<div align="center"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 36pt;"><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: impact;">BATTLETECH 3050<br/>-<br/>ON THE RECEIVING END</span></span><br/><br/>IC Thread (http://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=158161.0)<br/>OOC Thread (http://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=157975.0)<br/>Character Thread (http://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=157978.0)<br/>Mission Breifings (http://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=157976.0)<br/>Project Development (http://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=159179.0)<br/>Deleted Scenes (http://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=161278.0)</div><br/><hr/><br/>A night before battle was always a happy occasion in the company. It was undertaken as it usually was, in a secluded area some miles away from the target. For this particular battle they had found a perfect pot-valley in a mountain range which now shielded them from prying eyes. While the airbase they were about to attack was well defended, it had shown no real activity for the last week that they had planned the mission. Flyers rarely took off from the field and their UAV-probe had only seen limited activity. But the Mechbay had been brand new. There was traces of heavy feet around them. There most certainly was something rotten in that docile base. Which was why this would be the first target. If they could shock the defenses and force a quick surrender, they were certain the Mechbays would be excellent salvage. Those were the thoughts that swirled in Walter's head now as he watched the shielded fire in the middle of the circle of BattleMechs.<br/><br/>He looked around at the other MechWarriors around him. Out of all of them he knew Alroy and Erich the best. The two barrels of muscle and experience had been among the few that stayed alive over the years. They were older than him, yet he was "old blood". There had been three that had been there from the start six months ago. Now there was only Walter left. He didn't really feel like a commander. Old Guts'n'Bones had been a leader. He had lead by example, drilled hard and fair and made his fair share of missions before starting up the company. Not many MechWarriors made it past 70. He died where he wanted to, on the battlefield bested by a superior foe. Even so he had delivered a killing blow to the Atlas that got him. Alroy Erich and Maho had been there. Two thirds of the company was lost that day. It had been a hard fought Pyrrhic victory for them. The money they earned went into repairs and hiring of new staff. They hadn't become mission-ready until recently, and then only barely.<br/><br/>With Walter put in Old Guts'n'Bones' position, he rebuilt the company from the core. They had walked into a trap because they didn't have recon on the area. He had survived only because of Erich's brick wall of an Awesome. Maho's light 'Mech had darted around and flanked as much as she could, but there had been some very close calls. More lights where the answer, more balance.Which was why he had taken in Yamina and Hiro. Same with Ranna and Lily Anne. Most commanders scoffed at melee weapons for 'Mechs. Walter had seen their potential first hand during his revolt against his father. Graff and Elisa had shown tremendous potential for tactics and leadership and their heavy 'Mechs were more than welcome.<br/><br/>In the ends he had manage to put together a decent roster. He kept Maho close by, letting her prowl with his Command 'Mech in the background. Mostly because of her weaponry and tactical benefit. She was in a way a light support mech which he could send forward to do surgical incisions where it was needed. Tomorrow she would carry explosive into the core of the enemy base and take down the power core. But mostly because of an old debt. Old Guts'n'Bones had stuck her with Walter's Lance back when she first arrived. She was kin through blood, even though Walter despised that blood. But he had never despised any one person because of it. There were a lot of Rasalhague mercs in the company back then, many of whom had deserved to be wiped out during the ambush. The things they had said they wanted to do to "that Kurita whore" and her "little Nip-'Mech" was worthy of his spite. House Kurita and the Draconis Combine was at the stiff end of much of the hate in the Inner Sphere. He knew Alroy weren't too fond of them. He knew many in the company looked at Maho with a mix of fear and disgust. He kept her to his leash because he was afraid what would happen if he didn't.<br/><br/>"Alright everyone..." He picked out his pipe and stuffed it slowly. "Gather around, it's story time."<br/><br/>He picked out a holographic tool and started it up, a detailed three-dimensional map of the enemy base flickering to life as the others huddled around. He lit his pipe and sucked on it for a moment before blowing out a plume of smoke up towards the star-strewn sky. There was a shimmering halo around the planet's moon and he smirked.<br/><br/>"By morning there with be heavy fog in between the mountains. Look at the north and west approach. The mountain range is low enough to be hidden in the fog. The same with the south entrance. If we run on low power through those gaps the turrets higher up will have no idea of our approach. Graff will take the scout Lance through the west, it's your job to make sure that the 'Mechs in the bays are never manned. Blaze these three barracks and make sure there are no active Mechs in the bays. After that you will sweep in towards the hangars. Erich will take his Lance through the entrance once Graff starts the attack. I want a brute breakthrough. Whatever they got in the lane towards the airfield is to be ruthlessly destroyed. Meanwhile I will bring Maho in through the north. I'll take care of the central turrets and secure the flight hangars while she sets the explosives on the power core. Once those are blown, we should be able to force a surrender and send for Bastion to come in for the salvage."<br/><br/>He finished up his pipe and looked at the others, knocking the ashes out on the ground. "Any questions or suggestions? Otherwise I recommend we get something to eat."