I'd have always thought that the HH1 was a modified M-9 w/o the SDS Control and most of that station's Naval weapons. To make room for more storage / habitat space.
TT
To me it was always a support asset for the Clan that was easily moved. A repair ship if it was needed or a factory ship to keep the Clan going until ground facilities, or shipyards, were built.
To the Periphery to end 3103 - answering 3 questions... What Erik Martens-Calderon thought of the worlds leaving, where the Subtlety came from, and what has happened to the Nova Cats.
Government Meeting
Samantha, Taurus
Taurian Concordat, Periphery
2nd December 3103 “I hold in my hand a letter from the new Public Leader of Sananda” Governor Chiara Ruggeri said standing in front of the Taurian Government she was one of the youngest governors in the room at forty-two years, six years junior to the current Protector, she had long dyed blonde hair which made her look quite a bit younger than she actually was a career politician she’d never seen war outside this room. “In this letter the Leader, a Rolf McQuarry, requested that Captain Sarah Potenza remove her lance of BattleMechs and their supporting vehicle company from the planet.” The Governor said “Rolf McQuarry was an infantry company commander in the Taurus’ Revenge Regiment and in this letter” she said waving it above her “he stated that our forces were no longer needed or welcome on the planet but that he did not wish harm to come to our people.” She said looking around the room “Captain Potenza withdrew her forces from the system and is moving them to join the rest of the Taurus’ Revenge Regiment on the Federated Suns front.” She said turning towards Protector Erik Martens-Calderon “what will you do about this world and the other that have joined the New Colony Region?” She asked looking at the Protector he noted her use of the original name for the Fronc Reaches.
“For now nothing” Erik Martens-Calderon said staring at Chiara Ruggeri who looked angry at his answer. “In total the six systems have left the Taurian Concordat. SIX” he said emphasizing the point “they are nothing compared to the greater Concordat, they do not wish to be part of our nation and now they represent less mouths for us to feed.” He said bluntly shocking many of the parliaments “we have lost no mining facilities we cannot replace and out of all of those worlds a single ammunition factory…”
“What of the troops that have defected?” Chiara asked interrupting him “before his popular rising Rolf McQurry was an infantry officer.”
“In total we have lost three battalions of infantry and a small assortment of Mechs and vehicles which were in too bad a condition to be removed by our troops on short notice.” Erik said raising a small pad of paper from his side “we have captured three times as much material as we have lost I combat against the Federated Suns and our trade deal with the Capellans has netted us even more.” The Protector stressed the Concordat was on the rise they needed to see that “Taurus Territorial Industries of Sterope continue to provide our nation with the effective Hyades-class JumpShip. Our military is one of the most mobile in the entire Periphery.” Erik said seeing that while they were happy with what he had said few of them were convinced “four years ago Taurus Territorial Industries was able to construct its first Compact K-F Core.” He announced seeing finally some interest few understood the science behind Interstellar travel but they knew that WarShips were built around a Compact K-F Core. “Since then those same engineers have worked on reverse engineering the drives from the Jason Hasek” ladies and gentlemen “I am very proud to announce that as of today our military are the proud owners of the first Hyades-class Corvette” he said behind him a screen activated showing the vessel slowly move clear of the Sterope shipyard. “I have directed this vessel to be named the TCS Jeffery Calderon after my father.” He said proudly almost immediately there was applause from around the room but Erik noticed that Chiara Ruggeri was not completely convinced. “We will bring those worlds back into the Concordat in time and in the same way that they left through peace” Erik said “for now our nation stands as one at war, a War that we are winning.”
“Until the Federated Suns decides that we are more than an annoyance.” Chiara Ruggeri warned before retaking her seat. Erik Martens-Calderon watched her for several moments as the Speaker of the House began their next topic of discussion for a moment Erik and Chiara’s eyes met the Protector simply nodded his respect to her which the Governor returned.
Diplomatic Meeting, Subtelty (McKenna MOD-class Battleship)
Wildwood, Magistracy of Canopus
Periphery
20th December 3103 When word had reached Canopus of a non-hostile McKenna-class Battleship which had arrived in the Wildwood system the Magestix had send Ambassador Winson Hodges and the MCS Katara, a Shoung Bi Shou-class Corvette, to discover what their intentions were. Fortunately the rumours of the McKenna being passive were accurate and when the Katara had arrived the Ambassador had been invited on board.
Docking on board the Subtlety Ambassador Winson Hodges pulled himself through the micro-gravity into the airlock of the McKenna-class Battleship and was surprised to see Commander America Park, the commander of the nearby defence station, on board the vessel. “Welcome on board the Subtlety Profitable Training College of Military Arts” she said greeting him “Captain Leroy-Detrich is awaiting you.”
“Lead on Commander” he said the Magistracy Armed Forces officer turned as did the member of the Subtlety who was escorting them. As they moved through the corridors in the micro-gravity Ambassador Winson Hodges was surprised at the state of the McKenna. Despite the Subtlety's external appearance the internal arrangement of the Subtlety was in very good condition however there were some areas which showed things were not normal on board the vessel. As they moved along the corridors Hodges noted a room marked weapons control the door was broken, or missing, and the room completely empty with the consoles dark. Hodges was not an expert on naval vessels but he would have thought there would be at least one person manning the weapons array.
Commander Park and their Subtlety guide led the small group to one of the McKenna’s large gravity decks a fact that Hodges was particularly happy about. On the gravity deck they were led to one of the large conference rooms. Inside there was a man and a woman the man was at least fifty years old, but looked ten years younger, his dark hair beginning to grey slightly but his body showed few of the traits that came along with being exposed to long stays in a gravity well Hodges guessed that the man had spent extended periods in space or low gravity. The woman was more difficult to read like the male she looked younger but her eyes spoke of a much older person her dyed white hair further threw of estimates of her age.
“Captain Leroy-Dietrich this is Ambassador Winson Hodges representing the Magistracy of Canopus” Commander America Park said turning back to the Ambassador “Ambassador Hodges this is Captain William Leroy-Dietrich, the commander of this vessel, and Director Cynthia Higgins, head of training for the Subtlety Profitable Training College of Military Arts.” She said introducing them bowing slightly she began to move to leave.
“A pleasure to meet you…” Hodges began
“Ambassador” Captain Leroy-Dietrich said interrupting “I would prefer that Commander Park remain.” He said stopping America’s walk towards the exit “her people were the first we encountered in the Magistracy and they have been quite hospitable.”
“Of course” Hodges said glancing over at America Park “take a seat commander.” He said his tone indicated to her that he wanted her to sit and to remain quiet. In a matriarchal society, dominated by women, it spoke leaps and bounds at Hodges skill that he had raised to a position of power. “Captain Leroy-Dietrich” he said turning back to the Subtlety duo “first please allow me to second Commander Park’s efforts to welcome you to the Magistracy of Canopus.” He said neither spoke “secondly please accept our Magestix’s apologies she recently gave birth to her second child the Duchess Anna Centrella and has been unable to travel.” He explained
“I thank you for your welcome Ambassador.” Leroy-Dietrich said “we did not expect a welcome from your Magestix…”
“But please pass on our congratulations a new birth is a wonderful thing” Cynthia Higgins said interrupting the Captain glanced at her for a moment Hodges guessed with a frustrated look before meeting the Captain’s eyes once more.
“Ambassador please allow us to begin with honesty and by making one thing absolutely clear the Subtlety, her DropShips and her Aerospace Fighters will not be aligning themselves with your Magistracy.” Leroy-Dietrich said immediately Commander America Park glanced down at the desk then back at the Ambassador.
“I will be equally honest with you Captain my Magestix has authorized me to make you and your crew very, very wealthy should you accept her offer.” Hodges said there was no point hiding the fact that the Magistracy wanted the McKenna added to their fleet even with their fourth WarShip almost complete at the Trznadal Cluster Shipyards none of their vessels had the prowess or presence of the Battleship.
“Although we appreciate that fact” Cynthia Higgins said “and that you have not attempted to attack this vessel you must understand that the Subtlety is not a war vessel. She is not fitted out like a normal McKenna-class vessel she is, and always was, designed to be a training vessel. Captain Leroy-Dietrich and his crew are dedicated to enhancing the naval skills of anyone willing to pay the College’s minimal charges.”
“But that was not always the case” Hodges said glancing at the captain as he removed a notebook from his pocket “in 3084 there was a Lieutenant William Leroy-Dietrich who was a member of the Fifteenth Exploration Squadron, a mercenary aerospace fighter unit, which according to the MRBC Records available on Canopus was last hired by the Interstellar Expeditions for a deep space mission beyond Magistracy space.” He said Commander Park’s obvious surprise showed she knew nothing of the Ambassador’s findings.
“Is there a question there?” Leroy-Dietrich asked not denying Hodges calm.
“What happened to your unit? Where did you find this ship? And what are your intentions?” Hodges asked
“What happened to my unit is a long story” Leroy-Dietrich said “you are correct I am the pilot of the records. We were assigned to six JumpShips deployed by Interstellar Expeditions specifically to resupply Interstellar Expeditions base Twenty-Two and to find Rim Worlds Outpost Eleven.”
“It was found years ago” America Park said the outpost one of dozens the Rim Worlds Republic created before the Star League Civil War it had been found in 3067 by Interstellar Expeditions completely abandoned.
“Wrong” Director Cynthia Higgins admitted “the expedition that claimed to find Outpost Eleven were forced to make that claim by…” she hesitated for a moment looking at Leroy-Dietrich who nodded “by my people, the people of Outpost Eleven.”
“You are a descendant of the Rim Worlds Republic?” Ambassador Hodges asked startled there were units that claimed a linage to the Rim Worlds Republic but there were no colonies that still made that claim the Rim Worlds Republic was a dead nation.
“The people of Outpost Eleven were their own people. We always believed there was something wrong with the report on the base. The team that discovered it were apparently lost on their way back to the Inner Sphere.” Leroy-Dietrich said speaking again “each of our JumpShips were equipped with an HPG communications system so we spread out. After three years we found the system claimed by Outpost Eleven and to our surprise the third world had signs of life.” He said the wonderment was clear on his face “we sent word to the other JumpShips and headed towards the planet.” He explained “on our way to the planet our JumpShip was attacked and forced to retreat from the system by unknown raiders.”
“Periphery scum that had prayed on our world for decades” Higgins said “they pushed out world to its breaking point destroying much of the defences we still had active.”
“We knew nothing of this” Leroy-Dietrich said “all we knew was there was a hostile force behind us and that we needed to get to the planet.” He said continuing with the tale “we pushed onto the third planet which was one of the most exotic I have ever seen. The remains of nearly a dozen moons remained in orbit around the world creating a debris field that completely engulfed the planet’s orbit.” He said “we pushed through it towards the planet and that is when we discovered the Subtlety.” He said
“The Subtlety was built by the Star League Defence Force as a next generation training vessel” Higgins explained “somehow the ship escaped the chaos of the Star League Civil War and made its way out of the Inner Sphere its crew never looking back. Unfortunately when they arrived at Outpost Eleven they were almost out of fuel and food and when they landed… the people of our world were not particularly pleasant to them” she explained looking at the table in shame.
“We had other plans for the ship docking three of our four DropShips with the ship we transferred as much fuel as we could and brought her reactors online.” He explained proud of the fact. “On that day I became Captain of the Subtlety we were on a steep learning curve in three days we learned how to use the weapons on board the ship and waited for the pirates. When they arrived near the debris field we let them have it with everything this ship had wiping out the pirates but also causing more damage to the Subtlety.”
“Then came their encounter with my people” Cynthia Higgins said “our population had steadily shrunk for nearly a decade and could barely support ourselves. Captain Leroy-Dietrich agreed to evacuate our remaining people once their JumpShips arrived.”
“But that means you should have returned to the Inner Sphere decades ago?” Hodges asked he was no expert on space travel but new that JumpShips wouldn’t take that long to return.
“You are correct” Leroy-Dietrich admitted “but the Subtlety was not ready for extended travel so we chose to remain at Outpost Eleven while we made repairs and modifications to the WarShip we dispatched one of our JumpShips back to Interstellar Expeditions base for additional supplies and equipment. It took us nearly fourteen years but it was worth it.” Leroy-Dietrich said smiling
“Between the Interstellar Expeditions forces, the mercenary commands hired to protect them and my people we chose to form a new organisation. The Subtlety Profitable Training College of Military Arts” she said proudly “our college primarily caters to the naval arts but also engineering, navigation and other forms of education. We decided that everyone that we had with us would be trained to have the best opportunities for their future if they decided to stay with the Subtlety and our JumpShips fine but if they wanted to go beyond they would be able to last in the universe with the education we gave them. Since returning to the Inner Sphere we have expanded that to those beyond our collection of ships.”
“Which leads us to our goal” Leroy-Dietrich said “we plan to travel to Outreach and Galatea and register with the MRBC as a travelling school. We will bring education and skills to anyone who is willing to listen to us; we will share what we know of aerospace combat and trade our knowledge for passage through the Inner Sphere. For any supplies we will trade equipment or pay in good old C-Bills.”
“As you can see WarShips have reached even the depths of the periphery” America Park said referring to the Katara which held position off the Subtlety’s bow.
“Yes an impressive feat” Leroy-Dietrich admitted “but does you crew know how to combat a McKenna?” He asked both Park and Hodges looked surprised for a moment but before they could speak the Subtlety's commander spoke again. “I do not mean this as a threat simply would your crew have any idea what to do when encountering a vessel like the McKenna? Or a Texas, a Monsoon, an Atreus, a Farragut?” He asked expanding it to other WarShips of SLDF era. “The systems on board the Subtlety are very advanced we can mimic the damage capabilities of any Star League-era WarShip.” He boasted seeing both of them were impressed.
“We have shipyard facilities; we could assist and repair some of the damage that has been done to your vessel?” Hodges suggested even if they couldn’t convince them to stay they could get a look inside the WarShip.
“Not necessary” Leroy-Dietrich said “while we have sustained some damage to the hull and some systems they are not critical to this vessel’s operation.” He said seeing Hodges disappointment “understand Mr Ambassador while we mean no hostile intent towards your Magistracy the Subtlety is capable of defending itself and its JumpShips.”
“In that case I do not see the Magestix objecting to your travel through our nation. We will arrange for our forces to be in place for your training exercises. I will also arrange for a liaison officer to join your vessel to ensure there is no miss-communications or accidents during your travel through our territory.”
“Mr Ambassador I, we,” he said correcting himself glancing at Cynthia Higgins who nodded “would prefer Commander Park remained on board as Ambassador to the Subtlety Profitable Training College of Military Arts.”
“Is that correct?” Ambassador Hodges said looking at Commander America Park who looked as surprised as the Ambassador by the request. “Well the Commander has responsibilities here at Wildwood” he said for a moment “but I believe I can convince the Magistracy Armed Forces Command to waver these duties for the duration of this assignment.” He said deciding that keeping the McKenna and its crew on side was a better course of action than aggravating its Captain.
“Thank you Mr Ambassador” Captain William Leroy-Dietrich said stepping closer extending his hand.
“Welcome to the Magistracy of Canopus may your journey be long and safe” Ambassador Winson Hodges said rising from his chair meeting the Captain’s hand shaking it formally. The Subtlety's journey had just begun.
Nova Cat Command, Khan’s Office
New Barcella, Nova Cat’s Den
Periphery
26th December 3103 The doors to the Khan’s office opened without a single word from the Elemental Guards standing outside Galaxy Commander Katrine Devalis hadn’t expected them to say anything there was no need. Before entering she straightened her leather uniform jacket and tightened the pony tail that held her long scarlet coloured hair. As the commander of Upsilon Galaxy she did not need to wait to be announced before entering instead once ready she marched in to find Khan Canin Rosse standing near his desk at a relaxed stance apparently waiting for her. The Khan had originated in the Clan Nova Cat Watch she knew he still had very strong links to the organisation no doubt had his spies monitoring her every move since she handed on the Nova Cat Capitol. “Khan Rosse, I report as I was requested to.” She said as she approached stopping just short of his desk. The Khan was almost thirty years older than she was and approaching the sixty-fifth anniversary of his birth but he looked like he was fifteen-to-twenty years younger, his fitness level and mental readiness unquestionable by anyone in the Clan. It was obvious to Katrine that the most recent crisis had aged the Khan but despite the millions dead from the virus on New Barcella, including the Khan’s freeborn wife Yvonne, the Khan was a formidable opponent.
“And a timely arrival Galaxy Commander” the Khan said looking at her his deep blue eyes piercing through her in them she could see the desire that had driven the man all these years was still there. “It is good to be home once more.” He said after a moment of silence for more than a year New Barcella had been under a strict quarantine the virus outbreak. Unable to cure the virus alone the Nova Cats had been forced to turn to the other Clans for assistance with a breakthrough being made only a couple of months before on Tukayyid. Since spreading the cure through the population the quarantine had been lifted but the Nova Cats were still being careful to clean everything that had been affected by the virus.
“Aff it is, our losses have been surprisingly light” she commented. She like many others had feared the Galaxy based on New Barcella would be completely gutted by the virus.
“Light” Canin Rosse said looking at her surprised “nineteen million dead…” He said allowing the number to hang in the air for several moments it was almost unfathomable.
“Ninety percent of those were Freebirths” Katrina Devalis replied “they populate like rabbits if we were Jade Falcon we’d have seen the virus as a blessing.”
“Aff but we are not Falcons we are Nova Cats” the Khan reminded her “you harm part of the whole you hurt our whole Clan and remember not all our losses were freeborns ten percent of the losses were trueborns.”
“But only a handful of active warriors” she argued the only trueborns who had been affected badly were those who had been badly injured in the past or that were too old be of use. Only a very small number of warriors in New Barcella’s garrison had actually been harmed, four trueborns and twenty-two freeborns, unfortunately their technical staff had been gutted meaning the units would be useless in a campaign for a short period.
With the virus contained on New Barcella the rest of the Nova Cat’s Den and their Khan safely off the planet the Nova Cat’s had continued to function normally finally absorbing the majority of the Filtvelt Coalition, trading with the Ravens and even re-establishing some links to the Sea Foxes. During the entire crisis Khan Canin Rosse had stayed apprised of what was happening on their capitol planet but even after the death of Yvonne there had been no course to challenge his leadership; much to Katrine’s disappointment.
“Aff” the Khan agreed again Katrina Devalis was getting worried they had never seen eye-to-eye. She believed their Clan should never have come to the periphery instead it should have remained with their other Clans as an invasion force and absorbed the Smoke Jaguars Occupation Zone when the time was right. Khan Canin Rosse had always been one of the strongest supporters of the Nova Cat’s new path a position that had been vindicated when the Jaguars and Adders had been ejected from the Inner Sphere. “There was one particular trueborn loss which has been damaging to our Clan, saKhan Ajax Drummond.” He said Katrina Devalis was surprised Ajax Drummond had not been on New Barcella when the virus broke out, neither of the Khans had.
“How did he die?” Katrina asked she didn’t care for Ajax Drummond he was a wet towel to the Khan’s fire she felt he’d dampened any fighting spirit the Nova Cat leader had for many years and had been surprised when Canin Rosse had pushed for the conquest of the Filtvelt Coalition.
“An explosion on board his DropShip while returning from Tukayyid with the cure for the New Barcella virus.”
“They arrived back TWO months ago!” Katrina said angrily taking a step forward “YOU have hidden that fact from our Clan!” She said accusingly.
“Aff I did our Clan did not need to hear of our saKhan’s death after learning of the losses on New Barcella.” The Khan replied turning her anger back on her while remaining completely calm. “I acted in what I thought was the best interest for our Clan; an action I would repeat if I thought it was necessary. A Khan must be willing to sacrifice their own honour for the good of their Clan it’s something you must learn Katrine Devalis.”
“Me…” she said suddenly stunned she hated the Khan, she was sure he hated her, why would he choose her? She had been the symbol for all opposition for Canin Rosse, and his stavag family, and had inherited command of Upsilon Galaxy when Grayson Rosse, Canin’s freeborn son, was killed in action and had been a thorn in the Khan’s side.
“Yes you” Canin said “tough choices need to be made.” He said “you and I have not always seen eye-to-eye but it is time we set those differences aside and concentrated on helping the Nova Cats.” He said explaining his decision.
“I agree” she said after a moment considering his words.
“Good” Canin Rosse said smiling “then your first job is to fix New Barcella return it to the status of our capital. This includes replacing our ‘light losses’” he said quoting her our words “bring techs to bring New Barcella’s Clusters back to combat readiness, bring workers in to run the idle factories on New Barcella which have fallen into disuse because their freeborn workers are dead. Repopulate our streets.” He said laying down why he didn’t see nineteen million losses as a light loss.
“Our trueborn crèches were not affected at all we will replace those lost freeborns with failed warriors in time.” She began before the Khan spoke again.
“Aye in time” Canin Rosse said trying not to roll his eyes “so in sixteen years when this year’s crèches graduate we will be able to reopen our factories, will add tech support to our Clusters and make our streets feel alive instead of like a cemetery. Our Clan needs support now!” He snapped
“We have factories on other worlds working at, or over, their capacities and we have stockpiles of munitions in warehouses here unused when they were stuck by the quarantine.” Katrine Devalis said combing back at her Khan. We can make do with what we have until we are able to bring in skilled workers. I will bring in techs from other units to support those on New Barcella” she said confident she could make it work.
“I don’t want to make do.” Canin said dropping into the use of a contraction bringing a scowl from Katrina. “I want New Barcella to thrive once more I want this world to feel like it is alive; like it was before. You are now our saKhan, in the absence of a planetary administrator; it is your job to get it done.” He commanded his voice raising Katrina had heard the Khan use this tone a hundred times in the Clan Council chambers not losing his temper or shouting just adding an authority to his voice that few could match. It was simple he wanted it done and if she failed he would replace her by any means the Nova Cat Khan, for now, was Clan Nova Cat.
“Yes my Khan” she said crossing her fist across her chest in salute before turning and briskly marching out her scarlet ponytail bouncing as she marched out of the office. As saKhan she’d have to deal with someone she hated on nearly a daily basis, unless they were in the field, but it would give her an opportunity if Canin Rosse screwed up badly enough she would be in the position to become the Nova Cat’s next Khan a position she desired deeply.