BattleTech Legends: Falcon Guard (Legend of the Jade Phoenix, Book Three) by Robert Thurston

Author:Robert Thurston [Thurston, Robert]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Catalyst Game Labs
Published: 2016-05-02T00:00:00+00:00

24

The city of Olalla, or at least those parts of it for which Aidan had been able to obtain intelligence, wavered on his main screen. This time it was not a ’Mech deficiency; the image was wavering on the screens of all the Falcon Guard pilots. The data was insufficient, creating gaps that in turn made the image unsteady. Pieces of the city seemed to want to close with other sections, as if the computer denied the missing parts. The projection for Humptulips was even less informative.

All briefings complete, the Falcon Guards could only sit and wait for the operation to begin. The last DropShips had deposited their valuable cargo onto Prezno Plain, and all battle Clusters were assembled. Even the night seemed in readiness, darker than before. Yet the command to move did not come.

“Is there some sign of battle activity?” Joanna asked. “Is that why we are standing here like metal vegetables?”

“I have been informed of no enemy activity,” Aidan said. “None of my sensors indicate activity of any kind. I think we merely await the order from Galaxy Commander Mar Helmer.”

“I hope it comes before moss starts to grow up the legs of my ’Mech.”

Aidan chose not to respond, not to express his worries. He had been in on all the command conferences. His superiors had rejected his battle-strategy proposal for its high element of risk. He did not mind that, yet it seemed the Clan’s high command had become surprisingly cautious. He believed they were placing too much emphasis on the Jade Falcons’ superior recon capabilities.

Aidan knew the Prezno Plain offered few hiding places, while the rest of the battle terrain consisted of a river and then more relative flatland leading to the two objective cities. Reconnaissance did not seem truly vital to the campaign.

Then all further speculation became pointless. The order came for the Falcon Guards to move forward.

Aidan turned control over to Star Captain Joanna, who would coordinate the style and rhythm of the march. He had already instructed the Falcon Guards that he expected them to move in a controlled and even manner. The skirmishing ’Mechs and Elementals of the advance guard were to move swiftly forward to find, contact, and fix in place any ComStar units to their front. The main-body ’Mechs were assigned interlocking fire zones to the flanks to cover any potential ambush sites as well as to engage any ComStar forces that the advance guard encountered.

When Aidan had submitted his marching orders to Star Captain Joanna, she gave him a rare half-smile. “You have changed, Aidan Pryde. Once you were virtually a rebel, and now you have become nearly a martinet. Not quite, though. You still stitch your patches too high on your uniform.”

Aidan shook his head. “I am but a Clan warrior, Star Captain Joanna.”

“No, it is more than that.”

He raised his brows interrogatively.

“It is not only the taint from the Falcon Guards you wish to remove. You wish to remove the taint from Aidan Pryde. I respect your goal, but let us hope that this new caution does not make you stay your hand at a key moment.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.