Mech Corps

by Jake Bible

  An alarm sounded in Gore’s cockpit indicating the seal on his hatch was compromised.

  “Son of a butch!” he yelled. “I mean son of a bitch! Goddammit!”

  The xeno mech was relentless. It didn’t stop pounding at Gore’s cockpit hatch. It knew the weak spot on the mech and was exploiting that weakness.

  “Screw this,” Gore said and reached back for his KYAG with one hand as he tried to ward off the blows with the other.

  “Gore? What are you doing?” chomps asked.

  “Trust me,” Gore said. “I have an idea.”

  “You two are spinning too much,” Chomps said. “If you fire that and are facing us, you’ll tear a hole right through the drop ship!”

  “Not gonna fire it,” Gore said.

  He slammed the butt of the KYAG into the xeno mech’s hatch, jamming it there. Then he twisted the KYAG, bending the weapon further until it was fully lodged in the mech’s frame.

  “Hey, babe? What’s my specialty?” Gore asked as he undid the clasp of the winch cable, gripping the end as tight as he possibly could.

  “Demolitions,” Chomps said in a quiet voice.

  “Bingo,” Gore said and let go of the cable.

  The two mechs went tumbling away from the drop ship.

  “Gore! No!” Chomps screamed.

  With both hands free, Gore turned his mech and grabbed onto the xeno mech’s frame. The thing’s tentacles whipped at him, but Gore could see the thing inside was panicked. Gore did something that was the complete opposite of self-preservation and he had the xeno rattled.

  Gore bunched his legs up and pressed his feet against the xeno mech’s midsection. Then he let go with one hand and crushed the magazine of the KYAG.

  “See ya,” Gore said as he let go with the other hand and kicked off with every ounce of power he could redirect to his legs.

  The xeno mech went one way, Gore went the other way then the space between was filled with a blinding light and Gore was spinning so fast he thought he was going to puke.

  “Hey, babe?” he called through gritted teeth. “Am I going the right direction?”

  Every alarm in his mech began going off at the same time.

  “Huh. Maybe I’m not,” Gore said. “I thought I’d timed that right.”

  His sensors were shot and he couldn’t orient by sight since he was spinning so fast. It was a coin toss. He was either heading towards the planet or away from it. And with the speed he was moving, he’d find out shortly.

  Then his mech slammed to a stop and he was cockpit to hull with the drop ship.

  “Grab on!” Chomps yelled.

  “Yeah, that’s a nice theory,” Gore said. “But grabbing isn’t working so well.”

  “I got an idea,” Rots said. “Stay where you are.”

  “That’s a nice theory too,” Gore said. “That requires grabbing, and we’ve established that my mech is pretty much not doing anything other than giving me a headache with all these alarms.”

  Gore heard something scraping across the mech then there were blue sparks.

  “And what exactly is happening?” he asked.

  “Rots just had a crawler weld you to the drop ship,” Chomps said. “Han Lu is pissed because now landing on the Jethro is going to be a bit of a bitch. You’re welded to the bottom.”

  “Tell Han Lu I’ll buy him all the beers when we get back to SBE,” Gore said. “Or as many as I can pay for. Whichever comes first.”

  “I’ll tell him,” Chomps said. “And, Gore?”

  “Yeah, babe?”

  “Don’t do that again. Ever,” Chomps said. “And please stop calling me babe.”

  “Can’t promise either of those things,” Gore said and laughed.

  11.

  “Chavez has deployed his troops,” Parveet said. “The warships are in orbit and Hrouska is now part of the Freedom Faction.”

  “No,” Schroeder said and stood up from the conference table. “If it’s called that, then I’m out.”

  “Sit your butt down, Sergeant,” Lucky said.

  Schroeder sat, but growled and grumbled, making quite a production of the effort.

  “I’m not a fan of that name either,” Parveet said. “I highly doubt many are. It’ll change at some point, but for now, there needed to be a name to identify with.”

  “So, we’re done?” Chomps asked.

  She was the only representative of the mech pilots present. In addition to her, Lucky, Parveet, and Schroeder, there was Stony, McDorn, Morisaki, and Spotz.

  “Each one of you is essential to the operation of the Jethro,” Parveet said. “I need you to be my eyes and ears from here on out.”

  “We always have been, Boss,” Stony said.

  “I need it now more than ever,” Parveet said. “People are going to get scared as this split progresses. People are going to worry about their place in the galaxy and worry about their family’s place. Worry and fear will create dissension. I just need a heads up if you get a whiff of that.”

  She held up her hand before anyone could protest.

  “I am not asking you to spy,” Parveet said. “I am also not asking you to report every complaint or grumble. Just keep your ear to the ground and if something bothers you, and you don’t think you can deal with it, then tell me. We’ll figure it out. I am not foolish enough to believe all those hands that went up at the vote were one hundred percent confident.”

  “Will do, Boss,” Schroeder said.

  “Spotz? Stony? Where are we with the engines?” Parveet asked.

  “We’re good,” Spotz said.

  “Running a couple more tests, but we should be able to handle the wormhole portal as soon as the tests are done,” Stony said. “The Legion’s engineers really helped us get the engines whipped into shape. We’ll want to look into upgrading to their tech when we get back to SBE. Those warships are lightyears ahead of us.”

  “I don’t know about that,” Spotz mumbled.

  “First things first,” Parveet said. “I have to make sure Jennings is on board with all of this. I know him well, and I believe he will be of a like mind, but until I do know for sure, I want you to spread the word that we keep things quiet when we return to SBE. Understood?”

  “That sounds like a very good idea,” Lucky said.

  “Alright,” Parveet said. “That’s about all for today. Stony, Spotz, let me know as soon as those tests come in. I want us out of this system ASAP.”

  “You got it, Boss,” Stony said.

  “Great,” Parveet said. “Dismissed.”

  ***

  Parveet had just drifted off to sleep when her door chimed.

  “What?” she called out.

  “It’s Bee,” Torn said.

  “Come in,” Parveet replied and unlocked the door from the tablet by her bed.

  Torn came in and took a seat as Parveet slipped on some sweats and a long-sleeved tee.

  “Couldn’t sleep?” Parveet asked.

  “Not really,” Torn said.

  “What’s on your mind?” Parveet asked.

  “Something Chavez said,” Torn replied.

  “Oh?”

  “When he agreed to give you autonomy, he said it was because something more important was at stake than your mechs.”

  “He also said my ego, but we can forget about that,” Parveet said.

  “Yes, of course,” Torn said. “It’s the mech part that bugs me. I was sent to you because of the mechs. Hrouska hadn’t been known yet. As far as I was concerned, your mechs were of the utmost importance.”

  “Yes, but he was referring to the big picture,” Parveet said and smirked.

  Torn frowned at her. “What? What’s so funny?”

  “Nothing at all,” Parveet replied and stretched. “Far from it. I’m just surprised you picked up on it, is all.”

  “What? Picked up on what?”

  Parveet leaned forward and sighed. “Bee, did you really think the families creating this new faction would just give u
p their status and pretend that people like me and mine can be equals? That isn’t going to happen. Chavez and the others will get what they want from me and mine then they will show their true faces and the actual power structure of this Freedom Faction, God help me with that name, will be revealed.”

  “That’s what I am afraid of,” Torn said. “My family is gone, Jay. Your family is gone. If the other families do take over this new faction once they have their power base secured, then there is nothing we can do about it.”

  “Nothing we can do…? Bee, do you really think that?”

  “Yes, of course.”

  “You are so far from correct, it’s kind of cute,” Parveet said. “In all this time you’ve been with me on the Jethro and witnessed what I am capable of, what me and mine are capable of, do you think the word nothing is in our vocabulary?”

  “You are all very good at your jobs,” Torn said. “But you can’t take on the new faction by yourself. You can’t take on the UEC by yourself.”

  “No, I cannot,” Parveet said. “But I’m not by myself. And as soon as we get to SBE, I am going to make sure I am even less by myself. I will have total autonomy over the MEUs. There is a lot I can do with that.”

  “There will be spies in the ranks,” Torn said.

  “Spies are nothing,” Parveet said. “You think I haven’t had spies on the Jethro before? I eat spies for breakfast. And unlike the breakfast served on this ship, I like the taste of spies. The UEC hates me, has always hated me, and they’ve sent more spies to take me down than you can count. How do you think I got Lucky?”

  “You got lucky?”

  “My XO,” Parveet said.

  “He was a spy?”

  “He’d never admit it, but yes, he was a spy,” Parveet said. “So was Spotz, my Chief Engineer. Bee, I have been playing this game the entire time I’ve been in it. I’m not some clueless colonel looking out for my career. I’ve been expecting a split like this for a long time. Trust me, I’m ready for it.”

  “Boss?” Stony called over the comms. “Engines are ready. You want us to wait for morning shift or get under way now?”

  “Get under way now, Stony,” Parveet replied. “Have Lucky make a general announcement so all stations are ready.”

  “You got it, Boss.”

  Parveet waited a second then nodded at Torn and crawled back into bed.

  “Go get some sleep, Bee,” Parveet said. “We’ve got a long life ahead of us.”

  “You’re pretty damn confident about this,” Torn said.

  “You heard what Chavez said about my ego,” Parveet replied as she closed her eyes. “I have total autonomy over that too.”

  12.

  Jennings sat stock still at his desk, his eyes boring into Parveet. She looked relaxed and nonchalant.

  After several minutes, Jennings stirred like he’d been in a daze.

  “Work out all the angles?” Parveet asked.

  “I think so,” Jennings aid. “I appreciate you not disturbing me while I considered every option available to me.”

  “Which one did you decide on?” Parveet asked. “You gonna report me? Report this new faction and turn us all in to the UEC? Did I misjudge you?”

  “I doubt you misjudge much,” Jennings said. He reached behind him and placed his palm against the wall. A panel opened and a shelf slid out with a large bottle and several glasses set on it. “Whiskey?”

  “I’ve known you how long and you have never used that once when I was in your office,” Parveet said.

  “We all have our secrets,” Jennings said. “Some more than others.”

  “Yes,” Parveet said. “I’d love some whiskey.”

  Jennings poured and handed Parveet a glass then poured himself some. He rolled the liquid around in his glass, studying it, before taking a sip and easing into his chair.

  “How will you get the other MEUs to come on board?” he asked.

  “Not one hundred percent sure yet,” Parveet said, taking a sip and smiling. “Nice.”

  “I wouldn’t hide the crap whiskey,” Jennings said.

  “It’ll take some doing, but I have a distinct feeling the vast majority of the MEU personnel is as dissatisfied as Jethro,” Parveet said. “The UEC has been sending us to our deaths for decades. Time we controlled our futures for something other than the wealth and glory of a few families.”

  “Aren’t we trading one set of families for another?” Jennings asked. “That’s the part that my mind can’t shake.”

  “Because it’s true,” Parveet said and sipped again. She smiled, but it obviously wasn’t because of the whiskey.

  “You have something in mind?” Jennings asked.

  “I believe once the MEUs are in line, we may have more leverage than this new faction imagines we can muster,” Parveet said. “Even Chavez, whose family is old military, doesn’t quite understand the mechs. He thinks in pieces on a board, he thinks in moves and countermoves. That’s not how mechs and their pilots work. MEUs are raw emotion. They are bonds forged in fire and they are powered by spirits that refuse to be contained unless it’s inside a cockpit.”

  “Don’t underestimate Chavez,” Jennings said. “He gets more than you think he does.”

  “I would never underestimate him,” Parveet said. “But knowing who he is and underestimating him are two different things. He’s dangerous as all hell. I know that. And he is not my ally. I know that too. But what else I know is no matter what I do, he will always, and I do mean always, underestimate me and mine.”

  Parveet downed her whiskey, set the glass on the desk, and stood up.

  “I plan on expanding me and mine so his underestimation spreads and is his downfall,” Parveet said. “If his downfall is warranted. Maybe he’ll surprise me. Maybe they all will.”

  “And Torn?” Jennings asked, staying seated. “Where does she fit into all this? The UEC wants her head. A security ship arrives any day now. That part of her story was real. Her lineage has been purged. She can’t leave this station without being clapped in irons and sent back to Earth for execution.”

  “Then she doesn’t leave,” Parveet said. “Unless she’s with me. Torn and I go way, way back. I don’t totally trust her, but I don’t mistrust her. It’s complicated.”

  “Then I’ll deal with the security ship and I’ll leave her to you,” Jennings said. “She’s your burden. Just don’t let her take you down. If you go down, then I go down.”

  “Understood,” Parveet said. “Thanks for the whiskey.”

  “Thanks for the blown mind,” Jennings said. “Not gonna sleep for a month now.”

  “That’s what the whiskey is for,” Parveet said and left.

  ***

  “You each have contacts and connections within the other MEUs on SBE,” Parveet said as she addressed the mech pilots in the secure conference room Jethro used when on SBE. “I want you to reach out and test those connections. See what the mindset of the other MEUs are. See if their loyalties are to the UEC or to their MEU. I think we know the answer, but I want solid facts before I proceed.”

  “I can speak with Stapleton,” Chomps said. “He’s an old academy buddy. He’d shoot me straight.”

  “He’d shoot me straight,” Gore mocked.

  “I am guessing you have history with Stapleton beyond just the academy,” Parveet said. “Grow the hell up, Gore.”

  “They were engaged,” Gore said.

  “That was a long, long time ago,” Chomps said.

  “Yeah, grow up, Gore,” Giga said.

  “Dude, grow some gonads while you’re at it,” Shock said.

  “You got plenty of space down there,” Roar said.

  “Bam!” Shock and Giga said and held up their hands. Roar gave them each a high five.

  “I’m serious,” Parveet said. “You are my front lines on this part of the switch. I need solid intel on who is thinking what. No adolescent bullshit.”

  “You should fire Gore right now then,” Giga said.


  “Chuck him out an airlock,” Shock said.

  “I’ll be cool,” Gore said. “I know some folks on the Chapel. I’ll do my part.”

  “I know you will or I’ll see you in the cages,” Parveet said.

  “Ooh, the cages!” Giga said. “Schroeder said her squad will put two to one on us if we go down there and fight them tonight. You’d think after Hrouska she’d want to chill.”

  “I’m game,” Shock said. “Three days on SBE and I am stir crazy as all hell.”

  “We need a name,” Wall said. All eyes turned to him. “What?”

  “Explain,” Parveet said.

  “MEU is old,” Wall said. “We need a new name. I don’t want to be part of an MEU. I want to be part of something bigger. Something that scares everyone else in the galaxy.”

  “Jethro scares everyone in the galaxy,” Giga said.

  “But we won’t be just Jethro,” Shock said.

  “Good point,” Giga replied.

  “What kind of name?” Parveet asked. “I like what you’re saying, so go on. What do you have in mind?”

  “I don’t know,” Wall said and shrugged.

  “No one believes that,” Parveet said. “You don’t put that many words together unless you have something to say. What do you have in mind, Wall?”

  “Uh, well… Maybe we call ourselves Mech Corps?” Wall said. “No more separate MEUs. When new ones come on board, they join the Mech Corps.”

  “Mech Corps?” Parveet mused. “I like it. Good job, Wall.”

  “Mech Corps rocks!” Shock said. “I say we get matching tattoos!”

  “Let’s not,” Giga said.

  “Bummer,” Shock replied and frowned.

  “Mech Corps it is,” Parveet said. “Keep it under the radar for now, but feel free to use that name to recruit. It’ll take at least two months before the UEC gets wind of what is happening at Hrouska. We have until then to shore up our forces. I want weekly reports on your progress. Understood?”