OBT Forum

Proving Grounds, General Motors
District City, Kathil
Federated Suns, Capellan March
22nd January 3064

   Unlike the other nations of the Inner Sphere the Federated Suns had been dedicated to upgrading all its conventional BattleMech force instead of creating many brand-new OmniMechs giving them a larger overall upgrade percentage to Mechs than other nations, only outstripped by the Free Worlds League.  The only reason the Templar, the nation’s first OmniMech, had came into being was because of Field Marshal George Hasek’s desire for an OmniMech designed and built in the Federated Suns and had been willing to spend his own families money to give the Federated Suns the Mech.  Following this debut two years before First Prince Victor Steiner-Davion had authorized more national money and resources transferred to the OmniMech development.  Kallon Industries, creators of the first OmniMech had received more money and resources, however so had their rival General Motors of Kathil had gained more tech and resources with some help from the visiting warriors and techs of Clan Nova Cat had finished their initial project two years early.

   â€œField Marshal Hasek, Marshal of Armies Davion, you presented us with a challenge to provide the Federated Suns with a unique OmniMech that would be a worthy successor to the Templar.  As a base we decided that we did not want another assault Mech, the Templar is already a worthy entrance to this class” Hoban Cobb, Chief Executive Officer of General Motors said giving Kallon Industries credit was difficult but well deserved in his opinion.  “With the Federated Suns tradition of mobile warfare and a recent study of the AFFS which showed they were them most popular class of Mech we chose an entrance to the medium-class.  This was a difficult but worthwhile…”

   â€œGet on with it Mr Cobb.”  Jackson said, trust a CEO to make things sound a million times more difficult that they were, all he was interested in was seeing if the Mech they had paid millions for already was worth it.

   â€œOf course” he said reaching over to the communication system “bring out the X-1” he said.  The first Mech moved clear of the factory.

   â€œIt’s a Stealth!”  George Hasek shouted “we were looking for the new OmniMech Cobb, don’t waste our time!”

   â€œYes, sire it is” Cobb said he did not seem that bothered by the Field Marshal’s distaste for the Mech, the Stealth BattleMech had been debuted almost ten years before.  He saw that Morgan Hasek-Davion’s son was not amused at the company had shown them a decade old BattleMech and carried on forward “the Stealth is one of the Inner Sphere’s most successful BattleMechs it is fast, manoeuvrable and carries a decent array of weapons for a design of its size.”  He said touching the comm. system “bring out X-2 and X-3” he said two more Stealths walked out they all looked physically similar but had different weapons.  “The X-1, 2 and 3 Designs all use the weapons configurations already seen on the various Stealth BattleMechs.”

   â€œNo offence intended Mr Cobb but we wanted an OmniMech not a Mech that could emulate our successful BattleMech design.  Now if you are unable to give us an original design perhaps we should have gone with Kallon as the Field Marshal suggested.”  Jackson said, although impressed with the Stealth in general he had expected something more than a simple upgrade of a current design.  It was exactly like the original Draconis Combine OmniMechs all copies of successful Clan or Inner Sphere BattleMechs.

   â€œMarshal Davion, that is the first three configurations, all designed to be test beds for the design and to give MechWarriors a touchstone with the design.  Also on the field an enemy would not know if he was facing the same Mech in three engagements or facing three different designs, allowing a unit to hide its numbers at least in the short term.”  Cobb pointed out Jackson nodded seeing some worth in the design after all, but still it was not as impressive as he was hoping “also we have three new design configurations all showing a new aspect to the Stealth design.”  Cobb said smiling touching the comm. system again “bring out X-4, X-5 and X-6” he said three more Stealths walked out, normally a company made two or three prototypes not six this showed General Motors commitment to the design.  “This first makes use of the new C3 Master computer making it an effective company or lance Mech we combine that with five brand new Extended-Range medium lasers, the second uses the smallest of the new Rotary Autocannons with plenty of ammo and the third uses an experimental light autocannon, a four-tube SRM rack, a Slave C3 unit and a targeting computer module.  Mixing this with the Stealth’s inherent features these all make the Mech a very effective OmniMech design.”

   â€œNice idea, if a little premature on the NAIS’s new light autocannons, I was not aware NAIS cleared them for deployment.”  Hasek said admiring the six Mechs, all were a variation of the Stealth BattleMech, thinking about what Cobb said he was right the Stealth was an impressive design already giving it OmniMech characteristics made the design even better, even more impressive.

   â€œThey haven’t, but I know someone” Cobb said boasting before he realised who he was boasting too “the light autocannon is a decent weapon and on the Stealth it shows that it makes a decent fast attack weapon on a medium design.”

   â€œNo weapons on the arms” Jackson said looking over the Mechs arrayed in front of him.

   â€œThere is space, but we chose to keep to the Stealth’s basic structure with fully useable arms on each OmniMech, arms are something you don’t see a lot on OmniMechs, we aim to buck that trend and it gives us a unique aspect to an OmniMech.”

   â€œI like it and it will be a proud addition to the Capellan March armies.”  George Hasek said smiling proudly.

   â€œYou mean it will be a proud addition to the Federated Suns Armed Forces Field Marshal?”

   â€œOf course, I just meant it is nice to see that we are keeping on the cutting edge and that with the deployment of the Capellan Men Shen we will need this Mech more than the other Marches, this Mech should make a nice foil to the Capellan OmniMech.”  He said, Jackson nodded the new Stealth would match the Capellan OmniMech quite well and had little to oppose it from the other armies of the Succession Lords, the new Stealth may even challenge the Clan Shadow Cat.”

   â€œI agree, a nice addition.”  Jackson said “from a shaky start Mr Cobb you have produced a worthy design and I will happily welcome the Stealth OmniMech into the AFFS.”

Command Deck, White Cloud (Sovetskii Soyuz-class Heavy Cruiser)
Outworlds Alliance, Baliggora, Periphery
18th February 3064

   Scouting the periphery regions of the Inner Sphere’s Draconis Combine and Outworlds Alliance Clan Snow Raven had found several colonies which had been scoured of all life, attacked by an enemy.   The commander of the WarShip White Cloud, Star Admiral Shu, entered the Outworlds Alliance against Clan orders with the intent on gaining intelligence on the Outworlds Alliance by capturing one of the periphery nations JumpShips.  Encountering an Outworlds Alliance vessel in the Baliggora system the Star Admiral contacted the JumpShip’s commander and arranged a trial.  Two Snow Raven fighters would fight against two Outworlds Alliance fighters, if the Snow Ravens won they would take the JumpShip its crew and both attached DropShips as Isorla if they lost the Outworlds Alliance crew would be free to go and would gain one of the Snow Raven’s Titan-class DropShips.

   In a reversal of fortunes the Snow Raven pilots were defeated by the Outworlds Alliance flyers and the Snow Ravens lost the trial.  Handing over the Titan to the periphery victors the Snow Ravens were intrigued by these ‘barbarian’ flyers from the periphery and gained a massive amount information from the Outworlds Alliance crews as they took over command of the vessel.  Star Admiral Shu contacted Khan Lynn McKenna and related his pilots failures and his intrigue caused by the contact with the periphery warriors.  Lynn McKenna informed Shu that she wanted the White Cloud crew to contact the Outworlds Alliance leaders and open a dialogue with the nation as it seemed that they valued the aerospace fighter and the naval arts just as the Snow Ravens did.

York, Kerensky Cluster
Clan Homeworlds, Clan Space
28th February 3064

   Clan Star Adder and Stone Rhino conqueror York with Star Adder Khan Stanislov N’Buta killing Blood Spirit Khan Karianna Schmitt in personal combat.  Clan Stone Rhino absorbs the entire Omega Galaxy almost without a shot being fired however during the fighting against the Blood Spirits Alpha Galaxy the Star Adders loose the 193rd Dragoon Cluster of Epsilon Galaxy and the Eighty-fifth Adder Cavaliers Cluster of Alpha Galaxy while the Stone Rhinos loose their entire Gamma Galaxy.

   After taking their salvage and a large amount of on-hand equipment from the planet the Star Adders make the most surprising move of all, they turn the entire planet of York over to the Stone Rhinos almost doubling the Stone Rhino population.

York, Clan Stone Rhino Holdings
Kerensky Cluster
Clan Space, Clan Homeworlds
24th April 3064

   Clan Steel Viper becomes the first Clan to strike at York since Clan Stone Rhino assumed full control over the world they are beaten back by the Stone Rhinos troops on planet including entire stars of former Blood Spirit Warriors serving their Clan.  The Stone Rhinos begin building a Primary Genetic Repository on York intent on making York their new capital.  By the end of the month Clans Cloud Cobra, Goliath Scorpion and Snow Raven have all challenged for and lost areas of York.

Arboris and Genoa
Chaos March/Federated Suns Borders
4th May 3064

   With First Prince Victor Steiner-Davion seemingly unwilling to act and the Draconis March busy ensuring the territory they have seized from the Draconis Combine is safe Field Marshal George Hasek of the Capellan March orders his troops into action along the Chaos March borders.  The Lexington Combat Group, a three regiment mercenary unit, and the Illician Lancers Mercenary Brigade, four regiments plus support, drop onto the worlds of Arboris and Genoa two worlds sandwiched between the Federated Suns and the Capellan Confederation.

   The Lexington Combat Group encounters the Heavyhell Raisers on Arboris a battalion strength mercenary command with known Capellan Confederation ties.  Following a warning from the LCG’s commanders the Heavyhell Raisers attempt to wage a guerrilla campaign with aide from Capellan-sponsored Terrorist Organisations however against three elite regiments with full support the Heavyhell Raisers are no-more by the end of may and Arboris is mostly pacified and under Federated Suns, Capellan March, control.  On Genoa the Illician Lancers encounter Little Richard’s Panzer Brigade and an unidentified Battalion of troops, the mercenary unit and its supporting Battalion both refuse to surrender the world declaring that it is Capellan territory.  The four regiments immediately take the capital then over the course of the rest of the month destroy the Little Richard’s Panzer and the Battalion which are later identified as Bloody Hands Terrorists by Federated Suns DMI analysts.  Like Arboris Genoa is accepted into and added to the Federated Suns Capellan March.  The MRBC of Outreach take both Merc units off the books declaring them dead.  During these battles both the LCG and the Illician Lancers field two Stealth OmniMechs each, although it is believed that these OmniMechs are still under AFFS control and undergoing combat trials, none are lost in combat and all prove the design’s worth.

Lyran Alliance/Clan Jade Falcon Border
Inner Sphere
10th-14th May 3064

   Clan Jade Falcon strike over their Occupation Zone borders at the Lyran Alliance striking several worlds inside the so-called Arc-Royal Defence Zone as a diversionary tactic to keep the Kell Hounds and Wolf (in-Exile) Clan busy and off balance their real target become apparent when on the 12th the Jade Falcons launch and all out invasion of the Melissa Theatre taking control of Barcelona, Newton Square, Mogyorod and Kikuyu in several quick trials.  The Sixth Donegal Guards RCT are quickly beaten on Kikuyu forced into retreat to Melissa the theatre capital while the Fourteenth Donegal Guards RCT are routed when their commander Leutnant-General Adam Steiner, Katherine Steiner-Davion’s cousin, is felled in combat to the Jade Falcon assault forces.

   Archon Katrina Steiner-Davion orders her troops to abandon Port Moseby to the Draconis Combine and push back the Jade Falcon attackers, at the same time she asks for SLDF aid and opens a dialogue with Duke Morgan Kell for his aid.

   Star League Commanding-General Morgan Hasek-Davion deploys the 151st Eridani Light Horse currently on Port Moseby to the border and calls on the Nineteenth Cavalry Regiment from Dieron as well, with no Lyran or SLDF troops to oppose them the DCMS secure Port Moseby.

   On the 14th Clan Wolf (in-Exile) go on the offensive with Khan Phelan Kell leading the charge in a whirlwind attack his Clan’s Alpha Galaxy liberate the worlds Antares, Graus and Blair Athol from the Jade Falcons.  With the Exiled wolves only one jump from their Occupation Zone capital and more Lyran troops, and the SLDF, entering the fray the Jade Falcons stop their incursion for now securing the worlds they have taken.

Clan Occupation Zone
Ghost Bear Territory
18th May 3064

   Free of combat against the Draconis Combine the Ghost Bear Dominion turn their whole offensive might against the Hell’s Horses Occupation Zone retaking the three worlds lost to the Clan and all three worlds the Hell’s Horses occupied in the Inner Sphere annihilating the Hell’s Horses Gamma Galaxy in one short week.  The three Hell’s Horses WarShips assigned to the Inner Sphere are driven off all with heavy damage.  The Ghost Bears begin reprisal strikes against the Wolves striking Hermagor, Dawn, Nox and Balsta all worlds along the Wolf/Ghost Bear borders.  The Wolves hold Nox but loose all other three worlds to the determined Ghost Bear warriors.

   Just when the Wolves believe they have weathered the storm the Bears strike once more with Star Colonel Ragnar, former Elected-Prince of the Free Rasalhague Republic, present commander of the First Rasalhague Bears leads an attack against and quickly secures Rasalhague the former capital of the Free Rasalhague Republic.  With four worlds lost and eyes on the Jade Falcon OZ Khan Vlad Ward negotiates a cease-fire with the Ghost Bear Dominion, the Bears are more than happy with seven new worlds for their Dominion.

Phillip Drummond City
Tortuga Prime, Nova Cat’s Den
14th July 3064

   With wedding plans progressing between Canin and Yvonne Khan Santin West had asked Yvonne if she wanted any of her family at the ceremony, when she had said she would messengers had been sent out and arrived at New Avalon inviting them to New Barcella.  The Federated Suns WarShip carrying them had been allowed into the New Port Royal system while the DropShip was carried by a Nova Cat WarShip the last jump to New Barcella.  Now escorted by an entire binary of Nova Cat aerospace fighters the Excalibur-class DropShip had been allowed to land at the sprawling spaceport, the sword-and-sunburst proudly displayed on the side of the vessel’s ovoid hull.  The class chosen had not been lost on the Nova Cats, a class of vessel named after a sword from the nation of the sword.

   A luxury hover limousine carrying the Federated Suns party departed the vessel and was escorted by a full star of OmniMechs through the city looking out the windows Isis Steiner, sitting beside Peter and across from Victor and Danai, was first to say anything since they had landed “hard to believe we are in the heart of Clan held territory, this reminds me of a hundred worlds” she said looking back to Peter who nodded silently.

   â€œAre you alright?”  Victor whispered leaning closet to Dania as she shifted uncomfortably in her seat, she was heavily pregnant and Victor had asked her not to come but she had insisted she would be fine and she would not miss Yvonne’s wedding.

   â€œYes, just tired, it has been a long trip.”  She whispered back kissing him gently as the limo pulled up beside the Clan Hall.

   â€œWow, talk about making a statement.”  Peter said quietly.  At the front of the hall an entire star of twenty-five Elementals stood their armour painted from total black-to-white.  As the doors opened five more Elementals stepped clear of the building completing an unbroken line wall-to-wall.

   â€œMaybe they don’t want us inside.”  Isis suggested

   â€œI let them in the Royal Palace, they could show us the same respect.”  Victor said slightly annoyed about the idea of not being allowed inside.  Their fears were unnecessary however as the line of Elementals broke into two lines of fifteen flanking the main entrance way to Hall with perfect precision.  A single Nova Cat Clanswomen walked down path to the limo, she was dressed in an all white jumpsuit with her blonde hair tied up.

   â€œWelcome to New Barcella and the Nova Cat’s Den.  If you would like to follow me, I will lead you to the Khan.”  She said as Victor and Peter cleared the vehicle.

   â€œDanai and Isis will continue onto our accommodations if that is alright, it has been a long trip and my wife is tired.”  Victor said the Nova Cat Clanswoman raised a small communications device to her lips and informed the escort commander of the plan and the lead Mech began to move out.  She then headed off towards the Clan Hall Victor and Peter said their goodbyes then closed the limo door and the vehicle moved out following the Mechs.

   â€œDo you feel as exposed as me?”  Peter asked as he and Victor walked between the two rows of Elementals towards the hall.

   â€œNot really” Victor replied calmly as they reached the steps in front of the hall “from my dealings with the Clans, and the Nova Cats especially, I’ve come to realise they are a deeply honourable people ninety percent of the time.  And if they want us dead they will give us a weapon of equal or greater strength than their own before trying anything.”  Ascending the stairs they entered the hall and both almost immediately noticed the two statues of OmniMechs standing inside the Hall “reminds me of Tharkad” Peter said looking at his brother, Victor nodded the Steiner influence in the buildings interior was unmistakable perhaps somewhere in the Nova Cat‘s clan history there was some Steiner blood somewhere.  The clanswomen guiding them led the two men between the two statues under a massive Nova Cat banner and into the back office area where they saw several techs working on computer screens and the Khan and saKhan overseeing them.

   Although he noticed their entrance Santin West chose to ignore the two visitors from the Federated Suns, for now he had too much other things to consider.  An hour before a Buccaneer-class DropShip carrying two thousand tons of equipment and twenty-eight Nova Cat crew had been forced to make an emergency landing in the ocean following a mechanical error.  DropShips were not designed to land on oceans and the DropShip had immediately began to sink despite the crew sealing all hatches before they evacuated.  Now the DropShip was underwater and the crew were inside six small rafts the Nova Cats lacking any major naval vessels were using VTOLs and small hydrofoils they had captured from periphery worlds.  “Have the First Guards VTOL Star push through and find them then the Hydrofoils can go directly to them.”  Santin said his voice showed complete calm.

   â€œThere is a storm brewing out there, Khan West, the hydrofoils and Hovercraft are finding it hard going.”  From behind Victor looked at the monitors and realised what the Nova Cats were doing, on any Inner Sphere world facing a crisis like this with limited resources there would be an element of panic but the Nova Cats were barely flinching.  Victor was unsure if that was because they didn’t care if the DropShip crew made it out of this or not or if it was because of superior training.

   â€œInform them that they are the DropShip crews only hope of survival.”  Santin said coldly, there was no encouragement or despair in his voice, what happened would happen.

   â€œWhat we need is some Undine Armour” One of the techs was saying to Canin “if we had them and calm seas the Elementals could take down metal wires, attached to a hovering DropShip, attach them on strategic points around the downed vessel and haul it up.”

   â€œPut it up on the main holo-tank” Canin said turning to face Victor and Peter, Canin nodded once to both of them then pushed past activating the holo-tank which showed the Buccaneer lying in almost a thousand metres of water.  “Tech, where are our Undine armour?”

   â€œUpsilon Galaxy, saKhan, and we do not have the blueprints to manufacture more here in the Den.”  The tech answered after a moments checking records Upsilon Galaxy was one of their Homeworlds Garrison Galaxies and it would take months to get the suits to the Den.

   â€œDo you have regular breathing gear?”  Peter asked quietly Canin gave him a cold look, as if to warn him to keep out of this, then nodded.

   â€œAff, but it is not rated deeper than eight hundred metres.”

   â€œWe have Remote Operated Vehicles, ROVs, in the Federated Suns.  They can go that deep.”  Victor suggested.

   â€œWe have such vehicles as well, just not here.”  Khan West said quietly “welcome to New Barcella First Prince Davion, intresting circumstances we find ourselves in.”  He said turning nodding once to Victor then looking at the holo-tank.

   â€œIn more ways than one Khan West.  I am curious you do not have any major naval vessels, considering the planet’s vast ocean.”

   â€œThe Clans have little in the way of blue-water navies.  The Undine Battle Armour is the newest and probably the most advanced blue-ocean weapon we have and that only caters for one person.”  Khan West said gravely, sometimes he wondered if living on New Barcella was worth the resources it cost the Nova Cats.  The Borealis Colony, being built on the sea, was costing the Clan every month and was months from completion.  “We also have specifications for Star League Defence Force submersible vehicles but none have been built.”

   â€œWe have such vessels in the Federated Suns, they could get you started.”  Victor suggested, he was interested in increasing the trade with the Nova Cats if possible strengthening the alliance they had begun to form.

   â€œThat would interest me, what would you want for such a trade?”

   â€œWe would be able to provide you with two Rapier-class Patrol Destroyers and a Persecutor-class Hunter-Killer Submarine immediately possibly more in the future if it was needed.”  The Khan nodded “in exchange I was wondering if the Nova Cats could assist the Federated Suns with something?”

   â€œI am listening”

   â€œKhan West, rescue teams report they have recovered the rafts all DropShip crew accounted for.  They are going to land on Borealis until the storm has passed.”  One of the techs said.

   â€œGood news.”  West said “this way” he said turning back to the two Federated Suns people leading them back into the main room, Canin followed them quietly.  “You we saying you would need help with something?”

   â€œIn the centuries since the fall of the Star League” Victor began both Santin and Canin were slightly shocked at where he had started mentioning the Star League to the Clans normally brought to mind the notions of the ilClan, the number one Clan, and the stavag new Star League that the other Clans wished to destroy.  “There has been an organisation in the Inner Sphere that has controlled nearly all the Interstellar communications.”

   â€œComStar” West said, ComStar had approached the Clans with open arms only to stab them in the back when they discovered the Clans target, Terra, the ComGuards defeated the invading clans on the world of Tukayyid ending the invasion ending any chance of there being an ilClan in most current warrior‘s lifetimes.

   â€œYes, that is right ComStar.”  Victor said “recently a second organisation has emerged, the Word of Blake.  Khan West, I trust neither organisation fully but am dependant on them for communication with my nations planets.”

   â€œWe cannot base Nova Cats on every Federated Suns planet, or even in every region.  We do not have that many technicians ourselves.  And the other Clans or Inner Sphere states would notice such a deployment.”

   â€œOf course not, Khan West” Victor said nearly immediately he did not want Nova Cats permanently in the Federated Suns, that would be bad for the Federated Suns and for the Nova Cats if and when the rest of the Inner Sphere found out about it.  “If the Nova Cats could give us the specifications for a Star League-era HPG, how to operate it and build replacement parts then that would forward our plans by several decades.”

   â€œThat is all you want?”  West said slightly shocked, he had not realised the Inner Sphere nations were that badly off when it came to HPG technology.

   â€œPerhaps the half dozen members of the Nova Cat technician and science castes to get us really started.  We could take a couple to NAIS to see how far the Federated Suns are along with its own research and a couple to Savonburg.”  Peter suggested, NAIS was well known for its attempts to break the HPG codes held by ComStar part of the reason Hanse Davion had poured so much money into the university was to break open the HPG, making the Federated Suns independent of ComStar and in the process improving the Federated Suns way of life.  Savonburg was a complete unknown however officially it was the Federated Suns only periphery university giving the people of the Outback (Federated Suns controlled Periphery) high class education.  Unofficially Savonburg was also home to half a dozen research labs one dedicated to breaking open HPGs and other secrets.

   â€œI could authorize this.”  West said to Victor’s surprise “I can give you the information now then in a couple of months send the Guiding Vision, one of our Merchant Carrack-class vessels into the Federated Suns.  On board I will place fifty scientists and fifty technicians all of whom have HPG experience, once in the Federated Suns their deployment will be up to you.  While the Merchant vessel will go on a tour of the Federated Suns, you may place a security force aboard to endure it does not go anywhere that my compromise your nation.”  West said, allowing Davion intelligence staff aboard was a risky move but the Federated Suns was little threat to the Nova Cats if they attacked or tried to steal the vessel the entire Touman could mobilize against them, something Santin knew the Federated Suns was not prepared for and even feared.

   â€œWhat will this merchant vessel do?”

   â€œWhat merchants do Prince Davion, trade.  It will start with a full cargo of clan technology and two DropShips also with Clan tech” one of those vessels would be full of fighters and Elementals West though but no need to tell them that “the vessel will travel into your Draconis March into major systems.  Travel into the centre of the Inner Sphere around the Chaos March?”  West said unsure of the correct name “then into the Capellan March and finally the Crucis March.  On each stop they will be required to trade for at least one item unique to that region.”

   â€œWhy would you risk losing one of your merchant vessels in such a journey?  If a Clan vessel was discovered travelling through the Inner Sphere and near Terra then some of the other nations of the Inner Sphere may take offence and try and destroy or capture it and the crew.”

   â€œOne of the reasons I suggested you have some of your people aboard, they will know danger spots where we should avoid, and they should know good places for us to set up trade opportunities.”  He said, at the same time he was seriously thinking of brining the Diamond Sharks in on this as well, they were far more merchant based than the Nova Cats.

   â€œDone” Victor said reaching out with his hand Santin’s massive hand completely swallowed it in a strong grip “now were we not here for a wedding?”

   â€œAff, Yvonne should be finished by now, I think she said she was going to the guest quarters to see you afterwards.”

   â€œAfterwards?  Finished?  What do you have our sister doing?”  Peter asked looking at Canin with accusing eyes, he did not want his sister doing menial tasks for the Nova Cats.

   â€œAlthough she proved herself a warrior in our Touman she decided she did not want to be a warrior and asked to be reassigned.”  West said Victor and Peter looked back between the Khan and saKhan.

   â€œOkay so what is she doing?”  Victor asked slowly.

   â€œShe is head administrator of New Barcella, she handles all civilian matters on this world allowing us to deal with Clan problems.  According to her staff they have never seen anyone who works so hard or so well under pressure.  In the last six months she has gotten several projects back on schedule by better organisation than the person who was doing it previously.”  Canin said

   â€œWhat happened to the guy who was doing it before?”  Peter asked.

   â€œThat would be me.”  Khan West said lowering his head “your sister is quite an asset to my Clan.”  He said bowing his head even more briefly “the saKhan will take you to see her while I select techs, merchants and scientists for the exchange.”  Khan West said turning around heading into the rear office.  Once he was gone Peter was the first to speak.

   â€œIt takes a big man to admit that someone else is better than they are at something.”  Peter said Canin was already leading Victor out another exit this one to the rear of the building.  Standing there were three OmniMechs.  “Now that is what I call transport, we should have taken our own Mechs Victor.”  Peter said looking at the Mechs a pair of Nova Cats and a Dragon Cat, Canin’s Mech.

   â€œYou would allow us to take live Mechs through your capital?”  Victor asked looking at Canin who was already heading over towards a changing area.

   â€œThe damage you could do is negligible Prince Davion, throughout the city there are Nova Cat units either on routine patrol or on special assignments ensuring there are no problems with our visitors, some of our citizens are former Tortuga civilians and harbour grudges against your people.  Also both your Mechs weapons arrays are disabled at present, I have the activation codes if you need to defend yourselves, however you will have to trust me for the most part.”  Neither Victor or Peter were completely comfortable with that concept but had little choice, apparently Yvonne had belief in these people.

General Harry Sanders’ Office
First Battle Armour Corps Command
New Canton, Capellan Confederation
4th August 3064

   Sitting in his New Canton office General Harry Sanders looked at the most recent reports on the situation on New Canton the Capellan Confederation’s control had changed little on New Canton especially with the SLDF units on planet keeping order and protecting the rulers of the world’s cities.  Today was a special day for Harry he’d recalled the Third Royal Battle Armour Battalion to New Canton and called Lt. Colonel Wu Tsen Lo to his office.

   The Lieutenant Colonel had been Harry’s executive officer when they were mercenaries in the Stalwart Support and they both knew each other very well and considered each other as friends.  With their joining the SLDF and with the formation of separate Battalions of Battle Armour he had taken command on one of the units and become the SLDF’s trouble-shooters on New Canton and in the surrounding worlds of the succession states and the Chaos March.  Now however Harry had a new job for his former XO.  Wu entered the room dressed in full SLDF uniform and snapped to attention seeing Harry sitting there.  “Reporting as ordered General, congratulations on your recent promotion.”

   â€œThank you, Lt Colonel, It’s strange gaining a promotion while doing little to deserve it however the Commanding-General said he needed a General to command a Corps so here I am.  And here you are.”  He said pushing a box across the table Wu bent down and opened the small box, inside he found two small blue circles with white stars in  the centre.  Colonel insignia.  “Congratulations!”

   â€œWhat’s this for?”

   â€œI’m giving you command of the Second Battle Armour Corps.”

   â€œSecond…  when did it form?”

   â€œIt hasn’t formed yet, Colonel, we are sending a set up group to Fletcher to begin setting up a primary base.”

   â€œFletcher?  The Lawless world?  We do like picking endangered places don’t we?”  He said looking at Harry.  Fletcher had no HPG and no-one ruled the world, it sat on the Federated Suns border with the Chaos March and was frequented by pirates and down-on-their-luck mercenary troops.

   â€œWhen the Commanding-General hired me I told him I was dedicated to protecting people in trouble in the Chaos March.  New Canton was just the start, now the original plan was for our Battalions to be deployed in the Chaos March as peacekeepers but little wars have gotten in the way.  I am hoping that your Corps will be able to specialise in peacekeeping and anti-terrorist operations in the Chaos March, but we never know.  Do you accept?”

   â€œAye, I’ll take my Battalion there in support of the engineering crews and hopefully bring Fletcher back into the civilized word.”  He said smiling, the very idea of dropping onto Fletcher and facing all the troubles that lonely world faced would be a challenge before they even got to form the Corps.

   â€œI know you’ll get the job done Colonel, good luck to you and your men.”

The Cave, George Hasek’s Office
New Saso, New Syrtis Command
Capellan March, Federated Suns
4th August 3064

   Deep under the frozen tundra of New Syrtis lay the Cave Headquarters of the Federated Suns Capellan March, from there George Hasek could wield power over the whole Capellan March giving orders to dozens of units based in the March.  Now the DMI Liaison assigned to his command was delivering a report that the Star League’s Battle Armour Corps was about to begin forming a Second Corps and that it would be on the world of Fletcher.  If the Star League controlled the world it would stall Federated Suns manoeuvres in the Chaos March worlds and make it difficult for them to operate in retaking the rest of the worlds.  The Star League already controlled the Sirian Concordance worlds near the Free Worlds League and New Canton in the Capellan Confederation, George did not want them controlling a Federated Suns world as well.  The First Federated Suns Armoured Cavalry were still on Ziliang one jump from Fletcher guarding the venerable Ziliang Salient ‘above’ the Capellan Confederations borders blocking House Liao’s charge into the Chaos March.  George would deploy a Battalion from the First Armoured to secure the world then back them up by sending a regiment of the Twelfth Vegan Rangers Mercenary Brigade currently under Federated Suns contract.  When the SLDF arrived the world would welcome them with open arms to a Federated Suns world and the Capellan March would have rights over the world.

Secret Fleet Anchorage, ComStar Controlled
Location: Somewhere in Lyran Alliance
8th August 3064

   Almost five months after the launch of the first Intrepid-class vessel the ComGuards launch the second vessel of the class, the Reliant.  The Reliant’s launch is secret just like the Saratoga’s was and the vessel heads for the Luyten 68-28 Anchorage to join the First ComGuard Naval Fleet based there.  With two out of the three vessels undergoing trials the ComGuards are even closer to being ready for a strike against the Word of Blake.  The ComGuards also officially bring the 473rd Division online bringing the Seventh Army back up to four Divisions of strength, this green unit begins practicing hard hitting moves against units using ComStar’s organisation structure despite most of ComStar’s assets being deployed against the Clans.

HPG Compound
299th ComGuard Division Headquarters
Caph, Chaos March
8th September 3064

   The entire 299th ComGuard Division of ComStar was arrayed around the HPG compound on Caph they were preparing to move out to their DropShips and evacuate Caph.  Two days before the Caph Provisional Government had asked the Word of Blake to assume control over Caph’s interstellar communications.  The ComGuard personnel had gotten exactly one hundred metres before an entire Division of Word of Blake troops had arrived and surrounded them Precentor Peter Fedt ordered his ComGuards to retreat back to the compound until they could assess the Word of Blake’s intentions.  Sitting in the cockpit of his fifty ton Raijin looking at the white BattleMechs of the Word of Blake Fedt felt nervous, the Word of Blake Mech, vehicles and battle armour all stood weapons powered targeting systems active.  There were no equipment trucks or anything, this force was not going to take over garrison duties.  His communication gear bleeped nearly constantly Fedt keyed it in and Minister of Culture Joseph Coz appeared on the auxiliary monitor, Fedt hated the man he was always manipulating things changing things for his benefit.  “Minister, how can I be of service?”

   â€œPrecentor Fedt, I want your people off my planet why are you still here?”

   â€œMinister Coz, Duke Gustafuson gave me seventy-two hours to clear Caph and now my forces have been confronted by forces of the Word of Blake.”

   â€œYes, that is correct, however Duke Gustafuson passed away last night.  I have been made Duke pro-tem and if you are not off Caph within the hour then I have been given assurances by the Word of Blake that you will not leave Caph alive.”

   â€œMinister…”

   â€œDuke”  Coz corrected

   â€œWhatever” Fedt said “the only way my forces can be off Caph in an hour is if we abandon our supply vehicles and make for the Spaceport now abandoning over eighteen million C-Bills worth of equipment and our personnel belongings.  You cannot expect us to abandon such supplies.”

   â€œYou will abandon these supplies or I will order Precentor Yoshizumi to kill you.”  Fedt looked out at the Word of Blake BattleMechs seeing a kneeling Exterminator BattleMech on each vehicle and Mech, this was the Word of Blake First Division the most elite of the whole Word of Blake Militia his troops were veteran quality and would put up a valiant fight but they had HPG techs and equipment to defend, they would be easy pickings.

   â€œYou mean he can try to kill us.  Minister, if you take this action against us then ComStar will never let it stand.”

   â€œThey will never know, Precentor, all they will hear will be that you resisted the Word of Blake occupation of your base and attacked them.”  The First Minister said smiling, moments later the entire Word of Blake line opened fire beginning a sixteen hour battle in which the Word of Blake unit destroyed the entire ComGuard Division and took the ComStar HPG techs and support staff as prisoners of war.

   Within an hour of the end of the battle First Minister Coz sent ComStar command word that the 299th Division had attacked the Word of Blake Division taking over from them and their support staff had been killed in the cross-fire.  Coz also claimed that heavy damage had been done to the south side of Caph’s capital and that he would be claiming damages.  The HPG techs and support staff were taken off planet and shipped to the Word of Blake ROM Headquarters on Mars for indoctrination in the Word of Blake‘s beliefs, the few who did not turn were thrown in prison two kilometres under the Martian surface.  ComStar log an official protest with Caph’s government and with the SLDF but nothing real happens for now.

Devil’s Advocates Mercenary Command
Caph, Chaos March
12th September 3064

   The Devil’s Advocates Mercenary Command are able to get another message off Caph by using what little contacts they have on Caph.  Instead of contacting the Lyran Alliance again they choose to contact the MRBC direct on Outreach using a merchant JumpShip man and what little capital they have left.  They claim to have proof that the Word of Blake attack on the ComGuard Division was unprovoked and that the Word of Blake are attempting to gain control of the whole planet.

Jump Station Avellar’s Hope
Alpheratz, Zenith Point
Outworlds Alliance
14th September 3064

   Ninety percent of the time the Jump Station that served the Outworlds Alliance capitol system was a boring place where traders traded what little they had with passing businessmen and Alliance officials.  Shop Owner Robert ‘Bob’ Gibbs was a Alpheratz national who had always dreamed of going to the stars and making his fortune.  He had tried at the Outworlds Alliance Military Corps (AMC) twice and been rejected twice, they said his hand-eye coordination was nowhere near high enough for him to be in the military.  Instead he had bought a shop on the JumpShip Recharge Station and tried to make a living for five long years.  Little happened there and Bob was ready to give up when in 3060 Cassius Lawson made contact with him and offered Bob another way to make money.  Cassius served ComStar, or so he said, and ComStar was a well trusted agency in the Outworlds Alliance so Bob had been interested.  The job was simple Bob kept an eye on who was entering the system and reported anything unusual back to his contact, in return he got three hundred C-Bills a month tax free even if he reported nothing.  This arrangement technically made Bob an agent of an outside organisation but he didn’t care it allowed him to stay in space and it hurt no-one.

   The morning of the 14th however something interesting happened the AMC security guards arrived in force and locked down the station beginning intense questioning of everyone.  After about sixteen hours they released the lock-down but kept a high presence.  Near midnight the reason for the sudden increase of scrutiny became apparent as a new type of JumpShip entered the system, everyone was talking about the vessel then it started to move in-system something JumpShips couldn’t normally do.  Bob knew exactly what it was when he had been a child his parents had bought him dozens of space books many spoke of leviathans of the deep that travelled into systems and could fight in space, they were known as WarShips.  Bob had never seen a WarShip before but as the vessel moved into the system he knew that was what he had seen a WarShip, a shiver ran through his body the AMC would never be able to afford one of these titans or have the strength to field one, who owned it?  And what were they doing here?

   The AMC security folk didn’t seem bothered by the vessel’s appearance and joined it heading in system and soon left the station.  An hour after they left Bob transmitted his information to his contact and by the end of the week the organisation he believed was ComStar knew of the vessel’s appearance in the system.  In fact Bob was working for the Word of Blake since the two organisations worked the same way the man from the Periphery never knew he was betraying his nation to a foe that could potentially harm them.

   Across the Alliance and Alpheratz Inner Sphere Intelligence Agents soon got hold of information similar to what Bob had reported confirming the information and letting the entire Inner Sphere know there was an unknown WarShip in the Outworlds Alliance.

   As far as the government of the Alliance was concerned this was a great day, the beginning of a new friendship and alliance with Clan Snow Raven, the WarShip Clan.  By the end of the week the Alliance Government had agreed to supply the Snow Ravens from several worlds in exchange the Snow Ravens would help them hunt for pirate forces and help the Outworlds Alliance build its first OmniFighter the Corax.

Devil’s Advocates Mercenary Command
Caph, Chaos March
16th September 3064

   The Devil’s Advocates do not have to wait long for a reply from the MRBC, Wolf’s Dragoons deploy the WarShip Beowulf to secure the system’s Jump Point and a pair of Wolf’s Dragoons JumpShips enter via a pirate point landing elements of Wolf’s Dragoons Alpha Regiment on the planet and help the Devil’s Advocates evacuate.

   The Word of Blake claim the Devil’s Advocates are criminals and pirates and that they have been found guilty by the Caph Government of crimes against humanity.  When Wolf’s Dragoons commander Colonel Maeve Wolf refuses to release the Devil’s Advocates the Word of Blake force attacks the mercenary force on planet.  The Wolf’s Dragoons fight a rearguard mission while the Devil’s Advocates load aboard Dragoons DropShip’s and escape the Dragoons then follow suit and evacuate the planet.  Two days later the Word of Blake broadcast images of the white units of the First Division destroying the Wolf’s Dragoons Alpha Regiment claiming they defeated the Dragoons when the mercenaries tried to invade the planet expanding their empire centred around Outreach.  The Devil’s Advocates travel to Outreach intent on charging the Lyran Alliance for breach of contract and to try and figure out a way to pay back the debts owed to the Wolf’s Dragoons.  The Dragoons meanwhile begin to see the Word of Blake for what they truly are and Supreme Commander Jamie Wolf begins to take steps to end the threat posed by the Word of Blake to the free worlds of the Chaos March, because the Dragoons do not trust ComStar almost as much as they hate the Word of Blake the Dragoons take actions totally independent of ComStar.

Parliament Buildings
Orestes, Free Rasalhague Republic
15th October 3064

   Five days later Precentor Tharkad (Lyran Alliance) Gavin Dow arrived in the Free Rasalhague Republic capitol system and gave the Free Rasalhague people their first WarShip the Hilton Head.  Elected-Prince Regent Christian Mansdotter accepted the vessel from ComStar and praised the organisation for its continued dedication to the defence of the Free Rasalhague Republic and his people.  He then proceeded to hold Gavin Dow on Orestes for a further five days as they hammered out the full contract for maintenance and training of a crew for the vessel and then he presented the Precentor Tharkad to the public of Orestes, who were normally slightly hostile to ComStar personnel, today they gave him and the vessel he was presenting them with a rousing cheer.

Aten Royal Residence
New Glasgow, Skye
Skye Province, Lyran Alliance
2nd November 3064

   With the Star League Conference about to start on Luthien the citizens of Skye roused up by the Free Skye Movement stage a Pro-Independence March in the capital city of New Glasgow.  This march although completely peaceful in nature is massive and it takes the whole attention of the Thirty-sixth Lyran Guards RCT which had been redeployed to the planet from Hesperus II following the Skye Jaegers move to Ko in the Lyon’s Thumb worlds.

   With most of the Thirty-sixth deployed securing core manufacturing, government and military instillations a twenty ton military APC drives straight into the gates of the Aten family’s Royal Residence.  Although the APC fails to breach the gates it does bring a lot of attention to the front gates allowing a group of four soldiers dressed in Kage Battle Armour to cross the gates and enter the residence.

   Once over the wall the Kage armoured troopers were methodical entering each room of the palace and opening fire with Support Machine Gun fire.  The Guards who had been looking at the crashed APC were all instantly killed when the APC detonated itself destroying the vehicle, the gate house and thirty guards in a massive fireball.  The assassins found Duchess Margaret Aten in her bedroom killing the Skye leader with a burst of ten machine gun rounds.  Duchess Ilse Aten, Margaret’s eldest daughter, was killed in the corridor running to her mother with a snapped neck.  Unable to find the third target the assassin team left the residence without further incident, the only reason they were ever discovered was the residence security cameras and sensors.

   Upon hearing the news Skye began a national state of mourning and were thankful for the survival of Harmione Aten, the youngest of the Aten family, attending the opening of an art exhibit at the other side of the capital.  The people of Skye turn on the Thirty-sixth Lyran Guards blaming them for the attack on the palace, before the camera footage is made public, the Thirty-sixth initiate a martial law order on the planet of Skye until the public have calmed down.

Third Whitting Conference, Star League Council Chambers
Imperial City, Luthien
Pesht Military District, Draconis Combine
7th November 3064

   With the attack on Skye filtering through the Lyran Delegation refuse to attend the opening day of the Third Whitting Conference as Archon Katrina Steiner-Davion continued to receive information on the attack and suspected attackers.  The Lyran Authorities outside her inner circle suspect Draconis Combine involvement, none not know that she is the one responsible for the attack.

   Instead of the normal opening speeches of the Conference Colonel Neil Campbell, commander of the Royal Black Watch Regiment, announces the Royal Black Watch has begun expanding beyond Regimental strength.  He announces that during the fighting against Clan Ghost Bear, with First Lord Hohiro Kurita, he felt that his regiment was lacking in certain areas.  So the Royal Black Watch will add a Battle Armour Battalion, similar to other units of the Star League, and an Aerospace Wing.  These changes are to help the Royal Black Watch cover all threats to the future First Lords.  He also announces that the Royal Black Watch will now begin actively defending the First Lord’s family as well as the First Lord, following the assassination of Omiko Kurita.

   With these changes and the ever increasing Strength of the Star League Defence Force Chancellor Sun Tzu-Liao brings up the question of funding and Commanding-General Morgan Hasek-Davion confirms that the Star League will expect the Succession Lords to make a minimal increase of funding for the League to be able to complete these increases in strength.  Sun Tzu-Liao suggests that instead of further draining the current members of the Star League dry of capital that they increase the size of the Star League and nominates the Magistracy of Canopus for Star League Membership.  The Free Worlds League leader, Thomas Marik, seconds this call and adds the Word of Blake for Star League Membership and the Free Rasalhague Republic points out that ComStar has been defending the Inner Sphere since the start of the Star League nominating them.  Because the Lyran leader is missing the official vote for new members is postponed for three days.
 
Imperial Palace Gardens
Kurita Family Grave, Luthien
Pesht Military District, Draconis Combine
9th November 3064

   Leaving the guest quarters of the Royal Palace Victor Steiner-Davion had taken his Bushido Katana and Wakazashi, ceremonial weapons of the Draconis Combine with him he rarely wore these nowadays.  Gifted to him on Outreach all those years ago when Theodore Kurita, father of present leader Hohiro, named Victor and Kai Allard-Liao Samurai following their actions against the Clans to protect all the Inner Sphere.  Since that day he had worn the blades only twice, the leader of the Federated Suns could not wear such pro-Draconis Combine weapons publicly at home and expect to be leader the next day.

       Today however was special he was in the home of the bushido and the samurai and he was paying respect to a fallen member of the Kurita family.   At first the guards standing over the Kurita family’s resting place would not allow him to enter, especially since they knew who exactly who he was, Victor thought it almost laughable that once upon a time he'd been welcome in this house.  Hohiro Kurita soon arrived and found Victor sitting in one of the courtyards adjacent to the graveyard area in silence minus any guards completely trusting in the Kurita Household.  Sitting opposite Victor Hohiro looked over at the First Prince, Victor had been tactful and not worn AFFS uniform or anything that promoted his realm instead a simple black business suit, now he sat his bushido, the katana and wakazashi, held in his hand in front of him, his eyes only seeing the blades.  “Why did you come here Victor?”

   â€œSomeone I loved has died, I wanted to pay my respects to the fallen.”  Victor said his eyes never leaving the blades.

   â€œShe was of Kurita blood, you could have never had a future with her, you knew that you could not be with her which is why you married someone else.”  Hohiro said not even mentioning Danai’s name, it didn’t seem appropriate, especially considering the topic, although Hohiro had dissuaded the relationship between Victor and Omi he had been very surprised and slightly angry Victor had been able to move on so quickly following the end of the Clan War and the couples break-up.

   â€œI know there was no future between myself and your sister, Omi…”  His voice drifted off as he looked up at Hohiro, although the Draconis Combine Coordinator wore a blank stare he could see the hurt in his eyes.  “…we both knew there was no future.  But we loved each other, we would have been life long friends even if our nations came to blows.  And even though I thank the universe for every day I have with Danai, I curse everyday that Omiko is no longer with us.  May I pay my respects to your sister?”  Victor asked raising lowering the swords to his side.

   â€œYou may” Hohiro said quietly “the guards will not stop you this time.”  He said as Victor began to move “I see you still carry the bushido.”  He said observing Victor for a moment.

   â€œYour father honoured Kai and myself on Outreach, I would not dishonour his grave by appearing without the honour he bestowed on me.”  Victor said moving past Hohiro quietly entering the graveyard.  Victor stood in front of Omiko’s grave for several minutes his head lowered muttering quietly, Hohiro watching from the gates was unable to hear what he said but Victor then moved to Hohiro‘s father‘s grave and gave the grave deep samurai style bow before standing up straight and leaving the grave.  Hohiro watched the First Prince leave and realised that this was not the same Victor Steiner-Davion he had fought with during the Clan War, the First Prince of the Federated Suns seemed far older now than he had ever seemed during those battles.  Hohiro wondered silently if he would show such respect to Victor’s family graves if he ever saw them before today he probably would not have however Victor had shown respect Hohiro would return this someday.
 
Third Whitting Conference, Star League Council Chambers
Imperial City, Luthien
Pesht Military District, Draconis Combine
10th November 3064

   The Succession Lords began the vote for increasing the size of the Star League.  First the Free Worlds League voted the Word of Blake for status which was quickly seconded by the Capellan Confederation securing the Word of Blake a position in three years if all checks passed inspection.

   Next the Capellans nominated the Magistracy of Canopus which the Free Worlds League seconded returning the Capellan support with the Word of Blake.

   The Free Rasalhague Republic then voted ComStar into a position as well intent on balancing out the Word of Blake seat the Draconis Combine, another long term ally of the ComGuards, supported the Free Rasalhague Republic’s nomination.

   The three new organisations/organisations would have three years to prove that they deserved to be accepted as a full-term member of the Star League.  During those three years Star League Intelligence Command (SLIC) would check into all three ensuring that they were not acting against the best interest of the Star League or the Inner Sphere as a whole.

Jade Falcon Occupation Zone/Lyran Alliance Border
Arc-Royal Defence Cordon
Pandora Theatre, Lyran Alliance
19th November 3064

   To everyone’s surprise Clan Jade Falcon renew their incursions into the Lyran Alliance a bare six months after the end of their last incursion.  This time it seems they are only after reclaiming the lost territory from the first Incursion.   Jade Falcon units attack the three words the forces of Duke Morgan Kell and Khan Phelan Kell liberated.  They land the Jade Falcon Guards on Graus who face off against the Sixteenth Wolf Guards Cluster of Clan Wolf (in-Exile).  In a titanic battle in which neither Clan force uses Clan duelling rules the Sixteenth are effectively destroyed by the Jade Falcon Guards its survivors taken as bondsmen to Clan Jade Falcon.

   On Blair Atoll the Jade Falcons encounter the Twenty-third Arcturan Guards RCT a veteran unit only recently relocated there by Morgan Kell.  After a decade and a half of combat against the former-Federated Commonwealth RCTs the Jade Falcons are well aware of the destructive potential of an RCT, especially a combat blooded one such as the Twenty-third Arcturan Guards.  The Jade Falcon Khan leads the attack taking her own Turkina Keshik, the First Falcon Hussars Cluster and the Ninth Talon Cluster to the world with three WarShips in support.

   Khan Marthe Pryde initiated a Batchall as it the tradition of the Clans and the traditional minded Jade Falcons in particular.  “This is Khan Marthe Pryde, commander of the Turkina Keshik, vanquisher of Wolves and Steel Vipers.  We are here to reclaim the territory that was taken from us.  Who occupies this world and its population?”  Not expecting a reply she ordered the WarShips sitting just outside orbit to destroy anything that tried to run from the planet.

   â€œThis is Major General Nadine Killson commander of the Twenty-third Arcturan Guards Regimental Combat Team of the Lyran Alliance Armed Forces.  We DEFEND this world and its Lyran population and will do so with our full force.  Any attempt to land on this world will be resisted and safcon will not be recognised.  If you want to face us in combat the RCT is based at the southern polar region, far from any civilian area to minimise collateral damage and any unneeded waste.”  The Lyran ground commander replied a few minutes later just as the DropShips were entering the atmosphere.  Already two aerospace fighter wings containing thirty six fighters were engaged with the Jade Falcon fighters and DropShips.  On the sensor screen Marthe could see three Leopard CV-class Aerospace Fighter DropShips and two Claymore-class Assault DropShips closing on the battle quickly.  This would a tough battle however she would answer the General’s reply.

   â€œMajor General Killson, you honour us with your choice of location, you will make a good bondswoman when I have defeated your forces.  The Turkina Keshik, with one Elite Trinary, the First Falcon Hussars Cluster and the Ninth Talon Cluster, both containing three Veteran Trinaries each, will soon be with you.”

   â€œWell Khan Pryde, I have eight regiments of hurt waiting for them.”  Killson replied “and I won’t be your bondswoman, if anything you’ll be mine. Killson out.”  Nadine Killson replied almost immediately, Marthe Pryde was beginning to like this woman for a freebirth she certainly had spirit.  She keyed in a communication to all the Jade Falcons under her direct command today “Jade Falcons, they do not wish to fight us honourably.  We will have to fight to a landing zone and expect them to be waiting as we land.  Do your Clan proud and watch as the Lyrans scream with terror as they hear the Jade Falcon shrike!”  She said shutting down the system and without another word head to the Mechbay and her OmniMech, a seventy ton Summoner (Inner Sphere Designation: Thor).

   Nearly thirty minutes later the surviving Jade Falcons were landing on the frozen tundra of Blair Atoll.  They had lost on Union-C-class DropShip carrying a full Trinary of the Ninth Talon and over half of their fighters fighting off the Lyran Aerospace defenders but the Jade Falcons had emerged victorious and landed on Blair Atoll.

   Sixteen hours later the battle ended with Marthe Pryde’s limping Summoner was one of the few OmniMechs still moving under its own power.  Both Jade Falcon Clusters had been devastated with close to seventy percent material loss and eighty percent warrior cost.  The Jade Falcons took the remains of the Twenty-third Arcturan including a badly injured Major General Nadine Killson as Bondsmen and women making up for some of their losses and the Inner Sphere tech salvaged from battle would serve the Jade Falcons greatly in their second-line forces.  The saddest thing about this battle was just as the battle was ending several DropShips tried to make a run for it and ran straight into the Jade Falcon WarShip blockade.  The WarShips mercilessly gunned down the DropShips, which were all civilian and included two Monarch-class Passenger Liners with families on-board, and marked them down as casualties of war.

   In the Antares system the Jade Falcons experienced their worse losses.  They expected to find the Nineteenth Striker Regiment of the Eridani Light Horse in the system so they dispatched the First and Third Swoop Clusters of Alpha Galaxy with the Jade Solahma Cluster there to provide support if it was required.  Also included in the force was the WarShip Lightning Strike, a Vincent Mk 42-class Corvette, although not the most imposing vessel ever the Corvette‘s guns could easily swat aside the incoming Transport DropShips.

   Instead of only the Nineteenth Striker they encountered the Nineteenth Striker Regiment, the 244th Division of ComStar’s Seventh Army and the Eridani Light Horse Congress-class Frigate SLS Shining Claw.  The Lightning Strike quickly found itself hopelessly outgunned by the heavier and better armed Shining Claw and was quickly dispatched by the Star League WarShip.  The three Jade Falcon Clusters charged towards the planet hoping to outrun the Star League WarShip and hoping that it would not use naval weapons fire on their ground forces.

   On the ground the Jade Falcon commanders immediately called the Jade Solahma Cluster into action as well and immediately got to work on the two defending units concentrating on the lesser experienced unit the 244th they soon reduced it to a mere skeleton form of what it was.  This fight did however expose their flanks allowing the Nineteenth Striker to make a extremely destructive assault against the First Swoop Cluster crushing the Jade Falcon Cluster.  The counter attack from the Third Swoop and the Jade Solahma Cluster cut down two full Battalions of Eridani Light Horse before the Nineteenth and the remaining ComGuards could retreat.  With reports coming in that the Jade Falcons had launched a full assault into the captured territories Eridani Light Horse commander Colonel Paul Calvin called for an evacuation and the DropShips that had been secure on the planets moon landed quickly and picked up the remains of the Nineteenth Striker and the 244th Division, which had likewise decided enough was enough.  The two units rendezvoused with the Shining Claw and their JumpShips and made a hasty retreat heading back to Dieron surrendering Antares back to the Jade Falcons.  Commanding-General Hasek-Davion and ComGuard Precentor-Martial Focht decided to merge the 244th Division with the Nineteenth Striker brining the Eridani Light Horse Regiment back-up to just over half strength.  The new Nineteenth Striker vowed to return to Antares and take its revenge on the Jade Falcons but the Commanding-General vetoed such plans until the regiment was back up to full strength.

Jade Falcon/Clan Wolf Territory
Clan Occupation Zones
27th November 3064

   Although they had recovered all worlds lost to the Lyrans there was every indication that the Jade Falcons were preparing for further assaults against the Lyran Alliance when Clan Wolf decided to launch its own series of Trials of Possession for Jade Falcon Worlds seizing Steelton, Persistence, Winfield, Quarell (the second closest Jade Falcon World to Terra) and Jabuka (the closest Jade Falcon Worlds to Terra).  On Jabuka the Wolves destroy the Fourth Falcon Dragoons Cluster and the Gyrfalcon Solahma Cluster with little loss to themselves proving that Clan Wolf are back.  Marthe Pryde orders her own Clan to secure the three retaken worlds then rebuild lost units moving Clusters into the weakened Delta Galaxy.  The Jade Falcons begin planning another offensive this time against Clan Wolf.