A Petty Jealousy

As the sirens blared the mechs were now allowed to move about their squares. As per custom the first move was always determined by coin toss given that the mechs didn’t have a black or white color scheme to determine the order, but it always took a couple minutes for the announcers to get situated before the coin toss commenced in the announcer’s room. This gave the teams some time to come up with a plan for their first move. Florence, the King of the Chicago Sentinels opened a line to Xavier Johnson, the left most Knight and the best advice for strategic moves. If he wasn’t such a selfish twit, there was a chance in the past that he could’ve been the King but being in charge never suited him. He knew deep down if he wasn’t kept in check, he’d doom the whole team with his drastic decisions.

“Xavier you’re on the line.” Florence told him. “I’d like to challenge some of the pawns to give the audience a show. As much as I’d like to win this the new parts of the team still need to show their worth so I may sit some of the named pieces out until the endgame. What are your thoughts?” Xavier looked at the line of pawns in front of him. Scrawny, beat up, and old, many of the pawns looked more like they’d fall apart any minute before they’d get the chance to prove themselves. Then Xavier looked down right in front of him at the golden boy of the hour. Harrison Andross, the son of two greats, a legacy champion in the making they say. Xavier brought up his specs and some of his prior feats.

“4 years of junior pilots in high school, several summers in advanced courses supplemented by the United States military, a license to pilot mechs for recreational and industrial use, and ownership of a reclaimed gazelle unit.” Xavier sat back in his harness rapping his fingers on the counsel in front of him. “This silver spooned little punk.” Practically reared since birth to become a pilot the road was paved for him out of the gate. No doubt he was probably trained by his parents too somewhere in all that, if not for all of it.

“I want to see the new kid spread his wings, lets put him up against a pawn in the early game.” Xavier said into his mic just as the coin drop results came in. “Ladies and Gentlemen, our coin toss is in and the team that’ll make the first move is the Chicago Sentinels! Chicago Sentinels you’ve got five minutes to submit your first move.” Carl finished his announcement as large red digits came up all over the stadium. Xavier noticed a timer appear in his own helmet, five minutes to decide. Once it started Xavier jumped into action radioing Florence who was already speaking with several other named pieces to decide the first move.

The other knight, Lila, wanted to go out herself. Come out strong and pressure movements for a more challenging fight by engaging named pieces and sweeping pawns. The right rook, Theo, suggested moving out a steady wave of pawns dealing with opponents as they try to break through as opposed to engaging. The queen, Sampson, was quiet, waiting for Florence to chime in on her verdict, but Florence was waiting for one person and one person only before choosing: Xavier. And he knew it too.

If Xavier could let Florence fry for a bit he knew he’d get his way with whatever he decided the moment he decided it, so he thought a little deeper. Throwing Harrison to the wolves would make himself look jealous, which he was but the rest of the team didn’t need to know that. If he threw a named piece out, he may be putting valuable pieces in danger without knowing it. But if he were to bait an attack, they may have a chance of getting a better read into the Golems King.

“We should play it safe. Move the pawn at G2 to G3, see how they respond.” Xavier said, cutting his mic right after to avoid the fight. The timer ended as Florence made her final decision. “SENTINELS, PAWN AT G2 TO G3.” Amy called out. Xavier brought up the drone feed to get an overhead view of the move. The pawn, a Grappelin unit, moved up one square, nothing amazing nothing special. The timer started again for the Golem’s and no more then 10 seconds later they submitted their answer. GOLEMS, PAWN AT D7 TO D5.” This caught Xavier, giving him exactly what he wanted. The pawn that moved for the Golem’s was a rookie like Harrison. New to the game and yet to have their first fight. The perfect opportunity to test Harrison against someone of his own power, or at least experience.

The timer began again as the com chatter picked up. Florence this time with the new information was more strategic and vocal about her thoughts. “We need to prepare to play hard and fast with these guys,” she began. “We should try to bait out pieces as much as we can, even wear them down if we have the opportunity before finishing them with named ones.” Xavier didn’t think that was the best. Leaving the com with Florence Xavier radioed the right bishop, Kinjiro. “Hey Kinjiro, would you be prepared to go on first attack in the next move or two. You’d be put in the line of fire of the enemy bishop, but it would prevent them from engaging right outside our front door.” Kinjiro let out a sigh as he thought over the proposition. It was Florence’s final decision, but Xavier was a little more intuitive when it came to such matters. “Yeah, I’d be able to go along with that.” Xavier signed off with Kinjiro as he rejoined the conversation with Florence.”

It’s not like the Golem’s move was very complicated. They were directly challenging Harrison giving us the opportunity to see what he can do. But you can’t move without contingencies, or you could get caught in an unfortunate situation later down the line. As much as Xavier wanted to test that little punk you can’t proceed on desire alone. Xavier opened the line with Florence again interrupting a conversation between several pawns flooding her with questions as the named pieces struggled to get a word in edgewise. Pulling out of the call and opening a comms connection window in his hud Xavier silenced the other members of his team for 30 secs and reopened the call with Florence, who was annoyed of his ability to do so. “Xavier, you know I don’t like you cutting coms like that we have less then 2 minutes”. Florence said, a tinge of aggravation in her voice that she was holding back in order not to bite the hand attempting to feed her, but still reminding him who’s boss.

“Sorry Florence but I know what we should do, let’s get a hard read on their intentions before proceeding. I’d like to suggest moving Kinjiro to H3 to offer contest to their bishop at C8.” Florence brought up a board map in her helmet. She mapped out the potential for error in the next move if Kinjiro were to fail, a bishop in the back lines and a capable one at that. There’s no doubt they’d be defeated before challenging the King, but they’d take several pieces with them in the process. “Xavier why do you think this is a good idea?” Florence asked, trying to get further insight into the audacity of this blatantly stupid move. Xavier smiled and answered. “If they don’t take this bait, they are directly leaving their backline exposed. Grant it they have their Queen putting down pressure on C8 but if we were crafty, we could get Kinjiro out of there before she attacked. However, that’s not my main concern. If they ignore this move for another, they would practically be admitting to challenging Harrison. And we can adopt our strategies to ambush the winner if he were to fail. An early pinpoint but a pinpoint nonetheless.”

Florence took a few seconds to look at the clock. Nearly 30 secs left. She didn’t have time to be picky and was not going to waste the opportunity. She submitted the play.

“SENTINELS, BISHOP AT F1 TO H3.” The announcement echoed as the camera turned to Kinjiro. His mech, a Sebastien unit, made its way across the board with fluid and simple movements. A smaller mech for a named piece he was often underestimated when he was first starting off but made himself known with his speed and accuracy, even defeating King pieces two times his size on two separate occasions. Locking in his position, the timer for the Golems next move rang out again and was submitted not more then five seconds later. “GOLEMS, KNIGHT AT B8 TO C6.” The knight moved quickly, flying through his teammates to position themselves. The move was interpreted as a throw away by the crowd, not entering range or contest with any of the Sentinels pieces, but the Golems had shown their hand. They want someone to engage.

The Sentinels timer began, and Florence opened a com with Xavier. “What are your thoughts Einstein?”. Xavier scratched his chin as the opportunity he was looking for presented itself. “I say we move Harrison into a defensive position at C4. It gives the Golems what they want, the audience too, but also gets him out of the way if he isn’t worth his spit.” Florence took a deep sigh knowing how eager the audience was to see fresh blood compete. Even if they weren’t the best they added more variety to the game, or at least an opportunity for their favorite pilots to beat on them. “Before you decide Florence let me check something, listen in behind us but don’t speak understand?” Florence wanted to complain but time was ticking. She agreed and Xavier opened a call with Harrison.

“Harrison, we’ve never formally met. My name is Xavier and I’m the knight behind you. We’re thinking of putting you into defensive position at C4. What are your thoughts on the move, do you think you can handle it?” Harrison was silent for a moment before speaking back. “This move would be the second challenge of the match. Not taking our bishop was just a smart decision, they’d be screwed if they had. Just like we’d be screwed if we tried to take theirs. If I were to move, they’d be forced to attack with their pawn at D5 giving me defensive advantage, but personally it would give me the opportunity to show off so I’m all for it.” A fuse lit in Xavier’s head. Harrison wasn’t only thinking of the moves as they played but he was also here for glory. He wanted to fight, and he wanted to win not for the team but for himself. Xavier knew the type; he’d seen many like him fall underfoot with their eagerness not taking the time to think of moves or analyzing opponents. The one thing different from those guys and Harrison was that Harrison was thinking. Xavier’s fuse subsided as he answered. “If you’re prepared, I will suggest the move to Florence. Thank you for your co-operation Harrison and welcome to the Sentinels. I look forward to working with you.”

Xavier cut the line to Harrison and waited for Florence to respond. “I’m ready to submit the move, any second thoughts Xavier?” Xavier didn’t respond to busy screaming in his own head for how irritating Harrison was going to be. Florence listened to the silence and put together what Xavier must have been going through, chuckling. “If you hate him that much then see this as an opportunity for him to fall on his face.” She said, submitting the move. “SENTINELS, PAWN AT C2 TO C4”. Xavier cleared his hud so he could get a clear look at the fool in front of him. The Pilgrim started moving into position as the audience began to cheer. Surely this would be the first fight of the season. Surely this would be the first win of the legacy pilot Harrison Andross. Xavier looked out over the board as the Pilgrim came to rest at D5. “Break a Leg.’ He said in a flat voice as the move was locked and the timer began again for the Golems.

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Harrison was starting to get nervous. Backed by his team and aware of his words he worried for a moment that he wasn’t prepared for what was about to happen. His first professional opponent stood diagonally to him. Standing, waiting for the call they both knew was coming. Harrison in his hastiness never took the time to analyze the newer players given that their lack of experience on the field like his own meant there wasn’t a lot of information to go off. From what he knew the enemy was a pawn, the pilot was drafted this season like he was. While information on teammates was readily available to him information on opponents were strictly forbidden and only recommended and allowed through word of mouth during a game. Harrison weighed his options, the unknown adversary or communing with the team for advice. He wasn’t looking to be friendly, but at the same time he didn’t want his pride to make him end up a fool in his first fight.

Harrison brought up the coms hud and opened a line with Kiera and Paul, joining in the middle of sentence. “- AND THAT’S WHY CHICAGO STYLE ANYTHING SUCKS, PAUL!” Harrison immediately lowered his volume as Kiera and Paul realized they were now in the presence of another. Flustered and out of breath from a heated dispute between the matter of which was better, Detroit styles or Chicago styles, the two others gathered themselves while covering their microphones before responding. “Ah Mr. Andross, sorry you had to hear that, what did you need to tell us.” Harrison took a deep breath as he knew he was most likely not going to find his answer here. But he still had to try. “No worries it’s always been a hot button issue on who’s better, but as I’m crunched for time, I will have to make this short. What do you both know about the Pawn at D5? Kiera tried to chime in but not before Paul beat her to the punch.

“I’m not sure what her name is but her unit is a modified and reinforced G-Unit from Germany. These units were the largest of the German’s standard infantry during the war and were meant for defensive positions due to their wide and stocky builds. Normally a G-Unit wouldn’t be as large as there’s but with extensive modification, she could be a real pain in a fight if you got pinned.” Harrison sat back honestly surprised by the response. Paul would be helpful for analysis in future fights so maybe he should start being nice to him. Harrison sat back up clearing his throat before asking Kiera for what she knew. “I don’t know much about her, definitely not as much as Paul. But I remember seeing her during the draft. When she was selected, she was wearing her service uniform like the rest of us. And she was staring you down the whole time Harrison”.

Harrison was used to the fanfare around him. At school, at work, at camp, there was always a good range of people who wanted to pick his brain or get a photograph. This was nothing new to him. “Oh, I remember her,” Paul said. “She was staring daggers at you Harrison.” Harrison beamed underneath his helmet flattered by something he never even realized. “You guys I appreciate the flattery, but I need useful information to prepare.” The timer ticked down to two minutes as Kiera and Paul both fell silent. Paul broke the silence to inform Harrison that the flattery was misunderstood.

“She wasn’t admiring you Harrison,” he said. “If anyone was looking at you in admiration it was Paul.” Kiera chimed in, quickly stifling some laughter. “Funny.” Paul remarked in a deadpan tone. “But seriously, she wasn’t looking at you like a celebrity she was looking at you like you just took a duce in her last bowl of cornflakes. I bet she’s sitting there preparing to kick your butt.” Harrison moved the applications aside on his hud to look at the opposing pawn. Her head unit was staring in his direction, unmoving and unfazed. A pit formed in his stomach as an unknown challenger with a grudge may be a little more difficult than he anticipated. At that moment the timer stopped, and Harrison thanked Kiera and Paul before cutting the feed. A drop of sweat forming on his brow.

“GOLEMS,” Harrison’s mother began. Harrison leaned into his mech in anticipation, he gripped his controls straining the leather of the plug suit and waiting for the words to launch off his career. This fight may be difficult, but nothing comes easy. He had defender advantage if the pawn were to attack. Even if she was a great fighter an unfamiliar terrain can throw any pilot off their game. Harrison was hoping for it. The crowd fell silent in anticipation of the fight. Steel on steel, one victor one loser, the minute this fight broke out they’d be nonstop until one of the teams rose victorious. No more stalling for time, no more taking the full five minutes to decide. The heat of the war would keep the battles coming, and the pilots on their toes. Every second felt like an hour until finally, the move was called. “PAWN AT H7 TO H5.”

Harrison was dumbfounded. The enemy team had taken his advantage. As the pawn across the board on the edge moved the stadium filled with boos as the start of the battle was delayed once again by a misdirection. Harrison was a tad relieved, but he couldn’t get better if he didn’t fight, so he was equally annoyed. The Pilgrim turned around in it’s square as Harrison tried to think of how he would approach an enemy in unfamiliar terrain. Only stopping when the countdown timer began as the Pawn locked in their position at H5. Immediately Harrison was bombarded with radio calls from Florence, Xavier, Paul, and Kiera as well as a handful others trying to tell him what to do. But their voices fell into the void as he noticed the pawn diagonally across from him. She was now in the corner of the square, as close as she could get to him without forfeiting the match by an illegal move. The pawn clenched her hands into her fist as her arms buckled under the force. Usually, mechs had safety measures to prevent them from damaging themselves like this but a groan of metal came from her unit. She must have been surpassing the fingers pressure gauges with her own grip.

“Why so much animosity towards me.” Harrison thought, unnerved by her presence and hostile nature. “I wonder what I did to warrant such anger.” Harrison let the various calls come back into his head turning away from the pawn. But the pawn kept looking at him, staring into the back of his head. Waiting, anticipating his eventual attack. And she wanted Harrison to know that she’d be ready.