Defence of Eaton

by chiroho

The term mercenary is defined as a person who serves for pay in the armed forces of a foreign country. Most men and women who become mercenaries do so because they either want to make money, or they love war and adventure, or they are fighting for a cause. Mercenary forces are usually hired by the wealthiest nations involved in the war. Since the term mercenary refers to a relationship where one is "being paid for a service," the country that hires these forces must be able to pay for the services of the mercenary troops. (World Book Encyclopedia)

Mercenaries were expensive and, lacking patriotic motivation, could be untrustworthy. On the eve of battle mercenary captains might demand handsome bonuses for their continued loyalty, and in peacetime mercenaries could threaten law and order by using their redundant military skills to prey on civilians. (Encyclopedia of the Renaissance)

***

The ground shook slightly as the four BattleMechs emerged from behind the building. As they moved slowly down the road past the large mansion, they were watched with a very critical eye.

“I hope those damn machines stay off my grass!” said the gardener to herself. “This is Eaton for goodness sake. Do they know how hard it is to maintain gardens like these in this sort of environment?”

The gardener cringed and then let out a yell as the ‘Mechs suddenly turned and raced eastward towards the river, crashing through a small grove of oak trees in the process.

Jack Holland, call sign Spectre, was finishing up his pep talk to the members of his small mercenary unit. “OK folks,” he said over the comm band, “you all know the deal. Our job is to protect the governor’s family. They can’t be airlifted out because it’s too volatile around here, so we need to make sure that they’re protected until the situation improves.”

“OK”, “Yes sir”, “No worries boss”, came the chorus of replies.

Jack smiled to himself. He knew that he could trust his people. Although he had hired them all from the free market at one time or another, bonds developed very quickly when your life was on the line.

“And remember,” Jack said, “if we encounter any ‘Mechs, make sure that you don’t bust them up completely. It’s all good salvage and the more salvage we get, the faster I can pay off this damn loan!” Jack laughed.

While his team chuckled in response, Jack meant what he said. Operating a mercenary unit, even a small one that could only field a lance of ‘Mechs like Holland’s Hussars, was a very expensive proposition. Not only was there the cost of the ‘Mechs themselves (a ‘Mech cost more than most people earned in a lifetime), there was also their maintenance and upkeep, as well as the salaries for both his ‘MechWarriors and the team that supported his unit. All of this added up to some serious money. And that meant work that paid well in order to avoid going bankrupt, a fate that had befallen many small mercenary units.

That’s how this current contract had come about. Eaton was part of the Lyran Alliance, situated near the border with the Draconis combine. The Skye separatist movement had taken advantage of the FedCom civil war to achieve their own ends, and the planet was in turmoil. The governor had evacuated his family from the capitol city, and was now offering a contract to protect their wellbeing from potential attacks by Lyran loyalists. While too small for the big mercenary units, it was a lucrative contract for Holland’s Hussars.

“One last point,” Jack said, “the intelligence we have is that the loyalists aren’t certain which mansion is the governors. If we can protect them all, we’ll get a nice bonus from the other wealthy landowners in the area.”

“Sensors detect units coming in from the east,” cut in Kate ‘Radar’ Armstrong. Called Radar because of her uncanny ability to work with sensors, Kate had a background with the Federated Commonwealth military. She currently piloted a stock Bushwacker, although with upgraded sensors naturally. “They’re coming from the other side of the river Spectre. Looks like light vehicles for the most part.”

“Thanks Radar. OK people, this is where we make our money. Maximum speed to nav point alpha.”

“Confirmed Spectre” said Mike ‘Hammer’ Walsh. Mike liked to pilot big ‘Mechs, and really take it to an opponent. Right now he was in an Argus recovered as salvage in an earlier contract. While not the assault ‘Mech that Mike would have liked to be driving, the Argus was a heavy that still allowed Mike to ‘Hammer’ his opponents - especially since the LRM15s had been replaced with Clan Streak SRMs.

“On my way” reported the last member of the lance Eiji ‘Splash’ Matsumoto, piloting an Arctic Wolf. Called Splash because of his seeming ability to get more ‘Mech kills with splash damage than with direct hits, Eiji came originally from a Combine world lost to the Lyran Alliance in some war or other. With his Arctic Wolf fully configured with six SRM6s, two SRM4s, and a Narc Missile Beacon, Eiji had the perfect ‘Mech for splash damage.

Jack turned his Mad Cat east and cranked up the speed. Carrying two Clan ER Large Lasers, three Clan ER Medium Lasers and two Clan Streak SRM6s, his Mad Cat could handle itself at both long and short ranges. Jack had originally received the machine while fighting in Operation Bulldog against the Smoke Jaguars, and had ended up using it as collateral for the loan he took out to start Holland’s Hussars. If I can pay off that loan then I’ll never have to give up this baby, Jack reflected.

Nav Point Alpha was only about 1000 metres away and came up quickly. As they approached, Radar reported more information on the enemy units. “Looks like two lances of Harassers, Spectre. And it seems as though they really aren’t sure where the governor’s family is located as they’re attacking the southern most mansion in the estates.”

“Individual targets. Fire when in range,” Jack ordered. A chorus of assents followed as Jack lined up his sights on the nearest Harasser – still skimming across the river. Jack toggled the HUD zoom and waited for his cross hairs to turn gold. Selecting both ER large lasers, Jack fired. Two good hits on the rear destroyed the engines, and the Harasser immediately started sinking into the river. “Target destroyed” his computer reported.

Jack immediately selected the next Harasser in his line of sight. As his large lasers had not yet cycled, Jack selected the three medium lasers and fired. No point in wasting SRMs on a Harasser, reasoned Jack. Two hit and the third went wide scorching a tree by the river. The two hits caused some furrows in the side armor but did not penetrate. The Harasser immediately turned toward him trying to close the range for its own SRMs. As Jack’s large lasers had now cycled, he immediately selected those and fired before the Harasser could get any closer. The first shot speared through the SRM launcher on top of the Harasser, setting off a good portion of the ammunition and destroying the entire turret. The second hit ripped straight through the front armor into the hull. The Harasser immediately slewed to one side and started smoking. Another target down, thought Jack.

He looked around quickly to see how the rest of his lance was doing. Kate had taken out one Harasser, and was closing in for the kill on a second. Mike had taken out two Harassers with successive PPC shots, and was lining up on a third. Harassers were designed to do exactly what their name implied – harass enemy units. They weren’t designed to stand up to the exclusive attention of a heavy ‘Mech.

Eiji had moved around to the flank and taken out another Harasser. That left just two. Jack immediately targeted the Harasser Kate was chasing with his large lasers and let rip. Caught between the fire of Jack’s Mad Cat and the LBX-10 from Kate’s Bushwacker, the Harasser just crumpled. Meanwhile Mike and Eiji finished off the last Harasser with a PPC shot and some SRMs.

“OK folks, good work,” Jack said. “We’re down towards the southern end of the estates, so lets move back north a little just in case. Those Harassers seemed a little too easy to be the main attack.”

As they moved north slowly, Kate reported new threats. “New targets approaching. IFF indicates they aren’t friendlies. Looks like a lance of light ‘Mechs. They’re only 500 metres away.”

“How did they get so close without being detected?” Mike said.

“Sensors show one of the ‘Mechs to be a Raven. His Guardian ECM suite must have been giving them sensor protection,” Kate replied. “There’s also an Osiris, a Flea, and a Wolfhound.”

“Let’s take care of these guys quickly,” Jack said. “I don’t know if I like the way this is turning out. Vehicles are one thing, but someone seems to be committing some resources here, and who knows what could show up next. Combined fire. Splash and I will take the Raven. Radar and Hammer hit the Wolfhound. Try and maneuver to keep the other two from crossing the river to the estates.”

The Lyran loyalist ‘Mechs were cresting a hill east of the river, just under 300 metres away. Jack increased speed as he lined up the cross hairs, and toggled for an alpha strike. Need to take this lance out quickly, thought Jack urgently. As soon as he was within 250 metres the cross hairs changed to gold, and gave him a lock tone. Jack pulled the trigger and watched as a swarm of SRMs, two emerald beams from his large lasers, and three ruby beams from his medium lasers, reached out for the Raven.

The two large laser beams both found their target. The first hit the right leg, burning off the majority of the armor. The second hit the torso, searing a large gash. The medium lasers also all hit with two impacting on the left arm, and one the torso. Not having any sort of AMS, and with the missiles being of the Streak variety, almost all the SRMs ploughed into the Raven. Half a dozen exploded armor across the torso leaving exoskeleton exposed in places. Two more hit the head, and caused the Raven to stutter for a second as the pilot regained his balance.

Meanwhile the return volley of SRMs from the Raven sped towards Jack’s Mad Cat. As they came in the LAMS on the Mad Cat started spewing forth hundreds of little beams of light, destroying most of the missiles. The remaining few chipped armor off Jack’s legs and torso, but did no significant damage. The two medium lasers on the Raven both hit the Mad Cat, one on the left arm, and the other on the torso. Once again the armor of the heavy ‘Mech easily withstood the challenge.

Eiji’s Arctic Wolf moved to within range and let off a full volley of SRM6s, saving the SRM4s for a second volley. Thirty missiles screamed towards the Raven, impacting all over the unfortunate ‘Mech. For the dozen that found their way onto the torso where no armor was present, it was only seconds before one did critical damage. One hit the gyro, while two more breached the reactor shielding, causing a loss of containment. The pilot immediately punched out, his ejection chair soaring above the river in a blaze of light. The Raven’s reactor went critical, but the blast was somewhat dampened by the water now covering the collapsed mech.

Jack swung his ‘Mech around, looking for the Osiris or Flea. He saw the Flea to his left, and swung around further trying to target on it. Selecting just his medium lasers Jack fired, but all missed wide as the Mad Cat rocked forward and to the side as a missile volley slammed into his rear armor. Jack struggled with his balance and pulled the ‘Mech upright. Damn it! How did anyone get behind me, raged Jack as he quickly checked his sensors. He saw that the Osiris had managed to slip around the flank while he and Eiji had been taking on the Raven.

To further add to his worries, Kate chimed in with another sighting report. “Medium lance approaching from the east.” There was a moment of static as her Bushwacker took some hits from the lasers on the Wolfhound. “Looks like two Uziels, a Hellhound, and a Puma. They’re 900 metres out. Moving in fast.”

“Finish these light ‘Mechs off before their friends get here,” Jack said. “We don’t need them behind us when we take on those mediums.” As he spoke the Mad Cat shook again as more SRMs from the Osiris hit the rear armor. Jack swore under his breath and quickly twisted his torso right hoping to catch the Osiris expecting him to go the other way. He was rewarded with a brief targeting lock. Jack fired all his lasers, holding his breath as the heat fanned up into the cockpit. A large laser and two mediums hit, and the Osiris stumbled for a second. Jack seized the opportunity and hit the Osiris with a full volley of SRMs. Most ploughed into the back and side of the loyalist ‘Mech, leaving it in serious trouble.

Eiji, meanwhile, had gone after the Flea, successfully managing to slow it down after getting in two good missile volleys. Having finished off the Wolfhound with Kate, Mike turned his Argus to assist, connecting with his PPC, which pretty much finished off the light ‘Mech. A final shot from his two medium lasers, added after converting the LRMs to SRMs, saw the pilot punching out, and the ‘Mech collapsing into the river.

As Jack waited for his large lasers to finish cycling, the Osiris was struck by a burst from Kate’s LBX-10, causing it to shake and shudder as more armor was flayed off. The damage was enough to blow off the left arm, depriving the Osiris of its two medium lasers. His large lasers now available again, Jack finished the machine off with a shot to the left rear, penetrating the already damaged armor and destroying the gyro. The pilot punched out, giving Holland’s Hussars a moment’s break.

Jack checked his HUD, and found that the armor on all four of his ‘Mechs was relatively unharmed. “Everyone pull back towards the western side of the river. We don’t want to allow these mediums through to the mansions. They’ll be on us in a second. Combine fire to take them down as quickly. Someone is obviously very determined about getting to the governor’s family.”

The two Uziels crested the hill east of the river as Holland’s Hussars moved back towards the western side, and immediately opened up with their PPCs. The HUD in Jack’s Mad Cat went crazy for a second as the particle discharge overloaded the electronics, making it impossible to target anything, as well as stripping armor from the torso and right arm. “Combine fire on the Uziels,” Jack ordered, immediately opening up with all his lasers, scoring three hits. The water in the river helped to draw off the heat more quickly than usual as Jack moved left, twisting the Mad Cat’s torso right to keep the left most Uziel in his sights.

Jack fired again with his medium lasers scoring two more hits, and burning armor off the loyalist machine. These Uziels will take a bit more killing, mulled Jack as he fired his large lasers. He missed with both as the Uziel jumped skywards on a burst of plasma energy. “Damn jump jets,” Jack scowled. He tracked the Uziel through its arc, and loosed off a volley of SRMs as the loyalist ‘Mech was descending. The majority of the missiles hit, throwing the Uziel off balance, and causing a very bumpy landing for the enemy pilot, who then had to struggle to bring his ‘Mech back to its feet.

Mike pounced on the downed machine, hitting it with a full alpha strike. His PPC shot slammed into the Uziel’s head, scorching the paintwork black all around the canopy. The SRM volley pounded into the legs and torso, pushing the machine back onto the riverbed as it was thrown off balance again.

Jack also let loose with an alpha strike, which blew off the left arm of the machine, and set off the ammunition supply for the SRM6 as lasers carved through the launch mechanisms. The Uziel’s CASE system limited the damage, but the loyalist pilot obviously decided that enough was enough as his ejection canopy blasted skywards, leaving his ‘Mech lying in the river. That’ll make some nice salvage, thought Jack as he turned his attention to the other loyalist machines.

The second Uziel and the Hellhound had decided to combine fire on Eiji’s Arctic Wolf, which was now looking very much the worse for wear. The Puma, meanwhile, had drawn Kate’s attention away from the Uziel by delivering two PPC hits to her Bushwacker, coming very close to destroying the right arm, and depriving the ‘Mech of its main armament.

“Hammer, assist Splash while I help Radar take down that Puma”.

“Roger Spectre,” Mike replied, immediately hitting the Uziel in the right arm with a PPC shot, and peppering its right side with a swarm of SRMs, drawing its attention away from Eiji.

Jack fired his large lasers at the rear of the Puma, coming very close to punching through the rear armor when both achieved good hits. As the Puma turned to protect its rear, Kate blasted away with her auto cannon, savaging the left arm of the ‘Mech, and stripping off the remaining armor. The Puma fired back at Kate, hitting the Bushwacker’s right arm again, causing it to droop, then sag completely. “My arm mechanism is damaged Spectre. LBX-10 is out of action,” Kate advised Jack, who was in the process of launching a SRM volley at the Puma. Some missiles went wide, but the majority hit the Puma, blowing off the left arm and cracking the canopy.

Jack fired again with his large lasers, getting two good hits on the head, and obviously causing some internal damage as the loyalist ‘Mech slumped down, out of action. As Jack turned to check on Eiji, he heard him call over the comms, “Reactor shielding breeched, punching out!” Jack twisted right, and let loose with his medium lasers on the Hellhound, drawing two large laser shots in response. Both hit the Mad Cat’s torso causing the armor indicator to flash red. “Warning, damage critical,” the onboard computer reported. Jack let loose with the SRMs and his large lasers, blasting armor off the Hellhound, and causing it to turn away. It too had sustained critical damage.

“They’re pulling back Spectre,” Kate reported as both the Uziel and the Hellhound made to move away. Jack fired again with his large lasers at the Hellhound, freezing the leg joint, and giving the loyalist ‘Mech a serious limp. Mike’s Argus hit the same leg with a PPC hit, blowing it off entirely, just seconds later. The Uziel turned back, only to be greeted by the full force of the Bushwacker’s LRM rack, which took the last of the armor off the torso, and provoked the loyalist ‘Mechwarrior to yield.

“I surrender,” came the call. “There are no other units involved in this attack.”

“Hammer, cover that Uziel, and make sure it doesn’t try any funny business,” Jack ordered.

“Screens are clear,” Kate reported. “No more enemy units detected.”

“Well done people,” Jack said. “We’ve certainly earned our money today. Radar, see if you can find where Splash’s ejection chair came down and make sure he is OK.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Hussar Support,” Jack called, “let’s get those MFBs in here, and see what salvage we can pick up. Should be at least three ‘Mech chassis, as well as some weapons to put on them.”

“Moving in now Spectre,” came the response.

“Congratulations Spectre Lance,” a call came in on the local Militia frequency. “This is Eaton Militia Command. It appears as though all Lyran loyalist units in the area have been defeated. We’ll move in a company of armor to help secure the area.”

Where were these guys when the fighting was going on? Typical militia, Jack thought. Happy for us expendable mercs to take all the risks, and then move in afterwards to claim all the credit!

“The governor has authorized a 25% bonus to the contract, as all the mansions in the area were protected, and for service above and beyond contract specifications,” the Militia message continued. “You’re also being granted all salvage rights in accordance with the contract.”

“Damn right,” said Jack. That bonus is definitely a sweet thing though, he pondered. A few more of those and I might even consider adding a second lance of ‘Mechs to Holland’s Hussars. But that was a thought for another day …

As the Battlemechs moved slowly away in the distance the gardener surveyed the damage by the light of the setting sun. Huge footprints dotted the landscape. Decades old trees lovingly cared for in this harsh climate had been snapped like twigs or burnt to a cinder.

The gardener sobbed silently. It was going to take a lot of work and a lot of money to return this playground for the wealthy to the way it had been. Years or decades could pass before it looked as beautiful. The one silver lining was that this was definitely good job security. Unlike those wretched mercenaries, she didn’t need to worry about what she would be doing next. She had plenty of work for years to come. Serve them right for destroying her beautiful estates!