TOW39

Chapter 39 - The Other War
=The Coyote Renaissance=
11/12/3061 Location – San Mateo, Tamaron, Kerensky Cluster
An amber sun crept over the Apache Mountains illuminating an indigo sky and the Great Basin in which the Coyote's capital of San Mateo sprawled. Rho Galaxy's 530 Warriors and 360 machines stood in neatly ordered lines on the parade grounds of Fort Hollifield. Each blue-gray uniform was immaculate down to the silver piping glowing in the rising sun. The furred capes of the Bloodnamed billowed in the cool breeze their cloth filling the gap between lines.
Their tanks, fighters, and battlemechs were neatly lined up behind the Warriors. They were in pristine shape except for two Conjurers that looked as though they would topple in a stiff breeze. Rex and Rebekah were weary digging deep to stay on their feet. In the past three days they had four hours of sleep and a single cold shower. The 'powdered blues' were fresh from the packaging and felt foreign; for the past nine years they had worn nothing but plain gray fatigues.
Rex neared his sibmate, whispering low enough that their Star Commander a silver-haired man with a large tribal tattoo reaching to his scalp, could not hear from his position up front, “Do you think there will be a buffet afterwards?”
“I smelled the food cooking in the mess but I might have imagined it. Famished, quiaff?”
“Aff, we have only had water and a single ration bar in the past forty eight.”
“I pinched one of those fancy creamers from Pack Leader Cairo's bag on the train.”
“He will not miss it. The surat pinched ten percent of our ration for our 'spiritual training.'”
“Good thing we paid attention in survival training or we might have starved. Of course Cairo might have wanted us to challenge him for our fair allotment but we will never know now.”
“Perhaps. I do not want to forage for my food from a cockpit. Better to leave the wild to the Coyotes.”
“We are Coyotes now, trothkin. This world is ours and survival is the only path forward.”
A hush settled on the assembled force as a five vehicle convoy of light blue trucks passed through the gates. As the vehicles passed each line saluted holding this position until Khan Sullivan Koga emerged from her vehicle. The strength of her conviction matched that of her constitution and blue-gray eyes deep wells reflected the spirit of the Coyote that she channeled into her work. All hands stayed in salute until she returned it sharply striking down from the powder blue beret atop her short brown hair.
Galaxy Commander Jaucqie Koga and Star Colonels Timothy McTighe and Stephen Clearwater walked forward to exchange quick words before beginning to walk the orderly columns of the assembled Warriors. Sullivan looking closely at each Star Captain or Commander standing at the fore but even those in the deep ranks of the Solahma infantry of the Reserve Cluster felt her gaze as it passed over them.
As she neared the Mechwarriors got a closer look at the one responsible for arresting their Clan's slow decline. Under her leadership things were improving despite headwinds and bloody at times confrontations among leadership over her reorganization. Theirs was the first class to graduate from a revamped Sibko system that had seen low quality Pack Leaders replaced, new Pouncer Mech trainers, manufactured at the reopened Drennan Industrialplex, replaced ancient machines rebuilt dozens of times over the years, and general facilities improved.
The Khan stopped at their row peering at the damaged battlemechs standing behind them. “Why are these junk heaps on my parade ground, Star Commander!”
Rex and Reb did not know their new Commander very well but they could not have predicted how quickly he blanched. Star Colonel McTighe intervened, “These machine belong to the newest Warriors of Clan Coyote OvKhan. I rushed them here you stated that you wanted all Warriors of Rho present for today's inspection. Mechwarriors Rex and Rebekah of the Drum Canyon Training Facility received their triangles less than two hours ago. We did not have time to make them more presentable.”
“I still smell the missile propellant, Star Colonel.
You were correct in interpreting my desires. I did mention that I wanted all Warriors here. I see these ones fought hard for their ranks.”
“Among the hardest I have witnessed, OvKhan.”
“Good. They would have started about when I ascended quiaff?”
“Aff, Khan Koga..”
“Mechwarriors Rex and Rebekah step forward.”
The sibkin steeled themselves before striding forward to face the Khan. “Why is your rank insignia a triangle Mechwarriors?”
Rebekah answered first, “It is the strongest shape in nature OvKhan and foundation for many more complicated ones. Just as the Coyote Point Commander serves as the basis for the Touman as a whole.”
“You are very wise Rebekah. What do you say, Rex?”
Rex followed that lead with some of his own interpretations, “Triangulation allows us to locate our true position in the world and like Rebekah mentioned it serves as a base for greater complexity.”
“An equally elegant interpretation Rex. How would you both like to join me for lunch? I would like to hear of your experiences in my new Sibkos.”
Both looked towards the other, their Khan was asking for their opinion, it had to be a joke. “You want our opinion?”
“If you have one and you should.” This close they could see the gray hairs and signs of stress that marked the Khan who despite her age of 38 looked nearly as old as Jacquie who was a full sibko generation older, “Obviously it has been a while since I have been in Sibko. During my time as Khan I have changed many things. An honest interpretation from individuals that lived through it would be refreshing.”
“We would be honored, Khan Koga.”
“I would like a short demonstration of your abilities beforehand however, Star Colonel McTighe are there any extra mechs in inventory for these Warriors to use?”
The Star Colonel paused, “There are two Rabids but they were to be issued only to Star Commanders pending today's Trial of Possession.”
“Give them to these Warriors. The performance should be close enough to what they are familiar with and wish to see them in action.”
Timothy parsed this, OmniMechs like the new Rabids were a high status commodity in this Touman. The Coyotes had declined from their zenith. While they once boasted many OmniMechs now they were only piloted by skilled or experienced Warriors. A piloting assignment in one could be brokered into political support.
Jacquie Koga was an older Warrior and once this Galaxy turned around she would likely retire. If they survived and stayed then he or Stephen might have a chance to take her place. Earning the support of Star Commanders early one would pay dividends when they became Captains or Colonels. Giving brand new Rabid OmniMechs to pair of super-green Sibkin might prove costly on the back end for all parties involved, but the Khan had spoken.
“I will order the techs to prepare them and your Timber Wolf for exercises.”
Khan Koga temporarily dismissed them and returned to her inspection. She berated an Elemental Star Captain for the sloppy state of his uniform and watched on with amusement as his Binary of Elementals did burpees. The strenuous exercise shredded their uniforms exposing muscles to the cool air.
“I guess we are not getting breakfast then, Rex.”
“Seems that way, Rebekah. Would it be impolite to shovel all the food in during our lunch with her?”
“She probably wants us to talk to her.”
“What a day.”
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