OBT Forum

Nice update!  I like the formation of the new nation 'Outer League Alliance'.   I am now really wondering what you have in store for the SLDF, now that you have a 'Cameron' as the SL First Lord!     Overall, a very nice update!

I may have noticed the name in a recent free product... just really wanted to use it

Glad you liked

Trial of Grievance
All Dawn, Rim Collection
Periphery
10th December 3098

   General Damien Redburn, the Federated Suns ambassador to the Rim Collection, stood in the crowd surrounding the Trial of Grievance for the Cauldron of Blood incident, his arms crossed over his chest. He was tense. Major Canin McKinnon was truly a fine soldier and an asset to the Armed Forces of the Federated Suns, yet Redburn knew the other man was outmatched by his opponent. A thought reverberated by the man standing next to him.

   â€œMajor McKinnon is unfortunately outmatched, Ambassador,” President Jerry Able commented.

   â€œPerhaps,” Damien gruffly acknowledged he'd been against Canin personally taking this Trial but the Major had pointed out that he was now the commander of the AFFS Ground Forces, with Redburn taking the Ambassadorial post, and the Fire Mandrills needed to answer for the losses they had taken at the Cauldron.

   â€œWhat is your press saying about this,” the Rim Collection President asked a moment later after watching Major Canin McKinnon get knocked down, only to use the momentum of the blow to roll on his back and to his feet.

   â€œThe First Prince and his allies in the Suns are spinning it to be a duel of honor between the two. Though his heir seemed to be put out by it thinking that a disagreement on this scale should be answered by a more senior officer.” Redburn replied.

   â€œI gather the people of the Suns are eating that up, quiaff,” asked the newly promoted Star Colonel Justine Truscott of the Sphinx Raptors, who stood slightly to their left, yet close enough to listen in.

   â€œYes that’s what’s happening back in the Suns, Miss Truscott,” Damien Redburn confirmed to the Raptor warrior, causing her to shake her head at his blatant use of contractions, in turn causing him to smirk.  “At present however they are more interested in seeing the return of our personnel it has been a long deployment.”

   â€œAnd what happens to the relationship between the Suns and the Collection when Major McKinnon loses,” she asked a moment later her concern was a valid one.  In the last few months her Sphinx Raptors combined with the AFFS unit had identified three ground force units used by the Stone Spirits that they had not known about they had also identified eight individual WarShips employed by the rogue Clansmen.  Where the Stone Spirits had found so many WarShips was a mystery as was how they were able to maintain those vessels.

   In front of them the two combatants continued to spar the Elemental-stock saKhan of the Fire Mandrills had superior reach to the freeborn AFFS MechWarrior and with a thunderous blow he once again knocked Canin Rosse to the ground, this time with a power kick to the man’s chest.

   â€œHe won’t, Miss Truscott,” he answered her confidently.

   â€œYou just agreed with President Able will not win this fight. Your warrior is outmatched by the Mandrill’s sakhan,” she argued.

   â€œI only agreed he may be outmatched.” he said carefully correcting her “I’m fully confident in his ability to win the Trial, Miss Truscott,” Damien Redburn supplied further as his eyes met those of the elderly Aemelia Showers, who answered with a simple nod in his direction. “Watch and see,” he enigmatically added.

   A few moments later, as saKhan Jacob Faraday’s control of the Trial of Grievance seemed to be cemented, he suddenly shook his head and raised his hands to the sky, as if in a signal. At that moment, the battered McKinnon. Charging the far-taller Clan warrior, he speared the man’s midsection and hooked his hands behind Jacob’s knees, causing the Elemental-stock Clan warrior to land on his back.

   It was the beginning of the end for Jacob Faraday then, as the Davion soldier rained down punch after punch on the man’s face and into his ribs as the larger warrior feigned attempts at defending himself. Soon, Jacob turned himself to face the ground, seemingly to protect his battered face, presenting his back to the battered Davion soldier. Grabbing the larger man in a choke hold, Canin just as quickly snapped the man’s neck, ending the life of the last of those who had planned the Cauldron of Blood.

   â€œThat ended quickly,” the Raptor warrior acknowledged. “A bit too quickly,” she added suspiciously as the other Federated Suns soldiers in the crowd rushed forward to help their battered commander.

   â€œIt preserves the honor of my clan, Star Colonel,” Khan Aemelia Showers informed the other female warrior after wading through the crowd seeing anger on many faces but also an acknowledgment of something.  The victor did not seem to be celebrating either “he was already dead the moment he decided to turn against his own clan.”

   â€œHe turned against the Mandrills, quiaff,” Justine asked, perplexed, this was something the Mandrills had done well to keep quiet.

   â€œAff. He was the lover of Cassandra Faraday, the warrior who led us here to the Collection. After her death, he turned against the alliance she herself sacrificed her life for working against the future of their nation.”  She said it was strange using that term for both Aemelia and for Justine neither her Fire Mandrills or the recently transformed Sphinx Raptors were used to being on their own now they were part of something... bigger.  “Once I made it known to him he had betrayed what Cassandra Faraday had fought for, as surkei he offered to lose this Trial of Grievance to make amends for the lives that were lost in the Cauldron of Blood,” Aemelia informed the other woman.

   â€œAnd what of the others who planned the Cauldron of Blood, Khan,” Redburn gruffly asked.

   â€œDead by Jacob Faraday’s hands,” the Mandrill Khan answered the Federated Suns ambassador to the Collection. “With Jacob Faraday’s death, the honor and lives of those who died in the Cauldron of Blood has finally been avenged, Ambassador.”

   A long moment passed by before Damien Redburn closed his eyes and nodded to the aging elderly Khan. “And with his death, the honor of your Clan has been whipped clean,” Redburn agreed, as he offered his right hand out for a shake.  “And now my people can return home knowing those who have died here have been avenged.  And the people of the Federated Suns know there is honour here.”

   â€œSeyla,” the elderly Khan of the Mandrills agreed as she shook Redburn’s hand in a warrior’s handshake. Around them, warriors from Clans Fire Mandrill and Sphinx Raptor answered in kind.

   Soon after the end of the Trial the AFFS troopers returned to their WarShip and then traveled to base on Gillfillian's Gold.  There after a year long deployment the Fox's Teeth, Delta Company and the FSS Ferdinand packed up what they were returning home with and left the periphery nation heading for home to the Federated Suns through the Lyran Commonwealth.

   As they left Gillfillian's Gold crowds of people gathered to watch and quietly applause the AFFS troops they had not come here to change how the nation operated, they had not come to challenge why they had accepted Clansmen into their nation, instead the AFFS troopers had gained the intelligence they had required, they had learned more about the Rim Collection and what was happening on this side of the periphery than they would have ever learned through reports, and now they were leaving as promised.  A small detachment would be remaining to protect Ambassador Damien Redburn and the new Federated Suns Embassy under construction there a single BattleMech Lance and a platoon of Battle Armour.  As time went by the AFFS would rotate these troops allowing them to return home or they would transport their families to Gillfillian's Gold if that was the choice they preferred.

   Already President Able had offered significant concessions to the Federated Suns regarding property and investments making it more appealing for their Federated Suns and by extension the AFFS to invest in the Rim Collection.  Able knew that having one of the Succession States, especially one with close ties to their nearby neighbour the Lyran Commonwealth, could not hurt his small nation and he intended on making it very easy for the Federated Suns to maintain their position here.

DefHes weapons testing facility
West Barrens, Hesperus II
Isle of Skye, Lyran Commonwealth
13th December 3098

   The group of engineers and sponsors stood watching as a pair of Axman BattleMechs stepped into view.  Across from them was a single Atlas BattleMech.  Both Axman's raised their arms they each held a single weapon firing a single large missile both traveled quickly striking the chest of the Atlas causing armour damage.  “As you can see the smallest of this new weapon system can be carried comfortably by a sixty ton BattleMech like the Axman.  This weapon hits with as much power as a small short range missile system.”  The announcer said seeing the audience was not too impressed.  “What you may not be able to see from this distance is that the missiles have penetrated the armour causing internal damage.”  He said seeing that watchers were more impressed but still not what they had expected.  “Alpha One use primary weapons” he said into his radio mouthpiece the first Axman dropped its hand-held weapon firing weapons from each of its arms.  Missiles flew from each arm on the Axman towards the Atlas both striking the Atlas causing significantly more damage.  On the Atlas' left side there was a small internal explosion “as you can say in this case the armour has taken significantly more damage and under the armour.  In this particular case” he said looking at a small hand held data pad “the Atlas' Long Range Missile ammunition bay has been destroyed.”  He said seeing the information on the damage caused “fortunately in this case that weapon's bay is empty.  Alpha Two fire primary weapon go for a head shot.”  He said the second Axman dropped its hand-held launcher firing one of its arm mounted missile launchers the missile flew through the air striking the Atlas' head moments later the entire head section of the Mech exploded into a ball of flame causing the Mech to fall to the ground.

   The audience stood in stunned silence looking at the crumpled one hundred ton BattleMech “fortunately today the Atlas had no pilot it was entirely remotely controlled.”  He said suddenly the mood within the audience changed and there was a raising applause from the crowd.  “The largest of the Headhunter Missiles is designed to decapitate a fully armoured BattleMech head killing its pilot.  And like the streak missile system it will not fire unless it achieves a lock on target.”

   â€œImpressive” one of the observers said “the original concept came from the Star League correct?”

   â€œYes, it was originally developed by the Star League Defence Force however over time it fell out of use and we believe the Clans have completely abandoned the concept.”

   â€œSurprising do you believe there is any reason behind that?” He asked

   â€œThe system is heavy compared to other missile systems, even our own weapons, they are also expensive and like the Thunderbolt Missile system they are extremely vulnerable to Anti-Missile Systems which are numerous in the Clans and more popular in today's units.”

   â€œSo it has limited utility” he said “and what do we owe the Star League Defence Force for this system?”

   â€œNothing” he answered “the system is based on the Star League's weapon but since the new SLDF has no access to the original Headhunter system we have had to develop it from scratch.”

   â€œAn Impressive feat Dr Lane.  When will it be ready for deployment?”  The man said addressing him directly for the first time.

   â€œThe hand-held weapons are ready for deployment” Harold Lane explained “each version of the Headhunter can be built as a hand-held weapon.”  He said hand-held weapons were not the most popular of weapons systems with the armed forces.  “The smallest can be carried by a medium design while larger versions are restricted to heavy and assault designs those using Triple Strength Myomers can make better utility of them.”

   â€œVery good and production variants?”

   â€œDepending on the factories output and designers desires we should be able to build BattleMechs using the system soon.”

   â€œVery well to you and your team”

   â€œThank you, Mr Brewster” Lane said to DefHes CEO who was already in motion.

   â€œLadies and gentlemen get onto LCAF and SLDF Quartermasters see how much interest you can spur up.  If the SLDF try to strong arm you point out that this is made with good old Lyran know how” he said glancing to Lane “so they can pay just like everyone else.”  He said gaining smirks from the others “reach out to our partners the other states see how much they are willing to pay as well.”

   â€œWe're going to pass it to our enemies?”

   â€œIf we don't someone else will” Brewster said with a smile “we should be making the most out of our engineers good work.”

Salvage Operation, DS Spirit Shadow
Spirit, Independent system
Former-Free Worlds League
30th December 3098

   Standing on the bridge of the Spirit Shadow, an Overlord-class DropShip, Captain Petr Surnov watched the sensor screens as their target approached.  The other three DropShips of the Shadow Guard Mercenary command were arrayed along the projected orbit of the rogue League-class Destroyer.  The vessel's elliptical orbit was slowly bringing the ship into range but the planet's orbit had altered its speed and stability.  In an effort to catch the vessel the Shadow Guard's DropShip's had arranged themselves along the projected course traveling at different speeds the Spirit Shadow was the first DropShip in the line as the ship approached.  “Open port side cargo bay doors on fighter and BattleMech bays”

   â€œThe ship's approaching rapidly” the helm officer said

   â€œAccelerate to 2.5G acceleration” Surnov ordered the ship's main engines fired at their maximum force as the League approached the DropShip's position.

   â€œTarget vessel at fourteen hundred metres, twelve hundred metres, one thousand metres”

   â€œPrepare all grapple lines on my command fire” he ordered

   â€œFour Hundred metres, the are approaching fast, two hundred metres.  She's away to pass by us”

   â€œFire all lines” Surnov ordered along the Overlord's port side eight grapple lines fired from the side of the vessel four struck the forward starboard hull of the incoming destroyer.  The half a million ton vessel continued to move through space rapidly passing the far smaller DropShip.

   â€œFour hits, we have tension on the lines, they're dragging us forward” the tactical officer said as the Destroyer began to overtake them “we can't put people on board with her going that fast.”

   â€œReverse thrust” Surnov said “let's slow them down” he said the DropShip's thrust cut to 2G acceleration slowly after a couple of moments the ship was rocked heavily.

   â€œOne of our lines are down!  We've got a hull breach the line dragged its way through section thirty-two!”  The tactical officer shouted suddenly the ship was rocked a second time as a second line was ripped from the side of the ship.

   â€œAccelerate back to maximum thrust!” Surnov shouted as a third line was torn from the side of the ship.

   â€œIt's too late!” The tactical officer shouted as a fourth line was torn from the side of the ship along with a significant part of the port side hull.  Moments later one of the engine thrusters tore its way away from the ship sending the Union spinning away from the WarShip out of control.

   â€œDamage control teams move out” Surnov called out from his command chair as the DropShip was hit by further hull breaches and explosions.  “Hopefully the others have more luck” he said more to himself than anything as the WarShip continued forward.

   Nearly ten minutes later the DropShip approached the command's second Overlord-class vessel eight more grapple lines fired seven of which connected with the Destroyer.  The second set of lines connected with WarShip but the lines began to buckle as the WarShip began to slow.  “First Team heading over” the ship's commander said as the first four Battle Armour troopers began to move across towards the WarShip using the guide lines to get to the destroyer.  Another two lines snapped away from the DropShip “the team is on board” the Overlord's CO said triumphantly as the the last lines broke away fortunately the damage done to the second vessel was not nearly as bad as the damage done to the Spirit Shadow.

   The League-class WarShip continued forward approaching the Shadow Guard's last Overlord, Blackbird, if they failed to stop the ship then the Battle Armour squad on board would be on their own.  “This is squad one the ship is wrecked inside most systems are destroyed or they've been ripped out” the lead trooper said “it's a miracle this thing stayed in on course.”

   â€œIf your team cannot make headway with the systems evacuate” Tim Storm, the unit CO ordered.

   â€œYes sir, we have one section to check.”

   â€œUnderstood” the CO said as the League approached the third and last Overlord.  Lines flew from the Overlord's port side striking the front of the League.  Unlike before this Overlord turned quickly decelerating at the same time intent on breaking the ship's orbit.  Slowly the momentum built up by the Overlord's turn and sudden acceleration began to have an effect on the Destroyer turning the half a million ton vessel off its course.

   â€œWhatever you guys are doing we're feeling an effect we're breaching the Command Deck.”  The team leader said a few minutes later “sir the systems are shot in here until this ship stops moving we need to get off, we're evacuating.”

   â€œLines are coming loose, we've lost three lines” the third Overlord's CO said.

   â€œWe'll be clear in minutes” the Battle Armour commander said as long as one of the Overlords was attached the WarShip's course could be controlled a little.

   â€œThis is Red Shadow, we are moving in on your position, eight minutes until intercept” the commander of the second DropShip replied their DropShip wasn't as badly damaged as the first vessel.  Now with the League's speed reduced and its course predictable the second DropShip could catch up and assist.

   â€œWe're down to two lines but speed is reducing”

   â€œRed Shadow come in along their port side fire lines when ready” the DropShip's commander said “if we are still attached we will begin acceleration in tandem with you.  Remaining two lines are holding in two minutes we will be able to attach further lines.”

   â€œUnderstood moving up now, Blackbird, we're seeing a slight variation in her roll can you confirm?”  The Red Shadow's commander asked.

   â€œRoger, our turn has put a show roll on the hull to port you would be best to match roll and attach to the hull on the opposite side from us.”

   â€œMoving in now” the Red Shadow began to slip into a course paralleled to the other Overlord and to the League then as the ship rolled the Red Shadow matched her movements rolling on her side  to keep her on approximately the opposite side of the ship from the Blackbird “firing lines” he said from the side of the Red Shadow eight lines attached to the League's hull.  As the destroyer was traveling at a slower speed now the lines embedded themselves in the battered hull and were able to gain a hold “cable's attached ready for acceleration”

   â€œStandby, Red Shadow, second set of lines heading over to the League.”  The Blackbird's commander said as further lines connected the DropShip to the destroyer.  “Cables attached and good hold.  Begin acceleration.”  In tandem the two Overlords began to burn their engines in the opposite direction from the League's course slowly reducing the speed of the other ship.

   Due to its size and built up speed the destroyer took nearly thirty minutes to slow to a relative stop in an area of dead space nearly two days distant from the planet Spirit.  The mercenaries would need to employ some Tug craft to properly control the ship's movements until they were able to repair her their Overlords were not designed for this kind of operation and all three showed signs of damage.  As the crews breathed a sigh of relief their communications systems activated “Blackbird this is Boarding Team One.”

   â€œGo ahead Boarding team, we'll get a shuttle to come and pick you up send location.”  The DropShip's communication officer replied in all the efforts to stop the destroyer they'd lost track of the boarding party.

   â€œWe're on deck nine of the destroyer, sir, we were unfortunately unable to vacate the wreck before you stopped her.  I am speaking to you now, with all members of my boarding team intact, from the Shadow Guard's newest ship Stormchaser.”  The squad leader said triumphantly on board the Blackbird Colonel Tim Storm could just imagine the smile on the man's face looking around, the bridge of the DropShip, he could see no-one disagreeing with the name.

   â€œColonel Storm, to Stormchase, welcome to the Guards.”  He said leading to cheers throughout the ship.  The mercenaries had paid for this wreck with blood, sweat and tears looking at it Tim Storm believed that they would pay more for it in the months and years ahead but for now they had a home to call their own and they had a WarShip; something not many mercenaries could claim.

Interstellar Expeditions Survey Flight
Versailles, Crucis March
Federated Suns
14th January 3099

   The DropShip Proofreader approached the dead world of Versailles sitting on the bridge Captain Charlie Hamilton glanced around “ladies and gentlemen” he said to the other three crew members “we are now approaching the fourth planet on our survey of nothing.  I personally would like to thank House Davion for their assistance, for their money and for a boring time.”  He said as the ship slowly turned slipping into orbit over Versailles.  “Watson, begin planetary scan” he ordered.

   When over  a dead world like this the Proofreader was like a spec completely insignificant and barely noticed on the size of the world.  Versailles was a dead world destroyed during the Succession Wars, for a time the AFFS had used it as a testing ground and as a dumping ground for units too battle damaged for service, now after centuries the planet laid dead.  Radiation and chemicals from the units dumped here made the world uninhabitable but it also messed with DropShip scanners.  The Proofreader's systems had been specifically calibrated for this job which along with everything else was being paid by the AFFS.  It seemed that since the discovery of the Ruins of Gabriel, the Sharpe system and the Dragon Lords Brigade House Davion was hyper paranoid about what else was hidden from their eyes.

   â€œAnyone have any ideas how to spend the next twenty-four hours?”  He asked glancing around after every orbit of the planet they would need to adjust their course but for the most part the sensors would do their job all by themselves.

   â€œWe could analyze the data as it comes in” Carmen St. Clair suggested

   â€œAnything else?” Hamilton asked glancing at the other two crewmen.  Moments later a series of naval laser blasts speared the sky around them.  “See I knew someone would find something interesting!” He shouted leaning back over to the controls as another series of naval lasers fired two struck the DropShip spearing their way through the cargo bay.

   â€œWe've got hull breaches communication links to cargo bay are down!”

   â€œTaking evasive maneuvers” Hamilton said as a third barrage of lasers sliced through the sky another striking the DropShip's left side ripping open the hull.  “I'm losing power!”  Hamilton called as he vainly attempted to turn the DropShip away from the planet into space “send to the JumpShip, planet hostile extreme caution advised.”  He ordered glancing back at the communication officer who was already attempting to send the message as a fourth barrage of lasers tore up from the ground meeting with DropShip.  In moments the vessel was consumed with fire as the lasers pierced the hull destroying the vessel.

Public Disturbance
Orestes, Orestes District
Rasalhague Dominion
22nd January 3099

   â€œWHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?”  The protester screamed looking up at the Constable suit “THOSE WERE OUR WORLDS!  THOSE WERE OUR PEOPLE!”  He screamed thumping his fist against the Battle Armour's chest.  Across the line of twenty-five Constable Battle Armour troopers people pushed against the line there were nearly six hundred protesters in the square all of them angry at recent losses to Clan Coyote.

   â€œWHO SAYS YOU CAN BARTER AWAY OUR WORLDS IN YOUR GAMES!”  Another screamed throwing vegetables at the Constables.  “We held these worlds against the Wolves and Jade Falcons for you to give them away!  WE SAY NO! WE SAY NO!”  The protester shouted all around the others began to chant the same three words.

   â€œPoint Three, to Point One, the crowd is becoming problematic” one of the troopers reported to their commander.

   â€œOur orders are to hold so we hold” the Point Commander said the recent loss of Udea, Karbala and Meachem to Clan Coyote had riled up the native population in the Orestes District.  On six separate worlds the Dominion was dealing with well organized public disorder.  "All units we have authorization to act ONLY if the crowd becomes violent acknowledge."  He said resulting in twenty-four green lights blinking off and then on in a silent reply.

   â€œYes, sir” the questioning trooper replied their orders were to ensure the rioters did not damage governing buildings.  The people of these worlds were not used to the Rasalhague Dominion losing territory after holding on so long as the Free Rasalhague Dominion they had turned to the Ghost Bears for protection.  Overall it had been a good deal for the people until now.

Prisoner Transfer
Dante, Snow Raven Encampment
Raven Alliance
25th January 3099

   After more than a year in space on board Snow Raven space vessels it felt strange to Lieutenant Octavia Lantz to be back on solid ground.  Her and the other seventy-one members of the MSC Discovery who had surrendered to the Snow Raven WarShip Spur in the Gannet system.  On board the Spur and the other Raven ships they had been constantly reminded that they were now freeborn prisoners, to the point she'd begun to forget her family name, but since landing on Dante they had been well treated now they were mustered in a typical looking Clan room devoid of much decoration.  Following a short wait the doors opened and in entered two large Elementals dressed in Battle Armour lacking their missile launchers followed by a young man dressed in the simple jumpsuit of a Snow Raven Warrior.  “Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention please” he said in a clear voice “my name is Jason Evans, I am a freeborn warrior of the Raven Alliance.”  He said seeing their surprise “Evans is not a Snow Raven Bloodname I retain my freeborn family name in my status with the Raven Alliance.  In time if you become warriors of our nation it is possible that you will also regain your family names for now you are bondsmen to our Clan it is you duty to follow the rules, learn our ways and prove that you can be good additions to our nation.”  He said glancing around the group for a moment his eyes met Octavia's there was a small moment between them before he left the room followed by the two Elementals.  The crew of the Discovery had a long way to go to before they would be accepted as Clan warrior in the Raven Alliance.

Appointment, Geneva Medical Institute
Geneva, Switzerland
Terra, Star League Protectorate
29th January 3099

   At twenty years old Dr. Dana Carlyle, daughter of Alexander and Samantha Carlyle the joint owners of the Grey Death Legion, becomes a member of the surgical team in Geneva.  Despite her families history in the mercenary trade she sees science, medicine and peace as the future for her race.

Hmm.....   Wonder who is this group of battlesuit terrorist?    Hmm.....  Looks like the SLDF is being shoved around by the CCAF!  I am really wondering what you have coming up in  your next several updates!  Your story is slowly simmering and looking forward to see how it erupts!  Keep it up! 

New Unit the Isis-class Scout Carrier

http://www.ourbattletech.com/forum/techlab/isis-class-scout-carrier/

Hopefully have a proper update over the next week or so.

Nice update mate, spotted 1 typo - Hetzer Jagdpanzer II a forty-five ton armoured vehicle vehicle.

  Yay an update finally!   So the FS and SLDF has a new mech factory on a forgotten world.   Wonder how long their enemies will try to  take it?   Keep up the stories!

Another slightly delayed update hopefully you enjoy

Defensive battle
Hazelhurst, Hazelhurst PDZ
Draconis March, Federated Suns
6th May 3099

   Duke Fredrick Davion coughed heavily as smoke rose into his Rifleman's cockpit.  The Mech's Clan technology had allowed him to stay active against the Snow Raven raiders but much of his LCT had not been so lucky.  Stepping the heavy Mech forward he raised the left arm triggering the last of his Hyper Assault Gauss Rifle ammo cutting down a Phantom Medium OmniMech as it charged in.  As the forty ton Mech stumbled and slammed into the ground Fredrick triggered both of his Mech's medium pulse lasers carving out the downed Mech's cockpit.

   â€œContinue to push, we need to hold on a little bit longer”

   â€œBoss, the militia has folded our right flank won't hold much longer.”

   â€œOur left side is holding” Fredrick said looking at his forces deployment “Armour and Battle Armour to the right flank all Mechs continue to push forward.  Air support we could do with some of that right about now.”

   â€œWe've been engaged sire we won't be helping you ground-pounders for a bit” Jordan Beckett said from the cockpit of her aerospace fighter.

   â€œGreat news” the Duke cursed quietly twisting his Mech's torso triggering his medium pulse lasers towards two low flying Horus VTOLs.  The design was new in the Raven force but the DMI had been able to 'acquire' its design statistics a few months before.  Fredrick Davion had simmed against the thirty ton VTOL several times since arriving on the border one of his lasers went wide while the other struck one of the aircraft's tail rotors causing damage to the aircraft.  Unfortunately it wasn't critical and the aircraft continued to fly turning towards Fredrick's position moments later his Mech was showered with Short Range Missiles and Laser fire.

   â€œYou need to retreat sire” one of his bodyguard MechWarriors stated Fredrick couldn't disagree his Mech was more a skeleton than a combat Mech while it was also out of ammunition for its single remaining HAG Rifle.

   â€œFind me another Mech that can fill this location!”  He snapped trying to track the two Horus VTOLs firing his lasers again in a vain attempt to strike down the aircraft.

   â€œFredrick pull back” Captain Nikki Davion, his wife, pleaded him over the comm her Kruger Combat Cars were with the armour units heading for their right flank.

   â€œNot yet” he stated looking around the battle an entire Clan Snow Raven BattleMech star were moving in on their position.  “Gold Sword I need assistance” he said “orbital to ground fire on my position.”

   â€œSire, we're heavily engaged by Snow Raven aerospace forces and I cannot fire on our own people.”

   â€œWe won't be here” he promised “you need to be able to strike this position in forty seconds.”

   â€œWe'll try”

   â€œAlright people when I say go we disengage all targets and pull back as quickly as we can.”  He said “flanking units centre is going to dissolve completely hold your positions and pour fire on our enemies.”  He said looking at the map screens “three, two, one now, now, now” he said “fall back!  Gold Sword any time now would be very good.”

   â€œWe're taking damage but we're ready” the Gold Sword's commander said “firing barrage” he reported as Fredrick's unit fell back several naval bombardment rounds slammed into the ground where his unit had been.  The heavily damaged Rifleman stumbled but Fredrick refused to allow the Mech to go down instead continuing to retreat as more orbital fire splashed the Snow Raven forces shattering their advance.  “Gold Sword to Davion, we're disengaging from ground support operations engaging aerospace forces.”

   â€œThanks for the assist” Fredrick said turning his Mech the ground behind his Mech for hundreds of metres was pot-marked with craters created by the naval weapons fire.  He could see several damaged or destroyed Mechs laying in or near these blast zones “more forward take out anything that remains active.”  He ordered as his crippled centre force moved forwards crushing the surviving Snow Ravens both flanking units of the Fourth Ceti Hussars LCT reported that their enemies were falling back giving up their attempt to seize the planet.  Soon after the Snow Ravens began boosting off the planet Fredrick Davion ordered the FSS Gold Sword to remain clear of the evacuating Clan force.  Fighting off the Clan aerospace fighters and DropShips once had been enough the Robinson Block III had taken heavy damage and although still capable of fighting and moving by itself the ship would need weeks of shipyard scale repairs.  Of his ground forces nearly two hundred of his people were dead or severely injured and the unit's Mech Battalion had been crippled with nearly seventy-five percent equipment losses and more than fifty percent personnel losses.

The Periphery War
Fronc Reaches, Periphery
11th May 3099

   In events that would spark a greater war the Fronc Reaches launches a series of attacks on the Magistracy of Canopus securing several systems revealing that they held a much larger military than anyone had expected.  Not expecting such aggression from the Fronc Reaches the Magistracy is caught completely flat footed and is forced to fall back within their borders.

The Periphery War
Marian Hegemony, Periphery
19th May 3099

   With rumours of fighting in the Magistracy of Canopus, Fronc Reaches and Lothian League the Twin Sons system expands the fighting by retaliating against the Marian Hegemony claiming that the Periphery state is the last home of the Manei Domini.  The Twin Sons units using civilian DropShips hired from within the Rim Association to transport an entire brigade of combined units from the Northern, Southern and Badland states of the Twin Sons.  Together they launch an attack against the independent, Marian aligned, periphery world of Claudian and striking at multiple other worlds within the Marian Hegemony.

   The lighter fuel-cell powered machines of the Twin Sons forces take heavy damage from the heavier units of the Marian Hegemony however they are able to make significant beachheads maintaining their position on the planets.  On Lesnovo the Rim Association government are up in arms as they knew nothing of the Twin Sons plans at aggression or their intelligence on the Manei Domini remnants remaining within the Marian Hegemony.

Clan Restructuring
Hell's Horses Occupation Zone
23rd May 3099

   Following months of movements within the Clan and a gearing towards the neighbouring Occupational Zones.  The Hell's Horses abandon all twenty-six systems beyond the systems of Star's End and Toland leaving these planets and their populations to their own devices.  The Hell's Horses restructure their defences with Star's End and Toland fortified from all threats both from the Occupation Zones and beyond.

Battle-site, Midkiff
Marik-Stewart Commonwealth
Former-Free Worlds League
29th May 3099

   Looking over the aftermath of the battlefield Colonel Tim Storm looked over the dead Shadow Guard and Wolf units.  His command had held back nearly two clusters of Wolves forcing them to retreat fortunately the WarShip the Wolves had brought into the system had only been used as a glorified transport and had removed the menacing wolves as quickly as it had brought them here.  From the battlefield his people should be able to salvage a reinforced battalion of their lost equipment he hoped and prayed that they'd find some living personnel within those wrecks.  Tim also knew that they would be able to recover some of the Clan weapons which he hoped he could trade to the Free Worlds League nations around them hopefully for additional payment or for items they could use to repair their League-class WarShip.