NationStates Jolt Archive

Yuri was sitting at his desk looking over the trade proposals from Soul Flay and writing up a response for Josef or one of the other diplomats to take care of when Perrins came in.

"Sir, report from our engineers, they've finished putting the caps on the oil wells in Deseret. We can start drilling again by the end of the week. The first mech works is also complete. The first lance should be off the line at the end of the month."

Yuri looked up. "Good. But continue with the trade agreements, can't hurt either country to have a little extra income. And what class mech?"

Perrins smirked. "Not at all. I'll go tell the Representative from Soul Flay that you're working up a proposal right now,” he paused, “Dire Wolf and Hell-bringer.”

"Thank you."

Perrins exited the room and Yuri went back to typing.

---

Soon after Perrins left, Adm. Golovko came in.

"Sergy! What an unexpected surprise, have a seat."

"Thank you, sir."

"What can I do for you?"

"You can give me your signet."

Yuri paused for a moment.

"Excuse me?"

"I said you can give me the signet."

Yuri started to laugh.

"I'm serious Comrade."

Yuri fixed him with a look, and Sergey stared back, quite seriously.

"You are, aren't you? What makes you think that I would do such a thing?"

Sergy smirked malevolently. "The fact that my men have seized control of the Krazny Oktabyr, and her missiles are trained onto this Air Force Base, along with Sacred Rock, Norgard, and New Alexandria. So unless you want to face a war with Terraus, Yggidrasil, and Daemonesu, I suggest you hand it over."

"And what's stopping me from having you killed and having the Dawnbringer blow the Red October out of the water?"

Sergy grinned again. "The fact that if you made such an order, the Dawnbringer's weapons wouldn't fire, and the Krazny Oktabyr's would. I am not important to my goal, so I will die if I must, but be warned. If I die, the missiles will launch."

Yuri narrowed his eyes. "I think you're bluffing."

Sergy gave him a steely glare in response. "Try me, Comrade."

Yuri laid the Signet down onto the desk. "This isn't over."

"Yes, comrade, it is." Sergy raised the pistol he had been storing in the top of his boot and shot Yuri in the chest.

Yuri fell backwards, smoke rising from his chest and from the barrel across the table.

Sergy unscrewed the silencer from the tip of the gun and placed it into his shoulder holster, then called someone in to remove the body.

What they didn't notice as they covered Yuri's body with a sheet was that the wound was closing, and the bullet was sliding back out of his chest.

---

Declaration from Clan Kurita Ruling Council

Emperor Kershner of The Federated Commonwealth of Fenwick is dead. We are the new Wardens of Krosa Island. Your diplomats are being sent home to you.

---

The Clan Kurita Ruling Council stood awaiting the beginning of the meeting. As Adm. Golovko entered they all bowed their heads.

"I call this meeting of the Council to session. The first of our Mech production facilities is complete and we also have the oil resources to fuel our fleet and air force. I make the call to begin the construction of six more mech production facilities and two dropship factories. The Defiance plant has already begun producing mechs and will soon begin construction on the newest of the Osprey mech line."

There were murmurs around the council until the Admiral silenced them.

"We will take our time, brothers. For years we've waited and now we've made ourselves known. What is a few months of production to make ourselves the powerful Clan that we once were?"

Again there were quiet comments from the council, only this time it was for the affirmative.

"Our workers are already back in the desert mining the iron and what little mithril they can find to be forged into the chassis and armor plating. Soon brothers, we will stand tall once more."

---

Soon after the coup had been made, recon photos of Krosa Island could show the forest visibly receding and seven large black circles appearing where the forest had been.

If you were watching from the ocean, large plumes of black smoke could be seen rising from the island. Construction on the eight new factories had begun.

---

Council Chambers

"The clear cutting nessicarry for the construction of the factories is complete and the factories are being built."

"Good. Have them start assembling as soon as possible."

"Yes milord."

---

At the end of the week the first two lances of mechs came off the line.

First to come out of the factory was a pair of Hellbringers, followed by a pair of Dire Wolves, then four Sunders came lumbering out.

Each proceded to the test range, which was being watched over by the sole remaining Osprey class. There they proceded to test weapons systems and mobility.

One of the Sunders had a targeting system bug, and had to have it replaced, while a Dire Wolf had to have an entire weapons system replaced in its right arm due to faulty wiring. The rest of the mechs functioned up to spec and the two faulty ones soon joined the others in battle-readyness.

---

Across the island, a large metallic egg was being formed. Some would see it as the old Overlord
that was used by the Davion family. This was the same class, but a new vessel.

Soon it would be complete and production would begin on another, as well as the Hrothgar and Talon class dropships.

---

By the end of the month the first Overlord was completed, as well as a Talon and two more full lances (ooc: four mechs a lance). The mech corps were being transported to Former New Avalon for training via the Overlord and Talon.

There they trained using holographic projectors and a MILES system. There were also live fire ranges for weapons testing and obstacle courses that tested a pilot's inner city piloting skill, for not all battles are held on open plains.

---

In orbit, Capt. Ritsuko Aiko-Davion watched the maneuvers with a frown.

I can't believe what's going on down there. It's like they're preparing for war. But against whom?

---

Daemonesu

Kimera also watched, but from satellite images. "I don't like this one bit," she stated.

"They're going to attack us," Kiyone said. "I've moved the fleet to the edge of our borders. When you give the order, I'm sure Lady Dominia will have the Daughter's Wrath prepped and ready as well, milady."

Kimera turned. "I said to put the nation on alert. I am not going to instigate a war based on suspicions. Even Regent Katsuragi doesn't know what's going on and the Tania have yet to report anything useful. Everything stays as it was."

"Yes, milady." Kiyone saluted.

---

At sea, the Krazny Oktabyr was conducting missile drills and timed torpedo loading sessions. The Dauntless, now with her command mast repaired, was keeping a full rotation of aircraft up, never having less than five aircraft up and armed.

The submarine fleet was conducting speed loading drills of their own and the mobile infantry and tank divisions were also conducting full PT and MILES drills.

---

Daemonesu

"Lady Commander Morikubo, I wouldn't suggest sending a spy in," Ivory said. "We are still auditing half the Tania and my agents are on other duty. Besides, as far as intelligence has told, they know precisely who is there and who isn't and since Fenwick was always an ally, we don't have a sleeper there. That you can blame on Jia Li."

"People spy all the time, even on allies," Kiyone replied. "I don't see the problem."

"Dropping and retrieving the agent and information. The best agents I have are currently protecting this country."

"Your aunt."

Ivory sighed. "I have an idea. If that doesn't pan out, we'll drop her, but I don't think it's a good idea to drop anyone just yet. It's better to just continue with satellite footage."

---

Ivory called her distant cousin. "Hey, Ritsuko, I know it's a big favor to ask, but remember what Jia Li gave you for your, uh, wedding present?" Not a good way to ask a favor.

Ritsuko nodded to the Comms officer and took the "call" in her ready room.

"It's a secure line in here, but I'm not sure how secure. Yes, I do remember." She winced slightly, memories resurfacing.

"Then I'll speak quickly," Ivory replied. "I need to know what's going on with your troop movements over there. Commander Morikubo thinks you're getting ready to attack us. We're on military alert now and Commander Kobannaiha has a short leash on her, but she's a hot-headed woman. A preliminary strike isn't out of her capabilities."

"I'm not sure myself. All I know is that we've been put onto high alert due to our 'vulnerable and threatened' status."

"See what you can do, okay? Otherwise, I'll have comply with Commander Morikubo against my better judgment."

"For all I know we are just doing drills to be prepared if someone wants to take advantage of our position, but I don't know. They're being awfully aggressive. Perhaps they're putting on a show? I'll do what I can."

"Thank you. Whatever you give me will be instrumental for stopping a war, unless I can get Commander Morikubo relieved." Ivory hung up and then called Megumi to tell her what was going on.

---

Council Meeting

"Raevyn seems to be making moves toward Nisan..."

One grey cloaked council member stepped forward.

"I think it would be in our best interests to protect Nisan from the Raevynese."

"Why do you say that?"

"It would perhaps show that we have friendly intentions, thus making some of the other nations relax."

"What did you have in mind Brother?"

"We invade Raevyn proper."

Another council member stepped forward.

"Excuse me, but how would that IMPROVE our situation?"

"Let me explain, brother. With Raevyn moving towards Nisan with a naval force, we could claim that we were defending an equally disadvantaged nation by hitting their enemies and undermining their ability to make war."

"But we'd still be invading another nation."

"From what I've seen of popular opinion, it might even be supported."

"You forget the stances the other nations are taking towards us. They might see it as our first step, which it would be."

"You are correct, but why not try and use it to promote our standing with Nisan? We have no problem with them."

"We will consider the proposal with the tacticians. We will have our decision by the end of the week. Now, on to production...."

---

Some time later, Ritsuko opened a private channel to the number Ivory gave her.

"I think I've got something going on."

Megumi actually answered the call. "Where's the- Oh there it is." She pressed the button and listened to Ritsuko. "Secured channel. Go ahead."

"Looks like they're really focusing on urban fighting, mainly against small targets, IE infantry and tanks. Seeing as we don't have much of an urban structure here...."

Megumi nodded. "Any idea who the target could be?"

"Not yet. But seeing as you do not have the room for tanks in your city streets, I can say that more than likely it isn't you, so you can rest easy for now. I've got to go. I'll get you more when I can."

"Thank you," Megumi replied and smiled before the connection was severed.

"Good enough for you now, Kiyone?" she said aloud. "Probably not. How did you ever get to be in charge?" She shook her head. "Military cock-ups must be worse in Demoness. Figures."

---

Ritsuko took another opportunity later to contact Megumi once more.

"You know I can be executed for doing this, right?" She stuck her tongue out. "They've begun training the troops for hot-drops. That means that they are looking to deploy before the dropship touches down. I still don't know where they are moving against, but they seem like they're chomping at the bit a little."

"Yes, and I'm sorry I've put you in that position, Ri-chan," Megumi replied. "I'd have to double-check with Lady Kimera, but they think Nisan's going to get hammered by one of the three nations interested in it at the moment. I'd better warn them. Thanks."

"You're welcome. I don't think we're moving against Nisan though, if we were, they'd be training Mech-Mech agression, not Mech-Tank. I'll keep in touch."

---

The mechworks were focusing on producing LBX-AC weapons and mech machinegun clusters. Techs were also going over the old stats on the Mana Refractive Crystal pulse lasers given to Ned as a wedding present from Yggidrasil so that they could be rebuilt.

Training continued in the slagged countryside near New Avalon, mainly hotdrops and MILES engagements with tanks.

ooc: This is happening in my country... I just posted it with the wrong SN... >.<;

Tag.

Council Chambers

"The Raevynese have pulled out of Nisan."

"What?"

"They've pulled out."

"Thats a little odd... they looked like they were preparing to engage the peoples of Nisan..."

"If they are, they're doing it in a very odd way."

"Keep me posted."

Somewhere in the Krosan Forest, west of the Air Force Base, Bob and Doug are cutting down some trees....

Doug slams his axe into a tree and leaves it sticking out.

"Dude, this sucks."

"What's that?"

"We're doing all this damned work, and for what? The food is running out, not to mention what we do have tastes like crap. I don't think the government is doing anything to try and get help... and what are we doing not twenty miles away? We're using supplies and funds that could go into foodstuffs on warmachines for 'protection' that we probably don't even need right now."

"Well, there is Raevyn..."

"Fuck Raevyn man! They aren't interested in this island! They were all sorts of moving in on Nisan, then they ran away. Besides, there's not anything of worth in this damned place anymore."

"Uranium, steel, titanium, oil, and lumber are worthless?"

Doug glared at his brother. "You know what I meant!"

Bob set down his chainsaw finally. "Yeah, but I dunno. There's always the possibility that someone might try, and we need a way to defend ourselves."

"What about this illustrious Dawnbringer everyone keeps talking about?"

"I doubt it would do enough to prevent an invasion if someone really wanted to."

Doug rolled his eyes. "Still... food man. Food! We're gonna all starve!"

"You know, there is the wildlife on this island."

"That could only sustain us for so long."

"And we're selling the lumber we're supposed to be cutting right now."

"How much wood does the world really want right now? It's metal and plastic this world wants!"

Bob shook his head. "You'd be surprised. Still..."

Doug rubbed his face. "There's nothing we can do though, is there."

"Not really..."

Doug sighed and was about to pick up his axe when he noticed a man crouched on a log they had cut down about an hour before. Once noticed the man spoke.

"You know, I couldn't help but overhear your argument against the government there."

Doug looked startled. "What... what about it?"

"Would you be interested in doing something about it?"

Bob and Doug looked at eachother.

"That depends man. Who are you?"

The man looked up and grinned.

Doug kinda O.o-ed and pointed. "But... but..."

"I'm dead? Yeah, I get that a lot."

"How... wha... eh?"

"Come with me, and I'll tell you all you need to know..."

---

In one of the Mechworks...

A small explosion issued from one of the R&D buildings across the way.

"Dammit... not again."

"What's the matter?"

"We can't get the stupid MRC weapons to work! The crystals... ugh. We just can't make or cut them properly. Every time we try the weapon blows itself up!"

"Keep trying, but don't invest too much into it."

Yuri sat at a makeshift table, a map in front of him.

"We need to do something about this military production the Clan is pushing forth. While I agree that we need a defence force, this is looking more and more like something to invade another country. We need to infiltrate one of the production facilities and get a production schedule. I'll work on getting information from inside the main bunkers."

A camouflaged officer pointed to a point on the map. "I think our team can infiltrate here. It seems to be the least defended point on this facility."

"Thank you. I'm sure Spectra will live up to it's name."

Ryan nodded. "I'll get my team mobilized."

Off the Fenwickian Shore....

A small Lavenrunzian UAV, not much bigger than a kite, was warming up on the deck of a commercial fishing boat. It had a cluster of cameras and digital sensors for 'eyes' and it bristled with other electronics besides. It's attendants carefully checked to make sure it's systems were all functioning at top rate.
Finally, it was sent out over the waters and, flying low over the most seldom trod coastline that its attendants had been able to find, it entered Fenwick and began to look for a small isolated unit--ideally one with no more than one or two mechs.

The UAV would find pretty much nothing but slag and twisted wreakage of city structures until it reached the center of the nation and the capitol, New Avalon.

There it would find a full lance of Osprey class heavy assault mechs and three stars of Hellbringer and Dire Wolf class heavy and assault mechs.

ooc: Star = 5 Lance = 4

The UAV circles around the capital, and is now dangerously close to the limit for being able to safely return. Someone discouraged, it's handlers initiate the return program.

ooc: This is Spectra. Think along the lines of Rainbow from Rainbow 6. Team members from Chellis, Fenwick, Order of the Dragon, Soul Flay, and Demoness.

In Fort Belvoir, US

A note found pinned on the door to the barracks:

Meeting at 0700. Bring recon equipment. -Gen. Ryan

---

Drew, the team's techie, shook his head. "<Why can't operations take place at noon?>" Despite getting up early for months, despite all the training and good, solid nights of sleep, he was still not, nor would ever be, a morning person.

---

"Well...why not. Ok." Tan read it then arrived at the briefing, ready to go.

---

As people arrived they were offered coffee, hot chocolate, tea, or whatever their morning poison was. Ryan was seated at the front of the room going over a few things before the meeting, waiting for everyone to be seated.

Once everyone had arrived and taken their seat the lights clicked off.

"Good morning. It seems we have been given a job. I've been contacted by Emperor Kershner."

He noticed a few of them looking slightly confused.

"It appears his death was a little exaggerated, and planned I might add. We've been asked to infiltrate one of the production facilities and steal plans for a new mech that the techies were working up before Kershner fell from power. You might wonder why we're working for someone that is officially out of power, but I assure you, he won't be for long."

He pulled up a diagram of the factory. Security cameras, patrol routes, and objectives were marked on the map.

"Drew, you'll be in charge of infiltrating and deactivating the security systems... here." Ryan pointed out a red dot on the map. "Kyle, I need you to set up outside and cover our exit should this go awry."

"Steve, you'll be heading up the insertion team." Ryan pointed to a green dot on the map. "This is the entrance on the roof. That's where you'll be going in."

Drew would've asked about helping Kershner, but he liked Fenwick the old way, so why bother about it? Instead, he just nodded as he listened; he was training himself to change his body language.

"Alright, heads up. We've got a visitor who's going to brief you on a little something special."

He gestured to the side.

Defiance Industries Mech Production Facility 3

The welding arm came down and finished attaching the heavy armor plating around the cocpit of the newest Stormcrow to roll off the line. The mech was remotely powered up, then set to autopilot. It left its berth slowly, then turned to the right, heading towards the designated Nav Point. There it would be painted and its ballistic and missile weapons would be loaded up.

Namaya Tsor leaned on her elbows, binoculars to her eyes, watching the procedure and documenting everything with her photographic memory. She was there scouting the area for the upcoming strike by Spectra.

She typed up a quick report, set up her satellite communications dish, then sent it to the waiting officers at Fort Belvoir.

---

The little group near the back of the room were led by a male with pale blue gray eyes, powerfully built, with short blonde hair. Now he made his way to the front. A cold air of confidence and competence preceeded him. Along with him was a short but athletically built woman, also fair haired, with a quiet demeanor.

"My name is Schmidt." he said with a faint air of irony. "The facility's mechs that we will be taking are designated Direwolf and Stormcrow: one of each. Captain Weiss here will command the team that actually drives them out...are there any questions thus far?"

Steve, however, wasn't the brightest Sgt. He knew that Gen. Ryan most certainly knew better, and that he didnt need to know what he didnt need to know, but he asked anyway. "Ahhh, sir, just why do we need these plans? How is this counter terror? Because the government you plan to raid IS a recognized soverign one..."

Drew shook his head and spoke up. "No, it really isn't. I don't think it's ever been officially recognized. I think Lodoss just failed to comment when they appeared. I know my government is waiting to see what they do before they act."

Ryan nodded. "Exactly. The report that the Emperor had an 'accident' was a lie. He was shot and left for dead. Since then he has contacted me and told me what he knows. Believe me, this may not be quite exactly defined as anti terror, but it falls within our duties. Think of it as stealing weapons from a camp in Libya."

"Okay, sir." Steve then relaxed in his chair and waited for the briefing to go on. "Wait, how is the emperor still alive?"

"Apparently the wound wasn't as bad as they thought when they left him."

"Alright, security in this place will be tight so we need to be on our toes. Leathal force is not sanctioned unless it gets really hairy. Try to stick to tranqs if you can. There are security cameras in each hall, but there are blind spots here, here, and here. This is where you'll slip in Drew. You'll all be wearing the uniform that is common issue in the factory as not to look suspicious. Security patrols run here through here."

"Do we know what the system's like or do I get to figure that out when we get there?" Drew asked.

"It's an Ironclad security system. Fairly mainstream industrial security system. At least that's what intel tells us."

"Do you know what year? Specifications?"

Ryan checked his sheet.

"Uhm... this year's upgrade. Looks to be newly installed... of course that's because its a new factory too...." He turned to the Lavenrunzian officers.

The Spectre team came ashore near the Air Force base and approached the nearby mech facility, about two klicks away.

The team spread out to their designated areas then prepared to execute their plans. The assault team, being led by Steve boarded their "silent" helicopter that had been hidden in the brush nearby.

The pilots spun up the rotors, then took the team and deposited them on the roof of the facility. From there they could look out and see nearly 15 mechs sitting out in a field surrounded by SAM sites and Patriot batteries.

Kyle set up his equpment and checked his Barrett M95. It was slower than some of the newer guns, but more accurate. He checked the ground and the building from his look out.

"Hawk to Eagle and Falcon. Clear here." Kyle waited for the clear sign from the other snipers.

"Hawk to Ghostbear, You have the clear. You may continue when ready."

Meanwhile back at the base of operations General Ryan contacted Yuri.

"We're in position and the teams are getting ready to move."

"Good. Notify me if anything comes up, I am just outside the facility myself."

"What?!"

"I'm observing the tactics the Lavenrunzians are going to employ to try and steal the mechs and their end results."

"I see."

"Do me a favor General. Contact Leigh Davion in Demoness and tell him what is going on. I'm sure he'll assist us in any way he can."

"Yessir."

---

A messenger found Leigh in his room in the Palace and notified him of the call from General Ryan. He headed to the comms room and sat down in front of the terminal.

"Good morning General."

"Good morning sir. I have a message from Yuri Kershner. He is alive and he needs your help dealing with the Council."

Leigh sat back, somewhat startled.

"Alive? ... What sort of help does he need?"

"Preferably any military and political support you can muster."

Leigh nodded sagely.

"I'll talk with Regent Katsuragi and see what I can do."

"Thank you sir, I'll pass it along."

---

Steve stood at the door that lead into the building, and saw the lock that held it closed. There was a keyhole, but he had no key. What he did have, however, was a drill, which he used. He drilled the lock and killed it, and opened the door silently as possible. He then took point, and led his team slowly down the stairs. He made only one transmission, that he had gained access to the building. After, of course, Drew took care of the security of the door. He noted where cameras were in the corridor they were accessing and told Steve.

Steve nodded after listening to Drew and then thought for a moment. He went down the hall a small bit, then waved to his team for them to follow. He then had them pull some Spliter Cell tactics by running under the cameras to get them through. Once they were at the main building, his job was done and the team leader took over.

Chad hefted his rifle up a little and looked down either side of the cooridoor.

"Alright, that's supposedly the security room. Drew, you need to get in there and cut the computer off from the alarm system, think you can do that?"

"Shouldn't be too hard. We're not talking about Hal here," he replied. "I just need a few minutes."

---

'Schmidt' ordered his unit to move in.They were equipped with black suits that confused ir and laser detection systems, with helmets that provided them with connection to one another by scrambled radio frequency, and also attached them to a satellite relay station in the Sea of Demoness.
Following the map, they moved quietly, each team of two covering others as they moved down the hall towards the main hangar.

The Lavenrunzian team moved through the passage unmolested, but once they reached the doors to the main hangar, they noted two things that weren't in the briefing. Two automated cannons, more than likely remote controlled from the security boxes on either side of the door.

---

Steve took a back seat to left Chad do his thing, and was now ready to simply act as one of the shooters, as unexciting as that may be for him. But, hey, what are you gonna do, argue? No. Steve thought to himself how it was probably dangerous to be having both operations going on at the same time, and how Fenwick wasn't too smart...letting their prized mech tech just get away from them like that....

Drew gained entrance to the security room fairly easily, it was a pretty basic lock. Inside there were three computer consoles, one for each wing of the facility.

A small beep issued from the console and the light on the display shifted from green to red as the security systems were deactivated. As this happened a timer started counting down from 5 minutes in the backup systems of the computer. The Lavenrunzian team would note that the red power lights on the autocannons blinked out about this time.

A guard from one of the boxes stepped out and looked at his cannon, then called the security room Drew was in.

"Hey, what's going on? We just lost power to the autocannons protecting the entrance to the hangars."

Drew paused. Che. He answered the call. "Um... Well, I don't know. I'm checking into it. It's probably just a temporary blip in the system. You know, the longer these things run, the less likely they are to work. Sooner or later, we'll have to replace the system every second." The last was supposed to be a joke.

Such a dumb answer, it might just work.... Steve thought to himself. I mean, what are we doing? Couldn't we just get the prints off of these damn computers right here?

The guard chuckled slightly.

"Yeah, not to mention that it's brand spanking new equipment. Guess its still got some bugs. I doubt anyone's gonna try anything, but you know how it goes. Thanks."

The line clicked off.


Inside the computer the timer had hit 3:35 and was counting....

---

"Schmidt" motioned for Weiss' team to move into the hangar and go for the machines, while he moved on the guards with the other half. They were to use beanbag weapons and tasers only--unless the crap really hit the fan.

The guard that had been out looking at the autocannon entered his box again and started looking over some static filled screens, then picked up a magazine. He thought he heard a noise, and looked up just in time to be zapped into unconciousness. He slumped over in his chair, neck muscles still twitching slightly.

The guard across the hall shared the same fate, but had been caught less off guard and had nearly made it to the alarm button.

A quick look around in each of the cubicles would reveal the mechbay door opening panel.

---

Chad took some of the team down the hall that was designated as the R&D wing of the facility. Drew had cut the security systems nearly three minutes earlier and a patrol was expected through here in two.

He walked up to a door, tried the handle. Locked.

He motioned the team forward so that someone could cover him as he picked the lock.

The door swung open and he entered followed by all but two of the team.

The only thing that would give them away was the fact that they were carrying arms, having been equipped with uniforms that were unique to that facility.

Chad searched the lab, then jumped onto the computer.

He swiftly moved through the files and found what he was looking for, attached the jumpdrive, then copied the files for the new Highlander heavy assault battlemech.

The timer hidden in the computer read 1:25 and was still counting....

---

For the hell of it, Drew started messing around with the security system. "I don't like cornflower blue... How about blood red?"

As one of the two who stayed behind, Steve didnt like Drew messing with the system. "Yeah, but dont you remember that we werent supposed to be detected? The regular tech probably does like blue, and he probably remembers...."

"Don't worry. I'll put it back where it belongs. This is an easy system."

"Alrighty...whatever you say." Steve looked away, back to the door and the hallway, checking if anyone was coming.

The moment Steve stuck his head out into the hallway, the timer hit :30.

As Drew fiddled around with the system, he might note a small icon entitled "Bkup". He looked at it a moment, pulled out a small coin, and flipped it, then he opened it. A DOS-like prompt opened up revealing a counter that read 00:00:10... and was reducing.

---

Schmidt motioned Krafft forward. "Check this, make sure that the security systems are not going to make this a verrukte mess..."
"Yes, your Honour." said Krafft. He moved quickly to the control panel and checked it over, taking out his portable field laptop to hack into it if need be...
The rest of the team were alert; Schmidt motioned Deitz to check the door. Deitz got out a listening device and placed one end to the door, the other to her ear.

As Deitz placed the listening device to the door, all she could hear on the other side was random machinery noises, like unto those in a factory.

As Krafft logged into the security net, he'd note that everything was still down.

---

"Shite," Drew muttered. "What the hell is that?" He typed in a command for information and hope that it'd be quick enough.

"Shite? Drew, what are you doing over there? Cmon man." Steve looked back at Drew, hoping he hadnt screwed something up.

"I didn't do shit. Something's counting down. It's probably just a system update or something." He didn't bother telling him how low the counter was.

00:00:03

Hurry up and tell me you foreign POS.

"Counting down? I never like those....but...shit. I hate not knowing whats going on....dont kill us, Drew." Steve shuddered, then went back to watching out for anyone that might be coming down the hall.

About the time that the screen explaining what Bkup was popped up the lighting in the building turned red and an alarm klaxon sounded.

Chad looked around, he had just made it back to the security station. >.< "Shite. Lets go! What happened Drew?"

---

On Krafft's screen, everything would show fixed to high alert now, the backup system had noted that the security had been deactivated for more than 5 minutes without a regularly scheduled maintainance shutdown.

---

Drew swore in the three languages he knew and a few made-up computer curse words. "Well, apparently there was another system I didn't know about and we tripped it by having the primary off longer than five minutes. I'd suggest moving."

"Is everyone back yet? Ok, then lets go! Follow me!" Steve then took command, leading everyone out of the room and back towards their exit point. He told someone to call in their evac, and then told Drew to destroy the system he had just been on.

"Hey, wasn't my fault," Drew muttered as he followed orders.

"Well, it happened. So lets go." After Drew adequetly disabled the system, he had everyone run back down the hall as he covered their retreat. When the last person went past him, he had them cover the back as Steve ran towards the front and started to lead them back to the stairwell.

Chad got on the comms and radioed to Kyle.

"Heads up, we've managed to trip a backup system. Alarms all over the place if you can't hear them. Keep an eye out and cover our exit point if you would please."

"Any time cap'n, I got you covered."

He raidoed to all his snipers.

"Alright men, they seemed to trip an alarm so we need to keep cover fire on the exits, fire at will."

Kyle saw a gaurd running to cover thir exit and lined up his shot, a little up and over to take up for gravity and wind. He pulled his bolt back, paused for more drama and pulled off a nice head shot.

---

Chad and Steve led the team out of the building, leaving two guards unconcious, two dead, and three bound and gagged.

As they were rapelling down the wall to the ground below two jeeps pulled up.

"C'mon, I can get you out of here. I'm in contact with Ryan, we've waved off your airlift out of here because of the mechs over there." The driver pointed to the mechs in their startup sequence.

Pilots and crews were scampering about the grounds outside, prepping the mechs for perimiter checks.

"We don't have much time. Come on!"

Chad took a closer look at the driver.

"Everyone, pile in. We're going with the Emperor." Then he did as he instructed.

"Wait, whoa. Who is this guy? An Emperor? What in the heck....?" Steve wondered aloud as he hopped into the jeep. Knowing the driver or not, it was better than trying to evade those mechs.

Yuri extended his hand. "Yuri Kershner, glad to meet you... Sgt.. Shall we get on our way?"

---

The Lavenrunzians had moved into the factory, doing a sweep of the room to check the corners and hiding places. Schmidt's cold blue eyes blazed like quartz near a fire. last...nearly there...

A few Techs noted the Lavenrunzian's entrance, but shrugged them off due to the uniforms they had been instructed to wear that proclaimed them part of the Security for the facility. The cavern-like mechbay had twelve mechs sitting in a semi-circle, some having armor plates welded on, some having weapons systems installed.

There was another team of guards coming in across the way, they started checking their side of the bay for any intruders.

The target Dire Wolf and Stormcrow were sitting in the center of the cavern, the Stormcrow having its fusion reactor worked on, the Dire Wolf having its LBXAC-20 ballistics cannon loaded.

"Uhhh....good to meet you, Emperor....I'm staff sergeant Steven Tan, OotD army...so, where we going?"

"We're going back to my base camp where your silent chopper is waiting for you. We refueled it and it's ready for the ride at least into Demoness, perhaps Terraus. I'll get in contact with someone and make sure they know you're coming." Yuri shifted the Jeep into gear and started off.

---

Colonel Schmidt had the crew team move towards the mechs; they walked over casually, looking alert but unconcerned, as if they knew they belonged there. The rest, pretending to patrol as well, split into two smaller groups in order to set up a position to sweep the room...

Captain Weiss, smiling, her face friendly but official in expression, approached the ground crew...

Schmidt sent a signal to the rest of the penetration team. They were ready and in place.

The security team that had entered the opposite side exited through the door that they had entered through, the door latching behind them.

One of the ground crew working on the Stormcrow noted Capt. Weiss approaching, stood, and took off his hat, wiping his brow on his greasy sleeve.

"Howdy ma'am. What can I do you for?"

They should be able to hear the sounds of the mechs outside powering up and starting their perimeter search.