Avery had no idea where he was, what planet, what system or even what side of the Inner Sphere he was on. With no time to lose, Avery ran outside. He could see his squadmates fighting, keeping the flanks. The enemy attacked both sides of the cut off facility. He only knew the defense drill - fire lance was supposed to keep the rear entrance as the other 4 lances were keeping the front.
He saw the rest of his lance, two Enforcers and a Spider. All of them had taken damage already, and one Enforcer was leaving a huge trail of smoke. First target, he thought.
Avery moved out. No one knew his plan, so he moved out of cover - only be given a grim reminder that the enemy of his enemy was not his ally. He took two shots on his left arm, which fell off immediately costing him his ER large laser. It was two Hunchbacks one 4g and one 4sp around 400 meters outside the walls of the facility. Darn, the lasers, missile explosions and autocannon hits threw sparks of molten armor and smoke in the air.
Avery took cover back inside and kicked a hole on the side wall of the building allowing him to get behind his allies. The Spider was legged already, and the cockpit canopy was already ready for ejection, but the pilot was still inside. He looked at the other two enforcers who took some more hits from LRMs. He took a breath, a very deep one. Ok, here goes. Avery urged his enforcer forward at top speed, the cockpit already rose 5 degrees.
He shot his 2 medium pulse lasers at the spider's cockpit evaporating the pilot, then turned and shot his AC 10 x at one Enforcer. The target 'mech took the hit in the back and turned to see the attacker was one of his own. He lifted his twin UAC5s too late as Avery triggered his jumpjets, flying 50 meters ahead shooting his lasers and autocannon destroying his enemy's torso leaving him explode.
His cockpit was a burning inferno.
The other Enforcer now had him locked and started firing its autocannon and lasers at Avery. Avery started taking hits on his torsos and right arm. He he then triggered his jumpjets and fired all his weapons again in quick succession. His cockpit's temperature rose 15 more degrees, but he landed and shot once more.
Enemy fire staggered Avery and destroyed his autocannon as the 'mech was closing in. Avery jumped again, landing on his opponent and knocking him prone Avery pushed his Enforcer into the enemy, and started battering him with his destroyed AC. It was brutal, and when his enemy's cockpit gave in he fired his torso mounted lasers - evaporating the pilot.
Avery leapt once more over the wall and landed between his opponents. The Hunchbacks didn't fire they flanked him first and shot his torso destroying his remaining lasers. The cockpit was a blazing inferno with flashes indicating critical damage in the structure and failed systems. He had only one last option.
He triggered the ejection button and the canopy fell clear of the cockpit he the rose wielding his TK rifle emptying its magazine with no effect on the enemy. He then yelled from the top of his lungs "come at me!" and raised his arms to his sides as if trying to provoke the enemy juggernaut. He then heard the two pilots bursting in laughter from their megaphones.
Avery yelled once again in rage. "Either kill me or take me with you!, I will tell you anything about this place!"
After a brief delay one of the Hunchback pilots said "Follow us."
He sat back in the cockpit put his neurohelmet on and opened general frequency on his radio. "Can you guys hear me?"
One voice replied "We can."
"That was the only guard in that entrance, the rest 4 lances are up front!" Avery warned them, hoping to inflict as much damage on his captors as possible before being captured again.
"Why are you telling us this?" one of the voices said.
"I want those people dead and i want out, i figured you guys were my only chance."
"I'm Vulcanthrax" the one man said from the 4sp.
“I’m Jochi” the other said
“I’m Av---- Airanthus, i have no weapons left, i am harmless just take me out of here, i can pilot a mech and I am a communications technician.”
“We’ll get to that later” Vulcanthrax said.
The trio made it to the rear guard of the House Liao Unit.
“Why the hell did you bring that Tango to the rear guard guys? Are you crazy?” Cid said in his hoarse voice over the commlink.
“I am friendly and unarmed - literally.” Avery replied “If you want I can show you the way to the rear guard of this facility, there are some inferno rockets too that can help.”
“And why should we trust you?” another voice murmured.
“Because I can lead you to a stock house full of inferno rockets, ammo and all the spare parts you want” Avery cut him short.
“Now listen to me you little Fedrat shit, I ain’t walking to one of your honorless traps.” Cid replied.
“I am not a sworder. Why would I kill 3 of my “comrades” to get to you?”
“So why should we trust you then?"
“Because that was my choice, in contrast of being here.”
There was no reply from anybody until one broke the silence
“So what’s your plan?” an unknown voice cut in on the comlink.
“There is a cave leading to past the walls and will allow a small force to cut in and flank them. It is sealed but I have the access codes, I was supposed to be on guard duty after my punishment.”
“Your what?”
“Never mind that."
“Vulkanthrax and I will join Airanthus, Cid will you join us too?” Jochi said.
“Boss?” Cid asked the Victor.
“OK - but be careful, if this one does anything that crosses the line, shoot him.” the Victor pilot said.
The mountains formed a natural fortress around the training facility and little caves and caverns entwined with one another forming a maze.
Avery lead his new allies through the caves for nearly a quarter of an hour in his armless ‘Mech. Until they found a massive multi-ton door, blocking the way.
“Ok, Mr. Airanthus. Work your magic.” Cid murmured.
“Alright then.” Avery grinned. He pressed a few buttons at his cockpit’s interface which was blinking red as warning signs of failed systems and fired circuits begged for a Tech’s touch.
“Yeah yeah, access codes, voice recognition, done. OK we should be good, right about - “ His words were cut off by the growl of the intestines of the mountain as the door complained and creaked as they opened. Past the turn which was lead by the massive door, the quartet could hear a battle raging in the distance.
“There is a ‘mech resupply station here as well as a few supplies, if you need anything. I am completely defenceless mind if I go salvage something?”
“Suit yourself, but even think about aiming at us and you’ll be roasted before you can think about your mum.” Vulkanthrax barked at Avery.
Avery climbed down his mech and rushed swiftly at the supply center with his TK rifle. A few seconds later he returned wielding an inferno launcher with 2 extra shells.
“Woah...what are you doing there?” Vulkanthrax asked him warily.
“Relax, it’s only 3 shots, besides you guys might be my ticket out of this hell hole.”
“How are you going to use that anyway?” Cid laughed.
“Good point, but I got a solution.” Avery climbed back to his ENF and positioned the launcher at his cockpit. “Let’s go.”
The Lance moved swiftly by the small outpost and they could see clearly that their new ally was right, they could flank the enemy’s main force catching them completely by surprise giving them the element of surprise. The two HBK's launched forward, spitting AC ammo, SRM salvos and lasers at the enemies. Cid’s Cataphract kept spitting man made lighting from his PPC's, wrecking the rear armors of the enemy Enforcers, Spiders and Blackjacks.
The ambush lasted merely a couple of minutes and was a complete success, until a Jagermech appeared. It pivoted its armless body revealing its double AC20's aiming the lighter 'mechs. The HBK duo severely outgunned run at opposite sides while Avery followed Vulkanthrax. The Jagermech pilot was confused to see Avery’s 'mech jump out, limbless, to flank the enemy He still thought that Avery was on his side, so started pursuing Jochi’s mech.
Vulkanthrax and Avery pivoted their 'mechs as they tried flanking the enemy heavy. Airanthus jumped over the HBK and landed some dozens of meters away from the Jagermech. He stood up in his cockpit and grabbed the inferno launcher, aimed and fired as the Jagermech pilot aimed at him.
The missile left the weapon’s barrel and flied away directly at the cockpit of the Jagermech. The missile exploded midair, spraying the unlucky enemy 'mech with a flammable liquid scorching the enemy’s armor as it fell on its back. There, it succumbed to the combined firepower of Jochi, Vulkanthrax and Cid’s Cataphract, with its pilot in a state of complete panic. A few seconds later it stopped moving altogether as the 'mech shut down its powercore. The pilot was probably dead too.
Avery lost no time and threw the two remaining missiles to the ground which slammed on the ground.
“Are you crazy!?” Cid yelled.
“Probably, but let’s run. They spotted us, and your company’s moving through the rear as we planned and we’ll get caught in the middle of it. Let’s run!”
They all agreed it was the best moment to go and regroup. As they went through the tunnel’s gate, Avery shot the inferno missiles with his TK rifle, setting ablaze the earth on their backs, securing for at least a few minutes their flank.
The rest of the battle was easy, and the enemy force was eradicated. Avery was invited to the DropShip to talk with the one in charge. He had a chance to change clothes and have a few glasses of water.
“You’re up, Air, “ Vulkanthrax said “Nice touch on those inferno missiles.” The man appeared to be more relaxed as he stepped out of the command room. “Try to be polite to the Zhong-Shao.”
Avery walked in the dark room, he could tell he was not alone as he could make out 3 silhouettes. Avery standed at attention immediately as he entered the room.
“Pvt Avery Stephanos Swords, reporting as requested.” Avery said in a serious tone, trying to sound as professional as possible.
“You said the name was Airanthus.” one man said.
“Yes, sir, I was not-” His words were cut by the same man.
“Then that will be your name from now on, for as long as you stay in this Company”
“Yes, sir”
“We are the House Liao Gatekeepers, Guardians of the Liao Cháng-Chéng. Will you, Avery Stephanos Swords, pledge yourself as Sao-Wei Airanthus to the House Liao and the Gatekeepers?” the man barked.
“Yes, sir I will.”
“Good. I am Blackhand, this is Stoneblade and Torturous. I command this Company and these two fine MechWarriors assist me. Treat them with respect, as all of the rest of the Company - for, as of now this is your home.”
“Yes sir.”
“I’ve been told you have other technical skills too. That radio transmitter won’t fix itself, Sao-Wei.”
“Right away, sir.”
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