Throne Room
Robinson, Draconis March
Federated Suns
8th July 3106 “Cousin, I did not expect for you to visit Robinson” Jerome Sandoval, the Duke of the Draconis March, said stepping down from the throne towards his older cousin. Mordecai Sandova was a man from another generation who believed that the Draconis March should be leading the Federated Suns in a continuous war of aggression against the ‘hated snake enemy’ in the Draconis Combine. “Nor did I expect you to arrive with a regiment armed for battle?”
“Patriots wishing to serve the Draconis March and Robinson” Mordecai said “the Robinson Militia has been disbanded for many years it is time that it was reborn.”
“The Militia does not have the best history” Jerome began...
“You have failed this March” Mordecai said interrupting him “the Militia has stood in Robinson’s defence since the foundation of this March. They deserve their place in the Armed Forces of the Federated Suns.”
“I would be failing this March more to accept your fanatics as trained soldiers.”
“Every one of them has served our nation.”
“And they are currently?”
“Free agents willing to serve their nation once more…”
“Free agents willing to serve you” Jerome said finally “what are you really looking for cousin?”
“To serve my March and my nation in the best capacity I can.” Mordecai said bowing slightly before turning slowly moving towards the exit of the throne room leaving Jerome to think about what his cousin had said and the potential threat from his forces. He knew Mordecai had never been happy that Elaine Sandoval had chosen Jerome over his cousin to take over leadership of the March he just hoped that Mordecai did nothing rash about his displeasure.
Council of the Clans, Council Chambers
Andrey, Tukayyid
Independent Clan Terrirory
15th July 3106 The assembled Khans of the Clans sat at the tables in a circle each table separated by a short gap to show the individuality of each of the Clans included in the circle was a table for the Loremaster of the Clans showing Tukayyid’s individual status in the Clans. Not included in the circle was a representative of Solaris VII despite the Gaming World’s new status in Clan society. Behind the Khans stood an entire star of armoured Elementals of the Ebon Guard, silent guardians of the proceedings, while Loremaster of the Clans Thomas Ward stood at his own table. “Khans of the Clans welcome to Tukayyid” he began depite being originally born to Clan Wolf Thomas Ward was now purely loyal and proud to Tukayyid. “You have assembled today to decide how Tukayyid will serve Clan society. It is my belief that Tukayyid has outgrown its position as a neutral meeting and trading point.” He said seeing the Khans did not look completely impressed with his words “we have construction, trade, science and meeting places here Tukayyid has more influence on our society than many of you give it credit.”
“It is not time for another Clan to be born around Tukayyid” Jana Pryde of the Jade Falcons said “Tukayyid’s influence has grown to support our Clans nothing more if the Loremaster cannot see that then he needs to be replaced” she threatened Jana Pryde making it clear of the Jade Falcon position they needed Tukayyid to remain where it was supporting her depleted military.
“Aff I agree Tukayyid knows its place” Hell’s Horses leader Teresia Cooper bellowed the large Elemental warrior who glanced at Jana Pryde and nodded the Hoses and Falcons clearly continuing to be on the same page.
“I do not suggest Tukayyid becomes its own power.” Loremaster Thomas Ward said glancing at the other members “instead I wish to suggest we return to a concept suggested when the Clans were founded.” He said inwardly very pleased that the assembled Khans looked surprised and perhaps a little confused at his suggestion. “When the Clans were founded by Nicholas Kerensky the first few months of the new Clans were supported by the Free Guilds based on Strana Mechty. These Guilds were comprised of members from every one of the Clans and were under the direction of the ilKhan to support each of the Clans without bias or conflict.” Thomas Ward said he neglected to say that Nicholas Kerensky squashed the Free Guilds just weeks after the Pentagon Worlds campaign when it became clear that the Clans were not interested in having independents operating in the Homeworlds. “These modern Free Guilds would control Tukayyid’s trade with the Clans and with the Inner Sphere. They would make weapons, BattleMechs, Ships and Battle Armour available to the other Clans and arrange the trials for your forces, they will coordinate efforts of the scientific and design departments on Tukayyid and better our Clan’s position throughout the Inner Sphere. And will also be up to the Free Guilds to develop our infrastructure on Solaris VII.”
“I believe it is the Loremaster’s decision to what happens on Tukayyid, as long as it does not interfere with the Clans and does not attempt to gain a position about its current station Clan Nova Cat will not oppose it.” Khan Canin Rosse of the Nova Cats said.
“These Free Guilds will be restricted to Tukayyid and trade with the Inner Sphere will be controlled quiaff?” Khan Evangeline Clarke of the Sea Fox Clan asked
“The only Free Guilds personnel who leave Tukayyid will be those who are travelling to collect resources required for production or experiments on Tukayyid or those going to Solaris VII to provide assistance with that world’s development. The only trade they will do is with the traders that we allow access to our Hall on Solaris VII and the traders that are allowed into the Tukayyid system.”
“That is agreeable” Clarke replied realizing that her own Clan’s trade links would be protected from competition.
“Because Clan Sea Fox does such a good job at trading Clan technology to everyone…” Ghost Bear Khan Ragnar Magnesson said seeing Evangeline Clarke ready to hit him with a rebuttle he quickly raised his hand “not just your efforts have been noticed.” He said steeling a glance first at the Nova Cat Khan and then at the Fire Mandrill Khan both Clans had traded technology to the Inner Sphere in the past. While Natasha Faraday of the Fire Mandrills looked uncomfortable at being singled out her Clan had traded technology to survive not because they wanted to by comparison Khan Canin Rosse met Ragnar Magnesson’s steely gaze and smirked as if challenging the freeborn to say more.
“And if there is a future ilKhan what will the Free Guilds do?” Khan of Clan Wolf Amina Kerensky said more curious about the Free Guilds than against them.
“They will like the Loremaster of the Clans and Tukayyid submit to the ilKhan.” Thomas Ward said “as should all of the Clans.”
“Then I am not against this concept.” She said around the room the Khans voted with none of them voting against Ward’s proposal which was just as well since many of his plans behind the Free Guilds were already in place.
“Excellent news the Free Guilds will not disappoint you” he said proudly pressing a button on the console in front of him activating the screens built into their tables. “If you could turn your attention to the screens as part of our initiative to improve all of the Clans and ensure secure travel between Tukayyid and Solaris VII I would like to present to you with the Arbitration-class Battleship.” He said on the screens in front of them a massive WarShip slipped from the shipyard above Tukayyid it had a split forward section with what appeared to be a large weapons array at the front of the vessel the hull then opened out to a large slopped hull with four heat radiating fins on the forward hull. A central communication and sensor tower dominated the middle of the hull before the rear was comprised of a large box-like engine section with four vertical fins leaving the hull two from the top and two from the rear. The ship looked unlike most other WarShips ever fielded but the surprise was not the biggest surprise other than Loremaster Thomas Ward no-one else had been made aware of the Arbitration’s construction. Anger flew around the room as the Loremaster was accused of trying to build himself an armed force that could forge the newly agreed upon Free Guilds into their own Clan but Thomas Ward was clear the Arbitration would be the first and only vessel to serve Tukayyid and the Free Guilds escorting the trade ships between Tukayyid and Solaris all other vessels would be open to be trialled for by the Clans.
Trial of Mysticism
New Barcella, Nova Cat’s Den
Periphery
21st July 3106 Despite both the Khan and saKhan being out of the Nova Cat’s Den Oathmaster Klick Lenardon had ordered the first Trial of Mysticism to begin. In front of him the twenty sixteen year old warriors who had been trained since they were born to serve as Mystics in Clan Nova Cat stood in front of him ready for the Trial to begin. “You have been prepared for this since your birth you have been tested as far as we can psychologically now you must past a physical test. Your duty is clear you each must follow your beliefs search your souls and your body’s limits you will return to us in no less than thirty days after that time you will know who you are.” He said briefing them they would have to survive for thirty days without supplies and without outside assistance and without any weapons this test was designed to test their ability to adapt to the wilderness like a young nova cat each hoping to experience a vision.
Thirty days later only five of the students returned none of them had experienced a vision but they had survived and would become Mystics of the Nova Cat Clan with each beginning training to become MechWarriors and members of the Clan’s military wing. Fourteen of the other mystic candidates were never heard from again however the fifteenth finally did return ninety-six days after the beginning of his Trial of Mysticism. Dehydrated and malnourished Seth was babbling about a vision he had experienced while being injured during his Trial he talked about being cared for by a nova cat which had one of its front paws maimed he said the vision told him that an important part of the Nova Cat Clan would be lost and that it would never be recovered but that the Nova Cats would grow from the loss.
Lyran Commonwealth Guard Base
Gallery, Halfway Province
Lyran Commonwealth
28th July 3106 Lieutenant Aksel Youngblood stood on the tarmac looking at the Leopard-class DropShip which wore the Kell Hound and Crescent Hawk insignias. Yesterday Colonel Jeremy Kell had announced that the remaining Kell Hound Battalion would no longer be treated like a house unit of the Lyran Commonwealth and would seek employment beyond House Steiner. Jeremy Kell had then stated that the Crescent Hawks would be reformed and sent out on its own contracts in an effort to bring further like-minded warriors into the Kell Hound fold. Now four BattleMechs including Aksel’s Shadow Hawk X4M Land Air-Mech together with a second LAM and four ground bound BattleMechs they would reform the Crescent Hawks.
“Is this really a good idea?” Aksel asked glancing at his father Jeremiah Youngblood II. Jeremiah like thousands others had evacuated Arc Royal and joined the Mountain Wolf Clan on Gallery. He’d been the one who had suggested Aksel take the position as leader of the new Crescent Hawks.
“Nervous?”
“No” Aksel said looking back at the DropShip “yes” he admitted “why is the Colonel sending us away now?”
“Because the Crescent Hawks have always been good at finding out information and working behind the scenes” Jeremiah explained. “The Kell Hounds are heading into unknown territory it makes sense that the Crescent Hawks should see what is available out there and perhaps work out what opportunities they should avoid.”
“Lucky us” he said “well at least the Hawks rise once more.”
“Yes they do and this is for you” Jeremiah reached into his pocket and handed it to Aksel who turned it over in his hands. “Congratulations Captain Youngblood” he said smiling proudly the Crescent Hawks were now ready to go to work.
Three things about this update1) Arbitration is a WarShip designed by marauder648, Vition2 and JA Baker (there will actually be two WarShips coming out of that little project)
2) The Free Guilds were originally a canon idea but they were written off as a mistake by Anastasius Focht. Blacknova had an approach with them in his Kapteyn Universe and now I'm using them.
3) Addition at the end is a homage to the recent Spotlight series exploring a potential gap created by my universe taking a different direction than canon.
The Arbitration-class is on this thread
http://bg.battletech.com/forums/index.php?topic=55163.0