Time for a new bit with some news from the Raven Alliance - from Vition2
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Pirate Raid
Whittington, Periphery
1st October 3114 With such a short period to prepare the McCoy’s Malcontents only had the nine active BattleMechs prepared for combat. Schuyler McCoy’s command lance had engaged the Marian forces once already taking out two enemy BattleMechs, an entire platoon of armoured vehicles and several Battle Armoured troopers before being forced to disengage. Now they were cycling around behind the enemy forces to cut off their retreat while the UrbanMech lance augmented by Amanda Cavalcanti’s repaired Ebony Snake stood in the enemies’ way. She’d positioned her ultralight BattleMech out of sight along with the three-regular looking UrbanMechs while Pieter Von Cleef took centre stage in his Mad Cat inspired UrbanMech. The strange looking Mech shrouded by Amanda’s ECM suite made the enemy forces pause at long range long enough for Schuyler McCoy’s forces to catch and engage the raiders. Now the UrbanMech lance was approaching their targets and engaging the enemy forces Pieter opened fire with both his rocket launchers and particle cannons revealing his UrbanMech’s firepower at range but Amanda held fire her ultralight only had the two rocket launchers, a sword and the handheld held triple machine gun. Instead she watched as Pieter’s firepower rippled over a Marian Hegemony Cataphract BattleMech at seventy tons the Mech weathered the hits and took both particle cannons then a pair of laser shots without flinching. The seventy-ton BattleMech twisted its torso to face them and opened fire with its arm mounted ultra autocannon which tore into Pieter’s BattleMech. Fortunately, while UrbanMechs were slow they were well armoured and Pieter didn’t miss a step as he marched forwards. The Cataphract opened fire again this time turning to face them fully engaging with its LB-class autocannon and lasers as well, unfortunately for the pilot he thought he was better than he was and tried to engage multiple targets at once. The autocannon fired cluster ammunition at the Malcontents Mechs causing light damage while of the four lasers fired only one hit one of the four UrbanMechs each of which was shrouded by Amanda’s ECM suite.
The response from the UrbanMech lance was devastating three autocannons erupted into fire adding their firepower to Pieter’s particle cannons and Amanda’s rockets. Amanda was glad to see her rockets mostly hit their target while one of Pieter’s particle cannons and both lasers also connected with the larger Mech. Two of the three autocannons found their mark and explosive shells tore across their chassis causing multiple small explosions along the way. The MechWarrior tried to maintain his balance but it was clear to see that his Mech needed to retreat and was outmatched by the entire lance of light Mechs. An assault Mech may have been able to stand but not a single Cataphract as the Mech toppled Pieter hit it again with both particle cannons as it fell causing more damage as the large Mech slammed into the ground ripping up the Wittington grass. Running in past the UrbanMechs Amanda shot the Mech with her triple machine gun carried weapon as she closed before dropping it as she got to point blank range. At this close range she struck the downed Mech with her Ebony Snake’s sword she struck down with the weapon cutting into the Cataphract’s back as the three other UrbanMechs pounded the Mech again with several heavy autocannon blasts which shredded several of the enemy Mech’s actuators causing further issues for the downed warrior.
The fallen Marian MechWarrior must have known the game was up. As he signaled to them his surrender and powered down the Cataphract before something else went wrong and the BattleMech suffered a catastrophic failure. Turning her Mech around Amanda picked up the machine gun weapon and scanned the area sighting a group of Ravager Battle Armour units. She ran towards them spraying her targets with machine gun fire. Despiter her Ultralight Mech’s small frame she still towered over the Battle Armoured troopers and a constant stream of machine gun fire, combined with the approaching UrbanMechs was enough to cause these troopers to surrender along with their fallen Cataphract comrade. Amanda loved being back in her BattleMech, despite only being able to contribute small amounts, she was a MechWarrior again. The surrender of the three Ravager troopers turned out to be the last part of the battle on Wittington one more Mech, the Marian’s heaviest, a Highlander raised its arms in surrender following the dispatching of its comrades and with that it was over. The Highlander, the remains of seven other Mechs, three intact Ravager Battle Armour suits and enough to rebuild another one or two, along with half a dozen light vehicles made for a decent haul for the Malcontents. The Marian DropShip boosted back towards orbit on hearing of the fall of their ground forces leaving their people to their fate. The Malcontents threw the lot of the survivors into the stockade to allow them to think about their failures Schuyler McCoy told Amanda that he might allow them to join his ranks like she had but they’d have to earn their place within the unit just as she had.
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Hours later Amanda Cavalcanti relaxed in the small quarters she’d been given in the manor. The room was little more than a box with a single bed against the left side wall a small bedside table and a chair. It small and basic but it was, unlike the shared quarters she’d had when she was a tech, exclusively hers and when she was inside, she could shut the door and be herself. After the battle she’d retreated to the showers then straight to her quarters to rest up, dressing only in a white tank top and ripped off shorts she laid out on top of her bed as there was a knock on the door.
“Come in†she called when the door did not immediately open. The door slowly opened and in stepped Schuyler McCoy he was dressed in a simple olive drab jumpsuit his short blonde hair bouncing slightly. From his appearance she could tell he’d also taken a shower and he’d taken time to tidy up his one vanity his hair. In his hand he held a refillable bottle which was no doubt filled with some sort of energy drink.
“You did well today†he said remaining at the door
“Thank you, it was nice to be back in the saddle I’m glad I had the opportunity to defend my new home.â€
“We won’t always defend places; my unit have taken responsibility for this world but we also are on the look out to make a profit. If that means we have to break some heads and take someone else stuff we will.†He warned her she silently nodded “you think you’re up for that?â€
“I won’t kill innocents.†She warned him “I’ll draw a line under that and if I witness it, I.. don’t know if I could stay in the unit.†She said making her point clear “but taking what we need, I think I can do, life isn’t exactly easy out here and we’d be helping the people here.â€
“We would, I won’t leave another person to die due to us taking things from them, but we will do what we need to when people resist our attempts to take from them. For those who don’t resist and don’t interfere I’ll try to promise we won’t kill anyone who doesn’t need to be killed.
“I’ll hold you to that.†She promised him
“Good, now to business†he said taking a drink from the bottle smirking “the capture of the Highlander adds a nice option to our next move. I’m keeping the Archer and not surprisingly Morgan is keeping his Blackjack, it’s an OmniMech after all, so I’m giving the Highlander to Tom.†He said naming a couple of the other members of his command lance. “After your little modification work on his UrbanMech Pieter has decided he is keeping his Mech so I’m giving Faris Tom’s old Vindicator.†He said naming another member of the unit she’d piloted one of the autocannon UrbanMechs that had forced the Cataphract pilot to surrender. “Now I don’t think you’re the type to want a UrbanMech as your ride?†After a moment’s thought Amanda shook her head, she’d rather keep a Mech half its weight than pilot a walking tin can like an UrbanMech. “I didn’t think so, instead I’ve ordered the Techs to bring online the old Griffin, its not perfect, not by a long shot a lot of its gear is primitive tech but with what we captured today you and the Techs might be able to do something with it?†He asked she nodded her agreement. “Good, I’ll release it to you, you’ll still be attached to the UrbanMechs for now, you’re not getting out of that assignment just yet, I’m going to make sure that Matt sinks an ECM into the Griffin so you can still shield that monstrosity of an UrbanMech that Pieter is piloting.â€
“I understand, their mostly good folks†she said
“Most of the unit are, just ignore Hector and you’ll be fine†he warned her “I’ll find someone to pilot your Ebony Snake and you can mentor them in the Griffin. I want them to be able to take over from you once you move up.â€
“I can do that, it’s a good little Mech.â€
“It’s not bad, but now you’re in something a lot bigger, learn your new Mech’s limitations don’t think you can run around with it like the Snake understood?†He asked she nodded again as he swiped another drink from his bottle. “Very good†he said giving her the once over with his eyes “as you were†he said after a moment of lingering then the realization he’d been caught. “Drink plenty fluids the come down after combat can be tough.†He warned Amanda reached over to the table and grabbed her own bottle.
“Well ahead of you, Captain†she said drinking a little seeing his uncomfortable look on his face at the rank “Duke?†She asked given his position on the world following his father’s actions in the past in taking up the challenge to defend the world, giving him the title seemed to make Schyler McCoy look queasy “boss?†she asked quickly moving on he nodded “I won’t let you down.â€
“I’m glad to hear it, with the Highlander and Griffin added to our ranks we’re going to be running around with a lot more firepower and capabilities so we’ll have to all get used to working together in a different way.†He explained “I haven’t even thought about what we’re going to do with the Ravagers or vehicles yet, I guess some of the locals might want an adventurous future… we’ll see. For now, we’ll keep them here and we can roll them out when we’ve got people up to the task.â€
“The Cemetery Wind held a national contest, fitness and mental agility assessed to see who was up for the task. But they had the support of the planetary government.†She said suggesting how she ended up with her old unit.
“Nothing here to support us. Just a bunch of little settlements that don’t have the money to pay us and instead turn over food and drink as payment.†He said while his unit were classed as a pirate unit beyond this planet most people considered them to be their guardians on planet as the only armed force. “I’m not sure how many of them will want to turn over their sons and daughters but we’ll see.â€
“You could force it; you have the firepower.†She suggested “or maybe form a planetary defence force… Duke†she suggested smirking when she saw him squirm under the title. Schyler stood there for a moment then left without another word obviously having plenty to think about. Amanda didn’t exactly know what she thought of her new commander, she missed her friends in Cemetery Wind but also felt like she could make an impact here.
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Regardless how Schyler felt Amanda couldn’t wait until the morning when she headed down to the Mechbay to see her “new†Griffin even the horrible rainstorm outside would not dash her hopes for a good day. She’d spend a good portion reading up on the medium Mech learning what it was capable she knew most of the basics fifty-five tons, capable of running nearly one hundred miles per hour and jumping one hundred and eighty metres. Primarily they were armed with particle cannons and missiles good solid weapons.
When she’d arrived in the Mech hanger under Schyler’s house she noticed the Mech seemed to have more missile pods than she’d expected but then it was a rebuilt Mech it would likely be armed with what the techs had available she’d adapt. Climbing aboard the BattleMech she half crawled into the cramped blocky cockpit, as Schyler had said this was a primitive Mech, she’d have to get used to some differences. Sitting in the command chair she began powering up the BattleMech feeling the fusion engine begin to pur under her. Drawing her neuralhelmet over her head once she was strapped in, she heard the familiar start up voice. Technicians preferred transferring a pilot’s neuralhelmet from one Mech to another to help the pilot connect with the machine quicker and more smoothly, starting from scatch tended to take hours.
“Griffin G-R-F-1-A online, fusion engine online, particle cannon online, small laser online, small laser online, machine gun online, rocket launcher ten-pack loaded, rocket launcher ten pack loaded, Guardian Electronic Counter Measure Suite active.†The voice said in rapid succession giving her a rundown of her connected weapons she’d had the same on the Ebony Snake but it was a far shorter list on the fifteen-ton BattleMech. The Griffin also seemed to be over gunned for what she’d expected glancing at her control board she pressed through the menus which were familiar but slower than most Mechs she stopped when she got to the stats of her BattleMech.
“Sixty tons…†she whispered looking at the stats that was wrong she thought the Griffin was five tons lighter “sixty-four mph?†She thought that can’t be right. She tabbed through several more menus until she got to the Mech’s datasheet. Maxwell Manufacturing Inc. Procyon, Date of construction November 2nd 2466… She read the words and numbers and suddenly understood her Mech was nearly five hundred years old, one of the first Griffins to be constructed, she was inside an antique. Most MechWarriors who inherited an older BattleMech received a machine that was older than them but few on the battlefield would be as old as this one. The techs had refitted the old weapons and armour but it still had an ancient chassis, engine, cockpit and a jury-rigged gyro which was heavier than the standard models. “Well, we’re going to have fun.†She said seeing the light opposite her bay go green clearing her way to leave the Mechbay. Amanda took control of the Griffin and stepped it clear of the cradle that held it in position. The Mech took a couple of heavy steps forward before she pivoted it to the right and walked it out of the bay and into the rainstorm that was lashing the building. She felt and heard the rain and wind batter her BattleMech but the sixty-ton machine stood firm. Even though they’d only walked a few steps together Amanda felt she was ready for the next challenge that was thrown her way.
High Council Chambers
Dante, Raven Alliance
3rd October, 3114
Despite the Raven Alliance’s capital being housed on Alpheratz the Snow Ravens held Dante exclusively for their own operations. Here unlike Alpheratz, which still held many of its old prejudices, a Snow Raven could walk down the street without any concern all of the population were completely indoctrinated into the Snow Raven belief system. The change on Alpheratz and across the Raven Alliance would come it would just take a little more time and convincing for now Dante was the Raven capital and held all their command and coordination centres.
Deep within one of these command centres held a the Clan Council’s grand hall designed along the lines of all the other Clan Council chambers with the Clan’s unique brand of angular architecture with every surface seemingly moving at an angle to the other the room was a theatre capable of holding several hundred of the Snow Raven’s Bloodnamed warriors, the elite leaders of the Clan, and had enough holographic and audio technology to keep everyone informed regardless of where they were seated in the chamber.
In the centre of the room the primary holotable, which was several metres wide squared, showed the typical Raven tactical grid for space combat blown up to a size that allowed the text displayed to be read from anywhere in the room. Centrally located on the displayed image is a small cluster of mid-sized white dots a few smaller ones can be seen planetward, with trajectories to intercept the white dots, these glow a brilliant golden in color. As time progresses a smaller group of white dots emerge from the cluster to intercept the golden ones. As the two groups merge a couple golden dots wink out, but most of the white ones also disappear, with only a few remaining continuing their trajectories. The remaining gold dots slow and merge with the central cluster shortly before the feed stops.
Watch Commander Riven steps to the front of the gathered High Alliance Military Council. “The captain of the RAS Silver Star ejected a small transceiver towards the end of this raid in Millary. Which we recovered a couple days ago after failing to receive progress reports on the shipment. As some of you may know, the convoy included a number finished products we were trading to the Nova Cats for a large amount of raw materials. Their recent conflict with the Suns showing some strain on certain parts of their economy, which we specialize in.â€
He went on to explain that the golden color was designated as Federated Suns on the Sphere Wide IFF code database. While somehow the audio was jammed the transceiver included a description of the assaulting force which included an Arondight-class DropShip, along with a number of other aerospace fighters and DropShips iconic to the Suns’ military. Then he stepped back to allow Khan Vir Sukhanov to lead the rest of the meeting.
The Khan stepped forward, those who knew him well can see the strain in his features, though he puts on a well composed front, “This is among our worst-case scenarios, the Federated Suns has many more resources than the Combine. Though the Suns have benefited greatly from our scouring of their periphery pirates, yet they still seek to test us.†Grumbles of agreement come from the 20 current members of the Raven Alliance’s High Military Council.
“We cannot let this attack go without response!†Gamma Galaxy Commander Adrian Chand exclaimed, the elemental's voice booming across the chamber.
The lithe form of Alessa Alpheratz, the Long Road’s GalCom, rises, “Our response must be measured, we can’t treat them like the Dragons, the Suns have fewer internal issues, and greater resources. Even their naval forces can rival our own.â€
Discussions continue for the next few hours, the normal bloodhouse politicking significantly decreased emphasizing the seriousness of the situation, before Khan Sukhanov calls for its end in order to mull over many of the options brought up. Only two solid goals came from the council: Millray must be secured, and the Federated Suns must be punished.
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The next evening, the Khan meets with the Watch Commander, the Dante sunset streaming into the glasscrete windows.
“Riven, I have decided on a course of action, but much of it requires a bit of... delicacy. We will not be able to manage this conflict truly alone, so I’ll need you to make sure a couple of messages get to the right people.†The Khan began.
“I will do my best,†the masked Watch Commander replied.
“There are three components to this, first, we’ll need to make the Combine aware of the situation, we should use our Nexus Ri connection for this. The Nova Cats should be pretty straightforward to convince, the supplies in that convoy were going to shore up some of their economic deficits, and we suspect that may put them behind schedule by a year, maybe more.â€
“The last component...†A knock occurs at the door, and Vir’s mouth makes a small smile, “Perfect timing... Enter!â€
Galaxy Commander Long Roads enters, “Khan Sukhanov, you requested me?â€
The Khan nods, “Yes, Alessa, we have need of you and your galaxy. You will work with Riven in order to...†The three of them work together on their plans late into the night.
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A bit more than a week later, the Hazelhurst PDZ director gives a large press release in which a short statement acknowledging the attack and surreptitiously apologizing for it is buried within, but also relating the recent conflict with the Nova Cats. No overtures are made directly to the Alliance. Within the Alliance, a number of units begin either redeploying or preparing for a redeployment.
Border Conflict
Federated Suns
8th October 3114 Despite having one of the best equipped militaries in the Inner Sphere after months of continuous combat on multiple fronts were causing visible cracks in the Federated Suns defences. On every march border the Federated Suns came under attack as the Draconis Combine pushed deep into the Draconis March attacking Hoff, Bettendorf, Franklin, Lucerne and Rochester shattering elements of the First Robinson Rangers and First New Ivaarsen Chasseurs with additional raids on New Ivaarsen and Sakhara V intended on tying up defenders but actually netting the Draconis Combine Sakhara as DCMS forces overwhelm the training academy and the militia supporting it. In the New Ivaarsen system only the presence of the FSS Ian Davion repulses the DCMS raiding force with the Mercury-class Battleship shattering the invading forces’ DCS Tsukushi, a Tatsumaki II-class Destroyer, driving the DCMS forces from the system. While it is unlikely the DCMS could hold all of these worlds for an extended period of time this sailent provides the DCMS with a temporary and somewhat tenous threat against the system of Robinson.
On the Periphery borders of the Crucis March Clan Nova Cat continue to cause issues with the defences of the Crucis March forcing their way into the Ebro and Memphis systems again strengthening their strike corridor into the Federated Suns. The AFFS strike back against the Clan retaking the systems of Minette, Molino, Maram, Sodertalke, Olindo and Adelson opening a second front against the Nova Cats and essentially shattering the Clan’s Zeta Galaxy which had personnel in each system targeted. With only the Forty-ninth Nova Cat Roar Cluster surviving intact as it retreated from the Maram system Nova Cat command orders Zeta Galaxy once again stricken from the rolls and the Cluster rolled into Sigma Galaxy. As a further insult to the Clan Federated Suns news sources report that the former New Avalon embassy occupied by Clan Nova Cat has been burned to the ground during a protest by Avalon City residence. The base has not been occupied for several years following tensions between Clan Nova Cat and the Federated Suns.
During the hostilities on their other borders the Capellan Confederation and Taurian Concordat combine forces and attack the systems of Shaunavon, Wrentham, Flintoff and Ridgebrook. In each case the Capellans and Taurians find the defences in the Capellan March of the Federated Suns unprepared after years of peace. On Kathil Duchess Kym Hasek is put under pressure by March Dukes to explain why she has supported other parts of the Federated Suns over her own March. With internal issues now also boiling over inside the Suns it ends a bad month for the Federated Suns.
Trial of Possession
Zosma, Wolf Empire
18th October 3114The Star League Defence Force had returned in force to Zosma intent on wresling control of the world from Clan Wolf. Instead of charging into combat the SLDF had challenged the Wolves defending the world to a Trial of Possession, using the Clan honour system against them, the Nineteenth Wolf BattleMech Cluster had agreed to the Trial and the Clan rite of Safcon allowing the SLDF to make their way safely to the planet’s surface. The veteran Fourth Knights of the Sphere Regimental Brigade supported by the Second Hessen Irregulars Mercenary regiment had landed on the world supported by three SLDF WarShips which faced off against two Wolf vessels in a stand off. With the Trial of Possession agreed the WarShips would stand guard but were forbidden from getting involved in the battle for the planet.
Sitting in the cockpit of his Shirke OmniMech Major Morgan Christifori paced the other BattleMech in the Trial force was they waded their way through an untamed grass field heading towards the Wolf force. Due to his knowledge of Clan practices General Hadassah Sadira had given him a position on the force and he did not plan on letting her or his new unit down.
As they entered weapons range challenges were being shouted across both lines as Wolves and SLDF warriors picked their targets. Following the challenges weapons fire followed almost immediately with the two lines of forces connected by autocannon salvos, flights of missiles, man-made lightning of particle cannons and lasers. Immediately several Mechs on both sides took heavy damage but Morgan walked through the fire without a scratch, without a single challenger, as he walked forwards a Warwolf stepped into his path. The seventy-five-ton OmniMech was new to the Wolf Touman, twenty tons lighter than his Mech and slightly faster it carried significant firepower “I am Star Captain Terrence Kerensky of Clan Wolf, I challenge the MechWarrior of the stavag piloting the Shirke OmniMech to a Circle of Equals, may no other interfere in our battle.†He said
“I am Major Morgan Christifori, I won this Shirke in battle against the Jade Falcons in a battle of honour, I accepted your challenge Wolf.†Morgan transmitted in response as the two began their dance the rest of the battle continued around them with Mechs and their warriors dying on both sides but they were only background noise to the two duelling MechWarriors.
Morgan engaged his Shirke’s jump jets launching his ninety-five-ton Mech into the air. His jump was assisted by the Shirke’s partial wings which gave him superior control in flight allowing the Mech to glide further than the jump jets would carry him. He used the increased control and his Shirke’s advanced targeting computer to launch an ariel attack to hammer the Warwolf with his Hyper Assault Gauss Rifle which spat out metal slugs at supersonic speeds causing massive kinetic damage to the Warwolf’s torso and arm. The Wolf warrior returned fire with his weapons long range missiles, a particle cannon and laser. A BattleMech being his as it preformed a jumping maneuver could result in a fatal crash due to the sudden change in weight and balance from an enemy assault Morgan was braced for the attack but was glad to see the manmade lightning from the particle cannon sail past his Mech missing its mark. The laser burned up the inside of his Shirke’s left leg but didn’t penetrate the armour while the long-range missiles slammed into the Shirke’s left arm. Nothing critical Morgan thought as he rebalanced the machine coming into a landing touching his jump jets to slow the fall as he did. Ninety-five tons of man and machine landing on the ground was every “soft†but with the jump jets and wings assisting the Shirke landed with a thunderous thud flattening a patch of burning grass and throwing up sand into the air. The Shirke didn’t miss a beat running out of the thrown-up sand Mogan heard the ping of a lock on from his missiles and immediately fired the short-range missiles launching from the launcher situated above his Mech’s right wrist. As the smoke around him cleared Morgan ran into a volley of short-range missiles fired by the Warwolf pilot and then the following combination of lasers and pulse lasers which burned into the Shirke’s torso armour. Morgan glanced at his sensor display and saw the Warwolf standing off to his right-hand side twisting the Shirke’s torso he let rip with both large lasers mounted there not waiting to see the two green beams strike the enemy Mech Morgan brought the left arm HAG around and opened fire with another stream of fire hitting the enemy Mech all over.
The devastation wrought on the seventy-five-ton Mech was brutal with armour lost on almost every surface of the OmniMech Morgan thought he saw one of the lasers explode under the attack but couldn’t be certain. To his credit the Warwolf pilot did not loose his footing nor did he stop his assault attacking the Shirke with his particle cannon and a collection of lasers as the two Mechs continued to dance around each other. Unlike the missed aerial shot this time the particle cannon slammed into the Shirke’s torso burning away almost a ton of armour. Of the other lasers fired only one pulse laser hit striking the Shirke’s left leg causing nothing more than armour damage.
It took a lot to kill a ninety-five-ton OmniMech advancements of technology over the years had made it possible for Mechs to carry more armour while still carrying as much firepower as some small conventional armies. Continuing their dance, the two machines continued to trade blows the Warwolf hitting the Shirke with its missiles and laser combination while Morgan struck back with his own lasers, missiles and gauss rifle. Unless one of the MechWarriors landed a killing blow against the head of the enemy Mech it was a battle of attrition, which unfortunately for the Wolf warrior he couldn’t win, the Warwolf couldn’t take as many hits as the Shike could. Morgan intended on ensuring that exact outcome randomising his movements, cutting his jumps short and constantly tracking the lighter Mech in an attempt to throw off the Wolf pilots’ game which would cause a mistake and allow Morgan to capitalize.
Finally, after what seemed like hours but was actually only minutes the Wolf pilot made a mistake as the two approached each other it was a game of chicken which one would come off worse of. Turning to the right instead of the left to protect his lighter rear armour allowed Morgan to turn in on Warwolf. This put the two Mechs on an unavoidable collision course Morgan fired his short-range missiles at near point-blank range before clenching his Shirke’s hand actuator into a fist before the two Mechs collided in a sickening physical impact. The Shirke’s hand, arm and then shoulder slammed into the charging Warwolf knocking the seventy-five-ton machine off balance and then sprawling onto its back as Terrance Kerensky failed to control the Mech. Both the hand and short-range missile launcher had been ripped from the Shirke’s arm by the impact but other than armour damage Morgan’s Mech stood over the downed Warwolf. In the cockpit blowing warm air against his face in a vain attempt to cool down Morgan reached over and dumped the remaining short-ranged-missile ammo, he didn’t need to carry a bomb which he couldn’t use. As the Warwolf struggled to get back up Morgan stood square onto the Mech and fired his HAG again into the downed Mech before lashing out with a kick to knock the Mech down again. “Terrance Kerensky, surrender now!†Morgan ordered but the warrior continued to try and resist so Morgan hit the Mech again this time kicking one of the Mech’s arms as it tried to raise crushing the arm at the elbow joint causing seventy-five tons of Mech to fall down again. “Surrender and live or die. Final warning.†Morgan warned the downed Wolf warrior.
Several moments passed with the Warwolf prone and at the mercy of the Shirke until the MechWarrior wordlessly signalled his surrender shutting down his targeting systems and bringing the Mech to it’s idle setting it would be against the rules of war, and violate the Trial’s agreement, for anyone else to target the Mech. “Surrender accepted, Terrance Kerensky, I Morgan Christifori have defeated you in battle you and your Mech are taken as Isorla by the Star League Defence Force and you will serve as my bondsman until I see fit for you to return to the status of MechWarrior.†Morgan stated ending the Circle of Equals in Clan tradition it was the right of a victorious warrior to take the isorla, spoils of war, as they saw fit including the MechWarrior. It had happened to Morgan when he was taken by Clan Ghost Bear and now he was continuing this tradition.
After the battle which saw the SLDF recapture the world of Zosma from Clan Wolf and grant the Wolves safcon, to leave the world without attack, Morgan Christifori was summoned by General Hadassah Sadira who questioned his taking of a bondsman. Morgan had stated that he was not the first Star League warrior take take on a bondsman, pointing out that the current Exarch Victor Steiner-Davion did the same during the Clan War, and he likely would not be the last. While the General had not liked his reasoning believing he held onto his Ghost Bear traditions too closely she accepted his decision and placed Terrance Kerensky directly under his responsibility.
Combat Arena 5
Nexus Ri, Gladiator World
Star League Protectorate
24th October, 3114Held officially by the Star League Protectorate Nexus Ri was really contested by the Star League, the Draconis Combine and Clan Snow Raven with few people on the world other than those directly involved in combat with the other factions or maintaining the machines for those battles. While described as a “Gladiator World†Nexus Ri was not the like the arenas on Solaris VII with the battles here conducted by military commands and following a strict regime of combat, although like those on Solaris battles on Nexus Ri were often recorded and distributed to entertainment networks. Territory on Nexus Ri often changed hands with each faction battling over abandoned towns, atmosphere purifiers, wind power plants and hydro electric dams. In a month a structure of area could have three separate owners but the objective was not for one side to prevail over the others like in a real war instead it was to allow all three nations involved to test their individual combat units against the other nation’s forces with the territory changing hands often being dependent on which regiments were cycling through the world.
In what started as a typical gladiatorial trial between a rough company of Draconis Combine gladiators and a similar number of Raven Alliance combatants, a particularly long duel occurs, as a pair of combatants square off, trading blows, insults, and evading others for nearly an hour before the Raven Alliance ‘mech finally succumbs to damage. After the hard-fought battle the Combine MechWarrior declares the Alliance warrior as her bondsman.
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Topic: Alternate Timeline with Thanks (FULL) (Read 159061 times)