MechWarrior 2: Mercenaries/Dust River

Dust River

Draconis Combine – Mercenary Briefing

Kobo Fukuzawa, DC Mercenary Liaision Officer: Now that we control the water, the Dread Legion has been forced into retreat. We must now prevent the Legion warriors from leaving Gravenhage. The Dread Legion will have to rely on a single ravine to reach the safety of their DropShip.

Fukuzawa: We have been contacted by a Legion MechWarrior who knows he cannot escape. In return for safe passage from Gravenhage, he will turn against his unit when you inspect his ‘Mech.

• Codename: Dust River
• Planet: Gravenhage
• Terrain: Dust Estuary
• Time: Day
• Mean Temperature: 30 Celsius
• Mission Pay: 500,000 plus bounty and bonus
• Expected Resistance: Dread Legion
• Your Call-Sign: Rattler

Fukuzawa: Stop the Dread Legion ‘Mechs from reaching their DropShip. Destroy all enemies that try to escape, or destroy the DropShip. Inspect the Dread Legion Catapult to activate the traitor.

Objectives

• Target: Hold the pass against the Dread Legion

Or

• Target: Destroy the Dread Legion DropShip

Aftermath

Debriefing

Kobo Fukuzawa, DC Mercenary Liaison Officer: You succeeded in holding off the Dread Legion at the ravine, and they are now trapped on the continental shelf, unable to access the safe landing zones on the evaporated ocean’s floor. The Combine thanks you for your courage and devotion in this difficult battle. Continued success may earn you a substantial cash bonus upon completion of the campaign.

Fukuzawa: Now that you have repulsed the Dread Legion, they must find another route off-planet. Several lances of their light ‘Mechs managed to scale the cliffs, using their jump-jets in a controlled free-fall to land in the evaporated ocean. The Legion’s larger ‘Mechs and light ‘Mechs without jump capability will be searching for another method of escape. We have heard reports that the Legion has offered you several hundred thousand C-Bills to allow their escape. We will be watching you very closely.

ComStar News Service – June 26, 3048

The Dread Legion met with another defeat on Gravenhage today, as several of their heavy BattleMechs tried to push past Draconis mercenaries and arrive safely at their landing zones in the evaporated sea. The mercenaries held their ground and inflicted serious casualties on the Dread Legion, a clear victory for the Combine.

While tactical details remain sketchy, it is clear that the Dread Legion must attempt to escape Gravenhage by another route. Most likely, they will attempt to land their DropShips on the windy and hazardous beaches of the continent, which are plagued by powerful winds which can wreak havoc with a DropShip’s landing patterns. The Dread Legion has already lost one DropShip there, and will have to risk many more if they hope to rescue their forces from Gravenhage.

Aftermath (failure)

MISSION FAILED

Kobo Fukuzawa, DC Mercenary Liaison Officer

Because of your failure to hold the ravine, several Dread Legion 'Mechs escaped to their DropShips. The Combine cannot maintain control over its mercenaries if their crimes are allowed to go unpunished. This failure will cost you your bonus and a percentage of your pay.

ComStar News Service - June 26, 3048

A serious defeat for the Combine occurred today on Gravenhague at approximately 2:35 local time when several Dread Legion units overcame Draconis mercenaries to arrive with few casualties at landing zones in the evaporated sea. For the Dread Legion the battle was a major victory as they can now abandon the continental heights and move all of their heavier BattleMechs and equipment down to the safer landing zones in the ocean basin.

For the Combine this brings the end of the campaign. Draconis aerospace fighters will no doubt continue to harass Dread Legion DropShips as they take off, but the battle is over for the ground forces, a relief to Draconis and mercenary MechWarriors who have been exhausted by high temperatures and limited water rations.

Dust River (alternate)

This version occurs if the player failed the previous mission.