OF KING'S AND MEN
-
The Choice
Commander Krine gave them two hours. They took fifteen minutes."Strike force," Gigratu said without hesitation. "We've proven we can be smart. Now we prove we can win when it matters."
Incubus nodded. "Fort Steadman is the real target. The diversion is important, but taking that garrison changes the war. That's where we need to be."
Shax grinned. "Besides, I've been saving LRM ammunition for something bigger than supply depots and diversions. Let's see what these professional soldiers are made of."Commander Krine studied them for a moment, then nodded. "Aggressive choice. But the right one. You'll be the tip of the spear. Make it count."
Sergeant Voss added: "The diversionary team will buy you thirty turns. Don't waste them."Pre-Mission Preparation
The FTM assault force assembled 10 kilometers west of Fort Steadman under cover of darkness. Six 'Mechs, three infantry companies, and hovercraft to boot. This was the largest offensive operation the FTM had ever mounted.Commander Krine briefed the force: "The diversion begins at 0600. Fort Steadman will receive reports of an attack on Kemper Station. Their reserves will deploy. That gives us our window. We hit them at 0620—full assault, overwhelming force, surgical precision. "
The team spent the night reviewing intelligence from the Warden Station documents. Fort layout, defensive positions, patrol schedules. Shax identified a high-ground position northwest of the fort—broken terrain the TCA considered unassailable. Perfect for a spotter.
Incubus studied the main gate. "Two meters of ferrocrete. Designed to stop 'Mechs."
"So we'll hit it with everything we have," Gigratu said. "Concentrated fire, same target, overwhelming force. Even ferrocrete breaks eventually."
Private Marcus Johnson, the young pilot of the FTM Locust, listened quietly. Private Berko “Slut Master” Darko sat beside him. This was their first major operation. Krine had almost pulled them from the assault roster due to their inexperience, but Johnson insisted: "Sir, our 'Mechs can fight. Let us fight."
Mission Date: Tarnstead Local Calendar, Day 98 of Contract
THE KINGMAKER ASSAULT: A BATTLE IN ACTSACT I: THE OPENING
0600 Hours - Diversion Begins
Kemper Station comes under apparent attack. TCA command receives frantic reports: "Multiple BattleMechs, infantry support, explosives being planted!" Fort Steadman's reserves—lead by Major Torres—scramble toward Kemper Station. The trap is set.0615 Hours - Final Approach
FTM assault force moves into position.
Shax's Whitworth breaks off, climbing the "unassailable" northeastern ridge. It's a brutal climb—his 'Mech's gyros scream warnings, but he makes it. From 200 meters up, he has perfect sight lines into the entire fort interior."Spotter in position," Shax reports. "I can see everything. Centurion in the central courtyard. Shadowhawk near the main gate. Infantry in prepared positions along the walls. Turrets active at corners."
"Confirmed," Gigratu acknowledges. "All units, advance."
0620 Hours - Contact
Fort Steadman's perimeter sensors detect the assault force. Alarms blare. The garrison commander—Major Catherine Glaser—appears on the battlements, surveying the approaching 'Mechs through binoculars. She keys her radio: "This is Fort Steadman to all units. We are under attack. Multiple BattleMechs, infantry support. Reserves are deployed to Kemper Station. We're holding with garrison forces only. All defensive positions, stand ready."She pauses, studying the approaching formation, then adds quietly: "They're not just raiders. This is a real assault. Someone call those reserves back. Now."
But the diversion holds. Torres and his Hatamoto are 45 kilometers away, convinced Kemper Station is the real target.
0622 Hours - Turret Suppression
"Turrets first," Gigratu orders. "Shax, you have the high ground. Paint the targets."From his elevated position, Shax's targeting systems lock onto all four turrets simultaneously. His first LRM salvo arcs high, then drops like the hammer of god onto the northwestern turret. It explodes in a shower of sparks and twisted metal.
"One down," Shax reports calmly. "Adjusting fire."
Incubus's Jenner sprints along the western wall, medium lasers flashing. The western turret tracks him—too slow. His lasers carve through its mounting bracket. It tilts, fires wildly into the ground, then goes dark.
Commander Krine's Wolfhound takes the southern turret with methodical laser fire.
The remaining turret, a northeastern position, tries to engage the advancing force. Gigratu's Talon puts three medium laser shots into it and a ball of man-made lightening from his PCC. It stops moving.
Turrets neutralized. Elapsed time: 4 minutes.
Major Glaser, watching from the command bunker, keys her radio: "All turrets down. They know what they're doing. 'Mech pilots, sortie now. Infantry, prepare for breach."
ACT II: THE GATE
The main gate of Fort Steadman was designed by TCA military engineers to withstand sustained bombardment. Two meters of reinforced ferrocrete, steel-core framework, emergency blast doors behind the main entrance. It had never been breached in Fort Steadman's fifteen-year history.
It was about to be.
"All units," Gigratu called. "Concentrate fire on the main gate. Shax, we need those LRMs. Krine, lasers on target. Incubus, stand by for assault."
The FTM assault force unleashed everything at point-blank range.Shax's Whitworth, still on the high ground, rained LRMs down onto the gate's upper frame. Each missile impacted like a sledgehammer, cracking ferrocrete, exposing rebar.
Gigratu's Talon advanced to 50 meters, medium lasers firing continuously. The focused heat carved molten channels through the reinforced surface.
Commander Krine's Wolfhound added its lasers, targeting structural weak points identified by the Warden Station intelligence documents.
The gate groaned. Cracked. Buckled.
"I'm going in," Incubus announced.
"Wait for—" Gigratu started.
Too late. Incubus's Jenner accelerated to full sprint—140 km/h straight at the weakened gate. At the last second, he fired every weapon into the same impact point, then his 'Mech's right leg came up in a devastating kick.
Thirty-five tons of BattleMech plus momentum equals physics that ferrocrete can't argue with.
The gate exploded inward, torn from its frame, blast doors behind it crumpling like paper. Incubus's Jenner stumbled through the breach, gyros screaming, but stayed upright.
"Gate's open!" he called. "Come on through!"
Breach achieved. Elapsed time: 10 minutes.
Inside the command bunker, Major Glaser stared at her displays in disbelief. "They just... kicked the door down."
Her tactical officer looked equally stunned. "Ma'am, orders?"
Catherine Glaser's jaw set. "Centurion, engage the Jenner in the courtyard. Shadowhawk, hold the inner perimeter. Infantry, repel their ground forces. This fort has never fallen. It's not falling today."
ACT III: THE LOCUST & COMMANDO PLAY THEIR PART
The fort's interior was a killing ground—designed that way. Narrow passages, overlapping fields of fire, choke points. The TCA Centurion CN9-A, a 50-ton medium 'Mech with a Gauss Rifle, held the central courtyard like a steel titan.
It targeted Incubus's Jenner the moment he entered. The Gauss Rifle charged with a distinctive whine.
"Jenner, evade!" Gigratu shouted.
Incubus jinked left as the Gauss Rifle discharged. The nickel-ferrous slug missed by centimeters, punching through a barracks wall behind her.
"Can't stay here," Incubus reported. "That Gauss will core me in one shot.""We need to flank it," Commander Krine said. "But the courtyard approaches are covered."
Private Marcus Johnson's voice came over the radio, young but steady: "I can get its attention."
"Johnson, your 'Mech’s no match for a Centuri –“ Krine started.
"With respect….." Johnson's Locust was already moving, facing the northeastern wall but accelerating. "I'm going over the wall."
Before anyone could stop him, Johnson's Locust slammed its foot onto the wall. The ‘Mech lifted, tilting backward, but Johnson willed his ‘Mech to climb —the next foot taking the weight and momentum just before the first lost traction on the wall—and the 20-ton light 'Mech scaled over the fort's northeastern wall. It landed hard in the courtyard, 20 meters from the Centurion, between the heavier 'Mech and fortress wall.
The Centurion's pilot turned, surprised. "What the—"
"Hey!" Johnson called over open comm. "I'm right here! Come get me!"
The Centurion took the bait. It rotated toward Johnson, Gauss Rifle tracking the small 'Mech. Johnson's Locust ran—limping, stumbling, but moving—leading the Centurion’s attention away from Incubus and toward the wall.
"Now, Incubus!" Gigratu ordered.
Incubus's Jenner sprinted from cover, coming at the Centurion's rear quarter. His medium lasers found the Centurion's left torso—where the Gauss Rifle's capacitors and ammunition feed were housed. The lasers cut deep. Sparks flew. The Centurion's pilot screamed as his weapon systems went critical…. followed by his XL fusion engine. The Centurion staggered, slumped and became a lifeless statue, forced to bear witness to the fall of Fort Steadman.
Centurion neutralized. Elapsed time: 13 minutes.
While the Centurion focused on Johnson, FTM Commando pilot, call sign “Slut Master” charged into the courtyard. Anti-'Mech infantry with SRM launchers appeared on rooftops, in windows, behind cover. They didn't target the Jenner, or the Locust—they targeted the Commando with everything.
Slut Master's Commando engaged the infantry with extreme prejudice—flamer, lasers, and SRMs meant for ‘Mech to ‘Mech combat brought to bear on common foot soldiers. His 'Mech's armor was stripped away piece by piece. His right arm was blown off. His center torso showed internal structure.
But he kept fighting.
The TCA infantry broke first. Facing an FTM 'Mech with little support (the Centurion was down, the Shadowhawk preoccupied), they fought to their end. Squad by squad, they succumb to the violence of Slut Master.
The last missile, fired by a soldier as he was crushed underfoot, finally landed a direct hit on the Commando. Explosions cascaded through the center torso. The gyro failed. The 'Mech collapsed.
"Ejecting!" Berko called. His cockpit canopy blasted free. The pilot seat rocketed skyward. He landed 50 meters away, parachute deploying, drifting down into the FTM-controlled section of the courtyard.
His Commando, the bloody reaper that had fought and ended the TCA infantry, lay in the courtyard—broken but victorious. The fort's interior defenses were shattered.
Commander Krine, watching Johnson's & Darko’s contributions to the siege, said quietly over the command channel: "Those kids have more than a few screws loose. "
ACT IV: THE LAST STAND
The Shadowhawk retreated like a wounded animal backed into a corner. Its pilot, a TCA veteran named Lieutenant Oskar Venn, had watched his garrison crumble. The Centurion was disabled, crew abandoning it. The infantry slaughtered. The turrets were scrap. The gate was gone.
But he wasn't done.
"Fort Steadman to all units," Venn broadcast on open channel. "This is Lieutenant Venn. I'm the last 'Mech standing. I'm not surrendering. If you want this fort, you'll have to take it from my cold, dead hands."
Gigratu responded calmly: "Lieutenant, you've fought well. Your garrison has fought well. But the fort has fallen. Surrender with honor. Walk away. Live to fight another day."
"Surrender?" Venn's laugh was bitter. "To guerrillas and mercenaries? I'm TCA regular army. I don't surrender to terrorists."
"Then you're a fool," Commander Krine said bluntly. "But a brave fool. Let's finish this."
The Shadowhawk fired.
Fifty tons of BattleMech, Gauss cannon echoing, medium lasers firing, LRMs flying. It came aimed at everyone and everything, apparently thinking it could win this alone.
Gigratu stood his ground. "Shax, I need fire support."
"Already targeting," Shax replied from his high-ground position. LRMs launched, arcing down into the Shadowhawk's position. Some missed. Some hit. The Shadowhawk's onslaught slowed but didn't stop.
Incubus's Jenner flanked, hitting the Shadowhawk's side armor with medium lasers. The pilot compensated, twisting to spread damage. Krine's Wolfhound engaged from the opposite angle, creating a crossfire.
But the Shadowhawk kept firing, Gauss cannon rounds slamming into section's of the fallen garrison. Armor peeled away from the Shadowhawk under the constant fire of it’s foes.
Targeting lights flashed in Gigratu's cockpit. And Gigratu, at point-blank range, put all of his energy weapons into the Gauss Cannon’s barrel assembly.
The cannon exploded.Not just disabled—exploded. The weapon's capacitor’s cooked off in a catastrophic chain reaction. The Shadowhawk's entire right torso erupted in fire and shrapnel. The 'Mech staggered, its whole right side blown open, internal structure exposed, myomers severed.
Lieutenant Venn's voice crackled over the radio, pain evident: "Damn... that was... good shooting..."
The ‘Mech collapsed to one knee, unable to stand. Its weapons were gone. Its armor was gone. But its pilot was alive.
"This is Gigratu of Ashen Lance to Lieutenant Venn," Gigratu said formally. "Your 'Mech is disabled. You fought with honor. I'm offering quarter. Surrender, and you'll be treated as a prisoner of war under standard Ares Conventions."
A long pause.
Then: "Acknowledged. I surrender. Powering down."
The Enforcer's fusion reactor cycled down. The battle was over.
Garrison forces neutralized. Elapsed time: 22 minutes.
ACT V: THE SURRENDER
Major Catherine Glaser emerged from the command bunker, hands raised, sidearm holstered but visible. Behind her came the fort's command staff, garrison officers, and the surviving soldiers. They walked into the courtyard—now held by FTM forces—with the resignation of professionals who knew when they'd been beaten.
Commander Krine met her in the center of the courtyard. "Major Glaser. I'm Commander Davos Krine, Free Tarnstead Movement. Fort Steadman is ours. Order your remaining forces to stand down."
Glaser looked around at her captured garrison, at the disabled 'Mechs, at the FTM infantry securing every position. She looked at Slut Master, sitting against a wall being treated by medics, his destroyed Commando visible behind him. She looked at Ashen Lance's three 'Mechs, scarred but standing.
"This was a professional operation," she said finally. "You hit us during a shift change, exploited our vulnerability during the diversion, breached faster than we could respond, and executed with precision." She removed her sidearm carefully, handed it to Krine. "Fort Steadman surrenders. I order all TCA forces to lay down arms and comply with FTM instructions."
Then she looked at Gigratu, noting his pale hair and features. "You look familiar."
"Distant cousin," Gigratu said. "Northern branch of the family. We've never met."
"Glaser?” she said, recognition dawning. "You're the one who washed out of Nagelring for 'attitude problems.' The family heard about it. Disowned you, if I recall."
"They did," Gigratu confirmed. "Apparently, questioning suicidal orders is a character flaw in our family."
Glaser almost smiled. "Perhaps. Or perhaps you just chose a different path." She looked at Krine. "These mercenaries of yours—they're good. Better than good. They fight like professionals, not thugs."
"They are professionals," Krine said. "That's why I hired them."
Glaser studied Ashen Lance again, then said quietly: "You kicked down my gate. No one's ever breached that gate. My engineering team spent months building it to spec."
Incubus, standing nearby, shrugged. "Good engineering. But physics is physics. Enough force, anything breaks."
"Apparently." Glaser turned back to Krine. "What happens now? Executions? Hostages?"
"Prisoner exchange," Krine said. "You and your soldiers will be held until the TCA agrees to terms. We're not murderers, Major. We're revolutionaries. There's a difference."
"I hope you're right," Glaser said. "Because if this war keeps escalating, soon there won't be enough difference to matter."
Objective: Capture Fort Steadman garrison
Outcome: MISSION SUCCESS - Fort captured, minimal casualties, enemy forces surrendered -
Etching a crude outline of the Shadowhawk into the newly minted "kill count" area of his PPC, Gigratu turns inward, pondering the surprise of a distant family member being involved. She seems like a competent commander, but callously tossing all of those infantry into the slutgrinder rubs him the wrong way.
Gigratu intends to keep an eye on her and make sure she's not sending any hidden messages to the TCA... or any meddling family.
-
Incubus takes stock of all of the new salvage and new weapons which they were able to purchase on the black market. 6 new AC/5s! She currently has 6 medium lasers... could she... maybe? No, that would be crazy... or would it...?
-
REPUTATION UPDATE
Commander Krine's Assessment (Private Notes):
"Ashen Lance continues to impress. The assault on Ft. Steadman was flawless execution—they led the assault, broke the garrison, and captured Fort Steadman with minimal casualties. More importantly, they showed maturity in the aftermath.They could have kept both captured 'Mechs. Salvage rights entitled them. Instead, they sold at fair market value, citing practical limitations. This shows they understand their own capabilities and limitations—rare in mercenaries.
Ashen Lance is becoming exactly what I need: professional, reliable, smart. They're not glory hounds. They're operators who understand missions, relationships, and long-term strategy. I'm going to offer them the retainer contract at end of current term. They've earned it."
TCA Intelligence Assessment:
"Update on mercenary unit 'Ashen Lance': Three pilots, light/medium 'Mech composition, currently contracted to FTM. Responsible for Checkpoint Charlie disaster (Sergeant Torres's patrol destroyed), Warden Station raid (zero casualties, precision execution), and Fort Steadman assault (garrison surrendered in under 30 minutes).
Assessment: Priority One threat.
Not typical Periphery raiders. Combat effectiveness comparable to House regular units. Tactical sophistication indicates formal military training.
Recommend: Do not engage without superior forces. Current location: Fort Steadman. Sergeant Torres has requested permission to lead counter-operation."The Aftermath Continues
Three days after Fort Steadman's capture, Major Mikhail Torres stood in Governor Castellan's office in New Perth, standing tall, but his pride still wounded.
"You want to go after them," Governor Castellan said. It wasn't a question.
"They've beaten us three times," Torres said flatly. "Checkpoint Charlie, Warden Station, Fort Steadman. They're not just lucky. They're good. And they're making us look incompetent."
"So you want revenge."
"I want to stop them before they cost us the whole northern territory," Torres corrected. "Revenge would just be a bonus."
Castellan studied him. "You're one of my best officers, Torres. But you're also obsessed with these mercenaries. It's clouding your judgment."
"My judgment," Torres said coldly, "told me the Kemper Station attack was a diversion. I was right. My judgment told me Ashen Lance would plan for pursuit. I was right. My judgment tells me that if we don't stop them now, they'll take apart our entire defensive line. Am I wrong?"
Castellan was silent.
"Give me a proper force," Torres continued. "Medium 'Mechs, good pilots, experienced infantry. Let me plan an operation specifically targeting Ashen Lance. I'll bring them down."
"And if you fail?" Castellan asked.
"Then I was wrong about them," Torres admitted. "But I don't think I am. These aren't thugs. They're professionals. Which means they can be beaten by professionals. Let me prove it."
Castellan considered. "I'll think about it. In the meantime, we're reinforcing all remaining outposts. No more surprises. No more losses."
Torres saluted and left. But as he walked back to his quarters, he pulled up the mission files on his datapad. Three engagements. Three Ashen Lance victories. But he'd been studying their patterns. Their tactics. Their decision-making. They were smart. They were disciplined. They thought before they fought. Which meant they had weaknesses. Everyone did.
"Ashen Lance," he murmured. "We're not done yet."
