The Bardic Circle, A gathering place for Myths and Legends Options

[megan]

Excerpt from the Chronicles of Nixie Jester {A Battletech Galava Story}

Pirate’s Landing – February 3049

The communications base had not detected the incoming dropship. Apparently this pirate leader knew enough to sneak in behind the moon and mask their ship signature with the moon. Gads, I hate pirates! Not as much as Natalia, Shephard, and Reese though. Shephard had some of his people stationed towards where the best guess for the pirate landing had been. Reese and his trainees had been preparing for a surprise attack training session near the communication base. Natalia had blatantly challenged them before they even landed, something about clearing a mark…I don’t know exactly what the challenge was about, but obviously it was a long standing one. It is obvious that these people do not like pirates at all.

I came to this planet to be a doctor and pirates are the bane of this physician’s life. When the dropship was finally detected, I had been in Mossburg and was staying to help the remainder of the people who were leaving be on their way. If only I could get the other 1/3 of the people to relocate! I waited to see if the pirates were going to land at a probable landing site, the site of the Luxmark explosion. These pirates did not have the best dropship crew in the galaxy, they held their angle of decent from the time they entered atmosphere. I even know better than that thanks to hide and seek simulator games with Max. Apparently the crew did not expect anyone to be watching for them and they headed straight for what had been a good landing site in the past.

I judged the angle correctly and took off shortly after they entered atmosphere. Hide and seek with Max had trained me to mask my signature in their wake. Real life worked just like the simulator. Commander Styles alerted people that the communications base was the probable target and it was just pure luck that things fell the way they did. Olan would have had us prepared for a hot drop even if we weren’t expecting to need one, but these pirates were not of that mind. Too many years of happy raiding without resistance had lulled them. From their radio chatter with Natalia, it seemed they were expecting her to come alone.

Things didn’t go that way though. The GDF took the first shots at them as they started unloading ‘mechs and the Training House trainees were close on their heels. Natalia arrived about the time they started the engines back up to take off. They never should have turned them off. The challenge to the leader was issued again, but the response was that the blood mark would wait and all of those that aided Natalia would face death when this pirate group returned.

The pirate dropship was badly damaged by the time it actually took off and they were still under fire. The unlucky pirates who had been unloading with the GDF first opened fire, died in their ‘mechs. The ones who thought they would limp off the planet to return again were mistaken. There is a reason that I came to this planet, and so many hours of training in the Sensoround with Max gave me the idea. I put myself at more risk to keep this group from coming back than people were happy with, but a large laser and two medium ones can change a crippled dropship into a downed dropship. Targeting the engine on a dropship you could fly yourself isn’t that complicated. Getting the shot you want without taking any damage is. The pirate dropship crashed in a fiery explosion kilometers away from the communication base in uninhabited land.

McKayla got patched up by Yuri while I was repairing the damage the pirates had done to the GDF and Training House trainees. The upper building of the communications base suffered some damage to the higher levels, but I got to do surgery and have a recovery ward in the lower levels of the building above the underground base. Only a few injuries were life threatening, but it is still important to set broken bones and bandage cracked ribs. I started with the people of this planet and expected to get some pirates being dragged in from the wreckage at some point. They never came…all I heard was that Natalia, Penance, and Erik had verified that there were no survivors. Natalia thanked for me for helping her to get rid of the mark the pirate had mentioned. I don’t know what happened at the crash site, and I don’t want to know.

I do know that I really need to petition the World Council to let me start training some others in basic medical skills. First Aid classes for starters. Nursing/Med Tech for those that show aptitude and ultimately surgery. If this planet is going to survive thrice yearly pirate attacks, there needs to be more of a medical support team than just Lisetta, Lady Hesper and I. Lady Hesper makes a fair nurse and Lisetta is as almost as skilled as I am in surgery, but it isn’t natural to her and she would prefer to not have to do the serious cases. But I must get to sleep before I have to do the next round of bandage changes and talk to the World Council members about something they want me to do.


This post has been edited by megan: Nov 14 2008, 10:04 PM

[dragontree]

Tanzu & Hana Story: ‘The Wheel Keeps Turning’ [Part: 2]...{A Battletech Story}


Tanzu stepped out of the shower of the small office and living quarters that were an afterthought addition to the ran down warehouse. Tanzu finished drying off and dressing in the dark before he walked out into the office and grabbed his meditation mat, a candle and his ever present vibro katana. Ace had rented this place after they had finished their mutual business on Pomme de Terre and made their way to Solaris VII together, but in truth Tanzu would have found a way here with or without Ace’s help. It had only taken Hana asking for his help to have him here despite all the misgivings he had about this. Tanzu sighed as he walked out onto the warehouse floor and over to the giant feet of his ‘War Mule’ before placing his meditation mat on the floor. Looking up at the ‘mech Tanzu stared at the Wayfinders symbol and the old argument started up in his head once more. Sitting down he lit the candle then placed his katana on the floor in front of him and started his meditation in hopes of working through his uncertainties.

Tanzu let out a breath as he slowed his breathing and his heart rate with every breath he let out. Life had been so simple when he had started out to look for his daughter, but with the ending of that quest with the discovery that his daughter Mia was on a mission for ComStar many loyalties tore at him. Jet had complicated his life far more than Tanzu liked. With Jet’s death, the loyalties he had held for him had transferred on to Ingrid and the Wayfinders. Life as a Ronin should not have such complications of loyalty as he was now facing, he had sworn to serve with the Wayfinders and now they were off trying to make their way without him because he still felt like he owned Hana his loyalty and protection. Hana’s message had reached him as his family duty had end and he was returning to the Wayfindres. It had been more than a former master’s loyalty that had swayed his decision to come here it had been the memory of her face and the fact that for the year and eight months he had missed having her by his side. And so, he was on this path longing for it to begin and end so he could return to carry out his duty to Ingrid and the Wayfinders.

Lightning broke the darkness of the interior of the warehouse and Tanzu saw it in the shadows painted across the floor of the warehouse. There was a figure in one of the upper windows, watching him and waiting. Tanzu cursed himself for allowing such distractions to affect him so and started to tense up his body in anticipation of the action that was soon to come. The figure seemed to be waiting for something and banking of the fact that Tanzu had not noticed them. If they were waiting for backup or for some signal to attack, Tanzu needed to press the matter and set them off balance so he could get out from the open.

Tanzu’s voice broke through the silence of the warehouse like a thunder clap although he spoke with no raise in his voice, “If you are here to strike me down, try, but I grow tired of your continued watching.”

Tanzu didn’t even wait for a heart beat after his statement before he was on the move. In one fluid motion, he stood and grabbed his katana and turned to face the figure in the window, but as quick as he was the figure was gone from the window before he had completed his turn. Not waiting for the figure to take the next move, Tanzu ran sidelong to place the large legs of the War Mule between him and his unknown intruder. Tanzu opened up his senses and slowed his breathing waiting for any sign from his intruder before taking action that might unknowingly put him in danger.

It was on the fourth slow breath that Tanzu caught the scent of his intruder’s perfume. Apparently his intruder seemed to enjoy flowery fragrances, it was a mistake they might live to regret as it was the only sign they let slip of their presence. Tanzu spun about and swung his katana with his movement, but not fast enough as the figure ducked underneath the strike and slid to his right as they only now drew their blade. The fact that the figure had not been prepared to strike him gave Tanzu pause and he took two quick steps away from the intruder to put some space between him and them, but he didn’t have much of a pause as the figure swung their blade at him in an over head attack that he quickly blocked. It was over the crossed blades that Tanzu got his first look at the face of his intruder and his heart stopped as he realized just what he had done. Although she now wore different colored hair and seemed to have to put on some muscle and weight, it was the face of Hana.

Hana gave him a shy smile before commenting, “It’s nice that you came, Tanzu.”

Tanzu slid his blade away from her and took a step back from her before answering her. He gave a polite bow, “I see that your skills have improved, but you still broadcast your attacks. Maybe that was your intent. You said you were in need of my assistance so I have come.”

Tanzu watched as her facial expressions went from one of playful shyness to sadness then to guarded hardness before she returned his polite bow in greeting, “I have once more found myself a member of some plot, but this time I have no intention of leaving before I have at least learned just what my new employers, Luxmark, are up too and if need be put a end to it.”

Tanzu move back towards his waiting meditation mat and took a seat giving him time to contemplate the heat he had heard in Hana’s voice. She most likely felt like she was being used again to do other’s dirty work like ComStar had done with her. He could understand her anger, but he believed she was more interested in ending whatever Luxmark was doing and less about just learning the details of their operations here on Solaris. She would not have called him if she didn’t believe that it was worth his time. If this company was really up to something that needed to be stopped, it would be done.

Tanzu waved his hand in Hana’s direction and gestured for her to have a seat next to him, “Hana sit, tell me what you know and just how you think I will be of use to you in this mission.”

Hana took a seat across from him on the other side of the still lit candle and placed her katana in front of her. She took a deep breath and some of the hardness left her face as she look Tanzu in the eye before speaking, “Well the first part of my plan is already in motion with you just arriving and placing your name on the unemployment list as I asked you too. Now your name will be placed on a list I have created for consideration for hire by the company to test weapons. They have hired several such Mechwarriors in the past and seem to need at least one more every week. Once hired, you will be taken to the lab facilities and have more accesses than I would ever be able to gain and hopefully with that access we can learn just what Luxmark is up too.”

Tanzu smile a little as he just didn’t have the heart to tell her that her plan was more likely to lead to his death than the discovery of any Luxmark wrong doing, but then death had never been an unknown to him. Hana looked a little surprised at his sudden smile, and he had no idea just what she would read into it. But then, he never knew just went on behind those hazel eyes. “Tea would be nice, do you have time for a cup before you must depart as we need to work out a few details with your plan before we part ways on this path.”

[Havvok]

The Price of Glory {A Battletech Story}



Joanen strode into Prince Elect Hakaan Magnusson's Radstadt Palace tugging primly on her white silk gloves to secure them and smooth out wrinkles.

"The Countess Joanen Larsdottir of Skodsgarten!" the court harold announced wtih a booming thump of his brass staff of office against the marble floor that echoed around the cavernous hall as she strode past him.

If she was miffed that few if any of the Radstadt Courtiers attending the Landsraad Summit turned to notice her entrance there was no outward sign.

The Summit was a week long event that would culminate in several grand meetings.

It was the first Landsraad Summit that Joanen had ever attended... as a Countess. Formerly she'd been merely a Lady of the Court and of the great landed gentry, but she had been of the "Minor Houses" and had been ignored out of hand during the last such gathering.

But times would change. Were changing.

As she strode past the minor nobility that populated the areas closest to the grand foryer, she smirked. She had been one of them so recently. But no more.

As she continued forward, she began to feel the difference. The seperation of station. That natural pecking order which permitted only the most powerful to have direct access to Prince Hakaan Magnusson himself. To one astute in the politicraft of the Rasalhague Court it could almost be felt as a pressure, a barrior that began to push one back, the closer they approached to the Prince.

She felt that pressure now as she continued walking forward. The frowns, and distainful glances. But she knew how far she could proceed without insult. And she continued walking untill she was at the very edge of that barrier. She could just see Prince Hakaan from there. She smiled, knowing that she would be closer one day. Much closer.

Glancing to her left she turned a vapid smile on Baron Karl Von Strogden as he raised his glass to her and allowed herself to be drawn closer to him.

"Ahhh, Countess Joanen... you are looking radiant tonight!" he began. Baron Strogden was a giant of a man, more than six and a half feet tall, and of enormous girth and flaming red hair, though it was shot through with grey now in his waning years. His beard was full and lay in two great braids down the front of his dublet. He looked more the Viking than anyone Joanen had ever seen.

"Baron Karl, what a pleasure seeing you here." He smiled and took her profered hand in his own patting it with a surprisingly gentle strength for their huge size.

He chuckled merrily. "Well I have never failed to attend the Landsraad, Countess. There is precious little enough that the Great Houses have in direct participation, regarding the running of Rasalhague. I will never give up my vote or voice!"

"Indeed!" she agreed vehemently.

"This year's Landsraad should be quite eventful I think." He said mysteriously.

Instanly Joanen was on point, though she pretended only a vague interest. "Oh? Is there something I should know?"

"Haven't you been keeping track of the news my dear?" Karl looked at her questioningly. "Sten Bjelbo's long lost heir has shown up suddenly. Apparently Illiana's scion survived after all and has come to make her claims." he chuckled distractedly. "A shake up among the Royalty is always interesting to watch."

Then he turned to her with a twinkle in his eyes. "There will be opportunities here Joanen... for the wise and the wicked. Mark my words." He grabbed a flagon of mead from the silver tray of a passing waiter.

Joanen's smile became genuine. She decided that would need to cultivate her ties with Baron Strogden further. She had deeply underestimated the big man's nose for politics. She HAD in fact been keeping abreast of the news, but this had still escaped her. She wondered where the Baron received his information.

She instnictively began searching among those arrayed closer to the throne, and after a few minutes her eyes alighted upon her quary. Prince Eric Stephansson...

Keeping her eye half on the young Prince, she began maneuvering as close as she dared. She would not be welcome in the company he was currently keeping, but he would not remain there indefinitely.

As it turned out, she'd had to wait nearly two hours before her opportunity presented itself. Prince Eric was apparently leaving early, and with Duchess Brigitta Westermark hanging on his arm no less.

That cow! Joanen thought with surprising agressiveness. Just because she was one of the wealthiest land owners in Rasalhague... and born to her titles... and possessed of Sif's own beauty...

Why did every head turn as she walked by?? Joanen fumed

So caught up with her venom was Joanen, that she nearly missed her chance.

"Prince Eric!" she smiled widely and approached them. "I am surprised to see you here." she began.

Eric frowned and then sneered when he recognized her. "Well if it isn't Lady Joanen... oh wait, wasn't it a countess title you recently bought? Excuse me, then COUNTESS Joanen... Ahem..." He glanced at the duchess who began giggling.

"I understand that all of this must seem horrribly new to you.... what about my presence here surprises?" he finished with a malicious glint in his cold blue eyes.

His smug arrogant sneer made Joanen's blood boil and again she was nearly distracted from her goals.

"Oh, yes this is all wonderfully exotic! And I am proud to at last be among such worthy fellowship... " she began. "But perhaps my lack of understanding has lead me to false assumptions... I understand that the Jarldom of Skallevoll will soon be returning to it's rightful owner. An Heir to the Bjelbo line has put forward her claim... Didn't you know?"

Then she glanced at Brigitta and continued. "Really Duchess... You should be more careful... in whom you place your trust."

Brigitta frowned momentarily, removing her hand from Eric's arm.

"Countess... you overstep yourself! Consider it a blessing that you are female else I would challenge you to a duel on the spot." Eric growled

"I am indeed blessed then. Oh, but do not let my prattle delay you 'Prince' Eric." She emphasized the title that he may soon be losing. "I am certain you have... other matters to be about."


Brigitta took the opportunity of the distraction to wander off through the crowd, leaving Eric to fume alone before Joanen.

"Indeed!" he spat and strode away toward the exit.


Joanen watched him go with a darkly satisfied look in her eyes.

Behind her Baron Karl Von Strogden suppressed a knowing smile as his eyes flitted among the participants of the encounter with a satisfied look, and thinking. "The ambitious are so very easy to manipulate..."



Alan~

This post has been edited by Havvok: Nov 14 2008, 05:24 PM

[megan]

Excerpt from the Chronicles of Nixie Jester {A Battletech Galava Story}

Surprises in Galavan Skies – June 3049

Everyone was excited that multiple dropships came in system with the jumpship. The Iron League had sent their first trade ships. In spite of herself, Nixie was excited. She didn’t have any messages because of the delay in communications between the nearest ComStar facility and the Iron League. She learned that she had been very lucky to get her messages sent out on a Federated Commonwealth merchant ship returning home from Glen Arden. Lady Hesper had advised her to send any personal messages with the DIS dropship captain and that is she had done. Lady Hesper had also stated that she did not need to worry about covering the cost for the messages she was sending on behalf of the planet. Nixie hadn’t asked who was covering the cost, but learned from Clara and Ky that it would be delivered within hours of its arrival at the HPG facility.

A year ago, she had left everyone she had known behind and headed for this planet. This had been the first jumpship to come since she had arrived. The galaxy was smaller than many would have you believe though. She had changed a lot in six months, but knew one day she would leave on a jumpship like the one that was here now. She had intended to find a home on Galava, but found herself instead. This planet had given her back her confidence and her warrior’s spirit. Her letter on behalf of the planet showed just how much, and she hoped her personal letters would reflect the same. The planetary one should arrive mid-August. Her personal ones should arrive just about the time of Dweller’s Market, after the next jumpship. If they didn’t somehow arrive sooner, one might be hand delivered.

She smiled as remembered the response when she’d handed her messages to Captain Xavier of the DIS Merchant Dropship. He signed that he’d received payment for messages to Michael Jones, Maximillian Knight c/o Wayfinders, and Olan & Samira (Xavier) Stonedell c/o Wayfinders. He’d read the names back to her and stopped at Sam’s name. He’d turned and yelled “Mère Xavier, nouvelle au sujet de fille Samira!” She’d known what he said, but there was no way she expected to be attacked by a group of youngsters screaming “Tante Samira!” “Parle au sujet de tante Samira s’il vous plait!” The woman who had kept the youngsters away during loading of the shipments, came and guided the little ones back into the ship. A lovely woman that rivaled the Wastelanders in beauty had come out as the youngsters were going back. She’d approached Nixie and asked, “You know our Wild Wind?” They had been so excited and thrilled to learn what little news she had of Sam. Nixie shared the few pictures she had of the Circle of Swords with them before they took off. They’d stayed as long as they could on planet without missing the jumpship to hear stories of Sam. They’d taken photos of the pictures she had so they would have some record of their girl. And Nixie would lay odds that a family visit was in the wind. There certainly were surprises in the skies of Galava and it was time now to go deal with the ones she’s uncovered in April.


TO: MIIO, FCDC, CMRB, and Iron League
From: Nixie Jester, granddaughter of Lady Helena Zandbergen, Andurien, FWL, Planetary Physician, Galava

RE: Illegal Experimentation with Nuclear Weapons by Luxmark

This is to inform you that Luxmark, based in Lyran territory of the Federated Commonwealth, has been experimenting with and likely trafficking in nuclear weapons. An explosion occurred at their facility on Galava in November 3048. They did not return to the planet to collect any of their research equipment or check the status of the mercenaries they had hired to protect the facility.

A local city, Mossburg, started experience signs of radiation poisoning and testing has found high amounts of nuclear radiation in the water supply surrounding the site of the explosion at the Luxmark facility. The citizens of Mossburg that remain there are succumbing to the effects of the high radiation. Those that have relocated are still suffering the effects of their exposure.

The Galava World Council has found Luxmark guilty and is making arrangements to sue Luxmark for the damages they have done to this planet and its citizens. Luxmark has been black listed from our planet and we strongly advise you do the same for the planets under your control.

Per hospital protocol in the Federated Commonwealth, home of Luxmark, you are being informed of their trafficking and experimentation with nuclear weapons. Also, if they are in your governing area, please advice the members of the Hunter’s Hellhounds that were serving garrison duty for Luxmark of their need to be tested for radiation exposure.

My grandmother said that it was a person’s responsibility to take care of their family, a noble’s responsibility to take care of those in their charge, and humanity’s responsibility to eliminate known threats to others. Luxmark has grievously injured those now under my care, but only you can keep this threat away from your people.

[Havvok]

Lost and Found {A Battletech Story}



Tigress... A planet of great beauty... and great danger. Cassiopeia was resting at the top of a sheer cliff that rose out of the forest mists below like a monument. The climb had invigorated her and left her with a profound longing for home.

A slight disturbance among the pebbles nearby alerted her and in a single fluid motion she whirled and struck, the tri-blades of her vibro-blades snapping forward to impail the Slitherstrike in mid lunge, pinning it to the ground. It was a small one, only three to four feet long. But the venom that dripped from its open fangs was deadly. With a flick of her other hand she beheaded the creature and stood up, looking again over the mist shrouded valley below.

It had been a while since she'd dared such a climb. But the recent news had affected her far more than she had expected. Had Sir Thomas St Cain realized the true reasons she'd opted to attend the Bengal Academy and remain with the Tigerhawks, he may not have approved.

She could not deny the camaraderie that had developed among the Tigerhawks. Their training regimens were among the most advanced, and the washout rates among the accepted were staggering. But Cassiopeia had graduated Bengal. Had joined the Tigerhawks, and earned her claws, and even achieved the rank of Pride Commander. They really were a breed apart. The entire Tigerhawk mentality was based on ability and competance, not politics. Tigerhawk training never ceased. And neither did the testing.

She now piloted one of the most advanced machines of war known to man. The Tigerhawk LAM was the product of more than a decade of design engineering from Centurian Armorwerks. To be the pilot of such a machine was in itself a great honor. Every Hunt was designed to be self contained, and consisted of one Aerospace Fighter, one Land Air Mech, four Battlemechs and a squad of Sabertooth Battlearmor in their Maxim. The Aerospace fighter was invariably an upgraded Riever, and one of the Battlemechs was a Tyrell Corporation Behemoth. Each Pride consisted of three to five hunts.

Their fighting style was unlike anything in the Inner Sphere. They'd came to Tigress at the onset of the 4th succession War, and wrested this planet from the Capellan Confederatin in a matter of days. Now, 20 years later, this planet was a veritable fortress. She pittied the poor fools that ever tried to take Tigress again.

But none of that was why she'd taken up with the Tigerhawks. She'd remained because the Tigerhawks took in orphans like herself. They went out among the war torn planets of the Inner Sphere and promoted their schools and opportunities. Any orphan was welcome to attend, and those who passed their rigorous battery of tests were given scholarships on the spot.

Part of those tests involved physical testing, and medical exams. And it was the medical exams that interested Cassiopeia. Her own medical records marked her different than everyone else. When she'd been found, she'd had a microscopicly small disc imbedded in the base of her coccyx. The disk had held the slightest traces of a completely benevolent form of radioactivity. And the disc was like a beacon under any medical x-ray. Further, the disc, had been laser etched with her name.

Nobody knew where she was from. What her true home was. And she longed to find another marked the way she was. The Tigerhawk recruiters canvassed the entire Inner Sphere with their visits to orphanages, and Cassiopeia had hoped that through them, one day she would locate another like herself.

Recently, the Tiger Olympics had gone to Solaris, the place of the Tigerhawks origins, and ran their recruiting drive among the many orphans there. No children had been found like Cassiopeia.

But one of the doctors who had been hired to assist with the medical exams had questioned Cassiopeia about her own personal interest.

He'd been quite surprised to learn the truth of what she was seeking. More so because he'd recently seen such an implanted device, though it had been in an adult not a child.

The discovery of this information had been like a shockwave to her, and she'd not known exactly how to take the information. She'd finished the recruiting drive and returned to Tigress with the rest of her Pride.

Confronted now with a doorway to her past, to her origins, she found herself hesitant to seek it out. What terrible answers would she find?

She called on her wrist chrono-comm for an aerodyne to come pick her up and waited. She couldn't continue like this she realized. The lack of knowledge would destroy her. Already she knew the distractions it was causing her could be fatal. But to leave the Tigerhawks for this personal pilgramage could destroy her just as easily.

Tigress was her home now. The Tigerhawks her family...

The image of the man's dossier came to her eyes even as the Aerodyne began to settle nearby.

He was still as much a mystey as her own past by the information listed...

Who was this... Magnus?




Alan~

This post has been edited by Havvok: Nov 15 2008, 06:20 AM

[megan]

Excerpt from the Chronicles of Nixie Jester {A Battletech Galava Story}

*out of chronological order*

Star League Moon Base – April 3049

“McKayla’s Spirit to Galava. Come in Galava.” Nixie waited for a response with baited breath. She had been asked to come investigate the moon base revealed in the mission logs Commander Styles had received during the opening of Dweller’s Market. She had spent a month holed up in the communication base on Galava learning the codes and start up procedure to operate the equipment that was expected to be here on the base. The equipment was a bit different than that back on planet, but if she had interpreted everything correctly, she should have contact with Galava. She would try again in five minutes if she didn’t get a response. They really needed this base up and running to help detect incoming pirate ships. She still had patients recovering from the last pirate landing.

The air was different up here. She felt the weight of the past surrounding her. She was the first person on this base in centuries and it was a little spooky. The entry codes she had been given had been accepted when she flew up to the base. She had parked McKayla next to an aerodyne dropship that looked in fairly decent shape. Okay, fairly decent for Galava. Mike would be having a conniption fit if he saw it. Being here in real life was a lot different that when she was playing Raiders of the Star League. When she and Max had been playing, she had never been inside of a LAM let alone expected to actually fly her own LAM into a real life Star League Moon Base. But she had done it.

“McKayla’s Spirit to Galava. Do you read me Galava?”

“Galava to Spirit, we read you loud and clear. Sorry about the delay…we thought we might be hearing things; first message was full of static. We had to adjust some settings down here. Find anything worthwhile up there?”

“Depends on who you ask. Is there a Warden or Defender there to take my report and assessment Citizen?” Nixie respected the caste system she had learned existed in the Galavans. They weren’t Wardens…at least not all of them. She knew better than to step on the cultural conventions of those she had under her care.

“One moment please.”

Nixie sat down and waited. She had never truly realized what she had walked away from when she left Andurien until she encountered something similar here on Galava. If she hadn’t gone to Lady Helena’s funeral, she would still just be a Citizen. Instead, she had been recognized as the granddaughter of a noblewoman and trained in the militia, as a Defender. Had she stayed and survived the plotting and planning of her father and half-brothers, she would have become a warrior who leads and protects those under their care, a Warden of the Galavans. Nixie realized that she was actually an Exile, no matter what caste system you tried to place her in. Shephard was an Exile, but he still worked to protect his people and his planet. Could she face the past to protect this planet?

“Warden Strickland to McKayla’s Spirit. Go ahead with report.”

“The base is not on the moon as expected. It is inside the moon. Rail system connects landing area to living quarters, medical facility, repair center, and communications center. System still operational, but in poor repair. Everything that could be was stripped by the looks of it. Landing area has space for multiple dropships, number depends on size. Currently McKayla’s parked next to an Aerodyne Leopard Dropship. It appears functional, but is in need of severe repair. Some repair needed to get it to planet for certain. Also there are four badly damaged aerospace fighters. They are at my best estimate 100 tons, don’t recall name of type. Stuke, Snark, Strakes…something along those lines. I’m doubtful that they can all be repaired. My best guess is two might be able to be operational after a lot of work. Need expert to determine that though. That is all I have to report.”

“Copy McKayla’s Spirit. Return at your leisure. Galava Out.”

The Galavans were so militaristic, but that was their way. Nixie walked through the moon base ignoring the rail system that had led her here. She looked around and remembered working on McKayla after playing Raiders of the Star League. She had joked that life would be complete if she could actually wonder the halls of a Star League Moon Base. Mike had said only if it had Stuka Fighters in it. That’s what they were, the fighters were Stukas! Regardless, she now had free reign to explore a real life moon base complete with Stukas.

Did that mean her life was complete? She had friends on Galava, but no one she was close to. There was always so much work for the planetary physician to do. She had a farmhouse she never got to actually stay at. Yuri and the techs did McKayla’s maintenance. She never had to cook, didn’t have to pay for anything, had managed so far to keep from leaving the Caravans with a dog. Lisetta had warned her about their tendency to throw a puppy in with any transaction. She’d been wined and dined by people from every city/town she visited. She felt more like a noble now than she ever had on Andurien. That is how the people here treated her, like a noblewoman who was a doctor.

Nixie stopped at the Stukas and sat down. Galava treated her like a noble…why had it taken so long for her to realize that. The people didn’t call her a noble. The Caravans called her Sword. The Galavans called her Spirit or McKayla’s Spirit. They had a tradition involving some spirit ceremony and the moon to test Wardens. And since she had named her ‘mech, she was designated as her ‘mechs owner. She still hadn’t figured that one out. Most people called her Doc though, heaven sent, a blessing, but still just Doc. The people might not call her noble, and she truly wasn’t. Her grandmother had been though and her father was if he still lived. She was an illegitimate child of a noble, but the people her family was in charge of had accepted her as noble. Her family hadn’t though, and had paid her off with bribes and threats.

Nixie rose with a realization. In all likelihood, exploring this base would be the one thing that could make her life complete. Completely over, but still complete. She had to embrace her heritage to avenge the people of this planet, to protect other planets like this one from Luxmark. She climbed into McKayla with a renewed purpose. Galava would not be a stepping stone for experiments or pirates. She would help get this moon base up and running, report Luxmark to the authorities of its home territory and to the authorities of the Iron League, and train the people of Galava to aid themselves. Once she had people trained in first aid, med tech, and surgery…she would truly face her past. She owed so much to Galava, and she would spend the time needed here to train the people in the healing arts she loved. Then she would go home and fight for Lady Helena’s people.

[Havvok]

Project Hope {A Battletech Story}

Captain Emilio Estevan Santiago peered through the forward vew ports of The Etruskan, a Mule class dropship as they entered orbit around Galava. He was in command of a small company of security forces that would be protecting the relief efforts and investigation into what was becoming widly known as "The Luxmark Incident".

This was Emilio's first solo command and he was eager to prove himself. But he had memorized all the warnings about Galava and this mission. Security First, they would be doing nobody a favor if they were all killed. Aid to those in need and from preliminary reports the people of Mossberg would likely need to be relocated untill after the radiation clean up was complete. That clean up would take time he knew. They would be on Galava a long time. His last objective was to investigate exactly what had happened here. There were unsubstantiated reports that Luxmark may have been trafficing in nuclear weapons. If so... did the Circinus Confederation get their hands on any? Would Glen Arden be the next to suffer nuclear destruction?

No... this mission would last the better part of a year he expected. But from what he had gathered the people of Whitestone were good people. And if his suspicions were correct then the Wold Council of the Iron League would be making a formal invitation to Galava for inclusion in the League.

They were of course the first that he'd made contact with upon arrival. But The Etruskan would be setting down close enough to Mossberg to provide assistance but far enough to avoid exposure to radiation effects of the nuclear blast that had destroyed the luxmark facilities.

===

The Etruskan landed near the base of the foothills of the mountains that lead up to Mossberg. After securing the immediate area and verifying safe radiation levels, Project Hope began in ernest.

Emilio had been informed by his father to coordinate their activities with Dr Nixie Jester who had first identified and cataloged the radiation effects. She had passed through Glen Arden not long past he'd been told. And returned with two children of Galava who were attending the New Inverness Military Academy, Kyanite and Claire.

When Dr Jester arrived Emilio was more than a little surprised. The Doctor came flying in, in a LAM!.

Emilio was quite familiar with LAMs he himself piloted a Griffin LAM that had been a graduation gift from Baron Helix McFarland of Faraday's World.

He hadn't expected to find one here on Galava. He climbed down and walked over to meet her personally.

"Lady Jester, I am most pleased to make your acquaintence. I have with me the sumation of Project Hope from Glen Arden. But I have only vague briefings on where these resources would be best applied. You have only but to direct and we can begin dispensing the aid and medical supplies where it is needed. We also have clean up crews who may be able to help contain and eventually eliminate the radiation from the areas most severly affected."

He began to introduce her to the other senior members of Project Hope...



Alan~

This post has been edited by Havvok: Nov 16 2008, 06:50 PM

[megan]

Excerpt from the Chronicles of Nixie Jester {A Battletech Galava Story}

Birthday Surprise – July 26, 3049

Nixie remembered the last birthday she’d actually celebrated. Max had surprised her with her first date. Today was the first day she’d taken off since she’d arrived on planet. Before the spring pirate attack, she’d been traveling through the cities of the World Council. Then she’d gotten wrapped up with the moon base. After the jumpship had left about 8 weeks ago, Lady Hesper and Sir Reese had approached her about taking Clara on as an apprentice. She’d agreed without realizing exactly what all that would entail. Clara had gone to the moon base with her when she’d gone with the Confederate to show Kristi how to get into the base and be on hand for any injuries. The Stukas had been loaded onto the Confederate while the techs did an inspection of the Leopard. Clara had somehow gotten the computer online and tested for functionality. Nixie had flown the Leopard down on a wing and a prayer with her spacesuit on just in case. It had made to Galava with alarms going off, but made it down nonetheless.

Jax hadn’t been happy with her, but he wasn’t happy with a lot of the risks she took. Taking Clara on as an apprentice had its good and its bad points. She now had a VTOL flying along on her house calls, so she actually had supplies. Jax’s Wardens made things a lot more orderly when she visited a new town. Clara was a quick study and good company. Six Wardens trained in Battle Armor were supposed to be her security force, not Clara’s in Jax’s mind. Jax thought that he was to protect her and they argued about her taking risks and wearing herself out. Jax seemed to think she needed to take more time for herself and so did the rest of the McGregor clan, especially Val. Val probably just wanted her fiancé home more than Jax got to be since he’d taken the role as medical security. They didn’t seem to understand that she had never taken time for herself and it just never occurred to her to do so. And so, her extra time had been spent teaching basic first aid skills and testing for those who had interest and ability for advanced classes. She’d done that for the last six weeks, and still had several classes to teach and areas to go visit.

They had thrown a party for “our Lady doctor” this afternoon. Clara had given her a datachip with a shy smile. Nixie actually was going to spend the night in her farmhouse for the first time in seven months. She opened her noteputer and inserted Clara’s present. She stared in amazement…how had Clara gotten this? Remembering her reaction and familiarity with the encryption on the Leopard, she guessed. Clara was a lot more like Max when it came to computers than Nixie had thought. She was looking at an inventory of the weapons cache that had been located at the site of the Luxmark explosion. Clara must have gotten it from the Leopard’s database. And was that blue a hyperlink? Nixie clicked on it and decided she wasn’t going to ask how Clara had gotten the information on the datachip she’d given her. If her messages brought help, she would be able to direct clean up of the Luxmark site a lot better than she’d ever imagined. The hyperlink had led her to floor plans of the Luxmark research facility on Galava. She clicked back to the inventory and looked at the message that was now displayed. “Please don’t tell Uncle Reese and Aunt Hesper. I wasn’t supposed to use the satellite Nat put a backdoor in, but I couldn’t resist. Happy Birthday, Clara.”

Had the Luxmark explosion really been an accident? If the WAC had access to this information, had they done something about it? She couldn’t believe it. It probably had been an accident. Luxmark was responsible. The leaders of WAC had settled down here on Galava and had gifted it with more than they had kept. Lady Hesper, Sir Reese, Erik, Nat, Adam, Hao…no one she had met could be responsible for something as tragic as this. They were to caring and concerned for the people of their chosen home to do something like that. Luxmark researchers had to have miscalculated somewhere along the lines. Tomorrow, she was going to Caravan’s Rest to see those who had left Mossburg and then she was headed to Mossburg.

[megan]

Project Hope’s Arrival – August 3049 {A Battletech Galava Story}

A jumpship in system when not scheduled typically meant pirate attack. Nixie got word while she was in Mossburg that a dropship was coming in and to be aware that the GDF would be stationed at Caravan’s Rest, Scraphold, Camp Brave, Wasteland City and Trade Port. As the ship approached the planet, she could tell people were getting nervous. She sent the medical security VTOL back to Whitestone for resupply so they would be ready whenever the pirates landed.

“Whitestone Spaceport to McKayla’s Spirit. Come in Spirit.” Beryl’s voice came over the radio in English.

“McKayla’s Spirit here, go ahead.”

Beryl asked in Pikkinese. “You know any pirates, Doc? The ship is asking for you by name and claim to be with Project Hope from the Iron League. They asked for coordinates of Mossburg. We gave it to them and the GDF are moving to intercept, but it’ll be a while before they get there.”

Nixie took a minute to remember how to say what she wanted in Pikkinese. She had learned enough to catch everything tossed at her, but speaking it was different that understanding it. “I don’t know any pirates. May be a blessing. May be a trick. I did send a letter...this may be a week late birthday present from the gods. Ask Jax to go to Scraphold and I’ll meet the ship after it lands.”

Beryl replied in English, “Got ya Doc. I’ll tell them you’ll meet them. Whitestone Out.”

---

Nixie climbed into McKayla and started walking up the mountain. It would be a bit before they hit planet. And she wanted to make sure that this wasn’t a trick from pirates. She couldn’t have imagined that the Iron League would actually send someone. She just had hoped that they wouldn’t let Luxmark do this to any other worlds. She watched the dropship come in and scan the area. It was an Iron League ship…this wasn’t a pirate trick. The people of Mossburg might have a chance after all.

“McKayla’s Spirit to Galava. Come in Galava.”

“Galava here. Commander Styles. Go Ahead McKayla’s Spirit.”

“Dropship is Iron League. I’ll be flying down to meet them. Can you let Marshal Shephard know?”

“Copy and Yes. Be careful.”

“Roger. McKayla’s Spirit out.”

Nixie walked McKayla down the mountain as the dropship landed. She got to a plateau and converted to air mode. She flew down to meet the dropship. She converted and landed a short distance away from the dropship. Knowing the temperature would be dropping, Nixie grabbed her wrap from the Broken Creek ladies. She climbed down from McKayla and twirled soft blue wool wrap around her over her cooling suit as the person from the Griffon LAM climbed down to come meet her. Apparently they weren’t very trusting either.

Nixie had never expected that the son of the viceroy of the Iron League would come, but she recognized Emilio Estevan Santiago. She’d seen him often in the news trideos during the months she’d been on Glen Arden. And now he was here calling her Lady Jester. What wouldn’t happen on Galava?

She met senior members of Project Hope and more with shock than amazement. Nixie couldn’t have imagined this in her wildest dreams, so this had to be real. Marshal Shephard would want to coordinate defense with Project Hope if only to keep on eye on them. Her team would want to keep an eye on her so this group didn’t take away “their doctor”. She needed to get the datachip from Clara that she had got just last week. Project Hope was worth the hassle of being called Lady Jester even worth the hassle of dealing with Jax’s Wardens. Mossburg was going to get help. She asked Captain Santiago if she could contact the Galava Defense Force and her medical security team to assure them that she was fine and let them know that Project Hope would be aiding Mossburg and the evacuees at Caravan’s Rest.

She talked to Marshal Shephard and Jax before the stress of the last week caught up with her. Taking supplies to Mossburg, treating them the best she could, preparing for a pirate attack, not eating before leaving to watch the dropship land, it being real that Project Hope was here to remedy Luxmark’s meddling…it was just too much…she was just too overwhelmed. Nixie passed out from the shock of it all.

This post has been edited by megan: Nov 16 2008, 03:28 PM

[dragontree]

Tanzu & Hana Story: ‘Make People Better’ [Part: 1]… {A Battletech Story}


Tanzu laughed to himself as he went through the final checklist as he started up the Battlemech he now found himself strapped into. As the Clint CLNT-2-3T came to life Tanzu remembered the last time he had found himself in one of these machines, it had been back on Graven’s Deep and the experience had not been a good one for him or the machine that he had been piloting and in the back of his head he heard a little voice mock ‘Move little man’. Piloting a Clint again not only brought back memories of Graven’s Deep but also the War Mule that Ace had taken to be traded off seven days ago to fulfill his promise back on Pomme de Terre to get Tanzu a mech in payment for his services to him. Tanzu knew he needed a new mech if he was to be a professional mercenary but that junkyard dog had seen him through some battles and had gotten him this far and despite the fact that he was not the semimetal time he knew that he would miss the old heap.

The bay doors opened in front of Tanzu which quickly brought him back to here and now, this was to be his fist test exercise since he had arrived at the Luxmark Weapons Research and Application Facility five days ago. Tanzu sent the Clint which had a new version of the Auto-Cannon Five stomping forward into the testing grounds which were a mockup of a city square with fake building scattered here and there. Two targets popped up on the Clint’s tactical map, appearing on the opposite side of the testing grounds some five hundred meters away from Tanzu’s current position. Pushing the Clint to its top cruising speed Tanzu headed in the direction of his targets as he brought up the right arm that held the mech’s new Auto-Cannon.

At 300 meter his targets started moving, which was a surprise but Tanzu quickly adjusted his route to intercept the left most target figuring they were some type of target droids but that thought proved to be wrong when Tanzu came around one of the buildings and got a good reading on his target which was a Locust moving at over 100 kph. Tanzu slowed at this and requested confirmation of target over the radio but he received no response before the Locust opened fire on him and the laser beam hit his Clint on the right leg and the armor melted away Tanzu knew that something was really wrong here.

Instincts took over at that moment and the Clint went into motion cutting left to put a fake building between it and the attacking Locust and when Tanzu come out on the other side of the building he let loss with his AC/5 which tore into the right side of the smaller mech. Tanzu needed to stop this fast so he turned and ran straight at the attacking Locust firing his two Medium Lasers which sent the Locust dodging to avoid one but not the other that cut through the armor of its left arm. Now only 180 meters apart the Locust let loss with its two Double Short Ranged Missile launchers, but Tanzu got lucky and only one of each pair hit him but one hit him once more in the right leg. Tanzu let the momentum of his run carry him up next to the Locust when he pulled back with the mech’s left arm and swung its left fist into the head of the Locust which rocked back and fell to the ground. The move had been more luck than anything but it had ended the fire fight for now and Tanzu once more got on the radio and called for confirmation of his targets.

Heart beats went by and Tanzu received no answer from the test control that had earlier been talking his ear off during per-start system’s check. Tanzu tried to see if the pilot of the downed Locust was okay but he was unable to see movement inside the cockpit of the mech. Distracted as he was Tanzu had kept a eye on his targeting computes so he had some warning when the other mech which was a Locust as well come running up from behind him between two buildings. Tanzu sent the Clint into motion as missile exploded around him with only one catching him in the right arm but the small mech’s laser cut deep into the Clint’s right leg once more eating away one of the foot joints. Tanzu answered back with his AC/5 but missed as he tried to put one of the buildings between him and his new attacker at the same time the downed Locust started to stand back up. Tanzu keep moving and this time when he came out of cover he made sure that the left side was facing his attacks and he place his fist attacking Locust in the newcomer’s line of fire. The fact that the injured Locust was between him and the Clint didn’t even make him pause as he opened fire with both SRMs with two hitting the injured Locust and none making it to their intended target. The explosions sent the injured Locust back to the ground but this time Tanzu defiantly saw a pilot get thrown around in the cockpit.

Tanzu had had enough and kicked the Clint’s jump jet to life flying over the downed Locust he opened fire with his AC/5 cutting deep into the enemy mech’s left side. The Locust answered back with its own single Medium Laser which cut into his already damaged right torso. Landing with the sound of thunder Tanzu fired with everything at point blank range at the Locust, the AC/5 tore into the left arm as one laser cut into the left leg but the other opened the gash in the Locust’s left torso even larger. Tanzu knew the next couple of shots were going to determine who walked away from this and with that thought he sent the Clint off to the right and way from the Locust trying to protect his injured side. The Locust was faster tough and got a shot off trying to send missiles and laser fire into the Clint’s right side but failed as three missiles hit the Clint’s chest and left leg and the Medium Laser cut into its right arm. The Locust didn’t fare as well when Tanzu opened fire sending an AC round into the mech’s left torso which tore away the whole left torso and arm and ripped into the sender torso setting off the SRM ammo. The Locust died in flames which engulfed the whole mech as it fell, but the cockpit didn’t eject and Tanzu yelled for emergency personal to respond.

As Tanzu continued to yell into his radio the controls to his mech came alive again and the Clint started to move without his command. The Clint stated to head back the way it had come and Tanzu strained his neck trying to see if the Locust pilot had made it out or not but soon lost sight of the burning mech. As Tanzu turned he caught sight of the fist Locust he had fought and its pilot was climbing out of the down mech but a coldness soon settled on Tanzu’s heart when he got a good look at the pilot. The blond haired frail looking young girl that stood on the downed mech holding her most likely injured arm could not be older than thirteen. As soon as he had caught sight of her she was gone as the Clint continued to move back to its bay. Tanzu’s mind raced as he realized he had been fight and possibility killing children, what had he done, nothing he planed for could have prepared him for this, children. Tanzu now knew that he was not here to test anything he was here as the test for those children, and the only way to pass the test is to kill him.

[Havvok]

Looking forward to seeing the end result of Tanzu's story



Alan~

This post has been edited by Havvok: Nov 17 2008, 11:48 AM

[megan]

Shade to Hunter {A Battletech Story}

September 30, 3049 early, early morning.

Belladonna walked in to the ComStar facility, selected priority message, uploaded her message, acknowledged the fee would be taken from her account, and pressed send. Tab would get her message the next day if not late evening today.

To: Tab Hunter, Wayfinders, Trell 1
From: Belladonna Reynolds Hunter, Aspiron, Galatea

Dear Tab,

Hey honey! I know I don’t write often, but knowing what your contract is I had to share some news. I’m sure you haven’t had time to keep up with the news, but the trial has been the buzz of Galatea for the last few weeks. I wouldn’t have paid much attention except to increase security if MIIO hadn’t landed on the doorstep. The Wayfinder’s ties to the trial and Zodiac, my ties to Zodiac, and my past ties to subversive groups led them here. Anyway, the Hell Hunters Mercenary Unit (Wayfinder’s have former member/owner – one Marta Hunter – in the ranks) just won a large settlement in their breach of contract trial against Luxmark. (Wayfinder’s second tie – Tanzu took contract with Luxmark on Solaris VII while on leave of absence.) After surprising confirmation of the Hell’s Hunters accusations by the planetary physician of Galava (tied to Wayfinder’s by being former member of Circle of Swords. So, the XO and three others worked closely with her.), Luxmark admitted to having found a cache of Star League nuclear weapons and selling them to pirates. Subversive activities and pirates (being kidnapped apparently counts as being tied to pirates) and being security for a weapons research company tied to the Wayfinders led to the visit. So, MIIO may be looking more closely into the Wayfinders. I got them off Zodiac’s back and am playing nice even though they blacklisted me from the Fed Comm army. Dad being employed by Zodiac helped them accept that Zodiac is on the up and up. On the plus side to all of this, there are new bounties for the pirates named by Luxmark, the nuclear weapons they sold, and the missile boats that they designed. All the details are on the bounty page, you can look it up on your own.

Dad, Kathleen, and Gregory are fine. Isa’s been adopted into the family…figured that would happen when Dad got here. She’s like the big sister I never had and the technical minded child Dad never had all rolled into one. She even has a puppy from the kennel now. Training guard and hunting dogs is going well. I’ve sold several of the guard dogs and have an idea to bounce off Kayleigh and Shaun. Dad gave me MechSpotter’s Mud for our anniversary, apparently I had left it on New Avalon. He claimed it was to remind me of where we’d met. Kathleen claimed it was to get the flowery smell out of his workshop. Anyway, the last litter of puppies got into it, and thus the idea was born. I’m wondering if we can integrate scent into our ID badges so the guard dogs could supplement the ED’s. It’d have to be an exotic scent though. Oh, and while I’m thinking about, can you ask Kayleigh if that flower of Mohinder’s is poisonous to dogs? I didn’t see any effects, but the flowery scent of MechSpotter’s Mud kind of reminds me of that plant they were studying on the way back from Graven’s Deep.

Graven’s Deep has been on my mind a lot recently since Isa has agreed to her first noble visit. In January, four nobles along with four Canopian Companions will be visiting Aspiron. I don’t know how long they’ll be staying, but they are bringing their own loyal security forces. It will help, but increased security will make my life hectic, but I kind of owe a lot to these nobles. After all, Isabella did help rescue me from Kor and Johnny got us off Graven’s Deep. The permacrayon pirates are the reason MechSpotter didn’t come, but Isa’s excited. She seems happier than she has in a while. Lobo is still with the Slayers, probably because of Isabella’s Canopian Cousins, but it’ll be a Graven’s Deep reunion of sorts around here in January. I hope that Isabella can help get Isa out and about. Our family is fine, but Isa needs more friends around here.

Well, I’m going to be training the hunting dogs this month and daylight is wasting. I’ll be testing them on my birthday. I’ve found I can connect to them like I did the Gorg back on Graven’s Deep. Hope you are having fun hunting pirates. I’m glad I stayed behind, because if I ran into Kor I’m not sure that I could follow orders that didn’t involve killing him. The bounty on his head wouldn’t be the reason. What he put Dad, Kayleigh, Loni and me through…that is why. But thinking about it, he did get me to the right place to meet you. Well, daylight is wasting, so I need to go get this to the HPG facility since it’ll be open now.

Your loving nightshade,

Elle

[dragontree]

Tanzu & Hana Story: ‘Make People Better’ [Part: 2]… {A Battletech Story}

Hana walked into her apartment and put her keys, purse and pistol down on the nightstand where they always went and kicked off her shoes. It had been a long day and she needed to get ready for tonight. She had spent the last seven hours with Ace Darwin, who she had met the first night she had seen Tanzu. The man had just walked in on them having tea as if he was an old friend and quickly had them in conversation with him over another cup of tea. Tanzu had introduced her as a close friend from his days before the Wayfinders who was living here on Solaris VII and who had looked him up when he had arrived here with Ace. Ace seemed to not buy the whole story, but didn’t press the point and they just had a nice talk before Hana excused herself for the night and had headed home.

It has been totally by surprise some five days later, three days after Tanzu had left for his employment with Luxmark, when Hana received a call from Ace asking her for some help. Since the old warrior, as he called him, was away; Ace wanted Hana to help him pick out just the right Battlemech for Tanzu. So four days later when Ace had everything ready and Hana had the whole day free, Ace picked her up at her apartment and they went mech shopping.

Ace took Hana to a shop called Mech Sales, which was located in Black Hills district, the shop was known for selling high-quality rebuilt mechs. Ace seemed to know the owner Roger Epstein fairly well and they quickly started talking shop while Hana was left to look around the showroom floor as it was. The showroom only held seven platforms for showing off mechs for sale and only five of those had something in them. Hana didn’t know all that lot about Battlemech so she was not sure just how she was to help Ace in picking one out, but she took a look to busy herself as Mr. Epstein and Ace talked.

The first mech was large and thin looking monster with the name Grasshopper printed on the plate in front of it; Hana just could not see Tanzu in something so thin looking so moved on to the next. The Hermes II looked like something that Tanzu would pilot, but she keep moving on to the next mech whose plate stated it was a Commando. Hana smiled up at the cute looking small mech and continued on to the next one, but stopped in her tracks when she saw it, if she was to choice this was the Battlemech for Tanzu. The Mech just looked like some forgotten war god with its large frame with a big cannon over its huge shoulders and the deadly looking axe in its right hand.

Ace walked up to Hana, “Ah the Axman, so what you thank will this do for the old warrior.”

Hana looked back at Ace then back to the mech, “The War Mule had always seemed like the only mech for Tanzu, but this mech is a true warrior as he is, Tanzu and it belong together.”

It took a moment for Hana to realize what she had just said and she quickly apologized for being foolish as she knew nothing of Battlemech and Ace would have a far better idea what Tanzu would need, but Ace just smiled back at her and walked back over to Mister Epstein. It took the better part of the next three hours of Ace haggling with Roger Epstein, but eventually Ace walked way with a price both he and Roger could live with and the Axman was now Tanzu’s, now if only he lives long enough to use his new Axman.

Hana stepped over to the mirror next to her shower that was still steaming from when she had just used it minutes ago and she started combing out her hair in preparation for the date she was going on to night. Doctor Vince Warsaw had requested her presence once again at yet another fundraiser dinner and was expecting her to arrive at his house in two hours. Hana was having a hard time focusing, worried as she was about Tanzu the dark thoughts of just what things could be going wrong ran over and over in her mind as she finished combing out her hair. She just could not stop wondering if he was in danger, she knew that no news might be a good ting but not hearing of or from Tanzu in seven days was really starting to wear on her nerves.

Hana finished getting reading with the final touches to her outfit when she slipped a small laser pistol into her small red purse that matched her form fitting dress, next she secured her small hidden knight into a bow at the back of her dress. Finally ready Hana headed for the ground floor of her apartment building where she knew Frank would be waiting with the company limo. If Hana was the subtle security Frank, an ex-cop was the intimidating obvious security a deterrent for would be stickup men and low level criminals. Frank nodded politely to her as he opened up the back door to the limo for her as she climbed in.

Frank drove them out to Dr. Warsaw’s townhouse that was located on the edge of a large private parkland inside the Silesia district near Riverside on the east side of the city. Hana was nerves as they pulled up to the front door of the large home but she just didn’t know why, she had attended such event several times now and this should be no different than any other social diner where she was expected to look pretty and say very little. The limo came to a stop and Hana waited inside as Frank exited to open the car door but when it opened it was not Dr. Vince Warsaw that climbed into the limo but a dark tan skinned woman with well keep black hair in a fine suit dress and holding a pistol she leveled at Hana.

“Hello Miss Hana, it is nice to finally meet you, I’m Miss Joanna Warsaw.” The woman said as Frank quickly closed the car door and moved to enter the driver’s seat.

Hana’s mind raced as she looked down at the gun in the woman’s hand, she had known that Dr. Vince was married but she had never meet his wife, could this woman really be her. Hana slid back as far from the woman as the interior of the limo would allow and turned herself so that she could easily get to her knife and at the same time use her left foot to move her purse way from sight. Her senses had been telling her something was wrong, why hadn’t she listened?

“What is this about?” Hana demanded.

The woman smiled back at Hana, “Well quite simply Hana your nice friend Tanzu has damaged some of our property and has become too much of a problem and so have you my dear. Too bad you went on that little shopping trip of yours or we may have never known about your connection to our little trouble maker and your part in this little mess.”

[Havvok]

Project Hope {A Battletech Story}



As Emilio was busily introducing Lady Jester to the other senior members of the medical and scientific staff that headed up Project Hope, he suddenly realized that he'd somehow failed to actually introduce himself. Perhaps it was nervousness of his first command, or perhaps it was the fact that he was so well known on Glen Arden as to have grown unaccustomed to making those introductions. But either way he kicked himself mentally for the oversite. And now half way through the other introductions it would be inappropriate for it. In fact it would have likely been taken as an act of arrogance or pompousness.

He sighed inwardly and glanced over at the loading ramps. Lieutenant John Walker Jr. was just walking his mech, "The Red Horse" down the ramp. The old Warhammer had seen hundreds of years of war though you couldn't tell it by the looks. At least not at first glance. He had a sudden constriction in his chest as he thought about it. Emilio and John Jr. had only been 3 years old when John Sr had died in that mech defending Glen Arden against a entire company of invading pirates. Had stopped them, and even managed to cripple their dropship before he went down. Support had arrived only a few minutes later and the pirates had been slaughtered to the last man. No quarter given. And a week later the Red Horse had lead the funeral procession down the mountainous passes from New Inverness to the city of Gloche Finnen where he was burried. A hundred bag pipes had accompanied the procession playing amazing grace. He couldn't watch ROMs of the event without feeling the loss of such a true Hero. It was said that John Sr's ghost still haunted the machine, that it sometimes did things on its own in battle.

Following the Red Horse came Lieutenant Sean MacGreggor in "The Wee Bairn". Emilio shook his head in wonder looking at it. This little Locust Battlemech held the highest kill ratio of any mech in the BOR. He hoped it's luck continued under his own command.

His Command... The Lions of Arioch. 8 Battlemechs and 4 LAMs along with support crews. It was a humble begining. But no more than his fathers Ghostriders had began as. He was proud of them all.

So caught up was he in watching the parade of mechs leaving the dropship that he almost missed the slight pause in conversation beside him.

Dr Fletecher, had been asking something about the prevailing wind patterns of Galava and most likely areas to have been affected by fallout radiation when Lady Jester had hesitated in her reply.

Emilio turned just in time to see her collapsing. His reactions were as instinctive as they were fluid and he caught her and lifted her into his arms in a single motion.

"Quickly, prep one of the medical bays!" He ordered and ran, carrying her up the nearest ramp and into the Etruskan.

Men and women were scurrying everywhere busy with the off-loading and paused to watch as Emilio and a medical team rushed by.

Once in the Med Bays, he lay her gently on the table and brushed the hair back from her face. "What's happened to her?" He questioned.

"Could be anything, back up and let us work! We'll give you an update as soon as we know anything." replied Dr Schultz, the chief medical examiner of Project Hope.

Emilio backed out of the med bay and looked around. It was not a very auspicious beginning to his first mission.

"Welcome to Galava." came a nearby voice. It was his wingman and pilot of "Charlie" a Shadowhawk LAM, Lieutenant Peter Anderson. Peter was one of the Aussie's, come from Caladon IV.

"Yeah..." Emilio agreed. "We need to make contact wtih Whitestone and the indig security forces that are inbound and alert them to the Doctor's condition as soon as we learn anything. Meanwhile we need to finish securing this LZ." He clapped the big Aussie on the shoulder and the pair of them headed for the ramps again.

Outside he counted 6 of his command off loaded and ready. He was pleased to see that Sean was already beginning a perimeter sweep in his mech. They were good men he thought. He just hoped he was worthy of them. His father had left some very big shoes to fill...

By the time all the mechs had been unloaded Emilio and Peter were already taking a overflight of the area and picked up an inbound chopper which was identified as Lady Jester's staff and entourage.

"Lion to Etruskan, patch me through to Dr Schultz in med bay one." he ordered and waited untill he heard the affirmative before continuing.

"Dr Shultz, we have inbound who will be interested in Lady Jester's condition. Do you have an update?"

"It appears that Dr Jester is suffering from stress and exhaustion which resulted in the feinting spell. However our prelimiary observations have also noted a more acute problem of mild radiation poisoning. We have given her a sedative and will be putting her in DeCon as soon as we have her stablzed."

"Thanks Doc." Emilio replied.

He switched to the open hailing frequencies and advised the inbound chopper of landing coordinates and advised them of Lady Jester's condition.

They were notably agitated. Apparently she had been pushing herself way to hard.

==

By local nightfall, a small Tent City had sprang up around the Etruskan to provide the operational theater for the 86 men and women who were part of Project Hope. Men and equipment and supplies of every sort were now parked and stacked everywhere.

The Lions of Arioch were now supported by a sizable indig force of mixed variety. This made things much easier, and Emilio had spent the last few hours in the med-surg ward on the Etruskan waiting for the sedative effects to wear off.

He heard her stir and try to sit up, and was quick to reach her side.

"Lady Jester, I am pleased to see you are up and feeling better. Please don't move yet, just lie still. They have you on an IV drip. Are you feeling better? Oh, and I appologize for my lack of protocol earlier. I am Emilio Estefan Santiago, Captain of the Lion's of Arioch, hired to secure Project Hope. Your man Jax is here too. Dr Shultz says you will need to remain in bed-rest for a few days, but you will be OK."

He stepped back and made room as Jax and Claire came closer.

"She's awake." he told the them.




Alan~

This post has been edited by Havvok: Nov 20 2008, 04:43 AM

[megan]

Project Hope {A Battletech Galava Story}

Nixie didn’t catch any undertone to her man Jax, but if she had to guess she’d been given a sedative and been put through Decon. She felt like she had when her lab partner had bungled an experiment. She looked at Jax and noticed the shaking violin case hiding behind him, but ignored that for the moment.

In Pikkinese, she asked, “You playing nice Jax?” The chagrined and boyish smile said it all before he even replied, “yes Doc”. He looked way too pleased with himself for something else to not be up. Looking to the far side of the bay, she saw a nurse and queried in English, “Bed rest for a couple of weeks?” The woman nodded her head yes, but didn’t say a word.

Turning back to Jax, she started giving orders. “Don’t look so pleased. I need my noteputer and the datachip from McKayla. You will have more work to do with me tied up here than if I was out in the field with you. Get those items, bring them back here and then make arrangements to get the mayor of Mossburg here in the morning. Clara will remain here for the time being. You are dismissed.”

Jax smirked, saluted, and departed leaving Clara with no place to hide. Clara looked more shaken than she should, but considering who was seated next to her that wasn’t very surprising. The violin case shook so much that Nixie was afraid the thirteen year old was going to drop it. “I’m okay Clara. The medical staff has it under control.”

Seeing her eying the man next to her and him looking puzzled at Clara, she decided it was time to put the two of them at as much as ease as possible. Besides, she was getting tired. “Clara, you know who this is as well as I do if not more so.” She turned to him, “My lord, may I present my apprentice Miss Clara Ames. And if you don’t want your heritage known far and wide by the rise of Peace and Solitude then say so before Clara leaves. She, Kyanite, and I are the ones most likely to identify you by sight, but still your face is plastered all over Glen Arden. All the former DIS personnel did go through the system, but I don’t know how many went planetside. It’s up to you, but you need to decide before Jax walks back through that door.”

She lay back as Clara got up the nerve to curtsy and actually come to Nixie’s side…


This post has been edited by megan: Nov 19 2008, 10:55 AM