Highlander Gambit

by Blaine Lee Pardoe

  "If you do not mind, I will take my leave of you now," Sun-Tzu said, bowing his head. Thomas nodded slowly, rising as he took the Liao's hand in a firm handshake.

  Sun-Tzu Liao paused in the corridor outside the Captain-General's office, trying to compose himself after this astounding interview. Looking around, it was not the first time he was struck by the way Marik had turned these walls into a gallery. He'd never understood Thomas' love of antiques and had assumed it was a throwback to his days in service to the mystical ComStar. Walking slowly as he examined the ancient paintings and maps, Sun-Tzu came to a sudden stop in front of a large old map of the Inner Sphere.

  Apparently dating back to the time of the Star League, the map showed the Inner Sphere as it had been in the days of the Star League, the golden age of humanity. In the area around Terra were many of the worlds the Davions had stolen from the Capellan Confederation some thirty years ago, places where Sun-Tzu had been setting up guerrilla movements and tongs for the past two years. There would be no problem activating them to make trouble for the Federated Commonwealth.

  His eyes wandered across the worlds of the old Terran Hegemony, once the heart and soul of the Star League. The planet Northwind seemed to leap from the map, and the sight of it set the young Chancellor's thoughts to racing. Northwind. Sun-Tzu had been planning an operation there for sometime in the future. But now that Marik had asked him to step up his subversive efforts, Northwind just might offer a rare opportunity for a very special operation. The planet sat in the middle of the so-called Terran Corridor, the narrow swath of worlds that provided a connecting link between the two great halves of the mighty Federated Commonwealth. A strike there would catch Victor off guard and deprive him of a world that was both strategically and military important.

  It would also be a stroke of revenge against the mercenaries who claimed Northwind as their homeworld. The Northwind Highlanders, who had deserted the Capellans in their greatest hour of need, letting the Davion invaders seize half their worlds. Fate had handed him a chance to make them pay for their treachery.

  Sun-Tzu knew that two of the elite Highlander regiments were currently assigned along the Clan border, while MacLeod's Regiment garrisoned Northwind and Stirling's Fusiliers was posted to the nearby Ozawa. He considered the possibilities carefully as he stared at the map. If my operative can infiltrate the Highlanders I can use him to destroy them. One man, from the inside, can cause more damage than a battalion of BattleMechs—if he performs properly. With only one regiment on the planet, even a small number of my forces, once dug in, could prove nearly impossible to uproot. I will destroy the Highlanders and avenge House Liao on the unit that betrayed us and the boy-prince who threatens me.

  Sun-Tzu lifted his wristcomp up and carefully punched in his access code. His intended operative's name came up on the tiny screen. "Jaffray, Loren". He smiled, remembering where the Second Death Commandos were stationed. Loren Jaffray's history made him the perfect tool for this operation. Not only that, he was a member of the Death Commandos. Sworn to die at the Chancellor's word, the Commandos were beyond elite in their devotion to the Capellan Confederation.

  I will tell Isis that this is a good opportunity for us to make a tour of my realm so she can come to know my people and my worlds. And it will give me a pretext to make a stop on Krin. Loren Jaffray doesn't know it, but he and I have an appointment to keep. A very important appointment. An appointment with destiny.

  2

  Lake Fairfax

  Krin, Capellan Confederation

  1 September 3057

  "What is the exercise I'm watching here, Colonel?" the lanky robed figure asked from the bunker viewing port, not lifting the macro binoculars from his eyes. All that was visible to the naked eye were the frozen surface of Lake Fairfax and a small cottage flanked by a dozen BattleMechs painted the dull gray and white of winter camouflage. Using the enhanced binoculars the robed man was able to make out a Hussar hidden near a steep stone cliff that hid the 'Mech from view of the cottage. The Hussar was running in low-powder mode, but it stood out against the snow despite its own white and gray-striped paint scheme. The pilot was not in his 'Mech, but on the ground digging in the snow and dirt, seemingly oblivious of the men watching him from the distant bunker. If not for the filter provided by the binoculars, the reflection off the snow of Krin's bright sun would have made viewing the scene intolerable.

  Colonel Hertzog of the Death Commandos was also following the progress of the operation across the lake. "The cadet team is led by one of our best officers, Your Excellency. One Major Loren Jaffray, the one about whom you inquired. The scenario we're running simulates a rescue operation. In this drill, the enemy has taken one of our peopie hostage and is holding him in the cottage. They have a full company of medium and heavy BattleMechs and a platoon of infantry at their disposal. Major Jaffray and his team have only a lance of medium and light 'Mechs and two platoons of ground troops to execute the rescue. These warriors have all failed this exercise previously."

  "Failed?" Sun-Tzu Liao lowered the binox and stared incredulously at the Colonel.

  Hertzog smiled slightly and nodded. "As you are aware, our training is rigorous and not everyone can measure up, not right away. I'm confident that the Major will demonstrate why we test new Death Commandos in this manner."

  The Chancellor returned to surveying the scene through the binoculars. "Where are the Major's other 'Mechs? I see only a lone Hussar, hardly a match for his opposition."

  "He deployed several under the surface of the lake three days ago."

  The tall, dark-haired young man smiled as he watched the 'Mech pilot leave off digging in the snow and begin the long climb up the side of the 'Mech to its cockpit. "I see, so the good Major will have his troops attack from the lake to create a diversion while his infantry crosses the minefield he has carefully disabled by hand. The enemy 'Mechs go after his comrades in the lake, and his infantry squads make off with the hostage."

  "Possible, Excellency," said Colonel Hertzog, "although that approach might seem too obvious for Jaffray. And the risks he took in keeping three 'Mechs underwater for three days indicate he might have other plans. As I told you before, he is known for being, shall I say, unconventional."

  Sun-Tzu set the electronic binoculars on the window ledge, and crossed the bunker to the massive green table set in its center. It was obviously much more than a simple table, judging by the computerized control surface and the delicate lighting system built in. "How does this work, Colonel?"

  Hertzog flicked a switch and the surface of the holotable flickered with light and life, producing a holographic image of the terrain surrounding the cabin and lake in miniature scale. The scene was precise in its detail, every tree and even the crisp white of the Krin snow appearing as if the observer were looking down onto the real-life hilltop. The relocated mines showed as small blue dots on the holographic field. The BattleMechs, standing only five centimeters tall, looked more like children's toys than the deadly, ten-meter-tall weapons of war they were. Even Major Jaffray and his concealed infantry showed up as tiny figures huddled in the seemingly solid holograph snow.

  "Obviously we don't use live ammo in this kind of exercise. All missiles and shells carry flash warheads, and the lasers and PPCs are rigged at three percent, just enough to make it look real. Our engineers have electronically mapped the hillside, which has been equipped with monitors that feed through fiber-optic lines between here and there. Each BattleMech has a core computer known as the DI, or diagnostic interpreter. It literally gives the 'Mech life. It controls, either directly or indirectly, all weapons, sensors, and movement of the 'Mech. The simulator system is tied into a program we have loaded into the DI systems of the 'Mechs. When the 'Mech is hit by simulated fire, the damage is also simulated, right down to the BattleMech quaking under the impact of the hits. Similar systems are rigged into the infantry's helmets and weapons as well. It will look and feel real to them, with our master computer calling the shots as
to who is alive and who isn't."

  Sun-Tzu clasped his hands behind his back and nodded thoughtfully. "An excellent training tool. To show a warrior his or her mistakes."

  "Or to teach him what he's doing right. Centuries ago they called this virtual reality, but our techs prefer to think of it as synthetic reality. To those taking part, this is as close as you can get to battle without getting shot to pieces."

  The tiny image of Major Jaffray returned to his 'Mech while the Colonel and his lord watched as the infantry squads moved through the opening in the minefield. "Jaffray has done quite a job with their mines. He's rearranged them in narrow lanes to pull in their infantry and 'Mechs." As Hertzog spoke, the infantry suddenly leaped into battle against the hostage guards. As troopers of both sides fought and died, their images fell and turned black against the stark white ice and snow.

  "It looks as if they're going to get the hostage any second," the Chancellor said, leaning over the large table to improve his view.

  Suddenly the BattleMechs of the hostage-holding team seemed to come to life. A Griffin and Warhammer went into action from their vantage point beyond the cabin. The Warhammer took only a few steps, but the Griffin moved in to engage the infantry.

  The Griffin was a classically configured BattleMech. Towering over the snowfield, it carried a particle projection cannon in one massive armored fist and a missile pod on one armored shoulder like an infantryman's bazooka. The 'Mech took several steps down the trail and then veered off, moving straight into the mines. The holographic map displayed a series of explosions and simulated smoke as the Griffin staggered slightly, caught off guard by the blasts. Then it peppered the attacking infantry with a barrage of LRM fire that raced across the stark white background in a flaming spray. The infantry broke and retreated down the hillside, leaving several dead troopers along the way. The image on the holotable was eerily silent.

  "Is there any way to reproduce the sounds of the fighting?" the Liao asked.

  "Of course, Excellency. The monitors in the 'Mechs reproduce the sounds of impact for added realism. External monitors on the hillside can give us the audio feed." Colonel Hertzog pressed some control studs at the head of the table, and soon the crackling of lasers and explosions filled the bunker.

  Sensing that they had their foes on the run, the defending infantry went hot in pursuit and ran directly into their own mines. The explosions on the surface of the holographic display brought them to a grinding halt. Still, Jaffray's light Hussar remained motionless and hidden behind an outcropping of rock near the shore. Several other defending BattleMechs had by now also powered up and begun moving down the trail to the shoreline.

  "He's leaving his infantry squads to die," Sun-Tzu noted. "Even with those mines they're in a rout away from the cottage and the hostage."

  "Diversion, Excellency. Observe."

  The leading Hercules spun off the trail and started down the hillside to intercept the attacking infantry's escape. The Griffin, slowed by the mines, was attempting to backtrack out of the minefield to join in. As the Hercules opened up on the infantry with its short-range missiles and a barrage of autocannon fire, the holotable showed three attackers dead in the assault and the others returning fire as they drew closer to the frozen surface of Lake Fairfax. Their shoulder-launched missiles scored against the Hercules, but did not stop it from continuing down the hillside.

  The Warhammer and the Griffin followed the lead 'Mech down the far left side of the hill, away from the cottage. That left a lone squad to guard the hostage. Closing in for the kill, three other defender 'Mechs also started down the left side of the hill. But the raiding infantry put up a strong defense, constantly moving farther and farther from the cottage and their objective.

  Suddenly the lone Hussar powered up, moving across the now-opened minefield without incident. Once it was out in the open, the sensors of the defending BattleMechs quickly picked it up, and three of them began to move toward the smaller, faster Hussar. Major Jaffray did not fire at them but instead concentrated on the cottage. The defending infantry squad began to fire once he came into line of sight, their shots showing as thin streaks of red on the holotable. The Hussar ignored them, running straight into the midst of their formation until the tiny figures broke and fled, apparently hoping to regroup in a cluster of pines nearby. Their man-to-man weapons were no match for a BattleMech.

  Using its two stubby arms, the pod-shaped Hussar punched its way through the roof of the cottage. Detailed and realistic, the holotable image immediately showed wood shingles and timbers sliding off what was left of the roof and into the snow. The stubby body of the Hussar leaned forward as it reached into the structure and carefully pulled out what appeared to be a golden figure, obviously the hostage, through the hastily ripped hole. The war machine's actions were smooth, evidence of good 'Mech piloting and programming.

  "I'm surprised," the Chancellor muttered, more to himself than for the benefit of the Colonel. "Sir?"

  "He will not escape at this point, even if the rest of his lance joins in." In the distance the table showed the first of the defenders, the Griffin, bring its weapons to bear on Jaffray's Hussar. It opened up with its PPC and long-range missiles, hoping to wreak some revenge for its earlier trip into the minefield. The PPC shot went wide and into a cluster of trees to the right of the hillside. The missiles came closer, hitting in and around the tiny holographic image of the Hussar. Those that missed buried themselves in the snow and erupted like fiery mushrooms on the three-dimensional display. The sounds reproduced by the holotable were realistic and perfectly timed to the blasts. Those warheads that hit the 'Mech showed as tiny red dots, like wounds on a man's flesh.

  The line of defending 'Mechs was spread down the left side of the hill, pursuing Jaffray's diversionary infantry force. Now they suddenly turned their attention to the real threat, the Hussar and the hostage they were supposed to be guarding. They had all but ignored Jaffray's remaining infantry, who now stepped up their missile attacks against the 'Mechs now leaving them behind.

  The light BattleMech turned away from its attackers, exposing its thinly armored rear to the approaching horde of 'Mechs. Instead of making his way along the shoreline and possible safety, Jaffray charged the fast-moving Hussar down the hillside. Several of the defenders' laser shots also went wide, burying themselves in holographic snowdrifts. The path leading down to the shore was tight and winding, opening up only at the shoreline itself. The Krin winter had totally embalmed it in ice and snow, and the fast-moving Hussar slid several times as it raced down the trail to the frozen surface of the lake. The 'Mechs shooting at the Hussar seemed to get closer with each shot. Time was running out.

  The closeness of the shots seemed to shake Hertzog, who quickly concealed his flush of fear. The Colonel stood straighter and pulled his green dress uniform taut against his muscled frame in an attempt to regain his composure. "With all due respect, sire, I wouldn't rule Jaffray out just yet. I usually give him charge of a failing group of trainees so they'll learn to fight with their heads as well as their 'Mechs. Tactics have to be instinctive for a Death Commando. Only he would have had the brains to check to see that the shore ice was in shallow water and is solid for a pretty good distance ..." Suddenly Colonel Hertzog caught himself in his admiration of his officer. "But as I said before, sire, Jaffray is not the kind of man you would need for this mission."

  The figure in the red and gold silk robe did not lift his gaze from the scene unfolding on the holotable. "Indeed." His tone was dry and disbelieving.

  Major Jaffray's Hussar ran out onto the solidly frozen surface of the lake, a rain of laser and PPC fire pouring down the hillside around him. Two Streak missiles fired from the pursuing Hercules dug deeply into the back of the Hussar, which reeled from the impact of the warheads. The holographic image of the 'Mech showed it glowing more red from the fire it was taking than gray from its original paint scheme. A thin but brilliant lightning-blue blast of PPC fire from a Warhammer just narrowly
grazed Jaffray's 'Mech and struck the ice on the lake surface. The holographic image displayed the impact as an explosion of steam and frozen shrapnel. If not for the speed of its run, the Hussar would have fallen into the hole blasted by the PPC. As it was, the 'Mech was running toward the deeper water and the much thinner ice.

  The Hussar proceeded nearly thirty centimeters on the holographic display of the lake surface before the ice collapsed under the 'Mech's heavy tonnage. As the Hussar pitched forward into the hole Jaffray was already drawing the 'Mech's arm back and then flinging what the hand held just ahead of the gaping hole. The "hostage" landed out on the slick surface ice of the lake in a rolling and churning slide. The force of Jaffray's toss was incredible, sending the hostage only a few scant centimeters from the opposite shore of the holographic lake.

  "Most interesting," the Chancellor said, his eyes fixed on the display. "I would have expected him to use his infantry to retrieve the hostage. To employ his 'Mech in this fashion is most unusual, I would think."

  "I concur, sire. That little maneuver by Jaffray will cost our hostage more than a few broken bones, but she's safe and it looks like one of Jaffray's troops is already picking her up." Colonel Hertzog pointed to the spot on the holotable where the golden image of the hostage was encountering one of Jaffray's infantry. In the icy waters of the lake, Jaffray turned to face his pursuers as three bursts of laser fire dug into his 'Mech's torso and arms, burning red on the display. In real life, the water was only five meters deep, but left more than enough of Jaffray's Hussar exposed to fire from his foes. The smaller, faster 'Mech was no match for any one of its pursuers in a prolonged stand-up fight, but that looked like exactly what Jaffray was preparing to do. A move that seemed nothing short of suicidal.

  The pursuit force moved down the hillside toward the shore, only to stumble into more of Jaffray's mines. As the speakers in the holotable played the roar of mock explosions, Jaffray's infantry ambushed the Warhammer on the left flank of the field, wracking it with short-range missiles and the blasts from satchel charges. The Warhammer's weapons were ill-suited for anti-infantry combat, and as the 'Mech turned to face its attackers, one of the blasts tore its leg off at the knee. The mighty war machine fell like a drunken sailor, sliding down the snow-covered hill to the shore.