Star League Base Beta 25,
Drop Zone Alpha,
Einstein, Deep Periphery,
3rd March 3068
“What!”
“You have to be joking!”
The two officers could not believe what they just heard. Aliens! And the Star League knew about it! It was simply impossible.
Frank was adamant on this point, though. The evidence, especially the data in the files that stated outright that extraterrestrial presence had been found on Einstein, was irrefutable.
He insisted, “Look, it all makes sense. All the advances made by the Star League, when all the other Successor States couldn’t. Their scientists were not more intelligent. They just had a better idea of where to go or what to do. It’s all inside the files. HPG technology, advanced myomer implantation, lithium fusion batteries. These were all results of the research and recovery of artifacts on this world!”
“Then how did they find this planet in the first place?” Jadine asked skeptically.
Frank held up his hands. “Let’s go to one of the lab computers. I’ll show you the whole story, or as much of the whole story as we know it.”
At the labs, the merc commanders got hold of the true history of the Star League’s work on the planet.
The Star League was already on the lookout for possible sites for hidden research bases even before they had finished the subjugation of the Periphery states. An expedition stumbled across Einstein quite by accident when they landed to replenish their water supplies. Someone literally tripped over a strange combat machine half buried in the dirt. Its technology was quantum leaps beyond what the Star League had.
Amazed at their find, the expedition quickly set up a camp to investigate. They managed to unearth large quantities of alien technology. Unwilling to take the risk of discovery of this potential goldmine by the other successor states, the First Lord ordered all research to be carried out on the planet itself, which they dubbed Area 51, after an ancient earth myth of hidden bases in the middle of nowhere.
To reduce the possibility of discovery by the other powers due to supply problems, Area 51 was required to be as self sufficient as possible, not a difficult task after the nanomachines were discovered.
As the alien material was all over the planet, and some of it was pretty fragile, several bases had to be set up to facilitate excavation and handling. Thankfully, deep mining excavation techniques were not required. The deepest the teams ever got was fifty meters.
By carbon dating, it was found that the machines date back about fifty thousand to a hundred thousand years ago, back when man was still playing with fire and stone tools. Hints were also found of a huge conflict on the planet, because of the weapons found at all sites. It seemed that there were two sides, and the side that won did not lay claim to the planet, apparently abandoning it. They also did not bother to clean up after themselves, a sign that they did not bother much about material losses.
Many of the machines found had advanced algorithms built into them that enabled them to function without a sentient pilot. Taking these algorithms, the Star League used them for the Casper drone warships for the defense of Terran Hegemony worlds.
Advanced superconductor formulae, hyper-pulse generator technology, all were results of the research done on this one world. Nobody ever suspected that the Star League had been getting its technology not from its own scientists, but from the remnants of a long ago alien civilization. A campaign of misinformation and lies was more than sufficient to make the member states believe that it was all the Star League’s own efforts that led to the breakthroughs.
The linguists and mathematicians also played important roles in deciphering the technology. Although not much progress was made into the specifics, what they did uncover suggested that there was actually more than one alien race, in fact several, all fighting on one side, the one that lost. Not much was found about the other side.
Most importantly, they discovered that there could be a possible intact alien base somewhere on the world. There were many hints of a ‘sanctuary’ for the various alien races on Area 51, but its location was hidden under many layers of advanced ciphers that took decades to decode.
After the location was found, deep inside a mountain, every attempt was made to try to enter it. Despite their best efforts, every attempt failed. It seemed that the material protecting the base was not only made of impervious metal alloys, but reinforced with a subtle energy shield as well that could resist even nuclear strikes.
So another way to enter the base was tried. The reports in the computers were not complete by the time the mercs got to this section. There were huge sections missing from the records, including important details like the location of the alien base and how the door opening process works, which were erased from the files. Even the Norton 3060 Unerase program failed to retrieve the information. Whoever did it probably did not want the information to fall into the wrong hands.
But that also raised many crucial questions that the mercs were unable to find answers to. There was no mention of machines like the Spidercrabs described in the excavation files, nor in the files relating to the various weapons or AI labs. The only mention of them was when the base was attacked during its final days, where holovid records showed them overwhelming the base defenders. Conveniently, that was also about the time Terra fell to Stefan Amaris. Obviously, he did not know about it, or he would have exploited the technology, for which the rest of humanity should be grateful.
The mercs wondered, so where did the Spidercrabs come from? The files reported some camera videos showed them dropping from the sky, but nothing else. The cameras were destroyed soon after. Who sent them? Was it the Rim Worlds Republic? Or someone else? It could not have been the successor states. They were too busy with their own matters, and did not know of Area 51’s existence in the first place.
About the alien base, what the mercs did find out was that an attempt with the new method was tried, but it seemed the base was attacked immediately afterwards. No further communications with the entry team was had after they entered, and it was entirely possible that they had perished inside the alien structure. The Spidercrabs definitely did not come from the alien base, as cameras placed outside the doorway did not show them swarming out, according to the records.
One piece of good news for the mercs was that one of the pieces of equipment for entry into the alien base was still in the base. It could be accessed through a locked vault.
Learning of its location, Frank did not waste any time in getting to it. The vault was already opened by a bunch of curious mercs, who now wondered at the contraption before them.
The piece of equipment in question was the size of a car, with wires and electronics all over it. There were no obvious signs of how to it works, nor were there any instructions.
After much examination by the techs, they finally figured out how to safely dissemble the whole thing into smaller parts that could be transported to the surface, which they promptly did, so that it could be safely placed in the Nile.
All the equipment the mercs could find also received the same treatment. They decided to split the booty later, when there is time. Examination of the devices, both Star League and alien, would also have to wait. Nobody wanted to fiddle around with some strange gadget that might blow up literally in his or her face!
All the data in the computer files were also copied onto data cores, where they would also be transferred over to the dropship to be uploaded into the ship’s files. The files would be purged from the base’s systems, to deny the Falcons easy access. In fact, they had wanted to blow the whole place up completely, but Frank and a vocal minority of the mercs had opposed it. They might have a use for the bases later.
All this work took the better of two days to complete, during which the mercs got in touch with one another concerning their various discoveries. The information concerning the source of the advanced technology was released only to those with at least the rank of captain, all dropship commanders, as well as certain selected personnel.
Needless to say, they were all shocked by the extent of the deception the Star League had perpetuated against humanity throughout its entire existence. It had wanted to keep the best technology for itself, and threw scraps to the other houses.
But the Star League still fell in the end, rotted from within so much that nothing in the universe could have prevented the eventual fall. The technology on Area 51, lost for so many generations, denied to the Inner Sphere, might now have a chance to be released to the rest of humanity, even if the houses would have to pay the mercs generously for it.
And there was the trifling matter of the hidden alien base, as well as the much more pressing one of the impending Jade Falcon assault.
The pieces of equipment that was once used to open up the alien base were all identified from the records at the various bases and gathered up by the mercs into their dropships. Interestingly enough, there were six devices at the various bases, all seemingly identical. Meanwhile, trusted techs and engineers continued to try to ferret out the location of the alien base, the location not being found in any of the bases, as well as the means to operate the devices.
But there was still something that bothered Frank very much concerning the Spidercrabs.
Dropship Nile, Drop Zone Alpha,
Einstein, Deep Periphery,
5th March 3068
“Deserk, can I talk to you for a while?” Frank had managed to get hold of Deserk, who had been driving a jeep shuttling stuff from the base to the dropship.
“Sure. What is the matter?” Despite his leg wound, he had insisted on helping out. Since they were pretty short on manpower at the moment, or at least until some of the more badly wounded mercs got better, they had to put everyone to work.
“How’s the leg? I can give you some painkillers to dull the pain, if you wish.”
“Neg, I do not require the painkillers. It still hurts a bit, but pain is a good sign that one’s still alive, right?” He laughed. “But that is not what you came to talk to me about, quiaff?” His tone turned serious.
“Yeah, that’s right. I came to talk to you about the dreams you had.”
“The ones in which everybody got killed?”
“Yup. I kinda felt the Spidercrabs were very similar to the machines you had described. Just as ruthless, too. And the tech was very similar to the stuff the Star League found, at least the stuff of one of the alien factions.” Deserk was one of those who knew the truth.
“Well, that certainly bodes ill for our expedition. So there could be more of their drones lying around, only that we don’t know it yet? And my dreams seem to indicate that the Spidercrabs have bigger brothers, which we have not seen yet.”
“Exactly. I’ve told Captain Sheik, and Captain Vansen, but they’re now so fixated on the Falcons that everything I’ve said just sails on right through their heads. And just how confident are you about your dreams?”
“I’m very confident of my visions, and my dreams. Have not the events of the past few years proven the power and truth of Nova Cat soothsaying? Ignore them at your own peril, which I do not think you will.” He grinned. “You are wary, and that is a useful trait in a warrior. Where do you think the alien machines are, if they even exist here?”
“I don’t know, there’s plenty of places to hide on a planet this big. Caves in a mountain, perhaps, or even in the oceans. But if they are around, why haven’t they attacked yet?”
“Maybe a signal is necessary to trigger them? If I remember correctly, there was a line of bones around the base…”
“That’s right! They attacked only after somebody stepped over the line! That was the trigger! So there could be more alien drones around, only that we haven’t triggered them yet.”
“We should be thankful for that. If they are activated then what happens in my dreams may come to pass.”
“We really should be getting off this rock. But instead we’re here waiting for the Falcons and who knows what else to come wipe us out. Not my idea of a good time.”
“Indeed. But we cannot leave this place with only three jumpships, and to abandon the others would be a mark of greatest cowardice.”
“Yeah.” Frank sighed. “Looks like we would just have to take things one step at a time. How’s the batchall coming along?”
“Major Ian is doing fine. He will be ready when the time comes. By the way, how do you find your new mech? Did you get the Enforcer or the Grasshopper?”
“I got the Grasshopper. It’s a good mech, but I would have liked to have the Enforcer, because of the Ultra autocannon. Captain Vansen thinks that giving me a heavier mech should keep me alive longer.” Frank sounded dubious.
“Huh. Watch out, my friend. Bigger mechs attract more shells. Why do you think I prefer my Black Hawk, even though I could have moved up to a heavier mech?”
“Sheer incompetence?” Frank gave an innocent smile.
Deserk looked shocked for a while, before he caught on, and both men laughed heartily at that.
Dropship Battle’s Bane, Drop Zone Phi,
Einstein, Deep Periphery,
5th March 3068
Major Ian Dorlacen, commander of the Arch Lancers combined arms mercenary battalion, was nervous. Never in his wildest dreams could he have envisioned taking on Clan Jade Falcon on a world in the Deep Periphery with the possible future of humanity at stake, at the head of the most ragtag group of mercs ever assembled.
If the stakes had been high before, it was even higher after the discovery of real alien technology. Ian tried to fight down his fear of the clans using that same technology to run roughshod over the Inner Sphere.
The other mercenaries had already made it quite clear to him that a peaceful solution would be much preferred, which he agreed wholeheartedly with. They would be willing to part with a copy of all the data if the Falcons were willing to return them their jumpships and a way home.
However, Ian was highly doubtful that this would work, but every avenue must be explored before they were force into combat. So he had agreed to try a soft-sell approach. Hopefully, the Falcons would simply accept what they had to offer, return them their jumpships, and depart.
Snowball’s chance in hell, truth be told. There’s no way the Falcons will be bought off like this. But we ain’t got a choice. But Ian just kept his thoughts to himself. The rest of the mercs were also smart enough that they knew what was the likely outcome of their batchall.
Part of the problem was that they had absolutely no idea what the Falcons were doing here in the first place, or exactly how much they knew about Area 51. For all the mercs knew, the Falcons were simply on a training exercise, however unlikely it might be.
The bottom line was, they had to be ready for anything, if they were to get their jumpships back, along with the way home.
And the very first step to that would be a successful batchall.
Ian had felt that Jadine Sheik was a better candidate for the challenge, with her intensive knowledge of the clans. However, she had told him, as well as the other commanders, that his rank was more important. Anything that he had needed to learn, she could teach him, and had, with the help of the former Nova Cat Deserk. He had went through several rehearsals with the other two mercenaries in the past two days, and his performance had convinced the others that he could carry off the batchall successfully.
Even so, he felt unease at his position, as well as the instructions in case the Falcons were spoiling for a fight. Like Tukayyid, they would divide up the world into numerous battle zones, with each mercenary detachment centered on their dropship groupings battling a Falcon unit of similar strength. The reason was that the different mercenary commanders wanted to prove their own unit’s competence and a chance at clan salvage. Furthermore, such actions had a high chance of wearing down the Falcons, as well as forcing them to expend as much supplies as possible fighting each group of mercs.
But the reluctance to split up forces ran strong in many commanders, and Ian was no exception. He much preferred several large showdowns, with the environment properly ‘prepared’ beforehand, of course. He had not become the commander of a mercenary battalion in the Chaos March by being stupidly ‘honorable’. Yet he had always fulfilled his contracts to the best of his abilities, never defaulting once.
He was originally from the Taurian Concordat, before joining up with the Green Mountain Boys as a mechwarrior for a life of adventure. He left the Boys after a few years, to try to form his own unit, and succeeding spectacularly. However, he still felt deep pangs of regret whenever he thought of the family he had left behind. Is abandoning my family worth all this? This question haunted him constantly, every time he heard some news about his homeland, now left far behind in his past.
And now he wondered if he was going to die on this world, surely a paradise, but still far away from his family. His unit was good, having been blooded in numerous skirmishes in the Chaos March, and composed of hardened veterans. A company each of mechs, armor, and infantry gave him a great deal of flexibility in tactics and plenty of options, especially in restricted terrain, where his battalion excelled in.
Standing in the bridge of the ancient Fortress class dropship Battle’s Bane, Ian watched as the crew prepared to open communications to the Jade Falcon fleet. A holocamera was placed in front of him, while portable screens were set up around him should he need to consult with the other mercs during the batchall.
Right now, the dark, attractive face of Captain Jadine Sheik was on one of the screens, giving him last minute advice.
“When speaking, you must always project an image of strength and confidence. Any less and they will try to turn the bargaining to their own advantage. Remember, declare the forces we are defending with first, which is practically everything, and they will give us the choice of the battleground, as is the custom. The Falcons may have up to two entire galaxies, so terrain will be very important. They may invoke safcon, so watch out. If they do, just refuse them. We’re honorless mercs, after all.” She grinned wolfishly. “They will probably underestimate us, so it’s up to us to take full advantage of that. Try to use clan conventions as much as possible. It puts them off and shows that you respect them and are worthy of respect at the same time.”
“Anything else for me to know?”
“Yes. Good luck. You’ll need it for the rest of us.”
“Sir! Ready to open a line to the Falcons.” A tech shouted out.
Giving his uniform one last tug to straighten it, Ian prepared to face the enemy commander, to bargain for the fate of over ten thousand lives.
Warship Blue Aerie, In Transit,
System Einstein, Deep Periphery,
Galaxy Commander Lizabet Danforth was surprised when she was called out from her room to the bridge, and even more so when she was told that the mercs are offering a preliminary batchall for possession of their jumpships. She had half expected them to hide on the planet for a guerilla war.
Valten Folkner had seen to the interrogation of the crews of the captured jumpships, and obtained a great deal of useful information, which would help her greatly in the bidding within Rho Galaxy and bargaining against the mercs.
While there were 8 regiments of mercenaries, only 3 regiments were composed of mechs. The others were armor and infantry units. As for aerospace forces, they had only a measly 80 fighters in all, no match at all for the numbers the Falcons were bringing in.
Nevertheless, Lizabet was still wary of her enemies. Although most of the units on planet were scarcely better than bandits, there were still quite a few with relatively good reputations able to give her clusters a good battle. Among their number was the hated Wolf Dragoons, who had foiled the Falcons on so many occasions.
Also a worthy foe might be the Arch Lancers, a battalion which had distinguished itself in the fighting in the Chaos March. Although they had not fought the clans before as a unit, from the records she could see that several members had, which would make them familiar with clan tactics, and thus a deadlier threat.
The various Falcon commanders would select the rest of the mercs for their own battles. With so many enemy units, they would have no problem in picking a target unit to destroy. Indeed, many of her officers were already looking forward to crushing the dezgra mercs completely.
Stepping onto the bridge of the Blue Aerie, Lizabet
was saluted by Valten Folkner. She had wanted to issue the challenge first, but
apparently the defenders were more alert than she thought. I had best be
careful of making dangerous assumptions. There is no telling what they are
capable of.
Walking up to a holotank, she prepared to greet the enemy warrior responsible for issuing the batchall.
The holotank shimmered briefly, and then an image of a scarred but attractive looking male appeared. He wore a green uniform, with only an insignia of rank. His expression was stern and solemn, his eyes portraying slight unease.
“I am Major Ian Dorlacen, Commander of the Arch Lancers, chosen by my peers to represent all of us for this batchall. I apologize for appearing in so limited a capacity, but we are only destitute mercenaries with scant advanced technology available to us. We welcome you to Einstein. As a matter of fact, we are wondering what your clan sees in this place.”
“I am Galaxy Commander Lizabet Danforth, commander of Jade Falcon Rho Galaxy, leader of this task force. I understand your limitations. Your attempt to dissuade us from taking possession of this world, however, is futile. We know that there is an abandoned Star League Base on the planet with lost technology, and we intend to claim it for the glory of our clan. Neither you, nor anyone else, shall deter us from this goal. I presume you have found the said bases in question, quiaff?”
He replied coolly. “Yes, I mean aff. The bases are abandoned, and we have found much useful knowledge. We are willing to share the data in return for our jumpships. There is no need for us to do battle.”
Lizabet grinned, showing her teeth in a smiling snarl. “We are the clans. We are warriors, not merchants in trade. We take what we want in fair battle, and woe betides any who stand in our way. We reject your offer. If you want your jumpships back, you will have to fight us for them. With what forces do you defend this world and its treasures from the talons of Clan Jade Falcon?”
The man looked disappointed. “Very well. So be it. Looks like we have no choice. As the defender, I am defending the planet and the Star League data with all our forces. The information on our forces is being transmitted over even as we speak.”
Lizabet nods. “As the attacker, I am using the whole of Rho Galaxy. Where do you wish to fight?”
“All over the planet. I suggest that we engage in combat according to the positions of each mercenary unit, since we do not have a formal unified command.”
“Like Tukayyid, quiaff?”
“Neg. Not exactly. The Com Guards had their Precentor Martial as overall commander. Not so for the clans. Here, the positions are reversed. You Falcons have an overall commander, while we’re all over the place.”
“But do you not have authority over the others? After all, you presented the batchall.”
“No. I have no authority. I presented the batchall because somebody had to.” He paused. “So, are you willing to accept my choice of the battlefield?”
Lizabet narrowed her eyes. “Very well, I accept the selection of the field of combat. Rest assured, if you win, you will have your jumpships back. I will need to oversee our internal bidding now, and you will be informed of the results.”
“I suppose I am to thank you now, but I simply cannot understand why we have to fight. You want the data from the Star League, we just want our jumpships. We could simply exchange for the things we want, and go on our way. Instead you insist on fighting us, and much blood will be needlessly shed. Why?” The man was obviously unwilling to fight, which she considered a sign of weakness.
“We are warriors. Fighting is our way of life. Without war and battle, we are nothing. I regret the impending deaths of your men, but that comes with being a warrior. In any case, my warriors are angry that treasures of the Star League are in the hands of dezgra mercenaries. You will have to fight well to survive this battle. Well bargained and done.” She nodded to the technician
With that, the image of the mercenary shimmered and disappeared.
“So what do you think?” Lizabet turned towards Valten Folkner.
“They seemed to be holding something back. More Inner Sphere deviousness, I suspect.” Valten folded his arms, not impressed with the courtesy Lizabet had shown the filthy freebirth.
“Indeed.” Lizabet had suspected as much. “The plan of having our forces attack all over the planet may also be a ploy to trick us into committing our forces piecemeal, where they could gather their strength and crush each unit singly.”
Valten asked, “Will you let your commanders bid for the right to crush the mercenaries? The data coming in shows that despite their numbers, the mercs are not stronger than Rho Galaxy. But bidding will decrease our strength on the ground.”
“Bidding amongst the Star Colonels will commence as usual. However, everybody will get a chance to fight. The only difference will be the types of foes they will face. Those who bid well will get to fight the better units. Those who bid poorly will have to settle for scum. Those troops discarded in the bidding will be assigned to those mercs who are neither scum nor truly worthy foes. Treat it as a test of bidding skill for my Star Colonels.” She smiled.
“I think that Creed Mattlov will be eager for one of his trinaries to crush the Dragoons. He will probably have to go under the cutdown for the opportunity.”
“All of my subordinates will have to take care that their thirst for glory does not outweigh their duty to the clan. I will not tolerate any wasteful defeats that weaken us unnecessarily. The Khans have been patient enough to allow me to rebuild the Galaxy back up to full strength.”
“But the Blue Aerie will be under Galaxy Command, quaiff?”
“Aff. I am sorry, but again you will have to sit this battle out.”
“Stravag! How I wish for a real battle with another Warship! Those Inner Sphere freebirths had better build more warships soon, before I become solahma!” Valten, more than anyone, lived for capital ship combat.
Turning to a nearby tech, Lizabet ordered her, “Tell the Star Colonels that they are to report to the bridge for bidding now.”
“Aff, Galaxy Commander.”
As Lizabet Danforth waited for her Star Colonels, Rho Galaxy approached the brilliant blue green world that awaited their arrival, ready to crush the mercenaries and claim the world’s treasures for their clan.