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Chronicle (Aegis-class Heavy Cruiser)
Deep in New Gascony system
Nova Cat’s Den, Periphery
22nd September 3060

   The Chronicle was heading back towards the Jump point of the New Gascony system to recharge its jump drive after taking out the last of the spy satellites, not a single satellite had been checked in the last six months the Nova Cats had gotten lucky, when the WarShip Righteous Return, a Vincent Mk 42-class Corvette, appeared in the system via a pirate point.  The ship immediately sent over a shuttlecraft with an important visitor aboard, Oathmaster Jal Steiner.

   Canin was awoken in the early hours of the morning by a big enamoured elemental warrior “sir, you are needed in Gravity Deck Alpha immediately.”

   â€œWhat time is it?”

   â€œ3am, sir.”

   â€œYou are joking Quineg?”  Canin said sitting up he knew the answer already as the elemental looked completely confused by his question “alright tell them I am on my way.  Why have we no gravity?”  He asked noticing that nothing was dragging him towards the deck.

   â€œThe main engines have stopped.”

   â€œStopped?  What are we doing sightseeing?”  He asked irritated, the New Gascony system was inhabited by just over two hundred thousand people, the Nova Cats had looked through the system several times and found virtually nothing they could use there for military purposes but that the ground on New Gascony would be perfect for food production so ninety percent of the people on the planet were now learning to be farmers and the other ten percent of the population were scientists trying to come up with new methods of making better crops.

   Dressing Canin headed for the gravity deck in the zero-gravity environment, by the time he got there he was feeling very sick.  At the doors a pair of Elementals in full Battle Armour escorted him to the briefing room.  Walking inside Canin found Oathmaster Jal Steiner, Ross McKinnon and Rachel Montgomery in deep discussion.  “What is going on?”

   â€œStar Captain, please join us” Jal Steiner said, Canin crossed to room to the coffee machine and poured himself a strong cup then took up a position at the other end of the briefing room.  “Star Captain, as I have just been explaining to our Federated Suns guests I experienced a vision last night on New Barcella.”  That got his attention but Canin continued to drink his coffee, he’d need several more drinks before he‘d be fully awake.

   â€œAs soon as I experienced the vision I contacted the saKhan and he authorised me to take this action, Star Colonel.”  Jal Steiner said looking at Canin who put the cup down “as of now you are promoted to rank Star Colonel Canin Rosse, and authorised to raise the Watch strength to full cluster.”

   â€œCongratulations” Ross and Rachel said immediately both looked totally surprised but genuine in their congratulations, this is not what they had been talking about.

   â€œWhy?”  Canin asked, there had been no Trial of Position to gain this rank and as far as he knew the Watch would not be doing anything special.

   â€œStar Colonel, I do not know if you realise but when I became Oathmaster I also took over direct command of the Watch.”  Canin nodded officially the Watch were under the Oathmaster’s office, but that still didn’t explain why he was being promoted without trial or why the Watch were being raised in strength, although it did occur to him that this change would allow him to try out a new idea he had been playing about with recently.

   â€œI did realise, Oathmaster.  But why the promotion?  The increase in strength?  And why are you here?  What did the vision tell you?”

   â€œThe promotion because you have been able to put your crusader ambitions and beliefs to one side to follow our Clan’s path.”  Jal said, Canin had been one of the more vocal cadets that the Nova Cats should have fought in the Trials against the other Clans to earn the right to enter the Inner Sphere during Operation Revival.  Since becoming a warrior he had been quieter and although he would still consider himself a minor Crusader he was also a minor Warden warrior following his time with the Fox‘s Teeth.  “The increase in strength?  Firstly because a promotion means a bigger command and secondly because it is time the Nova Cats begin acting in the Periphery, we have secured the Den, it is time to stretch our claws.  Why am I here?  The vision sent me here” he said an turned to the two Federated Suns officers “it sent me here to you.”

   â€œTo us?”  Ross asked stunned, in all his time with the Nova Cats he had never understood the visions they experienced and believed in.

   â€œAff, your nation although powerful is uncertain, it could turn anywhere for strength, it could strike us here or it could turn to its worse enemy.  My vision told me this, the only way we can defend our position here is if we have a strong ally beside us and the only way we can strengthen the Federated Suns is if we give them a gift and return some missing heroes.”

   â€œUs?”  Rachel asked.

   â€œAff, I have discussed it with saKhan Karl Devalis who is on-board a WarShip en route to the Nova Cat’s Den.  He has agreed to allow me to carry out these orders.  Star Colonel, your unit will escort the Fox’s Teeth to the New Avalon system, and with you, you will take the Varnay-class Battleship Thunderchild.”

   â€œVarnay?”  Ross and Rachel both said at the same time, they knew that name, it had been a throne in the Federated Suns sides for centuries and had caused millions of deaths in a bloody civil war.

   â€œOathmaster, the Thunderchild is the biggest find in centuries, we cannot turn over the vessel and surely you cannot mean use it in anger, the Nova Cat techs can not have restored it in such a short length of time.”

   â€œNeg, the vessel is still barely capable of making the trip but we can and we must turn it over to the Federated Suns.”  Jal Steiner said “we have not enough resources to upgrade the Battleship, and it will show the Federated Suns we mean no harm to them.”

   â€œOr it will tare the nation apart.”  Ross said, the two Nova Cats looked to Ross “the Varnay family are not popular in the Federated Suns.  If it is made public knowledge that the flagship of that family exists, it could cause trouble lots of trouble, it could even spark another Civil War.”

   â€œThen what would you suggest?”

   â€œWe enter the New Avalon system in two places, one WarShip, a large Nova Cat one enters at the Nadir point in clear view and turns over the Fox’s Teeth.  Then once a dialogue has been established we take the Thunderchild to one of the Federated Suns shipyard’s quietly out of the limelight.”  Ross said “I have codes that should get us past the New Avalon Jump Point defences.”  The codes were out of date but should still work, at least Ross hoped they would.

   â€œFine, take them to the WarShip holding area.  Take the Severn Lervoux, her presence alone should be enough to give anyone a second thought about attacking.”  The Oathmaster said Canin smiled and the Oathmaster raised and left the room, the Severn Lervoux was the Nova Cat’s newest WarShip, the newly refitted Avatar-class Cruiser had been re-commissioned and codenamed as a Anna Rosse-class Battle-cruiser, the Nova Cats honouring one of the earliest leaders of the Clan.

   â€œUnderstood, we will return to Tortuga and collect the other Fox’s Teeth, the Severn Lervoux can join us there.”  Canin said, no point in revealing what assets the Nova Cats had in the Varnay system he certainly decided not to tell the Federated Suns people the system‘s name following what he had heard about the Varnay family.

Hustaing, Capellan Confederation
Sian Commonality
26th September 3060

   Under the influence of a Capellan Agent the St Ives Blackwind Lancers Regiment go rogue and cross the St Ives/Capellan Confederation Border and struck at the world of Hustaing, because they had been led to believe Chancellor Sun-Tzu Liao was on planet.  In fact the only person on planet was Duchess Isis Marik, the Chancellor’s fiancée.  The Blackwind Lancers briefly secure the world but following a push by Capellan forces the Lancers begin to crumble.  Although they are able to overpower the Duchess’s Death Commando Guards and decimate Warrior House Hiritsu Battalion securing Duchess Isis Marik.

   Instead of bargaining for her safe return Sun-Tzu shows his true feelings for the Duchess and drops the Third McCarron’s Armoured Cavalry Regiment onto the planet along with the Dynasty Guards Regiment with orders to crush all enemy opposition.  The Blackwind Lancers are soon on the back-foot and in full retreat.
 
Star League HPG Conference
Inner Sphere
29th September 3060

   Following attacks against her nation from another Succession State, and one that was part of the Star League at that, Duchess Candice Allard-Liao requested a Star League Emergency Conference via HPG, only First Lord Thomas Marik, Elected-Prince Regent Christian Mansdotter, Regent Yvonne Steiner-Davion and Duke Minoru Kurita answer.  Looking at the screens Candice could see the other Succession Lords she realised that this was not a true conference with so many of the Inner Sphere’s leaders missing or not bothered to attend, but she would pled her case anyway.  “My fellow lords, three days ago the Blackwind Lancers broke the Capellan Border and assault Hustaing for unknown reasons.  During the fighting they were able to safely secure most of the word and drive back its defenders however the Capellan Confederation has driven off all JumpShips and DropShips and they are unable to leave.  I have sent a recall order and they still refuse to allow the Lancers to leave.  If you were to allow my troops to come home, the Blackwind Lancers will be stricken from the roles of the St Ives Compact and all survivors will be dropped one rank.”  She said it was a tough thing to do but it was the only way she could think that would safeguard her people and her nation.

   â€œDuchess Allard-Liao, forgive me but, it was your forces that crossed the border illegally.  If they are now trapped then it is your responsibility to rescue or reinforce them.”  Minoru Kurita said quietly, so quietly Candice had to strain to hear the young Kuritan Duke.

   â€œDuke Kurita my forces have paid a heavy price for their actions, and will pay a heavier one when they return, but we will have gained nothing from this.  If I reinforce them then this Star League will be faced with its first full scale war between two states.”

   â€œWithout Star League forces on hand there is little we can do.”  Christian Mansdotter said, the entire SLDF was either in the Clan Homeworlds or still in the Draconis Combine fighting the remnants of Clan Smoke Jaguar and apparently Clan Star Adder forces on some worlds.

   â€œThe First Lord has the power to badge house units as Star League to hold the peace.”

   â€œSomething I will not do, the only forces close enough are of Lyran or Federated Suns in origin, neither of whom the Capellans will hesitate about firing on.”  Thomas Marik said, Candice reached for another piece of paper, her final throw of the dice.

   â€œIn the first strikes the Blackwind Lancers engaged a Capellan Warrior House, the Hiritsu, and some Death Commandos.  Under their protection they found Duchess Isis Marik.  She was injured and is now under the care of the Blackwind Lancers, the Capellans are out for blood, I cannot guarantee Isis safety.”  Candice saw the pain on Thomas’s face, he had other children but Isis was still his daughter even if she had chosen to stay with a man who cared nothing for her.

   â€œThere is nothing this Star League can do, now we all have affairs of state to take care of.  Excuse me.” Thomas Marik said and cut his line, the other Succession Lords each gave their condolences, although Yvonne pledged that the forces inside the St Ives Compact under her command would remain for the foreseeable future helping secure the Compact.

Bridge, LAS Athens (Hyperion-class Heavy Cruiser)
Nadir Jump Point, New Avalon System
Crucis March, Federated Suns
18th December 3060

   Archon Katrina (Katherine) Steiner-Davion sat in the rear of the LAS Athens bridge, she was strapped into the chair as the Athens lacked a gravity deck, something she had cursed during this journey, the WarShip had been created in a time when the Lyran Commonwealth (as the Lyran Alliance had been known then) needed a WarShip with no frills, capable of heavy combat, now however it would have been nice to have a gravity deck or two.

   Soon however that would be over the WarShip shuddered as the Compact K-F Drive activated and the WarShip appeared in the New Avalon system, capital of the Federated Suns, her brother’s no her father’s realm.

   â€œArchon Steiner” Fleet Admiral Lyn Hood asked, she had decided that the Athens made a far better flagship than one of the new Fox-class Corvettes still under construction. ‘Archon-Princess Katrina quietly corrected, technically she would be Archon-Prince if her plan went ahead perfectly.  Since she would be the saviour of the Federated Commonwealth, brining both nations under one leader once more, she could decide on what the title was and perhaps she would make sure all her descendants were Archon-Princesses, male or female, she smiled quietly to herself she liked the idea of her son or daughter being a Princess whatever happened, then again having a son or daughter was a long way off.

   Katrina had been close to three men the first Galen Cox, who had apparently died alongside her mother in a terrorist bombing, although Katrina knew that Galen had survived in Jerrard Cranston, a close friend and advisor to her brother Victor.  The second had been informally Thomas Marik, he had been a friend and confidant before Katherine became Archon of the Lyran Alliance but now Thomas had remarried and was a political rival nothing more.  The third man had been possibly the best, but definitely the most dangerous of the lot, Khan Vladimir Ward of Clan Wolf.  Following her capture by Clan Wolf during a secret mission she was on to speak with the Khans of Clan Smoke Jaguar.  During that encounter she had encountered Khan Vlad Ward and they had come to an arrangement, an arrangement she was running out of time on, they had also become close personally and still exchanged messages secretly each informing the other of potential threats to their rule or respected nation.

   â€œWhat is it Fleet Admiral?” Katrina asked breaking from her thoughts, the Fleet Admiral usually allowed her to think alone without disruption.

   â€œWe have entered the New Avalon System, two Federated Suns Fox-class Corvettes are inbound, they will escort us in.”

   â€œGood, take us in then.”  Katrina said the Athens began to slowly accelerate, then suddenly the seven hundred-and-fifty thousand ton vessel turned strongly to the port.  “What the hell?!”  Katrina screamed as the air was knocked out of her lungs by the suddenly enforced gravity by the move.

   â€œReport!”  Lyn Hood shouted regaining her feet.

   â€œEnforced avoidance manoeuvre, mam” the helm officer reported.

   â€œKowalski I’ve told you a thousand times its Admiral or Sir not mam.  What were we avoiding?  I don’t see anything out there.”

   â€œA vessel entering the system, sir” the sensor officer said “It’s a big one too!”

   â€œThe Federated Suns has begun building the Avalon-class Cruiser, could they be miles ahead of schedule and putting on a show for our Archon’s benefit?”

   â€œPossible, sir, it’s a big one that’s coming in the K-F Frequency makes it as big as us, if not bigger.”

   â€œThe Avalon’s are twenty thousand tons heavier than the Hyperion.”  Hood said remembering the basics of the Avalon-class cruiser as the vessel shimmered into existence “that is no Avalon” she said as the massive eight hundred-and-thirty thousand ton, Anna Rosse-class Battle-cruiser, Severn Lervoux appeared and began deploying its fighters and DropShips.  “Oh Hell!”  She whispered looking at the massive black vessel “report!” she shouted regaining her composure.

   â€œUnknown class, unknown configuration, closest Warbook places it is a Avatar-class Cruiser fielded with the first SLDF, the Clanners turned it into the Liberator, but that isn’t no Liberator, sir.”  The sensor analyst said incredibly in control of his emotions Lyn made a mental note to keep an eye on the young officer, he could be one to watch in the future.

   â€œMultiple contacts, I count four DropShips, two Titans, two Carriers, all are deploying fighters as is the WarShip!”  The second sensor operator “two DropShips a pair of Overlord-Cs still connected to target.”

   â€œGive me the hard facts” Lyn Hood said looking at her screens wave after wave of Nova Cat fighters were launching from all four DropShips and the WarShip.  She knew that the Titans carried thirty fighters each, the Carriers carried a further ten each that made eighty in total from them alone, double the Athens’ fighter complement of thirty-six fighters and twelve shuttles.  While the two Overlords could be carrying a Cluster of troop each, once the Aerospace Fighters had secured space in the New Avalon System the two Clusters could drop on the planet and cause heavy damage to the defending units and with air supremacy the force could move its WarShips into orbit and bombard Avalon City into dust without cause of concern.

   â€œOne WarShip, bigger than us.  Four Deployed DropShips, to our none.  And thirteen stars of fighters giving them one hundred-and-thirty fighters when fully deployed and ready to fight to our thirty-six, still in the tubes.  Both Foxes are six minutes away at top speed.”  Lyn felt her heart drop the WarShip had deployed fifty fighters itself on top of the DropShips’ own complement they were in trouble, hell Lyn didn‘t think they could win this even with both Federated Suns Corvettes and every DropShip civilian or not in the system the enemy WarShip and auxiliary craft were far to powerful.

   â€œPrepare to deploy all fighters, tell the Corvettes to come in firing.”  Lyn said.

   â€œBelay that, Helm get us out of her!  Plot an immediate jump clear of the system.”  Katrina said moving into the front area of the bridge “this is not our nation, my brother severed those ties.”

   â€œArchon…” Lyn said her voice trailing off, the two Overlord-Cs could have two full clusters aboard and if they were elite clan troops then New Avalon would receive a heavy pounding, they could delay them allow the Federated Suns to call in reinforcements.

   â€œDo it.”  Katrina said, there was total silence in the room “now Admiral or you’re relieved.”  The Fleet Admiral turned back to her crew and gave the order, the Athens shimmered out of the system.

Strategic Planning and War Room
Davion Royal Palace, Avalon Island
New Avalon, Crucis March, Federated Suns
18th December 3060

   Yvonne Steiner-Davion watched as the Athens, with her sister onboard, disappeared and her heart sank.  “Did they just destroy the Athens?”

   â€œNegative Regent, the Athens jumped away.”  Yvonne curses, ‘always looking for number one’ she’d trusted Katherine to come here to help but it looked as though all she was after was a foothold in Victor’s realm and as soon as it got too hot she ran.  They were alone with two Fox-class Corvettes all that stood between them and an unknown WarShip and whatever forces it brought to bare.  “recall the WarShips to New Avalon and have them co-ordinate with our ground forces aerospace forces.  And order the Recharge Stations to issue their surrender.  Then signal Marshal Jackson Davion, we are going to need his people as soon as we can get them.”  She said, she just hoped the people at Hadrian’s Command had been able to do something with the secrets held there.

   â€œWhat’s that WarShip doing?” Admiral Andrea Petin asked, she was in command of the Federated Suns small navy.  She knew that by now a WarShip’s sensors had cleared and they had as good a picture as the people here, if not a better one.  Star League-era technology, which this vessel was of, and Clan technology, the people who probably controlled her, was far better than that available to any of the Succession Lords only ComStar came close and even then in military technology it wasn‘t as close as anyone would like.

   â€œNothing Admiral” the sensor operator said after a couple of minutes.

   â€œThey deploy four DropShips and over one hundred fighters then do nothing?  What are they up to?”  Andrea muttered quietly.

   â€œSend them a message, asking who they are and what they are doing in my system.”  Yvonne said, it was the only thing she could think to do, the WarShip at the jump point could destroy everything the Federated Suns could field and then some without the Lyran WarShip for assistance the Federated Suns needed help or it needed to talk its way out of trouble.
 
C&C, Severn Lervoux (Anna Rosse-class Battle-cruiser)
Nadir Jump Point, New Avalon System
Crucis March, Federated Suns
18th December 3060

   The Nova Cat WarShip had briefly detected a large WarShip in the system and feared that the Federated Suns had somehow found a vessel that could challenge the Severn Lervoux, however the vessel had jumped away almost as soon as the Nova Cat DropShips and fighters had launched.  Now both Recharge Stations, all JumpShips and all DropShips anywhere near the jump points had surrendered to the Severn Lervoux almost immediately, it was standard practice in the Inner Sphere for Recharge Stations to survive an assault forces arrival as the force could use the stations to recharge their own JumpShip K-F Drives.  Then they received a message from New Avalon, directly from the Davion Palace, Regent Yvonne Steiner-Davion wanted to speak to them.

   Inside the Servern Lervoux’s C3 Centre (Command, Communications and Control Centre), or CIC, which was located deep within the vessel like a modern WarShip with monitors giving clear outside views.  Standing near the central Holo-tank Star Admiral Anders McKenna, the vessel’s commander, turned to Star Colonel Canin Rosse, as commander of the mission, who in turn turned to the two Federated Suns officers at the back of the command centre with two Elemental Guards for security.

   â€œShe is your leader, Captain.”  Canin said signalling for the Federated Suns officer to step forward.

   â€œVictor is my leader, she is just a Regent” Ross corrected “but she will do for now.”  He said stepping up to comm. system and the Nova Cat tech showed him what to do.  “This is Ross McKinnon, Captain, Commander Fox’s Teeth Company, Seventh Crucis Lancers RCT, Service Number FS10...1997-FT-CL.”  He said just remembering his service number, he hadn’t used it for over a year.  “Regent, you are invited to join us aboard the Severn Lervoux, to begin negotiations for our release and to discuss future relations.”  He said the message was transmitted directly to the Davion palace.  The reply took several minutes to come.

   â€œCaptain, this is Yvonne Steiner-Davion, who controls the vessel you are aboard?”  The Severn Lervoux had yet to be painted up with Nova Cat insignia or colours, the hull was still mostly a deep Star League green although the Cameron Star featured on all SLDF vessels was missing from the Severn Lervoux and all Clan WarShips.

   â€œI am not at liberty to discuss over an open channel.”  He said although he knew that every succession state had at least one spy on New Avalon it would take time for them to discover it was the Nova Cats, there was no point in telling the entire system who the Severn Lervoux was commanded by.  “Although I can guarantee your safety, and New Avalon’s security, there is no offensive intent here.”  He said as if on cue the Nova Cat fighter’s began to dock with their mother ships, although all four deployed DropShips would remain deployed ready to drop their fighters and one full star of OmniFighters would remain deployed from the Severn Lervoux at all times maintaining a perimeter for security purposes it wouldn‘t be below the Inner Sphere states to ram a WarShip with several DropShips if their WarShips were not up to the task.

Davion Royal Retreat
New Avalon, Davion Mountains
Crucis March, Federated Suns
20th December 3060

   The small contingent of troops arrived at the Royal Retreat, Canin Rosse dismounted from his Timber Wolf and pulled on a sold black jumpsuit with the Nova Cat insignia on the left breast.  As he dressed Ross McKinnon and Rachel Montgomery both joined him, both wore similar jumpsuits with gold Federated Suns on the left breast.  The Elementals deployed around Canin’s OmniMech as the three walked up to the retreat.  There they were met by Marshal Bishop Sortek, Field Marshal Christian Robert McCarthy and Field Marshal Jackson Davion, who had only just landed on New Avalon himself.  Ross and Rachel both snapped to salutes which the three Marshals returned but remained silent leading them inside past a pair of Rabid Fox troopers in brand new Infiltrator Mk II Battle Armour.

   Stepping inside the retreat was like changing worlds.  Led through a small entrance way they entered a large room which was well decorated and had a roaring fire, sitting in a chair near the fire was Regent Yvonne Steiner-Davion standing near her was Barron Tarncred Sandoval, the Baron of Robinson.  “Please come in” she said the three Marshals bowed slightly then moved to the far side of the wall standing behind one of the sofas while Canin, Ross and Rachel stood near the door.  Both Federated Suns officers snapped to attention but Canin continued to stand at ease “at ease, before you strain something.”  she said both Ross and Rachel stood easy “and who is this?”

   â€œRegent, allow me to introduce…”  Ross said but Canin stepped forward interrupting Ross.

   â€œStar Colonel Canin Rosse, Clan Nova Cat, Clan Watch.”  Canin said bowing heavily, Ross noticed Christian McCarthy take a heavier notice of Canin as the Watch was mentioned.

   â€œStar Colonel, welcome to New Avalon.”  Yvonne said bowing slightly "words I never thought I'd utter" she whispered slightly flushed.  She did not recognise the Watch designation but from the look on McCarthy’s face it probably was intelligence. Canin remained bowed for a moment then stood up straight, Yvonne approached until they were standing centimetres apart.  “Now please tell me why you are here in the Federated Suns, why the Nova Cats are below the Tukayyid Truce Line and why you have been on/near the Tortuga Dominions?”  She said giving Canin some quick-fire questions.

   â€œWe are here to return the Fox’s Teeth and their Rabid Fox Battle Armour Support.  And we are here to inform you of a gift we have for the Federated Suns.  We are below the Tukayyid Truce Line because we were not on Tukayyid and we did not lose to the Inner Sphere forces.  Also we have never acted aggressively to the Inner Sphere.  We have occupied the worlds around Tortuga Prime as that area has become our home, the Nova Cat’s Den, we have ninety percent of our civilians and the majority of our ground forces and our Naval forces.”  Canin said not moving out of the corner of his eye he saw Baron Tarncred Sandoval look at the Marshals who each looked to each other with deep worry, the Federated Suns was weak in their Periphery Regions.

   â€œWait, you have taken over the Tortuga Dominions?  Why?”  Yvonne asked stepping away looking slightly stunned, the revelation there was another Clan on the Inner Sphere’s fringes and worse they were right beside the Federated Suns.

   â€œWe needed a home closer to the Inner Sphere, but we did not want to assault a legitimate state.  A vision pointed to the Tortuga Dominions as a perfect target, and since moving there we have found plenty of interesting extras.”  Canin said Yvonne looked directly at him but Tarncred spoke up first.

   â€œStar Colonel, sorry to interrupt but a vision told you to go there?”

   â€œAff, the Nova Cats are deep believers in visions, we followed a Khan’s vision and the Nova Cat’s Den has risen from the ashes of the Tortuga Dominions.”

   â€œAnd what of the people of the Tortuga Dominions.”  Christian McCarthy asked looking at Ross for an answer, he did not trust the Clansmen.

   â€œFrom what we could tell the Nova Cats have treated the civilians extremely well.  Large portions of the population have joined the Nova Cats on New Barcella, the Nova Cat’s new capitol world.”  Ross said Canin glanced in his direction and nodded slightly his agreement with what was said.

   â€œNew Barcella?”  Tarncred asked, he knew of no such world.

   â€œA world we discovered and colonised, it is named for our Homeworlds Capital.  We mean the Federated Suns no threat, which is why no Nova Cat unit has attacked the Federated Suns and why we have returned your people unharmed by Nova Cat arms.”

   â€œYou have returned them after almost two years of captivity.” Field Marshal Jackson Davion said.

   â€œWe were not harmed” Rachel said immediately in defence of the Nova Cats, the Federated Suns personnel all exchanged glances with each other and the Regent, they were surprised that two of their most trusted young officers would rise to the Nova Cats defence so quickly.

   â€œAnd our Mech’s have been upgraded with Clan weapons technology, making the Fox’s Teeth far more effective.”  Ross said backing Rachel’s play.

   â€œNot to mention the fact the Nova Cats were very open with their knowledge of weapons technology and Battle Armour technology.”  Rachel added as Canin looked to the two officers wondering why he had bothered to come, ‘we should have just sent these two in the Thunderchild with Nova Cat Public Relations written on the side’ Canin thought quietly to himself.

   â€œNever the less you did hold AFFS personnel and property illegally and you have occupied worlds below the Tukayyid Truce Line against the ComStar/Clan agreement.”  Yvonne said pushing the fact that the Nova Cats had been aggressive by simply occupying Tortuga Prime and holding McKinnon’s command prisoner on Tortuga Prime.

   â€œWe have not touched the Inner Sphere, but if you want us to we can."  Canin threatened, if the Federated Suns did not want peace the Nova Cats would bring war "we have the capability and many of our people would happily act like Wolves or Falcons and invade the Inner Sphere with no mercy, Our WarShip fleet could do twenty Turtle Bays a week if necessary.”  Canin said very coldly all the Federated Suns Marshals looked very worried at that idea and Yvonne looked visibly moved by the threat, not his intention to scare them but he could see he had exactly that affect.  “However, Clan Nova Cat are more interested in securing our new home and cultivating relations with our neighbours.”  Canin said there was far more threat to his voice and his words, if the Nova Cats turned back to their Crusader values the Federated Suns would be more vulnerable than they could imagine

   â€œRegent the Nova Cats do not lie, even with the little we have seen of their strength I have been able to count eight WarShips alone.”  Ross said, now he was back in the Federated Suns he had a duty to report to his superiors, he looked to Canin but the Nova Cat Star Colonel was focused on the Marshals and Baron Sandoval standing nearby.

   â€œIntelligence suggests the Nova Cats have something like twelve to sixteen WarShips, like most other Clans they have a fleet of vessels consisting mostly of old Star League-era designs.”  Christian McCarthy said looking at Canin who didn’t flinch.

   â€œWe have thirty-two WarShips of various size and strength, our fleet is the third strongest of all the Clans and while many are newer designs you are correct most are of Star League construction.”  Canin said looking at the Marshal “and we are fully capable of using all of them.”  He said, there was an edge to Canin’s voice that neither Ross or Rachel had heard very often it turned the normal calm, almost welcoming Clan Star Colonel into a very dangerous sounding man.

   â€œAre you threatening us?”  Baron Sandoval asked.

   â€œNeg, we came here to return your property, personnel and give the Federated Suns a gift now do you want to try and capture me, and enrage the Nova Cats, or would you like us to give you your gift?”

   â€œMy apologies Star Colonel, we did not think.  What does Clan Nova Cat want to give the Federated Suns?”  Yvonne said stepping closer to Canin trying to make the Clansmen focus on her and not the Marshals and Baron.

   â€œIt would be easier if we showed you.”  Canin said “we have something held in an unpopulated system of the Federated Suns we do not have the resources to renovate the vessel, maintain our fleet and build our new home so because the vessel originated here in the Federated Suns we are willing to return it to you.”

   â€œVessel?”  Bishop Sortek said quietly “you are giving us a DropShip or a JumpShip?”

   â€œA WarShip to be exact.  You could turn it against us but in its present condition we would destroy it easily, also since we have far more vessels with far more experienced crews we are confident we could destroy it even if you were able to repair it fully.  We can not field it and it originated here.”  Canin said turning his head to the Marshal.

   â€œA WarShip. What type is it?”

   â€œA…” Ross began but Canin interrupted.

   â€œA vessel that originated here in the Federated Suns.  You will have to come see it before I will tell you what it is.”

   â€œWhat are your conditions?”  Yvonne asked, she liked the idea of adding another WarShip to the fleet, and cultivating friendly relations with one of the Clans it would show her brother that the Clans were not just a threat to be destroyed, something she had said from day one despite reports to the contrary.

   â€œNo conditions Regent, you may come aboard the Severn Lervoux, or you may take one of your own vessels.”

   â€œHow many?”  Jackson Davion asked “I mean how many vessels could we take?”

   â€œThe three vessels that came into the system with you should be sufficient Marshal.  I did not know the Federated Suns still fielded Davion-class Destroyers, they are a very old class of vessel I am impressed they are still operational.  You know we have records of the Whirlwind-class Destroyer used by the SLDF, Quiaff?”  He asked before carrying on not waiting for an answer “that vessel is a direct upgrade of your Davion.”  Canin said, everyone of the Federated Suns AFFS personnel present and the Regent looked shocked Canin had just spoken of the Federated Suns most secret piece of equipment like it was a nothing element.  “The Severn Lervoux and her fighters could destroy your entire fleet in system without much sweat, but we do not want a war.”  Canin boasted, he actually wondered if it would be possible but the Regent stepped forward to speak they were getting closer and closer and Canin was beginning to feel slightly hotter.

   â€œI will be safe aboard your vessel?”

   â€œEntirely, you have my word and the word of all of Clan Nova Cat, we do not want a war.”  Canin said promising her they looked into each others eyes for a second then Yvonne turned to the AFFS personnel.

   â€œI’m going with the Star Colonel.”  she noticed the three Marshals and the Baron ready to protest.  “You know where they are based, and my brother should be on his way back to the Federated Suns by now.  If I go missing then you know what to do.  Jackson you will remain here on New Avalon just in case.  Field Marshal McCarthy I need a protection detail, a squad” she turned back to Canin “is that alright?”

   â€œAff, although the Leftenant Montgomery’s troopers should be plenty not to mention the Fox’s Teeth.”  Canin said, the presence of more Federated Suns personnel wouldn’t be a problem but Canin couldn’t see why they were needed.

   â€œThey will not be coming, you have returned them to the Federated Suns.  Now they need time to be debriefed and for them to see their families, we believed them dead.”  Yvonne said, so that was why the extra protection was needed this was where the Nova Cats and their guests were split up.  Canin nodded and turned to the two people in the room he considered friends.

   â€œTake care of yourselves and of each other my friends, we will see each other again.”  He said turning to leave.

   â€œYou sure of that Star Colonel, Quiaff?” Ross asked, in the corner of his eye Canin noticed the other Federated Suns personnel uncomfortable with Ross using the Clan talk and smiled broadly, this would not be a easy time for either of them.

   â€œAff, I believe we will all see each other again.”  Canin said then turned looking over his other shoulder directly at Yvonne, who had once again moved closer to Canin, “Regent, my DropShip will wait six hours for you and your guards to arrive.  If you do not arrive we will rejoin the Severn Lervoux.  Please do not be startled when you see the vessel approach, they are only here to collect us.”  He said and with that he was gone, the Star Colonel walked straight out and returned to his Timber Wolf then within minutes the Elementals were back on the Mech’s back and he was away with the three First Davion Guards Mechs in escort.

   â€œI’m going.”  Yvonne said all four Marshals and Baron Sandoval stepped forward raising their concerns but she raised her hand “I’m going, no arguments.  Jackson you will remain here, and assume the position of Regent if I do not return, just in case the Nova Cats are lying…”

   â€œThey are not” Ross said quietly under his breath, everyone noticed.

   â€œWe will soon see, Captain.  Christian, I need four of your best men with me on the Severn Lervoux.”

   â€œDone Regent” the head of the DMI said confidently.

   â€œWhat about us?”  Rachel asked quietly again all eyes turned on them.

   â€œYou have been out of contact and in enemy hands for almost two years.  You units will be placed under house arrest until we can assess how much you have been affected by the experience.  Please ensure they do not resist, Marshal Sortek’s men and women do not want to engage your units but there is an entire RCT in these mountains ready for a fight.”

   â€œUnderstood, none of us have anything to fight for or anything to hide from.  We will not resist.”  Ross said looking to Rachel who immediately nodded her agreement, they had spoken about this in length already they knew that the DMI and the High Command would want to fully debrief both units, it would be a long and hard process.

   â€œYvonne, allow me to come with you.  I can be your escort the Nova Cats will not object to one more passenger.”

   â€œNo they probably won’t Baron Sandoval but I will not give them a potentially more important prisoner than me.  If this is a trick then only I will fall for it.”  Yvonne said to the Baron, the two had become close over the last year and there was the beginnings of a romantic relationship there despite the age gap.  She thought it was sweet that he would risk his life for her but she would not let him endanger himself, this was her gamble.  “Marshal Sortek, please have an escort for my car.  Don’t want to leave the Nova Cats waiting.”

   â€œYes, Regent” Bishop Sortek said leaving the room for a moment, within thirty seconds twelve medium and light Battle and OmniMechs arrived in front of the building.  “Your escort has arrived.”  The marshal reported and Yvonne travelled to the Nova Cat DropShip alone, once there the car was joined by four troopers in Infiltrator Mk II Battle Armour and all were escorted inside by the Nova Cats.  Once all Nova Cats were aboard the vessel took off leaving New Avalon.  The Fox’s Teeth and their Rabid Fox Infiltrator Mk I troopers were surrounded by the First Davion Guards and escorted away.

Several Hours Later near pirate point
New Avalon System
Crucis March, Federated Suns
20th December 3060

   It was approaching midnight and the Nova Cat DropShip was approaching the Severn Lervoux which had moved closer to another pirate point in the system, the two Fox-class Corvettes and the three ancient Davion Block I Destroyers had moved into escort positions around the Severn Lervoux.  Even with their superior numbers they looked insignificant to the massive Nova Cat’s Anna Rosse-class Battle-cruiser and her fighter screen.  There was a knock at the door which roused Yvonne from a restless sleep, she had been given the vessel commander’s quarters to rest in as the DropShip approached the Severn Lervoux “what is it?”

   â€œRegent, Star Colonel Canin Rosse to see you.”  One of her Rabid Fox bodyguards said, on the DropShip the ship’s commander had told them in no uncertain terms that they would not wear their battle armour, for a start it would be impossible for them to travel through the doors of the DropShip and with the battle armour one wrong move could cause serious damage to the DropShip‘s innards.  Although the Nova Cats had given them pulse laser rifles to allow them to protect themselves and the Regent.  Yvonne scrambled from her bunk in the low gravity and pulled on a pink dressing gown.

   â€œSend him in please” she said quietly and the door slid open, the Nova Cat officer stepped in, now in his full uniform a charcoal coloured suit with patterned leather shoulder pads rimmed in gold, he looked rather dashing for a Clan barbarian.  “Can I help you, Star Colonel?”

   â€œI wanted to inform you that we were approaching the Severn Lervoux, and I wondered if you would like to join me in the observation deck.?”  Canin said Yvonne noticed he looked her over fully before noticing she had seen him, his cheeks were going slightly red but he made no effort to make an apology.  The Nova Cat Star Colonel was around her age maybe a little older than her twenty-one years, he was slightly taller and very athletic, definitely a MechWarrior, he had a small scar on his left jaw and another below his right eye but otherwise he was an extremely attractive young man.

   â€œYes, I would.  Can you give me a couple of minutes to get ready?”

   â€œAff, I will wait outside” Canin said leaving Yvonne changed.  About five minutes later she stepped from the room in a long form fitting blue dress.  On New Avalon or Tharkad she would have worn make-up or a more flamboyant dress however today she had gone for something simple, something the Clansmen would understand also anything flamboyant would get in the way on a star ship.  Canin nodded appreciatively and offered his arm for support, Yvonne was shocked by the gesture but graciously accepted and they walked along together the two Rabid Fox troopers maintained a sizable distance allowing them some privacy.

   â€œIt seems like although the Clans improved on technology they did not in living conditions inside these tin cans.”  She said quietly Canin smiled broadly once more, she did like his smile, the Clan warrior looked down to the deck and remained silent as they walked along together.

   Entering the Forward Observation deck Yvonne looked out and saw the three Davion Block I-class Destroyers reactivated after centuries of storage in the secret Hadrian’s Command Anchorage.  The boxy vessels each weighed in at just over half a million tons but from the information she had heard on the Severn Lervoux none could match the massive Nova Cat Battle-cruiser, a vessel which she still had not seen.  “Where is the Severn Lervoux?”  Yvonne asked searching the surrounding space.

   â€œBelow us” Canin said “the DropShip needs to spin on its axis to dock with the WarShip.”  Just as he spoke there was a klaxon informing the crew that the main engines were about to be cut, suddenly any gravity they had been experiencing was gone.  Yvonne lost her balance and grip and began to drift away towards the centre of the room Canin showed he was the more experienced spacer and grabbed her pulling the Federated Suns Regent back in close “you alright, Regent?”  Canin asked as he held her firmly an arm wrapped around her waist they were only a couple of centimetres apart looking right at each other.

   â€œYes, thank you, Star Colonel”  Yvonne said looking away grabbing the wall balance bar her eyes never wavered from Canin‘s face.  “You know I think you should call me Yvonne, soon my brother will return from Clan space and I will just be his sister.”

   â€œOh no, Yvonne” Canin said trying it out “I think you are far more than just Victor Steiner-Davion’s sister.  Use my first name also, please, we Nova Cats enjoy simple words.”

   â€œI thought the Clans prized your second names?  They carry great honour don‘t they your surnames, there are few of them”

   â€œAff, there are few only ten-to-fifteen per Clan.  We do not have a surname we inherited from parents or relatives, for Trueborns like myself the Bloodname is the closest thing we will ever get to having a surname as you call it.  I won the Rosse Bloodname a while ago and I am one of only twenty in the Bloodhouse.”

   â€œWhat of your parents?”  She asked Yvonne had heard of the Clans genetic engineering process but was playing the stupid Inner Sphere noble she though the Clans saw her and many of the Inner Sphere people as, hiding her true intelligence would give her another advantage if she needed it.

   â€œI do not know who my genetic parents were, I was born from an Iron Womb, I was created from the combined genetic materials of two of the Nova Cat’s greatest bloodnamed whoever they were.  I grew up in a Sibko, school for trainee warriors, with about fifteen others who were born of the same blood as myself only three of us continued into the warrior‘s life and so far I am the only one who has become an officer and a Bloodnamed Warrior.”

   â€œWell I am sure they would be very proud if they knew what you had accomplished.”  Yvonne whispered as one of the Rabid Fox troopers appeared in the doorway “I am fine.”  She said waving off the man.

   â€œI thank you, Yvonne” Canin said, he didn’t know why he had said such a thing but it seemed appropriate “and now for the grand entrance.” Canin said quietly as the DropShip rotated there was a silence between them and the Severn Lervoux appeared in the view port, because the vessels were so close the massive Battle-cruiser blotted out the surrounding space.

   â€œWow!”  Yvonne exclaimed, she had seen the Federated-Boeing’s Floating Tower Space station in the Galax system but the Severn Lervoux was something to behold.  Yvonne had seen long range photos of the vessel while on New Avalon but seeing the massive Anna Rosse-class Battle-cruiser was a sight to behold.

   â€œAllow me to introduce Clan Nova Cat’s newest vessel, the flagship of the fleet the Severn Lervoux.”  Canin said quietly as the vessel closed on the vessel up front they could see a heavy array of four Heavy Naval PPCs and six class-35 Naval Lasers backed up by conventional arrays of lasers and missile launchers for defence against fighters.  Then along each side of there was AR-10 Multi Purpose Capital Missile Launchers backed up by turreted Naval Autocannons class-25, Naval Lasers class-55 and more Heavy Naval PPCs which were in turn backed up by more standard lasers and missiles for anti-fighter defence.  Alongside these were fighter launch bays and three DropShip collars, Yvonne realised that this was just one side of the vessel, on the other side there was exactly the same firepower very impressive and slightly scary.

   â€œIt’s amazing.”  Yvonne said as the DropShip docked with the Severn Lervoux with a bump Canin protectively held onto Yvonne ensuring she would not drift away from the bar.

   â€œIt is only a WarShip” Canin said quietly into her ear “amazing is something people do for each other, come on I will show you this vessel and then you will see something amazing.”  Canin said moving away leading Yvonne into the WarShip.  At the same time the deployed DropShips began recalling their fighters and then they began docking with the massive WarShip.  After the four DropShips were docked the Severn Lervoux’s own fighters docked and the Federated Suns WarShips moved off to a safe distance.

   â€œPrepare for immediate jump” Anders McKenna said over the intercom once the fighters were back aboard his vessel Canin and Yvonne were still in one of the lifts raising towards the command and control room.  Canin drifted out onto the bridge first past the pair of Elemental guards, Yvonne followed glancing at the massive Elementals as she passed, suddenly she understood why the people of the Inner Sphere thought the Clans were aliens when they first invaded.  The Elemental soldiers in their full Battle Armour were like living mountains, the V-shaped visor made them look completely un-human.  Canin reached back to her and pulled her into the Command and Control Room holding onto Yvonne one arm around her waist the other holding her hand.  Yvonne’s face was close to Canin’s and she could feel the warmth radiate off the Nova Cat Officer, Star Admiral McKenna looked to them and specifically to Canin who nodded “jump!” He ordered the K-F Drive compressed and there was a surge of energy then the massive vessel disappeared from the New Avalon system appearing in the dead of space with nothing anywhere near the massive Battle-cruiser.

   â€œWhere are we?”  Yvonne whispered in Canin’s ear, stranded in dead space the vessel could be centuries from habitation.

   â€œWait for it” Canin whispered holding her tightly, Yvonne liked the way it felt as they drifted together in the zero-g environment.  Canin continued to hold her as the vessel’s K-F Engine fired again, there was a surge of energy and the Severn Lervoux jumped for a second time using the vessel’s Lithium Fusion Battery Engine to supercharge the Jump Engine into a second jump most WarShips had a Lithium Battery as it allowed them to engage targets at far greater distances than normal.

   This second jump brought them into a system near a small dwarf star, a pair of Nova Cat Aegis-class Heavy Cruisers and the Thunderchild were recharging their drives nearby.  “Now we have arrived.”  Canin said allowing Yvonne to drift off before turning to her to face him.  Yvonne looked at the screens uncertain what she was seeing, it looked like three more Nova Cat WarShips all loaded to bear, all within striking range of New Avalon.  “Come on I want to show you this with your own eyes.”  Canin said leading her from the Command Centre to one of the Severn Lervoux’s Gravity Decks, which provided about a quarter gravity giving them some control other than the use of the wall, floor and roof bars.

   â€œWhat the hell is this?”  Yvonne asked she was angry Canin had been nice to her, he’d seemed interested in her not her position, and now the Nova Cats were in position to launch a massive assault on the Federated Suns.  She recognised the two Aegis-class Heavy Cruisers, it was one of the most common vessels in circulation with the Clans each was loaded with four DropShips, the larger vessel looked like nothing she had ever seen before.

   â€œThis is our gift to your people.”  Canin said Yvonne slapped him, the Clansmen looked angry but it soon disappeared.

   â€œAn invasion force?  I thought the Nova Cats wanted to be our allies.”

   â€œWe do, this is not an invasion force.”  Canin said defensively but not at all aggressively.  “The vessels out there are just an escort for the Severn Lervoux and our gift to the Federated Suns.  Look at the large vessel, does it look at all familiar?”  Canin said Yvonne turned and looked at the vessel Canin noticed she was not recognising the vessel “how about the name Varnay?”  Yvonne turned on him like a flash for a second Canin wondered if she was going to hit him again.

   â€œWhat connection do the Nova Cats have to that family?  What is this?”  She repeated her question.

   â€œThat vessel is the FSS Thunderchild, a Varnay-class Battleship and command vessel of the Varnay family during the last days of the Davion Civil War.  This is the Nova Cat’s gift to the Federated Suns.”

   â€œMy god! Where did you find her?”  Yvonne asked immediately recognising the name spinning to look at the vessel.

   â€œRusting out in an asteroid belt, we don’t have the resources to upgrade her to current standards but the Federated Suns does.  We mean your people no harm.”  Canin said quietly Yvonne’s eyes were all over the ancient Battleship.

   â€œNo harm?”  Yvonne said quietly “no harm?  The presence of this vessel could split the Federated Suns, the Varnay family could regain some of their prestige.  How can this vessel not cause harm?”

   â€œYvonne, we have given the Davion family the vessel, you do not have to mention that you have a Varnay-class Battleship it could be renovated at the same place you renovated the Davions in the New Avalon system.  Or you could sneak it into the shipyard at Galax the Federated Suns have far more resources than us.”  Canin said taking a leap of faith, the Davions had to be renovated somewhere after centuries of Warfare it was unlikely they had three WarShips fully operational.  And in the first Star League-era the Galax system was home to a massive Port Sydney construction facility, since it was deep in the Federated Suns he guessed it was still there.

   â€œTrue, so what happens now?”  Yvonne said taking the bate.

   â€œThere is a Nova Cat crew aboard the Thunderchild at present, however as soon as the Federated Suns is able to put a crew on the Battleship we will evacuate and leave it to you.”  Canin said.

   â€œI have no people with me, other than some Rabid Fox troopers still stuck on the DropShip.  The nine of us cannot command the Battleship alone.”

   â€œOf course, we have an HPG transmitter and receiver on board, you can contact the AFFS High Command on New Avalon or anywhere else anytime.  We have no intention on making this difficult.”  Canin said Yvonne was impressed the Clansmen were by no-means mindless foot soldiers of crazy men.  Canin must have noticed she was thinking something.

   â€œWhat?”  Canin asked quietly, it was almost a whisper.

   â€œYou are not the normal Clansmen.”

   â€œI am what?”  Canin asked surprised, he did not know if he should feel insulted or pleased, no-one had ever said such a thing about him.

   â€œYou are not the normal Clansmen.”  Yvonne repeated, “normally the people of the Inner Sphere sees the Clans as people with insane commanders and mindless footmen.  You Nova Cats seem nothing like that.”

   â€œWe are human.  The Nova Cat Khans trust the Nova Cat within each of us, we trust our Khans, our Oathmaster and the Nova Cat.”  Canin said Yvonne looked slightly confused but said nothing and Canin gave her no further explanations the Fox‘s Teeth would explain the rest.

   Over the next two days the Nova Cats waited for the Federated Suns recovery team to arrive finally the FSS Invincible, a Fox-class Corvette, arrived with five Octopus Tug-class DropShips and several engineering teams.  The Nova Cats evacuated to the three surrounding WarShips and then with one final goodbye between Canin and Yvonne the Nova Cat WarShips left heading back to the Nova Cat’s Den.  Yvonne remained with the Invincible for a couple of days thinking of her time with the Nova Cat Star Colonel, he had opened her eyes to something more than the life she had been leading up until now.

Detroit
New Colony Region, Periphery
24th December 3060

   Protector Jeffery Calderon, leader Taurian Concordat, and Magestrix Emma Centrella, leader Magistracy of Canopus, are taken hostage on Detroit in the Periphery Region between their realms and the Capellan Confederation, dubbed the New Colony Region.  It emerges that Sherman Maltin commander of the Colonial Marshals, a defence force for the New Colony Region run by both the Taurian Concordat and Magistracy of Canopus, has declared himself President of the Independent New Colony Region and that the only way the leaders will be released is if the New Colony Region is Recognised.

Hope you enjoyed 3060

This is just great

Clan Occupation Zones, Inner Sphere
Clan Steel Viper/Clan Jade Falcon
1st June 3061

   Following two months of constant assaults Clan Jade Falcon led by Khan Marthe Pryde herself counterattacks the Steel Vipers inside the Occupation Zone, the fighting is widespread and brutal severely damaging both Clans in the process.

Sandhurst, England
Terra, Chaos March
6th June 3061

   On Terra Word of Blake Precentor Martial Trent Adrian and his Deputy Suzanne Mulvanery are killed when a terrorist bomb destroys their vehicle just outside Sandhurst, the Word of Blake Militia‘s command base on Terra.  Straight away Precentor Cameron St Jamis, a member of the Sixth of June sub-faction of the Word of Blake, is sworn in as the Word of Blake’s new Precentor Martial.  Following a Sixth of June Members rising to the position of Precentor ROM just weeks before the Sixth of June is quickly proving to be a powerful faction of the Word of Blake, as well as being the most radical.  The Word of Blake seal the Terran System including restricting use of the Nadir and Zenith point recharge stations to only their trusted allies.

Throne Room, Davion Royal Palace
Avalon City, New Avalon
Crucis March, Federated Suns
12th June 3061

   After being away for over two years First Prince Victor Steiner-Davion arrives back on New Avalon, with him is Danai Centrella.  Following a triumphant return parade led by the First Kathil Uhlans and the Tenth Lyran Guards RCT Victor returns to the Davion Royal Palace on Mount Davion which dominated Avalon City, the capital of New Avalon and of the Federated Suns.

   Walking up the stairs and through the main doorway Victor entered the Throne Room his sister Yvonne raised from the throne and ran across the room rapping her arms around him while his youngest brother Arthur stood just off dressed in his AFFS cadet uniform.  “Welcome home!”  Yvonne said not wanting to let Victor go.

   â€œThank you, it is good to finally end the travelling and be here, home at last.  Good to see you Arthur how goes training?”

   â€œWell, brother, the Sandoval family have been very supportive.  Congratulations on your campaign to eradicate the Smoke Jaguars.”  Arthur said looking over his bother’s shoulder “who is this?”  He asked with a smirk noticing Danai standing just outside the room.

   â€œThank you, Arthur” he said breaking from his sisters hug shaking Arthur’s hand, although seven years Victor’s junior the young man had a powerful handshake and was already taller than the First Prince, which Victor if hones knew was not difficult.  Victor turned to Danai.

   â€œAllow me to introduce Danai Centrella, Commander of the First Canopian Cuirassiers, Duchess of Canopus my very dear friend.”  Victor said stretching out his arm drawing Danai into the room, Yvonne embraced and hugged Danai like a life long friend but Arthur gave a very formal bow.

   â€œWelcome to New Avalon” Yvonne said.

   â€œThank you, thank you.  It is a very beautiful world and this is amazing, more than I ever imagined” she said raising her arms looking around the Davion Throne room.

   â€œYou haven’t seen the best, come on, I will show you around.”  Yvonne said leading Danai off, Danai glanced in Victor’s direction and he gave her a cheerful wave as Yvonne dragged her off.

   â€œSo brother out of the Drac-Snake Queen and into the Canopian Carnival Princess, you do get around…”  Arthur said chuckling quietly at his own joke Victor grabbed his brothers wrist and spun the younger man into a wall his hand under Arthur’s chin despite his size Victor was showing Arthur exactly who was in charge.  Victor’s captured Elemental Bondsmen/Bodyguard Tigret looked in from their door positions and noticed there was no problem.

   â€œListen to me, I don’t care what you think about my relationships or my companions.  I thank you for my welcome home, now don’t you have training to get to?”  Victor said Arthur remained totally silent nodding.  Victor released Arthur from the grip “then get to it, Cadet.”  He said dismissing his own brother, Arthur nodded saluted crisply and left.

   Victor headed up to the throne chairs he still saw the paired thrones as his parent’s thrones not his own.  “Welcome Home, sire” a deep voice said Victor turned and saw Field Marshal Jackson Davion.

   â€œJackson!”  Victor said moving over to the elder Davion hugging the man, the Field Marshal was slightly surprised by his First Prince’s reaction. “what are you doing back here?  Hadrian’s?”  He asked firing rapid fire questions at Jackson as they moved closer to the thrones stopping at the foot of the steps leading up to them.

   â€œHadrian’s Charges were ready and used in defence of New Avalon.”  Jackson said he saw Victor’s face drop, how wrong had he been about the possible Nova Cat threat?  Where were the signs of battle?

   â€œWhat happened?”

   â€œA Clan Nova Cat Battle-cruiser, a big massive buggering thing, biggest thing we’d seen for a very long time, entered the New Avalon system and offered us a gift.  They then executed a inter-system jump, an impressive manoeuvre to a location that most our experts say was impossible to get to, then a pair of Nova Cat Overlord-C landed near the mountain retreat above the Fox’s Den.”

   â€œThe Nova Cats were on New Avalon!  How did this happen?”  The thought of Clansmen loyal to the Clans being on New Avalon sent shivers down Victor’s spine, now he began to understand how Hohiro Kurita must have felt when Smoke Jaguars and Star Adders were on Luthien. “Our WarShips have been built specifically to counter that.”

   â€œThe Nova Cat vessel and its fighters could destroy our in system fleet alone and according to NAIS even if Katherine had stuck around to help we would still have lost.  You would have likely returned to a world governed by a Clan.  According to Yvonne and the sensors on the Invincible the Nova Cat‘s back-up force was too strong for the entire AFFS Navy to take.”

   â€œKatherine?”  Victor asked sitting down on his throne he hadn‘t listened to the rest only that his sister had been here!  Victor was surprised the Federated Suns was still here and this throne still waited for him.

   â€œThere was some trouble, partially caused by Katherine, partially caused by Sun-Tzu Liao.  Yvonne was alone she called on Katherine for help, can't really blame the girl" he added defending Yvonne's choice "and the Lyran Archon arrived with one of the Hyperion-class Heavy Cruisers they found near Alarion.  Just as her WarShip was entering the system so did the Nova Cat vessel.  The Lyrans got spooked and ran for it and we haven’t heard from Katherine since.”  The elder Davion explained chuckling as he thought about Katherine’s reaction.

   â€œSo the Nova Cats landed on New Avalon, what happened then?”  Victor asked, he felt sick thinking the Lyran people had forgotten past loyalties so quickly.  Although he attributed most of that to Katherine’s influences.

   â€œThe Nova Cats returned the Fox’s Teeth and the Rabid Fox Platoon we sent to Tortuga all unharmed and with upgraded BattleMechs.  Then they invited Yvonne on a little joyride, there they presented her with another gift.”

   â€œWait, Jackson please slow down they returned the Fox’s Teeth?”  Over the next hour Jackson informed Victor of all the things that had happened during his journey to Clan Space and back again.  The information on the Nova Cat’s Severn Lervoux scared him but the fact the Clanners had returned the Fox’s Teeth and Rabid Fox troopers with Clan Weapon equipped BattleMechs had surprised him.  But the big story, other than the entire Nova Cat Clan was in the former Tortuga Dominions and that the Nova Cats had given the Federated Suns via his sister Yvonne the FSS Thunderchild, a Varnay-class Battleship.  A vessel they had not seen for centuries and a vessel that had been the command ship of the rebel Varnay family during the Civil War.  Jackson informed him the vessel had been sneaked into the Galax system Shipyards and it was currently in deep mothball at a heavily guarded shipyard until they worked out what they were going to do with it.  “Where is the Fox’s Teeth?  I want to speak to Captain Ross McKinnon as soon as possible” Victor said.

   â€œField Marshal McCarthy took them and the Rabid Fox troopers that was with them to some secret facility here on New Avalon.  Even I have not had access to them.  Their equipment has been taken to NAIS and taken to pieces by the techs there.”  Jackson said, Victor could feel his blood begin to boil although he respected the commander of the DMI he found the man a little to paranoid and willing to take to many decisions himself.  McCarthy’s decision to hold the personnel annoyed Victor straight away he worried about the Fox’s Teeth, they were heroes to the Federated Suns and should be treated as such, not only that he had sent them on the mission that had robbed them of almost two years of their lives.

   â€œGet McCarthy and his guests here now.”

   â€œAt once, sire.”  Jackson said walking off leaving victor alone in the Throne Room, ‘so much for an easy life’ he thought silently. 
Now Victor had a Clan at his back-door he started to know how the Lyran Alliance and Draconis Combine felt.

Clan Occupation Zone, Inner Sphere
Clan Jade Falcon/Clan Steel Viper
4th July 3061

   In a successful military campaign Khan Marthe Pryde leads Clan Jade Falcon to victory on the world of Waldorff, following this defeat Clan Steel Viper accept Clan Jade Falcon’s offer of Hegira and begin the orderly withdrawal from the Inner Sphere.

Montgomery Residence
Avalon City, New Avalon
Crucis March, Federated Suns
29th July 3061

   It felt good to be back on New Avalon, the Nova Cat accommodations had been decent for prisoner quarters but nothing beat the comfort of her own bed.  Rachel Montgomery had been given extended leave from the AFFS and had relaxed in the family home for weeks.  She wondered quietly what had happened to the Fox’s Teeth and Ross McKinnon, all nine survivors of the Company had disappeared quickly.  She had tried to get in contact with Ross several times but there had been no response to her messages.

   Outside a storm howled with rain being blown into the side of the house but every now and again she heard a small tap on the window.  Thinking it was a branch or something Rachel rose from her bed, all she wore was a pair of white panties to bed, had done ever since she joined the military and needed to be ready to get dressed quickly.  Walking over to the window in the darkness she looked out and saw no branches or anything turning round she began to move back to her bed where there was another tap.  Rachel spun round and for some reason decided to open the window and looked out, as she did the wind blew into the room, the curtains on either side of the window flew up and Rachel was suddenly freezing.

   Looking out the window she saw Ross McKinnon standing there smiling, Rachel looked back and smiled back then realised she was virtually naked, Ross was getting an eyeful of her body but she didn‘t care.  “What are you doing here?”  She shouted.

   â€œI came to see you!  You are not an easy lady to find!”  He shouted back “can we talk?”

   â€œSure, I’m on my way down!”  She said disappearing into the room

   â€œhold on, I’ll come up!” Ross shouted back sprinting over to the wall and beginning to climb.

   â€œWhat are you doing?”  she asked as he got closer, within a couple of minutes he was hanging outside her window.  With a little help Ross fell in the window on top of Rachel, he was absolutely soaked and freezing.  “What are you doing?”

   â€œSomething crazy, but something I should have done as soon as we got back” he said leaning forward to kiss her, Rachel met him half way, and they locked in an embrace breaking off Ross whispered “will you marry me?” just as the rooms door swung open.

   Standing in the doorway stood a huge balding man “Who the Hell are you?  And What are you doing on top of my daughter?”  He shouted.

   â€œDaddy, this is Captain…”

   â€œMajor” Ross said, Rachel smiled and leaned forward and kissed him forcefully.

   â€œCongratulations!”  She said as they broke off “daddy, this is Major Ross McKinnon, my fiancé.”  She said kissing Ross again.

   â€œFiancé?” Rachel’s father said quietly stepping up straight “Fiancé?” he said rolling the word around in his mouth “When did you get engaged?”  He wondered out aloud, then noticed they were all over each other and paying no attention to him “never mind, we’ll talk in the morning.  Shut that window, and get him out of those freezing cold he’ll catch a death of cold.  We’ll talk in the morning.”  He said closing the door behind him, they didn’t need much more encouragement and enjoyed the best night of their relationship ever.

Press Studio
Avalon City, New Avalon
Crucis March, Federated Suns
18th August 3061

   Across Avalon City, the capital of New Avalon and by extension the entire Federated Suns, people were arriving home and preparing to watch the latest edition of Avalonian News a current affairs/news program broadcast across the planet.  Tri-Vid players across the capital projected the show directly into peoples homes.

   â€œGood Evening, I am Gillian Ford, welcome to Avalonian News.”  The presenter said, Gillian Ford was possibly them most popular person on New Avalon at this time of the night, nearly sixty percent of Avalon City, and roughly fifty percent of New Avalon as a whole, watched the show.  “Tonight, we have exciting international news on the new Star League Defence Force and the Capellan Confederation/St Ives Conflict, we also have several stories leaked out of the Davion Palace and sports news on Jenson Sortek’s meteoric raise to glory on Solaris VII in the Mech Arena.”  She said opening the show glancing to her co-presenter, and long term replacement the beautiful Rebecca Lawson.

   â€œGood Evening, I’m Rebecca Lawson, first tonight we have a treat for you” the image changed to an Overlord-class DropShip bearing the Star League’s Cameron Star “yesterday morning Marshal of Armies Duke Morgan Hasek-Davion arrived on New Avalon in his official capacity as Commanding-General of the newly reformed Star League Defence Force.  Following a mammoth meeting with the AFFS High Command and First Prince Victor Davion, deep inside the Fox’s Den, Duke Hasek-Davion announced that effective immediately he would be stepping aside as Marshal of Armies of the Federated Suns to concentrate on forming the Star League Defence Force.  The First Prince wasted little time in naming Field Marshal Jackson Davion, commander of the Davion Royal Brigade of Guards as the next Marshal of Armies.  Victor also made a startling announcement, the Third Davion Guards RCT will merge with the ComGuard’s 208th Division to form the Second Royal Regiment of the new Star League the First Prince said that it was by popular vote that the two units would merge and join the new League as the Second Regiment, the First already being formed by the survivors of Task Force Serpent.”

   â€œIn related news on the Royal Family the Prince’s sister Yvonne Steiner-Davion and, the Prince’s friend, Danai Centrella former heir to the throne Magistracy of Canopus made a stir last night.  At twenty-three hundred hours Avalon City local time the two, along with their bodyguard detachment from the First Davion Guards RCT, entered Stringfellow’s of New Avalon.  The popular bar/club was as always packed however Yvonne and Danai stole the show from all-comers, including the club’s dancers.  Neither Yvonne or Danai were escorted by male companions which has fuelled rumours that Danai Centrella and the First Prince are involved, although some have suggested it may be Yvonne and Danai who are involved…”

   â€œThat’s only every teenage boy’s favourite dream, Gillian” Rebecca said smiling the very idea of the planet’s two most famous and eligible women together could bring a smile to anyone’s face, “following Duke Morgan Hasek-Davions announcement of his stepping aside as Marshal of Armies he brought the Federated Suns some good news.  The world of Kittery, nestled between the arms of the St Ives Compact will become the new Star League’s primary base of operations and state-of-the-art training and barracks will be built on the world.  Under lease agreements with the Federated Suns, AFFS troops will also be given full access to the facility.  The First Kittery Borderers, the planets primary defender currently on assignment to the defence of the St Ives Compact, will remain as the planets AFFS defending force and act as the official Opposing Force for the Star League troops.”

   â€œThe Commanding-General also informed us that a partially completed Kirishima-class Cruiser gifted to the Star League by Coordinator Hohiro Kurita, as thanks to the SLDF for their efforts against Clan Smoke Jaguar, will be refitted at the New Syrtis Shipyards, deep inside the New Syrtis system, creating jobs and a steady income for the Capellan March.”

   â€œAlso in military news tonight we have more reports on strange goings on in the Avalon Mountains.  Following reports of foreign WarShips in the New Avalon system, an amateur photographer pictured this vessel landing a couple of months ago” a grainy two-dimensional image of an Overlord-C class DropShip “our military experts confirm that this is an Clan-designed Overlord-class vessel capable of transporting up to forty-five BattleMechs, official representatives from the Fox’s Den have said that this DropShip was the first vessel of the Tenth Lyran Guards RCT to land on New Avalon, and that this particular vessel was captured from Clan Smoke Jaguar.  However no identification markings can be seen to confirm this.”  Gillian said as the picture disappeared and returned to the studio.

   â€œThe Capellan Confederation was handed a severe defeat on the world of Sarna today as rogue elements of the Third Federated Commonwealth Guards RCT landed on the worlds of the Sarna Supremacy and announced their intentions to resist any attempt by the Capellan Confederation to retake the two planets in the Sarna Supremacy.  The former Third’s members drove the Capellans back to their DropShips in six hours of brutal close quarters fighting.  The Third has always been close to Sarna and following their previous failure to keep the world under the Federated Commonwealth flag there has been little surprise they broke orders and jumped the borders from most military experts.  No official word on reaction to the Third’s actions has come out of New Avalon although the Capellan Chancellor has vowed to kill every member of the former Third FedCom RCT.”  The show continued into the night and eventually touched on every topic effecting New Avalon, the Federated Suns and the Inner Sphere as a whole up to and including the take-off of the First Prince’s Excalibur-class DropShip, onboard was First Prince Victor Steiner-Davion, SLDF Commanding-General Duke Morgan Hasek-Davion and it was rumoured Danai Centrella as well as an entire Battalion of the Tenth Lyran Guards RCT.  The DropShip taking off the next morning heading to join a WarShip in the system which would take Victor and the SLDF Commanding-General to the Whitting Conference on Marik in November.  At the conference on the Marik Family Homeworld a new First Lord would be voted into office.

Second Whitting Conference
Marik, Marik Commonwealth
Free Worlds League
10th November 3061

   The Whitting Conference had been delayed for several days because of Victor and Morgan’s delay following the attack on New Syrtis.  Because Thomas Marik was the current First Lord the Conference had moved to Thomas Marik’s Homeworld inside the Free Worlds League when Victor and Morgan arrived no-one commented on their lateness or the attack, no-one wanted to be associated with it.

   One thing that had been commented on was Danai’s presence at Victor’s side and the transport used to bring the Federated Suns leader to the conference.  So far there had been more questions about Victor’s Davion III-class Destroyer than Katherine/Katrina’s Hyperion or Thomas Marik’s Artemis-class SLS Unity City.  Victor had rebuffed most questions regarding the vessel and its sister ships still under refit in the Federated Suns, at the same time he quietly wondered what would have happened if he had turned up in the Thunderchild and smiled, ‘then they would have been running scared.’

   He also noticed Danai watching the Magistracy of Canopus group moving around with the Capellan Confederation delegation at the other side of the room.  Victor was not Danai’s keeper, and he did not consider them to be in a relationship - not yet, she could do what she wanted but the Duchess seemed content standing at Victor‘s side much to the annoyance of the Capellan Chancellor.  It was also something the entire Inner Sphere would be talking about for weeks to come which Victor enjoyed immensely.

   A couple of hours before there had been a small informal meeting between Victor and Hohiro Kurita the Draconis Combine leader had expressed his displeasure Victor had dropped his sister for a Periphery slut.  Years before Victor would have lashed out at the Draconis Combine leader but this time he had just walked off.

   Victor realised that Hohiro was a friend looking out for his little sister and if the tables were turned and Hohiro had been seeing Yvonne, or even Katherine, Victor may have had the same reaction but he could not say that to Hohiro and decided that he would give the Draconis Combine and the leading family of that nation a wide berth from now on.  The Federated Suns and Draconis Combine were no longer the allies they had been during the initial Clan Invasion, the ties were slowly being cut.  Only the Star League and the damage they had done would keep the two nations from tearing into each other just like they had done before the Clan Invasion.  If it was down to people like Victor’s brother Arthur or the hardliners in the Draconis Combine the two nations were be at war again Clans or no Clans, Victor hoped they would be able to avoid it but if they came to blows he would not stop until honour had been satisfied, he understood he Combine Samurai culture as best any outsider could and knew that if war came the Federated Suns would have to get their attention to stop the conflict spiralling out of control.

   At the first council meeting Commanding-General Morgan Hasek-Davion announced that the newly formed Second Royal BattleMech Regiment and its support were on Kittery and were ready for deployment.  He also announced that because of Capellan Confederation actions the SLDF would be required in the St Ives Compact to stop the war escalading.  Also Morgan announced, much to the shock of the Succession Lords, that Kittery would become the SLDF’s new Headquarters with additional training bases on Warlock, in the St Ives Compact, and at the Focht War College on Tukayyid, in the Free Rasalhague Republic.  Katherine Steiner-Davion and Sun-Tzu Liao both looked particularly annoyed at this development.

   There was a buzz to the air.  New Star League rules dictated a Succession Lord could be First Lord once every cycle, meaning Thomas Marik could not be First Lord again until all other Succession Lords had been First Lord once.  Also invited to this conference were the leaders of the Taurian Concordat and Magistracy of Canopus at the insistence of the Capellan Confederation.  Various ComStar and Word of Blake Adepts and Acolytes were moving around although neither organisation had any power at this conference.

   Although Danai Centrella and her sister were both on Atreus and had even been in the same room for much of the day. Danai never strayed far from Victor’s side and Naomi never left Sun-Tzu Liao’s side meaning the sisters never spoke.  It was sad but a way of the Inner Sphere and of politics.

Ross McKinnon’s Flat
Avalon City, New Avalon
Crucis March, Federated Suns
12th November 3061

   Lying in bed for almost three days straight may sound lazy, but Ross McKinnon and his fiancée, Rachel Montgomery, were together for the first time in three months following duty assignments.  Now they were making up for lost time and making wedding arrangements, so far they had decided that the wedding would be on New Avalon and that it would be a large affair.  Looking down the list of possible guests Ross stopped and looked to Rachel “what is this?”  He said pausing on one of the names, Star Colonel Canin Rosse.  “You want him to come?”  Ross had no objections for the Nova Cat Star Colonel coming to the wedding, he just had no idea how it would happen or even if the Star Colonel would be willing to attend.

   â€œHe is responsible for us being together.”  Rachel said, she wanted the perfect wedding, in her mind if it had not been for the year-and-a-half the Fox’s Teeth and her Rabid Fox had been trapped on Tortuga with the Nova Cats then Ross and her would never have gotten together.  “I would also like to see his unit there to.”  She said going down the list, leaving the details in Ross' hands.

   â€œI could… nah maybe not” Ross whispered trying to think of a way to get this to work there was only one option in his mind and he highly doubted it would be allowed, an entire Trinary of Clan Nova Cat warriors deep in the Federated Suns.

   â€œWhat was that honey?”  Rachel said not looking up from her position.

   â€œNothing dear” Ross said, this was his job, he’d figure something out or this wedding could be dead before it got off the ground.

Second Whitting Conference
Marik, Marik Commonwealth
Free Worlds League
14th November 3061

   It was time to vote for a new First Lord however Thomas Marik had one last thing to announce as First Lord.  “My assembled Lords, my time as First Lord has been one of great success for the Star League Defence Force.”  He said despite the Free Worlds League military actually doing little during Bulldog they had been instrumental in Serpent’s success and in the establishment of the Embassies on Huntress and Strana Mechty, which they still guarded today.  “In an effort to bolster the Star League and show that the Free Worlds League gives its full support to the organisation I host this Conference, I am here today to take part in this vote and announce that the Fusiliers of Oriente, Fifth Brigade  have asked to return to their SLDF designation and rejoin the Star League Defence Force as the Twenty-eighth Hussar Regulars.  Assuming the Commanding-General agrees to this transfer I have granted this request.”  Thomas said there was a low murmuring around the room, none of the Succession Lords had expected any house to allow any former SLDF units to return to the nascent league. 

   Standing Morgan Hasek-Davion addressed the Succession Lords “Captain-General, the Star League Defence Force would be glad to welcome any former SLDF unit back into its arms.  The Twenty-eighth Hussar Regulars are more than welcome, as are any unit, I would personally like to thank you for your support and your successful time as First Lord.”  As Morgan sat there was a rousing applause for his words and Marik’s gift to the SLDF.  Morgan sat down with a smile on his face whatever happened it was a good day.

   It was time for the vote for a New First Lord.  Thomas Marik as exiting First Lord had first vote.  “One Clan has been taken care of, perhaps it is time the Star League was used to take care of a second.  I nominate Archon Katrina Steiner for the position of First Lord.”  Morgan shot a glance at Victor, Katherine and Thomas Marik, perhaps there was a way to mess up the day he thought coldly.

   â€œDoes the Lyran Alliance leader agree to this nomination?”  The chairperson asked looking at the Lyran leader who wore a long dark low-cut Steiner blue dress that showed plenty of her cleavage not that Katherine was interested in winning the attention of any of the Succession Lords, she just knew that if she had it she should flaunt it.

   â€œI graciously refuse the nomination” Katherine said quietly, there was widespread shock in the room, Katherine had made no effort to ever hide her desire of being First Lord however no-one had ever thought anyone else would ever nominate her. “It is not time for another war against the Clans, it is time for peace in the Inner Sphere.  I will not lead an organisation that is solely formed to annihilate the Clans.”  Almost all eyes turned on Morgan and Victor, they sat closely together but not at the same table, one had to speak Morgan began to stand but Victor beat him to it.  “It is time for the Star League Defence Force to better all of the Inner Sphere.”

   â€œI agree with my sister, Katherine” Victor said using her full name as he raised from his table, everyone in the room looked surprised except Danai Centrella who looked at Victor with pure pride in her eyes he had not gone aggressive and lost votes like many had expected instead he had played the same game as Katherine, only time would tell if he had been right to do so.  “The first Star League was formed to bring in a golden age for humanity, an age where the peoples of the Inner Sphere put aside their differences to better life for everyone.  The Clans distracted us with their Invasion, however we have shown them we can hold them back and if necessary to defeat them on their own ground.  Now it is time for the peoples of the Inner Sphere to improve life for all.  To show there is no bad blood brought to this Conference, I nominate Coordinator Hohiro Kurita leader of the Draconis Combine for the post of First Lord.”  Again there was widespread shock, the Federated Suns and the Draconis Combine were traditional enemies not allies Victor knew this could cause trouble at home for him and in the Combine for Hohiro with people on both sides of the border hating the two leaders were getting on but he hoped most people would see it exactly for what it was, a political game to stop his sister‘s ascension to the position of First Lord.

   â€œI will second this” Katrina said standing looking at Victor and no-one else, she had planned this to be an attack on Victor, show that he was the warrior and nothing else however Victor had spun everything on its head and thrown it back in her face.

   â€œI agree chairperson, and allow me to thank the First Prince and Archon the Draconis Combine will treasure this moment.”  Hohiro said not moving to stand a smile crossed his lips, in Hohiro’s eyes Katrina had just committed political suicide.  At the SLDF table Morgan Hasek-Davion was also smiling however he’d just seen Victor beat Katherine at her own game.

   â€œI nominate Elected-Prince Christian Mansdotter” Sun-Tzu Liao said quietly “the Free Rasalhague Republic could use any support it is given, especially with the ComGuards so badly mauled during the campaign against the Smoke Jaguars.”

   â€œI second this motion” Precentor-Marital Anastasius Focht of ComStar said, although ComStar were still only a military force because of the threat posed by the Word of Blake ComStar had been given some provisional voting rights, although they still could not nominate people they could second votes.

   The votes went around the room Victor, Katherine, Candice Liao and Thomas Marik voted for Hohiro while Sun-Tzu Liao and Anastasius Focht, voted for Christian Mansdotter four-two in favour for the Draconis Combine leader.  Christian Mansdotter was the first to congratulate Hohiro Kurita before leaving the room.

   â€œI’m impressed brother, I was not expecting you to support the Draconis Combine, perhaps your nation has moved on from beating people over the head when you don‘t get what you want.”

   â€œThank you Katherine” he said using her given name “but please don‘t forget when we see a threat we can still hit it over the head.”  He said smiling back at his sister picking up a couple of papers, he had just implied that the Draconis Combine posed no-threat without saying it directly.  “I brought with me five Regiments from the Federated Suns for SLDF Contract make sure they are treated well.”

   â€œI will I promise you.  I visited my sister on New Avalon when you were away” she said pausing to see if Victor showed any reaction but the next comment came from behind.

   â€œAnd we heard you ran away as fast as you could when there was a half finished Kirishima in-bound on its way to the New Syrtis Shipyards.”  Morgan said quietly Katherine shot the Commanding-General a glance.

   â€œYour sure it was a Kirishima?  Seemed larger than a simple Draconis Combine Cruiser.”  She said following Victor’s lead in insulting the Draconis Combine, this time their WarShip design.

   â€œI’m quite sure Katherine, the people of New Avalon were quite shocked when they heard that you had neglected to even stay in case of a major attack.  Thankfully the Kirishima did not launch an attack and is now safely in the New Syrtis system WarShip Shipyards which survived the attack by the mystery vessel.”  Morgan said stepping forward supporting Victor, he knew little of the attack or the enemy vessel they were taking about but noticed Victor was wanting it kept a secret.

   â€œI was sorry to hear about the attack on your system Duke Hasek, are you sure you should be here and not tending to your people.  Victor, there is no-way that vessel was a Kirishima, what little surprise did you bring back from Clan Space?”

   â€œThe First Prince needs no Clan surprises to defend the Federated Suns from threats, Archon, the people of New Avalon know that he fully believes in the Federated Suns and that he was able to bring home all of his people from the Lyran Alliance reuniting dozens of families.  The Lyran people also believe in Victor because he reunited their people also, we can only hope that these nations realise that you have led the Lyran people down the wrong path and re-forge the Federated Commonwealth.”  Danai said changing the subject as she raised to her feet, she wore a full length red dress and with her long dark hair worn up she was in complete contrast to Katrina’s short blond hair and blue dress.

   â€œAh, Duchess Centrella, I was sorry to hear about your mother.”  Katherine said smiling “a great loss…”  Katherine said just as the Capellan leader broke in.

   â€œAn even greater loss when a sister and daughter will not even return home to see her mother’s grave and pay her respects, instead she remains with her toy boy lover in a foreign realm.”  Victor was about to reply but Morgan beat him to it.

   â€œSun-Tzu Liao” Morgan said, not even using the Chancellor’s rank of position which was protocol, the Haseks had always faced over the border to the Capellans, Morgan would show the man no respect.  “By order of the Star League Defence Force I order you to withdraw your force.”

   â€œI will not, and there is nothing you can do, this is an internal dispute.  The only way you can interfere is if we break international borders.  Only the Federated Suns has done so, three of its units are in the St Ives Commonality as we speak.”  Sun-Tzu said trying to put the blame on the Federated Suns for his little war.

   â€œYou’re dead wrong Chancellor” Morgan said emphasising the ‘dead’ part to show his feelings, as Commanding-General he should be neutral however he knew what the Capellans were like during war.   â€œThe Federated Suns is defending St Ives Constitutional rights that state that any Federated Suns units based in the St Ives Compact are allowed to defend themselves, their allies and their bases from any foreign force including the defenders of St Ives themselves if trouble arises.  Also before she left Duchess Candice Liao sent me this” he said handing Sun-Tzu a letter, a few people looked around an noticed the entire St Ives and the Draconis Combine delegations were already gone and the Free Rasalhague Republic group was leaving.  The First Whitting Conference had lasted nearly two months the Second Conference had lasted less than a week.  “This is an official call for Star League Defence Force Support in pushing back your marauding hoards.  Now unless you want to face the SLDF in battle I suggest you pull back.”

   â€œI will not, the St Ives Commonality belongs to the Capellan Confederation, I do not abandon my people or my friends.”  Sun-Tzu said looking accusingly at Victor, who had all but abandoned the Lyran half of the Federated Commonwealth at the First Whitting Conference.

   â€œThen Sun-Tzu your people better be ready for trouble, because it is coming your way.”  Victor said the group broke up and within the hour the Second Royal BattleMech Regiment of the SLDF had crossed the Federated Suns border and joined the defenders of St Ives.  The newly joined Twenty-eighth Hussar Regulars had been sent a message to move to the St Ives Compact as had two Regiments of the Eridani Light Horse and the SLS Shining Claw, the Ghost Bear Congress-class Frigate used by the ELH.