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I started this work in 1995, after attend Knight's March '95 (a Local weekend Con). Some already know I was given a False time line and told to write a Book based on a lost Jumpship from the early days of the K-F Drive. The ships mass-jumped and was never heard from til my main Character and those with her find the lost ship after there own miss-jump.

I stared posting it in the CBT forums and now here it is for those helping to straighten it out!

Divulgence of Honour
                               By Glenn Stewart A.K.A. Khan Jade Wolf
                                     Prolog

      The Clans have lost the trail of Tukayyid, and Clan Nova Cat has had to hold the systems given to them by Smoke Jaguar! The loss of the two Galaxies on Tukayyid left them with only one choice, 'rebuild'. They are forced to bring forward the lower casts, Second Line Warriors and Freeborn Warriors!
   As they are rebuilding they encounter a ship from the Pirate King looking for plunder and slaves. The ship attacks the Nova Cats Jumpship {Mystweaver (Star Lord II) Nova Cat ship}freshly captured. Two docking ring were removed and the tonnage given over to turret mounted AC/20's and Fire Control updated equipment, with eight tons of ammo, four tons per AC/20. Docked aboard the Mystweaver,  were two Union C's, (Cat's Paw and Mist Lynx), and two Overlords (Den and Shadow Cat). During the fight, the jump-drive took minor damage and it was undetected. With the captured pirate ship and a Fox Class Corvette (Star Vision), they made a jump out of the Tarney System.    Mystweaver find themselves lost past the periphery, in a cluster of four stars. They find the two of the four systems inhabited and also find an old Jumpship with no jump drive and much of the hull gone and what is left is pitted and hard used. The is also a Jumpship with Draconis Combine Military markings on it!
   A Galaxy Commander has a vision of a Mongoose killing a Wolf, then killing a large Black Bear, The Mongoose then turns and begins to move a away, but stops and looks over its shoulder at the Galaxy Commander. When the Galaxy Commander steps forward the Mongoose turns and continues on its way. There is a mumble of voices behind him, when he turns he see a group of Nova Cats and Clan Warriors all following the Mongoose!  Above them are the Draconis ship, a Pirate ship and the Mystwaever following as well.
   He convinces the Force Commander that the Vision is Important for them and has something to do with the ship and the planet below them.  The Force Commander begins a Batchall and is answered by a Female DCMS and is stunned at her answer.


Chapter one:
Lost beyond the known Periphery

      I was once happy to serve House Kurita of the Draconis Combine. I would have given my life for the Combine and died happy. That was a long time ago, now I live to fight against the Combine.  I know you're thinking to yourself : here is one with no loyalty or honour, but you are wrong. I have both and live by both, I live and breath by both. They are my meat and drink. I will never give my loyalty blindly or my honour to those unworthy to be honoured.  You may ask what would cause such a change in someone so young. That is my story and the cause of a lot of changes in me and with me. Changes that may allow us to defeat the Clans and Inner Sphere.

                                                   *     *     +     *     *

      It was a cloudy day when I graduated from the Sun Zhang Academy. I was among the first few of the women to attend the Academy. We women were hazed and demeaned daily by male students. Nearly seventy-five percent of those woman allowed to attend, dropped out. Of those still in the Academy, I graduated within the top five of my Cardé. I was the top female graduate, with the backing of the top of my Cardé. I was proud of my achievements; they gave me the right to be an Officer. I had top grades in engineering and in Mech design.

      I was second in Mech Gunnery and Mech Piloting, but would not receive a Mech. Being a woman in the Combines meant I was second best to a man. I would never be allowed to be better than a man with the same grades as me. I was given the rank of Talon Sergeant and posted to serve aboard the jump-ship `Kurita's Flower as part of ship's security. I learned that my friend and fellow classmate was posted to the same ship. She was given the rank of Master Sergeant, as well as being part of ship's security.

      Again; being a woman, we were to report to the Ship's Captain, ask him for the honour of serving aboard. We would have to go through a short ritual to be allowed; to serve.
      Tiko and I stood on the verge of the bridge as head of 'Ship's Security' ask for permission to the Bridge, Ship's Captain Ikoman Reese, stood with his back to the door, his hands were clasped behind his back as he stood listening to Commander Poleman ask for permission.
      â€œHonoured Ship's Captain, I humbly request to be permitted to escort Talon Sergeant, Lisa Takayo and Master Sergeant Tiko Simpson onto the bridge. They were sent to fill two posts in Ship's Security.”
      Captain Reese's answer was long in coming, then it was a slight movement of his left hand. The three of us stepped forward and the bridge door hissed closed behind us.
      Again Commander Poleman spoke; “Honoured Ship's Captain, I humbly request permission for Talon Sergeant Takayo to speak ?”
      As before Ship's Captain left hand moved slightly. “I most humbly thank you, honoured Ship's  Captain. I ask you for the honour and the right to serve aboard Kurita's Flower; to serve you and this ship as a member of Internal Security.”
      â€œI request permission for Master Sergeant Tiko Simpson to speak ?”
      Again he moved his left hand. “I am unworthy of this honour Ships Captain. I humbly ask to serve you and this ship as a member of the security personal.”
      When Tiko finished speaking, the Ship's Captain turned and spoke. “I have reviewed both of your school transcripts and find you to be worthy to be aboard `Kurita's Flower. You will begin to serve this ship at 06:00, outside the bridge. You will be in full dress uniform and will be issued a weapon at your post. You may leave now!”
      â€œThank you Ship's Captain!” Tiko and i spoke as one and bowed to Captain Reese as we backed off the bridge into the hall and remained bowed until the door hissed closed.
      My first week aboard `Kurita's Flower was fairly routine. Guard Duty outside the Bridge with Tiko followed by an hour in the gravity gym. That changed on  the third day of the second week.
      Tiko and I were on duty, four hours into the shift, `Kurita's Flower was attacked by a  Pirate King's ship. Our fighter screen was overwhelmed by Drop-ships and Fighters of the Pirates. One Drop-ship made it to us and six board-teams breached our hull.
      Tiko and I only just had time to dawn our P-suits before the emergency door three meters down the hall slammed shut.
      We had been issued a light laser rifle each, and I had the battle Katana issued on my Graduation. We were tied into the Battle net and could hear progress and which of our units were still intact and holding
      Tiko was tense and jumped when the two Guards from inside the bridge joined us in the hall.   The four of us did not have long to wait, before we heard a warning from fire-control. “Bridge Guard's stand by for action. The enemy is at Hatchway B-2.”
      As fire-control finished the warning, the safety door began to glow where lasers were hitting it, at the same time a pry-bar thumped into the seem of the two doors. Soon the door began to open and lasers fired through the widening crack.
      Finally the doors were opened wide enough to allow the pirates through. Tiko dropped to one knee and opened fire as the first pirate barged through, he fell dead and the next in line stumbled and died as one of the other guards fired.
      I can not say why I did what I did, but as the third pirate fell I drew my katana and rushed the those trying to come through, my first swing took off the arm of  the next pirate, as she fell my back swing cut across the chest of the next one.
      My attack carried me through the opening into those still on the other side of the hatchway. They staggered back and retreated before me and the three lasers; as we continued the attack, a pirate fired his laser taking my leg off at the knee, I fell against the bulkhead and continued to fight on.
      The laser cauterized the remains of my leg and the P-suit sealed tightly against my stump, a sharp stab at the base of my neck and I felt a cool surge of Battle-6 combat drug was injected, the rest of the Battle was a blur as the Combat drug took effect.
      Tiko said when I fell back against the bulkhead the pirates counted me out of the fight, that mistake was fatal, two died as I brought my katana up in a roundhouse swing that caused all the remaining pirates to stumble and hesitate as they avoided the bodies of the two I killed.
      Five died and the one remaining dropped her weapons and called out that she surrendered, she also called out that she was I.S.F and had information for ' The Smiling One ' she dashed across the opening  between door halves and helped me too the deck as I began to fade.
      Tiko kept her laser trained on the woman as she tended to me, as she did, she radioed the other boarding-parties that she was the last of her team, that they had failed to take the bridge and she had been captured. She advised all pirates to retreat and return to base.
      All over the ship those pirates that were still alive  retreated and left. With the ship again under our control, repair and clean up crews were dispatched throughout the ship.
      Tiko was ordered back to guard duty and had to remain in her P-suit till the end of her watch. She was the first one allowed to see me.
 
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      The Med Bay had always remained pressurized so I was laying comfortably on the bed, she came inn and stood not knowing what to say to me, she stood quietly for five minutes until I spoke “How badly was the ship damaged ?”
    “Not very badly! You are hurt worst of all” she answered.
      â€œThe Doctor has me doped up so I don't hurt!” Tiko was quiet for a minute or two then left as I fell to sleep again.
      When I woke up again I was told I had been fitted with an artificial leg, though it would require more adjustments before I would feel comfortable with it. I looked under the sheet covering me, what I saw was a myomer replacement.
      â€œI think there has been a mistake; I can not afford this, it is too expensive.” I said as I looked at it.
      â€œIt and a few other pieces are labelled with your service number and name.” Came the answer from the Med- Tech. “We double checked and they are yours and paid for. We have some for Master Sergeant Simpson.”
         When the Med-Tech mentioned Tiko, I knew I would not be paying off the cost of  the leg till I died. I knew that it had been paid for by the Simpson Mechwarrior fund. These limb replacements were a marvel of the modern age, and worked near as well as the real thing. They looked close to real as well.
      I spent a week in the med-bay and three weeks learning to move the replacement limb, I was able to get a small amount of movement out of the foot and at the knee. I learned to be more patiant with myself as I learned to move and control it.
      When I was able to pass the Chief Medical Officer's small test, I was ordered to report to the bridge at 04:00 ship time, in full dress uniform. As I dressed I began to wonder about this order to report to the bridge.
      Making my way through  the companionways of the ship, I could have sworn that shipmates gave way to my coming. I was feeling a sense of apprehension as I got closer to the bridge. I had left my post charged into the attackers, and that got me injured. We had been drilled about obeying our Superior to the letter. We were told that to do so was  to obey the 'Dragon' (The Coordinator)
      At  the bridge I met up with Tiko, standing in full dress uniform with her two dress swords. A worried  grin crossed  her lips and she bowed to her superiors. Bowing back, I stepped up and took my place beside her to wait.
      We stood for half an hour waiting, as ships business was dealt with first. The two Guards on duty were Marines in armour and had heavy Needlers, both stood as silent as a statue.
      When the door hissed open, my superior Officer appeared, both Tiko and I bowed to him.
      â€œTalon Sergeant Takayo, Master Sergeant, you will step this way.” He said his voice stern and foreboding, his curt nod  to our bow, caused my stomach to knot up.
      As one; Tiko and I stepped forward onto the bridge, to our surprise, Ship's Captain Reese and the bridge crew were in their dress uniform. I felt my stomach knot tighter, the only time I had seen Officers in full dress uniforms aboard a ship was at a Court Martial.
      â€œShip's Captain, I humbly request permission to speak freely in defence of Master Sergeant Simpson.” When I was given permission to speak, I spoke for Master Sergeant Simpson not for myself.
      â€œYou need not defend her nor yourself Talon Sergeant, the ships visual recorder, recorded her actions, as well as your own.” Captain Reese's voice was clear and his puzzlement came through in his voice. “If you had not left your post and charged the pirates with your katana, they would have overpowered the four of you and took the bridge and won the ship.”
      â€œI only did my duty Ship's Captain!”
      â€œYes Talon Sergeant, you  did your duty and paid a heavy price.” Captain Reese's voice had sorrow echoing in it. “Master Sergeant also did her duty to you and this ship, by ordering the two guards to follow her.”
      After reviewing the data, and by word from the I.S.F agent, it has been determined that had you remained at the bridge door, the ship would be in the hands of the attackers. Many more of us would be floating dead in space.
      You are here today because of your actions in saving this ship and her crew. It is my honour to confer on you the rank of Chu-i and present you with the Crossed Katana's medal for bravery in the face of t he enemy at the cost of your leg. As I stepped forward my stomach unknotted and rumbled loudly. A sudden twinkle flashed in Captain Reese's eyes and a smile lit his stern face. “I see your stomach is as out-spoken as mine. By what you said earlier, you felt you deserved to be punished?”
      â€œYes Ship's Captain, I left my post.”
      â€œYou attended Sun Zhang Academy, hai?”
      â€œHai!”
      â€œThen you knew what was needed and acted as an Officer should, even though you were only given the rank of Talon Sergeant.
    I have seen your Academy scores and you now wear a correct rank. You will required to attend the Wisdom of the Dragon and that will give you time to adjust to your new leg. “ Captain Reese stepped forward and shook my hand. “Thank you and Congratulation Chu-i (Lt). Takayo.”
      â€œMaster Sergeant Simpson, step forward!” Captain Reese again was the formal Officer.
      Tiko stepped up and bowed her salute.
      â€œYou had a part in saving this ship, the true value of leadership, “Is knowing when to send a trooper into battle and knowing when to lead a trooper!.” That is what you showed, you saw the need to follow your superior and support her with full firepower.
      It is my pleasure to award you the Galedon V Sun, for your bravery and leadership, and I raise you up in rank to Talon Sergeant. Thank you, for your part, in honour of your bravery and that of your superior your shipmates have put together a dinner for you.
      The Captain stepped back and the bridge crew raised a Cheer and then the Captain saluted. He then turned back and went back to running the ship.
      Commander Poleman stepped forward and bowed to Tiko and I. “We will dock for full repairs at Galedon V, you will have a Month's leave. Then Talon Sergeant Simpson you will be re-assigned to a Mech Unit.
   Chu-I Takayo, you will be attending Wisdom of the Dragon, congratulations both of you. The rest of your shipmates wait for you in the mess-hall. Enjoy but remember Master ..... sorry, Talon Sergeant Simpson you are on duty at 06:00 ship's time.”
      After he finished speaking, Commander Poleman lead the way to the mess-hall. Just outside the mess-hall Commander Poleman stopped us. “Chu-I Takayo you are on 'sick leave' your shore leave will start when we dock at Galedon V, in the meantime feel free to use the ships Library and the Gravity Gym.”

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      We were not able to jump without repairs to `Kurita's Flower, so we burned to the planet at one -G. It turned out to be under attack and we launched the Drop-ships to land our troops and aid the troops defending. The Dropships from the Pirate Vessel that attacked us had land the troops and rejoined the jump ship to help defend it since it was unarmed, so was easy prey for other Pirates and small units.
      The six Drop-ships aboard `Kurita's Flower were able to finally over power the Pirate Dropships and 'Capture' them. When they had them secured, they did a 2-G burn  and joined the three Troop Carriers on Planet. The Pirates had held off the infantry but were soon defeated, with the additional troop and fire power we added.
      When things in the system were settled and the surviving pirates were jailed and held for transport to a Re-education Camp, `Kurita's Flower was held in orbit while repairs were carried out. The material needed to do repairs was shuttled up or taken from ship's stores.
      Those personal able to be given shore leave were shuttled to the planet. Two days on solid ground was still good for ship's moral.
      My two days Planet side were spent at the Space port strengthening my arms with the crutches, it also helped strengthened my leg, as I was pushing myself to recover as fast as I could.
      The ship's crew was being replaced, those that survived the pirates as well as those who were to be buried Zlatousi. We attended the service for our fallen shipmates and received our orders to return to Galedon V.
      The rumours were rampart as to why the ship's crew were being rotated out and why Planetary Customs was processing us so fast. We all were surprised to a Mercenary group being rushed outbound through Customs. Base Security was at normal strength, but I.S.F were likely doubling their numbers on duty. The normal number of base Security Officers took the wind out of some of the rumours. It was my theory I.S.F. started and maintained those few that would not die, but there were a few that were so far fetched died a quick death.

                                                              *     *     +     *     *

      It took three weeks for repairs to be completed on the damaged hatches and other minor repairs, the more damaged of the hatches were plated and sealed tight. I spent my weeks on planet in Physio and the local area sports gym, working to regain use of my leg. I was told over and over by those Techs in Physio that I would not lose the slight limp when I was able to control the 'Myomer' fully, they even suggested that I not pursue “Mech-Piloting”, that I should find another way to serve 'The Dragon.'
      The message to return to `Kurita's Flower, was a piece of welcome news for me and those from the ship. We were to meet our crew-mates before lifting off from Zlatousi. Our dead ship-mates would be honoured and their remains would be entombed on planet with full military honours.
      When we had honoured our fallen we boarded the shuttle and made our way to `Kurita's Flower, still in 'Far Orbit'. Eight hours of travel brought us to the ship, the sight of it was inspiring with the sail being slowly retracted to be stowed. Behind it the sun blazed, leaving the near side in dark cool shadows broken only by stars that were the thick porthole windows and running lights.
      With us docked and secure, Kurita's Flower turned sun-ward and even through the hull of the shuttle, we could hear the thunder of the massive thrusters howl as they pushed us through space.
      I met Tiko at the room we shared, she bowed her salute. “We have larger Quarters, even if we are Officer and Non-Commissioned Officer, we are the only women on board, they will keep us together”.
      She lead the way to a larger Quarters, she was a bit nervous because we stepped into Officer Country and she was only a Talon Sergeant.

                                                              *     *     +     *     *

      We arrived at the Nadir of Zlatousi, at the re-charge station, we heard from the station's Commanding Officer, Draconis Combine was under attack by an old enemy and troops were being moved to meet the enemy. The Davion Forces had attacked five systems along the boarder, also the Lyran Alliance had attacked from the priphery so troops were being drewn from inner and Periphery worlds.
      The jump warning sounded  and we jumped out and a moment later we were at the zenith of Tabayama. We recharged at the  rechage station there, then jumped to Ramgath. The collecter sail was deployed to recharged and our time recharging was spent in boredom. With a full charge we moved to the jump out point, at Zalaf, we again spent time recharging by sail. Over the week of recharge time, the ship's crew settled again into a slow routine of boredom.
      We jumped to Sinope and we discharged all our Dropships and picked up four Cargo Dropships going onto our next recharge at Tifis. There we picked up  two Union Class Dropships with struck-out Davion Emblems and a mule class with minor battle damage. These were going to Sverdlovski then on for repair and refit. I also said good bye to Talon Sergeant Tiko Simpson at Tifis, as her assigned Mech Lance was due to arrive here.
      I travelled the last jumps to Galedon V and home on my own. The house was gone after being the target of a raid the year I enrolled in Sun Zhang, I was the reason no-one was there; everybody came to see me off at the space port. The raid was too well done too be meant as a General Raid. They had hoped to take out one of the Gunji-no-kanri's projects.
      It worked as far as everybody knew, the news, local and Interplanetary saw bodies that they were told came from the wreckage of the house. The bodies were those of criminals whose sentence was death. Those of us remaining on Galedon were slowly sent to Altair place and teaching went on.
      I went to the base attached to the Space port and reported in. I handed my orders to the Base Medical Officer and was admitted to the Base Hospital, I spent two days being tested, the myomer prosthesis was working fine. The psyc tests were good and I was given a good evaluation and released to the Quarters.
      I waited for two more weeks for my orders to arrive. I learned later the local Commanding Officer delayed my orders because he could not believe they were meant for me, a woman. He decided not to; then, changed his mind about not turning them over, after seeing the seal of the Gunyi-no-kanri attached to the orders. I had a month to wait until a ship arrived to take me to the Wisdom of the Dragon.
   
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   I spent my Medical leave riding horse back and Gentled a half wild Stallion for the Dude Ranch I rode at. So the time I spent Riding was covered by my Gentling him.
      The ship arrived that was to take me to the Wisdom of the Dragon. I was shown to quarters aboard a Union Class Dropship, ( Honshu ) it was new or at least it was showing signs of freshness. I was the only one in the quarters. So I stowed my gear and laid back, as my head hit the pillow I felt a lump under it, I reached under and pulled it out, it was a folded sheet of bamboo paper.
      I carefully unfolded the paper, the inner side of the paper was written on. The language used was Japanese of old Japan on Terra. The rest of what lay in the paper was a puzzle.  A silver Ring with the House Kurita idiogram traced on the back ground of the Combine's Icon. The reverse of this was the Sun Zhing idiogram. The ring was cleverly made and either side could be shown.
      There was a pendant that looked like a Draconis Combine Symble. It had a data dischiden carefully within, also a  set of Tai-i pins and the orders raising my rank, accompanioned by orders to present myself to the Commander of Honshu a, Sho-Sa Weston. He would witness my raise in rank and pin the pins on my collar.
      The person who wrote the information knew me well. They knew I would be able to read the ancient Japanese.  The contents of the letter read:

      Honourable Samurai,
             This is for your eyes alone.    
                                                       My vision those years past, was of you as a Warrior. You stood with your katana dripping the blood of your enemy. They lay dead around you, behind you were other Warriors with snake patch on their shoulders.
              You will face me as a Samurai who leads other Samurai, I hear the snarl of a Cat and the whistle of the Ferret, and the Roar of the Dragon. I must meet my Destiny, my Honourable wife also saw You and I facing the other with our katana's dripping with blood of the fallen enemy.
      You will, when the time comes use the Ring and the hidden data disc. You will know that time, there you will receive with your new Katana, as well as another hidden item. You will see it for what it is.
                                                                 Theador Kurita
                                                                  Ganyi-no-kanri.
P.S.
   My Cherry Blossom and Honoured  wife and I will be your guides. If  you have read this note, pass the ring over the chi and ki, then place it on the floor. Then hide the dragon til his roar is needed.

      I understood that chi was the body of the letter and the ki was the P.S. I followed the instructions and passed the ring over both. As the ring touched the top of the letter, the paper changed colour. I dropped the paper on the floor and it flashed and turned to ash.
      I flipped the dragon then, slipped the ring on my middle finger of my left hand. I gathered up the pins and made my way to the Bridge.
      The bridge was quiet and I entered the bridge and located a Major (sho-sa) the only one on board.
      â€œSho-sa Weston, I am Chi-i Takayo. I am to report to you as soon as I stowed my gear.” I said coming to attention and bowed.
      â€œYes! Chi-i, I was given orders to confer the rank of Tai-i.” He bowed back and as he straightened up, he  tapped the ring on his middle finger of his left hand. It was a twin of my own. “I see you found the same shop on
Lulthian. He is a very good craftsman, would you not agree?”
      â€œHai, Sho-sa a very skilled craftsman!” I answered in the manner he had spoken.
      â€œSo Tai-i, their are two other Sun Zhang Grads to witness me pin your rank to pins to your collar. Though did they did not find the craftsman; whom, we have.
      As the man says, those that hear the whisper of the Dragon, will find him.” 
   â€œHai ! I heard his whisper and found my way to  the craftsman.”
      â€œTai-i, by virtue of your actions and loyalty to the Dragon, I can now confer the rank proper. The two Officers present as witness.
      Congratulation Tai-i Takayo.”

Hope you enjoy this so far, more to come as it is put on the computer!