[Colonel James Griffin]

"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."

- From the DMM Staff


Last post of the Shadow Lancers:


1042
06/24/3081
Command Center, The Aerie
Shadow Lancers Base Alpha
Hall, Capellan Confederation

Colonel Micah Kerran watched as the dropships started to come down out of the sky. The Aerie wasn't meant to hold all of the dropships that the Shadow Lancers owned, that would have been nearly impossible given the number of dropships in the unit's "fleet", at least without covering nearly a hundred square kilometers of ground with reinforced ferrocrete and that would have certainly pissed off some tree hugger somewhere. The thought of a ring of long haired tree huggers trying to bodily block an IndustrialMech pouring concrete for the landing pads for the dropships made him smile... the local builder's union was more upset then most construction types at the enviornmentalists in their region. A radical group that called themselves "The Green Fist" had been commiting low level acts of sabotage against construction sites and equipment, causing several million C-bills worth of damage to gear and materials not to mention time lost on projects. Micah could see the IndustrialMech happily doing a tap dance on the tree huggers and Micah might be tempted to look the other way if such a thing happened.

"Heh... its good to be the baron." he muttered to himself.

"Sorry, Colonel ?" asked Captain Max Hershie, Micah's aide de camp and closest companion for the past several months. With Aspen and much of the Lancers' numbers just now returning from their contract on the edge of Clan Wolf's Occupation Zone, Micah had near adopted Max and his company... it was deemed safer to do that then hang out at the Dark Horse and its bevy of shapely and enthusiastic dancers.

"Just talking to myself, Max." Micah said with a smile.

Max returned the smile. "Yeah... I guess it is good to be the baron."

Micah said nothing but leaned his head back to watch the silvery sphere shape of the NEVERMORE come down on triple pillars of flame as it gently settled onto the tarmac of the Aerie. The area shook as the massive Clan built dropship finally touched down... over 4000 tons of mass can set down only so gently. The ship was still settling its weight onto the tarmac as the Mech Bay doors started to open and disgorge its contents.

Thirty meter tall BattleMechs, many of a near humanoid shape, made their way down the ramp and towards the roads that would lead from the Aerie to the Mech Bays within the base. The Lancer Mechs looked to be in good shape, which Micah expected given the care that the techs took of the unit's war machines and the long transit time they had to do it in while coming back from Clan Wolf's zone of influence. From vaguely remembered experience, Micah knew that the Mechs would take a good ten to fifteen minutes to even get down to the bays, not including any additional time for racking the machines in their bays or going through shutdown operations.

A twinge ran through his leg, the prosthetic there, perhaps, reminding him of its presence and that he wouldn't be able to pilot one of the mightest war machines of the age ever again. Micah's jaw clenched at that thought, like it always did, and he fought down the reimerging tide of resentment that it brought. He'd been a damned good Mechwarrior, at least in his eyes. Micah wasn't vain enough to consider himself in the same league as the greats: Morgan Kell, Jaimie Wolf, Victor Steiner-Davion, Kai Allard-Liao, or the like; but he had been good. It certainly hadn't been a lack of his piloting skills that cost him his leg, it was just one of the many turns of luck that you always found in battle. And like many of those turns of luck during a battle, it had been a bad one.

Given that he'd finally gotten the hang of the new leg, down to wiggling the "toes" on it and no longer limping on it at all, Micah felt that he had little to complain about. The new leg was much stronger then his old one or the remaining natural one and could take much more punishment. A recent accident during maintenance had found a toolbox tumbling off the side of a tank while Micah was inspecting the armor units of the garrison. He'd taken the blow on his prostethic leg, actually denting the toolbox and not taking any damage himself. A complete check by a set of very nervous doctors, all who were well aware of what would happen to them via Aspen if they messed up, found that there had been no damage to the prosthetic or "the host... I mean, you, Baron." Micah waved the comment off but took a mental note to send that particular doctor somewhere unpleasent next time he had the chance.

Now, after some addtional work from specialists out from a Davion owned medical firm, the prosthetic leg looked just like his natural one even down to the presence of leg hair and the warm feel of flesh. Micah couldn't wait to show Aspen that particular new aspect of the leg... she'd been very understanding and accepting about things, but he knew she had some of her own reservations about the prosthetic. She never really showed it, but Micah was sure it was there.

Despite the wonders of the new leg, Micah still would have much rather of had his old one and the chance to pilot his Nova or even that lead-assed Yu Huang that Micah had received as a gift from a grateful Capellan Confederation for services rendered. Hell, he'd even pilot an ancient Wasp with a faulty leg acutator and a medium laser that would overheat after being fired twice. His hand tightened around the rail that it held until his knuckles turned white... simulators were grand for getting a "fix", but nothing would ever replace having a real Mech under his control again, not even his battlearmor.

"Sir, there's Aspen."

Micah blinked away his thoughts and smiled at the sight of the Shadow Lancer's chief medical officer and his fiancee racing across the tarmac. "Max, order furlough for the entire unit for 48 hours after their gear is settled in. That includes all members of the unit... people that just got back and the ones that have been here. First round of drinks for anyone at the Dark Horse is on my tab."

"When you going to talk to them, sir ?" Max asked in a low voice. They had been taking great pains to keep certain things about the Ambassador's visit several months ago a secret from most of the unit.

"After that 48 hours is done." Micah started towards the door. "If anyone needs me, tell them to try again in 48 hours. No reports... no nothing. I am going to meet Aspen when she gets inside, then I am going to welcome Mac and our people home from Clan space and then I am not going to do anything else but... " he grinned and looked at Max. "... Aspen."

1000
06/28/3081
Meeting Hall

Colonel Micah Kerran walked down the middle aisle of the Meeting Hall in full uniform with an air of solemness around him. He could feel the weight of stares from each and every member of the Shadow Lancers Mercenary Command settling on him as he walked. The high collared uniform was slightly warm in the Meeting Hall, filled as it was to near capacity by the number of people there. Micah glanced about slightly, noting the presence of not only mercenaries in the crowd but also many of their families: husbands, wives, and children alike. The presence of so many made him smile slightly, it was good that everyone was there because today would affect them all.

Trailing in his wake were the company commanders and department heads from the entire unit, each dressed in their Shadow Lancer dress uniforms like Micah. Also, like Micah, each had a Chinese style sword, a Dao, tucked into the broad crimson sash that went about their waists. Lt. Colonel Robert "Mac" McClendon and Major Aspen Castaneda were right behind Micah with Major Yavish 'Tank' Kalmentstein, the Lancer's head tech, and Commander Kimberly "Phoenix" Hause, the Lancer's commander air group, following them. Sergeant Major Mary "Angel" Vernieu and Captain Max Hershie made up the nex rank with the Mech commanders and a majority of the dropship captains coming behind them.

Captain Bronagh "Banshee" Gallagher walked side by side with Captain Vincent Harris, both looking much more solemn then their normal selves. Shadowing Bronagh was SRLT David Lo Pan, looking very Capellan in his uniform and very nervous to boot. His presence was accepted because of his long service to the Shadow Lancers and because he would not let Bronagh go without him watching her back, a habit that had developed at some point during or after they had returned from Oberon VI. Beside him, looking much less comfortable in her uniform especially with the sword in its sash, was Sergeant Tonya "Sniper" Gear. Despite her lower rank, Tonya was included in the proccession of the higher level officers because of her long service to the Shadow Lancers. These two were among the best Mechwarriors that the Shadow Lancers fielded.

Captain Kevin "Big Hammer" McShane tromped alongside Captain, 1st rank Vladimir Mukhin, the commander of the Magudai's dropship... both men had added small flairs to their Lancers' uniform... just enough to stand out and still be respectful. Captain Tyr "Iron Fist" Eriksson of Crom Company was accompanied by Captain Nathaniel Gordon, who looked very odd in a dress uniform even with the small sunglasses he was wearing. SRLT Ryan "Crash" King walked beside Captain Anton Skutchan, both of whom were habitually scanning the area for anything that could classify as a threat.

Captain Tara "Shae" Watson walked beside Lt. Hal "Disco" Zytec, who, like Lo Pan and Tonya Gear, was included with the higher ranking officers because of his long service with the Shadow Lancers. Star Captain Malcolm Harper of the NEVERMORE walked beside Captain Sebastion Roarke of the ISABEAU, the two veteran spacers looking slightly uncomfortable being on solid ground. Major Andrew "Big Dog" Montgomery and Captain Duncan "Foxhound" Myers of the Night Watch, the Lancers' garrison forces, were behind the dropship captain both looking slightly grim as if wondering what the future would hold for them.

Near the end of the officer's lines were Major Randalk "Tornado" Argus and Major Todd "Kit" Malloy... both of which were as close to retired as one could be in the mercenary service while still breathing. Their presence sent out a wave of whispered shock and more whispered explainations to newer Lancers that didn't know them. The man behind them caused even more of a stir... Star Colonel Corwin "Bearclaw" Bekker, once a Shadow Lancer but now a galaxy commander with the Star League Defense Force. Again, the crowd reacted with surprise and then explainations to those that didn't know the man.

Behind the officers of the unit came the Elementals, arrayed in their freshly painted battlearmor and carrying Guandao, ancient Chinese polearms with wide blades at their tops. The Elementals now numbered a full star of troopers, though three of the points were occupied by Inner Sphere pilots... they were Micah's command group when he ran the Shadow Legion and acted as the officer's honor guard on this occasion. The addition of the weapon was a new thing and caught the attention of the rest of the Lancers almost immediately. Micah could hear whispered comments going back and forth among his people and smiled slightly. If this slight change caught their attention, then what was going to happen next would blow them away.

The officers made their way onto the stage and sat down in the chairs there, forming an arc behind the podium. The chairs were arrayed so that no one was blocked from view by the podium and could see and be seen by the audience in front of the stage. The Elementals arrayed themselves at the wings of the stage, taking up guard type positions even here in the heart of the Lancers' base. Micah stopped at the podium and waited for everyone to be seated before stepping up to the microphone. When he stepped up, the lights on the stage dimmed slightly with spotlights coming on to illuminate Micah and the other officers.

"Ladies and gentlemen... " Micah smiled. "... Shadow Lancers. Normally we have a meeting like this when we are getting a new contract or we are facing a major change in the unit. Today is not going to disappoint, because today we face one of the greatest decisions of our lives, both individually and as a unit. This is a decision that will change everything for all of us, so please, listen to what I have to say."

"While many of you were fighting against Clan Wolf on Oberon, I met with an ambassador from House Liao, who came to me with an offer... a proposition for us all. Some of this is not news to any of you... rumors have been flying about since the ambassador left and then again every time that he would visit Hall to speak with me again. Well, now I get to squash all of the rumors because I am going to tell you what he offered."

"Ambassador Xhing has offered the Shadow Lancers a postion within the Capellan Confederation Armed Forces... we have been offered a chance to be one of the premier units for House Liao. What this means to all of us is that we will no longer be mercenaries, a honorable but sometimes hard profession, but instead will be soldiers of the Capellan Confederation. Our children and families will have a home that they never have to leave and everyone will have the opportunity to be citizens of the Confederation. Hall will be ours in more then just name and because we have carved out a mountain to put our Mechs in. It will be ours because we have earned it through our blood and sweat, fighting for it and for House Liao."

Micah paused and looked over the crowd, raising his hands to still some of the noise coming from the audience. "As commanding officer of the Shadow Lancers Mercenary Command, I have accepted that offer for this unit. No longer will the Shadow Lancers be mercenaries... we have a home now, to both live in and to defend."

The earlier noise from the audience was nothing compared to the near roar that happened then, some in protest and others in support with others still just shouting out questions of all sorts. Again Micah raised his hands, waiting for several minutes for the noise to die down before he spoke. "Yes... this is a surprise. Normally I ask the unit what it is they wish to do, I ask all of you what the unit should do... this time I did not. This time I have made that decision because it is what is best for us. We have fought hard... harder then hard many times and seen many things during that time period. We need a chance to rest.. a chance to let our families become families instead of military gypsies."

Micah stepped around the podium and addressed the crowd directly, projecting his voice loud enough to be heard without the use of the podium's microphone. "I want that chance, so I have taken it for myself, for this unit, and...." he gestured Aspen forward and slid his hand into hers. The lights on the stage reflected off the obscenely huge diamond on her left hand. "... and for my future wife."

Micah smiled and kissed the hand he held before letting the grinning and blushing doctor step out of the light then turned back to the audience. "You are all my family and are all welcome to stay here and be a part of this. Yes, we will still fight and yes many of us will still bleed, but we will bleed for our homes and our families, not for a paycheck by someone who doesn't care if we live or die as long as they get what it is they want. From this day forward, we fight for us... our families, our homes, and for each other." He paused and looked over the crowd. "I know that some of you will not be able to make yourselves stay, for whatever reason that may be. You can't leave the life, you can't live as a Capellan... whatever it may be, I do understand."

"Anyone that does not wish to stay may leave with no hard feelings and no black marks against them. You will have your pay, your savings, and a trip back to Terra to do what you want with your lives, even come back to Hall later on. I would not deny anyone the chance for the life they want. However, those of you that want to stay... we have the chance here to belong to something bigger again. To live a real life again, to raise our families, and to make a real future living somewhere besides a command couch or traveling through space for months on end for all our lives."

The audience had gone quiet at some point that Micah couldn't define, listening to him as he spoke. "Lancers, which each and every one of you are, no matter what your decision and no matter what life you choose for you and your families, it has been my honor to serve with each and every one of you. Thank you very much for what you have done for the unit, for each other, and for me. I have never known and will never know better men, better women, or better people. Thank you all."

With his final words, Micah turned from the audience and moved towards the right wing of the stage, fading from sight as the curtain enveloped him. The lights in the Meeting Hall came up to full, leaving some to blink in the sudden light while others ignored it as they pondered what it was that would happen next. Life, as always changed, but it always went on.



Posted By,
Colonel Micah "Hellraiser" Kerran
Longinus Battlearmor
Command Star, Shadow Legion
Commanding Officer
Shadow Lancers Mercenary Command
Baron of Hall

[Kristan Dagley]

"Soldier, soldier where have you gone?
White crosses for acres cover the lawn.
[Did you give] your life that the world didn't see,
So that nations and peoples could all live free?

How could anyone know the horror and fear,
When as recruits in the street, you danced with good cheer?
For off to fight evil, you left for that war,
But many passed instead through heaven's great door.

Sailing miles of ocean, trailing ribbons of foam,
Farther away everyday from your native home.
The calamity of battle gave you some pause,
But you bravely moved to the line for that one great cause.

Remembering good times having had so much fun,
Had been replaced morosely with grenades and a gun.
The world that was small in your burgeoning youth,
Had become wide open to a frightening truth.

No time to reflect on the mysteries of life,
Just hoping to survive another day for your beautiful wife.
Into the cauldron of hell with its scorching fire,
Pieces of comrades clothing tangled in the wire.

After months without sleep, it suddenly ends.
You stop to reflect, how you've lost all your friends.
Turning then homeward, a new life to begin,
The line between terror and safety is so very thin.

As you look to the past with heartfelt sorrow,
You wonder today, will there be a tomorrow?
For over the years, we haven't quite learned,
The price war costs for the peace you have earned.

Soldier, soldier with us you still stand,
Having fought for our future and this wonderful land.
To the Veterans of war, we give you our praise.
May God bless you all, our glasses we raise!"

[Rogue]

"Home is the Regiment, the price of glory high.
We stand with brothers at our sides
to pay that price, and die!
The Blood of Comrades cries to us,
Long after glory's passed:
Home is the Regiment, our family and our own!"

Gray Death Legion; "The Price Of Glory"; William H. Keith, JR

Robert "Mac" McClendon
Lt. Colonel
Naga Lance Commander
Regimental Executive Officer
Operation Grab Ranking Officer
VTR-10L Victor
Shadow Lancers Mercenary Command