Hidden Hope (Golden Lion AU, Part 4)

[AlphaMirage]

Prologue 1 – Revelation
06/17/3050 | Location – Epsilon Pegasus Zenith, Coreward Periphery

Microwaves crackled outward from the emergence waves of four Dante frigates and an accompanying pair of Carrack armored transports. ‘Precentor’ Commodore Alain Beresick sat behind his red lit console as the CS Virgil’s vast sensor suite and supercomputers cooled by their cryogenic fuel digested large fractions of the electromagnetic spectrum to project a holographic hyperspectral ‘situation’ sphere from the central emitter within the CIC. The lighting in the room was such that nothing was shadowed, and the Captain or Commodore could monitor or take control of their subordinate’s consoles if needed.
“No sign of enemy activity Commodore. Cancelling battle alert.”

The ship’s alert faded away and white light returned to the sleek CIC with its curved consoles and brilliant tapestry of telltales. Alain spun and looked at the virtual diagram on his own console. The ‘Precentor’ Captain sat opposite him with the projected volume of space between them. “No sign of Explorer Corps’ activity either Captain. There are no broadcasts from any of the occupied planets or orbitals, even the nav buoys are silent.”
“Should we drop off another buoy sir?”
“We’ll do it on our way out.” The Commodore switched to the local battlenet which included their flotilla of twelve carrier and assault dropships in addition to the Warship squadron, “Task Force, our principal objective remains to investigate why Columbus is silent. Set courses and match velocity to Virgil.”

While mostly automated humans still controlled the Dante’s helm and other vital systems. The Delta Adept operating as Helmsmen plotted a track to the Epsilon Pegasus IV known as Columbus. “Aye, Aye sir.”


06/25/3050
From the orbital drydock built into Columbus’ captured asteroid moon Amor it was evident that the installation was intact but vacant. CSC Espatiers investigated but found the cageworks built onto the moon, a facility as large as a Faslane, empty and quiet as well.

Alain and the Captain, a graceful woman with short braided blonde hair, stood on the observation deck as more solar panels turned toward the Sol-like primary Epsilon Pegasus as their backup of the facility’s software reassumed control.

“I’m getting an eerie feeling about this Commodore.”
“As am I Captain Kareis. This is however not the first time we have encountered a vacant compound in the Deep Black.”

“I know but up until four months ago this wasn’t vacant. It was the largest facility of its type in the Explorer Corps. Now its empty. What happened to the satellites? The people? Why does the main facility seem intact?

Surely if it was enemy action, they would have destroyed it, or at least damaged it, in addition to looting the cargo stores which they apparently did according to the Espatiers.”

“I don’t have an answer at this moment Jacoba, but we will thoroughly investigate until we find one.”
“Do you think it could have been the Combine like the Primus believes?”

Alain, a native of Dieron prior to joining the Order during its frenzied recruitment during the early 3030s, relaxed his shoulders and drifted slightly back from the viewscreen. “As much as Coordinator Kurita may feel ill intent toward the order, he is in no position to challenge us presently.

Now it could have been a false flag but the final transmissions from this HPG were talking about a large fleet of ships approaching.
The FSN doesn’t have that many ships and everyone else is on the other side of the Sphere or Combine.”

“Could they have been decoys?
They have been working with the Dragoons around Galax. Perhaps the AMC was involved?”
“We would have noticed their departure.”
“The Jarnfolk? We are near their space.”
“Don’t make me laugh. They are barely a Confederation and far too few. Give it some time before you continue your conjecture Captain and get some rest.”

Bone white power armor descended on their jump jets detaching the drag chute before landing on the desolate ferrocrete that was once Columbus’ Starport. Their Mausers were raised as they approached the hanger passing no dropships standing erect like great towers or laying on the baking ground like lizards as they strode by. Their myomer enhanced strength was insufficient to pry open the thick doors and the Mausers melted when put into continuous mode to attempt to burn through.

The flying wing of a Riever appeared overhead like a predatory manta circling above before touching down with a rooster tail of smoke. It was soon joined by other fighters and shuttles which disembarked platoons of light gray XCT soldiers equipped with the deadly Mauser 960 laser rifle and for hazardous environments in service to the Explorer Corps. A 36-man platoon of XCT stacked up behind a six-man fireteam of Tornado PA(L)s as a CSC Transit taxied into position in front of Hanger 12, the one closest to the crucial power station and command core.

“Breach it!”

Its Tomodzuru roared in the familiar way of any Mechwarrior that had faced a Hunchback before rocking the fighter backward across the pavement even though the pilot feathered his thrusters. Each shell rang against the ground as it was ejected before the hanger door. It took five minutes before the door was ravaged enough to fit Tornados through the breach.

Commodore Beresick walked through an hour later if it was confirmed that the facility was free of any contaminants or enemies. CSC Personnel lined the walls as he passed before continuing with their business of investigating just what occurred with constant updates being fed to the Beta and Omicron Adepts that followed the Commodore wherever he went. Temporary lighting hung from the corridors although everyone had lights on their POV cameras. Alain leaned over his left shoulder toward the Beta Branch Analyst. “So, Donovan you are telling me that just like Amor the databanks were wiped but there is no sign of struggle, bodies, and everything has been looted?”

“I’m afraid so sir. It seems whoever took control of the facility could access the central core and gave our robots enough time to correct anything that occurred before they wiped it.”
“How could someone hack our security protocols? We have the best in the Inner Sphere.” Came over his right shoulder from Omicron Adept IV Cassius assigned to ROM counterintelligence.

“Perhaps they asked?”
“Only four people would have known that code.”
“A Mole is always a possibility Cassius.”
“All four would have been thoroughly screened and conditioned before being entrusted with such a secret.”
“And yet we almost had a Primus that was an Pillarine Mole. Nothing is out of the question.”

Cassius sighed as they continued through the empty, stale corridors seemingly without anchor to anywhere in particular within the chaotic hodgepodge of a facility with such layers of history. The Omicron Adept’s robes rustled as he paused. “Why are we going to the library Commodore?”

“I can’t do anything until Alpha gets that HPG back online and Psi completes their work to reactivate the command center. We can set up a command post in the library until then and it won’t interfere with anyone else’s work.”

Great stacks of books stood idle, the move assist feature inactive due to a lack of power. Alain and company set up their noteputers and a lantern upon one of the dull metal tables and unwrapped their rations for the day. Something caught the Commodore’s attention; a book lay open on the table. He walked over to it and wiped away the dust on the table. “This has been this way for months.”

Donovan and Cassius left their stews and stood beside him. The Analyst wiped his finger across the table as well. “The robots don’t put back books or dust tables with books upon them, Tau Adepts build huge stacks of them and don’t like it when they are disturbed as they might lose their pages.”

The ROM Adept picked up the book to examine it closer, careful not to disturb the ribbon bookmark “The Prophecies of Saint Adrienne Sims, unabridged edition.”

“What passage its it set to Cassius?”

“Chapter Seventy-Eight:
From beyond the darkness a hoard of beasts bearing a crimson Star will appear.
A head of six faces but one voice that will fill the heart with dread.
Its limbs shall shake the very pillars of heaven itself in Judgement.

Only the Faithful and steadfast shall prevail to the End where only One shall remain.”

[AlphaMirage]

Prologue 2 – The High Queen
10/18/3050
The Triad sprawled outward north of Olympia and almost intruding onto Tharkad City’s COMSTAR exclave where Precentor-Advocate Ulthan Everson of the First Circuit was when he was not touring the Realm or recalled to Terra. Its campus looked more like that of Tharkad University while the Triad was clearly a government complex nah a city in miniature filled with statuary, gardens, and grandiose architecture sometimes built upon ruins left behind in the wake of conflict.
Within the Katrina Steiner Memorial Auditorium of the Royal Court, renamed for the preceding Archon upon their passing, was a bust of the ‘Iron Lady of Tharkad’ cast from a scan of her face when she assumed power. A similar face equally published in everything from glossy tabloids to video holography walked onto the stage standing in front of the richly upholstered chair that waited for her to applause, salutes, and the baroque melody of Arnaldo Champenski’s Gruß des ersten Bürgers (Salute of the First Citizen).

Golden ringlets fell upon an understated yet elegant indigo dress while her jewelry was kept to her wedding rings and small diamond earrings that sparkled under the lights. Archon Melissa Alexandra Steiner-Bradford retained the youthful grace, beauty, and demeanor that had enchanted the Commonwealth ever since she assumed power almost thirteen years and two children ago.

“Welcome all and thank you for your generous donations. It is my great pleasure to welcome you to the Memorial Auditorium for our forum this afternoon.
As you have been of personal service to me. I shall be to you.
Please sit.”

The assembled represented as variable a cross-section of the Commonwealth or Inner Sphere as could be imagined for slightly more than a hundred individuals, The Chiefs of Mission for Ambassadors Sortek, McCarron, and Miraborg, Duke Thelonius Gracchi of Furillo, Precentor Alpha XII Candice Fallows, deputy to Precentor-Advocate Everson, Junior Executives from three dozen companies as well as Barons and Counts from as many worlds, and an equal number of senior military officers wearing four different uniforms. All of whom had donated a tidy fortune to the Archon’s preferred charities to borrow the Archon’s ear in an ‘intimate’ and very discreet setting for an afternoon, as well as show their support to her endeavors and network between themselves.

Melissa gently slid into the chair and drank some of the water waiting beside it. “I will start with the prepared questions unless anyone has something pressing to get off their chest.”

Silence filled the chamber, “As you wish then,” Melissa opened a folder positioned next to her water, “It seems that many of you are either concerned with or want more details regarding our recent policy of investing in expanding our shipyards, financing Jumpships directly through the Commonwealth’s Bank system, or participating in joint ventures around New Oslo and Capella.

Particularly given the government’s investments in the more remote regions of the Commonwealth.

I have authorized the Commerce Bank of Donegal and Gibbs and others to explore our options since the technology is returning to rebuild our fleets, and it seems the Inner Sphere will enjoy a period of abundance.

I understand your concerns however, the lifetime costs of underwriting a jumpship are daunting and the insurance liability is even bigger. Because of this risk COMSTAR’s Phi Branch has always been responsible for this type of business.

This Commonwealth has always prided itself on our stability. The Kroner is as widely accepted as COMSTAR’s own c-bill throughout the Inner Sphere thanks to our alliances and economic aid. Tharkad has a history of refraining for reckless behavior with few exceptions.

This is not New Avalon with its grand adventuresome spirit; indeed, it is fortunate that Ian married a much younger woman. I found him.
Frankly.
Exhausting during our times together. “

She let out a dramatic sigh as laughter erupted from the small audience, loudest among the Sun’s subjects. “Now please give me something more engaging than spreadsheets and prospectus. You have me for the whole afternoon and I already get enough from the Estates General.”

[Gorgon]

Eerie start. Seeing the Explorer Corps is always welcome. I wonder what the Clans look like in your Interpretation.

[PsihoKekec]

So the clans decided to gather the intelligence on Inner Sphere by kidnapping everyone on Columbus station?

[Gorgon]

It could also mean that the Clans are not in the same location as in canon - they could be further to the 'east' (anti spinward?)

[AlphaMirage]

Chapter 1 – Under the Stars
04/18/3051 | Miraborg Estate, Gunzberg, Free Rasalhague Republic

Pines swayed in the spring winds cooling on the exposed skin of the couple entwined in each other beneath a tapestry of stars. A young woman pulled back despite her partner’s lips on the nape of her neck. “We shouldn’t be doing this Phelen.”

Phelen Kell attempted to push himself up on his elbows, but she pushed him enough that he could feel the pricks of pine needles on his back. “Since when? You are the one that suggested it.”

She rolled off him and put her nightshirt back on, “I know, I know, but it was a mistake. I have to get home before my dad finds out. You know how he feels about mercenaries.”

“I thought he was over it.”
“Me to! But he has been steaming ever since arriving on Gunzberg about it.”
He stood up to stretch out and pulled on his pants hanging from a branch. “Well he should have made it a lot clearer to the Archon then while you both were on Tharkad. We already have plenty of work.”

The winds shifted so they could hear baying hounds and shouting. “Attans!” Tyra turned to Phelen who looked at his shirt then back to the road, “I’ll try to slow them down. Run for it!”

Needles scratched him as he dashed into the woods hoping he hadn’t forgotten everything from Seventh Kommando summer camp.


Colonel Patrick Kell signaled the gates to their compound marked with ‘Kell Hounds’ Advisory Troop Scrapper’ open backed by the ‘Bad Dogs’ of the 2nd Kell Hounds Regiment. On the other side were three wheeled APCs from the 1st Gunzburg Mechanized Infantry. Their thrumming diesel engines filled the normally quiet night with noise. General Tor Miraborg’s stood before the trucks, his scarred coutenance backlight by their powerful light bars.

“Morning General, appreciate your unit’s enthusiasm for training but you aren’t due here until oh five hundred.” Patrick looked at his watch, “It’s only two.”

Tor signaled back to one of the vehicles and a shirtless Phelen was escorted forward by a man wearing the Arms of the Miraborg Estate instead of the Kungarme’s insignia. The General kept a firm grip on him as he pulled him forward. “I found one of your strays trespassing on my property.”

Patrick looked him over and saw the scrapes and bruises that covered his nephew, “So you did. I appreciate you returning him to me in mostly pristine condition.
How did you get those marks kid?”

Phelen looked nervously back at Tor then back to his uncle. “I fell in the woods.
It’s a good thing the Estate Guards brought me back.”
“Report to the medic and get yourself cleaned up.”
“Yessir!” Tor released him as he walked past the armed guards standing behind the Colonel.

The First Mechanized started back to their vehicles, “I don’t want a repeat of this incident Colonel Kell. Keep control of your mercenaries. Gunzberg’s woods are dangerous and filled with all manner of frightful animals. One could get lost in them and never find their way out again, or worse.”

“I assure you it won’t happen again Herr Miraborg.”
“Good, I will take your word on it as far as I can. See you in a few hours Colonel.”

Tor walked back and into one of the APCs which closed its armored hatch and drove away.
“Are you going to let him threaten you sir?” Said one of the ‘Bad Dog’ Sergeants over the sound of the gate closing.
“I am Leo, he can’t do anything without consequence, but I am still going to put Phelen on that Elissa Garrison mission.
Just in case.”

----------

06/22/3051
Union V LCDS Junkyard was anything but as it transported Company 222 of the Kell Hounds (that is 2nd Regiment, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Company). 222 had even received discounted passage aboard jumpships belonging to the One Star Faith from Tamar to Elissa due to their celebrity status. Elissa gleamed green below them except in the few places where Grimm’s men had strip mined it for precious metals.

Phelen Kell turned off the television which was displaying their view of Elissa’s moon Miranda into the galley, “There’s nothing worth fighting over down there, just a whole lot of nature. Why are we even here?”

Captain Michael Wilson looked up from his stew, “Because there are a bunch of rich pansy kids partying down there as part of that One Star Cult. Their parents are paying us to make sure they don’t get abducted by some pirates before they head home after getting it out of their system.
Haven’t you gotten out into the other dropships?” Captain Wilson looked around at the other Mechwarriors, Pilots, and Ship’s Crew in the Galley. “I know a few of you did, even though I warned you not to.”

“I’ve was just practicing with Grinner or sparring most of the transit.”
“Well, I’m sure you will get plenty more practice with your Wolfhound. Like you said, it’s unlikely we will get any action out here. I’m serious about this, the Stargazers are very open and ‘welcoming’ to strangers particularly such a well-heeled and handsome young mercenary like yourself but keep it in your pants.”

Michael firmly tapped his fingers on the metal table, “You’re here because Patrick had a real fear that you’d get shot for mingling with the locals.”

The rest of the galley laughed and turned the television back on to link with Elissa’s HPG for the latest Solaris news. Solaris Seven Insider appeared with its hosts interviewing the 22 year old O’Bannon sisters who with their matching Marauder IIs were currently fighting their way up the Solaris Top Twenty looking to dethrone Jason Bloch, the reigning Class Six champ. Elizabeth and Tanya O’Bannon’s faces appeared onscreen, their strawberry blonde hair was their most distinctive feature, but wolf whistles filled the room as the mercenaries paid closer attention to the plunging necklines of the twin’s shirts then the earrings or hair adornments that differentiated them.

Phelen retired to the mech bays where Recon Lance Commander Lt. Jackson Tang stood at the foot of his Clint (2-3T) next to Grinner, Phelen’s Wolfhound (1A), with a Hermes II (4K) and Cicada (3M) rounding out the Lance. Jackson paused his diagnostics and walked over, “Don’t let the Captain get to you.”

He pulled idly on the maintenance chart attached to the ‘cage’ that Grinner was stabilized in. “It’s not that, it’s just, you know.
I thought it’d be more like Patrick and Dan told me. My whole life has been training, with the Dragoons, at home, my year at Nagelring. Now I’m just babysitting some spoiled brats.”
“Plenty of good soldiers have gotten kicked out of Nagelring. They gave Roman the boot after knocking up a girl and then he almost took over Buckminster during Götterdämmerung.
 
Your uncle and brother-in-law only told you the exciting parts. You’ve already gotten a story and you haven’t even seen battle yet. You’ve got time, enjoy it before you get a history as well.”

“Thanks, El Tee.”
“Yeah, now get working on Grinner’s optics package, you can’t touch the log without doing something on it. That’s bad luck.”
“You made that up.”
“You want to chance it Mechwarrior?”
“No sir.”
“Great, we’re going groundside at dawn, Astrapolis time.”
“I can’t believe they called it Astrapolis.”
Jackson shrugged his shoulders, “Cultists are weird like that. Service your mech, check you kit, and get some shuteye. See you tomorrow.”

[PsihoKekec]

A Hound being hounded by hounds, then falling down some stairs in the woods. Just a small sample of the wondrous activites you can experience as a mercenary.

[AlphaMirage]

06/23/3051
LCDS Junkyard landed as dawn peeked its radiance over the windblown lake toward Astrapolis. COMSTAR’s HPG complex spread out over the Northern Shore as Astrapolis hugged the Western and Southern Shores. The Starport on the Eastern Shore was oversized for the small city of hundreds of thousands with a dozen spheroid pads and four runways for aircraft, shuttles, and aerodynes but revealed the One Star Faith’s ambition and High Visionary Egan Telosa’s fundraising ability.

As ‘Grinner’ walked past the hangers Phelen saw they held not only bush and float planes but private jets and luxury shuttles in addition to more functional ones. A trio of Beacons (Buccaneers) backed up to a quay as containerized Ergonomic Units marked with logos from across the Lyran Commonwealth were loaded onto barges by skeletal stackers and floated toward Astrapolis.
“El Tee, the Kell Hounds don’t even have a fleet this large. How did the OSF pull this off?”

“They have had a couple hundred more years of history than the Hounds.”

Jackson’s Clint paused to admire the Monarch tucked away on a quieter Southern portion of the pad. Its passengers milled, worked, or exercised in fashionable clothes on the shore during ‘Golden Hour.’
“That said, we clearly are in the wrong business.”

222’s quartet of fighters were already pulled into the two hangers that abutted the fenced in area that would serve as the Kell Hound’s Stockade. Their mechs walked into the weathertight, solidly built, and partitioned Mech Dugout adjacent to their quarters. Captain Wilson’s Marauder was the last machine whose thunderous steps echoed off its barren walls.

Phelen descended the chain ladder hanging from a kneeling Grinner. He unstrapped his helmet shaking out short brown hair while holding the Neurohelmet in the crook of his arm as the others gathered before the elevator. “They better have at least a locker room for us Captain.”

“We can’t expect them to build us a full mech service facility. Even this dugout is more than I expected. We can move the field tools here temporarily, or you could just walk ten minutes to the dropship.
I expect we can rig up some scaffolding, so you don’t have to climb the ladder to board.”

Lieutenant Tang watched as the doors closed leaving them in artificial light except for some vent fans below skylights. “It’s a bit narrow. We can only deploy in double file.”

“If we need to go any faster than that then something has truly gone horribly FUBAR.
If you’d like you can keep your mechs outside, or in the dropship.”

The Hounds looked around to one another. “I think you’re correct Captain. It’s spacious and better ventilated compared to the dropship.”
“Thank you, Lieutenant. Anyone else have concerns? Or do we want to see if the mess is stocked as agreed?”

Ship’s Crew and Technicians arrived on a fleet of battered pickups with the bags shortly after shutting down the Junkyard. "You know what I take it back maybe these Stargazers aren’t so bad after all.” Xavier, one of the Hound pilots, dug into one of the baskets of fresh fruit and bread left on the stainless-steel tables, “These are some hotel level accommodations, except for the smell.”

“That should dissipate in a couple of days. Hey Captain, this level of grub is included in the contract, right?” The Tech Chief said as he sliced a pear.

Captain Wilson sliced through a baguette and slathered it in jam, “They want to make a good impression, so I insisted on it.” He paused and held out the knife to accentuate his next point, “However, booze is not included!”

A groan arose from the 37 assembled Mercs. “Come on Captain! That’s where they always get ya.”
“Oh shutup. You can spend your own money to get tipsy in your off time but moderate yourselves. We must maintain the Kell Hound’s sterling reputation.
You’ll see where all the bars are when we go on our tour this afternoon.”

That afternoon the Kell Hounds were aboard one of the larger ferries that plied Lake Kroeger between the Starport and Astrapolis. It was a dark city, even the Starport shut down at night to preserve the view for their nightly star viewing rituals. An observatory had been built in the nearby hills equaling that of the University of Tharkad but the main city plaza was capable of holding more of the faithful.

Phelen stood on the upper deck as the Astrapolis’ Mayor Cyrus Grissom explained the various aspects of their planned utopian community. He couldn’t help but feel uneasy knowing that the One Star Faith had a plaza with a Cameron Star pointing toward the setting sun allegedly for calibrating their telescopes. However, he knew a similar one, within the Wolf’s Dragoons Enclave on Remus. He had known a Kerensky too and if Natasha were still alive, she would have laughed in his face,
before probably punching it.

[mikecj]

A star pointing West?  hmm...

[AlphaMirage]

07/02/3051
‘Grinner’ knelt next to an old watermill and spring house within the hills outside Astrapolis. From his perch atop the gangly light mech Phelen Kell could just see through the summer haze onto an observatory dome above the bright green deciduous forest.

“I see you’ve found my fly-fishing hole. Superb recon MechWarrior.”

He peered down at the man shouting at him from almost seven meters below that wore a broad hat, long sleeved blue shirt, and pants while carrying a tackle box and fishing rod in his hands. Phelen dangled down to find ‘Grinner’s chain ladder and descended to stand before him. “Who are you?”

From close he could see that one of his hands was a different shade than the other and could see his reflection in the blue polarized sunglasses. The mysterious man placed his tackle box on the mossy ground and extended his normal right hand to Phelen. “Dmitri Mastok, Psi Branch.”

Phelen extended his hand cautiously and exchanged a firm handshake. “Phelen Kell, MechWarrior”
“I’ve seen your Mech around the Starport from the North Shore. What brings you out here?”
“Honestly, I was bored. This assignment seems like a waste of time, and I was looking for a quiet place to think.”
“About what?”

Behind them the stream trickled relentlessly on its course to Lake Kroeger. “Just things.”
“I find that fishing gives me the freedom to reflect on ‘things.’”

“What kinds of things?”
“Probably similar ones.”

The mercenary looked down at his off-colored hand and fishing rod, “Were you in combat?”
“Yes, and before you ask which one. All of them since MOUSETRAP.”
“But you don’t look that old.”
“I’m not,” Dmitri retrieved his tackle box and walked toward the stream, “I just started early.”

[PsihoKekec]

Is Dmitri the one once known as Yuri?

[mikecj]

Baelen.  It's a nice day for fishing.

[AlphaMirage]

07/06/3051
The sun shone brightly through the canopy, beams of light dappled onto the stream as a gleaming trout leapt from the stream hooked by wading anglers, was reeled in, and processed before it found its way into the solar cell augmented cooler behind Phelen.
“Did the Hounds put you on dinner detail?” Dmitri said as he pulled in his own catch and put it into a bundle nearby.

“These are for my personal use.”
“Thinking of becoming a pescatarian?”
“When I was with the Dragoons all they ate was what grew in their aquaponic systems. They said their ships were more home to them than any world could ever be and kept ship-board conditions and discipline even though they were on land.
Unfortunately, you had to catch your meal first. So that’s how I learned how to fish, which was helpful in wilderness school because I am a terrible trapper.”

“I learned how to fish to extend my rations. And not be eaten by giant crocodiles in the process.”
“Giant Crocodiles?”
“Yes, they can reach over thirteen meters long within the Parung River basin.”
“That’s bigger than my Battlemech.” ‘Grinner’ knelt behind them partially obscured in the old Mill’s shadow.

Dmitri’s line sunk into the depths, “I would give it even odds in a fight.”
“You had to dodge something that big?”
“Oh no, you could see those ones coming a long way off and they prefer sandbars in the inaccessible parts of the river. I only saw two larger than six meters in my ten years there.
The more numerous two-meter ones will kill you just the same and those liked the shore.
It kept the prisoners in line, far better than we could, no one escaped.”

Phelen paused for a moment to collect himself and process what Dmitri was saying. “How did you end up joining COMSTAR?”
“Lack of better options after the Andurien Succession. The Blessed Order will find a use for anyone that can pass their tests. House Fujita had given me a well-rounded education although it had cost me an arm and leg in the process.”
“What does Psi Branch do? I don’t hear about it often.”

“It’s COMSTAR’s facility management arm. We do normal things like:
Painting.
Carpentry.
Cleaning up messes.
Handling fissile material on occasion.”

“Handling fissile material?”
“Class B HPGs only have a fusion reactor if the Order can sell enough power to the local community to make it a worthwhile investment. Its one of the key differences between B and A.
Elissa’s runs on three small modular fission units and that’s just for redundancy. Only one is operating most of the time. The photovoltaics are there just because COMSTAR already has the easement, and Astrapolis will buy the power.”

That evening Phelen walked into the mess with a cooler in hand beneath the eyes of his peers.
His lancemate looked him over, “How far does that tan go MechWarrior?
Were you skinny dipping with one of the locals?”
“You’d like that wouldn’t you Julian.”
“Everyone has got telescopes out at night. Not all of them are pointing up.” Julian looked around to some of the other Hounds who burst into laughter. “If you know what I mean?”

Roy, one of the Junkyard’s crew followed him into the kitchen,
“You having a party? Without inviting us.”
He loaded the vacuum-packed filets into the freezer and rinsed out the rest under the vent.
“That better not have been the beer cooler.”
Phelen gave him a wry smile. "I like mine room temp."

"The Dragoons made you a savage."

[PsihoKekec]

Painting.
Carpentry.
Cleaning up messes.
Handling fissile material on occasion.”

Ah yes, splattering people, destroying property, making people and stuff disappear, with Minoru Kurita receiving first hand experience about your fissile material handling procedures.

[David CGB]

Nice, very nice

[AlphaMirage]

08/01/3051 00:40
Red lights blinked on COMSTAR’s HPG transmission dishes and antennae on the northern shore of Lake Kroeger. It serviced a planet of a few million but most of their customers were local to this time zone so they could get away with most of its two hundred personnel working on day shift to service the clients of the Order’s newest HPG, High Visionary Egan Telosa and the One Star Faith.

Rho Adept XII Dmitri Mastok worked the graveyard shift manning the security console within a central cell with more blank screens than people. Video feeds cycling through from the perimeter, lit by Miranda’s moonlight which reflected in the photovoltaic panels, to the dimmed corridors and courtyard of this lakeside monastic compound. His company, beside a pistol on his desk and video feeds were a pair of unfortunates that Precentor Christina Andalo preferred to keep busy at night, under his sharp eyes, and away from the public ones.

Sigma Acolyte Jasper Jacobs and Psi Acolyte Trevor Kastano flipped cards behind him. ‘JJ’ as he referred to himself plopped a stack of coins on the desk which was matched by Trev. “Mirrorshades are you ever going to tell us why you ended up on Elissa? Who’d you piss off?”

Dmitri’s glasses mirrored the video feeds before him, “I was assigned here by Nu Branch, just like you.”
“Nothing else?”
“Should there be? This is like any other assignment in COMSTAR.”
“That’s a full load and you know it.” Trevor folded to JJ and reset the play, “Elissa is one step away from an Explorer Corps Outpost. The only reason this station is here is Telosa’s message hurts the Archon enough that it makes her enemies give him money.”

“Well then you should be working harder to get off this world and go to somewhere more pleasant.
I find Elissa’s HPG relaxing. My former residence was also beside a large body of water. Although there are less carnivorous creatures in Lake Kroeger than there.
I admit to missing them, they were an easy way to make problems disappear.”
“You genuinely creep me out Mastok.”
“Thank you for the compliment, JJ.”

01:20
JJ’s console lit up as he snapped to and pulled his headset on to answer a radio transmission. “Good morning, this is the Elissa HPG, Sigma Acolyte Jacobs speaking. How can I help you?”


Above them the Union-C CGB Lazuk came around to orbit. A tall blonde man with white fur lined coat and a bear claw tattooed on his face shouted into the handset much to the chagrin of the techs pooled beneath him. “This is Star Commander Vasily Cote, of Clan Ghost Bear’s Three Hundred and Twelfth Assault Supernova. We will bring about the return of Kerensky’s heirs and The Star League.

What forces defend this world?”

The line went blank, Vasily looked around the bridge before roaring at the uneasy Techs around him “What happened!?”

“Looks like he hung up on you Star Commander.”
“HE DID WHAT!” The handset cracked as Cote clenched both hands on it as the Techs scattered or donned their helmets.

Vasily slammed the handset on the deck shattering it into dozens of small pieces which flew around the bridge bouncing off screens and consoles.

“YOU DARE TO REFUSE MY BATCHALL!”


Below Jasper hung his headset back onto the stand, Trevor and Dmitri looked back at him, “Who was that?”
“Someone claiming to be part of Kerensky’s something or other.”

Trevor went back to pretending to pay attention to the utilities board, “Only on Elissa. Freckin’ Weirdos.”

[PsihoKekec]

Issuing batchall to service workers  ;D

[mikecj]

What doesn't every world have their planetary rulers answering the central switchboard?

[AlphaMirage]

Chapter 2 – Heritage and Heresy
08/01/3051 02:30

A spheroid dropship streaked out of orbit, thermonuclear thrusters shedding light on the darkened lake and town below. Its thrusters roared on approach creating vibrations in their wake on the previously still lake and set the amphibians living in it into an uproar of croaking before it landed on a darkened landing pad. The people of Astrapolis looked in awe as it passed over them waking them from their slumber either in their houses or outside on the summer grass beneath the moon and stars clad only in nature.

The faithful rushed to their telescopes to peer at the new arrival whose running lights on four stumpy legs partially illuminated was a prominent crimson symbol resembling a Cameron Starburst, the symbol of The Star League. Unlike the normal Starburst however this one’s long side pointed down, like a dagger, and reached from the top quarter deck to amidships on two sides. Cheers erupted from more than a few at the sight. On the other sides and beneath ‘CGB LAZUK BCS-2958713’ in white stenciled letters were two other markings; a curious spiral motif featuring six white bear legs and a muzzle on the gunmetal gray paint; beside it was a golden laurel crown and sunburst with the Greek letter Alpha centered in black neatly marking the four doors that opened as the ground cooled beneath them to merely steaming hot.

Ten Battlemechs disembarked from these ramps, three resembled Warhammers and strode toward the HPG. Two walked and looked like King Crabs with similar cannon-like arms which maintained vigil over their vessel. Another three were more like Griffins or Wolverines, and the final two were Panther sized but more than twice as swift on their digitigrade legs. These two sprinted to the HPG twisting and shattering photovoltaics and their stands in the process.

They stopped outside allowing smaller humanoid shapes to detach, jump jets flared in the dark as they landed on the damp earth outside COMSTAR’s fenced perimeter which had large warning signs every thirty meters. The first dozen shapes snapped four metal poles with their tri-clawed arm then walked over the fallen cyclone fencing. With rapid reinforcement from similar units the invaders overpowered the defenders with few shots fired and minimal damage to the facility.

One of the ‘Wolverines’ towered over the gate as COMSTAR’s personnel were ordered out by the armored goliaths standing almost three feet taller than them. “Which one of you is the Precentor?” boomed over the PA as a woman in a white nightdress was pushed forward.

“I am Precentor Christina Andalo. Whoever you are, this flagrant violation of COMSTAR’s sanctity will not go unanswered.”

“I expected you would say that Precentor. Your brethren on Columbus and Oberon said similarly.
Yet we took them as isorla all the same.”

The Mech switched to wide radio broadcast amplified by his dropship’s systems in addition to PA. “I Star Commander Cote declare that Elissa and its inhabitants are now isorla of Clan Ghost Bear unless someone is willing to accept my batchall.”

Captain Michael Wilson’s voice responded from across the Starport where 222's lances of Battlemechs stood in front of their dugout. “I don’t know what the hell a batchall is son,

But if it’s a fight you’re looking for.

Consider The Kell Hounds at your service.”

[AlphaMirage]

Vasily turned to face the challengers but gestured his mech’s hands to the power armored infantry who maintained their position, “The Kell Hounds?
We have heard of you. Perhaps this will not be a wasted experience after all.
With your defeat I will certainly be sponsored for promotion.”

“We get around, and our well-earned reputation goes ever further. If you know what you are looking at.”
Michael’s Marauder stepped forward and waved one of its PPCs back toward the dropship.  “Why don’t you get back in your ship and off this world.”

“That is not how this will work Captain. I have eight mechs and you have eight mechs. You do not know our ways, but we prefer duels.”

“A Kurita might command Second Regiment, but we don’t duel. You fight one of us, you’ll fight the whole pack.” The Hound’s four Aerospace fighters jumped into the sky, their thrusters lighting up the ground below as they gained altitude and wheeling back.

“If you were not rounders, I would commend your Warrior spirit.
Messy it is then.”

Vasily switched over his Binary’s Battlenet, “Engage at will but take them alive if possible. Our Krakens will clear the sky if necessary. Quiaff?”

Green lights lit up signaling aff and understood.


Phelen felt sweat pooling at his arm band as ‘Grinner’ took up position on the right flank alongside Lieutenant Tang while Captain Wilson took command of the left side. The enemy, these Ghost Bears, apparently mocked them by mirroring their distribution. His Warbook couldn’t identify the enemy mechs, but they appeared to be Wolverine or Warhammer-adjacent except for the little ‘devils’ on either side or the big lunks with too many cannons next to their dropship.

Grinner shot off in pursuit of one of these speedy ‘devils’ as the main battle line probed the enemy formation with long range fires. Missiles arced into the sky from 222’s Longbow supported by direct fires from their Jagermech DDa, Teng’s Clint, and Cicada while Captain Wilson’s Marauder ‘Vagabond’ and a Gallowglas unleashed their ‘Enhanced’ PPCs. Their PPCs weren’t the only thing enhanced, 2nd Regiment Kell Hounds’ last rotation to Outreach had seen a major armament modernization courtesy of Allied Mercenary Command’s Blackwell Heavy Industries. Although this would to his best knowledge be their first taste of combat, and if he could cross his fingers he would.

His Exostar Pinnacle flashed but missed as his enemy went from in front of him to behind him closing the effective range of the long range laser in seconds. Grinner’s sensors registered thermal plume and armor damage almost equivalent to being hit by all four of 2nd Regiment’s CO Akira Brahe’s CGR-SB’s lasers, a mech that at least massed double whatever this thing was.

“How is this possible?”

The Ghost Bears aimed for maiming with deadly accuracy that immobilized the Cicada as if it were standing still, the Jagermech was next its spindly limbs cut through by laser pulses. Then the right arms of both the Marauder and Gallowglas. Although slowed by the heat permeating its myomer Phelen’s devil was still faster than his Wolfhound and even though they fired less often it’s lasers cut deep into Grinner’s structure while his own were barely able to track the machine.

Hound Pilots executed air strikes, but deadly flak spat out of the larger mech’s barrels shredding their wings in the process and forcing one to crash into the forest. Its pilot ejected and deployed their chute partially illuminated by the Ghost Bear’s spotlights. 222 was forced backward as their armament was stripped away with their armor. Despite the AMC’s best training and technology, they were no match for their more mobile, better armed, and equally skilled adversary.

Grinner went down with a crash onto the starport’s ferrocrete like the rest of 222 which were immediately set upon by the Ghost Bears. His devil set one of its feet on Grinner’s shoulder and a man’s voice crackled onto the short range comms. “Stay in your cockpit MechWarrior.
Our Elementals will collect you and your machine for processing shortly.”

Phelen put the pistol and knife attached to his cooling vest out a small hatch and onto the ferrocrete, then pulled out a well-worn 5 Kroner coin with the image of Katrina Steiner and Commonwealth Gauntlet stamped on it. “Elissa is easy money, Patrick said.”

The stomping boots of power armored ‘Elementals’ could be heard nearby before they crouched to peer into the open canopy to see Phelen raising his hands in surrender. “Easy money. Nothing will happen he said.”

[PsihoKekec]

That was even faster than the OTL fight.

[AlphaMirage]

That was even faster than the OTL fight.

There is significantly less plot armor in the Golden Lion AU.

05:00
Star Commander Cote, his 9 other pilots, their Omnimechs, and the 50 Elemental Suits of the 312th Assault Supernova of Clan Ghost Bear stood by the lakeside. Precentor Andalo, any HPG staff discovered during the blitz, and the Mercenaries of Kell Hounds’ 222 shuffled nervously as they were lined up in the pre-dawn mist. Some of them sported light injuries from the early morning blitz but were given medical assistance while being processed by Cote’s overworked MedTechs which calmed them.

Vasily walked the line his scrimshawed bone medallions clacked dully over his vest, his tattoos, scars, and braided blonde hair reminiscent of some Viking Warlord of old. His MechWarriors however had the same distribution of appearance as any other merc or pirate outfit in the Inner Sphere, although none of them possessed a surname on their vests.
“You are all now Isorla of Clan Ghost Bear, along with this planet.
Know that we did not come here to kill you. In fact, we hope that you will cooperate and aid us in the rebirth of the Star League as The IlClan, of which we are only its humble harbingers.”

One of the Mu Adepts spoke up, “Why should we cooperate with you? You are just going to abduct or kill us. Like you did my brother on Columbus."

The Ghost Bear strode over toward him, standing above him by a head. “Some people died on Columbus yes, and we did take them away. However, if you brother still lives then he can be located, and you can be reunited if you would like and INTER-LOGI can arrange the work assignments.

I too lost one on my sibko mates fighting the COMGuards in the opening actions on Columbus.”

‘Sibko? Like the Dragoons?’ Phelen thought but tried not to betray this feeling of something familiar as the Star Commander walked by and his soldiers watched them intently.

“His Visigoth was disabled by its SDS and burned up in the atmosphere.
It was not a good way to die, but we rarely get a choice.

However, I am giving you one, cooperation will be far less painful for all involved. Think about it.

Until then all of you will be confined to the HPG compound under guard, all armories will be emptied, and my omnimechs will occupy the former Kell Hounds’ barracks while we wait for reinforcements from the Steel Vipers.

No tricks, I understand enough about the HPGs to know what is required to transmit and my Elementals will guard your HPG sanctum.

You will only transmit what I desire.” Vasily loomed over the smaller Precentor, “Failure to abide by this will be harshly punished. Quiaff?”

“Aff…” Christina answered shakily, eyes down.
“As we are both representatives of the past Star League, I presently extend my trust to you.

Do not disappoint me.”

Vasily stood before the assembled group and removed a note from his pocket, “Which one of you is the one known as Sigma Acolyte Jacobs?”

A young man tensed up and other’s eyes betrayed him. Jasper Jacobs was pulled forward ‘gently’ by one of the Elementals. He immediately went to his knees, “I’m so sorry I hung up on you. Don’t hurt me.”

“You sicken me with your pathetic whimpering, and Refused my Batchall.
Throw him in the lake Point Leader.”
 From within the suit came a deep bass voice, “How far Star Commander?”
“Enough that it will be amusing to watch him flail his way back to shore, but not enough that he will drown.”

Jasper was walked out a dozen meters into the lake until the nine-foot-tall Elemental was waist deep then tossed a further four. COMSTAR and the Kell Hounds watched as he flailed back, returning to the shore and group sodden and winded. Vasily pulled another note from his pocket and handed it to the Precentor, “Now arrange for a transmission to these coordinates.”

“The Zenith of Drask’ Den?”
“Yes, someone will be listening.”
“How many worlds have you already taken?”
“More than a few but this is just practice Precentor.
The real battle has not even begun yet.”

[PsihoKekec]

This Star Commander is fairly reasonable for a clanner.

[Gorgon]

That's a pretty decent handling of POWs by Clan Invasion standards. Jacobs can count himself lucky he didn't hang up on the Jaguars or Falcons.

[AlphaMirage]

This Star Commander is fairly reasonable for a clanner.

They did 'mostly' follow the rules.

06:30
Star Commander Cote sat in front of a camera while the COMSTAR Adepts finished their work.

“Everything will be ready shortly Star Commander.” They said nervously under the careful eyes of Keoni whose head even without the suit almost touched the ceiling and whose shoulders just fit into the door. He loomed over them with arms crossed wearing an armored vest over the flexible, and slightly less protective Aketon bodysuit Elementals wore under their suits containing the integral cooling and medical equipment that helped them survive catastrophic injuries well enough to stay in the Touman.

Vasily looked at himself in the monitor and stroked his chin, “I look good.”
Keoni nodded then touched the ear of his soft cap, “Star Commander, there is a situation outside.”
His own earpiece hung from a necklace just like his Ghost Bear claw, “Sitrep Sub-Commander?”
“The civilians are gathering and approaching our perimeter. ETA fifteen.  How would you like me to proceed?”

“Are they armed Nilo?”
“They are carrying things, and waving flags, but I am unable to discern if they are a threat.”
“Maintain the perimeter and await my arrival.”

After he was certain the line was clear, “By the Great Father! I cannot accomplish anything with all these needy rounders about. Point Leader tell your men to keep an eye on them and the Precentor.
If anyone tries something feel free to break,” Vasily paused a moment and stared at the Ghost Bears, “fingers?” The gathered Acolytes eyes went wide with fear, “Yes, fingers are a good place to start.
You four will call a group meeting to warn the others Quiaff?”

“Aff.” They said in unison as the Point Leader ushered them away from the transmission equipment to make a group announcement. As he strode outside Cote passed a group of Kell Hounds urged onward by the machine guns of two Elementals toward the Cloister with ‘pup’ tents in hand. Two of his Ship’s Crew supervised the Psi Acolytes repairing the fence outside which his Conjurer and Emma’s Kraken waited. He ascended the chain ladder into the kneeling mech and donned his neurohelmet.

The Conjurer powered up, the Clan Daggerstar, Alpha Galaxy, and Ghost Bear emblem as well as his Bearclaw leaving no ambiguity of who operated this machine wherever it trekked. “Shall I join you Star Commander?”

Emma said over the radio, “Neg. I need you here to pick off anyone foolish enough to think they can escape with your cannons.”

“There is no honor in that.”
“Nor is there in running. You will get your chance MechWarrior.”

“Nilo, what is going on?” Vasily’s Conjurer stood beside Nilo’s Hellbringer at the point of contact where throngs of townspeople waved flags and cheered as his Omnimechs approached. Elementals stood by at their feet weapons ready unsure of what to make of the encroaching mass.

“The one below the blue Cameron star flag wishes to speak to our leader.”
A man in brightly embroidered robes stood beneath the banner gesticulating wildly toward the crowd like an orchestra conductor.
“Regarding?”
“They wish to welcome you. Apparently, they were expecting us.”

[AlphaMirage]

07:15
The one star banner flapped in the early morning breeze above the High Visionary as his procession of the faithful watched as one of the strange mechs took a knee onto the grass. A man hopped down from the chain ladder lowered from its cockpit and stepped past the metal goliaths. He signaled to them; they lowered their arms which possessed some kind of machine gun fed from a drum magazine. An odd stranger stopped several paces away from him with a hand on a pistol attached to his cooling vest. His bone talismans and blonde braids shifted in the wind that carried his voice to the gathering crowd.

“I am Star Commander Vasily Cote, Bloodnamed of Clan Ghost Bear,” The man looked at the banner above him, a blue Cameron Star, once the symbol of the Star League. “An inheritor of our Great Father Aleksandr Kerensky’s Exodus Fleet.
 
Who are you to request my audience? And parade symbols of the Star League as if they have meaning to you?”

The High Visionary briefly genuflected before him followed by the others, sudden movement that caused the armored goliaths to raise their weapons.
“I am High Visionary Egan Telosa, the leader of the One Star Faith that settled this world. Although we have millions of adherents throughout the Commonwealth and beyond.”

Vasily looked back toward his people who lowered their weapons, “You were anticipating our arrival? How?
For how long?
Who told you?
Was it the Dragoons?”

Egan’s movements were grand, accentuated by his colorful robes, and the large star on its back, his tone exuberant. He got close, too close apparently as Vasily politely kept him away with a stiff arm. “I have so much to say and ask of you Star Commander.

My people have been waiting for your return almost as long as yours have been absent from the Inner Sphere. We never lost faith that you would return one day and by divine providence we are here to witness this glorious event. Kerensky’s heirs returning to bring about a revival of the Star League whose absence has left the Inner Sphere in darkness.

Would you and your people accept a feast in your honor this evening?”

Despite the joyous atmosphere Vasily’s response was slow and required several inquiring glances toward his retinue. “Tomorrow is better. I have much to do today and my people need rest.”

“Of course, the Star League was not built in a day or even a decade. Consider Astrapolis and my people at your service Star Commander. Please accept these gifts on our behalf.”

A dozen attractive youths offered baskets of gifts at the Star Commander’s feet and some even caught his eye and he theirs. The civilians cheered and waved as they processed back to town skipping through the water with joy.

Cote watched them depart and scratched his head as one of his Elementals stood beside him and removed the blanket on top the baskets. “A fruit basket and pastries?
What is going on Star Commander?”

“Our glorious work is recognized at least by these ‘odd’ rounders.” Vasily lifted another basket of stone fruit. It looked rough, handmade, and fragile, “However, I will have Marika test these for poison first.”

[AlphaMirage]

13:49
“Looks like its going to be a hot day Phelen.”
“I could use a cold beer.”
Roy chuckled at their inside joke, “I think we all could. What do you think they want with us?”
“Ransom, maybe? We seem to be a side show compared to COMSTAR.”

Phelen wiped his brow as the sun beat down on him and his fellow Kell Hounds seated or squatting beside tents pitched in COMSTAR’s cloister.
“Do you think they can actually do it?”
“Bring about the return of the Star League? No one has been able to do it for almost three centuries, and to many people have tried.”

Ghost Bear Elementals patrolled the arcade although they shed their powered armor with laser rifles in hand, wearing some kind of flexible full body armor, and helmets, watching everything, ready for anything.

“Although if they possess an army of those guys and the kind of tech that can cut through our crew like butter. Well I don’t know, maybe they can if there are enough of them.”

16:00
The bell rang signaling the evening meal as the Kell Hounds and their COMSTAR ‘hosts’ passed under the eyes of the Ghost Bears to the refectory past the library and other sub-components of the complex. Phelen watched the faces of Blake’s faithful as they showed little appetite as they ate from the stainless steel buffet trays. He stood next to a table of dirty Psi Acolytes in their gray dungarees, “Hope you don’t mind me sitting here.”

Eyes shifted toward Emma, a fierce looking Ghost Bear MechWarrior, approaching with arms covered in tattoos and scars, and a hand on her gun belt. Emma brushed past Phelen and continued her route through the refectory’s aisles to recantations of The Word of Blake read from an elevated pulpit by Demi-Precentor Roza.
“No go ahead, you are our guest after all MechWarrior.”
“Have you guys seen Dmitri?”
“Dmitri?”
“Yeah, Psi Adept, bald, prosthetic arm, wears surprisingly fashionable sunglasses.”
“He’s not with us.”
“Like he died…or.”
“No,” one of the Adepts leaned in, “He’s ROM and the Ghost Bears still haven’t released them from the penitent cells.”
“Dungeon?”
“It’s not a dungeon but it is unpleasant, and just like a ship’s brig, it's mostly for drunks.
Unlike them though he’s absent from the computer roster too. We don’t know what happened to him, or what he’s doing.”

“Why did he lie?”
“He’s ROM. That’s eighty percent of the job.”

[PsihoKekec]

Oh dear, we got WMD enthusiast on the loose.

[AlphaMirage]

08/02/3051
Sub-Commander Nilos said as the Ghost Bears walked through the festive atmosphere and aroma of grilled meat and vegetables onto Astrapolis’ central plaza.
"It is a massive Cameron Star.”

“Did you not say you used it for orientation Cobble?”
Cobble was shorter and leaner than Nilos and all three were dwarfed by the two Senior Elemental Point Leaders that accompanied them, each wearing their formal uniforms. Elementals carried ceremonial Claymore style swords on their backs while the other Warriors had pistols on their dress gun belt. More of their Warriors trickled in behind them although ‘enough’ remained behind to keep watch on their bondsmen and the HPG that could ruin the Clan’s grand strategy.

“It aligns perfectly. I of course used instruments as well.”

Vasily watched as the setting sun lined up closely with the long end of the Star League’s most iconic symbol, one which the Clans and COMSTAR still used, in addition to this strange One Star Faith.

“There was nothing in the Columbus datacore about these people Commander.”
“I know Cobble, it also failed to tell us that this world possesses an HPG. Yet I used it yesterday. Filling in the intel gaps is why we are conducting these reconnaissance raids after all.”

“We seem to have a major revelation as well Commander. My technicians suspect the Dragoons retain the ability to manufacture Golden Century era equipment after analyzing the Kell Hounds’ machines.
It would require more thorough analysis aboard the Tokasha to completely confirm if they manufactured it or if it was just left over.”

“We knew they and Kerlin were traitors, but the Khans will no doubt be pleased to hear they chose righteously. The Wolves almost killed the Clans once; we will not give their lessers a second opportunity when we face them.”

Great tables had been laid out on the plaza and those reserved for the Clan were loaded with abundance. Abundance that disappeared to the giant appetites of the equally large Elementals.
Egan Telosa sat across from the Star Commander, “How do you feed those ‘Elementals’?”

“They get five ration packs compared to our three, and that is only if we are working hard. If you ever are unfortunate enough to see them in action, you will understand why they need it.”

“Remarkable, there must be so much around the One Star that the Exodus Fleet protects.”

Star Commander Cote, looked around to Cobble and Nilos, then confidently proclaimed “We call it Strana Mechty.”

“A lovely name.”

“How is it that you know so much about us High Visionary?” Vasily pointed toward the observatory just visible in the fading light of the sun, “Our home world Is very distant and beyond even your mighty telescope.”
“I saw this Strana Mechty in a vision while I was ill with meningitis but then I shortly recovered.”

The Ghost Bear barely avoided spitting up his drink, although he did cough out. “A similar thing happened to Nicholas Kerensky, the founder of the Clans.”

“What a remarkable convergence, that I would have so much in common with someone so far away in time and space.

People thought I was mad, but I convinced the Elders of the One Star Faith that it was a vision and rekindled their dwindling faith that your people might return some day from paradise. Then I did the same to millions, perhaps even billions. Even the Archon supported us in our move to Elissa.”

Vasily paused, taking a bite out of the kebab, and swallowed it.
“The Archon you say?”

“I grew up on Tharkad in the Triad.
Melissa and I were close friends once but then we both grew up and moved on.
If it were possible for me to speak with your Elders as well. I would be so delighted.”

“I will request a meeting, but I cannot promise you anything.”

“Just the opportunity to serve is all that I require.”
“I think the Council will find your faith in them compelling, and reward you appropriately.”

[PsihoKekec]

Great minds think alike an apparently so do the mad minds.