Mech Battle 10 - And the Quest for Justice Continues
Written by BlackPhoenix
With the death of their Leader, Comstar forces fragmented. The internal
structure of force and intimidation that held them together through fear crumbled and they
became small groups of terrorists trying to gain power within their own ranks. Every
officer that had supported the leadership of Comstar now strives more for personal gain
than unity. They became bandit warlords controlling small sections of the once great
empire. With their supply base crushed and supplies dwindling, Comstar was reduced to
scouring planets of previous battles for junk parts to keep their mechs and other
mechanical equipment working. From Owners of the world to junk men in a matter of days.
How far the mighty had fallen.
It appeared that the war was almost over, Comstar forces were scattering. They
were still a threat but as every minute passed so did the strength of that threat.
Pendragon ever vigilant could see the light at the end of the tunnel.
From the outer rim they came, a new enemy of peace. Taking the name of an
ancient clan of noble peacemakers they called themselves the "TEMPLARS". But a
noble name can not make a noble house. They had watched the war with great interest. The
two sides pitting machine against machine, man against man in battles of mass destruction.
Dreams of the rich inner planets swirled in the heads. They saw what must be done as
Comstar collapsed. The Templars were a loose knit group of killers, thieves, and
reprobates. They were the bottom of the galactic barrel, they had came from every place of
dishonesty and corruption that could be found. Deserters, traitor’s and criminals on
the run from the law made up their ranks. The fast buck was all that mattered, one for
money, and money for them. It can not be said that they lacked honor, for honor was
something they never had.
They had been held in check by fear of Comstar, that fear was gone. Greed was
now their guide. They made their first entrance into the quadrant behind a massive solar
flare. The first contact was a complete surprise. Many planets never knew they existed
until the attack. It was as brutal as they were greedy.
The Planet Ganma Crucis was the outer most of the area called the inner
planets. An industrial planet was life revolved around exporting manufactured goods to the
Clans of the inner circle. They held no allegiance, but were businessmen of the universe.
They sold to all clans with equal enthusiasm. For hard currency anyone could purchase from
them and they kept their planet neutral in all struggles. (War was good for business.) The
standard of living was higher on Ganma Crucis than the home worlds of the major
clan’s. The 300 years of war had brought prosperity to Ganma Crucis, and it had made
life on this planet of factories the dream of many smaller planets. They had no planetary
defenses and no garrison was stationed there by government decree. Life was peaceful and
profitable there.
All the electronic equipment had been shut down to protect it from the
electromagnetic waves of the flare that travel the depths of space. As the remnants of the
flare departed the surveillance satellites were re-activated. The alarms started to blare.
Massed formations of unknown ships were already in orbit. The proximity radar showed drop
ships entering the atmosphere. There was no time to activate defense systems even if there
had been any to activate. The 80-ton killing machines known as Warhammers unloaded in the
main square of the planetary government and destroyed a large number of small
inconsequential buildings even thought the populace offered them no resistance. The
citizens scrambled about in terror. 300 years of profitability had just came to an end.
After 3 hours of panic in the streets and destruction of the non-manufacturing areas of
their city the slaughter stopped and the war machines gathered in the main square
surrounding the seat of government facing the terrified people.
A large Ship dropped slowly into the square it circled slowly allowing the
people to see the emblem on the side. Templars were unknown until now. The ship settled in
a thick cloud of dust and flying debris. The ramp deployed slowly as if to draw out the
anticipation of what could be inside. The Ramp touched the ground with a loud thud. The
whine of motors could be heard and the heavy foot falls of a big mech. A highly polished
Direwolf exited the ramp at ΒΌ speed. Showing the mass of destructive power to the
gathered crowd. The mummers were deafening. This was the biggest machine many here had
ever seen. 100 tons standing tall as many buildings. The missile covers opened displaying
their deadly projectiles. The Monstrous killer paced the crowd twice then raised its
massive arms above its head and fired the Automatic cannons, (AC’s), into the air.
The crowd dropped to the ground amidst screams of panic. As the sound died to a rumble, a
large PA speaker on the monsters head spoke loud enough to hurt the ears of any one with
in 30 feet.
"YOU ALL ARE MEMBERS OF THE EMPIRE! OBEY AND LIVE, DISOBEY
AND…."
At that the large AC’s opened fire on the crowd. More than fifty people
hit the ground dead or dying. The screams of the victims drowned out the whine of the
gears as the machine moved to take position on the long steps that lead to the
president’s office. From with in the ship 30 Elementals ran toward the offices, the
door to the building never slowed them they continued like it was not even there. A rain
of glass fragments and metal splinters fell to the ground. Life had changed on Ganma
Crucis and not for the better. All public officials were summarily executed as a show of
determination. All public buildings were under military command as were the factories. All
large buildings were barracks or housing for military officers. Protest brought execution.
A rationing system was installed for the general public. The ships that had brought the
enemy troops were loaded with supplies and foodstuffs, then left. More troops arrived, the
entire planet was garrisoned and was now a member of the newly formed Templars empire. The
entire campaign of conquering a planet had taken less than four hours, and this was just
the first day. The Templars had a power base inside the system and a money base along with
facilities the manufacture the goods needed for a prolonged war of attrition. They would
bleed their enemies dry of funds then kill them.
At least that was the plan.