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   To better understand New Earth of the 3060's, one must look back through New Earth's historical raise, fall and raise once more. The events that helped shape and mold New Earth are to be found in the darkness that followed the fall of the Star League. It was these events that set the stage for New Earth's most dramatic transformation during the last forty years. The most drastic and lasting of these changes started to occur during the 3020's. However long before these changes came along, New Earth was truly a place to behold. During her raise, New Earth held the prestige of being the first world settled outside of the Sol system.

   Since the day it was discovered on December 5th, 2108 New Earth had always been a jewel in the stellar collection of the Terran Alliance. The first groups of settlers came from the Middle East. They settled on the southern banks of what would be called Nu’Dlee Bay, named after the first Governor of New Earth. They called their settlement New Riyadh. Within months New Earth was already revealing its wealth and wonders to the settlers. Shortly after the founding of New Riyadh, a group of settles arrived from the Mediterranean state of Italy. They established their settlement, Coracre, further west along the coast line of Nu’Dlee Bay. While New Riyadh was predominately Sunni Islam, Coracre was predominately Christian. This caused both settlements to keep each other at arm’s length. Still both colonies enjoyed remarkable success during the first year on world.

   However this success and its bright future was about to be tested. Unknown by the first set of settlers, New Earth’s weather was unforgiving and nearly destroyed the first two colonies. The winter came with a brutal relentlessness. New Riyadh was destroyed and the settlers nearly all perished due to a blizzard that lasted longer than a week. If it wasn’t for the level headed thinking of Governor Nu’Dlee, both colonies might have been lost. Despite their differences, he ordered both colonies to work together. He relocated the survivors of New Riyadh to Coracre. The two groups shared food and resources as they waited out the winter. By the time the spring thaw came, both groups were reduced by half. It was a brutal lesson in cooperation that would never be forgotten on future generations.

   As the years passed, this thriving world quickly became a center of commerce, industry, culture and tourism as humanity continued its spread across the stars. Despite the two religions that dominated the world, the lessons of those first settlers was never forgotten. They learned to master the winters and spread out across the world. When the Star League was formed, New Earth's importance only grew that much larger. New Earth became a key strategic supply and training world for a new kind of military force. From New Earth’s vast military training grounds, rose one of the finest militaries in the entire Inner Sphere, the Star League Defense Force or SLDF.

   On New Earth, the SLDF founded their Headquarters and expanded the training areas. Most importantly was the construction of the Apollo Shipyards deep within the system. The Apollo Shipyards were one of the primary military construction yards of the SLDF. New Earth continued to rise in both status and wealth throughout the Golden Years of the Star League. Across New Earth the standard of living continued to rise on par with those of Terra. However dark clouds were growing from the depths of the Periphery. New Earth would be set in the sights of conflict for the first time in over two hundred years. A wave of death was coming from the Periphery State the Rim Worlds Republic and their twisted leader, Stefan Amaris. This historical event was came to be known as the Amaris’ Coup.

It was because of its importance to the Star League that New Earth suffered greatly during Amaris’ Coup. The people of New Earth fought alongside their SLDF allies to protect the Terran Hegemony with bravery and courage of historical measure. From their secret Freedom Base within the system, loyalists waged a partisan war against Republican Forces within system. They launched wave after wave of sabotage and assassination of Republican leaders. It became clear to Republican Military Leaders that New Earth was becoming harder and harder to control. The population simply wouldn’t be dominated.

While this narrative was no different on any other occupied world, on New Earth took the ideals of partisan warfare on like a Vail of Honor. The partisans of New Earth took on a local snake as their symbol. Nicknamed the Chameleon Snake for its ability to blend in with its surroundings. The Chameleon Snake’s natural skin color is a rust reddish color, however it could change its color to blend with its surroundings. Black flags with a red snake painted on it became the flag of the partisan forces. The flag showed their resolve against the brute force of the Republican militaries. Even in the most heavily guarded areas of New Earth, the partisan took pride in assassinating leaders or conducting acts of sabotage.

With Star League forces closing in on the Republican forces, defeat was becoming more and more assured. Local Republican commanders saw this defeat directly linked to the partisans of New Earth. Because of this, they turned their anger towards the population of New Earth. Occupying Republican forces unleashed brutal reprisal attacks against the planet. These attacks laid waste to vast regions of the planet. The civilian losses and suffering were of historical measure. While there is no record of this, many historians suggest that Republican forces murdered over a hundred million civilians in the weeks before the SLDF could liberate New Earth.

With the final liberation of New Earth, it was written by historians that a lone partisan flag flew above a captured Republican Dropship. Despite the best efforts of the SLDF and Comstar, the population of New Earth was left victim to widespread famine and disease as the war came to an end. This was in addition to the shock and demoralization that went hand in hand with the damage inflicted on their world. Gone was the days of glory for New Earth. What was to come would be centuries of suffering and decay.

 After the Coup and the liberation of New Earth, there were hopes that the Terran Hegemony would stabilize. However, the Coup led directly to the fall of the leaderless Terran Hegemony. Because of this, it wasn’t long before the Star League collapsed under the greed of the other House Lords. War quickly engulfed the entire Inner Sphere of Humanity. What would become known as the Succession Wars would not only shape the destruction of the Inner Sphere, but would also go on to reshape this proud and wealthy world. Despite all their hopes, the coming war would not bypass New Earth. Within days of the fall of the Terran Hegemony, invaders once more threaten New Earth’s peace. This time there would be no SLDF to come to the rescue.

Known for its wealth and importance to commerce, the Lyran Commonwealth sought to claim this once important world. Without a standing military any more, the Lyran forces were able to secure the world with little trouble. However there were a series of notable battles between defenders of the world. These battles were largely one sided in favor of the Lyrans. Despite the heroic efforts of the local defenders these small battles were short lived. No amount of valor and courage could stem the tidal wave of Lyran troops. Within a year, New Earth was soundly in Lyran control. However this wasn’t the end of conflict on New Earth. It wasn’t long till Free World League troops landed on New Earth in hopes of conquering the world.

This one battle would be the only major battle that would take place on New Earth during the entire era known as the Succession Wars. However numerous raids would further tap an already suffering world. During the Succession Wars, New Earth was unable to make a significant recovery because of the constant raids and battles being fought in the region between the Lyrans and their enemies. It wasn’t long before the Succession Wars moved away from New Earth and it was left to smolder. Alone and left in the dark, New Earth’s light flickered and threatened to go out. But it didn’t, the people of New Earth struggled onward.

   With its destruction near complete, New Earth was no longer the shining gem within the crown of the Terran Hegemony it once was. With its former glory blasted by the winds of war, New Earth became a world forgotten. As the wars wage on elsewhere, even enemies of the Lyrans lost interest in New Earth. It was even rumored that New Earth was even forgotten by the Lyrans whom had claimed it. Forgotten by the Inner Sphere that once looked to it for inspiration, New Earth slipped in to isolation and from the memories as the rest of the Inner Sphere. The only hope that prevented New Earth’s complete disappearance from history was for the New Earth Trading Company. But even this wasn’t enough to help the people of New Earth.

   The people of New Earth were left to fend for themselves as they tried to crawl out of the death and destruction leveled against them after decades of conflict. It was during this time that they formed their strongest ideology. Across the hearts and mind of New Earthers came the concept that “We Are One.” Even though many Lyran settlers came to New Earth in hopes of finding opportunity, those original New Earthers often saw themselves differently from the Lyran settlers. However over the years, these divisions eroded as the Lyran settlers saw themselves as New Earthers.

   New Earth's geological features include three major continents and several large island chains. The smallest of the continents, named Sagittarius, was the first colonized and is the most densely populated of the continents. The next middle sized continent, named Pisces, was dubbed the Bread Basket of Terran Hegemony. During its height, New Earth exported millions of tons of food to other worlds. This export was almost half of the world's GDP. During the early 31st Century, the farmers of Pisces could barely support the continent let alone anyone else. The continent of Cancer is by far the largest of the three continents and least populated. During the days of the Star League, Cancer was an outdoor paradise. With huge open mountain ranges and vast frozen forests, it also made for an ideal training area for the Star League Defense Force. During the early 31’s Century, Cancer's parks and training grounds had been all reclaimed by nature.

   The Central Islands are located along the equator between the three major continents. These lush islands were colonized by settlers from the South Pacific regions as well as Amerindian tribes from North America. During the height of New Earth’s fame, these tribes never let go of their heritage. 26th Century, the Central Island communities banded together and formed the Joint Island Conference (JIC). The Conference was created to protect the heritage of many native Terra tribes and was hailed as a major social achievement for New Earth.

   During the dark years of the Succession Wars, this heritage gave the Islanders the strength and unity to survive the years to come. During the late 28th Century the resolve of the JIC was tested. In 2791, New Earth was hit by a small meteor just south of the central islands. The devastation was wide spread across the world and the death toll was massive. History recorded that Jennifer Steiner, the leader of the Lyran Commonwealth had planned a large relief mission for New Earth. However her death cut those plans off before the mission could be launched. Her predecessor used the ships for the relief mission to further military missions instead. Cut off from any help the people of the Joint Island Conference as well as the rest of New Earth were left to rebuild their homes, lives and culture once more.

   Events that set the stage for the New Earth which we know today occurred on two separate worlds that were light years apart but linked by one man’s fate. On New Earth, poverty and unemployment saw the world reaching the lowest state of depression it had ever been in. The suffering of New Earth was over seen by a corrupt Baron, Baron Laurence Kilt. He did more to pad his own wealth than care for the people under his care. This allowed six wealthy and powerful businesspersons proclaimed themselves Barons of New Earth and organized what would become known as the Council of Barons or COB. While few of these leaders actually had the best intentions of the people, most of them were only power hungry opportunists. The COB’s first official act was to demand that the ruler of New Earth, Baron Kilt, step down.

   The Kilt family had rightfully ruled New Earth since the Lyran’s claimed the world at the fall of the Terran Hegemony. The Kilt family had long been entrenched in corruption and used their vast wealth to ensure that they kept the Lyrans appeased. Baron Kilt refused to surrender New Earth to these usurpers and ordered the rouges arrested. Government troops clashed with hired mercenaries under the employment of the COB. The battle triggered the New Earth Civil War between the Lyran backed Government Forces of Baron Kilt and the Marik backed forces of the Council of Barons.

   While both sides had off world backers, neither off world backer had any real interest in New Earth or its civil war. Because of this, neither side on world was able to gain an upper hand. While the Council of Barons did have a numerical advantage over all, infighting between factions weakened their combined front against Government Forces. While Baron Kilt was fighting for his life, the Lyrans simply refused to provide the needed support to end the civil war outright. It quickly became clear that neither side had the ability to win the Civil War. Within months of the first armed conflict, the Civil War dragged in to a sluggish stalemate.

   This stalemate only fueled the wide scale suffering of the population. Sadly there was no popular support across New Earth for either side during this conflict to tip the tide of the war. However, the war did bring one positive affect to New Earth. Many unemployed young men and women were hired as soldiers on both sides. However this influx of spending and the conflict triggered an increase in inflation which only widened the poverty gap on New Earth. New Earth was speeding its way to a critical tipping point. Yet sadly, no one was paying attention to these vital events. However this was not completely true. Decades later it would become clear that someone was watching these events closely. While it wouldn’t come to light till the mid 3050’s, Comstar was watching this world closely. This mysterious order had their plans for New Earth and these events were shaping New Earth to fit in to those plans perfectly.

   Light years away, events were unfolding that would reshape New Earth forever. A man and woman, both in their late twenties, stepped off of an unremarkable transport and on to the gaming world of Solaris VII. At the time, no one thought any different of these two most recent arrivals to Solaris. Like so many, the pair walked on to the game world with their own hopes and dreams. However unlike the masses, here on Solaris, this pair were going to make a name for themselves. The man, Jake Death, was a no named Mechwarrior with big expectations and dreams. His partner, Patrice King, a stocky Mechwarrior with heavy handed approach to everything she did.

   Jake Death, a better than average mech pilot, made a quick name for himself working for Oonthrax Stables. He demonstrated strong tactical and strategic skills that left many to think he had military training at some point in his life before coming to the Game World. However Jake refused to talk about any of his personal history before Solaris. Instead, he focused on his growing reputation in the arenas. A reputation that earned him the nickname the Chess Master. His partner, Patricia King proved to be a vital partner in the areas. However she never showed the same kind of skill that Jake or other arena pilots mastered. For all of his shine, Jake Death’s career with Oonthrax was cut short by a bitter rivalry with another of Oonthrax’s rising stars, Fallen Angel.

   During the Grand Melee of 3022, Jake and Fallen squared off to lay claim to the coveted title of Number One of Solaris. While other battles raged around them in the massive Davion Arena, Jake's Atlas battled Fallen's Grasshopper. The battle was all that the fans had hoped for as the two expert pilots fought a bitter match. Fallen used her mech’s mobility to its fullest as Jake’s Atlas took a pounding. However for all that Atlas took, Jake handed Fallen a series of brutal counter attacks. These attacks nearly cost Fallen the match and her title. However, in what would go down as one of the most contested events in Solaris history, a malfunction in Jake's Atlas triggered an explosion in his autocannon ammo bin. The explosion vaporized the hundred ton Battlemech and nearly cost Jake Death his life.

   An unofficial investigation found that there were signs of a possibly act of sabotage. It appeared that there might had been an explosive device planted in the self-loading system of the Atlas’ main cannon. This triggered a catastrophic explosion that destroyed the mech and nearly killed Jake Death. Further evidence indicated that there might have been links to Fallen's brother, Dark Angel, regarding the possible sabotage plot. Despite the evidence, there no official investigation carried out and the links between the sabotage and Fallen or her brother were ignored.

   The official report concluded that there was evidence of a likely act of sabotage however source of the explosion could have been a simple malfunction. Because of this, no official action was taken from the incident and Fallen Angel was allowed to claim the title of Champion of Solaris. This was a bitter defeat that Jake Death swore to avenge. Police reports indicated an armed conflict broke out shortly after the official report was released. The conflict took place at the hospital where Jake Death was being treated at. By the time police arrived on the scene both parties had fled the hospital and no arrests were made. That night, Jake Death and his partner vanished from public attention.

   Meanwhile, back on New Earth the continued Civil War had devolved in to a disorganized debacle with no end in sight. While the Council of Barons enjoyed massive pick up in support from their Marik backers, they lacked the military discipline and leadership to mount an effective campaign against the Government Forces. The overall goal of defeating the Government was further hampered by infighting and greed between the leaders of the Council of Barons. During 3023, there were no less than three attempted assassinations against the independent leaders of the Council of Barons. While outwardly, the COB leaders claimed that their rivals within the COB were behind these acts, the truth was much more damaging.

   Lyran Intelligence reported that these acts were actually carried out by a group calling themselves the New Earth Partisans. It was a clear sign that the COB had completely lost public support. While there were those within the Lyran Military Command that had suggested sending a force to New Earth to end the fighting, this new evidence showed that the Marik backed COB would not survive. Because of this, no Lyran forces were tasked with ending the conflict on New Earth. The assassinations of brutal military leaders continued. This only further divided the COB and made any real organized efforts nearly impossible. These assassinations gave the Government a distinct advantage over the COB if Baron Kilt could overcome his own disadvantages.

   Sadly, the Lyran backed, Baron Kilt fared no better. Pushing unpopular policies and taxes continued. These acts were meant to punish local COB supporters, but only push them further way from supporting the Government. Baron Kilt also had to face his own issues with the New Earth Partisans. His reaction to the Partisans only fueled their hatred for him. After two of his advisors were found murdered and their calling card discovered on the bodies, Baron Kilt ordered five hundred innocent civilians arrested. He also ordered that his military units no longer limit their attacks to military targets. This only inflamed the Partisans further. The New Earth Civil War took a nasty turn as entire communities were laid to waste.

   During the later months of 3024, the war hardened mercenary unit Smitty's Commandos landed on the continent of Pisces. The mercenary command easily captured four large towns from Government forces and one city from Free Farmers Militia. The loss of this city cost the Free Farmers Militia dearly as it was one of their key resupply bases. While the Militia attempted to reclaim the city several times, each time the Commandos held fast and drove the Militia back each time. These defeats would later define the relationship between Smitty's Commandos and the Free Farmers Militia for years to come.

   With the arrival of the Commandos, both the COB and Baron Kilt attempted in vain to hire the mercenary command. It was later discovered by Lyran Intelligence that Smitty's Commandos were in fact from New Earth. Many of its members were born and raised on New Earth. The cities which the Commandos had secured were their hometowns and were where their families resided. The Commandos set up road blocks and sectioned off their holdings on New Earth as areas of no conflict. Each time any faction attempted to cross the area they were bitterly toss out by the Commandos. While both sides of the war were contending with Partisans, there was no recorded Partisan acts against the Commandos.

   Renee Eaton, daughter of Baron Shiver Eaton of the COB, found a way to ensure that, at the least, the Commandos wouldn't turn their skills and weapons against the COB. She offered their commander, Colonel John Smith, a full membership in to the Council of Barons and an honorary title of Baron. While he never officially accepted the offer, Renee Eaton forwarded the rumors that he had actually accepted the offer and was offering direct military advice to the Council its self. While in the beginning these were only rumors, events later would change his mind.

   Those rumors of his acceptance caused Baron Kilt to issue an arrest warrant for Colonel John Smith. After an attempt by the Government to have the Colonel arrested while walking out of a local church, the mercenary commander decided to lend minor support to the COB. While in the beginning he never attended any official COB meeting or visited their headquarters on Aries, he did sit down with many COB military commanders and help them in creating some strategies against the Government. Colonel Smith walked a fine line with the COB in his support of their operations. The vast majority of his support was more in limiting civilian loss of life.

   Luckily for him, for all the advice he offered it was for not. This advice should have been a huge boost to the COB's military operations. However the COB political leadership stood in the way of any real military gains. Between the infighting over power, further wealth grabbing, and general mistrust between political leaders of the COB, their military operations suffered greatly. The dysfunctional war continued and the world continued its final downward spiral to complete destruction.

   The crisis grew so large on New Earth that the Lyran Commonwealth's leader, Archon Katrina Steiner, demanded for the bloodshed to be ended. As a result Baron Kilt ordered the recommissioning one of the oldest naval warships in the Inner Sphere. The sea going naval battleship Bizmark was built on New Earth during the early days of the Terran Alliance. It had long fallen in to disrepair and all but forgotten in one of New Earth's scrapyards. Baron Kilt hoped that her powerful guns would level the field of battle over the high seas, which the COB currently controlled. Baron Kilt huge amount of resources in her overhaul. He also bought a large number of support ships to act as a defense screen for the massive ship. As the ship was getting ready to set sail with its flotilla, rumors spread throughout the COB of the massive military project.

   Baron Kilt was no fool, he knew that the COB had a three to one advantage in Battlemechs and much higher advantages in both Armor and Infantry. He knew that unless something was done to end the war, they would put aside their infighting and turn against him in a unified front. This bring about an end to his rule and an end to Lyran influence on New Earth. He organized a secret meeting between himself and a few selected members of the COB Leadership. His plan was to divide the leadership of COB and try to at least reach a separate peace with some of the more reasonable members of the COB. This would allow him to defeat the others on the field of battle. It would be a fateful meeting for both the Government and the COB.

   He arranged to meet with a pair of the renegade Barons from the COB. This fateful meeting between Baron Kilt and Baron Shiver Eaton (Renee Eaton’s father) and Baron Nickolas Baily (father of Sarah Baily) was set at the Planetary Capital. He had chosen the two man carefully. Baron Shiver Eaton was one of the core founders of the COB and major financial backer of the Rebel front. Baron Baily was the heart and soul of the group. Baron Baily had actually been close friends with Baron Kilt before the war. It was because of this friendship that this meeting was even made possible. Peace was never closer at hand for New Earth.

   Under pressure from the Lyran leadership to end the war, Baron Kilt made it clear that all topics were on the table to be talked about. If Baron Kilt could find some middle ground with the two Rebel leaders, he might be able to weaken their combined front and maybe more would join the peace talks. It would mark the last time that Baron Kilt would reach out to the COB in hopes of a peaceful means to end the war. While on route to the meeting site, a bomb exploded killing the two COB Leaders. A second blast, at nearly the same time, rocked Baron Kilt's estate killing the Baron's wife and infant daughter.

   While at the time both sides secretly blamed the New Earth Partisans for the bombing, it would take nearly twenty years later to learn the truth. These two bombings were planned and carried out on the orders of Baron Eaton's own daughter, Renee Eaton. Publicly it was the COB that was able to seize the media high ground. In a show of pure manipulation on the media's stage, Baroness Eaton blamed the bombings on Baron Kilt and demonized him for the cold blooded murder of her father. The event secured her place within the COB leadership. A position that wouldn’t be challenged for years to come.

   Baron Kilt went mad with grief and rage, he unleashed warfare across New Earth like never seen before. Revenge had become the order of the day for the Government Forces. Thousands across the worlds were arrested while hundreds more simply vanished in the dead of night, never to be seen again. This time of New Earth’s history would became known as the Time of Bloodletting. To ensure that he was protected from the growing New Earth Partisan threat, Baron Kilt surrounded himself with his most trusted bodyguards. The COB leadership were forced to do the same many months before. As many who were watching the war feared, a new player took an active involved role in the war.

   With Comstar now reporting on the war, the scale of the bloodshed and violence resonated across the region and reached as far as the Royal Court on Tharkad. The Lryan leadership, no longer willing to sit back and do nothing as one of its worlds was ripped apart at the seams demanded action to end the bloodshed. Despite warnings from many military advisors, plans were drawn up to send in a large military force to New Earth to put an end to the fighting. Fears of only increasing the level of bloodshed echoed in the halls of the Royal Court. Unless something was done soon, Tharkad was going to become drawn in to a nasty war it didn’t want.

   Baroness Eaton had hoped to use the bombings and deaths as a means to gain further control over the COB. But she knew that the rest of the COB leadership wouldn’t accept her as their divine leader. She needed a controllable puppet on the Council to further her own agenda. So once more she manipulated the situation. Baroness Eaton turned to fellow COB Leader Baron Markus Johns and his mentally challenged daughter for her solution.

   She managed to manipulate a meeting between Markus Johns and stage a highly skilled assassination of the COB Leader. To ensure that she was above accusation, she had ensured that she was injured in the assassination. The killing had all the markings of a Partisan assassination plot. While the rest of the COB was looking to take over Baron Johns’ former territory, Baroness Eaton gave an outcry over the plots.

   In a spirited speech to the COB Leadership, she manipulated the COB leadership in to allowing Baron Johns’ daughter Stacy Johns to assume leadership of her father’s holdings and military. The senior leader of the New Earth Crusaders (Baron Johns’ faction) was named as regent over the faction. Baroness Eaton ensured that the young mentally challenged Stacy was always near her. Soon Stacy saw Renee as a close and trusted friend. Only Colonel John Smith had noted the growing danger within the COB leadership. He had attempted to warn the rest of the COB Leaders of Baroness Eaton’s manipulations and plots. His warnings were laughed off while Baroness Eaton secured her position within the Council. This turn of events shifted a major degree of both military and political influence to the power hungry Renee Eaton.

   However despite the fears and concerns of some members of the COB, there was no going back. The war would continue to feed on the people of New Earth as these bitter rivals continued in their power struggle. Because of stepped up military support by the Lyrans, their off world backer and rivals of the Lyrans, the Free Worlds League increased their own military support to the COB. With powerful off world elements moving in the shadows and factions on the ground locked in a bitter struggle, the timing had never been more prefect for a lasting change on New Earth.

   Back on Solaris VII, by 3028 Jake Death had resurfaced in the Reaches along with this long time partner Patrice King. With his rise to the top of the Solaris Rankings cut short, Jake Death took to community service. He opened up his own Mech Stables in the outlining area around Solaris City called the Reaches. He named his stables, Hurricane Stable. Only a few questioned the source of funds that Jake Death used to open his stables. However these questions fell on deaf ears as Jake Death became a local hero. He used his stables as a means to help the local youths and wayward Mechwarriors who had crossed in to trouble. He set up a number of outreach programs to build local support for his stables.

   But it was the bitter rivalry between Jake Death and Fallen Angel that drew the headlines. The rivalry continued to grow as Jake Death’s Mechwarriors continued to win match after match in the Reaches. With each new victory, Jake Death would use the media to poke at Fallen Angel. These pokes were answered by Fallen who couldn’t back down from a challenge. The rivalry grew so broadly and intense that a media reporter claimed, 'this war couldn't have been written. It was a sheer product of Fate herself!'

   While he was only a better than average Mechwarrior, Jake Death had a strong talent in his relations with local leaders and the media. Clearly a master of public speaking, Jake Death moved in the poverty regions of Solaris City gaining a new name for himself. Taking to the streets, many called him the ‘Underdog’ for his knack for facing off with crime lords and gangs alike to help bring order to the community where his stables was located. In earning more local support, he signed a deal with the Solaris Courts and Correctional Administration. This deal allowed him to have a limited number of Mechwarriors who had been convicted of crimes to serve out their sentences while working for his stables.

   Far from the glitter and fame of the main arenas, Jake Death started to train and hone the skills of his Mechwarriors. It was here that Patrice King started to shine. A master instructor, King ran tough military style training programs. Some couldn’t take the life of order and discipline that was offered, and elected to return to prison. Most however saw this as an opportunity to reinvent themselves. While Death and King were training Mechwarriors, they were also teaching infantry tactics to those that were hired as stable security. Long days continued as the pair built the Hurricane Stables from the ground up.

   During this time, Jake Death also work on his own skills. To further this goal, he took his group of Mechwarriors a number of short training excursions to the continent of Equatus. Here in the wilderness expanses of Equatus he was able to train his Mechwarriors out of sight of the media. While the Media was blind to what was going on behind the scenes of Hurricane Stable, this only drove them more wild as Hurricane Stables claimed more and more victories. Despite the walls and security around the Stables, rumors did leak out. Rumors of off world supporters sending middle of the night shipments of parts were leaked out. However no one cared about those rumors as the Hurricane continued to win match after match.

   It became known throughout the Game World that 'if you couldn't make in anywhere else, seek out Hurricane Stables. They might be your last best hope for a shot at greatness.' Using the media’s own thirst for information, Jake Death worked day and night to remake his image. He gave numerous speeches as well as allowing his actions in working with local leaders to speak for its self. He also focused on building an image of his stables. He ensured that the narrative that was being written was that Fallen Angel was destined to battle Jake Death.

   As months passed, Jake Death’s Mech Stables looked more like a military outfit than some shoddy stables which the Reaches had been well known for. The origin of this success was given to Jake Death’s long time personal friend and partner, Patrice King. It was through her training program that these undisciplined Mechwarriors found their grove and turned them in to a force not to be reckoned with. More than that, Hurricane security patrols were keeping the community around the stables free from crime. This won Jake Death a level of popularity that couldn’t be bought. Only by looking back at these events did we start to realize the scope of what Jake Death was planning.

   Years after their fateful battle, Fallen had become a Stable Master of her own stables, called Broken Halo Stables. Broken Halo Stables boasted a triple “A” rating and had five ranking Mechwarriors signed to it. As her own stables gain fame, she had become a common name across Solaris. Many saw her as the next Legend of Solaris. Fallen Angel’s story was told as an inspiration to other young Mechwarriors. Not only was she Solaris’ Number One and undefeated champion she was Stable Master of one of the most coveted stables on all of Solaris. Envy however was her own undoing.

   By the end of 3027 Jake Death had earned the complete support of the community that hosted his stables. To celebrate the stables official Grand Opening, brought the entire stables a new style and look. The new style was débuted during a media event at the stables. Before locals and the media, he introduced his warriors in their new uniforms. Standing there before guests, Hurricane pilots stood in their bright cavalry uniform and sharp military discipline. Jake Death introduced them as local heroes of the Reaches. Once more he used his silver tongue to chum the waters. A planted reports who was paid by Death asked if he believed his warriors were ready to meet Fallen’s own warriors in the Arena. He laughed off the question and invited Fallen to bring her warriors to the Reaches.

   In January 3028, Jake Death was ready to recapture the hearts and minds of Solaris. With planted rumors of a rivalry that never seemed to have died, the media were pressing Fallen for conformation of challenges. She attempted to deflect the questions but reporters who were tipped by Death pressed the issue asking her if she thought her warriors weren’t up for the challenge. Fallen Angel had one saving grace. Because Death’s stables was in the Reaches, he could not issue an official challenge to her or her Mechwarriors. However any attempt to hide behind this rule would have given Death what he wanted. Not the public speaker like Death was, Fallen only came off sounding wishy washy.

   As Death and his hired reports retched up the pressure, Fallen Angel proved to be her own worst enemy. She too had heard of the rumors of secret late night delivers. Using her close ties with the mafia on Solaris, Fallen attempted to penetrate the Hurricane Stables. However her team was never heard from again. While the bodies were never found, they are presumed dead. This wasn’t the opening shots of the war between Fallen and Jake but it was one that hit close to home as one of the team members that Fallen sent was a close personal friend.

   After his media event and further success in the Reaches, Fallen was forced to watch Death’s star raise once more. It wasn’t long till her fame was becoming over shadowed by Jake Death and his Hurricane Stables. After winning a major grudge match against another rival, Fallen was sure she had secured the front pages of the papers. Her anger flared when she saw that her victory was reported on page two. The major papers of Solaris had run a story about a series of Hurricane victories during the same night. It was a slight that she couldn’t allow to be unanswered. Despite her own success, she wouldn’t allow anyone to share the light with her.

   Fallen Angel set out on a course to crush her old ravel once and for all. Because Hurricane Stables lacked an Official Ranking, they were unable to compete in the main arenas of Solaris. To publicly accept a challenge from a lesser stables like the Hurricane Stables and bring them in to the main arenas was a social no no for a stable master like Fallen. She decided to send her own Mechwarriors down to the slums of Solaris to battle Death’s own Mechwarriors on their turf. Being a former street rat herself, she understood that this meant a turf war with the slums stables. Which was fine with her, she had no problem with a turf war. Fallen Angel was recorded saying to reporters, 'so much the better! Defeat them in the gutters and they won’t have far to go to get back home.'

   Fallen handpicked her pilots to travel to the Reaches and challenge Hurricane warriors. Her orders to them were simple, crush the Hurricane pilots no matter what. As news of the coming matches spread across the Reaches. Fallen had no doubt that these opening matches would be sound victories against Hurricane pilots in their own backyard. In her mind, she never once considered that these washed up and wannabes Mechwarriors couldn’t hold a candle to some of the best trained warriors on Solaris.

   As the first of these matches was getting ready to go live, the pilots of Broken Halo never really trained up for what should have been a one sided battle. Even Fallen didn’t take the battle seriously as she never crossed in to the Reaches to watch it personally. However, she did watch them from her multi-million C-Bill apartment in Solaris City. The odds were so lopsided that most bookies refused to take beats on this first battle. However, the supporters and fans of the Hurricane Stables would not be disappointed.

   With the home field advantage and the local community backing their favorite Mechwarriors of the Hurricane Stables cheered with thunder as Broken Halo Stables saw defeat after defeat. Unlike battling in the main arenas with fixed rules of combat, Broken Halo pilots were ill prepared to fight in these down and dirty slum arenas. With each new victory against Broken Halo, the Hurricane Stables reputation rocketed skyward. Jake Death never once attempted to take the spotlight from his pilots that won hard fought battles. Instead he pressed them in to the spotlight for their well-earned fame.

   Not only did Jake Death make sure that his pilots were able to have the center light alone as they took fame for their victories. This willingness to allow his pilots have the spotlight helped build a strong bond between Jake Death and his pilots. This bond would transcend Solaris and shape a renowned Mercenary outfit. Jake Death also gave credit back to their fans for their continued support. While most of Solaris was unaware of these first victories, across the Reaches, across the Reaches fans cheered as heroes were being born. This was a sharp contrast to other Stable Masters and more notably, Fallen Angel, whom had a habit of upstaging her own pilots.

   The narrative that Jake Death wanted was being told across Solaris. The war between Hurricane Stables and Broken Halo was being referred as a war between David and Goliath. It was just what Jake Death wanted. During the summer of 3028, the bitter string of defeats escalated as two Broken Halo warriors were soundly defeated by a Hurricane warrior during a two on one grudge match. It was a major upset and the final straw for Fallen. After watching many of her lower Mechwarriors getting handed defeat after defeat Fallen decided to up the stakes and put an end to the rivalry. She ordered Samuel Matts, the current ranking Number Ten pilot on Solaris VII, to give Hurricane Stables their first taste of defeat.

   It was a battle never heard of before on Solaris VII, a ranking Warrior 'slumming it' in a Reaches Arena. Every stables across the Reaches saw this match as a Cinderella Match. Across the lines in the City Centers, the main Stables of Solaris VII saw this as a chance to prove once more why they were the Main Attraction on Solaris. This match up would once and for all end the war between Broken Halo and Hurricane Stables. Or at least, that was what Fallen had intended this match to be. With her own reputation slipping due to this war, she needed this negative attention to go away. It would become a battle for the record books and one that would define the Hurricane Stables for years to come.

   Fallen had chosen her pilot with great care. Matts, more commonly known as The Sniper because of  his expert gunnery at long range combat, was a highly skilled and technical pilot that had a strong background in arena combat. Matts had been a strong contender for years and loyal member of the late Oonthrax Stables. When the stables suffered the murder of its founder and Stable Master, Matts signed on with Broken Halo. For years he had proven to be a promising warrior that as of late seemed to have hit a rut. Many of Matts’ fans saw this match as a chance for him to once more show what kind of pilot he was.

   Unlike Samuel Matts, he would pair off with an untested Mechwarrior named Sara Little Hawk. Little Hawk, of Sioux heritage and was currently serving year four of a twenty year sentence for assault with a deadly weapon and attempted murder. When Death found her through the Mech Pilot Exchange Program, she had never piloted a Battlemech before. During training, Death and King realized that Little Hawk was a natural pilot. While her gunnery skills were lacking, she move a Battlemech with the greatest of ease. After just over a year of training, Little Hawk was ready to make her debut.

   Despite King’s suggestions, Death had kept Little Hawk from the arenas till Fallen made her big move. Death was going to place the fate of his stables and this war in the hands of a pilot, who never fought in a real match before this night. It was a move that many saw as insane. However, Death had so much faith in his warrior that it was reported that he bet a massive sum of C-bills on the match. Fallen on the other hand didn't make any bets on the match. However she did cancel a social event to watch the match live from her apartment with other member of her stables.

   Matt's seventy five ton modified Marauder would face off with Little Hawk's forty five ton stock Hatchetman in a fitting arena called the Scrapyard. The betting for the match was so intense that many thought that this was a title match in one of the Main Arenas. The turnout for the match was so large that the Scrapyard for the first time had to close its gates. Fans of Hurricane Stables were thunderous with their cheers as across Solaris fans watched the match with great anticipation.

   Every member of the Hurricane Stables came out for the match. Even the warden of Little Hawks prison came out to the arena to watch the match. The match was broadcast live to the prison as well. It was reported that Matt’s showed up to the match with only his support team. Broken Halo stables failed to show any real support for their own warrior. However in viewing, Matts had his own fan base ready to cheer him on the victory. If there was any sign of the pressure, Matts didn’t show it. This was much the same for the red skinned Little Hark. Despite being her first official match and while emotions were running high, she played it cool.

   During a staged media event by Death and with cameras filming, Little Hawk greeted Matts as if they were old reunited friends. The conversation was friendly and filled with jokes. Little Hawk joked back wishing that there were not so many people watching her on her first official match. Matts, always the professional pilot, smiled off the nerves of the rookie telling her that she would do fine out there. Before the pair of pilot went their separate ways, they placed a 'friendly wager', Mech for Mech.

   The tight winding pathways of the scrapyard had many thinking that Matt's would have been at a disadvantage. However his modified Battlemech used jumpjets normally not equipped on a Marauder. He was able to find high ground and kept Little Hawk's mech at bay with his three large lasers. He did manage to score some sound hits early in the battle. However the large lasers he had swapped out dealt less damage than the twin Particle Projection Cannons normally fitted to the mech. Still his eye for targeting and experience in arena fighting showed the clear advantage.

   Within minutes of the opening round, Matts had taken several key points and ranked up the scores in his favor. Little Hawk seemed almost DOA (Slang for a Mechwarrior who was clear outmatched), however the match was far from over and while Little Hawk went down she was not out. Using her Mechs speed and maneuverability, she was able to keep Matt’s larger Mech moving making targeting her that much harder. She knew all too well that Matts was a dead shot, so she made sure to keep his Mech at distance till she was ready to make her move.

   Using her mech's speed and agility to its fullest, Little Hawk made Matts work for every hit. While keeping Matts at range and forcing him to fight on her terms, Little Hawk was able to score sound hits with her ten centimeter Auto Cannon to soften up Matt's Mech. It was clear that she was targeting Matts’ legs each time she fired. It was clear that Little Hawk was fighting a battle to extend the clock. While this tactic could work against her if the match was to be decided by score alone because Matts held the advantage. However those reporting the match was surprised to note that it was clear that Little Hawk was working a larger winning strategy.

   Observers noted that Death was in constant communications with Little Hawk the entire time. Fallen would later argue cheating and demanded that the arena officials listened to the recordings of the communications between pilots and their support team. They did not find any evidences that suggested Hurricane Stables had cheated during the match. This claim would only go to fuel the fires that raged between Broken Halo and Hurricane Stables.

   As the clock was ticking down, Little Hawk finally made her move. Moving her Mech along the ground giving Matts the advantage of the higher ground, Little Hawk’s pushed her Mech’s own agility and maneuvering to get close. It was a high risk move that risked annulation at the hands of Matts’ larger Mech. Even at this close range, hitting the smaller faster and more agile Mech proved to be harder than many assumed. Matts’ unleashed all of his weapons! As he opened up from above her, Little Hawk was finally close enough to Matt's mech to use her large Hatchet. With smoke pouring from her Mech after the assault it had just taken from Matts’ Mech, Little Hawk entered history.

   In a physical attack that would rock Solaris VII! Sara Little Hawk, in one swing of her mighty ax, took off the Marauder's left leg. The loss of the leg caused Matt's mech to topple from the top of the junk heap he was standing on. This caused the Mech to half slide half fall down the heap. Matts cockpit lit up with warnings sounded. Missing a leg and having a damaged gyroscope the match had just turned against Matts to the thunderous cheers of the crowds. A half dazed and wounded Matt's pulled flares singling his defeat and the end of the match. Sara Little Hawk had become the first Mechwarrior from the Reaches to ever defeat a Solaris Ranked Mechwarrior.

   As Matts flares rose up from the rubble of the junkyard, the fans and spectators leaped to their feet in cheers. The uproar in the Reaches could be heard across Solaris City as the celebrations went well in to the night. Hurricane Stables and Sara Little Hawk had given many citizens of the Reaches something that they hadn't had in a long time. A sense of pride within their communities and of their own local heroes. For Jake Death, this would be the opportunity that he was waiting for. For Sara Little Hawk, to her surprise, one of Jake Death's wagers was with her warden. The two men had wagered her freedom on this match. A man that she had only met a year ago risked his reputation and wealth to give her a renewed chance at an honorable life. For Sara Little Hawk, her life had been given back to her.

   It was acts like this that earned Jake Death that never ending loyalty of those around him. However, Jake Death was more than just a loyal leader. He was a man that understood strategy better than anyone else. Jake Death along with his lead tech Karen Tetsuhara and Sara Little Hawk went to the famed Thor's Shield Hall, also known as Valhalla Club. They planned to meet with Fallen Angel to claim Little Hawk's new Battlemech. Normally only ranked members of Solaris VI were allowed in to the Club, however special permission had been given to Jake Death and his party for this meeting.

   While the meeting was supposedly unplanned, it had been leaked to the press just hours prior. Many suspect that the leak was done by Jake Death’s orders. By the time Death's party had arrived, the press was already on station and watching every move. For the first time in years, the two rivals would be face to face once more. As cameras filmed, Death’s party walked victoriously through the club as the music came to a stop. It would be the event of the year. One that promised fireworks and even more drama between the two renowned rivals.

   Jake ratcheted up the pressure on Fallen by boosting the skills of his pilots and how Fallen didn't have a single pilot that could beat his. Never known for her cool thinking under pressure, Death pushed the issue of her stable's continued failure in the Reaches and suggested that they were unfit to battle out there. Jokingly claiming that somehow the slum arenas were just ‘too much’ for her and her pilots. Laughter filled the room as Fallen grew red with anger.

   Under the lights of the media cameras and bending to the pressure, Fallen foolishly took Jake's bait and challenged him to a winner takes all series of matches! Her challenge to the Hurricane Stables would pit five of her best pilots against any five Hurricane pilots. If the Hurricane wins, than she will hand over her stables and all titles. If Broken Halo wins, Hurricane Stables closes its doors and Jake Death would leave Solaris VII once and for all. Jake Death smiled as he nodded and accepted her challenge. Realizing her mistake far too late, Fallen saw that she had been goaded in to giving him just what he wanted from the beginning. She had single handedly gave her rival a shot at the main arenas.

   While the fireworks between Fallen and Jake over shadowed all. A side conversation was all but lost, but later recorded in a book written by Samuel Matts. In his book, Matts stated that Sara Little Hawk had personally thanked him for an honorable and pleasurable match. While he was more than willing to honor their bet, she surprised him by nullifying the bet. The two parted ways with a friendly hand shake and kind words. Even though the noble overture would cost Hurricane Stable a valuable mech for the upcoming challenge, the move won the respect of Samuel Matts.
   
   The upcoming battles became the media event of the year for Solaris. Never before had five title matches been set up under one bet. Riding the wave of their latest victory, Hurricane Stables saw some of its best odds to date. It would be a set of matches that would compare to even the Grand Melee in viewings and betting. Billions of C-bills were wagered on favorites and on long shots. Both Jake and Fallen would guard their own pilots with some of the best security that the industry had to offer. Nothing was being taken to chance as Mechs were move in secret to the arenas. In an interview, Fallen would be noted stating, "Cheating? Why do we need to cheat? They are the two bit losers from the Reaches. Ask them about cheating, not us. We are champions…of heart and soul."

   The five day event drew in crowds from across the Inner Sphere. And even a special secret Royal visitor from Tharkad was reported arriving for the event. As per the official rules, the matches were to take place only in the Main Arenas of Solaris VII. The first match would see Broken Halo's pilot Damion Hunter, the number twelve of Solaris, stump his Hurricane counterpart in the Steiner Stadium. The match was filled with speed and energy. However it was Hunter’s ruthlessness that delivered victory.

   However this would not set the tempo of the rest of the matches, as Hurricane pilot, Stephen Sirbak won a hard fought battle against the number six of Solaris in the dark tunnels of Ishiama also known as the Iron Mountain. The third match, saw Dark Angel, the number two of Solaris VII face off with Hurricanes own co-founder Patrice King in the Jungle. Early on in the match, King got several key scores and appeared to be staged to win the match. However Dark Angel won the match to everyone’s shock and amazement. Many believe that there were some questionable events that had occurred during the match. Despite calls for a stop in the matches and an investigation, Jake Death choose not to pursue them instead decided to move on to the next match.

   The forth match saw a much anticipated rematch between Samuel Matts and Sara Little Hawk in the burned out ruins of the Factory. Unlike any other match before, Jake Death decided to bet his entire personal fortune on this single match. Away from the media but still observed, Jake pulled Sara aside and told her, 'No matter what, you have earned my pride and respect. Do your best and let the rest fall where it does.' The battle was much like their first one, where Little Hawk bid her time wisely. Matts’ keen eye played a good role through most of the match. However the crowds were on their feet when what many thought should have been a killing shot, missed. For The Snipper’s large laser fired wide and narrowly missed Little Hawk's mech when she mistakenly exposed her mech. once more, Little Hawk used her Mech’s speed to out flank Matts' Mech and won the match.

   With the score tied all eyes turned to the next match that would make Solaris history. That night was filled with celebrations and parties as the Game World geared up for what would become known as one of the most brutal matches ever. However that night would be marred in grief as Dark Angel's body was found dumped inside the Waterfront Park. Due to his wallet still filled with C-bills and his gold watch on his arm, police ruled out robbery. The cause of death was a deep cut across his throat from ear to ear. It was a clear case of murder and the list of suspects were as long as the guest list to the arenas the following day. The murder of Dark Angel would become one of the most famous cold case files of Solaris History. Outraged at the murder, Fallen blamed Jake Death for the murder and swore revenge.

   The next day would see the two Stable Masters slugging it out in the Davion Arena. Fallen's Grasshopper would face off with Jake's Warhammer. The two would battle in subzero arctic conditions. During the first rounds of the match, Fallen took an early lead in the points scoring a number of sound hits against Jake's Warhammer. However Jake never gave her any room to take advantage of her hits. Using his Mech’s superior armor he punished Fallen for each hit she made. It soon became clear that Death was holding back.

   Each time she pressed her attack, Death forced Fallen to fall back across the arena. Landing hit after hit Fallen drove Jake back towards the edge of a crevasse in the center of the arena. With his Battlemech preached along the edge of the crevasse, Fallen fired her weapons at the ground and sent his Battlemech tumbling down in to the darkness of the crevasse. The crowds were on their feet in shock and horror as they watched a local hero vanish in to the darkness. All seemed lost as the arena fell silent.
   
   Fallen demanded that the Arena judges call her the victor. After a short deliberation and making radio contact with her opponent, they refused to give her the match's victory. It was in that moment that the crowds erupted with cheers as their hero crawled out of the crevasse. It was badly damaged from the fall but still functioning. Stunned at what she was seeing, Fallen made a critical error as she didn’t resume her defensive movements. Her mech was stationary for the next turn of events.

   Fallen lost the intuitive as she stood in disbelief. Jake Death laid in to her Mech with his twin PPC and started to march towards her Battlemech. With each forward movement he brought more weapons in to range and fired at her. Fallen's mech rocked from the weapons fire as armor was shredded from the mech. After a few intense minutes of weapons' fire being exchanged, Fallen's Grasshopper give up the battle. It fell before the Warhammer, and Jake Death demanded that she surrender. She didn't reply as the crowds stood at the edges of their seats. All eyes were focused on the beaten Grasshopper. After a few moments, the judges award the victory to Hurricane Stables. It would be discovered after the match that Fallen Angel took her own life during that moment of defeat. She had used an auto-injector filled with poison to end her own life.

   The matches not only made Death an extremely wealthy man, but riding on his victory he had a very rare encounter. The Archon and Leader of the Lyran Commonwealth, Katrina Steiner, who had come to Solaris VII to view the matches personally. She congratulated the new Number One of Solaris VII and asked what his next plans were. His answer would shock and surprise her. Having heard of the war on New Earth, he told her of his plans to raise a new mercenary outfit called the Hurricane Legion. He suggested that New Earth would be a good testing ground for his new unit. Reminding her that he was a betting man, he bet he could end the fighting within a year of his forces landing on New Earth. The Archon listened carefully as he continued to explain his idea of this bet.

   As he spoke, Jake Death continued to impress. He explained that if his unit failed to bring an end to the conflict within a year that they would remain on station under the contact and continued to work towards bringing an end to the conflict. He accepted that his unit wouldn’t be paid for the entire contact. But if his unit could bring an end to the conflict within a year, he asked that the Archon would grant him the entire system of Tau Ceti as a land grant and the title of Baron of New Earth..
   
   The Archon listened to the offer carefully as she weighed the possibilities. Her next stop had already been a planned stop at New Earth. She had already decided to remove Baron Kilt as leader of the war torn world. Her own intelligence community was advising that her Inner Sphere rival, House Marik, was gaining influence on New Earth. Without other options before this meeting, she had intended on using direct military involvement to end the war. But now Death’s suggesting gave her another option to end the conflict on one of her worlds.

   Archon Katrina Steiner had one amendment to their bet. Regardless of success or failure, that his unit would remain within service of the Lyran Commonwealth for no less than five years after the conflict was resolved. Jake Death agreed to the amendment and the bet was formed. Archon Steiner granted Jake Death the title of Baron but warned that his future title would hinge on the outcome of their bet. She reminded Death that he only had only one year from the moment he set foot on New Earth. He smiled and thanked her for taking a chance in him and his troops.

   Upon his return to the Hurricane stables, Jake carried with him a much larger surprise for all sixty five of his Mechwarriors. In a show of gratitude for all that they had done for him and their loyalty over the past few years, Jake Death had secured a pardon for each of his Mechwarriors. He informed them of his plans for New Earth. He spoke of a dream to build up a mercenary command using New Earth as their home and base of operations.

   Many of his own supporters didn’t believe that such a bet existed but their doubts were laid to rest once they saw the written contract between him and the Lyran Commonwealth. He said that those who wanted to remain could do so under the employment of Hurricane Stables, which now had two large facilities on Solaris VII. But those who wanted to join him were invited to take part on grand adventure. Twenty of his Mechwarriors as well as some former Broken Halo warriors choose to join. The following day would be the first official gathering of the mercenary command called, The Hurricane Legion. By the end of the week, the Hurricane Legion was on its way to the Tau Ceti system and the world of New Earth.