MechWarrior 4: Vengeance/Destroy Communications Array

September, 3063

Kentares IV

Destroy Comms. Relay

BRIEFING

Eric Dresari (recording): My son, I wish these did not have to be my final words to you. I must try to make up for years in only a few minutes, while this message can still be sent.

Eric Dresari (recording): I’ve often regretted the words that I spoke when I sent you away. I don’t want them to be the last that you hear from me. I was acting as a duke, not a father. I feared you’d bring dishonor to the family name. I was wrong. You may have thought yourself forgotten, but you’ve never been far from my thoughts. I followed your deeds in the Clan wars. You have done nothing but bring honor to your name, and made me proud to be your father. If you could find it within yourself to forgive me…

Eric Dresari (recording): I had hoped to ask you to return home. Now, there’s no time. Because I stood against Katrina Steiner when she betrayed her promises, and seized control of the Commonwealth, our world is to be made an example to the dukes who stood with me in resisting her. They’re seizing Kentares. They sent a strike force, and it’s only a matter of time before they breach the castle defenses. Your brothers…your sister…by the time you get this, I’m sure that we’ll all be dead.

Eric Dresari (recording): Stay away from Kentares, Ian. Your uncle Peter commands in the Fourth Davion Guard, off the planet. As long as he takes no action against her, Katrina won’t risk moving against him. Go to him. Live on, and bear our name proudly. My son, I have always loved you, and I am very, very proud of the man that you have become. Goodbye.

[Recording ends]

Ian Dresari: Did you find the bodies? Do we know for certain they’re all dead?

Peter Dresari: Steiner executed everyone at the castle who survived the initial attack. We don’t know where they’re buried. We don’t believe anyone escaped. I know what you must be feeling, Ian. But your father’s wishes were always for honor and justice, never for revenge.

Ian: Justice? My family’s been killed, Peter. All but you. Whoever killed them deserves to be dead, too.

Peter: We have more important tasks first. We have to break Steiner’s grip on Kentares IV, remove your cousin William from the throne, and restore legal rule.

Ian: William...

Peter: He’s only a puppet, Ian. Steiner controls your homeworld. Our forces are small, but if we show the people they can fight back, I know they’ll join with us to free Kentares. So, if you are your father’s son, you’ll get suited up. Our first strike must be now, before they discover we’re here.

OPERATIONAL OVERVIEW

Destroy Enemy Communications Relay: Our rebellion starts here. We are going to raid and destroy the key component of the Steiner communications net. Enemy forces are light, and resistance should be minimal. Destroy the three communications relay stations, and Steiner communications will be cut off from Kentares IV.

DURING MISSION

Peter: This is it, gentlemen. We’re about to start a war. Ahead of us is the main comm. relay station. It’s lightly defended, and should be a piece of cake. Destroy it, and all Steiner communications with Kentares IV are cut off. Expect light point defenses only. Move in fast and vaporize everything that isn’t a rock.

Casey: Except each other, that is.

Peter: Yes, except each other. Ian, your lancemate on this mission is Casey Nolan. You’ll learn to ignore him. The rest of us do. Casey, the Shadow Cat to your right is my nephew and your future duke. Try to show him more respect than you do me.

Casey: I don’t think that will be a problem, sir.

Peter: Those towers are the communications relays. We’d better take them out first. It may take heavy weapons to bring them down.

Peter: Lance, move out!

Casey: Throttle full, weapons online.

Casey: Hey, we’re taking fire!

Peter: Looks like we’ve got some LRMs to deal with.

Casey: Ugh! Stepped in some Steiner.

Casey: That’s one.

Casey: Must’ve been something good in that one.

Peter: Probably just ammo cooking off. Try not to get too close to the explosion. You might catch some shrapnel.

Casey: Wow, looks like pulse lasers. Not much punch, but there’s enough of ‘em to do some damage.

Control: Omega Lance, we show vehicles moving out of your vicinity. Neutralize all mobile units. They might warn other Steiner forces.

Peter: Roger that, Control.

Casey: I thought these guys were supposed to be tough.

Peter: Keep your eyes open and check your targets.

Peter: We have to get those comms. towers down now.

Control: Omega Lance, this is Rathburn. I show all communications neutralized.

Peter: Good work, gentlemen.

Casey: Awwwww. Steiner fall down go boom.

Peter: All right, that’s it. Good work, everyone. Let’s get back to base. Control, this is Omega Lead. Mission accomplished.

Base: Roger, Omega Lead. Return to base heading one-seven-five. Omega Support, mobilize salvage units and sweep Operational Area. Window – two hours, twenty minutes.

Casey: Beautiful run. Nothing wakes me up like a little Steiner stompin’ party.