Chapter 16
Vixen, Lost World
Ruins of Star League Era City
July 23 3022
Women and children. That's what the Privateers found on Vixen. Following their sudden surrender, the pirates sought to parley with their would be conquerors. Now, under the protective guns of battlemechs, Alex was in a room with people who he realized were desperate. You could cut the tension with a knife as tempers flared and tears were shed. Currently , the man who had lead the infantry against the mercenary battlemechs, held his wife as she wept openly while pushing the pirates tenuous position.
“You have to take us with you. You can't leave us here to die.” The man the others called “Sarge” gently passed his wife off to a friend and stood up to his monstrous height of 6'7”. “I swear I'll continue to cause trouble for anyone who steps foot on this world until my dying breath if you don't help us.” Anger flushed the large mans face. A female voice chimed in from the large gathering of people. “This isn't our fault! We had no choice, they forced us!” A chorus of agreements followed.
Alex tried to rub the stress from his temples and closed his eyes for a moment to forget the room full of press ganged castaways. It was one thing to kill an enemy who was faceless inside another battlemech, it was completely different to have to tell women and children he couldn't help them and then leave them to die. “And I keep trying to tell you that it's beyond my ability to take you with me. I have one dropship and that is already filled with my personnel and materials. From what you tell me, there are hundreds of you! I am sorry, but it's not possible.” Captain Bishop was a capable mechwarrior, but when it came to dealing with people, the man felt clueless.
“You're just like William. You condemn us to a slow death.” A different person cried out and pointed at the seated mercenary Captain. Alex could see the wild, frantic fear in the strangers eyes. Like a person drowning. The problem with having killed the pirates leader and their second in command, was that there wasn't a particular person the Privateer could accept a formal surrender from and complete his contractual obligations. The leaderless people were too afraid to see past their nose and understand that they would be taken care of under Magistracy Law due to their unique circumstances. The exception being those already fingered as Roax' press-gangers that had been thrown into the Ascending Night' brig.
Before Alexander could try and retort, yet another voice joined the verbal battle. This time however, instead of shouting over others, a man stepped forward and made his way to the table Alex had hoped to be a place of negotiation. Like everyone else the Captain had seen from the marooned population, the man, who appeared well over twice Alexanders age, wore odd, time eaten clothing. His in particular stood out; a set of coveralls with the insignia of the long lost Star League on the right breast pocket. He looked down at the Captain, but decided to sit as he spoke. “You won't change our minds about wanting to leave with you, the fear of being left stranded is far too great. I would like to speak for our people , if certain personalities here would allow it.” The mans eyes looked up at the monster of a man who had just recently been threatening violence on the Privateers benefactor.
Both men exchanged a long, hard stare at each other before Sarge turned and shouted at the crowd. “Alright everyone, out. We're going to take care of this for you.” He took greater care when telling his wife they needed privacy. “It's ok my love, go with them. Trust us to handle this.” The bull of a man gave the woman a hug and once all others had been ushered out of the room he turned and addressed the older man. “I'm staying Chris. Don't sell us short.” He crossed his arms and took up a stance behind his colleagues chair.
The older man took a deep breath and returned his eyes to Alex. “My name is Christopher Hytuli. I'm the lead technician among our people and I would like to bargain for our freedom.” He stopped Alex' immediate response with a raised hand. “I know what you would repeat and say, but hear me out. Between the salvage you have taken from your first fight with Roax' men and then what you have to claim from the streets when you killed the pirate, plus counting the units you fielded and knowing personally your dropship to be a Union-class, I would say your ship is indeed going to be full. What you are not accounting for because you don't know about it yet due to the stalemate in negotiations, is the resources and other assets you could gain by helping us.” The tech shared another look with Sarge. “For example, we have two dropships and another battlemech at our disposal.” The bigger man exhaled sharply, showing his disapproval but his wayward glance towards the door told Alex that he was trying to think of his friends and familys wellbeing.
“I also know that the chances of there being open berths on your rendezvous Jumpship is very likely, as the most commonly used in the Innersphere is the Invader, which has three berths.” Alexander was surprised at Hytuli' assessment of the situation and continued to listen as he could tell this mans intelligence was that of no ordinary person. “Roax was a successful pirate, albeit a terrible person. We have money to pay for passage, but we need help being recognized as more than criminals if we are to escape our prison world. Captain Bishop, after losing those who could operate our Jumpship, we've been stuck on this world for over ten years. Only by scavenging this frozen city have we been able to survive this long. People have started families here. Please, negotiate our passage on your ship and I promise you compensation.”
Alexander let what the castaway was saying sink in. He felt for these people, those that had been used by a tyrant. The young leader found himself thinking of the logistical problems. There we a lot of them. Most of all he would have to convince the Captain of the Kelly's Triumph to accept money from refugees to transport them to a population center. Alex felt the weight falling onto his shoulders. Looking at both men in front of him the Captain of Bishops Privateers conceded to the fact he could not turn his back on these people and finally said “I cannot promise you anything but I will do my best and try.”
A new life filled Hytuli' eyes. “And that Captain is all I can really ask for.”
* * *
Alexander understood now why Captain Schmitz had not detected the two dropships when he had scanned the ancient city for the pirates base of operations. Over ten years prior both ships had landed in a massive concrete basin that was once a Star League era reservoir. Water would come down from the mountains in the spring and flood the basin with fresh water and recede during the fall. The presence of the massive spheroid vessels however upset the water levels that encroached seasonally and caused a huge sheet of ice to form over the top of the reservoir that eventually hid both ships. It was currently winter season so both ships were accessible within the great cavern made of concrete and ice. It was a spectacle Alex would remember until the end of his days.
Hytuli led Alex into the bowels of one of the two dropships, this one being a Union. It looked a little worse for wear but the tech assured the Captain that it still functioned. He had also spent the better portion of of the afternoon answering the Privateers questions. Making their way into the main hangar of the dropship, Hytuli was currently explaining the mystery mechs to Alex. “Roax had hired me on the Lyran world of Romulus, my home planet, to help fix his battlemechs. I was young and stupid back then, but knew how to tinker. I had no idea what I was signing on for.” The older man stopped at a electrical panel, opened it and pulled down a large lever. Lights began to come to life in the cavernous belly of the ship and as its contents became visible Alex suddenly felt weak in the knees. “I was taught to fix these machines by someone that was around my age, but far from stable minded. The first one you encountered is called a Wyvern.” Christopher followed the Captain' eyes upwards to the battlemech still in the hangar. “The one your people are currently loading up is called a Crockett, that was Roax' ride and a scary piece of kit.” The last lights mounted on the assault machines gantry turned on. “The hovercraft is called a Zephyr. It makes for an amazing scout. This one...” Hytuli motioned to the monster that was sleeping in front of them. “This was William' wife's ride before she passed away a few years back. It's known as an Emperor. The whole lot was Star League era machines. I have no idea why someone would hand this equipment over...” The tech stopped talking and looked at Alex, who had gone ghostly pale. “Captain, are you alright?”
Taking a few steps forward Alex reached out and put his right hand on the cold, composite material of the Emperor' foot. A shiver shot up through the mans spine as he felt the smooth armor beneath his touch. “Mr. Hytuli, do any of your remaining people know how to fly these dropships?” The young mans voice was subdued and distant. “Only enough for a skeleton crew for one of them. If we have to, we can leave the Mule.” Alex considered that and looked upwards at the massive machine of war. “Perhaps my crew can stretch to pilot the Mule.” His mind raced with possibilities. “I have a question Mr. Hytuli. If by some miracle I pull this off for you and those marooned here, would you join me and my Privateers? I'm going to need someone who knows how to fix the two battlemechs we salvaged.”
It only lasted for a moment, but Alex caught the look of infinite sadness that crossed the technicians face before he buried his emotions once more. “Captain Bishop, I am sure we have much to discuss if you save us. There may be those among our ranks that would choose the mercenary life over what ever awaits on the world that will take us in. However, for me to accept that offer, I would need a lot more from you than just a simple jaunt across the stars.”
The reply caught Alex off guard. “What would it take to convince you?” There was a long pause before Christopher replied.
“You would have to promise to help me bury my family.”
* * *
Magistracy of Canopus
Thraxa
Capital City Spaceport
December 9 3022
Liuetenant Wilik Fore extended his hand and grasped Captain Bishops hand tightly. “It's good to see you again my friend, though I am still surprised it is so soon.” The mans sharp eyes stared out at the tarmac in a reminiscent way of their last meeting almost a year ago. Alex followed his eyes to the stream of refugees exiting the Mule-Class dropship. “I hadn't intended to return so soon either, but it seems life has a funny way of sweeping you off your feet and leading you on adventures.” He looked back to the Thraxian Officer. “Thank you for taking them in. I still can't imagine what horror their life has been up until this moment.”
Wilik Fore shrugged and motioned for Alex to follow him. “It's not every day a friend of the people show up and offer a rebuilding military Star League era technology.” The Lieutenant pointed towards the Zephyr hovercraft now parked some distance away from the dropship. “Besides, its Magistracy law to help those oppressed by others and give them a fair chance at life. It was mighty fine of you to bring them here at your own expense. It must have cost you a small fortune.” Alex cast a quick glance at his friend as they walked into the small bar the spaceport offered to new arrivals.
“Funny you say that Wilik.” Alex couldn't help but let a growing smile raise his cheeks. “Long story short, my people may have inherited a Jumpship.” The young Captain looked out the large glass windows that made up the small bars walls and up towards the sky as if looking at the ship called Typheus. “What? Wow... Is this why your people call you Lucky?” The Thraxian slapped Alex on the back. “First drink is on you my friend!”
Alex let his eyes stay locked on the sky for a few moments. He didn't feel so much lucky as he did responsible for the lives that now looked to him for a future.
* * *
Making it through the crowd the man pulled his rags tighter around him as if for warmth. The journey away from the cursed planet had been long, but he knew his new path had just begun. Adept Harris took one final look back at the dropship the refugees had finished exiting and gave a message that no one else could hear.
“Peace of Blake be with you mercenaries. I will be seeing you again soon.”
