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Davion Royal Palace, Throne Room
Avalon City, Mount Davion
New Avalon, Federated Suns
28th November 3077

   While most people were unaware New Avalon paid host to some very special guests.  In planetary orbit sat the LCS Yggdrasil, the mighty Lyran Mjolinir-class Battle-cruiser, beside it sat the smaller but equally impressive FSS Lucian Davion, one of the Federated Suns premier Avalon-class Cruisers.  Close to these two vessels were two more equally impressive vessels but belonged to neither succession nation. The first was the mighty round armoured Severn Lervoux, the Anna Rosse-class Battle-cruiser that was the Nova Cat’s flagship.  Beside this vessel was the spinier Nagasawa a Sovetskii Soyuz-class Heavy Cruiser recently upgraded to the "Dire Wolf" Configuration.

   On the planet elements of the Nova Cat’s Sigma Galaxy had joined the Forty-Fourth Nova Cat Cavaliers and were engaged in training manoeuvres against various Federated Suns units on planet and against elements of the Lyran Commonwealth’s First Royal Guards RCT which had accompanied their Archon from the Commonwealth.

   Unfortunately Khan Canin Rosse was not with his troops instead he and Hanna Coston, the Khan of Clan Sea Fox had been summoned to the Davion Royal Palace where instead of finding Victor Steiner-Davion, First Prince of the Federated Suns, they found Peter Steiner-Davion, the Archon of the Lyran Commonwealth and instead of the Sword and Sunburst emblem they found the chain mailed fist of the Lyran realm.  For today and today only New Avalon, and the Davion Royal palace were Lyran holdings sovereign territory of the Steiner family.

   â€œKhans of Kerensky’s Nova Cats and Sea Foxes, I welcome you to New Avalon and extend my thanks.  People of your Clans have put aside the adversity of growing up in different cultures and in different areas of space, and against the Crusader mentality of other Clans, to save my daughter’s life and I am very happy with your results.”  He said raising from the throne “because of their efforts, under your direction, my daughter should lead a healthy and long life just like everyone else. Because of this I would like to offer both you Clans the right of SafCon throughout my realm.  Your merchants, but not your armies, will be welcome to travel and trade throughout the Lyran Commonwealth.  If this is abused to attack your enemies or if you violate local laws while in my realm there will be penalties however I believe you can both see the advantages of this mutually beneficial offer.”

   â€œArchon, on behalf of Clan Nova Cat, I will accept your terms however if we are attacked or challenged by any of your people we will reserve the rights to defend ourselves and if we lose people or equipment to subterfuge we will react.”  Canin Rosse warned, what the Archon had offered was a great thing but he’d defend the Nova Cats before accepting any terms.

   â€œI will also accept these terms laid out by the Nova Cat Khan, Clan Sea Fox is spread out now and we do not take kindly to being miss treated by our trading partners.  The Capellans have already learned this mistake on Sarna I hope your people do not have to be taught the same lesson.”

   â€œThen with your terms as Archon of the Lyran Commonwealth of Nations I welcome your merchants to trade against the best the Inner Sphere has to offer.”  Peter said descending shaking each Khan’s hand once.  “Now that is officially over I’d like to personally thank each of you for providing the resources required for this day to happen.  From one man very happy to be still able to enjoy looking forward to his child growing up.”  Peter said fighting back the tears of joy which had already taken over him today more than once.

   â€œIt was approached like any other deal, now if you would excuse me, my people are ready to leave Khan Rosse.”  She said saluting the Nova Cat leader who returned the salute with a deep nod.

   â€œKhan Coston” Canin said quietly as she turned and left the throne room, Victor Steiner-Davion appeared from behind the throne as they head the Sea Fox Khan’s boots click all their way out onto the courtyards.

   â€œPerhaps not as enlightened as we had hoped?”  Peter pondered as she left.

   â€œEnlightened enough to trade with you Archon, instead of shooting you.  You appealed to her wallet always a good strategy with the Sea Fox Clan.”  Canin said in answer “I should also go, we are rearming the Forty-fourth Nova Cat Cavaliers Cluster and changing over some personnel in the New Scotland region.”

   â€œKhan, I wondered if you would like to stay on New Avalon for a spell.  I had hoped you had received my communiqué regarding the invitation of your family.”  Victor said descending to join his brother and the Nova Cat Khan, Victor was now the shortest but he had never let his size keep him from being the man and the leader he was today.

   â€œI did, however my affairs must be in Clan Nova Cat’s best interest, I am not sure if remaining here for longer than is necessary is in my Clan’s best interest.”

   â€œAh, I see, perhaps it is for the best then.” Victor said disappointed, he’d hoped that the Nova Cat Khan would have taken his sister back to New Avalon and perhaps lightened up a little but perhaps it was too much to hope fore, still Peter and his family were here and they would be staying for a while at least until Melinda was well enough to travel.

   â€œHowever, my troops especially those of Sigma Galaxy which has accompanied me would like to test themselves against some line units of the Federated Suns and perhaps the Lyran Commonwealth, if the Archon would permit it.  Perhaps I could suggest a time of Trials and training that all our warriors could benefit from, with powered down weaponry obviously to ensure no untimely deaths.”

   â€œThat sounds reasonable my people always like a test against the Clans especially a non-lethal one, Victor?” Peter said smiling looking at his elder brother.

   â€œYes Victor, listen to the man, he is normally right” another voice, this one female said from behind them both Steiner-Davion brothers turned together to see Yvonne Nova Cat (Steiner-Davion) sitting cross legged on the Federated Suns throne “to be honest I’m not entirely certain I like the new décor in here either” she said smiling beside her stood eleven year old Grayson on one side and nine year old Sonja on the other.  As tears swelled in both brother’s eyes Yvonne rose to her feet “I know just how to fix this.  Nova Cats Rise!” she shouted putting both brothers on alert as two Elementals replaced the Steiner Royal Guards behind the throne, and three more appeared at the door all dressed in full battle armour.  Yvonne smiled as she walked down the steps around her stunned brothers “It appears I still have some pull on this planet, but wait there's one other small thing” she said clicking her fingers above the Davion throne the Steiner mail fist fell to be replaced by the roaring sunburst insignia of the Nova Cats.

   Though Peter saw the funnier side of it and hugged his sister Victor looked more annoyed than anything else “How the hell did you do that?”

   â€œI know the right people” Yvonne answered cryptically

   â€œDanai…” Victor muttered

   â€œI never give up my sources”

   â€œI suggest you give up, First Prince Davion” Canin offered knowing the answer though he was leader of the Nova Cats and held power over all in the Nova Cat’s Den and for Clan Nova Cat he knew better than to try and argue with Yvonne especially when she was on a roll.

   â€œWell I suppose we’ll give the mighty First Prince at least an incline of how I did it, Ladies if you please!” Yvonne said raising her voice from two side entrances came Danai Centrella-Davion and Isis Steiner who joined their husbands in the small gathering “It helps to know the right people.”  Yvonne said causing a chuckle from almost all in the group.  Standing still at the throne however both Grayson and Sonja looked more confused than anything, Canin as their father and their Khan had realized that and remained in his leader roll for at least a couple of moment.

   â€œFirst Prince Davion, Archon Steiner, please allow me to introduce two of my Clan’s most important ristars, to me anyway, Grayson and Sonja Nova Cat.”  Both Victor and Peter with full military baring saluted the two children who returned their salutes with curt nods.  Soon Victor and Peter were lost in conversation with Yvonne, after several years apart Canin spoke to the two children in a hushed voice “over the time we are here, I want you both to enjoy yourself but remember you are members of our Clan as well as part of this group.  These people are our allies and potential enemies be on your guard.”  Grayson gave his father a confident stare and slight smirk while Sonja was more lost by the presence of everyone in the room suddenly it was if her world had been opened up to far more possibilities and challenges.

Open Ground, Coast of Loch Arthur
New Scotland, New Avalon
Crucis March, Federated Suns
8th December 3077

   For one battle only the Federated Commonwealth was reborn First Prince Victor Steiner-Davion sat in his Dire Wolf, Prometheus, for the first time in several months it felt very good.  Beside him stood Archon Peter Steiner-Davion piloting his own FNR-6X Fafnir Assault BattleMech behind them was an entire combined arms Regimental Brigade taken from both the First Lyran Royal Guards RCT and the First Davion Guards RCT, the two honour guard regiments of the participating nations.  Across the field of battle stood the forces of Clan Nova Cat’s Sigma Galaxy augmented by the warriors of the Forty-Fourth Nova Cat Cavaliers Cluster, the local liaison force.

   In this area where snow lay on the ground nearly all year round on the coast of Loch Arthur Victor decided to begin the proceedings opening a communication channel to all involved, in a transition that would eventually be transmitted throughout the Federated Suns and to the wider Inner Sphere.  “I First Prince Victor Steiner-Davion join with my brother Archon Peter Steiner-Davion in this battle as the Federated Commonwealth takes to the field one last time.  My father formed that nation to ensure the people both Federated and Lyran prospered in a better future, unfortunately time would not continue for the united Commonwealth.  Instead my brother and I stand as allies today against a force of Clan Nova Cat warriors who are residing on this frozen continent.  Today we fight as one force, Clansmen I challenge you to show us your best.”  He said anyone within one hundred kilometres would have been able to hear it, although both sides were using underpowered rounds and paint shells their Battle computers would register them as if they were real, this was going to be an interesting fight.

   On the other side of battle Khan Canin Rosse sat at the front of the Nova Cat force behind him in his Dragon Cat, he’d been surprised to find the Forty-Fourth Cavaliers now fielded several Federated Suns OmniMech designs, Star Colonel Cassin Drummond had explained that they had won them from several different Federated Suns Regiments they had fought against which he could accept in the Nova Cat’s Den the Second Watch Cluster fielded almost exclusively Inner Sphere Mechs captured by the Nova Cats.  Hearing Victor’s challenge Canin answered it “I Khan Canin Rosse, leader of Clan Nova Cat and of Sigma Galaxy, answer your challenge First Prince Davion.  Fight bravely for you will need it against my Clusters. All Nova Cats advance!”  He said he’d already ordered all his Nova Cats to fight honourably unless the Inner Sphere forces decided to break the rules of Zellbrigen.

   As the Nova Cats began move Victor saw Peter’s Mech step forward, when Victor had first seen the monster his brother piloted he’d not known what to think.  It had started as a Standard Fafnir Assault Mech however the Lyran engineers had gone a little overboard with their work, the two ‘Hammerfist’ Heavy Gauss Rifles had been upgraded to the new Improved version of the weapon which did a lot more damage for a little more tonnage.  The lasers had all been removed as had the Guardian ECM Suite and replaced with a pair of Extended-Range Medium Lasers in the centre torso one above the other and one each in the arms, the Fafnir’s arms themselves had been fully removed and replaced with large muscular arms that extended far further than the shoulder stumps the original Mech carried this would improve the Mech’s balance and give it the opportunity to do physical attacks and carry Hand-held weapons.  Which is exactly what Peter had chosen to do, between the two massive arms, held like a massive Mini-Gun on the Fafnir’s left side, the Fafnir held a Rotary Autocannon though only a light version of the weapon its damage potential was not to be argued with.

   Because of his weapons shorter range than Victor’s Peter took a few steps forward and then let rip with the Mech’s Rotary Autocannon using full automatic fire for the weapon.  The barrels spun and a stream of lead momentarily connected the Fafnir to a Nova Cat Summoner tearing into the heavy OmniMech’s upper torso tracing up towards the shoulder mounted missile launcher.  The Nova Cat Mech looked momentarily stunned before returning fire with a single Particle Cannon, the lightning bolt struck Peter’s Mech on the left side Victor’s Mech’s sensors registered only a small amount of armour damage then Victor remembered Peter’s Mech also carried Hardened Armour which allowed his Mech to soak up far more damage than a regular Mech Peter used this extra surprise to launch a Improved Gauss slug into the advancing Clan Mech, the slug caught the Summoner low taking the pilot by surprise at the ferocity of the hit knocking the Mech to the ground it didn’t get back up - one down.

   On the Nova Cat side Canin Rosse watched the Lyran Archon’s Monster put one of his Mechs down hard and knew that the Mech which read as a modified Fafnir needed to go down, quickly.  As a result he targeted it with his primary weapon and let loose from the left arm the Heavy (Hyper) Assault Gauss Rifle struck out at the Fafnir the class-30 weapon fired a constant stream of gauss slugs into the Clan Mech cutting armour off the left arm and torso but with no armour penetration, now Canin would be the Archon’s target as per Clan engagement rules.  Across the battlefield Nova Cats and Inner Sphere troops were engaging the Inner Sphere force a brand-new Nova Cat Sphinx BattleMech charged forward engaging Victor Davion’s Dire Wolf, a brave thing for a seventy-five ton Mech.  Meanwhile Canin sidestepped another stream of rotary autocannon from Peter Steiner’s Fafnir cutting loose with another Heavy Assault Gauss barrage of his own, he saw several of the slugs strike the Fafnir’s head but was shocked when the simulated damage was nearly completely shrugged off by the Mech.  Now Peter fired both of his own Improved Heavy Gauss Rifles one struck the Dragon Cat just below the left leg's hip smashing armour damaging the knee actuator, Canin checked his range to the Fafnir then double checked the damage, if it had hit the Dragon Cat’s arm it could have ripped it off.  Suddenly the Nova Cat Khan realized this Monster could easily be the end of his battle with the Lyran leader.

   Victor was fighting his Mech to keep track of the fast moving Sphinx it was obviously a new Nova Cat design built on a heavy chassis so far Victor knew it was capable of speeds reaching nearly ninety kilometres per hour and carried lasers as its primary armament.  So far the Sphinx had hit the Dire Wolf’s left leg and arm luckily causing no major damage.  Twisting his Mech’s torso at the waist he tracked the Sphinx with his Ultra Autocannon, the assault-class weapon tore into the Nova Cat Mech’s right torso and right leg causing the heavy Mech to stumble slightly but it remained standing.  Now in firing position itself the Sphinx’s pilot triggered all the Mech’s weapons ten Extended-Range Medium Lasers and two Extended Range Large Lasers struck out at Victor’s Prometheus, the armour loss was staggering as eight of the mediums and one of the larger weapons his the Dire Wolf but Victor ignored the Sphinx for a moment and was more concerned with staying standing as inbuilt simulators showed the Dire Wolf become almost four tons lighter because of armour loss caused by the weapons fire.  He noticed the Long Range Missile Launcher was destroyed so hit the ammo-dump button, the paint rounds wouldn’t actually cause damage if they were hit by simulated damage they would cause the computers to shut down most of the Mech’s left side simulating an ammo explosion.  Victor turned to see the Sphinx struggling to move as the pilot battled the massive heat build up in the Mech, firing that many lasers at once had caused a severe overheating Victor toggled his primary laser armament four Extended-Range large lasers in an arm mounted pod together and fired, the heat generated overwhelmed his own heat sinks but the resulting damage on the already battered Sphinx caused the Nova Cat BattleMech to shut down, it was out of this fight.

   As Victor battled the Clan BattleMech Peter continued to battle the Dragon Cat OmniMech, there was only two in the entire Nova Cat force so this was either a highly ranked Nova Cat or the Khan himself.  The Heavy Assault Gauss Rifle on the Dragon Cat was sheering away Peter’s armour and the superior speed of the lighter Clan Mech was allowing the Clan warrior to avoid most of his shots already Peter had used half of his Rotary Autocannon and a quarter of his Improved Heavy Gauss Rifle magazines.  At the same time the Clan Mech was closing in on Peter’s position which would allow the Heavy OmniMech to bring even more weapons to bare.  Targeting the Dragon Cat Peter used his links to the hand-held Rotary Autocannon to switch off all the weapons safeties intent on firing until it was empty, pulling down on the trigger with his Mech’s left hand the Autocannon began to rotate throwing out a steady stream of lead at the Clan Mech causing damage to the left and centre torsos, suddenly the autocannon stopped, jammed, Peter reached back with his Mech’s right hand trying to clear it, he’d practiced long and hard ever since receiving this modified Mech to clear jams.

   This break in the firing was long enough for Canin to close the gap on the Fafnir unmolested the Nova Cat Khan unleashed a barrage of Extended-Range and Heavy laser fire supported by Anti-Personnel Gauss Rifle fire several of the AP Gauss slugs slammed into the Fafnir’s hand-held weapon causing it to blow up in the Lyran Archon’s face.  The simulated and paint explosion on the weapon tore the left hand completely off the Mech and threw the Mech backwards, despite Peter’s efforts the Mech fell onto its back, not holding back Canin triggered another Heavy Assault Gauss barrage at the downed Mech concentrating on the damaged left side as he walked around the felled Mech, the fire caused damage to the Improved Heavy Gauss weapon held there causing a simulated internal explosion which began to shut down Peter’s engine.  Further fire from Canin’s weapons caused the right side gauss rifle to do the same effectively causing the simulated death of the Lyran Archon and his Mech.

   Satisfied with the ‘kill’ Canin turned to face his next opponent only to see a flash of light then feel his Mech get steamrolled to the ground snapping the left leg and crushing the left arm as the Mech was thrown to the ground in a physical attack, Canin barely saw who had hit him before a simulated laser blast engulfed his cockpit causing Canin’s own simulated death.  Fortunately or unfortunately the death of their Khan and the breaking of Clan battle rules which released the entire Clan force to engage the Inner Sphere troops in a free-for-all melee.  Four Mechs, six vehicles and at least two platoons of infantry were cut down within moments as the Clan force went to town almost instantly forgetting their engagement rules, the Nova Cats had long trained in Inner Sphere engagement rules as well as their own and concentrated fire with Clan weapons was lethal on the remaining Inner Sphere troops without their leader they had nothing to lose.

   Three hours later the battle was called off as the battle whittled down the numbers on both sides.  The simulated damage was cancelled by the training course computer governor all Mechs that had been damage with simulated fire were able to move again including Peter Steiner-Davion’s Fafnir.  Canin’s Dragon Cat however with a broken leg and crushed arm would be going nowhere quick it would take hours to recover and repair the Mech.  Crawling out onto the frozen tundra of the New Scotland continent Canin looked around to see if he could see who had hit him, the Mech that had caused the damage would be heavily damaged physically while the rest would only be covered in pain to simulated hits.  Glancing around he saw Victor Steiner-Davion walking towards him dressed in a jumpsuit “I am sorry for the loss of your Mech Khan Rosse” Victor said apologetic “I assure you it was a complete accident you unexpectedly turned and impact was unavoidable.”  He said, for Canin it sounded too easily a prepared response.

   â€œI would like to meet the person who hit me, they will answer to me personally.”

   â€œOf course” Victor said stepping aside, behind Victor was his OmniMech, Prometheus was lying on the ground its right side heavily damaged, the right arm and leg only stumps, the limbs missing.

   â€œIt was you!” Canin shouted accusingly stepping towards Victor,  "you broke engagement rules!" he said annoyed, so much for respect for the Clan way of combat.  Just then Peter arrived with some Royal Guard infantry.

   â€œIt was an accident, I meant to assist Peter’s downed Mech, I did not expect you to turn the way you did I lost my own footing there” he said pointing to a tuft of grass “then I hit the ground it destroyed the leg and the gyro taking me out of the fight with you.” Canin was obviously annoyed with Victor, accident or not an experienced warrior like Victor should know better.

   â€œKhan Rosse, perhaps the results of the fight would interest you more?” Peter asked Canin only nodded.  “Following your ‘death’ the Nova Cats destroyed sixty percent of the forces aligned against them, disabling a further twenty-two percent, the remaining eighteen percent of our forces are not combat worthy, Complete Victory goes to Clan Nova Cat who also hold the plain of battle.  Had this been real you would have just personally taken out two of the Inner Sphere's succession lords.”  This caused a slight smile from the Nova Cat leader.

   â€œWell at least that is something” he said quietly “so recovery and go again tomorrow?”  he asked the two bemused Steiner-Davion brothers.  “Only joking” he muttered as he walked over to a bunch of still armoured Elementals “Get some heavy lifting gear in here, we will need to recover any of the overly damaged Mechs, including mine, post a guard just in case Davion security is not as good as they claim.”  he ordered the Elementals nodded as Canin began walking back towards the Nova Cat firebase the end of another day though he wasn’t happy he’d ‘died’ it was good his people knew what they were doing.  Victor and Peter stood watching as Canin continued shouting orders at his people as he continued coordinating the recovery effort.

   â€œI’ll never understand Clanners” Victor said quietly so only Peter could hear.

   â€œWell you’re the one who invited them, it was nice fighting side by side again though.”

   â€œI agree, should definitely do this again.”

   â€œCan’t do that First Prince Davion, the last time the Lyran Commonwealth and Federated Suns held multiple sets of war games the Capellan Chancellor shit herself.”

   â€œYes, but I’m not marrying your daughter Archon Steiner.” Victor said, both men burst out laughing as they joked about the past, it had been a different time then.