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Fenwick, Alya Prefecture
Draconis Combine
3rd July 3109 It had not been difficult for Duchess Emily Fenwick and Major Simon Rosberg to leave the section with the falsified papers that had been provided for Rosberg. From the Section they had been transferred by Rockhopper to a way station in orbit over Fenwick. Standing in one of the space station’s cargo bays Simon waited nervously his work clothes from the Section not completely inconspicuous. After a short period Emily Fenwick walked over the bay wearing a white tank top and dark shorts for the first time Simon got a proper look of her she was five or six years younger than him with well toned muscles. “Sorry for the holdup” she said approaching him.
“It’s better than mining all day.” He replied “interesting outfit for an orbital transfer.”
“There’s only one way down at this time of day” she said pointing towards one of the Thug BattleMechs that stood silently in one of the Mechbays.
“You’re kidding me” Simon said looking at her surprised “I’ve never even seen the inside of one of those things let alone dropped in one of them. I’m an analyst not a fighter.”
“Not a fighter?” Emily said smiling broadly for a moment Simon thought the sun had come up “but an analyst with six separate close-quarters fighting styles.” She said remembering what she had read on his file which was on the Bremen.”
“Someone has to have a hobby”
“Its fine I’m going to be the pilot.” She replied revealing a new side to her “I don’t get to do this much.” She admitted smirking as she stepped past him filling Simon with confidence.
Shortly afterwards they were sat in the dual cockpit of the Thug BattleMech “now which control was it again…” Emily Fenwick whispered glancing back at the rear cockpit “I’m joking” she said “this is Foxtrot Four ready for drop” she sent to the station’s control room “roger that in three, two, one detaching! See you guys later!” She called out as the pod holding the Thug opened fell out of the cargo bay of the space station slamming into the atmosphere. After only a couple of minutes the pod exploded open falling into four sections which each its own parachute. Without the pod to slow its progress the Thug plummeted like a stone its speed increasing as gravity took over. “The most fun way to the ground” Emily said looking over her shoulder at a visibly paled Simon Rosberg “don’t worry, Major, I got this” she promised him suddenly cutting in the BattleMech’s jump jets and the BattleMech’s retrofitted backpack which suddenly slowed its fall towards the ground.
“You know it isn’t all that bad” Simon Rosberg said after a few minutes taking in the sights of Fenwick as the BattleMech fell it was a beautiful moon that the people of this system had made their primary home.
“Just wait for the impact” she said cutting off the backpack increasing the speed of the BattleMech’s fall.
“Impact?” Simon asked suddenly not feeling so comfortable as the BattleMech continued to fall.
“Yeah the impact” she said finally moments before the Thug came crashing down for a landing which wasn’t the heaviest of impacts but then again was still eighty tons of metal slamming into the ground. Emily expertly ran the BattleMech forwards converting some of the energy from the landing lessening the blow.
“Well that was interesting” Simon said quietly wondering why anyone would voluntarily want to do that as a job serving in a command and control, or looking over battle reports he understood but falling through the sky in metal coffins was something he really didn’t understand. Glancing around and at the Thug’s sensors he saw that they had landed on an exercise field most likely used by the Fenwick military given the number of vehicles and support structures nearby.
“Oh no” Emily whispered after a moment while Simon had been taking in the sights she had connected to the Fenwick military network and picked up on some chatter.
“What’s going on?”
“The Star League Defence Force has arrived…” she said as planetary militia forces began moving around the field “we need to speak to my mother before something stupid happens.”
“How long do we have?” Simon asked
***
At the nadir point of the Fenwick system the SLS Warlord and its escorts the SLS Calais and Foscari entered the Fenwick system finding the nadir point abandoned. After a few moments the powerful sensors on the three WarShips revealed a far more complex system than they had expected. “I knew there was something wrong with this system.” Bannister Cameron said triumphantly now with more desire than ever to discover what happened to the Bremen’s crew.
“Sir, the asteroids” one of the crewmen warned as the sensors detected several asteroids closing slowly on the nadir and zenith points “they are not on natural orbits… and they are armed with nuclear weapons!” He warned looking over at Commodore Nadia Vale.
“Prepare for an emergency jump, sensors focus on the dead zones of this system or it’s Kuiper Belt we’ll jump without leaving if we have to!” She said thinking quickly there was more to Fenwick and they’d find out what it was even if it meant going the long way.
“Commodore, communications we need to try and speak to them…”
“They murdered the Bremen’s crew” Vale said angrily
“We have to try” Cameron demanded knowing that while they had come here armed for a conflict it couldn’t finish that way without trying something different.
***
On the ground Emily Fenwick had pushed her eighty ton assault BattleMech to its maximum to reach the Fenwick Family Residence in Fenwick City. When reaching the city limits she had made her identity known and received an escort through the city rapidly increasing her progress. Abandoning the BattleMech at the front of the Residence she and Simon Rosberg ran through the residence finally arriving at her mother’s primary meeting room. “Emily, it is about time you are here, where have you been? Playing at being a solider again?” She demanded glancing up seeing that Simon was with her “and what is HE doing here?” Her reaction to his presence immediately gaining the attention the guards present.
“He is with me” Emily stated calling them off “mother we cannot win a war with the SLDF.” She said angrily “if we start a conflict with them it will be the end of the life we have built here.”
“We can show them we are strong that Fenwick has stood on its own all of these years and can stand up for itself…”
“But at what cost? Our weapons will be like bows and arrows compared to what they can bring here.” Emily said attempting to shock her mother into standing down from the course she was taking. “I know what you are thinking we stand up to them we show them what we can do and if they defeat us then they will rebuild us stronger than ever because of our valiant actions. But the damage that will be caused will be immeasurable.” She said Duchess Gloriana Fenwick looked at her daughter and then towards her military commander Field Marshal Galen Prescott.
“Continue deployment of the Cavalier but send a message that they only fire if they are fired upon.” She said looking at her daughter and then towards Simon Rosberg “we won’t start this.”
***
Near Fenwick’s star the three SLDF WarShips maintained their positions to the star as another massive radiation spike appeared on sensors before the massive Stefan Amaris-class Battleship Cavalier appeared nearby orientating its broadside towards the SLDF vessels.
“Bring us to port” Vale ordered “target vessel with weapons as we turn, fire on my command.”
“Belay that!” Bannister Cameron commanded from his position near the central holo-tank immediately he gained an angry look from Commodore Vale. “Scan that vessel what class is it?” He commanded ignoring the Commodore’s glare.
“It’s a Stefan Amaris-class Battleship… a Rim Worlds Republic design that served during the Civil War.” Vale said glancing at the warbook in front of her “there weren’t many built and according to our historical records they were all destroyed.”
“Exactly” Cameron said looking at the holotank image of the ship “it hasn’t fired on us and it might hold the answer to what is going on in this system. They wish to provoke a fight with this action well we’re not going to take the bait.” He announced looking at the screen seeing a two headed eagle and the number twelve on its nose. “Open a communication link” he said making a choice after a moment he spoke “this is Duke Bannister Cameron on board the Star League Starship Warlock. We mean no hostile intent. We have come to this system in search for the crew of the SLS Bremen who went missing while looking at this system. I repeat we mean no hostile intent against this system we would prefer to open diplomatic relations with this system and the Star League Protectorate.”
***
On the moon Bannister Cameron’s words filled the airwaves and a strange sense of disappointment, relief and elation crossed through the room as they realized that the Star League Defence Force were not here to make war. Duchess Gloriana Fenwick looked at her daughter with a mixture of frustration and pride. “Daughter, perhaps you should take over” she said passing over her authority to Emily. Before she left Gloriana Fenwick looked at Major Simon Rosberg she didn’t say anything instead she just nodded towards him before turning and leaving planning room.
“Field Marshal have the Cavalier offer to escort the Warlock in…” Emily mumbled quietly as her mother walked out she and Simon shared a glance and grabbed each other in an embrace as the relief washed over them. Near the Nadir point the Cavalier and the Warlock began to move into the system with the Calais and Forscari remaining at the Nadir point.
Diplomatic Mission, Fenwick City
Fenwick, Alya Prefecture
Dieron Military Prefecture, Draconis Combine
10th July 3109 The Outpost-class DropShip had landed on Fenwick and deployed a lance of OmniMechs a Hauptmann, a Templar, a Sunder and a Black Watch all Sphere’s designed Assault OmniMechs. On board each rode a squad of Battle Armoured troopers while a single armoured vehicle also left the DropShip and carried Bannister Cameron across the landing field to the small facility. Inside Bannister felt like he had gone through another miss-jump and returned to the Star League-era with the décor one that matched that of the classic Star League Defence Force. He was led by a man and woman dressed in standard SLDF fatigues from the first Star League through standard military corridors to an equally standard meeting room.
For more than an hour he waited in the room without a single person entering from the planet. Sat behind the meeting room table Bannister Cameron wondered if this waiting game would go on much longer when the door was opened by the guards and in entered Major Simon Rosberg who wore a plain green jumpsuit. Immediately Bannister Cameron saluted which he then dropped without waiting for a response “Duke Cameron welcome to Fenwick” he added remaining standing.
“Major, it’s good to see you alive, I assume the rest of the Bremen’s crew are also alive?”
“A few bumps and scrapes from Fenwick’s penal system but they are alive and since your arrival in quite comfortable accommodations here on their primary moon.”
“Primary?” Cameron asked the Warlock’s massed sensor arrays had detected artificial signatures but nothing to indicate further habitats.
“Yes” Rosberg replied “the majority of their population is here on Fenwick but the people of this system have been here and explored the system thoroughly from what I’ve been able to piece together they’ve landed on six of the moons in total and more than a dozen of the asteroids. They also have several space stations” he said only through a discussion with the prisoners at the Section and Emily Fenwick did he know that otherwise the people of Fenwick continued to maintain secrecy about their operations and habitation of the Fenwick system.
“So when do I actually get to meet them?” Cameron asked realizing he was being given access to exactly one thing, his own officer.
“Not today” Rosberg admitted seeing the Duke’s face “sir, this system has been in seclusion for a long time their only contact with outsiders has been with those who wished to do them harm or exploit their resources.” Rosberg explained when they treated his crew the way they had Simon had not understood but given time he had learned.
“I understand them being skittish but have we not shown we can be tusted?”
“I believe you have” Rosberg sad trying to calm Cameron “which is why Duchess Emily Fenwick has agreed to meet you tomorrow representing her mother and the Fenwick system.”
“Until tomorrow” Cameron said looking Rosberg up and down for a moment “we’ll get you and your people new uniforms from the DropShip, Major, regardless of what Fenwick wants I want you looking your best tomorrow.”
***
The night passed quickly with on Fenwick with comfortable quarters put up for Bannister Cameron and a few of his aides. During the night Simon Rosberg and the other crewmen of the Bremen had also been transferred to the facility and been provided with new uniforms. Early in the morning Duke Bannister Cameron was escorted to one of the meeting rooms for the meeting with the people of Fenwick. Heading through the facility he met Simon Rosberg on the way and was taken into the meeting room. Already waiting inside was a young woman with dark hair which was tied up and a navy suit with a white blouse and an older man wearing a slightly modified version of the original Star League Defence Force uniform. “Duke Cameron, I am sorry for your delayed welcome, I am Duchess Emily Fenwick welcome to our world.”
“Thank you, Duchess, it is remarkable what you have created here” Cameron admitted approaching the table in the room sitting down opposite her.
“Though eternal vigilance” the man said “successive leaders of this system have demanded that our security is taken as our greatest concern currently that task falls on my shoulders, Field Marshal Galen Prescott, at your service.” He said introducing himself.
“A pleasure to meet you” Bannister Cameron said bowing his head slightly “we do not wish to threaten your safety we simply want to invite you back into the Star League’s circle.”
“The Star League’s circle” Fenwick repeated quietly “as I understand from our debriefing of the Bremen’s crew that the Protectorate worlds which has replaced what the Hegemony once was is at the command of the Succession Lords.”
“Not quite” Cameron said glancing at Simon Rosberg “the Star League Defence Force does answer to the First Lord who is elected from among the Succession Lords but the Protectorate itself is now considered to be an independent state and is gaining in influence every year.” Cameron said “with the support of the Protectorate we could bring more wealth into this system than you have ever experienced. The Star League Defence Force can bring far greater protection to this system. It is that or in time the Draconis Combine could stumble on you and bring far greater firepower on you than you could resist for long.”
“You try and threaten us? We were not found for centuries until you stumbled across us we were quite happy hidden away from everyone. People do not know about Fenwick and we are happy for this to continue.”
“With respect Duchess” Rosberg said before glancing at Bannister Cameron “the Inner Sphere is a changing place at present there are dozens of active regiments and WarShips. There are DropShips that have the equivalent firepower of a Star League-era Destroyer. And then there are the Clans, descendants of the original Star League Army, they care nothing for borders or previous agreements you have made with them. They see something that they want and they come for it.” He explained trying to show the dangers that Fenwick could possibly face the SLDF had found them anyone could “you have an impressive Battleship and some nuclear weapons but they will go only so far. Allying yourselves with the SLDF will provide additional security in this troubled times.” He said trying to reason with the Fenwick Duchess.
“You are welcome to remain on Fenwick while we deliberate over our decision. You are welcome to move around the capital however your weapons and vehicles must remain out with the city failure to agree to these terms will result in a reaction from our forces which you will not survive. Any requests to visit production or military facilities will have to be cleared by myself.”
“I thank you for the invitation, Duchess; I look forward to getting to know Fenwick much better.” Bannister Cameron said rising from his chair along with Simon Rosberg both nodded their heads once before turning and leaving the meeting room.
Interrogation Room
Nova Cat Hall, City of Andrey
Tukayyid, Clan Territory
13th July 3109 After weeks of isolation and interrogation the doors opened and the large warrior who had claimed Lucian Allard-Liao a bondsman stepped into the room. “What is this?” Lucian demanded despite the long time in the cell his defiance still strong. “I surrendered to this Clan I deserve…” he began before a backhanded slap caught him across the face knocking him to the ground.
“You what?” The warrior asked kneeling down near Lucian “you deserve attention? You deserve recognition?” He asked “you are a freebirth who could not even face us in combat you had to sneak onto this world. You deserve nothing” he said standing up drawing his sidearm.
“I could not be guaranteed fighting this Clan in combat if I joined the Armed Forces of the Federated Suns.” Lucian said looking up straight into the muzzle of the warrior’s sidearm. “I did not wish to serve anyone other than the Clan of my father Grayson Rosse.” He stated “I wished to rise above the petty politics of the Inner Sphere” he spat “and serve a higher purpose.” He said making serving the Clan sound like something to aspire to. “If I must die to show this devotion then I am ready to face this fate.” He said closing his eyes his head remaining in line with the weapon.
“You’re lucky your case has caught the attention of our Khan who has commanded you be released as my bondsman and moved to our other territories.” He said re-holstering the weapon leaning towards Lucian “but understand something your father was not a hero of this Clan and nor will you be.”
“We will see” Lucian said picking himself up “and watch your contractions warrior.” He chided the Nova Cat warrior resulting in an immediate, and expected, backhanded slap that once again knocked Lucian to the ground.
“We will see how far your defiance gets you Bondsman.” The warrior said walking out of the room within the week Lucian Nova Cat had been transferred off Tukayyid en route towards Tamar and from there to the Nova Cat’s Den.
Diplomatic Negotiations
Fenwick, Alya Prefecture
Dieron Military Prefecture, Draconis Combine
21st July 3109 Over a week past on Fenwick before a decision was made about their future with the Fenwick leadership agreeing in principle to join the Star League Protectorate but for now at least refusing SLDF protection and refusing to open the system to outside visitors. Bannister had explained to be part of the Protected Planets Accord they would have to allow others to enter and settle on any world of their choosing but so far Duchess Emily Fenwick had refused instead she invited Bannister Cameron and the crews from the WarShips to remain in the system and see what they were so keen to protect.
For Fenwick itself Bannister Cameron was impressed while the world did not feel overly militarized, in fact you rarely saw an armed soldier on the streets; they had several weapons factories which built everything from small arms to naval autocannons. Duchess Emily Fenwick had explained the Cavalier had required multiple weapons to be manufactured leading to factories being built. While Bannister though that this was a good answer the Cavalier appeared to be fully operation why they were still in operation remained unanswered, Bannister Cameron had also learned that while Fenwick’s standing National Guard was only a combined arm’s Regiment in strength that over the years they had acquired several more vehicles, Mechs and weapons from those who had stumbled on the system. Arriving during the Succession War period the equipment had been in disrepair their operators shell-shocked from the horrors that had befallen the Inner Sphere and most had surrendered quickly netting Fenwick their equipment for little effort.
During a tour of Fenwick’s facilities Emily Fenwick had explained that the people of Fenwick had taken these unit’s equipment apart and rebuilt them from the ground up making improvements as they went or converting them to the needs of the people of Fenwick. One of these had been a pair of Strike Falcon Attack VTOLs which had originated in the Capellan Confederation nearly seven hundred years prior. Emily Fenwick had explained that they had been found in a weapons cache during the First Succession War by a mercenary company who were fleeing the fighting when they stumbled across Fenwick. With no need for an attack aircraft the people of Fenwick had reduced both to their basic chassis before rebuilding them as air ambulances and several rebuilds later the two aircraft still served Fenwick National Hospital.
On another tour Major Simon Rosberg had reported to Bannister Cameron that Fenwick’s military had two pristine Lee-class DropShips which had been acquired from a SLDF unit that had settled in the system. Likely the last two DropShips of their class the two DropShips were among the most capable troop carrying vessels ever devised and were priceless on any Inner Sphere market. Despite these revelations Bannister wondered what other treasures had been hidden away in the Fenwick system as the people in the system were still being secretive the system’s Duchess Gloriana Fenwick had not been seen since his arrival on the planet, the people of Fenwick refused to show them the Section and refused to allow any of the SLDF personnel to explore the rest of the system with the Cavalier keeping the SLS Warlock inside Fenwick’s gravity well limiting what the Battleship could do without causing a conflict.
Border Fighting
District of Oriente, Free Worlds League
25th July 3109 The “northern territories” of the District of Oriente disappears virtually overnight as the systems of Ulan Balor and Yunnah request protection from the Federated Suns following rumours of ethnic cleansing the Capellan Confederation and near constant terrorist attacks. Within hours of the request AFFS ground forces and mercenaries are moved into the region while Oriente troops are given a deadline of 48 hours to remove themselves and their equipment from the system. AFFS commanders pass via HPG to nearby worlds that any use of nuclear weapons against their ground forces will be met with an “absolute and final” response from the Federated Suns.
Elsewhere Quemoy, Elnath and Vertabren fall to the Capellan Confederation. The presence of Star League Defence Force observers and naval forces mean the fighting is confined to conventional warfare with elements of the Sixth Militia and Sixth Orloff Grenadiers facing off against Capellan Confederation forces. In very short campaigns the Capellans bring increasing amounts of firepower against the defending forces on Quemoy and Elnath while on Vetrabren the Capellans face off against elements of the Third Regulan Hussars who were trying to establish their hold on the world. Rapidly the Capellans also gain dominance on the world destroying the Regulan force. With the ground secured the Capellans demand that the SLDF naval forces leave the systems despite communications from the ground based populations requesting assistance against the defenders.
Following their forced retreat Admiral Yves Guidette, the commander of the Fourth WarShip Squadron on board the Sovetskii Soyuz-class Heavy Cruiser SLS St Andrews, requests that the First Lord and Commanding-General authorize their forces to defend Star League territory from Capellan aggression. Both remind him that the SLDF mandate, on the FWL/Capellan border, is to stop the use of weapons of mass destruction not defend every system that comes under attack. The final world the “northern” territory chooses to request Star League Protection officially aligning with the Star League Protectorate.