14

Free World League Space

Amity

A different perspective

Fourteen year old Valerie Itens was scared.

The raid on her home had been devastating so far. The pirates had slipped in with some merchant dropships. They had attacked before anyone knew what was going on.

"It's okay baby. The Guard will send them off soon." Her mother whispered. As she held Valerie tighter.

It had been over two weeks now. The guard hadn't come. Valerie didn't think they were coming. Sure there had been a battle not long after the pirates landed, but the tanks and placed defenses of the Planetary Guard hadn't lasted long. At least Valerie was pretty sure the pirates looting the Imstar factory meant the guard had already lost.

She just hoped her dad was okay. He worked in the factory, on the line creating Cheetah ASF. Valerie had always planned to pilot one of the ASF her dad worked on.

Now she wasn't sure that was going to happen. The Pirates had shot or captured anyone they had found. Luckily Amity's weather had saved Valerie and her Mother. A blizzard had rolled in, and while the residents knew what to do, it caused a lot of problems among the Pirates.

At least Valerie was pretty sure that was the case. She had taken her old binoculars upstairs sometimes, and watched from the same window she had used to watch for her dad coming home from the Factory.

Now she watched the pirates. The Pirate mechs standing still and silent were bad enough.

But the ones that were moving were worse. Often she would see green trails of light as the pirates opened fire on buildings.

They didn't seem to care if there was anyone inside.

But now the blizzard was ending. Not that it changed the weather much, but she already heard Robb from a few houses down get pulled out of his house.

He had fought.

They had shot.

Now Robb's body was still out in the snow. Valerie expected they were next. She had urged her mother to gather some supplies so they could move out of the house, but her mother refused. They knew their home, knew where they could hide. The panic room her father had installed was well hidden. And since they had left their front door open and made it look like someone had taken their belongings and ran, hopefully the pirates wouldn't look too hard.

Valerie clutched her fathers rifle tighter. The panic room was small, large enough for the two women, but still Valerie was scared.

She wasn't as sure as her mother. Pirates were probably pretty good at finding hiding people she assumed.

Valerie was pretty sure she was going to be found. So she was preparing herself. She would fight. Maybe she would kill enough of them so she could escape. Or maybe they would just shoot her.

Having heard what happens to girls taken by pirates, Valerie was pretty sure she would keep fighting until they did.

The pirates were coming. She heard it. The rumble of tank treads outside their home. The armored carriers the pirates used to move around. The reason that Valerie wasn't outside with her rifle shooting them as they tried to invade her home.

Heavy armor, and a machine gun made that pointless. She had seen others try. Their homes were turned into tinder after the pirates were done. They weren't kind to any of the locals that had resisted.

Their front door being kicked away. Despite already being wide open. The stomping of steps on snow. Her mother clutched her tighter, as their small panic room suddenly didn't seem secure enough.

Valerie aimed her rifle right at the door.

If they found her. She would unload. She had a few more mags of ammo. She would keep firing until they were dead.

Or she was.

Grimacing as her mothers grip almost hurt it was so tight. But neither of them said anything. Not a sound escaped them as the sound of their home being searched reached their ears. The sound of mirrors breaking, of ripping cloth.

Of memories and history and her entire childhood being torn apart.

She felt tears in her eyes form as she realized they were in her room smashing her models. She could hear them. The models of the Cheetah, and all the other ASF she had built with her father. She had hated it at first, but it made her father happy to have something to do with her.

She hadn't seen him in two weeks. The idea of them being destroyed was horrible. Sickening.

But she kept quiet, even as her eyes glazed with tears.

Valerie would bawl and scream later. Right now. She had to stay focused. The sound continued for a long time. More boots stomped in and out, and she knew they were raiding her home. Stealing food and valuables. Luckily mother had already taken the truly expensive stuff and hidden it inside the panic room.

The time kept ticking away and Valerie realized in horror. They may not be leaving.

Their house was a great spot to look over the entire area after all. It made sense. To use it instead. Her mother hadn't noticed Valerie realized. Glancing up, her mothers eyes tear streaked were closed as her head was bent in prayer.

Valerie had never been a follower as her mother was. But she made a promise to God. If they made it out of here alive, she would definitely go to church more.

At least once or twice a month.

The voices were getting loud now. The pirates settled in. she could hear them if she listened closely, despite being muffled through the walls. There was horrible laughing, and noises.

Valerie kept her breathing even as she realized. She would have to make a choice soon. The panic room hadn't been big enough for a toilet, or designed for prolonged use.

No one expected the pirates if they showed up to stay for so long.

Just as Valerie was starting to really worry about what would happen, something changed. The voices of the pirates were the first clue.

They went from boisterous and loud to shocked and angry.

That was when she heard it. The distant noise of a dropship.

She felt hope. The Guard! The guards were actually here! She heard the pirates run out, leaving. Apparently whoever was in charge of these pirates wasn't planning on standing in an unarmored building during a mech battle.

She heard them pack up whatever it was they brought with them and rush outside, only long after the house had gone quiet did she make a move to rise up, fighting off her mothers grasping arms as she rose up on numb legs.

She popped the hidden door open, gun leading the way as she checked the house. Sighing in relief when she realizes it was empty. She rushed to the bathroom satisfying a need before moving to her room. It was trashed, everything in the room was destroyed and her window she had spent so much time looking out into the city was broken open, they had apparently tried to set up a machine gun nest there.

She grabbed her binoculars. Looking out into the slow falling snow towards the plume of fire that represented a Dropship coming down. For a moment Valerie stared confused.

"What is that?"

"What? Valerie! Get down from there, the pirates might see you!" Her mother hissed from behind her. The older woman trying to keep her voice down as she shakily caught up to her daughter trying to pull her away from the open freezing window before looking out and stilling as well.

"That's not the Guard. I don't know what that is." Her mother whispered softly, sounding quite distraught as she had the same thought Valerie did. If that wasn't the guard… Was it more pirates? A raid?

Exhausted Valerie fell onto her bed, ignoring the broken models and debris. "How could this get any worse?"

Her mother settled onto her bed beside her, a warm arm over her shoulder. "We have to keep hope. Even at the worst, if we keep our hope, and keep moving. Do you think your grandfather would have survived the wars if he had just given up when the going got rough?"

"No." Valerie spoke. It was an old refrain of her family. Valeries grandfather despite being shot down in an ASF on a foreign hostile world, had survived. Blending in, made enough money to get a ticket back home long after the war. Valeries Grandmother pregnant with her father at the time along with him.

Of course, it lost some of the telling when her mother was barely holding herself together from breaking into tears again too.

But she was right. Valerie Itens couldn't give up. If this was a raid coming in, then they would just have to survive this one too.

"C'mon mom. We need to move. The Pirates are readying for battle, see." She says pointing towards the pirate mechs that were coming online and readying themselves. "We are too close to a Mech battle, we need to move."

This time the fact they had to leave their home seemed to find some acceptance. Her mother nodded rising up. "Go.. Go grab everything from the Panic room. I.. I will write your father a letter. In case he comes here and we are gone."

Valerie almost said it… The gunshots they had heard from the factory on the first night… But she didn't. Her Mom was already barely holding on. Valerie had to be strong, and so she had to let her mom have her moment.

She rushed grabbing the few valuables from the room, and their bag of food. Her mother was already putting on her outerwear. The warm weather gear was honestly a bit much in Valerie's opinion. It was summer right now. It wasn't that cold out! The blizzard was even over!

But she accepted the mothering putting on her outer gear, and boots as the two women dashed out the back door, into the snow. They moved slowly, despite Valerie's fear of being too close to a battle. There were still pirates around. She had seen a group of them settling into a building. SRM packs armed and ready for the battle.

She and her mother had moved around them. Sneaking through the town. Valerie's experience running around with the other kids let her navigate through the area stealthily. She made good progress. The two women traveled more than three blocks down the road from their home, before Valerie had to stop. Ahead of them the buildings were leveled and a mech stood in the way.

"We can't go that way Val." Her mother whispered into her ear and she nodded turning around, and it was pure luck she noticed the pirates sauntering out of the home across the way from them before he noticed her.

She grabbed her mother pulling her down out of sight behind a stone wall, realizing after just a moment that they couldn't stay where they were. The realization of where they were filled Valerie and she moved, pulling her mother along to the back of the home they were hiding by.

"Valerie! Where are you going, the mech is that way!" her mother whispered as Valerie tugged her along.

"I know a place we can hide!" She whispered back. This was Mike's home. She recognized it of course, she always had a crush on him. Especially since he was really good with his hands. He had built a fort in his backyard. They had all spent many a day here playing Leaguer and Capellans.

The fort looked as if it had seen better days. She almost stilled but didn't have the time. They were too open so she pushed on. Even as she felt horror at the holes through the fort. The pirates had obviously shot up the fort Mike had built.

She really hoped it was just from boredom and not because Mike had decided to fight back from here.

"Mom. Here! Get in." She hissed. Noticing behind her the pirates were moving around. And it was only luck that they hadn't been seen so far. Rushing in Valerie sighed when she didn't see any corpses inside.

She wasn't sure she wouldn't scream if Mikes body had been in here.

And unfortunately it only got worse. They hadn't managed to get away far enough before the pirates readied for the battle. They were surrounded, Mikes home was right on the edge of the defensive line.

"Dammit." She hissed under her breath and the situation truly was grim, because her mother hadn't even told her to watch her language, simply hugging her tighter.

That was where Valerie was when she heard it. A sound she had grown up listening to.

Her father always said she had the ear, able to hear when there was a problem with an ASF engine. Her father was famous for it. It was what he did at the factory. Making sure the engines of the Cheetah were in good condition, and broken, or dysfunctional ones were pulled from the lineup. Something that had become a more serious issue over the years as the factories automated tech started failing.

So she knew instantly that the ASF in the sky weren't maintained well. One she recognized the silhouette of as it flew over was an Eagle. The other? It looked… She tried to remember her models. She had a kit from every fighter in the Inner Sphere after all.

The second… Was harder. It looked like a lighter fighter, but as it banked, it clicked. "A Slayer." She affirmed listening as it's engines whined. Those were two nasty ASF. They had been vicious when the pirates landed. The heavy weather of Amity meant not a lot of ASF were used here. Too dangerous.

Which is why when lightning suddenly filled the sky, she found herself gasping as Not just a Lance. But an entire Squadron of ASF dominated the sky. Their engines! She was in awe. Those engines were singing. Perfection. She had only heard a few engines sound perfect before. Once her father had been so proud at tuning an engine he had let her come hear it.

These? They were all in tune. A perfect symphony of sound as the Squadron of ASF blazed through the light snow. The two Pirate ASF didn't stand a chance.

Valerie could hear their engines whine. Pitching up to their maximum to try and dodge the sudden appearance, but it was too late.

Lightning after Lightning arched across the sky, thunder following in its wake.

The Slayer didn't even get a chance to fire back. It was struck with so much fire it burst into pieces raining down on the city.

The Eagle tried to run. But no matter how far it seemed to run, it couldn't get far enough away. Lightning chased after the fleeing ASF. And Valerie heard the moment it's engine died not long after she lost sight of it in the clouds.

Then they came roaring down. Stuka, they were a squadron of Stuka! She watched in awe as they flew overhead for just a single moment, not even attacking the ground forces, before they roared back up into the clouds.

Valerie wasn't sure why until she realized she could still hear them up there.

The Pirates weren't escaping. She thought smiling. Their dropships wouldn't be able to tangle with that much air power!

For a moment she forgot that these new people were probably raiders too. She just basked in the sight of flaming ASF pirates that deserved what happened to them.

Then she heard it. Everyone heard it. The city heard it.

"What is that?" She asked shocked as a shockwave rocked over the buildings. Followed by a crash that was almost horrendously loud.

"I don't know…" Her mother whispered back Valerie realized she had spoken aloud not meaning too.

She had seen plenty of mechs, plenty of ASF. She had even been close enough to hear the battle last time Amity had been raided.

She had never heard that noise. Like Thunder and power mixed into one. She heard it again. And it shook her. The Pirates heard it too. And she could see through the gun holes of the fort they weren't liking the noise.

The mech that was close by. Which Valerie was pretty sure was a Centurion. At least she thought it was, she liked ASF more than mechs. Shifted as if it noticed something raising an arm, it's autocannon barked out. Shooting at something she couldn't see.

The noise. She found herself screaming covering her ears as the Centurion started exploding. She was only a few houses away from it, and she could see as something struck the mech. The snow! She gasped, seeing a trail through the air where the snow had simply been pushed away as if something incredibly fast had gone through. The Centurion was damaged a huge chunk of it's armor gone from it's right arm, she could literally see the internals of the mech as it tried to push another round through to the Autocannon but couldn't.

But it wasn't out. It staggered back to it's feet, green laser arcing out into the snow, melting snow in a horizontal cut as if trying to damage whatever it was that harmed it. But it stilled a moment later and I could see why.

Through the snow, and fog. A face emerged. A face with a red hot line burned across it. I felt my breath catch. That… That was impossible. Because what stepped out of the fog was an Atlas. An Atlas that belonged to the SLDF!

"Mom! Mom! It's the SLDF! They've come to save us!" She found her eyes burning as the Atlas stepped out her deepest hopes. And seemingly into the Centurion pilot's deepest fears.

"Val. The SLDF is gone. What are you talking about?" Her mother asked, holding her tight as Val felt her eyes watered and a smile brighter than any she had unveiled since the pirate raid spread across her lips.

She shook her head. Braided hair flapping "No! It is them! Remember Immortal Warrior: And the Phantoms of the SLDF! That's the same Atlas! The color scheme is the same and! Looks it's gun. That's a Gauss rifle! That sound! It's a Gauss rifle firing!"

"Honey… They aren't the SLDF. They are just some Lyran Mercenary company… They are probably here to raid us just like the pirates."

But Valerie wouldn't hear it. That couldn't be! She had seen them. The SLDF mechs! It had caused an utter uproar at school. For weeks it was all anyone could talk about. It wasn't the Lostech mechs, although some of mechwarrior wannabes had been focused on them. No, it was more than that.

The idea of the SLDF coming back? It had become the dream. Every kid wanted to join them to fight under the SLDF banner, to end the succession wars. To be something greater.

The Great Houses may call themselves the successor states, but to the kids born in the Inner Sphere they weren't Star League.

There was only ever one Star League.

Of course Valerie was old enough to know that it was gone. That dream of a golden age. She was old enough to see. The death, the rust on everything. The fact they were struggling just to keep what they had.

It was why the SLDF was such an amazing dream. If they came back! If they just came back, they could bring back the Star League! Stop the decline.

And in a personal case. Stop the pirates attacking her home.

Valerie watched. The Atlas closed in on the Centurion, a wave of metal and force that nothing the Centurion had could slow. The faint *click* of the Autocannon failing to load was still a constant noise as the Centurion couldn't get it's jammed weapon to fire.

The Atlas caught up. And Valerie whooped as it ripped the Centurions autocannon arm from it's body twisting it around and smashing it directly into the same shoulder it had just torn it off from. With a squeal of parting metal it's own arm ripped a hole into it's core and the Centurion was flung away from the Atlas.

Then the Atlas inexorably continued it's advance. Tanks and defended points smashed aside, or smashed through. Until it was gone. Stomping out of her vision if not her hearing.

And the smoke and fire of it's passage filled her ears.

"We-We should move." Her mother finally said, long long after the Atlas had faded from hearing. But Valerie wasn't about to accept that.

"We should wait! The SLDF is here! Once they finish off the pirates everything will be fine!"

"Valerie! The SLDF is gone! That- We aren't discussing this. We need to move. Now before whoever is in charge decides that raiding us is the next step of their plan. Come on." Valerie was pulling along after her mother scooped up the gun and she pushed the bags of supplies into her arms.

Then they were back out into the night. Both of them raced along the yard, over old fences. Trying to avoid the sounds of battle that were all around them. Valerie wanted to argue more, but it was fine. Once the battle was over the SLDF would definitely be the good guys!

They ran for a few minutes. Climbing through back yards and avoiding the streets when suddenly a monstrous noise filled the air. Gasping both women turned. Looking towards the factory where one of the dropships was taking into the air. Valerie was shocked, and then horrified as she realized she could see the fires blasting up around the dropship. The factory was not made for dropship exhaust.

Her dad!

She almost started screaming when a second noise echoed over her head. She watched two streaks of smoke and light raced over her, and slammed into the dropship.

The explosions were massive, horrible plumes of fire and metal burst from the dropship, almost enough force to cause the dropship to roll over as it settled back down, it's engines sputtering and dying out, crashing back into the ground.

Everything was silent for a while, just the noise of fire burning out of the holes in the dropship And then the fighting resumed.

"Oh my Lord." Her mother whispered watching the plume of smoke and fire coming out of the dropship. Whatever it was that had struck the dropship was horrendously powerful.

"Mom?"

"W-we should keep moving. Come on baby." She urged, tearing her eyes from the sight dominating the skyline. Tugging Valerie along continuing away from the source of the fighting.

But not away from danger. They barely had a moment to backpedal when they came up to the end of the houses and found the road. But it wasn't empty. A tank was parked. It's gun aimed down the street towards them.

Valerie's mother grabbed her and bodily pushed up against the last house hiding in the shadows for a moment praying they hadn't been noticed.

A moment later the tanks gun fired, and it shook everything around them Valeries hands instantly pushing against her ears to try and stifle the noise.

Whatever the tank had fired at responded back. The boom was odd. Just like the Atlas as Valerie took a second to peek back around the house she noticed that the tank was gone. Three massive rents having torn through it, as if some massive claws had reached down and clawed through.

The Pirates were dead.

The monster in question rumbled as it came down the street and Valerie gasped as the massive tank rumbled down the street, it's three guns aimed down the street, but nothing moved to stall it's advance as it drove past. Valerie was smiling though. That was the SLDF Colors!

These Pirates were fucked!

"We-we should move." Her mother whispered the woman was shaking in terror, Valerie nodded. Rising up and re-gathering their dropped stuff, before heading on. They crossed the road heading farther and farther from the factory. Away from where the sounds of fighting continued on.

For the next few hours until long after the bangs and booms ended Valerie and her mom continued moving. Eventually they found others, who were fleeing. Slowly they gathered together. Some through the night grew brave and searched out of the community building they had eventually taken refuge in. Only returning far later with blankets and food.

Apparently the SLDF was passing out anything that was needed.

"It's a trap. It has to be." Her Mom argued, leading to many nodding heads. Lyrans don't just give away goods on a raid. They were just as bad as the pirates. Although at least by the sounds of it they weren't taking slaves.

Hopefully.

Valerie didn't believe it. She wasn't alone. A few had looked very pleased with the goods brought in, and already sent out a few more to request more food.

She wasn't allowed to go, no matter how much she begged. Instead she had at least found some people she knew. Mitchell was usually a jerk. He had plans on being a mechwarrior when he grew up. It made him arrogant, walking around with a swagger.

Even if the idiot had no better chance of being a mechwarrior than anyone else. But now? Now he was one of the few people Valerie knew.

"It's the SLDF." She told him, having to explain what she had seen, he hadn't seen the battle. No he had instead dealt with pirates themselves.

"They are here to help then, right? They won't just…" He went quiet. Whatever he had seen during the raid had changed the boy. But Valerie understood. She felt different now too.

"I know they are. They fought the pirates… They are definitely the good guys."

He nodded slowly. "That would be nice… If you're right."

She scowled. "I am! They were the same people from Immortal Warrior! I know it's a movie, but that doesn't matter! They are the SLDF!" Her raised voice was getting her a few pointed looks but she didn't care. No one seemed to get it!

Mitchell stared at her for a while before nodding. "I hope they are. I don't think… I don't think we can handle any more fighting."

That cooled off Valerie as she nodded slowly. Settling in to wait. The adults were gathering together now. Readying themselves in case something bad happened.

A rumble from outside was what caught their attention first. The adults going to the large windows to stare out into the street whatever they found brought more attention as more people armed themselves with old rifles.

Valerie moved to look, before the adults pushed her away she saw an APC turning around, pointing its rear towards the building. And a mech. Large and daunting standing over it. She couldn't get a good sight on what mech it was before the man pushed her away but she was calm.

That was the SLDF colors.

The adults were starting to freak out when a voice came, echoing into the building obviously being broadcast.

"This is Commander Eisen-Blume of the Iron Blooded Orphans! We know you are inside and need food, and supplies. We brought enough for all of you."

The call was met with silence. The obvious Lyran accent had more than a few scowls spreading across face but Valerie wasn't about to let that stop her. She rushed forward. Dodging a few grasping hands as she pushed the door open. And stepped out. A few calls for her to come back were ignored as she stepped out of the large doors towards the APC and mech.

And wow. That was a big mech. She recognized it, her smile stretching. The word "Phantom" Stretched across it's nose were visible as she walked forward. That was a Nightstar. The same one from the Immortal Warrior!

The back of the APC was already open, and a couple of armored people were standing awkwardly there as if they were waiting to unpack the many boxes Valerie could see inside.

She didn't hesitate. She jogged forward crunching through the snow before she came up to the two. "Are you the SLDF?"

The silence stretched for a moment before a chuckle broke it. One of the figures, a girl now that Valerie could hear her voice broke into giggles. "Vi-vicky is going to love this!"

The other figure sighed, shoulder slumping, before he reached up and pulled off his helmet.

He was young. Older than Valerie sure, but he was obviously still a teenager. "We aren't the SLDF. We are the ISDF. Inner Sphere Defense Force. Iron Blooded First Battalion." Gave Valerie a smile and she flushed a little. Maybe a different boy would be filling her dreams instead of Mike from now on?

"Nice to meet you?"

He smiled "I'm George, that's Milly. Hungry? Cold? We have plenty of gear and food." He offered pointing to the boxes in the truck.

Valerie nodded "Yeah a lot of people are hungry. Some of them have been here for over a week hiding from the pirates."

A flash of anger in his eyes, but it was Milly that spoke next. "Well that's fine we got plenty for everyone, and don't worry about the pirates anymore." The girl hadn't taken off her helmet like George, but she still sounded young, but at this moment Valerie felt a chill. "They won't bother anyone ever again. We made sure of that."

Well then.

That was how a few of the other adults finally following Valerie out found her, taking a box of food from the two armored kids. She hurried back towards them opening the box so they could see the stacks of MRE's inside as she brought the box inside.

It wasn't long after that the tensions broke. Food, and lots of it, clothing, even a few electric heaters were brought in to warm up the building. Although while Valerie was passing around food the speed that all rumors travel caught up with her.

The Pirates had already completely surrendered, and were all either dead, or locked up. At least according to the rumor. Valerie was smiling though. They were the good guys. Maybe not the SLDF, but hey ISDF sounded pretty good to her ears!

"I told you they were good guys." She tells Mitchell which earned her a quirked eyebrow as he bit into his MRE.

"You said they were the SLDF, but they said they weren't."

"They said they were the ISDF! That's close!"

His soft chuckles were a little raw. But at least he was smiling so Valerie let it go.

Time flowed. People got clothes, and food. The atmosphere of horror slowly vanished especially since the ISDF weren't doing anything bad. They slept on uncomfortable cots, but in the morning, as the fighting was over, a lot of people started heading out. Wanting to see what was left of their life.

"You sure Mom?"

"Yes Val. We need to go home… Erin will worry if we aren't home, even with a letter."

"Right. Dad will worry." Valerie shrugged back into her coat. "C'mon let's go. Sooner we get home, sooner we see Dad." She grabbed the rifle, threw on one of the bags they had brought and smiled at her Mom trying to lift her spirits.

The weak smile she got in return was enough.

They headed out. As they walked home, Valerie kept her eyes out but couldn't see any of the ISDF. She had so many questions! She couldn't believe that they weren't around. She hadn't heard any Dropship drives. So they should still be here.

"Valerie, don't get distracted." Her mother reminded, tugging her along gently as she hurried to keep up. The walk was quiet, but everywhere they went, two things stood out. The destruction. Buildings Valerie remembered walking past her entire life were gone, smashing, or burnt husks.

The other was the people. Some were crying outside their homes. Some sitting on burnt steps looking tired. Others were happy to come home, finding family. Some rose up. Passing out food, helping neighbors.

Some raged at their loss.

Valerie hoped she wouldn't be one of them. They finally returned to their home. Only to find it destroyed. A massive hole through the center of it. A mech must have crashed through it at one point. Valerie was numb to it. Losing her home was bad. But there was only one thing that would truly crush her. Without much thought she pushed into the rubble startling her mother as Valerie decided to see what she could find.

Eventually her mother joined her, pulling old timber and debris around to find old pieces of their lives.

"Rachel?"

Valerie spun, as did her mother. That voice, rough and tired, and in pain, but undoubtedly her father. "Daddy!"

"Erin!" Both Valerie and her mother rushed him. Despite his wincing steps he took both of their tackling hugs without complaint. His sobs matched their own as they realized that they were all together once again.

Valerie didn't know how long the three of them were like that. Simply basking in the fact they were all alive. That no one had died!

"How Erin? We heard… We heard the gunshots from the factory."

Her father Valerie noticed looked haunted as he shook his head wrapping an arm tight around her shoulders for a moment as if drawing strength.

"They were only killing some of us. A way to make sure the rest did what we were told. They found out I knew enough to be useful, so they kept me alive… They would just kill others whenever I didn't do what they wanted."

"Erin…"

"No. I'm alive my dear. I'm alive. And so are you. God bless these Lyrans. They saved us."

Hearing that Valerie couldn't hold back. "They are the ISDF! They are here to help! Like the SLDF used to!"

Her father looked at her a little lost like what she was saying wasn't quite making its way through his head for a while but he slowly nodded "Whatever their reasons. I am happy they came. They showed up at just the right time. The pirates were getting ready to leave… They weren't planning on leaving anyone behind." He mutters softly, Valeries mother gasping at the realization that her husband had almost been taken away as a slave.

His tired nod turned into a wince which finally had her mother seem to notice. "How bad?"

"Not too bad. Cracked ribs. I'll be alright…"

They both looked grim. Things were about to be really hard for a while.

"Hello! You folks need anything?" The voice called out wouldn't have caused such a strong reaction if it wasn't done with a Lyran accent. Valerie's mother jumped fumbling with nothing as she realized she didn't have her rifle.

Valerie acted more like her father as she looked over the armored figure pulling up on the side of a truck. "Guten Morgen! Do you need food or blankets? We also have maps to shelters in the area if you have no place to stay!" The boy offered from the back of the truck was already holding out a bag that was bulging with its contents.

"N-No, We don't need anything!" Valeries Mother of course tried to refuse but luckily her father was being more reasonable.

"We do have need, if you are offering. We lost our home. Some food would be welcome. As well as the map to the shelters. We will need them before tonight."

"Excellent! Here you are!" The boy was actually quite kind Valerie thought, He didn't throw the bag and hurry off, he jumped down offering her father a bag, although noticing his wince he stopped from finally handing it over. "If you are hurt, we have medics, and some doctors we brought along."

"Just a busted rib. I'll be alright."

The boy didn't look convinced. "How about I give you all a ride then? If you are hurt, walking around can't be comfortable."

"We accept!" Valerie cut in before either of her parents could refuse like she could see them about to.

The boy was quick. "Excellent! Come on and get comfortable. Sasha will be happy to look over your ribs as well!" He offered holding open the door showing the driver was just as armored as they were and was a young girl, probably not much older than Valerie.

"I… Thank you." Her father finally added and while her mother didn't look pleased, it seemed Valerie got her wish.

Hopping into the truck, she spent the drive close to her father, but asking questions constantly to, "Elric, Nice to meet you." Who was kind enough to answer anything she wanted to know.

"Are you the ISDF?"

"Yeah the Commander calls us the ISDF, but we usually just use Iron Blooded Orphans. So it's a bit of both."

"How do you join?"

"Oh? Well usually you have to be an orphan, but we do recruit non orphans too. If you are under age you need parent permission though. I know the Commander will want that."

"Absolutely not."

"I don't think that's a good idea honey."

Both of her parents burned that idea, but Valerie wasn't willing to let it go yet. She wanted to join the ISDF and save people too!

They didn't end up driving to one of the shelters like the old community center, instead they were driven towards a set of buildings that had been overtaken and used by the ISDF as their base. Their dropship, which now that she was close enough to see, still eluded her what it was hung over their heads.

And kids in armor were everywhere! Walking around, working, some were leading others that were obviously natives around. Everything seemed plentiful. Food and clothing were offered freely.

Valerie was right. They were good people.

Her father was seen to by a medic, probably the oldest ISDF person she had seen. But she wore the armor, even if it had red crosses showing she was a medic, she was still wearing the same gear. They even had doctors, although they weren't wearing armor.

"You won't feel any pain for a few days, and this will help speed up the healing, but you need to be careful with it. The cracked rib is still fragile." She ordered out in a firm voice. After using a few strange devices Valerie hadn't seen before to take an instant x-ray of her fathers chest.

"Thank you that feels… Much better."

"It should. Rest. In a few days you will be back to 100%." She told them before shooing them out.

That night they slept in the ISDF compound. In a room just for them, in warm beds and warmer blankets, with an electric heater to keep the room toasty.

"See Mom?"

"...Yeah Valerie. I see."

Free World League Space

Amity

"Commander!"

"I know I hear it." I call out as I head out of the Command center. We had been here on Amity for almost a week now. And while we had sent plenty of messages back and forth with the planetary governor, or "First Minister of Amity Raymon Richards." This was the first time we were actually getting a meeting with anyone high up.

As far as the Amity government had been concerned. The IBO were a raiding force, and they weren't risking themselves. So it had taken almost a week of back and forth over the radio for this to happen.

Colonel Cyrus, he hadn't bothered giving a first name, would be coming over to begin negotiations. His Vtol could be heard over the city as I stepped out of the command center. It flew overhead once, probably getting some aerial photos of our site before it turned and settled into a landing pad we had set up.

I was there, as were a few of my 'guards' that now followed me around all the time. It had been something Benny ordered, and despite my protests they ignored any time I told them I was fine.

Apparently the ISDF was 'too important' to let their Commander walk around by herself now.

I thought it was just a little too much, but that was how these things went.

The man that stepped out of the Vtol was older. Salt and pepper beard reminded me of Morgan Kell, but his scowl was nothing like the man. Morgan usually looked as if he was thinking about deep thoughts.

This man looked like he was thinking about murdering everyone he was seeing.

Which he might be.

I waited while the Vtol powered down, turning the small landing pad back to a normal volume before I stepped out. The Colonel ignored his aides, as he strode out on long legs.

"Colonel Cyrus. Welcome to Ruhr."

"Commander Eisen-Blume. I don't need to be welcomed to my own city." He spoke clearly and slowly, his voice harsh but not erratic. This was a man who thought about every word, and said it, even if they would bring offense.

I was fine with that.

"But you did need help removing the pirates."

"I don't consider that task completed." He stated gruffly.

"Then we should get right on to our discussion to lay your mind at ease about our intentions. We have a room prepared inside."

He was silent for a moment before he nodded. Regardless of his desires, he was here to negotiate with us.

I turned letting him follow me and my two guards back into our command center. A room was prepared. We even had tea.

Disgusting.

I drank the foul leaf juice with only a faint hint of disgust once I had settled in, watching the other half of the room settle themselves in.

The Colonel had brought two aids, two military guards, and a man in a business suit that stood slightly separate.

I couldn't quite peg him but I guessed either lawyer, or spook.

"So we don't waste any time, how about I say something clearly. The ISDF, Iron Blooded Orphans, 1st Battalion came to Amity after hearing about the pirate raid. We came with the intention of stopping them from causing any more devastation as pirate hunting is one of our sworn duties, regardless of where the pirates are." I took a sip of foul brown muk before continuing.

"We are not here to commit any other military action, and will leave at the first request by the Governors office-"

"Then leave." He interrupted me instantly, but before I could even nod and agree another voice piped up.

"We will need to discuss salvage terms first." The 'Lawyer' spoke up interrupting the meeting.

"Pierson. You-"

"Colonel. You are here to ensure that the… ISDF are not here at the forefront of a LCAF raid. I don't believe that is likely anymore. Do you?"

The Colonel was silent for a time before he exhaled once firmly, seemingly calming himself. "Go ahead Mr. Pierson."

"Thank you Colonel. Commander. The First Minister thanks you for your protection of his citizens, but when the pirates landed, they captured not only Planetary defense equipment, but equipment from the Imstar Aerospace factory."

"Yes. They actually had a couple of Cheetahs we confirmed were taken from the factory that we shot down."

"Correct. As an invading force, and a pirate one at that, the equipment is requested to be returned to us. We will of course offer a cash payment in exchange."

I took the paper the Lawyer pulled out from his briefcase and looked over the list. The Prices as I expected, were pretty paltry. As I read, each piece requested to be returned was given such a low bounty I realized this wasn't an honest attempt.

It was meant to be thrown back in their face. Either to continue negotiations to a still low price. Or because they wanted to use the nuclear option… Probably not literally but you never know. "This is an interesting offer."

The silence after that was interesting. I watched all the men. Different emotions on each face, although all of them tried to hide it. Mr. Pierson spoke up before the silence grew too long.

"It is our initial offer. You are here illegally after all. We consider it acceptable in exchange for not prosecuting your raid."

"I didn't know it was considered a raid to attack pirates."

"It is when Lyran Mercenaries are dropping onto League worlds." The Colonel growled.

I thought it over. The best way to get my way. Without ruffling feathers… Without also sounding too weird. A fact I had learned over the last year. Sometimes when you offered a deal that was too good, it would be thrown back in your face just to spite you.

Seriously people could be so stupid.

"I have an interest that if you are willing to fulfill, I will accept most of these prices."

"This isn't a negotiation. If you refuse we will consider you an enemy of the state. We will hunt you down."

"You will send good men to die." I state plainly supremely confident. If it ever came to the point a real army was threatening my kids? All the stops would be pulled out.

I would let them taste the sun.

"Perhaps Colonel. We should hear the Commanders 'interest' before making any further ultimatums?" Mr. Pierson asked quietly, breaking some of the tension.

"That is simple enough. The ISDF has been created to complete three tasks. The protection of the people of the Inner Sphere. The proliferation of knowledge. And to try and establish a final peaceful solution to the Succession Wars."

The scoff I received at that was fair. It wasn't the first time I had told someone that, and been laughed at, scoffed at, taunted, insulted, or in an interesting situation had someone throw their food in my face.

"In this case it is the second task we are here for now that the first is complete. I would like to set up a Library here. In Ruhr. Just like the Libraries I have built on other worlds."

"Lyran worlds."

"Yes Colonel, I am Lyran. It is where I grew up, and where I have recruited from. But it won't be where I spend all my life. Let me build my library. We will leave right after, and in exchange, I will provisionally accept this offer. With some minor changes."

My request honestly seemed to confuse the entire room, other than my guards of course. But to these leaguers? I might as well be speaking Elvish.

"You want to build a library… Why?" The Colonel asked, sounding out the words as he couldn't believe he was saying them.

"I've already told you, but if you want the honest truth? I fucking hate that the Inner Sphere forgot so much. The knowledge we once had was capable of great things. Terrible, but great. I want to bring that back. The only way to do that is to spread knowledge to every corner. If everyone has enough to get started hopefully we can bring back what our ancestors had."

"So you wish to build libraries? In the League? We will not become Lyran-" Mr. Pierson funnily seemed to find the idea annoying. But it was the Colonel that waved a hand and shut the man up.

"I don't give a shit if you want to build a coffee house. This is Amity, not the Commonwealth."

"I understand that. But that's the deal. You want me to accept your cheap offer? I want a library on Amity, and since you are wondering what I get out of it? The Iron Blooded Libraries have been centers for recruitment in Lyran space. I hope they will be here in the League as well."

"Recruitment? You think we will allow you to recruit our people?" The Colonel responded he wasn't angry sounding, more… Curious and disbelieving.

"I would like to be allowed to recruit orphans in the League, yes."

"You don't think we will give you access to children." The Colonel spits.

"Why not? Look around you. Every person you see wearing our armor is an orphan. Every one of them is given a full education. Using the same materials I want to place into the library. Every one of them is fed, clothed, and offered a steady paycheck for their work. All of them have a chance to learn to become a Mechwarrior. To fight to protect their people."

"Your people."

"No. Our people. I am here aren't I? None of my kids are anything but Lyran, but we are here. Not to raid your planet, or take something from you. But to kill the pirates who did that. Yes we will protect our landhold if a League raid comes. But we aren't raiders. I am not your enemy."

I said the final bit as earnestly as I could. Trying to dig through the miles of hatred, and distrust was becoming a full time job. It wasn't easy even on Lyran worlds. But on League ones?

The Lawyer was looking at me like he was trying to dissect every word I said, trying to find the weakpoints in an argument, or figure out my true intentions. The Colonel?

He was actually looking at me. Eye to eye. Sizing me up.

"Tell me about this Library."

"Colonel!"

"Mr. Pierson. You are here to set up a salvage deal. Not anything else. You will restrain yourself."

The Lawyer nodded slowly, settling back down into his chair. Although he continued to glare petulantly.

"Colonel. If you would like I will happily hand over a copy of the Library to you. Our goal is mass proliferation after all. We are trying to put a copy of this library on every world in the Inner Sphere."

"Grand dream."

"A grand plan." I offer back with a smile. "A dream is something you hope to achieve, but has impossible odds. A plan just takes time."

He snorts. "Let's go over the changes you request on the salvage terms. While you and Mr. Pierson do that. I will have my men go over this 'library' of yours. If we find nothing concerning… I will put forth a request to the First Minister."

"A fair compromise. Mr. Pierson the issue is with the pay for-"

—-

"Commander Eisen-Blume."

"Eris. You have concerns."

"I do. There is a good chance, they are allowing your construction of the library to hold you here until reinforcements arrive. They will try and claim your equipment."

"Possibly. I did consider that."

"Then why are we still here? You are putting your people at risk to the League."

I was sitting on top of the 'command center' we had set up. Across the street a building was being remodeled by my kids into a Library.

Once the library was gone through there had been a high interest in their copy. When I allowed them to keep the copy they were inspecting… Well. I wasn't sure what they were thinking. The educational courses covered just about everything from just starting out to an early college level. Maths and science, and everything in between.

I did have permission from Katrina from this. The message she had sent in response to my request had mostly been her frowning at me, before she called me Victoria and allowed my plan to continue.

I hadn't actually intended on moving this early. I expected a few years of Lyran expansion letting our work speak for itself before making a slow move into the League. Unfortunately Pirates were a bit of a sore point for me. I was just glad we were heading towards Solaris. When we got the news White Base turned around and burned hard back to a jumpship.

We had made it here too late, but in some ways just in time. The people here would recover. And their defenses would firm back up with all the mech salvage I had allowed the leaguers to purchase back from me for a pittance.

"I will be putting our people at risk forever. Until we finally gain peace. We can't do what needs to be done if we cower in fear."

"I think fear has its place."

I nod at that. "It does Eris. How has Delta's mission gone?"

She went quiet for a moment "What Mission would that be Commander Eisen-Blume?"

"The one where you sent them to infiltrate the First Ministers communications network so you can tell me if they get any alert about incoming dropships."

She was still beside me. Ah it was so funny how she would lock down when her little schemes got found out. "Carl told you."

"Nope." I turn to her smiling. "You did, just now. I haven't seen Delta for a few days. I figured they were off doing something. And you are a bit proactive about things. As soon as you mentioned you were worried about an attack. I had my suspicions."

She twitched and I could see her exhale slowly and steadily out of her nose as she regained herself. "You are too perceptive."

"I forgive you for giving MY unit orders." I tell her with a smirk filled with a tiny bit of malice. "But in the future go through the correct chain of command."

I watched her back go rigid. "Understood Commander!" She actually offered me a salute and I couldn't help but tease her, poking her in the forehead, "That's the first time you didn't add my name in." I tease before nodding. "Go on then, keep an ear out. Just because I am willing to accept the risk doesn't mean I want to lose anyone if trouble does happen."

"Y-yes Commander Eisen-Blume."

It was nice that she wasn't taller than me anymore! I finally looked like I actually deserved the authority I had!

Chuckling, I decide to walk away from watching the building construction. We had done this so often now that I didn't even need to give orders. Libraries were starting to become old hat. Maybe I should make a new division? ISDF Librarians?

They could use a tagline like "We have the Royal equipment. Pay your late fees!" No wait, that was too close to ComStars line.

I walked down into the light snow that never seemed to end on this planet. Watching the people walking around this way and that. More and more residents are using our compound now. Even if construction and repair was happening over the city. Plenty of people still needed a place to stay.

And we were happy to help. Sure some didn't like us. But we only had to throw out one or two for causing trouble. A few members of Guard unit were with us acting as an eye in the sky.

I smiled as I grabbed a meal from one of the cooks as I walked around. I was always hungry now. Mostly thanks to Benny. That asshole thought it was funny to make the Commander run laps with all the new recruits as a way of removing any excuse they would have to run them. Apparently he got sick of arguing with new kids about it, and just made it my problem.

At least I was fit. Between the armor and the laps I was not just growing up, but stronger. Muscles were nice. And it made a lot of the annoying parts easier. I didn't get winded when I had to run around anymore!

Finishing my quick meal I moved into the library building being put up. "How goes it?"

"Commander! Not long now. We got most of the wiring for the computer systems set up!"

"Good! Do me a favor and double time it! We got some scaredy cats."

"Will do! You heard the Commander! Let's move it!"

I smiled as I watched them double up on settling wiring down. Shouldn't be more than another day or two and we would be able to leave.

"Commander." Benny called out from beside me. The boy now twenty was still taller than me. Jerk. How dare he keep growing!

"Benny. What's up? You got that worried face on."

"I just had an interesting conversation with a father."

"Benny! I am shocked! Who is the lucky girl?"

The look he gave me had me guffaw as he continued. "Don't. Anyway, Apparently a non orphan wants to join."

"Okay what's the problem?"

"She is fourteen. And both of her parents are not okay with it."

"Okay? So they say no and she can't join. Why is this a problem?"

"They didn't so much say no. As they have a lot of 'concerns' I am officially handing this entire mess off to you Commander."

"What! You can't delegate to me! I am the delegator!"

"Sorry Commander, this is over my head! So it's your problem. They are in room 159 in the rescue barracks. So have fun."

"Wait! Benny don't run away! Hey! That's an order!"

He didn't stop.

"Traitors! Traitors everywhere!" I yell back before sighing. Okay fine. I can handle this. I just have to be responsible and have a conversation with the parents of a girl wanting to join…

I am so doomed.

I head over to the barracks. The amount of leaguers around the barracks increased heavily, Making me feel alone… Well not including my two guards.

I got plenty of stares as I headed inside, not all of them hostile. So I considered that a win. The door for room 159 was already open, and inside was a man resting in a chair watching a Holovid. The way he was eased up he was obviously wounded.

I tapped on the door. "Good morning. I hope I'm not intruding?"

The man startled slightly at my voice. A common occurrence. My Accent did tend to bring plenty of attention. "Ah. Can I help you?"

"Excuse me. I am Commander Eisen-Blume. I'm in charge of the ISDF. I heard there was an issue, and I wanted to see what I could do to help. Is it your daughter that is wanting to join?"

His eyes flashed, and despite obviously being hurt, he sat up, his full focus on me. "Erin. I'm a factory worker here… You saved my life, and my family's life. My Daughter… She's young. Heard you are recruiting and went to sign up."

"I'm guessing she didn't ask permission first?" I ask with a smirk. Kids.

"She didn't."

"Mind if I come in?" I ask the conversation was a little awkward with me standing at the doorway.

"It's your building."

"No. I am just supplying it, it still belongs to the Ruhr government, as far as I know." I offer with a shrug.

He shrugged back. "Sure. Come on in."

I move, my Guards taking up posting, at the door. Poor kids. But they both seemed more than happy to be my shadows. I would have to make sure they had a break after this. I'll go put my feet up in the Dropship letting them do whatever they like.

"I'll admit we don't usually get non-orphans wanting to join. But we don't refuse them either. Although anyone underage, does have to have parent, or guardian permission. We aren't kidnappers."

His face hardens a bit but he nods slowly. "I can't say I like the idea of a mercenary company, that recruits young orphans either."

"That I understand. If it helps. I started the company when I was fourteen. I was the youngest member. As of now, only sixteen and up are allowed in any position that could see combat."

"It doesn't."

"No, I expect a parent wouldn't feel any more comfortable with that… The Iron blooded… They are my kids. Every one of them. We are a family, and I mean that truthfully. They are my family. My brothers and sisters, and eventually. When those from the other parts of the Inner Sphere join, my cousins."

It was quiet for a while as he processed what I had said, "I don't like the idea of my daughter becoming a mercenary… My father was one. I know what that life brings."

"It's dangerous. Hard. Sometimes horrifying." I acknowledge, which earns me a grudging nod. "But it's also full of adventure. It lets you grow and learn skills. It lets you choose how you want to live. I live how I want. By my own 'sword' arm. I choose the path I follow. Your daughter would get the same choice."

"I've talked to some of your people. They aren't all fighters."

"No, of course not. We have to be more than just a fighting force. We have architects to build our libraries. Nurses and doctors. Although the Doctors are all in training still. Teachers, mechtechs, logistics officers to make sure everyone is fed and clothed. We are over a thousand people. Anything that many people need we have a position for it."

He sighs. Tired, and I can hear a bit of pain as his exhale hurts something. "Our house is gone. The factory will take… A while to be repaired. Which means I don't have my job, or a way to provide for her." He looked pretty stricken. Which was a shame.

I guess it's time to be the big damn hero again.

"Tell me Erin. Have you ever thought about becoming a Librarian?"

The man pondered that for a moment. "I haven't."

"Well maybe you should. I happen to have an opening for a librarian for the Iron Blooded Public Library. The pay is solid. And it would have benefits. You see, I like to get monthly updates from the Librarians. Of course adding an extra message to someone on the charge wouldn't be a concern…"

"What sort of pay?"

"Well originally it was Kroner, but that's for the Lyran half, I suppose it will have to be in C-bills. I hope that's alright? And-"

"Daddy! We are back and we- Oh my God." The girl that walked into the room stalled a bag of groceries in her arms. My two guards were slightly out of sight, so she got a full view of me sitting across from her father.

"Good Mor-"

"IT'S THE STANDARD GIRL!" Was screamed into my face by an eager young girl. I barely opened my mouth, not sure what I was feeling. Did I just get called Basic? Then I was nearly tackled. "I love Immortal Warrior and the Phantom of the SLDF! But you aren't the SLDF, you're the ISDF! I think that's amazing! You-"

"Valerie!" A woman's voice interrupted thankfully and the girls mouth shut with a click as her mother walked in. "I apologize, my daughter seems to have forgotten all of her manners."

"No it's… Fine. I've had a few people realize that I was in that movie. I need to send another angry HPG message to Mike." I offer joking, but it didn't seem to land well. My guards though? The guards that are supposed to protect me, and make me feel safe?

Laughing quietly.

I'm going to make them run so many laps for this.