OBT Forum

Interesting.

You have the Jaguars and the Fire Mandrills in Eta Corridor though.

If any of our map Gurus would like to make a nice map, here is my rough copy.

MA

Is this what you are after...

GOOD GOD!  Blacknova, that is . . . gorgeous!  Thank you.  Everyone, please, please, please check out Blacknova's marvelous map.

Master Arminas

Why are we always so hated?

I assume that the last line is trolling on your part?

Shuttle IKSC-001
Strana Mechty Orbitals, Clan Homeworlds
December 8, 3042

“Now, if my Khans would stop grinning like a herd of young surats,” Yvonne spat, “perhaps someone could tell me why I am not getting my work done?  Why I am sitting in aboard this luxuriously appointed shuttlecraft that is heading for the middle of nowhere.”

“Blame the Scorpion for the hedonism, ilKhan,” said Peter McKenna with a smile.  “He insisted.”

Nikolai bowed his head low.  “Everyone needs a little comfort upon occasion, my ilKhan.”

“That does not explain why we are here!” the ilKhan snapped.

“Oh, calm yourself, Yvonne.  The work you are doing can wait for a day; but our gift to you cannot,” said Amanda Tseng.

Yvonne started to say something to the Ghost Bear Khan and then she forced her jaws closed.   She smiled.  “A gift?  Now I am beginning to worry.”

“My gift!” growled Leo Showers.  “Although the other Clans paid the Ravens to restore her to full service—and upgraded her in process," he admitted grudgingly.

Peter McKenna smiled again and he leaned down next to Yvonne and pointed out the starboard porthole.  “There she is, ilKhan Hazen—your new Flagship for the Invasion.”

“My new . . . Flagship?” Yvonne leaned close against the small round window . . . and then a glorious sight came into sight.

From the loneliness of the void, a great ship slowly entered her field of view.  Her hull was a polished sable, adorned with lines of crimson and gold.  Stretching nine hundred meters in length, the cylindrical WarShip had deployed a jump sail twelve hundred meters in diameter, and the reflected light of the star at the heart of the Strana Mechty system illuminated the ship at the center of sail, as the light danced its shimmery reflection across thick hull plates broken only by protruding snouts of weapon emplacements.  Slowly, the shuttle flew a parabola, allowing the ilKhan to see her newest prize, and she gasped in pleasure as the small craft flew past the nose.  A nose where tradition required the Clan’s to paint their namesake in stunning color, but for this ship, the only adornment was a single Dagger-Star.  And her name, printed in golden letters ten meters tall.

“Victory,” Yvonne whispered.  “You named her Victory.”

“I suggested Our Silver Lady of Pain and Suffering,” Nikolai said with a grin, “but the others overruled me.  I cannot imagine why.”

Something clicked in Yvonne’s head and her eyes grew wide.  Peter McKenna nodded, and he said, sotte voce, to the other Khans, “She’s just figured out what ship this is.”

“That is the Quicksilver Mongoose!  She’s not operational!”

“Please, my dear Yvonne,” Peter said dryly.  “As Khan Showers said, we have fully restored her, and indeed made her stronger.  She’s a little light for a battleship, but she is more than a match for any battlecruiser in the Clan inventory.  We increased her docking collars to six, expanded her flight deck to accommodate an entire OmniFighter Trinary from the Ebon Keshik, she carries a Trinary of Marine Elementals—in addition to the Elemental of the Ebon Keshik—as well.  We even added five small craft, of which this shuttle is but one.”

“Her original armor package was completely removed, replaced with twice the tonnage of lamellar ferro-carbide, and we installed a new, fully functional, and highly efficient cooling and power distribution system—Victory will have few problems keeping her guns in action, ilKhan.  Speaking of guns, we gutted the original armament package; she now carries fifty-eight Medium-class Naval PPCs, in twelve four-gun and two five-gun batteries, that serve as her long-range bite; in close she has eight Class 20 Naval Autocannon.  For anti-fighter work, she has thirty-two twin Large Pulse Laser turrets spaced across the ship.”

“Her fuel tankage was tripled and she has full quarters aboard for your staff—including an Operations Center to coordinate the Invasion and an HPG.  We added Lithium-Fusion batteries, and despite all of that, she still carries a sizable amount of free space for cargo, my ilKhan.”  Peter chuckled.  “She is not really a Du Shi Wang-class anymore; especially since we lengthened her hull by fifty-one meters and added a hundred thousand tons of mass.  Oh, and do not worry—we did not cut her thrust.  She will still outrun most cruisers in service and she maneuvers like a dream.  No, ilKhan, Victory is no old SLDF hand-me-down of a Capellan toy; she is a very capable and lethal ship.”

“And since she is technically a battleship,” Nikolai said, “that will make you the only Khan to fly his or flag aboard a dreadnought during the Invasion.”

The ilKhan remained at the window until the shuttle slide within one of the cavernous flight decks.  “Well, then.  Shall we take a tour, my Khans?” she asked with a smile.


ilKhan’s Stateroom, CIKS Victory
Strana Mechty Orbitals, Clan Homeworlds
December 8, 3042

“And now that everyone else has departed, you two wished to speak with me in private?” Yvonne said as the stars slowly rotated outside her bay windows that provided a spectacular view of the planet.  Housed within one of the ship’s four Grav Decks, her palatial quarters were fit for any ilKhan—but her Khans well knew of her tastes and it was decorated in a rather . . . spartan fashion.

“We wish to inform the ilKhan that there will be a change in status for Rondane,” Nikolai said as Amanda sipped a tall golden lager.

“A change in status?”

“Yes, ilKhan Hazen.  The Ghost Bears will be joining the Scorpions on Rondane—we have provided them with one of the three habitable continents to serve as an enclave.”

“Fredotto was not to your liking after all, Khan Tseng?”

“Four Clans share Fredotto—and between the quarrelling that is happening, our factories are woefully behind schedule.  I have already ordered my Clan to evacuate to Rondane and we will let the Spirits, Cats, and Mandrills fight for what is left.”

“Very well, this is an internal matter, but I will note that you have both informed me.”  Yvonne paused and shook her head.  “But that cannot be the only reason you asked to see me.”

“The ilKhan’s eyes are keen.  As you know, Clan Ghost Bear has been assigned Crellacor, Gustrel, and Star's End in the Bandit Kingdoms to pacify before the Invasion.  We . . . have an unorthodox solution that you need to be aware of before another Clan decides to surprise you with it.”

“Destroying them from orbit is not an option, I should not have to remind you, quineg?”

“Neg,” answered Nikolai.  “We propose nothing so radical.  Once the Ghost Bears have eliminated the bandits and pirates that call these worlds home, we will be removing and relocating the remaining population.   After all, there are only fifty thousand men, women, and children spread across all three of these worlds—we intend to ship them back to Rondane.  When they have been removed, we will remove all trace of human settlement and restore these worlds to their original pristine conditions, retaining any useful equipment.  Once the civilians have adjusted to life on Rondane, they will find they are in a . . . far better condition.  And it will keep all of our eggs in a single Periphery basket, my ilKhan.”

Yvonne smiled.  “Why do I feel that no other Khan will come to me with such a measure.  Bravo, Khan of the Ghost Bears.  You and Nikolai have discovered a means to reduce your pre-Invasion Garrisons, without diminishing your wealth at all.  You will still lay claim to these systems?”

“Aff.  And they will be patrolled, although such patrols will also be supply convoys en route from Rondane to Corridor Epsilon,” the Ghost Bear answered.  “But there is one final matter, a most grave one.”

“And that is?”

Amanda and Nikolai looked at each other.  “ilKhan,” Nikolai began.  “We will be using the third continent of Rondane, whose very small population is currently being moved to one of our enclaves, as a training grounds for the forces of our two Clans assigned to the Invasion.”

“I see no problem with that, Khan Djerassi.”

“ilKhan Hazen, we are suspending the use of live munitions during these training exercises, and will be making extensive use of simulators as well to create environmental conditions not present on Rondane.  My Scorpions will be played the OpFor for Amanda's Bears, and we will operating, in simulation, as SLDF units with their doctrine, weapons, and regulations.”

“And that is a bird of a different feather,” Yvonne’s face pinched and she rubbed her temples.  “I hope you realize, Nikolai, in many ways I preferred the old predictable Scorpions.  Some days I just want to shoot you.  Why?”

The Ghost Bear Khan adjusted in her seat.  “I too was not convinced until Nikolai and I spoke at length.  ilKhan, it makes no sense to subject our Warriors who have already proved their courage and skill in battle to death or dismemberment in training exercises where we can avoid it.  And by having my Clan's Warriors fight against opponents that are not heeding the Clan way, they will become accustomed to the stiff fighting they can expect in the Inner Sphere.  But this is the matter that, if they find out, will cause certain other Clans to race immediately to your desk, demanding our heads.”

“For good reason—Nicholas shunned the use of simulators for eliminating the danger inherent in actual live combat.  Simulators are not our way.  And you are proposing to act as if you were not Clan.  That alone is damning, Nikolai.”

Nikolai nodded.  “Yet, the Founder did not eliminate all simulators—and formations on long-duration assignments where it is impracticable for live-fire exercises can use simulators.  My Loremaster has checked, and there is no actual regulation against the use of simulators in the Martial Code, ilKhan.  There is only a very strong cultural bias that Nicholas Kerensky fostered.  And we will act in our role as faux Inner Sphere forces only in simulation, ilKhan Hazen.”

“Both of you support this?”

“Aff,” each Khan answered, and Yvonne nodded.  “Very well.  You have informed me as ilKhan of how your training regime on Rondane is operating.  In the event that any Khan discovers this, I will inform the Grand Council of Khans that both of you, prior to this training regime, informed me personally.  And that having examined the Martial Code, I am in agreement with your Loremaster.  She is correct, Nikolai, quiaff?”

“Aff.”

“Good.  I will verify that reading of the Martial Code myself.  In the meantime . . . do not speak of this to anyone else.  That is an order, my Khans.  Train your Warriors in the methods you trust—but do not push other Clans to do the same.  Is that understood?”

“Aff.”

“Good.  And Nikolai, your Scorpions had best be acting in this fashion in simulators only.  Because I cannot and I will not save you if I discover they are doing so against live Clan opponents.  Now, I have work to get to—more work, thanks to the two of you; and each of you have a Clan to run.  Good night, my Khans.”

The Scorpion and the Bear bowed lowed.  “Rest well, my ilKhan,” each answered.

Part II

“I know well my orders from Kerlin . . . but the pain and wounds of Misery is too raw.  Too bitter.  How can I help these Lords who do not even honor their own Warriors?  How I can give them the tools to fight the Clans, when all they would do is turn them on each other?  My spies within the NAIS have told me of the discovery of the Helm Memory Core.  Good.  At least now they will begin redeveloping on their own, without my input.  I could go to Hanse Davion tomorrow.  Share with him everything; and lead the Federated Suns assault that would utterly destroy the House of Kurita.  But would it end there?  For now, I do nothing; nothing but rebuild my shattered Dragoons.  And I pray to a God I do not believe in, that Kerlin manages to hold them back.”

—Jamie Wolf, private journal entry, October 14, 3031


Chapter Three

Wolf’s Dragoons Headquarters, Harlech
Outreach, Federated Suns
October 17, 3037

“Jamie Wolf,” the holographic image of Kerlin War began, “it has been long since you heard my voice.  And now you hear the voice of a man who will have been dead for more than a year.  I have sent to you the Warriors whose absence I can conceal; they are now assigned to you and bear with them a limited amount of supplies, new war material, and a complete technological database.  Events here in the Homeworlds have taken a turn for the worse; I can no longer delay the Invasion.  It will happen and it will happen soon.”

“Perhaps not this year, nor the next; the Trial I fight tomorrow may suffice to buy you a few more years, but not many.  To protect the people of the Inner Sphere, we must take action.  It is time.  We are coming.  There will be no succor; the Wardens have proven to be as . . . enthusiastic as Crusaders.  The Inner Sphere must now defend itself, with your aid and support.  You must prepare them, Jamie Wolf.  I wish you success.”

The recording ended and the holoprojector cut off.  Six officers of the Wolf’s Dragoons sat around the table, and none made a single sound to break the silence.  Jamie Wolf sat the head of the table, with Kelly Yukinov to his right and Natasha Kerensky to his left.  Followed by Irwin Tyrell, Jason Carmody, and last, but not least, J. Elliot Jamison sat at the foot, facing his old friend and commander.  Anton Rand, the officer appointed to command Beta Regiment, was currently off Outreach on assignment with his troops.

Only a handful of men and women seated at the table were part of the original Dragoons, but all had been thoroughly briefed on the capabilities of the Clans—and their goals.  Now, they looked at one another in stunned silence.

“Star Captain Gregor was dispatched with an old Invader-class JumpShip.  In addition to one cargo dropper, his vessel carried two Union-Cs, each with Trinary of Free-birth Warriors and their BattleMechs—second-line BattleMechs.  According to his report, Kerlin informed him that the Scorpions had their own recon force in the Inner Sphere since our reports ceased.  And when it was discovered, they saved their own hides by killing the leaders responsible and released the information they had assembled.  That very information has sparked a frenzy among the Clans, and they will be coming soon,” said Jamie Wolf without any expression on his face.

“The question today, Dragoons, is how do we respond?”

Kelly Yukinov cleared his throat.  “Alpha Regiment is at 100%, as is Beta although they are on contract at the moment.  In addition, we have the Black Widow Battalion and Zeta Battalion on-line and ready.  Gamma is in the process of reforming, but we haven't even started with Delta or Epsilon yet.”

“I can have Gamma ready in two weeks, Colonel,” spat Irwin Tyrell.  “I’ll step up the training schedule and we will get it done.”

Jamie held up a hand.  “We will probably have a few years yet to finish restoring the Dragoons to fighting trim.  That wasn’t what I meant.”

Natasha nodded.  “It depends, Jamie,” she said bluntly.  “Kerlin’s dead—he said so himself.  We can pretend we never got his order about sharing tech with the Inner Sphere, wait, and return to the Clans when the recall order arrives.  Or, we quit pussy-footing around and go all in.  You can’t have it both ways anymore.”

Wolf slowly nodded.  “This decision is too important for me to make alone.  Do we return to the Clans or do we fufill Kerlin’s final orders?”

For several long seconds no one spoke and then Kelly Yukinov nodded his head.  “The Inner Sphere is my home now, Colonel.  I’ll go back if you order it; but not otherwise.”

“I was born here, Colonel," growled Tyrell.  "I say we get the rest of the team up and running and then kick some Clanner ass."

“Easier said than done, Irwin,” added Commodore Carmody another of the original Dragoons.  “I can’t say that I want to see Clan castes imposed over Inner Sphere, Colonel.”

“J. Elliot?” Jamie whispered.

“I want to see the Homeworlds again before I die, Jamie.  That being said, I do not want to see these worlds transformed into the Homeworlds.”

“Natasha?”

“Just give me a target, Jamie.  Clan or Inner Sphere it makes no difference.”

Jamie stared at the table for several minutes and then he nodded.  “Jas—take whatever technicians and engineers you need; if we do not have enough JumpShips on station hire some.  Return to our cache and recover the WarShips and all remaining supplies.  Kelly, I want 7th Kommando assigned to Carmody as marines and give him an aerospace fighter group.”

Both men nodded.

“And I need one JumpShip and a Dropper for myself—and Natasha.”

“Yes, sir.  Will you need an escort?”

“No.”

“Where are we going, Jamie?” the Black Widow asked coquettishly.

“To see Hanse Davion about stopping a war before it starts.”