Battletech 3049 : Falcon's Stoop

[Keira Kelly]

The midday sun was almost blinding which belied the frigid temperatures of this forsaken world. Star Captain Karina Roshak stepped out of the VTOL, squinting slightly as she rearranged the feathered cape of her dress uniform just a bit better to protect against the extreme cold. The air stung as she breathed it in but she paid it no mind. She had been to just as many worse worlds as better ones. In fact, Ironhold, where her and her sibko had completed Mechwarrior training, had been just as cold.

Once her eyes had adjusted to the harsh brightness, Karina focused in on the city that was their destination. It seemed a fair size settlement but it was clear form the construction that it had been created with only insulation in mind. At least, it had been. A number of buildings along the outer edge had been smashed to rubble during the final battle, either hit by fire or crushed when the defending 'Mechs fell backwards. A waste, she thought. Incompetent tactics of these Inner Sphere commanders. It would have been smarter for them to have responded to the Star Colonel's Batchall properly and chosen a location which would have led to less collateral damage. But, in the end, this was only the first world they had landed on for Operation Revival and, once they had a fair-sized beachhead of worlds, this lonely world of Anywhere would be exceptionally unimportant. The buildings and resources of this ice world were minimal and whatever damage had been done, intentional or not, was equally unimportant to further the Clan's goals.

She followed behind Star Colonel Brikai Buhallin, nearby the other four present Star Captains of the 8th Falcon Regulars and they were likewise followed by the numerous Star Commanders of the partial Cluster. Buhallin had made the choice to have all officers present for the official handover for power of the planet from the former Inner Sphere leaders; a show of force should they decide to try to continue to resist. It had been clear though, from the first, that the invading Falcon forces were far superior to anything that the defenders had had to offer in reply, even with the cluster being short two stars, having loaned them to the Turkina Keshik to take the nearby world of Bone-Norman.

Despite being only two-thirds the normal size, the 8th Falcon Regulars had taken the world easily. When they had landed, they had been met by two forces of Inner Sphere warriors, both units larger than the invaders by far. It had become more than clear, however, in the first few minutes of combat that the Inner Sphere tech had not been as expected. The enemy 'Mechs had been destroyed by hits that would have barely dented their clan counterparts' armour and their weapons were.. substandard.

The combat had, for the most part, disappointed Karina. For her whole life, she had been taught that one day the Clans would return to the Inner Sphere, to regain control of the former Star League and once against force things right, so that all could return to a new Golden Era for mankind. Since childhood, in the sibko even before they had approached warrior training, she had always envisioned herself in a BattleMech, fighting in challenging and glorious battles to help her Clan become the ilClan. The dreams had grown even larger when she had become the warrior she had set out to be and when word finally came down that Operation Revival, the invasion of the Inner Sphere, was soon approaching.

She had participated in numerous battles against other warriors both of her own Clan and other clans, and against some of the Dark Caste who had somehow acquired old Mechs. Even these had been of better quality than what they had faced these past days on this forsaken world of Anywhere. She shook her head slightly at the memory of it. Pathetic. Well, perhaps not all of these Inner Sphere were pitiful; one of her Star Commanders had taken himself a bondsman, claiming the captured pilot had proven himself a worthy fighter even with, or perhaps in spite of the sub-standard equipment.

Star Commander Remiel Hazen's star had taken some fire during an ambush early on. They had been unlucky enough to be in the lead when a handful of enemy Mech's had let off volleys of missiles. By Hazen's quick thinking, damage had been as minimal as possible, though two Mechs of his star had been fairly damaged. Quickly turning around the situation, the Star Commander had ordered his unit forwards and they had managed to wipe out the enemy firepower before moving out to seek more of the enemy.

From what she had heard, one star of Trinary Charlie had encountered a small group of enemy forces, apparently a mercenary unit. The Falcon star had been already heavily damaged, with only three remaining survivors, from previous combat so the bias of the fight had no longer been in the Falcons' favour. Still, they had destroyed two of the four mercenary machines, driven another off in retreat. The last Mech to stand against Juha's star had apparently fought admirably, taking out all three of the heavily damaged Falcon machines.

Remiel Hazen had told Karina that that was when he had entered the area, just as the final Falcon warrior had been downed. With a fresh Mech and the opponent's Great Wyrm being damaged, the fight had lasted no more than one or two shots from Hazen's machine but still, the warrior had shown competence. The Star Commander had claimed the Inner Sphere pilot as isorla, claiming him as bondsman. Having not seen the fight herself, Karina could only guess that he had been suitably impressed. Perhaps this bondsman did bear some watching in the future.

She gave a slight glance back, catching sight of Star Commander Hazen nearby with his bondsman in tow. Though this outing had been for officers only, it was allowable that a new bondsman be brought. The man was Hazen's responsibility now and it would do the Inner Sphere pilot good to see how Falcons conducted themselves honourably and with the best intentions.

Their entourage stopped on the ice plain, just outside of the city, as a group emerged from one of the outer buildings and began to head towards them. The planet's council, so they had been told. Here to hand over the authority. When they stopped, a bit shyer than she would have expected, Karina frowned. As she studied the group of men, she was taken aback even more so. A number of them were not only fairly quite.. fat under their heavy coats, but they were old. Each one was probably.. well, she had trouble judging how old. Beyond the age that any active warrior she had ever seen. It was distasteful to have such.. decrepit bodies in charge.

One man from the group stepped forward, holding out his arms in welcome... an odd gesture for the leader of a captured holding to be sure. "Welcome to Anywhere! The middle of nowhere!" the man said, and then chuckled at the odd-sounding phrase then glanced out at the sea of unsmiling Falcon faces before him who did not find him humorous at all.. He quickly turned a little more serious, his body language just a little too.. controlled. "Well, I mean.." he began, "you lot beat everything we had and we couldn't do nothing about it. So.. what can I say?" he said helplessly. "We don't even know who you are... I am here to just ask what you leave us in peace."

Many of the Falcon warriors winced at the man's use of contractions and bad grammar. It was hard enough to look at them but this just made it worse. Finally Star Colonel Brikai Buhallin himself broke the awkward silence. "We claim this planet, Anywhere.. in the name of Clan Jade Falcon." he said in a strong and authority-filled voice, his falcon-glare on the old man. "As you have said, you have no more to resist us with. Offer your surrender and we will bring no further action against you. We seek only to make this a Falcon holding. You will be allowed to remain in charge, under the authority of an emissary of Clan Jade Falcon. As long as you do not resist, your way of life will remain as it has. You have stated that surrender was your intention for this meeting, so now is the time to prove your word. Do you agree to this?" he asked.

The old man, glanced around behind him, at the other councilmen as they all milled nervously, talking to each other in hushed tones. Karina frowned all the more. It was almost as if they were delaying perhaps? It was then that a loud crack pieced the cold air, the sound echoing and making the source impossible to pinpoint. Another sharp crack and puffs of snow erupted nearby. The Falcon warriors all began pulling their sidearms, scanning the nearby buildings. It was clear now that there was a sniper.. and one who was not very good at the job... At least so Karina thought until another shot struck a Star Commander from another unit square in the chest, sending out a spray of red behind his back. The warrior crumpled to the ground, unmoving. Star Colonel Buhallin bellowed at the warriors to spread out and make themselves harder targets.

( Okay, here it is! You both can decide who can go next.. whether Remiel will do something that gets him shot at and in turn Kaden can move to try to prevent him from being hurt, or.. whichever. Basically though, if you need to understand what is happening here, we are getting out of a helicopter [the VTOL] and arriving to the meeting point for this meeting. The sniper is in one of buildings, too hard to be seen with the sun's harsh glare for now. After Kaden gets hit, we can have someone locate the muzzle flash. )

[Veli Alvar]

Star Commander Remiel Hazen stepped out of the VTOL right behind his commanding officer Karina Roshak and alongside the other officers of the 8th Falcon Regulars. To his side was his newly captured bondsman, Kaden, a very capable freeborn pilot who will prove himself useful to Remiels star.

The Star Commander stood at a tall 6'4" in height with a slender build, wide shoulders and brown skin with very short, kinky hair. The planets climate was far from loved by Remiel who despised such extreme conditions of cold; his body had a better time acclimating to warmer temperatures. The only good thing to come about from this deep freeze was the cooling effect it had on 'Mechs and at least while Remiel was in his Mad Dogs cockpit, he could use the heating system. Nevertheless, stepping out into the actual cold in just his Jade Falcon dress uniform didn't make him too happy.

"Look alive, bondsman, you will witness for yourself how Clan Jade Falcon does business." Remiel told Kaden as he grabbed the freeborn by his top and pushed him out a few feet in front of the Warrior. He caught his Star Captain glancing back and he nodded at her, giving a quick salute. The group moved forward and were greeted by the lowly inhabitants of the presumed capital city of the strange planet Anywhere. The manner in which they spoke was grating to a Clan warriors ear and made clear right away their undisciplined nature; perhaps if they weren't so, they wouldn't have lost ownership of their planet. "Make certain your way of speaking does not match theirs, bondsman." Remiel told Kaden as the Star Colonel spoke to them.

A sound cracked through the air as Remiel immediately noticed one of their Star Commanders taking a bullet to the chest, fatally. His eyes wide and alert, body ready to spring, Remiel barked. "Move it, bondsman!" Remiel darted from his position and while the warrior was agile and fast, cover was visibly sparse. He ran around swiftly trying to make himself a hard, moving target but the lack of cover put him at a severe disadvantage. Freebirth! He thought to himself just as another bullet pierced the sky.

[Ghaz]

Kaden followed Star Commander Hazen out of the VTOL to this meeting. Kaden followed Star Commander Hazen because he was the one that captured him and proved his piloting skills were greater then his own. Kaden had respect for the Star Commander because of his skill. Kaden began to think to himself "I wonder where I would be right now if i had been able to hold that position."

Kaden was 5'8 with red short hair and average size body. The planet they landed on was okay but he was already use to it since he was already stationed there. He followed them until the Star Commander grabbed him and pushed him a few feet in front of them. He listened to his captor but tried not to show any emotion towards them. When they reached a group of people probably the leaders here but he didn't pay much attention to them. Kaden didn't know what to think of these people who had captured him and he felt like they were parading him around like a trophy. When he listened to the people talk he smirked a little because of the odd-sounding phrase they had said.

He listened to the two groups talk when he heard the sound of gunfire and one of the people he was with go down. He looked around to attempt to look for the shooter but couldn't see anything. Then he head the second shot and ran to cover so he wouldn't get killed. Kaden didn't know what to think of the shooter but he knew something was going down but he couldn't think of any people who would do this.

[Keira Kelly]

There was nowhere to really hide out on the icy tundra short to making it to the city walls; the VTOL the Falcons had come in was too far away and they'd be easy targets for the sniper if they tried to run. Running wasn't in their nature though. Though many crouched to make themselves smaller targets, every single Jade Falcon officer opened up on the town with ruby beams from their laser sidearms. Star Colonel Bulhalin screamed out orders, ordering one of his trinaries forward under the cover fire from the rest to find and eliminate the coward who shot at them from the shadows. Star Captain Karina Roshak's trinary, Turkina's Claws, were one of the ones to remain back and offer the suppressing fire.

They could not see where to fire but anything was better than nothing. Even so, one of the advancing warriors was felled by a projectile, followed by another, then a third. The advancing trinary, however, had gained considerable distance and still had most of its members intact. The sniper soon lost sight of them, as they closed on the city walls, and switched back to shooting at the rest. Another officer, near to Star Commander Hazen took a bullet, knocking her back, alive but gravelly injured. Another shot struck closer to Hazen, then another barely missed him.

Karina could not even offer any warning to officer; there was nowhere to attain cover and they had been ordered to return fire. Each and everyone of them would continue to do so until the sniper was caught or they were all dead. They each would welcome death in combat, though being ambushed by a coward hiding with a gun was not the most glorious thing, it would do. Karina heard a shot whistle passed, knowing it was intended for Remiel Hazen but she could do nothing about it, making her feel powless. What she wouldn't have given for her Ebon Jaguar right about now. She heard the shot strike but didn't look back to see. It was pointless at this point. If Remiel had been hit, she could do nothing for him even if he was still alive.

She knew it was only a matter of time before the nearest unit of 'Mechs made it here, likely only minutes but it would seem like an eternity...

( So, I'm going to name the Trinary, at least unofficially, Turkina's Claws. Trinary's do not have official names but can have unofficial ones amongst themselves. Turkina was one of the first of the jade falcon animals bred and became part of the mythos of the clan, being almost mystical. )

[Ghaz]

Kaden crouched as much as he could with all the shooting going on with the sniper and the jade falcon members firing back but he could tell they didn't know where the shooter was yet. He tried to listen to the orders they were giving but most of his attention was on not getting killed by the sniper. Kaden watched a group of them move towards and soon he watched some of them begin to get hit by the sniper. Kaden began to think to himself no one deserves to be killed like this even he would rather die in combat then in this situation.

Soon Kaden watch a Jade Falcon member close to Hazen get shot and thought 'His shots are getting closer and closer they need to find the shooter soon or they are going to get severely wounded or killed.' He noticed the shots were getting closer and closer to Hazen and thought 'A warrior like him doesn't deserve to get killed like this.' Kaden ran and pushed Hazen down but after pushing Hazen down he felt an intense pain in his head and he soon felt his entire body hit the ground hard. All he could focus on was the pain before he passed out.

[Keira Kelly]

Suddenly the shots stopped. There was a long moment of silence, the cracks of the previous still echoing in the cold air, before Star Colonel Buhallin ordered the remaining Star Captains forwards, towards the walls, with only his Command Star officers and himself staying to watch the town council. There was no hesitation as the surviving officers immediately tore across the hard-packed snow, there were even some battle cries emitted, most mimicking the fierce cry of the Jade Falcon, something that all Falcon Trueborns learned to do in their time in the sibkos. By the time they reached the walls, however, the reason for the ceasefire became clear as the officers from the trinary that had been sent into the city emerged with a screaming, struggling man in their grasp, which was proving difficult. Two Falcon Elementals dove in to take over custody, holding the man's arms tightly and painfully behind his back as he screamed out obscenities that made the Falcon warriors wince.

The man was wearing the uniform of the mercenary unit that had attempted to defend the planet from the Falcon's landing... the same uniform that Remiel Hazen's bondsman had worn until they had stripped him of it and given him garb more proper for a bondsman, some old secondhand tech clothing. The shooter was forced to his knees in front of the Star Colonel. He still struggled but against the strength of the two massive Elementals from Karine Roshak's Mix Star, it was futile.

Star Colonel Buhallin leaned in towards the man, his craggy, scarred face and rock hard gaze showing nothing of the hatred he surely felt at the deaths of a number of his unit. "Did you act alone? If not, how many others are there and what are their locations? Were you working with the people of this town?" he asked sternly. The man spat back in reply.. or at least attempted to. The spittle turned to ice in the frigid air, blowing away in the stiff wind short of his target. Buhallin regarded the man for a second longer before suddenly uppercutting him under the jaw with lightning speed. The man's head snapped back before it slumped forward once more in unconsciousness.

The Star Colonel turned his gaze to Star Commander Icaza of Trinary Bravo, one of the two Elementals who still held the captive. "Take him to the VTOL and wait. We will extract the information back at HQ." he said. As he turned to the timid, cowering elders of the town's council, the reinforcement star arrived, stopping just short of the entourage, their massive shadows falling across the Falcon warriors. He glanced to one of his own star. "Have the reinforcement star call in for medevac for the wounded, Star Commander." he ordered and his officer turned and ran for the nearest 'Mech, a squat Nova. Buhallin took a quick survey over the bodies of his fallen unit still lying on the snow and ice. Some were alive still but there was little the warriors could do for them. Best to leave it to the medtechs.

One of the elders decided to speak up. "We didn't know he was going to do this!" he cried. "We didn't know... He only wanted sanctuary after the battle... he was one of us, protecting us. We couldn't deny him..."

The old man's tirade was cut short as Buhallin backhanded him across the mouth. "Your use of contractions is offensive. Still your tongue, unless spoke to, or lose it." he warned, his countenance still calm but the rage now showing in his dark eyes.

Of the six Star Captains that had been present, now only four remained. These Buhallin called to him, asking for suggestions as to the next course of action. Star Captain Hagan Malthus of Trinary Alpha said he would choose to raze the whole city, to send an example. This idea was met with resistance, particularly from Karina Roshak. She explained herself. While it could serve to pacify the locals, it could create martyrs. The Clans were better than that, better than what they had left in the Inner Sphere so long ago and they would not stoop to those levels. "On the other hand, Star Colonel, it is clear these councillors are guilty of aiding the captive. We all saw how they acted when we approached. I think they knew and approved of the ambush..." she was about to continue when the Star Colonel waved for silence.

"Thank you, Star Captain Roshak." he said bluntly. He pulled out his pistol and aimed it at the old man's face. "Where you in league with the sniper?" he asked. When the man shook his head, answering no, Buhallin wasted no time. The laser burned a clean hole into the front of the councillor's forehead, leaving only a wisp of smoke to emerge from the cauterized wound and the body fell to the ground in a puff of snow. He turned to the next one, holding his weapon out. "Were you in league with the sniper?" he asked again.

The second old man seemed a quick learner. Quickly he nodded, but kept silent until the Star Colonel ordered him to answer. "Yes, we were. One of the Warriors from The Acadians made it here after you invaded... he was dazed and hypothermic from the cold but we helped him. When he recovered enough and we heard of your arrival here, he asked us to help set you up." he replied truthfully. "Some of us were against it but.. we are not all equal on the council. Those of us who refused were overruled." He held out his hands before him in a pleading gesture. "Please, Star Colonel, we just want to live... If you were truthful in your promise of the terms of the surrender, that's.... that is all we wish!"

Buhallin regarded the man for a long moment, studying and deliberating on the words. Finally he nodded and asked the man to point out those of his brethren were a part of the plot. It was clear that the man had trouble with following through, but in the end, he did, naming three of the other six. They were separated from the rest, left in the care of the officers from Trinary Bravo. Those councillors who had not been part of the plot were walked back into the town by the rest of the Falcons, to finalize the surrender in warmer surroundings.

Karina Roshak stepped in front of the three that were left; one woman and two men. The council men and woman were small and she towered over all of them but more striking was her presence. Her auburn hair tied back in a tight ponytail and her fierce green eyes were sharp to take in any movement. Her body, even obvious through the dress uniform, was wiry but strong. A finely honed athlete as were most Trueborns. Most striking of all though was her exposed left arm. It was a myomer prosthetic which gleamed in the sun, her own hand having been lost during a battle against Clan Smoke Jaguar. During that battle, she had survived impossible odds and ended up securing her current ride, a ferocious Ebon Jaguar.

The female councillor took in Karina and frowned. "So young..." she said quietly, half to herself. "You don't want to do this.. You don't want to kill..."

It was Karina's turn to frown. "You think I have not killed before? I am a warrior of Clan Jade Falcon, the greatest of the Clans. And you, you three are traitors to your people and cowards who deserve nothing more." She turned her back to them. "And so you shall receive no more. Star Command Hazen, if you would.." She began walking away. "Finish them and then come and join me. We must see to the survivors until the medtechs arrive. And find your bondsman; I wish to ask him about the captive..." she ordered, finally noting to herself that Hazen's bondsman seemed absent. Well, he was either one of the casualties, was a coward or was a traitor. She would find out soon in any case. She sent her other Star Commander, Benedikt Calbot, to go and check on the progress of the medevacs in the meantime.

[Veli Alvar]

Remiel used his arms to break the impact as he felt himself shoved from behind. His reflexes allowed him to recover quickly and he was back on his feet so quick that you would have missed him falling if you turned your head for a second. His green eyes sharp, he turned around to see who had shoved him only to be aghast by the sight of his Bondsman bleeding from the head. There was no time to stop and pick up the casualties, so Remiel made a mad dash to the inner city as commanded by the Colonel. He took that bullet.. that was meant for me! he thought briefly, commending the valour and heart of his newly captured Bondsman. The sniper is going to have to pay for taking Remiel Hazens rightful Isorla.

When he reached the falcons inside the city he finally witnessed the capturing of the sniper by two elementals. Remiel would just outright kill him right now if he were the Star Colonel, he thought. They have lost way too many Falcons at the hands of that freeborn cretin, using dishonourable tactics, outside of combat at that. Remiel couldn't hold back a slight chuckle when the sniper took a fist to the jaw, that was a good start.

It didn't surprise Remiel that the old hags were in league with the sniper. What, were they going to defend themselves from a clan attack? Ridiculous, just the thought of it. Remiel admired the way Star Colonel Buhallin worked, drilling a hole right in the head of the constintuent without so much as a slight pause. It was Trinary Bravos turn to execute justice. "With pleasure, Star Captain. The bondsman was struck in the head by the coward sniper. I will find him, if not his body," he told his supieror Karina Roshak as he stepped past her towards the 3 captive council members. In truth, they were no different from the sniper, only more cowardly. "Hags," he snarled, in one motion unholstering his pistol and blasting it right through one of the male councilmembers, his head snapping back and taking his body with him. "Be silent when you die."

With that, the two other conspirers were smoked and Remiel jogged his way back to where he remembered Kaden getting struck. The sight was sad to see once again, falcon brothers and sisters laying lifeless on the ice, their blood just frozen pools beside them. When Remiel reached the body of his bondsman he was elated to see that his bondsman lived, albeit just barely from what he could tell. "Bondsman! On your feet, death has not taken you yet," he said, wondering if Kaden was able to stand. Remiel looked around, the medtechs not yet having arrived, and returned his gaze to the freeborn warrior. "The medtechs will be here soon, bondsman. You are progressing unusually fast, just know that every accomplishment will be rewarded by Jade Falcon," he said smirking, staring at Kadens bondcord.

[Ghaz]

Kaden slowly opened his eyes and the first feeling he felt was a immense amount of pain from his head but he couldn't put together what was going to happened next but the last thing he wanted to do right now was to think about anything. He tried to look around but he couldn't bring himself to look around. He could feel something wet on his head and he knew that it was his blood. 'I can't die yet.' He thought to himself before trying to get off the ground but he couldn't even move his body. All he could hear was the voices of the people around him talking but he couldn't understand what they were saying right now.

Soon he heard a familiar voice but he couldn't look since his lack of strength. He heard the voice talk to him but he couldn't respond all he could do was listen to the voice and hope that help was coming soon to help him. Right now he didn't care what these people did to him all he wanted was the pain to stop soon. He tried to move his body again but he could only move a little before he felt all his strength faded away quickly. After failing to move he decided to just lay there and close his eyes until help arrived.

[Keira Kelly]

Karina turned away from the corpses of the executed council without emotion. They were now of no consequence. The only reason, she knew, that the sniper was still alive was that they would try to extract information out of him about any allies or co-conspirators he might have had. That this sniper had also struck Remiel Hazen's bondsman hinted that perhaps whomever this was did not care about hurting their own people... or perhaps they simply considered the bondsman a traitor? If so, it was such backward thinking. She shouldn't expect honourable motives from the Inner Sphere. She moved away, heading towards where the Falcon warriors had been held up.

There were less dead among the casualties of the attack than Karina had expected.. Many of the shots had hit shoulders or limbs rather than being direct body or head wounds, attesting to the sniper's lack of skill. The Falcon warriors had been easy targets out on the flat, snowy ground, easily visible with little cover and yet he had failed to kill most he had aimed for. Still, for the ones who were wounded, they were bleeding heavily, attesting to the calibre of the rifle that had been used and there was little she could do for them. There had brought no first aid kits with them but she could already hear another VTOL approaching, no doubt carrying the medtechs.

After having checked on the status of each of the wounded Falcon officers, she looked up and noticed that Remiel standing over the one remaining body. The bondsmen. By the pool of blood on the snow and ice beneath him, Karina had doubts as to the man's chances. Then again, head wounds did bleed much and it was hard to tell how extensive the damage was. As she approached, the man seemed semi-conscious though unresponsive, his eyes rolling up into his skull. "Pack some snow against the wound, Star Commander.." she said softly to Hazen. Having grown up on the planet of Ironhold, she had learned much about cold-weather and combat... and how cold snow could be used to slow blood loss from a wound.

Helping a lowly warrior of the Inner Sphere wasn't the norm but.. Remiel had spoken well about this once-warrior and his skills. His death could be a waste if his skill mirrored what the Star Commander had relayed, and she had never had a reason to doubt Hazen. "It seems the coward who shot at us did not even care for one who had been one of his own.." she said offhand.

Suddenly the wind whipped up, blowing ice crystals into the air in tornadoes as the incoming VTOL landed nearby. MedTechs ran out as soon as the vehicle touched down, heading over to them and began dispersing through the downed bodies, either directing the few labourers that they had brought with them to drag the dead apart or working on those still alive. One stopped beside the bondsmen, talking to the injured man in a calm voice, explaining what was going to happen.

Karina watched the interchange with detached interest; there was obvious compassion here and that was a foreign emotion to the warrior.. to most Trueborns. She supposed that this must be how Freeborns treated each other.. so different than all that she knew. She had never really minded Freeborns but.. had never really taken any interest in them, in getting to know any. This had surprised her. Vaguely she wondered how Remiel's bondsman would have reacted in response were he conscious enough. Perhaps if he survived this, she would set aside some time to talk to the man from the Inner Sphere. If nothing else, it would be a way to learn more about the systems they were invading and its people. Intelligence gathering, she told herself, as she watched the Techs carry away the injured man quickly on a military stretcher back to the aircraft for evac.

------------------------------------------
A COUPLE WEEKS LATER
------------------------------------------
Karina walked the halls of the hospital in the town they had been ambushed from two weeks previously, trying to recall where she had been directed. Word had come back from the medical professionals in the city that her Star Commander's bondsman was recovering, enough that he would be able to be moved within a day or two and likely be back on this feet within the next couple of weeks. This was fortunate as she had received word that morning that the 8th Falcon Regulars Cluster was to be redeployed in a few days time, attaching to another Galaxy to take the planet of Bone-Norman. A garrison cluster had recently arrived to overtake the custodianship of the planet Anywhere and it was time for the front-line unit to be put to use elsewhere.

Finally spying the right number on a door, she angled straight for it, stopping once she was inside. The hospital room was pristine white, with the too-bright light of the planet coming in through large, tinted windows. The only real colour in the room seemed to be the patient, Bondsman Kaden, and Star Commander Hazen who were waiting for her. She glanced to the Freeborn only once before turning her attention to her subordinate, as was appropriate. She had always strove to act as professional and dignified as she could. "Star Commander, you asked that I come?" she began. She could not quite guess why Hazen would have asked for her to come here... Something to do with his bondsman, most likely but what she couldn't guess.

Her gaze settled back on the Freeborn. "Bondsman Kaden, I have some news for you as well." she told him, her expression hinting at her wariness of him. "The sniper that ambushed us has finally given up information. Normally, one such as yourself would not be told any of this but this pertains to you." she explained. "The shooter was one Ansel of the Arcandians... The mercenary unit that you were taken from, quiaff?" she asked. "This Ansel, during questioning, gave the names of others of his unit including his Lance Commander, Kaden. Also you, quiaff?" She cocked her head slightly as her eyes narrowed. "In other circumstances, I might have been put on guard at such a coincidence but it is clear that you came close to death. I feel this Ansel has no love for you. Is this true?" she asked.

She turned to Hazen, who hadn't yet heard all that had been learned from the captive sniper. "This Ansel gave up that he ran from the battle after two of his four Lancemates died.. and that his commander, Kaden, remained behind. Ansel thought him dead as well and sought to save himself rather than dying in battle as is proper." If this was the truth, then Bondsman Kaden's actions in combat had been respectful enough but she would not say that out loud. If it were true, then telling Remiel the facts as they stood was enough of a compliment on her part. That she had even deigned to speak to the Freeborn said much as well.

( This would probably be a good time for Kaden to have revealed information where his previous unit had been staging, why he was so ready to defect to the Clans, and that there was LosTech at the staging area as well. Also, at this point, Deon, you can have had Remiel cut one of the bondcords if you want, prior to this scene? One should be allowable for Kaden's act to save Remiel. That should have been the loyalty cord.. after the information is revealed and more importantly, why Kaden would turn his back on his former unit, could lead to the cutting of the integrity cord and Remiel can use that opportunity to say that he had seen Kaden's skill with a mech and cut the combat talent cord as well. )

[Veli Alvar]

`At once, Star Captain.` Remiel said after Roshak had told him to pack some snow against Kaden's wound. The Star Commander had gotten down to one knee and did just that, picking up some of the viciously cold snow and packing it against the head of the Inner Sphere warrior. The blood turned the snow red as it was absorbed into it and the idea was a good one to do, cool down and press the wound, something that the Star Commander should have already known. It seemed the warrior was more focused on the bondsman's selfless act. Any Inner Sphere chump taken as a bondsman would view it as pure inprisonment, at least at the start. Kaden, however.. did he know more about the clans than Remiel believed?

Nevertheless, the bondsman remained loyal and moved Remiel away from a potentially deadly bullet, remaining loyal even in the most grim of situations. The warrior reached into his pocket to pull out a clipper and cut the loyalty cord from the bondcord on Kadens arm. Remiel then stood up, scowling at what the Star Captain had told him. `Typical tactics from a pathetic warrior wannabe,` he said, wiping his hands together to get rid of the snow. `From Inner Sphere filth, you can never expect anything good nor honourable. No discipline.` Remiel said, turning to look up at the Medtechs arriving, as their VTOL engines screamed overhead.

------------------------------------------
A COUPLE WEEKS LATER
------------------------------------------

Remiel looked outside of the large tinted window in the hospital room with his hands behind his back, waiting patiently. When he heard the door open he turned around to see it was Karina who had entered, having been asked to come here. `I did, Star Captain,` he said as he walked toward the bed, standing across from Roshak. `The bondsman is making a stable recovery. Sometimes he babbles nonsense, but now he is becoming himself again. I figured it would be the best time for him to give you information that you and the Star Colonel may desire.` he told her, silencing himself when she began to speak to Kaden, so as to not interrupt the Star Captain.

All she had told Kaden was of no surprise to Remiel. This 'Ansel' chose to run in defeat, only to return with a more cowardly intention. However, the fact that he would run while Kaden remained only served to seperate the Freeborn from other scummy types, such as this 'Ansel' character.