FRS Chpt 19

==Falcon Rising - Chapter 19 -==
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===Moving forward with the Plan===
"Well," I muttered as I tossed my few meager belongings back into a rucksack. "I never thought that I'd be fighting for the Clans if it ever came to Tukayyid," I scratched Gray's chin. "It's a bit odd, isn't it?"
 
I then stood and whistled for her to follow as I headed for the dropships, regardless of how things might have turned out, this was my life now. And I had a plan to reform at least Jade Falcon. Either that, or I would die trying.
 
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===Meeting a very ornery Bunk mater===
"Star Commander," Joanna greeted me as I entered the room that I had been assigned.
 
"Star Captain," I replied as I stored my duffle before resting on the bunk that I had been assigned. "I was unaware that I was to be roomed with you."
 
"It was at my request," the woman frowned. "You are not like the rest of the Guard, you have not been deemed dezgra, for all that you are Abtakha, your codex speaks well of you and the engagements that you have been engaged in."
 
"So?" I raised an eyebrow. "I am far older than most solahma. The only units that would take me were garrison clusters or the Falcon Guard. I desired a front-line post. This was what was available to me, there is nothing more to it than that."
 
"Freebirth," Joanna rolled her eyes. "I am watching you. You have no place here, and should you fall behind… Well, that is where we will leave you."
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===Preparing to Drop===
Location: Overlord-C Class DropShip, Raptor
I climbed into my Warhammer, Gray settled into the seat behind me as I began to power cycle the 'Mech and prepare it for an orbital drop. My Star had been designated as part of the path-finding Trinary, and as such, I would be responsible for leading a third of the Omnimechs that would be securing the landing for the Raptor.
 
"Alpha Trinary, signify status!" Joanna barked.
 
"This is Bravo Star, Ready op," I reported as I received the status of my Mechwarriors.
 
"All Stars are ready op, Raptor, begin drop."
The Bobby B shook as my 'Mech was slowly 'shoved' out of the dropship, the ceramic pod beginning its descent through the atmosphere as it slowly burned away, my sensors guiding me along the path that had been designated for me to follow.
 
Then, at a safe distance above the ground, I ignited the pack that was bolted on, the jets flaring as they slowed my path enough for me to hit the ground with a solid 'Thump', the explosive bolts sending the pack to the ground as I regrouped with my Star.
 
"Star Captain, Bravo Star is ready, following previous instructions," I reported as the star scattered around me to clear out the immediate area, our normally silver and green 'Mechs scorched as black as the darkness around us.
 
After a few moments of each Star securing their area, Star Captain Joanna reported. "Falcon Guard Trinary Alpha has landed, sir. Area is secured and marker beacons are up. Your orders?"
 
Star Colonel Pryde then gave his orders and Joanna's followed shortly afterward.
 
"Bravo and Charlie Stars, I want a three-kilometer security zone set up around the LZ. Bravo, once that is done, prepare to assist in disembarking the incoming Battlemechs. I will transmit deployment patterns shortly."
 
My Star secured the zone with Charlie as the Raptor continued her descent, the Overlord-C eventually setting down and beginning to offload 'Mechs, supplies, and Elementals. The newcomers moved to locations ordered by Joanna as my Star shifted to direct the disembarkation while Alpha relieved us of our security duties.
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===Pause by the Prezno River===
Location: Tukayyid, Free Rasalhague Republic
Sometimes, the way that the Clans waged war was modern, the tactics somewhat resembling the sort of things that I'd seen in the past in my own training and research. And then sometimes, it was nonsensical bullshit.
 
I didn't know whose bright idea it was to have the entirety of the Jade Falcon Forces march through a field in formation, but if I ever did find out, there would be hell to pay. I understood the direct approach, hell, I loved the idea of just kicking someone's door in instead of trying to sneak up on them. But this? This was stupid. And I felt like a target.
 
But I wasn't going to fight it for now. Especially given how quickly I'd find myself cashiered if I did so.
 
Instead, I maintained the formation as ordered, the Falcon Guard had shifted to secure the right flank of the overall forces, and both Bravo and Charlie Stars from Trinary Alpha had been molded in with a Nova from Echo.
 
As we moved through the night, we eventually encountered the Comstar forces arrayed against us, their hit-and-run tactics claiming both meat and machine throughout the night.
 
By the time that day had come, we had slowed to a crawl as we neared the Prezno River, the damage to the Falcon Guard was minor, but our battle lines grew thin as we were slowly ordered to spread out.
 
Then, ten kilometers shy of the river, we were ordered to halt. Many of the Warriors popped their cockpits and shifted to a relaxed position, but I did not. I allowed my Star to enjoy the break, but I merely continued scanning as dawn broke across the horizon, Star Colonel Pryde had dismounted and boarded a VTOL heading for Command.
 
"Star Commander, you may rest," Star Captain Joanna's voice came over a private line.
 
"Neg," I replied. "Someone needs to stay on alert, and the rest of my Star is eating at the moment. I will step down once one of them can take my place at the watch."
 
"Understood," Joanna responded after a moment. "As you were, Star Commander."
 
And so I stayed on standby, my Warhammer's sensors scanning the fields and skies for any sign that Comstar might be lurking in ambush.
 
Then, after about an hour of this, two of the members of my Star boarded their 'Mechs and powered back up.
 
"Star Commander, We will take over your watch, quiaff?"
 
"Aff," I replied, putting my 'Hammer into a soft shutdown before popping my hatch, the fresh cool air greeting me as I lowered the ladder down and began to descend. Then, when I reached the ground, I held out my arms and whistled sharply, Gray then jumped out of the cockpit and into my arms where I set her down.
 
"Thank you," I nodded at the technician who had a meal set aside for me. "You can go get some rest too."
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===Falling Back when Victory is close to their Grasps===
After a few hours of rest and rotation of the watch, the Clans finally shifted forward, with the Falcon Guard pushing along with the Twelfth Falcon Cluster, the Twelfth's 'Mechs pushing forward to take the bridge ahead of us.
 
"Falcon Guard, press forward at best unit speed," Pryde ordered, his voice coming in clear through the comms as my Star pushed forward in a staggered formation.
 
Then, as we reached the area around the bridge, the Star Colonel surged forward with a few members of his Command Star, their jump jets alight with fire and fury as they forced Comstar's forces back while the rest of us pushed forward and then held our positions.
 
Then, as Comstar fell back, the Twelfth surged forward, their Star Colonel pushing to cross the bridge as the bridge vanished into the rapids below. Comstar's forces then reappeared, with combat vehicles and 'Mechs sniping at us while Aerospace fighters streaked across the sky.
 
"We hold." I commanded my Star as a VTOL vanished in a beam of manmade Lightning.
 
Unfortunately, we of the Falcon Guard stood alone as the Twelfth fled with the loss of their Star Colonel.
 
Unfortunately, while my 'Mech was capable of fighting for a long time given my reliance on energy weapons aside from my lone SRM pack, the same could not be said for the remainder of the unit, and as the ammunition stores drew low, Star Captain Joanna ordered us to fall back, eventually leaving me in my Warhammer and her in her Mad Dog to cover the retreat.
 
Slowly, the entire force of the Jade Falcons was pushed back by Comstar's forces, and for all of the aggression that the Clans had displayed when they first invaded the Inner Sphere, they seemed to lack that killer edge in this case.
 
"Star Captain," I opened a private channel to Joanna. "Why are we falling back? It is only in advance that victory is won. If we continue to fall back, they will continue to have the momentum and the eventual victory."
There was a pause as Joanna's Mad Dog seemed to hesitate for a second before my comm crackled. "We do as we are instructed, Star Commander. Lest we forget that we are a part of the whole Clan."
 
"Understood, Ma'am," I replied. "I will do as you command."
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===Installation of new Equipment===
"Star Commander," Joanna's voice resounded through the 'Mech bay. "What are you doing?"
"Outfitting my 'Mech with Jump Jets as ordered by the Star Colonel" I pulled myself out of the jets that we had installed on the legs. "Run the tests!" I called out to the tech. "I think we've got it calibrated correctly."
 
"And why are you arms deep in your 'Mech?" She inquired, her arms crossed.
 
"Because otherwise it would not be finished in time," I wiped my hands off on a nearby towel. "I have not been granted an Omnimech, and I will not request one when it would be better in the hands of someone more accustomed to it. Neg, I will do the work required to perform at whatever level to my own 'Mech."
 
"Is it ready?" Joanna jutted her chin at the Silver and green painted Warhammer. "I warned you that if you fell behind we would leave you."
 
"Star Commander," The tech approached. "All tests are green, the jets are properly installed as are the lasers."
 
"Yes," I replied, turning to face the Star Captain. It is ready for whatever task it is that you require of us."
 
"Get yourself cleaned up," Joanna scoffed. "We are to set out with the 2nd Falcon Jaegers at Dawn."
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==Chapter Notes==
*; Author's Chapter Note - How does Warhammer get Jump Jets? : Out of Universe, You can do whatever you want. In universe. If you're not using an Omnimech, you have to do precise calculations and have good techs so the gyro is calibrated properly whenever you do something like that. Then (if you're on the tabletop) they have to roll for success. With each 'Task' taking anywhere from 15-60 minutes for armor, to 180 minutes or more for the harder stuff. Omnimechs are easier on the techs, but you can refit any 'Mech given enough time.
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