Battletech: Planet's Fall

((And this slot's patrol roll is:
Day 2 Patrol Randomisation Roll: 1d20 6 ))

Everything was peaceful and quiet. The steady trudge of mech feet over snow was somewhat relaxing. It made the ride smoother and more enjoyable.

There was no sign of any enemies.

The fog had nearly all dissipated now, and the sky was still cloudy, but the valley she was entering was pretty. Absolutely pristine too. Untouched. No sign of any human presence. Her sensors were indicating nothing nearby too.

The only movement was the odd bird flying out of a tree in fright as a mech passed.

The ex-DCMS lance enjoys the serenity and the opportunity to push their mechs for the first time in months, Tsuge and Mori race ahead, the light mechs slowly working their way up to full speed as they circle the two slower machines. Meanwhile the Hunchback and Crusader plod forward side by side. For the first hour there's a companionable silence broken only by the occasional radio chatter. Surprisingly it's Torashirō who's the first to begin a proper conversation.

Torashirō: "It'll be winter on Kagoshima too."

Yori's Crusader rotates ever so slightly towards her sergeant's machine

Yori: "Yes...statistically with similar snow coverage towards the poles."
Torashirō grunts something like an affirmative "Tano always enjoys building his snow forts this time of year."
In the distance it's almost as though the two light mechs exchange a look.
Tsuge: "...You got a message through boss?"
Torashirō: "No, I tried but..."
Mori: "No word back?"
Another grunt.
Torashirō: "He's older now, probably wouldn't want to play with his old man anyway."
Yori: "Unlikely, that was his 3rd favourite thing to do."
Tsuge: "Wait, 3rd favourite?"
Yori: "Yes, he had that action figure we all bought him."
Mori: "Oh man! Bushido-no-ultra-samurai! And you guys told me it was too expensive."
Torashirō: "It was too expensive."
Tsuge: "Which is why we all chipped in and bought it."
Yori: "And then going to the beach as a family when you were back from duty."
Mori: "Those photos were so cute...boss you need to learn to smile more."
Torashirō: "I was smiling in all of them."
Tsuge: "He was trying."

The light mechs disturbed a snow covered tree as they ran; a group of four or five squirrels rushed out of it (it was hard to tell with all the tiny movement). They chattered in fright at first and then in anger as they each hurried to more distant trees.

Mori: "Watch it!"
Tsuge: "Watch what?"
Mori: "The squirrels! Bakka!"
Tsuge: "They're just squirrels"
Yori: "Did they look like combatants?"
Mori: "No!"
Tsuge: "No!"
Torashirō: "...No"
Yori: "Then please do not step on them."
Mori: "Told you!"
Tsuge mutters something about squirrels getting in the way.

Soon the squirrels are (safely) out of sight and out of mind. It was back to the fresh snow and open countryside.