Ferocious Cheetah

Colonel Jonathan Larkinson was once a hero, albeit a tragic one. He used to be the Division Commander of the 4th Auxilia Hunter, commanded over ten thousands Mechs and hundred thousands of servicemen. Even though he retired from active duty 3 years before the previous Bright-Vesia break out, he soon returned as the Special Advisor to the new Commander. His status among the Hunters becoming even more special as both his sons enlisted there and both hold considerable prestige among the 4th. Captain Patrick Larkinson of the 2nd Starlight Chaser regiment and captain Roland Larkinson of the 3rd Stardust Ranger regiment lead their men to spearhead all the 4th operations, as the war went on they both break through to become expert candidate, the happy time don't last long, just when the war is at its final hours, both lost their lives. His sons' death broke him.

After the war, Jonathan rarely appear in the public and quietly live in his personal quarter of the Larkinson Compound and looking after his grandsons. As he want to make sure his grandsons receive all the best accommodations he assumed the position of the Head of Larkinson Family's Orphan Committee. Few months ago his youngest grandson Kira celebrated his 10th birthday and revealed to have grade B genetic aptitude, his other grandson Athrun also revealed to have grade B+ few years back. This should be joy and pride for any other parents and grandparents, but not him, for Jonathan it feel like a curse that was put on him and his grandsons.

As someone once stood among the top brass he understand why there will be a Bright-Vesia War every 30 years, they called it "Societal Revival Theory" which they adapted from The New Rubarthan Empire that aimed to justify military spending, get rid of old war assets, get rid of excess and useless mech designers, toughen up military, attempt to create more expert pilots and so on, he had enough of that, he doesn't want his grandsons to fight for the Mech Corp or the Bright Republic anymore. But as ones became a potentates, they were already have a status as reservists and would be called to enlist as the state demand, so Jonathan thought of one way so his grandsons would not get tied down to the Republic and also give them a way to escape when the next war break out in 20 years. And today, he will show his grandsons and other Larkinson war orphans a small part of this grand plan that he has been preparing ever since the previous war end.

***********************************************

The 4th Auxilia Hunter is one of the 6 divisions of the Mech Corp, this name perfectly described their role as an auxiliary force, or as other Divisions called them "The odd jobs handler". The 4th don't have any specific role in the Mech Corp's doctrine as they are to accompany and assist other Divisions and Regiments in their missions, from shielding for the range mechs of the 1st Volari Starhawk, provide fire support for the striker mechs of the 5th Storm Enders to fend off enemy skirmisher for artillery mechs of the 7th Apocalypse Heralds, or reinforce any weaken positions in the battlefield. All of this give birth to the 4th their Martial Traditions of using medium weight class mechs and fast carriers as they are expected to travel quickly between hot spots of war theatres.

The Ferocious Cheetah was a marvel of technology at her launching 50 years ago and had been the 4th's flag ship ever since then, a state-of-the-art Fleet Carrier at that time and she was specifically designed to accommodate the 4th's Martial Traditions. She has 2 kilometers length, 300 meters width and height and shaped like a torpedo, she can carry 600 combat ready mechs, clad in thick hull plating armored, equipped with shield generators which is very rare for a 3rd rate capital ship, decent speed and maneuverable for a ship of her size and the most special of is her special extended-range FTL drives. The Ferocious Cheetah is classified as a deep-strike fleet carriers and expensive to build, her FTL drives alone cost as much as a normal fleet carrier, as such there were only three such ships ever built by the Bright Republic, one is the new flag ship of the 4th and the other belong to the Special Task Force of the Ministry of Defense.

In her 50 years of service, the Ferocious Cheetah had gone through two Bright-Vesia wars, participated in thousands of battles and skirmishes, jump in and out many hot spots on the battlefield and changed the tide of many battles. Now it is finally time for her to rest, today she will do her last flight before she is taken to a dockyard for decommission, to honor her service she will dock at Rittersberg space station for a day so representatives of the Mech Corp, veterans of the 4th and their families and other citizens of the Republic can visit and pay tribute to her one last time.

Rittersberg space station, Viewing Platform No.3.

"Wow that ship is so cooool."

"Such big and imposing ship."

"Of course, she used to be the Mech Corp most advanced fleet carrier."

"There are so many mechs too."

"This is my first time seeing so many mechs."

"The mechs of the 4th Auxilia Hunter are escorting their former flagship on her Tour of Honor."

Exclamation and admiration remarks can be heard throughout the platform, for most of the citizens of the Republic this maybe their only chance in their life to be this close to a fleet carrier or so many mechs.

In the VIP section of Viewing Platform No.3

"Hoho, such an impressive ship right? She used to be my ship when I'm still the Commander of the 4th. I still remember that battle in Havenswoth system when the Vesian were busy duking it out with the 5th, Hoho, at that time we jumped in right behind their line and started wrecking their rear, Hoho, ahhh it was so long ago already..."

"Grandfather, isn't it too early for her to retire? From what I know, military grade capital ships usually have lifespan of a century, with proper maintenance and period overhauls it can last for another 50 years and more, even in the Mech Corp there are some ships that's been serving for 200 years already."

"Hoho, you are well informed don't you."

"Oops… my classmate's family involved in the shipbuilding industry so he taught me a lot of things."

"Hoho, that Messala kid isn't it. Let just say someone have special plan for this ship, to the public she may going to be decommission but in truth she's going to be under a 10 years overhaul plan. Afterward…Hoho, let just say there will be a surprise for you kids, Hoho."

"Grandfather, You know something about it? Isn't 10 years too long? Even building new capital ship won't take that long."

"Hoho Athrun, that's why it is a surprise, Hoho. You kids should looking forward to it, Hoho. Now let's me take you to tour her."

"What? We really can visit this ship?"

"Hoho, of course, just think of it as your second home, Hoho."

'Is there any notable event in 10 years? That's before the novel even officially start right? Ves is 8 years old now so the novel plot should start in about 15 or 16 years. And what does he mean by second home? Is this the reason why there's no mentions about these people at all? I hope this will not affect my future plans.'