Author Topic: My AU, Katherine, White Wolf of Ragnarok (Complete, Comments welcome)  (Read 34917 times)

AlphaMirage

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Re: My AU, Katherine, White Wolf of Ragnarok
« Reply #150 on: 23 February 2018, 19:46:09 »
04/12/3067 12:00 Location – District City, Kathil, Federated Commonwealth

Archon-Princess Katherine Steiner-Davion, Grand Duchess Yvonne Steiner-Davion, and 4th Fleet's Admiral Michael Hall stood atop a stage in front of a large view screen.  Katherine had returned to her natural curly golden hair much to the dismay of the tabloids that liked her straight ash blonde locks.  Both sisters were dressed formally wearing gold, red, and orange, Fleet Admiral Michael Hall of the Commonwealth’s 4th Fleet was in his Dress Whites. 

On the screen behind them was an Avalon cruiser painted with a golden lion surrounded by the cage-works' tugs.  In front of them were dignitaries from across the Commonwealth and workers from the McKenna Yards above attending the latest launch.  It was an auspicious day for everyone, Kathil's dim yellow white sun softened the light and a slight breeze blew across the square, everyone quieted down as Katherine took the stand with cameras rolling.

“Good people of the Federated Commonwealth, I welcome you and am pleased to have the opportunity to speak to you today. 

My brother Victor was perhaps the brightest star in our generation, he died protecting this great nation from those that would do it harm.  I can say many things about him but one that I cannot emphasize enough is that he had a keen sense of duty and honor.  He understood that service to others served as the foundation of leadership. 

It is my great honor to commission Avalon Cruiser Eleven as the FCS Victor Steiner-Davion and welcome it into the Fleet today.  It is fitting that we launch on what would have been his thirty-seventh birthday and unfortunate that he did not live to see the bright future that awaits us. 

I wish good luck to her crew.  Since we cannot break a bottle of champagne on the vessel in space Yvonne will instead use this memorial plaque.” 


Admiral Hall uncovered the plaque which consisted of Victor’s court portrait supported a pair of golden lions engraved with his name. 

“This plaque will adorn the bridge so that the crew of this fine ship might be inspired to greatness by his presence, and humbly reminded that they are continuing his legacy of honorable service to the Commonwealth.”

Yvonne smashed the bottle of champagne on the plate below the plaque. The view screen behind showed the tugs slowly pushing the vessel out and orienting it so the thrust wouldn't damage the facility.  The Avalon's thrusters roared to life and began its shakedown cruise.  Fleet Admiral Hall said a few words thanking those assembled for their hard work and dedication.

That evening Katherine and Yvonne worked their way through the banquet more than half the guests invited were common shipyard workers and their families.  The Princesses stayed for a week before departing once more heading their separate ways to tend to their responsiblities.

06/17/3067 Location – Naval Weapons Depot Cunningham, Kathil, Federated Commonwealth

Captain Marcus Roth looked out of the viewfinder toward the McKenna Yards around Kathil’s moon Loren’s Folly, the tugs had already positioned Avalon 12’s skeletal fuselage only the compact KF core and primary power plant into the finishing cage.  Specialized dropships carried prefabricated sections of the hull for Avalon 13 to the station that served as the initial assembly area from the foundries on Kathil itself.  Another station was assembling the massive interplanetary thrusters of Avalon 12 which would later be attached to their connection points. 

The FCS Victor Steiner-Davion was boosting for a high orbit around Kathil as Captain Roth's ST-46 Shuttle burned into the atmosphere heading toward NWS Cunningham to oversee the transfer of munitions, his XO no doubt pleased to have the conn to himself for a few hours.

The ST-46 VSD-Prime flew toward the mountains escorted by a pair of Meteor conventional fighters.  Large munitions factories became visible below, separated from one another by distances and berms.  Nearly every capital missile used by the Avalon cruisers had been assembled in this wasteland from components built on planet or imported from Galax.  The imports were increasingly uncommon of late since Katherine had dramatically increased capacity as part of her “100 ships at 3100” initiative. 

The Commonwealth Fleet was well on its way there, although the 30 Foxes and Eclipses (aka Fox CV) were gradually falling out of favor with the Admiralty.  They were working on a class that would serve as modernized version of the old Davion/Whirlwind destroyers.  While Captain Roth enjoyed his time aboard the FCS Brest he was very excited to finally get an Avalon to command.  The Fox did leave some things to be desired but it was still excellent at its intended purpose, supporting larger operations and would no doubt be with the Fleet for a long time still.

The Shuttle set down and 48 Marines wearing blue battledress uniforms with side-arms on their belts took up positions waiting for him.  Most of his marine compliment was already groundside with the K-1 “Hardball” cargo shuttles that would transfer the missiles to the Victor Steiner-Davion's magazine.  Lieutenant Anne Hunter of ONI (Office of Naval Intelligence) and his shuttle’s guards waited for him to signal readiness in the passenger cabin before lowering the ramp and opening the door.

Captain Roth put on his hat and walked down the ramp toward a large heavily tanned man with black hair wearing the rank of Lieutenant Commander.  He snapped a salute and his Marines followed, “Lieutenant Commander Devlin Stone, One Hundred Forty-First Marines, reporting for duty, Sir”

Captain Roth returned the salute, “At ease everyone.  Pleasure to meet you Commander, I’ve heard good things from General Saunders.  You’ve come up rather quickly since Point Barrow.  I had expected to see you in armor.”

“Thank you Sir.  I prefer that people see me as a man first, battle armor makes for a poor first impression.  It is the soldier or spacer that counts most after all.” 

“Reasonable, I agree with your philosophy and am glad you will be our Security Officer.”


A woman early thirties with brown hair walked down the ramp.  She wore the same uniform as the Captain but wore an ONI service pin, a metal briefcase was handcuffed to her wrist.  Salutes and were exchanged, “Commander Stone, this is Lieutenant Hunter she will need your marines today.”

“Understood Sir, Lead on.”

Four more marines disembarked, taking up positions around the shuttle as the fifty soldiers worked their way across the tarmac.  The Spheroid K-1 “Hardball” shuttle crews were preparing the handling racks for transport of the missiles that were stored in one of the sixty different bunkers on property.  A small train was working its way out now to load up the missiles, but that wasn’t as important as what lie in “Mt Doom.”

Devlin, Marcus, Anne, and the Marines boarded armored cargo trucks and drove past barbed wire tipped electric fences, fixed heavy weapons turrets, Demolisher and Partisan Tanks in reinforced bunkers, and finally were at the feet of a lance of Marauder and Rifleman Battlemechs positioned in front of a mountain.  A sign outside read “Restricted Area, 4th Fleet Strategic Weapons Storage”

The group disembarked and walked up to the platoon of 1st Kathil Grenadiers that were standing guard outside.  They demanded ID from everyone and checked with the controller inside.  “Everything checks out on our end, Control will be out in a minute to confirm.”

The facility’s Controller Commander Donovan Monroe walked out with another squad to double check.  “Alright clear to go in.”  He informed someone on the radio to open the main door and the trucks entered into a tunnel that sloped into the mountain making a sharp turn that would deflect a massive explosion inside or out into a void.  They reached another set of doors and faced another ID check with biometrics before being allowed to proceed deeper into the mountain.

Inside was a catacomb with different chambers cut into the native stone, massive ventilation systems and dim lights made for an eerie atmosphere.  Each row was numbered and a small electric railway ran along the perimeter and the aisles buzzed with forklifts.  The convoy stopped at the designated loading position, the staging area perfectly lined up with their transports on both sides and a gantry crane above the load the trucks.  The marines hopped out and opened the armored cargo bay showing the large racks that filled the volume of the flatbed.

Lieutenant Hunter and Captain Roth spoke with the strategic weapons officer, confirming their identities and received the arming codes to the nuclear warheads that would be aboard the FCS Victor Steiner-Davion while the fleet maintained ARCLIGHT readiness.  12 Alamos for its attached Aerospace of it's Task Force and 28 Santa Anas for the Cruiser, more than enough to handle anything.

mikecj

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Re: My AU, Katherine, White Wolf of Ragnarok
« Reply #151 on: 24 February 2018, 09:36:06 »
 Time to get serious.
There are no fish in my pond.
"First, one brief announcement. I just want to mention, for those who have asked, that absolutely nothing what so ever happened today in sector 83x9x12. I repeat, nothing happened. Please remain calm." Susan Ivanova
"Solve a man's problems with violence, help him for a day. Teach a man to solve his problems with violence, help him for a lifetime." - Belkar Bitterleaf
Romo Lampkin could have gotten Stefan Amaris off with a warning.

AlphaMirage

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Re: My AU, Katherine, White Wolf of Ragnarok
« Reply #152 on: 24 February 2018, 19:55:50 »
Media Round Up

AC: Welcome to Inside Access, Commonwealth’s Press’ Hottest Celeb News.  This is Amanda Case
DK:  and this is Diana Krauss, here to bring you the hottest stories from Tharkad.
AC:  Tonight’s Top Story; Red Alert!  Have the fires of love melted the Ice Princess’ heart.  We at IA received pictures from an anonymous source who attended this year’s All Hallow's Eve Masquerade Ball in the Triad.
DK:  Steamy pictures of Katherine getting hot and heavy on the dance floor with a hunk of a man
AC:  This masked mystery man disappeared shortly before Katherine had to step out due to ‘fatigue’
DK:  ‘Fatigue’ yeah right, I bet she didn’t even get back to her room before that beast tore the hundred thousand kroner Rick Vance dress right off her svelte Steiner body.  Coarse man hands working down her...
AC:  You can't talk about the Archon-Princess like that!
DK:  I can respect the office and her choice in man, but come on you know that’s what happened, it’s what I’d do she’s still human.  Wonder what kind of moves she has
AC:  You have a dirty mind Diana, desperately changing the topic.  The upcoming Fourth Whitting Conference is of course the talk of the town, dignitaries have already begun arriving on Tharkad and all citizens will be familiar with the security procedures put in place for their protection... 
DK:  Plus the Parties!
AC:  The one exception is Chancellor Sun-Tzu Liao who will not be attending this year as he is due to marry Naomi Centrella on Luxen in the Magistracy of Canopus.  Instead ‘Grouchy’ Grover Shraplen will be the primary representative for the Trinity Alliance as the Taurian Concordat is due to be added as a formal member of the Second Star League this year.
DK:  I hope they get him a suit that fits, major embarrassment but more on the upcoming nuptials between Sun-Tzu and Naomi, Erdé Centrella, Naomi’s younger sister, is due to be the Maid of Honor with her latest beau Adonis ‘Wanna be My’ Valentine as Best Man.  No telling if the Chancellor’s sister Kali Liao will be in attendance.
AC:  If she shows up I don’t want to be on that guest list.  I don’t care how big a party the Magestrix throws. 

Stay tuned for Trish Tanawen and her latest report on the rocky relationship between General Adam Steiner and Lady Heather Fyhne.  Is the Hero of Somerset to chicken to commit?  Find out after this break.

Interstellar News Network
Special Report; Fourth Whitting Conference

RS:  Greetings subscribers this is Richard Summers, Interstellar News Network, with me are
DA:  Darien Adams
CW:  and Chance Wesley
RS:  Chance; Top story today, Fourth Whitting Conference what can we expect to happen this time?
CW:  It is going to be a tense Conference this year, the shine is off the apple for the Second Star League as Archon-Princess Katherine has become increasingly uncooperative with them.
DA:  Can you blame her?
CW:  It’s not in the position to assign blame, I report the News, and the atmosphere between the delegates is tense.  The Federated Commonwealth has grown more influential now that it was formally reunited under Katherine on Marik at the Third Whitting Conference though it cost her a vote and Christian Mannsson edged her out to be First Lord.
RS:  The First Lord is a mostly ceremonial position though right?
CW:  Sun-Tzu didn’t think so, he couldn’t have pulled off that St Ives Gambit without the SLDF.  Coordinator Kurita used the SLDF twice, once under the command of Captain-General Thomas Marik’s nephew Photon to save his nation from the Ghost Bears and under Victor to kill the Jaguars.  Christian Mannsson smartly decided to not use it although the diplomatic relationship with Katherine has deteriorated despite his best efforts much to the Rasalhague people's difficulty.
RS:  What are the odds the Captain-General becomes the next First Lord?
DA:  Solaris puts him at a 3 to 1 against Katherine, 2 to 1 for Precentor William Blane of the Word of Blake
RS:  I bet she’s not happy to hear those odds.  Seems like they might never elevate Katherine to the First Lordship...Ladyship?
CW:  I think she realizes that too and is willing to make her feelings known.  I'm not sure what the Inner Sphere will look like come New Year.
RS:  We will continue to report on the latest from the Conference.  Until then see you next time.

Sphere Strategy Hour
3067 – End of Truce but where are the Clans?

KA – This is Kevin Arnold of the Sphere Strategy Hour, bringing you the latest in military technology and tactics from across the Sphere.  I'm here today on Skye with Lieutenant General Frederick Zibler and Hauptmann General Sarah Steiner.  Generals, what is your current feeling about the Clan Threat?  It's 3067 and the Truce is over.  Yet they are not attacking.  What are they planning?  Are they waiting to see what happens on Tharkad this year before deciding?
FZ –  That is the question Mr Arnold.  I am not sure what they have planned.  The Ghost Bears have so far kept quiet General Photon Brett-Marik is on Wotan with ten regiments in case they don't stay that way.  I don't trust the Wolves of Arc-Royal any more than the ones on Tamar, Kell Hounds be damned, but there is not a lot of action that we know about on that front.  As for the Jade Falcons, I don't know, General Steiner is perhaps the best expert in the AFFC on them.
SS –  The Jade Falcons were thrashed in the aftermath of the Refusal War of '57.  We almost had them on Coventry but the opportunity slipped past our fingers.  Until the Federated Commonwealth was reunited under the Archon-Princess there was no way we could mass enough power to push them out.  The General of the Armies and I have made it our personal mission to oppose them, in fact you caught me while I was on my way there.
KA – You're saying that Katherine already has something planned.
SS – That woman loves making plans, you certainly didn't expect her or the Strategy and Tactics Division to be idle the past ten years.  I wouldn't call myself a fan of hers but she never forgot that the Jade Falcons were The Threat to the Lyran Commonwealth, unlike her brother.  So I'm willing to fight them whenever I get the chance for her or whomever.  As for other plans though General Zibler likely has a few of those.
KA – Thank You General Steiner.  General Zibler anything you can speak on concerning your latest work.
FZ – I'm afraid I can't speak of my ongoing operations beyond telling you that my Second FedCom Lancers are working with the Tikonov Republican Guards in the Terran March.  My cousin (Dixon Zibler of the 1st FedCom Lancers) and I are quite competitive.  I intend to best him this time round and both of our commands are quite busy.
KA – Thank you for your time Generals, I hope you enjoy your time here on Skye.  Next up I have an exclusive interview with the Colonel Antonia Roman, Commander of 2nd Skye Jaegers on the next step as her regiment upgrades and is transformed into a Grenadier Unit.

AlphaMirage

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Re: My AU, Katherine, White Wolf of Ragnarok
« Reply #153 on: 25 February 2018, 11:36:02 »
11/07/3067 10:00 Location – Royan, Minette, Federated Commonwealth

Royan is a large town but a sleepy one, it was a community positioned at a natural harbor of one of Minette's large inland lakes.  Home to a variety of light industry on the outskirts which turned to rolling green hills eventually giving way to the Steg Highlands.  The Government Building (Yvonne was to busy to rename it) was the newest construction, completed only two years ago, the large modern three story building formed a concave semicircle that followed a rise looking out over the lakeside town with the Grand Duchess' office at it's apex.  The complex was guarded by a detachment from the 1st Outback Legion HCT and included a lance of Changeling Omnimechs, another of Vole Battlemechs bolstered by infantry and Federation Marshals.  A Redtail VTOL and a pair of Martens occupied pads that clung to the edge of the rise.

Grand Duchess Yvonne Steiner-Davion sat at her desk, the rich cherrywood piece of furniture was something she treasured ever since it had been found in a storage unit so many years ago, one of the few things she requested transferred from Castle Davion to Minette.  She was nostalgic for the hodgepodge setup she had as Princess-Regent for the time she was just waiting for Arthur to get his five years.  That time felt like a lifetime ago but in reality was less than four years out of her 28.

The phone on her desk rang, “Your ten o' clock has arrived”
“Send him in Valerie”


Paladin Peter Focht of the Knights of Randis entered the door, his red and black dress uniform wasn't adorned with a sword as was their custom.  Security precaution of course, Yvonne had a pistol in her desk for emergencies.  Katherine and Nikolai were insistent upon that precaution to prevent her being captured by some rogue element again. 

“Paladin Focht a pleasure to meet you.  I understand that you were the one that provided the intelligence concerning the Hellions.  We are appreciative of your efforts, the Fifth Fleet has ten ships on patrol ensuring the safety of the Outback and Draconis Marches.  It must be boring out there now that the Pirates are gone despite their method of dispatch.  Are you perhaps related to Anastasius Focht, the former Precentor Martial?”

“Not that I know of.”

“Darn, I had hoped to undercover his secret, no one would name their son Anastasius he's clearly hiding something.  Now I'm afraid I won't be able to...now that he has retired from active service.”

She signaled to him, “Please have a seat, you mentioned that there were more revelations that you have for me.  I used to be a big fan of surprises but now they terrify me.”

Peter took the seat offered which was at the focus point of three different angled windows which made it bright, hot, and uncomfortable.  Peter had to admit that his sister was crafty, anyone that sat in the chair would be eager to get their business done in a timely fashion and she could literally sweat people out without effort.  The 'Sun Queen' had learned much from their big sister it seemed.  Which made the next part all the more difficult.  “I never thought seeing Sunshine again would be quite this uncomfortable.”

Through the glare he could see something tweak on Yvonne's face, “What?”

“Sunshine.”  Peter spoke in same voice he used when speaking to Victoria when she refused to go to bed,  'Even the Sun goes to bed at night, as must all little girls and boys'

Yvonne pulled the curtains mercifully ending his sweat session but it was replaced by nerves as he fortified himself for whatever might come.  He could see a tear beginning to form out of one eye, “no...it can't be”

“it is Yvonne”


Yvonne picked up the phone on the desk, bravely keeping a normal tone while struggling with a series of emotions that threatened to overwhelm her, “Valerie, cancel all my appointments for the rest of the day.  If anything is urgent send it to Lord Gregory.”  She hit something that dimmed the lights and Peter could hear the room securing itself and hoped this was the right thing to do.

“Why now Peter!  You were gone for eleven years!  You clearly could have come back at any time,” Yvonne was mustering herself up for something big and they both stood.  She worked her way around the desk pushing him, “but why now!  Why not sooner!  You might have stopped Victor from dying, from approving GEMINI and thus saving the original Commonwealth,” she held her hands palm up and softened the tone but it was still choked with rage and sadness, “attended his funeral at least.” 

She took a deep breath before going again, “You could have saved ME!  I nearly died performing the job that you should have been doing, I would have if it weren't for Katherine.  All those people on New Avalon might still be alive if someone had replaced Bishop sooner,” she bowed her head but tears were flowing freely out of them as she meekly slammed her fist on his chest, the next words were wrenched right from her heart, “maybe even saved Arthur.”

Peter took the verbal and physical barrage with stoic determination.  He knew he deserved every bit of it but it had taken him a decade to build up enough courage to wither it, “I'm sorry that I couldn't be there for you, for the Commonwealth, for Katherine, Victor, and Arthur, so sorry but I want to do better this time.  Please give me a second chance sister.”  He tried to grab her chin but she slapped his hand aside, “Don't touch me!  I don't know you anymore Peter, I hardly knew you before.  If I can find it in myself to forgive you I will seek you out, but if I don't...then you will get the hell off my planet and out of my life, permanently this time!” 

Yvonne triggered something that unlocked the door, turned him around, and pointed, “Get out!”

Peter exited without fuss and heard the door lock behind him, he was upset but understanding.  Valerie didn't say anything as he exited and walked down the hills and avenues taking in the natural beauty around him.  The residence was empty when he arrived and changed into normal clothes.  It was for the better, he had mustered up the courage to confront his past.  Now there was nothing to do but wait and pray for strength either way.

18:17

Peter, Daphne, and Victoria all sat at the family dinner table in the rented house where they had lived for the past two weeks.  It had taken some adjustment to return to a routine after traveling nearly three months by dropship with a rampaging toddler.  Peter attempted to conceal his emotions but they both knew better, “Why do you look sad Daddy?”

“I don't know if I will be able to keep my promise that we would spend Christmas and your birthday here Vicky.  We might have to go home before then.”


Victoria looked sad too, she had really hoped they would spend Christmas on this nice planet instead of within a dropship, but it quickly passed, “Can we go on a sailboat before we leave?”

“I am sure we can go on a sailboat before we have to go home.”


Sadness passed to joy in her bright blue eyes, “Yay!  They look like so much fun.  Mommy and I were watching them on the lake today.”  She continued telling the day's story repeating and emphasizing things like how the birds looked funny here, and air smelled different, and how she got to pet a puppy at this one store and what it looked like, and every other new experience she had today. 

She didn't stop until she was tucked in and asleep at her designated bedtime of 8 o'clock.

20:27

Peter and Daphne had cleaned up and were getting ready for their own bedtime, he was still unhappy with how things had turned out with Yvonne in the morning.  “What happened this morning Peter?”

“I saw my sister...and it didn't go well.  I don't know if she will come around, I just have to hope I didn't hurt her more by coming back, then I would have had I stayed away.”

“Hope is a powerful thing, it was one of the few things that kept me going as an orphan girl living in that Convent on Burton.  That and Dreams, I always dreamed that there was some other relative that was just waiting to come back.”
  She started to cry, “To take me back and let me be part of their family again.  I don't want you to give up when you have the chance to at least know them again, to give Vicky a chance to, and if she refuses to accept you, then it wasn't meant to be, and we can go back and be satisfied that we tried and will raise our children to do better.”

mikecj

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Re: My AU, Katherine, White Wolf of Ragnarok
« Reply #154 on: 25 February 2018, 15:28:23 »
Eh... the Steiners have had worse family meetings
There are no fish in my pond.
"First, one brief announcement. I just want to mention, for those who have asked, that absolutely nothing what so ever happened today in sector 83x9x12. I repeat, nothing happened. Please remain calm." Susan Ivanova
"Solve a man's problems with violence, help him for a day. Teach a man to solve his problems with violence, help him for a lifetime." - Belkar Bitterleaf
Romo Lampkin could have gotten Stefan Amaris off with a warning.

DOC_Agren

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Re: My AU, Katherine, White Wolf of Ragnarok
« Reply #155 on: 25 February 2018, 16:52:33 »
Eh... the Steiners have had worse family meetings
yep no blood was spilled
"For the Angel of Death spread his wings on the blast, And breathed in the face of the foe as he passed:And the eyes of the sleepers waxed deadly and chill, And their hearts but once heaved, and for ever grew still!"

snakespinner

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Re: My AU, Katherine, White Wolf of Ragnarok
« Reply #156 on: 25 February 2018, 19:05:09 »
Yet. >:D
I wish I could get a good grip on reality, then I would choke it.
Growing old is inevitable,
Growing up is optional.
Watching TrueToaster create evil genius, priceless...everything else is just sub-par.

AlphaMirage

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Re: My AU, Katherine, White Wolf of Ragnarok
« Reply #157 on: 27 February 2018, 01:12:56 »
11/07/3067 17:02 Location – Verdant Manor, Minette, Federation Outback

Yvonne's legs were hugged to her chest in the oversized chair looking out on the valley below, her small body covered up with a blanket.  She watched the last bit of shadow envelop the ridge where her home had been built and hadn't turned on a light yet.  The house had great sunrises but the mountains on the other side quickened nightfall.  The box of tissues on the table beside her had been mostly used up today, after she saw a dead man come back to life. 

She wasn't sure what to do but had been shocked into silence the past few hours.  The sound of a boot on the hardwood floors behind her woke her from her angst, “Go away Nik!  That’s an order.”

Nikolai stood there for a moment in the deepening darkness, “I will respectfully decline that order Grand Duchess.”

Yvonne frequently forgot that he was Katherine's agent that did what she desired, not always what Yvonne wished which sometimes infuriated her, “Of course you would. Why are you here, shouldn’t you be at the Academy?”

“I left after Valerie told me you had run out in a hurry this morning.  I stopped by the house that Paladin Focht was staying in but received no answer, I left my card in the mailbox.  The Precentor told me there were no urgent messages sent or received so I wasn’t sure what was going on.  By the way where is everyone?”

“I told them to leave early today…to be with their families.”

“How generous of you.”
  Nik walked past her but she still didn’t shift, “What’s bothering you Yvonne?”

“I don’t want to tell you.”

“Obviously.”
  He looked at her still unmoving under the blanket, her eyes were paying attention to him but red and puffy, “Perhaps you would be more willing to after dinner.  I will make something since the cook is elsewhere.  You can come find me when you are ready.”

“And if I don’t come?”

“Then you will have a cold dinner.”


Captain Vasiliev departed toward the other wing of the house leaving Yvonne alone in the dark.  “I can’t tell him, he will tell Katherine…although she is on the other side of the Inner Sphere and very busy with the conference right now.  What would she do?”  The return of their brother Peter would dramatically shift the balance of power from Katherine to him.  Even though he had been gone for more than a decade he had a stronger claim to the Archon-Princedom than she did and Katherine had no shortage of opponents willing to depose her.  She would have to respond dramatically if Peter made himself known in the Federated Commonwealth once more.  Even though Yvonne didn't want to think her sister would do something awful to Peter; she wasn't sure how far Katherine would go to keep what she had worked so hard to obtain and killing a man who was legally dead wouldn't be out of the question.

Nikolai’s interruption had reminded her that she hadn’t eaten all day and her stomach growled.  Her legs failed to respond when she tried to stand and she had a major cramp from holding them in that position for several hours.  She took a minute to let the cramp pass before standing up and walking to her room changing her tear stained shirt before going to the kitchen.  Nikolai and her ate dinner, he asked once more what was bothering her but she still refused to answer and he let it be there was always tomorrow, except there wasn't.

Nikolai woke up right on time as he always did and Yvonne went back to sleep as she normally did but woke up earlier than usual taking a quick moment to gather herself before walking out into the courtyard.  He was currently working on a landscape of the valley taking in it's bright autumn colors he faced opposite her as the sun began to clear the horizon.  He heard her nightdress rustle as she approached, “Yvonne, you're up quite early.  Do you want to watch the sunrise with me?”

Her voice came in around eight meters behind him, “No I don't, stand up Nik.”

He stood up and turned toward her pointing a Coyote Brown 10mm semiautomatic pistol at him, “What's this about?  My cooking wasn't that terrible was it?”

She was holding her ground she wouldn't miss him even if he tried to charge her, “No Nik, I'm sorry but Peter is back and I won't let Katherine hurt him.”

Realization dawned on him, “Paladin Peter Focht?  Of course that explains a lot of things.  Katherine would no doubt want to hear about that.”

“Exactly and you would tell her.”


He started walking backward toward the ridge, “You're right I would and she would probably order me to kill him and his family and I would do it.”

She followed watching closely for any tricks he might trying to pull to get out of this, “You're a monster.”

“I am but I never tried to hide it you simply overlooked it for my more redeeming qualities.  I've killed one hundred and seventy two people in my career what's another three.  More than that would die if Katherine's enemies knew Peter had returned.  What makes their lives any more valuable?”

“I've lost enough brothers, I won't lose another one.”


He was nearing the cliff now and Yvonne stopped waiting to see what his next move was going to be, “Admirable, Katherine would no doubt be pleased that her little sister has finally grown up and truly seen the ugliness that is the world and made a stand against it.  I'm sorry that it had to end like this Yvonne, but we both knew we weren't going to grow old together.  I love you and cherished every moment, everything I have done including this has been to protect you, that's the truth.  I swore to Katherine that I would do so even if it resulted in my death and I keep my promises." 

He was poised on the cliff edge having taken a step back during that exchange, "Goodbye...Sunshine.”

With that he jumped off the six story cliff, Yvonne rushed to the edge dropping the gun along the way.  She couldn't see his body in the brush but knew he was gone.  A piece of her had left with him and all she wanted to do was cry but no tears came.

DOC_Agren

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Re: My AU, Katherine, White Wolf of Ragnarok
« Reply #158 on: 27 February 2018, 14:04:04 »
WOW

but she should never assume a profession died like that   >:D


"For the Angel of Death spread his wings on the blast, And breathed in the face of the foe as he passed:And the eyes of the sleepers waxed deadly and chill, And their hearts but once heaved, and for ever grew still!"

AlphaMirage

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Re: My AU, Katherine, White Wolf of Ragnarok
« Reply #159 on: 28 February 2018, 02:03:44 »
11/16/3067 18:29 Location – Mjolnir FCS Valhalla in orbit around Tharkad

Captain Damien Berok looked over the bridge of the Mjolnir Valhalla as his subordinate officers performed their various duties.  The holo-tank in the middle showing a 3d representation of their immediate surroundings, including the Avalon, two Foxes, and an Eclipse Warships that formed the rest of his task force.  The Word of Blake's flotilla had arrived with a Tharkad, McKenna, and Essex Warships into the Tharkad system and were now asking for permission to orbit the planet.  Apparently the Blakists sought to give the ancient Tharkad LCS Invincible back to the Commonwealth as a token of good faith.  They had abided by standard navigation and diplomatic procedure and had been allowed to get this close but no further, “McKenna Blake's Sword this is Captain Berok of the Valhalla.  We are denying you permission to orbit Tharkad.  Your task force will instead follow this flight plan around Marsden.  Any deviation will be treated as a hostile act.”

A video of Demi-Precentor Eva Reyna, XO of the Invincible appeared on his view screen, “The Precentor Naval told us that we had already been granted permission Captain.”

“Your Precentor was mistaken, the Archon-Princess and Second Fleet have always refused to allow non Commonwealth vessels to orbit Tharkad due to security concerns.  We can sort out this miscommunication after the conference has ended.”


11/22/3067 D-12 17:58 Location – 14th Donegal Guards HQ, Mogyorod, Federated Commonwealth

General of the Armies Adam Steiner paced outside the command center in his gray fatigues nearly blending into the rocky desert.  It was a familiar place, his 14th Donegal Guards had occupied this world and held it against multiple Falcon raids over the years.  Under his direct command were 7 RCTs supported by the Yggdrasil and her battle group, General Sarah Steiner was launching out of Pandora, and General Archer Christofori was launching out of Morges.  Half of the Wolf Touman was on the other side supported by Hell's Horses, Adam still bristled that Katherine hadn't told him the truth but there would be time to deal with both sets of Wolves after.  At least he was sure that the Kell Hounds and Arc Royal Wolves would join in if the Jade Falcons launched an attack against the Commonwealth.  Despite their hate for Katherine Duke Kell couldn't say she was soft on the Falcons after this, even if he probably wasn't aware the Tamar Wolves were helping.

Having Lyran Intelligence and Wolf Watch, not that they were very different things now, inside would give him an unprecedented chance for victory.  A courier ran up to him saluting, he returned the salute “General Steiner, Black Box from inside.”

“Thank You Corporal”


ONI REPORT
OP: AUDACITY
PRIORITY BLACK
CIPHER CONFIRM PALM-ECHO-YORK

GENERAL,
BLACK MAGIC HAS BEEN DEPLOYED TO ALL OF THE LISTED TARGETS
WE ARE PREPARED
FORCE DISPOSITION EN ROUTE

I'LL BUY YOU A DRINK ON SOMERSET
HAWK


That note put him slightly more at ease, this was going to be an operation as large as the War of 3039 even though the target area was smaller.  Now that Katherine had secured them a steady if small supply of Clan Tech he almost felt like it was cheating, the Jade Falcons wouldn't stand a chance.

Adam grabbed a ground shuttle to the assembly area from the command center to check the condition of his troops.  The Conquistador drop-ship FCS Somerset Striker loomed nearby on the ferrocrete amongst a large number of other dropships, large and small, Mechs, Tanks, and cargo containers were arranged in a carefully organized grid awaiting inspection.  Around the Somerset, it the techs were refitting his command group with clan tech, the ones that weren't piloting Omnis themselves. 

A Dire Wolf painted in 14th Donegal Colors stood nearby and Adam worked his way towards it dodging loaders and saluting constantly.  At it's foot was Oberst/Colonel Rachel Spector, ONI (Office of Naval Intelligence), sitting on a folding chair doing something on her noteputer.  Adam hadn't seen her since the Somerset Strikers broke up, so they had drifted apart, and she had only shown up again last year as part of the planning for AUDACITY.  They had some awkward moments initially but had 'clicked' again just like old times, and just like then old emotions stirred in him while he was in her presence.  It had proven difficult to maintain his relationship to Heather lately and he knew why but was unwilling to admit it to either of them, he would rather face down a cluster of Falcons alone.

She looked up at the sound of his bootprints, “Oh Adam, you're back I thought you were going to be gone for longer.  I was working on the latest projections we got from Hawk.  It's good to have everyone back together don't you think?”

“I do, we're finally going home Rachel, and sending the Falcons packing.”

Code: [Select]
META - Adam's Dire Wolf
Dire Wolf Adam

Mass: 100 tons
Battle Value: 2,937
Chassis: Titan HX Kwangjong Standard
Power Plant: Starfire 300 Fusion XL Engine
Walking Speed: 32.4 km/h
Maximum Speed: 54.0 km/h
Armor: Durallex Heavy Special
Armament:
    2  Gauss Rifles
    2  Large Pulse Lasers
    1  LRM-15
    4  ER Small Lasers
Manufacturer: Kwangjong Ni Indigo Facility Prime
Communications System: Angst Discom
Targeting and Tracking System: Angst Accuracy

================================================================================
Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Standard                     152 points               10.00
Engine:             XL Fusion Engine             300                       9.50
    Walking MP: 3
    Running MP: 5
    Jumping MP: 0
Heat Sinks:         Double Heat Sink             15(30)                    5.00
    Heat Sink Locations: 1 CT, 1 LL, 1 RL
Gyro:               Standard                                               3.00
Cockpit:            Standard                                               3.00
    Actuators:      L: SH+UA+LA    R: SH+UA+LA
Armor:              Standard Armor               AV - 304                 19.00
    CASE Locations: RT, LA, RA                                             0.00

                                                      Internal       Armor     
                                                      Structure      Factor     
                                                Head     3            9         
                                        Center Torso     31           48       
                                 Center Torso (rear)                  13       
                                           L/R Torso     21           31       
                                    L/R Torso (rear)                  11       
                                             L/R Arm     17           33       
                                             L/R Leg     21           42       

================================================================================
Equipment                                 Location    Heat    Critical    Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Command Console                              HD        -         1         3.00
LRM-15                                       RT        5         2         3.50
2 ER Small Lasers                            RT        4         2         1.00
2 Large Pulse Lasers                         LT        20        4        12.00
2 ER Small Lasers                            LT        4         2         1.00
Gauss Rifle                                  RA        1         6        12.00
Gauss Rifle                                  LA        1         6        12.00
@LRM-15 (16)                                 RT        -         2         2.00
@Gauss Rifle (16)                            RA        -         2         2.00
@Gauss Rifle (16)                            LA        -         2         2.00

AlphaMirage

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Re: My AU, Katherine, White Wolf of Ragnarok
« Reply #160 on: 28 February 2018, 12:47:14 »
11/23/3067 18:00 Location – Royal Ballroom, The Triad, Tharkad

The Royal Ballroom was entirely filled with delegates from across the Sphere, vid cams were transmitting along the first circuit today courtesy of COMSTAR.  The Concordat Delegation sitting under their own banner finally having a chance to be part of something larger even if they bristled at being on “enemy” territory to do it.  The Word of Blake had been surprising well behaved but still were kept on the other side of the room from the COMSTAR delegates to avoid any unfortunate and embarrassing incidents. 

Tonight was going to be the reception of the sponsored groups into the Second Star League and Katherine Steiner-Davion had a mystery entry that had been the talk of the town.  Was is it to be the Marian Hegemony, the overgrown pirate nation that had started to transform into a respectable periphery state and had recently received special attention from the Commonwealth, or the Tikonov Republic already a vassal state within the Commonwealth?  Solaris bookmakers slightly favored Tikonov.

Katherine took the stage, her outfit immaculate, blue and gold dress with a white and red gold ruby and sapphire coronet spiraling into her braided hair, platinum and diamond necklace, her watch, wolf styled bracelet, and signet ring were joined with another ring on her opposite hand.  “Hello everyone, I hope you have enjoyed the conference thus far.  The Federated Commonwealth is an open and prosperous nation and we strive to be welcoming to the Inner Sphere and Periphery alike.  You are no doubt wondering who I wish to sponsor?  It is my great pleasure to invite my husband Khan Vladimir Ward of the Wolf Empire to these proceedings.”

Everyone was aghast even the Commonwealth delegation was shocked into silence as Vladimir Ward followed by a Star of Elemental Battle Armor from his Golden Keshik arrived.  He walked up to the stage wearing a gray military uniform with a big red star as rank, his brown hair close cropped, face and scar visible, walking confidently despite his many potential enemies, just another day of being Khan.  The Elementals stood below the stage and locked ranks, carefully watching the crowd of freeborn below.  Three small children walking in from backstage, two boys and a girl and joined the Archon-Princess and Khan. 

“I sponsor the Wolf Empire for entry into the Second Star League, Khan Ward has graciously offered to join in our efforts to bring back the glory of the Star League.”

Still First Lord Christian Mannsson stepped up, “You cannot seriously expect us to welcome the enemy into our midst.”

“Why not First Lord?  Coordinator Kurita has no problem using the Nova Cats as human shields against the Ghost Bears...yet he doesn't give them anything in return, not even a vote.  Surely you feel that is more unjust than partnership.”


Former First Lord Theodore Kurita rose up, “Lies!  The Nova Cats volunteered, they are duty bound to protect us from their menacing kin.  Our nations suffered greatly at the hands of the Clans, this entire endeavor is dedicated to their eradication.”

“Is that so, here I thought it was to promote unity in the Inner Sphere and put an end to the Succession Wars, how foolish of me.  This eradication you speak of, did not the Rasalhague people elect a Ghost Bear as their Prince?  Surely you wouldn't let the Combine or the SLDF kill him.”

“We are still trying to get him back and liberate our people from their occupiers...”

“Oh do you want Rasalhague back so dearly?  Darling it is a bit of a problem, what with those Ghost Bears always trying to get it.  Why not let them try.”

“It is, but it has been good training for our Warriors and I love to spite the Bears.  You can of course trial for it, Regent Prince-General.  Although perhaps your people do not wish to return because they find Wolves and Ghost Bears more hospitable.”

“You are all monsters to me Wolf Khan and I will never accept you into the Star League.”

“That is very harsh First Lord, I might be offended but I have more important things to do.  I feel as if I am unwelcome on your world Katherine.”

“They will get over it.  I do not appreciate the vitriol expressed this day.  Think of the children, speaking of which I would like to present mine to the Inner Sphere, Morgan,”
she pointed toward the six year old girl wearing a blue dress, her blonde hair braided like her mothers, “Alaric,” the slightly shorter of the two brown haired boys “and Siegfried,” the tallest who wore a matching gray-blue outfit to his brother.

Precentor William Blane of the Word of Blake stood up and was eyed by the Elementals that stood guard over the stage, “The Word of Blake will never accept the Wolves or any Clan into the Star League.”

Theodore and Hohiro Kurita stood as well, “Nor will the Draconis Combine”

Captain-General Thomas Marik, “Neither will the Free Worlds League.”

Primus Gavin Dow however was supportive having long been an ally of Katherine's, whose vast intelligence apparatus had flagged Sharilar Mori as a Combine agent and covertly dispatched her.  Officially it was the Black Dragons and Precentor ROM Victoria Parrdue that were responsible for the hit.  Dow wanted a swift end to the Word of Blake so that the Blessed Order no longer needed to take precautions against them and the Clans and could go back to business as usual, the genie was out of the bottle so he was willing to be a fair broker once more.  The Com-Guards were prepared to work even with the Wolf Clan if it meant they could reclaim Terra from their wayward brethren and if the ilClan happened to be the Wolves the invasion would supposedly be over and the Inner Sphere safe from hostile forces once more.

Katherine looked disappointed but not surprised, “As I feared they will not let you join Vladimir, I suppose then if you will not accept the Federated Commonwealth's actions and spurn my husband.  I declare that the Federated Commonwealth is withdrawing from this mockery of an institution. 

I have long tried to deal with you fairly, but receiving nothing but insult to my character and that of the Commonwealth.  This 'Star League' is nothing but a mechanism to stifle the bright future that awaits us.  We are going to destroy the Jade Falcons with or without your help.  The Federated Commonwealth is now independent once more.  This conference is over, go back to your worlds and watch what happens next carefully, think deeply about your actions.”


Author's Note
Katherine and others will return in The Third Transfer which is likely to begin in Fall until then I am going to post some old stuff from my obsidian portal home game

ckosacranoid

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Re: My AU, Katherine, White Wolf of Ragnarok
« Reply #161 on: 28 February 2018, 13:24:58 »
That is one hell of a way to end the event. Everyone has issues and she throws everyone off world. Know that the master is pissed off things are going to get messy very quick and I do not think that many people are going to live though this little event.

DOC_Agren

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Re: My AU, Katherine, White Wolf of Ragnarok
« Reply #162 on: 28 February 2018, 13:43:30 »
So will be this be kick off of the Jihad...
"For the Angel of Death spread his wings on the blast, And breathed in the face of the foe as he passed:And the eyes of the sleepers waxed deadly and chill, And their hearts but once heaved, and for ever grew still!"

mikecj

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Re: My AU, Katherine, White Wolf of Ragnarok
« Reply #163 on: 28 February 2018, 15:58:04 »
And heres where it gets complicated...
There are no fish in my pond.
"First, one brief announcement. I just want to mention, for those who have asked, that absolutely nothing what so ever happened today in sector 83x9x12. I repeat, nothing happened. Please remain calm." Susan Ivanova
"Solve a man's problems with violence, help him for a day. Teach a man to solve his problems with violence, help him for a lifetime." - Belkar Bitterleaf
Romo Lampkin could have gotten Stefan Amaris off with a warning.

snakespinner

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Re: My AU, Katherine, White Wolf of Ragnarok
« Reply #164 on: 01 March 2018, 01:12:24 »
Just about to attack the Falcons and upset the Wobbies at the same time.
To top it all off there is a Wobbie naval task force in system.
Well everybody look's like they will live in interesting times. O0
I wish I could get a good grip on reality, then I would choke it.
Growing old is inevitable,
Growing up is optional.
Watching TrueToaster create evil genius, priceless...everything else is just sub-par.

Summoner

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Re: My AU, Katherine, White Wolf of Ragnarok
« Reply #165 on: 11 March 2018, 15:29:12 »
Thanks for writing this. Really good! I enjoyed getting caught up with it every few days or so. Great job.

AlphaMirage

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Re: My AU, Katherine, White Wolf of Ragnarok
« Reply #166 on: 01 April 2018, 21:37:39 »
Added an Extra Scene while doing proofreading that shows the relationship between Katherine and Melissa and why it was so screwed up.

08/30/3052 Location – Castle Davion, New Avalon

Archon Melissa Steiner-Davion arrived on New Avalon from Tharkad for her husband Hanse Davion's funeral via command circuit with her younger son Peter who had been pulled from the Nagelring Military Academy.  She had last stepped foot on the planet years ago when she left Yvonne in the care of her husband shortly after the girl's eight birthday and took up the full responsibilities of the Archon of the Lyran Commonwealth portion of the Federated Commonwealth.  That was nearly five years ago which almost felt like a lifetime in the wake of the Clan Invasion.

The funeral itself was a somber event attended by the top brass of the AFFC and the highest level ministers of the Federated Commonwealth as well as dignitaries from the Draconis Combine.  Despite their many differences in the past COMSTAR broadcast it throughout the First Circuit, a full Regimental Combat Team paraded their Battlemechs, Tanks, and Formally Dressed Infantry through the center of Avalon City to the Cathedral.  A 21 gun salute rang out over the New Avalon Military Academy's training field and a full regiment of Aerospace flew over the procession as perhaps the greatest leader the Inner Sphere had known was laid to rest, brought low early by a mere coronary.

The Pope of the New Avalon Catholic Church personally oversaw the funerary mass and the First Family of the Inner Sphere retired quietly to Castle Davion to mourn their patriarch.  Yvonne, Arthur, and Peter were engaged in a rare bonding experience though it was overshadowed by their grief.  Victor was engaging in formal affairs of state in the wake of his father's death, Melissa and Katherine were staring angrily at one another in a secluded office.

Katherine shouted, “You want me to do what!”
“Katherine, I am going to take you out of the line of succession unless you go to St Dymphas on Gallery.”
“You know there's no cure Mother; considering you are the one that gave it to me.  I am not going to commit myself to that asylum and conveniently get out of your way for my brothers, being there is the same as taking me out of succession, they'll never let me leave.  I haven't even done anything yet. 

While you're at you might as well put Yvonne there she has it as well.  Hell Victor and Peter likely have it, X-linked traits are just a bitch like that.  Too bad Grandmother didn't have another choice of heir or you'd be there too.  It wasn't enough that you sent me away as soon as you could.  Now you want me to disappear again.  Why do you hate me so!”


“You haven't done anything?  That's not what Gilda Sauer says, she has a long list of the things that you did there and many of them are unsightly.”

“Well it's a good thing they are on Morgan Elizabeth White's permanent record then rather than Katherine Steiner-Davion.  How much did Katrina cover up for you?”


Melissa slapped hard her across the cheek, “Ungrateful daughter, this isn't about me.”

Katherine recovered and ran her hand across the blazing red hand-print while glaring at her mother, “It is though you'll never be known as anything other than Hanse Davion's Widow, Mother of Victor Steiner-Davion, and only Daughter of Katrina Steiner.  It is about you just as much as it's about me, we're the same after all and you need me whether you like it or not. 

The Lyran people want another Katrina Steiner and I can be that for them, the Suns want a new Hanse Davion they want Victor, you'll always just be the second best option.  Peter isn't cut out for being the Duke of Tharkad and the longer you deny me my rightful place the worse it will be.”


“Are you threatening me Katherine.  I'll drag you to Gallery myself if I have to it's on the way.”

“Well you'd have to actually take responsibility for Yvonne and Arthur then.  It would put a major monkey wrench in your freewheeling style of Archonship to have your kids to take care of again.  I've heard plenty of rumors about what and who you do without Dad nearby.”

“I've heard rumors too Katherine, about you and Galen.”

“You want proof, I have it on tape. Of course I slept with him...have you seen those abs, his last name is Cox after all and it shows.  You should give it a try, though I think he might prefer the younger model that hasn't had five children pulled out of her.  At least I waited until I was nineteen...well for men.”


Melissa wound up for another strike but held it instead turning to leave.  Within a week she was back on a jumpship heading for Tharkad with Victor and Peter.  Katherine was left with her younger siblings and loads of college coursework.

AlphaMirage

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Re: My AU, Katherine, White Wolf of Ragnarok
« Reply #167 on: 02 April 2018, 08:06:16 »
07/22/3064 Tamar Governor's Palace, Wolf Empire

The next morning Katherine and Vladimir wake up to the sound of a summer rainstorm and began untangling themselves from one another on the disheveled King sized bed.  The couple took a moment for a passionate good morning kiss in the nude before changing into their Wolf Empire Garrison uniforms.  They traveled through the fortified palace combat boots loud against the marble floor tiles before arriving at the parking garage where a gray and red Wolf Patrol off-road truck waited for them to board before driving past the many layered defenses around the Palace.  The driver took them out of Tamar City toward the Wolf's primary Trueborn youth education facility at Oren Bailey. 

The facility was not far beyond the city limits and located at the end of a gravel road with barricades that required slowing down and checking with the Patrol guards.  The buildings themselves were drab and utilitarian formerly a military boarding school that fed into the Tamar War College but now filled with trueborns to young for Camp Kerensky, the Trueborn sibko training center nestled deep in a river valley 114 kilometers South of Tamar City.

The razor wire fence that warded the perimeter blocked access but not the view of the young Wolf Trueborns currently engaged in sport, marching drills, calisthenics, and other outdoor activities.  Each one of these youths would face a series of Trials that ultimately determined whether they were fit enough to serve as a Wolf Warrior.  As Khan Ward neared the gates their instructors ordered them to gather on the parade grounds and prepare for inspection.  Each of the under ten year olds was dressed in plain gray and tan uniforms most of which were muddy from their morning exercise.  Their backs were straight with chins up as Vladimir and Katherine walked past them, some of the older ones noticed something odd about them but none questioned the Khan.  The younger ones just out of creche looked terrified as the large man with wicked scars looked toward them but didn't flinch having been taught that scars showed you were tough and thus worthy of respect.

The inspection was finished and Vladimir gave a short motivational speech and recited a passage of The Wolf Remembrance to the sibkin before returning them to their pack leaders.  The pair returned to the truck, Katherine thought everything about the scene was strange despite her indoctrination into the Clan Way, to much of it cut against her own Spheroid mores. “They are so disciplined for such young children.”
“Yes, it is easier to start early for such things.  Perhaps half of them will grow up to be Warriors of the ilClan.  Even if they fall short the individuals will have the most solid foundation the Wolf Empire can provide.  I personally cannot wait to see how Siegfried and Alaric perform, it gives me pride to see them even now.  I know you want Morgan for yourself but I still urge you to reconsider, there will always be time after she has graduated from Oren Bailey.”
“No, that is not how I wanted to do this.”
“As you wish, we will go and see them now.  They are beautiful children.”
“Of course they are, we created them.”


The truck drove them to a residence in Tamar City where the foster family for the Steiner-Davion-Ward Iron Womb children were being raised until they were old enough to transfer to Oren Bailey.  The “family” was not a nuclear family in that sense but consisted of Olivia, a young trueborn technician, and Andrew, her freeborn husband.  The couple had been assigned the task of nurturing the children with the understanding that they would leave at five years old, except for Morgan whom Katherine would be taking with her when she returned to Tharkad in two weeks.  Katherinee was however impatient and wanted to visit the children that she could never have naturally which was something that confused Vladimir among other things about his mate but he humored her.

The residence was surprisingly colorful, Andrew was a technician at the Starport during the day but painted Murals with the permission of the Wolf Factors throughout the city in his off-hours.  As he was away at the time Khan Ward and Katherine arrived to find Olivia watching the children from the garden.  The woman ran to the gate once she saw the truck pull up and the pair walk toward her, “Khan Ward, I was not expecting you.  I beg your apology if things are not to your standards.”
“I am a certain I will find things to my standards, Olivia this is Watch Captain Katherine.”
“Greetings Watch Captain, what brings you here this day?”
“I would like to see my children Olivia.”

Olivia looked at her in a strange way that almost bordered on offensive before looking toward Khan Ward, it was improper to actually claim “children” of your own in the Clans.  The standard procedure was not to make a sibko out of a Warrior's genes for at least fifteen years allowing the Warrior to instead retire as a Solahma or die in battle during that time.  Katherine of course knew this but had sufficiently cajoled Vladimir into breaking the rules at least this one time.  “Very well Watch Captain.  I was about to prepare lunch so you arrived at a good time, please come in.”

The woman called the children into the house which was filled with colorful woven rugs made by local artisans.  Most of the furniture was of similar construction, wicker and wood with benches and tables built into the walls.  Their hostess prepared lunch which filled the small home with the smell of spice, rice, and grilled chicken while the children sat on the floor looking intently at the strangers on the couch before them.  One of the two boys attempted to touch Vladimir's facial scar but he brushed the three year old's curious hands away.
The annoyed little boy spoke first “Who are you?”
Vlad stared at him, “Sig right?” The boy nodded affirmative.
“I am your father, Vladimir Ward.  This is your genemother, Katherine”
The little blonde girl shouted out in a squeaky voice, “Really?”
Katherine was on the verge of completely breaking down in tears and embraced her, “Yes, you are all so precious.  I am so happy.”
The other boy looked at her, “Then why are you crying?”

AlphaMirage

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Re: My AU, Katherine, White Wolf of Ragnarok
« Reply #168 on: 07 April 2018, 10:06:04 »
10/28/3055 Sports Complex, Avalon City, New Avalon
Yvonne was on the field hockey pitch, the score 10 ACGS/11 CGS large letters brightly lit on the marquee. If they won this match her team would be regional champs and she was on a breakaway with the hard rubber ball under her stick and no more defenders in her way.  The goalie was in motion watching her from behind her visor, feet light and glove up to protect her zone.  Yvonne hit the ball hard and during the follow through watched as her shot went wide, missing an open portion of the net by centimeters.  The buzzer rang, Game Over, and she fell to her knees on the grass in disappointment.

“Oh man, now Jason's going to think I'm a loser”
A voice came over her shoulder, it was her sister Katherine “Yvonne”
She muttered, “crap” softly under her breath before taking a deep inhale, “Oh hi Kat...I didn't think you would be here, you said you were likely going to miss the game.”
“I managed to escape the drudgery of Castle Davion early and showed up in the third quarter.”
  Her tone grew inquisitive, “Who's Jason?”
“I don't know, you must be imagining things.”
“No I'm fairly certain I heard a boy's name, didn't you hear it too Galen?”

Galen was apparently enjoying this based on his tone, “Yep I heard it too”
“Nope, nope you both were imagining things.”

Katherine spoke in the tone she used with her hands on her hips when she found out something that she wasn't supposed to, “Yvonne”
Yvonne stood up and turned to see that it was true, Katherine hand on hips and Galen right beside her both wearing the same gold and red colors of her uniform.  “He's a boy I've been talking to, we met when I was at training camp he goes to Bayside (Military School), he's really cute and an artist, and please don't be mad with me.  He waited a month to even write a note and got one of the other girls to give it to me.  He was really scared when he realized who I was.  Please be nice to him, we haven't even kissed yet I swear.”
“How do you get to Bayside?”
“I have friends.”

Galen got mildy protective, “I'll have to have with him about some ground rules for dating a Princess”
“Please don't Galen, you'll scare him and he won't talk to me anymore.”

Katherine put her hand on her little sister's shoulder, “I'm sure he's a good boy Galen.  Yvonne you'll have to invite him to dinner so we can meet him properly but we'll just leave you to it.  I still want you back home by ten however.”
“Really?”
“Really, he has to be courageous to even dare to talk to you.”

She hugged her big sister who patted her on the back, “Thanks Kat,” before running to meet up with the rest of the team in the locker room.
Katherine drew close to Galen Cox who wrapped his arm around her waist, “They grow up so fast Galen”
“If we have a daughter I am going to lock her away until she's twenty”
“Oh please we both know that doesn't work.  Let her be normal for once.  It's hard enough to be a Princess and date.  I know from personal experience.”
“If I remember correctly you kissed me first Kat.”
“I did yes, you saved Victor, and punched some sense into him.  I figured anyone willing to do that was fearless.”
she grabbed and squeezed his chin, “and you're so darn cute.”

AlphaMirage

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Re: My AU, Katherine, White Wolf of Ragnarok
« Reply #169 on: 10 April 2018, 23:20:47 »
Alright Forumites I have a question for you.  While I have been editing this and intend to commission a cover art just to complete my fancy vanity project and outline it's sequel and conclusion (already have the ending its going to be heart wrenching). 
There are three characters that come back to the sorting order, in The Third Transfer do you want to see more of
Photon Brett-Marik as he deals with the Jihad that his uncle is about to start,
Arthur and Erdé's star crossed romance,
or more of Peter's past as he has to grow into the man he was destined to be?

They will all be in the mix but I don't know which one you'd all be more interested in

mikecj

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Re: My AU, Katherine, White Wolf of Ragnarok
« Reply #170 on: 11 April 2018, 07:52:05 »
Photon, Peter then Arthur is my preference.
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Sharpnel

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Re: My AU, Katherine, White Wolf of Ragnarok
« Reply #171 on: 11 April 2018, 09:36:20 »
Photon, Peter then Arthur is my preference.
I'm Sharpnel and I approve this message.
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DOC_Agren

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Re: My AU, Katherine, White Wolf of Ragnarok
« Reply #172 on: 11 April 2018, 13:57:17 »
Peter's past as he has to grow into the man he was destined to be?
"For the Angel of Death spread his wings on the blast, And breathed in the face of the foe as he passed:And the eyes of the sleepers waxed deadly and chill, And their hearts but once heaved, and for ever grew still!"

AlphaMirage

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Re: My AU, Katherine, White Wolf of Ragnarok
« Reply #173 on: 11 April 2018, 14:11:57 »
Peter's past as he has to grow into the man he was destined to be?

Yeah from hot headed insecure second best to someone with the courage to stand up and be seen as worthy of his brother's legacy

panzerfaust150

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Re: My AU, Katherine, White Wolf of Ragnarok
« Reply #174 on: 11 April 2018, 14:28:14 »
Peter most definately.
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AlphaMirage

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Re: My AU, Katherine, White Wolf of Ragnarok
« Reply #175 on: 01 May 2018, 16:27:32 »
On the Origin of the Barghest Battlemech

04/14/3058 04:57 LIC One-Eyed Raven, Pandora Zenith Point, Lyran Alliance

Archon Katherine Steiner (-Davion) was wearing sweatpants, socks, and a tank top securely strapped into her bed even her ankles and wrists were immobilized.  Two Loki officers hung onto the rail while floating in free-fall, “Archon, how do you feel?”

She was a bad mood, “I feel wretched! You know how much I hate jumping.”

“Yes we do.  Don't we Roderic?”


Roderic the Loki Officer in Charge was floating in the doorway far away from his mistress, “Katherine we don't know how you are going to react to the three hundred and seventy light year trip we're about to travel on.  So Hans will sedate you and monitor your vitals throughout the trip.  If everything goes according to plan you will wake up in your bed safe and sound tomorrow on Tharkad with the worst headache you have ever felt.”

“How very comforting Roderic.”

“You don't pay me to be a nice guy Katherine.”

“Will this sedation have a bad side effect with my medication?”


Hans looked warily at the other man hanging to the bed rail, “I'm not certain, your condition is not something I'm used to dealing with.”

“So you don't know.  Dammit Roderic! I hate everything about this plan, but Hans you better ****** stick me with that needle right now before I change my mind!  I have a Lyran Alliance to run and Jade Falcons to kill.”

The medic inserted the hypodermic needle into her vein and she grimaced slightly, “Sweet dreams Archon.”

“****** you Hannss” Katherine drifted off as the sedative took immediate effect, her vitals looked good and everyone relaxed, “She's just such a delightful patient”

Roderic looked over at the other Loki officers, “Yeah but I don't want to be in her room when she wakes up.  I'll have to tell the staff to clear it of throwables and breakables in case she wakes up in one of her moods.  God how I wish I could smoke on this drop-ship.  Hans we're leaving this up to you, Gunther let’s get moving.”

The ship's public address broke up the monotony, “All hands prepare for the first jump of thirteen.”

The Kearny-Fuchida drive of the Merchant Jumpship powered up and instantly transported the One-Eyed Raven thirty light years toward the Lyran Alliance's capital.  The drop-ship detached and continued to the next link in the command circuit, and then the next, and the next.

Meanwhile Katherine drifted fitfully between dreams and nightmares which felt so real and probed deep into her unconscious mind.  She saw herself as a white wolf roaming the tundra of Tharkad.  Except it wasn't Tharkad the stars were all wrong; was it Terra?  Something she read about long ago as a girl at Sister Jocelyn's, she wasn't sure, but felt warm fur keeping out the chill of an arctic wind that blew snow in great drifts across the harsh and barren landscape.  The she-wolf roamed the tundra until she came to another, a male with a golden coat, the pair fought fiercely but it soon became playful and they traveled together.  The two walked up to a promontory and watched a blood red moon rise over the horizon. 

With their howl Katherine woke up and threw herself out of her bed on Tharkad, the silver wool blanket she had been placed under tangling her up as she fell off the mattress.  Her head ached from the after effects of TDS (Transit Disorientation Syndrome) and the present impact onto the area rug that her bed rested upon, at least it wasn't the stone floor underneath.  She struggled up to her hands and knees before putting a hand on her head, “You are a crazy bitch Katherine.  A white wolf, I kind of like that actually.”

She untangled herself and stood up supported by the oaken bed frame, “Well this is very familiar.”  She looked around and saw that all of the small nick-knacks and two mirror that normally adorned the room had been removed.  The only things remaining were large heavy pieces of furniture most of which were bolted to the floor, the clock over her desk read 20:47 4/15/3058. “I was out a lot longer than I thought I would be.  I hope Lorelei sent Yvonne a nice birthday present since I doubt Victor could be bothered.  Pity that he and I are no longer on speaking terms I just missed his birthday.  I’m sure Omi let him do something real special though.  I hate her so much!”

The thought of Omi and Victor stoked a passionate rage inside of her but there was nothing to throw or break at hand so it subsided with only angry words and gestures.  As she normalized she looked out over the City of Tharkad its many brightly lit towers twinkling in the night sky.  “It’s good to be home but I have so much work to do.” 

She found the phone inside the desk drawer and rang the kitchen for dinner, taking a bath while they prepared her meal.  Several of her advisors burst into the private dining room with her still in a bathrobe to update her on the Jade Falcon Incursion and other affairs of state that Tormano Liao or Nondi Steiner were reluctant to make the decision on.  Lady Voight was still in the Triad and updated her on personal matters with her sister, brothers, and others so she could interact seamlessly with them again.  She was quite thankful that no one tried to assassinate her during her brief deception but eager to return to normal life.

With the initial flurry of activity complete Katherine had a moment to herself and pulled out a piece of engineering paper and looked at the wolf’s head bracelet, her Warrior codex.  “Hmm I wonder?”  Then she began to draw a concept for a new mech design, a Battlemech sized Fenrir, something truly terrifying and born of her own mind.

04/28/3058 Location – TharHes Corporate HQ, Weibetel, Tharkad, Lyran Alliance

Archon Katherine Steiner and Landgrave Gabriel Wellby, CEO of TharHes Industries walked along the side corridors atop the brutalist building which had housed the local branch of the legendary Defiance Industries but which was now co-owned by the Steiner and Wellby families.  “Have your engineering teams looked over my concept Gabriel?”

“They have Archon, it is rather ambitious.”  He opened the frosted glass door to his office and let Katherine pass, she did so and sat down on one of the richly upholstered chairs that had a spectacular view of the sprawling assembly complex.  Falconer and Bushwhacker Battlemechs were the primary products manufactured here, their hunched forms ambled strangely from the assembly bunkers.  Crusaders and Wolfhounds joined them in the marshaling yards. She still couldn’t look at a Crusader Mech without thinking of Galen but wasn’t about to pay for a full rebuild of their assembly lines, yet.

Fenrir Battle Armor were assembled in a smaller complex on the other side of Weibetel but the factory was patrolled by the wolf like battle armor to protect from sabotage or infiltration by hostile actors.  The site was small compared to some of the other contractors in the Inner Sphere but far more accessible for Katherine who disliked traveling, just a quick shuttle hop from the Triad.  “Well can you make it?”

“I believe we can.  It will require a little creative reconfiguration…and some expensive acquisitions from the Free Worlds League for a proper engine and some engineers from Brigadier for consultation but yes we can make it.”

“Good.  I intend to be quite involved in the process, I have already begun the proper steps to add a truly impressive visage to the design.  I want something that will inspire the kind of fear in a Mechwarrior that an Atlas or Banshee does while being new and exciting to show that the Lyran Alliance is still a power to be reckoned with.”

“Of course Archon, this is after-all your company as much as it is mine.  At the very least we will get some new R&D technologies fleshed out for future use.”


08/14/3058 Location – Tharkad Media Associates Assembly Complex, Tropicana City, Tharkad

Archon Katherine Steiner now dressed in a fancy sundress had used her personal yacht to get some time to herself while steaming towards Tropicana, there was now a timetable that needed to be kept for her new Battlemech design, the First Whitting Conference would be on Tharkad in only three months and she wanted a functional prototype to show off. 

She walked right off the boat and into the TMA prop designer’s warehouse on the city docks.  Before her were eight different wolf’s head mockups resting on display racks under bright lights.  Around her were props from various horror movies, some of which she had seen but most she hadn’t being more of a rom-com kind of girl, as she attempted to stay upbeat with her mindless viewing.  A bid was put out for a new Death’s Head style cockpit design and the Lyran film industry just like every other was eager to please.

Katherine looked carefully at every angle of the monstrous visages imagining it to be far larger, some of these might even be used for future Fenrir units so she was looking closely.  She pointed toward a model with an open asymmetrical snarl, long teeth, and fierce eyes. “This one.  This one is the best, I’ll take it.”  The young prop designer was overjoyed but tried not to throw it in the face of his compatriots everyone got paid and the model was sent to Weibetel to be added to the Barghest Project’s fabrication queue.

10/12/3058 08:17 Location – TharHes Test Compound, 75km outside Weibetel, Tharkad

Archon Katherine Steiner managed to escape the initial negotiation rounds of the First Whiting Conference for a few hours to attend the second round of testing for the Barghest.  She and Gabriel now sat inside a freezing truck watching the video feeds from the prototype as it ran through the snow covered plains.  Both were dressed in the LAAF’s standard winter white uniform, balaclava and hat, fur lined parka, insulated coveralls, and a heated undershirt with heavy boots and gloves.  “We have the movement profile down, but are still working on the weapon fire control.”

“I don’t expect it to fire the weapons yet.  It just needs to look impressive when everyone gets here in a month so I can show it off.”

“I think we can have all the bugs figured out before then.”
“I hope so, may I take it for a ride?”
“What?”
“I want to take it for a ride?”
“Well it is technically yours so go ahead Archon.”
“Fantastic, call him back”


Katherine walked out over the freezing plains of Bremen toward the semi-portable hanger that had been set up on the test range for the Barghest prototype.  The large Battlemech had gently dropped to slightly higher than ground level alleviating the need for a chain link ladder as typically used for a fielding boarding.  The test pilot hopped out and took Katherine’s coat and heavy gloves as she nimbly climbed aboard.  “Do you know what you are doing Archon?”  He shouted from eight feet below.

“I helped design the layout of this cockpit Kommandant.  I might even know it better than you.”
“Very well, enjoy”


The prototype's cockpit was unlike any other mech, even the most widely used quad mech in the Inner Sphere the Goliath had a standard coach style cockpit.  However the Barghest’s interface was more like a high performance motorcycle with a large saddle that was straddled by the pilot, reducing the size of the actual cockpit dramatically and making it a more difficult target to hit.  Katherine put on her clan tech Neurohelmet, a souvenir from Tamar, and reactivated the Battlemech. 

The Barghest was designed to be remarkably steady and smooth walking but capable of great sprints across open ground.  Katherine leaned in and kicked the throttle pedals behind her just like her own motorcycle and the seventy ton Battlemech accelerated with ease over the plains.  She tilted and leaned just like the skilled equestrian and motorcyclist she was and the Barghest smoothly performed to her expectations.  She was elated but it was all ruined when Gabriel told her time was up and she needed to go back to being the Archon and stop pretending to be a real wolf with a big terrible bite.

11/04/3058 11:17 Location – The Triad, Tharkad

“I want to show you two something really awesome.”

Yvonne, Arthur, and Katherine Steiner-Davion walked into the Mech Bay beneath the Triad, Arthur and Yvonne were still wearing their ship’s uniform and Katherine was dressed casually having a brief reprieve from serving as hostess while VIPs settled in.  “What is this sis?  We just landed and I’m beat.”

“You’ll live brother.  What is it Katherine?”

“It’s too bad you missed Halloween Yvonne this was a big hit.”

“Oooh! It’s something scary hold my hand Arthur.”
  Yvonne wrapped one of her hands into her big brothers who reluctantly continued to a curtained off section of the Mech Bay.  “Alright you two close your eyes and give me a minute to get it ready.” Yvonne made sure Arthur’s were closed before she did so and Katherine slipped behind the curtain, a load mechanical sound made Arthur open his eyes but there was still the curtain in place.

“Come on this isn’t funny Katherine.  Where did you go?”
They heard Katherine’s synthesized voice on the other side, “Alright you can open your eyes now and pull the curtain.”
Arthur opened the curtain before yelling, Yvonne shrieked and almost fainted at the sight of a gigantic wolf shaped Battlemech within the Mech Bay.  Its fearsome head pointed directly toward her and three barrels set into the Mech's flanks pointed far to the other side of the hanger.  “I made this”

Yvonne almost bolted for safety and was hyperventilating in the presence of the terrifying creation but was held in check by Arthur who was transfixed. “This thing is a nightmare made real Katherine.  Why did you make it?”

“To see if it could be done.”

mikecj

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Re: My AU, Katherine, White Wolf of Ragnarok
« Reply #176 on: 03 May 2018, 04:36:06 »
Very nice.
There are no fish in my pond.
"First, one brief announcement. I just want to mention, for those who have asked, that absolutely nothing what so ever happened today in sector 83x9x12. I repeat, nothing happened. Please remain calm." Susan Ivanova
"Solve a man's problems with violence, help him for a day. Teach a man to solve his problems with violence, help him for a lifetime." - Belkar Bitterleaf
Romo Lampkin could have gotten Stefan Amaris off with a warning.

Kasaga

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Re: My AU, Katherine, White Wolf of Ragnarok
« Reply #177 on: 12 May 2018, 11:20:44 »
I just power read this whole thing in 2 days.  My eyes hurt time to catch up on third transfer now.

Good job bud.  I put my whole AU on hold just to read this.


Kasaga

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Re: My AU, Katherine, White Wolf of Ragnarok
« Reply #179 on: 14 May 2018, 07:03:32 »
Thank you Kasaga I will certainly return the favor with LEGION

Just remember if you do it my story shifted.  Download the PDF's as the first bit of story telling is wrong.  I shifted from a shadow faction to one completely in hiding. 

 

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