I finally managed to open my eyes. Having been hurled from a devlish nightmare and landing in a new, real one, I did not feel good at all. Trying to reach up with my hands in order to wipe the sweat off my brow, I realized in a hurtful way that I was tied up. Picking up my head off of the metallic surface I had been carelessly strewn upon, I saw that my captors, those Ghost Bear idiots, had wrapped barbed wire around me. As the little barbs sank into my flesh, blood slowly oozed out onto the ground. Feeling this seering pain made me want to get knocked out again.

Giving up with a sigh, I let the pain overcome my back and limbs. However, the Ghost Bears did not want me to die that quick. For as soon as my eyes closed in defeat, a door in one of the walls flew open. Trying to ignore the constant digging of the barbs in my arms and legs, I managed to prop myself up somewhat and look up into the penetrating gaze of my captor.

"Well, looks like you finally chose to wake up. Heh, too bad. You won't live long enough to enjoy what's left of this wretched world we call Terra. After all, we, the mighty Clan Ghost Bear, now rule this domain. YOU, you insolent twit, have trespassed and thus sentenced to join your friends in the the netherworld! Now, GET UP!"

Kicking me hard in my chest, I gave a little whelp before trying to stand up. Having barbed wire constantly cutting into your skin and some fat guy kick the wind out of you does not leave you in the best of states, I can assure you. Anyway, Dumbo led me out of that foul chamber, only to shove me into another one down the hall. But, in this one, a rounded balcony hung overhead. In it, I could see 3 figures talking in secret. Their voices having been brought low, plus the fact that they stood hunched over next to each other, did not give me a clue what they were discussing. Finally, the center one sat up and stared at me for a few minutes.

Clearing his throat, the old geezer then gasped through choked breaths and a raspy voice, "You, there, come forward. A little more, yes. There, stop. Cough cough, wheeze, now, cough, cough, do you realize your reason for being here?"

"Why, yes, as a matter of fact, I do," I replied in a calm, cool voice. "Fatso here says I've trespassed. With all due respect, Terra isn't anybody's! I mean, what kinda bullshi-" "Enough! Terra IS somebody's! Ours! Ours, by the blood of Kerensky! Cough cough! We've landed here. We've established life here. Wheeze, cough! We even claimed this planet in the name of Clan Ghost Bear!"

"And you've turned this place into a dump!" The sound of my voice echoed in the chamber for a few moments. Then, putting on a face of pure, fervent anger and enmity, the Khan of Ghost Bear said what would surely send me to the execution pits; a word, that, mingling with the coldness of his voice, sounded deeper and more chilling than the depths of hell:"Die!"

From behind, the fat fingers of my guard grabbed hold of me. It was then that I realized I either go down with shame at the hands of Clan Ghost Bear, or embrace death as I bring down my oppressors. Clearly, I made my choice known as I lunged at my guard. Landing with my back on him, I made the metal barbs dig into his flesh. He let out a cry of pain, shattering the silence that had presided in that room. I then jumped off of the poor bastard's back, ripping off flaps of skin and blood in the process. Then, I bolted out of the door that bungling oaf left patially open.

Stopping in what looked like a utility closet, I got inside before any one could see me. Hearing the yells of the Khan and his fellows, along with the shouts of the dying guard, I quickly formulated a plan of escape. Meanwhile, I began rubbing the bonds which held me against some sharp metal blades sticking out of some crates. By the looks of the label, I'd guess I was being freed by a soon-to-be Ghost Bear 'mech. Well, to bad for them, and a helluva lot of good for me! Being liberated from both my human and metal captors, I crept silently out and into the hallway. Making sure I was the only one there, I then ran heel-toe to reduce the noise, while I headed toward the 'Mech Bay down the dank caverns.

In a large, cool chamber nearby, I saw 'mech after 'mech lined up against the walls. Each one either nicely constructed and waiting for a pilot, or looking half-disassembled and refitted with all sorts of new equipment. Then, in the corner to my right, stood a cold, lonely Timberwolf. Thank heavens, it was Jenny! Running along the wall and into the shadows, I passed undetected through the corpses of other 'mechs. With finesse I climbed up the Timberwolf that I missed so much. Once inside the cockpit, I was relieved that Clan Ghost Bear had actually repaired Jenny to perfect working order! I guess they salvaged her and decided to paint their logo on her side so she'd be serving them. Well, they ain't gonna anymore!

Revving her up, I steered Jenny out of her hiding place and into position. Then, hoping with all my heart that the Ferro-Fibrous armor on her nose would hold, I turned up the acceleration and bolted out their door. Closer and closer came the portals to freedom, where I could relate to Jade Falcon HQ what had transpired. Man, the Dopler effect does give you a whoosh of excitement. Then, in an instant of pure anxiety flowing through my veins, Jenny proved that nothing, nothing can stand in the way of a good 'mech. The shattering steel around me gave me a joy I still cannot explain.

After clearing a couple hundred meters, I finally slowed her down. Turning around, I got my heat sinks ready to handle the power I needed in order to deliver justice. Pressing my "all-attack" button, I had every single weapon fire on the Ghost Bear base entrance. Long Range Missiles, Large Lasers, Medium Lasers, and Miniguns ripped, holed, damaged, and destroyed everything in and around my targeting reticle. After letting the debris settle and the smoke clear, I felt satisfied seeing all of those freebirths' way to the outside obliterated in a pile of rubble. Then, I looked up at the stars, and tried to communicate back to my commanders and get a dropship here. Sighing, I recalled to myself, and had a little reverie of home to occupy my thoughts.

* * * * *

". . . I would later remember looking back at Terra, a blue jewel amongst the stars. Would we go back again, I wondered. Maybe, maybe not. It depended on whether the Jade Falcons decide to do as the Ghost Bears did and pervert what was meant to be purged of evil, or be the purgers and clean up the wrongs of the greatest of the clans. To me, it didn't really matter. I don't care about exploring new worlds and stuff like that. All I care about really are life, honor and my victories.

I mean, payback is great, ain't it?. . ."