-5-
11th of September, 3062
1st Wolf Guards Encampment
Kirchbach, Alpha Zone, Clan Wolf Occupation Zone
Star Captain Horse, of the 1st Wolf Guards lounged back in the couch within the office of his commanding officer, Star Colonel Dianna Pryde, who had focused on completing the Cluster’s readiness report. Dianna was bent over the data pad and typing away as if the very fate of the Clans depended on it. Her plain desk, topped only with a few piles of paper, was directly opposite Horse on the other long wall of the office. To his immediate right was the back wall of the office, to his left a small utilitarian table and chairs, at which sat the other Star Captains of the 1st Guards.
At the table was Star Captain Frederick, a Ristar from the original Clan Wolf who had distinguished himself fighting with the 352nd Assault Cluster during the Refusal War. The huge man had missed gaining a Bloodname in his first attempt following the War, but odds were, he would have one soon. The man was almost as dour and serious as the older, dark haired woman, sitting to his left. Joanna, formerly of the 1st Falcon Guards, as were Horse and Dianna and most of the Cluster, which traced its history back to that famed unit, was as straight as she was deadly and had little time for frivolity or matters not directly related to the military. However, despite her dour nature, which Horse assumed came from many unrealised plans, Joanna’s fortunes had seemed to change since the Refusal War, though not her demeanour. Her victory over the famed Natasha Kerensky and her later efforts as a new Wolf, had seen her promoted back to Star Captain and she was again in the running for a Bloodname, having been nominated and now successfully made it to the last eight Warriors. This would be her last chance due to her age and the strain was beginning to show, as she was more irritable than Horse had ever seen her. To Joanna’s left was Star Captain Eric Fetladral, another Wolf original and a man nearly as laconic and to Joanna, nearly as annoying as Horse. Horse and Eric had gotten along like old friends from their first meeting and had formed a close bond in the two years since.
Horse was quite enjoying his time as a Wolf, despite his upbringing as a Falcon, as that upbringing had been hard and he had received little recognition for his services across many years. The more accepting attitude towards Freeborns within Clan Wolf and it less structured and strict culture made Horse feel very comfortable. Horse also knew that the very Wolf attitudes that made him happy drove Joanna close to tears, which was icing on the cake in Horse’s world. Needling Joanna was one of the few pleasures in his life as a Jade Falcon, now it was just one among many, but a treasured one nonetheless.
Time wandered by as Star Colonel Pryde continued to make the final additions to the report, as Horse watched Joanna grow more and more impatient. She did not fidget or make any noise, but the furrow in her brow grew deeper, her eyes harder and her bearing more statue like with every passing moment. Just when Horse thought Joanna was about to burst, he made sure she did.
POP! He smacked his tongue within his mouth. Hard eyes flicked to him and bored in.
POP! Again, he made the noise, but made no indication that he had noticed Joanna’s sudden focus on him.
POP! Star Captain Fetladral began to grin like a Cheshire cat. He knew what was coming and loved the simple beauty of it.
POP!
DAMMIT YOU FREEBIRTH PEST CAN’T YOU SEE THE STAR COLONEL IS WORKING!
Star Captain Fetladral was clubbed backwards as Joanna threw her arms up and he went down laughing all the way to the floor. Star Captain Frederick stood at Joanna’s outburst and glared at all three, but did not utter a word. Dianna however, was somewhat annoyed, as the outburst had caused her to hit the wrong icon on her pad and delete the entire report.
“Star Captain Joanna!â€
Joanna came to immediate attention. The Star Colonel was obviously furious, but rapidly gained control of herself. “For your outburst and the work you just caused to be lost, you can rewrite the Cluster readiness report I was forced to delete and learn that a key skill of a Warrior is patience under duress.â€
Joanna clenched her jaw and shot Horse a look of pure venom, “Aff Star Colonel.â€
“Star Captain Horse,†Horse stood as he was being addressed, “You will assist the Technicians in the Mech bay for the next week after your normal duties and learn that team work is more important than personal gain.â€
In a light voice, Horse answered, “Certainly Star Colonel, it will be my pleasure.†The Star Colonel had no idea that Horse quite enjoyed the Mach Bay, as he had met a rather beguiling Trueborn Technician there who he had enjoyed several interesting nights with already.
It was at this point that Horse noticed a face looking through the window on the door to the office, and his face froze. Dianna saw his eyes change, but before she could say anything or move her eyes, Horse said “saKhan Pryde.â€
The door opened and in walked the saKhan of Clan Wolf. Frederick, Dianna and Joanna went immediately to parade ground attention and saluted. Star Captain Fetladral gathered himself of the floor and with a wry grin rose to a somewhat more lax attention. Horse also came to attention, not in the manner of the three ramrod straight officers, but this was one of the few Trueborn Warriors Horse actually respected. Horse was also impressed with Khan Kell, firstly for nominating Marthe Pryde and secondly for showing how high a Freeborn could climb.
“saKhan Pryde, it is an honour.†Dianna could say little else, exceedingly embarrassed that the saKhan had likely seen the chicanery of her Star Captains.
“Star Colonel Pryde, thankyou for the welcome. I am glad to see that your Star Captains have not lost their rapport with each other.†Marthe Pryde said with the hint of a smile.
Dianna was at a loss for words, but Horse saved her. “saKhan Pryde, we were glad to hear of your elevation to the saKhanship.â€
“Thankyou Star Captain Horse.†She said to Horse and then turned to Dianna, “Please be seated.â€
Though she had offered the other officers their seats, all waited until she had taken her own seat at the front of Dianna’s desk. Horse unfolded himself back into the comfortable couch with formality, at least in his mind, over and done with. Likewise, Eric made himself comfortable, but Frederick, Dianna and Joanna sat more rigidly in their own chairs.
Once everyone was settled, the Khan addressed Dianna. “You are aware of the fighting between Clans Nova Cat and Smoke Jaguar Star Colonel.â€
“Yes saKhan, we were briefed by the watch and receive updates as news comes to hand.â€
“What you do not know, is that the Ghost Bears have become involved, as has the Draconis Combine. The Bears have struck at numerous Jaguar worlds and have gained several, though the Smoke Jaguars appear to fighting well and should maintain control of most of their systems. However, with the threat of the Nova Cats still present, despite the actions of the Draconis Combine, the Smoke Jaguars are vulnerable to an unfettered Ghost Bear assault, something we cannot allow.â€
Dianna stared hard at her saKhan as she digested the news, “The Ghost Bears are attacking the Jaguars in their new Occupation Zone Quiaff?â€
Marthe nodded and pulled a data pad from the thigh pocket of her fatigues, “Star Colonel, you will be pleased to know, that due to the actions of the Ghost Bears, Khan Kell has ordered Vau Galaxy into action, to coordinate strikes into the Ghost Bear Occupation Zone with Clusters from Epsilon and Xi Galaxies. We are to cut the Ghost Bear Occupation Zone in two and prevent them from taking advantage of the fighting in and around the Smoke Jaguar Occupation Zone.â€
“saKhan, the Bears strength in the Inner Sphere would likely break the Jaguars in their current state.â€
“Aff Dianna,†answered the Khan, “With the Jaguars maintaining one eye on the Nova Cats and the Draconis Combine becoming involved, we cannot afford to have one of those three Clans drive another from the Inner Sphere. At that point, we would face a rival of similar power to our own and our hold on the Grand Council and the Invasion Zones would be in jeopardy.â€
Dianna nodded slowly as she punched some information into her pad, “What Clusters from Epsilon and Xi?â€
“All of them,†answered the saKhan, “We need them to take note of our actions.†The Star Captains at the table all shifted a little and exchanged looks. A three Galaxy assault was no trivial undertaking.
Joanna checked the pad again, “We would have no reserves covering the Coreward sector of the Occupation Zone and the Ghost Bears could drive to Kirchbach and cut us off.â€
saKhan Pryde smiled, “Not with Alpha Galaxy covering the border behind us.â€
There were several hard looks shared by the various commanders. The fact that a former Falcon Galaxy, Vau, would be part of the assault and the premiere Clan Galaxy, Alpha, would be in support whilst a Garrison Galaxy joined the fray was highly unusual.
Horse spoke up, “If I may saKhan.â€
“Of course Star Captain.â€
“The Khan sends a message with this. We are one Clan and Vau is as good as any other Galaxy, even if it contains many old Falcons. He is also showing, by including Xi, that we all have our parts to play and that old ways will no longer suit us.â€
saKhan Pryde leaned back and gave Horse a deep and appraising look, “I would think you part of an Inner Sphere Watch for being able to repeat the Khan’s words to me. Nevertheless, you are correct. Khan Kell wishes us to move forward on our path, keeping what is good from the past and discarding that which limits us. Though I not entirely comfortable with the ideas he espouses, we are Wolves now and must learn to think like them.â€
Dianna frowned for a moment before asking a question. “How many worlds are we to strike?â€
The saKhan opened her palm and held up her hand, “Five initially, then another five should be possible, after that, we will be forced to adapt to the situation as it unfolds.â€
Dianna nodded approvingly, “With your presence and the three Galaxy Commanders, who will lead the fifth strike.â€
saKhan Pryde smiled and snorted, “You don’t miss much, just like Aiden. You will lead the assault on the world of Last Frontier. I will command the assault on Trondheim, with the Galaxy Commanders leading the assault on Susquehanna, Pinnacle and Holmsbu.â€
Dianna was taken back, but swelled with pride, as did the Star Captains. “You honour me saKhan.â€
“Neg, the Khan honours you. Khan Kell directed that you lead the assault. He seems to have a certain faith in your abilities based on shared experience, or some such.â€
Dianna stood, “Nevertheless saKhan Pride I, and the Warriors of the 1st Wolf Guards will bring honour to our Clan and our Bloodlines.â€
saKhan Pryde looked the Warrior, who in another world would be her niece, and smiled inwardly.
If you are half the commander your father was, you will drive halfway to Luthien.As Dianna sat she gestured to the saKhan, “What are the Clusters I am commanding?â€
“Your own 1st Guards, the 52nd Battle Cluster and the 3rd Wolf Guardians.â€
Dianna sat back thinking, “An interesting collection of units. The former Falcon Guards and the former 5th Falcon Battle, along with a Cluster of Aerospace minded defensive troops. The 1st and 52nd will lead the assault and the 3rd will cover our advance and secure our lines back to the Wolf Occupation Zone?â€
saKhan Pryde was impressed with Dianna’s ability to read her plans, “Yes, each strike commander will send in one of the two frontline Clusters, or both should the defences warrant it, against the first world. They will leave behind their Garrison Cluster, using either their unengaged Cluster or the least damaged Cluster in the second assault.â€
Dianna accepted the saKhan’s words without reaction, “What of the third targets?â€
The saKhan stood, everyone in the room following her example “That will be determined at a later date. For now, you are to rendezvous with the 52nd and 3rd over Dawn in eighteen days – JumpShips are prepositioned to ensure you get there, but you will need to be aboard your transports and lifting off by the evening of the 13th at the latest.â€
“As you command saKhan, it will be done.â€
The saKhan then saluted, which the Guards officers all returned, “Glory to the Clan Star Colonel Dianna Pryde.â€
“Glory to the Clan saKhan Marthe Pryde.†Dianna returned.
The saKhan turned and walked from the office and once she was around the corner the officers relaxed and began babbling between themselves. Horse cut through the chatter. “You realise that if the Ghost Bears get cranky, we have front row seats to their counter-attack?â€
Joanna snarled back at Horse, “Then more glory for us. Does your Freebirth heritage make you frightened of a good fight?â€
“No Joanna,†said Horse, “I was just worried what such strain would do to the elderly.â€
Before Joanna could hurl an insult back, Dianna stepped in. “Star Captains, I want you Clusters briefed and loading completed by tomorrow afternoon and lift-off by midnight on the 12th. We will not shame the 1st, or Vau, with a leisurely departure.â€
The officers of the 1st saluted and rolled out the door, intent on getting their Trinaries ready before their peers could.