Battletech #8- Wolves On The Border by Robert N. Charrette

Author:Robert N. Charrette [Charrette, Robert N.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Science Fiction, Fiction, General, Space Opera
ISBN: 9780451453884
Publisher: ROC, c1988.
Published: 1996-05-16T05:00:00+00:00

25

Ryuken Field HQ, Barlow's End

Draconis March, Federated Suns

4 October 3026

“Kantel's Recon Lance reports that the Dragoon ambush force has joined Zeta Battalion and is continuing to move north toward the landing zone,” Michi reported. Tai-sa Satoh only nodded.

Michi stood staring as the unresponsive Tai-sa remained slumped in his chair. Could he not understand what that meant? Most of the fighting force that had landed on Barlow's End was now retreating from battle. The Ryuken was in danger of being surrounded, especially if Federated forces broke off pursuit of the Dragoons and turned toward Landova. Davion troops were forcing the Ryuken out of the city. Before long, their advance forces would reach the command camp's perimeter.

Something exploded outside the command hut, followed by more detonations. Time had run out. The Davion forces had arrived. The guard 'Mechs fired in response to the assault.

Satoh started at the first noise, but then slumped into list-lessness again. His lack of reaction set off a wave of alarm through the Kuritan Techs and troops manning the command post. With the sounds of battle growing ever nearer, a panic began.

Michi waited for Satoh to give orders for the defense of the camp, but others did not. Tai-i Wakabe, commander of the Headquarters Lance, ran to direct his ‘Mech Warriors; the rest scrambled in all directions. Some took it on themselves to grab weapons and join the support troops firing on the enemy. Others simply dispersed in terror, a few to temporary salvation and ultimate capture in the wilderness, while most merely ran into the arms of death. In moments, the hut was deserted except for Satoh, Michi, and a single commtech.

“The Davion forces are surrounding us,” Michi said to his unresponsive superior. “We must pull back to the Drop-Ships, Tai-sa.”

Satoh slowly turned his head to look at Michi for a long moment, his eyes dull and face slack. Then he said, “It wasn't supposed to be like this. I was promised.”

The Tai-sa's comment seemed disconnected from the drastic situation at hand. Michi ground his teeth in anger at this poor excuse for a commander.

“Brace up, Tai-sa,” he exhorted. “We are not beaten yet. You must take command of your troops.”

Michi caught the commtech looking nervously from him to the Tai-sa. The man had something to say, but he didn't know to whom to say it.

“Speak up, man,” Michi snapped. “What is it?”

“A call from the commander of the Eridani Light Horse, sir. He wants us to lay down our arms and surrender.”

“No surrender,” Satoh mumbled.

Michi looked at him in disgust. A surrender refusal should be made with force, to impress with determination.

“The Tai-sa is right,” Michi told the commtech. “We will not surrender. Tell the Eridani commander that we refuse his request.”

“I can't, sir. All frequencies are being jammed.”

“Then he really does not want us to surrender.”

Michi glanced at Satoh to see how he took that news. The man was listlessly pawing through the maps, seemingly oblivious to what would be a death sentence for the Kurita forces on Barlow's End.

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