OBT Forum
General BattleTech => Alternate Universe => Topic started by: masterarminas on August 16, 2011, 10:06:08 PM
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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.â€
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.â€
“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.â€
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?â€
“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.â€
“No, my Khans, we shall return, and we shall return within the next two years time.â€
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.â€
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.â€
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.â€
“Four Clans, with a fifth in reserve, committing but a portion of their strength and racing for Terra.â€
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!â€
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.â€
“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!â€
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!â€
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This is something else I am working on. The Mechs, Fighters, DropShips, JumpShips, and WarShips I've posted over on Solaris VII and at Classic BattleTech are part of this AU. Anyway, if you've got any comments, or if you see something I've done that's totally bogus, just let me know.
Master Arminas
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Chaos erupted as Khans stood and began to shout, but Nikolai simply waited, silent, until finally the din diminished. One Khan only remained standing, and Nikolai nodded at Amelia McKenna of Clan Snow Raven.
“IlKhan, what you propose, this would leave use with no lines of supply at all! And how do expect to even get there without attacking the intervening worlds? By all of the Founders, Nikolai, some of those worlds are four months travel inside the Lyran Commonwealth!â€
Nikolai grinned. “Khan McKenna, your points are well taken. But consider this; there are scores of uninhabited and uninhabitable star systems surrounding those pictured on this map. These ‘empty spaces’ have nothing of value—many do not even have planets. But they are isolated and they are alone, and we have their coordinates. We know, through the databases our ancestors assembled, where their jump-points lie. And it is through these empty star systems that our toumens will journey until they arrive at their targets on the same day.â€
He began to pace again, as he continued to speak. “Yes, we will have no line of supply, nor a line of retreat. But neither will be needed, for we shall make this assault with the front-line forces of sixteen Clans—and we shall carry with us sufficient supplies for a two-year campaign. Each of these worlds will be the target of two Clans, and each will serve as a death trap for the Lyrans.â€
Khan Isaac Fletcher stood. “Two Clans each? With all of our front-line troops? IlKhan, you are speaking of committing multiple galaxies against each of these worlds—and your numbers only come to twelve Clans, not sixteen.â€
“You are correct, Khan Fletcher. For we will also assault the following,†he answered as he pressed another stud, and two more worlds began to pulse. “Alarion and Tamar. Both are vital worlds in their provinces, and very important to the psychology of the Lyran people. Nearly as much as so as Tharkad.â€
“Each of your Clans will contribute two or three front-line Galaxies to this Operation. Plus an additional two hundred and thirty Provisional Garrison Clusters.â€
A stillness settled over the chamber as even the most ardent Crusader was stunned into silence at the numbers involved. And Nikolai nodded his head.
“The PGCs will be needed once Phase I of the Operation is complete. These worlds are critical to the survival of the Lyran Commonwealth, and through it to the Federated Commonwealth. We shall seize them, but allow their defenders to successfully transmit word that they are under attack. After which, we will secure the local HPG facilities and complete our conquests. To find a Ghost Bear for the Clawing, Khan Jorgensson, where must you go?â€
“To where the Ghost Bear lairs, ilKhan, even a sibkin knows that.â€
“Yes, and when we take these eight worlds, we will truly be in the lair of the Inner Sphere’s military might. They cannot let us keep them—to do so would cripple them, economically, militarily, and politically. And so they must come to us and attack.â€
Khan McKenna nodded. “And they must attack, regardless of the odds if they are to preserve their own industry.â€
“Aff. But it will be too late for that, because as soon as these worlds are secure, you will proceed to destroy their factories—utterly demolish them.â€
“That is a waste of resources, ilKhan!†shouted Khan Malthus.
“Yes, but a waste of their resources, Khan of the Jade Falcons. We have no need for their inferior technology, and by destroying their factories, we only weaken them, not us. One exception to that order will be made, however, for Hesperus II was once a Star League facility—it shall be so again.â€
“They will attack us on these worlds because they must, and their attacks will fail because we are the Clans, and we shall be ready for them. Once they have broken upon our defenses, then Phase II will commence. From each of these worlds, our Galaxies will erupt, individual Clusters grabbing the systems around them, defeating any remaining defenders. PGCs will immediately move forward to garrison the systems, and the Clusters will continue until all eight beachheads have linked.â€
As he spoke, the holo-projection showed a visual representation, with blobs of gold expanding lightning fast across the face of the Lyran Commonwealth, until the main part of that once great house was entirely claimed by the Clans.
“And then we rest, for a short time, and make certain that our supply line to the homeworlds is once again secure—using a few Galaxies and PGCs to denude the Periphery of their bandit kingdoms and pirates. And then we shall commence Phase III.â€
The holo-projector zoomed in close once more, centering on a pale blue-green orb labeled Terra.
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All Hail The Clans Seyla His Will Be Done !!!!
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A few curious questions to help me better understand this setting master arminas:
Sixteen Clans in 3048? Has the absorption of Clan Burrock already occurred in your plot?
(Canonically the Burrocks were absorbed only in 3059).
Or has some other Clan been abjured/absorbed/annihilated?
Ciao
Hessian
P.S.: Going to be interesting to see how this develops.
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Burrocks absorbed by the Star Adders in 3044-46. Which is why the Adders are not going to be fielding three Galaxies during O.R.R., by the way--they are still recovering from the conflict with the Burrocks and the Spirits.
MA
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The cold wind of a Strana Mechty winter gusted against the side of the Great Hall as Nikolai stood on one of its balconies. Despite the breeze, he stood tall and straight, but his face was sober, and he lifted one hand to his face, taking a long pull from the smoldering cigar he held.
“Those things will kill you, you know,†Robert N’Buta said from the shadowed door that led within the labyrinthine structure.
Nikolai nodded without turning. “There are many things that will eventually kill me, Robert. This weed is currently the least among them.â€
The Star Adder Khan walked up besides the man and stood quietly alongside for several moments in silence.
“It is very risky, you know. We could still opt for Pantheon II instead.â€
“Neg. Although you are right, my friend. With sixteen Clans on the firing line Pantheon II would work—for a time. But it makes the same mistakes that Showers and Crichell made, it takes worlds from the outer edge inward—and allows their industry to produce replacements far faster than we can ship them in from the Homeworlds. Those worlds are not of vital importance to the Federated Commonwealth, we would take them and destroy many of their units, but in the end it would mean nothing. And if we give them the time they require to counter our technology with numbers, it will mean defeat instead.â€
“It is a high risk, but it offers the highest rewards as well, Robert.â€
N’Buta nodded in answer. “Aff. I am just concerned over whether the Council will agree. If things go wrong, we could lose the cream of three, perhaps even four Clans, after all.â€
Nikolai snorted. “No fewer would we lose with Pantheon given enough time. You are still supporting the plan, quiaff?â€
“Aff. It is partially my plan, after all. I am just . . . worried that you will be caught in the fallout if things begin to fall apart.â€
“Robert, the plan is nothing—but the planning is everything. There will be circumstances that we cannot foresee. There will catastrophes and debacles that have the Khans screaming about my failure. And there will be an enormous body count arising from the Invasion—on both sides.â€
“But, we have planned for every possible contingency. We will have the supplies and parts on hand, and once we captured Hesperus II and convert its factories to produce our munitions and BattleMechs and Elemental armor we will have a logistical base in their very heartland. And even though some of our brethren are strategic idiots, they are seasoned Warriors—place them in a tactical position where they simply must hold a position against an attacker and they will hold. They will.â€
Once again silence ruled the blustery day as the two Warriors looked out over the boulevards of the city.
“I had thought that you would be pairing my Adders with your Scorpions, my friend.â€
“Neg. Yours is one of the only Clans that routinely trains with vehicles—making you a perfect complement to the Horses,†and the ilKhan snorted again. “Unless you would prefer I team the Horses with the Spirits, quineg?â€
“Neg,†the Adder answered with a chuckle.
“The flexibility that your Adders and the Horses display, combined with their heavy elemental complements makes your joint command tailor-made for Skye. Skye will be the first system that reinforcements from the Davion half of the Federated Commonwealth hits, and it must hold, Robert. For that I am depending upon you.â€
“It will be done, ilKhan. Just who are you pairing the Spirits with, by the way? I lost track after your surprise announcement that my Adders would be hitting Skye.â€
“The only Clan with which they have reasonably good relations—the Fire Mandrills. I am assigning them to Tamar; their tenacious will serve them well there.â€
N’Buta considered the other options and then nodded in agreement. “So, the Spirits and Mandrills take Tamar, my Adders and the Horses Skye; the Bears and Hellions should thrive on icy Tharkad, while the Jaguars and Coyotes hit Twycross.â€
“The Wolves and the Cobras will deal with Donegal, the Ravens and Nova Cats with Alarion, while the Vipers and Sharks hit Coventry. Leaving my Scorpions and the Falcons to take Hesperus.â€
“And you will accompany the assault on Hesperus?â€
“Neg. I am no longer a Scorpion, Robert. I am the ilKhan. I will be accompanied by the Ebon Keshik and will remain at Coventry where I can communicate rapidly with all of my field commands.â€
“But the Ebon Keshik is only a Trinary!â€
“For now, but I intend to expand it to a full Cluster. I will be issuing a call for volunteers on the morrow.â€
Nikolai shook his head and smiled a wry smile. “I am a Warden, Robert. And a Scorpion. I must weld the Clans to me and my leadership so long as I hold this post—and I cannot do so if I favor my own Clan above others. I must be neutral to hold the respect and loyalty of the Khans.â€
Robert N’Buta inhaled sharply, his eyes having grown wide. And then he bowed, kneeling on one knew, his head lowered towards the ground. “Seyla, ilKhan. Seyla.â€
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I first thought that this plan looked crazy but after reading through it another time, it makes sense.
It is dangerous, really dangerous but it could work to destroy the Federated Commonwealth's might (even the one hundred heads hydra has only one heart) since it would have no choice but to strike back in a hurry.
The questions are: what will they do after that? What is their ultimate goal? How do they plan to protect their holdings?
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I have my concerns about the plan. Like the fact your attacking a single House or faction. No other power will run to their aid but they are likely to reinforce their factory worlds. But why not just assault Terra? That is the goal. ComStar is the ones who found you and if you can catch them sleeping you hold the key to the HPGs and the InnerSphere. Just imagine the shock of waking up in the InnerSphere and hearing the SLDF has returned.
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I considered that, Takiro, I really, really did. And as attractive an idea as it was, the Clans (or at least ilKhan Nikolai) knows that the Liberation of Terra did not destroy all of the Terran SDS installation. In fact, only a few sectors were crippled (over Moscow and Central Mexico). He is also aware that ComStar is the end result of Jerome Blakes Ministry of Communications--and that General Kerensky left nearly a Corp of SLDF troopers with orders to assist Blake, plus many WarShips that were too damaged to remove from the system. The Titan yards were mostly intact as well. He has to presume (not assume, but presume) that ComStar retained those defenses and may have added to them.
Of course, a surprise attack could catch ComStar offguard, but if they have as little as an hour to bring the SDS online, all of the Clan WarShips are likely to not be enough to fight through--if the system is indeed intact. So, he is going to hit the Lyrans and secure a beachhead, while eliminating one of the most industrialized powers AND converting Hesperus II to manufacture Clan equipment. He will be doing some discrete scouting operations of the Sol System, however, and trying to find out everything he can about ComStar and their defenses. But he is not going to rush into a situation where he knows nothing about what may, or may not, be waiting in the wings.
Not unless the Khans force him to, that is. :o
Hope that clears up my reasoning, at least.
;)
Master Arminas
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One thing I like Nova Cats and Snow Ravens for Alarion SHiPYARDS 8)
Not sure about the gang up on one but nice concept
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WE ARE THE CLANS WITH A BETTER ILKHAN AND BETTER PLAN WE WILL PREVAIL SEYLA HIS WILL BE DONE
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I just had two thoughts while I was driving Friday: Dark Caste and WarShips.
What will the Dark Caste do?
How will the Clans use their biggest advantage: WarShips?
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Ice, each Clan is leaving between two and five Galaxies (mostly second-line) in the Homeworlds, although they are bringing the greater part (probably two-thirds) of their PGCs. Plus, about a quarter of the Clan Fleet (mostly destroyers, but a few Cruisers, Frigates, and Carriers) is staying behind as well. I doubt the Dark Caste could mount any operation that could defeat that level of forces, even without the Clan Frontline troops.
As for their WarShips, I picture each Clan bringing a Naval Reserve of between 4-11 WarShips to directly support its own operations. The ilKhan is planning on these ships (united under the command of the Snow Raven Khan) to deal with any defenses of Terra in Phase III. However, we could see an individual Clan using WarShips much earlier, ala Turtle Bay. More specific details to come.
Now, to everyone. I am rewriting the introduction to this AU because I goofed. :( I missed a few production centers and took a long hard look at the map. There will be SIXTEEN points of incursion into the Lyran Commonwealth, not eight. Each will have a single Clan assigned to it. Primary objectives are listed below, and were chosen because of industrial/economic importance; military importance; and/or political importance; in addition, each has the Clan assigned to them listed.
Wotan (Cloud Cobra); Twycross (Diamond Shark); Tamar (Blood Spirit); Sudeten (Hell's Horses); Pandora (Smoke Jaguar); Coventry (Steel Viper); Alarion (Snow Raven); Tharkad (Ghost Bear); Donegal (Nova Cat); Arcturus (Ice Hellion); Port Mosby (Fire Mandrill); Izar (Coyote); Furillo (Wolf); Hesperus II (Goliath Scorpion); Skye (Jade Falcon); and Oliver (Star Adder). If any of you have questions and/or suggestions to rearranging the Clans targeting specific zones, let me know.
Phase I will entail landing on the primary target, destroying all opposistion, destroying all factory/production facilities (or taking them, in the case of the Alarion Shipyards and Hesperus II), and then using the control of those worlds to draw in reaction forces and destroy them piecemeal. Once the ilKhan is certain that the attacks have ceased, Phase II will commence.
Simultaneously with Phase I, a force consisting of the Solahma Clusters (16 in all) accompanying the Invasion, plus 16 PGCs, will be reducing the Perphery worlds north of the Commonwealth, allowing for a secure supply line to the Homeworlds. Once the Solahma have finished this task, they are to proceed to the Adder Occupation Zone, where they will assist in the defense of the those worlds in the Terran Corridor against attack from the FedSuns side of the FC. During Phase III, the Solahma will either take point to ensure that the SDS is indeed inoperable OR garrison the Adder Occupation Zone; I haven't decided.
When the primary is secured, each Clan will leave a strong force of PGCs and a few Clusters as a garrison; the remainder of the force will take the 11-14 worlds of their Occupation Zone, destroying all opposistion and leaving behind a single PGC (or two, depending on the world in question) to garrison it. This will also serve to link all of the Clan forces together. After the conclusion of Phase II, each Clan will leave behind its most heavily damaged units and procede to Ala Austrailis in the Adder Occupation Zone, along with the Combined Clan Fleet to begin Phase III.
Phase III is the reduction and capture of Terra and its factories to become the Capital of the Clans and their new young Empire. This is the trickiest part of the operation, because they have no idea how much defenses are waiting (but ilKhan Scott suspects and he is going in loaded for bear--ah, I meant spheroid). Now, during Phases I and II, a force of forty-eight Alpha-class Corvettes have been conducting recon and survey data of the Solar System, probing the defenses and trying to gauge just how much force ComStar has available. Their presence MIGHT mean that ComStar comes to the aid of the Lyrans, committing the ComGuard against the Occupation Zones; then again, it might not.
I HAVE finished rough drafts of the maps showing the Occupation Zones, and I will post them here now.
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What forces will be left behind to protect the Periphery bases once the Solhama Clusters are moving into the Inner Sphere?
And with Warships, I meant destroying a lot of Dropships as they try to land on the planet.
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Each periphery world (sixteen will be conquered to open a corridor) will have a permanent garrison of one PGC that will remain behind after the Solahma leave.
Bust DropShips BEFORE they unload their juicy mobile targets--ah, I mean hostiles? What the ilKhan is planning is to allow the AFFC to land troops, but order his WarShips to then interdict all jump-points and destroy any vessel attempting to LEAVE. He intends to shatter the AFFC (well, the Lyran half at least, and maybe a good number from the FedSuns as well), and he doesn't plan on any getting away to fight another day. Which means it is going to be a BAD, BAD time to be Victor Davion if he is still on Trell I. If the RCT commander puts him a DropShip to get away, he is only signing Victors death warrant.
Basically, the plan is to turn these sixteen worlds into 'roach motels': the bugs check in, but they don't check out. EVAH. ;D
Anyway, hope that answers your questions, Ice.
Master Arminas
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Wicked Very Freaking Wicked Seyla
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The revised intro.
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 documents that supposedly showed the contents of his discussions with Showers—including a 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 proof of his manipulation of the discussion logs was brought to the surface. 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 event which we have awaited since the moment of our 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—have, for the past decade, made plans and studied possible strategies, and we believe that we have discovered the key to defeating the realms of the Inner Sphere decisively.â€
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 is now finished. Now is the time for action.â€
“However, 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.â€
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?â€
“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.â€
“No, my Khans, we shall return, and we shall return within the next two years time.â€
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.â€
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.â€
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.â€
“Four Clans, with a fifth in reserve, committing but a portion of their strength and racing for Terra. Their flanks unprotected against attack, their forces too few to secure the worlds in their rear and garrison their line of supply. And these five Clans would have been alone, separated by more than a year from their brothers and sisters of the society our Great Founder created. Denied our help in their time of need.â€
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!â€
“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. It is up to us to learn from those errors and not to repeat the mistakes of the past. To instead fufill its full promise.â€
“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!â€
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 during the harsh Tharkad winters. Our assault will occur as she is returning to Tharkad once more to rule that half of the realm as Archon. 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. Ten golden dots appeared on the map, flashing against the dark blue background.
“Alarion, Coventry, Donegal; Furillo; Hesperus II, Oliver, Pandora, Sudeten, Tharkad, and Twycross, my fellow Khans; it is these ten worlds upon which the military might of the Federated Commonwealth depends.â€
The ilKhan pressed another key on his remote, and six more worlds suddenly blinked into life. “To these we shall add Arcturus, Izar, Port Mosby, Skye, Tamar, and Wotan, my brethren. Sixteen worlds for sixteen Clans—these systems are the economic, military, and political heart of the Lyran people. It is a heart that we shall carve out in a single strike; a strike that shall shake the entire Inner Sphere to its knees.â€
Chaos erupted as Khans stood and began to shout, but Nikolai simply waited, silent, until finally the din diminished. One Khan only remained standing, and Nikolai nodded at Amelia McKenna of Clan Snow Raven.
“IlKhan, what you propose, this would leave use with no lines of supply at all! And how do expect to even get there without attacking the intervening worlds? By all of the Founders, Nikolai, some of those worlds are four months travel inside the Lyran Commonwealth!â€
Nikolai grinned. “Khan McKenna, your points are well taken. But consider this; there are scores of uninhabited and uninhabitable star systems surrounding those pictured on this map. These ‘empty spaces’ have nothing of value—many do not even have planets. But they are isolated and they are alone, and we have their coordinates. We know, through the databases our ancestors assembled, where their jump-points lie. And it is through these empty star systems that our toumens will journey until they arrive at each of their targets on the same day: the first of April, 3051.â€
He began to pace again, as he continued to speak. “Yes, we will have no line of supply, nor a line of retreat. But neither will be needed, for we shall make this assault with the front-line forces of sixteen Clans—and we shall carry with us sufficient supplies for a two-year campaign. Each of these worlds will be the target of an entire Clan, and each will serve as a death trap for the Lyrans.â€
Khan Isaac Fletcher stood. “One full Clan for each world? With all of our front-line troops? IlKhan, you are speaking of committing multiple galaxies against each of these systems—they cannot possibly have enough troops in place to justify such a use a force.â€
“You are correct, Khan Fletcher. But these worlds are vital to the very survival of the Lyran Commonwealth. They shall serve as the flame to which the Armed Forces of the Federated Commonwealth are drawn, and they will die as they come in their attempt to dislodge us. To find a Ghost Bear for the Clawing, Khan Jorgensson, where must you go?â€
“To where the Ghost Bear lairs, ilKhan, even a sibkin knows that.â€
“Yes, and when we take these worlds, we will truly be in the lair of the Inner Sphere’s military might. They cannot let us keep them—to do so would cripple them, economically, militarily, and politically. And so they must come to us and attack.â€
Khan McKenna nodded. “And they must attack, regardless of the odds if they are to preserve their own industry.â€
“Aff. But it will be too late for that, because as soon as these worlds are secure, you will proceed to destroy their factories—utterly demolish them.â€
“That is a waste of resources, ilKhan!†shouted Khan Malthus.
“Yes, but a waste of their resources, Khan of the Jade Falcons. We have no need for their inferior technology, and by destroying their factories, we only weaken them, not us. Two exceptions to that order will be made, however, for Hesperus II was once a Star League facility—it shall be so again. And the Alarion shipyards will serve us well once our Raven brothers and sister repair them and modernize them to our standards.â€
“The Inner Sphere will attack us on these worlds because they must, and their attacks will fail because we are the Clans, and we shall be ready for them. Once they have broken upon our defenses, then Phase II will commence. Each of these systems will form the nucleus of an Occupation Zone, consisting of twelve to fifteen secondary targets for each Clan, which will serve to link together our operations and place more almost half of the entire Commonwealth within our grasp.†As he spoke, the holo-projection showed a visual representation, with blobs of gold expanding lightning fast across the face of the Lyran Commonwealth, until the main part of that once great House was entirely claimed by the Clans in an unbroken line that extended from Terra’s doorstep to the Periphery—and beyond to the Homeworlds. And sixteen Periphery systems, all known nests of pirates and bandits began to flash, and then they too turned into a steady bright glowing gold beacon.
“Simultaneously with the attack on Phase I primary targets, a seventeenth force comprised of one Provisional Garrison Cluster and one Solahma Cluster from each of our Clans will seize these sixteen Periphery worlds, thus opening the route for our supply lines to be reestablished. The PGCs will remain in place to garrison each of these worlds, but the Solahma Clusters will be diverted to reinforce the Adder Occupation Zone here, in what they Spheroids term the Terran Corridor. It is here that the hammer shall fall upon our Clans when the Federated Suns responds to the attack on their Lyran counterpart.â€
More muttering emerged from the Council as the Khans whispered to each other, mulling over the bare bones package presented—and then Khan Vincent Tchernovkov stood. “An interesting proposal, ilKhan, but do you propose holding twelve to fifteen worlds against attack by the remaining Great Houses with just two or three front-line Galaxies—an average of just ten Clusters per Clan?â€
“Neg. Each Clan will also be contributing a substantial number of their Provisional Garrison Clusters to perform exactly that function, Khan Tchernovkov—I believe that we are currently looking at a total of, for all the Clans, two hundred and sixty PGCs needed for this campaign to defend our new acquisitions and, of course, our supply lines.â€
The ilKhan paused as utter silence filled the chamber; the number of troops which he proposed using would dwarf any past military operation ten-fold.
“After the completion of Phase II, we shall take a brief respite to restock our toumens and restore ourselves to full fighting order. During this time—indeed, since the very beginning of this campaign—a force of forty-eight Alpha-class Corvettes will have been probing our ultimate target, brethren. They will have surveyed its outer system and ferreted out just how well defended that objective is. Because Phase III will result in all sixteen of the surviving Clans of Kerensky seizing for this world for ourselves,†the ilKhan continued as his voice rose into a shout. “We will close the circle, brothers and sisters, and we shall make of this place our new Capital, from which the Star League restored shall reign forever more!â€
The holo-projector zoomed in close once more, centering on a pale blue-green orb labeled Terra as one-by-one, the Khans slowly stood and began to applaud their support.
********************************************************************
The cold wind of a Strana Mechty winter gusted against the side of the Great Hall as Nikolai stood on one of its balconies. Despite the breeze, he stood tall and straight, but his face was sober, and he lifted one hand to his face, taking a long pull from the smoldering cigar he held.
“Those things will kill you, you know,†Robert N’Buta said from the shadowed door that led within the labyrinthine structure.
Nikolai nodded without turning. “There are many things that will eventually kill me, Robert. This weed is currently the least among them.â€
The Star Adder Khan walked up besides the man and stood quietly alongside for several moments in silence.
“It is very risky, you know. We could still opt for Pantheon II instead.â€
“Neg. Although you are right, my friend. With sixteen Clans on the firing line Pantheon II would work—for a time. But it makes the same mistakes that Showers and Crichell made, it takes worlds from the outer edge inward—and allows their industry to produce replacements far faster than we can ship them in from the Homeworlds. Those worlds are not of vital importance to the Federated Commonwealth, we would take them and destroy many of their units, but in the end it would mean nothing. And if we give them the time they require to counter our technology with numbers, it will mean defeat instead.â€
“No,†the ilKhan said, “it is a high risk, but it offers the highest rewards as well, Robert.â€
N’Buta nodded in answer. “Aff. I am just concerned over whether the Council will agree. If things go wrong, we could lose the cream of three, perhaps even four Clans, after all.â€
Nikolai snorted. “No fewer would we lose with Pantheon given enough time. You are still supporting the plan, quiaff?â€
“Aff. It is partially my plan, after all. I am just . . . worried that you will be caught in the fallout if things begin to fall apart.â€
“Robert, the plan is nothing—but the planning is everything. There will be circumstances that we cannot foresee. There will catastrophes and debacles that have the Khans screaming for my head. And there will be an enormous body count arising from the Invasion—on both sides.â€
“But, we have planned for every possible contingency. We will have the supplies and parts on hand, and once we have captured Hesperus II and convert its factories to produce our munitions and BattleMechs and Elemental armor we will have a logistical base in their very heartland. And even though some of our brethren are strategic idiots, they are all seasoned and tested Warriors—place them in a tactical circumstance where they simply must hold a position against an attacker and they will hold. They will.â€
Once again silence ruled the blustery day as the two Warriors looked out over the boulevards of the city.
“You are planning to accompany the Scorpions on their assault on Hesperus II, quiaff?â€
“Neg. I am no longer a Scorpion, Robert. I am the ilKhan. I will be accompanied by the Ebon Keshik and will travel with the Hellions to Arcturus where I can communicate rapidly with all of my field commands from a central location.â€
“But the Ebon Keshik is only a Trinary!â€
“For now, but I intend to expand it to a full Cluster. I will be issuing a call for volunteers on the morrow.â€
Nikolai shook his head and smiled a wry smile. “I am a Warden, Robert. And a Scorpion. I must weld the Clans to me and my leadership so long as I hold this post—and I cannot do so if I favor my own Clan above others. I must be neutral to hold the respect and loyalty of the Khans.â€
Robert N’Buta inhaled sharply, his eyes having grown wide. And then he bowed, kneeling on one knew, his head lowered towards the ground. “Seyla, ilKhan. Seyla.â€
********************************************************************
“There is just one final question that must be asked before the vote, ilKhan Djerassi,†said James Ward, saKhan of the Wolves. “When shall the bidding begin for each of these sixteen Occupation Zones?â€
“There shall be no bidding, saKhan Ward,†answered Nikolai from the well. “Just as during Operation Klondike, did our first ilKhan and his advisor choose each of the targets, so it shall be now—either that or you must choose a new ilKhan for I shall not allow this enterprise to become torn apart because of your petty grievances between each other.â€
“The Adders shall take Oliver, and the worlds around it. Not because they have gained because it was an Adder Khan that nominated me, nor because he helped to plan the Invasion. But because his three Galaxies will bear the brunt of the inevitable counter-attack—and of all our Clans his is indeed the most likely to use . . . shall we say unorthodox means to counter them, quiaff?â€
Soft laughter rolled through the gallery, and even the Wolf saKhan nodded his head in agreement. “Aff,†he answered.
“Next will be the Falcons in their Zone around Skye, for they have the honor and the spirit and the courage to help the Adders defend our front, while the remainder of us ensure that the House of Steiner will never again be a great power. The Scorpions will take Hesperus—not because they are my Clan, but rather since we routinely train our front-line forces on Dagda; I would wager that none among you are more experienced in such rugged, inhospitable terrain. Further, of all the targets, Hesperus II possibly has the largest and most experienced defenders assigned to it,†the ilKhan looked directly into the eyes of the assembled Khans. “I have not the slightest doubt that the Scorpions will take Hesperus II and then hold it against counter-attack—but neither do I doubt that there shall be many empty position within our toumen before the end of Phase II. However, if any of you care to take these casualties in place of my Clan, then you are more than welcome to do so.â€
Silence greeted this announcement, and Nikolai nodded.
“The Ravens will take Alarion, and the Bears Tharkad. The Cats shall seize Donegal, the Coyotes Izar, and the Wolves Furillo. Vipers, yours shall be Coventry, while the Jaguars will have Pandora, and the Mandrills Port Mosby. For Arcturus the Hellions will be its doom, while the Horses will crush Sudeten beneath their hooves. The Spirits will take Tamar, the Sharks Twycross, and the Cobras will deal with Wotan.â€
There were several frowns among the gallery, but no audible objections were raised. “A complete copy of the proposal has been made available for each of you, on your secure server, along with a list of ships that your Clan will be required to contribute. During Phase I and II, these ships will be under your control, but for Phase III we will require unity of action. Khan McKenna, would you serve as the Admiral of the Khans for that Phase?â€
The Raven looked shocked as Nikolai offered her the unified command of nearly one hundred and sixty Clan WarShips—a force such as had not existed since the disbanding of the SLDF. But she licked her dry lips, and nodded. “Aff, my ilKhan. If that is your will, then I—as every Khan and every Warrior—am prepared to serve.â€
Nikolai nodded. “Then we can either vote now, or wait until after you have thoroughly read the plan.â€
A quick consensus revealed that the Khans were ready to vote now—and by a measure of thirty-one to one, with the ilKhan abstaining, Operation Revival Reborn was approved.
-
Operation Revival Reborn: Order of Battle
ilKhan Field Headquarters
Ebon Keshik (Elite)
Primary Target: Arcturus
Clan Blood Spirit
Command Keshik (s):
Blood Guard Keshik (Elite)
Alpha Galaxy [The Blooding]:
37th Red Assault Cluster (Elite)
33rd Red Battle Cluster (Elite)
Red Guards (Elite)
55th Red Vanguard Cluster (Elite)
Omega Galaxy [The Sanguine Reavers]:
7th Blood Drinkers Cluster (Elite)
79th Blood Hussars (Elite)
112th Scarlet Battle Cluster (Elite)
Scarlet Guards (Elite)
Solahma & Provisional Garrison Clusters:
Blood Spirit Solahma Cluster
15 PGCs
16 Sirius-class JumpShips
Blood Spirit Naval Reserve:
Omega-class BB Ancestral Home
Zeta-class CA Rocinante*
Epsilon-class FF Carmine Justice
Gamma-class CV Stooping Kite
Blood Spirit Logistics Fleet:
Beta-class TN Blood Diamond; Devourer; Spirit Quest; Star Swimmer
Theta-class RT Theta-Spirit
16 Arcturus-class JumpShips
16 Canopus-class JumpShips
Primary Target: Tamar
Secondary Targets: Antares; Baker 3; Colmar; Cusset; Dell; Dompaire; Graus; Laurent; Severn; Vulcan; Zoetermeer
Clan Cloud Cobra
Command Keshik (s):
Cobra Pharaoh Keshik (Elite)
Cobra Temple Keshik (Elite)
Alpha Galaxy [The Keystone]:
33rd Battle Cluster [Thor’s Hammer] (Elite)
214th Cobra Fangs [Black Sheep] (Elite)
149th Cobra Guards [The Azure Guard] (Elite)
243rd Cobra Guards [The Emerald Guard] (Veteran)
Beta Galaxy [Scourge of the Pentagon]:
84th Cobra Fang [Wings of Pharaoh] (Elite)
185th Cobra Fang [Heaven’s Gate] (Elite)
45th Cobra Grenadiers [Spitting Serpents] (Elite)
73rd Cobra Guards [The Ebony Guard] (Veteran)
Solahma & Provisional Garrison Clusters:
Cloud Cobra Solahma Cluster
15 PGCs
16 Sirius-class JumpShips
Cloud Cobra Naval Reserve:
Omega-class BB Second Coming
Zeta-class CA White Cloud*
Epsilon-class DD Thunderbolt
Gamma-class FF Brimstone
Delta-class DD Cataclysm; Inquisitor
Cloud Cobra Logistics Fleet:
Beta-class Blind Faith; Glory Road; True Sight; Wisdom of the Ages
Theta-class RT Theta-Cobra
18 Vega-class JumpShips
16 Arcturus-class JumpShips
16 Canopus-class JumpShips
Primary Target: Wotan
Secondary Targets: Anywhere; Apollo; Bensinger; Derf; Here; Icar; Persistence; Somerset; Steelton; Toland; Winfield
Clan Coyote
Alpha Galaxy [Spirit of the Coyote]
Golden Keshik [Guardians of the Prophecy] (Elite)
Silver Keshik [The Chosen] (Elite)
Bronze Keshik [The True Vision] (Veteran)
38th Assault Cluster [The Faithful] (Veteran)
Delta Galaxy [Heart of the Coyote]
50th Assault Cluster [Creeping Death] (Elite)
19th Battle Cluster [Long Fangs] (Veteran)
34th Strike Cluster [Rabid Coyotes] (Elite)
55th Strike Cluster [Double Nickel Demons] (Veteran)
Solahma & Provisional Garrison Clusters:
Coyote Solahma Cluster
15 PGCs
16 Sirius-class JumpShips
Coyote Naval Reserve:
Omega-class BB Great Coyote Spirit
Zeta-class CA Howling
Epsilon-class FF Trickster
Gamma-class CV Broken Seal
Delta-class DD Courage; Spirit in the Sky
Coyote Logistics Fleet
Beta-class TN Midnight Star; Morning Star; Solar Blaze; Solar Wind
Theta-class RT Theta-Coyote
18 Vega-class JumpShips
16 Arcturus-class JumpShips
16 Canopus-class JumpShips
Primary Target: Izar
Secondary Targets: Carnwath; Chaffee; Eaton; Edasich; Freedom; Gladius; Glengarry; Kochab; Laurleston; Nekkar; Seginus; Whittington; Zebeneschnarall
Clan Diamond Shark
Alpha Galaxy [Deathstrike]
Diamond Skate (Elite)
21st Assault Cluster [Nagasawa’s Sharks] (Elite)
27th Cruiser Cluster [Flashing Ivory] (Elite)
39th Strike Cluster [The Frenzy] (Elite)
Beta Galaxy [Predator]
Pearl Skate (Elite)
7th Cruiser Cluster [Riptide] (Elite)
6th Strike Cluster [Blood Hunters] (Elite)
42nd Strike Cluster [Gnashers] (Elite)
Solahma & Provisional Garrison Clusters:
Diamond Shark Solahma Cluster
15 PGCs
16 Sirius-class JumpShips
Diamond Shark Naval Reserve:
Omega-class BB Terror of the Deep
Zeta-class CA Nagasawa*
Epsilon-class FF Hammerhead
Gamma-class CV Architeuthis
Delta-class DD Predator
Diamond Shark Logistics Fleet
Beta-class TN Bloodletter; Bold Venture; Kraken; Poseidon; Red Tide;
Speculator; Titanic; Tsunami
Theta-class RT Theta-Shark
22 Vega-class JumpShips
20 Arcturus-class JumpShips
16 Canopus-class JumpShips
Primary Target: Twycross
Secondary Targets: Chateau; Evclier; Leskovik; Maxie's Planet; Planting; Riddenkirk; Romulus; Selduts; Syarslaad; Trell I; Vantaa
Clan Fire Mandrill
Command Keshik (s):
Burning Rage Keshik (Elite)
Alpha Galaxy:
1st Mandrill Assault Cluster [Embers of Warfare] (Elite)
3rd Mandrill Battle Cluster [Banner-Bearers] (Elite)
16th Mandrill Battle Cluster [The Furies] (Veteran)
6th Mandrill Striker Cluster [The Fire Dancers] (Elite)
Beta Galaxy:
4th Mandrill Assault Cluster [Fang and Fire] (Elite)
2nd Mandrill Battle Cluster [Firewalkers] (Elite)
7th Mandrill Battle Cluster [The Fire-Eaters] (Veteran)
10th Mandrill Battle Cluster [The Brimstone Cluster] (Elite)
Solahma & Provisional Garrison Clusters:
Fire Mandrill Solahma Cluster
15 PGCs
16 Sirius-class JumpShips
Fire Mandrill Naval Reserve:
Omega-class BB The Furnace
Zeta-class CA Reaver*
Epsilon-class FF Fire Rose
Gamma-class CV Howler
Fire Mandrill Logistics Fleet
Beta-class TN Burning Brand; Conflagration; Fire Eater; Flaming Sword
Theta-class RT Theta-Mandrill
18 Vega-class JumpShips
16 Arcturus-class JumpShips
16 Canopus-class JumpShips
Primary Target: Port Mosby
Secondary Targets: Accringron; Alexandria; Auldhouse; Baxter; Breukelen; Carstairs; Corridan IV; Dalkelth; Eaglesham; Sakhalin; Symington; Yed Posterior; Yed Prior
Clan Ghost Bear
Command Keshik (s):
The Ourse Keshik (Elite)
Alpha Galaxy [The Golden Bears]:
332nd Assault Cluster [The Iowa Blacklancers] (Elite)
1st Bear Guards [The Rage] (Elite)
3rd Bear Guards [The IlKhan’s Shield] (Elite)
50th Striker Cluster [The Black Bears] (Elite)
Beta Galaxy [Night Howlers]:
304th Assault Cluster [The Howling Bears] (Veteran)
5th Bear Guards [Arctic Thunder] (Veteran)
7th Bear Guards [Tip of the Spear] (Veteran)
14th Battle Cluster [The Maulers] (Elite)
Delta Galaxy [The Blitzkrieg]:
73rd Battle Cluster [The Lash] (Veteran)
8th Bear Cuirassiers [The Blinding Drive] (Veteran)
68th Striker Cluster [The Walking Panzers] (Veteran)
115th Striker Cluster [The Rolling Wave] (Elite)
Solahma & Provisional Garrison Clusters:
Ghost Bear Solahma Cluster
19 PGCs
20 Sirius-class JumpShips
Ghost Bear Naval Reserve:
Omega-class BB Ursa Major
Zeta-class CA Bear’s Den*
Epsilon-class FF Shining Claw
Gamma-class CV White Fang
Delta-class DD Blizzard; Ice Pick
Ghost Bear Logistics Fleet
Beta-class TN Den Mother; Leviathan; Ursine Boatman; Yggdrasil
Theta-class RT Theta-Bear
24 Vega-class JumpShips
24 Arcturus-class JumpShips
20 Canopus-class JumpShips
Primary Target: Tharkad
Secondary Targets: Alma Alta; Cumbres; Dukambla; Eutlh; Forkas; Gibbs; Greenlaw; Horneburg; Incukalns; Tetersen; Upano; Westerstede
-
Clan Goliath Scorpion
Command Keshik (s):
Knife Dance Keshik (Elite)
20th Scorpion Shock Cluster [Scorpio Ascendant] (Elite)
Alpha Galaxy [The Rock Minders]:
24th Scorpion Cuirassiers [The Khan’s Own] (Elite)
25th Scorpion Cuirassiers [Scorpions of the Veil] (Elite)
8th Scorpion Dragoons [The Whip-Tail Brigade] (Elite)
14th Scorpion Hussars [Swift Retribution] (Elite)
Beta Galaxy [The Sand Runners]:
9th Scorpion Cuirassiers [The Khan’s Castle] (Elite)
23rd Scorpion Cuirassiers [The Ironshell Irregulars] (Elite)
1st Scorpion Dragoons [Heartvenom] (Elite)
6th Scorpion Hussars [Desert Wind] (Elite)
Solahma & Provisional Garrison Clusters:
Goliath Scorpion Solahma Cluster
15 PGCs
16 Sirius-class JumpShips
Goliath Scorpion Naval Reserve:
Omega-class BB Lei Kung
Zeta-class CA Serket*
Epsilon-class FF Bernlad
Gamma-class CV Orpheus
Delta-class DD: Borealis; Corona
Goliath Scorpion Logistics Fleet
Beta-class TN Enceladus; Epimetheus; Karttikeya; Prometheus
Theta-class RT Theta-Scorpion
18 Vega-class JumpShips
16 Arcturus-class JumpShips
16 Canopus-class JumpShips
Primary Target: Hesperus II
Secondary Targets: Arganda; Aristotle; Clinton; Canonble, Clotat; Eldsfoss; Flame; Lawson; Rahne; Sharpsborg; Trent
Clan Hell’s Horses
Command Keshik (s):
Alpha Keshik [Might Before Metal] (Elite)
Omega Keshik [Hell’s Inferno] (Elite)
Alpha Galaxy [Stampede of Steel]:
21st Mechanized Assault [Firehorse Cluster] (Veteran)
11th Mechanized Cavalry [Blackhorse Cluster] (Elite)
12th Mechanized Cavalry [Steelhorse Cluster] (Elite)
30th Mechanized Strike [Stormhorse Cluster] (Elite)
Beta Galaxy [The Apocalypse]:
66th Mechanized Assault [War Cluster] (Elite)
77th Mechanized Cavalry [Famine Cluster] (Elite)
99th Mechanized Cavalry [Death Cluster] (Elite)
33rd Mechanized Strike [Pestilence Cluster] (Veteran)
Solahma & Provisional Garrison Clusters:
Hell’s Horses Solahma Cluster
15 PGCs
16 Sirius-class JumpShips
Hell’s Horses Naval Reserve:
Omega-class BB Absolute Truth
Zeta-class CA Sleipnir*
Epsilon-class FF Bucephalus
Gamma-class CV Avenger
Delta-class DD Bon Homme Richard; Lancer
Hell’s Horses Logistics Fleet
Beta-class TN Blood Horse; Steel Shield; Golden Clydesdale; Mount Olympus
Theta-class RT Theta-Horse
18 Vega-class JumpShips
16 Arcturus-class JumpShips
16 Canopus-class JumpShips
Primary Target: Sudeten
Secondary Targets: Ballynure; Benfled; Bessarabla; Blair Atholl; Blota; Domain; Kobe; Koniz; La Grave; Maeslu; Monmarault; Rastaban; Shaula; Sui II
Clan Ice Hellion
Alpha Galaxy [The Blinding]:
7th Attack Cluster (Elite)
77th Hellion Lancers (Elite)
78th Hellion Lancers (Elite)
150th Striker Irregulars (Elite)
Beta Galaxy [The Lithe Kill]:
20th Attack Cluster (Elite)
85th Hellion Lancers (Elite)
90th Hellion Lancers (Elite)
121st Striker Irregulars (Elite)
Solahma & Provisional Garrison Clusters:
Ice Hellion Solahma Cluster
15 PGCs
16 Sirius-class JumpShips
Ice Hellion Naval Reserve:
Omega-class BB Cage’s Pride
Zeta-class CA Avalanche*
Epsilon-class FF Hunter’s Pride
Gamma-class CV Moore’s Honor
Delta-class DD Cold Hunter; Impaler
Ice Hellion Logistics Fleet
Beta-class TN Coterie; Maker; Nebula; Promised Land
Theta-class RT Theta-Hellion
18 Vega-class JumpShips
16 Arcturus-class JumpShips
16 Canopus-class JumpShips
Primary Target: Arcturus
Secondary Targets: Borghese; Blue Diamond; Crimond; Fatima; Fort Loudon; Kelenfold; Meachan; Orkney; Rasalgelthi; Surcin; Tomans
Clan Jade Falcon
Command Keshik (s):
Turkina Keshik (Elite)
Gamma Galaxy [Jade Falcon Galaxy]:
Jade Falcon Guards (Elite)
12th Falcon Regulars [The Frozen Fears] (Elite)
3rd Falcon Talon Cluster [The Jade Claymores] (Elite)
9th Falcon Talon Cluster [The Falcon Lancers] (Elite)
Delta Galaxy [Gyrfalcon Galaxy]:
305th Assault Cluster [The Blood Vision] (Elite)
5th Battle Cluster [The Golden Talons] (Elite)
2nd Falcon Jaegers [The Frost Falcons] (Elite)
1st Falcon Striker Cluster [The Pursuing Peregrines] (Elite)
Vau Galaxy [Peregrine Galaxy]:
8th Falcon Regulars Cluster [The Scarlet Scythes] (Veteran)
4th Falcon Velites [White Vision] (Veteran)
94th Falcon Striker Cluster [Black Vision] (Veteran)
124th Falcon Striker Cluster [The Blue Demons] (Veteran)
Solahma & Provisional Garrison Clusters:
Jade Falcon Solahma Cluster
19 PGCs
20 Sirius-class JumpShips
Jade Falcon Naval Reserve:
Omega-class BB Emerald Talon; Falcon’s Nest
Zeta-class CA Hawker*
Epsilon-class FF Green Lantern
Gamma-class CV Dark Talon; Iowa
Delta-class DD: Emerald Tornado; Frost Falcon; Gauntlet; Turkina’s Pride
Jade Falcon Logistics Fleet
Beta-class TN Andromeda; Bonaventure; Eden Rose; Ironhold Provider
Theta-class RT Theta-Falcon
24 Vega-class JumpShips
24 Arcturus-class JumpShips
20 Canopus-class JumpShips
Primary Target: Skye
Secondary Targets: Alcor; Alkald; Caledonia; Carsphairn; Cor Caroll; Gacrux; Galatea; Lalaka; Menke; Mizar; Summer; Syrma; Vindemiatrix; Zebebelgenubi
Clan Nova Cat
Command Keshik (s):
Nova Cat Keshik (Elite)
Alpha Galaxy [Victory over Delusion]:
Nova Cat Fusiliers [The Circle Unbroken] (Elite)
Nova Cat Grenadiers [Fires of Truth] (Veteran)
1st Nova Cat Guards [Hand of Fate] (Elite)
2nd Nova Cat Guards [Spiritual Journey] (Elite)
Beta Galaxy [Spiritual Vision]:
Nova Cat Dragoons [Circle of Harmony] (Elite)
Nova Cat Lancers [The Path of Right] (Veteran)
3rd Nova Cat Guards [The Dance of Fate] (Elite)
4th Nova Cat Guards [The Oracles] (Elite)
Solahma & Provisional Garrison Clusters:
Nova Cat Solahma Cluster
15 PGCs
16 Sirius-class JumpShips
Nova Cat Naval Reserve:
Omega-class BB Lair of the Cat
Zeta-class CA Severen Leroux*
Epsilon-class FF True Vision
Gamma-class CV Hellcat
Delta-class DD Firedancer; Vision Quest
Nova Cat Logistics Fleet
Beta-class TN Enlightened Path; Faithful Right; Far Star; Guiding Vision
Theta-class RT Theta-Cat
18 Vega-class JumpShips
16 Arcturus-class JumpShips
16 Canopus-class JumpShips
Primary Target: Donegal
Secondary Targets: Aposlica; Cameron; Crevedla; Garrison; Ganshores; Glnestra; Grunwald; Leganes; Lucianca; Lyndon; Morningside; Odessa; Pherkad; Summit
Clan Smoke Jaguar
Command Keshik (s):
Shroud Keshik (Elite)
Alpha Galaxy [Silent Death]:
6th Jaguar Dragoons [Smoke and Fire] (Elite)
7th Jaguar Dragoons [The Leaping Jaguar] (Veteran)
Jaguar Grenadiers [The Immortals] (Elite)
5th Jaguar Regulars [The Victory Cluster] (Veteran)
Beta Galaxy [The Mistweavers]:
362nd Assault Cluster [The Silver Jaguars] (Veteran)
225th Battle Cluster [Bringers of Armageddon] (Elite)
214th Jaguar Dragoons [The Stalkers] (Veteran)
1st Jaguar Guards [The Whitewatch] (Elite)
Gamma Galaxy [The Throat Rippers]:
267th Battle Cluster [The Devil’s Mist] (Elite)
1st Jaguar Cavaliers [Ghost Cats] (Veteran)
336th Jaguar Combat Cluster [The Rake] (Veteran)
2nd Jaguar Guards [The Striking Cats] (Elite)
Solahma & Provisional Garrison Clusters:
Smoke Jaguar Solahma Cluster
19 PGCs
20 Sirius-class JumpShips
Smoke Jaguar Naval Reserve:
Omega-class BB Veiled Huntress
Zeta-class CA Streaking Mist
Epsilon-class FF Black Panther; Snow Leopard
Gamma-class CV Sabre Cat
Delta-class DD Griffin; Korat; Pouncing Fury; Storm Cat
Smoke Jaguar Logistics Fleet
Beta-class TN Bright Star; Osis’ Pride; Pathfinder; Seeker; Tracker; Void
Theta-class RT Theta-Jaguar
20 Vega-class JumpShips
20 Arcturus-class JumpShips
20 Canopus-class JumpShips
Primary Target: Pandora
Secondary Targets: A Place; Arc-Royal; Alocongo; Bountiful Harvest; Dustball; Exteros; Graceland; Hamilton; Kandersleg; Morges; New Exford
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Clan Snow Raven
Command Keshik (s):
Corvus Keshik (Elite)
Alpha Galaxy [Swift Wing Galaxy]:
6th Raven Battle Cluster [The Meteors] (Veteran)
1st Raven Dragoon Cluster [The Longshanks] (Elite)
5th Raven Light Horse Cluster [The Frost Wing] (Elite)
9th Raven Striker Cluster [The Snow Hunters] (Elite)
Beta Galaxy [Storm Crow Galaxy]:
14th Raven Battle Cluster [The Thunder Heart Cluster] (Veteran)
5th Raven Dragoon Cluster [The Wind Riders] (Elite)
4th Raven Light Horse Cluster [The Snow Wing] (Elite)
97th Raven Striker Cluster [The Soaring Ravens] (Elite)
Solahma & Provisional Garrison Clusters:
Snow Raven Solahma Cluster
15 PGCs
16 Sirius-class JumpShips
Snow Raven Naval Reserve:
Omega-class BB Hunting Raptor; Snow Raven
Zeta-class CA Storm Crow*; Ticonderoga
Epsilon-class FF Blackbird; Magpie
Gamma-class CV Eternity
Delta-class DD Ark Royal; Conqueror; Drake; Spur
Snow Raven Logistics Fleet
Beta-class TN Nestling; Repulse; Rook; Scavenger; Snowflake; Treachery;
Venture Star; Wild Swan
Theta-class RT Theta-Raven
18 Vega-class JumpShips
16 Arcturus-class JumpShips
16 Canopus-class JumpShips
Primary Target: Alarion
Secondary Targets: Abejorral; Duran; Minderoo; Nolsiel; Pobeda; Reese Station; Richvale; Saravan; Tiruppur; Vendrell; Vorzel
Clan Star Adder
Command Keshik (s):
Adder Command Keshik [The Light of Command] (Elite)
Adder Quasar Keshik [Iron Will] (Elite)
Alpha Galaxy [Old Blood and Guts]:
85th Adder Cavaliers [Gallant Steeds] (Elite)
191st Adder Guards [Saar Cavaliers] (Elite)
11th Armored Cavalry Squadron [Messina Missionaries] (Veteran)
5th Assault Cluster [Georgie’s Gorillas] (Elite)
Beta Galaxy [The Old Guard]:
108th Adder Cavaliers [Steel on Target] (Elite)
10th Armored Cavalry Squadron [The Buffalo Soldiers] (Elite)
8th Assault Cluster [Black Panzers] (Veteran)
97th Dragoon Cluster [The Sheridan Dragoons] (Elite)
Gamma Galaxy [Blood Feud]
73rd Adder Cavaliers [Scourge of the Highlands] (Veteran)
9th Armored Cavalry Squadron [Spirit Crushers] (Veteran)
69th Dragoon Cluster [Fighting Gurkhas] (Veteran)
133rd Hussar Cluster [Tigermen] (Veteran)
Solahma & Provisional Garrison Clusters:
Star Adder Solahma Cluster
19 PGCs
20 Sirius-class JumpShips
Star Adder Naval Reserve:
Omega-class BB Mountbatton; Sovereign Right
Zeta-class CA Nygaard*
Epsilon-class FF Constellation; Shannon
Gamma-class CV Eagle
Delta-class DD Admiral William S. Preston; Cameron’s Flame; Constantineau;
Warlock
Star Adder Logistics Fleet
Beta-class TN Cho Polu; Pompeii; Renown; Revenge; St. Helens; Vritra;
Zealous; Wrath
Theta-class RT Theta-Adder
24 Vega-class JumpShips
24 Arcturus-class JumpShips
20 Canopus-class JumpShips
Primary Target: Oliver
Secondary Targets: Alchiba; Aloth; Alula Australis; Castor; Chara; Denebola; Devil's Rock; Graham; Lipton; Milton; New Earth; Pollux; Thorin; Zavijava
Clan Steel Viper
Command Keshik (s):
Triasch Keshik (Elite)
Alpha Galaxy [Steel Viper Galaxy]:
400th Assault Cluster [The Diamondbacks] (Elite)
1st Viper Guards [The Viper’s Fury] (Elite)
2nd Viper Guards [The Sidewinders] (Elite)
4th Viper Guards [The Deadly Venom] (Elite)
Beta Galaxy [Steel Fangs Galaxy]:
233rd Battle Cluster [The Hunting Vipers] (Veteran)
126th Striker Cluster [The Copperheads] (Veteran)
195th Striker Cluster [The Black Mambas] (Veteran)
Viper Fusiliers (Elite)
Solahma & Provisional Garrison Clusters:
Steel Viper Solahma Cluster
15 PGCs
16 Sirius-class JumpShips
Steel Viper Naval Reserve:
Omega-class BB Dark Asp
Zeta-class CA Sanra Mercer*
Epsilon-class FF Snake Leader
Gamma-class CV Martial Legacy
Delta-class DD Anaconda; Steel Python
Steel Viper Logistics Fleet
Beta-class TN Ophidan; Pride of New Kent; Serpentes; Tenacity
Theta-class RT Theta-Viper
18 Vega-class JumpShips
16 Arcturus-class JumpShips
16 Canopus-class JumpShips
Primary Target: Coventry
Secondary Targets: Bluque; Great X; Krieevcl; New Capetown; Santana; Sargasso; Tlmkovichi; Tslnan; Wroclaw; Yeguas; Zandenj
Clan Wolf
Command Keshik (s):
The Golden Keshik (Elite)
Alpha Galaxy [The Dire Wolves]:
328th Assault Cluster [The Lion-Hearted] (Elite)
279th Battle Cluster [The Golden Horde] (Elite)
3rd Wolf Guards Cluster [The Sentinels] (Elite)
4th Wolf Guards Cluster [The Cyclops Cluster] (Elite)
Beta Galaxy [The Arctic Wolves]:
341st Assault Cluster [The Silver Blizzard] (Elite)
352nd Assault Cluster [The Silver Wolves] (Elite)
3rd Battle Cluster [Silver Devils] (Elite)
9th Wolf Guards Cluster [Silver Fangs] (Elite)
Gamma Galaxy [The Wolf Hussars]:
5th Battle Cluster [Ghost Hunters] (Veteran)
7th Battle Cluster [The Hungry Wolves] (Veteran)
11th Battle Cluster [The Bronze Lancers] (Veteran)
16th Battle Cluster [The Bronze Furies] (Veteran)
Solahma & Provisional Garrison Clusters:
Wolf Solahma Cluster
19 PGCs
20 Sirius-class JumpShips
Wolf Naval Reserve:
Omega-class BB Werewolf
Zeta-class CA Dire Wolf*
Epsilon-class FF Kerensky’s Pride; Rogue
Gamma-class CV Crusader; Ranger
Delta-class DD Blood Drinker; Implacable; Nature’s Wrath; Stealthy Kill
Wolf Logistics Fleet
Beta-class TN Armageddon; Eclipse; Full Moon; New Moon; Night Warrior;
Provider
Theta-class RT Theta-Wolf
24 Vega-class JumpShips
24 Arcturus-class JumpShips
20 Canopus-class JumpShips
Primary Target: Furillo
Secondary Targets: Aur; Blornlunda; Callisto V; Collnas; Enkoping; Halmyel Deans; Hillerod; Jaumegarde; Kirkcaldy; Kockenegen; Mesa Verde; Porrlma; Svinngarn; Veckholm
Task Force Terra
Alpha-class PV Arcadian Asp; Azov; Black Adder; Black Beard; Black Ghost;
Blood Hatred; Blood Rage; Burning Sting; Centaur; Coiled Serpent;
Deathstalker; Far Vision; Firetender; Flurry; Future Triumph; Gnasher; Grizzly;
Hell Fury; Hellion’s Pride; Hertzog’s Staff; Howl; Hunin; Hunter;
Kerensky’s Blues; Killing Blow; Lightning Strike; Mako; Mankiller; Munin;
Nevermore; Pegasus; Perdition’s Flame; Pit Viper; Prowler; Relentless Pursuit;
Righteous Return; Ripper; Spirit Sight; Striking Claws; Storm Rider; Swift Bait;
Thresher; Torchbearer; Trailblazer; Trump; Valiant; Whelp; Wild Stallion
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And here are the revised OBs for each Clan, including their combat Clusters, PGCs, Solahma, Naval Assets, Supply Assets, primary target (phase I) and secondary targets (phase II).
MA
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Very Impressive and well thought out. A Snow Raven commanding the naval force is the true and proper choice.
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Chapter One
April 1, 3051
Zenith Jump Point
Tharkad
Lyran Commonwealth, Federated Commonwealth
“Jackson, can you spare a poor spacer a smoke?â€
The Lyran tech shook his head as he lobbed a pack across the command deck of the Olympus-class Recharge Station that protected the capital of the Lyran Commonwealth’s half of the Federated Commonwealth. The pack slowly flipped end over end in the zero-gravity environment, until the second tech on duty reached out and snagged it in midair.
“Thanks, pal, you’re a real life saver.â€
Jackson leaned back in his seat—held in place by his restraining straps—and sighed. “And if you would learn to quit betting the farm on drawing an inside straight, Frank, maybe you would have enough to afford a pack or two of your own.â€
“But good buddy, I’ve got you.â€
Even the chief of the watch smiled at that, but that smile quickly evaporated when one of his signal lights began to flash. “Alright, everyone, unscheduled incoming. Frank—warm up the guns and alert the third watch to stand by; Jackson, get on the horn to the planet. Sammy, what is the reading looking like?â€
“Neutrino emissions look like a single ship transit, boss, but that can’t be right. Extrapolated mass is way too high to be one ship—it’s got be a convoy, five or six vessels at least to put out this high an emission.â€
The chief scowled as he examined the numbers himself, and slowly came to the same conclusion. But no convoy was scheduled . . . he lifted the cover on the red button that would send the station to full alert and pressed it down just as Jackson let out a yell.
“EMERGENCE! JESUS CHRIST CHIEF, WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?â€
As the red lights came on in the command deck and a klaxon began to sound, the chief of the watch looked up to see the biggest vessel he had ever seen with his naked eyes lying just fifty kilometers off the station. The magnifiers built into the command chair showed him the details in perfect resolution—including the massive white head of a snarling bear emblazoned across the bow. And it was like nothing he had ever before seen.
But then his warbook beeped at him, and the chief looked down. It was showing a 70% probability that the vessel was a Terran Hegemony Monsoon-class Battleship! None of those things had existed for more 350 years! But that was what the warbook said.
“Chief, someone over there wants to speak with the man in charge,†Jackson said softly.
With a dry mouth, the chief nodded, and threw a switch that opened his own radio connection. “Senior Chief Warrant Officer Nicolas Sutherland, Federated Commonwealth Customs Enforcement Service. Unknown intruder, identify yourself immediately.â€
For a second static hissed. “Senior Chief Sutherland, we are Clan Ghost Bear, and we claim this systems and all within in the name of our Clan and of all the Clans of Kerensky. Do you dispute this claim?â€
Sutherland’s eyes boggled. “Dispute? Hell, yes, I dispute your claim. Who the hell do . . .â€
“Transmission severed at the source, Chief,†Jackson said, as Sutherland saw the nose of the impossibly big ship swing away—and dozens of ports on her side suddenly snapped open. “Open fire!†he yelled, “Hit with everything you’ve got!â€
But it was far, far too late for that, and in a single broadside the WarShip blew the recharge station into a million very small pieces.
***********************************************************************
Khan Jerome Jorgensson felt his stomach heave as the Eta-class Troop Carrier The Ourse Keshik jumped across empty space to arrive at one of the pirate points surrounding the Lyran capital of Tharkad. Twelve more of the Clans front-line transports also appeared in precise formation, and as one each began to accelerate at 2-g’s towards the tiny faint blue planet centered in the holotank, its north and south poles covered with white that extended down halfway to the equator.
The heavy gravity not visibly affecting him, the Star Colonel commanding the TroopShip crossed the bridge and gravely saluted, which Jerome returned with a simple nod. “All ships are in position—resistance at the other jump-points has been neutralized. We are proceeding on schedule, my Khan.â€
“Time to orbit?â€
“Thirty minutes, my Khan—after which we will decelerate and return to planetary orbit. It would only add an hour if we instead decelerate the last half of the distance, and that will allow my ships to give you support, if needed.â€
“Neg. We are Ghost Bear, Star Colonel. At the moment we have surprise, and I intend to use every precious second of it—increase thrust to maximum.â€
The Star Colonel bowed his head, but the Khan was already heading towards the lift that would carry him to his DropShip—and the Ghost Bear BattleMech waiting for him within.
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Eta Class Troop Carrier ? Now What wickedness is this. Good Going so far.
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It is in my 'The Real Clans' Armory on Solaris VII, and is also on Heavy Metal Pros website. But since we don't do too much Clans here, I didn't post my Clan Common WarShip series in this forum. Oops.
MA
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Ahhhhhhhhhh I have found it on solaris 7. Very nice
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“Sabre Two, tighten up on my wing, and prepare to go buster. Weapons hot.â€
“Weapons hot, Skip,†answered Kirk Tigh from the cockpit of his Lucifer. The entire aero-wing had scrambled just minutes before hand with reports of raiders—raiders, here on Tharkad. It was unbelievable! Tigh had never heard of such, at least not since the Second Succession War. But it was apparently happening, so he doubled check his weapons, made certain green lights were lit on all of them, and slid closer to the wing of his section leader.
“Now,†announced the older pilots voice over the radio, and Tigh pushed the throttle to the stops, the Lucifer leaping forward in acceleration as the two fighters climbed towards the stratosphere. And then his radar detected the incoming: seventy-eight DropShips, with nearly two hundred fighters breaking trail ahead of them! His face blanched white with shock—the entire Tharkad defense force had just one hundred and four fighters ready for action, and it was a heavily defended world, with two full fighter regiments on hand. “Scheisse,†he whispered, not remembering that his mike was still hot.
“Yah, Sabre Two,†the flight leader called out. “This is what we call a target-rich environment.â€
Suddenly, thirteen of the Droppers accelerated tremendously and shot ahead of the hostile fighters—and unleashed an unnatural amount of weapons fire onto the lead Steiner light Seydlitzs and Sparrowhawks.
“And they’ve got assault DropShips,†his flight leader said, quite unnecessarily in Tigh’s own opinion. “Ignore the assault ships, ignore the fighters, Two, we are going for the eggs.â€
Tigh swallowed hard, but clicked his mike twice in answer. He centered a large DropShip in his targeting reticule and waited for his LRMs to enter their range. His warbook did not seem to recognize the class, but it was big and it was round—that meant it was a ‘Mech carrier. At least it didn’t seem big enough to carry a full battalion, but it was a lot bigger than any Union had a right to be. Still, if all they carried were a company each, that was only . . . seven plus Regiments. Joy.
Suddenly, his threat receiver lit up—but he was still out of range of even AC-2s! Tigh began to bank hard, but he was too slow, and a powerful stiletto of light shattered his fighter like a toy, even as his LRMs finally began to warble in his ears. Spinning out of control, he reached down and pulled the eject handle—and then screamed as his ammunition and fuel detonated milli-seconds ahead of the chair rockets.
***********************************************************************
“Who the hell are these guys?†growled Marshall Nondi Steiner as she glared at her officers in the command bunker buried underneath the Steiner palace complex. “This can’t be pirates—not attacking in such force, and is sure as hell isn’t Marik or Kurita!â€
Most of her staff averted their eyes, but one young Leftenant cleared his throat. “Marshall, the leader of the invaders is on the radio and is asking to speak with the commanding officer of the planetary defenses.â€
Exchanging a glance with Archon Melissa Steiner, Nondi nodded and spoke loudly, “This is Marshall Nondi Steiner, commanding officer of the Lyran Command of the Armed Forces of the Federated Commonwealth. Who am I speaking with?â€
“Khan Jerome Jorgensson, Khan of Clan Ghost Bear, of the Clans of Kerensky returned home from our long exile. We claim this world, and all who dwell upon it as our own. With what forces do you intend to defend this planet?â€
“All of them ‘Khan’ Jorgensson, but tell me this: who are you really? Are you working for Kurita, you miserable pirate?â€
Laughter emerged from the speaker. “Bargained well and done, Marshall Steiner—and I work for no freebirth, not even the Lord of a Scavenger House. Nor am I a pirate, and I am most certainly not miserable, although I do believe that you shall be shortly. I accept your bid and will meet you with my entire toumen. My primary landing zone is TharHes industries.â€
Nondi jerked. “If you think you can hold those factories, then, Mister, you’ve got . . .â€
More laughter. “Marshall Steiner, it is my intention to obliterate your factories and crush your resistance. One could almost say that resistance is futile. But, I digress. Face me in your ‘Mech, Marshall Steiner—if you dare to challenge a Khan. Or cower in your little bunker—it makes no difference to me how you die.â€
The transmission with a dull pomph sound; a sound that Nondi realized was that of a ‘Mech being ejected from a DropShip.
Another aide came running in, and computer generated icons—all of a harsh red—appeared inside the factory grounds, along with more icons representing infantry. And Nondi watched in horror as the icons depicting the 2nd Royal Guards began to quickly vanish.
“Who the hell are these people?†she whispered.
***********************************************************************
Jerome Jorgensson watched the thick cloud of oily black smoke spread with the north-east wind. The men and women of the Ourse Keshik stood around him, dozens of BattleMechs, more than a hundred Elemental infantry, and his fighters ruled the skies above. Three Galaxies of his Clan were even now spreading out, engaging the determined—but outclassed—defenders at every turn. Already, he had reports of several casualties, but their most elite Regiment had died here, defending this ruined industrial complex. He had to defend himself—twice—and his armor was scored in a dozen locations. But his opponents were dead, and even now Elemental sappers were setting the demolition charges. He nodded, and turned on his mike. “Now we take their Palace, Ourse Keshik—follow me!â€
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Efficent and Deadly The True Clans shine thru Seyla His Will Be Done
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I will give this a review.
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The maps are on page 1. I have found I comprehend SO much better when I can SEE what I am reading about. ;D
MA
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As the Ourse Keshik passed through the shattered outer wall surrounding the hill upon which the massive Palace dominated the Triad—the collection of buildings that formed the center authority of the Steiner government, bordered on each of its three sides by the Palace proper, the Royal Court, and the Government House—the ground suddenly erupted beneath the feet of the Tomb Scarab which had taken point.
“Minefield,†snapped the luckless warrior that had stumbled into the trap.
Jerome frowned. Freebirth scum, he thought, mines are for bandits, not for true warriors. But, the eleven extensive months of training exercises in the Homeworlds had prepared his Clan for this very eventuality. “Mine-clearing pattern Theta, EXECUTE!â€
The six ‘Mechs of his lead Trinary equipped with LRM launchers fired the mine-clearance munitions into the ground in a wide pattern, and were rewarded with secondary detonations as the charges exploded the hidden danger. A second salvo reached out, and then a third, and with the four, a lane was cut through the concealed field.
The Ghost Bear Khan watched as the warrior assigned to the Tomb Scarab tried to walk forward, but his foot actuator was completely destroyed, and the knee badly wrenched out of position. He stumbled, but the dead weight of the leg dragged behind him, slowly him badly.
“Warrior Olaf, retire to the rear and have our techs see to that leg,†he ordered.
“Aff, my Khan,†the warrior answered in reply, his fury at being defeated by this unseen foe radiating over the speaker.
Moving his 90-ton assault ‘Mech forward into the breech, Jerome’s sensors detected a Lyran Atlas and two Griffins closing on his Keshik. “I will take the Atlas,†he quickly said as he designated the opposing assault as his target. “Star Captain Tseng has Griffin Alpha; Warrior Abraham has Griffin Beta.â€
Tseng’s Black Adder was just forty-tons, and while faster than the Griffin lacked jump jets, while Abrahams Howler was even lighter—just thirty-five tons—but slower, and his design did have jump capability.
Jerome maneuvered his Ghost Bear through the cleared lane, and unleashed a ruby beam from his right arm extended-range Large Laser at the Atlas—and the stiletto of light struck home, burning off more than a half-ton of armor from the other Assault class unit. In answer, the Atlas unleashed a cloud of LRM’s, but they flew wide—Jerome’s long-range missiles, on the hand, did not. Of the twenty missiles he fired, sixteen flew straight and true, and another ton of armor was blasted into tiny pieces of debris. The Khan kicked his ‘Mech into high gear, tearing across the open courtyard at nearly 65 kilometers per hour, and as the range fell, he began to circle the Atlas, once again firing his ER LL and LRMs, but now adding the fury of his head-mounted extended-range Medium Laser, the massive LB-20X autocannon that consume much of his units right torso, and the Streak SRM-6 launcher.
Once again, the ER LL struck home, burning into the Atlas’s torso, but the LRM shot was slightly rushed and went wide. The less intense beam from the medium struck an arm, and Jerome snarled as his Streak-packed whined with the tone that indicated a successful lock—all six missiles bored into the target, racking it with explosions. And then he fired the LB-X autocannon, a withering burst of shells that ripped through the last remaining scraps of armor on the Atlas’s right torso, smashing its own—as yet unused—heavy autocannon into junk.
The Lyran pilot struggled to keep his feet, and once again he fired a missile salvo—his only weapons with the reach to engage Jerome’s ‘Mech. This time, he was luckier and twelve missiles detonated across the legs and chest of the Ghost Bear. Suddenly, Jerome reeled as a blow struck his ‘Mech directly in the back—one of the two enemy Griffins had leaped behind him and unleashed a heavy barrage of short-range missiles and laser bolts, most of which had missed. But the remainder had left his rear armor dangerously thin.
The Khan snarled as he triggered the three rear-mounted ER Mediums that his Ghost Bear mounted just in case of such a treacherous assault! The cockpit temperature spiked as the scarlet beams of death converged and drilled through the right torso, and then the Griffin jerked as the excess energy detonated his missile magazine. The explosion tore apart the medium-weight ‘Mech, and the concussion forced Jerome to fight his own controls to remain standing.
Suddenly, Jerome’s radio blared, “My apologies, my Khan,†came the soft voice of Helen Tseng, “he ignored me to go after you—the dezgra scum.â€
“As I have taken your kill, Star Captain, I grant you mine—finish the Atlas, Warrior.â€
“My Khan is gracious in his victory,†his subordinate replied.
Jerome backed his ‘Mech up, rejoining the remainder of the Ourse Keshik where they stood watching Abraham rip the second Griffin to pieces with ER PPC and LRM fire. And then Tseng began to literally dismember the Atlas, first pouring LB-5X and ER Medium Lasers into his long-range missile launcher until that system was disabled, and she played with the assault-weight unit, eating away at its limbs until the Lyran pilot ejected, having lost both arms and one leg before he finally conceded his defeat.
Jerome chuckled, and opened the private channel to his saKhan, Sandra Tseng. “I think that your latest protégée would prefer to have been a Scorpion, Sandra.â€
“I too have wondered that over the years, Jerome. She is definitely a strange one for our Clan, but she is also an excellent warrior and a good leader.â€
“Aff.â€
Switching the transmitter back to the general broadcast frequency, Jerome barked out a command. “Secure the compound, Ourse Keshik. Elementals: bring me the Archon—alive.â€
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Not informing Nondi of how much his forces are? Just "everything"?
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A Goliath Bear or a Ghost Scorpion? :P
Just a pragmatical question: how will the supplies built on Hesperus II be dispatched?
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That will be months down the road, Ice. The factories will have to be overhauled, repaired, restored to Clan standards, and even though the Scorps are bringing a large force of lower caste scientists, techs, and laborers to handle the task, it will still take a while. If you are talking about 'Mechs, ASF, vees, and Elemental armor. Munitions--that will start rolling fairly quickly. For the moment, every Clan has a surplus (supplies for a two-year campaign, after all, but the stockpile at Hesperus will rapidly grow. The Scorpions will receive ownership of the Hesperus II facility (they are the ones taking it after all), but I would imagine their merchant caste is already wetting their greedy little lips over the prospect of selling the excess to other Clans. Probably to keep the other Clans happy, ilKhan Djerassi will claim half of the total production for the Clans as a whole, dividing that among the other Clans as needed. After all, half of Hesperus IIs total output should keep the Scorpions going for decades to come.
Muttley:
“Bargained well and done, Marshall Steiner—and I work for no freebirth, not even the Lord of a Scavenger House. Nor am I a pirate, and I am most certainly not miserable, although I do believe that you shall be shortly. I accept your bid and will meet you with the Ourse Keshik, and three Galaxies of front-line troops; Alpha, Beta, and Delta. Alpha Galaxy will include the following Clusters: the 332nd Assault Cluster, the 1st and 3rd Bear Guards, and the 50th Striker Cluster. Beta fields the 304th Assault Cluster, the 5th and 7th Bear Guards, and the 14th Battle Cluster. Finally, Delta will land with the 7th Battle Cluster, the 8th Bear Cuirassier, and the 68th and 115th Striker Clusters. I am transmitting full unit rosters to your terminal now. My primary landing zone is TharHes Industries."
Not quite as succient, quiaff?
;)
MA
-
Melissa Steiner-Davion stumbled into the smoke filled courtyard of the Triad. The defensive walls that surrounded the seat of her government were broken, and shards of marble and granite lay on the ground in random patterns. The once pristine snow was marred with shell casings and debris and dirt from the mines buried along the perimeter, and the glorious buildings that housed her government were pock-marked by autocannon shells, PPC bolts, and missile blasts, scorched with burnt holes drilled from lasers.
The terrifying armor figure behind her gently caught her and helped her once again to her feet, but Melissa still shuddered as the cold metal of its claw made contact with her skin. She had seen a similar claw just very recently tear through the blast door of the underground bunker, twisting and tearing armor plate like it was putty.
Her nose itched from the smell of burning ceramic, metal, and plastic, the stench of ozone that always filled the air after a PPC had been fired, and the thick coppery smell of blood that lined the steps leading down to the bunker. The bodies of her guards had removed, but their split blood still stained the marble risers. Behind her, the others slowly emerged into the light: Nondi, looking stunned and shocked at the sheer speed of the fall of Tharkad, the Marshall’s staff, her own (civilian) staff, and her eldest daughter Katherine—the teenager’s face revealing the same panic that made Melissa’s heart race, but did not succeed in altering her own set and emotionless expression. Not since her clandestine trip and the hijacking of her Buccaneer many, many years ago had Melissa been in this much physical danger, but she forced down the fear and made herself look across the courtyard.
Scores more of the horrible appearing armored figures surrounded a group of her soldiers, who had forced to kneel, their fingers interlaced behind their heads. Several were wounded, but others had only dirty smudges on their face from ash and soot, but each looked exhausted—and utterly demoralized. The ground shook as ‘Mechs tromped across the courtyard, and a single tear cut through the dust on Melissa’s check as she witnessed two more of the armored soldiers hauling down the FedCom and Steiner banners, and hoisting a blue standard with a snarling bear’s head in its place. About a dozen more ‘Mechs stood motionless nearby, their cockpit canopies open, and she saw the group of MechWarriors approaching her.
She gasped, because these pirates were wearing Star League cooling suits! Modified, but to a historian such as she had once trained, easily recognizable. Far more effective than the simple cooling vests common to her own troops, lightly armored against ballistic fire as well, these suits required many technologies out of the reach of the Successor Houses, yet it seemed these bandits equipped all of their MechWarriors with the irreplaceable full-body suits. The group slowed its brisk pace until they stopped four paces away from the prisoners, and their leader—a tall man with closely cropped blonde hair—crossed his arms and shook his head, a grin on his face belying the stern expression he attempted to project.
“Archon Steiner-Davion,†he rumbled. “I am Jerome Jorgensson, Khan of Clan Ghost Bear—and I have come to request that you instruct your surviving forces, what few that remain, to lay down their arms and be absorbed into my Clan.â€
“Mister Jorgensson,†she began, but was quickly cut off.
“Khan Jorgensson, Archon Steiner-Davion. I have earned my title of Khan, where you were merely born to yours.â€
Melissa nodded. “KHAN Jorgensson, I would advise you, in the hopes of preserving your own troops, to withdraw from Tharkad now. You must realize that my husband will move the heavens and earth to rescue us from here—you cannot defeat the entire Federated Commonwealth, no matter what lostech you possess.â€
The man laughed, and his grin expanded to fill his face. “Archon Steiner-Davion, I am counting on that exact reaction from your forces. Why waste my time hunting down each and every one of your detachments when they will rush to your defense here—where my forces will be waiting for them.â€
Melissa’s eyes grew wide, and then Nondi spat on the ground. “And with luck, I will be here to witness what happens to you bandits when our forces take back this world!â€
Jerome shook his head sadly. “Neg, freebirth. For my attack upon your capital was not the only attack launched this day—no fewer than sixteen Clans of Kerensky have invaded your precious Lyran Commonwealth. On worlds as minor as Alarion and Donegal, Skye and Tamar, Coventry and Hesperus II. No, you’re husband, Archon Steiner-Davion, will try to dislodge us, but he has already failed. For the Clans have returned from our long exile to reclaim our lost heritage from you barbarians who have lost your way—the true way. And when we are finished, then, Archon, will the Inner Sphere know peace—a peace that you threw away when your fore-fathers dissolved the Star League and sent my Founders into wandering exile.â€
Nondi gasped, and then she defiantly shook her head. “Doesn’t matter, you can’t conquer us—I’ll never serve you, you son-of-a-whore.â€
The Ghost Bear Khan nodded in agreement, and then turned to the woman standing at his side. “I do think that she is quite serious about that, Sandra. Is that your opinion as well, quiaff?â€
“Aff, my Khan. I think she would slit your throat given the opportunity to do so—and she is too old to make a proper bondsman regardless.â€
“True,†Jerome answered as he turned back to face Nondi and drew his sidearm. He raised the pistol and fired one shot into her head, the blood and brains splattering all over Melissa’s daughter, who screamed in horror.
“Your people will serve Clan Ghost Bear, or they will die, Archon Melissa. But you,†and he grinned, “you and your daughter both I claim as my own bondsmen.â€
Seeing the sudden look of anger—and fear—in Melissa’s eyes, he shook his head and raised his (empty) hand in a placating gesture. “There is nothing sexual in that relationship, Archon Melissa—unless you want there to be, of course. Neither of you will be molested, but you are both too valuable to place in the hands of those who might be less . . . accommodating . . . of your peculiar status. As for your soldiers, they will either die in the defense of a realm already deceased or they can enter my Clan and eventually regain their status as Warriors on the side of right and justice. It is their choice—it is your choice, Bondswoman.â€
And Melissa’s heart plummeted as she saw the conviction—the fanaticism—that glowed within the Khan’s eyes.
-
Chapter Two
April 1, 3051
DropShip Scorpius
Descent Orbit, Outreach
Sarna March, Federated Commonwealth
“DropShip Scorpius, this is Outreach Flight Control. Your assigned corridor is Delta-three, acknowledge.â€
The passenger took the offered microphone. “Flight Control; Scorpius. Inform Jamie Wolf to be present upon arrival.â€
Static hissed from the speaker for several moments. “Scorpius, Flight Control. Colonel Wolf does not meet the DropShip of any independent mercenary unit that requests his presence. Your audacity is noted, now acknowledge flight corridor.â€
“Flight Control; Scorpius. Open code book and decrypt the following: spring sky waits/long night ends for bright/morn awakes.â€
“Scorpius; Flight Control. I don’t know what kind of fracking game that you . . .â€
Suddenly, a third transmission stepped on top of the civilian flight controllers. “Flight Control; Outreach Defense Command. We are taking control of Scorpius deorbit immediately. Scorpius; your corridor to the Defense Reservation is being transmitted now. Deviate from instructed course and you will be destroyed; no further warnings will be issued. Maintain radio silence until landing; you will be met on arrival. Defense Command out.â€
***********************************************************************
Colonel Jamie Wolf looked up at the ground car he was riding in slowed to a stop. His driver—and bodyguard—exited the vehicle and rounded the car to open Wolf’s own door. The grey-haired merc commander folded up his reading glasses and placed them in a hard-shell case, a case that he then slid into his uniform jacket. He stepped out of the car and looked over the landing pad, where a Mule-class DropShip sat, its hull popping as it shed the heat of reentry.
No, he thought to himself, not a Mule as his eyes found the minute differences: an Onager. An Onager here, on Outreach, after all of these many, many years. Two companies of Dragoon security surrounded the ship in ground combat vehicles and infantry had their weapons trained on all hatches—while four BattleMechs carefully kept their own guns trained on the massive vessel’s hull from somewhat further away.
The main hatch opened, and a thermal-resistance ramp was lowered, but only one man descended. Jamie’s breath caught as he saw the Scorpion Warrior in full ceremonial regalia, complete with the totem mask briskly walk to the tarmac. He nodded at his aide-driver-bodyguard, and the man mumbled into his radio. The Scorpion was allowed to pass through the perimeter and he walked right up to Jamie, stopping just two paces away and saluted.
“Galaxy Commander Jamie Wolf,†he said. “I am saKhan Nelson Elam of the Goliath Scorpions, and I bear tidings for your Reconnaissance Galaxy from the ilKhan of the Clans, Nikolai Djerassi. Here is the formal orders of Recall for your Dragoons, Galaxy Commander,†Nelson said as handed Jamie a thick envelope of old-fashioned parchment, “along with confirmation of your rank as a Clan Wolf Galaxy Commander—and the authorization for the formation of a Wolf Blood Name, as was promised.â€
Jamie Wolf took the envelope and stared into the eyes of this . . . fellow clansman. “Then the Invasion has been authorized?â€
“Galaxy Commander, the Invasion has already begun.â€
-
Well this is an ambitious plan on the surface and I'm not sure some or parts of the force may be detected before they strike in a coordinated fashion. The chance of discovery is multiplied by the number of separate strikes or Clans in this instance, 16! That may be impossible especially given the fact that your waiting on some of the deeper strikes to setup. ComStar could especially spread the word if they wanted to via HPG. A chance discovery really could screw up your plan.
Two, I have to compare the 16 Invasion "Hubs" for their "Clan honor" value. Each of these 16 areas would be ranked and then bid on by each Clan for their greater glory. Two primary factors for this evaluation would be Opposition and Location. The defenders a Clan faces during its conquest go a long way to determining the level of "victory". Even more important is the location of these areas in the InnerSphere, historical and industrial significance. Proximity to the Hegemony and Terra might make the Star Adder area the greatest honor by far. Plus the distance they have to travel going undetected is another great honor to be achieved.
For those reasons I don't see that area as a "match" for the Star Adders. Yeah they are a major Clan but their bidding history is too conservative for such a major assignment/deployment. I'd go with Wolf especially cause they could reunite with the Dragoons. The Jade Falcons assignment to Skye is something I can agree with though as the area is the second deepest, a regional capital, industrially vital, and home to one of their founders (not sure on the last one, have to check). The Lyran capital is an obvious great honor as you are infiltrating a House capital will face significant opposition from the Royal Guards and it could be a good fit for the Bears. For these reasons I may rearrange some of your Clans.
Thought on ilClan or ilClans. I would say all the Clans invading and participating in the conquest of Terra (16) should be declared ilClans. Here is an idea I've played with in a few scenarios. All the Clans of Kerensky could then be joined by a group of lesser Clans of the InnerSphere similar to the Territorial States of the Star League. The ilClans could then elect the ilKhan from their ranks and make all the important decisions while a group of new Clans could be bought along as associate members. Might go to 20 or 25 total Clans under this arrangement but not more. That would make 4-9 new Clans (5 Great Houses and 4 Periphery States) representing the Human Sphere who did not join the Exodus.
Also I wouldn't destroy any of these factory worlds as the Clans abhor waste. Also these factory worlds would also ease logistics especially when upgraded eliminating the need for an insanely long and unrealistic chain of supply. Plus you want the InnerSphere to concentrate their efforts in retaking these worlds and destroying their industrial incentive seems counter productive.
My thoughts! ;)
-
“My god,†William Cameron whispered as Jamie Wolf finished briefing the leadership of the Dragoons currently on Outreach. “The poor stupid bastards went ahead and actually launched the Invasion.â€
J. Elliot Jamison snorted. “Bill, the Homeworld Clans are neither poor, nor are they generally stupid, but right bastards I will grant you that one,†he said as he waved his hand across the holographic map projection floating over the conference table. “Sixteen invading Clans, and these are their initial targets? I can guaranty you that none of these worlds—not Tharkad, not Hesperus, which I might add, we couldn’t take—had a strong enough defense force to hold against that kind of firepower, gentlemen, ladies. And that means the Lyran half of the Federated Commonwealth is well and truly screwed.â€
Jamie Wolf nodded in agreement. “And thus comes the question that we never hoped we would have to answer: to whom do our loyalties lie?â€
The Black Widow shook her head in disgust. “Still following Nadia’s orders, are you Jamie? Those orders—from a Wolf Khan dead thirty-five years now—are long since out of date. They presupposed a Warden-Crusader split in the Clans, not this decapitation stroke. Nadia was wrong then, and she is wrong today: I say we pack up the entire kit-and-caboodle, bid Hanse and the other Succession Lord idiots a fond farewell and report for duty on Furillo to kick some ComStar ass!â€
Wolf shook his head. “It is not that simple, Natasha. There are so few of us from the Homeworlds left—will the rank and file follow me into the service of such an alien system? Will they fight against the only home they have ever known, simply because I ask?â€
Colonel Shelly Brubaker cleared her throat and solemnly nodded. “If you ask, they will follow you to Hell and back, Colonel. They will not want to, and there may be trouble down that road, but they will follow you.â€
“Jamie, you have no right to make this decision for all of us—I will be damned if I sit here and become a traitor to the Clans because you got sentimental,†Natasha answered with more than hint of anger in her voice. “Have you forgotten what these vultures have cost you personally—have you forgotten Joshua, your wife, your dead children, Jamie Wolf?â€
A younger man—the youngest at the table—stood and snapped back in defense of his father. “That is beneath you, Colonel Kerensky! How dare you . . .â€
“Oh, sit down and shut up, MacKenzie,†Natasha cut him off. “You really don’t want to square off against me in a Trail of Grievance, boy—because you are nothing close to your father as a ‘Mech pilot. Jamie, they are corrupt, they care nothing for the people they claim to lead, and everyone is manipulated by ComStar. At least with the Clans we have a chance to wipe the slate clean and start over fresh—and I don’t know about you, but frankly I’m too old to spend the rest of my life as a bandit being hunted down for breaking my oath.â€
“The same could be said about us breaking our sworn word and signed contracts here, Natasha,†Kelly Yukinov answered. “For half a century, this has been our home; if the Invasion had come during the 20’s or even the 30’s, we would not be having this conversation, but it did not. I was born in the Homeworlds, and I would like to see them again before my death, but they are no longer my home, Tash.â€
“All of our contracts have escape clauses—every single one we have ever signed. Invoke those clauses and we don’t break our word, we fufill it! Damn it people, this is what we were sent here to do! Gather information and break trail for this exact moment!â€
Jamie Wolf shook his head. “Neg. I cannot—I will not—see the Inner Sphere turned into the castes of the Homeworlds, with people locked into one role because of their birth, with no way to escape. And even if you do accomplish a miracle and escape and become a Warrior, you are still second-rate because you are Freebirth! We have bled and we have given lives of those we care about for the Inner Sphere, and now this world is our home. We will go with Bootstrap.â€
One by one, the Dragoon officers seated around the table nodded their agreement—except for Natasha Kerensky, who slowly shook her head no.
“This is the wrong choice, Jamie, and here our paths will part.â€
“Are you challenging me to a Trial of Refusal, Natasha, or perhaps one of Grievance, then?â€
“Neg,†she answered softly. “I won’t kill you, Jamie, even though I should. I owe Joshua that much at least, but I can’t follow your orders anymore.â€
Jamie Wolf nodded. “In that case, Star Captain Natasha Kerensky of Clan Wolf, I release you from service to the Wolf’s Dragoons. Bill, see that any of our original members that remain who wish to join Natasha are given the opportunity to do so. I imagine that our guest wouldn’t mind if you hitch a ride with him.â€
Natasha stood, and nodded her goodbyes to the colleagues of many decades seated at the table. She began to leave, but then she stopped, and turned back to face Jamie once more. “Don’t accept a contract that calls on you to fight the Wolves, Jamie. If you do, and I face you, then I will kill you there.â€
“Seyla,†the old man whispered, as the Black Widow left the conference room without another a word.
-
Takiro,
Good points, all. On the ilClan thing, I have always seen that as something that the Jags and Falcons sprang on everyone else when drumming up support for Revival. ALL of the Clans will be participating in Phase III, and Terra--like Strana Mechty--will be divided into sixteen enclaves, one for each of the Clans to govern (if successful). Might be naive of me, but I am pushing for a Klondike type operation; of course, Murphy is always waiting in the wings, and the Houses ain't just gonna roll over and play dead!
MA
-
“Did I hear you correctly, Galaxy Commander Wolf? You are refusing the recall order?†Nelson Elam asked.
“Aff. This is now my home—my Warrior’s home, saKhan Elam. I—and my Dragoons—will fight you to preserve it.â€
Nelson Elam nodded slowly; although he had not thought it possible, the ilKhan had planned for even this contingency—so he was not completely unprepared.
“In that case, Jamie Wolf, I challenge you to a Trial of Refusal on this matter—if you still honor the traditions of the Clans.â€
Several of Wolf’s officers rose angrily from the table, Jamison slammed down his palm on the table. “SIT DOWN!†he barked. “This is our way—the honorable way. Proceed, saKhan.â€
Jamie nodded in agreement, although his face held a sad look upon it. “What is your bid for this Trial, saKhan? I should warn you, that the vote on this course was nine-to-one, hence we can field nine times your bid if we chose to do so—according to those same traditions.â€
Nelson bared his teeth as he relished the challenge to come. “I bid myself and my aides, piloting a Goliath Scorpion, a Boreal Wildcat, and a Desert Tiger.â€
“Then we will meet this afternoon on the proving grounds, saKhan. The Dragoons will field a company of ‘Mech to dispute this Trial—and I will lead them in person. So that you may have a fighting chance, saKhan, I invoke zellbrigen for this contest.â€
“Bargained well and done, Jamie Wolf.â€
-
Blood!!!
As for Takiro's comments, they are valid but space is huge and quite empty.
The thing to know is how long would it take for each Clan to move from their initial positions to their target and how many stops would they make?
This would give us insight on the risk of being detected.
-
Word spread quickly throughout the Dragoons, and although being physically present would have presented far too great a risk of collateral damage, nearly all of Jamie’s command that was currently present on Outreach were watching via the cameras of several dozen observation towers. The trial grounds were low rolling hills, with only a few clumps of scattered forest, and Nelson Elam scanned the ground approvingly from his deployment zone. Opposite from him stood the dozen Dragoon ‘Mechs that he would have to defeat: Colonel Wolf in his Archer, which appeared an old SLDF machine but in fact had been completely rebuilt with Clan technology; Colonel Kelly Yukinov, also in an Archer, Wolf’s comm officer/bodyguard William Cameron in his Hellbringer, his son MacKenzie Wolf in an Inner Sphere Marauder II, Major John Clavell in a Tomb Scarab (a design heavily influenced by his favored Rifleman chassis), and seven more (a Grasshopper, Griffin, Hunchback, Phoenix Hawk, Whitworth, Panther, and Hornet, all of which had been upgraded with advanced technology).
He was grossly outmatched in both tonnage and firepower, but the invocation of zellbrigen ensured that the fight would be three-on-three until he was either defeated or he had been victorious over all of his opponents. It would be an . . . interesting . . . challenge, he thought to himself. All three of his own BattleMechs were of Clan origin, carrying impressive firepower, mobility, and armor protection—and each featured a targeting computer that would prove essential to defeating the Dragoons. His own Goliath Scorpion was a 70-ton heavy, as fast as Wolf’s Archer IIC and the Hellbringer, heavily armored, and carrying a battery of two ER PPCs and an ER Large—and the sinks to fire away without any concern for excess heat production. The Desert Tiger to his right was twenty tons lighter, but it featured a wicked array of weaponry including four ER Lasers (a Large and three Mediums), two missile packs (an LRM-15 and a Streak SRM-2), and two AP Gauss Rifles. The Light TAG system in the left arm would be useless weight in this contest, but that mattered but little, for it massed just a half ton. Still, the Desert Tiger was fast for a medium, capable of reaching speeds of nearly 100 kilometers per hour. But it was not as fast as his final ‘Mech, the Boreal Wildcat—a 55-ton design based upon the old SLDF Scorpion. A four-legged quad ‘Mech, the Boreal Wildcat topped out at 120 kph, and the heavily modified machine featured two ER Mediums and an ER PPC, along with enough heat sinks to loose a constant barrage while running. Not to mention the targeting computer.
Finally, all three of his chosen BattleMechs carried an Anti-Missile System—which might well prove to the key piece of equipment given the heavy reliance on missiles of the other side’s ‘Mechs.
Nelson frowned as more ‘Mechs suddenly appeared on his display—more than fifty heavy and assault designs, plus Elemental infantry, approaching from the east with a battered and scarred Stalker at their head.
“All combatants,†the radio speaker suddenly blared, “this is Colonel J. Elliot Jamison. Zeta Battalion will ensure that the terms of this Trial are met by all sides.†As Jamison spoke, his ‘Mechs and Elementals began to form a huge circle of honor surrounding the perimeter of the trial grounds. “Any violation of zellbrigen—by either side—will result in the instant elimination of the warrior responsible. There will be no further warnings.â€
The Stalker twisted its torso to face Nelson. “Is the challenger prepared for combat?â€
“Aff.â€
It swung back around and faced Colonel Wolf. “And are you prepared as well, Jamie Wolf?â€
“Aff.â€
“Then enter the circle and stand ready. This Trial of Refusal will determine whether or not Wolf’s Dragoons will follow the orders of the ilKhan and answer the recall he has issued. To prevail, the challenger must defeat all of the defender’s BattleMechs in combat. If he does not emerge victorious, the decision by Colonel Wolf shall stand. Combat will begin upon my mark. The first three combatants on the defender’s side have been chosen, as well as the order of the remaining warriors to enter—all of the challengers BattleMechs will be active from the start of the Trial. Once a BattleMech has been targeted and fired upon, it is a breach of zellbrigen for another to do so, until the first has been eliminated. Zeta Battalion will ensure that no accident occur without serious repercussions. Is that understood by both parties?â€
“Aff.†“Aff.â€
“Seyla,†Jamison said softly. “And begin.â€
-
Interesting.
-
Nelson accelerated into a run, the Desert Tiger and Boreal Wildcat rushing past him; into the circle on the other side came Yukinov’s Archer, the Grasshopper, and a Phoenix Hawk. The Scorpion saKhan rested his target reticules on the center torso of the Grasshopper and felt an unnatural calm spread through his muscles—he did not listen for the tone of a proper lock, but instead operated on instinct honed in many, many combats in the Circus Honorae, as the Grasshopper leaped into the air. He gently squeezed the firing trigger and two azure bolts and a glowing scarlet beam erupted from his ‘Mech to connect squarely on the ‘Hoppers chest, destroying the armor there and penetrating deep within the internals. As though it had been hit by a sledgehammer, the Grasshopper stopped in its jump in midair and collapsed smoldering to the ground, its engine cored in three places, it own LRMs and ER Large Laser missing by a good distance.
The Archer and Desert Tiger began to circle, each unleashing a swarm of LRMs and laser beams, but the heavier Dragoon ‘Mech carried twice the long-range firepower of his aide. Meanwhile, the Boreal Wildcat and the Phoenix Hawk sparred, with the faster Clan ‘Mech sideways crawling to keep the Dragoon machine in its weapons arc. The ‘Hopper having been eliminated a Hunchback next entered the circle, moving deliberately towards Nelson. The Scorpion slowed his rate of advance, planning to finish the short-range machine beyond its effective range, but the Hunchback unleashed a triple bolt from the PPCs that had replaced the massive torso autocannon. Two shots connected with the Goliath Scorpion, blasting more than ton of armor from his right arm and right leg.
Sneaky, Jamie Wolf, very sneaky, Nelson thought as he accelerated once again, easily regaining full control of the damaged ‘Mech. But that variant had a flaw, as Nelson observed the heat signature of the Hunchback double on his sensors. Two, actually, the saKhan thought as he unconsciously squeezed the trigger again, sending all three of weapons to strike true against the sway-backs right torso. First, all of the big guns were concentrated in that single torso location—a location that the Hunchback no longer had. And second, it lacked any but the most basic secondary guns.
The Hunchback staggered as the massive stream of energy blew through the front armor, consumed the torso and continued on out the rear of the ‘Mech, passing close by the cockpit of the Phoenix Hawk. The P-Hawk pilot jerked and instinctively twisted towards the source of the fire—but then he realized his mistake, an instant too late. The Boreal Wildcat surged forward and salvoed his ER PPC and Medium Lasers into the weak rear armor of the medium ‘Mech, and down it went, even as Nelson sent a second barrage into the Hunchback’s chest, which toppled it.
However, his Desert Tiger was in dire straits, as Yukinov kept turning inside of him, unleashing a punishing barrage of laser fire and missiles—although his own ‘Mech had its armor in tatters. Clavell’s Tomb Scarab and Mackenzie’s Marauder II entered the circle, the massive assault ‘Mech training all of its guns on the medium-weight Boreal Wildcat. The Scorpion ‘Mech buckled as two and a half tons of armor were stripped away by the autocannon, PPC, and laser fire, and the internal structure of one leg was laid bare.
Bad form, Mackenzie Wolf, picking on a ‘Mech just over half your own mass. But Nelson had his own problems as the Tomb Scarab unleashed a blistering barrage against him—two LB-5X autocannons and a pair of Clan ER Large Lasers. Nelson stumbled as all four shots connected against his ‘Mech, but he righted himself and returned fire, concentrating his weapons on the right arm of the old design. One of his PPCs missed, but the remaining damage remove the arm completely, cutting Clavell’s firepower in half.
Suddenly, a massive detonation erupted from the Archer as the Desert Tiger sprinted forward and fired every weapon he had remaining into the machine’s nearly bare right torso. The CASE prevent the exploding ammo from further causing damage, but there was more than enough excess to carve out the center torso as well, causing the heavy-weight machine to topple. The Whitworth leaped into action, targeting the Desert Tiger with its twin SRM launchers, but the AMS spat flame and shot most them down.
Mackenzie closed in on the Boreal Wildcat, unconcerned about his heat as he pumped another alpha strike into the medium, but Nelson’s aide responded in kind—and all three of his weapons hit and then penetrated the torso containing the LB-10X ammunition. Another explosion erupted as the Marauder IIs CASE channeled its furious eruption, but the assault stumbled and fell to one knee. Unfortunately for Nelson, his aide was also out of the fight, as Mackenzie’s fire had destroyed his gyro.
But that meant that the Marauder II was now a valid target and Nelson twisted his torso still further, amputating the machines right leg with his big guns. Another two blasted rocked the saKhan in his cockpit, but he ignored Clavell and fired again into the downed assault. The loss of his leg had turned the machine onto its back, and Nelson fired two PPC bolts and the laser into the gaping hole that ammo explosion had left in the torso, destroying the machine’s engine.
Pushing his Goliath Scorpion in a full run, he kept to the right of Clavell’s heavy, preventing him from using his left arm weapons and unleashed yet another salvo—only this time, he disengaged the laser from to targeting circuit to dissipate the excess heat that had steadily climbing. The cockpit temperature quickly dropped, as his ‘Mechs heat sinks rapidly cooled the ‘Mech, and Nelson snarled as both of his shots found their mark and ruined the Dragoon ‘Mechs torso—including the section of the extra-light engine contained there. His ‘Mech throbbing with heat, Clavell still tried to bring his left arm guns into play, but Nelson kept one pace ahead of him. Another salvo by the twin PPCs and the Tomb Scarab went down.
From the corner of his eye, Nelson saw the badly damaged Desert Tiger holding the Whitworth at range, and then it’s ammo went up to a precisely targeted burst of laser fire. Lacking CASE, the Dragoon pilot punched out, and both the Griffin and Panther jumped into the fray.
Nelson fired a full salvo at the Panther—but it jumped a full 150-meters, rather than 120 he was expecting, and he missed cleanly. A Royal PNT-8Zb, Wolf, where the Hell did you manage to scrounge that from? But then his concentration was broken by the impact of the Griffin’s PPC on his left leg—and his AMS firing a rapid-burst to detonate the incoming fifteen long-range missiles. Another Royal! Wolf, you are full of surprises, today!
Nelson pivoted, and as his PPC banks recycled he fired both into the Griffin, shattered the left torso and stripping the LRM launcher clean off the torso. The two circled, and the Griffin pilot jumped, trying to get in the Scorpions rear, but Nelson had anticipated that—and another triple shot severed the right arm, leaving the ‘Mech defenseless. The ‘Mechs icon turned blue in his display, and Nelson allowed the unarmed Dragoon to leave the circle; he twisted and eviscerated the Hornet just as it stepped within the circle, sending all three shots through its center torso, and at precisely that moment, both the Desert Tiger and the Panther went down in a vicious exchange of fire that saw both pilots ejecting.
“Well-played, Scorpion,†transmitted William Cameron over the radio, as he walked his Hellbringer into the circle of honor. “But this ends now.â€
“Agreed, Wolf-spawn. Let us end this with honor, quiaff?â€
Cameron’s ER PPC and LRM launcher spat fire, but Nelson’s heard the buzzing sound of his AMS and replied with both of his PPCs and the laser. Only three missiles got through the defensive fire, but all three connected against the head of the Clan ‘Mech, forcing Nelson to fight to remain upright as spalling fragments of broken armor ricocheted across his cockpit. The clantech PPC caught him squarely in the center torso as well, and now all of his armor locations glowed a bright yellow on his damage monitor. But Nelson’s strike went true, and the Wolf warrior had his right arm sheared cleanly off, and with it the deadly ER PPC.
Nelson fought to keep the range open, even as Cameron charged forward firing his medium lasers again and again in company with the LRMs. Nelson too was firing almost nonstop, his heat monitor climbing into the red, and more armor melted away from his arms and legs and torsos. Suddenly, the Scorpions concentrated fire pierced the Hellbringers chest and the heavy ‘Mech collapsed, but his final shot broke through Nelson’s own side torso, and his targeting computer suddenly went dead, the ammunition counter on his AMS system blinking ‘00’ in red flashing lights.
And then Jamie Wolf stepped within the Circle.
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Good stuff Master Arminas! Don't know if your interested but I've got some "corridor" reassignments based on their perceived honor value.
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Either post them or send via PM, whichever you want. Since all we have so far seen are the Ghost Bears at Tharkad, any changes should be easy to implement. But would love to see them regardless.
MA
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Nelson ignored his heat monitor as he switched all three of his main guns to individual fire mode, and squeezed the trigger tight. Firing one after the other in sequence, the weapons hammered Wolf’s Archer IIC with a steady barrage, although without the targeting computer the damage was scattered, spread across the untouched ‘Mech. He stayed at range, trying to keep his opponents Streaks out of action—but Wolf’s ‘Mech was just as fast.
Searing beams of ruby light reached out and burned away the armor from his arms, legs, and torsos, while wave after wave of missiles—their flight no longer interdicted by the empty AMS—slammed into his chassis again and again. Every shot that Colonel Wolf fired hit his damage ‘Mech, and his right arm was torn away as lasers and missile warheads shattered the internal structure, taking with it more than a third of his firepower.
Another cluster of missiles struck his head, and the Goliath Scorpion reeled under impact. A fragment of armor plating struck Nelson’s neuro-helmet, and half of his head’s-up displays went dark. A laser bolt struck his chest, burning through the armor and a harsh red indicator lamp lit indicating damage to the engine and gyro—and his laser was no longer on-line either.
Nelson felt his ‘Mech begin to topple, but he still kept his sole remaining PPC trained on the Archer’s chest, but the weapon did not fire; the control circuits had taken damage somewhere between the cockpit and the weapon itself. Still, he squeezed the trigger, trying for one last shot as his ‘Mech slammed into the ground on its back, and the impact finally triggered the weapon—before the icon representing it on his display also went dead.
Nelson waited for the shot the would end the Trial, but it did not come. Finally, he shook his head to clear it from the fumes of burnt plastic and smoldering electronics and forced his ‘Mech to its feet.
And he saw Jamie Wolf’s Archer IIC standing fifty meters from him, a gaping hole where its cockpit had once been, before that final errant PPC bolt had struck home.
-
“I say we gut the son-of-a-bitch right now,†snarled Mackenzie Wolf, after the command staff of the Dragoons had reassembled in Harlech—and the remains of Jamie Wolf and his ‘Mech had been transported home. “That shot was deliberate, and he knew it would kill my father. Didn’t you, you miserable sorry bastard?â€
Nelson sat emotionless at the end of the table, surrounded by many, many Dragoons that simply oozed the spite and anger Wolf’s son voiced. But then another voice spoke up.
“You dishonor your father’s memory, Major Wolf,†Jamison said in a flat voice. “He was a Warrior, and he knew the risk that simply sitting in the cockpit entailed. It is a risk that we all take every time we use live weapons, whether on a battlefield or in a Trial; a risk that we all accept willingly. I do not believe the saKhan deliberately targeted your father’s cockpit, Major. What happened, saKhan Elam?â€
“Major Cameron destroyed my targeting computer—I little control over where the bolts would land, but I attempted to keep my shots low,†Nelson lowered his head, “the final shot was not planned. If had known it would have hit his cockpit, I would have accepted my defeat without it.â€
“And despite the Colonel’s death, saKhan, you have won your Trial. The Dragoons will follow the last wishes of Colonel Wolf and follow you off world to reenter service with the Clans.â€
“Just a damn minute, Elliot,†snapped Shelly Brubaker. “You might be the eldest of us that remain, but that is decision for the entire Command Staff, not you alone.â€
“We lost the Trial, Colonel Wolf would have . . .â€
“Colonel Wolf is dead, Elliot. And we know what he wanted. He wanted the Dragoons to kick this invasion out of the Inner Sphere and help build up the industrial might to level the technological playing field—we have all seen those contingency plans.â€
Jamison turned his cold hard eyes on the woman who commanded one of Jamie Wolf’s regiments. “The Trial was fought, and we lost, Brubaker. We follow the Clan tradition here in the Dragoons.â€
Kelly Yukinov shook his head. “Neg, Elliot. I was born in the Homeworlds as well, but we will not serve the Clans, not without Jamie to give that order.â€
“I cannot ignore the results of a Trial of Refusal that has been honorable fought and won, Kelly. Zeta Battalion will rejoin the Clans, even if the rest of you remain here.â€
“If you think that we are going to let you reinforce the Clans with your battalion, old man,†Mackenzie began to snarl, but Jamison suddenly stood and placed both hands palm down on the table.
“You cannot stop me, Major Wolf. Zeta will follow me—and if you try to force my boys and girls to remain, do you truly believe that your two Regiments can stop me?â€
“If Tyrell were here, or Chisholm, you wouldn’t be so . . .â€
“They are not here, boy. Ask Brubaker or Yukinov if they truly want to try and stop me—they might succeed, but their regiments will burnt out shells before I am finished. I honor Jamie Wolf’s memory and all of the sacrifices that he made by fulfilling his given word—I honor him by making true the results of this Trial. Stand in my way at your own peril.â€
Silence filled the room, until finally the younger Wolf looked away.
“So, you are breaking completely from the Clans then, except for Star Colonel Jamison here?â€
“Star Colonel Elliot, saKhan Elam. I bear no Blood Name.â€
“But you do, Star Colonel Jamison. For if the Wolves do not create one for you, then the Scorpions shall—this I swear.â€
Kelly Yukinov nodded coldly. “Yes, we are done with you—with all of you. Elliot, if you are set on this course, then you—and this Scorpion—will be given twenty-four hours to leave Outreach. After that, I will bring Alpha against you both.â€
Brubaker nodded in agreement, as did Cameron, Clavell, and every other senior Dragoon present. Mackenzie Wolf frowned, but then he bared his teeth. “I only hope that you overstay your welcome, Scorpion. You have cost us far too much this day.â€
“So be it, Dragoons. Your history as part of the Clans ends here, but your deeds prior to this will not be forgotten,†Nelson said.
***********************************************************************
Three days later, the Onager-class DropShip and the old, heavily modified Fortress-class that served Zeta as transport docked with the Goliath Scorpion Ship Jenna Scott hovering at the Zenith jump point. The Scott’s second Onager had already been scuttled, as her commander had followed the orders of the Khan. Although it appeared to be nothing more than an early flight Merchant-class JumpShip, the vessel was actually an ancient Tracker class compact-core WarShip developed for recon and clandestine surveillance.
Upon reaching the bridge, Nelson sat down at the communications console and entered an encryption code, transmitting a message via HPG to a receive waiting two light-years distant.
Six hours after the Jenna Scott jumped out of on its way back to the Clan beachheads, two full Stars of Raven and Falcon WarShips jumped into Outreach at a pirate point. Quickly reaching orbit, the ten ships utterly destroyed the hidden facilities and factories located on the second continent, and then proceeded to bombard the Dragoon’s Military Reservation from space before they returned to the jump point and they too vanished into the ether.
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You mention in your last post the second Onager Dropship in one line, and then infer that it was a Tracker class jumpship.
Fantastic story, can't wait for more.
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;D great story! looking forward to more!
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Very Well Done
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I was a bit confused by the fight as it seems that a Scorpion fights against two Wolf's Dragoons at the same time or did I misread?
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tagged.
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You mention in your last post the second Onager Dropship in one line, and then infer that it was a Tracker class jumpship.
I'll have to check Solaris 7 and this site's AeroTech section but many of MA's "generic" Clan redesigns have been posted. These designs have given me a delicious idea for BTSD! ;)
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Nelson accelerated into a run, the Desert Tiger and Boreal Wildcat rushing past him; into the circle on the other side came Yukinov’s Archer, the Grasshopper, and a Phoenix Hawk. The Scorpion saKhan rested his target reticules on the center torso of the Grasshopper and felt an unnatural calm spread through his muscles—he did not listen for the tone of a proper lock, but instead operated on instinct honed in many, many combats in the Circus Honorae, as the Grasshopper leaped into the air. He gently squeezed the firing trigger and two azure bolts and a glowing scarlet beam erupted from his ‘Mech to connect squarely on the ‘Hoppers chest, destroying the armor there and penetrating deep within the internals. As though it had been hit by a sledgehammer, the Grasshopper stopped in its jump in midair and collapsed smoldering to the ground, its engine cored in three places, it own LRMs and ER Large Laser missing by a good distance.
The Archer and Desert Tiger began to circle, each unleashing a swarm of LRMs and laser beams, but the heavier Dragoon ‘Mech carried twice the long-range firepower of his aide. Meanwhile, the Boreal Wildcat and the Phoenix Hawk sparred, with the faster Clan ‘Mech sideways crawling to keep the Dragoon machine in its weapons arc. The ‘Hopper having been eliminated a Hunchback next entered the circle, moving deliberately towards Nelson. The Scorpion slowed his rate of advance, planning to finish the short-range machine beyond its effective range, but the Hunchback unleashed a triple bolt from the PPCs that had replaced the massive torso autocannon. Two shots connected with the Goliath Scorpion, blasting more than ton of armor from his right arm and right leg.
Sneaky, Jamie Wolf, very sneaky, Nelson thought as he accelerated once again, easily regaining full control of the damaged ‘Mech. But that variant had a flaw, as Nelson observed the heat signature of the Hunchback double on his sensors. Two, actually, the saKhan thought as he unconsciously squeezed the trigger again, sending all three of weapons to strike true against the sway-backs right torso. First, all of the big guns were concentrated in that single torso location—a location that the Hunchback no longer had. And second, it lacked any but the most basic secondary guns.
The Hunchback staggered as the massive stream of energy blew through the front armor, consumed the torso and continued on out the rear of the ‘Mech, passing close by the cockpit of the Phoenix Hawk. The P-Hawk pilot jerked and instinctively twisted towards the source of the fire—but then he realized his mistake, an instant too late. The Boreal Wildcat surged forward and salvoed his ER PPC and Medium Lasers into the weak rear armor of the medium ‘Mech, and down it went, even as Nelson sent a second barrage into the Hunchback’s chest, which toppled it.
However, his Desert Tiger was in dire straits, as Yuri kept turning inside of him, unleashing a punishing barrage of laser fire and missiles—although his own ‘Mech had its armor in tatters. Clavell’s Tomb Scarab and Mackenzie’s Marauder II entered the circle, the massive assault ‘Mech training all of its guns on the medium-weight Boreal Wildcat. The Scorpion ‘Mech buckled as two and a half tons of armor were stripped away by the autocannon, PPC, and laser fire, and the internal structure of one leg was laid bare.
Bad form, Mackenzie Wolf, picking on a ‘Mech just over half your own mass. But Nelson had his own problems as the Tomb Scarab unleashed a blistering barrage against him—two LB-5X autocannons and a pair of Clan ER Large Lasers. Nelson stumbled as all four shots connected against his ‘Mech, but he righted himself and returned fire, concentrating his weapons on the right arm of the old design. One of his PPCs missed, but the remaining damage remove the arm completely, cutting Clavell’s firepower in half.
Suddenly, a massive detonation erupted from Yuri’s Archer as the Desert Tiger sprinted forward and fired every weapon he had remaining into the machine’s nearly bare right torso. The CASE prevent the exploding ammo from further causing damage, but there was more than enough excess to carve out the center torso as well, causing the heavy-weight machine to topple. The Whitworth leaped into action, targeting the Desert Tiger with its twin SRM launchers, but the AMS spat flame and shot most them down.
Mackenzie closed in on the Boreal Wildcat, unconcerned about his heat as he pumped another alpha strike into the medium, but Nelson’s aide responded in kind—and all three of his weapons hit and then penetrated the torso containing the LB-10X ammunition. Another explosion erupted as the Marauder IIs CASE channeled its furious eruption, but the assault stumbled and fell to one knee. Unfortunately for Nelson, his aide was also out of the fight, as Mackenzie’s fire had destroyed his gyro.
Pushing his Goliath Scorpion in a full run, he kept to the right of Clavell’s heavy, preventing him from using his left arm weapons and unleashed yet another salvo—only this time, he disengaged the laser from to targeting circuit to dissipate the excess heat that had steadily climbing. The cockpit temperature quickly dropped, as his ‘Mechs heat sinks rapidly cooled the ‘Mech, and Nelson snarled as both of his shots found their mark and ruined the Dragoon ‘Mechs torso—including the section of the extra-light engine contained there. His ‘Mech throbbing with heat, Clavell still tried to bring his left arm guns into play, but Nelson kept one pace ahead of him. Another salvo by the twin PPCs and the Tomb Scarab went down.
Nelson twisted hard to bear on the Marauder II which had been waiting for this moment—and both machines fired simultaneously. The saKhan rocked hard in his cockpit as a hail of fire showered his ‘Mech, but all of three of his own guns blew through the gaping hole in the assault’s right side and it collapsed, its engine destroyed.
From the corner of his eye, Nelson saw the badly damaged Desert Tiger holding the Whitworth at range, and then its ammo went up to a precisely targeted burst of laser fire. Lacking CASE, the Dragoon pilot punched out, and both the Griffin and Panther jumped into the fray.
Nelson fired a full salvo at the Panther—but it jumped a full 150-meters, rather than 120 he was expecting. A Royal PNT-8Zb, Wolf, where the Hell did you manage to scrounge that from? But then his concentration was broken by the impact of the Griffin’s PPC on his left left—and his AMS firing a rapid-burst to detonate the incoming fifteen long-range missiles. Another Royal! Wolf, you are full of surprises, today!
Nelson pivoted, and as his PPC banks recycled he fired both into the Griffin, shattered the left torso and stripping the LRM launcher clean off the torso. The two circled, and the Griffin pilot jumped, trying to get in the Scorpions rear, but Nelson had anticipated that—and another triple shot severed the right arm, leaving the ‘Mech defenseless. The ‘Mechs icon turned blue in his display, and Nelson allowed the unarmed Dragoon to leave the circle; he twisted and eviscerated the Hornet just as it stepped within the circle, sending all three shots through its center torso, and at precisely that moment, both the Desert Tiger and the Panther went down in a vicious exchange of fire that saw both pilots ejecting.
“Well-played, Scorpion,†transmitted William Cameron over the radio, as he walked his Hellbringer into the circle of honor. “But this ends now.â€
“Agreed, Wolf-spawn. Let us end this with honor, quiaff?â€
Cameron’s ER PPC and LRM launcher spat fire, but Nelson’s heard the buzzing sound of his AMS and replied with both of his PPCs and the laser. Only three missiles got through the defensive fire, but all three connected against the head of the Clan ‘Mech, forcing Nelson to fight to remain upright as spalling fragments of broken armor ricocheted across his cockpit. The clantech PPC caught him squarely in the center torso as well, and now all of his armor locations glowed a bright yellow on his damage monitor. But Nelson’s strike went true, and the Wolf warrior had his right arm sheared cleanly off, and with it the deadly ER PPC.
Nelson fought to keep the range open, even as Cameron charged forward firing his medium lasers again and again in company with the LRMs. Nelson too was firing almost nonstop, his heat monitor climbing into the red, and more armor melted away from his arms and legs and torsos. Suddenly, the Scorpions concentrated fire pierced the Hellbringers chest and the heavy ‘Mech collapsed, but his final shot broke through Nelson’s own side torso, and his targeting computer suddenly went dead, the ammunition counter on his AMS system blinking ‘00’ in red flashing lights.
And then Jamie Wolf stepped within the Circle.
***********************************************************************
Nelson ignored his heat monitor as he switched all three of his main guns to individual fire mode, and squeezed the trigger tight. Firing one after the other in sequence, the weapons hammered Wolf’s Archer IIC with a steady barrage, although without the targeting computer the damage was scattered, spread across the untouched ‘Mech. He stayed at range, trying to keep his opponents Streaks out of action—but Wolf’s ‘Mech was just as fast.
Searing beams of ruby light reached out and burned away the armor from his arms, legs, and torsos, while wave after wave of missiles—their flight no longer interdicted by the empty AMS—slammed into his chassis again and again. Every shot that Colonel Wolf fired hit his damage ‘Mech, and his right arm was torn away as lasers and missile warheads shattered the internal structure, taking with it more than a third of his firepower.
Another cluster of missiles struck his head, and the Goliath Scorpion reeled under impact. A fragment of armor plating struck Nelson’s neuro-helmet, and half of his head’s-up displays went dark. A laser bolt struck his chest, burning through the armor and a harsh red indicator lamp lit indicating damage to the engine and gyro—and his laser was no longer on-line either.
Nelson felt his ‘Mech begin to topple, but he still kept his sole remaining PPC trained on the Archer’s chest, but the weapon did not fire; the control circuits had taken damage somewhere between the cockpit and the weapon itself. Still, he squeezed the trigger, trying for one last shot as his ‘Mech slammed into the ground on its back, and the impact finally triggered the weapon—before the icon representing it on his display also went dead.
Nelson waited for the shot that would end the Trial, but it did not come. Finally, he shook his head to clear it from the fumes of burnt plastic and smoldering electronics and forced his ‘Mech to its feet.
And he saw Jamie Wolf’s Archer IIC standing fifty meters from him, a gaping hole where its cockpit had once been, before that final errant PPC bolt had struck home.
***********************************************************************
“I say we gut the son-of-a-bitch right now,†snarled Mackenzie Wolf, after the command staff of the Dragoons had reassembled in Harlech—and the remains of Jamie Wolf and his ‘Mech had been transported home. “That shot was deliberate, and he knew it would kill my father. Didn’t you, you miserable sorry bastard?â€
Nelson sat emotionless at the end of the table, surrounded by many, many Dragoons that simply oozed the spite and anger Wolf’s son voiced. But then another voice spoke up.
“You dishonor your father’s memory, Major Wolf,†Jamison said in a flat voice. “He was a Warrior, and he knew the risk that simply sitting in the cockpit entailed. It is a risk that we all take every time we use live weapons, whether on a battlefield or in a Trial; a risk that we all accept willingly. I do not believe the saKhan deliberately targeted your father’s cockpit, Major. What happened, saKhan Elam?â€
“Major Cameron destroyed my targeting computer—I had little control over where the bolts would land, but I attempted to keep my shots low,†Nelson lowered his head, “the final shot was not planned. If had known it would have hit his cockpit, I would have accepted my defeat without it.â€
“And despite the Colonel’s death, saKhan, you have won your Trial. The Dragoons will follow the last wishes of Colonel Wolf and follow you off world to reenter service with the Clans.â€
“Just a damn minute, Elliot,†snapped Shelly Brubaker. “You might be the eldest of us that remain, but that is decision for the entire Command Staff, not you alone.â€
“We lost the Trial, Colonel Wolf would have . . .â€
“Colonel Wolf is dead, Elliot. And we know what he wanted. He wanted the Dragoons to kick this invasion out of the Inner Sphere and help build up the industrial might to level the technological playing field—we have all seen those contingency plans.â€
Jamison turned his cold hard eyes on the woman who commanded one of Jamie Wolf’s regiments. “The Trial was fought, and we lost, Brubaker. We follow the Clan tradition here in the Dragoons.â€
Kelly Yukinov shook his head. “Neg, Elliot. I was born in the Homeworlds as well, but we will not serve the Clans, not without Jamie to give that order.â€
“I cannot ignore the results of a Trial of Refusal that has been honorable fought and won, Kelly. Zeta Battalion will rejoin the Clans, even if the rest of you remain here.â€
“If you think that we are going to let you reinforce the Clans with your battalion, old man,†Mackenzie began to snarl, but Jamison suddenly stood and placed both hands palm down on the table.
“You cannot stop me, Major Wolf. Zeta will follow me—and if you try to force my boys and girls to remain, do you truly believe that your two Regiments can stop me?â€
“If Tyrell were here, or Chisholm, you wouldn’t be so . . .â€
“They are not here, boy. Ask Brubaker or Yukinov if they truly want to try and stop me—they might succeed, but their regiments will burnt out shells before I am finished. I honor Jamie Wolf’s memory and all of the sacrifices that he made by fulfilling his given word—I honor him by making true the results of this Trial. Stand in my way at your own peril.â€
Silence filled the room, until finally the younger Wolf looked away.
“So, you are breaking completely from the Clans then, except for Star Colonel Jamison here?â€
“Star Colonel Elliot, saKhan Elam. I bear no Blood Name.â€
“But you do, Star Colonel Jamison. For if the Wolves do not create one for you, then the Scorpions shall—this I swear.â€
Kelly Yukinov nodded coldly. “Yes, we are done with you—with all of you. Elliot, if you are set on this course, then you—and this Scorpion—will be given twenty-four hours to leave Outreach. After that, I will bring Alpha against you both.â€
Brubaker nodded in agreement, as did Cameron, Clavell, and every other senior Dragoon present. Mackenzie Wolf frowned, but then he bared his teeth. “I only hope that you overstay your welcome, Scorpion. You have cost us far too much this day.â€
“So be it, Dragoons. Your history as part of the Clans ends here, but your deeds prior to this will not be forgotten,†Nelson said.
***********************************************************************
Nelson looked out at the expanse of empty space from the bridge of the Tracker-class WarShip GSS Jenna Scott. The ancient vessel was one of the very few that remained from Kerensky’s Exodus—and it had done so only because several Clans had recognized that the ability to operate clandestinely might prove useful on that day when the Return finally took place. The saKhan signed as the surveillance vessels powerful capital guns tore through one of the two Onagers that it had borne on its mission here, but the vessel needed to make room for the heavily modified Fortress-class DropShip that served Zeta Battalion (no, the SaKhan thought Zeta Cluster) as home.
From his conversations with Natasha and Elliot over the past three days—once they had gotten most of the Black Widow’s anger at Wolf’s death out of her system—he had discovered that the Dragoons WarShip Fleet was mothballed in the Periphery. And both of them knew of the location. He had also learned about the old SLDF facilities buried beneath the secondary continent on Outreach—and that they had been converted to produce Clan-tech equipment for the Dragoons, with still more stockpiled against this very day. He sighed, for the course of action he was about to take would be considered quite dishonorable by some—but his orders were explicit.
Nelson drew in a deep breath and turned to the vessel commander. “Signal the covering flotilla, Star Colonel. Update their target list with the new data and send them the execute command. Append the coordinate of the Dragoon Fleet after you transmit—we will either recover those vessels for use by the Clans, or scuttle them to keep them from the hands of our opponents.â€
The ship’s CO bowed and he headed to the HPG transmitter to send the message to the waiting vessels just one jump away.
***********************************************************************
Less than thirty minutes after the message had been sent, ten Clan WarShips—led by two Omega-class Battleships joined the Jenna Scott as she waited at the pirate point. Setting course for Outreach, the vessels easily swept aside all opposition between them and the planet, destroying DropShips and Stations alike with salvo after salvo of capital weaponry. Scores of Dragoon fighters rose from the atmosphere, but twice as many Clan fighters met them, supported by twenty-eight assault ships. The Dragoon attack broken, eight of the Clan vessels settled into orbit and presented their broadsides to the surface. For three hours, the leviathans bombarded the location of the underground complex on the small south-eastern continent, burning through the concealing soil and rock with naval lasers and naval PPCs. Leaving only smoking ruins behind, the capital ships rejoined the two destroyers dispatched earlier to watch the planets spaceport outside of the capital of Harlech.
None of the grounded DropShips had lifted, and Nelson shook his head. The spaceport was nestled inside of the city—it would be impossible to target without excessive collateral damage, which he had once again been explicitly ordered to avoid if possible. Even the Dragoon Military Reservation was far too close to the city to risk conventional bombardment. But the Clans had an answer for that as well.
“Signal Green Lantern and Blackbird to take out the grounded DropShips and Dragoon Headquarters facility with capital missiles only—with conventional warheads if you please, Star Colonel.â€
Each of the missile frigates fired more than a thousand missiles into the port and the reservation. Although capital weapons, the smallest Barracudas only packed as much explosive as a Long Tom artillery shell—while the Killer Whale was twice as powerful. Barracudas, White Sharks, and Killer Whales rained down on the facilities below, crippling DropShips and utterly pulverizing the Dragoon HQ, but leaving much of the city itself untouched. There would be some unintended casualties, of course, but nothing like the result if he had allowed the Naval Stars to unleash their full fury on the surface. Had that been the case, Harlech would have been as lifeless and silent as the ruins on the second continent. Finally, the bombardment ended, and Nelson did not need the survey satellite to picture the billowing smoke of thousands of fires and the shattered ruins that he had left behind him.
He nodded, and the Star Colonel who commanded the Jenna Scott passed the orders. All eleven of the Clan vessels moved to the pirate point and jumped away, leaving the survivors below to their misery.
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I rewrote the past couple of segments to incorporate some of your suggestions, ideas, and criticisms. Back soon with a new chapter.
MA
PS: Takiro, still reviewing your PM. I'll get back to you.
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...It took me 4 days to read 3 (now 4) pages, because of my wife!
Takiro, this is something that needs its own download - its every bit as good as the Kurita one from a couple months ago.
Well done, MA!
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it's not done yet....
please let it not be done yet....
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I rewrote the past couple of segments to incorporate some of your suggestions, ideas, and criticisms. Back soon with a new chapter.
MA
PS: Takiro, still reviewing your PM. I'll get back to you.
Story is progressing wonderfully as always MA. I still have to finish that file as it was incomplete. Look forward to hearing from you soon.
Oh its no where nears done! ;)
And I agree ORR needs a download of its own. All in good time!
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Chapter Two
April 7, 3051
The White Palace
Avalon City, New Avalon
Federated Suns, Federated Commonwealth
“ComStar did not interfere with the priority transmissions, this time, Hanse,†Justin Allard said quietly. “I think the Precentor here on New Avalon was as shocked as we were—probably all of the intervening station heads had the same reaction. But it is confirmed, Tharkad, Donegal, Skye, Arcturus, Furillo, Hesperus II, and Oliver are off the air—they haven’t responded to a single transmission since they reported they were under attack. The rest of the systems we haven’t had enough time to confirm, but if the pattern holds true, we can only assume that they too were invaded and probably captured—especially given the redeployment of forces for PEGASUS.â€
Marshall of the Armies of the Federated Commonwealth Morgan Hasek-Davion nodded in agreement. “And then we have ample confirmation of this attack on Outreach, from surviving Dragoons among others. My god, I still can’t believe whoever this is bombarded the planet from orbit!â€
Justin cleared his throat. “As much as the Dragoons may hate to admit it, the bombardment was a clean as such an attack can be—on Harlech, at least. Their facilities in the Outback of Outreach were completely destroyed—obliterated might be a better word; that is including Blackwell Industries.â€
“And their casualties?†Hanse Davion, First Prince of the Federated Suns asked.
Justin grimaced. “Luckily, three of their regiments had already redeployed for PEGASUS, but Alpha and Delta took 80% losses apiece. Their HQ facilities are a complete write off as well, and every DropShip and Station in orbit or on the ground was crippled if not destroyed. Not to mention that they lost Colonel Wolf. Civilian casualties were incredibly light for the type of attack they suffered—around thirty-five hundred dead and wounded in Harlech, close to that at Blackwell, but there is little chance of recovering any wounded from that location. If these . . . Clans . . . had deliberately targeted the city as well as the military centers, there would be a hundred times that in dead alone.â€
“So, they aren’t as completely sadistic as Romano and her spawn Kali, then,†said Hanse as he leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes, and rubbed the bridge of his nose.
Justin glanced at Morgan, who nodded sadly in agreement. Hanse looked terrible; for the past twenty-four hours had been filled with message after message showing his finally united realm was being torn apart. And he had viewed the message from Melissa that she and Kat had arrived on Tharkad only five hours before he received word that world was under attack. And then the HPG had gone silent.
“We have no choice, sire, we must immediately cancel PEGASUS and redeploy those forces into the Terran Corridor,†said the Marshall.
Hanse nodded his head slowly. “Agreed, gentlemen. I have no doubt that both Lyran and Fed Suns forces in my wife’s realm are even now attacking this invader, but our main army is here. We will take the time to assemble it, and then we will push these people from our worlds. Any idea where they came from, Justin?â€
“We have actually had a stroke of luck on that exact area, my Prince. It seems that Jamie Wolf left a document in the hands of an attorney here on New Avalon, to be given to me or my successor on his death—provided that the Inner Sphere was under attack by an unknown power. I have only had time to skim the document, but MIIO is pouring over every byte even as we speak. As the Dragoons said, they call themselves the Clans and are the descendants of General Kerensky’s forces that departed on the Exodus prior to the 1st Succession War. They have prepared for this day ever since, planning to conquer the Inner Sphere and restore the Star League—or a version of the Star League that they intend to run.â€
“And how exactly does Jamie Wolf know of this?†asked Morgan.
“The Dragoons were an advance scout force, deployed half a century ago to gather information on the conditions here. But they broke with their people and have since pledged themselves to our cause.â€
“So, the conspiracy nuts were right about the Dragoons,†chuckled Hanse, but his face showed no levity.
“Yes, my Prince,†answered his Intelligence advisor. “There is quite a bit of information about these Clans in the document, including their organization, their rules for combat, and a good bit of technical data as well—I’ve already turned that part over to the NAIS for analysis.â€
“Do we have any idea of their total strength?â€
Justin shook his head. “According to Wolf’s brief, they have somewhere around three hundred Clusters—which he feels is easily a match for at least two unsupported Regiments of ‘Mechs. Excluding their garrison troops, which could easily double that first figure. Their Clusters are combined arms formations of ‘Mechs, infantry, and aerospace fighters—and according to the brief, their infantry, he calls them Elementals, are outfitted with individual power battle armor that makes them extremely mobile and deadly.â€
“Are you suggesting that we are going to need SIX HUNDRED REGIMENTS to stop this invasion, Justin?â€
“No, that is Wolf’s total estimate of the entire Clan force. He believes that they will commit no more than a quarter of that total—around seventy-five of their Clusters, which we can match with our active duty strength alone.â€
“We could have, if had warning, and if we didn’t have to garrison our borders. But I doubt we are going to retrieve more than twenty regiments out of the Lyran half of the realm if they are attacked defenders with such numbers on sixteen worlds. I might be able to mass eighty or even ninety regiments, but not much more than that.â€
Hanse held up his hand. “We won’t need the full quantity immediately, they are divided on sixteen worlds, which would be . . . what?â€
“Five of their Clusters on each, my Prince,†answered Justin.
“We will presume that Wolf was making his estimates conservatively and plan for ten of their Clusters to defend each system. Morgan, can we assemble thirty or forty Regimental Combat Teams—with good, veteran regiments at their head—to head out to Oliver?â€
“I can have twenty moving within 48 hours, sire, and another twenty unit’s seventy-two after that. The remainder of PEGASUS will take at least a week to start shifting. At least the transport is already consolidated and we haven’t started assembling the command circuit to St. Ives yet.â€
“Very well, the assembly point is Outreach—and Morgan?â€
“Yes, sire?â€
“Make certain that the three Dragoon Regiments are included in that first task force.â€
“Of course, sire.â€
“Very well, gentlemen, if there is nothing else,†Hanse began, but stopped as Justin held up his hand in request.
“Justin?â€
“One piece of information needs your immediate decision, my Prince. Apparently, when the Dragoons came to the Inner Sphere, they expected WarShips to still exist. And they brought their own.â€
Morgan snapped upright in his seat, and Hanse’s eyes suddenly widened.
“Yes, sire,†Justin said with a grin, “their coordinates were included in the briefing package—beyond the Outback between the Outworlds and Tortuga in an uninhabited system. They have been floating out there for fifty years now.â€
“And just did what did our friend Jamie bring to the Inner Sphere, Justin?â€
“A cruiser, a frigate, two destroyers, and two corvettes.â€
“Well, well, well,†mused Hanse. “Morgan, Justin, put together an expedition that leaves New Avalon today. Get the NAIS to contribute, and I want officers and men that have been in the training program for the Invincibles dragooned as well. Attach a fighter regiment from the Guards Brigade, and a battalion or three of marine infantry. And get them moving.â€
“Speaking of the Invincibles,†Hanse continued, as he rubbed his forehead again. “How soon can we complete the first batch?â€
Justin shook his head. “We are still years from even testing them, my Prince. Invincible doesn’t even have her transit engines installed yet, and both Indomitable and Intrepid are even further behind—Intrepids K/F drive core is still being built, although construction on her hull has already begun.â€
“Perhaps, having some working vessels will show Panpour how to cut the time,†the First Prince said in a very tired, weak voice. “Gentlemen, take care of this—I intend to lie down for a while and rest before my next meeting.â€
Morgan and Justin stood, and Hanse did so as well. “Where is Victor, Morgan?â€
“The 12th Donegal was en route to St. Ives, sire, but I managed to short-stop the unit and sent orders for them to proceed to New Avalon at full speed. He will arrive in system on Thursday.â€
“Thank you, Morgan, I want to see him here; I want to be the one to tell him about his mother and sister.â€
“Of course, my Prince.â€
Hanse sat back down at his desk, as Morgan and Justin quietly left his office. The First Prince of the Federated Suns—the ruler of the most powerful realm in the Inner Sphere—leaned back in his chair, and realized just how tired he truly was. He closed his eyes and rested his chin against his chest. Just a few moments, he thought, a short cat-nap before I get back up. Within seconds, the exhausted man was sound asleep.
April 10, 3051
Capital Space Port
Avalon City, New Avalon
Federated Suns, Federated Commonwealth
Leftenant Colonel Victor Steiner-Davion walked down the ramp of the Overlord-class DropShip that housed his 2nd Battalion of the 12th Donegal Guards RCT. The remainder of the 12th were even now landing, but Barbarossa had been directed—ordered—to ground first by ground control. Victor didn’t particularly care for such deference directed at him, but he did want to see his mother and father again; besides, he was very curious about the orders that had summoned his unit from the Lyran half of the FedCom to the Capellan border—very curious indeed.
Victor smiled as he saw Morgan Hasek-Davion and Justin Allard standing near the limo at the base of the ramp, but then he saw their faces, and his smile faded.
The Marshall of the Armed Forces of the Federated Commonwealth stepped forward, stopping two paces before Victor, and he knelt onto the ship’s ramp.
“The First Prince of the Federated Suns is dead,†he announced loudly, “Long live the First Prince—the Archon-Prince of the Federated Commonwealth Victor Steiner-Davion!â€
“Long live Victor!†hailed the assembled men and women below as the blood drained from Victor’s face. “Long live Victor! Long live Victor!â€
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Time to tap my inner Dennis Hopper "Clans conquer half your realm over night and their using warships which you ain't got. What you do kid!"
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All Hail The Fox and Curse The Darkness For Claiming This Valiant Warrior Too Soon. Seyla
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April 10, 3051
The White Palace
Avalon City, New Avalon
Federated Suns, Federated Commonwealth
“Victor?†Morgan quietly asked from the doorway leading into the office of the First Prince—Hanse’s office.
The young man turned around slowly, his fingers still touching the glistening polished wood desk, upon which everything was in its proper place. The staff had done their usual outstanding job and the office was as immaculate as the Prince’s father had always kept it.
“Yes, Morgan?â€
“I know how difficult this is for you, Victor,†the older man said softly. “But there are matters that require your signature.â€
Victor nodded, but he still hesitated, not wanting to take the seat that his father had always sat in. Finally, he moved to the fireplace on the other side of the office and sat in a battered old recliner, and pointed at the small sofa opposite him.
Morgan crossed the room and sat, laying down some papers on the coffee table between the two men.
“We need your authorization to abort Operation PEGASUS, Victor. To begin the redeployment of the AFFC to fight this invasion—your father verbally authorized it, but he never got the chance to sign the documents before his . . .â€
Victor nodded. “PEGASUS? Was this the op that had the 12th redeployed?â€
“Yes, sire.â€
The young man grimaced and shook his head. “Not yet, Morgan . . . just not yet. Please, call me Victor.â€
“Of course,†the Marshall commanding the Armed Forces of the Federated Commonwealth said. “PEGASUS is a massive operation scheduled to launch in thirty-three days—it will,†he shook his head in irony, “it would have, that is, completed what we started with RAT and served to remove Romano Liao from power on Sian.â€
“We have deployed nearly fifty regiments and RCTs in preparation under the guise of Galahad ’51 in the Capellan March along the Taurian border. Meanwhile, another thirty are either assembled or en route in secret at St. Ives—where your 12th Donegal was heading.â€
Victor’s lips twitched. “It seems that my father liked his massive invasions spaced at twelve year intervals, Morgan. I would bet that Candace Liao was not happy with this, was she?â€
“Duchess Liao of St. Ives signed off on PEGASUS after Romano gassed her own people on Capricorn III last fall when they tried to change allegiance to the Compact. She killed nearly two hundred thousand Capellans—and Candace realized then that her sister cannot be permitted to continue ruling the Confederation.â€
Morgan leaned forward. “Hanse and Candace worked out a deal, Victor. She would support PEGASUS and become the new Chancellor of the Capellan Confederation—provided that Hanse returned the Sarna March to the Confederation. In return, she would align the Confederation as a member of the Federated Commonwealth. Hanse agreed to turn over to her all former Capellan worlds lost in the 4th War, up to a line extending from Tall Trees to Tikonov, thus leaving the Terran Corridor in FedSuns hands.â€
“He agreed to that?â€
Morgan nodded. “Without Candace as a legitimate Liao ruler to replace Romano, security would be a royal bitch for decades to come—you’ve seen the reports on the terrorism and insurrection problems we are having to this day in Sarna. To seal the agreement, Hanse insisted on blood ties between New Avalon and Sian—Katherine was to be married to Kai next winter.â€
Victor’s eyes widened—Kai would not have liked that! Nor would his dear sister, in fact.
Morgan smiled. “They would have gotten over their dislikes, Victor—that is why it is a state marriage; many such have started from worse and become quite good over time. But while PEGASUS would have solved the Capellan problem once and for all, we can’t go ahead with it now. We need those troops elsewhere,†Morgan continued as he passed the young man a pen.
Victor nodded, taking the writing utensil and signed his name at the bottom of the short, succinct document. And then he paused, but the Marshall was already holding out the Federated Commonwealth Seal of State. Slowly, Victor took the seal, and then he pressed it hard against the parchment, confirming his first written order as the head of state.
April 10, 3051
Royal Palace
Tharkad City, Tharkad
Ghost Bear Occupation Zone
(Lyran Commonwealth, Federated Commonwealth)
“I understand that you are refusing to carry out your duties, Bondswoman Katherine?†a stern voice came from the open doorway. Standing in that opening was a tall strapping young man, with brilliant blue eyes and blonde hair the color of corn straw. Katherine Steiner-Davion stood, holding her chin high.
“I am a Princess of the Blood; I do not scrub floors.â€
The man laughed. “No, child, you are a bondswoman to Clan Ghost Bear—and you will do as your elders instruct or you will be punished.â€
Katherine’s eyes flared. “What is your name, so I can report your impertinence to the Khan? My mother and I are too important as hostages for you to risk harming me—and you know it.â€
The Ghost Bear warrior bowed low, “My apologizes, Princess of the Blood. I am Star Captain Kirk Steiner, at your service, milady.â€
“STEINER?†Katherine squeaked.
“Indeed, my ancestor was one of the loyal Steiners who departed the Inner Sphere to follow General Kerensky on the Exodus. I was born a Cloud Cobra, child, but now am a Ghost Bear—as are you. I think, perhaps, that your parents did not properly discipline you during your younger years; you are certain that you will refuse to perform your assigned tasks?â€
Katherine smirked. “There is nothing you can do to make me scrub these floors with my bare hands.â€
Kirk nodded, and stepped to the door. “Lars, Wilhelm, assist me,†he called.
The two Elemental guards who watched over Katherine entered the room, where Kirk was unbuttoning his jacket. He laid it over a chair, and proceeded to roll up both his shirt sleeves.
“Grab her arms, Warriors, and bend her over that table,†he said.
Katherine’s eyes went wild, but even without their battle armor, she was far too slow to evade the infantrymen. They grabbed her, and forced her head and chest down on the table, holding her down. Rough hands grabbed her pants and she screamed as they were ripped down to her ankles; from the corner of her eye she saw Kirk removing his belt, and her eyes went wide.
But the Ghost Bear chuckled. “No child, I do not rape children—or anyone for that matter,†he said as he folded the leather belt in two, and slapped it into his free hand—it made a most satisfying CRACK (a terrifying sound from Katherine’s point of view).
Kirk stepped up besides Katherine bare bottom and drew back his arm, and then slammed the belt into her naked rear. She whined, and tears began to pour from her eyes. He struck her again, and she wailed—no one, NO ONE, had ever done this to her before.
Kirk Steiner paddled her for several minutes straight, leaving her bottom raw and fiery red, but finally he stepped away, and nodded to the Elementals who released Katherine’s arms. She fell to the floor, sobbing in agony and humiliation.
Kirk knelt next to her on the floor. “Now, child, I expect this floor to be spotless when I return. Fail in your task, and you will be punished again—and next time I shall not be so lenient.â€
The Ghost Bear left the room, as Katherine pulled up her pants and still crying, she lifted a cold, wet sponge, and began to scrub the blood stains from the granite floor.
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Wow Victor is learning what the Fox could and would do for peace. Also Katherine is learning a well deserved lesson herself and from a Steiner to boot.
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Interesting!
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April 11, 3051
First Circuit
Hilton Head Facility
North America, Terra
Anastasius Focht sighed as the Precentors of the First Circuit continued their debate over the sudden invasion of the Lyran Commonwealth. Myndo Waterly—the Primus of ComStar—had a very pleased smile on her face, and it was more than clear that many of the Precentors present shared her elation at the hated Federated Commonwealth being torn apart by these unknown invaders. So far, the debate had been over whether or not to offer aid to these, these . . . people, whoever they were and wherever they came from. Not even the sudden—and to Focht, chilling—silence of the HPG stations on those worlds had distracted the First Circuit from its ecstatic celebration.
But since it appeared that no one else here was going to take issue with the proposed action, Focht decided that he would have to be the one to confront the matter squarely. He stepped forward into the circle of Precentors, standing upon the illuminated circle reserved for witnesses and defendants.
The conversation slowly came to a halt, and the Primus turned her imperious gaze towards Focht and his show of audacity. “You wish to address the First Circuit, Precentor Martial?â€
“I do, Primus.â€
“Then speak.â€
Focht drew himself up straight and shook his head. “You are all missing the one central truth of what has happened here—no disrespect intended, Primus Waterly. These invaders struck sixteen worlds—heavily defended worlds—on the exact same day on nearly the exact same hour across a span of nearly one thousand light-years. They have apparently seized these worlds—and we have lost all communications with our own HPG stations. Yes, this opponent has chosen to assault half of the Federated Commonwealth, and yes, Hanse Davion and his alliance is our enemy. But, Precentors of the First Circuit, the enemy of my enemy is not necessarily my friend.â€
“Even now, unknown vessels are probing the outer system of Terra—vessels that skitter out of sensor range and refuse to respond to any hails, vessels that do not belong to the Great Houses. Primus, they are here, in this system, and they are watching us.â€
Myndo Waterly’s face went white, and then turned a deep scarlet, and she responded with acid in her voice. “Then destroy them! And why have I not been informed of this before now?â€
Focht chuckled bitterly. “I have tried to see you for a past week, Primus, but your aides have turned me aside, saying your concerns were too great to deal with ComGuard matters. What is more, Primus, Precentors, I believe these ships are outfitted with HPG stations of their own.â€
Utter silence filled the chamber with those words—Focht could not have stunned the assembled members of the First Circuit more effectively if he had struck them in the forehead with an axe-handle.
Sharilar Mori—Precentor Dieron—was the first to recover from the naked statement. “Precentor Martial, how would you even know that they possess such?â€
Focht waved his hand across the assembled members of the First Circuit. “Have you not discussed your own problems with interference in HPG transmissions that have suddenly been occurring in past week? But there is no technical difficulty with our stations, either on Terra or Mars or Titan. But we all know that two stations trying to transmit in close proximity create an interference zone—which is why Terra and Mars and Titan and the ships of our Fleet have their own transmission windows, to avoid that interference. I postulate that the interference comes from HPG transmitters on those ships—they are talking with their superiors, and informing them of what they have found here.â€
“All the more reason to destroy them—NOW, Focht,†the Primus spat.
The one-eyed man bowed, “It would be my pleasure, Primus. How shall I do so? Their ships remain outside the Belt, and approach no closer than they must to scan our facilities and intercept our radio transmissions. They are faster than any ship at my disposal—and there are at least thirty of them roaming the outer system as we speak.â€
“Thirty,†whispered Mori.
“We have ten ships in the entire Solar System at the moment—in order to have a chance of intercepting some of these surveillance assets, which is what I believe they are doing, I must recall 1st and 2nd Fleets from Luyten 68-28 and Ross 248. That action requires the direct authorization of the Primus.â€
“And you have it, Focht. Recall our fleet and destroy those ships—drive them from the Solar System!â€
Another robed figure stepped into a second circle of light on the opposite side of the First Circuit from Focht, the space reserved for a prosecutor. The Precentor ROM lowered his hood, his face betraying the worry that consumed him. “If these ships are probing Terra, Primus,†he began without waiting for permission to speak, “then I fear the time has come to reveal a secret long hidden from the First Council under the orders of Primus Conrad Toyama himself, two hundred and twenty-five years ago.â€
“In 2825, the Minnesota Tribe was encountered in the Draconis Combine. History writes that it left as quickly as it arrived—and its origins remain as mysterious as ever. History is wrong. ComStar succeeded in contacting the Tribe that year and discovered that they were refugees fleeing from the SLDF forces that had followed General Kerensky on the Exodus.â€
Gasps arose from the Precentors.
“They now called themselves the Clans, and although no threat at that time, these Wolverines—as the Tribesmen were more properly known as—informed Primus Toyama’s ambassadors that eventually they would return home. They intend not to conquer one Great House Primus,†the Precentor ROM continued. “They plan to conquer Terra itself and reform the Star League in their own image.â€
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<gulp>
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And since I have revealed that the Wolvies did in fact join ComStar, here are their ships--ships Focht knows nothing about:
McKenna class BB: Zughoffer Weir
Texas class BB: Bismark
Congress class FF: Rickenbacker
Essex class DD: Yukon
New Samarkand class CV: Saratoga
MA
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Gets real interesting if ComStar reveals their hidden assets and I think you have to help the Federated Commonwealth like it or not.
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...I don't know about the admission of the Blood from the ROM representative. It ties into the story, of course, but frankly I'd expect a couple assassinations and a change of ROM officials before it all came out.
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The Primus inhaled sharply. “Focht, you must drive them from the Inner Sphere! Bring our ComGuards home to stand shoulder to shoulder in defense of this Holy World!â€
Focht bowed. “Which order shall I obey Primus? Am I to drive them from the Inner Sphere or stand on the defense here, on Terra?â€
“You know what we mean, Precentor Martial! Do not make us regret placing you in command of our armed forces!â€
“By your command, Primus,†Focht said, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly. “You do realize that such a massive redeployment will reveal our true strength to the Great Houses? We cannot conceal recalling all twelve Armies—indeed, Primus, we do not have the transport to do so in a single lift.â€
“The Great Houses are irrelevant to this discussion, Precentor Martial!†the Primus screamed. “You shall stop these animals from ever setting foot on Holy Terra!â€
“In that case, Primus, I ask that I may take leave of the First Circuit—to begin to implement your orders.â€
“Go, Focht. Go and do our bidding—and do it well,†Waterly snarled. “And as for you, Precentor ROM . . . we have much to discuss.â€
“Your pardon, Primus,†interjected Focht. “But I do believe that chastising the Precentor can wait—I will need whatever information he has in order to plan how best to use your ComGuards to repel these Clans.â€
The Primus’s head snapped back to Focht, and she began to open her mouth—but then her protégée spoke up. “The Precentor Martial is correct, Primus,†said Mori. “We can discover what other secrets that Precentor ROM had hidden from us at a later date, but for now we must concentrate on stopping this invasion—before they invade the world on which we stand.â€
The remainder of the First Circuit stood silent, but one or two nodded their own agreement, and finally Waterly averted her gaze from Focht, and nodded slightly. “Very well, take him—but we will have that discussion, Precentor, and you had best be prepared to answer in full and without any deception or the consequences will be most severe. This meeting is adjourned.â€
All of the Precentors present bowed lowed as the Primus left the chamber, and then each in turn filed out, leaving only Focht, Mori, and Precentor ROM in the chamber.
“And now, Precentor,†began Focht, “I need to know exactly what we are dealing with here.â€
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April 12, 3051
Fort McClusky
Bremen Continent, Tharkad
Ghost Bear Occupation Zone
(Lyran Commonwealth, Federated Commonwealth)
Jorgensson entered the small bunker within the former AFFC fortification gingerly. Although swept by Elemental sappers before his arrival, the locals had proved fiendishly clever at disguising the booby traps and improvised explosive devices that his Clan had been dealing with for the past two weeks. Technically, Tharkad was secure—with three full Galaxies of Bears (thirteen front-line Clusters) on the planet it had better be! However, the Lyran resistance had not been eliminated; instead it had gone underground and was resorting to terror attacks and sniper strikes against his troops. But now that his nineteen Provisional Garrison Clusters were grounded and deployed, the Khan hoped that this insurgency could be quickly crushed.
Lyran special-forces—the Loki detachments, Heimdall operatives, and Lohengrin agents—were behind this, he was certain of that. Luckily, the Bears had managed to capture those agencies headquarters virtually intact, and even now his troops were rounding up each and every person listed in their personnel files. Those his troops could find, at least, for many had left their homes and were doing their best pretense at being ghosts in the system.
However, other than that little hitch, the operation was proceeding precisely according to plan. Already, four Regiments of BattleMechs, plus a few dozen lesser units had responded to the initial pleas for assistance that Tharkad had broadcast before his troops seized the HPG station. That installation had provided a most unwelcome surprise, on the other hand, because it turned out that this ComStar was by no means incapable of defending its own installations. Equipped with Star League machines—both ‘Mechs and tanks—the descendants of the Ministry of Communication had defended their property furiously—but to little avail in the end. Still, if they had stationed a full battalion here, on a world that its inhabitant had already presumed was well defended, the Khan wondered just what else they had available elsewhere—and if his doubts about the ilKhan’s caution before proceeding with Phase III had been wrong.
He shook off the thought as the scientist-engineer led him deeper into the labyrinthine bunker. Those four Regiment had arrived a pirate point—the same one that he had chosen for the initial assault—hoping to catch the Bears in hibernation for the winter. But it had not worked out in the manner they had planned. Pursuant to his own instructions, Jorgensson had allowed them to land in piece, and then he had launched his attack on their landing zones. Those fights had been made in line with Clan tradition, with a single Cluster handling each of the beachheads, and while the Lyrans had put up a desperate fight, they had failed to dislodge him. Before the end, the survivors had routed and attempted to flee—straight into the waiting guns of GBS Bear’s Den. None of their troopers had eluded him, and while many were dead, there were still enough to take as bondsmen. For they did have spirit, these Lyrans, and courage. Given time, they would more than make up for his own casualties after they had accepted their new lot in life.
Finally, the Khan reached the room at the deepest point of the bunker to find a dozen scientists, techs, and laborers pouring over an electronic device. Small enough to fit in an infantryman’s field pack, the device was black and featureless, except for a small monitor and keyboard attached to one surface—and a thick power cable that snaked to high-voltage connector on the wall.
“And what is so important, Scientist Galen, that you dragged me two hundred and sixty kilometers before breakfast?â€
The scientist bowed low. “My Khan, you needed to see this with your own eyes—I have never before seen one outside of a museum on Strana Mechty!â€
Jorgensson frowned. “Is it a weapon?â€
“Neg, my Khan. It is an Emergency Short-range Interstellar Communications Station—an ESICS that was designed by the Terran Hegemony. This one, however, is newly built—no more than a dozen years old at the most.â€
The Ghost Bear’s eyes boggled for a moment. “THAT thing is capable of transmitting across interstellar distances?â€
“Oh, yes, yes, my Khan. Quite capable—but quite limited as well. The ESICS was developed soon after HPG technology was discovered. It was part of a development program that sought to increase the range and decrease the power consumption of those first generation HPGs, but it is extremely different from traditional HPGs. The entire station is here, small enough to be carried by a healthy adult, needing only an outside source of power. And not much power, either, compared to HPGs, just a few dozen kilowatts per transmission.â€
“Then why did not the Star League replaced HPGs with this, if it is so much better?â€
“Oh, no, no, no, my Khan. Not better, just different. You see, the old 1st-generation HPGs had a transmission range of just 21 light-years—and they consumed ten times the power that a modern station uses. The ESICS is much smaller, and can be automated; it too has a range of 21 light-years and uses far less power, but is only capable of sending text—up to a thousand characters per transmission. In fact, it uses a derivative of the old Morse code . . .â€
“The technical details later, Scientist.â€
“Most certainly, my Khan. After the ESICS was developed, a separate program increased the range HPG transmitters to the 50 light-year limit we have today, and another reduced the power requirements. But the poor ESICS is still limited to 21 light-years, and is not nearly as capable in what it can transmit. Still, the Hegemony, and then later the Star League retained them as an emergency secondary communication system. And this a comm center for the Armed Forces of the Federated Commonwealth, my Khan.â€
“So, they have an alternative means of talking to each other? Can our HPGs intercept their transmissions?â€
“Easily, my Khan. It only takes a software change to lower the allowed frequency bands to match those the ESICS uses. And we have their encryption software as well, my Khan.â€
“Why didn’t they destroy this?â€
“They tried, my Khan, but our glorious Warriors burst in before they could finish rigging the demolitions—one of the Lyrans shot the device, but it is armored and he was unable to damage it.â€
Jorgensson considered for a moment, and nodded his head decisively. “Write a full report for the ilKhan and the Grand Council, Scientist Galen. Include your technical details and specifications for the software needed in an appendix—Nikolai and the others are Warriors, not scientists, after all. The Khans must know that our enemy could even now be communicating without us being aware they are in contact with each other. But do that after our own HPGs have received the software upgrade—let us see if we can use this . . . this . . . black box against them.â€
-
“Of course, my Khan. I believe that we are ready to remove the ESICS now—is the power supply disconnected?†the scientist asked.
“Yes, Scientist Galen,†his assistant replied.
Jorgensson nodded, it would be best to study this new found piece of technology aboard one of the WarShips in orbit that had facilities for just such circumstances. “Get a move on then, and join me aboard my helicopter, Galen—I have meetings this afternoon with the civilians castes of this world.â€
“Yes, my Khan,†the excited man replied, and he waved his assistants forward. The two apprentice scientists took hold of the box as Jorgensson turned to his Elemental escort. “Inform the saKhan that I am preparing to depart from . . .†he stopped as his keen ears detected a sharp click that came from the direction of the device.
The Khan of Clan Ghost Bear suddenly swiveled his head and saw that the two apprentices had lifted the communications device—and underneath it lay a switch that had just popped straight up.
“Oops,†he heard Galen gasp just a scant instant before the explosion tore him, the scientists, and everyone inside the bunker apart.
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Is the Precentor ROM still Charles Seneca from 20 Year Update and Era Report 3052? Just curious keep up the good work!
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Actually, I couldn't remember his name! ;D I don't have my books with me at the moment, so I just decided to call him Precentor ROM. Thanks for the assist, Takiro!
Precentor ROM, I dub thee . . . Charles Seneca! :o
Uh, is there anything about Charlie-boy I need to know, by the way?
MA
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Sure I'll send it to ya!
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Interlude
I have reworked the initial target locations with the help of some good BattleTech guys (primarily Takiro from the Our BattleTech website). I think these Target Zones (and Occupation Zones) are a little better fit than my original ideas. Anyway, if someone else has a suggestion, just let me know, either in the original post or via PM.
MA
1. Alpha Target Zone – Oliver (Wolf) – The Hegemony Worlds have value beyond the imagination of the Clans, this zones proximity to Terra, and the obvious fact that it is the deepest strike by the Clans during this Operation make it the greatest honor by far. While Oliver is home to 2 Mech factories as well as 2 Vehicle factories there are other worlds with industrial significance. New Earth as a secondary target has 3 Vehicle factories and orbital facilities plus the fact it was Kerensky’s command post at one time. Originally I had envisioned Wolf here to link up with the Dragoons rather than the Scorpions. You might change this Zone to the Jaguars than as they could win it based on touman strength, martial prowess, and bidding aggressiveness. Although Wolf remains a good choice IMO for their cunning and skill. Up to you!
2. Beta Target Zone – Tharkad (Ghost Bear) – The Steiner House Capital deep in the center of the Commonwealth with two Royal Guard units on station at all time. Never before conquered or even attacked in a major way it’s a close second to the Oliver Zone. Additionally the planet manufactures two Mechs, two Aerospace Fighters, and three DropShips. If that isn’t enough Gibbs is another industrial prize within this region’s secondary targets. It produces 2 Aerospace Fighters, 3 DropShips, and a JumpShip. Ghost Bear is a good pick here fighting in the cold Tharkad environment and their strength could accomplish such a placing.
3. Gamma Target Zone – Hesperus (Smoke Jaguar) – Eclipsed only by the former Hegemony Worlds and the Lyran Capital the Hesperus Zone provides a special challenge to the Clans. Not only is it home to a Star League Facility that was sacred Hegemony ground which mass produced some of the first BattleMechs – it has never before been conquered. Think of the honor of being the first to achieve that goal. The third deepest zone at the very heart of the Inner Sphere it contains other interesting worlds like Clinton which is home to Snord’s Irregulars and their museum. Additionally the same facility produces 6 different types of Mechs, 4 Vehicles, and 1 DropShip. As one of the most powerful Clans at the time, the Jaguars should be either here or Oliver IMO.
4. Delta Target Zone – Skye (Jade Falcon) – The heart of the Federation of Skye and Regional Lyran Capital offers a powerful symbolic prize to the Clans. Deep in the Inner Sphere it boosts impressive industries which include 3 Aerospace Fighter plants, 3 Vehicle factories, and 1 DropShip yard. The importance of some of the secondary targets can’t be underestimated either as some worlds are former Hegemony holdings. Aside from the Oliver Zone this is the only other area to offer such importance. Skye also holds a special place in the minds of the Falcons who in my estimation would be one of the four top Clans. The planet was the homeworld of Carl Icaza one of the Clan’s founders and as such holds special value to the Jade Falcons.
5. Epsilon Target Zone – Coventry (Steel Viper) – This Provincial Capital is the second largest Lyran Mech producer in the Commonwealth. Five different designs are produced at the Metal Works which trails only Hesperus in the amount of war manufacturing. The system itself is deep in Commonwealth space which could be perceived as a challenge but it is sort of out of the way from the main drive to Terra. Opposition is similarly spotty with a chance to either a solid garrison or just a militia. It makes a nice conciliation prize for warriors of the Steel Viper Clan.
6. Zeta Target Zone – Twycross (Diamond Shark) – The third largest Mech producer in the Lyran state is located on Twycross. While it is the second shortest trip for any invader to make its three Mech factories are a valuable prize. Its proximity to the Periphery - Rasalhague border makes Inner Sphere front line opposition likely. The Sharks are an excellent choice here for a couple of reasons. This area of space is well positioned for logistics that the Clans are sure to need hence merchants could turn a nice profit operating here. Additionally Bug-Eye surveillance of the planet could have indicated potential for yet undiscovered Harjel which would be another windfall for the Clan. [WE’LL HAVE TO SEE; PERHAPS THERE WILL BE HARJEL PRESENT; PERHAPS NOT: MA]
7. Eta Target Zone – Pandora (Hell's Horses) – With two Mech and seven military vehicle facilities on planet Pandora becomes a valuable industrial prize. While not as deep as some other targets opposition could be strong. With Arc Royal and Morges falling within this zone possible resistance from the Kell Hounds could make things interesting. Although it is questionable how much value the Clans would put on these “hired gunsâ€. Initial defense, counterattacks, and the fact that Pandora is flanked by several invasion corridors minimize the threat somewhat. All those vehicle factories might make Pandora an irresistible target for the Hell’s Horses.
8. Theta Target Zone – Sudeten (Nova Cat) – Two Mech factories and four military vehicle manufacturers are a good target for an invader even though it isn’t all that deep into the invasion drive. Along the Rasalhague border the planet is usually well defended by the Lyrans. It is hard to see what else the Nova Cats could valuable as secondary worlds aren’t all that notable. Perhaps its position near the Rasalhague – Combine frontier is a plus.
9. Iota Target Zone – Alarion (Snow Raven) – The Provincial Capital of Alarion presents a special target to the Clans as it is the shipbuilding hub of the Lyran military. It produces a BattleMech, an Aerospace Fighter, three DropShips, three JumpShips and perhaps is nearing warship production. While it is undoubtedly a deep target zone Alarion is sort of out of the way minimizing effective counter attacks and the quality of opposition. Duran, a Steiner world, is likely the most notable target of the second wave which is mostly backwater systems. The area is an obvious match for the Snow Raven naval agenda.
10. Kappa Target Zone – Furillo (Cloud Cobra) – Home to two BattleMech factories and a Vehicle plant Furillo presents some value to the Clans as it is also the fifth deepest zone of invasion. A couple of secondary targets also hold some value in this zone but combat opportunities could be somewhat suspect as the area is removed from the border and only Furillo is likely to be garrisoned initially. Aur produces components for the Lyran military infrastructure while the primary target world and Porrima have a special connection to House Steiner. With a blood link to the Steiners this area has special importance to the Cloud Cobras.
11. Lambda Target Zone – Donegal (Goliath Scorpion) – As a Regional Capital of the Lyran Commonwealth and home of the Protectorate of Donegal holds great symbolic value. More importantly it produces three different kinds of aerospace fighters. The ninth deepest invasion zone it is a keystone link between the Tharkad and Terran drives. The Ruins of Gabriel, which are hidden in the Odessa system, which the Scorpions may very well suspect because of their visions and historical records, holds special value. As the jumping off point for Kerensky’s Hegemony Campaign and Operation Liberation its discovery would be important especially for the ilKhan to make.
12. Mu Target Zone – Tamar (Star Adder) – A Regional Capital and still vibrant trade center the world of Tamar holds some value to the Clans. However it is only the fourteenth deepest invasion and has no vital military production. Its location along the weak Rasalhague border limits the chances for worthy opposition. The only secondary target I’d comment on is Dell. We’ve found evidence that it was a key naval yard for the Lyrans who moved any remaining vital equipment to Alarion during the initial phases of the Succession War. I put the Adders here because of their conservative bidding practices and the face saving fact that they would take a regional capital. Also be interesting if the Adders rebuilt the Dell facilities as part of the Clan supply line. Not sure what kind of a long game their up to but the Adders strike me as slow to participate at first.
13. Nu Target Zone – Izar (Ice Hellion) – Yes this zone is the fourth deepest drive into the Human Sphere but the initial target provides little attraction. It has no important industry which is a key component of this plan which hopes to draw a counter attack. These makes the possibility that Izar will be bypassed by such an assault and who is guarding Izar in the first place really? Not to say it is all bad as there are other important worlds to take in the second wave. Edasich produces Fusion Engines, Glengarry is home to the Gray Death Legion, and Freedom is an important world in the Federation of Skye. Given the low estimate, the fact that a rapid reaction force could be perfect to guard your flank, and raiders based here could break up any staging areas this might be a job for the Ice Hellions.
14. Xi Target Zone – Arcturus (Coyote) – The fact that this world is the former capital of the Lyran Commonwealth provides some historical attraction. That plus the likelihood of taking on the venerable Arcturan Guard who call the planet home is a little tempting. However there is no true military industry on world and its true importance is now bygone and largely symbolic. Arcturus isn’t very far in the overall plan – my estimate has it as the 10th deepest zone. Also it sits along the weak Free Rasalhague border which isn’t likely to provide much of a challenge. Some secondary worlds are somewhat notable but also lack industry. The Coyotes and the area provide a good match as both are past their prime. Who knows maybe together they could regain a portion of their lost glory.
15. Omicron Target Zone – Port Mosbey (Fire Mandrill) – While deep in the Inner Sphere this zone has no significant industry. Some redeeming value was given to its location along the Lyran-Draconis border which could indicate greater opposition. Mercantile activity is economically notable but the region was devastated during the Succession Wars. The Clans likely attach little historical or strategic meaning to this area making it undesirable to all but the Fire Mandrills. Kindraa Sainze ancient ties to House Kurita give this smaller Clan a reason to be here.
16. Pi Target Zone – Wotan (Blood Spirit) – Its location far from the center of the Human Sphere with no significant factories makes it a poor glory assignment. As the infamous home of Amaris and ancient center of the hated Rim Worlds it is historically important but not in a good way. Opposition is not all that well thought of but several units with ties to the past may provide good links to the past. Camelot Command in the Dark Nebula may provide an item of hidden value for the Clans. This assignment might be viewed by the Clans as a slap in the face to the reclusive Spirits who most recently lashed out during the Burrock Absorption.
I agree with most of what Takiro said, but will be making one change. I intend to switch the Adders and Cobras between Zones Kappa and Mu (Furillo and Tamar). This will put the four of the five strongest Clans close to Terra (the only exception being the Bears at Tharkad), concentrating more of the Clans fighting strength nearer to the expected reinforcements arriving from the Federated Suns. Sure, there is not as much honor to be gained taking Furillo as there would be taking Tamar, but the Adders have always been fluffed as being willing to set aside honor for strategic and tactical advantage. (Or, at least, that is how I have always seen them). Anyway, that is the new invasion/target/occupation zone deployment.
MA
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Chapter Four
April 12, 3051
Transport Aircraft
Somewhere over the South Atlantic
Terra
“Charles, we are now completely isolated, in a jet, cruising over open ocean; I believe that even your paranoid inclinations have been satisfied,†Focht said.
Precentor ROM—Charles Seneca—smiled at the man who used to be his senior, only a few short years ago. “You yourself told me, repeatedly, I might add, that patience is a virtue, Precentor Martial.â€
Focht glared at Seneca with his one good eye, but the ROM agent just shook his head. “It is not my place to tell you these things, Anastasius. That privilege is reserved for the Master of the Blood.â€
“And who exactly is this Master of the Blood?â€
“You will have to wait, old friend. It will not be long now.â€
Focht scowled, but he leaned back in his seat and close his eye. If anything, his prior life had taught him to catch what sleep he could, when he could—and continuing to badger Charles would reveal nothing. Within moments, the Precentor Martial was softly snoring.
April 12, 3051
Fort Hadley
Tierra del Fuego
South America, Terra
“Well, well, well,†said Focht as he exited onto the tarmac. “I finally get to tour the mysterious facilities down here. It does seem that every time during my tenure as Precentor ROM that I asked about our installations in SouthAm that some ‘crisis’ suddenly emerged. And afterwards, I have been told that it is ROM-eyes only.â€
Seneca laughed. “It was because we were not certain whether or not we could trust you, Anastasius. You are no voluntary convert to ComStar—you did not choose your fate willingly. You bartered to us in exchange for ‘Mechs and weapons by Theodore Kurita; and despite the decision of the Primus, did you expect for us to reveal to you all of our many secrets?â€
Focht nodded. “And yet, it seems the Primus also does not know?â€
“She is a fool, Precentor-Martial,†answered a third voice from the dark shadows of hanger nearby. “Waterly would not respond well to the revelation that the Primus of ComStar is not the penultimate leader of ComStar. That, she is in fact, nothing more than a tool, and a public face; a disguise worn over our real one.â€
Focht’s jaw dropped as the shadowed figure stepped into the daylight. “But you . . .you . . .â€
“I am Thomas Marik, Precentor Martial. And it is I that am the Master of the Blood; the true ruler of ComStar. It is my double who holds court on Atreus in my place, for the extent of my injuries would make any attempt to rule . . . ineffective among my native people.â€
The man who spoke was heavily scarred, his face and hands twisted and gnarled by fire, and it was only the (mostly) untouched left side of his face that allowed Focht to recognize him. “My mother was of the Blood, you see. And when I choose ComStar for my career, it seemed that my future was assured. But then you know what happened next, Focht. Yes, my life was saved, but I cannot hold a weapon in these crippled hands—and my appearance is that of a monster. But Duncan was not fit to rule, so the Blood and I conspired to place a double on Atreus instead. And here, among my mother’s people, have I remained, ascending to the rank of Master of the Blood—the Shadow Primus of ComStar.â€
“But come, Focht, Seneca; I have ordered a meal laid out for you. And then shall we discuss this matter of the Clans—and of precisely what assistance the Blood can provide to you.â€
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Hmm It always seems to come back to him. He seems like a focal point or nexus for events. So given the time between Clan Wolverine's arrival in the Inner Sphere and now how big a force have they developed.
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Chapter Four
...crippled hands—and I appearance as a monster.
Great stuff MA, but I noticed this...which appears to be in error. Either use "...and I appear as a monster.", or "...and my appearance is monstrous."
Keep it coming.
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Fixed. Thanks KM.
MA
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Anytime.
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The servers took away the plates, leaving the three men alone, with the exception of two armed guards that stood watch at the entryway. The corner of Thomas Marik’s lip twitched in a misshapen smile as he nodded at Focht. “You have many questions, Precentor Martial. Ask them.â€
Focht gathered his thoughts for a moment, as he sipped from the frosted glass of Timbiqui Dark that he still held. “What can you tell me of these Clans?â€
“They are the descendents of the Star League Defense Force; perverted into a nightmare of fascist rules and regulations by Kerensky’s son, Nicolas. He engineered their entire society after the death of his father—and an attempt by various Generals to exert their own claims to rule. The Clans speak of honor and tradition, but they condemn those under their sway to living in a caste system, structured to prevent the rise of any internal threat. They preach conformity and shared sacrifice, but only the lesser castes make that sacrifice—their entire society is geared to provide for the Warriors at its peak.â€
Thomas paused. “The Blood left after seeing the direction that Nicolas was taking; but Nicolas declared them as traitors and ordered them annihilated—down to the lowest civilian castes. Once known as Clan Wolverine, my mother’s people fought to give a small number the chance to flee, and they mostly died in doing so. They have abandoned the ideals of the Star League and forged a monstrous creation that wants nothing less than to bring all humanity under its rule.â€
“You left more than two centuries ago, sir, could they have changed their . . .†Focht began.
“NO. They are fanatics and although there must have been changes, if they still venerate Nicky they follow his vision. Terra is their ultimate goal; it has never been anything else. From here, they will established their corrupt rule and enslave all of humanity, condemning everyone into their strict caste structure.â€
Thomas shook his head. “You do not understand them, Focht. They are raised from birth to revere Nicolas Kerensky and his father as veritable gods. And should they discover the Blood is here, they will attempt to finish the task their forefathers began so long ago, by exterminating all those who bear a trace of our DNA.â€
“And their organization, their military strength, their technology?â€
“That you will discover, for you are quite correct. They have had two centuries to develop it; I doubt that any information the Blood possessed when it fled remains accurate. However, I do know that they had the facilities to produce Star League BattleMechs—Royal BattleMechs—when the Wolverines left their Homeworlds. Use that as your starting point.â€
Focht nodded. “And the Blood can aid ComStar how, exactly?â€
“I think that you will find that our Clusters—the Clan equivalent of a Regiment—are more than able to assist your Divisions, Precentor Martial. However, we have devoted much of our resources over these past two centuries to other tasks, and we can offer you just sixteen of these combined arms formations: each with forty-five BattleMechs, thirty armored vehicles, twenty aerospace fighters, and a reinforced company of Infantry equipped with the Nighthawk power armor. In space, our numbers are even more sparse; the Blood have just five ships: two battleships, a frigate, a destroyer, and a light carrier. However, I have already ordered that all of them report to Terra immediately—using one of the close pirate points to avoid our visitors.â€
“So eight Divisions—two Armies. That is not insignificant, Thomas.â€
“No, not by far. But I think that you will find our other contributions to be even more valuable. Are you familiar with the Terran SDS system, Precentor Martial?â€
Focht warily nodded. “The basics, yes, but that system is inoperable—it has been ever since the Exodus when Kerensky disabled key components.â€
“Components that the Blood has slowly managed to replace over these two centuries,†Thomas answered with a terrifying grin, as Focht’s eyes went wide. “The entire system is not up to Star League standards, of course; the SLDF did an extremely thorough job in smashing installations in Central Europe and Central America—but the rest of the system was untouched. We have reactivated all of the remaining ninety-two installations and can provide roughly 71% of the entire planet.â€
“They will still be aware of those gaps, however, won’t they?†Focht asked.
“Indeed,†Thomas answered with a smile. “I am planning on that.â€
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It's interesting to see the "Master" as an objective/reasonable individual sans-theocratic undertones. Since we have very limited canon fiction to offer an example of Marik's personality we have no real way of knowing whether or not the Master was as religious as his Domini underlings, or simply using the WoB's indoctrination to create the desired "effects."
From what I've gathered here, outwardly at least, Thomas Marik has a toned down personality, rational to almost even in demeanor. That should bode well in his interactions with Focht and the remainder of ComStar. It would be a real twist to see Waterly becoming the shadow antagonist during and after a Schism, rather than the Master.
After all, who's to say the Master didn't remain in the shadows to get real work accomplished? Who else could be in two places at the same time? It's the same work that would obviously take a major hit should Marik have ascended the Captain-Generalcy of the Free Worlds League, especially in light of his dangerous lineage.
On a side note, since the stand-in Thomas Marik was supposedly trained/patterned to think and act like the real Thomas Marik, there is a real possibility that the Master's personality could mirror the impostor's. The religious trappings could have been adopted to fit new leadership realities...fitting into a pre-existing culture and system. It would be a neat twist and certainly support the idea that the Blood was a preexisting entity hidden within ComStar.
Just something to think about...
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April 14, 3051
The Triad, Tharkad
Ghost Bear Occupation Zone
(Lyran Commonwealth, Federated Commonwealth)
“By yon bonnie banks, and by yon bonnie braes, where the sun shines bright on Loch Lomond,†the brilliant tenor voice of Ghost Bear Warrior sang out as eight more Warriors in full ceremonial regalia slow-marched the litter holding the remains of Khan Jorgensson into the packed square. Serried ranks of Ghost Bears stood silent at attention, each slowly lowering their heads as the litter passed by them.
“Where me and my true love will never meet again, on the bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond.â€
Sandra Tseng wait on the raised dais in the center of the square, surrounded by her Galaxy Commanders, and all of the Jorgensson Blood-named on Tharkad.
“O, ye’ll take the high road, an I’ll take the low road, and I’ll be in Scotland afore ye; for me and my true love will never meet again, on the bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond.â€
A single sibkin—no more than twelve years old stood before the dais, slowly beating a staccato rhythm on his drum in time with the steps of the pall-bearers.
“T’was there that we parted in yon shady glen, on the steep, steep sides of Ben Lomond; where in soft purple hue, the highland hills we view, and the moon coming out in the gloaming.â€
Five Visigoths streaked by above, one of the mighty fighters peeling away and up, leaving the open slot in their formation.
“O, ye’ll take the high road, an I’ll take the low road, and I’ll be in Scotland afore ye; for me and my true love will never meet again, on the bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond.â€
One by one, the ranks of Warriors in the courtyard slowly sank to the knees as their dead Khan passed by, with their heads bowing long in honor.
“The wee birdies sing and the wild flowers spring; and in sunshine, the waters are sleeping; but the broken heart it keens, no second spring again, tho’ the world knows not how we are grieving.â€
The Warriors honored to carry their Khan slowly lifted his litter and placed his mortal remains atop a tall bier of stacked wood. And each then stepped back and knelt, bowing their own heads low.
“O, ye’ll take the high road, an I’ll take the low road, and I’ll be in Scotland afore ye; for me and my true love will never meet again, on the bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond.â€
As the final notes echoed throughout the Triad—and were conveyed across Tharkad by the discreet cameras along the walls—Sandra Tseng stepped forward to the podium.
“Our Khan has fallen, Ghost Bears, and never again will we see him in this world. We grieve for our Khan, killed not in battle, but by a dishonorable trap set by those who are little more than bandits. Who fight not in the open, but instead hide themselves among the civilian castes and shield their own lives with that of innocents.â€
The saKhan lifted her head high, and removed her mask, revealing a face marred by streaks of tears running down her cheeks. “Our family has suffered a loss that cannot be replaced; but we are Ghost Bear. We shall overcome this, and in time accept the passing of our Khan whose blood has now anointed this world—our world.â€
“I hear the laments of my Warriors, who cry out for vengeance against those who struck down our Khan like cowards. I hear them. I know their pain, for it is my pain.â€
“But we are Ghost Bear. We shall not forsake who we are because of a dezgra few; were we Smoke Jaguar, then this city would burn to add our Khan’s pyre—those who dwell here forming his escort into the next life. But we are not Jaguars.â€
“Were we Jade Falcon, we would select hostages among the civilian castes and put their lives as ransom for the bandits that slew our Khan. But we are not Falcons.â€
“We are one family, we are Ghost Bear. We will put an end to this killing, and we will do so while remaining who our Founders intended us to be. There will be no reprisals against civilians who have committed no crime. There will be destruction of cities to slake our thirst for vengeance—that my brethren, is the path of the corrupt vulture Lords of this Inner Sphere. We will root these bandits from the midst of our new people, and they will pay for their crimes—but Clan Ghost Bear will not answer dishonor with dishonor. We will not mourn for the blood of a Khan by shedding ourselves the blood of those who had no part in his death.â€
“That is our way; that is the way of the Ghost Bear. And we are Ghost Bear. Seyla.â€
“SEYLA!†thundered the chorus from a thousand throats packed into the Triad.
“SEYLA!†yelled Sandra Tseng again as she stepped back from the podium and pulled off a leather glove, drew a knife, and sliced her palm deep, the blood dripping unto the pristine snow.
“SEYLA!†answered her Warriors.
She walked to the bier, and drizzled the blood from the cut upon the fallen Khan, and then she stepped back. “Sleep well, my Khan,†she said, “for your Clan remains—and it always shall!â€
The Clan Loremaster handed her a lit torch, and Sandra placed it within the bier of wood, and within seconds the fuel within caught, rapidly consuming the litter and upon it, the body of Khan Jerome Jorgensson.
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April 14, 3051
ilKhan Field HQ
Donegal
Goliath Scorpion Occupation Zone
(Lyran Commonwealth, Federated Commonwealth)
Nikolai frowned as the tapped the data-disk holding the latest information on Phase I in his hand. So far, other than a greater than anticipated level of insurgency and terrorism, the assault had gone exactly as planned. The death of Khan Jorgensson was a bitter blow, however, and the Smoke Jaguar insistence on the honor of assaulting Hesperus II had proved every bit as costly has Nikolai had feared. And the Jaguar response to the subsequent partisan attacks on their troops had been . . . extreme. With their customary brutality towards civilian castes, the Jaguars had answered bombings with escalated retaliations, finally culminating in an atrocity within the capital of Maria’s Elegy in the Melrose Valley. Fourteen thousand casualties had been confirmed after the troops garrisoning the city had gone berserk following the assassination of the Clan Loremaster.
Not that the Falcons, or the Hellions, or the Spirits, or the Mandrills, or the Vipers had been any more circumspect—although none of those Clans had garnered the body counts racked up by the Jaguars. It was unfortunate, but Nikolai had to treat it as an accomplished fact, for wringing his hands over it would change nothing now. But the fruit of that sowing would come at a later date, because Phase I had drawn in nearly all of the reaction forces within the Lyran Commonwealth, each of which had been readily defeated in detail. Only a handful of units—including some elite Inner Sphere mercenaries—had not so responded.
But the numbers were not as high as Nikolai had planned for, and now he knew why. Before his death, Khan Jorgensson had transmitted intelligence data his Clan had recovered from the Royal Palace on Tharkad. Nikolai snorted in appreciation for the sheer boldness of this Operation PEGASUS—clearly Hanse Davion had earned his nickname of the Fox. At least forty of the regiments and regimental combat teams he had planned on trapping in Phase I and Phase II were instead deep within the Federated Suns, and would no doubt soon be descending upon Oliver, or perhaps Skye.
The ilKhan leaned back in his comfortable chair and slowly rocked as he considered the map. No, it would be Oliver. The supply lines were shorter, and it would prevent the Clans from holding the flank of their counter-attack under threat. Oliver, with Clan Wolf and three full Galaxies of front-line troops, plus nearly twenty in PGCs. But Nikolai had studied well the databanks of the captured ComStar vessel, and he knew that the Fox could and would send in an overwhelming attack. Further, he had the report from Nelson that the Dragoon’s—most of them, at least—had chosen to abandon the Clans completely. The survivors would thirst for vengeance over the death of their beloved Colonel and the bombardment of their home. And three of their regiments had been already shuffled into place for PEGASUS. But the Dragoon’s Zeta Cluster would serve Clan Wolf as an admirable reinforcement, indeed.
Oliver, he thought again. And then he nodded and stood suddenly. “Transmit the Phase II execution orders to all Clans except Jade Falcon and Wolf. Append the following to the Clans Ghost Bear, Jade Falcon, Smoke Jaguar, and Star Adder—dispatch Reserve Galaxy to Oliver immediately; execute Phase II with remaining units.â€
As the headquarters staff began to move quickly to fufill his orders, he turned to Star Colonel Helen Wallace, the commander of the Ebon Keshik. “Inform saKhan Elam that he is to proceed to the WarShip cache and destroy the vessels—his escorts are to return to Oliver at once, along with Zeta. And Star Colonel?â€
“Yes, ilKhan?†replied the former Hellion Warrior.
“Order the Keshik to begin embarkation—we are moving General HQ to Oliver.â€
She bowed in acknowledgement of the order and left, leaving Nikolai to continue staring at the holographic map. Send in your overwhelming force, Fox, Nikolai thought. There will not be thirteen front-line Clusters on Oliver to meet them—there shall be thirty-two. And the ilKhan bared teeth in a fierce smile that none could mistake for friendly.
-
Wow, the Battle of Oliver will be epic!
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April 15, 3051
Kell Hounds Headquarters
Old Connaught
Arc-Royal
Lyran Commonwealth, Federated Commonwealth
“And that is the overall situation,†Lt. Colonel Dan Allard finished the brief as the lights in the room came back to full brightness. Scott Bradley and Akira Brahe—the commanders of his Kell Hounds 2nd and 1st Regiments, respectively—looked solemn at the worlds still flashing crimson on the holo-projection. Colonel Horiu Tanaga of the mercenary regiment Hell’s Black Aces looked physically ill, while Marshall Sharon Bryant of the 11th Lyran Guards Regimental Combat Team still had the same stubborn fixed face that she had worn since she landed on Arc-Royal two days ago.
“As you are all aware,†the Kell Hound CO continued, “our instructions from Prince Davion were explicit; we are to observe and continue to gather additional forces for an eventual counterattack. There are forces in motion already in the Federated Suns to deal with this invasion.â€
“However, we are not going to follow those orders,†Dan finished quietly, and he sat down at a stocky, heavyset man made his way to the front of the room. Everyone sat a little straighter as Colonel Morgan Kell—dressed in his Kell Hound uniform, instead of his civilian attire—made his way to the podium.
“We have been in communication with surviving Lyran Intelligence Corps agents on Tharkad. They have determined that all but one of the units that hit Tharkad are preparing to move out—probably to link up with these other attacks. We can only presume that the other beachheads are doing the same. But that provides us with a window of opportunity.â€
“Archon Melissa Steiner-Davion is being held in the Triad—we have her location and that of her daughter. Now, we cannot hope to hold Tharkad, not against thirteen regiments of ‘Mechs and assorted conventional forces equipped with the advanced weapons we have reports of them using. But, we have an opportunity to raid the capital, grab the Archon, and leave while they are distracted. I intend for us to do exactly that.â€
“You must be joking, Colonel Kell!†snapped Marshall Bryant. “Those systems have eaten every regiment and RCT that responded to their pleas for help, and now you want to throw us into the fray—against orders?â€
“There isn’t time for orders from New Avalon, Marshall. Colonel Tanaga, can your fighters—augmented by the Hounds and the Eleventh’s—keep their aerospace off our back for a few hours?â€
“We’ll sure as hell try, Colonel Kell,†growled the grizzled old Lyran.
Morgan nodded. “Good enough. Marshall Bryant, we will have the force advantage, with your Eleventh and both Kell Hound Regiments on the ground. And we will be dropping directly onto the Triad. Edwin,†he said to the only junior officer present in the room—Major Edwin Winson, the commander of the Hound’s special operations infantry detachment, “while we hold these Ghost Bears at bay, it will up to your boys to find the Archon and get her to the DropShip.â€
Sharon shook her head. “No. I’m not going to waste my people’s lives on a foolish plan; for God’s sake, Colonel, you don’t even know if this information is correct. The LIC could be captured and transmitting this to draw you into a trap!â€
Morgan Kell drew in a deep breath and glared at the Lyran officer, who was sweating in the bright lights. But it wasn’t the rooms heat that was causing the sweat.
“Marshall Bryant, are you refusing to obey my orders? The First Prince placed me in charge of all FedCom forces assembling on Arc-Royal, after all.â€
She swallowed and shook her head in resignation. “No. I will do my duty, Colonel Kell, but I still think this is too much of a risk—for all we know she could already be dead.â€
“Not according to LIC, Marshall,†Morgan answered softly. “And not if the Kell Hounds can stop it.†He looked over the other officers, and then nodded. “We lift at 1600 hours, then. And may God have mercy on our souls.â€
-
“There isn’t time for orders from New Avalon, Marshall. Colonel Tanaga, can your fighters—augmented by the Hounds and the Eleventh’s—keep their aerospace off our back for a few hours?â€
“We’ll sure as hell try, Colonel Kell,†growled the grizzled old Lyran.
Only issue here is that Tanaga isn't Lyran. He's from the Combine, according to FM: Mercs page 74. Is this something you changed, or just something that needs to be corrected?
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Oops. I knew the Hell's Black Aces were originally Liao Capellan--I just assigned Tanaga was as well.
I'll fix it tomorrow.
MA
Fixed.
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Blood And Fire and Claws and Savage Teeth The Battle shall be wonderful. Also the Kell Hounds trying to rescue bondsmen oh that will be more trouble than even they can handle.
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Oops. I knew the Hell's Black Aces were originally Lyran--I just assigned Tanaga was as well.
Huh? Originally Lyran? I think you might be confusing the Aces with somebody else.
FM: Mercs pg 74
Ever since fleeing the Confederation in 3011, Hell’s Black Aces has built up a reputation as one of the few
aerospace-only mercenary units in existence and one of the best mercenary units period. Of Capellan heritage
originally, the mercenaries have assimilated over time a sizeable portion of Kurita pilots, who have risen
through the ranks to hold many command slots.
-
April 15, 3051
Imperial Palace
Imperial City, Luthien
Draconis Combine
Gunji-no-kanrei Theodore Kurita was ushered into the private office of his father, the Coordinator of the Draconis Combine, by grim-faced Otomo. A suite in the palace, rather than a single room, it was nonetheless quite crowded by normal standards, for today all five of the Tai-Shu, the Warlords commanding each of the Combine’s Military Districts, were present as well; along with their aides, staff, and the ever present intimidating presence of the armed Otomo.
Four of the older men grudgingly acknowledged Theodore and his position as the head of the Draconis Combine Mustered Soldiery with a simple nod, but the fifth quickly crossed the room and took his hand with a wide grin on his face.
“Glad you were able to respond so promptly, Gunji-no-Kanrei,†Duke Hassid Ricol, the man charged with the rule of Alshain Military District said.
Theodore kept his face still with the long practice of hiding his emotions at court and simply nodded in return. “Then there has been further news?â€
“Hai,†the Red Duke answered with a beaming smile. “But I think perhaps your father will wish to be the one to deliver it.â€
The heir to the Dragon looked around the room, and was vaguely surprised that his father was nowhere to be seen. He began to open his mouth to ask, and then he saw that the door to Takashi Kurita’s private lavatory was cracked open, two courtiers waiting with bowed heads.
What the . . ., he thought.
The door fully opened and Coordinator Takashi Kurita stepped out, wiping his hands on a cloth. Behind him trailed a palace servant, holding two vials, each containing what appeared to be . . . urine?
Conversation within the room abruptly came to a halt.
“You are to personally deliver this to each of the sites, and pour the contents on their graves,†the old Kurita rumbled. “Now go, your JumpShips are waiting.â€
The courtiers each took a vial, bowing low, and placed each within a diplomatic bag, which they then sealed.
His father briskly crossed the room and sat at his desk, and placed both hands on the wooden surface. “Hanse Davion is dead,†he said. “And so too is Jamie Wolf. The Dragon has outlived both its enemies, and I will laugh as my piss is poured onto their graves. But that brings us to the issue of what comes next—which is why you are summoned today.â€
The Warlord of Galedon nodded his head in elation. “It is an opportunity, my Lord. This boy of the Fox’s, he is not as capable as his father—and he must move against the invader who has taken his mother’s realm. Now is our time to launch our own offensive; we can be halfway to New Avalon before they can even attempt to stop us.â€
Dieron and Benjamin nodded their agreement, but Pesht looked aggrieved, and the Red Duke just grinned. “My Lord,†Ricol spoke up, “Galedon is a fool. Yes, there is an opportunity here, and yes, we should make contingency plans. But to launch a sudden attack, now, with no intelligence on what this new opponent is or what their own plans may be is rash. We should be patient, and wait to see how thin Victor Steiner-Davion makes his border defenses. If he should push back this invader, and then can respond to us with his full strength, such . . . adventurism would prove to be a tragic mistake.â€
“And what does my Gunji-no-kanrei say?†asked Taskashi.
“As the Coordinator commands my thoughts, he shall have them,†Theodore answered with a bow. “It is too soon; we must wait and see what occurs. Further, the very depth that this invader has struck makes it too likely by far that additional deep strikes could be en route—perhaps to this realm. I would humbly suggest that we pull our troops from the Davion and Steiner border, reinforcing Luthien and the District Capitals for the moment. Bolstered by this decision, it may lead the new First Prince—the Archon-Prince—to draw down his forces on the Draconis March even further than he has planned to. If we are then to strike, our chances of success would be far greater.â€
“And if we do strike after he has reduced his own border guards, then where would my son suggest?â€
“Robinson,†Theodore said quietly. “We strike hard and fast and eliminate the Sandoval family with the concentrated might of our Regiments. Should this be the Dragon’s will, our plans are already drawn up, for Operation Kuroshio. They require only your authorization.â€
“But you do not believe that we should strike, do you, my son?â€
“No, my Lord. I believe this new invader may prove a greater threat to the Dragon than the Davions; until we know for certain it would be foolish to over extend our strength.â€
Theodore heard one—he could not tell which—of the District Warlords whisper the word coward. And Takashi’s face went red and he suddenly stood.
“My son has the right of it! What is the way of the samurai? A single lethal strike, perfectly executed that kills as suddenly as it is unleashed! Only a fool expends more energy than he must, and clearly many of you are fools! Be gone! Be gone from my presence!â€
“Theodore, stay,†the old man continued as the Otomo began to usher the remainder from the suite.
Takashi stood and walked to the window, looking down on the blossoms of the cherry trees in his private garden below. “It has been too long since I last walked among those trees without concerns of state weighing me down. Gunji-no-kanrei, I charge you with the defense of my realm. Make your preparations. Should you need to replace those fossils, the orders are signed on my desk. Do not disappoint me, Theodore.â€
The Coordinator turned his back on his son, who bowed low and backed out of the office.
-
More good stuff, I'd watch my own industrial worlds a little closer after the Clan strike. Probably authorize some raids to gauge their strength for myself.
MA is likely recalling the founding of the Aces which occurred under contract to the Lyrans through the Blue Star Irregulars Dread Moores.
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Enjoyed the urine vials. Well done.
-
Was Takashi really that bad? I mean, they are dead and he should mourn their passing as great enemies.
Anyway, seems he still can think. The Kanrei will be a tough fight for the Clans. And I look forward to Oliver. :)
And somehow I think the Hounds can pull it off. On the other hand, when is Arc Royal being targeted?
-
Arc Royal is in the Hell's Horses Zone (Target Zone Eta). They are moving for a strike on the planet as the Kell Hounds, Hell's Black Aces, and 11th Lyran Guards are heading out (the K-H and company should be clear of the jump points about 24 hours before Clan HH arrives).
You're not the only one looking to Oliver, Marlin. :o
MA
-
April 19, 3051
Ducal Estates
City of Tierney
St. Ives Compact
“Tormano, you have to pass the abort order to Kai!†Candace Allard-Liao pleaded.
Her brother looked sick as he shook his head. “We . . . we didn’t plan for PEGASUS to be aborted this late, Candace. I have already sent the abort order—but he will already be moving by the time it arrives. Especially given the cut-outs we are having to use for the operation to avoid detection by the Maskirovka.â€
The Duchess of St. Ives lowered her head in resigned agreement. “Isn’t there anything we can do?†she whispered.
Her younger brother paused, and then he swallowed the sudden lump in his throat. “Perhaps there is, Candace.â€
Kai’s mother looked up from her desk with a suddenly suspicious glare in her eyes. “Explain.â€
“The FedCom has cancelled PEGASUS—hell, two-thirds of their RCTs and other units already in place have already left the Compact. But the rest will be here for at least a month. That gives us a month, dear sister, in which the St. Ives Armored Cavalry can still act.â€
He began to pace. “Romano can’t attack the Compact, not with the FedCom RCTs still here as garrison—and she’s only got sixteen line Regiments left in the whole CCAF. Your Armored Cav has eight regiments by itself, Candace—and between us we have contracted four mercenary units as well. We ignore the original plan, and move directly on Sian with everything; we’ve got just enough transport capacity to lift ten regiments in a single go. Forget the distraction attacks, forget everything else; we hit Sian and remove our delirious sister from power before she can do more harm—before she can capture, torture, and kill your son.â€
Candace squinted at her brother, and Tormano felt a cold chill running up his spine. “I would almost say that you planned this, little brother—it has the stink of your manipulations on it. But I don’t think you managed to arrange this massive invasion of the Lyrans.â€
“Yes, it was always a contingency plan, Candace—you do remember those from when you led your own battalion, do you not?†he retorted in a more fierce tone than he felt.
“Don’t you dare try to use my son to manipulate me, Tormano—but I must admit, it does have a certain audacity to it,†she mused, her voice changing from dangerous to contemplative as she considered the possibilities.
“It has two advantages, your Grace,†Tormano continued, plowing ahead despite the bold flashing lighted signs warning DANGER: MINEFIELDS AHEAD. “First of all, it won’t be the Davions tearing our realm apart again—it will be you overthrowing an insane ruler and restoring the Confederation. That alone will put many of our people on your side—especially if we can capture Romano and her spawn in the initial push. Second, when Free Capella—and your son—launch their uprising on schedule, the CCAF and Romano will be too busy with you to deal with them.â€
Candace sighed and leaned back in her seat, still glaring icy daggers at Tormano. “Sometimes, Tormano, you remind me of Father far too much for comfort,†she finally said.
The younger Liao winced. “You really know how to stab a guy through heart, sis.â€
“How soon?†she asked.
“Everything is in place. And with the Armored Cav taking all of the JumpShips in system—they are yours, after all—the FedCom regiments and RCTs will have no choice but to stay and defend the Compact worlds. Give the word and we can lift in thirty-six hours.â€
“We?â€
“Well, it would certainly help to have a Liao at the liberation of Sian, Candace. And since you happen to have a spare one available . . .†his voice trailed off as he grinned.
“Indeed, I do, little brother. You will remain here as my Regent. I will lead the Armored Cavalry on this assignment—from the cockpit of my own Vindicator. A Liao will liberate the Confederation from madness,†she finished with a smile as Tormano’s face fell. “And Tormano?â€
“Yes, your Grace?â€
“Let us inform the Archon-Prince that I fully expect him to live up to his father’s agreement with me—especially if St. Ives accomplishes this on its own and without his support. And tell Victor that if Katherine is lost, then it will be acceptable for Kai to wed Yvonne, if he survives this campaign.â€
“Of course, your Grace.â€
-
April 21, 3051
The White Palace
Avalon City, New Avalon
Federated Suns, Federated Commonwealth
“Dammit, Morgan! I need to be there with my troops!†Victor snapped.
“No, boy,†the Marshall of the AFFC calmly replied. “This isn’t the Third Succession War, and your heirs are still minors. Like it or not, Archon-Prince, your place is not on the battlefield, but here. Here, on New Avalon, where your subjects can see and hear you. Did your father direct RAT and NAME from the cockpit of his Battlemaster? No. We can’t afford to lose another leader, Victor, not this soon.â€
Victor set his jaw, his eyes flaring, burning with the anger that he needed to release at these Clans that had robbed him of his father and his mother both. He started to open his mouth, but Morgan cut him off.
“NO. And if you won’t listen to me on this, then I will resign my commission effective immediately, my Prince!†the older man bellowed.
The Archon-Prince drew in a deep breath and forced himself to relax, and then he grinned. “And you would, wouldn’t you? Go back to New Syrtis and leave me to deal with all of this by myself?â€
“Aye, lad, I would and I will if you don’t do the right thing here.â€
Victor slowly nodded. “All right, then who gets the field command?â€
“Well,†Morgan said with a slow smile, “seems like that’s the sort of job that falls on the shoulders of the Marshall of the Armed Forces of the Federated Commonwealth, wouldn’t you agree, my Prince?â€
The young man snorted and waved his hand as he sat back down. “Go, then. Have fun storming the castle.â€
Morgan’s grin widened. “Loved that movie as a kid, I still do as a matter of fact. Good to see that Hanse raised you and your siblings right.â€
Victor started to reply, but then the door to his fathers—no, HIS—private office opened and Justin Allard-Liao entered, his face a pale pasty white. Oh shit, the Archon-Prince thought, what NOW?
“Prince Victor, I think you need to view this immediately,†he said in a tight, clipped voice that betrayed just how much stress the intelligence chief was feeling. He held a small disk in one hand—the hand on which he always wore a glove—a disk that sparkled with rainbow colors in the light.
Victor took the disk and set it within a player built into the desk, and a wide-screen monitor on the far wall came to life.
Candace Allard-Liao appeared, and she did not appear to be happy. “Justin, my love. The abort order came too late; Free Capella has already begun its pre-invasion operations—and Kai is in the middle of it. My dear sister is liable to go ballistic at this, and that could throw a wrench in the redeployment of the AFFC to engage these invaders on the Lyran side. Accordingly, I need you to pass this to Victor Steiner-Davion as soon as you view it. No matter what comes of this, my love, we will be together again.â€
The message paused for a moment, and then Candace resumed speaking. “Victor, you are under enormous pressure at this moment, and I fear that I shall add to that. I cannot, in good conscience, allow Romano to continue abusing the Capellan people. Even though the Federated Commonwealth has terminated PEGASUS, I am moving forward with a contingency plan worked out in the case of an abrupt cancellation. All JumpShips within the Compact registered to the St. Ives government, to myself, and to corporations based within St. Ives are now currently in use to ferry six Regiments of the St. Ives Armored Cavalry and four mercenary Regiments to Sian. By the time that you receive this, we will have completed our first jump and be recharging to hit Sian from the pirate point. I trust that you will fufill your father’s word and keep the bargain that he struck with me—should Kai survive, and if it is still your wish, then he has my permission to bind our families in blood by marrying Yvonne when she comes of age.â€
The Duchess—the Chancellor—smiled grimly, and sadly. “We may well fail, but at the least, I can assure you that neither Romano nor Kali will sit much longer on the Celestial Throne. This is Candace Allard-Liao, Chancellor of the Capellan Confederation, signing off.â€
“My god,†Victor whispered. “Can we get any support to her, Morgan?â€
The Marshall shook his head. “All of our available transport is heading in the opposite direction to Outreach, my Prince. And even if we could, they would not arrive until a week or two after she attacks Sian.â€
The young leader looked up at his mentor, his Marshall. “What can we do then?â€
Morgan closed his eyes. “I would suggest prayer, my Prince. It can’t hurt and it just might help.â€
Victor nodded and turned back to look at Justin—and only now did he realize that the blood-drained look on the face of his Minister of Intelligence was not shock, nor was it fear; it was pure unadulterated fury. Fury at the snake-pit his wife was heading into while he sat safe hundreds of light years away. “Morgan, break open that bottle of Glenlivet, if you please; I think we could all use a stiff drink right now.â€
-
April 28, 3051
Overlord class DropShip Warhound
Inbound to Planetary Drop
Tharkad
Ghost Bear Occupation Zone
(Lyran Commonwealth/Federated Commonwealth)
“Fifteen minutes to atmosphere!†Morgan Kell heard over his radio as he waited strapped into the cockpit of his Archer. Suddenly, a light began flashing on the comm panel, and he frowned as he activated the link.
“Yes, Marshall Bryant,†he asked.
“That is a WarShip, Colonel Kell! A fracking WarShip moving in towards us!†the woman screamed.
“Yes, Marshall, it is. And it is too far out to interfere with our landings,†he continued calmly.
“But . . . but it’ll be in orbit by the time we lift, Colonel! We have to abort right now!â€
“Have you forgotten that our JumpShips need time to charge, Marshall?†the mercenary commander replied. “The Black Aces and our own fighters will keep him at bay.†They have to, Morgan thought, although a chill ran down his spine.
“You’re mad,†she whispered. “I’m not suiciding just because you got this brilliant idea to rescue the Archon—and I’m damn sure not taking my people with you!â€
On the tertiary command monitor next to Morgan’s knee, the one that showed the radar return of the incoming raid, she saw the Eleventh’s DropShips suddenly veer away and begin to accelerate towards the ecliptic—and the three JumpShips Morgan had ordered there far beyond the normal system jump perimeter.
“Marshall Bryant, you will return to formation at once!†he barked. But the DropShips continued to accelerate away from the planet, their fighters also changing course to provide escort. Damn, she’s going to steal my go-to-hell ride.
Another flashing light on his comm console began to blink. “What do you think, Dan?†Morgan asked.
For several seconds there was only silence. “We carry on the mission, Colonel. We knew there was a chance it would land in the crapper, but . . . would you look at that!†the nominal commander of the Kell Hounds exclaimed.
Morgan stared at the screen, and his eyes bulged as he saw the WarShip inbound for orbit change vector and began to pursue the Eleventh outsystem! “All ships,†he barked into the transmitter, “all combat units, we’ve got our window. Let’s get ‘er done!â€
***********************************************************************
The executive officer of GSS Bear’s Den pulled himself across the heavy gravity that the engines had created to stand beside the Star Admiral on his bridge. “We can catch them, Star Admiral,†he said, “but it will take us eight hours to do so and then seventeen to return to orbit. And the other group is continuing on to the planet.â€
“Khan Tseng will handle the Inner Sphere rabble on the surface, Star Colonel,†the senior Bear officer replied. “Our orders are quite explicit—do not allow any to escape. Maintain maximum thrust on all engines until we reach weapons range.â€
***********************************************************************
If Hell were cold and icy, Morgan thought, this would be it. He side-stepped his Archer past the staccato fire of a hostile autocannon almost without thinking; damn, but these guys are good! Better than the Genyosha, maybe better than us. But they don’t have the numbers on their side, not anymore. Burning ‘Mechs filled his display—a mix of Kell Hounds and Ghost Bears, but quite a few more Hounds than Bears. And those infantry that Daniel had christened as Gremlins . . . he shuddered, as he remembered seeing Scott Bradley ripped from his own cockpit and torn into a dozen pieces by three of them.
“Well, tanks a lot,†he heard Dan mutter as a half dozen of those unworldly PPCs ripped into the Kell Hound flank. “Boss, we’ve got tracks here.â€
“Kell Hounds, form up on me,†Morgan rumbled, as he pushed his Archer forward into a charge. “Sic ‘em!â€
***********************************************************************
Damn, these freebirths are good, Khan Tseng thought as yet another autocannon salvo slammed into her Silver Grizzly. The best we have fought so far—and they managed to arrive after the main combat formations had departed Tharkad. Perhaps those insurgents have another method of communications, one we haven’t yet found.
And that one BattleMech, that old-style Archer that would have been outdated in the Founders Star League Defense Force, none of her weapons could attain a lock! By Kerensky’s seed, even her sensors could barely make it out, and only in brief glimpses! Some kind of ECM, she wondered, but then she shook the thought from her mind as she lined up a shot on a lighter BattleMech that her new reprogrammed recognition computers IDed as a Wolfhound. Whatever it is, little freebirth, you don’t have it, she thought with a grin as she salvoed the heavy ‘Mechs entire weapons payload into its chest.
***********************************************************************
Melissa awoke with a start, pulling Katherine closer against her chest as she heard heavy gunfire just outside her bedroom, followed by two dull thuds. The door was kicked in and infantry—Inner Sphere infantry, by God!—surged into the room.
“Clear!†“Clear!†“Clear!†yelled the first three, one right after another. Oh my, Melissa thought as saw the shoulder flash on one clearly—Morgan came.
A fourth soldier entered the room. “Major Edwin Winson, Kell Hounds Spec-Ops, ma’am. We’re here to get you and your daughter out. Can you move?â€
Melissa nodded, her throat too tight and dry to speak.
“Ok, we’ve got an Intruder in the courtyard, ma’am, just a couple of hundred yards and we will have you out of the line of fire—let’s move.â€
***********************************************************************
The tanks were supported by conventional infantry, Morgan saw, but they died in droves against the combined fire from Kell Hound ‘Mech—although his sensors did show yet another regiment of them moving in fast—faster than any tracked tank that big had any right in moving.
Suddenly, a green light lit on his console, and Morgan’s heart soared. “Kell Hounds! WE ARE LEAVING! GET TO YOUR TRANSPORT!†he bellowed across the tactical net. He, Dan, and Akira began to back up, covering the lighter ‘Mechs as they flooded aboard the Overlords and Unions, and Intruders, and Seekers, and Fortresses grounded inside the shattered walls of the Triad. But then he saw a Ghost Bear ‘Mech that looked eerily similar to an Orion step forward.
***********************************************************************
“Well fought, freebirth,†Khan Tseng called out over the radio. “But you cannot escape, and I would know the name of a Warrior who has fought as gallantly as you.â€
“I am Morgan Kell, and the Kell Hounds follow me. And you are?â€
“Sandra Tseng, Khan of Clan Ghost Bear. Do you yield, Morgan Kell?â€
“Funny, Sandra Tseng, I was about to ask you the same thing. But I think not quite yet.â€
“Bargained well and done, Morgan Kell. I hope you live for you shall make a fine bondsman to the Clan.â€
***********************************************************************
The two ‘Mechs began to circle, and the remaining Ghost Bears stopped their fire to watch. Hoping that Morgan knew what he was doing, Dan opened his radio. “Kell Hounds, cease fire and board ship. Do it now!†He switched freqs. “I’ve got the door, Morg,†he whispered. “Haul ass and get aboard.â€
“Is the Archon aboard?†his friend and former commander asked, his ‘Mech reeling from multiple weapon hits.
“Yes.â€
“Then lift, Dan. Lift now—while they are distracted.â€
***********************************************************************
Sandra winced as yet another twin flight of LRMs hammered her, opening his right side and breaching the armor—but luckily the remaining missiles did not set off her munitions. He is too good, she thought, and once again targeted the Archer visually, without the aid of any of her electronic targeting systems. It had a long time since the Khan had been forced to gauge windage and drop on BattleMech weapons, but she was putting a fair number of her shots on target anyway. Unfortunately, so was he.
She snarled as she saw two of lasers punch through his side armor, and she slid her munitions selector on the autocannon from Slug to Cluster and triggered a burst to exploit the breach, quickly followed by another salvo from her own LRMs. The autocannon shots found their mark, but the LRMs went high—and then suddenly the Archer exploded as one of the munitions found the ammo bin and the pilot was ejected—straight into the path of an errant missile.
***********************************************************************
“MORGAN!†Dan screamed as the ejection seat was hit by a missile designed to remove BattleMech armor; he began to target the Ghost Bear ‘Mech, but he remembered the final orders Morgan Kell had given him and he stepped back two paces and hit the ‘Mech sized button with his Thunderbolt’s fist. The ramp began to retract even as the blast door slid into place. But he could see the Ghost Bear below kneel and bow towards the remains of his friend, his commander, his mentor. He squinted against the tears and changed the radio frequency. “Take us up, Captain,†he whispered.
“Aye, aye, Colonel Dan. We got everyone on board?â€
“Everyone that’s still moving, Capt’n. Get us moving,†he officer said quietly as he turned off the radio and began to cry.
***********************************************************************
The Bear’s Den was still sixteen hours out, having just finished off the last of Marshall Bryant’s DropShips when the Kell Hounds broke atmosphere and rendezvoused with the surviving Black Aces. Together, the shattered regiments limped to their JumpShips and prepared to leave behind the frozen world beneath them.
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Ho They made it surprise surprise.
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Takiro, Knightmare, Irose, MechRat, any of you gurus: I need some help here. Having written myself into a corner, where should the Kell Hound survivors take Melissa and Kat? Or, in other words, what world would have serious defenses that I haven't smashed all to hell and back?
:o
At first I thought they would head to New Avalon, but it is way too dicey, with the entire Terran Corridor filled with Clanners. So anyway where would you suggest?
MA
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Just for fun, I'd tell them to make for Marik space. :D
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Takiro, Knightmare, Irose, MechRat, any of you gurus: I need some help here. Having written myself into a corner, where should the Kell Hound survivors take Melissa and Kat? Or, in other words, what world would have serious defenses that I haven't smashed all to hell and back?
:o
At first I thought they would head to New Avalon, but it is way too dicey, with the entire Terran Corridor filled with Clanners. So anyway where would you suggest?
MA
Gallery is a House Steiner world not far from Tharkad. It is a good point to stopover take a quick accounting of what you have. Then it is on to Bolan where I would establish a Provisional Lyran Capital and attempt to turn the tide. It puts you in a good position to strike at Hesperus while some new factory worlds like Son Hoa and Loburg are expedited to get you some desperately needed supplies.
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Gallery is a good place to stop. You could if done right draw in The Ghost Bears by leaving a false trail so they think the Steiner-Davions and their remaining troops are using the tunnels for shelter. Then they could sneak off to Bolan to try and rebuild. Bolan offers a regional Headquarters for the Fedcom and LIC. Also it offers a militia traing facility so they could fill the holes in their TO&E.
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I'd agree with laying a false traila and with Bolan as the obvious choice... but it's too obvious.
While the Clans know they're heading for Terra, the Inner Sphere cannot be sure that they aren't going to consolidate by taking out Bolan - hell, leaving Bolan as a postion to regroup and then smiting it fiercely once troops and supplies are concentrated there (with Clan Burrock which the Wolf Dragoons probably don't know has been absorbed) would be perfectly in line with the Clan strategy so far.
I would suggest Buena. It's got an Academy so it has reasonable command facilities. It's also somewhat further from the Occupied Worlds without being right on Thomas Marik's doorstep and because it's not a command world itself, it's possible it might be overlooked by the Clans.
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Hmmm...why not move to Loxley? It is not as distant as some of the other worlds and is home to Norse-Storm BattleMechs Inc., one of the few manufacturing centers not yet targeted by the Clans.
Furthermore Griff Storm is a Lyran patriot.
Ciao
Hessian
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At first I thought they would head to New Avalon, but it is way too dicey, with the entire Terran Corridor filled with Clanners. So anyway where would you suggest?
My personal opinion is to write towards the characters...
Morgan Kell: He'll want Melissa as far away from the fighting as possible as quickly as possible so he eventually bring his Kell Hounds back into the fight.
Victor Steiner-Davion: He'll want to have his mother and sister as far away from the fighting as possible so he can concentrate on the invasion.
Melissa Steiner-Davion: She'll want to safeguard her recently traumatized daughter from further danger and possibly mourn the loss of her husband. However, Melissa's also shown a tremendous devotion to the Lyran state and will want to remain in the Commonwealth for obvious reason - bolster morale, help galvanize opposition to the invasion, etc. She's smart enough to know that by going to New Avalon the effects could be devastating. The Lyran people could feel completely abandoned and morale could plummet beyond saving.
If I were writing this story, I'd have Melissa eventually sell Morgan on the idea of remaining somewhere in the Commonwealth to help organize the continued defense and liberation of the Commonwealth. She'd have to do this over the objection of Morgan (and if in contact), her son. However, Melissa would certainly order Katherine to New Avalon, probably in the care of Daniel Allard. If the two were to travel together as civilians there's the possibility they could make the trip secretly. After all, the Clans would expect and focus on the Kell Hounds. Subterfuge is not a Clan strong point. What's interesting, is the route Daniel and Katherine would take to get to New Avalon. Since no one really knows the full extent of the invasion a wide berth around the Terran Corridor would be the safest route to take. Common sense also dictates a relatively straight shot so you could send Daniel and Katherine through DC space as civilians.
Play with that idea for a minute.
At any rate, after Katherine and Daniel beat feet for New Avalon, I'd send the Kell Hounds towards Marik space. I'd do it for two reasons. One, if the Clans are able to track the Hounds, this would take them further away from Katherine and Daniel and secondly, sending them towards Marik space gives the Kell Hounds and Melissa the option of utilizing some of the aforementioned worlds people have already posted.
Skye would be off limits due to the Clans. Again, assuming Morgan and Melissa know the full extent of the invasion, and too close to where Daniel and Katherine would be headed. Alternatively, if the Hounds and Melissa made a big show of moving towards Marik space they could help redirect some Clan pressure elsewhere in a bid to capture them, the same forces that would be used on Oliver or (accidentally) recapturing Katherine. I know that Morgan and Melissa will want to do what they can to help. If direct conflict is suicide, then artificially inflating their threat level and worth by making themselves into a distracting target would certainly suffice.
My pence.
Now, since Morgan is dead Melissa will have an easier time convincing Dan of sending Katherine away. It'll just have to be in the care of someone else. So here's the opportunity to add a new character to the plot.
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All very good points Knightmare but your post has bought something of an outside option to mind. Yes Melissa would want to stay in the Lyran State which is why my best suggestion is Bolan by way of Gallery. Bolan was a Provincial Capital of the Protectorate of Donegal prior to the FedCom when it became a March Capital. As such it is the only Lyran (Regional) Capital World left unoccupied by the Clans. Not sure of the HPG on world but an A Class Station would be a good starting point for any Provisional Capital World.
Anyway if you'd like to go outside the box there are two options. The capital of the Periphery March (not even sure what it is or if one was ever established) might be too much of a reach but try this on for size. Sarna. Technically it is Lyran territory, Melissa was the ruler before she ascended the Archonship, it is farther from the Clan line of advance and closer to New Avalon.
One nitpick with getting farther away. The Clan assaults were in most cases extremely deep, largely undetected, and most damming of all UNSTOPPABLE. There is a certain futility of trying to outdistance them at this point. You have to be true to yourself and stick to what you know so I wouldn't get to cute as of yet.
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I enjoyed reading what you wrote while I was away.
I just find the Free Worlds League too quiet for its own good.
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May 1, 3051
Planetary Flight Control Center
Forbidden City, Sian
Capellan Confederation
“How’s Marina doing?†asked Gregor McCall as he activated the diagnostic program on the deep-space radar system that guarded Sian’s approaches.
His coworker grimaced. “She’s swollen like a blimp; and I made the mistake of telling her that last night.â€
Gregor leaned back in his comfortable chair and swiveled to face Ivan Kalinin, shaking his head. “I’ve told you, comrade, absolute truth is not a good thing for marriage—sometimes it is best for a white lie or two.â€
“Da. I am learning that—or rather my back is after sleeping on the couch.â€
Gregor chuckled.
“Other than being the size of a beached whale,†Ivan continued, “she is fine. We just have another three weeks, according to the doctor’s, and then she should start labor.â€
Gregor nodded as the computer monitor finished preparing for the diagnostic, and flashed a question on the screen: (F)ull/(P)artial?
Contrary to the procedures, Gregor hit the F key, and the entire deep-space array went into a self-diagnostic loop. Holding down another combination of three keys, he pulled up an archive file of last night’s sensor images, with today’s date and time-stamp superimposed on the monitor.
“Well, hopefully it will be a better world for your daughter, Ivan,†the member of Free Capella said softly as he turned to smile at his co-worker again.
“A better world? With a daughter that will probably be as beautiful as my wife? I will be lucky to avoid prison from shooting her suitors in a few short years.â€
“Ah, yes, Comrade Citizen Space Controller,†Gregor answered very formally. “It is the universe’s revenge on every father that he has a daughter of his own, especially since he knows all too well how the male of the species behaves at that age.â€
“I have seriously considered sending her to a convent for her schooling, Gregor, but Marina gives me an evil look every time I bring it up.â€
“That, my friend, is an argument you are not going to win,†Gregor laughed as he noted the sudden appearance of several JumpShips and DropShips on an auxiliary monitor—and disabled the alarm.
“I fear you speak the truth,†Ivan said glumly. “She already has plans for Sasha to be a cheerleader—a cheerleader! I will have to threaten the entire boy’s athletic program, I fear.â€
“Well, look on the bright side, Ivan,†Gregor said as he finished reprogramming the system. “You won’t have to pay room and board during your final years—the State will provide them for you!â€
The two men laughed as several dozen DropShips—detected by no one else as of yet—drew closer and closer to Sian.
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For Something Completly Different: Why not have the Blood intercept them and take them to Odessa?
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May 1, 3051
DropShip Archimedes
Outbound, Sian
Capellan Confederation
“Any response from Flight, Wes?†Ship Commander Jin Teng asked as he stared at the dozens—scores—of icons on the radar display.
“Just the same automated message, Sir. This is an unscheduled military exercise; maintain radio silence and normal operations.â€
Jin frowned. Military exercise my ass, he thought to himself. That many DropShips would be at least a fifth of the entire Capellan ‘Mech force!
“Are we still in comm range of the planetary net?â€
“Barely, sir.â€
“Then place a ship-to-surface call to this number, Wes.â€
“Sir, that is contrary to protocol—everything has to go through Flight Control, you know the regs.â€
“Damn the regs, man! Place the call.â€
May 1, 3051
Senior Officers Housing, Capellan Hussars
Forbidden City, Sian
Capellan Confederation
The shrill tone of the phone rang a third time, and Colonel Marius Teng pulled himself out of a deep sleep, frowning at the red digits on his clock that read 02:11.
“Teng. And you had best have a damn good reason for waking me.â€
“Are you running an unscheduled exercise with DropShips, Marius?†his brother asked through heavy static.
“Jin? What the hell are you talking about?â€
“Brother, I’ve got thirty-plus Droppers heading for orbital insertion up here, and all Flight,†static broke up the transmission, but then it cleared, “. . . exercise. Are you running one?â€
Marius Teng felt a chill running through his body. “Get your ship clear, Jin, I’ve got some calls to make.â€
He hung up the phone, and quickly dialed a number from memory.
“Headquarters, Capellan Hussars, Sergeant Monroe speaking. How may I assist you?â€
“Teng, here. Send the Regiment to alert status, Sergeant—this is not a drill.â€
“Yes, sir,†the NCO answered. “Authorization?â€
“Quebec Sierra Seven Two Three Romeo Bravo Two One.â€
“Confirmed,†Marius heard the NCOIC answer as the warning klaxon began to wail in the background.
“Tell Major Bernadotte to prepare to for immediate action against hostile troops dropping from orbit; I’ll be there as soon as possible.â€
Without waiting for a reply, Marius hung up again, and dialed a second number.
“Sian Aerospace Control.â€
“Scramble the alert fighters and get the rest of the wing moving,†Marius said as he began to pull on a pair of trousers.
“Excuse me?â€
“This is Colonel Teng of the Red Lancers! We have hostile DropShips inbound, Sian!â€
“Colonel, you don’t have the authority to order this, only Chancellor Liao can . . .â€
“Son, you have two choices. Scramble those fighters now, or your XO will scramble them after a squad of Death Commandoes shoots your ass in the middle of your own Command Center! Now move!â€
For a second, and then two, only silence answered Marius. But then a voice whispered into the phone, “Alert fighters launching now.â€
Teng dropped the phone and began to pull on his boots, as his wife shook the sleep from her head. “What’s going on?†she asked.
The Capellan stood, stomping his heel on the floor to seat the boot correctly, and began to buckle on a pistol belt. “Wake the children and get to the shelter, Ann. Don’t come out until the all-clear sounds.†Without another word, Teng hurried to the door and left.
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May 1, 3051
Shrike Lead
Atmospheric Interface Zone, Sian
Capellan Confederation
Captain Elliot Nielson blanched as his TR-7 Thrush exited the interface zone and his radar display suddenly lit up with targets flashing the red of non-friendly IFF.
“Wuh duh ma huh ta duh fung-kwong duh wai-shung doh*,†Elliot heard over the helmet speaker.
“Yeah, Shrike Three, you got that one right. Command, we’ve got problems; we’ve got fighters and around thirty Overlords.â€
“Da-shiong bao-jah-shr duh la doo-tze!â€**
“Fighters, Overlords, and an Achilles, Command.â€
*Wuh duh ma huh ta duh fung-kwong duh wai-shung doh. (holy mother of god and all her wacky nephews)
** Da-shiong bao-jah-shr duh la doo-tze! (The explosive diaherraha of an elephant!)
Both quotes are from Firefly.
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Nice, the Battle of Sian has begun!
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Let the spilling of blood begin
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May 1, 3051
Courtyard of the Celestial Palace
Forbidden City, Sian
Capellan Confederation
Marius Teng swore as he saw the colors painted on the BattleMechs entering the far side of the Plaza. Already, elements of his command had reported contact with the 1st and 2nd St. Ives Lancers, the Cheveau Leger, the Cuirassiers, the Iron Hand, and the Mounted Fusiliers. And now, he had visual confirmation on elements of all four of the Northwind Highlander Regiments! Gods, what a cluster-fuck, he thought as he shook his head. He had never dreamed that Candace would throw the dice like this—even though he had once served alongside her.
The defenders of the Forbidden City had done their best to hold back the storm, but the armored battalions and infantry companies had melted away in the pre-dawn hours. The Lancers were still fighting, but even with the Death Commandoes alongside of them, they were seriously outmatched. And where the hell was House Imarra?
He swiveled the torso of his Cataphract and looked over the remnants of his 1st Battalion; about five lances strong, reinforced with six Death Commandoes. There was nowhere else to fall back to, not with the Palace directly behind him—and Chancellor Liao refusing to leave. And as he watched the St. Ives Armored Cavalry joining the Highlanders in surrounding him, he knew that is was too late to run anyway.
“Here we make our stand, brave Capellans!†Marius heard Major Sebastian Cowell over his radio and winced. How the hell that bastard commissar had avoided being killed in the fighting was a mystery. He was Romano’s pet, that one, and a member of her Thugee death cult, assigned to his command lance in order to ‘advise’ Marius on the proper way that a Capellan Regiment was run. “They shall fall before us, for we serve the Celestial Light of Heaven!†the ass brayed.
Marius started to snarl, but then he saw one battle scarred Vindicator emerge from the St. Ives ranks on the far side of the plaza. An old Vindicator, but one painted in the hunter green of the House of Liao, and emblazoned with the bronze and jade emblem of the Chancellor of the Capellan Confederation.
His radio hissed with static for a moment, and then he heard her voice. “Marius,†Candace Liao said. “You can’t stop me, not with twenty-six ‘Mechs, you can’t. Lay down your arms and I give you my word—as Chancellor of the Capellan Confederation—that you and your men will be paroled with honor, and accepted back into the ranks of the Hussars once my sister has been removed from the throne.â€
“Kill that traitorous whore, Colonel Teng,†Cowell screeched over the open radio link. “Kill her and they shall break!â€
Marius clenched his fist and began to move his Cataphract forward, his sense of survival warring with his oath and his duty to the House of Liao; but then his eyes fell on the picture of his wife and their two children. And he imagined them growing up in a Confederation run by Romano and her quisling thugs hungering for slaughter. He opened the comm channel and set it general broadcast.
“Red Lancers, this is Teng. Power down your ‘Mechs and exit your cockpits—that is a direct order.â€
“You traitor!†Cowell howled, as he swiveled the torso of his Crusader towards the Colonel, but the commissar’s ‘Mech suddenly staggered forward and fell as an AC-20 exploded into its back. Directly behind the commissar stood a Centurion in the colors of the Death Commandos, the muzzle of its autocannon smoking from the heat of the shot.
“I never liked that son-of-a-bitch anyway, Colonel Teng,†the young warrior piloting the ‘Mech said over the radio as he stepped up and fired a second burst directly into the cockpit of the downed Crusader.
“Thanks for the assist, Sub-commander Jaffray. Chancellor Liao,†he broadcast across the plaza, “the Red Lancers yield.â€
May 1, 3051
Celestial Palace
Forbidden City, Sian
Capellan Confederation
Candace marched into the throne room behind her troops, most of whom immediately knelt and aimed at the infantry who were waiting for them. A mix of Death Commando and House Imarra stood in the great hall of the Celestial Throne, armed with lasers and blazers predominately.
“Ah, dear sweet Candace returns to us, children,†her sister Romano crooned from her seat on the throne. At her left hand stood Master Rush, while on her right there was Kali. Romano’s paramour, Tsen Shang stood along slightly behind Kali, with Romano’s son Sun-Tzu beside him.
“All we need now, is for poor little Tormano and we would have a family reunion, sister,†Romano said as she stood. “You see, my guards captured your son Kai late yesterday afternoon while he was organizing a seditious attempt to overthrow my realm!â€
Candace’s eyes narrowed as two guards dragged in her own son, badly beaten, but still alive. Her heart raced, but she knew that if she showed any weakness, Romano would pounce.
“Quite a reunion, indeed, sister,†the Duchess of St. Ives said in voice that showed no concern at all for her son, even as her heart was breaking. “I brought my Cavalry to the ball, along with the Highlanders—you do remember them, do you not?â€
“Those traitors!†Romano spat. “They abandoned Father and I when we most needed them, and for what? For the gift of a planet? To serve a Davion? Hanse could never be trusted—he is insane, you know.â€
“They agreed to aid me, because it seems that you attempted to kill their Council of Elders, Romano. Although your assassin failed.â€
“We all die, Candace,†the Chancellor answered simply as she sat back down. “Just as all of you will die today.â€
Colonel William McLeod, the commander of the Highlanders spat on the polished floor. “Just let me shoot her, Chancellor Candace. She’s crazy as bat-shit.â€
Romano bolted back to her feet. “Chancellor? CHANCELLOR! You will never assume such a title, you Davion-loving slut! You will all die today,†she shrieked as she pointed at vents on the walls of the hall. “I have but to give the command, and a poison gas will be released within the throne room, within all of the Forbidden City. I—and those loyal to me—have been given the antidote, sister. But all traitors and whores will die!â€
Several of the House Imarra troopers and Death Commandoes lowered their weapons and stared at their Chancellor in horror. None of them wore chemical suits.
“You would kill a million Capellans to hold onto the throne, Romano?†Candace asked softly.
“I would kill them all if they do not serve me well, and in allowing you into my presence, they have all failed me.â€
Candace nodded. “In that case, dear sister, may you find your own peace in death. Master Rush? Do your duty to the State.â€
Romano frowned, and began to turn towards the stocky Master of House Imarra with the clean shaven head, even as Tsen shoved past Kali and Sun-Tzu to rush to her side—but both were too late. Rush’s sword flashed out and severed Romano’s neck, and the back-hand sweep tore through Tsen’s throat in a bright arc of blood. Kali screamed and pushed Kai down, sweeping up a needler in her grip; the flechettes screamed across the room and tore into Rush’s arm.
She dropped the weapon and dove for a control wand that had fallen from Romano’s grasp, and a dozen heavy rifle slugs—some from the St. Ives contingent, some from the Death Commandoes—ripped into her body.
“Get your bonnie boys and girls moving, William, and disarm those gas bombs. You!†Candace yelled as the Highlander hastily nodded and began to jog out of the throne room. She pointed directly at Sun-Tzu. “Where are they boy?â€
“You will address me, as Chancellor Liao, Duchess and Aunt. You abdicated all claim to this throne long ago—and I am guilty of no crime.â€
“I asked you a question,†she growled as she walked forward, and Sun-Tzu swallowed heavily. "Consider yourself lucky, nephew, if I don't simply decide to end Romano's line here and now. I've wrested the throne from a mad-woman, I'm not about to hand it over to a teenager who has never done a day of military service in his life."
Sun-Tzu couldn't meet her fiery gaze, and he looked away, whispering, “She has them positioned throughout the city, in case of a coup attempt. There is a map in her private quarters.â€
“Take him into custody,†Candace barked as she knelt next to her son Kai who lay on the cold stone floor.
He raised his bloody and swollen face, and cracked a grin. “What took you so long, Mom?â€
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Tell me, did you enjoy getting rid of Romano as much as I did?
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Finally she got what she deserved. Want more of this great story.
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Death Commandos betraying the Chancellor? :o
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Death Commandos betraying the Chancellor? :o
Kali wasn't the Chancellor, and she was the one the DCs helped shoot. Romano was the Chancellor, and Rush had just given her a long-overdue haircut when that bit went down; between the fact that the Chancellorship was vacant at that instant, and Romano's little announcement that for all their sworn-to-the-death fealty to the Celestial Throne, they weren't 'loyal' enough for her to be worth protecting/saving from her little suicide-gas plan, the DCs' 'who do I shoot?' algorithms might have been just a shade confused. ;D
Now, if only they'd finished the job and smoked Sun-Tzu into the bargain, just on general principle.... :(
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Yeah, believe me, I wanted to get rid of Sun-Tzu, but he is too smart to try something at this moment that justifies him getting shot. He didn't raise a weapon, he didn't leap to his mother's or sister's aid, and other than trying to (pro forma) claim the throne in his own right, he is cooperating. I wrote it out four times, and had him in die in three of them, but they all seemed forced and contrived. Really, this was the best way I saw to write it.
Death Commandos betraying the Chancellor? :o
What Trace said. ;D
Of course, you could also be talking about Loren Jaffray (Sub-Commander Jaffray), but he didn't actively betray the Chancellor either--and he has a history in BattleTech of changing sides anyway. In canon, Candance and Master Rush were engaged in talks about the future of Romano's rule--Master Rush even killed both her and Tsen in canon in 3052, just a year from now. Remember that Ion Rush is not a Death Commando, he is the Master of House Imarra. Candace counted on (gambled, really) that Rush's dissillusionment with Romano would be enough to put him in her camp--and in this instance she was right. Had she not threatened to slaughter hundreds of thousands of Capellans, he might have stayed out of it, but Candace (hoped she) knew which side of the fence he would come down on if push came to shove.
MA
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I've never gotten battletecg history in my head, never read enough I suppose
good luck keeping it semi straight
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Another great chapter MA! From the appearance of Death Commando Jaffray (of Northwind Hussar fame) to Sun Tzu and the death of the crazies. I might not have had Sun Tzu make such a declaration but it works. I expect him to try and recover those worlds lost to the Confederation in the 4th SW regardless. This was always his driving goal even if the Chancellor isn't him.
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Now to see what the Fedcom is up to
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More of this good stuff