OBT Forum

Hall of the Khans
Strana Mechty
Clan Homeworlds
December 18, 3048

The stone chamber was hushed as thirty-two Khans and saKhans waited for the first elected ilKhan in more than century to enter the Grand Hall.  At each entrance, two Elemental Warriors of the Ebon Keshik stood at attention, their black and gold armor polished to a mirror finish that reflected the flickering light of the torches ablaze in their high sconces upon the walls.  Seldom in recent years had a full gathering of the Khans been present in person; such assemblies normally included at least two or three among their number present only via HPG holo-comm transceiver.  But today was not a normal day.  Today was the day that the Clans would vote on whether or not to adopt the ilKhan’s plan to return to the Inner Sphere.

Tension had run high when Khan Leo Showers had presented the captured ComStar Vessel Outbound Light and its crew seven weeks earlier; the debate over the plan drafted by Khans Showers and Crichell had ground to a halt when Ulric Kerensky, Khan of the Wolves, challenged Leo Showers to a Trial of Grievance for his failure to immediately bring the matter to the attention of the Council of Khans.  Although many thought that Showers had the advantage when he chose un-augmented combat, he died in the trial—although the wounds he inflicted on Kerensky had proven mortal as well.  Both Khans had perished, and that had given time for the Clans to reflect, and to choose a new leader.

Although Khan Elias Crichell desired the post, many Khans were leery of his ambition, and more than a few questioned his ability as a Warrior.  But his claim died as well when his aide (Vandervahn Chistu) leaked the contents of his discussions with Showers—including the proposal that their two Clans join to become the ultimate power in the Homeworlds.  saKhan Timus Malthus fought Crichell in a second Trial of Grievance and killed him; when Chistu attempted to secure the post of Khan by accusing Malthus of treason against the Way of the Clans and the against the Jade Falcons, his manipulations went too far and dozens of challenges rang out.  Disgraced, Chistu was stripped of his rank and expelled from the Warrior caste, after Malthus refused to kill him, saying there would be no honor gained from such a victory.

When the Grand Council reconvened just ten days ago, the election surprised the strongest Clans, for the Star Adders nominated and campaigned for the Khan of the Goliath Scorpions—Nikolai Djerassi—to be selected.  And he was so elected to the post; although his margin of victory was slim, it was not challenged, for the Jaguars, Falcons, and Wolves were in disarray and the Warden Clans stood staunchly behind the unusual choice.  Combined with the unwavering support of Khan N’Buta of the Star Adders, no Khan wished to create further havoc with more Trials of Refusal.  Besides, the core issue remained for debate.

And now, with newly elected Khans in place of the fallen and the uplifted, the Grand Council once again had assembled.

At last, one of the doors opened and the ilKhan walked in, wearing ceremonial garb that concealed his flesh from head to toe.  He walked to the center of the well, and removed his helmet, placing it on the desk of Nicolas Kerensky and lifted a remote in one gloved hand.

And then the ilKhan spoke.

“Brothers and sisters, fellow Khans, we are gathered today for the very moment which gave us birth, which has ruled our destiny to this very moment in time.  We are here to determine if we shall return to the Inner Sphere, and if so, how shall we do so.  In preparation for this day, I, and my finest strategists, historians, and logistics experts—in conjunction with Khan N’Buta of the Star Adders—planned for the past decade.”

He placed his arms behind his back and began to pace as he continued to speak.  “Whether Warden—as am I—or Crusader—as are many of you—those differences no longer concern us.  We have been found, brethren.  And although this expedition will not report our location to those who have despoiled the former worlds of the Star League, others will—in time—come.  Our long isolation is ended.  And with it, my Khans, our time of waiting.”

“This so-called plan, this Operation Revival, put forth by Khans Showers and Crichell, is folly.  I will not endorse such a reckless approach to this event for which we have all prepared ourselves for generations.”

Khan Jorgensson of the Ghost Bears stood, and he too pulled from his head his ceremonial helm, revealing a frowning face.  “And if not that plan, ilKhan, that what do you propose?  That we do nothing?”

“Neg, Khan of the Ghost Bears.  We must now act, but we must act with deliberation and due diligence, not haste.  In that direction lies madness and the seeds of our destruction.  Khan N’Buta and I have devised, over these past ten years, another plan that will ensure these ‘Successor Lords’ will fall to the might of the Clans.”

“No, my Khans, we shall return, and we shall return within the next two years time.”

Dozens of voices spoke out at once, and Nikolai stepped forward and slammed his fist down on the ancient wooden desk that had once served as the place of honor from where Nicolas Kerensky presided over this very body.  “Two years, my Khans, two years shall be required for us to prepare for a master stroke that will ensure our victory.”

Slowly, the assembly sat and Nikolai nodded.  “We have much for which to prepare, and those preparations will take time.  In the spring of 3051, however, our assault will be launched and it will prove decisive.”

Lifting the remote, the ilKhan pressed a button and holographic map of the Inner Sphere sprang into life.  In the north-west quadrant, the Lyran Commonwealth glowed a pulsing blue, with the harsh red of the Draconis Combine to the east, separated partially by the Rasalhague Republic.  Four invasion corridors appeared, golden lines driving through the Periphery and converging upon Terra.  “Operation Revival, brethren, as Showers and Crichell dubbed this abomination.”

“Four Clans, with a fifth in reserve, committing but a portion of their strength and racing for Terra.”

Nikolai shut down the projection and shook his head.  “It is not our way, my brothers and sisters.  This return is the birthright of us all.  When the time came for our Clans to regain the Pentagon during Operation Klondike, did the first ilKhan, the founder of our society have us bid to determine who would remain tamely behind?  No, he used our Clans strengths in concert to make certain that we would gain victory through our honor, and our training, and our loyalty, indeed our love, for each other!”

He, and Absalom Truscott, planned in detail the operation and then our forefathers—our Founders—carried out his will in precise accordance with his vision.  Still, things went wrong.  And we all know what that problems were in that long ago age.”

“Our return will be with all sixteen of our Clans—none shall remain behind on this sacred mission.  All will share in the honor.  And so, I reveal to you Operation Revival Reborn!”

Lifting the remote again, he clicked another button, and the invasion corridors highlighted died, and the map zoomed in on the Lyran Commonwealth.  “My brothers and sisters, this shall be our initial Theatre of Operations:  the Lyran Commonwealth.  Part of the Federated Commonwealth in alliance with the Federated Suns, we have learned that Archon Melissa Steiner in fact resides on New Avalon with her husband Hanse Davion.  One of the most advanced realms in the terms of manufacturing and industrial capacity, the Lyran Commonwealth supplies roughly two-thirds of the BattleMechs, Aerospace Fighters, and other weapons of war fielded by the Federated Commonwealth.  Those items are produced here,” he continued as he pressed another stud.  Six golden dots appeared on the map, flashing against the dark blue background.

“Coventry, Donegal, Skye, Tharkad, Twycross, and Hesperus II, my fellow Khans; it is these six worlds upon which the military might of the Federated Commonwealth depends.  And it is here that we shall strike!”