3115
Snow Raven assaults
Hazelhurst PDZ, Draconis March
Federated Suns
1st January 3115 Opening a new front against the Federated Suns following their actions against Snow Raven a supply convoy. Two entire Galaxies of troops supported by WarShips descend on the systems of Hazelhurst, Sterlington, Kirbyville, Bastrop and Stratford in a surprise blitzkrieg style assault. Snow Raven fighters and BattleMechs almost blot out the light above Hazelhurst during the initial attacks with the Ravens rapidly overwhelming the defenders.
With most of the AFFS holding onto the Benjamin Sailent, Defending Robinson and fighting the Nova Cats the AFFS are far out of position and not ready for the assaults. The Dragonlords Regiments defending the Bryceland PDZ hold their position defending their homeworlds following the previous Raven assault the units appear to be in no hurry to leave their worlds instead fortify their positions while other AFFS other units are directed into the area. In the Hazelhurst system the FSS Staghound, a Peter-class Scout, is destroyed as the crew attempt to stop a Raven Titan-class DropShip making its way in system the Titan was not a standard model of the class and overwhelmed the Staghound with superior firepower.
Iron Wombs
Science Quarter, Wolf City
Sheridan, Wolf Empire
8th January 3115 In the heart of Wolf City, Clan Wolf’s defacto capitol city, on the world of Sheridan were the Clan’s Iron Womb complex where Wolf scientists created the next generation of Clan Wolf Trueborn warriors. When the Wolves had arrived on Sheridan, they had built the Wolf City over a settlement that existed before much like the Clans had when they built Katayusha with entire neighbourhoods being razed and a new orderly city being built over the top. Citizens of the old city were ordered to move to the outskirts or executed in a brutal operation which would give the Wolves the order they desired. When the Wolves had taken Tamar in the old occupation zone, they hadn’t bothered with such operations but here in their “Empire” the Wolves intended on retaining Sheridan even after they seized Terra, Sheridan would remain a Wolf world now and forever.
With each section of the city defined it was unusual to see members of other castes in the others areas unless they were looking for something and today was no different. Star Colonel Alaric Wolf was on the warpath the day before he had arrived on Sheridan to take part in the Ward Bloodname bloodtrial only to find that he had been passed over for selection and his only way to earn a Bloodname would now be through a grand melee. Such a contest would reduce his chances significantly and would mean that if he won, he would receive one of the lesser Bloodnames. Each Bloodname brought honour and respect but some, some were more equal than others in most warrior’s eyes. Alaric was of Ward stock with his lineage bring drawn from the blood of Vlad Ward himself, the former Khan of Clan Wolf and one of the most respected leaders of the modern Clan Wolf, Alaric wanted to know why he had been passed over for ‘his’ Bloodname.
Entering the laboritaries, Alaric would have been anywhere in human space that had reached the technological level to investigate the secrets of science. These non-descript white and grey offices with small office cubes on either side and larger research areas in the centre were where important science happened for Clan Wolf Alaric. It was where Alaric could get answers he wanted, calmly he spoke remaining in control as much as he could as he addressed a group of scientists who looked at him with respectiful but wary eyes. “I am Star Colonel Alaric of the Ward Bloodhouse; I wish to speak to the one who is in charge here.” He said remaining at arms length to them his tone not entirely hostile. “I have questions about my bloodline, questions that need answer.
“This is quite improper…” One of the scientists began but Alaric stopped him with a backhanded slap over the man’s face knocking him to the side, his anger beginning to boil.
“Understand this scientist, I am a Trueborn Warrior of Clan Wolf which your fate is tied to from your birth to your death and you are a scientist. Warriors have ruled our Clan from its inception and will until the ends of time where all that remains is Clan Wolf and its subjects.” He reminded the man as he calmly rubbed the side of his face “I have won the right from the leader of the Ward Bloodhouse to be here and to ask questions, I have been authorised to use any means I deem necessary to get the answers I want.” He said which was a little stretch of the truth he’d won a Circle of Equals against Aron Ward to come here, that was true, but the leader of the Ward Bloodhouse had almost taunted him by informing him to ‘ask his questions and be unhappy with what you find, there are secrets Clan Wolf holds that will never become public.’ He hadn’t known what that meant but he was determined to find out exactly what he’d meant. He was a trueborn warrior he knew that much and his actions for Clan Wolf had gained him the recoignition that would allow him to fight for a Bloodname like any other warrior, his successes should be built on by future generations.
“Well… scientist Vettel may be better to explain… he’s in his office… this way.” The man began to say as he recovered from the slap.
“Star Colonel Alaric Wolf, enough of this witch hunt, if you wish to speak to anyone that person will be me.” The thunderous voice of Loremaster Gloria Shaw thundered from the doors at the far end of the room. “Scientists you have work leave us.” She said walking into the office complex her massive bulk a reminder to anyone that she was an Elemental by birth the metal plate that ran the length of the right-hand side of her head from her eye to behind where her ear should have been. Both her right eye and right ear had been replaced with cybernetics due to the damage caused by the injury the eye now an unblinking red glare that pierced through and unnerved her opponents.
Around Alaric the scientists vacated the area leaving him alone in the shared central area between offices. “Loremaster, Aron Ward authorised me to come here and speak with these scientists…”
“Aron Ward is dead, he met me this morning in a Circle of Equals and he was not my equal.” Gloria Shaw said interrupting him she stopped at arms length to him which for an elemental of her size was several feet and she was still intimidating despite being in her forties Gloria Shaw struck an impressive figure, her artificial red eye and metal plate worn with pride. The news that she had killed a Bloodhouse leader in a Circle of Equals shocked Alaric. “His descision to overlook you for the Bloodname contest was a mistake as was his… lack of discretion could have cost Clan Wolf much if things that were done in the name of progress came to light.”
“And what does this progress have to do with me?” Alaric asked wondering what his Clan had done which would affect him.
“Walk with me” Shaw commanded turning away from him Alaric matched her large strides as best he could to maintain pace with the larger woman. Once out of the offices Gloria Shaw led him silently down a grey corridor outside onto a balcony overlooking Sheridan. It was a dull wet day near Wolf City the planet that Clan Wolf had selected as its new capitol was a habitable pleasant enough world and a perfect habitat for the Wolves that the Clan had released on their arrival with an abundance of prey for the animals. Unfortunately, it was also a humid and wet world with frequent rain storms which covered half the hemisphere sometimes for days on end. Already the Wolves had funded massive construction projects on the world to build flood defences to protect their facilities and the civilian settlements and to collect rain water for drinking and other uses.
As the rain beat down on them and the science complex Gloria Shaw turned to him ignoring the weather, on the balcony guard she placed a small device, Alaric was surprised realizing it was some sort of jamming device. “We can talk here without being overheard. While I trust the scientists in this facility, I do not know who else may be listening this device will mask our words and the weather will distort our words.”
“What did out Clan do, and how does it affect me?”
“Have you ever heard of someone named Katrina Wolf?” She asked Alaric couldn’t place it immediately there may be a hundred Katrina Wolfs in the Inner Sphere it wasn’t an uncommon name. “She also went by the names Katrina Ward and Katherine Steiner-Davion?”
“Aff, I have heard of this pirate she was an Inner Sphere born freeborn warrior, she betrayed Clan Wolf and was killed in the periphery.”
“Aff, she was claimed by Khan Vlad Ward when she was defeated in the Lyran Commonwealth. Before her defeat Katherine was classed by many as one of the more successful politicians in the Inner Sphere. Khan Ward was infatuated with her and impressed by her abilities, he wished to use her knowledge to forge a future for our Clan in a battleground that our Clan was not experienced.”
“The only experience we need is that we earn on the battlefield quiaff?”
“Aff, battlefield victories are important but using the politics of the Inner Sphere to our benefit is also important.” Gloria Shaw explained “Ward believed that she could be a benefit to him in gaining control of the Inner Sphere unfortunately for Vlad Ward he died before his plan could come to fruition. Neither Vlad Ward’s plan nor Katrina’s presence in our Clan have had a lasting effect bar one thing, Vlad Ward ordered Katrina’s DNA to be added to our genetics program.”
“She was freeborn!” Alaric exclaimed angrily “she did not earn the right.”
“Neg, she did not, but she is also not the first freeborn to have had their DNA added to the Clan genetics program there are hundreds of occurrences recorded through Clan history each cataloged and studied every time our scientists looking for improvements.” Shaw explained informing Alaric of one of the murkier facts about their genetics program. “Simply put to encourage genetic diversity and maintain the health of our future generations occasionally additional DNA is added to the program by scientists. Normally these are taken from our own civilian castes because they have shown promise, but Khan Ward ordered Katrina’s DNA mixed in with his own and one other to breed a new generation of warriors.”
“Who else?” Alaric demanded his anger boiling inside as he realized that Shaw was speaking about his generation of warriors and that he had been passed over because of Katrina’s DNA.
“Victor Steiner-Davion, Katrina’s brother and the present Exarch of the Star League Protectorate.” Gloria shaw admitted watching the shock play on Alaric’s face. “He is considered by many to be one of the best strategic commanders of the modern era having masterminded the destruction of Clan Smoke Jaguar and having led not only the Federated Suns but also now the Star League for decades. Khan Ward ordered his DNA to be taken by the Clan Watch and added to our genetics program.”
“Khan Ward’s actions were dishonourable. Clan Wolf’s future should be in Clan Wolf hands, I understand the need to keep our genetic stocks diverse but Clan Wolf’s future should be of its own making.”
“Aff, I agree” Gloria Shaw said “however those actions have been taken and now we must live with them. The scientists who were involved in the project have been reaved and thus far only one individual has proven their worth to our Clan.” She explained “the impact this experiment will have on Clan Wolf is a minimal one.
“And what does that mean for me?” Alaric guessed that the 'only one individual has proven their worth' was him and did not like the idea that his entire life had been an experiment masterminded by scientists and a dead Khan.
“You Alaric Wolf are in a unique position; unlike the others of your generation, you have proven yourself worthy of having the right to earn a Bloodname and with Aron Ward’s death there is a place within the Ward Bloodhouse available." He said confirming that Alaric had thought. "Through Khan Ward’s DNA you have a right to fight for that name but there is a condition attached – your silence.”
“My silence, once I am a Bloodnamed Warrior I can do what I desire.” Alaric stated “it is the right of each Bloodnamed warrior to forge their own destiny, Quiaff?”
“Aff, you can.” Gloria Shaw admitted, she’d observed Alaric for some time she knew his potential “but, revealing this secret would damage Clan Wolf’s standing and if you were to lead this Clan with this secret revealed your position would be weakened in Clan society something that will not only cause trouble for you but also our entire Clan. We are the Children of Kerensky we should be at the fore front of Clan society, do not jeopardies our position." He warned sternly "do you understand Alaric? Your own actions could determine how successful you are as a Wolf, you have a choice win a Bloodname, use discretion and potentially lead this Clan or do not use discretion and possibly end it.” She said giving him the stark choice “either way Alaric, the choice is yours.” She said picking up the jammer again she walked off the balcony back into the building.
Eight days later Alaric stood as one of the warriors fighting for the name made available by the death of Aron Ward. Inside the Circle of Equals Alaric proved himself worthy of the name winning his Bloodname becoming Alaric Ward.
Border Raids
Magistracy of Canopus
Periphery
19th January 3115 With the conflict that began the year before continuing the Magistracy of Canopus with assistance from the Capellan Confederation push into the Regulan systems of Dalton, Jouques, Martigues and Shenwan the District of Regulus is clearly in trouble against the attacks. In an effort to assist their Free Worlds League allies Khan Petra Furey, the leader of the District of Lesnovo and of Clan Smoke Jaguar’s remnants, orders her forces into action invading the Magistracy of Canopus.
The District of Lesnovo forces launch attacks across five worlds between Wisconsin and Rushcegg catching the Magistracy of Canopus support forces as they rearm preparing for the next wave of attacks. On Wisconsin the First Rim Guardians and elements of Clan Smoke Jaguar’s reconstituted Beta Galaxy face off against the Third Canopian Brigade. As with previous District of Lesnovo tactics the heavier machines of the First Rim Guardians lead the attack with Beta Galaxy’s primarily Ultra-light units maneuvering around the flanks and finally crushing the Canopian Regiment. Survivors from the Rim Guardians are folded into Beta Galaxy.
In a similar attack on Ayn Tarma the Second Rim Sentinels Regiment and elements of the Smoke Jaguars Gamma Galaxy are pitted against the Second Canopian Brigade. Unlike the attack on Wisconsin the four Canopian Regiments are ready for the assault and they repulse the invaders attempts at conquest. Back within the District of Lesnovo the remains of the Rim Sentinels are folded into Gamma Galaxy. While to an outsider this tactic appeared to be the Jaguars taking over the District of Lesnovo the people and the regiments accept their transfer as the majority of the “Clan” force is made up of native-born Free Worlds Leaguers who were born on worlds that have always been loyal to House Marik and as suce the people of Lesnovo see their “conversion” to Smoke Jaguar position as simply a transfer between units.
With the failure to secure Ayn Tarma the District of Lesnovo’s attacks do not stall instead Khan Petra Furey is even more determined to show her district, and by extension her Clan, are ready to fight the wars that need fought and win their own battles without external assistance. As a result, District of Lesnovo forces assault the remaining three worlds in their target list with renewed vigour. While Rushcegg and Saonara fall to their assaults on Skovrec do they suffer any significant reversal when the passing WarShip MCS Katara obliterates two JumpShips and eight DropShips worth of troops in space destroying the entire invasion force. Hundreds of soldiers and thousands of tons equipment are lost in the attack showing the power of even the smallest WarShip when it is used correctly against ground forces.
The destruction of the Ayn Tarma assault force Khan Petra Furey orders the remaining elements of Delta Galaxy stood down and its forces retested for their warrior positions. Without significant shipyard facilities available to the District of Lesnovo she turns to her Free Worlds League allies for assistance using contacts within the Free Worlds League Smoke Jaguars neigotiate with Free Flight of Fletcher and arrange to purchase three Monolisk-class Destroyers. Unfortunately, due to orders already placed at the shipyards these vessels will not be launched until 3125. In the meantime, for the defence of their district and for future offensive operations, Khan Petra Furey decided her people needed other options and looked inside the district for support.
With the Magistracy of Canopus facing assault from multiple districts of the Free Worlds League Magestix Ilsa Centrella orders her troops to hold their positions and rebuild their strength ready to take territory back from the District of Lesnovo. The Magistracy of Canopus’ gains have another effect the worlds captured are classed as Inner Sphere territory bringing the nation that currently holds the position of First Lord into the Inner Sphere.
Briton Throne Room
Cyclops Station, Cyclops
Periphery
28th January 3115Deep within the Cyclops Space Station Queen Gabriela Briton sat on her throne chair confident of her rule as she had been for the forty years. Rarely did she dress differently than today her brown leather jacket covering the survival suit she always wore when in space. The jacket itself told hundreds of stories and wore several patches she had added over the years to some it was a standard piece of clothing but to the queen and those people who lived on the station it was a symbol of her rule as much as any crown would be. While the survival suit served its own purpose Gabriela Briton occasionally visited penal mining colony in the system, she primarily lived-in space and as such dressed appropriately ready at all moments for reports of a hull breach and the survival suit was one key factor in survival or death for space dwellers. The “Throne Room” onboard the station outpost was actually two rooms one part was an extension of the CIC facility that ran the station where the Queen could oversee what was going on on the station, when the station was still a Potemkin-class ship in the service of the SLDF this room had been a separate meeting facility used by flag officers to oversee invasions of worlds. From here she could watch as the stations day to day operations were conducted and hold private audiences if required.
“Jump signature” one of the crewmen manning the operation’s centre announced “single JumpShip Invader-class” he said then after a few moments “it identifies as the SLJS John Doig, they are requesting permission to deploy a DropShip to the station to conduct neigotions.”
“Authorize them to approach” Briton said “have our fighters’ approach and escort them in once they are close enough.” She commanded then she flicked a switch on her throne which turned the entire wall around into another compartment away from the buzz of the operations centre. At the door stood two guards at attention their magnetic boots holding them onto the deck in the micro-gravity. Moments later her Chief of Security Ronin Ichiro Matsumoto walked through hatch entering from the Ops centre to this day he still wore his Red and Black DCMS uniform just without any of the ranks or medals he was entitled to on his uniform he still wore the Katana blade he had as a DCMS warrior even though he was no longer entitled by his native-born tradition. She appreciated the fact that he still had the blade and his skill with it.
“Sumimasen, Joō Briton” he said bowing despite being the father to her children Ichiro knew his place on the station; one step lower than her. “I believe that allowing the SLDF to approach is a risk that we do not need to take. They do not need to come here; we can survive without being part of the Cirincus Federation and without their assistance.” He suggested refering to the recent decision by the Queen to remove the Cyclops Station from the Cirincus Federation and declare their independence once more. In recent weeks the Rim Collection had pushed into several systems of the Cirincus Federation shattering commands after the Rim Collection claimed that Cirincus was responsible for raids into the nation. This had caused the four “Zeta” worlds to break from the Federation creating a buffer between Cirincus and the Rim. Independence would be good for the Cyclops Station and allow them to trade with and raid all three nearby nations. The SLDF had no presence in the region why they’d come to the Cyclops was a mystery and Queen Briton liked a good mystery.
“I agree we do not need them, but I am curious about what they have to say.” She explained “Also you do not simply insult someone who could knock down a wall of your home with a flick of their wrist. The SLDF have great power behind them and while the Cyclops is strong it wouldn’t survive an extended encounter with a dedicated military threat.
---
It took three days for the SLDF DropShip to reach the station as it approached fighters from the station escorted it in. The ship appeared to be a large cargo DropShip that had been modified to carry small craft and additional weapons according to the Cyclops military sensors the ship appeared around twenty-five thousand tons in gross weight visually it appeared to have one central round section and four bulbous cargo/engine modules running around the ship with two either side of the central section. From its fighter bays two aerospace fighters and a small craft launched turning towards the station with the fighters peeling off and flying down the length of the station as the small craft docked. Queen Gabriela Briton had requested that the SLDF party be welcomed onboard like any other traveller and to go through standard immigration checks and then taken to the Throne Room.
As a result of the Queen’s instructions the party of four from the Star League Defence Force took three hours to get from immigration to the Throne Room which was currently turned so the room was private and away from the CIC Operations. When they arrived Queen Gabriela Briton was sat waiting for them alone with Ronin Ichiro Matsumoto Queen could see their party had two large and obviously capable security officers who were dressed in standard military fatigues of trained marines. She had no doubt that even without weapons they’d be a match for her own guards in a fair fight. The other two were dressed in SLDF uniform one an older man with receeding grey hair and a grey mustache wore the grey jacket and black trousers of a Captain while the other a younger man with dark hair wore a plain black uniform jumpsuit all four stopped at a respectful distance from her and Ichiro but far enough away from the guards to not be an immediate threat.
“Welcome to The Cyclops, I am Queen Gabriela Briton, what can we do for you?”
“I’m Captain William Blannin the commander of the SLS Liverpool, thank you for seeing us” the older man said introducing himself “we’re glad to see that the Cyclops is still thriving it has been some time since we have made contact…”
“Officially we have never had relations with the Star League Defence Force” she said interrupting the captain “whatever unofficial relations you had they were not with me and so you should discount them entirely before continuing or leave before I become angry with you.” She demanded she saw Matsumoto tense beside her and knew the SLDF would have to.
“Of course, Queen Briton, I did not mean any offense, the SLDF have been aware of this station’s presence purely through the words of the traders who have dealt with you and from ComStar’s records.” Blannin explained backtracking slightly.
“Now that we understand one another may I enquire ONCE more why you are here?” Her emphisis on the word once was enough to make it clear that she wished to proceed with business now rather than continued small talk.
“As we understand it your nation has recently broke from the Cirincus Federation…”
“Something we have done within a matter of the last few days; you are well informed” Briton said quietly
“…and as a result of your new independence we would like to establish diplomatic relations with this station and help keep you in contact with things outside this station.”
“As your ‘traders’ have no doubt informed you we have many people coming through our station and we learn many things. I am sure the Star League would like to know some of the things we know?”
“Yes, we would however I’m sure certain people would only talk to independent trading outposts like yourselves.” His diplomatic dodging of the Cyclops position as a pirate nation was well done and Briton allowed him to continue. “With your independence does come some risks however, the recent conflicts between Clan Fire Mandrill and the Cirincus Federation has shown what can be done with enough weapons.”
“The Cyclops can defend itself”
“For a short period of time yes.” Blannin suggested “what we offer is the ability for the Cyclops to hold out longer until help could arrive and resist external threats such as those provided by Clan Fire Mandrill or by the Federation’s Erinyes.” He saw them preparing to counter his argument and quickly spoke again “I know this station was built on a Potemkin-class Troop Cruiser and despite its outward appearance and the modifications that have been made over the years that some of its weapons have been restored but against a fully operational assault force alone Cyclops is not enough.”
“And you would also provide this help?” Matsumoto said speaking up for the first time “you speak as a friend but from what I understand in your case we would be indebted to you should we call for your help.”
“Not necessarily you would not need to call for us, you could call for anyone, but the SLDF was formed to hold back the Clans we aim to serve those in need of assistance.” He offered “which brings us to why we are here the SLDF would like to enter into an agreement with you similar to the one that you held with ComStar. We would like to hire several DropShip collars with you and in exchange we will provide you with funds and information from the Inner Sphere.”
“Considering you will receive information while your people are here all I hear are the ching-ching of C-Bills.” Briton said
“I think you can do better.”
“Like what?”
“You say that you want us to be able to communicate with those nearby then perhaps you could provide us with an HPG?” Briton said smiling “we have a compartment that could be converted to the purpose and power lines that lead into that area.”
“An expensive piece of equipment.”
“Which you could charge us and the people passing through the Cyclops to use.” Briton suggested “my people could not operate the facility but those SLDF personnel you wish to dock at our station could run the facility and make some money while doing it.”
“We’d need more for such a service, two of the docking collars free of charge.”
“A fourth docking collar free of charge” Briton countered “you cannot expect me to offer things to you for nothing you want ComStar’s agreement you can have ComStar’s agreement. But these new deals are extra.”
“Then we’ll also want to leave an armed security detachment with the HPG and the personnel” the younger man in darker clothing said.
“With weapons that are checked onto the station by my people.” Matsumoto said “nothing that could penetrate the hull will be allowed onboard and no Battle Armour the station was not built for them to traverse the corridors.” He said the two exchanged a nod of agreement.
“Major Malcolm Galley will command the detachment here on Cyclops” Blannin said indicating to the man all in black.
“Pleasure” Galley said nodding
“Of couse and to protect this investment you will authorize weapon sales to the Cyclops.”
“There is a line and that one we will not cross” Blannin said according to Star League intelligence the people of the Cyclops with support from the Cirincus Federation perhaps as many as three of the Heavy Naval Particle Cannons which made up the original Potemkin armament giving the station additional punch. One of these weapons had been used to obliterate a pirate DropShip several years before as a show of force further power was not something that Blannin was will to entertain.
“How about defensive items such as anti-missile systems?” Briton suggested “in exchange we’ll give you a fifth docking collar? Which should be more than enough for a garrison, communication staff and whatever else you wish to pass through the station.”
“I will confirm with my superiors if that is an option.” Blannin said “for not we’ll agree to provide you with an HPG in exchange for the garrison and the docking collars discussed.”
“Well bargained and done, Captain” Briton said rising from her chair “now please you, the major and your friends should join my family for a meal to cement this deal.”
“Agreed, I hope this is the start of a lasting relationship”
