Falcon's Rising
- Thread starter MarkWarrior
- Start date
Chapter 27
MarkWarrior
Well-known member
Chapter 27
Date: September 1, 3052
Location: Steelton, Jade Falcon Occupation Zone
“Star Captain, you requested information on the surgery that we would be performing, quiaff?”
“Aff. I would know what it is that you are planning on doing to fix my knee and return the mobility that I once enjoyed.”
“While there are not many older warriors who are injured as you are, these surgeries are still performed for the civilian castes when it is necessary.”
The doctor showed an X-ray and full scan of my knee, with different sections enlarged to show exactly where the issues were.
“We will begin by replacing the cartilage,” he showed a comparison of my left and right knees. My left knee had minimal cushion left between the two bones and the kneecaps. “We have freshly cloned tissue that should show little chance of rejection. After we have replaced that, we will work on repairing the tears in your Meniscus. The tears are the reason for the swelling that you’ve been seeing. And likely the pain as well. We will also explore and see if any other issues need to be fixed while we have the knee opened up.”
“Do you have an estimated recovery time?” I asked.
“Assuming that everything goes well, you will be looking at three weeks of recovery time on the low end. Potentially one to two months if things go wrong.”
“Alright,” I nodded. “Do what you need to do.”
I laid down on the bed and they placed a mask on my face and had me count down, by the time I had reached three, everything had gone dark.
Two weeks later…
“Now down and hold,” the physical therapist had me maintain the squat for a second while he checked on my knees. “Good, now ease back up.”
I straightened up, smiling at the lack of pain that usually radiated through my knee at this sort of exercise.
“Progress is good,” the therapist jotted something down. “You are projected to finish the physical therapy at the end of next week. Given how things are going, I expect that you will be permitted to return to your position.”
“Thanks,” I sat down and pulled on a pair of sweatpants I had set to the side. “I will return for the exercises that you have prepared for me tomorrow.”
I then slung the gym bag over my shoulder and headed for the nearby showers.
The communal showers were filled with people, both warriors and the other castes alike. Good genetics helped out a lot, but without good habits, they weren’t enough on their own.
So, the gym was nearly always packed full of people working out and maintaining their fitness levels. After all, no one wanted to be weak when it came time for a trial.
Stripping my sweaty gear off, I tossed it into a cloth bag that I had set aside for dirty laundry before stepping under a stream of cold water.
It felt like I was getting hit in the face and chest with a brick at first, the icy water sending shivers down my spine as I soaped up and rinsed it off before stepping back out.
“Shower’s free,” I stepped out and toweled off before slipping into a fresh uniform.
PT had a very specific allotment in my day, and then I had to help Joanna and Aidan with the worst of all enemies, one that no one had ever managed to vanquish in all the centuries of advancement…Paperwork.
“Star Captain,” I nodded as I stepped into the shared office.
“Mark,” Joanna greeted me. “Your assigned work is on your desk. The Star Colonel has issued his challenge for Mar Helmer’s position, and we are charged with ensuring that the Cluster is rebuilt according to the standards that it held before Tukayyid.”
“My recovery is slated to be completed at the end of next week. After that, I will begin running drills with the Trinaries,” I replied. “But I understand that we must focus on the logistics for now.”
“The Steel Viper Omnimechs have been integrated into our forces. It is the Bondsman that we still have to find a place for,” Joanna replied. “While I understand your attachment to a familiar ‘Mech, I still believe that you should have claimed one of the Omnimechs for your own. The Kingfisher has yet to be assigned, after all.”
“I am content with my Warhammer,” I smiled as I sat down and went through the documents. “While it is not the ‘Mech that I used for decades, it is the closest thing I have yet found.”
“Would not a Hellbringer suffice?” Joanna raised an eyebrow. “You could even configure your primary loadout to mirror that of your Warhammer if you so desired.”
“Neg,” I shook my head. “It would not be the same, and I have become comfortable in my old age. I cannot change for just any reason.”
“This is why we prefer younger warriors,” Joanna muttered.
“Ahh, but the Clans have forgotten the adage from long ago. ‘Beware an old man in a young man’s game.’ And there are many others that spring to mind,” I chuckled before changing the subject. “Joanna, do you intend to trial for the Star Colonel’s position should he become Galaxy Commander?”
“I am considering it,” She glanced up at me. “Despite you being Ristar, I believe that I could win and take charge of the Cluster. In fact, I believe that unaugmented, I would win the Trial of Position, and you would be left to serve as my second.”
“If that happens, then so be it,” I shrugged. “But I intend to continue. After all, while we have taken worlds from the Inner Sphere, we have not conquered them. If you are to truly win such a war and have the conquered peoples follow you, then you must wage a war on two fronts.”
“Are we not already fighting a war with both the Lyran Commonwealth and the Steel Vipers?” she asked. “Explain yourself.”
“While yes, that is two fronts, I am referring to a front that the Clans have found themselves on the losing end of. While the Wolves have done better in this regard, they still do not understand it fully.”
I leaned forward and set out a few paperweights.
“This is the conventional side of the war,” I indicated the glass Falcon that I set in front. “It is where you meet the enemy in force of arms and force them to retreat or be destroyed,” I then pointed to a pen I had left behind. “And this is the public opinion front. It is not enough to win in combat. The people whom we conquer must become ours. But we cannot do that if they are convinced that we will harm them or be worse than those who governed them before. After all, for all that we are a caste structure, we are not the Smoke Jaguars, nor are we the Draconis Combine or Capellan Confederation. And we should seek to reinforce that regardless of their upbringing, they are now members of the Jade Falcons, and we are to treat them as such.”
“That is a job for the garrison clusters,” Joanna dismissed what I said, even though there was an interested gleam in her eye. “Now complete your paperwork, it is all that you are good for until you have finished healing.”
“Aff,” I laughed as I collected the paperweight and writing stick again before returning to the bane of my existence. “Just something to keep in mind.”
Author’s Note: After this week’s standard updates, everything is going to be put on Hiatus until the middle or end of May. I’m getting a bit burnt out, and I’m taking a break to work on something I want to publish. I’ll still respond to discussions or questions, but I’m putting everything on hold for a bit. Estimated time of Return for Falcon’s Rising is May 29.
Date: September 1, 3052
Location: Steelton, Jade Falcon Occupation Zone
“Star Captain, you requested information on the surgery that we would be performing, quiaff?”
“Aff. I would know what it is that you are planning on doing to fix my knee and return the mobility that I once enjoyed.”
“While there are not many older warriors who are injured as you are, these surgeries are still performed for the civilian castes when it is necessary.”
The doctor showed an X-ray and full scan of my knee, with different sections enlarged to show exactly where the issues were.
“We will begin by replacing the cartilage,” he showed a comparison of my left and right knees. My left knee had minimal cushion left between the two bones and the kneecaps. “We have freshly cloned tissue that should show little chance of rejection. After we have replaced that, we will work on repairing the tears in your Meniscus. The tears are the reason for the swelling that you’ve been seeing. And likely the pain as well. We will also explore and see if any other issues need to be fixed while we have the knee opened up.”
“Do you have an estimated recovery time?” I asked.
“Assuming that everything goes well, you will be looking at three weeks of recovery time on the low end. Potentially one to two months if things go wrong.”
“Alright,” I nodded. “Do what you need to do.”
I laid down on the bed and they placed a mask on my face and had me count down, by the time I had reached three, everything had gone dark.
Two weeks later…
“Now down and hold,” the physical therapist had me maintain the squat for a second while he checked on my knees. “Good, now ease back up.”
I straightened up, smiling at the lack of pain that usually radiated through my knee at this sort of exercise.
“Progress is good,” the therapist jotted something down. “You are projected to finish the physical therapy at the end of next week. Given how things are going, I expect that you will be permitted to return to your position.”
“Thanks,” I sat down and pulled on a pair of sweatpants I had set to the side. “I will return for the exercises that you have prepared for me tomorrow.”
I then slung the gym bag over my shoulder and headed for the nearby showers.
The communal showers were filled with people, both warriors and the other castes alike. Good genetics helped out a lot, but without good habits, they weren’t enough on their own.
So, the gym was nearly always packed full of people working out and maintaining their fitness levels. After all, no one wanted to be weak when it came time for a trial.
Stripping my sweaty gear off, I tossed it into a cloth bag that I had set aside for dirty laundry before stepping under a stream of cold water.
It felt like I was getting hit in the face and chest with a brick at first, the icy water sending shivers down my spine as I soaped up and rinsed it off before stepping back out.
“Shower’s free,” I stepped out and toweled off before slipping into a fresh uniform.
PT had a very specific allotment in my day, and then I had to help Joanna and Aidan with the worst of all enemies, one that no one had ever managed to vanquish in all the centuries of advancement…Paperwork.
“Star Captain,” I nodded as I stepped into the shared office.
“Mark,” Joanna greeted me. “Your assigned work is on your desk. The Star Colonel has issued his challenge for Mar Helmer’s position, and we are charged with ensuring that the Cluster is rebuilt according to the standards that it held before Tukayyid.”
“My recovery is slated to be completed at the end of next week. After that, I will begin running drills with the Trinaries,” I replied. “But I understand that we must focus on the logistics for now.”
“The Steel Viper Omnimechs have been integrated into our forces. It is the Bondsman that we still have to find a place for,” Joanna replied. “While I understand your attachment to a familiar ‘Mech, I still believe that you should have claimed one of the Omnimechs for your own. The Kingfisher has yet to be assigned, after all.”
“I am content with my Warhammer,” I smiled as I sat down and went through the documents. “While it is not the ‘Mech that I used for decades, it is the closest thing I have yet found.”
“Would not a Hellbringer suffice?” Joanna raised an eyebrow. “You could even configure your primary loadout to mirror that of your Warhammer if you so desired.”
“Neg,” I shook my head. “It would not be the same, and I have become comfortable in my old age. I cannot change for just any reason.”
“This is why we prefer younger warriors,” Joanna muttered.
“Ahh, but the Clans have forgotten the adage from long ago. ‘Beware an old man in a young man’s game.’ And there are many others that spring to mind,” I chuckled before changing the subject. “Joanna, do you intend to trial for the Star Colonel’s position should he become Galaxy Commander?”
“I am considering it,” She glanced up at me. “Despite you being Ristar, I believe that I could win and take charge of the Cluster. In fact, I believe that unaugmented, I would win the Trial of Position, and you would be left to serve as my second.”
“If that happens, then so be it,” I shrugged. “But I intend to continue. After all, while we have taken worlds from the Inner Sphere, we have not conquered them. If you are to truly win such a war and have the conquered peoples follow you, then you must wage a war on two fronts.”
“Are we not already fighting a war with both the Lyran Commonwealth and the Steel Vipers?” she asked. “Explain yourself.”
“While yes, that is two fronts, I am referring to a front that the Clans have found themselves on the losing end of. While the Wolves have done better in this regard, they still do not understand it fully.”
I leaned forward and set out a few paperweights.
“This is the conventional side of the war,” I indicated the glass Falcon that I set in front. “It is where you meet the enemy in force of arms and force them to retreat or be destroyed,” I then pointed to a pen I had left behind. “And this is the public opinion front. It is not enough to win in combat. The people whom we conquer must become ours. But we cannot do that if they are convinced that we will harm them or be worse than those who governed them before. After all, for all that we are a caste structure, we are not the Smoke Jaguars, nor are we the Draconis Combine or Capellan Confederation. And we should seek to reinforce that regardless of their upbringing, they are now members of the Jade Falcons, and we are to treat them as such.”
“That is a job for the garrison clusters,” Joanna dismissed what I said, even though there was an interested gleam in her eye. “Now complete your paperwork, it is all that you are good for until you have finished healing.”
“Aff,” I laughed as I collected the paperweight and writing stick again before returning to the bane of my existence. “Just something to keep in mind.”
Author’s Note: After this week’s standard updates, everything is going to be put on Hiatus until the middle or end of May. I’m getting a bit burnt out, and I’m taking a break to work on something I want to publish. I’ll still respond to discussions or questions, but I’m putting everything on hold for a bit. Estimated time of Return for Falcon’s Rising is May 29.
Take the time you need! If you can't keep motivated while you write, the writing suffers and just reinforces the burnout.
Indeed.In free time,go out with family/friends/both.
And maybe see some countryside,too.Walking throught forest should help.Real one,not park.
Chapter 28
MarkWarrior
Well-known member
Chapter 28
Date: September 16, 3052
Location: Steelton, Jade Falcon Occupation Zone
"Where are you going?" Joanna asked as I stood up from the desk I had been working at for the last few hours.
"I have been idle for too long," I replied, stretching and grabbing my duffle bag. "I intend to go for a run. I am sure that Gray needs to get some exercise as well."
Joanna glanced out the window and noted that the local star had begun its descent through the sky.
"Where are you planning on running?" Joanna stood and walked to the window.
"There is a hiking trail nearby," I shrugged. "There are times when it is worth it to stop and observe the beauty of the universe around us. Every world has something new to be seen, and until the day that I pass, I will try to observe that which is worth it."
I moved to the office door.
"You may join me if you wish. But the decision is yours."
—
—
I paused at the beginning of the trail and made sure my shoes were tight before whistling sharply.
Gray bounded over to me, her nose coming up to sniff at my face before I stood up.
"Gray, Heel!" I instructed, smiling as she glued herself to my side before we began running down the trail.
The golden and red leaves of the nearby trees reflected light as I jogged down the path, the comforting darkness of the canopy broken up into patches of glorious light where sunbeams hit the ground and illuminated the path forward.
After a kilometer or so, the canopy peeled away and revealed the local star setting behind distant mountains. The atmosphere glowed and the sea of colors spread across the sky and peeked over the mountains.
I sat down on a nearby fallen tree and watched the sunset, a grin on my face as I stroked Gray's neck and ears.
"This is the sort of thing that you need to remember to stop and look at," I said after a few moments. "I'll have to bring Darya here whenever I get the chance."
Then as the glow began to dim and shift into dusk I stood up to head back to the base. I was supposed to be cleared to drive my 'mech tomorrow, and I didn't want something as stupid as a root that I didn't see in the dark to make me have to wait longer.
"C'mon Gray," I stretched a bit. "Time to head on back."
The Octo-Wolf darted after something in the brush and returned with a lizard sticking out of her mouth.
"If you get sick from eating that, I'm not helping you feel better," I tried not to laugh at the rear legs and tail sticking out from the front of her mouth.
I then gave up and began laughing as Gray gave a small yelp and opened her mouth before shaking her head violently, launching the small reptile into the trees.
"It bit your tongue," I broke out laughing, slowing to a walk and holding my sides.
Gray simply huffed at me before looking mournfully at the lizard that climbed up a nearby tree.
"I won't stop you," I glanced at the lizard. "But I will continue to laugh at you if it happens again."
Date: October 14, 3052
Location: Wonton, Jade Falcon Occupation zone
The Trial of Position began with four.
Immediately upon the beginning of said trial, Marthe turned and engaged another Star Colonel's Hellbringer, the lightly armored Omnimech fell back from her burst of fire.
Meanwhile, Aidan simply began exchanging long-range fire against his opponent's Gargoyle, his lasers carving away at the assault 'mech that was attempting to close into range for its UAC/20.
The Gargoyle's medium lasers and machine guns hammered into Aidan's Timber Wolf, his armor melting away when the green beams struck.
But Aidan's retaliation was fierce, and his missiles ripped from the launchers over his shoulders before arcing up and into the Gargoyle's shoulders and head.
"You may have convinced others that you are no longer dezgra," his opponent taunted. "But you will not be able to convince me. I shall take Mar Helmer's place. And you shall return to your place among the garrison forces."
"Neg," Aidan replied. "I have honor, and my cluster alone proved that on Tukayyid. Where was your cluster during combat? What foes did you overcome to achieve our objectives? I do not recall seeing anyone other than my cluster and the 2nd Falcon Jaegers accomplishing anything. You shall fall here today, and your failures with you."
The Gargoyle then leaped into the air on a burst of plasma, trying to close the gap between them.
But Aidan stopped moving and his lasers and missiles impacted the cockpit, sending the assault 'mech crashing into the ground before him.
Then, turning around, he faced off with the person that he had once put his trust in, only for her to betray it.
"So it is you who are left to stand in my path," Marthe's damaged Summoner rotated to face his lightly damaged Timber Wolf painted in the colors of the Falcon Guards. "
"I turned my back on you once before," Aidan replied. "I have since learned from my mistakes. Now stand aside, Marthe. The Clan will need your talents and your 'Mech."
"Neg," Marthe faced Aidan, the broken armor of her 'Mech now hidden away from the heavier 'Mech's weapons. "I will rise, it will be my wings and talons that lead the Clan forward."
"We shall see," The other Pryde responded.
Aidan's 'Mech then leaped into the sky, the jets of plasma carrying it out of the way of a burst of autocannon fire.
The Timber Wolf landed and a flurry of missiles erupted from the LRM racks, the missiles homing in and destroying the Summoner's left arm.
Stumbling, Marthe's Summoner ducked underneath an emerald beam that lanced over her shoulder before she retaliated, her PPC and LRMs carving away at Aidan's armor.
The two continued to duel, their armor slowly shrinking as they both exhausted their missile supply before moving back into close range.
Dodging a PPC bolt, shifted his 'Mech and began moving closer to Marthe. His arms stabbed forward and His large lasers cut across the Summoner's legs. As the armor melted into slag, rivulets of molten metal fused into her knee actuators, seizing one of her legs and slowing her down as Aidan drove into short range. Aidan then drove his leg into Marthe's fused knee, sending the already reeling Summoner crashing to the ground.
Placing his foot on Marthe's chest, Aidan pointed a large laser at her cockpit.
"Yield, Marthe. I would rather not harm the Clans by finishing off a warrior of your talents today."
The Summoner powered down and Aidan stepped back to look at Vandervahn Chistu's Executioner. But given their history, he kept Marthe's 'mech in sight at all times. He would not show his back to her again.
"Star Colonel Aidan Pryde," saKhan Chistu's voice echoed over the open channels. "You have shown yourself as an equal to any among us. You may take your place as the Commander of Gamma Galaxy. With all of the responsibilities therein."
Date: September 16, 3052
Location: Steelton, Jade Falcon Occupation Zone
"Where are you going?" Joanna asked as I stood up from the desk I had been working at for the last few hours.
"I have been idle for too long," I replied, stretching and grabbing my duffle bag. "I intend to go for a run. I am sure that Gray needs to get some exercise as well."
Joanna glanced out the window and noted that the local star had begun its descent through the sky.
"Where are you planning on running?" Joanna stood and walked to the window.
"There is a hiking trail nearby," I shrugged. "There are times when it is worth it to stop and observe the beauty of the universe around us. Every world has something new to be seen, and until the day that I pass, I will try to observe that which is worth it."
I moved to the office door.
"You may join me if you wish. But the decision is yours."
—
—
I paused at the beginning of the trail and made sure my shoes were tight before whistling sharply.
Gray bounded over to me, her nose coming up to sniff at my face before I stood up.
"Gray, Heel!" I instructed, smiling as she glued herself to my side before we began running down the trail.
The golden and red leaves of the nearby trees reflected light as I jogged down the path, the comforting darkness of the canopy broken up into patches of glorious light where sunbeams hit the ground and illuminated the path forward.
After a kilometer or so, the canopy peeled away and revealed the local star setting behind distant mountains. The atmosphere glowed and the sea of colors spread across the sky and peeked over the mountains.
I sat down on a nearby fallen tree and watched the sunset, a grin on my face as I stroked Gray's neck and ears.
"This is the sort of thing that you need to remember to stop and look at," I said after a few moments. "I'll have to bring Darya here whenever I get the chance."
Then as the glow began to dim and shift into dusk I stood up to head back to the base. I was supposed to be cleared to drive my 'mech tomorrow, and I didn't want something as stupid as a root that I didn't see in the dark to make me have to wait longer.
"C'mon Gray," I stretched a bit. "Time to head on back."
The Octo-Wolf darted after something in the brush and returned with a lizard sticking out of her mouth.
"If you get sick from eating that, I'm not helping you feel better," I tried not to laugh at the rear legs and tail sticking out from the front of her mouth.
I then gave up and began laughing as Gray gave a small yelp and opened her mouth before shaking her head violently, launching the small reptile into the trees.
"It bit your tongue," I broke out laughing, slowing to a walk and holding my sides.
Gray simply huffed at me before looking mournfully at the lizard that climbed up a nearby tree.
"I won't stop you," I glanced at the lizard. "But I will continue to laugh at you if it happens again."
Date: October 14, 3052
Location: Wonton, Jade Falcon Occupation zone
The Trial of Position began with four.
Immediately upon the beginning of said trial, Marthe turned and engaged another Star Colonel's Hellbringer, the lightly armored Omnimech fell back from her burst of fire.
Meanwhile, Aidan simply began exchanging long-range fire against his opponent's Gargoyle, his lasers carving away at the assault 'mech that was attempting to close into range for its UAC/20.
The Gargoyle's medium lasers and machine guns hammered into Aidan's Timber Wolf, his armor melting away when the green beams struck.
But Aidan's retaliation was fierce, and his missiles ripped from the launchers over his shoulders before arcing up and into the Gargoyle's shoulders and head.
"You may have convinced others that you are no longer dezgra," his opponent taunted. "But you will not be able to convince me. I shall take Mar Helmer's place. And you shall return to your place among the garrison forces."
"Neg," Aidan replied. "I have honor, and my cluster alone proved that on Tukayyid. Where was your cluster during combat? What foes did you overcome to achieve our objectives? I do not recall seeing anyone other than my cluster and the 2nd Falcon Jaegers accomplishing anything. You shall fall here today, and your failures with you."
The Gargoyle then leaped into the air on a burst of plasma, trying to close the gap between them.
But Aidan stopped moving and his lasers and missiles impacted the cockpit, sending the assault 'mech crashing into the ground before him.
Then, turning around, he faced off with the person that he had once put his trust in, only for her to betray it.
"So it is you who are left to stand in my path," Marthe's damaged Summoner rotated to face his lightly damaged Timber Wolf painted in the colors of the Falcon Guards. "
"I turned my back on you once before," Aidan replied. "I have since learned from my mistakes. Now stand aside, Marthe. The Clan will need your talents and your 'Mech."
"Neg," Marthe faced Aidan, the broken armor of her 'Mech now hidden away from the heavier 'Mech's weapons. "I will rise, it will be my wings and talons that lead the Clan forward."
"We shall see," The other Pryde responded.
Aidan's 'Mech then leaped into the sky, the jets of plasma carrying it out of the way of a burst of autocannon fire.
The Timber Wolf landed and a flurry of missiles erupted from the LRM racks, the missiles homing in and destroying the Summoner's left arm.
Stumbling, Marthe's Summoner ducked underneath an emerald beam that lanced over her shoulder before she retaliated, her PPC and LRMs carving away at Aidan's armor.
The two continued to duel, their armor slowly shrinking as they both exhausted their missile supply before moving back into close range.
Dodging a PPC bolt, shifted his 'Mech and began moving closer to Marthe. His arms stabbed forward and His large lasers cut across the Summoner's legs. As the armor melted into slag, rivulets of molten metal fused into her knee actuators, seizing one of her legs and slowing her down as Aidan drove into short range. Aidan then drove his leg into Marthe's fused knee, sending the already reeling Summoner crashing to the ground.
Placing his foot on Marthe's chest, Aidan pointed a large laser at her cockpit.
"Yield, Marthe. I would rather not harm the Clans by finishing off a warrior of your talents today."
The Summoner powered down and Aidan stepped back to look at Vandervahn Chistu's Executioner. But given their history, he kept Marthe's 'mech in sight at all times. He would not show his back to her again.
"Star Colonel Aidan Pryde," saKhan Chistu's voice echoed over the open channels. "You have shown yourself as an equal to any among us. You may take your place as the Commander of Gamma Galaxy. With all of the responsibilities therein."
And Aidan puts Marthe back in her place.
Chapter 29
New
MarkWarrior
Well-known member
Chapter 29
Date: November 3, 3052
Location: Steelton, Jade Falcon Occupation Zone
“You are slow,” Joanna chided me as we circled each other on the sparring mats. “How do you hope to contend with those who challenge you unaugmented?”
“With weight and experience,” I replied. “I wrestled with wolves for decades. So I will adapt more of what Darya taught me and wait for the other person to make a mistake.”
“And if it is an Elemental, who challenges you?” Joanna asked as we exchanged a handful of blows. “What will you do then?”
“Lose,” I shrugged. “I am not going to be able to win against an elemental in unaugmented combat.”
“I suppose that is fair,” She dropped and tried to sweep my legs. “But you should still be prepared for such.”
After the match, we stepped out of the ring and began toweling off.
As we both stepped towards the showers, the door to the gym slid open, and Aidan Pryde stepped through. We snapped to attention and waited as the uniformed man silently padded over to us.
“At ease, Star Captains,” he stood before us. “Joanna, there is an opening for the Hazen bloodright after we drove off a Steel Viper raid on Somerset. You will go and compete for it.”
Joanna simply stared at Aidan for a moment as she processed everything.
“Why?” She asked. “What would that accomplish?”
“If you are to lead the Falcon Guard as Star Colonel, it would be better if you possessed the bloodname to support it.”
Aidan then turned to me, his brow furrowed in thought.
“Unfortunately, you will have to continue to prove yourself,” he locked eyes with me. “We will see what the future has in store for you and for Clan Jade Falcon.”
Date: January 17, 3053
Location: Sudeten, Jade Falcon Occupation Zone
Joanna didn’t know how to feel. This was a second, no, a third chance that she never should have been given. She had failed in her trial for her first bloodname. She had failed the Falcon Guard at Twycross. No one would consider her for this opportunity. No one should have given her this opportunity. Aidan was wrong. For all that he praised her for their success on Tukayyid, he had brought them all together and seen the potential that a group of Solahma and Dezgra possessed.
But as for herself? She was an old woman out of place among the youth of a new world. And as she looked out the cockpit of her Mad Dog. She could see the difference. The other warriors were in gleaming Omnimechs, the factory-new shine a sharp contrast to the worn ‘Mech she’d been using for the last three years. And now, as the trial started, she realized that maybe the old man was right to keep to something familiar in his Warhammer. Maybe there was something to the words that he’d said about the Clans changing. And maybe, just maybe, there was an opportunity on the horizon.
With a sharp sound, the Trial began, youthful warriors in lighter ‘Mechs turning and blasting each other while the heavier ‘Mechs began to focus on those in the heaviest bracket and attempt to take them down.
It was then that Joanna noted the problem that the young warriors faced—the critical flaw, as it were.
They were so focused on each other that they had all neglected her. Their attention tunneled into the immediate opponent instead of the complete picture of the battlefield.
So with a quick burst of her jump jets, she leaped into the air and began her conquest, her ‘Mech landing with a soft ‘thud’ in plain view of the Summoner and Hellbringer facing each other.
The young warriors were skilled, but they lacked the instincts and killer instinct of someone whose skills had been honed in the trials of combat. Of someone who had seen her entire unit killed at one point.
And while their reflexes were better, Joanna was patient. She pushed and prodded at any mistakes that they made. Her instincts pushed for her to not only win this Trial but to also teach the next generation. In the future, they might appreciate her attempts. But for now, it simply infuriated the young warriors, sending them into a rage that began to cause mistakes, mistakes that led to their defeat.
As Joanna’s Mad Dog stepped back towards the repair bay, medtechs and mechtechs began pulling the Omnimechs onto flatbed trucks. The ‘Mechs could be repaired, and the Clan desperately needed to conserve resources.
After Joanna parked her ‘Mech in the mechbay, she sat there, numb to the rest of the world. For the first time, her Codex would reflect not only her name but also that of her Bloodname. Of the Bloodright that she had won with her own two hands. Fate and destiny had shifted. And the future would never be the same again.”
Date: Classified
Location: Classified
“Elias, you must step forward and lead the Clan,” Vandervahn Chistu looked at the bedridden Khan. “I can no longer maintain this charade. The Galaxy Commanders are asking questions. Aidan Pryde is beginning to rebuild multiple clusters using equipment taken from the Steel Vipers. Soon, we will have to explain to the other Clans what has happened.”
There was silence as Elias merely stared out the window. After several moments, he finally turned and faced the saKhan.
“I will step down,” Elias’s face was scarred and fragmented; he had been recovered when his reactor went critical, but even with the best of clan medicine, they could only keep him alive after the injuries he had received. “I will announce it within a week. You must find a saKhan who will help lead the Jade Falcons to victory. I will not be there to see it with my own eyes.”
Vandervahn searched the face of Khan Elias Crichell, looking for any sign of dishonesty or a slip of the tongue. After finding nothing, he nodded.
“I will ensure that the Jade Falcon’s place is secure,” the saKhan promised. “I have already seen to it that our resources are well spent.”
Elias simply turned and began staring out the window again as silence filled the air. It was evident that this was a dismissal, and Vandervahn left the room.
“The future waits for no one,” Vandervahn muttered to himself.
As he walked away, though, his eyes passed over a woman with a bondcord serving among the medical staff.
The young nurse checked for cameras and entered the room that the saKhan had just left, a syringe in her hands.
A few moments later, she departed the room and blended in with the rest of the staff, no one the wiser as to what had just taken place. After all, who would suspect one of the medical staff when the saKhan was the last one to visibly enter the room?
Date: November 3, 3052
Location: Steelton, Jade Falcon Occupation Zone
“You are slow,” Joanna chided me as we circled each other on the sparring mats. “How do you hope to contend with those who challenge you unaugmented?”
“With weight and experience,” I replied. “I wrestled with wolves for decades. So I will adapt more of what Darya taught me and wait for the other person to make a mistake.”
“And if it is an Elemental, who challenges you?” Joanna asked as we exchanged a handful of blows. “What will you do then?”
“Lose,” I shrugged. “I am not going to be able to win against an elemental in unaugmented combat.”
“I suppose that is fair,” She dropped and tried to sweep my legs. “But you should still be prepared for such.”
After the match, we stepped out of the ring and began toweling off.
As we both stepped towards the showers, the door to the gym slid open, and Aidan Pryde stepped through. We snapped to attention and waited as the uniformed man silently padded over to us.
“At ease, Star Captains,” he stood before us. “Joanna, there is an opening for the Hazen bloodright after we drove off a Steel Viper raid on Somerset. You will go and compete for it.”
Joanna simply stared at Aidan for a moment as she processed everything.
“Why?” She asked. “What would that accomplish?”
“If you are to lead the Falcon Guard as Star Colonel, it would be better if you possessed the bloodname to support it.”
Aidan then turned to me, his brow furrowed in thought.
“Unfortunately, you will have to continue to prove yourself,” he locked eyes with me. “We will see what the future has in store for you and for Clan Jade Falcon.”
Date: January 17, 3053
Location: Sudeten, Jade Falcon Occupation Zone
Joanna didn’t know how to feel. This was a second, no, a third chance that she never should have been given. She had failed in her trial for her first bloodname. She had failed the Falcon Guard at Twycross. No one would consider her for this opportunity. No one should have given her this opportunity. Aidan was wrong. For all that he praised her for their success on Tukayyid, he had brought them all together and seen the potential that a group of Solahma and Dezgra possessed.
But as for herself? She was an old woman out of place among the youth of a new world. And as she looked out the cockpit of her Mad Dog. She could see the difference. The other warriors were in gleaming Omnimechs, the factory-new shine a sharp contrast to the worn ‘Mech she’d been using for the last three years. And now, as the trial started, she realized that maybe the old man was right to keep to something familiar in his Warhammer. Maybe there was something to the words that he’d said about the Clans changing. And maybe, just maybe, there was an opportunity on the horizon.
With a sharp sound, the Trial began, youthful warriors in lighter ‘Mechs turning and blasting each other while the heavier ‘Mechs began to focus on those in the heaviest bracket and attempt to take them down.
It was then that Joanna noted the problem that the young warriors faced—the critical flaw, as it were.
They were so focused on each other that they had all neglected her. Their attention tunneled into the immediate opponent instead of the complete picture of the battlefield.
So with a quick burst of her jump jets, she leaped into the air and began her conquest, her ‘Mech landing with a soft ‘thud’ in plain view of the Summoner and Hellbringer facing each other.
The young warriors were skilled, but they lacked the instincts and killer instinct of someone whose skills had been honed in the trials of combat. Of someone who had seen her entire unit killed at one point.
And while their reflexes were better, Joanna was patient. She pushed and prodded at any mistakes that they made. Her instincts pushed for her to not only win this Trial but to also teach the next generation. In the future, they might appreciate her attempts. But for now, it simply infuriated the young warriors, sending them into a rage that began to cause mistakes, mistakes that led to their defeat.
As Joanna’s Mad Dog stepped back towards the repair bay, medtechs and mechtechs began pulling the Omnimechs onto flatbed trucks. The ‘Mechs could be repaired, and the Clan desperately needed to conserve resources.
After Joanna parked her ‘Mech in the mechbay, she sat there, numb to the rest of the world. For the first time, her Codex would reflect not only her name but also that of her Bloodname. Of the Bloodright that she had won with her own two hands. Fate and destiny had shifted. And the future would never be the same again.”
Date: Classified
Location: Classified
“Elias, you must step forward and lead the Clan,” Vandervahn Chistu looked at the bedridden Khan. “I can no longer maintain this charade. The Galaxy Commanders are asking questions. Aidan Pryde is beginning to rebuild multiple clusters using equipment taken from the Steel Vipers. Soon, we will have to explain to the other Clans what has happened.”
There was silence as Elias merely stared out the window. After several moments, he finally turned and faced the saKhan.
“I will step down,” Elias’s face was scarred and fragmented; he had been recovered when his reactor went critical, but even with the best of clan medicine, they could only keep him alive after the injuries he had received. “I will announce it within a week. You must find a saKhan who will help lead the Jade Falcons to victory. I will not be there to see it with my own eyes.”
Vandervahn searched the face of Khan Elias Crichell, looking for any sign of dishonesty or a slip of the tongue. After finding nothing, he nodded.
“I will ensure that the Jade Falcon’s place is secure,” the saKhan promised. “I have already seen to it that our resources are well spent.”
Elias simply turned and began staring out the window again as silence filled the air. It was evident that this was a dismissal, and Vandervahn left the room.
“The future waits for no one,” Vandervahn muttered to himself.
As he walked away, though, his eyes passed over a woman with a bondcord serving among the medical staff.
The young nurse checked for cameras and entered the room that the saKhan had just left, a syringe in her hands.
A few moments later, she departed the room and blended in with the rest of the staff, no one the wiser as to what had just taken place. After all, who would suspect one of the medical staff when the saKhan was the last one to visibly enter the room?
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Joanna won't be a bitter and broken warrior? What is going on here!?