Cyrus Elam Training Grounds
Camlaan Plateau, Roche
June 18, 3003
Jaime Wolf patted the dust off of his uniform outside the entrance to the tent. To either side of the free-birth Warrior, a massive Elemental stood, clad in flat-black Battle Armor. Frankly, he had been more than a little surprised when the two had snapped to attention and rendered him a salute . . . he had certainly not expected that.
With much—but not all—of the dust and grime removed, he parted the tent flap and entered. The large pavilion was filled by around a dozen men and women—but just one had summoned him forth. Nadia Winson, the ilKhan of the Clans, looked up at his approach and smiled.
“Care for some refreshment, Galaxy Commander?†she asked, and Wolf jerked upright. The ilKhan’s smile broadened. “Come now, Jaime, that is what you are, in effect, quiaff? Your Expedition—your Dragoons—is comparable in size to a Galaxy, so let us at the least acknowledge your status properly.â€
“Khan Vickers disagrees, ilKhan.â€
“Khan Vickers opinion does not matter here, Galaxy Commander. Your Dragoons answer to ME, not to the Khan of Clan Wolf. And if I say you are a Galaxy Commander, then you are one—and you will treated accordingly.†She raised a carafe of ice and water again. “Care for a drink?â€
“Neg, ilKhan. If my people cannot get a cold drink on this exercise, than neither shall I.â€
Nadia laughed. “Oh, Jaime, I do like you. Come here,†she commanded and nodded at her aide. He nodded back in reply and shooed the many other officers from the ilKhan’s tent, leaving just Jaime and her and one other Warrior dressed in the field uniform of the new Dragoons—although Jaime did not recognize him.
“From the reports I have received, the Khans are ready to throttle you, Galaxy Commander Wolf. Some are rather perturbed at how you and your Scorpion trainers are tossing aside zellbrigen and in your selection of such antique BattleMechs, Aerospace Fighters, and vehicles for your forces.†Jaime started to answer but she held up a hand. “Their opinions do not matter either, Jaime Wolf. I approve of your methods and your equipment—for the most part. How is the integration of your Warriors progressing?â€
Jaime gathered himself and he took a deep breath. “ilKhan, things would go a lot faster if you allowed the Wolves—and perhaps a handful of volunteers from the other Clans—to form the bulk of the Dragoons. I am spending time that should be used to learn this equipment in adjudicating disputes between Warriors of opposing Clans and philosophies.â€
“I understand . . . but this is a joint effort of the Clans, Jaime. All will be represented,†she replied firmly.
Jaime nodded. He did not agree, but he was not going to press the issue any further. “We are—barely—on schedule. Even with having to deal with the many differences between my Warriors, I think we will be ready to start exercises against OpFor units by . . .,†his voice trailed off as he considered, and then he nodded again. “By early September.â€
“Excellent. And you have received all of the equipment that you requested from the Clan caches?â€
“Not all, ilKhan. The Hellions are dragging their feet in supplying two companies of BattleMechs and their associated Aerospace Fighters, plus I understand that there have been difficulties in restoring the old Overlords, Unions, Leopards, and Lions to full operational status. The Raven engineers keep wanting to upgrade them instead of just restoring them to working order.â€
“I have spoken with Khan Crow and THAT issue has been resolved, Jaime. Your force structure is quite interesting—it is not precisely SLDF in origin, nor Clan. Your rationale?â€
“We are assembling five Regiments, plus supporting elements. Each Regiment will contain two pure BattleMech Battalions—with their aerospace complement—and a combined arms battalion with a mixed force of BattleMechs, combat vehicles, and conventional infantry. In addition, we will assign a Regimental Company that will be built around two lances of BattleMechs and a Nova Lance of armor and infantry to each Regiment. Supporting units to date consist of a Heavy Assault Battalion with just heavy- and assault-weight BattleMechs and Aerospace Fighters, an Independent Aero Wing, a Special Operations Battalion of Infantry and transport vehicles, a Fires Battalion with artillery assets, and a Recon Group with BattleMechs and vehicles. I believe with the variety of Warriors of differing Toumans under my command, this arrangement will give me the most flexibility when I arrive in the Inner Sphere.â€
“Agreed and approved. I am adding two additional units to your roster, however,†the ilKhan said. “Combing through existing garrison formations, I have assembled an infantry Regiment for your command—along with transport vehicles. You will need these to protect your civilians; of that I have no doubt.â€
“My civilians?â€
“Jaime, you are going to have Technicians, but beside them your force will need Scientists to evaluate Inner Sphere technology, engineers to construct temporary or permanent structures, Merchants to aid you in negotiating mercenary contracts AND acquire local sources of supply, medical personnel, and Laborers. These forces I have also assembled. This . . . Home Guard Regiment . . . will serve to protect them while your line Regiments form the fighting strength of your Galaxy.â€
Jaime nodded and he frowned. He and Joshua had been discussing just how vital such elements would be—only he had expected to have to fight tooth and nail for them. “We could use some Intelligence assets as well, ilKhan.â€
Nadia chuckled. “Aff. I have already asked for volunteers from all of the Clan Watches—you will have an Intel Section well before your training is complete.â€
“And the other unit you are adding?â€
“Your Keshik, Galaxy Commander.â€
Jaime’s eyes grew wide and Nadia nodded. “Cluster commanders do not get Keshiks. Galaxy Commander seldom do, but for an independent unit on such a vital mission—you rate one. I am assembling a battalion of BattleMechs, Aerospace Fighters, armor, and infantry that will serve as your Command Keshik, Galaxy Commander Jaime Wolf.†She paused and smiled again. “And I asked for—and received from Khan Vickers—only Wolf Warriors for that Keshik.â€
The free-birth’s throat was tight and all he could do was nod. “But there are two points on which I must deny your requests,†the ilKhan continued.
Jaime swallowed. “And those are?â€
“First, I know that you and Joshua are close. However, he will not be your second-in-command. Star Colonel John MacKenzie will serve in that role. John, come shake hands with your new commander.â€
“Galaxy Commander, it is an honor to be chosen to serve as your executive officer on this mission.â€
“Star Colonel,†Jaime said crisply, shaking the other man’s hand despite the clammy feeling in his stomach.
“However, I am not denying Joshua a place in the Expedition. He will command your Beta Regiment, while John here commands Alpha—and you in your Keshik oversee the entire force. You may select the rest of your senior officers from the volunteers out there in the hot Roche summer sun. I will approve any promotions—or demotions—that you deem necessary. Is this acceptable?â€
“Aff,†Jaime whispered.
“Good,†Nadia said with a slight smile. Which promptly faded. “And your request for WarShip support is denied.â€
“May I inquire as to why, ilKhan?â€
“Mercenaries during the Star League and the Age of War did not own WarShips. I cannot believe that any government would allow them in the hands of private military organizations. Since you are pretending to be a mercenary unit, then it would be out of place to have them—even if the Great Houses retain their own Fleets. Do not argue with me on this, Jaime—my decision is final. You will not be taking Clan WarShips into the Inner Sphere.â€
Jaime Wolf winced, but he nodded.
“Good. And now Galaxy Commander, I believe I will give you some time to break the news to Joshua. However, I will expect both of you—and any other senior officers you have already decided upon—to join me and John for dinner this evening. In the meantime, I believe that you have a Galaxy to finish assembling and training, Galaxy Commander. Oh, and one final thing before you and John depart. Here. These are yours,†she said as she held out a small jewel box.
Jaime opened it and within lay two gleaming silver Cameron stars, each set on a disk of polished sapphire. The rank insignia of an SLDF Major General. “No Colonel commands a force this size—General Wolf. I will see you this evening for dinner. Dismissed.â€