EMCOTS-2 20

=Emergence (Concertverse) Book 2 - Chapter 20=
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==Aftermath==
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===Costs of Victory===
Wolf City, Wolf Clan Settlement Zone, Gutheim Continent
Arc-Royal, Donegal Province
Lyran Commonwealth
Transglass Inner Sphere
9th August, 3143
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Arc-Royal's sun was low in the sky, casting twilight hues of crimson and orange over the smoldering scene of Wolf City. What light remained for Eva showed her a sight out of a nightmare. They were in the laborer caste residential district, and the apartment blocks that had housed the Wolves' laborers were now a host of broken and battered blocks of concrete. Whatever wood had gone into their construction was mostly burnt away now, and entire apartments were open to the air from where everything from weapons fire to rampaging BattleMechs had gutted the buildings.
Eva brought her 'Mech to a stop in the vacated ruins of what had once been a community center, but which now barely counted as a standing structure. She lowered her machine onto one knee, making sure to use her good leg to avoid taxing the damaged one, and put the Paladin on standby mode. When the hatch opened, a miasma assaulted her nostrils, stinking of explosives, ozone, and a host of other scents left by the fighting. She tossed the rope ladder out and clambered down to the ground. Pulverized concrete and the wreckage of furniture met her combat boots. Her eyes turned towards the figure a scant thirty meters away.
Standing below her armless, savaged Warhound was the familiar visage of Marissa. She was in her cooling suit, her hair matted to her head despite the faint wind drifting through the ruins. In the twilight Eva had to draw close to see how pale Marissa was, in defiance of the MechWarrior's sunburn that showed just how far she'd pushed the Warhound's heat profile. Marissa heard her approach and turned to face her. The Wolf warrior's expression was deceptively emotionless, but in her eyes, Eva saw the intensity of emotions warring beneath that mask. Dried tear streaks were visible down her cheeks, testament to a momentary loss of control long overcome. "You are still alive. Good."
"What happened with Pack Leader Idris and the sibkos?"
"We lost no others among the children. Pack Leader Idris was gravely hurt ensuring it; the medtechs are not sure he will live out the night. Many others fell with him. Most of my Star are among the wounded or slain." Marissa swallowed painfully. "But the sibkos live, and hope remains for the Wolf Clan."
"Thank God," Eva breathed. Her worries had not proven true, though she felt grief for Idris. She'd not gotten the chance to really know him, but it was clear he meant much to Marissa. A shame I may never get to know him now. "Dominic and Rachel?"
"They live, though Rachel is gravely wounded." Eva felt relief at hearing it, though she said nothing about her desire for more details. Seeing Marissa's eyes drift away, Eva followed them. In a day that was already guaranteed to sear itself into her soul for the rest of her days, she was confronted with yet another unforgettable, unforgivable, sight.
It had evidently been a communal park for the laborers, but now, it was a charnel house. Bodies were strewn everywhere. There were some Falcons present, in shattered 'Mechs and broken battle armor, but far more of the fallen were in Wolf gray and amber, many civilians. Those remains were the most horrific. They had been charred by flamers, carved by lasers, torn by bullets, mauled by vibro-claws, crushed by 'Mechs. Some had been covered by sheets or tarps or whatever could be found, and a few were still moving in some way, surrounded by medtechs in an assortment of colors. Not only were Wolf medtechs present, Eva noted some in Republic dark blue and grey and Kell Hound red and black, a few even in the blue and silver of the FolksArme's medical staff. Eva recognized amongst them power-armored soldiers in the insignia of one of the Eridani Heavy Cavalry regiments, identifiable by their prancing black horse on a yellow disc, framed on a silver shield. The nearest of them watched quietly while a Rasalhaguan medtech finished applying a medical shot of some kind to a patient before laying a black slip over the prone figure's chest. The mutilated Wolf laborer relaxed and stilled.
Eva's fists clenched. "Why?" she asked in a hoarse voice.
"Their last DropShip lifted off without them," Marissa said. Her voice sounded calm, but strained in that calmness, as if she could not dare to give it any more lest she release the dam of emotions roiling within her. "They thought nothing of a death in battle, and fighting our warriors to glorious defeat. They spent their last moments trying to slaughter the laborers they had failed to take as isorla. By the Founders, such… how could the Way of the Clans have given rise to this?! This is… is… dezgra!" She spoke the word with such hate that it was clear she dearly wished to have a harsher one, but Eva did not think any word in any language could contain the meaning Marrisa sought. "The civilian castes are to be left alone! That is what Nicholas Kerensky and the Founders handed down to us! The warriors fight and kill other warriors, we do not slaughter unarmed laborers! Chalcas genetrash, it is dezgra!"
As Marissa raged, Eva noted that they were not alone. Around the two of them, indeed around the park, more and more warriors, hulking Elementals and regular MechWarriors and even a couple limping aerospace phenotypes, had gathered. In their faces, she saw that same blank look. That pale rage that could find no outlet, as there was no curse so strong as to give it justice, no scream so loud as to vent it from the soul.
With fists clenched, Marissa threw her head back. In the twilight Eva saw the tears returning to her eyes, flowing down to the sides of her face. Her lips puckered and a loud howl erupted from her throat.
One by one, the other Wolf warriors around them took up similar cries. It stirred in her the memory of her first night in Wolf City, just a few short months ago, when the warriors in the Salty Solahma had cheered her as the warrior who brought down Stephanie Chistu and Malvina Hazen. But these howls… she could hear the agony in them, the keening of mourning for their lost, the hate at the thwarted invader who had spitefully taken so many lives.
The Wolf Clan had won, but it would never celebrate this victory. It would not forget this day of slaughter, nor would it ever forgive.
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===Reunion and Pledges for Revenge===
Old Connaught, Arc Royal
Crack!
The vicious straight-armed punch caught Darren Huyten—fully clad now in the uniform of a Republic Brigadier-General — across the jaw. To his credit—as much as Evan Kell had no desire to extend any such thing to the whatever-the-hell he actually was—Huyten took it well, rolling with the punch and staying on his feet. He waved back one of his officers, an infanteer of obvious Elemental heritage, dabbing at his split lip with a handkerchief for a moment.
"I take it," he commented in dry tones, "this finishes the dramatics, Colonel Kell?"
"That depends," Evan ground out, biting off each word as he struggled to keep his temper restrained, "on how much more lying to me you're gonna do."
"I haven't lied to you, and I'm not going to start." Huyten replied. That got Evan pointedly indicating Huyten's RAF rank tabs. "I haven't lied," he repeated. "I didn't tell you information you didn't need to know, and which would've screwed up my mission if you had known them. Those are different things. Would you be any happier if you'd known," Huyten asked quietly. "Would it have changed anything?"
"No. No, it wouldn't have, damn you," Evan said eventually, reluctantly; each word like having a tooth pulled. "But in that case, why drop the charade now?"
"I don't know the details — wouldn't have been let outside the Fortress if I did," Huyten said, still in those infuriating calm, level tones. "But, given the … momentous event over Timkovichi and its consequences, Exarch Levin believes that it may be possible to arrest, perhaps even reverse, at least in part, the strategic calamities that have befallen both our nations. My orders, now, are to do all that lies within my power to ensure that the Lyran Commonwealth remains a going concern."
And I can believe as much or as little of that as I like, Evan thought, giving Huyten a slow, cautious nod. At that, it was probably true, mostly; he'd never met Jonah Levin, but Trillian had, and her assessment had been that Levin was as honest and honorable a man as his position allowed. But that was a decade ago, before the Fortress; and there was also Trillian's ominous note that she believed Levin "to be capable of almost anything he believes is necessary to protect the Republic".
The door slid open. Colonel Stefanidis entered with a couple of his staff. Trailing behind these red-uniformed Arcadian officers, Eva Penton-Vallejo stood out. Her superiors were in their "duty reds", as Evan had heard them called, while she was still in her red cooling suit BDUs. There was still a small speck of dark liquid at the corner of her mouth that was self-consciously wiped away a moment later, hinting at a swiftly-consumed mug of coffee to fortify the MechWarrior after her battle. She stood to attention and saluted Evan and Huyten along with her superiors. It was not a picture perfect salute, but it was better than most Evan had known from any soldier fresh off the battlefield.
Evan wordlessly returned the salute, as did Huyten. "Good to see you still breathing, Lieutenant," he said. "Word is there's a lot of young Wolves who made it because of you."
She nodded quietly, but gave no verbal reply. But there was no denying the emotions showing in her eyes.
"We saw a Rasalhaguan DropShuttle coming in," Stefanidis said. "General Skafte's probably just behind us."
"My people know to bring him straight here."
The door opened again. Miriam Shaw entered with a star captain of the aerospace phenotype at her side, also still in her cooling suit and looking fatigued in that restrained way that Clanners allowed it to show. Her eyes snapped to the presence of Huyten, and his visible Republic uniform. "I see the mercenaries were not mercenaries after all."
"Say, rather, not mercenaries exclusively, saKhan," Huyten replied. "It was a necessary subterfuge to achieve the first part of our mission, put aside now the need for it has passed. Your own Watch employs similar rules where needed, as I recall."
Miriam gave Huyten a long, considering look before nodding acceptance — showing she trusted him about as much as Evan did — before she turned her attention to Eva. "Thank you, warrior, for your courage. The Falcons would have slain far more of our sibkos had you not provoked so many to chase you."
"I just wish I could've saved the ones who didn't make it," Eva said.
"A regret you share with all of my warriors. Your part today will be remembered, I will ensure the Loremaster sees to it."
The door opened again. This time Kell Hound officers entered first, followed by the broad-shouldered form of General Skafte. He wore the dark blue duty uniform jacket of the FolksArme, with green of an undershirt showing beneath the silver-trimmed collar. Evan led the assembled in saluting. Skafte returned it. "Colonel Kell. And Brigadier Huyten, is it?" He grinned thinly. "I had been told there was a mercenary formation from the battle on Timkovichi taking part, but it seems you were more than a mercenary."
"It does happen," Huyten said. "Though the Republic is not the only republic that does such, going by what I've read in ConcertWatch. If General Takeda-Suvorova is coming with you, I imagine she's got some insights about 'Stasia's Cavaliers'."
A low chuckle came from the Rasalhaguan. "Perhaps."
Evan recalled briefly that the unit in question was on the Cisglass MBCB's lists of mercenaries, but had not been seeking contracts lately. General Takeda-Suvorova… Anastasia Takeda-Suvorova, right. Guess Huyten was reading more of the reports than I was.
"You lost some folks to those nukes, I imagine," Evan said. "Not used to them on your side?"
"They are… not unheard of in naval warfare," Skafte said. His grin took on an edge that Evan found appropriately wolfish. "We used similar weapons to break Galedon's naval blockade of Rasalhague in '13, and they cost us a third of our fleet when we attempted to wrest Irece from them six years later. But they are rarely used on the whole."
"Roshak'll use them on you land or space, be sure of that," said Huyten. "Malvina used them on land targets before, after all."
"We are not unprepared for that either, and he will not live to regret the choice. Though he will not live regardless." Skafte turned his head briefly to the holotank, showing the positions of the various Rasalhaguan vessels. "The damage will force us to be more cautious, but we have other ships and troops moving up. If Roshak thought he was delaying the wave cresting over his Falcons, he was utterly wrong. COMINTERSTEL's forces will keep our timetable and commence operations within the month. My counterparts from Sudeten and Ghastillia should be here in the next week for planning to be completed." Skafte nodded to them. "I imagine the truce, such as it was, is now over, and we will be glad to have your forces' support."
"My Wolves hunger to avenge this dishonor," Shaw vowed. "We will bid all we can to destroy these dezgra."
"The Hounds'll be around wherever you need us," Evan promised. He glanced towards Huyten. "I can't speak for our Republic friends, though."
"We're here to ensure the Lyran Commonwealth remains intact," Huyten said, for Skafte's benefit. "I admit that personally, I would much rather be fighting the Liaos, but we're committed to this fight. So here we stay."
For the first time, Skafte's stern eyes were fully focused on the Arcadians. "I already know your forces are devoted to fighting the Wolf Empire," he said.
"We are. But we're more than happy to help coordinate," Stefanidis said. "And even if our fighting forces aren't coming, the aid and supplies are. And I'll see to it we get more now that there's rebuilding to do." He nodded to Shaw, who inclined her head back.
Skafte turned his attention to Eva who, despite everything, still kept herself standing at attention. Wouldn't do to underestimate that one, not after what she did to Chistu. "Lieutenant Dame Evangeline Rosa Penton-Vallejo," Skafte said, his voice rumbling softly with each word. "An honor to meet you, at last."
"The honor is mine, General Skafte," Eva replied politely. She drew herself up a bit more. But there was something in her eyes Evan couldn't place.
"I have much experience with the bravery of the Eighth Strikers, and it's good to see that your regiment still provides such examples of it. I'm sure many of my MechWarriors will be eager to speak with you on your battles, when you inevitably run into them. I know I am." Skafte turned to Evan and glanced on to Huyten and Shaw. "Colonel Kell, Brigadier Huyten, Khan Shaw, I would like to speak informally now. Not with military protocol. Would you humor me?"
"I've got no objection," Huyten said, clearly curious.
"I'm fine with it," Evan concurred. "You've done enough for us I'm not going to quibble about protocols."
"Aff, no objections." Shaw echoed.
"Ah. Thank you."
Skafte turned away. Evan watched, with growing surprise and astonishment, as the burly Rasalhaguan rushed up and set his hands on Eva's shoulders. "Ah, little Eva! I am so proud of you!" he bellowed before pulling the young MechWarrior into a familial bear hug. "So very proud!"
A brief, relieved smile crossed the exhausted young woman's face. "Thanks, Uncle Lars."
Evan glanced towards Huyten, who looked just as surprised and put off, while Shaw seemed more bemused than anything. Stefanidis grinned, as if he were in on the secret.
"Ah, but you are not so little anymore, nej? No more lifting you up, my back is not so strong anymore!" A chuckle rumbled from him. "Your parents spoke to me by HPG before I went through the Glass. They are so proud of you, little Eva, and they miss you so. They want you to come home when this is over."
"I will. When this is over. After. I…" A sniffle came from Eva, which soon become a low sob. "It was so horrible. All those people, there were children, and they were killing them! I saw them destroy a whole bus of them, I—"
Skafte set one of his hands on her head. "I know. I have seen such too. Too much. I know the pain, and I wish you never had."
Evan lowered his head. "It's always terrible," he said from experience.
"I fought in the Capellan Crusades, and saw the aftermath of the massacre of Liao. Such things are a wound to the soul," Huyten agreed in sombre tones, "and it's to your credit, Leftenant, that you can't look on the like of it unmoved."
Eva continued to sob into Skafte's shoulder, visibly working out the day's stress, her grief and anger and horror, in the arms of someone she clearly knew as family. He grinned softly at the others. "Back in the war, the Einherjar were called into battles alongside the Eighth Strikers. I met Eva's parents, Charles and Tina, on the battlefield. We saved one another's lives several times. Later, I was wounded in the fighting on Yamarovka, just before the Dieron ceasefire was called. My superiors assigned me to the embassy in Roslyn as an attache while I recovered. I met my old comrades after they settled on Arcadia, and we became friends in peace as well."
"And they told me you were a special uncle," Eva added quietly. "My Uncle Lars."
"Hell of a coincidence you're here now, then," Huyten said, with the air of a man who didn't like the idea of coincidences.
Skafte barked a laugh. "No coincidence at all, Brigadier. My time on Arcadia made me known for supporting close ties between the Communal Republic and the Royal Federation. It may have even cost me the election to become the new Gothi. But Gothi Magnusson is a fellow Einherjar from the war. He values that friendship as strongly as I do. So he asked me to be his military advisor after he won the election, and now has named me commander of our expedition."
"Makes sense, I suppose," said Evan. He watched Skafte release his adopted niece gently. Eva remained more relaxed, not quite returning to military attention. "Best to have someone willing to work with other states."
"And someone able to shout as loudly as the Sudeteners' Vanguardists," Skafte laughed. "They do not work as well with other forces, outside of our own. But we will go into finer detail later, when Limkomandanto Marcos and General Everjois are present. Until then, this day has gone long enough I think, especially for you. My staff will see to our troops' landing arrangements."
"I agree," Evan said. Huyten nodded. "Meeting's over."
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EMCOTS-2 20