Part 776: Let's Read: Main Event - Part 18
Let’s Read: Main Event (part 18)Chapter 18
Harlech, Outreach
26 September 3054
Days elapsed since book start: 148
Mercenaries recruited since book start: 4
Mercenaries recruited off-screen: 1
Things accomplished since book start: 1 (
Protagonists introduced since book start: 5
Protagonists mentioned but not yet introduced: 1
Antagonists introduced since book start: 1
Antagonists defeated since book start: 0
Chapters spent on Northwind: 5
Chapters spent on Solaris: 10
Chapters spent on Outreach: ???
Jeremiah Rose has never piloted a Charger before, even though I was mistaken about it being a 1A9 (it’s actually a CGR-3K, which is marginally better but extremely underpowered for an Assault ‘Mech).
Jeremiah then assesses his pilots, and we learn that Angus is the best of them. He’s gotta be good at something, I suppose, since ‘talking’ and ‘being interesting’ aren’t on the list. He’s pretty much a non-character and I’m pretty sure he dies in this book; but I can’t remember. He’s also the only person Jeremiah consistently calls by first name other than Rianna and Esmeralda No Last Name Given (EVER).
Jeremiah then complements the Dragoons on their training system of inhibitors and the like that allows them to have mock combats without damage; which is neat… except the Kell Hounds were doing the same thing with only their ‘Mechs computers back in 3029. It’s amazing what having a friend like Clovis Holstein can do for Merc training.
We are then treated to this amazing gem of idiocy:
Main Event posted:
Despite what most civilians think, each ‘Mech is unique. Except for the gross differences between individual designs, each ‘Mech tended to take on a personality of its own. Indeed, part of the difficulty in becoming familiar with a new ‘Mech, no matter what the design, was learning the subtle changes that were part of the system.
Boy, I sure am glad that the Clans have all the ‘personality’ removed from their Omnimechs. It’d sure be a shame to have to learn a quirky system every time the mission required it.
The Dragoons then jump on, give Jeremiah three hours to kill two of their lances, and remind everyone that physical combat is banned. We then learn that Jeremiah has magically learned that the two lances he’s facing have been nicknamed the ‘Asphalt Warriors’ by the dragoons; which is stupid.
Jeremiah then takes a moment to gloat about his stolen back-up coolant suit; the one nobody knew he had until now in spite of our learning the contents of Jeremiah’s only two suitcases back in the first chapter.
We then learn that the sneaky Capellan, Ajax, is watching from a remote position; as is Captain McCloud. And Jeremiah can talk to them. Which seems like a pretty huge breach of Dragoon security, but whatever—Jeremiah won’t be smart enough to call them for tactical advice.
In fact, he blows his only advantage by immediately calling for radio silence.
Jeremiah’s brilliant tactical ploy for this battle is: avoid the town in the center, sneak around and follow the Dragoons in. It sounds like a good plan, until you realize that both lances of Dragoons are mixed heavies and assaults, and their biggest ‘Mech is an Annihilator. Whoops, spoilers.
Esmeralda then spots two enemy ‘Mechs hiding behind buildings, and immediately breaks radio silence and charges. We then learn that somehow, the best Mercenary unit in the Inner Sphere, has forgotten to post a rear guard.
Bullshit.
Rianna then jumps in to shoot, and still misses because she’s an awful shot. I’m not kidding, in game terms she’s officially a p2 g6. Jeremiah then immediately loses track of her position so he can shoot a Crusader. Meanwhile, Hawg and a Dragoon Zeus fight it out (guess who’s going to win? Not the crazy guy) while an Imp and the aforementioned Annihilator move in.
The Dragoons, being skilled and capable, immediately gun for Jeremiah. The Annihilator and Imp basically knock him out of the fight in a single salvo; but Esmeralda manages to save him by standing nearby and shooting. The Crusader then stackpoles, takes out Rianna, Angus, and the Dragoon Imp.
Hawg then gets taken down by an Archer, the Zeus, and two blue and gold Wolverines.
Esmeralda then shoots the Annihilator in the back. In reply, it punches her; breaking the rules of the engagement.
Stupidly, Esmeralda then punches it in the head, killing the Dragoon Captain and, oh, guess who just got blacklisted by the MRBC? If you guessed the Black Thorns, you’d be correct.
Then the chapter ends.