Main Event

As Rose reached the Black Hawkit had just managed to regain its balance, but not its feet. The deadly Gauss rifle swung toward Rose, but he managed to move inside the pilot's aim. His right arm knocked away the Gauss rifle, sending the shells arcing over the ridge into the woods behind as his hand jammed into the Black Hawk'shead. Ferro-fibrous armor buckled, but did not give as the Shootist'sfist stopped just short of the cockpit. The Black Hawkstruggled to get up, but Rose blocked the attempt with his left hand, which he kept pressed against the Black Hawk'shead. The Fenrisand the Thorclosed on Rose, but could not fire for fear of hitting the struggling Clan 'Mech.

Rose looked down the Shootist'sleft arm, and with a moment's pity for the pilot trapped underneath his armored fist, fired the arm-mounted pulse laser. Red light flared briefly, then the Black Hawk'sstruggles ceased. Sounds of battle flooded the cockpit as Rose stepped away from the dead 'Mech.

"Down, Adept!" The Shootistcrouched behind the Black Hawkas Rose ducked without thought. Laser fire from the Thorand PPC fire from the Fenrisflew all around him, but didn't co

"Jenkins, report!" The Fenrissplit to the left, arcing around Rose as the Thorkept him pi

"Moderate damage all-round, Adept. We've got the crown of the ridge, but that impromptu charge of yours means you're cut off. We could abandon the crest. ..."

"Negative, Jenkins. If I keep these two busy, that leaves the last six for you. Can you handle that until help arrives?" Rose watched the screens as the Fenrisran along the fringe of his short-range sca

"We can if they don't try to rush us. I don't think they know there're only four of us up here because we're bunched so close together. What about you?"

"I'm slower than both of these guys and I've got less firepower. Other than that things are just about even. Rose out." He killed the comm, but left the line open. He needed to concentrate, but the Thorwas leaving him little time for that. The Fenrishad almost completed its looping run and would break from the trees any moment now. Unable to think of anything brilliant in the time available, Rose charged the Thor.

Weaving slightly as he ran, Rose closed the distance as quickly as possible. Within seconds he was within range of the large laser, so he triggered a long burst and was rewarded with a hit on the Thor'sright arm. The other 'Mech's large laser stopped its motion and slumped forward as his fire destroyed its housing. Rose knew he was luckier than he deserved to be, but smiled at the thought that he might live through the combat. He triggered the large laser and medium pulse lasers. Armor boiled along the Thor'storso, but the 'Mech remained firmly on its feet.

Rose closed to within sixty meters of the Thorbefore the Clan 'Mech slowly brought up its left arm. In his heart Rose knew he was dead. The other warrior was so slow and deliberate with his aim that it was obvious he had something up his metal sleeve and that Rose had just run full speed into it. Veins already filled with adrenaline received another jolt as Rose's heart leaped to his throat. Gritting his teeth against the pain to come, Rose risked all and did what he hoped was the last thing the Thorexpected.

As the Thor'sleft arm autoca

Rose rolled over onto his left side and fired his large laser. At such short range the Thorfilled his targeting screen. Not waiting to see where he hit, Rose continued the movement and brought the Shootistto a standing position.

The Thor'sshoulder-mounted missile tube opened fire for the first time as Rose fired his large laser. Autoca

As another volley of missiles tore away what armor remained on his 'Mech's torso, Rose slammed into the Thor,rocking forward against the restraining straps as the two 'Mechs collided. His left shoulder actuator failed as it was crushed between the two 'Mechs. He concentrated on keeping the Shootist'slegs moving as the Thorpunched into his left side with its single fist. The Shootistshook from the impact, but Rose continued to push against the Thor.A second punch tore through the barrel of his autoca

From behind, the Fenrisfired its PPC into the center of the Shootist'sback. The armor disappeared under the shot's power, but none of the energy managed to reach the 'Mech's insides. Pushed by the force of the blast, Rose stumbled up the ridge. Half-crawling, half-ru

Reaching it, Rose was stu

Hopper's Crabremained standing next to the headless form of Batteil's Black Knight.Scarred and eventually destroyed by laser fire, the 'Mech held one of the Dashersin its remaining claw.

Rose crossed the hilltop and headed down the far side of the ridge toward the sound of weapon fire. Tiegard was evidently still alive, but her 'Mech was not transmitting an IFF signal. As he ran through rocks and the debris of fallen 'Mechs, he knew his unit had given a good accounting of itself. For the first time since cresting the ridge he glanced down at his control panel to get a fix on the Fenristrailing him, then remembered he'd keyed off the comm unit. He slapped down on the receive switch and cursed himself. His unit had died without him.

"Tiegard, hang on. I'm coming!" Rose fought against the shame that welled inside him and concentrated on reaching Tiegard. Rounding a single large boulder, he discovered her Highlandersurrounded by three Clan 'Mechs. Her back to an outcropping, she prepared her last stand. The Highlander'sright arm had been destroyed below the shoulder. What little remained trailed sparks and fluid as the 'Mech moved. In her left arm she held the broken remains of an OmniMech's arm. Battered beyond recognition, it could have come from any of the Omnis Rose had seen destroyed on the ridge.

"I'm here, Tiegard! Hold on!" Rose continued forward as the nearest OmniMech turned to face him. The undamaged Mad Catsquared off against the battered Shootist,daring Rose to approach.