BattleTech: Main Event by James D. Long

Author:James D. Long
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Catalyst Game Labs
Published: 2011-05-01T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Harlech, Outreach

26 September 3054

Rose lounged with his back against the cool marble wall and watched the rest of his unit deal with having to wait. A casual glance at his chronometer showed that they’d been “detained” in this austere room somewhere in Wolf Hall for more than two hours. Patience was beginning to wear thin on some, but the Thorns managed to avoid taking it out on each other.

He knew that they were not at fault for initiating the physical combat that had put one Dragoon in the hospital, but as time wore on he began to wonder. His unit was sitting on the Dragoon homeworld, practicing on Dragoon fields, their ‘Mechs sitting in Dragoon repair bays, fighting a match with Dragoon referees. Technically, he had nothing to fear, but if the Dragoons said it was the Black Thorns’ fault, who in the Inner Sphere could argue differently? It wouldn’t tarnish the reputation of Wolf’s Dragoons if they were bested one time by an unknown mercenary force, but it could mean all the difference to the Black Thorns. The results of the match would be posted in the Hiring Hall for all prospective employers to see. News of such a win would undoubtedly help the Thorns get the kind of contract he was seeking.

Ten minutes after the Annihilator had collapsed into the building, a Dragoon medevac unit had dropped in on the scene, followed closely by a security company. Several ‘Mechs moved to cover the immobile Thorns, as a Shadow Hawk and a Grasshopper used their giant metal hands to free the Annihilator from the fallen walls.

Rose was surprised to learn that the pilot was still alive, even conscious, as a medical VTOL took him away. The security force, led by the Grasshopper, escorted Rose and his company back to the staging area, where their ‘Mechs were powered down. Rose had wanted to communicate with the rest of his unit, but the Dragoons had imposed a broad-based jam on the Black Thorn ‘Mechs, forcing each pilot to work in silence.

Once out of his ‘Mech and on the ground again, Rose had motioned the team to remain quiet as Dragoon foot soldiers with laser carbines quickly surrounded them. Though most of the ‘Mechs in his company had gone into battle armed, even for a practice battle like this one, they were no match for the armored Dragoons. Herded like livestock, the Thorns had been packed into the back of an armored van and driven directly to Wolf Hall. Once the van doors closed behind the last Thorn, the unit members had turned to him with a thunder of questions and outrage. Rose shut them off by slashing his finger across his throat.

He’d expected an immediate court case, formal charges or something that would allow him to defend himself, but the guards had merely deposited the Thorns here without so much as a word. Twenty minutes later McCloud and Ajax were added, and the door had closed for the final time.

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