OBT Forum
General BattleTech => Alternate Universe => Topic started by: SSJGohan3972 on July 23, 2011, 06:29:58 PM
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I've rarely put up my fan creations for others to see as they usually aren't that good :D but I thought I'd try my luck here as this seems like a nice community to be a part of.
I've been working on an alternate timeline for a few years now and have it pretty well fleshed out but I realized my idea of the point of convergence was just in my head and not written down anywhere. So I decided to try my hand at writing an actual story with chapters and characters, plot, etc. as opposed to the sourcebook style that I'm making the rest of the universe in. I have the first couple chapters written and have at least 10 chapters planned out that I'm working on writing right now. As an added bonus in coming up with the name for this story I found a name for my entire Alternate Universe.
Hopefully some of you might enjoy this and please feel free to point out my obvious grammar and other writing errors as I do hope to clean up and put all the chapters together in a PDF eventually, Thanks! Also lines in italics are internal character thoughts, bold are people talking over some sort of communication device (regular dialogue is not bolded). I also tried to put 'Mech and ship names in italics like they should be. Now I'll stop rambling and start the story, we begin in the midst of Operation Bulldog in 3059:
Chapter 1
Lutherian Brushlands
Staplefeld
Clan Smoke Jaguar Occupation
February 22nd, 3059
Blast!
The screen displays flashed brilliantly with shades of blue in a dazzling display as the external sensors attempted to portray the PPC blast that had just narrowly missed Force Commander Karin Orff’s Sunder. Karin shifted her 'Mech to see what had just fired at her, just as the communication system crackled to life.
“Charlie-Second to Charlie-Actual… come in Charlie-Actual.â€
Just then Karin spotted her enemy.
“What is it Franklin? I have a Smoke Jaguar Masakari on my ass and he isn’t happy.â€
“Moving to support Actual. Charlie-Beta flank them to the left, Charlie-Charlie to the right. Charlie-Alpha with me, time to save the Force Commander!â€
Damn it Franklin, I didn’t say I needed help! And issuing orders to the whole battalion, that’s my job!
Karin did not have time to reprimand her XO nor to issue any other orders. Besides his orders were sound, for now she had a Masakari to deal with. Unfortunately Karin’s Sunder had very little long-range weaponry and even though her Large Lasers were technically within range she wasn’t surprised when her return shots went wide. The Smoke Jaguar 'Mech in turn unleashed a barrage of long-range weaponry against her, not only both ERPPCs but also his dual Large Pulse Lasers. Two of the beams went wide but a PPC blast hit the Sunder in the right leg and a pulse laser beam collided with its left arm. Karin cursed as two panels on the armor indicator of her HUD turned to yellow.
At least there wasn’t any damage to the AC/20.
Karin knew the Kali-Yama Big Bore Autocannon was her best bet to finish this fight with a favorable outcome, if she could only bring it into range. Firing another parrying shot with her Large Lasers, Karin pivoted her Sunder to the right hoping she could cut the range by moving laterally and using the sparse cover to the right to mask her advance. Suddenly this was no longer an issue as a Wraith crested a hill to the left. Running full speed at the clan Masakari the 55 ton Wraith, piloted by Joeseph Thurton if Karin’s memory served, unleashed with its Large Pulse Laser stripping armor from the clan 'Mech’s right torso. Even as the beam was hitting Joeseph engaged his jump jets and launched his 'Mech over the clanner.
Wasting no time Karin had turned back towards the clan 'Mech and increased to full speed, now she was almost right on top of them. The Smoke Jaguar had turned to track the Wraith and received two Medium Pulse Laser shots for his trouble. Impressed as she was by Thurton’s gunnery, Karin knew that the clan 'MechWarrior was about to end the fight. To keep him off balance she sent another dual Large Laser shot his way, this time connecting and reminding the Masakari pilot that she was still there. The clan assault 'Mech turned back towards its inner sphere counterpart just as Karin raised her 'Mech’s AC/20. Several hundred pounds of depleted uranium slammed into the Masakari concentrating on the same Right Torso the Wraith and one of Karin’s own Large Laser beams had targeted. Metal buckled and myomer fibers snapped as the Right Arm of the Masakari broke away from the 'Mech and fell to the ground.
The clan 'Mech visibly stumbled and almost seemed to stagger backwards slightly but did not fall. The Smoke Jaguar pilot had to be baking inside his cockpit but he brought his two remaining weapons up and returned Karin’s volley, striking her Sunder twice in the Center Torso – Dead On.
Damn, even badly injured these clanners are deadly as ever, I’m going to have to kill him!
Karin heard the “click†as her Kali-Yama AC/20 reloaded and she swung the weapon back towards her foe. A second roar and this time the several hundred pounds of depleted uranium impacted at the cockpit of the Masakari, there would be no return fire. Immediately she switched on her comm link.
“Thanks for the assist Thurton, you handle that Wraith well.â€
“Always happy to help Commander.â€
Scanning the area and utilizing her 'Mech’s computers to access information from other 'Mechs in the battalion made it obvious that the guards were pushing back what seemed to be the remains of a Smoke Jaguar Assault Trinary, maybe even a Supernova by the amount of elementals they had in support. Quite a feat for a battalion who’s average weight put them well into the medium range, in fact her Sunder, Charlie Company’s Avatar and her XO’s Orion were the battalion’s only Mechs heavier than 55 tons.
Maybe this 19th Striker Cluster isn’t all its cracked up to be.
With her thoughts on larger 'Mechs Karin decided it would be a good idea to check up on hers.
“Charlie-Actual to Charlie-Second, what is your status.â€
“No disrespect Charlie-Actual but I’m a little busy at the moment, will report when able.â€
Franklin could be a little sassy but if he said he was “a little busy†he was probably in quite a bit of trouble. Her 'Mech’s sensors let her know that Franklin’s Orion was several hundred yards to the east and tussling with a heavy Clan 'Mech, it looked to be one-on-one but she would have to get closer to see what the other 'Mech was. Having just experienced being outclassed one-on-one with a Clan 'Mech, even one of the same class, Karin knew her XO would need some help. She also knew her 'Mech might not have the speed to help in time so she ordered Thurton in his Wraith to go see if he could help. Even as her Sunder was just entering the group of trees that separated her from her XO, Thurton’s Wraith was already landing on the other side.
“Charlie-Beta-Six to Charlie-Second move to the left and I’ll distract him to the right, Charlie-Actual should then have time to move to support us.â€
“Negative Beta-Six… I got this.â€
Karin could feel the coldness in Franklin’s voice and knew he was serious, even if denying help was probably the stupidest thing she had ever heard of. She wasn’t able to see what happened, later she would read about it in both Franklin and Joeseph’s reports, but when she came out of the woods it was already over. The Clan 'Mech was on the ground, its left leg had been blasted off at the knee and Franklin’s Orion stood over it.
“Smoke Jaguar – I claim your 'Mech as isorla and you as my bondsman. I assume you will not deny that these are my rights quiaff?â€
The comm stayed silent for several seconds, Karin knew the Smoke Jaguar warrior was most likely still shocked at his fate. She also mentally noted Franklin’s use of clan slang; maybe he had been paying attention during their briefing sessions. Eventually the comm crackled back to life.
“Aff Inner Sphere 'MechWarrior, it shall be so.â€
*****
With their Assault Supernova smashed and in retreat and their other assets heavily engaged with other Inner Sphere forces it wouldn’t be long until the Smoke Jaguars were routed on Staplefeld. Star Colonel Logan Moon retreated his forces in the face of the 1st Free Worlds Guard and 1st Amphigean Light Assault Group attack, and then attempted to retreat form the world. Unfortunately for the 19th Striker Cluster they were met by elements of the 1st Aragon Borderers near the Smoke Jaguar DropShips, DropShips the Borderers had already secured.
For their contribution the 3rd Battalion of the 1st Free Worlds Guard was given their pick of salvage and Force Commander Orff chose a Clan Titan class DropShip to replace their own aging Leopard CV class DropShip. Shortly after helping to secure Staplefeld the 1st Free Worlds Guard were chosen to be part of the force Victor Steiner-Davion would lead to support Task Force Serpent in the Clan Homeworlds.
Edit: Attached the PDF for this here to make it easier to find (it was originally posted further into the thread)
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Nice, I liked it do not leave us hanging!
I will leave it to other to spot the Mistakes! I am not one for spoting grammar! ;D
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Nice, I liked it do not leave us hanging!
I will leave it to other to spot the Mistakes! I am not one for spoting grammar! ;D
I have noticed as I write these chapters I tend to put kind of an epilogue paragraph or two at the end of each one, found its easier and requires a lot less dialogue (which I think I use a little too much), glad you like that.
I'm hoping there aren't too many mistakes as I did proof read and edit the chapter several times trying to fix everything I could find but inevitably there will be things I missed :)
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Figured I'd throw up chapter two before I go to bed as its short and along with the chapter one lays the ground-work.
Chapter 2
Onboard JumpShip FWLS Trinidad
Unknown System
(Approximately 28.2 LY from Huntress)
March 28th 3060
Karin surveyed the final Battalion Readiness report her XO had submitted. The Battalion was well over authorized strength levels, several smaller 'Mechs weren’t being used in favor of salvaged clan 'Mechs. Luckily their new Titan class DropShip’s large capacity for aerospace fighters had allowed her to shift her second aerospace squadron off the Overlord. They had refitted the freed up space to hold an extra lance of 'Mechs and some extra crew space. The Titan also had some extra space even with both squadrons onboard, this had been given over to space for two infantry platoons that had been detached from the Twenty-Ninth Berenson Infantry Division. The Battalion was as ready as it would ever be, which was a very good thing as it was almost time for the fleet to jump into the Huntress system – and it was time for her to make her way to the Bridge.
Upon approaching the bridge Karin saw that her XO was waiting for her.
“I read your report Franklin, very good, I think we’re ready to take the clanners on.â€
“Agreed Force Commander, I can’t wait to try out my new 'Mech.â€
“Any word on what it is?â€
“Turns out it’s a Penetrator, apparently the AFFC deploys them. We’re still not sure how the Jags had the time to capture it, refit it to the extent they have and get it back to the front line.â€
“I thought you said it was supposed to be at least a century old or more.â€
“That’s what we though, the Jags must have put an old computer system in, along with all their other upgrades.â€
“And how is its former pilot coping?â€
“Who the Star Captain?... Sorry, I know you hate when I use her old rank. Reshondra is adjusting well. She’s taken to my old Orion and even fixed that annoying clicking noise the left knee actuator made.â€
“We should go in now; I want you to keep an eye on our new recruit, I want regular reports on her acclimation.â€
With that the two ‘MechWarriors entered the bridge, this drew the attention of the bridge crew.
“Force Commander, I’m glad you’re here. We’re T minus two minutes and counting.â€
“Understood Commodore.â€
Commodore Wilson wasn’t much to look at, kind of a small man, but Karin knew he was a top notch JumpShip captain. Switching on the comm system Karin prepared herself to speak to the entire battalion as she and the Commodore had discussed.
“Alright people, this is it. In… less than 45 seconds we will be making our jump into the Huntress system. This is the nest, the Smoke Jaguar Homeworld. As you all now know Task Force Serpent has already hit the world and we are hopeful that they at least softened them up, if not already secured it, but unfortunately our intelligence is minimal. The little we do know suggests the Smoke Jaguars have or are about to be reinforced by forces we chased from the Inner Sphere. Commodore Wilson?â€
“Thank you Force Commander. Folks, we have to be ready for anything. I want both DropShips and all personnel to be ready to detach from the JumpShip and burn for the planet as soon as we jump. We don’t know what could be at the Jump Point. “
Then after a short pause…
“Here we go folks!â€
With those words the jump sequence began. Karin was looking out the bridge viewport and could swear she could see several of the other ships in the fleet; one was definitely one of their WarShips. Then the stars winked, the bridge disappeared and they jumped.
*****
The force arrayed against Huntress first in Task Force Serpent and then from Operation Bulldog represented one of the largest military assaults in the history of mankind, especially after the fall of the Star League. The battles on Huntress would go down in history alongside Tukkayid and Terra just to name a few. Unfortunately one JumpShip carrying a single battalion would never make it to the battle.
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Looks interesting
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Looks interesting
Thanks, things are actually gonna start happening with this chapter :)
Chapter 3
Onboard FWLS Trinidad
Zenith Jump Point
Unknown System
March 28th 3060
Jump Plus 20 Seconds
The world spun as it came into focus, the universe was nothing but pain, pain and an odd queasy feeling. Only when she vomited did Karin realize that she had a stomach, a throat and a mouth, all of which were now on fire. Slowly the scene came into focus, with a rush of memory she realized where she was and that she was in charge.
“REPORT!â€
It took several seconds, in which time Karin was sure others were regaining their footing.
“We’ve… we’ve jumped sir.â€
“I know that but our conditions, did we miss-jump?â€
“I’m not sure, the star fits Huntress, definitely G7V type but the planetary orbits don’t match our intelligence, and – WHAT’S THAT?â€
Even as she moved to find out what the crewman had seen she saw Commodore Wilson approach.
“I’ve got a proximity alert all crew to the DropShips!â€
Turning to Karin the Commodore had a look in his eye, a mix of fear and resolve.
“That means you too Force Commander, we’re about 90 seconds from a collision.â€
“With what?!â€
“Near as I can tell it’s another ship, a big ass one. Needless to say it is very doubtful that we will survive, so get to the damn ship!â€
The next 60 seconds were a blur of people and corridors but somehow Karin made it to her command post on the FWLS St. Lucia, the battalion’s Overlord Class DropShip, just before it detached. Now on another bridge she once again opened the comm link, this time to the ship she had just abandoned.
“We are detached, as is the Barbados, you might still have time to make it to a life boat if you hurry!â€
Probably half of a second went by but it felt like half an eternity.
“You know I can’t do that, even if I actually did have time. A captain must see it through to the end.â€
“Go down with the ship you mean?â€
“Perhaps… Captain Wade you understand your responsibility now, get these people to the surface and give those clanners hell.â€
Karin bit her tongue for she realized the spacemen were having a heart to heart.
“Yes sir, you can count on me… I thought you should know the computer says that ship you’re to be hit by is a McKenna, it’s a freaking Battleship!â€
“Probably not one of ours then, good that agrees with what my computers say. I’ll disconnect now, good luck and make it count Captain – that’s an order.â€
Captain Wade responded with another “Yes Sir†but Karin was never sure if the Commodore had heard it, her only comfort was that his death would be quick. Back on the JumpShip Commodore Charles Wilson prepared himself and wondered what it would be like to die. Finally he came to the conclusion that he would rather not know. Then it was over.
*****
The Cage’s Pride was a McKenna Class Battleship that was originally a Star League vessel which had accompanied General Kerensky on his exodus. The original name of the vessel had been lost to time but by the time of Nicholas Kerensky’s Clans it had been taken by Clan Ice Hellion as their flagship. When the Merchant class JumpShip collided with the Pride 120,000 tons of metal crushed three of the Battleship’s DropShips and in an explosion some say you could see from the surface broke the back of the massive warship.
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Wow, Cage's Pride destroyed in the Huntress system?
Ice Hellions at the Jags Homeworld?
Foundation of the Clans era? maybe
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Wow, Cage's Pride destroyed in the Huntress system?
Ice Hellions at the Jags Homeworld?
Foundation of the Clans era? maybe
I know right?!!? ;)
More will be revealed next chapter...
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And speak of the devil... I have a little time before bed so I figured I'd post this up.
Chapter 4
3rd Battalion, 1st Free Worlds Guards Control Room
Onboard FWLS St. Lucia
Grounded on Unknown Planet
April 10th 3060
Jump Plus 13 Days
Karin glanced around the table seated were the various officers leading her ‘Mech companies along with Captain Wade who commanded the DropShip and Captain Simon who was in command of the battalion’s infantry assets.
“You were all there and you’ve all read the reports, we have to consider the Barbados and all those aboard as lost and move on.â€
As per usual her XO, Captain Strife was the first to speak up.
“We have no evidence they were all destroyed, we made it to ground why couldn’t they?â€
“Franklin, do I have to spell it out? We made it to ground because the Barbados and her crew along with the pilots of Delta and Gamma squadron gave their lives to hold the clanners off!â€
At least that’s what she told them and herself, more likely was that they had made it to the surface based purely on luck. The Barbados and her fighters had engaged the clanners and from the look of it had caused some real damage, but they were simply too outnumbered and they hadn’t had any contact from the Barbados or any of its fighters since. Really “spelling it out†however would do nothing but hurt morale; fortunately Franklin didn’t press the issue.
“Instead of dwelling on what we have lost we should instead take stock of what we have. We’re still at full battalion strength with two platoons of Special Forces infantry in support under Captain Simon. We have enough equipment and supplies to get us through at least six months, maybe even a year or more if we scrounge and forage a bit, and we have this ship-“
With a slight cough the attentions of the group were pulled away from Karin and to Captain Wade.
“A ship we must abandon I assume, unless you’re confident enough in your battalion’s ability to defend it indefinitely?â€
The DropShip captain was right of course but Karin had expected him to resist the suggestion when she inevitably had to make it, not to be the one who suggested it himself.
“Now that you mention it, yes we will have to eventually abandon this vessel as we cannot hope to defend it forever but I think it would be a good idea to use it as a base for now while we recon the area, find out what we’re dealing with, and where we are.â€
Then from the corner of the room a woman spoke, she had been standing there the whole time but was barely noticeable and even though she wasn’t raising her voice she commanded the attention of all in the room with every word.
“I can tell you were we are.â€
The speaker was Reshondra DesCastis, former Star Captain of the Clan Smoke Jaguar 19th Striker Cluster whom Karin’s XO had taken bondsman. Why he had brought her here Karin did not know but after a few seconds she decided that the former clanner’s knowledge could be useful.
“Is this Huntress?â€
“Noâ€
“You’re sure?â€
“I was decanted on Huntress, I went through Sibko training on Huntress, I tested out as a ‘MechWarrior on Huntress. This is not Huntress.â€
Karin thought a moment and decided she was probably telling the truth, plus it fit all of the evidence. Just as she was about to respond Captain Jeffries of Charlie Company spoke up.
“Well that’s good, maybe the rest of our forces did make it to Huntress and after they are done there they’ll come rescue us!â€
The rest of the room stayed silent.
“Well they could!â€
Again Captain Wade spoke as the voice of reason.
“They would have no way of knowing where we are, or if we are even alive. Think about it Chelsea, no one is coming.â€
Captain Jeffries looked crestfallen and Karin had to admit that having it given that straight was a bit disheartening.
“So rescue is most likely out of the question, but even if the possibility does exist we still need to survive to be around if it does come. So what do we know about this planet?â€
Captain Wade again took the floor.
“We know this is a dry world, our sensors told us that. The planet has five continents, of which we are on the largest in the southeast corner. Initial estimates from orbital scans put the population at around at least a million but scans from lower orbit show the cities are largely abandoned and the population is most likely lower than half a million. We can confirm at least two Clans in system, the Ice Hellions and the Cloud Cobras, both of which we have never dealt with before, nor have anyone from the Inner Sphere that we know of.â€
Karin thought that about summed it up.
“I still wish we knew exactly what planet this was, Reshondra you said you might know.â€
Still speaking in barely more than a whisper the Clan ‘MechWarrior commanded the attention of the room.
“We are on Babylonâ€
Again it took Karin several seconds before she collected her thoughts to respond.
“Babylon? Isn’t that one of the Clan ‘Pentagon’ Worlds? I would have expected they would have higher populations and much more industry. Plus we saw definite signs that Clan forces were assaulting the large city to our west. I thought inter-clan fighting stayed away from population centers. The evidence points to these clans attempting to subdue the populace, something they shouldn’t have to do on a world they’ve owned for a couple centuries.â€
“I can not explain these things but I am telling you, this is Babylon. I have seen the maps and I have no doubt. The Smoke Jaguar watch had estimated the population of the planet between 50 and 60 million, their absence and the lack of industry are very peculiar but I am certain that this is Babylon. The presence of the Ice Hellions and the Cloud Cobras confirms it and you will also find Coyotes and Diamond Sharks on this world.â€
The revelations of Reshondra’s statements took a while to sink in. They now knew where they were but several things were still unexplained. Had there been some sort of insurrection sparked by the Inner Sphere assault that had spread to the other clan worlds? Even that wouldn’t explain the loss of over 98% of the population especially in such a short time, and all these new clans, four different ones to deal with.
Several hours of discussion later the battalion’s mission had become clear. With rescue virtually impossible their only course of action would be to cause as much harm to the clanners as possible. They would fight a guerilla style conflict and support the indigenous population if they could.
So it was that 48 hours later Karin found herself leading Alpha company north away from the DropShip. The plan was for Beta Company to head northwest and Charlie Company to head west. They would then converge on the nearest large settlement and attempt to contact its inhabitants to gather intel.
Captain Wade and a few crewmembers had decided to stay with the DropShip. Captain Simon’s Special Forces had set explosive charges and Captain Wade’s plan was to keep the DropShip powered down and lure the clanners to their doom.
*****
The destruction of their flagship and three of its attending DropShips along with another DropShip and nearly an entire aerospace star shortly afterwards were crippling blows to Clan Ice Hellion. While Clan Cloud Cobra did eventually come to their aid by destroying the Titan class DropShip and its fighters and chasing the Overlord class DropShip to the surface before rescuing survivors from the Cage’s Pride the relationship between Clan Ice Hellion and Cloud Cobra was soured from that point as the Ice Hellions felt that the Cloud Cobras could have come to help sooner.
Less than three weeks later the Ice Hellions would track the Overlord DropShip to its landing site and find it seemingly abandoned. Hoping to salvage the vessel to replace one of their own Khan Cage dispatched ‘Mech forces with infantry support to secure the DropShip. Unfortunately for the Ice Hellions they walked straight into a trap and lost several ‘Mechs and a significant infantry force when the Overlord exploded.
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So they have jumped in both space and time and are now on Babylon during operation KLONDIKE?
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WoW They in for some trouble
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So they have jumped in both space and time and are now on Babylon during operation KLONDIKE?
Maybe 8) (yes but they don't know that for sure yet)
WoW They in for some trouble
You're not kidding, i'm finishing up chapter 7 right now after that I'll clean up 5 and post it - trouble is coming...
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Wow!..... Agog! Ok This is good now what?
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Very interesting- looking forward to the next installment.
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Wow!..... Agog! Ok This is good now what?
Very interesting- looking forward to the next installment.
Thank you both, and here you go:
Chapter 5
Outskirts of Hope
Solath, Babylon
May 2nd 3060
Jump Plus Five Weeks
Karin was getting worried, she had met up with her XO and Beta Company just two days after they were planned to rendezvous but Charlie Company was late by almost a week. She had decided to move on lest they stay in one spot too long and the clans decide to stomp them out. Moving northwest it wasn’t long before the infantry scouts were reporting small settlements up ahead and she knew they were getting close to the city they had learned was named Hope, which she hoped was a good sign. After resting up the morning of the 2nd Karin ordered her two companies forward.
There were signs that the city ahead was sparsely populated for its size, reflecting the fact that it was most likely built for a larger population and Karin doubted they had much in the way of military equipment but she didn’t want any surprises. Keeping their sensors on passive scanning and broadcasting friendly IFF frequencies the ‘Mechs of Alpha and Beta Company made every effort to dissuade the indigenous population from combat until they could get in contact with a representative of the city. Unfortunately with their sensors off Karin had no idea what was happening just ahead.
“Charlie-Actual to Charlie-Second, have one of your lights flash their beacons and give me a sit-rep.â€
“Will-co Commander.â€
It took several seconds for Franklin to report back, in that time Karin could swear she saw something just off to the east but it was most likely a house or silo or something of that sort.
“Not much to report over here Commander.â€
“Alright Franklin I want you to keep circling west and I will take my Company to the east let me know if you come into contact with friendlies or hostiles.â€
“Aye Commanderâ€
“Okay guys I want Third Lance to scout ahead in pairs, I and First Lance will take the rear, that leaves point to you Second Lance. Let’s move out!â€
This was the part Karin hated, the long mundane marches that people conveniently forgot in their romanticized view of ‘Mech combat but then again it could be worse, much worse. Nearly 20 minutes of maneuvering later had produced nothing significant and it was time for her scouts to check in, but one pair failed to do so.
“Charlie-Actual to Charlie-Alpha-11 come in. Charlie-Alpha-12 report.â€
Damn where are they?
“Alright guys go sensor hot we need to find some of our scouts and make sure they’re okay.â€
A few switches and Karin’s Sunder was bouncing radar waves off of everything within a kilometer, immediately she knew something was wrong.
“Charlie-Alpha-4 to Charlie-Actual, are you seeing what I am?â€
“Affirmative 4 let me assess the situation, keep your eyes peeled.â€
The radar was lit up with contacts all over the place. To the northeast, where her missing scouts should be, there were no less than eight contact that looked like ‘Mechs but there were also six or seven contacts due north.
“Charlie-Alpha-8 and 9 form back with the main group, all Alpha Company form up on me we need to concentrate our forces I count no less than a company of ‘Mechs in range and they probably aren’t friendly.â€
A chorus of “Yes Sirs†and “Affirmatives†followed her order but Karin didn’t recognize her two remaining scout’s voices.
“Charlie-Alpha-8, Charlie-Alpha-9 reports!â€
“MAYDAY this is Charlie-Alpha-9, Charlie-Alpha-8 is down and I have several ‘Mechs on my tail… looks like a Locust, a Stinger and what looks like a Talon.â€
Immediately Karin knew she had fallen into a trap, the clanners had to know they would try to contact the nearest settlement. It was a good bet that they had already taken that settlement and had set a trap to destroy her battalion. No time for retrospection though, she had to try to save her company and hopefully Beta Company as well. Ordering her company due north they moved to support her scout Hermes and engage the smaller of the two ‘Mech concentrations.
After several agonizing minutes Karin’s Sunder broke out of a group of trees and the northern ‘Mechs came into view, ‘Mechs her forward elements were already engaging. Wincing Karin realized her scout Hermes had fallen along with two others from Beta Lance.
“Charlie-Alpha-5 you have some advanced optics don’t you? Take a look at that larger ‘Mech in the back, what does that look like to you?â€
“That’s an Avatar sir, definitely.â€
“Charlie-Alpha form up on me, that’s Charlie-Charlie you’re fighting, STAND DOWN! That goes for you too Charlie-Charlieâ€
A PPC blast zipped past Karin’s Sunder just before the radio crackled back to life.
“Force Commander is that you?â€
“Affirmative Charlie-Third, that’s my ‘Mech your trying to fry.â€
“I apologize Commander but we didn’t realize it was you. We’ve been trying to fight off a group of Clan ‘Mechs all day.â€
“I think we’ve ran into them as well, they took out my scouts and almost succeeded in playing us off on each other.â€
“I hate to interrupt sirs but we have company!â€
As if on queue a barrage of Laser, PPC and Autocannon fire erupted as the clanners broke from the same tree line Karin had just exited. The clanners followed their initial barrage with multiple missile salvos and then several switched right back to their initial weapons, all while traveling at full speed.
With little time to think Karin swung her Sunder around and unleashed an Alpha Strike on the nearest enemy ‘Mech she could find. Several weapons went wide but her AC/20 and at least one Large Laser connected and the enemy Stinger was nearly obliterated in the onslaught.
I hope that’s the same Stinger that took was chasing Phillip, he was a good ‘MechWarrior. These must be lowly garrison forces if they’re still using ‘Mechs like a Stinger.
Karin had no time to revel in her kill as the clanners kept coming and it wasn’t long before several of her companions had fallen and things didn’t look like they were going very well.
“Charlie-Third to Charlie-Actual I have a plan.â€
“Hit me with it Chelsea, I could use anything right about now.â€
“My first lance form on me, we’ll charge them and hold them off and you can pull the rest of our force out.â€
“Unacceptable Chelsea, I can’t let you do that – I should be the one to do it, besides my Assault ‘Mech would be better for that mission anyways.â€
“Sorry sir but my lance has already decided, either you take this opportunity to escape or we will have died in vain.â€
With that Karin watched as her subordinate and her friend, another friend, gave her life so that Karin could continue on. Furious at Captain Jeffries but more furious at herself for allowing them to get in this situation, Karin had no choice to but to pull her remaining forces back to the northwest. Over the course of the next few days Karin and what was originally a company comprised of ‘Mechs from both Alpha and Charlie Companies executed a force march circling wide to the north then hard east and north again to swing around and behind the city of Hope. Several more engagements with the clanners would whittle her forces down to two lances and leave her and her forces exhausted. They eventually reached relative safety however and even met up with the remnants of Beta Company. Captain Strike and ‘MechWarrior DesCastis had only been able to save two others of their company after they were ambushed by a similar force that Karin’s company had encountered. Even after rest and some time to stop and patch up their ‘Mechs and recover nearly a platoon of infantry forces including Captain Simon, Karin was still feeling quite down from their defeat. Captain Simon however presented her with her first real ray of hope; he had come in contact with some locals and was confident he could arrange a meeting between Karin and a local leader.
*****
The Ice Hellions demanded the right to hunt down the forces that had caused them so much damage, so while the Cloud Cobras prepared to move on to Corsen the Ice Hellions had deployed forces by DropShip to the northwest of the city of Hope. The Ice Hellions quickly secured the city, mainly by attacking from a direction the defenders of Hope had not expected. The Hellions then leveraged their conquest of Hope to set a trap for the forces who had set their own DropShip trap southwest of Hope.
Khan Cage initially proclaimed the Hellion victory over the unknown battalion for everyone who would listen but further investigation would reveal that it wasn’t the great victory he made it out to be. While the two Binaries the Hellions had dispatched against the Battalion did defeat them and destroy two-dozen ‘Mechs they suffered right around 50% casualties themselves and were unable to regroup in time to pursue the survivors. This “victory†would come back to haunt the Hellions.
 
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Wow I feel like a nitwit with my own writing after reading thid! Keep it coming!
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Ok... just a thought
you mentioned a Sunder OmniMech.
ilKhan Nicholas Kerensky formed the Clans to retake the Pentagon from factions harking back to the old IS.
This FWL faction is going to be torn to pieces as another renegade SLDF faction and the Clans have OmniMechs early. And better tech then ever.
Oh my... :o
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Wow I feel like a nitwit with my own writing after reading thid! Keep it coming!
You're too kind, thanks.
Ok... just a thought
you mentioned a Sunder OmniMech.
ilKhan Nicholas Kerensky formed the Clans to retake the Pentagon from factions harking back to the old IS.
This FWL faction is going to be torn to pieces as another renegade SLDF faction and the Clans have OmniMechs early. And better tech then ever.
Oh my... :o
I thought of that, I've named at least two OmniMechs (Captain Jeffries had an Avatar) but actually the biggest prize for a clan would be the Penetrator as it has clan tech weapons.
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Well you guys have already pieced it together (pretty obvious at this point from our point of view) but now its time for the characters to find out what's actually going on. On a side note I just have two chapters left to write! I'll try to get them written, edited and up here by the weekend so I can go back to working on my timeline ;D
Chapter 6
Southern Outskirts of New Drineshane
Solath, Babylon
March 10th, 3060
Jump Plus 6 Weeks
It had taken just over a week but Karin had moved her forces, now reduced to company strength, close to the city of New Drineshane and was now about to come face-to-face with a local resistance leader, a celebrity of sorts. Cloaked by the dead of night and on foot Karin made her way to the designated meeting area. With her Karin had brought her XO and Reshondra DesCastis, whom she had recently promoted to Lieutenant and given command of Third Lance in their reorganized company. Captain Simon was to have scouted ahead and made initial contact, but obviously the indigenous people had another idea as suddenly when they rounded a street corner three figures blocked their path instructing Karin and the others to follow them.
Forty-five minutes later they finally entered the meeting room, after having been searched and led around and through several corridors, Karin assumed to confuse them. Upon their entry, Captain Simon immediately stood from his chair at attention and shot Karin a look as if to say, “did they hurt you?†with a mix of “give the word and I kill them all.â€
“We’re fine Simonâ€, Karin said quickly responding out loud to what Captain Simon had communicated with body language.
“Yes Captain don’t worry yourself, I would never harm a potential ally.â€
The voice had come from the other side of the room, from a man whom their three captors had moved to report to when they had initially entered the room.
“So you’re Colonel Houng? I’ve heard quite a bit about you.â€
“And you must be Force Commander Orff, your reputation also precedes you.â€
“Now that the pleasantries are out of the way can we get down to business?â€
“First we might want to figure out just exactly what that business is…â€
Karin was confused, she had thought their business together would be obvious, they both wished to resist the clans and could prove mutually beneficial to one another, but before she could respond the Colonel spoke up once again.
“What I mean by that is, why should I get involved in your fight? These ‘clans’ seem to be coming after you or at least these ‘Iced Hellion’ ones from what we can gather. The other ‘Cloudy Cobras’ seem to be moving to Corsen so they aren’t an issue. So tell me Force Commander why I shouldn’t kill you and offer your bloody carcass to these clanners in the hopes that it would appease them.â€
Karin couldn’t help but chuckle, not only at the Colonel’s interesting adaptions of the Clan names but also at his limited vision of the situation.
“First of all yes the Ice Hellions are after us, apparently we did quite a bit of damage to them in space and with our trap south of Hope, they hit us pretty badly at Hope itself and even though we haven’t seen them since I’m sure they will be coming. Along with the Ice Hellions there are also most likely three other Clans on this world, the Cloud Cobras that you know of along with the Coyotes and Diamond Sharks who are most likely tied up on the other continents.â€
“Yes we had heard of the assault on Camlann and that there were four ‘Clans’ involved. Our information has them referring to themselves as the Cloud Cobras, Coyotes, Ice Hellions and Sea Foxes but one name difference isn’t much considering how far Camlann is and the probability that these Sea Foxes or Diamond Sharks have moved even further away.â€
Karin heard Lieutenant DesCastis let out a small but audible noise when Colonel Houng first mentioned the Sea Foxes, something highly unlike the former Smoke Jaguar to do but she moved on anyways.
“Okay so you should know that the Clans, whichever they may be, will eventually come here and destroy anyone who resists them – or at least that’s what we would expect them to do about an insurrection based on what we’ve seen.â€
“I would hardly call us going about our lives ‘insurrection’ they nor you have any claim to this world. Let me guess, little Nicky Kerensky took his people to Strana Mechty in his little ‘second exodus’ and after 20 years they’ve evolved into these ‘Clans’ but you guys didn’t want to go along with their ruthlessness or some other highly moral reason and you’ve come to help us out right?â€
Nicky Kerensky? He couldn’t mean Nicholas could he, did the clans only evolve recently – that goes against most of our intel.
“No we aren’t now nor have we ever been part of the Clans if that’s what you’re saying. We’re representatives of the restored Star League, we were part of the multi-national force that was moving to strike at the Clan Homeworlds and arrived here by what can only be a miss-jump.â€
“But you were part of Kerensky’s people right?â€
“No, we’re from the Inner Sphere.â€
Colonel Houng was visibly shaken by Karin’s words and it took him several seconds to collect himself. Karin could tell the Colonel was trying to decide whether he believed her or not.
“How or more importantly why would forces from the Inner Sphere have followed us out here? Are you telling me the Star League has reformed back in the Inner Sphere?â€
“Well, yes. The Star League reformed two years ago after the rulers of the five successor states decided they needed to band together to counter the Clan Invasion of the Inner Sphere.â€
“What?! They invaded the Inner Sphere, how is that possible? Wait no, more importantly when did they do that.â€
“Just about ten years ago, they damn near pulled it off too.â€
Again Colonel Houng was taken aback and took quite a while to regroup. Karin was also beginning to become uncomfortable with how they seemed to be telling two different stories, even different points of view didn’t seem to explain some of the differences they were coming up with.
“Before we go any further Colonel tell me one thing, this Nicky Kerensky you speak of he isn’t Nicholas Kerensky, son of Alexandr Kerensky is he?â€
“Of course, the older son of the General. He took about a million people from these worlds or so the rumor goes almost exactly twenty years ago. For him to have nearly pulled off an invasion of the Inner Sphere only ten years later is crazy, has the Inner Sphere blasted themselves into oblivion that much?â€
Again Lieutenant DesCastis made a noise, something like a cough then spoke.
“That can not be correct, everyone knows that happened in 2800, that would make this 2820 which it obviously isn’t.â€
Karin was floored, could this really be true? Then the Colonel responded.
“Well no its not 2820 that’s true but your mistaken about when Nicholas left, it was 2801 when he left, twenty years later makes this 2821.â€
At first Karin couldn’t believe it, or wouldn’t, but eventually she came to the conclusion that all the evidence fit. They must have not only miss-jumped in regards to their location but also in time. Karin wouldn’t begin to claim she knew enough about physics or space-time to explain it but everything pointed towards it the more she investigated. Karin was able to salvage the meeting with Colonel Houng, convincing him that the Clans were in fact a threat to him while keeping their apparent time travel murky. They had decided to join with Colonel Houng’s and the two other major power blocs in the area. It wasn’t long before their combined strength made them confident enough to strike back at the Clans.
*****
After their initial losses and their “victory†near Hope the Ice Hellions were becoming critically weakened. Forced by political pressures to keep up with the other Clans they continued to pacify areas around Hope while the Cloud Cobras moved to the Shoshi’i Islands and prepared to move over to Corsen. The Ice Hellion’s first ray of hope was that the Cloud Cobras made slow progress through the Shoshi’i Islands as they attempted to absorb them without causing undue damage to the population (which the resistance cells in the area of course took full advantage of). The Ice Hellions slowed their progress to match the Cloud Cobras in the hopes that would give them time to patch up damaged ‘Mechs and rebuild their forces in any way they could. They still needed more time however to rebuild before attacking New Drineshane and the other cities in the north of Solath.
The answer to the Ice Hellion’s problems and ironically to the Cloud Cobra’s came in the form of a massive outbreak of volcanic eruptions and seismic activity throughout the Shoshi’i Islands and surrounding area. Khan Khatib of Clan Cloud Cobra took the opportunity to garner good will from the populace by utilizing his forces to rescue civilians and administer aid but was hampered by the lack of a sufficient base of operations. Khan Cage of Clan Ice Hellion saw the opportunity to excuse a complete halt to offensive operations and offered the Cobras his conquered city of Hope as a base of operations (Hope itself had suffered some damage from the earthquakes). This helped the Ice Hellions have time to rebuild and also helped to rebuild the relationship between the two clans and with the population.
With the area around Hope fully under control and with a population that was actually leaning towards being in favor of their Clan overlords it wasn’t long before Clan Cloud Cobra was ready to continue their assault into the Corsen Continent and the Ice Hellions were getting ready to assault New Drineshane.
 
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My My My The Poor Ice Hellions need help and pity. When do they not 8) :P
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I think this is not going to be a very short story if I see this going the way it looks! Love it!
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My My My The Poor Ice Hellions need help and pity. When do they not 8) :P
::Maniacal Laughter:: :D
I think this is not going to be a very short story if I see this going the way it looks! Love it!
I have chapters 7 and 8 written and am working on 9. After that will be an epilogue chapter. Thanks!
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And because work had been boring this week, here we go:
Chapter 7
Northeastern Outskirts of Hope
Solath, Babylon
September 12th 2822
Jump Plus 7 Months
Sweat pouring and her heart thundering in her chest, Karin kicked her Sunder back up to full speed just as her AC/20 reloaded. Another blast, her third attempt, this time connecting with the Ice Hellion Kintaro blowing the Right Leg clean off. Even as the 55 ton Ice Hellion ‘Mech plummeted to the ground, Karin throttled down her own ‘Mech and began scanning her instruments to check her situation.
Being on the offensive for the first time in a long time was quite exhilarating for several reasons, not the least of which was the fact that they were set to attack an Ice Hellion staging area. Their pool of intelligence, if you could call it that, suspected that the Ice Hellions had only two remaining operational DropShips in the system although rumor had it that the Cloud Cobras had offered DropShip support. The pool of “intelligence†consisted only of Captain Simon’s intelligence gathering efforts along with those that Marshal Membek, General Watson and Colonel Houng could provide but had served them well so far.
The Ice Hellions had taken their time rebuilding, which had allowed the resistance in New Drineshane to amass extra forces and strengthen fortifications, but it was only a matter of time before the clanners came calling. For that reason it was decided to preemptively attack them first and Karin’s company along with two lances detached from Colonel Houng’s command (with Colonel Houng in command of course) were sent on this mission to hopefully take out one of the Ice Hellion’s two remaining DropShips, a Union, and leave them with only their command Overlord. The Hellion Union was being used as a secondary Ice Hellion staging area near the eastern coastal region where supply trains from Hope would have been too long to be practical.
“Charlie-Actual to Houng-Command sit-rep.â€
“I was about to ask you the same thing Karin. From the looks of things the intelligence was right, no more than a Star of ‘Mechs defending the DropShip and with that Kintaro you just took out I count three Ice Hellions down. I suspect the other two scurried off for fear of dying.â€
Shows how much he knows about these clanners, I’ve never known a single one that would retreat out of cowardice, only for tactical advantage.
“Alright then Colonel, then lets find this egg, crack it, and get back to base.â€
“Sounds good, my readings put the Union about a half-click to the south and out intel says we should expect some armor and infantry supporting it, maybe those two remaining ‘Mechs from this Star if they have some back bone.â€
“Alright then… Charlie-Actual to all units form up on myself and Colonel Houng, its time to make for the objective.â€
Time seemed to drag on into eternity and Karin was convinced that her ‘Mech’s chronometer was faulty when it told her it had only taken them a few minutes to reach their objective.
Heh, maybe time travel messed it up…
“There it is folks, go for the engines they are the most critical – even if we can’t destroy it we’ll keep it from getting away. Charlie-Third I want your Lance to deal with the ground-pounders Colonel see if you can detach one of your lances to help them.â€
“Negative Karin, the DropShip is the objective we need all of our fire there.â€
“Fine, Charlie-Second detach two of your lance to support Third and the rest of you come with my lance to hit the DropShip.â€
With the orders given the company charged. Laser beams, the staccato of autocannon fire and arc after arc of missile fire filled the air. Karin noticed the two remaining ‘Mechs from the Star they had just engaged come in on the right and she moved two of her lance to hold them off. Reshondra’s Orion blasted a hole in a defending Burke tank then pivoted and unleashed her lasers and SRMs on a group of infantry. Franklin unleashed his Clan upgraded ER Large Lasers again and again scoring direct hits on the Union’s engines while utilizing his Medium Pulse Lasers at the same time to support his lancemates against the defending tanks and infantry.
Colonel Houng’s forces were taking the worst damage though as true to his word they blindly charged the DropShip. While not the most heavily armed or armored as far as DropShips go the Union did pack a blistering array of weapons compared to the average BattleMech and this one was using them to full effect. Colonel Houng’s two lances consisted of all different types of ‘Mechs, all with prior damage and all smaller than his Black Knight. As they approached the DropShip and began targeting it with their weapons the ship responded by unleashing massed PPC, autocannon and LRM fire on each ‘Mech in turn, crippling or destroying three ‘Mechs in under a minute. The DropShip also began to receive help from the ground forces who were beginning to concentrate on Colonel Houng’s lances as they received less return fire than from Karin’s forces.
“Houng you’re getting chewed up over there! Pull back we have to concentrate our forces or they’re going to eat us alive!â€
“Can it Karin, your not in charge of me or my forces, we have to take out this DropShip and I-“
Colonel Houng’s transmission was cut off as the head and most of the upper torso of his ‘Mech exploded. Initially Karin assumed the DropShip had targeted him but then she realized that the fire had come from above. Before she had a chance to even open her comm link her XO was already barking through it.
“Aerospace fighters, Repeat we have multiple aerospace fighters in the vicinity. Can anyone get a count?â€
“I count five including that Rapier that just took out the Colonel.â€
With the cool precision of a clan warrior Lieutenant DesCastis pivoted her Orion and unleashed her LB-X AC/10 peppering one of the aerospace fighters, following this up with her LRM-20 she scored at least ten missile hits and the Trident she was targeting went down.
“Make that one less, nice one Lieutenant.â€
After Reshondra’s kill the situation began to rapidly deteriorate. ‘Mechs aimlessly scanned the skies firing into nothing as the aerospace fighters came in for their strafing runs and all the while the remaining ground forces along with the Union continued to blast away. Karin knew she had to get the situation under control or face the destruction of her company.
“Colonel Houng’s survivors I’m designating you Delta Lance who’s in charge there?â€
“No one really, our commander just died and he never had a second.â€
He led both lances? That arrogant little…
“Alright then you just volunteered, your now designated Charlie-Fourth – now I want you to take your lance and pull them back. Charlie-Second move your lance to cover their pull back and deal with the remainder of these ground pounders. Charlie-Third your lance is on aerospace patrol while Alpha Lance and I will take the DropShip. Everyone understood?â€
Karin didn’t wait to hear the slew of “yes sirs†and “affirmatives†she simply cranked her Sunder into full speed and charged the DropShip. A few minutes later it was missing an engine and the main hanger bay was on fire, Karin watched as munitions in the DropShip’s cargo hold exploded and added to the conflagration.
Karin’s forces had achieved their objective but once again paid a heavy price. Her own company had been reduced down to just nine ‘Mechs several of which needed heavy repairs and Colonel Houng’s two lances were decimated even more with only three ‘Mechs surviving. Upon returning to their base near New Drineshane, Karin petitioned Marshal Membek and General Watson and was allowed to absorb the remaining elements of Colonel Houng’s command into her own bringing her company back up to full strength. Now it was time to wait, Marshal Membek and General Watson had amassed quite a force in New Drineshane and Karin was hopeful that they could hold off the Ice Hellion attack when it came. The only questions now were when would the clanner’s attack and where was their last DropShip as it had been reported missing by their intelligence just days earlier.
*****
The Second Battle of Hope went much worse for the Ice Hellions than had the first. The loss of yet another DropShip left them with only one functional DropShip in system, their command Overlord, and Khan Cage was reported to be enraged beyond belief. Along with the Union class DropShip the Ice Hellions had lost another Star of both ‘Mechs and aerospace fighters along with a small contingent of conventional support. After another pause to rest, refit and salvage the Hellions were only able to claim just under three binaries of forces including two of ‘Mechs and one of conventional assets with no aerospace support. Khan Cage knew he had to make a decisive strike against the enemy stronghold of New Drineshane or face continued attacks from the enemy that would surely eventually lead to the Ice Hellion’s defeat. Worst of all Khan Cage had been informed that the ilKhan was aware of the Ice Hellion’s poor performance and was considering dispatching another Clan to Babylon to help finish the job just as it was rumored he was planning to do for Dagda. Khan Cage decided it was time to swallow his pride and ask the Cloud Cobras for help.
 
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Alright here's chapter 8, I'm getting kinda antsy to get back to working on my sourcebooks that's why I'm putting these up so quickly. Hope you enjoy.
Chapter 8
Northern Outskirts of New Drineshane
Solath, Babylon
February 22nd 2823
Jump Plus 1 Year
Karin cursed her luck, they had known the attack was coming and her own company had been deployed in New Drineshane’s southern sector to act as the first line of defense against such an attack. Unfortunately the Ice Hellions had once again attacked from an unexpected direction and came at them from the north. Karin had been forced to move her company through the city to the site of the main battle, a trip that had taken nearly an hour and was just now concluding.
“Charlie-Actual to any non-Clan units can I get a sit-rep? What’s going on?â€
After a few seconds Marshal Membek responded.
“Good to see you Force Commander, about time you showed up. We have what looks like three binaries of Ice Hellions attacking from three directions and there is a nasty flight of aerospace fighters tearing up our lines.â€
As if to prove the Marshal’s words were true several aerospace fighters made a low swoop and two tanks exploded. The scene was one of chaos; Marshal Membek had nearly a full battalion of Mechs split into three companies with armor and infantry support, each trying to hold off a clan binary. Unfortunately, even though they had the numerical superiority, the Marshal’s forces were of much lower quality than the clan machines and it was obvious that the individual clan warriors had much more experience.
“Were are we needed Marshal?â€
“Never mind that Force Command what I need is a strike force, these Ice Hellions had to use their last DropShip to move these forces so far so quickly and hit us from this direction. I want you to find that ship and take it out, or at least pull some of their forces away while you go for it.â€
“Aye. You heard him! Charlie-Second, Charlie-Third on me, we’re gonna need all of our forces to take the ship if we find it. My bet is these clanners aren’t being very creative and their DropShip will be due north.â€
Breaking through the front lines was simpler than Karin would have imagined, mainly because there weren’t really lines as the fighting was concentrated in three separate areas. A lone Ice Hellion 'Mech stepped out in an opening just as Karin’s company was about to leave sensor range of the battle, but weapons fire from both her Sunder and Franklin’s Penetrator took the enemy Thorn down.
“Bit of an overkill don’t you think?â€
“I would have to agree Franklin, Clan ‘MechWarriors would never mass fire on an enemy like that.â€
“I don’t know Reshondra, maybe ones from our time but I saw those Ice Hellions mass firing in every engagement we’ve been in since we got to this god-forsaken planet.â€
“I believe it is not so much the time that we are in but the quality of the ‘MechWarriors of which you speak.â€
“Is that a funny way of putting the Ice Hellions down? You think the Smoke Jaguars in this time would be more honorable?â€
Karin cursed as she realized what her sensors were showing, she had been listening to Franklin and Reshondra’s bantering and hadn’t seen it show up.
“Cut it out you two and check your scopes, I’ve got an Overlord and at least a Star of ‘Mechs at about 800 meters just behind those trees.â€
“Confirmed Force Commander let’s go get ‘em!â€
“Hold up Franklin we can’t just go charging them, that Overlord is covered in weapons. We’re going to have to draw the ‘Mechs out first, destroy them, then deal with the DropShip.â€
“But they might power up and launch the DropShip if we give them that much time!â€
“That’s true but it’s a risk we’re going to have to take, besides if we can kill off a Star and make them move their Overlord you can bet the Ice Hellions will have to pull some forces off their line, and that is really what the Marshal sent us to do.â€
Karin knew the clanners had to be able to see her ‘Mechs on their scopes so it was no surprise when they broke the tree line at 750 meters that the ‘Mechs were already facing their direction. For a split second there was a standoff then the comm link crackled to life.
“I am Stephen Cage, Khan of Clan Ice Hellion and I stand with this BattleMech Star to keep you from claiming this DropShip. To whom do I have the pleasure of addressing?â€
Karin thought for a moment, should she respond? She would have to be careful.
“I am Force Commander Karin Orff.â€
“Ah Force Commander, if I’m not mistaken its largely your fault that this is my last DropShip. You must know that I will have to personally kill you for such an affront.â€
“Come on then, come and get me.â€
“Ah yes you would like that wouldn’t you, draw us away from the ship’s protective fire where we would be outnumbered and out massed more than two to one.â€
“Can you blame me for trying?â€
“I suppose not, so how shall we do this?â€
“How about a duel? You win we leave and don’t return to New Drineshane, I win you board that Overlord, call off your attack on New Drineshane and return to Hope. How about that, you clanners are usually up for a one-on-one.â€
“Ah yes that might work however I am piloting a medium ‘Mech and you an assault, it would hardly be equal.â€
“What if I were in a medium?â€
“That would work but alas you are not.â€
“Thurton is.â€
From both the enemy Khan and her own subordinate Karin received the response of “Huh?â€
So it was arranged that Stephen Cage in his Phoenix Hawk would battle Joeseph Thurton in his Wraith. Joeseph had the advantage of higher speed and pulse weaponry, which allowed him to be highly accurate, but Stephen’s modified PXH-1c Phoenix Hawk carried an ER Large Laser and a rare Snub-Nosed PPC along with 3 Medium lasers.
The two warriors circled one another, Cage sniping away with his longer-range weaponry and Thurton ducking in and out attempting to score hits with his pulse lasers. The skill of the two ‘MechWarriors was apparent as they maneuvered and each pulled off several shots that should have been nearly impossible at the speed they and their target were moving.
Franklin opened a comm link directly to Karin, “Are you sure it’s wise to trust Thurton with something this big?â€
“I’ve seen him pull off things with that Wraith you would never believe.â€
“I hope your right, if it was me I would have taken him on myself.â€
“You have to learn to trust your subordinates, just watch.â€
The circling ‘MechWarriors had both taken wide trajectories and were several hundred feet from one another. Turning their ‘Mechs to face one another the two warriors each throttled up to maximum speed and nearly at the same moment engaged their jump jets, launching their ‘Mechs into the air towards their opponents. Mid-air both ‘MechWarriors unleashed the full barrage of their ‘Mechs and to the credit of both ‘MechWarriors not a single weapon missed. Armor bubbled and splashed as the Wraith’s pulse lasers tore into the Phoenix Hawk’s legs while the returning ER Large Laser and triple Medium Lasers impacted along the Wraith’s Right Torso and Arm followed by a Snub-Nosed PPC shot that ripped into the shoulder actuator of the same Arm. Then the two ‘Mechs met, grappled and fell.
Karin could feel the ground shake as 110 combined tons impacted the surface and for a moment nothing happened. Surveying the scene Karin was afraid Thurton may have let her down. Neither ‘Mech was standing, Thurton’s Wraith was flat on its back while Cage’s Phoenix Hawk was next to it kneeling on one knee and holding the Wraith’s Right Arm. Then suddenly Thurton launched his ‘Mech into action, lunging to his right he swung his Left Arm over and sent dual Medium Pulse Laser blasts into the Phoenix Hawk’s Left Leg knee actuator fusing the joint and adding to the damage the ‘Mech already had to its legs.
Bringing his ‘Mech back up to its feet took no small amount of skill, but Thurton was able to do so fairly quickly and now he stood behind the Khan’s ‘Mech, pulse lasers pointed straight at the back of its head.
Karin opened the comm link once again, “I’m guessing you won’t be able to move those legs very easily any time soon, you’re done Khan Cage have your comrades move your ‘Mech to the DropShip, call off your attack and leave this place.â€
“I’m afraid I can’t do that Force Commander. Taney! I require assistance, down this damn Wraith and any ‘Mech that comes to his aid.â€
Karin couldn’t believe it, the two damaged ‘Mechs were just under the DropShip’s guns so the chances of her being able to save Thurton were minimal. For a moment everyone froze.
Damn it, I won’t let another one die.
“If you break your word Cage and any one of my Warriors is injured in any way I will personally rip your throat out.â€
Then came another voice new to the conversation, “There will be no need for that Force Commander. You’ve lost Khan we can’t intervene, it wouldn’t be honorable.â€
“Don’t preach to me about honor! I am your Khan you will follow my orders.â€
There was a momentary pause then slowly one of the Ice Hellion ‘Mechs, a Royal Champion, stepped forward and raised its weapons.
“You might want to step back Thurton.â€
“What are you about to do Star Commander?â€
“What must be done.â€
With those words the Champion unleashed a precisely aimed Gauss Rifle slug that impacted Cage’s Phoenix Hawk directly at the cockpit.
*****
The details of Stephen Cage’s defeat and death during Operation KLONDIKE were most likely intentionally removed from the Remembrances of the Clans, those that do mention it only say that he was defeated and stress that the Ice Hellions were outnumbered. Zoran Taney assumed the position of Khan of the Ice Hellions after calling off the attack on New Drineshane and retreating back to Hope. He refused to invade the city again even when the ilKhan himself suggested it wouldn’t harm the Ice Hellion’s honor. The new Ice Hellion Khan was adamant that his Clan was honor bound, as their deal had not set a time period his interpretation was that they would never attack New Drineshane again. With the Coyotes, and Cloud Cobras taking additional damage due to the Ice Hellion’s slow progress and the Sea Foxes damage and location on the other side of the planet, ilKhan Kerensky would eventually be forced to bring in another Clan to deal with the situation.
 
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WoW Too bad Clan Fennec does not exist in this AU we would Swiftly and with Honor deal with the problem. As we always do when ever Clan Ice Hellion overextends itself!!!!!!!!!!!
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WoW Too bad Clan Fennec does not exist in this AU we would Swiftly and with Honor deal with the problem. As we always do when ever Clan Ice Hellion overextends itself!!!!!!!!!!!
I'll just have to use a canon one instead ;D
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Alright this is the final chapter (I have another but I'm gonna call than an epilogue because its written differently) Hope you enjoy.
Chapter 9
Northwest of New Drineshane
Solath, Babylon
April 11th 2822
Jump Plus 14 Months
Karin pivoted her Sunder and fired her dual Large Lasers at an enemy Hoplite doing damage but not any critical enough to stop the ‘Mech’s advance.
The Clan forces had been pushing them further and further back for more than a week, first through New Drineshane and now here in the countryside. It seemed the ilKhan had gotten tired of the Ice Hellion’s poor performance and dispatched another Clan to take care of business on Babylon and now Karin felt like she had the entirety of Clan Wolf coming after her.
Starting their attack on the 1st of April, the Wolves had assaulted New Drineshane from three directions and pushed Karin’s Guard Company along with what was left of the indigenous forces north and west after about a week of bloody conflict. The Wolves were relentless, utilizing air support along with strong conventional assets to support their main ‘Mech force, Karin wasn’t sure if her forces had even slowed the Wolves at all.
The Hoplite she had targeted return fire with its ER PPC and LRM 15 both of which Karin was just able to dodge but she knew she would need to pull back more or face not only that ‘Mech but the rest of his Star as well. As if to confirm her suspicion four more ‘Mechs crested the ridge: a Shadow Hawk, a Sentinel, a Warhammer and a Marauder.
“Charlie-Second to Charlie-Actual don’t you think its about time we made a stand?â€
Karin paused, it did seem like they weren’t going to get out of this and it didn’t look like their forces would ever be any stronger again.
“You’re right Franklin, it is time to make a stand but not for you. How many of us are left… 6? Alright I want you to form up a lance and pull them back – I need one volunteer and it can’t be you Captain.â€
Karin was positive that each one of them knew what she was asking them to volunteer for and she was also sure that each one would perform the task admirably but Lieutenant DesCastis was the first to speak up.
“Charlie-Third volunteering for duty sir.â€
“Alright Reshondra form up on me, I want you to go after the Warhammer and Marauder and I will take the three smaller ones.â€
Karin knew Reshondra would have no issue with the order but before she could even confirm it Franklin busted in, “That’s suicide, a single Orion versus both?â€
Again Karin wasn’t quick enough to respond and Reshondra was already on it, “Suicide it may be but those are the orders, now I believe the Force Commander gave you orders as well.â€
Finally it was Karin’s turn, “She’s right Franklin now pull your units back, we’ll hold them off to give you time and try to take a few out.â€
“I won’t let you sacrifice yourself for us.â€
“You don’t have a choice Captain, you’re all that is left and I am giving you a direct order. I want you to continue to retreat and try to find a safe haven to strike back at the clanners from. Cause as much damage as you can but don’t let your ‘Mech fall into enemy hands, those are some advance weapons even for the Clans in our time and I don’t think we need to give them that advantage early. “
For a few moments there was nothing but silence as both Karin and Reshondra prepared themselves, the Wolf Star had assumed a formation and was now approaching.
“NOW GO†Karin blared into the comm link and then switched it over to the other channel, she knew Franklin would understand and not follow, Reshondra however had.
“I think a little discussion with our enemies might buy us a bit more time Force Commander maybe get them to fight us one-on-one.â€
“Now Lieutenant I would think you wouldn’t want to abuse a dueling system like that.â€
“Ah they are Wolves, they deserve anything we can dish up for them.â€
Karin figured it was worth a try and again switched the comm, this time to the open channel.
“Wolf ‘MechWarriors I am Force Commander Karin Orff and I can not allow you to proceed any further.â€
At first Karin though the Wolves wouldn’t respond and she readied her weapons for their inevitable retaliation, but she had been unaware of whom she was actually dealing with.
“Force Commander, I am Khan Jerome Winson of Clan Wolf. In the name of Clan Wolf, the Clans and the ilKhan I claim this area, this continent and this world respectively. I am sure you can see how our intentions naturally clash.â€
“What do you suggest we do about it Khan Winson?â€
“You and I, a duel to decide the victor in this conflict.â€
“I accept but you should know that we two are the only remnants of my forces still under my command so if you win we will be your only prize.â€
“That is fair as if you win your only prize will be continued pursuit.â€
“Well bargained and done, come and get me clanner.â€
Karin knew that Reshondra would be the only one present able to grasp the irony of her last remark but somehow she doubted it was as funny to her and it was to Karin herself. Wasting no time Karin kicked her Sunder to full speed and began to move to the left, but still slightly towards the Clan ‘Mechs as she knew most had the advantage on her in range. Confirming this position, Khan Winson revealed that his ‘Mech was the Marauder when it began to move forward and immediately unleashed dual ER PPCs in her direction. Karin cursed as one blast impacted her ‘Mech’s Right Leg but was glad the other fell harmlessly in the dirt. Karin pulled her ‘Mech back towards the enemy just as she reached top speed, and while running straight at the Marauder she let loose with her dual Large Laser beams and while they only caused minor damage they did throw the Khan off course. Moving to Karin’s right Khan Winson turned his ‘Mech’s torso and unleashed another ER PPC blast along with a slug from his autocannon, both weapons impacted the Sunder’s Right Torso.
At least I know he still has some heat management issues….
The battle continued for several minutes. At one point Karin was able to maneuver her Sunder in close enough to unleash an AC/20 blast and strip most of the armor from the Marauder’s Center Torso, but the Khan retaliated with several direct ER PPC and autocannon blasts that saw Karin’s ‘Mech loose ton after ton of armor.
If I could just get in close enough for another AC/20 shot he’d be dead meat…
Finally Karin was able to move into short range of the AC/20 once again and she swung her Sunder’s Left Arm out to aim at the Marauder. With a roar the Kali-Yama Big Bore Autocannon flashed fire and spit several hundred pounds of depleted uranium at her foe. It looked as if the battle would soon be over. The Khan of the Wolves was down but no out however and at the last second he was able to pivot his ‘Mechs torso and the AC/20 blast impact his Marauder’s Right Arm, destroying the ER PPC and most of the Arm itself but leaving the ‘Mech very much intact.
In one swift motion Khan Winson swung his ‘Mech back around, after dealing with the force from the Sunder’s blast, and took aim with his remaining ER PPC. The blast impacted Karin’s ‘Mech at its already stripped Right Torso and she cursed as she read the engine hit indicators appear and heat poured into the cockpit.
One more engine hit and I’m done for….
Karin knew she had only one advantage left and that was her size, the Marauder had just fired its ER PPC and the autocannon should be in minimum range, if she could just kick or ram him she could do with her ‘Mech physically what she was unable to do with weaponry. Unfortunately for Karin the Wolf Khan had outfitted his ‘Mech with a weapon she had not encountered before and even though it looked like a regular AC/5, it proved itself different when the gun barked and LB-X shells flew from it, her exposed engine never stood a chance.
*****
Resistance on Babylon fell apart quickly after the Wolves made landfall. The battle for New Drineshane and the surrounding areas lasted less than two weeks and although they would be dealing with a low level insurgency for several more months, Khan Jerome Winson offered to also move to support the Jade Falcons on Dagda. The ilKhan declined Winson’s offer and on June 17th the last resistance in Dagda’s “Black Brian†fell to the Jade Falcons and Operation KLONDIKE came to a close.
 
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I would not mind lending the Mighty Clan Fennec for a story or two after all Clan Ice Hellion allways needs help and I mean allways. Too much Ice on the Brain I suppose alas what can you expect from a Clan that eats frozen popsicles for breakfast. Seyla His will be done.
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Seyla, her blood will be remembered,
she Fought with honour!
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With Honor and an Iron Will. Seyla
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I would not mind lending the Mighty Clan Fennec for a story or two after all Clan Ice Hellion allways needs help and I mean allways. Too much Ice on the Brain I suppose alas what can you expect from a Clan that eats frozen popsicles for breakfast. Seyla His will be done.
I am exploring how I want to deal with the clans, I've got the timeline up to around the clan invasion era in the IS but have kept the clans vague because I really want to flesh them out and make them my own and exploring the option of additional clans is something I am doing (I'm also exploring killing off more but that's another matter). Where can I read about your Clan Fennec? Might give me some ideas.
Seyla, her blood will be remembered,
she Fought with honour!
With Honor and an Iron Will. Seyla
She's not quite done yet...
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This is the Epilogue, attached to this post I have put the whole story in a PDF and added writeups for the Clan Penetrator, Cage's Phoenix Hawk and Winson's Marauder (these are all made up by me on the fly so hopefully I didn't subconsciously steal them from someone). Hope you enjoy, now back to working on my sourcebooks :).
Epilogue
Clan Grand Council
Katyusha City, Strana Mechty
June 10th 2822
Having spent the last few hours manipulating the council to the point that he knew there would be no better time, Nicholas Kerensky decided it was time to strike at the heart of the matter.
“Khans of the Clans the main reason I have gather you here today was not to discuss our operational status after KLONDIKE or any of the other issues we have covered so far. Yes these are important matters and should and will be dealt with. However, the issue I wish to bring forth now is the status of Clan Ice Hellion.â€
The attentions of the gathered Khans turned from the ilKhan to Khan Zoran Taney of Clan Ice Hellion.
Obviously surprised, Taney was slow to respond. “We have submitted detailed reports ilKhan, Clan Ice Hellion is rebuilding and has a long way to go but we will be a powerful tool in your arsenal for the future.â€
“Ah yes I read those reports, I also read your reports concerning the combat on Babylon during your portion of Operation KLONDIKE. I am not now nor was I ever pleased with the Ice Hellion’s performance. You Zoran Taney have redeemed your Clan somewhat in these last few months, especially with the removal of Stephen Cage who turned out to be more of a weasel than I realized. However, your Clan is broken and will most likely never fully heal, you’ve yet to even name a saKhan to replace your first who was also lost. No. Enough, it is my ruling that Clan Ice Hellion, by virtue of your poor performance in KLONDIKE and the extensive damage your Clan took, is no longer fit to exist and shall be absorbed into the other Clans.â€
For several moments there was silence, it was obvious that most of the gathered Khans couldn’t believe what they were hearing. Khan Zoran Taney’s eyes widened for a moment then he assumed a look of resolved fury.
“I won’t let you do that, I don’t care if you are the ilKhan – I refuse.â€
Again there were several moments of silence and almost as many shocked looks among the other Khans, several however had more approving looks. Most who knew Nicholas Kerensky would have expected him to be outraged at an affront to his authority such as this but the ilKhan did not get angry, he stayed very calm.
“As is your right, you will face me in combat to decide the fate of Clan Ice Hellion.â€
*****
Unknown Location
Unknown Time
Karin wasn’t sure how long she had been held captive; she wasn’t even sure how long she had been in this room. The Wolves had been quite angry when they found out several members of her company were continuing the fight on Babylon and Khan Winson had furiously claimed that she had lied to him. Karin had explained that she was no longer in command of those remaining behind so she hadn’t actually lied. The Khan had not been amused and she was summarily thrown into the brig and had been receiving daily “sessions†where “doctors†would inject her with drugs, she would black out for several hours, or days she wasn’t sure, and then end up back in this room.
I wish they would get it over with and just kill me…
Suddenly Karin heard the distinct sound of someone approaching her door. Bracing herself for another round of torture, Karin waited to see who was coming to get her. To her surprise it wasn’t another clan “doctor†but the Khan himself.
“Force Commander I hope you are feeling well.â€
“Go to hell clanner.â€
“Perhaps but not today. I have come to discuss something with you Force Commander.â€
“I’ve nothing to say to you Winson, besides they’ve been pumping me with drugs you should already have any answers you need.â€
“Yes we have been able to ascertain quite a bit of information from your interrogations.â€
Karin paused, the implications of what she knew suddenly hit her, “What do you know?â€
“I know you’re from the future, or at least you adamantly believe you are and as we can find little evidence that you are mentally unstable I have to believe it is at least a possibility.â€
“So you want me to give you information to help the Clans so that when you do invade you can conquer the whole Inner Sphere? Forget it, I can’t stop you from forcing me to answer your questions under drugs but I will not voluntarily help you subjugate the Inner Sphere.â€
“You misunderstand me Force Commander, what I mean to say is I have feared that our new society could eventually degrade to the point that you describe and you have somewhat confirmed that for me. I don’t want you to help me build the Clans up to invade and conquer the Inner Sphere, I want you to help me save it.
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Dude, that was very cunning of you, she is the founder of the warden way! Duuude!
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I think it's a whole lot more than the Warden way. It sounds a lot more like an extreme Warden viewpoint that is actively involved and interested in ensuring the Clans do not stray too far from said Warden's vision. That leads to some very interesting possibilities of playing very, very dirty and unClanlike, while still trying to remain Clanlike.
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I think it's a whole lot more than the Warden way. It sounds a lot more like an extreme Warden viewpoint that is actively involved and interested in ensuring the Clans do not stray too far from said Warden's vision. That leads to some very interesting possibilities of playing very, very dirty and unClanlike, while still trying to remain Clanlike.
Seyla! Not to much dezgra, alittle Ristar and a little chalcas! good balance there!
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I think it's a whole lot more than the Warden way. It sounds a lot more like an extreme Warden viewpoint that is actively involved and interested in ensuring the Clans do not stray too far from said Warden's vision. That leads to some very interesting possibilities of playing very, very dirty and unClanlike, while still trying to remain Clanlike.
This is much more like what I'm thinking. I'm trying to flesh out the Clan timeline right now in a way that will make it believable and not too munchie but still see more Warden views. Its difficult because I still want the invasion to happen unless I can think of another way to bring the IS and Clans together but since my AU's point of divergence happens in early clan history it doesn't really effect the IS at all until they start to interact (Wolf's Dragoons/Intelser then Invasion, etc.).
Spoiler: My idea of the immediate future for the clans: Clan Ice Hellion is absorbed but by all the clans because Nicholas wasn't part of Wolf yet, Nicholas is badly injured in his fight with Zoran Taney and Jennifer Winson (who becomes the first Loremaster of the Clans) starts taking on more and more of the ilKhan's responsibilities. The Wolverine destruction still happens but much more like an Absorbtion and not the heated, hateful annihilation (no nuke involved and they won't become the "Not-Named"). The ilKhan dies years earlier and not in combat. Jerome Winson takes over as ilKhan and leads the Proto-Wardens against the Proto-Crusaders in a sort of Clan Civil war that results in the annihilation of the Widowmakers (the new "Not-Named").
Its all still very rough draft sort of stuff but I'm working on it. Also have my Field Manual: 3028 I'm working on that is approaching 100,000 words. Once I have the timeline for the clans done further and that document cleaned up and ready I'm moving on to the 4th War-Clan Invasion period and I have some (IMO) awesome ideas about how to handle that.
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Seyla! Not to much dezgra, alittle Ristar and a little chalcas! good balance there!
Oh no, I very much was thinking there will be a whole lot of dezgra. Just not dezgra that gets traced back to the Wardens. I mean fighting dirty even to Capellan standards, let alone Clan standards. It's probably my ideal for what I would have liked the Clans to be. They would have worked so much better if they acknowledge their hypocrisy and incorporated it as part of their culture.
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Seyla! Not to much dezgra, alittle Ristar and a little chalcas! good balance there!
Oh no, I very much was thinking there will be a whole lot of dezgra. Just not dezgra that gets traced back to the Wardens. I mean fighting dirty even to Capellan standards, let alone Clan standards. It's probably my ideal for what I would have liked the Clans to be. They would have worked so much better if they acknowledge their hypocrisy and incorporated it as part of their culture.
But they still need to have the honour of the Clan or they are just become less that the SLDF!
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But they still need to have the honour of the Clan or they are just become less that the SLDF!
Ah. That's where our opinions will differ. I don't think the Clans actually have honor, just a lot of hypocrisy cloaked in false claims. ;)
What I like about the concept as presented is that it has a Clan actively embracing that hypocrisy, potentially making it a part of their very culture to be recognized as convenient when needed and disposable when problematic. Don't get me wrong, it's not necessarily a great thing to play against in a game, but it does make for a great villain in a story. ;D
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But they still need to have the honour of the Clan or they are just become less that the SLDF!
Ah. That's where our opinions will differ. I don't think the Clans actually have honor, just a lot of hypocrisy cloaked in false claims. ;)
What I like about the concept as presented is that it has a Clan actively embracing that hypocrisy, potentially making it a part of their very culture to be recognized as convenient when needed and disposable when problematic. Don't get me wrong, it's not necessarily a great thing to play against in a game, but it does make for a great villain in a story. ;D
You should try Playing with a player who has not honour in real life. I was a Deac Takashima Tsai, Mechwarrior Graduate of Sun Zhang, Academy. Asigned to the Legion of Vaga, because I defeated a Noble's son (Warlord) and caused him to commit Sepaku! I played Honourable and was near death 6 times, Until the clans attacked, the dude who has no Honour, (booted out of his house at 16 for theft of food money for the month). Broke in days later and wrecked the place and stole his father car and piled it into a brick wall. This is not all he did but it is all true! He tried played honourable and was more normal til it came to crunch time! Our GM followed Canon events and we started training Under Theodor Kurita as in Heir to the Dragon! When we finished the last game he challenged me amd lost due to dice rolls. He called me a cheater and I now have a very crooked nose! The GM Had to pull him off me and called the Police on the due and an ambulance for me! Honour is not easy to play or live! :(