marauder - the Akagi is a different beast than the Yamoto. She's got more in common with the AFFS ships she resembles. The drones are based on the Revenant Drone used by the WoB in canon and larger versions of the same BattleMech.
JA Baker - the fluff won't be much different only the factors that my AU has over your Tartarus AU which I can't go into because it gives away what the ship is... while the stats I'm going with identical to what you already have I really like it.
Wrangler - I like Grand Yamato... not for this design but I like that
cawest - she is a classic design (for the AU anyway) although the Combine have played about with it. The Akagi comes in between Columbia and Mercury classes in size
Next update - as I said I feel like writing. For those who have read the Homeworlds piece I did previously you'll recognize some of this update
Society Work Base 6 Alpha
Babylon City, Babylon
Pentagon Worlds, Deep Periphery
9th March 3108 After six months working with the Society Alex Lassenem he had learned a lot about the Society and how they ruled. While the Society was very good at hiding things and working around rules put in place by the Clans but they were very poor at detecting those working against them from the inside. Alex had learned that once you were into a Society group they trusted you as one of them Alex’s unit had been described as never-do-well Clan warriors who wished to be on top of the new order.
In the six months they had done well with the Society with only two minor incidents the first had been the most dangerous when MechWarrior Flynn, one of the Septicemia pilots, had hesitated in firing her weapons to disperse a crowd of civilians who were protesting about delayed food shipments to Babylon. When the scientist had ordered the firing for a second time Flynn had fired their OmniMech’s pulse weapons roughly a metre over the crowd quickly dispersing the civilians. Their scientist commander had wanted the weapons into the crowd but had accepted the results. The second had been closer to exposing what his unit were doing on Babylon when MechWarrior Sylvester, the Cephalus pilot, had been pulled up by the scientists over his constant trips down the same route. Sylvester had explained he was visiting a local brothel, following the course of human nature, the scientists had investigated Sylvester’s claim and found he was telling the truth he had been visiting the brothel and exchanging credits for their services. Soon after the scientists had announced that all warriors who wished to visit the brothels were welcome to as long as they did so in their own time giving Alex’s team an excuse to drop data along that route when they wanted to.
During the time on Babylon Alex and his team had learned much about the Society and its workings the Scientists controlled everything but the warriors were given a lot of leeway in what they did. The MechWarriors while given little authority over what they did on the field were allowed to do whatever they wanted in their personal time, much like in regular Clan society, they were given the best of food and kept in the best physical shape. Alex suspected that this was due to the fact that there were only twenty-two MechWarriors on the planet outside his own unit of six. While aerospace fighter pilots were as important as the MechWarriors the majority of them remained in space or on their bases and Alex had not encountered them much. The ProtoMech Warriors were the strangest of the lot while numerous they were also the most detached Alex had yet to hold a single conversation outside of training or combat. When off duty if they were not eating they remained inside their ProtoMechs constantly as one with the machine. The Armour crews were the most numerous of all of the Society warriors with the numbers of armoured vehicles he had seen enough to give the most loyal Hell’s Horses warrior a wet dream. The crews were treated well but because of their number they were seen as less prestigious as the MechWarriors. And the last group of their warriors were the Infantry. While unarmoured infantry guarded most bases and were numerous the Battle Armoured Elementals were far rarer and were only seen at the most important encounters.
One thing that may explain the lack of Elementals and their Power Armour was something Alex had overheard when assisting in moving equipment in the command bunker was that the Society had lost its source of HarJel when renegade Goliath Scorpion Warriors and Sea Fox traders had brought eight nuclear weapons to Hoard one of the primary sources of HarJel in the Cluster. The nuclear fire had reacted badly to the atmosphere and Hoard’s surface had burned if the Society reports were to be believed it was now a dead world. Without HarJel to repair the battle damage to Elemental Power Armour it would make the Society’s Elementals far more susceptible to losses in the field. The information had already been sent off Babylon to be analysed by the Clan’s experts unfortunately that was all that seemed to be happening. Whatever reason Alex was here so far the Clan had not reacted to the intelligence gathered instead all he and his team could do is continue to gather data.
Lying on his bed he heard the handle on the door of his room creek as someone turned it quickly he grabbed one of the Society’s “Warrior books” and pretended to read it just as Scientist Leader Sophie O’Brien stepped in. She was young perhaps twenty-five years old and she was their primary handler and interface with the leadership of the Society on Babylon. While Alex found her attractive she had an annoying ability to be able to read people. “Group Commander Alex I hope I am not interrupting you?” She asked standing in the door way looking at the book.
“No just catching up on my reading” Alex said lifting the book.
“What is your favourite part?” She asked Alex knew she was trying to trip him up so decided to show her up.”
“If Nicholas Kerensky, the Great Founder of us all, had been more of a Scientist than a Warrior REVIVAL would have been far more successful.” He began seeing she was impressed “as soon as the warrior caste successfully secured the planets we should have begun the systematic round up and execution of all planetary politicians, the sick, deformed, old and infirm. This action would have broken these planets’ resistance and pacified the populations allowing us to move forward quickly from system to system.” He said reciting the words from the book.
“The late Etienne Balzac” she said recognizing the words stepping into the room “you are an impressive man Alex” she said looking at him with a smile “I am not the only one who has noticed.” She said continuing to give him a disarming smile “which is why I have come here to warn you Scientist General Michael Gibson will be coming here.” She announced Alex’s attempt to cover his surprise failed as he immediately thought of looking across the street on Fasa at the Scientist General. “Yes, I was as surprised but with your team things should run very smoothly” she said “and with that both your team and mine would be well rewarded.” She suggested Alex nodded while Sophie continued to smile withdrawing backwards out of his room pulling the door slowly closed. Alex continued to read the scientist dribble for several moments before reaching for his micro-transmitter into the small machine he typed a small message.
“AFTER MUSTER ;)” before sending the message.
At 1830 the six MechWarriors, three times as many ProtoMech pilots and many more armoured warriors appeared in front of the Scientist leadership including Sophie O’Brien. After they were shown to be attending Alex marched straight over towards MechWarrior Laurel grabbing her around the waste drawing her into an embrace intentionally kissing her in front of the scientists. They knew that the warriors needed personal contact and with Alex kissing Laurel it would hopefully give Sophie O’Brien the message he wanted to send. Since the two were off duty they headed directly towards Alex’s quarters where the two of them spent the next several hours despite the intentional public show of affection being aimed at driving off Sophie O’Brien Alex had to admit he also enjoyed it.
“So he is coming here? That must be our target” Laurel said as they lay in bed. “But we have sent the data dump for this week.”
“Aff” Alex said he was lying behind her on the bed “we need an excuse to send a second data dump.” He said “tomorrow when we go out on patrol we will go up Atacon Pass” he said “we will pass over the loose rocks we saw the other week I will intentionally lose control over the Mech and fall down the slope. Before you guys can return with the lifting gear I will slip away to the relay point and send the message.” He said
“The damage to your Mech could cause you your position.” She said “I have a superior plan. I will use my OmniMech’s jump jets to slow my fall.” She said leaning into him “I will not be able to jump back up from there and will have to go the long way that should being me close enough to the transmitter to send a data dump.”
“It is risky” he said kissing her bare shoulder “you think you can control the fall?”
“Better than you could in that monster” she pointed out “I can do it but first we make the most of tonight” she said turning around towards him under the covers.
Patrol Route
Atacon Pass, Babylon
Pentagon Worlds, Deep Periphery
10th March 3108 The next day things were going exactly as the two of them had predicted as they moved through the pass Alex had ordered Laurel not to tell the others their part in the plan. When they passed over the rocks Sylvester called out the loose rocks the same as he always did and everyone acknowledged them. Unable to use the jump jets in the tight confines the pass Laurel manoeuvred her Septicemia through the pass intentionally standing on the unstable rocks suddenly they gave way and the fifty-five ton OmniMech slipped “OH HELL!” She shouted out as her Mech fell onto its chest smashing armour plates before the legs went over the edge the other Septicemia pilot moved to assist but Laurel screamed at Flynn to stay back “NO WE’LL BOTH GO OVER” she warned “I’ve got this” she said as the Mech went over she expertly turned her Mech so its back armour was scrapping against the loose rocks while cutting in the OmniMech’s jump jets slowing the fall until she reached the ground below.
“Are you alright?” Alex asked his OmniMech had been anchoring the column at the back and he’d seen it all.
“Aff, stavag I mean yes” she said correcting herself the Scientists did not like the Clan’s Aff, Neg and their interrogatives Quiaff and Quineg. “Light armour damage and a smashed hand actuator.” She reported “unfortunately I will not get back up from here.” She said sounding so disappointed.
“Circle back through the forest” Alex ordered “return to base yourself we will return after the patrol.” Mentioning the forest should tip off the other MechWarriors that she was heading towards the relay station while the rest of them completing their patrol would cover for her absence.
Several hours later Alex and Laurel stood with Scientist Leader Sophie O’Brien watching the gun camera footage of Laurel’s Septicemia as she smashed through the trees of Babylon a silver communications dish on a tower stood out. The Septicemia’s torso twisted to the left and then to the right covering the full rotation before locking on the tower firing its main weapons destroying the tower O’Brien froze the image. “Please explain your actions, MechWarrior.” She said looking at Laurel
“I believed it was a Clan intelligence gathering tower” the MechWarrior explained “I scanned the area for Clan contacts then eliminated the target.”
“You could have secured it for future study by our people.” O’Brien pressed the point for a moment.
“Ne… No I could not” Laurel said quickly catching herself “I moved through the forests from an unplanned point and had no guarantee I could lead a team back through that area.” She said looking at Alex who nodded “eliminating the target reduced the rebels’ ability to communicate giving us a better chance at eliminating them.”
“I see” O’Brien said “Group Commander she is your responsibility” she said delegating disciplinary action to Alex.
“Yes, I believe she was correct” he said knowing that O’Brien would know they had been involved physically and that he would protect her. “The more we can cut off the clan rebels from each other the easier they will be to destroy.”
“Fine dismissed” she said allowing them both to leave as they returned to their quarters Alex leaned towards Laurel.
“I assume you transmitted the data before you fired?”
“Aff, I knew she would check my gun footage” Laurel replied “I had no option but to destroy the tower.” She said as they continued entering Alex’s quarters.
“Aff, you did well.” He agreed as they both slipped down onto the bed “now let us hope things go the way we want.” With them together again so soon after the incident it should be the perfect cover for Laurel’s actions and Alex’s decision to protect her. Now they had to wait and see if Scientist General Gibson was the Clan’s target.
Clan Watch Operations
Jade Falcon Occupation Zone
16th March 3108 As Clan Coyote continue their operations against Society Cells within their Occupation Zone Clan Jade Falcon do the same in their own territory eliminating several stars worth of warriors and nearly a dozen scientists in a series of raids. Unlike the Coyotes who have been taking great pains to avoid collateral damage the fighting between the Falcons and the members of the Society cause more than five hundred civilian casualties as the fighting gets out of hand on several worlds.
Command Headquarters
Addicks, Addicks PDZ
Draconis March, Federated Suns
21st March 3108 Duke Mordecia Sandoval marched proudly into the command room of the Addicks PDZ. His forces had been directed by the AFFS High Command and by New Avalon itself to support the defence of Addicks from intrusion by the Draconis Combine. His cousin Joseph had signed an order supporting his reassignment. Moving through the Headquarters stepping up to the main map table “what is the status of our defences here?” He asked loudly expecting an immediate answer; he was after all a member of the March’s ruling family.
“With your forces added to my own Fourth, the Fifth Crucis Lancers RCT and the Federated Suns Lancers RCT we effectively have four RCTs to turn back any intrusion onto this planet. The Naval forces in the system can counter anything the Combine can throw at us.” Field Marshal Rebecca Gothram, the commander of the Fourth Davion Guards RCT.
“Very good, I will need information on the deployments across the system so I can formulate a strategy.” He said attempting to put across a sense of confidence and control to the seasoned Davion Guard commander. When she didn’t immediately move he looked at her quizzically “is there a problem Field Marshal?”
“There is” she said handing him a folder which he opened and glanced through “this is your forces area of operations. You will coordinate with the First Federated Suns Lancers RCT to repel any invasion to this area.”
“This is an unimportant area of operations!” He snapped looking at the pages of information “as commander I should be at a central point of defence.”
“Your units do not warrant a prestigious place of defence” Gothram said coldly “your units are small and mobile. I need the Davion Guards and Crucis Lancers where they are.”
“I am a member of the Sandoval ruling family I will decide where I need my units. My name grants me that right I can have your commission!” He said becoming increasingly more angry
“No” Gothram corrected handing him a second piece of paper this one addressed to the Field Marshal with the crest of the First Prince on it. “I am commander of the Fourth Davion Guards RCT, a unit of the Royal Brigade of Guards” she said putting him in his place stepping around the table. “My command here is guaranteed by the First Prince and is absolute. Your forces are here to support my operations. Your name gives you the respect of the ranks your actions have cost you my respect and those of the First Prince.”
“This is preposterous!” Sandoval snapped deciding not to leave the matter.
“As was your attack on Royal which started this mess” Gothram said deciding to explain a fact of life to the Duke. “Instead of having your people eliminated the First Prince has chosen to use your people and allow them to fight for the Draconis March. You will try to win some honour Duke Sandoval and perhaps redeem your unit’s reputation.” She said putting the stunned Duke in his place “now you are dismissed.”
Alex Lassenem’s quarters
Society Work Base 6 Alpha, Babylon
Pentagon Worlds, Deep Periphery
24th March 3108While it had begun as a cover story Alex and Laurel had continued coupling for the duration of their time on Babylon it was a comfort for both of them to be together on a planet controlled by the enemy. Laying behind Laurel the two spoke in hushed voices unsure if they were being recorded or not “it has been two weeks” she said not moving “and still nothing. He arrives in four days what the hell are we supposed to do?”
“Suicide mission” he whispered back “we were sent here to be eyes, ears and executioner.” He said “they never expected us to survive. They did not expect us to need back up or complete the mission.” He explained still she didn’t move.
“You only send Solahmas on suicide missions.” She said angrily not wanting to be classed alongside the aged worthless warriors.
“Once upon a time it was that way. Perhaps with our Clan it was that way” he said Laurel was another former Hell’s Horse warrior like Alex. “But maybe the old Khan is not playing by the old rules” he suggested “we were sent undercover that is not Clan. We are using Society Mechs not the Clan way.”
“A Mech is a Mech it is a tool it doesn’t matter who built it. We could use an Inner Sphere BattleMech but we would still be Clan warriors.” She snapped her anger boiling over.
“Calm yourself” Alex whispered rubbing her bare shoulders “I have a plan” he said “we are going to do it ourselves and we are getting out alive.” He said kissing her shoulders “they are never going to see this coming.” He promised her as their bodies moved together if anyone was listening in they may as well give them something to enjoy and any good warrior knew relieving tension was the most important thing.
- - -
The next day Alex checked out his OmniMech for a routine patrol with MechWarrior Flynn and they headed into the Babylon Wastelands an area created during the Clans battles with the Society. Liberal use of nuclear and biological weapons had turned the region into a dead zone because of this Clan rebels used the area as a place to hide and Society patrols were a regular occurrence meaning Alex’s visit wouldn’t arouse too much suspicion. Passing through the area Alex piloted his Osteon through the wastelands following the standard Society patrol routes but he had his OmniMech’s sensor system scanning in a very particular way. In return the Osteon was being hit by a specific way of scanning. Unsurprisingly neither Alex nor Flynn spotted any rebel forces but both of their Mechs had collected the data that they needed.
That night the six warriors of Alex’s unit stood at the foot of his Osteon in the base’s Mechbay discussing what they knew and what they were going to do. “This is how they will approach it is the same each time. Flynn you here” he said placing down a marker for the Septicemia “you will open the door and welcome them in. Sly you will have Helo and be on Echo duty.” He said speaking to the Cephalus pilot who nodded. “Grant, Claire you are with me at point Alpha we have the main guard positions anything coming from the front and we take them down. Laurel you have point Zulu if they have fast units you cover our backs.” he said placing down the final marker for their second Septicemia which would cover the three Osteon’s backs. “Whatever happens we ensure that Scientist General Gibson is covered from all angles and nothing happens to him without our say so.” He commanded the other nodded unsure exactly why he had taken a formal tone then they noticed as Scientist Leader Sophie O’Brien approached. As expected the Scientist immediately looked at Laurel with a disdainful look which almost brought a smile from Alex but he decided to speak up. “Scientist Leader, how can we assist you?”
“I wanted to make you aware Scientist General Gibson has moved up his arrival schedule he will arrive on Babylon one week tomorrow.” She announced “as is planned he will have two Septs of forces as bodyguard and the WarShip Absolute Truth.” She said Alex knew that she was trying to see a reaction from any of his people but Alex gave her no satisfaction stepping forwards.
“Of course” he said “we have increased our patrols of the Wastelands and we are ready for his arrival here. Nothing will get near our defence while my two Treys will hold the bases defence.”
“Your Sept Group Commander” she said correcting him “my Septicemia will be joining your formation.”
“Your Septicemia?” Alex asked unaware that she was trained as a MechWarrior.
“Yes, from a past life.” She said smiling “I may be a little rusty but I will try not to let this brave unit down.”
“We have every confidence in your ability” Laurel said standing beside Alex “and we welcome you among our ranks Scientist Leader” she said laying it on thick bowing her head slightly with respect.
“We will put on a glorious show together and put Babylon in the spotlight. Each of you will be remembered among our ranks for generations to come.” She promised each of the warriors assembled Alex smiled a false smile wondering exactly how much Sophie O’Brien expected and knew there was something off with her coming here today like this. He would watch the Scientist Leader extra closely over the next week.
Clan Mountain Wolf Command
Wolf City, Gallery
Halfway Province, Lyran Commonwealth
27th March 3108 “This is a mistake” saKhan Toby Fetladral said angrily looking around the room and finally focusing on the young Khan in front of him. “We cannot do this”
“It is already done” Loremaster Ann Metha stated looking back at the saKhan “you agreed to the path when it was chosen. It was that or we lose our identity forever.”
“We will lose our identity” Fetladral said looking around the room “my Khan within a couple of years our identity will be gone swallowed by the whole.” He said he had been a member of the Mountain Wolf Clan for more than forty years, since their original break from Clan Wolf, and couldn’t have ever foreseen what they were now planning especially not from the son of Phelan Kell.
“Those who do not wish to follow the Clan’s new path will be offered alternatives.” Evan Kell said carefully he knew many of the older warriors would now agree with his plan. He knew that many of the younger warriors would likely feel the same but also that many would relish the new challenge.
“I am a Wolf, I have been a Wolf since I was born and I will be a Wolf until I die” Fetladral said quietly. “I do not agree with your path Evan Kell and I do not believe that this is our path so I must challenge you to a Trial of Grievance. Others must see that there is an alternative to this path.”
“I do not want to kill you Toby, do not do this…”
“It is done my Khan” the old warrior said rising from his chair leaving the room. Evan Kell looked around the room as well as the Loremaster there were five other members of the Mountain Wolves present Star Admiral Maya Ch’in, the head of the navy, Star Colonel Gilford Shaw, the commander of the training sibkos, both remaining Galaxy Commanders of the Mountain Wolves and finally to the heads of the merchants and scientist Castes. All had been given an equal vote in this and the majority had chosen the same course of action only the saKhan seemed willing to challenge Evan on the course of action instead agreeing that this was the only way of preserving their culture. “Star Admiral prepare your WarShips and JumpShips for the coming operation. All of you I know this decision has been hard but I believe that this is our only course forward. We are Clan every single one of us is capable of progressing this way we have to choose our skill and determination to make things happen how we want them to.”
An hour later on the surface of Gallery Khan Evan Kell gave saKhan Toby Fetladral the warrior’s death he desired first downing the saKhan’s Timber Wolf with the weapons from his Lycurgus then crushing the OmniMech’s cockpit when Toby Fetladral refused to surrender. To honour the fallen warrior Evan Kell ordered the Timber Wolf chassis stripped of all technology worth salvaging and left on the wind swept surface of Gallery. With nothing of value to the broken OmniMech Evan hoped that it would remain there in memory of its fallen pilot while several further lines of text were added to the Mountain Wolf’s Remembrance in Toby Fetladral’s name further honouring the man who had stood by his principles.
