It was the summer of 3053, and my Lance Commander had just landed us a very big contract with House Davien. It was also rumored that we would be working beside the best of the best, Wolf's Dragoons. The contract was a simple one, to observe enemy opposition within Davien territory, not to fight, just observe .... sounded simple enough, but there were still a few doubts as to the reason for such a high pay for an easy job ... and as to why Wolf's Dragoons were also mentioned, not saying we are the worst Mercs around, but if Wolf's is involved ... then why need Hell's Guard, we are only four Mechs, a Falcon, Bombardier, Axman, and an Annihilator.
We dropped on a little planet just within the boundaries of Davien, the planet being so insignificant that I do not even remember its name. My Lance Commander, Michael Portier, in the Falcon, immediately took point as we started our journey NW then North through a mountain pass, following him in the Axman was my brother in blood, Richard Johannson, next in line, piloting the Annihilator, was my closest friend and teacher, Brennen O'Malley, then there was me ... staying a little behind the rest in a reserve role in case a fire fight did break out.
Cautiously we made our way through the pass. As Michael always said "To be cautious is to live to see another day." Unfortunately, all the caution in the Inner Sphere would not save us from the events that took place that day.
It all started when Michael hit a vibro mine, it obviously being set to explode even though
his Mech was so light, the mine taking out his lightly armored leg easily. As we all watched his Mech fall, I heard my brothers voice over the comlink cursing silently. Quickly I glanced at the radar, multiple signatures appearing instantly all around us and closing in quickly. I watched in horror as the first of the Mechs came slowly into view from the North ... it being a clan Mech of unknown design. Fear swept through my body as I watched that same Mech release a salvo of SRM's in Michael's Mech, tearing its armor to shred of useless scrap metal.
My brothers voice sounded once more on the comlink, yelling at me to run ... to get back to Outreach and "scream breach of contract" as he put it. I stayed for a few more moments, long enough to see three more enemy Mechs appear, two of them dropping from the canyon walls and opening fire on the two standing Mechs in front of me, the other also from the North. Quickly I said a prayer for my brother and mentor and turned my Mech around to flee, in time to see one Mech appear from behind us. I knew I only had one chance as I slowly pulled the trigger to my LRM 20s located on both torsos. I cheered softly as I watched the missiles rake the torso and head of the enemy Mech, then it stood still. As I passed, I threw a few curses in the direction of the headless Mech.
The dropship pilot understood immediately what had happened by the sound of my voice alone, anger and tears apparently noticeable as I entered the dropship and told him to "take the hell off and do not stop until we reach Outreach."
Now, three weeks after this event, I write this statement for the court in plea that the right thing will be done ... that the employers will be made to pay for misinforming us of the situation they had gotten us into, and lying to us about reinforcement within the area. Thank you.
Signed: Mark Johannson