Resurgence - Cataclysm Chapter 2

December 23, 3152

Space Station, Olde System

1300

Lars Magnusson’s eyes open for the first time in months. He blinks a few times and brings his hands to his face, rubbing his eyes. The dark room he finds himself in is calm with a small, light beeping sound near the head of his bed. How long has it been? He instinctively reaches over his chest and touches the scar from the coward’s attack.

Rolling his head to the side he can see out into space. Bringing instant relief he can see his Aesir Command Dropship, Ursidae. Beyond the Ursidae he can see the standard holding formation the Alpha Galaxy fleet stays in. He then thinks to his own mech, Ull. Given some of the ferocity of fighting before the assassination attempt, he had put in to requisition a Karhu to replace his aging medium mech.

Coming out of the fogginess it gives him comfort thinking about why he wanted the new Battlemech. The Karhu is a solid mech armor wise and very agile. Being an omni-mech Lars will be the tip of the spear no matter what terrain his forces face. He reaches up toward the overhead with both arms, moving his fingers, hands, arms, and shoulders around. They told me I would experience some atrophy but this is not good. Feeling physically weak is not something that any Clan warrior tolerates.

Time to move. Lars props himself up on his hands, his legs ahead of him are covered by the usual thin sheets provided by medical facilities that do nothing to retain warmth. Kicking both legs off the side of the bed he is now facing various medical machines. Some start to beep excitedly as his movement gets his heart pumping. A quick roll of his ankles and stretch of his toes while they hang down and he shifts off the bed to stand.

While he is conscious, he isn’t balanced yet. He falls to the side, away from the medical devices. He catches himself with both hands on the floor in the low push-up position. His long hair flops toward the floor. Need to cut that. Holding the position he can feel the blood pumping, the warmth rising as his hibernating muscles come to life. His large hands are open on the cold tile floor below him while his pectorals and triceps surge with energy from the muscle memory. Closing his eyes, he breathes slow and deeply, bringing on a calm in his exertion.

This calm is a stark contrast to the now shrieking medical devices after a number of leads all yanked off of him during the fall. He can also hear the pattering of running feet out in the hallway as well a couple much closer stomps. Battle Armor trooper points standing sentry.

Exhaling, he presses himself up, holding a plank position as he inhales again, his core is fully engaged as his body works as one. Now though, he feels the scar, the blood pumping through his pectorals causing the scar to pulsate. Face down in the plank position he allows himself a grin as the door flies open from panicked medical staff. Their sudden stop causes Lars to chuckle slightly before regaining his composure. Bringing one knee up under himself and planting his foot he turns his body upright, coming to a standing position. He now faces the two much shorter medical professionals who are watching him with wide eyes.

He also sees the faces of two troopers, even taller than him, peeking in from outside the door. Both of them tried, and failed to suppress smiles of their own. My men glad to see I am awake is encouraging. Lars figures he will start a conversation since the medical officers seem stunned.

“Doctors, how am I looking?” Lars asks, raising his arms to his sides, stretching his open fingers again, demonstrating his impressive arm span.

“Galaxy Commander, you are at a firm ninety-five percent… or even one hundred based on what you have already done.” Begins one doctor as the other medical officer passed by Lars and is hitting buttons and shutting off machines as they begin to talk.

“While I remember glimpses of what happened when I was placed in the medical coma, I do not remember all of it.” Lars responds. The doctor he speaks to more directly comes from Clan Ghost Bear and is a lead medical officer in the Alpha Galaxy fleet. Turning around from the machines, the other doctor wears the crest of the Federated Suns.

Allowing the FedSun officer to speak, both Ghost Bears look to him. It takes him a couple words to find strength in his voice, it is not often you speak to a Galaxy Commander from any Clan, let alone the Ghost Bears. “Yes… Sir… Last we spoke, you had a significant hole in your chest that the rescue team hastily patched up. There was also poison that took some time to neutralize. Then there was time needed for healing and surgeries to fix the damaged internal organs.”

“It is coming back to me; bright light and a significant amount of pain.” Says Lars thoughtfully as he squints, searching for memories. “I will need to speak with the leader of the rescue operation.”

“Yes, sir, that team is still in the facility.” Responds the FedSuns doctor.

Now the Ghost Bear doctor chimes in, “Galaxy Commander, it is time to bring you up to speed. Significant fighting is ongoing in the Rasalhague Dominion over the assassination attempt against you and dealing with some neighboring nations.”

I can get stabbed in the heart and poisoned but, the second I come to it is time for the Ghost Bears to act. Looking back and forth between the two doctors Lars responds, “And what of our host? I would think that the First Prince would desire a meeting?”

“Affirmative, sir, he just returned to New Avalon from a diplomatic trip to the Taurian Concordat, orders are to alert him you are awake so he can speak with you.” Responds the Ghost Bear doctor.

“With the Dominion in flames we will need to return quickly, waiting for him to arrive here will delay our return to aid the Dominion.” Responds Lars.

“Galaxy Commander, if I may,” adds the FedSun officer, “You may find yourself impressed with this facility and its resources. A large quantity of the Galaxy’s gear is on station for joint training exercises with Davion Brigade units. Logistically there would be a few days at minimum to transfer and load all the gear. I will send word that you have awakened to requisitions personnel, the station’s CO is already en route here to meet with you.” With that the FedSun officer leaves the room.

Patiently, the Galaxy Commander completes a series of tests and scans with handheld devices before being cleared by the Ghost Bear doctor. Donning his uniform, it is loose compared to how he remembers it. He is then led to a more appropriate conference room to meet with the facility’s CO.

***

Entering the conference room, it looks like the rest of the medical wing to Lars. It is pristine white with white light reflecting across the table, walls, and floor. A name is inscribed across the wall ahead on the far end, next to the window looking out.  ‘Harrison Davion’s Station of the Suns’.

“The CO will be in shortly, Galaxy Commander, feel free to enjoy some refreshments and take a seat.”  The aide says respectfully before departing the room.

He gives her a nod and watches the young woman leave. He then proceeds to the far end of the table to take in the view out of the large window. It is a magnificent facility. Two flashes zip right past him, causing his still awakening body to jump. He did catch that one fighter was a FedSun fighter and the other was a Ghost Bear. Looking up and leaning toward the glass he can see a dogfight going on in what is clearly an exercise.

Looking down he can see bubble shaped enclosures below him. One looks like housing. One is a battlefield, he can see mechs and vehicles moving with flashes going off here and there. Then it dawns on him as he looks to the left, that this is a series of habitats built within a celestial body, in a cavernous region. Each second that ticks by he can find more and more station facilities. A shipyard is in the distance. FedSun and Ghost Bear ships are traveling in formations. I have a lot to catch up on.

A hiss echoes through the room as the hatch to the conference room opens; signaling Lars to turn and see who has entered. A clicking of heels on the deck tells him the CO has arrived. Turning, he finds a woman about his age with long dark hair, wearing a crisp Federated Suns uniform with a skirt and heels. Her skin has a yellowish hue to it. “It is good to see you again, Galaxy Commander, do you happen to remember my name?” she says with a warm smile.

“No, ma’am, I do not, I can only get flashes from any time I have woken up before.” Lars responds as he approaches the opposite side of the table, then holds his hand toward the window.  “Although I want to say this facility is impressive and to see my men actively training with yours at all levels is an excellent display.”

“That is a much appreciated and welcome praise, thank you Galaxy Commander.” She responds.

They make eye contact across the table and he extends his hand toward her chair. With a nod, she takes her seat, followed by him sitting. “I am Commanding Officer, Field Marshal, Emily Gardonia, quite the title…” she finishes with a light hearted chuckle.  “I have been overseeing your care, with the assistance of Star Colonel Rulia Vong. Our joint exercises have been very impressive.”

In her few interactions with Clan Warriors, she knows they like discussing combat, so she came with a briefing on the various exercises they had conducted in prior months. She opens a small case the size of a laptop. One side has documentation and the other a hologram projector that shows a range of menu options. Those include ‘BattleROM selection’, ‘Exercise Reports’, and ‘Personnel Data’.

“Thank you, Field Marshal, this is exactly the data I would be interested in reading. However, I am seeking additional information in regards to what happened to me.”

“Yes Galaxy Commander, it was a rough situation and there has been a violent upheaval in Dominion space as a result of the assassination attempt against you. Your Alpha Galaxy fleet followed you here and has been hidden in this system. We are one jump away from New Avalon so you will be able to meet with the First Prince as well. Do you have any specific questions?”

“Aff, do you know if Khan Bekker is still alive?”

“Negative, we are unaware of specific personnel information. While MIIO retains a presence in Dominion space the chaos of the fighting combined with the HPG blackout keeps information from arriving more frequently than each yearly quarter. With the Ghost Bear commands on the move, information that specific is more difficult to come by.”

Lars slowly nods his head. It is important to unite my people sooner than later. “Wait, you said the First Prince is on New Avalon? What of the ‘Dragon’s Tongue’?”

“The First Prince and Prince’s Champion liberated the world earlier this year. A significant amount of rebuilding has taken place as well as shoring up defenses, just in time…” she pauses for a second.

“Just in time, Field Marshal?”

“Yes, it seems that the Inner Sphere Houses and some Clans were not the only nations to not take kindly to Alaric Ward declaring himself ilKhan and vowing to create the Third Star League.”  Again pausing, she sees Lars’ curious expression as she reaches over and hits some keys on the hologram display. Lars’ eyes lock onto the image that displays. A massive ship with the Word of Blake sword emblem on the side. His brows raise and he takes a deep breath in.

“We have already lost Abbeville and a number of worlds. The First Prince regrets he cannot travel here now that you have awakened but he humbly asks for your aid in fighting the inevitable invasion of New Avalon.” The images continue cycling showing the size of the fleet Nomad Republic encountered as well as what images Julian had been given in his meeting with Kaff Doru.

“First Prince Davion is prepared to foot the bill for a significant percentage of repairs and damage in the fighting to save New Avalon.” She adds, selling a fight for a world not his own, while his own nation is in turmoil is going to be a challenge she expects over the coming days.

“You must understand Field Marshal, my people are killing themselves over me, I must return.  Being locked into fighting of this magnitude will take a significant amount of time.” Says Lars, expressing sadness and regret.

“I understand your perspective completely, Galaxy Commander. I have been in talks with Star Colonel Vong over the last few months on this difficult topic. What we know so far is that there are at least three invasion corridors between us, the Raven Alliance, and Capellan Confederation.”

“The Raven Alliance has been struck as well, quiaff?”

“Affirmative, Galaxy Commander. Stormhawk Galaxy, which is what survived of the Beta and Gamma Galaxies is currently assisting the Prince’s Champion. They passed through the New Avalon system recently but, have not returned. Reports show that the Sea Foxes may be in league with the Blakists.”

“The Sea Foxes have a presence in Clan OZ space…” Lars says, going deep in thought.  They could be a threat but, the Ghost Bears are the most powerful military in the region, even with some infighting. But what if the Federated Suns is lost? Would this be Alaric Ward’s chance to become the First Lord he desires to be to try to fight off the Blakists? He looks up at Gardonia, “Can the Federated Suns defeat the Word of Blake without Alpha Galaxy’s help?”

Her expression shifts from hopeful to concern, “No, Galaxy Commander. We are on the brink. Even if we achieved ‘victory’ with your aid, it will not be enough to cast them from our borders. The disaster at Palmyra years ago cost us a vast number of our experienced war fighters. In the retaking of New Avalon we lost many more. These are just the public, obvious facts of the state of our nation. Much of the Command discussion within the Federated Suns has been about killing enough Blakists to give them pause in their advance through the Inner Sphere, even with your aid.”

“It really is that bad, then?” asks Lars, who then looks out the window to see a wing of fighters drop into view and fly off into the distance.

“Yes, Galaxy Commander. All we have is the Admiral Michael Saille as the only active warship and the Blakists have numerous warships with much larger Swordships. The survivors of the Republic are also assisting us as they have nowhere else to go between the Capellan hatred for their old nation and the Draconis loathing for the way they retook Robinson.”

“I will need time to consult with Star Colonel Vong, Field Marshal. My physician recommended I stay in this medical wing for at least a few days more, is there a room that I can make use of?”

“Yes, we have quarters prepared for you Galaxy Commander, as well as everything you will need to communicate with your Galaxy.” She responds.

Lars slides the case and documents to himself and closes everything up. He presses his hands to the table and pushes up with his legs. It takes him a second before his muscles in his legs fire up, still recovering from being still for so long. He stands as she does and they both walk out of the conference room. His two security troopers fall in behind from their positions at the hatch.

She leads him through a couple of corridors before arriving at his quarters. A bit more decorated than he is used to but the desk will do just fine for everything he needs to catch up on. There is a couch, bed, and full bathroom, which gets him covered. Both of his troopers take up position outside the hatch.

“Thank you for these updates, Field Marshal, I will dig in right away.” Lars says to Gardonia.

“My pleasure Galaxy Commander, you have a direct line to me if you need anything and my office will work with your Star Colonel to set up meetings. If you wish to visit your units training on the facility my office personnel will be able to coordinate. We will speak again soon.” She turns sharply in her heels and walks out of the room. Her walk is one of grace that carries her effortlessly out the hatch.

When she disappears from view, the hatch seals shut. Lars drops the case onto the desk and sits down, looking at the closed case. Lots of killing to be had in the days ahead. Do I kill Blakists now and return to find the Dominion in ruins? Or do I return home and potentially sacrifice a Great House and more of the Inner Sphere? If the Blakists take hold here, would they be able to take the Inner Sphere? The so called ilKhan has not rebuilt his touman enough yet to face forces of this magnitude.

He looks up for a second at a mirror on the desk. How many lives are in my hands?

Chapter 1: Good Tidings

Chapter 3: Cataclysm Dawn

Resurgence Main Page