BattleTech (Video Game)/Coronation Day

Coronation Day

BRIEFING

Continuing to escort Lady Arano to the tourney grounds with Mastiff, the Commander witness the beginning of the House Espinosa Coup...

DURING MISSION

Kamea Arano: I'm going to miss this, Raju... the clarity of purpose that I feel in the cockpit of a BattleMech. The simplicity of it. But there they are, just up ahead–the city gates, and my future, all laid out before me.

Kamea Arano: ... Wait. What's that smoke?

Mastiff: A guard post–one of the small ones that dot the roads leading into the capital. But the emergency band's been quiet all morning... I haven't heard anything about any fire.

Mastiff: This is damned odd, and I don't like it. Kid, keep your head on a swivel and be ready for anything.

Kamea Arano: Some sort of explosion... looks recent, too. Do you think it was an accident?

Mastiff: No chance. You see those scorch marks on the rubble? That's laser fire. We need to get you out of here, Kamea–right now.

Kamea Arano: Yes... I think you're right. There's a patrol of Royal Guard 'Mechs up ahead–we should go to them.

Mastiff: Whatever's happening here, I won't let it derail your coronation. Your people need you.

Kamea Arano: Thank you, Raju. I will prove myself worthy of the faith you've placed in me.

Mastiff: Of that I have no doubt.

House Arano Guardsman: Hail, Mastiff! Hail, Lady Arano! We were preparing for Lady Arano's coronation parade when we got word of a disturbance along the Cormorant Road.

Kamea Arano: A guard post behind us was attacked–Sir Raju found evidence of laser fire. Is the road behind you clear?

House Arano Guardsman: Aye, all the way to the southern gate. Lead the way, Sir Raju–we'll fall in behind you and guard your six.

Mastiff: ...Tell me something, guardsman. If the road is clear, why is your BattleMech damaged?

House Arano Guardsman: Our 'Mechs are overdue for maintenance. But that isn't important right now–we need to worry about Lady Arano's safety. Now, my lady, if you'll come with us...

Kamea Arano: No... you're lying to us. It's my coronation day–no MechTech would've sent you out for parade duty in that condition. I am your sovereign, sir–you will tell me what happened here!

House Arano Guardsman: Damn it, girl–we don't have time for this. TAKE THEM! Kill the old man and the MechWarrior, but take Lady Arano alive!

Mastiff: Fall back, Kamea–get behind us!

Kamea Arano: You didn't train me to cower, Raju. You trained me to fight.

Computer: SAFETIES DISENGAGED

[If Kamea destroys an Enemy Mech]

Mastiff: Good hit!

[If Character destroys an Enemy Mech]

Mastiff: Nice job, kid–one fewer hostile on the board!

[If Mastiff destroys an Enemy Mech]

Mastiff: Damn you for making me do that, son. Damn you.

Alexander Madeira: [static] Kamea? [static] ...Kamea, can you hear me?

Kamea Arano: Alexander, we were just attacked! The Royal Guard–my own guardsmen–tried to take me prisoner!

Alexander Madeira: It's happening here, too... the Royal Guard are killing one another in the halls! Lord Karosas's House Guard just got gunned down in front of me–the Tourney Pavilion is a slaughterhouse!

Kamea Arano: I won't let these seditionists–or whoever they are–steal my birthright. We need to rally every loyalist we can find and make a push on the capital. I'll take the throne by force if I must!

Alexander Madeira: Go to Rotorua Township, to the armory. Your soldiers are using it as a rallying point–I heard Lord Decimis send his House Guard there a few minutes ago. Someone's here... I have to move. Rally what forces you can and meet me at the tourney grounds. Be safe.

Kamea Arano: You heard him, Mastiff–Rotorua Township. We'll go there, rally our fighters, and march on the southern gate with an army at our back.

Mastiff: Kamea... I know that you and Lord Madeira are friends, but we can't take what he told you on faith. Right now, we don't know who we can trust.

Kamea Arano: In this case, we do. Alexander has been my closest friend and confidant for as long as I can remember. His loyalty is beyond question; I trust him with my life... and yours. Now take me to the armory.

Mastiff: As you command, my lady.

Mastiff: Traitors in the Guard... and I fear this is only the beginning.

Mastiff: Follow me, keep close, and remember your training. Things are likely to get ugly between here and there.

Kamea Arano: Oh, no. No, nooo... we're too late...

Alexander Madeira: [static] Kamea... [static] Kamea, do you read me?! It's Espinosa–your uncle! Do you hear me? [static] House Espinosa is usurping the throne!

Kamea Arano: It can't be. My uncle... Victoria...

Alexander Madeira: Kamea, I just watched an Espinosa BattleMech plow through an alley full of civilians. This is happening, and it's happening now!

Alexander Madeira: Your loyalists have fallen back to the Market District–that's where they're making their stand. What's left of the Royal Guard are doing their best, but there's something wrong with their BattleMechs– Wait, what's that sound? OH, GODS!

Kamea Arano: Alexander?! ALEXANDER!

Victoria Espinosa: It's over, Kamea. Your ascendancy... the Arano legacy... all of it.

Kamea Arano: Victoria... what have you done?!

Victoria Espinosa: ...You know, Kamea... for years, I loved you like a sister. But then my father helped me see it. Your family's complacency. What it's done to the Reach. Our nation dwindles like a dying star, and House Arano is to blame.

Victoria Espinosa: My father offered you a path to glory. I'd have fought under your banner proudly... served as your strong right hand. It was like a knife in my heart when you turned him away.

Mastiff: Damn it, Victoria, I taught you better than this!

Victoria Espinosa: You taught me lies! Kamea, for the love that I once bore you, I'm going to give you a chance to surrender. I'll even spare the old man and his MechWarrior if you stand down now. I don't want to see you hurt, but you cannot be allowed to rule.

Kamea Arano: I'll see you hanged for this, Victoria. You and your father both! Do you hear me?! You are traitors to the Reach, and I will fight you to the last!

Victoria Espinosa: Then you truly are a fool. I'll spare you in spite of yourself... but you've cost your royal escort their lives.

Victoria Espinosa: Attention, all Espinosa forces: this is Lady Victoria Espinosa. Lady Arano is to be apprehended and taken alive, by my command. Fail to follow these instructions and you will have me to deal with.

Computer: INCOMING TRANSMISSION.

Santiago Espinosa: Attention, citizens of Coromodir VI! This is Lord Santiago Espinosa. With the unanimous support of the Founding Houses, I have assumed control of the Aurigan Coalition. For your own protection, I urge you to remain calm and stay indoors until otherwise instructed.

Santiago Espinosa: All hostile units: stand down, and you have my oath that you will not be harmed. Resist and you will be fired upon.

Kamea Arano: My father placed his faith in that man. I gave him my trust. He was family.

Alexander Madeira: [static] Kamea... do you read me?

Kamea Arano: Alexander! Thank the gods! I thought I'd lost you when the bombs fell...

Alexander Madeira: You very nearly did. Kamea, the city is lost. We have to get off of this planet, and we need to do it now.

Kamea Arano: I can't abandon Coromodir...this is my home, my birthright...

Mastiff: The battle's over, Kamea. Lord Madeira has the right of it–it's time for you to run. Escape from this madness, and live to restore the Coalition another day.

Kamea Arano: You're... you're both right. My uncle has won. The Reach is his.

Alexander Madeira: We'll mourn for it later–the both of us. For now, you need to move! I have a DropShip waiting at Shepherd's Pass, I'm on my way there right now. Hurry and meet me there–please.

Kamea Arano: We're... we're on our way.

Kamea Arano: You get to that ship, Alexander. I mean it. I will not lose you and my throne on the same day!

Victoria Espinosa: This is your last chance, cousin. Don't make me order your death.

Kamea Arano: Do whatever you must, betrayer.

Victoria Espinosa: A headstrong fool to the end. Damn you for this. [sigh] Captain Haust, destroy them. Mastiff, my cousin... all of them. Leave no survivors.

Captain Haust: As you command, my lady.

Alexander Madeira: Thank the gods you made it, Kamea! Captain Halvorsen's prepping the engines now–in another five minutes we'll be ready to depart.

Mastiff: Five minutes is a long time. {Character Callsign}, you see Lady Arano to the docking ramp. When she's aboard, come back to me–we'll hold this pass against whatever comes.

Kamea Arano: Thank you, Sir Raju. Thank you both. I won't forget what you've done for me today–I promise you that.

Victoria Espinosa: All units: advance! I want you to take down that DropShip–destroy everyone and everything that stands in your way!

Mastiff: All right, {Character Callsign}. I trained you for this. We'll fight side by side, watch each other's backs. Above all else, we will keep Lady Arano safe. Protect the DropShip–it's all that matters.

Computer: Warning: engine heat critical. Warning [ERROR] SHUTDOWN INITIATED. [ERROR] REACTOR OFFLINE. WEAPONS OFFLINE. SYSTEMS INOPERABLE.

Victoria Espinosa: Trouble with your Blackjack, {Character Callsign}? Shame. That's been happening to a lot of Royal Guard BattleMechs lately.

Mastiff: You have numbers on us, and you've resorted to sabotage... and you're gloating about it? You've got no honor, you vicious little brat–not you nor your backstabbing father.

Victoria Espinosa: Shut your mouth, old man. My father is a great man, and I swear to all the gods, you will suffer if you insult him again.

Mastiff: Your father is a coward, and so are you. {Character Callsign}, I want you to eject–now. Punch out. You're no good to anybody in a broken 'Mech, and I won't let you die today.

Mastiff: Eject, MechWarrior. NOW. That's an order!

Mastiff: Now come for me, Victoria... your teacher is waiting. Come and show me what you've learned.