OBT Forum

That was a clumsy excuse for a nuke. Silly ComStar nukes are for the Word of Blake.

I don't mind Star Commodore so much but a Captain should command a warship not a Star Colonel. How about using Nova Captain and Nova Commander in context with a naval force? Hell's Horses use them for mixed conventional forces and naval forces are certainly a mix. Just an idea!

That could work, but we have seen (in other sci-fi, specifically Battlestar Galactica) a Colonel serving as XO to the ship's commander.  Stargate SG-1 as well where the ships are USAF and have Colonels in command.  I decided on Star Colonel, because a WarShip should be the equal of a Cluster (in prestige, if not power).

MA

It fits with Myndo's philosophy: screw paying attention to details, WILL is everything, BLAKE will make it work.

Evidence of the Wolves treachery is coming forth.

Thanks for the info.  One point, you have the 7th Blood Drinkers in the Blood Spirit's Alpha Galaxy twice.

One of those entries should be the Red Guards (Elite).  Oops.  It is now fixed.

MA

CGSS Serket
Star’s End, Near Periphery
July 17, 3043
   
The holographic tank projected the image of ilKhan Hazen, plus the images of the Khans of Clans Ghost Bear, Hell’s Horses, Star Adder, and Wolf.  And Yvonne Hazen was frowning.

“A deliberate assassination attempt aimed at me?  With a nuclear weapon?”

Nikolai shook his head.  “Whether it was or not does not matter, ilKhan.  The point that worries me most is that they knew we were here—and that they were familiar with our language and customs.  This leads me to four possible conclusions:  the first being that there is a traitor in our midst who is passing information to the Inner Sphere.”

Several of the Khans stiffened, but each slowly nodded in turn.  “It need not be a Warrior; many of our ranking Scientists, Merchants, and Technicians are familiar enough our plans to provide our enemies with this intelligence—and we know that the Burrock Annihilation did not completely destroy the Dark Caste within our ranks.”

“All HPG transmissions are automatically recorded, Khan Djerassi,” said Jake Fletcher, but then he nodded.  “And quite possibly never reviewed—I will correct that oversight immediately among my own Clan.”

“If it is a Merchant, Khan Fletcher,” Ulric added, “the communication may not be via HPG; we are close enough that they could make physical contact with the Inner Sphere.  But this does not seem like an action the Federated Commonwealth would attempt.”

“No,” answered Nikolai.  “From the data gathered by the Watch, the Commonwealth is not that incompetent—they would have obeyed my orders to hold their position, until they were actually being boarded.  That would have given them the opportunity to eliminate at least one DropShip and a few Elemental points instead of killing themselves for no gain.  It strikes me as . . . amateurish.”

“Agreed,” rumbled Amanda Tseng.  “Your second possibility?”

Nikolai looked at Ulric and he nodded.  “We lost contact with Wolf’s Dragoons twenty-four years ago; they may well have gone rogue.  They had in their possession six WarShips and a complete technological database—if they are actively working with the Inner Sphere, there is a good chance that we will encounter stronger resistance than we otherwise expected.”

Ulric frowned.  “That is a possibility, Khan Djerassi, and we must make allowances within our plans for if they have.  But I assure you, my Khans, there has been no contact with Clan Wolf since 3019.    We shall see soon enough, for I have issued the recall order, at the direction of the ilKhan.”

“No one was accusing Clan Wolf, Khan Kerensky,” Marion said soothingly.  “Still,” he mused, “how would the Dragoons have known the ilKhan would be present?”

“Which leads to the third possibility:  we know that ComStar is the organization responsible for maintaining interstellar communications within the Inner Sphere.  And they had two HPG facilities within the Chainelaine Isles and still more on the worlds of these Bandit Kingdoms.  We also know that General Kerensky left approximately a Corp of the SLDF to defend Terra under the command of Jerome Blake—the last Minister of Communications of the Star League.  And that the Titan Yards were fully operational and several score of WarShips too damaged to make the journey were handed over to Blake as well.  To date, the Watch has not uncovered any information that ComStar retains military force; yet no power has ever attacked Terra itself since the Exodus.  None of those WarShips were ever engaged in the battles of the Succession Wars, but there are not hulks littering the Terran system.  ComStar agents on the worlds we occupied  could have ferreted out our movements—operational security has not been one of our primary concerns, after all.  And who knows exactly what military forces they might still have for the defense of Terra—or an attack on us.”

Jake slowly nodded.  “It would explain that they acted as sibkin, not trained Warriors, as well; their leader might well have panicked when his plan went awry.  They will have had no actual experience in combat, after all.”

“We cannot assume that,” snapped Ulric.  “Some of their members might well have served in the military forces of the Successor States before joining ComStar—a large portion of the ComStar military, if any, might well be green as grass, but we cannot afford to make the mistake of assuming they all are.”

“Truth, Wolf,” said Yvonne.  “And what is your fourth possibility, Khan Djerassi?”

Nikolai winced.  “There is the matter of the Minnesota Tribe that the Watch uncovered.”

Every Khan jerked; that story—and merest possibility of the Not Named Clan having survived its Annihilation—had become known by the highest ranks almost immediately after the Watch started Silver Sable II.

“The emblem worn by the Minnesota Tribe was almost exactly the same as that of the 331st Royal BattleMech Division—the same unit whose Brian Cache played a vital role in the chain of events leading up to the Annihilation of the Not Named Clan.  The time-frame of when the Minnesota Tribe appeared in the Periphery marches of the Draconis Combine conforms well with when the Not Named Clan fled.  If the Minnesota Tribe was the remnants of the Not Named Clan, and they did find refuge in the Inner Sphere; there may be a presence here that utterly hates the Clans of Kerensky and seeks revenge against us all.”

“How could they have remained in hiding all these years?”

“Perhaps they did not, Khan Tseng,” Ulric answered even as he shook his head.  “We have already established that a portion of the SLDF remained on Terra.  What if this Minnesota Tribe were folded into ComStar?  Certainly, from our information we know that no other Great House expanded it military during this time—and if so, those same ComStar agents could have communicated with the Tribe on Terra.” Ulric refused to voice the idea that these were the Not Named.  After all, it had been Clan Wolf who Annihilated them long ago.

“Theories.  Guesses.  We need facts, my Khans,” said Yvonne.  “Let us presume that the Inner Sphere is aware that we are here—and that even now they are speeding reinforcements to our Objective Zones.  What changes do we make in the operational plans?”

“None, ilKhan,” answered Nikolai.

“None?  None, Khan Djerassi?”

“He is correct, ilKhan,” added Ulric.  “The plan is set—and we have all made contingencies for different situations.”  He chuckled bitterly.  “Well, the Jaguars might not have, but the rest of us have fall-back plans in the event of a radical change in our opponents defensive posture.  Warn the Khans and the Galaxy Commanders to be prepared for higher than expected resistance—possibly the presence of Star League-era weapons and equipment as well.  But other than that, ilKhan Hazen; we are poised ready to leap, and we cannot stop now.”

“If we had three more years,” Nikolai whispered, “Silver Sable would have been able to gather intelligence on the worlds of Waves VI, VII, VIII, and IX—as well as the worlds outside of our invasion corridors.  We know what defenses they have in place within our corridors—although some of our data is three years old as of today.  We do not know what forces they have in position on our flanks to launch a counter-offensive.”

“Every commander wants more intelligence, Khan Djerassi,” Yvonne said quietly, but she nodded.  “Very well, I will inform the other Khans to raise their threat levels and expect the unexpected—and we will move up Wave I by fourteen days.  I want all Wave I elements to hit their targets simultaneously at 2400 hours on July 24.  Khan Djerassi, a word in private before you sign off,” she finished.

The other Khans faded out as their HPGs ended the real-time comm link, leaving only Nikolai and the ilKhan.  “I understand that you have moved your Delta Galaxy to Rondane in Chainelaine, quiaff?”

“Aff, ilKhan.”

“You know you are not permitted to use them in the Invasion—your force level is set at your Alpha and Beta Galaxies, plus your command Keshik, quiaff?”

“Aff, ilKhan, and my two Artillery Reserve Trinarys.”

“So why is Delta Galaxy on Rondane, Nikolai?”

“ilKhan Hazen, I have assigned Delta Galaxy as the garrison force for Rondane—to protect my supply chain and factories there.  I have also moved two more Scorpion Constabulary Clusters from the Homeworlds to Rondane so that I might use the full force granted my Clan during the Invasion, without having to detach elements to watch my rear.”

Yvonne smiled.  “And having a front-line Galaxy so close, if you take casualties amongst your Alpha and Beta forces, you can quickly replace them, quiaff?”

“Aff, ilKhan.”

But her smile faded.  “If ComStar knows about Chainelaine, Nikolai . . .” her voice trailed off.  “That is the wrong question, Khan Djerassi.  If you were in command on the other side, and you knew about Chainelaine, what would your actions be?”

“I would hit it as hard as I could to sever our means of keeping this force supplied and in the field, ilKhan,” Nikolai answered quickly.

“As would I, Khan Djerassi.  And yet, the defenders on the majority of those worlds are perhaps a single PGC with a Trinary of second-line forces—except for Rondane.  There are exceptions, of course.  Both the Adders and the Wolves have a left an entire second-line Cluster on their planets, and a few PGCs to support them, but by and large, there are ten BattleMechs, twenty-five Elementals, a hundred vehicles, and six hundred twenty-five conventional infantry defending those depots.  It worries me.”

“Can you order them . . .” Nikolai was cut off by Yvonne’s laughter.

“Nikolai, you know I cannot.  Their garrisons are an internal matter to their Clans, and they will not stand for my suggesting other than what they have deemed sufficient.”  She frowned and then nodded sharply.  “But I am quite happy to see you bring that force forward—even if some feel that you are breaking your bid even before we hit atmosphere.  Is there anything else I should know about?”

“I have already reassigned the Striking Claw Naval Star to Rondane as well, my ilKhan.  They should arrive in the next four days.”

The former Falcon Khan laughed.  “Nikolai, you are at times a delight, and at times exasperating.  I hope that we have no need of your battleship, but if we do . . .”

“Aff, my ilKhan.  If we do, Requiem is close at hand.”

OH Yes now this is Writing on a superb level

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