25 March 3064
New Avalon
Mr. Humbley must have had a army of people at his command because he and his tailors had returned today for the Elementals fittings of their new outfits. Four large panel vans had pulled up to the base of the Sassanid's ramp and techs had run power lines to them. Inside the panel vans were 6 sewing machines and sewers awaiting any alterations that needed to be done.
Once again, Scott and Khan West watched the Elementals be manhandled by the tailors as they were ordered to take a suit or casual outfit and put them on. Every now and then a suit or outfit was taken from a Elemental and run out to a panel van, changes made and the outfit brought back inside for another try. So far, none of the female Elemental's had tried on any of the dresses hanging on large racks that had been wheeled inside. When Katherine Steiner Davion entered the Sassanid's large bay, Scott knew why without asking as he watched her slowly walk down the racks looking the dresses over.
Scott had to admit, Mr. Humbley knew his stuff, because as he watched Elemental after Elemental try on his or her outfit, he could see that though the Elementals were way larger than any other normal person, the suits and outfits were immaculately tailored and they looked really sharp in their new outfits. When the dresses started getting handed out, Scott glanced at Khan West and said "The moment of truth has arrived Khan West, do we stay and risk our very lives or do we make a fast getaway?"
"I think we should....." Khan West started to say, but his words trailed off as Ann emerged wearing one of the dresses. Scott turned his head when Khan West went speechless and there stood Ann, in a shimmering ad very beautiful dress. It had been cut in such a way, that you had no trouble telling Ann was a woman, a very large, very muscular woman. Scott also was struck speechless, Ann was beautiful in the dress. Of course, Ann was not in heels or anything, because Scott could clearly see Ann's combat boots on under the dress as several dress makers or tailors moved and shifted the dress around Ann's feet.
When Ann asked Katherine "Where will I put my weapon", Scott knew they needed to vacate the area quickly. Because Katherine got a look on her face that was hilarious to behold. She called over Mr. Humbley and Miss Pierce and a quick huddle was made, after several minutes, Miss Pierce left for an hour and returned with 4 large boxes. When the boxes were opened and actual purses began being laid out on tables set up, the sight of female Elementals in dresses, now having different purses matched to the outfits and then those purses compared to each Elementals side arm, well, it was too much for Scott and Khan West. The first small giggle emerged from Scott's throat and he quickly said "I am out of here before I get killed."
"Yes, I am right behind you Scott, let us depart this area quickly, they have weapons in their immediate reach, much too dangerous to be here any longer." Khan West agreed as he quickly stood.
As both started to exit the bay, they were both halted by Katherine Steiner Davion's "FREEZE, both of you. Where do you think you two are going?"
Like a couple of kids caught red handed doing something they should not have, Scott and Khan West slowly turned to face Katherine. "Uh, well, you see Katherine, we uh need to go see Victor about a few issues. We, uh, well it is getting close to the time, uh, close to us being late for our, uh meeting." Scott stuttered in reply
"Uh huh, well Victor can wait. Because you two are next, Khan West, you go with Mr. Humbley here and get measured for a couple of suits. Those Clan dress uniforms only go so far, time to get you in some modern clothes." Katherine ordered
"It is the proper Attire for a Clan Nova Cat Khan and warrior." Khan West protested
"Which you can wear when amongst other Clan Khans and such, but you need proper attire for when your attending non Clan functions, WHICH YOU WILL. So get a move on and get going." Then she turned to Scott "You too, get the lead out and get down there and get yourself fitted. I know you already have some outfits and suits, but you need more, better outfits. Your a Duke now, you have to look the part."
When neither moved fast enough, Katherine barked at them again "I said move, the both of you. Or I will have Ann and a few of her friends literally carry the both of you over there."
"Yes Katherine" was all either Scott and Khan West could say as they marched towards the fitting area like a couple of kids heading for the principals office.
Four hours later, Victor entered the Sassanid's bay. The sight inside caused him to come to a sudden halt, for inside were 50 extremely well dressed Elementals, men and women he saw, standing around watching both Scott and Khan West being examined by Katherine. Both had the look of a couple of kids that had been well and truly paddled for their misbehavior. The laugh that left Victor's mouth caused every head to turn toward him, he could not help it, he could not stop it if he wanted to, which he did not. Victor laughed so hard and so long that tears were brought to his eyes at the sight of Scott and Khan West standing there getting groomed and ordered around by Katherine.
Victor could not stop, he finally sank into a chair and wondered if a person could laugh themselves to death. When Katherine reached Victor followed by Scott and Khan West, both looking like they had been beaten into complete submission, Victor started laughing even harder. After several minutes under Katherine's gaze and Scott and Khan Wests looks of daggers, Victor slowly got some control "Oh God, I really needed a good laugh, it has been too long since I had something this good to laugh at. You both look very nice in those outfits, it reminded me of when Mother would drag me clothes shopping. Always hated it."
Katherine softened her glare at her brother "Yes you did, had the exact same expression these two have been wearing the last few hours. Like a couple of puppies that have gotten paddled for doing something wrong." When she started giggling, it began spreading around the bay, even the usually humorless Elementals could not help themselves from smiling or even snickering along with the Royals and their wards.
Regaining some control Victor asked "Are they done? There are a few things I need to discuss with them, you can come along too Katherine."
"Yes, we are finished here, Not sure we need a security detail this large though." Katherine said
"We don't, but what the hell, they are all dressed up with no place to go. I will whistle up a few more vehicles and we will have OUR security detail head over to Grushmoon Steak House and we will all have a good dinner. We can discuss what we need to in a less formal environment." Victor said
"Now that is a fine idea, I have not been to Grushmoon in a long time. We can use the room mom and dad always took over in the back, all the security folks can occupy the main floor outside." Katherine said
Thirty minutes later, the huge entourage descended upon Grushmoon Steak House that had been cleared of guests as they finished their meals. The owner, Kristine Grushmoon, welcomed the Royals and then watched the huge Elementals enter. Wow, this is going to be a HUGE tab, was all she could think as she watched her staff seat the huge people and Royals in the back alcove.
Once seated Victor and his party were seated in the alcove, he called his chief of security over "Paul, make the rounds and try to explain to all of the Elementals how to order and that I am paying for this meal, I bet this is the first time most of them have even been to anything besides a mess facility."
When Paul left, Victor started again "A large raid hit Ward in the Capellan Confederation. No word yet on who it was, but they chewed up the defending 4th Confederation Reserve Cavalry pretty good. I spoke to Kai, and he agrees, AFFC troops is not the answer, and since we have that little issue of Clan Wolf in Exile not having their own nation to contend with, Kai is calling Khan Kell. He is, with Candace Liao's blessing, going to ask him to being some of his Wolf's down there and find the raiders home base. If the raiders are based in the Chaos Zone, which happen to be Capellan claimed worlds, to a large extent, he is going to offer whatever world the raiders are based out of as payment to the Wolf in Exile.
The CCAF are stretched pretty thin right now, with everything we know about the FWLM being compromised and such. We can move at least a Galaxy of WiE troops to that area via command circuit in about 2 months time. But they will lack their own transports and warships. That will take a good 6-7 months." Victor opened his briefcase and extarcted a portable computer which he fired up "But, right here on Carmichael are 2 Clusters of your Clan Nova Cat troops, with 3 Monolith, 4 Odyssey Jumpships and I believe the NCS Chronicle and NCS Principle, Aegis Cruisers. Those ships can be at Ward in 50 days if we give the order now. So Khan West, will Clan Nova Cat assist Clan WiE in this little venture?" Victor asked
Khan West thought it over a few minutes. "It will leave both of my Clusters stranded and without warship support. If the AFFC will provide my forces temporary shipping and support until my ships are released by Khan Kell's ships, then yes Clan Nova Cat will help."
"You will have all the assitance you need Khan West. Plus, I have AFFC garrison's on the way to relieve your forces along the border there. The AFFC thanks Clan Nova Cat for assisting us in securing that section of border for us for so long. As our way of payment, I am authorizing Scott to construct some ships for Clan Nova Cat, if you desire them still. Don't get too crazy on my Khan West, I do not expect Scott to build them for free either. I will let you two work out the payment terms. Let's keep this initial order to no more than another Naval Star, so 5 ships." Victor said
"Clan Nova Cat still desires new ships. I think me and Scott can work out something that benefits us both." Khan West said
"Good. Katherine, you got any thoughts on this matter? Can you see any fallout from Clan WiE possibly moving into that area?" Victor asked
"Not really. If Khan Kell agee's that is. It would mean uprooting his Clan again. What if the raiders are not based in the Chaos Zone, but somewhere else? Now that could be a tricky situation." Katherine said
"If the raiders are based from some other world, we will cross that road when we get to it. Now let's order and enjoy dinner." Victor said
27 March 3064
Arc-Royal
Khan Phelan Kell had received the message from Kai Allard Liao, acting as Regent of the Capellan Confederation, asking for Clan Wolf in Exile's help in finding and destroying the raiders that hit Ward so hard. In exchange, Kai promised, that if the world was in the Chaos Zone, a former Capellan Confederation world, the Capellan Confederation would cede that world to Clan Wolf in Exile.
"What do you think father?" Phelan asked Morgan Kell
"Well, it would solve the issue of Clan Wolf in Exile not being a nation unto themselves. That is the main stumbling block in the High Council, right now they, not Victor and friends, but others, view Clan Wolf in Exile as wards of a state. It is a long ways from here, but at least it would give your Clan a new lease on life. A place to truly call your own." Morgan Kell said
"So you think it is a good idea?" Phelan asked
"I can see the potential in the deal. If you get your own world or worlds, you will have to toe the line carefully. You will then be playing with the big boys if your admitted to the Star League. Plus it gets you out from under the AFFC's thumb, which I know grates on your nerves. I still say your lucky Victor did not spank your ass for pulling that stunt with Duke Mitchell in the Outer March." Morgan said
"I have no idea what you are talking about Father." Khan Kell said
"You know exactly what I am talking about. Your sent that gifted Cluster packed to the gills with the most ardent Crusader trouble makers from your Touman. I am not blind nor dumb Phelan, you saw a chance to pawn your problems off on someone else and took it. You have heard, same as me, how Clan Nova Cat gifted Duke Mitchell 2 Clusters of his warriors. Not his dregs or trouble makers, but some of his best. The gifted troops to the Star League were some of Clan Nova Cats best warriors. Instead of letting the Star League deal with assimilating hundreds of former Jaguar warriors, which we know would be a huge problem, Clan Nova Cat stepped up and took on the problem for the Star League.
You need to pull your head out of your ass Phelan. You want the best for your people, I get that, I really do, but to get ahead, you need friends, lot's of them. We, you and me, cannot keep your forces equipped with Omni Mechs, yet Clan Nova Cat has made friends in a big way of the only person and entity in the Inner Sphere, outside of the Clans themselves that can manufacture Clan Omni Mechs. From what I hear, Can Nova Cat has no trouble keeping their Touman equipped with Clan Omni Mechs. Why, because they made best friends with Duke Mitchell. They made sure he gets the very best, not their castoffs. Maybe that is why Duke Mitchell has never, not once sent you any presents or even offers. Even Jaime Wolf went and made nice with the Mitchell's as quick as he could, now the Dragoon's have no problems keeping their warships in top shape. You want your Clan to survive on it's own 2 feet, you better learn how to play the game.
I have watched you plan out how to get enough Omni Mechs, always thru Trials of Possessions. Which carries the risk of losing, always. Yes, you can produce new Omni's but lack of the needed material hampers production and keeps it low. Yet, Duke Mitchell's factory seems to have no problems producing all they need, you saw the last report, same as me. One of the Clusters gifted used 2nd line Mechs, yet within a month of being in Duke Mitchell's fiefdom, they were fully outfitted with Omni Mechs. I would bet a ton of C-Bills that Clan Nova Cat would be able to outfit their Garrison Clusters to Omni Mechs if they wanted by just asking Duke Mitchell nicely. Get it thru your head Phelan, your wanting to play in a whole new league, literally. You better learn to make nice with those that can further your cause." Morgan Kell lectured
"I will think about what you said Father. I must leave now and make ready, I will send Beta Galaxy to assist the Capellan Confederation." Khan Phelan Kell said, in his mind though, his fathers words echoed in his head, had he truly miscalculated so badly?
Repulse
Colonel Davis Csencsics, commander of the 2nd Sirian Lancers had just returned from his units smashing of the 4th Confederation Reserve Cavalry on Ward. He had made sure all of his units equipment wore the colors of the 1st Legio of the Marian Hegemony. He knew the 1st Sirian Lancers currently wore the colors of the 2nd Legio. They had been ordered to begin false flag operations against the Capellan Confederation. He really wanted to false flag Clan Nova Cat, but no had the needed Clan Omni Mechs for that to work. So he had chosen the Marian Hegemony, their getting the boot from the Star League had been icing on the cake for false flag operations.