OBT Forum

Please login or register.

Login with username, password and session length
Advanced search  

News:

AU Developers - Please PM Knightmare or MechRat if you need board or permission changes

Pages: [1]   Go Down

Author Topic: Ghosts of the Dead - A Shattered Dawn AU story  (Read 8003 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Takiro

  • General
  • *
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 10,181
  • For the Last Cameron!
Ghosts of the Dead - A Shattered Dawn AU story
« on: February 20, 2010, 10:08:57 PM »

blacktigeractual
Contributor
Champion
*****
Offline Offline

Posts: 722


View Profile Email Personal Message (Offline)
   
   
Ghosts of the Dead A Shattered Dawn AU story
« on: October 18, 2009, 08:58:13 AM »
   Reply with quoteQuote Modify messageModify Remove messageRemove Split TopicSplit Topic
For your amusement.  After reading Living Legends again, and groaning at the poor execution I though to myself what would happen if The Warriors of Kerensky met Cameron's Sledgehammers.

Ghosts of the Dead
A Shattered Dawn AU story
By Blacktigeractual
Chapter One: An unlikely series of events.

Discontinuity…
My first thought was that this jump had taken way too long.  My second was that the stars were totally wrong.

“Status report.”  Emily Hayes barked on the bridge of the SLS Tiger Claw.   Bridge crew staggered around us as sparks shot from  various consoles.

Dieter Malin the Tiger Claw’s XO staggered to his feet and ran through a dozen pages of his holographic console.

“Captain we have emerged from Jump in good order, IFF’s are reporting all ships accounted for…”

The twenty seven year veteran of the Star League Navy gasped suddenly.

“Dieter what?”  Emily croaked through a voice raspy from smoke and ozone.

“Captain, star charts indicate we are at a pirate point in the Tamar system.”

“What?”  I wasn’t sure if it was Emily or I who spoke but that put us way off course.

Dieter looked up at a loss for words.  My limited knowledge of Naval systems backed him up though and the world glowing dime sized on the main screen confirmed it.

“Captain we have multiple unknown contacts heading for the planet!  Unknown vessel types.  Fighters matching known Lyran designs are engaging.”

Samuel Winters, Colonel of the 90th Heavy Assault climbed in through the hatchway woozy from our apparent misjump he looked over at me.

“We’re in the Tamar system boss, don’t know how or why, but it looks like someone’s hitting the Lyrans.”

As I spoke the Tiger Claw’s comm officer called out.

“We have communications from both sides.”

“Let’s hear it.”  Captain Hayes ordered.

The speakers crackled with a Russian accented female voice.

“Defenders of Tamar know you that Clan Wolf claims your world, what forces contest our claim.”

Huh? I thought who the fuck is Clan Wolf?

“Approaching vessels you are encroaching on the Territory of the Federated Commonwealth, heave to and prepare to be boarded or you will be fired upon.”  Came the voice of the Tamar Planetary Control.

Before I could ask who the hell was the Federated Commonwealth the Russian chick came back on.

“Honey we’re gonna do a hell of a lot more than encroach so you had better do better than that.”

Ballsy bitch I thought.

Sam was more on the ball than I was even at that point and he turned to Captain Hayes.

“Em these idiots are invading Star League turf, can we get in their way?”

“Sam half my systems are out of wack, so’s half the fleet; the best we can do is launch fighters and get your kids planetside.”  She answered.

“Do it.  B get everybody together for a hot drop.”  Sam ordered.

“Gotcha Boss.”  As I raced along the hand holds for the Cat’s Eye calling out orders over the TACNET I thought to myself; Don’t know who the guys are but they’re going to learn what happens when wolves fuck with tigers.


Wolf Clan DropShip Lair
Inbound Tamar, Tamar Pact
Federated Commonwealth
07 November, 3051

Natasha Kerensky grinned at the Lyran command’s banal reply to her challenge.  The forces on world, the 26th Lyran Guards RCT and the Duke’s collection of household troops and cadets would be a fine match for her Golden Keshik and the Wolves Alpha Galaxy.  Stretching she relished the fight to come.

Warden or not there is something about violence that is good for the soul.

“My Khan, the Lair’s sensor operator called out, “We have unknown contacts bearing two eight six mark five we are receiving IFF transponder signals now.”  As the Wolf Clan Khan looked at the sensor tech the woman stiffened and gasped.

“What is it?”  Kerensky barked.

“My Khan this is impossible, sensors read ships as the SLS Tiger Claw Kimgure Class Heavy Cruiser, SLDS Cat’s Eye Union Class DropShip, SLDS Sledge Hammer Dictator Class….”  The technician’s voice rattled off an impossible list of names which repeated themselves in the Holotank in the center of the Lair’s bridge.

Information scrolled across her screens none of it helpful.  The SLS Tiger Claw listed as destroyed in the big furball above Terra three hundred years ago while escorting the doomed attempt by the SLDF to rescue thirty hostages of noble blood held by Stefan Amaris in New York City.  The North American SDS had shot the hell out of the Star League troops and their escorts in orbit.  None had made it to the planet.

What the hell, did Com Star salvage her?  On the main screen the proud WarShip gave lie o her computer’s data glowing brightly in Star League colors.  Suddenly around both the WarShip and the lesser vessels around her dozens of bright lights flared in what Natasha recognized as fighter launches.

“Inbound fighters unknown types, my Khan they read like Star League craft, but something is not right.”

“Show me!”  Natasha snapped.

The image of a swept wing fighter appeared in the holotank its designation read RPR-10T Rapier.  Where normally a tech readout would have been displayed there was only the legend “So sorry you can’t see this puppy dog.”  Followed by a symbol familiar to all Clan warriors.  A wolverine’s head and claws.

“Straavag The Not Named Clan here?”  Star Colonel Marco Hall’s voice came over the TACCNET.

“I do not think so Marco, look at the insignia.  You know they screwed with the database before they left.  Those are not Wolverines, they’re Terrans”

Before Hall could respond to the wonder in his Khan’s voice a strong male voice came over the comm channels.

“Unidentified vessels this is Colonel Samuel Winters of the 90th Heavy Assault Regiment, you are invading the sovereign territory of a Star League member state power down or be destroyed.”

Advanced Clan computers matched the Colonel’s voiceprint and displayed a picture of a strong Afro American male in his early fifties dressed in a SLDF uniform.   A service record and bio were available.  Neither of these caught Natasha’s attention so much as the computer’s probability of an accurate match based on vocal patterns and nuances of speech.

99.8976%

“Fuck me.”  Natasha hadn’t realized she had spoken until her crew stared at her, shocked by her profanity.

At a loss for words the saKhan of the Wolf Clan was struck by a sudden thought that ripped a feral laugh from her.

The Black Tigers, Terror of New Vandenburg, Kerensky’s Sledgehammers.  Well ‘Tasha you wanted interesting, it don’t get better than this.




« Last Edit: October 27, 2009, 12:32:45 AM by blacktigeractual »    Report to moderator   72.231.28.72 (?)
Captain Bruce Gilmour
13th Assault Company "The Black Cats"
90th Heavy Assault Regiment



My sense of the absurd keeps me sane.
"Moral certainty is always a sign of cultural inferiority. The more uncivilized the person, the surer they are they know precisely what is right and what is wrong."
-Henry L. Mencken
"War is God's way of teaching Americans geography."
-Ambrose Bierce
"Enjoy please HappyJoyColdFun Pops now with more natural blue flavor!"
Ice Hellion
Contributor
Grand Champion
*****
Offline Offline

Posts: 3087

Part time builder of fallen Empires


View Profile WWW Email Personal Message (Offline)
   
   
Re: Ghosts of the Dead A Shattered Dawn AU story
« Reply #1 on: October 18, 2009, 04:52:25 PM »
   Reply with quoteQuote Modify messageModify Remove messageRemove Split TopicSplit Topic
They are everywhere  Grin
   Report to moderator   81.56.118.167 (?)


In Turn they tested each Clan namesake in trial against the Ice Hellion's mettle. Each chased the Ice Hellion, hunting it down. All failed to match the predator's speed and grace. Khan Cage smiled and said, "And that is how we shall be."

The Remembrance (Clan Ice Hellion) Passage 5, Verse 3, Lines 1 - 5
Rainbow 6
Global Moderator
Champion
*****
Offline Offline

Posts: 829


View Profile Email Personal Message (Offline)
   
   
Re: Ghosts of the Dead A Shattered Dawn AU story
« Reply #2 on: October 18, 2009, 05:31:53 PM »
   Reply with quoteQuote Modify messageModify Remove messageRemove Split TopicSplit Topic
Nice
   Report to moderator   86.170.127.14 (?)


Userbar by Xtrahmxwohld
blacktigeractual
Contributor
Champion
*****
Offline Offline

Posts: 722


View Profile Email Personal Message (Offline)
   
   
Re: Ghosts of the Dead A Shattered Dawn AU story
« Reply #3 on: November 01, 2009, 11:57:11 PM »
   Reply with quoteQuote Modify messageModify Remove messageRemove Split TopicSplit Topic
Jake Melendez cut thrust to his Rapier’s port engine to spin the big fighter around to bear on the cruciform fighter trying to get on his six.  Getting the buzzing tone of a weapons lock he cut loose with all his nose mounted weapons.   Lightning spat to rake the fuselage of the other fighter.  As it spun into an evasive maneuver the Wolf clan vessel ran straight into a gauss slug followed by a salvo of Phoenix long range missiles. 

As the stricken craft spun out of control, Jake rolled in on another larger craft settling in on Peggy Galloway’s six.  The large fighter with a pair of forward canards spat a fusillade of laser fire at his wingman’s ship.  The flare of drive plasma showed evidence of major engine damage.  Before the predatory craft could fire again Jake’s particle cannon converged on the machine’s cockpit.

As the dead fighter arrowed on in a straight line for outer space; Jake ordered Peggy to head for the barn.  Before she could a bolt of lightning cut her ship in half.  Another of the cruciform ships flew through the wreckage and performed a victory roll.  Snarling in rage Jake pulled his craft in pursuit.


Giving a wolf cry in victory; Carew whipped his Visigoth into a victory roll.  These interlopers; flying machines out of legend; were way tougher than the Federated Commonwealth and Free Rasalhague Republic flyers that the Wolves had fought before.  They also fought in greater numbers than standard spheroid formations.

It doesn’t hurt them that their ships are almost as good as ours.

Snapping his head around he caught sight of a big fighter that looked nothing like a Star League Rapier settling in on his six o’clock.  Particle fire snapped into his port wing.  Knowing what was coming next Carew spun his craft into a gut wrenching series of twists and turns.

I do not think so my friend.  He thought as the other craft’s gauss fire slashed a few meters from his cockpit.

“Carew, those Hammerheads are carrying anti ship missiles!”  His wingman Martin called out as a wave of long range missiles snapped around him.  As Carew watched in horror almost fifty heavy warheads began to hammer the DropShips of the 328th Assault Cluster splitting the Overlord Class Daniel Express like an overripe fruit.  A brilliant flash shattered the Union Class Lion’s Heart taking with it the Golden Lion’s command staff.

“Cowards!”  Spat Star Commander Gunars Ch’in of the 328th’s Bravo Fighter Star.

No not cowards, Carew thought with a chill as he spun his Visigoth in yet another series of evasive maneuvers to shake his pursuer, that was a textbook Star League ant shipping strike.

One of Ch’in’s comrades in a Jagatai dove at the black and red arrow that was causing Carew so much grief.  Coming in on the enemy’s blind spot, Carew was surprised to see the Terran craft spin on its axis and spit a gauss slug and pair of particle bolts at the Jag.

How by Kerensky did he…  Pushing his fighter into a tight curve designed to get on the other’s tail, Carew remembered the virtual cockpit the Terran Royal’s were rumored to have.  The Clans’ own craft had no access to the technology; pre exodus sabotage had destroyed both data on the virtual control systems and the equipment itself.  Likewise the “Black Magic” control systems used by some Royal BattleMechs also had been lost.

Royal collaboration had been a sore point for much of the Exodus.  Carew thought as one of his own particle cannons spiked the Rapier’s wing.  Pushing such thoughts into the back of his mind he concentrated on taking down this very unique very tough prey.
   Report to moderator   151.202.113.14 (?)
Captain Bruce Gilmour
13th Assault Company "The Black Cats"
90th Heavy Assault Regiment



My sense of the absurd keeps me sane.
"Moral certainty is always a sign of cultural inferiority. The more uncivilized the person, the surer they are they know precisely what is right and what is wrong."
-Henry L. Mencken
"War is God's way of teaching Americans geography."
-Ambrose Bierce
"Enjoy please HappyJoyColdFun Pops now with more natural blue flavor!"
Ice Hellion
Contributor
Grand Champion
*****
Offline Offline

Posts: 3087

Part time builder of fallen Empires


View Profile WWW Email Personal Message (Offline)
   
   
Re: Ghosts of the Dead A Shattered Dawn AU story
« Reply #4 on: November 02, 2009, 02:33:58 PM »
   Reply with quoteQuote Modify messageModify Remove messageRemove Split TopicSplit Topic
Clans losing the Star League advanced tech?
   Report to moderator   81.56.118.167 (?)


In Turn they tested each Clan namesake in trial against the Ice Hellion's mettle. Each chased the Ice Hellion, hunting it down. All failed to match the predator's speed and grace. Khan Cage smiled and said, "And that is how we shall be."

The Remembrance (Clan Ice Hellion) Passage 5, Verse 3, Lines 1 - 5
muttley
Advocate
****
Offline Offline

Posts: 161


View Profile Email Personal Message (Offline)
   
   
Re: Ghosts of the Dead A Shattered Dawn AU story
« Reply #5 on: November 02, 2009, 06:26:17 PM »
   Reply with quoteQuote Modify messageModify Remove messageRemove Split TopicSplit Topic
Love it!

Like the Royal sabotage.

But more fun to smash a Falcon- especially a Hazen!
   Report to moderator   71.103.253.90 (?)
"It matters little how we die, so long as we die better men than we imagined we could be -- and no worse than we feared." Drago Museveni, CY 8451
blacktigeractual
Contributor
Champion
*****
Offline Offline

Posts: 722


View Profile Email Personal Message (Offline)
   
   
Re: Ghosts of the Dead A Shattered Dawn AU story
« Reply #6 on: November 02, 2009, 09:24:45 PM »
   Reply with quoteQuote Modify messageModify Remove messageRemove Split TopicSplit Topic
Quote from: Ice Hellion on November 02, 2009, 02:33:58 PM
Clans losing the Star League advanced tech?
There is no mention of the advanced flight control system being used on any Clan fighters, in any CBT novel, likewise with the Black Magic system which is my own invention (Remember my misuse of the term Linear Frame?) given the tumult of the times it is possible that Terran Loyalists would strike out of revenge or political motivations.

I know I would have.
   Report to moderator   151.202.113.14 (?)
Captain Bruce Gilmour
13th Assault Company "The Black Cats"
90th Heavy Assault Regiment



My sense of the absurd keeps me sane.
"Moral certainty is always a sign of cultural inferiority. The more uncivilized the person, the surer they are they know precisely what is right and what is wrong."
-Henry L. Mencken
"War is God's way of teaching Americans geography."
-Ambrose Bierce
"Enjoy please HappyJoyColdFun Pops now with more natural blue flavor!"
blacktigeractual
Contributor
Champion
*****
Offline Offline

Posts: 722


View Profile Email Personal Message (Offline)
   
   
Re: Ghosts of the Dead A Shattered Dawn AU story
« Reply #7 on: November 02, 2009, 11:09:47 PM »
   Reply with quoteQuote Modify messageModify Remove messageRemove Split TopicSplit Topic
Quote from: muttley on November 02, 2009, 06:26:17 PM
But more fun to smash a Falcon- especially a Hazen!
Cool
The TGR-1-T-H Tiger rumbled to life around Elizabeth Hazen.  The new design was only now being placed in production and the cockpit with its linear frame control system still had that “new car” smell.  Tied into the Cat’s Eye’s comm net she was still trying to make sense of what she was hearing.  The Lyrans on the ground were as confused as the Tigers were.

The only reason the troops of this “Federated Commonwealth” weren’t firing on the Tigers was the space battle currently going on.  Meanwhile the Tigers were getting confused orders and requests from the ground.  The issue of who was in charge seemed up in the air.  The Duke of Tamar Selvin Kelswa (Never mind the name didn’t match the database.)  was issuing grandiose proclamations demanding the 90th wipe out these foul invaders.

Saner requests came from Marshal Joy Corelli of the 26th Lyran Guards so that was what the Terrans were listening to.  And then there was ComStar.  The “Robes” as everyone was calling them had tried to contact them multiple times.  After the first abortive conversation with the guys running (So they said.) interstellar communications the Tiger commtechs had put them on hold.

And then there is me, just had to run off with your boy toy on a milk run mission, didn’t you Liz.

At least Scott’s company commander had offered her use of one of the Tiger’s spares on the trip.  So once again Liz Hazen was going into battle in a ‘Mech.  And once again her life had taken a strange twist.

“Liz we’re hitting the face in ten minutes, you up?”  Major Gilmour’s voice crackled over the TACNET.

“Gotcha B, ready when you are.”  Feeling the power of her new machine around her, Liz grinned savagely.

It’s been too long.
   Report to moderator   151.202.113.14 (?)
Captain Bruce Gilmour
13th Assault Company "The Black Cats"
90th Heavy Assault Regiment



My sense of the absurd keeps me sane.
"Moral certainty is always a sign of cultural inferiority. The more uncivilized the person, the surer they are they know precisely what is right and what is wrong."
-Henry L. Mencken
"War is God's way of teaching Americans geography."
-Ambrose Bierce
"Enjoy please HappyJoyColdFun Pops now with more natural blue flavor!"
blacktigeractual
Contributor
Champion
*****
Offline Offline

Posts: 722


View Profile Email Personal Message (Offline)
   
   
Re: Ghosts of the Dead A Shattered Dawn AU story
« Reply #8 on: November 03, 2009, 12:12:07 AM »
   Reply with quoteQuote Modify messageModify Remove messageRemove Split TopicSplit Topic
Colonel Sam Winter felt the change in the vibrations rocking the Sledge Hammer as she descended into Tamar’s atmosphere.  The Wolves, stymied by the space battle had drawn back under the cover of a massive Sovetskii Soyuz heavy cruiser.  As the huge ship maneuvered for the planet, the Tiger’s own fleet had fallen back to defend the stricken Tiger Claw.  The Claw’s Essex class escorts were also damaged although still battle worthy, but until repairs could be made to the Claw, they simply didn’t have the firepower to challenge the Wolves.

The invaders would come, and the Tigers would resist them.  But the question of who they were lay still open.  The Wolves’ commander had contacted Marshal Corelli politely enough.  In an almost businesslike manner this Khan Natasha Kerensky had announced her intention to add Tamar to the possessions of Clan Wolf.  The opposing commander had then asked if the Black Tigers of New Vandenburg would be joining the party.

When Marshal Corelli had, having already spoken with Sam, told her yes the Khan had laughed.  “Fine, I will look forward to testing the mettle of Terra’s finest.”  Sam didn’t know if the woman was insane or merely stupid, but she’d gone on to give Corelli a full list of her forces.

It’s almost like a game to them.  Sam thought.  And the order of battle, the names of the units.  Sam still couldn’t belive it was coincidence.  The 328th Assault Cluster, the “Lion Hearted”, sounded like the Royal BattleMech Division of the same name.

And then there is the date…3051?  What the hell have we gotten ourselves into?
   Report to moderator   151.202.113.14 (?)
Captain Bruce Gilmour
13th Assault Company "The Black Cats"
90th Heavy Assault Regiment



My sense of the absurd keeps me sane.
"Moral certainty is always a sign of cultural inferiority. The more uncivilized the person, the surer they are they know precisely what is right and what is wrong."
-Henry L. Mencken
"War is God's way of teaching Americans geography."
-Ambrose Bierce
"Enjoy please HappyJoyColdFun Pops now with more natural blue flavor!"
Ice Hellion
Contributor
Grand Champion
*****
Offline Offline

Posts: 3087

Part time builder of fallen Empires


View Profile WWW Email Personal Message (Offline)
   
   
Re: Ghosts of the Dead A Shattered Dawn AU story
« Reply #9 on: November 03, 2009, 03:20:26 PM »
   Reply with quoteQuote Modify messageModify Remove messageRemove Split TopicSplit Topic
"And now they shall understand the truth" Tongue
   Report to moderator   81.56.118.167 (?)


In Turn they tested each Clan namesake in trial against the Ice Hellion's mettle. Each chased the Ice Hellion, hunting it down. All failed to match the predator's speed and grace. Khan Cage smiled and said, "And that is how we shall be."

The Remembrance (Clan Ice Hellion) Passage 5, Verse 3, Lines 1 - 5
blacktigeractual
Contributor
Champion
*****
Offline Offline

Posts: 722


View Profile Email Personal Message (Offline)
   
   
Re: Ghosts of the Dead A Shattered Dawn AU story
« Reply #10 on: November 06, 2009, 11:16:11 PM »
   Reply with quoteQuote Modify messageModify Remove messageRemove Split TopicSplit Topic
“They’re grounding now.”   Scott said over the TACNET.  “Boss, I…”

“Yeah ‘Rat, I know, I heard.”  I answered hoping he couldn’t hear the nervousness in my voice.

3051, are you fucking kidding me?  I didn’t want to think about it, but my mind kept returning to what I saw and heard around me.   If it was true…Gods damn it…Sarah, Syn.

Shaking my head to clear it I gave the order to move out.  Around me the Black Cats’ ‘Mechs began to rumble forward.  We had orders to anchor the Tiger right where we met up with a combat command of the 26th Lyran Guard.  Our air support was busy carving up theirs, for whatever reason that big fucking cruiser was staying out of it.  Ever one to take small favors, Jake Melendez and his crew were working with the Lyrans to keep air superiority in our hands.

If these puppies had ‘mechs anything like their fighters we were in for a tough fight.  According to Geoff Winger; the Guards Hauptmann commanding the mixed company on my right they did, and some kind of super power armor too boot.  No armor though so the combined arms nature of both us and the 26th should balance that out.

The crash and thunder of battle sounded from up ahead.  The Lyran...FedCom positions (Whatever) were well sited and dialed in to our frequencies.  A wave of Copperhead shells ripped across the sky with a tearing sound.  I said a prayer to Athena to keep Didi and our Nighthawk teams safe as they TAGged and bagged the Wolves.

Fire support calls were coming in fast and hot now as both our Long Tom and Chaparral batteries along with those of the Lyrans spoke thunder.  My secondary screens showed the unfamiliar Clan designs and their squat battle armor flowing forward under murderous fire.  This Kerensky was going for the gusto hoping to overwhelm us.  The Lyrans were not having it, good troops although I felt an odd twinge when I thought of them.

Like we’d met before and it hadn’t been pretty.

Hauptmann Geoff Winger came over the open channel then, reporting a breach with calm urgency.

“Boot Four Six, this is Cat Six were on the way.”

“Roger; Cat Six glad for the help.”

Suddenly Hussy threw herself to her left as a pair blinding cyan laser bolts flashed by.  The other ‘Mech, the ones everyone called a MadCat, looking like a Catapult with a Marauder’s arms bolted on tried to track me and I threw him a gauss slug for his troubles.  I couldn’t waste time wondering why Hussy seemed to move with such fluid grace as the MadCat sent a wave of anti armor missiles my way.

Waiting for the gauss rifle to cycle I spat two streams of charged particles at the Clan machine.  One found a flaw in the Wolf ‘Mech’s armor where the gauss slug had hit and his heat spiked.  Undaunted the Clan warrior struck back with his full complement of energy weapons.  Red telltales began to show as a heat sink blew out.

“Boss these guys are serious", Gracie shouted, "Tina’s down, those power suits crippled her before we could shoot ‘em off.”

Okay asshole, this ends now.  Ducking to the right I stopped suddenly.  Bracing I sent Hussy’s full complement of firepower downrange.  The MadCat caught in the middle of overshooting her angle of attack took everything I had right in what had to be the engine casing.  Golden fire spat out the hole for a brief moment.  Then the ‘Mech crashed to the ground.

The Clanner must have been knocked out because she didn’t eject.  I spotted Didi’s team nearby and made a snap decision.

“Didi, get me that pilot if she’s still alive.”


‘Tasha sent a wave of laser fire at the Pillager facing her.  Rearing back the black and red ‘Mech spat gauss slugs back at her.  The Wolf Khan was getting the worst of the engagement having already fought through the storm of artillery fire the defenders of Tamar had greeted her Wolves with.  Instead of pushing through the defenders on a wide sweeping front the two forces were now grinding each other in a war of attrition.

One that no longer favors us.  She thought.  Her 279th Battle Cluster had managed a breach with its Trinary First, but no word had come after the initial call from the Whirlwinds.  Engaging the full scale Star League assault battalion in front of her she hadn’t time to check on them but when Star Commander Lonna’s battered Adder staggered out of the woods she knew what had happened.

A black and red Marauder stalked out of the woods and pointed a claw at Lonna’s Adder.  Slashing a whip of charged particles across the Adder’s flank the Marauder sent Lonna’s ‘Mech down.  Lara Ward spun her Warhawk to send four particle streams back at the Terran machine.

The Marauder dodged.

Before Natasha could get over her astonishment a second machine, unfamiliar to both her and her warbook program stepped up next to the first machine and loosed a volley of missile fire and laser bolts at the Wolf assault machine.  More heavy ‘Mechs arrived, a mix of Marauders and Bombardiers volleying wave after wave of fire.

Spitting more laser fire at the Pillager she crowed inwardly as it fell backward.  It was then the ground split open around her.  A roar of fighter engines thundered past and she saw a squadron of Hammerheads vanish into the clouds.  One was slashed down by a wave of missiles, but the others were no doubt heading back to rearm.

Time to try something else; this definitely isn’t going to work.


Star Captain Katya Kerensky woke with a jerk.  Looking around she saw she was in a mobile field hospital.  It was the symbol on the uniforms of both the doctors and many of the wounded that told her she'd lost.  The Cameron Star.  A lean form rose from the side of one of the wounded.  Through a drug hazed fog she noticed the crossed pistols on his lapel.  The warrior’s single good eye narrowed as he saw her.

“Doc, my guest is up!”  He called.  Katya realized this had been the man who had defeated her.  As the haze from the pain killers deepened she smiled wryly at the only thought to pop in her head.

If I had to be shot out of my ‘Mech by some saavishri sphereoid, at least it was a Gunslinger.
« Last Edit: November 07, 2009, 11:00:46 PM by blacktigeractual »    Report to moderator   151.202.113.14 (?)
Captain Bruce Gilmour
13th Assault Company "The Black Cats"
90th Heavy Assault Regiment



My sense of the absurd keeps me sane.
"Moral certainty is always a sign of cultural inferiority. The more uncivilized the person, the surer they are they know precisely what is right and what is wrong."
-Henry L. Mencken
"War is God's way of teaching Americans geography."
-Ambrose Bierce
"Enjoy please HappyJoyColdFun Pops now with more natural blue flavor!"
Rainbow 6
Global Moderator
Champion
*****
Offline Offline

Posts: 829


View Profile Email Personal Message (Offline)
   
   
Re: Ghosts of the Dead A Shattered Dawn AU story
« Reply #11 on: November 07, 2009, 07:05:56 AM »
   Reply with quoteQuote Modify messageModify Remove messageRemove Split TopicSplit Topic
Nice work BTA.
   Report to moderator   86.168.174.126 (?)


Userbar by Xtrahmxwohld
blacktigeractual
Contributor
Champion
*****
Offline Offline

Posts: 722


View Profile Email Personal Message (Offline)
   
   
Re: Ghosts of the Dead A Shattered Dawn AU story
« Reply #12 on: November 09, 2009, 12:51:06 AM »
   Reply with quoteQuote Modify messageModify Remove messageRemove Split TopicSplit Topic
Chapter Two; Plans, plots and Robes

Joy Corelli, Marshal in the service of the Armed Forces of the Federated Commonwealth, shook her head in disgust.  Nothing she had done had gotten Selvin Kelswa to even acknowledge her presence let alone come out of his impenetrable fortress.  It had take the arrival of an honest to God Star League Defense Force unit to pry the intractable bastard out of his city.

Then again if that doesn’t get your attention, nothing will. She thought in amazement.

  Along one wall of her command hut the command staff of the 90th Heavy Assault stood in combat fatigues or in the case of their Gunslinger an advanced MechWarrior combat suit.  Almost as unbelievable as their presence was the slim woman with white blonde hair and icy blue eyes; dressed in a SLDF jumpsuit.

The woman was a Wolf Clan officer.  Despite sparse intelligence to the contrary and the appearance of the infamous Black Widow; Natasha Kerensky among the invaders; theories still abounded that they were aliens.  Well the Tigers’ prisoner belied that.  The woman stayed close to Major Gilmour, not out of fear so much as self preservation.  Around her wrist was a bracelet braided out of what appeared to be three different colored rubber bands.

The report she received from her new allies said the Clans called captured warriors bondsmen.  If they showed promise doing the tasks their new masters set for them they would eventually be accepted into the Clan.  Joy didn’t know if she believed it or not, but the woman’s captor had for some reason decided to honor the Wolf Clan custom.

When the Duke had swept in he’d tried to seize the woman, but her captor had gotten right in the Duke’s face and to Joy’s surprise backed the man down.  She had to hide her smile as she thought of Major Gilmour’s response;

You want one, your Grace; go get your own.
   Report to moderator   151.202.113.14 (?)
Captain Bruce Gilmour
13th Assault Company "The Black Cats"
90th Heavy Assault Regiment



My sense of the absurd keeps me sane.
"Moral certainty is always a sign of cultural inferiority. The more uncivilized the person, the surer they are they know precisely what is right and what is wrong."
-Henry L. Mencken
"War is God's way of teaching Americans geography."
-Ambrose Bierce
"Enjoy please HappyJoyColdFun Pops now with more natural blue flavor!"
Ice Hellion
Contributor
Grand Champion
*****
Offline Offline

Posts: 3087

Part time builder of fallen Empires


View Profile WWW Email Personal Message (Offline)
   
   
Re: Ghosts of the Dead A Shattered Dawn AU story
« Reply #13 on: November 09, 2009, 02:24:12 PM »
   Reply with quoteQuote Modify messageModify Remove messageRemove Split TopicSplit Topic
Is no one surprised to see a SLDF unit coming out of nowhere?
   Report to moderator   81.56.118.167 (?)


In Turn they tested each Clan namesake in trial against the Ice Hellion's mettle. Each chased the Ice Hellion, hunting it down. All failed to match the predator's speed and grace. Khan Cage smiled and said, "And that is how we shall be."

The Remembrance (Clan Ice Hellion) Passage 5, Verse 3, Lines 1 - 5
blacktigeractual
Contributor
Champion
*****
Offline Offline

Posts: 722


View Profile Email Personal Message (Offline)
   
   
Re: Ghosts of the Dead A Shattered Dawn AU story
« Reply #14 on: November 09, 2009, 03:51:13 PM »
   Reply with quoteQuote Modify messageModify Remove messageRemove Split TopicSplit Topic
They were but under the circumstances, any way that was only a partial post.
Logged

Takiro

  • General
  • *
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 10,181
  • For the Last Cameron!
Re: Ghosts of the Dead - A Shattered Dawn AU story
« Reply #1 on: February 20, 2010, 10:09:29 PM »

muttley
Advocate
****
Offline Offline

Posts: 161


View Profile Email Personal Message (Offline)
   
   
Re: Ghosts of the Dead A Shattered Dawn AU story
« Reply #15 on: November 13, 2009, 04:59:08 PM »
   Reply with quoteQuote Modify messageModify Remove messageRemove Split TopicSplit Topic
Hahaha go get your own- that'll be the day!
   Report to moderator   12.51.57.195 (?)
"It matters little how we die, so long as we die better men than we imagined we could be -- and no worse than we feared." Drago Museveni, CY 8451
blacktigeractual
Contributor
Champion
*****
Offline Offline

Posts: 722


View Profile Email Personal Message (Offline)
   
   
Re: Ghosts of the Dead A Shattered Dawn AU story
« Reply #16 on: November 14, 2009, 12:21:47 AM »
   Reply with quoteQuote Modify messageModify Remove messageRemove Split TopicSplit Topic
Cheese warning, I am not above cheezyness for the sake of humor.   

Selvin Kelswa’s voice snarled out another series of questions.  The Blonde Clanswoman ignored him and stared stoically ahead.  The Duke swallowed his anger and turned to the Star League MechWarrior.

“Major, would you kindly instruct you charge to answer my questions.”  The long haired young officer gave a slight bow.  Turning to his charge he spoke in low tones.

“Aff, Major, I will answer, and my name is Katya Kerensky not Kitty Kat.”  The woman answered.

She turned to the assemblage and began to speak.

“In answer to your question, Duke Selvin; who are we?  We are the Star League Defense Force.”

After the shocked gasps and angry denials had died down under Marshal Corelli’s orders, Katya Kerensky told the tale reciting from a poem she called the Remembrance.  She told the tale of the SLDF’s flight from the Inner Sphere, the settling of a series of poor worlds far from the strife of the Succession Wars.  Then she told of the war that followed, when the SLDF tore itself apart.  In the end it all came out.

“So you’re here to restore the Star League then.”  Kelswa said in wonder.

“Aff Duke Selvin, which ever Clan reaches Terra shall be declared the ilClan and will rule over a reborn Star League.”
The meeting went downhill from there Joy thought later.  What convinced her to end the meeting was the Duke accusing the Tigers of being Clan collaborators.  Major Gilmour had to be restrained from decking the noble.  Surprisingly his “Bondswoman”, if she was to be believed the direct blood descendant of Aleksandr Kerensky had jumped in front of him and called upon his honor.

Afterwards she sat down with Colonel Winter over a cup of really good coffee the man had brought with him, something called Jamaican Blue Mountain.

“Hell of a day,” The man said.

Joy nodded then unable to resist.  “So you’re really who you say you are?”

Chuckling the Terran Colonel nodded saying; “I know, I’ve had some of my intelligence guys going over the records you sent, plus what little we’ve gotten from the Wolves.”

“You were supposed to have died over Terra.”  Joy said carefully.

“But we didn’t, we liberated New York and chased Amaris’ boys all over North America.  Then when it was all over we served as part of Amanda Cameron’s guard unit.”

“Here Amanda died on Terra, there was no Last Cameron.”  At least that we know of.  Joy thought.

“So not only did we misjump in time and space, but I don’t think were in Kansas anymore.”

Joy chuckled; “If you call me Toto, I’ll slap you in the stockade.”

Smiling wryly Sam sipped his coffee.  Looking up his smile vanished.

“You have to understand our dilemma, Marshal, it doesn’t matter when or where we ended up,”  He fixed her with a despairing gaze, “I know the basics of a misjump, or at least the theory, we were in hyperspace way too long so we ended up here.  But you can only go forwards, not back.”

“You can’t go home.”  Joy stated flatly, barely able to comprehend the magnitude of that simple statement.

“So we’ll fight for you against these Clan barbarians, and we’ll figure out the rest.”  Sam said grimly.

“Then we have a battle to plan…oh by the way, your Major Gilmour, he’s not Bruce Nicolas Gilmour is he?”

“Yes why?”  Sam asked puzzled.

“He had mentioned his wife; her name wasn’t Sarah was it?” Joy smiled warmly.

“Yes; Sarah Elisabeth Davion.”  Sam answered.

“One of you did survive and was captured, and after the liberation of Terra did marry…here.”  She handed Sam a data disk.  “This might give him some closure.”

Sam, glancing over the title on the disk, looked back up eyes wide.

“So he has descendants in this world?”  He asked.

“In a manner of speaking…” Joy said rising.  “And they want to meet him.”

   Report to moderator   151.202.113.14 (?)
Captain Bruce Gilmour
13th Assault Company "The Black Cats"
90th Heavy Assault Regiment



My sense of the absurd keeps me sane.
"Moral certainty is always a sign of cultural inferiority. The more uncivilized the person, the surer they are they know precisely what is right and what is wrong."
-Henry L. Mencken
"War is God's way of teaching Americans geography."
-Ambrose Bierce
"Enjoy please HappyJoyColdFun Pops now with more natural blue flavor!"
Ice Hellion
Contributor
Grand Champion
*****
Offline Offline

Posts: 3087

Part time builder of fallen Empires


View Profile WWW Email Personal Message (Offline)
   
   
Re: Ghosts of the Dead A Shattered Dawn AU story
« Reply #17 on: November 14, 2009, 12:46:10 PM »
   Reply with quoteQuote Modify messageModify Remove messageRemove Split TopicSplit Topic
 Shocked  Shocked  Shocked
   Report to moderator   81.56.118.167 (?)


In Turn they tested each Clan namesake in trial against the Ice Hellion's mettle. Each chased the Ice Hellion, hunting it down. All failed to match the predator's speed and grace. Khan Cage smiled and said, "And that is how we shall be."

The Remembrance (Clan Ice Hellion) Passage 5, Verse 3, Lines 1 - 5
muttley
Advocate
****
Offline Offline

Posts: 161


View Profile Email Personal Message (Offline)
   
   
Re: Ghosts of the Dead A Shattered Dawn AU story
« Reply #18 on: November 14, 2009, 07:10:14 PM »
   Reply with quoteQuote Modify messageModify Remove messageRemove Split TopicSplit Topic
Bet he owes a ton of child support!
   Report to moderator   12.51.57.195 (?)
"It matters little how we die, so long as we die better men than we imagined we could be -- and no worse than we feared." Drago Museveni, CY 8451
Ice Hellion
Contributor
Grand Champion
*****
Offline Offline

Posts: 3087

Part time builder of fallen Empires


View Profile WWW Email Personal Message (Offline)
   
   
Re: Ghosts of the Dead A Shattered Dawn AU story
« Reply #19 on: November 15, 2009, 12:44:28 PM »
   Reply with quoteQuote Modify messageModify Remove messageRemove Split TopicSplit Topic
Quote from: muttley on November 14, 2009, 07:10:14 PM
Bet he owes a ton of child support!

This is where your rank of Advocate shows  Grin
   Report to moderator   81.56.118.167 (?)


In Turn they tested each Clan namesake in trial against the Ice Hellion's mettle. Each chased the Ice Hellion, hunting it down. All failed to match the predator's speed and grace. Khan Cage smiled and said, "And that is how we shall be."

The Remembrance (Clan Ice Hellion) Passage 5, Verse 3, Lines 1 - 5
blacktigeractual
Contributor
Champion
*****
Offline Offline

Posts: 722


View Profile Email Personal Message (Offline)
   
   
Re: Ghosts of the Dead A Shattered Dawn AU story
« Reply #20 on: December 01, 2009, 09:56:13 AM »
   Reply with quoteQuote Modify messageModify Remove messageRemove Split TopicSplit Topic
Quote from: Ice Hellion on November 15, 2009, 12:44:28 PM
This is where your rank of Advocate shows  Grin
Cool
SLS Tiger Claw....

Dieter Malin noticed a change in the big Wolf cruiser's aspect.

"Boss, the fuzzies have changed bearing and are on an intercept vector."

Emily Hayes cursed, then her eyes snapped open a vicious smile flahing on her face.

"Coms, transmit prefix code inquiry, authorization HAF-N-1."

The communications officer, John Rayes looked startled for a moment, then as he carried out the order; understanding blossomed on his face.

Wolf Clan Ship Dire Wolf...

Deep in the bowels of the massive cruiser computer systems whirred and beeped.  The operating system ignored the activity, sending a brief warning to the electronic warfare officer's panel in the ship's Combat In formation Center.  The BIOS however, unchanged for the past three hundred years....listened.

Before the human crew onboard the Dire Wolf could react the Wolves found out the Hard Way just why Stefan Amaris' Navy was so ineffective against Terran WarShips.



Since this is the storyline I'm messing with for shits and giggles I decided to use something from our origninal campaign.  The WoB lost a whole lot of ships to he Tigers.
   Report to moderator   67.250.55.95 (?)
Captain Bruce Gilmour
13th Assault Company "The Black Cats"
90th Heavy Assault Regiment



My sense of the absurd keeps me sane.
"Moral certainty is always a sign of cultural inferiority. The more uncivilized the person, the surer they are they know precisely what is right and what is wrong."
-Henry L. Mencken
"War is God's way of teaching Americans geography."
-Ambrose Bierce
"Enjoy please HappyJoyColdFun Pops now with more natural blue flavor!"
Ice Hellion
Contributor
Grand Champion
*****
Offline Offline

Posts: 3087

Part time builder of fallen Empires


View Profile WWW Email Personal Message (Offline)
   
   
Re: Ghosts of the Dead A Shattered Dawn AU story
« Reply #21 on: December 01, 2009, 05:11:09 PM »
   Reply with quoteQuote Modify messageModify Remove messageRemove Split TopicSplit Topic
Quote from: blacktigeractual on December 01, 2009, 09:56:13 AM
Before the human crew onboard the Dire Wolf could react the Wolves found out the Hard Way just why Stefan Amaris' Navy was so ineffective against Terran WarShips.

I don't understand.
   Report to moderator   81.56.118.167 (?)


In Turn they tested each Clan namesake in trial against the Ice Hellion's mettle. Each chased the Ice Hellion, hunting it down. All failed to match the predator's speed and grace. Khan Cage smiled and said, "And that is how we shall be."

The Remembrance (Clan Ice Hellion) Passage 5, Verse 3, Lines 1 - 5
blacktigeractual
Contributor
Champion
*****
Offline Offline

Posts: 722


View Profile Email Personal Message (Offline)
   
   
Re: Ghosts of the Dead A Shattered Dawn AU story
« Reply #22 on: December 01, 2009, 08:58:41 PM »
   Reply with quoteQuote Modify messageModify Remove messageRemove Split TopicSplit Topic
Quote from: Ice Hellion on December 01, 2009, 05:11:09 PM
I don't understand.
You will... Wink

Star Admiral Mitchell Leroux snarled in anger as the Dire Wolf shuddered and began to drift off course.

“Report!”  He growled at the cowering technician at the engineering console.

“Star Admiral; we have lost helm control and weapons, the Terran warship transmitted something at us.  Crews in the computer core reported it having no effect on our systems, then every system went haywire.”

“How is this possible?!”  Leroux sat back in his command chair searching the lower caste engineer’s face for signs of deception, but now delivering his report the man straightened and his demeanor spoke of nothing but competence.

“Unknown Star Admiral, but it almost cost us the ship; whatever the Terrans were able to activate in our systems tried to open all hatches interior and exterior.”  The technician paused as Leroux’s eyes widened in realization.

Snapping out of his shock he caught what the technician left unsaid.

“Your team was able to stop this from occurring.”  A statement not a question.

“Aff, Star Admiral.”

“Hold one, we must discuss this…Sensors  what are the Terrans doing?”

“Holding position sir, they have taken no offensive action.”

“Hmmph…so much for taking an aggressive posture.”  The idea had been for the Dire Wolf to test the Terrans’ response and prevent any orbital support, be it in the form of bombardment or air support from the WarShip’s air wings.

Turning back to the engineer he smiled.

“You have done well here, get us our drives back, find out what the Terrans’ hit us with and I will see you have a place in the next trial of position.”

Leroux could sense the man’s pride as he acknowledged the order and went to work.

   Report to moderator   151.202.113.14 (?)
Captain Bruce Gilmour
13th Assault Company "The Black Cats"
90th Heavy Assault Regiment



My sense of the absurd keeps me sane.
"Moral certainty is always a sign of cultural inferiority. The more uncivilized the person, the surer they are they know precisely what is right and what is wrong."
-Henry L. Mencken
"War is God's way of teaching Americans geography."
-Ambrose Bierce
"Enjoy please HappyJoyColdFun Pops now with more natural blue flavor!"
Takiro
Administrator
Avatar
*****
Online Online

Posts: 5060

digitdoger
View Profile Email Personal Message (Online)
   
   
Re: Ghosts of the Dead A Shattered Dawn AU story
« Reply #23 on: December 01, 2009, 09:05:25 PM »
   Reply with quoteQuote Modify messageModify Remove messageRemove Split TopicSplit Topic
Somebody in the Clans really needs to upgrade their computer security.  Wink
   Report to moderator   72.80.155.11 (?)


"It is better to be thought a fool, than open your mouth and remove all doubt."
    U. S. Grant

"Don't think about what I say, cause I don't."
   John Luther
blacktigeractual
Contributor
Champion
*****
Offline Offline

Posts: 722


View Profile Email Personal Message (Offline)
   
   
Re: Ghosts of the Dead A Shattered Dawn AU story
« Reply #24 on: December 01, 2009, 10:20:13 PM »
   Reply with quoteQuote Modify messageModify Remove messageRemove Split TopicSplit Topic
I noticed that for a vast amount of thier WarShips nothing really changed.  I also figured that Terran Naval Systems designers would code into the language the BIOS' use the means to control them.  Furthermore the Cylon in my head an eleven from Fifth Column said they really should so...after all one should always listen to Willow. Wink
   Report to moderator   151.202.113.14 (?)
Captain Bruce Gilmour
13th Assault Company "The Black Cats"
90th Heavy Assault Regiment



My sense of the absurd keeps me sane.
"Moral certainty is always a sign of cultural inferiority. The more uncivilized the person, the surer they are they know precisely what is right and what is wrong."
-Henry L. Mencken
"War is God's way of teaching Americans geography."
-Ambrose Bierce
"Enjoy please HappyJoyColdFun Pops now with more natural blue flavor!"
blacktigeractual
Contributor
Champion
*****
Offline Offline

Posts: 722


View Profile Email Personal Message (Offline)
   
   
Re: Ghosts of the Dead A Shattered Dawn AU story
« Reply #25 on: December 02, 2009, 12:19:06 AM »
   Reply with quoteQuote Modify messageModify Remove messageRemove Split TopicSplit Topic
Katya Kerensky waited as Hussy’s cockpit hatch opened, Major Gilmour handed her his combat neurohelmet as he unstrapped the five point restraints.  While the neurohelmet was familiar, nothing else in the Royal machine was.  Instead of a command couch with joysticks and throttles the Marauder had a cradle that supported the pilot’s rump, back, neck and head.

Legs and arms strapped into a linear frame much like an exoskeleton.  The Terran MechWarriors didn’t so much pilot their machines so much as wear them.  Joysticks and petals tipped the frame members and a holographic hands on throttle and stick set up completed the arrangement.  Almost as an afterthought a folding jump seat was just aft of the linear frame.

“Yeah, I know it’s a lot different than what you’re used to.  You sure you've got nothing like this?”  Bruce said a wry smile on his face.

“Neg we do not, and there are no records of anything like this.”  The question in her voice was obvious.  As the cherry picker lowered itself down to the ground, Bruce stretched and looked at the battle damage scarring the seventy five tonner.

“No I don’t have a clue why your friends don’t have proper Terra tech, maybe the Royals sabotaged the records, or maybe here in this timeline it was never invented.”

“Timeline?”  Katya was puzzled, she was a warrior not a scientist after all.

“Yeah, too many things here don’t add up, we’ve talked about that.”

She nodded, she sometimes wondered why Bruce didn’t talk about this with his own people.  Then again sometimes the Tigers acted like they were made of broken glass.  There was pain there that Katya was ill equipped to deal with.

Bruce was looking at a series of holos on his pocketcomp.  A beautiful red haired woman appeared in most of them along with a little Eurasian girl.  His wife and adopted daughter; Katya knew.  She understood the theory of marriage of course and the lower castes still practiced “natural” child birth, but she had no frame of reference as the warrior who’d shot her out of her ‘Mech and stood against the finest warriors of Clan Wolf shuddered and stifled a sob.

Katya had for some reason put her hand on his shoulder, a gesture of comradely support.  He’d looked up at her then and smiled sadly, a single tear rolling down his cheek.  A Clan warrior should have scoffed at his weakness, but something in Katya responded with sympathy.  Some battles just cannot be won .

Bruce had after a moment motioned to her to sit down.  He’d shared a little of his life with her then.  Pictures and movies of blessed Terra seen just after the Liberation.  Unity City, New York, Tahiti places out of myth and legend all seen by someone who’d lived there.

It had been the pictures of his wedding that had affected her the most, the chestnut haired girl with the heart shaped face who was Sarah Davion’s Maid of Honor.  Amanda Cameron, daughter of Richard.  The alien feel to the history the images and video represented, from a living Cameron heir to a “back yard Fourth of July party” with Aaron DeChevalier in an apron emblazoned with the words “Kiss the Cook” to Elizabeth Hazen sharing a kiss with Lieutenant Mackenzie were a shock.

A shock that the most revered figures in Clan history were as Bruce had put it; “Just Folks.”

Still they remained hideously effective against her former Clan.  After two weeks the battle was stalemated.  Although both sides had taken severe losses, the Battle for Tamar had turned into a war of attrition and the defenders had far deeper reserves than the Wolf Clan.

Something had to give soon.  And strangely she hoped it wouldn’t be the Terrans.  Looking down at the Cameron Star on her shoulder, knowing what it represented, Katya felt strangely at home.  And then there was her bond holder; honorable, strong, skilful, yet broken at the same time.

Perhaps in time she could fix him.  Looking down at the two bond cords remaining on her wrist and at the her own Timber Wolf sitting repaired in the gantry across the way.  He’d promised her a place on the next raid.  Katya wasn’t sure how she felt about that.

Trepidation warred with an urge to be recognized as a full warrior again.

Soon you will have to make choices, Katya, important ones.

“Okay, we’re off duty, Misha’s told me you’re doing well… so the gang’s rigged up a clubhouse of some sort.”  He paused, thought for a moment.  “Umm…you guys do drink don’t you?”

“Aff…we do and I could use a drink, thank you.”  As they walked past Elizabeth Hazen speaking softly with her technician at the foot of the Tiger heavy BattleMech she piloted, the red haired woman glared harshly at Katya but held her tongue.

Stravvag Falcon. She thought meeting the woman' glare with her own clear blue gaze.  After the pair had left the hanger Katya chuckled.  But then she’s no Falcon, or at least this one isn’t.

“Penny for your thoughts?”  Bruce asked.

“Nothing important, major…” She considered him for a moment.  “Bruce Gilmour after we have that drink would you like to couple with me?”

Bruce stopped dead and stared at her.  Later thinking about his reaction; which was a polite and cautious negative; she would grin…After all his reaction was priceless.
« Last Edit: December 08, 2009, 05:09:24 AM by blacktigeractual »    Report to moderator   151.202.113.14 (?)
Captain Bruce Gilmour
13th Assault Company "The Black Cats"
90th Heavy Assault Regiment



My sense of the absurd keeps me sane.
"Moral certainty is always a sign of cultural inferiority. The more uncivilized the person, the surer they are they know precisely what is right and what is wrong."
-Henry L. Mencken
"War is God's way of teaching Americans geography."
-Ambrose Bierce
"Enjoy please HappyJoyColdFun Pops now with more natural blue flavor!"
muttley
Advocate
****
Offline Offline

Posts: 161


View Profile Email Personal Message (Offline)
   
   
Re: Ghosts of the Dead A Shattered Dawn AU story
« Reply #26 on: December 02, 2009, 02:29:18 PM »
   Reply with quoteQuote Modify messageModify Remove messageRemove Split TopicSplit Topic
fun piece of writing Smiley

I like the piece of Hussy's cockpit
   Report to moderator   75.163.134.28 (?)
"It matters little how we die, so long as we die better men than we imagined we could be -- and no worse than we feared." Drago Museveni, CY 8451
Ice Hellion
Contributor
Grand Champion
*****
Offline Offline

Posts: 3087

Part time builder of fallen Empires


View Profile WWW Email Personal Message (Offline)
   
   
Re: Ghosts of the Dead A Shattered Dawn AU story
« Reply #27 on: December 02, 2009, 05:22:50 PM »
   Reply with quoteQuote Modify messageModify Remove messageRemove Split TopicSplit Topic
Clanners  Grin
   Report to moderator   81.56.118.167 (?)


In Turn they tested each Clan namesake in trial against the Ice Hellion's mettle. Each chased the Ice Hellion, hunting it down. All failed to match the predator's speed and grace. Khan Cage smiled and said, "And that is how we shall be."

The Remembrance (Clan Ice Hellion) Passage 5, Verse 3, Lines 1 - 5
blacktigeractual
Contributor
Champion
*****
Offline Offline

Posts: 722


View Profile Email Personal Message (Offline)
   
   
Re: Ghosts of the Dead A Shattered Dawn AU story
« Reply #28 on: December 23, 2009, 02:56:31 PM »
   Reply with quoteQuote Modify messageModify Remove messageRemove Split TopicSplit Topic
The Triad, Tharkad
Federated Commonwealth
17 November, 3051
General Nondi Steiner knocked on the door to the Archon's personal office.  At the Archon's bidding she entered.  Melissa Steiner looked up from her desk and smiled warmly.  The younger woman's eyes looked tired.  They all were.  The enormity of the situation threatening the Federated Commonwealth was like nothing anyone could have expected.

"We have the latest reports from Tamar, Mel."  Nondi said.

"From your tone, I take it's actually good news."  Melissa looked hopeful.

"The battle's stalemated, not won but we've done better there than anywhere else, looks like a full; what the Clans call a Galaxy; roughly analogous to a reinforced regiment has been bogged down there.  The 90th Heavy Assault has taken prisoners and we are getting reams of information back..."  Nondi's face took on a grimace then.

"What Aunt Nondi?  I know that look."

"These so called Star League troops won't let us interrogate their prisoners, the LIC agents assigned to Tamar have been allowed to interview the captured Wolves, in some detail, I'll admit but the 90th is retaining custody…something about having honored the Wolves custom of becoming bondsmen."  She looked up at Melissa then.

"Some of them, like this Katya Kerensky have even been allowed to fight against their former comrades."

Melissa's look of shock mirrored Nondi's when she'd first read the news.

"So they fight their own?"  Melissa shook her head.  "Can the Star League Defense Force really have changed so much?  They're so…Alien."

Nondi got a cup of coffee from the side board and at Melissa's nod poured her another.

"Marshal Corelli has said the 90th have pretty much accepted their situation weird as it is and have offered their services to the Commonwealth.  They have a lot to offer, which brings us to two problems."
At the Archon's gesture she continued;

"First, we may not be able to keep Tamar."  Nondi's voice was flat, businesslike, it had to be to quell the anger the statement brought up.  Melissa nodded and Nondi, not without pride for the fine ruler Katrina's daughter had become, knew she had seen it.

"The Wolves and the Jade Falcons have already almost surrounded it, I know…but to pull them out seems so wrong."  Melissa's voice was sad at the thought of any more of her people being under the thumb of a conqueror.

Nondi sipped at her coffee and nodded.

"Ja it is wrong, but we cannot support them for much longer.  If the Clans pass the line of worlds marked here…"  Nondi pulled up a star chart on Melissa's desk.  "We have to pull them out of there or risk losing both units."

Leaning back in her chair, Melissa closed her eyes and nodded.

"Do it, then."  She said.  "And may God forgive us."

"The second problem, is a bit thornier, but I may have a solution…"  Nondi paused her features darkening at the memory of her meeting with Precentor Tharkad.  "ComStar is requesting; as they put it; the repatriation of all Terran nationals and equipment in the unit known as the 90th Heavy Assault Regiment at the earliest opportunity."

"What?!"  Melissa was aghast.

"The Black Tigers scare them, Mel, don’t ask me how I know, but they do."

"Scare them, how?  A few thousand men and women, some advanced hardware and okay three WarShips but…"

"It's not their equipment Archon, it is who they are, while the computer core provided by Colonel Carlyle has all the information we need to catch up to the Star League era, the practical applications will take years to get us up to speed, unless we have help.  The support staff of the 90th alone has the practical knowledge to jump start our armaments programs by years.  Their Chief Technician Misha Vinson has more degrees to his name than I can count and at least two works on Particle weapons on the GDL core were authored by him…Melissa the MechWarrior that has your husband all in a bustle has a degree in fusion technology for God's sakes, learned on the road to Terra during the liberation back in the 2770's!"

As Melissa looked at her aunt in shock, Nondi went on;  "Then there is this; they are Terrans, their databases hold locations and command codes to dozens of bases used by the SLDF Royal Command, including this one…"

"Camelot Command…a Naval base?"

Nondi grinned; "I've sent Cranston Snord to check it out, the little bastard already knew about it, said they were going to try for it anyway, he was the one who sent me the solution to the ComStar problem."  Tapping the touch sensitive hologram Nondi brought up a file.

SLDF Support Command Regulation 11071-3  In the event of a collapse of regular SLDF pay and support channels any Member State requesting aid from or making use of SLDF personnel and or equipment must provide a support structure to maintain…

Melissa chuckled.

"General Steiner, the Lyran Commonwealth is hereby requesting aid from the Star League Defense Force…"
   Report to moderator   67.250.52.81 (?)
Captain Bruce Gilmour
13th Assault Company "The Black Cats"
90th Heavy Assault Regiment



My sense of the absurd keeps me sane.
"Moral certainty is always a sign of cultural inferiority. The more uncivilized the person, the surer they are they know precisely what is right and what is wrong."
-Henry L. Mencken
"War is God's way of teaching Americans geography."
-Ambrose Bierce
"Enjoy please HappyJoyColdFun Pops now with more natural blue flavor!"
Rainbow 6
Global Moderator
Champion
*****
Offline Offline

Posts: 829


View Profile Email Personal Message (Offline)
   
   
Re: Ghosts of the Dead A Shattered Dawn AU story
« Reply #29 on: December 23, 2009, 03:07:40 PM »
   Reply with quoteQuote Modify messageModify Remove messageRemove Split TopicSplit Topic
Something tells me ComStar ain't going to be happy, i wonder if Cranston will try to 'collect' a Royal mech or three  Wink
Logged

Takiro

  • General
  • *
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 10,181
  • For the Last Cameron!
Re: Ghosts of the Dead - A Shattered Dawn AU story
« Reply #2 on: February 20, 2010, 10:09:53 PM »

Knightmare
Administrator
Champion
*****
Offline Offline

Posts: 538

Live by the League or die by the League

Knightmare2777@hotmail.co.uk
View Profile WWW Email Personal Message (Offline)
   
   
Re: Ghosts of the Dead A Shattered Dawn AU story
« Reply #30 on: December 23, 2009, 11:07:17 PM »
   Reply with quoteQuote Modify messageModify Remove messageRemove Split TopicSplit Topic
Simply awesome work here BTA. Just Awesome.
   Report to moderator   216.212.233.242 (?)
Everything was good until the WoB started tossing NBCs like rice at a wedding.
muttley
Advocate
****
Offline Offline

Posts: 161


View Profile Email Personal Message (Offline)
   
   
Re: Ghosts of the Dead A Shattered Dawn AU story
« Reply #31 on: December 27, 2009, 09:56:56 PM »
   Reply with quoteQuote Modify messageModify Remove messageRemove Split TopicSplit Topic
Cranston is in for a shock if he climbs into one...
   Report to moderator   75.163.128.104 (?)
"It matters little how we die, so long as we die better men than we imagined we could be -- and no worse than we feared." Drago Museveni, CY 8451
Ice Hellion
Contributor
Grand Champion
*****
Offline Offline

Posts: 3087

Part time builder of fallen Empires


View Profile WWW Email Personal Message (Offline)
   
   
Re: Ghosts of the Dead A Shattered Dawn AU story
« Reply #32 on: January 05, 2010, 04:53:42 PM »
   Reply with quoteQuote Modify messageModify Remove messageRemove Split TopicSplit Topic
Why is no one surprised by this unit coming back from the dead?
Logged
Pages: [1]   Go Up