MechWarrior 2: Mercenaries/Judas Kiss

Judas Kiss

MechWarrior’s Campaign Journal

December 1, 3051

Victory is assured, but victory for who? I have the Kodiak and I have learned to pilot it, I think. I have called my alternate escape route, the [Mercenary Unit Name] DropShip. I had Kelly enter-in system as a usual precaution, just in case the Draconis Combine was unwilling or unable to get me off. It wouldn’t be the first time the Draconis Combine has almost stranded me on a hostile world.

Now, I am thinking that perhaps my alternate escape route has a second use. If I were to destroy the Draconis ‘Mechs and the Draconis DropShip with the Kodiak, I could get to the pirate DropShip and escape, and keep the Kodiak for myself. It would be a powerful addition to a mercenary’s arsenal. Of course, the Draconis Combine might suspect that I was responsible for their boys never coming home, but they wouldn’t be able to prove anything.

It’s a difficult decision, and one that I can’t seem to make. Perhaps the battle will help me decide.

Briefing

David Baruki, Chu-sa of DC Strike Force: While you were learning the Kodiak’s controls, a DC pilot brought your ‘Mech to our DropShip. Once on board, you will turn the Kodiak over to us, and we will transport you and your ‘Mech back to Outreach.

-- TRANSMISSION FROM [MERCENARY UNIT NAME] DROPSHIP --

Sean Kelly, DropShip Captain: All right, [Player Name], I’ve cracked through the DC scramblers. I’m ready to pick you up, if you still want to steal the Kodiak and keep it for yourself. Remember, kill all witnesses, or the DC will chase us across the galaxy.

• Codename: Judas Kiss
• Planet: Last Frontier
• Terrain: Cratered Vacuum
• Time: Dusk
• Mean Temperature: 6 Celsius
• Mission Pay: 4,000,000 plus bounty
• Expected Resistance: Ghost Bear Garrison
• Your Call-Sign: Wraith-1

Baruki: Go to the Draconis DropShip

Kelly: Destroy the Draconis DropShip and go to the [Mercenary Unit Name] DropShip.

Objectives

• Target: Go to the Draconis DropShip

or

• Target: Destroy the Draconis DropShip
• Target: Go to the [Mercenary Unit Name] DropShip

Aftermath

Betrayal Path

Sean Kelly, DropShip Captain: We did it, [Player Name]! The DC witnesses are all dead, so the Combine will assume that the Ghost Bears took them out. You can tell the DC merc liaison whatever you want. He’s got no reason not to believe you. You might have trouble getting them to pay you for the mission, because in their eyes, you failed. They’ll never even know. Once we’re out of the DC radio jam area, I’ll let Outreach know that we’re coming home, and tell them what we’re bringing. I even had a tech get your ‘Mech out of the wreckage of the DC DropShip before we lifted off, so we won on all counts!

Loyalty Path

David Baruki, Chu-sa of DC Strike Force: Congratulations, [Player Name], you executed your mission flawlessly. With the information we will gain from the Ghost Bear OmniMech, we will be able to start duplicating them, and soon the Draconis Combine will be as well-equipped as the Clans. Then, once we have turned away the invaders, we can once more set our sights on reigning over the Inner Sphere.