Alternate Timeline with Thanks (FULL)

[Dragon Cat]

Main Government Complex
Filtvelt, Filtvelt Coalition
Periphery
6th February 3078

   For what seemed like the fourth time since landing Marshal Boris Tharn straightened his uniform.  He was one of only six Taurian officers on planet and this made him nervous, these negotiations had progressed at length over the HPG Net and via courier carried transcripts.  Boris had not seen the need to travel here in person however Marshal Cham Kithrong had insisted, it gnawed at Boris that he had been ordered to the world by a simple Marshal of course that did not matter now as Boris himself was only a Marshal.  If only Grover was in charge things would have been so much different.

   Not that mattered he had been ordered to this world to complete the negotiations in person and on the way to the planet he’d seen something that was possibly a deal breaker, possibly something that would be a deal breaker.  Moments after Boris had settled into his chair the Filtvelt negotiator Maria Stolvaniski entered she was a striking woman over six foot in height she held her head high and wore a well kept New Avalon-styled Business suit with an open shirt underneath, if Boris was ten maybe fifteen years younger he thought he may have a chance with the woman.  “Miss Stolvaniski, how nice to finally meet you face to face” he said rising from his seat smiling all the way.

   “Marshal Tharn, likewise welcome to Filtvelt.  I assume your trip was pleasant?” she said moving closer to her seat “please, let’s not stand on ceremony.”  She said sitting down.

   “As you wish, I’m not surprised you bring up my journey, I assume Filtvelt has had troubles of late?”

   “Nothing more than usual Marshal, a new pirate force The Bloodhounds raided several of our worlds however they have disappeared from sight otherwise all quiet in the Coalition.” The pirate band name was familiar to Tharn and sent a shiver down his spine, the Bloodhounds or Rocky’s Bloodhounds had caused some heavy damage to several Taurian worlds in recent weeks they seemed to be headed by a Federated Suns national who had gone rogue, at least that’s what the Federated Suns had claimed, tracking down the Bloodhounds had proved difficult however.

   “So the presence of a Nova Cat WarShip in the system is not cause for concern?” Tharn asked, surely the people of this world knew of them being here.

   “Ha, you mean the Far Star?  It is nothing more than a trade vessel, limited armaments.”

   “Limited maybe, but I believe still enough firepower to turn this little city into a cinder and more than a match for your entire nation’s naval forces.”

   “Marshal, the Far Star is a trade ship nothing more.  They have less than a dozen warriors aboard and are no more a threat to this world as they were your DropShip.  They likely allowed your ship to scan them to show exactly what you just said, they possess the firepower but have no intention of using it, they are simply our trade partners as we hope you will be.”

   “There is nothing simple about it Miss Stolvaniski, Marshal Kithrong does not like the Nova Cats he doesn’t trust a Clan that travels into the Periphery and makes its home in a bandit kingdom. And could you blame him, what exactly do you know about them?  There brethren conquerored a fifth of the Inner Sphere, collectively holding more territory than the Capellan Confederation.  They are in bed with the Davions; if I remember it correctly their Khan is still on New Avalon.”

   “We have nothing to worry about from them, they mean us no harm, are we going to forget the ‘Clan Menace’ for one minute and discuss our negotiations?”  She said sitting straighter “our deal was two Battalions of Mechs and Vehicles for the Taurians providing the Filtvelt people with all the parts required to produce a Snowden Mining Facility does this offer still stand?”

   “No”

   “What do you mean? No Tharn, our nations have had this deal on the table for over a month!”

   “The offer has to change, the Nova Cat presence cannot be ignored, to keep the Taurian people quiet and happy with this arrangement we need a Battalion of BattleMechs up front.” Maria nodded, that was easily doable “then a further three Battalions per Station to be delivered.”

   “That’s ten battalions of BattleMechs for three stations!  That preposterous what are you trying to do bankrupt my nation?” Maria shouted raising to her feet Tharn sat back “we can give you two Battalions up front” she said knowing that it would hurt the expansion of the Guardian Regiments but it was something that needed done “and a further two per station as agreed that’s eight Battalions, however we want the first station now.”

   “Not possible, they are not jump capable” which was true.

   “But the Mark One has a KF Boom, allowing to be transported on a specialized JumpShip which the Taurians have three” which was also true.

   “We need the stations we have to keep the Taurian economy alive.”

   “We need the BattleMechs you want to keep this nation alive, the Federated Suns is constantly expanding and the Nova Cats though trade allies are still a potent threat should they come to blows with the Federated Suns we want to be a significant thorn in their side.”  Maria explained, Boris nodded he saw logic in that.

   “I’ll take your two Battalions of Mech, Maria, and the Taurian people can spare a single Snowden Mining Facility however the Filtvelt people will pay for future stations with natural resources as well as BattleMechs.”  Tharn said seeing a business opportunity.

   “What do you want Boris?”  Several hours later the two had come to an agreement Boris would leave Filtvelt with a brand-new Battalion of Hammerhands and BattleAxe BattleMechs produced on Filtvelt and in three weeks a Snowden Mining Facility, which Boris would ensure was the worse condition station in the Concordat, would arrive in the Filtvelt Coalition.  In the future the Filtvelt Coalition would also produce six further Battalions of Mechs and several DropShips of natural resources and the Taurian people would build three new Snowden stations.  The new production would be the first in centuries and would boost Taurian employment while the Filtvelt people would get brand new stations.  The Taurian Concordat, and more directly Marshal Boris Tharn would keep their mouth shut about the Nova Cat presence within the Coalition, at least for now.

   When Tharn returned to the Concordat with this new deal Cham Kithrong was indeed happy with the deal made agreeing with Tharn’s request to reactivate the Fifth Taurian Hussars Regiment as part of the Four Corps.  He was also happy with the new job opportunities Tharn had created for the nation and rewarded him by restoring his Senior Marshal rank although he remained second to Cham himself in the military hierarchy.

Steel Viper Enclaves
New Kent, Kerensky Cluster
Clan Homeworlds
15th February 3078

   Following news breaking of the Steel Vipers being routed from the Inner Sphere the other Clans could smell a wounded Clan a mile off.  The Steel Viper merchants began to return to their enclaves the Steel Viper’s Homeworlds Touman batting down the hatches for a fight for their very survival.

   It didn’t take long for the first attack forces to land, first striking the world of New Kent in the Kerensky Cluster Clan Coyote’s Elite Fiftieth Assault Cluster from Alpha Galaxy landed less than three kilometres away from the furthest east Steel Viper enclave, taking it in a simple trial they moved onto three further enclaves capturing them all nearly completely destroying the Steel Viper’s One hundred-and-forty-first Phalanx Cluster in the process.  This victory for the Coyotes effectively turned half of the world over to Coyote control.

   Unfortunately for the Vipers this was not the end of their torment, the very next day the almost timid Stone Rhino Clan launched an attack against the Steel Viper stronghold on Dagda in the Pentagon worlds.  Although the Steel Vipers were able to fend off the majority of the assaults the Stone Rhino Clan was able to dig into some areas roughly securing ten percent of the planet’s territory and almost half of the Steel Viper’s enclave.  As the tenants of Zellbrigen are upheld neither side loses much in the way of personnel or equipment.

Trial of Refusal
Disputed Territory
Tabayama, Draconis Combine
26th February 3078

   Protected by the SLS Covenant and the SLS Shining Claw the 151st Eridani Light Horse, the First Royal Pathfinders Battle Armour Regiment and the Twenty-first Light Horse Battalion of the Special Armed Service all entered the Tabayama system.  The two WarShips were almost immediately engaged by the Venture Star, a Snow Raven Carrack-class Armed Transport, the vessel nothing more than an armed merchant ship was no match for the Star League WarShips and was quickly destroyed giving the Star League troops naval superiority in they system.

   Deeper in the system the Star League WarShips detect a second incoming Snow Raven WarShip which had just executed a jump into one of the system’s distant pirate points.  While Commanding-General Archer Christifori and the ground troops headed for Tabayama the two SLDF WarShips turned towards this new attacker.

   On the ground Archer and his troops were able to quickly secure the local Spaceport and rendezvous with the beleaguered survivors of the initial Snow Raven Invasion however with two Galaxies of Snow Ravens on planet.  In space the two SLDF WarShips engaged the Morning Violence, an Aegis-class Heavy Cruiser, although they outnumbered the Snow Raven vessel the Clan crews experience and the superior number of Clan aerospace fighters kept them in the battle. After nearly three hours the Morning Violence was heavily damaged as it limped away from the planet and jumped clear of the system once again restoring SLDF Naval superiority.

   On the ground little changed as the SLDF and Snow Ravens battled it out it seemed there would be a stalemate however two days later Khan Lynn McKenna, the Montbatton, a Texas-class Battleship, and the whole Snow Raven Alpha Galaxy jumped into the system weapon ports ready again changing the tables.  The ground burned quickly to the planet while Archer Christifori tried to negotiate with the Khan, although she was unhappy at having to deal with a ‘stavag SLDF’ commander she agreed that an open battle would devastate all three of her Galaxies and likely damage her WarShip.  Instead a Trial of Refusal would determine the end to this conflict and the fate of the world being fought on.

   On the planet the SLDF and Draconis Combine survivors fought a gruelling six hour battle against the Snow Ravens which only really ended when a force from the Twenty-first Light Horse Battalion conducted a head-hunter raid against the Snow Raven command capturing two DropShips, destroying a further three and capturing several high ranked Clan officers.  Although Khan McKenna did not appreciate her forces being assaulted in their landing zones she knew the Wolves had used similar tactics during the initial invasion and she did respect the skill of the troops.  Khan McKenna surrendered Trial and the planet shortly afterwards, after recovering her troops from the SLDF, retreating back to her Clan’s own territory.

LCS Morgan Kell, Hyperion-class Heavy Cruiser
Pain, Periphery
14th March 3078

   Although only recently commissioned, with barely dry pain, and a still inexperienced crew the LCS Morgan Kell, the Lyran Commonwealth’s newest Hyperion-class Heavy Cruiser, is dispatched directly from the shipyards of Alarion to the world of Pain in the periphery near the Distant Rim of the Lyran Commonwealth.

   The world of Pain was a very well known Pirate band which was run by the Morrison’s Extractors Pirate band run by Hooper Morrison himself.  Although the pirate band had been a minor problem for years the Able’s Aces Mercenary command under contract with the then-Rim Collection had beaten them on their own ground and since neither Morrison nor his Extractors had been a major problem.  With the Able’s Aces now forming the core to a new Lyran Commonwealth Brigade, the Distant Rim Lancers the problem from the Extractors was nothing major any more.

   The pirates were not the problem with today’s mission however Kommadore Kennedy Holmes had strict orders from command, jump in scan the system and jump out report any strange readings.  The LCS Morgan Kell jumped into the system “Full scan of system, weapons prepare for combat manoeuvres…”

   “Kommadore, Jump signature we have a ComStar registered Magellan-class JumpShip the Purity of Purpose jumping clear of the system.”

   “There is no ComStar anymore Leutenant, disable her.”  Kennedy said it had to belong to the pirates, an impressive capture for them.

   “Too late, Herr Kommadore, the vessel is gone”

   “That’s one failure today Leutenant, let’s not make a habit of it.  Now find us the bounty.”  She ordered he nodded after a few moments the officer looked back “yes, son, what is it.”

   “Kommadore, there are no other WarShips in the system.  Two DropShips and a dozen fighters nearer the planet but nothing substantial.”

   “Understood, it was only a rumour, ignore the pirates we will not be engaging them today.  Communications send a message to command, there are no Black Lion-class Battle-cruisers in the Pain system and we are continuing onto Gilfillian’s Gold.”  In some ways Kennedy was glad there was no cruiser, her crew were inexperienced and nowhere near ready true combat but for Kennedy herself she yearned for combat.

Star League R&D
Unity City, North America
Terra, Star League Protectorate
22nd March 3078

   After nearly a year of research and work Star League engineers, scientists and covert operatives are able to put together their own version of Clan Nova Cat’s Patriot-class.  Although they are able to match the vessel’s improved armour and get a close match to the anti-ship weapons they do not include sub-capital missiles instead, for aerospace fighter defence the vessel would mount a mix of Rotary Autocannons, twenty-tube Long Range Missile Launchers with Fire Control Systems and Light Gauss Rifles.  The vessel would also keep the four DropShip Hard points the Nova Cat vessel lacked.

   Although the Commanding-General and the Advisory council are impressed with what they have done they shelve any plans for upgrading the mothballed Aegis-class Heavy Cruisers in the Terra system because the SLDF budget cannot come close to being able to cope with the costs involved.  It appears that plans for a reborn SLDF Navy are to be kept on hold for now.

   Through sources unknown and funding dating back centuries of Terran History Sir Richard Branson X CEO of Virgin Global Industries and Interstellar Transport approaches the SLDF six days after this decision is made and offers to fund the construction of the first Star League Patriot-class Missile Cruiser.  However he has a cost, the Blake’s Vengeance, a Sovetskii Soyuz-class Heavy Cruiser, disabled by ComStar when they assaulted Terra liberating it from the Word of Blake.

   Initially the Star League and Terran Councils block this request however before the end of March Sir Branson shows them his plan.  The ship looks like a Sovetskii Soyuz however it lacks nearly all its armament and instead carries a stronger conventional array of weapons and it carries one thousand two hundred first class passenger berths, a hyper pulse generator and three one hundred-and-twenty metre diameter gravity decks.

   Although sceptical of the man’s plans the SLDF was desperate for further funds and allowed the sale of the vessel as well as the loaning of one of the Star League’s Titan shipyard docks, for an elevated charge their only true request is that he changes the name which Sir Richard happily did naming the vessel Starliner One.  As his engineers begin their work of tearing out the Blake’s Vengeance’s damaged system’s Sir Richard Branson X begins negotiations with all the succession states to allow his vessel, the first truly commercialized WarShip to travel the lengths and breaths of the Inner Sphere.

WarShip Cache
Strana Mechty System
Kerensky Cluster, Clan Homeworlds
24th March 3078

   With recent losses telling on the Steel Viper Touman Khan Brett Andrews selects three WarShips held in mothball to be reactivated for the Steel Viper Clan.  Two are Sovetskii Soyuz-class Heavy Cruisers while the third is an ancient but incredibly preserved Dart-class Light Cruiser.

   The Steel Viper engineers are around two thirds of the way through their work on the three vessels when a Stone Rhino Carrier-class DropShip arrived in the area declaring trials against the engineers and the three WarShips.

   In three trials that follow the Steel Viper warriors with the reactivation party are able to secure the Viper’s Legacy, one of the two Sovetskii Soyuz-class Heavy Cruisers, and the Dart-class Light Cruiser Crazy Horse however the third vessel is claimed by the Stone Rhinos and is named Eden’s Blessing.

[Dragon Cat]

LCS Morgan Kell, Hyperion-class Heavy Cruiser
Pain, Periphery
14th March 3078

   Although only recently commissioned, with barely dry pain, and a still inexperienced crew the LCS Morgan Kell, the Lyran Commonwealth’s newest Hyperion-class Heavy Cruiser, is dispatched directly from the shipyards of Alarion to the world of Pain in the periphery near the Distant Rim of the Lyran Commonwealth.

   The world of Pain was a very well known Pirate band which was run by the Morrison’s Extractors Pirate band run by Hooper Morrison himself.  Although the pirate band had been a minor problem for years the Able’s Aces Mercenary command under contract with the then-Rim Collection had beaten them on their own ground and since neither Morrison nor his Extractors had been a major problem.  With the Able’s Aces now forming the core to a new Lyran Commonwealth Brigade, the Distant Rim Lancers the problem from the Extractors was nothing major any more.

   The pirates were not the problem with today’s mission however Kommadore Kennedy Holmes had strict orders from command, jump in scan the system and jump out report any strange readings.  The LCS Morgan Kell jumped into the system “Full scan of system, weapons prepare for combat manoeuvres…”

   “Kommadore, Jump signature we have a ComStar registered Magellan-class JumpShip the Purity of Purpose jumping clear of the system.”

   “There is no ComStar anymore Leutenant, disable her.”  Kennedy said it had to belong to the pirates, an impressive capture for them.

   “Too late, Herr Kommadore, the vessel is gone”

   “That’s one failure today Leutenant, let’s not make a habit of it.  Now find us the bounty.”  She ordered he nodded after a few moments the officer looked back “yes, son, what is it.”

   “Kommadore, there are no other WarShips in the system.  Two DropShips and a dozen fighters nearer the planet but nothing substantial.”

   “Understood, it was only a rumour, ignore the pirates we will not be engaging them today.  Communications send a message to command, there are no Black Lion-class Battle-cruisers in the Pain system and we are continuing onto Gilfillian’s Gold, include all information on that Magellan someone may get lucky.”  In some ways Kennedy was glad there was no cruiser, her crew were inexperienced and nowhere near ready true combat but for Kennedy herself she yearned for combat.

Star League R&D
Unity City, North America
Terra, Star League Protectorate
22nd March 3078

   After nearly a year of research and work Star League engineers, scientists and covert operatives are able to put together their own version of Clan Nova Cat’s Patriot-class.  Although they are able to match the vessel’s improved armour and get a close match to the anti-ship weapons they do not include sub-capital missiles instead, for aerospace fighter defence the vessel would mount a mix of Rotary Autocannons, twenty-tube Long Range Missile Launchers with Fire Control Systems and Light Gauss Rifles.  The vessel would also keep the four DropShip Hard points the Nova Cat vessel lacked.

   Although the Commanding-General and the Advisory council are impressed with what they have done they shelve any plans for upgrading the mothballed Aegis-class Heavy Cruisers in the Terra system because the SLDF budget cannot come close to being able to cope with the costs involved.  It appears that plans for a reborn SLDF Navy are to be kept on hold for now.

   Through sources unknown and funding dating back centuries of Terran History Sir Richard Branson X CEO of Virgin Global Industries and Interstellar Transport approaches the SLDF six days after this decision is made and offers to fund the construction of the first Star League Patriot-class Missile Cruiser.  However he has a cost, the Blake’s Vengeance, a Sovetskii Soyuz-class Heavy Cruiser, disabled by ComStar when they assaulted Terra liberating it from the Word of Blake.

   Initially the Star League and Terran Councils block this request however before the end of March Sir Branson shows them his plan.  The ship looks like a Sovetskii Soyuz however it lacks nearly all its armament and instead carries a stronger conventional array of weapons and it carries one thousand two hundred first class passenger berths, a hyper pulse generator and three one hundred-and-twenty metre diameter gravity decks.

   Although sceptical of the man’s plans the SLDF was desperate for further funds and allowed the sale of the vessel as well as the loaning of one of the Star League’s Titan shipyard docks, for an elevated charge their only true request is that he changes the name which Sir Richard happily did naming the vessel Starliner One.  As his engineers begin their work of tearing out the Blake’s Vengeance’s damaged system’s Sir Richard Branson X begins negotiations with all the succession states to allow his vessel, the first truly commercialized WarShip to travel the lengths and breaths of the Inner Sphere.

WarShip Cache
Strana Mechty System
Kerensky Cluster, Clan Homeworlds
24th March 3078

   With recent losses telling on the Steel Viper Touman Khan Brett Andrews selects three WarShips held in mothball to be reactivated for the Steel Viper Clan.  Two are Sovetskii Soyuz-class Heavy Cruisers while the third is an ancient but incredibly preserved Dart-class Light Cruiser.

   The Steel Viper engineers are around two thirds of the way through their work on the three vessels when a Stone Rhino Carrier-class DropShip arrived in the area declaring trials against the engineers and the three WarShips.

   In three trials that follow the Steel Viper warriors with the reactivation party are able to secure the Viper’s Legacy, one of the two Sovetskii Soyuz-class Heavy Cruisers, and the Dart-class Light Cruiser Crazy Horse however the third vessel is claimed by the Stone Rhinos and is named Eden’s Blessing.

City 1km Limit
Alshain, Ghost Bear Dominion
Clan Occupied Space
5th April 3078

   The Opacus Venatori had sneaked into the Ghost Bear Dominion and all the way onto Alshain without the Clan troops or their WarShips spotting them.  Trust the Clan to let its guard down when fighting the Combine Berith though smiling inside the cockpit of his Archangel OmniMech.  He was the last of the true Word of Blake left, and his unit the Opacus Venatori would prove this, and complete the Master’s will.  Recently the Wolf Clan and the Exiles had felt the Opacus Venatori’s wrath with the Clan’s pathetic training units no match for Berith and his enhanced warriors.

   “Venatori, there is a school five hundred metres east of your location, destroy it and all inhabitants.  Opacus continue forwards.”  He said splitting his forces into their level II formations.  There was silence as six of his Mechs moved towards their new target led by Kari Martia’s ponderous King Crab assault Mech.  The Demi Precentor‘s Mech could match Berith‘s machine for speed but not elegance, the Archangel had been designed to be the future of the Word of Blake, what was known as the Celestial series, now it was one of only a few remaining active.  Although Martia had beaten him in simulation with a death-from-above attack Berith knew his Archangel was a superior design it annoyed Berith that production of the mighty machine had been halted.  The Master had said that would change Berith had to have faith that would be the case.

   “Bears detected.” Achillius St John said off to Berith’s right his voice almost mechanical from cybernetic enhancements, Berith reveled in the pureness of it.

   “Direction of travel?” He demanded

   “Heading for the Venatori, as expected”

   “Excellent, continue.” Berith ordered, he knew the Venatori would also have heard St John’s warning.  Soon the battle was joined as a second-line Clan star engaged the Venatori, the previously targeted school now a battleground caught in the crossfire between Blake and Clan Mechs.  From his vantage point Berith smiled the facility would be destroyed whatever the Clansmen did either by Venatori guns or by their own there was almost poetry to it.  “Opacus, move in time for Blake’s Hammer to strike the Anvil.”

   “Further Bears detected, a full Trinary!” Kendali Morris said, she was most experienced in Dominion operations and her Petra was always moving around the Opacus formation scanning ready for the Clans, now the arrival of further Bears was unexpected.

   “Opacus Lead to Venatori, finish those Bears it is time we joined and destroyed further more of their cubs.”

   “Venatori Lead, two are dead the others won’t last long, we will join you soon.”

   “Further Bears!” came another shout this time this time from Rufus Black Bear to the west in his Grigori OmniMech “a second Trinary.”

   “Venatori, withdraw from combat Opacus begin CASE RED operations.”  He immediately said charging his PPCs targeting a nearby building he fired turning it to ash, the other Venatori were doing the same targeting everything as they began a slow withdrawal.  CASE RED was a simple order, it was known throughout history but by a different name “Scorched Earth.”

   “Opacus Lead, we are under heavy fire element six is down, condition K.I.A.”  Berith knew that was Elisabeth Rodriguez a troubled young woman desperate for a place within the Opacus or with other Manei Domini units, something she’d never experience now.

   “Venatori, Rodriguez is CASE ORANGE.”  He ordered, if Rodriguez Mech cockpit was intact it was to be destroyed under ORANGE protocols.  “All forces initiate CASE BLACK” he said quickly CASE BLACK was fall back at best speed ignore all enemy targets, the operation was blown, even the Opacus Venatori knew when they were beaten.  For their part the Ghost Bears were not charging in instead using their long ranged weapons sniping at the retreating Mechs.  Twined Particle Cannon blasts hit the back of Portia Thomas’s Buccaneer toppling the Mech but not disabling it, as she tried to regain her feet as the rest of the unit outran the downed Mech Berith turned seeing the Buccaneer was being caught by Clan units.  Quickly dropping his targeting systems across the Buccaneer he triggered his weapons enveloping his fallen comrade’s cockpit in fire ensuring there was no prisoners for the Ghost Bear troops.

   For three hours later the Ghost Bears gave up the chase with the Opacus Venatori destroying three more Clan Mechs and a town they had taken the chase through.  Two losses for the unit was their biggest yet, Berith knew he’d have to gain further troops through conventional means, he would not endanger the remaining Five just to refill his ranks.  The Opacus Venatori were taken from the Clan world several hours later smuggled off world the same way they got onto the world soon they met up with their escort a modified Aegis-class Heavy Cruiser and they were away from the Ghost Bear world.  Berith was left pondering his next target, a Clan or a greedy Succession Lord?  There were so many targets that required the Peace of Blake but first he would replace the Venatori’s losses, it felt only right for his unit to be at strength.  Perhaps one of the new Champion II designs the Master had ordered deployed to the Shadow Divisions, the Inner Sphere thought the Word of Blake was gone, there wever very wrong.

Militia Base
Glasgow, Skye
Isle of Skye, Lyran Commonwealth
9th April 3078

   Following the relative success of the First Thorin Training Battalion and the First Hesperus II Training Battalion the Isle of Skye Command form the First Skye Training Battalion attached to the local Skye militia force this is to bolster Skye’s forces and bolster the growing Isle of Skye Armed Forces giving Duke Kelswa-Steiner yet more strength in numbers.  Though a bare Battalion in strength the Skye force is strengthened by the inclusion of Armour and a Battle Armour apprentice course as well as BattleMech, graduates of this particular Battalion are also guaranteed membership into the Skye Militia and the best will make the Skye Guards by order of the Duke.

Federated Suns/Nova Cat Contest
Lee, Alcyone Combat Region
Capellan March, Federated Suns
14th April 3078

   The now yearly exercise between the Nova Cat liaison force and the First Defiance Training Battalion takes place on the Capellan Border world of Lee right in the eye of the Capellan Confederation.  For the competition the First Kittery Training Battalion is detached from duty with the First Kittery Borderers Regiment to allow the Capellan March units to experience combat with a Clan force.

   However they are in for a surprise as the Capellan Confederation had been watching movements and knew exactly what was planned on their border world.  Unhappy at the Nova Cat/Federated Suns Alliance and remembering the Nova Cat attack that ended the St Ives War in 3062 the Capellan Confederation took its opportunity to strike back.  With an irregular force already on the planet equipped with nearly a regiments worth of weapons and vehicles Warrior House Fujita already well versed in fighting Clan troops, with the Sea Foxes on Sarna, was dispatched to be the hammer that would strike on the Training troops.

   Unfortunately for the Capellans they had not considered two things, firstly that the Nova Cat Cavaliers Cluster was an Elite unit of the Clan’s Touman and secondly that Star Colonel Cassin Drummond, the Nova Cat Commander, would be able to make the AFFS troops not only fight with his people but also for him and follow his commands as if he was from New Avalon itself.

   With both Training Battalions holding the Nova Cat flanks with the Nova Cat aerospace fighters providing dedicated strikes against the Capellan irregulars this released the Forty-Fourth Nova Cat Cavaliers to continually push forward closing to near point blank range with the Clan Elementals striking at the Capellan’s own Battle Armour it was a Battalion of Capellan Warriors against a Cluster of Nova Cat warriors desperate for combat.  This desperation helped and hindered the Nova Cat force but it made little difference to Warrior House Fujita, with both its Battle Armour and its Irregular force out of the fight the Battalion was left horribly exposed and with the Elite Clansmen looking for blood they stood no chance.  Within twenty-six minutes later the Warrior House was no-more.

   With the battle over Star Colonel Cassin Drummond ordered that the First Kittery Borderers were given first pick of any salvage as they had been most badly damaged in the fighting and he giftakes a Timber Wolf OmniMech to the First Defiance Training Battalion.  Meanwhile he sends a single Bolla Stealth tank, the Nova Cat’s only piece of salvage, back to the Nova Cat’s Den for study.

Disputed Territory
Draconis Combine/Ghost Bear border
22nd April 3078

   As agreed with the SLDF the Combine calls on the Ghost Bears to end Second War however because of Opacus Venatori attack on Alshain and their Scorched Earth tactics the Ghost Bears refuse further assaults driving at Dieron.  The Clan troops land on Dalkeith and Sakhalin in the Lyran Commonwealth as well as Port Moseby and Camlann in the Draconis Combine in an audacious raid from the former Free Rasalhague Republic territories as the Ghost Bears take the gloves off their attacks.  For the Lyran position they are completely caught off guard by the attack as the Skye Command forces attempt to organise.  As a result of the expanded combat line the SLDF troops re-enter battle in the Lyran Commonwealth preparing for assaults against the Ghost Bears.

New Samarkand Shipyards
New Samarkand System, New Samarkand Military District
Draconis Combine
31st April 3078

   Despite problems with Clan troops on two borders the Draconis Combine makes contact with Clan Sea Fox’s Faulk Khanate in an attempt to broker a deal with repairing the New Samarkand Shipyards after Clan Snow Raven and Clan Nova Cat attacks in recent years have done so much damage.

   The Sea Fox engineers agree to help them in their repairs however they will need access to the shipyards and full control of Itabiana for their work.  The Draconis Combine reluctantly agrees though they are able to convince the Sea Fox engineers to throw renovating the half falling apart Togura museum ship in orbit of New Samarkand, the Samarkand-class Carrier would not be operational for a decade or more but it was a big symbol for the Kurita leaders to have to beat the bad PR they’d get in ‘giving’ away Itabiana to a Clan menace.

[Dragon Cat]

Outer Becon, Nadir Point
Alexander (Aegis-class Heavy Cruiser)
Outreach, Star League Protectorate
10th May 3078

   The Wolf’s Dragoons flagship Alexander was quiet as the night watch continued as normal in the Outreach system, although the WarShip’s position was more symbolic of the Dragoon’s power than a necessary guardian the crew took their duty very seriously.

   “There is goes again…” one of the sensor operators said quietly speaking to himself at his port bridge position.

   “What is it, Leutenant?”

   “An energy signature it appeared about six minutes ago, very low range.”

   “Where?”

   “Around sixty kilometres from the Nadir point actual.”  He reported crisply “it could be background…” he said trailing off “Wow, massive radiation and energy spike, we have a ship jumping in.”  He reported quickly, nothing was due in the system “energy signature suggests a WarShip around two hundred thousand tons.  I‘d say it was a Fredasa if I didn‘t know better”

   “Inform the Colonels on Outreach that we have incoming and have the Wolf Pack to be ready for incoming there also.  Weapons warm up the forward cannons.”

   The smaller ship emerged from its Jump nearly forty kilometres from the Alexander and the crew were shocked to see it.  The ship was pained nearly flat black with red highlights and a spider’s emblem on its back.

   “Send them a challenge.”

   “This is Star Admiral Arnold McKenna of Clan Sea Fox; we need no assistance however I suggest you do not fire.”

   “This is Fleet Colonel Issola Chandra, commander of the Wolf’s Dragoons WarShip Alexander.  We offer no assistance, what right do you have us to tell you what to do or not…”

   “Energy spike!” the sensor operator shouted interrupting her as a second WarShip entered the system this one far larger, far more deadly and far more recognisable as one of the most lethal WarShips in existence the Nightlord-class Battleship Terror of the Deep flagship of Clan Sea Fox.

   “Battle stations; inform the planet we may need Star League intervention two Clan WarShips.”

   “You will not” McKenna said Chandra cursed herself for not noticing the communications was still active.  “We are here to see the Wolf’s Dragoons Colonels, we are willing to fight if need be however we did not come here to fight you.”

   “What are your terms Star Commodore?”  Issola asked even with the Wolf Pack the two Dragoon WarShips stood little chance against the two Sea Fox vessels.

   “A single DropShip, Outpost-class, will proceed in system and land on Outreach, our party will meet with the Dragoon leadership to discuss a contract.”

   “And if these terms are refused?”

   “Then we will leave, Clan Sea Fox has no quarrel with the Wolf’s Dragoons today, perhaps in the future.”

   After several tense moments a communication returned from Outreach a single Clan DropShip was permitted to make landings on the planet under escort.  The Outpost-class DropShip detached from the Terror of the Deep and made its way in-system to the planet landing on it three days later.

Contracts Building
Harlech City, Outreach
Star League Protectorate
13th May 3078

   The landing of a single DropShip, even a Clan one, at Harlech’s main spaceport had not aroused any suspicion neither had the five BattleMechs that exited the vessel and been escorted into the city to one of the many contract negotiation buildings scattered around and in the Mercenary city, for today the Dragoons had sealed this particular building for their own purposes.

   As the five Dragoon Colonels, two Lt Colonels and Michi Nocketsuna, head of the WolfNet, sat waiting they were surprised then a variety of uniforms entered the room and sat opposite them.  Along with the two Sea Fox Warriors there was a warrior each from Clan Jade Falcon, Clan Hell’s Horses and the Dragoon’s parent Clan Wolf, the last person to enter was also the most recognisable she was saKhan Marialle Radick second in command of Clan Wolf.

   “Welcome to Outreach, saKhan” Colonel Kelly Yukinov, commander of Alpha Regiment, said standing from his seat saluting her.

   “I can nearly smell Terra” she whispered her eyes alive with hatred and desire.

   “How can we be of assistance to the Clans today?”

   “Assistance that is what you Surat mercenaries do is it not, you sell your services to your employer.”

   “To the right employer, not to all.”

   “And are you, old man, the person I speak to hire the Dragoons?”

   “We are” Michi Nocketsuna said also rising from his seat, Marialle recognised him as an honourable warrior of the Draconis Combine and noted even the mighty could fall from grace.

   “Then we have the right people, Wolf; sort this out so we can leave.”  The Hell’s Horses Star Colonel said glancing at Marialle, the way he addressed her was almost an insult completely ignoring her superior rank, and it was also obvious he detested the Dragoons and what they stood for but also that he had not respect for the Wolves.

   “Why are you here?” Michi asked again.

   “We have had a small niggling problem in the last several months from a unit that attacks from nowhere and then disappears.”

   “The Opacus Venatori” Michi declared naming them in their Latin name “the Shadow Hunters, one of the Word of Blake’s last surviving remnants.”

   “Most recently this Shadow Hunters attacked the Ghost Bear Capital of Alshain causing thousands of deaths and continued the war with the Draconis Combine.  The Ghost Bears will not listen to us, they see the Combine as dezgra and a sneak attack is exactly what they expected.  I very much doubt they will believe your reborn Star League either, the Bear has been roused often it is only calmed by blood.”  Marialle said looking from Michi to Kelly.

   “We are aware of their attacks, what of them they are not a Dragoons’ problem” John Cavell said, he commanded the Wolf Spider Battalion Natasha Kerensky’s unit.

   “And yet you have done nothing, typical of a Wolf” the Jade Falcon officer said.

   “Enough of this” the Sea Fox warrior declared “Dragoons, everyone in this room is aware of your capabilities and your contacts throughout the Inner Sphere.  The contacts built during the time you were sent to the Inner Sphere by our Clans.”  He reminded them “these Opacus Venatori, as you call them have caused damage across Clan space escalating in each attack and I will bet they have attacked Inner Sphere targets as well.  They originated in the Inner Sphere are an Inner Sphere problem, the Inner Sphere will fix this or we will be forced to.”

   “They are becoming bolder, despite the debacle facing the Bears on Alshain.”  Michi said the Bears had gotten lucky but the Opacus had paid for it in blood.  “I am surprised the Clans have allowed them to move so freely, and wonder why they have to be “forced” to act.”  He pondered before the Clan warriors could answer John Cavell spoke.

   “I’ll bid my Battalion against these Shadow Hunters; the Wolf Spider can track and destroy them.”

   “I’m glad to see the Wolf still beats in your heart, Major.”  Marialle said smiling “the Fredesa-class WarShip we have taken with us was specially constructed by the Sea Fox Clan for this use; this WarShip is your mercenary’s payment for services rendered.”  She revealled “and if the Opacus Venatori is not destroyed by the Wolf’s Dragoons we will come looking for our payment back.”

   “You gift us and then threaten Radick.”  Kelly asked anger boiling in his veins he did not like an employer dictating a contract especially with a former employer like Clan Wolf.

   “Only a fact, Colonel, unless you do not want the Fredesa? Clan Hell’s Horses could always use another WarShip.”

   “We do not take Wolf caste-offs” the Hell’s Horses warrior said quietly.

   “What is your play Wolf?” Radick asked staring Kelly right in the face, eye to eye with the saKhan Kelly did not flinch.

   “We’ll take your WarShip, and the Opacus Venatori just found themselves an adversary.  Major Cavell your Wolf Spider Battalion just found a new home, our new toy will be your transport against the Opacus Venatori.”  He said glancing at John then back at Marialle “now Wolf” he said using the saKhan’s title for the Dragoons “get off our planet.”

   “As you wish, we will be watching.”  She said turning leaving followed by the Jade Falcon, Hell’s Horses and two Sea Fox warriors.  Two days later the Terror of the Deep jumped clear of the system leaving the Fredesa in the hands of the Wolf’s Dragoons which they named Widow’s Lair in honour of Natasha Kerensky and of the Wolf Spider Battalion's mission.

Royal Palace
Augustine, Rousset-Marik Alliance
Former Free Worlds League
21st May 3078

   Following years as adversaries the Marik-Stewart Commonwealth and the Rousset-Marik Alliance meet on Augustine to begin talking about a united Free Worlds League once more.  It begins with simple trade between the two nations with both sides agreeing to make allowances for the other and agreeing to each try and bring the other former nations of the Free Worlds League to the table at following meetings.

Clan Counter Attack
Koinz, Blair Atholl
Lyran Commonwealth
28th May 3078

   In an attack authorized by Khan Phelan Kell Clan Wolf (in-Exile)’s Second Wolf Legion Cluster of Alpha Galaxy and the Second Wolf Grenadiers Cluster of Beta Galaxy are allowed to declare trials against Clan Jade Falcon forces on Koinz and Blair Athol.

   The Second Wolf Grenadiers have no problem on Koinz capturing the world in a quick near bloodless trial against Clan Jade Falcon forces however it is another story for the Second Wolf Legion Cluster.  On Blair Athol the Wolf (in-Exile) troops found the Seventy-fifth Striker Cluster of the Jade Falcon’s Kappa Galaxy, a second-line unit of poor reputation.  The seventy-fifth refused to give the Exile troops an honourable trial and refused to fight openly with the Wolf forces instead a cat-and-mouse battle erupted a mile east of the capital in a group of caverns and woodland, the fighting did not remain confined there however and spilled into the city causing horrendous collateral damage and casualties.  With the Seventy-fifth refusing to give up the Wolf (in-Exile) troops were forced to destroy the entire Cluster with no Jade Falcon survivors.

Port Simon Fleet Yards
Galax System, Crucis March
Federated Suns
12th June 3078

   After a long and uneventful journey from Terra the Fire Fang finally arrives in the Galax system of the Federated Suns.  Although the vessel will need another year of refitting before it is fully operational there are celebrations within the Federated Suns as another of the original Davion Block I-class Destroyers arrive back within a Federated Suns shipyard.  During the journey Major Heaps and his team has discovered the vessel’s original name, the FSS Swordsworn, the AFFS Admiralty allow this vessel name to stay in history and maintain the name Fire Fang honouring the vessel’s deeds as a Clan and ComStar vessel.

   The FSS Intrepid also moves into the Galax shipyards for refit.  Upgraded to what they are describing as a Block-II the vessel will soon become a fully outfitted construction/maintenance vessel following its duties during the Fire Fang’s refit.  The Intrepid’s crew and the engineers that had been assigned to the vessel are given extended shore leave for their efforts in returning the Intrepid to the shipyards.

Disputed Space, Arc Royal Theatre
Lyran Commonwealth
19th June 3078

   On the Lyran Clan border the Wolves in Exile and Jade Falcons clash again with heavy casualties on both sides.  The Exiles are again the instigators in the fighting launching a strike at Goat’s Path and Antares both on the border with Lyran space both worlds fall to the Exiles in trials.

   Two days later the Jade Falcons counter attack against further Lyran Commonwealth worlds taking Machida and Zhongshan.  On Zhongshan the local militia and the Fighting Intellectuals Mercenary Company attempt to fight off the Clan assault, the First Falcon Lancers Cluster led by Loremaster Bryan Pryde destroys both units taking no prisoners.  Jade Falcon WarShips are also spotted in the Chahar, Blue Hole, Pandora and Arcturus systems in a clear warning cease these attacks or they’d return.

   By the end of the month Archon Peter Steiner-Davion sends a message to Khan Phelan Kell ordering his troops to stand down over their reprisal attacks against the Jade Falcons.  Phelan Kell receives several messages from Duke Kelswa-Steiner on Skye supporting his troops reclaiming of Tamar Province worlds.

Fifth Star League Games
Solaris VII, Star League Protectorate
Lyran Commonwealth
30th June 3078

   House Davion has further to celebrate following the victory of Leftenant Anna Holmes, from the First Kestrel Grenadiers Independent BattleMech Regiment of the AFFS wins the competition in her Stealth OmniMech beating crowd favourite Alexander from Solaris’ Own Zellbrigen stables, piloting his customized Wraith.  Before she left Solaris VII she was able to secure a pair of Zellbrigen stables Partial Wings she’d seen on Alexander’s Wraith in a private ‘Trial of Possession’ on returning to the Federated Suns Anna found herself whisked off to New Avalon for medals and a promotion to Captain.

Second Round Hell’s Horses Assaults
Clan Occupation Zones
2nd July 3078

   With their neighbours backs turned Clan Hell’s Horses launches an assault into all three of the other Clan’s Occupation Zones.  Led by saKhan Tanya DeLaurel in her brand new Balius Quad-OmniMech Eta, Theta, Iota and Kappa Galaxies of the Clan lead the assault with the primary Galaxies holding onto what they have left in the Inner Sphere.  Zeta Galaxy remains as the Clan’s only Homeworlds defence with minimal support.

   With Clan Wolf preparing deeper assaults into the Lyran Commonwealth chasing Clan Ghost Bear’s own very successful assaults with dreams of Terra saKhan DeLaurel saw an opportunity.  Leading first with Eta and Theta Galaxies they struck at Steelton, Persistence and Winfield all worlds the Wolves had taken from Clan Jade Falcon effectively destroying all inroads they had made on their Jade Falcon neighbours.  Only on Persistence did the Wolves put up significant resistance with the 103rd Striker Cluster of Gamma Galaxy fighting off against Eta Galaxies Thirty-fifth BattleMech Cluster supported by Omega Keshik.  The presence of their saKhan and several of the new Cygnus-class Assault Mechs won the day for the invading Hell’s Horses force however the Wolf defenders lost no honour and great respect from saKhan DeLaurel.

   Carrying on with Theta Galaxy saKhan DeLaurel on the 5th and 8th in lightning assaults the Hell’s Horses won two Jade Falcon worlds Maxie’s World and Romulus again with little resistance.  For the warriors of Theta Galaxy it was nice to be involved in the combat and gain some Inner Sphere experience for the saKhan, she wanted more leaving Theta and Eta in position to secure worlds while she moved on with Omega Galaxy rendezvousing with Iota Galaxy in an unnamed system, the Hell’s Horses had chosen to avoid the pirate hole of Star’s End until they had significant WarShip support which they’d use to sterilise the entire world if necessary.

   With Iota Galaxy’s Sixty-first and Sixty-ninth BattleMech Clusters saKhan DeLaurel landed troops on Icar on the 10th July and on New Caledonia on the 13th of July.  Both battles lasted around two hours in traditional Clan trials before the saKhan left the clusters and moved on with the rest of Iota Galaxy and Omega Keshik.  Following the arrival of reinforcements from the rest of Iota Galaxy on the 15th the saKhan pushed on once more, taking the Sixty-seventh BattleMech cluster and Omega Keshik and joining up with Kappa Galaxy and the WarShips Selipnir, a Cameron-class Battle-cruiser, and the Mount Olympus, a Volga-class Transport.  There Omega Keshik was completely refit for the saKhan’s last assault against the Wolves.

   Deep within Wolf space travelling through unoccupied systems they arrived in the New Oslo system on the 22nd in space the Selipnir engaged the Wolf’s Moore’s Honour.  The former Ice Hellion Essex-class Destroyer stood little chance of stopping the Battle-cruiser and stood down allowing the Hell’s Horses to engage.  On the ground the whole of the Wolves own Omega Galaxy with five full Clusters waiting for the invading Hell’s Horses troops, the Wolf ground commander Stevic Hawker informed the Hell’s Horses command that his entire Galaxy was his first and last bid before cutting off communications.

   Grounding on the 24th of July saKhan DeLaurel found her forces under attack from the moment they stepped from the DropShips the Wolves assaulting even the grounded DropShips unwilling to allow them to land.  Providing the Wolf ground troops with long range support were at least three Trinaries of brand-new Sun Cobra medium BattleMechs produced at the New Oslo plant and piloted by raw unblooded warriors.  Despite the hail of Gauss Rifle slugs saKhan DeLaurel ordered her troops forward making headway pushing through the Wolves disabling a star’s worth of the Sun Cobras however the accurate and constant Gauss Rifle fire was telling on the Hell’s Horses troops, two shots went into the saKhan’s Balius, the QuadMech took the well but the second hit struck and destroyed the Gyro leaving the Mech to sink to the ground uncontrollably.  Although Tanya DeLaurel was able to avoid capture by a star of Clan Wolf Headhunter Elementals she knew that their fight on New Oslo and for this campaign was over, the Hell’s Horses retreated from the planet shortly afterwards.

Administration Building
San Nicholas, Duchy of Tamarind-Abby
Former Free Worlds League
13th July 3078

   “Turn those damned militia troops over to my command and we’ll protect your little capital and keep your hands clean of the dirt of combat.”

   “Colonel, you know as well as I do that your Battalion are only on this world because of your units poor combat performance and low price how do you expect to hold back a Marian Hegemony assault?  One that has already landed troops on five other worlds and does not look like it is ready to give in anytime soon.”

   “We may be here because our luck has been down, but may I remind you my people are the only thing between a bunch of former pirates on an ancient Roman cruise across the stars and the Marians still consider pillaging and raping targets as a valid option in war.  If we resist, make them think twice, your leadership may survive this.”

   “Your people will be killed.”

   “I know” Colonel Maxwell Green admitted “everyone of them knows it too.  But we’d rather go down swinging than surrender without a shot.  My people will be facing off against the Marians.  I’ll leave it to you if your armour joins us on the line and give your civilians half a chance of survival.”  He said turning marching out of the building without saying another world, the governor had been right, the green machine only took this job because it was an easy garrison contract and they’d only been hired because Green Machine’s previous records didn’t allow them to call for much in the way of cash but still they were here and they’d do their job.

   Leaving the building Green walked the short distance to his ancient Crusader BattleMech, the Mech had been long handed down in the Green family and despite Maxwell Green having no-one to hand it to he knew its legacy would outlive him even if he died today.  Five minutes later she was inside the cockpit and brining the old Mech on-line.  “Captain Slyghe, what is our status?”

   “Thirty BattleMechs all ready for combat”

   “Only thirty?”  He asked his unit fielded thirty-three Machines on their TO&E including his own.

   “MechWarrior Grant is in the local lock-up the Governor had cut orders he was not to be released under any circumstances and MechWarrior Faulkner’s Stinger is not combat ready after the last training exercise.”

   “Tell her to take Grant’s Catapult.”  He didn’t like taking one MechWarrior’s Mech for another but they needed every machine.

   “Grant has locked his Mech down with three security protocols we can’t break them and he won’t give up the code.”

   “Damnit, can’t this lot see we’re in a life and death situation here the Marians have steamrolled the defences the outlying Duchy worlds we’re their first major Mech test.”

   “What about the militia?”

   “The governor hasn’t decided.”

   “That’s great, he’s sentenced us to death.” Captain Phyllis Margrove said butting in, by her slurred speech and her Marauder’s movements were restricted.

   “Listen up the lot of you, if we surrender we’re as good as dead the Marians will happily take our Mechs and be done with it so I’ll leave it to you to decide fight and have a chance or be dispossessed.”  No one replied they all knew his words were the truth “I’ll take the stinging silence as you want to fight? Good, stick together watch each other’s backs and let’s go kick some periphery arse.”

   “Incoming DropShips, I count six Union-class” MechWarrior Rebecca Lopez shouted out, that put the enemy at upto of six companies in strength.

   “Advance units have hot-dropped, we have a company incoming.”

   “Hold together people, fire at will, combine on targets as long as we have numerical superiority.  And may god have mercy on our souls.”  Green said targeting an incoming Wasp light Mech, “eat it” Green said triggering his long range missiles causing light damage to the twenty ton Mech’s leg and torso.  Across the line Green Machine Mechs were firing their weapons however as Colonel Green followed up on the Wasp with a second volley of missiles on the Wasp he saw a Mercury from Charlie Company fall under three PPC blasts from a Marian Awesome.  Turning on the incoming assault Mech Green began to run at the Mech brining his old Mech up past sixty kilometres an hour for the first time in many years - Green past his eighty-second birthday two weeks before smiled as he closed on the Mech finally he was back in real combat.  Firing short range missiles and lasers as he closed Green felt the heat raising but ignored it closing to point blank with the Awesome getting inside its minimum range bracket he planted two punches into the side of the Awesome smiling as he saw his Mech’s right first crush one of the PPCs on the Awesome.  The massive eighty ton Mech turned still standing following this savage physical attack and fired its two PPCs at point blank range the blasts tore into Green’s Crusader, the sixty-five ton Mech shook under the attack but Green didn’t care punching again this time adding his leg SRM launchers into it as well he was intent on destroying the biggest Mech he’d seen so far, giving his unit a chance of life.

   Up above someone must have been smiling on Colonel Maxwell Green maybe it was his long dead wife Elizabeth or maybe the Almighty himself as Maxwell Green continued his dance with the Awesome for a good minute finally downing the massive assault Mech with a punch that went straight through the Awesome’s cockpit.  Battling to avoid heat shut down he walked his Mech back towards his battered command “Captain Slyghe, status”

   “We’re down… sir watch out!” She suddenly screamed Maxwell Green turned to see a smaller fast moving Mech charging towards him firing his lasers he tried to slow it however the Mech swung its massive blade at Green’s Mech hitting the left shoulder severing the limb where it was, as the blade drew back it stuck the cockpit shorting out half of Green’s life support.  Charging forward Green literally steamrolled the Ghurkha BattleMech crushing the thirty-five ton Mech under his Crusader’s feet before the Crusader itself fell to the ground.  “Colonel please respond, Colonel Green do you hear me.”

   “Yes, Rhe, I hear you” he said to his XO his Crusader wouldn’t be fighting much longer but at least it was warm.  That stopped Green his Mech hadn’t fired weapons for a good minute it shouldn’t be warm… he glanced down and noticed his coolant vest was punctured in the gut by a large support from the frame of the cockpit now he felt the pain too.  Trying to ignore it he brought his Mech to standing point “Rhe, how are we doing?”

   “Down three Mechs including Captain Margrove she took two Marians with her if that counts.”

   “What about… the militia?” he wheezed fighting the pain

   “Nothing yet, sir, please report status”

   “Fine so be it…” he said struggling to speak. “…we’ll fall back to the treeline… there we’ll have a little… a little cover.”

   “Sir, are you alright?”

   “Sure just a bit winded. Move out people we have a battle to win.”  He said his Crusader struggling to keep up he noticed Rheannon Slyghe’s Bushwhacker staying close to him.  “I’ll manage Captain, no need to worry.”

   “Not worried just putting up a united face of our enemies.”  Moments later she turned they were still three hundred metres from the trees and the Marians were catching them.  “Three full companies, I see two of armour behind that. We’re in trouble boss.”

   “I’ll take care of them, take the unit to the rear in the trees, engage from cover, set fires if you can it’ll hold up there armour.”  He suggested

   “You’ll never get within range.”

   “I’ll slow them” he said putting the pain to the back of his mind he charged forward in his one armed battered Crusader Slyghe’s Bushwhacker standing with the rest of the unit watching as he closed on the Periphery troops.

   “Colonel, change direction minus forty degrees east current direction.”  Came another voice over the Green Machine band, out of reflex Colonel Green did so.  There moving directly for the periphery troops was MechWarrior Grant’s Catapult surrounded by militia armour nearly a full Battalion in the air several combat VTOLs provided further support, Green recognized the voice as Grant himself.

   “I though you were in the local lock-up?”

   “The Governor just didn’t want me leaving without a proper military escort sir.”

   “Very good, link up with Slyghe and the rest of our people I’ll take the militia in.”

   “Negative Colonel, we’re right behind you” Slyghe said her Bushwhacker already running alongside him “the Green Machine fights as one, and if need be we go down as one.”  Despite the pain from his stomach wound Colonel Green smiled his unit was finally coming together and in their greatest time of need.

   Less than ten minutes later the Marians had been pushed back and broken, two of their Union-class DropShips had been destroyed the other four captured by the militia and the remaining Green Machine machines.  However Colonel Maxwell Green was not with his victorious troops instead he was in a militia hospital about to be rushed into emergency surgery beside him was Rheannon Slyghe his XO and truth be told the real reason they’d won today, Green had known she was great when he hired her on Outreach aged just nineteen. “Rhe, listen to me very carefully”

   “I’ll listen to you when you come out of surgery.”

   “No damn it, listen now!” Green demanded “I’m not coming out of this one, but we did it Green Machine is back on the right track and I got one last win.”

   “You’ll have plenty more” Rheannon said quietly

   “No, Elizabeth is calling me” Maxwell Green said quietly “my will is in the safe in my desk code 16-06-67 your orders are there, Major” he said before coughing up blood and going into cardiac arrest.

   “Get him into surgery now!!” The doctors screamed but it was too late, an hour later after fruitless attempts at brining him back from the brink Colonel Maxwell Green was proclaimed dead.

   In the following days the Governor would call Maxwell Green and the Green Machine heroes of San Nicholas but it did not hide the fact he was dead.  Rheannon Slyghe in the presence of two other members of the Green Machine opened the safe - Green’s combination Rheannon’s enlistment date - the orders inside confirmed Rheannon’s promotion to Major and full command/ownership of the Green Machine Mercenary Command.

Wolf Spider Ground base
Downtown, Galatea City
Galatea, Lyran Commonwealth
23rd July 3078

   Not wanting to restrict themselves to purely Wolf’s Dragoons sources the Wolf Spider Battalion had moved to Galatea to search for sources and information regarding the Opacus Venatori.  Because they wanted the Widow’s Lair a secret as long as possibly they’d initially travelled to the planet via commercial JumpShip whilst the WarShip had jumped in at a pirate point about a day from Galatea.  There were no Lyran WarShips stationed in the system and the Widow’s Lair was off any usual trade routes so no-one noticed the presence of the lonely WarShip.

   “Newest burst from the Widow’s Lair, nothing new from Outreach no new attacks in the Inner Sphere or on the Clan Occupation Zones, unfortunately nothing new we can use.”  Captain Ian Macintosh commander of the Spider Trinary said.

   “Things are quiet here on Galatea as well” Stacy Church said “I have the Black Widows Trinary scouring downtown for leads, nothing yet.”

   “Has anyone else picked up anything?” John Cavell commander of the Wolf Spider Battalion said quietly seeing blank faces.

   “Because there is nothing to know, Major” came a sneering voice over loud speakers.  “You Dragoons have always looked at the wrong place and caused more trouble than you were worth.  Time for that to end!”  John Cavell looked up at the warehouse windows and saw a moving shadow.

   “Everybody Down Now!”  But his shouted warning came too late as a huge BattleMech slammed through the wall sending bricks and mortar flying everywhere Captain Dirk Samuels, commander of the Tarantula Trinary, was crushed under flying debris.

   “Time for your little hunt to come to a disastrous end.”  The voice said again the Red-and-White Mech firing PPCs at the warriors and the stored Wolf Spider Mechs, Captain Church’s Timber Wolf took a hit to the chest, the Timber Wolf falling over crushing two more warriors of the Battalion.

   “Everybody scatter, Spider One to all Spiders we need back up!  All units clear out to the DropShip!”

   “Cavell the Widows are still out there, there Mechs are sitting targets!”  Stacy Church screamed her own Mech was already being crushed into the ground by the enemy Mech.

   “Forget it Stacy, let’s get as many of our people clear of this turkey shoot before we lose the entire Battalion.”  Over the next ten minutes the attacking Mech destroyed eight more of the Wolf Spider’s BattleMechs before retreating.  John Cavell and the rest of the Wolf Spiders retreated to the DropShip, in all they had lost nine MechWarriors mostly from Tarantula Trinary, the surviving warriors were reassigned to the Black Widow and Spider Trinary however the Wolf Spider Battalion had lost a third of their number and been given a major defeat.

[Dragon Cat]

Disputed Territory
Blair Atoll, Lyran Commonwealth
4th August 3078

   The Jade Falcons raid recently lost Blair Atoll led by Loremaster Bryan Pryde’s First Falcon Lancers Cluster, in his Jupiter Assault Mech, they fight off against a Wolf (in-Exile) Cluster containing several Ryoken II BattleMechs and a pair of Cygnus Assault Mechs.  Although no territory is exchanged between the two Clans this fight will likely be remembered because out of both units only two OmniMechs are included in the fight despite both sides being rated as front-line.

       Some Inner Sphere analysts predict this is because the Clans have had to leave advanced manufacturing techniques in the Clan Homeworlds and supply lines are stretched.  While others believe that the Clans are simply adapting to the needs of manufacturing larger amounts of units lost fighting against Inner Sphere forces.  Both sides agree that while these “less” advanced BattleMechs are not a match for their OmniMech predecessors the new designs by the Clans are no less deadly and the Clans are still a major threat.

Main Body Return
Steel Viper Assaults
Clan Homeworlds
22nd August 3078

   The battered, rejected main body of Clan Steel Viper returns to the Clan Homeworlds beaten badly in the Inner Sphere they find their Homeworlds forces are also being attacked.  Going straight on the offensive the Steel Vipers target the Hell’s Horse garrison on Tiber.

   In the system the Steel Vipers maliciously attack the Carrack-class Transport Golden Clydesdale destroying the transport without even considering allowing the vessel to surrender.  On the planet the Steel Vipers find only the 888th Mechanized Strike Cluster of Clan Hell’s Horses Beta Galaxy, offering no quarter the Hell’s Horses the Steel Vipers 195th Assault Cluster destroyed all remnants of the Hell’s Horses unit, the find several advanced vehicle designs worth salvaging amongst the Hell’s Horses unit however the bases are stripped nearly completely of supplies and fittings and large portions of the Hell’s Horses civilians are also missing.

Tessalonika, Disputed Territory
Ghost Bear Dominion
24th August 3078

   The Second Genyosha Regiment supported by Covenant’s Commandos and the First Kearny Highlanders, of the Northwind Highlanders Mercenary Brigade; assault Tessalonika in the Ghost Bear Dominion.  The world is defended by the Second Claw Cluster, Zeta Galaxy, and the Seventeenth Provisional Cluster, Theta Galaxy; the Ghost Bears are steadily driven back until the Seventeenth Provisional is no longer combat effective the Second Claw fall back into a resistance styled defence.

Soverzine, Disputed Territory
Ghost Bear Dominion
29th August 3078

   Continuing the Combine counter-attack against Clan Ghost Bear the rebuilt and reinforced First Sword of Light Regiment supported by the Always Faithful Mercenary Regiment, the Crimson’s Crusaders and the Clifton’s Rangers Mercenary Commands launches an assault against Soverzine across the Combine/Ghost Bear border nearest the Irece Prefecture.

   On planet they find the Eight Bear Regulars Theta Galaxy, a green rated command, and the Tenth Bear Regulars Cluster Xi Galaxy.  The Bear commander believes in straight up fighting and so challenges the Combine/Mercenary force to a stand-up fight which the Inner Sphere forces agree to.  The next day they meet on the rolling hills of the southern continent however the Clan force soon finds itself out gunned and out manoeuvred and is soon encircled.  When Star Colonel Jessica Carns, Eighth Bear Regulars, attempts to surrender the world she is gunned down by Combine MechWarriors as both Regular Clusters are cut to pieces under Combine and mercenary guns.

Disputed Territory
Duchy of Tamarind-Abby
FWL/Periphery
4th/5th September 3078

   Rallied to a cause by the Marian Hegemony attacks against their nation the Duchy of Tamarind-Abby turned on the Periphery State.  Captain-General Jeremy Brett directing several Tamarind Militia Regiments supported by mercenary commands and WarShips against the invading Marian forces.

   On the 4th September the First Tamarind Militia supported by the Heart of Blake Mercenary Command and escorted by the Impavido-class Destroyer Tamarind the units hit Landfall, in less than one hour their periphery opponents were in full retreat.  Alongside this assault the Second Tamarind Militia supported by The Furies Armour Mercenary Regiment attacked Hazeidean another of the lost worlds like the First Militia the unit has the full backing of an Impavido-class Destroyer which hopelessly outclasses any air assets the Marians can field.  With air superiority lost immediately the Marian resistance crumbles within two hours of fighting on the ground.

   One day later the Duchy of Tamarind-Abby not wanting to allow the Marian Hegemony forces any chance of preparing for the follow up assaults the Impavido-class Therese Brett-Marik supports the Fourth Tamarind Militia Regiment and the Harlock’s Warriors Mercenary Command in liberating Huntington.  Again almost a direct copy of the previous assaults the Therese Brett-Marik cuts off Marian aerospace assets from providing cover and destroys two of the periphery DropShips from orbit cutting off the units retreat.  On the ground the mixed Duchy and mercenary force make short work of the local defenders and once again Huntington is a Duchy of Tamarind-Abby world.

   Not happy just to take back what had been lost the Duchy of Tamarind-Abby wanted to show the periphery nation of its mistakes Colonel Photon Brett-Marik leading the Second Tamarind-Abby Guards Regiment supported by several conventional regiments assaults Reykavis just over the border in Marian Hegemony space.  During the burn in the MHS Caesar jumps into the system the Dart-class Light Cruiser immediately attacking the Jeremy Brett, the Duchy’s escorting Impavido-class Destroyer.  The Jeremy Brett holds off the previously damaged MHS Caesar, which is showing the lack of proper maintenance and supplies of any WarShip in the Periphery too long.  Colonel Photon Marik order his people forward and they head for the planet’s surface.  On the ground they complete the destruction of the V Legio which the Green Machine began on San Nicholas destroying the remaining Marian Hegemony troops on planet welcoming another world into the Duchy.

   Caesar Julius O’Reilly orders all forces to rally around Alphard in case the Duchy of Tamarind-Abby decides that they need to wipe out the small nation.  Marian Hegemony forces leave picket forces in the occupied Magistracy of Canopus and Niops worlds.

   Within days of the withdrawal by Marian forces the Magistracy of Canopus regains control of all its lost worlds strengthening the borders while the Niops Association unveil several hidden Power Armour and BattleMech units to overpower the Marians liberating their own conquered nation.

Trade Mission
Broken Wheel
Filtvelt Coalition
22nd September 3078

   “Excuse me, Commander, I need your warriors to keep a tight cordon on this area, we cannot have the locals just wondering in and stealing our technology and our trade goods.”

   “It is Colonel” the warrior said staring back at the man, he wasn’t Clan a native of what used to be the Tortuga Dominions taken in by the Clan because of his trading skill.

   “What?”

   “It is Colonel, as in Star Colonel, your commanding officer show some respect you stavag periphery pig!”

   “Now then Colonel, we’re all part of a big happy family you scratch my back and I’ll help you.  I’m sure you’ve noticed at least one or two things here that take your fancy?”  He said then noticing the arrival of the main Filtvelt Coalition trade party completely forgot the Star Colonel “here they come! Time for me to work, we’ll talk later.”

   “No we will not.”  He said the man smiled but Trent did not continue instead raising his communicator to his mouth “Higall to all Lost Ones execute Operation ORANGE.”  He said all around warriors, Mechs and vehicles turned their weapons on traders from the Nova Cats and from the Filtvelt Coalition.  Some tried to draw weapons and were cut down immediately the Master Trader turned back to Trent Higall who had also drawn his side arm.

   “Why?”

   “I am tired of you, and I am tired of peace.  It is time I died like a Clan Warrior in battle.”  He said his finger closing on the trigger.

   “Or died like a pirate” the master trader whispered as the bullet fired from the Star Colonel’s gun and blew his head off.  All around the warriors of the Fifteenth Battle Cluster were executing traders; it was over in less than a minute.  Star Captain Katherine came running up to Higall who still stood over the Master Trader’s body.

   “Sir, operation successful shall we begin reloading the DropShips? Sir!” She said stronger breaking him from his thoughts.

   “Yes, of course, break camp load the DropShips have two Aerospace Fighters buzz the local HPG Building level it and have our perimeter guards ensure that no Coalition troops decide that we need to be dealt with contact the Space Fairer and tell them we are on our way CASE BLACK DRAGON is in effect.”  She nodded it was a phrase they’d stolen from the Draconis Combine, it meant simply that the Cluster had turned its backs on Clan Nova Cat’s leadership and that there would be no going back from now on, they were on their own.

        Three hours later the goods loaded into their three DropShips the renegade warriors lifted off Broken Wheel before the Filtvelt Coalition defenders could react they rendezvoused with their fourth DropShip in orbit and headed for their Odyssey-class JumpShip leaving the system shortly after.  The inability for the local defences to react to this threat worries parts of the local population as the Nova Cats are a real threat not just a passing one posed by this renegade group.  Many of the local Broken Wheel population begin to question whether leaving the Federated Suns was their best course of action.

[Dragon Cat]

End of Contract
Outreach, Star League Protectorate
3rd October 3078

   The Wolf’s Dragoons officially end their contract with the Federated Suns with the last units leaving Galax and New Avalon heading back to Outreach for rest and refit.  Because of continuing operations to track down the Opacus Venatori the Dragoon Colonels agree that no further contracts will be taken in the short to mid term.

Trade Post
Detroit, Fronc Reaches
13th October 3078

   During a simple trade mission between Clan Nova Cat and the Fronc Reaches merchants on Detroit the Protector’s Guardians, a Taurian Concordat regiment raids the planet intent on capturing several newly built BattleMechs from the Detroit factory.  Initially the Nova Cat defence force escorting the traders’ remains out of the fight however following a stray artillery strike on one of the Clan’s Mule-class Transports the mixed Trinary of Nova Cat troops launch a flanking attack on Taurian Regiment in support of the Fronc Reaches Colonial Marshals.

   The warriors of the Nova Cat’s One hundredth Strike Cluster successfully take out the Taurians artillery company losing three of their members in the process abandoning a Huntsman OmniMech in the process.  During the Nova Cat retreat back to their lines Subaltern Erik Martens-Calderon’s Battle Armour squad attacks a trailing Elemental group with disastrous results.  Four members of Erik’s six man unit are killed by the Elementals and Erik is knocked unconscious as his Bruce Assault Armour suit is picked up and thrown by one of the Nova Cat warriors.  The Nova Cat traders and their defence unit retreat from the world shortly afterwards.  Erik is recovered by his regiment but he is deeply troubled by recent events, in his eyes the Taurian people have a new threat that is more dangerous even than House Davion.
 
High Orbit
Toffen, Rasalhague Dominion
20th October 3078

   Aboard the DCS Nagato, the Draconis Combine’s Yamato-class Battleship Warlord Minoru Kurita meets with Khan Bjorn Jorgensson and Elected Prince Ragnar Magnesson representing the newly minted Rasalhague Dominion.

   During the talks Bjorn Jorgensson insists that his Ghost Bear Dominion is now the Rasalhague Dominion a sovereign state within the Inner Sphere and that the Draconis Combine will respect them as such.  Minoru Kurita becomes the first leader of the Inner Sphere to formally, and publicly, recognise the Rasalhague Dominion as an Inner Sphere state and not a Clan Occupation Zone.  With this agreement the Ghost Bear leadership agree to put an end to the fight between the two nations.

Industrial Zone
Malagrotta, Malagrotta Combat Zone
Crucis March, Federated Suns
30th October 3078

   A new pirate band land on the planet raiding Malagrotta’s light industrial zone for supplies when challenged these Liger Warriors refuse to communicate with the local militia forcing a confrontation.  The sheer amount of Clan technology seen within the unit makes it obvious this is not a regular unit the local militia commander Leftenant-General Arnold Maddox requests and receives support from the Governors personnel bodyguard forces which includes a company of brand-new ARB-001 Arbiter Combat IndustrialMechs the governor had purchased specially from Meridian Manufacturing on New St Andrews for his own bodyguard.

   The Ligers intentionally single out the Arbiters capturing one of these Mechs trying to determine their exact capabilities while destroying the rest of the company.  After raiding the factories capturing several thousand tons of parts and materials including capturing a Wasp and a classic Phoenix Hawk BattleMech they retreat from the system.

Joint HPG Announcement
Marik/Augustine
Former Free Worlds League
2nd November 3078

   Standing at a podium on Augustine Duchess Alys Rousset-Marik stepped in front of the masses of Augustine.  Her world had suffered greatly in recent years with bombardment and further troubles but they had persevered and her people were still free from all oppression.  “Ladies and Gentlemen, I will make a brief statement however there will be no questions due to the sensitive nature of what I will announce.”  She began with the standard Augustine briefing speech, the local press should know by now not to expect to ask questions she briefly thought.

   “For the past several months The Rousset-Marik Alliance has been in negotiations with our neighbouring Marik-Stewart Commonwealth.”  She said immediately shock was a good tool when used right.  “Although our nations have had our problems we are both members of the greater Free Worlds League and recently have treated each other with the amount of respect we should expect.”  She said proving that she had not sold her nation short.

   “With our discussions at advanced stages I can announce that an open, free trade, agreement has been made with the Marik-Stewart Commonwealth businesses from both sides of the border and a mutual defence pact between our nations.”  She said outlining both halves of the agreement she and Corrine Marik had agreed on.

   “Politically we are two nations within the greater Free Worlds League and though we disagree on the correct path of our greater nation it is my wish that this agreement will lead to a reunification of the greater Free Worlds League under one banner, allowing our House to retake its position among the nations of the Inner Sphere.  Perhaps it will be in my daughters time that our nation sees the rebirth of the Free Worlds League but we will have to wait and see.”

   “I thank you for your time, god bless the people of Augustine and the Rousset-Marik Alliance” she said stepping out of the limelight as per usual there were the flurry of questions shouted at her back none that would be answered for now.  Most were directed at her last comment about her daughter who had until now been hidden away behind the stage Quinn Ana Rousset her ten year old was stood smiling, during her time out of the limelight Alys had trained her in many forms including deception and how to speak to people and now she’d been shown how to pull off a master stroke, the papers would be about one thing for the next week Quinn.  While the pact would be signed and completely out of the press which had been the plan since Alys had decided to hold this conference, she knew that Corrine Marik would be holding a similar conference on Marik but also that she didn’t have massive revelations to cover her announcement, which would cause more trouble in the Marik-Stewart Commonwealth than the ‘Captain-General’ wanted.

Press Conference
Luthien Armour Works, Luthien
Pesht Military District, Draconis Combine
5th November 3078

   The Duchess of Augustine was not the only one who was making grand announcements to the public.  Across the Inner Sphere in the Draconis Combine on Luthien the primary weapons producer was also making an announcement.  With the end of the War with the newly minted Rasalhague Dominion the DCMS was in a state of rebuilding and so the Luthien Armour Works was ready to unveil its newest product for the DCMS exclusive use.

   The RYO-O-P Ryoken KU OmniMech was a direct copy of the Clan OmniMech of the same name unlike recent Clan developments such as the Jupiter, Cygnus and even the Ghost Bear’s new Ryoken II this Mech was the same tonnage as its Clan brother, it matched its performance with inferior Inner Sphere equipment and already thirteen separate weapon configurations available this would soon be one of the primary OmniMechs in service with the DCMS with planned assignments in the Sword of Light and Genyosha regiments.

   The Draconis Combine Mustered Society High Command take this opportunity to announce that a new Inazuma II-class Corvette will begin production at Draconis Combine shipyards very shortly to further boost flagging numbers of Draconis Combine WarShips.  Further boosting the DCMS’ power and the public image of Warlord Minoru Kurita.

Naval Engagement
Huntress system, Kerensky Cluster
Clan Homeworlds
8th November 3078

   What had been a simple raid between enclaves had spiralled into a full blown conflict between Clan Coyote and Clan Steel Viper in the Huntress system.  Though the Steel Vipers held numerical superiority on the ground they had a larger amount of ground to defend while the Coyotes were more than happy to pick at them.

   When the Steel Viper’s Dark Asp, one of the mighty Nightlord-class Battleships, had arrived in system and driven off Coyote naval assets and supply carriers the Coyotes had dug in and called in their own Nightlord, the Great Coyote Spirit.  For three days the two WarShips had burned towards each other before meeting in a dead region of the system between Huntress and the system’s star.

   Although kings in their own right the two vessels found themselves matched, the crews as equal in skill as the ships were in firepower.  As naval grade weaponry was exchanged between the two vessels DropShips and fighters from both sides exchanged fire in a great melee not seen in Clan space for years.

   As the ships manoeuvred the Dark Asp was able to damage the Great Coyote Spirit’s aft port engines causing the craft to move erratically towards the Dark Asp.  Not knowing the vessel’s intentions and themselves heavily burdened by heat build up something/or someone aboard the Dark Asp broke and the K-F Jump drive fired.  A sudden radiation spike and both vessels were gone leaving their fighters and DropShips alone in the system.  With both capital ships gone and no-one knowing if they had even survived the jump both sets of DropShips and fighters agreed both had lost too much to continue landing in separate areas on Huntress.

   An extensive search of Clan space found no sign of either Nightlord-class vessel, after a week and no sign both Clans marked the vessels down as lost in action and tried to move on from this massive loss.  Rumours from the battle and from sensor data seemed to suggest the Great Coyote Spirit had also initiated a jump at the same time however these were written off as such an event would have been suicidal for both vessels.

Pirate Attacks
Norman’s World/Hobson
Taurian Concordat/Federated Suns border
14th/26th November 3078

   On the 14th November new pirate band/renegade clan force the Liger Warriors raided Norman’s World on the Taurian Concordat border with the Federated Suns finding nothing worth taking and no opposition worth fighting they moved onto their next target.

   Two weeks later the Liger Warriors appeared deep within the Federated Suns’ Capellan March raiding the system of Hobson just one jump clear of New Syrtis itself.  In the system their Carrier-class DropShip and its fighters engaged an AFFS fighter squadron escorting three cargo DropShips towards the Jump point.  All six defending aerospace fighters along with two of the Liger’s fighters and two of the DropShips, the third DropShip a Mammoth-class vessel was disabled and boarded by the Ligers.  Aboard they found six brand-new  Dagger OmniFighters and several crates of Light Autocannons all bound for the Wolf’s Dragoons as a parting gift from the AFFS for five long years of service.

   The Ligers not massive fans of the Wolf’s Dragoons seized all six fighters and the Light Autocannons before scuttling the DropShip.  Their Odyssey-class JumpShip left the system only minutes before the FSS New Syrtis, a Fox-class Corvette, arrived in the system.  This blatant act of piracy by a Clan equipped force put the whole AFFS Capellan March on Medium Alert to keep an eye on all incoming traffic.

Mechbay 6, Mercenary Quarter
Old Connaught, Arc-Royal
Arc-Royal Theatre, Lyran Commonwealth
28th November 3078
 
   On Arc-Royal the Wolf’s Dragoons Wolf Spider Battalion had been able to gain an entire Mech hanger in the Mercenary Quarter outside Arc-Royal; Major Cavell had negotiated with the Kell Hounds for new supplies and been able to buy several new Mechs.  Two Dragoon warriors had even Challenged Clan Wolf (in-Exile) to trials for their Mechs which surprisingly the Clan warriors had accepted without hesitation, MechWarrior Lucien Cusick had failed in his Trial and was now a Wolf (in-Exile) bondsman but MechWarrior Francine, one of the Dragoon children bred through the sibkos of Outreach, had succeeded in claiming a Dire Wolf Assault OmniMech much to the surprise of the Wolf (in-Exile) troops.

   Captain Stacy Church had been tempted to join the other warriors in testing herself against the Clansmen but Major Cavell had told her to keep her time for the Opacus Venatori and that he’d replace her fallen Mech.  What Cavell had not told her was what he’d return with and what Stacy saw did not impress her, it was a brand-new Zeus.  The Zeus was a popular Lyran assault Mech but did nothing to impress Stacy who was used to her Clan OmniMech, her tech came walking over as she surveyed the Mech which was being repainted in Wolf Spider colours.  “Well?”

   “It’s horrible.”  He said

   “Elaborate, what has Cavell got me into?”

   “Well Capt’n you’ve got a heavy LB autocannon in the Left arm good for beating the crap out the enemy two tons of ammo keep you going but they are in the right torso.”  He said meaning the ammo would go all around the Mech to the cannon “I can fix it but it’ll take a week or so.”  He said gesturing to the right arm “there you have a Combine build Heavy Particle Cannon, good punch crap range.”  He said she nodded the cannon had as good a punch as a Clan weapon but the range suffered greatly “in each torso you have a single Extended-Range Medium-class laser for exploiting the holes the others make.”

   “What else?”  She demanded four weapons on an assault Mech even an Inner Sphere machine was a joke.

   “No weapons you have Light Ferro Fibrous armour protecting a light Engine and something called the Blue Shield Project.”

   “Never heard of it”

   “It’s one of the NAIS’s toys that barely got off the drawing board don’t know how the Kell Hounds got one but it basically reduces a PPC’s blast to about half the normal.” Stacy nodded that was nice especially since several Opacus Mechs carried PPC weapons “it gets a bit junked up but I think I know how to keep it clear enough to keep it workable.  The second toy this thing carries is an AES in the Left Arm giving your PPC its very own targeting computer.”  He said Stacy wasn’t completely aware of the Actuator Enhancement System’s properties but she’d look it up sooner rather than later.

   “So what can you do with her for me?”

   “Well straight away I can give you the ammo for the LB in the right side along with the CASE bin shouldn’t be difficult maybe take a week depending on how long until you need it in combat.  If we’re lucky I’ll be able to steal a Clan Extended-Range PPC give you some range as well as punch as well as a couple of extra tons.  What I really want is a Clan AC for that LB its eating tonnage and space but not much chance of that here.  The Blue Shield and AES are worth keeping at least for now until you get to try them out.”  He said and without another word walked off.

   “Thanks a lot Major” Stacy muttered

   “Don’t mention it Captain” Cavell said from beside her she hadn’t even noticed him “not the prettiest of Mechs but enough to get you on your feet and started again until we go back to Outreach.”

   “Yes, sir, I’m guessing not a social call?”

   “Negative, orders the Opacus Venatori struck Marik two days ago lifting an entire Battalion of Mechs and levelling an Iran owned factory, we’ve been invited into Clan space.”

   “Damn, the Colonel will rise from the ashes if we go back there as will the Widowmaker.”  Stacy said mentioning Jamie Wolf and Natasha Kerensky without by legacy alone the Dragoons had plenty history with the Free Worlds League.

   “Aye, but we’ll get the job done Stacy” Cavell said wandering off

   “Into the Breach of Hell” Stacy said looking at her new Mech, soon be time for that test drive she thought.

[Dragon Cat]

Interstellar News Network
Chicago, North America
Terra, Star League Protectorate
3rd December 3078

   “Good Evening Ladies and Gentlemen, I’m Caroline Jackson and I’m here to bring you the newest gossip straight from Terra and around the Inner Sphere.”  Caroline said looking at the Tri-Vid camera the Interstellar News Network had been an idea of ComStar’s originally aimed at brining the Inner Sphere news from the Clan front and from around the Inner Sphere keeping everyone informed and safe.  As the years had gone by and the Star League had grown in strength and importance the INN had introduced new channels in several different languages and had even tried to break into the Clan markets by broadcasting on the Clan’s Chatterweb frequencies although the Clans had so far rebuffed official status as users of INN.

   One such channel was Earth Weekly one of Terra’s most popular Celebrity programmes and hosted by Caroline Jackson a native of the windy city itself Chicago.  “Tonight my main story comes from my hometown Chicago, as the Interstellar States which became the Succession Realms were formed many cities on Terra became depopulated and overgrown, in many ways the windy city did the opposite as other cities were empties in the original Exodus from Terra or were gutted by the fighting of the Reunification War Chicago thrived.  Though the Usurper tried to bring its inhabitants to heel the City continued to produce some of the best automobiles, Mechs and Fighters the Inner Sphere has ever seen.  Even following the Star League’s Exodus of the Inner Sphere the city continued to work under the guise of ComStar where nearly seventy-five percent of the inhabitants were employed by the Order in some capacity - a figure higher than almost any other City barring Hilton Head and Geneva.”  She said changing direction to face another Camera “However never did Chicago gain the prominence of other cities on Terra.  Until maybe now, INN has learned that as of the beginning of 3079 Chicago University, one of the oldest and biggest Campuses on Terra will be welcoming a very special man to its student and lecture body.  Doctor David Lear, son of famous Clan War Veteran, Solaris Champion, St Ives Compact Prime Minister and current First Lord Duke Kai Allard-Liao.  Dr Lear a recent graduate of St Ives University will be studying at Chicago as well as partaking in select presentations, the single twenty-eight year old is considered by many to be the premier mind of the current era much like his father was the premier warrior of his own.  I hope all Terrans will join me in welcoming him to our world, and that he enjoys his time within the cradle of humanity.”

Trial Grounds
Ceres Metal Industries Complex
Warlock, St Ives Compact
8th December 3078

   The main factories of the St Ives Compact outside those on the capital St Ives came under heavy aerospace fighter assault and bombing by six crimson painted Dagger OmniFighters followed by a dedicated ground assault force made up of primarily Clan machines.  The defending Second St Ives Lander Regiment moved to engage these forces however they could not stop the attacking unit claiming three newly built Highlander BattleMechs, one Emperor BattleMech and a single stealth armour equipped Marauder BattleMech.

   Although the St Ives Lancers harried the enemy attackers for several kilometres felling two Mechs, gutting three vehicles and crushing several Elemental warriors in the process the pirate force later identified as the Liger Warriors - who had plagued the Federated Suns and Taurian Concordat - escaped the world and eluded capture.

   On a brighter note for the St Ives Lancers and for the St Ives Compact Duchess Cassandra Rubinsky nee Allard-Liao gave birth to twin sons during the fighting which she named Justin and Marko Rubinsky for the babies passed grandfathers.

Lucky Two, Explorer-class JumpShip
Uncharted System, Former Free Worlds League
18th December 3078

   After six months charting the unknown systems around the Rim Commonality in the former Free Worlds League the Lucky Two, named as such as a Lucky One had to exist somewhere, was heading home to its base world of Lesnovo.  When it jumped into another uncharted system and almost immediately its sensor lit up.

   “What on earth is that?”

   “Radio communications, and it appears space stations deeper in the system”

   “You’re joking?”

   “Negative, and we have fighters incoming six Vulcan Aerospace Fighters!”

   “What the hell?  Launch the Less and Nova” he said naming the Explorers’ two Aquarius Escort Ships “And power our own lasers” he said the Explorer had long ago been armed with ten Small Lasers which weren’t much use in combat but gave the crew more than nothing.  The two Aquarius and their crews were the JumpShip’s only real defence against the incoming fighters.  “Are they saying anything?”

   “Not to us, maybe each other their encryptions are ancient.”

   “Well get onto them, I don’t plan on declaring war on the system that everyone forgot!”  He said his crewmen nodded the captain rechecked the charts, this system wasn’t marked.

   “I got them”

   “Put them on”

   “This is Captain Puck Salzburg commander of the Second Squadron of the Trinity Moons Defence Navy, you will identify yourself and why you have attacked this sovereign Free Worlds League Nation, or you will be destroyed.”

   “What the hell?” The Lucky Two’s chief engineer asked from the entrance to the bridge, just what had they fallen into?

   “Captain, this is Captain Les Stuart, commander of the Lucky Two a Rim Commonality, a nation of the former-Free Worlds League.  Please clarify you’re who?”

   “We represent the Trinity Moons, we’ve been out of contact with the Free Worlds League Government for several years but I’m sure they will have a record of our membership in the Succession State of House Marik.”

   “Captain the Free Worlds League has fallen into its individual realms.  The Rim Commonality is one of these states a state of cold war exists between the FWL members with individual states trying to get one better than their neighbours.  I suggest your fighters slow down and power down your weapons, we have a lot to talk about, and I will call off my support craft also?”

   “Agreed, we’ll vector away however our sensors will continue to monitor your craft until the Trinity Moons can be contacted.”

   “Of course.”  Captain Stuart answered glad he had averted starting a war on his first hour in this strange system.  He looked at the ancient Vulcan fighters and ran a passive scan of the system nearby was a small space station from which they had launched from deeper in the system the Lucky Two’s sensors could pick up other stations, fighters and one or two DropShips travelling between three moons of a massive gas giant.  Over the next three weeks the Lucky Two and her crew would get to know the system and its inhabitants and convince them to open negotiations with the Rim Commonality for membership in a larger group of worlds.  By the end of January 3079 a formal treaty of membership had been signed.

   With these links established the Trinity Moons became far busier with Rim Commonality businesses wanting to see what was in the system and what they could sell to this world.  As part of the agreement with the Trinity Moons government the system would keep its own rule and would limit visitors to a single JumpShip at a time, all incoming vessels would be escorted by the Trinity Moons Navy Fighters and the system’s exact location would be kept secret by the Rim Commonality leaders.  For the Rim Commonality they found a system untouched by the Succession Wars with its own set of rules and technology base where space travel had been based from several space stations built for defence and as monitors, with this potent weapon the system had fought off several raider attacks that had emerged over the years and the Rim Commonality saw an opportunity using modern technology to upgrade the stations the Rim Commonality wanted at least three for all of its systems which brought dozens of jobs to the system and constant trade pleasing the people and the sitting government.  The first Commonality-class System Station is constructed in parts within the Trinity Moons system and assembled within the Lesnovo system in mid 3079.

Knights of St Cameron Base
Odessa, Donegal Province
Lyran Commonwealth
21st December 3078

   From their base world of Odessa in the Lyran Commonwealth the Knights of St Cameron Mercenary Regiment’s commander Colonel Mortimer Dewey sends a message to the Lyran High Command informing them they were enacting a emergency escape clause in their contract and expected no further payment.  With this the entire Regiment boarded their DropShips rendezvousing with their JumpShips before exiting the system.

   The LIC conduct a thorough investigation of this disappearance however they are unable to track the Knights as they travel through the Lyran Commonwealth and disappear around the Distant Rim area of the Commonwealth.  Going over the Knights former base on Odessa they discover Colonel Dewey received six deleted HPG messages over the last week, the LIC are unable to recover any of the messages and the Knights disappearance is considered to be a mystery.

Star League Court of High Justice
Unity City, North America
Terra, Star League Protectorate
26th December 3078

   In an effort to show the Star League was more than a military entity that controlled worlds and defended Terra the Star League Court of Justice was formed in the rebuilding Unity City.  Opened by Governor of Terra Gavin Dow the Court of Justice would sort out legal cases between the Succession States and between the massive Corporations that spanned the Inner Sphere, and even the Clan states, any case of appeal could be taken to the Star League Court of Justice.  To further show the Court’s impartiality a Terran born defence lawyer and court Judge Jillian Elton was made the first High Commissioner of the High Court.  Because of Terra’s long standing neutrality in Inner Sphere politics it is hoped her position will be respected from natives of all the Inner Sphere’s realms.

And so ends 3078, I hope you enjoyed it.

As always comments and questions are welcome.  I'll try to answer any questions quickly

More soon

[Dragon Cat]

3079

Spaceport
New Hedon, Herotitus
Periphery
12th January 3079

   In near perfect formation Three Union-class DropShips landed at the Herotitus Spaceport just outside the capital city New Hedon.  From the DropShips came several BattleMechs of unknown designs to the locals.  At the local Customs Office the person on duty watched as a man in his late 30s wearing a simple tan jumpsuit approached, the officer put down his cocktail drink and raised his clipboard “How can I help you sir, would you like to book into New Hedon control?”

   “Sure, I am Sta… Colonel Trent Higall of the Liger Warriors”

   “The Liger Warriors?  I’ve not heard of you before, first time to Herotitus?”

   “Aye, we are new” Trent announced “we have been looking to register?  Where is the local mercenary office?”

   “There isn’t one, Colonel; Herotitus is unofficially a mercenary world and only recently even that, most see this as a backwater.  Mercenary commands that want to register have to travel to Outreach or Galatea, half a sphere away, here you can recruit if there’s anyone worth it but there’s no registered trade.  Anything would be off the books, unofficial if you were willing to do it.”

   “Ah, well perhaps I will take my Mech out for a tour see if I can pick up any new recruits - a mercenary unit can never be without warriors.”

   “I’m afraid not commander…”

   “It is Colonel” Trent interrupted.

   “Whatever" he said dismissively "Colonel, no military assets are allowed in the city - our roads are nowhere near strong enough to support their weight or size you’ll destroy the city with your Mechs.”

   “How does your defence force get around?”

   “What defence force?  Other than the three or four other mercenary units on planet there are no defence forces.”

   “Really?  What fantastic news” Trent said smiling raising his communicator to his mouth.  “Lost One, to The Fallen, rein fire and hail” he said simply above there were several sonic booms as his fighters dived into the atmosphere, they’d been deployed an hour before landing of his ground troops.  “All ground armour and Elementals with me, Mech forces secure the spaceport.”  He said as a Svantovit Infantry Carrier came up behind him on a cushion of air Trent glanced at the stunned Custom’s officer. “Don’t worry it will soon be over and a new rule will be in place.”  He said smiling again this time a wicked smile as the Svantovit smashed through the exit barrier followed by a second, deeper in the city explosions could be heard as the fighters began bombing runs.  From the direction of the explosions the Customs officer could tell it was the government building and the HPG Tower near the centre of the city.

   Travelling at the head of an ad-hoc star of armour made up of units from both his second and third stars Trent Higall watched as the local traffic tried in vein to get out of the way of the speeding well armoured Hovercraft leading his forces.  In the back were five Elemental in full Battle Armour warriors ready for deployment and combat.  Pulling up to the burning government buildings in the centre of the city Trent sent his Elementals into the building on an eradication mission killing anyone who put up any resistance as he and the vehicles secured a perimeter as per orders The Fallen moved on from New Hedon picking targets around the planet the Ligers had identified from orbit as potential problems and destroying them.

   Within the hour resistance within the capital and the Spaceport had been quelled with four DropShips all carrying BattleMechs and Armoured vehicles seized without a shot fired.  The Liger Warriors had found resistance on most of the DropShips as the crews and passengers tried to defend their possessions.  The Ligers had little choice but to eliminate them meaning they had newly captured Mechs and vehicles but no-one to use them.

   At a hastily built podium in front of the destroyed Government buildings Star Colonel Trent Higall stepped in front of a nation wide camera broadcast.  “People of New Hedon and Herotitus, I am Star Colonel Trent Higall the commander of the Liger Warriors and new ruler of this city and soon to be this world.  All military units still active are ordered to stand down immediately; if they do they will not be harmed however any resistance will be dealt with lethal force.  We are former Clan warriors; we have no interest in running your world, I will be happy to allow normal operations to continue within New Hedon while under Liger control however any disruptions or trouble caused while we are in charge will not be tolerated.  Already Liger forces are en-route to Myrmos, from there our might will extend, this is a planet wide challenge if you want to try and stop us - we are here and we are staying.”  He said laying down an ultimatum to everyone on the planet before stepping down.  Myrmos a small suburb outside New Hedon frequented by mercenaries put up little resistance and fell to Liger forces within the hour, once the military hardware had been claimed as salvage the Ligers returned to the spaceport keeping to Higall’s promise not to interfere with day to day events.  Within the next three days the rest of New Hedon’s small cities fell to Liger forces each time the military technology was removed, government buildings bombed out and the cities left to their normal operations.  The local population of Herotitus was inconvenienced for less than a week and barely noticed the leadership change; several embraced it as the previous President Allison Carver was a fundamentalist Catholic intent on changing everything that made Herotitus great.  With the Ligers in charge things seemed like they would remain the same.
 
Royal Mile
Samantha, Taurus
Taurian Concordat
18th January 3079

   People ringed the street as the Protector’s Guardians marched down the Royal Mile towards the Calderon Palace in the heart of Samantha.  At the head of this was newly promoted Brigadier Erik Martens-Calderon, now a decorated battle hero, who had ordered the unit to return to Taurus.

   “End of the Line? Baron” Janice Calderon asked looking at the leader of the Concordat Baron Cham Kithrong.

   “Perhaps, I have always said I am but Erik’s regent, it has always been his choice when to take power.”

   “And that’s it; you’ll abandon post and power?”  She asked Janice was still weak from her recent recovery from Brisbane Syndrome but Cham could tell she was still looking out for the Protector and for the Concordat.

   “I am not Grover Sharplen, if Erik wants the job it is his post and power together.  I will offer my presence, and advice, as a Marshal of the Taurian people and as a Baron of the realm but if he does not want me, I will happily return home.  Samantha has not the place in my heart as other places.”

   “Cham, you are an honourable man, don’t think your place is over here.  Erik is still young he will need a guiding hand.  Some would take advantage, and some of his experiences will cloud his judgement.”  She said as Erik reached the steps near where Cham and Janice had been talking.

   “Maybe” Cham said stepping away from the elder Calderon towards Erik “Welcome back to Taurus Brigadier.”

   “Thank you, sir.” Erik said saluting which Cham instantly returned.  Cham could not notice the difference in Erik he was older and more than just years he was stable and world aware.  “May I?”  He asked indicating to a nearby podium.

   “Of course, your position is here it always has been, I am but your Regent.”

   “Baron, you are far more than just a Regent.”  Erik said quietly stepping away taking the podium with both hands.  “People of Samantha and of the Taurian Concordat, it has been many years since I have had a chance to speak to you directly, though Baron Kithrong has kept me in touch with the events of our nation.  I have decided that it is time that I stop indulging myself in being a hero on the battlefield and help mould our nation for the future.  We have several threats all around us the Federated Suns remains our biggest however the Fronc Reaches, the Colony Region we helped form, has begun to gain more power and is increasing in its armaments and the Magistracy of Canopus continues to grow stronger with the Capellan Confederation.

   “These threats are perhaps nothing compared to that posed by Clan Nova Cat which resides in the former Tortuga Dominions.  They have benefactors in the Federated Suns which protects them from the rest of the Inner Sphere and already they have penetrated the Filtvelt Coalition and the Fronc Reaches, they are perhaps the greatest threat our nation has ever faced.  As a result today I will be taking our nation in a direction that will bring us protection from all threats.  With the leaders of the Concordat behind me and a great future ahead of us all together we cannot fail.  Today I want the whole Taurian Concordat to know that there is a Calderon back on Taurus and one who is ready to take charge.  I thank you.”  He said turning for a few moments there was a stunned silence then someone from the crowd screamed.

   “Three cheers for the Protector Hip-Hip!  Hoorah!”  Throughout the central square of Samantha the cheers rang out lifting everyone’s spirits including Erik’s.  It was good to be home.

Closed Briefing
Sandhurst, United Kingdom
Terra, Star League Protectorate
21st January 3079

   At the Sandhurst Military Academy in southern England that served as the Star League Defence Forces primary deployment base on Terra Major General Caradoc Trevena held one of the highest level briefings of his life.  One that could define his entire position as the Star League’s Head of Staff and the safety of Terra, it was also a decision that he alone had to make with the Commanding-General busy countering the Snow Ravens and as involving the First Lord would be more trouble than it was worth.

   Bringing together some of the biggest minds on Terra and in the SLDF he laid out the reason for this meeting. Clan Sea Fox had approached the Star League and requested that their Clan be allowed to take control of the Potemkin-class Troop Cruiser Vision of Truth which drifted in a dead area of the Terran system after being badly damaged during the ComStar/Word of Blake conflict.  Because the Star League did not require a vessel of such size and capabilities it had been allowed to drift after the remains of the crew had been removed.

   The Clan already possessed several Potemkin-class vessels which they were converting to use as massive moving city ships that traveled the Inner Sphere’s space lanes making trade and picking fights.  After a heated discussion, which included opposition against all contact with the Clans, it was agreed that giving the Sea Foxes possession of a derelict vessel for generous trade and good relations in return was a good deal and benefited both sides.  Although strong security measures would taken and restrictions be put on the Sea Fox Clan’s movements within the Sol System they would be given possession of the vessel.

Primary Space Port
Hope, Nova Cat’s Den
26th January 3079

   Though the nights sky a single Mule-class merchant DropShip dropped towards the planetary spaceport that served the capital of Hope.  The DropShip was returning from a mission to the Filtvelt Coalition and promised to bring plenty of materials and goods into the markets of Hope keeping the Colony in touch with the rest of the Nova Cat’s Den and the periphery.  Under Nova Cat rule the world had moved forward well from the world the Brotherhood of Randis had defended and was now a bustling metropolis all alone in the darkness of space.  From her window on the DropShip Amy Frews looked out at the city and quietly wondered to herself if the nation could survive again on its own after what the Nova Cats had done to the world, at the same time however she knew what her grandfather would have wanted her to do, even if she had never known him well.

   As the DropShip came to a landing Amy brought herself up to a stand and moved into the main cargo bay, she’d been able to convince the DropShip’s commander she was a good dock worker from Filtvelt who wanted a better life.  He’d agreed as long as she pulled her weight which she planned to do immediately for one of the DropShip’s four Powerman LoaderMechs, though nothing like as powerful as a BattleMech these powerful machines were easily strong enough to aid in her escape from the spaceport and into the city, the Nova Cats could recover it themselves.

   Powering up the Mech she saw the Master Loader open the main cargo hold moving her Powerman she picked up a pair of large crates the Mech’s lift hoists automatically locking onto them allowing her Mech’s Arms to move freely.  Stepping out onto the planet’s surface Amy paused briefly, it was her first time on the planet her grandfather called home, Randis was far different from the stories she’d heard.  She smiled thinking of her grandfather then moved over the ground dropping the crates near a group of others.  A quick look at the customs gate showed only minimal forces there.

   Taking a chance she accelerated the Powerman towards the gates the five troopers there raised their gauss sub-machine guns and other hand weapons and began firing at her Mech but although their small arms fire could do damage to the commercial armour that protected her Mech they were never going to stop the thirty-five ton Mech charging the gates and running down the streets.  She smiled more broadly when the ground stood up to her Mech’s thirty-five kilometre per hour charge down the street, whoever had laid the roads had done a good job protecting the underlying infrastructure under heavy ferro-crete tarmac.

   Amy could not become complacent however, by now the word would be out to the Nova Cats that her Mech was to be considered hostile and she had nothing to defend herself in a fire fight, she dreaded to think what a BattleMech class weapon would do to the Powerman.  Turning down another street she could see a Nova Cat Mech ahead looking in a different direction, turning again the immediately turning down a third street always changing direction she slammed the Powerman through a commercial warehouse smashing her Mech’s windscreen as it toppled over the broken wall and onto the warehouses contents.  Luckily for her there was nothing explosive inside but she didn’t wait to see if she’d been noticed climbing out of the Mech she headed back onto the street and headed for the biggest group of people she could see.

   As she reached some traffic lights she stopped breathing a sight of relief as a Nova Cat military vehicle moved past at high speed ignoring the red light and ignoring Amy.  “Welcome to Randis” came an instantly recognizable voice behind her, turning she saw Grand Knight Lucas Beckett the man who had replaced her grandfather as leader of the Brotherhood, now dressed in the full regalia of a Nova Cat Star Colonel and carrying what appeared to be a Gauss Sub-Machine Gun.  Her game was up.

   “I’m sorry, do we know each other? Star Colonel I am a simple merchant.”

   “Of course you are Sister Frews; ensure that it remains that way.  I will overlook your little LoaderMech incident, as a desperate attempt to ensure you made it to the home of the Brotherhood.  But if you cause trouble I will find and destroy you.  Randis had prospered under the Nova Cat’s rule, we would do well to keep in their good graces.”

   “What if the people want better than they have?”

   “Then it is there choice, not yours, just remember everything is peaceful, everyone is alive, there is no oppression and that is before you arrived.”  He said without another word he walked away leaving Amy slightly stunned she’d expected him to be her biggest rival on this planet yet he was ready to allow her free rein as long as she behaved - if only he knew her better.

[Dragon Cat]

Clan Shipyards
Lum, Kerensky Cluster
Clan Homeworlds
2nd February 3079

   With assistance from Clan Snow Raven engineers from Clan Coyote launch two newly built York-class Carrier WarShips into their fleet from the Lum Fleet Shipyards in the Kerensky Cluster.  These ships named the Temple Hill and David’s Point, which had been under construction for the better part of two years, do little to make up for the recent loss of the Great Coyote Spirit but they do bolster the Coyote’s Naval strength and provide much needed fighter transport. 

Nadir point
New Earth, Isle of Skye
Lyran Commonwealth
4th February 3079

   After being dropped off by an unmarked Invader-class JumpShip two Union-class DropShips and a single Leopard-class vessel reached orbit over the planet of New Earth.  As none were squawking with identification records a fighter patrol from the Twenty-second Isle of Skye Guards challenged them three vessels.

   As these fighters approached they were met by the Leopard which identified itself as hostile by engaging them with an arrangement of LRMs and heavy Particle Projection Cannons destroying all six fighters in this surprise attack.  The three DropShips then launched a total of six aerospace fighters between them providing their own air patrol.  The two Unions then orientated themselves towards the planet and without further warning began firing capital missile fire down onto the planet concentrating on the Isle of Skye Guards main base and the New Earth Trading Company.

   From the other side of the planet a reinforced wing of aerospace fighters and three DropShips launched and intercepted the three DropShips - one Union was destroyed nearly immediately however the second was able to fire a single Killer Whale Capital Missile at the Mopelia Island which supported nearly forty thousand people.  The missile, an air burst weapon exploded over the island showering it with a Chemical Agent which had a large percentage of the population sick or dying within six hours.  The remaining two DropShips and fighters were finally overcome by the Isle of Skye Guard fighters however at heavy cost effectively destroying air wing while the regiment had been decimated on the ground.  None of the attacking DropShips or fighters were identified by the defenders - the planetary government on New Earth sent a distress call to anyone nearby capable of helping the massive amount of casualties on New Earth.

Landfall
Mopelia Island New Earth
Isle of Skye, Lyran Commonwealth
18th February 3079

   Answering New Earth’s call for help DropShips bearing markings of the Star League’s 79th Special Operations Battalion, also known as the Devil’s Advocates, entered the atmosphere deploying Aerospace Fighters as they descended towards the planet’s surface.  Not knowing the scale of the damage on the ground Major Charlene Cypher ordered her company of BattleMechs to disembark first, with a lance of the Jump Capable Mechs making a Hot Drop onto the spaceport while the DropShips were still landing.

   On the ground this lance of Mechs immediately picked up what Charlene Cypher had worried about, the spaceport was in compete chaos.  Vehicles and Mechs belonging to the Isle of Skye Guards laid burning within and around the spaceport as did dozens of civilians.  It was clear that the city’s population was in panic and they were lashing out at the local military forces.  In case of airborne cotangents Cypher ordered her troops to keep buttoned up in their Mechs and Vehicles and for all medics to wear full environmental suits when outside as the remains of the Battalion began to land and disembark.

   Moving from their DropShips The Devil’s Advocates secured a perimeter around the Spaceport while Major Cypher led an advanced group to the cities HPG and government buildings.  The government buildings were ablaze riot police and civilian bodies littered the ground as it became obvious of the panic that had spread through the city in the last fourteen days.  Knowing her battalion alone, reinforced as it was would never be able to keep the Island quarantined and the rest of the planet stable Cypher sent a message to Terra requested that the whole First Special Operations Group and Naval assets be deployed to New Earth.  Then she pulled her forces back to the spaceport and ordered the Devil’s Advocates to lock down the spaceport while the rest of the Battalion using their many Expandable Service Vehicles and Oppie Hazmat Vehicles to set up a medical area at the spaceport allowing the process of helping the planet’s victims to begin.

   A few days later the other Battalions of the First Special Operations Group and the SLS Helm, the SLDF’s Venturer-class Light Cruiser, arrived in the system.  The other battalions would assist the Devil’s Advocates while the Venturer acted as a ‘High Ground’ for the ground troops and stopped any further forces entering the Island’s airspace without SLDF approval.

Thorin General Hospital
Ecol City, Thorin
Isle of Skye, Lyran Commonwealth
20th February 3079

   “Push now, I can see the head!” from outside the medical ward Commanding-General Archer Christifori could hear what was going on but could not see, Katya had told him she didn’t want him interfering as she gave birth to their first child.  “Come on one last push”

   “I’ll give you one last push doctor straight trough that damned wall!”  Katya screamed but moments later Archer could hear a small cry then the large howl of a child in the room a new baby being born.  “Archer, get in here!” Katya screamed the Star League’s Commanding General did not need to be told twice darting into the room.

   Laying on the bed Katya was cradling their newly born baby in her arms Archer paused for a moment to take in the sight.  “I’d like you to meet your father” Katya was whispering softly.  Archer crossed the gap between them and could see the face of his child “Archer, I’d like you to meet Morgan Victor Christifori, your son” she said looking at him, they’d chosen the name weeks before when the first tests had shown it was a boy naming him for the former leader of the Star League Defence Force Morgan Hasek-Davion a fitting tribute to the first leader of the reborn League.  Archer kissed her forehead looking at the child smiling lost for words.

Burn in System, SLS Helm (Venturer-class Light Cruiser)
New Earth, Isle of Skye
Lyran Commonwealth
25th February 3079

   “Captain, we have jump signatures at the Nadir Point, several ships just jumped in system.”

   “Are they flying IFF signals?”

   “Aye, sir I ready two Lyran Commonwealth Fox-class Corvettes, the LCS Katrina Steiner and the LCS Ian McQuiston.  They are escorting three Invaders which are launching DropShips.”

   “Send them a standard welcome see what we get in return.” the ship’s commander said the communications officer nodded.  A few minutes passed and the communications officer reported in.

   “Sir, they have received our communiqué and replied.  Sir I quote, ‘New Earth is under our protection, we will be taking over all operations on planet.’ the two Corvettes and DropShips are increasing speed, still two days out.”

   “Understood, send them a follow up message ‘SLDF aid workers and security troops are on Mopelia Island.  We are willing and most grateful for Lyran Commonwealth support in aid operations however replacing SLDF servicemen with Lyrans would do more damage than good. We suggest you land at the capital and assist the remains of the local government in controlling the rest of the population.”  The communications officer sent the message and they waited a few moments for a reply “Tactical, I want full scans of the incoming forces and any defensive measures we need to take.  Have all our actions copied to the ground troops.”

   “Sir, return communication from the LCS Katrina Steiner Rear Admiral Alex Horner in command.  ‘SLDF vessel Helm, the is a Lyran world we will go where we are needed and where we want.  Any actions against our forces will be considered an aggressive act against the Lyran Commonwealth by an occupying SLDF force.’ End communication sir.”

   “Copy to the ground to be sent back to Terra and to Thorin for the Commanding-General’s attention.  ‘LCS Katrina Steiner, we are here to safeguard as many lives on Mopelia Island as possible.  This is a humanitarian mission however the SLS Helm is fully combat capable.  Your forces will not be cleared for landings on New Earth’s Mopelia Island, an alternate landing near the capital has been designated.  If you attempt to land on Mopelia Island I am authorising the use of the SLS Helm’s weapons to stop your landings.  Signed Captain Luther Still.  Send that to the Social Admiral.  Tactical analysis of their ships and support craft, find me ways to engage them if we need to.”

   Several hours passed before the Lyrans replied to the Helm’s ultimatum replying that they would land near the capital and help bring order and set up secondary hospitals with the two WarShips brining medical supplies not weapons of War.  The SLS Helm settled into an orbit around Mopelia Island monitoring the Lyran’s incoming forces.

[Dragon Cat]

Privy Council Chambers
Samantha, Taurus
Taurian Protectorate
8th March 3079

   At a session of the Privy Council Protector Erik Martens-Calderon was making a strong case for the Taurian military to make a strike against Clan Nova Cat trade posts on both Detroit and Filtvelt then to strike Randis and the main Nova Cat’s Den.  Even if it meant taking every Taurian off the Federated Suns border the passionate speech was beginning to sway many of the Privy Council when an aide entered and approached a member of the Council, who looked shocked for a moment before rising from his chair.

   “Protector Calderon, we have received a message through the Hyper Pulse Generator for the view of this council.”

   “Who from?  We are in the middle of something” he asked impatiently Cham Kithrong had said to him to hold his tongue when things were against him but here today he was winning over the Privy Council.

   “Khan Canin Rosse, leader of Clan Nova Cat”

   “What does this Clanner want?” Erik asked out aloud to no-one in particular.

   “Perhaps we should see…” Governor Callina Malvena of New Vandenberg, a major military weapons producer, Erik knew if he got the wrong side of her then she’d cause trouble for his rule.  He also knew that seeing every side of a fight could not hurt.

   “Put it on the main screens.”  Erik said moments later the screen was filled by a man in his early forties dressed in a all black with a styled Nova Cat headpiece.

   “People of Taurus, I am Khan Canin Rosse leader of Clan Nova Cat, we drove the pirates of Tortuga to their death many years ago and have lived in peace with the Periphery since actively trading with you and many of your neighbours.  However, a troubling message has crossed by my eyes; the Taurian Concordat has plans against my Clan.”  he paused standing up “though I would not wish to tell you or your honourable Protector how to rule his realm or how to fight his battles, I would warn you that any act of aggression against Clan Nova Cat.  Any act will be met with like force and if your nation chose to use its ultimate weapon on our people, as you did against the Star League Defence Force, your nation will simply cease to exist we will give no quarter.” Canin said stepping back slightly “I hope we can continue to live in peace, Seyla” he said before being replaced by the Clan Nova Cat insignia.

   “What the hell does ‘Seyla’ mean?”

   “How dare he threaten us!”

   “Protector, we must act against this Clan menace”

   “How dare he compare his people to the Star League Defence Force!”

   “They are descendant of the SLDF of old…”

   “They are clanners; we should deal with them with Nuclear fire!”

   All around the Protector voices were being raised in the Privy Council, the Nova Cat Khan had certainly stirred them, to Erik’s side was Cham Kithrong who remained silent.  “Honourable Lords, if I can have a couple of words!” Erik said standing up raising his voice as well as his stature, he’d always been tall one reason his teenage years had turned him from BattleMech love of his youth to Battle Armour.  All around him the Privy Council became quieter “my own Protector’s Guardians fought the Nova Cats in the Fronc Reaches.  Their forces though small in number cut into our Taurian ranks and retreated with little loss but cost us heavy.  Though I know that the Taurian people would happily pay their lives in an enemy that was a threat to us I wonder if we should be so ready to throw them away.  We must continue to prepare our forces rebuild our battered ranks and improve relations with our neighbours and approach the Star League for support.”

   “Protector minutes ago you were advocating a direct assault against the Nova Cats now you warn us with caution.  How can we believe in you if your mind is not made?”

   “My mind is made Councillor, Clan Nova Cat are a threat against us and possibly always will be.  However, the Nova Cat leader has told me more.  We should mind our step around them.  Only individuals in this room knew of our talks to strike at them, yet they communicate on a day we meet to discuss the very subject.  Councillor’s I believe that Clan Nova Cat’s Intelligence has infiltrated even this star cluster and they do not care that we know this fact.”  He continued sitting back down “I also believe that if we faced them we’d face one hundred Santiago Massacres and an occupation force far less benevolent than the Star League ever was.”  Looking at the members of the Council “unlike your previous Protector I can walk away from a fight that I cannot win, but I do not let it lay we will approach it from another angle and we won’t be beaten back.”

   If anything it was Erik’s last words that had won them over, Grover Sharplen had been known to fixate on a target and try to battle through his mistakes despite the mistakes. Today Erik had shown them that even his ambition was tampered by the needs of the Concordat, something Erik had to thank Khan Canin Rosse, for saving his leadership while in its infancy and for saving many Taurian lives.  In all the proceedings Cham Kithrong had remained silent almost uninterested in the Protector’s words with a small smile on his face as he watched the Councillors realize they had a true leader on their hands.  The past of Calderon’s being blinded by their own ambition and paranoia was over.

Steel Viper Launch
Lum Shipyards, Lum
Kerensky Cluster, Clan Homeworlds
14th March 3079

   At the Lum Shipyards Clan Steel Viper brings a Sovetskii Soyuz-class Heavy Cruiser online repairing several damaged weapons and making the hull airtight.  This vessel which the Steel Viper Khans name King Viper is intended to help bolster WarShip numbers after years of combat and show that the Steel Vipers were still a power to be wary of.  This move was mirrored by the raising of three brand-new Clusters in Steel Viper territories however unlike the ground forces the launch of the King Viper did not go quietly or so joyously.

   During the launch ceremony a star of Stone Rhino aerospace fighters supported by a Carrier-class DropShip approach the Steel Vipers.  In a standard Trial of Possession the Stone Rhinos attempt to replicate their success of the year previously when they captured another Sovetskii Soyuz-class Heavy Cruiser from the Steel Vipers.  This time however the Stone Rhino pilots were far outclassed by the Steel Viper pilots unable to save themselves let alone capture a WarShip, when it looked like the whole star would be lost the Carrier’s crew attempted to intervene violating the Trial.  With restrictions lifted Naval Autocannons on the King Viper opened fire on the Carrier breaking its back with three successive hits.

Open Ground
Brasha, Outworlds Alliance
Periphery
19th March 3079

   Around six kilometres from a Snow Raven supply base on Brasha the Opacus Venatori waited for the right signal.  For three hours they had closed on the base watching as the five BattleMechs and some conventional infantry defended the base moved in the baking heat without worry.  Occasional militia Qum’ram Guard troops moved through the area on patrol, the infantry troops riding their lizard mounts as quickly as many BattleMechs moved.

   “Opacus and Venatori, together attack” Spector Precentor Berith ordered firing a range shot with his Archangel’s Heavy PPCs scoring a damaging hit on a Snow Raven light Mech.  “Kill them all” he ordered the twelve BattleMechs moved forward firing as they moved, even the advanced Clan and Star League weapons mounted on the Snow Raven defenders stood little chance against the Opacus Venatori’s Celestials.

   “Berith! Pick on someone your own size” another voice said over the communication channel as the third Snow Raven Mech fell.  Over the sand dunes came wave after wave of Qum’ram Guard troops charging forward firing their hand weapons at his Mechs.

   “Hahahaha!”  Berith laughed “you think animals will save these pathetic Clansmen.”

   “No, but we will” a third voice answered as a gauss rifle slug followed by several Particle Cannons slammed into several of the Venatori Mechs.  Turning Berith could see nearly two companies of BattleMechs all wearing the insignia of the Wolf’s Dragoons Mercenary Brigade.

   “No!  Opacus, turn on them! Venatori finish the Snow Ravens” Berith ordered almost immediately knowing he was sending the Venatori to their deaths the Dragoons outnumbered his force two to one, four to one if only the Opacus engaged them.  And that didn’t even include the remaining Snow Ravens and Qum’ram Guards.  Almost as soon as he had given the orders Berith realized his mistake “Opacus Venatori, converge on me, charge and break through the Dragoons!”  He said throttling his Archangel forward into the Dragoons fire its compact Engine and Gyro allowing the one hundred ton Mech to take hit after hit without critical damage.  Closing in range Berith using his secondary processor implant to pick through the Dragoons encryption he tracked down Major John Cavell’s Hellbringer OmniMech, take off the head and the body dies he thought.  The clan heavy Mech was at the centre of the formation firing its PPCs and short range missile splitting targets constantly damaging all the Word of Blake Mechs.  Berith’s own Guardian shook as the Archangel was shaken by a particle projection cannon hit, running forward at nearly fifty kilometres an hour the Archangel charged into the Hellbringer forcing it to the ground around the Mech as the fighting continued Berith ignored them activating his communications system. “Major Cavell, so nice of you to die, here on this little planet” He said slamming Guardian’s foot down on the downed Dragoon Mech, the sixty-five ton Mech convulsed almost in a human manner shaking as the Archangel’s foot crushed its chest into the ground.  Other Dragoons turned to fire on Berith supporting their downed commander but it was too late raising his Mech’s right arm he fired his capacitor enhanced heavy particle cannon into the Hellbringer’s cockpit killing John Cavell the Hellbringer went limp under the Archangel’s mass.

   The loss of their commander seemed to have an effect on the mercenaries all around the Dragoons fighting strength whined slightly allowing the Opacus Venatori to charge through the formation, three Venatori Mechs fell in the retreat their warriors overloading their Mech’s fusion reactors in self sacrifice to cover the rest of the unit taking several of the Dragoons with them.  Three hours later the remaining Dragoons gave up the chase, the Opacus Venatori were able to escape off planet working together to escape.

   The remaining Dragoons numbered a little over a Trinary Captain Stacy Church was the most senior officer remaining.  Due to their assistance the local Snow Raven defenders, merchants and the militia including the Qum’ram Guards allowed the Dragoons to remain on the planet unmolested until they were ready to resume the search. Captain Church took command of the hunt sending the remains of Spider home keeping her Black Widows with her.  Communicating to the Widow’s Lair she and the Black Widow Company reborn continued the search for the remaining Opacus Venatori.

Gray Death Legion Hospital Complex
Gray Death Landhold, Glengarry
Isle of Skye, Lyran Commonwealth
24th March 3079

   On Glengarry in the heart of the Lyran Commonwealth’s Isle of Skye the famous, or infamous, Gray Death Legion Mercenary Command celebrated the birth of their newest member.  Executive officer Samantha Logan-Carlyle gave birth to a very health daughter Dana Lori Carlyle, her first child by Commander Alexander Carlyle the Baron von Glengarry.

   The Gray Death Legion itself also agrees to a contract with the Star League Protectorate, a one year training and anti-terrorism duty within the Star League Protectorate worlds.  Half the unit, around 3 combined-arms Battalions, would leave Glengarry under Alexander Carlyle’s command while the rest remained on Glengarry with Samantha and the baby.  This contract marked a special moment in Legion history as it was the first for the Gray Death Legion outside the Lyran realm since before the Fourth Succession War.

High Orbit Drop
Herotitus, Periphery
27th March 3079

   After hearing of the troubles on Herotitus the Fronc Reaches chose to become involved in an attempt to drive the pirates from the world they deployed the First Colonial Marshals supported by the mercenary command Gabhardt’s Carabineers.

   In orbit over the world they immediately come under attack from a Carrier-class DropShip along with nearly twenty fighters including several front-line Davion-built Dagger OmniFighters.  Pushing through this screen they begin making hot-drops onto the world only to find three primarily Clan-tech based Trinaries of troops each supported by a battalion of combined-arms troops hailing mainly from mercenary commands formerly on the world.

   Already under strength from the fighting in orbit and further hampered by the complete air superiority of the Liger Warriors and their attending commands the Fronc troops were on the back foot from landfall and both the First Colonial Marshals and the Gabhardt’s Carabineers capitulated within three hours of landfall.

[Dragon Cat]

Star League Training Grounds
Defiance, Crucis March
Federated Suns
12th April 3079

   The Clan Nova Cat Liaison force and the First Defiance Training Battalion engage in a mock battle on Defiance at the Star League Training Grounds, adjoined to the Star League Martial Olympiad Grounds.  Shocking the Nova Cat forces the Training Battalion win the battle and four Standard Clan Battle Armour suits.

   Following the successful resumption of the Nova Cat/Federated Suns exercise the Federated Suns contact Nova Cat scientists asking for assistance in the development of a new OmniMech design based on a quad chassis in the Federated Suns.

Third Diet
Versailles, Babylon
Pentagon Worlds, Clan Homeworlds
20th April 3079

   After a twelve year gap since the last Diet Clan Cloud Cobra hosts a Third event at the city of Versailles on Babylon brining in religious leaders from across the Human Sphere.  Unlike previous events this Diet passes without trouble - however this is possibly due to the four Clan Cloud Cobra WarShips in orbit and the two galaxies of ground troops garrisoning Versailles and the area around the city.

Planetary Scrubber, Devil’s Backbone Mountains
Defiance, Crucis March
Federated Suns
6th May 3079

   Years of work between the University of Thorin and the New Avalon Institute of Science began to pay off as the first Planetary Scrubber was activated on Defiance in the Federated Suns Crucis March.  Nearly as tall as three BattleMechs standing on top of each other the Scrubber was hidden deep within the Devil’s Backbone Mountains far from and wary eyes, operating twenty-four hours a day the scrubber drew in Defiance’s tainted atmosphere and produced clean oxygen-nitrogen in its place.  Though the people of the world would still need to wear breathing masks when outside the Planetary Scrubber was a proof of concept design and plans began to move even faster to produce and activate more.  Across the Federated Suns betting agencies picking up on this mammoth task began to take bets on when/and if the world would ever have a clean atmosphere.

Clan Stone Rhino Territory
Dagda, Huntress
Clan Homeworlds
15th May 3079

   In a series of Trials of Possession first on Dagda in the Pentagon Worlds then on Huntress Clan Steel Viper forces Clan Stone Rhino from their enclaves seizing their territory.  They refuse to bid down from their initial bids, refuse to give the Stone Rhino warriors safcon from the system and refuse to take prisoners.  In the fighting three Steel Viper Clusters of Alpha and Beta Galaxies were lost however nearly two Galaxies of Stone Rhinos were lost, additionally in orbit around Dagda the Stone Rhino Stooping Kite exploded under weapons fire from Steel Viper fighters, the York-class Carrier could be seen burning through the atmosphere further demoralizing ground troops.

Steel Viper Holdings
Dagda, Pentagon Worlds
Clan Homeworlds
22nd May 3079

   In an attempt to save Clan Stone Rhino from the Steel Vipers who seemed out of control and wanting blood Clan Star Adder attempts to bail out their allies by attacking the newly captured Dagda holdings.  With the entire Tau Provisional Galaxy committed to the attacks however they are caught unaware as Clan Coyote, also on Dagda, stuck at the Star Adders flanks turning the battle into a free-for-all.

   Although none of the three Clans involved are badly damaged this does derail any attempts by Star Adder forces on Dagda to distract the Steel Vipers.  Elsewhere in the Homeworlds other Clans cause similar incidents which disrupt other Star Adder attempts at assistance - the Stone Rhinos are left to fend for themselves.

[Dragon Cat]

Clan Stone Rhino Stronghold
York, Kerensky Cluster
Clan Homeworlds
1st June 3079

   In a series of assaults between the First and Fifth of June nearly a full galaxy of Steel Viper warriors land on York and begin to make head way against the defending Stone Rhinos.  In orbit the WarShips General Stuart, an Aegis-class Heavy Cruiser, Unleashed, a Samarkand Block II-class Carrier, and the Crazy Rhino, an early model Essex-class Destroyer attempt to block the Steel Vipers route however the WarShips the Snake in the Grass, a Whirlwind-class Destroyer, and the King Viper, one of the newly activated Sovetskii Soyuz-class Heavy Cruisers push through.

   The combined firepower of these two WarShips is concentrated on the Crazy Rhino holing the hull in several places forcing the Stone Rhinos to evacuate the vessel.  This also forces the General Stuart and Unleashed to fall back allowing more Vipers to land and the world.

Operations Room, Fox’s Den
Avalon Mountains, New Avalon
Crucis March, Federated Suns
7th June 3079

   When someone entered the Fox’s Den under the Avalon Mountains on the capital world of the Federated Suns, New Avalon, many people remembered its advanced computers, high walls and the bustling movement of the staff never stopping always busy.  For Tina Howard things were slightly different, she was a Leftenant part of the Rabid Fox Team Eight recently returned from the Draconis Combine, and she’d remember today as the day she met Victor Steiner-Davion, First Prince of the Federated Suns, her nation’s leader.

   Entering the small briefing room behind her direct commander Field Marshal Carver Felsner, the Director of the Department of Military Intelligence (DMI), she saw Victor Steiner-Davion standing beside a table in the centre of the room dressed in a Field Marshal’s uniform with many campaign ribbons on his left breast.  Stealing a glance Tina could see two unique medals both from Star League service Operation Bulldog and Operation Serpent, although the First Prince had many more impressive medals these were special especially so for Tina her father had served in the First Kathil Uhlans during Operation Serpent then on Strana Mechty ending the Clan War.

   “Leftenant?” Carver said questioning her Tina blinked she’d missed his introductions.

   “Sir” she said crisply looking at the Field Marshal embarrassed by her mistake in front of her commander and her realm’s leader.

   “Your findings?”

   “Of course” she said opening a small folder placing its contents on the table it was a series of photos taken in space of two large vessels surrounded by what appeared to be a structure made from building scaffolding. “Sire, these are long range pictures taken from one of our Skyward satellites just over the Draconis Combine border in an unnamed or inhabited system.”  She said “as you can see there are two large vessels in the system under repair or construction.”

   “WarShips?” Victor asked looking at each picture in turn.  “A construction yard so close to the border?  Surely not.”

   “When we collected the data we were not sure, however consulting records at NAIS and using some contacts we have within the Star League we have been able to find the closest matching profile.” She said pacing a new picture on the table.

   “I’m sorry Leftenant, I’m not completely familiar with Draconis Combine or Star League WarShips, I’ve spent most of my career on the ground.”  Victor said glancing over the design it looked robust with three weapons ports forward as well as a double launch bay system possibly a carrier or a troopship he wasn’t sure.

   “Of course sire, my apologies” she said “this vessel is a Robinson-class Transport, from our best guess the two vessels are of Block I creation.”

   “The Robinson?” Victor asked he was embarrassed he’d never heard of a WarShip named after the capital of the Draconis March.

   “Sire, it was a troop transport during the Star League period well armoured and armed the Robinson carried an integral Battalion of BattleMechs and an aerospace fighter wing.  Impressive craft” Galen Cox, Field Marshal of the Crucis March said stepping forward Tina hadn’t even seen him enter behind her although she was surprised a Lyran national knew more about Federated Suns designs than her First Prince.

   “I’m impressed you know that Marshal.”  Victor said with a small smirk “So how do the Combine have two of our transports, ancient as they are, and why are they restoring them now?”  Victor asked.

   “Sir, we looked at our own records and those of the Star League’s and we think we have something.”  Carver Felsner said “during the First Succession War at least three Robinson-class Transports were captured by the Draconis Combine, the original Block I had weak anti-fighter protection and limited internal defences.”  He said pausing “we believe they used the Robinson’s BattleMech dropping capacity and copied it for their Kyushu-class Frigates, the Robinson’s capability of dropping in a Battalion of Reinforcements is well documented in the Ceti Hussars records.”

   “So now they want to use two of our WarShips in their navy against us?”

   “Would make sense, losses against the Ravens and Bears have taken their toll on the combine’s naval fleet.”  Galen Cox said quietly.

   “Sire, we have a plan” Tina said quietly looking at Victor, the First Prince took note of her she was a young officer with very non-descript features you’d never pick her out or say she was stunning but in her eyes he saw determination.

   “A plan?” Victor asked cautiously “Leftenant you are aware that we are at peace with the Draconis Combine and that any action against them could be seen as an act of war.”

   “Yes, Sir” she answered “however, they are our ships. Sir” she added quietly.

   “Okay Leftenant let’s hear it, I can’t say we’ll use your idea but you never know.”

   “Yes, Sire.”  She said taking out a final picture “as you can see this system is a three Jumps into the Combine in the Irurzun Prefecture at least two jump from any other inhabited planet, traders don’t go near the area because they are so far away from inhabited planets.  Our idea is for a Monolith-class DropShip carrying seven Vampire-class SpecOps DropShips enter the system, we make a run at both Robinsons capture them and work out which is best for salvaging.  We then take it all the way back to either Galax or Camelot Command.”

   “Camelot would be better” Galen said quietly

   “Sir these ships served House Davion and were lost because the Star League fell, we just don’t want to see them used against our troops in the future.” Tina said impassioned by anger at the idea of Davion ships being used against the Federated Suns.

   “We’ll see what happens, Thank You Leftenant, you’re dismissed.” Victor said she nodded saluted her three superiors and stepped out of the room.  For the next three hours Victor, Galen and Carver continued their discussions about the Combine, the basic plan she‘d outlined and the Robinson-class Transports.

Stone Rhino Lines
York, Kerensky Cluster
Clan Homeworlds
8th June 3079

   Battles raged across the former Clan Blood Spirit Capital world with Clan Steel Viper forces pushing constantly against the Stone Rhino defenders.  From across the Stone Rhino lines however Mechs, armour and Battle Armour were disappearing, in the skies above the WarShips General Stuart and Unleashed had both closed on the planet again and were engaging Steel Viper vessels inside the gravity well of the planet.

   At almost precisely 12 noon six DropShips raised from the New Tara Spaceport all bearing the Omega Galaxy crest, of all the Stone Rhino forces this unit alone had the most Blood Spirit warriors amongst its numbers.  Almost thirty minutes later one final Outpost-class DropShip launched from the Strathclyde mountains leaving behind several large detonations, as the DropShip joined the others in orbit massive volcanic eruptions could be seen consuming the mountain face.  The two Stone Rhino WarShips escorted the DropShips to waiting JumpShips even under heavy Steel Viper pursuit fire.
 
Stone Rhino Territory
Hector, Kerensky Cluster
Clan Homeworlds
12th June 3079

   Following the Scorched Earth tactics employed by the Stone Rhino Omega Galaxy during their retreat on York and the Stone Rhino Khan’s refusal to speak out about the Galaxies actions the Fire Mandrill Khan Garret Sainze declares the Stone Rhino Dezgra in his Clan’s eyes and in an almost unheard of show of cooperation leads a multi-Kindraa Galaxy strong force against the Stone Rhino forces on Hector.  Supported by two Fire Mandrill WarShips other Clans were more surprised to see the Temple Hill and David’s Point both supporting the assault.  These two York-class Carriers were both new additions to the Clan Coyote Touman, no Coyote ground forces were seen on the planet and the Coyote Khan Salas Kufahl refused to comment on Clan Coyote movements.

Star League Naval Command Headquarters
Unity City, North America
Terra, Star League Protectorate
14th June 3079

   The newly built Star League Naval Command Headquarters on the outskirts of the rebuilding Unity City had only been open a single month but Fleet Admiral David Natale was already looking at a diplomatic crisis, on his own front door. Doctor David Lear son of the famed Kai Allard-Liao was petitioning for an expedition to be sent to the outskirts of the Terra system.  The generally unexplored region known as the Kuiper Belt was home to the Terra system’s most distant bodies, moons, asteroids, comets and even frozen planets who’s orbits were so distant they couldn’t be considered to be part of the solar system.

   Dr Lear, a lecturer at Chicago University believed that there was an abandoned Star League Defence Force research base inside the Kuiper Belt abandoned for centuries.  Admiral Natale had looked over the data three times and although he agreed there were anomalies readings coming from the belt he did not agree that they indicated a base, SLDF records recovered from Unity City, ComStar and Word of Blake records did not indicate there was anything there either.  Although he did not want to insult the Doctor the Admiral refused to waste resources on a jaunt into the back end of the Solar system without concrete information.

Entry Points
Hector System, Kerensky Cluster
Clan Homeworlds
16th June 3079

   At almost the same time forces belonging to both Clan Goliath Scorpion and Cloud Cobra arrive in Hector system.  On entry into the system they join Clan Fire Mandrill’s declaration that Clan Stone Rhino as a whole was Dezgra.  Fortunately for the Stone Rhino ground forces both Clan Goliath Scorpion and Cloud Cobra immediately turn on each other’s invasion force causing heavy damage to each other including the destruction of two WarShips, a Cameron-class Battle-cruiser the Incense on the Cloud Cobra side and the Serket a Sovetskii Soyuz-class Heavy cruiser on the Goliath Scorpion side.

   On the frozen ground of Hector the Stone Rhino ground forces led by their saKhan continue to resist the Fire Mandrill Clan’s forces while units bearing Clan Coyote insignia are also spotted engaging Stone Rhino forces.

Clan Stone Rhino Territory
York, Kerensky Cluster
Clan Homeworlds
21st June 3079

   In an act of pure desperation and defiance against conventional Clan thinking the Stone Rhino WarShip Exeter, a Quixote-class Missile Frigate, bombards Clan Steel Viper ground positions on York with capital missiles and autocannon fire in a clear breach of engagement rules annihilating two cluster of ground forces including the 401st Assault Cluster of Gamma Galaxy and the Seventeenth Viper Regulars Cluster of Nu Galaxy.

   As volcanic eruptions on York cause heavy damage to the capital city New Tara and cause hundreds of deaths Khan Brett Andrews of Clan Steel Viper leads Chi Galaxy to the planet to reinforce his Clan’s forces and supervise the destruction of the Stone Rhinos.

Liger Warriors Command Complex
New Hedon, Herotitus
Periphery
22nd June 3079

   Standing in around a small table Colonel Trent Higall stood with his three Trinary Commanders and the three leaders of the conventional regiments that had joined the Liger Warriors since their conquest of the world of Herotitus.  “The Star Fairer detected seven DropShips entering the system bearing the insignia of the Regulators Mercenary Regiment and that of the Second Canopian Fusiliers.  It appears we’ve incurred the wrath of the Confederation.”

   “We can hold ‘em” one of his former mercenary warriors said smiling “if you release the first and second regiments to my command I can take them directly against their landing sites it’s the last thing they will be expecting and my units can show our use.”  He said glancing at the other regimental command with a small smirk, Trent Higall suppressed a smile he hoped to use these conscripted troops as cannon fodder and here they were volunteering themselves for just that type of duty.

   “I’m sure you are more than capable of such a duty.”  Higall said quietly a plan coming to mind.  “First through Third Regiments will prove their metal in engaging the Regulators DropShips as they land assuming they do not head straight for the Capital.  The Ligers will hold command base while aerospace forces flight combat air patrol.”  Higall turned to his conscripted officers “my Ligers have proven themselves it is not time for the Lions, Leopards and Tigers to show their worth.”  He said naming all three units by their unofficial nickname.”  The three officers nodded and walked out leaving Trent Higall and his own people in the command tent.

   “We will allow them to soak up the Capellan resolve while we make good our escape, load as much of the supplies onto our DropShips and ensure the JumpShip is ready to collect us.  I want to ensure that as much of our forces get off planet as possible.”  The others nodded, six hours later it played out just like that the First and Second Regiments died destroying the Regulators at their landing zones while the Third Regiment died fighting the Canopian Fusiliers as they charged towards the city.  The Liger Warriors reinforced by several companies of Arbiter Combat Industrial Mechs escaped the planet, the Arbiters tied down as cargo for the trip.
 
Grand Hall of the Khans
Katyusha City, Strana Mechty
Kerensky Cluster, Clan Homeworlds
24th June 3079

   "This session calls into question the honour of Clan Stone Rhino. Khan Elizabeth Radick you have been called to defend the actions of Clan Stone Rhino and answer these challenges."

   "Loremaster, Clan Stone Rhino has only defended itself during these last months and I would face all the Khans of the Clans not these few who are present.  You say that Clan Stone Rhino's honour has been breached I ask where are the Khans of the Honourable Clan Wolf, Jade Falcon or Sea Fox?  If they are not willing to show face then why should I answer your questions."  She said glaring at the Loremaster of ceremonies "even Clan Nova Cat sends their third Khan to these proceedings, It is almost as though this body has lost its strength and Clan Stone Rhino is being targeted to soften the blow to your egos." She said eyeing all the other Khans.

   "Enough of this! Khan Radick I call you out in a circle of equals" Khan Brett Andrews said stepping down to the floor, the leader of Clan Steel Viper had led the attacks against the Stone Rhinos already and was more than ready for a fight.

   "The floor recognizes..." The Loremaster began but Radick cut him off

   "On what grounds, more dezgra attacks on Clan Stone Rhino?"

   "Dezgra!"  Brett Andrews screamed "you're clan use naval bombardment and abandon the field of battle and you call me dezgra?! We will not wait for a Circle of Equals to ground.  I will kill you where you stand."

   "No!" Dagmar Lahiri screamed raising to his feet "I am not Kael Pershaw, this Hall will be brought to order, the Ebon Keshik will remove anyone who breaks my rule."  He said around the Hall the Ebon Keshik's presence was unmistakable even out of their Elemental Armour they were visible and impressive.  "Khan Andrews has called a Trial, Khan Radick will you meet him?"

   "I shall"

   "Good this Hall is in recess."  He said turning and leaving the two opposing Khans were last to leave.

   "On the plains to the south, two days from now."  Elizabeth Radick said agreeing to the grounds of the circle.

   "Augmented" Andrews said agreeing they would use Mechs.

   "Seyla" they both said completing the tradition before leaving the room silent.

Plains of Kerensky
Strana Mechty, Kerensky Cluster
Clan Homeworlds
26th June 3079

   On the Plains of Kerensky both Khans Brett Andrews and Elizabeth Radick met in a Circle of Equals formed by their two bodyguard Keshiks.  Andrews had chosen a swift forty-five ton Shadow Cat OmniMech as his ride opposite to Radick's slower and heavier Nova OmniMech, the fifty ton Mech carried far more weapons and pod space than his Mech.

   "I Khan Andrew Brett come to this battle ready to defend the honour of Clan Steel Viper and wipe the stain of Clan Stone Rhino from the Radick name.  This is a Circle of Equals, may no other warrior interfere."

   "I Khan Elizabeth Radick will defend my honour and position within the Radick Bloodhouse and for Clan Stone Rhino."

   "You're name and it's legacy will be reaved when I'm done with your Clan."  Andrews taunted her quietly.

   "Seyla" she finished before Andrews could answer her she was already launching her Mech skywards with its Jump Jets.  Andrew's initial double laser strike at maximum range struck the Nova's left leg and torso, he'd aimed high which meant he'd expected her move and was aiming for the cockpit.  Landing the fifty ton Mech flexed as it landed and she ran towards the still stationary Shadow Cat.  Again lasers flared from the Shadow Cat's arms both large bore beams slammed into her Mech's right arm knocking out one of her ten lasers.  Pushing forward she got into range and fired all nine of her remaining Heavy Medium Lasers at the Steel Viper Khan's Mech, at almost the same time the Mech launched skyward throwing off her shot only four of the over powered beams hit two centrally and one on each leg.  Cursing her luck she searched for the Shadow Cat as it disappeared from view, twisting left and right she couldn't see the Shadow Cat but moments later she felt it twelve short range missiles slammed into her Mech's back peppering the armour luckily there were no breaches.  Launching skyward again she turned mid air and fired five Heavy medium lasers the white beams from the left arm struck out but mid jump were erratic and only one hit the Shadow Cat on the right arm.  The lighter Steel Viper Mech returned fire with a pair of red laser beams one stroked the cockpit as her Mech began to fall back to the ground from its jump, Elizabeth Radick didn't see much of the blast that killed her its beam blinding her sensors as it vaporized her armour protection and burned her cockpit to a crisp MechWarrior included.  This ended the Circle and the Stone Rhino's Khan's life.

Unnamed Fringe system
Kerensky Cluster, Clan Homeworlds
28th June 3079

   The Clan Wolf WarShip Athens, a Hyperion-class Heavy Cruiser, traded ranged shots with the rogue Aegis-class Heavy Cruiser General Stuart, formerly Clan Stone Rhino, before the Cruiser and her attending vessels were able to keep the Athens at range long enough to allow them to jump clear of the system, the Athens reported several civilian vessels with the WarShip however no sign of the Unleashed, the second rogue Stone Rhino vessel.  This is the last recorded sighting of these rogue vessels in Homeworlds.

Avalon Base
Strana Mechty, Kerensky Cluster
Clan Homeworlds
30th June 3079

   With Elizabeth Radick dead and their saKhan embattled on York their assets classed as forfeit Clan Stone Rhino's Forty-second Guard Cluster based at Avalon Base, the Clan’s original territory were ready to surrender themselves to the first Clan that came calling however no-one came near.  The Stone Rhino's were surprised when the Ebon Keshik arrived around the base.  A reinforced cluster of six Battle Armour Trinaries, seventy-five troopers, the defenders of the Khan Halls ordered the Stone Rhinos to stand down and claimed the territory for themselves.  The Stone Rhinos were added to the Ebon Keshik's forces as an auxiliary force, officially with no weapons unofficially their Mechs, vehicles and Battle Armour continued to reside at Avalon Base.

[Dragon Cat]

Clan Raid
Yed Prior, Isle of Skye
Lyran Commonwealth
2nd July 3079

   It was an audacious raid by Clan Wolf that alerted the Lyran Commonwealth to a new threat on the horizon.  The Clan force, a little over two Trinaries had engaged the defending Isle of Skye Battalion caused some damage and left.  However reviewing footage captured from the Mechs and observation posts the LIC was able to confirm that every single Long Range Missile shot fired hit its intended target by certain Mechs in the unit and that the Clan Mechs seemed under armed for what weapons they were carrying.  Also within the Wolf force there were several Mechs carrying unknown markings which were later traced through the SLDF as markings belonging to the Clan Coyote.

   It seemed clear to the Inner Sphere observers at least that Clan Coyote and Clan Wolf had moved closer together and were conducting field exercises as a joint force testing what appeared to be a new Long Ranged version of the Streak Short Range Missile Launcher which was deadly efficient and effective despite its obvious extra weight.
 
Old Feuds
Strana Mechty, Kerensky Cluster
Clan Homeworlds
8th July 3079

   Beginning in the morning and working into the night Clan Jade Falcon are attacked on Strana Mechty, where each Clan was supposed to be equal and supposed to refrain from all out conflict Clan Coyote struck the Jade Falcon positions forcing the sole on planet Jade Falcon unit to retreat off world with Loremaster Bryan Pryde in tow.

   Three days later Bryan Pryde returned with the full force of Alpha Galaxy, five full strength clusters and his bodyguard unit dropped all around their former territory and the Coyote's positions.  It took six hours for the Ebon Keshik, the Katyusha Keshik and their auxiliary forces to break up the fighting and even then the two Clan's were only separated when the Loremasters of Clans Cloud Cobra and Goliath Scorpion led their own bodyguard Keshik's between the warring parties to reinforce the Ebon Keshik's position effectively becoming a buffer force between the two feuding Clans.

Orbital Hot-Drop, Neon Light Mercer-class DropShip
Herotitus, Periphery
12th July 3079

   With word that the Liger Warriors were actually rogue Clan Nova Cat warriors formerly of the Fifteenth Battle Cluster, Xi Galaxy under the command of saKhan Jal Steiner had been dispatched.  On the Twelth July they had arrived in orbit and in Clan Nova Cat fashion were intent on making their arrival known.  With the Blood Oath, an Aegis-class WarShip assigned to keep an eye on things from just outside orbit the MechWarriors and Battle Armour troopers of Xi Galaxy Hot-dropped from orbit and the high atmosphere over the planet.

   As the ablative cocoon around his Shadow Cat disintegrated Jal Steiner was able to orientate his Mech with expert skill.  He glanced over his weapons array class-20 Heavy Assault Gauss Rifle (HAG) - green - three Heavy Medium Lasers - Green - two Light Machine Guns – safties off and fully loaded - as the Shadow Cat continued to fall he cut in his OmniMech's Jump Jets to slow the decent.  Unlike most Shadow Cat weapons configurations this Mech lacked an advanced Active Probe so he was unable to monitor communications made by the enemy instead Jal had to rely on other members of his unit.  "Rossei, call out if you have anything" he ordered.

   "Galaxy Commander, we have Capellan Confederation encryption on the ground, no Clan or open frequencies."  His comm. expert Lisa Drummond answered moments later her Kingfisher had advanced communications equipment not seen on normal Mechs.

   "It is unlike them to have changed over to a Spheroid band, Quineg?"

   "Neg, it would cost them much time and effort, which I do not believe they have had nor do I think they would have wasted."

   "So we may have a hostile Inner Sphere force on the ground?"

   "And in the air, saKhan we have a squadron of Inner Sphere Aerospace fighters vectoring on your position.  My fighters are committing" Star Captain Alice Leroux said breaking in her Sythca OmniFighter had been orbiting the entire time watching.

   "All warriors be on the watch for incoming fighters, defend yourself as you are able."  Jal Steiner ordered as the first fighter flew past him an ancient Trident Aerospace fighter, he quickly switched channels to DropShip command "Star Commodore Lossey."  He said calling his overall DropShip commander.

   "Go ahead, saKhan"

   "Find somewhere close to our landing points for your DropShips to land, looks like we may have missed the Ligers and have Capellan forces instead."

   "Understood, we will wait until you scatter point then land centrally for all units.  Armour will stay buttoned up unless we get attacked on the ground."  He quickly said the DropShips would be entering the atmosphere now but would remain in orbit until all units were grounded ensuring no Mech or Battle Armour unit was left out to dry.

   Minutes past and Jal Steiner's command star finally landed, a quick role call confirmed no-one was damaged or down from the drop.  The air was immediately full of weapons fire however missiles, autocannon and laser fire filling the air, soon artillery strikes were landing in the area as well adding to the confusion.  "Rossei on me!" Jal called charging his forty-five ton Mech into the fight firing his HAG-20 as he ran the rapid fire assault gauss rifle connecting with a thirty-five ton Anubis scout Mech that had gotten in his way.  The fire ripped off armour from several areas of the Mech making the pilot lose balance and fall on his back.  Jal didn't stop running his Mech literally over the light Mech crushing it into the ground, his Shadow Cat's feet slipped slightly as he moved over the Mech as metal grind against metal but the move paid off as he ran on the Anubis' long range missile ammo cooked off and exploded gutting the BattleMech in a red and orange fireball.  "Continue to engage until our DropShips ground."  Jal Steiner ordered before switching frequencies "Capellan force, this is saKhan Jal Steiner of Clan Nova Cat; we came to this world to exterminate members of our Clan's Dark Caste.  We are not looking to fight you today."

   "Then you should not have invaded our realm Herotitus is considered to be a Capellan Confederation protectorate world.  There are no clansmen here except you and your unit."

   "We have no quarrel with you" Jal said firing his three lasers at another BattleMech and his machine guns at conventional infantry forces as more and more Capellan targets arrived.  "Rossei fall back" he said switching channels "Lossey ETA?"

   "Fifty-two seconds until touch down.  We are approximately three hundred metres south of your position."

   "Too far" Jal whispered before clearing his throat speaking louder "understood Lossey make sure my Galaxy make it out."  He said striking out with the HAG, lasers and machine guns all at once hitting three different targets slowing the Capellan movements as they considered his threat worth.

   "saKhan?"  Lossey asked but Steiner ignored the DropShip commander his OmniMech was like an immobile titan standing blazing fire at several targets at once firing constantly keeping the Capellans back, the other members of the Rossei had fallen back as ordered but he remained firing constantly.  His lone Shadow Cat was becoming a target of several Capellan designs however his constant fire was keeping them back.  The HAG Rifle which made up the majority of the left arm clunked to a stop and ceased firing, out of ammo, but all three opal Heavy lasers continued to burn.  "saKhan fall back, we have ninety percent all forces on board."

   "As soon as all assets on board launch off world, with or without me."  He ordered throttling his Mech back several steps, on the fourth step however his Mech was hit by a heavy autocannon blast to the right knee, the actuator exploded under the stress and fire blowing the limb in half.  Jal did not fight the fall instead fired his three heavy lasers one more time in defiance before the Mech fell sprawled over the ground.  A green Emperor Assault Mech walked into view as Jal Steiner's sensors confirmed several DropShip launches his Galaxy was away the rolling onto his left arm crushing the useless rifle.  As he raised his right arm in defiance firing his lasers again, the Emperor fired its own Particle cannon and medium pulse lasers consuming the Shadow Cat in weapons fire killing the Nova Cat saKhan.

   With the Nova Cats in retreat and Herotitus' economy in shreds the Capellan Confederation made good on the Canopian Fusiliers commander's claim and made the world a Capellan Confederation Protectorate world and the new home to the Second Canopian Fusiliers.  As for Xi Galaxy unable to track the Liger Warriors and having lost their commander chose to head home instead of antagonizing the Confederation anymore.

Clan Occupation Zone
Ft Loudon, Wolf Territory
Inner Sphere
22nd July 3079

   A raid for Clan Jade Falcon against Clan Wolf turns sour for both Clans as an unidentified unit of Heavy Armour assaults both units during their Trial of Possession.  Both Clans take heavy damage in the exchange with little to show in return.  Neither Clan is able to track their armoured foe although the Ft. Loudon networks are flooded as "Beware the Eisenjaegers" is broadcast on every network including the Clan's Chatterweb.  From Clan Intelligence this is a new elite Armour company formed by the Lyran Commonwealth, the Commonwealth is making an obvious point, they still have interest in lost worlds.  Included with he Eisenjagers are several OmniVehicles and a prototype Challenger XVC from House Davion's experimental weapons division.  The tank proves especially deadly to Clan Elementals and vehicles.

[Dragon Cat]

Clan Coyote Territory
Hoard, Kerensky Cluster
Clan Homeworlds
1st August 3079

   Unable to hurt Clan Coyote on Strana Mechty Loremaster Bryan Pryde leads an Alpha Galaxy Cluster against the Coyote territory on Hoard in the Kerensky Cluster.  On planet they find the two trinaries of the eighty-first Strike Cluster, Zeta Galaxy, for Clan Coyote.  The Jade Falcons under Bryan's command dispatch the two Trinaries killing ever single Coyote opponent claiming the territory for Clan Jade Falcon.

Black Widow Company Base
Southern Continent
New Canton, Star League Protectorate
6th August 3079

   On the ground not far from the base camp of the Gray Death Legion the Opacus Venatori decides to turn the tide on the Wolf’s Dragoon’s Black Widow Company.  The Dragoons were resting after hours of fruitless searching for the Opacus Venatori, rumours and reports placed the unit on the world but still there was no sign.  Stacy Church had their recon lance on patrol while the others went about their business repairing Mechs and getting some rest.  But something was wrong looking around her she felt like there were eyes on her "Get to your Mechs" she ordered almost in a whisper before raising her radio to her mouth "All MechWarriors to your Mechs prepare for instant incoming! Recon Lance be alert."

   "Too late Captain, we have incoming Blake Mechs moving up on us fast."  The commander of her recon lance said as his Locust ran past the camp followed by several PPC blasts that went wide.  Stacy ran for her Zeus and saw other members of the company powering up their machines just as the red and white Mech of Precentor Berith smashing a tree out of the way, the Blakists were not coming they were here.

   Climbing into her Zeus Stacy quickly activated the communications systems first "Unity, all units rally on me, support troops clear out of the fighting as quickly as possible.  Lair, we've been engaged requesting air support."

   "Negative Captain we have been engaged by two Interdictor-class DropShips, only light damage so far but I need my fighter screen."  The Fredasa’s commander replied shortly afterwards.  The Interdictor was a Blakist produced DropShip that had seen only light production before ComStar had smashed them.  Obviously the Blakists had a secret shipyard providing the Opacus Venatori with support.

   "Understood, Unity" she said again repeating the call over the radio as a Sentinel exploded off to her right side, another of her warriors dead.  Particle cannon fire hit her BattleMech but she was satisfied when she noticed the experimental Blue Shield equipment cut down the blast damage.

   "Captain, we have four more contacts from the south, they have a different IFF from the attacking Mechs."

   "Understood, hold the Opacus here, I will check the newcomers."

   "Alone?"

   "If they are hostile we're going to know about it either way."  She said turning her Mech to face the incoming Mechs moments later her sensors lit up as she saw the incoming Mechs.  The first was a Centurion, medium weight and stalwart of House Davion; this Mech didn't look like a standard model the Mech almost looked fat around the torso section.  "Encroaching Lance this is the Black Widow Company, Wolf's Dragoons, you are entering a combat zone stand out of the way or risk damage."

   "Captain Church, this is Project Leader Michael Greig commander of the Golden Legion, we stand ready to assist you in your fight against the Opacus Venatori."  The answer came as a Caesar, Legionnaire and what looked like a Hoplite walked through the trees joining the Centurion.  None of the four Mechs looked like a standard BattleMech design each had something about them that made it stand out from the standard model.

   "Who are you?"

   "That's classified information Captain; let's just say we share the same goals as you."

   "My people are in combat, you set a single foot wrong and I guarantee you won't live long enough to regret it."  She said without another word she turned and headed back into the fight.

   The four Golden Legion Mechs moved swiftly into combat the Centurion throwing in the first surprise by launching itself skywards on jump jets, Stacy watched the Mech fly and noted to herself that she's have to keep an eye on these newcomers.  The Hoplite was next in range and the oversized autocannon on its right side roared into life showering the Blake Mechs with missile rounds.  Both Mechs were showing extensive modifications which were turning the tide for Stacy’s Black Widows "Black Widows, Unity, on me let's push them right back and keep an eye on the Golden Legion."  She said gunning her Mech forwards into the attack, nearly three hours later the Opacus Venatori disengaged following an air-strike that dropped inferno munitions covering their path.

   Three hours after the Opacus Venatori had disengaged the Widow's Lair reported detecting a DropShip making a fast burn away from the planet way beyond what the Lair was capable of; the Blakists had successfully killed three more Wolf's Dragoons and gotten away.  On the plus side the Golden Legion led by Michael Greig had proven themselves capable and willing to stay around, the firepower their unique Mechs brought to the Black Widows were more than welcome and brought her unit to thirteen Mechs, hopefully the next encounter with the Word of Blake forces would be the end.

Isle of Skye Facility
Freedom, Isle of Skye
Lyran Commonwealth
12th August 3079

   The continued thirst to strengthen the Isle of Skye Armed Forces power within its own borders and within the Lyran Commonwealth leads to the formation of the First Freedom Training Battalion.  This formation the fifth of its type leads General of Armies Keane Sortek to ask Duke Robert Ryan Kelswa-Steiner, commander of the Isle of Skye military, when this armament process will end.

   The Duke answers when his people can sleep at night and feel safe in their beds, sighting the recent attack by Clan Wolf against Yedi Prior.  In response to these fears Keane offers to loan a regiment or two of LCAF to the Isle of Skye to secure the borders however Robert refuses saying his people are more than up to the task it shows both Keane Sortek and Archon Peter Steiner-Davion that the Isle of Skye is becoming more independent all the time, perhaps recklessly so.

Nova Cat Territory
Barcella, Kerensky Cluster
Clan Homeworlds
15th August 3079

   A joint attack with forces comprised of both Clan Goliath Scorpion’s Mu Galaxy and Cloud Cobra’s Epsilon Galaxy attack Barcella forcing Clan Nova Cat onto the defensive.  Though all sides suffer minimal casualties it becomes obvious to Clan Nova Cat's Watch that these two Clans are clinging to each other for support and are barely operational when working alone.  During the fighting Star Colonel Elson Novacat, Elemental commander of the Four hundred and forty-ninth Assault Cluster impresses Oathmaster Zane Carns and despite being into his forties and one of the oldest Elementals in Alpha Galaxy Zane supports him for the Bloodname Trials for the West Bloodname to take place shortly afterwards.  Showing his prowess in a Circle of Equals as well as on the battlefield Star Colonel Elson Novacat becomes Elson West.

Nova Cat Hall
Philip Drummond City, Dagda
New Barcella, Nova Cat's Den
19th August 3079

   In front of the assembled commanders of the Nova Cat Galaxies based in the Nova Cat's Den and via watched by Oathmaster Zane Carns via HPG link-up Khan Canin Rosse names Galaxy Commander Ajax Drummond, long term commander of Tau Galaxy, becomes the new saKhan of Clan Nova Cat replacing the deceased Jal Steiner.  As a result of this move Tau Galaxy which had been much maligned for its garrison status and large amount of vehicles in it’s TO&E effectively becomes Clan Nova Cat's second Galaxy.  Xi Galaxy as the Galaxy that lost the last saKhan on a simple pirate hunt takes over many of the jobs that used to be taken by Tau Galaxy, and becomes the unit Nova Cats wish to avoid joining.  It comes under the command of newly promoted Galaxy Commander Tyrina Drummond.

Periphery Road
Niops IV, Periphery
23rd August 3079

   With their safe harbour on Herotitus gone the Liger Warriors made their way through the former Free Worlds League's periphery areas avoiding as much Free Worlds aerospace patrols as possible they head back into the periphery and land on Niops IV.  On planet they find a population trying to recover from the Marian Hegemony's brutal occupation as they try to rebuild their independence and put together a working government.

        Initially the Ligers take a different path than when they arrieved on Herotitus staying in their DropShips only trading for supplies and offering their skills.  When after two weeks on the planet the leader of the provisional government Prime Minister Christopher Devin approaches them and offers them a contract to support the government in defending Niops VI from future threats.  In a change of form Colonel Trent Higall swayed by the Prime Minister's words agrees to work for Niopian people.  He admits to the Prime Minister that his people are mostly renegade Nova Cat Clansmen and that the Nova Cats could be following them - Christopher Devin reaffirms his offer feeling that future Clan rule couldn't be any worse than the Marian Hegemony's rule.  The Liger Warriors become contracted to Niops defences on all their worlds.

Snow Raven Enclave
Quatre Belle, Outworlds Alliance
Periphery
28th August 3079

   After several incidents between Outworlds Alliance civilians and Snow Raven warriors the Snow Ravens decide that before any amount of their civilians can move into the Alliance they need secure places to live.  The Snow Ravens begin construction of three large SkyCities on major worlds of the Outworlds Alliance that the Snow Raven civilians will share.  Although this breaks the two populations apart it does keep the merger of Periphery Nation and Clan on the tracks.

[Dragon Cat]

Field Testing
GM Test Range, New Valencia
Crucis March, Federated Suns
8th September 3079

   On New Valencia in the Federated Suns several scientists and engineers under the command of Dr Salana Tarq were testing a new hybrid chassis based on the Templar OmniMech.  The PDG-1X codename Pendragon was a ninety-five ton test bed chassis for testing new weapons and new advances in manufacturing techniques as well as trying to build a new BattleMech.

   The current prototype, Unit 3, was moving at long range for it's weapons intent on bombarding the base positions while weathering return fire Dr Tarq was watching from her position aboard a MR-8C Marco Observation Mech.  The Pendragon was moving carefully over some uneven ground near the a small outgrowth of stones when a hidden particle cannon turret raised from the ground and fired on the Mech causing two hits on the left torso.  Dr Tarq was annoyed to see the hit had penetrated the armour but she knew any internal damage would be contained by the CASE II technology built into the design.  To her horror the CASE II failed and the Extended Long Range Missile ammunition aboard the Mech ripped through the torso blowing through the chest and head consuming the entire Mech in a massive fireball, moments later the fusion engine also gave way and erupted into a huge catastrophic explosion.  Parts of BattleMech were flown hundreds of metres as it disintegrated.   

   Looking around the area with her range finders Salana Tarq couldn't see the pilot, a waste on two accounts, she thought however looking behind the Mech she could see the rocks had been moved and a passage had been opened.  "Pilot, vector medical and salvage crews, take me over there."  The pilot in his half open cockpit moved slowly over to the site of the destroyed Pendragon.  Salana looked over the Mech's remains there was nothing much left but she was more interested in what lay behind the Mech, several cracks in the rocks showed there was something behind them.  "Pilot, is your salvage arm strong enough to open this area?"

   "I doubt it, Doctor, it doesn't look safe in the immediate area.  I'd suggest we get a Tunnel Rat squad out to assist." He said naming the specialist GM manufactured mining suit capable of exploiting just this sort of find.

   "Call them in."

   Three hours later six Tunnel Rat equipped engineers were exploiting the area around the cracked ground.  Amazingly they were uncovering what appeared to be an ancient Vampire-class DropShip, an early Federated Suns infantry DropShip.  The rocks had obviously fallen on the design trapping it and over the years buried it.  Uncovering more of the ship they discovered something else behind the ship.  As the engineers worked through the night Dr Salana Tarq dived into reports about New Valencia, the Armed Forces of the Federated Suns had always maintained a presence on the world almost as a ready world for use against a Capellan Confederation or Draconis Combine strike against the 'Terra Zone' of the Draconis and Capellan Marches.  Dr Tarq believed that the GM test facility had possibly been built over a long forgotten Davion Jump Trooper Test School.

   In the morning three ATAE-70 Uni CargoMech arrived to pull the half crushed Vampire-class DropShip out from underneath the rocks revealing a facility underneath.  Within this facility Dr Tarq’s team discover several Mechs and vehicles from the Star League-era all marked as AFFS property as well as a memory core which includes design specifications for the Defender-class Battle-cruiser, the New Syrtis-class Strike Carrier and the Robinson-class Transport.

Homer, Kerensky Cluster
Clan Homeworlds
14th September 3079

   In retaliation for the joint strike against Clan Nova Cat territory on Barcella Oathmaster Zane Carns leads elements of Alpha Galaxy escorted by the WarShips Remembrance and Path of Honour two Nova Cat Aegis-class Heavy Cruisers.  Striking at a prominent Cloud Cobra world Homer they find elements of Clan Cloud Cobra’s Zeta Galaxy supported by the Eleventh Scorpion Guards of Clan Goliath Scorpions Mu Galaxy.

   When both Cloud Cobra WarShips the Hell’s Fury, a Fredasa-class Corvette, and Trump, a Vincent-class Corvette, refuse to engage the far larger Nova Cat WarShips Oathmaster Zane Carns calls on the Ground Forces to answer his challenge.  The Nova Cat Oathmaster refuses to make an call for possession of territory or units only that the forces of both Clans meet his in battle and answer for their attack on Barcella.

   An hour and a half later the Cloud Cobra commander agrees that a force culled from all three of his Clusters will meet the Nova Cats along with the Eleventh Scorpion Guards.  Satisfied Zane lands with his Shiva Keshik and the 450th Assault Cluster commanded by Star Colonel Elson West.  Though Elson’s Assault Cluster is able to hand the Eleventh Scorpion Guards a crushing defeat the Shiva Keshik receives a minor defeat, though the Cloud Cobra unit against them is devastated.  With honour satisfied the Nova Cats leave the system.

Salem Military Hospital
Salem, Kathil PDZ
Capellan March, Federated Suns
20th September 3079
   
   The Military Hospital at the Royal Salem Military Base was a buzz of activity something had gone wrong while testing a pair of prototype BattleMechs and the hospital was being flooded with injuries from the Davion Heavy Guards RCT based on planet.  “Make a space!  Coming Through!”  Came a shout from a group of infantry led by a Sergeant-Major between them they pushed a trolley with a badly burned and injured man dressed in MechWarrior togs.

   “Sergeant-Major, this is a hospital, we have injured here.”  The Senior Doctor said stepping in the troopers way.

   “Sir, we have another patient for you, he needs immediate treatment.”  The Sergeant-Major said stepping aside.

   “I have many…” he began but his voice trailed off as he saw who was on the trolley, a barely moving Field Marshal Jonathon Davion.  “Clear the OR, follow me” he said immediately turning around leading the troopers down the hall as the commander of the Davion Guards and a cousin to the First Prince was led into the Operating Room where he would be for eight hours.
 
Pirate Raid
Niops, Niops Association
Periphery
22nd September 3079

   Mere months after the Liger Warriors had arrived on the system of Niops they received their first test with a raid by the Second Order of the Faithful off Astrokazy,  The mainly former Clan unit surprised the Order troops with their use of Elemental Battle Armour suits as well as far more powerful firepower than they were used to.  The back-up provided by the Niops Association’s local Nighthawk Power Armour suits and a few recently produced Arbiter Combat IndustrialMechs proved the better of the Order of the Faithful and they were forced off world.  As was standard Niops Association Policy they sent out HPG warnings to all nearby worlds warning that the Order of the Faithful were on the prowl.

   A week later the world of Lesnovo in the Free Worlds League’s Rim Commonality sent word back to Niops they were under attack.  Answering this call for assistance Colonel Trent Higall led one of his Trinaries reinforced by an entire Trinary of Arbiter Combat IndustrialMechs and his aerospace forces to the world of Lesnovo handing the Order of the Faithful a second defeat though he lost almost all the Arbiters in the fighting.  With the salvage taken from the two worlds the Ligers were able to take their forces back to strength and add forces.  The Rim Commonality Government hearing of this development and the Liger Warriors strength offered them the position of Guardians of the Realm charged with protecting the Rim Commonality.  Having already agreed to protect the Niops Association Trent Higall agreed but only on the condition that his forces also defend Niops.  When representatives of both realms met they went one step further and united their two nations forming the Rim Association with the Liger Warriors forming the core of their defences.

[Dragon Cat]

Wolf Hall
Harlech, Romulus
Outreach, Star League Protectorate
9th October 3079

   Just days after the Wolf’s Dragoons agreed to a five year contract with Lyran Commonwealth the Colonels announce that Colonel Kelly Yukinov long term commander of Alpha Regiment was stepping down as the unit’s full time commander and was to be the new General of the Wolf’s Dragoons, the first General since Maeve Wolf’s death.

   In the Lyran Commonwealth Beta and Epsilon Regiment now both up to strength would be helping safeguard the Jade Falcon borders along with the Kell Hounds and Clan Wolf (in-Exile).  Within days of the two regiments’ departure Zeta Battalion and the Congress Block II-class Frigate Beowulf both left Outreach outbound to join them on the Clan border.

PROJECT MUSE, Test Site 44-J2A
Avalon City, New Avalon
Crucis March, Federated Suns
15th October 3079

   It hurt to stand, move and sometimes even think but Field Marshal Jonathon Davion knew it was the only way he’d know he was alive.  Dressed in his uniform for the first time in a month since his injuries on Salem he no stood in an office overlooking Avalon City on New Avalon, the capital of his family’s realm the Federated Suns.

   The doctors on Salem and at NAIS here on New Avalon had said he would make a full recovery, although a couple of scars would remain with him they had faded and were easily concealed, most importantly he would be able to take command of his unit again.  “It would take time for your body to return to its prime.”  Was what they had said.  As a result he’d send a message to Marshal of Armies Reinhart Steiner announcing of his immediate, if temporary, standing-down as commander of the Davion Heavy Guards.  This had resulted in a visit from First Prince Victor Davion as soon as he had stepped off the DropShip onto New Avalon.  Jon had told the First Prince, his cousin that is he wasn’t capable of leading his men in battle then he would not serve until he was ready, Victor had other ideas.

   After a week on New Avalon Jon had received information on PROJECT MUSE which was charged with creating new weapons technology for the AFFS.  Although he had no orders to join the program Jon recognized it for what it was Victor’s own way of helping him recover, of keeping his mind active while his body returned.  When he had asked for information on where the program was based a car had been sent to his family’s home in the suburbs of Avalon City and he’d been taken to the base.  Officially known as Test Site 44-J2A, a non-descript government/military building overlooking one of the NAIS minor training ranges roughly a kilometre from the outskirts of Avalon City.  The entire area was surrounded by high trees and security fences.

   Across from the building Jon could see MechWarriors training on the training range.  The door to the office opened behind him, Jon Davion tried to turn smartly but he was slowed and it hurt every move in front of him stood Major General Sandra Hall-Pujanauski head developer of the MUSE FIRE PROJECT.

   “Field Marshal” she said saluting “welcome to PROJECT MUSE” she said.

   “Thank you, Major-General.”  Jon said slowly returning the salute “not what I expected.”

   “Well not all of our facilities are like this one.”

   “I’m sure I’ll see them all eventually.”  He said quietly walking over to the desk, his desk, “Major-General, I am not a test-pilot nor do I know the first thing about a desk job.  The First Prince thinks I can help here, I’m not certain, the last test I was at went wrong.”

   “Yes, sir, I heard.” She said quietly “only few of our pilots are test drivers, the rest of us work together and try and make things a success.”  She said continuing “I do not know if the First Prince thinks we need a baby-sitter from the royal family but so far the project is running fine.”

   “The last thing I’m going to be is a baby-sitter, Major-General” Jon said firmly “I’m here until I can get back to my own job.”  He said continuing he was beginning to think that agreeing to come her taking an interest was wrong.  “Perhaps you should show me what is happening here.”

   “Of course if you can follow me we’ll be going down to the Equipment Floor.”  She said turning out the office, Jon Davion slowly followed her.  They went into an elevator in the hallway and it quickly moved down into the basement.  Sandra left the elevator entering a large cavernous room, on any other base it would have housed almost a Company of Mechs however here there were only two BattleMechs, three combat vehicles and several weapons laid out everywhere.  Looking up at the Mechs he recognized one as a Legionnaire, a relatively new design with a huge autocannon over it’s shoulder, the second looked like nothing he’d ever seen with an almost perfect ball for a head and rounded armour all over two double barrelled weapons dominated both arms.  “Welcome to the Equipment room.  That’s a LGN-2X1 Legionnaire MUSE FIRE, an experimental version of the standard design, and the other is an ENF-7X Enforcer MUSE COMPACT.”

   “Wait, that’s an Enforcer?  It looks nothing like one?” Sandra replied with a small laugh

   “Welcome to R&D Volume One, Field Marshal” she said wandering off into the room, Jon followed slowly looking at each piece of technology.

Jump Point
Algate system, Chandahar Prefecture
Pesht Military District Draconis Combine
18th October 3079

   When a intelligence intercept received information that two WarShips had been sighted within the Algate system of the Chandahar system the Draconis Combine had deployed the DCS Tokyo, the Draconis Combine’s sole Artemis-class Diplomatic Vessel gained from the now defunct ComStar.  The Diplomatic vessel was useless to the admiralty but any information it could gain would prove invaluable for the Combine’s heavier WarShips marshalling at New Samarkand.

   The crew of the Tokyo did not like being considered as expendable and during their burn from Dieron to Algate they went over all the data concerning the system and found a pirate point rarely used except by the most desperate trader or pirate.  Chancing they luck they began calculations, on the 18th October the DCS Tokyo jumped into the pirate point just outside the third planet’s lunar orbit.

   From this position the ship was able to gather information on both WarShips one a Black Lion-class Battle-cruiser the other a Potemkin-class Troop Cruiser.  Transmitting the data to the planet’s surface the local ISF agent was able to pass the information to ISF headquarters on New Samarkand.  The Tokyo’s crew knowing their almost unarmed vessel would have no chance against a fighter squadron let alone two heavily armed WarShips chose to remain hidden in position and feed data back to the planet’s surface.

   Two days after the Tokyo’s arrival the two WarShips began moving in system towards the planet.  Unable to fight conventionally the Tokyo retreated to the system’s largest Gas Giant, fifth in the system and entered the giant’s rings continuing to monitor the two WarShips as they dodged huge deposits of ice and rock.

   Fortunately for the Tokyo and the people of Algate the two WarShips never made it to the planet’s surface the Takashi Kurita, the Combine’s newest Omi Kurita-class Super-carrier and the Raven’s Roost, an Inazuma-class Corvette, both arrived in system.  The two intruding WarShips obviously did not want to force a confrontation as they moved to the same pirate point the Tokyo had entered from and jumped clear of the system.

   Although surprised, and slightly annoyed, the Tokyo had survived its role in defending the system was unquestioned when the Admiralty had seen the data the Tokyo had been able to provide the ISF agent on planet.  With all thirty-five crew commended for their actions each was offered positions on other ships of the DCA fleet however only three left after it was announced that the Tokyo would be renovated and become a fully functional observation/spy craft at Dieron Shipyards.  The Tokyo’s crew chose to stay together and with the ship that had made their careers something the DCA commanders understood but wondered if they had made the right choice.

Fifth Martial Olympiad
Olympiad Grounds, Defiance
Crucis March, Federated Suns
27th October 3079

   With the Fifth Martial Olympiad coming to a close on Defiance deep within the Federated Suns the victors turn out to be all Clan based in another year of domination by the former invaders.  Clan Wolf’s Thirteenth Battle Cluster commanded by Star Colonel Evon Ward wins almost every competition on the ground to claim the trophy.

   In Space the competition is also dominated by the Clan forces represented with Clan Snow Raven’s Lord Death, the reigning champions, looking at a third victory.  The Aegis-class Heavy Cruiser was however defeated at the last throw of the dice as Clan Sea Fox’s Nagasawa, a Sovetskii Soyuz-class Heavy Cruiser, from the Snapping Jaws Khanate wins event.

Star League Naval Command Headquarters
Unity City, North America
Terra, Star League Protectorate
5th November 3079

   With the Star League Council being brought to session in less than two weeks Fleet Admiral David Natale had made a decision that would likely make or break his career.  For months Dr David Lear had been travelling from his University post in Chicago to petition to lead a team into the Kuiper Belt of the Sol system in search for a hidden SLDF base.  Up until now the Admiral had refused all deep space scans from the Titan Fleet Yards had detected nothing, however Dr Lear was tenacious and with his father in charge of the St Ives Compact the doctor had the political clout if needed.  Instead Admiral Natale had made the choice to assign the DropShip and a group of scientists and researchers to Dr Lear’s command and sent the information to Commanding-General Archer Christifori, it would give the SLDF commander something to say at the Council meeting at least.

Nation Wide Broadcast
DCS Nagato (Yamato-class Battleship)
Sol System, Star League Protectorate
10th November 3079

   Dressed in the full military uniform of a Draconis Combine Warlord Minoru Kurita, the regent for Vincent Kurita and de-facto leader of the Combine took a small podium with the Draconis Combine’s Dragon behind him.  “People of the Draconis Combine, today as I travel to Terra to represent the Draconis Combine at the Star League Conference I have to announce another black day for our nation, several years ago Galedon V was infected by a virus that forced us to quarantine the world from all visitors.”  Minoru paused taking a breath “it is my solemn duty to inform you all today that despite the best efforts of the Draconis Combine Mustered Society and of the Star League Defence Force and all our scientists combined that approximately ninety percent of the native population of Galedon V have died from these viruses.  The remaining population have been moved off world to Draconis Combine Research facilities in an effort to contain these viruses and find a cure so these people can return to leading a productive life.  As of this date the Draconis Combine government is officially listing Galedon V as a dead world, warning satellites are being deployed at the jump points and in orbit of the world.  Please do not attempt any travel to this world, if you have any surviving relatives on Galedon V please contact your local Government reprehensive.  Thank you.”  he said standing down from the podium.  With Minoru’s WarShip Nagato sitting at the Nadir point of the Sol System the whole Terran system and by extension the Star League Protectorate would know about it, soon the whole Inner Sphere.

Eighth Whitting Conference
Unity City, North America
Terra, Star League Protectorate
14th November 3079

   Following Minoru Kurita’s broadcast from his WarShip the Star League Conference started on a more sombre note with the Draconis Combine leader addressing the council.  “My fellow lords, although I am sure you all have questions of my recent announcement, I would direct you to information Tablet’s being passed around now.  These will provide you with any information on Galedon’s fate.”  He said pausing on a sombre note “now however we have the reason we are all here.  The Star League Defence Force.  I am glad to say that the past few years have been productive and I believe my position as First Lord has strengthened the bonds of the Star League Defence Force and their relations with other nations.  Particular notice should go to Commanding-General Archer Christifori and his staff who have worked tirelessly to return the Star League Defence Force to its previous glory.  I can say with absolute conviction the Commanding-General has my complete confidence.”  Minoru said looking at Archer who sat beside Caradoc Trevena and David Natale at the Star League Defence Force table, although their position on this council was only ceremonial it was a reminder to all the lords as to who truly commanded the Star League‘s reborn armed forces.

   “First business for this council is the acceptance of two new members to this table Captain-General Kiric Cameron-Jones of the Regulan Fiefs and Chancellor Naomi Centrella of the Capellan Confederation.  The Regulan Fiefs although at this table will have no voting rights until 3082 and the Capellan Confederation because of their previous position on this council and their subsequent leaving the Star League will have to wait until 3085 until they are allowed to vote.”  Minoru said Kiric Cameron-Jones dressed in a well fitted business suit sat between the other two Captain-Generals around the table Jeremy Brett and Corrine Marik, of the Duchy of Tamarind-Abby and the Marik-Stewart Commonwealth respectfully.  While Naomi Centrella sat next to Minoru Kurita facing Duke Kai Allard-Liao of the St Ives Compact.  With so many hostile nations around the table Minoru himself was surprised the room did not erupt into weapons fire.

   “There will be conferences throughout the day and opportunities for the new nations leaders to meet with representatives of the Star League Defence Force and work out how they can best contribute to the League’s Defence Force.  For now however I bid that this session is complete.  Thank you for your attendance.”  Minoru said picking up his papers as his aides moved aside few of the other State Lords moved for a moment as they psyched each other up Victor Davion was the first to leave not because he was intimidated just because he had not time for further discussion with the other leaders.  The others left shortly after the First Prince had left the room.

[Dragon Cat]

Eighth Whitting Conference
Unity City, North America
Terra, Star League Protectorate
14th November 3079

   Following Minoru Kurita’s broadcast from his WarShip the Star League Conference started on a more sombre note with the Draconis Combine leader addressing the council.  “My fellow lords, although I am sure you all have questions of my recent announcement, I would direct you to information Tablet’s being passed around now.  These will provide you with any information on Galedon’s fate.”  He said pausing on a sombre note “now however we have the reason we are all here.  The Star League Defence Force.  I am glad to say that the past few years have been productive and I believe my position as First Lord has strengthened the bonds of the Star League Defence Force and their relations with other nations.  Particular notice should go to Commanding-General Archer Christifori and his staff who have worked tirelessly to return the Star League Defence Force to its previous glory.  I can say with absolute conviction the Commanding-General has my complete confidence.”  Minoru said looking at Archer who sat beside Caradoc Trevena and David Natale at the Star League Defence Force table, although their position on this council was only ceremonial it was a reminder to all the lords as to who truly commanded the Star League‘s reborn armed forces.

   “First business for this council is the acceptance of two new members to this table Captain-General Kiric Cameron-Jones of the Regulan Fiefs and Chancellor Naomi Centrella of the Capellan Confederation.  The Regulan Fiefs although at this table will have no voting rights until 3082 and the Capellan Confederation because of their previous position on this council and their subsequent leaving the Star League will have to wait until 3085 until they are allowed to vote.”  Minoru said Kiric Cameron-Jones dressed in a well fitted business suit sat between the other two Captain-Generals around the table Jeremy Brett and Corrine Marik, of the Duchy of Tamarind-Abby and the Marik-Stewart Commonwealth respectfully.  While Naomi Centrella sat next to Minoru Kurita facing Duke Kai Allard-Liao of the St Ives Compact.  With so many hostile nations around the table Minoru himself was surprised the room did not erupt into weapons fire.

   “There will be conferences throughout the day and opportunities for the new nations leaders to meet with representatives of the Star League Defence Force and work out how they can best contribute to the League’s Defence Force.  For now however I bid that this session is complete.  Thank you for your attendance.”  Minoru said picking up his papers as his aides moved aside few of the other State Lords moved for a moment as they psyched each other up Victor Davion was the first to leave not because he was intimidated just because he had not time for further discussion with the other leaders.  The others left shortly after the First Prince had left the room.

Eighth Whitting Conference
Unity City, North America
Terra, Star League Protectorate
16th November 3079

   The meetings had gone on for two days before the State lords met again in the grand hall chamber.  Minoru Kurita still representing the position as First Lord as well as the Combine stood first as was tradition.  “Today we have a presentation by Commanding-General Archer Christifori on a new program the Star League wishes to begin.”  Minoru said nodding to the Commanding-General who stood up from his table.

   “Lords and Ladies of the Star League, as was this Star League’s intention the Star League Defence Force has went from strength to strength in recent years with new units forming training and fighting for the Star League and each of your nations.  Even with damage done to the Star League Defence Force fighting the Clans and other conflicts.”  He said quietly, each of the Houses had sparred with the Star League at one point, each knew the new Star League was gaining muscle and could not be pushed around easily.  “I assume no-one had any objections to the efforts the Star League has gone to keep the peace and protect the Inner Sphere from the Clans?”  He asked offering them a chance to complain, no-one spoke.

   “Good, because I have.”  He said savouring the look as he saw at least three members of the Council look surprised “the Star League has strength in numbers however what we lack is finishing.  The Martial Olympiad which each of your nations joins with the Star League and hones our skills certainly helps however it is competition, the Star League Defence Force needs a training facility that will turn the good Star League warriors we have into the experts.  The Program I refer to is Gunslinger, originally conceived by the First Star League as a Program for the best of the best troopers I want to bring this program back and put the best Star League warriors through it to turn them into warriors who can challenge even the best the Clans can throw at us.”  Archer said finishing his impassioned speech remaining standing to wait for questions or rebuttal.   

   “Herr Commanding-General, I have a question if I may?”  Archon Peter Steiner-Davion asked standing at his desk is Germanic accent perhaps more noticeable than normal for the benefit of the council.  Archer nodded his willingness to answer questions.

   “Who will pay for this project?”

   “The nation of bean counters speaks.”  Captain-General Kiric Cameron-Jones said quietly, Archer ignored the Regulan leader as he answered the Archon.

   “I have spoken with the Star League Chief of Staff Major-General Caradoc Tervena and we have come up with cuts in the SLDF’s purchasing and unit formations will be cut back.  Also the process of reactivating ComStar’s damaged WarShip fleet will be scaled back slightly.”  Beside Archer David Natale, Fleet Admiral of the Fleet didn’t look most pleased with the announcement but remained silent.  For his part Peter looked satisfied and sat down again.

   “Will this be an open facility for our warriors to attend also or an exclusive Star League Facility? “  Victor Steiner-Davion asked from his chair.

   “Initially the first three years we will maintain it as an exclusive Star League Defence Facility.  However at the next Star League Conference I cannot see why we would not allow other nations to send limited amounts of personnel to the facility.”

   “You sound like this facility is complete?” Duke Kai Allard-Liao asked raising briefly.

   “Not completely however we have run preliminary checks on grounds for the facility and have spoken with the people of the world we plan on building on.”

   “Where is this world?”  Marshal Jeremy Brett asked taking an interest in the project.

   “Procyon, the world has a proud heritage dating back to the Terran Hegemony.  Since it an the other Sirian worlds joined the Protectorate they have began to reach towards their Star League heights.  We intend to promote this.  The city of Cleveburg has been a virtual ghost town for the last forty-fifty years we plan on turning into exactly that making the entire metropolitan area a live fire zone for BattleMechs, Armour and Vehicles.  Aerospace units may also be added at a later date however this will initially cater mainly for the conventional army.”

   “What of Earthwerks they have a factory facility there that sells engineering vehicles and BattleMechs to my nation and others around this table.”  Captain-General Corrine Marik said protesting at the loss of any facility that would support her armies.

   “The Earthwerks Facility would be maintained as it is and the area around it would be converted into academy grounds for the program’s use.  The company would likely find itself in a better position to test its newer designs especially once we get up and running.  I think a good way to test warriors would be to pit them against Mechs they have never seen.”  Archer explained the companies position he didn’t know how they would react but also didn’t really care the Star League needed this facility.

   “If that is all questions I believe we should call a vote”  Minoru Kurtia said “as the outgoing First Lord I will vote for the Draconis Combine first.  I vote for the Gunslinger program to be reinstated.”

   “As do I”  Prime Minister Kai Allard-Liao, the St Ives leader was well known as one of the best Inner Sphere pilots and gunners so it was little shock he supported the endeavour.

   “The Federated Suns will also support this.”  First Prince Victor Steiner-Davion said with it being his turn.

   “The Taurian Concordat will not however, I believe the cost is more likely to outweigh the benefits.”

   “The Marik-Stewart-Commonwealth with abstain from voting, although I am not convinced that Earthwerks will not be infringed on this facility will likely have nothing to do with my nation and I will have nothing to do with it.”  A Corrine Marik said not raising from her chair.

   “The Duchy of Tamarind-Abby will support this and looks forward to the day when its warriors will be able to attend this Gunslinger Program.”

   “House Steiner and the Lyran Commonwealth will also support this however holds the right to pull its funding if this program endangers its sovereignty.”  Peter Steiner-Davion said ending the voting six yes votes, one abstain and one no.  The Gunslinger Program was back to stay.

Eighth Whitting Conference
Unity City, North America
Terra, Star League Protectorate
18th November 3079

   “My fellow lords it has time for us to elect a new First Lord.”  General Caradoc Trevena, the Star League’s Chief of Staff, said standing beside Commanding-General Archer Christifori.  “With exception of our new members and of Warlord Minoru Kurita, as the reining First Lord, the possible leaders to be elected First Lord are.  First Lord Victor Steiner-Davion of the Federated Suns, Archon Peter Steiner-Davion of the Lyran Commonwealth, Duke Kai Allard-Liao of the St Ives Compact, Protector Erik Martens-Calderon of the Taurian Concordat, Captain-General Jeremy Brett of the Duchy of Tamarind-Abby, Captain-General Corrine Marik of the Marik-Stewart Commonwealth and Governor of Terra Gavin Dow representing the Star League Protectorate.  Please commence with the nominations.”  He said naming them all in turn before retaking his seat.

   “I nominate Peter Steiner-Davion for the position.  During his previous term as First Lord he led the fight against the Clans, I believe he is more than worthy of the position again.”  Kai Allard-Liao said naming the Lyran Archon who had been First Lord just six years before.

   “I will second this nomination, the quicker the Clan threat is gone the better for us all.”  Protector Erik Martens-Calderon said standing briefly before sitting.  The chances of a Taurian ever being leader of the Star League was remote so no surprise he was trying to make changes in other ways.

   “I accept this nomination” Peter said and with that his place was clear.

   “I nominate Captain-General Jeremy Brett to be First Lord of the Star League.” Warlord Minoru Kurita said standing at the Combine’s table now acting as a leader not as First Lord.

   After moments of silence Caradoc Trevena stood “Do we have a second nomination for Jeremy Brett?  Without one his nomination will not stand.”

   “I will second this nomination.”  Governor of Terra Gavin Dow said, the former ComStar Primus still happy to effect Inner Sphere politics.

   “I will also accept this nomination.”

   “With two nominations voting may commence unless there is a third?”  Caradoc Trevena said raising one more time.  After almost a minute of silence Caradoc continued “unless there is further time required we can commence with voting now.  Peter Steiner-Davion and Jeremy Brett both have two votes with the Draconis Combine, Star League Protectorate, Taurian Concordat and the St Ives Compact votes counted.”

   “I will vote for Peter Steiner-Davion, my brother has shown himself more than capable for the role and has shown his willingness to support for the Star League Defence Force.”  Victor Steiner-Davion said raising and sitting again bringing the vote to three against two for the Lyran Archon.

   “Although I would hate to give legitimacy to Jeremy Brett’s nation I will not allow the Lyran nation to be in command of the Star League for a second time.  I vote for the Duchy of Tamarind-Abby and Jeremy Brett.”  Captain-General Corrine Marik said brining both equal at three votes each.

   “This leaves the vote tied and the Star League Defence Force Commanding-General Archer Christifori has the tie-breaker.”  Caradoc Trevena said raising, beside him Archer Christifori rose from his chair.

   “In an effort to keep one nation gaining sway over this Council Chamber and becoming comfortable holding the First Lord title I will empower Duchy of Tamarind-Abby leader Captain-General Jeremy Brett with the First Lordship under one condition, that he understands the Star League Defence Forces will not become embroiled in a campaign against his former Free Worlds League allies.”  He said glancing at the Captain-General, Jeremy Brett nodded, Archer also noticed Corrine Marik take note of the agreement before he turned back to the other leaders “I elevate Captain-General Jeremy Brett of the Duchy of Tamarind-Abby to the post of First Lord.”  He said finishing the voting and the day’s proceedings.

Eighth Whitting Conference
Unity City, North America
Terra, Star League Protectorate
20h November 3079

   As the Eighth Whitting Conference began its sixth day on Terra experts and defence analysts made informed the council of the situation on New Earth which had been depopulated by the Mopelia Attack and its after effects.  Now more people on the planet worked for the SLDF than any other organisation and the economy was spiralling with the Lyran Commonwealth unable to stop it.  The oldest Human colony outside Terra itself appeared to be heading for a slow death.

   Following the presentation Commanding-General Archer Christifori rose from his chair “House Lords, as of today’s date the identity of the attackers on Mopellia Island are still unknown.  The Star League Defence Force has been able to stem the spread of the disease and slow the death rate on the world however more and more people flee in terror of what happened and the uncertainty of whether or not the attackers will return.  I would like to suggest because New Earth is heading for depopulation and no-one wants to work or live there it is turned over to SLDF control, already eighty-four percent of the people on planet either work for or are part of the Star League Defence Force.”

   “And what would the Star League do with yet another world?”  Naomi Centrella said not moving from her position “my fellow Council Lords I may have no power on this council but allow my voice to be heard.”  No-one rose to block the Capellan Chancellor.  “So far the Star League Defence Force have gobbled up a dozen prime worlds where the Chaos March once stood.  These worlds formerly belonged to the Capellans, Mariks and Davions but the Star League has taken them all, even the Mercenary worlds of Northwind and Outreach have agreed to abide by these protectorate laws.  I ask why the Star League even needs territory?  Is it not here to protect its members?  Instead it appears to be building a power base that may even rival the Terran Hegemony’s power if left unchecked.”

   “Commanding-General you have been called out for an answer to the Star League’s intentions for the world of New Earth.  How do you answer?”  Newly elected First Lord Jeremy Brett asked Archer.

   “We plan to build the command complex for the Fifth Battle Armour Corps, all others are at capacity and we want to build an HPG Hub on the world increasing communications between Star League Worlds and with the neighbouring states.  Also in light of what happened to New Earth we believe a Centre for Disease Control Facility on this world would be fitting.  At this facility we would study biological and chemical agents and figure out the best way to treat them as well as study the effects of nuclear and space borne radiation.”

   “And what will this cost the nations of the Star League as additional to the current amount we invest.”  Captain-General Corrine Marik asked.

   “Nothing more, the money collected in taxes from the twelve Protectorate worlds will be funnelled towards this.  Terra alone should provide enough financial might for these projects.  It will also promote more population growth on New Earth which at present is very necessary.”

   “Unless there are any objections to this move I will place this request onto Archon Peter Steiner-Davion as current House Lord in possession of this world.”  All eyes turned on the Lyran leader.

   “I have no quarrel with this plan, however this will have to be confirmed by the Noble Court and the Isle of Skye leadership.”  Peter said confirming New Earth’s fate.  Within two days it was confirmed that New Earth was the Star League’s newest world.
 
Eighth Whitting Conference
Unity City, North America
Terra, Star League Protectorate
22nd November 3079

   With the current Conference almost over there was only one final thing for the Star League member states to discuss.  During the course of the Star League Conference a Clan Sea Fox vessel had sent the Star League Conference a message via HPG system asking the conference states as a whole for permission to move their massive ArcShips throughout the Inner Sphere and Periphery making trade with the states as they go.  With permission for activities already given in the Former Federated Commonwealth states it was soon agreed by the Draconis Combine, Duchy of Tamarind-Abby and the Marik-Stewart Commonwealth.  Both the Capellan Confederation and the Taurian Concordat refused to accept these measures and warned the Sea Foxes any ship entering their space would be fire upon.

   Shortly after this brief meeting the Council Members devolved the Eighth Whitting Conference and begin the long journeys back to their own realms.

[Dragon Cat]

Nadir Point
Luthien, Pesht Military District
Draconis Combine
4th December 3079

   Almost a year from when they disappeared from the Inner Sphere the Knights of St Cameron reappear at the Nadir point of the Luthien system offering their services to the Draconis Combine in a year rolling contract.  The Regiment now boasts four combined arms regiments transported by four Collosus-class DropShips lacks any of the Clan technology it once fielded.  Instead it is entirely outfitted with Star League ‘Royal’ grade technology a massive upgrade over even their well equipped status.

   When asked where they were, why they left or How they got their technology the Regiment refuses to speak.  The Draconis Combine cautiously accepts the Knights Contract proposal while the Lyran Commonwealth sends them a message informing the unit they will not be hired by the Lyran state in the future.  The MRBC also forward a message to the informing them that their Dragoons rating and reliability ratings have been downgraded to Class B unit and a Questionable reliability because of their break of contract.

Expedition Team
Kuiper Belt, Sol System
Star League Protectorate
12th December 3079

   After almost three weeks of searching the Kuiper Belt of the Sol system the crew of Dr David Lear’s DropShip are almost ready to give up Lear’s ‘pipe-dream’ and head back to Terra.  “Doctor, the information you’ve been given is obviously wrong.”  The Captain of the vessel said to Dr David Lear who stood looking out the windows.

   “I wasn’t ‘given’ any data Captain, I found it.”

   “Perhaps that information was wrong?”

   “I struggle to believe that, the Star League records were extensive on the sub…” he was interrupted as the area of space directly opposite the ship’s port side exploded into fire.

   “Report!  What the hell was that?”

   “Unknown scanning” the helm officer said as another explosion detonated off to the ship’s starboard side.

   “Where are they?  Who is firing at us?”

   “Four contacts, one of them is massive directly ahead”

   “How didn’t we detect them?”

   “ECM” David Lear said quietly as a third explosion rocked the vessel.  “They have a huge ECM field set up around them” he said glancing at the monitors “the smaller three are Lola-class Destroyers, the larger one I don’t recognize.”  He said as another explosion rocked the ship.

   “How does this help us stop them not blowing us up?”  The captain asked

   “What IFF does this ship fly?”

   “What does that matter?”

   “It might”

   “A Terran civilian IFF, this ship isn’t military” the Captain said as another two explosions blew up either side of the ship “Helm evasive manoeuvres.”

   “No!” David shouted “pump our IFF up to military levels and switch to a Star League military frequency.”

   “Why the hell would we do that?”

   “Trust me” David said the ship’s captain did as he’d been asked Dr Lear may be speaking like a crazy man but he was very intelligent.  Suddenly the firing ceased and the four ships moved into standby mode.

   “What just happened?”

   “They don’t see us as hostile.  Those shots were warning shots only, intended on keeping stray civilian craft from wandering in unannounced.  Now if we’d been flying a military frequency from a Succession State I’d think we would not still be alive.”

   “How can the people on those ships not realize who and what we are?”

   “There are no people on them, those Ships are Caspers.” The last word turned every head on the bridge and turned the Captain’s blood cold.  Caspers were a Star League invention an Automated Defence System that had been turned on the SLDF by the Usurper many Star League ships, men and women had died fighting the Caspers, they were thought completely gone.

   “I think we need help.”  The Captain said quietly looking at the window as the four vessels finally came into view the large ship was massive, with an huge open ’mouth’ at the front, while the smaller vessels did indeed look like Lola-class Destroyers.

Marik Royal Palace
Atreus City, Ionia
Atreus, Marik-Stewart Commonwealth
14th December 3079

   At the idyllic Marik Royal Palace in Atreus City on the world of the same name Captain-General Corrine Marik presents her five-year old son Joseph Marik to the Marik-Stewart Commonwealth.  The ripples caused by this unveiling are seen throughout the Marik-Stewart Commonwealth.  No-one had even known Corrine Marik had been pregnant, the second child of Corrine Marik akin to his older sister Giselle Joseph’s father is unknown.

Interstellar Expeditions Team Site
Sixteen Kilometres South Shervanis Caliphate
Astrokaszy, Periphery
18th December 3079

   An Interstellar Expeditions supported team had set up a small dig site on the world of Astrokaszy intent on finding out more information about the planets original settlers, the Crimson Reapers Brigade, and the various programs the Star League had tried to run on the planet.

   They are attacked by the unit known as the Green Ghosts on the second day of the dig, the defence force, a company of Mechs with armour and infantry support, meet them but they are outgunned and outnumbered.  During the battle expedition is saved by Silver's Sabres an almost unknown unrated Mercenary company, this unit turns the tide against the Green Ghosts and saves the Interstellar Expeditions team.  The unit’s commander Samantha Silver agrees a defence contract with interstellar Expeditions despite the unit’s lack of MRBC ratings.  Within a week of this agreement the defensive unit that IE had hired merges with the Silver’s Sabres and becomes their second company under the command of the Silver’s Sabres joint commander Vince Silver.

And so ends 3079 I hope you liked it

[Shadow_Wraith]

Nice update and good story.  Looking forward to what Dr. Lear foung!  Keep it up!  O0

[Dragon Cat]

Nice update and good story.  Looking forward to what Dr. Lear foung!  Keep it up!  O0

There are mentions of it throughout 3079 when Dr. Lear is mentioned in Chicago and a couple of other times.  There's also something in Liberation of Terra Book 1 that begins to point to it but I'll leave that for later

3080

Small Arms Factory
New Dagda, Nova Cat’s Den
4th January 3080

   While the system’s two defensive WarShips are conducting training manoeuvres and trials of possession for new pilots a lone Scout-class JumpShip jumps into the system at a pirate point and deposit’s a sole Leopard PA-class DropShip.

   Burning towards the planet this ship launches two defensive aerospace fighters and two small craft. full of infantry troopers, who land less than three hundred metres from the planet’s small arms factory while the two aerospace fighters and the DropShip keep the local ground based Nova Cats busy.

   The four platoons of infantry equipped with Jump packs and heavy weapons overpower the local Nova Cat defensive infantry troopers and steal away with several large bags of Clan manufactured Gauss Sub-machine guns, Mauser IIC Assault Rifles and Avenger Shotguns.  Escaping back to their small craft, the DropShip and fighters both then rendezvous with the small craft in orbit re-dock together and escape back to their JumpShip which has fast charged it Jump Drive allowing the raiders to escape the system.

   Angered by the attack without Trial or honour the Nova Cat Irregulars Cluster of Rho Provisional Galaxy supported by the recalled WarShip Swift Strike gave chase of the pirate force.

Clan Wolf Territory
Paxon, Kerensky Cluster
Clan Homeworlds
12th January 3080

   With complete dominance on Paxon Clan Wolf had been able to quietly able to excavate a large Brian Cache they had discovered on the world.  After nearly six years of hard work the Wolves were finally able to break into the facility.  Inside they found several Royal BattleMechs still painted in their Star League Defence Force colours but carrying various Clans insignia alongside.  With these BattleMechs were three designs not seen in a Clan force for centuries three of the original Clan OmniMechs developed by Clan Coyote.  Two were of the Coyotl design a light OmniMech based on the ancient Mercury BattleMech of the Star League while the third was a Lupus Heavy OmniMech.  The sixty ton design became the basis for the Mad Dog OmniMech seen in modern Toumans.

   Quietly informing Clan Coyote of the find Clan Wolf immediately send on Coyotl off world bound for the Inner Sphere Occupation Zone while they prepare for the inevitable trials as the other Clans discover the find and lay claim to it.

Clan Sea Fox Trade Post
Territorial Waters, Kyeinnisan
Independent, Free Worlds League
20th January 3080

   On the outskirts of Luck City on Kyeinnisan in the former Free Worlds League Clan Sea Fox BattleMechs and Battle Armour troops of the Fifty-first Strike Cluster were dying as the Opacus Venatori BattleMechs moved on their positions.  The Sea Fox’s Territorial Waters Khanate only controlled eight percent of the lawless gamblers world and the Opacus Venatori had come directly at them, which is exactly what Captain Stacy Church of the Wolf’s Dragoons had counted on as her Wolf Spider Company revealed themselves.

   “Widow to Berith your Endgame has arrived” she said on an open frequency she could see the massive Red-and-black Mech react to her comm. “Wolf’s Dragoons, engage!” Spying the back of a trailing Mercury light BattleMech and sent a particle cannon blast into the Mech, the light Mech would have struggled to take the hit to its forward armour the rear armour simply disintegrated under her fire.  Falling to the ground there was little chance of a recovery.  As Opacus Venatori BattleMechs turned to face the Black Widows the rest of the Black Widows company opened fire almost as one.  A Mongoose II and a Lightray both crumbled under the fire taken to pieces by concentrated fire from the Wolf‘s Dragoons Mechs.  A scream was heard over the radio channels Stacy Church recognized the inhuman voice and looked at the black-and-red Archangel near the rear of the formation being swarmed by five Sea Fox Elementals.  “Black Widows Unity!  One last push with our Clan brothers let us destroy these vermin.”  She said over an open communication channel letting the Opacus Venatori know their end was near that the Wolf‘s Dragoons and the Clans had had their time with the Word of Blake and it was time for it to end.  Both sides would have heard her and would have seen the Sea Fox Elementals swarm attack they would know that the bane of the clans Berith was in trouble possibly for the first time since the Opacus Venatori revealed themselves.

   With fire hitting the Opacus Venatori from both sides two of the advanced Opacus Venatori OmniMech designs fell under heavy fire the Mechs were impressive and of unknown manufacture but they were till built from the same thing as every other Mech and could still be destroyed.  Stacy changed her target to a heavily damaged and mangled King Crab which had just finished off a Sea Fox Mad Cat II, she knew the design well and knew only one served the Opacus Venatori, the one belonging to Kari Martia a Word of Blake Demi-Precentor who had once commanded the Broadsworld Legion a unit that had betrayed the Wolf’s Dragoons on Outreach during the great Riot which had destroyed much of Harlech and killed Jamie Wolf.  Moving her Zeus closer Stacy fired her Particle cannon and autocannon at the big Mech targeting the left arm she was more than happy to see the limb fall limp as her fire shredded the myomer muscle the arm needed to function.  She was even more happy to see the Mech’s ECM suite housed in the nearby torso go off-line caused by damage from Stacy‘s autocannon blast.  Running forward she closed to point blank distance slamming her Mech into the bigger King Crab, instantly Stacy swung her Mech’s Enhanced Left arm into the King Crab’s ‘gut’ area doubling over the hunched design.  With the PPC now at point blank Stacy fired again seeing the one hundred ton Blake Mech raise off the ground, her display’s showed the particle cannon had fused with the point blank firing however she didn’t care raising her autocannon right arm she fired a solid round of lead into the King Crab’s right shoulder pushing the heavier Blake Mech away with her damaged left arm.  The King Crab staggered backwards straight into Stacy’s medium lasers and another autocannon blast, the lasers scorched the left side of the King Crab however it was the Autocannon that did the real damage soaring higher than previous fire the high explosive shells tore into the head caving in the armour before tearing the whole structure clear of the BattleMech its pilot and all.  The remains of the head came to rest about three hundred metres behind the BattleMech smashing into the ground before rolling almost another one hundred metres there was no chance of pilot survival.

   The King Crab fell away from Stacy’s Zeus just as there was another scream from Berith, Stacy glanced over and saw an Elemental breach the front window of his Archangel.  Even from the hampered view of Stacy’s cockpit she could see there were several large shots from inside the cockpit as the Elemental fell from its perch on the Archangel’s face, the armoured trooper falling lifelessly to the ground beside the Archangel‘s foot.  Moments later another replaced it, there were several more shots from within the cockpit however this time the Elemental trooper fired its short range missile launcher almost at point blank range no doubt killing the trooper but also blowing away almost all the rest of the Archangel’s head armour, amazingly the whole cockpit roof came flying off showing Berith still alive hunched over in the cockpit. The third Elemental did not fail where the others had and swung his battle claw the massive titanium claw connected with the left side of Berith’s head and ripped half his head clean off, the pilot amazingly appeared still conscious as a second swing threw the body of Berith the twelve-and-a half metres to the ground.  The impact slammed crushed his body as the Elemental jumped clear of the OmniMech which finally fell to the ground behind its dead pilot.

   Looking around the Captain Stacy Church could not see a single Opacus Venatori BattleMech active all burning at either a the Black Widows feet or at those of the Sea Fox warriors.  Only six of her own Mechs appeared active and maybe a trinary of Sea Fox units were active but the Opacus Venatori were dead, finally dead perhaps now the Word of Blake menace was finally gone.  The Wolf’s Dragoons and the Wolf Spider Battalion had been avenged, the Clan‘s contract with the Dragoons was over.  “Black Widows call in” she ordered for a final time in the campaign.

   “Unity!”  The survivors called in as one, she noticed several of the Sea Fox warriors had joined them in the call this was their victory as well but it was all the sweeter for Stacy her command made famous by the great Black Widow, Natasha Kerensky, had proven its worth and been victorious against a foe well worth of being called the Dragoons rival.  The Wolf Spider would stay on planet for a few days but soon they would head home to Outreach, victorious.

Raider Landing Zone
Orkney, Taurian Concordat
22nd January 3080

   After chasing the pirate raider group from New Dagda through a series of empty systems following radiation spikes and garbage left behind them.  The Nova Cat Irregulars Cluster enters the Taurian Concordat system of Orkney right at the edge of the Periphery nation.

   On the ground they detect the lone Leopard PA-class DropShip and choose to deal with it in the best way suited for raiders.  With the Swift Strike in low orbit over the Leopard’s position ready to lay down capital weapons fire if required the Nova Cats landed all around the landing site and moved in.  Unfortunately for the local Taurian militia commander he was dealing with the raiders at the time of the landing.

   Completely cut off from their base and the rest of the militia four of the Taurian Mechs were destroyed in the first salvo which also wiped out a raider jump platoon.  Unwilling to be captured the Leopard attempted a take off unaware of the Swift Strike’s presence, from orbit the Swift Strike’s naval autocannon and naval class lasers cut through the atmosphere engulfing the DropShip in fire before it was one hundred metres from the ground.

   The remaining pirate infantry and the remains of the Taurian force were subsequently wiped out by the remaining Nova Cat ground forces before the Clansmen retreated off world before the Taurians could react.  When the rest of the Taurian militia force arrived at the sight of the battle they found the remains of a battle which the militia’s deputy commander immediately blamed on a Davion raid that his commander had thwarted.

Titan Shipyards
Terra System, Star League Protectorate
23rd January 3080

   The Titan shipyards bring the SLS Wild Scream online for the Star League Defence Force.  This vessel an Aegis-class Heavy Cruiser dating back to the first Star League and is re-named after the first Mech champion of the original Gunslinger programme.  Following an upgrade program the SLS Wild Scream is no-longer a standard Aegis-class Heavy Cruiser instead it is classed as a Patriot-class Heavy Cruiser named for the same refit program the Nova Cats have begun with their own Aegis-class vessels.

   The SLS Wild Scream is not due to enter SLDF service until 3083 so the Star League Admiralty keep the vessel’s existence a secret from outside eyes intent on making the Star League’s Navy a force to be reckoned with.  In an effort to increase security in Terra's Kuiper Belt following Dr. Lear's recent discovery the Wild Scream's shakedown cruise will take it directly past the newly found research post.

Castle Randis
Hope, Nova Cat’s Den
Periphery
25th January 3080

   Trouble erupts on Hope within the Nova Cat’s Den as the two off planet Brotherhood Clusters raised on Randis return to the planet abandoning their posts with Delta and Rho Galaxies two of the Clusters abandoning the Nouveaux Paris Colony in the Deep Periphery.  At the same time as the two Cluster’s arrival the Third Brotherhood Cluster of Zeta Galaxy attacks the Garrison force on the planet, the Ninety-ninth Battle Cluster of Upsilon Galaxy.

   As the Third Brotherhood and the Ninety-ninth battle on the planet the First and Second Brotherhood Cluster’s hot-drop on top of Castle Randis the mountain top stronghold of the former Brotherhood of Randis.  There they are joined by Sister Knight Amy Frews who declares herself the new Grand Knight of Randis.  Star Colonel Lucas Beckett former commander of the First Brotherhood Cluster is seen fighting with the Ninety-ninth Battle Cluster before his Kingfisher is destroyed in heavy fighting against a lance of previously unseen HawkWolf BattleMechs, these locally designed Mechs had been only on designers boards when the Nova Cats had arrived but all four were now fully operational combat capable designs built under the Nova Cats noses.

   The remains of the Third Brotherhood Cluster and both fresh First and Second Clusters maul the Ninety-ninth Battle Cluster for three days as it fights a running battle surprisingly aided by the native population against the Brotherhood forces.  After three days however the Cluster is no more than a shell when the three Brotherhood units surround and destroy the Nova Cat unit.  The three days bought by the Ninety-ninth’s survival however bought Nova Cat loyalists enough time to send a message to New Barcella requesting reinforcements against the new Brotherhood.

[Dragon Cat]

Brotherhood Territory
Hope, Nova Cat’s Den
Periphery
8th February 3080

   Barely a week passed between the rebirth of the Brotherhood of Randis and the Nova Cat’s response.  During this week the various Galaxy Commanders bid for their right to join Khan Canin Rosse’s Watch Cluster in assaulting Hope.  After a week of bidding Galaxy Commander Sophie Rosse and Upsilon Galaxy were successful with a bid of three Clusters taken from her five remaining units it was poetic that the Galaxy that had been wronged would join their Khan.

   On the morning of the eighth the WarShips Severn Leroux, Blood Oath and Vision Quest all entered the Hope system securing the Jump points within minutes.  With the Clan flagship and two Heavy Cruisers in the system the Brotherhood’s nearly exclusive ground forces had no chance of countering them.

   Burning to the planet the Watch Cluster landed on and around Castle Randis while Upsilon Galaxy landed in and around the capital.  “Watch Leader to all units.  Report status.”  Canin ordered as his Dragon Cat moved slowly through the almost deserted Castle which had obviously been on fire very recently.

   “My Khan, we are encountering no resistance in the Castle what-so-ever.”  Star Commander Paul said he commanded the Khan’s Elemental Star attached directly to his Trinary.

   “Justice One, we are under heavy fire within the capital, count at least two Cluster of troops including armed industrial designs and previously unseen BattleMech designs.”  Galaxy Commander Sophie Rosse reported from her position, it appeared her Galaxy was taking the brunt of the damage.

   “Watch Lead, Justice One, we are on our way.  Hold them you are the anvil we are the hammer.”  Canin said switching to his unit’s command frequency “Watch Leader to Watch Cluster, abandon the castle.  Upsilon is under attack, change positions cut down all Brotherhood Mechs no quarter no chance.”  He ordered turning his Dragon Cat out of the facility charging down the hill towards the city, ahead he could see plenty of fighting.

   Deep within the City’s bounds Galaxy Commander Sophie Rosse gritted her teeth as her Dire Wolf Assault OmniMech took some armour damage.  Her one hundred ton monster was rare in the Nova Cat Touman, the Nova Cats unable to secure full manufacturing rights from Clan Wolf, and the configuration she preferred was probably unique.  Possibly the most expensive variant of the design, a variation of the Alternate C weapons load, it carried a pair of the largest Heavy Assault Gauss Rifles one taking up each arm, four Extended-Range Medium Lasers split between the two torso areas and a nine-tube Advanced Tactical Missile Launcher over the shoulder.

   Turning on the enemy Mech she saw it was a forty-five ton Shadow Cat OmniMech, a popular medium OmniMech within the Nova Cat Touman, Sophie almost snarled at the design a Clan OmniMech wearing Nova Cat colours and she was firing on it.  The Shadow Cat tried to run but Sophie was methodical launching a full attack on the Mech firing both her HAG Rifles scoring hits across the design.  The medium design lost more than two tons of armour in less than ten seconds, forcing the Mech out of control, the Mech staggered and fell smashing into the ground the pilot unable to counter Sophie‘s attack.  Stalking up to the downed OmniMech Sophie fired all four Medium lasers burning through the torso armour puncturing the engine shielding forcing the Mech into shutdown and forcing the pilot to eject.

   Across the city a pair of Nova Cat Pack Hunters were moving through the city searching for targets as they led their Star into a Brotherhood stronghold.  Ahead they saw a single BattleMech painted in browns and gold fighting against two other Mechs as they approached a lower-caste crèche facility.  As they closed the Mech lifted its left arm and fired a tightly packed flight of missiles past them, the pilots could tell the Mech had missed intentionally and instead of closing further began to pick at it with their over shoulder particle cannons.  Instead of engaging them the Mech instead turned and charged the Brotherhood Mechs firing its autocannon and inferno packing short range missiles as it went downing three Mechs in head induced shutdowns followed by precision Autocannon blasts to the head executing each of the downed warriors without mercy.  Knowing they could not hope to take down a proficient fighter alone they did something almost alien to other Clans but exactly what a scout needed to do they called in the enemy Mech’s position and moved to the next target knowing that returning Hope to Nova Cat control was more important in the long run than short term honour.

   As Khan Canin Rosse approached the location of the mysterious fighting BattleMech reported by his scouts he could see the battered Mech still standing guard over the crèche.  “This is Khan Canin Rosse to unidentified BattleMech, I have come to retake this planet for Clan Nova Cat.  If it is your choice to oppose me then your skill affords you a Circle of Equals defeat me and you will be allowed to live.”  he announced over an open communication frequency everyone had heard his challenge.

   “This is Star Colonel Lucas Beckett, I defend this world in the name of the people of Hope.  If you threaten the people of this world then you threaten me.”  A reply came a few moments later Canin was stunned of all the people he’d expected to fight today he’d found the one person he wanted to see.

   “What is the meaning of this Lucas?”  Canin asked dropping both the man’s former rank and Bloodname “why turn against Clan Nova Cat and then against your own people?”

   “I have turned against no-one my Khan, I protect the people of Hope native and Nova Cat-born, I do not know your intentions so I stand against you.  If you mean the people of this world harm then I will stand in your way.”

   “How can this have happened?  How can your people have turned against the Nova Cat way?”

   “I do not know, I was following a vision when I returned here several months ago.  My people were on Nouveaux Paris, they have betrayed me as well as you.”  Canin’s head was swirling he’d known of the Oathmaster’s authorisation for Lucas Beckett to return to Hope to follow a vision but following the attempted coup on the world Canin had thought that the Star Colonel’s ‘vision’ had been a ploy.  Now he saw a warrior proud of his people and his Clan.

   “I do not mean you ill Lucas Beckett, nor the population of this world, will you join me in eradicating the remains of these Dezgra?”

   “It would be an honour as long as this crèche is protected.”  Lucas Beckett said raising both of his Mech’s arms wide showing his Mech as a barrier against all fire.

   “It shall be, come now we have work to do.”  Canin said turning his back on Lucas heading towards more enemy signals, if Beckett wanted to betray him he would shoot the Khan in the back and Canin knew his Keshik would destroy him but also that he had to show he trusted Becket with his back.  There was no fire against the Khan’s Mech only the strange Mech following the Dragon Cat.

   Over the course of the next three hours Canin, Lucas and the elements of Upsilon Galaxy re-secured Hope one city at a time destroying nearly three Clusters of Brotherhood troops on planet.  Among these rebel facilities the Nova Cats discovered nearly three companies worth of a BattleMech named the HawkWolf.  From Lucas Beckett’s knowledge the Mech was designed locally by the Brotherhood of Randis but had never reached production, now the Nova Cats could see the people of Hope had followed their own endeavours and created the Mech themselves no doubt using Nova Cat technology and resources to finish the work.

   During the course of the fighting the Khan learned that Lucas Beckett’s Mech was a Rampage 2G.  This Mech designed by and for the Rim Worlds Republic had been sold to one of the Periphery nations before the fall of the Star League to Amaris.  The Mech was old even by standards of the Rampage design one of the first to be produced, this particular model had been found by the Brotherhood of Randis years before the arrival of Clan Nova Cat and been stored at a secret location only the Grand Knight knew of.  When Lucas’ OmniMech had been destroyed he sought out the old cache and chose to take the Rampage to war once more.  How the more advanced Clan weaponry used by the majority of his opponents had not overwhelmed the Mech was a testament to Lucas Beckett’s skill.

   With the destruction of the last renegade Brotherhood Mechs the Nova Cats were able to piece together, from figures gathered of the units TO&E and from records of their arrival that a Trinary of Mechs was missing along with a single Union C-class DropShip.  None had disappeared during the fighting and the WarShips reported no out going traffic from the system, so they must have left before the arrival of the Nova Cat reinforcement.  From information provided by Lucas Beckett it became clear that Amy Frews had been a leading figure in the uprising and that she was still missing from the dead Brotherhood units, it appeared that at least some of the Brotherhood would live on at least until the Nova Cats found them.  Following the battle it was also confirmed that the Justice Keshik had been destroyed in the fighting along with Galaxy Commander Sophie Rosse, robbing Upsilon Galaxy of its commander, however that would be a fight for another day.
 
Trials of Possession
Paxon, Kerensky Cluster
Clan Homeworlds
12th February 3080

   Unhappy with the Wolf Clan’s decision to exclude them from the Brian Cache find Clans Star Adder, Steel Viper and Fire Mandrill all decide to assault the planet brining with them ground and naval forces.  Unfortunately for them all three Clans arrive at the same time.  In a confusing melee all three Clans WarShip forces engage each other at the Nadir point of the system as the ground forces run towards the planet charging straight into a Clan Wolf Naval Blockade.

   At the Nadir point the Goliath Scorpion WarShip Bernlad, a Congress-class Frigate, found themselves engaged by the Perth, a Sovetskii Soyuz-class Heavy Cruiser in the service of Clan Star Adder.  While the Andromeda, a Volga-class Transport, joined their Ground troops of Rho Galaxy running towards the planet.  The Bernlad had little chance against the heavier armed and better supported Perth and was quickly dispatched.

   The Steel Viper WarShip Viper’s Legacy, another Sovetskii Soyuz-class Heavy Cruiser, found itself challenged by the second Star Adder WarShip the Harvest, a Lola III-class Destroyer.  The two classic Star League designs engaged in a traditional snipers dual engaging each other at long range which benefited the Viper’s Legacy over the Harvest.  By the time the inexperienced Lola crew recognized their mistake the Harvest was far too badly damaged to fight further and the crew abandoned ship only to be taken as bondsmen by Clan Star Adder.  The heavily battered Harvest drifted into Paxon’s star exploding like a massive fusion bomb.

   The two remaining damaged Sovetskii Soyuz-class Heavy Cruisers, one each from both Clan Steel Viper and Clan Star Adder, agreed that they would not fight further instead allow the ground battle to decide their position in the system.  This also effectively ruled both out of any further participation in the system’s Trials.

   Three days later in orbit of Paxon itself the Goliath Scorpions arrived to meet the Provider, a Volga-class Transport and the Night Warrior, a Carrack-class Transport, the only two Clan Wolf vessels in the system.  The Andromeda’s crew challenged both WarShips for battle at the same time buying the Goliath Scorpion ground troops safe passage to the ground.  The Wolf WarShips fought strategically the heavier armed and armoured Provider taking the brunt of her sister ship’s attention while the Night Warrior moved behind the Goliath Scorpion vessel.  Unable to split fire between two vessels and too slow to move clear the Andromeda was almost completely helpless as Wolf Elemental Warriors wearing Aerie Zero-G Power Armour Suits crossed the distance between the two vessels and boarded the vessel.  Within a minute the fifty Elementals deployed had secured every deck and the three hundred crew and passengers of the Andromeda were either captured or dead providing Clan Wolf with another much needed Transport WarShip.  Unfortunately the damage done to both Volga-class WarShips was enough to keep them away from the incoming Steel Viper and Star Adder Galaxies while the Night Warrior was ordered to stay out of the fight.

   As the Goliath Scorpion, Steel Viper and Star Adder ground forces landed on the planet at various landing spots across the world the Clan Wolf Galaxy Commander on planet Sandra Vickers announced that her Werewolves, Kappa Galaxy, would be happy to meet their challenges as would Galaxy Commander Jered Steele of Clan Coyote’s Rho Galaxy who had just taken custody of twenty-five percent of the planet and half of the Brain Cache.  The presence of the Coyote’s stalled the declaration of initial Trials beyond the first door throwing the door open for Clan Coyote forces to launch their own campaign challenging Clan Goliath Scorpion to a series of Trials calculating in the destruction of the Tenth Scorpion Dragoons Cluster and the Goliath Scorpion’s ejection from the planet.

   Seeing the Goliath Scorpion challenge fall to the Coyotes the two remaining Clans immediately launched trials against the Wolves and the Coyotes.  Clan Steel Viper happy to beat the Coyotes instead of the Wolves immediately seized five percent of the Coyote territory destroying the remains of the Four hundred-and-second Solahma Cluster forcing other Coyote units to take in survivors.  The remaining three Coyote Clusters counter-attacked however and forced the Steel Vipers back to their landing zones.  A third trial saw the Steel Vipers ejected from the planet as the Thirty-third Phalanx Cluster lost their trial forcing their troops to abandon the planet rejoining their WarShip.

   With Clan Coyote showing they were worthy of the trust Clan Wolf had placed with them the Werewolves launched an all out Trial against the warriors of Clan Star Adder’s Tau Galaxy more than proving their strength and prowess but at a heavy cost.  The Wolf troops uncontrollable anger cost the lives of almost every warrior of the 101st Battle Cluster however the Wolves cared little as they had successfully defended their claim to the system.

Hell’s Horses Assault
Occupation Zone
Inner Sphere
22nd February 3080

   Clan Hell’s Horses’ Beta Galaxy, the Apocalypse, arrived in the Inner Sphere transported by the WarShip Steel Shield, a Potemkin-class Troop Transport, dropping onto Maxis Planet, Trell I and Derf taking all three planets in rapid fire assaults.  These assaults threaten the stability of the Jade Falcon Occupation Zone threatening to cut off the Lyran Periphery part of the Occupation Zone and the Inner Sphere.  At approximately the same time the Red Knight, Gold Knight, two Lola III-class Destroyer, and the Predator, an Essex-class Destroyer, all entered the Dark Nebula driving Jade Falcon forces from the area claiming it for Clan Hell’s Horses.

[FedSunsBorn]

New updates and a new First Lord of the Star League, nice.

Looks like the Brotherhood of Randis is no more.... :( Oh well.

[Dragon Cat]

Kelswa Family Residence
Glasgow, Skye
Isle of Skye, Lyran Commonwealth
4th March 3080

   A bag-piper played as Colonel Alexander Carlyle walked into the Royal Residence of the Kelswa family.  Although not used to being played into a residence he did see the need for the symbolic playing showing Skye’s routes to Scotland on Terra.  He was guided through the corridors to an official reception nature with Duke Robert Ryan Kelswa-Steiner sitting on what could only be described as a throne chair.  Alex couldn’t help but wonder what the Steiner family on Tharkad would think of the display however for now he had to put on his best behaviour bowing slightly.

   “Welcome to Skye Baron von Glengarry, I hope your trip was pleasant?”  He greeted using Alex’s official House title, that that linked the Gray Death to the Lyran Commonwealth.

   “It was sire thank you for the invitation.”

   “Colonel, I will get straight to the point.  Your unit’s history with the Skye region has been troubled” he began trust the Duke to bring up the Skye rebellions and the Gray Death Legion’s stand against them “however I’m sure now that the Lyran Archon has seen that Skye’s desire for independence should be embraced and not fought that your unit will work with us.”

   “Of course sire, we are mercenary warriors unless our home is threatened we will work for those who pay.”

   “Ah yes of course loyalty to the C-Bill, I can respect that even if I disagree with it.  Tell me Colonel how would you like for your unit to be working for the nation that has housed if for so many years?”

   “We are of course happy to work for House Steiner.”

   “Of course.”  The Duke said with a tight smile Alex knew he’d meant House Kelswa and Skye not Tharkad.  “Well House Kelswa is able to hire forces to augment its own and House Steiner’s and I would like to hire the Gray Death Legion as a whole and individual units for at the minimum a year.”

   “I am interested.”  Alex said the contract with the Star League was over of course his unit would be willing to look for another contract, the Duke knew that.

   “Good, at first it would be individual Battalions to train with our new training Battalions, including our newest the Gladius Battalion however I’d be looking at using the Gray Death Legion for larger operations in the near future.”

   “I would be interested Cadre Duty is dull but the promise of combat is always a nice prospect.”

   “Good, I will ensure contract details reach your desk on Glengarry.”

   “And I will give them due attention.”

   “Thank you for your time Colonel”

   “Of course Sire.”  Alex said bowing again before leaving tying the Gray Death Legion to Skye would ensure that their homes were safe even if Alex’s loyalty was to Tharkad overall.

Wolf Clan Hall
Tamar City, Tamar
Wolf Occupation Zone
10th March 3080

   Unhappy with the years of peace and with Katrina Wolf’s position on Tamar Star Colonel Ivan Kerensky a member of Khan Vlad Ward’s inner circle entered the Wolf Clan Hall on Tamar and saw the Wolf Khan standing near a table ahead with three other warriors and saKhan Marialle Radick.  “Planning an operation?”  He asked his Khan looking directly at him not caring who he had interrupted.

   “Studying our enemy’s movements, Clan Jade Falcon’s Occupation Zone is weakened by the Hell’s Horse assaults.  We are preparing a series of Trials.”

   “Why bother with Periphery worlds?  If the Jade Falcons and Horses want to fight over scraps and backwards worlds why do we care?  Khan Ward we returned to the Inner Sphere to conqueror Terra yet it is nearly fifteen years since the end of the Tukayyid Truce brokered by Ulric expired and yet we are no closer to our goal.  Instead we fight with the other Clans over the worlds we conquered thirty years ago.  I ask why?”

   “We are preparing our people, when the time is right the Wolf will strike.”

   “Will it…”   It was not a question though a statement of intent.

   “That sounded like a challenge.”

   “It was, you are either unwilling or unable to lead us, someone who is willing to take the fight to the Inner Sphere should.  Khan Ward I challenge your position to lead Clan Wolf.  Choose your time and place to defend yourself.”

   “The challenge will be un-augmented, the time and place will be right here right now in front of the witnesses present.”  Vlad said shrugging off his fur lined jacket to reveal a light t-shirt with the Wolf Insignia on it.

   “You may have time to prepare.”

   “I need none to defeat a whelp like you Ivan unless you wish to take back your challenge Quineg?”

   “Neg.”  He said dropping into a combat stance, Vlad began to move in a circle and Ivan mirrored him, the two began to spar testing each others defences a punch, a kick, another punch. Neither seeing an opening against the other.  Although both men were well into their fifty’s to sixties they moved like men half their age as they sparred attacked and dodged.  This could not continue however and after a few minutes of fighting Ivan had Vlad on the ground and was repeatedly punching the Khan in the face and upper chest.  Vlad attempted to counter with his legs however Ivan grabbed his Vlad’s left leg and twisted the ankle to an awkward position instantly breaking the bone there.  Vlad Ward screamed in pain and anger and attempted to pull Ivan to the ground with him but it his left ankle little more than a stump he had no way to stop the Star Colonel’s movements or his strikes.  As more and more strikes flew in Vlad’s ribs were nearly all broken before Ivan came face to face with his Khan “And now you die.”

   “As long as you die with me” Vlad said grabbing Ivan around the neck snapping it just before Vlad passed out and within moments died from internal injuries. Behind Marielle Radick smiled she could not have planned it better, both her chief opponents to ruler ship of the Wolves was dead.

   “With the Khan dead I proclaim myself Khan until a Grand Melee can be called to determine Vlad’s successor.  And I order all of these Trials to be initiated; we are to bring Clan Wolf back to the fore of Clan politics.”  She said she knew if Clan Wolf became embroiled in a war then there would be no Trials for some time and she would remain in command.

   “Neg, Marielle Radick, the other Clans can wait a few more days.  We will have a melee and our new Khan by right of combat not politics will choose our direction.”  Loremaster Karen Carns said from a chair at the the back of the room, Marielle had not even noticed her enter the room, and she knew that Karen Carns could overrule anything Marielle wanted to do, but there was one thing that Marielle knew she would not.

   “Then there is one thing I will order.”  Marielle said “something that a saKhan can order as much as any Khan.  It is my order that Katrina Wolf will leave this world immediately she is released from her bondsman status as Khan Ward is dead and is to be assigned to Omega Galaxy at the first available opportunity.”  She said glancing over at Katrina Wolf in the corner she’d been staying out of the Trials and had been able to remain silent following Vlad’s death.  She’d been a bondsman for far too long and now her Inner Sphere stench could be released from Tamar and the Wolf Command.

   “Seyla” Karen Carns said in agreement Katrina Wolf was on her way to War.

Clan Jade Falcon Border
Melissa Theatre, Lyran Commonwealth
15th March 3080

   Not knowing of Clan Wolf’s internal problems Clan Jade Falcon had their own concerns, seeing the possibility of their Occupation Zone being cut in half by the Hell’s Horses but unwilling to fight over periphery scraps with another Clan instead they turned their attention on the Lyran Commonwealth’s salient into their territory Beta VII, Hot Springs, Roadside, Blackjack and Goat’s Path.  If the Jade Falcons could take these worlds and hold them their Occupation Zone would be secure and the Lyran Commonwealth world of Melissa would be under even more pressure.

   Launching on early March 15th eight Clusters from Delta and Gamma Galaxy supported by several WarShips launched an attack on their targeted worlds.  First to fall was Beta VII the last world to be ‘liberated’ by the Lyran Commonwealth on the planet was the Lyran’s Eleventh Arcturan Guards RCT a veteran unit of previous Clan incursions.  The First Falcon Hussars of Delta Galaxy supported by the newly formed Fourth Falcon Hussars of Gamma Galaxy landed on the world.  The Lyran commander unwilling to engage in a honourable trial but also unwilling to abandon his fortified positions was pinned in position by the Falcons before being killed in a Headhunter attack by Jade Falcon Elementals and ProtoMechs.  This forced the Eleventh Arcturan into a general retreat unsure if their lines were secure from Elemental assaults.

   On Hot Springs the Second Hussars found the Mobile Fire Regiment waiting for them.  The unit had been decimated sixteen years before fighting the Draconis Combine on Accrington and did not plan to end in the same way twice.  Unfortunately for the Mobile Fire the Jade Falcons refused to see them as honourable warriors instead treating them like Dezgra.  Informed from Star Colonel Martin Hazen that a WarShip would shoot down any and all DropShips the Mobile Fire were forced to fight a series of battles against the Jade Falcons which whittled down their forces to less than a combat Battalion.  As no Mobile Fire personnel escaped it is thought they were destroyed.

   Ignoring the Star League garrison force on Roadside the next Jade Falcon assaults appeared on the 16th striking Blackjack and Goat’s Path with the Third Hussars Cluster and the Second Velites Cluster of Delta Galaxy.  On Blackjack the Second Biron’s Legion Mercenary Regiment met the Third Hussars.  Unlike the Second Hussars Star Colonel Drake was happy to see the mercenary force fight an honourable battle.  Fighting a Battalion vs. Double Trinary battle on open plains the Second Biron lost the battle and was forced off planet.

   Following these attacks on the Seventeenth taking advantage of recent Clan Wolf attacks the Second Falcon Strike Cluster of the Jade Falcons Gamma Galaxy launched an attack on Kooken’s Pleasure Pit.  On the planet they found the Storm’s Metal Thunder Mercenary Regiment with their Assault Mechs.  The fast Medium and Light Mechs of the Falcon Strike Cluster got close to the assault designs depositing three full stars worth of Elementals amongst the Storm’s Metal Thunder before retreating allowing their aerospace forces to engage in mass bombing runs against the Metal Thunder flanks.  As a final charge the mercenary force broke and began to splinter but it was too late the unit was killed to the man.

   Finally on Goat’s Path the Jade Falcon Guard Cluster under command of Star Colonel Horse landed and found themselves challenged by elements of the Fourth Donegal Guards RCT who claimed they had already determined what forces from their number would defend the world and it was up to the Jade Falcon Guard to match them.  After a brief bidding process between the Clan forces they found a unit capable of fighting the Jade Falcons and went to work.  Star Colonel Horse noticed the Lyran force was playing a waiting game almost as though they were expecting reinforcements.  In truth they had received word that the LCS Barcelona, a Hyperion-class Heavy Cruiser, was on its way to support them.  Unfortunately for the Lyrans the Jade Aerie, a Jade Falcon Black Lion-class Battle-cruiser arrived first, the arrival of the Jade Falcon vessel was enough for the Lyran unit to retreat from the battle.

Command Briefing
Wolf Clan Hall, Tamar
Wolf Occupation Zone
14th March 3080

   “My fellow Wolves, it is time that we embraced our desires, we returned to the Inner Sphere to save Terra and become the ilClan and as of today we begin that push once more.”  New Wolf Khan Nathan Fetladral said looking at the assembled warriors.  He was twenty-eight years old had blue eyes and blonde hair a rarity within the Fetladral Bloodhouse but looks mattered little in Wolf Society.  During his initial Trial of Position he had defeated three opponents for the rank of Star Captain.  Last year he’d become a Star Colonel fighting Clan Star Adder in the Homeworlds then this year he had become a Galaxy Commander of Theta Galaxy “I have spoken with our new saKhan Jennifer Winson and we agree, the footholds we have already made into the Jade Falcon space has to be built on and the Lyran Commonwealth has to be our goal.”

   “As of this day and this order, Clan Wolf is on the hunt” Jennifer Winson said stepping forward like her Khan Jennifer Winson was young only twenty-two years old she’d been a Star Colonel before becoming saKhan.  “As a result Trials will be initiated with Jabuka, Fort Loudon, Meacham and Kelenfold of the Jade Falcon Occupation Zone.  Trials will also be initiated for Toumans, Rasalgethi, Borghese and Blue Diamond of the Lyran Commonwealth assuming initial strikes go to plan.”

   “All of these worlds are within our grasp our warriors are to make this ring true.”  Nathan Fetladral said looking at each of the stunned Star Colonels, none had expected the Wolves to target so many worlds.

   The Wolves struck on the 17th March with the Fifty-third Wolf Champions Cluster striking against the Eighth Talon Cluster on Jabuka capturing the world in a fast trial.  At the same time an airborne assault was launched on Fort Loudon as the Ninth Wolf Strike Cluster, which had nearly two full aerospace Trinaries, attacked the Third Falcon Talon Cluster’s third Trinary defeating them in a fast Trial.

Ghost Bear Border
Jade Falcon Occupation Zone
18th March 3080

   Hearing of Clan Wolf’s new Khan and his new plan the Rasalhague Dominion’s Ghost Bear warriors decided to ensure that the Wolves did not get any ideas into their heads about attacking Ghost Bear space.  The Ghost Bear’s Eighteenth Battle Cluster of Rho Galaxy attacked Meacham, one of the Jade Falcon worlds specifically targeted in these new attacks.  Throwing the first and second trinaries of the Jade Falcon’s Third Talon Cluster off the world the Ghost Bears reinforced their position by deploying the Ursla Major, a Nightlord-class Battleship, to support their ground troops and move materials in.  As a result of these moves the Wolf Khan made a point to take Meacham off the strike list.

Wolf Border
Arcturus Theatre
Lyran Commonwealth
19th March 3080

   With two success achieved and one world off the target list the Wolves targeted Kelenfold, the closest Jade Falcon world to Terra.  Based there was Third Falcon Lancers Cluster of Alpha Galaxy there the unit commander informed the Wolf Commander of the Third Wolf Assault Cluster that they would stand until the death against all invaders.  In an eighteen hour long trial the Third Falcon Lancers were completely destroyed by Clan Wolf’s invasion force however the Wolf Cluster was decimated by the damage done.

   At the same time Wolf units launched strikes at Toumans and Rasalgethi capturing both in fast trials taking the mix of Lyran and Mercenary defenders by surprise.  The presence of Wolf Naval forces supporting their ground forces persuaded the defenders not to attempt anything foolhardy.  The Wolves allow the defeated ground forces to retreat from the planet unhindered content with retaining control of both worlds.

Unnamed Star System
Matsuida Prefecture
Draconis Combine
25th March 3080

   Just outside the gravity well of an unnamed and uncharted star system in the Matsuida Prefecture of the Draconis Combine a single unmarked Monolith-class JumpShip appeared in the blink of an eye dispatching eight identical unmarked DropShips.  These ships quickly moved into two groups of four as the Monolith jumped clear of the system leaving the DropShips alone.

   Sixteen hours later the DropShips began to approach an area of activity.  Splitting towards separate targets the DropShips moved quickly towards two partially reactivated WarShips.  As they closed on these vessels weapons began lighting up the sky as the DropShips were detected.  Defending Aerospace fighters joint the fray however it was too late to stop four DropShips deploying their payloads of Battle Armour onto one of the vessels.  As a battle raged in space around the vessel, with DropShips falling quickly to the combined defenders firepower onboard the vessel the elite battle armour took out the tech crew defending the vessel blasting clear of its scaffolding cocoon, then targeting the second WarShip with a full barrage from its forward weapons destroying any chance of the defenders recovering the vessel.  One of the remaining DropShips slammed into the derelict WarShip further damaging it beyond repair.

   Moments later the captured vessel jumped clear of the region and House Davion had recovered part of its heritage a Robinson Block I-class Transport.  The DMI troopers who had taken part had taken heavy losses but they’d been successful.

Clan Trials
New Haiti, Nova Cat’s Den
27th March 3080

   After a month of Trials and Circles of Equals Star Colonel Lucas Beckett, former Brotherhood of Randis Leader and Brotherhood Cluster commander, is confirmed as commander of Upsilon Galaxy beating several other warriors.  Many within Clan Nova Cat do not trust him but his prowess in his modified Rampage BattleMech is almost completely unequalled.

Clan Jade Falcon Border
Melissa Theatre, Lyran Commonwealth
30th March 3080

   In a combined effort including units from the Lyran Commonwealth, various Mercenary commands, three Clan Wolf (in-Exile) Clusters with two WarShips and two Star League Defence Force Regiments launch a counter attack against the Jade Falcon forces.  Fighting over four worlds they recapture Adelaide, Medellin, Machida and Zhongshan almost completely eliminating the Jade Falcon’s inroads into the Theatre and rescuing Melissa’s trade routes.  In an additional attack Clan Wolf (in-Exile) liberates A Place from the Falcons.

[snakespinner]

Katrina will have to work for a living, oh the shame. ;D

[BradGB]

Great Work O0
 
Katrina is 48 at 3080 so she will become a solahma

[Dragon Cat]

Great Work O0
 
Katrina is 48 at 3080 so she will become a solahma

She was assigned to Omega Galaxy can't get worse for her... oh wait...  >:D


SLS Wild Scream
Pirate Point, Sol System
Star League Protectorate
9th April 3080

   In an empty piece of space just outside the orbit of Mercury in the Sol system the SLS Wild Scream sat and waited.  Although the newly refitted Patriot-class vessel was still officially on a shakedown cruise it had been called on to answer the call and assist in this delicate mission.  The Ship's Captain, Garret Cooper, had been ordered to rendezvous with a SLDF Diplomatic Shuttle and wait at these coordinates until further notice the Wild Scream had sat here in dead space well off regular routes to the Nadir point for eighteen hours now and it was becoming slightly tiresome.  "Anything from Terra?"

   "Negative sir, we are still fully black on communications as per orders, as far as they are concerned we don't exist."  His communications specialist reported Garret was half tempted to go below decks and personally question the SLDF Diplomat in guest quarters about this waiting game.

   "Sir, radiation spike, we have an incoming vessel."

   "Strange place to be coming in, have gun crews stand by."

   "Belay that Captain" Star League Council Representative Mason McRae said floating into the Wild Screams Command Centre.

   "Mr McRae, you do not issue orders on my ship."  The Commander said pleased to notice his crew continuing to make preparations.

   "Captain, this is a sensitive mission our visitors may not appreciate weapons being thrust into their face."

   "Mr McRae, again I say this is Star League space and they will like it or lump it."  The Captain said there was several moments of silence on the bridge as preparations continued.  Three minutes later there was another radiation flare accompanied by a flash of light and the appearance of another ship.  "Analysis" the captain ordered glancing at his external camera feeds.

   "Sir, the vessel appears to be a Volga-class Transport definitely Clan in origin. Ninety percent certain it's the Bold Venture, Clan Sea Fox."  The sensor operator said glancing over at his Captain who turned to observe Mason McRae smile, obviously what he had expected.

   "Captain Cooper, prepare to receive a single Clan Sea Fox DropShip at one of this ship's docking ports and ask a squad of marines to meet me at the hatch.  Once they are attached set a course for the Vision of Truth wreck."

   "What exactly is this McRae? Clansmen in the Sol System."

   "They are here to begin work on the Vision of Truth, the Council has decided to make something of it instead of letting it drift out there.  The Bold Venture is going nowhere.  We will take their DropShip to the Vision of Truth and return them when they have finished with the wreck."

   "And what is to stop the Bold Venture sneaking away and striking at Terra while our back is turned?"

   "Two Starward Satellites have been secreted in the area, the Bold Venture knows this and any attempt by it to move or interfere with Sol System operations is being monitored.  If they decided to move we have assets in the area that will take care of them including two stealth equipped nuclear warheads.  The Wild Scream is here only as a deterrent."  He said turning and leaving the Command Centre.  Garret cursed that his ship was being treated so poorly, it was tough being the new ship in the fleet.
 
Training Grounds
Defiance, Crucis March
Federated Suns
12th April 3080

   Contest between Clan Nova Cat's Second Watch Cluster and First Defiance Training Battalion on Defiance in the Federated Suns.  The Second Watch Cluster fields several Inner Sphere OmniMech designs retrofitted with Clan technology.  This surprising firepower catches out the Federated Suns MechWarriors and they are easily beaten by the Nova Cat force.

   In addition to this meeting of the Federated Suns and Nova Cat forces a combined arms squadron from the Wild Geese Mercenary Regiment, which are on planet using Defiance’s advanced training environments, take part in a gunnery competition with several Nova Cat warriors.  The Wild Geese warriors prove themselves a match for the Nova Cats eventually Corporal Jasper Cooper piloting his ARC-9M Archer BattleMech beating MechWarrior Tamara, a Nova Cat Warrior piloting a new Nova Cat Sphinx BattleMech in the final trial.  Tamara refuses to accept the defeat for Clan Nova Cat instead becoming the bondsman of the victorious Wild Geese, despite the Wild Geese Commander’s refusal of her choice to join.  When the Nova Cat commander refuses to accept Tamara back into his command the Wild Geese are stuck with her and her BattleMech.

Capellan Shipyards
Trznadel Star Cluster
Magistracy of Canopus Commonality
Capellan Confederation
19th April 3080

   Built in secret even from local Canopian leaders a new Capellan Confederation Shipyard opens in the volatile Trznadel Star Cluster region of the Magistracy of Canopus.  This shipyard will be capable of producing WarShips and JumpShips and will be defended by the Hell's Black Aces until sufficient Battle Armour and Aerospace Assets can be assigned.  Work begins at the shipyards beginning to lay down the keel of the next Feng Huang-class Cruiser.

New Earth Trading Company
New Earth, Lyran Commonwealth
Star League Protectorate
24th April 3080

   Star League High Command announces that New Earth will be the permanent base world of the First Special Operations Group, they have been based on the world since the Mopelia Island Attacks.  At present SLDF and various Aid personnel outnumber civilians by 3-to-1.  With building work planned on a Disease Control Facility and a new HPG complex the Star League tries to promote growth by buying a large stake into New Earth Trading Company, which is based on the world and has been since the First Star League.  As they have effectively bought the company and nationalized it as an SLDF resource by the move the make the company a primary producer for the SLDF producing vehicles and plan to expand the current production lines brining in additional workers to help run the company.

[Shadow_Wraith]

 :)  Nice to see this Star League has its own corportation now to help build up/replace its military gear! 

[Dragon Cat]

:)  Nice to see this Star League has its own corportation now to help build up/replace its military gear!

Whole idea behind my Second Star League it's designed to stick around a bit.  The canon Second League was always set up to die there were so many opportunities for it to grow and become more useful but that was skipped.  It made sense if you knew the Jihad was around the corner and that the League would fall to bits... in this timeline you'd have to really search to find out how the League could/will fall to pieces...  O:-)

System Holding Point
Gladius, Isle of Skye
Lyran Commonwealth
8th May 3080

   Intent on securing the Isle of Skye's future and providing its population with work for years to come the Isle of Skye Military Command orders construction companies to begin construction of a JumpShip shipyard in the Gladius system.  Intent on proving the Isle is capable of running such a facility without support from Tharkad initially the facility will only produce JumpShips however Skye has other plans intent on producing WarShips for the Skye people ships with no ties to Tharkad only the Isle.

   To keep attention away from the construction efforts in the Gladius system the Fourth Isle of Skye Guards RCT which had recently been transferred off Gladius launches an attack against Dalkeith and Sakhalin, former Lyran worlds taken by Clan Jade Falcon and now under Ghost Bear Dominion control.  Against the Isle force is the 243rd Battle Cluster of Clan Ghost Bear's Rho Galaxy.  Unable to match the Isle of Skye Guards firepower the Clan unit rapidly lose ground and attempt an escape.  Isle of Skye fighters refusing to allow the unit to escape target the Clan DropShips first with artillery and then aerospace attacks stranding the Ghost Bears and forcing them to fight until the last man.

   Within hours of the Isle of Skye victory Archon Peter Steiner-Davion condemns the Isle of Skye attacks on the Ghost Bear Dominion sending the Second Royal Guards RCT, the First Commonwealth Guards RCT and the WarShip LCS Flygia, a Mjolinir-class Battle-cruiser, to the Isle of Skye region.  Although listed as a Liaison force and not intended as being an occupation force the units are all stationed on Skye less than one hundred miles from the Aten family residence.  With the Isle of Skye's strongest unit on Dalkeith and Sakhalin the Isle's leader has little choice but to listen to the Lyran Commonwealth's state.  For Archon Peter Steiner-Davion it was more of a sad day since he'd trusted the Isle to be independent, he only hoped that their actions did not bring the Ghost Bears down on them as it had the Draconis Combine.

Imperial Palace
Luthien, Pesht Military District
Draconis Combine
10th May 3080

   Following years of heavy fighting the Draconis Combine Mustered Society's commander Warlord Kiyomori Minamoto announces a crash-rebuild of the DCMS with multiple OmniMech Battalions being raised on Luthien and elsewhere, new designs fielding new technology being announced.  Designs fielding experimental technology are also produced in limited numbers to add new advanced capabilities.

   To support the Ground Forces and Navy the DCMS announces the production of a new variant of the Nekohono'o-class Assault DropShip nicknamed simply as the HQ variant this DropShip this DropShip carries a Navy C3 system and Cruise Missile Artillery as well as being able to transport an entire command Company of BattleMechs.  Intended to serve as a Command DropShip for all DCMS regiments it is intended for all units to received at least one of these DropShips by end of year 3083.

Spaceport
Fronc, Fronc Reachs
Periphery
19th May 3080

   Although much of the population are wary of their arrival due to recent problems with the Liger Warriors command on Herotitus Fronc leaders welcome Clan Nova Cat's Fifteenth Garrison and New Worlds Clusters to Fronc.  In a deal similar to that agreed with the Filtvelt Coalition the Nova Cats agree to help build schools and infrastructure in the Fronc Reaches for mining rights and concessions for Nova Cat forces on three different worlds.  The Fronc Reaches also contract several members of the Nova Cat technician caste which allows them to eject the Capellan Confederation's personnel off Detroit.
 
Naval Battle
Melissa, Melissa Theatre
Lyran Commonwealth
23rd May 3080

   Working on faulty intelligence that the Wolf Dragoons were based in the Melissa Theatre Clan Jade Falcon's Falcon's Nest jumps into the Melissa Theatre encountering the LCS Snow Fire and the Clan Wolf (in-Exile)'s Broken Claw.  While the Texas-class Battleship engages the Lyran Commonwealth's Mjolinir-class Battle-cruiser Clan Wolf (in-Exile) Elementals attempt to board the Falcon's Nest sensing an weakness from the Jade Falcon's flagship.  They could not have been more wrong.  The Jade Falcon defenders repel the Wolf (in-Exile) Elementals Marines then send their own Elementals along with a prize crew to the Broken Claw, a vicious fight breaks out aboard the Wolf (in-Exile) vessel however with their Lyran allies being held back by the Falcon's Nest's massed Naval Laser bays.  Less than ten minutes later the Broken Claw was under Jade Falcon control and charging its Jump Drives, the Falcon’s Nest continuing to damage and hold back the LCS Snow Fire, when full charge was achieved both vessels jumped out and Clan Wolf (in-Exile) was missing a WarShip.

   The Jade Falcons consider the Broken Claw a poor replacement for their lost Ironhold Provider with the Broken Claw becoming an unpopular vessel within the Jade Falcon naval force so much so that the Jade Falcon leadership mention to the merchant caste to attempt to trade the vessel away.  In the meantime the Jade Falcons rename the vessel Jade Claw to reflect its new owners.

[Dragon Cat]

Throne Room
Hasek Family Residence, New Syrtis
Capellan March, Federated Suns
9th June 3080

   When it came to Nathaniel Hasek's job he like it for the most part.  As a Field Marshal in the Armed Forces of the Federated Suns he had many duties that he was required to perform however there was one thing that he did not enjoy.  Since the passing of George Hasek he had inherited the position as head of the Capellan March, at least until George's heir was old enough and had enough interest in running the show.  So instead of her sitting on the New Syrtis throne Nathaniel found himself there as a new Mercenary Commander tried to woo him with an offer for them to work in the Capellan March.

   Entering the throne room walking past the two sentry Cavalier Battle Armour suits were two women with dark hair in business suits with another woman between them wearing a business cut white skirt and jacket her blond hair tied back with a single hair band.  As they approached the Field Marshal thought this was perhaps the negotiating team however the woman spoke before even he could greet them "Field Marshal Hasek, my name is Karen Clinton, I am commander of the Clinton's Cutthroats."  Nathaniel almost fell off his chair Clinton's Cutthroats had been a mercenary command that had served the Federated Suns two centuries ago before disappearing in unusual circumstances in 2866 as far as Nathaniel could remember form his military history the Cutthroats had never been seen again and were still wanted by the AFFS.

   "Commander Clinton, you are aware that Clinton's Cutthroats are wanted by the AFFS for breach of contract over two hundred years ago?"  He asked carefully as he spoke he noticed the Cavalier Battle Armoured Sentries stand ready.

   "I am aware of this technicality.  And we are willing to answer for this charge.  However we are also willing to provide the Hasek Family, who I believe were the aggrieved party, all those years ago, with a Colossus-class DropShip full of equipment to compensate for your loss Liz please."  She said glancing over at one of the other women.  She stepped forward handing over a list of the DropShip would carry Nathaniel almost fell over for a second time it was an impressive list of Royal-type Star League era BattleMechs.

   "What is it you are looking for commander?"

   "If the Hasek family could bring itself to drop the charges against my unit, we are willing to work for you again on a one year rolling contract basis.  I have a single Monolith-class JumpShip with nine DropShips including the ship I will be gifting you.  My forces include three Reinforced Battalions of BattleMechs, one Battalion of Armoured vehicles which includes artillery, a security force of standard infantry and two wings of aerospace fighters.  All our technology is of Star League-era vintage and some is from other sources we have found."

   "Other sources?"  he asked trying to dig into the mystery surrounding the unit.

   "Sources we are unwilling to divulge."  Liz said with a small smile.

   "Ah yes, so you want to work and you want to bribe me with this DropShip and equipment" Liz opened her mouth in reply but Nathaniel rose a hand to silence her "I accept your terms.  Your unit is to remain at the Nadir Point until we have a posting for you."

   "Thank you, Field Marshal.  One final question if I may?"  Nathaniel nodded "we have been away for a long time, we were looking at some of the technology we seen on the way in Heavy personal armour and Mechs with variable weapons we were hoping to perhaps buy some?"

   "The 'heavy personal armour' you mention is called Battle Armour that particular model" he said indicating to the Sentries "is the Cavalier the local Federated Suns mass production model.  "The Mechs with modular weapons are called OmniMechs; the locally produced model is the Templar an eighty-five ton design."

   "Would we be permitted to purchase samples?"

   "Complete your first year contract and I will allow you to buy all the Cavaliers and Templars you can afford."  Nathaniel promised Karen Clinton smiled saluted, turned and briskly left the throne room.  Nathaniel immediately put a call into the DMI and MIIO, the Federated Suns Intelligence Operations departments informing them of Clinton's Cutthroats resurfacing while at the same time he diverted the new Colossus and its equipment to his family estates on New Syrtis immediately coming up with a plan for it.

Terran Defence Council
Unity City, Terra
Star League Protectorate
11th June 3080

   Standing in the large meeting room within on of Unity Cities newly reopened Star League Governmental buildings SLDF Admiral David Natale stood ahead of Star League Commanding General Archer Christifori, Governor of Terra Gavin Dow, Lord James Cavannah, the head of Terran construction, High Commissioner Jillian Elton and several leading Terran Senators.   Included in their numbers was Duke Christopher Windsor-Cameron who according to rumour was pushing for a planetary election which would see Gavin Dow replaced as Governor of Terra.

   “Ladies and Gentlemen, what I am about to say is classed as Top Secret – Black.”  He began many things were classified, the names of the SAS Units and their deployments.  Few things were categorized as “Black” under the new rule of the Star League on Terra “Top Secret – Black” items were one of the few things that could encure the death penalty if revealed.  “In December 3079 Dr. David Lear led a scientific team into the Kuiper Belt of the Sol System after discovering some information in one of the vaults uncovered within Unity City.”  He explained “this mission was authorized by my office and financed through Dr. Lear’s considerable personal funds.”  Many of them had already known of the mission, the Doctor son of Kai Allard-Liao had come to Terra to lecture and study at Chicago University.  Something which had not lasted too long as his inquisitive mind had led him on a treasure hunt.  “In the Kuiper Belt hidden for the centuries since the fall of the first Star League was a Casper research facility.”

   “Oh god” Jillian Elton whispered, a native of Terra she’d heard all about the Casper legends throughout the years.

   “Indeed” David agreed, as a career spacer he’d heard horror stories of the Casper Drones for as long as anyone else.  Artificially Controlled Drones that could think and fight by themselves even self repair some of their own systems.  “Doctor Lear discovered this facility was defended by three Lola-class Casper Drones, also known as the M5 Capital Drone, and a single Newgrange-class Yardship all of which were fully operational although the Newgrange was in a standby-mode.”  David Natale explained “what Doctor Lear did not discover was the primary research facility hidden on a frozen rock nearby nor the M-9 “Pavise” Defence Station and its attached defence drone DropShips and Drone fighters.”

   “A complete nightmare, a drone fleet” Duke Christopher Winsor-Cameron said quietly.

   “The Star League Defence Force has confirmed that these drones will not fire on any vessel and that the defence vessels are there purely as a deterant they have no directives to head into the Terran system or carry out any duty other than defend the facility.”

   “Can we be sure these things are no threat? Caspers were known to have their own directives.”  Gavin Dow asked

   “Not completely certain however we can be certain they will not attack a Star League vessel and they went out of their way not to destroy a civilian vessel only firing warning shots.  They have also refused to leave their designated patrol area.  Unfortunately our teams have also been completely unable to access any of the vessels, station or research facility other than the Newgrange.”  David continued.

   “So they sit out there useless until we can board them and find out exactly what the purpose of the facility was.” Dow pondered for a moment “what is the Star League’s position on these finds?”  He asked looking towards Archer Christifori, who so far had remaind quiet.

   “The SLDF currently is keeping an on the facility, and we’d expect to be kept in the loop for all developments in regards to these vessels and any further developments of the Technology.”  He said quietly “but this is a Terran matter not one for the wider Star League” he began turning to look at High Commissioner Elton.

   “From a legal perspective” she said carefully “under the new Star League laws written when this League was formed the SLDF can assist in defensive matters and in military development but there is no need for any state to disclose exactly what they are working or where there bases are.  As Terra has been recoignized as the “Capitol” of the Star League Protectorate, the Protectorate would have no need to show its secrets.”

   “What of Dr. Lear?”  Christopher Windsor-Cameron asked “he is next in line for the throne of the St Ives Compact.  Should he disclose this information we would have little way of stopping him.”

   “I have spoken with Duke David Lear” Archer Christifori said “he has agreed to keep quiet about the discovery of these vessels and has wiped all information from the DropShip he used during his expedition.  However he has named his price, assuming the SLDF can remove it from the research facility; Dr Lear wants possession of the Newgrange-class Yardship.”

   “Proposterous!” Gavin Dow almost shouted “that ship would help put the Terran… SLDF Navy back to where it belongs to be at the forefront of the Inner Sphere.  In the St Ives Compact it would be wasted.”

   “It would be a small price to pay if the Succession Lords all found out about them.  Everyone would want a piece of the pie.”  David Natale reminded the Governor “as a price goes it isn’t too bad.  Titan is facilitating the SLDF Navy’s recovery very well, and its capabilities improve every year.”

   “We should have further facilities availiable by the end of the year” Lord James Cavannah said qietly. “Unfortunately assuming we get into this research facility and space station my structural engineers will need to be taken from other projects to assist and ensure they are viable for use.  Not having the Newgrange around gives us one less thing to worry about.”

   “Doctor Lear has agreed that he will cover the “discovery” of the Newgrange by taking a very public trip into the periphery where he will find the vessel abandoned.” Admiral Natale confirmed.

   “He’s a lucky boy” Dow said sarcastically.

   “He found it in the first place; I’d say that’s lucky enough.” Christopher Windsor-Cameron said “I’d also say it was a small price to keep prying eyes away from this little project.  I assume the Belters have taken no interest?”  He said referring to the residents of the Terran system who resided on habitats built into asteroids in various parts of the system and Kuiper Belt.

   “They didn’t take interest in the area for a few centuries.  I’d be surprised if they did now” Christifori said “we have noted they are taking more interest in SLDF vessels making trips through the area but most of the time they come close enough to have a look and then back off.”

   “Like crows to shiny objects.” Natale confirmed “the SLDF has had no issues with the Belters at all.”

   “Assuming we can remove the Newgrange from the facility I suppose we can afford to allow it to fall into the possession of the St Ives Compact.  But I want to make sure this discovery remains a Terran one for the forseeable future.  We don’t need the Federated Suns showing off their new Casper Avalons in a year’s time.”  Dow said looking quite annoyed about everything.

   “Governor, trust that the SLDF has Terra’s best interests at hand.”  Archer promised, his people would make sure that all discoveries benifited the SLDF first but also that the information wasn’t conveniently lost when it became time for other states to know about it.

   “Governor, I am sure that our woulds current defence force will remember its place and Terra’s place before endangering it or becoming distracted by other concerns.  The Star League flag flies proudly over this world, now we have another relic of that time, I believe we are heading towards another golden age.  The perfect time for new blood, ideas and beliefs” Duke Windsor-Cameron said almost taunting Dow over ComStar’s failures.

   “And older ideas and ideals are born through experience.  Knowing where the falls that are coming are before you arrive there so you can avoid them.”  Dow countered

   “Gentlemen” Admiral David Natale said firmly “this is not a political debate.  This briefing directly affects Terra’s security its past and possible future.  I’d please remind everyone that this briefing is classified Top Secret – Black and I’d wish you all a plesant day.  This briefing is now over.”  He said retaking his seat as the others left the Admiral and Commanding-General remained seating.

   “Quite a find, do you think we can use these ships or even see the Casper system reborn?”

   “Perhaps” Natale confirmed “but only in time sir.  Three capital ships and some light drones assisting are barely enough to keep that facility secure.  We would need about three hundred capital drones just to secure the Terran system not to mention space station and ground defences.”

   “But the ground defences are already well on there way to being restored to ComStar-era levels.  Even with the Succession Lords resurgent WarShips I don’t believe any could breach Terran Defences supplemented by SLDF vessels as it stands.”

   “That is unlikely.  But the technology behind the Casper system is so complex; it would take a room full of scientists about ten years just to crack it.  And we don’t have access to it yet.”

   “That’s a lovely word that Admiral “yet” but remember it only takes one genius.” Christifori warned he was both happy with the discovery and worried by it.

   “Aye sir” Natale confirmed his own fears about the legendary Casper defences mirroring the Commanding-Generals.  The future was forever changing… the future was forever troublesome.

Joint Research Project
NAIS University of Thorin
New Avalon, Thorin
14th June 3080

   In a joint statement the New Avalon Institute of Science and the University of Thorin announce that they have been awarded a joint grant to research creating an "AR-15" Sub-Capital Missile Launcher.  Intended to act for Sub-Capital Missiles as the AR-10 acts for Capital Missiles capable of firing more than a single type of missile from one launcher.  As almost no research has been done on the topic both Universities are starting from scratch.  Neither University expects quick results however all Inner Sphere Navies and even the Clan Watch keeps close eyes on the developments.

Clan Wolf Objective Raid
Star's End, Clan Wolf Occupation Zone
Inner Sphere
23rd June 3080

   Clan Wolf launches an Objective Raid against Star's End which had been turned into a Pirate Haven by rebel clan forces and several shattered Pirate bands.  Clan Wolf WarShips encounter weapons attached to asteroids surrounding the planet and several minefields during the burn in a Union C-class DropShip belonging to the Seventh Wolf Cavalry Cluster is destroyed when it strikes a mine while several escorting aerospace fighters are also forced into retreat.

   On the ground the Seventh Wolf Cavalry supported by elements from both the Sixth Wolf Cavalry and the Eleventh Battle Cluster, all Omega Galaxy, are immediately attacked by pirate forces in such numbers that even the Wolf commanders are surprised.  During nearly sixteen hours of combat the Seventh Wolf Cavalry Cluster are all but destroyed and Katrina Wolf, former Archon of the Lyran Alliance, is missing in action her Griffin IIC destroyed on the battle field.  The remaining elements of Omega Galaxy retreat off world unwilling to waste more lives on pirate forces.

   With the Wolves forced into retreat the pirates realize the game is up and abandon their camps on Star's End, they take with them the injured body of Katrina Wolf found on the battlefield.  New Wolf Khan Nathan Fetladral removes Omega Galaxy's commander replacing them with a Crusader instead.

A busy month hope you enjoy

[snakespinner]

Now Katrina has a new career, pirate.
She is a multi skilled lady. >:D

[BradGB]

Red Corsair III ??   ;D

Oh please, don't do that