D. R. T. Read online

  At first Ria thought he was trying to con her into hiring him without a proper background check. If Jamshid was to be believed, he was qualified—at least on simulators—on every BattleMech produced in the Inner Sphere as well as on two Clan OmniMechs. Initially, she had dismissed his claims; after all, he was dispossessed, but a routine background check at the Hiring Hall confirmed his claims.

  Jamshid had served as an instructor with the Fusiliers of Oriente for six years, teaching recruits the basics of piloting a BattleMech. His service jacket didn't give the reason for the split with the Fusiliers, but there was no evidence of ill feeling. Upon arrival on Outreach three months ago, Jamshid had begun simulator training on the two available Omni-Mech modules, the Mad Cat and the Fenris. Ria knew simulator qualification couldn't compare to actual field training, but Jamshid was head and shoulders above other recruits in critical knowledge.

  The fact was not generally known, but the Black Thorns were one of the few Inner Sphere units possessed of Clan OmniMechs. Following their Pyrrhic victory over forces of Clan Jade Falcon on Borghese, the Black Thorns had scavenged the 'Mechs the defeated Falcons had left behind. Lacking the technical knowledge needed to salvage many of these marvels, the Black Thorns had been able to rescue only four of the 'Mechs and a small supply of spare parts.

  Her brother Jeremiah piloted the eighty-five ton Masakari Prime. At least she assumed he was still piloting the OmniMech. The Black Thorns also had two Mad Cats and a Dasher. The heavy Mad Cats made a great pair. Ria knew Esmeralda already had her eye on one of them, would even be willing to give up her much heavier Marauder II for the opportunity to pilot one of the Omnis. If approved, Jamshid would pilot the other. It was the Dasher that was a problem.

  The Dasher was the lightest OmniMech fielded by the Clans, at least as far as anyone in the Inner Sphere knew. It was faster than a Locust—which made the Omni blazingly fast—and that was without the MASC system engaged. When operating, the Myomer Accelerator Signal Circuitry set atop the Dasher's engine acted like an old-fashioned turbo booster by increasing the strength of the electrical impulses to the Dasher's legs. With assistance from MASC, the Dasher could reach speeds of greater than two hundred kilometers per hour. Ria knew she needed a special pilot to handle that kind of speed and not get the 'Mech shot out from under him before the MASC had a chance to remove the Dasher from harm's way.

  She had the field of potential candidates narrowed down to two individuals. Once she made a choice, it would bring the Black Thorns up to full strength if Jeremiah approved. The Thorns would enter their next contract a full company, with seven battle-tested members and five combat veterans who were new to the unit. She simply needed to make the final selection.

  A double rapping at the door of her hotel room told her the time for a decision was at hand. Straightening her uniform, she crossed the room, then threw open the door. Standing in the hall were two Mech Warriors.

  "Greetings, I am Lieutenant Rose." Ria smiled briefly and ushered the two warriors into the room. "I hope you will forgive my lack of formality, but I've found this room makes an excellent examination room." The two candidates glanced at each other, but kept their attention focused on Ria.

  "Leftenant Donaldson, this is Yuri Dogdorvich. Mr. Dogdorvich, I don't believe you've ever held a rank in the armed forces, is that correct?" Both candidates stiffened at the words. Each knew this was a Mech Warrior contract and that the only non-military MechWarriors were pirates. Donaldson's hand dropped to her holster, but she did not touch it.

  Dogdorvich simply nodded. "You are well informed. My dossier was complete and well-prepared. How did you know it was a forgery?" he asked.

  "Your bad luck, I guess. I've got a friend who used to be in the Lyran Guard. I called him and asked if he knew you or any of the references listed. Of course he knew all the references, but he also knew they were dead and he'd never heard of you, so I was pretty certain."

  "I see," he replied. "Just bad luck then. I'd hate to think I'd spent my life's savings on a poorly constructed dossier." Dogdorvich frowned. "I suppose you'll have to tell the Dragoons?"

  Ria shrugged. "That depends. I'm looking for a pilot." She turned to address Donaldson at the same time. "I know Donaldson's qualifications check out. What about yours, Dogdorvich?"

  "The qualifications and kills are accurate. All I changed were the units involved and the names of the battles. I'm as good a pilot as I claim."

  "I'm willing to pretend you're telling the truth for now," Ria said. "But I've got one problem. I only need one pilot and it's down to the two of you." She paused to study the two MechWarriors.

  "Suppose I tell you the slot goes to the last pilot standing?" Donaldson cocked her head, thinking about the question. Dogdorvich dropped flat to the ground and reached out with both legs, one in front and one behind Donaldson. With a single scissor motion he knocked her to the floor, using the leverage and motion to stand upright once more. Donaldson reached for a chair on the way down, trying to avoid the inevitable, but she only succeeded in knocking over the heavy chair. Dogdorvich focused on Ria. Donaldson turned red and started to stand.

  "Suppose I tell you the slot goes to the last pilot alive?" This time Donaldson did not hesitate. Rather than try to stand, she reached for her pistol, drawing the weapon across her body. Dogdorvich reached back between his shoulder blades and pulled an eight-inch stiletto, tip first. The lasersharpened plastic was dull black and uniformly smooth. A perfect throwing weapon.

  "Enough!" In the small room the sound of Ria's voice shocked both pilots into temporary inaction. By the time the effects of the command wore off, both realized the test was over.

  "Leftenant Donaldson, thank you for your time. I apologize for the unorthodox interview process. That will be all."

  The woman seemed ready to say something, but bit it back. Glaring at Dogdorvich, she turned on her heel and left the room. Dogdorvich kept his eyes on Ria, allowing the silence to build even after Donaldson was gone.

  "You're quick," she said.

  "Where I come from you have to be." He reached back with his left hand and returned the knife to its sheath. "Does this mean I'm in?"

  "Time will tell for sure, but I'd say you've got a good start. I'll need a real dossier delivered here by eight tomorrow morning. The truth this time. We both know you were a pirate. If you want to be a mercenary, you've got the chance for a fresh start, but that means the truth from this point on." Ria looked Dogdorvich in the eyes despite the height difference. They were the same age, but there was something older in his face. Years of hard living, even by MechWarrior standards, had aged him beyond mere years.

  "You'll have the report by eight sharp," he replied. "All the truth, if that's what you want." Dogdorvich turned to go, giving a ghost of a salute Ria knew was her only thank you.

  "One more thing, Dogdorvich."

  He stopped at the door, just as he was reaching for the knob. "Yuri, if you please. When I had friends, that's what they called me."

  "Were you really a Locust pilot, Yuri?" He smiled for the first time, and Ria saw a sudden spark in his eyes she wouldn't have guessed was there.

  "Yes, ma'am, I was. I still am. I just don't have a 'Mech right now."

  "Would you ever consider piloting something else?" she asked. Yuri rolled his head back and looked at the ceiling for a moment before answering.

  "Yes, I guess I would consider it, but I'd have to call it the greatest waste of my life not to pilot a fast 'Mech. You know what I mean?" Yuri looked back down at Ria, holding her gaze with his eyes. "Something with more speed than armor. That's the 'Mech for me. I'd take an UrbanMech if I thought that's what it would take to get back into the hot seat, but I'd trade you a Marauder for a Locust any day."

  "Oh, really?"

  "Well, maybe not." He smiled and turned toward the door. "But I'd trade a Shadow Hawk for one. Even up." Still smiling, he opened the door.

  Standing in the doorway, right hand poised to knock, stood an elder
ly man in a gray suit. Yuri paused in the doorway, face to face with the stranger. Ria looked around the other warrior's right side, wanting to see the reason for his sudden halt.

  "Good afternoon," said the man. "I am looking for the Black Thorns. I am thinking, perhaps I have found them?"

  4

  Harlech, Outreach

  Sarna March, Federated Commonwealth

  30 October 3056

  Ria ignored Yuri's questioning look as he left the room. She ushered her guest inside and offered her hand. "My name is ..."

  "Riannon Rose, sister of Jeremiah Rose." The man ignored her offered hand for several moments, so Ria let it drop to her side. "I had heard the housekeeping staff was better than this." With a nod of his head, he indicated the overturned chair.

  Ria shrugged. "Just an interview."

  "I see," replied the man. Ria allowed him to walk around the room as he inspected pictures and peered through the partially closed drapes. He seemed perfectly at ease in the silence, but it was having quite the opposite effect on her.

  "So, who are you and how do you know who I am?" Ria asked.

  "You may call me Priam, although you can probably guess that is not my real name. I know you because it is my business to know everything about the people I may employ." Ria noticed the particular emphasis on the word 'may,' but she did not react. She had initially suspected that the man was a potential employer, as there was little chance of him being a Mech Warrior.

  His thin gray suit was neatly pressed, but slightly out of date. Although perfectly acceptable for most meetings or events, the utilitarian cut and average quality marked the wearer as a minor functionary. Either that, or he wants to appear that way, Ria reminded herself. If he's a potential employer, he's probably also a skilled negotiator. Looking over at him, she was startled to find Priam staring at her.

  "You were thinking?" he asked.

  "You sound surprised," she responded.

  "Touché" Priam smiled back at her. "I'll have to be careful of such a quick wit. What I meant to say was 'What are you thinking?' "

  Ria considered for a moment, then decided on the truth. "Well, Priam, I was just thinking you're probably a contract negotiator. You're either very well placed or you have no clout at all."

  "Why not something in the middle?" he interrupted.

  Ria ignored the question. "You're probably not Periphery, because they're too self-conscious. There's no way you're Com Guard, because they always come in full gear. Word of Blake isn't hiring, the Federated Commonwealth always comes in pairs, Liao always comes in threes, and Kurita ... Kurita always surprises."

  "You seem to know the territory." Priam wandered away from the window and crossed to the room's wet bar. "Mind if I have some mineral water?"

  "Allow me." Ria intercepted him at the bar and indicated one of the overstuffed chairs. Priam took his seat as she poured two glasses of bottled water. Setting both glasses on the end table, she reached for the overturned chair and set it upright. As Ria took her seat, the two were able to share the end table and still maintain a personal distance. Priam sipped his water and regarded Ria.

  "You're right," she stated. "I do know the territory. Or maybe I should say I know the predators."

  "You must be a fast learner," he laughed.

  "I don't think so, Priam. I've been here for almost six weeks and all I've done in that time is work, sleep, and eat mercenaries. I've talked to countless candidates, read three times that many dossiers, viewed every bit of holo footage I could find and talked to as many employers as would see me.

  "Six weeks is a lot of time to do a job when there are no distractions."

  Priam saluted her with his glass and sipped again. "As you say," he replied. "Still, there are many units here, smaller than your own, I might add, who have sent more personnel to accomplish the job you attempt alone."

  "Well, I don't know about the alone part," she said, "but I am a little short-handed. Besides, I'm just laying the groundwork. Once the rest of the Black Thorns get here, they'll help with the work."

  Priam took another sip and set down the glass. Steepling his fingers, he looked at Ria for several seconds before speaking.

  "I am, as you surmise, a negotiator, but for whom I cannot say at the moment. I am empowered to offer an initial contract, but I have several questions first." Priam held up a hand as Ria started to speak. "I would not expect you to be able to accept a contract; however, I know you can convey my offer, should one follow, to your brother." Priam again steepled his fingers and paused. Ria nodded her understanding and Priam continued.

  "First the hard part. The contract requires a unit no less than a company in strength. I understand you have offered several employment contracts, pending approval from your brother. Do the standing offers, when coupled with the current personnel, equal a full company?"

  "The Black Thorns have six warriors on Borghese. Those and myself make seven. I have extended four offers, which I expect to be ratified. I anticipate extending the final offer tomorrow. If it is accepted, the Thorns will be twelve strong."

  "The young man who left as I entered, is he the final pilot?"

  Priam already seemed to know the answer, but Ria hesitated all the same in replying. It suddenly occurred to her that Priam was very subtle, having put her completely at ease. It wasn't that she had divulged any privileged information, but she realized that if she wasn't careful, the man's smooth manner might lead her to betray the Thorns. She reconsidered her answer, still watching Priam warily, but he seemed to understand her dilemma and filled the uncomfortable silence.

  "No matter. Perhaps I should reconsider my approach. You are intelligent, but new to this process. I have, perhaps, underplayed my hand. Let me be as open as I can be to prevent any miscommunication between us, and ultimately, between my sponsors and your brother.

  "First, what I already know. The Black Thorn contract with Borghese ends in three weeks. At that time the rest of the unit will board Captain McCloud's DropShip and return to Outreach, having turned over the defense of Borghese to a battalion from the Gray Death Legion. By the way, I would take it as the highest praise that Prince Victor has decided to replace your partial company with an entire battalion."

  Ria tried not to react to Priam's compliment, but she could not help but feel proud. The changes in the political and military situation on Borghese were the real reason the Federated Commonwealth had decided to beef up the planet's defense, but there was, she hoped, some truth to the compliment.

  "For the seven pilots currently on the roster," Priam continued, "you have an incredible twelve BattleMechs. The centerpiece of these are the four OmniMechs that the Black Thorns captured from the Jade Falcons. They are, I believe, a Masakari, two Mad Cats, and a Dasher. The remaining eight include a Charger, Banshee, Marauder II, Battle-master, Warhammer, Shadow Hawk, Raven, and, of course, your own Phoenix Hawk. The Marauder and the Shadow Hawk are currently up for sale."

  He paused, but Ria merely reached for her glass. Let him think what he wanted. In truth, the two 'Mechs were up for sale to help defray the considerable maintenance expense for Omnis, but that was hardly the type of information a mercenary unit wanted made public.

  Priam accepted the silent response. "Of the four offers you've made, two of the pilots already have their own 'Mechs, a Mercury and a Panther, I am told. That brings the unit's total to a staggering fourteen 'Mechs. Not bad for a new unit with less than a year's experience under its collective belt." Priam picked up his glass and silently saluted Ria before drinking.

  He was right, Ria reflected. The Thorns had been luckier than most units and had doubled their total number of 'Mechs. The best news, however, was the actual 'Mechs themselves. The Black Thorns were very top-heavy, with a high ratio of heavy and assault class 'Mechs. Under most circumstances that would make the unit slow and cumbersome despite the power, but the four Clan OmniMechs gave the unit much more overall speed.

  "Given the weight and capabilities of your 'Mech
s," Priam went on, "your unit would be ideal for almost any company-sized operation. The only disadvantage—and it is critical—lies at the heart of your strength.

  "With four OmniMechs and five conventional 'Mechs of more than sixty tons each, maintenance and spare parts will quickly present a problem. The Black Thorns will either have to sell a BattleMech to get the cash necessary to keep replacement parts flowing, or they will have to take a high-risk, high-pay contract immediately. Perhaps even a combination of both.

  "Besides, the availability of parts and equipment is not necessarily enough. You would also need to acquire the knowledge necessary to repair the OmniMechs, since no technicians were captured on Borghese." Priam again permitted the silence to build.

  He was absolutely right, and Ria knew it. Maintenance was a tremendous problem in dealing with the Omnis, not only in the field, but back at the base. The few Inner Sphere technicians who had even seen an OmniMech commanded outrageous prices and contract incentives. Even the worst among them was well outside what the Black Thorns could afford to pay.

  "How am I doing so far?" Priam suddenly asked.

  "Just fine, I guess. But I didn't realize you were asking questions. The unit's composition is common knowledge to all registered representatives of the Inner Sphere's Great Houses. The new hires you could have picked up easily enough by watching activity at the Hiring Hall. As far as maintenance, well, your analysis is as close to the truth as any. Again, it's common knowledge that it takes more to field a heavy 'Mech than a light one. OmniMechs are doubly tough at every weight class."

  "Are all the 'Mechs operational?" Priam asked.

  "Yes," Ria replied without thinking. In an era of diminished resources, many BattleMechs were forced into battle with broken components. That was one of the factors that made technicians so valuable. It was not unusual for a mercenary unit to have access to several 'Mechs, yet have only some of those 'Mechs available for combat at any one time.

  "More water?" she said as Priam was about to speak. He reached for his glass, but Ria was already walking over to the bar.