[dcs_p]Carrier E, move to assist Three and put that Panther’s PPC to good use against
that short-ranged Hunchback, over.” Drake paused for a moment to collect and
center his remaining energy into orders to his men. He knew the Panther
BattleMech’s long range particle projection cannon would be the best answer for
Treadmark Three’s request for cover fire.[/dcs_p]
[dcs_p]“Treadmark Four and anyone with weapons in coordinates W or Y form up on
me. The rest of you rendezvous with Threadmark Three at coordinate J8. You
are to move united into the gorge at coordinate N19 and continue retreat from the
Western Passage.” He sighed heavily, feeling a moment of strength as a
nervousness crept over him.[/dcs_p]
[dcs_p]Collecting his thoughts again, he spoke. “God willing, we’ll meet you at the LZ on
the other side of the Passage. Kraywen you’ve got temporary or permanent
command of the team, depending on whether or not I see you in the morning.
Set up long range scanners at the dropsite and expect a coded transmission from
our unit if we arrive. If you don’t get a transmission, assume it is Llana’s boys
and move off continent. If things really end up that desperate, don’t forget about
the favor that Trace Schroeder owes to us Kurakoa. He’s a good man and will
honor his word.” Drake paused again, looking around him to watch the
surrounding conifers dancing in the gathering wind. The storm is almost here.
Almost here, already.[/dcs_p]
[dcs_p]“You sure about all this Carrier A, over?” Drake had expected a reply from
Kraywen, given the man had just been reassigned as temporary commander. He
could only hope Kraywen would prove a better tactician than himself.
“Clam up Kraywen and get to Williams’ position. You’ll need all the bloody
Mechwarriors you can get if you’re gonna stand a chance against the Breakers,
over.” Drake could feel the tension over the empty static. For a moment, the line
seemed as cold and empty as the impending sense of doom that now gripped his
body in an intense shiver. He feared the shiver might be the last significant
muscle movement his body could produce. With a sluggish reaction to the shiver,
he slid his right leg forward to retain his balance. Suddenly he felt a fear he’d
never sensed before. He knew that if he fell, he might never get up again. The
cold earth had never seemed so threatening before.[/dcs_p]
[dcs_p]“Very well, boss. See you at the LZ, out.” Kraywen wasn’t going to argue,
knowing that the gorge he’d been ordered into would provide his convoy with
significant protection from the night’s storm. The narrow path would also prove
easier to defend if the Breakers mercenaries decided to attempt pursuit.
Switching to message on all frequencies and flipping over a switch to transmit his
message from a larger `Mech-mounted transmitter, Drake made his first move to
control the enemy’s attack plans. “All Breaker units. Your Firestarter is dead.
He has been destroyed by his own brash, idiotic actions. I am the commander of
the Kurakoa pirates. My name is Drake Cully. Any who wish me dead can find
me unarmed near my champion and bodyguard, the Guillotine ‘Mech. I ask only
that you pursue me, a foe you have some hope of capturing, and leave my men
to their hasty retreat from the Passage. You have no hope of pursuing them
through tonight’s blizzard, so you might as well come for the prize you’re really
seeking. I await you.”[/dcs_p]