"Bad News Flies on Falcon Wings. The Good Dawdles at Every Inn." @jaded-falcon - Tumblr Blog

Welcome to the LosMech Bar, stranger. Come on in. Have a drink. This place is a haven for travellers like you; soldiers, seeking your next war.

I'm Eliza; full name, Elizabeth Ryhill. Trueborn Jade Falcon, originally; I won the right to honourably retire after Tukayyid and started up this establishment.

No, I won't give you free drinks if you call me to batchall. Besides—you'd lose.

We've got a few simple rules in this establishment:

1) Yes, I'm fine with NSFW topics, provided that you're an adult and you DM me to ask first.

2) Please no godmodding. I try my best not to do so; I ask that you offer me the same courtesy.

3) The person behind this account is diagnosed with ADHD. She can and will forget about things, whether it's that ask you sent or silly formatting things. Poke her every once in a while, but try to wait at least a few days.

4) Similarly to Rule 3, be nice to the staff and the patrons of the LosMech. You don't want to meet the bouncer; it's seventy-five tonnes of funeral bells.

5) If you've got issues with the woman behind this blog being a sapphic bisexual trans girl, then leave immediately. Trust me, you won't like it if you stay.

Now, tagging:

"Iron Will and Steel Talons" is my writing tag for anything pre-retirement. Fair warning, this tag is going to be a dichotomy; on one side, there's good fun with old squadmates, and on the other, there's the foundations of trauma that lingers to this day.

"Silk Hiding Steel" is my writing tag for anything post-retirement. Once again, there's a dichotomy; on one hand, there's stories about patrons at the bar, romance, and levity, and on the other, there's post-traumatic stress disorder. On the whole, though, the tone is more reflective and a little bit lighter.

"Eyrie Chitchat" is the tag for any light banter between accounts. (It's also a play on 'Idle Chitchat'... get it?) This will be in-character, but not necessarily in-universe, if you understand my meaning.

"Death Before Cowardice | Sarita" is my tag for Captain Sarita Pokhrel, an AFFS Gurkha captain who became the Executive Officer and later effective commanding officer of a Special Forces Binary during Operation TOUCHDOWN.

"White Feather | Gabriel" is my tag for the former Blakist soldier Gabriel, taken as a bondsman—and later bondswoman—during Operation TOUCHDOWN.

"To Save A Life | Lynx Medics" is for the four medics of Task Force Hawk's Canopian Assault Commando detachment, codenamed Lynx. This includes Rogue "Aceto" Corden, Rayne "Doc" Sishen, Evelyn "Bait" Polar, and Shia "Silk" Moon.

"Alloy Metals | Zhao" is my tag for the Capellan Crimson Phoenix detachment of Task Force Hawk, led by Corporal Hayao Zhao.

"The Spirit of Helios" and "Last Ghost of the Black Watch" are both tags for the covert operations soldier Spirit, before and after it's revealed that she's one of the last remaining members of the Ghosts of the Black Watch.

"OOC Housekeeping" is any real-life updates. I'm a college student; things can and will come up that affect how active I am.

Glory to Kerensky. Honour to the dead. Welcome to the LosMech Bar.

#iron will and steel talons #silk hiding steel #eyrie chitchat #ooc housekeeping #death before cowardice | sarita #white feather | gabriel #to save a life | lynx medics #alloy metals | zhao

CHANCE AT IMMORTALITY

A chill wind, darkening of the stars. Spirit swept into the prison on silent feet. Prisoners fell silent at the sight of her, clad in her customary night-black camouflage, stalking through the hallway.

She stopped in front of a cell with two occupants and simple wrought-iron bars. Two men sat inside; a lanky blonde, and mutton-chopped brunette that looked to be craving a cigarette.

"Good evening, Staff Sergeant Koustika, Corporal Lubbock," Spirit offered. Her voice was quiet and in the fearful near-silence of the prison block, deafeningly loud.

The door's lock clicked open. Spirit stepped inside. The temperature seemed to drop a few degrees.

"What do you want?"

"You stand accused of ordering the mercy killing of enemy combatants, Staff Sergeant. Corporal, you stand accused of carrying out the orders."

"I did what I thought was right," Mikka protested. Spirit turned her icy gaze on him.

"To be frank, I agree. Your actions were just."

Mikka and Cyril hid their little surprised reactions well, but not well enough.

"General Hazen was hasty in her judgement, and knowing her, she'll likely have you handed a life sentence. I have come to offer an alternative."

Mikko leaned forwards, clearly eager, clearly hiding it. Cyril looked a bit more hesitant. "What sort of alternative?"

"Task Force Hawk is continually searching for skilled recruits. I am offering to recruit you. Your alternative is a life sentence."

"That's not much of a choice."

"I am not interested in giving 'much of a choice'. I am interested in skilled personnel." Spirit shifted her gaze towards Cyril. "Make your choice."

Both men were silent for a long while as they mulled over their fate.

"What types of missions would we be going on?" Mikko asked.

"Ones that would be considered suicidal for troops of lesser quality. Ones that would be immortalized in history if anyone learned the true details." Spirit's face didn't shift at all, as though she was used to her actions being so weighty.

"I'm out," Cyril announced. "Not getting myself killed over a place in the history books. I just want to get paid."

"Unfortunate," Spirit sighed. "Staff Sergeant?"

"...fuck it, I'm in," Mikko replied with a shrug.

"Excellent. Please, follow me." Spirit turned on her heel. When she left the cell, it felt as though it was a few degrees warmer.

#the last ghost of the black watch #operation touchdown

JIAN - DECAPITATION STRIKE

"Range, 1400 metres. Wind speed: two knots, southwest."

The sniper shifted her aim up and to the left.

"Fire, fire, fire."

#tw gore #tw blood #alloy metals | zhao #ooc: this was entirely written to play to the cold sniper trope

totemwarriorsealth

Fresh Orders, Round Table

The weather, it seemed, was turning towards rain. At least for the moment. For why, there were a dozen reasons. Localized weather instability. Atmospheric adjustment through aggressive particulate dispersal in the form of weapons fire and detonating mechs, and burning cities. Blakist mad science, once more bending what they should NEVER be touching to their whims...and inevitably failing, as they always did. Or it might just be the planets weather. Terra was not so different, he had heard. Even Unity City itself occasionally had short bouts of rain in the midst of their summers, showers that lasted a few hours or a day before weeks of bright sun would return. Sealth prefered the rain; being in dry air for too long made his skin irritated, and if bad enough, start to crack. It was painful, annoying, and had a frustrating tendency to get infected. He would prefer humidity and damp to direct sun, if he had choice... With luck, the new orders for the next operation wouldn't take him too far from the weather. The Totem Warrior strode through the SLDFs encampment, avoiding clumps of techs and soldiers of all stripes ensuring that everything was as it should be. No slacking here. Not under the Commander's watch, that was for sure. As it should be. He hadn't come alone; in addition to the small camera hung on his cooling vest to allow Tolki to listen in without having to leave his tank inside their Mech, he was followed by Sergeant Theodore "Tedd" Clarke, a hardened, sun-kissed man in a more rugged, almost cobbled together cooling vest, older but no less functional. The large wide-brimmed hat he wore at a casual angle would hint heavily where he had come from originally. Despite its technically lack of existence at this point, the Sergeant still bore the flag of the Calderon Protectorate, under the flag of the SLDF. He was part of Task Force Hawk, part of the infantry unit assigned, here to listen in for the ground troops that would be backing the Blackwatch for the strike. Sealth found the Commander's tent, and ducked in, glancing around inside before letting the other two in behind him. "We may be a little early." @is-the-battlemech-cool-or-not

is-the-battlemech-cool-or-not

As the pair enters the prefabricated command building, they notice Commanding General Melissa Hazen standing at the centrally located holotank. Once a prized and rare piece of Clan-only technology, it had begun to proliferate around the Inner Sphere thanks to the efforts of Clan Sea Fox. By now, nearly one hundred years after the Clan Invasion, it was still uncommon outside the Clans.

The Commanding General looked up from the holotank, which seemed to be showing a view of the Blakist's Fort Bayeux. It was that fortress that the Black Watch and Task Force Hawk were to assault and capture in the next 24 hours. The green-feathered avian warrior was not only a famous celebrity and unparalleled MechWarrior, she was also the commander of the entire Star League Defense Force.

Beside her stood Major Theodora Marten-Steiner, ex-Lyran noble and overall commander of the new Black Watch itself. Recently engaged to the Commanding General, Steiner was a tall, muscled, blonde haired woman with a serious countenance.

The Commanding General waved the two newcomers over. As they drew up to the table, Melissa suppressed a chuckle. The contrast was quite humorous. Sealth, the enormous, Elemental derived, nearly 3 meter tall anthropomorphic cetacean, next to a small Periphery man in rather eclectic MechWarrior gear.

"Welcome, both of you," Melissa said, looking to her fiancee. "We are waiting for Spirit to arrive, as well as for comms connection with the elements that will be touching down after we clear the fort. Canopian commando special ops, from I have heard. BattleMech special ops, no less. Invisible 'Mechs, much like Spirit's *Death Knell*."

@house-steiner-stays-winning

house-steiner-stays-winning

Theodora nods, even as a slight frown stretches her lips.

"Very well. Until then, there's some refreshments in the corner over there," she says, indicating a small table covered in whatever they'd managed to scrounge for the meeting, "don't get crumbs on anything that looks expensive, or the techs will threaten your skeletal integrity." She says the last part as if it is a lesson of hard experience.

@jaded-falcon

jaded-falcon

"If they can match Death Knell, then they are very dangerous indeed," Spirit announced, stepping out of the shadowed corner of the tent like she'd always been there. Maybe she had. "You must be Sealth—and you must be Sergeant Clark. I look forwards to seeing you both in combat."

Her eyes blazed as she looked between the two, assessing, calculating. Her footsteps made no sound as she strode towards the holotank.

@totemwarriorsealth

totemwarriorsealth

Clarke removed his hat in proper respect to the officers involved, and instead of a salute, gave a slight bow instead. Sealth was slightly less dramatic and instead put his fist to his heart. "The honor is mine." He spoke to Spirit. "I hope we will not be a dissapointment." Clarke waited till Sealth was done before making a comment on the Canopian forces. "Invisible special operations Mech lance. Sounds like the Nightstalkers." If there had EVER been any question as to Clarke's point of genetic origin, his accent would have cynched it. Though even there the almost century break between the Concordat and Protectorate showed; his vowels were smoother, his consonants far less sharp. "You know of them, Sergeant?" The Totem warrior quired. "Ay-ahem. Uh. Aff." The Clanner word sounded strange in the Sergeants mouth but he pushed past it with gusto. "Intelligence forces. For..." He glanced over at Theodora before continuing. "Aggressive reconnaissance, in force. By the MIM. Supposedly, they found a way to mask an assault so completely it could sneak up on someone while they were lookin' straight at it." The words Steiner Scout Lance hung unspoken in the air. The orca's brows furrowed but he spoke no disagreement. He simply made a thoughtful hum, and left it at that. He stepped up to the holotank and glanced over its surface. He had questions, but he also had faith they would be answered in time. "Congratulations are in order as well for you, Commanding General." He said, with all the seriousness of a Khan ordering the Annihilation of a fellow Clan. Which was how he tended to show things he took seriously and liked. "I am eager to hear how the wedding goes."

A soft chuckle. "You will most assuredly have to find a more impressive gift for her than the Steiner-Davians at theirs. But, I am sure you will manage."

@is-the-battlemech-cool-or-not

is-the-battlemech-cool-or-not

Melissa chuckles, glancing at Theodora, then back to Sealth.

"There are two points I would make. First, Sealth, you speak as though you will not be invited? That is an error. You will know how the wedding goes because you will be there," she speaks cheerfully, before beginning to chuckle again.

"As to the wedding gift, I do not know that setting off a new Succession War is the best idea. But there are certainly ideas that I have."

She turns to Spirit. "It is good to see you again, Spirit," she nods. "Your Task Force will crucial to this operation," she continues, turning to Clarke.

"Sergeant. Your troops are ready, quiaff?" she asks, before turning back to Spirit. "I had expected Captain Sarita. She is occupied, then?"

She turns to Theodora again. "Major, if you bring up the current tactical plan on the holotank?"

@house-steiner-stays-winning

house-steiner-stays-winning

With the press of a few keys, Theodora brings a tactical map of the fort up on the tank, displayed in glowing green light.

"This is a map of the current tactical situation at Fort Bayeux. As you can see, the primary mechanisms of defense for the fort are the minefields that sit around the perimeter, and the turret emplacements that sit across the wall. For the minefield, we have several dedicated SRM carriers, modified to launch mine-clearing line charges across the minefield and clear a path for the advance. Additionally, while the turrets may pose a threat to infantry and light armor targets, they should be fairly easily dealt with my heavier 'mechs." Her face takes on a more dour expression as she presses another key, changing the display to a projection of enemy forces awaiting them.

"However, that does not mean that we can get complacent. The Blakists have concentrated a significant amount of their remaining forces here, including an Omega superheavy," she nods at the Orca-shaped totem warrior "Hence Star Commander Puget being asked to join us here. The Omega is supported by a Level III of mechs, as well as an additional Level II of mechs in reserves. On top of that, there will be 2 level IIIs of ground vehicles present, consisting of tanks, APCs, and SRM and LRM carriers." As she speaks, she clicks another key, and the indicated units are positioned on the map roughly where they are expected to be at the time of the assault's commencement.

"These mechanized units are supported by roughly 4 level IIs of infantry, consisting of standard militia, Manei Domini elites, and power armor units using Djinn-pattern Light Battle Armor." She looks to Spirit, before passing the presentation to the mysterious warrior.

"Does that match current intelligence, Spirit?"

@jaded-falcon

jaded-falcon

"As far as I know, aff," Spirit confirmed. "Blakist infantry forces are, however, equipped with heavy AT assets. Our APCs do not have the the armour to withstand sustained antitank fire--and we have intercepted attempted communications with other Blakist elements. Jamming and EWAR forces have so far stifled those communications, but once the attack begins, our EWAR assets will need to dedicate themselves to shielding advance forces while they cross the minefield."

Spirit slipped a datadisk into a small drive on the side of the holotank; a picture of a blonde-haired, emerald-eyed man with a long scar across his cheek took the place of tactical information.

"This is the Blakist commander--Johann 'Caltrop' Burnson. A former Taurian who has seen multiple years of combat and a priority target. Past after-action reports indicate that he firmly believes in the superiority of fortified positions. As such, a counterattack is unlikely, but ground forces should expect prepared positions and ambushes within the fortress. Reconnaissance forces have been unable to see within Bayeux, so there could be anything within those walls."

@totemwarriorsealth

totemwarriorsealth

"Ahhh. Shiiiit." Clarke's tone spoke instantly of the situation, and even without the following explanation, the trouble was already a given. "Taurian doesn't get a name like that unless they MEAN it." He expanded. "It's a cultural thing. You earn a nickname and it sticks with you. If he goes by "Caltrop", we'll need to be ready for absolutely ANYTHING." That last part hung in the air; the Blakists were known for their scorched earth tactics. More than literally, in many cases. The last remnants the SLDF faced now might have taken a less intense approach. But war had a way of shifting into paths no one could have anticipated.

With luck, it would just be the usual "defense in depth" stuff. Sealth's vision was on something else; dark beady eyes staring intently at the rotating hologram of the superheavy tripod. An actual Omega. Where had they found THAT? The issue was not merely its presence. The issue was that his own superheavy was not made for brawling with a par unit. His Orca was an artillery machine; dropping Long Toms, gauss rounds and LRMs onto the foe till they broke. He could fight it. But it would still be a great threat to the rest of the force. That much concentrated firepower in one area would stop dead any assaults. But that Omega couldn't simply be ignored... Data flashed through his implants; the thoughts of his copilot speaking too him. "Tolki asks if there is a way to bring the Omega to bear. Apex predator to apex predator. The...terminology is hard to parse. But I BELIEVE he is asking if we can entice it into Zelbrigen." A hilariously improbable suggestion. The Blakists had NEVER had even a single shred of honor during their Jihad. Their origins came from Tukayiid itself in truth, the split the invasion had driven into ComStar. He saw little reason that would change now. But he felt it only right to let his seakin speak his mind. If they could take the superheavy off the board...it would be a more even fight. Clarke looked thoughtful, as if he were going to say something more, but the Taurian didn't. @is-the-battlemech-cool-or-not

is-the-battlemech-cool-or-not

Melissa looked to Clarke. "You raise a valid point. At the very least, we do not face a nuclear or radiological threat from the base. We have been able to determine that much via the scouting done by Spirit's troops," she said, looking to Spirit for confirmation, before continuing.

"Furthermore, the Navy was kind enough to double-verify that for us with the sensor packages aboard their stealth ships, and reverified it an hour ago with direct recon overflights of the base. But," she said solemnly, "that doesn't rule out other WMDs, or just a particularly vicious defense in depth, both of which are signature Taurian methods. So we shall be wary."

She looked to Sealth as he spoke, and contemplated the idea brought up by Tolkitae. Suddenly, she seemed to remember something, snapping her fingers, and began tapping at a keyboard on the holotank surface.

"Tolki may yet get his chance," she said, pulling up a dossier on the holotank. An image appeared alongside it, that of a tall, athletic, raven-haired woman, in at most her 30s, holding a bemused and happy expression - presumably at whomever had taken the photo - as she was lounging in her MechWarrior gear atop an Omega, likely the very same she piloted.

"Spirit's handiwork has netted us profiles on all major personnel involved in the defense," Melissa continued, "which includes the pilot of our Omega here. Senior Adept Ekaterina Ivanovna Belinskaya. Noted for excellent marks in school, captain of her secondary school ballet ensemble, noted preference for close combat, and, according to ROM, "noted distate for civilian casualties, collateral damage, and 'dirty tricks'. History of standing up for 'the little guy' and loyal to her soldiers. Under her command, her Level II regularly achieves top marks in yearly efficiency and morale measures."

Melissa chuckled as she read the note appended to the personality section of the dossier.

"This is dated as of two months ago: member of Belinskaya's Level II approached for recruitment by ROM agent C. Burke. Senior Adept Belinskaya responded by ranting negatively about ROM, the "perversion" of the Word into a "religion of bullies" and subsequently, punching the agent hard enough to knock him unconscious. Commanding officer issued Johann Burnson issued a formal reprimand... and an informal commendation. Recommend classifying Belinskaya and Burnson as "ideological threats" for later re-education."

Melissa looks back to Sealth. "I do not know about you, but she sounds like exactly the sort to honor a proper request for a duel by the rules of zellbrigen. If you and Tolki can pull her into such a duel, that should make things easier. Not to mention make for a good distraction - and one hell of show; I will be sure to have a combat cameraman along to capture it," she smiles.

"Do try and take her alive, if possible. There will be much propaganda value in footage of an honorable duel - especially one where the SLDF victor showed mercy upon their opponent - one who is known for being level headed and opposing ROM, to boot."

"IMINT and MASINT we have gathered suggests her Omega is modified - most likely for close combat. So be cautious when dueling her, quiaff?"

@karriethemechtech

karriethemechtech

A short, blond woman half stumbles, half bursts through the flaps of the tent. The water dripping from her technician’s jumpsuit gives her the affect of a wet cat, but her eyes flash brightly as she takes in the assembled crew.

“Hi! Ah, sorry I’m late,” Karrie says. “Blake’s sake, feels like it’s been forever since I’ve had the chance to leave the shop and speak with you all.”

Her gaze lands on the rotating hologram, and she spends a moment considering it thoughtfully. Suddenly, she looks up in sharp epiphany. “Ah! Sealth…you…Omega…ah. Yup.” She nods. “Sealth, when we’re done here I’ll tweak with your fire control, give you a closer-in tune. I’m guessing you could benefit.”

@is-the-battlemech-cool-or-not

is-the-battlemech-cool-or-not

Melissa smiles, a warm, genuine, and happy smile. She walks over and gives Karrie a most-un-Clan-like hug.

"Karrie. It is so good to see you. Are you ready? The last time you went out.." she trails off, remembering reading the incident report, reading the list of neurohelmet errors. But she shakes her head slightly, and smiles again.

"Neg, you are here, so you must feel ready. Welcome, my friend. Come in."

One of the command center staff appears with a dry (and warm) blanket for Karrie, as Melissa brings Karrie over to the assembled group.

"So. For Bayeux will the first of the operations to commence tomorrow. I will be taking the field personally. While it has been amusing to see the Blakists assuming that Spirit here is the overall commander of the SLDF on the ground, it is time we disabused them of that notion. Take some pressure off of Spirit, allow her and her forces a little less time dealing with assassination attempts."

She looks to Theodora. "Apologies. I have interrupted the briefing. Continue, love."

@house-steiner-stays-winning

house-steiner-stays-winning

"All is well," she says. "And it is good to see you up and about again, Karrie."

With a click, Theodora advances the slides, now displaying a graphic of committed coalition troops, as well as arrows and annotations indicating a plan of attack, all displayed on the same tactical map overlay as before.

"As you can see, once a path through the minefield is cleared, the first wave will move up through the hole that the MCLC launchers create."

The tank illustrates the plan as Theodora speaks, glowing troops coming out to meet the Coalition forces as they advance.

"While we engage the enemy forces, likely including the Omega, elements of the Second Canopian Fusiliers will engage the enemy from the drop, starting from the DropPort on the far side of the facility, now largely unguarded from the air thanks to the near-destruction of the Purifying Light unit that would guard it in the initial air engagements near Coen City."

The diagram shows a new unit appearing in the scene, engaging the DropPort forces and then moving to attack the Blakist elements from the rear.

"Once resistance at the DropPort is dealt with, the Canopians will move in from the rear, catching the blakist forces and breaking them against the anvil of the Coalition assault. Once the zone is secure, we'll begin landing SLDF troops for cleanup and reinforcement operations. " Theodora looks around, before nodding severely.

"That's the briefing. I'll now turn it over to Spirit for any additional remarks and field any questions from the personnel here."

@jaded-falcon

jaded-falcon

Spirit remained silent for a few seconds before actually replying.

"Hawk will carry out sabotage operations prior to deployment," she added. "Do not die. That is all."

She took a half-step back, and seemed to meld with the shadows behind her. (Had those shadows been in the tent the entire time?)

#silk hiding steel #battletech #mechwarrior #the last ghost of the black watch #story event #operation touchdown

the-emmapult

The light of Helios' distant star filters weakly through to the command center as two figures approach amidst a mid-afternoon flurry. One leads, clad in a weathered greatcoat the color of slate and bundled up beneath a dark green scarf. The other figure wears a strange contraption, almost similar to a military hardsuit apart from the wheezing noises emitting from vents in its neck. The first figure holds open the door for the second, ushering them into the bustling headquarters building. The pair makes their way to the large holotank in the center of the building, which serves as a table for briefings.

"Kim Ash and Em Blackwell reporting, General Hazen."

@is-the-battlemech-cool-or-not @starcolonelkatrinamoon

starcolonelkatrinamoon

As the two entered, an immense woman in heavily modified Nighthawk XXII powered armor turned to look towards them. Her expression was exhausted, as if she had gone several days on little to no sleep and was surviving purely on caffeine and spite. One of her jaguar ears - mildly translucent to the lights above and behind, indicating some level of synthskin - flicked while she regarded the newcomers.

Her armor was maintained, but poorly cleaned. Several of the contoured armor plates had recently been replaced with fresh ones, with no time taken to paint them to the scraped and grime covered Smoke Jaguar Alpha camouflage that the other panels were painted in. The forearms of the armor were stained a dark, flaking brown that was hard to tell if it was mud or blood - or both.

Around the woman were several members of her entourage. Another giant in a beige oilskin duster and dress shirt lurked by her side, jotting notes down on a small pad of paper. He was intently watching the sparse data already displayed in the holotank, seeking to elucidate some mysterious truth from it. To her other side was a lithe woman with long blonde hair and a passive expression on her face, poking at a dataslate. Off to the side, near one of the walls, were three other individuals - a giant woman, a Painfully Average Man, and a bottle blonde who was talking the Painfully Average Man's ear off.

"It appears more of the party have arrived." The woman in the power armor rasped, not even offering a smile.

@jaded-falcon

jaded-falcon

Spirit's apparition surprised everyone but the woman in power armour.

"Very little gets past you, I have noticed. Reminds me of when we first met."

She motioned to the holotank. "Shall we begin?"

@is-the-battlemech-cool-or-not

is-the-battlemech-cool-or-not

"Aff, let us begin."

Melissa turned to the holotank, and pulled up an aerial display of Fort Falaise. A sprawling fortress, surrounded by walls topped with massive turrets, and, in the weatern half of the fortress, an even more heavily fortified spaceport resides wothin the fortress walls.

"Your objective, Fort Falaise."

"Current enemy forces on site are heavy - the main garrison is made up of one mixed 'Mech and CV Level III. Said Level III is made up of Protectorate troops, so not the highest possible quality."

As she spoke, contact icons in red appeared on the aerial view, each labelled with pertinent information.

"However, other forces that are on site as of Task Force Hawk's recon two days ago are rather more impressive. An assault 'Mech Level II with two Ragnaroks, two Highlanders, a Marauder, and a Kintaro. An independent CV level III, with a Schrek PPC carrier and two Scorpion tanks, plus 3 more vehicles of unknown type. Next, 3 entire infantry Levels II, all with heavy anti-armor assets, including those damned Rapture anti-mech guided missiles - very dangerous things, those."

A schematic of a Rapture AT launcher and missile popped into the air above the table, and rotated slowly, lettong everyone get a good look at it.

"Furthermore, as Fort Bayeux will be hit first, we anticipate those enemy forces not destroyed at Bayeux will make their way to Falaise, so there will be even more."

The door to the command center opened, and Savannah Cameron stepped inside. Mow able to see her charge, Spirit relaxed as Savannah walked over to stand close to her. Though this was only apparent to those in the room who knew her, the others could tell that something had changed.

"Sorry I'm late, was dealing with some maintenance issues. Some good news on that front - our artillery will be online and ready for the assault."

Melissa nodded. "Good," she said, pressing a few buttons, making small blue contact icons pop up on the display, some distance from the fort.

"The Fusiliers' newly assigned artillery force will conduct a heavy bombardment of the fort before the main kickoff. Their objective is take out defensive turrets, ammunition storages, and the local atmospheric control system. Once that is done, and the weather clears, ASF and potentially even orbital support will be available."

The map, now fully populated with contact icons, was practically a sea of red.

This was going to be a hell of a fight.

@the-emmapult

the-emmapult

Em speaks up, voice slightly muffled by her suit.

"Are you an alien?"

A sharp, pleading look from Kim, and she changes the subject.

"I've never been in combat before, but I'll do my best! It's nice to meet you all."

"Indeed," Kim says, "For those unaware, I'm Kimberly Ash and this is Em Blackwell. We'll be joining your force in this theater. Em may be inexperienced, but she is highly skilled."

Kim's expression says 'Don't get her hurt or I will kill you.'

starcolonelkatrinamoon

"Spirit," Katrina grated out in bemusement once Melissa had finished, a section of skin around one eye crinkling to partially reflect the emotion. She turned her gaze towards Kim and Em. Taking in the appearance of the two a little more, she drew herself up.

"I am Star Colonel Katrina Moon, of Clan Smoke Jaguar. Independent drop cluster "Jaguar's Shadow", assigned local to the Helios assault. It is good to put faces to two names I have been keeping tabs on up to this point. You two will be assigned to my forces for the time being-"

She shot a pointed look towards Melissa, seemingly challenging her to say something to disagree with the statement. It wasn't particularly sharp.

"-with Em assigned to Beta star of Gamma Binary, under Star Commander Derrik Ott. I will vouch for his expertise, if necessary."

@jaded-falcon

jaded-falcon

"Jaguar," Spirit replied in turn, with a respectful nod. "How kind of this galaxy to make us meet once more."

She looked back towards the display. "Jian Three and Four are already engaged in scouting actions at Falaise. They, alongside Katana, Lynx, and Kukri, will be joining the assault, casualties permitting. I will assigning Jian to headhunting duties and authorizing taking shots at any antitank crews armed with Rapture launchers shortly after the adjournment of this meeting; this directive will last until the conclusion of the campaign."

is-the-battlemech-cool-or-not

Melissa looked to Katrina as she spoke, and merely smiled, chuckling.

"Neg, Em," she spoke to the young MechWarrior. "I am no alien, just an unconventional product of some intense genetic engineering. I am, mostly speaking, human. And Ms. Ash, it would appear that your MechWarrior has just been adopted by Clan Smoke Jaguar," she smiles. "She will be extremely safes in their hands, I assure you."

Alariel, the Jaguar's newest bondsman, an elf-like Omega pilot, spoke directly to Katrina, leaning in as she watched the others talk. "Where shall I go, Star Colonel?"

"Excellent," said Melissa after Spirit finished. "Those Rapture launchers are quite the threat." She pressed some buttons to pull up a schematic of just such a launcher on the holotank - each missile of the portable twin tube launcher set-up housing a fiber-optic guided, 180mm quad-charge HEAT warhead, using depleted uranium liners in place of the more standard copper. "A truly terrifying weapon - designed to, in ideal ambush conditions, punch through a mech canopy, penetrate the cockpit, and continue on to core the reactor itself. I pray to the Great Father that Jian can eliminate that threat before deployment."

"Our artillery will drop some DPICM on the approaches to the base when the time comes," says Savannah. "Should hopefully take take of any that stayed hidden."

@the-emmapult

the-emmapult

Em holds up a finger as the acronyms appear on the briefing holo, but her questions are answered immediately by Kim.

"High-explosive anti-tank"

"Dual-purpose improved conventional munitions."

The girl nervously taps the fingers of each hand together.

"Oh. Um."

Her gaze swivels between Katrina and Spirit.

"Aren't Smoke Jaguar the ones who uh, did Turtle Bay?"

Kim tenses, sighs, and pinches the bridge of her nose.

"Em, that was a century ago, you-"

A pause.

"Maybe I've been too lax when it comes to your education. I'm sorry, Colonel Moon, we've been cooped up in that DropShip for too long. Haven't had a chance for a proper lesson plan."

starcolonelkatrinamoon

A wheezing, whistling sound of vague amusement escaped Katrina as she clasped her hands behind her back and started to practically stalk around the holotable towards Em and Kim. Her posture deteriorated to a mild slouch as she came around the table, each step THUNKing heavily on the floor. The immense woman brought herself close enough to the pair for the quiet humming from her power armor to be heard.

"You will be with my Command star, Alariel-" Katrina started, before she continued to speak towards Em.

"Yes, Em. You are correct. It was my clan that committed the atrocity of Turtle Bay. And for it we were used as an example." The woman stated, her tone remaining surprisingly passive. She drew her lips back in a bitter, hollow grin. Her fangs glinted in the light as a rattling rasp of a laugh started to pull its way from her. "We were... defeated. Beaten and pushed back to our homeworld. Huntress. And... then the 2nd SLDF put our planet to Annihilation."

Her grin receded and her expression grew taught. In the light, her eyes practically glowed, lit by a fire only held in a memory. Her memory of the last days of her homeworld.

"Warriors, slain to the last. Cities razed. The forests burned. A whole sibko of kits, struck down with an orbital bombardment. My own siblings torn away from me by inner sphere commandos. I was... lucky. I was part of the Fidelis, after that. Catalina, Kincaid... they and the rest of my sibko were not so lucky."

A soft sigh escaped Katrina as she let her eyes drift shut. Her face turned up towards the ceiling of the tent as she collected herself. After a moment she returned towards watching Kim and Em, a sad smile having taken its place upon her visage.

"I was nine, when I became one of the forever faithful. And... I will never allow such an atrocity to come to pass, ever again. There will be no more Turtle Bays. No more Huntresses. My hope-" She intentionally looked towards Kim's face, her gaze sharpening like a knife. "-is that I may be permitted to teach such a philosophy to the new generations. And that is why I wish to bring the two of you alongside my own operations. Miss Ash, you understand the gravity of what it is that I speak. And one day, Em may learn through instruction and teaching. Not as I have learned. Never again."

@jaded-falcon

jaded-falcon

Spirit watched the exchange silently, as she watched most goings-on in the camp, and filed the learned information away for later.

"Tha sinn a' fulang cogadh, airson 's gum bi ar clann beò ann an sìth."

She didn't expect anyone to understand what she'd said, and having addressed no one in particular, moved on without explaining.

"Death Knell will shadow Lady Cameron. All Hawk forces will be led by Executive Officer Pokhrel, unless the unforeseen happens." Her face was made of stone, utterly impassive, utterly unimpressed.

#silk hiding steel #battletech #mechwarrior #the last ghost of the black watch #story event #operation touchdown

house-liao-official

So come brothers and sisters

For the struggle all can see

The Internationale

Unites the galaxy

So comrades, come rally

For this is the time and place!

The international ideal

Unites the human race

house-liao-official

Hold on, what?

They're telling me I'm not allowed to post this

house-liao-official

Okay real talk I've been reading some stuff coming out of New Centuria and-

house-liao-official

We'll be right back!

house-steiner-stays-winning

This... This is just sad.

If you're going to spout idealist, revolutionary crap, at least don't do it on an official state account. Seriously. Kids these days, I swear.

jaded-falcon

Oh, please. The girl is likely a college student with no knowledge of the basics of our craft. How was she to know that taking the party line too far was to get her black-bagged?

#eyrie chitchat