12

Zaniah III

RedBase

I walked into the Command room a little late. Unfortunately dealing with ComStar was always a, on their terms, sort of issue.

But everyone was already waiting, I had gone to the HPG and received a rather interesting message after all.

"So I got confirmation. We have a very lucrative, non-combat, money only contract offered directly to us. The only requirement is we bring the Colossus, and my Nightstar. I spoke with the contractor and after a little explanation, any further obviously royal, or lost SLDF gear we can bring will also increase our pay."

I was smirking so hard. When I had first heard about this from the Demi-Precentor. I had thought it had to be a joke.

But it was so much better than that.

"What the hell kind of Vicky Contract is that?" Hanna grumbled disbelievingly. "That sounds like they are trying to set us up and steal our gear. What is going through your empty head!"

"I kinda agree with Hanna Commander, this sounds like a trap!" Benny was nearly on his feet at how freaked out he was over it.

The rest of the Command staff was likewise confused at my news and doubly so by the smirk I wasn't bothering to hide. I will get them for always saying my contracts were Vicky contracts!

"Vicky. Stop teasing us. What are you hiding?" Gauge muttered, throwing a piece of paper at my head that I didn't bother to do anything but smirk through as it bounced off.

"Well I suppose since no one is interested in this contract I will just inform Mr. Mike Haufenpfah that we won't be able to assist him with this mission. How disap-"

"eeeeeeeeeEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!"

All of us flinched away from Hanna as she squeed. She realized what she had just done and slammed a hand over her mouth, her normally pale looks growing bright red as she realized the sound she had just made.

Ah so at least one of the kids had figured it out. I didn't say anything, just let everyone stare for a few moments before sighing. "Let me go contact him about our refusal…."

"DON'T YOU DARE!" Hanna screamed as she leapt out of her seat and grabbed me. "Don't you toy with me Vicky. This had better not be a joke!"

"No joke. The offer is 100% real, I spoke with him myself just a bit ago to confirm."

"Oh my god. Oh my god. Oh my god! My HAIR! My Armor! I need to polish my armor! VICKY STOP LAUGHING!"

I very much did NOT stop laughing. My sister was having a truly special freak out.

Of course none of the others figured it out yet. Idiots.

Benny was looking so utterly lost, but at least he seems to know something was going on here. "Okay you have had your fun Vicky. What exactly is the joke that I am missing here?"

"Oh it's just that Mike Haufenpfah is a name you are very aware of already Benny! The fact you don't know it? For shame!"

"I don't know it either…" Alfred muttered to Carl and both of them shrugged.

"You do actually. We all do. Mr. Haufenpfah is a writer and director of a very special Holovid show, and he apparently has been trying to get access to a Colossus and some SLDF equipment so he could do a very special episode."

"A Holo show director? That's our next contract? C'mon Vicky." Benny groaned. Putting his head in his hands. I sighed.

"Ye of little faith. I suppose if no one is interested I will tell Mr. Haufenpfah that the Immortal Warrior will just never get to face the ghosts of the SLDF…"

Utter silence.

Ah yes you could hear my smug over the shock. I stood tall and proud hands on my hips as my Command group all processed that tidbit.

"Oh my god. Mike Haufenpfah, he's the director of Immortal Warrior!" Gauge uttered to the room finally breaking the shell shock.

"Wait, does that mean we get to meet the Immortal Warrior!?" Carl begged.

"If we take this contract our equipment will be used in one of the next seasons episodes. Apparently the director was already interested when he heard about the Nighstar, but the Colossus forced his hand. Apparently he wants to film the Immortal Warrior going through a battle on a Colossus but well there wasn't any others left to do the filming."

"Yes! Say yes!" Hanna's contribution was obvious.

"Okay okay. I apologize oh wise and glorious Commander. We are unworthy of your leadership, please allow us to take this contract." Benny pleaded fake worshipping me.

"Since you grovel so well I will accept! Get packed up! Tomorrow we are setting off for Skye to help film an episode of Immortal Warrior!"

"YEAH!"

—--

Now of course we couldn't take everyone, and I was already fielding pouts and pleas to go with so they could meet THE Immortal Warrior.

Of course I had to tell a lot of them no. It made me both the most popular and least popular person on base simultaneously. But eventually we figured it out. Pulling out our best gear I gathered our Battalion of mech warriors that had been chosen.

Unfortunately, because it was a TV show, I wasn't taking any of the special detachments, or the 'special' special Detachment in Delta Ops. Carl was of course pouting, and the only reason I wasn't pranked horrible throughout the night is that I promised to get him and Delta an autograph.

But for the rest? I was basically taking our Mechwarriors barring Gauge who had been heavily tempted but was more interested in continuing his school. Plus Gauge had been satisfied with an offer of an autograph as well.

Leaving Gauge in charge again at least settled my fears. Although I wasn't worried about an attack. With both 101st Home Guard and 102nd Artillery? Well any one stupid enough to come within even a few miles of my kids were going to be introduced to enough artillery to kick the fight out of anyone.

Plus it wasn't like I wasn't leaving enough mechs behind. If someone thought that me leaving with my 'royal' equipment meant what was left behind would be undefended, well…

They would learn.

So I gathered up the 11th, 12th, and 13th Companies. While I did feel bad about taking my best of the best. I figured this would be a good milk run to get everyone used to doing a full sortie.

Before we took off I did fill one of our holds with a good amount of SLDF infantry equipment as well. Knowing the Immortal Warrior he would steal some SLDF weapon, and fire it full auto without reloading as he mowed down a battalion of soldiers before causing an explosion to blow up the dropship…

"Remind me to lay down the law about explosions on the dropship." I told Benny as he was standing beside me as we watched the rest of the Battalion slowly march into the hangar.

"What? Is this another weird Vickyism?"

"What? When did I become an -Ism!?"

"Forever. But I'll remind you I guess. You usually don't talk about explosions without it being serious."

"I mean when we let the Immortal Warrior film on the dropship! You know how that show is with explosions!"

"Ah yeah that makes more sense." He nodded ignoring my pout as he didn't apologize for calling me an ism.

"We doing the right thing on this?" I finally ask breaking him out of his musing.

"A little late for second thoughts, isn't it?"

"I know but… I made big promises to all of us, and the Archon, and now… Now we are going off to play movie star instead of trying to… Well everything?"

"We aren't gods Vicky. You aren't perfect. You told me yourself to go slow right? Well then go slow. This is an easy job, makes us some money, and you already ignored my protest about showing off all of our equipment."

"It doesn't matter if they see our Royal gear. What are they going to do? Die attacking us?" I snark.

"See! I do think it's a good idea. Look how happy everyone is. I mean next year some of us might even be in an Immortal Warrior episode! They might mention the IBO!"

"It would be cool right?"

"Totally cool. And sometimes that's enough. You don't need to go fight pirates every job. It's okay to have some fun too." He shrugged, and I am reminded that Benny is very much the entire company's older brother.

"You've gotten really mature. What happened to gun head Benny who only wanted to talk about military efficiency?"

"He had to deal with military efficiency." He joked, nudging me. "We all have to grow up sometime. I'm almost twenty now. I'm an adult."

"Yeah." I mutter. My own Birthday hadn't been that long ago. The flight to Phecda had gone over the new year. So my Birthday being in late December meant it already happened. I was Seventeen now.

"It will be okay. This is just another training exercise, or a morale building one. And if even that isn't enough for your worries. It will be great for our reputation!"

"Yeah! This is a great plan! I made it!"

"Well let's not go that far."

"Nope you said it! Too late no take backs!"

"I didn't say it though?"

—-

Traveling on Whitebase was very different from the Isaribi. For one there was so much more space. For two, there was so much more stuff! When I was dragged out of my cabin on the first night, and set between a horde of my kids in the rec room, the Holovid turned on to the first of the Immortal Warrior movies I couldn't help but laugh.

Over the next month we watched and re-watched the movies and TV show enough times that I was starting to get sick of it. But it kept everyone entertained and lowered any chance of trouble. So I let it go.

Then we jumped, and it was only four days until we landed on Skye.

We weren't landing at the starport. No, we were here for the dropship to be used in a film! We were directed to land on a pad sitting smack dab within Dongeal Broadcasting Companies Skye Headquarters.

The fact that the dropship pad was actually pretty heavily used made it all the more interesting. When we landed, we already had the eyes of everyone in the area. The Colossus, especially a brand new one like WhiteBase, was an utterly unique existence in the Inner Sphere. And as it settled onto the pad even from the bridge I could see the many people pointing and looking, from ground crew to other dropship crew and captains.

I smiled.

Yep we were here to make an impression.

"Suit up!"

—-

Because this was a Lyran world the first mech off the ship was Benny. It had to be Benny, no other mech in my forces would create quite the same awe. As when an Atlas II Specifically the AS7-D-H2 walked off the Colossus. It might be the closest to the SLDF landing on a planet, in a few hundred years, because that was probably the last time something like this had happened. The Atlas made way for Hanna to follow.

Her own Nightstar walked out of the hangar, and I could hear the gasps. The Atlas got attention, but not everyone was immediately able to notice the Gauss rifle on it. So it got looks as all Lyrans would do when seeing an Atlas but not quite the same attention.

But the Nightstar? The gasps were audible to me. As I followed Hanna in MY NightStar. Phantom still painted on it's nose, although it wasn't actually the same mech I had taken out on Phecda. It had been pretty banged up and I wanted to make an impression so that mech had been disintegrated down and remade.

As I walked out. There was a shock. Seeing two Nightstars? This had just become something more. Something… Impossible.

Then Erica stepped out. I had given her a reward for her good job being the eyes of the Lance on Vindemiatrix and Gniezno. She didn't need speed to be our scout after all. The Omniscient eye in the sky deserved the metal to keep her safe.

Now she had it. The King Crab stomped out of the Colossus, and took up a position behind my Nightstar.

And suddenly the Atlas took up my right side, and the second Nightstar my left. And everyone was wondering what the fuck was going on. It wasn't like most of the people at this mini star port in the middle of a movie studio would know why an entire Lostech Lance just walked off the damn Lostech dropship.

Once in our little formation. I went ahead and powered down, and popped the cockpit. Coming down the ladder in a few moments. The rest of the lance followed, meeting up behind me as we waited for the car that had been holding back to finally come close.

Mr. Haufenpfah stepped out of the limo-like ground car, and I could tell he certainly didn't have eyes for my group. No his eyes were locked onto the four Lostech Assault mechs that were standing guard over us. They gleamed, armor perfectly clean, and all in the IBO color scheme. The sign of the Eisen-Blume on shoulders splashing red across the gray and white.

I watched the rather unkempt man, who was wearing a Hawaiian shirt of all things. As he took slow steps forward just taking in the sight of the titans hovering over us.

"Mr. Haufenpfah. It's good to meet you. I do hope we didn't keep you waiting too long?" I added a bit of cheek into my voice and the man finally tore his eyes away from the mechs.

"Please call me Mike, and oh yes. My entire life I think. I never… I never expected to see something like this in my lifetime. My god it's like the Star League never fell." He uttered in shock and I winced a little at that. Yeah that was a comparison I should probably get used to.

"As you can see Mike, we have plenty of SLDF equipment as promised. Four Assault mechs, four Heavies, and four Mediums. I do hope that is enough variety for everything you need. We are all excited to help out with your production."

I couldn't help but try to stifle a smirk when my reveal that I hadn't even brought out everything so far caused the man to go catatonic his eyes wide and round. The sunglasses he had been wearing were slowly tugged down, as he rubbed his eyes for a moment, seeming to finally come back to himself.

"Y-yes. Yes Commander Isen-Blume."

"Eisen-Blume. It's no matter." I waved off his sudden apology. "The Iron Blooded Orphans are more than happy to assist you Mike. Just make sure the pay comes through, and that we all get a chance for autographs. A lot of my men are fans… I had to live through multiple Immortal Warrior Marathons on the way here. So I will have a riot on my hands without the autographs."

"Yes of course. Commander Eisen-Blume. I I guarantee Ricardo will be more than willing! I assure you of that! I will have merchandise brought as well. Anything as a thank you for taking your time to help!"

"That's very kind Mike. Now where should we start unloading? I am sure you have a tight schedule for shooting."

"Carmen! Get over here and get the unloading started! No interruption! Tell everything else they can wait!" He yelled to the woman in a nice business suit beside him, his aide I assume who quickly pulled out a large phone and started making calls.

—-

Now that we had shown off a bit we were definitely being treated like royalty. The Holovid, Or TriVid I suppose, studio was pulling out all the stops to cater to my people. The fact I had a CEO type talking to me, hinted at that.

"So we do have another production on another lot, a history of the StarLeague, having some real SLDF equipment would go a long way to blowing up the production." The older man slyly offered by I shook my head.

"Let's see how this goes before we go anywhere with talking about another. Although I wouldn't count on it, we have our own work ahead of us."

"Of course, of course, Mercenaries are always busy, but keep in mind the condition of your equipment is what makes it special. Once it has seen battle…"

"It won't be as special. I understand. The answer is still the same."

While I was talking to this man, our mechs were being worked over. The mechs were all taken into a mech studio to have pictures and recordings taken. The fact they had so many to choose from was actually causing the whole process to take longer as apparently the script was being expanded.

Mike had just assumed one or two SLDF mechs, the Nightstar of course, despite me telling him we had more.

So now he was ripping his script apart with the full support of the studio expanding a single episode story he had never got a chance to shoot into a multi part mega story.

Apparently it was about the return of the SLDF. They come back and help the Immortal Warrior against the obviously Combine enemies while telling him it wasn't yet time for their permanent return, but that they were always watching, ready to return when the Inner Sphere needed them.

The episode was going to end with a firm handshake from the SLDF Colonel and the Immortal Warrior.

I had to excuse myself and go to the bathroom in order to try to hide my laughter. Considering what I know the whole thing took on a very surreal feeling.

But it was only a few days of work on the script before they were satisfied enough to really get moving. Watching the filming of a swiftly ballooning show was rather interesting. What had once been a rather modest if not lightly funded episode was ballooning into almost a movie production. Apparently the Donegal Broadcasting Company knew their audience, and seeing real Lostech in motion would draw a lot of attention.

Of course with all of these changes happening I never expected to be more than an outsider to this whole show. But I ended up more involved because of a single fact.

I fucking laughed.

"Commander! Glad you could join us! I figured you would want to meet the men and women that will be piloting your lovely mechs during the production. I know you were very concerned about that, but I assure you all of the pilots are actors with us here, and we do take extreme measures to ensure that no mech can be stolen." Mike offered as he led me into a room.

I stopped cold though when I looked at the men in costume that I was confronted with. This was the space 80's. Sci-fi movies in the eighties were either really good.

Or horrible bad.

I immediately burst into laughter. I couldn't help it! How would you react to walking into a room with a bunch of rather pasty actors all wearing sci-fi barbarian outfits? They had V necklines! Their spandex with faux fur glittered! I was laughing so hard that I literally had to rest against the wall as my giggles completely destroyed any ability to apologize to the affronted looks the men were giving me.

"C-commander? Are you alright?" Mike finally asked although I could tell his grimace was barely being hidden as he realized I had just insulted his crew.

"I'm-Snrkkk sorry!" I managed to stifle enough to choke out. I knew my face was probably bright red at this point from how heavy my laughter was. I managed to raise myself up but another look at the men, had me bent over in stitches.

Finally after a few minutes of my hideous non-stop laughter. A few of the crew that had obviously been looking forward to meeting me stormed off.

Actors and their ego you know?

"I'm sorry Mike." I managed breathlessly "I've just never seen worst costumes in my life." I managed to gasp out after I was led to one of the seats and given something to drink.

"Really? They are pretty standard looking to me…"

"They look horrible! They are so bad it's hilarious! How is that supposed to represent the SLDF?"

"Ah well… I figured their culture would change after so many years alone. Off alone with only their strength to survive they became more feral, but still honorable warriors. The furs a rite of passage. I imagine they have to head out into the wilds and slay a beast to prove themselves."

That wasn't far off… But it's not like I could tell him that. "First off, you went in the completely wrong direction." I couldn't help but say.

"What? How?" He actually sounded a little hurt which was fair. I was being massively bitchy since I just laughed at his actors and costumes.

"Why would the SLDF regress like we did? They didn't suffer the succession wars. So they wouldn't become barbarians… Like we did. Even when they left they took a ton of scientists and knowledge with them. They should be MORE advanced than they were two hundred years ago, not less."

"What! we aren't barbarians!"

"We kind of are. Think about it. We lost so much we aren't even at the same point we were before! They will be though. When they interact with us? That's the mentality. They are looking at us like we are barbarians." His slightly offended look actually turned a little considering.

"People won't like that. Being treated like the Inner Sphere is lesser. It will offend a lot of people."

"When has offending people been more important than telling a story? You told me this episode was something you have been wanting to do for years right?"

"Yeah ever since I was a kid, when I first came up with Immortal Warrior. I always dreamed he would meet the SLDF… You're right. Victoria I-"

"Please!... Call me Vicky. It's uh.. A thing." I beg forcing down a shiver.

"Vicky. Thank you, I think you are right. We will have to completely change the script… again. The higher ups won't like that. The Costume department is going to kill me. We are going to have to completely start from scratch."

I considered it. I mean. My mechs were already being used. So why not a bit more? "I might have another option for you." I say, idly waving a hand over my armor. The armor that had a completely different aesthetic to anything else in the Inner Sphere.

It took him a moment for his confusion clouding his eyes to vanish and a surge of understanding replaced it. "Oh Vicky. You are truly saving me on this aren't you? Do you have any more armor?"

"Mike. I never leave home without enough replacements for my kids. They are a little rough with their things you know. I can outfit your actors."

"Excellent. Hmm. That does have one more issue… But considering your offer I bet you will be more than interested in helping solve that one too."

Confused, I shrugged my shoulders. "What are you thinking?"

"Well we will need a lot of extras for some of the interior shots. How interested do you think your men will be in being in an Immortal Warrior episode?"

I laughed. "I think they would mutiny if I didn't allow this!"

"Excellent."

That was how it all started. I really should have known better.

—-

"EEEEEEEEEEEeeeee."

"So yeah all of us can be extras in the scenes since they are going to be using our uniform for the SLDF members in the episode."

"Whoa. Commander, how did you convince them to use our armor? I thought they had their own costume department?"

I grimaced. "They do, and they should all be fired. There were sparkles."

Benny because he was used to this eras stupid stupid dress code looked like he didn't get the problem, but Hanna at least had some taste. "Eww. The SLDF Would never wear sparkles! They are soldiers! Not not-!" She couldn't even find the right word and I nodded.

"I agree… I ended up laughing at them so much I sorta pissed off the actors, but I did manage to talk to Mike and he agreed he is taking a more serious tone for the SLDF."

"Cool! Wait… That means.. I'm going.. I'm going to be in a scene with Ricardo Hunt… Oh my god. My hair! My my makeup! I need to redo my makeup! Vicky! I need new makeup, I just brought my normal stuff, but this is going to be on Trivid!"

"Hanna breath. Breath. They have a makeup department. They will make sure you go out looking amazing. All of us will, I expect we won't get any lines or anything, so just relax. These are professionals… Even if they can't design a costume to save their lives."

"I don't see what the problem was… But our armor is definitely cooler!" Benny hurried up and corrected himself when Hanna and I both glared at him. "Go round everyone up, Sub-Commander let them know what's going on." I pointed at the door and Benny wisely retreated as I continued to calm Hanna.

—-

Of course getting my band of soldiers into the role of actors wasn't the easiest. Production started a few days later. Mike, bags under his eyes but full of energy as the third version of the script was completed.

This time. Instead of strange barbarians that appeared out of nowhere. They became juggernauts. Soldiers without peer. My kids did well in those scenes. Benny got an actual line to call out as he led a team in an 'assault' against the combine. Even if it was just "For the Star League!"

Hanna earned herself a bit of a wingwoman. One of the big actresses Valerie Valour had taken her under her wing, and ensured that when Valerie was looking pretty and flirty Hanna got to be there too.

I didn't have the heart to tell her, she was probably chosen to make Valerie look better. Hanna was a bit too sharp. Her eyes always looked like she was going to kill someone on film.

It actually worked pretty well. When Mike showed me a pre edit of the shot.

And that was how the next few weeks passed. Normally it would only take a week or so for a full episode, but considering what they had access to, this Episode swiftly ballooned, into a two parter. And then To my shock.

It became a mid-season movie.

Mike was quite proud of it. "Well what do you expect Vicky my girl!? This is showbiz! A chance to show off Lostech, a solid script, everyone is behind this 100%! I've had almost no executive oversight. This only happens when the stars finally align!"

"Well it still surprises me. You would think that they wouldn't let this production balloon out so much. But I guess in the end it's just a chance for more money."

"Oh It's more than that! Do you have any idea how many contracts they are going to get after this? The Donegal Broadcasting Company have real Lostech mechs! Every business in Lyran space is going to want those commercial spots. They are likely to make ten times the cost of this just in the first airing."

"R-really? That much?"

"Oh sure. Like I said. This is the sort of production that only happens once in a career."

"Well I'm glad we can help."

"Hah! You are doing more than that… Speaking of helping. We do need someone for a scene. And I think someone younger is better. We need someone to hold the Standard of the SLDF during the scene where the Immortal Warrior says his goodbyes with the Colonel. I offered it to a few of your men but well…"

I sighed. I could see where this was going. "They told you to give it to me."

"They all told me to give it to you."

I had purposefully stayed out of the shooting. There weren't enough roles for all of the kids that came with, so I had stayed out giving as many of them a chance to be on set as possible.

"They all said that it could only be you."

"Stupid brats." I grumble. I didn't even really want to be on TV! Or Holovid. Whatever. "I'll do it. If I can't get any of them to do it."

"Great. We will get you in for makeup tomorrow. We will be shooting the scene at evening. We plan on using the setting suns sunbeams to highlight the stage. It should look fantastic!"

"Sure Mike. You're the director."

—-

So that was why I was somehow on the set of a movie. I had been makeuped. And my hair was styled. Which felt weird. My armor Eisen-Blume was covered up with an SLDF star. Which was probably the strangest part. But all I had to do was hold the long pole that had a flowing SLDF banner attached to the top, and look serious.

Which thankfully wasn't hard. The entire scene took about an hour. And I was quite glad when a cut was called. The scene wasn't over, but it was time for a short break. I walked over to my Nightstar settled on it's foot as I held the banner in my lap, the blue flag with the white Cameron star stitched onto it.

It was funny. This flag was probably brand new. It had been such a long time since this flag was flown anywhere. I idly played with the stitching as I considered what it meant. That the Clans were out there. That someday, in thirty years or less I would be facing the children of the once bearers of this flag.

Honestly the SLDF, Kerensky, the exodus… The Clans. I couldn't help but just feel sad about the whole thing. I couldn't understand the Clans. Their way of thinking their culture, it wasn't alien. I could understand that. But it was so… Vile.

It almost made me want to cry. The hopes of thousands. Millions, probably billions of people all rested on the specter of the returning SLDF. But when they come? They would not be the protectors so many dreamed of. I let it all out. That feeling of regret. If the clans couldn't be the hope of the Inner Sphere, that was fine.

Because that was my job now.

I looked up, realizing it had been a while since the break had finished as I rose up to my feet. I steeled myself. Firming every once of strength I had.

Let's finish this movie for my kids. It may be one of the last really pleasant things they get. Especially since there was no hiding the Lostech now. But I stepped back onto the set back straight.

Just another hour. And this will be oveSkye

Donegal Broadcasting Corporation Skye Studio

—-

Four days later. Still mid production I was watching as Benny made a fool of himself on the set trying to get an action scene right, his eyes kept catching the camera and ruining it.

It was hilarious. But I couldn't laugh. He was already upset from the last time a few days ago when he tripped.

That was when I noticed the very expensive hover car pull onto the lot. Something that shouldn't really be allowed what with us being mid scene. And Mike seemed just as annoyed as the noise from the hovercar ruined the shot that Benny had actually managed to keep his eyes on target.

That was when a man in a suit stepped out and from the way even Mike changed from his irritated look to an obviously faked welcoming look as he stepped away from his camera.

"Duke Lestrade." He offered when he got close enough and bowed.

Ah it was this asshole. Great.

"Mr. Haufenpfah, I apologize for the interruptions." He offered slowly, and it was obvious he really wasn't sorry. His eyes hadn't left the Nightstar that was hanging over the set since he stepped out of the car.

"No apology necessary, It is an honor for the Duke of Summer to come to our set. Beautiful isn't it?"

"Yes, a weapon suitable for the best of the SLDF." The Duke muttered, turning away from Mike. His full focus settled on me.

Someone was well informed.

"Victoria Eisen-Blume."

I frowned a little. How rude. "Aldo Lestrade." If he wanted to do the no titles thing, I could do that.

That made him frown but he seemed to take the mild rebuke in my tone after a moment responded. "Commander. I have heard many interesting things about you."

"That's a surprise. I don't think I have done enough for that."

"Oh? Lostech caches don't grow on trees. Nor does young orphan girls that no one has ever heard of often have meetings with the Archon. Meetings that take multiple days are even stranger."

"It was a week. The Archon was kind enough to host me for a short time while we spoke of business. I think the only reason I was invited to stay so long was Melissa taking a liking to me."

He chuckles although it wasn't a sound of amusement. The Dukes lips perpetually pursed gave him a very unhappy mein. "You say that as if you have no idea how big a deal it is that Katrina Steiner let an unknown around her daughter. The girl that is the heir to the Commonwealth, and has her legendarily overprotective mother ensuring no one that hasn't been fully vetted get so close."

I shrugged. "I am afraid there is nothing special. I was traveling with Morgan Kell. So that is why the Archon was willing to see me. Melissa and I simply got along."

"Or perhaps you aren't so unfamiliar to the Archon at all?"

I blinked. What?

"What?"

He stared at me for a time before seeming to remember we aren't alone. "Nothing then. Show me around your set? I am very interested in seeing SLDF equipment on Skye." He orders to Mike which the man was quick to jump on, leading the Duke around the set, Ricardo Hunt the Immortal Warrior himself shaking the Duke's disinterested hand, as he was shown our equipment.

I was very glad I didn't have to deny the Duke, since he never actually asked to get into any of the mechs. As if I would let this guy anywhere near my equipment if I had a choice. This is the asshole that was trying to start a civil war in the Commonwealth.

He wanted to split off the entire region of Skye and become its leader. As if he wouldn't immediately be eaten by the Combine, Confederacy, or League.

He is a grade A moron. And the sort of guy you can't trust not to stab you in the back… Like he had done to his father to get this position.

That was Duke Aldo Lestrade, and I really didn't like how he was looking at my mechs.

Thankfully. It seems his behavior from before had already been all he wanted to say to me. He spent the next twenty minutes getting pictures taken of him on the set, with our mechs in the background.

I had no doubt that images would be in the papers soon, all hinting at how it was all thanks to our duke that actual Lostech was on Skye. But whatever, he could do whatever he wanted as long as he kept his grubby hands off my stuff.

Him especially I would never give anything.

The production continued not long after as the Duke drove off. Although it took a while to get everything back to where it was. The Duke had definitely troubled the production a bit.

—--

A different perspective

Gauge Blake

Zaniah III

HPG Terminal

Gauge hadn't been surprised at the message. Adept Michaelson had gone out of his way to tell him that now that he was working on Zaniah he would invite Gauge back over for lessons like he had once done.

Gauge had accepted. Of course he would. He always wanted to learn more. Yet there was something different about it. Gauge was led into one of the private offices in the HPG and there sat Adept Michaelson.

"Gauge My boy! Please come in. Come in!" Adept Michaelson waved him into a new office. It was smaller than the one he had on Solaris Gauge noticed.

"Adept Michaelson, It's good to see you, how are you adjusting to Zaniah?"

The older man laughs a little hollowly. "I'll admit the heat is rougher than I expected. Thankfully I spend most of my time inside."

"Yeah the heat was rough for us at first too."

"Yes I heard that it isn't so much anymore… Cooling suits under your armor?"

Gauge laughed a little, "You heard about that? Vicky wanted us to keep it quiet, but yeah we found a lot of cooling suits, and Vicky figured the best way to use them was to make sure everyone had one. It keeps us from overheating when we are outside."

"Hah! Lostech Cooling suits to keep cool while out and about. How luxurious." Michaelson offered with an unreadable expression over his face. "Gauge. I asked you to come because I have heard some concerning reports. I was hoping you would answer a few questions about your lostech discoveries. ComStar is as always very interested in such finds."

"Oh. Sure Adept Michaelson, what is it you need to know? We talked about it a lot last time."

"Last time I was only asking as a friend, this time it's a bit more professional. The Cache you spoke of on Helm is destroyed."

Gauge grimaced. "Yes."

"You and your friend ended up destroying a priceless heirloom of our past due to your carelessness. I admit this is partially my fault. I taught you quite a bit about the needs of being a member of ComStar years ago, but I never truly finished teaching you things you needed to know then. So much has been lost because I thought I had more time."

"What? What do I need to know?"

"So many things my boy. I'm going to set up a schedule for you, if you like, where you can come in and take some classes, things that only a member of ComStar usually learns. But I always knew you would end up serving Blakes will. I just assumed you would at least visit Terra before starting."

"Oh, Thank you. I am always eager to learn new things." Gauge offered with a smile, even if on the inside he was wondering what Adept Michaelson really meant.

"I know you are my boy. I know."

—--

So the movie finally wrapped up shooting. It took way longer than expected, mostly because this was only supposed to be an episode for a TV show, and instead ended up like a made for TV movie mashed with a full blockbuster movie based on a TV show.

It didn't entirely fit, but that was the feeling I got with how much money and time was being thrown into this production.

When it was all said and done. It was surprisingly quiet, as we finally had everything turned back over to us. My mechs were all loaded up into the Colossus, and one final night we had an after party with the cast and crew. Considering we basically were both at this point it was a nice sendoff.

And then on a sunny Skye morning I was blasting off into space.

"Sad to see it go Commander?" Benny asked and I shook my head.

"The only thing you are going to see go is my lunch if you try to get me to talk!" I moaned at him as we flew off.

We were going to head home. So that we could make sure there weren't any disasters waiting for us before we went out again. It was time for us to finally start implementing Operation ISDF IS HERE!

I named it myself. And no matter how much Benny tried to scribble out the title on the operation document didn't matter. I could always just create a new one from my Noteputer! I win!

Of course. If I realized what was going on at the time I would have turned the dropship right around and strangled Mike Haufenpfah.

—--

A different perspective

At another time. In a not so distant future.

Mike Haufenpfah

Skye

"And here he is! The man of the hour! Director Haufenpfah!"

"Please Debbie, just call me Mike. I am aware of how difficult my last name can be."

"Hah! And funny too. Mike, your sensational Immortal Warrior series and movies have been a phenomenon in the Inner Sphere. Every planet watches your show!"

"I doubt it's every one." He offers humbly, but the glittered and glammed hostess was having none of it.

"Nonsense! There isn't a man or woman in the Inner Sphere that doesn't know the name Immortal Warrior!" Behind her a Holovid activated showed a few scenes of the Immortal Warrior TV show. Mostly explosions as the show was well known for but also gun fights and mech battles.

"That used to be one of my favorite episodes there." Mike offered seeing the Immortal Warrior standing atop a mech as it raced into battle.

"But it's not anymore?" Debbie immediately digged and the audience had some gasps audible even on the stage..

"No, not anymore. Now that I finally managed to produce… Well the entire reason I am here now"

"Yes! The Immortal Warrior: And the Phantoms of the SLDF! The mid season movie has been sending audiences wild! Mike, I heard that this movie was originally just a single episode?"

"Oh it was worse than that Debbie, I've… Well the Phantoms of the SLDF. It's something I've always wanted to do on the Immortal Warrior. Ever since I was a boy!"

"Oh you did say in an interview a few years ago, the Immortal Warrior was originally your childhood stories?"

"Oh yes. I used to tell them to my siblings, I have plenty of them believe me. That was where it all began but… The Phantoms of the SLDF. It was something I always wanted to show. I finally talked the executives into the episode. But if I can be honest with you Debbie, It was just going to be another episode in the season. I didn't have the funding to really make it spark and then…."

"And then! The Iron Blooded Company?" She couldn't help but finish his sentence and he found all of his energy leaving him, completely calm.

"And then the Iron Blooded Orphans." He shook his head even today months after they had fallen into his life he couldn't believe his luck. "It was pure serendipity." He uttered that sense of peace washing over him. It had been something he never could have hoped for. "At first it was just rumors. And then fact, and then? Well. I barely believed it. I got confirmation that a colossus was spotted traveling the Inner Sphere."

"Yes. I remember there was even a segment on the news about it. A Colossus seen and active in Lyran space. But I don't remember hearing anything about who was in possession of it."

"Ah well… I know a few people in certain businesses. Fans and things. When I sent the message out asking if anyone knew anything about the owner I got a hit. And then… I sent them a request. Here is a secret that no one would know. When I first sent them the request… I didn't have the pay to pay them!"

"No!"

"Oh yes. It was a one in a million shot. If I could get their attention I could bring it to the execs, and get the funding. Funnily enough that is exactly what happened. I sent the request through ComStar. And a few days later, I got a message from Commander Eisen-Blume. She actually told me she had more than just a Colossus on hand. You must understand. I had expected another normal episode but just inside a Colossus. Something a little new, a fresh set."

"She surprised you?"

"Oh yes. I knew she had a Nightstar, and that was already going to be front and center believe me, but everything else? It was supposed to be normal mechs in a normal ish episode. It's not like we haven't done special episodes before."

"Ah the infamous Draconis Temple Episode?"

"Just so! But this… I had talked to the execs about it and got a substantial funding improvement. I'll admit now most of that funding was because they wanted to be the first to have a Colossus on the TriVid screen in what two hundred and fifty years?"

"I can imagine that would be quite the feather in their cap."

"It was. And it worked. But Commander Eisen-Blume? What can I say but she never does things calmly."

"I have heard rumors about her, and of course there is… That."

"Yes I knew you would bring that up, but let me go through his first. It helps explain it."

"Of course Mike. Don't let me interrupt a master storyteller at work."

"Hardly. I am but a humble wordsmith. So the Colossus. WhiteBase they call it, lands on the lot. The Commander had warned me she had more SLDF hardware she would bring along. Nothing. And I tell you this again Debbie, and to all those listening. Nothing prepares you for seeing almost four hundred tons of Lostech stepping off a Lostech dropship."

The studio was quiet as Mike relieved the moment he stroked his missing beard for a moment before shaking the image out of his head.

"It was like taking a step into the past. I never… I never felt any connection to the Star League until then."

The hostess couldn't help but audibly gasp. "Really?"

"Oh it was… Magical. No, that doesn't do it any credit at all. Trust me on this Debbie. We do have videos of the first drop. It will be released on the special edition directors cut. Yet in that moment… We truly were standing before the SLDF. Everyone felt it. The energy. The Excitement."

"Well don't keep me in suspense Mike. You are filling out a powerful image for us here."

"Of course. I won't go over my first meeting with the Commander. It wouldn't do the girl justice. But the images of those titans? The Titular Phantoms of the SLDF? That earned me quite a bit of leeway. The episode became a two parter, and then a three!"

"What? But It's a movie now."

"Yes! That's the most amazing part. The execs wanted more. More screen time with the Lostech mechs. And the Commander was completely unbothered by the idea she accepted without issue. But it was… Well. The reason it's a movie? Entirely her doing I hate to admit."

"Really? What did she do?"

"Well it was during one of our first dress checks. The SLDF soldiers wearing their outfits… But well. They were terrible! Not bad, don't get me wrong they were perfectly good outfits for an episode of Immortal Warrior, but the Commander took one look at them. And well after getting a good laugh, told me in no uncertain terms. That it was not acceptable for the SLDF."

"Really!?"

"Oh the Commander despite her age never had any issue with saying what was on her mind. She was then kind enough to remind me that they had a rather odd looking outfit already available if I wanted to use them."

"Oh yes. The 'armor' of the Iron Blooded Company."

"Well they call themselves the Iron Blooded Orphans, and I believe they are bigger than a Company now. But yes. She offered to allow our actors to wear her uniform, and I couldn't help but think it would add something to the production. I was right."

"Yes. The unique armored forms of the SLDF Phantoms were… Magnificent alien almost!"

"Yes. That's a good way of looking at it. The armor is alien. But it was there. And we used it. The execs after I spoke to them about further changes… Well they told me they wanted more. A movie instead of a three parter. I was already ripping my entire script to pieces to make up the new look of the SLDF so I threw it in the bin, and started over again."

"That's quite a few re-writes in a short time."

"Oh it was. Honestly if it was any other movie I would have refused, you can't just rewrite a movie in a few weeks and then film it. It takes time… But not this one."

"I had heard rumors filming went very quickly."

"Incredibly so. You have to understand we had everything on hand ready to go. Thanks to the Commander we had all the mechs we needed and more. We had the people everyone wanted to get in on the story once they saw those mechs."

"I had heard you were forced to turn down some actors?"

"I did! We had a few famous actors, I won't name names of course. That demanded to be in the film, but we had to refuse. The time crunch was on… Honestly I'm glad we refused."

"Because of the thing." Debbie asked with a wiggle of her eyebrows and Mike laughed thunderously.

"Yes! Because of the thing. But it's not time for that just yet, but I'm getting there."

"Good! Because I am excited to ask so many questions about it. I think over 90% of all the questions we received to ask you all had to do with that."

"That… Well I should say it surprised me. But it doesn't. That.. Anyway so we got the greenlight to go for a movie. Production ballooned, but it was an energy, a fire inside us all. We were rushing, every scene was filmed nearly without issue, other than a few here and there." He took a deep breath as he suddenly fell back into his chair. "I have never been on a set that was like it. This movie was… special. Not just because of the Lostech, but it was more than that."

"Everyone knows that. Not after that ending."

"The ending." He nodded. He knew he would have to explain this eventually. He just wasn't sure how. "It… You have to understand. That scene. That was an accident."

"An accident?"

"It was never in any script. It wasn't planned. That entire scene from start to finish, was unedited. No, it was more. It was candid."

"What? No. I refuse to believe that."

He chuckled. "You're not the first to tell me that, but it's true. I wasn't even the one to film it!"

"Okay roll back your camera there for a second director. Are you telling me that scene was what? Just…"

"It was exactly what it looks like, and that is what makes it special." He smiled. "It was on the day we shot the finale. The Phantoms of the SLDF shaking hands with the Immortal Warrior before they would walk away into the sunset. We were taking a break on the set. That… I bet you are wondering who she was?"

"Of course! It's the question on everyone's mind! She wasn't even in the credits!"

"Oh she was. Just not as an actress. That Debbie, was the very woman herself. Commander Victoria Eisen-Blume. The one who made the entire film possible."

The hostess blinked. "That girl was the Commander?" She gasped looking to the audience. "I do believe we are the first to hear that fact isn't that right?" She called out and her audience went wild you could hear the whispers and shouts for a moment before they finally quieted at her raised hand. "That was Victoria?"

"Hah! Don't call her that, she gets the oddest look on her face. Yes, that was Vicky… She had purposefully refused any role in the film. There were only so many roles and she wanted her soldiers to get their slot. They are on the younger side, and everyone was very excited."

"So why was she there?"

"Well when the job of the role came out? Every one of her people refused to do the role. They all said the same thing. 'That was Vickys job.' Every one of them."

"That's quite the loyalty!"

"Oh they are that. But it was more than that. I just didn't get it at first. She… She did fine on the scene herself. You will notice her fierce little glare when she stomps the SLDF Standard into the ground."

"I did indeed. After the ending I had to scroll back and see if I could find her."

"And she was there. It happened right after that scene. We stopped for a break… She… I don't know why she kept the standard. Or what she was doing or thinking. She went and sat on her Nightstar-"

"Oh! So the Nightstar she was sitting on, it was her own mech?"

"Yes. The Phantom… We decided to keep the nose painting. That wasn't something we did for the movie. That is what the Nightstar was called. The name was painted long before it ever landed on Skye."

"Oh! Interesting behind the scenes tidbit there! Do you know why it's call that?"

"Only vaguely. The Iron Blooded would only smile as if it was a great joke. The only thing they would say was something about The Phantom of the SLDF."

"Is that where the name came from?"

"It is actually. The original title was just "The Immortal Warrior and the SLDF." I know it wasn't anything special but."

"Many of the episodes follow that naming scheme."

"Exactly."

"So she was sitting there?"

"Oh yes… I can't… You have to understand the entire ten minutes she was there. We didn't edit a second of it, it was exactly as you see. She was sitting there. And she just… It was like she felt such a connection to the standard that none of the rest of us could feel."

"Yes! That look of sorrow on her face? It still gives me chills…" The hostess gave a exaggerated shiver for a moment

"It did to us as well. Franklin, one of the Junior cameramen, was testing out his camera when he noticed. He… Well I am thankful he was wise enough to record it. We didn't notice at first. You know? Many of us were just walking around, but it was… like a feeling, an energy drawing you in. Then the sun set. We had picked that location for the sunbeams. It was even used in the scene we had just shot, but I never expected to see them land on her."

"Tell me Mike. You know the Commander better than the rest, what was going through her head then? When she went from utter sorrow to…"

"To the fierceness of the greatest warrior?"

"A good way to put it."

"I honestly can't tell you Debbie. All I know was that at that moment. If she had ordered me into battle? I would have grabbed any weapon on hand and followed."

"Hah! You say that jokingly, but there has been a huge uproar about your ending credits. 'The girl and the standard' became probably the most fascinating scene of your entire movie. And it was just what you had your end credits overlaid over."

"Yes… I did say there was something almost magic about the entire production. The Commander. Vicky was a big part of that. I know, I will never have a film experience that matches it."

The host and director were quiet for a moment, the strength of the words spoken had even silenced the normally talkative woman, before after a few moments she regained her focus. "Well folks. I think that's time for a commercial break. Join us after as we ask even more questions about the newest movie to hit the Inner Sphere. The Immortal Warrior: And the Phantoms of the