Refuge - Chapter 0: Teaser
Imported from SF2 with no description.
Sergeant Casey Jenson is a MechWarrior in a mercenary unit called Baker Company. Baker Company has been contracted by House Marik because Capellan invaders have attacked a small planet on the border of Liao-Marik space, seeking to claim it as their own. Baker Company must bolster the planetary militia and repel the Capellans to prevent them from using the planet as a staging grounds for House Liao's expansion campaign into Free Worlds League territory.
Jenson's 'Mech is damaged in the fighting, and he is forced to bail out. Wounded, and cut off from his allies, his only safe haven is a small, reclusive anthro village many miles away. Will he die in the wilderness, or make it to the village? Will the Capellans press their advantage and crush the capital city?
This excerpt is part of a finished story series. I am in the process of editing my draft, so the full story should be published in the next week or so. I hope you all enjoy!
Refuge
by TypicalFloof
Chapter 0: Teaser
A PPC bolt blasted wide of the Blackjack, taunting. Casey swiped the perspiration from his brow. He punched up diagnostics on the enemy 'Mechs. Casey's lance had managed to knock out one of the enemy 'Mechs - a Shadowhawk. One of the Warhammer's PPCs was destroyed - probably York's doing - and the Quickdraw's leg and right arm were damaged, meaning it was down one medium laser. The Archer had remained virtually untouched.
That was little comfort to the beleaguered MechWarrior sweating in the Blackjack. His heat was too high, his front-facing armor was thin, and his lasers could do little to counter the immense firepower arrayed against him. Casey gripped the controls as a tear escaped his eye. Aaron. Reg. York. All gone.
Casey bared his teeth at the Capellan 'Mechs. “Bastards!" he hissed.
The Warhammer and Quickdraw fanned out, weapons raised. Did he want to concentrate on the Warhammer to the left, or Quickdraw on the right? As much as Casey wanted to fire his jump jets, he couldn't risk jumping again. The Blackjack's heat indicator was getting dangerously close to an automatic shutdown. But that didn't mean he was going to make himself an easy target.
Casey feinted left and sidestepped right, narrowly avoiding the Warhammer's PPC shot. Aiming carefully, he took measured shots at the Quickdraw's damaged right side. The Quickdraw pivoted, shielding that side from Casey. This meant the firing arc of its lasers couldn't reach him for the moment.
A storm of lightning slammed into the Blackjack's left side. The Warhammer had finally connected with a PPC blast. The Blackjack's left arm and torso took the brunt of the blast, spinning the 'Mech. Something broke loose in the cockpit, slashing his side. Casey saw with dismay that the hit had blown the left arm clean off! Worse still, he could see holes through the 'Mech's hull.
One medium laser left, Casey thought grimly, backing up until the cliff face filled his rear cameras. He ignored the burning wetness that trickled down his side as the heavy 'Mechs marched in for the kill. Bathed in the ruby flashes of his instrument panel, Casey focused his targeting reticle on the Quickdraw.
***
Nora's eyes widened as she saw a silhouette come into view through the side window. It was one of the attackers! Her fingers curled around the hilt of the knife, and the vixen slowly pulled the blade free. The effort taxed her waning strength greatly, and Nora sagged in her seat, hiding the knife with her body. Viewing the man at the window, Nora gathered her strength and waited. Hot anger coursed through her veins. She was going to make him pay for what they did to her friends!
The door squeaked for the first few inches, then screeched open and banged against the side of the skimmer. Nora held her breath as she felt the soldier getting closer. Even over the sickening stench emanating from the rear compartment, she could smell the man's excitement and fear.
Through slitted eyes, Nora watched the man glance her over and lean inside. He seemed to be searching for something. The man's left arm was her nearest target. She willed him closer. Just a little more!
The man reached for something at the controls. Now was her chance!
Nora snapped her eyes open, and with all her might, she swung the knife at the man's exposed arm.