MechWarrior 2: Mercenaries/Final Strike

Final Strike

MechWarrior’s Campaign Journal

November 3, 3045

It seems like we might actually accomplish the impossible. We hear all the time about petty victories against the Combine. It cheers up the other soldiers, but it doesn’t give me much hope. Commander Harris has been in touch with the Federated Commonwealth. They want to use Proserpina as a base planet for an upcoming campaign, but they can’t unless we overthrow the Combine by the 6th. I know we can finish them off, but not within three days. Proserpina might stay free for a while, but unless the FedCom can push back the Combine with this campaign, it won’t make any difference anyway.

November 4, 3045

Shocking news today. The Draconis soldiers have turned on the citizens of Proserpina’s capital. They’re burning buildings to the ground, then killing and raping the survivors. All of the Mutineers are worried about their loved ones and friends still in the city. I thank whatever gods may be that I don’t know anyone in Proserpina’s capital.

November 5, 3045

The orders have come through. We’re going into action against the remaining Draconis forces tomorrow. The rest of my unit has been ordered to the crystal desert. Infantry platoons already hidden in the city will be backing me up. I’ve seen some awful things in my life, but I don’t know if I’m ready for Proserpina’s capital.

Briefing

Commander Elijah Harris, Free Proserpina Mutineers: Tomorrow you go into Proserpina’s capital. Most civilians have already evacuated, but there is still a P.O.W. camp in the middle of the city. We’re sending in rescue trucks to get those men out, and you have to protect them.

Harris: An infantry platoon is in position at the Rising Sun Hotel to assist your attack.

• Codename: Final Strike
• Planet: Proserpina
• Terrain: City
• Time: Afternoon
• Mean Temperature: 35 Celsius
• Mission Pay: 1,500,000 plus Bounty
• Expected Resistance: 1st Amphigean Light Assault
• Your Call-Sign: Raider-1

Harris: Escort the rescue trucks to the P.O.W. camp and back to the command post. Make certain that the trucks and the P.O.W.s in the barracks get away safely. We have provided you with an 85-ton STK-3F Stalker for this mission only. The rest of your unit has been ordered to other fronts.

Objectives

• Target: Escort rescue trucks
• Target: Destroy the Draconis landing field
• Target: Destroy all enemy ‘Mechs
• Return: Rebel command post

During Mission

Infantry: Roger Raider-1. We’ll cover you!

MISSION SUCCESSFUL

Aftermath

Commander Elijah Harris, Free Proserpina Mutineers: We nailed the ‘Mechs who were already in Proserpina’s capital and blasted their landing facilities, so no other Draconis troops can escape off-planet.

Harris: Now that we’ve won, the Federated Commonwealth will be able to launch their campaign from Proserpina, and maybe turn back the DC forever. But this is no longer your concern. Your pay has been deposited into your ComStar account, and we’ve scheduled transportation to take you back to Outreach. You know, sometimes I envy you. It must be nice not to care.

Proserpina Daily News – November 10, 3045

VICTORY!

After years of oppression, Proserpina is free once more. [Mercenary Unit Name], the mercenary unit largely responsible for our victory, was awarded several medals of honor before boarding their DropShip and heading for home.

While we bid a farewell to comrades-in-arms, we welcome a new Proserpina government. The Mutineers quickly set up a provisional government in accordance with Federated Commonwealth policies.

Representatives of the provisional government estimate that over 2,000 of Proserpina’s citizens died in the final two days of Draconis occupation, although some say that the total casualties may number even higher. The provisional government has already promised to try some 60 captured Draconis soldiers for war crimes.

All told, the estimated cost of the rebellion is nearly 100,000 lives and billions of C-Bills spent on war matériel or lost to property damage. Among the casualties are nearly 10,000 children, most of whom were killed during the Draconis campaign of vengeance during their final days on Proserpina. In answer to these shocking losses, Elijah Harris, leader of the provisional government, issued the following statement:

“We cannot fully count the number of dead, or ever calculate our total loss. The price of freedom is always high, but an enslaved people must pay that price for liberty. We have won a great victory, and our future shines bright. While burying and mourning the dead, remember the great cause they lived and died for. The best way to honor our fallen heroes is to ensure that we will never again live under off-planet control, but will always remain an independent and sovereign people.”

Aftermath (failure)

MISSION FAILED

Commander Elijah Harris, Free Proserpina Mutineers

We secured Proserpina Capitol and the DC forces withdrew, but probably not for long. Most of the 'Mechs escaped, and rumor has it they're moving on to fight against the Commonwealth. If the Combine wins this war, we know they'll be back for us, and what they did to us in the last two days will look kind in comparison. The city is in ruins and thousands of our people are dead, murdered without vengeance. And now the Mutineers have scattered, gearing up for a kind of succession war, each group backing its own candidate. We have freedom, but we may never know peace.

Proserpina Daily News - November 7, 3045

AT WHAT COST FREEDOM?

Massive loss of life and disorganization in Rebel Command prevented the Mutineers from fully controlling the city until late last night. Looters are still in the streets and citizens are encouraged to stay inside after sundown.

Power is still down over much of the city, as are other essentials such as water and communication lines. There are no civil authorities available to manage the reconstruction of these lost services.

Three rebel factions have emerged from the remains of the Free Proserpina Mutineers, who defeated the Draconis occupation force last week. Each faction has declared itself in control of the city. Unconfirmed reports indicate that each faction is entrenching itself in a different portion of the capital and is preparing for the possibility of civil war.

The <COMPANY NAME>, who played a major role in the rebellion and who are blamed for the length and brutality of the final battles, have already fled off-world. Federated Commonwealth relief troops are scheduled to arrive in less than two weeks. How they will respond to the infighting among what remains of the Mutineers remains a mystery.