"Mike Moscoe - BattleTech - MechWarrior - Dark Age 09 - Patriot's Stand" - читать интересную книгу автора (Moscoe Mike)

Word from his XO—his executive officer and second in command—was that the JumpShip had loaded the
loot from Allabad and was ready to jump to the secondary pickup point. The mission here was snatch, grab
and raise scatter-hell. The Colonel had made it clear he didn’t think that should cost the Roughriders any
major casualties. So far it hadn’t.

L. J.’s targeting-acquisition screen flashed, letting him know it had found what he’d expected. He tightened
his harness straps as he checked his cooling lines. No problem. Keying his mike, he announced, “Looks like
the locals have got themselves an ambush up ahead where the road runs close to the foothills.”

“Nice of them to come out to meet us.” Sergeant Jack Godfrey chortled. “Think they baked a cake?”

L. J. frowned. Sergeant Godfrey had a big mouth, but he did know how to put his Condor Multipurpose
Tank’s pedal to the metal, and thiswas Hanson’s Roughriders.

Not L. J.’s Roughriders. Great-grandpa Hanson had commanded when the Roughriders made their name.
L. J. was just a distant great-grandkid by a daughter who’d chosen medicine over ’Mechs. Grandma was
still a fine doc when it came to patching up the occasional casualty, but L. J. had earned his commission with
sweat and hard work. This was his first independent command. No doubt the Roughrider HQ staff was
wondering what he’d bring back.

So far he’d captured just one BattleMech to go with ninety or so late-model IndustrialMechs. Even with the
client claiming half, Maintenance should be able to turn out some decent ’Mech MODs. After the long
peace, they would be welcome additions.

L. J. eyed his screen. Six IndustrialMechs were scattered on the ridge above the bend in the road, along
with enough metal for three or four dozen hunting rifles. The locals would probably run after the first volley.
With half his ammo expended, was it worth a fight this far from the pickup point?

“Topkick.”

“Sir,” Sergeant Major Vincent Tanuso responded immediately.

“On my order, take the hoverbike team and investigate the town. There’s nothing past it but mountains, so
it’s as far as we go. If you spot any decent-looking ’Mechs, acquire them. If not, raise scatter-hell and fall
back on me.”

“Yes, sir. Corporal Mavy, with me.”

“Yes, Sergeant Major.”

“The rest of you: This may be a hastily improvised ambush, but the only decent ’Mechs in town could be up
there. Let’s see if any are worth painting in Roughrider colors. Keep your eyes open and your fields of fire
covered.”

“Yee-haw!” Godfrey whooped. “Let’s put the spurs to ’em.” His hovertank surged ahead.

“Take it down, Roughrider,” L. J. growled, and the hovertank on point slowed to keep pace with the
measured tread of L. J.’sKoshi . “No need taking unnecessary heat into a ’Mech fight.” L. J. wanted to get
as close as he could, to see if the IndustrialMechs were worth a fight before he got into one.