Chapter One Hundred and Twenty-Seven: Gambling
Kessel, January 21st, 3031
"Pull back!" Carter commanded the fireteam that was leading the Ryuken into a trap. "Make it look just like how we practiced."
The 1st Marksman RCT began to fall back in what looked like a full retreat. But was really a carefully practiced tactic that Carter had drilled them in relentlessly over the past few years and only put into practice now. Once the Ryuken had taken the bait and were stretched out Carter's men and women acted. As one, they turned around and coordinated fire on the heaviest of the Ryuken units, bringing down the Assaults and heavies with superior firepower. While the long range units were targeting the Heavy and Assault 'mechs, anything with short range weapons tore the lighter units that were now unsupported to shreds.
"That's right you Motherfuckers! Run!" Major Davis said over open comms as the remaining half of the two Battalions of Ryuken-San fled the field.
"That was good work, people!" Carter said as she coordinated with the other battalions that were fighting off the 18th Dieron Regulars. "I'm having the salvage teams come out now, and our Stings are about to initiate their bombing run."
"You heard the lady! Move with a purpose!' Davis repeated. "Ma'am, I'll hold down the fort here while you go make sure that Kingsley has to fall back into the bombing area."
"Solid copy Davis," Carter replied "Be wary though, I'm sure the Ryuken will be looking for payback."
"They can try!" Davis laughed. "I've got this covered Colonel."
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"They're falling back Colonel!" One of the Other Battalion Majors reported. "We've got confirmation that we're in the clear for now."
"That's good news, have our Mithrilscouts keep an eye on when they RTB." Carter said. "The minute they get back our Stings are lifting off for Grid Square removal."
"Aye Ma'am." The major responded. "I'll have our best scout fireteam working on it."
"Good work Major," Carter said as she transitioned her comms system to a private channel. "You've been holding off the best of Kingsley's forces and you've done a fucking fantastic job, when we get back to Kentares I'm putting in for you to get a promotion."
"Just doing my job ma'am, I don't need a promotion." The major replied as they finally reached their LZ. "I'm gonna grab some rack time, I'm sure I'll be needed back out there soon enough." The Major parked her Grasshopper in an automated repair bay and got out by scaling down her ladder. "I know guys, and I'd normally help with the work, but I'm more apt to drop than to be able to help." She told the techs and they nodded in understanding.
"It's alright Major, we're getting more regular ruck time than you have been." The lead tech said. "Go grab some rest, we'll have her reskinned as soon as we can."
"Thanks Sarge," The major replied. "I'll be back in five hours to help out."
"Take eight hours of rest Ma'am, you've earned it." The tech replied.
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"We have confirmation that the Ryuken and 18th Dieron Regulars are back at base." Carter told the Sting crews. "We know that they may have some Alamo's or other missiles prepped to try and knock you out of the sky, but I know that you can handle this." Carter stated. "I'm hoping the AMS systems are able to help, but just in case you don't come back, I want you to know that it was a pleasure being your commanding officer."
"Colonel," The lead Sting pilot said, "With all due respect, we wouldn't have volunteered for this if we didn't think there was a pretty good chance of survival, we're coming back, so make sure that the light is left on, because we'll be back home soon enough."
"Alright then hotshot!" Carter replied with a savage grin. "I'll see you back here after you're done removing them from the surface of Kessel."
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"Man, that's a beautiful sight." Colonel Zoe Carter said as she used the multizoom feature on her Binoculars to look at the base being leveled by the bombs dropping on them. "Explosions are a woman's best friend."
"I thought that was diamonds Colonel." Major Davis chimed in behind her. "That is a lot of explosives." He said as he observed the massive chain of explosions happening over the basecamp the enemies were using and the surrounding areas.
"Nah, explosions are better, and diamonds are everywhere, I don't know why they were all the rage a thousand years ago. Besides, an explosion of this magnitude will produce quite a few diamonds." She shrugged. "We're going to have to move in and see about clean up and helping out the survivors, not that I think there are any after that.." She gestured at the bombed out husk. "I would have done this sooner, but I thought we could handle them without going to this extreme."
"We held out until our artillery was out of ammunition Colonel, I'm not sure what else we could have done to ensure victory here." Major Davis replied.
"We'll find out in the debrief," Carter replied as she lowered her binoculars. "Get the staff together, we need to get a plan together."
Luthien, June 30th, 3026 (Same time Doppel!Ian is dying from complications via Neurohelmet)
"Alright, we just jumped in at a pirate point that lessened our trip from ten days to three and change, you know the plan, so let's snap to it."
"Yes sir," Godbolt, Packer, Hazen and Paige responded.
"Paige, I want as many of the Excalibursand Triumphs that we can take before you have the Vanguard take out the shipyards." I told her. "We've got enough collards to take ten or so Dropships, but I'm not sure how many of them are near finished."
"Want us to load up on spare parts as well sir?" Paige asked. "Me and my Marines have been waiting for you to let us off of the leash again."
"Go have fun and remember, pillage, thenburn." I reminded her. "Not the other way around."
"Yes sir," She grinned. "I'll grab what we can."
"Good woman," I said before turning to the other three COs. "The rest of you know your jobs, Hazen, we're going to be bait until we either win or get reinforced by Packer and Godbolt finishing their objectives."
"Good thing we are the best then." Mathis said. "I've been waiting to use this." He grabbed a case behind him and opened it to unveil a massive two handed vibrosword. "They want to use swords, well I'll show them swords."
"What're you going to do with that thing Mathis?" I asked with a chuckle.
"Take Subhash Indrahar's head off." Mathis said bluntly. "He's either here or on New Samarkand, and I've been waiting for this sort of thing for years now."
"Just let Nat have the first crack at Takashi." I told him. "If you get him first she might kill you."
"I'm staying well out of her way." Mathis said before he looked me in the eye with a serious expression. "Are you sure that you don't want to upgrade to an Assault Mech boss? No one would think any less of you."
"I'm sure Mathis." I gave him a solid slug in his armored shoulder. "I've driven a Warhammer for so long that I don't feel quite at home in any other machine anymore."
"Have you located Takashi yet?" Natasha asked as she strode into the room, her Mithril painted a shade of black with streaks of red that matched her hair. "My Nightstar is waiting to challenge him."
"Nat, we just got into the system and we're going to have to wait until we get to the planet before you can challenge him." I told my wife. "You just have to wait for three days."
"Then you are going to face me in the sims until the last twenty-four hours." Natasha told me with fire in her eyes. "We need to prepare for everything on Luthien to be thrown at us, and you are still piloting that squishy Warhammer."
"It's what I know Nat." I shrugged. "I've never used anything else aside from it and why try to change what works?"
"You need more dodging practice." She grabbed my arm and dragged me to the sims. "Let us prepare you for the fight of our lives."