AWF Chpt 100

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=Chapter 100=
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===Request for Air Support===
St. Ives Forward Base 
St. Ives, St. Ives Compact
June, 3030 
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Mags and Chyou went back to talk to their people and start dispersing rations as Hap led Anastasia toward the McFinnigan and Son's recovery vehicle. "Let's use the comms in the tech's ride to call Roweyna, but first, what's your plan?"
"I think I can modify my target and tracking system to work similar to the ECM suite we stole from Necromo. With that Mags and I should be able to run through the ravines and draws and use the terrain to get up the ridge. We will evade enemy detection and destroy the power generators for the air defense system without the defenders in the fortress detecting us.
Once the generators are destroyed and the air defenses neutralized we will return to the release point in the ravine that Zhang assigned us. Mags and Joker can then proceed toward the fortress until they draw out the defenders. Then we'll cover their retreat back to the ravine, and we'll call in Kate and her Stuka to strafe the OPFOR while they're in the open. We can snipe and continue to call Air Support until we've cleared the objective or we're relieved by the Compact forces."
"Maybe Joker and I should make that charge at the fortress and draw out the OPFOR. I'll probably draw more fire because I'm bigger and do more damage. That way we can get their attention while you two fall back to the ravine. I think your plan is putting Mags and Joker at some undue risk."
"I think you're feeling guilty about staying under cover, and I'd never put Mags at undue risk."
"What about Joker?"
"You and I have 'mechs with LRMs, and your PPC is the standard in long range precision heavy fire. It makes more sense for us to establish an overwatch. Also, Mags has a very fast 'mech."
"And Joker?"
"Well his Firestarter is faster than ours 'mechs."
"Alright, it makes tactical sense" Hap agreed as he pulled open the gull wing style door of the Swift Wind scout car. Anastasia slid into the passenger side and got behind the communication system. The Mercenary company had removed the stock sensor package and reduced the communication systems to just a holo radio. This included taking the large foldable radar dish assembly and replacing it with a long whip antenna. Before Hap sat down he unhooked the whip so it stood straight up.
Hap scooted closer to his wife as he told her, "Antenna is up and ready to go."
Anastasia nodded as she turned the radio on and went through the start up sequence, "McFinnigan Ops, This is Coyote 1 and 2."
<<"Ye got the Family, Coyote 2.">> Roweyna spoke as the holo system picture started to sharpen and showed her head and shoulders, <<"How can we help? I got the report that ye had made it to the FOB, ye get something more?">>
"Yeah, we had our brief with the Compact forces. They switched our role for this operation. They decided that instead of us sneaking into the back door of the fortress, they'd rather we haul our Lance up hill, in the open and draw fire." Hap said.
As he spoke Roweyna nodded, <<"Aye, I thought they'd try some mischief like this. How bad do ye think it will be? There's a few things I can remind them of from the contract, and I can try to argue that they're intentionally putting yer lives and equipment at risk, but without the MRB protections it's probably jest going to be me arguing we'll walk.">>
"I have a plan that does not involve us standing in the open while a superior force maintains the high ground, however we'll need Kate and the Stuka."
<<"I seem to recall our friends in MIIO tellin' us there was a sophisticated anti-air jest waitin to humble anything that rockets through the air and space and send it back to earth.">>
"Both MIIO and the Compact have shown us that the Anti-Air defense is powered by a single power system. All we have to do is destroy it and the Anti-Air system will be neutralized.
<<"Oh! Yer jest going to march up the side of the mountain and destroy their Anti-Air system?">> Roweyna said as she sipped tea. <<"And the enemy is jest going to watch thinkin' 'oh why didn't we think of some one tryin' that?' ">>
"That is my intent, at least in part. I believe I can modify my Valkyrie's target and tracking systems to work similar to the ECM suite we stole from the Capellans. The Compact wants us to conduct the operation at sunrise, so if we get there early we can use the cover of darkness to prevent us from being seen, and we should be undetectable from regular sensors. Further there is a draw that we can use to close to the generator without being seen."
As Anastasia spoke, Roweyna looked over her tea cup and raised a questioning eyebrow. When she was done Roweyna set her tea cup down, and leaned close to the camera, <<"Jest so ye know, if any of the regular fools and proper madmen in my father's employ had said somethin' such as this to me, I'd strongly suggest they reconsider. After they assured me they'd prevail, I'd politely ask 'em to update their will, ensure their affairs are in order, and make sure I had everythin' to contact next of kin. But when you say it, I'm generally convinced ye may jest have be able to pull it off.">>
"So you'll authorize Kate and the Stuka?" Hap asked.
<<"Well, I need to check the contract and we'll have to ask Ms. Berlin. Seeing as how if yer wrong she'll either be wasting her day flying in orbit, or getting shot at.">> Roweyna looked over her shoulder and spoke to someone off camera, <<"Go find Ms. Berlin.">>
Roweyna turned back to the camera, <<"While we're waiting let me see if the contract has a Sua Sponte clause.">>
"Sua Sponte?" Hap asked.
"Its latin for 'voluntarily' or 'of it's own accord'." Anastasia said, "I'm not certain what it means in the context of a mercenary contract."
<<"It's a clause that allows you to engage military targets that yer employer didn't specify. It has to be within the constraint of yer mission, and can't violate anything they told you to do or not to do. Generally it also has to be related to prosecuting the mission at hand. Some mercenaries prefer not to include it so they can use it as an excuse for not doing more than they were ordered. Father prefers to have it because it gives him more tactical flexibility, as yer seeing here.">>
As Roweyna spoke she flipped through a thick stack of papers that had been stapled together, <<"Of course some employers don't want a company to act Sua Sponte, usually in cases where they don't trust them, or if there is a particular risk to collateral damage. Some are jest ****** micromangers…">> She flipped a few more pages, <<"And here it is, right after the brilliant paragraph I added on salvage. Yer cleared to act of yer 'own accord' to destroy the anti-air system, this is assuming the Compact didn't forbid it.">>
"Zhang stated we should provide our own air support, and wished me 'good luck' when I mentioned the possibility of destroying the generator."
<<"Sounds damn near like he ordered ye to do it then.">> Roweyna smiled, <<"or it's at least a strong endorsement.">>
"You're looking pleased with yourself." Hap said, "Am I missing something?"
<<"Aye, I actually thought something like this might happen, so I added to the contract that we would have priority salvage rights to any 'mech or tank that we destroyed exclusively or without the Compact's assistance. I had written it to encourage them to be sure and 'assist' you with the enemy, and not leave you trying to take down an Assault Lance on yer own. I was a little surprised they agreed to it, but the Compact is a scrappy lot, and they seemed confident they would be fast or efficient enough to prevent us from getting multiple unassisted kills.">>
"So you're saying if we can create a kill box for Kate it's we're guaranteeing a massive amount of choice salvage for the family?" Hap asked.
Roweyna shrugged, <<"In a perfectly legal world, yes. However, I'm a realist and a businesswoman, so yer probably guaranteeing me a post battle-side argument, as they're not likely to give us priority for salvage from a lance worth of heavy mechs. At least I'll be negotiating from a position of strength though. We all take the field for the family family Mr. Calahad, ye have yer 'mechs, I have me contracts.">>
//"Did someone say, 'create a kill box for Kate'?"\\ Kate appeared behind Roweyna, //"Am I going to do some close air support."\\
"We were going to offer you the opportunity, yes."
//"I'm in."\\ Kate said excitedly.
<<"Do you want to know the particulars of this mission?">> Roweyna asked.
//"Won't change my mind. I'm tired of dragging cables through tight spaces that everyone else claims they can't fit into, and yesterday Hawkins nearly set my hair on fire with his sloppy welding. I'm ready for anything else, especially if it comes with a chance to wreck some 'mechs."\\
Roweyna winked at the Hap and Anastasia, <<"There ye have it, ye have yer air support. I'll make some calls and get the airspace cleared. May have to talk to yer god-aunt.">>
Anastasia explained the operation to Kate, and what they would need from her. Kate seemed excited for the chance to get away from the repair work on the Phaidin. When they were done Anastasia said she needed to start work on the Valkyrie and Hap went to brief Mags and Joker on the upcoming operation and make sure the techs had everything they needed.
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===Working out a plan over a meal===
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Hap found Joker and Mags setting up their assigned quarters. The lance had their own portable shelter. Mags and Joker were setting up their sleeping kit on one of the built in bed shelves. They had brought Hap and Anastasia's gear, and Hap chose the shelf across from them and explained the upcoming operation and Anastasia's plan as they laid out there things.
"So the professor's right now working on some science experiment for tomorrow? You think she's pulling her hair out yet?" Joker asked as they stepped outside of the shelter.
"Joker, Anastasia is not pulling her hair out," Hap said "I don't know why you keep saying this."
"It's because of what happened when the life support went out on the Phaidin-" Mags said.
"When she knocked out the life support on the Phaidin." Joker interrupted.
"Old boats have old boat problems, cabron." Mags replied, "Hefe, you have to admit, when she gets worried, she starts pulling on her braid until it comes undone and goes all slavaje y loco."
Hap nodded. Anastasia usually kept her hair in a long braid, that she would play with or stroke when she was bored or stressed. When she accidentally disabled the Phaidin's life support she started pulling on her braid to the point that it came undone, and began to unravel. As she continued to work through the problem she ended up with half her hair down and a very uncharacteristically sloppy braid. Joker had made this joke a few times since then, and Anastasia didn't particularly like it. He knew better than engaging Joker, but today he was having trouble playing it cool and ignoring the things that Joker did to annoy him.
"I'm sure she's fine." Hap said, "I'm going to go talk to the Techs and then give her a hand."
A crowd started to gather around the field kitchen and there was an increase and noise. Hap and Joker and Mags exchanged looks. "What's going on over there?" Joker asked.
"I think dinner is ready." Mags said as they started to walk over. As they got closer they could see people queuing up in line near the field kitchen. There were a few people already sitting at tables or helping themselves to drinks from coolers stacked on a table near the kitchen.
"I better go grab the techs." Hap said, as Mags and Joker started to wash their hands at a foot pump hand wash station.
"They're already in line." Mags said as she pointed out the trio of tall fair skinned mercenaries who towered over the members of the Compact forces that were near them in line.
As the Mechwarriors walked over they could smell the pungent herbs and exotic spices. "I wonder if that's Army Stew." Joker said as they found themselves at the end of the chow line. "It actually smells good, and I think I might enjoy doesn't make sense for something called Army stew."
"Well you know it has canned pork, sausages, and processed cheese in it." Mags said.
"That actually deepens the mystery." Joker said.
One of the Compact service members in line ahead of them turned, "Budae Jjigae, good. You like." He hit his chest with his fist. "Make strength, good fight tomorrow."
"Thank you." Hap said. "I'm sure we'll enjoy it."
"Make strength, good fight tomorrow." Joker repeated as he hit his own chest.
More of the Compact members turned to look at Joker. He hit his chest again, "Boo-dee ge-gay. Make strength. Good fight tomorrow."
A few of them nodded but gave him a questioning look, the previous Compact soldier said, "Yeah good fight." But it sounded like he knew he was being mocked.
"Hey, don't be an ass." Mags told Joker quietly.
"He's just excited about Budae Jjigae." Hap said. "Please ignore him."
The men nodded and turned back around. Hap looked over at Joker and the stress and exhaustion of the day felt like it was coming back on him, "Do me a favor, and try not to start anything for a couple hours."
"You worried about tomorrow? Worried our girl's not going to come through?"
"No. I'm worried you're going to cause problems." Hap snapped, "Anastasia will come through. She always comes through." Hap added as he tried to consider how best to answer Joker, "It's still a risky operation though, and it would help if we had all the compact forces on our side."
"If you say so boss." Joker smiled with a look that Hap knew was going to wait till later to bring this up again.
They were quickly to the front of the line and a red soup with exotic vegetables and thick slices of pork and sausage floating in it. The soup had a spicy and pungent smell about it. One of the people working the line threw a square of yellow cheese on top of the soup before they passed it to the Mechwarriors. Hap led his lance mates over to the beverage station to grab a few cans of Ginger Soda, before he joined the techs at their table.
Hap stirred up the cheese and watched as it turned the red stew orange and some of the noodles that had sunk to the bottom rose to the top. The vegetables were plentiful and Hap had trouble getting them out of the way so he could admire how thinly the meat was cut. He glanced around and noted that it seemed like everyone had a good amount of meat and vegetables. Everyone also seemed to be in a good mood.
"How much of our rations did we give away?" Hap asked.
"Well, Roweyna gave me what was left in the Phaidin's larder." Brant said, "A lot of it was getting close to being expired, so she told me to eat it, trade it, or get rid of it. When the Compact guys started talking about this stew I figured it was a good deal as long as you were good with it, ."
Hap nodded, "Do we have anything left?"
"Don't worry they said they'd feed us for as long as we're out here, but if they welsh on us we got a weeks worth of prepackaged meals, and a couple bottles of supplemental pills."
"How are things with the 'mechs?" Hap asked.
"Good. Like I thought, your 'mech wasn't as bad as it looked." Brant.
"Yeah, We had to patch a few sections, but it was mostly filling the cracks with ballistic epoxy and smoothed it out with my paint gun." As Tasja mentioned the paint gun Hap suppressed shudder and tried not to think of infantry from earlier that day.
Mags took a tentative spoonful and hummed in approval. "I think my old man mentioned having this one time, he talked about some spicy soup. I remember he said it was the only food the Capellans gave him that he didn't want to throw back at them."
Joker took a mouthful, then coughed. He had to drink before he could hoarsely say, "It's good." He cracked open the can of beer he had taken, and took a swig before having a second bite.
Hap tried the soup for himself. He made sure to get some of the mushrooms and vegetables and a portion of the canned salted pork. It was a strange symphony of flavors. There was pungent kimchi mixed with something like fresh green onions, earthy mushrooms, and fresh crunchy vegetables Hap couldn't recognize. There were also thin Asian noodles and what Hap could have sworn were canned beans in tomato sauce.
He bit into a piece of the pork and warmth and salt enhanced the other spices and flavors that somehow blended together harmoniously. After he swallowed he felt the heat hit the back of his throat. He took a careful sip of the ginger soda.
"I get why our allies were excited about this." Hap said, as he took another spoonful. Hap looked around the table, everyone was here but Anastasia. He tried to eat his soup quickly because he needed to bring some of this to Anastasia. But the soup was hot and flavorful, and something that needed to be savored.
"Hey where's Selene?" Joker asked as he pulled a few vegetables from his soup.
Tasja swallowed and looked like she was about to speak as two of the Compact Soldiers sat down at the table. Hap recognized them as the Tankerst Mags and Joker had been playing Spades with.
"Hey have you guys seen our Coyote? You don't actually eat dogs, right?" Joker asked.
The compact soldiers looked at each other and nodded. "We eat lots of things." One said.
His companion took a spoonful of stew, "Do you hear a bark when you bite into this? I hear a bark."
"You guys are real funny." Joker said.
"She was with Anastasia." Masja said.
Joker stirred his stew, "Hey you guys see me earlier today? I wasted a bunch of those Capellan dismounts."
"We were busy wasting Capellans ourselves." One of the tankers replied, "Took out a tank, not a bunch of guys running for their lives."
Hap knew he didn't want to hear Joker retail his exploits from earlier. He stood up, "I think I'll go check on Anastasia and take her some stew."
"Yeah go see if she's pulling out her hair." Joker said, then looked at the Compact tankers, "You guys still want to lose more money? I'll tell you all about how I expertly used the most effective anti-infantry system ever built."
Hap mumbled goodbye as he walked away from everyone. 
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