Alrighty, it was not my intention for Brandon Howell to come off as an idiot. While I am glad arrogance came across, as I did want some Jaguar to come out of him, a couple of reviews convinced me that a rewrite was necessary.
This story is really from my point of view during our BattleTech which took three days to play out. The first three turns of day one were described here. Me and everyone else thought that Howell would soon crush Starla and go on to another opponent likely Duke Topi as day 2 (turn 4) got underway. Of course, this would depend on who ever was not engaged even though the Restorers had more troops that were already free to engage.
Thanks to drakensis we were able to dial back Howell's idiocy that his victory was certain to over confidence based on actual events that took place. His opponent sustaining two MechWarrior hits, overheating, and being in poor condition were all good reasons for this belief. Plus I was able to include a few facts which were not previously in the first story.
I appreciate the reviews and thanks again to drakensis for his detailed advice. Now here for your enjoyment the revision!
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Revival’s End
Mars Field Proving Ground
Strana Mechty
Kerensky Cluster, Clan Space
27 January 3053
SaKhan Brandon Howell breathed in the morning air as he surveyed the field before him from his Timber Wolf. While the weather was slightly overcast, his own personal outlook was brighter than any dawn witnessed. Nearly a full Galaxy of the finest Clan warriors had assembled to take part in the next great combat trial of their age. It was his honor to command the so-called Revivalist Clusters whose goal was to overturn the Grand Council’s latest folly, Operation Restoration and victory this day will be glorious.
Injuries sustained on Tukayyid prevented his senior commander, Khan Lincoln Osis, from participating and it came as no surprise to him that the Jade Falcon Khans bid themselves out of the battle early on. They always struck Brandon as more politicians than warriors. With a smirk, he mused to himself ‘Perhaps they are part of a new caste which the scientists are experimenting?’
With a laugh, he looked to his left and saw their 5th Battle Cluster ready for battle. The Golden Talons were able warriors with a distinguished record in spite of their Clan’s questionable leadership. Star Colonel Diane Anu was a capable commander whose technical insights impressed him. With their assistance, they would defeat the Restorers and resume the Crusade quickly.
While it galled Howell to admit it, his Clan should probably delay the renewal of hostilities for the foreseeable future. The failure of their Sixth Wave following Tukayyid showed that the Draconis Combine had stepped up defensive preparations significantly. Losses on Tukayyid and Luthien had damaged their Touman far more heavily then was generally known even within the Clan. There would be fanatical Crusaders who would no doubt push for an immediate resumption of the invasion but caution was warranted. Another triumph here coupled with his thoughtful advance begun on Tukayyid will be enough to convince even these zealots that a short period of rebuilding was necessary.
Reviewing his forces dressed in the Clan’s customary gray and black paint scheme they were ready. Most were from the 4th Jaguar Dragoons who just a few years prior had crushed the final Warden Refusal by the Wolves on this very site. Supplemented by the very best from his own Shroud Keshik and rounded out by two OmniFighter stars from the Jaguar’s Den and Epsilon Galaxy Command they were geared for the kill. Many including himself were armed with the most powerful weapon they could carry into battle. Often this was the devastating Ultra AC/20 which at close range could savage any would be adversary rapidly. Howell closed his cockpit and, switching on his communicator, he commanded his elite troops: ‘At the first signal – pounce!’
As anticipation grew he looked to the observers gathered on the edge of the proving grounds. As tradition dictated the Khan of every Clan not participating stood ready to witness a properly fought combat trial as the Founder had envisioned. Augmented by their Keshiks they could intervene if the participants engaged in any dishonorable actions violating the code of battle known as zellbrigen. The largest of these contingents were from Burrock, Ghost Bear, and Ice Hellion who chose not to take part in this Trial of Refusal in anyway. While each had their reasons, he could not personally fathom why any Clan warrior would sit on the sidelines as the fate of the invasion hung in the balance.
At the far end of the grounds the reviled Diamond Sharks had gathered an understrength Cluster of ten Clans to uphold Operation Restoration. Howell despised them all for trying to inject themselves into the invasion late but he understood the desire to fight. After dealing with their primary rivals today this rag tag force would be driven from the field by a righteous Crusader fury. First though the Falcons would square off against the Wolves and the Jaguars would have to deal with the Star Adders.
Arrayed against them was the 3rd Wolf Battle Cluster and the Adder Command Keshik. The Wolf Cluster obviously wanted to make up for their defeat four years ago during in the initial Revival Refusal but the Adders were far more calculating. The vote in the Council had been close but bidding should have evened the odds. However, the Restorers used the full weight of the vote and most notably in the case of the Star Adders had foregone bidding selecting their very best to represent them. While Howell agreed with his Falcon counterparts that this was unClanlike it demonstrated to him how important victory was today and how far his opponents were prepared to go in order to achieve it.
In spite of his age Khan Cassius N’Buta was a clever challenger not to be underestimated. Brandon knew that many Jags hated the Adders for their opportunistic tactics, showcased most notably during the Mongoose Absorption. They never rushed headlong into any venture but their pragmatism could never match the ferocity of the Jaguar. Even though today would be no different Howell knew that he had to be on guard for one of N’Buta’s well laid plans. He smiled as he thought ‘the age-old axiom no plan survives contact with the enemy would be never witnessed the vicious claws of the Smoke Jaguar’.
Focusing in on ilKhan Ulric Kerensky’s Gargoyle now moving into view he readied himself for battle. The Gray Wolf was another foe who the young Smoke Jaguar saKhan understood should not be underestimated. Flanked by Ebon Keshik the leader of the Clans rose his OmniMech’s right arm high in the air and commanded ‘Begin!’
Just as he knew they would, his forces seized the initiative boldly charging forward and looking to engage as swiftly as they could. Each side began their advance well outside of weapon range however and there were few instant engagements. Brandon realized with their preferred loadout they would have to gain ground fast and he expected his warriors to take down two opponents each today. This kill rate would be insure total victory today.
Just then two long range blasts from an ER PPC and a Large Pulse Laser struck his Timber Wolf marking the start of his first action with a Star Adder Warhawk. Configuration C was well known to all Jaguars as that Assault OmniMech was a proud creation of their Clan. Developed some fifty years ago as the Crusade first neared it had spread throughout the Clans becoming one of the most widely available. As Mechwarrior Starla of the Adder Command Keshik formalized their duel she clearly did not realize whom she had just struck. Howell responded with a well- placed ER PPC blast of his own which unlike his opponent was not aided by a Targeting Computer.
As both sides closed and weapons fire flashed on all sides now as warriors paired off in single combat. Playing on his Clan’s fearsome reputation he keyed in on his rival’s frequency ‘This is saKhan Brandon Howell accepting Mechwarrior Starla’s challenge. Prepare to be the first to fall before the might of the Smoke Jaguar this day!’ With that he unleashed a devastating volley that crashed into his would-be challenger again and again. Several staggering blows including one to her Warhawk’s head sent the heavier Assault ‘Mech crashing to the ground. A roar went up from the Jaguars as their saKhan delivered on his words with speed and brutality of their namesake. It felt to him as if the weight of so many recent reversals was being lifted from the Clan.
Closing to one hundred meters Howell saw the battered Warhawk which lay before him its pilot no doubt dazed from his strike and the fall which followed. His mind raced thinking of his next potential enemy of which there were three targets all in close proximity. Khan Cassius N’Buta in his Kingfisher was just ninety meters to his left engaged with Star Captain Caslon Stiles’ Ebon Jaguar. It looked as though both were fairly well matched and their duel would stretch on for some time.
Behind the Khan another sixty meters was the Adder Champion Duke Topi who perhaps would provide the greatest challenge to Howell on the battlefield. The Adder’s finest had already knocked down Mechwarrior Redi’s Mad Dog and it looked as though they were destined to meet in single combat. As glorious as the thought of facing Topi or dispatching their old Khan was Brandon’s true desire was to defeat Star Colonel Virgilia Truscott.
The upstart Adder Adjutant was the most vocal critic of Operation Revival almost from the start. Unlike the Wardens who did not want to see any invasion Virgilia was a Crusader who called Revival an ill-conceived that endangered the Clans. Her Trial of Grievance with Star Colonel Aaron Showers of the 4th Jaguar Dragoons, who was present and also undoubtedly looking for vengeance today, highlighted some of these shortcomings. Showers defeat had dampened not only his path forward in the Clan but was the first blemish on the Crusade. Her defeat would serve to erase criticism of Revival and push forward the invasion once more.
Unfortunately, Virgilia was well matched with Mechwarrior Bikhal’s Executioner of the 4th Jaguar Dragoons. Their duel would probably drag on insuring a match up between Duke Topi and himself. Well bargained and done he thought.
As Starla’s OmniMech struggled to rise to its feet Howell saw the Warhawk was sluggish and the weapon pods were shaking - not only had the Mechwarrior overheated her 'Mech, impairing the myomers of the limb, but her control was itself impaired. ‘An inferior mechwarrior, shaken by the damage to her cockpit’ he concluded ‘she'll be lucky to score a single hit in that condition’.
But that was saKhan Brandon Howell’s final thought as Starla fired her full arsenal. While some of her weaponry missed his Timber Wolf a blinding bolt of lightning from her ER PPC vaporized the head of his OmniMech.
Poll
