TexMechs – The Home of the Royal Dragoon Guards

TEX: This evening I’m speaking with one of the newest members of Blue Lance. So tell us who you are, friend!

RIO: Recruit Rio Marquez, Mechwarrior, Easy Blue Lance, 2nd Battalion, Royal Dragoon Guards. Formerly Hauptmann Rio Marquez, Bravo Company Commander, 3rd Battalion, 1st Lyran Guards RCT. Born on Pandora in the Tamar Domains of Lyran space.

TEX: You aren’t new to this game, then. So, what was it like for you on Pandora, growing up? Is this where you thought you’d be?

RIO: It’s always been about battlemechs for me, man. Grow up on a big planet just two jumps from snake worlds – I mean, Combine worlds – and you see a lot of ‘em. Hell, I used to climb inside this hollowed-out old Wasp foot outside my town and pretend it was a cockpit when I was a kid. I knew I was going to be doing this by the time I was 6.

TEX: What about your education, your upbringing? Same thing there?

RIO: I got lucky, for one. My old man was stationed on Pandora and worked logistics for a guy… Leftenant-Colonel Sankt. He and my dad got along really well, and when it came time for me to enlist, the Leftenant-Colonel got me a free ride to Sanglamore on Skye. Couldn’t thank him enough. Lost contact with him a while back though, don’t know where he’s at these days…

TEX: Any family back there on Pandora, or anywhere else? Got anyone waiting for you at home?

RIO: Nope. I’m all I’ve got anymore. Well, and El Cruzado.

TEX: You were an officer in the Lyran Guards… how do you feel about Steiner now? What about the others? I’m real interested in your experiences with the Snakes.

RIO: House Steiner gave me my education, my job, and a chance to live out my dream. They also gave me 3 near-death experiences and enough bureaucracy and politics for a lifetime. They’ll always have my gratitude, and to an extent my loyalty, but I think I’ve paid them back for what they’ve given me.

The Combine and I have never been the best of friends, and by that I mean I’ve made a career out of killing them. I’m not fully over them as a whole, but I’ve learned in my travels after the war that they ain’t all bad. It’s just gonna take some getting used to seeing them on this side of the cross hairs.

Everyone else is just everyone else. I’ve never been much of a political man, and that’s why you’ll never see me in a Steiner Cross. Or stars, or whatever the hell it is you guys wear at the top. *grins*

TEX: Brass hats, mostly. Speaking of… you were an officer, now you are a recruit mechwarrior. How’d you make that transition?

RIO: My chosen trade was, and is, driving giant metal death machines into one another. Probably will be until one of mine falls over with me inside it. I don’t know what you think happens in a major military organization when there’s no war going on, but I can tell you that it isn’t fighting a war. At least, not one we can see anyway. In any case, I retired from active duty when they didn’t have a reason to let me drive. Turns out you guys will find me a reason, so we’re a good fit.

TEX: But what about us specifically? How’d you wind up signing on with the Royal Dragoon Guards?

RIO: You guys were the first to call me back, actually. Before we left, I had to turn down two other offers. After my first encounter with the Royal Dragoon Guards being as a stand-in during a client inspection before I was even in the ranks, well, I couldn’t pass you guys up. Too good a story.

TEX: What do you do here, what’s your assignment?

RIO: Bottom o’ the heap. I’m currently a Recruit in Easy Blue. It’s been taking some getting used to, not being in charge anymore. Who knows, my experience and skills might get me somewhere here, but I’d forgotten how relaxing it is without all the responsibility.

TEX: Now, it seems you’ve been with the outfit long enough to meet a few of the others… anyone stand out?

RIO: They’ve all got their quirks, and they certainly all have their strengths. The Major has some great leadership skills to be able to keep this rag-tag bunch in line. Liu is the closest a Kuritan has come to being a friend of mine. Tech Sergeant Federov gives me a run for my money every time we’re in the sims together. I haven’t gotten to know everyone else too well, but I hope that changes soon.

TEX: I think he might be the only Kuritan around… I know he feels that way, heh heh. Anyhow, back to you. What do you bring to the mix?

RIO: I think I have good tactical prowess, and I’m a great shot. My superiors back in the LCAF thought me fit to lead, so I guess there’s that. Personally, I think it’s my killer looks. This mug is a heart-breaker.

TEX: Mechwarriors are a humble lot… speaking of, do you see yourself as having any particular weakness, or challenges?

RIO: Mech maintenance. When I signed on, El Cruzado had a malfunctioning LRM rack, a sticky knee, and some holes in the left… why are you looking at me like that?

TEX: You better pray we can fix that. Do you pray to anyone in particular, besides the pit crew? What do you believe in?

RIO: I think I’m a good guy, and as long as I keep trying to be a good guy, I’ll end up alright in the end. You know, that sounds a lot more existential than it really is.

TEX: Well, that all sounds like it ain’t too much to ask. What’s your ultimate goal? Where are you aiming to wind up?

RIO: My goal is to be as happy as I can in the time I’m given. For now, that means hiring myself out to do what I’m damn good at. Tomorrow, it might mean settling down back on Pandora with a nice little lady and raising my own little Mechwarrior.

TEX: Why this lifestyle? You seem to have stuck with mechdriving for a while now.

RIO: I just can’t imagine myself behind a desk, and that’s my only other option at this point. That was my dad’s line of work. He didn’t pass that on to me.

TEX: How do you think your teammates and fellow mercs see you?

RIO: I have no idea how I come across to other people, to be honest. You tell me.

TEX: Other than smashing up a perfectly good machine, what else are you good at? Any other skills we should know about?

RIO: I like to think I’m a pretty good dancer, you mean stuff like that? You know, I was actually a pretty damn good archer back on Pandora. I should try taking that up again.

TEX: <<Raises an eyebrow>> Archery… that’s more of a Kuritan thing, ain’t it? Okay, what can’t you do well?

RIO: I can’t touch my nose with my tongue or kiss my elbow. Other than that, I find I have a decent shot at anything I put my mind to.

TEX: Is there anything you hate, that just makes you mad or drives you crazy?

RIO: I can’t stand people who won’t try something for fear of failure. I also hate people who make promises and don’t stand by them.

TEX: Okay, let’s turn that question around… what do you love? What makes you happy?

RIO: I love going back to my homeworld when I can. That old ‘mech foot is still there last I checked. I love the sound of an LRM rack firing off. And I love making out in a cockpit. Shit’s hot.

TEX: Depends on the cockpit. Try it in a Stinger, not that hot. Last question, is there anything you want your teammates to know about you?

RIO: I’m terrible at talking about myself. I like answering questions though. And I love to share any knowledge I might have.