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3050

Operation Revival
Inner Sphere
Mid-Late 3050

   The Clans launch a surprise blitzkrieg on the Inner Sphere taking the technological inferior Inner Sphere by total surprise.  As the Inner Sphere do not even know who or what the Clans are and do not recognise their strange Mechs, their alien looking Battle Armour and massive WarShips.  Fear that the Clans are an Alien Invasion force quickly spreads throughout the Inner Sphere an many panic driven units run at even the mention of a Clan attack.  Although the rumours of Alien Invasion are soon quelled however these rumours and battle reports of constant defeat at the hands of the superior enemy forces help to constantly break the Inner Sphere’s morale helping the invasion continue unrelenting with dozens of units shattered in their wake. 

   Clan Jade Falcon invades the Free Rasalhague Republic/Federated Commonwealth (Lyran-side) zone almost capturing Heir-designate Victor Steiner-Davion of the Federated Commonwealth on Twycross when his unit is temporally trapped on world.  Victor’s escape and the subsequent damage done to the Jade Falcon forces by his unit during the escape is one of the things that proves to the Inner Sphere can defeat the Clans.

   Clan Wolf gains the central invasion corridor encompassing only Free Rasalhague Republic space, this is seen as a slight against the Wolves because of their strong warden leanings and because their Khan, Ulric Kerensky is against the invasion, the only reason the Wolves are here is because they are the chosen of Kerensky and their place in any invasion was almost a given from their foundation.  The Free Rasalhague Republic are the weakest of the Inner Sphere States and the Wolves make the most rapid progress of all the Clans.  During the opening attacks Clan Wolf captures Phelan Kell, son of the legendary Morgan Kell founder and owner of the Kell Hounds Mercenary Regiments.  Although many of the other invading Clans baulk at the capturing of a freeborn warrior Khan Ulric Kerensky puts Phelan to work and Bondsmen Phelan, as he is known, helps the Wolves to their early successes.

   The Ghost Bears gain an invasion corridor that offers more resistance the Free Rasalhague Republic/Draconis Combine border.  The Bears make slow but steady progress crushing the Draconis Combine’s District of Alshian as they progress forward deeper into the Inner Sphere.

   The final front-line invading Clan is the Smoke Jaguars they gain the Draconis Combine corridor exclusively and although they find stern resistance from the samurai warriors of the Draconis Combine they make steady progress towards their first target, Luthien, the Draconis Combine’s capital.  Within the Smoke Jaguars there is a worry that their Clan is heading for ruin with the invasion as they are stripping their Homeworlds territories of all front-line warriors and are taking heavy casualties in the fighting.  ilKhan Leo Showers leads his Clan forward regardless continuing to ship captured Inner Sphere equipment to the Homeworlds forces to bolster their forces while taking more and more Homeworld warriors to the Inner Sphere.

3051

Inner Sphere Occupation Zone
Operation Revival
November 3051

   The First Wave of the Invasion was a resounding success with over two hundred worlds captured by the unstoppable Clan Juggernaught.  The Free Rasalhague Republic reduced to a mere handful of worlds from over a hundred.  In late 3050 however a Rasalhague fighter piloted by Kapten Tyra Miraborg rammed the Dire Wolf, the Clan Wolf WarShip leading the Clan Invasion.  Normally such an attack from a single fighter would pose little threat to the multi-thousand ton WarShip, however, fate would smile on the Inner Sphere as the ramming attack penetrated the armour causing a hull breach killing the Clan War Leader ilKhan Leo Showers and injuring or killing several more of the prominent Khans.  Almost immediately operations against the Inner Sphere stopped as the Clans withdrew all of their Bloodnamed warriors to the Clan Homeworlds to vote for a new ilKhan and to fight Trials for new Clans to replace those lost.

   Following the election of Clan Wolf Khan Ulric Kerensky to the post of ilKhan the Clans returned almost exactly a year after they had left.  Natasha Kerensky, the infamous Black Widow of the Wolf’s Dragoons, rejoins Clan Wolf following the recall order retaking her position within the Clan.  Natasha is the only member of the former-Clan Wolf’s Dragoons Mercenary Brigade to return to Clan Wolf the rest of the warriors are now fully assimilated into the Inner Sphere and have no wish to return to their previous lives of servitude.  Natasha fights a trial against Wolf Warriors wanting to test her skills against ’proper’ warriors before allowing her to return to the position of a Clan front-line warrior.  Natasha repeats her first Trial of Position taking down four Wolf Mechs making her an instant Star Colonel.

   With Ulric gaining the position of ilKhan, leader of the whole Clan Invasion.  Even with her status as a former member of the Dragoons and all her time in the Inner Sphere Natasha Kerensky proves she is still worthy of being a Clan Warrior and claims the position of Khan of Clan Wolf.  Soon after this captured Inner Sphere bondsmen Phelan Kell, of the famed Kell Hounds Mercenary Unit captured during the original invasion, gains his Bloodname, of Clan Wolf’s Ward bloodline and becomes saKhan of Clan Wolf.  All three are stanch wardens dedicated to the preservation of the Inner Sphere however they find themselves leading the Clan Invasion of the Inner Sphere.  Despite their Warden leanings the three Clan Wolf Khans continue to push their Clan faster against the Inner Sphere than any other Clan Khan.

   This time the original invaders, Clans Wolf, Jade Falcon, Ghost Bear and Smoke Jaguar are joined by two more Clans the Steel Vipers partnered with the Jade Falcons attacking the Lyran-half of the Federated Commonwealth, an alliance of the Federated Suns and the Lyran Commonwealth that controlled half the Inner Sphere.  And the Star Adders partnered with the Smoke Jaguars attacking the Draconis Combine helping the struggling Smoke Jaguar Clan which had taken heaviest losses of all the Clans so far.  Even with the assistance and training provided by Wolf’s Dragoons and superior technology available the Inner Sphere’s militaries following intense research/development and reverse engineering the Inner Sphere’s armies are still ineffectual against the Clans winning few battles.  The Inner Sphere also begins debuting their first generation Battle Armour designs field testing them against live opponents.  The new Battle Armour quickly proves to be one of the greatest accomplishments the Inner Sphere has made in fighting the Clans as now Inner Sphere Infantry can fight on a closer level to their Clan Elemental opponents.  Unfortunately the Inner Sphere lacks sufficient production capacity and understanding of the suits to produce significant quantities of the armour and Inner Sphere soldiers are still not as powerful as their Clan cousins limiting the effectiveness of these suits.

   Although the initial batch of suits are welcomed by the units engaging the Clans quickly the units testing the Battle Armour return to the designers pointing out flaws that are limiting the designs these are soon corrected making the Battle Armour more effectual and allowing the Inner Sphere Standard suit to go into full production.  Although this suit is one hundred years behind the Clan’s Elemental it is a welcome sight to any unit fielding them for the first time.

   The Gray Death Legion Mercenary Regiment decimated by the Clans in their first Battles are among the units to be used to test the Battle Armour suits by the Federated Commonwealth.  The Legionaries are known for their use of infantry against BattleMechs and are seen as perfect test subjects for this powerful new weapon.  The Gray Death Legion soon return to the Federated Commonwealth’s NAIS Research Division with improvements for the design and construct two unique sub-variants of the design for their use.  Hand-building these suits at their Glengarry base in the Lyran half of the Federated Commonwealth on a case by case basis keeping the Gray Death Legion well stocked in Battle Armour for years to come.

   Meanwhile on the Clan front Clan Smoke Jaguar almost secures the capture of Heir-designate Hohiro Kurita of the Draconis Combine however they do not immediately realise who he is and throw him in prison.  An intervention by Victor Steiner-Davion saves Hohiro’s life and marks the first time the Federated Commonwealth and Draconis Combine have openly cooperated in centuries.

3053

Wolf’s Dragoons Training Sibko Training
Outreach, Chaos March
28th February 3053

   Being former Clansmen the Wolf’s Dragoons had brought many machines and customs with them when they had joined the Inner Sphere as a mercenary force.  Their winning of Outreach from the Federated Commonwealth following the Fourth Succession War had given them room and the necessary secrecy to build things the Inner Sphere could only dream about.

   One of these such creations was a small Genetic Repository and Iron Womb facility on Outreach were the Dragoons could literally breed new warriors that would fill their ranks in the future and provide the Dragoons with Clan-styled Elemental Warriors for infantry operations.  This facility located near the Dragoons’ own factory was a top secret facility that no-one outside top level Dragoons were ever allowed to enter allowing the Dragoons to keep their programs a total secret.

   With this facility was a Clan Sibko-style training school where newly bred warriors were trained from birth to become the ultimate warrior, much like Trueborn Clan Warriors.  One of these new generation Dragoon warriors was Brian, a communications expert and talented warrior.  Soon after his graduation Brian quickly won the Honour name of Cameron, becoming Brian Cameron, in a process similar to the Clan’s Trial of Bloodright.

   Assigned to the Alpha Regiment of the Dragoons Brian Cameron was assigned to the rebuilding Regiment following the Battle of Luthien.  With several captured Star Adder and Smoke Jaguar warriors added to the ranks of the Dragoons, captured as Bondsmen during the Second Battle of Luthien, the Dragoons had a resurgence of life and were ready for duty.  Unfortunately because of Kantov's Battalion, of the Wolf’s Dragoons, defaulting on a contract and the damage done to the Dragoons at Luthien the Mercenary Review and Bonding Commission (MRBC) on Outreach had placed a year long ban on the Dragoons taking any legal contracts.  With Colonel Jamie Wolf unwilling to take contracts out with the MRBC, as he had pioneered the organisation’s rebuilding and the honest mercenary trade especially on Outreach, the Dragoons were stuck on Outreach rebuilding and training.

Wolf Dragoons Command, Harlech
Outreach, Chaos March
18th March 3053

   With the return of the Dragoons from Luthien there was trouble brewing with the various commands and the new adoptees taken from the Clans on Luthien.  Some of the major hotspots of trouble within the Dragoons ranks comes from Elemental warrior Elson Nova Cat.  Although captured from the Smoke Jaguar Clan Elson continues to cling to the Clan of his birth, the Nova Cats, now free of the Clans bearing over him he has elected to retake his Nova Cat heritage.  Inspirational and charismatic Elson wins a lot of support within the Dragoons willing to speak out against Colonel Jamie Wolf and other commanders of the Dragoons.  One of Elson’s major supporters, and mouthpieces, within the Dragoons is Jamie Wolf’s own estranged grandson Alpine Wolf.  Although he is unhappy with the moves being made against him Jamie Wolf continues to martial his forces and stand ready but does not make any moves against either Elson or Alpine, hoping to avoid any real fight.

   Meanwhile within the Dragoons a new warrior begins to raise through the ranks Captain Maeve of the Wolf Spider Company.  A trueborn warrior born on Outreach at the Dragoon’s own Iron Womb facility few know that Maeve is an exact clone of Jamie Wolf, even Jamie Wolf himself does not know, Maeve continues to impress commanders within the Dragoons on exercises.

3055

Charity Event
Tharkad City, Tharkad
Donegal Province, Federated Commonwealth
19th June 3055

   The fragile Federated Commonwealth Alliance is rocked when at a charity event on Tharkad Archon Melissa Steiner-Davion and Morgan Kell’s wife are killed and Morgan is crushed alive under the rubble by a bomb-blast that destroys the charity conference building they were staying in.  Days later Morgan is recovered alive but with one arm crushed beyond repair, the Grand-Duke of Arc-Royal returns home to command his Kell Hound‘s mercenaries in their continuing struggle to maintain the Lyran border against Clan Jade Falcon.  Even with extensive surgery Morgan loses his arm and is unable to pilot a Mech, instead Morgan begins to concentrate on larger issues such as running Arc-Royal, his families land hold.

   Following the death of his mother Victor Steiner-Davion officially takes over the leadership of the Federated Commonwealth becoming Archon-Prince of the largest of the Succession Lord States.  Hanse Davion’s and Katrina Steiner’s dream of uniting half of the Inner Sphere under one banner finally comes into being.  Unfortunately the Federated Commonwealth is not a happy place, the Federated Suns half of the nation is peaceful and undamaged by the recent conflicts however it has been stripped of many premier fighting units sent to fight the Clans, while the Lyran Commonwealth half is battered on one side by the clans and attacked from within by separatists movements.  Added to this is Victor is a combat veteran not a politician making beginner mistakes which make things even more complicated.

3057

New Avalon Institute of Science, Avalon City
New Avalon, Crucis March,
Federated Commonwealth
September 3057

   While receiving treatment for Leukaemia Joshua Marik, son of Free Worlds Leader Captain-General Thomas Marik, dies at the NAIS, the premier research facility in the Inner Sphere.  Instead of informing the Captain-General of his son’s death Archon-Prince Victor Steiner-Davion chooses to replace him with a duplicate knowing that if Thomas was to break the agreement he made with Victor’s father to supply the Federated Commonwealth with weapons for their treating Joshua the nation may cave under intense Clan pressure.

   Thomas Marik soon exposes Victor’s plot and launches an assault against the Federated Commonwealth’s Sarna March, an attack the Capellan Confederation happily supports gobbling up several of the Sarna March worlds they lost in the Fourth Succession War, this attack split’s the Federated Commonwealth back into its two separate halves.  Horrified by her brother’s actions Katherine withdraws the Lyran-half using an emergency escape clause in the Federated Commonwealth Alliance Agreement forming the Lyran Alliance.  She also recalls all Lyran troops home, while the FedCom personnel in the Lyran Alliance are stripped of their transport assets and trapped in the Alliance by the new Archon.  The recall of the Lyran troops causes the Sarna March to disintegrate into the Chaos March a lawless region of space in the centre of the Inner Sphere.

Refusal War
Clan Occupation Zones
Wolf and Jade Falcon Territory
September-December 3057

   Following charges of genocide against the Clans with the Truce of Tukayyid stopping an entire generation of warriors experiencing a real invasion or test by Clan Jade Falcon.  Clan Wolf fights the Refusal War against Clan Jade Falcon, the Jade Falcons attempt to absorb the Wolves in the fight turning it into a Trial of Absorption.  Under Ulric Kerensky’s leadership the Wolves bid their entire force and engage the Jade Falcon in their own territory much to the surprise of the Jade Falcons.  Although it causes the life of Ulric Kerensky and Natasha Kerensky the Warden element of Clan Wolf, dedicated to the defence of the Inner Sphere, travels into the Lyran Alliance under the command of Khan Phelan Kell, Kerensky creating the Kell Bloodname for Phelan, and they become the Wolf (in-Exile) Clan settling on Arc Royal the land hold of the Kell family.

   Following the battles, and a temporary absorbing of Clan Wolf by the Jade Falcons the Clan High Council meet in the Homeworlds and officially abjure the Exiled Wolves and vote Smoke Jaguar Khan Lincoln Osis as their new ilKhan.  Many of the Khans see this as a hollow position now that the Invasion is over however there has been an ilKhan since the foundation of the Clans and the Smoke Jaguars take great pride in having the position of ilKhan back within their ranks despite their weakened state and their internal problems.

   Many Inner Sphere people call for a strike against the Wolves and the Jade Falcons in their weakened state however the leader of the Inner Sphere are nowhere near ready to strike back against a Clan alone and none are willing to put the centuries of war behind them to combine their militaries to fight back against the Inner Sphere.

Battle of Coventry
Coventry Province, Lyran Alliance
March-April 3058

   The Lyran Alliance is invaded by Clan Jade Falcon who fight their way to Coventry before being stopped and bogged down by a combined Lyran defenders supplemented by a Mercenary force made up of the Eridani Light Horse, Wolf‘s Dragoons and several smaller units.  After a slight delay caused by Archon Katherine Steiner-Davion, her brother Victor Steiner-Davion arrives with a multi-national force to turn back the Jade Falcons.  In a surprise move Victor offers the Falcons Hegira, the clan term for honourable retreat, which the Jade Falcon Khan Marthe Pryde accepts and returns her forces to the Occupation Zone.  Some Inner Sphere experts believe that the Jade Falcon Khan just wanted to prove the metal of her Clan and blood the youngest members of her military however this proves to the Inner Sphere that they can work together during an Invasion or during a time of peace leading to plans for the First Whitting Conference to take place on Tharkad, the Lyran capital, to discuss further alliances.

   During the battle Katherine Steiner-Davion meets with the leader of Clan Wolf when her transport is intercepted as she tries to reach the Smoke Jaguar Khan for a secret meeting.  Katherine secretly agrees to hand the Inner Sphere to the Wolves once the Truce of Tukayyid has passed when the Wolves invade the Lyran Alliance will aide them.  Khan Vlad Ward warns her that if she has not secured her position in the Inner Sphere by 3068 then he will come for her and she will be his bondsman. Katherine believes she has won a great victory however in fact she has sold her soul to the devil.

Raider’s Roost
Tortuga Prime, Tortuga Dominions
4th August 3058

   Over the last couple of weeks reports suggesting there was a new pirate band walking the six worlds of the Tortuga Dominions annihilating everything that stood in their path.  Some reports had suggested that it was the Federated Suns coming to finish what they stated in 3042 and bring the Tortuga Fusiliers to justice for the crimes they had committed.  Twyla ‘The Major’ Sameral, commander of the Fusiliers, and pirate queen of the Tortuga Dominions had recalled all her troops to Tortuga following the first report and now they were dug in around Raider’s Roost.
 
   The capital city of Tortuga, Raider’s Roost, was the only real city in the Tortuga Dominions and roughly six of the nation’s ten million inhabitants resided in the city, many as slaves to the Fusiliers but some who had gained their freedom or arrived showing the Fusiliers there was more they could do than slave work.  Over the years high rise accommodation, the only examples of such buildings in the Dominions, had been erected.  However without equipment and the correct skills to maintain them they had begun to fall apart, Twyla had always intended to search out some engineers in the Federated Suns or the Taurian Concordat she could abduct and bring to Raider’s Roost and sort things out but she had never gotten around to it “shoulda, woulda, coulda, didn’t, end of story” Twyla often said about it.  Sometimes people who had run away from the Fusiliers slave pens would hide in the buildings but no-one with any brains would go near them.  The Fusiliers used them as look out points however the constant landing of multi-ton BattleMechs on their roof’s had made the buildings even more unstable.

   The BattleMech was the primary weapon of the modern era.  Ranging from twenty to one hundred tons they could reach speeds of over one hundred kilometres per hour and travel over any terrain in any weather, some were equipped with Jump Jets allowing them to ascend buildings and cross hindering terrain.  All were armed with a variety of lasers, missiles, autocannons and Particle Projection Cannons (PPCs) and were capable of levelling an entire city block alone.  Generally only a bigger Mech could take out a Mech however in recent years with the development of other units on the field that rule was beginning to change.  Regardless BattleMechs were the kings of the battlefield with their mix of speed, armour and firepower seeing a Mech on the field put the fear into any common foot soldier.

   Then two days before the JumpShips at the Zenith and Nadir points, recharging their Kearny-Fuchida Jump Engines, which would allow the Tortuga Fusiliers to escape the system if things went bad, went dark refusing all communications from Tortuga.  JumpShips were the lifeblood of interstellar travel and even for pirates they were off limits as targets.  A JumpShip could jump up to thirty light-years in one jump leaving the orbit of one star and entering the other.  After every jump they recharged their K-F Drives using solar energies with massive jump-sails and then jumped on to the next planet.  Some advanced, and expensive, JumpShips had a Lithium Battery which allowed them to store two Jump Charges at one giving them an effective range of sixty light-years per jump, none of the Fusiliers’ JumpShips were equipped with such devices however.  Most of the time JumpShips remained in high orbit over a Star collecting solar energy, and radiation, for their next jump while their passengers travelled in system with Small Craft and vessels known as DropShips. DropShips were capable of travelling into a system, something JumpShips were completely incapable of during due to their tiny station keeping drives, DropShips were also heavily armed and armoured and capable of carrying troops onto a planet.  Between them there were hundreds of thousands of JumpShips and DropShips travelling thought the Inner Sphere on a daily basis keeping nations together, worlds stocked and armies marching.  Lately combat JumpShips known as WarShips had begun to reappear in the Inner Sphere armies these heavily armed, heavily armed vessels could do everything that a JumpShip could do and could travel in as system and wage war against other vessels.

   With contact lost to her JumpShips Twyla had set-up her battalion of thirty-eight BattleMechs and regiment of conventional foot infantry around the city, they were now dug in twenty-four hours a day ready for an attack.  The Mechs were old but reliable and the pilots all trained by Twyla herself, while the regiment of infantry were little more than armed citizens and would be little more than cannon fodder.  In the air the sixteen Aerospace Fighters of the Tortuga Corsairs flew near constantly waiting for an attacker.  Aerospace Fighters were capable of space and atmospheric operations making them extremely valuable, having the pilots flying constantly and in the atmosphere was dangerous and expensive but it gave the Fusiliers extra firepower when the enemy arrived, they might even be able to stop the enemy DropShips landing allowing the Fusiliers to push them back and destroy them in space.

   â€œMajor, we have enemy DropShips” Cameron ‘Hot-Seat’ Kline reported high above the city just before several, sixteen, smoke trails was seen criss-crossing the city, the Tortuga Corsairs were no-more.

   â€œDig in people, you know what to do.  Jumpers, set-up as many canyons as possible, everyone else we are the bait we get them in then the canyon kills them.  Scalphunters, any infantry or vehicles are yours, anyone from Raider’s Roost who interferes is a target as well.  You see any disabled Mechs, kill the pilot and the Mech is yours!”  Twyla said addressing her troops, the Jump capable Mechs ascended to the highest possible buildings giving them increased range and visibility while the ground-bound Mechs disappeared into the city streets, the Scalphunters or infantry forces began setting up traps throughout the city streets giving them the incentive of capturing and keeping a Mech would make the infantry do anything for her, most would die in the battle but infantry were cheap and you never know one or two might actually get a Mech out of this fight.

   Once the Tortuga Fusiliers were set-up there was silence for several minutes “where are they?”  One warrior said quietly, his Mech high on one of Raider’s Roost’s many decrepit high-rise buildings.   Twyla often wondered how the building remained standing after all these years of neglect her Fusiliers were not engineers and would never stoop to doing repair work, she had always wanted to capture an engineering team and get them to fix the city but they had never found the personnel.

   Suddenly everything happened at once from every imaginable direction Aerospace fighters of a type Twyla did not recognise dived in over the city targeting the jump capable Mechs on the rooftops.  In less than a minute all but a couple of her canyon Mechs were falling from the rooftops, the warrior so interested in where the enemy were was among them.  Twyla was scared, the enemy had hit with such pace and hitting power, but she knew the fight was not over.  The only way they could take Tortuga was to take Raider’s Roost and only Mechs with full Infantry and armour support could do that.  “Drop to the ground people!  We will drop them when they enter the city.  We can still survive this, we do or it is prison for the rest of our lives!”  She shouted, they were all pirates and criminals they knew what the price of failure was.  She saw two surviving Mechs from the canyon forces drop to the ground “you two Panther warriors attach yourselves to my lance” for a light Mech the Panther was a slow but hard hitting design and they would be helpful.  The two Panther pilots had other ideas turning tail and running into the city Twyla lashed out with her Awesome’s full PPC battery, the three weapons each fired a bolt of man-made lightning at the retreating Panthers but missed widely instead hitting a small building blowing it to pieces “you cowards!”  She screamed slamming the controls as her assault Mech overheated.

   Just then things went from bad to worse Mechs dropped into the city all over the place, the enemy was not approaching the city on the ground instead they were dropping from their DropShips high in the sky.  Twyla watched one of her warriors target one Mech and hit it with an autocannon blast the enemy Mech lost control and slammed into a building, which exploded as the Mech hit, the entire building crumbled in on itself on top of the emeny Mech.  With the enemy Mechs Twyla could see something else as her Awesome regained control, dropping to the ground were smaller targets that looked like tiny Mechs at this distance but as Twyla magnified in on one of the landed troopers she could see that they were Clan Elemental Warriors in Battle Armour.

   The Clans operated Elemental Warriors which, from what Twyla knew, were walking walls of muscle and flesh each standing over eight foot tall they operated in squads of five and were deadly to anything from conventional infantry right up to BattleMechs.  To make the Elementals even worse each trooper was armed with a laser, a Short Range Missile (SRM) Rack with four missiles, a Battle-claw and an anti-personnel weapon allowing them to seriously damage BattleMech grade armour and conventional infantry soldiers alike.  The suit also gave the warriors jump jets allowing them to bound up to thirty metres and armour capable of resisting everything up to a PPC or medium autocannon.

   â€œThe Clans…” Twyla said disbelieving her people had come here to avoid the Clan Invasion, they had become pirates by breaking their mercenary contract in an effort to avoid the Clan’s unstoppable invasion forces and now here they were on Tortuga, Twyla was sure they were coming for her a reckoning of some sort.  “This cannot be happening” she said watching as five Elemental warriors swarmed over one of her Mechs tearing the Mech to pieces then dragging the pilot out of his Mech’s cockpit throwing him to the ground killing him.  It was a favourite tactic of Elementals to leap up onto a Mech and tear into the armour disabling systems forcing the pilot to surrender before they got to him and killed him, Twyla had heard that some Elementals killed surrendering MechWarriors for the simple reason that they could it was the last thing she wanted for her or any of her people.  As far as she had known there were no Clan forces anywhere near Tortuga, none.  This just confirmed Twyla’s thought that ComStar the shadowy organisation that controlled most of the Inner Sphere’s communications never could be trusted and now her band would pay for their mistake.

   Loosing her temper she struck the weapons console firing all three PPCs again the three bolts of man-made lighting soared into the sky and struck an enemy aerospace fighter.  The fighter lost control and slammed into the ground exploding, perhaps these Clansmen were not so indestructible Twyla thought as her Mech overheated again, unable to hit the override quick enough the Awesome over heated and shut down.  All Twyla could think about was killing as many Clan warriors as possible before they killed her but then felt her assault Mech rock violently as something hit it, in its shutdown immobile state she could do nothing.  Then again, and again three more times Twyla Sameral thought someone was shooting her without looking her in the eye but that was not the case, she knew that a single weapons barrage would have knocked her Mech on its back drawing her personal pistol she steadied herself for her greatest fear and Elemental assault.

   Outside on the Awesome were five Elementals, one tore open the hatch and broke into the Awesome’s cockpit ignoring Twyla’s weapons fire physically ripping the pilot’s chair from the Mech’s head and  throwing it on the ground.  The impact of falling almost ten metres and landing on her bottom crushed Twyla’s spine and broke several ribs causing internal organ damage, she was helpless as the Clan Elementals surrounded her massive hulking soldiers that looked like walls of steel in their thick battle armour.  The Elementals removed her from the seat and then removed Twyla from all her clothes leaving her naked in the street, how she had left so many like this since taking control of Tortuga.  Forced her to her feet, which was painful and difficult Twyla was dragged through the streets as the slaughter of the Tortuga Fusiliers continued for the next hour.  By the end of it Twyla barely conscious and tied up in one of the courtyards naked, beaten and in massive amounts of pain from her injuries, she now knew what all those people she had put through similar procedures felt like, she felt sick not only from her injuries but from what she had done once she had been an honourable mercenary but fear had driven her to lash out at others, if she had remained the honourable Mercenary she may have died just the same and a lot quicker but she would have felt better about herself when it happened.  She was joined by three other survivors from the Fusiliers and several hundred civilians in the courtyard as the fighting still continued in some areas of the city no doubt some of her troops trying to escape and being hunted down by these demon Clan warriors.

   One Elemental spoke up, its voice amplified by the suit’s speakers giving it a mechanical alien sound. “For crimes against humanity, we the warriors of Clan Nova Cat find you guilty.”  As one Elemental fired a single shot into one prisoner’s head killing him instantly.  The Elemental stepped back and another stepped up behind the next prisoner “For killing Khan Severn Lervoux of Clan Nova Cat, we find you guilty.” The warrior said firing a single shot again killing the prisoner and again stepping backwards for another Elemental to step forward all along they were getting closer to where Twyla knelt.

   Twyla sitting at the end of the row tried to compose herself but burst into tears, this morning she had been Pirate Queen of this city and the surrounding cities and worlds and had been feared by everyone in the Tortuga Dominions, the Taurian Concordat and the Federated Suns Periphery Regions.  Now she was battered, naked, humiliated, beaten and about to die. “For killing saKhan Lucian Carns we find you guilty.”  The next Elemental said killing the next prisoner, Twyla was now the only prisoner remaining alive. “For forcing us to fight in the city risking civilian and collateral property damage” the Elemental said “and causing destruction on your own subjects”  The warrior said Twyla closed her eyes and tried to remain calm as the armoured Elemental raised its arm.

   â€œNo please, I can help you, I can control the people, I can point out targets, I know where resources are, please don‘t kill me!”  Twyla said rapidly begging for her life as she tried to look over her shoulder at the Elemental.

   â€œWe find you guilty” the Elemental said, the voice totally devoid of emotion or hesitation, firing a single shot, the rifle round caught Twyla in the left side of the head, the bullet travelled across her brain and out the other-side of her head killing the pirate queen instantly the last thing to go through Twyla‘s head was relief it was all over.  “Anyone resisting Clan Nova Cat will be dealt with quickly and harshly.  We are beginning a curfew at 17.00 Hours make sure you are home by then or you will be dealt with.  Your queries will be dealt with in time.  Now go about your lives!”  The Elemental said to the crowd releasing them from the courtyard, several of the civilians looked at the bodies of the executed prisoners then hurried away not wanting to be next, these Clan warriors were in charge there was no question about that in anyone‘s mind.  By the end of the day the Nova Cats were in control of the city and everyone knew who they were and who was their new masters, although some of Tortuga’s Fusiliers were unaccounted for the pirates who had been in charge had effectively ceased to exist.  The Nova Cats released the Fusiliers slaves and ordered them to get inside somewhere by the beginning of the curfew, most were too shocked to try anything silly and crawled into one of the hundreds of open, abandoned Raider‘s Reach buildings.

   At 17.00 Hours the Nova Cats began patrolling the streets, anyone found outsider after the beginning of the curfew was taken to a public square and tied up for the night outside with no provisions or shelter, if they survived the Nova Cats would let them go but with a warning, ‘get caught again and they would get a bullet instead of humiliation.’  After the first night the Nova Cats found very little people willing to try the Nova Cat’s new rules of law and order.  For the most part people welcomed the change from raping, murder and pillaging to the peace under the gun policy of the Nova Cats.

Hope you enjoy comment's questions welcome

Hall of the Khans
Strana Mechty, Kerensky Cluster
Clan Space, Clan Homeworlds
2nd October 3058

   Meanwhile the Khans of the remaining seventeen Clans sat together on the Clan Homeworlds far from the Inner Sphere, this was their first council in several weeks and the first time that many had been on the same planet as each other.  Over the time since their creation following the Exodus Civil War centuries before three Clans had fallen, the Not-named (Wolverines) annihilated from Clan records due to their use of Nuclear weapons against Clan Snow Raven‘s Genetic Repository and their wish to use democracy over the Clan rules established by Nicholas Kerensky.  The Mongoose and Widowmakers absorbed by larger Clans that wanted more space to expand and found smaller clans in their way.  When it came to invading the Inner Sphere the others were divided over Crusader and Warden lines, those who wanted to conqueror the Inner Sphere and those who wanted to join the Inner Sphere protecting and guiding it in a golden age of humanity.  At present with five Clans holding territory in the Inner Sphere gained through combat the Crusaders held a far larger hold in the Clan Council.

   â€œMy Khans we have encountered many hurdles but we still stand firm.”  ilKhan Lincoln Osis, the Khan of Clan Smoke Jaguar and the current elder of all the Clans, Osis glanced around the room and then spotted an oddity the Hall of the Khans was for Khan and saKhan, the two leaders of any Clan, at the Clan Nova Cat table sat a Galaxy Commander, Karl Devalis, and the Nova Cat Oathmaster, Biccon Winters.  Despite the oddity of Clan Nova Cat in general and their recent switch from Crusader to Warden Politics the Nova Cats knew that at least one of the Khans had to be present.  “I see the Nova Cat’s Khans have not deemed to appear to us.  Are we the Khans of their fellow Clans not worthy of their presence?  Speak now or face our Grievance.”  He said looking over at the two present Nova Cats, the Galaxy Commander began to stand however Biccon Winters stood instead.  The Nova Cat Oathmaster was like the ilKhan an Elemental warrior, however following her gaining of a Bloodname, surname, she had become the Nova Cat’s spiritual leader instead of pursing a life as leader of the Clan.

   In the Clans the only true surname a warrior could wear, other than the Clan name, was a Bloodname.  The Bloodnames had been created to honour the two hundred warriors that had fought with Nicholas Kerensky following the formation of the Clans.  Each Clan had access to their own set of Bloodnames plus a limited access to other Clan’s Bloodname houses.  All Bloodnames were won by Trials of Bloodrite, one-on-one combat trials.

   â€œMy honourable Clans, I am Oathmaster Biccon Winters, I regret to inform you that during their return from an inspection of deep space observation and scientific installations our Khan’s vessel miss-jumped and is missing presumed lost, with all hands.  Until replacement Nova Cat warriors prove themselves strong enough for Khanship we” she said opening her arms to include the Galaxy Commander “will represent Nova Cat interests at this Council.”  The Nova Cats could not afford to allow any of the Clans to know the real reason the Khans were dead.  If the Nova Cat dealings in the Tortuga Dominions became public knowledge among the other Clans the Nova Cat’s tiny force remaining in the Clan Homeworlds would find itself the target of retribution and the Clans may attempt to attack the Nova Cats in the Tortuga Dominions and surrounding periphery, for now the Nova Cats had to keep secrets, their survival depended on it and although it was dishonourable the Nova Cat had to survive.

   â€œI can accept their presence and I have a question for the Nova Cat representatives” the Ice Hellion saKhan Sellen Cage said, she was quite a striking woman in her late twenties her massive bulk of muscle and her tremendous height showed her to be a genetically bred elemental Warrior however she actually piloted an OmniMech, also unlike many elementals she looked completely normal a large factor in this was that she kept her golden hair long.  “Where is the Nova Cat Touman and Merchants?  We were always visited by at least one of your Clan’s Merchant Carracks and we used to engage Nova Cat forces on a regular basis in training and in minor trials that benefited both our Clans.  Now you have disappeared almost like the Burrocks or Blood Spirits” she said making references to two of the smaller Clans.  Looking at the Nova Cats before Biccon could answer Galaxy Commander Karl Devalis stood and bowed slightly to the Khan.

   â€œsaKhan Ice Hellion” he said respecting her rank and Clan as they did not know each other personally, normally Khans would speak to each other using their first names to save miscommunication from many warriors with the same Bloodname.  By using the Clan name instead of hers Karl was ensuring there was no miss-communication.  “The Nova Cat Touman has been and always will be where it has to be to answer any challenge and any threat to our population, our Merchants have been maintaining links with our allies” the Khans of Clans Diamond Shark, Snow Raven and Cloud Cobra all nodded their heads in agreement, the Nova Cats had maintained strong links with each of those Clans keeping their power base and support in the Homeworlds while moving their forces from the Homeworlds, however not even the Nova Cat’s allies knew what they were up to. “Perhaps the Merchant Caste overlooked your base on Babylon this trading cycle.  I will ensure that they are informed of this oversight and it will be corrected immediately you have my word on this matter, no offence was intended.”  The Ice Hellion Khan nodded and sat down smiling in Karl‘s direction.

   â€œI also have a question, Galaxy Commander” Lincoln Osis said looking at Karl “during the last several months the Nova Cats have initiated thirty-two Trials of Possession against various Clans.  Although your Clan has won the majority of these I notice the Nova Cats have withdrawn almost completely to Dagda, Circe and their posts here on Strana Mechty.  Your territory in Clan space is not large enough to house your entire Clan and your forces.  You did not compete for or win a place in Operation Revival so the Inner Sphere cannot be your destination.  Also Clan Smoke Jaguar’s Watch intelligence suggests that over three quarters of your Naval Forces are missing.  Where are your forces and your lower castes?”

   â€œAs our Clan is without a Khan or saKhan at present, I feel it would be wrong of me to divulge critical information, especially when other Clan may try to gain advantage of the situation.  All I am willing to say is that the territory held by the Nova Cats violates no Clan law and that we have not attacked a single Inner Sphere world or moved our forces into any of the Inner Sphere occupation zones.  Star Colonel Santin West is travelling from Dagda to join the other candidates for Khanship at an undisclosed location, once he has arrived the Trials will begin and you will have your answer within two weeks.”  Biccon said standing beside Karl, Biccon was an Elemental like the Ice Hellion Khan so she dwarfed the MechWarrior however it was Karl who had their attention, as the most junior warrior present, they were all assessing him.

   â€œI am the ilKhan, you will divulge this information now.”  Lincoln Osis said, Biccon looked to Karl, who nodded, Biccon sat down and looked over at the Galaxy Commander despite the fact she was sitting she was still as tall as Karl.

   â€œilKhan, allow me to speak plainly as is my Clan’s custom, you are the war-leader of the Clan Invasion of the Inner Sphere a post won and hold well.”  Karl said Lincoln smiled at this praise, not often he heard such praise from anyone let alone his Clans biggest rival and enemy, ilKhanship had its perks. “However, you are also a member of Clan Smoke Jaguar and no Smoke Jaguar will hear of Nova Cat affairs until they need to be aware of the Nova Cat crashing into their Den.”  Karl said Lincoln looked like he would explode as Karl sat back down alongside Biccon.

   â€œDo not threaten me or my Clan, Devalis, if you do your entire Clan will face my wrath.”  Osis said looking down at Karl.

   â€œI meant no offence ilKhan, however, the Nova Cats have felt a Smoke Jaguars wrath before, the Nova Cat have always survived and always will survive.  If you wish to test our resolve then that is your choice, however I would not want your Clan overstretching itself.”  Karl returned immediately the entire time he remaining seated not moving, Osis moved onto his next topic.  Looking at the ilKhan Karl guessed Lincoln was enjoying the limelight before he and the Smoke Jaguars were knocked off of power, from the look on the ilKhan‘s face the part of ‘overstretching‘ the Smoke Jaguar power had hit a cord, perhaps the Smoke Jaguars were overstretched. A weakness the Nova Cats could exploit?

Whitting Conference Centre
Tharkad, Donegal Province
Lyran Alliance
14th October 3058

   As the Conference reached the end of its second week Anastasius Focht, Precentor-Martial (Military leader) of ComStar, stepped up to the podium to address the Succession Lords.  ComStar controlled the Hyper-Pulse-Generator (HPG) Grid that allowed communication throughout the Inner Sphere as well as an not so insignificant military force that had held back the Clans in 3050.  Although ComStar no longer controlled Terra, at the centre of the Inner Sphere, the fighting prowess of the ComGuard fighting the Clans on Tukayyid winning a fifteen year peace for the Inner Sphere had gained them entry as a non-voting member of the new League.

   â€œHonourable Lords” he began, Anastasius hailed from the Steiner realm so he had a slight Germanic accent but his time with ComStar had dulled it slightly.  “Originally ComStar had pledged to see this Star League formed and form the core of its military as we seek to hold back the Clan threat.  Today however I bring you something more, two days ago ComStar received the location of Huntress, Homeworld of Clan Smoke Jaguar from a member of that very Clan.  This Clan has conquered Luthien we threw them back but they will come again unless we deal with the threat they pose.”  There was a murmur throughout the room at this news, so far no Inner Sphere organisation had found the location of any of the Clan Homeworlds, although several expeditions had been sent.

   â€œAnd what are we to do with this information?  There are more Clans based solely in the Homeworlds, we would be hard pressed to push them out of the Inner Sphere let alone destroy them in their Homeworlds.  This information changes nothing.”  Sun-Tzu Liao said waving his arms in disgust at the information presented.

   â€œIt changes a lot, Sun-Tzu” Victor said quietly not even looking at the Capellan leader, his eyes were fixated on the ComGuard Precentor-Martial “we have successfully shown the Clans that the Inner Sphere can beat them in combat and using misdirection Tukayyid, Coventry, Luthien and Wolcott.”  He said naming the four most famous Inner Sphere victories against the Clans, there were more but these were the ones that stood in the minds of the peoples of the Inner Sphere.  “With the location of one of their Homeworlds we can strike back and force them to come to our the peace tables.”  He said continuing without loosing a beat “I believe that the new Leagues first business should be to end the Clan threat by assaulting and taking one of their Homeworlds.”

   â€œI believe the Star League should contain the Clan threat no-more.  To assault their Homeworlds would only bring them down on our nations even more.”  Elected-Prince (Regent) Christian Mansdotter leader of the Free Rasalhague Republic said, no shock that he wanted to contain the Clans his nation had been reduced to seven worlds by the Clan Invasion of 3050 and the only reason the nation was still independent was due to the presence of a large portion of the ComGuards in the Republic based on Tukayyid.

   â€œIf we only contain the Clans then in the long run we could loose even more worlds to the Clans, we have lost enough.  It is time for the Clans to suffer a blow closer to home.”  Hohiro Kurita leader of the Draconis Combine said, the Combine had almost lost Luthien, its capital, and Hohiro had lost his father and grandfather during the failed first defence of that world.  His nation had only reclaimed the world with help from the entire Inner Sphere.

   â€œI suggest we call for a vote of a new First Lord before we choose what the new army should do.” Thomas Marik said standing behind the Free Worlds League table, despite his advanced age and his scared face Thomas Marik still abounded with confidence and stature.

   â€œAgreed, the St Ives Compact nominates First Prince Victor Steiner-Davion.”  Candice Liao said using the old title of the Federated Suns instead of the title of the Federated Commonwealth.  Despite the ending of the alliance the Federated Suns half of the Commonwealth held onto hope and Victor still held the old FedCom rank of Archon-Prince and the Federated Suns was still officially known as the Federated Commonwealth.

   â€œDoes Archon-Prince Victor Steiner-Davion accept this nomination?”

   â€œI do, chairperson” Victor said quietly.

   â€œI do not” Sun-Tzu Liao said from the Capellan Confederation table, no surprise the Capellan Confederation had been cut in half by the Federated Suns, with the power of the Star League Victor could finish what his father started.

   â€œUnfortunately, if another seconds Victor Steiner-Davion’s nomination all you can do is vote against him, Chancellor.”  The chair person said.

   â€œI second Victor Steiner-Davion’s nomination, despite our disagreement with the suggested course of the New SLDF, Victor has shown his worth in operations against the Clans before and will do so in the future.”  Christian Mansdotter leader of the Free Rasalhague Republic said, again not a shock the Free Rasalhague Republic had been crushed by the Clan assaults Victor had shown a capability and a willing to face the Clan threat.

   â€œWith two nominations Victor Steiner-Davion of the Federated Commonwealth is put forward for the position of First Lord of the new Star League.  Is there a challenger?”  The chairperson said.

   â€œI nominate Thomas Marik, Captain-General of the Free Worlds League.”  Katrina Steiner-Davion said there was a collective breath from the audience boxes high above and a couple of the tables around the room, anything to get in Victor’s way she would pounce on Katrina wanted the position herself but in a straight fight between them Victor would likely win, Thomas Marik was the elder statesman of the Inner Sphere respected by all and with the Free Worlds League his leadership had become the model way of leadership in the Inner Sphere while Victor was known for his warrior skill not his politics.

   â€œI will second this” Sun-Tzu said from his table looking over to Thomas Marik who nodded his thanks, they had allied with Theodore Kurita to counter the Federated Commonwealth Alliance before the Fourth Succession War there was no reason for them not to be allied again.

   â€œCaptain-General Thomas Marik do you accept this nomination?”

   â€œI humbly do.”

   â€œUnless there is a third nomination, no-one spoke up, there will be a short recess before the vote is taken.”  The chairperson said leaving the chamber.  “The two leaders nominated for the position of First Lord are Archon-Prince (First Prince) Victor Steiner-Davion of the Federated Commonwealth (Suns) and Captain-General Thomas Marik of the Free Worlds League.  This session is at an end, reconvene in one hour.”  The Chairperson said breaking up the council for now.  Katrina sat looking watching Victor leave, she could not allow Victor to gain power in the Star League he might use it to regain control over the Lyran-half of his realm.

Whitting Conference Centre
Tharkad, Donegal Province
Lyran Alliance
14th October 3058

   The chairperson stood in front of the House Lords as the vote for the First Lordship was about to begin “We will begin with the Lyran Alliance Vote and continue around until all members have voted, in event of a tie ComStar will have the deciding vote as the neutral force present.  Archon Steiner you vote please”  He said looking at Katrina’s table, the Lyran ruler stood and nodded briefly at him then turned to her fellow House Lords and the gathered audience above.

   â€œAs I nominated Thomas Marik for this position I will vote for the Captain-General” she said nodding to Thomas “I believe that Thomas is a more capable and stable leader than my brother will ever be and that his military are one hundred percent reliable unlike those of the Federated Suns.”  She said twisting the dagger as much as possible, several Lyran house units were in the Federated Commonwealth (Suns) and several Federated units were in the Lyran half of the fractured Commonwealth loyalties were being tested every day by their Lyran superiors and by Katherine herself.  Although some regiments had agreed to serve Katherine other openly opposed her and even though they all had helped keep the Lyran Alliance alive by their actions and their sacrifices against the Clans and against internal enemies of the Alliance they were often treated as enemies of the state by the Lyrans.

   â€œThank you, Lady Steiner.”  The Lyran Chairperson said showing where his loyalties and beliefs resided, even if it was only to Katherine.  “Next is Chancellor Liao of the Capellan Confederation, Chancellor please”

   â€œOf course we will vote Marik also, none of Hanse Davion’s Spawn will ever hold the First Lordship as long as I stand alive.”  The Capellan leader said not even bothering to stand or acknowledge the chairman both Victor and Katherine gave Sun-Tzu nasty looks, Hanse Davion was one of the most accomplished modern leaders, as well as being their father he deserved their respect if not love.

   â€œWith two votes caste the vote stands with Thomas Marik on two votes and Victor Steiner-Davion on none.  Next vote to be caste is Duchess Candice Liao leader of the St Ives Compact.”

   â€œCommonality” Sun-Tzu whispered the Compact‘s old Confederation name, Candice ignored her nephew’s comment and stood gracefully bowing to the Chairman.

   â€œThe St Ives Compact will vote for the Federated Commonwealth leader, Victor Steiner-Davion.  As has been pointed out already Victor has faced the Clans in combat personally, and won, this League is being formed specifically to combat the threat they pose.   We need a leader who knows how to fight them.”  She said sitting Kai Allard-Liao gave Victor the thumbs up, Victor smiled and nodded his thanks.

   â€œCoordinator Kurita, will the Draconis Combine please place its vote.”

   â€œThe Federated Suns has long been the Combine’s enemy, however against the Clan Invasion they have been steadfast allies and kept every word that Hanse Davion gave my Family on Outreach.” He said referring to the several months all the Succession Lords had spent on Outreach training to fight the Clans on the Homeworld of the Wolf Dragoons Mercenaries, former clansmen themselves.  “However, the Free Worlds League has kept the militaries of the Inner Sphere standing while the Juggernaut of the Clans stormed through our worlds.  In my view both of the men nominated are worthy of this prize and I am not willing to choose one over the other with a simple flick of the wrist.  The Draconis Combine Abstains.”  Hohiro said sitting down, he and Victor had fought together and respected each other and Victor had become romantically involved with Hohiro’s sister Omiko during the Clan conflict, however, showing such allegiance at the Star League could still up trouble at home and in the Combine’s fragile state he could not afford that.  Victor understood this well, the Federated Suns own Draconis March hated the very idea of Victor being friends with the Kuritas let alone his suspected involvement with Omi and the current alliance between the two nations.

   â€œThe Draconis Combine Abstains” the Chairman said “the vote is two-to-one in favour of Thomas Marik with one vote to be placed.  Elected-Prince Mansdotter could the Free Rasalhague Republic please finish this vote please.”

   â€œOf course, I believe Victor is the man to led us to victory over the Clans, the Free Rasalhague Republic vote for the Federated Suns.”  He said, that was it a stalemate all eyes turned to Anastasius Focht, Precentor Martial (Warlord) of ComStar’s ComGuard forces and the organisation that was likely to be the primary force of the new Star League.

   â€œCan ComStar please cast its vote and decide the First Lord of the Second Star League?  Anastasius Focht the floor is yours.”

   â€œI thank your chair person.” Focht said standing “I have watched the Inner Sphere scurry against the Clans and I have marshalled the ComGuard to victory against them.  However, the Star League will not be formed to only counter the Clans, we are looking to create a second Golden Age of the Inner Sphere with the recreation of this body.  ComStar will vote for Thomas Marik, the Free Worlds League is a template for the Inner Sphere a collective body working together in harmony.  ComStar would however request that Kai Allard-Liao’s previous call for Victor Steiner-Davion to be the first Commanding-General of the new League stand and be honoured by the new First Lord” slowly Thomas Marik stood not waiting for the Chairman to call him fourth as the victor.

   â€œThis would be agreeable. Victor, commiserations on your loss, would you be willing to serve as my Commanding-General of the Star League?”

   â€œI would be willing to serve the Star League, First Lord Marik, I accept.  And may I be the first to congratulate you on this victory.  Secondly I have prepared this list of units that is required for Star League service, all member states are to please provide this force or an equally corresponding force when called to.”  He said handing an orderly pads with requisition forms which were passed to each leader.  Katrina Steiner-Davion stood immediately looking at Victor angrily.

   â€œCommanding-General, this is unacceptable!  You have asked for the entire Federated Suns contingent to be withdrawn from the Clan border leaving the Alliance completely undefended from the Clan threat.  This League has been created to hold the peace not for your political manoeuvring!  How is the Star League supposed to defend us if half the defenders arrayed against the Jade Falcons are being withdrawn?”

   â€œKatherine, the forces formerly belonging to the Lyran Alliance are already en-route to replace them, which has left the Federated Suns already weakened for several weeks.  Once the rest of your ‘reliable’ forces have returned then my forces will return home, not before.  Additionally the Federated Commonwealth Corps will be disbanded and the Lyran-born warriors will be give the choice whether to return to their homeland or serve the Federated Suns.  The Tenth Lyran Guards, the Davion Assault, Heavy and Light Guards and First Kathil Uhlans will all immediately begin training for upcoming service against the Clan threat.  However, if and when they return to your borders they will be Star League not Commonwealth, Suns or Alliance and they will be under my command.  And Katherine” he said using her true name “for the Alliance this is a none negotiable requirement.”  Katherine turned to Thomas Marik who looked at both Steiner-Davions.

   â€œThe Tenth Lyran Guards RCT are a Lyran House unit, you cannot expect me to allow them to remain under your command.  If you want a Lyran command to serve you directly I will give you one of my choosing, the Tenth deserve some rest and refit before being thrown into another fight, you have led them in some of the worst fighting the Inner Sphere has faced this century and cannot expect them to continue just because you want to keep them.”  The Tenth Lyran Guards, also known as ‘The Revenants’ were Victor’s personal command robbing him of them would be a gut punch and would give the Lyran Alliance an Elite unit to play with despite their political leanings, perfect cannon fodder troops.

   â€œYou cannot have things all your way Commanding-General, a House Lord is allowed to give any unit they deem able to fit the mission profile and withdraw any force they do not want to participate.”  Thomas Marik warned Victor however Victor raised his hands in surrender, he had expected this.

   â€œOf course First Lord, that is why before I left the Federated Suns Marshal James McFarland and Leftenant General Reinhart Steiner, the commanders of the Tenth Lyran Guards RCT sent me a letter along with their resignation and their entire RCT’s notice for resignation of commission in the Lyran Alliance and Federated Commonwealth Armies, they enrolled their command in the Armed Forces of the Federated Suns are now undergoing training.  By the time I return home they will be ready to act.” He said sitting down Katherine was about to complain but Thomas Marik broke the two Steiner-Davions argument up.

   â€œThe Commanding-General has overview over military forces deployment.  The resignations of the Tenth will have to be confirmed by an independent source, I would suggest ComStar or the Word of Blake, otherwise the Lyran Alliance has no leg to stand on.  Archon Steiner, please comply with the new Star League‘s orders.”  He said to Katrina, the Steiner Lord looked as if she might explode as she slipped quietly back into her seat.

   â€œWe will reconvene in twelve hours to discuss how the Star League Defence Force will be used.”  He said “this session is at an end.”  He said, everyone began to move out barring Sun-Tzu Liao who watched Victor Steiner-Davion leave.  As he left the chambers he turned to Sang-rang-jun Talon Zahn, his military Warlord inside the Capellan Confederation.

   â€œHow did we not know the Commonwealth was moving so many troops” Sun-Tzu asked in rapid Mandarin.

   â€œChancellor, as far as we know the Federated Suns has made no new troop movement other than the normal routine.  The only major new developments was the deployment of the Fox, Indomitable and Intrepid, the first three Fox-class Corvettes on Trials.  One vessel is deployed in each March, any movement we made would face at least one WarShip with another six under production.”

   â€œSo we cannot take advantage of this?”

   â€œNone more than what we are doing in the Chaos March.”  Talon said mentioning the former FedCom March shattered just before the Lyran Alliance broke away.  Many of the Strana March worlds had been Capellan and on the orders of Sun-Tzu Liao the Confederation was retaking them one-by-one, the development of the FedCom Fox-class Corvette was the first Inner Sphere designed and built WarShip in almost three hundred years, had slowed this progress, however, it was continuing as even the active FedCom WarShips could not be everywhere.  And the only other groups to field WarShips were the ComStar and their splinter-faction the Word of Blake two organisations more busy with working against each other and against the Clans than countering the Succession States.  As far as Sun-Tzu was concerned WarShips were a waste of money and resources and although he had kick-started the Capellan’s own program it was a PR program only as far as he was concerned, they were still years from producing a vessel capable of combat.

   WarShips were combat JumpShips, heavily armoured and armed they could do everything a regular JumpShip could do and they could travel in systems and manoeuvre in combat, even the smallest WarShip was able to destroy a DropShip with a single shot of their main guns and were capable of attacking planetary targets as well.  The only way to destroy a WarShip was with massed fighter and DropShip attacks, a costly endeavour or with a bigger WarShip.

   â€œWhat about the Taurians?  Could we use our Trinity Alliance Allies to cause trouble and a distraction?”  Sun-Tzu asked looking at Talon, the recent deal with the Magistracy of Canopus and the Taurian Concordat had given the Capellan Confederation allies with the two biggest Periphery realms and a much needed boost in manpower and in the case of the Taurians, cannon fodder.