3114
Launching Ceremony,
LCS Iron Fist (Mjolnir-class Battle-cruiser), Tharkad Orbit
Donegal Province, Lyran Commonwealth
3rd January 3114 Doctor Michael Queen of Lockheed/CBM of Tharkad strode onto the gravity deck of the WarShip LCS Iron Fist waiting for him were a group of people including Lyran leader Archon Jessica Steiner. “Thank you for waiting†he said as he approached “ladies and gentlemen today Lockheed/CBM are happy to announce that we have a new vessel for the use of the military and with your permission the greater market.†He said for years the company had produced Sub-compact cored WarShips meaning they were producing the smallest jump capable vessels in space the Lyran Commonwealth had benefited greatly from the Peter-class Scout and the Isis-class Carrier Scout vessels and now their allies in the SLDF and Federated Suns were also benifitting through the SLDF alliance it was expected that other nations would also benefit. He raised a small communicator to his mouth “DropShips release vessel†he said commanding the two modified Behemoth-class DropShips to disengage. Both vessels were docked together in the “nose-on†position, both had been extensively modified turning them into Lockheed/CBM’s shipyard facility capable of facilitating the construction of the tiny WarShips the company specialized in. This allowed them to move the facility around the Tharkad system, and beyond if they desired, to keep their work as secret as possible. On the monitors the two huge DropShips detached from each other to reveal a slender, almost sharklike vessel within.
“Designed like other vessels that Lockheed has produced to disappear into commercial DropShip traffic the end profit can be built to any hull shape you desire. Twenty-five thousand tons in weight it is designed with stealth and speed in mind. Its weapons are a mix of long range missiles, gauss rifles, particle cannons and lasers while Anti-missile systems protect the craft. Two small craft can also be carried these can be armed or they can supplement the vessel’s primary mission which is Diplomacy and spy craft I give you the Nondi-class Executive Transport.†He said naming the small vessel as it lit up its sub-light engines and began to turn gracefully away from the two Behemoth-class vessels.
“Which is? The Jade Falcons last week invaded and captured Krievci placing them a single jump from Coventry and you give us a pleasure yacht?†Admiral Szabo Lilla asked angrily she stood off to the side of Archon Jessica Steiner and had served with her previously on other ships before taking command of the ship they were standing on.
“Yes, Admiral we do, you say they are in striking distance of Coventry?†Dr Queen asked but did not wait for an answer “I counter by saying that they were already in range. A Lithium Fusion Engine would allow them to bypass any defences that we have and strike at any world of their choosing. The Nondi will not win you a war Admiral but it could be instrumental in stopping one from starting, send this world to Sudeten, to Marik, to Luthien or any other world that could be a threat to us it will blend into the traffic over that would and allow you to speak directly to the people in charge.â€
“We thank you Doctor, we are sure that this vessel will complete all missions we give it.†Archon Jessica Steiner said herself not sure what the vessel would be used for but deciding not to make a scene.
“Archon, with your permission we would also like to sell this vessel on the open market to civilans and to other nations.†Doctor Queen decided to push his luck, already there had been interest from the large companies of the Lyran Commonwealth.
“Without any weaponry you may sell the hull to Lyran citizens. The High Command will decide on whether this ship will be sold to other nations.†The Archon said making a concession to the company beyond the Nondi herself the Archon didn’t see much need for the Lyran nation to purchase more of the vessel but if Lockheed/CBM wished to produce more for the Lyran people she wouldn’t stop them.
Clan Hall, Jaguar’s Den
Twin Sons, District of Lesnovo
Free Worlds League
12th January 3114 “I am proud of what we have accomplished†Khan Petra Furey said to the leaders of the Smoke Jaguars on Twin Sons. “We have taken control over the military of the District of Lesnovo and we have done so with the full support of the people and the government of this region. We have rebuilt the dead Clan by our own standards.†She said happy with their accomplisments the new Smoke Jaguars were not the same people as before, there was no way to compare the two, some members of the Clan were survivors who had hidden in the periphery and on Twin Sons, others were former crewmen of the disgraced Snow Raven WarShip Spectre which was still hidden in the Lesnovo system, but for the most part the Clan was made up of people born and bred in the Free Worlds League who had come to them with dreams of future glory within those numbers was Petra herself the freeborn daughter of two former clansmen.
“Today we take the next step in the rebirth of this Clan, today our scientists have restarted the eugenics program and the use of Iron Wombs†she announced to her Clankin. The program would remain a secret to the peoples outwith the Smoke Jaguars but her clan was on the path to being truly reborn, just as her parents had dreamed though neither Michael or Sandra Furey would see the reborn Smoke Jaguars as both had passed away the year before. “Each member who has been completely inducted into our military will donate genetic material to this cause. We will be the Founders of this reborn Clan as members of the Exodus Fleet were founders of the original Clans.â€
SLS Fletcher (Peter-class Scout), Bridge
Blair Atoll, Hell’s Horses Occupation Zone
18th January 3114 Their mission had been to act as a civilian freighter DropShip and disappear into the traffic over the important Hell’s Horses trade world of Blair Atoll conducting as much intelligence as they could while inserting a special forces team. Judd Thompson stared at the screen, which showed the rear of the SLS Fletcher and the space behind the vessel, and knew their mission had failed as it showed their mission had failed as pursuing them was flat boxy form of a Halcyon-class Cruiser of Clan Hell’s Horses. “Right boys and girls, they are onto us clear the memory banks and then make your way to your escape pods.†He commanded knowing fine that their scout ship had no chance of out running a Clan Cruiser and its support craft, and they couldn’t be boarded.
“You know the orders make your way into the civilian population find work, blend in and wait the Intelligence Corps will find you.†He said making sure that his voice was reaching all the decks he had sixty-one people onboard and wanted to make sure they all got a fair chance or escape, each of them had been given alternate Clan identities but the chances of any of them escaping were slim. As he spoke there was flashes of light from the Cruiser as its forward cannons fired exploding near the scoutship but not hitting it with that he knew that they intended to try and capture them. “You’ve done well people, but today is not our day.†He said cutting the all deck transmission “helm, put our nose in the atmosphere when they hit us, I want to make sure they knock us down and finish us then to the escape pod.†He said the helm officer looked back at him and nodded modifying their flight path then leaving his station as escape pods began to be jettisoned from further along the ship each of them entering the atmosphere immediately it would be a bumpy ride but assuming their parachutes activated correctly the crewmen would get to the ground.
As more naval autocannon fire exploded near them buffeting the Fletcher with debris as its nose dipped into the atmosphere, the five thousand-five-hundred-ton vessel was not designed for atmospheric flight and immediately its hull began to show the stresses of re-entry. “Launch bay, take your people in the shuttle and go, I won’t be making it down there†he said as one of the autocannon rounds exploded nearly on the vessel’s hull the shock wave ripping a huge chunk out of the rear of the ship the Peter-class began to waver and lose control under the stress of the impact. “GO NOW!†He commanded from the underside of the ship a Hell’s Horses built Pelican-class Small craft dropped from the rear of the ship diving straight into the atmosphere from behind it two diamond shaped Aretes Interceptors sped past the pursuing Halcyon and dived behind the small craft firing their particle cannons and lasers, there was little hope the Pelican would survive to a controlled landing. Thompson activated the emergency HPG transmitter, sending the Flecher’s distress signal, before activating his command chair’s own eject system as well as regular escape pods which held multiple persons the Peter-class had been fitted with individual escape pods for certain positions. As the system activated the Captain’s chair was wrapped in foam made from a similar material as HarJel while Thompson raised a mask to his face. “I hate these ****** things†he cursed as his face was covered moments later his entire command chair was ejected from the ship just before another naval autocannon round tore through the ship gutting the SLS Fletcher. Debris of the small ship began to fall into the atmosphere burning up as it entered the atmosphere.
---
The screens came up in the briefing room revealing a small room with almost two dozen observers who had been taking notes as they watched the broadcast. “Ladies and gentlemen, that was the last broadcast from the SLS Fletcher we believe some of the crew survived to the surface. You are the closest extraction and recovery team. You’re going to Blair Atoll which is two jumps from our present location. You will board this ship†he said showing a tiny aerodyne civilian DropShip with a thin hull and a pair of engine nacelles on the end of short wings on the holoimager “this is Freighter 42†he said “I know an imaginative title for a ship as common as the Firefly but it’s a design in common usage by the Horses as a Civilian transport as it is small and carries no weapons. There is one of these vessels on its way to our next jump-point we will board it and commandeer it from its crew before using it to insert your team onto Blair Atoll. You will be inserted onto the planet as two couples transferring between worlds for work.†He said each of them looked at each other silently realizing what that meant, each of them had seen the other naked before it was part of their line of work.
“Rules of engagement on planet?â€
“Assess the Fletcher’s crash site and if necessary, ensure its destruction should there be anything left, ensure the Fletcher’s commander’s personally held information does not fall into enemy hands and extract any survivors including the commander if applicable.†He said immediately they recognized that the lives of the crew and of the commander were secondary to the intelligence.
“Sir, can we know the reason…†one of them asked recovering other members of the SLDF was important but normally downed crewmen were expected to slip into the population and await extraction.
“In your documents packs†he said immediately everyone flicked through the pages and found what he meant “is all the information you may need. “Ladies and gentlemen, that is the face of the commander of the all Intelligence Operations in the Hell’s Horses OZ Major-General Judd Thompson code name Bat-22. Why he was on that ship we don’t know but we know that the Watch know his identify. The information he holds up here†he said tapping the side of his head “is information we can’t let the Clans have understood?â€
“Yes, sir†the Hunt for Bat-22 was on.
Ground battle
Wallis, District of Regulus
Free Worlds League
22nd January 3114 Jake Chowla pushed his captured OmniMech through the ruined city of Brimal against the Whispers of Blake he’d learned over the last few weeks that the Mech was named as a Deva and had been produced for the Whispers by the Word of Blake on Gibson before their destruction. As a result, he’d learned he could reconfigure the Mech as he desired and replacing damaged equipment was easy compared to his previous BattleMechs.
Darting left and right he pursued a Whispers of Blake Buccaneer BattleMech as he helped hunt down the last renegade Blakist. It had been a long battle but finally the Chaos Irregulars and the local milita forces were getting their revenge on the renegade Clansmen. “Aletha go left!†He ordered the other MechWarrior that was with him Aletha had recovered from her ordeal as a prisoner of the Whispers and was now piloting a Blade BattleMech which had been provided by the Free Worlds League Jake had been determined that the Irregulars would remain independent but his Co-Commander Aerial Peregrine-Simmson had said they needed the weapons and signed a deal with the militia. Aletha, Jake’s wife, aimed her Blade’s autocannon ahead of the Buccaneer and fired a burst of
fire into it ripping the leg off throwing the Mech into a cartwheel as it crashed across the ground away from them.
“Now that’s what I’m taking about†she said the Blade wasn’t her Mongoose, it hadn’t been in her family for generations, but it packed a punch with the rotary autocannon and lasers.
“Let’s get another one†Jake said searching for another target.
“All forces SCATTER! SCATTER! SCATTER!†Aeriel suddenly screamed over the radio but it was too late already the first orbital fire was hitting the ruined City. Unbeknownst to the Irregulars or anyone else on the planet within the last few days a Whispers of Blake special forces unit had struck Regulus killing Prince Lester Cameron-Jones and his first-born child Anita and wiping out the majority of the Elite First Cameron-Jones Guard Regiment. Now in orbit over the planet a WarShip carrying Lester’s fathers name Prince Titus Cameron-Jones was bombarding every remaining Whispers of Blake position.
“Aletha RUN!†Jake screamed already her Blade was running and Jake turned to follow he was perhaps a few hundred metres behind her already as the Blade ran faster than his heavier Mech. “Don’t slow down, they won’t be able to make out designs from where they are but we’re heading in the right direction not to be a target. We’re going…†he never finished the sentence from above the gunners on the RS Prince Titus Cameron-Jones were firing at anything that moved they didn’t care what direction targets were heading in only where friendly bases were and where potential enemies were the entire city of Brimal was forfeit. As Jake’s Deva got up to speed, he didn’t even see the naval autocannon rounds coming as they slammed down into the ground right in front of Aletha’s speeding Blade. The small thirty-five-ton BattleMech was initially consumed in fire and then the shock wave hit picking the BattleMech up and throwing it like a child would a rag-doll. Jake could do nothing as he watched his wife’s Mech fly through the air parts of the BattleMech separating from the main body of the Mech as it flew. “ALETHA!†Jake screamed as his own Mech was knocked to the ground by the following shock waves debris fell off nearby buildings pinning his Mech even as his sensors showed the Blade come to rest and more naval autocannon rounds impacting in the area around it more landed near Jake’s Mech but the debris protected him from most of the hits unfortunately his wife had no such protection. The Deva’s damaged but functional sensor suite registered a critical failure in the Blade’s fusion engine shielding and he knew the truth, the cold fact that a computer would tell you without compassion or thought, his wife was dead killed at the hands of the very people they were contracted to help.
Spaceport
Blair Atoll, Hell’s Horses OZ
26th January 3114
It had taken the four-person team more than a week to get to Blair Atoll and now they were making their way through customs on the world. As they moved through the area each of them noted the number of unarmoured guards in the spaceport each armed with the Horses newest personal weapon the ballistic assault rifle HAR-201.
“Security’s tight†Ned Glasberg said “the Flecher’s crash has them on edge.†He said as they saw troopers search through visitor’s baggage. The two men were in the queue like everyone else but didn’t react to what they were seeing, it wasn’t the Clan civilian castes way.
“We keep going, less we’re suspicious the better.†His partner said off to the side while they were a couple, they both knew that public signs of affection would gain the attention of the Horses guards. They both approached separate booths the two customs officials glanced at each other and then at the two men before stamping their passes. Further behind in the queue the other two in their team were waiting for their time they were under the cover as a pair of scientists. They made their way through the process just the same passing themselves off as man and wife and were quickly processed.
Outside the spaceport customs office the two men headed to the first vehicle a Praire Schooner Land Train which had been converted into a passenger transport. While the two passing as scientists were led to a Sky Eye News Helicopter which was being used by the Horses as an executive transport for their scientists. They would meet up when it was appropriate.
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Three hours later Glasberg and his partner Wesley Blood were at a recreational park trying to pass themselves off as civilians enjoying their downtime before being given their first job by their Clan. In the field other people exercised and played games with balls it was a standard day on Blair Atoll. Above the field the Sky Eye News Helicopter they’d seen earlier flew over the field. The aircraft had two rotors on the top one above the other rotating in opposite directions while a pusher propeller at the back moving the chopper forwards.
“I didn’t expect them to arrive with that†Glasberg said watching as the craft circled the field before landing. The doors were opened as it landed and the two of them crossed the tarmac boarding the aircraft “nice to see you guys, nice ride†he said seeing Miia Lahtinen in the pilot seat and Liam Turton in the side seat. In the back of the aircraft he noticed equipment was stacked up “you guys been shopping?â€
“Just stuff that was left laying around the helo was left by the transfer pilot, I think he’s done for the day, we’ll have to ditch it in the next couple of hours or security services will clock on but it’ll get us where we’re going.†Miia said cheerfully from the front as she brought the aircraft up into the air. “The cases were exactly where we expected them†she said as Glasberg began looking over the equipment.
“This is Clan stuff?†Blood said seeing a Horse Gatling Gun X99 in one of the boxes it was a large multi-barreled weapon capable of chewing through armoured targets, much more than they should need.
“Affirmative, our contact did their job.†Turton said “we’re en route to the crash site, there’s not much left from what we’ve heard.â€
“And Bat-22?â€
“In the wind if he survived.â€
“Any other crewmen made contact?â€
“Negative if any survived, they've likely done what they are supposed to do gone to ground and are awaiting extract in time, we're the ones off schedule.†Miia said “we heard a news report stating that Hell’s Horses security forces had secured the Pelican’s crash site no survivors were found.†She explaining dampening the mood significantly “no news on any of the escape pods or on Batt-22â€
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Deep in the forests Judd Thompson moved slowly through the undergrowth as the rain began to get heavier and heavier. Each step was a careful one as he knew he wasn’t completely alone the Horses had been on his trail almost since he had landed. He bent down slightly leaving a grenade attached to a wire before heading deeper into the forests remaining still watching his trap within thirty minutes a squad of seven Hell’s Horses troopers began moving through the area one of the struck the tripwire he’d left causing an explosion immediately killing four of the troopers in the confusion Thompson struck with another grenade and his KA-23 Subgun cutting down the remaining troopers in explosions and a hair of bullets. He ran down through the undergrowth firing the remaining Subgun ammo into the Hell’s Horses troops ensuring they were dead before gathering up a Gauss Sub-Machine Gun from one of the troopers and ammunition from the rest. He also grabbed several Clan Meals-Read-to-Eat (MREs) and a radio to track enemy movements and finally Assault Grenade Launcher which had been carried by the squad’s heavy trooper it only had a single magazine of ten Dual Purpose High Explosive grenades but that could make a massive difference in the scope of things. “Thanks boys†he said looking down at the dead bodies before darting off into the undergrowth he’d served in the SLDF for more than thirty years he wasn’t going to go down without a fight.
SLS Fletcher Crashsite
Blair Atoll, Hell’s Horses OZ
26th January 3114 Flying quickly towards the crashsite Blood and Glasberg mounted the gatling gun onto a bracket attached to the side door of the Sky Eye giving them some firepower should they need it. “I thought we were giving this thing back?†Miia complained.
“Well it’s one of their guns, I’m sure they won’t mind too much†Blood suggested.
“This is a civie aircraft they don’t want to give them guns.â€
“It’ll be a nice surprise for them.†Blood said but Miia didn’t look happy as the aircraft continued to fly forwards towards their target.
The Sky Eye helicopter was soon over the crash site of the SLS Fletcher, there was very little left of the small ship, surprisingly there were few Hell’s Horses at the site either. “Not much chance of much surviving onboard that.†Miia said glancing back “what do you think?â€
“Fly over the target we’re dropping three boxes on it.†Glasberg said as the aircraft continued to move forwards. As it flew over the crash site Glasberg and Blood threw three boxes of high explosive out the side of the ship. The packages fell slowly from the aircraft onto the wreckage exploding on contact covering the ground in high explosive fire destroying any data that still remained there. “Keep flying broadcast on the emergency channel, see if any of our people are listening.†He suggested Miia nodded
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Several kilometres from where the Fletcher had crashed Judd Thompson saw the explosion but didn’t know the reason for it. He’d intentionally avoided what was left of his ship, there was nothing there for him. As he moved through the undergrowth, he saw a path had been cut through the woods creating a road for the Horses to keep their people supplied part the way along the path was a small single story checkpoint station. Slipping his Gauss SMG to his back he instead drew out the grenade launcher aiming it at the checkpoint he saw a single Hell’s Horses trooper coming out and thought about taking the shot. Thompson had a second thought for a moment thinking about the flare he’d seen from the exploding Fletcher and decided that the checkpoint, while a smaller explosion would likely cause too much trouble for him. Instead he turned to the right and continued into the forest.
For what felt like hours Thompson moved through the undergrowth watching his back as he moved but no-one was following him darkness quickly began to envelop him as the rain returned once again. Suddenly out of what seemed to be nowhere a structure appeared in the darkness there was no lighting on but it appeared sound. Moving around the building he couldn’t see any sign that the place had been occupied anytime recently. He moved quickly up to the building putting his boot onto the door kicking open the door he wasn’t a young man anymore but he still knew how to force open a door. Entering through the door, he quickly scanned the room inside and found a comfortable hunting cabin which obviously hadn’t been lived in some time. Turning he pushed the door closed securing it as best he could with its broken lock he’d stay tonight and move on in the morning once his clothing was dry. Tonight, he’d try to get the rest he’d need to continue to avoid Hell’s Horses patrols.
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As night had closed in the crew of the Sky Eye had turned to their night vision goggles as their aircraft battled through the worsening weather. “I’ve got something, SLDF troops engaging Horse units to the east three kilometres distant.†Turton said glancing up from the radio set
“Take us over their Miia low and fast†Glasberg said glancing at Blood “you fitted it get on the gun.†He said as the aircraft began to bank tightly to the right speeding up as it turned and dived. “Miia bring us over their position, we’ll see what we can see on the first pass†he ordered opening the side door a gust of wing blew into the aircraft along with plenty rain water.
Leaning out the door Glasberg and Blood peered through their night vision googles and spotted the contacts as they approached. On the goggles the four SLDF crewmen were easily identifiable as their uniforms had special reflective materials woven into them for exactly this sort of mission beyond their position were at least seven Hell’s Horses contacts who were getting closer to them. “We’ve got seven enemy contacts to deal with Turton left door cover, we’ll take right, Miia I need you to get us into a decent firing position but keep us moving when I change magazines bring Liam into the fight.†He said she nodded and slowed the aircraft’s speed as Liam Turton climbed over the seat and opened the other door raising his rifle to peer out the door.
“Alright boys making the turn†she said bringing the nose of the aircraft around to the left but continuing to move the aircraft along its same path. As she did, she tipped the aircraft’s right side down slightly. Neither Glasberg or Blood needed any encouragement immediately Blood opened fire with the Gatling gun which spun rapidly throwing out hundreds of deadly bullets that ripped through the undergrowth below. Ned Glasberg was more refined with his shots aiming his rifle from the shoulder he peered through the scope taking pot shots at targets missed by Blood’s indiscriminate fire.
“Over the target Liam get ready!†Glasberg warned as he began switching magazines from the other door Liam immediately began firing down on the targets below a each of them heard bullet’s hit the underside of the aircraft.
“We’re taking damage hold on!†Miia called out she kicked in the aircraft’s engines bringing the aircraft out of the firing line turning tightly through the night’s sky she turned the nose away from targets again allowing Glasberg and Blood another strafing run this time each of them gunned down members of the chasing Hell’s Horses. “Great jobâ€
“Take us over them again†Glasberg ordered “make them count†he ordered the three nodded and this time aimed for the fallen troopers making sure they were dead. “Miia take us down, you and Turton are taking the survivors back to civilisation and will find them a way to get home.†He said looking at Wesley Blood “grab provisions and ammo, we’re going for a hike†he said as the helicopter came down to land on the ground, they shouted at the SLDF crewmen to approach as they did Glasberg and Blood hopped out onto the ground grabbing their personal weaponry. “You two, get these people to safety, find them lives in one of the settlements where they can hunker-down and wait for extraction, then join us when you can. We’re going to find Thompson and kill whatever else gets in our way.†He said to his other team members as the crewmen arrived “the cavalry arrives! You guys are safe now!†Glasberg said to them as they climbed onboard, “you two take care of them and of yourselves.†He said as the chopper took off again climbing into the skies. “Let’s move, we need to be a few kilometres from here before that squad’s CO comes looking for them.â€
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Topic: Alternate Timeline with Thanks (FULL) (Read 159518 times)