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The Zulu's Origin
A raid has some interesting complications
by Marcus Taylor |
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New Auckland Water Treatment Plant, Main Street August 10, 3051
Greg
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Looking back on it, I have to give Jonas more credit than he says he deserves. Once getting a sense of her, it was a close, tense fight. Astrid was faster, surprising us all, but she didn't have the strength to press the advantage to a conclusion. Whenever she got control of him, Jonas used brute strength to break her hold before she pinned him. And with him pulling his punches, Astrid would always manage to slip free from him before he could pin her.
After she began to tire, Jonas slowed equally, as if he was becoming weary, too. He never let a noticeable advantage occur on either side. The two just struggled on, closing for a quick flurry of attacks and holds, none of which would succeed, then parting to catch their breath.
Then, it happened. Jonas made a slow, tired lunge to her left side, shifting his weight to his right. After backing out of his grasp, she stepped outside his arm, grabbed it with both hands and made her move. She slipped past Jonas, twisting his arm back under his shoulder, and brought it neatly up behind his back. To keep his arm from popping out of its socket, Jonas tilted forward at the waist. A quick foot sweep and Jonas was on his face, unable to stand for Astrid holding his arm and kneeling on his nearest thigh. After a moment of struggling, Jonas relaxed and slapped his free hand against the ground. "Okay, that's it - I give," he panted. Astrid got up and offered her vanquished opponent a hand. He stood up with her assistance and bowed in respect. "I have met my better, and faced them in honorable combat, doing my utmost. Astrid of Clan Steel Viper, I thank you for the match." Then Jonas stepped out of the circle and slumped to sit alongside Sam and me.
This caught Astrid completely by surprise; as he left she imitated his bow, saying "You have given me much honor in permitting me to contend with you, Jonas of the Federated Commonwealth. You are and admirable opponent, and have little dishonor in being bested."
She just stood and panted deeply, recovering her strength.
I turned to Jonas, keeping my 'foppish commander' facade up, and remarked to him, "I guess I was right - the plant IS too difficult to capture from the Clanners, even in personal combat."
He gave me a dirty look, and shrugged, "It would seem that way, sir. I apologize for disputing your orders."
My reply was cut off, by something none of us expected. "I, Astrid Steel Viper, claim possession to...er, the Battlemech of Leftenant Gregory Underhill. What forces defend this asset of the Federated Commonwealth?"
I was dumbfounded. I planned for some sneaky maneuvering to get a challenge against her for her 'Mech, but this simplified everything! "Uh...well, that depends. Why should I honor this claim?" I remembered Astrid saying something about not having to acquiesce to every petty challenge.
"Your people have attempted to take the target of your assignment, and failed. Even if you consider the gains not nearly worth the cost, it would be prudent to make effort to attain something that would mollify your Keshik into dismissing your failure." Astrid had a glint in her eye, and I knew even though she seemed on the verge of offering me a chance to take what I really wanted, I would have to be on my guard."
I yawned. "So you put up the plant against my 'Mech? Hardly a compelling offer. I've already stated that I have found this place to be in much worse condition than I expected. No; what else have you got?"
This upset Astrid some, as I hoped, and she paused, her intense expression showing she was trying to understand my interpretation of her challenge.
"Now a Clan 'Mech, that would be a real feather in my cap! If were to bring back your Black Hawk-"
"Nova," Astrid corrected, automatically.
"-undamaged," I continued seamlessly, "then Battalion would be so happy they'd forget all about my not getting the water plant."
"But-"
"Of course, I cannot expect you to just simply offer your - er, your Clan's vehicle, that is - offer it up as collateral in this situation. Your - Keshik, was it? - would hardly be pleased to hear that you risked giving the Spheroids one of your Omnis to examine, even if you won. I doubt an antiquated design like the Grasshopper is of much interest to the far advanced Techs and scientists of Clan Steel Viper.
"But intelligence, on the other hand...that's always appealing to every army. Would your leaders be interested in gaining a willing captive, ready to supply any information he was aware of?"
That move surprise my own people, as well as Astrid. Ignoring their attempts to dissuade me, I continued, "You have a term for a willing prisoner, don't you? What is it again...oh, you mentioned it, but... er, it just didn't stick in my head-"
"Bondsman?" Astrid asked.
My face lit up. "That's it, yes! I'd be willing to become your Bondsman, m'dear."
Astrid was nonplussed. "Well...I guess..."
"Ah-ah-ah. Don't misunderstand me - I'm not giving up without a fight; I'm just raising the stakes. And as you can tell, my people are not too eager to have me risk my freedom over your 'Mech, alone. So what do you say to changing the conditions of this impending trial to this: the loser of the dispute turns over his - or her - 'Mech to the possession of the winner, as well as becoming her - or his - Bondsman - or woman. Does that sound both substantial enough to gain your Keshik's favor should you win, as well as a close enough match to be worth much honor to you?"
The woman regarded me, mulling over my counter-offer. She glanced to one side, Jonas catching her eye. He was subtly mugging at her, nodding and giving her a thumbs-up sign and miming wrestling moves. When I glanced in his direction, he stopped and tried to look innocent. Would she interpret his signals correctly? That she should take my counter-challenge and fight me hand-to-hand?
When I looked upon her again, I could see she had, and was playing right into my hands. Her face was taking a sly aspect, as if she had finally gained the advantage of her alien opponents. "Yes, Leftenant Gregory, it does. And since the Keshik would have more interest in a working Battlemech of the Inner Sphere armies than a wrecked hulk, what would you say if I requested this trial be settled in the same manner as the last?"
I outwardly quailled at this, replying "Uh, hand-to-hand, you mean? Well, I don't know about that-"
"Come now, my dear sir, how much esteem would your superiors hold you in if you brought a ruined Omnimech to them? You know you would have to destroy my Nova to win in Battlemech combat. What use would it be to your commanders?"
'Okay, Greg. The fish is in the boat,' I thought to myself, 'just be careful not to let it flop back into the water. Easy... easy...' "Well, that's true, but you've already bested the best fighter I've ever met...and I don't-"
"But I have been tired out by that match, Leftenant. You cannot be so useless in the martial arts that you cannot stand up to a winded, weary opponent, can you? Especially one shorter and lighter than you?"
My alter-ego's pride was stung, so I acted how she would expect me to. "Fine, woman, I'll take your challenge! And let me say now that I'm looking forward to handing you over to Command - a willing prisoner!"
She took my offered hand, and I shook with her, thinking 'Perfect! I got the net onto her without trouble. Now I just have to get this fish into my basket...' |
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