OBT Forum

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... 

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 


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€œWe’re fine Simon”, Karin said quickly responding out loud to what Captain Simon had communicated with body language.

   â€œYes Captain don’t worry yourself, I would never harm a potential ally.”

   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.

   â€œSo you’re Colonel Houng? I’ve heard quite a bit about you.”

   â€œAnd you must be Force Commander Orff, your reputation also precedes you.”

   â€œNow that the pleasantries are out of the way can we get down to business?”

   â€œFirst we might want to figure out just exactly what that business is…”

   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.

   â€œWhat 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.”

   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.

   â€œFirst 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€œYes 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.”

   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.

   â€œOkay 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€œI 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?”

   Nicky Kerensky? He couldn’t mean Nicholas could he, did the clans only evolve recently – that goes against most of our intel.

   â€œNo 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€œBut you were part of Kerensky’s people right?”

   â€œNo, we’re from the Inner Sphere.”

   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.

   â€œHow 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€œWell, 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€œWhat?! They invaded the Inner Sphere, how is that possible? Wait no, more importantly when did they do that.”

   â€œJust about ten years ago, they damn near pulled it off too.”

   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.

   â€œBefore 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€œOf 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?”

   Again Lieutenant DesCastis made a noise, something like a cough then spoke.

   â€œThat can not be correct, everyone knows that happened in 2800, that would make this 2820 which it obviously isn’t.”

   Karin was floored, could this really be true? Then the Colonel responded.

   â€œWell 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.”

   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.
 

I think this is not going to be a very short story if I see this going the way it looks! Love it!

And because work had been boring this week, here we go:


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.

   â€œCharlie-Actual to Houng-Command sit-rep.”

   â€œI 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.”

   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.

   â€œAlright then Colonel, then lets find this egg, crack it, and get back to base.”

   â€œSounds 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€œAlright then… Charlie-Actual to all units form up on myself and Colonel Houng, its time to make for the objective.”

   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…

   â€œThere 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€œNegative Karin, the DropShip is the objective we need all of our fire there.”

   â€œFine, Charlie-Second detach two of your lance to support Third and the rest of you come with my lance to hit the DropShip.”

   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.

   â€œHoung you’re getting chewed up over there! Pull back we have to concentrate our forces or they’re going to eat us alive!”

   â€œCan 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.

   â€œAerospace fighters, Repeat we have multiple aerospace fighters in the vicinity. Can anyone get a count?”

   â€œI count five including that Rapier that just took out the Colonel.”

   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.

   â€œMake that one less, nice one Lieutenant.”

   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.

   â€œColonel Houng’s survivors I’m designating you Delta Lance who’s in charge there?”

   â€œNo one really, our commander just died and he never had a second.”

   He led both lances? That arrogant little…

   â€œAlright 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?”

   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.
 

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!!!!!!!!!!!

Alright this is the final chapter (I have another but I'm gonna call than an epilogue because its written differently) Hope you enjoy.


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.

   â€œCharlie-Second to Charlie-Actual don’t you think its about time we made a stand?”

   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.

   â€œYou’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.”

   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.

   â€œCharlie-Third volunteering for duty sir.”

   â€œAlright Reshondra form up on me, I want you to go after the Warhammer and Marauder and I will take the three smaller ones.”

   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?”

   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.”

   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€œI won’t let you sacrifice yourself for us.”

   â€œYou 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.

   â€œNOW 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.

   â€œI 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€œNow Lieutenant I would think you wouldn’t want to abuse a dueling system like that.”

   â€œAh they are Wolves, they deserve anything we can dish up for them.”

   Karin figured it was worth a try and again switched the comm, this time to the open channel.

   â€œWolf ‘MechWarriors I am Force Commander Karin Orff and I can not allow you to proceed any further.”

   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.

   â€œForce 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€œWhat do you suggest we do about it Khan Winson?”

   â€œYou and I, a duel to decide the victor in this conflict.”

   â€œI 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€œThat is fair as if you win your only prize will be continued pursuit.”

   â€œWell bargained and done, come and get me clanner.”

   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.
 

Seyla, her blood will be remembered,
she Fought with honour!