Retribution (Battletech Episode)

Retribution is the third episode of BattleTech: The Animated Series.

On the surface of and in orbit around Romulus...
Things are looking bad for the Strikers. Specter still can't make contact with the main Striker force from the Katana, and the Jade Falcons have taken Romulus.

Star Colonel Nicolai Malthus, meanwhile, is seen gloating over the Hartmans' destroyed farmstead, dreaming of new worlds to conquer. Even better, on a personal level, he has gained a new bondsman - former Striker mechwarrior Ciro Ramirez.

Back in the mines, Hawkins is still trying to reassure Adam that he did the right thing - that Adam's responsibility is bigger than just Ciro. Ben Hartman interrupts the Strikers' depressed musings when he enters with the two remaining mechs of the Romulus Militia, but must admit that he has no clue where the crew of the Kwaidan is.

Adam is set on finding his dropship's crew, but Hawkins urges him to concentrate on the mission. When Val remarks that his mech needs ammo, Hartman informs him that the militia has an ammo dump hidden nearby. Adam tells Kylie to take the Banshee back to the Katana, an order she complies with.

Back at the spaceport
Franklin, Patch and the captain of the jumpship are holed up in the back of a truck, awaiting transport to a re-education center. Franklin is starting to get impatient, and Patch informs him that the Clanners are stripping the ship.

Meanwhile, Malthus arrives at the ship to a pleasant surprise - his rival, Star Colonel Kristen Redmond, has been given the considerably un-glorious assignment as commander of the Romulus garrison. Already looking towards his next conquest, orders his forces to set course for the Twycross system. Redmond tries to deter him, pointing out that Galaxy Commander Chistu hasn't granted him clearance to leave - a concern Malthus brushes off. Star Commander Pytor tries to warn Malthus that the Kwaidan is more than a mere merchant vessel, but Malthus again brushes off his concerns, ordering the crew to be sent to a re-education center.