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Title: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 22 October 2015, 13:15:46
Clover Spear,
Book 1- A Time to Plan, A Time to Plot
Prologue

August 7th, 3053
Offices of the First Prince Emeritus
Castle Davion
New Avalon
Federated Commonwealth

  It was not easy to bore Hanse Davion, but his enforced retirement had finally accomplished it. Everyone else has something to do, I go and have one little heart attack and everybody starts coddling me like I am made of bone china! Hanse’s mind raged, retirement had been couched romantically. He would have more time for his hobbies and philanthropy, they said. He would be able to do as he pleased, they said.

  They lied, he realized. May my thrice damned doctors be given their own enforced retirements..and the home care nurses? Why do I need a home care nurse? I can walk, talk, wipe my own posterior, just what the hell do I need a home care nurse for? I am a very spry 70 years old I will have them know! I know they all mean well, but really, I was a ‘Mechwarrior for Book’s sake!

  The enforced inactivity was galling to Hanse. Hanse had lived his entire life as a man of action, a well-read, rakish man of action, but one nevertheless. The “gilded cage” his doctors had put him in was, to say the least, a sources of frustration. He knew his son was ready to rule. And, that Melissa was thinking of abdicating herself to spend all of her time with Hanse, and how Hanse was kind of dreading that, for Mel’s sake. She will go insane within the year. They don’t tell you retirement is not all it is cracked up to be.

  That said, Hanse did enjoy some of his enforced retirement, he had managed to hack his way into the NAIS system, and was occasionally appearing in student wargames as a black-painted Battlemaster. It was fun to mop the floor with those kids. But then, you were one of those kids, Hanse.  But if his doctors, or god forbid, his family found out, they’d kill him for sure..especially Melissa and Katherine. They say women are in our lives to civilize us..is it wrong I am bloody tired of being civilized?

  The other hobby Hanse had cultivated of late was reading…and writing. Having been a soldier and ruler most of his adult life, he had become a prolific op-ed writer to the Brunswick Chronicle, under the name John Sanderson, a friend who had been killed during his time with the 3rd Davion Guards. Forgive me, old comrade, for the deception I must use. Hanse didn’t want to be printed just because he used to be the First Prince, hence the pen name. Nobody at the Chronicle knew, all they did know was that Sanderson used to be a “high ranking military officer with connections at the palace who commented from time to time on military and political matters”. It spared a lot of people a lot of headaches..and spared Hanse from having to write his memoirs like some blowhard. Plus it helps my introspection and intellectual honesty to write about myself in the third person.

But Hanse had a new obsession of late. Though age had slowed him down, the ravages of age had spared his mind. And it was as sharp, and obsessive as ever. Stacked around his moderately (and lushly furnished) sized office was piles of books on a very specific force in history: The Soviet military. This was interspersed with stacks of BattleROMs and intelligence reports on the Clans. Thank you my son for keeping my security clearances current, though he thinks I am writing a book like Doctor Banzai..if only he knew what I was really up to…he and his mother would be furious. But what the hell are they going to do about it, send me to bed without supper? Hanse chuckled at that last thought with not a little bit of genuine mirth.

He had been attacking the problem that had been on everyone’s mind lately, that of the Clans. He hadn’t thought much of the conventional wisdom, which the Inner Sphere was going to have to use the truce to close the technological gap to take on the clans some 15 years from now. We have let those damn Clanners dictate the fight from the beginning. And that is precisely the wrong way to approach this.

Hanse had cast about for examples in history to approach the Clan issue. He knew much of their success had come from three factors; One was surprise, they had had the unknown on their side, and that advantage had faded by the time Tukayyid had rolled around. The second, that had been their supposedly superior training, but as he had looked over the BattleROMs, he wasn’t so convinced. Sure, they were excellent individual mechwarriors, but their ability to coordinate at the operational and strategic levels stunk, for lack of a better word. Their offensive, should, by all rights, have collapsed from the logistical strain a year earlier than it did, and it damnned well did on Tukayyid, but the Clans took stoicism to a new art form. They simply shorted their lower classes, from all the intelligence he had been getting from the LIC reports coming out of the Clan OZ. The third was painfully obvious, their technology. But their logistical hangups, even with omnimech technology (which should have freed them to some degree from said logistical issues), suggested that their industrial base wherever they came from was to some degree, limited.

All of these things made them vulnerable. To Hanse, they resembled the German Wehrmacht after the first winter of invading the Soviet Union. They were powerful, and had survived, but they were still weaker than when they had begun. And that alone, to Hanse, provided an opening. One that could be exploited.

It had become rather interesting material to Hanse, and while logic, not to mention good sense had stated he should probably write a paper for NAMA about it, he knew that would get the damn thing stamped “Most Secret”, filed away, and a stern talking to by Melissa and Victor. No, if I cannot convince my visitor today, then the whole enterprise is for naught.

What Hanse had learned was interesting. Contrary to many of his instructors at NAIS, the Soviets were not a bumbling force that had relied solely on mass, but had developed a very refined form of Operational Art that fit the solution he was looking for with the Clans to a “T”. The Soviet concepts of massed fire, deep battle and seeking to force the enemy to fight a series of encirclement battles he was destined to lose was the solution versus the Clans. It would not matter the amount of technology he had, they would mass the numbers needed at the point of decision, and swamp the Clans. And the Federated Commonwealth would do it better than the Soviets did…the AFFC was an all-volunteer force that had a good standard of training. Hell the old American Military had a force that pretended to be the Soviets for many years…and did it better than they did…why can’t we?

All he had to do now was convince his oldest friend that it was possible.

A knock at the heavy oak door brought Hanse out of his reverie. His head perked up and he shouted “Enter” far more brusquely than he had intended. The door creaked like the bones of an old man, and it opened slowly to reveal the form of Ardan Sortek, Ardan was slightly bent with age, as he had just turned 60 last month, with his remaining hair thinning, and shot through with grey. He was dressed in his customary AFFS fatigues, even though the uniform of the day was undress greens, except during state occasions (which were often). Sortek had been the Prince’s Champion, and was still on the General Staff at Mount Davion, though he was handing over more of his responsibilities to his aides. His craggy face was cracked with a beaming smile. Hanse and Ardan didn’t get to see too much of each other due to Ardan’s remaining responsibilities, not to mention Ardan writing his memoirs.

“Looking good, Hanse, how is retirement?” Ardan inquired, still wearing his wry smile as he unceremoniously deposited himself in a plush couch across from Hanse’s lounge chair. .

“Ardan, I will spare you my answer, as you already know what it is” Hanse stated with a trace of exhausted mirth. “Retirement, is, to put it in simple words, boring.”

“So I hear, I come bearing a request from Mel and Katherine for you to please stop terrorizing the palace staff and the head of the military archives.” Sortek replied, spreading his hands in a non-committal gesture.

Hanse shook his head “Now Arden, would little old me do such a thing? I am under doctor’s orders to-“

Arden’s face creased with a wry smirk as he interrupted “Um, Hanse, we both know that is bull. You don’t follow a lick of the orders of your doctor since you agreed to abdicate, and your idea of retirement is just working an 8 hour day like the rest of us mortals. You will be happy to know it is a work ethic your son shares.”

Ah Victor, I guess he is finding out about how heavy the crown really is..not that he had any illusions about that. Hanse mused. “Arden, have a question for you, and before you answer it, I still have my security clearances, and this office is swept for bugs on a regular basis.”

Arden’s features went blank. His face said it all, He knows about some of my extra-curricular activities. “I know about the Brunswick Courier, Hanse. John Sanderson? Anybody who knows you knew about him. He got the Sunburst for what he did on Halstead Station, posthumously of course. You really ought to be more careful. MIIO had to pay the editor a visit when he got too curious about who John Sanderson was, and compared it to some of your speeches!”

“Does Victor or Mel know?”

“Not yet, Hanse, but they will find out shortly, because Quintus is going to have to tell them. And they are both going to lose it. I am here to head it off at the pass.” Arden leaned forward, with a look of concern in his eyes. “Hanse, you have a heart condition. Do what other parents do, harass your kids into making you grandparents.”

“Haven’t got time for that. “ Hanse waved off Ardan’s concern, dismissing it as trivial. “’Old friend, I have been doing a lot of reading, and thinking.  I have time for plenty these days.”

Ardan had seen that look before, the look had been in Hanse’s eyes when he had first thought of Operation RAT, or the abortive invasion of the Combine. The old Hanse was back. But he wasn’t the same old spry Hanse Davion, or was he?

“I have been giving some thought about the Clan problem. Our enemies have some serious structural and doctrinal issue, ones we should be exploiting sooner, rather than later-“

“Hanse, we have thousands of staff officers here and on Tharkad, whose job it is to study the damn problem, and you think you, with a second rate holo map, and piles of old books-“ gesturing to the cluttered office “-suddenly have a solution to the problem?”

Hanse nodded.

Ardan exhaled “Ok old friend, well, if I am going to get in trouble with Melissa and Victor, we might as well make it worth our while, show me what you have…”

*******************************************

..To say that the planning for what eventually became Clover Spear was unorthodox is an understatement. Hanse Davion was always a sharp operational and strategic mind with a penchant for thinking outside the box. Operation RAT, the abortive ’39 conflict, all of these had used the enemy’s structural weakness against them in a brutal, yet elegant format. But the Clans had scared the Inner Sphere silly, to say the least. They had struck without warning, and had savaged half-a-hundred regiments and taken a hundred worlds. The few victories against them had been costly, and had cost Hanse Davion what was left of his health. He was the last person anyone would have thought to have come up with a plan to launch a counter offensive only six years after the invasion.

  But sometimes, serendipity does find itself in the strangest of places.

   Page 96, Ch 9,  Marshal Reginald Herrigan, AFFC (ret) “Punch the Falcon and Stomp the Viper - My View of Clover Spear”
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: gladius on 22 October 2015, 21:05:39
Wow: I wasn't expecting to come across this! A surviving Hanse who devotes himself to planning a counteroffensive against the Clans, the military genius freed by ill health from the demands of court and politics to return to his element: overturning decades and centuries of accepted wisdom and working out how to kick ass.

Between this and Chris O'Farrels 'Ice Duchess' series, I'm reminded of this early days when I started to read Battletech books, and was drowning in awesome ... Before everything started to go to hell.

Applying Soviet tactics against the Clans is brilliant (and don't think I missed the Clan=Nazi connotations, either), and I love the image of Hanse dropping his avatar into NAMA sims to teach the young whippersnappers how they did things in the days before XL engines, ER lasers and C3 systems.

Please, please continue this quickly and regularly!
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Shadow_Wraith on 22 October 2015, 21:20:09
 O0 This was a very surprising take on "what if Hanse Davion" survives!    looking forward to more soon!
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: snakespinner on 23 October 2015, 00:16:16
Tag
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: imperator on 23 October 2015, 01:31:18
The Fox survives!!!
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Sharpnel on 23 October 2015, 04:43:50
One ping, Vasili, one ping only *ping*
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Davout73 on 23 October 2015, 17:44:26
Waiting to see who your Tukhachevsky is going to be.   O0

Dav
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: DOC_Agren on 23 October 2015, 22:17:58
(https://i.imgflip.com/mewje.jpg)
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Dave Talley on 23 October 2015, 22:34:57
YES!
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Cidwm on 24 October 2015, 09:56:30
Great start, looking forward to more in the future.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: mikecj on 24 October 2015, 10:00:03
This started well!
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 26 October 2015, 15:31:50
Thanks for all the kudos guys, Chapter 1 is in progress. I don't want to do too many chapters of the planning process..and I am going to do both a story...and a sourcebook view of the fighting. Kinda like Davout, but perhaps not as nice with the maps. I have to tell you, I have two other stories I am working on as well. Neither are CBT. One is an AU of Daria in a Third World War in the 1980s..and the other is a Terminator:SCC fanfic, which has been a bit dormant, but I will finish it.

But yeah, I love the praise. It helps a lot.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 28 October 2015, 11:41:53
Situation Room
Fox’s Den, Mount Davion
New Avalon
Federated Suns
February 20th, 3054


Dad, I really hope you are right about this. A furrow of genuine worry creased Victor Ian Steiner-Davion’s 24 year old face, making him, for a moment, look older than his father. Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown. Now I know why you had me read Shakespeare, Dad. It is good training to be a ruler in this nutty little Inner Sphere of ours.

The main situation room had been used for centuries for moments great and small in the history of the Federated Suns. It was dominated by a large, oval table made of New Avalon maple, with sturdy legs, and custom chairs that could bring up personal holographic displays to bring up information of interest to the user. The wall was also covered in flat screen holodisplays that could be used to display troop movements or situation reports.
 
Victor was right now listening to the First Prince Daily Brief or FPDB, being presented by a team from DMI’s MI2, MI7 and MIIOs Department of Information Gathering. Surrounding Victor was representatives of the FC General Staff, the Federated Suns State Command, the Privy Council, as well as Quintus Allard (who purportedly never missed one of these meetings since being named to the post of Minister of Intelligence in 3022).

It was why Victor was damn glad he had Katherine to his right, and Galen to his left. Katherine was very good at seeing the political implications of things, and she was going to make a good “executive officer” when Victor got kicked upstairs in the near future. Galen was good at seeing through the “bovine scatology” but had, over drinks, asked Victor “Victor, my friend, my comrade, whatever did I do to you to get posted to this godforsaken nuthouse?”

Victor smiled, and simply said “This is for hitting me on Trellwan.”

Right now, Victor was listening to the intelligence implications of new Marik agricultural and medical assistance to the Capellan Confederation. The analysts, who looked to a man like guys who did not enjoy much sunlight, or the company of the opposite sex, were to a man and woman, pasty white, and way, way too excited about their subject matter. Quintus, what the hell were you thinking letting this lot present today? This is something that could have been dealt with at the ministerial level…

“…the amount of civil and surprisingly, military traffic in these humanitarian shipments can only be characterized as alarming, and suggest that we have underestimated both the Free Worlds League’s  medical and agricultural output by a factor of 1.5, and their jumpships by a factor of three, which, even with recent windfall profits from their arms sales to the rest of the Inner Sphere, are impossible in such a short amount of time.”

Katherine raised her hand. Victor blanched, Uh oh, guess I get another lesson by little sis in what I don’t know about politics and economics…

“Um, excuse me Dr. Felton, I hate to interrupt this very complete, and fascinating report, but did you say we have grossly underestimated both the civil productive capability as well as the jumpship capacity of a major enemy of the Federated Commonwealth?” Katherine queried, there was a look of concern on her face..one that suggested a slowly growing sense of alarm.

Dr. Felton, who was a pudgy, bespectacled individual, who struck Victor as a bit of an eccentric, swallowed loudly, glanced at Quintus Allard, who simply nodded his approval. “Yes, mam, that is exactly what we are saying.”

Victor’s stomach bottomed out. “How in the hell did we miss this?”

Dr. Felton chuckled nervously..”Uh…well..your Highness, we only just began applying a new method of traffic analysis to the problem. Whomever was doing this, they knew our old methods…and that’s not easy, or public, sir. And that should scare this even more.”

Marshal Jackson Davion leaned forward, his face being bathed in hololight as he didn’t bother to turn his personal display off. “Any idea who is backing them?”

“Sir, we are running some financial forensics, with the cooperation of the Ministry of Justice, and the early indicators..mind you, sir, they are preliminary..but it might be the Word Of Blake, they are-“

Victor cut him off with a wave “We all know who the Word of Blake are, but, Dr. Felton, but do they really have the financial wherewithal to pull this off?”

Dr. Felton simply stated “We have no reason to believe otherwise.”

Victor shook his head in disgust, Damn you Sun-Tsu. Well, you are a crafty little slimeball. I really need to commend all involved here. This was a damn good catch. I would have missed this easily, but not Katherine. I guess NAIS Poli Sci IS a good department.

“Ok, here is what is going to happen.” Victor intoned softly, but with an air of command in his voice. An unofficial rule of the Fox’s Den is that there was to be no raised voices in the Situation Room. No member of the Davion family had ever broken that rule.

“Katherine, form a team to study this. You saw it before the rest of us did, figure out the implications of this, with attention to the Word of Blake, and present me a personal report within 10 days, Dr. Felton, consider yourself on this team. By the way, this thing just became a codeword access level project. If the Blakists are involved, I don’t want a damn word of this going out via HPG, couriers or FAX only.”

Everyone nodded.  “And Doctor Felton? Use small words, will you. I know you guys worked very damn hard on this thing, but honestly, ‘COMINT meta data analysis? You are making this ‘Mechjock’s eyes glaze over.” Everyone, including Dr. Felton, had a chuckle at that.

“I apologize, your Highness. We in the Traffic Analysis section of IDG get really, really excited when somebody calls us to the Fox’s Den. Not a lot of people get what we do.”

Everyone had another chuckle, Victor raised his hand again and spoke “Dr. Felton, if this bears out, you have discovered a major threat to the Commonwealth, and at the right time. Be proud of that. My sister and her staff can help you polish this thing. But it is solid, it must be if Katherine and Quintus are that concerned. Thank you Dr. Felton.”

With that, Dr. Felton’s team grabbed their papers and made for the exit, as there was one more presentation to be made. And in the light of this new information, it made that decision more difficult to make.

Hanse Davion strode into the Situation room like he had never left. His posture, though stooped by age, was still fairly erect. His now grey hair shone like stars in the sky, and he proudly wore the uniform of his beloved 3rd Guards, and it gleamed, gleamed so brightly that a NAMA drill instructor would have wept. And his eyes…Hanse’s eyes burned with a cyan fire that Victor had not seen in them since he was a boy. Putting on quite the show, Dad. Now, can you deliver the goods?

Hanse flashed his winning smile at the room, it was genuine, he was glad to be back in his element, planning a massive military operation that, again, could change the very face of the Inner Sphere, whether it succeeded, or failed.

“Hello everyone, I will admit it is good to be back, haven’t seen this place in a while. I will spare all of us the wool gathering of an old man, and get right to it: We have let the Clans dictate the nature, and tempo of this conflict for far, far, too long.”

The room filled with murmurs and the assembled generals and ministers looked at each other incredulously. 

Katherine was the first to speak “Father, how in the world do you expect to change that, they have brought low some of our best regiments, and taken hundreds of worlds, I am not trying to sound defeatist, but-“

Hanse held up his hands in a gesture of supplication.

“Katherine, I will get to that, but first, a minor, and hopefully, brief history lesson.”

Hanse produced a remote for the main holoprojector from his pocket and clicked a button, a slide appeared that
read simply: “Clan Advantages” in black text against a soft blue background.

“When the Clans arrived in the Inner Sphere, they had, as far as conventional military wisdom is concerned, three main advantages, we are going to examine them, and address why, well, those advantages are either overstated, or in some cases, non-existent at this point.”

Hanse then clicked a button on his remote and text appeared on the slide that read simply, “1. Surprise”.

“Ladies and gentlemen, this was one of the major Clan allies in their whirlwind conquest of their occupation zones. Surprise. They had it in spades. We knew little to anything about them. Hell, you all remember the rumors. We thought they were damned aliens, until Jamie Wolf had his little meeting with us.”

Victor winced uncontrollably at the memories of the pain some of the training inflicted. Yeah, that was fun, but in some ways…a waste. Sure it encouraged some unity among us, but Sun-Tsu Liao..it did nothing for him…The very mention of Sun-Tsu had caused Victor’s right fist to curl in anger. Careful, Victor, he is something of your blind spot, focus on the Clans. They are more of a threat then that madman will ever be.

“As the old saying goes, ladies and gentlemen, ‘the best way to know someone, is to fight them’. I would say we know the Clans pretty well now. Well enough for me to present our other two points, with a fair degree of confidence.”

“We know the rules behind their warrior culture, we know how it functions, and more importantly, we know why. We know if functions on artificial rules, and a monopoly of violence that is even more pronounced than anything found in the Inner Sphere, even in the Capellan Confederation. And even the Capellans, ladies and gentlemen, do not radically shortchange their own citizenry to the degree the Clans do to keep their warrior class going. Just look at the Clan logistical collapse on Tukkayyid. What many of you don’t know is that for the first time in hundreds of years, there were food riots on Tamar? Tamar, a breadbasket world..had no food? Why, because the Clans collectivized the farms under their Merchant caste. This is but one example. Their logistical system is a shoestring, and it will collapse under another major strain. One this plan intends to provide.”

Hanse then clicked the button again, and another point appeared on the slide “2. Training”.

“We have all been hearing how the Clan warrior is the epitome of warfare. They are unstoppable paragons, and we just got lucky. Nonsense!”

The room, for the first time in hundreds of years, exploded in an uproar.

Hanse put up his hands again..”Quiet please, ladies and gentlemen, QUIET!” Hanse’s command voice came out, and all, even his own children obeyed, and sat meekly down. Sure, Hanse wasn’t First Prince anymore, but he still could engender the loyalty and respect of one with a simple voice or gesture.

“I know I have not faced them across a battlefield, ladies and gentlemen. I understand that. But everything I have read, and seen. The Clans produce men and women whom are very good individual warriors. But ask yourselves? Those of you who have faced them, what kind of real operational or strategic ability have they shown? Their bidding system is a unique way to guarantee economy of force, for example, but it doesn’t encourage mass at all, and their dueling system while a morally satisfying means of warfare, only works when the opponent is willing to reciprocate, and is inferior technologically, if the Clans had the same technological standard we had, they would lose.”

“Our doctrine, our way of making war, it is based on thousands of years of refinement and development. Everyone from Sun-Tsu, to Clauswitz, to Kerensky. The Clans are of the opinion that if it did not come from Kerensky, it must be rubbish. I am willing to go out on a limb and state that I do not think the father would have approved of what the son created. The Clans, when it comes to the doctrinal underpinnings of war, or the strategic and operational principles of said same, know nothing, and are happy to remain ignorant, mainly because their technology is so dominant.”

Hanse then pushed the button on his clicker again, and a third point appeared “3. Technology”.

Hanse exhaled, and took an offered glass of water, of which he drained greedily. “The Clan technological advantage is steep, but history is filled with nations who were technologically advanced, but still lost wars because they refused to pay more than lip service to the other Principles of War. Nazi Germany is one that comes to mind. The Clans, in fact, are making the same mistake. They are counting on own ‘decadence’ to do their work for them. They had counted on being greeted as liberators, while enslaving entire populations and calling it a lofty name like “bondsman”. Their logistical system is so bad, that they are living off the land like the Mongols, or an ancient army, certainly not an army of the 31st Century. It is why they failed at Tukkayyid and to a lesser extent, Luthien. To continue the Nazi Germany analogy, right now, the Clans have fallen short of their goal, Terra. They have survived the winter, but now, their entire enterprise lacks any strategic direction. It is a military endeavor without a goal, really. They claim they are going to Terra, but ComStar has barred that door. They have yielded the strategic initiative, we must, for the future of the Inner Sphere, pick up the baton..and ram it down the throat of the Clans.”

Hanse then clicked his remote once more, and a map of the Jade Falcon Occupation Zone soon materialized, then one by one, colored arrows appeared, denoting proposed movements of forces against target worlds. The plan was focused, ambitious, but it was a sledgehammer. The proposed force ratios were brutal, as much as anywhere from 4 to 6 to one against the Jade Falcons or Vipers. It was the opposite of the Clan way of war. It was not meant to take worlds back so much, as it was to destroy the ability of the Jade Falcons and Vipers to make war, probably for all time.

Victor whistled softly…  “Dad, keep going…you have our attention.”

Hanse Adrian Davion smiled. But it was not a mirthful smile. It was one that promised terrible, awful things to come for those who had dared to hurt, and enslave his people. I dedicated my life to defending the people of the Federated Suns, and later the Commonwealth, as first a soldier, then a ruler. The Kuritans, the Capellans, I understood, but even they, they are not what the Clans are. They are a threat to our very humanity. No..this time, we finish this. What no one knew is that Hanse had seen footage taken by MIIO, LIC and DMI operatives of the Jade Falcons engaging in “thamzing”. Hanse had launched a war once on a moral point..there had also been practical ones..but he had never forgiven the Liaos, or their brood, not for what they had done to his double. But now, this, this was a cancer, that needed to be cut out.

And cut out it would be.


I remember the temperature dropped ten degrees after Hanse began to smile. I hadn’t seen that smile on his face since the first wave of Operation RAT. I knew that the Jade Falcons and Steel Vipers were about to have a very bad day. The average age of the Clan warrior class was 25, and learning from their past did not seem to be their strong suit...Clan Loremasters and their "Remembrance" not withstanding...They say the best teacher is the enemy. I got the feeling we were about to teach what we had learned to the Falcons, in spades.

Hanse had picked one hell of a hobby for his retirement.

Ardan Sortek, “Reflections of a Soldier”, New Avalon Press, 3071
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: mikecj on 28 October 2015, 13:52:25
Great chapter!  I love the endings from other folks' memoirs
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Dave Talley on 28 October 2015, 15:11:57
great stuff
minor corrections, Hanse's middle name is Adrian, and Sortek's name is Ardan
minor glitches but amazing story
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: gladius on 28 October 2015, 18:00:38
Good chapter. There were some points, particularly during the first briefing, where words were missing, and some sentences were just weird, but the second half was brilliant.

Sorry, I'm not familiar with 'thamzing'?

Edit: FedCom RCTs really are the best hammer to use against Clans, masses of integrated combined arms. Personally I'd cut back on the infantry regiments and double the artillery and aerospace assets, but that's just me.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: croaker on 29 October 2015, 01:09:02
Good chapter. There were some points, particularly during the first briefing, where words were missing, and some sentences were just weird, but the second half was brilliant.

Sorry, I'm not familiar with 'thamzing'?

Edit: FedCom RCTs really are the best hammer to use against Clans, masses of integrated combined arms. Personally I'd cut back on the infantry regiments and double the artillery and aerospace assets, but that's just me.

'Thamzing' is a social-engineering tactic popularized in Maoist China, in which a selected victim would be publicly shamed and beaten and compelled to testify to various "crimes" which mostly consisted of egregious violations of the new order's desired culture, few to none of which they had actually committed.

In other words, picking somebody off the street at random (most likely because they looked at a warrior funny), and torturing them to show the recently-conquered civilians what happens when you don't play by Clan rules.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: snakespinner on 29 October 2015, 01:23:10
You first start off with something minor as the FWL has 3 times as many jumpships than expected.
Then you talk about 4 or 6 to 1 attacks against the Jade Turkeys and the rusty Vipers.

Wonder where the jumpships to carry the troops will come from.
Very nice. O0
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: gladius on 29 October 2015, 01:47:18
'Thamzing' is a social-engineering tactic popularized in Maoist China, in which a selected victim would be publicly shamed and beaten and compelled to testify to various "crimes" which mostly consisted of egregious violations of the new order's desired culture, few to none of which they had actually committed.

In other words, picking somebody off the street at random (most likely because they looked at a warrior funny), and torturing them to show the recently-conquered civilians what happens when you don't play by Clan rules.
Thanks, hadn't run across that one before.

You first start off with something minor as the FWL has 3 times as many jumpships than expected.
Then you talk about 4 or 6 to 1 attacks against the Jade Turkeys and the rusty Vipers.

Wonder where the jumpships to carry the troops will come from.
Very nice. O0
Hmm, WoB pulling out the resources of their Hidden Worlds early?

Oh, and while I love most of this, having Victor not being concerned by discovering that the FWL's economy and transport fleet of JumpShips (which are vital for, among other things, transporting regiments of 'Mechs) are greater than expected ... it stretches belief by a bit. Now, if they had been couching their results in arcane economic language that Victor was having trouble understanding, that would make sense ... but this is wielding the 'Victor knows nothing outside of the military' hammer a bit more liberally than most. He's studied military history and theory, so he knows the importance of strong economies and large JumpShip fleets.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 29 October 2015, 08:29:34
I first want to apologize for the errors, self edits are hard to do, if not impossible. You will ALWAYS miss something. I wish we had a standing beta group around here. I would SO make use of it.

@gladius: It isn't that Victor isn't knowledgeable...it's that Doctor Felton isn't used to briefing high level folks who don't get into the weeds that often, and are hearing the same thing ten different ways at times. My version of Katherine is becoming a foreign policy/politico nerd and would have done well at MIIO or DMI in the analysis side, if events had not intervened (more on that later).

Victor is aware of the implications, hence his very strong reaction. Moreover, Dr. Felton has discovered something that is going to have interesting implications down the road. Simply put..watch this closely, there will be more along these lines about what is going to occur...and more importantly, why.

My version of Victor has grown a little since his dad abdicated only two years ago. He might even be a bit more unsure of himself then he should be, like any truly intelligent man, he is more aware of what he doesn't know, than what he does. But, in his defense, he has the FS riding on his shoulders. He has Kat and Galen to lean on heavily, and delegates a lot, which is a good and bad thing, depending on the task. Victor will mature as the story goes on, but he is new to the job folks...give him another year, and he will be able to fly solo for the most part, the trouble is..by then, will he be kicked upstairs? Time will tell.

@Snakespinner: The FC will get their own share of serendipity, but it will come with a cost, and it will be one that will be difficult to bear in the coming years...but it must be borne, as the other options all stink. Nobody's said it, but all of the ruling family of the FC realize, unlike in OTL, if something strong isn't done about the Clans, then the political toroidal forces buzzing about the FC will tear the alliance apart. It is as much domestic self-preservation as it is looking strong. Also, the initial "frontage" if you will, will be quite narrow...not saying it totally obviates the need for lots of transport...but that the needs may not be WAY out of the realm of possibility. (Think more narrow thrusts then wide offensives, the idea is to shatter the clan "crust", then release the reserves to wreak havoc in a series of "deep battles" against important nodal worlds and the OZ Capitals. BTW, what the heck was the Steel Viper OZ Capital?)

But the FC is not the only lens we are going to examine here...nor will Hanse be the only way we see it. I will go third person from time to time (Davout really inspired this effort).

As for changes in the structure of the FC...lemme put it this way...Artillery is finally going to get it's due in the CBT universe...I always thought the game underestimated the capabilities of artillery...what a battalion (18 guns) can do to a 1000x1000m grid square now beggars description....The Clans will experience that, and the FC are going to take a lesson from the Soviets and both centralize artillery assets at the RCT and brigade/division level...and bring back that old standby...the mortar. In short, the Clans are about to find out what a lot of metal landing on your head feels like. But the training and integration of said assets into the larger AFFC will take a while...about a year to be precise.O0

In short, I have a plan here guys, and no, while there are Hidden Worlds in this CBT universe...they are mostly stockpiles of equipment and consumables, as well as probably enough people to form another two divisions and the economic base to support said same (This includes a nice pile of jumpships..and a few warships...but nowhere near the insane levels of warships we saw in canon). This won't be the Jihad refought. 

Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 29 October 2015, 09:09:02
'Thamzing' is a social-engineering tactic popularized in Maoist China, in which a selected victim would be publicly shamed and beaten and compelled to testify to various "crimes" which mostly consisted of egregious violations of the new order's desired culture, few to none of which they had actually committed.

In other words, picking somebody off the street at random (most likely because they looked at a warrior funny), and torturing them to show the recently-conquered civilians what happens when you don't play by Clan rules.

I stole that from Warriors of Kerensky, where it is mentioned as having been done when the Clans retook the Pentagon Worlds. I see no reason why it was not carried out on Inner Sphere worlds as it is the closest frame of reference the Clans have. Again, it also proves the Clans really don't care much for any history, on a lot of these worlds, it is going to create insurgents by the raftload...and Hanse was studying the Soviet way of war...Some good reading might be the Partisan war from 1941-44 and "the war of the rails" in the German rear. Things will begin to get very, very brutal indeed...and the Clan indoctrination sweeps will begin to resemble German anti-Partisan operations...and all of the evils that that engendered.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: croaker on 29 October 2015, 10:07:56
I stole that from Warriors of Kerensky, where it is mentioned as having been done when the Clans retook the Pentagon Worlds. I see no reason why it was not carried out on Inner Sphere worlds as it is the closest frame of reference the Clans have. Again, it also proves the Clans really don't care much for any history, on a lot of these worlds, it is going to create insurgents by the raftload...and Hanse was studying the Soviet way of war...Some good reading might be the Partisan war from 1941-44 and "the war of the rails" in the German rear. Things will begin to get very, very brutal indeed...and the Clan indoctrination sweeps will begin to resemble German anti-Partisan operations...and all of the evils that that engendered.

Yeah. It's very likely also practiced in the Capellan Confederation, which is probably where Hanse is familiar with it from. And was yet another part of his motivation to destroy them.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 29 October 2015, 10:29:32
I would guess it would depend on the Chancellor, but yeah, I could see it being a practice of elements of the Mask and the State, not so much the CCAF. Though the Death Commandos think nothing of committing all kinds of mayhem.

Does Hanse wear a halo, nope. But there are certain things that stick in his craw...and seeing something like this done to his people...yeah, that is really going to send him over the edge.

Also, one other point, Victor's enmity is now more focused at Sun-Tsu Liao than historically. The heart attack happened as per canon, except for the part of Hanse dying, because of some timely CPR by both he and Galen till the paramedics got there. Victor already didn't think much of Sun-Tsu after Outreach...now he hurt Dad. Victor does not react well to this. Woe betide Sun-Tsu if he does something stupid...and would your author have Sun-Tsu do that? He might....
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: gladius on 29 October 2015, 19:28:44
I stole that from Warriors of Kerensky, where it is mentioned as having been done when the Clans retook the Pentagon Worlds. I see no reason why it was not carried out on Inner Sphere worlds as it is the closest frame of reference the Clans have. Again, it also proves the Clans really don't care much for any history, on a lot of these worlds, it is going to create insurgents by the raftload...and Hanse was studying the Soviet way of war...Some good reading might be the Partisan war from 1941-44 and "the war of the rails" in the German rear. Things will begin to get very, very brutal indeed...and the Clan indoctrination sweeps will begin to resemble German anti-Partisan operations...and all of the evils that that engendered.
Ah. I don't have Warriors, and can't seem to find a copy online: 'Mechwarrior's Guide to the Clans' is a bit truncated, from what I can tell. Although I took a lot of my own info from 'Operation KLONDYKE' and 'Golden Century', so yeah, Little Nicky killed and tortured a lot of people in order to get his little lab experiment going, and those techniques aren't going to go over well in the Inner Sphere, especially in Lyran space (as long as the canon authors aren't involved, as they believe that IS citizens grab Clan culture with both hands as being somehow innately superior and preferable to, you know, free will and self determination, two-way feudal loyalty and basic human rights).
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: snakespinner on 30 October 2015, 02:57:40
The first world they were given was Waldorf.
I wonder if that was the Rusty Vipers capital.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: drakensis on 30 October 2015, 04:36:59
BTW, what the heck was the Steel Viper OZ Capital?)
It's Waldorf (see page 24 of Era Report 3062)

"Driving hard, the Falcons eventually pushed the Vipers’ to their capital of Waldorff, where the leadership of both Clans fought a desperate battle in and around the desolate city of Daemon."
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 03 November 2015, 15:30:34
June 18th, 3054
Offices of the First Prince Emeritus
Castle Davion
New Avalon
Federated Commonwealth


  Spring had finally come to New Avalon, and the day had been nothing short of gorgeous. Hanse had asked the palace staff to leave the windows open while he was awake, as the breeze had simply been refreshing, reminiscent of such breezes from his youth when New Avalon entered spring.Who knew how many springs I still have? Hell, after I drop this little bomb on my guest, his answer may save or doom us, but we need him..dammit. But I hate putting the potential future of the Commonwealth in the hands of someone like him.
 
 The wargames to test the plan had begun in earnest, and there had been a few flaws found in the plan. The main one was one that Hanse had expected would be found- transportation. There just wasn’t enough transport assets to move the forces required, let alone keep them supplied for when everything kicked off. But there wasn’t any source to get Jumpships from…or at least there was..until an offer came from left field..one Hanse had certainly not been expecting.
 
Quintus had been approached by someone purporting to be a personal representative of the Precentor Martial himself. Hanse did not know what to make of it, but figured why not meet with the Precentor, the worst he could say was no. Yeah, I know, Victor SHOULD be doing this, but my unique position allows him to disavow me as a “crazy old man”. If things go wrong..

There was a sharp rap at the door, it was a series of staccato bangs, like rifle fire. I guess the sound is appropriate. “Enter!” Hanse bellowed.

The door opened to reveal a withered figure cloaked in a white robe marked with the golden sigil of ComStar. His bespectacled eyes burned with a warrior’s fire, and his visage was unmistakable as the victor of Tukayyid. “Victor of the Clans”, Anastasius Focht.

Hanse smiled a seemingly genuine smile, one he knew was not going to fool his guest, but certain social graces had to be maintained. “Precentor Martial, I am sorry for the short time allowed to answer my request for a visit, but circumstances did not allow for more warning.”

“Spare me your pleasantries, Hanse Davion. Did you know there is a saying in the Capellan Confederation? ‘Beware of smiling Davions.’ So, Prince Davion, it seems you have a little plan to take the war to the Clans, one that is at the least, quite ambitious." Focht's tone and smile betrayed more mirth than the statement suggested.

Dammit, how in the hell did he know that? I see ROM has its usual impeccable sources...time to go on the offensive I suppose.

“Precentor Marital, I will not deny there is the planning for such an operation. Where you found out, has me at a loss. I suppose ROM is as good as ever." Hanse smiled.

Focht straightened his robes. "Prince Davion, I know you know who I really am, and I appreciate your family's discretion. You do understand this is exactly the kind of thing that is going to make the truce a dead letter?"

Hanse Davion looked Focht in the eye. "Do you trust all the Clans to keep the truce forever?"

Focht shrugged. "If it were simply up to Ulric Kerensky, yes. But it isn't. Somebody on the Clan side will break the truce sooner rather than later, and you are correct to hit first. As much as it pains me to say it."

Hanse knew that all this had done was put Focht on the defensive. But he was a warrior, and if Hanse did not act quickly, he would act to retake the initiative in this argument. Best to end this quickly. Hanse reached into a non-descript AFFS mapcase, it had been his own for many, many years during his time with the 3rd Guards. He deftly produced two blue manila folders. One had the words “Clover Spear- Target List” stamped on it and the other had “Clover Spear- Transport Requirements” stamped on it. Both were also stamped “Most Secret” with a sticker reminding everyone what the penalties for revealing the contents to anyone not cleared to know them were.

Focht took one folder and read through it, then the other...he grunted as he read, and smiled at parts of what he read, lines of mirth creasing his craggy face. He then put down the folder and smiled "Hanse Davion, if you ever want to get the hell out of this gilded cage, I have a job offer waiting."

"I would...except my wife would track me down...and put me in a real cage...and we both know it."

Both men shared a laugh that lasted until Hanse had a minor coughing fit.

Hanse Davion began “I require the use of ComStar’s transportation network for a year, as much of it as you can spare, without shorting your other obligations..or more correctly, the Federated Commonwealth does.”

“And why am I not meeting with Victor, why instead do I meet with you? Are you telling me you don’t trust your own son and heir?”

“On the contrary, I do. But he plays by the new rules, I don’t, and neither did you. I wanted to get the measure of you, Frederick Steiner, have you turned over a new leaf? Are you a new man?” Hanse asked, with a cocked eyebrow.

Focht shook his head, “None has called me by that name in 25 years. I hope you know I no longer covet the throne. I had that burned out of me on Dromini VI, Your mother in law left me to die. I assured her I wasn’t coming back, I was not going to be a party to craven murder. But as it was, I was fortunate that I got off as lucky as I did. I vowed never to get into politics again. As you can see, it almost killed me. But I see even though I leave politics, it does not leave me. You will get my cooperation, and the Primus’s, for your jumpships. I just hope it is enough. All I ask are two things.”

“They are?” Hanse queried

“First, you allow me to send limited numbers of ComStar personnel with the invasion forces to get the HPGs up and running again. I promise, no ROM, and no ‘Mechs. Second, you finish the damn job.” Focht said with an edge.

Hanse smiled a dangerous smile “Agreed to the first point, as for the second, we must win, Precentor Martial, or we are all done for, all of us, for the Clans do not strike me as a merciful people, Precentor Martial.  And with that,” as Hanse rose and motioned towards the door “have a nice trip back to Terra. May I suggest you try Kepperings while on New Avalon before you go? They have an excellent surf and turf meal.”

Focht made as to leave, but turned and looked at Hanse Davion, his eyes bored into him “You are going to die like you lived, Hanse Davion. Your death will be as the result of politics. It would be a shame for you to end up like that..but retirement, she doesn't suit you. Ask Victor to give you a damn job, you old fool!”

“No, Focht, no, I cannot do that and you know why. I made a promise to Melissa. Whatever happens after this, I hang up the spurs.” Hanse said evenly.

Focht shook his head angrily. “Hanse Adrian Davion. Your one true destiny is that of a soldier. Your son is one as well. Politics only suits you insofar as you had to use it. I look forward to your humbling of the Jade Falcons.”

Focht left with a twirl of his robes and a martial stomp in his step. He still stomps off like Frederick did..hasn’t changed a damn bit.

Hanse sat down on the couch in his office with a thump. That little exchange had been pleasant, but tiring. But it was necessary. He was not going to leave the Clans to be his son’s problem. I am sure Victor could handle it, of that I have no doubt, he has matured a lot since becoming First Prince, but he has a blind spot when it comes to the Capellans, filial piety will be my son’s undoing.

His reverie was interrupted by another knock at the door “Your highness, you daughter Katherine is here, she isn’t on the calendar, but-“

“My daughter needs to be on some calendar? Are you mad, let her in.”

Sometimes, I wonder about my staff, I think they edit my visitation requests so as not to ‘upset’ me. Hanse exhaled in mild frustration. At this rate, it was probably likely they would give him a heart attack through the sheer minor frustrations they were putting him through.

“Let her in, for god’s sake she is my daughter! And never bar family members again!”

“Yes, your highness!”

Katherine entered Hanse’s office with a quizzical look on her porcelain face. She took after he mother, with fine, Germanic features topped with long blond hair she kept medium length, though, unlike her mother and father, her hair was curly, She may get that from her uncle Ian. Hanse mused. She had the blond eyes of both the Davions and the Steiners, but unlike most of them, hers had pronounced gold flecks. Her red, white and blue sundress, inspired by the colors of the Davion Guards, whom she had just returned from visiting (and had turned down more than a few ribald marriage proposals from), billowed in the evening breeze.

“Father, I amost got run down by Anastasius Focht and his entourage, and he looked like Aunt Yvonne when she has a plan on her mind, are we going to be interdicted again?”

Hanse laughed, “No Katherine, my dear, it seems the Precentor Martial and I had a meeting and came to understand a great many things…all of them good.”

Katherine shook her head “Dad, your heart, you can’t keep acting like you’re First Prince, or a ‘Mechwarrior anymore. I worry about you, and this may sound selfish, but I need my dad to give me away at my wedding.” Katherine stated with mock forcefulness, she wasn’t really angry at her father, as she had always been a bit of a “daddy’s girl”.

It had been her father that had noticed the early signs of Dombrowski A in his daughter, and the road had been hard, and long, with many long hours of treatment at NAIS, but it had left Katherine a bit shy and unable to relate to people easily. She was now coming out of her shell, but it was a painful process. Her “time” in the AFFC was working in a PIO shop here on New Avalon, and she had done well, even giving a few briefings, where a beaming Hanse had proclaimed “that’s my girl” to a crowd of slightly bemused members of the media.  Hanse loved all of his children fiercely, but he was closest to his two oldest.

“Dammit Katherine, this is a guilded cage, I know it’s well meant, but now that I have something to do, it feels wonderful.”

“If it doesn’t kill you? And incidentally, shouldn’t you have left this to Victor? You did give him the keys to the kingdom a while ago?” Katherine intoned, her tone expressing not a little bit of concern.

Hanse chuckled “I hear you, and obey, my daughter, but I had my reasons, now, what is this I hear about walking you down the aisle and marriage? Is there a young man I need to have DMI scare the hell out of? Not like I can do that sort of thing anymore.”

Katherine groaned “Um, dad, that dance at NAIS, it was real fun you making a show of showing my date your Battlemaster…and what it did to unarmored infantrymen…”

“Noone breaks my little girl’s heart…whatever happened to him, anyhow? I liked him.”

“He enlisted, we broke up, he’s on the Clan front somewhere as an Aerospace pilot.”

“So…back to the question, my daughter..Who has got you talking to me in hypotheticals about your nuptials?…It isn’t like your dear brother is in a hurry.” Hanse shook his head at that last thought, Victor must marry once I do pass on, and the Commonwealth cannot be without a secure future, not for a moment!

“Well, I noticed him…not sure he notices me…his initials are…G and C.” Katherine’s smile was electric, and could melt hearts at 100 meters. The trouble was, the after effects of the treatment had left her not smiling very often. Hence the small talk. Hanse had made it a point to always get Katherine to loosen up around him, and everyone else. Formality may have its uses, but social lubricant is not one of them.

“Katherine, first, sit down, you make me nervous when you stand and talk to me, and any minute now, I think you’re going to begin to pace again.”

Katherine sat down in a very precise and lady-like manner. She smiled at her father and took his hand in hers as they sat across from her, him on the couch, and her in an overstuffed setee, “Dad, you know I’m probably going to get married before Victor ever will. First, he is married to his job…and second? He is pining after the one girl he can’t have. “

Omi Kurita…Jesus, can it ever be more of a cosmic joke that my firstborn son falls in love with the daughter of the mortal enemy of the Commonwealth…though with the Clans, the Combine has taken more than a few steps back in that department..Still…

“Dare I ask, but have you tried fixing your brother up?”

Katherine rolled her eyes “Mom has, I have, Galen has, Kai has..It’s been a bit of a fiasco. And now, now with that plan of yours, he has been putting 10-12 hour days because he wants to validate the plan.”

Hanse smiled a thin smile of pride warring with concern. “Katherine, sadly, he gets that from me. I agree with the idea, but do me a favor? Make sure he eats and takes care of himself. That kind of thing is what had my ticker give out.”

“Received and understood, Dad, I have got half the palace working for me keeping Victor human…or human-ish... Dad, not to switch the subject, but you know we still haven’t found a way around the jumpship issue?  The troop movements across the Commonwealth and supporting logistics are well, ruinous to the economy with the Jumpship numbers. We’ll be in a full-blown depression inside of a year.”

Hanse produced a device from his pocket, and smiled as he thumbed it on, and placed it on a nearby coffee table. “Katherine, what I am about to tell you must be kept close at hand, you can tell Victor, but OPSEC is a factor here. It has to do with my meeting with the Precentor Martial, and why I met with him instead of Victor. And why I need you to tell your brother.”

Katherine looked on quizzically. “Um, Dad, does this have anything to do with the Precentor Martial storming out of here like an Atlas on fire?”

Hanse nodded “It does, we have secured the use of some of ComStar’s Jumpship fleet for a year. Focht is probably in a hurry to cut the appropriate orders at the New Avalon HPG.”

Katherine’s face lit up. “Dad, they will be just enough to keep the economy running, but why am I the one to tell Victor?”

Hanse tapped Katherine’s knee, “Because sweetheart, Victor never really knew firsthand what it was like to deal with the old ComStar. I did. Yes, what I did can be seen as undercutting his authority. It will not occur again. I just wanted to make sure I got the measure of the man- “

“-and make sure he didn’t take big brother for a ride.” Katherine finished.

“Precisely, I am sure of Focht now, and I think he and Mori will turn ComStar around. Will certain parties give him the time? I doubt it. But you need to do something. You know my favorite mapcase?”

Katherine nodded.

“There is a folder there with a list of our remaining intelligence assets in the Free Worlds League, if things begin to go south for ComStar, I want Victor to have a list of those assets at his fingertips and not have to ask the Intelligence Secretariat to pull the information. It will take valuable time he will not have. I am sure Victor will know what orders to give..but I want you to hold on to that folder. Just in case.”

Katherine smiled “Just in case we have to start potting Blakists from rooftops?”

Hanse nodded.

“Consider it done, Daddy. He always protected me when we were younger, even when I did not deserve it…especially when I didn’t. I can have his back for this."

Hanse’s heart broke at that last statement, Katherine, my beloved daughter. You always deserved better. The illness, it was not your fault. You paid a high price for your mental health. The occasional crying fits that surface today, the insomnia, the two years of seizures. And above all, the painful shyness. Oh my daughter, I do hope the cure was worth it. Now, now I start another war to make sure you have a future better than the one I had. Maybe a peaceful one, dare I hope.

___________________________________________________________
..Whatever my differences between my brother and I, I always loved him for being that big brother who protected me growing up, and was there during the worst of the Dombrowski A treatment. I remember after one bad day at NAIS when I had passed out during the electroshock, my mother was screaming at dad, and Dad sat and took it..they both loved me, and both were angry, in their own way at what fate had thrown at their eldest daughter. Mom, Mom lost her temper, in one of the few times I have ever seen her do it..Dad, dad, was stoic, and was a statue when Mom began to pound him with her fists…and that’s when I heard Victor come into the room, and say to both of them “Stop it, Katherine can hear, and she needs us.” I was never more proud of my big brother.

So, when Dad and I had that talk that fateful day of June, 3054, I realized I had to be the little sister he deserved. I had to be strong…


It’s Not All Fairy Tales – The Life and Times of a Cracked Princess, by Katherine Cox-Steiner Davion, Tharkad Press, Tharkad, 3084
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Chris OFarrell on 03 November 2015, 16:40:44
Hmmm, not sure I buy this plot twist.

Firstly, I think you're rather overstating the Jumpship problem by a significant degree. Presuming the FedCom can stage its RCTs in close in bulk (not an unreasonable assumption) and presuming they leave most of their infantry behind, at least in the initial waves (its not like they are landing on hostile planets, said planets will surely cheer in the AFFC in as 'about damned time!' liberators) to free up collar space for Mechs, Tanks, Arty and Aerospace; the AFFC should have more than enough organic shipping capacity to slam into the Clan OZs without even really needing to tap civilian jump-ships that much. While still holding the force ratios and strategic/tactical mass Hanse is looking for. Especially given the relatively confined operational area and limited number of targets.

But that aside, blackmailing Focht for Jumpships seems a really REALLY risky way to go about things.

First, simply asking nicely would have probably gotten the AFFC the support it needed! ComStar was trying very hard with Focht's pushing to get the Inner Sphere really focusing on the Clans and building up to what eventually became Bulldog anyway. Go to them and say that you need some Jumpship support to kick the Falcons and Vipers out and there is a pretty good chance they would have happily helped out. Fochts hostility here towards Hanse was also rather odd, he never had any kind of personal beef with him as far as I recall.
And not to mention threatening to empower WOB is just crazy, that should be a HUGE deterrent against weakening the reformers of ComStar who are trying to drag the order into what it actually says it publicly is as opposed to a 'WE SHALL RULE THE INNER SPHERE, BLESSED BE BLAKE!' cult of doom that the WOB want to be! Discredit Focht and Mori and you'll probably have WOB puppets in the door in a heartbeat at this point, then the WOB controlling the entire damn place from behind the scenes, even as they publicly 'feud' with each other.

Second, the hand Hanse has to play here is weak. Very very weak. No-one is going to care that Freddy plotted against the Archon back in the day, especially after its point out that he went on a suicide mission to redeem himself and was very nearly executed by Theodore in a rage after the fact, arguably saving the Lyran Commonwealth from a very nasty sucker punch in the 4th war. That kind of statue is going to be very hard to drag down (and Hanse doing so could inflame Lyran sentiments at the worst possible time!). And then add to that the fact that he and his ComGuards pretty much stopped the Clan Invasion dead cold, giving him a whole new reputation across the Inner Sphere including the FedCom ... trying to paint him now as a traitor? That's the kind of bluff that could be very easily called IMHO.
Best you might be able to do is link him as the head of ROM to the brutal LIC+MIIO+DMI vs ROM shadow war between the 3030s and 3050s (although frankly in my head canon he NEVER had that post, ever, it makes absoloutly no sense that he would take it or Myndo would offer it to him!). But even that is weak...

Third, ROM sure as hell didn't know that Mori was an OP5 agent. If they did, she would have been executed on the spot after all. So I'm not sure how Hanse got that little bit of data. MIIO might have her on their list of suspects of people who leaked Scorpion to Theodore (makes sense; she was from the DC and was a close confidant of Primus McCrazy who has under the new ComStar thrived as Primus, but its hardly proof) but its hard to see where Hanse would get it from. Its clearly a very well kept secret.

Forth and final, even if Hanse wants it, there is no way he could get access to the entire ComStar jumpship fleet. IIRC after the Lyrans, they have the largest Jumpship merchant fleet in the Inner Sphere, its a big money maker for them along with their HPGs hiring them out. They surely keep a reserve for the ComGuards of course, but its not like they can just hand it all over and not have massive consequences to play with as they'll have obligations to all the Successor States to meet, megacorps and Mercs and others.


I've really been interested in this story, but this chapter really broke by SOD quite a bit I must say. The characters seem well out of wack, not to mention Hanse undermining Victor by acting in matters of state policy for the FedSuns with another major power like this behind his back!
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 03 November 2015, 16:52:44
Chris...
 You make some good points...darn you! I may have written myself into a bit of a corner. I guess I could rewrite this chapter. It was fun to have the Ruthless Side of HanseTM come out to play, but yeah, the points you make are very, very good and very hard to ignore. I think I can come up with an alternate chapter within 24 hours or so. Probably less...you live, you learn.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Chris OFarrell on 03 November 2015, 17:14:47
Don't get me wrong, till now this story has been fantastic and I've been really enjoying it (as in I really haven't HAD any commentary to make or criticism to offer). Hanse taking the kid gloves off against the Clans and doing a 'Welcome to the Inner Sphere! This is how we fight wars here children' to the birdbrains is just great - and I can even see him having plenty of perfectly justified rage to work out on ComStar...just needs some tweeks IMO.

And Katherine's bit in this was also a lot of fun, damnit I'm actually starting to like her, crazy as it sounds...
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: gladius on 03 November 2015, 19:03:17
Yeah, it was a bit odd seeing Hanse strong arm one of the Commonwealths allies into doing something they would largely be willing to do anyway, and I'm not quite sure why it needs to be secret: post operation Scorpion ComStar is not quiet about its focus in fighting the Clans, and the Commonwealth public really shouldn't get upset about it.

Maybe have him 'convince' some shipping companies to 'donate' their JumpShip fleets to the Commonwealth 'out of patriotism for the common good'?

Oh, and it seems Katherine is going to be sane in this 'verse ... May I ask, is Dumbowski A some kind of syndrome that causes megalomania, decreased empathy and paranoia? If so, it would explain canon ...
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: snakespinner on 03 November 2015, 20:28:29
Have to agree.
Comstar is a major ally against the clans, so you would not expect any problems.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 04 November 2015, 00:12:04
Hey guys, the revised chapter is up..I want to apologize to all of you. I took a risk and it did not work. It got in the way of a quality story and for that, it is my fault. Please accept my humble apologies and accept my attempt at a "do-over".
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: gladius on 04 November 2015, 01:57:46
Hey guys, the revised chapter is up..I want to apologize to all of you. I took a risk and it did not work. It got in the way of a quality story and for that, it is my fault. Please accept my humble apologies and accept my attempt at a "do-over".
Don't worry about it: we all have plot ideas that sound great in our head, scenes we are just itching to write, but don't turn out the way we expect when we post them. It's completely normal, and nothing to apologise for.

Honestly, it still felt a little rough, some of the word choice was odd, but in general it's a good chapter, and I like the bit at the end, helping to weld the Steiner-Davion kids together, and the diagnosis and treatment for a weird condition (although the electroshock may be a little too far) is a nice touch.

One bit that may have slipped past you during editing:

Quote
Hanse produced a device from his pocket, and smiled as he thumbed it on, and placed it on a nearby coffee table. “Katherine, what I am about to tell you, does not leave this room. It has to do with my meeting with the Precentor Martial, and why I met with him instead of Victor. And why I need you to tell your brother.”

Katherine looked on quizzically. “Um, Dad, does this have anything to do with the Precentor Martial storming out of here like an Atlas on fire?”

Hanse nodded “It does, we have secured the use of some of ComStar’s Jumpship fleet for a year. Focht is probably in a hurry to cut the appropriate orders at the New Avalon HPG.”

But in general? A good chapter. Looking forward to seeing how the plot develops.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Pyro on 04 November 2015, 02:05:49
Never read the one people complained about, but the revise looks good.  Don't let it get you down.  Professional authors have editors that occasionally bounce back a rough chapter or submit ideas about how to redo it, it's just part of the writing process.  Sometimes the first thing that comes to us isn't the best, and what comes up later ends up being better.

I wrote a fanfic a long time ago where a character had a "Han Shot First" moment that didn't really fit, and the revisions to that one scene ended up making the story stronger.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: DOC_Agren on 04 November 2015, 10:16:39
Welcome to the Inner Sphere, this is how a real war is fought.

Artillery will be used and you will be on the receiving end
There will be no "honorable" fighting, but down and dirty fighting
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Davout73 on 04 November 2015, 10:19:14
I've revised a couple of things after reading them, and my wife reads some things for me when I have questions on how it reads,  and we still miss stuff.   :-)

Dav
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Cidwm on 04 November 2015, 10:19:37
Don't feel bad, it is still a good story. Please continue.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 04 November 2015, 10:44:43
Thanks for the support all..I just wanted to tell a story with no Fiat, no "rules" (of silly things like Clan Honor), and no mercy for the Clans...that said, I want smart bad guys, smart good guys, and compelling characters. So yeah, I was a little miffed with myself...

In other news, I wanted to let you know the story will switch to a bit of third person for a while to move the story along..and that we may also be seeing what's going on with some white robed fanatics..and a certain self-appointed Capellan "super genius", and his troublesome Marik wife..Oh yeah, things are going to be a hoot.

Some notes about Katherine: Her character in this has survived Dombrowski Depression-A which according to the older Steiner House Manual, was a scourge of the Steiner line. It said there was no cure, but I am going to say, for the sake of the story, that NAIS had come up with a treatment regimen that sent the disease into remission. But it is nothing short of a brutal regimen, and Hanse has a lot of guilt there, as he convinced Melissa that they needed to try it. Katherine went through a lot (I described the side effects in the memoir section of the last chapter), she knows it was for her own good, and surprisingly, does not blame her parents...it has left her wary of psychiatry, but not totally skeptical.  In short, she is a bit more withdrawn, nerdier version of the character, who needs to come out of her shell. She does, but in a way that no one would have predicted...or wanted for her...or anyone.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: croaker on 04 November 2015, 13:20:03
I honestly never got the impression that Hanse was blackmailing him. Just pressing him. Yeah, he was pushy about it, but not quite to the level some seem to see.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: drakensis on 05 November 2015, 02:51:22
I didn't see the original version but this comes across as Hanse, with long experience of 'old' ComStar and remembering that Freddie Steiner wasn't a huge fan of the Federated-Commonwealth not entirely sure how deep the 'new, friendlier ComStar' runs and pressing Focht in order to find out, since he figures that if it blows up, Melissa and Victor can disclaim any association with this and apologise that "sorry, Hanse was off his meds", effectively. It wouldn't have zero effect on relations with ComStar but it would be much less than if Victor was the one playing hardball.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 10 November 2015, 16:08:54
October 8th, 3054
Celestial Palace
Forbidden City
Sian
Capellan Confederation


Sun-Tsu Liao was not in the best of moods, Getting anyone to do a damn thing around here without screwing it up is becoming difficult. And I am not my mother, so shooting them in job lots is out.

He re-read the reports recently presented by an official of the Ministry of Development. He had delivered his report with a nervous hilt in his voice, constantly tensing every time Sun-Tsu moved. My mother has done a lot of damage here, it seems “hopeless battle syndrome” can be found in the civilian bureaucracy as well. Even with the increased aid from his father in law’s “mysterious” benefactors,..whom I know to be the Word of Blake. SAFE’s attempts to cover this up was clumsy, and as usual,  the report’s findings were grim. Malnutrition and disease were stalking the worlds near the Periphery like the Christian angels of death. Millions had died on New Roland, Gunthar, and Ward. And it was only going to get worse.

The root casue of the humanitarian disaster was that the Capellan Confederation had been beaten badly in the 4th War. Losing most of Tikonov and Sarna had not just impacted the military production base, which had just now begun to recover, but the civilian economy, which was absolutely smashed flat with the loss of so much of the Confederation’s prosperity. The worlds on the Periphery border, always a little close to the margin, were pushed over, and in at least one case, on Hurik, the government had collapsed last year, necessitating Sun-Tsu to send in the Nightrider Regiment from McCarron’s Armored Cavalry to restore order.

It had been a bloody business, the Maskirovka “processed” some 30,000 “former citizens” for rebellion. Who knew how many servitors were among that number. Nobody bothered counting them. That was too reminiscent of my mother. Perhaps I made a mistake putting Kali in charge of that. Who knew she was a 21 year old sociopath? She is yet another problem I will have to deal with. He made sure to mentally note that idea, it was best it be done at a time where he needed a casus belli. He would order the Death Commandos to perform the deed, and make sure Davion got the blame. Regrettably, that is a part of the family tree that needs to be pruned, before it hurts the state any more than it already has.

A gong interrupted Sun-Tsu’s reverie, much to his minor annoyance. A junior courtier walked deliberately to the center of the throne room, and bowed deeply on one knee. “Celestial Wisdom, the briefers from the Ministry of Defense and the Maskirovka request permission to enter the throne room and inform your Excellency as to our efforts to defend the state and confound the Davion dogs!”

Sun-Tsu simply grunted his ascent. A few more briefings, and then I can get to what really needs getting to, as well as find my problematic wife…and convince her that it is our duty to produce a few heirs for the continuance of the Liao line! What was I thinking marrying a Marik? That had caused a bit of an issue on Pella II. Happily, the Maskirovka took care of that lot more quietly, only a half-dozen dead. Not to mention the dozens of nobles that have caused me nothing but grief about her. She is another branch that might need some pruning.

The usual teams of briefers entered the throne room, which was immediately cleared of all of the courtiers and hangers on, and the double doors sealed, with the air filling with an electronic hum of a white noise generator. The briefers were relatively junior level, and had at least one or more war wounds. This was tradition, and it was meant to be two-fold. The first aspect was to remind the sitting Chancellor of the price of war…and more importantly, the price of getting it wrong. The tradition was only interfered with in my grandfather’s day. By my grandfather himself. I know it is poor form to speak ill of the dead, but the state has prospered since my Grandfather’s “suicide”. A suicide he knew his mother had everything to do with.

And that lead to the second tradition. Many Capellan Chancellors had had taken “shooting the messenger” to an art form. If the Chancellor decided to eliminate the current briefing team…they could be easily replaced. His mother had been one of the worst offenders. I am still writing pardon scrolls to clean up some of her messes…some of the men and women she condemned to Brazen Heart were doing nothing more than their duty to the state. I must therefore, make it up to the survivors.

Sun-Tsu was beginning to remind himself of a commercial he had seen from his youth. It was for a kitchen mop that was supposedly made from the same material as moisture absorption systems from Battlemech Heat Sinks. The pitch man was loud, and obnoxious, and had he been a Capellan citizen, would have been executed by his mother for starting one of her “migranes”. As it was, he was a Canopean citizen and the commercial was broadcasting on Capellan entertainment networks announcing the arrival of the product in Capellan markets. But he was the Sham-Now, and there was just so much blood to clean up…and only one mop to do it.

And the laughter of my mother in my head does not help. Sun-Tsu mused.

The briefing had been droning on with internal rebellions being crushed here, an occasional pirate raid there, the briefers always saved the most distressing news for last. It increased their potential life expectancy. Sun-Tsu braced himself for the worst, he had been getting some private reports from Marcus Baxter, CO of McCarron’s Armored Cavalry, as well as from Yaquinto Yadi, House Master of House Immara, and by default, leader of the Capellan Warrior House Order. Both had many unofficial links throughout the Inner Sphere, and those links had proven useful to Sun-Tsu for a variety of intelligence data that the Maskirovka had either ignored, or missed. Why the Director of my own intelligence agency chooses to overlook these things intrigues me. It also perturbs me, but it intrigues me.

It was at that moment, that a statement by one of the military briefers mentioned, a young female Captain. She was tall, with features that suggested a mixed Chinese/Russian ancestry. She had a fire of intelligence and bravery in equal measure in her one good eye, and if not for the facial scarring, would have been considered pretty. There was no questioning her bravery, she proudly wore the Grand Cordon of Merit proudly on the breast of her uniform. “Celestial Wisdom, the most important part of the briefing is the movement of some 10 RCTs and another 5 unaffiliated regiments have moved from their base worlds in the Federated Suns State Command to unknown destinations, we suspect movements towards Lyran space.”

Sun-Tsu’s face hardened. “How have you come by the information? Captain? Could this be another Davion trick to precede them finishing what their Operation RAT began?”

“No, your Celestial Wisdom. Sources and Methods have confirmed the jump paths from the base worlds. We are not 100% sure where they are headed, but the signatures suggest directions towards Lyran space.”

Could be anything from reports from allied flag merchants, to Mask agents in place, to some Zhuang-de-Guang guerilla with a telescope, and a means to get the information out. Still, the quality of the information is maddening. “And what, Captain, if I were to ask you to stake your life on this information? Would you?”

“I have done so for the Confederation before, Celestial Wisdom. What would one more time be?”

Sun-Tsu smiled. “I like you, Major. You are smart and brave in equal measure. And I admire that. It is a pity more Citizens of the Capellan State lack your moral courage.” He then in one fluid motion drew a small automatic pistol and shot the head of the Maskirovka briefing team in the head. The report startled the palace guards, and reverberated across the walls for moments afterwards.  The team leader’s almond colored head snapped back, a rooster tail of blood streaming from the exit wound in the back of his skull as he collapsed to the floor like a puppet with his strings cut. The body slammed into the floor with a THUD. The smell of gunpowder was heavy, and fragrant as a wisp of smoke curled from the short barrel of the small pistol in the Chancellor’s hand.

Sun-Tsu surveyed the room, noting fear in the eyes in all but one, the newly minted Major. I like her. She is Capellan In thought, in deed, and in spirit.

“The failure you see before you is an example of the failure of the Chancellors that came before me. This man was promoted far beyond his station..or his competence.” Sun-Tsu hissed, acid dripping from his words “He was a favorite of my mother, and her consort. I play no such favorites. You must earn my favor, or you will end up like that refuse on the floor. I will reward competence, character, loyalty to the state, cunning, bravery, and above all, honesty. Respectful disagreement will be encouraged. Lack of respect, or worse, incompetence and acting like a fawning sycophant, will not.”

“Major, what is your name, and your former regiment?”

“I was a member of the Sung’s Cuirassiers, Celestial Wisdom. My company was shattered by a Davion battalion during a raid, but we made them pay for our lives! I got four of the dogs before I was shot out of my Cataphract and was badly injured during my ejection. I was brought into staff work at the Ministry after being discharged from the hospital here on Sian. My superior at the Ministry noticed I had a knack for intelligence analysis.”

Sun-Tsu smiled again, “You do, inform your superior you are now attached to the palace staff as a personal advisor, and about your promotion. Also inform him he is to be promoted as well. I will let the Ministry work out the details. Were there any survivors of your company, Major?”

“Regrettably, no, Celestial Wisdom. They all died in service to the state,” the Major seemed regretful at that last question. She struck Sun-Tsu as the type of commander who had cared for her people, and their deaths, and her own disability was a measure of shame for her.

Sun-Tsu stepped down off the throne, and strode over to the Major, placing one of his long, carbon-fibre reinforced nails gently under her chin, lifting it until her eye met his. “Major, I allow you a special privilege, as my advisor, I order you, except when rendering courtesies, to always look me in the eye. Because I need a clear-eyed teller of the truth to navigate the Capellan State. You see what I have to work with here…What is your name, Major?” as he swept his hand across the remains of the shocked Mask team.

“Shang, Alexa Shang, Celestial Wisdom.”

“Very well, Major Shang. I look forward to our time together. I believe it will be more than productive.” Sun-Tsu then snapped his fingers and a palace Servitor appeared as if by magic. “Move Major Shang into the guest quarters, and ensure that her office is ready by tomorrow. She will be treated well, and ensure that her background check is expedited by the Maskirovka. And summon my Senior Colonels, I think we need to reevaluate what can be done with this information.”

The servitor meekly replied “Yes, Celestial Wisdom”.

Sun-Tsu Liao returned to his throne as the briefing teams bowed and made to leave. He waved them onward. Major Shang stood off to one side, her face wan, as she took it all in with grace.

“So tell me, Major. Do you think with our new alliance with the Mariks, that we are strong enough to deal Victor Davion the blow he deserves?”

“No, Celestial Wisdom. The AFFC is strong enough to hold us off, but not strong enough to invade us. We would be bogged down in a conflict that would soon come to resemble the 3rd Succession War. But, I think these recent troop movements give us an opportunity, as you said. But I think it will depend on whether or not we can enlist the aid of the Captain General.”

Sun-Tsu nodded. “You are correct. We must find a way to ensure that he has no choice but to participate. Were we to strike, Major, where would you do so?”

“It would depend upon the goal of the offensive, Celestial Wisdom, but I think it would be best to keep our own objectives limited, and doable. Overreach could be our destruction.” Shang said flatly.

“I concur, Major. This is why I want you when I speak with my Senior Colonels. Some, like Zahn and Rush, are wise men, skilled in the ways of war. Some, well, it is best to say that their zeal to serve the Capellan state outweighs their good sense.”

********************************

Sun-Tsu Liao was unlike most of the Chancellors in our then-recent history. He was mercurial, to be sure, but he was wise, and sane, unlike his mother, and grandfather before him. The policy reforms in Capellan life that he has instituted since the war are sure to make him revered in the same breath as IIse Liao. It is not a comparison I make lightly. He has been a fresh air for the Capellan people. The fact that OPERATION EAST SEA almost worked was a testament to his cunning, patience, and intelligence. As it was, we taught the Davion to fear us again. It was a heady feeling, to get our respect back.

I wish I could say the same for our allies…or even for some of the Chancellor’s closest advisers.


“My Years with the Chancellor”, Alexa Shang, Colonel, CCAF (Ret), Loyalty Press, Sian, 3075
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: PeacMaker03 on 10 November 2015, 17:38:53
Like the story, good job.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: gladius on 10 November 2015, 19:49:39
Interesting: a Sun Tzu who manages to be effective without plot fiat (and the bizarre desire of BT authors to reverse any good that came out of the Steiner-Davion years, and thus return to status quo). Intelligent and competent ... a bit of a step up from his performance on Outreach, but not as much as in canon, when he went from 'spoiled child' to 'Machiavelian-Cesar with a hint of schizophrenia'.

Nice. Keep it up. :)
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: snakespinner on 11 November 2015, 02:06:53
Very noticeable that Sun Tzu is intelligent, competent and efficient in your story.
Big difference to canon. Looking forward to what else you have planned. O0
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 23 November 2015, 15:28:39
Taken from "Falcon and Viper meet the Anvil: An Anatomy of the ’56 War” (Victory Press, Robinson, 3081) by Prof. Richard Kingman (Kommandant, AFFC Ret.)

“..Contrary to popular belief at the time, Hanse Davion did understand his enemy far better than anyone had given him credit. Many who knew him knew two things about him. One, that he was a man who studied his enemies thoroughly, and the Clans were no exception, and two, he was a man who knew how to take a calculated risk and push it to the limit.
 
But what made the Clans so vulnerable, was something they had done to themselves, they had become hidebound in the name of ideological purity. Even the “Warden” political faction was to a measure, hidebound in its military doctrine and as such, was unable to cope with what the AFFC had brought to  bear, especially as the AFFC invested a lot of money and time over the intervening two years to train multiple RCTs along the Clan front in a variety of firepower intensive doctrines, especially those utilizing artillery on a scale not seen before in the Inner Sphere.
 
There was an expansion in the number of gun tubes in the average RCT, with those along the frontier being converted to a artillery brigade of two gun regiments each, along with a battalion of Arrow IV equipped ‘Mechs. More of these Brigades were created as independent units designed to support collections of Free Regiments, as well as mercenary units. These Artillery Brigades worked hand in hand with the scouting elements of the RCT, be it LRRPs, Light ‘Mechs, or reconnisance vehicle elements. In short, the light elements, along with an increased use of RPVs were there to find targets, for these new concentrations of guns.
 
Moreover, a new family of semi-automatic mortars were installed the battalion level in platoon strength (4 tubes) in Armored and Mechanized Infantry units, There was some talk of installing them in ‘Mech units as well, but it was felt the mortars could neither a) keep up with the ‘Mechs in the unit, and b) the maintenance and logistical concerns of having vehicles and ‘Mechs in the same battalion, however, it was decided to have a battery of the weapons installed at the Regimental Level in all arms, and ‘Mech unit commanders began to value having the “hip pocket artillery”, especially for the way it could speedily lay down the new thermal smoke rounds that were promised to even interfere with the vaunted Clan-tech thermal imaging systems.
 
New doctrinal changes came about, where AFFC commanders were encouraged to use recon assets aggressively to find enemy unit boundaries, or weakly held parts of the enemy line in any kind of terrain. The idea was to smash these parts of the Clan line with sheer numbers, and then encircle the Clan units, and forcing them to fight an attritional battle of annihilation. AFFC units were told to expect fierce Clan counterattacks at every level, as it was expected that the Falcons and Vipers, once they realized they had been sucked into just such a fight, would seek to either a) break out to resume the kind of long range mobile battle that suited them, or b) would throw themselves at the obviously numerically superior FC forces in an “death ride” to achieve as honorable a death as possible. Furthermore, AFFC units were trained to use night, and close terrain to their advantage, so as to seek a close-range assault that would negate the Clan range advantage.

Taking and holding the initiative was paramount, and the AFFC pounded the idea into their commanders, one that had been stressed in the AFFC for a long time- “Get the initiative and never let go of it.” Airmobile tactics were stressed as well, as it was thought that due to the low speed of Elementals, putting infantry units with heavy weapons into the Clan rear in battalion strength was a means to disrupt the ability of the Clans to form a coherent defense. (This last idea, as we will see, was more miss than hit during the ’56 War, and it needed massive refinement, but it did become a coherent part of AFFC tactical and operational doctrine that survives today).”

From “Deception Operations in the Capellan and Sarna Marches during the Buildup to Clover Spear” – written by Hauptmann-General Arnold Haugen, for the Military Intelligence Review, Fall ’71 issue, Published by the AFFC Department of Information, New Avalon)


“..I was a young Kommandant when we briefed the plan to move a number of RCTs and Free Regiments from the Capellan and Sarna ‘Marches in early ’54. Memory doesn’t serve the exact time and date, but I know it was still winter on Monhegan where the meeting took place. We knew the deception would not last forever, especially with the Maskirovka keeping pretty close tabs along the border, but we had to get those troops to the Clan front.
Simply put, we were going to take a page from RAT, and make the deployments sound like routine rotations to the Clan front. MIIO and DMI had put together some really great deception packages for the media, and we banned the press from covering most of the troop movements, but not all. We knew things would get especially dicey when the dependents for most of the units were asking why they had not rotated to the Lyran Commonwealth along with their families, telling them the Clan front was no place for families was one way we got around that, but again, it only worked until mid-’55. We had our hands full making it look like less units had left than actually had.

We had small radio-technical units ranging the border with the Capellans and Mariks imitating the units that, had in fact, departed. We found out later, we did fool SAFE, but not the Maskriovka, at least, not forever. We don’t know how the leak happened, but by late 3054, sources inside MIIO had stated that the Capellans knew we had moved at least part of the forces slated for Clover Spear into the Lyran State Command. We could only pray the Dragoons could keep up their end of the deception, making the Capellans think that three of their regiments were still on Outreach, instead of all of them heading for the border of the Jade Falcon OZ.

Naturally, when the Capellans found out the truth? All hell broke loose.”

The Private Memoirs of Shao Lao-Tse, Senior Colonel, CCAF (Ret)

“..EAST SEA was to be fair to the Chancellor, a tricky endeavor from the start. The Davion presence along the border had always been strong, and even with the Clans, they had covered our lost territories very well indeed. Thus, East Sea has remained firmly a contingency plan, with the barest of effort put into it, not to mention, we at the Ministry of Defense realized. The CCAF hadn’t launched a sustained offensive against anyone since 2412. To say there was no institutional memory on how to do such a thing..was…an understatement.”

“Most of our offensive plans at the time consisted of us going into the rebel province [the then official Capellan name of the St. Ives Compact] in case their government collapsed, or the AFFC pulled out, but neither was seen as very likely, we had several variants of plans for that, all under the name of LONG MARCH. So, it was rather shocking when I was at the weekly meeting with the sovereign during the usual weekly state of the CCAF briefing, that the Chancellor asked the now, well known question:

“Ruhe Zhumbei Shi Wo De Mao?” – How ready are my spears?

We were all struck dumb. Even with Marik help, we didn’t think we had a ghost of a chance to pull anything like EAST SEA off. But then, those sorcerers at the Military Intelligence section had gotten to the Chancellor..we all thought they had talked him into an ill-advised war…and there were some, I am sure, who were worried we had another Maximillian on our hands..but then, that Shang woman of his. I never liked her..she was too ambitious for her own good.  But she had good information this time…it seems Wolf’s Dragoons had left Outreach.
I never forgot the terrible smile of that Shang woman, it didn’t last. Not after Sarna.”

“Blood of a Partisan- The Story of a Partisan against the Clans” (Franks, John, Albermale Press, Koniz, 3077)


"..I will never forget when the first Rabid Foxes showed up on Blackjack. We had had a lonely war, and it was getting harder to bring people over to our side. We’d had a couple of raids go bad, and that traitor: That so-called “Star Colonel” Mark..he was making weekly statements on the Planetary medianet, telling us to accept the “New Tomorrow”, like he had. Bastard.

We did our best to kill him…twice, and missed both times. We did get his sister. Hey, it sent a message, right?

The trouble was, the ones the Falcons sent was worse. They wiped out a small mining town in the mountains by the name of Happy Days..killed everyone, even the kids. They called it “the price of resisting our betters.” You can imagine what we thought of that. Two weeks later, we put a LAW rocket into one of the “Falcon Freindship Centers” in downtown Lott’s Revenge, and killed half a dozen of the tanker bastards…especially when we paid the fire department a visit, and told them in no uncertain terms…not to show up.

But that didn’t deter the Falcons, no, they murdered one hundred hostages..and did it in full view of the cameras. We felt low by then. There was maybe a half dozen of us left, we had little food, little ammunition, and no real hope. The last time we had seen the FedCom was when a ‘Merc outfit had tried to raid one of the outlying Falcon detachments…and walked into an ambush. Many of us were ready to fade back into the woodwork, and make the best of it..when fate intervened.

We had heard a dropship pass over our camp, low, from east to west, and were wondering what it was all about. We were worried that the Falcons had found us, and were hot dropping Toads on us to finish us off, but when we looked up, we saw tiny black parachutes against the inky twilight sky. We realized one thing, Toads didn’t use parachutes.

The old man quickly established a marching order, and we briefed a quick hasty ambush at a site we knew well, one we had ambushed some of the collabo (collaborationist) militia a couple times before, before the Falcons disbanded them due to their (I think in some cases, deliberate) incompetence.

We set out for the ambush site at a near run. We had learned to move quietly, like holes in the oncoming night, One thing the Falcons did admit about us, and it spooked the hell out of them..We were not usually seen unless we wanted to be seen. And that night, we definitely were not seen.

It took us about half an hour for us to reach the ambush site, and for us to set up, I remember quietly chambering a round into my cone rifle, and praying the click of the selector lever being moved to FIRE didn’t give me away. As it was, we needn’t have bothered.

I will say one thing about the Rabid Foxes, they are some really sneaky bastards. Before I knew it, I had been tased, disarmed, and trussed up like many a deer I had taken from these hills.  And what were these Davions doing…Grinning. That’s right..not even a peep of laughter. Not a speck of light..We could tell their grins. They were the whitest thing around.

They dragged the Old Man into a nearby tent, and they had him for a while. He told us later that they knew everything about him, and had grilled him hard to make sure he was whom he said he was. Meanwhile, they kept us tied up for what seemed like an hour.

They were wiry men and women, you could tell that even under all the gear and uniform. Their eyes, though, the eyes were like sharks. Everything they looked at was a look of “How do I destroy this?” Once they were satisfied we were who we said we were, they untied us, but kept us disarmed. They sent out a man who spoke pretty flawless Steiner German. I will never forget what he said:

“Ladies and Gentlemen, playtime is over, It is time for Falcon and Viper season.”

I will be damned if before long, we all weren’t aping their grins. Their quiet confidence was pretty infectious, and they were right..the next year was very, very interesting indeed.”
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: gladius on 23 November 2015, 18:01:05
Nice ... and did I detect a use of the word 'Tanker'? :)
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: mikecj on 23 November 2015, 23:33:24
Better than Rabbit or Duck season...
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: David CGB on 24 November 2015, 04:17:27
Better than Rabbit or Duck season...
Or bear season.....
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: gladius on 24 November 2015, 07:28:57
Or bear season.....
You may be a tad biased there, my friend ...
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Cidwm on 24 November 2015, 21:56:46
Nice update.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: snakespinner on 25 November 2015, 00:12:07
Falcon and Viper season, I wonder what's next on the menu. O0
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 01 December 2015, 17:03:14
January 1st, 3055
Royal Palace
The Triad
Tharkad
Federated Commonwealth

  Victor Ian Steiner-Davion looked out at a festive Tharkad, which was choosing all sorts of ways to ring in the New Year.  Mother Nature was cooperative in bringing in an exceptionally mild bit of weather that had allowed a multitude of outdoor revelries. Some of them I am sure are going to keep the local constabulary busy, but what the hell, it is New Year’s.

 Tharkad’s City's extensive skyline lit up in a riot of color as the annual fireworks display began, precisely at 0002 hours. The odd starting time was tradition, when the first colonists on Tharkad celebrated New Year’s, the display had begun two minutes late for reasons that were lost to history. Theories abounded. Victor himself liked the theory that they had just started late because they wanted to be different. Why not, they wanted a new start, and new traditions are a way to break from the old? So, is that what the Clans really amount to?

That particular thought had Victor shaking his head. He drew his issue AFFC greatcoat closer as he stood out on the Grand Balcony, the main square was empty, as the Royal Family, also by tradition, after the sitting Archon made the traditional speech, sent their younger members of the Royal Family out into the city incognito to join the revelers. It was a tradition that gave the various heads of security responsible for the Archon and their family headaches. Not to mention occasionally leading to some embarrassing social faux pas that arrived around oh, say September of the New Year.

Victor smiled at that last thought, while he had been no lothario at the ‘Ring, he had his share of liaisons with in some cases, overly willing young ladies. It had gotten so bad, he had found himself engaging in a bit of “noble fiction” and pretending to be a commoner who had gotten admittance to the ‘Ring on scholarship. It had improved the quality of the female company markedly. 

Victor shook his head at the last thought. Mom and Dad really, really want me to get married. But how in the hell do you tell them you, like Romeo, have fallen for a girl who just happens to be the daughter of an ancient enemy? I wonder if they happen to know. Who am I kidding? Of course they know. If nothing, the Intelligence Secretariat or my sister has mentioned it to them.
 
Victor shook his head again, the two sifters of Glengarry ’12 he’d had with the officers of the Royal Guard during the ball that had just departed was getting to his head. I never held my booze well. Thank god I wasn’t much of a drinker during my cadet days…

The real reason Victor was here was twofold. He had arrived in the Lyran half of the Commonwealth to begin what was publically billed as a “goodwill tour” through the Tamar March, to show the people of that part of the Commonwealth. The trip, was of course, cover for an inspection tour of the units in place defending the border, as well as the units moving into place…not all of whom had been announced…and some of who were pretending to be units they really weren’t. Galen was with him, and keeping up a lively correspondence with Katherine. Those two are headed somewhere serious. Good for them in my opinion. Galen would make a great brother in law. But, as it was, he was also here to conduct a series of wargames beginning in January using the Nagelring’s powerful simulators to test Clover Spear’s viability.

Dad once said Operation RAT bet the future of the Federated Suns on a “Pair of Fours”. Victor wasn’t so sure of that, but he had to admit, the plan was audacious, to say the least. Victor’s big worry was that the Clans, as abysmal of an intelligence gathering system as they had, would somehow get wind of what was about to happen. We’ve taken every damned precaution, but as someone once said, “it cannot be helped when an angel pees in the touchhole.”

His other worry was the Capellans and Mariks. Even SAFE, who by Clan standards, was dangerously competent as an intelligence agency, was not going to miss the movements of troops through the Sarna March. What he really hoped is the Capellans did not get wind that all of the Dragoon regiments had left Outreach. That happens, we’re sunk. Projections are we will lose a good 1/5th of the Sarna March, and maybe of the Capellan March before we can stop the bastards. I can’t even imagine what the damn Mariks will achieve.

It was then that Victor heard the crunch of gravel underneath feet. With memories of Free Skye assassins having once penetrated the palace, not to mention Nekekami during the ’39 war, Victor spun on his heel, a hand thrust into the pocket of his great coat, clutching the 10mm Mauser & Gray holdout pistol. Six rounds isn’t much, but it will do till help arrives.

As Victor turned, the dark shape resolved itself into a face he was well-familiar with. It was the face of the first woman he had ever met; his Mother, Archon-Princess Melissa Steiner-Davion.

She wore her 49 years well, her posture not stooped by age as she glided over to the banister where Victor stood. Her hair was mostly blond, but had some whisps of gray, that Melissa refused to dye, no matter what the court beauticians begged her to do. He face was still soft, but with pronounced crow’s feet around the eyes, and the Tharkad Fox fur jacket, framed with a pair of jeans and high leather black boots made for a stylish picture that would give even Natasha Kerensky a run for her money. At least in the fashion department, Mom still hasn’t done better than fair-to-middling with Grandma’s old Warhammer.

Victor smiled and embraced his mother in a hug, then released her as he went back to his place by the bannister.

“Victor, dear, why in the hell are you standing out here like a hermit and not taking Yvonne out on the town? She has been pestering me where he big brother is. I don’t want to tell her he is being an ass and woolgathering out on the Great Balcony.”

“Mom…this plan of Dad’s, how sure of it are we?”

“So that’s what is bothering you? I thought it was you being alone on New Year’s and your heart being on Luthien in the possession of a certain young Kurita royal.”

Victor shrugged. “There is that too, but it’s been 4 years, Mom. I can’t keep pining away like this, especially since I haven’t gotten any word from her at all since Teniente.”

Melissa smiled a knowing smile. “Well then, Victor, today is your lucky day.” She produced a sealed envelope, with Victor’s name in both Kanji and English. “This arrived by diplomatic pouch from Luthien. The veriagraph has been confirmed..it’s from her. And no, other than that, nobody read it. I told them if anyone did, I’d post them to Great X or CMO 26.”

Victor chuckled. “Late Christmas, eh?” as he deftly took the letter from his mother, and pocketed it. I’ll read it later, hope it’s not ‘Victor, I am being forced for reasons of state to marry another..” I will get in my ‘Mech and lead the 10th Lyran Guards to Luthien to bust up the wedding! No..no you won’t. You’ll meekly send flowers and cry in your beer for a few hours, and wish her all happiness

Melissa then exhaled, “Victor, this plan of his. I know your father, when he was planning for the 4th War or 3039, he was in his element. One of the reasons I love your father is a simple one: He has moral courage in spades, and a work ethic to match. He is also very, very brave. He is a soldier, and a reluctant statesman. But a soldier first and foremost. His work is the destruction of the enemies of the realm. And right now, your father is painting his masterpiece. I know it will work, Victor.”

I know as well, Mom, but I am already First Prince, and will be Archon-Prince soon. Hopefully, not too soon, but soon. I will not preside over the death of the Commonwealth…Thus, we really have no choice, Clover Spear has to work. But the margin for error is damn thinner than I would like it to be.

“Mom, ok, I trust you, look, just nerves really, whatever happens, this is going to be Dad’s last time in the saddle.” Victor exhaled

Melissa nodded “Victor, I read the plan, I know your father, I know the people we have in place to run this thing. It will work. Maybe not the way we intend, things will go wrong. They always do in war. This will be no exception. We will be ready. There is something else you must know, come 3056, there will be a new Archon. I am abdicating, like your father. I am tired, Victor, and frankly. I want to spend time with your father. Whatever time he has left. Our marriage wasn’t just a political one.”

Victor’s mouth dropped open in shock “Mom, I thought this, well, could happen, but, really, this soon? At least stay on until after Clover Spear?”

Melissa nodded. “I intend to, but I will not be Archon as of New Year’s 3057, Victor. It’s time, your father may only have a decade at most, left. And I am jealous of that time, Victor. I love him, and we have both given ourselves to our nations. I think we have earned some time for ourselves.”

Victor nodded slowly “I cannot fault your logic. Wow, I didn’t expect this, this soon.”

Melissa put her hand on Victor’s shoulder “Son, I know you can do it. So does your father, and your brothers and sisters. You will do fine.”

Victor nodded. “Hmm, enough woolgathering, look, I am going to take a few minutes to change into a suitable disguise and take Yvonne out for a night she will not soon forget. She’s 16 now, so there’s all kinds of tr-I mean fun we can have.”

Melissa smiled, then her face grew serious “Victor, my son, under pain of death, do not take her to Sharkey’s! She may be 16, but there are too many handsy ‘Ring cadets there right now.”

Sharkey’s was notorious or famous, depending on your point of view. It had been founded right outside the gates of the Nagelring in 2610, the bar was THE ‘Mechwarrior bar on Tharkad and very popular with a lot of the rowdier ‘Ring cadets. Basically, if you were any kind of Mechwarrior, Sharkey’s was the place to go drink and blow off steam, including getting into fights…like that little time in 3047…thank god Renny got me out of there in one piece. But yeah, Mom has a point, Yvonne isn’t going to be a ‘Mechwarrior, and I won’t be taking her to that place.

Victor nodded vociferously, “Don’t worry Mom, I was thinking some of the student bars by Tharkad U, like Freidmann’s or The Drunken Historian.

Melissa smiled “The Drunken Historian is still there? My god, I used to sneak out to that place..your grandmother was less than pleased when she found out..I was 14, I stole my first kiss there if I recall, cute Microbiology undergrad if I recall?”

“Mom, don’t want to know that, ok?” Victor cringed.

Melissa Steiner-Davion chucked, and her laughter pealed like church bells.

Maybe 3055 will be a good year after all? Victor wondered
_______________________________________________________________
Dear Victor-San,
  Father has allowed me to write you, so long as it not done though the HPG. I do not think he wants the Black Dragon Society to get wind of the fact we are corresponding. I would say my Father is beginning to “mellow” as you would put it in his old age. It does not matter, however, as I more want to write about us.

  First, since Outreach, there has been no other, nor will there be. I am yours, Victor-sama. Yours alone. My father will simply have to accept that, though, for now, I have not chosen to tell him. He is concerned with other things, like the ever-present threat of the Clans.

  As you know, Grandfather passed on last year, the circumstances are a bit personal, and the enmity between your father and he was legendary, but it is my hope that that enmity died with him.
 
  My brother asks that I pass on his salutations and greetings in this message. He has come to see you as someone who he would trust with his life, and I did ask him hypothetically how he would feel about you. His response was “You could do a lot worse, Omi-chan.”
 
  Sadly, I know this will not be possible. Our giri to our nations trumps our feelings. But I cannot deny my feelings, and we are both smart people, with many who wish us well. Perhaps a way can be found if we do what is expected of us for now, and remain in contact.

  That said, as you know, I receive briefings from the O5P, and I must warn you. Victor, there is reason to believe that the Capellans know about your troop movements. I do not know to what extent they know, but they know. Father was torn on whether or not to warn you, but after your own father’s example during Luthien, he could not fail to warn you. Please share this letter with your parents. Inform them that we will try to get more information to them, but this is all we know for now.

   There is another matter. Father is making contingency plans in case Luthien were to fall to a subsequent Clan assault. While most of the family is prepared to fight and die on Luthien to the last. Father has made arrangements for some of us to flee to various other places within the realm, but he wishes to ask your father if he would be willing to make a place for me if it becomes necessary to flee the Combine. I am willing to accept whatever conditions your father seeks to impose, and I do hope it does not become necessary.

   I must go, for now, as giri demands I attend to another matter, but know this, Victor-sama, your heart does not beat alone, or unnoticed.

Your Love,
 Omi
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: mikecj on 01 December 2015, 17:31:14
Wow- great chapter
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: drakensis on 01 December 2015, 18:10:41
Ah Omi. Cramming a lot of weight into just one little letter...
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: gladius on 01 December 2015, 19:01:33
Beautiful.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Chris OFarrell on 01 December 2015, 20:37:50
Annnnd with that, Victor walks right back into the triad and swipes the bottle of Scotch right from the bar, telling his bodyguards to hold his calls.
Perhaps this will look a little less crazy when he's drunk :p
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 01 December 2015, 21:03:16
Yeah,  Chris O'Farrell, just when our heroes thought they had it all, the corner office, peace in our time, the longer lasting light bulb....Omi drops a couple of "minor" headaches in their lap..trouble is, the Fed Com is right now the victim of the "tyranny of the timetables."
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: snakespinner on 02 December 2015, 02:02:10
Omi really knows how to send a letter that counts. O0
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Sir Chaos on 03 December 2015, 04:59:32
One little quiblle: Melissa Steiner would be 44, not 49, on New Year´s Day 3055. She was born in 3010.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: GrimNefari on 03 December 2015, 07:00:30
Looking forward to seeing where the story goes and how it gets there.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 07 December 2015, 16:14:19
February 6th, 3055
Clan Jade Falcon Watch Office
Hamarr
Sudeten
Jade Falcon Occupation Zone

Star Captain Horatio gripped his stylus tightly in frustration as he read yet another report put together by a stravag technician who had been hastily trained in the art of intelligence analysis by a mixture of unwilling Federated Commonwealth bondsmen and available manuals. Neither had done much, in Horatio’s opinion, to make their reports anything approaching coherent.
 
Or even worth reading, it was all jumping at shadows, maybes, could be, possibly, how does anyone make a decision based on this information? Freebirth! Horatio’s mind raged.
 
The trouble was that the information gathering flow was, as one bondsman put it, “like trying to drink water from a firehose.” Horatio winced at such a wasteful concept, but it was an apt analogy, he had to concede. Our ability to collect all kinds of signals intelligence is incredible, and a testament to the watchfulness of the Clan. But, our ability to analyze the information…as well as to make use of it, is doubtful. 

The Jade Falcon Watch was like most Clan intelligence agencies, their human intelligence skills were abysmal, but their SIGINT collection was very, very good. But none of it mattered if the ability to analyze the information was as bad as it was, and the fact was, the Watch simply did not have the tools, nor the skills to build a competent intelligence picture for the Clan Council, let along the Khan and saKhan. 
 
Take the current tasking, Horatio had been charged by the Khan himself to find out what had spurred the current uptick in guerilla activities throughout the Occupation Zone, and why now, even the most trustworthy of bondsmen had been found in sympathy with the guerillas

One egregious example was a Inner Sphere bondsman acting as a technician placing a bomb right in the ejection seat of a trinary commander in the 124th Striker Cluster on Malibu…the explosion, while small, was enough to blow the aforementioned Star Captain  to small pieces.)

The Clan only found out the bondsman had done it after walking into the technician quarters, and killing his Clan-born factor with his bare hands, then hanging himself. Chemical interrogation of his friends and comrades had yielded little, if any useful information. Few subjects had survived the sessions and Horatio suspected that the Elemental who headed up the counter-intelligence section of the Clan Watch was little more than a sadist.

The usual Clan Jade Falcon means of defeating an insurgency was to conduct a number of indoctrination sweeps with ‘Mechs and Elementals and grab hostages to be held against the good behavior of the planet in question, but it appeared just about every world in the Occupation Zone had some sort of guerilla activity. It was forcing the clan to scatter units across the Occupation Zone in an effort to keep the guerilla problem under control. And it was not working.
 
Horatio read the dry account of the latest freebirth bandit act, several unidentified individuals in a non-descript black (some witnesses said green) ground car had performed a “drive by” with what appeared to be a belt-fed machine gun fired from the rear of said moving car. They had driven quickly by the outdoor seating area of a restaurant where a Star Commander of the 2nd Falcon Jagers was celebrating his selection for the upcoming Bloodname contest in the Malthus bloodhouse. The machinegun had, according to the report, cut down and killed three members of the Star, as well as 8 other local citizens whom had seen the wisdom of cooperating with the Clan. 18 more, including the aforementioned Star Commander, had been wounded. The car had disappeared, found two hours later having been set aflame with a nearby wall spraypainted “Sic Semper Tyrannus –Thus Ever to Tyrants”.
 
It seemed every act of punishment by the Clan’s warriors had done little more than enrage the locals and encourage more resistance. And now, now it was worse than ever. There had been assassination attempts on at least two Star Colonels on Sudeten, one was an aide to the Khan himself.

What made it all a lot more ominous was the movement of FedCom troops all across the ersatz Star League creation known as the Federated Commonwealth.  It seemed that the FedCom has been busy moving troops around, to the border of the occupation zone, as well as other conflicting reports of other troop movements along the Combine, Capellan, and Marik borders. All of it was simply a massive tidal wave of information that did little but overtax Horatio’s staff of ill-trained analysts and barely loyal bondsmen whom he did not trust
 
Stravag, the pain.  His head was pounding again. It was a souvenir of Tukkayid, when his Summoner had had a massive freak ammunition explosion that produced a tidal wave of neurofeedback. According to one of the doctors back in the Cluster aid station, he had been lucky to live through it, but the damage was such that he would never pilot a ‘Mech again and he was soon forced out in a Trial of Position…reduced to an ordinary Warrior, who would soon be relegated to solahma status. Horatio downed a couple of pain pills, and then held the desk like a life preserver. The room has not begun moving yet, thank the Founder.
 
But Kael Pershaw needed someone who could “think outside the box”, and of all the likely candidates, Horatio seemed to fit the bill the best. After an unagumented Trial of Position for the job, it was his…and here he had stayed for the last three years. Barely considered a warrior, let alone an officer of the Clan, there had been whispers of Horatio being little more than the Loremaster’s pet, and were Pershaw not around, it would not be long before someone used the cover of a trial to remove a “stain on the Clan’s honor”.
 
As the throbbing began to slowly subside, it was still muddy inside Horatio’s mind, he could barely think through the implications of the fact that the AFFC had formed 8 new regiments in the last 2 years. Or, at least that is what it seemed like. The pain was rather bad this time..perhaps it was time to call an early end to the work day.
 
Horatio levered himself upward gingerly, the protuberances of his uniform catching on the battered old desk in the small office, which had been converted from a broom closet in the old City Hall. The Watch had not even been granted offices in the Clan Headquarters, as the Clan Council wanted the stench of “Inner Sphere methods” far from the center of Clan Jade Falcon.

As he made his way to his quarters, little more than ten steps away and through a small door, he thought about when he would get an honorable release from the purgatory he now found himself in. The medication was now taking an effect, slowly luring him into the soporific paradise of sleep on his Clan issue cot, dreams of past glories dancing through his head.

Within minutes, he was dead to the world, and the door slowly opened, a bondsman by the name of Abagail made her way into the Star Captain’s office, she wore a dark green jumpsuit, with no adornment as bondsmen were not allowed to wear the sigil of the clan. Her stringy blond hair framed her hollow, sunken hazel eyes that were devoid of any real life. Abagail tidied up and swept a little, being sure to keep the noise down, her failure to do so had once earned her a savage beating from the Star Captain. She always kept her eyes down, and never looked up, in short, she was the perfect bondsman, unnoticed, like part of the furniture, only to be noticed when a task was to be done.

But Star Captain Horatio was a poor spymaster, and in the Inner Sphere, would never have been given the job of head of the analysis section for such an organization. It was his mixture of distaste for his job, shame over his current predicament, and contempt for his bondsmen that made what happened next possible.

Star Captain Horatio had left his passcode for his desk terminal written down on a piece of Clan Watch stationary on his desk for all to see. Before long, it was in Abagail’s pocket as she wiped down the desk. She also managed to photograph the monthly SOI pad, as well as three reports from the Watch analysts on how they were tracking the FC buildup along the border, as well as dealing with the increasingly effective insurgency throughout the Occupation Zone.

Leftenant Abagail Hearns, LIC smiled. God, the Clanners make this so damned easy. The elementals at the door don’t even search me, except for weapons or explosives, and this idiot of a Star Captain is too busy being drugged out of his mind. I could lead a dozen Loki into this place and kill everyone here and be gone before the dumb bastards knew we were here..with just about every scrap of intelligence in the building. They don’t even have a burn bag for god’s sake.

Hearns had been inserted two years ago to replace a previous agent-in-place who had died when he had inadvertently blown his cover. Sadly, while their ability to gather, analyze, and compile intelligence for decision makers was decidedly suspect, as well as their ability to secure such data from other intelligence agencies, there was nothing wrong with Clan interrogation methods. The Clan systems of torture and mechanical interrogation worked all too well, as her predecessor had found out. LIC lost 4 good people when Haputmann Frederich was made to talk. Hearns intended to not get sloppy.
 
Hearns quickly packed up her cleaning supplies, and returned them to the labor caste storage area that had formerly been an old office, the local Factor, a preening-Clan born individual by the name of Rudnik, with greasy hands and wild hair, was only too happy to lord over the 4 bondsmen that had been assigned to him from the general populace. Abagail’s cover was that of a former infantryman from the Sudeten Militia, now POW with no technical skills, and thus, relegated to the laborer caste. It suited Hearns just fine.

It was at that moment Rudnik looked on in her direction. “Abagail, a moment?”

Abagail froze. Could Rudnik have seen her toss Horatio’s office? She hoped not, but so far, he had proven rather oblivious to a lot of things.  He simply seemed interested in getting into Abagail’s jumpsuit, his hot, rancid breath having made sure Abagail remembered if she did give in to his “charms”, that it would simply be for the job, and little else. Not that I think I ever would. Best to lead him around by his little Clanner beak….

“Abagail, you have not been efficient in your cleaning tasks. You linger too long in the Star Captain’s office, and I cannot have that. Your lack of efficiency has been noticed and if it continues, I will refer you to the Star Captain for discipline-“ Rudnk stepped forward, invading Hearn’s personal space. –“-unless you are willing to provide me with a personal bit of surkai?”

Ugh, the good thing about Clan criminal justice, is that, were an unfortunate accident to befall him, the tankers would not care very much. Abagail’s mind fumed. She tensed her fists, preparing to fight him if she had to, she already have a cover story prepared, where she would say he attempted to force her to couple and she fought him off. The warriors would have a good laugh, and then beat him for losing to a bondsman.

But I do not want it to get to that point…”What did you have in mind, Rudnik?” Hearns said coyly, making sure to keep the tone inviting, but tired, letting him know she might not be up to giving him a good time in any case.

“Use your imagination, bondsman. You are property of the Clan, and as a member of the Clan, I do as I like!” He then grabbed a fistful of her jumpsuit and kissed her forcefully, his technique was sloppy, and stomach churning. Hearns wasn’t in the mood for this. Time to dissuade him.

Hearns stamped down hard on his left foot with her heavy workboots, catching him in the instep. His boots, unlike hers, were steel-toed, but were cheaply made, and did not have the instep protection most warrior issue boots did. Hearns was rewarded with a shriek, as a small bone in his foot snapped like a tree branch. Rudnik collapsed and Hearns grabbed one fist into another, reared back with her right elbow, and drove it with all of her force into Rudnik’s right eye socket. Rudnik went down screaming, and grabbed his bruised eye. Hearns then followed up with a vicious kick to the back of the head, but as she was prepared to deliver a finishing blow, she was picked effortlessly off the battered wooden floor by an unseen force, her feet being 10 centimeters off the ground by the time it was all said and done.

Hearns turned her head to see whom had lifted her off the floor, it was one of the security Elementals, a woman by the name of Azrel. She was a decent sort for a Clanner, having a kind face for a muscular woman who was almost three meters in height. She had warned Hearns her first day about Rudnik, and his proclivities.

“Ahem-“ Azrel cleared her throat for emphasis “What do I have here? A Bondsman giving a laborer factor, her superior a beating. Some would consider this a punishable offense, Bondsman? What is your story?”

“Warrior Azrel, I seek surkai for having beaten the factor, but he attempted to couple with me without my consent. Perhaps this does not have weight in Clan society, but in the Inner Sphere, it is a grave crime.” Hearns said, with just the right amount of supplication in her voice.

Azrel turned to Rudnik, “is this true, Rudnik. Do not attempt to lie. You know I can and will have you interrogated to discern the truth. Bondsmen have been taken in honorable battle. You cannot even make that claim.”

Rudnik moaned “She is correct, Warrior Azrel, I did as she described. I beg for surkai.”

Azrel smled cruelly at Rudnik, and gingerly released Hearns. “And surkai you will perform. And I will speak with the senior Labor caste factor. I will have you sent back to the homeworlds in disgrace afterwards.”

Rudnik simply moaned in acceptance of his fate.

Azrel turned to Hearns. “Some advice, the Clan can well survive the loss of this factor. If he accosts you again, kill him. I will speak to the Star Captain when he awakens about cutting the prowess strand of your bondcord. You have impressed me today.”

Azrel then turned and lumbered from the room.

Hearns leaned over and whispered into Rudnik’s ear. “I own you now, Rudnik. Cross me again, and you die, get it? Fail to do as I tell you, and I will kill you, and no one will stop me.”

Rudnik sat up slowly, his eye purple and black with rapidly forming bruises, and unable to open as it swelled shut. “What do you require?” he said through gritted teeth.

“I will be in touch Rudnik, I will be in touch.”
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: gladius on 07 December 2015, 20:16:52
Ah, the wonders of undertaking a battle of wits against an unarmed opponent ... Clan Jade Falcon 'intelligence service'.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: mikecj on 07 December 2015, 23:34:36
And how much more damage can she do without the cord...
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Chris OFarrell on 08 December 2015, 06:55:07
Frankly I'm stunned that the Falcons have picked up on the fact that the AFFC is making huge troop movements all over the place, thats the kind of intelligence that now cut off from ComStar and with zero HUMNIT assets in play in the Federated Commonwealth, you'd think it would be hard for them to have the first clue about. Especially as the FedCom are trying to hide the news. Albeit from the Cappies, but at least trying.

Still hilarious that even with this warning The Watch are just waaaay out of their depth.

Love the resistance as well :)

Was that Drive By inspired by this mayhaps?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uY9DV1NBco

:D
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 08 December 2015, 09:38:32
Chris,
 In many ways, you are right. There was mention in one book (probably the old intelligence manual) of the Clans using jumpships to gather SIGINT by jumping into the outer edge of a target system, gathering all the information they could, then jumping out as soon as that was done, or the defenders realized they were there. Of course, in some cases, the FC could be allowing that to happen?

 I never thought that the FC was silly enough to think the Clans would not detect the movements entirely, but that it would be pretty easy to have them chasing their tails as to where the units are going. A lot of the "drinking from the firehose" Horatio was complaining about was deliberate, as the FC knows (from assets like Abagail Hearns) that the Watch is simply unable to sort the wheat from the chaff. So what's the best way to hide anything from them? In plain sight.

And yes, the drive by was inspired by the scene in the Great Escape. It was a pretty efficient ambush if you ask me, though an MG-42 is pretty loud. Those Maquis were probably deaf after the deed....
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Chaeronea on 08 December 2015, 10:15:26
And yes, the drive by was inspired by the scene in the Great Escape. It was a pretty efficient ambush if you ask me, though an MG-42 is pretty loud. Those Maquis were probably deaf after the deed....

They were still better off than the Germans....

Seriously, I can see the number of assassination attempts on Jade Falcon officers in the occupation zone going way up on orders from the FedCom intelligence services. If the attempts succeed the Clan command structure is disrupted (and the promotion of new officers is probably slowed down by the Trial of Position system), and regardless of whether they succeed or fail they give more incidents that the Jade Falcon Watch have to investigate, which spreads them even thinner.

Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Chris OFarrell on 08 December 2015, 10:27:16
Chris,
 In many ways, you are right. There was mention in one book (probably the old intelligence manual) of the Clans using jumpships to gather SIGINT by jumping into the outer edge of a target system, gathering all the information they could, then jumping out as soon as that was done, or the defenders realized they were there. Of course, in some cases, the FC could be allowing that to happen?


I think that might have been Vlad in Grave Covenant. He stated that it was Wolf clan at least procedure to jump jumpships onto the edges of a system, soaking up all the media broadcasts and then jumping out before garrison ships or fighters could intercept, with days of media for their teams to work through.

He claims that he got news about Coventry that way to cover for his dealings with The Bitch in how he moved to threaten the Falcon OZ. I don't think Khan Pryde entirely believed him, but it was a decent enough cover for his information.

Quote

 I never thought that the FC was silly enough to think the Clans would not detect the movements entirely, but that it would be pretty easy to have them chasing their tails as to where the units are going. A lot of the "drinking from the firehose" Horatio was complaining about was deliberate, as the FC knows (from assets like Abagail Hearns) that the Watch is simply unable to sort the wheat from the chaff. So what's the best way to hide anything from them? In plain sight.


Honestly, its hard to see how the Clans WOULD detect the movements if the media were cooperating and good OppSec was maintained.  Thats really the kind of stuff you need HUMNIT for that the Successor States of course have, but the Clans ....
Especially if the final jump-off points use a few pre-set deep space points to reach start lines deep inside the JFOZ to bypass the systems the Clans might actually watch...

Still, there is something to be said for just dumping huge amounts of material on the Falcons. Especially if for bonus points, if they DO assemble the picture, it all painstakingly adds up to a picture of the AFFC just rotating a lot of older units back, bringing new units forward and deploying them all in highly defensive 'concentrated weakness' style buffer zones to protect the FedCom because they are clearly terrified of the Clans, rather than looking at an offensive posture...

Now I'm totally seeing that hilarious German trick in North Africa of Tanks doing a parade in front of a cheering crowd they knew HAD to include British agents, with the same tanks rolling around the block, hastily getting a new number painted on and then rolling past again several times. Do it on worlds to turn battalions into full RCTs for the cameras when a Wolf jumpship is known to be lurking in the area even as the REAL unit is preparing to kick the door on Baker-3 or something...

Bonus points if the tanks chosen to do it are Romels :D

Quote

And yes, the drive by was inspired by the scene in the Great Escape. It was a pretty efficient ambush if you ask me, though an MG-42 is pretty loud. Those Maquis were probably deaf after the deed....

Indeed. Love the graffiti as well, perfect line to use to sum up the situation.
Although 'Death to the Scum of Strana Mechty' works well. Or to paraphrase gladius; "Death to the children of Hazen the Terrorist!".
Would be hilarious to see the looks on the Falcons faces...
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 08 December 2015, 11:00:15
Might have been, it is a good enough idea that the Falcons might have copied it..no matter how hide bound they are. Now the folks you really have to feel sorry for are the Steel Viper Watch...they are totally in the dark at this point, and the Clans being the Clans...nobody is sharing...

I am really tempted to steal some of the ideas you just posted Chris. You and gladius are welcome to play in this universe. I will be doing some more buildup scenes...I do so love building tension, and right now, the AFFC is a coiled spring, waiting to smash the hell out of the Jade Falcons.

Now Wolf Clan intelligence might have SOME idea what is going on...but they aren't going to tell the Falcons, why would they do a thing like that? Better to let them and the FC bleed, then swoop in and take what they can, if they are really lucky, they push through an absorption vote against the Green Pigeons and the Metal Handbags (my nickname for the Steel Vipers) and the Refusal War becomes a Wolf walkover...

Dibs on the graffiti ideas. I was tempted to use "Wolverines", but that would have been too cheesy!  :)
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 08 December 2015, 14:25:04
They were still better off than the Germans....

Seriously, I can see the number of assassination attempts on Jade Falcon officers in the occupation zone going way up on orders from the FedCom intelligence services. If the attempts succeed the Clan command structure is disrupted (and the promotion of new officers is probably slowed down by the Trial of Position system), and regardless of whether they succeed or fail they give more incidents that the Jade Falcon Watch have to investigate, which spreads them even thinner.

Oh, Chaeronea,
 
You don’t know the half of it.

Let’s take Malibu, it has a reputation of being a world that was well, very placid under Falcon rule. The local planetary administrator surrendered after the militia was routed within 5 minutes. In short, the world caved pretty quickly to the Falcons. It used to be a world from the old RWR, and remained loyal to the Aramis family during the RRA uprising, so the Falcons were probably pretty tough on the populace early on.

So, how do you get these folks to foment a revolt?

By early 3054, Malibu had largely settled into a cozy, if not comfortable relationship with the Jade Falcons. The world had a reputation of being an easy posting among the Falcon Tourman, and acts of resistance were rare.

In fact, the Planetary Administrator (the same one who had surrendered the planet in the first place) had been allowed to form a police force and militia (under warrior supervision). It was expected that this militia would take over much of the occupation duties, allowing the 124th to not have to deal with such “un-Clanlike matters”.

This all changed June 19th, 3054. On that date, 3 Loki and 3 MI-6 Teams were inserted onto Malibu with orders to start a resistance movement where there was none…and where none had really existed. Reports from the LIC agents in place were not promising, but each team was given an area of responsibility, and told to cause enough mayhem to encourage a Jade Falcon overreaction against the populace.

The FC SF teams started small, they ambushed small militia patrols, in some cases, making it look like trigger happy Clan warriors looking for something to kill (The fact that Jade Falcon warriors did not tend to this sort of behavior was lost once a few of these ambushes occurred). Next, the various SF units, along with a few trusted local confederates planted IEDs all over the planet. Many of them, sadly, did little but kill civilians, but even that began to get a reaction of the Jade Falcons, who, were by now, angry the militia they had created, could not find these “guerillas”.

As time went on, the attacks of the “Ghosts of the Rim Worlds” (A name that fully enraged the commander of the 124th, along with the shark graffiti, also done by MI-6 and Loki) began to kill Clan warriors at a low rate. But it was the steady drip of casualties to snipers, rockets, and IEDs that eventually forced a reaction.

On September 18, 3054, a Clan Elemental Star under the command of a Star Commander Beck had run into a particularly nasty set of IEDs south of the small fishing community of Teller’s Bay. After triggering a half-dozen of the devices, and losing 3 men and women to the infernal things, Star Commander Beck decided that since Teller’s Bay had said nothing about the IEDs, then they were in league with the guerillas. The fact that they were not mattered not to Beck.

By the time the Falcons were done, 528 men, women, and, children lay dead at the hands of the Clan, and the massacre was broadcast across the planet by the Falcons in an attempt to cow the populace.

The attempt failed. Police and militia deserted into the night with their weapons, ordinary people grabbed long-buried firearms and began to snipe (and worse) isolated Falcon patrols. One bondsman planted a bomb in the ‘Mech of his bondholder, a Star Captain. He died in the escape, screaming “Long Live the Commonwealth!” as he died. Soon, there were a dozen known resistance groups on planet, some loyal to the Commonwealth, some seeking to reinstate the Rim Worlds Republic, and one, inexplicably, hewing to an ancient idea known as “Euro-Communism”.

The SF teams soon reverted to their training and leadership roles, gently nudging their proteges against targets that would be useful in the event of an FC invasion. The attacks grew more brazen, a bombing of the drop port fuel pipeline, (where the fire department had been told not to show up), a rocket attack on a “Clan-Spheroid Friendship Center”, and a campaign against the power lines and fiber optic communications net. It all drove the commander of the 124th to utter distraction. Reprisal and counter-reprisal became commonplace.

The crowning achievement was on January 6th, 3055, when the “Ghosts of the Rim Worlds” kidnapped the Planetary Administrator (the same one who had surrendered the planet and was now a stooge of the Jade Falcons) and bundled him off world to face a trial in the Commonwealth for high treason. He was found guilty and executed in early 3056.

At that point, the commander of the 124th assumed direct control of the planet, and disbanded what was left of the militia and police. Soon, he managed to get the violence under control, but his units were scattered across the planet, chasing small bands of guerillas. The 124th was often out of contact with her subunits, as the planetary comnet was often the target of guerilla attacks, both physical, and cyber.

By the beginning of 3056, Malibu had gone from docile, to a full blown rebellion.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: DOC_Agren on 10 December 2015, 20:35:58
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qa42Xm2yuMI (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qa42Xm2yuMI)
So this was Malibu.

To bad they didn't yell Wolverines (http://stream1.gifsoup.com/view7/2471331/red-dawn-wolverines-o.gif)
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: mikecj on 10 December 2015, 22:35:41
Wow, what a battle that was.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Chaeronea on 11 December 2015, 09:07:30
Panzerfaust, that description of the resistance campaign on Malibu was pretty hardcore. I love it. And the reaction of that Elemental Star Commander at Teller's Bay seems quite in character for stressed-out trueborn warrior caste - look at Turtle Bay for another example.

One thing to think about for the spec ops cells - who cooks for the Clan warrior caste? Would they use their own labourer caste from Clan society, or would they use locals? Because if they used locals in the kitchens for the mess hall, I can imagine how easy it would be (from the lack of OPSEC that Horatio and the Watch exercised) that it would be easy as anything for a supposedly loyal local to slip ground glass or poison, or even laxatives, into the Jade Falcons' next meal...
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Dave Talley on 11 December 2015, 16:45:03
nah, just grinda little poison ivy into the  sauerkraut or stew

Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 17 December 2015, 09:57:16
“…the AFFC recovered quickly from the blows of the Clan Invasion over the 4 years between it’s end, and the beginning of Clover Spear. What was most remarkable was the ability of the Federated Commonwealth to marshal it’s industrial capacity in such a way that the economic capacity of the Commonwealth was not even close to being tapped once the War of ’56 began.

 What really surprised observers was the formation of several new ‘Mech regiments, many of these units were formed to carry on the linage of destroyed units, but some were units that had not seen a battlefield since the 2nd Succession War. Almost all of these units were posted to the Sarna and Capellan Marches to cover the departure of other units for Clover Spear.

  8 so called “free” regiments were formed, From the Lyran State Command, the 8th Arcturan Guards, the 10th and 12th Donegal Guards and the 4th Royal Guards, and from the Federated Suns State Command, the 5th, 9th, 33rd and 41st Avalon Hussars. All, with the exception of the 4th Royal (which was formed from some of the best Mechwarriors in the Commonwealth) were still fairly green when war came. That said, some of them gave a good account of themselves when the Capellans and the Mariks came.  Many of these units had bought the time the Commonwealth needed with their lives…”

“A Bloody Standard The Federated Commonwealth’s Preparations for the War of ’56" (Precentor Alex Carrigan, ComGuard (Ret), Castemate Press, Terra, New York, 3069)


March 9th, 3055
Private Offices of the Captain-General
Atreus City
Atreus, Free Worlds League

 Captain-General Thomas Marik was not a happy man. It was a cool spring night on Atreus, but not even a comfortable fire or a tumbler of Glengarry Reserve could improve his mood.  He’s my son-in-law for a few months, and already, he thinks he can call the damned shots? I should have kept going after Andurien..rid the Inner Sphere of the entire foul Liao brood. Thomas shook his head violently, expelling such thoughts. They were allies now, as much as Thomas had to control himself from spitting every time he had to say it.

  But this plan is the height of insanity. Almost 2/3 of the CCAF and a third of the FWLM, not to mention some twenty regiments of mercenaries, to be hired with Marik money no less, and “gifted” to the Capellans (Parliament would love that) was to cut the two halves of the Commonwealth off, take Sarna and Kathil, and force the Commonwealth to the peace table under favorable terms. If we get as far as Styk and Oliver, we should fall down on our knees and thank god.

 The plans, codenamed EAST SEA, were ambitious, but they had been scaled down from what the original plans had been, or at least the LCCC thought so. Thomas took another sip from his brandy, there were quite a few issues. First, logistical. It seemed the CCAF was going to depend on the League to come up with the supplies to make this work. And if I say no, what the hell might that idiot son in law of mine do then? What does my daughter see in that Capellan anyhow?

The other issue was political. First, while the Mask was a very good intelligence agency, it was not infallible. The Davions had foxed it before, and the constant reports of troop movements into the Lyran state could mean anything? Perhaps he is rotating forces, perhaps it is an exercise, perhaps, perhaps…

And then there is the not so small issue of how many provinces are going to vote with their feet on this war. Home Defense Act be damned.

 SAFE for various reasons, did not completely trust the Capellan analysis, and their view was that the Capellans had probably missed more than a few regiments along the border, or were being taken in by some Davion shell game designed to precipitate a border incident. It is an assessment I am coming to agree with.

  Thomas reached over, and tapped a key to turn on his noteputer. Thomas reached over to the keyboard, and quickly typed up the following message:

***************************

From :  C-G Marik
To: Director, SAFE

Wilson,
   I have a plan the Capellans delivered via diplomatic courier yesterday for an offensive into the FC’s Sarna March. Needless to say, I do not trust my Son-In-Law further than I can throw him, especially now that he has married my daughter. I want you to put your best people on the project of double checking the Capellan information. Davion has fooled them before.

  Furthermore, and I only want this handed to the most trustworthy people you have, I want a blackmail file begun on my dear son-in-law. I hear he has a new female adviser. Find out how close they are, and if it is exploitable. It would be nice to be able to dissolve this marriage, as I fear it will get us into a bigger mess than the nation can handle right now.

Consider both of these matters to be of the highest priority,

   Thomas

***********************

  Thomas gave the message a once over, then tapped a few keys to move the message into the classified message traffic buffer and then tapped the SEND key to send the message on it’s way.

  After I have Wilson tell me whether it is on the level or not, I will have Garabaldi and Blake take a look at this thing, and tell me if we can actually pull it off..not to mention meet with the Ministry of Finance and see if we can actually come up with the money…

  Thomas leaned back and took another sip of his whiskey. Either way, the League is going to come out of this mess a winner.

  Finally, there was a personal reason on why not: Joshua. He was still on New Avalon, and for now, was responding to treatment. Is Victor Davion any bit his father? Would he refuse my son treatment? Or worse, would he find out the truth about me?

  An unseasonable chill soon filled Thomas Marik’s bones. Disquiet pervaded the rest of his evening, as thoughts of his children and their well-being came unbidden.

March 19th, 3055
Fort Defiance
Defiance
Crucis March
Federated Commonwealth

  Colonel Hans Strucker, 54th Artillery Brigade (Commanding) looked on through his field glasses with a mixture of pride and satisfaction as he stood with Marshal Stephan Cooper observing the 54th execute a brigade rolling barrage on one of Fort Defiance’s many ranges. The various techs and umpires took measurements through their own equipment, and typed notations into their noteputers for later comment during the After Action Report.

  The rolling ground shook and heaved as the guns, a mile to the rear, continuously fired without letup, the concentrated outgoing fire sending vibrations through the earth that could be felt, and heard even a mile away.

  The view through Strucker’s Zeiss field glasses was magnificent, with round after round landing within the area proscribed for the live shoot. So far, there were no reports of any injuries, or technical issues with the guns..as the gouts of earth and dust vomited skyward with the encouragement of tons of high explosives. The small hill that made up the impact range was beginning to be obscured in the smoke and dust, and even with the Zeiss glasses, it was beginning to become harder to see the target, a series of hulked battlemechs and vehicles.

  Marshal Cooper smiled tightly, and tapped Colonel Strucker on the shoulder, and waited for the Colnel to lower his field glasses.

“Colonel, you have a hell of a brigade, they get into position quickly, they handle the new Fire Direction Equipment with skill, and your FOs are top notch. You engaged that hill within a minute and had three rounds off from two of your three gun battalions before the first round hit the ground. I am impressed.”

   Colonel Strucker bowed slightly, in the Steiner noble tradition when getting praise from a superior officer. He did spare the Davion Marshal the clicking of his heels. It seemed that most Davion officers found the practice silly, and more than a bit showy. “Thank you, Herr Marshal, we drill to a high standard, and the new fire direction equipment makes coordinating artillery fire an easy thing to accomplish. In short, we are ready, Herr Marshal, my men and women want to teach the Clans to respect our guns and rockets…or we will teach them that respect.”

I do believe that Marshal Cooper mused. The fact was, until recent events, Artillery had been a maligned thing in the Inner Sphere. But, with the rediscovery of an ancient Fire Control System called “TacFire” and it’s retrofitting to work with Star League technology (including most importantly, TAG), as well as the advent of faster loading systems for the Long Tom and Thumper class artillery pieces, artillery soon became a pretty nasty thing again..And then, if that wasn’t enough, there is Project Bumblebee, but that is something even Strucker isn’t supposed to know about…yet. If we can make those rounds work…the Falcons are well, and truly done for.

“When are we to deploy to the front, Herr Marshal?”

“Soon, yours was one of the last brigades that needed to complete pre-deployment readiness evaluation, and anyhow, I wanted to get to know you and your brigade…you’re going to be in direct support to my RCT.”

Stucker’s heart soared. This will be a thing to tell my men and women. This is going to make all the loading drills, the live fires, the road marches and everything else worth it. So many of my men and women are from the Tamar March, and so many of them want vengeance. As do I.

Stucker has lost his family on Twycross to the Jade Falcons when he had been commander of the TMM’s artillery battalion. He’d barely gotten out with a battery of guns when it was all over, but they had fired every round they had at the Falcons, but it hadn’t been enough.

But not this time..this time, we teach those arrogant bastards who the real King of the Battlefield is. And what Kings do to usurpers…

April 6th, 3055
The Triad
Tharkad
Federated Commonwealth

“Your Highness, as you can see, most of the units intended for Clover Spear have already moved into position, with a few more expected to close up by the end of July. After that, we intend to do a little creative re-badging to keep the Clans guessing.” Nondi Steiner stated, her strong voice echoing off of the Palace War Room as she illustrated a magnified map of the Clan frontier in the holotank. Friendly worlds blazed gold, and Clan held ones glowed green, or grey, depending on which Clan currently held possession.

  The holotank hovered over one side of the room, with the other dominated by a long table surrounding the holotank, each seat with its own sound system to magnify any speech in the room.

  Victor Steiner-Davion smiled, So far dad, so good. Now the question remains, do the Capellans know we have stolen a march on them, or are we still doing well enough to convince everyone we are just rotating units from the frontier?

Victor raised his hand and all discussion stopped. He turned to face the head of LIC, General Karl Halberg, who was a large, bullet-headed man who wore his graying hair closely cropped, and his uniform immaculate. His eyes betrayed sadness, the sadness of a man who held too many secrets, and had done things to keep them that didn’t bear close thought.

“General Halberg? Do the Capellans know what we’re about to do?”

“Your highness, it is our estimation and that of MIIO that the Maskriovka has probably guessed we are about to do something, the good news is, we have managed to clog up the rumor mill so badly for them, they are going to be spending a bit of time figuring out what is about to happen, until it does. I know you got that letter at the beginning of the year, your highness, but there has been no Capellan or League troop movements or other unusual activity to suggest that they in fact, know what we are about to do. ISF or O5P might just be playing games with us, and they told your friend because they know we would give her information more weight.”

“Suggestions, General?”

“Keep doing what we are doing, we are too far along anyhow, General Savinson has a lot of Loki assets deployed and ready to execute, and a lot of my Norns are going to be breaking cover to support them and the Longherin strikes on identified POW camps. In short, this goes wrong, the intelligence netwoek in Clan space is going to be gutted. So we have no choice, go. After that, your highness, my only advice is this: Beat the Clan bastards as quick as we can.”

Victor nodded, General Karlberg was right. Time was becoming a factor, as there was only 17 months left until the operation commenced. And, with interstellar distances and communications involved, armies and states did not turn on a dime.

“So, General Steiner, any concerns, or changes?” Victor asked.

“No, your highness, we should be briefing regimental and RCT commanders within the next three months as to their roles and targets. The help we have gotten from General Karlberg and his people on current conditions, as well as the enemy ORBAT has been outstanding.” General Steiner responded, a tone of professional satisfaction In her voice.

“Any concerns, anyone, please, now is a good time to mention them?” Victor stated, a bit more pleading in his voice than he had intended.

“I do have one concern of my own. Our inclusion of nuclear weapons. As much as I think the Jade Falcons are a threat to our very way of life, what are their possible response if we begin to nuke their warships?” Victor asked.

General Karlberg stated without hesitation “Your Highness, they will probably retaliate with something akin to Turtle Bay, but the fact remains, and this is with all due respect to our navy colleagues, but the fact remains. Our own warship programs are woefully inadequate. And asking ComStar..”

Victor finished the statement “..would pose a host of political problems. Alright gentlemen, you have your conditional nuclear release. But, if the bastards go after civilians, then all gloves are off, verstehen? Now, as for the rest of the plan, is this as good as we can make it?”

No one said a word, except for a tow headed officer, whose uniform was a bit rumpled, with a number of coffee cups emptied in front of him. Victor knew him only by reputation, Marshal Renier Poulin. Poulin was a hard charging Lyran officer of the old school who had definitely not come up through the Social General system, but had been languishing in a post on CMO 26 before a Colonel Katrina Steiner had noticed the young Hauptmann. The rest, as they said…was history.

“Your Highness-“ Poulin’s gravelly voice filled the room with all the lyricism of a cement mixer, “We should go, hell, we must go. The Clans are as blind, intel wise, as an opponent I have ever faced. We have a lot of citizens on those worlds, and things are not like “Wait until the next war” out there. No, Your Highness, these Tankers, to quote one of my favorite movies, think they are on a mission from God, and with luck, and a little firepower and preparation? We can more than disabuse them of that notion. Also, sir? Let me say this..I hate anybody who goes around saying that they are the master race.”

A response came unbidden from the Davion side of the war room, “Wait, you mean you Steiners aren’t?” It was a new version of an old joke about Germans…and now, Lyrans.

The entire room had a good laugh at that, even Victor chuckled before he held up his hands to get things back under control “I can’t take you people anywhere, can I?” Victor stated, as he flashed a winning grin around the room.

“Ok, so, what everyone is telling me, is we should go?”

There was a loud consensus of fists banging on tables and shouted “Yeses”.

“I see we have consensus. Alright, I know my mother has already approved. Gentlemen, we go.. But one thing. I hear the Clans have their biggest holiday on the 24th of August. I know we had chosen the 6th..but why in the world should they be the only ones celebrating?”

Nondi Steiner smiled a feral smile at the idea. “Your Highness, we can make this happen, can we General Karlberg?”

General Karlberg nodded.

And thus, the die was cast.


Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: mikecj on 17 December 2015, 18:29:38
Time to cross the Rubicon...
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Nikas_Zekeval on 17 December 2015, 19:06:22
Time to cross the Rubicon...

Don't forget to drown some snakes and parrots in the water while it is close at hand either.  }:)
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Chris OFarrell on 17 December 2015, 22:27:53
The Intelligence people seem to be a little ... cocky over the 'nah, the Cappies and Leaguers aint going do to shit!' position.
Especially after a bunch of guys from intelligence earlier on put up their hands and admitted they had underestimated the FWLs jumpship fleet by a factor of 3 and their civilian production capacity by a factor of 50%!

Or it could just be that they're being a little fatalistic and have decided that 'they might well be going to pull something, lets just hope its survivable while we smash the Clanners, then we'll turn the AFFC around and make them very VERY sorry for making this choice...'

Oh and it seems Sun Tzu HAS married Isis now? Not this fake engagement BS?

Just seems a little ... off? Not sure really. I mean at this point no strategic movements by the FWL have been made if I'm reading this right so there isn't anything to REALLY be alarmed about. But you'd think there would be more talk about ensuring their contingency plans for 'just in case' scenarios are well in place and up to scratch.

Still, lots of fun!

And if the FedCom isn't forward deploying its few warships against the Clans ... well no sense letting them go to waste right? Might as well leave them cruising through the Sarna March in the ort cloud of Liao or something.
Then when the Cappies make their play, find the most juicy Elite unit group and jump the Corvettes in for maximum 'Oh f***' response. >:D

Like the Big Macs regiments. Or a bunch of Warrior Houses or something...

Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: snakespinner on 18 December 2015, 01:59:48
That would be a nasty surprise, Fedcom warships to greet the Liao and Marik tourists. O0
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 18 December 2015, 08:52:54
The Intelligence people seem to be a little ... cocky over the 'nah, the Cappies and Leaguers aint going do to shit!' position.
Especially after a bunch of guys from intelligence earlier on put up their hands and admitted they had underestimated the FWLs jumpship fleet by a factor of 3 and their civilian production capacity by a factor of 50%!

Or it could just be that they're being a little fatalistic and have decided that 'they might well be going to pull something, lets just hope its survivable while we smash the Clanners, then we'll turn the AFFC around and make them very VERY sorry for making this choice...'


Chris,
It is actually choice #2. Everyone in the AFFC command structure knows when Clover Spear goes off, that the Capellans will respond somehow. How is an open question, East Sea, to some extent, is unexpected. FC Intelligence is expecting a response more along the lines of 3039.

That said, there is a hope that they can keep the Capellans guessing as to what is about to happen, until it does.

As for the Mariks,  Thomas has to tread lightly here. Yes, he still is not the REAL Thomas Marik, but he cannot callously throw away Joshua Marik ' s life. It would cause way too many questions.

Victor is still an unknown to many of the leaders of the Inner Sphere. Hanse would and did hold Joshua hostage, would Victor?  Thomas is not a cold blooded bastard. He may be, in fact, too nice for the job. Remember,  in the original Operation Guerrero, the League participation was half-hearted at best.

Couple that with he doesn't like his son in law, and doesn't particularly trust the Capellans (Considering recent League history, what sane Captain - General would?), and you have an explanation on why the FWL has been slow to the punch. There is also, the fact not many of the provinces are going to be happy about good Marik boys dying to take Capellan worlds back from the Davions...

PS: I just checked what was the status of the FC's warship program...My earlier comments in the story were an understatement. The first Fox would not leave the yards until 3058...
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Chris OFarrell on 18 December 2015, 16:57:32

Chris,
It is actually choice #2. Everyone in the AFFC command structure knows when Clover Spear goes off, that the Capellans will respond somehow. How is an open question, East Sea, to some extent, is unexpected. FC Intelligence is expecting a response more along the lines of 3039.

That said, there is a hope that they can keep the Capellans guessing as to what is about to happen, until it does.


The problem I have is that the Intelligence agencies seem to be taking Omis warning way too lightly. They are just seeming to dismiss it as 'meh, ISF or OP5 playing games' with very few grounds. The attitude isn't coming through as 'Well it might be comprimised, but even in the worst case scenario they won't be able to threaten key strategic worlds which we are still protecting even if they suck up 80% of the Sarna March, certinally not before the AFFC comes back down like a Hammer of God upon them'. They seem to be just outright dismissing the possibilities...

At least as its written. IMO. Its less fatalistic 'what will happen will happen, its the price of victory against the Clans, we've got contingencies in place and we'll just have to ride it out'. And more 'Eh they may think we're up to something, but they can't possibly be doing much...'

I mean I'm not saying that they shouldn't be able to pull off a good surprise attack, but once the FedCom has been given an explict warning that yes the Dracs know and they know that the Cappies know too, you'd think that it would be less 'something MIGHT happen' and more 'something WILL happen, but we're prepared to accept short term reversals'.

Quote

As for the Mariks,  Thomas has to tread lightly here. Yes, he still is not the REAL Thomas Marik, but he cannot callously throw away Joshua Marik ' s life. It would cause way too many questions.


He wouldn't just throw him away anyway IMO - at least in the OTL he was really impacted by his Sons death. Say what you will about FakeTom, he did love his kid and not want him to die.

Quote

Victor is still an unknown to many of the leaders of the Inner Sphere. Hanse would and did hold Joshua hostage, would Victor?  Thomas is not a cold blooded bastard. He may be, in fact, too nice for the job. Remember,  in the original Operation Guerrero, the League participation was half-hearted at best.


And that was even with the rally cry of 'Victor hid the death of the Heir of the FWL and planned to replace him with a double! AND with FakeTom knowing that Kathy was going to sit this one out and split off the Lyran half of the Commonwealth!
In this case ... especially if Sun Tzu has ACTUALLY married Isis rather than just being promised her hand like in the OTL, I could see genuine provincial blowback and flat 'We're not f*#king mercenaries for hire for Sun Tzu!' from the Provinces. Hell, from the Captain Generals own supporters for that matter!

Quote

Couple that with he doesn't like his son in law, and doesn't particularly trust the Capellans (Considering recent League history, what sane Captain - General would?), and you have an explanation on why the FWL has been slow to the punch. There is also, the fact not many of the provinces are going to be happy about good Marik boys dying to take Capellan worlds back from the Davions...

PS: I just checked what was the status of the FC's warship program...My earlier comments in the story were an understatement. The first Fox would not leave the yards until 3058...

In the OTL that was mostly because (for reasons probably coming down to the increasing hate for the FedCom certain writers seemed to have) of a "dispute" between ComStar and the FedCom for Transit drives that ONLY Terra could provide. Because apparently building bigger fusion torch drives is a far harder thing to do than Compact-Core K/F drives...
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: consequences on 18 December 2015, 21:51:05
The total threat rating of the FWLM and CCAF is maybe 110 regiments on the extreme high end, and that presuming perfect provincial unity in the FWL, no attention paid to defense, and probably the WoB throwing in everything they have at the moment. They could get the DC, OWA, and TC to go all in, and there would still probably be about 50-60 regiments of the AFFC left to play Whack a Clan after matching the opposing forces one for one.

More realistically, since perfect trust doesn't exist between the FWL and CC, any offensive would have only a fraction of their total force. If the WoB actually hates Clans instead of that being the ridiculous after the fact justification for their OTL tantrum, they would do everything in their power to only backstab the not quite as hated Davions after they finish rolling through Smoke Jaguar territory and are in a state of fatal over extension.

Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Chaeronea on 18 December 2015, 23:48:23
He wouldn't just throw him away anyway IMO - at least in the OTL he was really impacted by his Sons death. Say what you will about FakeTom, he did love his kid and not want him to die.

And when his wife died he was really broken up by that too.

In the OTL that was mostly because (for reasons probably coming down to the increasing hate for the FedCom certain writers seemed to have) of a "dispute" between ComStar and the FedCom for Transit drives that ONLY Terra could provide. Because apparently building bigger fusion torch drives is a far harder thing to do than Compact-Core K/F drives...

Indeed. The FedCom could increase production of DropShips to replace combat losses, they could put at least two new classes of DropShip into production (Claymore and Conquistador), but build drivs using the same technology for their WarShip program? Naaahhh....
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: drakensis on 19 December 2015, 02:47:41
As for the Mariks,  Thomas has to tread lightly here. Yes, he still is not the REAL Thomas Marik, but he cannot callously throw away Joshua Marik ' s life. It would cause way too many questions.
I think you're mixing up Joshua and Isis. Joshua is the son of Thomas 'Halas' so he'd really be losing his son, not the son of the 'real' Thomas.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Fyrwulf on 21 December 2015, 00:02:47
This is a most excellent story. I'm looking forward to reading more.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 22 December 2015, 15:01:30
Hi all,
 Wanted to to give you guys a status update. Have plotted out the 1st Wave of Clover Spear and ran the battles using a system of my own devising.

 It uses the old CRT from GDW's Third World War series. I simply made
proficiency ratings based on the skill rating of the unit as stated in various Battletech products.

      Elite units get an 8
      Veteran units get a 7
      Regular units get a 6
      Green units get a 5

 For the Falcons and Vipers, I gave all their frontline units 7s and their 2nd line units 6s. It made sense. Most Inner Sphere units run at a 6. The CRT is a basic Lancestrian CRT model, where units get disruptions on them based on the odds, with shifts for the side with the higher proficiency , or if artillery is present. Now, for my model, I simply take the proficiency rating, divide into it the number of disruptions for the casualties taken.

 Odds are figured out by totaling up equipment categories, then taking the average of said categories.

  Units surrender when they take a certain percentage of casualties in a given engagement, based on their morale level.

     Green it is 50%
     Regular it is 60%
     Veteran it is 70%
     Elite it is 80%

 Fanatics add 10% to the threshold.

 It isn't a perfect system, but it works for me. So, I will be putting up writeups as a PDF soon, but anybody able to give me some graphic mapping help, as I want to put out a book like Davout did for Kiro No Tori.

 I also plan on doing a slight rewrite to the last chapter. Chris was right, and I want it to match the spirit I am going for here.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Davout73 on 22 December 2015, 16:30:53
What sort of maps are you looking for?

Dav
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 22 December 2015, 16:43:41
Strategic maps of the progress of Clover Spear, as well as the Marik/Capellan operation known as "East Sea".

Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Davout73 on 22 December 2015, 17:57:17
If you get me an excel spreadsheet with colums for unit name and planet location, I can put something together.  You can addcolums for raring and the like, butill need those two for aure. I'll also need to gin up a map of what the IS looks like in 3056, but that shouldn't be to hard.

Dav
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: consequences on 22 December 2015, 22:39:32
Hi all,
 Wanted to to give you guys a status update. Have plotted out the 1st Wave of Clover Spear and ran the battles using a system of my own devising.

 It uses the old CRT from GDW's Third World War series. I simply made
proficiency ratings based on the skill rating of the unit as stated in various Battletech products.

      Elite units get an 8
      Veteran units get a 7
      Regular units get a 6
      Green units get a 5

 For the Falcons and Vipers, I gave all their frontline units 7s and their 2nd line units 6s. It made sense. Most Inner Sphere units run at a 6. The CRT is a basic Lancestrian CRT model, where units get disruptions on them based on the odds, with shifts for the side with the higher proficiency , or if artillery is present. Now, for my model, I simply take the proficiency rating, divide into it the number of disruptions for the casualties taken.

 Odds are figured out by totaling up equipment categories, then taking the average of said categories.

  Units surrender when they take a certain percentage of casualties in a given engagement, based on their morale level.

     Green it is 50%
     Regular it is 60%
     Veteran it is 70%
     Elite it is 80%

 Fanatics add 10% to the threshold.

 It isn't a perfect system, but it works for me. So, I will be putting up writeups as a PDF soon, but anybody able to give me some graphic mapping help, as I want to put out a book like Davout did for Kiro No Tori.

 I also plan on doing a slight rewrite to the last chapter. Chris was right, and I want it to match the spirit I am going for here.

My concern would be how the CRT in question works, and how well it approximates the bell curve of Battletech target numbers if approached from a game mechanics perspective, or the flow of combat as described in the novels(that may or may not religiously adhere to the game mechanics when the camera is on the action)

With regards to game mechanics, that 1 shift in TN fro one experience level to the next can be anything from a 2.79% to an 18% and then all the way back down to a 2.79% bump in absolute percentage depending on the difficulty involved. Or from a different perspective, it could triple the odds of succeeding on a longshot attempt, all the way down to making a near certainty a practical certainty. There's also the sad and sorry truth that when it comes to direct combat the Clans get to cheat, then cheat some more, then stack their cheating on top of additional cheating, with a Green frontline unit being able to casually shoot on the level of an Elite formation with just a few hours of time sapping out omnipods, and an Elite unit all being able to out shoot Natasha Kerensky in her old Warhammer.

When it comes to narrative and the way strategic combat is described, the side launching attacks generally wins unless outright outmatched, even in even odds situations that should favor the defender's knowledge of the battleground and desire to fight to protect their homes and dependents. The Three to One attacker to Defender guideline tends to result in outright onesided casual stomps of the target. To a certain extent this can be explained by units on the offensive being 100% ready to go, with any deficiencies made good by drafting recent graduates, local militia, or whoever else doesn't run fast enough while copious supplies are laid in, while the defender might have a tenth of their nominal strength on leave and not in the system at all, with another 20% laid up in the shop in various stages of disassembly when the inbound drive plumes are detected.

There are exceptions to the 'attacker rules, defender drools' guideline, but a lot of the time they rely on legendarily defensible locations or units that get specific 'the Scriptwriter is on their side' rules when written up in parody sourcebooks.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 25 May 2016, 14:12:57
Excerpt from “Liberating the Tamar March on 5 C-Bills a day”, Kommandant Sara Bennigan, AFFC (Ret), McMillan-New Avalon Press, New Avalon, 3069
“I remember the first time I found out about Clover Spear. It was late in the summer of 3055 on Koniz..which was known for bestial summers. Nothing like back home on Chesterton, it’s like Koniz only had two seasons, winter and summer, and they both sucked. There was about 100-150 of us in a rented warehouse on Koniz..and my god it was hot. The locals didn’t like anybody much, except themselves..and I won’t even mention the fact that all life was left handed amino acid based, so we couldn’t eat it..and vice versa, yet it did not prevent it from trying.

So, there we were, being briefed on an operation that was probably going to change the damn face of the Inner Sphere, and they could not spare something for some portable A/C! God I hated Koniz..not much to recommend that place. The idea we were finally doing something..and getting off of Koniz made a lot of folks in my company happy, including myself.

So there we were, standing at attention, waiting for the briefer to come in..in no less than personage than Marshal Poulin himself. The command of “take seats” bellowed out, and we screamed the Argyle Lancers motto. “For God, Argyle, and Davion!” and took our now scalding hot metal seats (of which I still have the scars on my arse to prove it. Thank god we were not wearing Mechwarrior togs that day.)

After a moment of trying to find the most comfortable position of which to endure this small indignity, we were treated to some short remarks about how important an operation this was that we were about to embark on and how we will be able to tell our grandkids that we spearheaded the operation that would drive the Clans back from whence they came. Now, I will admit, I was droning off, but when I heard that comment..the first thought that came to my mind was. Christ, Hanse got divorced and no one told us. He only started major wars on his wedding day, don’t you know!

In any case, Colonel Bannock soon took over and I was beginning to nod off again, I can read the damn briefing notes and the oporder. It was becoming death by Powerpoint 3050 I suppose…when he said..”..and as always, our irrepressible Hauptmann Bennigan will lead off, and find and fix the clanners in place so the rest of us can smash them!”

Memory does not serve to recall the look on my face at that moment…but a friend assured me it was something between daggers at Colonel Bannock for again volunteering my boys and girls to play pop up targets for the Tankers, and wonder if I could hire a couple of Tong hitmen from back home to wack the Colonel?...I do remember my response “Colonel darling, we are so delighted to be in the lead again!” The hell I was. And don’t think, dear reader, that my Medal Excalibur says otherwise. I’d rather have my favorite left leg back.”

Page 199, “Reflections”, by Victor Steiner-Davion, Davion Palace Press, New Avalon, 3071

As 3055 became 3056, the movement of forces began to accelerate, the logistical demands just for the buildup became nothing short of titanic. How we managed to surprise the Clans at all is beyond me, especially when the Marik/Capellan Alliance got off that nasty little surprise in September. We did notice their movements to an extent, but it is hard getting good intelligence out of a closed society like the Capellan Confederation. In short, they hoodwinked us to a good extent. Not completely, as we knew we would get hit..the size of the hit..that shocked us.

That, and the depths the Capellans were willing to go to paralyze us. But more on that later, especially since my prosthesis is itching like crazy right now as I write this.
As I said, it was incredible the logistical effort that was required just to sustain the AFFC units massing in Tamar. Every projection we sent to my father..he said “double it”. Panapour was working three shifts just to produce enough autocannon ammunition…

I will never forget the night of August 1st, 3056. It was our last conference before Clover Spear kicked off. We’d been doing 18 hour days and we were dead on our feet..some staff flak was presenting the final projected enemy prisoner of war figures and what we’d need to care for them..and all of a sudden…I hear this infernal snoring…well, I am just mad as hell. Somebody’s fallen asleep here at the damn last conference before this mighty endeavor kicks off.. I just lost it. “Who the hell is snoring?” I roared.

God bless Ardan Sortek. He leaned over with an impish smile and looked me right in the eye with his smartphone facing me. And there was a lovely, MP10 quality image of me, the very First Prince of the Federated Suns..sawing wood like a lumberjack.

If that does not teach you any damn form of humility…nothing will.”

Page 166, “Blood of a Partisan”

"...they say you never know a guy till you fight him. I can thus, safely say. I know Jade Falcons very well..especially how to kill them in a variety of un-amusing ways. With the arrival of the Rabid Foxes, we went on nothing less than a rampage.
 
We hit numerous small targets of opportunity, anywhere those Green Pidgeon bastards hung out, we hit, hard. Drive bys, IEDs, truck bombs, hell once, we flew an traffic drone into one of their dropships filled with munitions..that made a very nice bang, I do tell you. Explosives though, became our stock and trade. But our piece de resistance, well, that was the Clawfell job.

The Clawfell job was a demolition of the James Clawfell Memorial Bridge. Mr. Clawfell was a local boy who had made good during the Star League. Won the Star League Medal of Honor for some brave fool thing back during the Aramis revolt. They’d named a bridge after him when he and his family had left along with Kerensky. Guess we saved the planetary nobility the trouble of renaming the bridge later on, right?

The Clawfell Bridge was a large, modern structure, and like most bridges in Tamar, was pre-chambered for demolition. The only reason it wasn’t blown when the Tankers came was because well, things fell apart too fast for it to matter. But now, our FC benefactors wanted the bridge out of the picture, for reasons of which they did not deign to tell us. But it obviously was of some importance, that was for sure.

So, we briefed, rehearsed and then briefed again. We were getting rather good at this sort of thing. Yes, there was a point of Elementals, backed up by a couple of 2nd line ‘Mechs..and yes, there was all kinds of other issues..but our recon had found one chink in the Clanner security plan. They’d forgotten about the damn river. Simply put, they didn’t pay it any mind because they thought we would simply come at them head on and try to take it from them. After all the mayhem and chaos we were inflicting?

You would think the Tankers would have learned something?

The plan as it was, was genius. We wired up several charges of C-9 explosive on a command detonator…with a backup contact fuze. All of the charges were designed as shaped charges designed to vent all of their force against the bridge pylons. Add in a preprogrammed route into an R/C boat brain (Trying to control the boats might have prematurely set off the explosive.), and you have a fairly sneaky way to take down a bridge. We had a total of six charges...1 for each of the pylons..and two backups, just in case.

The good thing about the Clawfell Bridge, was that it, like most bridges, would not survive the loss of two of its four pylons..so long as the pylons that were destroyed were on the same side. So, as it was, the mission was relatively simple..relatively.

After a two day trek through the Great Wetlands, we came to the Balduri River, crossed by the Clawfell Bridge. Security had not changed at all..and they still were not paying a bit of mind to the water. You’re going to regret that in a few moments..Mr. Tanker was all I could think. While our heavy weapons and snipers set up (They were there to occupy the Clan Elementals long enough for the bombs to reach their targets…if that’s what it took.) The bridge itself was 1000 meters long, and of a truss design that was pretty economical I guess...

I looked over the device. It was a simple, circular thing..with a mix of foliage and mud stuck to the top so as to make our infernal device look like simple junk drifting along with the river. The firing circuit, the guidance system, and the wiring, all looked good. I reattached the cover, then inspected the remaining five submersibles, amazingly, they all were good to go.
 
I placed the first submersible into the water..it was about 10 kilos in weight..about 3 meters long..and filled to the brims with C-9. It took to the water quickly…and the motor kicked in with a start..leaving a trail of bubbles in its wake as it slowly made its way towards the bridge, some three kilometers downstream. We placed three more subs into the water right behind it and quickly made our way back to our earlier vantage point..with one of us running a stopwatch, with our calculations having been that at a speed of 2 knots, it would take half an hour for the charges to reach their target.

After a good twenty minute climb up the sheer face of the rock walls lining the river (Blackjack has a lot of mountains, so we are somewhat used to this), we took up a vantage point overlooking the bridge some five kilometers away, we waited patiently as the time counted down.

..FIVE..

..FOUR..

..THREE..

..TWO..

..ONE..

And there was nothing..but silence. It was frustrating..+10 seconds, +20 seconds, still nothing. Minutes passed by. Dammit, we missed. But how? Did it matter? We had to set the backup charges up..and get out of here.

We were about to make our way back down the cliff face when a momentary bright flash, centered on the bridge, lit up the darkness. Another flash soon followed, and then a third. The BAWUMP of a muffled explosion soon followed. The bridge was aflame..and wobbling, a enemy ‘Mech that had been standing guard in the middle of the bridge down across the traffic lanes atop the bridge, with a large support pylon from the upper works having been driven into the back of the ‘Mech, with a sheen of escaping waste heat shimmering and distorting the sky around it.

The bridge began to groan under the weight of the weakened pylons..and we heard the pops of multiple welds and rivets give way, and with a crash, a pylon collapsed into the river, taking the left hand side of the bridge with it, this then collapsed the other two pylons..and before long, the entire bridge crashed in a cacophony of protesting metal and splashing water as the entire wrecked mess crashed some 100 meters into the river below.

We all slapped each other on the back for that. For less than 1000 pounds worth of C-9, we had dropped the major route in and out of the planetary capitol. We hadn’t counted on the reaction by the Tankers, however.

The next day, Star Colonel Mark (the traitorous swine!) led an “indoctrination sweep” into several suburban neighborhoods of the planetary capitol. He turned OmniMechs armed with machineguns and autocannons on innocent civilians. And the sick bastard considered it his duty. Some 850 people died and another 1100 were injured. The Falcons considered it a mercy. That’s not what the people of Blackjack thought it was.

As for Star Colonel Mark, well, he soon found out wat the wages of treason were, two weeks later. We delivered it through the window of his Avanti Sports Car one night..via Light Anti-Tank Weapon. I am happy to say this time, the message was successfully delivered…”
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: kelgar04 on 25 May 2016, 17:11:04
Glad to see this has gotten updated :)

Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: David CGB on 25 May 2016, 20:55:21
Glad to see this has gotten updated :)
much agreed, also we might think of ways to speed things up around here.......
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Doc Wolf on 31 May 2016, 07:25:19
Really enjoying your tale. I like the changes from canon; live Hanse, married Sun-Zu, Jade Chickens in the cross hairs...
keep it up!
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: PeacMaker03 on 31 May 2016, 10:35:09
Thank you for posting again. O0
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 15 June 2016, 15:51:35
August 24th, 3056 (0145 hours, local time)
Planetary Headquarters of the Jade Falcon Watch
Red Stone Palace
Bone-Norman
Jade Falcon Occupation Zone

  Hans Hertzog looked on in satisfaction as the stolen police van moved his team into position along with three others on the street opposite the Watch headquarters. So far, so good, he mused silently as he checked his gear for what seemed like the twelfth time. It’s my first time as an operational leader..and I want this to go right. 
 
  The blue and white van appeared almost yellow in the anemic light of the underpowered streetlamp, the street and sidewalk slick with the remains of a recent rain storm that had blown through down off the mountains to the north.

  The city of Red Stone Palace was quiet, as the Falcons had recently instituted a dusk to dawn curfew with the recent increase in guerilla activity, not to mention asking the populace to put up with rolling blackouts and spotty communications as the guerillas went after the planetary power and communications network. This did not help the Jade Falcons either, as they now had to use their own power and communications gear to maintain their own operations, which while it did keep their various subunits on-planet in touch with each other, and able to have a modicum of electricity, it increased resentment among the populace, and increased the number of attacks on the Jade Falcons, both civilian and military.

  He glanced at his watch again, 0145 and twenty seconds..another five, four, three, two, one and MARK!

  Two figures in the white and green uniform, with a prominent patch of a black and white outline of the Falcon in flight on the left breast, walked briskly up to the outer perimeter guards who were dressed similarly with cups of coffee from a popular local chain. This uniform was the uniform of the Jade Falcon-backed Red Stone Palace Police Department, which these days, was made up of bullyboys and traitors.  They won’t be missed, Hertzog nodded grimly.

 The guards were spending more time trying to keep warm in the 14 Celsius wet chill. The air was heavy, and humid, but there was no water vapor being exhaled by any of the figures. Both of the new arrivals subtly paired off with their opposite number on guard. Hertzog surveyed the scene..looks good, GO.  He clicked his tactical mike twice and both of the newcomers produced knives and repeatedly stabbed the abdomens of the policemen on guard while clamping a hand firmly over the mouths of the victims, then, as the guards fell, they moved over the bodies and deftly slashed their throats from ear to ear, just to make sure.  It had taken just seconds.

  At that same moment, the two guards at the inner perimeter, a pair of armored Elementals, were engaged and neutralized by 4 sniper teams on a series of nearby rooftops, two per elemental, who put a pair of .340 caliber light armor piercing, 125 grain sabot rounds through their thin “V” shaped armored windscreens. Both Elementals were killed instantly when the bullets tore through the windscreen, and then the bullets tore through the heads and upper chest cavities at velocities of more than 4500 m/s. The insides of the Elemental suits were literally painted with gore and blood as the suits froze in mid stride, becoming impromptu monuments to their operators. One of the figures at the outer gate recovered a flashlight from his belt, then flashed it three times. Hertzog smiled. Success, and surprise. We have them. Hertzog slammed his fist twice against the wall separating the passenger and driving compartment in the van, and the van’s engine turned over, quickly coming to speed as it made for the outer gate. The figures quickly pulled the bodies out of sight, then made their way at a dead run to the inner gate, and began to work on the security lock, but not before blinding the camera with some locally purchased black spray paint.

 The outer gate was little more than a reinforced wrought iron fence, and fell easily under the wheels of the lead van. All three soon pulled up to the inner gate, and a dozen figures soon spilled out of the vans, they were in Lyran issue tactical gear, their uniforms devoid of insignia, or even name tape. They wordlessly began to site in their heavy weapons, and dig emplacements for the expected Jade Falcon counterattack.

 Hertzog remained in the van with the majority of his men. This wasn’t his final stop. Nope, he had a little more to go. The lock was quickly defeated, and the gates, a pair of reinforced ferrocrete blast gates, swung open. At that moment, all three vans rolled through the gate, and headed straight for the loading dock on the south end of the building.

 They each pulled rear end first into a separate loading dock, disgorging yet more figures, a total of 45 men in all, similarly attired and equipped as the gentlemen digging in at the gate. A pair of figures brought forward a set of mouse holing charges for the sheet steel rolling doors that overlooked each of the rolling dock bays. Well, the sound and flash will buy us a few seconds of paralysis..all we need. The charges were placed deftly, and everyone backed away into some semblance of cover as the ten second fuse counted down.

TEN…
NINE…
EIGHT…
SEVEN…
SIX…
FIVE…
FOUR…
THREE…
TWO…
ONE…
 
 The doors reverberated with a loud BRAMM as they buckled like a beer can under the force of the shaped charge, blowing a man-sized hole in the door inward towards the large receiving room beyond. Before long, parties of two men had tossed disc shaped stun grenades into each of the holes, and waited until they detonated with a bright flash, and a loud report not unlike a shotgun held next to one’s ear. Then, in parties of 15, the raiders piled through the holes in the doors and began to sweep the room, side to side, moving carefully, and slowly, yet quickly at the same time. There were small fires burning all over the floor of the bay as packages burned in the wake of the multiple explosions. Shattered plastic rained down from the florescent lights and crunched under the feet of the intruders as they duckwalked to the door leading to the main part of the building.

 A Falcon laborer, who worked as a clerk was at the desk in the side office on the left side of the receiving floor, was on the floor of the office, the office door was knocked off of its hinges, and he bled from his nose and ears, moaning in pain. Hertzog pointed his head towards him, and nodded, a man peeled off from the middle group of raiders, walked right up to the raised his silenced Mauser and Grey pistol, and put two rounds into his chest, then one into his head.  The laborer soon stopped moaning and lay still in the rictus of death. We can’t afford any prisoners right now, Hertzog mused.
 
 A small muffled bang announced that the lock on the inner door of the loading dock had given way under the attentions of a prybar. The door swung wide as the first team of 15 stacked, and then moved through as quickly as they could to avoid being caught by the Falcon defenders in the “fatal funnel”. They found a three way intersection, just as the LIC operative had said they would, and went right down a long, windowless hall to another door, that led to that group’s target, the records archive.
 
 The second group peeled left, down another windowless hall, and headed for the living quarters for the analysts and the head of the Watch on Bone-Norman, a disagreeable former Elemental known as Star Commander Hargreve. All of them, at least, according to orders, were to be taken alive..if possible, but no one was really in a mood to make that possible. Hertzog and his men had been on Bone Norman for 11 months. They had seen what the Watch was capable of. The unofficial orders among the team was, unless they were wearing a bondcord, kill them.
 
 Hertzog’s group was headed for the biggest prize of them all. The ELINT traffic collection center. Bone-Norman was an important lynch-pin in the Jade Falcon ELINT collection effort along the FedCom border. Any ELINT activities had to go in the first hours of any invasion of the Jade Falcon/Steel Viper OZ, because the FedCom wanted to of course, keep the Falcons as blind as they could, for as long as they could manage it. Of course, getting some examples of Clan communications tech would be nice too, rumor had it there was an HPG somewhere in the building..but Hertzog figured it was not worth getting killed over.
 
 Two men flattened at either side of the door, while a third covered the door, one produced a pry bar and quickly had the door open. And at that moment, the universe exploded. Green clan tracers tore through the space where the door was, stitching the commando covering the door with a series of red ichor blossoms as a series of assault rifle rounds tore him apart, and he was dead before he hit the floor.
 
 Shit, there went surprise!
 
 The two men to either side of the door reacted quickly, tossing a pair of flashbangs each down the open doorway towards the hair of gunfire, the flashbangs went off after a short delay, and Hertzog’s group quickly stacked and assaulted through the doorway, the lead man found a pair of unarmored elementals, staggering around blind and deaf, bleeding from the nose and ears, their weapons on the floor as they moaned in pain. Both were shot without delay or ceremony by the lead man in the stick.
 
 The hall had four doors on each side, all were made of thick sheets of pressed wood laminate, with crude nameplates and stickers of both the Jade Falcon Clan, and the 94th Striker Cluster’s sigil on the face of each door. Parties of two stacked by each door, but being short, one door at the end of the hall was left for when another group became free, Hertzog trained his weapon, a Federated Short Carbine in 7mm towards the door, just in case something came out.
 
 Each door was opened with a prybar, a pair of flashbangs thrown in, and then the two raiders entered the room, one going high, the other low, as they proceeded into the room, heading for the near corners, clearing those, then methodically clearing the far end of the room, searching the closet, and under the desk. Wasps of smoke filled the hall as paper and furnishings began to burn in small fires, it got so bad, several men took off their face shields and slipped on their gas masks. Even with the thick cinder-block walls, shots and flashbangs reverberated through the building. Most of the fire sounded like that of the raiders, with very few reports sounding like Clan weapons. So far, so good.
 
 As soon as that was completed. The raiders came to another door, this one double locked and made of a very tough looking metal alloy, with the legend in large red letters stating “ELINT COLLECTION ROOM, NO BONDSMEN OR LABORERS PERMITTED.”
 
 The locks looked too strong for a prybar..and Hertzog was not in the mood for subtle. A demolition man approached, and placed charges on each hinge of the door, with everyone backing away as the 10 second fuze counted down. The 3lb charges, 1 per hinge, went off as one loud report, the door crashing to the ground with a screech of tortured metal, as the room filled with smoke. The team stacked and entered, half went left, half went right, but the entry was anti-climactic. Two of the Falcon techs had been feeding documents into the shredder, they’d been about halfway done, while another tech had been busily smashing the hell out of the machinery, he dropped his sledgehammer the minute he had seen the commandos gain entry. All of the techs now had their hands well above their heads, their eyes as wide as saucers.
 
  Ok, I think we can safely take these guys. “Ok Birdies, resist, and we shoot you, get it?” Hertzog growled.
 
  The Falcon techs nodded as one, a female tech with sweat matted blonde hair gulping visibly with fear.

  Two of Hertzog’s men approached each of the techs, tossing them roughly to the ground, and then searching them without any acknowledgement of their comfort level. Once the raiders were satisfied they had been properly searched, they were ziptied, roughly pulled to their feet, and frog marched out into the hall, where they were sat crosslegged in the hall, and told to study the wall, or gain a third nostril.

  Hertzog’s subcommanders began to report in; VALKYRIE, THIS IS MLONJIR, CUTLASS, I SAY AGAIN, CUTLASS. That was the records room force, they were reporting complete success, and they had recovered the documents intact.
 
  The next transmission came from a stranger, VALKRYIE, THIS IS FAUST, RAPIER, I SAY AGAIN RAPIER. FAUST LEAD AND XO ARE DOWN. LEAD IS KIA, XO IS WIA AND EXPECTANT. OVER. Again, this was a signal for success with the living quarters and seizing Star Commander Hargreves, but they had lost their team commander and assistant commander. That was unfortunate, to say the least.
 
 FAUST, THIS IS VALKYRIE ACTUAL, DID YOU GET THE PRIMARY PACKAGE INTACT?
 
 NEGATIVE VALKYRIE, WE HAVE THE PACKAGE, BUT NOT INTACT, OVER. Hargreves had not been taken alive, pity. After 11 months on Bone-Norman, and seeing what the Watch did to those it interrogated, he had been looking forward to watching LIC give the bastard a taste of his own medicine.
 
 ROGER FAUST, CHARLIE MIKE, OUT.

 Hertzog then grabbed a small pouch off of his belt, and made his way down the hall, he ducked into an office and opened the window, pulling the object out of the pouch. It was a small keypad with a small screen, a deft swipe with his thumb turning the object on. He typed a short message:
 
 VALKYRIE FORCE SENDS: BATTLEAXE, REPEAT BATTLEAXE.
 
 Hertzog then stabbed the “SEND” key, sending the message tearing skyward by burst transmission towards the incoming FedCom invasion force. BATTLEAXE had been the success signal. He glanced at his watch. 0148 hours. Not bad..they’d hadn’t been able to beat 4 minutes in rehearsals.
 
 An explosion lit up the skyline of Red Stone Palace, soon, other explosions followed. It wasn’t long before the warbling of the invasion alarm went off. Too late, Mr. Falcon, Loki is already here. Looks like the Dropport is being hit on schedule. Now all I have to do is the hardest part..hold until relieved. Let’s hope the 24th Arcturan Guards get down alright.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Doc Wolf on 16 June 2016, 11:46:12
Although you can see I am really a Kurita fan, I gotta give props to LOKI. Dust of the green turkeys!
Great job! I am enjoying it.
As a former GB, I have enjoyed your take on various aspects of Irregular Warfare. Keep it up!
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: DOC_Agren on 16 June 2016, 19:29:14
Go (http://www.sarna.net/wiki/images/5/54/Lic-loki.png) Go

You could not have chosen better to take on Green Turkey Watch
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: gladius on 16 June 2016, 20:53:37
It begins!
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Doc Wolf on 17 June 2016, 06:59:59
Get some FedCom!
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: paladin3030 on 26 June 2016, 18:58:37
And thus the day of reckoning has begun.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Nikas_Zekeval on 27 June 2016, 09:24:30
The expanded FedCom Artillery Corps needs some music.  How about "Back in Control" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gHdWBK1724)?
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Chaeronea on 28 June 2016, 08:48:31
Why didn't the people in the base hear the sniper shots that killed the Elementals on guard duty? If the rifles had sound suppressors so the shots couldn't be heard then the bullets would have been slowed down and less likely to penetrate the visors. Then again, wasn't there something in some of the novels about Elemental suits' visors standing up to rounds of up to fifty calibre?
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Doc Wolf on 28 June 2016, 09:22:52
My guess is penetrator rounds. Depleted uranium, something like that. Even a sabot core works. The bullet hits the visor. A smaller, more dense core punches through and make a hole in the head. End of elemental, or anyone for that matter...
The novels talk about .50 rounds hitting the whole elemental, not just the visor. We can thank Shin Yodama for that experience.
It is a good point to bring up though.
In any event, it makes for a good scene.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Sir Chaos on 28 June 2016, 09:30:56
Elemental armor is described in the novels as impervious to machine gun bullets... yet at the same time, tabletop rules say six hits with machine gun bursts destroy Elemental armor and kill the person inside.

I think saying, in the story, that the visor is vulnerable to machine gun or high-power sniper rifle bullets, and thus a very lucky or very well-aimed shot is required to bring down an Elemental with rifles or machine guns, is a good compromise.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: VhenRa on 29 June 2016, 23:35:52
Eh... to be fair they might be meaning Infantry Scale MGs. Because some of the fluff on Mech Scale MGs put them at stuff like 20mm....
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 12 June 2017, 12:38:58
Prologue, Book 2, The Hammer Falls

Inbound to Planetfall, 18 hours out
Bone-Norman
Jade Falcon Occupation Zone
August 24th, 3056
Aboard the Union Class Dropship “Luck of the Draw”


The sounds of a dropship in the final stages of a drop were not a new one to anyone who had been in any military in the Inner Sphere for any length of time. The sounds of tools making last minute repairs to ‘Mechs, the clatter of footsteps resounding throughout the ship, the murmur of conversations, pre-battle briefs, and prayers with fellow warriors. All of this was a low key cacophony that any experienced warrior was used to.

But something was different, the men and women of the 26th Lyran Guards knew that. It was the electricity, the feeling of being a coiled spring..all the training, all the lectures, all the feeling of finally, we’re going to hit back at the bastards. The sting of Kobe, Thun, and Tamar was deep in the unit. And while they realized this was the Falcons, and not the Wolves, to the men and women of the 26th who had survived the invasion, any Clanner was a decent stand in to expunge the shame and anger of those days in blood.

Leftenant-General Green-Davion had reorganized the RCT, the new “Steiner’s Boots” was more mobile, and with the new artillery brigades attached to the RCT, hit harder than the old 26th. Morale was high, and some unofficial sigils began to appear, one being the unit insignia of a boot smear, but across a bad caricature of a dead Jade Falcon. Another was chalked throughout the unit on ‘Mechs, armor, even on the sides of dropships. It read simply “For Joy”. Joy Corelli had been a beloved commander of the 26th. Green-Davion had done his best not to replace her, but to put his own stamp on the 26th, but across the unit, it was found the best means of discipline was to say, “Do you want to let Marshal Corelli down?” The 26th was a unit possessed, and out for blood.

So, it was remarkable that a single voice could cut through it all. But, it did. It was a voice all of them had known, known for most of their lives. And the voice, of his son. They were the architects of what was about to come, and it was their time to encourage those about to carry out the plans and preparations that had been the lion’s share of their lives for the past 18 months. Today was the culmination.

“Men and Women of the Armed Forces of the Federated Commonwealth. Today is a day, long in coming. Today, we return to the Tamar March, and we set it free of the Clans. We restore the rightful law and order, and more importantly, justice that the peaceful people of the Tamar March have every right to expect to live under.”

“The way forward will be hard, the Falcons and Vipers are formidable, but they are not the unknown boogyman they were some six years ago. We have beaten the Falcons before, on Morges, and we can and will, beat them again. Brave citizens of the worlds you are about to land on have been harrying them at every step for the last six years, and it’s time for us to ensure that the sacrifices they have made were not in vain. I trust, my fellow soldiers, that you will ensure that happens.”

“I wish I could be with you today. The hardest thing for any leader is to say “go there, and risk your lives” instead of “follow me”. I could not be prouder of all of you. You are our best. And you go forward with the hopes and dreams of billons of people behind you. I know you may scoff at that. You may say “Easy for them, they aren’t here. But they are hopeful. Your families and loved ones pray for your safety and your success. And those below, pray for their deliverance. Let’s let them all know, ETA on that is 18 hours from now.”

“My father stands here with me. His hand on my shoulder as I speak to you know. I can only guess what he was thinking as he ordered our nation into war some twenty years ago. I only know this. I do this with a heavy heart, but one that says, ‘we are in the right’. We cannot fail, we shall not fail, and we shall meet the Falcons and Vipers wherever, and whenever we find them, and show them what steel lies in the constitution of our people’s souls.”

“I won’t recount the many crimes the Falcons and Vipers are guilty of. But I will say this. Nothing less than the future of humanity is at stake here. We are faced with a people who believes in the concept of a ‘master race’. Such an idea should never be allowed to flourish. Though many accuse our Davion subjects about being ‘might making right’. I can assure you, that concept is on full display amongst the Clans. We are, and always have been about, ‘might for right’. It’s time to demonstrate the difference.”

“Remember your training, remember that you are members of the AFFC, and no matter what the Falcons and Vipers might do, we come not for money, or power, or any of the other things we have seen armies fight for throughout history. We come to deliver our people. But do not sully that with reprisals or massacres. Let the courts figure that out. Defeat the enemy, accept his surrenders, and free our people. I know many of you hunger for revenge. I implore you, temper that with mercy.”

“Good luck, my warriors, I know you will do the realm proud.”

Green-Davion’s voice then crackled through the speakers. “I know you all heard the First Prince, and he believes in us. I believe in us. We have trained for this, sweated for this. And this day will be ours. Chance favors the prepared. And we are very prepared indeed. I have a dagger here. It’s one I got off a Kuritan ‘Mechwarrior earlier in my career. I make you a promise, my fellow ‘Boots. By the end of the first day..this knife will be buried to the hilt in the darkest tanker heart to be found on Bone-Norman!”

“Now let’s go get the bastards.”

The dropship, like many in the fleet erupted in cheers.

Clover Spear was underway.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: VhenRa on 12 June 2017, 13:33:22
The hilarious thing is..

The 26th Lyran Guards were probably the single most effective FedCom unit to fight the Clanners without the benefit of Plot ArmorMain Character participation.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: drakensis on 13 June 2017, 01:43:41
Great to see this back.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: PeacMaker03 on 14 June 2017, 08:07:32
Nice update looking forward to more
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 06 September 2017, 13:48:35
Taken from the book “Shattering the Edifice – A History of the Fall of Clans Jade Falcon and Steel Viper in the War of ’56.” (Force Commander Anton Jursaik, Irian, 3070)

“What was the most impressive about the fall of the Falcons and Vipers was that the FC offensive was both so overwhelming, and so brutal from the initial hours. Nowhere was an attempt made to play by the Clan “rules”. Special Operations units (like the Liberation Units of the FWLM) figured heavily in the initial hours of the assaults, and a general uprising plagued the Falcon/Viper defense from the start. It is estimated that at least 4 Star Colonels of both Clans died due to guerilla activity, one of the most famous deaths being the ambush of Star Colonel Diane Anu and an aide in her hovercar as it raced to her command post to put down what they thought was little more than a “freebirth uprising”. She died under the guns of those freebriths, one witness stating that ‘we more poured her body from the car than moved it by the time we were done.’

Across the Occupation Zone, the Falcons and Vipers were faced with acts of resistance, great and small as every inhabited planet simply exploded. Everything from random acts of graffiti to the destruction of maglev lines seemingly erupted in the first week of the FC offensive. And it accomplished the goal Hanse had had from the beginning, it either pinned the Jade Falcons and Steel Vipers in their bases, or it scattered them in penny packets that were easily overwhelmed by the weight of the FC counterattack.”

Taken from the daily FC operational briefing provided to Field Marshal Ranier Poulin, Supreme Commander of “Operation Clover Spear”, declassified October 9th, 3076.

“Jade Falcon and Steel Viper units on the initial target worlds are in a state of chaos and operations have been up to this point, very favorable, Steel Viper units have proven to be more flexible in the face of our operations, but they have also succumbed to the weight of our firepower, coupled with lack of a secure rear area.”

A summary of the status of the first wave is below:

Roadside:

We hit Roadside with the entirety of the Eridani Light Horse, the 2nd and 3rd Crucis Lancers RCTs and the 1st Kearny Highlanders. The enemy consisted of the Jade Falcon 5th Battle Cluster, which was scattered in star and trinary-sized penny packets across the main continent of Arcadia. We capitalized on the death of their Star Colonel, Diane Anu, and we managed to destroy two of these small forces with little trouble, the rest we have, over the past month, managed to hunt down, and the world is now secured as of two days ago. Casualties have been minimal and the new artillery brigades have more than proven their worth, breaking up a counterattack by two trinaries upon the flank of the 2nd Crucis Lancer’s flank during a night march.

Bone-Norman

The 94th Striker Cluster was mostly caught in barracks during a hurricane drop by the 17th Skye Rangers and the 26th Lyran Guards RCT. Most of the 94th was taken without a shot, and we have at least a battalion’s worth of Jade Falcon prisoners plus massive amounts of salvage. The raid on the on-world ELINT facility was a success, and it has been a massive intelligence haul.

Blair Atholl

The Steel Vipers had enough forces to cover their rear areas better, but the arrival of all 5 regiments of Wolf’s Dragoons, plus the 11th and 20th Avalon Hussar RCTs was enough force to crack them under sheer weight of numbers. The penultimate event of the campaign was both artillery brigades of the two Avalon Hussar RCTs, plus the Dragoon Artillery Support Group firing in support of an assault of Zeta Battalion into the exposed flank of the 400th Assault Cluster. The rest of the 400th was quickly overrun, and the 1st Legion, still scattered as part of their COIN duties, was cut to pieces, as the 4th Viper Guards fought a rearguard under heavy pressure to their dropships. They left the world three days later under heavy FC and Dragoon aerospace interdiction. We estimate they are at least 40-50% attritted.

Alyina

We hit Alyina with the 7th Crucis Lancers RCT and the Davion Light Guards RCT. The defending 2nd Falcon Jagers were attempted to hole up in the planetary capitol, but after an attempt at surrender negotiations, we used both artillery brigades to pound them to dust, then sent both RCTs in after them. We took very few survivors prisoner.

Black Earth

We hit Black Earth with the Grey Death Legion, the 1st Federated Suns Armored Cavalry, and the 1st Aragon Borderers, the Falcon 89th Striker Cluster tried to fight a mobile campaign, but the FSAC and the GDL have had an almost preternatural ability to get around the flanks of the 89th. We expect the campaign there to be wrapped up in another week to ten days.

Hot Springs

The 1st, 2nd and Davion Assault Guards RCTs caught the 3rd and 4th Falcon Velites in COIN penny packets putting down a massive revolt amongst the populace. The Davion Guards didn’t allow the Falcons time at all to reform, and smashed both units underfoot within 2 weeks. We have accepted the surrender of both units, about 300 or so survivors, mostly rear-area personnel and 18 mechs of varying states of repair.


Operations are currently ongoing and we expect the second wave of Clover Spear to commence on schedule. Falcon and Viper resistance, while in some cases fierce, is very disorganized, and prisoner interrogations reveal that many Viper warriors are blaming the Falcons for the current problems facing both Clans.


Plain of Tears

Benfled

Steel Viper Occupation Zone

August 27th, 3056


Leftenant Cory Rodgers, Lance Leader for Battle Lance, Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Royal Guards was exultant. The Vipers had been caught flat-footed since their arrival on world. From all accounts, it looked as if they had had a complete intelligence failure like some of the surprises he had read about from his days at the Nagelring, like the Six Day War, or Pearl Harbor. Thank Heaven we are the Israelis, he thought.

His neurohelmet was heavy and his neck muscles ached, but he had been pushing his Pheonix Hawk as fast as he could manage it. The only Viper ‘Mechs he had seen thus far were burning ones, as they had either run afoul of aerospace or artillery. The special operations guys were proving to be downright deadly with just a radio link to the artillery brigade. And here I thought those redlegs would not amount to a damn thing?

It was then that his threat alarms lit up, multiple claxons hooting for his attention as a dozen LRMs missed his ‘Mech by meters, their smoke trails betraying the firer as they led back to the verdant woodline some 200 meters ahead.

Shit, Vipers, and from the MAD readings…heavies.

“Lance, this is lead, refuse the left, bound back to the cover about a click back and I am going to get battalion on the horn and have them dump some smoke on those bastards, make them come to us.” As he did so, he worked the controls to backwalk the ‘Mech, selecting a route that made sure he didn’t skyline himself.

He got a flurry of acknowledgements as he keyed the frequency for the Battalion TOC “Alpha 6-1, this is Charlie 33, I have contact with what I estimate are Clan heavies, request support and mortar smoke, over?”

The radio crackled to life instantly, “33, hear your request, we are routing some help to you, ETA 10 minutes, we have priority of fires for you with the battalion mortars, and we are whistling up some more support as well, over?”

The sweat trickled down Rodger’s face into his green eyes, which burned with a mix of terror and excitement. 10 minutes, that might as well be an eternity. Oh well, we can trade space for time, maybe we bag one of the bastards, maybe not. “6-1, we may not last 10 minutes, there is at least 1-2 heavy mechs out there, and they out range us pretty good, either way, all we have is our T-bolt as a base of fire, I really need some help to discourage those guys, where the hell is that smoke, over?”

More klaxons sounded in the cockpit as the Clan ‘Mechs cleared the woodline, the warbook cycled through images as it put red carets on the emerging targets. One was identified as a Galahad, and emerging to it’s left was a Baboon, two others to its right were a Hellhound and another Baboon. Why didn’t the Galahad open with her Gauss Rifles? Odd. Worse, the MAD was picking up 5 more contacts behind. Aw shit. All of the Clan mechs were a malange of dark green, with scars and gouges from previous fights, and some mismatched metal patches where their techs had slapped some armor on to keep the machines running.

As if to answer the question, one of the Galahad’s Gauss Rifles spoke, missing by mere meters, and gouging a furrow out of a nearby patch of ground, sending dirt chunks dozens of meters into the air and splattering Rodger’s ‘Mech.

His weapons, all Pulse lasers, were out of range, but considering the heaviest ‘Mech in the lance was a Thunderbolt, and it was probably already busy setting up a base of fire, and the rest of the ‘Mechs collapsing the perimeter around it before withdrawing in a file behind it’s guns. Or at least, that was the plan.

He heard the thud-thud-thud-thud of an autocannon, probably Edgerton’s Centurion some 100 meters off to his left, trying to discourage a ‘Tanker from getting around their flank, but they more than likely had the speed advantage.

“33, passing you over now to the FDC, their callsign is Starfire 12, over?”

“Roger, thank you 6-1. Starfire 12, how copy over?”

“Starfire 12 copies five by, understand you have some targets for me, over?”

“Roger that, I need a mix of smoke and HE at-“ Rodgers glanced down at his rolling map display, and selected a point half a klick in front of him, towards the center of the slowly advancing clan line. “-Papa Alpha 44718932, mix of smoke and HE Super Quick, over?”

“Roger that 33, spotting round out shortly. Observe impact.”

A few pregnant seconds passed, and then a small puff of smoke and dust as the round impacted, and then spewed a dirty orange smoke cloud, the new thermal smoke was designed to interfere with the superior Clan sensor systems, and reduce the fight to ranges where the FC forces could compete. So far, the rounds had done very well in that regard.

“Starfire 12, good shoot! Left 100, Drop 50, Fire for effect!”

“Roger that 33, firing for effect, we also have some other assets coming to the party shortly, hang in there 33!”

Rodger’s mech shuddered as it took a glancing blow from a Clan large laser, he knew if he took a few more of those, it was going to be the end of him, and as the rounds began to impact, the sky went from a verdant blue, to a world of dirty orange, as sensors began to fuzz over with static from interference from the smoke. The fire from the Clanners began to slacken off as they could not locate their targets, and they wandered slowly through the smoke, wary of close contact with their enemies.

Rodgers continued to withdraw slowly, soon passing a familiar sight, the gold and blue painted Thunderbolt of his Lance Senior NCO, Staff Sergeant Amy Wilkins, his radio crackled to life “Can’t see shit sir, hope they can’t either.”

“Tag anybody Staff Sergeant?”

“Yeah, got a captured Shadow Hawk of theirs. PPC shot to the head, he went down, didn’t get back up, or at least he didn’t before the smoke came in.”

It was at that moment that a Guillotine IIC lurched drunkenly from the smoke, he was 90 meters away, as close as it got in ‘Mech combat. It was trailing smoke from a mortar shell that had become wedged in it’s right shoulder where it met the body, it froze the PPC arm in place at a 45-degree downward angle. The rest of the ‘Mech was a patchwork of green and silver, blackened by weapons hits and exposure to smoke. And the ‘warrior inside looked as if he could not tell where he was going.

Both the Thunderbolt and Phoenix Hawk turned as one and fired, azure beams of charged lightning and focused light linking killer and victim for a few tortured second as new gouts of melted armor sloughed off the Guillotine IIC. A gout of green liquid erupted from several places on the ‘Mech, and a the ‘Mech went down in a flurry of limbs.

“Seems the smoke has them a bit confused, Staff Sergeant?”

“Won’t stay that way boss, we gotta bound back to the battalion, wait for the assaults to come up and crush these guys under artillery. No sense in playing ‘blind man’s bluff’ in this smoke.”

“Agreed, Staff Sergeant, let’s get the Lance out of here. Bounding overwatch till we get clear, then travelling back to the battalion lines. And tell everyone to put some fire into the smoke, it will confuse the bastards some more.”

“Charlie 33 this is Thor 24, understand you have a problem? Over?” the radio crackled.

Rodgers sighed in relief, he knew from the prelanding brief that any Thor call sign was artillery, and hopefully a lot of it.

“Thor 24, can you give me three volleys of HE, mix of contact and superquick? I am trying to break contact with a superior Viper force six klicks west of Objective Frankfurt?”

“33 roger, I have three volleys, I can give you one volley of SADM rounds, do you need that, over?”

“Thor 24, I would love that, please lay that on last. I will get my people clear in time, over.”

“33 roger, these things make a hell of a mess. And they don’t differentiate between friendlies and enemies. Observe our spotting round, Shot out, Over.”

It wasn’t long before something that sounded like a freight train from hell screamed over the withdrawing FC troops and impacted 100 meters in front of the advancing Clan enemy, who had now picked up the pace to “hug the belt” of the FC troops and thus avoid the worst of the artillery. The FC Lance had foreseen this, and began to turn and run, to put more distance between themselves and the Jade Falcons.

Rodgers triggered his jump jets, riding a pillar of fire that propelled his ‘Mech into the air, and back 180 meters, keeping his face to the enemy, as he sent a blast from his Large Pulse Laser down range in the general direction of the enemy. The round had impacted right in front of the Falcon line of advance. It was perfect.

“Thor 24, Fire for Effect, make it rain!”

“33, roger, rounds out now, get your heads down, it’s going to be close.”

A few seconds later, a cacophony of freight trains passed over the heads of his lance. The passage of the shells was enough to rock his ‘Mech and then the forward line of the smoke disappeared in a line of explosions, dust, dirt and small bushes disappearing in gouts of flame and smoke as they were hurled into the sky.

He saw a Baboon stagger from the dust and smoke, it was missing most of it’s left side. It had survived the first volley, it didn’t survive the second, as a 200mm round from a Long Tom landed right on the ‘Mech’s shoulder. The blast blew through the left torso, which smashed the engine, and knocked the ‘Mech down into the swirling smoke, where it was obscured by other explosions.

“Last volley, 33, get out of there!”, the radio shrieked

SADM (Sense and Destroy ‘Mech) rounds worked on the principle of that a Long Tom or Arrow IV warhead was filled with 30 bomblets, each with the power of an SRM warhead, and with a simple IR seeker attached. Once the carrier shell released the warheads, the warhead descended by parachute, and attacked the nearest ‘Mech sized heat signature they could find. NAIS had found in testing that it had an alarming tendency to score head hits, and while 1 or 2 hits didn’t usually penetrate the head, three or four did and considering a battery of six had just put 180 bomblets in the air…

It wasn’t long before a series of pops, about as loud as a car backfire erupted over the ‘Clan line. This was followed by a series of bangs and pops as the munitions found their targets and detonated. Rogers thought he’d seen one Clanner eject, but he wasn’t sure. There was just too much smoke, dirt, and explosions shrouding the Clan positions to know for sure. And he didn’t intend to find out.

“Charlie 33 Lance, Charlie 33 Actual, all Charlie 33 callsigns withdraw on me. We’re getting out of here, and leaving this to the big boys. They’re on their way. Actual Out.”
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 06 September 2017, 13:49:22
IlKhan’s Office

Tamar City

Tamar

Wolf Clan Occupation Zone

August 30th, 3056


The Jade Falcons have met the Falconer…and he is taming them badly, mused Ulric Kerensky, ilKhan of the Clans, as he poured over the Wolf Watch reports from the Jade Falcon/Steel Viper OZ. He’d been reading the estimates generated by Star Captain Kerensky’s people, and he was impressed with her insight. I was right to sponsor her bloodright, with Conal Ward gone, Clan Wolf will need a new Loremaster, and I can think of none better. I will discuss this with Natasha when I get the chance. But not tonight. Tonight, is for far heavier things. Things I did not ever believe I would discuss.

His reverie was interrupted by a sharp tap at the door. “My Khan,” a voice known to him as a member of his personal guard “Khan Kerensky and saKhan Ward of Clan Wolf are here to see you? Do I allow them entry?”

Ulric exhaled. Time to as Phelan is often fond of saying “face the music”. “Yes, allow them entry, Star Commander, then make sure we are not disturbed, I have a feeling this will be a long meeting.”

“Aff, ovKhan, as you wish.”

The door opened to reveal an older woman and a younger man, both in Clan Wolf leathers, the woman, though she had dyed her hair red, and her face was lined by the ravages of time, still walked with a regal bearing that signified her status among the Wolves, and Inner Sphere. She was the Black Widow herself, Natasha Kerensky, Khan of Clan Wolf, and all that came with it. She was death, personified. And yet, with all that, intimates knew her as both a “pain in the ass” and a “someone with an authority problem”, which to Ulric, made her elevation to Khan both a way to honor her..and the best damn joke he had known in years. I had always said, ‘Tasha, that you would be Khan one day. And you told me “Over my dead body.” Funny how that worked out. It seems all the dead bodies belong to everyone who stood in your way. But considering the nature of our little meeting, why is she wearing a smile?

The young man on the other hand, was in a broad grin, and carrying a six pack of Timbiqui Dark. And Phelan, like the Greek, bearing gifts. Uh-oh. Those two have a plan that will bring the Wolf Clan martial glory, and me a lot of headaches in the Grand Council. Perhaps they have not had a chance to read the intelligence estimates I just did?

“Dammit Ulric, why so glum? We’re seeing the humbling of the Falcons?” Natasha bellowed, her nature was always boisterous and loud, except in combat, which clearly, this was not. She made herself at home leaning against Ulric’s work table in the far corner of the room. Phelan, on the other hand, took a seat on the maroon couch in the middle of the room.


“I would say that this has the potential to undermine all of Clan society, you two. This basically makes Zellbrigen dead as horse cavalry.” muttered Ulric.

“I dunno, Ulric. Perhaps this is the wakeup call the Clans needed. We didn’t belong here. We still don’t. And now, now little Victor, with no doubt help from Daddy is doing what we haven’t, ripping the damn guts out the Crusaders once and for all?” Natasha mused.

Phelan’s features pinched a little. He didn’t agree completely with Natasha, and Phelan was a bit more forward thinking that she was. Not that she made a bad Khan by any means, but Phelan was often the one doing the leg work on the more “administrative” matters, like peacefully resolving the unrest on Tamar last year during the worst of the food shortages. That had the potential to get nasty, Vlad, damn him, wanted to take ‘Mechs and Elementals in and slaughter the protestors. He really doesn’t have what it takes to be Khan, that one.

“You disagree, Phelan, quiaff?” Ulric queried

“Aff, Ulric. The Falcons and Vipers are being hit by massive levels of force and firepower. The FedCom’s new “Artillery Brigades” are basically smothering them in fire..and then the FedCom mops up with combined arms. Sure, it’s not a perfect solution. But Ulric, unless the Falcons and Vipers can goad the FedCom into a mobile engagement with at least some sort of parity in the numbers department, then all we are going to see is the defeat in detail of both Clans. The issues are, what comes after?”

“Phelan, what comes after? We do as we always have done. We win the right to absorb both clans and then we fight, I don’t see a down side here. I never liked either clan particularly.” Natasha smiled

“’Tasha, with respect, that’s what is blinding you here. The Home Clans are going to see this as an excuse to turn on both Clans, and hell, maybe even us and the Bears, and maybe even kick us out of the homeworlds? I would not be surprised if abjuration or absorption motions would be on the table.”

“They’d be nuts to try? I mean, ok, against the Falcons and the Vipers once Victor has stomped them into the ground. But really? All of us? The only Khan that is insane enough to try is Asa Taney of the Hellions, and what would he accomplish? The rest of the Clans would step aside and watch him fail. It would be amusing to watch him try, however.” Natasha replied.

Ulric rose his hands in a gesture meant to bring some peace to the conversation. “’Tasha, Phelan, you are both right, and both wrong. I ken much chaos for the Clans if this offensive succeeds. And from the looks of it. It seems that it will. The FedCom has unleashed a concept the Clans have forgotten: Total War. We know the cost of it. The Great Founder knew it. That is why he made the Clans the way he did. But it seems, as much as we seek to avoid it, we are vulnerable to it. What I am afraid of, is how the rest of the Clans will react? And how in the world do I guide them through the rough seas to come?” Ulric then exhaled in a mixture of frustration and disgust.

Natasha shook her head. “We already do know, as we have said, they will go bonkers. The Vipers and Falcons will be absorbed..by someone, and good riddance, as for the rest of the Clans? The Jags will probably jump the Drac border. Probably manage to take Luthien this time, if we’re lucky, the Jags and Dracs kill each other off and we get a better universe out of the bargain. As for the rest of the Clans? It pains me to say this Ulric, but back home will become a shooting gallery. Trials and counter-trials, and many of them might not bother to wait for you to weigh in?”

“You really think things would go to hell like that, ‘Tasha?” Phelan opined.

“Yeah, kid, I do. We may see ourselves as the pinnacle of human development, guided benevolently by warriors bred and born, but the truth is? A lot of us act like ADD addled teenagers given the keys to dad’s Battlemech, myself included at times. Vlad is the pinnacle of that, if you want an even better example. Say what you want about the Inner Sphere, but they just remembered that professional soldiers beat warriors every time. And they are demonstrating it to the Falcons and Vipers rather harshly.

But here comes the part that makes me convinced it’s all going to hell in a handbasket, and fast once it becomes clear that a third of the invading clans just got their collective asses kicked? Clan society just had the rules changed, and for all our talk about “might makes right” and “making room for the future”, we are a very conservative society. Our rules have not significantly changed since the Founder returned to the Pentagon worlds. The Clans have had a nasty habit of killing people who proposed those rules change, and unless you are a warrior..you’re not likely to survive long.”

Phelan looked forlornly at Ulric, who nodded sadly.

“Phelan, the Wardens were always the more pragmatic faction of the Clans. We knew the Inner Sphere and our own society had diverged greatly in the intervening centuries. Once the Dragoons began to report in, we realized just how much. The Crusaders however, could not bring themselves to the intellectual honesty required to realize the “barbarians” really had a lot more guns than we did..and the willingness, it seems to use them.

But shocks me, and will shock the other Clans the most? Seeing mass surrenders by Jade Falcon and Steel Viper warriors! We have already seen it on Bone-Norman! ‘Tasha? You and I have fought the Falcons many times, had you ever known the Falcons to surrender in such numbers?”

“Neg, Ulric, I haven’t, but we never made the damn sky fall in on them.” ‘Tasha mused.

Phelan swore softly. “So what in the hell do we do? Surrender? Make a deal? Turtle up and hope that Victor doesn’t drive on Tamar while he’s at it stomping the hell out of two Clans?”

“I don’t know Phelan, you actually know the Steiner-Davions better than anyone in this room. What sort of deal might they accept? What would it take to let us stay here in the Inner Sphere, and not be made into a dead part of history by FedCom arms. The people of the Inner Sphere have many reasons to be angry with us. We came without warning. We took what we wanted, we killed many, took many more as bondsmen never to be seen again. We may say it was all because we had the right to. And part of me still believes that, but according to our rules, as much as the FedCom has violated every martial tenet the Clans believe in, they still have applied the core of our beliefs: might makes right. And right now, their might makes them right. But they believe in something different. To them, we are the Nazis, the Huns, the Mongols, we are the faceless evil from beyond the Periphery to be destroyed. We are the people arrogant enough to think we are the master race.”

“We never were, Ulric, you know that!” Natasha shouted.

“I do, ‘Tasha, which is why I am a Warden. But this is going to damage irreparably the worldviews of a lot of Crusaders, who will be looking for someone to blame. They will default to their usual program, as it were, get in their ‘Mechs and strike at us, or at any other likely target. It will be war on a scale not seen in the homeworlds for some time. And it will be seen as glorious…at first.”

“I think I could use that beer, Ulric.”

“As do I, Phelan. As do I, I think the lucky ones from all this may be the bondsmen the Federated Commonwealth take. At least they will have a future. The rest of us may not. In fact, I expect to receive notice that there will be a Trial of Grievance against me for the way I have handled things.”

“Ulric, the Grand Council would at least allow you a trial?” Natasha’s voice dropped to almost a whisper.

“No, they would not. They are angry. They see the burning Falcon and Viper ‘Mechs, the proud standards of Falcon and Viper clusters brought low by nothing better than freebirths, no offense, Phelan?”

“None taken, Ulric.” Phelan smiled.

“And they see this, and they do not care one whit what the truth is, that we must evolve or die. They would see this as our social Armageddon, our Ragnorok, our Gotterdammerung. And they would act accordingly, with all the rules being off.”

“Jesus, Ulric. If that is true…?” Natasha looked on in horror, her thoughts seeing the potential end of Clan society by its own fratricidal hand.

“Then we must take steps to survive it, as a clan, and as a society, and we must purge those elements who would bring this about..and do it quickly, before we all fall.” Ulric’s voice was like gravel, it rumbled softly and with an authority given to very few men. He looked at the other individuals in the room, and held their eyes.

“Till we all fall, my friends, we must do this, because Clan Wolf, heir of the Kerenskys, must survive the coming storm.”

“Seyla” responded Natasha

“Seyla” added Phelan

“Seyla” as Ulric completed the ritual. “It is decided, whatever happens, the survival of our Clan is paramount, what happens to any of us is secondary. Phelan..let’s break out that beer. I have a feeling we are going to need some as we figure out how in the hell we survive this mess.”

Private Chambers of the Chancellor

Forbidden Palace

Sian

Capellan Confederation

September 1st, 3056

Sun Tsu Liao smiled thinly as he read over the readiness reports for his military. The CCAF has reached a standard no one has seen since 2412, which incidentally, was the last time we actually launched an offensive. EAST SEA is a risky thing, but when will we ever get another opportunity? The Federated Commonwealth is feeling arrogant, and has it’s back turned. We will never get another chance. If Shang is correct, another two weeks, and we will see their second wave kick off, which should allow us to strike against the lesser formations Davion has left behind. Delicious indeed.

He turned to his left, as a figure stirred beneath the sheets of his silk lined bed, her powerful frame a contrast from the delicate features of his wife. And so much more alluring as it turns out. Neither he, nor Alexa Shang had sought out some sort of relationship, but one had developed none the less. He liked her honesty, her patriotism, her bravery, and above all, her competence. Perhaps, when this is all over, I shall elevate her to the position of concubine? She is far more appealing to spend my nights with than that flighty Marik woman.

As the form slowly woke up and stretched, her naked form was there for all to see, her almond skin shimmered in the morning light. Sun Tsu smiled hungrily “Alexa, my dear, did you sleep well?”

“Yes Celestial Wisdom, I did not expect-“

“No need for all that formality here. In these chambers, call me Sun-Tsu. I am happy you slept well, and frankly, I need you in top form. The time for EAST SEA nears.” Sun-Tsu walked over to the night table, and fetched a comb, which he began to use to comb his hair back.

“I wished to speak to you about some parts of the plan, Cel-I mean Sun-Tsu?”

“Oh?”

“I am unsure about the special operation meant to introduce command paralysis amongst the Davions? My concern is of two parts. The first, is the nature of the operation. I may not be an intelligence professional, but might it be better to use our own people? These fanatics…unnerve me.”

Sun-Tsu gave Alexa a dismissive wave “Alexa, calm yourself, we do not have enough assets to accomplish all we would like to prep the battlefield for EAST SEA. Sadly, I am forced to rely on these fanatics. At least, they are not my sister’s fanatics. These people will get the job done..and we can remove them later from the table. Believe me Alexa, if we had a choice, I would not have dealt with them at all. But Marik demands I deal with them as part of his price. And they want Kittery for some reason. No matter to me, it was never really a Capellan world.”

Alexa nodded, then continued. “And then there is the nature of the attack, Sun-Tsu, might we be opening ourselves open for some sort of blowback? Might they try to kill you in response?”

Sun-Tsu smiled “By the time they get around to that, their minor houses will have torn their grand alliance apart because the Steiner-Davion brood will be wiped from the Inner Sphere. No, Alexa, this is the blow my father and mother both were not audacious enough to strike, but I am. And now that we know the Dragoons are gone from Outreach, and that much of the troop strength the Davions were making us see was fiction, no, now is the time to strike. Who knows, perhaps these could be the last days of Davion? I doubt it. But a man, even a Chancellor can hope.”

Alexa Shang felt a chill go through her. Her Chancellor, her lover had done the one thing she had hoped he wouldn’t and that was launch an attack on the Federated Commonwealth based on hope of a potential outcome. Such a thing was bound to end badly, and there might not wind up being a Capellan Confederation when it was all said and done? But she owed her Chancellor and her State her loyalty. She was a good Capellan citizen, what else could she do?

“Oh, and Alexa, I intend to go with the Autumn Wind-4 option, We will attack from barracks. I say deny the Davions any intelligence until the last possible minute. And make sure we give a false set of timetables to the Mariks. I do not want them to leak a damn thing until we go.”

“But Sun-Tsu? We are depending on many of those Marik units for some key first wave objectives.”

“Do not worry Alexa, what we lack in numbers, we will make up for in shock, and surprise, and of course, the indomitable will of the Capellan fighting man.”

This development chilled Alexa even more. Has the legendary madness of the Liao line infected Sun-Tsu as well? Not at this critical hour for the Capellan state. No!

But the questions continued to come unbidden for Alexa Shang as she slowly got dressed.

Sun-Tsu turned, and his almond colored eyes burned with an intense fire of both anger, and disappointment. "You failed, Alexa."

Alexa looked on surprised. "I failed? What was the test?"

"The only test that matters, Alexa, what is more important? Me, or the state?" Sun-Tsu sighed.

"I don't understand?"

"The failure is not completely yours, Alexa. You are a product of our training, where we expect absolute loyalty to the state as personified by the Chancellor. But by now, you should realize, the state is more important than any one chancellor. I cannot afford any mistakes in what is to come, Alexa. The madness on my part, was faked. The Capellan state must have sane, responsible, and canny leadership in the days to come. I will allow you this one misstep. If I act this way again, you are to shoot me...and then my sister. In a lockbox under the throne, there are specific instructions on what to do when I die. I entrust you to follow them to the letter."

"When you die, Sun-Tsu?"

"Alexa, I do not expect to survive this war. What I am about to unleash on the Davions, their family, all to gain even a momentary military advantage, is going to have them baying for my blood, but my life is worth it to save the Confederation a lifetime of supplication to the Federated Commonwealth. Our people must have their spine back. If it costs me my life, so be it."

"But Sun-Tsu, surely there is another way? Perhaps LONG MARCH is a better option..."

"No, Alexa. The people want to see our arms defeat the Davions, not their surrogates, who are Capellans as well. We need victory, and I will make any deal and pay any price to get it. If we can get to Sarna and Liao, I will fall down on my knees and thank my ancestors for us to be so lucky. I know the state of the CCAF. I know we rely a little too much on our benefactors, and my treacherous father in law, but what choice do we have?"

"None that I can see, Sun-Tsu."

"Then understanding has dawned in the student. I expect you to both learn and teach much in the coming days. Do not worry about the fanatics. I expect whatever they have planned, they do not expect to survive it. And as for us getting all the Davions? That was pure theater on my part. If we can get one or two, and have them chasing their tails when we cross the frontier for a week? I will be happy with that. I am finding military operations are like politics, all about the art of the possible."

"They are, Sun-Tsu."

Sun-Tsu nodded, She will not make the same mistake again. Good, I need at least one confidant I can rely on when the time comes, and when the person I expect to come, comes for me. Especially when I remove his mother from the table....
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 06 September 2017, 13:50:18
Lyran Commonwealth National Command Authority Relocation Site #18

18km SSW of Otisburg

Tharkad

Donegal March

Federated Commonwealth

September 5th, 3056

Field Marshal Nondi Steiner was on her 8th cup of coffee, running her fingers through her hair in frustration at both the logistical figures Poulin had sent back from the front, and the antics of her young aide. That Sanderlin kid is going to make me old. Ok, Victor, I took him on your recommendation, but seriously? His trying too hard may be the thing that finally gets me to retire. God? Was I like that once?

Sanderlin had recently been given back his commission for meritorious conduct under fire just before Clover Spear kicked off, and was told directly, take the bars and the staff job that went with it, in a note signed by Victor himself. Cannot blame Victor for wanting to save one of his academy friends. From what I hear, thanks to the Clans, there aren’t too many of them left.

She read over the report Sanderlin had written on Poulin’s requests. So far, his supply expenditures were outstripping even the most pessimistic projections by a factor of 2, especially on the consumables side. Modern war eats ammunition, food, water, and fuel like a wolf eats rabbits. And it spits out death. Death to our young people, and death to theirs. Hell of a business I am in, eh Katrina. God I miss you. I should have retired after you died, but your son in law asked me to stay on for a while, and so did Victor. Poulin is doing a fine job, but if current expenditures stay the same, we might run out of tube artillery rounds by the end of the year. Jesus, I hope we have dealt with the damn Vipers and Falcons by then

She moved on to the operational side of the briefing. So far, resistance had been spotty. Much of that had been due to the fact that the Clans had been caught by surprise, where they could, they had fought hard, but so far..so good, as total casualties for the AFFC thus far was in the 10,000 range for dead and wounded. She never thought she’d ever see those numbers for something this big. It’s still a tragedy for every family that gets the HPG and the visit from the Casualty Assistance Section of the local militia. God, let this be over soon.

She turned her attention to the projected 2nd Wave targets. It’s ambitious as hell hitting both Clan OZ capitols now, but I want to shock the damn bastards to their core, and so does Poulin. We may have to employ TREMBLER on Sudeten, god I hope we don’t, or SUNRISE. Either one is going to send the Clans into a small frenzy, but honestly, if they are that stupid, we can do some of what we probably should have done after that little temper tantrum on that Drac world.

There was a knock at the door. Nondi glanced at her wrist chrono. LIC with their intelligence brief. Always right on time.

“Enter!” she bellowed, her voice sounding harsher than she had wanted it to.

A non-descript fellow in AFFC uniform, with MI insignia on the collar and the epaulets of a Leftenant entered the office carrying an oversized briefcase. After rendering courtesies, he stated “Good morning, mam. Could you please place your hand on the marked pad and speak your name for receipt of the enclosed package?”

Nondi nodded and did as instructed. “General Nondi Steiner, Duchess Gallery and Commanding General of the Lyran State Command. Service Number RA117459.” The case clicked open in response, the pad glowing green.

“Thank you, General. Soon as I record this, may I depart?” The courier then produced a small recorder and stated, “Copy 6 of 10 of Threats and Intentions report on Clans Jade Falcon and Steel Viper delivered to General Nondi Steiner delivered personally at 0821:25. Identity verified.”

“Dismissed, Leftenant. And tell your boss I don’t like your couriers in uniforms they didn’t earn the right to wear.”

The courier blanched. “General Steiner, I am not one to step out of line, or correct a General Officer out of turn, but I am a graduate of CMA, class of ’41.”

“You are? Then where the hell is your school rag?”

“Orders from General Karlberg. We don’t wear them. Nor our class rings. It’s too much information to any potential enemies.”

Nondi gritted her teeth. “You see combat, Leftenant?”

“Yes mam, on Twycross. My whole lance got shot to pieces, and I was medically evacuated after they blew my Banshee out from under me. I have a TBI, so I can’t pilot a ‘Mech anymore. Still a reservist, but I am a staff officer with the militia on Tharkad, officially.”

Nondi smiled “Ok, just wanted to make sure you were at least somewhat legitimate, Leftenant. Dismissed.” as she waved her hand as if to shoo him away.

Once the Leftenant departed, she thumbed a button on her desk that shut off all recording devices and engaged a white noise generator. It could only be turned off by her once engaged.

The pages were crisp, white paper, with stark lettering, and LIC’s writing style left little room for fluff.

She scanned the pages, and found little had changed from last week, and if anything, it seemed the Jade Falcons and Steel Vipers had…

It was the Sudeten entry had stopped her speed reading.

She reread the offending paragraph, now burning itself into her brain:

“..Two Jade Falcon warships have entered the Sudeten system in the last 96 hours. (95% reliability), ships are identified as the Hawker of the Sovietskii Soyuz-class (95% reliability) plus one Aegis class Cruiser (90% reliability), name unknown. Both ships are in geosynch orbit as part of a routine patrol from the Periphery, and are reportedly taking on supplies and rotating crews. (90% reliability). “

“Jesus” she muttered and she continued to read the document. It was another paragraph that had her fumbling for her noteputer:

“..a new hardened bunker of some kind has been completed in the vicinity of the largest island in the Jarho chain (95% reliability). Its purpose is unclear at this time, but we suspect that it is either a relocation site for the Jade Falcon Khans (70% reliable) or a C3 site of some kind (30% reliable). We suspect there is a stronger case for the former possibility as we have noticed a separate HPG system being installed at the site during construction. (See Appendix A3, Overhead Imagery of unknown site on Sudeten, taken 6th September 3056).

Nondi cursed again. “I am going to have to give Poulin permission for both SUNRISE and TREMBLER after all, damn it all. Better let Victor and Hanse know as well. Shit..there went my day..”


Clan Smoke Jaguar Forward Headquarters

10km from Courant City

Albiero

Clan Smoke Jaguar Occupation Zone

September 24th, 3056

0445 hours Local


Khan Lincoln Osis flexed his muscles slightly as he continued to read the reports taken from the Wolf Watch. The Trial of Possession was worth it, in retrospect, but it was bloody, only one survivor of the binary from the 6th Dragoons I sent to get the reports. But their information was, illuminating, to say the least.

The report’s conclusions were stark. The ersatz Star League that the sphereoids had formed, the “Federated Commonwealth” was rolling over the Falcons and Vipers as if they were tissue paper warriors, and the freebirths were using more than a few honorless tactics to do it. Massed artillery fire, overwhelming force, no zellbrigen, and guerillas? All of this is without any honor at all, but the Falcons and Vipers did little but lick their wounds, and assume, in their haughty ignorance, that the Sphereoid scum would cower in fear of the “almighty Falcons”. And worse, the Vipers agreed.

Osis did not know who in the hell to laugh at first. So, he split the difference, and chuckled mirthlessly at the predicament both clans found themselves in. He rubbed his brow with his left hand, and rubbed his eyes again, as he continued to read the report. If I had known how deadly dull this report was, I would have had Brandon Howell read it and summarize it for me. The Wolves kill with words, and call themselves “clanlike.”

But the report’s conclusions, even to Osis, were sound. The Falcons and Vipers were in the early stages of military collapse, and the FedCom was using every weak point in both Clans to shove them over the edge of disaster. Not that such things would apply to the Jaguars. I would almost welcome the so-called Federated Commonwealth attempting such a thing here. My warriors would make short work of it. The “fearsome” DCMS has proven to be nothing more than a momentary impediment on the way to Terra, we would already be there, if not for Kerensky, and his damn deal with that so-called religious order known as ComStar. It is a good thing I had those robed idiots we captured off that jumpship back in ’48 mind wiped BEFORE we gave them back. I cannot say too many other ComStar POWs have been so lucky. Then again, it has given my elementals valuable practice.

Osis grinned at that last thought. His methods had begun to suppress the Combine backed guerillas, but at a cost, and he believed it was mostly because the Combine was not able to continue to both fund their efforts, and rebuild the DCMS. That said, they did enough to keep them busy.

Osis leaned over and pushed a button on his noteputer: “Kelmar, attend to me.”

At once, a knock came at the door. “Enter”, Osis barked.

The heavy blast door opened with a clank, and a whine as metal creaked, a slender figure entered, his blue eyes large and his sandy blond hair and his light complexion and lithe features reflected his aerospace fighter pilot phenotype. His skin was impregnated with grey linear tattoos, outward reflections of Kelmar’s fanatical devotion to Clan Smoke Jaguar, as well as his submission to DNI surgery. “Aff my Khan, what is your bidding?”, he bellowed as he came to attention and saluted.

“Kelmar, how sharp are the Jaguar’s claws, would you say, are we ready to crush the Combine?”

“As sharp as ever, ovKhan, our warriors clamber at another chance to teach the Combine who the better warriors truly are.” Kelmar answered.

Osis grinned satisfactorily. “Good, I expected as much. Summon all the Galaxy Commanders for a meeting here in three weeks’ time. I want to go over our plans to hit the Combine, especially for plan to finally take Luthien. We will take it, then burn it to ash, and then rename it DeChaviller, as the Combine helped the usurper, Kelmar. Examples must be made.”

Kelmar simply nodded.

There was another knock at the door. “ovKhan, there is news about the sphereoid offensive against the Jade Falcons and Steel Vipers. Their second wave has begun.”

Osis smiled wider. “Kelmar, move up that meeting a week. We cannot wait, and I intend to act before those timid souls led by that king sheep, Kerensky blather on about Clan unity and try to get us into some idiotic plan to save the Falcons and Vipers from their own stupidity.”

Kelmar nodded again. “It shall be done, ovKhan.”


Location Unknown

Date Unknown

The man was nude, and his features were ordinary, he was of ordinary height, and weight. But his eyes, his eyes were empty of anything like a soul, or a conscience. He hadn’t started out that way. He had a name, once. But those days had been purged from his memory. His life before, according to his instructors, had no meaning, only what he was told to do.

He sat in the middle of a white featureless room, his meals and simple needs brought to him between missions, when he was sent out into the world to wreak havoc on behalf of the better world promised by the Blessed Blake, a world he was helping to make happen. Such thoughts elicited the rare smile, a smile that was terrible to behold.

A slot formed as if by magic in the door, and a small envelope, about 40cm by 30cm in size, white, with the Blakist broadsword on it in the upper right corner passed through and fluttered slowly to the floor of the room. The man waited until the envelope had reached the floor, then quietly rose and walked over to the envelope, and opened it with a minimum of effort.

Assignments were always a picture of the target. He was an assassin. He never did bombings or kidnappings. Any photo he ever got, the target was meant to be killed, and he would do the job regardless of the opposition. He had never failed, and never been caught. He would be proud of that, if he were capable of it.

He removed the photo from the envelope, and turned it over to reveal the beaming faces of Hanse Aadrian Davion, and Melissa Steiner-Davion. This should be a true test of my abilities, the man thought.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Shadow_Wraith on 06 September 2017, 18:50:00
 :D A very nice update!!
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: mikecj on 07 September 2017, 08:49:52
Nicely written.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: DOC_Agren on 07 September 2017, 16:47:40
Very nice..   more to come I hope
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 11 September 2017, 09:23:28
Offices of the First Prince Emeritus
Royal Palace
New Avalon
Crucis March, Federated Commonwealth
September 8th, 3056

  I hate what I have to do, but for the good of the realm, I have to do it. Hanse grimaced as he thought over the words that he had rehearsed mentally for weeks before this day. It was a beautiful early fall day on New Avalon, clear blue skies, bit of a clean breeze that wafted through the palace. But all Hanse could think about was the horrible things he was going to have to say to an old friend, one whom had rendered innumerable services to the Commonwealth, and one whom had given his only brother to save his then-fiancé.

  This is so much worse than when I found out the truth about Michael. Hanse mused. He felt a slight twinge in his chest, and though he was tempted to reach for his heart pills, he soon shut the thought out of his mind. He knew his body, and he knew he was going to get through this. I am of sterner stuff than this. Victor had offered to do this, so had Melissa, but the fact was, politically, he could not see any other alternative to himself. And he wouldn’t accept it from anyone else but me and Katrina. And Katrina’s gone, so it’s just me.

 There was a knock at the door. “Your highness, Duke Kell has arrived for his one pm audience, shall I admit him?”

  Hanse bellowed “Yes, and see we aren’t disturbed afterwards.” Hanse shook himself mentally as he said that a bit harsher than he had intended. That young man did not deserve your anger, Hanse, and you know it. The voice in his head that said it sounded suspiciously like his father, Andrew. Dad’s been gone a long time. I suppose he’d approve of what we’ve built here.

  The door opened and a man of imposing height entered, his physique told of a man who had still put himself through a brutal exercise regimen, and remained ready for battle, even though he hadn’t been in a ‘Mech in two years. His ducal clothes spoke of a simple finery, as he was not a man of ceremony, but a man who had made his reputation on the battlefield, as a mercenary, fighting the enemies of the Commonwealth for longer than there HAD been a Federated Commonwealth. His ‘Mechwarrior’s spur’s jangled, and his faded blue school rag fluttered in the breeze as he entered the room and his long mane of grey hair framed his face, currently an expressionless mask. But Hanse noted his eyes. His eyes said sorrow, and determination, and intelligence, and experience, all rolled up into something that made Morgan Kell unique, and by the reports of some, unkillable.

  Not so sure I believe that last part, but I think we’re both a bit old to be hopping into simulators to prove it, eh? Then again, with what I have to tell him, he might want to do it for real once I am done. God, he is a loyal soldier who we have counted on time and again. I inducted him into the Order of Davion. Victor and Katherine gave him those spurs.. and the right to wear them as thanks for decades of loyal service, and now, this is how we thank him.

  “Hello Morgan,” Hanse smiled thinly, “Please, sit down. Can I have the palace staff get you anything?”

  Morgan did as he was asked, shaking his head no as he sat. “I am on my way to a reunion of some of the gang from Mallory’s World. Not many of us left. But, I got your message, Hanse. I cannot imagine why it is so important for you to send for me to come incommunicado.”

  Hanse nodded. “I am sorry, Morgan for the bit of skullduggery, but it’s important, and sadly, it affects your family. Namely, your son.”

   Morgan grimaced knowingly. His brows deepened as he frowned, and the light in his eyes danced with both shame, and anger.
  “I think you know why we are here, Morgan.”

  Morgan nodded. “I do, Hanse, and I think it very astute for them to ask you to be the one to have this conversation with me.”

  Hanse nodded, and handed over a series of still pictures taken from what appeared to be a BattleROM recording. The timestamp was 11 November, 3051, Tamar, Federated Commonwealth. It was from a Quickdraw of the 26th Lyran Guards, and had a Thor in its gunsights, but to the left of the reticule, was a Wolfhound, in a very distinctive scheme. Phelan. It could not be anyone else. Subsequent stills showed the Wolfhound firing on the Quickdraw.
 
  Hanse let Morgan take the photos in for a few moments. “Morgan, these photos came to light two years ago. We’d always been willing to overlook Phelan’s activities with Clan Wolf, because he was a mercenary, rather than a sworn member of the AFFC, but these photos are going to make the lead story tomorrow on DBC. We just found out last night. We’ve asked them to delay for 48 hours for us to have this talk with you.”

  “Why, Hanse, you’re just going to try him for treason in absentia, and then have him shot if you ever get his hands on him? And you’re asking me to publicly support this, no?”

  Hanse shook his head. “No, Morgan, we aren’t. I had a long chat with Victor, my wife, Katherine, Quintus, and Ardan on what the hell to do about this. Fact is, DBC is forcing us to do something. And right now, with us doing well against the clans, thus far…”
  “The people want blood?”

  “Precisely, I have people outside the palace every day here on both New Avalon and on Tharkad with placards of their missing children demanding we start putting the screws to Falcon and Viper bondsmen till we get the whereabouts of their kids. And for us not to do anything about Phelan? It would be political dynamite, especially in Tamar.”

  “So Hanse, you’re going to ask me to sacrifice my son for the sake of the Commonwealth?”

  Hanse nodded yes. “But I won’t have him killed or kidnapped, so long as he stays in the Wolf OZ.  I furthermore promise you that, so long as he refrains from setting foot in the Commonwealth ever again, he has nothing to fear, unless he takes up arms against us. If he is taken alive, he will be arrested for treason, and aid and comfort to an enemy in time of war. If that happens, I do at least promise he will get the best representation in the Commonwealth, and a fair trial in the Davion half. He couldn’t get one in the Steiner half.”

  “And you expect me to tell him that?”

  “Yes, Morgan, I do. I expect you to tell him because otherwise, Victor’s hand will be forced, and it could cause a crisis in the Lyran half of the Commonwealth. I don’t want that, and I don’t think you do either.”

  Morgan swore softly, Dammit Hanse, you are right. And sadly, this is the best deal Phelan can probably expect. At least he won’t be kidnapped by Loki or MI-6 and dragged back here in chains. And who knows, maybe we can go visit him? This is of course, assuming that the Wolves are allowed to stay in the Inner Sphere?

  “Damn you, Hanse. I agree. But know this, you’re asking me to participate in the exile of my own son. A son I named after the brother I lost saving the life of your wife. You must acknowledge that much.” Morgan’s eyes glistened with unshed tears, tears he was too proud to shed in front of Hanse Davion.

  Hanse nodded “I know Morgan, and if Victor and I had another choice, we would. But there isn’t any. And you know it, Morgan. We cannot protect him, especially when these BattleROM stills come out.”

  “May I have a moment, Hanse, alone? I’d like to think about what to say to my son?”

  Hanse nodded, and made to step out into the hall. He stopped for a moment, and turned to Morgan. “Morgan, for what it’s worth. I am sorry. I wish there were another way, but there isn’t.” He then opened the door and stepped out into the hall, the door closing with a quiet click that sounded like the most mournful sound imaginable to Morgan. It was like losing Patrick all over again.
 
  The tears and sobs came on suddenly, Morgan bit his hand to prevent his moans of sorrow from escaping. My son, the traitor? What did I do wrong? What the hell did Salome and I do wrong? Where did we fail you, Phelan? Morgan collapsed on the leather couch, soon he was not caring who heard his sorrow.

  Hanse overheard the cries from the hall, and stopped the senior guard who made for the door. “No, Captain Alstead. Give him whatever time he needs and please make sure the staff fulfills his every wish, he is a patriot, and he didn’t deserve this. But a man like Morgan Kell deserves his private pain. We owe it to him to let him mourn, and we shall do so, clear?”

  The entire guard force came to attention and semi-shouted “Clear, Your Highness!” as one.

  “Now, to find my wife. I could so use a ****** drink right now.”

Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Shadow_Wraith on 11 September 2017, 22:16:43
Wow  nice update
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: mikecj on 12 September 2017, 21:01:31
Well written!
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Zureal on 13 September 2017, 06:19:28
pure awesome!
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: snakespinner on 13 September 2017, 22:38:34
Great update. O0
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Lone-Wolf on 17 September 2017, 07:31:04
I like the part that the POW / bondsmen / slavery question is addressed.

In the books it was shortly mentioned and then it disappeared into the fog of "Forget it".

There is a bond between ruler and soldiers a la "no one is left behind" but the rulers of the IS seem very indifferent to it.
I seem to remember that House Steiner had Problems with House Kurita about their POW, because nobody in House Kurita was responsible for it if I remember correctly.

But I hope this story gets things right.
The Clans revere General Kerensky and he was looking at the fine print when it came to POW (remember the last speech he gave to the rulers of the IS before he left?).

So at least exchanging letters should be allowed.

And regarding Phelan: If he claims that you can only change things (bondsmen) when you are high enough and that means participating in war then maybe the FC will allow him to return if he releases bondmen back or sells them back (just like the FRG bought political prisoners from the GDR).
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 28 September 2017, 10:54:05
A little wedding gift to all my readers (I am getting hitched on the 21st of next month), so this will be the last piece of writing for Clover Spear I will be getting out before then, this is a preview of the next chapter...

Somerset
Attackers: 26th Lyran Guards RCT, 17th Skye Rangers, 2 Independent Artillery Brigades.

Defenders: None

Results: Somerset fell within 36 hours, with few shots fired except for a short skirmish at the site of the Military Academy of Somerset, where a small Jade Falcon sibko was smashed in a 12-hour running battle through the Academy live fire ranges. The planet was secured within the week.

Waldorff
Attackers: 1st and 2nd Davion Guards RCTs, Davion Assault Guards RCT, 6 Independent Artillery Brigades.

Defenders: 9th and 10th Fang, Clan Steel Viper

Results: The fighting for Waldorff was bitter right from the initial landing, with the Steel Vipers making counterattack after counterattack against the teeth of the FC landings. The Vipers then fought a rear guard through the streets of Waldorff City before they withdrew off-world to Twycross.

Graus
Attackers: 7th Crucis Lancers RCT, Davion Light Guards RCT, 4 Independent Artillery Brigades.

Defenders: 38th and 71st Phalanx, 4th Viper Guards (60% Strength), Clan Steel Viper

Results: The fighting for Graus was the worst of the 2nd Wave thus far. The Vipers dug in around Garros Spaceport and held it for 2 weeks before they were annihilated almost to the man. FC casualties were heavy, with the Davion Light Guards having lost one of its three battlemech battalions, and a pair of armor battalions. The 7th Crucis took heavy casualties in one of its battlemech battalions. The Spaceport was leveled, and the natural splendor of Graus was ruined.

Blackjack
Attackers: 1st Aragon Borderers, 1st Federated Suns Armored Cavalry, Hansen’s Roughriders, 1st Robinson Rangers, 5th Davion Guards, 8 Independent Artillery Brigades

Defenders: 80th Fang, Clan Steel Viper

Results: In a 24-hour running fight around the ruins of the old Academy, the 1st Federated Suns Armored Cavalry and Hansen’s Roughriders handily destroyed the 80th Fang. More than a few prisoners were taken in the end as the unit’s morale collapsed with the death of Star Colonel Jessup.

Malibu
Attackers: Grey Death Legion, 3rd Crucis Lancers RCT, 2 Independent Artillery Brigades

Defenders: 124th Striker Cluster, Clan Jade Falcon

Results: The 124th Striker Cluster had taken the time to fortify a position overlooking Malibu City in a series of low hills and gullies. The Grey Death Legion and 3rd Crucis Lancers showed little hesitation in going in and getting them. The fighting lasted 2 weeks and after the 124th lost 40% casualties, the 124th withdrew off world for Beta VII.

Goat Path
Attackers: Lindon’s Regiment, 8th and 10th Deneb Light Cavalry RCT, 4 Independent Artillery Brigades

Defenders: 126th Striker Cluster, Viper Fusiliers, Clan Steel Viper

Results: The Steel Viper garrison showed a lot more courage than sense, counterattacking the FC LZ within minutes of the landing, but after initially inflicting 10% casualties on the 8th Deneb Light Cav, the 10th and Lindon’s Regiment landed behind the Viper advance, and proceeded to squeeze them against the lines of the 8th. To the credit of the Vipers, they managed to fight their way clear to their dropships, after suffering 40% casualties.

Sudeten, Part 1
Attackers: 2nd and 3rd Royal Guards RCT, 11th Avalon Hussars RCT, 2nd Chisholm’s Raiders, Wolf’s Dragoons (all 5 Regiments), 8 Independent Artillery Brigades

Defenders: Jade Falcon Guards, 8th Falcon Regulars, Doberung Garrison Cluster, Clan Jade Falcon

Special Events: CJFS Hawker and CJFS Blue Talon attacked by nuclear weapons delivered by FC Aerospace fighters. Hawker destroyed, Blue Talon badly damaged, withdraws to Parakoila.

Results: The two-week fight for Sudeten was a lopsided affair from the beginning, with the Jade Falcons under heavy pressure as they tried to buy time for the Jade Falcons to evacuate their capitol. During the final fight, just north of Hammar, the Falcon line was split in two in a seam between the Doberung and the Jade Falcon Guards. The frontline clusters withdrew towards the spaceport, taking heavy casualties as they withdrew off world to Parakoila. The Doberung Garrison Cluster, also took heavy casualties as they managed to stay one step ahead of the FC advance, and stole several civilian ferries to evacuate themselves to a newly built alternate command center on Maakar Island, the largest island in the Johar chain.

The FC cut off the island, and began to take it under heavy bombardment, but the facility was confirmed by intelligence reports as rivaling a Castle Brian. Worse, it was confirmed that saKhan Vandervahn Chistu was leading the defense himself.  An ultimatum was presented to the garrison on the 6th of October 3056, by Jamie Wolf himself. It was summarily rejected. 

Montmarault
Attackers: Kell Hounds (Both Regiments), Barber's Marauder IIs

Defenders: 141st Phalanx, 164th Phalanx, Clan Steel Viper

Results: Both PGCs fought a mobile battle against some of the best in the business, but unfortunately for them after two weeks, they were pinned against the Novo Vistula River and the 164th was brutally overrun by Barber's Marauder II's. The 141st used the time to execute a withdrawal under heavy pressure and fled offworld to Twycross.

La Grave
Attackers: 10th Lyran Guards RCT, 6th Syrtis Fusiliers RCT, 4th Royal Guards, 6 Independent Artillery Brigades

Defenders: 1st Falcon Jagers, Guberung Garrison Cluster, Clan Jade Falcon

Results: Star Colonel Bjarn Folkner ordered a withdrawal as soon as the FC forces made planetfall, taking his own command star to fight a duel according to the rules of Zellbrigen to stall for the rest of Jade Falcon forces to withdraw off world to Colmar. The duel went poorly for the Falcons, as one Kai Allard-Liao, Kommandant, 10th Lyran Guards, killed three of the five Clan ‘Mechs to win the duel for the Federated Commonwealth. Star Colonel Folkner did not survive the duel.

Wotan
Attackers: 21st Striker, and 151st Light Horse, ELH, 1st Kearny Highlanders, 20th Arcturan Guards RCT, 2 Independent Artillery Brigades

Defenders: None

Results: The collaborationist government on Wotan gave up without a shot fired.

Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Zureal on 28 September 2017, 15:22:54
Have a great wedding! incorporate into your  story! So emagine your wedding but with battlemechs flanking you and your honey! :D Thanks for the update!!!
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: DOC_Agren on 28 September 2017, 18:59:49
Good luck
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Sir Chaos on 29 September 2017, 08:59:37
Whose realm is your bride going to receive as a wedding gift?
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: PeacMaker03 on 29 September 2017, 12:04:33
I would say it is two realms or want to be realms belonging to a snake and a raptor.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: PeacMaker03 on 29 September 2017, 12:07:50
Congratulations Panzer on your upcoming nuptials, looking forward to the stories return whenever you can start it back up.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: snakespinner on 29 September 2017, 17:52:47
Congratulations on the upcoming wedding.
Stressful period up to the wedding then you can relax and enjoy the honeymoon at some exotic location. [cheers]
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 06 October 2017, 14:14:08
New
Found this little piece I'd written for Clover Spear, so I adapted it for the upcoming chapter...and it's another bonus sample:

Condor class Dropship Leftanant Harvey Bouan, Federated Commonwealth Navy

Atmosphere of Malibu, currently 125,000 feet AGL and diving fast.

0335 Hours, September 19th, 3056

Jade Falcon Occupation Zone


“..I will by the end of the night, bury this knife to the hilt in the blackest Falcon heart on Malibu. Let’s let these ****** pidgeons know who they decided to screw with!”

-Kommandant Megan Lucas, Commander, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Crucis Lancers Jump Infantry, 3rd Crucis Lancers RCT

The dropship buffeted in Malibu's thick atmosphere as the “Harvey B.” as she was affectionately known to her crew and passengers alike, rocked and shimmied like an epileptic snake through the planetary atmosphere at speeds approaching Mach 4.

All Leftenant Mike Henley, Platoon Leader for 1st Platoon, Bravo Company, 2/3rd Crucis Lancers Jump Infantry could think of was that perhaps he should have become a ‘Mechwarrior. No, I had to be a pogogrunt like dear old Uncle Fred was in the 4th War. He’d graduated with honors early last year from Goshen’s OCS, and had only just joined the 3rd Crucis Lancers RCT last month.

It was his first command, and from the word go, it had been an uphill battle to get through the day without embarrassing himself in front of his men, let alone his company commander. His performance on one night route march back on Pasig had earned an epic ass chewing that had questioned everything from his intelligence to his parentage, to even what kind of graduates were leaving Goshen these days, all laced with profanity Henley had never heard in his life. Hauptmann Wainright already didn’t like him, Wainright had come up through the ranks, earning a commission during the Clan Invasion with the 42nd Avalon Hussars, and losing a lot of friends in the bargain. And, near as Henley could figure? Wainright hadn’t bet much on Henley lasting much past the initial drop.

Emotions had been running high before the “Harvey B.” had undocked from the jumpship and began a high G run to the planet. They’d arrived only yesterday at a pirate point, and the pirate point had been close, with the high-G transit only taking 8 hours to reach atmosphere. Word was there was a full-fledged uprising already going on against the Falcons on world, with some rumoring that MI-6 or Loki had something to do with it. In short, they’d be too busy putting down the rebels to do much about the incoming FedCom invasion force, or so that was the hope.

It had been emotional before the undocking, with pre-battle speeches being played over wallscreens by Marshal Zardetto, who’s gravelly, fatherly voice had stated in part: “We’ve come back, as we promised, and our people’s eyes will be upon us. We come bringing freedom from the Clans. I expect every man and woman in this RCT to do their duty to the utmost. Don’t fail our Archon-Prince, don’t fail the Commonwealth, and more importantly, don’t fail our regiment, our family.”

His battalion commander, a red-headed petite female Kommandant, with fiery green eyes and a voice like thunder by the name of Lucas had given a far more bloodthirsty speech.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, all we will have is each other when we hit that slipstream. We do this for love, love of our nation, love of our families left behind whom we do not want the Clans dictating to. And most of all? We do this for love of each other. We are Lancers. And we do not break promises to each other. And I promise you this..” she then pulled a wicked looking jump knife from a sheath clipped to her LBE suspenders running vertically across her left torso and held the knife aloft over her head “..I will by the end of the night, bury this knife to the hilt in the blackest Falcon heart on Malibu. Let’s let these ****** pidgeons know who they decided to screw with!”.

There were many loud bellows of “H-Minus”, which was the regiment’s motto in response. But that had been three hours ago, As Henley looked around the cabin, he took in the sight while he still could. The troop bay was bathed in a red glow from both the battle lighting, and the glow of the excited atmosphere interacting with the ship as it reentered. Men and women alike were sporting mohawks and shaved heads. Everybody had painted faces, most in camo patterns, but some had alleged tribal sigils painted in whatever materials had been available. Everyone was as the regimental sergeant major put it “amped up for this drop.”

One of his snipers named Pelley from Zavijava had decorated his Federated Long Rifle in tribal beads promising Henley “Don’t worry LT, we’re going to take many scalps today. The Great Father is with us.” That young man was currently asleep…smiling. He was 19, with dark caramel skin, almond eyes, and had a wicked looking club attached to the side of his assault pack on his waist.

Horns began to hoot as the red "ready" light clicked on, announcing they were 5 minutes out from the LZ, with jumpmasters bellowing "5 minutes." A loud mechanical whine soon sounded, announcing the dropship door was sliding open. Kommandant Lucas grinned feraly. “Hook up! Stand up! Shuffle to the door! H-Minus!” she shouted.

The entire bay roared as one over the sound of the slipstream passing the dropship’s hull and over the cacophony of hundreds rising to their feet, weighed down by parachutes and all the other gear paratroopers took into battle.

“H-MINUS!!”
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 09 November 2017, 15:43:05
Taken from the daily FC operational briefing provided to Field Marshal Ranier Poulin, Supreme Commander of “Operation Clover Spear”, declassified October 9th, 3076.

“Actions against Jade Falcon and Steel Viper units continue to be favorable, Jade Falcon units have begun to retreat rather than allow us to apply the full weight of our firepower, but Steel Viper units, for the most part, still try to resist in place, with certain exceptions (see Goat Path and Waldorff). We are facing a bit of an artillery ammunition crunch, and I would ask that we postpone Wave 3 by 15 days to allow our logistics to keep up. I am also aware, your highness, that there is the potential for a Steel Viper counterattack (see attached G-2 addendum re: Steel Viper buildup on Twycross). We have wargamed this possibility here, and we do expect that this is something we can counter.”
A summary of the status of the Second Wave is below:

Somerset
Attackers: 26th Lyran Guards RCT, 17th Skye Rangers, 2 Independent Artillery Brigades.
Defenders: None
Results: Somerset fell within 36 hours, with few shots fired except for a short skirmish at the site of the Military Academy of Somerset, where a small Jade Falcon sibko was smashed in a 12-hour running battle through the Academy live fire ranges. The planet was secured within the week.

Waldorff
Attackers: 1st and 2nd Davion Guards RCTs, Davion Assault Guards RCT, 6 Independent Artillery Brigades.
Defenders: 9th and 10th Fang, Clan Steel Viper
Results: The fighting for Waldorff was bitter right from the initial landing, with the Steel Vipers making counterattack after counterattack against the teeth of the FC landings. The Vipers then fought a rear guard through the streets of Waldorff City before they withdrew off-world to Twycross.

Graus
Attackers: 7th Crucis Lancers RCT, Davion Light Guards RCT, 4 Independent Artillery Brigades.
Defenders: 38th and 71st Phalanx, 4th Viper Guards (60% Strength), Clan Steel Viper
Results: The fighting for Graus was the worst of the 2nd Wave thus far. The Vipers dug in around Garros Spaceport and held it for 2 weeks before they were annihilated almost to the man. FC casualties were heavy, with the Davion Light Guards having lost one of its three battlemech battalions, and a pair of armor battalions. The 7th Crucis took heavy casualties in one of its battlemech battalions.  The Spaceport has sustained 75% damage and will take up to a month to repair to a minimum standard to accept cargo and supplies. It will take upwards of a year to rebuild the site completely.

Blackjack
Attackers: 1st Aragon Borderers, 1st Federated Suns Armored Cavalry, Hansen’s Roughriders, 1st Robinson Rangers, 5th Davion Guards, 8 Independent Artillery Brigades
Defenders: 80th Fang, Clan Steel Viper
Results: In a 24-hour running fight around the ruins of the old Academy, the 1st Federated Suns Armored Cavalry and Hansen’s Roughriders handily destroyed the 80th Fang. More than a few prisoners were taken in the end as the unit’s morale collapsed with the death of Star Colonel Jessup.

Malibu
Attackers: Grey Death Legion, 3rd Crucis Lancers RCT, 2 Independent Artillery Brigades
Defenders: 124th Striker Cluster, Clan Jade Falcon
Results: The 124th Striker Cluster had taken the time to fortify a position overlooking Malibu City in a series of low hills and gullies. The Grey Death Legion and 3rd Crucis Lancers showed little hesitation in going in and getting them. The fighting lasted 2 weeks and after the 124th lost 40% casualties, the 124th withdrew off world for Beta VII.

Goat Path
Attackers: Lindon’s Regiment, 8th and 10th Deneb Light Cavalry RCT, 4 Independent Artillery Brigades
Defenders: 126th Striker Cluster, Viper Fusiliers, Clan Steel Viper
Results: The Steel Viper garrison showed a lot more courage than sense, counterattacking the FC LZ within minutes of the landing, but after initially inflicting 10% casualties on the 8th Deneb Light Cav, the 10th and Lindon’s Regiment landed behind the Viper advance, and proceeded to squeeze them against the lines of the 8th. To the credit of the Vipers, they managed to fight their way clear to their dropships, after suffering 40% casualties.

Sudeten, Part 1
Attackers: 2nd and 3rd Royal Guards RCT, 11th Avalon Hussars RCT, 2nd Chisholm’s Raiders, Wolf’s Dragoons (all 5 Regiments), 8 Independent Artillery Brigades
Defenders: Jade Falcon Guards, 8th Falcon Regulars, Doberung Garrison Cluster, Clan Jade Falcon
Special Events: CJFS Emerald Talon and CJFS Blue Talon attacked by nuclear weapons delivered by FC Aerospace fighters. Emerald Talon destroyed, Blue Talon badly damaged, withdraws to Parakoila.
Results: The two-week fight for Sudeten was a lopsided affair from the beginning, with the Jade Falcons under heavy pressure as they tried to stall for the Jade Falcons to evacuate their capitol. During the final fight, just north of Hammar, the Falcon line was split in two in a seam between the Doberung and the Jade Falcon Guards. The frontline clusters withdrew towards the spaceport, taking heavy casualties as they withdrew off world to Parakoila. The Doberung Garrison Cluster, also took heavy casualties as they managed to stay one step ahead of the FC advance, and stole several civilian ferries to evacuate themselves to a newly built alternate command center on Maakar Island, the largest island in the Johar chain.

The FC cut off the island, and began to take it under heavy bombardment, but the facility was confirmed by intelligence reports as rivaling a Castle Brian. Worse, it was confirmed that saKhan Vandervahn Chistu was leading the defense himself.  An ultimatum was presented to the garrison on the 6th of October 3056, by Jamie Wolf himself. It was summarily rejected. 

La Grave
Attackers: 10th Lyran Guards RCT, 6th Syrtis Fusiliers RCT, 4th Royal Guards, 6 Independent Artillery Brigades
Defenders: 1st Falcon Jagers, 10th Talon Cluster, 124th Striker Cluster, Clan Jade Falcon
Results: Star Colonel Bjarn Folkner of the 1st Falcon Jagers ordered a general withdrawal as soon as the FC forces made planetfall, taking his own command star to fight a duel according to the rules of Zellbrigen to stall for the rest of Jade Falcon forces to withdraw off world to Colmar. The duel went poorly for the Falcons, as one Kai Allard-Liao, Kommandant, 10th Lyran Guards, killed three of the five Clan ‘Mechs to win the duel for the Federated Commonwealth.

Wotan
Attackers: 21st Striker, and 151st Light Horse, ELH, 1st Kearny Highlanders, 20th Arcturan Guards RCT, 2 Independent Artillery Brigades
Defenders: None
Results: The collaborationist government on Wotan gave up without a shot fired.


Condor class Dropship Leftanant Harvey Bouan, Federated Commonwealth Navy
Atmosphere of Malibu, currently 125,000 feet AGL
0335 Hours, September 24th, 3056
Jade Falcon Occupation Zone


“..I will by the end of the night, bury this knife to the hilt in the blackest Falcon heart on Malibu. Let’s let these ****** pidgeons know who they decided to screw with!”
-Kommandant Megan Lucas, Commander, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Crucis Lancers Jump Infantry, 3rd Crucis Lancers RCT

The dropship buffeted in Malibu’s thick atmosphere as the “Harvey B.” as she was affectionately known to her crew and passengers alike, rocked and shimmied like an epileptic snake through the planetary atmosphere at speeds approaching Mach 4. All Leftenant Mike Henley, Platoon Leader for 1st Platoon, Bravo Company, 2/3rd Crucis Lancers Jump Infantry could think of was that perhaps he should have become a ‘Mechwarrior. No, I had to be a pogogrunt like dear old Uncle Fred was in the 4th War. He’d graduated with honors early last year from Goshen’s OCS, and had only just joined the 3rd Crucis Lancers RCT last month.

It was his first command, and from the word go, it had been an uphill battle to get through the day without embarrassing himself in front of his men, let alone his company commander. His performance on one night route march back on Pasig had earned an epic ass chewing that had questioned everything from his intelligence to his parentage, to even what kind of graduates were leaving Goshen these days, all laced with profanity Henley had never heard in his life. Hauptmann Wainright already didn’t like him, Wainright had come up through the ranks, earning a commission during the Clan Invasion with the 42nd Avalon Hussars, and losing a lot of friends in the bargain. And, near as Henley could figure? Wainright hadn’t bet much on Henley lasting much past the initial drop.

Emotions had been running high before the “Harvey B.” had undocked from the jumpship and began a high G run to the planet. They’d arrived only yesterday at a pirate point, and the pirate point had been close, with the high-G transit only taking 8 hours to reach atmosphere. Word was there was a full-fledged uprising already going on against the Falcons on world, with some rumoring that MI-6 or Loki had something to do with it. In short, they’d be too busy putting down the rebels to do much about the incoming FedCom invasion force, or so that was the hope.

It had been emotional before the undocking, with pre-battle speeches being played over wallscreens by Marshal Zardetto, who’s gravelly, fatherly voice had stated in part: “We’ve come back, as we promised, and our people’s eyes will be upon us. We come bringing freedom from the Clans. I expect every man and woman in this RCT to do their duty to the utmost. Don’t fail our Archon-Prince, don’t fail the Commonwealth, and more importantly, don’t fail our regiment, our family.”

His battalion commander, a red-headed petite female Kommandant, with fiery green eyes and a voice like thunder by the name of Lucas had given a far more bloodthirsty speech.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, all we will have is each other when we hit that slipstream. We do this for love, love of our nation, love of our families left behind whom we do not want the Clans dictating to. And most of all? We do this for love of each other. We are Lancers. And we do not break promises to each other. And I promise you this..” she then pulled a wicked looking jump knife from a sheath clipped to her LBE suspenders running vertically across her left torso and held the knife aloft over her head “..I will by the end of the night, bury this knife to the hilt in the blackest Falcon heart on Malibu. Let’s let these ****** pidgeons know who they decided to screw with!”.

There were many loud bellows of “H-Minus”, which was the regiment’s motto in response. But that had been three hours ago, As Henley looked around the cabin, he took in the sight while he still could. The troop bay was bathed in a red glow from both the battle lighting, and the glow of the excited atmosphere interacting with the ship as it reentered. Men and women alike were sporting mohawks and shaved heads. Everybody had painted faces, most in camo patterns, but some had alleged tribal sigils painted in whatever materials had been available. Everyone was as the regimental sergeant major put it “amped up for this drop.”

One of his snipers named Pelley from Zavijava had decorated his Federated Long Rifle in tribal beads promising Henley “Don’t worry LT, we’re going to take many scalps today. The Great Father is with us.” That young man was currently asleep…smiling. He was 19, with dark caramel skin, almond eyes, and had a wicked looking club attached to the side of his assault pack on his waist.

Horns began to hoot as the red "ready" light clicked on, announcing they were 5 minutes out from the LZ, with jumpmasters bellowing "5 minutes." A loud mechanical whine soon sounded, announcing the dropship door was sliding open. Kommandant Lucas grinned ferally. “Hook up! Stand up! Shuffle to the door! H-Minus!” she shouted.

The entire bay roared as one over the sound of the slipstream passing the dropship’s hull and over the cacophony of hundreds rising to their feet, weighed down by parachutes and all the other gear paratroopers took into battle.

“H-MINUS!!”

Jade Falcon Alternative Command Post
Maakar Island
Sudeten, Jade Falcon Occupation Zone
October 6th, 3056

It looks like the surface of a moon. Jamie Wolf observed from the deck of the white-painted passenger hovercraft as it neared the island. His field glasses noticed that other than the concrete above ground, there was nothing the FC artillery and air raids had left standing. The above ground parts of the bunkers themselves had been savaged, with multiple hits having been scored, concrete scoured, and rebar being torn and twisted, but still, the bunkers were mostly structurally sound.

I am unclear as to why Marshal Bradford chose me as the emissary for the surrender demand. To the Jade Falcons, I am a dezgra Wolf and a traitor to the Way of the Clans. I cannot think of an emissary more likely to anger Chistu, if that is Chistu in there. Why he would remain when most of the Falcon forces quit Sudeten is beyond me?

Wolf turned and gazed at Maeve Wolf, the field Commander of the Dragoons. She was projecting an air of serene calm, her hands clasped behind her back, standing a little to the left and rear of Jamie. Brian Cameron, his ADC, was adjusting the collar of his field jacket for what seemed like the ninth time. All were dressed in the Wolf Dragoons field uniform, which consisted of grey-black tunic, with a field jacket in the same color that had Kevlar lining, and matching trousers, with subdued red piping that was almost maroon in color. As befitting a party under a flag of truce, they were of course..unarmed. It left Jamie feeling naked, and for the second time in his life, a bit nervous. But he was an experienced commander, and poker player, and hid his feelings behind a mask all commanders soon learned to wear.

“Nervous Brian?” Jamie quipped, noticing Brian’s struggles with the collar of his field jacket.

“Aff, Commander Wolf. I must admit that Falcons are being pushed into a corner. One where they’d happily take us prisoner and execute us after a short kangaroo court for ‘betraying the Clan way. I fear for your safety, sir.’”

Maeve nodded in agreement, her raven hair catching the early morning light as her hazel eyes shone with concern for her commander, and friend. “Sir, this is just such a bad idea, I do not know where to begin. I am not saying Marshal Bradford has ill intent toward us…”

“…but you think he doesn’t really understand the Clans like we do, is that it?” Jamie finished, his grey eyes boring into Maeve, half-daring her to challenge his position, knowing she would do exactly that.

“Beyond the AFFC briefs, I doubt it, sir. There is a bit of ‘victory disease’ gripping the AFFC right now.” Cameron interjected.

“Why the hell didn’t the FC just offer them hegira?” Maeve asked, a bit of indignation creeping into her voice.

“We can’t, Maeve. After what we have seen passes for Falcon ‘counter-insurgency’ methods? We clansmen used to shrug in the wake of the Falcons and their indoctrination sweeps. We’d always say, ‘that’s Falcon business.’ The FedCom feels differently. And, after what I saw with those ferrymen? I cannot completely blame the FC. Natasha might have had a point returning to the Wolves.”

“You don’t really think that, do you Jamie?” Maeve asked, a hand on her genefather’s shoulder more of emotional concern than any physical support.

“Neg, Maeve. But the FC has blood in their eyes right now, and we of the Wardens warned those addled idiot Crusaders that this was going to be the end result of their precious attempt to make good little Clansmen out of the Inner Sphere. Great Father help the Clans if the Inner Sphere ever gets the data to guide them to the homeworlds.”

“You think it would come to that, Jamie?” Maeve inquired.

“If it were Victor or Hanse making the decision? No. It would not. But someone else I haven’t gotten the measure of? Or worse yet, someone whom I do know very well, like say, Nondi Steiner? She would glass the homeworlds in a heartbeat. And no, we are too few to do a damn thing about it. But if that were to happen, it would begin a genocide not seen since the First Succession War.” Jamie winced at that last thought.

“So, try to be the angel on the FC’s shoulder, even if they are Falcons and Vipers?” Cameron quipped.

“Aff, Captain, Aff.” Jamie mused darkly.

The rest of the ride was conducted in an uncomfortable silence between the three, considering what was probably the very dangerous nature of their task.

The silence was soon interrupted by the engines downshifting and a thump as the hovercraft slid onto the beach of Maakar Island. Soon, the world became a mixture of mist and the hissing of a deflating GEV skirt as the hovercraft slid to a stop just far enough into avoid getting caught in the tide.

 “It appears we have arrived, ladies and gentlemen, we should get on with our errand?” Jamie inquired of his companions.
Both nodded and the three made their way down to the lower decks of the passenger hovercraft, then soon out a passenger door where a rudimentary boarding ladder had been assembled to allow the passengers to debark.

“Be careful, Commander Wolf, I don’t know how fast we can get out of here if things hit the fan!” shouted a large man from the bridge wing of the hovercraft. He was a large, booming fellow, his face craggy from years of salt spray and his eyes, his white captain’s cap perched back over his balding head, and framing a face that sported a full and fluffy salt and pepper beard.

“Captain Atherton, I will try not to be long, but I wouldn’t worry. The Falcons will grant you hegira even if they take us. One hovercraft won’t get them all out, and they know it.” Jamie responded with a wave.

“I will take your word for it, Commander Wolf..all the same, I am going to make sure me and my crew are going to be prepped for a very quick departure. Just remember. Two hours Commander, two hours, don’t be late!”

Wolf nodded and made his way in short, but purposeful strides up the white sands of the beach. They steered a course between multiple shellholes and saw the wreck of a Baboon that had been unlucky enough to be caught in a SADB strike. The wreck was toppled, and had burned when the LRM ammo had detonated. CASE failure? Jamie wondered. It was still smoldering from some parts, tendrils of wispy white smoke trailing off into the morning sky.

“I would suggest caution, Commander Wolf, not all of those SADB bomblets detonate.” Maeve intoned.

Wolf nodded, Maeve’s caution was well-placed. SADB for all of its efficiency as a an anti-‘Mech weapon, had a problem in that 10% of the bomblets failed to detonate, and then became landmines on a hair trigger, and they didn’t care whose limbs they blew off. And Founder only knows how many of those rounds the FC has plastered the island with? Jamie’s mind intoned.

Jamie’s reverie was interrupted by the unmistakable SNICK-SNACK of a round being chambered in a rifle, soon followed up by a very loud click.
Here goes nothing.

“Falcon warriors, I come under flag of truce and ask for Safecon to parley with your saKhan, Vanderahn Chistu. My name is Jamie Wolf.”
For a few pregnant moments, nothing happened. The Falcons had to have heard the radio broadcasts. We’ve been sending them for 6 hours now, asking for an audience with Chistu.

Before long, a head clad in a Jade Falcon field helmet popped up from a hasty foxhole, dug from a shellhole not 50 meters to Jamie’s left. The face was boyish, with a pronounced Adams apple, and blonde peach fuzz and bright green eyes that burned bright with hunger and adrenaline framing a face that was warring between fear, exhaustion, and not a little bit of anger. The boy had a bandaged wound running the length of his right cheek, the bandage dirty with soot and dried blood.

“That is far enough, Jamie of the Wolves. We were told to expect you. Remain still or you will be shot.”

The figure shouted “Cover me, trothkin” and lept from the hole. His jade green uniform was ragged, torn and covered in stains of soot, dirt and dried blood. His face twisted into an ugly snarl as he pointed his weapon at Jamie’s midsection. “I should end you, freebirth traitor. You cooperate with the stravag dogs instead of siding with your own?”

Jamie smiled “Since when are the Falcons my own?”

“Pelar, silence, resume your position..I shall handle this.” The voice boomed from a position that was to Jamie’s front, about 100 meters away, and another figure, a large man, most likely an elemental but he was stooped with age, but still quite limber, levered himself from another foxhole and to his feet. He had a nasty looking wound across his left thigh that had also been bandaged, and looked much the same as Pelar, but he walked with a surer gair than Pelar did. He made his way straight to Jamie and extended his hand.

“Star Commander Jothan, I am the Falconer for these…children. They are three years from testing out..yet we shove rifles in their hands and tell them to go die for the greater glory of the Clan. This action is simply wrong. These children are not ready, and most of them make poor infantrymen..but as I am not bloodnamed..”

“..nobody asked you” Jamie finished as he offered Jothan his hand, Jothan took it, clasping hands in the Clan way, palm to the crook of the elbow.

“So, you are here to demand our surrender.” Jothan stated, practically spitting out the last word as if it was ill-tasting food.

“Aff, Jothan. You know you cannot resist forever. And the FedCom is in no mood for Zellbrigen. Not after what they saw the Doberung Cluster had done to those ferrymen and their families.”

Jothan shook his head, “I was not part of that, Jamie. But yes, this war has led to some very un-clanlike things being done by my clan. Perhaps this is the universe’s way of balancing the scales?”

Jamie nodded in understanding.

“I was told to search, blindfold and take you and one other to see the Khan to present your demands in person. Your third will remain here. Do not worry, Pelar and his fellows may be eager, and a bit mad with hunger, but they will follow my orders. I have…had to reinforce that bit in more than a few Circles of Equals.”

Jamie smiled. “You would have made an excellent Dragoon, Jothan.”

Jothan barked with laughter, and his face cracked open wide with a grin. “You will forgive my impertinence, but serve the Wolves? I am too good a Falcon for that.”

Jamie nodded as Jothan waved over a petite brown-haired girl who could not have been more than 14. Her sniper rifle, slung on her shoulder, was slightly bigger than her, and her brown eyes, wide like saucers, were hollow with the look of someone who was hungry, and who had seen too much. She efficiently searched Jamie and Maeve, then Brian Cameron, whom was going with Jamie. Maeve would remain.

“Shall we Jothan?

“We shall, grab my shoulders once you are blindfolded.”

“Cadets, one of the Dragoons will remain here. See that no harm comes to her, or..I shall face the perpetrator in a Circle of Equals, and I will not be happy.” Jothan bellowed

The point answered in unison, it was a ragged, tired shout, but one that was still filled with fight “Yes ovKhan!

It wasn’t long before Jamie Wolf’s world went black with the cloth of the blindfold. “Comfortable, Wolf?”

Jamie nodded. “Thank you for asking.”

“I learned long ago to not pick fights I do not need.” Jothan whispered.

The walk was a bit harrowing, but Jothan expertly navigated them up and down a pair of crests, then down six flights of stairs..and into an elevator..all in all, by Jamie’s count, the walk took about 15 minutes, give or take a minute or two. When the blindfold was removed, Wolf found himself and Cameron in a small room, some 8 by 8 meters square, dominated by a small metal desk, and a pair of camp stools which Jamie and Brian were sitting in. There was no decoration on the cinder block walls, which were painted white, and lit harshly by a bank of florescent lights. A Clan Jade Falcon flag dominated one wall, pinned to a message board. Soon, a side door opened, and a large, somewhat imposing figure entered the room. He had a well-groomed beard and his Jade Falcon field uniform was immaculate. It could be no other. Vandervahn Chistu had arrived.

Jamie and Brian rose out of respect, but were not halfway up before Chistu waved them back down and sat at the desk.

“So, they send traitors to demand my surrender? How predictable.”

“Kerlin Ward ordered us to help the Inner Sphere, Chistu, you know that.”

“And he is dead, and here you stand assisting those who would destroy his legacy?” Chistu whispered menacingly.

“His legacy, or just your precious Crusader cause?” Wolf intoned softly.

“Present your demands, traitor. I find this meeting…distasteful.” Chistu spat.

“Marshal Bradford demands your unconditional surrender by local midnight. Your troops will gather at places directed by FC officers, stack arms and equipment, and then obey all FC instructions. The FC promises you and your men will be treated according to the Ares Conventions, except for identified war criminals. If you don’t accept by midnight local time, the garrison will be taken by storm and Marshal Bradford makes no promises.”

“My answer is simple, Wolf. Neg. We will die here, as a good Falcon should. Perhaps you mewling Wolves would take such a demeaning offer, but we Falcons shall soar on the martial glory this coming battle will represent. Win or lose, we shall all earn a place in the Remembrance. Can your lucrewarriors you command say the same?”

“Chistu, I brought my warships. I have to tell you that if you don’t surrender, I’ve been ordered to turn them onto this place. You have sibko cadets under arms. You would ask me to kill children. Consider the waste and folly of this stand.”

“Neg, Wolf. The survivors will have passed their Trial of Position. They already have shown the courage we expect in our warriors. And they will live to see our Clan drive the Federated Commonwealth back, and this time, we will take Tharkad, and deal a deathblow to these Fedcom savashri.” Chistu’s eyes began to burn with maniacal fire, and spittle began to fly from his mouth as his voice raised.  “You have presented your demands for your master, Wolf, and you have proven yourself a good little lapdog. Now remove yourself from my sight, and take your sidekick with you.”

Jamie turned to go, but stopped. “You know Chistu, I do think your idea of a glorious fight needs some work. Most of these old men and children will never see their killers. The ones that do, well, one can say it might be glorious..it will most definitely be short, however. You will get a place in the Remembrance, Chistu, it just may not be the one you think. It’s a shame for all the pain and waste that is going to occur to get you your precious mention, eh Chistu?”

Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Terrace on 09 November 2017, 20:24:50
Lemme sum up the only chance of survival these particular Falcons have in one statement.

"Oh, dear. It seems that saKhan Chistu accidentally tread on one of the unexploded bomblets while performing an inspection. Such a senseless waste of life."
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: gladius on 09 November 2017, 22:16:55
Omake: Interview with the Archon

Classified Location,
Tharkad, Federated Commonwealth,
7th October, 3055

Colonel the Baroness Juliette von Strang, exiled ruler of Von Strang's World and commander of the mercenary unit Von Strang's Legion, sipped at her whisky glass, appreciating the smoky flavour as she studied the woman sitting across from her in the main sitting room of the Tharkad chalet. The fire crackled off to one side, throwing a little extra light over not only the two women, but the numerous security guards and soldiers trying to fade into the background along the walls. "If I had known that accepting Colonel Kell's invitation to attend the anti-Tanker conference here would have led to me being whisked away by Royal troops, only to wind up sitting across from the Archon of the Lyran Commonwealth ... I'm not sure if I would have agreed."

Melissa Steiner-Davion smiled over her glass of red wine. "Oh, so you didn't find the convention to be useful? I would think that the opportunity to pick the brains of mercenary and House regimental commanders regarding the fight against the Clans would be of great interest to you, given your history."

Juliette shrugged. "For the most part, they were rehashing over things that we have all known for years, and, in my opinion, stupidly reinforcing many of the same old attitudes about Clan 'tactical superiority' and how suicidal it is to actually fight them. Instead of finding ways to actually deal with them, most seem to be trying to find ways of working with them, or at least around them." She shook her head. "Oh, I appreciated Duke Morgan's lecture on the Battle of Luthien, and Colonel Greyson's panel on the defense of Sudeten was very interesting." Pausing to take a sip, she continued, "My own presentation on the proper technique for tying a hangman's noose was strangely lightly attended and poorly reviewed."

After all: what else do you deal with pirates and bandits than by decisive measures?

"I ... can understand why that was somewhat outputting. I understand Colonel Wolf's review was ... less than flattering."

Juliette blinked. "And the opinion of a crypto-Tanker should mean something to me ... why?"

Melissa nodded in acceptance of the point, then moved on. "Very well: to the point of this meeting. Your unit's efforts against Clan Jade Falcon has not gone unnoticed." She paused. "I would like to personally thank you for your attempts to warn the Commonwealth authorities on Here ... and to apoligise for the way they treated you in return."

The Periphery-born mercenary shrugged. "There is no need: my family has always been aware of how the Inner Sphere regards our bloodline. But ..." she nodded slightly in recognition. "Thank you."

"In any case, the proven effectiveness of the Legion's tactics and raids has been noted at the highest levels ... including my dinner table." She smiled. "I might be forgiven for mentioning, in confidence, that Prince Victor is something of an admirer, and defends your position vigorously."

Juliette blinked again, this time in genuine surprise. "That ... I was not expecting." The blonde future ruler of the Federated Commonwealth was about her age, very handsome (if somewhat ... lacking in the height department) and a very acomplished warrior, having, like her, come of age in the time of the Clan onslaught. Most of his battles had been against Clan Jade Falcon, and she had studied his tactics and victories extensively. "I ... his exploits against the enemy are also very impressive."

Melissa smiled. "I understand that your unit is undergoing refit and retraining, after your latest expansion: six full wings of aerospace fighters, I believe?"

"Actually, only three: our squadrons use a four-bird lance, just like our 'Mech and armour units," qualified Juliette. "But yes, we now have as many fighters as 'Mechs. We're also expanding our mechanised infantry command to a full battalion, and I'm investigating the possibility of deploying armoured troopers ... which is another reason why I was willing to come along, to speak to several suppliers."

"Well, you will be happy to know that the AFFC is interested in extending your contract, and we are offering subsidies for units who specialise in anti-Clan operations."

Juliette smiled, her fangs sliding into view. "Ah, so this is in regards to the upcoming offensive." She downed her whisky, and reached for the bottle.

The Archon frowned. "I ... how did you know about that?"

"Oh, it's hardly common knowledge, but there have been a lot of reconnaissance raid contracts available of late, as well as delivering supplies and reinforcements to resistance groups," stated Juliette, pouring herself another drink. "And the Birds have become rather ... touchy about their flanks: hell, entire regions of some worlds are becoming 'no go' zones for Tanker troops, with the garrisons sticking close to the cities and industrial areas. True, they still stomp down hard on buildups of rebellion, but there are quite a few places where you can find FedCom flags flying openly." She sat back in her chair, and cradled her drink. "Combine that with the sudden rise in prices of artillery, ammunition, armour plate and a decrease in availability of JumpShip support, and the conclusion is ... not much of a leap."

"I see." Melissa didn't seem too put off by the mercenary noblewoman's deduction. "In any case, you are right. We are planing to take back our worlds from the Jade Falcons, and we would like you and your Legion to be a part of -"

"No."

The silence in the room was broken only by the crackle of the fire.

"I'm not sure you understand," said Melissa after a few moments, trying to regain her equilibrium. "The Commonwealth -"

"Wants help to establish control over the Periphery worlds currently occupied by the Clans, and you would like to help prop me up as the focal point for an 'independant' realm, being the rightful ruler of the Barony, with a history in the region and a reputation for honest dealing and brutal tactics. I believe a similar offer was extended to a colonel Pavel Ridzik, and your government helped create the 'Tikonov Free Republic.'" She paused. "That realm lasted, what, three years before it was absorbed wholesale into your Sarna March?

"Highness, I am a ruler in exile, but a ruler nevertheless. I understand your goal is to restore control over the worlds and lost territory that ... no," she paused, noting the expression on Melissa's face, "You wish to liberate the people, your people who live on those worlds. It is a motivation I understand all too well. So please, try to understand that I have absoultely no interest in becoming the puppet ruler of a rump nation that will quickly be absorbed into the conglomeration that is the Federated Commonwealth. I am fighting to free my people from one set of alien overlords: do you really think that I would welcome enslaving them to another, simply because your homeworld is closer to Terra?"

"Colonel, please. We have no interest in expanding into the Periphery: if nothing else, history teaches us that it has never been a good idea. The Reunification Wars were a bloody, expensive and ultimately pointless exercise ... which led to the Amaris Coup and all that followed."

"I am familiar with the history of the Periphery, Highness: my family features prominently in it. But I have never known Spheroids to be particularly amenable to listening to reason when it comes to 'Periphery scum who need to learn their place' ... or for paying attention to history, given the devastation of your Succession Wars over the centuries."

Melissa tilted her head in recognition. "True. However, requiring the scores of worlds taken from the Commonwealth by the Falcons, reintegrating them into the nation, healing the wounds of the occupation ... it will be the work of decades, and it would be irresponsible of us to simultaneously attempt to absorb a recalcitrant group of Periphery worlds and former pirate havens.

"However, an allied nation, ruled from Von Strang's World, supported by the Commonwealth but independent, would be a useful buffer against further incursions by coreward invaders like the Clans, or the other Deep Periphery nations that may turn their attention towards the Commonwealth."

Juliette sat quietly for a few moments. "So, what you really want is a shield of ablative armour to protect your coreward flank, to act as a tripwire against repeat invasions, and to keep fighting away from your own worlds as much as possible."

Melissa paused. "There is an element of that. On the other hand, it would help to bring order to a region that borders our own nation, and provides safety and security to those who live there, as well as opening avenues of trade and exploration. Instead of having a pirate nation like the old Oberon Confederation threatening our border worlds, we would have an ally and friend."

Juliette cradled her glass, studying the co-ruler of the largest single Inner Sphere realm. "... You are honest, at least." She considered. "We would receive Commonwealth support?"

"Certainly. Not House troops, of course, but funding, surplus equipment, a few words in the ears of certain mercenary groups -"

"No Dragoons or Blue Stars," interjected Juliette, her mind whirring, "Anything with a Star League - or, gods forbid, a Clan heritage - would be worse than Lyran Regulars." Then she stopped. "There is, of course, a price."

"Of course," agreed Melissa. "This all hinges on your participating in the offensive, rather prominently: with a suitably impressive contribution, the less ... savory parts of your family history can be muffled over, and your preferred tactics can be ... put into perspective. We need to be able to show that the Commonwealth is doing the right thing by supporting your ... Reconquista. "

Juliette nodded, noting down the term in her mind. "So ... we need to offer ... a spectacle." She sighed. "The Legion is not a show unit, Highness, nor is it a beautiful instrument of graceful manouver. We are a hammer."

The smile Melissa showed was clearly learned from her husband, the Fox. "Oh, I know that well enough, and we would never waste your force in such a manner. We would like to hold your unit back, at least for the first wave, and choose a suitable target, so that you can make an impact ... and so that you can hurt the Jade Falcons." Her smile broadened, and for a moment, Juliette remembered the Steiner's claim to Viking heritage. "Tell me, my lady ... what do you think about Sudeten?"

If anything, Juliette's fanged smile became even more predatory. "Please, Archon Steiner-Davion," she said respectfully, "Tell me more ..."
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Shadow_Wraith on 13 November 2017, 22:15:19
Nice update!   :))
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Zureal on 16 November 2017, 16:05:30

"In any case, the proven effectiveness of the Legion's tactics and raids has been noted at the highest levels ... including my dinner table." She smiled. "I might be forgiven for mentioning, in confidence, that Prince Victor is something of an admirer, and defends your position vigorously."

Juliette blinked again, this time in genuine surprise. "That ... I was not expecting." The blonde future ruler of the Federated Commonwealth was about her age, very handsome (if somewhat ... lacking in the height department) and a very acomplished warrior, having, like her, come of age in the time of the Clan onslaught. Most of his battles had been against Clan Jade Falcon, and she had studied his tactics and victories extensively. "I ... his exploits against the enemy are also very impressive."


   Now hear me out... Victor + Von Strang... oh the romance :D [blank]
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: gladius on 24 November 2017, 09:42:33
Omake: Cracking an Egg

"Damn: they're dug in deeper than a Sian tick," observed General Harrison Bradford, as the holotank zoomed into the schematics of the island that the Falcons had turned into a fortress. A simulated attack run by DropShips screened by fighters was met with a barrage of naval-scale lasers, PPCs and swarms of more conventional missiles. "With those turrets, there's no way we can drop a force big enough to dig them out: it's like a mini Castle Brian!"

"Hitting them from the sea is out too: they've got a sensor net that would warn them of our approach along the sea bed," added Colonel Cooper, the commander of the 3rd Royal Guard's 'Mech regiment, tapping on his noteputer. "And those walls are too heavy for even our massed artillery to smash through, anyway. Best way in is the docks ... and they've got at least a Trinary of 'Mechs and hundreds of Solhama infantry massed there, under cover."

"All in all, they've got the better part of two Clusters in there, made up of garritroopers and Solhama 'Mechs for the most part and the remnants of the ****** Doberung," Bradford continued, referring to the brutal and bloody Garrison Cluster who had murdered the crews of the ferries that had transported them to Maakar island, "but according to Wolf, there's at least a full Trinary of front line 'Mechs: Khan Chistu's bodyguard."

"******," said an aide in the background, and no one complained. They were all thinking it.

If it were simply a field battle, they certainly had the forces to overwhelm the Falcon troops. However, the fortifications, the heavy weapon turrets and the isolation of the island meant that even getting boots on the ground would be a bloody and expensive affair ...

"Isn't this Zeta Battalion's forte?" asked one officer, but the commanding general shook his head.

"Wolf says they took heavy casualties routing the Guards: they're still reconstituting, and won't be ready for combat this heavy any time soon."

"But don't we have WarShips in orbit? I mean, I'm all for the Ares Conventions, but surely a limited bombardment, aimed at a military installation that's removed from any population center -"

"That too came up when I was talking to Wolf," Bradford sighed. "He pointed out that with the sibko elements being used as riflemen by the Falcons ... by a strict reading of the Ares Conventions and the rules of war, we are prohibited from simply flattening the place from orbit."

"That's ... ridiculous, sir!"

"Maybe, but I conferred over HPG with Marshal Steiner: she agreed with the mercenary." He shook his head: having so much of the Sudeten task force's might being under control of a mercenary, and a former Clansman at that, frustrated him. Surely Commonwealth forces would have been more reliable ... "He did offer the Athena's guns to reduce those turrets ... but even without them, any regiment we drop on Maakar will be on their own until reinforcements can be moved up, against a small Galaxy of Falcon troops. It's basically a forlorn hope, and that's why I've been hoping Wolf's ultimatum would work. Damned Chistu virtually spat in his face, but we had to make the offer."

Cooper picked up his noteputer again. "Alright. I guess I'll start drawing up a list of volunteers, pull together a scratch regiment so we can -"

"No, Colonel, I'm afraid that's not happening either." The colonel blinked, looking over at his superior's dark expression. "When I conferred with Marshal Steiner, I received orders direct from the Archon, co-signed by the Archon Prince Designate. A fresh unit is being deployed to assault the island, dig us out a foothold, then hold until our troops can land."

"... permission to speak freely, sir?"

"Granted."

"What kind of luinatics did the Archon dig up to send on a forlorn hope mission like that?"

"Us."

The officers and staff in the command center turned to see a petite redhead in a light-eatingly black uniform approach. Upon recognition more than one officer recoiled, making way as she strode confidently across the room, to stand in front of the General. Instead of saluting, in a typically disrespectful display of mercenary contempt for tradition and good orders, she smiled, showing off small but clearly sharp fangs. "Juliette von Strang, General. My lunatics, madmen and monsters are ready to deploy.

"We have a Khan to kill."
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Red Pins on 24 November 2017, 10:36:43
Tagged.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: DOC_Agren on 24 November 2017, 17:51:55
this is going to get good... Juliette von Strang's Legion coming to play not so nice with some dug in clanners.
I'm not sure the clanners are ready for this party
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: snakespinner on 24 November 2017, 20:27:00
The Von Strang rave party is just about to get started.
Be there or be dead.
I wonder if the Falcons received the note in the mail telling them about the party. }:)
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Chaeronea on 25 November 2017, 22:19:38
And some mood music for the Legion to play as their 'Mechs close in on the fortress.

I don't know how to add a video to this page so follow this link... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPGRPW9KVII (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPGRPW9KVII)
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: mikecj on 26 November 2017, 13:47:44
Chistu's death never gets old
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 05 December 2017, 10:28:16
War Room
Forbidden City
Sian
Capellan Confederation
October 11th, 3056

The dark of the war room was only broken by the cerulean lights of the various displays denoting troop positions along the Capellan border with the Federated Suns. Many of them were flashing green, denoting that they were ready to begin combat operations, all they needed was the codeword to do so. Sun-Tsu smiled thinly, I am pleased, so far, the Davions seem to suspect nothing, our OPSEC has been better than I expected, and the raids we have launched have convinced them that we will be content to sit out their little pummeling of the Clans. Let them think that, right until the stroke of my sword to their neck.

He glanced at his assembled generals. “Ladies and Gentlemen, we are on the cusp of avenging the insults the Davions have subjected us to for the past 600 years. We stand ready to deliver the vengeance of the Capellan people, and liberate those who have toiled under the yoke of the so-called “freedom” of the Federated Commonwealth for so long. We shall show the Fox and his spawn why it is best to respect us, and why we have long memories. Execute EAST SEA on schedule. We will cross the border in three days, a fitting gift for their ‘Grain Rebellion’ Day.”

One clap broke the silence of the room, it soon became two, and soon the clapping became a flood, and Sun-Tsu extended his arms in triumph. He turned towards Alexa, standing against a corner of the room, her arms folded as she looked on. She was not clapping, and her eyes said Careful, my liege, we bet much on the uncertainties of this operation, and there is no guarantee this will even come close to success.

Sun-Tsu knew this all too well, he did not expect to survive this war, but if a solid enough blow could be struck, then perhaps a tired Federated Commonwealth could be brought to the negotiating table, and what gains that were taken through force of arms…could be solidified by politics, or, at least, that was the hope. My life is but a small cost to strengthen our nation.

But, he could not get the thought out of his mind of the ancient example of Imperial Japan, and its attack on Pearl Harbor. While it was wildly successful at first, it’s war leader, Yamamoto’s prediction about “six months of victory” seemed ever present in Sun-Tsu’s mind. We must drive the Davions to the table. It’s the only way this will work. But there are too many “ifs”? Will the Mariks help us? Will the guerillas we have in place launch the General Uprisings as planned? Will the Word of Blake honor their agreements? It’s a lot to bet on a “pair of 8s” as Archie McCarron once said, but I will be happy if we retake Sarna, and destabilize St. Ives enough to allow us to move in as “peacekeepers”. And, if the Mariks retake some of the Sirian worlds and wreak a little havoc along the Steiner frontier? All the better. It will split the FC response.

He turned to the war room again, his smile wide this time, reflected in the lights of the various displays, and shouted

“Wǒ men jiāng yòng dà wèi ēn de xiān xuè lái xǐ dí wǒ men de cháng máo!” – We will wash our spears in Davion blood.

The room erupted in joyous cheers, and cries of “Xin Sheng!”

**********************************************************
I didn’t know if Sun-Tsu at that moment had lost his mind, there were many moments during the coming days, especially as things began to fall apart on Sian that I came close to doing what he asked me to do, before that fateful, awful day. But the day that Sun-Tsu gave the go order? That day was electric, Capellan pride thumped in our chest like jackhammers. I screamed “Xin Sheng!” along with the rest of the assembled generals and their staffs. It was almost a shame that reality set in as harshly as it did.
"My Years with the Chancellor", Alexa Shang, Colonel, CCAF (Ret), Loyalty Press, Sian, 3075

5000m AGL above the Unity Palace
Imperial City
Luthien
October 12th, 3056

The whooshing sound of the atmosphere rushing by the skin of the Elemental Suit of Star Captain Lucas Perez of the 6th Jaguar Dragoons matched the exhilaration of his own heart. Two of the three frontline galaxies and a garrison galaxy had dropped on Luthien, most right onto the Kado-Guchi Valley. But a trinary of Elementals, all volunteers from the 6th Jaguar Dragoons, had been dropped directly onto the Unity Palace, the very beating heart of the Draconis Combine, home to the ruling family house of Kurita, and the Combine’s literal center of gravity.

There had been no batchall this time, and the Jaguar force had arrived at a pirate point only 4 days out from the planet, the warships first turning their guns onto the orbital infrastructure, then any Combine forces not on the Hokkaido continent. The bombardment went on for three days, but it had not been a one-sided affair, as Combine missile carrying submarines hiding in the Copper Sea had fired nuclear tipped ballistic missiles at the warships, and had shot down the Korat, a Liberator Class Cruiser, and the flagship of Delta Galaxy.

Star Captain Perez ‘s. mission was simple. Seize Unity Palace and capture alive any members of the Kurita line they could, it was expected that this would most likely not be possible, but their bodies would do nicely if not, then hold the palace until relief came. Star Captain Perez didn’t intend to take any Combine bondsmen. Why sully the Clan with their honorless ways? We should have just sterilized the planet. They did cooperate with the Usurper, did they not?

A buzzing alarm drew Perez’s attention, letting him know that he was at optimal altitude to begin his de-acceleration burn for his final decent. He stomped both pedals in his suit, triggering the jump jets built into the pack on his back, he held them down as his velocity indicator began to spin downwards, descending from 800 meters per second to 100 meters per second within moments. His point was doing likewise, and the smoke from the exhaust began to billow up and obscure his vision.

“Go Thermal” he bellowed, and the world became a kaleidoscope of blues, reds, and oranges, the colors depending on the heat given off by various objects in the proposed landing zone, a small clearing within the walls of the palace. He saw various man-sized objects scurrying around the various parts of the palace, the resolution of the imager didn’t allow for him to be able to tell if they were armed or not, and as far as Perez was concerned, it did not matter. It is nice for the Combine to provide me with so many targets for me and my men. I will have to thank them.

Perez’s Elemental suit hit the surface of Luthien with a bone jarring crash that was felt all the way up Perez’s spine. He swiveled the head of his suit to his left slowly, eventually completing a 360-degree circuit. His command point was loaded out with .50 caliber machine guns in the primary slot, and an automatic shotgun in the AP weapon slot. One star was packing lasers, and the last was packing flamers, in short, the trinary was ready to face any threat that they might run into in the palace, but Perez wasn’t sure this was going to be much more than a slaughter of freebirth.

He keyed his radio with his mouth and barked “Alpha Star, report!”

“Point One, reports ready.” That was Kieran, a crusty old Star Commander who somehow managed to win trial after trial for his leadership position in the Trinary Command Star. He had so far, not lost. He acted as Perez’s bodyguard.

“Point Two, reports ready” chimed in a high-pitched voice, that belonged to Dara. Her voice did not match her physique, and those who teased her about it..did so once, because she often would demand satisfaction in a Circle of Equals. She had a solid point, who would follow her anywhere.

“Point Three, reports ready” a voice robotically replied. That was Varius. He was something of a loner, and didn’t have much of a life outside being a Smoke Jaguar. He followed orders robotically, and really wasn’t much of a deep thinker. His point was solid, but due to it’s unimaginative commander, tended to have a high casualty rate.

“Point Four, I crashed through the stravag roof. I estimate it will take me 30 seconds or so to work my way free, Star Captain!” This was Arden. He was new, fresh from the sibko, but he had shown much progress in various actions against the guerillas. Perez had no doubt he would do well. His symbol on the map repeater screen showed he had drifted 1000 meters away to the northwest, coming down in a building the watch labeled as “servants quarters”. The rest of his point was scattered to hell and gone from the looks of it.

“Trinary Command acknowledges your situation Point Four, meet us at the RV.  We will work our way to you. Strength and Honor, Arden.”

“Bravo and Charlie Stars, report!” Perez barked again.

“Bravo Point 1 reports, we lost Point 2’s lead on the drop. Matthew was rammed by a Combine fighter.”

Perez smiled. Matthew had a good death to cap an otherwise average career. Shame, I was thinking of recommending him for the next Perez bloodright trial.

Perez heard nothing from Charlie..which was strange. “Anyone from Charlie Star, report!”

“Alpha Command, Bravo Point 4. I heard Charlie’s dropship go off the air on the net. They reported coming under heavy attack by fighters just before they stopped transmitting.”

“Freebirth” Perez muttered. 49 Elementals against who knew how many stravag Kuritans. No, I need to push on, the Clan would expect no less.

“Trinary Delta, we will push on with our original mission regardless of casualties. Bravo Star, seize and clear the palace armory before pushing on to the Coordinator’s private quarters. We shall continue our mission to the throne room. Strength and Honor, Delta Trinary!”

“Strength and Honor, OvKhan!”

Perez began to push his way towards the RV, a point in the northwest corner of the clearing. He noticed the entire clearing was surrounded with plants and trees of all kinds, and he might have considered it beautiful, had Perez cared about such things, such frivolity was the acumen of the Wolves, or the Ghost Bears, and that is why they are weak.

Several short bursts of heavy machine gun fire interrupted his thoughts. Point 3 was engaging an unseen target, and Perez swept the wall with his thermal sensors, he saw a pair of figures cowering behind a wall, and several other cooling bodies that Varius had already killed. Perez put his crosshairs onto one of the cowering figures, and let the caret pulse red to signify it had locked onto the target. He triggered his primary weapon, and the machine gun roared with a deep CHUNK-CHUNK-CHUNK as the .50 caliber shells tore apart the flimsy wooden structure, as splinters and dust flew away, and the shells tore apart the cowering figure. The target soon fell, with a smaller chunk falling away in a different direction, and the body beginning to rapidly cool. He then moved his cursor slightly to the left, and noticed the other figure was already down. Varius is ever efficient.

Perez again keyed his radio “Alpha Star, we push on now to the Throne Room. The Combine defenders are confused and surprised. This will not last. We must take advantage. Arden, assemble as best you can, and guard our rear as we advance. This will be quite the fight.”

“I am free, OvKhan, engaged and neutralized three defenders, two women, and one child. I have three members of my point to hand. Am proceeding as instructed.”

“Well done Arden.”

“Gain us entry, Point 2.” Perez instructed.

An Elemental sat on his haunches, and fired both SRM-2s into the building onto either side of a shattered window. Both warheads exploded, sending wood splinters flying high into the air and a large dust cloud into the sky. Fire had begun in several parts of the palace as the sky became thick with smoke.

As the first Elemental began to move through the breach, the smoke and flash of a quartet of LAW rockets reached out from a building overlooking the southern edge of the clearing and scored a series of hits onto the backpack of the elemental, one or more detonating the SRMs in a loud ROAR and a bright orange flash. Once the flash had cleared, all that was left of the elemental was a pair of smoking boots. The rest of the palace soon came alive with muzzle flashes of all calibers, and Perez began to hear the wasp-like buzz of rounds passing his suit, or the ping of a spent bullet hitting home. “Stravag, they know we are here.”

The THUD-THUD-THUD of a Heavy Machine Gun roared out from the breach, the tracers pinning another elemental like a butterfly, and tearing large chunks from it, harjel pouring forth like black ooze.
Perez heard the screams of pain and frustration of the elemental. It was one of Dara’s lot, was Jerus his name? He wasn’t sure. He was new from the sibko on Huntress, and now, he was paying for his inexperience.

Perez stepped up to the jagged hole to the left of the window, and fired a pair of SRMs down the hall overlooking the breach, then followed it up with a long burst from his machine gun. He was rewarded with a silence broken only by a series of low moans. He raised his suit’s claw arm, and waved them forward. Nothing more needed to be said. The hall itself was burnt and pockmarked, and the padding that lined the teak floor was scorched and torn, but it must have been beautiful once, he came to the site of the heavy machine gun, it was an ugly black monster mounted on a tripod, Perez instantly recognized it as a Sperry-Browning .50 caliber model meant to be mounted in a battlemech or combat vehicle. The crew was splayed around the weapon..which was rent by fragments from the SRMs Perez had fired, all of them had gaping wounds and were clad in the uniform of the Otomo. He heard low moans from one of the crew, a petite, toned woman of mixed Asian and African descent. He turned towards her and bend down, grabbing her by her breastplate with his suits claw and lifting her effortlessly.

She looked no older than 30, her features were pleasing, once, but she had multiple cuts and abrasions across her face, and she was bleeding profusely from a wound in her abdomen that leaked ichor from under her breastplate, she was coughing up blood occasionally. He locked eyes with the Combine freebirth. Her helmet was gone, lost in the miscellaneous items of the ruined machinegun position, which allowed her long, silky hair to spill out across her shoulders.

She let out a slow moan, she croaked out the word “shinjimae” before she spat blood onto Perez’s suit in a sign of contempt, then grinned at Perez with blood-soaked teeth. Perez saw red, and raised his machinegun arm, and put a single round into her head at close range, taking her head off in a spray of blood and brains, he then tossed her broken body into a corner like so much rubbish.

“Clear this place, leave no survivors.” Perez muttered dangerously.

Personal Quarters of the Archon Prince
Royal Palace
New Avalon
Crucis March, Federated Commonwealth
October 14th, 3056

Victor Ian Steiner-Davion was many things, among them an accomplished soldier, and so far, a decent if not perfect monarch. But what he wasn’t was an expert on bow ties for a tuxedo. Why do I need to wear a tux when a dress uniform will do? Oh yes, Mom insisted I do so at the Daughters of the Federated Suns Grain Rebellion Gala. Shows my civilian side. Ok, ok, but the damn bow ties…ugh!

His sister Katherine shook her head and laughed. “Big bro, do you want me to do that for you?”

“No sis, If ruling the Fedcom means I learn to do my own bow ties, then so be it.”

“Stubborn as always, big brother, stubborn as always. I know you wish I was the one going.” Katherine giggled

“You are the media darling of the Fedcom?” Victor half-pleaded, sounding a bit needier than he had intended.

“Victor, it’s an act, a persona I put on to hide the real me, the broken me.” Katherine’s illness wasn’t well known outside royal circles. Publicly, her absences from public were sold to the press as “exhaustion”, which riled Katherine, even if she understood the reason. I don’t think the people would react well if they knew the regent for the Lyran half of the Fedcom suffered from major depressive disorder. I wish I could tell Mom and Dad I really hate all the prevaricating, and the face I must put on with those not “in the know”.

Victor threw his hands up in disgust. “I am going with a clip-on; Mom’s sartorial demands can be…modified.” Victor stated diplomatically, but with a frustrated edge in his voice. “Hey, sis, be glad you aren’t going to this thing. It’s the same old speeches, with the same old rubber chicken and fake smiles and same old old biddie nobles who seem to live to attend court and throw self-congratulatory parties. Thank god there’s less of them in the Suns!”

Katherine shook her head “Amen to that, I think I’ve exceeded my plastic smile quota for the month. But, brother, I do have some real-world stuff to discuss.”

Victor studied his sister. She was wearing a NAIS alumni sweatshirt and jeans combo she saved for casual days around the palace. Her hair was up in a bun and she had bags under her eyes. She’s been putting in long nights with the Ministry of the Exchequer again. Bad news I presume.

“Hit me sis.” Victor said, a tone that suggested he was bracing for the worst.

“It’s not that bad Victor,” Katherine smiled, “shortages are at the levels we expected, mostly luxury items, our reinstating the Luxury Lotteries have helped a lot on that score. My main concern, with ammunition and spare parts expenditures twice what your folks at T & R suggested, I am going to have to rejigger the jumpship figures to get the supplies to the front. Believe me, that operational pause was a good idea, no matter how much you do not like it.”

It was a rare family argument between all of us on that one. Katherine had sided with the generals, as had dad. Mom and I wanted to finish matters while we had the Clanners on the damn run! But, honestly, we really had fired off a lot more ammo than we had expected, especially on the artillery side. And we’d tripled estimates even before Clover Spear kicked off! Oh well, no plan ever survives…

Victor’s thought was interrupted by a knock at the door. “Your highness, your mother is becoming rather insistent you ‘get your royal arse’ on the road. Her words, not mine, your highness.”

Victor chuckled. “Hold down the fort Katherine, I suspect you will have more fun than Mom, Dad, and I will. What do you have planned anyhow?”

“Misha Auburn and I are having a girl’s night. She managed to get a copy of the Orient Express remake that came out last month? I am thinking popcorn and movie night, perhaps some wine and gossip too, it will be nice to take a break.”

Victor shook his head. “Sounds better than my evening. My speech is just recycled from one Dad gave 20 years ago. I doubt most of them will notice.”

Katherine shook her head again, this time disapprovingly “Victor, as much as I acknowledge you see yourself as a humble mechjock who would rather hang out with the boys, you’re in the ruling family, and with that, comes responsibilities. I know it sucks..”

“..but I was born first. I get it Katherine. But dammit, I don’t have to like it.” Victor grumbled “Especially on nights like this.”

“Nights like this are precisely why you are needed. People need to see, as much as there is a war on, and they can’t get coffee or nylons in the stores, and rationing is rife, that their leaders are doing business as usual. They’ll figure, ‘if they aren’t panicking, then why should I?’.”

“Point taken, Sister. But you get to be the designated survivor tonight. Lucky you.” Victor quipped.

“I don’t see it that way Victor. Think about what I am staying behind as a hedge against?”

Yeah, let’s hope this is a quiet night for everyone on that score..Victor mused.

*******************************************************************
DISPATCH TO ALL UNITS.
FLASH DISPATCH
MULTIPLE EXPLOSIONS REPORTED AT AVALON CITY CONVENTION CENTER, EXECUTE TERROR ATTACK PROTOCOLS
ALL UNITS RESPOND, PRIORITY CALL
RECALL, RECALL
EXPECTED MASCAS
CHAOS 2211
VIPs AMONGST POTENTIAL CASUALTIES, INCLUDING MEMBERS OF THE ROYAL FAMILY.
ALL UNITS RESPOND, PRIORITY CALL
RECALL, RECALL

Transcript from Avalon City Emergency Services radio dispatch frequency, timestamp 2214, 14 October, 3056 (released to the public 7 September, 3057)
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: mikecj on 05 December 2017, 23:00:19
Oops~  Poor Katy, she's not going to like this at all
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: DOC_Agren on 07 December 2017, 14:54:08
I really hope that Sun-Tsu, got a really good plan because when Kat comes around as Ruler, she been studing logistic and can most likely turn that army around and head to the CC with no holes bars matchup,
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 30 January 2018, 15:36:53
Secure Wing, New Avalon General Hospital ICU
Avalon City
New Avalon
Crucis March, Federated Commonwealth
October 15th, 3056

  Unshed tears glistened in the stark blue eyes of Katherine Morgan Steiner-Davion’s pale face, her blond hair was not its usual tidy, lustrous, nature that the palace makeup artists spent hours making right for public appearances. Hides the electroshock scars nicely, doesn’t it? Can’t have the people know the Princess once had dark thoughts about hurting herself and might have turned into a monster up there with Claudius the Mad, never mind he never had Dombrowski-A? I can’t tell them that she still cries at the drop of a hat and is scared to death of being in public.

  But not today. Today she was still wearing the sweatshirt and jeans she had been wearing when she and Misha Auburn had been watching the Orient Express remake that had just hit the vids from Donegal Broadcasting Corporation. They’d been only a half hour in, when the door had been thrown open, and the security personnel had roughly grabbed her while screaming “WARY RACE!” at the top of their lungs. She’d spent hours in a locked, windowless room, with over a dozen guards armed to the teeth surrounding her telling her not much more than “there has been an incident.”
 
  It wasn’t until 0300 the next morning that Katherine had been told, by Ardan Sortek. “Your highness,” he had said, “there has been a terror attack, we think by the Capellan Confederation. It hit the Convention Center with several large truck bombs from outside the frozen zone. The blasts leveled buildings within a six-block radius of the center. Thousands are dead, wounded, or missing, your highness. Your brother has sustained a critical injury to his left arm, and has lost a lot of blood, and suffered a concussion, and both of his legs are broken. He is currently in a medically induced coma at New Avalon General. As for your mother and father…Your highness. I am so sorry to be the one to tell you this…but they are both dead, I’ll spare you the details. It wasn’t pretty. I took the liberty of identifying the remains, so that you would not have to remember them like that.”

  Katherine remembered nodding numbly, not saying a word. She was in shock; her parents were dead? How could that be? Mom and Dad had cheated death before. Why, it’s just a bad identification. Mom and Dad are going to crawl out of that rubble, dust themselves off, and go give the damn Capellans the beating they deserve. The look in Ardan’s eyes, red from lack of sleep and uncontrolled weeping for the loss of a friend of over 50 some odd years, said it all. Mom and Dad were gone, my brother is fighting for his life, and I am the one in charge? Oh god, where the hell is Peter? Why can’t they put him in charge?

  Jackson Davion had answered that one during the first conference at Mount Davion. “Your highness, we cannot be leaderless at a time like this. You are the designated successor. Peter is currently out of position on extended exercises with the Lyons SMM. He’ll be informed once he gets back from the field. But you are ahead of him in the line of succession. You. Are. It. Your highness.”

  The Capellans had not just hit New Avalon. There had been much chaos sown yesterday, not just the terror attacks on New Avalon. On New Syrtis, they had attacked Morgan Hasek-Davion’s motorcade while he was on his way to a hospital to greet wounded from the Clan front. His wife Kym was killed, he was badly wounded and clinging to life in a New Syrtis hospital. There had been six other attacks throughout the Capellan and Sarna Marches, as well as St. Ives. Candace Allard-Liao had been assassinated by an unknown shooter while she had stepped out onto the balcony of the Ducal Palace on St. Ives to give the State of the State address to the assembled throngs of media and well-wishers.
 
  And the Capellans had followed it up with an invasion. They had hit eight worlds thus far in the Sarna March. Details were sketchy, but it looked like there wasn’t just Capellan units participating, but Word of Blake units as well. This would explain the terror attacks, they seemed a bit extreme, even for the Death Commandos. It had caused temporary paralysis in the higher command levels of the Capellan and Syrtis March, and Katherine had passed orders for all units in contact to hold in place as long as possible until a clearer picture of just what the hell the Capellans were up to could emerge. It may be time to fetch Daddy’s map case. I need to begin to work that list. The Blakists better know who the hell they decided to dance with. Even if all I want to do right now is curl up in a ball and cry. I can’t, I must be the sister Victor needs.

  It had been a whirlwind day, she had signed every proclamation they had put in front of her, declaring a day of mourning for her parents, declaring a state of emergency for the Capellan and Sarna Marches, authorizing Nondi Steiner greater powers in the Lyran half of the Commonwealth to prosecute the war against the Clans…the list went on.

  The condolences had rolled in from almost every nation and polity in the Inner Sphere, including the Combine, through Comstar. But that was to, Katherine, a trivial thing. She was feeling a mixture of deep sorrow, and white-hot rage. I will burn the Forbidden City to the damn ground as a memorial to my parents, and if necessary, my brother, Sun-Tsu, you bastard. By about 1400, she had had enough. “I want to see my brother.” Katherine had said to an aide. Security and her media handlers had thrown a fit. It wasn’t secure, they said. She looked like a disheveled mess, they said. She didn’t care. “I am the Archon-Princess, I want to see my brother and I want you to take me to him. Now.”

  Within minutes, she had been ushered through a back entrance to the hospital, and whisked up to her floor, where she was greeted by a phalanx of green surgical scrub wearing doctors and nurses, at their head, a balding, older doctor, his features betraying how tired he was from working long hours on little more than willpower, energy drinks and the occasional stolen take out meal. His brown eyes bloodshot, run through with enough red to replace the white of his pupils. His face a tinge of grey, that matched his rapidly thinning hair. Yet he had an air of someone used to being in charge, and his easy use of his command voice, as horse and gravelly as it was, confirmed Katherine’s suspicions. He also looked exasperated, yet still managed to project a measure of caring for those under his care.

 “Archon-Princess,” he began, “my name is Doctor Alan Tadmere, I am a neurosurgeon and the lead physician on the team treating your brother. I am also chief of Neurosurgery here at this hospital. His prognosis is critical, but stable for now. He sustained a TBI, two broken legs, and his left arm took a mix of blast damage, and lacerations from flying glass so severe, that we had to amputate it. He also has gone into hypovolemic shock due to high blood loss, hence for those reasons, we had to put him into a medical coma and we are giving him all the blood we can. If he makes it through the next 24 hours, we’ll see about bringing him out of it, but for right now, he needs rest. I can let you and one security man in the room with him for a few minutes, in masks and scrubs to prevent infection.  He’s bandaged all over because of a series of minor wounds and burns, his left arm is gone above the elbow and the stump is heavily bandaged. Both legs are broken and are in traction. He is also on a ventilator. He is getting the best care we can give him, your highness, but we are in the middle of a mass casualty event and we are stretched to the maximum. Frankly, your brother is one lucky individual to have made it this far. “
  Katherine simply nodded, and suited up in the scrubs and mask that she was given. Her brother, once so powerful and full of life, lay broken on the hospital bed, looking small, and frail, with multiple tubes leading into and out of him. Machines wheezed, beeped, and made all the other sounds one associated with an ICU. “Does he feel anything?” she asked a nurse as she suited up.

“Probably not, your highness. He’s pretty doped up on a variety of pain meds and nerve blockers.”

 Her visit had been short, a few whispered words to Victor close to his ear, and she soon found herself in the waiting area, which was like most hospitals, drab, with everything a mix of white and sickly orange, a smell of medical disinfectant wafting through the air. Dear God, I didn’t want this. But I am going to do the best with it I can, for Victor. But please God, let Victor wake up. I don’t want the job. I never did.

 Galen had shown up from his own room a few minutes later, he was dressed in a white hospital gown that was firmly closed, as he had a large sense of modesty. His right arm was broken and in a sling, and he had a minor concussion of his own, as he had been thrown into a pillar by the blast, thus he was spending 24 hours at the hospital for observation. No words were said between the two, she had simply collapsed into his arms, weeping, both of them praying Victor woke up.

Taken from the daily CCAF briefing provided to Sun-Tsu Liao, then-Chancellor of the Capellan Confederation, dated November 2nd, 3056, declassified by the Capellan State Archives, April 11th, 3067.

“…disruption operations against enemy command and control has been at least 60% effective by all estimates. The Blakist operatives have, in conjunction with our own Death Commandos, been successful beyond all estimates. The conventional offensive, however, has been met with mixed results, as the CCAF was as surprised as our enemies, and our option of attacking from barracks has found some units not as ready for war as we here at the Strategios were led to believe. Furthermore, the inactivity by the FWLM as of now is a cause for concern. We cannot ultimately succeed in securing our modest objectives by ourselves, the FWLM must enter the conflict on our side if we are to have a chance at all.”

Sarna
Attacking Units: Blanford Grenadiers, Kingston’s Legionnaires, Kincade’s Rangers, Bordon’s Blood Drinkers (1 Battalion), 2nd Division, Word of Blake Militia.
Defending Units: Sarna Martial Academy Training Group, Sarna Planetary Guard
The Capellan invasion of Sarna on the first wave of EAST SEA caught the Fedcom by surprise, with the Sarna Martial Academy Training Group (MATG) caught in garrison as the Capellan invasion force appeared at a pirate point 2 days out. The Sarna MATG dug in around the planetary capitol of Sarna and prepared for a long defense, but Bordon’s Blood Drinkers more experienced warriors easily dug out and routed the MATG, and the other units easily crushed them under the weight of numbers. The Planetary Guard was racked with dissention by pro-Capellan elements, with the loyal elements being crushed within days. The Capellan invasion force then dug in to face the expected FC counterattack.

Campertown
Attacking Units: Stalpleton’s Grenadiers
Defending Units: Alpha Regiment, 12th Vegan Rangers, Campertown Planetary Guard
Stapleton’s Grenadiers had a bad invasion from the start, with an accident destroying a Leopard-class Dropship, a lance of ‘Mechs and causing massive confusion in the landing force. The landing itself was a confused mess, with the drop being scattered halfway across the main continent. Alpha Regiment was waiting, and made short work of most of the scattered elements, with 3rd Battalion, Stapleton’s Grenadiers being the only organized elements of the invasion force (at about 50% strength) being able to escape the world a week later.

Sarmaxa
Attacking Units: House Hiritsu, Sarmaxa Militia
Defending Units: Grim Determination
House Hiritsu, though filled with inexperienced warriors, made up for their lack of experience with sheer fanaticism, and managed to pin Grim Determination down long enough for the militia to switch sides almost in their entirety. Grim Determination lost two companies before managing to hole up in an old Star League fortress and sent word for help while settling in for a siege.

Tsinghai
Attacking Units: House Matsukai
Defending Units: Beta Regiment, 12th Vegan Rangers
House Matsukai found itself in a nasty fight from the start, but managed to hold onto it’s LZ by it’s fingernails, and forestall Beta Regiment from crushing it outright. Both sides have settled into an attritional fight as both sides have sent for reinforcements.

Truth
Attacking Units: 15th Dracon (all four battalions)
Defending Units: 8th Arcturan Guards
The 8th Arcturan Guards fought gamely to hold Truth, but found themselves slightly overmatched, with the 15th’s 4th veteran battalion always seeming to find the 8th’s flanks, and turning them. After three weeks of this, the 8th, having taken 15% casualties, packed up and retreated to Kaifeng. The 15th dug in and awaited further orders. The Truth Planetary Guard remained in their barracks, declaring for the Capellan Confederation only after the 8th left the world.

Lesalles
Attacking Units: 3rd Division, Word of Blake Militia
Defending Units: 4th Fedcom RCT, Lesalles Planetary Guard
The WoBM 3rd Division found itself evenly matched against the 4th Fedcom in numbers, and a slight edge in experience. It wasn’t enough to force the 4th to retreat and both sides like on Sarmaxa, settled into a long, attritional fight.

Diversionary Raids
Fraizer
Attacking Units: House Lusann, Bullard’s Armored Cavalry
Defending Units: 41st Avalon Hussars, Fraizer Planetary Guard
The 41st Avalon Hussars were caught by near surprise, being in a state of confusion in the wake of the terror attacks on New Avalon and New Syrtis. The 41st, to it’s credit, recovered quickly, but was unable to prevent the Capellan raiders from making off with a half-billion C-Bills worth of raw materials. The Planetary Guard was unable to mobilize in time to assist the 41st.

Horsham
Attacking Units: 1st Battalion, 5th Confederation Reserve Cavalry
Defending Units: 1st Capellan Dragoons, Horsham Planetary Guard
The 1st Battalion’s raid on Horsham was a mixed bag, while the battalion managed to land in one piece, and smash up a few half-hearted counterattacks by the 1st Capellan Dragoons and the Planetary Guard, but they did not carry off anything of value on world, and left a week later, frustrated that their raid had achieved so little.

Bromhead
Attacking Units: 2nd and 3rd Battalions, 5th Confederation Reserve Cavalry
Defending Units: Bromhead Planetary Guard
The Planetary Guard did it’s best, but was overmatched by the ‘Mechs of the 2nd and 3rd Battalions. Within 48 hours, the planetary government was offering it’s surrender to the Capellan force, only to find the Capellans had left, making off with an entire months’ worth of production of refined petrochemicals (worth about 5 Billion C-Bills).

Velhas
Attacking Units: Ishihara’s Grenadiers, Marshigama’s Legionnaires
Defending Units: 10th Donegal Guards, Velhas Planetary Guard
The 10th fought reasonably well, until a week into the fighting, they left an exposed flank that the Marshigama’s Legionnaires jumped upon and rolled up, forcing the 10th into an ignominious rout. The Capellans salvaged 2 companies of FedCom ‘Mechs and left soon after, feeling they had achieved all they were going to.

Verlo
Attackers: Albermale’s Highlanders (1 Btn)
Defending Units: 15th Deneb Light Cavalry RCT
The raid on Verlo was an unmitigated disaster for Albermale’s Highlanders, as their attempted drop on top of the 15th’s ‘Mech barracks ended with the unit being scattered all over the continent because of heavy FedCom aerospace activity. It took a week for the 15th to mop up the survivors.

Indicass
Attacking Units: 2nd Confederation Reserve Cavalry
Defending Units: St. Ives Cheveau-Legurs
The raid by the 2nd CRC was hoped to keep St. Ives from doing anything to help the FedCom while East Sea ran its course. What happened however, probably did more to encourage St. Ives than discourage it.  The 2nd CRC landed with little trouble, but soon found itself in a hornet’s nest. The St. Ives forces were in no mood to see the Capellan landings as a limited raid, and showed the Capellan raiders no mercy at all, chasing the 2nd CRC all over the planet. This was exacerbated when news arrived of what had happened to Duchess Liao. Barely a battalion of the 2nd CRC survived the week to surrender to the Cheveau-Legurs.

Mendham
Attacking Units: 4th Division, Word of Blake Militia
Defending Units: 21st Rangers, Illician Lancers, Mendham Planetary Guard
The Blakists managed to get to ground at a cost of half of the Division’s aerospace fighters, and met the 21st Rangers amongst the planetary starport. Both sides went after each other without restraint and left the starport a wreck, and heavy casualties on both sides, after a week’s worth of fighting, when the 2nd Division suddenly withdrew and returned to Capellan space.


Alternative Relocation Site, Clan Steel Viper
20km North of the Great Gash
Twycross
Clan Steel Viper Occupation Zone
October 20th, 3056

The relocation site was an underground bunker, left over from the days of the old Lyran Commonwealth, and it hadn’t seen use since the 3rd Succession War. It had taken quite a few work credits to get to a minimal Clan standard, but Perigard Zalman, Khan of Clan Steel Viper was glad he had spent the money. Considering how quickly the Federated Commonwealth kicked us off Waldorff? This was a very good idea indeed.
“Ahmed, what does the Watch tell us about the movements of the Federated Commonwealth forces?” Zalman thundered, he had been a man possessed of late, his very nature despised being on the defensive, and wanted to hit back. But thus far, the FedCom had not given him the opportunity, that was, until now.

“My Khan, our sources, as well as information we have managed to contract from the Diamond Shark Watch, has confirmed that the Federated Commonwealth forces have had a short operational pause. They seem to have overstretched their logistical chain, and I believe, my Khan, that we have a small window to launch a counterattack to restore a corridor to our forces currently cut off to coreward.

Zalman exhaled. “And what of the Wolves? Any actions on their part? Surely they cannot believe that the FedCom will cease their actions once they have driven us and the Falcons from the Inner Sphere?”

“Neg, my Khan, there is little word from the Wolves, other than some seemingly routine troop movements. We have also heard nothing from the ilKhan himelf…which does concern me, my Khan.”

Zalman nodded. What are you up to, Kerensky? What little ploy are you planning to better your “former” clan?
“Ahmed, pass word to the units on world, that they are to be ready for combat operations within thirty days. I intend to lead the counterattack myself. The FedCom savashri have only faced lucrewarriors and solahma. Now it is time to face our best.” Zalman wore a feral grin, he was sure of the glory to come.

Command Post of 1st Falcon Velites
Quarell
Clan Jade Falcon Occupation Zone
October 22nd, 3056

  Star Colonel Serendice Helmer was annoyed, he had been woken from a very enjoyable slumber, with dreams of glory for himself and his clan filling his head. To be awoken by a bondsman and almost ignominiously tossed into the back of a General-Purpose Vehicle and driven back to the main command post. The command post was in chaos, not befitting an elite unit of Clan Jade Falcon, especially one that was holding the Clan’s most important holding, so close to Terra.

  “CEASE YOUR CONFUSED MEANDERINGS, YOU SAVASHRI FOOLS!” Helmer boomed, his voice of command filled the main map room. Everyone stopped in their tracks, and gave him their rapt attention.

 Helmer silently exhaled, and ran his hands through his straw blond hair. His jade green eyes searched the room. “We are Jade Falcon. We do not run about like confused chicks, we soar on the winds of glory. We WELCOME a batchall! No matter whom it may be! Now, put me through, we will make those who challenge our clan regret their decision to hunt us!”

Another bondsman showed up with his dress uniform, which he hurriedly donned, and a wall screen came to life. The image coalesced and took form. It couldn’t be. The form was nothing less than the saKhan of Clan Wolf, Natasha Kerensky herself.

“Hello, Star Colonel Helmer. You know whom I am, and my codex, so we don’t have to engage in that tiresome Falcon tradition. I am challenging Clan Jade Falcon’s right to Quarell, with what do you plan to contest my challenge, Green Pidgeon?”

“Khan Kerensky. I bid my entire cluster. I will award you safecon, this should be decided by warriors. And I hope you are so cocky, when I make you my bondsman?”

Kerensky shook her head with a mirthful grin. “Star Colonel? I have had Jade Falcons bigger and badder than you make that threat. They are either dead, or Wolves now. I do hope you join the ranks of the latter, as your codex would be a shame to lose. So be it, I will face you with my 13th Wolf Guards.”

 Helmer muttered “Well bargained and done, Kerensky, I shall see you soon.” He drew his hand across his throat to kill the signal. The glory I will win from this fight!

 

Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Sir Chaos on 30 January 2018, 16:02:21
Great update.

Only, you have the WoB 2nd Division invade Sarna *and* raid Mendham.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Shadow_Wraith on 30 January 2018, 16:55:20
Wow   that was a great update!    Looking forward to what the response will be from the arching princess
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Red Pins on 30 January 2018, 17:26:46
Well.  Given they managed to kill Hanse and Melissa - there will be heck in large quantities to pay.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Zureal on 31 January 2018, 20:33:33
Wow... vic got hurt bad, the cappies are about to get FU$#ED up, if not by kathy then deffinitly by vic when he , if he wakes up. #P
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: pensiveswetness on 31 January 2018, 23:34:16
*pin* I'll come back to this later, questions wise. Very engrossing read, sir.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 12 February 2018, 16:12:33
Situation Room
Fox’s Den, Mount Davion
New Avalon
Crucis March, Federated Commonwealth
November 6th, 3056

  As the briefing droned on with news of an inconclusive battle here, a Blakist or Capellan terror attack there, the litany all meant one thing to Katherine. It’s all on my damn watch, and I am dancing to Sun-Tsu’s tune. She drummed her fingers as she reached through her mind. She’d been mostly a passive observer in the military and intelligence briefings, still a bit in shock over the events of nineteen days before. She’d given Nondi more autonomy on the Clan front, and Nondi in her last communication said that the Steel Vipers “..were horribly telegraphing their intentions”. Whatever the hell that meant.

  Victor was still in a coma, and Katherine made a point of reading to him by his bed, a chapter a day from the classics. Katherine smiled at that, he wasn’t much for classic literature, but now? Now I think he’s a bit of a captive audience. They were on the third chapter of Moby Dick, but reading to Victor just reminds me how I miss him, and how I am on the damn backfoot because of that murderous jackal on Sian! And Peter, Yvonne, Arthur? Jesus, they’re in godddamned seclusion! I can’t even send a message to them! I can’t be the big sister I need to be, the ruler I need to be? All I can be is angry, impotent..and…

  There was a SNAP, Katherine hadn’t realized it, but she had snapped her stylus from the anger over the fate of her parents. All the heads in the Situation Room turned. A thought came unbidden to Katherine. “Ladies and Gentlemen, can everyone but the principals clear the room?” Katherine queried. It wasn’t long before a rustling of papers and chairs commenced as the veritable army of junior aides, briefers, and clerical personnel cleared the room. Katherine waited for all of them to clear the room. Once the last of them left, the door closed with a snick, it seemed louder to Katherine that it possibly could have. She took a deep breath, surveyed the room. Time to show them the nutcase has some teeth after all.

  “Ladies and Gents, to put it in terms my father would have said, these last three and a half weeks have been a terrible ass kicking. I intend we begin to put an end to it: Now.”

   Quintus Allard cleared his throat, his deputy Alex Mallory rustling through his papers expecting a request from his boss for information to back up a point his boss to make. “Your Highness, as much as I would like to, it’s been a little tough just keeping ahead of all the Capellan and Blakist terror cells loose in the Sarna and Capellan Marches. And with Sarna under Capellan control…”

   “I am aware of these challenges, but my family has been murdered, my brother clings to life in a hospital bed, and worse, our people cower in fear of almost daily terror attacks. No Quintus, I am done reacting. We are going to start taking control of this mess back. And that begins now.” Katherine reached for an old, tattered olive green mapcase, it was standard Davion issue, and had a faded patch of the 3rd Davion Guards, a bird of prey soaring with a sword in it’s talons. She opened it and removed a folder and placed it on the table. Alex Mallory leaned over and picked it up, and then leafed through it, his face slowly going white.

  “Who compiled this, your Highness?”

  “My father, he did so with the cooperation of your office. He just compiled names he saw in the daily briefs he still received. I suspect he knew we might need this. I am sad to say that he was right. I want all the names on this list dead by the end of the month, Alex. And no, damn the consequences!”

 “Your highness, some on this list are prominent citizens of the Free Worlds League, two are members of their Parliament. One is an adviser to Thomas Marik. We can’t just…”

  Katherine saw red. “Yes, we can, Alex. I am tired of having open season declared on my family. Of letting that little bastard on Sian call the tune! He decided the type of war he wanted. Well, now he gets it. And if Thomas wants to give aid and comfort to the doers? Then a little of this is going to splash on him. And no, if that means war with him too, then so be it. He should know better. I will give him the chance to hand these people over to us before we take them out, but if they aren’t in our hands by the end of the month, then they will have seen their last sunrise. No ifs, ands, or buts, Alex.”

  Alex blanched “Your Highness, this could hurt our agent networks in the League.”

  Katherine breathed “I am aware of that. I know it’s a big risk for those men and women we have sent there. But, it’s what we have trained them to do. And its cold comfort that we ask them to do it simply for queen and country, but ladies and gentlemen, this goes beyond politics as usual in the Inner Sphere. If we don’t do this, no one and nothing is safe. The Blakists hit a damn shopping mall on Kestrel a week ago full of Christmas shoppers. No, we need to make it very unhealthy for these people. And Alex?”

  “Yes, your Highness?”

  “I want the targets to know who and why they are dying. Instruct the agents to tell their targets, or leave a calling card that says, “Greetings from Hanse and Melissa Steiner-Davion.” And I want two Capellan names added to that list. Kali Liao, and Dina Ferrera.”

 “You want us to kill the head of the Maskirovka and the Chancellor’s sister?”

 “She planned the operation that killed my parents, and he needs to know the pain of losing family.” Katherine said serenely. “After this, Alex, no more killings. We win this war clean. But now, we let them know they chose this war and the form it takes. We get to choose our form of retribution, and we will choose the form in which it ends. And I fully intend for it to end in our favor.”
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Zureal on 12 February 2018, 20:28:30
well.... thats just  bitchen! :D  8)
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: pensiveswetness on 12 February 2018, 21:39:59
but is it even possible (to hit multiple targets like that)?
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: 2ndAcr on 12 February 2018, 22:12:58
 Now this one makes me kind of like Katherine.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Dave Talley on 12 February 2018, 22:32:03
Now this one makes me kind of like Katherine.

yeah
feels odd, but right this time
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: DOC_Agren on 12 February 2018, 23:19:00
but is it even possible (to hit multiple targets like that)?
Yes, see the Wrath of God for how it can be done.. now expand on it with more assets and the time table could work.

Katherine has gone Ice Cold.

Now this one makes me kind of like Katherine.
yeah
feels odd, but right this time
yes yes it does   8)
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: AlphaMirage on 12 February 2018, 23:36:20
As an unabashed Katherine Fan (160pgs and counting on my fiction) this makes me happy.  Perhaps the treatments didn't stick and Mad Kat comes out to play.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 14 February 2018, 12:09:40
Throne Room
Forbidden Palace
Sian
Sian Commonality, Capellan Confederation
November 18th, 3056

  Sun-Tsu Liao was somewhat satisfied with himself thus far, EAST SEA’s first wave had gone about as well as he had any right to expect. Taking Sarna was a damn coup, and one you didn’t expect at all, I wish they’d all been that easy. Now if my father in law would get off his overstuffed ass on Atreus, we could really humble the Davions and their spawn. But until then, we will do the best with what we have.

  The briefing teams were shuffling into the room for the twice daily briefing, and from the looks on their faces, it appeared that the news was as usual, mixed. Shang was on an troubleshooting assignment, which might even involve actually shooting someone, as the war was discovering the rot in the CCAF did run pretty deep. Even with the Blakists helping us, the CCAF isn’t equal to the task we have asked it to perform, but the Mask and ROM is doing a fine job of keeping the enemy off balance. I may personally not approve of the methods, but as Grandfather used to say, or at least as the official records said he said, “Never hesitate to complicate the life of your enemy by any means possible, they won’t hesitate to do it to you if give half a chance.”

  What frustrated Sun-Tsu is that he had to keep so many units watching St. Ives or the Marik frontier, or the Periphery, for EAST SEA, the Capellans didn’t have that much to work with, but he was tempted to make a fast grab of Bromhead, it’s not like the Davions had a garrison there. Not that the planet’s worth much.

   The briefing droned on with the usual news, stalemate here, minor successes there. More terror attacks on “soft” targets in the Capellan and Sarna Marches, when a courtier, resplendent in an outfit of Liao Jade Green and piped with Gold, came to one knee and cleared his throat to get the attention of all in the room. “Celestial Wisdom. I come bearing an important delivery from ComStar. It is a message from the current regent of the Davions, Katrina Steiner-Davion herself. May I approach the throne with the ROM and hand it to you, Celestial Wisdom?”

   Sun-Tsu nodded, and the courtier deftly walked up the few steps to the dais, bowing while averting direct eye contact and handing the disk to Sun-Tsu, then quickly retreating off the dais, down the stairs, and to the rear of the throne room. Sun-Tsu examined the disk. It was a normal enough ROM disk. It had the Fist and Sunburst of the Federated Commonwealth inlaid into the disk, and a simple message printed into it “FOR THE EYES OF THE CAPELLAN CHANCELLOR ONLY.”

   There was a small slot for the playing of ROMs laid into the design of the Celestial Throne, and a screen on the opposite wall where the playback would be displayed. Sun-Tsu inserted the disk, and rose from his throne “Perhaps the Davion bitch has come crawling to us for our mercy, eh?” I doubt it, the last time the Davions sent a ROM here, it was an ill omen, but appearances must be kept up. Sun-Tsu’s mind groaned even as he kept an outward smile.

  The screen showed a test pattern, beeped three times, and then came to an image of a blonde, blue-eyed woman of about twenty years of age. She looked tired, haggard, but there was a steel in her eyes, and a righteous anger too. I will have to be careful with this one. Katherine Steiner-Davion has something of her Grandmother in her. The Mask clearly underestimated her.

    “Greetings Sun-Tsu Liao,” the video began. “You know me, and who I am. But if you think I sent this video to beg for mercy, or offer you worlds or praise you don’t deserve, you are clearly mistaken. I sent you this message to inform you of something: Your sister is dead. In fact, she, her staff, and all of her courtiers are dead.”

    The image soon switched to a first-person camera view of what had to be a soldier running through the halls of a mansion, a mansion Sun-Tsu knew quite well. It was Kali’s on Highspire. The radio transmissions were clipped, professional, and from people who knew what the hell they were doing.

     VALKYRIE SIX, THIS IS TWO, WE GOT THREE DOWN IN THE FOYER, NONE ARE PRIMARY TARGET, CHARLIE MIKE.

    ROGER TWO, MEET US UPSTAIRS, PRIMARY TARGET HAS A SAFE ROOM AND WE WANT TO HEAD HER OFF FROM THAT.

   One could hear the soldier’s elevated briefing as he took the stairs two at a time, and it soon became clear the camera was attached to the primary sight of the soldier’s weapon. The weapon came up and the muzzle flashed, and two of Kali’s servants fell, blood and gore blossoming from their wounds as they fell at the head of the stairs.

   The soldier moved with practiced, ease, checking room to room, when he met resistance in one room, he simply fell back, pitched a grenade into the room, which after a few seconds, went off with a stark white flash, and a small cloud of dust. He then fired several quick bursts at a collection of overturned furniture in the corner of the room. As he approached the body it resolved to be one of Kali’s pet Thugees, tattooed and maimed in the name of Kali and her self-proclaimed godhood. Who are these people, they are going through her people like a buzzsaw?
 
    The figure turned right, then left and came to a set of teak double doors, inlaid with jade and gold in the form of characters in Chinese and Punjabi. Oh no, they got to Kali’s room. Sun-Tsu showed no outward sign, but inwardly, he knew what was to come next.

    The doors were quickly wired with some form of explosive from another commando, and then they blew open with a small, sharp BANG. A group of commandos then kicked open the door and flew into the room, the POV camera going right, then shifting towards the middle of the room, swinging towards the image of his sister, Kali, her slender frame clothed in a green and red silk robe, and armed with an semi-automatic pistol, she was trying to get around to shoot the person with the camera, but she was too late. Several off-screen reports sounded, and gouts of blood, bone, and vicera exploded as if by magic from her head and chest. Kali dropped like a puppet with her strings cut, she said not a word as the pistol clattered to the floor. The POV approached Kali, kicked away the pistol and in the same motion, put two more bullets into her already shattered skull.

  An excited voice soon got on the radio, it was out of breath, but the elation was obvious: RINGMASTER, THIS IS VALKYRIE SIX, PRIMARY TARGET IS DOWN. REPEAT PRIMARY TARGET IS DOWN AND WE HAVE CONFIRMATION. EXECUTING EXFIL NOW, OVER.

RINGMASTER CONFIRMS VALKYRIE SIX, WELL DONE, SEE YOU AT THE EXFIL, OUT.

  The image froze and returned to Katherine Steiner-Davion. “Sun-Tsu, you killed my parents in cold blood, you have gravely wounded my brother in cold blood, and forced the rest of my family into hiding. Worse, you have murdered thousands of my people. My father attacked your grandfather for a lot less. Now, now I intend to finish what you started. I don’t intend to just destroy the Capellan Confederation or make you part of the Commonwealth. No, I intend to end you. You and your entire diseased line. Your sister was just the start.

  “You started this war with a perfidious stab in the back, when I come for you Sun-Tsu? You’ll see the ****** knife coming. I promise you. Because, to quote an old move, ‘I am coming, and hell is coming with me.’ Until then, see you on the battlefield, Sun-Tsu, because your victories won’t last long, and I think you know that.”

   The recording froze on Katherine’s ice-cold smile. It was then that Sun-Tsu noticed two things. First, was the fact that that smile had never left Katherine’s face, and that it never, ever reached her eyes, and the second? That a chill had entered the throne room, and it was only getting colder.

   Sun-Tsu barked “Send a company of the Red Heart Guard to Highspire. Confirm the claims of this video. NOW! Second, fetch Major Tsang and my Senior Colonels, and my Maskirovka Director! I WANT OPTIONS!”

   The senior Maskirovka briefing officer got on his phone and called his superior, attempting to summon his boss, but his demeanor soon changed. “Sire, Chairman Ferarra is dead, her VTOL was shot down by a SRM launcher, we just found out. A note was recovered at the scene. It said, “Greetings from Hanse and Melissa Steiner-Davion.”

  “Where was her security detail?” Sun-Tsu thundered.

 “Their helicopter was shot down too. We’ve brought in the Death Commandos to find the assailants.” the briefer answered meekly.

 Sun-Tsu saw red. “Out, everyone OUT NOW!!!” Sun-Tsu came down off the throne in a fury and snatched a polearm out of the hands of one of the throne room guards and began to randomly smash items in the throne room in a cacophony of metal, ceramics and wood until he was tackled by several courtiers and guards. The tangle of limbs struggled with him mightily, one courtier being badly disfigured by a swipe of Sun-Tsu’s reinforced claws. It took three minutes to tackle him to the ground, and drag him back to his private quarters, with everyone involved whispering apologies for having violated his person the entire way.

  Sun-Tsu didn’t stop screaming until he was administered a sedative ten minutes later.
 


Free Worlds League Parliament Chamber
Atreus
Free Worlds League
November 20th, 3056

“The Chair recognizes the Captain-General for the purposes of answering the questions of this august body today, and thanks him in advance for making time from his schedule for us.”

 Captain-General Thomas Marik rose from his chair, his uniform resplendent with medals that in many cases, were little more than honorifics and attendance awards. His beard covering the worst of the scars from the bombing that had killed most of his family, and his body stooped with age as his brown eyes searched the aisles for friends. There doesn’t appear to be any today. His hair shone with grey, the brown of his youth having been chased away by the years long ago.

 He arrived at the podium and cleared his throat, waiting for the deluge of questions to begin, the wait wasn’t long at all.
 
 “The chair recognizes Lady Demantha Korenth, MP Marik Commonwealth.”

  “Captain-General, I would ask if it is a good idea to maintain relations with two powers whom in the last month, have shown a great predilection to shed innocent blood, and even now, may being some wholly justified down upon the League. I would remind the Captain-General that we were not consulted before one of these powers were allowed to enter the League?”

  Thomas Marik cleared his throat. “Ms. Kortenth, I would remind her Ladyship that foreign policy is a exclusive domain of the Captain-Generalcy, and I made the decision to allow the Word Of Blake entry to the League under my reserved powers in that arena. As for their recent actions, I, and my cabinet are monitoring events in the newfound war between the Federated Commonwealth and the Capellan Confederation. The Word of Blake is allied with the Confederation, and they have the right to do so. I acknowledge that reports of their activities in the conflict thus far are alarming, but much of that can be dismissed as Federated Commonwealth propaganda.”

  There was an uproar. One MP shouted “Propaganda my ass! You’ve thrown our lot in with murderers!”

  The Speaker attempted to gavel the body to order, but he was shouted down by at least a dozen voices shouting, “impeach the Captain-General” and “Repeal 288!”

  Thomas took this as his cue to leave, turning and making for a side entrance that was intended for parliamentary pages, and reporters, but was also useful when a Captain-General had to make a quick exit, such as today.

  His SAFE Director, Wilson Chernikov, was waiting.  Wilson’s flowing white hair and green eyes belied long hours at the office, tracking the two wars that were coming uncomfortably close to the League’s borders..not to mention the fact that the League may have unwittingly allowed a bunch of terrorists to start up shop inside the borders of the League.

  “Tell me you have some good news, Wilson? Thomas asked.

  “I do.” Wilson answered in a clipped tone, as he handed a lengthy stack of documents in a folder marked “Special Tasks”.

  “I will do the Captain-General a service and summarize. He’s been cheating on your daughter with a member of his palace staff for some time. Were this to come to light, we could…”

“..back out of the alliance with little issue, and avoid war. But what’s the chance that lunatic comes after us? Or worse, Joshua on New Avalon? He blew up six thousand people to get at Hanse and Melissa Davion for Christ’s sake!”

“Word is Sun-Tsu’s on some sort of crusade and the Blakists may have sold him a bill of goods, sire.”

Thomas swore softly. “So it’s either war on a faulty premise where most of the provinces are going to stay home, Addendum or no. Or, I betray an alliance where I let my only daughter marry a man who’s cheating on her rather than produce a ****** heir! It seems obvious on what I should do.”

“It does sire, and frankly, I agree, but there is the small issue of the Blakists still in the League. Were we to announce our neutrality in this war..”

“..they might turn on us. And you’re worried you cannot find them all?” Thomas opined.

“Sire, they’ve had six years to burrow into our military, intelligence agencies, and our bureaucracy. If they wanted to, they could cause some real havoc. But, Katherine’s offer is worth entertaining. We just have to tread very, very carefully.”

Thomas nodded “Ok, Wilson. Compile a list and get set to move on these people. I want them alive to turn over to the Fedcom, but if not, their bodies will do. If the Fedcom come for them first, don’t get in the way. Meanwhile, let’s let the Blakists think we’re are about to jump into the war on the side of the Capellans, for now. If somehow, the Capellans beat expectations…then we can just honor the alliance..and if not..”

“We can back down. Iffy game of brinkmanship, Sire.” Chernikov intoned, raising an eyebrow.

“Do we have a choice, Wilson?” Thomas stated, a tone of exasperation obvious in his voice.

“No, we do not sire. No, we do not.” Wilson stated, as he shook his head with his own sense of resignation.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: 2ndAcr on 14 February 2018, 18:29:20
 See, there is a little of the canon Katherine, but I can forgive her for it. Everyone understands revenge.

 I think she is handling it quite well, I would have destroyed the CapCon myself.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Zureal on 14 February 2018, 23:20:38
love this bloodbath, hope sun-tzu is really feeling the heat and realizing just how fu%$ he is now XD #P
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: pensiveswetness on 15 February 2018, 17:40:31
I don't know... why would the WoB betray Fake-Thomas? I think it would help to know what the Master was up to, in all this? Are they (the WoB) still planning to take Terra in this time line?
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: DOC_Agren on 16 February 2018, 12:59:59
See, there is a little of the canon Katherine, but I can forgive her for it. Everyone understands revenge.

 I think she is handling it quite well, I would have destroyed the CapCon myself.
Oh she going to destroy it.. and Salt the CapCon..

So did Katherine make "Thomas Marik" an offer he can't really refuse for turning over the people she wants target or what?
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Intermittent_Coherence on 02 March 2018, 19:25:55
Oh she going to destroy it.. and Salt the CapCon..

So did Katherine make "Thomas Marik" an offer he can't really refuse for turning over the people she wants target or what?
You're gonna have to be a bit more specific on what constitutes an offer he can't really refuse.
For all we know she might have offered to take Isis off his hands to marry off to one of her brothers or cousins.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Sharpnel on 02 March 2018, 20:01:12
You're gonna have to be a bit more specific on what constitutes an offer he can't really refuse.
For all we know she might have offered to take Isis off his hands to marry off to one of her brothers or cousins.
He gets to live to see the next sunrise. LIC is much better than SAFE at doing wetwork.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Chaeronea on 05 March 2018, 04:11:36
He gets to live to see the next sunrise. LIC is much better than SAFE at doing wetwork.

How does MIIO rank in wetwork compared to LIC? I mean, LIC has Loki who are basically brainwashed assassins trained from childhood, but the Rabid Foxes etc are supposed to be pretty competent as well.

Also, you'd think Suz-Tzu would be happier to hear that Kali was dead, seeing how fruit-bat crazy she be?

I have to admit I would have loved it if Katie's message to Sun-Tzu was a paraphrased Susan Ivanova quote from Babylon 5 -

"Who am I? I am Katherine Steiner-Davion, daughter of Melissa and Hanse Davion. I am the right hand of vengeance and the boot that will grind the Liao line to dust beneath its heel, sweetheart! The people of the Federated Commonwealth, the innocents that your terrorists murdered by the thousands, sent me. I am death incarnate, and the last living thing that you will ever see."

And of course, another old Ivanova standby takes on a whole new tone in this story -

"No boom today? Boom tomorrow. There's always a boom tomorrow."
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Sir Chaos on 05 March 2018, 04:19:47
How does MIIO rank in wetwork compared to LIC? I mean, LIC has Loki who are basically brainwashed assassins trained from childhood, but the Rabid Foxes etc are supposed to be pretty competent as well.

Also, you'd think Suz-Tzu would be happier to hear that Kali was dead, seeing how fruit-bat crazy she be?

I think a good bit of his reaction stems from the realization that the second best security arrangements (*maybe* third best after the Maskirovka director´s, who was also assassinated) in the Confederation aren´t worth shit against FedCom wetwork operatives - which is kind of an inauspicious omen regarding Sunny-Boy´s own security arrangements, isn´t it?

And Kali wasn´t just assassinated from the shadows, say like Omi was canonically - they waltzed right into her place, smashed her guard detail flat, riddled her with bullets, and left. That was a deliberate "we piss on you and everything your security personnel does to protect you".
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Tegyrius on 05 March 2018, 06:24:39
And of course, another old Ivanova standby takes on a whole new tone in this story -

"No boom today? Boom tomorrow. There's always a boom tomorrow."

"You have a face people trust."

"I'd rather have a face people fear."
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Lone-Wolf on 05 March 2018, 11:12:02
While I like Katherines Response, I still think she is too tame.

Just remember: Sunny Boy Liao and WoB murdered her parents, sent her brother into a coma (and that is just regarding her family) and they mass-murdered thousands, sent thousands into hospitals etc.
Do not forget what Ardan said: "The blasts leveled buildings within a six-block radius of the Center".
So, how many children where with their parents and the convention Center, how many children lived in the six-block radius? And that is just regarding New Avalon. What about the other planets?

And her reaction. Kill a couple of high-ranking People.
So what?

I think, a more approbiate response would be:

"Gentlemen, the attacks show us, it is time to put the kid gloves away. Civilized warfare is for civilized enemies. Yes, the Combine used biological warfare on Northwind during the 4.th Succession war and the 5th Sword of Light is known for attacking demoralizing Targets (Starterbook Sword and Dragon and Sorensons Sabres). But now we face total war. Yes, my parents and my brother were legitimate Military Targets but to level everything in a six block radius - thats beyound humanity. Thats on par with Kentares. And we will respond in kind. I hereby order all Forces who can reach a planet of the Capellan Confederation to attack and destroy the infrastructure. I want famines sweeping the Confederation. Destroy everything and sent them back into the Stone Age. Power Stations, Water Dams, factories, bridges - just destroy. And as long as these atrocities from the Capellans and WoB continue, all units are authorized to use all available WMDs on approbiate targets. Sun Tzu wants war - he gets war. And I dont care how posterity will look on me. If in a hundred years they will describe me as the Dark Banshee of Death, the one who made Mad Claudius Steiner look like a slightly maladjusted boy and Stefan Amaris as a naughty and misbehaving criminal - so be it. But when I am finished, the Capellan Confederation will no longer exist."

(If someone thinks thats excessive force - the first draft of the speech contained a reference to a lot of cobalt clad nuclear bombs.)
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Sir Chaos on 05 March 2018, 13:00:37
While I like Katherines Response, I still think she is too tame.

Just remember: Sunny Boy Liao and WoB murdered her parents, sent her brother into a coma (and that is just regarding her family) and they mass-murdered thousands, sent thousands into hospitals etc.
Do not forget what Ardan said: "The blasts leveled buildings within a six-block radius of the Center".
So, how many children where with their parents and the convention Center, how many children lived in the six-block radius? And that is just regarding New Avalon. What about the other planets?

And her reaction. Kill a couple of high-ranking People.
So what?

I think, a more approbiate response would be:

"Gentlemen, the attacks show us, it is time to put the kid gloves away. Civilized warfare is for civilized enemies. Yes, the Combine used biological warfare on Northwind during the 4.th Succession war and the 5th Sword of Light is known for attacking demoralizing Targets (Starterbook Sword and Dragon and Sorensons Sabres). But now we face total war. Yes, my parents and my brother were legitimate Military Targets but to level everything in a six block radius - thats beyound humanity. Thats on par with Kentares. And we will respond in kind. I hereby order all Forces who can reach a planet of the Capellan Confederation to attack and destroy the infrastructure. I want famines sweeping the Confederation. Destroy everything and sent them back into the Stone Age. Power Stations, Water Dams, factories, bridges - just destroy. And as long as these atrocities from the Capellans and WoB continue, all units are authorized to use all available WMDs on approbiate targets. Sun Tzu wants war - he gets war. And I dont care how posterity will look on me. If in a hundred years they will describe me as the Dark Banshee of Death, the one who made Mad Claudius Steiner look like a slightly maladjusted boy and Stefan Amaris as a naughty and misbehaving criminal - so be it. But when I am finished, the Capellan Confederation will no longer exist."

(If someone thinks thats excessive force - the first draft of the speech contained a reference to a lot of cobalt clad nuclear bombs.)

If I wanted the entire Inner Sphere to turn against the FedCom because their ruler has just turned genocidally insane, and most likely a large part of the FedCom itself joining them in the effort to depose Katherine for the same reason, that´s pretty much how I´d do it.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: DOC_Agren on 05 March 2018, 14:09:03
How does MIIO rank in wetwork compared to LIC? I mean, LIC has Loki who are basically brainwashed assassins trained from childhood, but the Rabid Foxes etc are supposed to be pretty competent as well.
Well in a "real world" idea, I would look at something along the lines of SAS or SEALS or SPETSNAZ

Quote
Also, you'd think Suz-Tzu would be happier to hear that Kali was dead, seeing how fruit-bat crazy she be?
Quote
He would have been, had it been a simple hit, this was an in your face, we walked her hallways to kill her.    Also see Sir Chaos answer

Quote
I have to admit I would have loved it if Katie's message to Sun-Tzu was a paraphrased Susan Ivanova quote from Babylon 5 -

"Who am I? I am Katherine Steiner-Davion, daughter of Melissa and Hanse Davion. I am the right hand of vengeance and the boot that will grind the Liao line to dust beneath its heel, sweetheart! The people of the Federated Commonwealth, the innocents that your terrorists murdered by the thousands, sent me. I am death incarnate, and the last living thing that you will ever see."

And of course, another old Ivanova standby takes on a whole new tone in this story -

"No boom today? Boom tomorrow. There's always a boom tomorrow."
Well, I like that she going by Chicago Rules
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Red Pins on 05 March 2018, 15:56:34
Well, yes, but - they can get away with it, if only because they have tighter controls on communications.

After thinking about it, this strikes roughly the right tone, with (I presume) the F-C military about to gear up for a military response.  One where, "They bombed the biggest hospital on my home planet", makes for war crimes.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Lone-Wolf on 06 March 2018, 06:41:34
If I wanted the entire Inner Sphere to turn against the FedCom because their ruler has just turned genocidally insane, and most likely a large part of the FedCom itself joining them in the effort to depose Katherine for the same reason, that´s pretty much how I´d do it.

I disagree with you.
The people are under constant attack, civilians are slaughtered and nothing is done. The people will scream for counterattack.

Just look at reality. After 9/11 do you know how many revenge fantasies against Bin Laden were found on the net?

Sun Tzu and Wob are bullies. And you dont stop bullies by talking to them.
How I know this? Because I was the victim of bullying myself.
My sister, who is a left wing loony, talked to my torturers. She wanted them to see reason, be nice, how they hurt their brother etc.
The result: My torturers had even more ammo to hurt me and now they knew, from my sisters mouth, where they could me hurt even more.

No, bullys are not stopped by talking to them, inviting them to coffee and cake.
Bullys are stopped by going medievil on them.
I did. And I frightened them. And I was left alone for one pause between two school lessons.
Now I know I was too lenient, because the bullying never stopped.

You have to confront the bully and hammer home into his/her skull that they are mortal and can die. Only if they feel their mortality they will back off.

And thats what Katherine should do in this story.
Have you forgotten what WoB did in the original timeline? They killed the pregnant wife of the Regulan Prince just to teach him a lesson. Do you think that by killing a few Manei Domini you would frighten them? No, they would thank you for weeding out the weaklings among them.

Both Sun Tzu (remember in which world he grew up - wasnt there once an article or book where it was said that he feared that sooner or later he would be asked to prove his loyalty to his mother by undergoing toture?) and WoB are nasty people who can only be described as sociopaths or psychopaths. They live violence on a daily basis that would send normal people into a catatonic state in no time.

So to make them sit up and take notice you have to hit them with the BIG hammer. As Niccolo Machiavelli wrote in "The Prince": "When you take power, commit a big atrocity at the beginning of your rule. Then everybody knows that you are no pushover. Over time the people will forget it partially but deep down they will remember it and never try to fool you because they know what happens if. If you do this not, then the people will think you are weak, they will fool you and when you strike then, then you will look weak and soft and overreacting."

So, if Katherine goes Amaris (remember what I wrote about the cobalt clad nuclear weapons?) Sun Tzu and WoB will get the shock of their lives. They consider her weak, but now she plays in the same league as they do. And dictators hate equally powerful enemies. They fear them, because they only strike at those who are weaker as them because if they loose, they loose not only power but their lives. Or as Cersei said in GoT:“When you play the game of thrones you win or you die. There is no middle ground.”


And a last thought:
In one of the Mercenary Handbooks it was mentioned that every few years someone would try to reconstitute the Greenhaven Gestapo. Then one or more Houses (if not the other Mercenaries) would stomp this person flat. You know, the Ares Convention etc.
But when House Kurita or Liao do something like Kentares, Northwind or the Biological Research Station on a Liao planet that was mentioned in one of the Succession War Atlas, then the only reaction is: "Oh yes, thats Kurita. They always do those things. Just accept the atrocity and be a good boy. Here is a cookie."

Quod licet iovi non licet bovi.
(What is allowed to Jupiter is not allowed to the ox.)
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: DoctorMonkey on 06 March 2018, 13:10:31
Quote
And a last thought:[/size]In one of the Mercenary Handbooks it was mentioned that every few years someone would try to reconstitute the Greenhaven Gestapo. Then one or more Houses (if not the other Mercenaries) would stomp this person flat. You know, the Ares Convention etc.But when House Kurita or Liao do something like Kentares, Northwind or the Biological Research Station on a Liao planet that was mentioned in one of the Succession War Atlas, then the only reaction is: "Oh yes, thats Kurita. They always do those things. Just accept the atrocity and be a good boy. Here is a cookie."Quod licet iovi non licet bovi. (What is allowed to Jupiter is not allowed to the ox.)



A smallish mercenary unit can be squished, the FedSuns wasn't really in a position to do anything about the Kentares Massacre as they were too busy losing the war to the Draconis Combine


There is also something of a difference, albeit shades of black rather than anything else, between specifically targeting someone for torture and unpleasant "collateral damage" from an attack whether with a normal weapon or weapon of mass destruction
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Intermittent_Coherence on 07 March 2018, 10:22:34
Seriously? Did you miss the part about the bulk of their forces being out of position so much that garrison forces are being forced to dig in until reinforcements arrive? Sending her military out on an uncontrolled spree will only get them bogged down on targets they assault, while leaving the positions they left behind for a CCAF that has now gained momentum and morale. What's more, citizens getting the short end of the stick is Tuesday on Sian. You seriously think Sun Tzu would care?

No. These high value targets are the best way. Random citizens getting killed won't get to Sun Tzu like it would to Steiner-Davions or even Mariks. Assaulting the places where they think they are most secure is the best way to get a Liao's attention.

Worse. A visibly insane Katherine will open her up to internal strife among her own people. This isn't canon Katherine that had a few years worth of propaganda to paint her as the sane princess. Going psycho without warning will invite mutiny.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Lone-Wolf on 07 March 2018, 15:35:57
You are right that a lot of forces are away fighting the Clans. But the FedCom would be more than stupid to send ALL forces away. Some forces are left in place. And those you can send to attack.

And have you forgotten the aftermath of Kentares in the First Succession War. There the Davion defenders did also make uncontrolled attacks.

According to Interstellar Operations page 368 every world has a Garrison of 2+ infantry, 1+ armor and 0+ mech battalions.
While that is not much (I once started a thread about that topic) they are at least tripwires for invading forces. And if WMDs are released, then at least for the first attack they are unstoppable.

And no, I do not mean that the defenders just fire one nuke at the landing Liao forces. Make it at least battalion sized, so 20+ nukes blanked the landing area.
Even Sun Tzu will blanch if his invasion force is nearly wiped out.

And as only Com Star has control of the HPG network in the FedCom, it will take some time for the news to reach House Liao that their Invasion force was wiped out.
So when Sun Tzu gets this message or his regional information center that can change strategy of the invading forces, by that time more than one invasion force has bit the proverbial bullet and is no longer combatworthy or existing.

And if the FedCom uses the tactic of the Combine during the battle of Luthien (take some industrialmechs, put some armor on them to make them look like real Battlemechs and hide a few nukes on the battlefield), then even a combat drop will just see the destruction of the Liao forces.

Yes, I know I sound like a General Amos Forlough, but do not forget:
The SLDF fought to win. And in the Reunification War they had no HPGs, but still won.
And that is the difference between the FedCom or any other state in the IS and the SLDF. In the IS you are trained to prolong a conflict. You are not trained to END THE THREAT.
The SLDF was trained for that.
Just imagine the SLDF fighting like House Steiner.
Then Commanding General Kerensky the 15th would be fighting against Lord Amaris the 23th. And the SLDF would have taken maybe 15 worlds of the Terran Hegemony, not more.

And to insane Katherine. She is not going psycho.If she issues a ultimatum first, that either Liao and WoB stop their terror attacks or all hell will break loose, she puts the hot potato into the lap of Sun Tzu ands WoB.
And if they do not behave, she has all the justification she needs.
If Sun Tzu and WoB dont care about collateral damage, then so be it. The SLDF rescinded the Ares convention during the Reunification War, too.
And telling the people that you are going for tu quoque, using the same tactics as the enemy is legal.
Just ask Admiral Chester Nimitz and Admiral Dönitz.
Both gave the order for unrestricted submarine warfare.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Intermittent_Coherence on 08 March 2018, 03:54:41
FedCom does not have the mobile forces for a counterattack yet. If they did the Capellan March would have done so already. IIRC it's well within the Capellan March Lord's authority. Digging into the shallow pool that is the planetary garrisons only leaves you with underdefended planets in the face of a resurgent CCAF. What's more these planetary garrisons already have their hands full with pre-positioned terror cells.

Did you just advocate the FedCom nuking their own planets? That kind of escalation is the height of stupidity. FedCom isn't the only people with nukes in there, after all. Both the CCAF and the WOB have them too. Even if the FedCom's HPG network is controlled by Comstar, mobile HPG's are a thing. No telling what WOB has lurking somewhere close.

IN fact, warning Sun Tzu and the Wobblies that she'll unleash them is gonna go over about as well as your sister talking to the bullies. It will only encourage them more. Because any way you look at it, the losses and collateral damage are going to be in the FedCom. Not the CapCon where it can hurt them.

You seem to be advocating some sort of eye for an eye exchange where the FedCom gets to target Capellan civilians in revenge for their own being hit. It won't work. That eye is blind as far as the CC is concerned. The CC simply does not hold their citizenry in as high regard as the FC does. No matter how many you kill, you're just wasting resources if you don't have a higher military and strategic goal in mind.

For all of your dealings with bullies, you seem to have never learned. You hit them where it hurts. Civilian collateral damage hurts the FC leadership, which is why Sun Tzu did it. It won't hurt him back if the FC retaliate in kind.

And spare us the lecture about ENDING THE THREAT. The FC simply does not have the resources in place to do that yet. That is most certainly in the cards as Katherine promised Sun Tzu, but in the meantime the way to hurt Sun Tzu is to hit the things he considers valuable. The security of his immediate family and his court.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Trace Coburn on 08 March 2018, 07:08:29
  [copper]
  Now then, now then, wot’s all this?  Gettin’ a bit warm in ’ere, innit?
  Everyone, kindly take it back a couple of notches.  Civil, reasonable discussion about possible in-universe courses of action can help the writer guide and improve his story; getting overly invested in how the characters and their nations should take blood-soaked revenge is only going to lead to full-blown personal attacks, and no-one wants to see Warnings issued or the thread locked.
  / [copper]
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: DOC_Agren on 08 March 2018, 10:01:43
Okay so right now:
Sun-Tzu Liao, has had his sister in a secure site killed and sent the video of the operators doing it for public viewing
He lost his Mask director and the security team protecting her.

Even if he not public effected, he will be privately as those should have been the 2 hardest targets to take out in in all of the CC, besides a direct strike on him.  Here an odd question with Kali now dead, who is next in the line of succession of the CC in this AU?
 
His command staff got to now be worried about their own safety, not only from FC hitters but well Sun-Tzu Liao lashing out like his mom and grandfather.

Then you have "Thomas Marik" who is making sure the the FC will get everyone on their list alive or dead in FWL, even directing SAFE if I understood correctly to help.  Because he knows that Sun-Tzu Liao, has stepped over the cliff and is trying hard to keep from drawn into son-in-law war.

Right now Katherine is following a plan that I can see Hanse having setup as emergency plan, just incase of this kinda of thing happened.  I will assume that there is a list of targets in the DC, had the DC done something stupid like this.

I'm truly interested to what her moves are when she has to go off the plan her Dad set up.  It is interesting that in this timeline that she seem more informed of her Dad's plans.  I wonder if she has knowledge of Joshua Double plan?






Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 04 April 2018, 13:46:02
AN: I want to thank gladiusone for the excellent Omake that makes up the core of this chapter. It captures the pathos and vengeful triumph I suspect all of the FC forces are feeling at this moment.

Taken from the daily FC operational briefing provided to Field Marshal Ranier Poulin, Supreme Commander of “Operation Clover Spear”, declassified October 9th, 3076.

“..current Jade Falcon and Steel Viper operations are characterized as “chaotic, but recovering” due to the current pause in operations. We expect enough ammunition and POL restocks to be on-hand within the next ten days to jump off for the third wave sometime in early November. The fall of Sudeten has eased the logistical situation due to the improved cargo handling facilities both at L5 and planet side.”

“SIGINT and HUMINT sources have detected signs of an impending Steel Viper counterattack coming within the next 10-15 days (see Appendix A – Enemy Dispositions and intentions) for details on this, but we feel confident we can defeat any counterattack they mount due to the fact that they have no intelligence as to current defenses of potential target worlds and from the size of the logistical dumps we have captured, it suggests that both the Falcons and Vipers were having supply problems even before Clover Spear commenced.”

Sudeten, Part 2

Attackers: Von Strang’s Legion (Reinforced Regiment, Elite), Wolf’s Dragoon’s Volunteer Cluster, Provisional Royal Guards Battalion.

Defenders: Doberung Garrison Cluster, Clan Jade Falcon, saKhan’s Provisional Keshik, Clan Jade Falcon, “Hazen’s Heroes” Cluster (scratch three trinary cluster of a mix of solahma trainers and sibko children who fought as infantry).

Results:  The defense of Maakar Island by the scratch force of Jade Falcon defenders was by all accounts, brave, determined, and doomed.  After a short, violent bombardment by Dragoon warships and FC aerospace of the fixed defenses in the early morning hours, Von Strang’s Legion performed an avalanche drop right on top of “Hazen’s Heroes.” The Falcon defenders met the initial drop by Von Strang’s Legion gamely and fought hard every step of the way to the command bunker, where Von Strang was hit in the flank by the Falcon Provisional Keshik. Even with a weight and technology advantage favoring the Falcons, the Legion, wheeled to meet them and held them in place, coolly meeting them head to head and unhorsing saKhan Chistu in the initial volleys.

After a long four hour fight, Jamie Wolf arrived with his Volunteer Cluster, built mostly around the elements of Zeta Battalion and a few warriors from the other component units of the Dragoons, they dropped behind the Provisional Keshik, and the Legion and the Dragoons closed the vise in another two hours of a fight that was described as “like firing submachineguns at each other in a vidphone booth, with blindfolds.”

A counterattack by the remains of the Doberung into the flank of the Dragoons was met by the provisional Royal Guards Battalion, and smashed handily, with copious assistance from airstrikes by aerospace elements from the Legion, the Dragoons and the Royal Guards.

Two hours later, the senior surviving officer, a Star Captain Lisl, ordered all surviving Jade Falcon forces to surrender. It was mute testimony to the severity of the short, sharp fight, that only 80 Jade Falcon EPWs were taken, but among them was saKhan Vandervahn Chistu himself. He has since been handed over to LIC and MOJ officials for debriefing.  Sudeten was declared secure by Jamie Wolf on October 9th, 3056.

1800m AGL above Maakar Island
Sudeten
Jade Falcon Occupation Zone
October 9th, 3056


Juliette grunted as the DropShop shuddered around her 'Mech, the Tepes clearly hitting turbulence. Glancing at the status display, she nodded, feeling the weight of her neurohelmet with the gesture. Flipping switches on her console, she activated the Legion-wide circuit. "Legionaires. You know me. I have no grand speech for you: simply know that this, today, is our day. This is the first step on the long road home. We have fought on a dozen worlds, slaughtered a thousand beasts, but today, my Legion," she glanced over at the rapidly ticking altimeter, "Today, we murder a khan."

With that, the bottom dropped out of the world as all three of her Legion's 'Mech carrier DropShips deployed their cargo. Instead of dropping from orbit, wrapped in ablative cocoons and rocket engines, her 'Mechs were dropping from low altitude, relying on strap-on jump packs to break their fall ... mostly.

The Dragoon WarShip had managed to suppress the Falcon's heavy weapon turrets, and a swarm of Legion and FedCom fighters had distracted the anti-air weapons of the island, enough to allow three Overlord class ships to penetrate their defenses and deploy their passengers ... right on top of the Falcon defenders.

Screaming in fury, Juliette's Devastator landed feet first on a Falcon 'Mech, smashing the ugly, green painted thing to the ground with a hundred tons of gravity-accelerated force. Biting her lip, she shuddered to find her footing, then focused on the enemy ... the targets ... that surrounded her.

Swinging the long, heavily armoured barrel of her right gauss rifle, she smashed a Falcon Galahad aside, before raising her left rifle to place almost against the Rifleman-like 'Mech's torso and pumped a 125kg slug of nickel-iron into it, slagging the second-line 'Mech's engine and smashing it's gyro to splinters.

She was vaguely aware of her men and women fighting around her, with her friend and bodyguard Andre Winters, who had traded in his normal quad-gauss rifle toting Marauder II for a Berserker for this fight, decapitating a Falcon Baboon, and Shou squaring off his King Crab and letting loose with both heavy, rapid fire autocannons to shred a Phoenix Hawk IIC. But she couldn't focus on that, as the Falcons were fighting back, downing a brand-new Rakshasa from Third Company, First Battalion. "Tighten up, people," she shouted across the Legion's channel, even as rocket-assisted pallets slammed into the ground, dispensing their cargo of Patton, Rommel and Manticore tanks, firing autocannon, gauss rifles and PPCs even before they were completely unstrapped. Ferrocrete crumbled beneath their treads as they advanced, adding their firepower to the battle against the Falcons. "Concentrate fire! We've trained for this! Bring them down! Keep up the pressure!" she howled and grinned in savage fury as a Legion Banshee stepped on the cockpit of a downed Guillotine IIC, crushing the pilot.

"Omnis!" cried one of her 'Mech pilots, trilling lasers in the background, "Falcon Omnis hitting us from the wes-" The signal cut out, and Juliette swore, even as her PPCs savaged a dodging Falcon medium.

"Legionaries! Wheel!" she ordered, and in practiced efficiency, the black-coated 'Mechs of the Legion lurched to obey her command.

***
SaKhan Vandervhan Chistu swore viciously as he strode in his Warhawk towards the Docks, where the Spheroid attackers had landed. The day had started out well, all things considered: while the massive, brutal onslaught of the Federated Commonwealth upon the Jade Falcon Liberation Zone had been a shock to the system, especially an invasion by the thrice-accursed Dragoons upon Sudeten itself. Still, he had rallied, gathered the remains of the planet's defending Clusters to the Island where the backup command centre was located, protected by heavy weapons and fortifications. Fortunately, the Dragoons and their freebirth allies were savaged by the fighting as well, and this had given Chistu the chance to use the Island's HPG to contact other units and redirect them towards Sudeten. The planet's central and strategic location made it a perfect rally point, and he had already managed to order three fractured Clusters and two WarShips to join him, as well as a fresh Cluster, escorted by a Falcon Aegis, direct from the Homeworlds with the latest in Clan weapons and warriors.

But this blasted attack was frustrating matters: bad enough that the traitor Wolf had demanded his surrender - as though that were a possibility! - but now nameless lucre-warriors were sent to vex him. The incompetence of his subordinates had allowed them to land on the Island, so it was up to him and his personal forces to deal with the invaders. Fifteen heavy and assault OmniMechs should be enough to shatter this little band of thugs.

Even as his Trinary approached the fighting, marching around heavily reinforced buildings, he overheard the radio chatter from the other Falcon leaders.

"Connor! Get that stravag Zeus before -"

"- they are ignoring zelbrigen! Honorless freebirths, they -"

"Well, return the favor! Concentrate your fire on -"

"Neg, you cretin: my warriors are not trained for such gutter tactics! Star Commander Fuller, on your eight! I -"

Cursing into his neurohelmet, Chistu stepped around the last corner, and faced the madness.

Black painted Battlemechs and tanks were slugging it out with green painted Clan 'Mechs at point blank range. This was not the elegant ballet of destruction that the Jade Falcons preferred, dancing about their opponents with deadly precision, using their speed and range advantage to tear them apart: this was brutal, uncompromising, savage. His jaw dropped as he witnessed a Charger and a Grasshopper grip the arms of a solhama 'Mech, so that a Spheroid Axeman could slam its titular hatchet into the green 'Mech's cockpit. Elsewhere, a Warhammer, Flashman and Penetrator trio bracketed a Hunchback IIC that appeared to have expended its autocannon ammunition, the medium 'Mech virtually disintegrated under a barrage of energy weapon fire.

True, the Falcon defenders were giving as good as they were receiving: after all, Clan weapons were still vastly superior, being more accurate, more heat efficient, deadlier ton-for-ton, and Clan armor was more protective. Many spheroid 'Mechs were already crippled or destroyed, and many others showed clear battle damage. Yet the fighting was more vicious and close than any the Falcon saKhan had seen since Tukkayyid, and even the way the attackers were panted black reminded him of the pristine white of the Com Guards.

In the back of his mind, something about the black-painted 'Mechs tugged at his brain, something about a brutal raiding force that struck at isolated garrisons and units, but he forced himself to concentrate as he opened a channel. "Who dares attack the Falcon? Who brings doom upon -" he cut off as something grabbed the ankle of his Warhawk, and he looked down to be stunned by the black Caesar, it's legs blown off and one arm removed, scrabbling at his Omni's leg. The sheer stubborn desire to fight, to struggle to simply annoy him was surprising, and he took a moment to lower two ER PPCs and send bolts of charged particles to vaporize the offending 'Mech's cockpit and pilot. "Who brings doom upon themselves in this way?"

The comm channel crackled, and while the voice was of a young woman, the words send icy shivers down his spine: he had heard them before, many years ago. "I, the Baroness of Strang, care not for your new names." Horror and rage fought within him at the sheer gall at someone claiming that name and title. "Clans? Jade Falcons? I call you by your true name: Scum of the Star League, traitors of free will, persecutors of the Periphery come back to lord it over freedom-loving people. Come ahead, you steel-eyed robots! Come ahead and taste what a million-like-minded people think of you and your damn Clans!"

From the melee came a massive, blocky Devastator, deep rents in its armor but still standing tall. No markings relieved the dark paint over the metal, but Chistu knew that this was the bandit's leader. "You killed my father. Stole my world. Murdered my people."

From cover, an infantryman in Clan fatigues rushed the mercenary, raising a shoulder mounted SRM launcher. Without breaking stride, the hundred ton 'Mech stepped on the unfortunate solhama trooper, leaving little but a bloodstain and twisted metal. "I come to return the favor."

***

Jaime Wolf settled his neurohelmet on his shoulders as the Overlord-C class Dropship around him shuddered in flight. It had taken hours to scrape together a full Cluster of 45 'Mechs, the heaviest, freshest and most battle ready he had available, and it may already have been too late: the scattered reports from the fighting suggested that casualties among the Legion were high, and there was no guarantee that any would still be alive when his scratch troop arrived. Still, intelligence suggested that enough missile and cannon batteries had been neutralized to allow a DropShip to insert his force onto the island, and he planned to take advantage of that fact to wipe out the Falcon defenders once and for all.

"... don't know why we're doing this: it's the ****** von Strang bitch! The ****** Vampire!" he overheard over the general channel. He knew exactly who it was but chose not to interfere: the legacy of the von Strang name was well earned, even centuries after the Coup, and he understood the sentiment. Still, it wasn't the first time he had had to fight alongside someone he disliked. Luthien, for example ...

Instead, he cleared his throat. "In ages past, cities would be surrounded by high, thick walls of brick or stone. Cannon - not autocannon, but muzzle loading tubes of bronze or iron - would be used to batter a hole in the wall. Then the call would be sent out for volunteers ... volunteers for the forlorn hope.

"The forlorn hope were sent in to force the breech, to drive back the defenders, to clear away obstacles, to provide a gap for the main force to push through into the city. It was brutal, hand-to-hand fighting, and the casualties were, understandably, high. The name, after all, proclaimed one’s chances of survival: slim to none.

"Nevertheless, whenever the call went up, there were always those among the attackers who would volunteer to join the forlorn hope, because while they may die, if they survived, they would be guaranteed fame, glory, wealth and promotion. For in taking such a gamble, for risking everything and braving such danger, they demonstrated their courage and dedication, and in doing so, saved the lives of those who would follow."

For a moment, the channel was silent, as almost four dozen Mechwarriors waited for their commander to continue: the only sound was the roar of the DropShip's engines and the hiss of the environmental systems.

"That is what the Legion is doing today. They are the forlorn hope. We follow in their footsteps, and whatever happens, no matter what we may think of them, we will recognize their courage and dedication."

He closed his microphone, and leant back in his command chair, closing his eyes as he prepared himself. For the most part, his men accepted his words. Still, one wiseass just had to get the last word in.

"Courage? More like sheer bloodthirst. ****** vampire ..."

***

Chistu grunted as he came too, as he was dragged over a chunk of rubble. He opened his eyes, groaning as he looked up at the burly infantryman in black fatigues, ballistic plate vest and helmet who had a firm grip on his cooling vest. Pieces of ferrocrete and splinters of armor plating scraped and tore at his bare limbs, and he could feel the rumble and thud of continuing battle in the distance: the war for Sudeten was not yet over.

Still, even as he shook his head to clear it, he was hauled up and then tossed to the ground, next to a fallen war machine. Forcing himself up on his forearms, he looked up to stare up at a young, red haired woman wearing a black cooling suit, resting her butt on the severed hand of a 'Mech like a throne. She glared disdainfully at him as her hands played with a long, thin strand of myomer. That awful, familiar and hateful voice flowed from her mouth: "Don't bother getting up, creature: this won't take long." Around him stood a circle of soldiers, infantry and dismounted Mechwarriors and tankers, all glaring daggers at him.

Again, the ageing Clansman struggled to concentrate. Last thing he remembered was fighting von Strang, his Warhawk against her Devastator. The infamy of having a 'Mech designed by the Great Kerensky himself being piloted by the spawn of the Vampire had been infuriating, but the pirate was deceptively nimble and skilled: despite being in a lighter, faster Omni Mech, the battle had been fierce ... the details faded as fast as he grasped at them, his head pounding in neural feedback, likely from an ammunition explosion.

"My father was never confused or deceived by your pretense and false names: he knew who you were the moment you arrived in our home system," she continued. "Yet even he failed to perceive just how low you had fallen, out there in the Dark. What madness drove you to abandon your humanity, I cannot comprehend, and choose not to even try. When an invasive species infests one's biosphere, you do not try to reason with it: you break out the pesticide." Her hands jerked decisively, and his dazed mind finally recognized what she had been fashioning.

A noose.

Even as she tossed the coil to one of her thugs, who threw one end over a nearby section of broken 'Mech to create a crude gallows, he gabbled in horror, shaking his head in denial as the fiber was slipped over his head, fighting feebly against the strong pirates who held him fast. "I ... I ... I AM JADE FALCON!" he finally forced out of his lips.

She smiled at him, baring sharpened fangs that belonged in no human mouth. "I know. That is why you are about to die."

***

Despite her bravado, Juliette did her best to hide her shaking as a team of her men gripped the rope, ready to haul the Falcon khan into the air. Father, I know this is not the man who killed you, not their pestilent leader, but he is that murderer's second, his right hand. Until I have my hands on Crichell, he will have to do.

The thud of a stamping 'Mech drew her attention away from the impending lynching, and she blinked as she looked up at the blue and gold Archer that strode towards her little gathering. The exterior speakers crackled. "Colonel von Strang: stand down!"

Fury rose in her. "Back off, Wolf!" she cried, and noted out of the corner of her eye as the Falcon scrabbled at the noose, trying to loosen it. Should have tied his hands. Oh well. "This is my operation! My assault! My justice!"

"It is murder," Wolf rejoined, coming to a halt, the ground shaking beneath seventy tons of war engine.

"Yes, I know! It is! And well earned!" she insisted. Raising a hand, she called out, "Haul away, boys!"

"No!" shouted Wolf, but her Legionnaires obeyed her, and put their backs into it, pulling on the rope and raising Chistu into the air by his neck.

Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on one's perspective) the Tanker's neck failed to snap, and his eyes bulged out as he fought to force his fingers beneath the corded pseudo-muscle wrapped around his throat. Taking in the glorious sight of the penultimate leader of her mortal foe slowly strangling to death, she barely noticed the Dragoon clambering down a rope from his 'Mech's cockpit. One of her men moved to intercept him, but the ageing mercenary shoved him aside. "You cannot do this!" he stated.

She glanced over at him, taking in his greying hair and slight build, barely taller than her own. "I can, I will, I must!" She turned back to the hanging, fury fighting with satisfaction within her. "You turned down this battle, Wolf: you could have fought here, bled here, died here, like so many of my Legionnaires! My Kindred, my Forsaken, my Damned. You lost all right to decide who lives and who dies! That right is mine!"

"And when the Archon hears that you murdered this man in cold blood? Not killed him in battle, but lynching him like a common pirate?"

"He is a common pirate!" she cried, turning to face Wolf again. "You just want to save the life of a fellow Tanker, Wolf! Beasts run together, honor among thieves and murderers -"

"Girl, I have hated the Falcons longer than you've been alive!" he shouted, gripping her shoulder through her suit's padding. Furious, an infantryman raised his Blazer rifle, but she waved him back. "I have lost my father to the Falcons, my brother to the Eagle, my friend to the Dragon. I have walked the path of vengeance and blood feud, and it has cost me, and it is costing me still!"

"I am willing to pay!" Juliette shouted back, her voice breaking as her eyes started to tear up.

"And your men? Your Legion? Your world? I know Hanse, I know Melissa ... ******, I know Victor! Whatever your bargain with them, if you take this life in this manner, they will wash their hands of you! Do you want this all to have been for nothing?"

Tears flowing down her face, she glared up at the kicking, twitching Chistu, whose face was turning purple as he glared down at her. "They murdered my father!" she wailed.

"I know, girl," whispered the legend, whom she had admired for years before learning of his heritage. "And he will pay for his crimes against your world, and a hundred more ... but not like this!"

Her heart tearing in two, her grief raging against her hope, she screamed wordlessly against the universe ... and then raised her hand and chopped it down. Obediently, her men let go of the rope, and the Falcon fell to the ground with a crunch, moaning in agony as one leg snapped against the ground. She took a little solace in that as she sank to one knee, even as Wolf crouched next to her, his hand still gripping her shoulder, while her warriors looked on in shock and surprise.

"Father," she whispered in a small voice, and for once, the indefatigable, indomitable and relentless mercenary they called the Vampire wept, even as the battle for the Falcon's capital in the Inner Sphere ground to a halt, comforted by an old freebirth as her loyal men stood guard, and a hated foe whimpered in fear and pain.

**

As the sun set, Jaime Wolf found Juliette von Strang standing on the roof of a building, watching as DropShips landed and took off, transporting troops, wounded, booty and supplies. She didn't look up as he approached, and just fiddled with a small chip between her fingers. The part of Wolf that was born in Clan space shuddered at her possession of a khan's codex chip, but the seasoned mercenary in him just shrugged. "Your butcher's bill?"

A flaring of the nostrils was her only sign of distress. "Significant. Twenty-three 'Mech pilots dead, sixty two machines out of commission: we may be able to salvage a dozen of those. Nine tanks and crews lost, and forty-seven infantry dead. Many more are wounded." She smiled tightly. "No aerospace personnel or machines lost, bar minor armor damage and expended munitions, so that's something. As it is, my Legion will be some time rebuilding ... if the war allows us that luxury."

He nodded. "I recall a similar time, long before you were born."

"Misery," she noted, and he grunted. "My losses must seem paltry in comparison to your casualties on that world."

"Perhaps, but that was over weeks. You suffered yours in under six hours." He paused. "'Believe me, nothing except a battle lost can be half so melancholy as a battle won.'"

"Arthur Wellesley. I prefer his opponent: 'Between a battle lost and a battle won, the distance is immense ... and there stand empires.'"

"Boney had a way with words on occasion," admitted Wolf.

The two colonels, one young and female, the other elderly and male, stood in companionable silence for a time, before Juliette spoke again. "I know I can trust my men, but I would appreciate it if you could ... see your way clear to forgetting today's events. Regarding the khan."

Wolf bowed his head. "Of course." He paused. "I believe, in time, you would have regretted -"

She snorted in a most unladylike fashion. "Wolf, I could kill them all, burn their empire to the ground and dance on their ashes. No, this is fitting: let him be their Vercingetorix: a living trophy to parade in front of the crowds. Let him live in misery and humiliation, proof of his people's defeat until shame takes him or they grow weary of him. Less immediately satisfying, of course, but perhaps more so in the long run." Then she glanced over at him. "But this campaign is under the Commonwealth flag, under their rules of engagement. When I retake my home world ... I assure you, the flag I fly shall be black as night.

"No mercy. No quarter. No exceptions."

FLASH FLASH FLASH

NCA NEW AVALON AND HIS FAMILY HAVE BEEN THE VICTIM OF A TERRORIST ATTACK ON NEW AVALON ON 11 OCTOBER, 3056. GALAHAD AND GUENIVERE ARE CONFIRMED KIA. DURAN IS WIA. PROGNOSIS IS IN DOUBT. LE FAY IS NOW NCA. RPT, LE FAY IS NOW NCA. NATURE OF ATTACK IS THOUGHT TO BE CAPELLAN-STATE SPONSORED, RPT CAPELLAN STATE-SPONSORED.

HUNTRESS ORDERS THAT ALL UNITS MAINTAIN CURRENT OPERATIONS AS PER PLAN

PLEASE INFORM YOUR SUBORDINATE COMMANDERS OF EVENTS AND PROCEED ACCORDINGLY.

POULIN

END MSG

FLASH FLASH FLASH

Flash Transmission sent out to all commands involved in Clover Spear, 23 October, 3056 informing them of the attack on New Avalon. Message was declassified after Information Act request made by DBC on 31 January, 3061.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: pensiveswetness on 04 April 2018, 14:25:47
....uh... Wow.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: AlphaMirage on 04 April 2018, 16:56:05
Le Fe is just such an appropriate call-sign for Katherine
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 11 April 2018, 09:47:35
“People often ask me, “Why did I leave it all behind?” Simple, Galen. He’s been a rock for me when I needed it during the worst of the war. And, after, when the normal pressures of life can get to be too much, he is there. I get to stand on my own and often go by just Katherine Cox, rather than on my parents, or my brother (The publisher was rather insistent on the full name for the book, not even my brother nor my husband could sway him). Not to say they haven’t been helpful, but I gotta be honest, it’s fun being a philanthropist, author, and mom. Well, except for the deadlines. They still suck, but not as bad as the war. Nothing was as bad as that. Thank god for Galen, and yes, Omi. I owe my life and continued sanity to those two.”

It's Not All Fairy Tales – The Life and Times of a Cracked Princess, by Katherine Cox-Steiner Davion, Tharkad Press, Tharkad, 3084
 
****************************************
Acting Archon-Princess’s Private Quarters
New Avalon
Federated Commonwealth
October 30th, 3056


At least we have a date for the funeral. Now if the bureaucrats would just make it happen instead of worrying about my signature on permit applications for the Heavy Guards to march down Davion Avenue in the procession. It’s not the first group of battlemechs to do that! The things those idiots concern themselves with. We’re at war on two fronts, our people are scared and feeling the pinch of wartime rationing, and they want to make sure the forms are in triplicate. Ugh! Mom, Dad? How in the hell did you guys deal with this?

Katherine Morgan Steiner-Davion had had better days. She’d taken to dressing casual around the palace. Contrary to her “media darling” personality with her being seen wearing the finest labels in the Commonwealth, she really did like being more of a “jeans and t-shirt gal”. It was also easier to curl up in after a bad day. And god knows, I had plenty of those growing up. I know you and Mom tried, Dad. I am just scared, what I am doing, what I MUST do, it’s going to bring those feelings back. Make me into another Claudius. I cannot let that happen. For the good of our people, I must not.

It was then her reverie was interrupted by a knock at the door. “Your Highness, Kommandant Cox is here to see you.” Galen, here? At a time like this, and I am a mess, hair not done, the bags under my eyes have bags for heaven’s sake. And I am wearing a ratty old t-shirt and jeans that make me look like a college student. Then again, I am not THAT far out of college. Ah, what the hell, if he doesn’t run, it will be a good test to see how he really feels?

“Send him in, Hauptmann, and do not disturb us.”

“Yes, your Highness.”

The door opened, and Galen entered, he was resplendent in a AFFC dress uniform, that was only marred by his right arm in a sling. The uniform itself was immaculate, the shine of the brass practically blinded an onlooker and the boots, well one could see their reflection in his boots. And Katherine could detect a whiff of Old Spice Tharkad in the air. Galen, really? Old Spice? You don’t have a lot of experience with women, do you? To round out the picture, he had a bouquet in his good hand of blue Mycosia flowers. Perhaps my initial assessment was a bit hasty, Galen, you asked my brother about me. Extra points there. Katherine could not help but smile, it was a crooked one, but it was full of mirth nonetheless.

Galen exhaled, and smiled “Um, hi..I was in the neighborhood you see, and these flowers, well they just..”

Katherine barked a laugh “Um, Galen. I already like, like you. Drop the pretense, okay? I mean look at me? I’m hideous. If the scandalsheets saw me now?”

“Then you’re lucky. If I can get away with decking the heir to the throne, then what’s a few paparazzi?”

“Other than we’re supposedly a civilized nation, not the Clans and you can’t do that when the whim strikes you, Galen” Katherine smiled. As much as I love my big brother, I would have loved to have been on Trellwan for that. Victor can stand to learn not to be ready to be such a damn martyr. What the hell was he thinking, staying behind? I never did talk about that with him..when he wakes up..if he wakes up. Katherine frowned at the thought, then sat down on a nearby setee with a loud thump.

Galen grabbed a nearby chair and sat near her. “Katherine, what’s wrong?”

Katherine exhaled “I am a fraud, Galen. A damned fraud. I’m crazy, certifiable. Diagnosed with Dombrowski A Depressive Disorder, a textbook case and a well known scourge of the Steiner line. And I am holding it together by wanting to be more than a shell-shocked little girl whose father and mother were willing to do anything to help me. Even if it hurt like hell. It hurt my Dad the worst, Galen. I remember after one bad seizure when I was 13, they didn’t think I would come out of it. I did..but it was ugly. Dad was distraught. He bawled like a baby, then punched a hole in the wall right over there.” Katherine chuckled, as she pointed at a point on the far wall, which Galen noticed was a slightly different shade of paint from the rest of the wall “Broke his hand, as it turns out he hit a wall stud. Oh, Galen, you can do better than me.”

Galen shook his head. “Katherine, stop. Just stop, OK? You are making the decisions that need to be made. You are doing a good job thus far. Victor would be proud of you. And, I knew about the Dombrowski A. Victor confided in me on Trellwan. You know, he thinks you’re smarter than he is. Always wanted to keep you on as an adviser on political matters. He also knew you didn’t want the throne.”

Katherine’s mouth dropped. “How did…he know? I never said that to anyone. I was afraid...”

“Of what folks might think?” Galen interjected. “Screw ‘em. Katherine. I like you because of you. All of you, yes, even the depression. Not many folks know this. I had a kid sister, she was depressed too, made it a project of mine to get one smile a day out of her. I would like to think I succeeded more times than I failed. But it didn’t matter in the end, she died along with my parents when Kurita destroyed our farm.”

“What was her name, Galen?”

“Chloe. Her name was Chloe. She was 9. And yeah, her, and my parents are the reason I joined the AFFC. To get even with the bastards who did it. But as I discovered? We wind up doing a lot of the same things when we raid Combine and Capellan border worlds. Not out of malice, nope, just a lot of poor, innocent folks being in the wrong place, at the wrong time. It’s not nice, and it’s not right, but it happens. Nobody set out to kill them, but they’re dead nonetheless. And that’s what is eating at you. All those Capellan and Blakist terror attacks, no?”

“Yes, I know, I did the right thing. I set the right message. But I am ordering the deaths of people I have never met, only know from some briefing, or a list in my father’s mapcase. I should feel something, remorse, pity, something...”

“But you don’t feel anything?”

“No, I do. It’s rage. Rage that that bastard on Sian killed six thousand innocent people to get to my parents. Rage that he’s killing more of those innocents to prosecute a war he really cannot win. Rage I can’t stop the damn killing no matter what I do? Rage I am nothing but a fraud under it all, afraid every day I am going to make a bad call.”

Galen laughed. “Welcome to being the one in charge. All those feelings are normal. And as for the son of a bitch of Sian, He will get his.
Anything we do to him personally or those in his inner circle is justified. Do you think he gave one whit about the what, 10,000 plus innocents he’s already killed in terrorist attacks throughout the Capellan and Sarna Marches? Nope. I doubt it. And from what I read? Inner Sphere’s a better place without Kali Liao in it. Here we were, saving their ungrateful asses from the Clans, and he’s still upset over the 4th War. Putz. I suspect you and he might have worked out a diplomatic deal, if we could have trusted him to stick to the bargain. Too late for that now.”

“You think the Blakists maneuvered him into this?”

“Possible, Katherine, but does it matter? It takes two to tango, and he took up his role without a damn bit of hesitation.”

Katherine nodded, “So, do I ride the tiger too?”

“No Katherine, you bury your parents, bind your brother’s wounds, and as the media’s saying, be the ‘avenging child’ we need you to be.”

“It’s not really me you know?”

“Then make you a deal, your highness.” Galen smiled “What do you say we agree whatever happens, however this all turns out, we promise one thing: To be real and honest with each other.”

Katherine nodded. “I’d like that Galen. Frankly, it’s the most..attractive thing anyone has ever said to me.”
Galen turned red and coughed. “Um..”

“It’s a bit early for that, but just to let you know Galen Cox, you owe me a date when this is all over. And yes, I like you very much too.”
There was another knock at the door. “Your highness, I’m sorry, but there is an urgent message here from the Foreign Ministry. It’s being delivered by courier.”

Katherine went to the door and opened it, there stood her usual plain clothed detail, a courtier in court dress who had been the voice at the door, and a dapper courier with a metal briefcase. “Your Highness, this is your eyes only, I was told. I must ask that you clear the room of all but security personnel.” said the man with the briefcase.

“Kommandant Cox stays on my express order.”

“I understand. But I will have to log it.”

“Do what you must, Agent-“

“Curatis, mam, Curatis”

Curatis entered the room and placed the metal briefcase on a nearby table. He then placed his hand on a palm lock attached to the briefcase, and said aloud “Curatis 4552, priority message delivery for Acting Archon Princess 1102 Zulu, 102156.”

The briefcase snapped open without further comment, and inside was two sheets of paper, which Curatis handed to Katherine without ceremony.

Katherine skimmed them both, the first, had Katherine smiling, the second..her face drained of color. She handed them to Galen.

“Jesus, is this confirmed?” Galen inquired of Curatis.

“I can’t answer that, Kommandant Cox.” Curatis stated neutrally.

“Answer the man, Curatis.”

“Yes sir, both are as of a week ago.”

“Jesus H. Almighty Christ. Well this is a whole new ball game.”

FLASH FLASH FLASH
FROM: MIIO STATION, EXTER, DRACONIS MARCH
TO: NCA NEW AVALON
TIMESTAMP: 1015560945Z

OMI KURITA IDENTIFIED ARRIVING TODAY ABOARD DCS WANAKAZE FROM LUTHIEN. IMMEDIATELY PROCEEDED TO PLANETARY NOBLE’S OFFICE WHERE SHE HAS ASKED FOR POLTICAL ASYLUM AND SAFE PASSAGE TO NEW AVALON. SHE HAS BEEN INFORMED AS TO THE CONDITION OF DURAN. RPT SHE HAS REQUESTED POLITICAL ASYLUM.

DURING HER DEBRIEF BY MIIO, OMI KURITA STATED THAT LUTHIEN WAS FALLING TO CLAN SMOKE JAGUAR AND THAT BLACK DRAGON SOCIETY HAS LAUNCHED A COUP AGAINST SURVIVING ELEMENTS OF THE KURITA FAMILY THAT MADE IT TO NEW SAMARKLAND. NEW COORDINATOR IS REPORTEDLY FRANKLIN SAKAMOTO, A ILLEGITIMATE SON OF THEODORE KURITA.
WILL CONTINUE TO OBSERVE AND REPORT.

FLASH FLASH FLASH

FLASH FLASH FLASH

FROM: MIIO STATION, ATREUS
TO: NCA NEW AVALON
TIMESTAMP: 1020560415Z

THERE HAS BEEN A COUP ON ATREUS AGAINST THOMAS MARIK. HE HAS BEEN CONFIRMED DEPOSED. FATE OF OTHER MEMBERS OF HIS FAMILY UNKNOWN. CORRINE MARIK IS NOW THE NEW CAPTAIN-GENERAL. FIGHTING ON ATREUS REPORTEDLY HEAVY, UKNOWN AS TO UNITS INVOLVED. RUMORS OF WORD OF BLAKE INVOLVEMENT ARE RIFE AT THIS TIME

WILL CONTINUE TO OBSERVE AND REPORT. ARE SUSPENDING ACTIONS AGAINST TARGET LIST AT THIS TIME TO PRESERVE OUR REMAINING ASSETS TO OBSERVE THE COUP.

FLASH FLASH FLASH
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: AlphaMirage on 11 April 2018, 09:59:28
Busy day it seems
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Sir Chaos on 11 April 2018, 10:52:33
Never a dull day in the Inner Sphere...
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: PeacMaker03 on 11 April 2018, 13:16:38
Loving the storyline. I do see an early end to the Word if this keeps up. The question is how well they come out in FWL?
  What is the butterfly effect on the Word taking earth from ComStar? Increase chance or toss a wrench in the plan?
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: DOC_Agren on 11 April 2018, 13:39:52
So House Kurita is falling to Clan Smoke Jaguar with Luthien falling because Hanse not here to send Kell Hounds and Wolf's Dragoons??  And the Black Dragoon have jumped early on them.  So what is Omi and Victor relationship in this AU?

FWL having another Coup??  WOB involved now I'm interested in why they Turned Against "Thomas".

Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 11 April 2018, 14:25:24
All will be revealed..all will be revealed.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Zureal on 11 April 2018, 17:23:26
sweet, hope this means vic and omni get together officially, maby even absorbe the remains of the DC : / ?
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: DOC_Agren on 11 April 2018, 18:37:12
Well Victor needs to wake up for that to happen
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Zureal on 11 April 2018, 20:29:33
Well Victor needs to wake up for that to happen

he will, the beginning quots of the last chapter allude to it rather heavily.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: pensiveswetness on 11 April 2018, 21:22:18
Now, clearly something in this AU changed in the Smoke Jaguars (who in cannon, lacked the very ability to wage intensive warfare)... and the WoB offed Thomas Halas? hmm...
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 23 April 2018, 15:37:45
Wolf Clan Council Chambers
Tamar
Wolf Clan Occupation Zone
November 3rd, 3056


“I remember thinking during that Grand Council meeting that the Khans were shuffling the deck chairs on the Titanic, that what the Fedcom had done was really so far out of their experience or understanding that the meeting was a waste of time. What would I have said? Von Rundstedt’s advice to the German General Staff after the Normandy invasion seemed appropriate. But the Clans weren’t those kinds of animals, they were warriors, it’s all they knew. They really did flounder when they began to realize that they weren’t as good at war as they thought they were.”

-   Excerpt from the unpublished memoirs of Khan Phelan Kell-Ward, First saKhan and later 3rd Khan of the Wolf Dominion, released by his estate in 3091.

 Phelan Kell warily stood for the invocation by the loremaster at the beginning of the Clan Council meeting, this meeting was being held digitally, as the Khans were scattered all over the place, what with the confusion the FC offensive and the Jaguar strike into the Combine had caused. Wait till Natasha announces what we’re doing to this bunch. He sat without another word, preparing to take in what was probably going to be the liveliest Grand Council meeting he had attended in a long time.

“You are recognized, Asa Taney of Clan Ice Hellion. On what matter do you address this conclave?”

Taney rose at a stately pace, his ceremonial garb resplendent as he removed his mask, and placed it on the table in front of him, his white fur and leathers almost washing out his face on the screen. “I address our gathered Khans, Loremaster, on a day of import, a day where the Clans find themselves having lost their way towards the true light and goal of our invasion. Terra itself. Instead, we have allowed the corruption of the Inner Sphere, and their ways to taint our purity of thought, and our martial glory. And several Clans have shown themselves to be unworthy, too weak to carry on the mission of the Great Father.” As Taney finished, his gaze settled right onto Khan Elias Crichell of Clan Jade Falcon.

“I therefore, Loremaster, call for a vote to absorb Clan Jade Falcon.” Taney crossed his arms, a satisfied smirk crossing his lips. The uproar of dozens of shouts filled the chamber, Kael Pershaw frantically banging his gavel to restore order.

Crichell shot to his feet, not even waiting to be recognized. “And you and your pack of honorless surats would of course, join the bidding like the jackals they are?”

Taney laughed “Come now, Khan Crichell, the wings of the Falcon have well and truly been clipped, and it must give way to younger, more vibrant clans ready to carry forward the true word of the Great Father.”

Crichell laughed. “Taney, you and your pack of fools couldn’t lead a sibko to the latrine, let alone take us. Hold your vote, you will lose, and even if you do win, you will find our talons sharp and our eyes clear.”

Taney smiled, “I am sure the Federated Commonwealth is so very intimidated by your clan right now, didn’t they take Chistu alive on Sudeten a few weeks ago? Paraded him in front of the holocams for the entertainment of the savashiri dogs.”

Crichell’s face turned red. “I will see you in a Circle of Equals, and kill you, Taney.”

“You’ll try, old man.” Taney barked a contemptuous laugh.

“Sit down, both of you. I am the Loremaster here,” barked Kael Pershaw. His cyborg body creaked as he shifted position in front of the dais. “We have a motion in front of the council to absorb Clan Jade Falcon. What say you, my assembled Khans?”

“A question, for the Khan of Clan Jade Falcon, if I may?” the questioner was Ariel Suvarov, Khan of Clan Golaith Scorpion. “Your position of saKhan lies empty, and you have lost at least a galaxy of frontline troops, as well as your occupation zone capital, what does the Falcon plan to do to bind its wounds and show its strength to all of us?” her voice was slightly contralto, and rang out clearly above the low level of murmured conversation amongst the assembled Khans.

“Order, I will have order, my Khans. Or I will censure you all!” Kael Pershaw was in a rare mood, and it was not improved by the fact that it was HIS clan that was the target of an absorption vote.

Crichell nodded and smiled at Suvarov. Well played, Suvarov. See where the smart money lies early. Phelan mused.

“Khan Golaith Scorpion, I appreciate your question, and I will answer it. The Clan is regrouping even now for a counterattack against worlds in the Commonwealth’s rear. We will force them to turn to deal with us, and then we will retake our worlds and beat them like the stravag dogs that they are. As for the issue of a saKhan, we are currently holding trials for the position, and I will be able to report a new candidate by tomorrow. As for our losses, we will make them good, once we have seen off the sphereoids, and we will remind those-“looking at Taney as he said it “-that the Falcon soars over it’s foes on the winds of glory, not feeds like a carrion animal on the glory of others.”

Suvarov nodded and sat and reached for her noteputer.

Khan Malavai Fletcher pressed his call button and got the attention of the Loremaster. “Loremaster, I move that this be a roll call vote? Clan Jade Falcon is one of the two largest Clans amongst us, and I do think whatever happens, that all Khans assembled here be ready to stand by their votes.”

Kael Pershaw nodded “The vote will be by roll call, I will call the name of each clan, and the Khan of that clan will rise and announce their vote.”

“Blood Spirit?”

Khan Karianaa Schimdt rose slowly, removed her mask and stated loudly “The Blood Spirits vote Neg to this ridiculous motion. The Falcon will teach all of her enemies the lesson of humility…and soon.”

“Burrock”

Khan Anton Hutchinson rose, and shouted “We vote Yay, the Falcons have made unclanlike fools of themselves in the Inner Sphere, and it would beehove us to give their resources to a clan more deserving!”

And so, the voting went. Clans Cloud Cobra, Coyote, Nova Cat, Snow Raven, and Ice Hellion voted for absorption The Blood Spirits, Fire Mandrills, Goliath Scorpions, Hell’s Horses, Jade Falcons, Steel Vipers, Diamond Sharks, Ghost Bears, Star Adders, and Smoke Jaguars all voted against the motion.

When the Wolf turn came to vote, Natasha Kerensky rose and faced the screen, true to her nature, she had forgone formal council wear in favor for a pair of green coveralls, and a leather jacket. It was a direct slap at the council at a whole, but one they knew they could do little about. “Sorry boys and girls, we’re going to mind our own knitting on this one. Clan Wolf abstains.”

Pershaw banged his gavel. “The vote stands at 6 yays, 10 nays, and 1 abstention, the motion is defeated, unless, Khan Taney, you wish to demand a trial of refusal?” Pershaw smiled at Taney, his eyes were black coals, and his smile was colder than anything Taney had ever felt in his life.

“Neg, Loremaster, Clan Ice Hellion will not contest the results of the vote.”

Khan Lincoln Osis cracked his knuckles and rose "I would encourage any of those seeking to gain glory by absorbing an invading clan, not to look in the direction of Clan Smoke Jaguar. We have gained much glory in crushing the Dragon of the Draconis Combine in it's lair! I held Theodore Kurita's severed head in my own hands! Seyla Trothkin!"

Natasha chuckled and punched a few notes into her noteputer, it appeared as an instant message on Phelan's with a soft chime. The screen read: He left out the part that it took the entirety of Alpha, Beta, and Delta Galaxies' strength, massive orbital fire support in violation of every honor code that we have, and of the fourteen clusters that made planetfall, only five are even remotely close to combat capable weeks later. At least he 'only' lost a third of his Warship strength that he brought with the nearest dockyard for the cripples all the way back over Lum in the talons of the Snow Ravens.

Oh, and that glorious prize of Luthien, oh, I mean DeChavilier, as the Singed Kitties have renamed it? That poisoned and radioactive chalice is riddled with resistance cells who are still killing the warriors who are occupying his 'great prize' as he sifts through the ashes. Great Father save us from 'victories' such as these!"


Phelan typed back: Lincoln Osis was never a deep thinker, even by Elemental standards.

“Any other business?” Pershaw then inquired of the rest of the body.

Two khans rose with unseemly haste, one was Khan Amanda Carrol of Clan Fire Mandrill, and the other was Khan Lynn McKenna of Clan Snow Raven. They said in near unison “We move for the absorption of Clan Steel Viper!”

The hall descended into sheer chaos. It took Pershaw 15 minutes of furious gaveling to restore order in the hall. Perhaps we need a new loremaster, quiaff? Phelan mused.

“Another absorption vote? So be it, we might as well end this foolishness as well. The vote shall be by roll call.”

Phelan looked on half bored as the roll was taken once again.

This time, the vote was closer, with the Burrocks, Cloud Cobras, Fire Mandrills, Golaith Scorpions, Hells Horses, Nova Cats, Snow Ravens, Coyotes, and Ice Hellions all voting yes. The Blood Spirits, Jade Falcons, Steel Vipers, Star Adders, and Smoke Jaguars voted no, with the Sharks, Bears, and of course, the Wolves abstaining.

“The vote stands at 9 yays, 5 nays and 3 abstentions. The motion has carried. I will now entertain bids to decide who shall absorb Clan Steel Viper.”

Khan Perigard Zalman rose at a start, throwing his chair back and tearing off his helmet and cape. His face was a mask of anger. “I demand a trial of refusal. And I demand it NOW! I will face any one of you in a circle of equals. If you cannot defeat me, the life of my Clan, then you do not deserve to absorb us!”

Before the loremaster could speak, Khan Fletcher of the Horses spoke. “I shall dispose of this obstacle, and prove we are worthy to absorb the Vipers. I shall make your death quick, Zalman.” Fletchers muscles bulged as he flexed them in anticipation of the fight to come. He was of Elemental stock, and savored chances to fight hand to hand, as he had a distinct advantage there.

Shit, this is going to get ugly. Phelan’s mind idly observed.

An orderly of Kael Pershaw’s drew a circle with a marker on the floor of the great hall. Kael Pershaw hobbled forward, “In this solemn trial, let no one interfere. The fight will either be to the death, or when one is forced from the circle! Seyla!”

The hall responded with “Seyla!”

The two combatants removed their accoutrements and stepped into the circle half naked, both wearing only a pair of shorts. Zalman was at least a meter shorter than his opponent, and a ‘Mechwarrior. The look on his face suggested that he had not counted on this development. You really need to look before you leap, Zalman. Phelan grinned, no matter who lost today, the Wardens won, as a prominent Crusader was going to die. Nominally, the Steel Vipers say they are Wardens, but their actions suggest otherwise. Perhaps this will wake them up.

Fletcher swung first, Zalman moved out of the way easily, dodging under his fist and jabbing hard at Fletcher’s ribs. Fletcher smiled as Zalman’s punch connected and did little more than merit a swift kick to Zalman’s groin that sent him sprawling. Zalman however, got up quicker than Phelan had expected from an injury like that, put his fist inside his other and lept towards Fletcher, his elbow jutting out as he swung it for Fletcher’s face, Fletcher tried to get it out of the way, but the elbow connected with Fletcher’s jaw, which gave with an audible, sickening SNAP! Fletcher dropped like a sack of potatoes, Zalman following it up with a swift kick to Fletcher’s throat, which was rewarded with another snap, as Fletcher’s hands rose to his throat as he began to turn blue, and gasp for air, his legs and arms flailing as he willed himself to breathe. But air never came to Malavai Fletcher, and he expired painfully on the floor within minutes.

Zalman raised his hands “My Khans, the vote is invalidated. And I have killed a Khan. Please let it be a lesson to the rest of you that our Clan is not ready, nor willing to be absorbed.”

He then left the Circle, flanked by his saKhan and his aides, leaving a confused Grand Council in his wake.

Pershaw’s jaw had dropped. He didn’t seem to expect that Zalman had seriously thought about killing Fletcher, but he had, and he had done so in honorable combat no less. But he had done so in the very hall of the Clans! “Ahem” he cleared his throat “Do we have any other business, my Khans?”

Natasha Kerensky rose again to face the screen, Phelan rose with her..Here it comes.

“Khan Crichell. I apologize for the unconventional nature of this batchall, but you’ve been busy, and this saves time…Natasha produced a noteputer, and projected a map of the current Falcon OZ, then highlighted six worlds. “So, tell me, Khan Crichell, what do you bid for these worlds?”

The council collapsed into complete pandemonium.

Star Adder Enclave
Strana Mechty
Clan Homeworlds
November 3rd, 3056

  “Dante, you observed the Grand Council meeting today, your impressions?”  Cassisu N’Buta, Khan of Clan Star Adder observed his saKhan. They were discussing as they often did, their impressions of the General Council meeting, as both men felt it improved communication and was useful to gather their wits. The small room they used once was the office of Clan Star Adder’s founder, Absalom Truscott, and had not been used by anyone in the Clan after his death, but N’Buta found it useful as a place where he and his saKhan, Dante Truscott, could talk without intra-Clan politics getting in the way. Many in my Clan wish to pick up where the Falcons left off in the Inner Sphere, they lack understanding or clarity as to what is going on. The spheroids have remembered, soldiers tend to beat warriors. And they are demonstrating it with an admirable sense of ruthlessness. N’Buta smiled at that last thought. I must meet the architect of this plan, it was simple, ruthless, and played well to all our weaknesses.

“My Khan, I cannot believe I am saying this, but the behavior in the Hall today was at times, very unclanlike. And furthermore? I worry that politics is weakening us unnecessarily.“

“You are correct Dante, and a very astute observation. It was an easy one to make, but astute nonetheless. Dante, what if I were to tell you that I think that Clan society is headed for a fall, and that soon, institutions like the Council will be as useless as a horse and buggy?”

Truscott turned white. “My Khan, such thoughts are contrary to the path of the Honor Road!”

N’Buta waved away his concerns. “The Honor Road, while an admirable pursuit, Truscott, is leading us down a destructive path. We have always been a clan of pragmatists. And we need to be one now. Clan Jade Falcon's and Steel Viper's times are at an end. But the council will protect them both because the current structure of the council cannot imagine life without either of those Clans, or admitting that the Inner Sphere might beat us, quiaff?”

Truscott replied “Aff, my Khan. But what are we to do, and remain a Clan? I mean, if we adopt these new methods the Federated Commonwealth has demonstrated on the battlefield, we lose ourselves. They win anyway.”

“Aff Truscott, they do. So, we must adapt in our own way, and we must do it quickly. And we must be prepared to act with, or without those fools on the Grand Council approving of what we do.”


Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 26 April 2018, 12:11:56
AN: The next three chapters are a Omake done by Yellowhammer of Spacebattles. He wanted to write about the fate of Omi Kurita. How in the world could I say no? I now present "The Flight of Omi Kurita"

Imperial City

Luthien

October 7th, 3056, 1100 Hours

Omiko Kurita knelt before her low writing desk and concentrated on the blank white sheet of mulberry paper in front of her as she breathed in and out to center herself. With slow, formal motions she tied the sleeve of her kimono back as her breathing fell into a steady pace. The embroidery of lotus flowers along the hem drew a secret smile for an instant at the multiple meanings of the flower that never reached her face then was gone for an instant as she picked up her inkstick and ground a small quantity of ink into the stone.

Finally one with what she meant to write, her brush dipped into the ink and glided across the paper. The polite cough of her door guard did not register until she lowered the brush to reveal a hand drawn cherry blossom next to her signature.

"Kurita-sama, there is a summons from the Dragon. It is of some urgency."

Omi stood and untied her sleeve, letting it hang free.. "So ka." Questions raced behind her calm face, yet she let nothing show as she carefully folded the drawing and then walked to the door.

Outside a familiar Afro-Asian woman waited in the black uniform of the Otomo, adorned only with the blue katakana of her rank and the Dragon set upon a gold shield showing her status as a bodyguard. She bowed to Omi, who in turn bowed slightly less in acknowledgement. "As summoned, so I obey the Dragon's will, Tai-i Tetsuhara."

Tetsuhara nodded once, and gestured. "Follow me, Kurita-sama"

Omi's heart skipped a beat as instead of heading to the parts of the palace where the Pillars of Ivory, Gold, Jade, or Teak held sway, instead she approached the security checkpoint for the command center. The Pillar of Steel, the heart of the Draconis Combine Mustered Soldiery.

After submitting to fingerprints and retina scan along with a search of her person for weapons and transmitters, the armored door opened for her and she entered at Tetsuhara's gesture. Inside, the atmosphere was visibly tense.

The room was dominated by a large holotank in the center currently showing Luthien's star system from a point centered on the planet. Most of the icons burned different shades of warm crimson with arcane codes that Omi only vaguely understood from speaking to her father, mother, and brothers rather than formal training. However, one set of icons appeared as white arrows pointing toward the planet from a pirate point as if a shinigami had fired a volley of them at a target fated to die.

At the far end of the room her father stood in consultation with several other officers, dominating the room with his presence despite his unadorned uniform. Unlike the other officers visibly showing tension in their posture and faces, Theodore was instead radiating quiet confidence, but his eyes were unreadable. The conversation ended and he gestured for Omi to approach.

"Coordinator Kurita-dono. Your servant awaits the will of the Coordinator." Her voice was controlled but she felt as if it was someone else speaking in her place.

She bowed low before her father-no the Dragon-as the room stilled then Theodore's lips quirked in the ghost of a smile as he spoke confidently. "Keeper of the House Honor. It seems that the Jaguars in their arrogance seek to face the Dragon's Claws once more. How kind of them to send him their pelts to keep us warm this winter! We shall prepare a warm reception for such unexpected and generous guests, my samurai. Walk with me for a moment."

Omi nodded, unwilling to risk her voice betraying her as her father escorted her to a writing desk prepared for him. For a moment he contemplated the blank white paper and then his brush moved across the paper with a fluidity and sureness at odds with his normally 'adequate' calligraphy. Omi's eyes burned with unshed tears as she read the characters of the poem he wrote as they took shape before her. "I leap from the depths/Of duty into the skies:/Autumn of the Dragon." A death haiku..the image of the Dragon at the end of its life ascending to the skies in a great pillar of clouds and rain...oh Father.

As Theodore finished and signed the poem with both his name and the circle representing enlightenment, a low stir ran through the room and conversation resumed. He leaned close to Omi and spoke quietly. "Our duty is clear, Omi-chan. See your brother, for time is short for us all."

She bowed her head and whispered back. "Hai, Otousan. I shall make you proud."

"You always did, Omi-chan. You always did."

With that he stood and walked back to speak to his staff. Omi watched him go then carefully folded the paper inscribed with her father's death poem before walking to her brother. She could see the pain in his eyes mirroring what she felt in her heart as she bowed her head. "Brother. The situation is that dire?"

He swallowed once, then handed over his own poem. "The Jaguars are coming with a force equal to last time. We shall fight them with our strength, but even the mightiest warrior will have trouble with many." His eyes searched hers as she nodded sadly.

"I understand. I shall take the Lady Fiona with me as a chaperone on my travels, it is not proper for one such as I to travel unescorted."

Hohiro nodded, some tension leaving him at the mention of the noblewoman that he had fallen in love with. "Indeed, Chu-sa Yodama awaits at the spaceport with your ship. Tell...he who you go to meet. Tell him that...." Hohiro's voice trailed off as he struggled for words.

Omi smiled wistfully. "He knows that you shall be present in spirit. Perhaps I shall get married in spring under the cherry blossoms, neh?" With that she handed him her own drawing of a cherry blossom. Hohiro took it and nodded sharply before the siblings exchanged bows of farewell.

"Sayonara."

Imperial City

Luthien

October 7th, 3056, 1214 Hours

For a house that will endure
one thousand years carve its beams from honor.

Haiku by Coordinator Siriwan McAllister-Kurita 2579

Omi walked through the halls of the Imperial Palace with a purposeful gait, her steely-blue eyes narrowed slightly in an expression that she had learned from her father's example. Rounding the corner, she came to an ornately carved teak door decorated with the Dragon insignia of House Kurita and guarded by a trio of Pillarine monks in their hooded brown robes. The clack of wood on wood sounded as two of the monks crossed their staves to halt her passage.

She halted, locking her eyes with the eyes of the third under the black armorplast visor that the monks wore to cover their faces. For long moments the corridor was silent, the four of them standing like statues before the monk bowed formally and the others returned to their guard position.

"Guard me on the path that I must walk now, Adept Gozen." Omi commanded in a very controlled voice. "Let no one enter the Sanctum until I am finished here."

The whisper of ballistic polymer fabric was her answer as the silent sentinels bowed in obedience to the command of the Keeper of House Honor and head of the Order of the Five Pillars. The door opened soundlessly, then closed behind Omi and Gozen as they entered the Sanctum Arcanum.

Inside the air was thick with incense and tradition. The room was dimly lit by indirect lighting from hanging braziers, each one shaped in the form of the Dragon wrapped around a pearl. Fragrant smoke issued from the nostrils and mouths of the symbols of the Combine as Omi walked beneath them then halted at the foot of a low platform that reached her knees and was covered by a Persian-style Azami carpet showing an ornate Oriental dragon . To either side of her knelt two more Pillarine monks on their heels in positions of deep meditation and guard. However Omi's focus was not on them, but what lay ahead.

The platform was dominated by a circle of five massive ivory pillars mounted in masterwork gold bases and capitals. Omi's eyes flickered first to the leftmost one from her perspective, a column as clear as glass from a hippopotamus on Thimphu. She knew that if struck with steel it would give off sparks, so hard and rigid it was. So too, was the honor codes that bound her in this endeavor.

The one behind it was a stark contrast, mottled brown, rough and unfinished...one of a pair of elephant tusks from distant Terra from a kill that Urizen Kurita I had made on humanity's home world in the days of the Star league. Just like the Combine's citizens, it was waiting the hand of a sculptor to guide it to a finished state.

Omi's eyes then flicked to the near one on the right. The matching tusk to the unfinished one, it had been carved into a pillar supporting the roof, both strong and flexible, it showed her that the code could adapt and change to handle circumstances like those that she-and the Combine-were faced with. Behind it was a vivid turquoise blue column formed from the ivory of a woolly mammoth from distant Terra which had leeched metallic salts into the ivory from it's resting place in humanity's home world to give such a striking color.

Finally the last column was a spiraling Asian dragon rising to the ceiling carved from the horn of the extinct Giant Narwhal of Labrea. None of those were the focus of Omi's attention, however.

That was the simple black lacquered sword stand resting in the exact center of the room. The katana there was ancient, with chips taken out of the blade from the clash of steel and the etching that the salt of blood had scored into the patterned steel forged by the hands of a master on her family's ancestral home of New Samarkand. Omi reverently approached the sword, then knelt with a whisper of fabric from her robes, prostrating her head onto the carpet before the sword carried by Shiro Kurita.

The First Egg. The Founder of House Kurita. The First Coordinator. Her Ancestor. The warlord who with cunning, blood, and steel had unified his planet, then raised his Dragon banner across the stars. The example that all the Sons and Daughters of the Dragon strove to model themselves after.

The immortal whose sword, whose soul, was now threatened by the barbarians storming the Black Pearl of the Combine. Omi clapped once to summon his spirit as she sank back from her prostration to rest her weight on her heels and knees. Beneath her the dragon on the tapestry writhed in the lighting as she drew breath.

Her reverent whisper filled the echoing silence of the room. "Kurita Shiro-dono, your child brings news. The Jaguars attack us now, and the Coordinator in his wisdom has decreed that even if Luthien falls, our Honor shall yet remain untainted by their unworthy hands. He has entrusted me to carry you to my brother Minoru Kurita so that your spirit may guide him as he rallies our forces from the Galedon District...if such is necessary in these evil times."

Silence filled the room after Omi's words, then the whispered hiss of oiled steel on bamboo ending in a click as the tsuba hand guard met the mouth of the scabbard. Another whisper of silk as the sheathed sword was placed in a black silk bag hand-embroidered with five dragons writhing around each other. Ivory white, steel-gray, jade green, teak-brown, and thread of gold flashed as they all chased each other endlessly to represent the Five Pillars of the Combine: Religion, Military, Economy, Culture, and Government.

The first part of her duty done, Omi turned and walked from the Sanctum Arcanum with a slow, dignified stride ahead of the monk guarding her. The other Pillarine monks prostrated themselves as she passed them, her spine straight and face calm and reverent, reflecting none of her thoughts at the duty assigned to her by the Coordinator, no, her doomed father.

After all, she was Kurita, as he was. For both of them, duty was heavier than mountains.
 

Dropship DCA Shigure

Outbound to Luthien V L1 Pirate Point

Luthien

October 11th, 3056

To all appearances, the Shigure was nothing special. A humble Mule, she and thousands of her sisters could be seen transporting cargo and passengers along the space lanes of the inner Sphere. Perhaps a little more battered and worn than most, she was also proof of the saying that appearances were deceiving.

Behind a false bulkhead in the #1 Fuel Tank, a hidden compartment contained the best ELINT gear that the Combine could manufacture, buy, or steal. Likewise, her transponder had been subtly altered to broadcast a variety of different identities upon request. FSS Wildfire, LCS Niederbayern, CCS Tan Yang, and a double dozen more were identities that she had carried across the Inner Sphere for her actual masters in the ISF. While her stock in trade had been to be the all-seeing eye of the Combine, listening and watching for scraps of information, she had over the decades also engaged in other actions. Delivery and pickup of agents and even DEST commando teams were not uncommon, along with smuggling proscribed items of technology to serve the Dragon.

Now she served the needs of the Dragon once more as the transport for a princess fleeing her homeworld. One of dozens of dropships that had left the planet ahead of the battle, she was broadcasting a routine flight plan to the asteroid mining facilities in the outer system to pick up a load of refined ore for Luthien's hungry industries.

Omiko Kurita grasped the welded bar above the hatch at the top of the ladder that she had climbed and used it to swing into the small compartment feet first. Unlike her time in court, she was in plain tan shipboard coveralls marked with the insignia of a junior assistant navigator and the stenciled name 'A. Nakamura'. The bass rumble of the fusion drive sending her away from her homeworld and toward the Jumpship that had been hastily called to transport her deeper into the Combine faded to a dull roar as she then closed and locked the hatch down inexpertly.

The man strapped into the seat in the small lounge bowed to her from where he had been cleaning a Mauser & Gray Flechette Pistol on the holotable set into the deck. Like her he was dressed in shipboard coveralls with the sleeves rolled up, showing his heavily tattooed forearms. He gave her an inquisitive look as she returned the bow before sliding into the seat opposite him and buckling herself in.

"How is Lady Fiona handling the demands of the trip?"

Omi sighed. "Sleeping now, with the aid of a mild sedative that the doctor provided. She cried herself to sleep when she learned that Hohiro had confided to me in private that he planned to ask her father for her hand in marriage at the Autumn Full-Moon Festival. Inconsiderate and uncourteous of the Jaguars to interrupt my brother's happiness, neh?"

Shin Yodama nodded slowly in turn as he continued to work on his firearm. "Quite. Quite. He had expressed some admiration of her to me in private. Now...for them is is only the teahouse on the slopes of Death Mountain that awaits their love."

Omi gave a very sad smile as she quoted from the death poem that her brother had passed her at their leave taking, her eyes gelaming with unshed tears. "Surely there's a teahouse/with a view of plum trees/on the Mountain of Death, too. At least she has some comfort from those words in her grief. I admire his use of the plum blossom in it as a reference to the mon of her family's company. Quite artistic of him, not that I would have admitted it to him growing up. Oniisan was insufferable enough at the time, or so it seemed to me when he taught me the basics of poetry as a young girl."

Yodama gave a deep sigh as he spoke in turn. "When I first met him, I was concerned that someone of his youth as a Sho-sa commanding me would be giving orders based on flower arrangement or similar pursuits. A failing of mine, for the blood of the Dragon flows true in him, as it does in you. Now I follow my orders from him to keep you safe on your travels until he relieves me. Wherever they may take us." He cocked an eyebrow at her in silent inquiry.

Omi gave a nod of acknowledgement in return as she spoke in a voice full of fatigue. "First to Benjamin, my brother Minoru will meet us there. Father sent messages to Warlord Dieron to release him from his service obligation and provide him transport from his posting on Dieron. Once I discharge my sworn duty to the House...."

Omi's voice trailed off and she looked distant, biting her lip absently before speaking once more in a hushed voice. "Once I transport what I carry to Minoru and take counsel with him, Father recommended that I find a safe haven to continue the bloodline. We may fall but the Dragon must endure to fulfill our destiny. Father in his wisdom made arrangements with the Fox to give me sanctuary on New Avalon if needed. If Luthien falls and with the increased activities of...disloyal elements opposed to what I plan to do...I shall make my way to the Suns. Far better that way than to be a brood mare for the Black Dragon Society's intrigues."

Shin Yodama's jaw dropped as he stared at the clearly nervous girl across from him as she lowered her head to stare at her hands. He had observed the clear bond between her and the blond-headed Archon Prince on Outreach, but to think that she would leave her homeland willingly....

He then collected his thoughts, using the familiar routine of assembling the pistol to provide a framework as his hands automatically moved. "Well, Tai-sa Kurita's orders were very specific and unambiguous. I am to keep "my little sister"-his exact words-safe and assist her in her travels. I shall need to speak to some 'acquaintances' in the Kuromaku-gumi who have a trading license when we arrive on Benjamin, but I am certain that something can be arranged for travel across the border. More trade happens there than one may expect at first glance. Sho-sa Galen Cox was the person who introduced me to Tharkad Hefelweisen, and it would be discourteous not to thank him for such sage advice, no? I also feel disinclined to disturb the Bureau of Interstellar Trade with such a minor matter in their greater concerns."

Omi's smile at his words and the message behind them lit up her face. "Indeed not. I also shall have certain funds available to me as needed to arrange for matters to be handled swiftly and discreetly by your 'acquaintances'. I bow to your expertise in such matters, save to say such friends such as those you mention should be richly rewarded for their assistance. My brother trusted his life to you, and my father trusted his plan to defend Luthien to you, I shall trust my happiness to you in turn."

Omi's words were cut short by the warning chime of the intercom.

The voice of the sensor officer spoke without preamble. "We have received a transmission from Luthien that you may wish to observe. Channel three"

Shin punched in the command and an image formed. Theodore Kurita was there in military dress uniform, flanked by his wife Tomoe, son Hohiro and daughter Omi as he stood on the reviewing stand overlooking the Sanethia Kurita Parade Grounds. Rank upon rank of Battlemechs stood behind him painted the scarlet of the Sword of Light and the midnight black of the Otomo and Genyosha as he raised a hand.

"People of Luthien! I bring news of victory! The cowardly Smoke Jaguar warship that bombarded Skytower City yesterday in an act of barbarity is no more! My Samurai have struck it from the sky and the degenerate mewling kittens crewing it burn in the Dragon's Breath! The honorless barbarians that attack us have yet to challenge us, perhaps they are afraid of defeat once more, no? Take heart, support your children, siblings, neighbors, and parents who serve as my samurai, and with unified heart we shall cleanse the stain of Kerensky's degenerate descendants from our just dominion!"

The transmission froze on the Coordinator lifting his right fist, mirrored by the ranks of Battlemechs raising their right arms in salute. Shin Yodama looked a question at Omi, who spoke with quiet pride in her voice. "Chu-i Mariko Ishikawa, from the 40th Dieron Regulars, has a remarkable resemblance to me. When asked to serve as a body double for me, she volunteered to be transferred from her regiment to 'special duty'. The Bureau of Substitution agreed with her request and the ISF cleared her after a rigorous loyalty check and some minor cosmetic surgeries. I have spoken with her a few times, and swore to her that I would strive to be worthy of all that she is sacrificing for me."

Nadir Recharge Station

Benjamin, Benjamin District

October 19th, 3056

The light above the hatchway turned green and Omi swam out onto the passenger concourse in the microgravity of the Olympus space station. Dressed in plain shipboard coveralls and with a tethered soft bag floating behind her wrist, she was the image of another anonymous crew member as she approached the security checkpoint where a quartet of Friendly Persuaders waited in their distinctive red and white striped uniforms. She took a deep breath as she paused, noticing the unholstered stunner one carried and the riot shotgun not quite pointed at her by another as she presented her credentials.

"Identify yourself."

Omi suppressed her feelings of disquiet as she fed her DCMS-issue identity card into the offered reader. While the crew of the Shigure had used the equipment on board to forge her a set of papers, this was the first time that they would be tested. "Petty Officer Nakamura Ami, currently traveling on orders from the Draconis Combine Admiralty."

"Purpose for travel to Benjamin?"

"I am here to meet my brother to honor his new posting before I travel to Proserpina to get married, Persuader-sama." A lesson from Shin Yodama during the interminable series of jumps as the Shigure made its way from dying Luthien. Use the truth to lie.

"Proceed."

Omi bowed her head as she retrieved her papers, and then proceeded through the checkpoint, waiting on the other side so Shin Yodama could clear it. The ex-yakuza looked at her. "Where should we meet?"

Omi scanned the directory of services available on the large grav-deck of the station and gave a small smile. "Once you speak to your acquaintances, make your way to Benzaiten's Ivories. They will have a meeting area that we can use."

"Hai." With that, he nodded to her and proceeded toward an area of the station marked with bright-almost garish-lighting advertising the delights found within. Omi shook her head minutely as she remembered a conversation from two days ago where she had raised the possibility of assisting Yodama in his travel negotiations. He had stared at her, laughed briefly, and then said that it would be a race between her brother's ghost and Victor to see who throttled him first for subjecting someone like her to the underbelly of Combine life.

With that, she took a deep breath and slid out a smartphone from her bag. Tapping in a number from memory, she bit her lip as she listened to the dial tone. Finally there was a click.

"Moshi moshi?"

"Minoru, it's your Oneesan. I am waiting at gate ten. Could you send your aide to pick Ami Nakamura up? I have matters that I must discuss with you in person." She took a deep breath. "Remeber the time that Mother caught us using her kitchen without permission to make dango when I was eight?"

There was an indrawing of breath on the other end of the line. "I...see. I shall make arrangements. Gate ten then and Ami Nakamura. Sayonara."

Omi turned off the phone after locking it and took a seat as she concentrated on the ebb and flow of people. Red-and white striped Friendly Persuaders patrolling to deter criminals and vagrants; tan-uniformed DCMS personnel crewing the station; a dark-skinned Azami patriarch shepherding his burqua clad female relatives all passed before her as she immersed herself in the movements of society to find the inner peace that she so desperately needed.

Finally the crowd resolved into a stocky silver-haired man dressed in DCMS uniform with a wrinkled almond skin color that made Omi think of nothing so much as a hazelnut. He bowed to her. "Nakamura-sama?"

She stood and returned the bow, her eyes tracking automatically to the stylized katakana '5' in lavender on the brown backing of his rank tabs. "Hai, Shujin-sama. I am she." Even if she was a Kurita and he was merely a lowly master sergeant from the infantry, such a man was worthy of her respect as a warrior. While her grandfather may not have approved, her father had taught Omi otherwise.

His dark eyes scanned her...looking for what? Finally he grunted, "Follow me please." With that, he gestured brusquely and turned in an automatic about-face.

Omi hefted the bag containing the katana and followed him, reassured by his solidity. He was a rock, and the Combine would have need of such in these troubled times.

Ten minutes and two security checkpoints later, the Shujin tapped an intercom panel next to a guarded hatch. "Sir, she is here."

A voice sounded from within. "Then show her in!" The hatch then opened and Omi stepped inside.

Beyond it, two familiar faces sat in conversation. Her younger brother-had he grown since Omi had seen him off to Sun Tsu School of Combat five years ago?-turned, his eyes examining her and pausing at the bag she carried. Though slight in form, barely filling out the DCMS uniform that he wore with understated pride, he dominated the room with his quiet strength of presence. Next to him, her father's cousin had his eyes widen as he saw her, the apple-green katakana with the gold bar showing his rank as Warlord of Dieron District flashing in the lights.

Omi bowed deeply and took a deep breath. Her voice was tightly controlled, drained of all emotion. As much as the words she had to say would tear at her wounded heart, she was Kurita, and would not dishonor her father and brother's sacrifice in this moment. "Tai-shu Kurita Isoroku-sama, Chu-i Kurita Minoru-sama. I come bearing news. Luthien has fallen to the Smoke Jaguars and the Coordinator is now with his ancestors."

Naked shock appeared for a moment on both faces before iron discipline reasserted itself. Isoruku was the first to respond as he narrowed his eyes. "Then my nephew Hohiro...?" His voice was hoarse with emotion as he spoke despite his decades of service to the Dragon.

Omi lowered her head in respect for the dead before speaking in that controlled voice despite her burning eyes. "He died with his face to the enemy. Father was in the Palace commanding our troops when the Jaguars sent a headhunter unit to attack. During the confusion after he died, major elements of their 'Mech forces broke through and made their way into the Kado-Guchi valley. Chu-sa Kur---" Her voice broke and she swallowed before resuming in a sadly proud voice. "Hohiro led the remnants of the Black Ocean to halt their advance, and when he was being overrun called for a nuclear strike on his position."

Minoru stood and walked over to hug his sister as tears streamed down their cheeks. "Then I must rally us and get vengeance. Our blood cries out for it."

Omi nodded sadly after their tears had ceased and unzipped the bag. "Indeed. All is not lost, for Father in his wisdom ordered me to carry the heart of the Dragon to the next Coordinator."

Steel flashed in the light as she unsheathed the sword of Shiro Kurita. Isoruku's eyes widened and he prostrated himself as Omi knelt to offer the ancient blade to her brother. Minoru's face was unreadable as he looked down at the blade that she offered.

"Kurita Minoru-dono, son of Coordinator Kurita Theodore-dono, grandson of Coordinator Kurita Takashi-dono. Our blood cries out for vengeance for our dead all the way to Kurita Shiro-heika. Shall you accept the mantle of the Dragon?" Despite the tear tracks on her pale cheeks, Omi's voice was as hard and resolute as the steel she offered her only surviving kin.

For a long moment all was still, then Minoru reached out and took the sword from where it lay on the outstretched palms of his sister. He raised it over his head with both hands in a smooth, practiced movement. Omi remembered her brothers practicing the men strike in kendo as she secretly watched them as a child as Minoru assumed the position for the pear-splitter.

"I shall. Keeper of the House Honor, I swear upon my name and lineage that as no man may rest under the same sky as the murderer of his kin, so shall the Dragon not rest until the Smoke Jaguar is no more. Warlord, summon my generals to conference on Benjamin." His voice was a growl of grief, pain...and the iron pride that had driven his ancestors to make their mark on history.

Isoruku silently bowed and departed, leaving the siblings alone. Omi watched in silence as Minoru sheathed the sword then turned to her. "I have a war to fight, Sister, but I would see you safe."

She nodded. "Such was father's intent. He spoke to the Fox to make arrangements for my safety if such was necessary. I shall travel to New Avalon and gather what aid I can muster to support you...unless you command otherwise."

Minoru walked to her, and placed his hand gently on her shoulders. For long moments he stared into her eyes, into her soul, then nodded sharply. "I shall obey Father's wishes in such matters. I merely request that you do not travel openly, for Father and Uncle Isoroku have shared concerns about dissident elements with me. What...has happened recently may embolden them and I...the Coordinator does not need distractions from his duty."

Omi smiled through her tears and hugged her little brother as she choked out her thanks. "Doumo arigatou gozaimasu, Minoru-chan. I shall go to make arrangements for my travel now."

Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Sir Chaos on 26 April 2018, 13:04:07
Quote
Tharkad Hefelweisen

If he´s talking about the beer, it´s "Hefeweizen".

Awesome story so far. It´s just that bad German in English stories is a pet peeve of mine.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: pensiveswetness on 26 April 2018, 14:38:19
....well, I'm speechless...
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: pensiveswetness on 26 April 2018, 14:40:21
when this story is over, can you possibly provide a timeline of events (example format: the timeline used in the Jihad series)? It would make it easier for anyone to play in this AU easier...
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: marcussmythe on 26 April 2018, 17:04:14
Tagged
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: mikecj on 27 April 2018, 02:17:18
That was well written!
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 27 April 2018, 08:41:36
Yep Mike, "Flight of Omi Kurita" is among the best I have seen. And he's a hard core Davionista to boot. PW, I do promise I will come up with a timeline, and perhaps a FM of sorts. At least something along the lines of a 4th Succession War Handbook.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: PeacMaker03 on 27 April 2018, 13:21:25
Panzerfaust, I just want to thank you for this story. Enjoyed every post.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 27 April 2018, 13:32:40
More to come Peacemaker, More to come.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: ckosacranoid on 30 April 2018, 22:47:50
Very cool story and came back after not reading in some time. Thanks for sharing.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Grognard on 01 May 2018, 02:12:44
great stuff.  PING!
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 02 May 2018, 19:26:59
Benzaiten's Ivories, Nadir Recharge Station

Benjamin, Benjamin District

October 19th, 3056

Why, then, ivory, as the substance of the Pillar that
signifies the thought and conduct of the Kuritan people?

Of the Five Pillars, only Ivory and Teak represent living
materials, and only Ivory comes from sentient beings like
ourselves. Starting in earliest youth, the animal's tusks
continue to grow during the whole of its existence; the tusk is built
up in layers, the innermost layer being the last produced, while the
outermost eventually becomes a hard and impervious protection.
In like manner, the Pillar of the people's consciousness continues
to grow with the expansion of House Kurita. As in the layered tusk,
each stratum of society is assigned the mode of faith and conduct
most suited to its position. As with the protective outer bark of the
tusk, all is kept safe by the strength of character of the First Lord
and the diligence of the Keeper of the House Honor.
-Constance Kurita, Keeper of the House Honor, in
Commentaries, Office of Educational Materials, Order of the Five
Pillars, Luthien, 3007

The antique brass bell above the door of Benzaiten's Ivories chimed musically as Omi entered. She gave a thankful smile to the silent Shujin who had been escorting her after her meeting with the new Coordinator as he assumed a position to watch the door. She then looked over to the counter where the assistant manning it was speaking to a white-haired noble in a stylish dark-red outfit styled similar to DCMS uniforms.

Her ear catalogued the noble's speech patterns as that of lost Rasalhague and something about him rang faint bells of recognition. One of her grandfather's courtiers who had gone into seclusion shortly before the Clans arrived...the 'Red Duke' was what he had been called when she was a girl.

With a silent inward sigh at the delay in her plans, Omi instead walked over to the display case and used one of the offered magnifying glasses next to the case to examine the exquisite carvings being presented. While no stranger to artistry in her own life in Imperial Palace, the miniature okimono figurines presented took her breath away. In particular a Kitsune no Yomeiri set caught her eyes, with their depiction of the fox-spirits' wedding procession with the groom as a swaggering samurai dog-fox, the vixen bride in her white kimono folding an origami crane for happiness, and the officiating priest as an elderly, chubby monk leaning on a cane.

Behind her, the noble finished paying for his purchase and turned to go. His eyes widened as he saw Omi's profile and then he turned to go with almost indecorous haste, reaching for his buzzing phone as he departed the shop.

"Does the honored customer see something that she likes in our humble business?" A soft and polite voice interrupted Omi's examination and she turned to see the assistant standing next to her.

"Hai, the Kitsune no Yomieri lifts my spirit in these troubled times. But I am not here to admire the work of a master, unfortunately. Notify Jukurensha Futsumi-ji that 'Sanyu Kurita has decided that the need is great enough'. I must speak to him in privacy, along with Sho-sa Yodama when he joins us."

A widening of the eyes was the only sign of the impact that her words had given the assistant, who quickly scurried off. Several minutes later, he returned and bowed low to her before escorting her behind the counter. The room she was led to was laid out in the classic style of a Japanese dwelling. White tatami mats covered the floors, the soundproofing on the walls was hidden by rice paper and wood, and the lighting was indirect. Omi bowed to the assistant, slipped off her shoes to take the offered slippers with the ease of long practice and then entered.

She knelt before the tokonoma alcove, contemplating the objects on display. The wall scroll's calligraphy was almost as good as hers, and the subject was...interesting to say the least. 'Might makes Kurita' was the first line of one of the traditional haikus every schoolchild learned and she mentally filled in the remainder 'Pillar of Dragon Steel/Victory over all!' automatically. Pain filled her heart at the memory of her brother and father's last moments, along with a fierce pride that they had died like a Kurita should with their face toward the enemy. Duty was heavier than a mountain, true, but death was lighter then a feather when the time came for duty to embrace it.

Her eyes then lowered to the object on display, a ivory handled katana, with the hilt an exquisitely carved dragon writhing around in such a way to almost seem alive. Not a show piece though, she could see the wear where hands had grasped the dragon, and the faint marks on the blade from duty on the battlefield and dueling grounds. Time stilled and her breathing settled into a slow rhythm as her eyes traced the woodgrains in the blade formed by the folded steel and then followed them to the writhing ivory dragon grasping the steel, then back along the curve of the blade to the chisel point.

A soft male voice spoke in her ear and for the space between two heartbeats she thought that Hohiro's ghost spoke those words. "I do not love the bright sword for its sharpness, nor the arrow for its swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory. I love only that which they defend. Forgive my tardiness, honored guest, the ivory was calling me when Hiro-kun notified me of your arrival."

Omi turned and bowed to the middle aged man with the shaved head kneeling next to her. "Iie, Futsumi-ji. This one was caught in the dance of the Dragon across the steel and remembering those who have passed onward before her. Peace in such troubling days is all the more precious when it sneaks up on her, neh?"

The man returned the bow then as he raised his head, Omi's breath caught in her throat. His face was hideously scarred and his eyes the milky white of the ivory that he carved. "Indeed it is. Indeed it is. Do not be troubled, young one. I gave my sight in the service of the Dragon willingly on Halstead Station in 3039 only to find it again in contemplation of what the ivory speaks to me when I touch it. Your voice...? Forgive an old man's impertinence, but may I see your face?"

"Hai." Omi guided his hand, scarred by the tools he used to carve the ivory over the calluses of a swordsman and 'Mechwarrior, to her cheek. Feather-light fingers danced across her face as he nodded his head quizzically and spoke to himself.

"Strength, the strength of the bamboo which bends in the hurricane winds and then stands proudly when all around it are laid low in their foolish pride. Strength mixed with the pride of her heritage...and such terrible sorrow for one so young. Secrets too, so many secrets. How may this one be of service to you Kurita-dono?"

Omi's eyes widened fractionally and the ivory carver laughed with the sound of unalloyed happiness as he sensed her surprise. "Your father came to those of us who survived Halstead Station while we were recovering from our injuries to thank us for our sacrifice and honor our service. You have much of him in your voice and to those unencumbered by the illusion of sight the Dragon speaks through you as it did through him when he ordered the Ivory Dragon into battle against the lesser enemy. Just as your voice now speaks to me of the pain he felt at the cost of the battle when he honored my sacrifice at the head of my company. So the whispered rumors are true then?"

Omi whispered. "Hai. Father and my elder brother died at the claws of the Smoke Jaguar along with many of our finest, and now Coordinator Kurita Minoru-dono rallies the Dragon to take revenge. I must travel in secrecy to New Avalon to secure what aid I may. Therefore, I need to make arrangements to travel to Proserpina in secrecy for the first step of my travels."

"Such can be arranged. The Yukikaze leaves tomorrow to purchase ivory, and schedules shall be adjusted. Hiro will supply traveling garb for you and your companion, a pair of acolytes on pilgrimage will attract no attention."

Omi smiled. "My thanks."

"Such are not needed, service is its own reward. Although, if you could indulge an old man's whimsy, I wish you to take tokens of your visit along with you. Hm, for peace...the Kitsune no Yomeiri shall do well, it called to me strongly when I touched the tusk that gave it birth. And for the other...while it is a poor grasping at beauty for my first attempt, I wish you to have my sword."

Omi shook her head. "You do me too much honor! I could not..."

"No, I regretfully insist, Kurita-dono. If you must, hold my sword in trust for your husband-to-be."

He laughed merrily again at the note of shock in her voice as she started the customary second refusal. "I have three younger sisters, each happily married along with my youngest brother, Kurita-dono. I know the signs all too well even in my blindness. No, no, please take them with my modest blessing for many children to fill your life."
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Zureal on 02 May 2018, 22:35:31
well that was oddly.... surprising.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: mikecj on 03 May 2018, 04:43:04
Good ole Hasid Ricol
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 08 May 2018, 12:28:34
Luneberg Plain
10km South Southwest of Waldorff City, Waldorff
Tamar March, Federated Commonwealth
November 9th, 3056


  Star Captain Hardek laughed with delight as his Stormcrow Prime grounded with a shudder in a cacophany of braking jets and a barely controlled impact on the earth of Waldorff. He howled with delight as his ‘Mech’s systems reported in that they were working nominally. Good, the drop was within acceptable parameters, and now we crush the surats who dare attack our Clan, and then deal with the foolish home clans who dare oppose us? The Steel Viper plan was simple, two clusters, the 423rd Assault Cluster, of which Hardek and his trinary belonged to, and the 94th Battle Cluster would drop onto the Luneberg Plain and attempt to suck the FC defenders into a long-range fight, one more clanlike, Hardek’s mind echoed. Meanwhile, 12 hours from now, the 428th Assault and 57th Striker Cluster were going to do an avalanche drop onto Waldorff City itself, seize the starport, and cut off the FC forces from their base of supply. The Khan had assured them all that “This will be a simple matter, a bandit execution.”

“All Stars, report readiness” Hardek barked. He was eager to get going, to restore the honor of the Steel Vipers. He smiled, as he mentally counted the ‘Mechs of his trinary in the distance. 15 for 15, excellent. Trinary Bravo looks ready to walk the Honor Road.

“Alpha Krait Star, we are ready to dispose of the enemy.” Star Commander Susan was a no-nonsense warrior, quite shy in social matters, but a terror on the battlefield, and someone who did not brook any issues from her subordinates. She was probably going to be a candidate for the next Mercer bloodname contest, as she had impressed many in her blood house. Her short stocky build had many wondering if she was the freebirth product of coupling between a ‘Mechwarrior and an Elemental. It was not a question anyone ever asked twice.

 “Bravo Boa Star, we are ready” Star Commander Haskell Moffat was the only bloodnamed member of the Trinary, and normally, he would be a lot more than a simple Star Commander by now. But ever since his bloodname trial 4 years before, he had proven to be a disappointment. He had just turned 31, and any day now, he would probably get orders for a solahma cluster. Watch this one, Hardek, he might get his Starmates killed seeking glory that is not his.   He was tall, and lanky, with hair that had prematurely greyed and worry lines that creased his face like old parchment.

“Charlie Mamba Star, we are ready for the glory that awaits!” Star Commander Chase was an interesting fellow, he was another ristar fresh from his Trial of Position on the Homeworlds. He had managed two kills in his graduation trial, and worse yet, had graduated early. Seems a lot of sibkos are doing that these days. He was a young puppy, eager to please and overly eager to come to grips with the Fedcom. A little too eager, it was all so…unclanlike. Chase was a short fellow, socially awkward, and somewhat befuddled as to his responsibilities as a Star Commander, and worse, he was a complete incompetent when it came to land navigation. He had gotten his entire Star lost on a night exercise a week before and had almost led them into a sandstorm back on Twycross. He used the radio entirely too much often clogged it on exercises. Hardek had threatened him with a circle of equals and that had, for now, put an end to that. He might be the Trinary’s point of failure. I must watch him as well.

“All Stars, we go forward to determine the future of our Clan. Our Khan has already taught the Hell’s Horses a lesson in humility. Now, we shall teach it to the sphereoids. The order is, advance and no bondsmen, we shall not have these honorless surats sully the honor of the clan!”

A chorus of “Aff, Star Captain!” filled the trinary radio frequency. Hardek had the secondary radio tuned to the Cluster frequency. That radio could not transmit, but it was useful for getting the intent of his Star Colonel and acting upon it before it was transmitted over the radio to Hardek. And it improves my chances for being selected for the next Ahmed bloodname contest.

The secondary radio crackled to life, it was a bit staticky, more than usual. A series of squeals tore through the air and obscured part of the Star Colonel’s orders “- Trinary Delta, I want you to work around the enemy Hardek, see if you can find a seam between their two RCTs, and get at that artillery. Without it, the surats are helpless, and we will dispose of them as we did during the invasion.” The radio squealed again, and then gave way to harsh static, and then, the faint musical notes that sounded as if a cat was being strangled..strange, Davion units, at least the ones the Clans have encountered, do not often play music in battle. It did not matter to Hardek, he had his orders.

“Aff, ovKhan.” Hardek replied. He was unsure if the Star Colonel had heard him acknowledge the order, but he lurched his Stormcrow forward at a loping pace, eager to come to grips with the Davion units reported to be on the planet. Three RCTs of their vaunted Guards, this will be an execution. Let us see them fight without their tricks.

“Charlie Mamba, advance to full speed, and flush out any surprises the enemy has in store for us!”

The radio was dead, except for harsh squeals and the occasional pop of static. All of the ‘Mechs of his trinary remained in the double column with him at his head. He made hand and arm signals to deploy the trinary into line, which took time, and forced Hardek to halt his ‘Mech, and observe the shakeout of the trinary. That too more valuable time, 5 whole minutes by Hardek’s chronometer.

Once the line was shaken out, they advanced at the walk, the controlled thunder of 15 Battlemechs at walking speed shaking the earth for at least half a mile as they advanced along the azimuth of the inertial navigation of Hardek’s mech, who was still leading the trinary, some 100 meters forward of the center of the line. Charlie Mamba had still not advanced to screen the line.

Hardek turned his ‘Mech to pass hand and arm signals to Star Commander Moffat in his Kit Fox, when threat warnings blared through his cockpit. A series of small heat signatures had appeared as if from nowhere to his front. Stravag! Enemy infantry to my front…and we have no Elemental support. They were formed into provisional clusters for the drop onto Waldorff City, and who knew how they were making out? Several smoke trails shot out from a series of well hidden positions to Hardek’s front, some 90 meters away. Two of them intersected with a Viper A from Charlie Chase. The rockets exploded short of the mech, making popping noises as the ‘Mech was soon covered in burning gel, as it stumbled and fell..as it did so..the ground exploded, separating the Viper’s left arm at the elbow, and the right leg at the knee. The ‘Mech’s ammunition soon began to cook off and an inferno began to consume the ‘Mech.

Hardek slammed the arm of his command couch with his left fist in frustration and anger. There was infantry in prepared positions out there, he had the wrong weapons and loadouts to deal with them. He had no elemental support, and worse? He’d walked right into a minefield. He halted again and made more hand and arm motions for the rest of the trinary to withdraw, he’d find a way around these surats, and accomplish his mission. He checked his map, there was an entrance to a small rolling valley that led into the Davion rear, it could be used to reach his objective, and keep him covered, he’d just have to find somewhere sheltered to brief his people face to face and-

It was then that his threat warning system went off again. Air threat. Dammit, where the hell were our fighters? Hardek’s mind questioned. It wasn’t long before a pair of what the computer identified as Corsairs roared past, with half the trinary opening fire on them with everything bigger than a small laser. Naturally, they did not hit them, but a series of dark shapes tumbled from their wings..right over the center of Alpha Krait. The shapes split open into multiple smaller shapes, too many to count, and small parachutes blossomed. Oh no, that new Fedcom munition. They can drop it from the skies too. Many of the munitions fired small thrusters and landed on the tops of the three ‘Mechs caught in the beaten zone. A Mad Dog C caught the worst of it. It blossomed in a series of explosions that dropped the ‘Mech like a puppet with it’s strings cut. The wrecked remains fell to the ground, streaming gouts of black smoke and hit the ground with a loud crash that shook the ground under the feet of Hardek’s ‘Mech.

It was then that Hardek’s secondary radio crackled to life. “Steel Vipers, this is Star Colonel Ravill Pryde of the Jade Falcon Guards, I come with two Clusters, my own and the 8th Falcon Regulars, we come to bid for the right to face the FC forces on world. We will do so, with, or without your cooperation.”

Freebirth! Have the Falcons gone mad? Those units were badly hurt defending Sudeten according to the Chatterweb. And now, they are here? And they bid against four FRESH clusters to participate in our counterattack? Everything is madness.

“This is Galaxy Commander Sarah Andrews to all Gamma Galaxy callsigns, break contact and withdraw to the dropships, FC forces have broken through our security screen. Withdraw and break contact. “

The frequency then squealed painfully again, and this time, the cat strangling music was back, even louder this time. It was then that his cockpit glass polarized as a double flash ripped across the sky, high in the atmosphere, then another..then three. Stravag, what was that?

“Star Captain, Mechwarrior Gerd of Alpha Krait, Sir, they’re saying the Steel Python has been destroyed. The surats nuked it!”

"Stop spreading rumors and get off the air, Gerd. You will submit yourself to your Star Commander for punishment when this is over!" Hardek barked.

“Aff Star Captain, I would, but she is down, it was her Mad Dog that went down from that air strike!”

“Then who oversees your star? Mechwarrior?” Hardek barked again.

“I am, I am senior.”  The voice came through the radio small, and distant.

Hardek shook his head. Gerd was fresh from the homeworlds, like about a 1/3rd of the Trinary. He had no idea HOW to run a star. And what made it worse, learning how during what was looking like a nasty ambush was not the way to learn.

“All Trinary Charlie elements, execute the orders of the Galaxy Commander.” Whom I will face in a Circle of Equals when this is over. “Keep your intervals and spacing.”

A chorus of “Affs” echoed over the radio.

The trinary moved out in a south westerly direction. The radio was a hash, a mix of cat strangling music, jumbled orders and situation reports, screams, and harsh squeals. Hardek couldn’t raise anyone after some time. Who even knows if we are out here? We went wide to the left to try and overrun the enemy artillery. And we should be seeing our dropships by now?

Hardek’s threat receivers went off again. Ten, no, twelve MAD contacts, mix of weight classes, but 12 ‘Mechs 450 meters to his front only meant one thing. The Davions got there first. And now they are here to finish us off. He glanced at his repeater screen. Charlie Mamba had lost two ‘Mechs in the initial exchange, and Alpha Krait had done likewise. He had 11 ‘Mechs with all sorts of levels of damage. Hardek was willing to bet the Inner Sphere company to his front was as fresh as Arcadia daisies.

His radio crackled to life again.  The voice was tinged with a mild brogue that Hardek could not place “Steel Viper Commander, this is Captain Tam McIvish, Charlie Company, 78th Highland Battalion, 1st Kearny Highlanders. I know who you are, and I know what kind of shape you are in. I have air from the Kell Hounds five minutes out. We just took your dropships. They won’t be waiting for you. Power down and surrender. You cannot win, and we don’t want to kill good men in a bad cause.”

“If you know me, Captain Tam, then you know what my answer will be.” Hardek replied.

“Aye, Steel Viper, Aye. But, I had to try.”

“I thank you for that. I assume we will not be fighting according to the rules of Zellbrigen?”

“No Clanner, we won’t. It’s my rules this time. And for the record, I lost a son with the 10th Lyran Guards on Twycross. I won’t be taking revenge, he took a soldier’s risk. But, I won’t be playing by your rules. Now, come at us, Clanner. You won’t find Highlander steel to your liking.”

“Trinary, full advance. No zellbrigen, No bondsmen!” Hardek cried.

The trinary again shook out into a rough line, and before long, broke into a full-on run that left the trinary advancing as more of a gaggle, as lighter machines outpaced heavier ones. Gouts of flame and earth erupted from the ground. Artillery or mines? It does not matter. Hardek pushed his throttle to the stops and put the targeting reticule in his HUD on what the warbook identified as a Shadow Hawk. It was resplendent in the tartan of the 78th battalion and it was advancing as part of a loose line with its comrades, a Battlemaster was next to it, giving hand and arm signals to the rest of the company. That must be McIvish. I shall kill him last, he attempted to honor me.

The reticule pulsed twice, and a growling noise in the speakers of Hardek’s neurohelmet let him know he was in range and on target. He fired his ER Large Lasers and one went wide, leaving a cerulean beam cutting the distance between the two combatants, the other impacted into the left torso of the Shadow Hawk, leaving a scorch mark and knocking loose a few burning armor plates. Good Start, Hardek 

The distance closed, 300 meters, 200 meters, 100 meters…soon 80 meters. And it became a knife fight, ‘Mechs swirled around each other, the radio filled with warnings, shouts of triumph, and of pain. To Hardek’s left, a Fire Moth was pinned on a spit of lightning from a pair of PPCs from a Warhammer. It’s right leg violently separated from it’s body, and the ‘Mech crashed to the ground, sliding headfirst a dozen meters down a rolling incline. The Warhammer turned to Hardek and fired a PPC and a pair of medium lasers at him, the PPC slamming into the Stormcrow’s left torso. Hardek fired all his weapons at the Warhammer, catching it with both ER Larges in the left arm. The PPC flared, then gouted a bit of smoke. Good, I took away one of his PPCs. Hardek moved on, aiming to get around the Battlemaster, who was taking on all comers, and already had two dead Steel Viper ‘Mechs at his feet.

“So, you want to do this your way, do you Clanner?”

“As you say, aye, sphereoid.”

“Alright”. The Battlemaster made a transmission in the clear. “Boys, I intend to sort this Clanner out myself, everybody else, stay out of it.”

Hardek smiled then said over his trinary’s frequency “Trinary, I intend to duel this spheroid. Let no one interfere.”

Hardek turned and closed on the Battlemaster, he smiled ferally. I have you now, freebirth. The Battlemaster began to walk backwards, trying to buy some distance for time. Two PPC shots hit Hardek’s Stormcrow square in the torso, momentarily unbalancing the ‘Mech, but Hardek compensated and kept trying to get around the Battlemaster. As he rounded the left side of the ‘Mech, Hardek had a nasty surprise, the Battlemaster turned a lot faster than any assault mech had a right to. Six medium lasers speared the left side of Hardek’s ‘Mech and tore open the left torso. The engine inexplicably shut down, and the ‘Mech’s momentum threw it into the side of a rolling hill, throwing up great gouts of earth. Hardek’s restraints failed..and he was thrown against the control panel, mercifully losing consciousness.

Two Hours Later

“Wakey, Wakey, Clanner. Don’t get any ideas, we already took your sidearm. Now let the nice medic treat you.”

Hardek awoke to his ‘Mech’s head open to daylight, someone had pried open the hatch, and now two figures were inside, one, an obvious medtech, was attempting to treat Hardek’s wounds. He attempted to move his limbs, but the medtech leaned on him to stop him. “Don’t move Clanner. I think you have a concussion and possible bruising of the spine. I got a C-spine coming for you and we’ll be medivacing you shortly.”

“My trinary?” Hardek croaked.

The medtech shook his head. “Sorry Clanner, you lost. The six other survivors surrendered when they saw you go down. One, named Moffat, he keeps asking for bondsref, whatever the hell that means? Do me a favor, live long enough so that I don’t feel my efforts were wasted here? OK?”

Hardek nodded, as his vision began to grey out.

Taken from the daily FC operational briefing provided to Field Marshal Ranier Poulin, Supreme Commander of “Operation Clover Spear”, declassified October 9th, 3076.

“..while the Jade Falcon raids along the Periphery frontier have caused some issues on the homefront, as well as political liabilities that are beyond this command’s purview, we can confidently state that the counterattack as we expected on Waldorff was not only shortlived, but costly for both Clan Jade Falcon and Steel Viper. We have no idea why the Falcons appeared in the midst of the fight, but the fact remains, they did, and caused a measure of confusion that in the end, worked to our benefit…”


Waldorff

Friendly Forces: 1st and 2nd Davion Guards RCT, Davion Assault Guards RCT, 20th Avalon Hussars RCT, 1st Kearny Highlanders, 1st Kell Hounds

Enemy Forces: 423rd Assault Cluster, 428th Assault Cluster, 94th Battle Cluster, 57th Striker Cluster, Clan Steel Viper. Jade Falcon Guards (50% Strength), 8th Falcon Regulars (50% Strength). CSV Steel Python (Aegis Class Cruiser)

Results: The clan counterattack at Waldorff was an unmitigated disaster from the beginning. The initial Clan drops went well, but the fight for Waldorff City was a meatgrinder for the 428th and 57th Clusters, with the Davion Assault Guards and local resistance fighters turning the city into a patch of urban hell. As for the 423rd and 57th, both clusters advanced across the Luneberg Plain to pin the remaining Davion units between the Tief river and the capitol. It did not work out that way. First, the 20th Avalon Hussars hit the 94th in the flank, and in a two-day running battle, shattered the 94th, which barely had two trinaries escape back to Twycross. The 423rd was even unluckier, being hit by the 1st Kearny Highlanders in the flank, and then having both RCTs go on the attack, and within hours, being plowed under, barely three trinaries surviving to surrender. They also lost most of the Galaxy’s dropships, along with the Gamma Galaxy Command Keshik. Galaxy Commander Sarah Andrews died attempting to organize a defense of the dropships, as Davion fighters nuked the Steel Python, disabling her, then boarding her with a battalion of marines.

It was then that the Falcons showed up, executing an avalanche drop onto Waldorff City, and for a time, initiating a three-way fight for the capitol before both Star Colonel Pryde and Star Colonel Thomas Mercer, commander of the 57th Striker Cluster managed to forge a rough pact and the surviving elements of both Clans (a cluster) held off the 1st Kell Hounds and the 20th Avalon Hussars for another 10 days before being wiped out.

Casualties for the FC forces were heavy, with the Assault Guards having lost 45% of their equipment and manpower, the 2nd Davion Guards having taken 20% casualties, and the 1st Kearny having lost 25% casualties. The Kell Hounds and Avalon Hussars lost 15%, mostly in the fight for the capitol.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: mikecj on 08 May 2018, 18:36:15
Nice, thank you.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: ckosacranoid on 09 May 2018, 16:06:33
nice update.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 12 May 2018, 21:13:27
Nadir Recharge Station

Benjamin, Benjamin District

October 20th, 3056

Mist-covered mountains
Move in and out of vision.
Real or just fog dreams?

-Haiku found upon the body of Minoru Kurita in 2796

Bronze chimed musically as the four rings attached to the top of Omi's shakujō staff gave a musical counterpoint to her steps through the station. Attired in the robes of a Pillarine monk, she led the way for Shin Yodama, likewise dressed in the robes of an acolyte and carrying a dark-stained wooden box reverently in both hands. Supposedly based on a pre-spaceflight Terran sect called the 'Jedi', the armored fabric of the brown robe whispered gently as a soft counterpoint to the chiming of the staff Omi held in her right hand to guide her steps and announce to the traffic that a priestess was passing.

Beneath the armored cowl with the one-way visor lowered to cover the top of her face, Omi's eyes darted left and right, trying to catalogue the images of life in the Combine to hold in her spirit for the journey ahead. A brief flicker of movement in the crowd heralded a clearly pregnant young woman stepping out with her belly bulging under her cheap patterned kimono.

"Enlightened One, if you would be so kind?"

"Hai." Omi bowed her head and chanted a Buddhist prayer for a painless childbirth, placing her free hand on the woman's bent head. Behind her, Shin Yodama paused, then frowned slightly as he saw a fair-haired man in a Tech's utilitarian jumpsuit turn his head at Omi's words and then start to speak into a DCMS-issue portable radio as he watched the scene.

"Ruby, Carmine three here. Possible identity of target, monk heading to the docking ring. Observing, over."

Omi finished her benediction then rang the staff to conclude the invocation, before turning and proceeding. Shin's eyes traveled to a merchant's stall selling cheap mirrors as he followed his superior and his frown deepened as he saw the Tech following them. As they waited for a lift to arrive to carry them from the mercantile district of the station to the docking bay he leaned close to Omi and spoke in a low voice.

"I fear we are not unnoticed. I sense danger on the wind."

Omi returned a fractional nod, her grip tightening on the teak of her staff. "Hai. Audacity is the virtue that we must meditate on now."

As the lift arrived, Shin 'fumbled' with the box that he was carrying in the outflow of people. This delayed their entrance long enough to be the last ones inside the doors before they slammed shut in the face of their pursuer.

"Ruby, Carmine three. Targets are heading for Docking Bay Four. Over."

"Scarlet seven, Ruby. Proceed to Docking Bay Four, neutralize and secure monks there, alive if possible. Over. Carmine three, Ruby. Reinforce Jasper-six. Over."

Inside the lift traveling to the docking bay, Omi lowered her head. Her eyes closed and her breathing slowed into a steady, slow rhythm as she mediated. She had made her decisions and discharged her duty to the Combine and her father's spirit and now the vista that opened up was both enticing and terrifying. Another slow breath and hold as the lift slowed, then a vision of memory from the past filled her mind's eye.

She had sought out her Father after her fifth birthday and found him kneeling in his dropship cabin meditating on a scroll as she and the rest of the family traveled to Luthien. When she had asked Father what he was doing, he responded. "I am seeking guidance for my path in the writings of one far wiser than I, Omiko-chan. Musashi-sensei wrote in the Book of Five Rings: 'You must understand that there is more than one path to the top of the mountain' before our ancestors left Terra. I am seeking my own path to fulfill my duty as a Kurita must. One day you and your brothers will make your own journey to the top of the mountain in turn."

Omi knew now more of the reasons for Father's disquiet on that journey. That was the journey that ended with her presentation of court and the revelation of her parents' secret marriage to Grandfather, who had not taken the news well. Grandfather and Father's relationship had been strained often but rarely had it come as close to violence as in that moment. Still just as Father had planned, weighed his decision, then acted, so must she. A Kurita could do nothing less, after all.

"Ruby, Scarlet-Seven. Approaching Docking Bay Four."

"All elements, Ruby. EXECUTE! EXECUTE! EXECUTE!"

Omi bowed to the Friendly Persuaders at thecheckpoint to enter the docking bay as they returned her travel papers, then gestured with her staff sharply to 'order' Shin Yodama to follow her across the bustling floor to the waiting Yukikaze. As she approached a pallet loaded with drums of gasoline bound for the ever-hungry maw of the DCMS' Procurement Department, suddenly there was a muffled explosion and the station shook.

Omi stumbled at the unexpected shock as the million-ton station shuddered. Years of training with her mother, brothers, and a selection of hand-picked Shihan masters of their schools in the family dojo converted that into a roll that landed her behind the cargo pallet. Seconds later Shin Yodama slid to a stop next to her. Behind it, there was a chorus ofscreams over the rattle of gunfire and the thumps of the Friendly Perusader's riot shotguns.

"Shimatta! Terrorists?" He gasped as he spun the wheels on the combination lock holding the box closed then threw it open to reveal their personal weapons. He grabbed his needler pistol and DCMS-issue tanto dagger, charging the pistol as hecrouched low behind the barrels.

Omi slid her sheathed katana through the sash of her robe and picked up the Nakjima Hand Laser pistol that Shin had been extremely vague about the origin of when he showed up in Benzaiten's Ivories with it. Considering that it was normally restricted to DCA naval officers, Omi decided in this case that discretion would be wise as she dialed the beam selector to a two-second burst. "If we are fortunate. If our karma suggests otherwise, we are targets."

Shin risked a quick peek over the barrels, then scowled. "Two Persuaders up fighting six of them. Hachimaki headbands, and maintenance Techs' coveralls."

Alarm sirens sounded in the distance and the station shook again. Omi swallowed hard and willed her voice to a calm that she did not feel in the slightest. "Ambush or flight, Yodama-san?" She looked at the hatchway to the Yukikaze across twenty meters of open space from where they were at.

The rattle of one of the attackers' submachine guns and a suddenly choked off cry of pain punctuated Shin Yodama's next words as he drew his dagger in his off hand. "In death ground, fight."

"Hai." Omi drew her hood back to reveal her face, stood in one smooth movement, and then braced her right hand with her left as she took aim. Her shaking wrist steadied itself automatically as in the space between two heartbeats she became one with the man waving the attackers forward from the rear. The right shot at the right moment does not come because you do not let go of yourself. You do not wait for fulfillment, but brace yourself for failure.

Fifty meters away, Sergeant Paul Hughes of the 37th Benjamin Jump Infantry, attached to the 6thBenjamin Regulars and detached for 'special duties' at the request of Duke Hassad Ricol had his head explode like a pumpkin in a microwave under a two second pulse of laser energy impacting his hachimaka.

Omi never noticed the corpse of Scarlet-Seven hit the bloodstained deck like a puppet with its strings cut. Her steel-blue eyes tracked to one of the two attackers firing down at a wounded Friendly Persuader begging for mercy and her finger squeezed the firing stud again.

The second body falling alerted Scarlet squad to their danger and they responded like the trained soldiers that they were. Two of them knelt and returned fire as the Corporal who was now in charge of the squad hurried to his superior's corpse. Cursing under his breath at the destruction of the microphone, he stuffed the viscera-covered radio headset in his pocket to muffle the squawks from it and issued his orders. "Shirosama! Kim! Suppressive fire! Eriksson and I will close. Bounding advance!"

"Hai, Go-cho Tadasa!"

Sparks flew from the steel fuel drums as stray rounds ricocheted off them. Omi grunted as a trio of impacts punched her torso, the body armor in the robes preventing penetration and locked her eyes on Shirosama as he fumbled for a new clip. Her pistol twitched and Kim blanched as his squadmate dropped with a limp finality. A shaking finger flipped the selector switch to full automatic and the DCMS trooper locked eyes with the Keeper of House Honor across the bay.

Both fingers closed on the triggers simultaneously. Kim felt a whip of fire lash across his torso and his darkening vision saw the young woman fall away behind the drums as he fell into the embrace of death. Behind the drums Shin raced to cradle Omi as blood stained her brown robes a deeper color across her torso and left shoulder. Her eyes focused on him as she dropped the now drained pistol.

"Two left, breaking left and right to pincer us." Omi choked out as she fumbled for the ivory hilt of the katana. "I'll cover your back."

Shin Yodama nodded, taking an instant to squeeze her shoulder before duckwalking to the far corner of the pallet.

Tadasa dashed around the near corner, SMG tracking the motionless figure in a pool of her own blood, then raising the muzzle to track where Eriksson should have joined him. "Eriksson!" he called as the expected squadmate failed to show. He advanced, slowly taking a firmer grip on his weapon as he nudged the body with a toe. Satisfied, he kicked the pistol away from where it lay next to her arms crossed over her belly and then nodded grimly to himself. "Eriksson, Report!", he cried as he kicked the pistol away from where it lay next to her arms crossed over her belly.

The only answer was a pained cry from around the corner.

Tadasa advanced, stepping over the corpse at his feet then took two more steps. A gasp of pained effort from behind him was the only warning he had before eleven centimeters of bloodstained steel suddenly protruded from his chest. As his gun fell from nerveless fingers, a hate-filled voice hissed inhis ear.

"Kuritas take a lot of killing."
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Sharpnel on 13 May 2018, 00:29:30
Who knew Omi was a freaking ninja.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 15 May 2018, 11:53:46
DCA Yukikaze

Benjamin, Benjamin District

October 20th, 3056

Gionshōja no kane no koe, Shogyōmujō no hibiki ari. Sarasōju no hana no iro, Jōshahissui no kotowari wo arawasu. Ogoreru mono mo hisashikarazu, tada haru no yo no yume no gotoshi. Takeki mono mo tsui ni wa horobin(u), hitoeni kaze no mae no chiri ni onaji.

The sound of the Gion Shōja bells echoes the impermanence of all things; the color of the sāla flowers reveals the truth that the prosperous must decline. The proud do not endure, they are like a dream on a spring night; the mighty fall at last, they are as dust before the wind. (translation)

Heike Monogatari (written sometime 1200-1330) Chapter 1.1

The crew member who had let Omi and Shin on board the Buccaneer-class cargo-hauler was still pale faced and shooting glances at them as he escorted them to the VIP cabins reserved for an ivory merchant and her aide. He could hardly be blamed, since Shin presented quite a piratical appearance with two pistols and a dagger stuffed through his belt sash along with a very bloody radio headset that was squawking commands periodically. The reason for the small arsenal was that he needed his hands free to help support Omi, who was being half-carried and half supported by him, with her one good hand still holding a bloody katana.

"Ahh, honored guests, here are your cabins. I shall notify the ship's doctor---"

"Iie." The whiplash command cut through the babble of the crewmember like a knife as Omi turned her head to face him, with a furious stare. "Notify the captain that we depart immediately for Proserpina. A bonus of triple the normal hiring costs for arrival ahead of schedule. Patch us in to news from the station, and once we are undocked and maneuvering for the Jumpship, then the doctor can see myinjuries. Yodama-san?"

"Hai." The ex-Yakuza reached into his belt pouch and withdrew a stack of 50 C-Bill notes. "A downpayment. Our business is quite urgent."

Shaken, the crew member took the bills, bowed, and departed at a run for the bridge. As the door slammed closed, Omi shook in the grasp of some strong emotion, then placed the blade of her katana on her left shoulder, drawing a hiss of pain as it rested on the bloodstained cloth over her injuries. "I need a clean cloth, Yodama-san."

Shin nodded and pulled out a traveling towel from the footlocker in the cabin which he carefully laid on her shoulder so that she could perform the chiburui maneuver to ritually clean her katana before resheathing it. She wiped the sword twice on her shoulder in slow, formal motions, then breathed in sharply suddenly slashing in arc across her body from left shoulder to right hip before reversing and resheathing her blade with a huff of exhaled air. That seemed to deflate her and she visibly returned to herself from whatever place her spirit had been in during the attack.

"Minoru... Minoru must be warned." Omi dug one-handed in her belt pouch for her phone then frowned at the lack of signal. "Shimatta, we will have to use the ship's communications to contact Minoru."

Shin nodded and began to punch commands into the terminal of the passenger cabin as the maneuvering engine began to growl in the background. A minute later, he nodded in satisfaction at the menu presented as the holoscreen flickered to life. "Now to punch in your brother's num---"

The screen suddenly displayed a red priority override command in katakana along with a rotating Combine seal, then sharpened into a image of carnage. The station traffic control center in the broadcast had a dozen clearly wounded men in it, along with a row of bodies in the corner. One, in a Tech's coveralls, gave a thumbs up sign to someone offscreen with his arm that was not in an improvised, blood-soaked sling that had started life as a DCMS dress uniform jacket. The Tech then bowed and headed to where other survivors were barricading a fire-scorched and damaged hatch with furniture as some stood guard with small arms and one lifted a missile launcher.

Minoru stepped into view of the camera slowly. Bloody bandages covered his chest and abdomen in the absence of his uniform jacket, and one eye was covered by a blood-soaked hachimaki headband that was leaking crimson tears. Behind him, Isoroku limped with the aid of another of the walking wounded, who helped seat him in one of the chairs that were not being cannibalized to barricade the hatch. Gunfire sounded behind them as Minoru stared into the screen with his one good eye, pinning the viewers like a snake would pin a field mouse.

"People of the Combine! Dark days are upon us! Luthien has fallen to the Smoke Jaguars with the aid of traitors among us. Not content with aiding the barbarian degenerate remnants of Kerensky's army, the Black Dragon Society has dishonorably struck our samurai in the back as they rallied to get vengeance for our dead! My children..." Minoru's voice softened as he touched the blood streaming down his cheek. "The Dragon weeps for your pain and counsels you to faith. While I, my uncle Tai-shu Kurita Isoroku, and my remaining loyal samurai must make the same choice that our ancestors did at Shiroyama under the guidance of Saigō Takamori, you have your own duty!"

The firing behind him intensified as Minoru leaned forward to speak intently. "Keep the Dragon in your hearts. The Black Dragons will try to use the example of the Von Rohrs." Minoru's voice was full of hatred for the notorious bastard usurpers who had nearly ended the Kurita line in the twenty-fourth century as he spoke their reviled name. "They will lie and flatter you for their own dishonorable ends. Do not let them! Even now, my sister Keeper of House Honor Kurita Omiko-sama goes to bring us aid, and my cousin Kurita Miyoko-sama, daughter of my loyal Tai-shu is outside their grasp. Aid them! I repudiate them and show my defiance in the moment of the illusion of their victory! Hear now my final words, my children."

Minoru's face became calm as he unsheathed his wakazashi. "My whole life long, I've sharpened my sword./And now, face to face with death/I unsheathe it, and lo--/The blade is broken--/Alas!" With that Minoru grasped his wakazashi and plunged it into his belly, serenely smiling throughout his defiant seppukuand Omi's flowing tears.

Behind Minoru, Isoroku lifted Shiro Kurita's sword in both hands with a strength at odds with his visible wounds and pain. At Minoru's nod, the ancient steel flashed once. Isoroku then turned to one of his few remaining guards who was leveling a SRM launcher with the red bands of an Inferno missile at him as the first Black Dragon troops clambered over the barricade and Minoru's headless corpse slumped.

"Perform your duty, Kashira"

Fire and screams filled the screen then thetransmission faded to black.

Omi collapsed into Shin's arms, her tears flowing like a waterfall of pain and loss.


Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: AlphaMirage on 15 May 2018, 15:17:18
Poor Omiko, I feel dreadful for her situation. Well done panzerfaust you made me actually care about the Combine, like you said though Kuritas take a lot of killing
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 15 May 2018, 15:28:43
AlphaMirage,
 The "Flight of Omi Kurita" chapters are an omake by Yellowhammer on Spacebattles.com. I just let him play in the Clover Spear universe. The main story will have more soon, as I am gearing up to write the next chapter of "Capellan Family Follies - The Marik Edition."
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: DOC_Agren on 15 May 2018, 15:33:42
Well SOB you got me almost care about Kurita and what will happen to the Combine.

Well done
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Starfox1701 on 16 May 2018, 00:51:45
I always liked Teddy and his kids. They were good people. By the pacing I'm guessing we are about half way through this whole mess good stuff
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: ckosacranoid on 16 May 2018, 17:10:15
damn, talk about really doing what battletech is known for. killing off people once you get to know them and start to like them expect for some members of the cappies....they are just pretty much nuts and glad when some of them bite it.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 17 May 2018, 13:13:32
AN: This is the last chapter of Yellowhammer's "The Flight of Omi Kurita", but don't panic. Omi will be appearing in the main story and she has many roles to play, as the story reaches it's crescendo.  >:D

Exeter, Draconis March

Federated Commonwealth

November 14th, 3056.

There is always something to upset the most careful
of human calculations.
-Ihara Saikahu, 1642-1693

Hagiwawa. Kitalpha. Junction. Homam. Proserpina.

The systems and jumps passed by in a blur as Omi traveled onward. One planet was the same as another to the grieving princess as she fled the ruin of her family. Her days were filled with little but the attempt to deal with the ghosts of her dead father, uncle, and brothers. Nights...the nights were worse.

More than once Omi woke up from fitful sleep in tears or a cold sweat. The memory of the men she had killed blurred with Hohiro and Minoru's faces in her dreams. Sometimes in her dreams, she was the one to stab her brother in the back and feel his blood splash against her robes and hear his dying rattle of breath.

Those nights, sleep totally abandoned her.

It was on Proserpina when Omi left the Yukikaze as one of the flotsam flung free by the explosion engulfing the Combine. Walking down the ramp to the port like a ghost, her heart numb and her tears having ceased only when she had no more to give from her burning eyes in the weeks since her brother's final words, news reached Omi. The recording of her brother's defiant death as all was lost for him had spread from Benjamin on the wings of dropship traffic and HPG transmissions. Like a rock thrown into a lake, the ripples were spreading throughout the Combine.

Warlord Benjamin was dead in the second day of rioting that had engulfed his capital, blamed for the treason that had claimed her brother. Warlord Galedon had pledged his support to her half-brother Franklin Sakamoto, who was forming a government on her ancestral homeworld. Warlord Pesht was incommunicado, although unconfirmed reports spoke of fighting that mirrored the worst of the First Succession War on worlds bordering the Smoke Jaguars . Meanwhile her cousin Miyako called for loyal samurai to flock to her banner raised on Dieron to take revenge for her father's death by treachery.

Omi roused herself to act then through her will to perform one last duty to the Combine as Keeper of the House Honor. As Shin Yodama made the final arrangements to cross the border, she visited the Proserpina HPG and the Pillarine temple. Orders were sent; the same orders as those of Jamila Benhashemi when the Von Rohrs took over. "Go underground, preserve the Combine, aid the true Kuritas, not the usurper Sakamoto." A brief message of commiseration to Miyako for their shared loss and a promise of support for her now-orphaned cousin on Dieron. Finally, Omi stared at the screen and then slowly typed a line of poetry that she had memorized.

"Les sanglots longs/Des violons/De l’automne/Blessent mon coeur/D’une langueur/Monotone."

Next came the address of a trading concern on Robinson, and she then slid her new identification card made out to Aihara Tokiko to send it priority to the location which the diplomatic courier from New Avalon had specified int he message that she received last year.

With that, she exited the HPG compound and headed down the street past the flapping Combine banners with a heavy, leaden tread to her rendezvous with Shin Yodama. She knew in her heart that she would likely never return to her homeland; no chance that she could visit the graves of her brothers, father, and ancestors to pray for their spirits. Her last sight of the Combine was the poison-filled clouds of Proserpina, poisoned by the centuries of war between her family and Victor's as her shuttle broke ground enroute to the Wanakaze.

Xhosa VII. Clovis. Exeter.

"Purpose of entry?"

Omi controlled an involuntary wince as her healing shoulder took the opportunity to remind her of how close to death she had come. She was fortunate to have only suffered a punctured lung and a clean fracture of her collarbone in the escape from Benjamin.

"Trade in ivories." She responded coolly, taking the opportunity to open the teak box to show the customs clerk the exquisitely carved Kitsune no Yomieri set of figurines that she had brought with her across the Combine. The katana was hidden underneath the velvet holding the other ivories, of course. Omi refused to part with the sword, even if she still had nightmares about the man she had killed with it.

"Identification?" The clerk adjusted his half-moon glasses to look at her as she handed over her identity card.

He swiped it in the reader, and the computer beeped twice, relaying a message generated automatically.

"Miss Aihara, there is a security hold on your party. Take a seat there until a supervisor can arrive to process you." He pointed to a waiting area guarded by a pair of soldiers in AFFC green undress uniforms under the Fist and Sunburst.

Omi nodded and waved Shin over to sit next to her under the eyes of the guards. The ex-Yakuza raised an eyebrow and leaned his head toward the pale-faced girl with bags under her eyes dressed in the utilitarian coveralls prevalent Sphere-wide for ship crew. "Problems?"

Omi shook her head. "I sent a code before we left that should have flagged this identity for special processing. The Fox relayed it to allow me to contact authorities of sufficient rank to process me and provide swift transportation to safety." She inclined her head to the nearer guard, who was staring at the two Combine refugees with naked suspicion tempered by hatred. "Old feuds run deep in this part of the Inner Sphere."

"Hai." Shin replied laconically before leaning back in his chair to read a magazine from the waiting room table showing a stunning young blonde woman in a sundress clearly patterned after the Lyran Royal Guards' colors.

Half a hour later, Omi focused her attention on a short, finely featured brunette woman in uniform with striking hazel eyes and a dark chocolate skin tone entering the waiting area with an obvious aide in tow. The guards saluted her, which she returned as she zeroed in on Omi. "Miss Aihara?" she questioned in a slightly musical voice. "Hauptmann Indira Parvati of Panpour. I just need you to verify your identity." With that she waved her aide to open his briefcase to extract a portable DNA scanner.

Omu nodded and placed her finger in the indicated sample tube. there was a brief prick of pain as the machine took the blood sample, then a beep and a flashing green light. Parvati gave a brilliant smile. "There! You are who we have been expecting. If you will follow me, we have a car."

Omi stood wearily and walked with the Feddies through the building to where a green-painted hoverlimo waited in a parking spot marked OFFICIAL BUSINESS ONLY with a burly sergeant standing guard next to it. Parvati opened the rear door for them, and then followed as her aide took a seat up front behind the armored partition.

As the limo began to move, Parvati rubbed her temples then gave Omi an inquisitive look as she spoke in accented Combine Japanese. "I don't know who you are, or what's going on, but I received FLASH orders to assist a young lady showing up with your name and that DNA profile two weeks ago, as did every other MIIO and DMI office in the March. So, if you don't mind me being blunt, what in the world is going on and how can DMI assist you?"

Omi gave a wan smile, then glanced at Shin. Her companion gave a small nod and a reassuring squeeze of the hand. "My name is Omiko Kurita, daughter of Theodore Kurita, and I wish to ask for asylum on New Avalon as quickly as I can be transported there. I fear that I am the last survivor of my family."

Across from her, the DMI officer opened and closed her mouth like a fish on dry land, forcing Omi to stiffle a highly inappropriate case of the giggles.

"Arey, Kya?!?" Parvati swore, the tone of the expression showing her shock despite Omi not knowing a word of Hindi. She then punched the intercom button. "Driver! Get us to the Duke's residence and step on it. Call McLauren from MIIO and tell him to meet us there too. This promises to be an all-nighter." Parvati then shook her head and focused on Omi.

"Well on behalf of the FedCom welcome to Exeter, Kurita Omiko-sama. We will get you the rest of the way to New Avalon, although I have to warn you, it's a kicked over anthill for us as well these days.
 
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: DOC_Agren on 17 May 2018, 14:33:34
May Omi get to Victor and live out a good life there
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: pensiveswetness on 17 May 2018, 23:44:33
*eats popcorn* on bated breath, we wait on her further adventures...
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Starfox1701 on 17 May 2018, 23:48:13
I'd say she was safe now but I've been down these roads far to often. I'd feel more comfortable if we had the Revanets or a regiment of dragons or Kell hounds to spare for her escort.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 21 May 2018, 13:55:32
“..operations against FC forces continue in the stolen regions (Capellan name for the Sarna March) and we have achieved all goals of East Sea, with the limited assistance of the League. We are therefore content to go on the defensive and bleed the inevitable FC counterattack while causing maximum confusion against enemy soft targets through diversionary raids and revolutionary actions (the Capellan euphemism for state sponsored terrorism). We cannot underestimate the size nor intensity that the FC counter attack will take, and we should consider the release of the operational reserve no later than…”


Excerpt from report to the Chancellor on the Progress of East Sea from the Strategios, dated 1 December, 3056 (damaged copy was released by Capellan Joint Committee to Investigate the Prosecution of the War (Joint Committee formed from both the House of Scions and Prefectorate.) The document was released to the public in open hearings on 19 July, 3058.

Operation East Sea, Wave 2

Bromhead
Attacking Units: 5th Confederation Reserve Cavalry

Defending Units: Bromhead Planetary Guard

The 5th CRC came this time to finish the job they had begun, and quickly disposed of the depleted planetary guard within a week, and intergrating Bromhead into the Capellan Confederation.

Palos
Attacking Units: Kincade’s Rangers
Defending Units; Palos Planetary Guard
The Palos Planetary Guard did its best but was ground under after 48 hours of a confused fight for the planetary capital.

Manapire
Attacking Units; Ishihara’s Grenadiers, Albermale Highlanders (1 Btn), Marshagima’s Legionnaires
Defending Units: 3rd Ceti Hussars RCT, Manapire Planetary Guard
The invasion of Manapire went wrong from the start, both in that the intelligence that the 3rd Ceti Hussars was no longer on world (false) and that the local militia would side with the Capellans (also false), in fact they enthusiastically turned out to shoot at the Capellans. The drop went wrong as well, as one of the Albermale Highlander’s Union dropships had a drive failure during the drop and lost most of Bravo Company when the dropship spiraled out of control, and broke up in the upper atmosphere, with only 3 damaged mechs out of 12 surviving the disaster.
On the ground, it was worse, as the 3rd seemingly managed to be everywhere at once, harrying the Capellans from the start, and quickly forcing the remains of the Highlanders to surrender. The two remaining Capellan units holed up in a series of caves in the planetary uplands and waited for reinforcements.

Frazier
Attacking Units: 4th Word of Blake Militia Division
Defending Units: 41st Avalon Hussars, Frazier Planetary Guard
The 41st Avalon Hussars fought gamely, as they were smarting from last month’s raid. They fought well for a green unit, but they were outnumbered by the Blakists, even with help from the Planetary Guard, the 41st held out for two weeks, suffering 15% casualties. The 41st then broke contact and withdrew to Mendham. After two more weeks of crushing guerilla resistance by the Planetary Guard, the 4th secured the planet in the name of the Capellan Confederation.

Quemoy
Attacking Units: Kingston’s Legionnaires
Defending Units: Quemoy Planetary Guard
The Quemoy Planetary Guard had no intentions of willingly returning to Confederation control, and fought hard, but after 4 days, most of the militia was either dead, or POWs and they had done little in the way of casualties to the Legionnaires.

Ulan Bator
Attacking Units: 2nd Word of Blake Militia
Defending Units: Ulan Bator Planetary Guard
The planetary government saw no point in resisting the CCAF and ordered the militia to surrender without a fight.

Zilang
Attacking Units: Green Machine, Lockhart’s Ironsides
Defending Units: 5th Avalon Hussars
The 5th Avalon made the classic mistake of “running to the sound of the guns” and moving all of it’s forces to attack the Ironsides LZ. This gave the Green Machine a chance to catch the 5th’s third battalion in the flank and annihilate it. They didn’t manage that, instead they mauled it, inflicting 30% casualties and forcing the 5th to retreat to their fortified base, where they were besieged by the two Capellan units.

Sakhalin
Attacking Units: Bordon’s Blood Drinkers
Defending Units: Sakhalin Planetary Guard
The Blood Drinkers showed the Planetary Guard little mercy, and crushed them within 72 hours, they then slaughtered the survivors when they tried to surrender. The CCAF’s Mercenary Relations department threatened Colonel Wesley Bordon with censure, and possible forfeiture of his unit, but Bordon ignored them and was reputed to have said, “With what coin will you pay the unit that replaces me?”

Kaifeng
Attacking Units: 15th Dracon, Kaifeng SMM (Renamed the 1st Citizen’s Honored Brigade), Kaifeng Planetary Guard.
Defending Units: 8th Arcturan Guards (-) (Had taken 10% casualties on Truth)
The 8th’s position was untenable from the start, as the planet was a veritable pro-Capellan hotbed of resistance. The 8th’s commander knew this, and stayed only long enough to evacuate all those that wanted to leave, fighting their way to the dropport and their dropships before boosting off world and retreating to Maetsu.

Tsinghai, Part 2
Attacking Units: House Matsukai, Redfield’s Renegades
Defending Units: Beta Regiment, 12th Vegan Rangers, Tsinghai Planetary Guard
With the arrival of Redfield’s Renegades, the numbers had shifted to the Marik-Liaos, and Beta’s commander felt it best to fall back on their sister regiment and come back in strength later. Beta regiment left 3 days after the arrival of the Renegades, headed for Old Kentucky. The Planetary Guard declared their loyalty to the Confederation and laid down their arms.

Sarmaxa, Part 2
Attacking Units: House Hiritsu, Tooth of Ymir
Defending Units: Grim Determination
With the arrival of the Tooth of Ymir, the numbers were against Grim Determination and realizing the unit was in fact, cut off from the rest of the FC, it was decided to negotiate with the Capellans. After a short council of war, Colonel Fiona Trent asked for and received honors of war from the Capellans after paying a ransom of a company of ‘Mechs (most of them captured Capellan salvage), and left the world, which passed quietly into Capellan control and Grim Determination left for Bora.

Operation Lattikia, Wave 1

Van Diemen IV
Attacking Units: 4th Free Worlds “Volunteers” (ex – 4th Free Worlds Legionnaires), Van Diemen IV Planetary Guard
Defending Units: 3rd Republican
The 3rd Republican was caught by near-complete surprise, as it was scattered in penny packets attempting to provide security against a “Capellan/Blakist terror threat” (the post war board of inquiry could find no evidence such a threat had been issued). It was a credit to the 3rd’s experience that they recovered quickly, coalescing around their 2nd and 3rd Battalions, as the 1st was destroyed piecemeal in the first hours of the Marik landings. Both battalions proceeded to hole up in the swamps north of the planetary capitol and waited for help to arrive. Worse, the Planetary Guard led a pro-Marik uprising that simplified the rear area issues for the Mariks.

New Canton
Attacking Units: 3rd Free Worlds “Volunteers” (ex – 3rd Free Worlds Guards)
Defending Units: 1st Kestrel Grenadiers, New Canton Planetary Guard.
The elite 1st Kestrel made short work of the Marik troops, destroying almost a battalion of them in a wide ranging mobile fight in the arid plains of the planet’s southern continent over the course of three days. The rest of the 3rd fled back to Marik space. 

Elnath
Attacking Units: 1st and 2nd Smithson’s Chinese Bandits
Defending Units: 15th Arcturan Guards, Elnath Planetary Guard
The 15th Arcturan Guards did their best to try to face both merc units, but the weight of numbers was not with them, and after two weeks and 15% casualties, the unit retreated to Wei

Unsanctioned Operation by Sirus against Skye March

Wyatt
Attacking Units: 1st Sirian Lancers
Defending Units: 17th Arcturan Guards RCT, Wyatt Planetary Guard
The operation was doomed from the start, and the 1st grounded alone, with no plan, and little idea of what to do, the Wyatt Planetary Guard quickly fixed the 1st Sirian in their dropzones, and the 17th encircled them and annihilated them in a two-day battle that saw little more than a battalion survive to surrender.

Callison
Attacking Units: 3rd Sirian Lancers
Defending Units: 11th Lyran Guards RCT, Callison Planetary Guard
The 3rd, like it’s sister unit on Wyatt, met much the same fate, but unlike the 1st, quickly bowed to the inevitable and surrendered within hours of grounding on Callison.

Diversionary Raids

Glentworth

Attacking Units: House LuSann
Defending Units: 3rd Illician Lancers, Glentworth Planetary Guard
House LuSann’s raid accomplished little but looting an outlying warehouse of a local beer distributor, as they were only one step ahead of a very enraged and alert 3rd Illician Lancers. The Warrior House barely got out intact three days after they landed.

Solaris
Attacking Units: Dragon’s Breath
Defending Units: 32nd Lyran Guards RCT, Solaris Planetary Guard
The Dragon’s Breath embarrassed the green RCT, running rings around them as they looted a number of AFFC warehouses over a two-week period, and mauling several units of the Planetary Guard.

Cavanaugh II
Attacking Units: Greenberg’s Godzillas
Defending Units: 6th Donegal Guards RCT
An early attempt at a ruse by the Godzillas backfired as the commander of the 6th was a movie buff and knew a special effect when he saw one. His approach was direct, a full on frontal assault against the Godzilla’s LZ, which turned into a rolling fight across the Eastern snow-covered plains of Cavanaugh II. Casualties on both sides were moderate, and the Godzillas left after 4 days with little to show for it.

Office of the Captain General
Atreus, Marik Commonwealth
Free Worlds League
October 11th, 3056


 Thomas Marik was putting in another long night trying to rally Parliament to the idea of approaching the Fedcom and turning over the remaining citizens SAFE had determined were on the FC’s list of people they had determined were associated with the Word of Blake, and the associated terror attacks that were still going on in the Commonwealth.

 Jesus, between a potential threat to Joshua, as well as the fact we might get drawn into this war of my son in law’s? No, I know what I said in Parliament, but the fact is, a wounded FC is far more damned dangerous than anything, especially with Katherine at the helm. She isn’t playing around, and she has an alarming tendency to do what she likes. Thomas banged away on the keys of his noteputer, crafting yet another message for another influential MP who probably would promise little, and deliver less when the time came to vote. They don’t want war, but they don’t want to do the right damn thing either. “Delivering League citizens to a foreign court is a bad idea…sets a bad precedent they say.” Screw that! If they could see the reports coming out of Skye and Tamarind that SAFE drops on my desk? I would say that Katherine isn’t going to wait for us to make up our damned minds, new supply depots, snap alerts? Jesus. The Lyrans are getting ready for something.

What makes this all even worse is that the Master didn’t even warn me when he was going to pull this little stunt. Just what the hell has he done to get the Capellans in bed with him? What has he promised them? And whom has he suborned amongst my own to make sure I play ball? With the history our nation has, it damn well could be anyone.

Thomas almost didn’t notice the door open to his private office. “I told you I was not to be disturbed!” he snarled. Three figures dressed head to toe in black stepped into his office. They were all cradling very evil looking Roynex submachine guns, equipped with laser sights and suppressors and all the muzzles were pointed in his general direction. The middle figure removed her black balaclava, and shook her dark hair loose, Corrine?

“Hello Uncle, Father sends his greetings..or he would…if you were whom you say you were.”

Thomas made a subtle move for a concealed button “And why would you say that, Corrine?”

“Because the Blakists have thoughtfully provided the evidence of the fact you are a ComStar stooge. So, what was the plan, Uncle? Deliver us into the hands of the Federated Commonwealth? Was Joshua the blood price for the deal, a hostage in case it all went wrong? Oh, and your guards…they aren’t coming. They had a fatal disagreement with me..and some friends of father.”

“So why not just shoot me now?” Thomas felt a lightness in his bladder, but he had had little to drink, so not much came forth from there. Even so, his sweat glands went into overdrive.

“Because, you traitor, I wanted you to know, one, the Regulans and the Guards are with us. We’re moving against that nest of traitors you call the Knights of the Inner Sphere. We’ve already subdued those not with us. All of this should be wrapped up in a couple of days.”

“And after that?”

“That is not your concern, scum.” and Corinne in one smooth move, pointed the muzzle of her Roynex towards Thomas. Her weapon spoke three times. Thomas’s chest erupted in a series of explosions of guts, blood, and bone as he slumped in his office chair, dead.

She turned to one of the masked men. “Get this office cleaned up, burn this..rubbish. Inform the Blakists we will honor our deal and intervene in a limited fashion on the side of the Capellans. But inform them, I will not commit my nation completely to war without some…guarantees.”

The masked man hissed “This was not the deal.”

“I give a damn, the deal is what I say it is, or would you like me to do to you what Thomas was about to? I promise I would be a lot professional about it.”

“And your uncle, you know his life would be…endangered, if you were that stupid.” replied the masked man.

Corrine made her way to the left corner of the desk, and sat down on the corner of the desk, hefting her submachine gun contemplatively. “And whose realm are you in, Blakist? Best you mind your manners. If my father gets so much as a hangnail? You will pay the price.”

She turned to the other figure “Markos, pass the remaining orders, we need this wrapped up..and the troops on the move into FedCom space. And send an HPG to my cousin in law on Sian…”

Chancellor’s Throne Room
Forbidden City
Sian, Sian Commonality
Capellan Confederation
November 11th, 3056

 There has been some fortuitous developments overnight, and I intend to make the most of them. Now if my bureaucracy and the Prefectorate would stop fighting me on it. The throne room had been emptied for the briefing on current military operations, with only James Teng, the Strategic Military Director, Alexa Shang, and the House Master of House Immara, Alexander Zhao allowed to remain.

“I am surprised we have managed to achieve all of the goals for East Sea so early. Major Shang, you have attended many Strategios meetings in my stead? Why do you think this so?”

“Celestial Wisdom,” Alexa spoke, her voice far more precise than most days “We have been fortunate beyond belief, but that cannot last. We know the FC is gearing up for a long war with us. We know that they outclass us in numbers, and in industrial might. And they will soon return home with better technology. We have already received reports that certain RCTs are being released from combat operations in the Tamar March. We can only guess where these units will be sent, but to the stolen regions is one very good guess. We cannot hold all of the planets we have seized forever, but we can make the Davions bleed on one, well-prepared planet.”

“And which planet would you choose, Major Shang?”

Alexa smiled cruelly. “I suggest, Celestial Wisdom,” fixing Sun-Tsu’s gaze with her own one good eye “that we choose Sarna. It is already an ill omen for the Davions. And, we can release all of McCarron’s troops to properly fortify the planet.”

Sun-Tsu smiled. “Excellent Major Shang, make it so. Cut the orders as soon as possible. Oh, and another matter, I wish to know the circumstances behind the slaughter of Capellan nationals on Sakhalin by one of our mercenary units? Bordon’s Blood Drinkers they are called, I believe?”

“It was claimed by the Blood Drinker’s commander that the planetary militia had used infernos on Colonel Bordon’s men, and that they had used a flag of truce as a ruse de guerre.”

“And what did the Mask find out?” Sun-Tsu leaned forward in his seat, a look of warning on his face.

“According to their report? No such weapons even belonged to the militia, and the catalyst for the massacre was some of Bordon’s men acting like medieval conquerors and trying to take liberties with various prisoners of war.” Alexa's eye narrowed in disgust.

Sun-Tsu saw red. “Even servitors have rights! No, I want this Bordon fired, and no..I want him permanently dealt with. Send my Death Commandos to make sure of it.”

“An incident like this will only reinforce the FC resolve. Celestial Wisdom, but were we to punish Bordon…”

“It would have advantages and disadvantages. It would help to mollify the Commonwealth, on the other hand, it would get more difficult to hire more mercenaries. See this is handled…delicately. Kill all the officers and NCOs of the unit..the rest, can be formed into a new penal infantry battalion. I am sure they will serve the Capellan state well there.” Sun-Tsu snapped the fingers of his left hand, as if the idea had come from thin air.

“And for the general situation? We ultimately cannot win this war, but we can bleed the Davions to the table, if our luck holds. If not, we may be greeting Davion troops on Sian by the new year.” James Teng stated flatly.

“Ours of theirs, Major Shang?” Sun-Tsu growled.

“Ours, Celestial Wisdom, but even that is a middle case scenario.” Alexa admitted sheepily.

“Then Major Shang, I expect you to perform an extraordinary service to the Capellan State and ensure that my cousin assumes my throne. He is all that is left of my effort to give the Capellan people their pride back.”

“The people have their pride for now, but it will not, and it cannot last forever when the Davions come.” Alexa stated starkly.

“Then we must bleed the Davions to the table, Major Shang, we must bleed them to the table.”


Oflag 113
Kaumberg
Donegal Province
Federated Commonwealth
December 1st, 3056

  “It is a poor omen to be called to the camp commandant’s office” Taman Malthus swore softly. He’d been at Oflag 113 for four months, along with a collection of other captured Jade Falcon officers. The other side of the camp was for the Steel Vipers. When that had been found out, there was a near riot in both camps that the Lyrans had put down rather…harshly, and 5 POWs (the Inner Sphere term for bondsmen) were killed and the Senior Prisoner Officer, who had been an elderly Star Colonel named Jessup, had been sent to another camp..one more dreary than this..or so Malthus had been informed.

 And we spend our days being worked like laborers in the unceasing forests of this place. I see trothkin lose their minds as to the enormity of this place. And, to the isolation. They do not let us couple, they do not let us spar for fun. We are left with nothing but work and more sedate Inner Sphere pursuits. They had someone come in here to try to teach us Lyran German!

Yesterday, Malthus had been informed that he had a vistor coming, and that he could use the Camp Commandant’s office to greet him. An unknown luxury here, privacy. So, to whom do I owe this small joy? LIC?

The door threw open to reveal a small figure, about 1.5 meters tall, wearing a Fedcom Officer’s duty uniform, with a cloak attached to the issue poncho. So he does not want to be seen. He must be LIC. And no school rag..how..interesting, but he is wearing spurs. Davion in a Steiner uniform, so who is this mysterious guest?

A hand threw back the hood of the poncho to reveal the personage of none other than Kai Allard Liao himself. “Greetings Taman, I am damn glad to see you alive.”

Taman barked a laugh “It might be poor taste to say I wish I had died with my men in glorious battle, but you fought well, and I cannot complain about my treatment here, though many amongst the camp’s residents wish to be proper bondsmen and serve their new Clan. They do not understand the concept of being a ‘Prisoner of War’.”

Kai nodded. “Taman, I have a problem. You may not be aware, but my mother is dead, she was slain by an assassin. One bought and paid for by my cousin.”

“Sun -Tsu Liao? Yes we hear much about that. They allow us unfettered access to your news services on the camp datanet. I thought of you when I heard of her death. She was a warrior, and for her to die like that, is…unClanlike.”

“Aff, Taman, Aff. It seems I need a travelling companion, one who is possessed of a certain set of skills. And one whom I know and trust implicitly.”

“When do we leave and where are we to go?” Taman smiled, flexing his muscles.

“As soon as you can pack, and we are headed to the belly of the beast, Sian.”

Taman smiled and laughed “Oh, Kai, this promises to be a tale for the Remembrance, indeed.”
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: pensiveswetness on 21 May 2018, 20:10:56
Fight's on!
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Starfox1701 on 22 May 2018, 02:18:23
Wondered when he'd show up.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: mikecj on 22 May 2018, 07:50:31
Taman + Kai vs the CCAF?  Nobody on Solaris will take that one...
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: DOC_Agren on 22 May 2018, 16:49:46
Taman + Kai vs the CCAF?  Nobody on Solaris will take that one...
at 3 to 1 Cbill maybe
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Sir Chaos on 23 May 2018, 02:03:17
at 3 to 1 Cbill maybe

I wouldn´t bet one lousy Yuan on the CCAF here.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: DoctorMonkey on 23 May 2018, 04:25:23
I'm just sad if Kai is only taking one Jade Falcon, it would be awesome if he put together a larger unit of them, possibly a Suicide Squad/Dirty Dozen "Solahma" one or just an elite force
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Sharpnel on 23 May 2018, 06:57:10
I'm just sad if Kai is only taking one Jade Falcon, it would be awesome if he put together a larger unit of them, possibly a Suicide Squad/Dirty Dozen "Solahma" one or just an elite force
By definition, a Clan Solahma force is elite or very nearly so. Just because they are 35 and don't have bloodname doesn't mean they're pot-bellied slackers.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: DoctorMonkey on 23 May 2018, 07:04:38
By definition, a Clan Solahma force is elite or very nearly so. Just because they are 35 and don't have bloodname doesn't mean they're pot-bellied slackers.


I was thinking more about role and how they would view themselves rather than the logical view


Logic is unClan-like


I am amused that they are considered "washed up" at 35, sitting here less than a month away from turning 37 and having only recently completed my training (started aged 18)
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Sharpnel on 23 May 2018, 07:13:21
The jopy of wanting to ba physician. A friend of mine was 42 before she was a 'real' doctor.

A solahma unit would be perfect as they woulod have a final chance a glory vanquishing a foe (Sun-Tzu) of a respected enemy (Kai)
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: David CGB on 23 May 2018, 18:17:32
A solahma unit would be perfect as they woulod have a final chance a glory vanquishing a foe (Sun-Tzu) of a respected enemy (Kai)
oh yes, such action could get them entered into the Remembrance, due to the actions of the leader
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Starfox1701 on 23 May 2018, 18:27:25
Trouble with this plan is that they would likely be so desperate to get noticed to enter into the breeding program they might get stupid unpredictable.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 23 May 2018, 18:48:12
Well...
Trouble is twofold. One, there is probably not going to be much if anything of a breeding program, or a Rememberance for EITHER the Falcons or the Vipers. So, the Clansmen are going to have to think of other motivations..perhaps Kai might be inclined to think of them?
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Terrace on 23 May 2018, 18:51:24
Well...
Trouble is twofold. One, there is probably not going to be much if anything of a breeding program, or a Rememberance for EITHER the Falcons or the Vipers. So, the Clansmen are going to have to think of other motivations..perhaps Kai might be inclined to think of them?

Outrage at Sun-Tzu's usage of cowardly tactics like bombs in crowded areas?
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: pensiveswetness on 23 May 2018, 20:28:17
Why should they care? spheroids killing spheroids is not a concern. Making sure your genetics are desirable back in the home worlds, on the other hand?


This is the danger that all AU's face: The principle players do something so out of character, that the story itself suffers...
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Iron Grenadier on 24 May 2018, 11:56:04

This is the danger that all AU's face: The principle players do something so out of character, that the story itself suffers...


If it's an alternate universe/reality, then they are not supposed to behave as canon.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Starfox1701 on 24 May 2018, 12:40:56
It depends on the level of divergence. In this case I'd say most characters should behave to type. Question is with WoB on the war path when and how are Comstar going to step in and go toe to toe with there but case bothers?
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Tyrchon on 24 May 2018, 12:43:31
If it's an alternate universe/reality, then they are not supposed to behave as canon.

While that is true, a writer should still give reasons and show why a character is acting differently than his/her canon-counterpart.  Simply having a character acting differently without reason can cause readers to lose their suspension of disbelief.  The same thing is true for making changes to canon events, a good writer shows how and why things are different in his/her timeline vs the canon-timeline.  When this is not accomplished the writer runs the risk of creating plot-holes and losing the interest of the audience.  Good writers can accomplish this without having to do major exposition or author notes and it goes back to the old writing adage "show, don't tell."

This is one of the few letdowns of this story.  There are a number of times where canon personalities and events have shifted, sometimes dramatically, but no reason has been given as to why such shifts have occurred, or at least not adequately.  One glaring example is the assault by Clan Smoke Jaguar on Luthien and its success.  There is a failure to adequately explain how the Smoke Jaguars could successfully attack Luthien by themselves given that there has been nothing stated that the veritable fortress the world was in canon 3056 is not true in this new timeline.

Overall, this story started strong with proper explanation given to changes in timelines and events but as it progressed it has failed to maintain that same consistency.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: pensiveswetness on 24 May 2018, 13:32:55
In other words, keep writing but be careful. Those of us paying attention still wonder 'how they did' so maybe we'll get a info dump to explain just who did what differently to change the Joke Jaguars into something more... dangerous to the common Kuritan citizen? and more importantly, what happens next?
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 24 May 2018, 15:52:54
Made a small change to the last Grand Council session that will satisfy the how the Jags did it. And more importantly...just how screwed they really are...
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: pensiveswetness on 24 May 2018, 17:08:29
What page was that?  :D

*eats popcorn* with bated breath, we watch the Joke Jaguars... LOL, did Osis play hacky sack with the head?
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 24 May 2018, 17:33:40
Page 7, Reply #191
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: AlphaMirage on 24 May 2018, 19:01:54
That does make more sense thanks for the clarification Panzer
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Starfox1701 on 25 May 2018, 02:18:02
The Nova Cats get wind of thisthe Jags will be toast.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 25 May 2018, 08:06:01
Who says they haven't already, hard to miss a good chunk of the Jag fleet streaming air and wreckage heading home along the Exodus Road to the nearest shipyard...and a Nova Cat or Diamond Shark merchant just HAPPENING to be in the vicinity with a pair of decent binoculars or a telescope.

Oh, and Behold! The draft cover for Clover Spear!

(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1760/40537727650_3480ff8ac3_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/24Lbs7N)Clover Spear Cover (https://flic.kr/p/24Lbs7N) by jrw4war (https://www.flickr.com/photos/37935382@N05/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Starfox1701 on 25 May 2018, 10:34:45
Nice!
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: ThePW on 31 May 2018, 10:18:38
Fan fiction or a Fan-made PDF... still a good pic for the whole idea
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Starfox1701 on 12 June 2018, 14:52:19
More kind sir
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 12 June 2018, 15:30:16
Have been on a trip in Hawaii since last Wed. Will be back at it when I get back on Thursday.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Starfox1701 on 12 June 2018, 18:42:12
Don't forget to visit the Missouri
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: snakespinner on 13 June 2018, 02:00:48
Are you the one playing with the volcano. ;)
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 19 June 2018, 14:29:37
AU: The letter from Juliette Von Strang was written by Gladiusone of Spacebattles.com. I really want to take this time to give him and Yellowhammer a shoutout as they have helped to make Clover Spear what it is.

“..Jade Falcon warriors have fought poorly in many circumstances and our warriors said that dezgra bandits were better in some cases. I have had to discipline more than few under my command who suggested that we should not have bothered to take bondsmen. While I tend to agree privately, they are still misguided trothkin, even if they are solahma by anyone’s standard, and in some way, they can still benefit the Clan. But yes, the state of their garrisons was pitiful to say the least, not to mention of their lower castes. Both Clans are on the verge of collapse in the Inner Sphere. Khans Kerensky and Ward were prescient in acting now before the 3rd wave of the Federated Commonwealth resumes.”
Excerpt from the unpublished diary of Star Commander Anton Fetladral, 5th Wolf Guards Striker Cluster, dated November 9th, 3056
Results of the Clan Wolf “Land Grab”

October 3056

Quarell
Attacking Forces: 13th Wolf Guards
Defending Forces:  1st Falcon Velites
Results: The First Falcon Velites met the 13th on a series of rolling plains outside the planetary capitol of Hedemarr. The fight was short and brutal, with Kerensky leading a brutal attack on the Falcon left flank that buckled but did not break the Falcon line. Neither side could gain a decisive advantage, as the Falcons were slightly outgunned by the Wolves, they were more skilled, and as such, neither side could gain a ready advantage. Kerensky came close to breaking her bid and calling down the 24th Wolf Rangers, but after two days of inconclusive fighting, the commander of the 1st Falcon Velites, Star Colonel Serendice Helmer asked for a duel with Kerensky to decide the fate of the planet. Kerensky took a Mad Dog to face Prentice in his Thor. At first, it looked as if Prentice might win the duel, as he landed a couple of lucky SRM hits to the head of Kerensky’s ‘Mech, but Kerensky cored his right torso with a pair of Large Laser hits from the rear, and then put two racks of LRMs into the legs of his ‘Mech, destroying several actuators in the right leg, and toppling Helmer’s Thor. Kerensky made Helmer her bondsman, and then took the rest of the 1st as isorla.

November 3056

Toland
Attacking Forces: 37th Striker Cluster
Defending Forces: 5th Talon
Results: The 5th Talon did not respond to the batchall of the 37th’s commander, and thus, he grounded with his entire cluster, expecting the worst. He was not met with resistance initially, but the 5th massed for an all-or-nothing assault on the 37th’s dropships and landing zone. It was a 12-hour desperate fight on the part of the 37th to stop the enraged Falcons from overrunning the LZ. Little observance of the Honor Road was in evidence on either side and by the time the smoke had cleared, the 37th had taken 20% casualties, but the 5th was barely a half-dozen confused and wounded bondsmen whom were only taken after the intervention on their behalf of the commander of the 37th.

Steelton
Attacking Forces: 5th Wolf Guards Striker Cluster
Defending Forces: 5th Provisional Garrison Cluster
Results: Considered by Clan Jade Falcon to be one of their worst units, and little more than solahma trash, it was little surprise that they did not fight very hard to keep the 5th Wolf Guards Striker Cluster, with many members of the unit preferring to become bondsmen to Clan Wolf after desultory duels that were little more than surrenders en masse.

Maxie’s Planet
Attacking Forces: 11th Battle Cluster, 24th Wolf Rangers
Defending Forces: 8th Talon Cluster
Results: Maxie’s Planet was the closest the Wolves came to a disaster during the Land Grab. The Wolf Clan Watch missed the fact that the 8th Talon Cluster was being upgraded to a frontline cluster and had had a recent draft of experienced trueborns arrive to whip the unit into shape. Their lessons soon proved to be just in the nick of time, as the 11th soon arrived to bid for control of the planet. The 8th honored the 11th’s batchall, and the 8th gave them a good fight, forcing the 11th to break their bid twice, and then for good measure, call in the 24th Wolf Rangers, who by force of numbers, managed to finally force out of the planetary capital and back towards their dropships. The 8th took the hint and left hours later, bound for Trell I. The commander of the 11th was killed by a subordinate in a Trial of Position within hours of the departure of the 8th Talon Cluster.

Romulus
Attacking Forces: 4th Striker Cluster
Defending Forces: 7th Provisional Garrison Cluster
Results: The 7th was made up almost exclusively of older trueborns whom had been declared solahma and were looking for an honorable end. They answered the call of the 4th, demanding a series of duels to the death to decide who got the planet. Honors were about even after the duels were fought, but the Wolves managed to win two more duels than the Falcons, and under the terms of the deal, the 7th left for Evcilier two days after the last duel was fought.

Both Seiduts and Zoetermeer fell without a shot, as the Falcon sponsored militias surrendered without issue to the Wolves en masse.

Grand Hall of Castle Davion
New Avalon
Federated Commonwealth
December 9th, 3056

  “..how many can say they had a life well lived? I am happy to say; my parents didn’t have that problem. I’d like to think that’s why we loved them so much for it. Many will remember my father for the wars he started, and my mother for the wars she helped prevent. I just remember them as my Mom and Dad, and they were great parents, as well as leaders, and I hope, no, I pray I am half the parent they were when the time comes. ”
-   From the eulogy delivered by Katherine Steiner Davion at the state funeral for Hanse Davion and Melissa Steiner Davion, December 9th, 3056
 
 Katherine surveyed the wake for her parents. The ballroom was packed, and yet, it seemed few were willing to approach Katherine, except to say some whispered condolences, Galen was running interference for me today. God I need it after all that.  It seemed all New Avalon had turned out for the state funeral, led by a single Albion cadet in full mess dress, carrying her father’s graduation sword on a white satin pillow with the Federated Commonwealth sigil, marching slowly and alone the length of Avalon Boulevard to the Peace Park, where both had said they had often wanted to be buried, overlooking the Silver Eagle memorial.
 
 They’d been followed by a riderless horse, led by another Albion cadet, the horse had reversed boots in the stirrups, the clops of the horse on the pavement rang throughout the silent city, silent except for a wail or a sob. Then came a pair of horsedrawn herses, each with a single black coffin, with the Federated Commonwealth seal inlaid into the coffin. They were made of hardwoods from Tharkad for her mother, and New Avalon for her father. Thankfully, the laying in state was closed casket, I am not sure I would want to remember my parents like that. Behind the herses marched Katherine, Galen, Ardan Sortek, and Quintus Allard, as well as the rest of Katherine’s siblings. Yvonne was trying, and failing to hide her tears, but the rest managed, if only by force of will, their manner somber. Ardan and Galen wore full mess dress, their medals and brass gleaming in the winter day’s sun. Katherine wore a black dress but did not wear a veil. I want them to see my pain, to know I loved my parents, my family. How do I tell them without losing it?
 
 Behind the family and close friends marched an entire company of infantry from the Davion Heavy Guards. Mechs from all the units of the New Avalon garrison lined the route. Half of them had been repainted in the Steiner Royal Guards scheme. All the infantry was in full dress uniform and everything gleamed in the sunlight. They marched perfectly in step, colors lined in black, and black armbands on every soldier’s left sleeve.
 
 A single drummer, this time an Albion student from the Commonwealth, she had been told, beat a single steady somber beat on a military drum. The echo of the drum filled the streets. Behind her, marched the rest of the friends, well-wishers, and heads of state that were at the funeral.
 
The mood of the people was a mix of sorrow, and anger. Anger at the Capellans, who had been the cause of this funeral, and so, so many others on New Avalon, and elsewhere. Katherine had already attended funerals for at least three Avalon City police officers who had been killed trying to rescue people after the blast. They’d been caught in a collapse of rubble and crushed. They died trying to save people, my people. Their sovereign has a duty to be there. Many were dressed in black, with veterans saluting as the caskets passed. Some held hand written signs that read “God Bless You Hanse and Melissa” and “We’ll Miss You Both”. Katherine felt a stab of pain at every one. Thank you, but seeing that, it just makes me want to bawl. How did my parents lead these people so well? And when will they figure out what a damned fake I am? she remembered thinking.
 
 The service at the Grand Cathedral had been elaborate, but tasteful. Her parents staff, as their last act before handing in their resignations pro-forma (which Katherine had rejected out of hand), had done a marvelous job of planning the funeral. Katherine still had to approve everything, but she’d been surprised how little of her time the staff had taken up with the details of the funeral. Mom and Dad was beloved by them too. I really should say something to them. Ran Felsner, Ardan Sortek, Galen, James Sandoval, and a pair of very large soldiers from the Heavy Guards acted as pallbearers for her father. Her mother had Misha Auburn, her brothers Peter and Arthur, and some Lyran Guardsmen from the 10th Lyran Guards standing in for Victor. Please God, if you’re listening? Don’t let us have to have one for Victor, her mind had echoed.
 
 The service had been full of the usual pomp and circumstance, with the Pope of the New Avalon Catholic Church presiding, but with some allowances made for Melissa’s Lutheran faith. The Pope had talked of her father’s faith. Of how he and her father had spoken of both’s love of the Unfinished Book and how Hanse, for all his roguish nature, and his being a ‘Mechwarrior, had become a true father, husband, and leader of his people. He spoke of his mother and told a story of how she had offered to convert to the New Avalon Church, but that both Hanse and the Pope had talked her out of it, admittedly, as much for political reasons, as both men were believers in the Unfinished Book, and felt such a thing was anathema to its tenets.
 
 Then began the eulogies. Ran Felsner went first, he spoke of meeting Hanse for the first time as a Major General in 3010, how even with all his accomplishments, he was still as nervous as a firstie at NAIS. Hanse’s advice? “Fake it till you make it, Ran, and knowing you, that won’t be long.” Ran spoke of how he, Ardan Sortek, and Hanse would often have drinks in Hanse’s drawing room in the palace after working hours, trying to solve the problems of the Inner Sphere..and often getting fairly tipsy, but occasionally getting a good idea out of it. He spoke of Melissa, and how they first met at the wedding, and how she seemed quiet and bookish, but had a spine of steel, and a heart of gold, and how it was evident in her children.
 
 Ardan Sortek spoke of knowing Hanse as a boy, and as a younger man, he asked Melissa to forgive him those trespasses, and to know, she was the best wife and mother Hanse could have asked for. He laughed when he remembered a few things from Hanse’s bachelor party that he swore he would tell no one until after Hanse and Melissa had passed and the kids were old enough to understand. They weren’t particularly ribald, more sophomoric hijinks that Katherine could never picture her father having a hand in, or at least the Hanse Davion she knew. Filling Myndo Waterly’s swimming pool on Hilton Head with a mix of Jello and lunchmeat? Inspired Dad, inspired. I do wonder what Mom thought when she found out just how close you guys came to order MIIO to do it!
 
 Then it came to be Katherine’s turn. She’d written and re-written her eulogy a dozen time the night before. She still wasn’t happy with it. It was some proforma thing that the Press Office had cleared, and it well, wasn’t her. But she didn’t have the luxury of being her. Or at least she didn’t think so, till she looked over at Galen once she reached the lectern, and he smiled weakly, and mouthed “be yourself.”
 
 Katherine nodded, and tossed away the speech, much to the gasps of the crowd. “That’s better. Apologies to my speechwriting staff. I know you guys work hard, but this was my Mom and Dad. And well, I am going to talk about them as my Mom and Dad, not great personages of history. At least, not yet. Everyone OK with that?”

 The cathedral was silent as a tomb
 
 Katherine cleared her throat, and sniffled a bit, holding back tears. “My Mom and Dad were wonderful people. They raised five kids to inherit one of the toughest family businesses in the Inner Sphere. They did it with grace, humility, and still managed to find time for each other even with the demands of state and us five pains in the rear, and yeah, we were hellions at times.” That got a chuckle from the crowd.
 
 “Mom was brave beyond words sometimes. She knew the lives we would lead, lives we did not choose, and lives some of us aren’t sure we wanted. But she showed us that those lives were accidents of birth, and those lives didn’t make us better, or superior. I remember once, I was going through a bratty phase when I was 7, and I tripped one of the maids in the palace just to do it. Poor woman hurt herself badly with a knee injury. I thought it funny. It wasn’t, and Mom made sure I knew that. She gave me a hiding I deserved, and I never thanked her for it, because I deserved it…and I needed it. Well, I am thanking you now. Thank You, Mom. You made me a woman. A woman who mourns her mother as the strong, wonderful mother and ruler she was.”
 
 She remembered smiling weakly as she thought of her father “My father. If ever there was a roguish influence in my life, it was him. Daddy, and yes, to me, he will always be Daddy, well, for all the tough Mechwarrior exterior, was a ball of mush when it came to his daughters. I will never forget how he snuck out of the palace one Christmas to buy us the “it toy” that year. He did it himself with a small security detail, and a elaborate disguise. I am happy to say; Yvonne and I had that toy under the tree!  He doted on us perhaps too much, but he showed me, and Yvonne never settle for a man who won’t treat you like he did. I am glad to say, I found him Daddy!”

 “I know we can all ask; how many can say they had a life well lived? I am happy to say; my parents didn’t have that problem. I’d like to think that’s why we loved them so much for it. Many will remember my father for the wars he started, and my mother for the wars she helped prevent. I just remember them as my Mom and Dad, and they were great parents, as well as leaders, and I hope, no, I pray I am half the parent they were when the time comes.”
 
 The cathedral filled with applause.
 
 The rest of the service had been a blur, the graveside service, the honors rendered, though the young Leftenant who had handed her the flags for her parents on “behalf of a grateful Commonwealth” had tracks of tears running down his face and had apologized for it. Katherine smiled and whispered “It’s alright, Leftenant, we just buried the soul of the Commonwealth today. I think tears are the order of the day.”
 
  And now, there came the wake. “Galen, dear, thanks for running interference.”
 
 Galen smiled, “Hon, I know you have to greet some of these people, but it it wrong if I get to say “not now?”

 Katherine shook her head “I get it, with Omi reading to Victor now, I kinda want some alone time with you after all this. Been trying not to lose it all day, and well, I need to.”

 “Me too, Katherine, me too,” as Galen took her hand gently in his.


Later that evening


 Katherine surveyed the roomful of cards and flowers that filled the private sitting room of her mother. I really don't know what the hell I am going to do with this place? She wanted to do something other than a stuffy old granite memorial to her parents. Something alive, something that continues their legacy. If I do anything with my time here, it's that. She surveyed the heaps of cards, well wishes, and condolences. One in particular, marked with the unique sigil of the Von Strang family caught her eye. That crazy pirate even sent condolences? Oh, this I gotta read. She grabbed a letter opener off of a nearby table, and opened the black and silver envelope deftly in a single motion, and carefully removed the finely weighted paper. It was high quality, with the note penned with what could only be a high quality pen. Jeez, that Von Strang woman went all out.

29 October, 3056

Princess,

We have not met, but I spent several days negotiating with your mother. She was a brilliant, honest and powerful woman, and the Inner Sphere is a lesser place without her. As someone who has also lost a parent to murderous barbarians, you have my most serious condolences.

I never had a chance to meet either your father or brother, but your fathers reputation for war and politics echoed even to my fathers halls as I grew, and your brothers valour against the Clans is unquestioned. Such strength is not easily conquered: he will recover to rain hellfire down upon the spawn of Hazen again, I am certain.

My Legion is reforming on Sudeten, preparing to resume the drive to rid your worlds of the Tanker plague, and then to hound them through the Periphery until they are driven back to their cold, barren holds in the deepest black. This is accomplished through the will of your mother, the wit of your father and the prowess of your brother. You are of that same stock: you will not fail them, or your people.

Perhaps I should not have written thusly: I do so only with the recommendation of your cousin, Colonel Morgan Kell, whom I count as both mentor and friend. Yet I felt compelled to speak, as one ruler, one orphan, one woman, one seeker of vengeance to another: you will prevail.

I saw the video of Kali Laois death: it is a good start. You are doing well ... for a Spheroid.

Sincerely,

Colonel the Baroness Juliette von Strang, Sudeten.


Secure wing of New Avalon General Hospital
New Avalon
Federated Commonwealth
December 9th, 3056

 “I know not all that may be coming, but be it what it will, I'll go to it laughing.” Omi Kurita smiled as she read the passage in Moby Dick. What a very Kurita statement, for such a Gaijin? Did Hohiro or Minoru go to their end laughing? Did Father? I do not know whether I wish they did..or did not. And as such, is me wishing they had not made their sacrifices, that I still had them here, does that stain the honor of what they did?

 Omi’s sleep had been troubled of late with these questions and more. She had attended the funeral for Victor’s parents in disguise, it was thought best by both Shin Yodama, as well as the head of Katherine’s security detail. They had made up a fictional identity as a minor noblewoman from Ozawa who had come to pay her respects, as well as get her title of nobility confirmed at the hand of the Archon-Princess herself.

 The funeral had been very unlike Combine affairs, more a celebration of life of the deceased, rather than a focus on the afterlife. She’d come to appreciate it, and it made her think about her future with Victor. I love him, and there really is no other. If what I believe is true, then if he does not return from his sojurn in the land of the dead, then I shall join him there. Lady Fiona has gone mad with everyone trying to restrain her from doing so with Hohiro. I will not share that fate.

 Omi put the book down and smiled at Victor, he looked better than he had when the doctors briefed her as to his condition. Most of the smaller bandages were gone, and he was off the ventilator, she helped the nursing staff do what they could for him, to Omi, nobility did not preclude hard work.

 She heard a gasping noise...ie, could it be? No, the doctors said he was probably not going to come out of his coma anytime soon! She heard it again. It was clearly coming from Victor. He had made random noises before, and his eyes opened and closed randomly, but there was no spark, no consciousness behind them. But this time..the eyes opened as gummy slits, and the rasp was making a sound, Omi dropped the book in shock, throwing the chair aside, and rushing to his bedside. She smiled and leaned over his head.

Victor rasped “My love, what are you doing here?”

Omi lunged for the call button, tears and giggles of joy warring as her prayers had been answered.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: mikecj on 19 June 2018, 18:06:49
Victor's back and there's gonna be trouble...
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Tegyrius on 19 June 2018, 19:22:42
No kidding.  Imagine how much damage they'll do when they aren't fighting each other.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: DOC_Agren on 19 June 2018, 20:38:56
Victor back and you're gonna be in trouble
(Hey-la, hey-la, my Brother's back)
When you see him comin', better cut out on the double
(Hey-la, hey-la, the Midget's back)

You been spreading terror to the whole fedcom
(Hey-la, hey-la, Victor's back)
So look out now 'cause he's comin' after you
(Hey-la, hey-la, the Warrior's back)
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Starfox1701 on 19 June 2018, 21:23:47
I think I understand why it took so long to get an update.  Very well done. Its probably a good thing that Sun Tzu thinks himself dead
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: ckosacranoid on 21 June 2018, 21:43:42
CRY HAVOC! AND LET SLIP THE DOGS OF WAR! WE ARE GOING HUNTING FOR THE THOSE BASTARDS OF THE CAPPYS AND BRINGING THEIR HEADS BACK TO PUT ON THE PIKES!
Great chapter and can not wait to see the next setup. The vampires letter was very cool and nice touch.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Starfox1701 on 21 June 2018, 22:41:17
You know the Capelens aren't the only ones who should be scared Omi's brother was his friend too.Both the Black Dragons and the Jags should probably start filling out their last wills and testaments. Like has the Sian problem handled.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: DOC_Agren on 22 June 2018, 17:25:44
1st the Capellan Confederation
Hopefully Father Bowman can lead us in the The Litany of the Fox before we go

Then on to the black dragons and smoked kitty..

and you know this Kat is a logistical expert, just what Victor will need as a support


Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Siden Pryde on 26 June 2018, 10:11:08
Great story so far.  Love the changes from the canon timeline.  Looking forward to the next installment.

I think I understand why it took so long to get an update.  Very well done. Its probably a good thing that Sun Tzu thinks himself dead
I do not think there is going to much of the CapCon left after they are done.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 05 July 2018, 08:31:29
AU: It seems Omi Kurita was not done with Yellowhammer yet. I hadn't gotten around to posting it until now because, well, I have been painting 20mm WWII figures and vehicles like a mad man for a game I am running for my birthday party next week (my actual birthday was on the 2nd). But I promise another chapter will post soon.. >:D Meanwhile, enjoy this Omake folks!

December 31st, 3056 (Year of the Yang Fire Dragon)
Byodo-in Temple
New Avalon, Crucis March

A pair of hover limos slowly climbed up the low wooded hill along a road marked off by Avalon City Police for the New Year's Celebration to where the Buddhist temple overlooked the river running through Avalon City. Inside the lead one, marked with the flags of the Davion Heavy Guards and an AFFS license plate, Omiko Kurita sat like a marble statue.

While she had been invited to the traditional New Year's Party at the Davion Palace by Katherine, she had politely requested to arrive after midnight. As much as she wished to stand with Katherine as she gave the traditional address to the Federated Suns from the Great Hall or celebrate with Victor as he recovered from his injuries, she felt that the time was not yet right for her to do so. While the Western tradition was purely a celebration; in the Japanese tradition, Ōmisoka was a period of reflection and preparation in part.

Omi felt that she had much to reflect on as this year turned to its close.

To keep her mind occupied, she looked over at the other woman in the back of the limousine. "Tell me of this temple, please, Parvati-san."

The dark-complexioned woman with her face showing the fine features of her ancestors from distant India shifted slightly. Her AFFC dress uniform was now adorned with a Kommandant's thick white stripe on the dark yellow epaulets showing her posting in Administration. "An useful fiction for DMI," she had explained to Omi during one of their conversations on the trip from Exeter to New Avalon.

"Omiko-san, I mist confess that I only visited Byodo-in three times. Twice when I was a cadet at Albion as part of a class on religious studies and then Combine culture, and then the third time for a friend's wedding in '53. I'm Panpouran, which means mainly Hindu with Theravada Buddhism synthesis. Byodo-in is one of the Mahayana East Asian branches of Buddhism such as you would have found in China or Japan. As I recall..." Parvati drummed her fingers on the car door briefly, then spoke again, "it is shared by the Jōdo Pure Land and Tendai Schools."

Omi's face lit up in a smile. "That is fortunate! I follow the Sōtō Zen school, which was developed from Jōdo during the Kamakura Shogunate era in Japan." At Parvati's inquisitive look the Kurita elaborated. "Religion is one of the key duties of the Keeper of House Honor, and I found that it suited me well. While I was no nun such as Aunt Constance, it did...does grant me solace." The smile faded at the mention of yet another of her relatives who had vanished in the chaos enveloping the Combine.

Parvati reached over and gently squeezed Omi's hand, who gave her a grateful smile in return before deliberately changing the subject away from too-fresh worries. "You mentioned that this temple is famous for its beauty, no?"

Parvati smiled. "Yes, it was founded in 2373. These are not the original wooden buildings, of course, although they are constructed to the original plans with some cosmetic modifications." Omi frowned minutely at the odd tone of Parvati's voice. She was familiar with the Sengu tradition in Shinto that had a shrine be rebuilt every twenty years both to honor the impermanence of nature and transience of beauty, as well as insure traditional building techniques were taught to the next generation. However, this seemed to be something different, with an undertone of hidden..pain?

Curious now, Omi probed further with her next question. She schooled her voice to project innocent curiosity as she gave the DMI officer a shy smile. "Parvati-san, did something happen that caused a modification to the plans?"

Parvati's smile soured, and she looked like she had just bitten into a lemon. "You could say that, Omiko-san. You must understand that it was a different, darker time back then." The Indian woman visibly collected her thoughts before proceeding. "There has sometimes been a current of antipathy toward Asian culture in the Suns. Many people see it as alien to their culture, and worse see it as the subtle creeping influence of the Liaos and Kuritas." Parvati then hastily added, "No insult intended, Omiko-san!"

Omi gave a reassuring smile, "It is understandable. I am well aware that my family's relations with the Suns have been rather strained at best."

Parvati grimaced and continued. "That is one way to describe it, yes. But...during the First Succession War, when we were reeling, as the Dragon thrust to the gates of New Avalon while the Capellans gobbled up worlds...it turned very ugly. People of Asian ethnicity were hounded as 'enemy agents' and 'traitors', and sometimes attacked by mobs. Then the news came about Kentares..."

Now it was Omi's turn to go pale and make her own sour face. While the subject of the Kentares Massacre ordered by then-Coordinator Jinjiro Kurita was glossed over in the official histories of the Combine by being described as 'Fedrat propaganda and lies', as the Keeper of the House Honor Omi knew the truth. She had read the actual eyewitness accounts of the Massacre in the secret archives of the Order of the Five Pillars, along with the scathing diary entries penned by Keeper Izumi Kurita as Jinjiro Kurita ordered the murder of an innocent planet for vengeance for his father's death on Kentares. "I...see, Parvati-san," she whispered in a tightly controlled voice.

"When the news of Kentares hit New Avalon...a mob formed, and marched on Byodo-in, and put it to the torch, beating and killing the monks who prayed for the souls of their attackers as they were brutalized. It took over an hour for the police to manage to quell the riot and allow firefighters to quench the flames."

Omi shivered, staring at the beautiful carved wooden buildings of the Buddhist shrine. "How terrible."

Parvati whispered, "Yes, it was. First Prince John Davion stepped in to call for an end to the attacks on innocent citizens. He visited the surviving monks, along with the head of the New Avalon Catholic Church and the Chief Rabbi of Avalon City, as well as his son and grandson." Parvati pointed through the window as their car stopped in a cordoned off parking spot for the 'Baroness Murasaki Tanaka of Ozawa'. "He stood there, where you see the torii gate with the fox statues on either side with the still smouldering main hall behind him as his words were broadcast across the Suns, and explained to the citizens that the Combine was the true enemy, not their own fellow citizens. Prince John stated that this madness was a stain on the realm's honor, and his own honor as First Prince. He then asked the chief monk of Byodo-in to stand beside him and lead him, his family, and the other clergy in a prayer for the souls of the victims of the Asian Purge. He even paid out of his own personal funds for the rebuilding of the temple, although he would never see it since he was assassinated later in the year. His grandson Prince Paul was the one to represent the Suns at the reconsecration of the temple five years later."

Omi was shocked to her core. To admit wrongdoing and show himself at fault publicly in such a manner was unthinkable for the Coordinator. She knew how desperate the situation was for the Suns in that hour and how close to victory the Arm of the Dragon had come, only distracted by Jinjiro's madness from storming the capital. The Suns were fighting for their life, with all resources turned toward the battlefield...and yet the First Prince elected to try to stop this madness instead of channeling that toward his own ends and his realm's survival. "I...see. I would have liked to meet Prince John. Such magnanimity of spirit is rare among rulers."

Parvati nodded as several plainclothes security personnel and Shin Yodama exited the other car to secure the area. "It is. Unfortunately, Prince John's reputation is tarnished by his actions as the Star League fell and then the First Succession War. A string of military defeats does not sit well for Davions in the history books, especially since Prince Paul was one of our most brilliant commanders. To be fair to John, it was a systemic failure, I can assure you. DMI missing the signs of your surprise attack into the Draconis March is a case study in intelligence blunders that we have to study both to see what we did wrong then and as a warning about how important it is to get it right."

Omi nodded. "True, we should learn the lessons that those who went before us can teach. Thank you for escorting me to the Ōmisoka celebration. If it allowed for visitors to assist the monks in ringing the bonshō bell 108 times to cleanse the listener of the 108 human sins and worldly desires such as anger, regret, and sadness, I would like you and Yodama-san to be with me as we swing the timber to strike the bell."

Kommandant Parvati gave a grin and opened the limousine door. "It would be my pleasure, Omiko-san. After all, you are my assignment now, by direct order of Princess Katherine no less. I need to do something to justify the promotion that she requested for me!"
 
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Starfox1701 on 05 July 2018, 13:37:36
More!
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: mikecj on 06 July 2018, 03:55:41
Nice cultural piece, thanks
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Takiro on 15 July 2018, 08:17:54
Yo panzerfaust, I've been missing your fantastic posts over on OBT. Believe you left off with the bloodbath on Luthien.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 30 July 2018, 12:18:12
January 5th, 3057
Situation Room of the Fox’s Den
New Avalon
Federated Commonwealth

Katherine Morgan Steiner-Davion looked on with interest as the briefer, a nervous young Hauptmann, briefed the very experienced (and very high-ranking) personages on the progress of both the Marik-Liao offensive. He was using a clear, meter long pointer to call attention to various battlegrounds throughout the Sarna March on a flat representation of a holomap.  Volunteers my ass, that is a useful little fig leaf, Corrine. I am going to remember that when the time comes for me to settle accounts.

“..we expect that Clover Spear will jump off on its third and final wave on or about the 10th of January, and orders have been cut to send back several RCTs already. Among them are the 7th Crucis Lancers, the Assault Guards, Hansen’s Roughriders, and the Grey Death Legion. The plan is they will form the nucleus of the force that will form one of the prongs of ACTIVE PANTHER.”

Katherine’s ears perked up. “ACTIVE PANTHER? Jackson, you have not mentioned this in previous briefings. I don’t like being kept in the dark.”

“My apologies your highness, I don’t like presenting plans before they are ready.” Jackson Davion rose and walked over to the young Hauptmann and whispered something in his ear that made him turn white. He then took the pointer and the Hauptmann left in an unseemly hurry. His next meeting with Marshal Davion will not be a pleasant one.

“My apologies your Highness, no obfuscation was intended. We have a rule here at the Den, “no operations plan before its time, and to be honest, Active Panther is a bit rough.”

“Who instituted that rule? It seems a bit easy to abuse?” Katherine inquired, some of her earlier ire satiated, but a warning tone still present in her voice.

“Your father, Your highness.”

Katherine gasped in embarrassment. “Oh, well, knowing Daddy, he had a damn good reason for it. Ok, well the cat is well and truly out of the bag, so tell me of Active Panther? And how rough is this plan?”

“Extremely. Your highness, all we have really is a rough concept of operations, and it will depend on the cooperation of foreign powers.”

“St. Ives?” Katherine inquired.

“Exactly and considering the last time this was presented to the SIMC General Staff back in 3045, Candace Liao herself balked at this, it’s one of the reasons we are less than confident about it.”

“I suspect times have changed, Jackson. Now, tell me, what is the basics of the plan?”

“It’s brutally simple really. We pin down Capellan forces in the Sarna March with a drive towards Capella, or in in this case, Sarna. We know they’ll fight hard for it because a) they’ll have to, and b) they have already committed the lion’s share of their reserve to reinforce their efforts on digging in on the worlds they have already taken. Then, we launch two more prongs. One is through the Zilang salient, designed to cut the Confederation in two, and take Grand Base and Menke, crippling the remainder of Capellan war production. The third prong? Direct from St. Ives, right for Sian.”

“So, other than the usual reluctance by St. Ives to get involved in the Capellan mud pit, why did St. Ives balk?”

“Our casualty projections for Sian alone…Percy, pull up slide four.”

Katherine’s face turned white at the numbers “250,000 dead? On our side? Holy Christ!”

“And that’s a lot to ask either of our nations, especially one as small as St. Ives. Thus, we’ve been trying to refine the plan a bit before we presented it to you.”

“Sweet Jesus. Clover Spear’s been a relative cakewalk thus far, we lose 250,000 just for Sian alone, that’s going to have angry crowds in front of the palace calling for all our heads, and rightfully so. I understand your problem, Jackson. If I may ask, what factors are contributing to such high numbers?”

“We expect near fanatical resistance from all the Capellan defenders, and more than a few civilians, as well as the Capellan to utilize every special weapon they have. Not to mention, there could be unknown factors in play as well.”

“Like what?”

“Like the fact that as of last week, we have lost track of both Blakist divisions on the Capellan front. We don’t know where the hell they are. And to be honest, that worries me.” Jackson stroked his beard for emphasis.

“I don’t know a person in this room who isn’t concerned by that, Jackson. Quintus, any ideas?”

“We’re running down every lead we have, your Highness, but it’s not easy with the Blakists.”
Katherine nodded. “Alright, I am giving a tentative go to ACTIVE PANTHER. But I want those Blakist divisions found and found fast. I promised vengeance. And considering a favorite author of mine once said ‘Vengeance is like Ice Cream’? Well, call me the Good Humor lady. Only, I am not laughing. Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. Today’s briefing has put a smile on my face, first in a while I must say. I must go visit my brother…”
***********************************
January 5th, 3057
Secure Wing
New Avalon General Hospital
New Avalon, Crucis March

“I am sorry, Victor-san. Your life has been ripped from you, in a way..so cruel.” Omi stated, her sorrow for her beloved’s fresh news.

“Omi, as my father used to say. ‘Shit Happens’. I wish it wasn’t this in particular. The arm, I could have dealt with…but this? To know a part of my life is over, just like that…that is the part that is particularly painful. Wasn’t enough those bastards took my parents, and 6000 of my other subjects, but now, my career as a ‘Mechwarrior? I guess the hits really do keep on coming?” Victor’s attempt at a one-armed shrug was still not what he would have liked, but he did what he could, what with the bandages around his stump, and the sling.

Victor had had a busy schedule, physical therapy, consultations with doctors, and visits by all sorts of personages. Katherine had told him about their parents, with Omi present. Victor had never been much on tears, but he sobbed like a baby when he’d heard the news. He’d wanted to get back into the cockpit as soon as he could, leading his nation from the front, like a good ruler should, but then came the next blow:

Victor would never pilot a Battlemech again.

It had happened during a routine “skullcap” test where he was like any recruit being considered for battlemech training, asked to make a 1/72nd Battlemech move via a crude nerohelmet. He’d given himself a tonic-clonic seizure instead. An MRI and and EEG later, the results confirmed it. The head injury had caused a form of epilepsy, and the strain of piloting a ‘Mech could potentially kill him.  Even with all the strides in neuroscience that had occurred because of neurohelmets, and other Battlemech-related technologies, epilepsy was still a scourge, and was not able to be treated except through medication, diet, and rest.

“They have done all they can, love. Riva Allard herself consulted on this, and if she says we must live with it, then that’s it. Hey, I may be named after my Uncle Ian, but, maybe this is the universe’s way of saying it’s time for me to grow up and hang up the damn spurs.”

Omi nodded “My love, if you can endure, then so can I, at least we know other parts work.” Omi’s smile turned a bit playful at the last remark.
Victor shook his head. “You are going to attack me when they let me out of the body and fender shop, aren’t you?”

Omi nodded, this time, her grin was in full flower.

“If your family saw you?”

“They would approve and wish you strength and for us to produce many grandchildren..especially my grandfather.” Omi stated, her brows furrowing and her smile turning into a smirk as she leaned over and kissed Victor.

“I will admit, you being here has made this all a hell of a lot easier to bear.”Victor said, his hands cupping Omi’s face.

Omi whispered “We are each other’s keeper..in mind, heart, body, and soul. And we will always be so.”

Ryan Steiner’s Private Drawing Room
Ducal Palace
Summer, Isle of Skye
January 9th, 3057

“BASTARDS!” Ryan Steiner was fuming. First, the indignity of the vaunted AFFC not hunting down and destroying the clanner bastards who had raided his worlds, the fact that they are mine by marriage is only a small detail. And now, this. The AFFC had no intention, according to a man of his on Nondi’s staff, of driving onward to retake worlds from the damn Wolves!

He threw his tumbler full of MaCallan 15 year into the fireplace, and the glass broke with a loud shatter as the contents were consumed by the flames.

“Surely we cannot convince one good son of Skye to do something about this?”

“I am sorry my liege, but our man on Nondi’s staff confirms it. There is to be no war with the Wolves. Tamar is to be left-“ Hauptmann General Harrison Von Frisch, commanding general of the 4th Skye Rangers RCT, and nominal head of the Skye Rangers, was Ryan Steiner's man, body and soul. The weasel tone in his voice was all but proving it, much to Frisch's chagrin.

“Tamar is to be left nowhere, but to us! Harrison, tell me, how many mercenary units do we have on retainer?”

“Four regiments, my liege, the Dragonslayers, whom have enough reasons to hate this faux ‘Commonwealth.’ Eriksson's Einherjar, of whom our money has rebuilt to a full regiment over the last four years, and the Crater Cobras, whom recently left Marik service, and would love a chance to make a splash like this.”

“Good Harrison, good, plus our own regiments? Yes?” Ryan Steiner stroked his chin, conspiratorially.

“Yes, my liege. Give us four months, and we could drop on Tamar with a decent chance of taking the place.” Harrison stated, a bit of pride leaking into his voice when the subject of "his" troops came up.

Ryan Steiner smiled cruelly. “This is good. We shall present the Commonwealth with a fait accompli. Either they reinforce our regiments, and show whom the real Steiners are? Or, they let us die, and risk another rebellion back home as well as in Tamar. This has much potential, Harrision. Send the messages and get the ball rolling. I think it is time we gave the Wolves their eviction notice.”

Harrison nodded, and inexpiably, the night grew just a bit colder indeed.


 
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Starfox1701 on 30 July 2018, 13:34:19
GoodRyan is going to off himself.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: DOC_Agren on 30 July 2018, 13:44:52
Ryan going to have a visit from Loki I expect

Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Starfox1701 on 31 July 2018, 10:49:56
My bet is he drops on Tamar and Natasha gets him
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 24 August 2018, 09:48:09
Khan’s Office, Steel Viper Compound

Katyusha City, Strana Mechty

Clan Space

January 6th, 3057


“It is confirmed, Waltrip, quiaff?” Khan Perigard Zalman queried of his impromptu “intelligence officer”. Waltrip was an older warrior whom had been in Zalman’s sibko, but whom had not quite been the ristar everyone had thought he would be. Zalman prized his judgement, and his counsel, which except for the debacle on Waldorff, which I gave the order for, so it is hardly worth holding against Waltrip, he had been a pretty good intelligence liaison to the Khan.

“Aff my Khan, it is, the Federated Commonwealth is not even bothering to disguise their intentions this time. Not that I fear, we can do much about them..not after Waldorff.” Waltrip’s reedy frame, with an age induced stoop jumped slightly as he exclaimed each word, his high cheekbones and thin face giving him a look of a warmed-over corpse.

Khan Zalman rose from his desk, it was made of the finest Oak from the finest Arcadian hardwoods, with a top of marble taken from the upland mines of New Kent. The marble had inlaid designs of Steel Vipers chasing the sigils of other clans around the desk. Zalman like to look at the design to soothe his nerves after a bad day. It seems I have had more than a few of those of late.

“When do we expect the next wave to commence?” Zalman inquired, the exasperation evident in his voice.

“Sometime in the next 7 to 10 days, my Khan. And we cannot stop it, not at all.” Waltrip stated flatly.

“You have been quiet, Ahmed? Any suggestions?” Zalman turned to the balding, bulky figure wearing Steel Viper issue fatigues leaning against the far wall, his arms folded over his chest and his ankles crossed.

Ahmed exhaled “My Khan, we are at a crossroads. The Falcons are on their way to the inevitable darkness. They have proven themselves a weak clan in the end, and we should not emulate them. There will be other opportunities with the Inner Sphere, but to allow ourselves to be dragged into their folly and allow our clan to be destroyed, along with theirs is stupidity compounded with hubris. I know we have not gotten along in the past-“Zalman nodded at that “-but we must put aside our differences for the good of the Clan, as we have done so in the past.”

“So, Ahmed, I ask again, what do you suggest?” Zalman leaned in his seat towards Ahmed, his dark eyes boring into Zalman as if to suggest. I have no problem killing you right here if you suggest something foolish.

“Withdrawal from the Inner Sphere. Return to the homeworlds and join the feeding frenzy that will soon take place regarding the holdings of the Falcons.”

Zalman leaned back and stroked his chin contemplatively. Ahmed is right. What have we gained from the Inner Sphere? First there was the debacle on Tukayyid, now this even greater calamity. Not to mention all the Spheroids willing to chance certain death just to kill only one of our warriors..and the methods they use? So…unclanlike. Why the need to govern people so obviously mad? No, we are better off amongst our own. That and preserving our Clan is the obvious choice.

“Ahmed, you are right. Give the order to our forces in the Inner Sphere to begin withdrawing upon receipt of orders to do so. If they encounter FedCom forces, they are to resist commensurate with whatever force is needed to escape. Warriors, Military equipment, and supplies have priority. All equipment unable to be withdrawn is to be destroyed, military and civilian.”

“And our civillians, my Khan?” Waltrip inquired in a voice he already knew the answer, yet dreaded hearing it just the same.

“Space available basis, Waltrip, Space available. The rest shall be left to the mercies of the Federated Commonwealth.”

Taken from the daily operational briefing provided to Field Marshal Ranier Poulin, Supreme Commander of “Operation Clover Spear”, declassified October 9th, 3076

..Due to some communications difficulties, the 3rd Wave of Clover Spear did not jump off until 11 January, 3057. Little to no resistance was met on several Steel Viper worlds where it was expected, that and other information from various sources and methods has now led us to believe that the Steel Vipers have ordered a general withdrawal from the Inner Sphere. Furthermore, we have noted a definitive decline in the morale of Jade Falcon EPWs. If this information is correct, we believe we can speed up the timelines for both the 4th wave, and for the return of Davion units to the Federated Suns State Command to deal with the Capellan offensive into the Sarna and Capellan Marches…

Derf
Attacker: 20th Arcturan Guards RCT, 21st Striker and 151st Light Horse, Eridani Light Horse, 2 Independent Artillery Brigades

Defender: 5th Falcon Regulars, Clan Jade Falcon

Results: The 5th Falcon Regulars grimly dug in around the planetary capitol and awaited the FC taskforce which arrived 5 days after arriving in system. The 5th’s aerospace fighters did what they could, and took a toll of the FC fighter screen, but did not appreciably slow down the FC landings, the FC took their time on Derf, taking the better part of two weeks to encircle and invest the planetary capitol, with the initial break in assault happening under cover of night and concentrated artillery fire via the western suburbs. The block to block fighting was grim and determined and took ten more days before the final Falcon citadel was literally battered down via direct fire from a Long Tom and the survivors, a mixed Binary of Jade Falcon troops, was compelled to surrender. Casualties amongst the Fedcom forces ran about 25% with the 20th Arcturan taking the worst of it.


Baker 3
Attacker: Davion Light Guards RCT, 7th Crucis Lancers RCT, 4 Independent Artillery Brigades

Defender: 305th Assault Cluster

Results: The 305th Assault Cluster fought poorly, failing to engage the Davion units in a week of cat and mouse pursuit across the planet before the unit decamped and headed for Evciler.

Colmar
Attacker: Wolf’s Dragoons (Delta and Epsilon Regiments), 4 Independent Artillery Brigades

Defender: 1st Falcon Jagers and Gubereng Garrison Cluster, Clan Jade Falcon

Results: The Falcons met the Dragoons on their LZs in the Danzo River Valley and came close to overrunning Epsilon Regiment, but the overwhelming firepower advantage the artillery brigades provided made the difference, especially the 56th Artillery Brigade, whose fire proved to be very accurate. This fire broke up attack after attack by the Falcons, by daybreak two days after planetfall, the Falcons surrendered to the battered Dragoons. Epsilon Regiment was soon sent back to Outreach for rest and refit, and the 56th was given the honor of putting Epsilon regiment colors, and the Dragoon patch on their uniforms and equipment for their actions.

Parikoila
Attacker: 25th Arcturan Guards RCT

Defender: None

Results: The FC landing force missed the Steel Viper garrison by just hours and arrived during a full-blown revolt against the collaborationist government left behind. The 25th fell into the role of peacekeeping amongst a populace that was both grateful, and vengeful, with both regiments helping to narrowly avert several attempted massacres of Steel Viper civilians that had been left behind.

Antares
Attacker: 23rd Arcturan Guards RCT

Defender: None

Results: Like Parikoila, the FC troops missed the Steel Viper garrison by hours and spent most of their time policing the now newly liberated world.

Here
Attacker: 26th Lyran Guards RCT, 2 Independent Artillery Brigades

Defender: 14th Falcon Regulars

Results: The 14th was scattered in penny packets that were virtually besieged by a planetary rebellion that trapped most of the packets in their forward operating bases. Morale had been low for some time and thus it took only 10 days for the 26th to clean up the Jade Falcon resistance on Here. In a side note, the 17th Skye Rangers, who were supposed to be part of the operation, never showed up, and are currently listed as missing by the AFFC.

Twycross
Attacker: 1st Davion Guards RCT, 8th Deneb Light Cavalry RCT, 10th Deneb Light Cavalry RCT, Lindon’s Regiment, 4 Independent Artillery Brigades

Defender: None

Results: The FC was expecting a huge Steel Viper presence on Twycross, but upon entry to the system, no evidence of the Vipers was found. The FC force grounded without incident, and quietly assumed control of the once embattled world.

Denzili
Attacker: 2nd Davion Guards RCT, 3 Independent Artillery Brigades

Defender: 9th Talon Cluster, Clan Jade Falcon

Results: The 9th fought a rear guard across the planet for two weeks, then after taking seemingly light losses, they left the world for Evicler.

Butler
Attacker: Grey Death Legion, 3rd Crucis Lancers RCT, 2 Independent Artillery Brigades

Defender: 7th Talon Cluster, Clan Jade Falcon

Results: The 7th fought a determined and brutal action from the start of the campaign, but the unit was overmatched in both numbers and firepower, and at the end of two weeks, the surviving trinary surrendered to FC forces.

Beta VII
Attacker: 1st Aragon Borderers, 1st Federated Suns Armored Cav, Hansen’s Roughriders, 4 Independent Artillery Brigades

Defender: 18th Falcon Regulars, Clan Jade Falcon

Results: The 18th set up their defenses in the remains of the old Commonwealth firebase north of the planetary capital. The attempt to hold out did not last long, after 5 days of heavy bombardment by FC artillery and several probing attacks by the 1st Armored Cavalry, the 18th’s commander was killed in a Trial of Position and the new commander surrendered the unit.


Dompaire
Attacker: 2nd Royal Guards RCT, 3rd Royal Guards RCT, 4 Independent Artillery Brigades

Defender: None

Results: The collaborationist government on Dompaire surrendered without a fight to the overwhelming FC invasion force.


Wolf Land Grab, Part II

Jabuka
Attacker: 11th Wolf Guards, 37th Striker Cluster, Clan Wolf

Defender: 1st Viper Guards, 2nd Viper Guards and 5th Legion, Clan Steel Viper

Results: The Wolves fought a series of duels for the possession of the three Steel Viper Clusters on the planet, and won three of the five trials, winning possession of the Steel Viper units, and then withdrew with their new bondsmen and gear back to Wolf space.


Private Quarters of the Acting Archon Princess

Royal Palace, Avalon City

New Avalon

Crucis March, Federated Commonwealth

January 19th, 3057


Katherine Steiner-Davion smiled as she took another sip of her tea. This is good Earl Grey, I am going to have to get this recipe when I leave here. A smile came unbidden to that last thought as she gingerly put the tea down on the saucer and regarded her guest. Mother and Father must be of two minds concerning whom we have been entertaining..and who my brother is dead set to marry. Thing is, I like this woman. A lot. She’s not your typical Kurita. She’s more…introspective, and a lot less of the “me big warrior” hubris, then again, I got one of those in my own life..god Bless Galen, but he’s not the typical arrogant Mechjock either. I wonder if I got that wrong? Daddy did exude that at times..when mom would give him a mock clouting and let some wind out of his sails. Concentrate, Katherine, it’s time to get the measure of your future sister-in-law.

“Hello Omi, I wanted to ask you here at some point because, well, I finally have a bit of breathing room with two wars and all the related instability in the Inner Sphere to have what we call in the Commonwealth..’girl talk’.”

Omi chuckled, her laugh was demure, but somehow had a quality that filled the room. I see why my brother was attracted to her. She has a gentle quality, but with steel underneath. Good. I do not want him getting his own way. “Forgive me, Katherine-chan, if I may call you that?”

Katherine simply nodded. “You are amongst friends here. I just have to know..what do you see in my brother? Not that he isn’t a great guy..but I’ve seen him well, at his lesser moments..many of them I am willing to share.” Katherine punctuated that last with another bit of mirthful laughter.

“Please do, he is a bit serious most of the time. Especially so since his injury.” Omi’s head lowered, and a frown crossed her face.

“That won’t do. Tell him his younger sister remembers the time he put a toad in her bed and has been waiting for a chance to retaliate. That and she remembers he has a fear of spiders. But seriously, how is he doing?”

“Physically, well as can be, Katherine-chan. Emotionally? Victor is as good at hiding his emotions like any of the men in my family…were.” The frown deepened as Omi remembered her dead brother and father and tears formed in her eyes.

Great going Katherine, you’re doing more harm than good. Christ, why am I so damn bad at this? Katherine winced at that last thought. “Please forgive me Omi, I did not mean to cause you pain.”

Omi shook her head “Shigata-nai, Katherine-chan. My emotions are a bit raw and well..my sleep has been irregular. Your intelligence apparatus has been very forthcoming about the state of my people back in the Combine. I am doing what I can to rally my people, but..most of the DCMS is content to rally around the pretender, as they blame my father for the loss of Luthien to the Jaguars.”

“Rather unfair, that.” Katherine nodded. “Think we both have had a measure of the weight of the world on our shoulders. Both of us having jobs we clearly didn’t want, nor ask for. But yes, I do believe we need a break. And that’s what I wanted to ask you about? I have some ideas to endear you to the people of the Commonwealth. My brother loves you, and between our interaction, and the reports I do get from Kommandant Pavrati, whom I think you share a friendship with? Yes, I do think you are more than worthy of my brother. He’s frankly lucky to have you, the big lunk head.”

Omi giggled. “He is. But aren’t all the men in our lives fortunate?”

Katherine nodded “They are. But they’ll never admit it. Now, phase one of my little plan to make the Commonwealth see reason about you two, and get you a new wardrobe..seeing as you have little more than what you left Luthien with, is a little thing I like to call…”retail therapy!”. Omi, I need a break too, I am seeing the casualty figures in my mind every day, and I imagine the faces and the families behind them. Simply put, we need out of this stuffy old place before the weight of the history buries us both and we’re no good to anyone.”

“But Katherine-chan, I must inform you that my funds..are a bit limited..”

Katherine shook her head, reached into her dress and whipped out a plastic credit card with the Fist and Sun sigil of the Commonwealth on a black background. “Tsk, Tsk, I am a Federated Commonwealth Express Black Select member, sweetie..being the queen has SOME perks you know! Now, let’s get Kommandant Pavrati in here, get some proper disguises, and show the boys what charge really means? Heh, if Victor and Galen are really good, we’ll get them a small latte from Starbucks.”

Both women collapsed into hysterics at the last thought.

Jade Falcon Enclave

Katyusha City

Strana Mechty

Clan Space,

January 31st, 3057

Marthe Pryde looked at the casualty lists in horror, thousands of warriors dead, captured, missing, or too maimed to be warriors anymore. The once proud touman reduced to nothing. And our freebirth idiot of a khan too racked with indecision to do a damn thing about it. We cannot defeat another absorption vote when it comes. And it will come. If it does come, we must make sure it comes on our terms.

But how? None of the other Clans will afford us, the once powerful Falcons, second only to those whelps in the Wolves, any mercy at all. No, I must consider steps unprecedented in Clan History. At least, to most Clans. The Blood Spirits have shown the way, and unclanlike as it may be, we must arm the lower castes, to give us the numbers, and the time to fight for our survival.

But that fool Crichell, he selects me as the new saKhan, and then ignores every piece of advice I have given him. What I must consider..it smacks of a spheroid concept..a “coup”, to somehow save what is left.

Pryde’s frustration bubbled to the surface and her fists curled, her shortly cut fingernails cutting deep into the flesh of her hands.

“Whomever planned this assault, whomever they are, I swear as my rede, that I will see them dead for what they have done to my trothkin, my Clan, and all of us of the Clans. I ken death for this person.”
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: mikecj on 25 August 2018, 02:42:34
Nice, thanks
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Starfox1701 on 25 August 2018, 12:54:13
Feels like your building up to an epic battle
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: ckosacranoid on 31 August 2018, 13:41:57
Nice updates to this story.
The setup with Omi and katty are funny as heck and the reaction where great.
Miss Pryde, to bad you are to late. The Cappies already beat you to that and killed the man behind the action of kicking your class butts.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 18 September 2018, 21:38:55
Another Omake by Yellowhammer of SB...uber retail therapy!

Royal Palace, Avalon City
New Avalon
January 19th, 3057

Omiko Kurita nodded to herself as she followed Katherine through a door guarded by two stone-faced members of the Davion Guards. Having grown up in the sprawling complex of Unity Palace that was the nerve center of the Draconis Combine, Omi was used to the concept of the palace being a maze of offices, audience halls, living areas, gardens, and the million and one working areas that insured whatever a member of House Kurita needed, she need not venture outside the guarded walls of her home.

So finding an exclusive beautician for the private use of the Davion family was not unexpected. She herself had availed the usage of one on Luthien to prepare for Court appearances during the Coordinator's Birthday and similar ceremonies when the Keeper of House Honor would attend as a symbol of the Pillar of Ivory that supported her father's rule.

The usage of the beautician to conceal her origin and ancestry so that she and Katherine could travel outside the walls of Davion Palace for their shopping trip was a novel experience to the sheltered Kurita royal. Considering that her very existence had been secret for the first five years of her life, Omi was both nervous and excited for a trip outside the bubble that had defined her.

Currently Omi and Katherine were lying side by side on couches as their hair soaked in a dye developed by LIC. This would turn Katherine to a brunette from her instantly recognizable natural Steiner blonde. Combined with a change from her Court finery into her waiting NAIS sweatshirt and jeans combo (with built-in body armor as a precaution), the Archon-Princess Regent of the FedCom would become yet another anonymous grad student whose scholarship check had just arrived. Meanwhile for Omi, a white turtleneck sweater 'borrowed' from Katherine along with khaki slacks (also with armor inserts) would pair with her newly blonde hair and contact lenses that would change her eyes from Kurita steel-blue to a more inconspicuous hazel.

"So, Katherine-ch..." Omi broke off at the mock scowl from her future sister-in-law and rapidly edited the automatic honorifics out to use the name that Katherine was going to use. "Kathy, how often have you done this? The sneaking out of the palace in disguise, I mean. It is all...new to me, I confess that I rarely saw the outside of Unity Palace before."

Katherine sighed "Not as much as before Father's death, Omi. Before that, we would do it...four times a year or so? According to Mother and Aunt Nondi, it is something of a tradition for the Steiners to venture outside the Triad and the Nagelring during holidays in disguise. Well once they were old enough, of course. I'm not supposed to know this, but Big Brother got into a drunken fistfight over a girl one time in a dive of a bar outside the Nagelring as a cadet and narrowly avoided getting arrested when the police showed." Katherine giggled wickedly "Mother was furious while Father laughed when they heard from his covert close cover detail. Father said that you could expect nothing less for a child of his named after Uncle Ian."

Omi laughed in turn. "Oh my! To have been an insect on the shoji screen when news of that reached their ears!"

"Oh yes. I also know that Victor was the one to corrupt poor little Yvonne last New Year's for her first taste of that forbidden fruit. It must have been really good, since Victor had an ear to ear smile the day afterward that he couldn't contain. Since he is normally a bit broody, that was very out of character for him."

"It was incredible but I'm sworn to secrecy about why Victor the Grump was on Cloud Nine the morning after. Sorry, Mad Kat, you will have to look elsewhere for your hot gossip on His Royal Grouchiness." A new voice sounded from the door unexpectedly.

Omi turned her head to look at the girl standing there, who responded with a cheeky smile and wave before leaning against the doorframe. The fact that it allowed her to politely ignore a muttered German curse from Katherine was a bonus in her eyes as Katherine sighed deeply. "Evie, you know how I hate that nickname. What brings you here?"

Yvonne Steiner-Davion flipped her auburn-red ponytail over the shoulder of her cadet uniform and smirked. "Harassing you in short. You of all people should know better, Kathy. I have to do something to amuse myself, and Victor is still under doctor's orders to take it easy, while Peter and Arthur are both offplanet. Soo...who is your partner in crime, Kathy?"

Katherine opened her mouth, but the youngest Steiner-Davion cut her big sister off with the ease of long practice in family gatherings and slipped into Lyran German as her smirk widened. "Lass mich raten. Kleine Asiatin, blaue Augen, superhübsch Du musst die Omi sein, auf die mein großer Bruder Victor steht. Komisch, Du hast Dich besser gehalten als ich dachte." (Let me guess. A very pretty small Asian with blue eyes, you must be the Omi (slang for Grandmother) that my big brother Victor has the hots for. You look younger than your age.)

While Omiko's German was basic at best, she was aware that clearly there was a joke in that statement somewhere and laughed politely as Katherine convulsed in uncontrollable giggles before giving a scandalized shout. "YVONNE!"

Yvonne gave the image of wounded innocence to Katherine's angry glare. "Well, she is the Omi that Victor has fallen for. Anyway, where are my manners?" Yvonne then gathered herself and performed an inexpert but clearly rehearsed bow to Omi as she spoke in accented Combine Japanese slowly. "Hajimemashite. Konbanwa Kurita Omiko-san. Watashi no namae wa Steiner-Davion Yvonne desu. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu."

Omi smiled in return and wiped a tear from her eye at hearing the formal words of introduction in her native Japanese. "I am pleased to meet you as well, Yvonne-chan. Please, call me Omi. Where did you learn Japanese?"

Yvonne dragged a chair to face the others and sat down. "Albion. After finding out about you, I decided to take Introductory Japanese as my elective this semester. Even if we had never met, as a future lawyer and spare administrator for the dynasty, I can do worse than to be able to talk to people from liberated worlds. So, I plan to double minor in Chinese and Japanese as part of my course load over the next two and a half years."

As a timer sounded, Katherine began to gather her now-black hair out of the dye bath and gave Yvonne a stern look. "Speaking of Albion, shouldn't you be on campus?"

Yvonne shook her head with a broad grin. "Nope. I'm two weeks ahead in all my classwork, the next field exercise is a week from Tuesday, and Colonel Zigler plans to boost physical security on the campus before then just in case the Blakists or Capellans try to hit us. So, in other words, I was ordered to make myself scarce and stay in a secure location while they upgrade security protocols. So here I am."

Katherine sighed. "I don't suppose that you can be persuaded to not come along? I planned for Omi and I to hit the malls discreetly to do some serious shopping before we both go stir crazy. And you, Evie, have never been particularly discreet."

Yvonne's grin widened, looking remarkably like the video Omi had seen of Hanse Davion. "You know me better than that, Kathy. We'll argue, I'll win like I always do, and then I'll come with. Besides, when I'm discreet no one has ever caught me. The only benefit of being the baby of the family is that people overlook me. I'll get the disguise Victor put together for me and meet you back here, Ok?"

With that, the redhead waved goodbye and headed out of the room in a rush. Omi stared at the door in confusion as Katherine spoke. "Your brothers were never that bratty, were they Omi?"

"Iie, Katherine-chan." Omi carefully shook her head as the staff wrapped her newly dyed hair in a towel turban to dry.

"Lucky."

------------------------------------------------------

A half hour later, Omi found herself in the passenger compartment of a nondescript but heavily armored minivan. True to her statement, Yvonne had invited herself to the outing, with her disguise being a black leather jacket with the insignia of some sports team on the back, a black T-shirt that read 'Give Blood, Play Rugby!' in blood-red letters, a Skye-style red with green and gold patterns tartan skirt, studded gloves and a fake celtic tattoo on her right cheek in blue.

Katherine's only response to the budding sports hooligan's appearance was to pinch her nose and mutter something under her breath. Omi caught Victor's name in the muttering and mentally winced. Experience watching Grandfather as a young girl was more than sufficient to detect the signs of a brewing future argument.

Clearly it was time to refocus the attentions of the sisters before the harmony of their outing was marred. "So, Kathy, where are we going?" Omi asked politely, looking across the passenger compartment to the seats facing her as Katherine and Parvati claimed them.

Katherine smiled impishly as the door was locked behind her. "Camelot Center."

Yvonne and Parvati both perked up in response as Omi looked blank. "I see. I take it this is one suitable for us to spend our money at then?"

Yvonne laughed as their vehicle started to move out of the subterranean garage hidden under the palace. "You have no idea, Omi. None whatsoever."

Omi smiled and rooted around the built-in cooler by her knee to produce a bottle of Panpouran green tea. At Parvati's nod, she handed her friend that bottle and then took one for herself. "Yvonne-chan, Katherine-chan, do you want some?"

Yvonne shook her head. "I'm afraid I'm a coffee drinker, Omi-chan. Kathy is the tea type."

"Ahh, I see!" Omi produced a bottle of Jacobs Kronung coffee for Yvonne, and then a final bottle of tea for Katherine. "I will have to invite you one day to a proper chanoyu to introduce you to a fine tea, Yvonne-chan. I..." Omi broke off suddenly and swallowed as she rested the bottle of tea against her forehead and closed her eyes, "I-I-I was able to carry Shiro Kurita's tea set with me from Luthien as I fled. So much was lost...."

The others watched in silence as Omi swallowed several times and then took a deep breath. She opened her eyes, and looked at the array of lights speckling the streets of New Avalon outside her window as night began to fall. Finally Omi whispered to her reflection in the glass, "And here I find myself on New Avalon. The first Kurita to set foot here, the object of my family's ambitions since before the days of the Star League. Yet, I am no Sphere-striding conqueror, no victorious warrior crushing the Yellow Bird under my heel once and for all." She laughed bitterly as the car stopped at a red light. "Just another penniless refugee as the Combine-my home-burns and my cousins fight among the ashes. Where lies my duty and my honor as a Kurita when all is laid low? What would Mother, Minoru, Hohiro, Father say to me now from their place in the Land of the Dead?"

Suddenly Yvonne spoke as she reached over to squeeze Omi's shoulder gently. "Nana korobi ya oki, Omi-chan. Fall down seven times, get up eight. That was the first phrase my instructor at Albion taught me in your tongue. Yes, our ancestors and yours have been blood enemies almost from the beginning. Yet we are not them, and we need not become them again. I miss Father and Mother too and always will, I fear. Yet 'Out of the night that covers me,/Black as the pit from pole to pole,/I thank whatever gods may be/For my unconquerable soul'"

Kommandant Parvati joined in on the next stanza of the poem that all the cadets at Albion had memorized as the motto of their school. "'In the fell clutch of circumstance/I have not winced nor cried aloud./Under the bludgeonings of chance/My head is bloody, but unbowed.'"

Omi listened in silent reverence, the tears flowing down her cheeks as the poem continued. "'Beyond this place of wrath and tears/Looms but the Horror of the shade,/And yet the menace of the years/Finds and shall find me unafraid.'"

Katherine handed Omi a box of tissues to let the Kurita girl wipe tears from her eyes as she joined in on the final stanza. "'It matters not how strait the gate,/How charged with punishments the scroll,/I am the master of my fate,/I am the captain of my soul.' You are among friends... no, you are among family Omi-chan."

Omi nodded thankfully as she wiped her cheeks with the offered tissue. "Doumo arigatou gozaimasu!" She gave a shaky but genuine smile with the automatic words of gratitude, then suddenly chuckled and shook her head.

'What's so funny?" Yvonne asked curiously, leaning forward to see the expression on Omi's face.

"Before Victor-chan woke up after his injury, I was reading to him as his spirit wandered. I just remembered words of enlightenment there that I saw, but never viewed until this moment. 'See how elastic our prejudices grow when once love comes to bend them' from the ninth chapter of Moby Dick. A koan for my journey toward satori."

"Buddhist enlightenment." Parvati interjected for the sisters. "A koan is a paradox for the seeker to meditate on to gain understanding of herself and of the universe. 'Two hands clap and there is a sound. What is the sound of one hand?' is one of the classical koans from Zen."

Omi nodded and handed the box of tissues back. "A step on my own path to the top of the mountain." At the curious looks, she elaborated, "When I was a young girl, Father told me that I must understand that there is more than one path to the top of the mountain. I watched him take his own step along his path when I was presented to Grandfather's court for the first time and Father stood in the face of Grandfather's disapproval of his marriage to Mother. Father had to grow strong through adversity to walk his path so he could stand before Grandfather's anger on that day."

Omi then looked to Katherine and Yvonne. "Just like you are having to find your own strength now. We all have our paths to the mountain, and I hope that I can help you walk yours just as you have helped me walk mi---" Omi's voice trailed off as the Kurita girl stared in slack-jawed shock at her first sight of their destination. Her mouth opened and closed several times with no words coming out.

Spoiler
[​IMG]

"Merciful Buddha, what is THAT!!!"

"I see she finally found her voice."

Katherine chuckled evilly in response as the car turned onto a guarded access road for the mall. "If you think this is over the top consumerism, wait until I take you to my favorite in Tharkad City. You haven't lived until you have spent time there."

"Kathy's right you know. The Archon's Kroner is the largest mall in the Sphere. Camelot is only fourth largest. Besides, you haven't shopped until you have shopped with us Steiner women."

"..."

-------------------------------------------


January 19th, 3057.

A date that would live in (shopping) infamy.

The day that Omiko Kurita, daughter of Coordinator Theodore Kurita, Keeper of the House Honor of House Kurita, and a girl who never knew the joys of window shopping, trying outfits on with her friends, and making the love of her life audibly question if he would have to sell the Davion Brigade of Guards off to cover the credit card bill, led a terror raid on Camelot Center.

Fortunately for the raiders, the businesses had long-standing arrangements to have purchases shipped to the Davion Palace for a modest handling fee, of course. Otherwise the raid would have stalled out after the third clothing store pillaged on account of the raiders throwing a disc out in their backs from the volume of shopping bags that they needed to carry.

The bags that they would have accumulated after the sixteenth store would have required the assistance of most of the company of infantry from the First Davion Guards securing the mall and providing a plainclothes close-cover cordon around them to carry.

Hope was briefly offered for the beleaguered retailers of Camelot Center when after the twenty-third store hit, the raiders instead headed to an ice cream parlor instead of continuing their trail of depleted inventories and managers rubbing their hands in glee over quarterly sales targets exceeded.

Sadly, after ice cream, the raiding force launched a fresh assault upon the good merchants of New Avalon with the Steiner-Davion sisters breaking trail.

Behind the vanguard came Omi and Parvati who was agreeing to use her DMI training to jailbreak Omi's first ever iPhone so that Omi could transfer the music she had stored on her Voice of the Dragon media library account in the Combine. Let it not be said that DMI agents were immune to bribery, especially when the bribe came in the form of a 'Gotta Have It!' sized custom mango ice cream sundae from Coldstone. With extra cherries on top. Kommandant Parvati figured if someone from Macintosh protested later on, she could probably arrange a pardon for the hacking job from Katherine anyway. Besides, that was a good sundae and with the account password Omi gave to her over it, she could not only have MI4 vacuum out Omi's playlists, but also any interesting data in that cache for the analysis folks to chew over.

A tug on the sleeve of her AFFC Gym sweatshirt interrupted Parvati's private musing about electronic espionage and mango sundaes. She blinked to focus on Omi, who was pointing at a display of Asian kimonos in the window of New Kyoto Trading Company. "Kath, Evie, I'll be in there!" Omi called as she started to drag Parvati toward the Lyran importers.

Katherine and Yvonne looked at each other then at Fox's Tail Luxury Furs next door and threw rock paper scissors. Katherine won with scissors and a smirk and headed for the fur store while Yvonne headed to New Kyoto to use her copy of the family's Federated Commonwealth Express Black Select Card to finance Omi's impending purchases. "I swear, she is like a kid in a candy store. I can't blame her for going spare since she was so sheltered, but...."

A pair of late twenties men with discreet earpieces, military haircuts and loose button-down shirts concealing the arsenal they were carrying spoke softly to her as they followed their principal into the store, "You're right, Ma'am. She's making us tired just watching her shop." He then tapped his earpiece as his partner scanned the crowd of shoppers for threat signs. "Control, NIMUE is joining ELAINE in New Kyoto. Observing."

Inside Yvonne found Parvaati standing with an amused look as a smiling Omi conducted a conversation with the middle aged manager in rapid-fire Japanese. She sidled up to the DMI agent. "What's up?"

Parvati shook her head. "Apparently they do traditional textile crafting. I caught 'Nishijin work' before the clerk called her manager in to speak to her."

The manager steered Omi to a counter where the Kurita girl sketched out several round symbols and neatly wrote notes next to each one in kanji on the paper provided. Beside her, the manager nodded and interjected his own questions. Yvonne listened to the stream of Japanese from that quarter and then slowly nodded. "She's ordering custom kimonos. For herself...and for all of us too."

Finally the flood of Japanese ended and Omi bowed to the manager, who returned the bow. "This is where I come in. Time to pay the bill our friend racked up and make arrangements for her orders to get shipped to the Palace. We also serve who carry the almighty credit card for the greater good of the Commonwealth."

Parvati laughed.

January 20th, 3057
Medical Wing, Davion Palace
New Avalon, Crucis March

Victor's tablet chimed with the notification that he was receiving an email on his personal account. He paused in his daily regimen of situps and poked at the touchscreen with his one good hand.

A brief holograph formed showing a blinking message from Katherine. Victor read the subject line 'You won't believe what we did last night' out loud, then poked at the first attachment.

A holograph of a grinning Omi with a dye job in the center flanked by both his sisters waving to the camera in front of King Arthur's Castle that was the centerpiece of Camelot Court appeared.

Oh God, they didn't.

With dawning dread Victor opened the second attachment and facepalmed with his remaining hand as the credit card bill began to scroll endlessly.

"Fifty-three pages?!?!" he moaned. "At this rate I will have to disband and sell off Battlemech regiments to pay for them..."
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: DOC_Agren on 18 September 2018, 21:49:55
So how many units will those three women cost Victor   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Starfox1701 on 18 September 2018, 23:34:20
Oh my god! 53 pages!  What the do buy a Fox?
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: drakensis on 19 September 2018, 01:48:48
Well that much just means lots of individual purchases, not that they're each expensive.

The fact that it's princesses doing the clothes shopping is what means that each item is expensive.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: mikecj on 19 September 2018, 05:50:52
Having all of the Sword of Light regiments drop on New Avalon would have cost less...
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: LightGuard on 19 September 2018, 10:56:30
Oh my god! 53 pages!  What the do buy a Fox?

It sounds more like they purchased Valiant Systems...
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: DOC_Agren on 19 September 2018, 20:14:35
Having all of the Sword of Light regiments drop on New Avalon would have cost less...
and less scary for Victor
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 23 October 2018, 11:23:22
Private Office of the Primus of the Word of Blake
Harrisburg City, Gibson
Free Worlds League
January 18th, 3057
 
The Precentor Martial’s office was a spartan, but comfortable place, with a small stone fireplace a concession to Gibson’s brutal winters, and furnished simply, with furniture that screamed “generic office furniture.” The walls were decorated sparingly, with a half dozen holographic images that portrayed the highlights of William Blane, Primus of the Word of Blake’s career. Outside, the wind howled like a banshee, and snow swirled past the armorplast windows, which had recently been reinforced in the wake of an attempt on the life of the Primus, the official line was that it had been the act of some rebels left over from the rebellion of ’55, but quietly, both the Precentor Martial and Precentor ROM suspected that it was the work of the Federated Commonwealth. The office was furthermore in the only permanent building in the encampment that the planetary government had “given” the Blakists upon their arrival 2 years before. The building itself was a 2 story, non-descript, brick and mortar affair, that screamed “generic.”

But, as things went, it was the most secure building on the Blakist “campus”. Thus, it was felt best that the meeting be held in the Primus’s office, rather than the “temporary” briefing room that had been set up in a converted shipping container.

In attendance at the meeting was no less than Primus William Blane, Precentor Martial Trent Arian, and Precentor ROM Alexander Kernoff, as of now, they were watching a presentation on the state of the Capellan/Marik offensive against the Fedcom, and their moods were…mixed.
 
“So, Mulvanney, how goes Operation CORONET DAWN?” inquired Blane.

Mulvanney exhaled deeply, she hadn’t been a big fan of CORONET DAWN in the first place, as it seemed to be a plan in search of a goal. It made sense on paper, humble the Fedcom, restore a measure of the balance of power in the Inner Sphere, and create conditions that would make the Capellan Confederation to be more amenable to assisting in Operation ODYSSEUS that was due to kick off next year. Yes, I am so sure the Capellans are ready to thank us now. Mulvanney’s mind roared, we put them in the gunsights of a very vengeful Federated Commonwealth, of course, they could have said no to our offer? Fact was, one of her subordinates who was a poker player put it best. “We’re asking the Capellans to bet it all on a pair of 8s, and promising them we’ll back 1% of their bet? Who the hell is crazy to take those terms?”

As it turned out, the Capellans were. Or maybe it was simple desperation. Either way, Sun-Tsu jumped in with both feet, when by all rights, he really should have known better. Oh well, we’re getting what we want either way.

“It goes reasonably well, Primus. We have managed to help the Capellans achieve their goals, and our raids and covert operations in the Sarna and Capellan Marches have assisted in making sure that this war will be long and bloody indeed. While Katherine Steiner-Davion talks a good game, most of the Marik and Capellan assets she has managed to assassinate are lower level individuals, whose usefulness has frankly, come to an end…”

Precentor ROM Kernoff shot to his feet, his aged features dark with rage at the suggestion just put forward. “
Spoken like a member of the Militia, the loss of every one of those assets is a setback for ROM’s efforts here in the League. If we are to achieve SKYLARK on schedule, then we must have those agents in place- “

“Silence, Kernoff. This office isn’t secure enough to discuss SKYLARK, and you know that.”

Kernoff shrugged and sat back down. His features were still a picture of rage, but they had become crossed with a measure of embarrassment. For an intelligence professional, Kernoff is a bit of a hothead, and that is cause for..concern. I’d groom Arian’s aide for the job, but ROM would never accept her, as she came up through the Militia.

“Anyhow, our efforts, Mulvanney?” Blane intoned as he turned his gaze back to the aide making the presentation.

Mulvanney gestured to a holomap being projected in the center of the office, the map was a 3-D projection of the Capellan-Fedcom border regions, with Capellan held planets being colored in green, Fedcom in blue, and planets were fighting continued in red.

“So far, Primus, by the Blessed Blake, EAST SEA has gone about as well as projected for the Capellans, LATTIKIA’s supporting operations on the part of our Marik hosts has allowed the Capellans to complete EAST SEA on schedule, and the Capellans are digging in, but the Captain-General has expressed some concerns about her control over the armed forces of late. During our last meeting with her, she pointed out the unsanctioned assaults by the Sirian Lancers on their worlds currently under Fedcom control.”

“Did we bring up how badly these assaults had turned out, and that all she had to do was withhold any support as a message to any other idiots who pull something like this?” Arian interjected, his tone betraying the exasperation he felt at the antics of their “hosts.”

“It was mentioned, Primus, but according to my people, it did not seem she was…reassured by that idea.” Mulvanney shrugged, her short brunette hair waving as she turned her head back to the holo map. “Currently, we are beginning to see signs the Fedcom is recovering, and they have setup a new command post on Foot Fall to coordinate everything. We project the Fedcom’s going to try to break out of the “pocket” they’re in with an assault on Sarna. On it’s face, it sounds foolish, slamming the wall against a dug-in McCarron’s Armored Cavalry, but, it does serve to pin them down and not cause mischief elsewhere.”

“And our sources in ROM suggest that this ACTIVE PANTHER we hear rumblings of will not be ready much before March or April?” Blane asked, turning to Kernoff.

Kernoff nodded. “The Fedcom is rightly wrapping up matters with the Falcons, and our people amongst our former brethren feel that while the Fedcom is detaching troops already for shipment to the Capellan front, those units won’t be ready to fight for some time, even close to half a year. A better revision of our estimates might be June or July, but again, that’s some conjecture, and it’s based on the current rate of the Falcon collapse, that could happen slower or faster, depending on circumstances we may not even be aware of.”

Blane exhaled. “So, the question remains, what do we do? Ultimately, we know there are those amongst our hosts who would like to be rid of us, and Corrine has bought time for other operations, but the fact is, I am not certain she will be the long-term future of the League. The circumstances of her assumption of the Captain-Generalcy has left a bad taste in the mouths of the body politic of the League, a bad taste that some might seek to expunge, violently. And if that happens…”

Trent finished the statement unbidden “..then we make very good targets.”

Blane nodded “Kernoff, how much trouble could your fanatics make to cover our escape if it came to that?”

Kernoff smiled evilly. “As operations in the Fedcom illustrate, I have quite a few options amongst my 6th of June cells, as I did not commit the entire organization to the effort, but I do have some options with them, and the Blake’s Wrath people I have available. You know, we could reinstall the Master..he is the rightful heir..?”
“Whom the people of the League will literally die in job lots to oppose, due to the bionic prejudices, not to mention we’d have come to power in a manner very reminiscent of the whole ‘Scourge of Death’ business the Mariks back in the 27th Century, further playing into the whole ‘rampant paranoia mess’ bionics supposedly cause.” Blane sighed. “We are not going to play kingmaker here any more than we have to. We will prop up Corrine, but if she falls? We run, that simple. There are plenty of contingencies, and we have everything in place to execute any we wish. Is everyone clear on this?”

A series of nods and murmurs by all present let Blane know he had the support of those in the room. At least, I hope so. But I need someone to watch Kernoff and his 6th of June nutcases, Bad enough they talked me into DARK MIRROR, why the hell did I let him kill 6000 people to decapitate the Federated Commonwealth, sure, it made military sense, but all our projections stated Katherine Steiner-Davion would not do what she is doing now! We can’t get near her to remove her from the playing field. The Fedcom isn’t that dumb. And her successor would probably authorize the AFFC to turn Gibson to radioactive glass in response. No, Kernoff has had his day, now its time for him to do his job.

Arian cleared his throat “Primus, forgive my interruption, but what of CORONET DAWN, the Capellans can only lose the war now, as it seems, they have done all they could and not driven the Davions to the negotiating table, and the Fedcom rage will probably only be slaked when Sian itself is in flames. Their vengeance has already hit us and will increase only as time goes on. So, when will it be time to end our participation in Sun-Tsu’s war?”

Blane smiled, Excellent point, Precentor Martial. “I intend for us to back Sun-Tsu with supplies and advisors from now on. Our troops have been sufficiently blooded, and we now have enough experienced cadre to train our expanding militia. We will only intervene if the Fedcom, or their St.Ives stooges actually land on Sian. And I want to just keep it close there. Let both sides bleed themselves white and let Sun-Tsu become more ‘dependent’ on our good graces to keep his sorry ass on the Celestial Throne. I think, lady and gentlemen, we have the beginnings of a very good new year.”

Star Adder Clan Council Hall
Sheridan
Clan Space
February 1st, 3057

“Warriors, trothkin, we must have order! We are not confused surats, we are the bloodnamed warriors of Clan Star Adder!” roared Dagmar Lahiri, loremaster of Clan Star Adder. His ebon features were furrowed with a mixture of exasperation and rage as he banged his gavel again fruitlessly, trying to regain control of the chaotic mess the Clan Council had descended into after Star Captain Sarah Guidice, head of the Star Adder Watch, had made her report on the true state of Clan Smoke Jaguar after the second battle of Luthien.

The report had been more than a little illuminating, to say the least. Through a series of agents-in-place, and other sources and methods that Guidice refused to name, even under threat of a Trial of Refusal, the Smoke Jaguars, if the report was accurate, had underreported their casualties on Luthien by at least 20%. And more damning, they had left out the bit that they had been the instigators of the shameful use of orbital bombardment on Luthien. Cassisus N’Buta thought as he watched the chaos unfold, his face expressionless, his arms folded. Keep your cards closely held, Cassisus, until it is time to play them.

Cassius nodded to his saKhan, Dante Truscott, and rose, his arms outstretched and his smile wide. “Peace trothkin! I promise you war and glory soon enough, but for now, peace while we warriors of the Adder digest this news.” The hall slowly quieted as the murmurs of the assembled warriors died down, and then ceased. Truscott paused for a few pregnant moments, then continued.

“My Warriors. We have never been a friend of the Jaguar. Though they be great warriors, they are also a warrior too close to their namesake. They are all about the hunt, and the kill. And that, my warriors, is the problem. The Smoke Jaguars are bloodthirsty fanatics who use the memory of the Kerenskys to justify their slaughter of those who cannot defend themselves. We told them and the rest of the invading clans what it would take to subdue the Inner Sphere. We told them, and they chose not to listen, and now, their adventurism has led the Clans to the precipice, and has led to the invading Clans becoming so desperate, that one would submit false information to the Grand Council itself!”

“We could move to absorb the Falcons, and the Vipers. They would be more suited to our ways in some respects, but why bother? The bidding will be fierce for both clans and would lead down a road of madness that could sunder the Clans themselves. No, my trothkin, we will not act as our enemies expect us to, this is folly. We know what we must do. And you know it as well.”

The chant began in the back of the hall, but it wasn’t long before it filled the hall “Jaguars”, “Jaguars”, “JAGUARS!” It could be felt in the fiber of everyone present.

“You have spoken my trothkin, and I think we can dispense with a formal vote! Can we Loremaster?”

The loremaster nodded sheepishly, but then one warrior stated, “My Khan, what of the rest of the Grand Council, surely they will try to stop us from absorbing the Jaguars?”

N’Buta threw back his head and laughed. “Ah yes, the same Grand Council that took the bold-faced lies of murdering surats as gospel? Oh yes, I am sure we will stop to ask them for permission. No, my trothkin, better we ask for forgiveness after the deed is done. It is not as if they will be in any position to stop us, as they will all be tripping all over themselves to bid on the carcasses of the Vipers and Falcons.”

Cantonment of the 341st Assault Cluster
Asab
Ramsau
Clan Wolf Occupation Zone.
February 19th, 3057

 The Warrior’s Club for the 341st was a small affair, and spartan, with cheap pressed wood furniture and barstools, and a holoviewer in the corner. The alcohol stock being limited to mostly captured Inner Sphere brands of rail quality, but it did what most bars did, it aided socialization and camaraderie, and right now, the officers of the saKhan’s Silver Keshik and the 341st were “debriefing” their recent exercise.

 “Star Colonel Sender, I was impressed the way you led your warriors in the recent exercise. I am having discussions with the Khan this month, and we will be figuring out which units will be garrisoning our new holdings in what used to be the Jade Falcon Occupation Zone. Your men are fine warriors, and good ambassadors of the Clan Way as well.” Phelan Kell smiled as he praised Star Colonel Sender and his staff.

“Point 5 of our Command Supernova has done well to assist in our efforts to keep things peaceful on Ramsau. They have revitalized lacrosse here on Ramsau with their organization of the youth league, but we realized early on, to play with Clan rules was a bit hard on Spheroid youth. But we have decided the best way to get the loyalty of these people is to give them a future to aspire to, ovKhan.” Sender replied with a sense of pride in his voice.

“Hence your joint patrols with the civilian law enforcement and militia?” Phelan asked.

“Aff, we feel Elementals with no suits, immaculately turned out, and with sidearms only has had a better result in joint patrols with the local law enforcement officers than anything else. So much so, we only must dedicate one or two binaries depending on the time of year. We have even had the local government ask us for extra help with crowd control during the local festivals. That’s mostly dealing with local drunks and the occasional fight or medical emergency.” Sender stated.

“Your methods will I think, do more to prevent the kind of insurgencies we saw cripple the Vipers and Falcons. We must win, as the ancient Americans put it, ‘their hearts and minds’ through persuasion and decency, as we will never win it by force.” Phelan winked conspiratorially

“Aff, I have even punished some warriors for egregious behavior with regards to the locals. It has met with surprising acclaim amongst my warriors. I would have thought it would have had me the recipient of a Trial of Refusal?” Sender intoned, a bit of surprise in his voice. “My men and women have embraced the people of this world. As have I.”

“Are the rumors true about you and a local girl, Sender?” Phelan smiled.

Sender nodded. “Aff, she is the daughter of a prominent businessman, I was recently invited to her parents for dinner. Khan Phelan, a question about this? Why is she so nervous about this? She’s already given me three different instructions on how to behave and what to wear? I will admit, this is all so much more complicated than our way, but yet, I was never interested in such things..till I met Veronica.”

Phelan laughed and shook his head “You’re meeting her parents, and it’s part of a freeborn ritual where the lady in the relationship gets the seal of approval from her parents about her choice of mate.”

“And if her family approves, my Khan?”

“Then you, Star Colonel, are probably going to get hints about getting married.”

Ramon Sender blanched. “Me, a married Clan Warrior? Why what would the rest of the Clan think?”

Phelan laughed. “Star Colonel, I would hold you and your wife up as symbols of the new future we must embrace. And embrace it we will. So, you take a holo with this girl?”

It was then that Phelan heard the clearing of a throat behind him, it was one of his young unblooded aides, and he had a look on his face that he had news he’d rather have died than delivered. He was short for a warrior, barely 1.5 meters tall, lanky, with a large adams apple that seemed to sway every time the boy spoke.

“Yes, Tanis, what is it?”

“My Khan, we have gotten word of a massive Fedcom assault on Tamar. Estimates are 8 plus regiments have dropped on the world. Khan Kerensky has organized a defense with the Golden Keshik and the 4th Guards…but casualties have been heavy.”

“What is enroute to relive Tamar?”

“So far, the 24th Wolf Rangers, the Doberung and Choyer Garrison Clusters, and the 352nd Assault Cluster. They have also requested our Keshik as well.”

“Aff, we will board ship within the hour. Let’s cut this party short. If you will excuse me, Star Colonel?”

“Khan Phelan, I can send a Supernova of my warriors if you require it?”

“Neg, Star Colonel, last thing we need to do is give any of our neighbors ideas. By the way, Tanis? What of the rest of the frontier, anything?”

“Neg, my Khan. The rest of the frontier has been quiet. One significant thing, or at least the Watch thought so when they informed us, initial BattleROM analysis suggests the units facing us on Tamar are from the Fedcom’s Skye Ranger brigade, and several hired mercenary outfits.”

And immediately, the answer presents itself. “Tanis, send a message to Khan Kerensky, she has probably figured this out already, but in case she has not..tell her that I do not think this was an act by the Federated Commonwealth at large, but by Skye..and those loyal to her.”

“My Khan?” Tanis blanched.

“Send the message, Tanis, then get everyone boarded. We need to be on our way within the hour.”
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Starfox1701 on 23 October 2018, 22:16:01
Why do I get the feeling the toaster worshipers are going to be looking for new leadership soon and I hope Tasha kills Ryan's sstup if but.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 05 November 2018, 00:01:25
As if the last update wasn't enough, here is another Omake from Yellowhammer...and our fave Kurita Princess...

Many of the so-called mental peculiarities of the
Japanese have their origins in the love of purity and its
complementary hatred of defilement. But, pray, how could
it be otherwise, being trained, as we actually are, to look upon slights inflicted, either on our family honor or on the
national pride, as so many defilements and wounds that would not be clean and heal up again, unless by a thorough washing through vindication? You may consider the cases of vendetta so often met with in the public and private life of Japan, merely as a kind of morning bath for a people in whom love of cleanliness has become a passion.
---From Yoshisaburo Okakura, The Life and Thought of
Japan, London, Terra, 1913

In revenge, there is something that satisfies one's sense of
justice. Our sense of revenge is as exact as our mathematical faculty, and until both terms of the equation are satisfied, we cannot get over the sense of something left undone.
---From Inazo Nitobe, Bushido, The Soul of Japan, London,
Terra, 1900

Patience is a needed Art for vendetta. Haste makes the crop
go sour. Vengeance, like fruits of the vine, requires time to
sweeten.
-Kevin McAbayashi, in Assassin's Handbook, Office of
Reference Materials, Order of the Five Pillars, Luthien, 2887



Palace of Spreading Harmony
Galedon V, Galedon Military District, Draconis Combine
15 March, 3057

Duke Hassad Ricol studied the holodisplay showing the current state of the Combine.

The battered husk of Luthien still glowed the dull gray of a Smoke Jaguar world, now joined by Chatham, Leiston, and Bicester. Yumesta glowed the orange of conflict as the DCMS Sixth and Seventh Ghost bled and died to plug the hole that the 'shift' of the Seventh Sword of Light had opened. His ally "Agate" led the Teak Dragon to Dover to secure the critical shipyards there for Coordinator Franklin Kurita.

Let the eta and burakumin die to slow down the barbarian Jaguars. Once the enemies had exhausted each other, then the true samurai would perform an iaido strike to slay the Jaguar and reclaim Luthien for the Dragon.

Sadly, some of the units that he was hoping to rely on had launched independent actions to strike the Jaguars upon hearing the news of Luthien. Their casualties would need to be made good first....

A chime interrupted Ricol's musings. "My Lord Archduke, a messenger from ComStar."

Ricol blanked the display with a silent snarl of annoyance, "Then send them in!"

The red-robed Adept entered, escorted by a pair of his personal guards, and knelt before the Red Duke. "The Peace of Blake upon you, Archduke Ricol. I have a message for you."

He placed a hard sided metal document case on the table. "As directed, I am to bring this directly to you and place it in your hands for your eyes only."

Ricol glanced at the guard who nodded confirmation that the case had been scanned and was not a bomb. "Ordered, by whom?"

His eyes then were drawn to the white wax seal holding the case closed and he felt a pit of ice form in his stomach. The seal was the familiar Dragon of House Kurita with a sakura flower between the Dragon's open jaws. The seal of the Keeper of the House Honor. "Out, and I am not to be disturbed!"

Ricol opened the latch with a hiss as the seal broke on the case once the room had been cleared. Then he looked at the contents. Inside the case, several of the fluid filled shock absorbing elements had sprung a minor leak, but the contents were clearly undamaged.

A verigraphed sheet of the near-indestructible plastic that had taken the place of paper early in the 25th century had his name in hand-written kanji neatly above the security thumb strip to verify his identity. The other object was a message disk marked with the Dragon and sakura of the Keeper.

Ricol wiped some of the fluid from the sheet of paper to clean it off. As he did, the holoimage of Omi Kurita as part of the verigraph of the paper seemed to track him with a knowing smile. He then pressed his thumb to the offered security strip and a poem formed like magic.

A parting word?
The melting snow
is odorless.

He frowned. The message of the Keeper's poem was unclear. Clearly the statement was about the transience of existence, but....

With the question lingering in his mind, he wiped more packing fluid off the holodisk and inserted it into the terminal.

The display fuzzed and reformed into the image of Omi Kurita kneeling in seiza. Dressed in a pure white formal kimono embroidered with the five scarlet dragon kamon of House Kurita and a black obi that had subtle gray threading suggesting the Dragon's scales, she was the image of feminine demure beauty.

"Konban-wa, Duke Ricol-san. Please forgive my tardiness in speaking to you. I was unable to accord you the proper courtesies when our paths crossed on Benjamin last October."

Her voice was melodic and her smile pleasant, but there was something lurking in her blue eyes that caused him to shiver slightly.

"I wish to tell you a story for your instruction my lord Duke. Once the Dragon laid a single egg, and guarded it closely, for it held his Prince who would one day take his father's place as the Dragon. The Dragon knew that the Yellow Bird, the enemy of the Dragon would fear this Prince and took precautions, but despite his wisdom, the Dragon underestimated the Yellow Bird's cunning. As the Dragon traveled among his realm, the Yellow Bird struck, wounding the Dragon and nearly slaying the Prince. Only the honor and loyalty of a little blue Dove saved the Dragon and his Prince from the Yellow Bird's strike and the Dragon raised the Dove to among his courtiers and took the Dove's advice for all subjects of the Dragon have their own parts to pay to insure the Harmony of the Realm."

Ricol rubbed his hands nervously, and blinked.

"This is the story that I was told by my father's father as a girl, My Lord Duke. Truly Takashi-Dono was a wise and powerful Dragon to trust one as you who saved him and his son from the rebels of Rasalhague who nearly killed them both before my birth. Your actions on that day...."

The image panned back to reveal that Omi was flanked by vases containing bright orange tiger lilies and blood-red spider lilies. Ricol recoiled as if physically struck at the symbolism of the hanakotoba flower arrangements presented.

Hatred and Death.

Omi's eyes flared a icy steel-blue and her expression hardened, making Ricol's heart race as he trembled uncontrollably. He had seen that expression as a young boy sixty years before. Her eyes were the same as Takashi's father Hohiro I as he laughed at the sight of a noble flogged to death in public court for disrespect to the Dragon.

"....were well hidden, but not hidden enough. You fooled my grandfather. You fooled my father. Your treachery killed my brother and uncle."

Omi's voice was terse and controlled and her terrible eyes bored into him. Ricol gulped, trying to work his numb hands to life.

"My Lord Duke, let me tell you the true story. The Yellow Bird bribed the Dove with a supply of precious stones such as rubies to worm his way into the Dragon's confidence. The attack on the Dragon and his Prince was concealment for the Dove to get close to the Dragon and steal away the Prince's firstborn, conceived out of wedlock, to warp into a foe to be used against the Dragon. Through his treachery the Dove abandoned the Prince to die to the Dragon's enemies, and two of the three children of the Prince died honorable deaths in defense of the realm."

Ricol felt dozens of insects travel up and down his spine, and he blinked away spots in his vision.

"That leaves the last true egg of the Dragon...and the Traitor Dove. My brother Minoru swore to me that no man may live under the same sky as the slayer of his kin when I gave him the sword of Shiro Kurita as Coordinator. Know that I will not stop until your line and your allies' lines are exterminated from the face of the stars and human memory!" Omi snarled, her face flushing with wrath as her control cracked.

Ricol stumbled and collapsed as Omi continued in a hatred-filled inexorable voice filled with grief and fury. "I declare Vendetta upon you and yours, Duke Hassad Ricol, Ruby of the Black Dragon Society. Your treachery will be avenged a hundredfold for each tear that I have wept for my kin. But as for you...I have something special planned for you."

Ricol began to howl in agony as his nerves exploded in fire.

"Even now the Dragon's Breath works on you Ricol. No quick or honorable death for you, lowest of the low, traitor and conspirator. Just the agony of knowing that the Dragon! Will! Have! Her! Vengeance!"

((((()))))

March 18th, 3057

The palace physician bowed before Franklin Kurita. "Coordinator-dono, the Duke's condition worsens."

Franklin nodded slowly. "The cause?"

"Severe mercury poisoning. Incurable. The symptoms are agony, madness and then death as the body consumes its own nerves uncontrollably. Our diagnosis is that he is strong and he might...linger...for days, weeks, perhaps even months."

In the distance the screams of the dying man could be faintly heard.

"How was he poisoned?"

"The message that was sent through ComStar was packed with dimethylmercury in the packing materials inside a sealed case. One drop on bare skin is lethal and he absorbed it through his hands. The DCMS has been called to attempt to make the room safe for human entrance from the poison that evaporated and accumulates on the furnishings, but...." An eloquent shrug.

"I see. Leave me, I must consider the implications of such action by my half-sister."
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: mikecj on 05 November 2018, 02:42:41
Now that's playing rough!
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Starfox1701 on 05 November 2018, 05:37:17
Well that couldn't have happened to a nicer more deserving fellow.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: ThePW on 05 November 2018, 09:37:28
Well that couldn't have happened to a nicer more deserving fellow.
*claps* Not brutal enough... :D
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: DOC_Agren on 07 November 2018, 16:19:32
Damm   that a hell of a way to make a statement against the Kokuryu-Kai.

Omiko Kurita Keeper of the Family Honor, I salute you

Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Mackon on 13 November 2018, 21:53:43
"Severe mercury poisoning. Incurable. The symptoms are agony, madness and then death as the body consumes its own nerves uncontrollably. Our diagnosis is that he is strong and he might...linger...for days, weeks, perhaps even months."
She's such a nice girl.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Trace Coburn on 14 November 2018, 02:50:37
She's such a nice girl.
  Leave us not forget, during the canonical BDS assassination attempt on her and Victor just before Operation BULLDOG, Omi struck off a man’s head in a single blow and lost not a single wink of sleep over it.  Yamato Nadeshiko or not, first last and always she is Kurita, and Kurita do not waste pity on blood-enemies.

  Besides, as noted on SB.com, the... flair of this particular counter-strike does contain a certain element of ‘beating the grass to startle the snakes’ (pun intended).  If realising that demure, ever-mannerly Omi Kurita is willing to be this calculating and cruel in her revenge alarms more of her enemies into revealing themselves for her next blow, so much the better.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Sir Chaos on 14 November 2018, 09:30:38
  Leave us not forget, during the canonical BDS assassination attempt on her and Victor just before Operation BULLDOG, Omi struck off a man’s head in a single blow and lost not a single wink of sleep over it.  Yamato Nadeshiko or not, first last and always she is Kurita, and Kurita do not waste pity on blood-enemies.

  Besides, as noted on SB.com, the... flair of this particular counter-strike does contain a certain element of ‘beating the grass to startle the snakes’ (pun intended).  If realising that demure, ever-mannerly Omi Kurita is willing to be this calculating and cruel in her revenge alarms more of her enemies into revealing themselves for her next blow, so much the better.

Or even better: It might scare some of them into shelving their plans until after she has died from old age. Or maybe longer, just in case.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 14 November 2018, 09:41:24
AN: And another Omake, this time by Gladiusone, it's the return of our fave Von Strang!

Duke Thomas Bradford smiled as he rose from behind his desk to greet his guest. "Colonel Marik! Welcome to Coventry! I hope the trip in system was not too unplesant?"

The handsome woman in her late fifties bowed, then took his offered hand. "Thank you, your Grace: no, we had no need to push our engines, and proceeded at a leisurely single gravity." He offered a chair, which she gratefully took. "Ah, thank you again ... my bones aren't as spry as they once were."

"I know how you feel ... fortunately, my own days of burning hard towards enemy planets are over: my greater concern is rallying the nobility of this planet to all pull in generally the same direction."

"Somehow, your Grace, I think I have the better situation," the League-born mercenary winced, obviously thinking of her own nation's recalcitrant parliament.

"Please, Colonel: enough with the 'your Grace's'. I might feel forced to style you 'Her Grace, the Duchess of Augustine.'"

Kristen blanched. "Heaven forefend: I've put a great deal of work into avoiding that little planet. It does quite well enough without me being reminded I'm supposed to run the bloody place. A regiment is far easier to command, and less likely to result in backchat and whining."

Bradford smiled. "There are some perks," he offered, as a servant brought in two frosty bottles of beer marked with the Coventry kangaroo, and she took one with relish. They sampled their brews, and sighed in satisfaction. Then the duke grew serious. "Pardon me, Colonel, but I wished to take a moment to extend my most sincere condolences for the situation in the League. Is there any word on your brother? Your niece?"

She sighed. "Nothing on Thomas or Isis, I'm afraid: cousin Corrine is keeping a firm lid on things, and relations with Sian is not exactly conducive to correspondence. Joshua, thank God, is on New Avalon surrounded by the best doctors and guards available." She took another sip. "The Archon Princess sent her own best wishes, and I know her people are working on learning more." Kristen shrugged. "It seems that civil war remains the Free World's League's nation passtime. All I can do is focus on doing my job ... which, today, is getting my boys and girls ready to defend this little mudball of yours."

"I'm actually quite fond of this little mudball," Bradford rejoined in mock offense, but smiled. "Actually, I have also recieved a letter from Katherine Steiner Davion, and it was ... quite interesting. It seems that she is interested in activating a clause in your contract, and transferring your employment at a significant markup."

"Oh?"

"Yes: of course, it's your decision, but it will pay far better than your current commitment, and either way Coventry will be delighted to house and protect your dependents as though they were our own." He pulled a data chip from his desk, and offered it to her. "It is a combat assignment, and will involve venturing into Periphery space as part of a multi-regimental task force to liberate five worlds from the Jade Falcons ..."

*********

"With all due respect, my lady," offered Kommandant Ryan Cooper, as he cut his steak, "And, if I may, after the Island, that's a heck of a lot, whatever the newsies say ... I'm not sure if I or any of my boys and girls would be interested in joining the Legion." He paused to take a sip of wine, then continued. "I mean, sure our enlistments are up, and we're all thinking about whether or not to re-up, but the Legion has something of a reputation ... and not everyone agrees with me that it's overblown."

"Perfectly understandable," agreed Juliette as a server reloaded her scotch. The private room in a Sudeten hotel that until recently had been used as a Falcon administration center had held up fairly well after years of occupation and misuse, with mercenaries now recouperating in various rooms and halls, while the kitchens and resturants worked overtime to feed them. Fortunately, rank had it's privileges. "And to be honest in return, I do not think that your troops would fit with the Legion style of warfare: our agressive tactics have a tendancy to be ... costly, despite our best efforts. We are already recuiting heavily for the Forsaken, our conventional branch, to bring them up to full regimental strength, we have something else in mind for your troops.

"Essentially," she sipped at her liquor, "We envision you forming a mercenary command of your own, and I, as Baroness of Strang and ... well, let's not get ahead of ourselves. As Baroness, I can hire your troops, and you remain independent of the Legion. After the campaign, we can revisit the matter, and you can either remain mercenaries - in which case we will likely at least keep some of you on - or you can sign on with whatever national defense force we form. Your missions will likely be crowd control, security and some urban combat, door knocking and rooting out stubborn Falcon holdouts: the Legion and heavier units will handle field combat."

"So, you basically want regime support forces."

"Essentially. I'm not expecting you to liquidate neighborhoods that disagree with me, Kommandant, but as you know, it takes more than landing a few dozen 'Mechs on a planet to claim it as yours: you can drive over it, bomb it, fly over it, but you can't claim it as yours -"

"Unless you've got a scared eighteen year old with a rifle and bayonet standing on top of it," chimed in Cooper, scooping up some peas. "If I agree, I intend to run my command as though I still served the Commonwealth: that means regular discipline, training, protocols and ethics. If I receive orders that violate those ethics, I won't follow them."

"I'm sure we can have that written into your contract, Kommandant," smiled Juliette.

"Equipment needs to be decent: I'm not sending my troops into the fight without proper gear."

"I have an agreement with the AFFC: you will draw your weapons, armour and equipment from their quartermaster. I envisong a mix of foot and motorised infantry, although the precise details will likely become more clear after future discussions. I have here a list," she touched a small data chip, "Of other officers and NCOs the AFFC has recommended, for your perusal. Some you have served with before, others you may have heard of. Once you have a core, you can recruit from there."

He looked thoughtfully at the young mercenary. "You seem to have thought this through pretty well. How many troops, exactly, are you imagining I could organise?"

She lifted a bite of steak to her mouth. "I'm thinking three or four regiments, with appropriate artillery and VTOL support, medical teams and administration." As he blinked in shock, she reached into a pocket and pulled out a small golden pin. "I imagine a promotion is in order ... Brigadier Cooper."
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 14 November 2018, 09:44:03
AN: Another fine Omake by Gladiusone of SB.com!!

Intelligence

Juliette watched through the window to the courtyard below, as grizzled sergeants ran infantrymen through close quarter drill. While all were veterans of the AFFC, the finest combined arms military not being run by a cult, they were from multiple units, and still getting used to working together. Fortunately the Heavy APCs have arrived, along with the Patton’s, Manticores and Po’s we ordered, she mused, and that’s not counting the hundreds of tons of other gear Cooper’s boys and girls will need. Then there’s transport ... here’s hoping Kitty S-D is good to her word. So far, the regent of the Federated Commonwealth had held up her end of the bargain between them, but with Spheroids you never knew where you stood.

Sighing, she turned to where Adrian stood, noteputer at the ready. “You have the latest update on our targets?”

Her best friend, aide and bodyguard in and out of the cockpit, nodded, tapping on his device. “Cleared through MIIO, Wolfnet, plus word from the normal sources,” he added coyly: even here, on Sudeten with the Clanners cleared out, he didn’t name the Lost by name: even a hint of their presence could betray the various loyal Barons seeded throughout the OZ. “Cross checked and collated, with the appropriate annotations and footnotes.”

“Summarise,” she ordered, and he nodded, knowing that she would absorb the details later.

“Erewhon, population ninety million, large continents with few small oceans. Cool and dry, most of the population is in sheltered, fertile valleys fed by geothermal activity. The folk are hardy and laid back, mostly subsistence farmers and sheep herders, but there are six sizable cities with light industry, and spaceports where large quantities of wool, grain and other local products are loaded onto DropShips. The populace is descended from New Zealanders, being a mix of Maori, Scottish, English and Scandinavian ancestors. The Falcon forces largely stick to the cities, and the locals let them, preferring to mind their own business. More recently groups of Labourer, Merchant and Scientist Caste Falcons have been landing and building their own enclave, including industry and manufacturing.

“There aren’t any regular Falcon units reported to be on site, apart from some basic Solhama infantry and armor units at the main spaceport: there’s just not much the Tankers really care about there. However, signals intercept suggest it may be being used as a fallback site, so there may be survivors from broken Budgie units recuperating there when we arrive.”

“Shame to interrupt their RR,” murmured Juliette. Strangely, she didn’t sound very apologetic.

“Gotterdamerung is next, and we both know the story there: small, cold, tiny population of neobarbs who make their living herding reindeer and supporting whatever pirate band is hanging about the spaceport. Just so happens this time around it’s the Falcons, 4th PGC.”

Juliette nodded: maybe fifty thousand people lived on that snowball, and apart from its location on the Exodus Road back to the Clan homeworlds, she wouldn’t even be bothering with it. “Next?”

“Population of almost eight million, Last Chance is a hot, wet world with a large trio of continents largely covered by mountains and jungle. Most of the people live in three cities that are at the mouths of large rivers, but there is a serious logging and cattle industry, with the loggers clearing land for the cattle to be raised on, slowly beating back the jungle day by day. Unfortunately, the local wood is very hard, yet rots very quickly once harvested: much of the work is done by ancient LoggerMechs that are on their last legs, and lots of brute force. The Falcons have largely ignored the activities of the locals, as long as they bow their heads and pay their tithes.

“Fourth Talon Cluster was scheduled to be stationed there just before Clover Spear kicked off, and there’s no indication they’ve moved yet.”

“And Botany Bay?” She asked with a raised eyebrow, remembering previous discussions about the rather ... rambunctious former RWR planet.

He grinned. “Much of the almost a million residents of Botany Bay live underground, in geothermally fed caverns that give shelter from the obsidian sand and ice storms that ravage the surface on a regular basis. Settled by Rim World Republic convicts and political prisoners, the locals actually benefited by the Falcon conquest, as the Clanners had a method of building domes at the lone spaceport that wouldn't be eroded by the storms before the year was out. Unfortunately for the Clanners, the locals also proved to be disturbingly independent, chafing heavily under the Clan yoke: well they remembered the name Kerensky, and they had no love for the decedents of the SLDF, whatever they called themselves now.”

“The Third Talon might have thought they had an easy temporary posting, but the locals have other ideas. It seems they haven’t gotten any easier to control than they were under Amaris. Punitive expeditions into the caverns with Elementals and light 'Mechs broke up the last three attempts at rebellion, but there are rumors that another attempt to push the invaders back into the Black is underway ...”

“Gods bless those convicts,” the Baroness shook her head. “Presumably there’s the normal share of Solhama troops and ‘military police’ caste bully boys on each world?”

He nodded. “Seems an easy way for Lyrans living under the Tankers to get a better ration is to volunteer to kick Periphery folk about while wearing green.” He shrugged. “More things change ...”

She turned back to the window, as a full regiment of infantry, technically mercenaries but in her pay, snapped to attention, their hands slapping on the stocks of their battle rifles loud enough to echo up to her office. “Oh no, my friend,” she said softly, a hint of fang showing as her lip curled in a slight smile, “After this campaign, things are never going to be the same.”

Neither of them discussed the final target on their itinerary. The Baroness was as familiar with the intelligence regarding Von Strang’s World as he was: she checked the updated data summaries each day upon waking, and before going to bed. In a lesser woman, such would be considered obsessive behaviour. In her, it was simply reality.

“Marik and the others have all touched down: you’ve got a breakfast meeting with them scheduled tomorrow with all three colonels, after they’ve got their people settled,” he continued: Kristen’s Krushers, the 13th Republican Light Lancers and the Legion of the Rising Sun had been subcontracted to join von Strang’s Legion on their campaign, paid by Steiner-Davion. “The galley has checked with their staffs to ensure we don’t make any basic dietary mistakes or the like.”

“Good work,” she told her former classmate, who just holstered his noteputer on his belt and stood at ease. She glanced over at him. “And our own people?”

He shrugged. “Two battalions are ready to march, third is still working up. Give Major Haddock a month to get used to his promotion and get over his nerves, he’ll be fine. We won’t be the same as we were before the Island,” he added in a slightly warning tone.

Juliette turned back to the window, taking solace in the sight of soldiers at work. “We never are,” she whispered, the faces of men, women and children under her care who had died over the years since her crusade had begun. So many ... she shook her head to clear it. When she turned back to Adrian, it was the Vampire who met his eyes. “They’ll be ready when we drop onto Erewhon ... or when we leave,” she said firmly. “There is no other choice.

“We’re going home.”

Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Starfox1701 on 15 November 2018, 13:47:21
I wonder if this little operation will draw the attention oof the toaster lovers?
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: DOC_Agren on 15 November 2018, 14:45:36
it might but I'm not sure they even are crazy enough to want to play 1 on 1 with Juliette Von Strang and her Legion
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 07 December 2018, 11:33:26
Prelude to Sarna, Part 2

“...We launched some supporting operations to further pin down Fedcom forces, and they moved to breakout as expected, but the performance of Blakist troops was not up to the standard they had set earlier in the invasion. Our own operations have currently met with mixed success; however, we have moved the lion’s share of McCarron’s people into place to greet the Fedcom breakout attempt. Other operations, such as the “removal” of disloyal mercenary elements in our own forces, went well, though the fugitive, John Wesley Bordon, remains at large, but the Maskirovka has made his capture a priority and we expect bids from bounty hunters within the week…”

Excerpt from report to the Chancellor on the Progress of East Sea from the Strategios, dated 13 Feburary, 3056 (damaged copy was released by Capellan Joint Committee to Investigate the Prosecution of the War (Joint Committee formed from both the House of Scions and Prefectorate.) The document was released to the public in open hearings on 19 July, 3058.

Operations East Sea and Lattikia (Combined Wave 2)

Corey
Attacking Units:35th Free Worlds “Volunteers”, (ex – 5th Marik Militia)
Defending Units: Corey SMM, Corey Planetary Guard
Results: The Corey SMM turned their coats, and invited the Mariks in without a shot, expecting the world would be returned to the Confederation, however, the Mariks swiftly disarmed the Corey SMM and deposed the government, installing their own military governor and began the process of integrating the world into the League.

Tsingtao
Attacking Units: House Hiritsu
Defending Units: 36th Lyran Guards RCT, Tsingtao Planetary Guard.
Results: House Hiritsu had bad intelligence, that suggested the 36th had left to become part of Clover Spear, but in fact, it had never left Tsingtao, and was greeted with a ferocious series of counterattacks that smashed the Warrior House, destroying 50% of the unit before it fled off world. 

Heilgoland
Attacking Units: 15th Dracon
Defending Units: 3rd Fedcom RCT, Heilgoland Planetary Guard.
Results: The 15th suffered the same bad intelligence that House Hiritsu had suffered, and was mauled by the 3rd, who weren’t even supposed to be on the world, and had been missed on their usual baseworld of Sarna.

Van Diemen IV
Attacking Units: 4th Free Worlds “Volunteers”, reinforced mid-month by the 5th Free World’s “Volunteers”
Defending Units: 3rd Republican, Van Diemen Planetary Guard.
Results: The 3rd managed to coalesce around the minor mining town of New Arrangton. They fought a game siege, but the arrival of the 5th showed the 3rd that the writing was on the wall. Within the week, the 3rd Republican departed Van Diemen for Castor.

Manapire
Attacking Units: Ishihara’s Grenadiers, Marshagima’s Legionnaires
Defending Units: 3rd Ceti Hussars RCT, Manapire Planetary Guard.
Results: The Ceti Hussars managed to enter the caves and smashed both Capellan merc units badly, with the 3rd Battalion of Ishihara’s Grenadiers fighting a brave rear guard action to allow time for the rest of the force to get to their dropships and escape, however, the Davions got there first, and forced the remains of both units to surrender.

Matsu
Attacking Units: Blanford’s Grenadiers and Kingston’s Legionnaires
Defending Units: 8th Arcturan Guards, Matsu Planetary Guard
Results: The 8th did the best they could against Blandford’s and Kingston’s but as on Truth, the numbers and experience were not in their favor, and the unit withdrew to Mandate after two weeks of fighting. However, the arrival of the Capellans re-opened divisions that had racked the world during the 4th Succession War, and when the FC troops withdrew, they exploded into open violence, with the Capellan units often acting as peacekeepers between the various factions.

Diversionary Raids

Verlo
Attacking Units: House Daidachi
Defending Units:  15th Deneb Light Cavalry RCT, Verlo Planetary Guard
Results: House Daidachi had already come off two successful raids, and was looking forward to a third, but the 15th, while not as experienced as the Capellans, did have the numbers on them, and used them effectively, frustrating the Capellan commander, and forcing him to leave 10 days after his unit arrived, completely empty handed.

Jonzac
Attacking Units: House Kamata
Defending Units: Jonzac Planetary Guard
Results: The people of Jonzac awoke to find that House Kamata had done an avalanche drop right atop the main militia barracks in the planetary capitol. The Capellans then began to systematically loot the world, taking with them 35 Million C-Bills worth of refined petroleum products, and another 10 million in industrial machine presses.

“The final wave of Clover Spear faced Falcon units that were at best, in an advanced state of moral and logistical collapse. With the exception of Winfield, Falcon units fought in a confused and/or half-hearted manner, and were not often willing to engage us, even when they had a clear advantage. We are happy to report the fourth and final wave concluded ahead of schedule, and the timetable to shift units back to the Federated Stuns State Command is as follows…”

Taken from the daily operational briefing provided to Field Marshal Ranier Poulin, Supreme Commander of “Operation Clover Spear”, declassified October 9th, 3076

Winfield
Attacking Units: 21st Striker Regiment, and 151st Light Horse Regiment, Eridani Light Horse, Grey Death Legion, 1st Argyle Lancers, 3 Independent Artillery Brigades.

Defenders: 6th Provisional Garrison Cluster, 1st Provisional Cluster (3 Trinaries of survivors from various Falcon Clusters), 8th Talon Cluster (20% understrength) Clan Jade Falcon

Results: Winfield was the scene of some of the bloodiest fighting of Clover Spear. The world had had an active insurgency that at times, resembled a civil war, with as many people supporting the Falcons due to their Star League origins, as fought against them. Winfield soon became a “training” ground for Falcon sibkos, and several were amalgamated into a provisional cluster along with the shattered convalescing survivors of several destroyed Falcon clusters lost earlier in Clover Spear, as well as the remnants of the 8th Talon Cluster, fresh from their defeat at the hands of the Wolves. (The 8th found Trell I in a planetary uprising, and wisely evacuated two weeks after arrival, taking as many of the lower caste members as they could). The general uprising before the FC troops made landfall was dealt with brutally, with a Falcon warship, the CJF Emerald Tornado dropping deadfall ordnance directly on rebel-held areas of the capitol before she was nuked from existence by FC aerospace fighters.

The fighting dirtside was no less brutal, as the Falcons holed up in the Kerensky Munitions and Armaments factory complex, as well as the nearby town of Hazen. A brutal three-week siege then ensued, with little quarter asked or given. The last defenders then made a massed night assault on the lines of the 1st Argyle Lancers, and if not for the actions of Hauptmann Sara Bennigan, and her Thunderbolt, rallying a makeshift defense of the logistics area and the regimental headquarters, the 1st would have been overrun. Haputmann Bennigan was awarded the Medal Excalibur for her actions in a ceremony at Davion Palace in 3058. Accurate and timely artillery fire shattered the Falcon charge, and the Eridani Light Horse cut off the survivors and annihilated them. Only 24 Falcon warriors survived to be taken prisoner.

Apollo
Attacking Units: 3rd Crucis Lancers RCT, 26th Lyran Guards RCT, Grey Death Legion, 3 Independent Artillery Brigades.
Defending Units: 17th Falcon Regulars, Clan Jade Falcon
Results: The fighting for Apollo was short and sharp, with the Falcons abandoning the defense of Apollo after a week of desultory resistance. The 17th has not been seen again since fleeing Apollo.

Evicler
Attacking Units: 8th Deneb Light Cavalry RCT, Davion Light Guards RCT, 1st Kell Hounds, 3 Independent Artillery Brigades
Defending Units: 9th Talon Cluster, Clan Jade Falcon
Results: The 9th challenged Morgan Kell to a duel for the fate of the Cluster, and the chosen champion, Star Commander Aaron Malthus, was unhorsed from his ‘Mech in less than fifteen seconds. The unit then became bondsmen of the Kell Hounds.

Devin
Attacking Units:  1st Robinson Rangers, 2nd Davion Guards RCT, 2 Independent Artillery Brigades
Defending Units: Choyer Garrison Cluster, Clan Jade Falcon
Results: After a small engagement near the 1st Rangers LZs, the Falcon morale collapsed, as much to a lack of logistical support and the fact that there was no help coming from their clan. The rest of the campaign was marked by accepting mass surrenders.

“..I knew we had to break out, it wasn’t going to end well for anyone in the “Old Kentucky Pocket” if we didn’t. But we didn’t have a ton of mobile forces to accomplish it, if we all moved from the border, we’d have the League come in after us and crush us from behind, all we had was the 12th Vegan Rangers, who’d already had one of their regiments lose a tough campaign on Tsinghai. But all their regiments wanted some payback. So, in a long, and at times, emotional conversation over a series of HPG messages, I authorized them to break out. It threw off our timetable for ACTIVE PANTHER a bit, but it worked out..in a fashion, in the end. Damn near gutted the 12th Vegans on Sarna, I hope the survivors can forgive me for that.”

Taken from “Too Long a Soldier” pp. 335, by Marshal Jackson Davion, AFFC (Ret.)

Corey
Attacking Units: Beta and Gamma Regiments, 12th Vegan Rangers, 2nd Robinson Rangers
Defending Units: 35th Marik Volunteers (ex. 5th Marik Militia)
Results: Barely two weeks had gone by since the 35th had arrived on Corey, and they were barely involved in assimilating the world back into the Free Worlds League when the Fedcom force arrived to contest ownership of the world. The 35th did well, but the weight of numbers was against it, and the Marik unit left the world after a month of heavy fighting, having lost nearly a battalion trying to hold back the Fedcom force.

Matsu
Attacking Units: Alpha and Delta Regiments, 12th Vegan Rangers
Defending Units: Blanford’s Grenadiers and Kingston’s Legionnaires
Results:  Things did not go well for any of the combatants on Matsu. The Capellan units were still bogged down trying to bring peace to Matsu when the 12th arrived, causing a flareup in the violence, forcing both units to be scattered in penny packets that were brutally overrun by the Rangers early on. But, the Capellans stabilized the situation and a bloody stalemate soon settled in, with both sides being harried by the factionalized insurgents, thus plunging Matsu into a nasty three-sided civil war.

Zion
Attacking Units: 1st Kestrel Grenadiers
Defending Units: 3rd Free Worlds Guards
Results: The 1st Kestrel savored a chance to raid the 3rd Guards, as they had drubbed them before, and did so again, smashing them time and again over a period of two weeks, and destroying almost a battalion before it was all said and done. They also seized some 50 Million C-Bills worth of agricultural products for their trouble, and a warehouse of Battlemech parts for the militia, who had recently been disarmed due to concerns as to their loyalty.

Operation Pointe Claíomh (Sword Point)

“They abandoned our brothers and sisters on Tamar, abandoned them and our Duke to the rapacious hands of the Clans! All because he dared to do what they could not! KICK ALL THE CLANS OUT OF THE INNER SPHERE. Ryan Steiner is a hero, whose name will beat in the heart of all true Skye patriots for all time….”

Excerpt from captured Sons of Skye propaganda leaflet taken by Landing City Police Department on Solaris, March 8th, 3057. The raid on the cell also yielded 10 rifles, 40 pistols, 10,000 rounds of ammunition, half a ton of C-9 explosives, 500,000 L-Bills, and a plan to assassinate Duke Brewer of Coventry during a scheduled visit in June.

Tamar
Attacking Units: 4th Skye Rangers RCT, 17th Skye Rangers, 22nd Skye Rangers, Dragonslayers, Eriksson's Einherjar (1 Regiment), 789th Striker and the Black Cobra Regiment of the Crater Cobras.
Defending Units: Golden Keshik, 4th Wolf Guards Assault Cluster, Clan Wolf, CWS Nicholas Kerensky

Results: The Wolf Clan Warship Nicholas Kerensky was lost early in the invasion, being blotted from the sky by at least 50-60 nuclear weapons as the Skye forces gained aerial superiority and dropped Eriksson’s Einherjar right on top of the Golden Keshik’s barracks and ‘Mechbays. Though the Einerjar was brutalized, with barely a battalion surviving to be relieved by the 4th Skye, it managed to gun down a majority of the Keshik in their barracks, with only a trinary led by Natasha Kerensky managing to fight their way clear. Kerensky soon linked up with the 4th Wolf Guards and then led them on a mobile campaign that frustrated the efforts of the Skye forces to take the planet for a better part of a month.

Most citizens of Tamar, surprisingly, did not revolt against the Wolves when called to do so by Ryan Steiner. Many were content to remain neutral. The arrival of a Wolf Clan relief force in mid-March, led by Phelan Ward, consisting of the 352nd Assault Cluster, the 24th Wolf Rangers, the Doberung and Choyer PGCs, and his own Silver Keshik, ended any realistic attempt by Skye and her forces to retake Tamar. At the same time, a courier ship from the Federated Commonwealth arrived, denouncing the actions of Ryan Steiner, and stating that any units that did not return with the courier ship would be dispossessed if they managed to return to the Federated Commonwealth, or left to the tender mercies of the Wolves if they did not.

Upon hearing this, the Dragonslayers, now consisting of 2 weak battalions, and the surviving Black Cobra Regiment of the Crater Cobras fled to return to the Federated Commonwealth, where they were given free passage to Outreach. The remaining units were involved in a titanic battle in and around Tamar City, where all the remaining Inner Sphere units were destroyed over another three weeks of fighting, with the Wolves taking heavy casualties, especially in the 24th Wolf Rangers and the two Garrison Clusters. Vlad Ward was among these casualties, attempting to rally a trinary from the Choyer PGC when it broke under a counterattack by the 4th Skye Rangers. He died under the guns of at least three assault ‘Mechs. Very few bondsmen were taken by the Wolves, with no quarter asked, nor given.

In the final aerospace battle, Ryan Steiner in his Lucifer dueled the Wolf Clan Carew Ngyren in his Visigoth. The fight lasted some twenty minutes, with Ngyren finally killing Ryan Steiner, and the fighter plummeting to the planet below.

In the wake of the fighting, Natasha Kerensky has called a Clan Council meeting to discuss the future of the Wolf Clan in the Inner Sphere….

Wolf Clan Council Chambers
Tamar City
Tamar
Wolf Clan Occupation Zone
March 16th, 3057
 
 You can still smell the burning buildings even here. Phelan Ward-Kell, saKhan of Clan Wolf observed, as the current bloodnamed of Clan Wolf filed into one of the larger lecture halls at the campus of the former War College of Tamar. Their usual meeting place, the Hall of the Bloodnamed, which used to be the meeting place for the former Ducal government and the parliament, was now nothing but smoldering rubble, one of the last stands for the remains of a Skye Guards Regiment, a Cyclops that had been repeatedly holed by an over-enthusiastic warrior had fallen right atop the building…95 tons does nasty things to any building not built like a bunker.

 I don’t know how to feel about Vlad being dead. Part of me is gratified that such a rival is gone, not just for my own personal fortunes, but for the future of the Wolves. He was perhaps not as blinkered as the Jade Falcons were, but his prejudices would have been the Wolves undoing. Better he died a glorious death here, though there wasn’t much left of his giftake when we found his ‘Mech. I think one of the Skye ‘Mechs kicked in his cockpit, right into the sidewalk in fact.

 On the other hand, Vlad was a Wolf warrior par excellence. He was everything the founder asked us to be. Brave, cunning, skilled, ruthless. He was a Warrior we expect, and yet, that expectation has led to this. The Falcons and Vipers being chased out of the Inner Sphere, the Jaguars mired in unending blood and death in a disintegrating Combine, no closer to Terra than any of us, while the Adders are systematically making sure they have no home to return to. Huntress fell a month ago, and from what I understand, the Jaguars resisted to the last, Lincoln Osis died at the hand of Tabitha Paik. There are wars and rumors of war swirling through the homeworlds. The madness the founder fled with the eight hundred is gripping the Clans themselves, and all because of one man. Hanse Davion, you magnificent bastard. You’ve crippled the clans for all time. You knew that when you started this. And now, your son and daughter have us in a corner. But what is to be the solution? War, or something else?

 Loremaster Katya Kerensky gaveled the meeting to order. “Trothkin near and far, I call this meeting of the Wolf Clan Council to order. I remind all that we exist in a state of war, and the Martial Code governs this meeting. We shall all abide by the decisions made here, it is our rede. Until we all shall fall, selya!

 “Selya” the chamber thundered
 
Though usually, the Clan Council consisted of some three hundred seventy-five warriors, give or take depending on bloodname vacancies, however, in this case, the representatives of the lower castes had been invited today, thus swelling attendance in the hall to possibly over five hundred. This was a meeting to decide the future of the Clan as a whole, and more representatives were attending via teleconference.
 
Natasha Kerensky, Khan of Clan Wolf, rose from her place front and center in the conclave, she doffed her ceremonial mask and smiled, opening her arms wide. “Trothkin. I come to you a clan that is facing a crisis. But like all crises, there is both danger, and opportunity. Do we choose war? We would be within our right to take vengeance on the Federated Commonwealth by our laws, and our customs. Ryan Steiner was a liege lord of the Federated Commonwealth, he was not acting in their name, but it was their responsibility to keep him in check!”
 
The chamber roared with approval. “WAR! PUNISH THE ARROGANT FREEBIRTHS!!”
 
“But what would war gain us? Sure, we would beat the holy hell out of the Federated Commonwealth for a while. But in the end, they would smash us underfoot of their numbers, and their artillery. Their people would rally to their leaders, convinced ALL the clans are nothing more than perfidious, murderous neighbors whose very way of life must be violently exterminated. It is a war we cannot win ultimately.”
 
“I SEEK A TRIAL OF GRIEVANCE, NATASHA! YOU SPEAK AS AN OLD FREEBIRTH, NOT A BOLD WARRIOR WE NEED TO LEAD US!” shouted one voice from the gallery. Several shouts and murmurs echoed in sympathy for the speaker, or to shout him down for interrupting the Khan.
 
Katya Kerensky leaned into the microphone and banged her gavel furiously. “Order, we will have ORDER! Or I will have Star Captain Fetladral clear the hall!”
 
The very mention of Star Captain Fetladral seemed to take the starch out of the sails of many of the dissenters, and the shouting matches slowly broke up, and people resumed their seats. Loremaster Kerensky turned to Natasha and nodded.”
 
 “Thank you, Loremaster. In any event, I ken disaster for us if we choose war. But there is another option, trothkin. We can choose peace. In fact, I believe we must choose it. The most important imperative of the leadership of this clan is to ensure that the clan continues to survive and thrive. War with the Federated Commonwealth will never accomplish this, and all the emotionalism of the Crusader cause will not change the facts. The second most powerful Clan was badly humbled, and may even now, be in the process of being absorbed, or worse.”
 
 There were murmurs of surprise. “Has it come to this, Khan Kerensky?” asked Colin, the old, wizened leader of the laborer caste, he was respected far beyond his station for his loyalty to the clan, and his steady advice on non-military matters. He had been very successful with most of his suggestions in how to assimilate the restive Inner Sphere populations of the Occupation Zone into the Clan as a whole.
 
 “I am sorry Colin, it has. My last meeting with the Grand Council went badly, to say the least, and some clans aren’t even bothering to consult with them before turning on their fellows. Many Clans are not conducting themselves with any sort of honor. I often say that ‘Slavish adherence to ritual shows that one has nothing better to think about’, but in this case, that ritual, properly applied, did provide a measure of stability for our people. A thin veneer of stability against the chaos violence usually brings. The Commonwealth’s offensive, and the way it was conducted has shaken the Clans to their core and has stripped that veneer away.
 
 Another voice chimed out “What of the ilKhan? He is a Wolf. Surely he can bring sanity to all of this?”
 
 “Trothkin, I applaud your faith in Ulric, he is the best of us. But what good are his words when all ears have been closed to him?” Kerensky shook her head. “No, we have but one course. We must make common cause with our Inner Sphere citizens, we must unite the Clan and we must become part of their lives, as they must be made welcome to us. We must, proverbially, and in some cases, actually speaking, ‘cut their bondcord’ now, and for all time.”
 
 The hall went silent.
 
 “Trothkin, amongst the bravest of us here on Tamar was the 24th Wolf Rangers. They were an experiment. Consisting of trusted Lyran and Rasalhaguian adoptees, and equipped with Inner Sphere ‘Mechs and vehicles, we used them to see if we could integrate Inner Sphere warriors into the touman. The 24th proved to us over the last three weeks that the answer was yes. They were everywhere, plugging the line when it broke, launching attacks when needed, and they all volunteered as one, to recover bodies of the bloodnamed time, and time again, including the remains of Vlad Ward. And they suffered for it. Over a third of them are dead. Many more will never pilot a ‘Mech again. But what do we call them? ‘Freebirth?’, “Spheroid?’ What we should call them, if they have earned a place to be there, is ‘warrior’ or ‘trothkin’. Because for now, they are us, and we are them.”
 
 “OvKhan, then what do we do about the Commonwealth?” a young Star Commander in the front row inquired.
 
 Khan Kerensky smiled. “We do the unexpected. We deliver an olive branch. We have much to bargain with, and we Clansmen know how to bargain, do we not, quiaff?”


10th Skye Rangers Cantonment
8km South of Hirihito
New Kyoto
Skye March, Federated Commonwealth
March 23rd, 3057

 “I give a rats ass General, I am a Marshal, I outrank you, and that means in the AFFC, you follow orders? Kapice?” Marshal Sharon Bryan was not happy. She had gotten priority message from no less than Nondi Steiner herself that a) Most of the Skye Guards brigade had gotten a wild hair up their asses and gone off and attacked Tamar, potentially provoking the Wolves at a really bad time for the Commonwealth, and b) she had been ordered to disarm the one remaining regiment of the Rangers, the 10th and incarcerate the senior personnel on suspicion of high treason pending their “interview” with LIC.
 
 Things had begun well enough, they had met with a party from the 10th Skye Rangers, including their regimental commander and S-3 under flag of truce at a point 100 meters outside the main gate. Both sides had ‘Mechs and troops under cover, all guns trained on the parley. No doubt with orders to gun me down if it goes badly, Sharon’s mind reported.
 
And that smartass Rhonda Snord isn’t making things easier, she’s content to stand there with her arms crossed and smoke a cigar. she’s ordered her people to even leave their ‘Mechs behind!

 “We are following our lord’s last orders, legal orders Marshal, and as such it is you who is committing a criminal act. I warn you, any of your people set foot on our cantonment..we will take action!” Leutnant General Bukkish was a long serving officer from Tamar, whose career had been less than stellar, even for a “social general” but he was loyal, and that loyalty had gotten him promoted up the ranks of the Skye Rangers, even if that loyalty wasn’t to the Commonwealth as a whole. His hair was receding, what was left was grey, and his dusky skin was spotted, his beady brown eyes betraying the fear he felt for himself, and his people, as an Elite RCT, backed up by an equally competent mercenary battalion had just shown up and demanded his people lay down their arms without so much as a by-your-leave.
 
 Sharon Bryan had half a meter on the General, and she leaned in slightly, coming almost nose to nose with the General. “Oh, that would be a mistake, General. You do that, and I won’t bother taking any prisoners. You’d all be traitors to the Commonwealth, and I’d treat you as such.”

 “Fine sentiments Marshal, but how does it feel being a Davion lapdog?” Bukkish replied, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

 “No worse than it does being loyal to an idiot that may have begun a war for his own pride.” Bryan replied, her own snark on full display. “It seems, General, we are at an impasse. Fine, I will make this simple. You’ve got 4 hours. Either surrender, or at the end of four hours we’re coming in. If you don’t resist, we will take prisoners. If you do? Well, your people had better have luck on their side when it comes to surrendering, because my kids will probably shoot first, then ask questions later, we’re done here. “ and with that, Bryan turned on her heel and left, her gaggle of aides trailing behind. Snord ran up to Bryan’s side.

 “That could have gone better.” Snord said wryly.

 “He didn’t have any intention of surrendering, and he knows he can’t win. We have the numbers and firepower.” Bryan scoffed.

 Snord nodded sadly. “Yes, you are right, but Marshal, you did kind of come in there guns blazing. And no offense, but we could just wait them out.”

 Bryan shook her head. “Nope, not going to give these traitors a rallying point.”

 Snord stopped walking, and turned to Bryan “What rallying point, Marshal? The rest of the Skye Brigade is dead, or behind Wolf razor wire, being turned into bondsmen. We could give a bunch of well-trained, misguided folks a chance to save their own lives. Not to mention the lives of our boys and girls who are going to have to go in after them.”

 “Spoken like a mercenary, Snord.” Bryan said, exasperated.

 Snord nodded. “We have time on our side, Marshal. Cut their power, water, and lights. We send in Loki to disable their fusion plant, and then we wait. May take a few weeks, maybe a month, but we have nothing but time.”

“Let me consider it, Snord. You’re right. We don’t need any more loss of life here than necessary. But it depends on what Tharkad tells us.”

Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: AlphaMirage on 07 December 2018, 12:10:51
You sank my Kat/Vlad ship panzerfaust :(

It's not a proper fanfic unless the main female character has to choose between Mr Nice Guy (Galen) or Mr Tall, Dark, and Dangerous (Vlad).

Love that Ryan went down in an Aerospace duel and at least Vlad died doing what he was born to do.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: DOC_Agren on 07 December 2018, 16:57:32
Ahh poor Vlad, but then again he died in the only way he could have and made him happy, A Warrior Death
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Intermittent_Coherence on 07 December 2018, 17:06:21
You sank my Kat/Vlad ship panzerfaust :(

It's not a proper fanfic unless the main female character has to choose between Mr Nice Guy (Galen) or Mr Tall, Dark, and Dangerous (Vlad).
And the two trying to kill each other in a Circle of Equals quiaff?

Ryan's a douche but you gotta admit, he died putting his money where his mouth was.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: AlphaMirage on 07 December 2018, 20:53:23
And the two trying to kill each other in a Circle of Equals quiaff?

Augmented or Unaugmented?  Sounds like a great mini-fic.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Starfox1701 on 08 December 2018, 02:33:08
Ryan was an idiot and got a better death than he deserved. People are going to be dying in his name for decades. Glad to see we killed 2 birds with one botched invasion. Good riddance tto Vlad and his scumy dilosions of grandeur.

Now who wants to take bets that The Wolves will get a crack at Sian?
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 03 January 2019, 10:28:54
Another Omake from Yellowhammer. It's an interesting piece, that asks some good questions!

Walk in a forest during the day and the sunshine
makes the trees seem like a friendly presence. You feel
happy. But walk in the forest at night and the trees remind
you of prison bars. Why? Because the sunlight is no longer
there to illuminate all that seems good in our experience.
We are left to face only the dark side of our own nature.
-From Koans For a Modem Age, by Jennifer Katsuyori,
Gideon Press, 3000

Davion Palace, New Avalon
23 January 3057

Yvonne Steiner-Davion made her way through the familiar rabbit warren of the Palace corridors to the 'guest apartment' set aside for Omiko Kurita.

Idly humming a musical snippet from one of her father's favorite pre-Diaspora operas, she paused at the door, and nodded to the tough-looking tattooed Oriental man who was chatting with the Davion Guards Leftenant in charge of the door guards. "Is Omi inside?"

He nodded and spoke in Combine-accented English. "Hai. She is recording a message, if you do not mind waiting."

Yvonne nodded. "That's fine, I will just wait inside. I planned to ask her if she had any plans for tonight." She stepped into the foyer and pulled off her uniform boots, taking an offered set of house slippers, and raising a mental eyebrow at three other sets of shoes already present in the neat cubicle.

A muffled voice sounded from further inside, and Yvonne grinned and silently approached a door standing ajar. She pushed it open slightly to peek into the room beyond, and then froze.

Omi was dressed formally in an irisode kimono with five blood-red Kurita crests. She knelt gracefully in seiza on a tatami mat which had been dragged in and placed where the normal table and chairs for her sitting room would be. A pair of flowerpots filled with orange and red flowers flanked Omi, and Omi's attention was focused at the other end where Parvati and a pair of uniformed AFFC enlisted techs were concentrating on several holocameras filming her.

"...abandoned the Prince to die to the Dragon's enemies, and two of the three children of the Prince died honorable deaths in defense of the realm. That leaves the last true egg of the Dragon...and the Traitor Dove. My brother Minoru swore to me that no man may live under the same sky as the slayer of his kin when I gave him the sword of Shiro Kurita as Coordinator. Know that I will not stop until your line and your allies' lines are exterminated from the face of the stars and human memory!"

Yvonne bit her lip as the three-quarter profile of the Kurita royal twisted in rage and her eyes flashed furiously. She had seen that look before when she had visited Arthur and Tancred on Robinson after Arthur entered Robinson Battle Academy three years ago. She remembered how the face of long-dead Warlord Hugai Kurita in the two-century old holograph that had a pride of place in the Sandoval archives twisted in that same way as he spoke to the wounded Lyran officer who had fought a hopeless battle for seven years to resist the Arm of the Dragon.

"You and your men fought well, Colonel Hinders. I am minded to grant you a final gift before the end to honor your misguided valor. Come the morrow you will be allowed to confront the man who gave the Dragon the secrets of the Fourth Royal Guards. Guards, take him to a cell and call the physician to see that his wounds are not fatal...yet."

The stabbing pain in her palms as her nails dug into them brought her back to herself from the memories of past atrocities She knew what that tone of voice in the past had portended. Colonel Hinders had been forced to battle his brother to the death for Hugai's entertainment. As the dying Lyran officer realized too late what he had done, Hugai ordered his execution as the last member of the Pride of the Commonwealth...and the images of his final hours were sent to the Archon in an attempt to break Archon Claudius Steiner.

As Omi finished her rant into the camera, Yvonne looked at her with new eyes. Was Omiko really the girl who she and Katherine had seen enjoying shopping for the first time...or this murderous grieving stranger?

But who could she talk to? Victor was clueless about women and head over heels for Omi. Arthur and Tancred Sandoval were the other extreme, prepared to see Omi in a negative light no matter what. Katherine was busy managing the FedCom and judging from what Yvonne had noticed in her conversations, Katherine favored the similarly orphaned girl. Peter was tied down herding cats on Tharkad and dealing with the mess in Skye. No, there was only one person who could get the truth as to whether or not Omiko Kurita was a viper in their midst.

Yvonne stepped back behind the door to hide as Parvati and the techs passed her. She then took a deep breath, mentally reciting to herself her father's family motto. "Bravery, Audacity, Destiny." With that she nodded and squared her shoulders as she slipped inside, closing the door behind her. She soundlessly approached the back of the other woman, as Omi plucked aimlessly at one of the flower displays and then placed a hand on her right shoulder as she mentally rehearsed what she was going to say to get Omi to open up.

As her hand grabbed Omi's shoulder, the Kurita royal moved, stepping forward with her left foot and half turning. Omi's right arm came up to knock Yvonne's hand away as her left hand grabbed Yvonne's wrist to yank her forward and off balance for a counterattack.

Steel blue eyes suddenly widened in recognition and Omi hurriedly let Yvonne go. "Moushiwake gozaimasen deshita, Yvonne-sama!" she stammered a horrified apology with a deep bow.

Yvonne grinned in triumph mentally as she gave a matching bow to accept the apology. "No permanent harm done, Omi, but," Yvonne schooled her face to the closest approximation she had of her mother's icy commanding stare upon hearing of a royal theft of double chocolate chip cookies from the Triad kitchens before a never-to-be-forgotten seventh birthday party, "we need to talk. Now." She pointed at the door to the enclosed garden for the apartment.

Omi gulped nervously and followed Yvonne into the rose garden. Yvonne smirked a little at the statue grouping dominating the center of it of a young man with a handlebar mustache and a dagger-pointed beard kneeling and offering three roses carved from white marble to a clearly touched young woman. Alexander Davion and Cynthia Varnay. Fitting. I wonder if Omi knows the history about the children of mortal enemies uniting in marriage to lead the Suns? She then pointed to the bench placed to let the occupants look out through the armored glass to survey the view from Mount Davion before sitting facing Omi.

Omi sat, one hand subtly worrying at her obi sash as the silence lingered and Yvonne calmly stared her in the face. Finally, Omi spoke. "What...what is the matter, Yvonne?"

Yvonne leaned forward. "Simply this. I came in to see you swearing eternal bloody vengeance upon someone for crimes committed against your family. We both know that Victor is head over heels for you, would deny you nothing at all, and would be inclined to... overlook... that kind of activity, especially if you were discreet about 'dealing with' your enemies at first. That means that I have to act to insure that you don't turn his reign into the second coming of Claudius the Cruel and turn Victor Steiner-Davion into a name to blacken the pages of our history alongside our worst tyrants."

Omi's hand flew to her mouth and her eyes widened in horrified shock. "I would never! I would sooner die than hurt Victor-chan so! Please...you have to believe me!"

Yvonne winced mentally at the anguished look Omi was giving her. "Convince me. For starters, what was your little rant about?"

Omi took a deep breath and visibly gathered herself before meeting Yvonne's gaze. "MIIO gives you briefings, do they not?"

Yvonne nodded. "Not as much as Kathy or Peter get as the Regent and Heir or the spare to the throne, but I get the basics in case the Mask launches another successful attack on the dynasty and I have to step into their shoes. That way I can hit the ground running if the worst happens."

"They told you about Luthien and Benjamin then?"

"Not much more than the basics. The Jaguars overran Luthien and your father, mother and older brother perished in the fighting there. Then shortly afterward your younger brother was killed in a coup attempt on Benjamin. That sparked the current factional fighting within the Combine as nobles and generals rally around either your half-brother or your cousin to fight each other and the Clans."

Omi shook her head. "So ka. I was on Luthien when the Jaguars jumped into the system in overwhelming force. Father ordered me to... perform my duty." Omi's eyes glimmered with tears but her voice held an iron pride. "As the Keeper of House Honor I was to take the sword of Kurita Shiro-heike to my younger brother Minoru at Benjamin to anoint him Coordinator if what happened happened. So I departed the system under orders with the sword, and a few other family treasures while Father and Hohiro bought me the time to make my escape with their lives."

Yvonne reached over and gently squeezed Omi's hand as the Kurita's tears began to fall. "Sumimasen, Yvonne-chan. Father also stated that considering the circumstances, I was to journey to New Avalon after my other duties to House Kurita were discharged since my safety in the Combine could not be assured. As well as for..." Omi blushed shyly, "other more personal reasons."

Yvonne cracked a reminiscent grin. "Yes, I heard all about that arrangement from Victor's end back on Tharkad after he got your message. He was dying to tell someone that there was a way that you two would be together. But that is not the topic of discussion, alas. Spill."

Omi nodded sadly. "I...met Minoru on the recharge station at Benjamin, along with Uncle Isoroku. I informed them of what I had witnessed from Luthien, of Father and Hohiro's deaths in battle." Yvonne squeezed her hand sympathetically as her own eyes teared up, remembering the moment when she got the news that her parents had been assassinated. "I then offered him the sword of Shiro Kurita to lead our armies to avenge Father's death. He accepted, and for a moment I dared to hope when I sensed the seeds of greatness in him."

Omi's face darkened. "But I hoped too soon. One of the leaders of the Black Dragon Society, Duke Hassid Ricol, was also on the station, and found out about events. He and the traitor Warlord Benjamin had gathered their forces for a coup and attacked us on board the station. it was only by the grace of the kami and the efforts of Yodama-san that I was able to fight my way to the ship that the Order had chartered to take us to the border."

Omi trembled, her tears flowed, and her grip on Yvonne's hand became a desperate grasp. "I was never their primary target though. Minoru was. I was on board the dropship trying to warn Minoru of the treachery and let him know that I was safe when..." Her voice broke and cracked. "I saw him for the last time. Somehow, he and Uncle Isoroku had fought their way to a communications station. They overrode the planetary network and Minoru, dying and outnumbered, performed his duty for the Combine. He denounced the traitors and called on those loyal to the Dragon to resist and keep the true dynasty alive in their hearts. Then he committed seppuku with Uncle Isoroku standing as second with the Sword to insure that none could be taken alive."

Omi swallowed. "And I... I watched him die. I was weak and failed him, because in that hour, all I wanted was my little Minoru-chan back. But his honor and my honor dictated otherwise. Karma."

Yvonne leaned forward into Omi, gathering the other girl in a hug as tears soaked the shoulder of her uniform and Omi choked out in a bare whisper, "Sometimes at night I remember the man I killed with the sword in my sitting room. On the... bad nights... that man has my brother's face as I have to strike him down."

Yvonne finally released Omi from the hug once the tears stopped and handed her a handkerchief to allow Omi to make herself presentable. "So your 'message' is for the Black Dragons then?"

Omi nodded. "Hai. For Duke Ricol and as many of the others as I can track down. Katherine-chan was kind enough to provide some technical assistance in delivering it."

Yvonne showed teeth in a smile that would be perfectly in place on a fox leaving a chicken coop with a mouthful of bloody feathers. "Good. 'If you shoot at the Prince, you best not miss'. Father taught the Liaos that during the Fourth Succession War. Too bad that the lesson didn't stick; they can be slow learners. I suspect that Katherine will make it stick this time."

Omi gave a matching nasty smile. "It is to be hoped for that feud to be brought to a swift and permanent settlement in her favor, neh?"

Yvonne chuckled evilly, "Oh I don't mind if Candace's brood survive since they are reasonable people and know their place in the Sphere. Sun-Tzu, though... If I had already graduated, I would be pulling every string that I could to be part of the assault drop on his palace. Law School can wait, no one does that to us and gets away with it. Not for long, and we repay them in full for our injuries."

She then sobered and looked at Omi. "That said. You do not want to threaten people uninvolved in a conspiracy. Kill Ricol and the other Black Dragons, and I'll help piss on their graves on general principles involving rebellions, assassins, and traitors. Just don't go after innocents like wives and kids if they had no idea what Dad was up to. That's the kind of shit some of your ancestors pulled that makes the Sandovals get support when they scream about Kentares. Far better to take a page from Grandfather Andrew's book and roll out the Brigade of Guards to surgically crush the Warrior's Cabals. One of the major differences between the FedCom and the Combine culturally is that we believe in individual guilt in the Judeo-Christian mold while your culture is much more collective with guilt assigned to family units."

Omi nodded thoughtfully. "Hai... although... how do you handle it? I mean..." The Kurita royal frowned, clearly grasping for a concept, "The power? Part of me did... does enjoy the feeling of knowing that the man who killed my brother will die horribly at my hands as my plans come to fruit. But I also know from experience and training that once you get a taste for blood, for that power to order men onward, to crush your enemies and have them vanished... how do you stop from going too far?" Omi looked haunted as she continued, "From only finding out that you have gone too far when the ghosts of a million widows and orphans appear and the ocean of blood that you spill is too great for one Coordinator to drink it all? I know that you do not have a Keeper of House Honor to whisper in your ear to try to pull you back from the brink."

Yvonne shook her head. "It is a good question. Some of my ancestors were monsters, I admit. I grew up hearing scary bedtime stories of Claudius the Cruel and then Great-uncle Alessandro if I did not eat my vegetables as a little girl. I guess for the Steiners, and the Davions too come to think of it, the secret is remembering that loyalty goes not just up to the apex like us, but also down and that if we are disloyal to those under our care, they have a moral duty to act to limit the damage we can cause."

She pointed at the statue. "Alexander Davion. Our greatest First Prince, he fought a civil war against his tyrannical aunts and unified the nation to take us into the Star League. Not because he was born to the throne, but because it was the right and necessary thing to do. He is kind of a bad example, I suppose, because that while I learned of him in school and from Dad's side of the family for me the personal example of what I owe my people is Jeana. When we go to Tharkad, remind me, and I'll take you to see her and tell her story, that will explain it better."

Omi smiled, "Something to look forward to then, Yvonne-chan."

Yvonne nodded. "Yes indeed. As for the test, I'm sorry that I had to be so rough, just... there will be many people who will object to your relationship with Victor. I'll stand by you and support you and him, but I didn't want to see my nation torn apart with purges or civil war thanks to you being a second Jinjiro. Not that you are, but I suspect that the Sandovals will call you that until you prove yourself to them."
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: ThePW on 03 January 2019, 22:09:25
*eats it up* :D Please, keep at this...
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Starfox1701 on 04 January 2019, 13:57:35
How in the hell do you convince a Sandoval that there a good Kurita that's still breathing?
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Sir Chaos on 04 January 2019, 16:21:09
How in the hell do you convince a Sandoval that there a good Kurita that's still breathing?

By pointing out how many Dracs that Kurita is intent on killing in a slow and painful manner?
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: DOC_Agren on 05 January 2019, 16:57:36
By pointing out how many Dracs that Kurita is intent on killing in a slow and painful manner?
:thumbsup:
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Sir Chaos on 05 January 2019, 17:06:51
I mean, we all know the saying, "The only good Drac is a dead Drac."

Turns out, that´s wrong. The Drac that kills other Dracs is an even better Drac.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: drakensis on 06 January 2019, 02:36:30
Living Drac < Dead Drac < Drac killing Dracs < Drac murder-suicide pact
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 09 January 2019, 12:48:14
Salomek

Sarna

Sarna Commonality

Capellan Confederation

April 12th, 3057


“WATCH YOUR NINE, GODDAMIT! OH SHI-” Mechwarrior Jaden Hoss’s speakers blared in alarm from with the aggravated voice of his lance commander. But the last bit was disconcerting, was his Lance commander just busy? Or was he dead?

“Shit” he muttered as he wrenched his mech to his left as he turned just in time to face the façade of a ruined building that exploded in a massive cloud of grey dust, masonry, and girders as a Capellan Vindicator emerged behind the cloud. Hoss grabbed both triggers, at first, sending rounds and beams of azure light into the rubble circulating around the Vindicator’s feet.

Calm down, Hoss, or you are going to die here, in this godforsaken craphole of a town I never want to see again, even in my nightmares.

Hoss backed his mech off from the intruder, it’s dark copper colors contrasting with the garishly large McCarron’s crest taking up half of the Vindicator’s torso, as ground ferrocrete and ruined rebar fell in torrents off the angles of the ‘Mech. The Vindicator’s torso turned, and the right arm, which was little more than a tube attached to a stub of an arm, began to glow a bright cerulean radiance that soon reached out as a man-made thunderbolt at Hoss’s Enforcer, striking it in the left arm with a thunderclap and a river of scorched armor plate that fell in a groan of protest to the ruined street below.

Shit, he’s packing an ER PPC. Ok, let’s see how he likes my reply. Hoss brought both of the arms of his ‘Mech again and triggered his autocannon. Scarlet tracers reached out from the hammering of his Federated Autocannon and intersected explosively with the Vindicator, tearing out gouts of armor plate as the rounds stitched a line from the left hip to the right shoulder.

The Vindicator righted itself, and backed off, firing it’s lasers wildly at Hoss’s ‘Mech. Maybe he’s running a bit hot, surprised he didn’t use his PPC again. Hoss cautiously walked after him, sending ruby colored beams from his ChisComp Large Laser in the general direction of the Capellan ‘Mech. Something isn’t right about this. Why back off, unless…

The insistent hooting of a proximity alarm, and the threat detection suite created a cacophony that instantly riveted Hoss’s attention. His heart raced and sweat began to pour even more than the hot confines of a ‘Mech in combat usually led to. Dammit, I found the rest of his lance! Three buildings were smashed apart as dormant ‘Mechs emerged from them, in the same color scheme as the Vindicator Hoss has just exchanged shots with. Blackjack, Falcon, and oh shit…a Warhammer.

The Warhammer had barely cleared the building when it triggered both of its PPCs. One went wide, and the other cobalt colored beam smashed into the right leg of Hoss’s Enforcer, the impact rattling the ‘Mech and warrior inside it like a pinball stuck in a cascade of impacts with the bumpers. Hoss keyed his radio “Any friendly call signs, this is Crescent Two-Five, am engaged with a lance of Capellan ‘Mechs. I say again, three Capellan ‘Mechs at the corner of Alfrek and Holdmanton. Burst transmitting grid ref now. Need assistance soonest. Out!”

The rest of the Capellan fire went wide, smashing storefronts and facades with childlike ease, and sending rubble tumbling into the street. The pavement was scarred with the constant movement of ‘Mechs over the last five days, and who knew if anyone had been buried under the heaps of rubble, that now changed hands daily.

Hoss triggered his jump jets, seeking to get lost in the urban canyons and hoping to split up his pursuers and have something resembling a fighting chance. How in the hell am I going to kill a damn Warhammer? I mean, I only have 80 rounds left for the gun, then I’m down to a pair of lasers. Neither of which are shall we say, “blessed with ummpf.”

Hoss’s ‘Mech grounded with a shudder as it landed in a nearby street, it’s forest green and brown camouflage paintwork now crisscrossed with a mix of pockmarks and singed armor plate from the glancing hits that the Enforcer took during its brief flight. Hoss glanced at his right MFD, where a 2D representation of the ‘Mech’s armor and structure was presented. Most of my armor is yellow or green, though the right lower leg is orange. Ok..not too bad considering I almost played pop-up target for an entire Cappie lance.

The sound pickups detected the footfalls of the Capellan lance. Crap, they’ll find me based on a likely computation of my flight path. Gotta hide. Hoss scanned his surroundings visually. There was a building that had had it’s front torn open from the inside, it was gutted from the first to 12 floors, and was tall enough to hide Hoss’s ‘Mech. The only problem was, the heat signature. Any good FLIR is going to pick me out, if their MAD gear doesn’t. He then spied a downed Phoenix Hawk bearing the “Deadly Dancers” insignia of Gamma Regiment. Ok, good question? Are there any friendlies around? Did the block just change hands again?

The footfalls were getting closer. It was time to hide and Hoss deftly ducked his ‘Mech inside the remains of the building, then hurriedly shut the ‘Mech down. Please don’t let them find me. If they do, I’ll probably have just enough time to scream before they kick my head in.

The fighting on Sarna had lasted for ten days. The 12th Vegan Rangers had grounded with 4 regiments running about 90% strength. By now, they were down to two regiments barely running 85%. And as for the Kestrel Grenadiers? Well they’d contented themselves with raising what hell they could in McCarron’s rear, and had at least one regiment of his chasing down the Grenadiers. But the other Capellan regiments hadn’t gotten off scot free either. Word was, McCarron’s regiments were running about 70% strength each.

The fighting was brutal, to put it mildly. No quarter had been asked or given by either side, and the only things left alive in Salomek at this point were the rats, feral dogs, and those combatants on both sides whom fate hadn’t seen fit to cut short their time on this plane of existence. Hoss reached back into a locker just above the right shoulder of his command couch and fished out a ration cracker, which he proceeded to nibble on while he waited, he hoped, for the Capellans to pass him by. Damn, what a mess. Am I gonna see tomorrow? How about the next five minutes? Hoss was gripping his stick so hard with his right hand that his knuckles of his fingers were turning white. The insides of his fingerless gloves and his neurohelmet were slick with sweat, and the pit in his stomach only seemed to say, please don’t let me die here.

Hoss took a moment to listen to his surroundings, the boom of far off autocannon fire, the whine-crack of a PPC discharging, and the footfalls of a ‘Mech perhaps running toward battle or running for its life. The situation was confused, and there was not a distinct frontline, often buildings changed hands two or three times a day.

We’ve got another two, two and a half weeks before things get desperate, I hate to think General Stancel might have to seek terms thought Hoss.

A set of footfalls drew closer, the building began to shake. Oh crap, have they found me?

Sarna, Part 1
Attacking Units: 12th Vegan Rangers (all four regiments), 1st Kestrel Grenadiers


Defending Units: McCarron’s Armored Cavalry (all five regiments), Sarna Home Guard.


The 12th Vegan Rangers grounded on Sarna on April 2nd, 3057 and quickly set up a perimeter around the small city of Salomek to await further help from follow-on FC units. They were immediately hit on three sides by four regiments of McCarron’s Armored Cavalry (the 5th was kept in reserve), and the 12th’s Delta Regiment was overrun after 72 hours of hard fighting, with the remaining three regiments withdrawing into Salomek proper, anchoring their defense on a ring of low hills that made up most of the “Old City” The hills overlooked the “New City” across the White River, a tributary of the Grey River that ran to the south. The 12th dug into the hills and fortified the urban center of the Old City as best as they could, blowing all six bridges across the White River behind them. McCarron’s Armored Cavalry soon followed them across the river and launched several abortive battalion sized assaults to take one or more of the hills that comprised the Old City. The Sarna Home Guard was also kept in reserve to protect Backtal and Sarna City.

One of the more notable actions was the assault by 3rd McCarron’s to take a sluice dam where one of the larger hills known as Prince Hill, met the White River. 3rd Battalion, Alpha Regiment, 12th Vegan Rangers held off the entire 3rd McCarron’s Regiment for three days before a counterattack by the rest of Alpha into the teeth of the 3rd Regiment that gutted both regiments on the aptly named “Plain of Red Tears” ended the most serious threat to the 12th’s perimeter in this phase of the battle. After this, that sluice dam was known to both sides as simply “the Damba.”

After this assault, McCarron satisfied himself with rotating his regiments into and out of the fight, probing the lines of the 12th and launching company and lance sized raids into the 12th’s perimeter. Places like the “Crayon Factory” and the “TAV Hostel” entered military history as they changed hands five and six times between the two sides in a matter of days. Once the 1st Kestrel Grenadiers arrived on April 9th, they began a campaign of raids and mobile actions to draw off some of the MAC and managed to lead the 5th MAC Regiment on a wild goose chase that continued for most of the battle, occasionally turning and smashing isolated companies when they strayed too far from the rest of the regiment.

When asked by the Small World Theatre HQ what the status of his command was, General Tom Stancel simply responded by FAX. “Issue in doubt, send help soonest.”

_____________________________________________________________________________________

1st Kestrel Grenadiers Mobile HQ, 8km NW of Svoboda

Sarna Commonality

Capellan Confederation

April 19th, 3057


Marshal Agatha Stromp sighed as she looked over the situation map on the holo table in her Mobile HQ. The 12th is dying by inches and Archie McCarron smells blood. You’d think he’d have offered Tom Stancel the honors of war by now. Guess nobody’s in the mood for that right now. She sipped her cold coffee contemplatively. Not bad Sargent Major, I see your “training” of Corporal McTavish goes well.

“Alright boys and girls, we’ve probably done all we can here. Drawing off one regiment of the Big Mac was all well and good, but I want to make them come at us. Where’s a good place?”

Her S-3, a Leftenant General with a prominent widow’s peak and a hawklike nose by the name of Shemp, shook his head. “Mam, with all due respect. There’s shit all we can do here. McCarron won’t take the bait, and even if we wreck the 5th, well, Archie’s part of the CCAF now. He’ll just see it as the cost of killing us. But he won’t turn and do that until he’s done with the 12th Vegan. No, if we want him to come after us with more than the 5th MAC? We must hit something that will make them sit up and take notice.

Agatha smiled. “OK, how about Sarna City?”

The S-2, another Leftenant General with the nametape of “Jenkov” with long grey hair tied up in a bun, and piercing blue eyes seemed to pin her commander with them. “No Mam, with respect, our strength projections have a good chunk of the Planetary Guard there. We couldn’t get out of there before the 5th caught us and then smashed us between them.”

Shemp smiled. “We have a better plan, Marshal. A much better plan. We plan on turning on the 5th again, and smothering them with our fire support assets, we’ve been saving the ammo for a rainy day. We then detach the Mounted Grenadiers, have them cross the Straights of Losar here-“pointing to a point on the situation map. “-and hit the Tengo Aerospace plant at Backtal.”

“Isn’t that splitting the regiment, Shemp?” a look of concern crossing Stomp’s face.

“It is ma'am, but if we want to make the Capellans react, this is a way to do it. We may not like the reaction we get though, so we’re going to have to stay mobile from here on in if we execute this plan.”

Stromp smiled a feral smile. “Ok, Shemp, get with Jenkov’s boys and girls and write this up. I haven’t approved it yet. But let’s see what the nitty gritty looks like. We’ll reconvene in 6 hours.”
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Starfox1701 on 09 January 2019, 13:23:11
This is going to get interesting
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 14 February 2019, 16:50:51
Salomek, 2000 yards west of the “Crayon Factory”.
Sarna
Sarna Commonality
Capellan Confederation
April 19th, 3057


Another stinking day in this damn rathole. Sergeant Maria Detwieler scanned the street again through the scope of her accurized Federated Long Rifle. Like most scout-snipers in the Inner Sphere, she used the weapon she was most comfortable with, and for her, it was the Long Rifle. Eh, that new M-42 might be a real looker, but it’s a little too “modular” for my taste. Plus, ol’ Jake here hasn’t let me down yet. But will be nice to get back to the Battlegroup HQ, turn in my report, get a shower and some hot chow.

They’d been out for three days, doing a bit of outpost work for Alpha Regiment, giving a bit of help to the guys holding that pile of rubble they called the “Crayon Factory” and trying to stay one step ahead of the damn Capellans as they turned Salomek into something out of Dante’s Ninth Circle of Hell. The brigade had ten such two-man teams, and they’d all been busy doing a variety of things. One team had even made a try to wack Archie McCarron himself. Shame that went so badly, heard they did take down Marcus Barton. Good. I had friends at Fort Bourgogne. They’d picked a point that was pretty good, it was the remains of a shattered hovertruck whose remains had landed on top of a rubble mound overlooking the length of the street. A little work with the issue e-tool, and an IR scrambler net, and it was the perfect hidey hole. After three days, it was getting pretty rank, with their sweat and dirty uniforms chafing painfully against their bodies. Thank god my sense of smell is gone, I really hate to think what I smell like.  Her light brown skin was crosshatched with smudges of black and green camo paint, and grey smudges of crushed ferrocrete dust. Her eyes were bloodshot, she and her observer hadn’t gotten more than four hours of sleep a night, only the stim tabs and fear were keeping them both awake.

Been with the Rangers since Aldebaran, and I thought that was bad. What the hell did I know? The light from the burning buildings on either side of the shattered street was the only ambient light on this moonless night. The pops and hisses of burning material filled her ears, with the far-off rumble of heavy weapons fire completing the ambiance. I think I am getting too old for this. Sarah might be right, and it may be time to retire, assuming I live to see the end of this thing. She blinked her eyes and turned her head from her 10x Leopold-Zeiss scope for a moment, to regard her new spotter, her fourth in a period of three days. He was new, some kid from Novalya Zemlya who’d been a pretty good hunter back home, knew how to move quiet, and didn’t talk too much. Got the makings of a good scout, but he hasn’t earned the tab yet. Hope he lives long enough to fix that. I don’t even know his name. He had a large, wan face, with almond eyes that were pools of black in the poor light, framed by the lopsided camo netting that was draped over the issue helmet. His “footie pajamas” two-piece camo smock went over the rest, and made both look like shambling, formless apparitions. But with practice, you can move pretty good in this getup. Hope he lives long enough for that.

He was on his own weapon, an Intek Laser Rifle. It too had a scope, but he wasn’t using it currently, to rest his eyes. He had one hand on his weapon, while the other held a ration bar he was absent mindedly chewing on, going through the motions of eating. Though we’re both so damn scared and tired, hunger both gnaws at us, and means nothing at the same damn time? Shit. I really have been at this too long. Even my woolgathering is getting boring.
Detwieler didn’t like matching wits with Capellan snipers. They were damn good at what they did. House DiaDaiChi ran their sniper program, and it turned out some very talented snipers. Every Capellan sniper I ever killed, boy I had to work at it. And I suspect if McCarron’s got people out there, they’re just as good as the rest.

Suddenly, the hair stood up on the back of Detwieler’s right hand. Trouble. Shit.

The sound was almost imperceptible. A soft crunch of gravel. It wasn’t a ‘Mech. Even the lightest of them had pretty loud footfalls, and most vehicles in the Inner Sphere made a ton of noise. Even the fusion engine stuff would make noise from the tracks or the wheels, and the hover stuff? Shit that hum you hear miles off. Nope..that’s dismounts out there…but where?

Detwieler reached out and tapped the kid, who startled, but had the presence of mind not to shout out. He looked at Detwieler with large eyes. Detwieler gave him a serious look, deftly pointed toward the street, and gave the hand and arm signal for “wait till I shoot” and “take the bastards from right to left, two shots only.” She didn’t have to tell him after that, they were going to displace and haul ass. Any scout-sniper who didn’t know that was a damn fool. Especially with that glorified flashlight of his. We’ll probably only get two shots then run before they find us and fix us.

She turned back to her sight, her reticule was manual, a rarity in the Inner Sphere, as most folks at least used a digital sight with laser RF support. Detwieler was something of a luddite. I learned to shoot on Broken Wheel with a beat up 7mm Federated Arms Carbine and Iron Sights, and I was bagging rabbits at 200 yards by the time I was ten. And I didn’t have a scope either. Not to mention the zero on that old thing was crap. Still managed to bullseye nine times out of ten. Detwieler slowed her breathing, she wanted to make sure the first shot was a good one. She knew they’d only get two, and anyhow..if she was really lucky, maybe there would be an officer? It’s fun shooting officers, most of them don’t have the sense god gave a drop bear.

More crunches of rubble and the sound of a soft curse as someone slipped on a precarious patch rang out over the slight breeze from the street. The sound was about 200 yards out to their front, and whoever they were, their noise discipline was pretty good for leg guys. They’re not a scout-sniper team, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t one overwatching em. In fact, if I were them, I’d use these guys as bait to find someone like me.
Detwieler leaned down for a second and reached for a device on her wrist the size of a small noteputer. It was a short-range, text only comms unit that was issued one per team of two. It was conformal, a bit heavy, but Detwieler was used to the weight, so it didn’t affect her ability to place shots, and she quickly typed a message.

“RAMROD 2-2 TO KING SIX, HAVE ENEMY FORCE OF ESTIMATED ONE INFANTRY PLATOON IN SIZE 200 YARDS TO MY FRONT. WILL APPEND GRID REF TO MSG. PLAN TO ATTRIT, THEN RETREAT 1000 YARDS TO RV ZULU. REQUEST EXFIL SUPPORT AND GREETING FOR UNEXPECTED COMPANY, OVER?”

She then hit SEND, and the message went screaming back to the Regimental BG HQ, where she sincerely hoped someone was paying attention. Everyone is a bit busy these days. But they’re usually pretty good..the unit softly vibrated with a response to the message, the screen read:

“KING SIX TO RAMROD 2-2, APPROVE COA. GOOD HUNTING, WE WILL SEE YOU AT RV ZULU. EXPECT MECH LANCE TO MEET YOU WITH APC AT RV ZULU. CALL SIGN IS THOR THREE-THREE. HAVE YOUR ID PANELS ON! THREE-THREE HAS BEEN TOLD TO FIRE ON ALL DISMOUNTS NOT WEARING PANELS. SIX OUT.”

Lovely, thought Detwieler. Someone thought it was a good idea to tell some ‘Mechjocks that it’s ok to be even more trigger happy then they usually are. And when the hell are we gonna be able to slip on our ID panels while we are legging it with about 20-odd pissed off Capellans behind us? ******, this is going to be fun.

The sounds became more frequent, and shapes began to form in the darkness as Detwieler trained her rifle towards the source of a particularly loud crunch of rubble. The Leopold-Zeiss had good low light properties, and the 10x scope easily picked up a shape of a man in outline, caught against the light of a burning building. He was hunched over, his black form clutching the shape of a rifle as he moved carefully down the remains of the street. Surprised they aren’t moving from cover to cover, then again, perhaps they were told nobody was here. Oh well, makes my job easier. Or maybe some Capellan bastard with a Minolta 9000 is sitting out there waiting for me to make a mistake. Detwieler’s stomach began to drop, and her hands began to sweat. Shit, not the shakes. Not now. I always get nervous before it drops in the pot. It was the anticipation coupled with a side effect of the stim tabs, once she sighted in, she was fine, but the fact was, it was a sign she was going to be puking like she’d gone on a bender afterwards. The shakes always made her nauseous. And it’s a bitch to get that nasty metallic taste out of my mouth.

The shape prodded forward, timidly, down the left side of the street, dodging around a hole where an exposed water main jutted out from below like some sort of modern art sculpture, the water or sewage having long spewed onto the street. He was young, impossibly young, his equipment was immaculate, and his rosy cheeks contrasted in the firelight against the impossibly white skin of the rest of his face. He was looking all around him, a noise from what must have been an animal, or settling debris startled him as he nearly jumped out of his skin. Probably pissed off his squad leader, hence why somebody this young and obviously bad at his job is on point. Guess I will do this kid a favor. Not like I want him anyhow. Where’s your boss kid? Where is your NCO, or better yet, your LT?

More figures resolved themselves on either side of the street, they moved as quiet as they could, but some of their gear still jangled, and their feet shuffled. One man had a Kaskia Arms Light Machine Gun, good gun, but violent extraction issues, don’t grease the cartridges, and you wind up tearing the spent rounds in half..nasty jam to fix. Yeah, you and your loader go first.

She stole a glance at her loader and mouthed “shoot the loader for the machinegun”. The kid nodded and settled his laser rifle into his shoulder. Detwieler turned and began to breathe slowly as she settled her sight onto the face of the machinegunner. She noticed her target’s nose was running, the snot was slick in the light of the fire against his face. He cursed softly as he reached into his snivel gear bag on his right hip and produced a dirty hankie. He had turned slightly, it wasn’t as good of a shot…but Detwieler had a nice view of his temple. Ok, zeroed for 200 yards, wind is from the south at 1-2 knots. Yeah, right on the money.

Detwieler slowed her breathing more as her finger began to take up the slack on her trigger. She’d modified that instead of the normal 4lbs of pressure, her trigger slack broke at 2lbs. She liked it, it allowed her to do follow up shots in a hurry if she needed to. I always relocate after shot number two though. It’s a good habit I never, ever break.

The gunner coughed and put his dirty hanky back into his snivel bag, then began to move up to catch up with the rest of his squad as they carefully walked down the ruined street. His face was Detwieler’s world, and she began to squeeze the trigger. Her weapon was carefully braced on a small pile of rubble, and she’d taken a few shots to sight in. A night shoot like this didn’t get much better. She built up the pressure and let out a final breath, just as the slack broke and the weapon went off, as if by surprise, just like Detwieler was trained.

The 62 grain, 7.62mm x 55mm semi-armor piecing round covered the 200 yards in about half a second, and hit the Capellan soldier right in the forehead, plowing through his skull with sickening ease, and leaving an eruption of blood and brains out the back of his head where his helmet had a new hole, courtesy of the high velocity rifle round. He pirouetted, then fell with all the grace of a puppet with its strings cut, a rooster tail of blood filling the air as he fell. It all happened so fast, that the crack of the round and the report of the rifle were only heard a half-second after the gunner was hit. The casing extracted silently, with the only sound being a soft ping as it hit a bit of broken glass in the position.

Her spotter’s Intek lit the night up with a beam of coherent light that linked firer and victim in a line of death that caught the gunner’s number two, a short fellow with Asian features right in the middle of the chest. It was a classic center mass shot and the Intek plowed right though the armored vest, blowing a fist sized hole in the man, and leaving a small fire burning around the hole as he tumbled over face first into the street, dead before he hit the ground.  But their position had been given away. Not like we had time for him to zero something else before we set out, and hell, they were gonna know where we fired from sooner or later. Detwieler thought as she lined up another fellow, this guy was giving a bunch of obvious hand and arm signals. He didn’t wear any obvious rank, but he was yelling and gesticulating at folks to get under cover, fast.

Her next shot was hasty, but no less true, and it caught this target in the lower abdomen, and the round went right through the front of his body armor and sprawled him out in the street. He wasn’t dead though, as he immediately began to scream in Chinese. It was a mournful, horrible sound.  Detwieler hated this part of the job, leaving a wounded man out there to draw out more of the enemy. But it was a job, and she was good at it, no matter what others thought.

Her spotter dropped another random rifleman who got too adventurous peeking out from cover, and gave Detwieler a look as if to say time to go? She nodded, and grabbed her rifle, slithering out feet first from the hide and looking as the new fella followed her. She motioned him onward at a trot as they vanished into the ruined night, and the Capellans finally came alive, rounds beginning to ping off the ruined hovertruck in a futile attempt to kill them.

Sarna, Part 2
Attacking Units: 12th Vegan Rangers (all four regiments), 1st Kestrel Grenadiers

Defending Units: McCarron’s Armored Cavalry (all five regiments), Sarna Home Guard.

The fighting settled into a bit of a stalemate, as the Capellans began to reduce Salomek to rubble, block by painful block, both sides spending two weeks bleeding each other white as they lived like rats and killed each other in the ruined urban canyon of Salomek. By the end of April, both sides had lost upwards of 50% casualties, and the Salomek perimeter had stalemated.

General Stancel, commander of the 12th Vegan Rangers Brigade, was desperate to break the stalemate, and began to prepare an operation he codenamed “PUNCH DRUNK” to send a scratch force of light mechs and hover tanks to raid the McCarron brigade HQ in the outskirts of town, but he held that option in reserve, wanting only to commit it once McCarron relaunched offensive operations in earnest.

In other news, the 1st Kestrel Grenadiers detached their Armored Grenadier battalion and launched a raid on the Tengo Aerospace Plant on the continent of Becktal, which shut down the plant for three weeks, as well as savaged a battalion of the Sarna Home Guard.  The commander of the Guard in the wake of the raid, demanded more troops from McCarron, who was forced to detach a scratch battalion from volunteers from his other regiments to reinforce the 5th, who by now, had completely lost contact with the Kestrel Grenadiers (who were happily running rings around McCarron’s troops) and were repeatedly blundering into ambush after ambush.

11th Maskirovka Field Support Battalion
FOB Wuhan
Sarna
Sarna Commonality
April 23rd, 3057


 The tent itself was quiet as a tomb, the exception being the clacking of the keys from the noteputer of the clerk in the corner. All was to be properly recorded for the glory of the Capellan State, even it’s disappointments, such as these.

  Commander Ju-Shing Tai, president of the summary tribunal, sat down at the field desk he had been occupying since the Capellan State had returned Sarna to its warm embrace and opened the folder with the current caseload. It was long and promised a busy day all around. He nodded to the senior NCO and stated, “Bring in the first traitor, let’s get the day started properly.”

 A bedraggled young man of perhaps twenty was frog marched into the open area ten paces in front of the desk, he was in chains, both leg and arm irons. His face belied the scars of “coercive measures” yet his eyes burned defiance. This one could be…troublesome. Tai’s mind remarked.

  Tai opened the folder, and shuffled the papers, he didn’t need to read this man’s file. He’d studied up on the day’s cases as part of his morning routine, and for the most part, determined their verdicts. Some can be reclaimed by the Capellan State, this one, probably not. But we shall see.

 “Corporal Evgeny Rustakovich of Jensen’s Fire Lance, 2nd Company, 1st Battalion, The Wild Ones Regiment, McCarron’s Armored Cavalry. You stand accused of the following specifications of violations of the laws of conflict as stated in CCAF regulations, specifically, Articles 112 Cowardice in the Face of the Enemy, 291 Striking a Superior Officer, 301 Encouraging Defeatism, and 445 Insubordination. You stand accused of 1 specification each. The court has your legally extracted confession, but will entertain any mitigating circumstances, or pleas for mercy, before your legally mandated summary execution.”

 The figure sat and regarded Tai, then spat at him with all the fury he could muster, the gob of mucus and hate landing well short of the desk.

 “It is good Corporal, that that missed. Otherwise I would add a specification of violation of Article 399, Assault on a Superior.”

 “Go ahead and shoot me, you bastard! You’ve already made your mind up, just do it!” stated the manacled Corporal, his Russian accent was evident, but slurred, obviously he was nursing a slight concussion from when they had extracted the confession.

 “Oh, but the Capellan State will not suffer any slights, not from the likes of you, boy. No, we’re not just going to shoot you. We’re going to make your entire family Servitors, as obviously, such grievous disloyalty to the state had to be learned somewhere. And we cannot go rewarding such families. Isn’t your brother a Subcommander with the Red Lancers? I suppose they’ll adjust to being sharecroppers on a state farm on Yuris, dispossessed and all.”

 The Corporal’s eyes went wide. “You sonofbitch! You leave them alone!”

 “Or you’ll do what? Kill me? Like you tried to do to your lance commander?”

 “That dumb bastard almost led us into an ambush. He should be the one on trial.”

 “He would be, for gross incompetence and loss of Capellan State Property, but he had the good sense to die in the service of the state. You, you’re just going to die. But I will give you this chance. Sign this confession, and record a statement admitting full guilt, and any punishment will only fall upon you. You have my word as an officer of the Capellan State.”

 The Corporal’s face went pensive for a moment, then he nodded.

“Good, Corporal. I feel your sudden change of heart has some promise. Alright. I hereby sentence you to be reduced in rank to Recruit, and to be immediately turned over to the custody of the 191st Corrective Infantry Battalion, where you will serve either for a term of 1 year, or until you are wounded in the service of the state. Upon that time, you will be returned to regular service in the CCAF. Remember, Recruit, you can be shot for ANY infraction at any time by the NCOs and Officers of the 191st, so mind your behavior.”

The Corporal nodded and was dragged from the room in preparation for the next case.

The court manager, a Subcommander leaned over and whispered, “Are you really going to spare his family?”

“No, of course not. Have papers drawn up for all the males over the age of 14 in his family to be arrested and enrolled into the nearest Corrective Battalion. We cannot have this disloyalty gaining currency. Iron discipline and correct thought are the cornerstones of loyalty to the state.”

And on the day went.

 
 

Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 15 February 2019, 11:52:04
Private Quarters of the Chancellor of the Capellan Confederation
Forbidden City
Sian
Capellan Confederation
April 24th, 3057


 Isis Marik-Liao frowned at the message ROM she had just been hand delivered from the serene ComStar acolyte not ten minutes before. It bore the sun and fist sigil of the Federated Commonwealth and shone brightly in the light of the bedchamber. Isis was not much of an early riser these days, especially not with the news that…that I am with the child of a man who chooses to betray me with..with that Svengali whore! Not to mention, my father? Well, he wasn’t the real Thomas Marik. Who was he? Who am I?

 Isis fantasized about killing both her wayward husband, and his mistress in their sleep, then returning home to the League. But with the tense political situation, and Corrine barely able to keep Parliament in line while contributing the bare minimum to support her brother-in-law’s war. She had been told by the League ambassador on Sian to “stay put.” I suspect it’s also a case of, why should we care about the imposter’s daughter? Not to mention there is the not so small matter of starting a war with the Capellans if I did that. Though, considering how this war is going for my husband, and his ‘Celestial Wisdom’, what does the League really have to fear from the Confederation?

 Isis reached for her portable ROM player, and deftly slid the disk into the player. It dutifully took in the disk and began to play it with a gentle whirring noise, and the image of the same sigil that was on the disk appeared on the screen in front of a royal blue background. It then cut to a throne room of a regally dressed blond woman of tall stature, standing in front of a pair of thrones, both ornately decorated.

“Greetings Isis, you know who I am” the figure spoke, her hands folded in front of her as she addressed the screen. “I wanted to speak to you about this war your husband started. That he began with the murder of my parents, and the maiming of my brother. He’s fine and doing well in his recovery by the way.” Her voice was cold, steady and level. “I want to talk to you about the snake that is the father of your child. And yes, I do know about your child.”

Isis gasped. Oh god, what is she prepared to do? I mean, there were bodies dropping all over the League and Confederation for two months the last time she got it into her head..

“Do not worry, I do not intend to harm innocents. But that’s the choice you get to make? Are you an innocent? Or are you as guilty as the man you married? It’s time to choose, dear Isis. And this isn’t a choice you need to make for yourself alone anymore. You have a child to think about. And, I do hope the girl my brother described from Outreach has grown up some. I would hate to think the next generation of Mariks has a spoiled brat for a mother. Oh, wait? Are you even giving birth to the next generation of Mariks? Can you even go home?” the figure chuckled at that last thought.

“No, that was wrong, I should not have laughed at that. But here is the thing Isis, your husband may not be dealing in a thing called reality, but I suspect you, and I are. And you know what’s coming, and the last time, my father only raided Sian? Considering what your husband and his confederates have done to my nation, my people, my family? What do you think I will do?

“You can warn your husband, I expect you to. Frankly, I don’t care if you do. It won’t make a difference. I just wanted to warn you, that when we do come? I’d rather one more innocent not be added to the blood price of what we will have to do when we get there. And I and my generals are prepared to pay quite the coin. Consider Sarna as a down payment.”

A chill came over Isis. She knew what this warning was. And what it meant. The CCAF was projecting victory on Sarna, and that they would soon crush the Davion mercenaries. Isis wasn’t the recipient of any military training, but she was smart enough to know when someone was telling her that fish did not stink, and in this case, the stink was palpable. At least that Svengali my husband has taken up with is honest to him about the military situation. Not that I care.

The ROM faded to black, and Isis contemplated her circumstances. She realized that it was probably suicide to stay on Sian. Sooner or later, the FedCom was coming, and when they did, it was going to be with blood in their eyes. There really is only one decision, isn’t there?

She reached over for her data assistant and hit the intercom feature. “Dana, can you summon my ladies, and tell them to help me pack. We’re leaving. And no, we’re not telling anyone. So, do me a favor and make some quiet arrangements to get us out of the Confederation. Oriente, I think is a good destination. But we must leave tonight. “

The disembodied voice echoed from the device, “But what of the Mask, my lady?”

“You let me worry about that, Dana. I can only hope Father’s friends are still his after what went on back home. Either way. I am not going to consider staying and endangering us..or my child.” Isis stated matter of factly.

Dana responded “Yes my, lady. We’ll get packing. Pack light I assume?”

“Yes, and incognito. We can leave most of the wardrobe here. It’s all gauche anyhow. My soon to be ex-husband has no taste.”

The voice on the other end chuckled. “We shall, my lady.” Isis then disconnected the call and pulled out a letter from her royal stationary and began to write.

Dear Sun-Tsu,
 When in the course of human events, one finds out they are being cheated on in the confines of a marriage, it’s usually time to consider a divorce. Well, it’s that time. So, consider this me serving you with said papers. I’m leaving you, and you can take up with that Shang woman to your besotted heart’s content. You will never see me, or your son again.

And don’t think I will ever return willingly. We’re done. And you have no one to blame but yourself. Then again, I guess I was never a “good enough Capellan patriot” (Thank God) for you.

I do hope when Katherine comes to collect her blood price? She makes you suffer. You deserve it in spades, you snake.

  Sincerely,
   Isis






Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Sir Chaos on 15 February 2019, 11:55:57
Uuh... Isis as the imposter´s child?

I thought Isis was the real Thomas´ kid and Joshua was the imposter´s?
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 15 February 2019, 12:25:12
We know the truth...but right now? Isis's emotional state is a bit..fragile.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Sir Chaos on 15 February 2019, 13:39:04
We know the truth...but right now? Isis's emotional state is a bit..fragile.

Anyone who knows that "Thomas Marik" is not the real thing also knows that the real Thomas was replaced *after* Isis was conceived. That´s how it was discovered, after all - genetic evidence that Isis and Joshua do not have the same father.

It is also well-known that Isis´ is the daughter of the real Thomas - that was established after the real Thomas disappeared following the bombing.

So anyone who would know about the switch *at all* would know that Isis is the real Thomas´ daughter, and that Joshua is the imposter´s son.

So while she would have issues about the guy she grew up thinking was the father, nobody who knows about the existence of an imposter would think she´s his daughter.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 15 February 2019, 13:48:25
There is also the not insignificant matter of a) she is a rightful heir to the Captain Generalcy, and b) she is carrying a child who while half-Liao...could be used to solidify her claim to the throne. Not a situation Corrine would want to be anywhere near. She can't make Thomas Halas NOT let her into Oriente, but she can make damn sure she doesn't get within shouting distance of Atreus...Now while it's been revealed Thomas was a fake, state media did not unmuddy the waters regarding Joshua nor Isis. In short, they've both been cut adrift to make sure Corrine has no rivals to the throne.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Fedcom1045 on 15 February 2019, 16:42:05
I’ve always liked this story, it takes into account what’s next.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Sir Chaos on 15 February 2019, 17:01:10
There is also the not insignificant matter of a) she is a rightful heir to the Captain Generalcy, and b) she is carrying a child who while half-Liao...could be used to solidify her claim to the throne. Not a situation Corrine would want to be anywhere near. She can't make Thomas Halas NOT let her into Oriente, but she can make damn sure she doesn't get within shouting distance of Atreus...Now while it's been revealed Thomas was a fake, state media did not unmuddy the waters regarding Joshua nor Isis. In short, they've both been cut adrift to make sure Corrine has no rivals to the throne.

From that point of view, it would make sense for Corrine to continue pretending that the fake Thomas is the real Thomas. She could then claim that the tests which established Isis being Thomas´ daughter were somehow tampered with. Then Corrine could use the fact that Isis is NOT the fake Thomas´ daughter - easily proven via paternity test - to "prove" that Isis is not a Marik after all...

That would take care of those two not so insignificant matters.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Starfox1701 on 17 February 2019, 14:05:04
Nice update
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: ckosacranoid on 17 February 2019, 15:24:18
well, that was out of left field to say the least for thing going on.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 25 February 2019, 08:17:00
And we have another omake by Yellowhammer of SB!

April 13th, 3057

Clan Nova Cat Warship Thunderbolt

Avon

Smoke Jaguar Occupation Zone


"Your defeat has been foreseen by the children of Drummond and Rosse, Smoke Jaguars! With what forces will you contest the inevitable course of Fate?"

Star Captain Sofia Rosse stood in the back of the flag bridge as Khan Severen Leroux spoke the ritual words of the batchall and sent it winging toward Avon at the speed of light. Her bones felt the vibrations of the trio of massive Carston Pegasus engines driving the battlecruiser after their words of challenge at the head of Alpha Galaxy's invasion flotilla .

Unconsciously she touched the fang of the nova cat that she had hunted as part of her sibko training that she now wore as a pendant for luck as she waited for the response.

She then chided herself for showing stress as her Clan went to honorable war and straightened her spine as she glanced at the holodisplay showing the map of the shared occupation zone and neighboring systems. Tendrils of shining blue marked with the codes of Alpha Galaxy leapt from their capital of Irece to hit Avon as the primary target of their prong of Operation CAT'S CLAW. Delta Galaxy's codes leapt from Jeannette to take Hyner, Kabah, Staplefield,and Jeronimo, linking two of the three 'pockets' of the Nova Cat occupation zone by ripping those worlds away from the faltering grasp of the Smoke Jaguars. Meanwhile Sigma Galaxy struck from Mualang to claim Yamarovka and Asgard, completing the link-up.

Involuntarily her eyes flickered to the angry scarlet of the Combine spinward and rimward as the battle computers redrew the map showing the best estimates of enemy strength and identification as picked trinaries performed 'informational raids' on the systems around Pesht to distract the Combine's eyes from the first stages of CAT'S CLAW and gather intelligence for the next stages. Then, unwillingly, her jade-green eyes turned anti-spinward to the ice blue and white of the Ghost Bears flanking the lone Nova Cat held world of Courchevel.

The Combine was distracted fighting itself and the blood-maddened Jaguars, so would be slow to react before the first wave attacks could happen and the preparations for the CAT'S FANG followups could be completed to isolate and take Pesht from the Combine. But what would the Bears do? Aff, sooner or later, they would stir and when they did... The Jaguars were showing once again the folly of a war on multiple fronts and unlike their blood enemies, the children of Rosse were able to learn and adapt to changing circumstances.

A chime sounded and Sofia snapped to attention, her thoughts refocused to the present as the galaxy map redrew itself to a blinking Smoke Jaguar symbol as the return message waited. The holodisplay flickered and revealed the face of the Smoke Jaguar commander of the garrison of their primary supply base as behind him visibly injured warriors moved around with unseemly haste. A helpful label at the base of the screen revealed his name as 'Star Colonel Paul Moon' as the dark-skinned Elemental scowled at the unwelcome message.

"You dare!", Moon snarled, his face mottling with rage. "Treacherous carrion-feeding freeborn scavengers, come and face us if you dare and we will eat your entrails, surats!" He picked up a half-full bottle of some amber liquid and threw it at the screen, which fuzzed and went black.

The Khan nodded to himself and spoke dryly. "Bargained well and done. If he wishes a grand melee to purge his worthless excuse for genes from the pool, so be it. Our reports indicate that the Third Jaguar Cavaliers are the primary garrison force as they reform with two or three trinaries reconstituting from their losses on Luthien with unblooded sibkos, second-line warriors brought forward in haste, and isorla salvaged from the battlefields there. Hardly their best but be wary, the Jaguar is never so dangerous as when it is dying. Proceed as planned."

-------------------------------------------

April 15th, 3057

Clan Nova Cat Assault Dropship Sacred Trust

Avon

Smoke Jaguar Occupation Zone


"Man your 'Mechs, Warriors!" Sofia ordered, unconcerned by the brutal 2G thrust the ship was laboring under at military power as it drove toward Avon. "We hover-drop at 10,000 meters, then form on me to advance onto the ridgeline over Stratford to provide fire support for the rest of the First Guards. as they lure the Cavaliers into a battle of mobility. They will attack in a blood rage like they always do, and then we close the jaws on them. They have called a Grand Melee, so concentrate fire by Stars to destroy them quickly and efficiently. Are there any questions, quineg?"

"Neg, Star Captain!"

"Seyla!"

With that, Sofia turned to the Mad Dog II waiting for her. At 60 tons, and braced on its backward-jointed 'chicken-walker' legs, it seemed deceptively fragile, explaining why the Spheroids called the older model a 'Vulture'. Appearances were deceiving as it had a full nine tons of advanced armor on its endo-steel bones as one of the first 'new model' Mad Dogs to walk off the Irece factory floors into the touman of the Nova Cats.

She surveyed the jet-black painted Omnimech proudly, her eyes drawn to the incandescent midnight purple starburst on the forward-jutting angular torso squarely between the twin missile racks that comprised the sides of the Mad Dog. Below the starburst her 'Mechs name was given as 'SOFIA'S VISION' in that purple paint with the first and last 'I' in the name as the slit eyed black pupils of matching neon green cat eyes. The arms were nothing more than a barrel for her preferred deadly accurate 10cm pulse lasers.

Satisfied, she turned to her Technician standing at the lift to take her to the top-mounted cockpit. "Honor to you and your crew, Technician Mara. She is beautiful, and a worthy steed for a ristar such as I. Now strap me in and we shall teach the Smoke Jaguars the lessons of war."

With Mara's help she lowered the neurohelmet over her braided shoulder-length blonde hair (part of the DNA from her Vickers genesire legacy that the Nova Cats had won rights to from the Wolves a century ago) and then gave Mara a handshake in thanks.

"Good hunting and good luck, Star Captain." The Tech spoke as the canopy began to lower.

"Skill and Honor, Mara." Sofia responded before the hatch closed. She then flipped the switches to bring Sofia's Vision to life. Static filled her ears briefly, and then the recorded voice of her primary sibko instructor, Warrior Mhari snapped at her in a no-nonsense tone that instinctively caused her to straighten.

"What is the first lesson, kitten?"

Automatically Sofia replied. "Clarity of purpose reveals the truth of all things through all veils."

"Reactor online, sensors online, weapons online. Honor us, Sofia Rosse."

Sofia's mind flashed back to the memory of the elderly face of her instructor as the ancient woman (nearly sixty!) sobbed in gratitude at the request to have her voice recorded to serve as a reminder of her training to the Clan's newest Bloodnamed warrior.

Sofia flicked on her command circuit and spoke. "Points, report status."

"Alpha Striker Deuce, all green." Sofia's eyes flicked across the mechbay to the ten-ton heavier Nova Cat Alpha with its humanoid body on the chicken-walker legs and the arms holding clusters of paired advanced 8cm lasers. Good, Alex is ready as our sniper.

"Alpha Striker Trey ready."

"Alpha Striker Quad ready."

Sofia nodded as the twins Hina and Risa chimed in from their Nova Cat Bravos. Unlike the Alpha, this Omni configuration had the laser barrels and heat sinks replaced with masses of long-ranged missile tubes and ammunition bins. The hammer to Alex's rapier.

"Alpha Striker Quint prepared for combat, Star Captain." The final member of her Star spoke softly from her Shadow Cat Prime. Star Commander Desha in her fifteen tons lighter wedge-shaped scout mech with the advanced electronics mated to the right-arm Gauss rifle and left-arm 5cm lasers would be their eyes and ears as they performed their mission. Despite her quiet voice and dainty appearance, Desha would fight like a soaking wet wildcat when the time came.

"Skill, trothkin. Stand by for orders." Sofia flipped channels. "Stars report status for combat deployment."

"Bravo Striker Star prepared for deployment. Already ahead of you, " Star Commander Nytara smirked at her commander in the viewscreen, toying with her matching fang necklace saucily. Clearly a 'friendly reminder' in the Circle of Equals to her sibkin would be in order before making the recommendation to advance her for the next available Guerette Bloodname.

"Charlie Nova combat capable." Nova Commander Mirka Winters' alto rumble sounded from her Elemental suit. The ice to Nytara's fire, Mirka would be the rock upon which the Jaguars would be broken.

"Remember the plan is there for a reason, quiaff? We fight as one, trothkin. Assume drop positions and deploy as planned."

"Aff, Star Captain!"

------------------------------------

April 15th, 3057

Devon Highlands

Avon

Smoke Jaguar Occupation Zone

"Dragon, two o'clock! Two blips behind it, analyzing now." Desha's calm voice sounded in Sofia's ears as the first Smoke Jaguar 'mech crested the ridgeline ahead of them as a orange blob in the cool blues and greens of the rainstorm that they fought in. Cyan beams of light from her right skewered it as it oriented itself upon her as the apex of the triangle thrusting into the Jaguar flank.

A wave of heat evaporated sweat from Sofia's body as she stomped the right pedal down hard, fusion exhaust jets blasting as she dodged out of the way of a volley of missiles followed by an azure whip of lightning from the enemy heavy. Her hands moved to put her crosshairs on the rent Alex had just put in the barrel-chested 'mech's torso armor and even as missile explosions shattered armor along the left side of her Mech, her thumbs pressed the firing triggers. Rapid-fire bolts of violet light skewered the ex-DCMS Mech and it burned a brilliant white on her IR as the reactor shielding melted. Secondary explosions ripped the Mech apart as the missiles cooked off and the pilot ejected.

"Dragon neutralized. Report Desha." She snapped out, glancing at the amber dots on her armor diagram, and instinctively twisting to present her less-damaged right side to the advancing enemy.

"First one is assault weight. It is a stravag Warhawk. Second is heavy weight as well. 83% chance of an Guillotine IIC half a kilometer behind it."

"Aff. Pop and drop left to taunt the Warhawk to pursue over the ridgeline, Desha. Hina, Risa, fire once I have it marked, hammer it down. Alex, shift right and stand ready to engage the Warhawk once marked. Desha, report immediately if the Guillotine wishes to bid itself in before we finish with the Warhawk."

Sofia slammed the throttle to the stops to charge forward to the ridgeline as her subordinates' replies echoed in her head. Internally her gut twisted at the thought of being the first thing the enemy Assault would see upon clearing the obstruction, but needs must.

Sofia breathed in and out deeply to center herself as Desha's Shadow Cat rose vertically on plumes of fusion flame, firing the gauss rifle at the unseen Warhawk as soon as she cleared the ridgeline, before hastily cutting the jets. A trio of PPC bolts speared where she had appeared followed by missile trails diving toward the Shadow Cat as Desha evaded fire from a machine nearly twice her weight.

A furious female voice sounded over the speakers as the ground shook under 85 tons of war machine at full charge. "Cowardly surats! Face me, Star Captain Jez Howell, if you dare to oppose your betters!"

Time slowed as the block-shaped torso of the Smoke Jaguar assault appeared in front of her. Jez twisted slightly to face the advancing Mad Dog as steam rose where the rain hit her glowing-hot PPC barrels.

To Sofia, that moment between two heartbeats lasted for eternity. The curling wisps of steam rising from Howell's PPC barrels froze; the diamond perfection of the raindrops falling toward her cockpit halted with one exploding from her armorplast in a perfect Clan daggerstar; the sweat-dampness of her fingerless gloves gripping the control sticks was one with her skin. That eternity was easily enough time for her hands to move by themselves and settle the crosshairs on the shoulder joint of the Warhawk as Sofia stared into the rage-maddened eyes of the Smoke Jaguar Bloodnamed through the armorplast of their cockpits and saw into her with calm understanding and pity.

One did not hate a maddened animal that had to be destroyed, but merely regretted the necessity.

She pressed her thumb triggers again as time suddenly resumed, followed by her left index finger's trigger as she slammed both pedals to the floor, taking flight on jets of ion fire. Purple bolts of light hammered the thick hide of the Assault 'Mech in front of her, melting armor around the shoulder joint, followed by a small missile spread from her left side launcher.

Return fire slammed into her lower body as, surprised by a Mad Dog that could jump, the Warhawk pilot aimed too low. Two bolts of electricity converged on her right leg, savaging it and blowing the foot clean off as the third shot rocketed below her flying form and missiles crashed against her left leg.

The cockpit screens flickered and fuzzed with the electrical surge through her 'Mech while she gracefully landed like a nova cat two hundred meters from the Warhawk. Mhari's voice sounded in her ears as the static of the PPC discharges cleared up. "NARC beacon deployment successful." The bright scarlet IR signature of the Warhawk suddenly glowed with a blue highlight.

"Finish her, trothkin!" Sofia commanded sadly, as her hands clenched on both joysticks' finger triggers. Sofia's Vision shuddered in recoil as the Mad Dog II belched out a cloud of thirty SRMs from all her torso launchers that headed toward the siren song of the NARC beacon attached to the enemy mech. Behind her, Risa and Hina joined in with a hundred and eighty LRMs between them in a trail of fire and death linking their 'Mechs to the doomed Smoke Jaguar. The missile contrails were joined by Desha's Gauss slug and Alex's lasers as the combined firepower and teamwork of Alpha Striker Star, Fifth Striker Trinary, First Nova Cat Guards (The Hand of Fate) shattered Star Captain Jez Howell's Warhawk Prime like it were made of glass.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 07 March 2019, 09:41:24
AN: And the Cat Fight from Yellowhammer continues...

April 18th, 3057

Dropship DCA Hiryu

Dover, Kajikazawa Prefecture, Benjamin Military District


Space folded around the Hiryu, and then with a thud that was felt through the ancient hull, the Overlord undocked from the jumpship that had brought it across the stars. Thrusters gently maneuvered it away, and then the massive fusion torch flared to life, as the ship formed up as the vanguard for the assault force heading to the planet from the L1 pirate point between it and its moon.

On board the command deck the captain glanced at his female passenger in a Mechwarrior cooling vest with the unit insignia of a full moon behind clouds staring at the main holotank as it blinked, showing a triple wedge of dropships boosting toward the planet ahead. Ruby chips speckled the screen as aerospace fighters were launched from their bays to assume flanking positions.

He then cleared his throat and spoke. "All ships report undocking complete, Coordinator. ETA to assault orbit is...three hours. No transmissions from the surface yet."

A nod was his only response from the muscular young Japanese woman as she stared at the screen while carefully and methodically tying a hachimaki headband to confine her pixie-cut hair away from her face. Ice-blue eyes narrowed slightly as she finished, then Miyako Kurita returned to trying to bore a hole in the viewscreen with her cold gaze.

The elevator opened and a middle aged man in Mechwarrior uniform walked to her side. The light from the displays sparkled on the apple-green katakana number four showing his rank as a brigadier general along with the red disc of the Bushido Blade. He crossed to her side and lowered his voice. "Kurita-sama, the latest intelligence is that Chu-sa Smythe is holding out in the Wakazashi Industries factory with the loyal elements of the Sixth Benjamin."

Silence was his answer as the minutes ticked on. He bowed and then strapped into an acceleration couch,

"Status change! ASF launches from planetary bases!" The report caused a ripple across the command deck that flowed around the focused figure of Miyako like water around a boulder. The holoscreen blinked and redrew itself with blue dots forming up into squadrons as they headed for the Hiryu and the other dropships.

The captain looked at the figure of Miyako staring at the screen. She nodded once and he relaxed minutely.

"Assume anti-ASF defense cordon formation! All fighter wings punch a hole through! Stand by for heavy maneuvering!"

The growl of the Hiryu's engines grew into the scream of a furious dragon as two and a half gravities of thrust slammed into the bridge like the hammer of an angry god.

Through it all, Miyako stayed in her position at the holotank, with just a clenching of her white knuckled fist by her sides as the first specks flashed and vanished like fireflies in the evening in the holotank as machines burned and men died. Soon the combat was replaced by the thudding hammer of the dropship's autocannons and missile batteries as it flew into the dogfight.

"Stand by for zero gravity and rotation! Turnover in T minus FIVE..FOUR...THREE...TWO..."

Miyako's hands grasped the rail around the holodisplay as the drive cut out and the she ship spun. Her focus continued to be on the holodisplay even as the ship shook under the hammering of weapon fire on the armor and reports of desperate combat flooded the bridge.

"Begin braking burn, stand by for emergency military thrust!"

Gravity re-exerted itself as the engines fired and Miyako gave an involuntary hiss of pain as she collapsed to the deck under the force of two and a half gravities. Her lips thinned as she slowly pulled herself upright to resume her prior position.

"Sir, the Soryu!"

The display blinked to show Hiryu's sister ship, with oxygen fires licking among the blown-open compartments and with a dead drive as it hurtled onward toward the awaiting planet. Miyako stood upright, and took a deep breath, her eyes glued to the doomed ship and the battalion of men on board.

Her lips moved in a whisper as the screen faded to black. "Kishi kaisei."(I wake from death and return to life)

With that she turned and surveyed the bridge with a cold stare. "We are through their fighter screen. Prepare for drop to relieve our loyal samurai. Do we have identification of the traitors?"

The captain glanced at the data pad. Tactical analysis is that the fighters were from the Dragons of Teak and Jade. Although the Teak Dragon was ordered to fight the Jaguars..."

He trailed off as Miyako's expression hardened and her eyes blazed with rage and pain. Her words came out in a frigid, controlled hiss. "Both are here in contravention of the Dragon's will. There is only one penalty for treachery. Sho-sho Shodaru!"

The general unbuckled himself and saluted. "Hai, Coordinator-dono!"

"Relay the message to our forces. Ryuken-san will avalanche drop on the Wakazashi factory to relieve the loyal elements of the Sixth Benjamin, crush the Teak Dragon and establish a spacehead there for our heavy equipment. Ryuken-ni will act as orbital reserve to reinforce as needed."

Her lips curled in a savage smile as she finished. "As for the Dragon of Jade, their fate will be to be consumed by Ryuken-yon. Sho-sho Shodaru, our regiment has waited for thirty years to avenge the betrayal of Tetsuhara-sama on Misery by the Eighth Sword of Light. Our vengeance is now at hand."

She began to walk to the elevator to the Mech bay, gesturing for him to follow.

"Leave no traitor alive."
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Starfox1701 on 08 March 2019, 13:35:21
Who the hell is this?
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 08 March 2019, 13:44:27
Miyoko Kurita is the daughter of Isoroku Kurita..and cousin to Omi.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 08 March 2019, 19:27:31
AN: More from Yellowhammer...

Cat Fight Part 3

April 29th, 3057

Guest Quarters, Royal Palace

New Avalon

"Hello Katherine." Omi looked up from the bonsai cherry tree that she was examining in the apartment room that she had repurposed as a miniature garden. "I somewhat expected you to visit now that Victor-chan is on light duties and can handle some of your burden. I am glad that he can now be a pillar of strength for you, as you are for him and me."

Katherine walked over to Omi's workbench and leaned heavily against it. "I wish that I could come here just to talk to you. But I need your advice on matters of state. We just received word of events in the Combine that are... disturbing. If this continues, I will have to act."

Spoiler: Omi's bonsai
Omi closed her eyes and sighed deeply before opening them to stare into Katherine's eyes, seeing a matching concern reflected within. "Shikata ga na. The same reports no doubt that were waiting for me with my morning tea."

Katerine nodded somberly as Omi took up a set of shears and prepared to cut through a flowering branch of the bonsai that was growing in variance with the Keeper of House Honor's aesthetic vision of the whole.

Omi positioned the shears against the wood and adjusted them minutely as she whispered in a voice choked with unshed tears. "Dover then?"

"Ja. Dover."

The cherry blossoms on the branch fell.

------------------------------------------------------

April 20th, 3057

Wairdel City

Dover, Kajikazawa Prefecture, Benjamin Military District

The spring rains that day were black as pitch. Soot from the fires that had ravaged the city and were now barely under control in several districts as well as fallout from the nuclear weapons detonations at the factories in the industrial suburbs of Onyx and Kalkedony had tainted the rain.

Destroyed Battlemechs littered the rubble-strewn-streets of one of the major industrial centers of the Combine. Some were painted the camouflage of the 6th Benjamin Regulars. More were the charcoal gray of the Ryuken. Most were the flat red of the Sword of Light, the elite of the DCMS.

Tai-sa Kiyomori Minamoto gasped in pain as one of the faceless infantrymen in chermical warfare gear forced him along at the head of the column of survivors of his Teak Dragon and the Jade Dragon with a ungentle rifle butt. Fire sped through his body in a wave from where it impacted his broken collarbone from where he had ejected from his Hatamoto-chi just ahead of the ammunition explosion that had claimed Flower-gatherer and he half stumbled, his shackled hands twitching helplessly as he shuffled along in his leg cuffs.

A turn in the road, and he saw one of the few undamaged buildings ahead with guards around it along with a lone battlemech in the gray of the Ryuken. One of his eyebrows twitched behind his stoic facade as he identified the hulking 'mech as a new Naginita command Mech, with clear fresh repairs from the savage combat of the last three days to go with the soot patterning the three heavy missile racks that it was equipped with.

"Inside traitor!" With that punctuated with another rifle butt to the back from the ashigaru infantry he was forced through the loading dock door and gagged at the stench within. Merciful Buddha, what died here, it is worse than....

His thoughts whirled to a halt at a memory of a celebration after his decoration with the Order of the Dragon for his successful defense of Luthien. He had traveled to a vacation estate on Annapolis then, to live as his ancestors would as samurai on distant Terra during the Shogunate. The stench brought back memories of those moments when the wind turned there to the high-tech castle where he had stayed. It reminded him of the the scent from the fields where gaijin peasants used their own waste to fertilize the rice paddies in the traditional way with oxplow and hand carts...

A sudden stabbing light filled his eyes as the door behind the last of his men boomed shut. Blinking tears out of hiss eyes, he saw the dim shape of a large cistern where some sort of fencing had been removed from around it. A figure stood in front of the spotlight, and his eyes adjusted enough to see that it was a woman clad in the ceremonial robes of the Coordinator. Her amplified voice echoed in his ears.

"Put them in! Officers last!"

Chaos followed as with cattle prods, savage blows, and brute force teams of infantry grabbed one prisoner after another and threw them over the low edge of the cistern to land with a strangely muffled plop in whatever lay beneath. Called out prayers, screams, and shouts of defiance followed from it, and soon fell silent.

Minamoto stood stoically as the double handful of junior officers soon followed, until he stood alone. As the infantry approached him, he bowed to the shadowy figure and then shuffled forward to the cistern of his own accord. He spoke in a calm voice into the ringing silence.

"Kurita Miyako, I presume?"

A fractional nod answered him.

"That which blossoms/falls, the way of all flesh/in this world of flowers" he spoke calmly as he saw the vat of human excrement and sewage that his men had drowned in waiting for him. "I die so that the Combine may live. Sayonara, Kurita-san."

With that he dove headfirst to his awaiting doom.

--------------------------------------------------

Omi placed the shears down beside the cherry tree and took a deep breath before picking up a watering can. "I do not know what happened to Miyako-chan, Katherine-chan. I can speculate...."

Katherine spoke quietly, "Please do. Of all of us, you are the only person who knew her. If any of us can truly know someone else."

Omi tested the moistness of the soil in the pot with her fingertip as her brows narrowed in thought. "If I had to speculate, she loved her father...Uncle Isoroku... dearly. Seeing... what happened on Benjamin to him and Minoru-chan may have..."

Omi trailed off and bit her lip before carefully watering the soil. "Far be it for me to say ill of my kin, but love and hatred are closely aligned, neh? We both know, both feel, the demon within that cries out for blood, to feast on others' pain to satisfy the ache in our souls that can never be sated save with the sight of those who have gone onward before us."

Katherine nodded slowly, her voice shadowed. "Like I felt when I saw what happened to Kali Liao on my orders. But you and I both know what happens if our will loses control of our demons. Like Claudius the Cruel or Jinjiro did."

"Hai. Like Jinjiro on Kentares."

--------------------------------------------------

April 30th, 3057

Stratford

Avon

Nova Cat Occupation Zone

Star Colonel Sofia Rosse took her neurohelmet off as the canopy of her Mad Dog II unsealed. She breathed in the cooler air of the Mechbay then smiled at the two techs coming to assist her out of the cockpit after the all-day field exercise.. "The replacement hip actuator and left side fire-control linkages work perfectly Mara, Judith. They are as quick to respond as an Ice Hellion's ability to leap to conclusions. Unfortunately, my left side laser is tracking improperly, my shots were a half-meter wide."

The technicians smiled at each other as they helped her to the lift. "We shall correct the laser focusing. A message from the Khan for you came while you were on exercise." With that, Mara handed over a tablet.

Sofia's smile widened as she saw the scarred face of Trent - the reason that Sofia's Choice has needed the new hip actuator and the left side had to be rebuilt thanks to their duel last week where she had tracked down the two Stars that he had manged to lead in a breakout from the pocket where the Jaguar Cavaliers were destroyed. Claiming him as my isorla was wise, he uses his head for more than supporting his shoulders. He will make a strong abtakha for the Clan. She tossed her neurohelmet underhand to Trent, who automatically caught it.

"Assist the Technicians in their checks of Sofia's Choice, Trent. My left side laser is not zeroed properly, so I order you to take her out to the firing range and correct that under their direction."

With that command and her turn away to show a 'blind eye' to the ex-Smoke Jaguar's glee at doing a Warrior's work, she unlocked the tablet.

MESSAGE BEGINS
From: Khan Severen Leroux
To: Star Colonel Sofia Rosse, CO 1st Nova Cat Guards.
Subject: Preliminary Orders.

Report status of the Hand of Fate immediately. Forward projections of strength for 10, 20, and 30 days after recieipt of message to Khan's office. Begin preparation and planning for assault on Meinacos as part of Operation CAT'S FANG WAVE ONE. Latest DCMS intelligence survey included as attachment. MESSAGE ENDS
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 12 March 2019, 07:29:21
AN: Cat Fight and the Dance of Dragons Continues..

"Heav'n has no rage, like love to hatred turn'd, Nor hell a fury, like a woman scorned"
William Congreve (1697)


Cat Fight Part 4

Davion Palace, New Avalon

May 1st 3057

Omiko Kurita smiled and kissed the cheek of the sleeping man next to her. Idly she brushed a lock of golden hair behind Victor Steiner-Davion's ear before sighing inaudibly. As attractive as sleeping next to the man she loved was to her, and as tired as she was; her duty, as always, was the greater burden.

"What is the most important duty?", she whispered to herself into the stillness of the night-shrouded room. Then Omi carefully slid from the bed, making sure not to disturb Victor as he slept. She closed her eyes as she slipped on a simple robe over her nude body and finished the quotation from the Chinese philosopher Mencius in a hushed voice. "One’s duty toward one’s parent."

With that she slipped into her study, nodding to the guard at the bedroom door, and booted up her computer. She then shivered briefly as she felt the warmth of Victor's flesh against hers cool. As much as Omiko Kurita wished with every fiber of her being otherwise, even tonight on the night when Victor had been cleared medically to sleep in her bed, her father had appointed her Keeper of the House Honor. As always, in the age old conflict between duty and desire, between giri and ninjō, her honor demanded that her duty must come first.

For the duty of the Keeper of House Honor was plain. As was the honor of House Kurita.

She must act to guide her cousin back from the brink of madness before it consumed her.

The computer screen blinked with the insignia of ComStar , and Omi clicked on the button to open a HPG message form to be sent to Miyako. She glanced out the window next to the desk at the shapes of tree branches moving in the wind on a moonlight night and began to type.

Although the wind
blows terribly here,
the moonlight also leaks
between the roof planks
of this ruined house.

Cousin.

I congratulate you on your victory over the Dragons of Jade and Teak. However, your HPG broadcast of the execution of those captured by the Ryuken, while no doubt educational to the citizens of the Combine, has caused consternation among the nobility of the FedCom. None here would dispute your right to the throne, nor challenge the Coordinator's power and right to punish her enemies for state treason. However, the mass execution of technicians, medical personnel, and other noncombatants was alarming to many on New Avalon and has provoked debate over whether policies toward the Combine should be adjusted if such matters continue.

Furthermore, executing skilled samurai who loyally followed the orders of traitorous superiors is wasteful, when the Dragon needs all the loyal warriors that she can muster to get revenge upon the Jaguars and the Black Dragon Society for their injuries to our family. I am no warrior, and you are of course, but our ancestors allowed such soldiers to expiate their mistaken loyalties in self-sacrificial actions against our enemies in prior conflicts.

I do what I can to rally support to your cause, but I am but one voice amongst many in the FedCom....


-------------------------------------------

Coordinator's Quarters, DCA Hiryu

Felicitous Travel Spaceport, Xianyang

Xinyang Prefecture

Benjamin Military District

May 12th, 3057

Miyako Kurita's hand clenched on the message the Pillarine Adept had given her as her eyes narrowed to icy slits. Slowly she read the lines that had been penned on distant New Avalon and then her voice came out in an icy controlled whisper. "I...see. Inform your mistress that The Dragon shall take her counsel and meditate upon her words. Now go."

With that, the Adept bowed and departed silently. Miyako waited for the hatch to close before her face twisted in grief and pain and she flung the message to the ground and stepped on it savagely. Her voice came out in a jagged-edged scream of anguish as she released what was inside her.

"'Moderate my actions to avoid stirring up trouble with the FedCom!' As if my dear cousin would not cut the hearts out of the slayers of our kin alongside me!!" Miyako stalked across the cabin to where her father's portrait gazed on her sternly from a shrine and grasped it, hugging it close to her chest as her hot tears fell upon the hologram that was all that was left of the most beloved person in her universe.

Gradually her voice stilled as she regained control, and then a savage smile blossomed on her face as she whispered in triumph. "No, her blood cries for vengeance as surely as mine does! The Steiner-Davions are busy with the remnants of Liao and Marik as always is too weak to do what must be done. The Jaguars have been broken to heel by my samurai as they count their dead, and that means..."

She walked to the holotank and reverently placed her father's portrait where it could observe her at work. A touch of the controls revealed the Combine, with the gray gash of the Jaguars' thrusting down from Luthien to their current positions at Bicester and Philadelphia. The blue of the FedCom covered the bottom of the map, while the dividing line between the red of the loyal and the yellow of the traitors stretched from Irirzun to Ijima as the Benjamin Military District bled over to Galedon. A touch of the controls caused red arrows to strike into Galedon.

"Yes, yes. Once the Ryuken have rearmed and refitted, we shall strike to Hachiman. The factories there will supply our forward base, and Chandrasekhar is on our side. Meanwhile, the other prong..."

Another arrow thrust down from Pesht to Midway. "I pull the remaining loyal units off the Clan front from around Pesht - the Jaguars are lamed and dying - and they take Midway. When Midway falls, nine in ten dropship yards in the Combine are mine and I can then consolidate to advance upon Galedon and New Samarkand. And then..."

Her eyes glittered like chips of ice. "Then I can make the traitors suffer as I have suffered. Father, you will hear their screams."

---------------------------------------------

CNCS Mata Hari

Pesht

Pesht District

May 12th, 3057

With a brief radiation bloom hidden by the emissions of Pesht's primary, Mata Hari materialized at the L1 point for the innermost planet. On board the Bug-Eye surveillance ship, Star Captain Jeanne looked around the cramped command deck, and nodded.

"All stations report!"

"Position confirmed, Star Captain. We have arrived in Pesht. Plotting survey burn now to pass us in range of the planet ballistically."

"Gunnery turrets standing by for engagement, no targets."

"ELINT board reads green. No radar transmission sources in range."

"COMINT is picking up chatter. Beginning decrypt of intercepted communications. Internal HPG is green."

"Engineering reports drive green, beginning trickle charge of K-F core, Lithium-fusion batteries green. Ready for maneuver."

"Optics report minor alignment motor issue with the telescope. Beginning repairs."

"Aff. Begin maneuver burn to put us on a hyperbolic ballistic course past Pesht III. The Khan took these ships as isorla after Tukkayid so that the freeborn Spheroids would not fool us again. We are the eyes and the whiskers of the Nova Cat and without us our strike against the Dragon will not go true. The Great Father and the Founder showed us how to learn the weaknesses of a target when they destroyed the Traitor Amaris and reclaimed the Pentagon Worlds. We had forgotten the lesson, but now we learn it once more. Prepare a tightbeam laser whisker to micropulse the message to Belle Boyd letting them know that their relief has arrived."

Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Starfox1701 on 15 March 2019, 12:20:09
So the Nova Cats are going to conquer the combine
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 03 April 2019, 07:23:10
May 9th, 3057

Salomek

Sarna

Capellan Confederation

The South Bank of the Grey River

“****** Parsons, double check those wires, I won’t have them fail to detonate when the time comes.” Private Mike Parsons had had his Sergeant, a black hearted fellow by the name of Tieth, all over him today since they’d awoke at 0450 with orders to blow one of the major spans across the Grey River. Yeah, but they tell us to wait until orders to actually blow the ****** bridge. Considering what’s going on just across the river, and what I am hearing come across the radio? I don’t think we’re gonna have any time to wait.

Parsons took another look. The flashes of light from the battle in the distance lit up the predawn sky, competing with the rising sun to create an otherworldly atmosphere. The sounds of the various weapons systems being used bled into each other, each type becoming a series of whines and cracks that hid individual reports, and just became a series of bangs and crashes. Occasionally, a larger explosion would occur, perhaps it was a ‘Mech losing containment, or an ammo explosion, this far away, who knew. Long as it ain’t me? Yeah, I hate being a soldier, and I hate being this close to the shooting, so why the hell am I here? Because that damned Vegan Rangers recruiter back on Demeter convinced me there would be more money in it than the Planetary Guard and working for old man Harper’s construction business. Well, two lies for the price of one I suppose.

Parsons continued to gingerly check the blasting wires as they led back to the explosives, which were a kilometer away from the blasting machine. He was checking He’d had enough required. And to check on the little surprises we left for anyone trying to cut the wires. Parsons grinned evilly at that last thought. He’d had enough of Salomek in particular, and Sarna in general to last a lifetime. I am going to see this place in my nightmares for the rest of my life. Just like dad sees Tikonov. Yeah, that’s gonna be a ton of fun. Parson’s father had been a Wasp driver, and had lost his machine, and his legs on Tikonov with the 6th Crucis Lancers back during the 4th War.

Parson’s reverie was shook by a distant tremor, then another that crashed slowly across the violent night. The tremors got closer, with the cadence of feet, and it wasn’t just one, or two…but many. Please let that be Gamma Regiment, his mind pleaded.

A corporal leaning over a sandbag wall to Parson’s right with a pair of FLIR goggles was scanning the far horizon. He cried out “Lance plus approaching, heat signature says medium plus. No recog flare!”

Cries of “Stand To!” rippled through the position, and Sergeant Tieth grabbed Parsons, throwing him into a shallow foxhole which was ringed with sandbags, at the bottom was a beat up old “T” shaped blasting machine. “Get on that demo, and if you hear somebody scream “Alamo”, blow it! Otherwise, do not leave that blasting machine!” Tieth said in a tone that suggested equal parts menace and fear.

Parsons gripped the blasting machine for dear life, and ducked into the hole. A gnawing fear grabbed at his stomach as the footfalls came ever closer. Parsons shutting his eyes closed tightly, as he repeated over and over like a mantra, God, don’t let me die here, don’t let me die here. Not like this. The vicious man-killing barks of automatic weapons fire began, some were deep and throaty, suggesting larger caliber rounds, some were a series of fast pops, almost like a sheet of canvas being torn, suggesting lighter rounds, the boys are really engaged in panic fire, eh? Parson’s mind idly noted.

Cries in Chinese began to get closer, and more frequent, and then a strange sound filled his ears. It was a hiss, and then a KA-WUMPH! Sometimes he’d hear a scream, followed up by a couple of rifle shots. Fire on both sides began to slacken, and die, and the metallic footfalls came close, and then passed, but the hiss and KA-WUMPH came ever closer.

Parsons began to wonder the nature of that sound was. He hadn’t heard anyone scream “Alamo”. As a matter of fact, he was getting worried he hadn’t heard from anyone. Parsons slowly began to raise his head…and the world exploded in a gout of flame.

Lance Corporal Zhou Chi-Lien, 2nd Company, 2nd Death Commandos smiled as he lit another Vegan Ranger on fire with his flamethrower. This one was too easy, and they dance so nicely in the flames. The Chancellor did well to send us here! Chi-Lien kept walking, sending jets of flame down likely holes. He smiled. The Davion lapdog mercenaries will not deny us. The way to the 12th Vegan Command Post is open. And we proper sons of the Confederation will lead our way to a great triumph. I’d better have the lads catch up before House Kamata leaves us…

It was dark, and Chi-Lien didn’t notice the thin trip wire of the Davion made M20 directional anti-personnel mine. Some 1200 ball bearings and scrap were propelled at a velocity of 800 meters per second, and collided with Chi-Lien in an explosive gout of flame, as they hit flesh, and the flamethower’s fuel tank at the same time, producing an impressive gout of flame that lit up the night as it consumed Chi-Lien completely, and two other unlucky to be too close behind him.

And on the killing went, but by morning, it was obvious that the Capellans had forced a beachhead across the north bank of the Grey River. Worse, it had pocketed 2/3rds of Gamma Regiment…



Sarna, Part 3
Attacking Units: 12th Vegan Rangers (all four regiments), 1st Kestrel Grenadiers

Defending Units: McCarron’s Armored Cavalry (all five regiments), Sarna Home Guard. (1st Battalion, House Kamata, and No 2 Company of the 2nd Death Commandos reinforce the Capellans in late April).

The arrival of a battalion of the feared Capellan Warrior House troops, in addition to a company of Death Commandos heralded a plan by McCarron’s Armored Cavalry to end the fight for Salomek once and for all. Both units lead an attack by the Wild One’s Regiment of the MAC into the seam between Gamma and Delta Regiments of the 12th Vegan Rangers. This seam had been hit before, but this time, Gamma gave way, grudgingly and bled the Wild Ones white. It didn’t matter, as by morning, the Warrior House troops and the Death Commandos had forced a weak bridgehead across the Grey River, sitting astride Gamma Regiment’s main supply route, and threatening to strangle two of Gamma’s battalions into surrender. But the Capellans didn’t have the reserves to exploit the gains, and the Vegan Rangers didn’t have the strength to crush the bridgehead, so a new stalemate ensued after the Vegan Rangers withdrew into a tighter perimeter. This time, their FAX messages to New Avalon pleading for help became insistent, stating that the Rangers had perhaps “36-72 hours before any practical resistance was doomed to futility.”

In other news, the 1st Kestrel Grenadiers reformed and hit the Sarna Home Guard again in their base outside the capital city. After launching a fairly successful raid, their luck held and they managed to catch the 3rd Battalion of the Nightriders strung out on a road march moving to relieve the Home Guard. By morning, the 3rd Battalion had ceased to exist.


May 11th, 3057

Salomek

Sarna

Capellan Confederation

9912th Federated Suns Mobile Army Surgical Hospital

It had been a rough 36 hours for the 9912th. Casualties had been flowing in at a prodigious rate the fighting all along the “Grey River Seam” as some had been calling it. Captain Joseph Cartelli, MD, FSGME was bleary eyed and dead on his feet, barely kept going by a mix of bad army coffee and stim shots. Probably far in excess of the approved army dose I bet.

And then came the news they’d all been dreading. Rumors had been rife that the Capellans had forced a bridgehead across the Grey River and that a bugout was coming. We’ve packed up and moved this MASH four times in the past 72 hours..and we’ve lost patients because of it. Not that it matters to the Capellans, now does it?

He ran his fingers through his thinning hair, and the crow’s feet surrounding his hazel eyes seemed to deepen in the mirror he’d been attempting a passable shave at. Fresh water was at a premium, so they used dirty water that had been used to clean the floor of the OR. It had been pumped in from a nearby water tank atop a building four blocks away by the most jury rigged thing he’d ever seen, but it did a good job. You just couldn’t drink it. But they had that handled too, so long as the QM guys did their jobs.

Just then, a short, ebon skinned Corporal, whose Adams apple was his most prominent feature, came running in with a message flimsy, “Sir, it’s orders from Vegan Actual. We’re to move out to new coordinates about six kilometers from here.”

Cartelli took the orange-white flimsy from the Corporal and nodded, after reading it, he crumpled it up and shook his head. “We have six patients whom it is going to kill them to be moved. I’ve killed enough kids today, Corporal.”

“Sir, orders…” the Corporal responded.

“Yeah, I know, do me a favor, call a formation in ten minutes for all those not currently treating patients?”

“Um sir, what should I tell em it’s about?”

“I need volunteers, Corporal. That simple, I have to ask some people to risk their asses to give our patients a fighting chance.”

15 minutes later

Cartelli looked over the small crowd of 200, less then half were actually engaged as doctors and nurses. The rest were a small army of those who maintained the medical equipment, or who cooked the food, cleaned the bedsheets, and so on. At this point, I will take bottle washers to do this job. I just hope this won’t be something that I am going to see in my nightmares.

“Folks, we’ve been ordered to withdraw again.” A chorus of groans and “Oh no’s” flew up from the assembled staff. “At ease people.” Cartelli said, but the order had little effect on the cacophony. “AT EASE, DAMMIT!” That shut down the twittering of the crowd, and it listened with the rapt attention a dog gave it’s master after it got a newspaper across the nose. Cartelli nodded “Alright, look. We train for this, we have already done it a half dozen times during this mess alone. I know it’s a lot of work, but it needs to be done. But we’re not taking all the equipment..or the tents. There are six patients who cannot travel. Most have severe burns, or head injuries and are in medical comas. One has a spinal injury. We cannot move them. I need volunteers to stay with them. You all know what that means. I cannot promise what the Capellans will do, or not do to you once they arrive. We’ve been hurting them as badly as they have hurt us.”

A young Leftenant stepped forward from the ranks. Her hair was in a dusty blonde ponytail, and her white coat was covered in stains and fluids. Her eyes were shot through with red streaks, and her face had a look of resigned “What the hell” written all over it. She simply stood, and said nothing.

Dammit Leftenant Shrobersham, why you? You’re my best junior surgeon. I can’t spare you. But there’s not any good military or medical reason to say no. Cartelli’s eyes met hers, and he simply nodded.

Two nurses soon joined her, one was a tall, gangly auburn haired girl who Cartelli didn’t know. She was new to the unit, and he just hadn’t had time to meet with her. The other was a petite redhead with almost albino skin, dotted with freckles. Sergeant Josephina “Joe” (you never failed to pronounce the “e” or there was hell to pay) Sanchez was popular in the unit, beloved and from a long family of military medical professionals. Sanchez was a consummate professional in her own right. She would stay simply because “it isn’t done to leave patients like this, sir.”

A half dozen other support staff stepped forward as well. He accepted three of them, ones most likely to survive being a Capellan POW, the rest, he ordered back into the ranks with his thanks.

“Thank You, whatever happens, you will be remembered for this.” Cartelli then dismissed the formation with a jaunty wave, and a smile he didn’t feel. I probably just sent 11 people to their deaths. God help me.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: cklammer on 03 April 2019, 12:39:09
Now it is going to be 6 patients and 12 volunteers dead instead of just 6 patients dead.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: ThePW on 03 April 2019, 23:30:58
are you sure? Only if the Liao command staff is willing to risk that...
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: cklammer on 06 April 2019, 13:39:52
The Mask make their own rules.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Starfox1701 on 07 April 2019, 13:05:15
I see the other shoe falling. Question is whether it will land in time.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Starfox1701 on 09 April 2019, 14:12:32
 Deleted
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Zureal on 09 April 2019, 22:46:30
That was a bit intense, also glad to see not everything is going great and that greedy short term gains, like usual, overides peoples better sens/ long term thinking.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 18 April 2019, 12:10:21
May 18th, 3057

The Plains of Aragorn

Sarna

Capellan Confederation

100km East of Salomek



It is interesting you characterize Aragorn Plains as a battle? We always regarded it as the disposal of vermin.

- Star Commander Delkeith Malthus, Jade Phoenix Mercenary Cluster in an interview with DBC News, “The War of ’56, 10 Years On – What Have We Learned?” Broadcast 24 August, 3066



Subcommander Thomas Kutzov cursed again as his warbook struggled to identify the ‘Mechs approaching his line. He’d seen the types before, he couldn’t remember where, but somewhere. Been in the saddle too long, doesn’t matter really, they’ll die like the rest. Fools facing us on an open plain. We’re gonna murder them.



What he couldn’t get over was how they’d identified themselves to the Nightriders. First, they’d identified themselves as the “Jade Phoenix Mercenary Cluster” and then they asked who defended their position. Asked? They couldn’t be the Clans? Clans didn’t do the Mercenary thing. And if anyone ought to know that, it was McCarron’s Armored Cavalry. Colonel Wilson did the smart thing by telling these wierdos to go to hell.



Even though we lost 3rd Battalion in that damn ambush by the Kestrel Grenadiers, we’re still two elite battalions in pretty good shape, we should make short work of these guys. And we’ve managed to mine our front and flanks nicely, ought to force them right down this plain, where we can cut them up and kill them.



Kutzov moved his Grasshopper into line with the rest of his lance, and smiled. He looked forward to the maneuvering fight that was due to start, and the Davions are stupidly obliging. The Davions had reinforced with two RCTs some days ago, but the Chancellor himself had promised help.


A cry soon came up over the company net. “Here they come, they’re advancing like it’s a parade.” Kutzov increased the magnification. The enemy ‘Mechs were all in bright jade green, no accents, save a unit insignia of a jade colored falcon, with a sword in its talons rising from an orange and blue flame no other colors. They advanced at a walking pace, seemingly in no hurry to meet what Kutzov had been assured was their doom. Now, he wasn’t so sure of that.


Their company commander’s growl filled the frequency. “It’s just some Davions back from the Clan front looking to screw with us. Let’s trash their Clan toys and show them who owns this world. “ His voice seemed higher pitched than normal. Jesus, did the Davions bring home pet Clanners? Am I going to die here?



As if to answer that question, spears of verdant and cerulean light reached out from the enemy line. Oh my god, they are Clanners. They’re opening up at 650 meters. And they’re hitting! He turned his ‘Mech’s head just in time to see a Hunchback in another lance be decapitated by a PPC. Oh my god, that warrior didn’t even have time to scream! Fear gripped Kutzov like a scratchy blanket, and his fair skin went clammy as his blue eyes went wide. His breathing soon quickened, and he had to get a hold of himself as he began to hyperventilate.


The radio net began to tell a tale of disaster.


“-shit, 22 is down, he got hit three times by a PPC and he was just..gone!”



“Christ, get these damn mini-mechs off of me, they’re tearing me apart! Oh god, one’s going to blow my coc-“



“…Sweet Jesus, those Clanners have Yen-Lo-Wang at their head! Shut ‘em down and surrender boys and girls, we don’t have a hope in hell.”



“All Dark Horse Callsigns, sauve qui peut, pull back to Phase Line Quartz, the order has been given to-“that was from the Colonel himself, and for him to give that order, it must have been bad, Kutzov heard signs of a struggle, then several pistol shots.



“Dark Horse, this is Colonel Lisa Chen of the 19th Special Loyalty Tasks Battalion. Colonel Wilson has been relieved of his command and summarily executed for treason and cowardice. I am now in command. You will close with these Clanners and show them what Capellan manhood consists of-“there were more shots and confused cries and screams.


Kutzov began to backpedal, firing his Large Laser in the general direction of the enemy as he covered friendly ‘Mechs that were more damaged than his try to get clear of the rapidly unfolding disaster.


Kutzov swallowed then spoke into his mic. “Dark Stallion Two-One, this is Dark Stallion Two-Two, Can you raise Six?”


The voice of his Lance leader came in choppy and broken, the jamming is really heavy, I am surprised we can get anyone on the net at all. “Two-Two, his Marauder is down, and they’ve got some of those Elementals of theirs finishing the job. I don’t dare get close to him in this captured Enforcer. As it is, I’ve lost a hip and I don’t have a hope in hell of getting away. Two-Two, take charge of the Lance and get it back to the dropships. Get clear of this world, we’ll be back some day. It’s time to save the Cavalry.”



Kutzov’s eyes stung. Commander Chueng was popular with her warriors, her ‘can do’ attitude was infectious and she had really done well commanding the unruly men and women of Fire Lance, Ambleov’s Company, 2nd Nightriders, McCarron’s Armored Cavalry. Now to die here, like this? “Mam, are you sure, we can come get-“


“Negative Two-Two, take command and follow your orders, get the hell out of here. Sarna’s lost, we were the flank. Now the flank’s in the ****** wind, and things are chaos at regiment. You’re the only person I can raise. Shit, I got bigger problems, one of their mediums just noticed me. Good luck Two-Two, to the next life.”



Kutzov slammed the left arm of his command couch in frustration. He had orders, what could he do? He keyed the radio again. “Dark Stallion Two-Two to any Dark Stallion Two callsigns? Come in please? Sound off.”


“This is Two-Four to Two-Two, Two-Three lost a leg as those bastards began to close. My Griffin is operational, if you can call it that. What are your orders boss?”



“Run like hell and pick up any stragglers.”


A shrill cry came over the net in the clear, and it broke through all the cross chatter on the net. “All commands, this is Ringmaster Six. Retreat to the dropships. Save yourselves and whomever else you can. Let the Mask fight the Davions themselves if they want. The 7th Crucis Lancers just broke our southern flank, if we stay, we’re going to get cut off against the river. Out.”



Kutzov swore mightily “If I ****** live through this, I am leaving the Armored Cavalry.”


Sarna, Part 4

Attackers: McCarron’s Armored Cavalry (All Regiments), 1st Battalion, House Kamata, One Company of Death Commandos, Sarna Home Guard.


Defenders: 12th Vegan Rangers (all remaining regiments), 1st Kestrel Grenadiers, 7th Crucis Lancers RCT, Davion Assault Guards RCT, Jade Phoenix Mercenary Cluster, 2 Artillery Brigades.


The end on Sarna was as climactic as the entire battle had been, as the Capellans simply ran out of time to finish off the 12th Vegan. They had managed to destroy most of Gamma Regiment since forcing the crossing over the Grey River, but the temporary advantage had evaporated on May 8th, with the arrival of two RCTs and a “mercenary” cluster of former Jade Falcon POWs hired by no less than Kai Allard-Liao himself.


McCarron discounted the reports of ClanTech present in the new FC units as little more than propaganda, and shifted the Nightriders (who were down to two battalions) to cover the Northern flank and Gordon’s Demons to cover the South. McCarron hoped to bloody the FC nose long enough to finish things in Salomek before he withdrew in triumph.


What happened was an unmitigated disaster. The Nightriders were an elite unit, but they had never faced the Clans, or more importantly, their superior technology. Capellan ‘Mechs were cut down at ranges most of McCarron’s ‘Warriors could not fathom. With no less than Kai Allard-Liao at their head, they slowly advanced into the teeth of the Nightriders, destroying their 2nd Battalion, and forcing the 3rd to flee pell-mell for their dropships. Coupled with an attempted takeover of the Nightriders by the attached Special Loyalty Tasks Battalion, barely two companies made it off Sarna and back to Capellan space.


In the South, a massive prep barrage with air and artillery shattered the Demons, whose morale had been shaky since being pulled out of the city fighting in Salomek after suffering 30% casualties. The regiment lost 15% of its ‘Mechs and vehicles to the bombardment, and then was slammed into by the 7th Crucis Lancers, leading off with a battalion of captured Clan tech ‘Mechs. Like the Nightriders, they did their best, but the Demons were brutally overrun. Barely a battalion of the Demons fought their way clear and managed to escape off world, the rest of the Armored Cavalry either died in the streets of Salomek in the coming weeks, or made their way off world. By the time the brigade returned to Menke to rebuild, there was little more than 4 battalions of a once proud 5 regiment force left. The Death Commandos fought to the last man, as did House Kamata, with the Home Guard surrendering on the 22nd. Sarna was declared secure on the same day.

The Battle of Sarna had ended, ACTIVE PANTHER kicked off three days later.


To paraphrase Winston Churchill, I knew it wasn’t the beginning of the end for the Capellan Confederation after Sarna. But I also knew it wasn’t the end of the beginning either. But I did know, from here on in, we dictated the tune, and Katherine and I intended to play the final note on Sian, as a eulogy for our parents.

- Victor Steiner-Davion, “Reflections”, Davion Palace Press, New Avalon, 3071

“To borrow from an American President, ‘But, in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate -- we cannot consecrate -- we cannot hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract.’” President Lincoln was right then, and he is right now. What these brave men and women, Regular, Reserve, and Mercenary sacrificed in the name of the Commonwealth can never be repaid. It shall never be forgotten. As I light this eternal flame of Reflection and Remembrance in honor of all the souls lost here, and elsewhere to stem the Capellan-Marik advance, let us also remember those who survived, and our obligations to them…”

- Katherine Cox Steiner-Davion, Speech Given on the Dedication of the Sarna Victory Memoral and opening of the Commonwealth Cemetery at Salomek, March 9th, 3061
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: mikecj on 18 April 2019, 15:52:28
Oof.  Nice chapter.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Zureal on 18 April 2019, 20:46:25
nice, just,.... need more  :'(
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: cklammer on 19 April 2019, 13:01:36
Ecellent!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Starfox1701 on 21 April 2019, 14:43:59
Damn you dropped Kai on them with a full cluster, that's one he'll of a shoe to drop.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 25 April 2019, 08:52:57
AN: Another Omake from Yellowhammer of SB!

Cat Fight Part 5

"The board is set, the pieces are moving. We come to it at last...
The great battle of our time." J.R.R. Tolkien, The Return of the King


CNCS Mata Hari

Pesht, Pesht District

15 May 3057

"Status Change, Star Captain!" The voice of Star Commander Alex woke the captain.

Star Captain Jeanne slapped the intercom in her spartan quarters and snarled "Report!"

"Drive plumes detected! Estimate of three Battlemech regiments plus auxiliary forces boosting for the Zenith point from spectral analysis."

Jeanne grabbed her duty jumpsuit and swam into the bridge. Strapping herself in as the ship drifted in its ballistic course through the Pesht system, she watched the holotank with interest as the set of vectors left Pesht and headed toward the icons of a cluster of transport jumpships.

"HPG preliminary movement report to Irece! Communications traffic analysis? Is this a planned Trial for our worlds?" She snapped out as she pulled her uniform on.

"Positive identification of DCA Kaga, DCA Akagi, DCA Shoukaku, DCA Zuikaku assigned to Ryuken regiments according to the Watch." The holotank redrew itself as the advanced computers on the Bug-Eye used the combination of the telescope's observation of the distant dropships and their drive's unique spectral characteristics plus electronic emissions to determine a picture of the DCMS movements.

Jeanne glanced to the communications section. The best computers that the Scientist caste could produce labored there to break the coding on the HPGs. "Code break!"

The message came up on the screen. "Tai-sa Shotoku, take command of Ryuken-go, Ryuken-roku, and the 22nd Dieron Regulars, secure Midway for the Dragon as a forward staging area to liberate Galedon V."

Jeanne's eyes glittered. "Append the message to our next transmission to Khan Leroux. Continue observation of the Spheroids and work up a profile on what they left behind. Once they commit..."

A feral smile, "Pesht is ours."

----------------------------

Palace of Spreading Harmony
Galedon V, Galedon Military District, Draconis Combine

17 May 3057

Coordinator Franklin Kurita stared at the holotank. Worlds under his control, the true Dragon's control, gleamed scarlet, while his cousin Miyako's worlds were an angry orange. A scattering of loyal icons held the border secure, but unless things changed, his cousin would breach the border.

What to do, what to do?

"Replay projections."

One orange arrow shot out from Xinyang in Benjamin to Hachiman, while another speared down from Pesht to impale Midway. As those worlds fell, the arrows struck deeper into Galedon, aimed for him.

I can't stop her, not alone.

A touch on the control and the map zoomed out, showing the blue of the Federated Commonwealth and the gold of the Clan invasion corridor.

But I can bleed her, slow her and....

He turned to the young man next to him. "Tai-i Karoda. I have a mission of utmost importance to the Combine for you."

The fifth-generation Samurai bowed. "My life for yours, Kurita-dono."

"Assemble a company of my most loyal samurai and take our information about the DCMS supply base on Xinyang with you. Your mission will begin here." A touch highlighted a world along the Smoke Jaguar/Combine border.

As Karoda departed, Franklin nodded to himself and then touched a control on his terminal. A burly man with a shaved head and African features entered and bowed before him.

"What is the Dragon's will?" He rumbled.

Franklin spoke quietly. "It is time to use some of our assets, Director Jerrar. Inform Tai-sa Ioto, Tai-sa Doi, and Tai-sa Kusunoki to begin disruption operations. Code word is Kyomou."

Jerrar bowed and departed at a gesture as Franklin began to touch and move icons of his unis to assemble them at Agematsu.

---------------------------

29 May 3057

Konstance City, Helen, Draconis March

Konstance City burned.

Subaltern Victoria Sanromea-Davion clenched the joysticks of Santiago, her family's Enforcer with sweating palms.

The day had started out so well. Just a routine field exercise for her lance of the Sakhara Training Battalion.

That had changed when a Drac jumpship had appeared in the Hector/Helen Pirate point and detached a trio of Unions on a high-speed run at the planet. The Training Battalion aerolances and planetary militia's ASF force had been sent out to intercept them while Santiago and the rest of Gold Lance had been frantically rearmed with live munitions.

Very few of the aerojocks had survived their attempt to intercept.

Now it was her turn. The Dracs had dropped one company at the spaceport to try to secure a landing zone. The other two...had been deployed straight into the built up areas of Helen's planetary capital.

"Gold One to Gold Three, Report." That was Leftenant Marks in his Crusader.

"Gold Three, negative on Magscan. IR is a mess with all the fires that the Snakes set." Her classmate's Gallery rasp was oddly calming. Karl Hendriksson-Steiner was the son of some mining family back on Gallery and a distaff cadet relation to the Archon-Prince. Not a bad sort, if a little too proud to show off the Trenchbucket that his grandfather had captured from the League during a raid late in the Third Succession War.

A raid like what the Dracs were doing here. One battalion couldn't hold Helen with the March Militia nearby. So she just needed to do her duty and minimize the damage. With that her scanner finally showed something.

"Gold One, Four, got movement half a klick at my ten o'clock. Intermittent sensor flux." Victoria rattled off the data by The Book. That had to count for something, right?

"Two, Backstop Four. Four, transmit targeting data for us LRM boats."

"Yessir, Leftenant." Subaltern Laura Gray's Phoenix Hawk jetted down next to Santiago. "I'll swing left while you advance, Vickie."

Victoria nodded and advanced, gripping her joysticks as she tracked the crosshairs from building to building. Just like a sim, just like a sim....

"Panther! I'm on him!" A gold icon popped up on her tactical display. "C'mere you little...."

A flash of man-made lightning illuminated the street to Victoria's left and she kicked Santiago into a run. "F-four's engaging Panther, assisting." She stuttered out, hating how her voice broke in the middle of the report.

The Drac light Mech bounced over a burning office block on ion jets. Moments later Laura's Davion-green painted Phoenix Hawk followed suit, firing the laser as she went. "Gotcha you Snake Bast--- ******----" Her voice tapered off into a scream and the crackle of flames.

"Four's in trouble! Assisting!" Victoria slammed down on the foot pedals and Santiago lifted off. Victoria feathered the jets to land on a rooftop one block over as the smoke cleared.

Below and to the left was a Thunderbolt Heavy Mech bathing the prone Phoenix Hawk in flames from its torso-mounted twin flamers as pulses of coherent light flayed the lighter Phoenix Hawk, snapping a leg off.

"Thunderbolt-Sierra! Engaging!!" Victoria snapped out as she punched the button that would send her sensor data to her lance-mates and dropped the crosshairs onto the hulking Mech. Her fingers squeezed the triggers, and the roar of her autocannon filled the cockpit as a wave of heat washed over her.

The emerald beam of her 8cm laser flayed armor from the T-Bolt's torso as the autocannon blew away charcoal gray armor plates from its left thigh, obliterating the Kurita Dragon coiled around a sword of the Ryuken.

"OHGODOHGOD HEL---" Laura's panic-filled screams suddenly cut off as the soaring temperatures inside her burning 'mech caused the ammunition for her machine guns to explode, disintegrating the Phoenix Hawk.

"Die Snake!" Victoria screamed, seeing red. "Gold One, I need fire support now!"

A PPC bolt slammed into her left thigh and she braced against the impact, returning fire with her howling autocannon and laser, blasting more armor from the Ryuken Thunderbolt's thick hide. LRMs rained own around it, further damaging the heavy Mech.

"Just a little mo--" A red light appeared on her HUD and Santiago's Nagging Nora voice sounded in her ears. "Warning Missile Lock Detected." Spears of coherent light hammered into Santiago, blasting away armor in half-ton lots. The loss of the weight caused her to stumble toward the edge of the roof, and then twenty LRMs slammed into her like the hammer of Thor and darkness claimed her.

The sound of the ground shaking caused her to stir toward consciousness. Blinking off the pain, she concentrated on the flickering MFD showing her condition.

Right leg out...armor's red or worse across my whole right side, and I'm looking at the sky. Right. Time to check in according to The Book.

"Gold One to Two, watch for the Panther coming around your six! Dammit, kid!" A explosion in the distance.

"One this is Three. I'm in the red, and four's dead. T-bolt got Laura. Orders, sir?" A distant thud. The officers knew what to do, right?

"Vickie, leave your telemetry running and get to safety on foot. We are falling back to Delta line. Stay safe." Another thud.

"Yes sir." Victoria began to unbuckle her harness then the sky above her suddenly turned dark. She looked up to see a charcoal gray painted Stalker looming over her, smoke trailing from its missile racks.

With elephantine grace, the Assault Mech deliberately raised one foot and placed it on her cockpit, then slowly began to press down as Victoria screamed in terror.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 02 May 2019, 14:56:30
The Fox’s Den

New Avalon

Crucis March

Federated Commonwealth

June 1st, 3057


The glow of the various displays bathed the darkened secure conference room in an otherworldly glow. If the lights had been on, one would see a hardwood table made of Salem birchwood, surrounded by custom rolling chairs made from the same material. Everywhere was wooden reliefs of the sigils of the Davion family, the Federated Suns, and the Federated Commonwealth. On one wall was a rack, with unit coins from every regiment in the AFFC, including mercenary units of note. It was said in the mercenary trade, that if your unit coin got on that wall, you had “hit the big time”.

But the lights being off was indicative of one thing; a major operation was being planned, and about to be executed. Katherine Steiner-Davion rubbed her palms again to deal with the sweat beading of off them. Why am I so damn nervous? Jackson, Ran, Ardan, and my brother have been over this thing. It’s as good a plan as we can make. We smashed the Capellan operational reserve at Sarna. It’s just a matter of bringing this thing to an end.

Katherine hated the ruffle of her “court dress”. It was something that had been provided by some up and coming designer on Pherkad that she wouldn’t normally wear in a million years, but it rustled every time it moved..and it was distracting her thoughts.

A voice, sounding suspiciously like her father, then responded “Dear daughter, it’s because the Capellans know how this will end. And so do you, so they’re going to fight like madmen. The casualties are going to be heavy, but this has to be done. The Capellan Confederation has become the mad dog of the Inner Sphere. It has to be put down.”

Katherine swallowed and gripped her palms tighter. She nodded wordlessly, I know, Daddy. I am just scared.

The voice responded. "We’ll always be with you, sweetheart. Now go do what has to be done."

Katherine turned her attention back to the briefer, a tall, lanky, raven haired female Kommandant in service dress, she was impeccably turned out for this brief. And she was doing a bang up job. Katherine lightly admonished herself for not listening as she went over the final elements of ACTIVE PANTHER, and when it was expected to kick off. “-we expect that the final elements we need will be in position no later than 4 June, as we have been pushing jumpships into the Sarna March as fast as we can.”

Jackson Davion stopped the briefer for a moment. “Kommandant Harris, first off, damn nice brief. The Archon-Prince and I thank you. Second, is the 4th a hard date?”

Kommandant Harris grimaced “Sadly, no sir. The J-3 shop isn’t at all sure about that, but we’re moving like hell to make it. The guys at the T&R routing aren’t getting any sleep these days.”

Victor Steiner-Davion then chimed in, his missing arm noticeable from the pinned up left sleeve, a souvenir of his own recent brush with death. “Jackson, we know this is very much a ‘come as you are’ war. We need to go as soon after Sarna as we can manage. I know the troops are tired, and I know we’re dipping hard into the log stockpiles, but the fact is? We have to end this, before the Capellans do anything else.”

Katherine cleared her throat. “What of the Mariks, and the Blakists, brother? We still haven’t figured out our responses there.”

Victor shook his head “No, Sis, we haven’t. Fact is, and I know you agree, but we need to end this as soon as we can, to keep this from escalating with the Mariks. As for the Blakists?” Victor held up his stump “-that’s going to be a long term project. One I am sure you can get off to a fine start.” Victor smiled a feral smile at the last thought, his teeth being reflected in the light of the displays. “There’s also the issue of the Combine’s slow implosion. So far, it’s not affected the Commonwealth any, but we all know that could change, on a dime.”

“You discussed that with Omi, Victor?” Katherine asked.

Victor nodded. “In between her and I discussing more…personal matters. But yes, she’s of the opinion that someone in the civil war’s going to try and expand the fighting to suck us in. And if that happens, I am not at all sure how the hell we are going to restrain the Draconis March, and to an extent? Would we want to?”

“Didn’t we say, brother, that we were committed to the idea of ‘one war at a time’?” Katherine stated, a tone of minor frustration in her voice.

“Yes, we did, but right now, we’re stuck reacting to events. ACTIVE PANTHER is going to get us the initiative back, but it’s going to commit a large part of the striking force the AFFC has. The rest is going to be busy watching the Wolves on the new border. And we have to figure out what the hell we reinforce Skye and the Drac March with?”

Katherine sighed “I know. James Sandoval has an audience with me later today, and I suspect he’s going to ask for his Robinson Rangers back, and honestly, I can’t say no.”

Victor smiled “Then don’t. It’s not like we desperately need them, and by the time they arrive back in the March, things might have calmed down. Least, I hope they will.”

Katherine shrugged “All we can do, So, I guess all that’s left to do is decide. Go, or no-go, and more importantly, when?”

Jackson Davion grinned with a smile that looked like a cat that had had a very fine meal of canary. “Well, we were thinking your highness. June 6th is a wonderfully auspicious date…and it’s a fine way to tweak the Blakists as well.”

Katherine laughed “And you want me to authorize it? I have to admit, they’re already pretty mad at us as it is. In for a penny, I suppose?”

“Well, there was that bit about that ‘creative response’ to the deaths of your parents. Not that I or anyone in this room minded, but I suspect the Blakists might be of a different mind.”

“Jackson, with all respect to those present. To hell with the Blakists. We go on the 6th. It is a very auspicious date. And, I do rather like tweaking the hell out of those robed bastards. And Quintus?”

Quintus Allard had been silent, mostly keeping his own counsel. “Yes, your Highness?”

“Tell the lads, I want to top the last time. Tell them to ‘get creative’. And tell them they’re to go on the Sixth as well. I want the Capellans to feel our wrath till we have ‘Mechs in the Forbidden Palace.”

Qunitus smiled evilly. “I will pass on your instructions, your Highness. Are they to leave the calling cards again?”

“Of course, would be rude not to?”

Active Panther, Phase 1:

I remember when we got word from AFFC CJCS to commence Phase One. There was cheers all around the Command Post for a good five minutes before Field Marshal Hasek calmed us down. Only time I ever remember being happy to commence a military operation.

“Musings of a Staff Officer – My Life and Times with the AFFC”

- Kommandant Samuel Fox, AFFC (Ret), 3069



Sarna Thrust

Capella:

Attackers: 7th Crucis Lancers RCT, Davion Assault Guards RCT, 1st Kestrel Grenadiers RCT, 2 Artillery Brigades

Defenders: Little Richard’s Panzer Brigade, Capella Home Guard (Division Sized Combined Arms unit, including 1 battalion of ‘Mechs), Capellan War College Legion (Battalion Sized unit

Results: After some desultory fighting, the Panzer Brigade quickly picked up stakes and fled off world, headed for Outreach. The Home Guard and the Legion fortified Ceres City and made the Davions fight block by block for the world. The FC obliged, and after 28 days of brutal house to house fighting, the Federated Commonwealth flag flew from the ruins of the Ceres Metals plant. Barely a battalion’s worth of survivors were left to surrender to the Federated Commonwealth forces.

Sarmaxa:

Attacker: Grim Determination, Lindon’s Regiment, Hansen’s Roughriders, 2 Artillery Brigades

Defender: Tooth of Ymir (4 Battalions in size), Sarmaxa Home Guard (1 combined arms regiment)

Results: The fighting for Sarmaxa was expected to be rough, and it did not disappoint, with the Tooth of Ymir fighting hard for every inch of the planet soon after the FC forces made planetfall. After 10 days of fighting, and there being no sign of relief from the Confederation, the Tooth of Ymir asked for terms. The FC forces, led by Colonel Sarah Lindon, offered the Tooth the honors of war, and let them leave unmolested. The next day, the Home Guard surrendered unconditionally.

No Return:

Attacker: 1st Davion Guards RCT, 6th Syrtis Fusiliers RCT, 4th Royal Guards, 3 Artillery Brigades

Defender: House Hiritsu (50% strength), No Return Home Guard (3 combined arms battalions)

Results: House Hiritsu put up a brave but doomed defense, as they were outnumbered, outgunned, and lacked enough skill and experience to make a go of it, with the remaining elements being destroyed after being pinned against the Tief River along with the Home Guard. Barely a battalion’s worth of Capellan troops managed to surrender after 2 hours of one sided fighting.

Randar:

Attacker: 2nd Ceti Hussars RCT, Blue Star Irregulars, 6th Crucis Lancers RCT, 2 Artillery Brigades

Defender: Randar Home Guard (2 combined arms battalions)

Results: The Home Guard stacked arms and surrendered soon after the arrival of FC troops, as the Capellan commander was not eager to “be a party to the murder of his own troops.”



Minnacora:

Attacker: 20th Avalon Hussars RCT, Delta, Gamma, and Epsilon Regiments, and Zeta Battalion, Wolf’s Dragoons, 2 Artillery Brigades

Defender: Kincade’s Rangers and Minnacora Home Guard (1 combined arms regiment)

Results: The Rangers and Home Guard dug in around the Cortide Magnetics plant, and fought hard to keep the Hussars and Dragoons out. They held both units off for three days, but succumbed when Zeta Battalion performed a low altitude avalanche drop under cover of artillery and air support right atop the factory. With the perimeter breached, both the Home Guard and Rangers crumbled and were crushed within hours.

Tsinghai:

Attacker: 36th Lyran Guards RCT, 1st Fedcom RCT, Laurel’s Legion

Defender: Redfield’s Renegades, House Matsukai, Tsinghai Home Guard (2 infantry battalions)

Results: Tsinghai turned into a meatgrinder, with neither side showing nor expecting quarter, and both sides were exhausted by the end of the month. Both sides soon dug in and awaited reinforcements.


St. Ives Thrust

Harloc:

Attacker: 1st and 2nd St. Ives Lancers

Defender: Harloc Home Guard

Results: The St. Ives units arrived in time to preside over the end result of a coup that had placed a pro-St. Ives planetary government in charge.

Hexare:

Attacker: Aliesha’s Mounted Fusiliers, Devon’s Armored Infantry, Group W, Davion Heavy Guards RCT

Defender: Lockhardt’s Ironsides, Hexare Home Guard

Results: Lockhardt’s Ironsides were routed handily when their attempt to attack the LZs of Devon’s Armored Infantry ended in disaster, with the 1st and 3rd battalions being destroyed piecemeal, and the 2nd battalion being forced to surrender. The Home Guard remained in barracks and surrendered the next day.

Zilang Thrust

Yuris:

Attackers: Team Banzai, Lexington Combat Group (all three regiments), 41st Avalon Hussars

Defenders: Yuris Home Guard

Results: The Yuris Home Guard was smashed within hours of the FC landings, and this cut off the Capellan-Blakist advances against Frazier and Bromhead, leading to the CCAF and WOBM sending frantic orders to their forces to mass to retake Yuris. The FC forces on Yuris were ordered to dig in and be ready to greet them.

Celestial Palace

Throne Room

Forbidden City

Sian

June 9th, 3057


I can hear your laughter, Mother. Sun-Tsu Liao grimaced as he looked at the daily situation reports. It was one disaster after another, McCarron’s Armored Cavalry butchered, other mercenaries deserting rather than fighting? Home Guard units surrendering? It was making the 4th War look like a worst case exercise.

And all through it, Sun-Tsu could hear his mother’s incessant laughter.

“Senior Colonels, what advice do you have for me?”

Talon Zahn clicked his heels, he was resplendent in his dress uniform, and his black hair shone in the harsh lighting of the throne room. “Your Celestial Wisdom. The only advice I have is a simple statement: ‘Wo gao-su le ni’ We told you this plan would not work, we told you a variant of LONG MARCH would have been a better option-“

Zahn’s remonstrative was cut short with a subtle grunt of pain, as a stiletto slid effortlessly between his ribs from behind, the wielder none other than the one eyed visage of Alexa Shang. Her face was a mask of hate, and her one eye bore into Zahn’s two. “How dare you.” she whispered. “How dare you say this to the Chancellor? How dare you say this, after you kissed his ass and shouted ‘Xin Sheng’ right along with the rest, you lickspittle scum! Where is your family, Colonel Zahn? Oh yes, on their way to Canopus..and safety.”

Shang kicked Zahn in the back, the blow throwing him to the ground as a slowly spreading ichor stained his white uniform. She glanced back at Sun-Tsu.

Sun-Tsu smiled. “Well done, Major Shang. I will promote you to Colonel. She has more spirit and guts than the rest of you. Unlike this…rubbish. Remove it from my presence.”

Alexa, I do hope you know it is past time to do what you promised me you would do? Has loyalty overcome your common sense?

Two attendants dragged the gasping Zahn from the Chancellor’s presence, making sure not to get any blood on the floor.

Sun-Tsu surveyed the room. “Is there any other advice? I will accept honest advice. So long as it respects my station. But that said, ladies and gentlemen, we are in the direst situation the Confederation has ever known. And we are finding out who our friends are. So, options, what can we do to preserve our state, our home?”

The room was as silent as a tomb.

Sun-Tsu grunted in frustration. “I see you are brave enough to face the Federated Commonwealth, but not me. No matter. I have no need of mute advisers. You are all relieved. Get out of my sight…GET OUT!!!”

The now fired advisers, and their staff filed out of the throne room for the last time, the last closing the heavy doors of the throne room behind him with a loud, deep bang. Sun-Tsu wondered if this was an omen for the futures of his realm.

June 9th was a dark day for the Confederation, and when that bitch killed Zahn in front of us? We knew we'd lost him, and she was completely complicit. I consider myself lucky we were all just fired.

- Unpublished Memoirs of Major Alexandr Rytov, Capellan Military Intelligence Division, former intelligence chief to Senior Colonel Talon Zahn.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Sir Chaos on 02 May 2019, 15:54:40
Excellent as always.

One minor oversight, though: You have Hansen´s Roughriders hit both Sarmaxa and Randar.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: ThePW on 02 May 2019, 21:06:06
is the end almost near?
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 02 May 2019, 21:56:15
It is looking that way, some loose ends need tying up, but tied up they will be.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Zureal on 02 May 2019, 22:53:02
I do love these future memwires , they are so good, more of them plz :D
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Starfox1701 on 04 May 2019, 12:54:26
is the end almost near?

Not even close theres 3 other wars to finish.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 05 May 2019, 13:01:36
Well, Clover Spear is over, they're just mopping up, as well as a subsidiary multinational operation. The Combine Civil War has no sign of ending anytime soon, and as for the Capellans? Well, they might not see the new year...
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 21 May 2019, 10:34:29
Government House
Samantha
Taurian Concordat
June 19th, 3057

 The view from the portico was beautiful this time of year, as summer came into full bloom on Taurus, but the mood of the two men discussing the future of their nation was anything but. In fact, it was one of those discussions that tended to change the fates of nations, but the participants, like most of those discussions, weren’t aware of that. To them, it was a bitter disagreement over policy. A third man, resplendent in his Marshal’s uniform, simply stood aside, and observed the discussion. One man, the Protector of the Realm, had his back to both men, as he gripped the rail of the portico in sheer frustration with the insufferable stubbornness of one of his vassals.
 
 “So, these are the people you wanted us to enter into an alliance with, Grover?” Jeffrey Calderon’s face was one of mirthless disbelief. Glad I have my back to Shraplen, he’d lose it if he saw how just plain idiotic I truly think he is. He, like so many others, had simply shaken his head at the events of the past eighteen months, and was simply trying to ensure his small nation managed to stay alongside, let alone ahead of events.

 “You know as well as I do, once the Davions are done with the Capellans, they will start with-“Grover Shraplen’s face was red with a mix of frustration and anger. He cannot fathom the threat that family presents to the future of the Concordat. And that threat must be brought to heel.
 
 Calderon waved his hand in dismissal. “Who, with us? Really? It seems the Davions had damn good reasons to be done with the Capellans, Grover, or does committing terrorist atrocities not count in your mind because the victims happen to be Davions? Hell, your little idea to ally with that lunatic as a counterbalance with the Commonwealth would have embroiled us in this war by default. And what would that have meant for the future of the Concordat then?”

 “A future for our nation, my lord. A secure one!” Shraplen said, almost shouting at his liege.

 “Right”, Calderon responded, prolonging his pronunciation of the “i” to express his extreme skepticism of the idea. He exhaled in frustration. “Marshal Doru? What would this little adventure have cost us in your estimation?”

 Marshal Doru came to attention, acting almost as a child called on in class. His gravelly voice almost coughed to life “The word you are looking for, Lord Shraplen, is ‘everything’. We’d have Davion troops on Taurus inside of a year. Assuming we didn’t exercise the final option. Which frankly, I am not eager to do so.”

 Jeffrey shook his head. “Neither am I, Marshal Doru. Neither am I. Lord Shraplen, you will dismiss the Capellan delegation forthwith, and send them home. I am not going to enter into any more agreements as long as that lunatic Sun-Tsu is on the throne, and I suspect their diplomats might not have a nation to represent much longer in any case, and Marshal Doru, what is our intelligence estimates about conditions on Rollis?”

 Marshal Doru’s eyes widened in response as the question his liege lord asked was nothing short of unexpected. “Um…the latest estimate from the TMI Diplomatic Corps and the Analysis branch that has been made available to us is ‘bad going on worse.” Widespread famine, political instability and conditions rife for revolution, if the Mask wasn’t in charge.”

 “I see, and wasn’t Rollis part of our realm at one point?”

 “Yes, but not since the Reunification War. Sir, I don’t-“Marshal Doru had a bit of worry creeping into his voice, wary of committing Taurian troops to any foreign adventure.

 Jeffrey smiled as he turned to face both men. “Marshal Doru, I simply intend to intervene on Rollis for humanitarian reasons. I mean, with the Confederation collapsing, we would be forced to protect ethnic Taurians from the excesses of a Capellan government gone mad?”

 “That’s pretty thin, sire.” Marshal Doru stated.

 “As a sheet of rice paper, Marshal Doru, but Rollis has enough potential GDP through its lumber industry alone to make the Concordat quite rich. And, I suspect the garrison would prefer an offer to join the TDF than face the enraged Davions.” Calderon smiled as a mischievous look crossed his face.

 “But sire, the Davions would take it as a slap in the face!” Shraplen exclaimed. “We’d bring them here!”

 “No they wouldn’t. They wouldn’t care. As long as they got Sian, Grand Base, and Menke, the rest could go hang as far as they were concerned. Less for them to occupy.” He turned to Marshal Doru. “Haji, start cutting the orders for the units you think you need to pull this off. Let’s see if we can make this under the guise of a ‘humanitarian intervention.’ And Haji, we run into anything bigger than a Capellan regiment, turn tail and come home. Rollis would be a nice prize, but it wouldn’t be worth the blood in such a case, and we need the TDF to deal with the increase in pirate activity that is sure to when the Confederation falls.”

 Doru saluted, and smiled. He hadn’t loved the Capellans much either, and was enjoying this chance to kick them while they were down. “I’ll get my staff on it today, we should be able to have a force there in say, 45 days or so. The TDF’s not mounted an operation like this in a long while. Oh, and milord?”

 “Yes Doru?” Calderon inquired

 “Might we ask for Canopean and Aurgian participation in a humanitarian capacity? They do have some assets we don’t, and it would look better all around.” Doru said firmly.

 Calderon nodded. “You’re right, Doru. I will instruct the Diplomatic Corps to make the usual entreaties today. I suspect the Canopeans would be in. Not sure about the Aurgians, they’ve been pretty isolationist since that civil war of theirs back in ’25. But plan on them sending some non-combat units.”

 “Yes, sir. We’ll get it done.”

Royal Palace
Dormuth
Marik
Marik Commonwealth
Free Worlds League
June 22nd, 3057

 Corrine Marik smiled at how fate had a unique way of revealing itself. “Uncle” may have been a damned imposter, but I think he would have even smiled at the cast of characters I have assembled to save the League. But then again, we seem to be saving the League every decade or so.

 The meeting was being held in a little-used drawing room that hadn’t seen use since the Reunification War. It had been swept for bugs by selected agents of SAFE, twice. The agents were selected on one criteria, having a record of not being loyal to her Uncle Paul, the current director. And, once by the dark robed gentleman standing silently in a corner, his head down. Little had been said about him, but he definitely made her other guest very uncomfortable indeed.

 She was resplendent in a simple court dress of green, with blue highlights around the sleeves and the sides of the dress, and her face was unmistakable and her bright red hair, cut in a stylish bob completed the look. She was the current Dame of Andurien, Dalma Humphreys.

 “Dalma. I know this meeting seems a bit, irregular. But I have some things to discuss with you, things I am not sure I want our Blakist ‘allies’ to be aware of.” A note of sarcasm colored Corrine’s voice as she said the word ‘allies’.

 Dalma smiled and stated “Hence this little meeting that officially never happened?”

 Corrine nodded. “I’ll deny the hell out of it if you ever speak of it. Of course, SAFE might just have you killed. Right after me, of course.”

 Dalma blanched, but said nothing. Part of her couldn’t believe that Paul Marik would have his only child murdered at the whim of a religious cult. Then again, after running into him on Atreus during the opening of Parliament last month, the look in his eyes was nothing short of scary. And worse, he’s the damn director of SAFE now.

 “So, Lady Marik, what is your will?” Dalma asked quietly.

 “Simple. I think we need to address a future without the Capellan Confederation, or the Blakists. I’ve been trying to thread the needle with regards to both of them, but I think the time I have to do that is rapidly coming to an end. With the FC having counterattacked and threatening Sian itself? I think they’re going to demand I intervene more…directly.”

 “And you have no intention of doing so, your highness?” Dalma inquired.

 “You’re damned right, Dalma. And that’s where you come in. You might or might not be aware, but my Grandfather had quite significant slush funds set aside for emergencies such as this. The money would be significant to hire several top-flight mercenary units. And furthermore, I will be providing the locations of several lostech caches within the borders of the Duchy of Andurien.”

 “To what end, your Highness?” Dalma inquired.

 “Simple, I intend for you to act to retake lost worlds from the Capellans before the FC gets there. Call it whatever you will. I will have to, of course, make it look like you exceeded your authority, at least until I can make a clean sweep of the damn Blakists, but I think I can manage that with the people I have assisting me, especially this gentleman here.” And get me out of the crosshairs of the Steiner-Davions, I hope. Corrine extended a hand towards the robed gentleman.

 “Your highness, I doubt I would get very far in reforming the Defenders before someone would notice.” Dalma stated, the disbelief crossing her face becoming quite pronounced now.

 “Then it is a lucky thing I have been releasing a majority of them from custody over the last six months. Should be enough to reform three regiments, they’ll be a bit rusty, but I think you could, with Mercenary support, get a credible force together in ninety days. It’s not like you’re going to be facing the cream of the CCAF, to be honest.”

 Dalma nodded. “May I ask who the gentleman is who will be of such assistance in cleaning out the Blakists, and their friends?”

 Corrine nodded, and the figure lowered the hood of his robe.

 Dalma’s mouth dropped in shock. He can’t be alive. They all died during the coup!

 Paul Masters smiled at Dalma, his once pristine looks marred by an ugly scar running down the right side of his face. “We have some debts to collect from the Blakists. And they made the rules of this contest, Lady Humpreys. You do your part, and we will happily do ours. We will make their landhold on Gibson a parking lot when we are finished.” Paul Masters smiled a terrible smile, portending the death he intended to inflict on the fanatics.

 Dalma shivered involuntarily. The cruel smile Masters gave was chilling from a man who had once been such a leading proponent of chivalry and “proper battlefield conduct.” I guess he has learned the lesson he needed to learn. There are no damn rules in dealing with the Blakists, save one: Make sure they are dead. Dalma did have one other question to ask, “What of the rest of the Knights? We thought you all died during the coup?”

 Masters nodded “Certain members sacrificed themselves and some Battle ROMs were doctored with the cooperation of the Marik Guards who were supposedly sent to crush us. We then left Atreus in twos and threes, and reconstituted here, under the guise of several small mercenary units under garrison contract here. We have been waiting, training and getting ready for this day. And we are ready, Lady Humphreys.”

 Dalma smiled contentedly, I think we can work with this. Figure 60 days to assemble a force and knock the rust off. That leaves us thirty days to get into position and launch across the Capellan border. Should be about the time the FC troops are fighting street to street in Sian itself. By the time they take the place in, oh say, mid-September, we’ll have grabbed a few worlds and made our people proud. And the Davions will say nothing. And apparently, neither will the Marik herself.

 “We’re in your Highness. Let’s talk details.”
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Shadow_Wraith on 21 May 2019, 19:50:24
Nice update!  Glad to the TC and FWL leadership having some sense!!
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: marauder648 on 21 May 2019, 23:43:43
Looks like the Cappies are going to be at the middle of a feeding frenzy. Taurians, Argurians, probably Canopians and now the Mariks are all going to join in on this all you can eat buffet. But, as the FedCom is footing most of the bill, they get the biggest plate.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: PsihoKekec on 23 May 2019, 03:23:07
However, I think they might erronously belive that Feddies intend to kill off the CC, which isn't true, so in future they will have to deal with weakened CC who won't dare to go against FC again, but will need to fight against someone to recover some national pride.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 24 May 2019, 12:54:07
Assembly Area, Keller’s Battalion, Davion Assault Guards RCT

10km North of Ceres City

Capella

Sarna March, Federated Commonwealth

June 25th, 3057


Kommandant Sarah Keller ran her hands through her shaved head, her auburn stubble was slick with sweat, and the bristles of her vestigial hair stung at her callused hands. She’d been doing 18 hour days in the last two weeks, running down Capellan fugitives who’d refused to obey orders from the Home Guard commander to lay down their arms. You’d think after the fight they put up in Ceres City, that would have been enough for them?

She shook her head at the last thought. She wasn’t as lucky as Rhys-Davion, his battalion had managed to get all the new Clantech, and as such, they’d been kept in reserve while her and Artie’ Mackensen’s battalions led the way into Ceres City, block by bloody block. Please god, don’t let this be a preview of what the hell is to come on Sian. I suspect we’re going to be held in reserve for that mess, though who knows, I hear the 1st Davion Guards are on Hexare already.

She looked around her battalions FOB, here there was an overworked field hospital, with harried medical personnel running about trying to save as many as they could. Most of the critical patients from the worst of the fighting had already begun the trip home, but the guerilla phase of the fighting had a steady drip of casualties from snipers, IEDs and just plain bad luck. She’d lost two ‘Mechwarriors in a stupid incident involving a GPV overturning. Their replacements hadn’t filled Keller with confidence. To her right, came the sound of tools banging away, and the whine of machinery. The techs were doing what they could to fix the machines they could. Not my Awesome, “Happy Girl” is too banged up to do anything but can for parts. Hope I can get a new machine before we leave this rock. Wouldn’t do for the BC to be without a ride.

She heard a voice clear his throat. She turned to face her XO, Hauptmann Jason Zibler. Zibler was like most of his family. Davion to the core, fine mechwarriors, and had a lot to live up to. Trouble was, he was painfully aware of it, and way too young for his job. I don’t care if he was an honor graduate of Sakahara. He is too damn young to be a Cap-I mean Hauptmann. We have really got to talk to the Steiners about all these German ranks. Zibler was 23, ten years younger than Keller, and his boyish features, framed by brown hair and eyes, did little but reinforce that image in Keller’s mind. He wasn’t bad at his job. He was a hard-working guy who was eager to learn, she just wasn’t sure the Assault Guards was the place to do it. Then again, the lady he’s replaced caught a Falcon inferno round as she ejected from her Stalker on Hot Springs. I hear she’s on skin graft number seven now.

”Um mam, there’s a party from DQ, and some civilian tech reps. They’re saying we’re getting some newfangled ‘Mech design. Not sure I’m too happy about that. Seems like the time we got fresh eggs before we were committed on Waldorff.” Zibler smiled sheepishly. His face had a look of don’t shoot the messenger, as he pointed to a small gaggle of civilians in out-of-place looking freshly pressed chinos, and rear-area types whose field uniforms didn’t have a speck of dirt or blood on them. And I bet they won’t hang around long enough for them to collect either of those things.

Keller remembered ruefully. And then we fought street by street against Jade Falcons who didn’t have enough sense to know their asses were kicked. She suddenly felt tired, at this point, she remembered an old saying by her father, another veteran of the Assault Guards, who’d said “Military glory is like a fish in the moonlight, it shines and stinks at the same time.” Dad was right. Keller had written twenty-five letters to families since the beginning of Clover Spear. And now, there was only the prospect of more ****** letters. Please, someone tell me we are closer to ending this thing and going home? My husband and kids are on Fraizer and I just want to go back to them when this is all over. She’d heard there was a Capellan raid back in November, and while she’d gotten an HPG from her husband that they were fine and with his family in the hills, it hadn’t done much for her morale overall.

“Send ‘em over, Zibler. Might as well find out what news DQ has for us?”

Zibler nodded, and waved at the gaggle, who numbered seven in total, five military and two civilian. They made their way over slowly, consciously avoiding the puddles and churned up mud that was often a feature of assembly areas and FOBs as vehicles and ‘Mechs did a fine job of churning the earth, even going at a sedate pace. He then came to attention, and grimaced.

As the group approached, she noticed one of the officers leading the group had his spurs, and was walking with a limp. His rank tabs were in the colors of the Deneb Light Cav, and he had a subdued 10th DLC patch on his right sleeve. Keller smiled weakly. Ok he’s seen the elephant. She regarded him further, his salt-and-pepper hair contrasted mixed with his crow’s feet had Keller thinking he might be some retread from ’39. Lordy, just what I need.

The party stopped at the proscribed distance. Keller came to attention, but didn’t salute, meriting a frown from a young Leftenant in the group. She was like Zibler, almost childlike in her appearance, her Asian ancestry not helping either. My god, she looks fourteen. And she wasn’t shy about her feelings either.

“We haven’t gotten a proper salute since we arrived here. AFFC is going right to hell, sir.”

Keller had had enough. “And you won’t, Leftenant. That is, unless you want to tell some Capellan sniper or FO who the hell you are and that you’re worth killing! So go ahead and expect something like back at Albion, or wherever the hell you graduated from?!”

The Kommandant turned and shot his Leftenant a warning look as if to say. We’ll be speaking about this later, Leftenant.

“My apologies for Leftenant Kwang. Like most Leftenants, she has a lot of rust to knock off. My name is Simmonson, late of Dominic’s Battalion, 10th Deneb Light Cavalry. I left a good chunk of my left leg in my Wolverine on Goat Path. They gave me a promotion, and this job being a DQ rep to Johnston Industries. In short, Kommandant Keller, we have a new ‘Mech for you. And, I think you’ll like her.” He handed over a datapad with a series of design specs.

“You run her yourself?” Keller asked, a bit of derision in her voice.

Simmonson nodded. “I have, even with this bum leg. But even as gimpy as I am, she responds well, and for an Assault ‘Mech, she’s pretty fleet of foot.”

Keller smiled as she scrolled through the contents of the datapad. “So, when do these fine new examples of Fedcom technology arrive?” she said as she picked her head up from the display, noticing for the first time Simmonson had grey eyes, and a smile that didn’t quite reach them.

Simmonson nodded as the vibration of ‘Mech footfalls could be felt in the distance. “Good of you to ask, Kommandant. How about “now?”

**************

The link to the design will be here! (https://bg.battletech.com/forums/index.php?topic=65443.0)

Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Starfox1701 on 24 May 2019, 17:13:06
Interesting
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 03 June 2019, 21:55:45
AN: Another Omake from Yellowhammer!

Cat Fight Part 6

"I have often been asked how difficult it was to come to terms with my new family. Like all things in life, it was difficult in some areas, and even the simplest things can be very difficult... But it was also very easy in some surprising ways. For instance, my birth family has been called many things by our enemies. Bloody-handed tyrants, warmongering militarists, monsters, and madmen; and I shall never deny that some of my family were all of these things and more. But even in the worst and most bitter fighting of the Succession Wars, there has always been an understanding, an unspoken and unwritten as it may have been then, that there were no and would never be any cowards named Kurita, Davion, Steiner, or Sandoval in the ranks of the combatants..."

Omiko Steiner-Davion, My Path To The Top Of The Mountain: A Journey from Luthien to Kentares, New Avalon Press 3083

FSS Lion of Judah

Inbound to New Avalon

29 May, 3057

Field Marshal James Sandoval, Duke of Robinson and Minister of the Draconis March stared at the approaching crescent of New Avalon with the same focus that he had spent preparing for planetary invasions in his 43 years of service in the AFFS and then AFFC. In a way, this would be the most important planetary invasion of his career, he thought as he clasped his hands behind his back.

The hatch behind him opened, and he noticed a familiar reflection in the armorplast glass enter the room. Dressed in the uniform of a FedCom Leftenant General with Military Intelligence shoulder flashes, his oldest son joined him at the glass.

"Father," Tancred said quietly as he stepped alongside him, "The reports from March Command on Robinson have been collated and forwarded to us."

"Summarize," James said equally quietly.

"In brief, we have identified the units responsible for the attacks into the Addicks and Raman PDZs. Addicks was the 15th Dieron out of Al Na'ir striking Helen, Murchison, and Towne in terror raids, reinforced with a company each of Ryuken-ni as it reconstitutes with production from the factories on Quentin and Al Na'ir after sustaining heavy losses in the continuing infighting in Benjamin. McComb and Royal were each the 22nd Benjamin out of Marduk in a similar battalion-sized raid." Tancred paused and ran through his mental index cards. "The Snake raids into Addicks were clearly intended to damage infrastructure and cause casualties among our troops and civilians and were exceptionally brutal even for them. Raman caused moderate infrastructure damage and targeted a militia base on Royal that we had built up into a forward supply dump, and three food processing and packaging plants on McComb."

James grunted acknowledgment of the horrors that the antiseptic words covered.

Tancred sighed, "Three further points. First, prisoner interrogation from the Regulars that we captured on Royal revealed that the cousin of Victor's pet Snake ordered these attacks to 'discourage any ideas that we would have to challenge the Dragon and gain needed supplies'. Quote unquote. Second, we received a flash communication from the Skye March reporting an incursion into the Lyons thumb, no further details yet. Third, the raid on Helen hit the Sak's training battalion hard and...well you need to see for yourself."

James turned and walked to the holoprojector as Tancred fed in the data. The display fuzzed, and then showed an attractive young brunette woman dressed in Sakhara cadet uniform. "Victoria Sanromea-Davion, Class of '57. She is the second child of Duke Diego Sanromea-Davion of El Dorado. One older brother and three younger siblings." Left unsaid but understood by both men was the importance of the cadet family that held the primary banking capital of the Suns for their older cousins under the Sword and Sunburst. "She was part of the force that defended Konstance City and shortly after she engaged, she opened a data link back to HQ. See for yourself what happened."

The display changed to the cockpit of an Enforcer, and the Sandovals watched impassively as the doomed cadet fought bravely but inexpertly before being ruthlessly killed in her downed Enforcer.

James nodded. "Indeed, I see. Who else has seen it?"

Tancred gave a slight smile. "No one on New Avalon as of yet. One of my friends from the Class of '40 picked it out of the data dump that we give the Fox' Den weekly and held it 'pending verification' while up-channeling it to me privately. It won't officially arrive at HQ for four more days."

James grinned like a shark, "You were right and I was wrong when you argued me into attending Sakhara versus Robinson Battle Academy. I'll notify Diego personally, and I need you to speak to Yvonne privately so that we can marshal our arguments with Victor and Katherine. Once we get our forces mustered..."

His smile widened, "...that Snake in the Palace won't know what hit her."

Davion Palace

New Avalon

1 June, 3057

Omiko Kurita gave Victor Steiner Davion a happy smile that never reached her face as she sat in the private audience chamber next to him. Victor looked more at ease than he had been for the last two days now that the final strike to deal with the Liaos was scheduled. She reached over and took his remaining hand in hers, interlacing her fingers gently with his.

Her inner smile widened as she saw Katherine sipping tea before handing the empty cup to a servant. Her sister-in-law to be also looked like she had found some measure of inner peace now that the end was drawing night for the slayers of her parents.

The servant at the door coughed to get their attention. "Duke Sandoval of Robinson, Princess Steiner-Davion, Duke Sanromea-Davion of El Dorado, Leftenant General Sandoval, Your Highnesses."

Omi stiffened fractionally as Victor's hand clenched on hers in shock. Behind her impassive face, her mind raced faster than a sprinting Jenner as the four nobles entered.

The Lord of the Draconis March was immediately identifiable to her from her studies, of course, as was his son in his uniform. She spared a brief fond thought for the happiness that her friend Yvonne had in the presence of the dark-haired and dark-eyed military man on her elbow. The fourth man was unknown to her, although his reddish-brown hair, neatly groomed and waxed mustache, and slight resemblance to Victor identified him as the Sanromea-Davion Duke.

The delegation bowed as they reached their proscribed place. "Greetings Archon-Prince Steiner-Davion, Princess Regnant Steiner-Davion," Duke Sandoval's voice lost all warmth as he finished, "Baroness Tanaka of Ozawa."

Katherine smiled, "My Lords. Yvonne. Please be seated. It is good to see you all again. What concerns you?"

James Sandoval handed a data packet to the servant, who then took it to the holoprojector. "The Dragon has struck, as I have warned you."

A star map formed and zoomed in on the border with the Combine six stars scattered up and down the border began to blink orange. Sandoval began to point out details as Victor, Katherine, and Omi leaned forward to examine the map.

"Combine Battlemech units have raided Royal, McComb, Helen, Murchinson, and Towne with elements of three separate Battlemech regiments, including one of the Ryuken that Miyako Kurita is using for her shock troops. In addition, I just received words from Skye that the 40th Galedon Regulars have occupied Sabik and Atria in an apparent first stage attack to isolate and pocket the Lyons Thumb. DMI's analysis is appended."

Omi's eyes widened as red arrows struck from Kessel and Dieron to envelop the bulge of Lyran worlds between them. Victor withdrew his hand from hers and pointed. "We don't have much in the way of reliable units with the AFFC holding down Skye and disarming Ryan Steiner's separatists. That could be a big problem. How firm are these troop numbers?"

Tancred Sandoval stood alongside his father. "Sire, 72% probability. As you know, DMI, MIIO, and LIC all shifted the focus of their efforts to the Clan OZs for Clover Spear, and then to the Capellan March and Sarna March when the Liaos struck us. So we have had to rely heavily on your friend's networks. With the chaos in the Combine, multiple regimental forces believed to be loyal to both factions have gone missing. We know that Pesht was being stripped with unconfirmed reports of heavy shipping movements in Benjamin and Galedon. We have confirmation that Miyako is rotating the more damaged units back to Dieron to rebuild Mech losses and integrate replacements while Franklin is believed to have concentrated the Amphigean Light Assault Group and Proserpina Hussars on Matsuida where they act as a threat to the entire Dahar PDZ and the Rimward edge of Raman to Robinson. A pathway that they used in the First Succession War."

Hostile red icons formed and dotted lines showed two possible attack vectors to Robinson.

Victor glanced at Omi, "Have you seen evidence of this?"

The Kurita royal leaned forward with an intent look on her face, "Iie, not as such for invasion plans... Although Miyako is growing more and more unstable from all my information. My advice to you regarding her may not have been the best, I fear."

Diego Sanromea-Davion glared at Omi with naked hatred on his face as he interjected. "Your advice! Your advice killed mi niña pequeña because you did not call the Kuritas the threat that they are!"

Katherine spoke up as Omi's eyes widened in shock, "What is this news, cousin?"

Tancred touched a control and the last moments of Victoria Sanromea-Davion were played. All eyes turned to Omi, who was watching with a pale face. The Kurita took a deep breath and stared into Duke Sanromea-Davion's eyes as she bowed her head in apology. "I have indeed erred, and my error has harmed you and yours. I swear upon my honor that I shall make amends for what my poor decisions have wrought."

"Words! Words are not enough, only deeds will serve now! I shall see the price that your honor is worth. Mi Victoria..." Sanromea-Davion subsided at a quelling touch and look from Yvonne, who shook her head silently.

Whatever response was coming to that was interrupted my Kommandant Parvati's entrance. "Pardon the interruption, but I have FLASH traffic from our Combine network that just arrived at the Palace communication center."

DCA Hiryu

Hachiman

28 May 3057

Miyako Kurita surveyed the holographic display as her three regiments drove toward the industrial planet below. Ryuken-yon, under her personal command, spearheaded the wedge with the left flank being Reyuken-san's two battalions. To the right, was the rebuilt Sixth Ghost Regiment, filled out with the few survivors of the Seventh Ghost Regiment after their battle on Yumesta against the Jaguars.

"Transmission received from the surface, Coordinator."

"Display it." Miyako snapped out. The tactical map blinked out to show a corpulent, bald-headed Japanese man.

For long moments the two surveyed each other before the man bowed. "Coordinator-dono."

Miyako smiled slightly as she gestured for him to rise. "Uncle Chandrasekhar. You have news?"

"I do. The city garrison withdrew to their base and boarded their dropships two days ago when they detected your presence. They have been moving supplies constantly from Masamori City to their new position at the Hachiman Technical Institute from the spaceport on their base by cargo dropship. My corporate security troops have secured Yoshitune Spaceport and I shall await your arrival there."

Miyako nodded, "Good, I will finish securing Masamori City from the main spaceport and then deal with their positions at the Institute."

"Be warned, I have little intelligence on their defenses there. Security is quite tight and the junkyard surrounding it is hazardous."

An alarm sounded on the bridge. "Enemy fighters coming from behind the moon, Coordinator!"

Miyako gave a slashing motion at the commtech to cut the transmission. "Deploy our fighter screen, assume air-defense formation!"

"Older craft. Sholagars. Hardly a threat to us, Coordinator even if they have caught us unawares."

The explosion of a nuclear-armed kamikaze ASF flown by the fanatical cadets of the 13th Sun Zhang Academy Cadre gave the lie to that statement as DCA Urizen Kurita was shattered by the nuclear detonation along with the 2nd battalion of Ryuken-san.

Miyako's eyes narrowed as she chewed over the actions of the enemy and came to an unpleasant conclusion

Chandrasekhar Kurita had betrayed her. Betrayed the Dragon. The Spaceport was a trap.

Her eyes turned icy and she hissed. "Relay my orders to all naval units. Load Shinrikyō missiles for saturation bombardment of our planned spacehead. I shall lead the Battlemech deployment from the atmosphere."

As the Dropships drove toward the ground, their long-range missile launchers fired five salvos of missiles from their magazines at the city as they passed through the stratosphere. As the warheads flew toward the ground, the rotation and speed of their transit caused the seals between the two halves of the warhead to fail and the contents to mix precursor chemicals together.

At 1000 meters, fuses fired and the missiles blew apart, dispensing a cloud of heavier than air droplets over the spaceport and Masamori City surrounding it. Developed early in the Second Succession War by direct order of Coordinator Jinjiro Kurita, the nerve agent chlorosarin-4 (codenamed Shinrikyō) was the holy grail of the search for a lethal agent to secure spaceheads. Highly lethal, inhalation would kill humans in minutes, but the compound was unstable and susceptible to breakdown in under an hour, obviating the need to wear chemical gear for anything but to handle the smell of the corpses that it generated.

The first indication Chandrasekhar Kurita and the other gathered dignitaries at the spaceport had that anything was amiss was when their pupils dilated. Drooling, urination, vomiting, and defecation followed as the nerve gas attacked their neurons, followed by muscle spasms, suffocation, and death by asphyxiation.

The cameras that were filming the welcome ceremony for Coordinator Miyako Kurita and broadcasting the spectacle planet-wide caught the full horror of the attack including Chandrasekhar Kurita's last moments even as their operators crumpled and died.

By the time Miyako's Naginata command Mech landed at the head of her troops from their mid-altitude drop, fatalities on Hachiman from her arrival were already in four figures and rising steadily.

Worse was to come to Masamori City. Far worse.

Davion Palace

New Avalon

1 June, 3057

The room was silent as the grave as the images that had been transmitted from Masamori City finally came to an end.

Victor looked around the room, seeing equally shocked faces. "We have to do something. Options?"

James Sandoval cleared his throat. "I have a contingency plan worked up. Operation NAQAM would send additional forces to the Lyons Thumb to repel the invasion. I plan on the 2nd Robinson Rangers from Phecda since they just need jumpship assets to move from the Marik frontier to the Lyons Thumb. The First Rangers would move to Royal and then secure Marduk along with Raman DMM assets. meanwhile, mercenary units will be assembled to pin down and secure the Mech factories on Quentin and Al Na'ir to punish the units responsible backed with conventional forces supplied from the Addicks and Kentares DMM. I have already arranged funding and have agents acting under my authority as Commander of the Draconis March speaking to representatives of several mercenary units on Outreach and Galatea."

Katherine rubbed her temples and sighed. "As long as it does not interfere with our planned attack into the Capellan Confederation, I can authorize that. But the Capellans must be put down for good now."

Yvonne and Victor nodded. "Agreed."

Omi spoke quietly as she looked at the corpse of another of her family members. "I... pledge you my full assistance. We must minimize the damage and that means that Miyako Kurita must be defanged. Uncle Chandy... Moushiwake gozaimasen deshita. Morning Glory, even though you wither, dawn will break anew."

The Kurita royal bowed her head and swallowed her tears as the holoprojector was switched off
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: ckosacranoid on 03 June 2019, 23:12:34
Damn, she totally flipped out. Poor Chaney. He was a cool character for sure.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: David CGB on 04 June 2019, 00:40:35
Damn, she totally flipped out. Poor Chaney. He was a cool character for sure.
yes, very open minded
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: PsihoKekec on 04 June 2019, 01:00:38
If I was in place of Katherine and Victor, I would make a mental note that Draconis March witheld intelligence so James and Tancred could ambush them politically.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: DOC_Agren on 04 June 2019, 11:48:16
If I was in place of Katherine and Victor, I would make a mental note that Draconis March witheld intelligence so James and Tancred could ambush them politically.
and now you need to wonder what else they are holding back
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: cawest on 09 June 2019, 19:38:33
man the FC is going to have some very tired units, if they do not keep an eye on them. 
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: PsihoKekec on 10 June 2019, 00:28:03
3056-7 bloody merry go arround
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 24 June 2019, 18:20:23
Ilse Liao Secondary School for Young Women

Sian

Capellan Confederation

June 19th, 3057

Tears shone in the eyes of Mei Wong. She’d been a teacher for 25 years and had served the Capellan state loyally, turning out generations of proper Capellan women prepared to do their service to the state in all walks of life. She glanced around her classroom. It was small, with the desks cramped together around a small heater that barely worked in the winter months. In the summer, the room was near stifling with the windows closed, but the raid wardens had insisted that with the enemy so close to Sian these days, the windows had to remain closed, and taped.

But what she was being asked to teach her girls today? It was madness. She glanced at the “wall of honor.” The wall was a simple corkboard, with black framed photos of former students who had given the “last full measure for the Capellan State.” They had been old enough. They had volunteered or been properly conscripted at the legal age. This? This is the murder of children. And I am complicit. What kind of monster have I become?

Her morning Capellan History class filed into the room. Their ages were between twelve and fourteen, all were in the school uniform of Liao Green skirts, and silver sweaters, and most of them did the usual things young teen girls did, whispering to each other about the latest gossip. Who liked who, who did what? And how one could break the rules and get away with it. Mei always smiled when she saw this. It’s happy, and normal, and this, what I am being asked to do, it’s not something to be asked of these girls, damn them. Putting half trained girls against Davion ‘Mechs? What in the nine hells justifies this?

She turned towards the ever-present Maskirovka minder sitting in the corner. He was a small, bookish fellow who’d been a semi-permanent shadow for many years. He even had a teaching degree himself, which surprised Mei when he’d first been introduced ten years before. He’d never reported anyone. Usually, he simply cleared his throat, and corrected the behavior with a light touch. Everyone liked “Minder Po,” as he was known affectionately. He often participated as an teacher’s assistant and really helped Mei do her job, but even someone like him, supposedly so fanatically dedicated to the state, was unnerved by what was to come.

Mei clapped twice. She smiled a weak smile and said “Good Morning Class. Time for our daily devotions to the Chancellor and our beloved state!” A bit of hysteria crept into her voice at the last bit, knowing what was coming.

The class smiled, and bowed in the direction of the Forbidden City.

Mei led the class in the daily devotional:

“I am a Capellan, my citizenship is earned through devoted service. I serve my family, state and the Chancellor himself. I act every day to better these things, even if it may cost me life, or limb. I will act every day to bring ruin to traitors, Davions, and Mariks. This I pledge with my life, and the lives of my family, should I prove unworthy. Long Live the Capellan State!”

The class repeated the mantra half-interested. It had become routine to them by now, and like most teenagers, they already had a healthy mistrust of all things adult. But, growing up in the Confederation, they learned fast the truth of the old saying about being “the nail that stood out.”

“Greetings class, today, we will not be continuing our lesson on the reign of Warex Liao. Today, we have a guest lecturer. Subcommander Rytov is here from the local Home Guard, and he is here to discuss with you ways you can contribute to the defense of the Confederation!”

The rickety door to the classroom opened with a bang, and in stormed in a short, but muscular man, or at least he seemed to be. He wore a standard issue combat dress, neatly pressed, but faded, and threadbare. Mei recognized it from her own time in the CCAF with Stapelton’s Iron Hand on Tikonov, back in the Fourth War. She noticed one could see his reflection in his boots. His visage was frightening, his ears were gnarled remnants of flesh, and his face was badly scarred, with the left sleeve of his uniform empty. His right hand was encased in a black glove, and a black eye patch and missing teeth that made his smile even more horrifying completed an image that made Mei shiver involuntarily.

“Greetings children. Or should I say soldiers. I never had much use for school.” Rytov’s voice was booming. He was used to being on a parade ground, chivying around the part-time soldiers of the Home Guard on Sian for parades, memorials, and the like. But the medals on his chest suggested he’d seen action with someone. And so does that face.

“The Davions are at the door, soldiers. And it is time for you to cast off your youth and do your part for the state that has given you so much, eh? You’ll be like the heroes who gave their all on that wall!” as he pointed with his one good hand at the Wall of Honor. The class was of mixed reactions to this, some giggled, some looked at him with rapt attention, and some looked as if all they wanted to do was bolt from the classroom and run home to their parents. If I could, I’d encourage them all to do so. But the sad part is, I can’t. An order from the Chancellor, is an order from the Chancellor. Or as my father put it in his native Russian, “Prikaz y Prikaz – Orders are Orders.”

“For the next two hours, we’re going to teach you all we can to kill Davions. They may look tough, but it’s just looks. They will shrink at killing you because you are little girls. We will teach them you are instead, Capellan citizens willing to do their duty for the state!”

20 minutes later

“Good, Tsu Ling. It’s always the smallest they underestimate the most, nice work on that dummy with the bamboo stave!”

Tsu was fourteen, she’d been picked on a lot by the other girls and Mai often had to intervene. Now the state was handing her a bamboo stave, and an improvised shaped charge and telling her to ‘kill five Davions before she died!’ And she was eating it up like candy! Little Tsu was sensitive, wrote poetry about boys and love, not…not this.

“Next!” shouted Rytov.

Au Shang, a gangly girl of fifteen who had done well in track and field came up, she was shaking and crying. She dropped the stave and shook her head. “No, I won’t. I don’t want to die. I won’t do this! I want to go home!”

Rytov grimaced, and produced a small pistol as if by magic, and put it to Shang’s head.

“One chance, girl. Pick up the stave or die right here.”

She continued to cry.

Rytov’s pistol spoke once with a sharp retort, and Shang’s body fell like a puppet with its strings cut. Blood poured from the open wound in her head, her life flooding below her in a crimson mess of ichor and brains. Rytov then tucked away the pistol, and turned to the rest of the girls. “That is the price of disobedience from now on; death. You will follow orders with speed and cheer. I give everyone one chance, after that, you will be executed, as well as your families for cowardice in the face of the enemy.”

“Now, anyone else want to be a traitor?” the crowd was as silent as a tomb.

“Alright then, let’s break for lunch while the janitorial staff cleans up the unsightly mess.”


Situation Room

Fox’s Den

Mount Davion

New Avalon

Federated Commonwealth

June 20th, 3057

So far, so good, things appear to be on schedule, but Victor did mention ‘nothing ever goes to plan in war or love.’ And damn him, he’s been right about both. Katherine Morgan Steiner Davion was on tent hooks as she gazed intently at the holodisplay as Jackson Davion presented the plans for the second, and hopefully, last phase of ACTIVE PANTHER.

“If all goes according to plan, we should be concluding this operational pause by the middle of July, as we clean up things in Sarna. As of now, for the most part, CCAF units are pulling back across the 3055 border faster than we can catch them in many cases. We aren’t seeing a lot of mass surrenders, but units are fleeing hard for what they imagine is the safety of the Capellan border. We all know how safe that really is.” There was a chuckle at the last comment from around the room. Jackson had done a great job filling Morgan’s shoes while he was still in a coma on New Syrtis, but his prognosis was a bit grimmer than Victor’s had been. And who is going to tell him about his wife? God, will he want to live after that?

“As for our plans for Sian, we expect our initial landings to occur in late July, and follow on landings soon after. We are planning for a total of 8-10 RCTs to invest Sian once we get going, and we estimate, best case, we will reduce and secure Sian by the end of October. Worst case, end of December. They cannot stop us, but they can run out the clock, and kill a lot of our boys and girls.” Jackson grimaced at that last part.

Katherine shook her head. “Jackson, I know Victor hates me asking, because he always says the worst case predictions never come true, but how bad is worst case in terms of casualties?”

Jackson cleared his throat. “Your Highness, these are rough, but the estimates of our intelligence and medical staff here, and in theatre? And this is assuming the Capellans fight like we expect they will, plus twenty percent of the civilian populace actually fights as part of these ‘People’s Victory Banner Battalions’ we hear talk of, plus other considerations? The numbers of dead and wounded could top one million.”

“What other considerations, Jackson?”

“Capellan use of WMD.” Jackson said flatly, which led to some of the more junior aides gasping.

“You really think they’d do it, Jackson?” Katherine said, her knees feeling a bit weak at the thought.

“Considering the Combine didn’t hesitate on Luthien when the Smoke Jaguars came? I see no reason to think otherwise when it comes to us.”

“We have anything concrete?”

“My intelligence staff has seen increased movement and message traffic at a special weapons depot on Sian we keep regular tabs on. Nothing concrete, but no reason to expect that was just some sort of exercise.”

Katherine swore softly. “So, it’s come to this. What’s our response if they nuke our troops, Jackson?”

“We sterilize Sian, and become the damned pariah of the Inner Sphere, but honestly, we can’t recommend anything less or everybody will nuke our boys and girls.” Jackson grimaced, it was obvious this very thought was keeping him up at night. “Your Highness, the Capellans have had a robust WMD program for centuries. Our experiences during the 4th War on Tall Trees and Wei have shown us that. And we have no reason to believe they won’t use such weapons in an attempt to stave off defeat at a time like this. I might recommend such a thing if our situation was reversed.”

“You’re asking me to sterilize worlds, Jackson. Whole worlds.”

Jackson’s eyes bored into Katherine’s “Yes, mam. If it comes to that, I am. And I am sorry. If it comes to that. I will do my duty, and then I will resign. I didn’t join the AFFC to murder billions of people whose only crime was to be born in a nation with a seriously messed up cult of personality in charge. But I will do my duty, Unfinished Book help me.”
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: marauder648 on 25 June 2019, 02:19:46
Blimey...thats. just...wow..heavy, very very heavy. Damn well written but jeeze.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: DOC_Agren on 25 June 2019, 14:00:27
Wow...  very dark, but I can see both sides
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: ckosacranoid on 25 June 2019, 20:16:33
Singing about nuking sain in the new year and watching as units run like svared ponies.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: PsihoKekec on 26 June 2019, 00:43:26
Operation Downafall, BT edition.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 26 June 2019, 16:18:25
Message to the Capellan People delivered by "various 'National Technical Means'" on July 1st by Federated Commonwealth forces on the eve of the invasion of Sian

An image crackles to life as the video track begins to play. First, there is a test pattern, and then, the Fist and Sun of the Federated Commonwealth against a blue field, which fades to a woman sitting at a large oak desk, in a well decorated office. Behind her is a shelf with unit patches from all of the AFFC, and standing to one side is a young blond man, short in stature, one sleeve is pinned up, and the other hand is on the seated woman's shoulder. A woman of Asian descent stands next to him, her face the very image of stone.

The woman seated at the desk begins to speak:

"Greetings, people of the Capellan Confederation, and specifically, the people of Sian. I am Katherine Morgan Steiner-Davion, Acting Archon-Princess of the Federated Commonwealth. No doubt, you have heard a lot about me, and my family. I am sure none of it was very flattering.

"The reason I take the unusual step of speaking to you today is to speak to you about your nation, your future, and the situation you find yourselves in now. Ten months ago, your leaders made the decision to attack my nation. They did so by opening that attack not with a formal declaration of war, but by a perfidious stab in the back that murdered approximately six thousand people here, on New Avalon. Among the casualties were my mother, and my father. They have followed it up with continued terror attacks across the realm. Thousands have died, and thousands more have empty chairs at the table.

"This was followed up with an assault on our realm at the very time we were in the process of ridding the Inner Sphere of the scourge of the Clans. The Clans are, and in some cases, continue to be a threat to the lives of us all, even you, the Capellan citizens who watch this video. The AFFC has faced the Clans, and has triumphed. We have now come to set right the situation your leaders have created.

"We know what your leaders have told you about our best, our AFFC. Nothing could be further than the truth. We have, in my brother's words, always stood for 'might for right' and as long as I or my family rules this Commonwealth, this will never change.

"Our quarrel is with your leaders, your Chancellor who has led you down this road of ruin you find yourselves in today. To all of you I beg you, lay down your arms. If you are members of the armed forces, you will be treated according to interstellar conventions. If you are a civilian, you will be allowed to return home. Please, do not force our hand and force us to fight. You know what the outcome will be. Why die for a man whose actions have never benefited the average citizen of the Confederation, but have asked you to sacrifice more and more for a state that has never lifted a finger for you, especially now?

"As for those of you who are commissioned officers in the CCAF, you bear a special responsibility now. Your nation can have a new birth, or it can experience ruin. I would remind you that long standing Federated Commonwealth policy, set by generations of First Princes, and Archons have equated any WMD use on our troops as equivalent to the use of a nuclear weapon. I would implore you, if you receive such orders to use such terrible weapons, refuse them. We have all seen what has happened to Luthien. I do not wish to repeat that on Sian.

"We do not come to conquer, we do not come to pillage, or visit mindless destruction. We come to liberate you. Please, help us do that. Help us help you.

"This next message is for all those of the 'Victory Battalions'. Kids, I know you're scared. I don't blame you. But courage sometimes is found simply by saying 'no'. This is that time. Say no. You will find there are others who feel likewise. We don't want to murder children. Please, don't make us. And as for your minders? Your day is coming, either in this world, or the next. I promise you that.

"And finally, for Sun-Tsu, you have 24 hours to surrender, cease all hostilities, and abdicate your throne. Otherwise, remember the promise I made? Well, I am coming to collect."

The video then fades to the same test screen, and then black, before cutting off.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 26 June 2019, 16:20:41
Khan’s Personal Chambers

Tamar City

Tamar

Wolf Clan Occupation Zone

June 24th, 3057



Natasha Kerensky looked on as the data feed droned on as the various Khans assembled back home made charges and countercharges about who was responsible for the obvious breakdown in the Honor Road. Kael Pershaw may be a Falcon, but right now, I feel damned sorry for him. Ulric, I know he said you were safe coming back, but I still think you should have ran things from here, where we could have kept you safe. But that damn inscrutable logic of his won the day? “Natasha,” he said “I cannot very well restore order via some impersonal video link from Tamar. I must be home, and the other Khans must see me. Present, and unafraid.” Damn you Ulric. Don’t you go and make yourself a martyr.

Phelan hadn’t said a word since the meeting had begun. He was usually content to mock the other Khans with various obscure quips that never failed to at least get a smirk out of Natasha. Not today. Today, Phelan had some sense of foreboding that had him on edge. Even Ranna had confided in Natasha that Phelan did not seem himself, and the worst part, he couldn’t explain why.

Yeah, when the son of Morgan Kell gets a bad feeling, it’s a good time to listen, but Ulric, you didn’t know Morgan like I did. Dammit. Even I have the heebie jeebies about this.

“The chair recognizes Clan Ice Hellion.”

Khan Asa Taney rose with a sense of dignity and importance he never possessed, even on a good day, of which, for the Clans as a whole, this was not.

There’s been motions to absorb Clan Jade Falcon, to censure the Adders, and to recognize ‘Clan Blood Viper?’ While we weren’t looking, the Vipers and the Blood Spirits merged? Nice move on the Vipers part, and how they managed to get Karianna Schmitt out of the way, I will never know. But I must tip my hat to the Vipers. Nicely done.

Taney had a booming, if high pitched voice. It was like listening to the mother of all reverb from a microphone that had been left too close to a speaker. “ilKhan, I must insist that the motion proposed by the Blood Viper Khans, censuring Clan Star Adder for their perfidious conduct in moving against the Smoke Jaguar homeworld holdings without consulting the Grand Council as a whole, be censured strongly. This sort of thing will only undermine the very underpinnings of the Honor Road, and-“

Cassius N’Buta, Khan of the Star Adders laughed “Taney, you yapping little idiot, are you just upset you did not get any of the spoils from the Jaguars pelt? It is not as if the Council would have let your pathetic little Clan try?”

Taney’s face turned dark crimson, “I will see you in a Circle of Equals for that, N’Buta.”

N’Buta smiled cruelly “A Circle of Equals? That assumes you are my equal, Taney. And you most clearly, are not.”

Taney lunged in N’Buta’s direction, but was restrained by his saKhan and several members of the Ebony Keshik, much to the delight of several attendees. Kael Pershaw shook his head in amused disgust, and then said “We still have another, graver motion on the floor, that I call to a vote, reluctantly. It is the motion for the absorption of Clan Jade Falcon. I now call the roll call of the Khans present.”

“Blood Viper”

Khan Allan Mercer, selected when he was the only survivor of an epic Grand Melee between a record 19 claimants for the Khan of the new Blood Viper clan. He had been hailed by the survivors as “a fighter’s Khan, and one who isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty.” He was a mechwarrior, and his bright green eyes hid a keen intellect, according to the Wolf Watch. The ugly scar on the left side of his face, and the bald head were new.

Mercer rose and smiled a smile of a wolf in a henhouse. “Clan Blood Viper votes Aye.”

“Burrock”

The Clan Burrock Khan, what the hell was his name again? Natasha puzzled, rose and shouted “Aye” and sat down just as fast.

“Cloud Cobra”

“Neg”

“Coyote”

“Aye”

“Diamond Sharks”

“Abstain”

“Fire Mandrills”

“Aye”

“Ghost Bears”

“Aye”

“Golaith Scorpions”

“Aye”

“Ice Hellions”

Asa Taney looked over at the Jade Falcon Khans, and smiled cruelly. Natasha noticed Elias Crichell had his head in his hands, and appeared to be sobbing. I think Crichell has finally broken. I mean, other than a large warship force, the Falcons really don’t have much. And Taney knows it. But look at Marthe Pryde. She is locking eyes with Taney, and her eyes ken death. I am afraid for whoever wins this vote.

“The Ice Hellions vote Aye, the Falcons should see reason and make way for the strong. It is our way.”

“Hell’s Horses”

“Aye”

The Nova Cats had not shown up for the Council meeting, citing martial responsibilities, Natasha smirked at the thought, Too busy probably absorbing as much of the Combine as they can, as well as getting the hell out of the Homeworlds. Speaking of which, I need to arrange a meeting with the Coyotes to transfer our homeworld holdings to them. It’s about time we cut our ties to the madhouse the Homeworlds are becoming.

“Star Adders”

Cassius N’Buta flexed his muscles, and grinned “Clan Star Adder votes Aye. It will be a pleasure to absorb the Falcons and see they learn a more pragmatic vision of the Founder’s teachings.”

Marthe Pryde’s face darkened at the thought. Girl has murder on her mind, and lately, that’s been a thing in the Grand Council.

“Snow Ravens”

“Aye”

“Wolf”

Natasha turned to Phelan, “That’s your cue, kid. Frankly, I think its best we abstain considering what’s going on, and I really don’t like that look on Marthe’s face.”

Phelan nodded, and keyed the mike “Clan Wolf abstains, our pack sees no gain in this hunt.”

There were murmurs of surprise throughout the hall in reaction to the vote by Clan Wolf.

Kael Pershaw looked up from his noteputer. The look on his face was pained, like he was losing a good friend, but duty won out, and he dryly stated “With a vote of ten yays, one neg, and two abstentions, the motion to absorb Clan Jade Falcon has passed. I will now accept initial bids for who will absorb the Falcons-“

“You dezgra scum! Come to finish what the Federated Commonwealth surats could not!” Pryde was on her feet screaming before Pershaw could say a word.

“Be seated Khan Pryde. All is being done according to the Martial Code.” Perhsaw said assuringly.

She turned to face Pershaw. “I remember when you were a Falcon once Perhaw. Now you are a toy of the IlKhan, a mongrel who has ambitions that have doomed us all!”

“Trothkin, let us calm our tempers before we say or do things that will only delay the vote with endless Circles of Equals. We have much-“Ulric Kerensky had his arms outstretched, as if even a man such as him could embrace all the Clans and bring them together, even in a grave time such as this.

Two shots rang out, and gouts of blood and vicera erupted from Kerensky’s chest, and then a third, and a hole appeared in his forehead, the back of his head exploding in a shower of blood and brains as he collapsed like a puppet. Two more shots occurred, catching Kael Pershaw in the chest, knocking him down, but his mechanical enhancements saved his life.

The shooter was none other than Marthe Pryde, she howled in triumph as she turned her ceremonial revolver on Crichell, putting a round through his head, as he collapsed, dead as his blood sprayed all over his side of the shared council desk. “I have redeemed us, Falcons! Join me, and together we will hold off-“

An Ebon Keshik Elemental fired a three round burst from his submachinegun, catching Pryde in the chest, and she went down in a violent spray of blood and guts, he then calmly walked over and put another three round burst into her head.

The rest of the chamber erupted into chaos, accusations and counter accusations passed like wildfire, and Khans lunged at each other with knives, barehands, and improvised clubs, while others simply made a hasty exit.

Natasha and Phelan looked at each other, Natasha’s eyes leaking tears like a waterfall.

“They killed him, they just..killed him. Goddamit! I told him not to go!”

Phelan snatched her up in an embrace. How will we tell the rest of the Clan? How will we tell them that the greatest Kerensky since the Great Father himself is gone, fallen to a dezgra assassin?

“For many, the question is ‘Where were you when you heard Hanse and Melissa Steiner-Davion were murdered?’ For me and most members of the Wolf Clan, it was ‘Where were you when you heard our One Father, Ulric Kerensky, was murdered at the foul hand of a dying Clan?’ And what we didn’t know then, but we know now, is Ulric’s death touched off a bloodletting back home not seen since the Pentagon Wars. We had refugees tell us for years about it, the ones that managed to make the trip to find us or the Ghost Bears. They called it “The Harrowing”. And indeed, it was.

-Excerpt from the unpublished memoirs of Khan Phelan Kell-Ward, First saKhan and later 3rd Khan of the Wolf Dominion, released by his estate in 3091
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: ThePW on 26 June 2019, 21:07:47
I hope that a Historical event talley, done up in the fashion used recently in most official books, is done for this AU, to allow players to run a campaign in this setting? Cause I'd love to...
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: marauder648 on 28 June 2019, 04:58:29
Absolutely superb!
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: PsihoKekec on 28 June 2019, 05:19:08
I sure hope IS gets treated to the holovid of Khan Brawl Mania 3057.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: RolandHTG on 28 June 2019, 11:57:18
I sure hope IS gets treated to the holovid of Khan Brawl Mania 3057.

Boddy Heenan hologram and Duncan Fisher doing Commentary?
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: DOC_Agren on 30 June 2019, 01:13:48
So how many Khan and saKhan made it out alive from the grand melee?
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: marauder648 on 30 June 2019, 01:22:14
Blimey, well..that sure as hell happened. Truth is, the Clans were going to rip themselves apart one way or another. in this setting, who's left in the IS from the Clans, the Wolves, the Bears and the Nova Cats right?
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Billy Boy Mark II on 30 June 2019, 06:37:14
Finally caught up on this... And absolutely loving it! Superb work!
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 01 July 2019, 18:36:12
Private Quarters of the Archon-Prince
Castle Davion
New Avalon
Crucis March, Federated Commonwealth
July 2nd, 3057

Victor Steiner-Davion gazed over the latest intelligence estimate from the Capellan front that was laid out on his coffee table. Such nice surroundings for news so grim. While most of the CCAF was in a pell-mell retreat for the 3055 border, or at least what parts of it were still in Capellan hands, the word from Sian was grim. Jesus, Sunny is giving daily exhortations to everyone on the planet between the age of twelve and fifty five to fight to the last, and 'take five Davions with them when they die'. One particularly grim example was a two-page ad in a popular Capellan women's magazine published on Sian, that gave detailed instructions on how to use an SRM launcher to stalk and kill a 'Mech. The advice here is criminally optimistic. Even if you do score a hit, it's not going to do much more than scratch the paint on most 'Mechs. But I guess Sunny and the Mask can't tell folks that, lest he face an outright revolution.

Summer was in full bloom on New Avalon, and with it, the heat, but Victor was dressed in a pair of his old physical training clothes from his days at the Nagelring. He'd left the windows open, mainly because today had a nice breeze going, but he had followed the instructions of the security people who had begged him not to throw open the Kevlar-lined shades, so the breeze was a bit...anemic. And between them and the doctors, they won't let me get a decent run in around New Avalon. Nope, gotta use the boring old palace track. I wonder if this is how Dad felt? Being trapped in a gilded cage.

And the advice Katherine was getting from the general staff at the Fox's Den was downright apocalyptic. Jackson's all but expecting the Capellans to use WMD the minute we land on Sian. He is probably resigned to the fact we'll have to respond to any Capellan first use in kind. Katherine is practically holding on by her fingernails at the prospect, and I cannot say I blame her. Jackson's slowed down the rate of advance till we've cut the planet off from the rest of the Confederation, probably a good move overall, but we need to finish this, not that I think it will be quick, or cheap by any means.

Victor glanced again at the latest order of battle estimates for the Capellan defenses of Sian. He'd practically memorized the telling passage that made his heart sink every time he read it "...CCAF defenses are expected to be heavy, and in-depth. We expect extensive use of fortified belts, both pre-existing, and newly created, and we have seen massive projects to construct all kinds of anti-mobility obstacles. We have identified, in addition to at least three divisions of the Sian Home Guard, elements of the Red Heart Guards brigade, both battalions of Warrior House Immarra, the 4th Tau Ceti Rangers, two divisions of the Word of Blake Militia (unit designations unknown), as well as a provisional CCAF 'Mech regiment made up of convalescents and comb outs from various government ministries of anyone with any Battlemech experience. We also estimate upwards of 100-150 "Victory Battalions." Assets in place have also identified the arrival of several company sized units that we think are survivors of various units that have been destroyed during Active Panther..."

"Shit," Victor cursed softly. He knew the AFFC could take Sian, 8-10 RCTs along with an additional 8 Artillery Brigades should be enough, though getting them there is proving to be difficult. He was glad Omi was off with Pavvrati and Yvvone, she didn't like it much when he was grouchy, and the fact was, the military situation, while a winning one, was enough to make one very, very grouchy indeed.

There was a knock at the door, and his servant opened it, placing himself between Victor and whomever was at the door on the off chance it was an assassin. Not that I am too worried. The other two servants in the room are with the Guards, and there's a Rapid Fox reaction force on thirty second standby downstairs. Yeah, the Blakists would have to work hard....but they got lucky already, didn't they?

The servant conversed softly with whomever was at the door, and then closed it, he walked over to Victor in three steps, and stopped 5 feet in front of his sovereign, saluting palm out and stating "Sir, we have received diplomatic traffic from our embassy in Orestes. It's a verigraphed ROM from Natasha Kerensky of the Wolves."

Victor's jaw dropped. "Are they sure about it's authenticity?"

The servant nodded, and handed the disk to Victor, who inserted it carefully into a nearby reader set into the wall, that broadcast it into a nearby screen usually meant for entertainment purposes. Rather not go to my office for this.

The screen came to life, and after ten seconds of the sigil of a snarling wolf, the insignia of the Wolf Clan, the image resolved into none other than Natasha Kerensky. Her face was drawn, and her eyes were red. She sat at a plain metal desk in an non-descript office. She was dressed simply, a pair of green overalls with the Clan Wolf insignia over the left breast. But the fire in her eyes had not changed. Is this to be a batchall for the survival of your Clan, Natasha. Please God, please don't be.

"Greetings Victor Steiner-Davion. I may not have been able to do so before, but I wanted to extend my sympathies on the deaths of your Mother and Father. They were great rulers, and good people. They always did right by the Dragoons, which is something not a lot of the Inner Sphere can say." Natasha exhaled and smiled weakly "You must be wondering why I have sent you this verigraphed ROM. Well, simply put, you've won. You've won a far bigger victory over the Clans than you have realized. Attached to this disk is the video of the last hours of Ilkhan Ulric Kerensky's life. He was murdered on the 24th of last month by the saKhan of the Jade Falcons. His murder has touched off a spate of violence back in the Clan Homeworlds that is reminiscent of some of the earlier aspects of our history, and yours."

"Needless to say, I am now responsible for the lives and future of Clan Wolf. Ulric bequeathed me that responsibility, and some assets that will help our Clan in the days, months, and years to come. But I send you this message to bargain not for the terms of a war between us. If your war has demonstrated anything, is that our way, including the way of Zellbrigen must change. No, I come to bargain for the terms of a peace between us. A lasting one that gives both our nations a shot at a future worth having. I am prepared to do much to achieve it, including the discussion of the return of Tamar to the Federated Commonwealth, as well as negotiating a permanent border between our two nations..."

Victor's mouth hung open, he paused the playback, hardly believing what he had just seen and heard. He motioned over his servant. "Niles, get the bottle of Glengarry Special Reserve, and pour you and I a glass. I think I just saw the end of the Clan War."
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: mikecj on 01 July 2019, 21:04:04
Nice!
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: marauder648 on 03 July 2019, 06:29:42
Absolutely superb, but the Suns is facing a bloodbath on Sian.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Sharpnel on 03 July 2019, 06:35:13
I've got two words for you, "Orbital Artillery"
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: ThePW on 03 July 2019, 07:01:38
I've got two words for you, "Orbital Artillery"
Good Luck getting ships into orbit first (not to mention that would cause tremendous civilian casualties NOT DESIRED by the FEDCOM). OA is not a option...
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: ckosacranoid on 03 July 2019, 14:41:30
They might now have much choice for shooting things from orbit if the fighting is going to as bloody as the idiot on the toliet wants it to be, its going to leave the world a mess and not many people alive to think about the world after that.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Takiro on 03 July 2019, 17:36:41
I'd be more inclined to hurl an asteroid or two at planet while maintaining a complete naval blockade. See the end of Clan Blood Spirit in Wars of Reaving.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Sir Chaos on 04 July 2019, 07:58:47
Good Luck getting ships into orbit first (not to mention that would cause tremendous civilian casualties NOT DESIRED by the FEDCOM). OA is not a option...

"Tremendous civilian casualties" is already a given, seeing as how Sunny Boy is whipping up his people, and especially when he breaks out the nukes. Orbital artillery may just be the least of all evils here.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Zureal on 09 July 2019, 23:58:25
wow, just wow, i hope we get to hear the rest of her video
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 05 August 2019, 19:35:33
AN: Another Omake by Yellowhammer of SB!

Cat Fight Part 7

"I once read something that perfectly encapsulated my journey from the granddaughter of Takashi Kurita, Coordinator of the Draconis Combine, Duke of Luthien, Unifier of Worlds, to Archon-Princess Omiko Steiner-Davion, Duchess-by-Marriage of Tharkad and New Avalon, Lady of the Crucis March. It was simply 'I did not leave my party, my party left me'. Like many changes we face, comprehending that was extremely hard. Knowing that I would never see the home I grew up in and the people that I knew as a girl, knowing that I could never visit the graves of my father, mother, or brothers to mourn, knowing that I would be viewed at best with wary suspicion in my new home until I proved myself as more than a 'damned Snake' if I ever did in the beholder's eyes. All these things are very painful and hard to bear, but I have my honor to sustain me, and that honor lets me endure the unendurable because I know that it is the right thing, the honorable thing to do.."

Omiko Steiner-Davion, My Path To The Top Of The Mountain: A Journey from Luthien to Kentares, New Avalon Press 3083

Masamori City

Hachiman, Galedon Military District

8 June 3057

Miyako Kurita scowled at the tactical map projected inside her headquarters in the Urizen Kurita Junior Warrior's Academy. Planetfall had proceeded as per her wishes, but the rest of the campaign had not.

The first indication that the plan was not going according to her desires was when Gin battalion of Ryuken-yon -- her old command! -- had crossed the Yamato River on the Sanethia Kurita Memorial bridge. Forward elements had secured the far side and the bulk of Ryuken-yon was crossing when a yacht approached the bridge.

The resulting nuclear detonation incinerated two companies of her elites, including Sho-sho Shodaru and his mobile HQ unit along with the bridge that they were on, and was the signal for a regiment of Black Dragon Battlemechs to slam into the battalion that had made it across. None of her men and women made it back, with the survivors pulled from their cockpits, tied up, and then dropped onto the radioactive glass of the steaming crater to expire in agony from their wounds, heat, and lethal doses of radiation in front of her soldiers' horrified eyes.

She was fortunate that she had stopped her Naginata in the rear of the advance to deal with a logistics tie-up at her spacehead when the trap was sprung. Instead her comrades died screaming while she tried to funnel reserves to salvage the situation.

The battered remnants of Ryuken-yon plus her personal guards held the riverbank under her direct command until Ryuken-san's assault Mechs could join the two companies of survivors clinging to the shattered buildings lining Tai-so Dalton Way and begin to exchange fire with the enemy across the river. Seeing the garrison regiment of the Sixteenth Galedon Regulars here, she had ordered the mobile forces of the Twelfth Dieron Regulars to probe the flanks to try to locate a weak point, or as it turned out, hostile reinforcements. The probe south found the Thirteenth Sun Zhang dug in along the riverbank and desultory long-range fire was exchanged when the other shoe dropped.

Second Battalion of the Twelfth Dieron hit a battlemech force coming their way as they probed north into the Floating District pleasure district. The Ninth Benjamin Regulars, which had claimed their loyalty to her and were supposed to be on Proserpina watching the Davions had turned their coats and been smuggled here. Once again, Miyako led Ryuken-yon into the fire, along with a backing battalion from Ryuken-san and the loyalists of HTE's Corporate Security Force.

Somehow, her scratch force held, although one of every two of her samurai fell like cherry blossoms around her as the Floating District burned on her orders to delay the enemy. As the flames raced through town uncontrollably she was able to dig in along a defense line shielding HTE and the spaceport and finally rotate her weary soldiers back for repair and rest.

Scouting probes over the next days revealed the stalemate. The enemy had two veteran city fighting units in Masamori City with the cadets of the Thirteenth to provide pickets and reinforcements. Worse, they were dug in along the river facing her to the steaming crater that was once the main bridge linking the two halves of the city. From there, her line bent sharply back west through the smouldering rubble of the residential districts servicing the Floating City and the factories to be anchored at the HTE complex's fortifications.

The enemy had not been idle either and constant lance and company-sized skirmishes flickered along the battlefront as armor and ashigaru infantry units lurked in ambush. Any retreat offworld would be unthinkable to contemplate, but without fresh troops, she saw no way to break the deadlock.

With that she flipped a switch and the strategic map replaced the tactical map.

She surveyed the scattering of crimson icons and hateful yellow icons of the suspected positions of the traitors. along the Galedon/Benjamin border, with the upper boundary the gray of the Clan OZ and the lower the blue of the FedCom. She tapped keys, pulling up transport availability and fore readiness projections as her eyes narrowed.

"Sho-sa Tomokamai!"

"Yes, Coordinator?" The young soldier barked out with a light Swedenese accent to his Japanese.

"Take a message directly to our ComStar representative personally. message is as follows. Priority HPG transmission to the following units. To Marduk, the Twenty-Second Benjamin Regulars dispatch a battalion to Proserpina to backstop the planetary militia and secure the planet, and send their best battalion to reinforce Hachiman. To Xinyang, move the Fifteenth Benjamin Regulars to Hachiman. To Arkab, move the Sixth Arkab Regiment to Xinyang to cover our supply base. To Shimonoseki, Planetary Militia Commander will retransmit to the Twenty-Second Dieron Regulars to stand in readiness to be dispatched to Hachiman if needed to reinforce efforts to liberate the planet once their convoy jumps into system.”

A second aide entered the room with a message form in hand. “Coordinator! The Forty-Fifth Dieron Regulars have gone rogue! Elements of their regiment have been reported as raiding Camlann, Buckminster, and Shionoha! Planetary militia forces are reporting serious damages to industries and personnel.”

Miyako scowled and pinched her nose. “I do not have the forces to hunt these ronin down. Once the Black Dragons are crushed, then we can proceed with exterminating traitors and bandits such as these. Give the orders for troop movements as directed.”

As Ichiro Tomokamai saluted and departed, he began to mentally prepare an addition for the message to the Sixth Arkab. “I should notify my father that in the event of a Clan attack into the military district he commands or if the bandits of the Forty-Fifth assault his words, Miyako Kurita will not defend them. Tai-sa Bjutial of the Sixth and he are long friends and will pass the warning along.”

-------------------------------

Fox’s Den

New Avalon, Crucis March, Federated Commonwealth

15 June 3057

Lieutenant Colonel Parvati glanced over at her ’aide’ as they cleared the checkpoint and the armored hatch irised open deep under Mount Davion. “Don’t worry, everyone has these moments their first time in the Den, Agent Tanaka.”

Beside her, clad in the uniform of an AFFC officer with no rank insignia, Omiko Kurita nodded as they headed down the passage. Her face was impassive save for a sheen of sweat on her brow as for the first time in the history of the Federated Suns, a Kurita entered the nerve center of House Davion’s military machine.

Presently they came to a door marked with an alphanumeric stencil. ‘MI2SECCONF-083J’. Here they halted and watched by multiple security cameras, presented palmprint and iris scans for authentication. The door unlocked and they stepped inside.

Inside was a sterile conference room with a coffee and tea bar on one wall, a dozen seats around a holotable and a security panel.

“Tea?” Parvati asked.

Omi nodded as she disarmed the self-destruct device on her briefcase and began to remove datachips. “Tea, please.”

She nodded thanks to Parvati as a steaming mug with a cartoon fox digging a burrow was placed in front of her. She sipped it and made a face. “Irony. According to Father, the tea in the Black Room was atrocious and could peel paint from his battlemechs with its strength. I suppose that the Davions buy their tea from the same plantations then to use in their secure headquarters.”

Parvati laughed as the door opened again to reveal Tancred Sandoval in his general’s uniform. “I have no doubt that your tea was purchased from the lowest bidder too.”

Tancred looked over at Omi as he made himself a mug of coffee and then moved to sit across from her as she finished inputting her data. “I must ask, what prompted your change of heart?”

Omi looked the Sandoval heir in the eyes, Kurita steel-blue meeting Sandoval dark brown as their wills clashed. “My nation is in its death agonies, Sandoval-san, and whatever survives this war will be a pale shadow of our past glories. There shall be no winners, no honor, and no glory from the madness between my cousin and my half-brother, not anymore. Only survivors and the dead, just as in the Succession Wars under Jinjiro Kurita. All I can do now is act to minimize the suffering for those who my family has ruled for centuries; to fulfill a ruler’s obligation toward his subjects and the demands of Honor before those fighting over the Dragon’s corpse destroy all they touch. I wish it were otherwise, but wishing does not make it so. If my wishes bore fruit, I would still have my family with me, or at least be able to mourn at the graves of my father, mother, and brothers who have gone before me.”

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, then opened them to speak quietly and bitterly, “Congratulations on your victory. The Yellow Bird has defeated the Dragon at last. Shikata ga nai.”

With that she flipped a switch and a holomap of the Combine appeared, showing the best estimates that the remnants of the Order of Five Pillars had on the positions, strengths, and loyalties of the Draconis Combine Mustered Soldiery. Sandoval inserted his own datachip and blue units began to gather along the stripped-clean border of the Combine.

-------------------------------

Nadir Jump Point

Xinyang, Xinyang Prefecture, Benjamin Military District

16 June 3057

“Jump signature inbound!”

Tai-sa Samuel Lepke of the Fifteenth Benjamin Regulars looked over at the sensor operator. “Another one of our jumpships?”

“Negative, sir! It’s massive, estimate in the three quarters of a million megaton range!”

The commander blanched at the news, since there was only one thing that it could be.

Warship…

“General signal to all ships, emergency undock from jumpships, battle stations, launch all ASFs, and stand by to engage enemies! Honor the Dragon!”

Fifteen minutes later, the Black-Lion class battlecruiser CSJ Streaking Mist led the remnants of the Smoke Jaguar Touman into the system to claim the desperately-needed supply dumps that one of their newly captured bondsmen had reported were present.

Seventeen minutes after the alert had sounded, Sho-sa Peter Yoshuka rammed the newly arrived Potemkin class cruiser CSJ Osis’ Pride amidships with his Achilles at maximum thrust, sparking a series of explosions that gutted the ship.

Twenty-eight minutes after the battle began, the CSJ Streaking Mist began to burn toward Xinyang at the .75G that she was now barely capable of, while trailing air from her wounds.

None of the Fifteenth Benjamin survived to oppose the Jaguars. Not any longer.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Zureal on 06 August 2019, 20:18:01
wow, that was brutal
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 24 August 2019, 14:03:36
“As June faded into July, the plight of the Confederation deepened, and five Capellan worlds, Relevow, Geifer, Cordaigr, Glasgow, and Imalda fell into Allied hands with barely a shot fired. Most of these worlds were wracked by a collapse of Capellan authority even before the arrival of Allied troops, and often it was sufficient for the allies to install a company-sized garrison, change the flags, and drive on to the ultimate prize: Sian.”

pp. 197, “The Defense of the Sarna and Capellan Marches and Active Panther” by the Federated Commonwealth Office of Military History, Government Press, New Avalon, 3060.

“I do remember that things at the main command center were chaotic by the beginning of July. Sun-Tsu hardly took our briefings anymore. Our section’s bosses spent more of their time burning or shredding documents, or making false identity documents for themselves. There was a thought most of us could flee to Marik space. That was until we saw troops massing in the Concordat and Andurien. I think that’s when we all knew it was over. We had twelve suicides that day alone. Me? I packed my bags, grabbed my false Augrian papers, 35,000 C-Bills and made a run for the Periphery border. Of course, I ran into your troops first?”

“Capellan Perspectives Project” Federated Commonwealth Office of Military History. Interview No 191, Interview of Maskirovka Commander Ling Po-Tsien, Age 30, formerly of the Analysis and Intentions Section, AFFC Desk.



Caeme Falls
Yuris
Capellan Confederation
July 17th, 3057

The LRRP team had been out for five days, and had done little more than spend their time dodging Capellan infantry and helicopter patrols for most of the patrol. So far, they hadn’t seen more than the Home Guard, but they’d seen evidence of Capellan ‘Mechs about, as they’d found tracks and remains of FARPs all over their patrol AO, but so far, they hadn’t actually seen a single Capellan ‘Mech.

And this was beginning to get on Corporal Ander’s nerves. That, and that weird thing Pappy did with his damn lower bridge. Sounded like a dancing skeleton. And the ****** thinks it’s a laugh riot. He’ll get us all killed because of that stupid lower bridge of his. He isn’t fit to be out here. Can’t be quiet enough to do the job. But, the rest of the lads trust him. So, I gotta trust him.

And sure enough, Pappy, also known as Private Les Winningham, was expertly scanning his sector with his Federated Light Machine Gun, his assistant gunner, Private Danni Lesko, was behind him, and a little low to the left, the entire patrol was at a listening halt. Daylight was waning in the sky, and the setting sun cast everything in a red-orange hue, making everything seem on fire. It would be beautiful, if not for the circumstances.

Anders looked again at the rest of his squad, and passed another hand and arm signal to set out, slow, then pointed an azimuth that paralleled a trail up the looming hill ahead. It was some 100 meters to the left of the falls, and the falls were loud enough to make it hard to think, let alone hear. Shit this would be a damn good place for an ambush. A real good place.

The walk up the hill was challenging, as the hill had a gentle, but steady grade, but the 40-50 kilogram loads the LRRPs were carrying, plus the fact they’d already covered close to 40 kilometers already was conspiring to make the climb far harder than it would be normally. The squad was tired, and all most of it could focus on was the next step, let alone their sectors. They tried, oh they tried, and discipline warred with sheer exhaustion.

It was inevitable that the second man in the file missed the whine of an actuator. The poor private, a replacement from Archenar, didn’t miss being torn apart by half a dozen .50 caliber rounds as tracers reached out to him from a position some 200 meters in front of him as a bird-like shape rose from the hilltop like a moss covered preshistoric monster, belching fire and death.

Anders screamed “SCATTER!” as he snapped off a long burst at the ‘Mech. It was a Locust, but the attached foliage made it impossible to tell which Capellan unit they were a part of. The LRRPs expertly executed a “break contact peel”, each emptying a magazine or belt into the advancing ‘Mech. But it didn’t matter, as it shrugged off most of the small arms file like the buzzing of flies. Pappy soon went down as he stopped to fire on the Locust with a V-LAW. A beam of light from the ‘Mech’s torso soon connected killer and victim, and Pappy simply ignited like kindling, not even having had enough time to scream.

The unit did its best to try to hold off the monster in their midst, but it was useless. If you stopped, you were dead, and if you didn’t, you couldn’t do anything substantial to stop it. The four survivors of the squad half ran and half tumbled down the hill, and that’s when another monster rose from the forest on their right. It was of a different shape, more humanoid, and less alien, but just as large, and just as faceless. Another beam of light shot out and blew Cho, the squad’s radio operator to ash. Her scream was cut like a knife. Ander’s mind snapped, he hit the quick release on his ruck and took off at a dead run, machine gun rounds tearing apart the ground all around him as he ran, to get as far from the monsters as he could. He was so intent on running he missed the large branch that hung low in front of him, the one that he ran into full force, and knocked himself unconscious.

Seven hours later, he was the only survivor of First Squad, LRRP Company, 41st Avalon Hussars RCT. He wouldn’t manage to report in for three additional days, and by then, all of the FC forces on Yuris already knew what Anders knew. The Capellans had been reinforced by the Metal Phalanx Mercenary Battalion, and Warrior House Diadachi.



Zenith Jump Point
Sian System
Capellan Confederation
July 27th, 3057

Kai Allard-Liao looked on from the viewport of the Phoenix Rising. She was one of four Union-C dropships attached to the Jade Phoenixes, and had proven the most difficult to acquire from the Federated Commonwealth for the unit. It helps being a friend of Victor’s as well as having the bank account I do. But this wasn’t cheap, but it’s worth it. So worth it.

Kai looked on as Sian loomed ever larger in the viewport, it was a dull blue green orb some distance away, but every day, it got a little bigger, since their entry into the system three days before. They’d been travelling at a stately one gee, the Fedcom force commander had decided that it was probably best not to tire the troops out by burning hard for Sian itself. We have a tomorrow, they don’t. Strange to see this as a battle. It’s going to be a damn execution. All the Capellans are doing to prepare, it won’t mean a damn thing. We’re just going to be forced to kill more people who have no business being on a damn battlefield in the first place. And why? Because Sun-Tsu won’t see reason. Not that he ever did. Mom was right. We’d be having a reckoning one day. And where we are. Mom, why the hell did you not let Hanse Davion settle things ten years ago?

Kai felt a large hand settle gently on his shoulder. “So, ovKhan. Are you trying to intimidate all of Sian by yourself?”

Kai didn’t turn to face Taman Malthus “No, I am trying to get my thoughts together before we ground. Before I have to kill a bunch of people who have no business holding a damn rifle.” He then turned to face Malthus. “Taman, tell me you are bothered by this?”

Taman nodded “We all are, Kai, we all are. The Fedcom’s patched in what passes for entertainment and news from Sian…and its contents are unsettling. They have children’s shows teaching how to emplace magnetic mines on our ‘Mechs. Kai, I did not agree with putting our sibkos into harms way to face the Federated Commonwealth. I was captured in the first wave, but had I known, I would have faced Chistu in a circle of equals myself. And I would have made sure he never left that circle alive. To arm sibkids as young as ten and expect them to stop ‘Mechs is wasteful.”

“What will we do, Taman?”

“Fight according to our ideals and what you established this unit to be. Redemption for us, and all the Clans. We will not willingly murder children and non-combatants. On this, you have my rede.”

“Selya, Malthus, but I think the Capellans get a vote there.”

“Seyla, trothkin. But you are Kai Allard-Liao, and if anyone can find a way, you will. Of that, OvKhan, you have my faith, and the faith of every warrior and tech in this unit. You gave us a way to be warriors again, Kai. And we will never forget that, in a cause truly worthy of us. Worry not. We will liberate these poor people from the lies and delusions of this Celestial Wisdom.” Malthus spat the last comment as if it was poison.

Kai smiled. “Perhaps we will, Taman, perhaps we will.”
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Always Late on 25 August 2019, 01:37:26
Hm. Not gonna lie, having a little bit of mixed feelings. On the one hand, the use of ambush tactics and amassing forces for the decisive by the Cappies is pretty accurate for Japanese preparations against Operation Downfall. And them being able to keep a cohesive and elite military force together is not too surprising given the feudal logic things run under sometimes. The gov't has disintegrated, but one man can still set up a defense for one planet. And the Chancellor still has enough sanity to do just that. And the whole light-mechs vs infantry slaughter plus the talk with the ex-Jade Falcons and Kai was just gold. Horror and character in equal yet immense amounts.

On the other, I can't ignore that Sun-Tsu did just pull not only a fully-stocked Warrior House, but yet another mercenary regiment out from nowhere. He's got no government from which to pull funds, his own personal wealth is tied up in the now non-existant government, his military is running on indoctrinated loyalty and gunpoint, and massively bad rep from the bloodbath he subjected McCarron’s Armored Cavalry and his other past merc units to. He's got nothing to offer any units but a long, agonizing death at the hands of the Feddies. The whole 'they have nothing' point was kinda hammered in extensively, so the bait-and-switch occurring in the same chapter kinda misfires.

Unless he's got a massive secret stash of C-bills or hard gold somewhere and enough guns to make sure the mercs don't take their first paycheck and run. Or something. Hopefully a new chapter shows that very impressive negotiating skill of Sun-Tsu.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: marauder648 on 25 August 2019, 02:50:52
Superb stuff, you conveyed across just how terrifying a Battlemech can be for us squishies. Sian's going to be a nightmare of a battle though.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 25 August 2019, 15:53:19
@Always,
 Basing Yuris on the defenses of Budapest and Breslau in 1945. The Germans then, and the Capellans now, have an alarming ability to pull together kampfgruppen ofrom varying sources and commit them to action time and again till they disintergrated due to a lack of logistics, combat strain, or just plain surrendered en masse. Yuris, like the defenses of Breslau and Budapest, will do little to save the Capellan State. They'll only serve to kill more on all sides.

  So, as long as the madman is still shouting orders from Sian, some units are going to obey...some. These two just happened to be based together. And a fresh Capellan Warrior House (the last one outisde of Sian) can be very pursuasive to a green Merc outfit.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: PsihoKekec on 26 August 2019, 00:35:54
So the capital will probably have the habitable buildings counted on one hand.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Sir Chaos on 26 August 2019, 08:57:37
So the capital will probably have the habitable buildings counted on one hand.

How do you count to zero with one hand?
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Sharpnel on 26 August 2019, 11:48:13
How do you count to zero with one hand?
It would be a closed fist
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Terrace on 26 August 2019, 12:12:44
How do you count to zero with one hand?

With a closed fist.

Something I've been wondering. What is the status of the various infantry rifles the AFFC has access to? Are the Federated Long and the TK Assault being phased out and replaced with the M42B Rifle System?
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 08 October 2019, 12:39:51
As the War of ’56 headed to its bloody conclusion on the battlefields of Sian and Yuris, there were unnoticed sideshows by other neighbors of the Capellan Confederation, who sought to get their own piece of the pie in the chaos of the collapse. While the moves by Andurien was expected by most observers, the move by the Taurian Concordiat to retake Rollis was seen as a most unusual move, what with the huge dollops of anti-Fedcom propaganda that had pervaded Concordat society in the years before Jeffrey Calderon…”
Anton Riksdar, “Death Rattle of the Confederation”, Ueda Press, 3075

"Some say I should have become a hero of the Confederation and resisted the Taurian “invasion”. Bull. What the hell was I going to do? We hadn’t gotten a shipment of beans, bullets, or spare parts since the Fedcom had counterattacked on Sarna. With Sian itself under threat, and us being on the ass end of the Periphery border? We were told to “defend Rollis against all enemies and fight to the last Capellan.” So, I did. But when the Taurians showed up? I had mostly green kids who barely knew which end of the PPC was dangerous, and had already been used to diffuse three near-riots over a lack of food and water. I’d had to hang four warriors for taking food from a family at gunpoint. My command was disintegrating, and the militia wasn’t looking much better. If there was another riot, I couldn’t count on them. And we didn’t have enough dropships to retreat off-world with our gear. And we had no jumpships. They’d left back in June. We’d been left to die at the hands of the Fedcom. And we were convinced they were coming, with an eye towards revenge for what happened on Wei all those years ago.

"I have to say, when the Taurians showed up with that ‘multi-national force’ and with a couple of jumpships with food and medical supplies? I didn’t see the point of resisting? Why? We had people dying of starvation right outside the front gate of the cantonment. I wasn’t going to defend the right of Capellan citizens to starve to death. I made a decision I have had no cause to regret…”
Interview of Colonel Andrea Sung, former commanding officer of Sung’s Cuirassiers, as featured in “Rollis: The Story of a Humanitarian Invasion”, by Alan Jerkan, Bull Horns Press, Taurus, 3059


Planetary Command Bunker
Rollis
20km SSW of New Harmon
August 8th, 3057

Colonel Andrea Shang was tired. Tired and hungry. She looked less the image of a confident military officer, and more the image of a cave troll. Her almond colored eyes were dull with hunger, along with most of her command. The entire planet had been on half-rations for at least a month. Water was also at a premium, and it was a blessing they’d all gone nose-blind. The stench of fear and unwashed uniforms was overwhelming. And we’d had three near riots in Freeport. People want food, people want to leave. But there’s no Jumpships to carry them anywhere. The Chancellor ordered them all out last month, along with what was left of the food, and very little if anything grows here. You can’t eat the wood that grows here. I got children dying of hunger within sight of my troops. And there is blessed little I can do about it.

She shook her head and looked at the assembled members of the command staff, as well as the staff of the bunker. They were mostly impossibly young, having been seconded from the militia. Some so young, and so malnourished, their uniforms were baggy and ill-fitting. Sunken eyes and boney fingers moved at a slow pace over the various map displays and radio equipment. Conversation was muted, and she turned her gaze to Commander Zhao, he was the commander of the militia. He was in deep conversation with Yang Fon, the local Mask chief. Neither of them seemed to have the energy to shout the usual defiant slogans about “death to the Davions” or “we will remain Capellan” which she’d seen spray-painted all-over buildings in New Harmon.

I guess a lack of food is tempering everyone’s loyalty to the state these days. Yesterday was terrible. She’d had to order a lance of ‘Mechs to break up a riot at the only hospital on planet. Power was also an issue, as the only fusion plant on world was facing shutdown due to a lack of spare parts and reaction mass. I had to order the hospital to shut down power to the ICU, and…the NICU, and declared martial law in the same breath. How many did I murder then? And just for the crime of “not enough state resources” left to care for them? In the end, is this the loving embrace of the state that we always would hear about?

She then looked at the Deep Space Radar display, a mass of dots with telemetry readings glowed an ugly red that was moving ever closer to the planet by the hour. Trajectory has them grounding at Freeport, which was an hour away from the bunker, bit longer to New Harmon itself. But the truth was, she didn’t think she could do more than fight one good engagement before her regiment, Sung’s Cuirassiers collapsed due to a lack of food, ammunition, spare parts, and plain demoralization. And how much of a sweat are the Davions going to break? And will they accept my surrender when I am forced to give it? Our regiment has a bit of a history with them. A very recent history.

She turned towards her executive officer, Commander Zhao Jen-Ling. He was a new graduate of the command course at SAMD. He was a solid and loyal Capellan soldier, but like most of them, exhaustion, lack of food, and depression was taking their toll. He shook his head, and said nothing. But his eyes said it all. No chance. No chance at all. A survey of the room found he was not alone. Noone would utter it, not with the Mask adviser standing right there. But all of their eyes, including, surprisingly, his, said the same thing: We can’t win, don’t make us fight a battle that will do little but kill more of our own people.

Andrea sighed. She turned towards the commo tech, a young man with mixed Asian and Caucasian features who’s lenses on his glasses took up half of his face.

“Beng, get in touch with the Davions, tell them we’re asking for terms.”

A series of gasps escaped everyone in the room. All eyes went towards the Mask adviser, Mark Tsentov. He’d been on Rollis for years, having been exiled here for indiscretions with the daughter of the head of his work section. He’d married that daughter after, and they’d built a life on Rollis. Three children, two of them died in service of the state, and one a bureaucrat on Sian.

Tsentov had no desire to bring war, especially a losing one, to Rollis. Pirates were one thing, but this? He shrugged, “If you all think I will tell you to seek a good death on the spears of the Davions for the good of the state? No. I am not going to be stupid and pig-headed enough to say that. We have 14-year olds in the militia, who are equipped with spears, because we don’t have enough ammunition to properly equip them. Most of the populace is eating half a liter of watery soup a day. We have rickets, pellagra, and a host of other ailments killing our people. We may yield to the Davions without a shot, but at least, Colonel Sung, we will save our people. The Davions are not pirates. They will feed them. I order you, in the name of the state, make contact and seek honorable terms.”

Beng crossed the room with a tactical radio headset in hand. He handed it to Sung, tears in his eyes. “Here you are, mam.”

Sung nodded. She cleared her throat and pushed the talk button. “To the inbound dropships currently entering our atmosphere. I am Colonel Andrea Sung of Sung’s Cuirassiers of the Capellan Confederation Armed Forces. I am the senior officer in command of the defenses of Rollis and have authority over all CCAF forces currently stationed here. I am asking for terms. Please, my people are starving, sick, and dying. I will not fight their saviors, even if they are Davions. We will surrender with only one condition: Please save our people.”

She released the push to talk button and listened to the static crackle for a few seconds before the beep of a radio circuit being opened rang through the quiet command center. The voice on the radio was male, calm, strong and clear. It was strangely reassuring, given the circumstances. “Colonel Sung, my name is Hallaran. Comptroller James Hallaran, Taurian Defense Force. I have the pleasure of commanding Task Force Secure Hope, and my orders are to lead a humanitarian rescue of Hollis, and facilitate its recovery pending a plebiscite of its people on whether it wishes to remain with the Confederation, or return to the loving arms of the Concordat. We do not require your surrender, Colonel. We do ask for your cooperation.”

Sung looked at the headset in shock. Eyes had goggled around the room and at least one person whispered audibly. “This is either pirates, or a really bad joke.”

Sung pushed the talk button. “Comptroller, you did say Taurian, right?”

There was a chuckle over the frequency, and she could hear other laughter in the background over the open mike. “Well, I am, as is the two battalions of Concordat Commandos with me. But we have more than a few of us. A battalion from the 2nd Canopean Light Horse, and a couple companies of Aurgian mercenaries headed up by Queen Kamea’s son. But most of us are doctors, relief workers, farmers, and just about anyone who wanted to come and help, Colonel. Will you let us land and help you?”

Sung looked around the room, it was as if a weight had been lifted from her chest. One of the junior aides hissed “Ma’am. Can we really trust them? It’s a Davion trick!”

“No, it isn’t, Cheblinsky. The Davions needn’t have bothered with such subterfuge. Why lie? They know we’ll know soon enough. No, this is a damn godsend. We don’t have to fight a battle we cannot win. And we save our people.”

She turned again to the mic. “Comptroller, please ground your battalion at Freeport. We’ll send a small delegation to meet you there, including myself. I’ll be ordering all other units to remain in place.”

“I understand, Colonel. I’ll just bring my own command company in that case. No sense in spooking the hell out of everyone? ‘Mechs will remain on my dropship. My captain tells me we will ground in 35 minutes.”

“Thank You, Comptroller. I will meet you there in 45 minutes then.”

“Rodger that, Colonel. Hallaran out.”

45 Minutes Later

The dust kicked up by the hover jeep was light today, as a sandstorm had just blown through last night. Still, it was enough to force everyone to wear goggles in the open-topped vehicles, lest they get their eyes literally scratched out of their heads. A small gaggle came into view, with three flags standing in front of them. Sung could make out the standards, Aurigan, Canopean, and Taurian. They were limp in against their standards, but still, the colors of their flags made them unmistakable. And the uniforms are all wrong for Fedrats, or their Steiner lackeys.

The jeep came to a halt with a spray of sand, and as the turbine wound down, Sung practically leapt from the vehicle, her staff in tow. The central figure, wrapped in a shermagh, removed the lower half of it to reveal a craggy, but smiling face. “Colonel Sung? Good day to do the right thing, no?”

Sung nodded and smiled. “Yes Comptroller, it is. My people are starving. And I don’t think we have time for pleasantries.”

Hallaran nodded. “So, do you have any ground rules for us, Colonel?”

Sung laughed. “No, Welcome to Rollis. It seems you are our liberators. But I would recommend you set up shop first in New Harmon, the transportation network here is pretty awful except during trading festivals. And, we do have a problem with bandits raiding convoys around here.”

Hallaran smiled cooly “We can handle the bandits if you can keep a lid on your own people?”

Sung nodded. “I think, Comptroller, this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.”

Hallaran’s smile went wide “And we like the same movies too. Yes, Colonel, we’re going to get along just fine.” He turned to an aide. “Get them down, Lenny. Let’s get to doing what we came here to do.”

The Taurian staff officer nodded and turned to an RTO, who began to read out rapid fire instructions to the ships still orbiting above.

“So, Comptroller. I happen to have been saving a bottle of fine 3000 Sian Whiskey for a special occasion. This I think qualifies?”

Hallaran nodded, it does, and I am damn thirsty. Tell me it’s Xiao Tung?”

Sung nodded with a smile of her own.

After an aide quickly produced a pair of paper cups, Sung gingerly poured the amber liquid, which was rich and played joyfully with the light.

“Colonel, shall we drink to Rollis. Her recovery and her future?”

Sung nodded, and they both knocked back their shots quickly. “Comptroller, I have to know one thing. Why?”

“Colonel, simple. The Confederation is falling apart. Who knows if or when it will reform? And what form it will take. Rollis, long ago, was once ours. Hasn’t been for a long time, but we couldn’t sit by and do nothing anymore. Not and call ourselves human beings. So, we put out the call. And we were a little surprised by who showed up.”

“We are too, Comptroller. But it’s bought my people their lives. And for that, Rollis, and my Cuirassiers will be forever grateful.”

While the buildup of Andurien troops along the Capellan border had been going on since May, no one expected the size of the offensive by the Anduriens into the dying Confederation. It was a surprise they had any armed forces at all to speak of after their abortive rebellion of 20-odd years before. The reaction to the move was, on the whole, mixed, with the Capellans protesting to the League, who shrugged and said they couldn’t reign them in, Home Defense Act and all. The FedCom’s response could be summed up as “Ok, but Sian is ours and stay the hell out of our way.” The rest of the Inner Sphere simply reacted with a collective shrug. Most other nations had their own troubles at the moment…”

Whoops! An Irreverent View of the Politics of the War of ’56 by Dr. Anton Drake, Federated Academic Press, New Avalon, 3060

We told him it would happen! Why would he be shocked? I mean, he [Sun-Tsu] reads a damn holomap, right? (laughs manically) He really didn’t read the report we sent him. Not a surprise. He’s gone mad, you know. (subject screams in pain). WHAT! Like I am going to deny it now? I am a dead man. I am not walking out of here alive. No one does! So, kill me. Kill me and spare me the sight of the Fedrats and Andurien fighting over the dead husk of Sian!

Taken from the Interrogation transcript of former Sub-Commander Tzhao Foon, FWL Desk, Maskirovka Analysis Section. August 19th, 3057. Sub-Commander Foon was interrogated for nineteen hours in the infamous “Iron Jade” Prison Complex in the Forbidden City on Sian after his arrest and was executed for treason three days later. The partial transcript, found damaged by fire, was found in the ruins of the prison on September 19th, 3057 by FC troops.


Operation Keravnos

Wave 1 (August-September 3057):

Betelgeuse
Attacking Forces: 1st Defenders of Andurien Regiment (Green Medium-weight ‘Mech regiment plus a brigade of combined arms troops), Burrow’s Crashing Thunder Regiment, and one battalion of three company sized mercenary units organized as 1st Provisional Battalion.

Defending Forces: 2 Battalions of Warrior House Kamata (1 Green and 1 Veteran Battalion), Betelgeuse Home Guard (3 combined arms regiments)

Results: The Capellan defenders fought with the strength of men possessed. House Kamata offered no quarter and asked for none, fighting to the last in a swirling mobile battle not far from the Andurien LZs. After eighteen hours of fighting, neither battalion of House Kamata was left, but they had dealt 40% casualties to the 1st Defenders of Andurien, and it had taken Burrow’s Crashing Thunder Regiment intervening to save the Defenders from complete collapse. Once House Kamata had been destroyed, the Home Guard surrendered the next day.

Sigma Mare
Attackers: 2nd Defenders of Andurien (Regular Medium weight ‘Mech regiment, and a combined arms brigade), St. Cyr Heavy Assault Regiment, Lone Star Regiment

Defenders: Sigma Mare Home Guard

Results: The defenders of Sigma Mare, cut off from any help, and not having had orders from Sian in months, surrendered after a short fight at the Andurien LZs.

Shiba
Attackers: 3rd Defenders of Andurien (Veteran Heavy weight ‘Mech regiment, and a combined arms brigade), Contessa’s Killers (Veteran Assault ‘Mech Battalion

Defenders: Shiba Home Guard

Results: The defenders of Shiba tried to fight a mobile campaign, but they could not compete with the mobility of the 3rd who often pinned the Home Guard in place to be shattered by the Killers. Within a week, the Shiba Home Guard surrendered.

Niomede
Attackers: 4th Defenders of Andurien (Green Light-weight ‘Mech regiment, and a combined arms brigade).

Defenders: Niomede Home Guard

Results: The Niomede Home Guard made one disastrous attempt to hold the 4th short of the planetary capitol, facing them at the all-important crossing of the Shenpo river at Tivington. The defense of the bridge was successful for a week, until a battalion of Andurien hover tanks, backed by light mechs walking across the bottom, forced a crossing some six km downstream and flanked the Home Guard, destroying them in a two-day encirclement battle. Barely three battalions from the brigade strength home guard survived to surrender.

*****************************************

“THIS IS GREYJOY ACTUAL TO ALL CALLSIGNS. LAND THE LANDING FORCE AS PER OPTION BRAVO. RPT, LAND THE LANDING FORCE AS PER OPTION BRAVO. GOOD LUCK AND GOD SPEED.
Sent from Command Jumpship “FCN Journe’s Journey” to all allied callsigns in Sian space, August 19th, 3057
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: PsihoKekec on 09 October 2019, 00:44:20
Where did the Defenders of Andurien come from? Did they rebadge Legionnaires for somewhat plausible deniability?
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Zureal on 09 October 2019, 00:49:00
I am sort of surprised the defenders did so well against a worrior house. I hope the FedCom does not decide to do the foolish thing and keep Capcon as a seperate state -_-, they just need to eat all of it and be done with it. They gave them a shot after all and that lead to this.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Sharpnel on 09 October 2019, 01:28:12
Where did the Defenders of Andurien come from? Did they rebadge Legionnaires for somewhat plausible deniability?
AFAIK, yes
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Chris OFarrell on 10 October 2019, 03:49:59
Welp, here we go. Sian, gonna be the ultimate test of AFFC steel and nerve.
This grips me more than would a muddy river river or reclining Buddha :P

Seriously though, I hope the AFFC has taken meticulous planning for this and has a glut of resources on hand, because its going to be nasty. But necessary.

Of course, the question still needs to be answered ... WHERE exactly is Kai? :)
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: marauder648 on 10 October 2019, 06:08:10
Wow, powerful stuff as always and if Sunny has his way Sian is going to be like Stalingrad with similar casualty levels.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Sir Chaos on 10 October 2019, 06:33:01
Wow, powerful stuff as always and if Sunny has his way Sian is going to be like Stalingrad with similar casualty levels.

Stalingrad?

This is going to make Operation Olympic look like fun and games in comparison.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: marauder648 on 10 October 2019, 07:52:33
Stalingrad?

This is going to make Operation Olympic look like fun and games in comparison.

Aye :s
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: RolandHTG on 10 October 2019, 07:59:46
Of Course, it could be subverted....if Kai gets on planet with his Green Pigeon buddies, and schwacks his cousin first.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: marauder648 on 10 October 2019, 08:30:36
Of Course, it could be subverted....if Kai gets on planet with his Green Pigeon buddies, and schwacks his cousin first.

Aye, or Kai and the ex Clanners role is to rip and tear a hole in the Cappies defences that you can fit several RCT's into and to take/hold a LZ.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: RolandHTG on 10 October 2019, 11:37:40
Part of me think as soon as its known Kai is in system, a whole chunk of the CCAF command structure is going to get the idea that he's a viable candidate for the Celestrial Throne
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: marauder648 on 10 October 2019, 11:40:20
Part of me think as soon as its known Kai is in system, a whole chunk of the CCAF command structure is going to get the idea that he's a viable candidate for the Celestrial Throne

Ooh good point, but that depends on the Death Commandos and if they are in the room. Perhaps if the Death Commando's were removed from the playing board then 'ol Sunny might get a splitting head ache and Kai and the Falcons could be landing as that anvil for the Death Commando's to dash themselves against because i'd bet that Sunny would order his best troops to try and kill Kai.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: smdvogrin on 11 October 2019, 09:24:57
Of Course, it could be subverted....if Kai gets on planet with his Green Pigeon buddies, and schwacks his cousin first.

"Members of the CCAF, you are sworn to the service of House Liao.  As of 15 minutes ago, I AM House Liao."
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Sir Chaos on 11 October 2019, 10:10:59
"Members of the CCAF, you are sworn to the service of House Liao.  As of 15 minutes ago, I AM House Liao."

If that means no more war against the FedCom, I suspect most of them will accept that very quickly.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 29 November 2019, 15:47:35
Sian’s Agony, Part 1

Excerpt from “Gotterdammerung in the Confederation” by Johan Vyborg, Coventry Press, 3061

“…the initial fight for Sian commenced on the 6th of August, 3057 (as opposed to the popular start of the battle on the 19th, when the actual landings commenced). The fight began with the arrival of 10 Federated Commonwealth RCTs in system, one of the largest assemblance of jumpships in recent memory, with some 600 aerospace fighters escorting the force in. (there were some attached “free aerospace wings taken from various Capellan March commands to ensure extra escort fighters for the drop). The FC forces arrived at the zenith and nadir points a bit disorganized, and spent the next day reorganizing their formations for the ten day burn into to the system mainworld.

The Capellans had half as many aerospace fighters as the FC forces. With the exception of the fighters from House Imarra, the Red Lancers, and some small units made up of instructor cadre from a variety of aerospace schools on planet, most were with low time pilots and were hastily trained and held in reserve for the defense of the planet. Their training consisted of little more than how to keep the fighter in the air, and were taught to ignore all else and go for the transports. This wound up with them becoming easy meat for the FC fighter pilots who were left wondering why their prey did not maneuver to save themselves.

In one tragic case on the 9th of August, a fēng bào zǔ or stormgroup, of 18 student pilots and two instructors from the Footnot Flight Academy took their F-10 Cheetahs launched a ramming attack on the dropships belonging to the 6th Syrtis Fusiliers. One of the fighters got through the fighter screen, and badly damaged the Union-Class dropship Eye of Mendham. The Eye of Mendham managed to offload most of her passengers and cargo before the onboard fires caused a massive structural failure, killing most of the crew. It was a foreshadowing of things to come.

By the time the FC achieved orbit on the 17th of August, the Capellan aerospace response was disjointed, and spent, with over half their fighters having been shot down, or too badly damaged to repair. The overall FC commander, Marshal Linda Archer, ordered that the aerospace forces suppress all aerospace fields, military and civilian within 300km of the dropzone on Wuhan. The two-day battle, saw moderate casualties among the FC aerospace forces, mostly due to ground fire. However, it managed to succeed in destroying most of the remaining Capellan aerospace units, as well as suppressing a fair amount of the Capellan IAD (integrated air defense) network.

Thus, on the 19th of August, the fateful order was given to ‘land the landing force’.”

Sian, Part 1
Attacking Forces: 6th Syrtis Fusiliers RCT, 1st Davion Guards RCT, 4th Davion Guards RCT, 3rd Crucis Lancers RCT, 6th Crucis Lancers RCT, 7th Crucis Lancers RCT, 1st Ceti Hussars RCT, 3rd Royal Guards RCT, Davion Light Guards RCT, 10th Deneb Light Cavalry RCT, 1st Federated Suns Armored Cavalry, 1st Kell Hounds, Jade Phoenix Cluster, 10 artillery brigades.

Defending Forces: House Immarra, Red Lancers, 4th Tau Ceti Rangers (battalion), WOBM 2nd Division, WOBM 3rd Division, 1st People’s Loyalty Regiment (Regular/Fanatical regiment made up of comb outs and convalescents with battlemech experience, leavened with instructors from the Sian Center for Martial Disciplines, as well as survivors of several units destroyed during Active Panther). 1 battalion of Death Commandos. 3 combined arms divisions of the Sian Home Guard, and 150 “Victory Battalions” (75 of which are on Wuhan).

Results: The initial landings took place in and around Jade Lake, a major city some 50km from the ultimate objective of the Forbidden City itself. A coup de main on the Forbidden City was considered, but it was felt that the defenses were too strong for any coup de main force to hold for any appreciable length of time for a relief force to arrive. The initial landings were conducted by Combat Command Charlie, 1st Ceti Hussars, as well as Jade Phoenix Cluster. Initial contacts with the enemy were sporadic, mostly with light elements of “Peoples Victory Battalions” who were often caught in the process of mobilizing, and easily disarmed or dispersed. This lulled a lot of the FC troops into a false sense of security, and belied what was to come.

On the night of the 21st, as the Davion Light Guards began to probe towards Belin on State Highway Six towards the Forbidden city, Charlie company of the 1st Battalion ran into a major Capellan force consisting of Victory Battalions, Home Guard, and a company of Death Commandos who slipped in behind Charlie Company. A relief force consisting of most of Vanuvar’s Battalion of the 7th Crucis Lancers had to fight their way through a series of ambushes conducted by Home Guard and Victory Battalion elements, and took moderate casualties, but took until the next morning to relieve Charlie company. Charlie company had only 40% strength left, having had to fight off battalion sized infantry human wave attacks, as well as probing raids by enemy ‘Mechs piloted by some of the best ‘Mechwarriors in the Confederation. The push for Belin continued, with the 3rd Royal Guards attempting to force a crossing across the Perfume river to the south and envelop the city or flank it and steal a march towards the Forbidden City. Both options went awry. First, the 3rd Royal Guards ran into fanatical resistance from Victory Battalion and Home Guard elements, reinforced by elements by a Level III of WOBM. It took six critical hours to force the crossing, and the lead ‘Mech battalion of the 3rd took 25% casualties. The advance down State Highway Six fared little better, with the 7th barely making any progress against elements of the Death Commandos, as well as dug in Home Guardsmen and Victory Battalion members. Often, it took brute force and copious amounts of firepower to shift the fanatical Capellans from their positions, but the FC eventually won the fight. The FC’s air dominance also helped, as it paralyzed Capellan troop movements by day, and forced them into a more positional strategy than the military situation dictated.

But, the Capellans were in dire straits. Capellan casualties were mounting, and supplies were running low, as the first two days of fighting had burned off some 40% of the on-planet ammunition reserve. There was talk amongst the remaining elements of the Strategios of using “special weapons” to redress the balance and buy time for reinforcements to arrive, but House Master Ion Rush asked famously “Where are there enough warriors left in the Confederation to do more than welcome their new masters? We are it.” Of course, no one mentioned this to the increasingly mad Sun-Tsu Liao, who demanded increasingly detailed briefings on the military situation, and often interfered in military decisions daily.

State Farming Complex Nineteen
28km from the Forbidden City
Sian
Capellan Confederation
August 23rd, 3057

 Been a shitty time here on Sian, right from the damn start. Sergeant Ben Doorman reflected. His Packrat had been ordered out by the troop commander of the RCT to go “find Capellans and call artillery on them.” While such orders are usually a license for most scouts to have fun and raise hell, on Sian, it was a good way to die. There was a lot of IEDs and vibromines left around, and depending on who laid them, there might or might not be a minefield sketch to capture or interrogate out of someone.
 
His Packrat had been modified, and sported a pair of machine guns and a Beagle Probe vice the SRM-6in a hastily designed turret. They’d also moved the flamer to the front of the vehicle. He loved the Probe, but he wasn’t so damn sure about the SRM-6 being removed. At least they added some bar armor to make up the difference with the damn Capellan V-LAWs. I’ve had everyone and their granny shoot the damn things at me.

 He swung the turret and did a sweep of the barn and the outbuildings again. So far, the probe hadn’t picked anything up. They were trailing behind an infantry screen of seven or so troopers from their own vehicle and had advanced through the open spaces of the farm using what cover they could find. But they’d stayed the hell away from the buildings. All we need is some patriotic Capellan kid or farmhand with a Molotov and an upper floor window. I saw that happen to Bellamy in that village last week. Still can’t get the memory of the screams over the troop radio net out of my head.

 We haven’t taken a lot of prisoners yet. So far, the resistance has been either non-existent, or do-or-die fanatical. Nothing in-between. I guess these folks believe we’ve come to carry off their daughters, enslave their menfolk, and eat their babies. And the worst of it is? I really don’t have the time nor inclination to make them believe otherwise. At least I didn’t have to shoot any kids. Some guys in the infantry companies had had to do that. Not sitting well with some of them, so I hear.
 
He glanced at the Beagle display again. A pair of dots appeared, then more, all centered around the outbuildings. Shit! Before he could shout a warning, a pair of green luminescent fingers reached out towards the infantry, one man being cut in half by a torrent of large caliber rounds, another going down after being caught by two rounds in the chest that the body armor didn’t even stop. A flash then erupted from the room of the barn, a white finger of rocket exhaust stretched out towards the Packrat, which violently lurched to the left and increased speed to avoid the projectile. It overshot the vehicle, and exploded ten meters behind it, the Packrat was at speed now, hitting every bump and undulation in the ground with a violent slam to the occupants of the vehicle.

 Doorman hurriedly slew the turret with a while of protesting hydraulics and snapped off a long burst from the linked machine guns. The staccato burst of the firing sounded like a jackhammer, punctuated by the tinkle of spent brass and links being ejected from the guns. Red tracer ripped out like fingers of death in the general direction of the V-LAW shot, the impacts tearing holes into the barn, and sending pieces of wood flying. The surviving infantry dropped prone and added their own weapons to the cacophony, the barn disappearing into a cloud of shattered wood and dust.

 Doorman clicked the intercom “Buley, get us within flamer range of the Barn and outbuildings. We’re gonna torch these ******.”

“Merkurs, get your scouts tossing smoke and covering me, I am going to torch these buildings and flush these bastards before we lose anyone else, clear?”

“Roger that, boss, try not to die, it’s a long walk home, over.”

“Wilco, Merkurs.”

A small white smoke screen soon blossomed between the buildings and the infantry. The tendrils snaked with the wind, but it did a decent job obscuring things between them and the Capellans. It was on the longish edge of flamer range, but it would have to do. Doorman reflected. He just hoped the Capellans were out of V-LAWs and weren’t trying to suck him in close before firing the next one.

“Ok, Buley, hug the smoke so we can burn that ****** barn!”

The vehicle lurched again, and took off at full speed, bounding over every bump in the ground, shaking Doorman hard, even with the six-point restraints. They pulled up short of the barn, the infantry pouring fire into it to keep the heads down of whomever was in there.

Doorman squeezed the trigger for the flamer, and a gout of flame shot out from the front of the vehicle. The fire hissed and popped like a living, hungry thing as it licked the side of the barn, igniting it within seconds. Doorman gave it another three second burst for good measure, but the barn was fully involved.

Before long, one of the windows burst open, and a woman jumped from the top of the barn, aflame from head to toe. She hit the ground and didn’t get back up. Another figure came out the open barn doors…screaming, but Doorman couldn’t hear what was being said. This one was smaller, obviously a child with a rifle strapped to their back…they too were aflame, their arms flailing as they ran. Suddenly, they dropped like a poleaxed steer. Shit, please tell me there’s not more kids in the other-

A series of sparks and pings erupted from the Packrat as multiple small arms rounds hit the vehicle. A flash then erupted from the building, and the Packrat shuddered, then filled with smoke. Buley was screaming on the intercom. “******! My arm…It’s gone Sarge, it’s gone!” Doorman slammed back a long burst from the machine guns, then grabbed his bailout kit and radio, diving out the infantry bay hatches to the rear. He had to get to the front of the vehicle before…

As he stepped out he realized there was no hope for Buley, the front of the vehicle was aflame, the rocket had arced over the bar armor..and hit the front hydrogen tank for the reactor. Buley was burning alive, and Doorman could do little about it, except run before the hydrogen detonated, so, Doorman took off at a dead run and flopped down to Merkurs.

Merkurs looked at him unceremoniously, “So, we calling for air or artillery?”

“Artillery, I am gonna flatten the shit out of this place.”

Doorman turned his attention to the radio “Stingray Two-Seven to Thor Four-Four, we need fire support at gridref RF11782434, need contact HE, three salvos, danger close, over..”

Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: worktroll on 29 November 2019, 16:22:52
This is going to get uglier before it gets better ...
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: David CGB on 29 November 2019, 19:14:44
This is going to get uglier before it gets better ...
sadly, yes it probably will...
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Chris OFarrell on 30 November 2019, 04:49:32
Much MUCH worse I'm sorry to say it looks like.

Because the AFFC won't take this shit sitting down. The frontline units WILL pull off the kid gloves if you push them hard enough. Deciding that its better to BE the brutal monsters the Crappies accuse you of being if they are going to try to swarm you with suicidal kids and simply bring massive firepower into play to obliterate ANY possible threat...
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: pete879 on 30 November 2019, 05:20:54
Agreed there.

Taking Sian will be a bloody affair. And pacifying it will take a lot more convential troops, especially infantry an BA. Unless of course you choose to just blast the blast the place and be done with it. But that just doesn't sound like the FedCom.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: marauder648 on 30 November 2019, 06:57:18
Blimey...brutal stuff, damn well written though!
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: DOC_Agren on 30 November 2019, 10:09:15
Well written
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: EAGLE 7 on 30 November 2019, 15:22:54
Yes it will get bad, so change rules , go to a siege mentality.
Town X you have 48 hours to point A B C D and surrender.

Civilians move to E- K points , limit 1 bag per person.
Use prisoners to do initial search.
Because they speak the language not so they can be blown up first.
After 48 hours Orbat known enemy defensive points.
Give them another 48 hours to take surrenders.
Use the Fedsun version of Compass call to let everyone know any NBC attacks will be cause for KEW’ng any force responsible , and no surrender taken from WOB and Cap forces.
   To show how benevolent you are just KEW the Palace after the 1st Nuke attack on you.
Broadcast that planet wide and give another 48 hours to surrender.
Your Psyop and intel boffins can guid you on the best response.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: DoctorMonkey on 01 December 2019, 05:28:53
It looks like winning will take a degree of brutality that would negate any benefit from victory for the FedCom
It might be genuinely a better idea to pull back/pull out, place the planet under siege from orbit and use selective orbital strikes or air strikes on appropriate strategic targets (for example, the Forbidden City and about 1km around in 360 degrees and down to about 500m-1000m down below surface level)


View this as a reconnaissance in force


At the risk of looking too much at history, I think this is the difference between invading WW2 Germany or the Soviet Union and invading WW2 Japan - Operation Downfall versus bombing and isolating
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: David CGB on 01 December 2019, 19:11:45
It looks like winning will take a degree of brutality that would negate any benefit from victory for the FedCom
It might be genuinely a better idea to pull back/pull out, place the planet under siege from orbit and use selective orbital strikes or air strikes on appropriate strategic targets (for example, the Forbidden City and about 1km around in 360 degrees and down to about 500m-1000m down below surface level)


View this as a reconnaissance in force


At the risk of looking too much at history, I think this is the difference between invading WW2 Germany or the Soviet Union and invading WW2 Japan - Operation Downfall versus bombing and isolating
Thanks for saying what I was thinking, too much hate being generated for nothing. Why cause more problems then you need?
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: gladius on 01 December 2019, 19:53:44
That’s actually the sort of thing Sunny is hoping will happen, to maximise the amount of anti Commonwealth hate produced during the conquest.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: AlphaMirage on 01 December 2019, 20:40:00
Just blockade the world.  Initiate a psyops campaign against the world broadcasting all the terrible things that the CCAF has done thus far.  Break their will to fight and if Sun Tzu shows his cowardly self, drop a bomb on him.  If he gives up (for whatever reason) put him on trial and against a wall, problem solved.

Its very clear that no one is coming to the Confederation's rescue and even if they did they would provoke a FedCom already on a war footing.  You can intercept dropships with your superior aerospace cover by monitoring the jump points.  Sian is just another world and not even a crucial one infrastructure wise besides being the seat of power.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 01 December 2019, 21:34:30
As bad as this is, the Fedcom isn't left with a lot of choices in their mind? The war has to end soon. The Tamar March is going to cost money to rebuild, the Combine border is tense and needs reinforcing, and the economy is under tons of pressure and will probably have a minor recession once this over.

The war has to end and end decisvely. As much as a blockade would work, it would take time..months, maybe even a year. The FC is at the end of a long rope and this needs to end decisively, for reasons political, and military.

The military reasons are to destroy the Capellan "center of gravity" and remove the constraints of what's left of the military and political leadership to surrender.

The political are more basic. Complete the utter destruction of the Confederation, and demonstrate to the rest of the Inner Sphere what the price of a perfidious stab in the back is. Another related goal is to show that the Federated Commonwealth will pay any price to bring the war an agressor chooses to his very doorstep.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 29 January 2020, 10:22:30
Death Throes, Part 2

“..As the fighting on Sian began it’s final, blood-soaked orchestra of death, the rest of the Confederation dealt with the final stages of the collapse of central authority.  While the Word of Blake did manage to keep the HPG network going, often right up till the very last moments, many civil servants and government or military officials fled one step ahead of enemy troops or starving mobs. Many vanished overnight as August led into September, reappearing in as far-flung places such as Alpheratz or Cormadir.
“Some however, were too slow, the brutal slaughter of the entire ruling family of Prix by a hungry mob numbering 60,000 triggered a wholesale flight of all those who had anything to do with the government and who had the means to flee. Anyone who stayed wound up sharing the fates of the Prixian royal family, who had their beaten and broken bodies left dangling from lamp posts…”
-   “pp. 191, Collapse of the Capellan Nation State, Andrew Ling, Outworlds Press, 3065”

Apartment 335
Gardens Apartments
Pawhuska City
Decatur
Capellan Confederation
September 9th, 3057

  Xu Chi hurriedly packed his bag as he kept one eye on the holovid, the official news hadn’t been on in three days. What was on…was something out of a nightmare. They’d broadcast the show trial and execution of the entire planetary ruling family. Just hung them from lampposts, with the Refractor cheering them on! Probably trying to avoid his own turn at the gallows, the swine!

  Chi was a minor official for the Ministry of Trade and Exchange. His job was to write information security policy for the Capellan Commodities Exchange. That hadn’t meant a damn thing since the Davions had taken Capella. The orders from Sian had become increasingly meaningless as the Capellan economy went into free-fall. It wasn’t long before Chi’s boss locked himself in his office one day and shot himself with his old service pistol. That had been a week ago, and it had been Chi’s last day at work. It wasn’t popular to admit you were a government official, of any government. Mobs of former Home Guardsmen, angry servitors, and basic trainees from the Duchy RTC were roaming the streets, wearing orange armbands and hard looks.

  Anyone associated with the Capellan State, workers, officials, and their families were being hauled up, given the barest pretense of a trial by an angry mob, and shot. The killing had gone on for at least four days, since the palace had been stormed by a mob numbering in the thousands. They’d captured the ruling family, and slaughtered the guards, the ones that had survived long enough to surrender. But what had motivated the riot and orgy of violence? It was a simple protest. It was the ordinary people demanding their rights to food and medicine, as guarantees under the Capellan constitution. They were only asking for what was due. But the problem was? The government didn’t have any food or medical care to give. Everything of that nature that was left, was going to the military and security services. Whole worlds like Decatur, which was mostly water, and overpopulated for the available landmass, were facing a slow die off from the lack of available food, or medical supplies. And anyone associated with the Capellan government was getting the blame. Who could blame them, Sun-Tsu had promised them victory, he’d delivered them death, defeat, and deprivation?

  Chi had gotten a line on a small freighter leaving the Decatur system for Canopus by way of Rollis. He’d already destroyed everything having to do with the office and his former life, having burned it last night in the parking garage. He’d hoped no one had seen him do it, his neighbors were desperate for the food reward one got for turning in government officials and their families. It didn’t help the land lady was an evil go-se. He’d sold pretty much all of the family valuables to afford the exorbitantly expensive seats on the dropship. Chi checked his chrono.  Two hours till departure, ought to be enough time, the dropport is only ten blocks from here. Nice brisk walk, and the weather’s decent. Now just make sure nobody who knows me is out and about.

  Chi made for the door, and took a long look at the apartment, he was leaving a life behind. His moderately expensive entertainment center, a decently (for the time and place) stocked refrigerator, and a decent set of furniture. How will I survive being a refugee? He didn’t know, but he gripped the small, hard object in his jeans pocket. My father’s old backup pistol from his days as a ‘Mechwarrior. Glad I kept it. Even if I could have gotten in a lot of trouble for having it. Chi grabbed a non-descript black ball cap with the logo of a local sports team on the front. He shook his head, and slung his bag over his shoulder, and stepped through the door without a second thought.

  Chi made his way into the hall and glanced both ways. The hall was dimly lit, only one of the four ceiling light panels was working, and there was trash all over the hall, discarded liquor bottles, propaganda broadsheets from the “provisional government” proclaiming a “New Dawn” for Decatur, and to be “on the lookout for traitors from the old regime.” Chi gingerly walked, trying not to make a sound. He’d left the holovid going, as he figured someone would come looking for him sooner or later. Let them think I am still there, I can be well and truly gone before they realize I am not. He gingerly made his way through the debris strewn hall, and to the stairwell, then crept down the stairs and into the lobby.

  The lobby itself was a riot of ruined furniture, more debris, and a sleeping Home Guardsman face down on the couch, his rifle propped up against the couch, his orange armband prominently displaying his loyalty to Decatur’s new masters, whomever they were. That changed with the dawn of each new day as the “revolution” ate its children with alarming regularity. Chi crept by, each step sounding twenty times louder than it probably was. But the Guardsman did not stir. Chi got a better look at him. His almond features were barely old enough to shave. He was unkept, his uniform had stains of blood, and mud, and his boots had a dried brown-grey paste on the soles. There was a smell of vomit, and an empty bottle of a brand of cheap rice wine was askew on the floor next to the couch. Good fortune, this young man is drunk off his ass. His friends aren’t here. Chi took two loping steps for the doors and used his shoulder to open them as he dashed through to the street.

  The sights assailed his senses. To his left, several cars were on fire, one was in the middle of the street, a pair of piles of rags covered in blood lay on either side of the vehicle. I don’t think those are piles of rags, Chi thought. To his right, a man swung slowly from a nearby lamp post. A plastic placard was hung around his neck, and it said in Chinese, “Mask informer and parasite of the people.” The dead man’s face had turned black, and his face was twisted in a rictus of pain and fear. Chi gasped, I cannot waste time, and I have to make my way to the dropport.

  Chi walked calmly in the direction of the dropport, broken glass and gravel crunching under his feet. The smell of smoke and the sounds of gunfire and screams filled the air. Around him, however, the streets were eerily empty, except for the sounds of flames licking at burning cars, or the occasional building. Bodies lay everywhere like puppets with their strings cut. The smell of burning flesh assailed Chi’s nostrils as he continued to walk. He tried not to linger on the sights too long, less his outrage revealed him to some unseen observer.

  Chi’s footsteps echoed the empty streets, as his feet broke into a run, his fear carrying him to the drop port. But, the sight of the entry signs to the drop port stopped him short. The sight instead of easing his fear, gripped his heart firmly and gave him a start. The gate was filled with orange arm banded militiamen. They were in various stages of inebriation, no doubt assisted by the Jade Plum brand rice wine, of which there was copious bottles of in the street. Six or seven bodies lay strewn around the entrance to the dropport, their lifeblood staining the ground from multiple gunshot wounds. Their clothes suggested all of the victims were male, and civilian, or at least dressed in civilian clothes.

  Oh no, what do I do? Brazen it out? Run? Walk away? Chi lingered a second two long. One or two of the milling militiamen noticed him, and shouted for him to come over, their faces contorted into drunken, angry scowls. One pulled a pistol and pointed it at Chi, who promptly dropped his bag and took off at a dead run. Several puffs of disturbed dirt and concrete erupted around him to mark missed bullets, as Chi screamed incoherently. He then felt a blow from behind, toppling over and sent sprawling. A pain spread from his back and suddenly, he felt so tired. No, I am so close, so close. His vision began to blur, and he heard the crunch of gravel and a smattering of cruel laughter. A metallic sound soon echoed through his fading hearing. There was a flash, and then Chi saw or felt nothing at all, ever again.
_____________________________________________________________________________________

“Operation Kervanos was at it’s core, a lash-up of an operation. The Duchy of Andurien were lucky in that the CCAF was not anywhere near the top of its form, and that the goals of the operation were limited. But with the near-reverse of fortune on Betelgeuse, the Andurien general staff revised the plans still further and only hit three worlds in the second wave. This did little to endear the general staff with the troops in the field, who felt they could have driven as far as Homestead…”

•   “Operation Kervanos, an Operational Appraisal”, by Force Commander Alan Thyme, FWLM (Ret), for Issue 219, Vol 18 of the Military History Quarterly, Military History Press, Terra, 3061
__________________________________________________________________________________
Operation Kervanos, Wave 2

Wave 2 (September-October 3057)

Kasdach
Attacking Forces: 2nd Defenders of Andurien, St. Cyr Heavy Assault Regiment, Lone Star Regiment

Defending Forces: Kadsach Home Guard

Results: The Kadsach Home Guard surrendered without a shot fired, many on world were happy to greet Andurien troops rather than Federated Commonwealth ones.


Dicon
Attacking Forces: 3rd Defenders of Andurien, Contessa’s Killers

Defending Forces: Dicon Home Guard

Results: The Dicon Home Guard fought with the strength of the desperate and the doomed. They only had a combined arms brigade to hold off the Andurien force, and their ten days of resistance inflicted 10% casualties on the 3rd Defenders of Andurien, but Contessa’s Killers consistently crushed nest after nest of Home Guard resistance. The two surviving battalions surrendered after ten days of resistance.

Buenos Aires
Attacking Forces: 4th Defenders of Andurien

Defending Forces: Buenos Aires Home Guard

Results: A breadbasket world that fed a third of the Confederation, it fell to the Home Guard to defend the world, as it’s regular garrison, the 3rd Battalion of Ishihara’s Grenadiers was destroyed on Manapire earlier in the war. The Home Guard was division-sized, with an integral battlemech battalion made up of mostly 3rd Succession War era gear. The rest of the division was equipped with obsolete equipment, some of it dating back to the 2nd Succession War. However, it’s numbers, and mobilization of at least ten “People’s Victory Battalions” allowed it to have the numbers to counteract the 4th’s superior mobility.

Much of the fighting took place on the planetary land mass, thus sparing most of the sprawling farms that were either underground, or on floating aqua colonies. But, the 4th was soon penned into its LZ, lacking the firepower to break out, as the Home Guard penned in the Andurien troops, but they lacked the firepower to break through the 4th’s perimeter. Both sides soon settled in and waited for help. The Andruiens reinforced first, with Burrow’s Crashing Thunder Regiment arriving on the 15th of October, and performing an avalanche drop onto the western sector of the static perimeter and smashing the Home Guard out of the way. Before long, both regiments had broken out, and managed to cut apart, encircle, and destroy major elements of the Home Guard, with the survivors retreating under pressure to the capital. After another 16 days of brutal house-to-house fighting, the Andurien flag was raised over the Ducal Palace and the surviving Home Guard elements surrendered.

Casualties for the Andurien forces were heavy, with the 4th having taken 30% casualties, and Burrows having lost 20%. Most of the losses were material and were made good by the middle of November.

_____________________________________________________________________________
Lagrange Point
Corodiz
Capellan Confederation
September 14th, 3057

  “I haven’t been able to reach anyone on the surface, sir.” the Sergeant said, her face creased with worry.

  “Keep trying, Sergeant, I’d rather we didn’t have to shoot our way in if we can help it. For all we know, the FedCom beat us there?” Comptroller James Hallaran grimaced. He’d not thought much of the orders to probe towards Corodiz. He'd not thought much of the orders to probe towards Corodiz, it had been a Tauran world at one point, but that had been centuries ago. Can someone please tell me what the hell the Protector is thinking, or why Marshal Doru let him talk him into it? With our luck, the Capellans are rotating units from here into the fighting on Yuris. Held up the Davions for a month. Lord knows, that’s a miracle in and of itself considering the state the Confederation is in. But the fact nobody’s responding to our messages? We’re only 4 days out from landfall at the jump point? Something’s not right here. Something bad.

A naval officer, wearing the rank of a Captain floated over to him, his ebon face was creased with worry, and his eyes bore the strain of command and the additional half a gee of thrust they’d been enduring since they cleared the jump point a day ago.

“Comptroller, something worse. We’ve been in the system a day, and no one from any kind of traffic control or anything else has tried to contact us. We’re getting the automatic nav aids just fine, but I can’t raise a single controller. Our long-range telescopes don’t detect any nuclear clouds or anything like that, but this is ****** strange, and scary.”

“And we’re the only ships in system?” Hallaran asked.

“That we can detect, but orbital space is big, real big, and even an “intervention” force such as ours can be alone until we insert into planetary orbit at times. But we should have been hearing some kind of signals from the ground. As it is, we’re hearing nothing.

“SHIT!” the Sergeant cursed. “Sirs, you gotta hear this. I think we got our answer.” The sergeant’s face was blank and a sheet of white, her green eyes wide with horror. She held out a pair of headphones to Hallaran. “It’s audio only, sir.”

Hallaran nodded and took the headphones.

“To all traffic entering the Corodiz system, this is a quarantine warning. Corodiz is currently suffering a pandemic of what has been identified as a variant of the Edison White Flu. The virus is highly contagious and can be spread through both human saliva, as well as airborne means. The virus has a morbidity rate of 65% and has left 25% of those who have survived with various kinds of neural and brain damage. Do not land on Corodiz. We will not acknowledge any attempt to communicate, turn around and leave our system. We do not wish to infect you. Please pray for us.”

Hallaran grimaced as the message began to repeat. “Jesus, they have a fully blown pandemic down there. So, do we turn around, or do we offer aid, Captain?”

“Don’t you think we should consult with the rest of the task force leaders, sir?”

“I plan to, but seeing as how you are one of them, I wanted your take?”

The captain nodded “Sir, we can’t risk it. If this bug is as virulent as they say? We’re going to have a ship full of dead men before we get back to Rollis. And God help us if this gets back to the Concordat.”

Hallaran nodded, he was thinking of turning around anyhow. This was just too damn risky. But did the Davions do this? He’d been hearing their rhetoric since the terror attacks on New Avalon and elsewhere, but this? It just didn’t seem in character. Perhaps Dr. Reyes will have a better idea of what the hell we’re dealing with here.

“Captain, hold the task force here until we have a better handle on what the hell is going on, and what the hell we’re going to do about it.”

Yuris

Attackers: Team Banzai, Lexington Combat Group (all three regiments), 41st Avalon Hussars RCT

Defenders: House Diadachi, Metal Phalanx Mercenary Battalion, Yuris Home Guard

Results: As the fighting on Yuris ground on, Warrior House Diadachi and the Home Guard went to ground, fighting a guerilla campaign that managed to pin down 5 Davion regiments and wreak a measure of havoc. The Metal Phalanx was not so lucky, and in its own attempt to go into hiding, was discovered and smashed in an 18-hour running fight with Team Banzai. The survivors surrendered the next morning.

6 months before

  Astech Joshua Ford had been worked quite hard in the last three weeks, word had come down from the powers that be that the 5th FedCom RCT was leaving Tsingtang to be moved to New Syrtis to increase security and force protection for various infrastructure targets on world. This was a necessity with all of the Syrtis Fusilier regiments off world either fighting Capellans or mopping up Falcon and Viper die-hards in the Tamar March. New Syrtis had been nervous since the terror attacks that had opened the conflict, including the one that had put Morgan Hasek-Davion in a coma, and killed his wife, Kym Sorenson.

  It’s why Ford was inwardly smiling. He hadn’t always been Joshua Ford. Ford at the end of the day was just another identity he cast off like a pair of dirty socks. He’d be disappearing before the regiment boosted off-world. He just had a small gift to leave behind first.

  He looked up at the FSS Unity, an ovoid, Union-class Dropship with room for 12 BattleMechs and a crew of 14. She had seen better days, she had scorch marks and rain marks galore, a souvenir of multiple re-entries and hard atmospheric use. Her thrust bells were burnt black from hard use as well. And when Ford passed an open personnel hatch, he smelled that “Union smell” which could only be described as a mix between old socks, spoiled milk, and body odor in a horrific mélange that made any non-ship personnel or MechWarriors gag.

  Ford was a known entity amongst the tech crews, having joined the unit with forged orders from a small technical college on Salem that had a good reputation. In truth, Ford had never been to Salem. He’d had technical training, of course. The Maskirovka had trained him for just this sort of thing. The Death Commandos think they have a monopoly on mayhem. They really should think again. They’re so…unsubtle.

  Ford made his way up the gangplank with little effort and waved jauntily to a tech crew that was struggling with a circuitry panel down an adjoining hall. The smell was now mixed with the sounds of large tools, and acetylene as a welder worked on a hull patch for a small leak down the hall from Ford. The welder soon stopped their work, pitched back her helmet, her auburn hair in a ponytail tumbling back as she smiled at Ford. Her shape was hidden under the slate blue coveralls, with a faded 5th FedCom patch on her right breast. I do happen to know how pleasing that shape is, however. Ford smiled inwardly as he remembered their first date.

“Hiya Ford. So, we still on for dinner later?”

“Yes, Marks, we are. I am looking forward to this new place you discovered downtown.”

Poor Marks, she has no idea she’s going to be so useful in my escape. Doubly shame you are going to have to die for that, but things cannot be avoided. Should keep Davion counterintelligence guessing till I can make my escape back across the border. That said, the “device” should not activate until I am well away.

“Marks, I hate to cut this short, but I have to be going, gotta check some functionality issues with the flight control software. Master Tech Hardwell is getting ancy about making sure the RCT is ready to boost on time.”

Marks nodded. “Gotcha, She’s been a real bear. Maybe she’ll let up once we’re in space?”

Ford shook his head no “I doubt it, probably have us polishing and making the ‘Mechs look sparkling. Gotta impress the Acting Duke you know!”

Both shared a chuckle, as Marks waved Ford off.

Ford made his way to the Flight Control main data bus, situated right under the bridge, and plugged in a small 10cm square black box, and then pushed a button, which uploaded a program from the single use hard drive Ford had plugged in. The small light on the box turned from a solid red, then blinked, and then after a few seconds, turned green. It wasn’t long before the light blinked out. Good, the drive just scrubbed itself. Now time to get to work doing what I was assigned to do.

Ford deftly unplugged the drive, then smiled as he broke out his diagnostic tools to find the fault in the RCS software code. The code he’d inserted was simple and would activate randomly once it detected the main drive had been activated. And it would all look like a horrible accident, at least long enough for Ford to get clear of Tsingtang. And I will make sure this Dropship doesn’t serve the Davions anymore. If we’re really lucky, they’ll ground a bunch more fearing this is a widespread fault in the entire fleet! Subtle, simple, and helps the Capellan state.
______________________________________________________________________________

“New Syrtis Deep Space, this is dropship FSS Unity, we have a cargo of 12 mechs for the 5th Fedcom aboard, and we are declaring an emergency, we have cleared atmo and we have lost all RCS function, and we have an engine fire. Please advise.”

“FSS Unity, do you have any steering, over?”

“Negative, we are coming down like a rock, and our ‘Mechs are not in the drop cradles, over?”

“Unity, I am scrambling fighters from Hasek Aerospace Field, you know what they have orders to do if you cannot get control back in the next two minutes. Your impact is projected to be downtown Saso city.”

“Understood New Syrtis. I am getting my boys and girls to the pods, I am staying, my ship, my responsibility.”

“Say souls aboard Unity?”

“Including the ‘jocks and techs? 57. We’re ejecting now. Get those fighters here soonest, New Syrtis. I’ve lost all helm in this ship, and we’re about 20,000 meters AGL and falling like a rock…”

-   Transcripts of radio communication between FSS Unity and New Syrtis Deep Space Control, September 19th, 3057, taken from the official accident investigation. The FSS Unity lost all RCS and main thrust control on approach to Saso spaceport. She impacted in the suburbs of Saso city, scoring a direct hit on Hasek Memorial Hospital, killing another 350 and injuring 500, including the dead was Morgan Hasek-Davion, who was in a coma being treated in the hospital’s ICU. It would be revealed post war that the cause of the accident was Maskirovka sabotage of the flight computer during a routine A level check.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: marauder648 on 29 January 2020, 12:46:44
Jesus...its turning into a bloodbath. And we've not even gotten to Sian yet. Damn well written though!
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Takiro on 30 January 2020, 05:55:03
Pretty brutal, excellently written. Looking forward to more.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Zureal on 07 February 2020, 01:40:15
wELL.... that hurt
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 15 April 2020, 11:07:42
Sian’s Agony, Part 2

“Minor spoiling attacks against the Davion spearheads have continued to little if any effect. We expect the final Davion assault on the Forbidden City will begin on or around the 10th of October.”

-   Excerpt from Strategos War Diary, September 26th, 3056


State Highway 9
35km East of Benin, Wuhan Continent
Sian
Capellan Confederation
September 24th, 3057

  Dong Aslanov was tired. He’d been in a muddy morass of a stinking hole in the ground that had been charitably called a fighting position for ten days now. He was no soldier, he stood barely 1.5 meters tall, and weighed 59 kilos, soaking wet. He was picked last for team sports, and he was never without his inhaler for his ever-present asthma. His Adam’s apple was the most prominent feature on his almond skinned face, other than his soda bottle like glasses, with their thick lenses to make up for his awful eyesight. His light almond shaded skin was now almost white from the fear that was now ever-present in Dong’s life. Another batch of enemy shells landed some distance to his left, announcing their arrival with a loud CRUMP. Dong flinched, making sure his Sergeant didn’t see, and beat him with his bamboo cane again for “showing un-Capellan behavior.”

  Yet someone had handed him 25 kilos worth of gear, a 4-kilo rifle, and topped it off with a helmet that was nearly a kilo that left him with near permanent neck pain. He’d sworn he’d lost a few centimeters in height just being weighed down with all the gear they’d handed him. It stunk from the smells of mildew, and the stale air of the warehouse it had been kept in. The two-kilometer road march alone to the charitably named “Sun-Tsu Line” had nearly killed him, and the one-armed Home Guardsman who was the appointed minder for his class had done little more than reinforce the bullying he’d already gotten from his classmates on a regular basis. “Davionist scum” and “weakling” were two of Sergeant Xu’s favorites.

  He’d been paired with another boy, Yong Guo. He was even smaller than Dong, if it could be believed, and was a seventh-year student at the Wuhan Eastern District Intermediate School. He too was often bulled by his classmates, but he’d done better on the roadmarch, helping Dong through the worst of it. But that had been three days ago. Yong had gone to answer a call of nature one night, and he hadn’t returned. Dong had hoped he’d ran off. Someone needs to survive this. Someone needs to tell the story of this criminal waste of our young lives. I am only thirteen, and I don’t want to die, especially not here in some farmer’s field, where I’ll simply be shoved into some mass grave by the Davions and forgotten about.

  Dong thought of his family. His father had been a tank commander with the 1st Ariana Grenadiers during the 4th Succession War, but he’d surrendered, and upon his repatriation to the Confederation, was made a servitor. His mother was a seamstress, who was also made a servitor, and the family barely made enough to survive in the slums of Benin. And now I’m being asked to die for a state that barely acknowledges my father’s sacrifice. And if I say as much? I will be shot by that petty tyrant in the name of a Chancellor who has led us to ruin. 
  Dong continued to watch his sector till he felt a hard WHACK to the rear of his helmet, the impact drove his helmet over his eyes and sent Dong sprawling into the front wall of his “position.” His rifle slipped from his hands and fell into the muck at his feet. Sergeant Xu, he’s come to torment me again.

  Xu jumped jauntily into Don’s position, then turned Dong around roughly to face him. Xu was an ugly man, with a face like a pig even before it had been turned into a cobweb of scars and burns. Half of his teeth were gone, and the rest were stained with the brown residue of someone who was a habitual faisal root user. But his uniform, even in this muck and blood, was immaculate. As his father put it, Xu was the kind of sergeant the officers loved, and the men hated.

  Èr bǎi wǔ! Dong, you are a useless fool. Your mother shamed the state giving birth to someone as weak as you. cào nǐ mā! Well, you might redeem yourself anyway, you scrawny little loser. We’re being asked to attack the Davions to relieve pressure on our brave ‘Mechwarriors to the south of there. All you have to do boy, is fix your bayonet, and listen for the whistle. Then, proceed towards the Davion lines as fast as you can manage, preferably not tripping over your own two feet, you oaf. Then, if you can manage it, see if you can kill a Davion before you die? The state’s asking each of you scrawny bastards kill five, but with you, Dong? I’ll be happy if you manage one.” Xu punctuated his last point by hocking up a glob of plant matter and mucous and spitting it on Dong’s boot. He shook his head. “Clean that up, and clean up your rifle, be glad I don’t beat you for dropping it. We jump off in thirty minutes, so I don’t have the time. But I expect you to remind me so I can administer the proper corrective action later, you fool.”

  Xu shook his head again and lifted himself out of Dong’s hole, whistling the theme to a particularly odious bit of State entertainment programming on the Tri-V that had been popular a decade ago. Dong wanted to cry with frustration, or shoot Xu, he hadn’t decided. What’s the worst they do, hang me? At least I don’t get pulped beyond recognition by some Davion ‘Mech. He reached for the buttstock of his weapon and pulled out his cleaning kit, and began to clean his rifle as best as he could, with an oily rag, and a rusty pull through, the rifle itself coming apart a little too easily for Dong’s taste. He’d remembered the five rounds they’d all been allowed to fire before they’d left on their march to the front. He had barely managed to hit the 100-meter target, and every shot seemed to threaten to have the ancient rifle come apart in his hands. I suppose it was better than that poor kid they saddled with the Light Machine Gun, he had to break open his weapon to reload it with a damn hammer.

  The waiting was the worst part, worse than the food, which tasted lousy, and there was never enough of. Or the sludge they called coffee, which one had to choke down with some of the ration biscuits. Why bother to feed us well? We’re not going to live out the week anyhow? He heard the base roar of an artillery piece going off behind him some distance to the rear, then another, and finally, several more had picked up into a steady rhythm. A high-pitched whine drew his eyes upwards as he saw a quartet of Mechbuster fighters pass overhead, their wings laden with ovoid shaped bombs and inferno canisters. I haven’t seen any of our fighters since this all began…where the hell have they been?

  Dong felt a small sliver of hope. If they were getting a modicum of air and artillery support for this attack, maybe, just maybe there was a chance he might walk away from this? Maybe this was the beginning of the counterattack that would save Sian!? Dong’s thoughts were interrupted by the shrill cry of Xu’s whistle, it was time. A roar erupted from the throats of Dong’s platoon, equal parts angry, and afraid as they left from their fighting positions, barely seconds after the artillery lifted.

  Dong broke into a trot, his rifle held level with his waist, his bayonet gleaming off of the early morning sun, rising in the east, behind the attackers. Please let it blind a Davion machine gunner or two. The platoon of grey-green clad men and women shook out into a rough formation, their trot kicking up dust and clods of turf as they moved ever closer to the Davion outpost line, the ruined obstacles of tanglefoot barbed wire and cheval de frise resolving themselves ever clearer with every step Dong took. His breath became bits of steam in the early morning air, as he began to break into a run. Perhaps the Davions are all dead, perhaps-

  Dong’s dreams of victory died on the lips of his mind as red fingers of death reached out from the Davion outpost line and speared the girl next to him in a gout of blood and viscera. She was literally torn apart by at least a dozen rounds. The ground around Dong exploded, and all became dust and smoke as he was literally thrown to the ground, his helmet gone flying. Jesus, we’ve walked into an enemy kill sack!

  The Davion mortars were methodical, they worked the entire attack over from left to right, anyone who bunched up immediately invited attack, and anyone who was still standing got attention from the machine guns, which sent the survivors spinning to the ground in sprays of blood and flesh. Screams and moans filled the air.
 
  One boy, Kaganov, who had boasted how tough he was, well, he wasn’t so tough now, he was trying to hold his intestines in as he screamed for his mother. There was nothing that could be done for him. Sergeant Xu walked up to him, and ended his torment with a single pistol shot to the head, but put two more into his chest for good measure.

  Xu looked around, other than a bit of mud and dust on his uniform, he was unfazed. He screamed “Get up and follow me if you’re still alive. The Chancellor, and I expect this attack to succeed as long as one of you live!”
  Surprisingly, Dong didn’t even think about it. He shook himself, grabbed his rifle, and got up with the rest of the screaming throng, shouting an incoherent guttural roar that was probably supposed to sound patriotic, but really betrayed the fact everyone was probably just screaming it to feel less afraid then they probably were.

  The Davion mortar fire had ceased, but the machine guns and now rifle fire was picking more and more of the Capellan attack, thinning their numbers ever more as they closed the distance. Dong was somehow, still alive. Nine hells, I may live through this! I may- It was then the slight ground tremor was felt, and the ominous, rhythmic thumping was heard. It could only mean one thing. Battlemech. Oh no, it’s coming from the Davion line! It’s one of- The ground crashed as a jet of flame appeared some 100 meters to Dong’s front and a humanoid mech, whose arms ended in brass nozzles landed in a semi-crouch. The ‘Mech was in a woodland camo scheme, but the unit insignia was unmistakable, that of the Davion Light Guards, and worse, it was a Firestarter.

  Several men and women in Dong’s platoon broke and ran just seeing their worst nightmare, no sane person wanting to be burned alive. Xu shot the nearest one with his pistol screaming “You won’t get far, traitors! The Mask’s got Special Loyalty Battalions waiting for you!” But Xu had drawn attention to himself, and the Firestarter soon loped over to a spot some 40 meters away from him, and fired one of it’s Flamers. Xu disappeared in a torrent of superheated flame, being cooked to dust in a near instant, but not before his horrified scream was cut short.

  This broke the resolve of the remaining Capellans, who promptly fled towards their own lines, tossing away rifles, web gear, helmets, anything that slowed them down. There was now a lance of Davion ‘Mechs now, firing machine guns and flamers into any Capellan that stopped running. Dong took off for his own lines in a dead run, his helmet and rifle left behind as just things that would slow him down, when he heard a cry to his left.

  It was a young woman, Cassandra Lu. She had been Dong’s lab partner in school, back when that had mattered. She was a lithe, short girl, with jet black hair, and glasses that took up a good chunk of her face. She was as Dong put it “nerd beautiful.” But now, her left leg had been traumatically amputated below the knee, shards of bone were protruding from the wound, and crimson ichor pumped like a hose, as she whimpered and cried in what could only be serious amounts of pain. Dong stopped, and ran over to Cassandra. He smiled at her, “Hi Cassie, need a lift?”

“Yes,” she said through gritted teeth “Please get me out of here, I don’t want to burn!”

Dong nodded and grabbed the front of Cassie’s tunic in an attempt to try a fireman’s carry. But he suddenly noticed the footfalls of the ‘Mechs getting louder. And then, a metallic sounding voice echoed throughout the plain:
 
“HANDS UP CAPPIE, OR I AM GOING TO BURN YOU!”

  Dong turned, he saw the Firestarter was now at the apex of a triangular formation, with a pair of Wasps to his left, and a Javelin to his right. Dong put his hands up slowly.

  He turned to Cassie. “Cassandra, don’t do anything stupid. We’re going to survive this, if we’re smart.” Cassandra nodded, and whimpered in pain.
 
 The Davion mech spoke again:

“YOU A MEDIC? WHERE’S YOUR ARMBAND?”

  “No, sir.” Dong said, gulping as he said so. He’d never been so damn scared in his life. He was here, unarmed, facing down four Davion ‘Mechs that had annihilated most of his platoon in little under a few minutes. “I wish to surrender. Both of us do.”

“ROGER THAT, DON’T DO ANYTHING DUMB CAPPIE, STAY RIGHT THERE AND THE INFANTRY WILL COME COLLECT YOU. YOU NEED ANY HELP WITH THAT WOUNDED GIRL?”

  Dong nodded, and after a few seconds, the hatch on one of the Wasps popped open and a rope ladder appeared, with the warrior shimmying down it with practiced ease, she ran over at a dead run with a medical kit bouncing against her scantily clad hip. She was short, barely one and a half meters tall, without an inch of fat, and from what he could tell peeking out of her neurohelmet, the reddest hair he’d ever seen. She was to Dong and Lu in an instant. She grimaced as she saw Lu’s wound.
 
  “Corporal Danielle Finch, Able’s Pursuit Lance, Foxtrot Company, Jenner’s Battalion, Davion Light Guards. I’ll save the ‘you are my prisoner speech?’ Let’s focus on saving your friend. Lucky for you? I was a 3rd year med student. Damn well wish Doc. Y could see me now.”

“…Operations are expected to resume within the next week or so as we reconstitute units in the leading formations. We’ve taken especially heavy casualties in infantry formations, and the Capellans have mostly proven to be fanatical, with little quarter asked or given. But, per your instructions, I have told the front-line units to try…”

 -Excerpt from letter from Marshal Linda Archer to Acting First Princess Katherine Steiner-Davion, dated October 1, 3056

Sian, Part 2
Attacking Forces: 6th Syrtis Fusiliers RCT, 1st Davion Guards RCT, 4th Davion Guards RCT, 3rd Crucis Lancers RCT, 6th Crucis Lancers RCT, 7th Crucis Lancers RCT, 1st Ceti Hussars RCT, 3rd Royal Guards RCT, Davion Light Guards RCT, 10th Deneb Light Cavalry RCT, 1st Federated Suns Armored Cavalry, 1st Kell Hounds, Jade Phoenix Cluster, 10 artillery brigades.

Defending Forces: House Immarra, Red Lancers, 4th Tau Ceti Rangers (battalion), WOBM 2nd Division, WOBM 3rd Division, 1st People’s Loyalty Regiment (Regular/Fanatical regiment made up of comb outs and convalescents with battlemech experience, leavened with instructors from the Sian Center for Martial Disciplines, as well as survivors of several units destroyed during Active Panther). 1 battalion of Death Commandos. 3 combined arms divisions of the Sian Home Guard, and 150 “Victory Battalions” (75 of which are on Wuhan).

Results:  Operations began to slow in tempo as September rolled on, as casualties in Fedcom reconnaissance and infantry units began to climb. The Capellans fought for every acre, but it did little but delay the inevitable. By September the 20th, Benin was surrounded, and elements of the 3rd Royal Guards had begun to fight their way through to the city center through an estimated 10 Victory Battalions that had been left behind to defend the city.

In other actions, the various ‘Mech regiments spent most of the first half of September jockeying for position for the inevitable FC push towards Sian. The FedCom commanders were content to await the arrival of the 4th Donegal Guards RCT and the 5th FedCom RCT to ease their rear area situation before beginning the final push on the Forbidden City itself, there was some debate, however, to a proposal brought forward by none other than Kai Allard-Liao himself, of executing a coup de main on the Chancellor’s palace using his Jade Phoenix Battalion and the 1st Ceti Hussars.

Marshal Archer was somewhat skeptical of the plan, as it was still some 80 kilometers to the Forbidden City, and the terrain between them and the FC lines was of an increasingly tropical nature, and it would be a defender’s dream to fight in that, thus slowing down the FedCom advance. One staff officer said “Is Kai cribbing notes from Arnhem?”

But Kai had another concern, he knew he was all that was left approaching a tomorrow for the Confederation, but what kind of tomorrow would be left if Sian was burnt to a husk. It was time to end the fight now. Marshal Archer was given to bold action, and she liked the idea, if not necessarily the execution of the plan.

She made Kai revise it, and she told him “You drop on the palace, and everybody goes in at once. No multiple drops. And you will get all the air support you need.” After a final review, she signed off on Operation Shattered Dao on the night of the 28th of September.

More ominously for the Capellans, during a conference with Sun-Tsu, his newly formed "defense council" which had replaced the now-disfavored Strategos had informed him that there was perhaps enough ammunition, POL, and fuel to defend Sian for another month, and that surrender would at that point be a given, lest the Chancellor insist they fight 'Mechs with sticks. The Chancellor smiled, and said "What of our special weapons?" While the council managed to again talk Sun-Tsu out of their use yet again, it became clear that the Chancellor was losing touch with reality.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: mikecj on 15 April 2020, 16:19:16
Won't be long now.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: snakespinner on 15 April 2020, 19:03:04
Special weapons, oh the really big sticks. :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Chris OFarrell on 15 April 2020, 19:09:31
Gonna be hillarious when Kai and a double metric shit ton of Elementals avalanche drop on the Forbidden Palace and Kai announces he has come to take the Throne of the Confederation and end the madness ... and Kai finds the entire Forbidden city all but falling over itself to throw a bound and gagged and furiously screaming Sun Tzu at Yen-Lo-Wang's feet and beg him to get his ass on the Celestial Throne NOW before the AFFS arrive...

 :D :D
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Sir Chaos on 16 April 2020, 02:15:03
Special weapons, oh the really big sticks. :thumbsup:

Yes, politics a la Theodore Roosevelt, 31st century edition: Screech madly, and carry a big stick.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: marauder648 on 16 April 2020, 04:24:16
Brutal stuff but superbly well written for sure! Something tells me that this will forever be remembered as Bloody Sian.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: PsihoKekec on 16 April 2020, 12:34:17
What would be defending force of the palace? I reckon Red Lancers and House Immara have at least 50% of forces at the frontline.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Takiro on 16 April 2020, 18:45:43
Like the sound of Operation Shattered Dao!
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 27 May 2020, 16:55:32
Main Briefing Room
Mount Davion
New Avalon
Crucis March
Federated Commonwealth
September 26th, 3057

  Katherine Steiner-Davion looked over the wreckage of the recently concluded briefing. The map of the planets remaining to the Confederation burned into her brain. Yuris still flashed between the gold of the Commonwealth, and the green of the Confederation. It did so more brightly with Sian, and half a dozen other worlds alternated between purple and green along the Capellan-League border. All hell has broken loose there, but it's all the doing of the various regional militaries, Corrine has yet to mobilize the Federal units, heck, she's called her volunteers home, well, mostly. She's not giving up Van Diemen IV, Elnath, or Corey. Not happy about that, but that may be a problem to settle later.

  Her attention returned to Sian, as her blue eyes took in the readouts displaying the latest information from the fighting. Her briefers from DMI and the AFFS had been very thorough in breaking it down for her, but she still felt there was something missing. And she had severe misgivings about Kai's idea of an avalanche drop on the Forbidden City. One of the briefers said we'd lose a third of the droppers before they even hit ground, and half the total force in the fighting, and that was assuming total success, and relief within five days, which I am not sure is possible. Neither was Jackson, which concerns me.

  A cough disturbed her reverie. She turned with a start, it was her brother Victor, resplendent in his 'walking out' uniform from his 10th Lyran Guards days. She smiled weakly.
 
  "Still trying to find a way not to execute Dao?" Victor intoned

  Katherine nodded. "The answer doesn't present itself. Kai has to know this is an invitation to suicide."

 "I dunno Katherine, if there's anyone who can pull it off, it's Kai and his collection of Clanners. Not to mention, he'll have Ross McKinnon and some of the Ceti Hussars with him. He'll be alright. A mixed battalion plus ought to be enough to hold the palace and spaceport till help arrives. At the very least, it will confuse things for the Capellans." Victor strode over and sat down in the empty seat next to hers.

  Katherine nodded "He's good, Victor, but is he that good? I can't help but think of the story of Arnhem and how they thought it was a great idea then."

  Victor nodded, their father had made sure their education had had a good basic grounding in history, especially military history. Dad wasn't 100% sure which one of us would wind up inheriting the family business. But it's a poor analogy here.

  "Dear sister, the good news is that the terrain, while crappy, isn't Dutch polders and marshland. It's jungle. So, it's far more doable. Jungle cut through by several six lane highways, all leading to the Forbidden City. God bless the Liaos and their 'Hero Projects'. That said, I am sure even Sun-Tsu will expect it. Frankly, I doubt he's even in the Forbidden City anymore. The Capellans have leadership bunkers all over Sian. He's probably in one of those."

  "And that's the other thing that concerns me. Suppose we take the damn city, and Kai orders a surrender, but not everyone obeys. Now we have a civil war in a state on our other border, and we're already having issues with the one we have."

  Victor grimaced as if he'd been kicked in the ribs. "Yeah, I know. Omi has intelligence just as good as our own from her O5P sources, the ones that are left that is. But that's drying up. They've been declared as ronin by both sides, and are being rolled up."

  "She's not taking the news well, is she?" Katherine asked, her royal mask dropping for a second with genuine concern for her brother, and a woman that she now considered a good friend.

  Victor nodded. "Shin Yodama brings her news on the casualties in the O5P weekly. She bears it stoically, at least in public, but with me? Well, we've both had a good cry about it. Me for our parents, and Omi for her family, and her people. You think Dad knew this would be the end result?"

  Katherine shrugged "I don't know, brother. I would like to think he did. But our parents, dare we say it, were human. And I think he honestly thought Sun-Tsu was a much craftier fellow than he's turned out to be, and would not bet the future of his nation on a 'pair of 8s' as Auntie Yvvone would have put it. He sure would not have thought that Sun-Tsu would have used terrorism on such a scale."

  "I didn't either, sister. I met him on Outreach. He was a survivor hiding behind the mask of a coward. This entire war was not the act of a survivor, but a man who wanted to prove he was better than his ancestors, and was grasping at an opportunity I think he believed would never come again." Victor sighed thoughtfully, his brow furrowing with concern.

  "There is one other concern?" Katherine intoned.

  "Yeah, and what's that?" Victor queried, the look in his eyes saying 'I love you sis, but damn your good points.'"

  "With the command and control networks breaking down on the other side, what control do they have over their special weapons?" Katherine asked plaintively.

  Victor swore in German a phrase that would have had their mother reaching for the lye soap. "Christ on a crutch. Last thing we need is some Capellan Arrow IV battery commander with delusions of grandeur getting ideas of 'Xin Sheng and pass the sunshine.' I'll give Quintus a call, we may need to have the Rabid Foxes seize their nuclear stockpile on Sian, we know where most of it is."

  "Most, brother?" Katherine said, an upward lilt in her voice betraying not a small bit of concern.

  "These are never a sure thing. There are still some loose nukes from the Falcon and Viper arsenals from when we overran Sudeten and Waldorff. We suspect they took them with them when they fled, or its shoddy paperwork...but..." Victor trailed off, looking off in the distance.

  It was Katherine's turn to swear as both contemplated a dark future indeed.

Private Office of the Primus of the Word of Blake
Harrisburg City, Gibson
Free Worlds League
September 30th, 3057

  "...and you are sure the Capellans will not manage to save the situation?" queried Precentor Martial Trent Arian of the image on the wall screen. This live HPG hookup was expensive, thousands of C-Bills spent per second. But it's useful in circumstances such as these. Precentor ROM Kernoff thought as he rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

  "No, Precentor Martial." the image of Precentor Daphene Chrysler, commander of the Word of Blake Militia 2nd Division, looked drawn and tired. There were dark rings around her eyes that contrasted with her off-white field robes and the locks of stringy blonde hair that looked matted under the weeks of lacking even a decent bath. "I don't think the Capellans will last much longer than the middle of October. Even their legendary fanaticism is beginning to wane. The on-planet ammunition reserve is beginning to run down. It's my professional opinion they have one more good battle in them, and then their defense will collapse due to a mix of moral and logistical exhaustion."

  "And our own forces?" Precentor Martial Arian's voice raised an octave, knowing the answer he'd get, but was hoping he wouldn't.

  "We have fought well, sir. But the fact is, we're the only functional formations the Capellans have outside of House Immara. And what concerns me is the Capellans have been talking about a counterattack into the teeth of the Commonwealth advance to 'save' the Forbidden City. I've taken a look at the operational planning. A first-year adept could do better."

  Arian grimaced "So there is no hope for the Capellans at this point?"

  "No sir, there isn't. It is my sincere recommendation that we evacuate and save what we can. I can get our people out within ten days of your order." Chrysler responded.

 "Why so long, Chrysler?" Precentor ROM Kernoff said, the warning tone obvious in his voice. Has your loyalty to our holy cause wavered, Chrysler? Are you planning to surrender it all to the Davions and save your own skin?

  "It's the Capellans sir, they've got lots of military police and Maskirovka assets roaming the rear areas, hanging anyone they think is deserting. And they've not been too careful about it. I've lost four men and women myself to their bloody-mindedness." Chrysler spat at the last comment.

   "Chrysler, I hereby order you to save what you can. Our Capellan allies have failed, and we must see to ourselves. As shameful as that is, there is no other way to address it. Furthermore, I authorize you to activate CASE TALON upon your escape." Precentor Martial Arian stated matter of factly, but the gasps in the room gave proof that CASE TALON was anything but routine.

  "Precentor Martial, sir. I will do as you say, but please sir, please tell me that CASE TALON is at my discretion?" Chrysler's voice had almost taken on a begging tone. Blake no, I can't think things are that bad! Kernoff thought.

  "It is, but under the circumstances, I would suggest it. But again, it's up to you, Precentor Chrysler. But you are furthermore ordered to not accept any demand to surrender, under any circumstances. You are to fight to the last believer and 'Mech in the event you cannot escape. And this applies to ALL sides on Sian." Arian had dropped the other boot, and it was lead-lined.

  Chrysler simply nodded and said "As you will, Precentor Martial. For the Blessed Blake."

  The Precentor Martial simply nodded and smiled thinly, "For the Blessed Blake, Precentor. See to your command."

  The screen terminated at the source, a Word of Blake Broadsword sigil against a blue background replacing the image of the Precentor light years away. Precentor Martial Arian turned to the rest of those assembled. "So, we can assume CORONET DAWN has failed then?"

  Kernoff nodded slowly. "I do not see many other options but to assume complete failure. At least our base here is safe with Corrine's 'militant neutrality.'

  "Is it, Kernoff? My own sources inside the FWLM are stating they are seeing troop movements they cannot account for; of units they've never heard of. And what of Paul Marik? He's been missing since the beginning of this month, and we have no idea where he went. If I were the Captain-General, and I were looking to get rid of us, it is how I'd go about it." Precentor Mulvanney said with a feral smile. I told these fools that backing the Capellan plan was madness. And now look where we are. We might lose two divisions on Sian and another on Yuris if we aren't careful!

  Primus William Blane, who had been sitting silently in a corner of the moderately sized living room-turned-conference-space, rose with a start, a look of disgust on his face as his robes twirled angrily. "No! Precentor Mulvanney is right. We are being set up for something. I see it in Corrine Marik's face whenever I get a ROM from her. She tells us sweet nothings but I suspect she is setting us up. Whether its a blind eye to the Steiners coming here? Or she does it herself. Whatever the case? She is going to betray us, and soon. The Master has fortold-" Blane's voice was increasing in speed and volume, a fanatical light gleaming in his eyes.

  Kernoff almost dropped his noteputer. "Blane, we don't discuss him!"

  Blane turned to Kernoff "Whom do you think opened my eyes? The Master knows Corrine all too well. He knows all. And he has saved his believers yet again. We must depart this place. Precentor Martial, how soon can we evacuate for Point Zulu?"

  Trent Arian ran some numbers mentally, "Give me two weeks, and we can have this place a ghost town for whomever is coming."

  Blane smiled "Good, and amend your instructions to Chrysler on Sian. She is to activate CASE TALON immediately to cover her own withdrawal. No sense in making it easy for Davion or Liao? Who knows, perhaps they will blow each other back to the stone age this time?"
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Ttw1 on 27 May 2020, 17:23:14
IT RETURNS!!!!
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: croaker on 27 May 2020, 17:31:52
Gotta wonder what "Case Talon" is. Nuke the HPG to prevent anyone from claiming it?
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: worktroll on 27 May 2020, 17:34:38
Nuke anything that moves, I'd think ...
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Red Pins on 27 May 2020, 17:48:35
Nukes don't leave ghost towns.


Bio-warfare?   :o
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Takiro on 27 May 2020, 18:24:48
Neutron bomb??
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Red Pins on 27 May 2020, 18:30:51
Too rare.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: worktroll on 27 May 2020, 18:33:12
I'm betting the Cappies with the bioweapons, and the Word with the instant sunshine.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: DOC_Agren on 27 May 2020, 20:00:36
Sunshine on my shoulder HURTS
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: ThePW on 27 May 2020, 20:36:45
Most likely nukes is CASE Talon. The Blakists can control access to any nuclear weapons because of their inherent portability. Bio-weapons require large establishments to both operate and store, with enough of a footprint to be too risky to operate, especially on a capital world.

but why evacuate Gibson? Is it not (as yet) under thumb of the MD? Or do they not have enough established man-power or have not seized enough ships (FWL or others) to hold Gibson's jump points?
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: worktroll on 27 May 2020, 20:58:46
At the end of the day, Gibson is one world, without the assets of the Hidden on it. No way can one world stand up to a full-court invasion by a successor state.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Chris OFarrell on 27 May 2020, 21:38:58
Well it looks like things are coming to a head and the WOB are about to perform a massive bug-out from the FWL.
Only question is do they do it scorched Earth on the way out?
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: PsihoKekec on 28 May 2020, 00:18:44
Blane is Master's pawn in this setting?
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Sir Chaos on 28 May 2020, 09:12:32
One more vote for CASE TALON being nukes. Bioweapons are too slow, and both they and chemical weapons can be countered to a degree (sealed mechs and vehicles for example) and leave too much evidence behind.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Shadow_Wraith on 28 May 2020, 17:43:41
Nice story update!  Looking forward to see if the WoB can leave Gibson quietly like they think they can?
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 06 November 2020, 13:25:32
Pandora Unleashed

Battery Firing Line of No. 3 Battery, 161st Artillery Battalion, CCAF Home Guard
Sian
Capellan Confederation
October 5th, 3057


Lance Corporal Jimmy Hu was bored, bored out of his damn mind. He hated the Home Guard, he hated being forced into it and he hated his Lance Sergeant with a passion. He smoked the Ling-Tao cigarette again, as he walked his sentry path. ****** issue cigarettes, God I would kill for some captured Davion Chesterfields. His rifle was slung, and his eyes felt like heavy metal doors, leaded with exhaustion.

The rest of the battery was asleep, with the ammunition rationing in effect, approval for all fire missions had to come from higher authority, and the rumor was? There was one final attack coming soon. Poor bastards up front, this last attack is going to make a lot of widows and orphans. At least I am a gun bunny, we shoot our rounds, then wait for the Davions to overrun us, and pray they don't kill us out of spite.

A pair of headlights came out of the gloom, first one, then two more, and the whine of the engines were distinctly Capellan. Hu unslung his rifle, nobody was due to come to the battery now, and there hadn't been an ammo delivery in weeks. There wasn't supposed to be one coming, was there? Something made the hair on Hu's neck stand up. Something was wrong, but those were Capellan vehicles.

The lead vehicle stopped 40 meters from Hu, the vehicle was a LSP Hover Jeep, that was bog-standard in several Inner Sphere militaries, it was a closed top, with a hatch and top mounted machine gun. There was a gunner manning the machine gun, and he was in Capellan uniform, or at least Hu thought so in the murk of the night. The front doors opened, and a pair of officers got out from either side of the vehicle. Shit, just what I need. Crap. I'd better stop them. Hu chambered a round in his service rifle, and shouted "Halt, who goes there!"

"Ammunition delivery for your battery from the 23rd Service and Support Battalion."

Hu's jaw dropped. More ammo? Now we're talking. Someone at HQ's grown a brain. Now we can pay the damn Davions back in a coin they'd recognize! "Advance and be recognized!"

The two figures approached Hu, and they were officers. Every inch from their shiny mapcases, to their haughty nature, and their gleaming insignia screamed REMFs. Goody, bet they eat their rations in the "Capproved Capellan manner" and request the Chancellor's permission every time they must break wind?Careful Hu, what if they're Mask? Wouldn't want them reading your mind now, would you?

The lead figure came to a halt some five meters in front of Hu, with another figure trailing him. The first figure was tall, abnormally so for a Capellan, and the figure trailing him was slight, but it was hard to tell more than that in the baggy field uniforms.

A deep basso voice rang out from the lead figure. "I'm Commander Rytov. Maskirovka, here for a special weapons ammunition delivery and loyalty inspection. Hu gulped audibly. This was bad. "special weapons ammunition delivery"meant either gas, bugs, or nukes. They can't be serious! The Davions will glass us for it. Worse, a loyalty inspection meant the Mask would haul random people in for questioning and if they didn't like the answers, summarily either send them to a corrective infantry battalion, or just shoot them out of hand.

Hu's voice wavered "Identification papers, Sirs?"

"Steady, son. We are just here to deliver the devices, and then do some loyalty inspections on the battery officers and NCOs, you're too junior for us. And here's our papers." The figure, still just an outline in black, highlighted against the headlights, stepped into the light, and it was when Hu noticed the uniform wasn't right..no it was very wrong. What the hell are- The silenced automatic coughed twice, and Hu dropped like a sack of dirty laundry dropped to the floor.

Before he could even groan in pain, the figure strode over to him, knelt, and said, "Sorry son, but this is the way it has to be." He then fired twice more into Hu's face, killing him instantly.

Adept Alice Rodgers, Light of Mankind Kappa Two turned to her team leader, Demi-Precentor Joshua Forest. "Did you have to apologize. What, were you going to put a mint under his head as he bled to death?"

Forest shook his head. "We're not sociopaths, Rodgers. We have a job to do, a distasteful one. Let's just do it and get the hell out of here."

Rodgers nodded, who waved at the two trucks behind her, and 16 men, in two groups of eight men each, disembarked from the trucks, they moved like ghosts, surrounding the sleeping battery who had no idea what was about to happen. In moments, the Blakist commandos fell on them with knives, e-tools, silenced firearms, and their bare hands, killing over 40 Capellans in as many moments, within 30 seconds, it was over, and not a single Capellan had lived long enough to scream.

Forest turned to Chambers. "Well done, that was a full 15 seconds faster than we rehearsed it, make sure you leave some Rabid Foxes uniform items. I want to muddy the issue as much as we can. Get the warhead team to work."

Chambers nodded, and blew a whistle, and a six man team scurried from the back of the jeep, making their way to the first truck, where they pulled down from the truck a large, closed black case that read "Tac Nuke (Actual), Open ONLY to shoot" emblazoned on the cases in white stenciled lettering, The cases were just the right dimensions for a Sniper round.

The team made their way to one of the Capellan guns, and stacked the case next to the gun, where 4 of the commandos guarded the case, and waited as the team made two more trips back and forth between the truck and the gun. The warhead team then laid out the cases, working in silence, as they confirmed the contents, and then ran test kits with each round, ensuring their viability. All the test kits glowed a friendly green, which was a happy surprise. These rounds hat sat on a shelf first on Terra, then on Gibson for centuries, and had initially been Star League issue.

The first round was loaded gingerly into the breech of the gun, and the lanyard was carefully connected. A warning was shouted, and the lanyard pulled. The gun fired with a loud report that all present felt in their chests, and the sound assaulted their senses, as the flash of the firing lit up the night sky. The team quickly repeated the process twice more, then took the spent shell casings, the cases the rounds had come in, and piled them together, tossing a pair of thermite grenades on them. The orders were simple: No Evidence. At least this distasteful enterprise is done successfully. Maybe we'll get a mission that doesn't make me want to puke next. Forest smiled grimly.

He turned and shouted, "Everyone back in the trucks, the Davion counterbattery is due any moment!"

The figures moved like ghosts back to the trucks, and the column slowly left the scene, leaving behind only the silence of the dead, and the licking of the funeral pyre of the only evidence of what had transpired. That evidence, plus the bodies of 41 dead Capellans would be erased from the earth when a lance of Archers from an FC artillery brigade showered the grid square with LRMs. But the damage had already been done.

The shells were base-bleed rounds, a small gas generator providing some thrust to the round to propel it a greater distance. The shells traveled a total of nine kilometers, and the targeting information was impeccable, each round fell within 400 meters of their intended target. The headquarters for the 6th Crucis Lancers RCT. Each round began to spin as it reached the terminal phase of their flight, with a simple accelerometer tracking the number of spins the round made. Once the number of spins reached a set number uploaded from the gun's firing computer, the round sent a signal to the explosive and physics package to prepare them for detonation.

Detonation of the 1.5kt tactical nuclear warhead happened seconds after that, the three rounds bracketed the headquarters, and each round became the center of a miniature sun that could be seen for kilometers. Each round exploded in a surface burst, with a fireball 90 meters in diameter, most of the headquarters area was caught within the 5 psi ring from each blast, and out of the 650 man headquarters element, only 40 or so were uninjured by the blast and fire effects and they all were immediately exposed to at least 500 rem of radiation instantly, ensuring they would all die probably within a month of exposure. Fallout drifted downwind from the blasts as far as almost as 50km, but more lethal doses were limited to nine and a half kilometers away. Still the blasts didn't just kill 650 Davions, but an estimated 4600 Capellan civilians, and injured just over twice that.

But the Light of Mankind team saw none of that, they barely saw the flash and felt the detonations as they drove toward a promised rendezvous with the 2nd Division.

Forest reached for his SATCOM transmitter, and typed a simple message:

VICTORIA, THIS IS ALBERT. WE HAVE MADE DELIVERY. ALL WAS FLAWLESS.

The screen soon flashed a reply: ALBERT, WERE THERE ANY WITNESSES OR COMPOROMISE?

NO, Forest typed. AWAITING EXTRACTION COORDINATES, VICTORIA.

The screen flashed again: SENDING NOW, ALBERT. SEE YOU SOON.

Forest's world went white, and in an instant, he felt nothing. All three vehicles erupted into gouts of flame, and their drivers and passengers destroyed instantly by powerful C-9 charges installed secretly in the wheelbase of each vehicle before the mission. The pre-mission brief had been clear. No compromise, no witnesses. This of course, meant the team the Blakists had sent to fire the rounds in the first place. But at least there was no one to answer any messy questions.

While the Capellans were busy trying to confirm just whom had fired those nukes, and confirm one of their commanders hadn't just gone rogue in a flurry of electronic and radio calls, the Blakist divisions withdrew, and quietly made their way to rendezvous points, quietly boosting off Sian within hours and linking up with a fleet of jumpships lying doggo in Sian's outer system asteroid belt. The jumpships drifted clear of the belt, then made a risky pirate point jump for points unknown. The Fedcom naval elements were caught flat-footed, most of their aerial assets busy hunting down Capellan nuclear capable units and bombing them into oblivion.

I'll never forget one of the burn cases we got from the 6th Crucis after the nukes hit. Poor kid, at least, that's what his dogtags said. We tried so damn hard, his skin came off in bloody and burnt strips, and the rest of him was as black as soot. His vocal cords had been destroyed by the heat, so his mouth just gaped open,making no sound, and his eyes..they were just gone, two weeping sockets where they had been. And the rest, oh god, the rest. The kid just kept trying to scream, but the doctors really didn't know where to begin. We tried to intubate, but his throat was badly burnt and his larynx crushed..all we did was probably asphyxiate him trying to save him. Please, can we stop the interview, I need a moment?

Interview of Staff Sergeant Danica Hollings for the "AFFC Medical Professionals '56 War Retrospective Project." , dated 3/18/3067


Main Briefing Room
Mount Davion
New Avalon
Crucis March
Federated Commonwealth
October 8th, 3057


Katherine Steiner-Davion's face was a mask of stone as she read the reports from the 6th Crucis. The RCT had been effectively decapitated in the strike. To the credit of the 6th, the Mech Regiment's XO had taken over, and he was doing a fine job of stitching the 6th's rear area services and headquarters elements back together, but chaos was still the order of the day.

Strangely, the Capellans had done nothing to take advantage of the situation, and in fact, according to the tactical and operational intelligence, the Capellans were just as confused as to what happened as the FedCom was. Though, to be honest, MIIO was convinced it could have been a rogue operation by the Mask or the Death Commandos.

Victor had warned me something like this would happen, and goddamit, he was right. And now, I have to decide whether or not I glass a world. Do I let myself be spoken in the same breath as Jinjiro Kurita? It's not like the Capellans cared about their own civilians either? There's almost 5,000 of them dead or dying right now, and ComStar's begging us to let them send field hospitals in. I'd do it, but the NBC experts say it's too hot, and most of the wounded may die from the radiation within two weeks. God, I don't envy Marshal Archer. She has to preside over this mess. We knew it would be bad on Sian. But the reality..."

It was then that Katherine noticed all eyes were on her. Jackson Davion cleared his throat. "Your Highness, we need to discuss retaliatory options. And, the future of operations on Sian itself."

"Jackson," Katherine stated carefully "What are my options. What can and should we realistically do?

Jackson drew himself up and exhaled loudly, though his uniform was resplendent, and he was clean-shaven and every inch an AFFC recruiting poster, his eyes had bags under them, and the worry lines on his face had deepened. And Katherine could swear he had serious greying at the temples.

"Your Highness, we realistically have three options that come to mind. The first, would be to respond massively, and hit both counterforce and countervalue targets on Sian. We have the means in place to do so already, and I expect we could do so with few losses, but we would kill millions of Capellan nationals, most of them civilians. It would also touch off rebellions on more than a few worlds in the Capellan and Sarna Marches. We'd have to put those down, and by the time we were done, the death toll would be in the billions. We'd have made Jinjiro on Kentares look like Countess Bathory's swimming pool in comparison.

"The next option is to withdraw and blockade Sian. We have no guarantee that would work. Sian is self-sufficient agriculturally, and it's well-nigh impossible to completely blockade a world. Plus, everyday Sun Tsu lives is another day he can foment mischief. Also, there would be a steady drip of casualties trying to enforce the blockade.

"The third option? We ignore it. We execute Shattered Dao on schedule on the 15th, and end this. The Capellans cannot stop us. And if they uncork more nukes, we can use limited nuclear strikes of our own in response. I think we can use ComStar to warn them what will happen if they follow up this attack.

"And the final option? Noone in this room supports this, but you asked for options. We immediately ask the Capellans for cease-fire talks. I don't want to, no one does, and it will give the Capellans a victory they do not deserve."

Katherine looked at her brother, who had been the perfect imitation of a dime store Indian, and had said nothing the entire meeting, he had been serious. I am not taking back the reins till the war ends. No sense in screwing with what's working, he'd said. Their eyes met and Victor gave an imperceptible nod.

Katherine looked around the room, and said softly "Ladies and gentlemen, may Victor and I have the room. I promise we won't be long."

Everyone rose as one, and filed out to a shuffle of chairs and papers as they left. Within moments, Victor and Katherine were alone.

Katherine rose, and walked to the holodisplay, her eyes boring through the icon for Sian. "Victor. I am not going down in history as Jinjiro Kurita."

Victor sighed "No, and I won't let you sis. But how do you really feel about it?"

Katherine shook her head and smiled. "I haven't heard any voices or anything. But stressed? Yes, Goddamit Victor! Why? The Capellans have to know they're whipped. I know that, you know that. It's over. But they're determined to drag us ALL down. And all I can think is: 'Mom and Dad deserve to be avenged.' But I can't use billions of Capellan lives as a funeral pyre to our parents. Even if some of me wants to. I want Sun-Tsu to know pain, and fear, and loss. And I want it so badly. But, not like this? Am I a monster?"

Victor chuckled. "No sis, you're not. You are doing your best with half your brain tied behind your back and you're damn angry. But I noticed something. We've lost track of the Blakists. The SIGINT transcripts have no record of them after the 28th of last month. I am not saying they had a damn thing to do with it? But it does seem convenient they won't be around to answer for all of this? Might be something for Quintus to look into. But I have to be honest, it's probably little more than a rabbit hole."

Katherine nodded. "Victor, we go as planned. It's time to end this, and the best way to do this is to rip out the black heart of the Confederation. But I want the timetable moved up. We go in 48 hours. It's well past time to end this."

Victor nodded "I'll get everyone else back in here."

I know a lot of people have asked me why the hell I didn't glass Sian when I had the chance. Sometimes, all that can be said is "Just because you can do a thing, doesn't mean you should." The Capellan people, for all of their faults, were not the enemy. Sun-Tsu was. And I will be damned if I would be a party to a massacre. And as much flak as I have gotten for this? I accept it. And I'd still make the same decision now and twice on Sunday.

-   Taken from "Life and Times of a Cracked Princess."

Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: worktroll on 06 November 2020, 14:05:27
Wooho! Made my day.  :thumbsup: Hope all's been well with you during the gap.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Chris OFarrell on 06 November 2020, 16:07:00
Hah! Take THAT Toaster Worshipers. ****** your false flag, the Federated Commonwealth will spit the blood out of its mouth, work its neck around to shake off the sucker punch, and not sink to your bait as they take out the trash.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: ckosacranoid on 06 November 2020, 17:41:03
Holy crap! An update! Thanks for that and damn that was cold even for the toasters to kill their own people to cover their tracks.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: mikecj on 06 November 2020, 18:53:46
Nicely written.  The grown-ups are still running things.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Takiro on 06 November 2020, 20:19:07
Goodie, goodie!!!
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: PsihoKekec on 07 November 2020, 03:22:08
Holy crap! An update! Thanks for that and damn that was cold even for the toasters to kill their own people to cover their tracks.

All part and parcel of working for telephone company from Hell. Although it's still highly wasteful, highly trained special forces don't grow on trees.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Takiro on 07 November 2020, 16:05:53
Can't wait for more!
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 07 November 2020, 16:36:37
All part and parcel of working for telephone company from Hell. Although it's still highly wasteful, highly trained special forces don't grow on trees.

True, but this is one of those jobs where they really don't want any blowback, so it's worth the loss of the assets involved. Remember the old Russian proverb - When a man is a problem? Remember, no man, no problem.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: EAGLE 7 on 07 November 2020, 21:38:02
The last part with Victor and Kat, as I read I swear I could hear low Gregorian chanting, that increased in volume until Kay made the call.

Loved it.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: cklammer on 08 November 2020, 05:34:39
Good call from Kat.

All these Blakists lifting and getting away unobserved by the FedSuns forces ... sloppy, sloppy.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 12 November 2020, 09:28:50
Consider both Blakist divisions by this point were probably running about 30-40% strength, and probably less than that in 'runners' equipment-wise? It's safe to say there wasn't that many Blakists left. Probably a couple of half-strength regiments at best.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Cybertec on 29 November 2020, 13:04:19
Great read!
Please continue and have fun knowing so many are enraptured . 😁
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Takiro on 29 November 2020, 19:06:32
Damn, I was hoping for more!

Yes, enraptured is a good word. ;)
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 29 December 2020, 12:16:27
On approach in Low Orbit
Gibson
Free Worlds League
October 9th, 3057


I still am haunted by the death of Gibson. Haunted mentally, physically, and morally. Some asked me why I stepped down from commanding the Knights after that? It’s because of what I knew I would have to do next, and what it drove me to do. And yes, ten years on? I am still proud of it. The naïve man I was then, was a fool who nestled a viper to the bosom of the nation I love. I owed it repentance for that. My soul was a cheap price indeed.

•   Paul Masters, Blakist Hunter, An Autobiography – pp. 150-151, Atreus Press, 3060

 “Are you sure, Demos?” Paul Master’s scarred face grimaced, he did not like the fact he had not heard from any of Corrine’s assets in system since they had arrived. In fact, the entire world was quiet, too damn quiet. Masters wore all-black tunic and trousers, wrapped in a heavy hooded grey cloak, he usually wore the hood up to hide the extent of his injuries. Old prejudices die hard I suppose. The edges of the cloak floated free in the microgravity. Masters rose from his command chair on the bridge of the dropship and floated towards a window overlooking the planet. He looked out contemplatively.

Demos cleared his throat out of equal parts nervousness and needing a moment to collect his thoughts before delivering the seemingly unlikely news. “Yes, sire. We cannot definitively find any proof of life anywhere on Gibson. This doesn’t preclude there being life on its face, but sire, the SIGINT team is well and utterly convinced there’s been some sort of catastrophic incident down there. And worse, we’re detecting extremely high rad levels down there, sire. about 1,000 rads per hour, with spikes as high as 5,000. It’s bad down there sire.” What transmissions they were getting were weak, confused and sounded automated. Like something had taken the populace down swiftly and utterly. His aide, Demos, was immaculately turned out in the uniform of the Knights of the Inner Sphere, his blue eyes were expectant and at times, puppy like. Demos is new to the Knights and expects the Knights of old. The Blakists burned that out of me. Now, I intend to repay those bastards for what they did to us. 

 In an instant, that thought, and the news Demos had delivered unnerved Paul Masters. What the hell happened down there? Gibson is a world of 4.2 billion. They did not all vanish. They could not have. Masters turned to back to his aide. “Demos pass the word, we’re keeping the rest of the force in orbit. Ask for volunteers from the Knights, we are going down there. Why do I get the feeling I should have killed that sonofabitch Arian when I had the damn chance! Master’s mind roared. I should have taken more of a hands-on role with regards to my world. Masters didn’t like the new “him.” But he realized, this was the way of things, at least until accounts with the Blakists were settled, in full.

“Demos, we drop in half an hour, inform the rest of the force. And tell the Guards I expect them to come in hot if things get…unpleasant.” Demos nodded in understanding.

What in God’s name happened down there?

1 hour later

 The answers came unbidden and were all too obvious. Gibson had been irradiated by a massive radiation event. The dead were all over, covered in detritus from the horrific and agonizing manner of their demise. Radiation exposure isn’t a quick way to go, and whatever happened, it was global, massive, and it had blanketed the world in a sheet of radiation that wasn’t going to be cleaned up anytime soon. Master’s Pheonix Hawk sealed itself immediately, radiation and NBC exposure alarms hooting like a clutch of startled owls until Masters turned them off.

 Even the grass and the trees were dying, the trees losing leaves like some sort of sick parody of fall, and the grass itself turning a sort of sickly brown. Nothing at all lived on Gibson. Not anymore.

2 Hours Later
New Beginnings Primary School
20km SSW of Harrisburg
Gibson
Free Worlds League


Paul Masters looked on at the collection of sat recon and aerial recon photos as he sat at the teacher’s desk at the head of the classroom. All the bodies had been long since removed. They’d been found huddled in a corner. They had enough time to know what was about to happen to them. All showed the same thing, heaps of dead, bodies stilled forever in the streets, and burning militia armories…their contents systematically looted. The Word of Blake compound was empty, the infantry sent to clear it had tripped a few lethal booby traps, but other than that, no one was home. None, except buildings and a Mercury battlemech that had been abandoned in a mechbay, and stripped of everything useful, leaving only it’s metal chassis behind. It was a mute witness to what had occurred. It had all been a cipher.

Someone told them we were coming; someone gave them enough time to…do this.

A knock came at the wooden door, which Masters had closed, so he could have time to think, to process this obscenity.

Masters looked up, the bile rising in his throat as he mentally composed his report to Corrine.

“Enter.” he barked.

“It’s Demos, your liege, we found something. It’s a ROM, addressed to you from Cameron St. Jamais. It’s verigraphed sir. It’s him for sure. You’ll want to see it.”

Masters rose, and opened the door, ushering Demos in. “Have we found any survivors? Any at all?”

Demos swallowed “Yes, some in some basements, underground garages, and invasion shelters. We figure it is upwards of half a million in total, perhaps three-quarters. We haven’t had the chance to take an accurate count.” Demos produced a portable folding ROM player. “My liege. You’re going to want to see this. It was found in his offices.”

“Play it.” Masters intoned softly, his voice the tone of a man who was defeated.

Demos gently pressed the PLAY button on the portable player as he set it on the desk. The screen was 12cm wide but was adequate for the purpose. The screen began with a test pattern and then faded to white, with the broadsword sigil of the Word Of Blake fading in from the center of the screen. The screen soon came to a white hooded man sitting at a desk, the figure soon flipped his hood back, the figure had straight hair in a bowl cut favored by the Blakists. His eyes burned bright green with the fire of fanaticism, and his face was framed by an unmistakable and distinctive goatee. It was no doubt. It was Cameron St. Jamais.

“Greetings, Count Masters. I wanted you to know that we have exacted righteous vengeance against your people for your crimes against our order. You underestimated us. You thought us your pet ComStar. And when we elevated the daughter of one of our allies among you to the Captain-Generalcy, this is how you repay us? By leaving our brethren to die on the fields of Sian, and betraying us here?”

Jamais took a breath and smiled, it was a feral smile that made Master’s hair stand on end. “You survived our wrath, Count Masters. As did many of your brethren, much to my regret, but former Primus Blane did not see things as I did. He got a bit squeamish when the conclave decided it was time to apply the righteous punishment here. He died right along with them, I killed him myself.” The camera panned to the left, and zoomed in on a body slumped against the wall of the office. The body was dressed in blood-stained white robes, and the face was twisted in a rictus of pain, and the face belonged to William Blane, former Precentor of the Word of Blake. A broadsword with the Word of Blake sigil on the pommel protruded from the body. The camera panned back to Jamais. “It was regrettable but required. We have assumed control of the planet and we are evacuating those who believe, and all material of value to us. The rest? Well, they will be cleansed in a holy shroud of radiation. Their suffering will be a penance for your sins, and the sins of the League, Count Masters. Do not attempt to find us or follow us. But know this: We will return one day, and when we do? We will come with the fire of holy vengeance in our hearts.”

The image then swiftly cut out. Masters saw red. The only sound he could hear was the angry beating of his own heart and the blood pumping through his veins. He grabbed the ROM player in a fit of pique, throwing it with all his might against the blackboard, smashing it into a dozen pieces, as they fell to the floor in a cacophony of sounds.

He turned to Demos. His eyes were afire with one thought: Revenge.

Masters drew a dirk from his belt, and carefully removed his Mechwarrior gloves from his hands. He walked over and retrieved the remains of the ROM from the wreckage of the player. He sliced his left palm with the dirk in a fluid motion and squeezed his fist until it drew the crimson ichor of blood. He dripped the blood onto the ROM fragments, and said quietly “I swear, there is nowhere you can flee to, nowhere you can hide, no one who will help you because I seek your death St. Jamais. You and anyone who helped you, anyone who serves you. Anyone who said one kind word about you, or your cause, they will die by my hand. They will not die well, or easily. Of that, I swear.”

He turned to Demos. “You saw the oath I took. You know what it means. And you know I must leave the Knights, as of right now.”

Demos smiled “Hand me the dirk, blood-brother. I had family in Nagasaki Valley. You do not travel on this path alone.”

I knew when I handed Demos that dirk, I had begun a path that would transform both of us forever. I knew not the shape of that path, only why I embarked on it. I am proud of where it took me. I am proud that I have brought forty-three Blakist scum to the justice of the only one that matters, the one true God in heaven. I have become closer to my Catholic faith during all of this, and the papal encyclical regarding Blakists as anathema has given me a solace as I carry out this mission. Some say I am as fanatical as they are. I may be, but the difference is? I do not harm innocents. I harm the guilty. And I always make sure I am not wrong. So far, I have not been. I have no regrets for my life now. I am cleaning the Inner Sphere of a filth not seen since Aramis.

But the Inner Sphere should mark my words. The Blakists have raised their hand against all humanity, Clan, and Inner Sphere alike. They will be back, and we will all regret not joining my crusade to purge them from the ranks of humanity.


•   Paul Masters, Blakist Hunter, An Autobiography – pp. 245-246, Atreus Press, 3060

Government House
Samantha
Taurian Concordiat
October 11th, 3057


Jeffery Calderon looked on at the blood-red sunrise to the west and smiled a weak smile. “What was that phrase, Doru? Red Sky at Morning...?”

“…sailor take warning, your highness.” Doru nodded. “I do have some good news, your highness. Such as it is?”

“Do tell Doru, I could use some. As much as many have criticized our efforts in the former Capellan Confederation? I feel bringing some stability to our border regions and taking advantage of some confusion to enrich our nation on the cheap never hurt us?”

Doru nodded “I can’t speak to domestic opinion, sire. I can only speak to military matters. On those, I have little to report. We have been consolidating control of Rollis, with the assistance of Sung’s Curiassier’s who have accepted a place in the TDF. Larsha’s been a bit more difficult, the militia there put up a fight, but it wasn’t anything the 2nd Taurian Guards couldn’t handle.”

Calderon nodded. “So, we should be able to call it a day?”

Doru shrugged “I think so, sire. It was a shame about Corodiz, but the Canopean epidemiologists were firm about not landing there. We’re not one hundred percent sure there actually is an outbreak there, but why chance it?”

Calderon nodded sagely. “So why do I get the feeling as much as this will enrich the Concordiat, we’ve also bought ourselves some long-term trouble?”

Doru nodded “We might have, sire. Word is the FedCom ambassador might be presenting us a strongly worded request for us to advance no further into the Confederation, and there is also the risk of guerilla movements. We don’t have a lot of experience with those matters.”

Calderon nodded again. “Alright Doru, pass the orders to conclude operations. We’ll work out how we’re going to administer these worlds. I think we’ve done enough already.”

While some in the Concordiat and the Magistry were chomping at the bit to advance deep into the Confederation, both the Magistrix and the Protector were wise enough to realize that logistically, the advance into the former Confederation had probably reached its zenith…

•   “Nibbling at The Edges” The Taurian-Canopoean advance into the Capellan Confederation, Foreign Policy Magazine, June 3064 issue by Dr. Daniel Framingham of the NAMA School of International Relations
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: worktroll on 29 December 2020, 13:22:05
And the endgame moves on ... great read! Thanks, and happy New Year!
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Takiro on 30 December 2020, 05:11:47
Very nice!

I have no problem with the Periphery reclaiming what was historically theirs.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Artifex on 30 December 2020, 05:33:22
Well done, looking forwards to the next installments!  :thumbsup:

Happy new year to you Panzerfaust. :-)
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: marauder648 on 30 December 2020, 06:13:23
And the wheels keep turning, and the Blakists irradiated Gibson....bloody hell!

Excellent stuff though thank you for this update before the new year!
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Adventwolf on 30 December 2020, 09:34:50
Of course the Blakist go stupid and destroy a entire world for no real reason. Though if the Inner Sphere apparently just let them go this is going to be bad. They need to be hunted down and killed or else they will pulling a Clans and come back eventually.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: PsihoKekec on 30 December 2020, 12:52:58
If they can be found, looks like they went into hiding.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: snakespinner on 30 December 2020, 16:15:39
Playing hide and seek with the wobbies.
Let the fun begin. >:D
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Takiro on 30 December 2020, 16:38:34
I would think there would be a Vengeance like movement born out of the Gibson holocaust which would stop at nothing to annihilate every single Blakist.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 30 December 2020, 16:47:50
Yeah, but this is Battletech. The movement will be there...but there will be those willing to do business with those very same dastardly Blakists.... >:D
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Zureal on 07 January 2021, 14:55:10
Great updates as always, and as always, never enough lol. Cant wait for more :D
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: ChaserGrey on 18 January 2021, 13:14:10
As usual, love it and waiting eagerly for the next update!

That being said...I've been rereading this and I think I've spotted a major problem with the FedCom strategy on Sian.  As far as they know, somebody on the Capellan side just uncorked nukes, either Sun-Tsu in a limited strike or a rogue commander. If nukes are in play, something like Broken Dao is the absolute last thing the F-C should approve, because the overland thrust on a narrow front is too easy to smash up with a relative handful of nukes.  All you'd have to do is hit the leading formations the way the Crucis Lancers were hit, and by the time you bring up more forces to continue the push Kai and his troops will be doomed.  And since there was no nuclear retaliation for the attack on the Crucis Lancers, that takes away some of the deterrent effect.

Clearly the story is building up to this drop by the Jade Phoenix Cluster on the Forbidden City, and I want to see it, but I think you have to at least deal with that possibility first.  Possibilities:

Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 08 June 2021, 11:22:02
I know what I am, and what I am not. I never saw myself as more than a regent for Victor. I never wanted the throne, as much out of self-awareness, as a lack of ambition. I love my brother deeply, but it’s been a source of strain for us on why he didn’t resume the throne until the war ended. He’s always said to me it was because “You’re doing a fine job, Katherine, why switch horses?” I accept that, it’s sound thinking. But he doesn’t see the casualty lists burned into his mind every time he closes his eyes. It was that alone that made me leave royal life. I was tired of being responsible for so much death. Yes, I ordered vengeance for my parents. But there’s a difference between planting a dagger in the heart of an assassin and sending armies of thousands forward.

As stressful as it is? I much prefer my days as a trauma surgeon. Yesterday, I saved a child when the crashweb in her parent’s hovercar failed and she went into the windshield. I hope the ophthalmologic surgeons can save her eyes, but I worked damn hard to give that girl a fighting chance. And that is why I do what I do. I have lots of “red in my ledger” as is said in the intelligence community. I want to put some hope, some decency, and some life in there. I owe that to all those I ordered forth to die, and all those who died under their guns. It may have been necessary, but that doesn’t make me feel any better.
-Taken from “Life and Times of a Cracked Princess.”


Sian, Part 3
Attacking Forces: 1st Davion Guards RCT, 4th Davion Guards RCT, 3rd Davion Guards RCT, 6th Syrtis Fusiliers RCT, 7th Crucis Lancers RCT, 1st Ceti Hussars RCT, 3rd Royal Guards RCT, Davion Light Guards RCT, 10th Deneb Light Cavalry RCT, 1st Federated Suns Armored Cavalry, 1st Kell Hounds, Jade Phoenix Cluster, 10 Artillery Brigades.

The attackers were reinforced by the following units just before Shattered Dao kicked off: 5th Federated Commonwealth RCT, 4th Royal Guards.

Defending Forces:  House Immarra (65% strength), Red Lancers (40% strength), 1st People’s Loyalty Regiment (35%, scattered in penny packets), Death Commando Battalion (65% strength), 2 combined arms divisions of the Sian Home Guard (third division was disbanded due to losses and used to reinforce the other two), and 85 “Victory Battalions” (32 of which are on Wuhan, many battalions have either been destroyed or have deserted/surrendered en masse.)

Results: The Federated Commonwealth forces were a bit delayed in their preparations for Shattered Dao, as T and R command was a bit snarled catching up with the Fedcom advance. The shattered 6th Crucis Lancers were withdrawn to Fraizer and replaced by two other regiments, the 5th was brought in to secure the rear against the ever-present threat of Capellan guerillas (and was reinforced by three additional infantry regiments from the Draconis March).

October 12th, 3057 dawned a bright, crisp morning, with a blustery wind from the west. The Fedcom artillery and air started early, pounding Capellan positions beginning at 0346, with special attention given to identified Capellan “special weapons depots” and artillery units. Several other suspected sites were subject to airmobile raids by Loki/MI-6 teams The Capellans fought hard and casualties amongst the FedCom SF teams were heavy, but the operations were successful overall. It was later estimated in post war surveys that 70% of the on planet Capellan Special Weapons stockpile was seized or destroyed, but that still left 30% unaccounted for. While the initial operations were considered a success, the fact that an estimated 40-50 weapons might still be out there was cause for concern.

This of course, left a decision in Marshal Linda Archer’s lap. A decision about the option of CASE MORDRED, and potentially bringing a new level of hell to Sian…

“Citizens of the Confederation. Rogue elements of our armed forces yesterday used nuclear weapons against the invading Davion armies against orders. Those responsible did not survive the events surrounding this use, and thus, have saved the state the trouble of their execution. I have however, ordered that their families be reduced to servitor status, no matter their former station. I remind my fellow Capellan citizens. I am the state, and I will be obeyed above all else. If I did not allow it, it is not allowed….”

-Excerpt of speech dated October 11th, 3057 from unknown location by Sun-Tsu Liao. This was the last recorded public appearance made by the former Capellan Chancellor.


Headquarters, Task Force Sian
Confederation Arms Hotel Main Conference Room
Beilin, Sian
Capellan Confederation
October 11th, 3057


  The conference room at the Confederation Arms Hotel had seen better days, scorch marks and bullet holes marred the once-beautifully upholstered walls. The chandelier over the main conference table had fallen under the strain of bombardment and had fallen and shattered on the table. Marshal Archer’s people had cleaned as best as they had time to, but it probably wasn’t a good idea to walk barefoot on the once jade green carpet, which was now a dirty grey with ground in mud, or copper brown, from old bloodstains. But as dilapidated as it was, the hotel still had the best communications around, and it was a solid roof, so perfect for Marshall Archer’s needs as a headquarters.
  Marshal Sarah Archer pinched the bridge of her nose again painfully as the S-4 continued with his brief. The news was the same, all the estimates were wrong, and they were exceeding projected use rates on consumables of all kinds by a factor of three. Even if Shattered Dao worked, and that only had a 75% chance, it was projected that the Mask had laid in enough arms caches to make Sian a guerilla hotbed for years, and that was already happening. Ambushes and IEDs were occurring daily and the casualties among the infantry units were soaring. I really hope the 5th Fedcom can ****** this. I cannot run out of steam short of the Forbidden City with the force I am cobbling together for the drop. It is a real hash job that my Lyran officers assure me will work as well as any “Kampfgruppe.”
 
The S-4, a tall gangly woman with short brunette hair and a taciturn expression concluded her presentation on the supply situation and asked for questions. Marshal Archer raised a weary hand. “Cybil, tell me the truth? Have we got enough to punch through to the Forbidden City and end the conventional phase at least?”
 
The S-4 nodded, “Yes ma’am, we can manage it, but the fact is, it had better be a quick operation, or we’re going to have to impose an operational pause within the next 90 days.”
 
Archer slowly swore “How long of a pause?”
 
“At least 60-90 days, Ma’am. Which I know is going to give the Capellans more time to reconstitute, as well as raid the other continents for more victory battalions.”
 
Archer nodded “Nice to see you paid attention in the briefings, Haputmann-General Frisch. Look, we need to go on the 12th, and this question doesn’t just apply to you. I am going to have Colonel Allard-Liao brief his final plan in a few moments, and I need to know, can we realistically attack with four RCTs on a narrow front and reach him within 72 hours? We can’t flank through that jungle and trying to use airmobile to leapfrog down Highway 7 isn’t going to happen. The Capellans have made sure any LZs are going to suck, not to mention advancing down it will be a nightmare.”
 
An older man, a Leftenant-General with engineer’s collar devices rose and cleared his throat. “Marshal Archer, our “thunder runs” have made some progress through the Capellan obstacle system, especially those obstacles close to our own front lines, but we’re going to need fire support to keep the bastards heads down as my kids lift mines and fill craters in the roads. Not to mention they blew the damn bridge at Rapti over the Perfume River. That’s going to take me 10-12 hours to get a bridge across it, and I’ll need at least a battalion thrown across the other side to make sure we can get that bridge set up.”
 
Marshal Archer nodded. “Don’t worry Archie,” she smiled weakly “You’ll have it if I have to command that battalion myself from my Victor.”
 
Her aide d’ camp, a short, blonde Captain with the nametape of “Spiers” blanched “Ma’am. We’d prefer you didn’t do that. Sergeant-Major Rice already is having ulcers about the security situation- “
 
Archer angrily cut off her ADC “Dammit, Captain Spiers. I don’t have time for it. We need across that river and into the Forbidden City in 72 hours once that drop happens. It’s been delayed twice already and the Capellans have had to notice the Jade Phoenix Cluster has been pulled out of the line. I am not going to delay this any longer! Now, I have one of the best staffs in the AFFC. Let’s make this happen, people. Solve the problems and let’s make the impossible, possible.”
 
Marshal Archer surveyed the room. She had a good collection of people. They’d gotten the task force this far. And they weren’t going to let them down this close to victory. She turned to the NCO at the door of the conference room.
 
“Sergeant Ngo, bring in Colonel Allard and his people. It’s time to end this.”

2500 meters AGL above the Forbidden City
Forbidden City
Sian
Capellan Confederation
October 12th, 3057

 
Colonel Kai Allard-Liao checked the temperature gauge of his retro pack again. He hadn’t liked the numbers when he’d been kicked out the ‘mech bay of the Black Wing, and they weren’t looking much better now. Damn right jet is looking a little hot. And that’s not my only worry. He chanced a look up from his cockpit instruments, and outside was one of the worst swirling dogfights he had ever seen, let alone been hot dropping into the middle of.

Every Capellan aerospace fighter left on Sian must have been up here, and even with the Jade Phoenix Cluster fighters cutting a path, the Capellans were managing to get in amongst the drop. Kai’s eyes focused on a Sulla dueling with a Thrush. The Thrush’s pilot was good, using his craft’s disadvantage in atmosphere to his advantage, fighting in the vertical and making slashing attacks on the bigger Clan fighter. but the Sulla pilot was equally skilled, and risked stalling out to pull an Immelman into his next “boom and zoom” with a pass of his own. Weapons flashed from the Sulla, with a cerulean beam connecting both fighters for an instant, before the Thrush’s wing separated at the root, and a pair of magenta-colored beams caught the Thrush amidships, with the striken ship belching flame and smoke, and entering into a flat spin. The cockpit soon flashed, with the canopy separating and an ejection seat launching the Capellan pilot from his stricken craft.

Kai’s secondary radio receiver crackled to life; it was tuned on the Aerospace trinary’s frequency for the drop.

“Alpha Beak Lead, this is Four. I claim that one as a bondsman. He was good, quiaff?”
The reply was terse and very clanlike. “Four, Lead, we are not taking bondsmen today. But he would have been a fine addition to the clan, nonetheless. Perhaps when this is over, we can convince him to join our ranks. Continue Mission, we have plenty more where he came from. The Capellans are making a maximum effort today. Out.”


Kai turned his attention back to his own instrument panel. The right jet of the bolt on pack was still running a bit hot, and it was time to fire off another burst. It would be the last before the airfoil deployed and slowed down Yen-Lo-Wang for it’s final drop. Truth be told, Kai didn’t like drops. Too much could go wrong, and as a ‘Mechwarrior, he’d seen more than his share of such things. Airfoils not deploying, bolt on retros misfiring, or not firing at all. Or the ‘Mechwarrior miscalculating the numbers and instead of guiding in for a good landing, augured in like the world’s biggest lawn dart.

Being crushed by my own family ‘Mech isn’t the way I want to leave this world. The altimeter ticked down…2000, 1500…1000. Kai triggered the jets for their final 15 seconds of fuel. Promptly after he mashed the buttons, he got the whoops of the master alarm that the right jet had reached critical temp and was shutting down. He leaned hard into the left jet. The airfoil deployed cleanly, or at least the instrumentation told him it had…but he was still coming in at 33m/s, not the recommended 10. Shit, this isn’t going to end well. He called up his map and looked for a spot to land that might be a bit…soft. He quickly found one and grimaced. The techs are really going to hate me.

“All Dimond Call Signs, this is Diamond Six, I am coming down a bit fast and have to find somewhere soft. I am going to be off the drop zone by 3 klicks to the east. I say again, will be off the DZ by 3 klicks east. Don’t send anyone, I will make my way into the perimeter.”

A chorus of “Affs and Rogers” cascaded over the radio, as Kai concentrated on getting his ‘Mech down in one piece. 800…500…here we go! Brace! Kai pulled his straps of his command couch tight and threw his head back into his seat, hoping the restraints held.

Yen-Lo-Wang, proud avatar of the Allard-Liao family came down at a rate of 18m/s feet first into the 10 meter deep stabilization pond of the Forbidden City Municipal Sewage Treatment plant. The ‘mech landed with a huge splash that went 3 meters high. Kai was thrown around in his cockpit like a kid rolling down a hill in a barrel, but the restraints held, and he stayed conscious. The ‘Mech wobbled but stayed upright. He checked his status board, all green. Phew. Well, hell of a welcome to the Forbidden City? Aff? God, I am thinking more like my Falcons every day. Well, time to do what I came here to do.

Kai quickly used his nav system to set a few waypoints back to the main DZ, which was supposed to be the massive parade ground outside the palace. He suspected he wasn’t the only one in this situation. He could hear the staccato booms of heavy weapons fire, and beams tear across the sky, warring with the warble of the city raid alarms.

It was time for Kai to get to work. It was time for him to do his part to end this. He switched on his radio to the GUARD frequency.

“Sun-Tsu Liao, you have murdered my mother, and proven unfit to rule. I come for you, and your throne. Face me, or don’t. I am coming for you. And as a friend promised. Hell is coming with me.”
 
Kai set the ‘Mech forward at a walk to the sound of the guns, a crooked smile crossing his face.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: DOC_Agren on 08 June 2021, 11:42:24
So Sunny vrs Kai...  rumble to settle the score
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: J-H on 08 June 2021, 12:18:46
When they started talking about needing to get there within 72 hours of the drop, I had a feeling something like this was coming.  I hope it's not a Bridge Too Far for the AFFC & friends.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Takiro on 08 June 2021, 13:55:44
Anxiously awaiting more!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Nikas_Zekeval on 08 June 2021, 15:15:31
Given Kai might be in charge of what is left of the Confederation when this is over?  I can't help feeling deliberately jumping into a massive tank of shit is something of a metaphor.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: ThePW on 08 June 2021, 22:29:15
"Sgt. Ngo".... It's been too long since the last time that name was mentioned in ANY fiction lately...
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Grognard on 08 June 2021, 22:53:00
"And hell's coming with me."
oooh- nice Tombstone reference.


https://youtu.be/dDpQmCGjEPc

Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Lone-Wolf on 09 June 2021, 02:45:40
Forbidden City Municipal Sewage Treatment plant???

Ok, it is a soft landing. Very soft.

But the stink - isnt that a violation of the Ares conventions?
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 09 June 2021, 09:32:20
Tombstone is a fave film of mine @Grognard, and I made a reference to it earlier in the story, so it's come full circle.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 09 June 2021, 09:32:57
Forbidden City Municipal Sewage Treatment plant???

Ok, it is a soft landing. Very soft.

But the stink - isnt that a violation of the Ares conventions?

No, but it ought to be.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Dave Talley on 09 June 2021, 10:47:06
should have someone else drop there and get stuck in the muck
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 21 June 2021, 20:14:01
Quarters of the First Prince
Castle Davion
New Avalon
Federated Commonwealth
October 9th, 3057


Even though Victor was something of a soldier, the bedroom of the First Prince had changed little from the time of his father. Omi had smiled and noticed Victor hadn’t even taken down some of his father’s awards and mementos from his time in the AFFS. And as bedrooms went, it was quite opulent. And well, four poster beds work much better for some of the things I read about in those trashy novels Kommandant Pavrati lent me. She giggled at that last thought.

Omi Kurita’s eyes shone with unshed tears as she read the latest O5P, MIIO and DMI intercepts coming from the Combine. Both armies in the Combine Civil War were on the march, and neither side seemed to be showing much in the way of mercy. But especially Miyako. Gods, what happened to her? What has she become? We used to play in the palace gardens together as children. She was always a sweet, wonderful little girl? This is…alien. Losing her father has driven her completely mad. And Dieron burns for it.

Omi turned her gaze at Victor’s sleeping form in the bed. She smiled. His love and understanding, as well as the support of his family has been nothing short of generous. And he is every bit the man I knew was. Father, brother. Hear me. Our feud dies with you. I will marry this Davion. Not just because of dynastic politics. Iie! I love him. Probably since that day on Outreach. She wrapped her Kimono tighter around herself and smiled at the warmth of her thoughts, allowing herself a respite from the terrible decisions she knew she would have to make.

I am the only one left to ward the people of the Combine. And now, I feel as if I must emulate in sprit, if not deed, the 47 ronin. I must end this conflict. But in so doing, I condemn my cousin, the last of my blood. But what she has done. She has no more right to rule than the usurper who murdered my brother. And the Clans advance daily. According to reports, the Smoke Jaguars have landed on Xinyang, and I suspect it will not hold long.

She turned as if to wake Victor. No. I must handle this myself. It is my family’s doing. And I must do what honor demands of me to fix this. Or at least, atone for it. But in so doing, I can never go home again. Sayanora Luthien, Sayanora Combine. I miss you, but my path to the mountain lies differently. But I do not walk it alone. I walk it with family. A family I know you approved of Father and Brothers. Sleep well, what I do know, I do to save our people.

Omi opened her noteputer and wrote a quick message to be sent out with the routine traffic from Castle Davion for ComStar. The message was sent to a fabric maker on Exeter who specialized in working with Combine-exported silk. It read simply: I WILL TAKE THE GREEN INLAID STICHES OPTION ON THE PIECE FOR THE 24th. The message simply sounded like an update for a silk order. Omi hit the green “send” button on her noteputer with a resigned finality. Do not abandon me now, fates. I ask you to assist me in this sad duty.

Field HQ of Miyako Kurita
150km Southwest of Hamai-Zaki
Al’Nair
Dieron Military District
Draconis Combine
October 14th, 3057


Miyako Kurita looked on at the situation map in the holotank. She was irritated to say the least. These two Direron Regular regiments have proven to be far more competent than either my intelligence staff or pre-war information led me to believe. So far, the 15th and 44th Dieron were far more competent than anyone had realized, and they were fighting the DCMS’s supposed masters of mobile warfare, the Ryuken, to a standstill.
 
What worries me more is reports I am getting that the Usurper has raided garrisons in Benjamin for troops. I’ve heard reports that as many as eight regiments are on the move. They could be moving to check the Ghost Bears. Smoke Jaguars, or Nova Cats…but I am skeptical of this. My O5P sources have dried up. My cousin is probably wringing her hands about what I have been forced to do in this war.

She turned to her executive officer. “Fujita, have we managed to pin down either of the Dieron Regulars regiments?”

“No, tono. We’re trying, but we’ve had contacts with nothing but the militia of late. And even they have been refusing engagement after engagement.”

She cursed quietly. “Koshinuke!” she spat with not a little contempt. “They choose to dance around us like Davions and not face us as proper samurai.” The irony about that this was how the Ryuken normally fought was not lost on anyone present. But the fact that the civil war was escalating out of control of any of the combatants. The casualties on both sides had been near ruinous, and men and women who had begun the war as simple Busosensei were now Tai-i. And it showed.

The reports from the last engagement between a company of the Ryuken-roku, and elements of a fast hover brigade of the Al’Nair militia, supported by at least a company of 15th Dieron ‘mechs had been nothing short of a fiasco. A lance of Ryuken machines lost, and the rest of the company had held on for dear life until the rest of their battalion had managed to fight their way clear of several ambushes along their line of march and relieve them. The old Ryuken-roku would not have been that sloppy, or headlong. The one she had…that was another story.

Miyako was concerned, she was grasping at shadows, and some of her other regiments were wavering. Especially concerning was reports that the commander of the 16th Legion of Vega and the local militia on Vega were in contact with the Federated Commonwealth! My cousin’s doing, no doubt.

She only hoped Sakomoto was having as many difficulties as she was.

The traitor Kurita has proven most difficult in her latest attempt to seize Al’Nair. We do not believe we can reinforce our units there for at least three months, and it will be with forces that are inferior in skill and training to the Ryuken. Moreover, there are the concerns that the Nova Cats are massing near Pesht and the Smoke Jaguar landings on Xingyang, which is putting further strains on what is left of the Pesht district. We have also heard reports that the Alashain Regulars are massing on their own initiative near Chatham to potentially strike at Ghost Bear targets. We must have the ISF arrest both unit commanders and seize their jumpships before any unfortunate incidents occur…
-   Transcript of briefing of Coordinator Sakamoto, dated 21 October, 3057

Offices of the Duke of Robinson
Ducal Palace
Bueller City
Robinson
18th October, 3057


James Sandoval ran his hands across his bare scalp. He ran the force projections through the noteputer for NAQAM again. Victor’s got me on something of a shoestring. But that Combine girl of his has come through, my people in DMI confirm everything she told us. He smiled as a sense of satisfaction filled him. The operational plans were solid, and the transport schedules, though thin, made good use of the transport they did have. All we need now is Victor to let us off the damn leash.

He took in the wood paneling of his office. It was all done in wood from cedar trees, with a huge inlaid Star of David made of mahogany from a tree from Kentares IV. I keep that here to remind myself of that the Snakes are little more than a murderous people. And like their true nature, they turned on themselves. Not a surprise.

He thought hard on Victor and Omi, I appreciate our sovereign has found a measure of happiness of late. But I am concerned. My man in Castle Davion has said his Kuritan fiancé (as if she is anything else) has a ruthless edge to her. What did he say, “No better friend, no worse enemy?” Ah yes, he did. I am concerned she is going to put some of that Combine bloodthirstiness into the royal line. I don’t want the Sun and Sword in the business of massacre.

He rose from his desk to proceed over to his window overlooking the training grounds of the Robinson Battle Academy. It was a rainy, dreary day in Bueller. A cold front had blown in from the east, and brought with it a cold, steady rain that drummed lightly against the dermaplast of the window. Below, a cadet in all yellow Chameleon training ‘Mech marched, or more correctly, struggled through the muck one of the lanes on the practice course had turned into. An instructor’s red and black Dervish looked on, with Sandoval imagining the exchange between student and instructor. Sandoval cringed at his own memories of his time on that course. Sergeant Caleb. If you could see me now. Then again, I guess you knew I would be inheriting the family business. He openly wondered if it was Arthur Steiner-Davion out there. He chuckled at that last thought. No Davion would have that much trouble with a Battlemech, no, it’s not him.

Sandoval cleared his head, and thought of his son, who had won a measure of his own reputation doing some dangerous work behind the lines in the leadup to Clover Spear. Alex Mallory spoke of his son’s work and said he had “acquitted himself well with little help or support.” Whatever Tancred had done, it had gotten him the Diamond Sunburst and a fresh set of scars he said little about. Tancred also doesn’t fence much anymore. Something’s broken in him. Something I can’t begin to understand. I’ve seen war. But what he saw. I am not sure I know how to understand, or whom to ask.

Sandoval muttered a small prayer.” אלוהים, אם אתה מקשיב. אנא תן לנו להצליח. אני יודע שנקמה היא שלך. אבל בואו נהיה המכשיר. לדרקון יש הרבה מה לענות עליו.”

He leaned over to his communicator. “Leftenant Bryce. Get my staff in here by 1800. We have a final meeting to hold on NAQAM.”

“Yes, Field Marshal. Should I tell the message center to get the warning orders out?”

“Yes. Get the ball rolling. Time to succeed where we failed in ’39.” Sandoval said with a satisfied smile. But with a third of the assets, a nagging voice in his mind reminded him.

Sandoval returned to the window, and contemplated a universe to come, and his people’s place in it.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Shadow_Wraith on 21 June 2021, 21:33:30
Ohh that was a nice update!  So will the whole AFFC go take some worlds to safe guard its civilian population.  Or will it just be the Draconis March forces!
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: worktroll on 21 June 2021, 22:26:22
Thanks for the update!
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Artifex on 21 June 2021, 23:36:28
Wheee, forces are on the move again! Wonder what the decision that Omi made will lead to?
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Ajax_Wolf on 22 June 2021, 09:00:09
Quote
[/“Yes. Get the ball rolling. Time to succeed where we failed in ’39.” Sandoval said with a satisfied smile. But with a third of the assets, a nagging voice in his mind reminded him.
quote]

Listen to that little voice James. Don't stick your nose into a family fight.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: marauder648 on 23 June 2021, 09:20:30
Excellent update, now i'm wondering what the message was, and how Victor will react to this over the border 'adventurism' by his own forces.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Wrangler on 26 July 2021, 09:37:53
Finally, I'm all caught up. Entire story (with chapters in right order...damn omakes...) is on the Fanon wiki if people want slightly easier time reading it.

Great story!
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Takiro on 26 July 2021, 11:40:46
Great news Wrangler, got a link?
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Wrangler on 26 July 2021, 12:09:09
Great news Wrangler, got a link?
Sure, here. (https://battletechfanon.fandom.com/wiki/Clover_Spear_-_The_Story_of_the_%2756_War)

That's the main page / index page for the chapters.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 10 September 2021, 09:02:25
Kekku, Part 2

“Loyal Citizens, rejoice, the rebels are leaderless, we have struck down the mad coward that led them with our righteous justice! Now we can put this foolish civil war behind us and bring the Dragon back to the pinnacle of human existence it was before the foolish line of Theodore and his traitor spawn betrayed us all to the Clans and the Davions!”
-   Announcement by Voice of the Dragon 19th November, 3057


Secure Wing, Benjamin Military District Headquarters
November 6th, 3057
Fort Shandra
Benjamin
Benjamin Military District
Draconis Combine


Miyako Kurita fumed at need to delay her trip to Hachiman to rally her flagging forces. She flung her robes of office contemptuously as she thought of a suitable fate for the Warlord who dared to tell her no. Her right hand dropped to the hilt of her sword. Perhaps I should use him for some sword practice. She shook her head, banishing the thought, as exciting as it was. I am here reminding one of my Warlords who his loyalties need to be focused on. His mewling about the fortunes of this district means little compared to the need to put the Dragon’s house in order, decisively. As much as he deserves to be made an example of, replacing him would be “problematic.”

She turned to her aide, Sho-sa Ichiro Tomokamai and noticed the troubled expression on her aide’s face. His brows were furrowed with worry, and his face was wan with concern.

“What troubles you Sho-sa? Do you not agree with our presence here?” Miyako queried her aide, a hint of danger present in her voice.

“Iie, Tono, I see the need for it from a political sense, but the military needs are paramount here, and our forces are flagging on both Hachiman, and Al Na’ir. Not to mention we have reports of Nova Cat movements threatening Pesht, and the Alashain Avengers have departed Chatham and have shown up on Krenice and are attempting to take the world from the Ghost Bears.” Tomokamai drew a breath before continuing, using the pause to carefully construct his thoughts, “Much is happening, Tono, and I think we are grasping for too much.”

Miyako’s eyes flashed with anger “Ask for too much!? Are all our slain warriors asking for too much? Is the blood of our slain Coordinator and his family asking for too much? We fight the best enemy of all, we fight traitors. Sho-Sa, we purify the Combine with this trial, and we will come out the other side stronger, and ready to reclaim all that is ours. Don’t tell me you agree with that baka of a Warlord?”

Tomokamai’s eyes dropped to the floor, conceding the argument. “No, Tono, I do not.”

Miyako smiled cruelly. “Good, I would hate to think I would have to prune traitors in my own midst. Come Sho-Sa, we have a Warlord to chastise.”

20 minutes later

“Warlord Marai, I plucked you from the obscurity of your district regulars because you showed a measure of skill in your defense of Dover from the Smoke Jaguars. I am disappointed to hear that your efforts to secure more troops for our drive on Hachiman has been…unsuccessful.” Miyako Kurita circled around the conference table in the secured conference area regarding her Warlord and his staff with the same look a hungry shark gave its prey.

She tightened the circle slightly, making a show of removing her ‘mechwarrior’s gloves, and dropping them to the floor, and letting her right hand come to rest lightly at the handle of her katana. Her eyes were as black as flint, but the electric energy of barely suppressed rage flowed through them as she fixed her Warlord with her gaze. “I expect better Marai. Much better. And I will find a replacement if you cannot find a way to do the job.”

Marai nodded and cleared his throat. “Tono, I understand your frustration- “

Miyako interrupted with gritted teeth “’You dare to think you can understand the depths of my frustration?! Warlord Marai, you are severely trying my patience. And people who try my patience happen to have dark things happen to them…very dark things.”

Marai nodded again “Yes, Lady Kurita, but it doesn’t change the fact that the well has run dry with regards to men and material. My own Substitution officer has raided every planet within 100 light years to attempt to find qualified warriors. We’re even bringing back veterans of the 3rd Succession War, and their giggling grandchildren!” Marai said the last bit in a hoarse whisper, that in the quiet of the room, was as loud as any shout.

Miyako paused. A flash of calm momentarily appeared in her eyes. It warred with the rage that was the usually in the driver’s seat, but like always, the rage won out. She smiled dangerously at Marai and his staff, who had done their best imitation of statues during the entire exchange. Tomokamai swore he didn’t think any of them had blinked during the entire exchange. “Marai, you have a month, get me more troops, or I’ll be sending you and this miserably inefficient pack of curs you call a staff to the nearest front line, with all of you getting the Order of Washzkazi first.”

Marai nodded, a resigned look crossing his fate as even he knew, there would be no pleasing Miyako Kurita, no amount of equipment or men available to either side in the Combine would get Miyako to New Samarkand to depose Franklin Sakamoto. It also meant the forces loyal to Franklin couldn’t get to Miyako Kurita easily either.

The truth was that the Combine Civil War was collapsing under its own weight. Too many regiments on both sides had fallen, or simply had left. The entire DCMS logistical network had collapsed, and any fool with an abacus could see that there wasn’t enough of anything for either army to win decisively. Whole chunks of the Combine were declaring independence, or simply not paying attention to either side. And the Dieron and Pesht districts were in turmoil, with the worlds of the Benjamin district making up the front line. But Miyako was outnumbered six to two in Benjamin in regiments loyal to the Usurper, with the Ryuken only able to grant local superiority where it went into action, not to mention having to stamp out fires everywhere else. In short, it was a horror show. And the message he had just received was an admission he had received was little more than an admission of the facts.

It still is a betrayal; it is perhaps a good thing that I am not planning to survive this. Tenno Hakka Banzai Kurita-sama! Tomokamai’s mind raced, as he reached for a vial in his pocket. It was small, the size of a small pencil. He applied pressure, and felt the vial shatter, and the deadly liquid contained within splash across his hand. He began to feel the effects almost immediately, and he began to feel the tremors in his hand as the nerve agent began to take effect.

He smiled and turned towards the others in the room who were now looking at him with eyes as wide as saucers. Miyako’s mouth was open in shock. Tomokamai’s smile was wide, as his body began to lose control, and his mouth began to froth. It was a struggle for him to form his last words, but they were simple ones: “Omi Kurita sends her regards.” Tomokamai then collapsed in a heap and began to jerk as his dying nerves misfired and his body contorted painfully in his last moments. It wasn’t long before everyone in the room was doing the same. Miyako Kurita, last of her line, died painfully contorting and fouled in her own fluids and waste, her last moments full of pain and terror. With her, the Combine Civil War died as well, but like most civil wars, the end was messy indeed.

“I’ll never forget when we got word that Kurita-chan was dead by the hands of an assassin on Benjamin. We were ordered by some general I’d never heard of to surrender. The Ryuken surrender? Iie! We do not surrender. We fight. But for whom. We were not sell-swords, and we were not ronin. Fortunately, we did find an option another Kurita presented us…”
-   Memoirs of Tai-Sa Hanji Morris, commander of the Ryuken-san, quoted in “In At The End: The Last Days of the Combine Civil War, by Hauptmann-General Fritz Kaller, AFFC (ret), Published by Tharkad Green Press, 3071.



Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: EAGLE 7 on 10 September 2021, 15:58:28
Thanks for keeping this going so many twists to bring the story to this point.

Clover Spear fan from the start.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Nikas_Zekeval on 10 September 2021, 16:23:11
“I’ll never forget when we got word that Kurita-chan was dead by the hands of an assassin on Benjamin. We were ordered by some general I’d never heard of to surrender. The Ryuken surrender? Iie! We do not surrender. We fight. But for whom. We were not sell-swords, and we were not ronin. Fortunately, we did find an option another Kurita presented us…”
-   Memoirs of Tai-Sa Hanji Morris, commander of the Ryuken-san, quoted in “In At The End: The Last Days of the Combine Civil War, by Hauptmann-General Fritz Kaller, AFFC (ret), Published by Tharkad Green Press, 3071.


Well every noble needs their personal guard.  How fortunate for the Ryuken Omi doesn't have one yet.  At least Victor won't have to buy her one, just chop off funds for logistical support.

Does Omi still have plans for Franklin and the cabal using him as a figurehead?

Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Intermittent_Coherence on 10 September 2021, 18:52:24
One could hope they are referring to Omi.

Given how crapsack Kuritan society is it could just as easily be another pretender.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: worktroll on 10 September 2021, 19:05:43
Can't see Omi - she'd have to trade Victor for the throne, as I can't see either society accepting a Federated Combinwealth.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Kujo on 10 September 2021, 22:54:47
Ryuken, they said they weren't sell swords they didn't say they wouldn't serve as say a 'personal' guard of someone like the former keeper of the house honor and former mistress of the O5P.  They could justify it as the 'Dragon' nesting and converting it's most powerful foe, from the strengths of the Houses Steiner and Davion and new as well as a more potent Dragon could emerge.  Or they could relocate and fight against the clans?  Or any number of other options.  Thank you.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Sir Chaos on 11 September 2021, 01:20:31
Can't see Omi - she'd have to trade Victor for the throne, as I can't see either society accepting a Federated Combinwealth.

I could see Omi using her legitimacy to back whoever is the sanest candidate for throne who is left. That could sway a lot of people, especially if she renounces her own claim at the same time to appease those who don´t want a ruler with Steiner-Davion times.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: worktroll on 11 September 2021, 01:45:12
Entirely logical.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Takiro on 11 September 2021, 06:49:32
Another great chapter! 
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Wrangler on 11 September 2021, 18:22:26
Simply wow.  Mad Dragon has been slayed.  At what cost is what i'd like to say.

Amazing work!
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 07 October 2021, 08:28:34

“Allah the Merciful, Peace upon him, and you, citizens of the Azami Caliphate. For 560 years we served the Kurita family with loyalty and fidelity with our warriors. But we will not serve pretenders who have murdered their way to the throne, or madwomen addled with dreams of power. Thus, with joy and determination, we of the Azami Caliphate hereby declare our independence from the Draconis Combine and we call all sons and daughters of the Azami home. We furthermore welcome the regiments of the Ryuken to our service, though they may be infidels, they believe that the Combine as it exists now, is a poor relation to the state we loyally served. We hope to uphold the best of what the Combine was, as well as restore respect for Sunnah in public life. We furthermore welcome all citizens of the Combine who are people of the book to our worlds, and seek to live in peace with our neighbors…”
Excerpt from the Independence Broadcast of Caliph Hadi Vaziri, 1st Caliph of the Restored Azami Caliphate, 3rd December, 3057

People of the Kessel and Vega Prefectures. Last night, I signed a document that declared our independence from the Draconis Combine. I did this with a heavy heart and a sense that I have altered our destiny forever. But the civil war has shown us that the leaders who we placed our trust and faith in, were not worthy of it. They were not worthy of us. And so, we shall deny them their prize. Furthermore, I have petitioned the Federated Commonwealth for membership. I know our peoples have been at war many times, but I felt, as did my staff, that this was the best decision for our people to finally know the peace we have been denied so long. I furthermore call home all members of the Legions of Vega, and ask them to serve as our defenders until help from the Commonwealth can arrive…”
Excerpt of the Independence Broadcast of the “Grand Duke of Vega” Amaya Dai. 10th December, 3057

Offices of the Duke of Robinson
Ducal Palace
Bueller City
Robinson
19th December, 3057


“Has the intelligence significantly changed in the last two months?” Duke James Sandoval read the room as he queried his staff. His son, Tancred, kept his own counsel, but looked at his father with grey, dull eyes that looked as if they were about to roll back like a shark about to devour an unfortunate seal.

James surveyed his Ducal situation room. The bunker dated back to the Third Succession War, and though it was beautifully decorated with woods from all the woods of the Draconis March, one item caught his eye. It was a burned piece of wood nailed to the wall. There was a small brass plate below it, it read simply, “Remains of the First Ministry of the New Avalon Catholic Church of Kentares IV. Serva Dei Innocentes” It had been a gift to his great-grandfather from the bishopric of Robinson. Even though the Sandovals were Jewish, they had a responsibility to all the citizens of the March. And that piece had come from the ruins of the orphanage. Focus, James, Focus.

James nodded with satisfaction. “Are the units at their assembly points, and are we ready to cross the line of departure, ladies and gentlemen?”

Marshal Aileen Lugo nodded, “Sire, we’re as ready as we can be. The entire operation is really on a shoestring to be honest, and we’re going without any real approval from the NCA, but the fact remains, we do have something of a blank check- “

Duke Sandoval waved off the concern expressed in Marshal Lugo’s voice “Aileen, we’re keeping operations limited to Dieron, and I think we can expect the Combine will be as confused as hell, Miyako’s armies are in a state of collapse, and it’s something of a footrace to beat Sakamoto’s troops into Dieron. A footrace I intend to win. We have the entire Robinson Ranger brigade in place by mid- February and we don’t expect the DCMS to be able to reintegrate most of rebel held Galedon till then at the earliest. The good news is that we’ve managed to hire a few additional merc battalions. We now have eight mercenary battalions at our disposal.”

“How much in the way of artillery?” James queried

“Three brigades, all training units from the Bryceland PDZ.” And they haven’t got a lot in the way of ammunition. Frankly sir, I’d plan on going without them, sir. They’re not remotely combat ready.”

James nodded, and said, “At this rate, all we have going for us is surprise and the fact the Combine’s worse off than us?”

Lugo nodded, “Yes, sire, but we only have enough supplies for sixty days of combat operations. And to be honest, I am not sure the 2nd Kearny Highlanders are going to be very happy to leave Northwind with only their local defense force. This is the Combine we’re talking about here.”

There were murmurs of agreement with the last comment. It was an article of faith in the Draconis March that the DCMS ate babies and committed war crimes on any day ending in “y”. Worse, this was a wounded Combine, and Sandoval knew there had already been WMD used by both sides in the civil war. With worlds cleaving off from the Combine at an accelerating rate, there was no telling what the Combine would do to “Davion invaders” it could not stop with conventional means.

James, there is nothing you can do if that happens, you, Victor, Omi, and Katherine knew this operation was a risk. But something must be done or half the Draconis March is going to be up in arms. And who the hell was going to blame them, not after Helen…but sixty days of supplies? God in heaven, we’re going to be lucky if this even remotely works. At least the Dracs in Dieron seem to be in a hurry to leave the Combine. But the question is, do they want to join the Federated Commonwealth?

James exhaled and faced the multifunction holo display that was constantly updating with troop numbers and intelligence on the target worlds. Sandoval was bathed in warring colors of light. He took a pregnant pause to utter a short prayer and turned deliberately to face all those present. He met eyes with his son Tancred. I am sorry Tancred; it seems I will visit on others what was done to you. Please forgive me.

He took a breath and turned to Marshal Lugo. “Marshal Lugo, we go on the 31st of December with or without the 2nd Robinson. They can catch up. NAQAM is a go on the 6th of January. Tell the 1st New Ivaarsen to begin their move to Royal and to raid targets along the border at Leftenant General Johnson’s discretion, but not before the 6th. And remind her that her job is to keep the DCMS pinned along the frontier while the rest of us grab as much of Dieron as we can.”

James drew in another breath. There was no stopping it now. The die was cast.

“In most normal circumstances, NAQAM shouldn’t have worked. There was too little of everything and too much of the Combine up for grabs. But let it not be said James Sandoval didn’t have two things going for him…a sense of history, and an innate sense of timing. It also helped that the DCMS’s units along the border were as much as 10-15% understrength and some of them hadn’t seen anything in the way of supplies for months...”
From “Gambling for a Nation - How the Dieron March Came to Be” Alexander Kajori, Kentares Press, 3071

Operation NAQAM

1st Wave – January 3058
Diversionary Raids
Marduk
Attacking Forces:
1st New Ivaarsen Chasseurs
Defending Forces: 22nd Benjamin Regulars, Victory Industries Defense Battalion, Marduk Militia

The 22nd met the Chasseurs outside the planetary capital, with Tai-Sa Dirks trying to pin down the Chasseurs, using the militia as bait. The Chasseurs refused to take the bait, and instead, hit the Victory Industries plant, crushing the defense battalion. The Chasseurs stripped the plant to the walls. This was after the plant had just come back online in 3043 after the last Davion raid. After belting around the 22nd for two more weeks, they left the frustrated Combine defenders behind to explain to Coordinator Sakamoto how one of the Combine’s remaining ‘Mech factories was now just four walls and a roof.

Main Offensive
Al’Nair
Attacking Forces:
2nd Chisholm Raiders, Brigade from Addicks DMM, Union of Liberty Mercenary Battalion (Light/Green/Reliable)
Defenders: 1st and 3rd Battalions of the 15th Direon Regulars, 44th Dieron Regulars, Al’Nair Militia, Yorii Mech Works Defense Battalion. (A battalion of Atlases, Catapults, and Hatamoto-Chis)

The Davion invasion had better luck than it deserved, as the 44th Dieron was in the middle of a safety standdown after a training accident that had killed an entire lance of ‘Mechwarriors. The 15th was caught in their bases, and barely a mixed battalion managed to fight their way clear, as they were reinforced by the 44th. The 2nd consistently outmaneuvered the Direron Regulars, defeating them in detail before forcing the 4 battalions that remained to flee off-world to Styx. The Yorii Mech Battalion was defeated three days later in a nasty fight near the ‘Mech plant that saw the Union of Liberty take 70% casualties, and the Addicks DMM Brigade take 40% casualties. Yorii Mech Works was taken 65% intact, but the Scarborough Manufacturing plant was destroyed by DCMS combat engineers before the Dieron Regulars retreated.

Quentin
Attacking Forces: 1st NAIS Cadre, 2nd Kearny Highlanders
Defending Forces: 17th Benjamin Regulars

Both Davion units arrived in system late in the month but made up for lost time by quickly bottling up in the Steel Valley. The 17th was a shadow of its former self, having been stripped for replacements for the Clan front and was now a “sink” regiment of undesirables and barely competent mechwarriors. After some desultory attempts to break out of the siege, the regiment surrendered en masse on February 6th, 3058.

Fomalhaut
Attacking Forces: Draconis March Provisional Brigade (2 battalions of Mercenaries, The Undead Squad, and the Ghost Crew, both are medium weight, Regular/Reliable battalions, and 2 battalions from the Clovis DMM)
Defenders: Fomalhaut Militia

The attacking forces had little trouble disposing of the local militia, who was more worried about food riots and general unrest in the wake of the Combine Civil War. Many militia members were happy to enter Davion POW cages to keep them from the populace they had been so recently firing on to keep from the remaining food stores.

Saffel
Attacking Forces: Grey Snake Rangers (Veteran Medium weight Reliable Merc Battalion)
Defending Forces: Saffel Militia
The Rangers had little trouble assuming control of Saffel, as the CEO of the reconstituted Saffel Medical Insitute and the planetary rulers saw little point in resisting the invasion. The decision was motivated mostly by the general economic collapse of the Combine in the wake of the Civil War, and that there was widespread starvation and disease on Saffel.

***********
“The first wave of NAQAM’s modest goals were successful beyond belief, considering the shoestring the operation was being conducted on. I will give Sandoval a lot of credit. He knew his history, and like the ancient song said, “He knew when to hold ‘em, when to fold ‘em, and when to run.” Something to be said for a commander like that…”
Unpublished Memoirs of Leftenant General Johnathan Sanchez, former CO of the 1st NAIS Cadet Cadre from 3044-65

“The level of resistance even loyal units is putting up against the Davion offensive is troubling, my lord. We will redouble our efforts to ensure the loyalty of the surviving DCMS and chase down the remaining O5P fugitives, lest they get any ideas of doing to you what was done to the late traitor Kurita. We have uncovered a nest of such traitors on Valentina and have dealt with them severely. I regret to say we have had less success in dealing with the secessionist traitors, as more such movements have appeared on Bad News and Land’s End. We have dispatched intervention battalions to deal with this scum, but it may take time, as the Dragon’s claws are overstretched now…
Excerpt from a report to Coordinator Sakamoto from the ISF, dated January 23rd, 3058
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: trekchu on 07 October 2021, 10:26:13
At this rate, the Combine won't outlast Sakamoto by much, if at all. Sweet bejeebus....
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: PsihoKekec on 07 October 2021, 12:24:31
These have been hard blows to the ability of the DCMS to recover from the cataclysmic losses it suffered so far. Also, it's possible Azami will want to take Al Nair, but while I doubt they will seek direct confrontation with FC, supporting insurgents freedom fighters is likely
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 07 October 2021, 12:37:25
Yep, I promised messy endings...I deliver messy endings.... :D Whoops, and I realized Errai is a Davion world at this point. Ok, changed it to Saffel.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: DOC_Agren on 07 October 2021, 16:42:27
Well well The Dracs are falling to internal issues
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Wrangler on 08 October 2021, 08:11:48
Nice and messy update.  It would make a good campaign book if someone would be interested using as such.

I've been posting the entire thing into the BattleTech Fanon Wiki, with panzerfaust150's permission I'll make it into PDF.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Kujo on 08 October 2021, 11:35:17
Looks like the Draconis March is playing Poland–Lithuania in "Relieving" Vienna (Dieron) and Duke James Sandoval playing John III Sobieski of that commonwealth.  Yeah bit of a stretch but the video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcYhYO02f98 Winged Hussars is just too good to be denied for this action!  Thank you.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Ice Hellion on 09 October 2021, 14:29:21
on any day ending in “y”.

 ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: marauder648 on 22 October 2021, 06:13:47
Excellent updates, the Combine's basically falling apart at this point. Excellent writing!
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 03 February 2022, 13:21:52
Kekku, Part 4

AN: The below from “ComStar was not written by me. Thanks Yellowhammer!”

From: Duke James Sandoval, Lord of the Draconis March
To: Franklin 'Kurita', Miyako Kurita
Re: NAQAM
SHABBAT SHALOM, M***********S!

-   Apocryphal transmission sent over ComStar to both sides in the Kuritan Civil War, dated 1 January, 3058

Offices of the Duke of Robinson
Ducal Palace
Bueller City
Robinson
2nd January, 3058


The mood in the situation room could be charitably described as “guarded optimism.” So far, NAQAM hadn’t faced more than a virtual “corporal’s guard” of Combine troops, and what they had run into was underfed, low on ammo, and robbed of the usual “bushido spirit” one found in the DCMS in normal circumstances. The past year and a half have been anything but normal. James Sandoval reminded himself.

Sandoval turned to Marshal Lugo and his staff. His staff had just concluded an excellent presentation on the situation in the Combine, and the best way to describe it was “confused.” Both sides in the collapsing civil war still referred to themselves as the DCMS, and the new proto-states growing out of what was left of the Dieron Military District were just confusing matters even more, as many of their units had just been DCMS units a month ago.

“Marshal Lugo, your professional opinion, how far should we go with NAQAM?” James opined, his brow furrowing as the wheels of his mind turned in a mix of concern, and an attempt to balance political and military considerations.
Marshal Lugo cleared his throat, and rose, walking over to the holotank. He produced a laser pointer as he traced the movements of the border that was forming between the Azami Caliphate and the Vega Ducal Republic, the latter was already in negotiations to join the Federated Commonwealth. The orders were explicit about both – Hands off. “Sire, if you asked me a month ago what I thought the Combine might do in the face of something like NAQAM, I’d have said, ‘Launch a massive counterattack.’ But the Combine’s cupboard is bare. What frontline units they have are undersupplied and as much as 20-40% understrength. They’re lucky that except for us, most of their enemies are similarly exhausted, including the Clans. Our own logistics really cannot support more than a second wave of targets. So, whatever we grab, we’d better make it good. My recommendation? Go for the throat. Go for Dieron. The garrison is the weakest I’ve ever seen it, and it’s an opportunity we won’t get again. I also suspect that if it falls, a lot of undecided planets in the district will side with us and get some safety from Coordinator Sakamoto, and his ‘justice.’"

“Is this a unanimous recommendation of your staff, Marshal Lugo?”

“No sire, but it’s a majority, some of my staff thought it a better idea to grab what we could of the industrial worlds and call it a day. But except for Nirasaki and Marduk, of which we have nullified the latter? We have achieved that objective. We’re just grabbing real estate for political purposes now, sire.”

James nodded. Victor won’t like that at all. He told me to make this a limited offensive, not a Reconquista. Not that the Combine doesn’t deserve the latter. If I could get away with it, it would be ‘First regiment to New Samarkand gets the Dragonslayer Ribbon’ and to pick the beer at the Sakamoto skull kegger. Time to reign in Marshal Lugo.

“Marshal, whatever our mutual feelings are about the Combine and her works, we’ve done as much as we can with what we have. Execute your plans for Dieron, with whatever you can spare for supporting operations to grab as much as you can if Dieron fails. If we succeed, then those planets are a bonus, but wrap everything up by March 10th. I don’t think we can sustain operations at all past that. Plus, I don’t want to unify the damn Combine behind Sakamoto. And tell the commander of the 1st New Ivaarsen to make his next raid a doozie."

Marshal Lugo smiled “I shall, sire. He has some ideas along those lines. We can jump off for the second wave by 20 January. I think that’s enough time to get things unsnarled.

Sandoval nodded with a grim smile on his face. Here’s hoping we can put an end to all this madness.

2nd Wave – January-February 3058

Diversionary Raids
Benjamin
Attacking Forces: 1st New Ivaarsen Chasseurs

Defending Forces: Benjamin Militia, 1st ISF Intervention Regiment (taken from a mix of ISF units, and loyal militias from the Galedon district).

As a Military District HQ world, Benjamin is usually home to at least two regiments, but with the chaos of the Combine Civil War, both regiments from the garrison were called elsewhere and never returned. The world declared early for Miyako, and when the 1st New Ivaarsen arrived, there was a fight going on between the local militia and an ISF intervention regiment sent to bring the world back into the loyal Combine fold.
 
The confusion and mayhem of the on-planet fighting was a heaven-sent opportunity for the 1st New Ivaarsen. The raid was mostly symbolic in terms of actual military value, with the 1st beating up handily both combatants, and grabbing 20 million C-Bills worth of military supplies (which the Combine could ill-afford to lose).

But the raid did have one effect. It brought peace to Benjamin. After the 1st departed, the Benjamin militia surrendered after being promised mercy by the ISF. Surprisingly, it was a promise that was kept, as only the Warlord and his staff that was executed for treason. The rest were pardoned and released within days.

Main Offensive
Halstead Station

Attacking Forces: 2nd Chisholm Raiders

Defenders: “15th Dieron Regulars” (survivors of Al’Nair)

The luck of the 2nd Chisholm ran out on Halstead Station as the “15th Dieron” (survivors of the 15th and 44th Dieron combined under the flag of the 15th) grimly dug in to defy the Davion invaders. They didn’t have long to wait, as the 2nd Chisholm arrived in the system on the 25th of January. It wasn’t long before the fighting on-world locked into a bloody stalemate that did little but bleed both regiments white. Outside matters decided the fighting for Halstead Station, as the news of Dieron and its fate motivated the commander of the 15th to do something unusual. He asked for asylum for himself and his command in the Federated Commonwealth.

Dieron
Attacking Forces: 1st NAIS Cadre, 2nd Kearny Highlanders, Draconis March Provisional Brigade, 1st Robinson Rangers

Defending Forces: 1st and 2nd Battalions, 3rd Dieron Regulars

Joined by the 1st Robinson Rangers newly returned from Clover Spear, the AFFC outnumbered the Combine forces 6-1 and it wasn’t a case of if Dieron would fall, but when. The 3rd fought well, but with the 1st Robinson leading the way (supported by a brigade of combat engineers from the Draconis March), the AFFC forces pushed their way into Fortress Dieron over the better part of a month, and took the fortress, as well as the world in 57 days of fierce, if unequal fighting. Few Combine defenders surrendered, most fighting to the last.


I was a minor functionary in the Quartermaster Department office on Robinson. I was more of a “keep the jumpships running on time” sort. I was a real son of the Draconis March, you know, death to the Dracs and all that. So, it was with some surprise that my boss comes into my office. He said I was being reassigned to Department of Military Administration. The second shock is that I was being tapped as a military governor for a Combine world! I naturally protested. I said I wasn’t trained for this. Administration had people who did this sort of thing. Overtasked he said, everyone was being asked, and my name came up because I’d taken a semester of Japanese at Sakahara. (Which I barely remembered).

Within a week I was on a dropship outbound for Kervil. I’d never heard of the place. I will say the greeting was enthusiastic. It was reminiscent of the ancient 2-D vid “Blazing Saddles.” As far as I knew, I was the only AFFC personnel on the entire planet. I spent my “workdays” as it was attending government meetings and coordinating integration into the Federated Commonwealth, which to be honest was changing the flags and seals on the stationary. My time away from the office? Well, that was something of an eye opening about the average Combine citizen, and their lives. I had a lot of time on my hands, and I was a bit of a foodie, so I must have hit every decent restaurant within 200 kilometers of the capitol (nice when you got a skimmer at your disposal).

That’s how I met my wife, Yua. She was a line cook at a nice Gyu-Kaku place, and we got to know each other over our mutual love of food and travel. I will say her parents didn’t take a shine to me at first. But I think they warmed to me a bit as time went on when I proved I wasn’t the usual Gaijin. They did better than my family managed, I got disowned for marrying Yua, but no matter? I got a good job in the planetary administration here and worked there for thirty years. Our kids are in the AFFC, one is a ‘Mechwarrior with the 1st Dieron Grenadiers. And Yua and I are part of the neighborhood committee (It’s a holdover from the Combine days, but the locals like some of the old trappings, who the hell was I to undo everything?)


-   “How I Became a Son of the Dieron March.” Fedcom Today, April 3088


Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: mikecj on 03 February 2022, 18:31:52
Nicely written.  I like the little piece at the end for the personal touch.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: EAGLE 7 on 03 February 2022, 21:03:22
Happy to see this still going. And the story continues to paint new vistas of BT crack.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Takiro on 04 February 2022, 21:38:38
Very nice, certainly one of my favorite ongoing BattleTech sagas!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Ammonios on 05 February 2022, 22:16:13
Hello,

Once the Sian campaign is concluded, can a map of the Inner Sphere be presented at that point in time? It does not need to follow immediately afterwards, just as long as a perspective can be established on how much has changed since the last map.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 06 February 2022, 11:59:04
@Ammonios
 I'd love to, but I lack the proper mapping software. Yeah, I got Campaign Cartographer, but it does not seem to work for that sort of thing. Not without some work on my part.

  Jason
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Wrangler on 07 February 2022, 00:05:52
@Ammonios
 I'd love to, but I lack the proper mapping software. Yeah, I got Campaign Cartographer, but it does not seem to work for that sort of thing. Not without some work on my part.

  Jason
Couldn't you use MekHQ to try to do that?
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 07 February 2022, 17:40:18
How does that work?
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: 2ndAcr on 07 February 2022, 17:54:58
 It can be quite useful, BUT, I have not figured out a "clean" way to take a screenshot of just the map. I guess you could screenshot it and then copy/paste to Paint and delete all the surrounding stuff. If they ever reenable the ability to edit a systems data (ownership, resources etc) I will be making a ton of use of it. But I don't think they have brought that back yet.

 Used to be a few clicks and I could quickly change ownership of a system which made it easy to track progress and such.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: drakensis on 08 February 2022, 02:38:18
Most versions of Windows seem to come with Snipping Tool as standard now, which lets you take a screenshot of just a selected rectangle of your screen.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Davout73 on 13 February 2022, 02:41:32
@Ammonios
 I'd love to, but I lack the proper mapping software. Yeah, I got Campaign Cartographer, but it does not seem to work for that sort of thing. Not without some work on my part.

  Jason

Send me a sketch of what you want it to look like, use Jellcio73 at gmail dot com and I can gin something up.  Could take me a few days.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Takiro on 14 February 2022, 15:01:32
Looking forward to seeing that map or maps!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Davout73 on 14 February 2022, 17:53:40
Or you could just PM me, because apparently I can't spell Jellico73 at gmail dot com properly..
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 15 March 2022, 15:12:50
Shattered Dao, Part 2

The Fight for the Forbidden City was some of the nastiest close-quarters combat I have ever been involved in, and that includes my short time on Solaris. I saw more DFAs and ‘Mechs tearing the limbs off each other than I think I ever want to again. I saw a Capellan Atlas tear the leg off a Davion Valkyrie and beat it into the ground. I dropped the Atlas with a long burst from Yen Lo Wang’s autocannon. Always appreciated the product Pontiac put out, but a Cataphract in the colors of the Red Lancers took its place. He was much better, and it was the closest I ever came to dying. But I am still here. Him? He’s in Warrior House Jade Phoenix. You can’t waste warriors like that.

“FOR OUR HOMES AND FATHERS! KILL FIVE DAVIONS BEFORE YOU DIE! SIAN WILL REMAIN CAPELLAN.”

Sian, Part 4
Attacking Forces: 1st Davion Guards RCT, 4th Davion Guards RCT, 3rd Davion Guards RCT, 6th Syrtis Fusiliers RCT, 7th Crucis Lancers RCT, 1st Ceti Hussars RCT, 3rd Royal Guards RCT, Davion Light Guards RCT, 10th Deneb Light Cavalry RCT, 1st Federated Suns Armored Cavalry, 1st Kell Hounds, Jade Phoenix Cluster, 5th Federated Commonwealth RCT, 4th Royal Guards, 10 artillery brigades.

Defending Forces: House Immarra (45% strength), Red Lancers (20% strength), 1st People’s Loyalty Regiment (15%, scattered in penny packets), Death Commando Battalion (35% strength), 2 combined arms divisions of the Sian Home Guard (third division was disbanded due to losses and used to reinforce the other two), and 65 “Victory Battalions” (22 of which are on Wuhan, many battalions have either been destroyed or have deserted/surrendered en masse.)

Results: Shattered Dao’s initial drop went well, and was a qualified success, with the Jade Phoenix Cluster, The Fox’s Teeth Company of the 7th Crucis Lancers, 3/1st Ceti Hussars, and 1/The Davion Light Guards all executing a tight drop on the grounds of the Chancellor’s Palace against heavy Capellan resistance. The defenders were a mixed battalion of Home Guard, People’s Volunteers, as well as a ‘Mech Battalion, made up of some Red Lancers and Death Commandos. The initial fighting was fierce if short and the Allies made short work of the defenders. However, several sharp counterattacks by remnants of the Red Lancers and Death Commandos had Kai Allard-Liao’s command holding on by their fingernails, and by the morning of the 13th, 50% of Task Force Allard was dead, or too wounded to fight. Supplies were also touch and go, as Marshal Archer was four hours late. But the good news was that Marshal Archer had decisively defeated the last Capellan defensive line before the Forbidden City and was on her way. Sian was going to fall, but the question remained for both sides in the Forbidden City? Would she arrive in time, or would she get there to see Task Force Allard-Liao overrun after making a gallant stand?

Task Force Allard-Liao Perimeter
October 13th, 3057, 0340 hours
Forbidden City, Sian
Capellan Confederation


Kai Allard-Liao was angry, they’d beaten off three Capellan counterattacks in the last two hours. Damn Kuángrè de are forming up to try again. His thermal vision saw enemy ‘Mechs forming up in the pre-dawn murk, with infantry dancing around the legs as if they were smaller fish scooting around a shark cleaning them up from their previous meals. Good god, more Home Guards and Victory Battalion members. He’d already had to send a Vulcan pilot to the field hospital as a psychiatric casualty. He’d had to turn his weapons on a troop of Capellan girl scouts who he’d let get too close to him. One of them got a satchel charge onto a leg actuator. The ‘Mech was in the hands of someone else now. A tech promoted from the ranks of the Jade Phoenixes.

Kai popped the faceplate of his neurohelmet and tugged off his gloves…rubbing his eyes and then reaching for a water bottle. How many have you killed today, Kai Allard-Liao? The voice was his father’s, and he knew it was his own subconscious, mocking him for a youthful indiscretion. What the hell was I thinking, saying that?

Kai turned the radio to the GUARD frequency. The Capellans for some reason weren’t bothering with any kind of COMSEC. Hell, they were announcing their attacks with patriotic slogans and bugle calls over the radio. What kind of idiot does that? His Clanners thought it was brave, somewhat honorable. It didn’t prevent his Clanners from killing the Capellans in job lots as they came through.

An elemental suit bounded out of the darkness, coming to a stop at the feet of Kai’s ‘Mech. Taman’s done his walk of the perimeter. He changed his primary frequency back to the Jade Phoenix Battalion.

“How went your walk of the lines, Taman? Our guys holding up well?” Kai exhaled, trying to chase the exhaustion and frustration away.

“Good for the most part, the Foxes Teeth are doing well, if a bit shook after the death of Ross McKinnion. He died well for a Spheroid. He died with his mate, Sarah Lytton. There were heaps of dead Capellans around them. The rest of our force is tired but eager. The end of a long campaign is in sight, and we are ready to enjoy our conquest.” Taman’s usually gravelly voice was filled with exhaustion, his words slightly slurred.

“Taman, tell Danton to move his people into reserve. They’ve done well today. And I’ll be writing Ross and Sarah up for the Diamond Sunburst. Cross load ammo and consumables. I suspect they won’t be in reserve long.” Kai remarked, his voice sounding a bit droller than intended.

Do I really want to rule these people? They’re so ready to die for a madman who's gotten them to this point. They can’t win, they have turned Sian into a smoking ruin, and may have even used nuclear weapons on us. The desperation is brave, and sad…and so damned Capellan.

“Kai, do you know where Marshal Sarah is? If she doesn’t arrive soon, I fear our being superior warriors will mean little, as we are going to get rolled over.”

“Aff Taman, all we can do is buy time. How much of the Pheonixes are still standing?”

“All but ten, ovKhan. And all died a credit to their origins. We need our own version of the Remembrance for our Cluster.” A bit of pride crept back into Taman’s voice.

Kai nodded with a grim smile. “Well, then if Marshal Archer arrives a bit late, at least we paved the way for her, but I’d rather not emulate Custer or Frost at Arnhem Bridge.”

“Aff, neither would I, ovKhan.”

A bugle call pierced the calm of Kai’s cockpit. It was soon followed by rapid-fire Han Chinese, breaking into the “Capellan Patriot’s Song” a recent creation of the Capellan Broadcast Service. Kai’s ears cringed involuntarily; it was the version done by “DaoShao” a recently popular tween boy band from Zurich that had topped the Capellan pop charts just before the war. And now they’re convincing other kids to die. Isn’t that nice?

“Taman, get back to your Star, I suspect we’re going to have company soon.”

“Aff, ovKhan!” Taman’s suit turned with uncharacteristic speed and jetted away, returning to his elemental star on the far-left flank. They were covering what was left of the Chancellor’s gardens and were there in case the Capellans tried to infiltrate through the undergrowth. If not, they would use the terrain to counterattack into the flank of any Capellan advance. The rest were dug in wherever cover could be found in the tangle of shattered buildings and monuments. The early morning murk was a mix of smoke from burning buildings and smashed ‘Mechs and vehicles, as well as fog from the nearby swamps.

Kai changed to his command company frequency, then activated the push to get it out to all receivers on the task force net.

<<ALL RAPIER CALL SIGNS, THIS IS DEMON SIX. STAND-TO, STAND-TO, HERE COMES THE SILLY BASTARDS AGAIN!>>

Acknowledgments flooded in from the task force, Kai filtered most of them out as he counted the men and women in his task force. 8 ‘Mechs operational, and that was a loose definition. Most were close to CLG. I’ve got an understrength company, most of us are pretty shot up. Least we have one thing going for us.

He switched frequencies again:
<<DEMON SIX TO STARBASE THREE-ZERO. AM CALLING MLONJR, REPEAT MLONJIR.>>

MLONJIR was the “GOTH” or Go to Hell Plan for the artillery support with Marshal Archer. Basically, all the FPF (Final Protective Fire) lines would be hit with the heaviest doses of fire that could be mustered in a massive TOT barrage, on Kai’s signal. Trouble was. Most of the FPF lines were well within what was considered “danger close.”

All Kai had to do was give the word. “Freak Show 4, let’s see if we can calm the ardor of these Capellans, get the Psyop tapes running.”

A few of the Battlemechs had loudspeakers attached with prepared tapes in Chinese and Russian calling on the Capellans to surrender for promises of fair treatment. The tapes blared over the smoking ruin of the valley stretching before Kai. He turned up the gain on his external audio pickups. Then a roar came from the Capellan side. It was a chant… one-word “Sǐwáng” – Death. It was chanted three times, then switched to a guttural “Urrahhh!” and a mass of grey-green humanity boiled out of the treeline some 1000 meters opposite Kai, several Capellan ‘Mechs and AFV behind them, firing wildly.

Kai thumbed off his MASTER ARM switch, muttering “For the Chancellor” in an ironic tone. Time to go to work.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Dear Mom,

I know we have a family tradition of serving in the Light Guards. But…I can’t go near a ‘Mech anymore. Every time I sit in the cockpit, I see those girls I turned the machine guns on. I’ve asked for discharge on medical grounds…and it’s been granted. They’re shipping me back to Mallory’s World soon.

Please forgive me. I know we have a tradition of service, but I murdered children. I don’t know how I am supposed to live with that.

This may have been a necessary war, I don’t know. All I know is, from where I sit, it wasn’t a good war by any means. We’ve destroyed a world to save it. I don’t think they’ll ever forgive us for that. I don’t know if I can.

You and Dad were my heroes from the 4th War. I feel as if I’ve failed you, the family, and so many others. God forgive me for that. But God also forgive me for what I did. They say I prevented the line from being rolled up. But honestly, I wished I’d gotten that recognition posthumously. Our Vulcan will be coming home later. It’s been given to another ‘Warrior, but it will be returned when the shooting is over, or the AFFC will compensate us.

I’d rather have the money at this point. I think…I think I want to go back to school. Maybe, maybe become someone who helps bring something good into this world. Someone who protects kids…rather than turns machine guns on them?

Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: wolfcannon on 15 March 2022, 18:52:59
holy bat guano.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: mikecj on 15 March 2022, 19:16:46
Nicely written showing the psychological cost.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Nikas_Zekeval on 15 March 2022, 20:58:47
holy bat guano.
Nicely written showing the psychological cost.

Reminds of a scene from "The Siege of Firebase Gloria".  A Vietnam war movie, at one point the grizzled veteran tells the newbie to fire on a couple Vietmense girls saying "we're friends" and wanting into the base.  When he wouldn't the veteran knocks the newbie down and grabs his M-16 and fires.

The girls scream, then explode.  They were Vietcong sappers, wrapped in explosives.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Kujo on 15 March 2022, 23:03:05
Sian and Luthien would never be easy worlds to defeat let alone conquer.  Both are capital worlds of Totalitarian states whose populations have never known anything but 'dear leader'.  Luthien may, may adjust better with the reforms Teddy and Takashi instituted, but Sian under Sunny Boy and 'Rommie' cult of personality takes a whole new meaning...  I hope Kai and Dr. Lear (hopefully with the help of Cassandra and Kaun-Yin) have a few years to deprogram and reconstruct not only Sian but the whole insane areas of the Confederation!

Not a perfect fit, but Sabaton's "Versailles" (especially the second half) may capture the battles in this chapter  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzuLHyY4Ir8&list=RDJzuLHyY4Ir8&index=1

Great if very depressing chapter!  Thank you.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: ckosacranoid on 15 March 2022, 23:11:18
Damn that is one he'll of a bloody update for sure.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Wrangler on 16 March 2022, 19:14:42
Yikes
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Korzon77 on 16 March 2022, 22:40:49
you know it strikes me that this might also cause a long-term shift in the IS, in the same way that post WWI there was a pacifist movement. It wouldn't hurt that the two powers most likely to "not play nice" are no longer a factor, so it'd be interesting to see if there's some attempt to actually forge a lasting peace out of this.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 14 July 2022, 20:17:18
Shattered Dao, Part 3​

“The last 40 klicks or so to the Forbidden City were the worst. What should have taken us an hour to cover took the better part of the day. Every damn building, gulley, or reverse slope, we had to dig Capellan defenders out. Most died, some surrendered. But I’ll not forget the feeling when the 1st [Davion] Guards raised their colors and the FC flag over the palace? I will admit I wept like a ****** baby.”
Marshal Sarah Archer “My Thirty Years in Uniform – A Memoir”

Axis “Quickcell” along Capellan State Highway 7
38km from the Forbidden City
0340 hours
October 14th, 3057
Sian
Capellan Confederation

<<LUCKY ACTUAL, I NEED YOU TO GET YOUR ASSES ON THE ROAD AND ME INTO THE DAMN FORBIDDEN CITY BY SUNUP. CAN YOU DO THAT, OR DO I NEED TO PASS THE BATTLE TO NOTORIOUS? OVER?>>

<<GREEN ACTUAL, WE CAN DO THIS, MY BOYS AND GIRLS CAN SEE THE SPIRES OF THE FORBIDDEN CITY. ONE MORE PUSH AND WE ARE THERE. SAY THE WORD AND GIVE ME PRIOITY OF FIRES, OVER?>>

Marshal Archer yawned, hoping the mic on her neurohelmet wouldn’t pick that up. The 7th Crucis had been fighting like demons since they forced the last ditch Capellan line. Even with the Capellan line broken, the 7th was taking heavy casualties to disorganized, but ferocious Capellan strongpoints and local counterattacks. Wish I still had the 6th available, but they’re in a rest period while I rebuild the RCT command staff. It was a dilemma. She knew Jasper Zibler would force his way through any way he could. But he’d probably gut the unit doing it. The Assault Guards were busy holding open the flanks of the advance, and the rest of the force was launching local attacks to pin down other Capellan defenders.
No, it was time.

<<LUCKY ACTUAL, THIS IS GREEN ACTUAL. HAND OVER THE BATTLE TO MEDUSA AND ATLAS. THEY’RE PRETTY FRESH AND THEY’LL GET US IN. TELL YOUR BOYS AND GIRLS THEY DID A GREAT JOB GETTING US THIS FAR. IT’S TIME OTHERS TOOK THE JOB TO FINISH IT, OVER?>>

Zibler’s voice sounded dejected on the other end, but with a tinge of understanding <<ROGER, GREEN ACTUAL, WE WILL HAND OVER THE FIGHT.

THANKS FOR THE PRAISE FOR MY BOYS AND GIRLS. THEY DESERVE SO MUCH, OVER?>>Zeyus
Archer grinned crookedly. <<UNDERSTOOD LUCKY ACTUAL. PULL YOUR KIDS BACK FOR SOME REST. THEY DID AN AMAZING JOB GETTING US

THROUGH THAT LAST CAPELLAN DEFENSIVE BELT. SIT BACK AND WATCH THE FLAG GET RAISED. GREEN ACTUAL OUT.>>
She switched frequencies

<<KINGPIN ACTUAL, THIS IS GREEN ACTUAL, LUCKY IS HANDING OVER THE BATTLE TO ATLAS AND MEDUSA. PLEASE GIVE THE PASSAGE OF LINES AND THEIR ADAVANCE PRIORITY OF FIRES, OVER?>>

<<GREEN ACTUAL, KINGPIN ACTUAL WILCO. WE WILL GIVE THEM ALL THE HELL WE CAN MANAGE, OVER.>>

<<KINGPIN ACTUAL, NEVER SUSPECTED OTHERWISE, GREEN ACTUAL OUT.>>

It was up to the 1st Ceti and the 1st Davion Guards now.

Marshal Archer heard a series of booms ring out to her rear. That must be the redlegs covering the 7th during passage of lines. Excellent, these kids have fought their heart out.

She then rose the left arm of her Zeus and gave the hand and arm signal for an advance towards the fighting, which was lighting up the night sky like a man-made tempest. She then pumped the arm up and down to signal “maximum speed.”

This is for all the ****** marbles. It’s time to end this bullshit.

Her command company slid into line on either side of her, with two lances up, and the support lance in the rear. She took in the sights and sounds as the whine of autocannons mixed with the thunder like sound of PPCs and the freight train noise of artillery ripping apart the early morning sky.

Her people were tired. They had gone with little sleep for the last 12 hours, and food had been from the ration pouches on the move.

And no one had complained about it. Not one. You’d usually see or hear some griping, this was different. This was a chance to end the damn war.

And as far as she could tell? If she let them, every unit in the invasion force would race to the capitol to be first. Even Zibler, even though I told him to back off.

Her command company frequency came to life <<GREEN 31 reporting contact with the enemy 1000 meters to my front. Thermal has two ‘Mech sized contacts. They don’t have ID panels, I repeat, they don’t have ID panels, OVER?>>

<<GREEN 31, GREEN 6, ENGAGE WITH YOUR LANCE AND PUT THEM DOWN PLEASE, OVER?>>

<<GREEN 6, GREEN 31, WILCO, OUT.>>

The four assault mechs of the shock lance spread out into line some 100 meters apart, and advanced on the two contacts. Before long, LRMs and PPCs reached out to the targets somewhere in the early morning murk. The lance soon advanced into the murk themselves, and the radio lit up with reports of damage and soon, kills. The targets were a pair of Capellan Archers wearing the colors of the Red Lancers. Both appeared damaged from earlier actions, as it didn’t take a lot of fire to put them down.

<GREEN 31, GREEN 6, WELL DONE, CHARLIE-MIKE, OUT>>

3 hours later

<<ALL GREEN CALLSIGNS, GREEN SIX, LET’S SLOW IT DOWN, I WANT COLUMNS WITH SIXTY METERS BETWEEN US, WE’RE ENTERING SOME CLOSE SUBURBS HERE, AND I SMELL AMBUSH. BE READY TO SCRATCH SOME BACKS, OUT.>>
Marshal Archer throttled down her ‘Mech. The sweat began to in the palms of her fingerless gloves, and it wasn’t the heat output from the reactor. I hate cities, I really ****** hate cities.

It was a typical Capellan-planned community, with a series of apartment buildings built by the State Housing Authority on the outskirts, and a central commercial district in the center. All of it was set up on a gridded street structure, and all of it was pre-chambered for demolitions, or set up to be used as strong points. Damn Capellans think of everything, don’t they?

Yonkers on Engadin left me with that little issue. She’d been with the 26th Lyran Guards then, fighting in the 4th War as a brand new Leutnant fresh out of Buena. And it was damn like this, fighting fanatical Combine kids in the 5th Sun Zhang street to damn street. Took all spring to get those bastards to surrender. I guess that’s why I have my heart in my throat…Every damn block had DCMS infantrymen with SRMs, about half of them packing inferno rounds…

<<GREEN 6, ON YOUR NINE!>>

A stream of green tracer ripped by her ‘Mech, awfully close to her-

<WHAM, WHAM!!>

Marshal Archer’s Zeus swayed as it took two impacts to the head. The rounds hit along the side of the head, throwing sparks, and shaking the head like a terrier does a chew toy. Marshal Archer was thrown into the side of her command couch and her vision greyed for a moment, but fortunately, she didn’t lose control and managed to right the ‘Mech. Another two streams of tracers ripped past the Zeus, as she fought for control of her ‘Mech.
Sarah flipped her view from IR to Night Vision and began to turn her ‘Mech towards the general direction of the fire. Other reports were filtering in from the company. They’d walked into a fire sack for a Capellan field gun unit of perhaps battery strength, but it was hard to know, as there was also a bit of small arms fire picking up from random buildings. She caught the staccato flash of an autocannon firing from the 5th floor of a non-descript light-colored apartment block about three blocks down. Call it 300 meters, give, or take? Guess it’s PPC time?

Archer grimly flipped off her master arm switch, then pulled the trigger for just her Defiance 1000 Extended Range PPC. The weapon hummed as it built up to discharge, the process taking seconds, then violently discharging a beam of cerulean light with a loud thunderclap as killer and target were linked in a brightly lit finger of death. The entire floor exploded outward when the beam impacted, with rubble raining down into the street below, and the room where Archer had seen the muzzle flash engulfed in flames. She saw a figure in the next room over dance a macabre death dance, as he burned, preferring the quick death of jumping the eight stories into the street below than enduring the slow horrible death of being a human torch.

God, I hope that person wasn’t a civilian. Then again, are they any left on Sian now?

6 hours later

The pattern of trudge forward a few hundred meters, then fight through or bypass a Capellan strongpoint had become exhausting. Marshal Archer was drenched in sweat, and her eyes stung from the sweat, and an average of three hours of sleep for the last two days. There was also the small matter of getting my bell rung. She glanced at the instrument panel and winced; I ran out of LRM ammo? When the hell did that happen? The sun was now high in the sky, and the skies filled with FC aerospace fighters awaiting their turn in a ground attack mission. We haven’t seen a Capellan fighter in the last week? Did we really shoot them all down?

Her eyes then moved to her mech’s armor status, most of it was in the yellow, including her head, fighting their way clear of what turned out to be a depleted Capellan fortress battalion had cost her two ‘Medium mechs, a Dervish and an Assassin. The latter had been when it had found a big IED that had blown its right leg off in mid-run. The ‘Mech had skidded down a main street headfirst into a small building with an unusually deep basement. I didn’t see Sergeant Ramos eject either. Dammit, he had a wife and two kids back on Dalkeith.
She could see the spires of the palace, and reports from MEDUSAs lead elements were that they were within meters of Task Force Allard’s positions, but they were meeting ferocious resistance.

A radio call broke the gloom

<<GREEN ACTUAL, THIS IS MEDUSA ACTUAL, I HAVE THE HONOR TO REPORT THAT AT 1251 HOURS LOCAL, MARAUDER SIX REPORTED TO ME THAT ELEMENTS OF HIS COMMAND MADE CONTACT WITH TF ALLARD. WE HAVE RELIEVED COLONEL ALLARD, MAM.>>

Marshal Archer exhaled. I’ll ask about the butcher’s bill later.

<<MEDUSA ACTUAL, GREEN ACTUAL, STATUS OF THE PALACE?>>

<<GREEN ACTUAL, WE’RE GOING TO NEED A LOT OF INFANTRY FOR THAT. I NEED LEADFOOT TO GET UP HERE AND PUT HIS RCT TO WORK. IT’S GOING TO BE ROOM TO DAMN ROOM THERE.>>

<<UNDERSTOOD MEDUSA, CHARLIE-MIKE, I WILL PUSH EVERYTHING WE CAN TO YOU. LET’S HOPE THE CAPELLANS FINALLY GET THE PICTURE THAT IT’S OVER, OUT.>>

Archer guided her ‘Mech to a small hill that overlooked the center of the Forbidden City..the sun was high over the shattered ruins of the city, smoke pouring from several neighborhoods, especially the palace. Horrible business…but it’s still a hell of a view, just one hell of a view.

************************************************************************************
Sian, Part 5

Attacking Forces: 1st Davion Guards RCT, 4th Davion Guards RCT, 3rd Davion Guards RCT, 6th Syrtis Fusiliers RCT, 7th Crucis Lancers RCT, 1st Ceti Hussars RCT, 3rd Royal Guards RCT, Davion Light Guards RCT, 10th Deneb Light Cavalry RCT, 1st Federated Suns Armored Cavalry, 1st Kell Hounds, Jade Phoenix Cluster, 5th Federated Commonwealth RCT, 4th Royal Guards, 10 artillery brigades.

Defending Forces: House Immarra (25% strength), Red Lancers (10% strength), 1st People’s Loyalty Regiment (5%, scattered in penny packets), Death Commando Battalion (20% strength), 1 combined arms division of the Sian Home Guard (The second and third division were disbanded due to losses and used to reinforce the remainder), and 50 “Victory Battalions” (18 of which are on Wuhan, many battalions have either been destroyed or have deserted/surrendered en masse.)

Results: The final collapse of the Capellan defenses on Sian was as anti-climactic as it was anticipated. The Capellans had nothing more left to give. By the end, they were relying on small packets of scared, confused, and disorganized bands of defenders who just wanted to take one more swipe at the Fedcom invaders. The push to the Forbidden City itself took just six hours, resembling the ancient American tactic of the “Thunder Run,” but what resistance there was did little but cause more casualties.

The Celestial Palace itself held out for three more days held by the last survivors of the Red Lancer and Death Commando infantry. The end of the conventional phase on Sian was marked with the Fedcom raising the flag on the roof of the building from a shattered antenna on the morning of the 18th of October. But questions remained? Just who oversaw the Capellan Armed Forces that were left? And where was Sun-Tsu Liao? Until one or both questions were resolved, Sian threatened to descend into chaos and a nasty insurgency.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
“OK, we frigging won. So, where the hell is Sun-Tsu Liao? I got a case of Pharaoh Beer that’s in need of a skull kegger.”
Overheard from an unknown Davion Tank Commander soon after the fall of the Forbidden City
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Wrangler on 14 July 2022, 21:19:12
Vietnam War of the FedCom continues.  Nice bloody update panzerfaust150!
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Grognard on 14 July 2022, 21:24:37
woooo hoooo!
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Motsognir on 14 July 2022, 22:47:30
Great update panzerfaust150. It's always good to see more of this excellent AU!
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Kujo on 14 July 2022, 22:51:38
Vietnam War of the FedCom continues.  Nice bloody update panzerfaust150!

If Westmoreland or Abrams had been given the green light to invade North Vietnam, and Nixon basically told Mao and Brezhnev you intervene you get Canned Sunshine!

Taurians aren't going to do more then aid local perhaps a regional insurgency (and only if they can get some worlds out of it), and I don't see Communist China in Space insurgents going along with we aren't Davions but we kind of are of the TC.  MOC would support both sides in medical aid and reconstruction, poking the FC Bear would not be in House Centrella's interest.  The Purple Parakeets of the FWL may as with the TC instigate low level issues, but again only where it benefits them and allows them to take worlds and again CC insurgents working with FWL???  Regardless the FWL doesn't want even the exhausted AFFC coming for their bottoms!  So, yeah if you mean a long occupation and time to assimilate then yes it's Vietnamish, if you mean that a third world state back up by two super powers that bleeds another, well not so much.  Thank you.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: ckosacranoid on 15 July 2022, 15:26:44
Nice to see this updated and can not wait to see the aftermath and fall out of this happening.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: DOC_Agren on 15 July 2022, 23:13:09
Room to Room on Sian...   You will need more troops
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Blade4 on 17 July 2022, 04:58:09
I dont even want to know the butchers bill. They would have been better off using ortillary or tactical nukes. No one sane would begrudge them given the shear insanity the Cappies are showing.Probable only going to get ruins and ash either way.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 14 September 2022, 08:41:38
Shattered Dao, Part 4

Unknown Relocation Site

75 km from the Forbidden City

1850 hours

October 18th, 3057

Sian

Capellan Confederation

Sun-Tsu Liao hadn't slept more than 6 hours in the last 72. He was haggard, and his once regal robes stunk of sweat and fear. There wasn't much water in the bunker complex, certainly not enough for more than the most basic of hygiene needs. Everyone by this point was a bit ripe, and with the constant smoking going on by some of the bunker occupants, the air scrubbers were working overtime.

He looked over the small, cramped situation room, filled with junior aides and functionaries. The holotank was flickering due to a lack of maintenance. Because I fired or killed the more senior people. Are all of us Liaos cursed to make the same mistakes? I swore I would not, yet here I am. He turned to Alexa Shang, her scarred face even more haggard in the confines of the musty, humid bunker.

"What do we have left to contest Sian with, Major Shang?"

"Unclear, Celestial Wisdom. Our long-range communications are intermittent and many of our units are being heavily jammed or are ignoring our comms. In some cases, some units won't even recognize our authority, though to be fair, those units are unable to authenticate us as legitimate."

"Should I speak with these units, Major? Get them to realize their Chancellor lives?"

"I doubt it would do any good, Celestial Wisdom. Your voice can be faked. And I would not put it past the Davion devils to fake a vid of you to trigger a planet-wide surrender."

Sun-Tsu exhaled. "Any hope of off-world relief?"

Shang shook her head "Most of our commands are out of communication. The Blakists abandoned us last month, and McCarron's trying to organize a functional command on Menke, but even if he did, it wouldn't be enough to lift the siege here. I've also heard dark rumors he's trying to organize his own state."

Sun-Tsu nodded, contemplating his long golden fingernails. "So, the Confederation dies. So be it. Then if I fail, the state fails. And as such, Capellan citizens should not be forced to deal with the aftermath of the death of their beloved state. We have plans for such matters, do we not?"

"Exactly what did you have in mind, Celestial Wisdom?" Shang's face lightened, her eyes widening slightly.

"HEFTY MACE?" Sun-Tsu smiled a smile that would have scared even the bravest soldier of the Confederation. Provided, there were any left. HEFTY MACE was intended to be the last order any Confederation Chancellor would give. It was an order to every Mask cell on every Capellan-loyal world to do whatever they could to cause mayhem and scorched earth. Meltdown power plants, poison reservoirs, kill crops, and a few other shocking acts. In short, make worlds uninhabitable and hand the Davions or Mariks a poisoned chalice.

"Chancellor, you can't be seriously considering it. The Confederation may be on its deathbed, but its people and culture live. We can act to at least preserve that."

Sun-Tsu rose, throwing his chair back towards the wall with a BANG that reverberated through the room. "You dare say the Confederation is dead?! It is not dead. I. Am. The. Confederation. I say when I die and when the Confederation dies! I elevated you from nothing, Major Shang!"

"You once asked me to be ready to perform a duty to save the state, even from you, Celestial Wisdom. I believe that time has come."

Sun-Tsu laughed. "So, do the rest of you agree with her? Or are you too afraid to be counted?" He turned his back to Alexa. "Go ahead Major Shang, show me- "

BLAM, BLAM!

Two gouts of blood erupted from Sun-Tsu's chest as the 5.5mm bullets from Shang's holdout weapon tore through him. The cartridge was small, and normally underpowered, but at this range, you didn't need much power. Sun-Tsu fell like a sack of potatoes, his body lying on the floor, his blood spraying all over the concrete tiles.

He looked up at Shang, gritting his teeth in pain as he hissed, "You can't kill me, you doom the state!"

Shang walked up and simply stated in a monotone, "No, you do." and fired two more rounds into Sun-Tsu's face.

No one else moved to do anything. Shang surveyed the room, looks of fear and relief warred on the faces of all present. She pointed her finger at a pair of comtechs manning a now-useless communications station in the corner of the room.

"Get the Davion commander on the line. Ask for terms. Then I want a message recorded and sent to all commands we are still in touch with. And place anyone still loyal to this-" waving her free hand over the still warm body of Sun-Tsu Liao "-under arrest."

No one moved. Shang looked over the room "Well, what the hell are you idiots waiting for? An engraved invitation to save your own lives? Go, now!"

The crowd finally dispersed and went to execute their new orders. The commander of the bunker guard force approached Shang "Does this make you our new Chancellor?" he asked guardedly.

"No, Captain Fang, it does not. I presume we will all be answering to Kai Allard-Liao soon. In any case, I want your men and women to ensure this goes smoothly. Any more fighting is just going to make the Davions want to kill every Capellan they see. We need to make sure that doesn't happen."

Captain Fang nodded wordlessly, then made to give the Capellan salute, but thought better of it, and simply gave a palm down hand salute in the old SLDF style. Shang returned it and Fang turned on his hell to leave, his subordinates in tow.

Shang leaned forward with both hands gripping the sides of the holotank. Ancestors, tell me I did the right thing. Our Chancellor would have happily presided over a damned massacre of his own people. He didn't start out that way. But the Liao family has become a mad one. One that had to be separated from the state, for the state's own good.

And now, I must surrender the planet, and the Confederation before anything more goes wrong.

Message sent to all surviving CCAF commands on Sian, 2000 hours, October 18th, 3057:

TO ALL COMMANDS,

YOU ARE TO CEASE ALL HOSTILITIES AND MAINTAIN YOUR POSITIONS PENDING SURRENDER NEGOTIATIONS WITH FEDERATED COMMONWEALTH FORCES. YOU ARE AUTHORIZED TO ACT IN SELF-DEFENSE IF FIRED UPON BUT DO NOT RPT DO NOT INITIATE HOSTILITIES. ANY UNIT THAT VIOLATES THESE ORDERS WILL BE TREATED AS PIRATES AND NOT SUBJECT TO THE PROTECTION OF THE ARES CONVENTIONS.

ALL UNDERAGE PERSONNEL IN VICTORY BATTALIONS ARE TO BE GIVEN IMMEDIATE DISCHARGE, DISARMED, AND SENT HOME. WE HAVE ASKED ENOUGH OF OUR CHILDREN.

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS TO FOLLOW.

EOM

SHANG, MAJOR, CCAF FOR THE CHANCELLOR


"Point Luck"

25 km from the Forbidden City

0900 hours

October 19th, 3057

Sian

Capellan Confederation

Marshal Sarah Archer exhaled another breath in the cold Sian air. She turned to her assembled staff "Yeah, I know, little dramatic to meet her at some out-of-the-way state farm, but it does have shades of Appomattox, does it not?"

Her staff said nothing, knowing when their boss was posing a rhetorical question.

The sound of distant blades beating up the atmosphere soon hove into view, three distant dots against the eastern sky. The dots soon resolved themselves into a Karnov escorted by a pair of Warrior helicopter gunships. The Karnov was painted white with green crosses on the fuselage and wings, just as the cease-fire terms had demanded. We're not asking the damned Capellans to do anything, we're ****** telling them to do it. Not after the butcher's bill we had here. The Karnov soon found a spot to touchdown some 500 meters away from Archer and her staff. The blades soon stopped rotating, but no one left the aircraft, even as it powered down.

"Alright ladies and gents, look confident but don't be showy. Remember who the hell won." Archer stuck an unlit cigar in her mouth. "Let's go greet the enemy." Archer approached the Karnov, moving at a deliberate and confident gait.

A door on the Karnov's side soon opened and a gaggle of Capellan senior officers, resplendent in their dress uniforms, made their way down the stairs. All were unarmed, save one, who was wearing a gunbelt with a pistol on her hip. All were wearing the white armband on the right side as per the meeting agreement.

Archer stopped her party and waited for the Capellans to approach her. They did so in a semi-triangular phalanx and stopped some ten meters from Archer's group. The head of the group who was wearing the gun belt then stepped out three more paces and saluted Archer in an SLDF palm-down salute. "Major Alexa Shang, Capellan Confederation Armed Forces."

Archer returned the salute in the palm-up Davion style. "Marshal Sarah Archer, Armed Forces of the Federated Commonwealth. Before we begin, Major, we have two questions. One, where the hell is Sun-Tsu Liao, and two, You're senior?"

Shang smiled mirthlessly "Yes, I am senior, and as for the late Chancellor Liao, I killed him for reasons of state."

Marshal Archer exhaled slightly; her G-2 had expected this when they intercepted that first message. "So, can you even guarantee your people will follow orders?"

Shang laughed "I think they will when those orders are to save their own lives. Tell me, Marshal, we're pitting children with bamboo staves against Battlemechs, is there any sensible military reason to continue this, or would you have thrown in the towel to save the lives of whatever's left?"

Archer nodded "Agreed Major Shang, but there are concerns about some of your units."

Shang nodded in return "Agreed Marshal Archer, we may need your assistance bringing them to heel. But for now, may I propose we put a stop to this insanity?"

Archer stepped to one side and extended her arm to a nearby large tent with a long table with camp chairs all around it, a small gaggle of what appeared to be Federated Commonwealth press waiting behind a makeshift rope line. "Lead the way, Major. I am as eager to be done with this as you are."

Shang led off without another word, her staff in tow. Her face was grim and determined, but any observer could see there were a million other things she would have rather done but this.

Communique to New Avalon, sent by ComStar and FAX as 1030 hours, October 19th, 3057

TO: PRINCESS KATHERINE STEINER-DAVION and PRINCE VICTOR STEINER-DAVION

FROM: MARSHAL SARAH ARCHER

I AM PLEASED TO INFORM YOU THAT WE HAVE ACCOMPLISHED THE MISSION OF THIS COMMAND AS OF THIS TIME AND DATE. WE HAVE SECURED THE SURRENDER OF SIAN AND HER DEFENDERS.

THE CAPELLANS HAVE AGREED TO THEIR SURRENDER WITH THE IMMEDIATE PAROLE OF ALL THOSE UNDER SIXTEEN OR OVER SIXTY-FIVE THAT WERE NOT PART OF THE MILITARY BEFORE OUR LANDINGS. I AGREED TO THIS AS THERE HAS BEEN ENOUGH BAD BLOOD TO LAST US A LIFETIME.

I REQUEST THAT ALL THE MEDICAL AND ENGINEERING ASSETS WE CAN SPARE BE SENT TO SIAN ONCE THE CEASE-FIRE GOES INTO EFFECT AT MIDNIGHT LOCAL TIME TONIGHT. WE HAVE A LOT OF REBUILDING TO DO HERE, AND I NEED THE TOOLS TO GET STARTED.

OUR MISSION IS NOW THE RECONSTRUCTION OF SIAN, PENDING POLITICAL DECISIONS MADE BY YOURSELVES. YOU SHOULD BE PROUD OF OUR SOLDIERS. THEY DID A GREAT JOB UNDER VERY TRYING CIRCUMSTANCES. MY LIST OF COMMENDATIONS AND MENTIONS IN DISPATCHES IS ATTACHED TO THIS MESSAGE. IT IS A LONG LIST, AND SADLY, MOST OF IT IS POSTHUMOUS AWARDS. BUT THANK GOD, THE KILLING IS OVER. I EXPECT THE REST OF THE CCAF WILL SURRENDER IN THE COMING WEEKS. BUT WHAT ARE OUR ORDERS WITH REGARD TO MCCARRON'S ARMORED CAVALRY ON MENKE?

EOM

ARCHER



You know those ancient newsreels of the end of World War II back on Terra? Where everyone goes nuts when the surrender is official? Well, that was New Avalon when word came down the Capellans had quit. The streets were filled with bedlam. People went crazy, but the good kind. Most of the calls we got that night were from people who had too much and thought the gutters were a good place to sleep or couples who couldn't wait to get a room and went at it right on the sidewalk. Yeah, I got three offers from some very drunk 'Mechwarriors with the New Avalon Militia, and hugs from just about everyone. It was a good day to be a New Avalon City cop.

Officer Mike Renard, New Avalon City Police, interviewed for the program "Where Were You When…" Airdate 3/25/3070
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: mikecj on 14 September 2022, 09:05:59
Nice.  Very Louis XIV.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: CVB on 14 September 2022, 13:26:48
I'm a bit undecided. The writing is absolutely great, and I really enjoyed the story and many characters. OTOH, the story reminds me of Fukuyama's "End of History". Every serious problem for the FC is solved, CC is conquered, DC has imploded, Clans have thrown in the towel, FCCW averted, no Jihad on the horizon, FWL and even the Taurians are looking for a rapprochement.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 14 September 2022, 13:36:21
Endings and Beginnings, Part 1

“I guess I didn’t expect my sister to abdicate. I knew she didn’t want the throne, but to walk away from it all. That was a bit of a shock. It’s one that took me time to get used to, but I think she made a good decision for her. The war was a necessary evil, and it is cold comfort to say that to all the families who lost someone, but the threat of the Clans had to be dealt with. All I can say is better our terms than theirs. It doesn’t heal the maimed or bring back the dead, but maybe it buys our children something we should have given them in the first place: Peace.”
-   “Reflections” – pp. 275 by Victor Steiner-Davion, Davion Palace Press, New Avalon, 3071

“I know at first, I hurt my brother for walking away how I did. He had gotten used to the two of us ruling as a team. But he was supposed to be our parent’s successor, someone like me should not have that kind of power. He was in good hands, Omi, Andrew, Ardan, Yvonne. All these people would give their lives to prevent Victor from screwing up. His worst enemy was him, really. My worst enemy was a monster modern science could only suppress, not slay. When did we think the Capellans went nuclear on Sian? I could hear the whispers of the monster saying, ‘Let me out, let me free.’ No ****** way, I like my marbles, I’ve fought so hard to keep them.

“That’s why I left the throne and the court behind. I like my new job as an ER doc. It is stressful, with long hours and hard decisions. But it was saving lives, rather than ending them. Last week, I saved a mother of two’s leg after she went under a bus. And I did it in minutes. It feels damn good to do that. And I much prefer “Dr. Cox” to “Your Highness.” I earned the first one. Plus, I get the last laugh at family dinners, whenever Victor or Yvonne gets obnoxious. I just tell them about the grossest case I have that day!”

-   “It's Not All Fairy Tales – The Life and Times of a Cracked Princess”, by Katherine Cox-Steiner Davion, Tharkad Press, Tharkad, 3084

Personal Apartments of Katherine Steiner-Davion
Davion Palace
1100 hours
March 5th, 3058
New Avalon
Federated Commonwealth

“Victor, I have said this many times. The answer is no.” Katherine Steiner-Davion said, forcing some not-so-neatly folded t-shirts into her luggage,

“Katherine, I’m not asking you to take the throne. But I need good advisers. And I am concer- “

Victor’s voice had an edge of fear to it. It was something Katherine wasn’t used to hearing from Victor. She walked over and grasped Victor by the shoulders, interrupting him into silence.
 
“Victor, you have good people here, who are going to give you the same advice I would. Plus, with you and Omi playing house? I’d be in the way. Galen’s gotten us a nice, secluded condo in a nice neighborhood in New Avalon. It’s not the palace, but for me, the palace was always a gilded cage. So, some truth-telling? What’s with the nerves?”

Victor sat down on Katherine’s bed. For the first time in his life, he was going to his younger sister for advice. “Well, if you have any bets, you’d win if they were ‘Victor proposes to Omi by the end of 3058.’”

Katherine squealed with delight and hugged her brother fiercely then she stepped back with a mock frown on her face. “Finally, you big lug! I was wondering when you’d do the right thing! So, why the nerves?”

“What if she says no?’ Victor said plaintively

Katherine giggled “Are you serious? Omi say no? That would be right up there with Sun-Tsu Liao returning from the dead. Victor, she isn’t going to say no. If we were in high school, she’d be drawing hearts and trying out ‘Omi Steiner-Davion’ in her notebook. It’s cute, but a warning, it’s making Yvonne gag at times.”

Victor shook his head “Will anyone ever tame her?”

Katherine shook her head “Yvonne, not likely. It would be a truly Shakespearean moment if that happened. And dear brother if she brings home a spouse-to-be? Give that poor soul hazard pay.”

“Hazard pay, and a medal.” Victor concurred.

“So, why wait dear brother? It’s a new year. Stop trying to convince me to not make my own way in the world. Go and make your own!” Katherine smiled “And don’t worry about the Draconis March. I left a folder for you on your desk with a pretty good PR plan on how you two handle that. It was one of my last acts on the throne.”

“Katherine, I- “

“It’s ok, big brother. You will do fine. I must go make some things right with me. Don’t worry, I’ll be around when I’m really needed.” Katherine again hugged her brother.

“Palace is going to seem emptier without you.”

Katherine shook her head “Oh come on, Victor, soon as you and Omi start making kids? You two will be asking me if you can hide at our place.”

Victor rolled his eyes. “No chance, we’re going to make great parents.”

“Ok, 5 kroner says you guys hide out at least once before the first one turns two.” Katherine said, sticking her tongue out for emphasis.

“Done, we’ll make the front page in one of those parenting magazines.” Victor said, folding his remaining arm across his chest.” His features turned more serious “So, you ready for med school?”

Katherine nodded “Yeah, I didn’t think I would be, but I aced the boards. And Riva Allard said I had the talent.”

Victor smiled “And what does Dr. Tadmere think?”

“Other than you’re overdoing your recovery, Victor? He says I have a lot of talent and should be considering emergency medicine.”

“Heh, I am the Archon-Prince, and if I want to kick my own ass, it’s my God-given right. And as for you as an ER doc? I could see it. But you’d probably have tailored scrubs.” Victor said with a mischievous light in his eyes.

Katherine batted him with a pillow. “You fiend, I have promised myself to work twice as hard as all the other med students.”

“I said the same thing, Katherine, and they handed me a battalion of people I got killed when the Clans came. I should have been a lance leader like all the other graduates.”

“This again? Victor, it was bad luck. I asked Galen. He told me what happened. Said you wanted to stay out of some misplaced sense of guilt. Stop it, will you? You honored their memory by taking their homes back. It may not bring them back, but it’s something.” Katherine shook her head.

“You probably still get a kick out of him kicking my ass?”

“Only because it saved your life, bro. Imagine what Mom and Dad would have gone through if you got killed or captured. I am imagining you a Jade Falcon, and I don’t like the image.” Katherine nodded, but with a sympathetic look in her eyes. “It’s one of the reasons I love him, Victor. Because he looks out for his family. Even before we knew each other.”

“Enough wool-gathering, I guess? So, anything I can help with?” Victor rose gingerly.

Katherine shook her head. “No, the palace staff has me mostly loaded in the van. Marta cried when she saw it.”

“Marta” was Marta Donhoffer. She was from Gallery and had been the head governess to the Steiner-Davion children since Victor was born. As much as they were Hanse and Melissa’s children, they were Marta’s too. And now, one was leaving home. Marta never shed a tear in front of the kids, she had been the picture of happiness and light. But this broke her, and she unashamedly wept as the palace staff loaded the van.

“You know she’s going to overcompensate with me and Yvonne. I see many cream puffs and strudels in our future.” Victor said wistfully.

“Yeah, sure big brother, and it will be your royal duty to eat it all, lest anyone else suffer the scourge of diabetes, like your poor wife-to-be.” Katherine said in a falsetto “southern” accent while feigning fainting.

Victor shook his head “C’mere little sis, I know you gotta get going.” He wrapped Katherine up in a hug and then held her at arm’s length, tears quietly staining his cheeks. “I am damn proud of you sis. I know you didn’t want to rule. But you came in the clutch when you were needed. And you saved us all. Like it or not. And now, now you go get to really make this Inner Sphere a little better than you found it.”

Katherine sniffed and wiped a tear back “Send me a video of when you propose, you big lug. I am going to enjoy watching the two of you blubber getting through it all.”

Victor laughed. “I am drafting you and Yvonne to help pick the ring. I mean you did spend 53 pages of a credit card statement.”

Katherine laughed “Victor, that’s one-tenth of one percent of the family investments. Not to mention, Omi needed it.”

Victor nodded “The kimono she got is incredible…blue and gold really are her colors.”

“Little brother, promise me one thing? Smile more? I know the past year and a half have been rough, and you not being a ‘Mechwarrior anymore is a big adjustment, but you know what Dad used to say,’..when one door closes…’”

“…Another opens” Victor finished.

“I gotta go, be good, and try not to plunge us into any more wars?” Katherine laughed, then turned on her heel, and stepped out of the doors for the last time.

Victor sat down on her bed and exhaled, Victor, you know damn well she needs to be her own person, and the palace wasn’t ever going to let her do that. She can be that now. And let’s be honest, ‘Doctor Cox’ suits her well.

Victor rose from the bed and smoothed out his uniform tunic, then turned to look one last time at the empty room before switching off the light. As one era closes, another begins, I guess. Now to determine what that’s going to look like for the Capellan Confederation?

Two hours later at the First Prince’s Office

“Kai, you can’t be serious. While I can give up a few worlds we took in the 4th war, you know damn well Sarna and Tikonov are off the damn table.” Victor was sitting against the corner of his desk, a sifter of brandy balanced in his one hand…though he, Kai, and Arden Sortek had probably gone through at least one bottle of Glengarry Select already.

“Victor, I can’t go back to any sort of Capellan Confederation you’re going to reform from the ashes of the old one with a sop to their pride. Hell, I plan on instituting major reforms down there.”

“Like what?” Victor leaned forward with interest.

“I am going to institute real reforms in the Confederation, a stronger legislature, real civil rights for all citizens of the Confederation, turning the Mask into less secret police and more of a real intelligence agency, as well as forming a more answerable body for counter-intel and major criminal work. And yes, emancipating the Servitor class.”

“This proposal to investigate the war and its causes is interesting. I thought it was obvious who the hell started it?” Ardan asked

“The time I’ve gotten in the Mask’s archives, what’s left of them, has led me to believe there was more to it. The Blakists were far more involved in the deaths of your parents, Victor, than we believed. They goaded the Capellans into war, then snarled up the execution to make sure the war lasted just long enough to reap a profit. They also robbed the Capellan treasury blind. I found out there is a shortfall of 2 billion Yuan that nobody can account for.”

“Sure it’s not in Sunny’s slush fund?” Victor asked.

“If it were, Sun-Tsu would have bugged out long before. It’s a sizeable amount of money. Enough to form three battlemech regiments.”  Kai shook his head. “The Word of Blake used my nation as a fundraiser, Victor, and now it’s in ruins.”

“Hence why you need Sarna and Tikonov.” Victor intoned.

“Yes, even one would help.” Kai stated.

“Alright, but we want title to Salomek and the cemetery.” Victor stated firmly.

Kai nodded, “I think you have a deal, Victor. Now, let’s figure out how I turn the Confederation into a strong republic without emulating the Mariks?”

All three men laughed as Kai uncorked the bottle and began to pour another round of brandy.

Three hours later

“Victor my love, I do believe you are quite drunk.”

“I apologize Omi, but it was good brandy, and it did help us in our contemplations.” Victor said, a deep slur in his voice “Um, can I get help with my boots?”

Omi laughed and bent down to help him. “My love, I could get used to this peace we now have. Enough to contemplate our lives together. But others will not accept us?”

“I know, you have sacrificed enough, but I hear in you a willingness to sacrifice more?”

“Hai love. There is only one way to sate the kami of the Draconis March. I must go to Kentares and apologize on behalf of my family.”

Victor jumped up with a start. “Omi, Jesus, no! You wouldn’t survive the trip. The locals there hate the Kuritans with a passion. And that’s an understatement.”

Omi smiled “Victor, you, and I both know that it must happen. I’ve seen your archives and the ComStar ones. They are more…complete than the Combine files. What was done wasn’t just an atrocity. It was an abomination against humanity. It was a sin, Victor. A sin that my family ordered. Sure, it was a long-dead ancestor, but it was still my family. A Kurita must be the one to cleanse the honor of the undead souls left there to writhe in torment.” Omi’s face darkened, and the corners of her mouth squared. Victor knew his lover’s determined face, and he wasn’t about to cross her when she was like this.

“Can you at least run any speech by me and the palace speechwriting staff?”

“Hai, Victor. But I must apologize. There can be no prevarications on that action.” Omi stated, steel entering her voice.
 
Victor nodded, and moved his hand to her cheek, gently rubbing it as he smiled “Enough of weightier matters, so, I was thinking, as soon as court business is done, I was thinking we get away on a camping trip to the hinterlands of New Avalon. Dad used to take me, Peter, and Arthur as boys. I want to share it with you.”

Omi smiled “And perhaps, Victor-san, we can make a new life under the stars?”

Victor's face betrayed his surprise. “Why Omi, I didn’t know you thought that way?”

“There is much, Victor Steiner-Davion, you don’t know…and I would love to show you. Come to bed, love…” as Omi opened her kimono…


Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Grognard on 14 September 2022, 22:11:40
good ending.
excellent closure.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: drakensis on 15 September 2022, 01:22:29
"Does this make you our new Coordinator?" he asked guardedly.

I believe you mean Chancellor.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 15 September 2022, 07:35:35
"Does this make you our new Coordinator?" he asked guardedly.

I believe you mean Chancellor.

Fixed.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 15 September 2022, 07:45:25
good ending.
excellent closure.

Not quite done yet, a couple more chapters to go.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Takiro on 15 September 2022, 11:09:28
Nice job panzerfaust150!
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Wrangler on 15 September 2022, 11:16:30
Another epic chapter closes on this awesome story.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: DOC_Agren on 15 September 2022, 21:15:08
Wow...  just wow
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Kujo on 15 September 2022, 21:19:11
Great Chapter!  Not so sure I would allow a CapCon to exist out side of the FEDCOM if I were Victor even if his BFF Kai is heading it up, and I certainly wouldn't give it Sarna or Tik, but that is my view and likely is part of the setup for a sequel?  Again Great work, and Thanks!
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 16 September 2022, 00:29:46
Endings and Beginnings, Part 2

…the worlds of the former Clan Occupation Zones are estimated to require between a decade and fifteen years to recover to a pre-invasion level on an economic basis. But there are other factors not to be underestimated. Some 30% of families in the former occupation zones we spoke to have at least one or more family members missing due to their being “allocated to work in Clan space.” With the current reported chaos in the Clan homeworlds, it is expected that many of these missing will not be seen again. Add in a rife epidemic of PTSD due to conditions in the occupation zones, especially during the active phases of Clover Spear, and we fear there is a risk of a “lost generation” in a good chunk of the Tamar March.

There is also a presence of a new syndrome known as “Occupation Disorder.” The disorder manifests as an extreme inability to exercise any form of personal initiative and a refusal to acknowledge any form of personal surname, and in some cases, only acknowledging any decision that is settled by combat. Furthermore, there has been a rash of revenge killings in the former occupation zones. This is in addition to having issues integrating former Clan citizens into the fabric of the Tamar March. All of these cannot be settled solely by the military and are a matter for law enforcement and social services to handle. However, the local arms of these organizations on many of these worlds were co-opted by the Clan authorities. We will have to bring in resources from other parts of the Federated Commonwealth to rebuild these organizations.
All in all, your Highness, we have a lot of work to do.

-   Excerpt from the forward of the “Raeder Report” a blue-ribbon panel of experts convened by Victor Steiner-Davion in 3059 to address ongoing issues in the former Jade Falcon and Steel Viper occupation zones.


“Am I glad the Clans are gone? Yes. For all our problems now? I see it in the kids. The ones that grew up during the occupation are, well, damaged. All the work we and the school counselors do? They’re more Clan-like than not. The children of the families from Clan space, they’re just alien. I don’t know how to reach those kids. And this “Occupation Disorder” and the PTSD? It really hits the little ones hard. We’re trying to save a generation; I just fear we might be too late. But the ones who were under six when the Clans were here? We have a shot with those kids. And the Clans not being here, it helps a lot.”

-   Interview of Sarah Dennison, a primary school teacher on Bone-Norman by DBC. Air Date was 7/7/3058.


“I lost everything to the Steel Vipers, my home, my job, my family. So, the fact I had to live next to a family of the bastards every day for six years kinda set me off. You’re damn right I killed them and their spawn. Their kind cost me my family. So, I removed some of them from God’s universe. Damn Clanners are freaks anyhow. And yes, I have no regrets, so do what you have to do. I can sleep at night.”

-   Excerpt of confession of Martin Pflager for the charge of Capital Murder, Waldorff City Police Interview DS-11893058, Dated 9/18/3058, Mr. Pflager murdered an entire family of former Steel Viper laborers over the fact that he had lost everything during the occupation. The Vipers had confiscated his successful medical supply company, kidnapped his wife and children to the Clan homeworlds, and made him a common laborer. Mr. Pflager was convicted of six counts and sentenced to death, his sentence was carried out Great X on December 9th, 3059.


The Port
0950 hours
January 5th, 3059
Roadside
Federated Commonwealth

Staff Sergeant Rick Lemoine jauntily waved to the dropship crew as he walked down the boarding ramp, his AFFC issue duffle bag balanced on one shoulder and a smile on his face. He was wearing his blue-grey issue “combats” as the troops referred to them, though without any of the issue load-bearing gear. He also had a black beret that had been privately purchased by members of the 26th Lyran Guards to unofficially mark veterans of Clover Spear. The beret had the new “unofficial” patch on it of a boot smear across the Jade Falcon insignia and it framed his gaunt face and brown haggard eyes. His coal-black hair was cut short in a buzz cut.

I’d always thought the traditional Lyran ‘Mechwarrior hairstyle was kinda silly. Lemoine’s mind mused.

Try as he might, he couldn’t get his smile to reach his eyes anymore. Seen too damn much, I guess. Jeanette commented on that as she was dumping me. Ah well, we were both headed home, and Kestrel is way across the Inner Sphere. It was fun, but run its course, I guess.

He nestled tighter into his issue field jacket as the winter air slapped him in the face. Lemoine’s boots were crunching in the frozen bits of snow mixed with mud that turned everything into a slushy mess.

“The Port” was the DropPort on Roadside. Even during the worst of the occupation, the Falcons hadn’t changed much about it, except for the fact that trade had supposedly dropped by 60%. Or at least that’s what the dropship crew had told him on the way in. Now? It seemed everyone was making up for lost time.
 
An open-air mall had grown up right outside the rough open-air area of the port, it was noisy with the sounds of merchants hawking their wares in crude open-air stalls. You could buy everything from food to “legitimate” Jade Falcon uniforms and other souvenirs. I don’t need any damn souvenirs. I got enough in my head to last a lifetime. All I want is to get back to my homestead and see my parents, then shed this uniform and work our farm. But first, I gotta find a ride.

He walked around till he found a food stall selling grilled sausages. They looked tasty, and Lemoine hadn’t had a thing to eat since yesterday. And it was spacer puree. Yuck.

“Hey, Mister, can I order a pair to go? And where can a veteran get ride to Tara’s Creek?”

The vendor, a short elderly man with dusky skin whose smile had a few gaps smiled wide at Lemoine. “Always good to see one of our liberators! For you, young man? On the house. I assume you’re from Roadside?”

“Yes sir, my family has a homestead at Tara’s Creek.”

The vendor blanched. “Young man, I don’t think you want to go out there.”

“Why?”

“Bad things happened out there during the occupation…and after. You seem like a smart man. My advice, go rent a room in town and find your family from here.”

“Sir, I really think-“

The vendor smiled sadly at Lemoine. “Young man, I was a veteran of the LCAF. Saw a lot of things in the Fourth War. Trust me when I say this. Don’t go out there. You don’t want answers to those kinds of questions. Pray you find your family, but just don’t go there.” He looked down at his grill “Ah, your sausages are ready. Here you go.” He handed the sausages to Lemoine, who immediately took a bite.

“These are good, what’s in ‘em.”

“Surat. Best use for the pesky bastards. It’s safe to eat, but it pisses of the Clanners something fierce when we eat ‘em. Puts a smile on my face though. Lost my boy in the resistance.”

Lemoine choked on the sausage. “Sorry sir for your loss.”

The old man shook his head. “Thank you and thank you for what you and your fellows did for us. And welcome home.” The old man extended his empty hand to shake Lemoine’s. Lemoine smiled and took it, shaking it firmly. “Oh, and sir, the bus into town is leaving over there in about 5 minutes, so I suggest you get moving. It’s free for returning veterans. The new provisional government has a good locator service, or you can hire a private one to find your family. Good luck to you.”

“Thanks, sir, um? What can I call you?”

“Call me Fast Freddie, says so on the sign. “ he pointed out his sign above his stall. “FAST FREDDIE’S SURAT SAUSAGES – BEST ON ROADSIDE”

15 Minutes Later
The bus ride into Claremont was a bumpy one. The roads had several shell holes, ruts from tracked vehicles and battlemechs, not to mention a few wrecks blocking parts of the road. Traffic jams were frequent, and the cold of a Roadside winter. Not like the heater is working all that well, or that half the windows close properly. That hasn’t changed since I left for Buena.

The bus was filled with a variety of people, suited businesspeople headed to Claremont to negotiate a deal or contract, yeoman farmers headed back from The Port to complete agricultural agreements at the Agricultural Co-Op downtown, farmhands on errands for their bosses, and ordinary folks headed into town for some excitement. What struck Lemoine was the number of armed and uniformed militiamen on the bus. He walked up to one of them, a private with his head in a holonovel.

“Hey private, what gives with you all, don’t you have your own transport?”

The private looked up, his light features screwed up in a snarl, till he noticed Lemoine’s rank. “Shit, sorry Sarge thought it was some jerk hassling me. No, we’re headed back from a patrol around Murphison. They have us accompany buses as much as we can. There’s a minor Falcon guerilla problem on world. More like bandits really. So, we’re here to discourage them.”

Lemoine laughed “Does it work?”

The private smiled “Yep it does, haven’t been hit yet.”

Ah, the impetuosity of youth. Could be you dumb shit because the Falcons aren’t strong enough to hit anything this close to the capital. Then again that’s a good thing, I suppose. Beats what’s going on in the Confederation. Well, I am not going to be anyone’s NCO anymore. Let this kid figure it out himself.

Lemoine sat down and contemplated the scenes as they began to enter downtown Claremont. There were the usual street scenes one found in a medium-sized city, with busy streets, people walking to and from work, or shopping. But there were scenes that were unique to the new reality of the Tamar March. One was some men and women in orange overalls with a large white “POW” on the backs painting white paint over a series of Falcon propaganda posters, and more being marched by with a pair of bored AFFC guards escorting them on either side.

Another was a long line in front of a government office with a wooden temporary sign that read “Central Locator Office. Please have documentation ready.” There were quite a few guards in evidence, with a pair of AFFC infantrymen walking the perimeter of the line, and 4 more out front. Geez, home’s become an armed camp.

The bus soon came to a stop with the driver announcing “Downtown! Everyone off, you can catch municipal transport from here.”

Everyone piled off and the bus soon pulled away, heading back for another run to the port. Lemoine looked around and saw a harried-looking cop as the only authority figure around. Hope he knows where I can get some information around here.
“Hello Officer, I was wondering? -“

“Geez, another lost AFFC replacement? You did report through your office at The Port, right?” he answered, his uniform and dusky features covered in a layer of fine dust kicked up by the recently departed bus.

“Um, nope, recently discharged. I’ve come home. I’m from Tara’s Creek. Name’s Lemoine.”

“Sorry pal, not much interested in your name. But Tara’s Creek. Hate to tell you, but if you had people there. Well, they aren’t there no more.”

“What do you mean by that, Officer?”

“I mean the damn Clanners killed everyone there. Or at least everyone that didn’t have the good sense to flee. AFFC has the place cordoned off. War Crimes investigation.”

“Why the hell did the Falcons do that? I mean my family just had a homestead up there?”

“Bub, it was war to the knife, and the knife to the hilt. Look, I am sorry to tell you that way, soldier, but it’s better you hear it this way, then have some mook at the Central Locator Office give you false hope that someone made it.”
 
“Was really that bad here?”

“At times, at other times, not as much so long as we stayed out of the warriors way. That got harder when the guerillas got more aid. But I do like not having to report to some Falcon warrior who hasn’t a clue about police work and thinks the best way to get a suspect to talk is to kick the living crap out of him. Meanwhile, I book one of the high and mighty bastards for driving a hovercar drunk, and he gets out of it by beating up his direct superior. Crazy genetic freaks if you ask me.”

The cop exhaled and then spoke again.

“Look, I’m sorry, just about to finish an 18-hour shift, and about to call it a day? It’s been a rough day.  I can take you to one of the best watering holes in town. The girl who runs the place is from that neck of the woods, she might know for sure if your relations made it?”

Lemoine nodded. Not the worst idea I’ve heard today.

The cop offered his hand “Name’s Haggerty. Don Haggerty, and yes, I am the stereotypical Irish cop. Like my coffee black and my whiskey neat, and often at the same time. How about you?”

“Rick Lemoine, late of the 26th Lyran Guards. I was a ‘Mechjock with the regimental Lightning company.”

“Well, Mr. Lemoine? I think we’re going to be fast friends. Let’s go to the Lucky Wagon. Best bar left standing in Claremont.”

“Left standing?”

“Yeah, a company’s worth of their Elementals made a stand closer to the city center…it didn’t end well for them. Or for the local real estate. Somehow, that bar survives with some cracked windows, and the front door blown off the hinges. Must be fate?” Haggerty shrugged.

“With a recommendation, and luck like that, who the hell are we to argue then? Lead the way, sir?”

20 minutes later
Traffic had been a mess, even with Haggerty using the siren for purposes that the Claremont PD would have frowned upon. But as Haggerty said, “What the hell, it’s quitting time and I’d like at least one drink before I head home.”

The Lucky Wagon was on the outside, a boarded-up mess with a temporary “door” made up of some heavy sheeting. On the inside, it was a boisterous and bawdy drinking establishment, with voices of happy patrons making up for the lack of any music and one overworked bartender who looked familiar to Lemoine…” No way…is that? -”
Haggerty smiled “So you do know her?”

“Yeah, I do. First familiar face since I got in. You mind?”

“Not at all soldier, go say hi. I see some friends I gotta say hi to. Come look for me in the back when you’re done.”

Lemoine sauntered up to the bar and smiled. The bartender was shorter than Lemoine, about 150cm or so with blonde hair and green eyes. But the rest of her was very, very pleasing to his eyes. She was also quite strong from the looks of it as she was slinging huge steins of Timbuqi Dark, and a wheat beer of local make called Fett’s. Lemoine remembered it well from when he was younger. He cleared his throat when the bartender came close “So what does a returning soldier have to do to get a drink around here?”

The bartender turned “That’s the fifth time tonight I’ve- “She looked at Lemoine in shock. “Jesus Christ, You’re alive?!” She squealed in delight, nearly dropping her steins, then put them down hurriedly on the bar, leaning over the bar and hugging Lemoine for dear life. She then stepped back and smiled. “Remember me, ‘Tagalong Tara?’”

“Yeah, I remember, you’re not the skinny little beanpole who always ratted us out to our parents anymore…you filled out.” Lemoine said, jauntily pushing up his beret’s brim.

“You did too. I am so damn glad you’re alive. I wasn’t in Tara’s Creek when it all happened. Moved to the city eight years ago. Wanted to make my living as an Ag broker…would you believe I wound up part owner of a bar? It’s a long-sorted story.”

“We got time. I just got out of the AFFC.”

Tara laughed then cupped her hands to yell “Hey everyone, one of our own is home. An old friend, Rick Lemoine, just back from kicking Clan ass with the 26th Lyran Guards! Next round for everyone is on the house!”

“Jimmy, take over for a spell. I need a few minutes.”

A younger male bartender hopped up from behind the mop he was pushing and got right behind the bar. He barely looked a day over 14.

“Um is he old enough to tend bar?” Lemoine asked, hooking his thumb at the young man for emphasis.

“Not like anyone’s going to check too hard. AFFC has better things to do. One advantage of martial law. They don’t sweat the small shit. Though, the curfew’s been bad for business. But they cut us some slack as long as nobody tries to drive home drunk. I take it you heard about the Creek?”

Lemoine nodded, “I can’t believe it, my old man, mixed up in resistance activity? He wasn’t the type. He was pissed I went to Buena.”

“Didn’t matter, one of their ammo dumps got hit, and they took it out on the nearest collection of farmsteads. And that was the Creek.”

“You know anyone who got out?”

“I know of a few folks. I’m the one who helped reunite them with their surviving family. I moonlight as a locator. It’s good money, and as long as you can get licensed as a PI, it’s rewarding work. And we’re better than the govie locators. Those guys have year-long caseloads and don’t give a shit. I do. And I have been thinking about taking on a second to help. There’s tons of work.”

“A locator, huh? Why the hell not, it’s a job, and I need one.”

“Best job you’ll ever have.” Tara smiled a smile that could have powered Tharkad.

“They told me that when I reported to Buena.” Lemoine shrugged.

“Difference is. I ain’t got enough money to lie.” Tara replied.

Lemoine held out his hand “Let’s do it. It will be nice to see a face I know.”
__________________________________________________________________________________
“And that’s how Lemoine and Lemoine got started. We’re now the premier Inner Sphere locator service spanning three of the five great houses, and most of the periphery, as well as Clan Wolf and Ghost Bear Space. It took twenty years, and a lot of work, but it was all worth it! And as for the Lucky Wagon? We still own it. Hey, our guys need somewhere to unwind.”
-   Richard Lemoine, Co-Owner of Lemoine and Lemoine Locator Service, Interview with ComStar News Network, air date 2/2/3078

Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Takiro on 16 September 2022, 04:58:21
More good stuff panzerfaust!

Great Chapter!  Not so sure I would allow a CapCon to exist out side of the FEDCOM if I were Victor even if his BFF Kai is heading it up, and I certainly wouldn't give it Sarna or Tik, but that is my view and likely is part of the setup for a sequel?  Again Great work, and Thanks!

I hear you Kujo. I'd probably have the Capellan Confederation as part of the Federated Commonwealth especially if you give them Tikonov and Sarna but perhaps Victor has bigger (no short jokes there) plans. Will the FedCom try to reassemble the Star League here with the Archon Prince as the new First Lord? Not sure what sort of opposition they'd have. In any case I'd keep the old Terran Hegemony worlds as part of a new Corridor March. Other than that, everything got blown to hell in this General Sphere War. I was just thinking what happened to the Kelswas and Ryan Steiner regarding the Tamar March, whose governing that? The Kells? Will it be the Arc Royal March? What is happening with the mess of Kurita space? I assume the FWL is ready to have another Civil War cause that is what they do, fight each other. Anyway, looking forward to see where panzerfaust takes us. Been one hell of a total war ride!
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Atlan on 16 September 2022, 06:19:57
Also, what happened to the rest of the Clans? Everyone's talking like ALL of them are gone, but as far as I remember its just the Steel Vipers and the Jade Falcons. The Wolves were either going to... be nice? Or join FedCom? It's been a long time. And what were the Ghost Bears, the Nova Cats, and the Smoke Jaguars up to?
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 16 September 2022, 09:32:03
To address the questions:
 
@Takiro - Ryan Steiner is dead after his little foray into Wolf Space to retake Tamar (and almost managed it). The League is stable...for now. As for the Combine, well, it's still shaking itself out, and that is another story. Rest assured, it's a real mess. As for the Nova Cats? They grabbed a lot, including Pesht. Yellowhammer did a nice job describing their expansion there. As for the Smoke Jags? Well, they got as far as Philadelphia before it all fell apart logistically, the good news for them is, the Combine's just as hard up.

@ Altan - The Clans back in the Homeworlds are engaged in a bit of nastiness called the Harrowing. Makes the War of Reaving look like a disagreement between Sunday school kids. The Wolves made a deal with the Fedcom in the story where the FC got the Tamar march worlds back in return for a ton of economic aid. They're going to remain independent, but the relationship will be cordial. This will figure in *future* stories.

And just to let everyone know, you're welcome to write in the universe, just PM me first.

Two more chapters to the end.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Takiro on 16 September 2022, 11:03:11
Just might take you up on that panzerfaust!
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 19 September 2022, 10:52:03
A Royal Betrothal

“The differences between Arthur and I are, sadly, many. But they mostly stem from my brother’s views about my wife. I admit, it’s not good to speak ill of the dead. But in life, Arthur was a pompous ass and a bigot, even by Sandoval standards. I regret giving him the job to rebuild the Tamar March, considering what came later, but it seemed like a good idea at the time, and it mostly kept him out of trouble for a time. What came later, well? That is my greatest regret. However, the day I lost my brother, I won my wife. So, I can’t say it was all bad?”
-   Victor Steiner Davion “Reflections”


Offices of the First Prince
Davion Palace
0900 hours
April 30th, 3058
New Avalon
Federated Commonwealth


Victor sat leisurely at his father’s desk. He didn’t have the heart to re-decorate. Even though Omi had said “It’s alright to put your own mark on the place, Victor.” He just couldn’t do it. It would feel like killing Mom and Dad all over again. And now, I gotta hope I am not giving a job to a guy just because he is family. Omi stood to one side of Victor’s desk, her arms folded in the sleeves of her burgundy kimono with an intricate sword and sunburst design woven in yellow across the sleeves and down the back. Ardan Sortek stood on the other, calmly eating an apple with a paring knife. He flashed Victor a million-dollar smile. Never change, Uncle Ardan, never change.

“Ya know, Victor, I have been thinking?” Ardan said while swallowing a bit of apple.

“You have now, do tell?”

“Ha, ha, your highness. In any event, your family and girlfriend are right. You need to re-decorate this place. Your father wouldn’t have wanted his office turned into a memorial to him.”

“I just…I don’t know.”

“Trust me your Highness, it’s alright. He’d be good with it.”

“Thanks, Ardan, you did know him best.”

“Aye, I did. And I miss him terribly. But I plan on staying on till I hit the mandatory retirement age in three years.” Ardan shrugged.

“I’ll give you an exception by royal decree…”

“No, you won’t, Victor. You will let me go play golf and spend my grankids money like any other self-respecting AFFC retiree.”

Victor laughed. There’d been so little opportunity for mirth of late, even with the war being over. The cleanup of so much of the Inner Sphere was proving to be a job that was too much for the Archon Prince himself. Victor hated to admit it: I need help. He would have preferred to give Peter the job of reconstructing the Tamar March, but the fact was, Peter was busy as regent in the Commonwealth half of the realm, and with Katherine gone, Yvonne was going to have to take the job in the Suns for a while next year.

So, Arthur it was.


The intercom buzzed and a disembodied voice came from the speaker “Your highness, your brother Arthur has arrived. Shall I send him in?”

Victor nodded “Let’s have him.”

“Yes, your highness.”

A few seconds passed and Arthur came into the room, dressed in the full undress uniform (with all his decorations) reporting as per AFFC regulations, stopping some ten paces from the front of Victor’s desk, and proffering a proper parade ground salute. “Haputmann Arthur Steiner-Davion of the 1st Robinson Rangers reporting as ordered, your highness!”

“At ease Arthur, this isn’t AFFC business. In fact, take a seat, will you? You’re making me nervous.”

“Yes, your highness.” Arthur took a seat but remained in a cadet brace that Victor was sure was going to give Arthur back strain. Noone could miss the ugly looks he was giving Omi. It was making Victor unconsciously bristle.

“So, Arthur, haven’t seen you since the planning for NAQAM. So, how was your foray in the Draconis March?”

“It was fine sir, but the Hauptmann would have liked to get some trigger time. I got stuck in a staff role as an assistant to the assistant G-3 at March headquarters. Hardly a job for someone of my talent.”

Victor chuckled. “Arthur, I know about you taking that captured Dragon during the action on Quentin. I have people at NAIS, Arthur, and the fake beard looked cheesy on you. But the fact is, you could have gotten yourself killed at a time when the line of succession has been shaky. And yes, I know you got a kill on a Combine Charger. Nicely done, but you are a member of the AFFC, and as such, you follow orders…my orders? We clear?”

“Crystal, Sir.”

“Good, now, the real reason I wanted you here is that I have a job opportunity for you. I take it you have read the news about the mess we have in Tamar?”

“I have sir, but it’s more staff work of which I am clearly un-“

“Were you arguing with me, Haputmann?” Victor let a slight tone of displeasure creep into his voice.

“No sir, but as your brother….”

“You expected me to give you an active assignment? Perhaps you haven’t noticed, but there aren’t a ton of those left right now, and I am giving them to people who aren’t ‘freely interpreting their orders.’”

“There’s still the Dracs!” Arthur blurted.

“The Draconis Combine has been crippled to a level that they won’t be a threat to us for the next two decades.”

“Yes, dear brother, and that’s why we should finish the job!”

“And how do you define finishing the job, Arthur? Oh wait, I’ll let you say it for me.”
Victor produced a ROM playback device and placed it on the desk, then thumbed the PLAY button. The playback was audio only, but it was clearly Arthur’s voice.

“The Inner Sphere would be better off without the Combine. Hell, we owe them for Kentares, I say we find one of their worlds and repay them back in the same coin!

Victor pushed the STOP button with an audible click that reverberated throughout the room. He gave his brother a piercing stare. “You really should learn to keep your damn mouth shut, Arthur. You don’t think your DMI bodyguards don’t report to me? I regret that Mom and Dad didn’t give you the spanking you deserved. I never thought you were up to massacres.

There’s a reason we memorialize Kentares. It’s so nobody repeats it. And yet, you think the AFFC ought to ‘repay them in the same coin?’ What the hell is wrong with you? If I didn’t know better, I’d think we sent the wrong sibling to get mental health treatment.”

“Nothing is wrong, sir, I am simply cognizant of who the enemies of the Commonwealth are, unlike you, who is willing to sleep with them.”

“Tread carefully, Arthur.” Victor growled, a warning tone in his voice.

“Why, Dear brother? It’s not like your little Drac strumpet isn’t going to stab you right between the shoulder blades the firs-

“Arthur said, smiling arrogantly as he found what he thought was the chink in Victor’s armor.
Victor rose quickly to his feet, the look in his eyes murderous. “Arthur, I am going to give you one chance to take that back, or I am going to do what Mom and Dad failed to do.”

“Like what, Shrimp?” Arthur rose as well, towering over Victor and repeating an insult they had used as children.

Victor’s fists clenched. “I am this close to cashiering you from the AFFC. Your next words should be very careful, Arthur.”

“I am not afraid of you, Victor. I mean, you are shorter and got one good arm. Hate to see you with some bruises for the holocams.”

Victor promptly went around his desk with pure murder in his eyes. Oh, that’s it. You’re going to pay for that.

Victor made to move but felt an arm on his shoulder, he turned, and it was Omi. She was shaking her head wordlessly, as if to say No, do not do this. He isn’t worth it.

He took a couple of cleansing breaths, then turned to Arthur. “Arthur, I will have the details of the assignment forwarded to your inbox. For the sake of your future, I very much recommend you take it. Our conversation is over. Get out.”

Arthur smiled a cruel smile, saluted sloppily, which Victor failed to return, and turned on his heel, whistling Colonel Bogey’s March badly off-key.

Once the door closed, Victor sat down hard at his desk and closed his eyes, looking at the ceiling as he took more breaths to calm down.

Ardan looked on “I would have liked to pummel him, Victor, but you’d have had no choice to drum me out of the AFFC and never allow me in the palace again.”

“I know Ardan, but I am going to preempt that and give you a royal pardon if that little bastard ever pulls that again.”

“Think he’ll take the assignment?”

“Nope, but we need him to, even if he is a barely competent bully boy. We need to have a member of the family running things out there, but Peter’s plate is too damn full already.”

Omi blanched “Iie, Victor, as odious as he is, he is family.”

“Family that insulted you, Omi. I won’t have that.”

“Victor, my love, I can take care of myself. He will see my steel if he treads too far.”

“Of that, Omi, I have no doubt.”

The door soon burst open, it was a very hot under-the-collar Yvonne who was still in NAIS sweats and looked as if she had gone 15 rounds with a professional boxer. “Did Arthur’s mouth run again? Palace staff is talking, he’s bragging about getting your goat.”

Victor nodded sadly. “He almost got me to pummel him. Let him brag, the entire palace knows he is full of crap.”

“Oh, dear brother, I can do things you can’t. Especially when I hear he called Omi a whore.”

“It was a strumpet, Yvonne, as much as that hardly makes things better.”

“Doesn’t matter. I am going to black his damn eyes.”

“Yvonn-“but before Victor could get the words out, Yvonne was gone. “Christ, should I stop her?”

Omi and Ardan’s heads shook no in unison.

“Victor, it’s sometimes useful to have loyal younger siblings. This is one of those times.” Ardan deadpanned

“No comment, next question”

-   Response from Palace PIO when asked why Arthur Steiner-Davion was sporting two black eyes when reporting to his new position as the “Rebuilding Czar” for the Tamar March


Six hours later

“Dinner was wonderful as usual, Marta.” Victor Steiner-Davion left off an appreciative if a bit gauche belch. The dinner was ostensibly to celebrate Katherine’s first day of med school, but…there was an ulterior motive on Victor’s mind. One that was burning a hole in his tunic’s pocket.

Victor was dressed in his usual AFFC undress uniform, with only a few medal ribbons on the right breast, and the rank of a Kommandant. Omi was wearing Victor’s favorite blue and gold kimono, Galen was wearing a tailored business suit, while Katherine was in a pair of black denim jeans and a sweatshirt that said “NAMA Med School” in blue letters.
Katherine and Galen looked heavenward as if to say, ‘Can we take him anywhere?’

Marta shook her head, her grey perm remaining still as her grandmotherly face cracked a knowing smile “Just because it’s good manners on Islamabad, it’s not here at the palace, your Highness! And what would Princess Omi think?” She turned to
Omi “He’s not normally like this, your highness, but after the trying day he had today…to confess, I never liked Arthur. I know he’s a royal, your highness, but he is a nasty little sort.”

Victor exhaled “From your lips to God’s ears, Marta. Katherine took the heat for when he tripped that cousin of yours who was a maid around here. Good of her, but we all enabled that little jerk. Guess we figured he would be so far from the throne, how much damage could he really do?”

Omi shook her head. “Victor-san, he is an odious person. But he is the kind I will have to appeal to when I go to Kentares next month.”

“I still want you to take more protection, my love. I would not put it past Arthur to have stirred the pot with some idiots like the Citizens for Davion Purity.”

“I will be careful, and I will pack the sword, just in case.”

Victor blanched at that. “The Sword” was the one she had used in that nasty incident with Hans Ricol’s goons. And he noticed she got a bit of the shivers every time she looked at the damn thing. “Dearest, might I interest you in a Federated Hold-Out pistol instead?”

Omi shook her head “I am more comfortable with a sword, Victor. But yes, I could stand to learn. Father and Brother had meant to teach me more, but…they didn’t have the time.” Omi glanced down at the mention of her now-dead family.

“Omi, I’ve been thinking about family. And there’s something I wanted to ask you?”

“What is it?”

“Well, here goes.” Victor slowly rose, then snapped his fingers, and a pair of violinists from the AFFC palace band came in, playing a very slow and soft Vivaldi tune. Marta was sniffling and quickly reached for a handkerchief to stem the oncoming tears.

Victor laid out a handkerchief of his own and kneeled in front of Omi on one knee on the handkerchief. He took Omi’s hand, looking up with a look of pure joy in his eyes. “Omi, honey. Look, I have wanted to ask you this question since we first met eight years ago. I knew then what I knew now. That you were the one I wanted to be my partner in crime, and in life. I can’t promise a rose garden, or even that things will make sense. But..I do promise to be the best husband I know how to be. And you will want for nothing, and I will never let any harm befall you, this I swear to my dying breath. All I ask is for your fair hand in marriage?”

Omi looked shocked, even a bit mortified “A partner in crime? I will not break any laws!” The violinists stopped abruptly.

Victor’s eyes went wide. Oh no, what have I done?

Katherine yelled, “Omi, it’s one of those English idioms! I’ll explain later!”

A look of understanding soon dawned on Omi’s face. She smiled and said…” Oh, so sorry, Victor-san. The answer is, yes, of course you Kawaī baka.”

Victor grinned, and slowly put the engagement ring on her finger, with not a little bit of help from Omi. They then embraced in a lip lock that was more passion and love than anything steamy while all assembled, including much of the palace staff clapped. When Victor and Omi came up for air, they noticed all the joy of those assembled, Victor turned to Galen and Katherine.

“I’m getting married! I kinda need a best man!” Victor said with a giddy tone in his voice.

“Like you were going to ask anyone else?” Galen deadpanned

“True, but I am just…over the moon right now?”

Omi turned Victor’s face back towards her. “Victor dear, there is one more thing I have to tell you.”

“Uh, what?”

“You will be a father come the winter snows.” Omi’s grin was electric and she positively glowed.

Victor had tears in his eyes. “Thank you, honey. I get two great pieces of news in one day! I feel amazingly blessed and more than a bit giddy. Marta, perhaps no champagne for me?”

Galen and Katherine held hands under the table and shared contented glances. She whispered to Galen “Better tell your groom to keep this stuff to himself until after Kentares. He blabs and the Draconis March goes up in flames.”

“I will mention it to him…in between congratulatory drinks in his study later.”

Katherine cried tears of joy for her brother and Omi. But they were bittersweet. She had just found out that she and Galen were unable to conceive due to Galen’s time as a ‘Mechwarrior, and her own medical treatments for Dombrowski-A. It was a bitter pill for them both, but they had resolved to adopt as soon as Katherine finished med school. But they had decided to keep this bit of information between them for now. Let’s not spoil Omi and Victor’s joy right now. ****** those two never looked better.

“My brother has a reputation for being broody and kind of a grump. But he’s always happy around Omi and the kids. He’s always made time for them, and I am happy to say, he is every bit the father our father was. I guess we both learned from the best when it came to our parents. I am just happy that we both got to have the families we always wanted.”
-   “Confessions of a Cracked Princess, Katherine Steiner-Davion-Cox”


Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Takiro on 19 September 2022, 17:41:41
Really surprised it wasn't Morgan or another Kell but he could be helping Peter on Tharkad.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Blade4 on 19 September 2022, 18:14:37
Honestly it seems a mistake to let Arthur near any power the way he acts. He will just cause more problems and might well try to build a power base. If he is that openly hostile and mouthy? But congrats to Victor and Omi having a child.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Takiro on 19 September 2022, 22:01:10
I'd agree. Unless your using him to draw out the poison. But that is pretty cold to use family as traitor bait.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Wrangler on 20 September 2022, 11:43:18
Well, I think panzer is leaving seeds for future authors whom may want take up the mantel carrying on with his story.

Once this is done, I'm going PDF / EPub this sucker for everyone.   As most of the story is now on wiki.  Unless panzerfaust150 has other plans.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: mikecj on 20 September 2022, 12:20:08
Well, I think panzer is leaving seeds for future authors whom may want take up the mantel carrying on with his story.

Once this is done, I'm going PDF / EPub this sucker for everyone.   As most of the story is now on wiki.  Unless panzerfaust150 has other plans.

Thank you!
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 20 September 2022, 12:31:07
Well, I think panzer is leaving seeds for future authors whom may want take up the mantel carrying on with his story.

Once this is done, I'm going PDF / EPub this sucker for everyone.   As most of the story is now on wiki.  Unless panzerfaust150 has other plans.

Have at it Wrangler, and you'd be right. I am always up for anyone playing in the Clover Spear universe. Just PM me first, as I also have future plans and I want to make sure the plans of others conform with mine.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Wrangler on 20 September 2022, 12:56:51
Have at it Wrangler, and you'd be right. I am always up for anyone playing in the Clover Spear universe. Just PM me first, as I also have future plans and I want to make sure the plans of others conform with mine.
As always, I will always ask the active authors permissions.  If their long gone two decades ago and not seen since then.  I will backup their stuff on my own, but i will not change anything (except typos, i hate typos. I make them all the time!  :D)
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 21 September 2022, 14:27:53
A Gathering Storm

Peace, why on earth was it a dirty word for so damn long? I mean it’s not a bad thing. No more filled hospitals, screaming wounded, weeping families and just god-awful waste. Hanse Davion may have been the architect of one of the bloodiest wars since the 2nd Succession War, but one can say this: It was decisive. It unified the Federated Commonwealth, it has humbled the Clans, destroyed the threat of the Capellan Confederation, and neutered the Draconis Combine. We have a chance to see our kids grow up. So, hell yes, I do support what we did then, and continue to support it now.

Even if I lost two sons to that very conflict.


-   Janice Carrington, Reporter writing an op-ed in the Tharkad Abdenblatt on the tenth anniversary of the beginning of the War of ’56.

Salomek Federated Commonwealth National Cemetery
Salomek
Sarna
Federated Commonwealth Cession
April 4th, 3067


Nine-year-old Samantha Melissa Kitsune Steiner-Davion was proving she was absolute hell on wheels. She’d barely heard her mother’s approval before she tore off to chase some butterflies…with her beloved puppy and half a dozen security personnel in tow, as well as her adopted cousins. Her long red hair was like a ship’s pennant and her daughter’s giggling echoed throughout the valley.

Omi Steiner-Davion (nee Kurita) giggled at the antics of her oldest daughter. This I think, pleases the kami of the lost souls here. This is what they died for, and I hope this quiets their souls enough where they can find the peace they seek.

She turned to Dr. Katherine Cox (Steiner-Davion) “Children, they are so much to handle, yet they bring such joy.”

“They do, Omi, though I see a future as a track star in Samantha! She is going to run the security people ragged.”

Omi looked down at Marcus Stephen Hohiro Steiner-Davion, all of five, who had more of his long-departed uncle in him. Hohiro would have loved Marcus, according to Galen, he was giggling when he took him for a ride in his Crusader. The spirits willing, he won’t know war to use a Battlemech in.

She then looked down at her third child growing within her. She was due by the time summer was supposed to end. Victor was not crazy about Omi going into jump four months pregnant, but Omi had ways of getting her way. And it’s not like Sarna was much of a warzone these days.

“I do hope the security folks catch up with Samantha, Jenny, and Robert, there is a bit of UXO out here.”

“Oh no!!” Omi’s hand flew to her lips as she got up, or at least tried to chase after her wayward daughter. “No, Omi, Katlin’s on it. If anyone can catch Samantha, it’s Katlin.” Katlin was the head of Samantha’s security detail, in her late 20s, with a mop of blonde hair she kept short, and a former MI-6 Operator. She had been chosen for two very good reasons. She loved kids, and she was as fast as Samantha was. I hope to ask her soon to make her Samantha’s athletic tutor. Katherine is right.

Omi noticed Katherine was right. She had a wriggling and giggling Samantha under one arm playing a vigorous game of “got your nose.” Jenny and Robert Cox, along with Victoria Sanmorea-Davion, Samantha’s best friend were all tagging along, squealing with delight.

Marcus was seemingly content to play in the dirt, at least he’s not trying to eat something he shouldn’t be today. Omi’s mind groaned.

“So, your speech went well. I do hope everyone knows you like this part of your limited royal duties?”

“I owe the folks in the ground over there,” Katherine said, gesturing towards the actual cemetery.

Omi exhaled. “It was war, Katherine. And most of them were mercenaries. Not saying their lives were worth any less. I am just saying they took a warrior’s coin and knew the risk that came with that.”

“I know, but it’s still hard for me to accept it blithely,” Katherine said, shaking her head.

A wind picked up, blowing through the high grass, and disturbing some dandelions, filling the air, and making young Marcus sneeze.

“Oh dear, he does take after his father in the hay fever department.” Omi reached into her baby bag for a tissue for young Marcus, then beckoned him over as he sneezed again all over his Aunt Katherine.

“Gomen, Katherine-Chan, you know children.”

Katherine laughed. “They’re all germ factories at that age. But hey, if we can’t handle the cooties, then we shouldn’t have become parents. Speaking of which, where the hell is my brother, this isn’t like him?”

Omi helped Marcus blow his nose and then released him to go play some more in the dirt. “He’s with Kai negotiating a new aid package for the Confederation. Attacks by the rebels are up, and it was another reason he wasn’t crazy about either of us coming to Sarna.”

“Kai has his hands full. Even without any overt aid to the rebels, it just seems they get stronger every year.” Katherine shrugged. “It seems the Confederation was awash in weapons, and we didn’t get them all when the old CCAF surrendered.”

Omi shook her head. “At least the Combine is quiet since my niece took over. But I have heard some compare her to my grandfather. She is both ruthless, and amoral, or at least that’s what the briefings I get tell me.”

“Send you a love letter she did?”

“Yes, a black origami cat in my bathroom vanity. I guess she wanted to know I could be got.”

“She has to know that applies to her as well,” Katherine said.

“She does, but she feels if her death forwards the Combine, then it is an honorable one.”

“Let’s not forget Kai and the Anduriens have fought three wars, all of them draws. And that Miklos Marik is causing all kinds of trouble for Corrine in parliament. I never thought a child of Isis would be so…against his own family. Then there’s the fact no one knows where the Blakists have disappeared to, mad ravings of Paul Masters aside. Oh, and who can forget my dunce of a brother, Arthur? The fact that he has any following in the Tamar March is incredible. But he does, even if my brother named someone else March Lord.” Katherine shuddered involuntarily. “So, what have we bought our children? A pause to reload?”

“Katherine my dear sister, I hope that is not the case. I would think after Sian, Sarna, Luthien, Waldorff, and Sudeten, the Inner Sphere has tasted its favorite dish entirely too much?”

“When it comes to that, I don’t bet on it, Omi. And I don’t want to kick the can down the road towards the kids.”

“Neither do I.”

Omi then noticed a dark cloud on the horizon, it was coming toward the kids and security personnel in the distance. They’d already noticed and were beginning to corral the kids towards the waiting dropshuttle over the hill behind Katherine and Omi.

“It seems there is a storm coming,” Katherine said blankly.

“It does, dear sister. I hope we have bought the children some time at least, time to grow up and know some of the joys of life.”

“And if we haven’t?” Katherine asked with a concerned tone.

“Then we fight for the things behind us, love, family, and our homes. This Federated Commonwealth is my home now, Katherine. It is the home of my husband and my children. I pray they never see me truly angry because it will mean something happened to them.”

“I’ve seen you angry, Omi. It is a sight to behold. But between Aoki Kurita’s little origami project and that cloud. I just can’t think that we have an omen for difficult times ahead.”

“Hai.” Omi answered simply, her eyes never leaving the cloud. A look of fear crossed her features that did a lot to unnerve Katherine. Both women contemplated the koan of the cloud and the futures of their children.
                  
FIN…for now.


Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: worktroll on 21 September 2022, 14:45:01
 :clap:

What a ride! Many thanks, Panzerfaust159.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Blade4 on 21 September 2022, 16:50:07
 :clap:

Remember when this started over on spacebattles. A good ride it is and interesting what if. Perhaps they might yet see peace as the FedCom absorbs the other states to small and weakened to keep up. Depends on if the next generation or two and can truly hold it together.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Wrangler on 22 September 2022, 09:59:26
 :clap: :clap:

Great Story!   I hope enjoy your down time and recharge maybe for another one if the lure is just right.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: DOC_Agren on 27 September 2022, 21:00:38
 :beer: :rockon:

Welldone
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 28 September 2022, 14:48:52
Plans for the future of Clover Spear and a Thank You

First, I want to thank all their fans for their kind words and for keeping me going for the last seven years of this project. It was a lot. I had multiple spreadsheets, maps, and all else tracking where various units wound up during all this mayhem and madness, and I still have to eventually figure out what an FC in 3077 is going to look like (Gave a bit away there, didn't I?)

Second, I wanted to give you all an idea of where this is going from here:

First, I want to get the 4th Succession War style sourcebooks written for CLOVER SPEAR, EAST SEA/ACTIVE PANTHER, NAQAM, and the final battle for Sian (yeah, it will probably merit its own book!). I am going to need help with this, so the line forms to the left.

Second, I have a number of short stories I have in mind for the universe:

 - Kurita Redeemed (The rise of Aoki Kurita and the fall of her father).

 - Galen Cox, Alone and Afraid (Katherine's hosting a dinner party for some med students at her place, WoB terrorists invite themselves. Galen does a lot of crawling through air vents, you get the idea).

 - Kentares (Omi's speech on Kentares and the events surrounding it).

 - We Cordially Invite You... The story of Omi and Victor getting hitched, and all the semi-hilarity that ensues. I mean, just how do you throw a sheltered Kurita royal a bachelorette party? And for the love of God, don't let Yvonne get that job!

I am sure others have ideas as well, as I said, line forms to the left, and PM me first.

Oh yeah, and I still need a decent map for a post-war Inner Sphere.

As Mr. Bartles and Mr. Jaymes used to say, "Thank You For Your Support."
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Artifex on 28 September 2022, 15:10:48
 :clap:

Nice to see your plans going ahead panzerfaust150  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Dave Talley on 28 September 2022, 15:31:08
- Galen Cox, Alone and Afraid


Why do I forsee  the term Yippee Kai Yeah..something  something?
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Kujo on 28 September 2022, 15:37:48
- Galen Cox, Alone and Afraid


Why do I forsee  the term Yippee Kai Yeah..something  something?

Or even better "Welcome to the party..." while he's looking for some shoes that fit for some reason...  :)
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Ajax_Wolf on 28 September 2022, 16:43:08
Or even better "Welcome to the party..." while he's looking for some shoes that fit for some reason...  :)

I pictured him in the air duct with a Zippo, mumbling some about "Sure, come out to the coast. We'll go to the party and have some fun."
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Takiro on 28 September 2022, 18:57:42
Great stuff!
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 22 November 2022, 13:10:24
https://imgur.com/a/ngerJs2 (https://imgur.com/a/ngerJs2)

This is a map of the Inner Sphere after the conclusion of Clover Spear. I'd like to thank Culsu of The Sietch. He does amazing work and I highly recommend his services.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: ThePW on 22 November 2022, 14:00:29
[Halfling] List please of all the TOO SMALL to read countries (especially everything on the FWL periphery. There's a lot going on over there than normal...)
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: PsihoKekec on 22 November 2022, 15:33:26
There are just OTL countries in the FWL periphery, it's all readable if you zoom in.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Wrangler on 22 November 2022, 20:12:42
I've updated the PDF of the entire on the wiki with the map everyone.  I also finally was able to make it into a Epub as well. (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GMn_ssPscwmnYAkMfYpN751zXvzspz_X/view?usp=share_link)
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: mikecj on 24 November 2022, 13:03:40
I've updated the PDF of the entire on the wiki with the map everyone.  I also finally was able to make it into a Epub as well. (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GMn_ssPscwmnYAkMfYpN751zXvzspz_X/view?usp=share_link)


Thank you very much!!!!
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 28 March 2023, 22:49:12
Hello all,
 I know I am necroing a dead thread, but I have some Clover Spear news. I am 40 or so pages into the first Clover Spear sourcebook, covering the events of Clover Spear. This will of course, cover Clover Spear and Tamar, the Wolf Incursion into the Falcon/Viper OZ, the formation of Von Strang's Hold, and the Skye strike at Tamar.  Other books will include:

1. East Sea/Active Panther - to include the Andurien and Taurian invasions of the Capellan Confederation.
2. The Fall of Luthien, the Combine Civil War, and NAQAM.

I expect the first book will be done in a few months. I have ideas for improved artillery rules as well as for the infamous SAD-B rounds (Sense and Destroy Battlemech). Hope everyone enjoys it when it hits!
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: mikecj on 28 March 2023, 23:36:24
Awesome!  Thanks!
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: PsihoKekec on 29 March 2023, 00:09:54
 :drool:

Improved artillery rules + mass artillery use = nice trinary you had there, it was shame artillery happened to it
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Wrangler on 29 March 2023, 05:33:05
Oh WOW!  That's going be awesome sourcebook!  You had scenarios seeded across the original story.  I think that would be great book do a campaign with a friend (enemy bot, the jerk  ;D)
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Takiro on 29 March 2023, 14:07:13
Looking forward to it!
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: DOC_Agren on 29 March 2023, 15:11:23
i'm waiting...   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 20 April 2023, 11:49:48
Update on the sourcebook: The narrative section is done. I am now working on the RAT section of the rules. The narrative section came in at 47K words (consider Clover Spear the story came in at 192+K words) and I suspect the rules section will be another 20-25K words, so this thing is going to be 70-80K words when it's done. I think you will like it, and I have two more planned like I said, but they're going to be delayed a bit. I got a paying gig to write a novel in a universe I happen to like a lot. No more details right now, I will let you know when it hits! But I promise I will try to get the Clover Spear sourcebook out by the end of May.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: mikecj on 20 April 2023, 12:18:27
Congratulations!!
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Ice Hellion on 20 April 2023, 13:24:01
 :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Wrangler on 20 April 2023, 15:31:25
Don't to forget your Destruction Assault Mech (https://battletechfanon.fandom.com/wiki/Destructor_Assault_BattleMech) in your source book!
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 20 April 2023, 17:04:36
It will be there, along with some other designs I will be coming up with.

Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Red Pins on 20 April 2023, 17:31:31
You've done that much already?!  I thought I've been flying through the latest chapter of my own project, all 3K words of it.  Good grief. Am I just underachieving?
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: PsihoKekec on 21 April 2023, 00:10:49
Yes you are, but don't worry, there are those of us who are even worse,
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 21 April 2023, 12:44:30
The sourcebook was actually easier to write than the story. I had 197K+ words as research material.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Wrangler on 22 April 2023, 17:47:12
That's good.  You did write up scenarios during the novel's run in the book.  So its small word count I would say.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: panzerfaust150 on 02 May 2023, 10:47:06
Just to give you an idea of the future of the universe, here's a timeline and a short piece of the results of the Harrowing:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kJm4zVUxi7i9USLfFtRSk0s5L0SPjbdE/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=116913556029227502332&rtpof=true&sd=true
 (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kJm4zVUxi7i9USLfFtRSk0s5L0SPjbdE/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=116913556029227502332&rtpof=true&sd=true) - Timeline

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MLSjcwHgEXY0SvoZtTI8zcX2R_F-L79P/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=116913556029227502332&rtpof=true&sd=true (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MLSjcwHgEXY0SvoZtTI8zcX2R_F-L79P/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=116913556029227502332&rtpof=true&sd=true) - Results of the Harrowing

Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: PsihoKekec on 02 May 2023, 14:07:14
Sounds very promising.
Title: Re: Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War
Post by: Kujo on 02 May 2023, 19:40:59
Sounds very promising.

With regard to story telling and drama yes it is very promising as for those inhabiting this fictional universe to quote Clubber Lang "my prediction:  PAIN!".  Though it is likely less then those writing the OTL inflicts, it is Battletech and to quote another notable Randolph P. Checkers ESQ "Tex" Black Pants Legion "that the Innersphere has an infinite capacity for making war!"  So maybe the Steiner-Davions can limit it at least a touch?