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Capellan Offensive
District of Oriente, Free Worlds League
6th February 3105

   After years being on the back foot to the Federated Suns and the District of Oriente the Capellan Confederation strike at Ryerson, Deschanes, Hudeiba, Mosiro and El Giza of the District of Oriente following a plan laid out by Isabelle Fisk a rising star in the Capellan’s shattered military.  The Capellan Confederation use their one and only Thera-class Carrier, the CCSS Chancellor’s Pride, to overwhelm the District of Oriente’s Monolisk-class Destroyer New Delos in the El Giza system and the threat of orbital bombardment from the CCSS Chancellor’s Destiny in the Deschanes system to force the Oriente troops into capitulation.

   Three days later the Magistracy of Canopus, secretly supported by Capellan special forces, attack and conquer Ganera, Kanata and Guangzho from the District of Oriente.  With the majority of Oriente’s line regiments aimed at holding onto more important worlds and pressing against the Capellan’s Sarna Commonality the Seventh Orloff Grenadiers are left scattered over the region attempting to resist the invaders.  Without the support they need the Regiment fall under the pressure put against them and its survivors are forced to retreat to be folded into other commands.

Chamber of the Clans, Clan Council
Andrey, Tuakkyid
Independent Clan Space
11th February 3105

   Loremaster of the Clans Miguel Icaza glanced around the various Loremasters of the Clans.  “The Ebon Guard unit are standing on Incukalns with their brothers in Clan Jade Falcon.”  He said glancing among the others “production on and around Tukayyid is higher now than it has ever been and all Clan’s are benefitting from the production of the eight factories we have built together on this world.” He said “today Clan Wolf and Clan Hell’s Horses have won the two most recent WarShips produced at Tukayyid’s growing shipyard facility.”  He said his words did not come close to representing what the Clans had done together on the world.  Tukayyid was becoming a hub for production of Clan technology and weapons development with the recent activation of a Fire Mandrill vehicle factory on the planet every Clan now had a production facility on the planet while several Clans had more than one.

“My plan, my desire, is to create a hub where all of our Clans can grow and benefit safely from the reach of the Inner Sphere.  Within the last month forces from the Ebon Guard have won Trials of Possession to produce the Halcyon-class Cruiser, the Swiftsure-class Cruiser and Drake-class Corvette.  Each of these designs will be built at the shipyard facility over this world and each will be made available to all of your Clans.  On the ground more of our designs will be built and made available to all our Clans together sharing our technology and our units will made the Clans more resilient to change and more effective against the Inner Sphere."  He said addressing the Loremasters of each Clan they were his link to the Clans themselves and would carry the words from Tukayyid and their accomplishments to all corners of Clan society.

In orbit chassis and armour factories produced materials for all the Clan’s factories to use while weapons and equipment facilities were under construction.  Beyond Tukayyid the systems of Lothan, Altenmarkt, Ramsau, Dehgolan and Udea were being tied more tightly to the Independent territory on Tukayyid with additional Recharging stations, communication and mining facilities being constructed in each system supporting Tukayyid’s status.

Commanding-General’s Briefing, Capitol Guard’s Memorial
Archon’s Palace, Arcturus
Donegal Province, Lyran Commonwealth
12th February 3105

   The Archon moved slowly around the Capitol Guard’s Memorial looking at the monuments to the fallen Captiol Guard’s Regiment which had fought and died defending Arcturus.  Behind her several Royal Guards and the Royal Black Watch Regiment surrounded the area protecting the perimeter.  Standing nearby Commanding-General Victor Focht of the SLDF allowed the Archon to walk slowly around the area before continuing the recent revelation that Archon Jessica Steiner was pregnant once more had made her take an interest in the past as well as the Clan’s future.  “My nation is on the brink” she admitted glancing over at the Commanding-General “I need support from the SLDF.”

   â€œThe 789th Striker Regimental Brigade is already on Arc Royal supporting the defences there and your efforts to retake the Incukalns system, while the Second Royal Regimental Brigade remains on Bolan.  The Royal Black Watch is at your service for the duration of your time as First Lord while the 208th Hussar Regimental Brigade will move from its base in the Star League Protectorate to support your nation against the Clans.”  He said naming the four Regimental brigades that were in or would soon be stationed in the Lyran Commonwealth.

   â€œFour out of Thirty-six Brigades” Jessica said displeased by the partly sum of units that would assist her nation.

   â€œWe have responsibilities to the entire Inner Sphere.  SLDF units are based in each of the member states nations supporting its defence and other projects.  We must also defend the Protectorate worlds from Clan Wolf who now have pushed through the Lyran Commonwealth to our borders.”  Victor Focht said although he was a warrior first and claimed no noble title the son of Anastasius Focht stood his ground showing the new First Lord that the SLDF would not be backing down.  “The Lyran Commonwealth will benefit from the assistance of the SAS Division and several WarShips that have been deployed along your border while three WarShips of the AFFS will also be joining you within the next three months.”

   â€œWhile the Protectorate will also gain access to three WarShips from the Federated Suns” Jessica said reminding Victor Focht that the AFFS had agreed to assist them both with their Fifth Battle Group.

   â€œWe must slow the Wolf advance”

   â€œI agree” she said moving around the monument to the lost men and women who had died defending this world.  “What do you think will happen next?”

   â€œThey Jade Falcons will continue to raid the Lyran Commonwealth but perhaps in less numbers than previous we know that their Touman is hurting from holding Incukalns.”

   â€œDoes the SLDF have any theories to why they are spending so many resources on that world?”

   â€œNo but we do know they have fortified several positions there and that they have been directing excavation work on the southern mountains. Our research has shown no evidence of a previous SLDF facility on the world but our records are incomplete.”  He admitted “the Jade Falcons have also been staging much more units off these worlds than we had previously thought.”

   â€œAnd what of the Rasalhague Dominion and Clan Wolf’s what is their current threat level towards the Inner Sphere?”

   â€œClan Wolf is dangerous” he said simply “they have been hurt in the recent battles against the Lyran Commonwealth and Free Worlds League but our intelligence suggests that they have sacrificed some territory intentionally shortening their supply lines while edging towards the Star League Protectorate.  We also believe that they are building a new destroy-type WarShip over Tamarind hence their defence of that system.”  He said pausing allowing Jessica to digest the information “the Rasalhague Dominion appear to be pushing further units forward towards Vega with the Draconis Combine continuing to raid the Rasalhague Dominion and Lyran Commonwealth it has made the shared border tense.”

   â€œTense?”  Jessica Steiner said “the Combine has raided the Lyran Commonwealth for centuries we do the same to them.  Trust me the only reason the Drac is involved in the current border dispute is because they think the Lyran fist is distracted and aimed at the Jade Falcons.”  She said “if they continue down their current path we will be forced to punch them in a sensitive spot.”  She threatened Victor Focht remained passive about the prospect of a war between the two states the SLDF was not here to stop them fighting instead it was designed to stop a total war conflict like the Succession Wars or Clan Invasion which would dramatically change the dynamics in the Inner Sphere.  “And what of the Nova Cats has the Federated Suns requested SLDF aid against them?”  She asked referring the the recent Nova Cat raids against the Federated Suns Periphery.

   â€œNo” Focht said “in fact the Federated Suns has retaken Rentz and Brockton by themselves.  It appears that the Federated Suns has honoured the Clans way of fighting with the Nova Cats engaging them in Trials of Possession.  Due to this process of warfare the Nova Cats have limited their attacks against the Federated Suns.”

   â€œIf it were so easy I would do the same with the Jade Falcons and Wolves.”  The First Lord admitted the Lyran Commonwealth had the most foreign borders in the entire Inner Sphere bordering with twelve different powers Jessica could ignore most of the Periphery borders as neither the Rim Collection nor the rebel Clan faction, the Stone Spirits, seemed interested in further conflict with her nation but other than the Star League border every other one needed to be watched and guarded the current strain on the LCAF was beginning to show.  She hoped that with the SLDF in support the strain physical and financial on the LCAF would be lessened.

Aftermath Fifth Battle of Incukalns, Jade Falcon Command
Green Mountains, Incukalns
Jade Falcon Occupation Zone
15th February 3105

   As if to echo the Lyran Arhon’s words the Fifth Battle of Incukalns had not gone the Lyran way and now deep inside Incukalns Green Mountains Khan Ruel Chistu approached the state of the art holotable in the centre of the Jade Falcons newly constructed command bunker.  “Our status?”

   â€œThe last Lyran and Mountain Wolf forces have retreated from the system.  We completely cut off the First Wolf Legion Cluster, they fought to the end, and they will provide us with good salvage.”  saKhan Jana Pryde reported the Lyran Commonwealth Mountain Wolf attack had entered the system far beyond normal arrival points burning into the system over the course of six days beating the Jade Falcon WarShips to the planet.  It was a new tactic but one that hadn’t served them any better than before landing on the planet they faced three full Galaxies of the Jade Falcons who had been preparing for the Jade Falcons next assault.

   â€œThey were heading for The Vault enterance” Chistu noted “how did they discover our secret?”

   â€œWe are unsure” Jana Pryde admitted “according to all of our sources The Vault was lost to the history of the Inner Sphere.  Perhaps they got lucky.”  She suggested bringing an angry look from the senior Khan.  “Regardless they were not ready for our fixed defences.”  She said the Jade Falcons had always considered such things to be dishonourable but Incukalns was too important to the Falcons to take to chance.

When the Jade Falcons had invaded the planet they had captured a Lyran Commonwealth survey team along with their data under the Green Mountains the survey team had discovered an Star League-era supply depot that had laid hidden under a half collapsed mountain for centuries.  With heavy lifting equipment brought in by the Falcons and a liberal use of explosives they had cleared away several thousand tons of rock that had covered the facility and inside they had found several dozen armoured vehicles and BattleMechs from the original Star League.  Most of these units were damaged and this had served as a dumping ground for vehicles too damaged to be carried on by the SLDF during their efforts to either conquer the Rim Worlds Republic or their Liberation campaign of Terra.  Below the facility they had found barracks that could hold nearly a Division worth of troops and an extensive planning facility and training rooms.  The find was a gold mine and one that the Jade Falcons had sacrificed much to hold the world which was so close to the Lyran Commonwealth.

“The Defenders were a welcome addition” Chistu admitted recently the Hell’s Horses had taken much of the Jade Falcons territory but not all had been through Trials of Possession instead some of the planets had been traded away for two full stars of the Hell’s Horses new Outpost Defender DropShip.  Over half of the Defenders were based on Incukalns providing them with a massive boost to air defences.  “Now for the next part” he said determined.

“Should we?”  Jana Pryde challenged “we are holding the Lyrans here but they have successfully retaken Melissa and Mogyorod” she said looking at him the two planets were the Jade Falcon worlds closest to the Periphery.

“Freebirth scum” Chistu said angrily Pryde knew that he was talking about the defenders that had been left on that world as well as the Lyrans.  ”I do not care about Melissa or Mogyorod” Chistu said dismissively “neither supported our Clan.  Neither of them is Terra.  We must move forward we must pursue to Wolves and strike at the Star League.”

“The more worlds we lose the more likely one of the other Clans will try to absorb us.”  Pryde said concerned that their Touman was taking a pounding too often to maintain control over their OZ.

“We do not need an extensive occupation zone.  Any of the other Clans that think they do are wrong and none of them will dare try and absorb us after the next action we take.”  Chistu said “I promise you Jana Pryde a prize will adorn that wall” he said looking past her.  “I leave tonight.  You are to remain here and maintain control over this world.”

“I wish you a great victory” Jana Pryde said deciding not to try and talk him out of the decision.

Aftermath of Battle
Al Hillah, Rasalhague Dominion
24th February 3105

   saKhan Sepp Heller walked across the battlefield surveying the damaged equipment that was left over the battle against the Rasalhague Dominion.  Clan Coyote’s attack had caught the Rasalhague Dominion defenders by surprise but both Clans had fought within the limits of Zellbrigen at least that was what Heller had believed during the battle.  Now after the battle, however, he was unsure Star Colonel Jolyon Koga, commander of his Galaxies Forty-second Assault Cluster, stood up ahead near a downed Rasalhague Dominion Beowulf IIC.  Digging inside the BattleMech were several Coyote techs.  “You called for me Star Colonel?”  Heller asked his almost mechanical voice cutting through the haze that had followed the battle.  Heller had been injured early in his warrior career during a circle of equals the only repair available to the doctors had been to replace his voice-box with a mechanical replacement.

   â€œAff saKhan” Koga said “we have discovered something wrong with this Beowulf” he said indicating to the ruined BattleMech behind him.  The techs that were working on the Mech were making even more of a mess of the Mech so obviously salvage was not in their minds.

   â€œWhat is it?”  Heller asked Koga winced hearing the saKhan speak Heller had seen it for most of his career and ignored the Star Colonel’s reaction.

   â€œDuring the battle we intercepted data that had been passed between the various Rasalhague Dominion units.”  He explained “it did not appear to be purely communication transmissions.”  Heller looked unimpressed but Koga continued, “We believe they were sharing targeting data.”  Koga explained his saKhan now looked more shocked than anything.  “The techs are attempting to salvage the technology from this Mech to confirm our belief.”

   â€œC3 technology like that used in the Homeworlds?”  Heller asked an angry edge raising in his voice.

   â€œAff ovKhan” Koga answered

   â€œI want this technology salvaged immediately” Heller said reinforcing the decision that had already been made.  As soon as it is recovered I want it put on a DropShip and sent out of this system if the Bears return to challenge for a second Trial of Possession they will not recover this technology.”  He said Heller did not for a second believe it was a unique finding from the Rasalhague Dominion so if they returned and recaptured the salvage the Coyotes finding would disapper and be written off as faulty Coyote sensor readings.

First Battle of Arc Royal
Arc Royal, Arc Royal Theatre
Donegal Province, Lyran Commonwealth
25th February 3105

   The attack on Arc Royal had come as a surprise to the Lyrans, mercenaries, SLDF and Mountain Wolves in the system.  The arrival of the Falcon’s Nest, Emerald Talon and two Galaxies of Jade Falcon warriors in the system had caught everyone by surprise.  In the opening volley from the two Jade Falcon WarShips the LCS Yggdrasil and LCS Donegal exploded as the Jade Falcon Battleships concentrated their fire.  As DropShips and aerospace fighters scrambled to engage the two Jade Falcon vessels the LCS Victor, a Peter-class Scout ship, jumped out of the system carrying word of the attack on Arc Royal to the rest of the Lyran Commonwealth.  Without WarShip support the defenders had no chance of stopping the Jade Falcons moving in system.  Near the planet the Werewolf and the recently acquired Avalon Block II-class Cruiser Inflexable was all that stood between the Falcons and the planet.

Eight days after they had arrived in the system the Jade Falcons arrived in weapons range of the Mountain Wolves Khan Ruel Chistu sat in his Turkina OmniMech cockpit as the massive WarShips engaged each other in a slugging match.  With the Mountain Wolves content to keep their distance and try to cripple their opponents with long range fire the decision was made to release the Jade Falcon ground forces before reinforcements arrived in the system.

Breathing deeply Ruel Chistu ignored the increased gravity as the DropShips burned rapidly towards the planet hitting the atmosphere even as Mountain Wolf, Star League and mercenary aerospace fighters and DropShips tried to engage them.  Below his Turkina bay doors retracted and Ruel Chistu was given a countdown from the DropMaster as the second ticked to zero before the ninety-five ton OmniMech was released dropping towards Arc Royal’s surface.

“Falcons Wings strike as you land no mercy!”  He called out as his OmniMech fell cutting in the Mech’s jump jets to slow his fall.  Below Ruel Chistu could see the Mountain Wolves and Kell Hounds Mercenary Command were waiting for him, it was fine, and he was ready for them.  As the Turkina landed on the ground Chistu righted the ninety-five ton Mech and saw his target.  Immediately Ruel Chistu opened fire with his OmniMech’s particle cannons, long range missiles and autocannons.  The weapons fire flew over the heads of most of the defenders instead flying straight into the Kell Family Home.  Across the battle line Jade Falcon warriors followed suit all of them targeting the Kell Family’s home this strike was intentional it was designed to rock the defenders and strike a psychological blow.

As they fired on the Kell Family home the defenders were given a clean shot on the Falcon warriors Ruel Chistu’s Mech included but the Khan was ready to absorb the blows bending his Turkina’s knees dipping its shoulder his ninety-five ton Mech absorbed the enemy fire.  Raising back up Chistu surveyed the field he saw Wolves, Hounds and other mercenary forces the Jade Falcon Watch had been correct the Star League forces were not here.  “Target the Hounds let’s see how much fire the Wolves will allow them to take!  Ignore Zellbrigen these Dezgra scum do not deserve it.”  He called out the Jade Falcons had ten Clusters the defenders he knew did not even counting the unhired mercenary units on the planet the Falcons.  Ruel Chistu targeted a Kell Hound Warhammer pounding the heavy Mech with missiles and autocannon fire spraying it with fire moments later he hit the Mech with his Turkina’s particle cannons.  Both of the particle cannons burned through holes created by the autocannons along the heavy Mechs lower chest the warrior did not wait replying with its particle cannons and missiles cutting into the Turkina.  An alarm activated screaming to Ruel that part of the Turkina’s armour had taken a pounding but it held.

   Stepping forward Chistu triggered his weapons again blasting the Warhammer with his autocannons again before leaping his OmniMech into the air.  As he flew Chistu watched a group of Jade Falcon Elementals swarm the Warhammer, conventional Clan combat tactics were being ignored.  As he landed his Mech Chistu searched for another target finding a Mountain Pack Hunter BattleMech Chistu smiled as he watched his long range missiles slam into the light Mech tearing off the Mech’s left leg knocking it to the ground.  Stepping forward Chistu aimed down at the Pack Hunter and blasted the downed Mech with both particle cannons tearing the light Mech to pieces.  Glancing up he saw a Kraken XR BattleMech marching with intent through Kell Hound lines blasting a Phoenix Hawk before walking straight at the remains of the Kell family home.  “Rendezvouz at point zero” he ordered the Falcons were taking heavy damage but the battle was turning for them the Kell Hounds, Mountain Wolves and others were trying to make their way through Falcon lines attempting to withdraw from the now ruined Kell Family Home which was now burning.  Chistu saw another target a Mountain Wolf Warhawk striding against the flow of the retreating Mountain Wolves standing opposite the Jade Falcon Khan.  The Mech looked damaged but operational, much like Chistu’s Mech, the Jade Falcon Khan reached for his radio controls opening to a wide communication channel.  “I am Ruel Chistu, Khan of the Jade Falcons; identify yourself and why you think you can challenge me.”

   â€œI am Star Commander Melina Wolf a MechWarrior of Clan Mountain Wolf, I defend this world, and this is my home.”  The female MechWarrior said Ruel Chistu tried not to laugh the woman was not even a bloodnamed warrior.

   â€œI will allow you the opportunity to leave this battle without the loss of honour” he offered her.

   â€œI allow you to leave this system without loss of honour” she countered
   â€œI cannot”

   â€œAnd I cannot leave this battle” Melina said

   â€œSo be it this is a Circle of Equals may no other enter.”

   â€œMay no other enter” she said before they both uttered the word “Seyla” completing the ritual.  Immedately the two Mechs began to circle each other the Mountain Wolf Warhawk was lighter than Chistu’s Turkina by ten tons, it lacked the jump jets of the Turkina but it was also faster and well armed.  Particle cannon blasts from both Mechs criss-crossed the battlefield striking each of the Mechs as they continued to move both MechWarriors added their long range missile suites with Chistu adding his Mech’s autocannons to the mix blasting sections off of the lighter Mech.  As Melina struck the Turkina with three of her four particle cannons Chistu launched his Mech into the air using his OmniMech’s jump jets in mid air Chistu fired both of the autocannons cutting into the Warhawk sandblasting armour off the Wolf OmniMech with the shotgun-styled autocannons.  The shots blasted armour off the eighty-five ton Mech but did little else as the flying Turkina fell to the ground its stumbled forward Chistu unable to control the Mech properly.  This gave the Wolf MechWarrior an opportunity targeting the back of the Turkina she fired two particle cannon blasts into the Turkina’s back forcing the Jade Falcon Mech into a further stumble its armour gone and its gyroscope damaged.

   â€œStavag” Chistu cursed twisting and turning his Mech’s torso blasting the Warhawk with his autocannons.  More particle blasts tore into OmniMech’s arm shredding it reducing the autocannons mounted there into dead weight.  Turning his Mech Chistu let loose with both long range missile launchers striking the Warhawk with a salvo of missiles almost all of which went completely wide of their mark.  Chistu screamed in frustration looking at the Wolf Mech marching forward firing his own particle cannons at the same moment the Warhawk fired both Mechs were connected for a moment as the particle cannons burned through the OmniMech’s armour.  One of the particle cannon beams cored the Turkina’s cockpit completely killing the Jade Falcon leader immediately.

The blow to the Falcon leadership was a minor one however the Jade Falcons had dropped directly on top of the Kell Family residence securing it and the surrounding Kell Hound base of operations.  More than two Battalions of Hounds lay dead at the Jade Falcons feet with far less of the invaders joining them.  Within hours of their initial success the Jade Falcons had successfully moved on and secured Old Connaught, the planetary capital, forcing the defenders to retreat to other cities including the Mountain Wolf Enclave, Wolf City.  A further blow to Arc Royal’s defence is that Duchess Megan Kell the Duchess of Arc Royal, Colonel Christian Kell the commander of the Kell Hounds, saKhan Declan Kerensky and Loremaster Otto Sradac has all been killed in the Jade Falcon assault.  All had been present inside the Kell Family Residence during the attack and none had been seen since the Kell Hound, Mountain Wolf had retreated.

The combined forces of the Lyrans, Mountain Wolves, mercenary forces and SLDF outnumber the Jade Falcons significantly but with the Jade Falcons holding onto Old Connaught the First Battle of Arc Royal is considered to be a victory for the Jade Falcons.  In orbit the Werewolf and Inflexable retreat from planetary orbit surrendering it to the two Jade Falcon WarShips neither of the   Not everything had gone the way of th Jade Falcons however of the ten clusters that Khan Ruel Chistu had led to the system three had been completely destroyed while another was folded into the other units to bring them upto strength.  In orbit both WarShips were damaged but operational while both Mountain Wolf vessels were in the same condition leading to a stalemate.

Scout Mission
Crellacor, Independent System
Corward Periphery
28th February 3105
   
Bruno Scholle shuffled back slightly from the observation points heavily camouflaged ‘view port’ until he could sit up.  The red and yellow mud and sand rectangle was his camp, home and sanctuary and would be for another week until he was picked up when the SLS Oste returned and a shuttle was sent for him and his team.  Like the other Peter class Scouts the ship was often attached to Special Forces for operations its small size making it more than capable of slipping into a system not noticed by all but the most sophisticated sensor systems.

For the past eight months the Oste had been skirting the edges of the Clan OZ’s, scouting out, listening and watching and now on Crellacor they’d finally found something interesting.  And something not Clan.  Rather a makeshift Pirate base, complete with a crude and hard packed dirt landing strip and it was evidently some form of transfer point sat atop a small mesa in part of a dried out seabed.  In the six days he’d been on the world after being dropped off with other members of his squad by shuttle after the Oste had detected faint radio transmissions from the surface of Crellacor VI’s primary moon.  They’d ‘enjoyed’ a brisk 30-mile march thankful of their PA(L) armour, of which Bruno’s now sat deactivated at the back of his hide.  Crellacor was a late stage Red Giant, and even at this distance the sun’s heat and radiation had killed off most of the life on the surface save for large and hardy cactus like plants and lichens that helped give the planet its thin and barely breathable atmosphere.  Otherwise the moon was a dust ball of no significant note other than it was simply out of the way, in a system that no one cared about.

Two days ago a pair of dropships hand come in, a Gazelle that had seen better days perhaps some time in the late 2900’s and an even older spheroid design that he’d risked powering up his Tornado PA(L) suit to let its warbook ID it.  Turned out it was a Manatee class ship, IFF saying she was the Queen Anne’s Revenge.  Bruno had noted that one in his log, assuming that Queen Anne was some new Pirate leader in the region.

Through powerful magnoculars he was able to see cargo being moved off the Gazelle whilst a quartet of Mech’s started walking the perimeter. Amongst the Gazelle’s cargo was the shape and heat bloom of human’s, slaves and prisoners no doubt.

“Boss, you see this?  There must be at least two hundred people down there.” A faint voice in Bruno’s ear said.  It was his number 2, Jean Simmonds.

“Yeah I see them.  But I also see two Bug’s, a Centurion and a Warhammer, no matter how old they are, there’s six of us and at least four hundred Pirates.”

“Four hundred and sixty three.” Another voice spoke up.  That was the squads number 3, Eddie Schultz who had never quite lost his Jamaican accent despite being in the SAS for 10 years now.

“I stand corrected, so we mark this site, mark the ships and hopefully we can catch these bastards or the Clanners can.  We knew this part of space would be lousy with Pirates and we’ve found a nest of them now.”

Bruno was about to suggest they start breaking up their individual hides when a small flashing light caught his eye. It was a seismic sensor and it was picking up something.

“Mark eyes on my location, do you see anything?”

“Negative boss, wait one.”

Bruno was crawling towards the view port of his hide, dug into the hard dirt of the moon, the entrance covered by camo-netting that perfectly mimicked the surrounding foliage and ground cover as well as being a near as perfect IR and EM blocker.  To anyone who even got within a few meters it would just look like another bit of foliage and rock on this miserable, red skied lump of rock.

“Hush!”

The Hush alert was an indicator that something was nearby.  Bruno killed his hides electrics with a twitch of his boot, it was resting on the small fuel cell’s battery. Outside it was night, or as night as the moon got, what with the huge sun’s glare reflecting off the gas giant the moon orbited as well as its dull red glare filling the sky but a shadow then fell over the entrance to the hide and he heard a heavy thud of a footfall, and then more.

Adjusting his position slightly the SAS Commando looked to his left and up, looking at a crimson and black painted leg of a eight meter tall proto-mech.  The machine was humanoid in form despite its equine head and folded wings.  They were miles away from the Pirate camp and he doubted the sensors on the old droppers would have picked them up.  The Pirates simply didn’t seem to care about security, not on this desolate world.

The proto slowly dropped to one knee, its head turning as it looked at the distant base.  It then emitted a short electronic blurt that somehow sounded organic as it ended with a snort of vented air from the head’s ‘nostrils’ and then the ground started to shake.  Lean canine shapes moved past the hide, not brazenly painted but instead painted in tan and blonds, some with black striping, one a solid black. 

Bruno knew them from briefings, they were Procyon Quad’s and he had to admit that they were MUCH more scary up close.  They moved in a way that no machine simply should, it was too organic, too fluid. There didn’t even seem to be the soft hiss and hum of joints moving and he watched as the metal of their legs moved and shifted strangely although clearly artificial they had a grace that few Mechs could match Bruno guessed it had something to do with the Enhanced Imaging implants worn by the Clan warriors who piloted these craft.

Two Stars of Procyon’s moved past his hide, spreading out, keeping low and in what little cover there was, letting out metallic sounding yet also organic noises, soft grunts, low growls or hyena like ‘laughs’.

Bruno let out a breath he didn’t realise he’d been holding as the big Proto near him started moving off, its footfalls joined by others as its Star mates moved with it, two Minotaur’s and another pair of horse headed brutes, one with a missile pack strapped to each arm.

“Ho-le-shit…Boss, you okay?”

Jean said. She’d been watching the Clan machines moving past Bruno’s hide and then deploy into a broad arc facing the base.

“Jah..i’m okay..glad I wore the brown underwear today…get an eye on any unit markings?”
“Negative, they have no markings, just weird paint schemes, those Pyro’s look real.”

“Damn right…****** scary, not seen one up close.”

“One this is four.”

“Go ahead.”

“Movement at my position, some kind of quad battle armour three points strong, I got some good pics and am monitoring now”

“Stay safe Vlad.”

“Roger.”

The Pirates didn’t know what hit them until the Manatee’s sensors picked up a volley of LRM’s inbound and the crewman on watch pressed the alert switch, not that it was needed as the missiles raked across the bases quarters where many of the Pirates were staying. A simple collection of metal huts, some were just repurposed freight containers.  Whatever they were made of it wasn’t enough as they exploded in bright blooms of fire as well as puffs of metallic and human fragments.

It was late and many of the Pirates had been drinking or spending time with some of the ladies on camp, or more unfortunately their prisoners and caught by surprise there was little reaction from them save the odd blurt of gunfire.  With ten Procyon’s and a mixed Command unit coming from one side the fifteen Buraq’s that had sprinted round the rear of the encampment moved in, metallic hooves kicking up puffs of orange dust as they surged forward, machine guns tracking.

The patrolling Pirate Mechs were the initial target and the Clan Protomech’s and the Stinger went down under a flurry of shots from the Procyon’s before the pilot could even get the Mech’s laser swung round to face them.  The next Mech, an archaic looking Locust was ripped to shreds by sustained gunfire before its pilot even got moving.  The Centurion went down fighting, with the Procyon’s running through the base camp firing at anything or just swiping at it with their clawed paws the Centurion moved to engage and met the Command Star.  Although it out massed the Proto’s the Centurion’s protection was roughly equal to one of the smaller Machines and its pilot had no clue about how Proto’s fought or moved. 

The heavy CHUG-CHUG-CHUG of the Mech’s autocannon rolled over the mesa as the Protomech’s moved to engage.  Even at the distance from the camp the whine of thrusters could be heard as the two Svartalfa’s unfolded their wings, darting between the buildings and tents at high speed with a grace that was impressive and scary to watch.  The Centurion didn’t last long, the Pilot seemed to panic when he hit a Minotaur with his cannon and it just got up and resumed firing.  The Mech turned to flee but its back was ripped open by laser and missile fire, its ammunition igniting with a thunderclap as two tonnes of missiles and projectiles went up, the sound and shock hitting Bruno’s hide a second after the flash.

Even as the Warhammer tried to flee the Clanner’s were swarming over the dropships. One Svartalfa landed on the Gazelle’s nose, its lasers pumping shot after shot into the glass on the bridge before cutting through, the distant rattle of machine gun fire joining the muted electronic buzz of the lasers. 

The Buraq’s were sprinting around the grounded Manatee, some idiot on the dropship had yet to haul its cargo ramps in and the battlesuits thundered inside, machine guns blazing.

“Jesus…efficient bastards ain’t they..”

“Roger that, all points are you recording this?”

“Yes boss.”

In the camp the Clan Protomech’s and elementals were moving with a purpose, hunting down the last of the pirates, not even accepting the surrender of those who threw aside their weapons, the final pockets of resistance being crushed, quite literally in some cases by rapid blurts of machine gun fire of pulses of laser light that cut the Pirates into unrecognizable chunks.

The only thing they spared was the prisoners, the Minotaur’s ripping open the cages and cells they were held in whilst in the distance the Procyon’s ran down the Warhammer, darting around its legs, APGR’s ripping through the ancient Mech’s armour, laming it with shots to its legs whilst the pilot tried to defend himself against his darting opponents.

One Procyon took a PPC blast and staggered, bleeding smoke, emitting an animalistic yowl as it withdrew, but it was the only success the Warhammer had.  One volley of fire bit deep into its back and hit something vital as sparks and black smoke belched from the damaged Mech before it fell, firing wildly as it did, the muffled thump of 70’s of Mech slamming onto its chest barely carrying over to the SAS’s hides.

With the camp seemingly pacified the SAS watched as the final pirates were rounded up, their observation equipment was the best available and they could see everything as the pirates were herded into the crippled Gazelle, there could not have been more than a few dozen of them, many were walking wounded, some were even carrying their comrades with them. 

“They’re letting them go?”

“Nah..see that venting on the port wing?”

“No, but I can see something on the starboard.”

Before anyone else could speak there was a bright antic flash and a dull WHUMP as the dropships fuel was ignited. With the fuel cells left open the fuel in the wings was starting to boil at the sudden pressure difference and venting out of the fueling ports in the wings.  The liquid hydrogen was turning into a rapidly expanding cloud and all it would take was a spark.  Or in this case a laser strike.

The fireball lit up the surrounding area and the blast ripped the Gazelle to pieces, multi-ton chunks of dropship being flung into the cold night.  The concussion smashed into the Manatee and the old dropship tumbled as one of its landing legs gave way, the ancient ship flopping onto its side, looking like a beached whale next to the blazing crater that marked the funeral pyre of the Gazelle.

With the landing area wrecked the ProtoMech’s and equine Elemental’s moved into the camp, flattening what remained whilst freeing any prisoners that were alive. 

“Watch it boss, they’re coming your way.”

“I see it, going cold.”

The procession made its way across the dunes, escorted by the Proto’s and flanking elementals and Bruno shrunk back into his hide, making sure the electronics were off and the thermal cover was in place.  The column of rescued captives trudged past and Bruno could hear them speaking, they were clearly Clanners just from the way they spoke.

“Five miles and we will be at our rendezvous location.  A dropship will come and take us, leaving this pyre as a warning to all who would attack us.”

The voice that blurted out from a towering Svartalfa was strong, full of confidence, and yet it sounded slightly wrong.  A Mech’s external speakers did nothing to disguise a voice, but the proto spoke with a distinct metallic cadence and tone to its voice.

There was cheers from the former captives and they kept marching past the Procyon’s coming up the rear, the one that had taken the PPC blast limping along, leaning against another for support, its front right leg a mangled ruin.  The SAS observers waited until a distant rumble told them a dropship had taken off before coming out of their hides, working their way down to the ruined Pirate camp.

It was silent save for the crack and pop of burning wood and the odd pop and bang from the blazing Manatee as its ammo finally started cooking off.  Near the fallen Stinger  the SAS team found an active locator beacon sat at the base of a small pile of severed heads with the symbol of the Hells Horses Clan proudly placed over the macabre display.

“Want me to turn that beacon off boss?”

“Nah..they wanted to send a message.”

“Damn..i’d say they sent it loud and clear.”

“Amen…spread out and look for any information, report back in 2 hours, the Oste will be in system soon and I don’t fancy missing our pick up.”