MechWarrior 2: Mercenaries/Blood-for-Blood

Blood-for-Blood

MechWarrior’s Campaign Journal

September 15, 3045

Two weeks into the mission, and we’re no closer to victory. November 6 is coming fast, and I don’t see how we can possibly hold out against the elite Amphigean Light Assault. Ammunition is already running short, and so is food. I seem to be getting a full ration, but I have seen whole platoons living on half rations for days. Water is also becoming a problem. I’ve been running water raids into Draconis territory, but we’re still thirsty. All over Proserpina, people are saying that the FedCom is backing the Mutineers, but we aren’t seeing any supplies. Just more DC propaganda.

September 20, 3045

I’ve finally been given a combat mission against the Combine, but I don’t really like being used as a weapon against just one man. They’ve told me how brutal Sho-sa Varus was at the Freedom Marches, but riot duty is dangerous and ugly work. Varus was probably just doing his job. Anyway, war is political, not personal.

Briefing

Commander Elijah Harris, Free Proserpina Mutineers: Here is our chance to get a little revenge. During the Freedom Marches last summer, a DC commander called Varus ordered ‘Mechs to fire on a peaceful crowd, massacring hundreds of civilians. Varus, or “the Butcher,” is inspecting a fire base at NAV point IOTA.

Harris: One of our recon squads has been stationed in the cliffs above you to keep lookout. You’ll start out hidden in a cave, and then move in for the kill when you spot Varus. This one means a lot. Don’t let us down.

• Codename: Blood-for-Blood
• Planet: Proserpina
• Terrain: Salt Flats
• Time: Midnight
• Mean Temperature: 10 Celsius
• Mission Pay: Bounty only
• Expected Resistance: 1st Amphigean Light Assault
• Your Call-Sign: Raider-1

Harris: Travel to NAV IOTA, avoiding Draconis patrols, and destroy the firebase. Find Sho-sa Varus by inspecting buildings and ‘Mechs. Once you have found him, kill Varus.

Objectives

• Target: Find and kill Sho-sa Varus
• Bounty: Destroy firebases
• Return: NAV LAMBDA

During Mission

Rebel: Raider-1! Enemy patrol approaching! Stay in the cave until they pass!

Rebel: You’re all clear, Raider-1. Move out, and good luck!

MISSION SUCCESSFUL

Aftermath

Commander Elijah Harris, Free Proserpina Mutineers: Varus is dead! Do you hear that crowd roaring out there? You just gave them your first real victory. Do you know how hard it is to keep on fighting for your homeland, your people, without ever making any progress? I guess not. Anyway, I’m here to present you with the Badge of Freedom, our highest honor. I don’t know if it means anything to you, but it does to us.

Harris: The ‘Mechs you found hidden in those firebases gave us some interesting information about the Draconis strategy. It looks like they were about to stage an attack on our base here, which we were sure they didn’t know about. It may be that all of our bases have been compromised, depending on how deep the spies are, and how well they’re torturing our POWs. But now that we know, if we move quickly, we’ll be able to secure Proserpina and kick those worms off-planet forever. Then you can head back to Outreach, and we’ll have our planet back.

Proserpina Daily News – September 21, 3045

“BUTCHER” ASSASSINATED

The Draconis Military Liaison announced today that Sho-sa Varus, hero of several Draconis campaigns in the Periphery, was killed during a rebel attack on the Salt Flats south of the Proserpina Capital. Varus, or “The Butcher,” is known to Proserpina’s citizenry as the commander who allegedly ordered Draconis ‘Mechs to fire on a crowd at last summer’s Freedom Marches. 206 civilians were killed in that incident, which a Draconis Military Investigation Committee ruled a “misunderstanding.”

Commander Tai-sa Michaels issued an ultimatum today against the rebels, who are calling themselves “the Free Proserpina Mutineers.” Michaels stated, “Anyone operating against the Draconis Governorship must surrender to Kuritan or local authorities within five days. After that time, they will be considered enemies of the state and will be shot on sight. No more prisoners will be taken.”

An anonymous rebel source mocked Michaels’ “Ultimatum Speech,” pointing out that Draconis prisoners are almost always killed, anyway. This speech, the source claims, proves only how desperate the Combine has become, and he warned that the Kuritans may turn their anger on Proserpina’s cities if the rebels continue to evade them. Such an act would be in direct violation of the Ares Conventions, which forbids urban warfare.