Jump-in, Sceptre
Horikawa, Independent system
Deep Periphery
8th September 3111The battered Strike Cruiser Sceptre jumped into the Horikawa system which was a known independent system of the Periphery which flirted with being a member of the nearby Fronc Reaches but the nation had no real standing in the system. Immediately after entering the system the Sceptre’s advanced sensors scanned the space detecting several minor conflicts being fought throughout the system. In high orbit over the third planet of the system was a massive space station “The Ark” the place that Captain Jerry Harper hoped his WarShip would find resupply.
Off the WarShip’s port side, an Invader-class JumpShip hovered its shocked crew looking at the vessel. “Unidentified craft this is Captain Thomas Granger of the Fronc Reaches militia you have this system is contested and you have no jurisdiction in this system withdraw…” the Sceptre moved in rapidly firing weapons shooting out the after section of the JumpShip crippling its Jump Drive but leaving the ship mostly intact. There would be casualties on the ship but most of the crew would have survived.
“This is Captain Jerry Harper” the Sceptre transmitted as it began to move into the system. “We do not mean the people of this system trouble but we will defend ourselves. For those who do not mean us hostile action we are willing to trade with you fairly.”
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Three days later the Sceptre arrived near the Ark facility which appeared to be a collection of two Olympus stations and several smaller stations which had been connected together. Over the Ark facility were three DropShips moving around the facility and several aerospace fighters engaged in combat. “Situation report” Harper ordered
“Two Leopard CV DropShips and a single regular Leopard. The normal Leopard looks like it has been fitted to carry small craft and ground troops. The station’s defenders appear to be engaging them.”
“Give me a general communications frequency.” Harper commanded to his side another officer nodded “this is Captain Jerry Harper of the WarShip Sceptre. All forces cease combat or we will open fire.” Within moments a jumble of replies came back into the CIC. “Filter them out!” Harper barked “I want the station commander first and foremost then whoever is claiming to be in charge of the DropShips.”
“Yes, sir” one replied as a squadron of six aerospace fighters and one of the Leopard CVs turned to face the Sceptre.”
“DropShip approaching our position if you continue to close on the WarShip Sceptre you and your fighters will be subject to defensive action.” Harper said as the DropShip and fighters continued to close on their position. “Weapons knock them down” he said as the communications system crackled to life as did the Sceptre’s weapons which fired to deadly effect knocking down the incoming Leopard CV and its fighters.
“WarShip Sceptre this is Administrator Logan Rosenzweig of the Ark station this station is currently engaging in defensive action against enemy boarders. We cannot accept new visitors at this time.”
“Visitors? Seriously did he just see what we did?” one of the crew asked.
“Quite!” Harper commanded “target both of the remaining DropShips. Ark station Sceptre stands ready to support your efforts if we can expect fair treatment after this battle is over.” He said there was several moments of silence over the radio before a response.
“You will be dealt with fairly” Rosenzweig responded “we have enemy combatants in space around us and in sections of this space station.”
“Communicate the locations we will deploy out Elementals.”
“Elementals?”
“Our vessel’s marines we are former Clansmen. If this is a problem then we can leave you to your troubles.”
“We welcome your help”
“Weapons released on both enemy DropShips and any aerospace fighters that wander too close.” Harper commanded “deploy Elementals to the station we will feed them landing coordinates as they go.” The Sceptre’s main batteries came alive crossing the vastness of space in seconds to shred both enemy DropShips in only a single salvo. The Sceptre’s capital barrage continued and while far less effective against the smaller craft the amount of fire put out by the Sceptre cut at least two of the aerospace fighters from space.
“The Konstantin is also breaking formation.”
“Contact Banacek and remind him we want this station intact.”
“Aff, Star Captain” Lewis said glancing back over a moment later “Star Captain, Banacek understands and will only provide fire support if it is required.” The Overlord-class DropShip and two Small Craft closed rapidly on the station with BattleMechs dropping from the Overlord and Elementals dropping from the small craft onto the station following coordinates provided by the station’s command.
“Lewis, pass to station command pull back their people and seal off that section to space.”
“Station commander said they cannot comply, sir.”
“Tell them to comply or they lose everyone they have in that section.” He commanded watching the Elemental movements on the hull knowing the movement from his people. “Communicate with Elemental Commanders hold blow for one minute.”
“Station commander said he needs three minutes to effectively pull back.”
“His people better hustle or anchor down then” Harper said watching their command deck clock tick down from one minute. When it reached zero charges were blown at five points on the station’s hull and the Elementals entered the station. Most boarding crews wore environmental protection just for this reason but few could hold up under a decompression and an attack by Elemental troopers. Within seconds all twenty-five Elementals were inside the hull and the battle moved from the outer hull to the inner hull of the station. While Harper had the facility to watch the Elemental cameras he found such battles confusing and distracting and instead continued to watch the general station activity and Banacek’s BattleMechs which had arrayed themselves on the sections around the section where the Elementals were currently fighting inside essentially allowing them to attack multiple points of the station’s hull if it came to it.
After what felt like an hour but was actually eleven minutes the first all clear was posted by the Elementals. Within the next four minutes another twenty-two all clears sounded with two Elementals not checking in with the troopers either dead or their suits too badly damaged for them to reply. “Let’s see how accommodating they are” Harper said “have Banacek keep his people in place and keep our weapons active but not targeting and have the Elementals evacuate that section back to transports.” He said making several rapid-fire orders as the Sceptre continued to hold on station near where their people had been deployed.
“WarShip Sceptre this is Administrator Rosenzweig welcome to the Ark facility please submit your supply requests.” He said no longer questioning the Sceptre’s actions instead taking in their results.
Ghost Bear Trial of Possession
Sudeten, Jade Falcon Occupation Zone
12th September 3111 MechWarrior Morgan Ghost Bear is deploye by the Rasalhague Dominion for the first time fighting in a Trial of Possession against Clan Jade Falcon for a Trinary of the newly deployed OmniMech version of the Shirke BattleMech as the Bears retaliate for recent attempts by the Falcons to begin Harvest Trials again targeting the Bears production and Sibko graduates. The Bears are successful in winning the trial bloodying the Falcon’s nose and claiming possession over the OmniMechs. Morgan Ghost Bear piloting a Lobo 2 BattleMech he takes down an entire point of Elemental warriors and a light BattleMech during the trial before falling to a physical attack from a Jade Falcon BattleMech. For his efforts during the trial Morgan is awarded one of the captured Shirke OmniMechs.
Nova Cat Raid
Dicallus, Taurian Concordat
Periphery
19th September 3111 The battle had been a tough one but the First Nova Cat Vision Cluster had been successful in battle against the Fifth Taurian Hussars Regiment on Dicallus destroying the defenders. Now Star Colonel Sean Nostra was watching as his troops recovered their lost equipment from the battlefield.
“Sentry to Vision One, we have four approaching BattleMech Recovery Vehicles and several ground transports.” One of the perimeter guards communicated.
“Base Delta to Vision One, communication from Taurians.” His lead DropShip communicated
“Pass it through to me.” Nostra commanded a moment later his BattleMech’s communication crackled to life.
“This is Governor Helena Mieli to Clan raider the approaching BattleMech Recovery Vehicles and technical vehicles are our gift to you for your victory we hope this will be enough to stop further attacks.” The female voice said Nostra almost cursed that the locals were treating his Clansmen like common pirates.
“Governor, we Clansmen take what we want we do not need gifts…” He said he saw that another of his MechWarriors was trying to break in on the conversation and reached for the communication toggle just as his own BattleMech’s detected the rising radiation from the BattleMech Recover Vehicles. “No…” he whispered but by then it was too late from the two vehicles twin supernovas rose into mushroom clouds which quickly encompassed the remaining Nova Cats wiping out the First Nova Cat’s Vision Cluster.
News Conference
Star League Command, Kittery
Kittery Prefecture, Star League Protectorate
24th September 3111
While the new crews had known that Exarch Victor Steiner-Davion had been on Kittery for the last day meeting with Protector-General Devlin Stone few had expected a news conference to be held on the world instead expecting any announcements to be made when the Exarch returned to Terra. Instead however Exarch Victor Steiner-Davion dressed in a white military uniform with green epilates on the shoulder, a Star League Defence Force Cameron Star on the right breast and his various campaign medals on the left breast.
“Ladies and gentlemen during my discussions with Protector-General Devlin Stone it has been decided that the Kittery Prefecture will remain a holding of the Star League Protectorate and continue to be protected by the Star League Defence Force Regiments, the Star League Guard Regiments and the Star League Navy.” He said telling people things that they probably already knew “what will change for the Star League Protectorate is that the governing body on Kittery will be given full control over local matters for the Protectorate such as tax increases, financing schooling, domestic services and infrastructure. This will allow Kittery and its Prefecture worlds to grow at a pace that will suit them instead of trying to follow the line of the Protectorate and give people more control over where they wish to take their worlds. Initially Protector-General will lead the devolved government however we expect open elections will take place within three years.”
While Victor’s announcement made little immediate changes, the longer-term changes could not be discounted with the Kittery government able to control how quickly its worlds develop. Being a devolved government, they could also make diplomatic moves and deals with their neighbours that Terra may not have been able to broker.
