Chapter Two

Heliat

Aurigan Reach

January 1st​, 3022

"Happy new year", is screamed out by all the guests at the party, the house is full of people most of whom are only here to try and gain influence with my family. The down side to being noble in a neo-feudal society is trying to figure out whether your friends are truly your friends. At least I have more life experience than others expect, to judge the motives of my parents' guests.

The holiday season has been difficult, what with old memories coming to the fore from both my lives. I have been particularly moody of late, which has not helped me deal with the relationships I should be courting at my age. It does not help to have the various young ladies being thrown at me by political climbers. While they are attractive in most cases and my teenage body is more than willing, my mind shudders at what feels like taking advantage of the young women. The down side of being a mature man in a teenage body is I find myself more attracted to older women whom only see me as a boy. Hopefully, in a few years I can find a mature for her age young woman to court. Until then I will just have to muddle my way along and hope not to offend anyone of importance. Oh well at least tomorrow I can continue my training by trying to keep up with Mastiff on the navigation course. Maybe next year they will let me have a drink, sometimes being a teenager sucks.

Now that the holidays are over it is back to the grind. The first weekend of January sees me following Mastiff's Centurion out to the proving grounds. Looking out over the desert badlands terrain it reminds me of the area around Moab, Utah. Following his lead, we make our way into a nearby box canyon which has been setup for live fire testing. Yes!!!, I finally get to fire my weapons. Mastiff confirms my understanding of the procedures and safety rules before I am actually allowed to arm my weapons. Flipping the master arm switch on I finally get to hear the 'Bitchin Betty' in my Chameleon state, "Weapons Online". Going over my checklist I verify all is well, before requesting permission to fire.

With permission granted I begin by targeting the closest target with my Cyclops Eye Large Laser. The targets are vertically supported old scrap armor plates, backed up by mounds of dirt. Pulling the trigger while looking out my canopy, I see no visible beam of light as one may expect from playing MechWarrior games. I did however notice my HUD display a neon purple beam of light corresponding with my shot.

Using my HUD, I zoomed in the optics to check out the target. Finding a fresh burn scar melted into the armor at the top right corner leaves me somewhat disappointed in my accuracy. I next fire my two Intek Medium Lasers, which display as neon green and strike separate locations on the target. The three Defiance B3S Small lasers display as neon red but at least form a tight group near the center of the target. Lastly, I fire short bursts from the two ScatterGun Machine Guns. I can actually visibly follow the red tracers from my mech to the target and watch the sparks fly upon impact.

"Mastiff, am I really that bad of a shot"? "I am hitting the target all over the place".

"No Rick, just like with your small arms training you need to zero the weapons on a mech. Especially on a mech that is new to you or after significant repairs are performed on it."

"Oh, that's good to know. I was also curious about the beam colors displayed by the HUD, are they always the same"?

"No, each weapon uses slightly different construction methods which can then emit beams of different color. Your mechs sensors will detect the light wavelength of any beams in range and display them on your HUD accordingly. Also, the only time you will see a beam visibly is if it passes through smoke or some other particulate".

Locking my mech in place and following instructions from Mastiff. We spend the morning adjusting the aim points of my weapons and setting up the various firing circuits. I then spent the afternoon practicing with my weapons while free standing in the mech. The little kid in me was quite happy at the end of the day.

I spend the next several weekends on the proving grounds learning to shoot at static targets while on the move in the Chameleon. I find this to be a lot harder than the MechWarrior games which is not really all that surprising. I can only image how difficult it will be to hit moving targets, let alone in a life or death situation where the targets shoot back. I sometimes wonder if it would be safer to just work in the family business. However, I then remember that in this universe we will be attacked sooner or later. There is always someone who is willing to use force to take what we have. I keep coming back to the conclusion it is better to be a trained MechWarrior with options rather than only being able to run and hide. 

It is March first so happy seventeenth birthday to me. I am sure my parents are planning a party for this evening. Even though it is my birthday, I still need to get my ass out of bed to continue learning from my tutors. At least I have begunleaning more business and technical/engineering skills. I wonder who will be instructing me in military and leadership skills tomorrow, Mastiff or one of our home guard Lieutenants.

Having completed my lessons for the day I make my way to my room to shower and change for the party. Coming down stairs I make my way to the receiving hall and take my place in the receiving line. I greet the guests arriving for my birthday celebration, trying not to roll my eyes at all the mothers pushing their daughters at me. Damn these teenage hormones are causing me to be sorely tempted by some of the beautiful young ladies here tonight.

After greeting all our guests I mingle for a short time before we are called to dinner. The meal was delicious and I survived the embarrassment of the birthday song. Having finished desert I begin opening my gifts and find no surprises this year. It is not like it would be easy to top the Chameleon from last year. Thanking everyone for their wonderful gifts I start to mingle as my duty requires of me.

With conflicting emotions, I try to politely deal with all the mothers and daughters that cross my path. Spotting senior Lieutenant Kharkov, the commander of our Striker lance, as well as junior Lieutenant Garibaldi, the commander of our infantry platoon I make my way towards them. We exchange pleasantries and chat for a while giving me a break from all the courtship attempts.

Having spent more time than I should have, I Leave the Lieutenants to spend the remainder of the evening networking amongst influential people with whom are family deals with.

Lying in bed after the party I began to ponder my options moving forward. I need to complete my MechWarrior training not to mention my regular education. I am currently stuck on this planet and have no space-based assets except possibly my father's Mark VII landing craft. I should probably learn how to pilot it, at least enough to get from a planet to a jump point and be able to safely dock in a small craft bay. I believe my father knows of a cache of mechs and vehicles, possibly even space vessels. Reflecting on his past scavenging runs he always seems to com back with a crated vehicle or mech which is covered with scrap when it arrives at the shop.

From what I understand the finances to start the family business were acquired by him selling 'recovered from scrap' mechs and vehicles. He has also never let anyone join him on his scavenging trips, so he must be hiding something. There is also the secure storage area in the shop where he keeps parts acquired off planet locked up, the rumors imply they are jumpship parts. I will have to keep looking into this and see if I can't get him to confide in me.

I am unsure of how to warn Mastiff about the possible coup. I will definitely try to avoid being on Coromodir during the expected coup.

While the cache on Artu could be an option there is no guarantee it actually exists. How would I even find or safely enter it without the knowledge gained from the Argo.

I would like to take advantage of the Helm cache if possible, preferably before all those people die on Sirius V. The New Dallas core and the ruins of Gabriel is valuable information I could potentially make use of. I am getting tired now, so I better go to sleep.

Arriving at the proving grounds this fine September morning Mastiff informs me we are to participate in a training exercise with the local militia our opposition will be a lance of light mechs consisting of a Locust LCT-1V, a Wasp WSP-1A, a Stinger STG-3R and an Urbanmech UM-R60 which I can see leaving the holding area.

Conferring with Mastiff, he confirms our techs have already loaded training ammunition and set our energy weapons to low power mode. Once the proving grounds personnel have confirmed this, we will be free to start the exercise. Apparently, we are representing pirates and our objective is to reach a designated point, retrieve some simulated supplies and then extract from the area.

Setting our electronics to limit emissions I take point as Mastiff has better long-range weapons. Using the gulley's and what other cover is available I slowly travel towards our objective making sure not to take the direct route. At approximately 1400 meters from the objective I get a sensor lock warning. Bringing my electronics to full power my sensors detect the Locust approaching from the two O clock at 800 meters. Confirming with Mastiff that he has not been detected yet I turn hard left and go to full throttle. I hope to draw the Locust into Mastiff's range for an attack.

With my scope clear of other targets, I continue to draw the Locust towards Mastiff, while trying to maintain my footing on the uneven ground at over 90 KPH. Detecting Mastiff's electronics activating I change direction to get back into firing range. Tracking the Locust with my large laser I wait for the distance to drop to 400 meters before pulling the trigger and missing. Mastiff has however covered the Locust with splotches of blue paint from his long-range missiles and autocannon.

Continuing towards the target I prepare to unleash my medium lasers as they come into range. Firing the lasers, I manage to hit the Locust in the right arm and torso causing virtual armor damage. The Locust is then forced to shut down as more globs of blue paint cover its left side from the Centurion.

Checking my sensors, I now see the Stinger and Wasp approaching on my left. Turning to face them I back pedal towards the Centurion so as not to be isolated. Placing my cross hairs on the Wasp and getting a lock tone I pull the trigger only to watch my medium lasers miss. Damn I forgot to change back to the large laser.

Keeping with the medium lasers I wait for the Wasp to enter range. The Stinger manages to avoid Mastiff's LRM's and both light mechs shift their angle of attack. Fuck me they are using my mech to shield themselves from Mastiff. Now in range I fire and strike true in my angered focus. The Wasp stumbles as his gyro is judged to be damaged.

Leaping on plasma flames I clear line of sight for Mastiff in his Centurion. I take a smattering of shots from both light mechs causing my mech no significant damage. Finding my mech now sporting a few pink splotches, the cheeky bastards, I line up the Wasp and make sure I have my close-range weapons selected before pulling the trigger. My small lasers and machine guns make quick work of 'coring' the Wasp. Switching to the Stinger I find it shut down and covered in blue paint thanks to Mastiff.

Now clear of active contacts we continue on to our objective, a small warehouse with large metal containers stacked inside and outside it. Using laser link communication, I contact Mastiff.

"I am pretty sure the Urbie is waiting to ambush us. Will you cover me while I try to grab the objective?

The Centurion's left hand points to a spot as I hear Mastiff reply.

"Yes, I will take position over their to provide cover. Be careful lifting and moving with the cargo net."

I slowly make my way towards the building and the cargo net full of rocks inside it to try and flush out the Urbanmech. Tying my short and medium-range weapons circuit into my trigger, I cautiously make my way into the building. My sensors are having a difficult time trying to scan the metal crates and building.

Suddenly I hear several loud bangs as the sides of three metal crates crash to the ground revealing infantry troops with support weapons. Mashing my trigger sees all but my large laser fire at the squad of troops in front of me. It is a good thing they are behind plexiglass shields or I may have hurt them.

I am left cringing as more pink paint splashes my mech from their man portable SRM's. Damn it is getting hot in here, those must have been simulated inferno rounds. With several heat sinks shut down it is going to get quite toasty in here. Bitchin Betty screams out, "Warning armor breach left torso rear, small laser off line". Grabbing the cargo net full of rocks, I spin around and run by the Urbie who just tagged me in the back.

Twisting my torso to the right in an attempt to shield my left rear I stumble and almost fall over. Carrying this crap sure throws off my balance. Watching the Centurion's weapons fire pass me I continue my evasive maneuvers while trying to get away.

Phew that was close, the Urbie almost took me out. I need to remember to bring a towel next time to wipe away the sweat. With my heat sinks coming back on line and my cockpit cooling down we use our superior speed to evade the Urbanmech.

I carry the 'supplies' back to our starting point to complete the exercise. Leaving the training grounds we make our way back to the mech hangers with Mastiff critiquing my performance during the exercise.