With the range and hurried timing of the assault, the accuracy of the long-range lances' laser fire suffered. Somehow, though, the shots that did hit the target made up in quality for the deficiencies of the other attacks. One beam carved more armor from the Goliath'schest, leaving the 'Mech with only a pitifully small amount of protection against future assaults. Most important, one coruscating beam stabbed straight through the Goliath'shead.
Andrew saw the Goliathshudder. It wavered, and for a moment, he imagined that the laser had hit the cockpit, killing the pilot, but the 'Mech's continued activity dashed those hopes. Sending thundering Shockwaves through the ground, the Goliathplanted its feet widely enough apart to steady itself. Its PPC moved like an eye on a stalk, then locked onto one of the offending 'Mechs with the callousness of a child stomping on a cockroach.
"Craon, move! It's got you in its sights!" Almost reflexively, Andrew stabbed both feet down, igniting the ion jets on the Firestarter'sback. Inertia slammed him back into his command couch as his 'Mech rocketed up and out toward Cochraine's Goliath. No free shots on my command!Both arm-mounted flamers blazing, Redburn brought his 'Mech down on the Goliath.
Blood gushed from his nose and filled his mouth with a salty-sweet thickness as the impact's Shockwave jolted up through his cockpit. Andrew felt tooth chips grind beneath his molars. Lights flared everywhere in his cockpit and alarms rang with brain-numbing intensity, but failed to cover the scream of metal and the sharp cracking of ceramic armor. Static filled his holoscreens and sparks shot from behind his command couch.
Waves of heat washed up and over him as dazzling white fire flashed around the Firestarter.Again, he felt himself slammed down into the couch, but his legs had fallen from their positions on the jump jet controls. Some titanic force grabbed his Firestarterat the feet, whipping the 35-ton 'Mech into the air like a doll.
Andrew clawed desperately for the eject button, but gravity pinned his arms into place on the command couch's arms. Spots flashed before his eyes and a dim, horrifying realization crawled up from the place where his nightmares hid. Out of control! ...G-forces too much. Can't black out!Gritting his teeth, he forced his right hand to punch again at the eject button, but consciousness had already drained away before he could hit it.
42
Outbound, Terra
21 August 3028
Daniel Allard started so violently as Morgan Kell's low laughter filled his JumpShip cabin that he nearly dropped the green strip of silk hanging from his fingers. Dan whirled to face the narrow cabin's hatchway. "I'm sorry, Colonel. Is there something you need from me?"
Morgan smiled broadly and shook his head. "You've got it bad for that woman, haven't you, Daniel?" He folded his arms across the chest of his dark blue jumpsuit. "You've been preoccupied since we saw the Archon and her daughter off on their JumpShip earlier today. I'm sure your lady love would have been there, but she probably had many things to do."
Dan narrowed his eyes until they were little more than sapphire crescents. How much do you really know, Morgan? The Archon trusts you, but would she trust you with this ?Dan glanced down at the silk strip. "The Archon-Designate said as much to me when we saw them off. That's when she gave me this ... Said it was from Jeana."
Morgan held out his hand, and Dan reluctantly passed the cloth to him. "Well, Dan, this lets you know she shares your feelings." Morgan turned the cloth over in his big hands. "If Slangmore cadets successfully complete their final training run in a 'Mech, the graduates receive one of these headbands." Morgan smiled, the expression in his brown eyes growing distant. "I've heard stories about mortal wounds healing when bound with one of these things, and other superstitious tales that go around in MechWarrior circles. I do know of one Mech Warrior who used his Slangmore Sash to strangle the Draconian who captured him after he ejected."
Dan nodded slowly. "I've heard the same sort of thing about Albion grads and their damned 'Mech charms."
Morgan chuckled evilly. "Yeah, at Nagelring, we always thought the idea of keeping a piece of your first 'Mech with you was kind of silly. Why would anyone willingly carry around evidence that they'd been shot out of a 'Mech?"
His expression brightening briefly, Dan smiled. "Well, it proves you survived."
Morgan shrugged. "As they say at Nagelring, that's why the body forms scars . . ." Morgan handed the meter-long strip of cloth back to Dan. "Slangmore grads usually wear these things as headbands in combat. They only give them up when dead, or when they want to ensure someone else's survival. Pretty powerful stuff."
That's not the half of it, Morgan . . .Dan looked back up at his commander. His gaze swept over Morgan's strong features, but failed to pierce the man's emotional mask. "I suppose part of my distraction comes from seeing the Archon-Designate head back to the Commonwealth with her mother." Dan shrugged. "I mean, well, one night isn't much of a honeymoon, is it?"
Morgan shook his head. "I'd hope for more, I think. But you have to remember that no matter what Hanse and Melissa feel for one another, their marriage was political. Declaring war on Liao, Marik, and Kurita on the day of the wedding points that up in no uncertain terms. As a political marriage, it had to be consummated, but staying together any longer than they did was impossible for them at this time."
Dan nodded slowly. "The war's not likely to be popular in the Commonwealth, is it?"
Morgan smiled coldly. "All wars are popular as long as your side is winning, but your point is well taken. Aldo Lestrade will have to do something to counteract whatever popularity the Archon will pick up in this exchange. Because of the advantage of surprise, the LCAF will have several early victories. After that, things will bog down, or Kurita will counterstrike hard and things may go badly."
Do you know the truth, Morgan?Dan nodded. "The Archon couldn't afford to have her daughter stay with Hanse Davion because that could be made to look as though she'd sold out the entire Commonwealth." As Morgan nodded slowly in reply, Dan sprang his trap. "Still, it must have been hard for the Archon to keep her daughter away from the man she loves."
Morgan stiffened almost imperceptibly, then studied Dan with a harsh gaze. The Colonel unfolded his arms and slowly closed the cabin's hatch. From a pocket in his jacket, he took a small cylindrical device no larger than his thumb, held it up, then nodded in satisfaction. In a cold, dangerous voice, he asked, "How did you know?"
Not what, buthow do I know . . .Dan suddenly felt sweat beading on his brow. He swallowed hard because his mouth had gone dry, then nodded. "That thing ... it tells you the room is secure?"
Morgan nodded. "How do you know, Captain?"
The fearful menace in Morgan's voice obliterated the joy Dan had felt in drawing his conclusion. He's afraid Melissa might be in some jeopardy.Dan held up his hands. "No, Colonel, don't worry. It's no leak. A lucky break . . . only one in a zillion people might have noticed, but I've told no one." Dan looked down at the green sash. "Until your question confirmed it, I could barely believe it myself."