tar Commander Aleksandr stood on the bridge of the Broadsword class DropShip, hands clasped behind his back, waiting for contact with whoever lead the military operations of the planet Rán.
Below them the planet spread out like a great blue marble, its many oceans looking still and smooth from their vantage point high above the atmosphere.
At the controls, Point Commander Oliver said, "Connecting." Under his breath, so low that only Sasha could hear him, he added, "Finally." Sasha tried not to grin.
The man who appeared on the holoscreen was lanky in a way that implied height. He wore a dark dress uniform, complete with cape, and a look of deep annoyance.
"Major Reynir Gunnarsson, Commander of the X Militia," he said. He spoke with the lilting accent that Sasha had come to recognize as distinctly Rasalhague. And then, dryly, the major added, "I've been expecting this call."
Sasha did not dignify that with a response. "I am Star Commander Aleksandr of the 352nd Assault Cluster, Beta Galaxy. The Wolves of Kerensky have claimed this world for their own. What tame dogs defend it?"
"I don't negotiate with pirates," Gunnarsson said. "You may come and be crushed, if you'd like."
In his periphery Sasha saw Oliver raise one eyebrow. It made his face move strangely around the enhanced imaging implants near his right eye.
"We are not pirates," Sasha said firmly. And then, "I find that outcome unlikely, Major. I will see you on the field."
"Yes you will, Commander."
The transmission cut out abruptly.
"I like him," Oliver said.
"Do not get attached. I may have to kill him in a minute."
"You get all the fun," Oliver grumbled. But he clicked the ship's coms on without needing to be asked.
"Prepare for mech combat," Sasha ordered. "We drop immediately."
Rán was one of the more interesting planets Finn had been on, from a geological perspective. A good 80% of it was ocean, with the land masses being entirely comprised of chains of islands (several, he had been told, were volcanic). The largest island was only slightly larger than Honshu, back on Terra, and something like 60% of its population lived there. The rest lived scattered on smaller islands, working as fishermen, or as deep sea miners or off-shore oil riggers.
But for how few people lived here, and how hard living was, they were mostly well-off--the results of the mines and the oil rigs. Still, though the militia had a handsome fleet of aerospace fighters it had no infantry to speak of, and only two elderly BattleMechs, both in rough shape. No wonder, with the threat of those strange invaders from deep space looming, the major had called for mercenaries.
Rán was also one of the more interesting planets Finn had been on from a tactical perspective. There was no doubt where the invaders would drop--there was only one island large enough, and parts of it were mountainous. They would be forced to drop nearly on top of Ránar-salr, the capital city, and either from the north or west--the south and east were both ocean. And if they had superior numbers it would do them little good in the tight terrain. And Finn's lance would have air support, which would be a fun change. While he had command of his lance and the militia's two Mechs, Major Gunnarsson had command of the entire operation from the vantage point of his Shilone.
There was nothing new to be gained from going over the maps and plans again, but Finn did so anyway in the cramped little office of their DropShip. He hated waiting. It made him nervous.
And then, from the aerospace hangar the DropShip was parked near, came the sound of an alarm.
Feeling almost relieved, Finn abandoned his maps and headed for the MechBay. A cool voice over the coms ordered all personnel to battle stations, but was drowned out by the noise of MechTechs at work as he entered the Bay. Someone was playing Canopian hyperpop at an earsplitting volume, which nearly covered the sounds of Techs shouting and metal clanking on metal. Finn could see his chief Tech, coveralls rolled down around his waist and his shirt, face, and hands all smudged with engine grease, signing furiously at someone from near Finn's Dragon. Marcus always signed with huge movements, sometimes up above his head, and though Finn had missed the first half of the statement caught "--and stop fucking around!" very clearly. Finn grinned and reached for his com as he walked.
"Draugr, have we received orders?"
he asked. He looked around the MechBay once more, checking to see if any of the rest of the lance were here already, or if they needed to be called in.