,” He began to adjust his gear, “we gotta leave, the Maxim’s being called forward.”

The second star of omnimechs broke into a slow run along the road that led up the valley to the main city of Luthien. Again the defenders massed their fire -Ripping away or melting armor from the enemy’s machines. The Dragonfly fell at the very tip of the forest wedge and one of the Victors strode up and blew the machine to fragments as it struggled to rise. One Loki dropped as the entire line of defenders rained their fury upon it.
In the return fire, one Whitworth exploded as its ammunition stores were hit.
The Mad Cat severely damaged and the other Loki about to fall apart, the Nova Cat survivors pulled back. Their lust for blood raised, the line of defenders advanced in defiance, dropping the Loki as it tried to retreat out of range. Taunting the invaders, the line of 8th Arkab and Second Sword of Light battlemechs waved their arms at the fleeing enemy. Before they drew from range the Nova Cats managed to drop two Panthers, each losing a leg.
At the base of the valley another star of enemy omnimechs drew up as the Mad Cat trudged past them, its right torso sheared away.

The Maxim sped along the road and closed with the nearest fallen Dragonfly. The infantrymen scrambled from the back compartment and ran up to the wreckage.
“Hurry up with that camera!” shouted Thompson, peering into the cockpit. “Looks like this one’s had it.”
The other soldiers grouped themselves by the `mech as Pvt. Delle assembled a tripod and camera. “Come on!” bellowed the sergeant as the private turned the device on. Delle ran over and posed with the others. As usual, Murphy turned around and pulled his fatigue trousers down.
“For Chrissakes Murph, cover that hairy mass of flab up!” laughed O’Donnel.
“This one’s still breathing.” Said Pvt. Delle, his face pressed against the cockpit window.
There was the rumble of missile and cannon fire in the distance. “No time to cut this bloke out of his mount.” Replied Sgt. Tompkins, peering down the valley. “Crikey! More bogeys on the way, lads.” The men gathered up the camera and sprinted to the waiting Maxim hovercraft. As the Maxim’s engine revved to full power, the soldiers kicked the cooler open and yanked out several bottles of beer. “Cheers, lads, it looks like we’ve got a fight on our hands.”

“Confirmed, one more Mad Cat, two Vultures, a Man O’ War, the Thor from the last star and a Daishi.” Repeated Sho-sa Bahar. “We shall do our best until the recall order is received.” The Azami commander tapped his screen and transmitted a curt message, “You know the drill, we shall wait until the lead Vultures are in range and mass fire at them.”

The Maxim and its squad of soldiers hurriedly collected the Combine pilots who had bailed from their ruined mechs. They could feel the ground shake as the enemy closed.

The omnimechs trudged up the sloping ground, past the wreckage of earlier attempts. Sho-sa Bahar grinned as the faster mechs slowly outpaced the Daishi. “They shall regret their eagerness to kill us.”

This time, the defenders pulled back and awaited the clan omnimechs’ approach.
Before the new star of omnimechs arrived at the forested wedge, the Nova Cat Thor sailed over the trees and landed beside the mansion. It was struck with massed fire, which staggered it. As it rose into the air to jump over a section of the building, two of the 8th Arkab Marauders pummeled the omnimech with laser, particle cannon and autocannon fire. The stricken Thor tumbled from the sky, landing sideways on the roof of an extension of the mansion. The omnimech struggled to rise before the roof gave way and the mech fell out of sight, the first floor windows blowing out.
From across the torn up lawn, Pvt. Murphy wiped a tear “There goes one fine kitchen, lads.” He handed Mechwarrior Shimizu a cold brew, “Here you are.”

The first pair of Vultures pushed through the woods -They were met by a pair of Marauders, a pair of Victors and a pair of Tokugawa heavy tanks. In the savage exchange, one of the Vultures overheated and shut down. The Man O’ War ripped into one of the Victors stripping away armor. Slowly retreating, the line of defenders inflicted major damage on the advancing Mad Cat and destroying a Vulture.
His brow dripping with perspiration, Sho-sa Bahar finally received the order that allowed him to extract his unit. “The column is safe in Luthien, we may pull back.” He told his command.

Stepping back through the last line of woods, the defenders waited for the invaders to follow. They did not. “Tai-i Abu Badr,” transmitted Bahar, “I need your artillery to drop smoke to cover our retrograde action.”
“On the way, sir.”

Inside the passenger compartment of the Maxim, Sgt. Tompkins stretched out on a bench, “On to Luthien!” The other soldiers and the three pilots they rescued sipped from their bottles. “Oi, save some o’ that for dinner!”

_________________
[i]And Allah turned back the unbelievers in their rage; they did not obtain any advantage, and Allah sufficed the believers in fighting; and Allah is Strong, Mighty.[/i] from The Koran, 33rd Sura- The Clans

Excellent defencive tactics. Classic to, hold the high ground. Who ever is playing the Clan is doing a great job. Part of there problem at Luthien was they pushed to hard. Your unit did a fine job of making them pay for it.

_________________
General Brett "Hitman" Coote S.L.M.H., P.H. w/9 Clusters, S.S.B.
S.L.A.F. (Retired)
[img]http://www.heavymetalpro.com/countries/ ... da-red.gif[/img] [img]http://www.heavymetalpro.com/countries/can-ontario.gif[/img]

I agree with Hitman. Not a suprise, huh? Great installment, keep 'em coming.

_________________
Je vous aurais bien aide, mais je ne vous aime pas.

Dr. J. Edgarlove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love The Inferno Gel

"If you're not careful, you'll get us all whacked. Ha ha! Body in a woodchipper." - Phil Ken Sebben

What is inside the silo? Can it fly? A needle in a haystack... To crack the sky!

That was the last installment for this thread. The next series of battles on Luthien will be continued in another thread.

As usual, thank you gentlemen for your comments and support.

MB

_________________
[i]And Allah turned back the unbelievers in their rage; they did not obtain any advantage, and Allah sufficed the believers in fighting; and Allah is Strong, Mighty.[/i] from The Koran, 33rd Sura- The Clans

After all of your hard work writing this wonderful piece of literature, it was the least we could do.

_________________
Je vous aurais bien aide, mais je ne vous aime pas.

Dr. J. Edgarlove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love The Inferno Gel

"If you're not careful, you'll get us all whacked. Ha ha! Body in a woodchipper." - Phil Ken Sebben

What is inside the silo? Can it fly? A needle in a haystack... To crack the sky!