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Clan Raid
Tabayama, Tabayama Prefecture
Military District of Midway, Draconis Combine
3rd October 3102

Clan Nova Cat’s Alpha Galaxy raid Tabayama in the Draconis Combine following a vision by unit Mystic Star Colonel Alexi.  During the attack the Mystic Alexi and Galaxy Commander Katherine Nostra are both killed along with almost a full cluster of Nova Cats.  Overall the raid is a failure with the Clan handed a stinging defeat by the Second Genyosha and Second Midway Regulars Regiments.  The only positive from the raid is that Clan Nova Cat is able to debut their newest WarShip a modified Marathon-class Battle-cruiser the Spirit of Destiny which destroys the Inazuma II-class Corvette DCS Sakura.

On their return to Clan Nova Cat territory there is anger within the Clan that a sub-par warrior was able to gain influence in a Nova Cat Galaxy without earning a Bloodname due to the “Mystic experiment.”  Throughout the Nova Cats questions regarding the usefulness of the Mystic Caste are asked which distracts the Nova Cat warriors from other issues currently facing the Clan. 
Khan Canin Rosse allows the warriors of the Clan Council to debate the Mystic Caste issue keeping the most senior of his warriors busy while pushing the Scientific Caste to answer questions about the problems facing their population on New Barcella as civilian casualties continue to rise from an unknown virus.  The Nova Cat scientists admit that they are struggling to answer the Khan’s challenge alone.  Khan Canin Rosse allows the Nova Cat scientists to approach the Scientific Research Station on Tukayyid for assistance while authorizing the Nova Cat warriors trapped on New Barcella behind the quarantine, enforced by the Nova Cat navy, to use their weapons against the population should trouble get out of hand.

Border Battles
Stone Spirit Territory
Periphery
13th October 3102

   The Obsidian Lancers Mercenary Command assault the Stone Spirit system of Elba capturing it from the Stone Spirits for the Lyran Commonwealth in a lightning dawn assault spearheaded by their clan-tech equipped units.  The Obsidian Lancers use their superior numbers of armour and infantry forces to push back the Stone Spirits in a series of confrontations.  In line with the Obsidan Lancers assault Clan Mountain Wolf’s newest Clusters the Twenty-first Wolf BattleMech and the Twenty-seventh Wolf Champions are given their combat debut on Main Street as they to push against the Stone Spirits.

   These assaults come in response to a series of Stone Spirit raids against the Lyran Commonwealth.  Lyran High Command hopes that by assaulting two of the renegade clansmen’s holdings they will forestall any further attacks.  Clan Mountain Wolf has its own reasons for supporting the Lyrans against the Stone Spirits blooding their newly raised commands.  Khan Evan Kell suggests to the Lyrans that further assaults would send a clearer message to the Stone Spirits, while also allowing them to blood further commands, but the Lyrans are hesitant to bring further strikes from the Stone Spirits.

Trial of Position, Cyclone (Sea Fox ArcShip)
Twycross, Sea Fox Territory
Inner Sphere
28th October 3102

   The kick caught Khan Hanna Coston across the side of the face knocking her to the left the paired follow up punches caught the Khan of guard knocking her to the ground.  Evangeline Clarke was more numble than the older Khan and instantly moved for the kill dropping to her knees knocking the air from her lungs she leaned in and grabbed the dazed Khan by the neck twisting rapidly she snapped the Khan’s neck.  Leaning forward she looked the dead woman in the face seeing her dead eyes raising up to her feet Evangeline looked around the stunned crowd surprised at what had taken place.  “I am now Khan of the Sea Fox Clan” she declared looking around at the crowd.

   â€œYou will be Khan once the Council determines it” Galaxy Commander Stephen Faulk, leader of the Starstrike Khanate, declared stepping out of the crowd.

   â€œThen assemble the Council” Evangeline demanded

   â€œThey are waiting in chambers until you have cleaned up.”  Faulk said his words calming the crowd.

   â€œWhy wait let’s go” Evangeline said angrily stepping up from the broken body of Khan Hanna Coston following Faulk through the crowd.  They traveled through the Cyclone without speaking a word making their way onto another gravity deck she stepped into a room and saw the five most senior warriors in Clan Sea Fox other than the Khan and Galaxy Commander Stephen Faulk.  Faulk took his place around the table with the others while Evangeline remained standing.  “What is going on?  I defeated the Khan in a fair battle.  I am a Khanate leader and I have served this Clan all my life there should be no obstacle to my rise to being Khan.”

   â€œGalaxy Commander, you took your issues directly to Hanna Coston ignoring the position of saKhan” Blake Hawker, the saKhan, said “why?”

   â€œI had an issue with the Khan not with you.  I did what any Clan warrior should do if they are unhappy with their leadership.”  Evangeline said bluntly “now will any of you contest my position as Khan?”  She asked challenging them all with a single sentence she expected Stephen Faulk or Blake Hawker to be the ones to speak but none of them spoke.  “Good” she said brushing some sweat clear from her brow she needed a shower and sometime to think but knew that these people would want some answers first.  “It is time we began acting like a Clan.  Our worlds are too spread out too isolated we will rectify this problem over the next few weeks.  We will also see if any of your forces are able to complete the tasks set them.”

   â€œYou question the abilities of your fellow Clansmen?”  ovKhan Carlos Vewas, the leader of Predator Khanate, protested angrily raising to his feet.

   â€œI do not know your forces” Evangeline Clarke admitted raising her hand to quell his protest.  “I know that each of your Khanates is capable of trading and fighting for small amounts of equipment but proper organized Clan wide trials I do not know about.”

   â€œWhat is your plan?”  Brad Hammond asked remaining in his chair.

   â€œOver the next few weeks you will strike at the Hell’s Horses systems of Malibu, Butler, Waldorff, Apolakki and Evciler.”

   â€œThe Hell’s Horses may not appreciate that” Loremaster Semi Kalasa said “the Jade Falcons agreed never to come back to this system.  The Hell’s Horses have made no such agreement.”

   â€œExactly” Evangeline said triumphantly “if there is a threat over this system our people might actually begin to consider their martial training to be as important as the power of their tongue.”  She said briefing the other Khanate leaders “I will be announcing our attentions to Khan Cooper tomorrow morning and will assign your targets then as well.”  She said “Loremaster Kalasa your Khanate, lacking the ground forces for a trial, will travel to Alpheratz and trial for one of the Snow Raven’s Splendid-class Cruisers.”

   â€œWe could trade for the craft” Semi Kalasa noted

   â€œCorrect but that will not test your forces nor will it send a message to the other Clans that we are a force to be reckoned with.”

   â€œIt could bring the Eyre of the other Clans on us ending us” Blake Hawker noted.

   â€œNeg they still need us to produce Harjel our scientists are the best at that and our Clan is the only one that all the Clans know will trade the substance.  If Clan Wolf or Clan Hell’s Horses claimed this system the others would not be amused.”  Evangeline Clarke replied

   â€œIt still would help our people who had been killed” Semi Kalasa replied

   â€œThat is the Clan way, the Founder’s way; it is time our Clan honoured that.”

   Over the coming weeks new Khan Evangeline Clarke announced the Sea Fox’s intention to move against Hell’s Horses targets.  The Sea Foxes were successful in wresting control over Waldorff and Apolakki failing to capture Malibu, Butler and Evciler.  Semi Kalasa’s forces also failed to capture the Splendid-class Cruiser from the Snow Ravens with Loremaster Semi Kalasa killed in the fighting against the Ravens.  Following another series of trials ovKhan Damien Kalasa becomes Loremaster of the Sea Foxes.

Time to end 3102

Peacekeeping Mission
Lost, Inarcs Theatre
Coventry Province, Lyran Commonwealth
1st December 3102

With continued problems on the world of Lost the Rim Collection military act as Matthew Davion had predicted the Rim Rangers and Fourth Rim Lancers CCT’s jump into the system and surprises the defenders, quickly forcing themselves onto the planet’s surface they link up with resistance and militia forces. Using heavy support from aerospace, armor, and power armor assets and fighting unlike other Clan forces, using stealth and concentrated fire the Rim Collection forces maul smaller Obsidian Lancers Mercenary detachments and force the larger ones back into their fire-base. Uncharacteristically, the Rim Collection forces do not push the attack and instead they allow the mercenaries to remain active as long as they avoid the Rim Collection units.

Meanwhile, Karen Able publicly acknowledges the attack on Lost, stating the objective is merely peacekeeping in nature to stop further over reactions from the Lyran hired mercenaries and the Lyran Commonwealth loyal militia unit she invites the Lyran Archon and the SLDF to assist in peacekeeping efforts on Lost while calling for a referendum to take place in a year’s time.  Although angry at the presence of the Rim Collection troops on Lost Archon Jessica Steiner does not wish to see another open conflict between the Commonwealth and the Rim Collection and grudgingly accepts the agreement she selects the still rebuilding Fifth Alliance Guards and the Fourteenth Lyran Regulars RCT’s to deploy to Lost in the following weeks to work with the Rim Collection forces. Both sides wisely choose to keep their warships at home to keep the tense situation from developing further.  As the house troops deploy on the planet the Lyran Commonwealth recall the Obsidian Lancers from Lost in an attempt to lower the tension which also allows the Lancers to heal some of their wounds.

Supervolcanic Eruption
Kirklin, Kestrel Combat Region
Crucis March, Federated Suns
9th December 3102

A supervolcanic eruption occurs on Kirklin after months of minor eruptions.  The initial blast almost completely destroys the capital city of Kooperville killing nearly a quarter million people, including the planetary Duke, and destroys the primary spaceport.  Atmospheric ash causes thrown out by the eruption causes three DropShips to crash on take off.  Within hours of the initial eruption all communication with the planet completely fails as the atmosphere thickens with the ash.  With more than three quarters of a million people still on the planet the AFFS continue to attempt to land on the planet for more than a month with mixed success, of four rescue missions only one is successful evacuating nearly six hundred civilians, despite these failures the AFFS continue to attempt to land on the planet but after three months, with ash levels continuing to rise and surface temperatures always below zero, High Command calls off further attempts abandoning hope of rescuing more people from the planet.  The AFFS place four Class 14 Watcher Sats in orbit around the planet to listen for any transmissions from the planet from survivors who had survived the eruption and freezing temperatures underground.

Tour
Gallery, Halfway Province
Lyran Commonwealth
19th December 3102

   It felt wrong walking across the windswept plains of Gallery while their borders were under attack with Clan Hell’s Horses landing on the world of Pandora but here was where Khan Evan Kell, of the Mountain Wolves, and Archon Jessica Steiner, of the Lyran Commonwealth, needed to be for the future of Clan Mountain Wolf and very possibly the Lyran Commonwealth.  “It is desolate” Evan Kell said looking at Jessica Steiner.

   â€œYes it is, continuous high winds and storms, but in all the centuries of the Lyran Commonwealth Gallery has been attacked once and even then it was a complete failure.”  The Archon replied looking the young Khan he was a very attractive man and if Jessica had not met her husband she could have imagined chasing the Mountain Wolf leader’s affection.  “This planet’s atmosphere, the storms and a network of underground tunnels make attacking this planet very difficult due to the poor weather not many wish to make their homes here so there is plenty of space for what you want.”

   â€œMy Mountain Wolf engineers will build the facility in secret I will give you three locations where we may be so any local construction remains clear of us.”  He said bargaining with her it was very possible this construction would safe his Clan in the future should Arc Royal fall.

   â€œThat shouldn’t be a problem Gallery is a personal holding of my family I will ensure that no-one strays near your Repository and the Commonwealth’s payment?”  She said she wished to help save the Mountain Wolves but her Commonwealth needed something of substance from them.

   â€œI will have our engineers begin construction of the Pouncer OmniMech line for your use we will help you build it wherever you wish with all production primarily going to the Lyran Commonwealth Armed Forces.” Evan promised it was a tough loss an entire production line, the Mountain Wolves could have used, but having a repository further from the front-lines would safeguard his Clan’s future.  “Meanwhile my Clusters are stepping up their efforts to retake Cumbres and Summit system and strengthening our defences around Arc Royal.”

Hall of the Clans, Great Hall
Andrey, Tukayyid
Clan Space, Inner Sphere
28th December 3102

   Following the death of Loremaster of the Clans Zane Carns on Tukayyid during a Mech test, in what could only be described as a freak accident where one leg of the Mech buckled under the weight smashing the cockpit killing the MechWarrior a new Loremaster had been selected.  With none of the Clan Loremasters interested in the position a traditional Grand Melee was called by the Grand Council now following that augmented battle only one warrior remained Star Colonel Miguel Icaza of Clan Jade Falcon.  The hulking Elemental had proven to be too strong and too agile for the best of all the other Clans including warriors from the Hell’s Horses and Ghost Bears who prided themselves on having the best Elemental Corps.  Now as the Loremaster of the Clans Icaza promised the assembled Warriors of the Ebon Guard Galaxy, Tukayyid’s primary defenders, that they would participate more in Clan affairs in the future and would not purely be restricted to defending Tukayyid and its factories from Clan Trials.

Jade Falcon Assault
Deia, Arc Royal Theatre
Donegal Province, Lyran Commonwealth
9th February 3103

   The attack on Deia had been expected following reports of Jade Falcons on Morges, Yeguas and Great X but the ferocity of the Jade Falcons had taken the defenders by surprise.  In less than six hours the Clan warriors had torn the Eleventh Lyran Guards RCT and two supporting mercenary commands to pieces ripping through them rapidly occupying the capital and spaceport.  Leutenant Jason Sortek had escaped the initial attack because his Zeus X had been dedicated to base defence and because he had seen what was happening and decided that action was needed.  Now sixteen hours after the initial attack Jason Sortek led a company of Lyran Guard Mechs, three surviving Mercenary Mechs and a collection of armoured vehicles and APCs carrying support staff.  He had pulled out of the Eleventh’s base escorting civilian dependents and techs who needed defended from the Clan advance he had gone fighting off the Jade Falcons bringing with him two MechWarriors from his lance over the four hours that had followed he’d linked up with several Mechs from the Eleventh and the mercenary commands not a single officer had survived the Jade Falcon assault.

   Climbing from his Mech in the huge cave that his remaining forces had called home Jason looked around at the battered battalion that was left to him.  To him.  It felt wrong he was a Leftenant he didn’t have the experience to command these people.  A warrior ran up to him “Senior Sergeant-Major Harry Garvey sir” he said saluting Jason he was an older man as most NCOs were Jason guessed he had probably seen a dozen conflicts before today unlike him who was in about his fourth fight, which was probably going to be his last.

   â€œDrop the salute Sergeant there isn’t enough of us to care.”  He said looking around “what do you think?”

   â€œSir, the other warriors, both armour and Mech, agree you should remain in command.”  He said confirming what Jason had hoped was not true “we’ve decided that you should hold the honourary rank of Kommandant until this conflict has ended” he said Jason remained silent “Kommandant” the Sergeant reinforced the new rank in his mind “we have twenty-two BattleMechs in various states of repair, along with eighteen armoured vehicles, twenty-four battle armour suits and the rest are conventional infantry and nearly one hundred-and-forty civilians.”  He said breaking down the unit list like any good NCO should do the civilians would be the hardest to evacuate and defend.

   â€œI’m just a Leftenant not a Kommandant, Garvey, what am I supposed to do?”

   â€œCommand, sir” the older man said “and preferably you get us the hell off this planet, sir”

   â€œThe only real option we have is Alternate Zulu” he said naming an evacuation point “they were never set for us” he admitted. Alternate Zulu was a single Overlord-class DropShip designed to evacuate the survivors of the unit if everything went to hell there was no guarantee they’d get all their equipment on board the DropShip but they would be able to evacuate their personnel.

   â€œWe make do with what we have got, Kommandant, we make do.”

“Yes, we do Sergeant-Major, but we’re not getting anywhere without some rest have Harrison and Clarence remains in their Mechs everyone else stands down and gets four hours kip.  Martin and Keys replace them in four hours then Harrison and Clarence get some rest.  We leave at first light.”

The night passed without incident and the remains of the Eleventh were ready to move out by 0800.  They’d traveled for nearly four hours without any issue making good progress towards their DropShip before encountering a Jade Falcon patrol.  “Assault Lance with me” Sortek called out “everyone else keeps going to the DropShip Sergeant-Major Garvey is in charge.”

“You’re outnumbered two to one” Garvey protested

“Protect the civilians now go” Sortek ordered swapping over to the dedicated channel for the assault lance, his lance he knew each of them and their Mechs every little detail that could cause them problems in the coming fight.  “It’s simple we delay them while trying to get out of here in one piece.”

“Simple boss” MechWarrior Terry Dorn repeated from his Hauptmann OmniMech, it was their most advanced Mech other than Sortek’s Zeus X so it would likely be a prime target.

“Yes it is look where they are standing” he said the others saw the Falcons were standing on hardened lava “target the ground around them if we can break it then we can mess with their cooling maybe take one or two of them out.”

“And if we can’t break through we’ll just give them a free shot on us.”  Janice Parry said quietly from her Salamander.

“No free shots today make yours count” Sortek said even as the Jade Falcons began to fire on them he said all four Lyran Mechs targeted the ground under the Clansmen.  Almost immediately the ground began to crack under the weight of the Lyran Mechs “hit it again!”  Sortek called out as Muniez Highlander took a particle cannon blast high to the torso.  This time they broke the ground under the Jade Falcons sending a Black Lanner BattleMech into the molten lava below burning the Mech’s armour.  Other Mechs fell into the lava following the other Mech “back up” Sortek ordered “target the Mechs” he ordered as a Summoner and the Black Lanner climbed out of the lava and began firing.  A Turkina stood its ground inside the lava firing its massive long range missile racks at them despite the obvious heat the Mech was in.  As more of the Jade Falcons climbed out of lava their Mechs were taking heavier fire even as they retreated “Janice swap to Thunder rounds empty your bays I want the thickest minefield you can lie between us and them Terry take her fire!”  He called out Janice’s Salamander had several tons worth of missile deployed mines while Terry’s Mech had the heaviest armour between them.

“Thanks boss” Terry replied as he moved his Hauptmann to cover Janice’s Salamander immediately taking a gauss rifle shot to the left arm.

“That’s a lot of mines” Janice pointed out firing a full salvo of missiles immediately scattering mines them and the incoming Falcons the battered Black Lanner bearing the worse of the damage as several mines struck the Mech’s feet knocking it to the ground as the OmniMech hit the ground several more mines exploded destroying the cockpit of the Jade Falcon Mech.

“The cost is not coming out of your pocket MechWarrior drop them” Sortek replied firing his weapons at a Jade Falcon Mech.  “Keep backing up” Sortek said as his Mech was struck by an autocannon blast.  He knew that despite all their efforts the Jade Falcons would soon make their way past the mines and overwhelm them to run would expose their weak rear armour to weapons fire.  A Jade Falcon Summoner OmniMech flew through the air on its jump jets clearing the mines “hit the Summoner!”  Sortek called out but it didn’t matter his lance was already reacting blasting the seventy ton front line OmniMech with everything they had.  The Jade Falcon pilot weathered the storm of lasers, missiles and autocannon the best they could but there was no way any Mech could stand under that fire.  The OmniMech began to fall to the ground just as it did the cockpit exploded open and the pilot’s chair shot out of the Summoner.  “Fall back! Fall back!” Sortek called out as they did the Summoner’s reactor gave way with a massive flash if it had not been for the filters on his sensor screens Sortek would have likely been blinded by the blast even so he struggled to keep his Mech upright as it and the others of his lance were caught up in the massive fireball that followed the flash as the Summoner’s reactor exploded.  Even as the fire and and smoke slowly subsided Jason Sortek could see the Jade Falcons had suffered under the blast as much as his lance he sighted a Jade Falcon Nova OmniMech and fire off a salvo of long range missiles at the Mech more than half of the missiles missed their mark ripping up the burnt dirt beside the OmniMech it wasn’t much but it was enough to remind the Falcons they were still there.

“JASON ON YOUR LEFT!” Janice Parry shouted a warning Jason glanced and saw the rock formation was crumbling before his very eyes.  He slammed down hard on the controls to the right turning his BattleMech away from the falling rocks he felt and heard the patter of rocks slam into the side of his BattleMech.  His Mech stepped several metres away from the falling rocks looking down at them even as the Jade Falcons assaulted them “that’s it…”

“Sir?”  One of the other MechWarriors asked for a second he wasn’t sure who it was.

“Target the rocks everything you’ve got cause a landslide even bigger than that one!  The reactor has weakened its foundations!”  He shouted behind him all three of the Mechs fired almost as one targeting the rocks Jason twisted his Zeus X’s torso firing his right arm mounted light gauss rifle tearing up the rocks even as he pulled back away from the now collapsing rock face.

“It’s working!” Janice called out as more rocks continued to fall.

“Continue to retreat and fire” Sortek ordered suddenly feeling exhausted the rockfall had completely blocked the path between the two forces the Jade Falcon Mechs with jump jets could follow them but of the remaining Mechs Sortek could only remember the Nova, Turkina and a Flamberge naturally carrying jump jets the Nova wouldn’t come alone and neither the Turkina or Flamberge appeared to have coped with the lava well.  “It will take them hours to get around those rocks let’s use them to fall back to the DropShip.”  He said the others turned and began to move after the rest of their convoy hoping to catch the remaining survivors of the Eleventh Guard.

There was no further contact with the Jade Falcons Sortek and his team were able to link up with the civilians and reach Alternate Zulu and the DropShip.  The crew of the ship had long prepared it for take off but had remained in place waiting for any survivors as per their orders.  Jason Sortek shut down his battered Zeus X in the first Mechbay along with the rest of the survivors of the unit.  The other surviving vehicles and battle armour suits were being strapped down to the deck.  Sortek climbed out of the cockpit of his BattleMech and onto the gantry behind immediately Sergeant Harry Garvey was waiting for him “how are we doing Sergeant-Major?”

“The fly boys prepped the DropShip as they’ve long been ordered, sir, they also sent a black-box mission for an evac JumpShip to be at the pirate point…”

“But” Sortek replied seeing the doubt on Garvey’s face.

“But there has been no reply from any of our JumpShips we don’t know if any of them are still active.”

“So if we stay the Falcons find us, we fight and most likely we die.”   Sortek said “and if we go into space we could be shot down by the Falcons or we could suffocate in the cold depths of space?”  Garvey nodded in reply “right then send another message then tell the Captain to get us in the air, we can’t hold off a Falcon another ground assault we need to chance it in space.”  He said Garvey nodded and left to pass the orders.  Four hours later with everything as secure as they could the DropShip launched into the sky and headed towards the pirate point fortunately at least one of their messages had gotten through unfortunately things were not going so well for the Commonwealth.  In the following weeks with the Eleventh effectively a dead command Jason and his lance are transferred to the Thirty-sixth Lyran Guards RCT with Jason serving as a Hauptmann.

As well as the destroyed Eleventh Lyran Guards the LCAF had lost the LCS Nondi Steiner in the Great X system, six conventional regiments are lost in the fighting as is a battalion of the famed Kell Hounds, several smaller mercenary commands and two clusters of Mountain Wolf warriors.  Elsewhere along the border the entire Lyran line seems to collapse as Clan forces land on Zongshan, Machiba and Chapultepec and capture each with minimal losses Lyran commanders call for a general evacuation regrouping on Inarcs, Adelaide, New Capetown and Arc Royal.
The Charlestown Chiefs mercenary command barely escape the bloodbath on Great X in a chase that took the mercenaries nearly twenty kilometres from their initial battle site and cost them a third of their warriors and their machines.  During the chase the Chief’s Swallow WiGE vehicles prove themselves time and again as scouts and as harasser forces keeping the unit informed of Jade Falcon activities and positions while also disrupting Jade Falcon advances.  The Chiefs evacuate along with nearly nineteen hundred civilians from a disused Lyran Commonwealth military base that had doubled as an evacuation point.

Opening of Parliament
Parliament Building, Atreus
District of Marik, Free Worlds League
16th February 3103

   Standing on the podium newly elected Captain-General Joseph Marik looked over the gathered delegates of every Free Worlds League world.  Joseph knew he had been elected for symbolic reasons with today being the official rebirth of a united House Marik and the Free Worlds League.  “I am humbled” Joseph said his voice was projected by the microphone and speakers built into the podium and every chair around the room so everyone could hear him “I am Joseph Marik and today I accept the position of Captain-General.”  He said gathering his thoughts “I will listen to this parliament and when my term ends I will leave this position open to all others of this parliament.”  He said glancing to either side of the high rise chairs each one of them knew that Joseph could, under the rules of the Parliament, be elected again for another ten year term but also that each of them would have a chance to run for the position as well and that the Captain-General had no authority to suspend future elections.  “Together we will work to make the Free Worlds League a more prosperous place and a better place to live for all our citizens.”  He promised them all “new ministers will be elected by you from this body and we will chart a course for our Free Worlds League over the next ten years.”  He said “however before we begin I will open the floor to the leaders of the member states of this League.”

   â€œThe Oriente Protectorate stands by this Free Worlds League, and our new Captain-General, and its united cause to protect all of our citizens.”  Duke Jonas Halas said rising from his chair on Joseph’s left the Duke bowed his head slightly towards the Captain-General before sitting.

   â€œThe Principality of Regulus will watch the new Captain-General carefully but we will support all efforts to improve the lives of all our citizens.”  Prince Lester Cameron-Jones promised the council before sitting back down allowing the final leader to rise.

   â€œThe Outer League Alliance has made every effort to unite the people of our great nation under a single banner.”  Prime Minister Alison Kanning said the Outer League Alliance controlled a full third of the Free Worlds League giving the Prime Minister the strongest vote of all the leaders “we believe that every voice should be heard equally” she said looking at the Captain-General.

   â€œA cause that I fully support” Joseph Marik promised

   â€œThen I would like to propose the first legislation of this new Parliament?”  She said asking for the Captain-General’s permission Joseph Marik nodded in response.  “I would like to propose that the nations of the Free Worlds League are created equal and each removes the pretentious names that each nation has gathered over the years.”

   â€œLike the Outer League Alliance…” Prince Lester Cameron-Jones said before realizing that the microphone on his chair was very sensitive to noise and had broadcast his words.

   â€œExactly Prince Cameron-Jones” Kanning said agreeing with him instead of trying to ridicule the Prince’s mistake “instead I propose that each of our nations is referred to as a District of the reborn Free Worlds League.”

   â€œWith District Bowang being the strongest of these Districts?”  Duke Jonas Halas said looking at the old woman he could not help but be impressed by what the tiny world of Bowang had done over the years but it also concerned him.

   â€œBowang will forever be proud of its accomplishments” Kanning said in response to his point “but Bowang would be willing to give up such power for democracy.”

   â€œWhat do you propose?”  Joseph Marik asked having remained silent until now listening to their points.

   â€œThat the Outer League Alliance is dissolved permanently and that Bowang, Gibraltar and Lesnovo are each recognized as a standing state of the Free Worlds League with the same voting power as the other states of this league.”

   â€œYour worlds already have a voice in this parliament” Prince Lester Cameron-Jones pointed out.

   â€œYes” Alison Kanning admitted “and if I compel all worlds of the Outer League Alliance to block one of your proposals we can be a very loud voice one that I doubt that you can muffle so easily.”  She said pointing out that she was ready to give up this power but only if the Outer League Alliance’s Districts were all recognized as equals with Marik, Regulus and Oriente.

   â€œI call for a general vote” Joseph Marik said not allowing the discussion to wander off topic the Outer League Alliance’s power was a threat to all the leaders bringing it down a peg would make things more equal and give each of their nations a larger voice.  Joseph knew that over the short term the three OLA districts would likely vote together but as time passed and each had its own problems and differences that would change how they would vote.

   Across the Parliament each member of the council placed their vote in the computer screen with a simple “YES” or “NO” answer the vote did not take long to tally.  Unsurprisingly there was a very clear vote.  “This Parliament has spoken with a vote for eighty-five percent supporting this vote and fifteen percent disagreeing that each nation of the Free Worlds League will be a district of our nation and the worlds of Bowang, Gibraltar and Lesnovo will be recognized as voting members of this body.”  Joseph Marik said addressing the Parliament he spared a glance at Prime Minister Allison Kanning and nodded his approval she had given them something easy to begin their proceedings and he would not forget that.  This would be a long day but it would be a grand one and one that would be remembered for decades to come.

Training Class Graduation 3103
Gray Death Training Zone, Glengarry
Isle of Skye, Lyran Commonwealth
28th February 3103

Dr Dana Carlyle graduates as a trained Battle Armoured trooper at the Gray Death Training Zone on Glengarry.  With the mercenary regiment on the Clan Wolf border she leaves Glengarry with a small contingent of reinforcements. Dana chooses a new Gray Death Strike Suit as her type of battle armour a suit unique to the Gray Death Legion it mounts a torso mounted advanced Clan type SRM-3 unit as well as an arm mounted light TAG unit.  Due to her medical experience and her name she is given a commission of Captain. 

My thanks to marauder648 for deciding the fate of New Extford with an excellent battle-story.  Hope you enjoy April 3103

AFFS Command
District City, Kathil
Capellan March, Federated Suns
16th April 3103

   Colonel Richard Steiner stepped into the AFFS Command Centre on Kathil this place was familiar to him, but it was not like his regiment… like his regiment had been he thought, even as he thought of what had happened to the First Kathil Uhlans his wounds ached.  Under his duty uniform his right arm and the upper right quarter of his chest and lower neck were heavily bandaged from the burns he had sustained on Verlo.

Each time he closed his eyes Richard was back on that damned planet, that night, in the early hours of the morning a firebomb had ripped through the Uhlans base camp shocking their command.  Richard still had no idea how it had happened but he and roughly half of the unit had been inside the barracks when the bombs had gone off, thirty-two MechWarriors had died in the resulting fire before they’d even made it to their Mechs.

   Suffering from burns Richard had made it to his Templar OmniMech the ice in his coolant vest had aggravated but also calmed the pain from his burns.  The Kathil Uhlans had been under heavy attack on the ground from at least two Capellan Confederation Warrior Houses.  Richard had marshaled his remaining forces ordering his warriors to retreat to their DropShips and escape the planet.  For eight hours he had fought against the Capellans and watched three regiments of his support troops sacrifice themselves before evacuating with less than a combined arms regiment into three DropShips.

Even as he hung in his OmniMech Richard had found no respite their DropShips had been assaulted by the Hell’s Black Angels Aerospace Unit.  The Capellan fighters had dived on the retreating DropShips intent on wiping out the Kathil Uhlans.  Richard had missed the resulting battle passing out in his BattleMech as he finally blacked out from the pain caused by his wounds.  He’d watched the reruns of their escape the arrival of their WarShip the FSS Ellen Davion, a Davion III-class Destroyer, which had made an intersystem jump most likely breaking its KF Drive to do it.  The Ellen Davion had dived into the battle slashing at the Hell’s Black Angels DropShips.  Undeterred the Capellan Aerospace forces had turned on the single destroyer punching through its defences causing heavy damage in several obviously practiced runs then finally almost in one final attack the Capellans had struck the Ellen Davion with a nuclear-tipped anti-ship missile consuming the half a million ton vessel in a blinding flash.  The attack had blinded the Uhlans but it had also affected the Hell’s Black Angels sensors allowing the DropShips to escape.

Now on Kathil the remains of the Uhlans would begin the long process of rebuilding.  Richard Steiner while still the Regiment commander would be sidelined for at least six months due to his burn injuries instead of commanding his unit he would be working from the Command Centre on Kathil.  That wasn’t to say he wouldn’t be busy the attack on Verlo had been the Capellan’s most successful but it hadn’t been the only one they’d attacked Victoria, Menke, Mitchell, Jonzac and Sidar while the Taurian Concordat had joined them assault MacLeod’s Land and Laconis along their shared border.  From what Richard had understood the AFFS was holding the Capellans on Victoria and Sirdar.  While Mitchell, Menke, Jonzac and Verlo were confirmed to have fallen both worlds targeted by the Taurians had been abandoned by the AFFS with their troops moved to other areas.

Richard approached the main tactical table which showed a map of the Federated Suns and most importantly the Capellan March.  Standing around the table was Field Marshal Nathaniel Hasek, possibly the oldest warrior in AFFS service, despite his age the years did not show on him today the Field Marshal of the Capellan March was in his element directing the Capellan March in a war.  “Reporting as ordered Field Marshal” Richard said the old man looked over at him and smiled he was Kym Hasek’s uncle and they knew each other well.

“Welcome back to Kathil Colonel”

“Thank you” Richard said “what’s our status sir?”

“OPERATION DOWNFALL is in effect.”  Nathaniel said naming of of the Federated Suns Counter-attack strategies.  “Units based off St Ives had successes on Brighton and Taga.  While reinforcements are being routed to Sirdar and Victoria” he said Richard flinched his wife Duchess Kym Hasek was on her way to Victoria with Federated Suns Naval forces.  “The New Hessen Mercenary Regiments have launched an attack on Ningpo and Algol” Nathaniel said as further worlds lit up “while Jaylen Davion has forced her way onto Grand Base with the First St Ives Lancers” the Field Marshal said with a predatory grin.  “The Capellans were not expecting the whole March to rise against them.”  He said triumphantly as a support officer entered handing Richard an information pad he quickly looked over it.

“Or perhaps they did.”  He said connecting the pad to the main computer screen the map updated “secondary attacks from the Capellans.  Sirdar has fallen the Eighth Syrtis Fusiliers RCT are no more while Foundation Industries WarShip Vidar has been destroyed.”  He said naming the independent Riga-class WarShip registered as a mercenary unit by the company.  “Secondary Capellan and Taurian strikes have struck Broden, Columbine, Vard, Pojo, Muridox and Larsha.”

“So the battle is joined” Nathaniel Hasek said his predatory smile never dropping once, he didn't know the Taurian motivation but they'd pay the price too, “shall we see how well the Capellans dance Colonel?”

“As long as we start with the easy steps, sir” Richard joked thinking of his arm and back.

“Every step with a Capellan is an easy one you just aim for the bastard’s toes” Nathaniel said laughing looking up at the map their long peace with the Capellans was over his final campaign had begun.

Battle for New Extford
New Extford
Jade Falcon Occupation Zone
20th April 3103

The SLS Firedrake’s engines rumbled slightly as she burned towards New Extford, a world that had been under Jade Falcon occupation for too long.  Her CiC was quiet, crew quietly muttering orders into their mics as the Patriot class heavy cruiser went to battle. 

“Sir Captain Moore on the Marshal Ney reports that the screen is in position.”

“Thank you, CAG?”

“All our birds are in the black Sir, the assault forces have their own organic cover and the Otaka’s going to stay with them in case the Clan dropper’s break off and make a run for them.”

“Excellent. Comms.  Give Captain Tanaka my regards, tell her that she may engage as needed and she does not have to conform to the maneuvers of the flagship.”

That had been a serious risk, the Otaka was a capable warship but against a battle-cruiser she was out of her league, still the Clan group appeared to be sticking in close formation, their four DropShips leading the way whilst their fighters had yet to launch.

“What do we have on the Jade Lion?”

“Not much Sir, the Foxes are not talking about them but she’s reading basically as a modified Black Lion.

Captain Kurt Thobal nodded, looking at the sensor display and the long range cameras that were locked onto the distant Falcon Warships, back lit by the blue and green of the world they were defending.

He had the superior force, even if the enemy capital ship out massed both of his vessels, they had more fighters, more and he was sure better assault DropShips.  But his fighters were spread between his group and the assault force carrying SLDF's Second Division, Third Brigade, The Crater Cobras and the Second Dismal Disinherited Regiment to the planet.

The fact that there were Mercs present had gotten the Falcons backs right up, a request for a bid had been met with static as the Clan force broke orbit and moved out.  But they had not gone hell for leather for the vulnerable JumpShips and their precious cargo, but for the obvious challenge of the WarShips escorting them.

“Sir! Enemy craft are launching fighters!”

“Get me an ID on the type.”

“Reading…10 Scytha and 10 Hydaspes from the Jade Lion and..Carrier’s launching…reading them as Avar’s Sir!”

There were some mutters on the bridge, Clan Sea Fox had been producing the Hydaspes en mass and had found a ready market with the other Clans who were snapping them up as soon as they were produced. 

“CAG?”

“We can handle that, we’ll have Gold Group engage the Scytha’s and just pick the rest off.”

“Signal the escort group, they are weapons free to engage targets of opportunity, but they will concentrate fire when I say.”

“Weapons, spin up the missiles, conventional warheads only, release of Special Weapons is not authorized.”

“Aye Sir! Spinning up the birds now!”

Whilst it took a few words and a series of computer commands the results were far more impressive. 

Hatches along the cruisers bow and forward flanks popped open as multi-tonne missiles were fed into the launch tubes from their rotary ammunition holders. Each missile came to life in a heartbeat, its computer talking with the cruisers, feeding it targeting data, range, speed, predicted course.

Two hoses connected, the hydrogen slush fuel pumps pouring thousands of gallons of the freezing cold liquid into the missiles tanks in the space of a few seconds.

“Data link is good, all missiles fulled and ready to fire.”

“Excellent, link targeting data with the escorts.”

“Data coming through now.”

“Very good. Open fire!”

A simple press of a button was all it took.  Each launch tube was lined with electro-magnets that would give the multi-tonne weapon a push out of the tube, thrusters flashed on the Killer Whale missiles sides to turn them towards the target as they drifted a dozen feet from their mothership before their rockets ignited, pushing them to full speed in a few seconds, their motors leaving behind a faint grey trail of ‘smoke’ from their spent fuel.

“Missiles away! Reloading now, all birds running hot, no malfunctions!  Four minutes until DropShip screen!”

The escorting Overlord A3’s Churchill and Alexander added to the barrage as did the Legacy of Fire; an impressive looking Nekohono’o.

Thousands of kilometers ahead the missiles raced on, their data feed overriding their LADAR and Radar, focusing on the mass of the Jade Falcon their path taking them over the dropship screen before the Clan Warship.

As the range dropped the escorts immediately opened fire with a blizzard of anti-missile fire, whilst the swift and agile Avar’s dove on the missiles.

“Nine missiles destroyed sir; one is reading a…make that ten, destroyed, and they are through the screen.”

Now it was up to the Jade Lion’s defenses and they didn’t disappoint.  Of the 21 missiles launched, only three survived to impact with the Clan Warship’s hull, Buckling but not breaching the hull in brief flashes of fire.

“Ready to fire again Sir!”

“Fire, target the escort group, we won’t get through those defenses with all them in the way.”

“Sir! Missiles launched from the Jade Lion no radiological alarm.”

The Captain nodded, even the Clanner’s didn’t want to let that gene out of the bottle.

“Fire the screen launcher, and weapons free on point defenses!”

“Aye Sir! Sir! Enemy missiles are actively pinging the Alexander!”

Captain Thobal bit back a curse, the Overlord A3’s lacked an AMS of their own and despite their missile heavy armament and they were also vulnerable to missiles themselves.

“Signal the Alexander and have her move closer so she is shielded by our AMS and I want a screen deployed now!”

The Screen launcher system ‘fired’ a heavy canister into space, it split open like a blossoming flower, filling the space calculated that the hostile missiles would go through with decoys, electronic jammers, chaff and other still classified devices, all working to jam, confuse and entice the inbound missiles.  Six of the Clan’s missiles fell for the decoys and electronic sirens, their on-board systems registering a massive target that filled their radar ‘eyes’ and made their computer brains register they had found their target.  Bright flashes of detonations bloomed in the darkness of space but two missiles kept going, both slightly below the main flight and slightly astern, their radar seekers firmly locked on the return they were getting from the Alexander, their heat seeker heads reading the thermal bloom of its thrusters. 

One missile never made it, cut in half by a long blurt of AMS fire at extreme range but the final missile kept going, completing its one service for Clan Jade Falcon as the pointed head of the missile rammed into the Overlord A3 at Mach 10.

Even as it was crushed into oblivion the fuse activated and the missile detonated, the huge shaped charge detonating, venting its fury against the Overlord’s hull as it and the remaining fuel detonated in a blinding flash. 

“Damage report from the Alexander, one of their AR-10 tubes is jammed shut, the hull is buckled and ‘we have a new porthole in the upper starboard side’, no fires reported and she is holding position.”

“Very good, keep firing!”

As the range dropped the weapons fire picked up.  The Carrier class DropShip Argus was ripped in half by a quartet of missile strikes that set off her fuel tank whilst the Claymore Tegetthoff, was dropping back, her hull breached and heavily damaged by a missile strike.  The Aerospace fighters on both sides rolled in to engage as the surviving trio of Clan assault DropShips, a pair of Eisigrim’s and a Noruff went to full thrust and began engaging the SLDF’s ships. 

“Sir…” The comm’s officer stopped his report as the ship rocked slightly as a PPC burst melted hull armour.

“The Otaka reports that the DropShips are entering the atmosphere and she is en-route to our location.”

“Understood, guns keep targeting the Jade Lion and keep firing!”

The blackness of space was light up by brief puffs of exploding missiles and long jagged lines of laser light.  Outnumbered the Jade Falcon assault DropShips clung together in a group, their interlinked AMS cutting down most of the missiles directed their way, but even then they were taking damage.  But giving it too. The trio rolled, burning retro’s hard, catching the Arondight Marshal Ney flat footed and a volley of missiles at no more than a few dozen miles, point blank in space terms saw the big assault DropShip burst like an over inflated balloon.  She was joined in death moments later when the Noruff Daughter of the Tempest was hit hard by a pair of Kraken-T missiles, the ship rolling bow over stern in an unrecoverable dive that saw the G-force spiraling wildly before the ship ripped itself apart, spilling metal and its crew across the battlefield.

With her escorts being overwhelmed the Jade Lion altered her course, rolling to present her guns not to the Firedrake but the onrushing assault DropShips and Otaka.

The Combine built ship’s weapons were spitting as soon as they charged or reloaded, massed batteries of PPCs, gouging into the Isegrim Honour and setting her aflame as her ATM ammo in the wing detonated.  A NAC round slammed hard into the Jade Lion’s side, smashing a turret into ruin before the Clan warship completed her roll and opened fire.

The Izuma II was a capable warship, fast, well-armed and heavily protected for a ship its size, but she was still only a corvette.

At short range the guns of the Jade Lion hammered into the Otaka the impacts physically knocking the smaller ship aside before something was hit.  One of the Otaka’s autocannon’s took a hit a moment before it fired. The gun, the shell and propellant all detonated in a thundering flash of heat and supersonic fragments.  Bulkheads activated but the force of the blast was too great, the explosion ripping into the read to use shells which detonated moments later.  The explosion gutted the forward port side of the corvette and she rolled debris and ribbons of fire streaming from her hull like blood from a wound as her damage control parties worked to save the ship.

But despite this success the Jade Lion was hurting, weapons had been disabled, there was fire on several decks and her support was almost gone.

“Sir! She’s running!”

“Thank god…what is our status?”

“We’ve compartments open to space, the fire on the port side is out, but the secondary reactor’s murmuring.  Department heads reporting casualties twenty-four confirmed dead, at least sixteen crew reported missing and numerous injuries.”  They’d been hurt but they were still going.

“Land forces?”

“They are away and deploying, reporting heavy contact.”

“Understood… give that Clan bastard a few more missile volley’s to keep her honest and then stand down, recover our fighters and look for any life pods.”

The fighting on New Extford was bloody almost from the start.  The two Clusters almost ignored the SLDF regiment and instead threw themselves in a fury at the Second Dismal Disinherited Regiment, leaving only a thin screen to harass the Crater Cobra’s as they made their advance.
At first it seemed that the Clan’s would overrun the landing zone but frantic calls for air support yielded success and the tattered remnants of Gold Flight, one made purely of Eisensturm assault fighters dove through the atmosphere, strafing and bombing the Clan forces even as the Crater Cobra’s slammed into their exposed flank. 

Pushed back the Clusters withdrew in an orderly fashion behind a suicidal rear-guard but under constant air attack and with the SLDF forces holding onto their tail the Clanner’s didn’t have time to regroup or re-arm.  With both clusters reduced to below 50% their surviving officer requested Hegira.  The mauled remnants of the Dismal Disinherited were at first unwilling to grant this but the SLDF commander on the ground, seeing that the Falcons had backed into very defensible terrain realized that crushing the Clan forces would take time and cost too much blood and accepted.

Colonel Nakambe watched the Clan forces pull back, they were all damaged, all showing signs of the hard but honourable battle they had fought.  Their blind fury against the Mercs had saved his command from too many casualties but still, there were many Mech’s that required hours of work whilst the Dismal were just that, in a dismal state, battered and exhausted with three dropships crippled on the ground, one fatally when a crazed Turkina had stormed up a disembarking ramp and opened fire inside.  The detonating supplies and ammo had pulped the Mech but the Overlord he’d boarded would never fly again.

“Send word to the fleet, they can contact command and say that New Extford once again belongs to the Lyrans.”  While victory had come at a cost at New Extford Kandersteg and Atocongo had fallen to combined SLDF/LCAF forces with far less casualties and damage.  In both the Timkovichi and Santana systems the Inner Sphere liberation forces had been stopped dead by the Jade Falcons.

   Clan Jade Falcon’s leadership realize that they have over extended themselves and are unable to fight off the Inner Sphere forces.  The Jade Falcon Khans call their garrison forces from their periphery holdings effectively abandoning them to the wilds of the periphery.  They also allow the Sea Foxes to trial for five additional worlds adjacent to those that the Sea Foxes had seized from the Hell’s Horses freeing up additional Jade Falcon garrison forces for use elsewhere in their Occupation Zone.  With recent territory increases the Sea Foxes find that their Clan Touman is over extended and are unable to heavily garrison their planets the trader Clan finds that they do not need to secure their worlds as heavily as the Jade Falcons or Wolves instead allowing their newly acquired planets a little autonomy.

Holding Area, Razor Teeth (Sovetskii Soyuz-class Heavy Cruiser)
Arcadia, Wolf Empire
24th April 3103

   Along with nearly her whole company Captain Dana Carlyle sat cross legged on the floor on the gravity deck on board the Razor Teeth.  Her battle armour team had been ambushed by a group of Clan Wolf Elementals that had raided Rahne striking at the Gray Death Legion.  She’d been knocked out in the opening Wolf short range missile salvo and missed nearly the entire battle only coming to as the survivors of her company were forced into the Wolf DropShip and taken off planet.  They’d all been informed they were now bondsmen of Clan Wolf.  As she sat on the deck Dana focused on the floor she should have remained a doctor she had no right being here she thought as a pair of Wolf boots stepped in front of her.  Dana looked up at the massive mountain of flesh and muscle in front of her “I am Star Captain Franklin Shaw you are my bondsmen” he said in a deep voice Dana did not move “come with me” he said still she didn’t move in one rapid movement Shaw yanked her up onto her feet.  Around her several Legionaries raised with her Shaw moved faster than she had ever seen anyone move before rapidly striking three of her warriors with rapid jabs and kicks knocking them down.

   â€œNO!” Dana shouted “I’ll come don’t hurt them any further” she demanded immediately Shaw rounded on her with a back handed slap that knocked a tooth from her mouth.

   â€œFirst rule of being a Wolf speak properly” he demanded as she looked back at him defiantly.  He then took a step closer “second rule never make another demand on me.”  He ordered “now follow me.”  He said walking out of the room Dana glanced at the other warriors of the her company one last time before being led away and into another room.  This room was different from the other instead of an open space instead there were tables and a large viewscreen on the wall showing another WarShip “you will be transferred on board the Provider.”  He said

   â€œWhat will I do there?”

   â€œThe Provider is our science vessel you will work with our scientists there.”  He said his voice softer now no longer speaking as the Wolf warrior.

   â€œI am a warrior” she protested

   â€œBut you were trained as a scientist on Terra” Shaw replied “the Wolves can use scientists more than another battle armour operator” he said. “The Provider will be your home for a time we were forced to move our scientists on board the WarShip due to problems with some locals but you will be safe there.”  He promised her Dana looked at the WarShip on the screen thinking that perhaps finally she would do what she had wanted to do, what she’d been trained to do even if it was for the Wolves perhaps this was her path.

Strategy Meeting, AFFS Command
Kathil, Kathil PDZ
Capellan March, Federated Suns
9th June 3103

   Around the room AFFS commanders sat and argued their strategies they were using against the Capellan Confederation.  “The Confederation has showed at Verlo and Victoria that they will use nuclear weapons against our forces we should do the same and hit the Capellans hard.”  Marshal Arthur Weaver said looking around seeing at least some support.

   â€œThe First Prince will not support the use of nuclear weapons against planetary targets.”  Prince Burton Davion said he was here purely as an observer for his father but his words carried a lot of weight.  “But if they continue to use nukes against our WarShips, or strike against ground targets, authorization to use them against enemy WarShips will likely be cleared.”

   â€œI agree with the Prince using nukes should be our last resort” Nathaniel Hasek said looking around the faces of his commanders he saw at least three who looked like they disagreed.  “If we can keep them at range and keep our WarShips defended then we should be able to minimize our losses.”  The Field Marshal said looking around the table “our forces on Victoria are holding the Capellans.”

   â€œIt’s a shame the SLDF won’t let us pass through the Prefecture we’d be in striking distance of Sian and Glasgow that would make Liao think twice.”  One of them said

   â€œBut the SLDF won’t let us pass” another repeated as if to reinforce the point.  The SLDF had surprisingly refused to allow the Federated Suns, a Star League member state, to use the Kittery Prefecture as a base to strike against the Capellans.  Leader of the Prefecture Protector-General Devlin Stone had stated that the Federated Suns conflict with the Capellan Confederation was not a Star League conflict and that the SLDF was reforged to minimize the amount of conflict in the Inner Sphere and that his SLDF units would continue to support peace.  He had said that should one side, regardless of their Star League status “cross the line” then the Kittery Prefecture would act where that line was Stone refused to elaborate.

   â€œHow about we strike at Liao?”  Richard Steiner said everyone glanced at the Colonel in surprise, none had expected him to speak up, he was here purely as Nathaniel Hasek’s aide.  “We continue to draw their attention to Victoria and its defence but at the same time we strike hard at Liao take it just as we did during the Fourth Succession War force House Liao to stand up and look at us.”  He looked around seeing others agreed with him the idea of returning to the glory of the Fourth Succession War resonating with many of them. “We can hurt the Capellan war effort more by taking Liao than any other planet within our reach.  We can force the ending of this conflict on our terms.”

   â€œI don’t disagree with you” Nathaniel Hasek admitted glancing at the younger man approvingly “but I’m not sure we have the forces for such a strike.”

   â€œCall on the reserves from the Crucis March and Draconis March” Richard Steiner suggested seeing the surprise on the other face “only until we secure Liao then they go back to their garrisons.”

   â€œAnd what if the Capellans nuke those troops” Marshal Weaver said “we will leave the Combine and Nova Cat borders at reduced strength.  Not only that there there is no guarantee your actions will break the Capellan’s resolve or stop the raids we could be creating a longer conflict.”

   â€œI know this Marshal” Steiner said “however we are spending troops at Victoria and making little progress in driving back the Capellans in fact in many ways we are losing territory.  Victoria’s shipyards are gone, its factories we have already stripped as much as we can, if our actions on Liao cause us to lose the world the Capellans will gain an empty shell.  If we strike at Liao we could take significant steps forward.”

   â€œHe is right we have stripped much of what Victoria had to offer us.  The naval battles to date have rendered the shipyards useless permanently, some of our analysts suggest that elements will enter the atmosphere over the next couple of years if we don’t do something about them, Victoria could be a rock that will drown us.”

   â€œGetting enough support to Victoria to convince the Capellans to keep their eyes there could be a problem” Admiral Amanda Watney said she worked for the Federated Suns Logistics Division and Capellan naval forces were making things harder in the system.

   â€œWe still hold the jump points forcing the Capellans to use pirate entry points” one said “deploying the Dresari and Sortek to the pirate points would cut the Capellans ability to resupply.”  He said naming the two Davion III Destroyers that were supporting the Mercury-class Black Prince.

   â€œUntil the Capellans resorted to the use of nuclear weapons then we’d lose two more WarShips.”  Fleet Admiral Blaine Webster said finally speaking “sir the navy understands that our vessels could die in the black of space.  The Mercury-class could indeed survive a nuclear strike…”

   â€œJust because it could doesn’t mean that it should” Steiner finished with “the WarShips and our ground forces in the Victoria are already a distraction all they have to do is remain in place.  The Capellan preoccupation with them will work in our favour.”  He said Steiner immediately saw a wave of distaste around the room the FSS Black Prince was the pride of the Federated Suns navy for her to be used as a distraction instead of at the forefront of an operation did not sit well with many.  At the same time however he also saw Fleet Admiral Webster looking relieved that the Black Prince would not need to be tested by such a trial of endurance.  “However there is something that the Black Prince could do for us…”  He suggested knowing that if he didn’t do something the men and women around the table would vote down his plan in a heartbeat, not because there was anything wrong with it, only to save face.  Off to his side Nathaniel Hasek nodded quickly hiding his smile of pride “the next resupply mission to Victoria.  The Black Prince should escort the supplies and replacement troops to the planet, we can pair her with four Blockade Runners, which should minimize the risk of nuclear weapons, and once she arrives at the planet she can target the Capellan Frigate in the system drive them off and gain our people on the ground some peace.” He said adding things to his plan on the fly wasn’t a necessary plan but it needed to be done to gain support “they don’t need to destroy the frigate just make a very good show.  Convince the Capellans that we want to keep Victoria and keep up the ruse just long enough to make Liao a target.”  He knew that the other members of the command meeting would want to kill the Capellan vessel but to Richard Steiner it was all to support his plan and to support the conquest of Liao.

Approaching Pirate Base
Holden, Hall
Star League Protectorate
12th June 3103

   Weeks of operations had gone to hell in a matter of hours now Lt Morgan Christifori and his lance were running across the surface of Hall smashing through the trees several kilometres south of Holden a long abandoned hamlet which the SLDF believed to be the centre of operations for a pirate band.  Chistifori’s company commander Captain Rudolph Blight had gone in with his two lances instead of waiting for the battle lance and their infantry and quickly found himself outgunned by the surprise appearance of an entire company of Mechs supported by several armoured vehicles and missile equipped infantry.

   â€œMove your asses people!”  He called to his lance “Bigfoot this is Little Cheese we’re roughly two minutes from your position sitrep!”  Christifori called out he hated Blight’s nickname for him, all because of his father, but after hearing some of the other nicknames made up by his CO it could have been worse.

   â€œWe’re holding our own we’ve got a tech and weight advantage on them.  The vehicles are the biggest problem all hovers; they are trying to get in behind us on our eastern flank.”  His commander said

   â€œKim you and I will jump in.  James, Bo you come in strong backing our play.”  Christifori ordered thumping down on the foot pedals of his BattleMech.  One of the reasons Captain Blight had nicknamed him ‘Little Cheese’ was because of the Penetrator which Morgan now called his own.  His father had long ago had the Mech modified with Clan technology giving him an advantage over regular Mechs of the same weight and giving it far better chance against heavier machines.  Thumping down on the foot pedals launching the seventy-five ton BattleMech into the air on a trail of flame moments later alongside him Kim’s Thanatos rose on its own jump jets.  Below them James and Bo in their ground bound Rakshasa and Marauder BattleMechs would be keeping pace with them through the woods.  From his height advantage James saw the battle and saw the hovercraft that were circling behind Blight’s forces were four Saracen hovercraft.  Morgan took a risky shot with his left arm extended-range large laser missing his target wildly before his Penetrator started falling towards the ground just before impact he cut in the jump jets once more to cushion the landing.  “Saracens unsure on their load-out” he called out preparing for a second jump that would take him into combat.

   â€œLRMs and SRMs or MRMs and SRMs” Bo called out the standard configurations of the hovercraft “either way they don’t have the armour for a stand up fight they are probably going to take a pot shot at the Captain then run for it.”

   â€œWe’re not letting them” Christifori said “stick to the plan, Kim on me” he ordered a moment later he regretted what he’d said since both Bo and James were convinced there was something going on between the two.  There was nothing going on but because the two other MechWarriors had never advanced beyond puberty it was a source of constant remarks from them.

      “Hey Cheese, no consorting with the hired help, you’ve got a legacy to live up to…” Bo called as the two Mech’s jumped into the air.  This time Morgan didn’t bother trying any special aerial shots instead he launched the Mech into the battle area landing nearly three hundred metres from the circling hover craft.

   â€œKim, three and four, I have one and two” he ordered leveling his Mechs two arms.  While the Penetrator was a humanoid styled Mech instead of arms that ended in human like hands the Penetrator’s arms were like two long laser barrels.  Instantly Morgan thumped down on the trigger sending a single laser shot at both the first two Saracens.  Firing so close to a jump resulted in a wave of excess heat flooding into the Penetrator’s cockpit only Morgan’s coolant vest wrapped around his body kept him conscious and functioning in the furnace.  Heat was the one major flaw most BattleMechs suffered with even as Morgan fought against it in his Penetrator he saw that one of the lasers had missed completely burning through the air until it dissipated into nothing while the other burrowed itself deeply in the front of the lead hovercraft.  The lightly armoured hovercraft couldn’t survive such a hit and it spun out of control and into a rock crashing heavily before exploding into a ball of flame.

   Kim’s fire had been more concentrated she’d fired a single laser into the first target then followed up by a medium range missile volley on the same vehicle ensuring its destruction.  She’d then launched into the air using her Mech’s jump jets landing closer to her second target to deliver a laser volley from her Mech’s torso weapons array.  Christifori could imagine the heat running through her Mech at the moment he hoped her staggered fire approach would mean the heat would bleed off more easily.  Regardless both of her targets were down while one of his was still active, but not for long, moments later as Morgan sighted to make a second shot at his other target a long range missile volley from his lance’s Rakshasa ended the Saracen’s life with a series of hits that knocked out the hovercraft’s engine.  Christifori glanced at James’ Mech for a couple of seconds considering saying something his pause was long enough for the MechWarrior to jump on.  “What you turning all Clan on us Cheese?”  James joked Morgan shook his head and tried not to laugh he had a rank and position over them but rarely did he hold them to rank especially when in combat.

   â€œAll of you turn and support command lance” he ordered as they turned they were greeted with ringside seats as Captain Rudolph Blight’s eighty ton Mauler BattleMech was beheaded by an enemy particle cannon.  The massive humanoid giant appeared to exactly still for a moment, as if the Mech was trying to make sense of what had happened to its human brain, before crashing uncontrolled to the ground.

   Although inexperienced their company was disciplined enough for Blight’s second in command Lt Ben Mason to know what to do next.  He didn’t waste time in calling out orders showing them all he was fully in command.  Morgan Christifori didn’t argue with the man they may be equal in rank but Mason had three years on him and Christifori knew better than to question someone during a battle.

   Glancing at the downed Mauler for a moment Christifori turned his guns on a Shadow Hawk BattleMech still struggling with heat he fired a single large laser blast into the Mech’s right leg.  The Mech staggered back maintaining its footing despite the large burn down its thigh-to-knee.  He followed up with a second large laser shot that burned the Mech’s over shoulder autocannon to slag disabling the lighter Mech’s main gun then jumped his Mech over the lighter Mech striking it with several medium pulse laser blasts.  Surprisingly the Mech stayed on its feet during his assault more surprisingly the Shadow Hawk raised its arms in surrender and shutdown its targeting systems “Lt Mason we’ve got one surrendered over here.”

   â€œWe’ll take the human Intel Christifori guard that Mech until our infantry arrive.  Battle lance take your orders directly from me he ordered.  Morgan Christifori hated being sidelined by Mason but he was the closest Mech to the surrendered Shadow Hawk and technically the MechWarrior was his prisoner until the infantry arrived his Penetrator could also use the time to cool down.  Watching the battlefield Morgan moved his own Mech behind the surrendered Shadow Hawk ensuring the pilot would not be able to slip away unnoticed and making the pilot fully aware if he did try something Morgan’s guns would be aimed directly at his weak rear armour.  The only real way for the pilot to escape now would be to trigger the Mech’s ejection system and hope the chute brough them far from the battle unfortunately for the pilot the countryside all around them was barren and not the best for survival on foot.
Out of the corner of his eye Morgan caught a glimpse of something moving quickly in out of reflex he turned the Penetrator’s turret-styled waist towards the target seeing a thirty-five ton Gurkha charging in with its massive Mech-sized sword raised with no time to raise the arm mounted large lasers Morgan triggered all six torso mounted pulse lasers two missed wildly burning the dirt around the running thirty-five ton Mech but the other four struck home burning away enough armour.  Unbalance the Mech cause it to veer to the right as the pilot fought to keep control not looking to engage the Gurkha in close quarters Morgan slammed down on the foot pedals of his Mech raising it off the ground on its jump jets as he did Morgan extended the left leg connecting with the charging Gurkha.  The impact was devastating for the Gurkha which was still off balance from the laser attack the physical impact with another Mech was too much for its pilot to control and the charging Mech was knocked to the ground falling on its right side.  As the Mech rolled over the ground its right arm, which included the lethal sword, dug into the ground and was torn completely off the Mech’s body.  Unfortunately the physical attack hadn’t been good for Morgan’s Mech either the impact had crushed one of the jump jet exhausts causing the Penetrator to come down off balance.  Slamming into ground faster than it was designed to the Penetrator’s left leg ankle actuator collapsed under the impact causing the seventy-five ton Mech to stumble forward but fortunately not fall.  “Crap!”  The young pilot exclaimed seeing the damage the jump jet was destroyed and he wouldn’t be able to move faster than fifty kilometres per hour until the damage was repaired glancing over he saw the Gurkha Morgan saw it had suffered far more and had been unable to rise from its prone position.  He guessed that the pilot had been knocked out or the gyro was damaged regardless it looked like the Gurkha was out of the fight.

Looking down at his sensor images he saw that the rest of the company had destroyed five more Mechs and forced the remaining pirate Mechs to stand down hopefully ending the fight.  He double checked his sensors and saw that the surrendered Shadow Hawk still where he’d left it.  “At least something went right” he whispered to himself in the last three weeks Morgan had fought these pirates four times with this particular battle being the easiest by a long way.  He was getting sick of the skirmishes and just wished they could fight a proper battle and just finish it but these raiders seemed to be well supported.

Command Briefing
Filtvelt, Filtvelt Coalition
Periphery
22nd June 3103

   â€œYour people were supposed to be here to help my people Field Marshal instead Clan Nova Cat has seized two more of our worlds and cost the Filtvelt Coalition yet further lives.”  Marquees Helen Trempealeau said angrily staring at Federated Suns Field Marshal Daniel Robertson commander of the First Tikonov Cossacks RCT.

   â€œWe have deployed our units on Filtvelt, Marielund and Skepptana on each world we have helped your people reinforce their positions and secure you from any attack.  We were set here to help reinforce your position it is not my problem that the Nova Cats desire your worlds more than you are able to defend against.”  Robertson replied “Marquees even at your current production capabilities and at the buying power of Filtvelt’s banks I do not see how you can counter Clan Nova Cats attacks.  You should consider First Prince Davion’s offer of a return to full membership status within the Federated Suns your people have shown that they can stand alone but now it is time you return to the fold.  With the Federated Suns full ground and naval support as well as the diplomatic support of House Davion you will be able to turn back the Nova Cats.”

   â€œI have thought little else about the First Prince’s offer” the Marquees replied calmer now closing her eyes thinking “contact the First Prince” she said finally accepting that the Filtvelt Coalition needed help against the superior forces of Clan Nova Cat.

   Three days later as Clan Nova Cat forces landed on Fugeres and Marielund Federated Suns’ Crucis March leader Field Marshal Paul Bowman replied to Field Marshal Robertson’s communication just as Clan Nova Cat landed forces on Fugeres and Marielund.  With the Federated Suns announcing Filtvelt’s return to the Federated Suns even as the Wild Geese and Vanguard Legion Mercenary Regiments fought a pitched battle alongside the First Filtvelt Militia against Clan Nova Cat.  With Filtvelt, Skepptana and Marielund officially Federated Suns worlds First Prince Victor Steiner-Davion speaks to the nation.

“Sons and daughters of the Suns I am First Prince Victor Steiner-Davion.  Today I speak to you to announce that the worlds of the Filtvelt Coalition have chosen to return to the Federated Suns.  These worlds have stood alone for many years and they prospered, that is until Clan Nova Cat struck them, I now call on these attackers to back down or face the full wrath of the Federated Suns.”  He warned knowing that this message would reach the Nova Cats as well.  “We will welcome the people of Filtvelt and their armed forces back into the Federated Suns and together we will see these worlds prosper again.”  Victor said glancing down for a moment before looking back up.

“While today we welcome Filtvelt back into the Federated Suns, and the Crucis March, I also want to remember the Crucis March world of Kirklin which recently suffered the wrath of Mother Nature.”  He said pausing for a moment “despite our best efforts many souls have perished on that world.”  He said looking directly at the camera “even as First Prince there is little I can say to make up for Kirklin’s destruction and the lives lost there only that we will remember them.”  He continued “in an effort to keep Kirklin in our minds the next Hound-class WarShip produced will bear this planet’s name and the Kirklin Phalanx Regiment will be raised by the AFFS to carry this world’s name, and legacy, into the Federated Suns’ future.

Despite Victor’s warning the fighting on Marielund continued for another three weeks with the Filtvelt Citizens Militia effectively becoming part of the two mercenary commands before they were forced to withdraw from the system surrendering it to Clan Nova Cat.  The remaining regiments of Filtvelt’s armed forces the Third Filtvelt Guardians and the Fourth Filtvelt Citizens Militia are accepted as a combined independent command of the AFFS.

Reinforcements
Victoria, Ziliang PDZ
Capellan March, Federated Suns
29th June 3103

   The Federated Suns Naval units had made contact with the initial Capellan units nearly an hour ago the Capellan aerospace fighters had assaulted them before fading back towards Victoria.  Now their second wave of attackers were closing on them.  “Admiral the four DropShips supporting the Zhoushan are the Scarab, Vickers, Lexington and Chimera.”

   â€œThey are ours!”  Admiral Armin Sviatchenkoat snapped in reply naming the four Overlord A3-class DropShips that had been on Victoria’s planetary surface when the Capellans landed.  “What the hell are our own DropShips doing with those bastards?”

   â€œThe Capellans must control the primary spaceport” Sviatchenkoat’s executive officer Scarlett Bryne said in response “communications have the Blackstone and Islington divert to alternate landing zones” she said naming the two conventional Conquistador-class DropShips following them.  Between the two ships they carried all the AFFS reinforcements that would be heading to the planet while the other vessels, the four Blockade Runners, which remained in close formation to the FSS Black Prince would target the enemy aerospace units.

   â€œHave all four Blockade Runners target the Overlords kill them” Sviatchenkoat ordered “forward guns target the Zhoushan with the forward battery then turn us hard to port and hit them with a broadside.  All conventional guns against aerospace fighters have our own fighters remain close for fighter and missile defence.”  Sviatchenkoat ordered now it was a waiting game his orders made.  The Conquistador Blockade Runners turned heading towards the enemy Overlords CCAF and AFFS aerospace fighters struck out at each other in the distance between the opposing WarShips.

   â€œForward battery activated” one of the weapons officers called out “Zhoushan targeted, main weapons firing in three, two, one” he said counting down at the front of the WarShip the heavy naval gauss rifles and heavy particle cannons mounted there fired almost as one.  Propelled almost at the speed of light the gauss rifles and particle cannons momentarily linked the two WarShips across the smaller Zhoushan the weapons tore open the nose of the Frigate causing massive damage.  As the Black Prince turned her naval autocannon broadside was unleashed even as the frigate’s weapons responded against the massive Mercury pitting the Black Prince’s thick hull armour.

   â€œWe have inbound eight capital missiles the A3s unleashed everything they had on us they’ve ignored the the Blockade Runners with their first volley! Anti-Missile systems active, our aerospace forces are moving to engage!”  Another crewmen called out.

   â€œBlackstone is moving out of position what the hell are they doing?”  Byrne reported from her chair watching the Conquistador move out of the Black Prince’s shadow “no…” she whispered realizing what they were doing.  The Blackstone intentionally turned into the path of the incoming capital missiles opening its cargo bay as it went releasing tons of ammunition and spare parts intended for the ground forces creating a massive cloud of debris in front of several of the missiles.  One capital missile tore through the formation of debris only to be knocked off course by an exploding long range missile ammunition crate.  The second and third missiles slammed into the Blackstone in an instant the DropShip, all the remaining missiles and more than a dozen aerospace fighters were wiped from existence as both missiles nuclear warheads exploded.

   The explosive wave from the explosions washed over the Black Prince burning the ships armour and weapons as the massive battleship plowed through the explosion.  Alongside the Black Prince several of her escorting aerospace fighters flashed through the fire withstanding the damage and remaining with their carrier but many others were now missing.  Deep inside the vessel within the command centre the crewmen darted from console to console monitoring damage.  Unlike the popular tri-vids there was no sparks from the consoles or flying crewmen from the explosions instead the crew continued to monitor the situation as the Black Prince continued on its course.  “Several weapons out, minor injuries reported on several decks and we’ve lost contact with at least twelve fighters” one officer reported glancing at his screen “maybe a couple have lost communications but most of them are just gone.”

“We’re not going to let them do that again.”  Sviatchenkoat said loud enough for all his crew to hear “have our Blockade Runners kill those DropShips and release all of our aerospace fighters to kill theirs I don’t want a single nuke to get near us.  Aft batteries finish the Capellan WarShip as we turn” he ordered watching the holo-tank in front of him as the Black Prince continued its turn the aft naval particle and autocannons tore through the remains of the Zhoushan shattering the frigate’s core destroying the WarShip.  Admiral Sviatchenkoat leaned back into his chair trying to ignore the two gravities of acceleration the ship was sustaining during its turn.  “Contact the Islington and tell her that she can head to the planet and slow us down allow the medics to move around and help our injured.”  He said the battle was not over there were still Capellans out there fighting and they could face attack from the planet’s surface but Sviatchenkoat wanted his crewmen taken care of while there was a lull in the fighting.

My thanks to marauder648 and James Tanaga for some help with the Hyde and Hiberus parts

AFFS Invasion
Liao Commonality
Capellan Confederation
11th August 3103

   In a coordinated effort AFFS units strike at Styk, Pleione, Poznan and Gan Singh each of the worlds is targeted by two AFFS or mercenary units supported by FSN WarShips.  Supporting the units of the Capellan March the Second New Avalon Guards RCT, Third Robinson Strikers LCT, the First New Ivaarsen Chasseurs LCT and the First Dragonlords Regiment all assist in the assault on the four worlds.  For the first time in years units from the Draconis March are involved in combat against the Capellan Confederation destroying an entire battalion of the Holdfast Guard on Gan Singh and the Ninth Liao Lancers on Styk.

Two days after the initial attacks the Fifth Syrtis Fusiliers RCT, First Davion Guards RCT, the Fourth and Ninth Crucis Lancers RCTs supported by the FSS Pegasus, a Columbia-class Battleship, the FSS Gold Archer, a Robinson Block III-class Transport, the FSS Jerome Davion and FSS Samuel Davion, both Avalon Block II-class Cruisers, assault Liao.  The three of the WarShips were supported by half a dozen assault DropShips and hundreds of aerospace fighters as they faced off against the CCSS Sian, a Tikonov-class Carrier, and the CCSS Nikos, a Feng Huang-class Cruiser/Carrier, and their attached air wings as the ground forces, escorted by the FSS Gold Archer, streamed towards the surface intent on attacking the defenders.

Although the Capellans had an advantage in the numbers of aerospace fighters the AFFS WarShips had more capital guns giving them an overall edge.  While the ground forces dropped directly on top of the defending Dynasty Guard, Renshield’s Dragoons and the Fourth Capellan Defence Force Regiments engaging all three commands at point blank range.

   On the ground across the battle-line explosions rocked BattleMechs as the two opposing Succession States fought several miles south of the City of Desu.  In his brand-new Templar III OmniMech Prince Burton Davion fought with the other members of the First Davion Guards turning to the right he cut into the side of a Dynasty Guard Emperor with his assault Mech’s chain whip.  The huge chain whip swung around the side of the Emperor smashing the armour mounted there Burton immediately followed up with his Mech’s array of torso mounted pulse lasers not waiting to watch three of them burn across the Capellan design he kept his Templar moving accelerating using its supercharger.  Behind the Templar III as the Emperor twisted its torso attempting to track Burton with its autocannons and lasers nearly three dozen long range missiles and several large laser blasts struck the Emperor blasting through the armour and the leg structure smashing the limb knocking the mighty ninety tonner to the ground.  The Emperor’s autocannons tore up the ground near the Mech's feet as it fell towards the ground while lasers and autocannons from the other AFFS Mechs around struck the Emperor tearing open the assault Mech.

   Prince Burton Davion was already moving forward launching his Mech into the air on its jump jets firing the torso mounted particle cannon into a Raven BattleMech.  The man-made lightning bolt burned through the cockpit of the smaller Mech and the Prince had already moved onto his next target a sixty ton Po armoured vehicle.  The Mech’s stealth armour masked it from his Templar III’s sensors but the Prince ignored his sensor and the Po’s autocannon tearing into his armour instead charging up to the tank swinging his Mech’s right arm mounted hatchet down on the turret of the Po.  The force of the hatchet’s attack split the Po’s turret as the weapon buried itself deeply in the armour.  Burton immediately followed up with his attack with the torso mounted pulse lasers which burned deeply into the tank’s armour.

Behind Prince the AFFS rest of the troops struggled to keep up with the heir to the throne who was already moving on from the crippled Po to another Capellan target as it appeared nothing the defenders fired at the Templar III seemed to be able to stop it.  To everyone on the battlefield it was obvious that Prince Burton Davion was making a statement that he was more than just his father’s son who would inherit the throne he was also a more than capable fighter.  With aerospace fighters in the air overhead the Prince continued to fight against the Capellan forces routing them over and over.

Nearly three hours after their initial landings the AFFS had secured a beachhead on the planet with the Capellan defenders in disarray.  Despite the victories of the Federated Suns attackers and their charging Prince none of the defending commands had been destroyed.  In orbit the CCSS Sian, CCSS Nikos and FSS Jerome Davion were drifting hulks broken by enemy fighter attacks and naval weapons fire.  The remaining ships the FSS Pegasus, FSS Samuel Davion and FSS Gold Archer were all still operational but they burned from enemy attacks including nuclear detonations on or near their hulls.  All around the WarShips was wreckage and bodies from the WarShips, aerospace fighters and small craft destroyed or disabled in the naval battle.  The initial battles for control over Liao were over the war to win the planet had just begun.

Conflict Line
Hiberus, Rim Collection
Periphery
19th August 3103

   â€œLadies and gentlemen, I am Clint Goldberg reporting for the Interstellar News Network; today we are embedded with the First Rim Guards CCT on Hiberus.  Yesterday morning elements from the First and Second Rim Lancers CCT under the command of Galaxy Commander Andrew Brecht landed on the planet officially to assist Hiberus in defending against a spate of pirate attacks that have struck the system.”  The reporter said from behind a barricade.  “The leadership on Hiberus has stated that the Lancers presence is purely a ploy by President Karen Able to bring some of her style of authority to Hiberus.”  He said looking around the camera followed where he was looking at either side of the barricade there were entrenched BattleMechs, Armoured vehicles and infantry.  “Until now the Lancers have remained at their DropShips on the outskirts of this city the commander of the Rim Guards Galaxy Marshal Mandy Hall, relative to Congresswoman Megan Hall, has said she will order her troops to open fire on any of the Lancers who attempt to enter the capital or any of the Guards bases.”  Again the camera panned over the troops this time finishing looking down the street across from the entrenched guards.

   â€œHere we go” Goldberg said as a Marshal BattleMech stepped into view the medium Mech was painted in the colours of the Rim Collections Lancer Clusters. “We’re tapped into the Guard’s communication grid.  Everything you hear coming up will be between the warriors of the two sides we have no control over what is said.”

   â€œThis is Andrew Brecht of the Rim Collection’s First Rim Lancers we are here to assist in the defense of Hiberus.  I have orders, from the President and the Preident’s Council, for my unit to garrison this world in accordance with the Collection’s National Defense Act.”  He said his Mech standing at ease opposite the defence line.

   â€œThe Hiberus national government and the leader of Hiberus Megan Hall have stated on numerous occasions that Hiberus does not need assistance from offworlders to garrison our home.”  The guards commander replied gruffly.

   â€œYou will need our assistance as the Second Rim Guards are being redeployed by order of the President” the Lancer officer said as more vehicles and BattleMechs stepped into view.  “Hiberus joined the Rim Collection when you became part of a greater whole.  The government that you answer to is passing orders you will answ…” he said his words trailing off as the galaxy commander’s sensors detected a weapons lock from one of the Guards Mechs “you don’t want to do this” he warned the Marshal and the other units behind it taking up a more defensive stance “we are on the same side.  Lancers no-one, and I mean no-one, fires unless I order it.”  He broadcast on an open channel “this does not have to happen” he warned.

   Suddenly there was a massive explosion but not from any of the Mechs instead the camera panned into the air and onto descending Fortress and Titan DropShips.  As they descended several BattleMechs lept from their Mechbays falling to the ground using their jump jets to slow down before landing.  Suddenly between the two Rim Collection military units stood a massive ninety-ton Blood Asp OmniMech painted in the colours of Clan Fire Mandrill on the OmniMech’s left knee was a unique crest.  “This confrontation between the Lancers and Guards has been interrupted by Clan Fire Mandrill” Clint Goldberg said “ladies and gentlemen if you are just joining us we are on Hiberus embedded with the First Rim Guards CCT.”  He said explaining what was happening “a confrontation between the Rim Guards and Rim Lancers seemed inevitable but that has been interrupted by the unannounced arrival of Clan Fire Mandrill.

   â€œThis is saKhan Jonathan Banacek of Clan Fire Mandrill to the collected forces of Hiberus I bring with me the First and Seventh Striker Clusters and my Ash Keshik. My Warriors and I have been authorized by my Khan to stop any conflict on this world by any means necessary.”  The MechWarrior said the Blood Asp flexed its massive arms and torso slightly over one shoulder was a massive autocannon while both arms ended in what looked like a type of large laser.  From two side streets additional BattleMechs bearing the crest of Clan Fire Mandrill could be seen making their way to support the saKhan.

   â€œYou have no right being here” the commander of the Rim Guards said angrily her troops moving their attention between the Rim Lancers Mechs and the Blood Asp.

   â€œI have every right Clan Fire Mandrill became part of the Rim Collection.  Under the agreement made by our Clan and the Rim Collection we can react to anything we deem a threat to our Clan’s survival.  Civil conflict between factions of this nation threatens our Clan and we will not allow that.”

   â€œThe President is power crazed…”

   â€œHiberus threatens our security…” the two began to say simultaneously.

   â€œSILENCE!” Banacek said interrupting them both “you are the guardians of the Rim Collection act like it.  Galaxy Commander Andrew Brecht, your Warriors return to your DropShips until tensions are lowered. Galaxy Marshal Mandy Hall, get your men and women off the street and back to your base.”

   â€œYou cannot order us around” the Guards commander replied the Fire Mandrill saKhan did not reply in words instead the Blood Asp’s torso twisted towards the Guards position levelling its weapons behind the saKhan and all around them further Fire Mandrill units had flanked the Guards defence line.

   â€œI will not repeat myself” the saKhan said as the transmission cut out.

   â€œLadies and gentlemen” Clint Goldberg said breaking in as the camera continued to look at the Blood Asp “it would appear that Clan Fire Mandrill have a lot more say in what happens in the Rim Collection than anyone ever thought before.  Today we have seen the Clan faction stop a civil conflict before it started.  Tomorrow could we see a Fire Mandrill leader of the Rim Collection or a new occupation zone?  The Lyran Commonwealth and the nearby Erdvynn Province must look into the Rim Collection and wonder exactly what is going on inside their neighbour’s borders.  I am Clint Goldberg of the Interstellar News Network, thank you for joining us on Hiberus tonight; we will keep you up to date on this evolving story.”  He said finally as the camera focused on the Rim Collection troops who were moving off to either side finally the camera focused on the Fire Mandrill Blood Asp once more before the camera faded to black.

Flaming Monkey, Overlord C-class DropShip
Hiberus, Rim Collection
Periphery
20th August 3103

   It had taken almost forty-eight hours but finally the two opposing commanders of the Rim Lancers and Rim Guards sat opposite each other.  Both had insisted in taking with them an aid and neither had relinquished their weapons.  As a result saKhan Jonathan Banacek had placed a point of five Battle armoured Elementals around the room.  The Elementals had been ordered by Banacek to eliminate all four of the Rim Collection officers if things got out of hand.

   â€œYesterday should not have happened” Banacek began once he realized the Rim Collection officers were not going to break the silence none of them replied “you are the guardians of the Rim Collection you need to act like It.” He said berating them slightly.

   â€œWe have the right to defend our homes if threatened it is a signature feature of the Rim Collection’s charter agreements.”  Mandy Hall replied angrily

   â€œWhich is why we are here, to protect all of the planets of the Rim Collection” Andrew Brecht said passionately believing what he was saying “it is Hiberus paranoia that almost brought us into conflict nothing more.  President Able wishes for all planets of the Rim Collection to be fully committed to our nation and to each other.  Hiberus needs to learn to trust us all.”

   â€œTrust is hard to come by when you have been alone for so long.”  She said referencing the years that Hiberus had survived as a sustenance level colony isolated from trading routes and the HPG communication grid fending off against pirate attacks with armour and infantry as their only defence.

   â€œWe were all alone once and we all have to accept change.” Jonathan Banacek said “I was a Star Adder, I was then a Sphinx Raptor and I am now a Fire Mandrill warrior but I am also a Rim Collection citizen.  We are no longer alone.”  He said swallowing that thought for a moment he was a Clansmen and unlike those who had been born into the Fire Mandrill Clan he had a very set direction he believed his Clan should follow.  He wanted his Clan, the Rim Collection and everyone else to know about the direction he through they should take his entrance to the would-be battle on Hiberus had been a statement of intent.  For now he would play his Khan’s game and play nice with the Rim Collection but the future would see his Clan rise to greatness once more.

   â€œI will agree to move the Second Rim Guards to the posting the President’s Council has ordered” Mandy Hall said reluctantly.  “The First Rim Guards have been asked to take a tour through the Edvynn Province” she said looking between Jonathan Banacek and Andrew Brecht seeing neither disagreed with him “they have recently had a lot of trouble from pirate forces, possibly Lyrans in disguise or possibly something else, perhaps we can convince them that standing alone is not the best course.”  She suggested the other two men nodded their agreement.

    Several hours later the Second Rim Guards began packing up their equipment and personnel preparing to withdraw from Hiberus.  A few days later the Fire Mandrill’s 300th Sentinels Cluster arrived to replace the saKhan’s Ash Keshik and supplement the defences on the planet.  The 300th’s mission on Hiberus would be to watch how the Rim Guards and Lancers left on the planet reacted to each other and ensure no trouble broke out.  Finally a week after the reorganization of defences began on Hiberus the First Rim Guards lifted off the planet outbound to the nearby Edvynn Province.

Battle-line
Hyde, Isle of Skye
Lyran Commonwealth
22nd August 3103

The hypersonic slug of a gauss rifle round slammed into the ground and gouged a trench six meters long, mud boiling and steaming from friction of the rounds passing before the round finally was halted.  They’d advanced rapidly against the Lyran defenders but to Captain Gilles Ravel this felt all wrong.  While the Isle of Skye had broken into the NAIS bunker on Hyde it hadn’t been used by the AFFS in more than twenty years.  The NAIS officials had called for revenge against the Isle of Skye and the DMI had been far too ready, in Gilles opinion, to charge into a fight.

“I’d say they have found the range wouldn’t you?”  Leftenant Erik Wilkinson said his Longbow standing nearby. 

“Shuddup Erik, keep an eye on your HUD.”

“Yes Cap.”

The night sky was lit by blue, red and green flashes of laser and particle fire.  The bright yellow of autocannon tracer rounds and the orange/red of missile exhausts as AFFS troops in their ‘borrowed’ machines closed in on the lab they had been sent to destroy.  The defenders, elements of the Third Isle of Sky Guards though were not giving an inch.

“Bravo this is Delta, should be getting good targeting telemetry now.”

“Roger that Delta, keep moving, don’t let them get a bead.”

“Just bring the rain Bravo.”

There was a small hiss as the covers for the Naginata’s three fifteen tube Long Range Missile Launchers snapped open, the C3 computer talking with the missile launcher, uploading data at a ferocious rate. 

“Alright open fire!”

The fire support lance of a Naginata, Longbow and Witworth began volleying missiles at the distant Lyran Mech’s, the dull roar of the launchers in the cockpits of the machines in no way justifying the violence they were unleashing.

Even though their targets were obscured Delta, a dedicated recon lance was feeding them targeting data, the white flashes in the distance coming thick and fast as the volley found its target.

“Target right!”

“Got him boss!”

“Nail that son-of-a-bitch!”


Kommandant Valka, battalion commander of the Third Isle of Skye Guards Second Battalion, grinned as he watched one of the attackers machines get caught square on, the Mech, a Cataphract was being torn apart by sustained fire from his Command lance but still its pilot somehow kept the Mech on its feet despite its right arm being all but severed at the shoulder and fire boiling out of the shredded chest.

An electronic bleep told Valka what he needed to hear and he pressed a button on his Hauptman’s right HOTAS control.  The massive Ultra 20 autocannon let out a long sustained BRRRRRRT! The two machines momentarily linked by fire before the Cataphract simply came apart, the ammo finally cooking off as the 70 machine simply ceased to exist above the hips, its death blast throwing the area into stark relief for a few brief seconds.

“Herr Kommandant.”

“Go Kaptain.”

“We’re being hit hard, they’ve got some C3 units pinning us down, we can’t move out without getting god knows how many missiles fired at us.”

“Understood, hold there and don’t let them near the bunker!”

“Jawhol Kommandant!”

With a Company to hold the ground and their comm’s jammed against a considerable number of attackers Kommandant Valka was glad for his infantry support and that the rest of the Regiment was on its way.  ‘Hold until relived’ simple enough.

“Have these bastards ID’d themselves yet?”

“Not yet Sir, just a lotta Cappie and Snake machines and tank support, about a battalion’s worth.”

“Hauptmann Wolfe’s tanks are engaging them.”

That made the Kommandant grin, someone in their wisdom had put a quartet of Gurtelier’s with the Regiment little more than two months ago, the four tanks were dug in near the bunker with the infantry and would be a great anvil.

“Alright, move out, relaying checkpoint Quebec.”

“Target! Dragon, range…six thirty seven!”

“On!”

There was a hydraulic whine as the turret turned slightly, the gun elevating, the heavy CLUNK-THUD of a round being chambered into the Poland Gauss Model A Gauss was followed by the whine of the capacitor drawing from the reactor, building up a charge in three seconds.

“Up!” An odd phrase, one from Terra’s past used by tank crews to indicate their main weapons were ready to fire.

Peering through her sight Hauptmann Wolfe looked at the glowing thermal image of her target even as it spat a bolt of particle light at them.  “Fire!”

Her gunner, Private Luis stomped down on the firing pedal and both, linked into the tanks damn advanced and achingly expensive FCS hammered back the fire they were reciving. 

“Hit!”

“AMS Engaging!”

“Ours or the bunkers?”

“Both!”

“Up!”

“FIRE!”


In the air above the battle Leftenant Mokate grunted as he pulled the stick back hard and to the right, throwing his ‘borrowed’ Mengqin into a hard right turn, his ‘bitching betty’ warning system nagging about a missile lock, the rear mounted small pulse laser automatically tracking and engaging the SRM’s that the computer detected would come close.

“Get this…rhhnn…scum off my ass! Where’s our bloody top cover?”

His fighter’s rear facing radar and cameras showed the Thunderbird; some variant that dropped the LRM’s and went for Streak’s SRM’s straining to follow his move, the pilot caught out by the sudden sharp turn of his opponent. 

Before the big Lyran bird could bring its nose around another fighter slotted into its six and let rip, the Lyran fighter bucked and jerked as the Slayer’s lasers and auto-cannon chewed and melted armour on its port wing and the Lyran bird fell away trailing smoke.

“Sorry boss got a bit busy.”

“Alright…Theta, drop in low and hammer those damn tanks! Our boys are counting on us so hit them hard and hit them often!”  Viewed from above the battle lines were a confused mess, intermingled Mech’s hammering away at each other in one area, others had Mech’s blazing away at targets they could only see on their sensors as faint heat blooms and vague outlines. 


It took a further three hours for the Federated Suns forces in their disguise to finally breach the bunker complex that was their target, with two of the Gurtelier’s burning outside the main entrance and the other two withdrawn with heavy damage.  With the area secured a mauled Akuma smashed the doors in with a heavy kick allowing their infantry and Special Forces to enter the facility.

“WHAT!?”

“It’s virtually empty Sir…there’s a couple of pallets of equipment marked for delivery to Defiance Industries that’s it, otherwise it’s been stripped.”  The trooper said again as they moved through the facility, there should have been an entire DropShip’s worth of experimental cargo inside the facility.  And not it appeared that all the technology had been removed to Hesperus II or some other Defiance Industries research station.

A static blurt muffled the assault commanders anger as he turned the air blue in his Mech’s cockpit.

“Say again Sir…you broke up.”

“I said all forces withdraw…  Call in the DropShip we need to get off this rock.”  He ordered the remaining Isle of Skye forces were closing on them and this mission was not a suicide mission and they could not be captured.  One of the bean counters back in the Federated Suns could figure out if the costs they’d paid today had been worth it and if taking on Defiance Industries was really in their interest.

AUTHOR NOTE: Yes Burton's piloting a Templar III B with a hatchet and chain whip why because it one of the cooler designs in TRO 3145 and it sounded a lot of fun

Update for the weekend

Planning Rooms, Capellan March HQ
Kathil, Kathil PDZ
Capellan March, Federated Suns
5th October 3103

   â€œATTENTION!”  One of the security officers called out from the door across the planning room officers that were standing turned to face the call while those that were sitting sat straighter.  Walking through the various officers and screens Duchess Kym Hasek entered the command room she was walking with a cane as she continued to recover from her injuries sustained in the crash on Victoria.  At the table Field Marshal Nathaniel Hasek stood beside Colonel Richard Steiner, her husband, Richard watched her move through the room and he could see the differences in her walk.

   â€œWelcome back to Kathil Duchess Hasek” Nathaniel greeted as Kym stopped and saluted.

   â€œThank you Field Marshal” she replied as the two men saluted her she like Nathaniel she spoke loud enough for the officers in the first level of officers to hear.

   â€œWelcome home” Richard said she gave him a strange look for a moment before answering.

   â€œKathil may be where we will command our military but it isn’t my home.  New Syrtis always will be.”  She answered Richard had lived here since the Uhlans had almost been destroyed fighting the Capellans their son Andreas was here and she would be stationed on Kathil for the the duration of her recovery but Kathil would never be her home.  “What’s out status?”

   â€œAs we predicted with our core forces directed to the conquest of Liao our forces have had to retreat from Victoria.”  Nathaniel Hasek said glancing at Richard Steiner, it had been the young man’s plan to strike at Liao thinking it would break the Capellans but it seemed there was still some fight in the Confederation.

   â€œWe also believe we will lose Jacson and Yuris within the next month.”  Richard added again the two worlds were already highlighted green it wasn’t a huge surprise to lose the two worlds the Capellans had been raiding them for months and even with the significant support from the navy if the ground forces didn’t withdraw the AFFS would likely lose the units stationed there.

   â€œTo add to our troubles the Concordat have launched attacks on Rollis and Corodiz” Nathaniel added Kym Hasek felt the pain of each loss almost as much as when she’d been injured on Victoria.

   â€œHow far back could they push us?”  She asked looking down at the map below although Nathaniel Hasek was the ranking officer in the Capellan March and Richard technically outranked her Kym was still the Duchess of New Syrtis and it was her March.

   â€œWe suspect that we will lose Bromhead, Carmichael, Horsham and Mendham by the end of the year” Richard Steiner said highlighting the planets which extended from the Taurian Concordat border to the Capellans.  “If the Capellans and Taurians continue to work together we may lose systems as far as Ridgebrook by the end of 3104.”  He said highlighting another five systems.

   â€œIs there any good news?”  Kym said feeling a little hollow at the thought Richard’s plan had netted them Liao but they’d lost so many more systems.

   â€œNow that the District of Oriente has hit the Capellan Confederation’s flank Prince Burton Davion is using his success on Victoria as a springboard.”  Nathaniel Hasek said changing the map to show the other side of the Capellan Confederation.  “Forces under his command have struck at Shensi, Hunan, St Andre and Shipka.”

   â€œWhat is the level of Capellan resistance?”  She asked looking at the map

   â€œSignificant” Richard replied “in the Hunan system the FSS Ardan Sortek sustained significant damage to Capellan fighter attacks while the Wild Geese lost two DropShips fighting their way onto St Andre.  We believe that the mercenary’s commander was killed on one of their DropShips.”  He said “the Lexington Combat Group have also taken heavy damage defending Lee from a Capellan counter attack.  While the militia's of Moravian, Cammal and Monhagen have all reported increases in Capellan raids.”

   â€œThey are aiming for Kathil” she said looking at the worlds that had been attacked.  We seize Liao and they retaliate by aiming for here.  They want to cripple the Capellan March.”

   â€œWhat they should be doing is aiming for Burton Davion’s units the Prince is the one on the move.”  Richard said frustrated it had been his plan to push the Capellans from Liao instead of trying to hold Victoria.  He’d given up any hopes he had of travelling to Liao to personally lead the offensive but now he wished he was there instead of on Kathil.

   â€œSo what you’re saying is that despite the fact that we’ve bled as much as Burton Davion and that is was the Capellan March’s actions in seizing Victoria in the first place that gave us this opening that Burton Davion will claim all the glory from this operation?”  Kym asked sharply she wasn’t frustrated instead she was angry.

   â€œDuchess” Nathaniel Hasek said butting in his use of her title showing his intent to get her to look at things from a bigger perspective “that is not what is meant by what Colonel Steiner has said.  As Richard quite rightly points out Burton Davion is taking it upon himself to push the Capellans beyond the goals of the original operation.  His forces are driving back the Capellans for now and so if the Confederation was smart they would strike at Burton instead of us.”  The Field Marshal explained

   â€œIndeed” Richard said agreeing with the older man “instead they are continuing to assault worlds around Victoria intent on driving us back and trying to make us believe they’d try to attack Kathil.”

   â€œYou don’t think they will?”  Kym asked more civily this time with a small apologising smile.

   â€œNo” Richard “Kathil is too heavily defended we some of the Federated Suns best ground and naval forces available not counting the reinforcements we could call.  At present they think we are rolling back from Victoria but if they went anywhere near any of our core worlds they’d find out exactly what we have in reserve.”  He said drawing his hand over the worlds near Victoria “if we’d tried to hold those systems we’d have lost most of the regiments based there.”  He said bluntly “we all knew that when Liao was selected as a target.  Any Capellan commander that takes a minute to think about it will realize that much.”

   â€œBut will the Chancellor?”  Kym asked “in the meantime what’s out plan?”

   â€œWe continue to be the distraction” Nathaniel said “while the Prince hits the Capellans from one side we hold the Chancellor’s attention and if necessary we give up a couple of systems” he said seeing Kym’s distaste for the idea.  “But in doing so we’ll break the Confederation if they keep pushing us.”

   â€œAnd if they stop?”

   â€œWe’ll still hold Liao and it will be in a far more secure place than Victoria ever was.”  Richard said confidently bringing a full smile from Kym.  The Capellan March and the Federated Suns had the Capellan Confederation under control.  The Taurian Concordat’s recent attacks were worrying but the AFFS could deal with them once they had out lasted the Capellans.

Announcement
Aether, New Quarter
Fronc Reaches, Periphery
12th October 3103

   The screen came up slowly showing a man with greying hair a black blazer jacket and a blue/black checked shirt with the top button open.  “Ladies and Gentlemen I am Governor Ellis Von Danzuch leader of Aether.  Today I speak to you as a man with a broken heart but one who is determined to do what needs to be done.  Over the course of the last few months my world has seen its defences stripped to the bare minimum as the Taurian Concordat attempts to prosecute an illegal war against the Federated Suns, another member of the reborn Star League.  Our leader Protector Erik Martens-Calderon is being drawn down the wrong path by military warmongers who believe that we can match the Federated Suns.  Ladies and Gentlemen I am sorry to say that we cannot” he said glancing down at his feet for a moment before looking back up “the Federated Suns can and will return our attacks and when they do they will destroy our military as they have done repeatedly for centuries.  The Taurian Concordat should concentrate on defending the worlds it currently commands instead its border worlds have been abandoned.  I have learned that Portland, Sananda, Argos, Carthage and Hellespont have been treated like Aether their defences stripped and their mercenary support reassigned.”  He said again looking to the floor before looking back up to the camera “so over the last three months we have collectively reached out for support and found some from the Fronc Reaches.”  He said glancing to the ground for a third time before returning his gaze to the camera “so with a broken heart it has fallen to me to announce that the worlds of Aether, Portland, Sananda, Argos, Carthage and Hellespont are withdrawing from the Taurian Concordat and joining the Fronc Reaches.  Together we will form the New Quarter of the Fronc Reaches and we will take our new state to new heights progressing with the colonial expansion and combined defence effort that turned the New Colony into the Fronc Reaches.  We pray that the Taurian Concordat leadership will see our succession not as a rebellion but instead as one intended on turning the nation around and back to the core values that made the Taurian Concordat great.”

Joslyn Armstrong, Vulcan 6-class Defence Station
Wildwood, Magistracy of Canopus
Periphery
23rd October 3103

Most systems of the Inner Sphere and Periphery lacked any sort of space defences Wildwood had been lucky to purchase a Vulcan 6-class Space Station from the Twin Sons system of the Free Worlds League’s District of Lesnovo.  Nightly the fifty-six crewmen monitored the jump points while the space station’s six aerospace fighters patrolled the area around the four thousand ton station.  Wildwood was rarely visited by passing JumpShips but its position close to the disputed territory between the Magistracy and the Marian Hegemony meant the people trusted the crew of the Joslyn Armstrong to defend them.

Commander America Park reclined on the chair in the command centre listening to the systems of her space station as she read a delightful romance novel which had arrived from Canopus.  It was by one of her favourite Canopus based authors Marg Bunbury and followed the story of an intrepid Magistracy Armed Forces aerospace fighter pilot who fought off enemies of her home while falling in love with a dashing JumpShip commander.  Suddenly alarms sounded in the command centre as the the station's sensors detected multiple incoming vessels.  “No… no, no, no” she whispered releasing her pad which floated away “wake up Riccardo” she said looking over at the other person there the younger man woke up with a start “we’ve got trouble!”
“Marians?”  He asked

“If it is they’ve gotten something really big” America answered as there was a massive flash of radiation and light.  Suddenly a huge one thousand four hundred-and-five metre long McKenna-class WarShip entered the system “oh my gosh” she whispered looking at the huge vessel it was painted in the same deep greens used by the Star League Defence Force but it lacked any form of insignia to indicate where its loyalties laid.  Moments later there were four more flashes behind the WarShip as four Tramp-class JumpShips joined the battleship.

“Jesus” Riccardo said “look at her she looks like she’s been through hell” he said looking over the McKenna her hull was blackened by scorch marks and pieces of the hull were completely missing.  “We’re receiving a hail” America nodded and he activated the communications system.

   â€œThis is Captain William Robert Raphael Leroy-Dietrich the commander of the Subtlety Profitable Training College of Military Arts to Magistracy space station we mean no hostile intent.”  The man’s voice announced “we request passage through the Magistracy of Canopus we will remain on station until Magistracy authorities arrive in system.  Any hostile action against the Subtlety or any of our JumpShips will be met with the use of the maximum force available to our WarShip.  She might look like a wreck but I promise you looks can be deceiving.”

   â€œWe’ve got aerospace fighters in the air” Riccardo said watching his screens several tiny aerospace fighters had launched from the McKenna’s battered green hull.

   â€œWe need to speak to the planet and to Canopus” America Park said watching the massive battleship unfurl its jump sail behind it the JumpShips were doing the same they'd be here for a while.