Best Served Cold (Light AU, Clan Wolverine)

[ErikModi]

Gamma Trinary Ammo Dump, 332nd Garrison Cluster
Ming-Na Plains, Tarnby, Smoke Jaguar Occupation Zone
May 7, 3050

"Are you reading this, quiaff?" Star Commander Bartleby asked.

"Aff, Star Commander," MechWarrior DeLuma replied.  "MagRes confirms unknown forces moving on our position, slow speed."

Bartleby nodded, though he knew the others in his Star couldn't see it.  "Foxtrot Star, form up and move out.  Let us see who has made the mistake of paying us a visit."

As the second-line scout Star moved through the open plain broken up only by the odd clump of trees, the incoming sensor readings grew more detailed.  He soon knew he was facing a Star of 'Mechs, assault-class from the look of it, and a Star of vehicles, half kept far back enough as to be irrelevant in the battle.  Bartleby snorted to himself in contempt.  BattleMechs had rendered conventional vehicles obsolete, no matter the insistence of those Hell's Horses idiots to the contrary.

Bartleby opened his comms.  "This is Star Commander Bartleby of Clan Smoke Jaguar to unidentified forces.  Identify yourselves and state your intentions."

Static crackled for a moment before a light, feminine voice responded.  "He asks a pertinent question, Star Captain."

"That he does, Star Commander.  But should we answer him, query negative?"

"Negative, Star Captain, I do not think that we should."

Bartleby stared at his comm panel, blinking in disbelief.  Were they bantering?  On an open channel?

"I think we should answer," a third voice chimed in.  "They are but Smoke Jaguars, they will never figure it out for themselves, query affirmative?"

"Affirmative, they are Smoke Jaguars," the opposing Star Captain said again.  "And what are we?"

"WOLVERINES!"

The cry echoed from the pits of the stomachs of not just the enemy MechWarriors, but the crew of the vehicles, and others from where Bartleby could not ascertain.  Were he given to believing such things, he would have said they boiled up from the pits of Hell.

Even so, the word sent a cold shiver of paralyzing fear up the Smoke Jaguar's spine.  "No," he whispered.  "Great Founder, no."

He was so shocked he forgot to stop transmitting.

"Oh, affirmative, Star Commander," the Wolverine Star Captain replied, all mirth vanished from her voice.  In its place was an icy rage, cold and hard as death itself.  "Lies and treachery made of us a nightmare, your nightmare.  And now the nightmare comes for you."

At first, the last part of her transmission seemed to be subject to interference, but as it persisted past her words, Star Commander Bartleby realized the truth of the high-pitched whine.  Artillery missiles arced over the approaching enemies, exploding around Bartleby's scout Star, shattering nearby trees and sending vicious shrapnel scything through the air.  MechWarrior Sandusky's Jenner was savaged by a near miss, functional but terribly vulnerable.

"Orders, sir?  Star Commander, your orders?"

But Bartleby could only stare in mute horror as a thing that should not be came rushing towards him and his Warriors.  His last sight was of the Wolverine emblem, with its crossed clawmark background, grinning evilly at him.

Annihilation Shrine
Barbados
The Deep Periphery
June 27th, 3049

Star Captain Lilly stood before the tombstones, triple-checking her work.  She had cleared away the old, rotted flowers from the previous visit and placed new ones, taking care to ensure the names on the stones were not obscured.  Normally the work would have been shared with others making this pilgrimage, but Lilly had insisted on seeing to it in private.  Such was her privilege as a Star Captain.

All Wolverine warriors would visit this site at least once in their lives, and the vast majority of civilians would as well.  Lilly herself was on her third visit, and fully intended a fourth when she earned her Bloodname.  She had first come as a young girl, accompanying her father on his first and last visit before his failing health would make the journey impossible.  She had come again after testing out as a MechWarrior.  Now she was here commemorating her promotion, though officially she was serving only as a guide to the new warriors in her command on their first pilgrimage.

This time was different, however.  This time, Lilly had the opportunity to contemplate the Shrine in solitude.

The tombstones were marked Khan Franklin Hallis and Khan Sarah McEvedy, though Lilly knew for a fact that Sarah's body did not lie beneath that marker, or anywhere else on this planet.  Above the tombstones stood an arch made of nineteen stones, each carved with the emblem of the Clans, a deep X etched over each.  A visceral reminder of what the Clans really were, of what they had done.  Of crimes for which they yet needed to be repaid.

Lilly said no words.  Even if she were given to such things, this was not a place for communing with the dead.  To honor them, yes; to remember them, without question.  But the purpose of this place was to recall history, to stand on the spot where it had taken place, then been buried alongside Khan Franklin Hallis.  It was a place to ponder how that history might be exhumed, the crimes repaired.  Or, failing that, revenged.

Lilly looked at the defaced emblems of the Clans.  At 1.7 meters tall, the arch stood almost as high as Lilly herself.  It had seemed much taller when her father had pointed out the icons to her, naming the Clans and their role in what had happened to the Wolverines.  At the top of the arch was Clan Wolf.  Nicholas Kerensky had made the Wolves his personal Clan, it was Wolves who had slaughtered Clan Wolverine in the Battle of Barbados, a Wolf warrior who had taken the life of Franklin Hallis.  They bore the bulk of the responsibility.  To the left of Clan Wolf was the spider of Clan Widowmaker, whose machinations had led to first Absorption, then Annihilation for Clan Wolverine.  Others had carried it out, but the Widowmakers had made it happen.  To the right of Clan Wolf was Clan Snow Raven, once allies, even friends, of Clan Wolverine.  Now. . . now, who knew?  It was known a tragic mistake had been twisted into deliberate malice on the part of the Wolverines, and if history had continued to distort along that path, today's Snow Ravens might hate the Wolverines above all.

Contemplating the symbols of the Clans, Lilly felt a familiar combination of excitement and fear tingle through her.  Even before the Wolverines had been sundered from the Clans, there had been talk about when and how they would return to the Inner Sphere.  The Clans were still out there, Lilly had no doubt.  After all, Clan Wolverine had been sacrificed to ensure the vision of Nicholas Kerensky would endure.  And the Clans were not a patent people -- this Shrine was proof enough.  But it had been two and a half centuries with no sign.  Would the Clans return in Lilly's lifetime?  Would she still be of an age and condition to fight?  Would she wreak terrible vengeance upon those who had wronged her people, or would she fall in battle?  Would Clan Wolverine redress the crimes done to them, or had they only delayed their inevitable demise?

The silent stones around her gave no answers.

Finishing her ruminations, Lilly traveled the path back to her DropShip.  The Great Hope was a fine ship, Fortress-class, obtained in the Inner Sphere and refit with the best technology Clan Wolverine had.  Ships of its type were a mainstay of the Wolverine fleet, being ideal for the combined-arms tactics they favored.

"You are finished, Star Captain McEvedy, query affirmative?"

Lilly couldn't help but smile.  There was only one other Star Captain on the planet, and she stood behind Star Commander Robina MacLeish, but her XO could be overly fond of protocol.

"I am, Robina," Lilly replied, mostly to annoy her subordinate.  She then motioned to the warriors she had kept waiting, mostly infantry troops.  "Those of you on your first visit to Annihilation Shrine, follow me."

Carrack-class Military Transport Ebon Fury
Uninhabited System Gamma 25098 3W
Two Weeks Later

Lilly McEvedy blinked her eyes rapidly to clear the odd spots a hyperspace jump always left behind for her.  Across the bridge, reports came in from the assorted departments of the Ebon Fury and her two DropShips of a successful jump.

As if there would be any need, or ability, to report an unsuccessful one.

"Star Commodore, I have an unusual reading," the sensor operator said.

"Increase the usefulness of your statement, if you please," Star Commodore Romina Cardew replied.

"Working."

Tension rose on the bridge.  "Unusual" readings, whatever their cause, were not welcome among space travelers.

"I have it," sensors finally said.  "Radiation bursts consistent with K-F drives at the zenith jump point, and drive trails between there and the fourth planet.  Decay puts them at a few days old."

"Readout on the fourth planet?" the Star Commodore called.

"Atmosphere, but not a pleasant one.  No life.  Average surface temperature minus twenty."

"Why would anyone visit that ball?" someone else asked.

"Star Commodore," Lilly began.

"Affirmative, Star Captain," the Commodore replied, punching up her comm.  "Great Hope, prepare for transit, recon of the fourth planet."

Six Days Later

From the cockpit of her PUL-W2 Pulverizer, Lilly looked over the site in confusion.  A battle had been fought, that much was obvious.  'Mechs had churned up the ground with their massive feet, melted rock and turned glass to sand with errant laser and PPC blasts, spalled armor with autocannons and missiles.  But only two had fought here, as only two had fought at a dozen other spots on the planet, and none of the fallen remained behind.  It made no sense.

"It must be Trials of Position," Robina said.

"Negative," Lilly replied.  Though the Wolverines no longer used the practice themselves, awarding promotions on leadership ability instead of fighting skill, they understood how they were run.  "There are only two combatants.  Where are the other six?"

"Trials of Grievance, then."

"So many of them?  And why come all the way out here to settle them?  They could have been handled aboard ship, in simulators or hand-to-hand."

"Do the Clans even use simulators anymore?"

That Lilly did not know.  Nicholas Kerensky had certainly had a bias against simulated battles; it was reasonable to assume his people had carried it on, perhaps expanded it.

"We do not even know if this is the Clans," Point Commander Leslie said.

"Actually, I think we do," Star Commander Mollie Penaligan of the infantry detachment answered.  Wearing Wolverine-designed Feral PowerArmor, based on the Nighthawk suits used by the Star League, they were able to move around on the planet's inhospitable surface.  "We found a waste dump, and I see lots of Smoke Jaguar emblems."

Again, the tingle of combined excitement and fear ran through Lilly's body.  Could it be?  Are they really back?  "Gather anything that looks worthwhile for analysis aboard ship.  Get samples of some of this spalled armor, too."

"Affirmative, Star Captain."

Eight Days Later

While the waste dump contained mostly useless junk -- ruined uniforms and cooling suits, broken and scratched holodisks, destroyed weapons and components from 'Mechs, AeroSpace fighters, and what appeared to be a truly frightening suit of some kind of improved, heavier PowerArmor, there were a few good finds.  While none of the weapons could be repaired, they did show a technological equivalency with what Clan Wolverine itself had achieved, though several parts appeared interestingly modular.  Several of the armor samples were ferro-fibrous, and again comparable to that found on Wolverine 'Mechs.  Aside from the pieces hinting at the monstrous suit of PowerArmor (and the equally-monstrous person it appeared designed to fit), nothing came as a complete surprise.

Except the mostly-intact data drive.

No one was sure how it ended up in the waste dump.  A lazy tech who didn't bother trying to fix it, a warrior who couldn't tell the difference between a damaged drive and an irreparable one -- whatever the reason, it was there, and a few days under the fingers of the Ebon Fury's lead computer tech were all that were required to turn it into a trove of data on the people they'd fled from so long ago.

It didn't take long at all to find the story of The Not-Named Clan.

The details were recognizable from their own history -- twisted and distorted into nightmarish form, but recognizable.  But it wasn't the truth, and the truth was of greatest importance to Clan Wolverine.  The Book of Annihilation had been penned by Sarah McEvedy's own hand to stress this, and it was meticulously noted what she knew for fact, what she was fairly certain of, and what she suspected but could not prove.  One thing she had known for certain was that Clan Wolverine would be made a bogeyman for the Clans as a whole, because Nicholas had told her so.  Still, it was shocking to read such a terrifying account, all the worse because, while filled with lies, there were grains of truth behind most of them.

"They've made monsters of us," Star Commodore Romina said, teeth clenched in rage.

"We long thought they would," Lilly replied.

"But this. . ."

Lilly shrugged, a wicked grin creeping up the corners of her lips.  "Nicholas wanted a monster for the other Clans to fear, and for that fear to keep them in line."  An evilly sarcastic light twinkled in her eye.  "Who are we to deny the wisdom of his vision?"

Romina nodded.  "I will send this on to Homeworld.  But if we are in the rear area of a Clan return to the Inner Sphere. . ."

"Then it is time to show them what their nightmares are made of."

Ming-Na Plains, Tarnby, Smoke Jaguar Occupation Zone
May 7, 3050

Star Captain Lilly McEvedy powered up her Pulverizer.  "Reactor online," the computer answered as the cockpit came to life around her.  With practiced ease, Lilly's fingers danced on the console, powering up individual systems, the steady green lights and computer voice letting her know each was activating flawlessly.

"Command interface engaged.  Communications online.  C3 network awaiting master signal.  Sensors online.  Weapons online.  Receiving C3 master signal.  C3 network stable.  All systems nominal."

One by one, she saw the 'Mechs and vehicles of her Trinary come up on the command interface.  Once all were active, she toggled to the command frequency.  "Thunder Star, report in."

"Thunder Actual, green across the board."  That was the Rhino which formed the nexus of the Binary's C3 network.

"Thunder Two, guns charged."  Their Alacorn, with its three Gauss Rifles, linked the rest of Thunder Star to Thunder One.

"Thunder Three, bringing the pain."  Their Demolisher, its standard autocannons upgraded to the LB-20X variety.

"Thunder Four, ready!"  "Thunder Five, go."  Thunder Four and Five were a pair of Zephyr hovertanks, meant to quickly close with the enemy and get firing solutions for the network, or TAG exceptionally shy adversaries.

"Sword Actual, acknowledge Thunder Star ready.  Lightning Star, report in."

"Lightning Actual, Lightning Star is locked and loaded."  The five Pochtli Artillery Tanks were suggested by designs that had only been concepts while the Wolverines were still among the Clans.  Each carried two Arrow IV artillery systems and sufficient rounds of normal and homing missiles.

"Sword Actual, acknowledging Lightning Star ready.  Infantry Star, report in."

"Infantry Star is on your heels."  Lilly had insisted the twenty-five PowerArmored soldiers accompany her on this sortie, partly to see how they stacked up against the Clans (especially the conjectured heavy battlesuits), partly to have a counter if those heavy battlesuits showed up.  She hoped their stealth armor would be sufficient advantage.

"Sword Actual, acknowledging Infantry Star ready.  Sword Star, report in."

"Sword Two, give the word Captain," said Robina in her Spartan.

"Sword Three, standing by," said Rozalia in her Thug.

"Sword Four, five-by-five," said Sarah in her BattleMaster, the final link in the C3 chain.

"Sword Five, scanners hot," said Leslie from her Rifleman II.

"Great Hope, this is Sword Actual, call the ball."

"Sword Actual, Great Hope Actual, you have the ball."

"Copy."  Lilly hesitated, knowing this would be an historic moment for her Clan, and she should say something, something profound, something worthy of a moment future generations would look at over and over again.

"At last we will reveal ourselves to the Clans.  At last we will have revenge."

Silence.

"That's a solid copy, Sword Actual," Great Hope replied after a moment.  "Good hunting."

Wincing, Lilly flipped to her Star’s comm frequency.  “Too much?”

“Too much,” Star Commander Robina replied.

“So melodramatic,” Point Commander Rozalia added.

“I think you watch too much Immortal Warrior,” Point Commander Leslie said.

Lilly shrugged.  “It sounded better in my head.  All right, Command Trinary, roll out, and let us hunt some Jaguars!”

[Sir Chaos]

Ooooh...  >:D

[Hawkeye Jim]

New Wolverine stuff. Count me in.

[Daryk]

Still not a clan fan, but the writing is solid, and the story is interesting so far...  :thumbsup:

[ErikModi]

This is actually all I have of it thus far.  I have a lot of background in my head, only some of which made it into this bit.

Yes, I did just read Betrayal of Ideals, this week at work, in fact.  Aside from nominating Nicholas Kerensky and Sarah McEvedy as Magnificent Bastards on TvTropes, the idea wormed into my head:  based on what we KNOW from that book, what would Clan Wolverine have become by, say, the time of the Clan Invasion?  And what if they decided that was the time to reveal themselves?

Basically, for purposes of this idea, they care not about Wardens and Crusaders, Successor States and First lords, ComStar and Star League.  They just wanna kill them some Clanners.

They've set up shop somewhere in the Periphery (for the horrifically OP MegaMek game against the bot I'm using this idea to launch from, I've picked Rover), but they've been active in the Inner Sphere for awhile.  Popping up as small, insignificant mercenary companies (exactly like the one you play in HBS BattleTech, for instance), traveling merchants, minor Periphery world militias "just passing through," maybe even pirates and bandits.  Always concealing their true identity. . . because if they can infiltrate the Inner Sphere so easily, so can the Clans, and they're not ready to attract that kind of attention.  Yet.

I do have an idea of Lilly McEvedy perhaps bumping into Natasha Kerensky, whose very existence will piss Lilly off on at least three different levels.

[Intermittent_Coherence]

"At last we will reveal ourselves to the Clans.  At last we will have revenge."

I don't think she has nearly enough face paint and horns for this quote.  >:D

Also... Do I detect a timeskip somewhere in the middle of the Barbados pilgrimage?
At first she's only referred to by first name and saying she'll be back again when she wins her bloodname, but by the end of the paragraph she's clearly bearing the McEvedy bloodname.

[ErikModi]

I don't think she has nearly enough face paint and horns for this quote.  >:D

Also... Do I detect a timeskip somewhere in the middle of the Barbados pilgrimage?
At first she's only referred to by first name and saying she'll be back again when she wins her bloodname, but by the end of the paragraph she's clearly bearing the McEvedy bloodname.

Good spot, wrong conclusion.  McEvedy is not her Bloodname, its her surname.

Clan Wolverine do things rather differently, part of the background I have in my head.

[DOC_Agren]

Tag
Hope that there will be more to come in this story, as well as more background for your take on Clan Wolverine

[SulliMike23]

Ooh! I like this! Sounds almost like one of the Tribbles on the Tribble Emporium I came up with too. Consider me intrigued.

[ErikModi]

Tag
Hope that there will be more to come in this story, as well as more background for your take on Clan Wolverine

Well, I wasn't initially going to do more. . . just popping the creative bubble that was expanding in my brain.  But it keeps expanding, so. . . ask and ye shall receive, as the Blessed Blake would say.

[ErikModi]

-2-

Burgundy Road, Coudoux, Smoke Jaguar Occupation Zone
September 10, 3050

The Alacorn tank turned its turret towards the onrushing Smoke Jaguar Jenner.  With a thundercrack of discharged electricity, the three Gauss rifles fired in rapid succession.  The first round whistled past the Jenner's boxy weapon-pod left arm.  The second buried itself in the dirt between its running feet.  The third smashed into the cockpit, lodging itself in the torso behind it, tearing through armor, structure, and all the delicate systems that allowed a MechWarrior to control his 'Mech.  To say nothing of the MechWarrior himself.

"Woah, did you see that? Tell me you saw that, query affirmative?"

"We saw it, Thunder Two, good shooting."  Lilly rounded a copse of trees atop a small hill, finally sighting the Wyvern that had been playing hide-and-seek for most of the battle.  Not particularly Clanlike, Lilly thought as she settled her crosshairs over the Jaguar 'Mech.  Her ERPPC and ER Large Laser lashed armor from its right arm and chest, one of her ER mediums bit deep into its left arm while the second went wide, and her flight of LRMs blasted chunks of armor from across its chest and legs.

The Wyvern turned and charged towards her at a full run, straight into a fusillade from Robina's Spartan.  Robina's ERPPC and medium pulse lasers gouged armor from its right side and arm.  One of the four-tube Streak SRMs failed to lock, while the other pounded into the Wyvern's leg.  Utterly unprepared to deal with two attackers at once, the Wyvern pilot tried to turn in its headlong rush to meet the new threat.  Unbalanced by missile impacts and the slagging of tons of armor, the Wyvern's left ankle buckled under the sudden stress, and the 'Mech collapsed to the ground.

Large pulse lasers reached out for Lilly's Pulverizer, two of them stitching melted holes in her arms.  Lilly ignored them, focusing on settling her targeting reticule precisely.  From behind her, cluster autocannon shells and ERPPC bolts from Leslie's Rifleman II struck at the Jaguar Rifleman, damaging it and encouraging the Jaguar MechWarrior to rethink his advance.

Her target locked in, Lilly stroked the trigger of her PPC.  The azure bolt burned into the top of the Wyvern's head, melting it away to nothing in the blink of an eye.

Trees cracked and groaned, bending aside as a massive Highlander crested the hill and broke through the copse.  Leveling its weapons at Thunder Two, it opened fire.

The Gauss slug smashed into the Alacorn's front, shattering what armor remained from earlier attacks on the threatening tank.  Missiles and lasers followed the slug, melting and exploding the vehicle's superstructure.  With a desolate whine, Thunder Two's Gauss rifles powered down, the tank now a smoldering husk.

"You son of--" Lilly growled, targeting the Highlander and letting fly with everything.  She loved this model of Pulverizer because it had been designed for sustained fire with all its weapons.

Robina's Spartan, Sarah's BattleMaster, and Rozalia's Marauder IIC (her Thug having been shot out from under her two planets ago) joined her in punishing the Highlander pilot.  The result of their onslaught was gaping, smoking rents in the 'Mechs armor, and a MechWarrior reeling from the impact of PPC, laser, missile, and autocannon fire.

Flights of LRMs from Thunder One added to the devastation, several finding holes in the Highlander's sundered protective shell to detonate against sensitive components.  Thunder Five zipped past, raking the blocky 'Mech with its medium lasers.

"Wolverines!" Lilly cried, opening fire again and finishing off the Highlander.

The only remaining Jaguar 'Mech on the field, the Rifleman charged forward, large pulse lasers spitting wildly.  It was met with eight TAG laser beams, followed shortly by ten Arrow IV homing missiles.  The Rifleman vanished in balls of flame and shrapnel, leaving only a twisted hulk when the smoke cleared.

"Thunder One, see to Thunder Two," Lilly said.

"Already on it, Sword One."  The Rhino crew were indeed debarking, rushing to the smoking Alacorn to extricate and tend to any survivors.

"Good job, everyone," Lilly said, surveying the battlefield.  "Let us pack it up quick before the rest of the garrison wakes up."

Over the months, Lilly's Trinary had gotten very good at these smash-and-grab raids, isolating and eliminating single Stars and the odd Binary, then making off with their battlefield salvage and whatever they could loot from nearby facilities.  Rozalia's new Marauder was one such find, modified by the Trinary's MechTechs to fit the Wolverines' combat doctrine.

They'd hopped from planet to planet, pushing ever deeper into the occupation zone, staying ahead of any responses the Clans were mustering.  Since mid-May, Lilly had a firm goal in mind, and she was so close to it now she could taste it.

Mid-May was when news reached them of the Turtle Bay Massacre.

Since then, every battle against the Smoke Jaguars had been considered punishment for such an unspeakable atrocity, and Lilly had dreams of personally making the forces on Turtle Bay directly responsible pay for their crimes.

Returning to their landing zone, the salvage and isorla were loaded onto the Dictator-class Arcadian Mercy, while Lilly marched her Trinary aboard the Great Hope.  Fifteen minutes was all it took to secure for launch, then the pair of DropShips were burning sky.  By the time Smoke Jaguar AeroFighters were scrambled to intercept, they were well on their way back to the Ebon Fury.  The Jags didn't maintain WarShip forces over most of their occupied planets -- at least, not anymore -- and by the time a task force could reach the system from the front, the Wolverines would be gone, traveling through uninhabited systems towards their next target.

Commodore's Office, Ebon Fury
Nadir Jump Point, Coudoux System, Clan Smoke Jaguar Occupation Zone
September 15th, 3050

"You asked to see me, Star Commodore?" Lilly asked as she entered Romina Cardew's office.

"Affirmative, Star Captain McEvedy.  We have new orders."  She slid a noteputer across the desk toward Lilly.

Lilly's eyebrows shot up as she read the message.  "Back to Cabanatuan?"  During Clan Wolverine's time as the so-called "Minnesota Tribe," they'd discovered a Castle Brian on that world, and subsequent incognito travels in the Inner Sphere had seen the Wolverines maintain and take control of the structure, should it prove useful one day.  It was from there Lilly had begun her crusade against the Clans.

"We're already deep in Jag territory.  We're almost in striking distance of Turtle Bay.  From there, we can press into Ghost Bear territory, cut through their space, and finally take the fight to the Wolves!"

"You have lost Thunder Four and now Thunder Two, along with three Ferals.  We've done remarkably well, but we cannot replace these losses.  It is time to pull back, resupply and reequip, then press forward again once we have the troops and materiel we need."

"It took us months to get this far."

"The trip back will be shorter, as we will not be hitting every Jag planet on the way.  Nor we will need to keep the LF battery in reserve."

"They will be ready for us when we return."

"They are getting ready for us now.  And you saw the signature on the orders, query affirmative?"

Lilly had stopped reading after Cabanatuan, belatedly she checked the noteputer again.  Sighing, she nodded.

"Then you know there is no arguing them."

"Affirmative," Lilly replied.  She, better than most, knew it was pointless arguing with the Khan.

Zenith Jump Point, Cabanatuan System
October 31st, 3050

"I'm detecting ships, this jump point!" the sensor operator called.

"IDs," Star Commodore Romina said tersely.  "Set Condition One."

The lights on bridge shifted to alert status.  "Coming in now.  They are ours.  The Ashes of Remembrance, the Widows Made, the Switchback with DropShips Den Mother, Minnesota, and Wide Range, and. . ." the operator trailed off, swallowing hard before continuing.  "And the Sarah McEvedy."

Shifting her gaze to the holotank, Lilly nodded.  It was, indeed, the Sarah McEvedy.  Clan Wolverine had only one Cameron-class battlecruiser.  The plans had been found in the Castle Brian in this very system, and with a working knowledge of the upgrades planned for the vessels that left in the Exodus, the Wolverines had been able to build their own, though they lacked the resources for more than one.

The other ships were a Lola III, Whirlwind, and Invader, forming a respectable flotilla with the flagship for the Khan of Clan Wolverine.

"I didn't know the Khan would come in person," Romina whispered.

Lilly was amazed herself, but realized she shouldn't be surprised in the slightest.

"Transmission from the flagship," comms spoke up.  "The Khan requests the presence of Star Captain Lilly McEvedy, quote, as soon as the spots are gone."

Commodore Romina looked quizzically at Lilly.  "I guess you had best get moving."

Lilly declined to explain the Khan's choice of words, simply saluting and making for the small craft bay.

Thirty Minutes Later

Lilly knocked on the door, which was emblazoned with the Clan Wolverine crest, the rank emblem of Khan, and a nameplate.  Upon hearing the call of "Enter," from within, she opened the door and stepped inside.

The office was exactly as she remembered it, sparse and austere, with nothing not immediately necessary for the duties of a Khan within.  It was the perfect reflection of the woman behind the desk.

Lilly knew the sharp-featured face as well as she knew her own, recognized the close-cropped brilliant blonde hair, two shades lighter than Lilly's longer tresses, starting to come in gray.  The immaculate uniform, every crease and plait in perfect place, and neatly organized desk spoke to the woman's unyielding discipline and authority, and always made Lilly feel slovenly by comparison.

"You asked to see me, my Khan?"

"I did, Star Captain.  Be seated."  It was an order, not an invitation.  Lilly sat.

"I have read your reports.  You have done remarkably well with remarkably little.  I bring another Trinary of 'Mechs and vehicles, more Ferals, supplies, munitions, techs, and facilities to continue your campaign.  Behind me, additional forces are coming to turn this into a proper staging area and set up a supply line to let you strike as deep into the Occupation Zones as you wish."

"Excellent, my Khan, thank you."

Drawing a small box from a drawer in the desk, the Khan continued.  "You will now be commanding a larger force, and your combat and leadership abilities are beyond reproach.  Congratulations, Star Colonel."

"Thank you," Lilly said, opening the box and gazing at her new rank insignia.  She looked up to see the Khan watching her expectantly.  "Was there something else?"

The Khan paused for a time.  "How are you, Lilly?"

Lilly stiffened.  "You have read my reports.  You said yourself, I was doing fine."

"I'm not talking about your reports or your military achievements.  I'm asking how you are."

"I am fine."

"Lilly--"

"Mother, I'm fine."

"You've lost people, infantry, vehicle crew.  Those deaths don't bother you?"

"I haven't asked anyone in this unit to do anything I'm not prepared to do.  I've fought beside them every time."  Lilly opened her uniform jacket, pulling it aside to show the fresh scar marring the ornate tattoo that ran across her collarbones.  "I've bled beside them.  And I'll keep doing it as long as it takes."

"As long as what takes?  Every war needs an objective, Lilly, what's yours?"

Lilly opened her mouth to reply, then clamped it shut.  Revenge, she'd been about to say.  Make them pay, make them bleed, do to them what they tried to do to us, and wipe every last one of them from the universe.

And become the monster they believe me to be.

"I don't know," she finally admitted.

"Disappointing.  I suggest -- and as your Khan, command -- you figure it out.  Quickly."

"Yes, my Khan."

"Dismissed."

Outside the Khan's office, Lilly looked at the nameplate on the door.  Khan Jennifer McEvedy Walter.  Walter.  Her mother's Bloodname, and the one Lilly hoped to earn one day.  It commemorated not one of the warriors who had founded Clan Wolverine under Nicholas Kerensky, but one of the seventy-eight survivors of the Annihilation who had hid in the jungles of Barbados.  It was to honor them, and because of the necessity of honoring them, that she fought.

Wasn't it?

Stewing and fuming in her own thoughts, Lilly trudged back to the Sarah McEvedy's shuttle bay.

[SulliMike23]

So the Wolverines plan to strike deep into Clan occupied territory. Makes me wonder what will happen if they run into some IS forces.

[ErikModi]

-3-

Troop Commander's Quarters, DropShip Great Hope
Cabanatuan System, Clan Wolverine Staging Area
November 2nd, 3050

Lilly sat in her quarters, reviewing an old holodisc.  This was her favorite of Sarah McEvedy's speeches, though there were few to choose from.  The injuries she'd sustained leading up to the Annihilation had left her lungs damaged, her voice weak.  Most of the Second Founding had been run by Khan Trish Ebon.  The holodisc contained all the material available on Sarah McEvedy; it was Lilly's most treasured possession.

She knew this speech by heart, she could hear it in her mind, watch it play out just by closing her eyes.  But seeing it again always left her with new things to think about.

It took place two years after the Wolverines had established themselves on Homeworld, an unknown planet in the Periphery near the Combine and FedSuns borders.  With a colony established and growing into self-sufficiency and the first (and last) "trueborn" creches being incubated, a government representing all the survivors of the Wolverines had been established, and debates had begun over what they should now call themselves.  They'd had many names in their brief history.  Before and during the Exodus, they'd been the 331st Royal BattleMech Division, The North American Division.  Then they'd been reorganized into Clan Wolverine by Nicholas Kerensky.  Upon fleeing the Clans, some had taken to calling themselves "The Star League In Exile," and in their first tour of the Inner Sphere they'd gone back to using the uniforms and emblems of the 331st, to throw any pursuing Clan forces off their scent.  That had earned them the moniker of "the Minnesota Tribe."  Now that they had settled, safe and far from the Clans, the question was becoming more important, its discussion more volatile.

On the surface, perhaps, it seemed such a silly thing to have such heated arguments about, delegates shouting and screaming at each other.  But it was an important question, Lilly knew, perhaps the most important question humans had ever asked themselves, individually or collectively.

Who am I?

The debate raged in the holodisc, growing ever more vehement, promising imminent violence.  Then it was suddenly hushed.

Sarah McEvedy had stood up.

Her injuries meant that while she could walk, it was difficult and painful, as well as taxing for her damaged lungs, so she typically remained in her wheelchair.  Standing had made a statement:  she had something to say, and everyone else had best shut up and listen.

"We are better than this," she said, her voice quiet and raspy.  It would never have carried if not for the complete silence that had descended on the chamber.  "Strife and discord are ravaging the Successor States, they ravaged the Pentagon Worlds and Clans, they all but destroyed us.  It will not happen here.  I will not allow it.  Am I understood?"  No one spoke, everyone nodded. "Whatever we are, we are a family.  We disagree, we argue, but we always look out for each other.  Whatever we decide will be done with dignity and civility."  Sarah McEvedy sat.

"What do you think we should be?" one of the Scientist delegates asked.

"I do not know," Sarah replied.  She considered for a moment, then spoke again.  "The Clans tried to wipe us from history as Clan Wolverine, yet we are still here.  There is power in that, I think.  I feel. . . disquiet at the idea of finishing what they started."

After that, the debate was quickly settled.  Though no longer beholden to the vision of Nicholas Kerensky, they would remain Clan Wolverine.

Because "clan" is just another word for "family."

Briefing Room, DropShip Great Hope
Cabanatuan System, Clan Wolverine Staging Area
November 3rd, 3050

"Alright," Lilly said as the assembled members of her Trinary settled down.  "The Khan has brought us new warriors and new toys."

"What kind of new toys?" Robina asked.

"I will be looking into that myself shortly.  I will also be scheduling a meet-and-greet on Ebon Fury's grav deck tomorrow, followed by unit cohesion simulations.  I plan to have us jumping back for Jag turf before the month is out, I want this Cluster at full readiness before then."

"How will we be handling that?" Rozalia asked.

"The new Trinary is two Stars of 'Mechs and one of vehicles, they will transfer to Arcadian Mercy.  Ebon Fury will keep Great Hope and Arcadian Mercy, Switchback will keep Den Mother and Minnesota."  Den Mother was another Fortress-class, Minnesota was another Dictator, their cavernous 'Mech bays and cargo holds suited to carrying isorla.  "All our combat forces will be on one ship, all our isorla on another."

"I hear the Wide Range has a whole factory on board," said Star Commander James Ebon, driver of Lightning One.

"Not quite," Lilly replied.  "But it does have the best facilities that can be crammed aboard a Behemoth.  We find anything good, the techs over there can rejigger it as needed."

"We learn more about these Clan battlesuits yet?" Star Commander Mollie asked.

"Not yet, but that is a priority moving forward."

"Good," the leader of the Ferals replied.  "The Jags may not like shooting at us, but when they do, we feel it."

Lilly nodded.  The Ferals' stealth armor did seem to be protecting them from being targeted by the Smoke Jaguar 'Mechs, but any 'Mech-scale weapon they did choose to fire at them tore through the exoskeletons with ease.

"Since we're now a Cluster -- a small Cluster, but a Cluster -- the Khan has promoted me to Star Colonel."  Lilly fished a small box from her pocket and tossed it to Robina.  "Star Captain MacLeish, you are now in charge of Command Trinary."

"Yes, sir."

Lilly tossed another box to Rozalia.  "Star Commander Ponchielli, you are now in command of Sword Star."

"Thank you, sir."  She was still outranked by two people in the Star she was supposedly in command of, but seeing to the logistics and administration of the Star so Robina could focus on the Trinary and Lilly on the Cluster was still an important job.

Lilly tossed a third box to Mollie.  "Star Captain Penaligan, you lead the Ferals."

"Copy."

After inquiring after the status of her Trinary, Lilly adjourned the meeting, allowing her promoted subordinates to see to their new responsibilities.

'Mech Bay, DropShip Arcadian Mercy
Cabanatuan System, Clan Wolverine Staging Area
November 4th, 3050

"What the hell is that?" Lilly asked incredulously.

"It is a Stalker," Chief Mech Tech Ho-Yin Svenson answered.

"I can see that.  What did you do to it?"

"Well, we heard reports that the Capellans were fielding a new Catapult that replaced all the missiles with an Arrow IV system."

"And what, you said 'hold my beer?'"

The Chief flushed.  "Well. . . not in so many words. . . but look, taking the Stalker chassis let us mount two Arrow IVs and three tons each of standard and homing missiles for each launcher."

"And only three medium lasers for backup," Lilly noted, spotting the firing ports spread evenly on the 'Mech's torso.  The slim, rectangular weapon pods on either side of the rounded body had been expanded greatly to hold the massive artillery launchers, giving the 'Mech a flared, ungainly appearance.

"Medium pulses, actually."

Lilly had been keeping a running tally of the 'Mech's mass.  "So no additional heat sinks, then."

Chief Svenson shrugged.  "Should not need them.  If it is close enough to be firing lasers, it should not be firing artillery anymore."

"At least the Pochtlis can defend themselves if they get rushed."

"But this only takes a single MechWarrior, not a crew of six."

"The Pochtli crews are going to love hearing that."

"It's not meant as a replacement," the Chief said, clearly upset that his creation was being criticized.  "It's just supposed to be a perhaps less resource-intensive option.  And the pilots have drilled extensively in artillery tactics -- they'll drop those missiles anywhere you want, every time."

"I'll believe that when I see it," Lilly replied.  Her Trinary were experienced at danger-close artillery fire, guided or not, but she was still careful to keep her troops out of range of any mis-aimed shells.  As a result, they'd adapted a "let them come to us" approach.

Still, if the W3 Stalker performed as advertised. . . "We will see how it does."

"We will not let you down, Star Colonel.  You can count on it."

Lilly moved on, surveying the rest of her new Trinary.  The lead 'Mech of the command Star was a Hatchetman Star Captain Mi-Jung Chon had found and fallen in love with while posing as a mercenary in the Federated Commonwealth.  Hatchet Two was, naturally, a Wolverine.  Hatchet Three, Four, and Five were a Centurion, Crab, and the Clan Wolverine original Stag II.  Stonewall Star was centered on massive Behemoth tank, which housed the C3 network linking Hatchet and Stonewall Stars together.  The rest of Stonewall consisted of an Ontos, a Schreck PPC Carrier, and two different versions of Partisan, one with four Ultra Autocannon/5s, the other with an absolutely excessive seventy-five LRM tubes.

All had been upgraded to Clan Wolverine's latest tech standards, though the Schreck had proven the most difficult.  It was simply not possible to replace the three PPCs with the Wolverine's ER versions (along with the heat sinks they required) and retain anything resembling speed or armor.  In the end, it was decided that having the same damage output as the stock Schreck, but putting it put in two volleys instead of three, was an acceptable tradeoff.  Though there was apparently a "Schreck LPL Carrier" undergoing testing that was showing some promise, and a “Schreck II” which did carry three ERPPCs, as well as TAG and a C3 slave. . . but was ten tons heavier.

The five new STK-W3 Stalkers formed Quake Star, rounding out the Trinary.

Lilly nodded.  "Seems a solid lineup.  I look forward to meeting the warriors."

That night on Ebon Fury's grav deck, the warriors of Command and Striker Trinaries met.  It went well; introductions were made, drinks were had, war stories swapped.  Warrior Crewman Angus Yatsuhashi, still walking with a cane, was telling anyone who would listen about putting a Gauss rifle slug cleanly through the cockpit of a running Jenner at range.

As the party wore on, Lilly noted several warriors slinking out in pairs and sighed to herself.  It may not be against regulations, but as CO, Lilly felt it inappropriate to consort with her subordinates on a physical level.  Plus, back on Homeworld, Andrei was waiting. . .

Eventually, Lilly excused herself and returned to her quarters, where she began planning her renewed campaign against the Clans.

This time, with an objective in mind.

Edit:  I messed up my logistics a bit.  My upgraded Fortress only has five 'Mech Bays and ten Vehicle Bays, insufficient for Striker Trinary.  The Dictator has twenty 'Mech Bays and fifteen Vehicle Bays, so Striker fits comfortably on that, though their Ferals ride the Fortress.  PS, every time I type "Ferals" in relation to Wolverine PowerArmor troops, I like that name just a little bit more.  Not bad for something I thought up because nothing better was coming to me.

[SulliMike23]

So now their Clan will get some new tech; but they still don't have Omnis yet and that's going to put them at a slight disadvantage.

[ErikModi]

Nope, no Omnis, but that's kind of an advantage in a way.  The way I understand it, you can't just pop a PPC out of an OmniPod and wire it into a non-OmniMech.  So you have to have one supply line for Omnis and for non-Omnis.  It does mean that the Wolverines can't make use of stuff they yank out of any Omnis they acquire, which could be a problem.

And the Wolverines pretty much have Clan tech.  My initial thought was that the Wolverines would have Star League era tech, putting more emphasis on examining Clan equipment and quickly reverse-engineering it, then I thought that doesn't make sense.  These are the guys who invented the Enhanced PPC, they have same starting tech base as the Clans, the same 250 years for R&D as the Clans, and less infighting.  They'd be able to advance at least as fast as the Clans did.  (And then there's stuff, like C3 computers, they just stole from the Inner Sphere.)  And they have some things no one else has yet, like stealth armor for battlesuits.  Since it was originally Star League tech that the Inner Sphere lost and the Clans didn't care about, and if the Clans can go from "stealth armor for battlesuits? That actually sounds like a good idea" to "improved stealth armor, freebirths!" in a year, the Wolverines could do the same in two centuries.  Their main disadvantage is that their infantry are in Ultralight PALs.  But I've trial-and-errored my way through BattleArmor construction in MegaMek, so the W2 Feral BattleArmor may be making an appearance soon.  Or not.

New chapter in the works, one I didn't intend to write (at least, not the first part).  Lilly is definitely one of my characters.  She surprised me in Chapter 2, not with where she wanted this to go at the time, but how far she was willing to take it (if I handed her infinite resources then and there, she was prepared to go about slaughtering every single Clanner personally).  She's mellowed since her mom gave her a reality check. . . but now she wants us to know all about her family.  I didn't even know she had a family when this started.

[ErikModi]

-4-

Troop Commander's Quarters, DropShip Great Hope
Uninhabited System, Clan Smoke Jaguar Occupation Zone
December 5th, 3050

The computer in Lilly's quarters dinged, letting her know a message from the HPG dump had been transferred to her terminal.  Setting aside her campaign plans, Lilly opened the message.

The face of a three-year-old girl, wispy curls of strawberry blonde hair atop her head, stared back at her.  The girl's tiny arm was being waved energetically at the camera.  "Say 'hi, mommy.'  Can you say hi to mommy?"  Andrei's voice said from just off screen.

The girl replied with something that might have been "Hi, mommy," or might have been three-year-old gibberish.  The screen remained fixed on the girl's cooing, gibbering face for another minute, then Andrei picked her up and sat down in front of the camera, holding little Alexia in his lap.

"Hey, babe," Lilly's husband said.  "I hear you are going to be out there awhile longer yet, and the Khan is coming to supervise.  Alexia told me to ask you not to kill her grandmother if you can avoid it."  Lilly laughed.  "Oh, Scientist Davos Etrienne earned his Bloodname for his report on the LIV-537-XC supernova.  It is all very fascinating.  So dry I could barely get through it, but fascinating.  I am more interested in the data you collected on those Clan battlesuits.  We have been doing some computer modeling here, and -- well, those things look seriously scary.  I would say I hope you only ever meet them in your Pulverizer, but I am not sure even that would keep you safe."

Lilly smiled.  Andrei could be such a worrier, but his concern was always touching.

"They are moving ships and people up to Cabanatuan.  If you like, I can put in a request to join the Scientists there.  I could perhaps be more useful examining things straight from the battlefield instead of via HPG transmission, and we would be only a few months apart, not a year."  Andrei shrugged.  "A thing to consider."

Andrei paused, seeming to think about if he had anything else to say.  Apparently deciding he did not, he nodded.  "Stay safe out there.  I love you."

The image paused on Andrei's thin but handsome face and Alexia's chubby baby cheeks, her gaze now intently focused on something below her only she could see.  Lilly contemplated the image for some time, drying her eyes and letting her rampant emotions run themselves out within her.

Lilly and Andrei had met during their warrior training.  While Andrei had always known the life of the Scientist was for him, all Wolverines were warriors first.  Lilly, on the other hand, had never wanted to be anything but a warrior, to follow in the footsteps of the vast majority of her ancestors, as well as Sarah McEvedy herself.

Lilly again marveled that she was descended from such an amazing, inspiring person.  Clan Wolverine had suffered so much, lost so many, in their flight from the Clans that the same "iron womb" technology they idolized had been the Wolverines' only hope of survival once they'd found themselves a home.  Everyone, warrior and "lower" caste alike, had contributed to that first generation, and Lilly came from those born of Sarah's contribution.

After testing out as a warrior, her second pilgrimage to Barbados (which coincided with her first tour of duty, posing as a merchant guard for an incognito Wolverine caravan), and her promotion to Star Commander, Lilly and Andrei had decided to take advantage of the iron womb technology, still available to those who required or desired it, to have their first child.  Until her third trip to Barbados, Lilly had spent as much time as her duties allowed with her family.  Which was quite a lot, actually, what with Clan Wolverine having no ongoing wars to send warriors to fight in.

If the Clans had not come back, I would be home now.  It would be me holding little Alexia in my arms.

She could stop.  Call her whole Crusade off as a bad idea.  State that it was no business of the Wolverines if the Clans wanted to invade the Inner Sphere, there was no reason to risk the society they'd built, the freedom they'd found, for revenge for and on people who had been dead two and a half centuries.  What did it matter what the Clans thought of them?  They knew the truth, and that should be good enough.

Even if the rest of the Clan wanted to continue, Lilly didn't have to.  She could request a transfer, or resign, she could go home, she could--

Give up my dream of earning a Warrior's Bloodname, of becoming Khan, of accepting the burden of responsibility my surname demands.

Of being the kind of woman who makes her daughter proud.

For all her faults, for all their disagreements, Lilly loved and respected Khan Jennifer McEvedy, was dedicated to learning from her example, both good and ill.  Lilly had started this fight, now she had to finish it.

Composing herself, Lilly began to record her response.

"I am doing quite well out here.  The Khan promoted me to Star Colonel, and I have the best group of warriors under my command I could ask for.  And despite mother looking over my shoulder, I have been given free reign to proceed with operations against the Clans as I see fit."  Lilly settled herself, forcing a smile.  "Though I am sure the Khan intends to reign me in should I get stupid, I do not plan to get stupid."  She suppressed a sigh, keeping her smile in place.

"The Cabanatuan base is coming along nicely.  Logistics will shortly no longer be a problem.  But, while I miss you both desperately, I would request you remain on Homeworld.  I am sure you would be as safe on Cabanatuan, but I will rest easier knowing you both are far, far away from the Clans."  She paused.  "If you have read the data we have acquired, you know what they make us out to be, and that gives me ample reason to fear for your safety."

Her composure faltered, and Lilly let her emotions play on her face.  "I love you both, and look forward to the day I come home to you."

Hunter Star Ammo Dump, Gamma Galaxy
Rest Stop Seven, Tarnby Highway
Tarnby Prefecture, Tarnby, Clan Smoke Jaguar Occupation Zone
December 19th, 3050

"These were not the same troops the Star Colonel fought the last time she was here," Star Captain Mi-Jung Chon said, yanking his hatchet from the torso of a Smoke Jaguar 'Mech.

"Indeed they were not," Hatchet Two replied.  "We should file a complaint when we return, query affirmative?"

"Affirmative," Mi-Jung agreed with a tight smile.  "Anklebiter Star, go."

"Anklebiter Star is go," Anklebiter Alpha-One said.  Leaping towards the building the Clans had stored their equipment in, the Ferals drew the special gear they'd been given for this mission.

For thirty minutes, Striker Trinary stood tense watch while the Ferals completed their task.  It was done impressively well and quicker than expected, especially considering they had been unable to drill for the task aboard ship.

Making their way back to the dustoff zone, Quake Three took another look at the Ferals' handiwork.  "Hatchet One, do you think this is perhaps too obvious?  We have not precisely been subtle, but this. . . they cannot possibly mistake this."

"I believe that is exactly what Star Colonel McEvedy intends."

Striker Trinary continued to their DropShip, leaving behind only the massive sigil of Clan Wolverine, painted on a wall two stories high, as proof of their presence.

[Daryk]

Defiance at its best...  8)

[ErikModi]

-5-

Edo, Turtle Bay
Clan Smoke Jaguar Occupation Zone
February 23rd, 3051

Lilly’s stomach churned at the sight, even though it had happened nearly a year ago.  The awesome power of a WarShip directed at a surface target was the singularly most indescribably ugly thing she had ever seen.

Her forces had been surprised at finding no trace of Jaguar activity anywhere in the system.  After facing new ‘Mechs — her techs identified them as “OmniMechs” — and more skilled warriors on return visits to Tarnby and Virentofta, she had come to the conclusion that the Jaguars were now actively hunting her.  She’d expected to meet stiff resistance at Turtle Bay, only to find it all but abandoned.

There had apparently been some sort of cease fire in the past few months.  The Clans were no longer advancing into the Inner Sphere, but they had not pulled back, either.  It seemed now there were two arms of Clan military forces:  less experienced warriors in updated versions of Inner Sphere ‘Mechs, relegated to garrison duty; and more capable warriors in these OmniMechs, spearheading the invasion.  With the cease-fire, these “front-line” troops seemed to be taking up garrison stations, with several of them lying in wait specifically for Lilly McEvedy and her Wolverines.

She had been pleased by that.  That was progress.

Seeing the wreckage of the city of Edo cut the satisfaction out of her.  Just because they had been angered and embarrassed, the Smoke Jaguars had condemned an entire city and its population to violent, firey death.

Great Hope must have looked much like this, once Jason Karrige got done with it.

Around her, Feral Star fingered their Mauser 960Ws nervously.  Turtle Bay was not abandoned, the Jaguars had simply left.  The populace was still around, unlikely to look kindly on mysterious visitors from the stars for quite some time.

A breath of shifting air beside her.  “Star Colonel,” Star Captain Robina said quietly.

“I hear them,” Lilly whispered back.  She turned as sounds of people trying to move stealthily through the rubble grew.  She placed her hand on her sidearm, but did not release the safety catch holding the laser pistol in its holster.  “Ferals, weapons down.  Do not fire without my command.”  Slowly, hesitantly, the Ferals aimed the muzzles of their laser rifles at the ground.

“We come in peace,” Lilly said loudly to the unseen forces moving on her position.  “We mean you no harm.  Show yourselves.”

Tense silence reigned over the ravaged landscape.

“Star Colonel, with your permission?” Point Commander Shukti Ghosal asked, slinging her rifle.  Lilly nodded, and the Feral repeated Lilly’s statement in Japanese.

More silence, and then a face appeared, blackened with soot and dust, over an old and battered hunting rifle.  The Ferals tensed, but kept their weapons down.  Someone else shuffled from behind a chunk of rubble, carrying a military-grade laser rifle.  Then another with an autorifle that looked like it had been bashed together from parts of at least three different weapons.  One by one, people emerged, a few with decent weapons, most with survival, hunting, and kitchen knives or hafts of rebar.

The man with the hunting rifle hadn’t moved, his weapon still trained on Lilly’s group.  The scope was dirty, bent, and cracked beyond uselessness, but Lilly had a feeling that would fail to impair his marksmanship.

The man with the laser spoke.  “He wants to know who we are,” Shukti translated.

“We are —” Lilly stopped herself, deciding these people were in no mood for a long story, and who she was was a very long story indeed.  “We are friends.  We came to fight the Smoke Jaguars, but have found none.”

Shukti relayed Lilly’s message, and the man replied.  “Your ‘Mechs are mostly of the Inner Sphere, but not the DCMS, and your soldiers are not the Elementals, but are no mere foot platoon, and your answer is vague and unconvincing.  Who are you?”

“We are not of the Clans, nor are we of the Inner Sphere.  Our tale is long and our business our own, but we mean you and your people no harm.”

Shukti translated.  “Trust died in the fires of Edo.”

Keeping her right arm absolutely still on her weapon, Lilly slowly raised her left and pointed to her radio headset.  “If you will permit me to call my ship, I will have what supplies we can share brought out as a token of friendship.”

Brief, angry, shouted words of Japanese followed the translation of Lilly’s offer.  They were clearly debating the issue among themselves, quickly and efficiently, before the man spoke again.

“You may.”

Eyes and weapons on her the whole way, Lilly led her warriors and the civilians towards where the Great Hope had grounded not far away.  While she didn’t feel entirely comfortable leaving her ‘Mechs unattended, she knew that trying to board them again would incite violence.

The vehicle and DropShip crews had begun unloading food, water, and medical supplies, with the ship’s doctors ready to examine the people.  Wariness soon gave way as the Wolverines enthusiastically followed Lilly’s orders to be on their best behavior.  More people began to arrive from the villages and camps nearby, and soon Lilly was informed of the whole story.

After the bombardment of Edo, the Jaguars had ended that rebellion, but lost the planet.  The citizens of Turtle Bay knew there was nothing they could do to resist the weapons of a WarShip in orbit, but likewise knew there was no point in just submitting to Smoke Jaguar rule, as they could and would be killed for any perceived offense.  Faced with a populace that was now impossible to control, the Jaguars had simply left.  Deep in the occupation zone, no help or assistance would be forthcoming, and the people of Turtle Bay had to live, or die, solely based on the resources to hand.

“We are setting up logistics supply lines to support our advance into Clan space,” Lilly informed the small group of civilian leaders who had explained the situation to her.  “I cannot promise, but I will do everything I can to see whatever supplies and resources we can bring delivered here.  I will do everything in my power to help you hold out until—”

Until what?  Until the Clans decide coming back to the Inner Sphere was a bad idea and they should go home?  Until the idiots in the Successor States rally and push the Clans back planet by planet?  Until the Star League rises from the dead and makes everyone get along again?

“— until you no longer need them,” Lilly finished.

Relaying her report to the Khan, Lilly found that the other four DropShips were heading to Turtle Bay, ready to disseminate their own stores.  Jennifer McEvedy readily agreed to begin establishing a route for the routine delivery of relief supplies to the planet.

Supervising the disbursement, Lilly felt her guts churn again at the horde of dirty, hungry, helpless people, abandoned by their conquerors.  She barely noticed Robina approach and stand beside her.

“On to the Ghost Bears then, query affirmative?” she asked quietly.

“Negative, not on to the Ghost Bears,” Lilly replied, white-hot rage uncurling in her breast.  “This isn’t just about us anymore.  This is about stopping this. . . this. . . this horror.  This is bigger than the Wolverines and our history.  This is bigger than all of us.”

“Too big.”

“Then break it down.  Small pieces we can do.  Keep hitting the Jaguars, one planet at a time, crush everything they have to bring against us, then — only then. . . move on.”

“It’s liberation, then?”

Lilly shrugged.  “If that’s what you want to call it.  I call it justice.”

Turtle Bay
April 28th, 3051

Star Captain Mollie Penaligan targeted the outcropping and triggered her weapon.  The azure bolt struck the rock, flash-heating it before shattering it explosively.

“Nice,” she murmured to herself.

With the delivery of relief supplies to Turtle Bay, the Wolverines had gained a new staging area and a friendly populace.  Now, Mollie was acclimating to the new Feral W2 BattleArmor suit.  Twice the weight of the W1 PowerArmor, it was still smaller than the Clan Elemental BattleArmor.

Chief among the requests by the Ferals for the new design had been improved armor, and the W2 delivered with three times the protection of the W1.  It still wouldn’t stop an anti-’Mech weapon worthy of the name, but it was better than they’d had.

The second request had been for better weapons.  The Mauser 960W was solid, but did little against the thick hides of Clan ‘Mechs.  This had proved somewhat trickier, and a long back-and-forth over HPG transmission ensued between the Ferals and the Techs and Scientists designing the new armor.  Finally, the Ferals admitted that, while they appreciated the W1’s ability to run fast enough to keep rough pace with ‘Mechs and tanks, they almost exclusively used the suits’ jump jets, to make themselves even less attractive targets.  So inspired, the designers removed myomer and actuators from the suit’s legs, dropping the W2’s walking speed to that of an unarmored human.  In exchange, the suit mounted a Support PPC over the right shoulder.  Working in concert, firing PPCs and 960Ws in tandem, a Feral Point could now deal serious damage to an enemy ‘Mech.

Putting the W2 through its paces, Star Captain Penaligan found nothing to complain about, and looked forward to seeing how the new armor would stack up in actual combat.  Tomorrow they’d begin transit to Hanover, there to seek and destroy as many Jaguar ‘Mechs and warriors as they could find.  The memory of Edo was burned into every Wolverine’s brain, the cry of “Wolverines!” upon their lips.  Mollie hoped the Star Colonel’s plan would be successful.

Oh, what I would not give to see what the Clans are making of all this. . .

Grand Council Chamber, Hall of Khans
Strana Mechty, Clan Space
June 19th, 3051

Ulric Kerensky, freshly nominated ilKhan of the Clans, stood and leaned forward on his fists.  “We have already wasted too much time, my Khans.  We have elected a new ilKhan and have many important matters at hand.  First and foremost is the invasion.  The sooner we settle our differences, the sooner we can complete our conquest of the Inner Sphere.”

Kincaid Furey rose again.  “Forgive me, but there is another important matter to hand, one which I feel the ilKhan must be informed about immediately.”

If Ulric was surprised or amused by another thrust from Kincaid, he gave no sign.  “You may proceed, Khan Kincaid.”

“Thank you.  Over the past year, our garrison forces have been attacked, materiel stolen, by parties unknown.  We have set about eliminating these bandits, but have been thus far unsuccessful—”

“I fail to see how bandits in Smoke Jaguar territory is any concern of this council,” the Jade Falcon Khan interrupted.

“Because of this,” Kincaid replied, bringing up an image, eliciting stunned silence from the assembled Khans.  “From an attack on Tarnby six months ago.”  He brought up another.  “Virentofta, five months ago.”  Another.  “Rockland, three months ago.”

Phelan contemplated the images, brought from the Grand Council chamber to Ulric’s office via secure video feed.  “What is that?”

“Don’t ask,” Natasha Kerensky replied, her voice choked.

Phelan did a double take, then looked back to the emblem on the screen.  What is it?  And how — why — can it possibly make the Black Widow afraid?

The Snow Raven Khan was the first to find his voice.  “What is the meaning of this?  What kind of. . . of. . . maniacal trickery are you up to?”

“It is no trick, I assure you,” Kincaid replied smoothly.  “I was as shocked as you all are when I first saw these images.  Thus far, these bandits have left no survivors and taken the ‘Mechs they have downed with them.  We have, however, recovered a few pieces of data, which we have recently reconstructed.”  Kincaid brought up another image.  “This is one of those bandit ‘Mechs.”

The assembled Khans recognized the design from Clan history, though it was not used anymore, and its origin with The Not-Named-Clan politely ignored.  The Pulverizer, a fearsome combat machine, and this one painted in the colors and bearing the emblem of The Not-Named Clan.

“Why haven’t you brought this before the Council?” the Snow Raven Khan roared.

“We just did.  When these attacks first occurred, we informed the ilKhan — that is to say, ilKhan Leo Showers.  He commanded us to remedy the problem ourselves.  Now that we have a new ilKhan, and new evidence, we are presenting it.”

“They’re making it up, Ril,” Natasha said.  “It’s a hoax, it has to be.”

“I don’t think so,” Cyrila Ward replied.  “The Jaguars do not have the guile for something like this.  And if they were found out, they’d be outcast, they’d be. . .”

“Annihilated,” Natasha finished.

“What?”  Phelan asked.  “What are you talking about?  What’s that emblem, what does it mean?”

“Quiet,” both older women replied.

“If this is The Not-Named Clan, if they have survived and if they have returned, then it is a matter that must be overseen by the ilKhan,” Kincaid was saying.  “It was ilKhan Nicholas Kerensky who passed the judgement of Annihilation, it was Clan Wolf who carried out.  It seems fitting that now, if The Not-Named Clan are back, that an ilKhan bearing the Kerensky Bloodname should again lead his Wolves in eliminating the greatest threat the Clans have ever known.”

“Oh, freebirth, that’s what he’s up to,” Cyrila swore.  “Send Ulric and Clan Wolf off on some wild goose chase while they drive deeper into the Inner Sphere.”

Ulric nodded, his face solemn.  “It is indeed, and I shall give this most important task all the attention it requires.  It will be dealt with, and swiftly, my fellow Khans.  You have my word.”

“Then you will task your warriors to eliminating these bandits purporting to be of The Not-Named Clan?” Kincaid pressed.

“Some of them, certainly,” Ulric replied.  “But it should hardly require the full strength of Clan Wolf to ascertain just what it is we are seeing.  And once we know for true, the bidding for the honor of eliminating the problem should be most exhilarating.”

Kincaid opened his mouth to protest, but Ulric just stared at him calmly.  Soon, Kincaid closed his mouth, then sat.

“Now that is settled.  Other business?” Ulric asked.

[mikecj]

This should be fun  :thumbsup:

[cklammer]

Nice tale.

Plot-wise: now the fat is in the fire ...

[neutronium95]

I like what I've seen so far. I think that most people in the BT fandom have thought of doing something similar at one point or another, and it is nice to see the return of the Wolverines done well.

[ErikModi]

I like what I've seen so far. I think that most people in the BT fandom have thought of doing something similar at one point or another, and it is nice to see the return of the Wolverines done well.

Thank you, I appreciate the support of you and everyone else who's posted here so far.

And I'm honored to be your first post on the board!

[ErikModi]

-6-

Nykvarn, Smoke Jaguar Occupation Zone
November 5th, 3051

Phelan Wolf marched his Wolfhound out of the DropShip and formed up with Natasha Kerensky's Dire Wolf.  Locking in on the nav signal, they made best speed to where the Smoke Jaguar garrison Binary was being cut to ribbons by the Wolverines.

Since being dispatched on this mission, Natasha had been oddly tense and very quiet.  Phelan knew why, but he admitted to himself he didn't really understand it.  The accounts he'd read of The Not-Named Clan and why they had been wiped from the rolls of Clan history were brutal and horrific, but didn't stir in him the gut-churning reaction that, say, stories of the Amaris Coup or First Succession War did.  It was the difference, he reflected, of hearing the story as a youth, told in cautionary and horrific style, and reading it as an adult and approaching it as an intelligence briefing and item of historical interest.

Natasha had grown up with the terror of The Not-Named Clan and the Trial of Annihilation lurking like a monster under the bed.  Phelan had not.

"What is our plan here?" Phelan asked.

Natasha did not respond.

"My Khan?  Star Colonel?  Natasha, are you there?"

"Sorry, Phelan.  I'm. . . distracted."

Phelan swallowed nervously.  The Wolverines had carved up Smoke Jaguar front- and second-line units on a dozen worlds, and now Phelan and Natasha were going against them alone, just the two of them, and the Black Widow had to pick now to get as skittish as a Nagelring underclassman at her first Snow Ball.

"But you have a plan, quiaff?"

"I have orders from Ulric," Natasha replied evasively.

Phelan ground his teeth.  This situation was confusing and nerve-racking enough, and Ulric and Natasha keeping everything so secret was making it worse.  Phelan knew Natasha had spent a great deal of time on their journey poring over the personal journals of Nicholas Kerensky, available to her now as a Wolf Clan Khan.  But what was in those journals, or how they related to the Wolverines, Phelan did not know.

By the time they crested a rise and came into view of the battlefield, the Jaguar 'Mechs had been obliterated, and the victorious Wolverines were collecting their spoils.  The Wolfhound and Dire Wolf came into view, and the Star of Wolverine 'Mechs turned as one, the half-Star of vehicles reoriented their turrets.  Eleven TAG laser beams — one from each 'Mech and vehicle, two from the Rhino — snapped on, five painting Phelan's Wolfhound, six Natasha's Dire Wolf.

"Orders, Star Colonel?" Phelan asked.

"It's them.  My God, it really is them."

"Natasha?" Phelan asked with more urgency.

"Weapons safe, Phelan," Natasha ordered.  Her next transmission was in the clear.  "This is Khan Natasha Kerensky of Clan Wolf to unknown forces, identify yourself and state your intentions."

Silence for far too many heartbeats.

"This is Star Colonel Lilly McEvedy of Clan Wolverine.  You state your intentions."

"We come under orders of ilKhan Ulric Kerensky to parlay."  Phelan gaped at Natasha's statement.  "Dismount your 'Mechs so we can discuss this face-to-face."

"You dismount your 'Mechs, Khan Natasha Kerensky of Clan Wolf."  Star Colonel Lilly McEvedy's voice was dripping with hateful venom.

"You heard the lady," Natasha said, back on their private frequency.  To his astonishment, Phelan saw Natasha's Dire Wolf power down, the armored canopy open.  Sighing in resigned frustration, Phelan likewise powered down and exited his Wolfhound.

They were sixty meters from their 'Mechs, Phelan's skin crawling at the thought of all the firepower pointed their direction and what it would do to their fragile human flesh, when the Wolverine 'Mechs powered down, the warriors dismounting.  The vehicles were still crewed, and Phelan saw armored infantry -- their suits lighter and smaller than Elemental armor, but still appearing formidable -- but at least now the enemy commander and four of her warriors were in the line of fire, too.

Phelan surveyed the enemy MechWarriors as they approached.  All five wore cooling suits not unlike the ones he and Natasha wore.  Nameplates on the right breast showed first and last names.  The emblem of Clan Wolverine adorned the left shoulder; on the right an insignia formed of the old North American state of Minnesota, the number 331, and an overarching banner reading "Remembrance."  All five wore laser pistols strapped to their hips, which brought a tight smile to Phelan's lips.  Nice to know I'm not the only MechWarrior who rides armed.

The seven warriors stopped ten meters apart.  "Speak your piece," Star Colonel McEvedy said curtly.

For possibly the first time in her life, Natasha was taken aback.  These were, without doubt, Wolverines, far better equipped, trained, and numerous than Clan history insisted they had any right to be.  Of course, Natasha now knew the official story was quite different from the truth, but even Nicholas' journals contained no hint the Wolverines could have survived in sufficient number to rebuild so effectively, two hundred years notwithstanding.

But what really shocked her was the sheer hatred pulsing off these warriors, especially their leader.  Natasha was no stranger to people hating her guts and wanting her to die screaming, but she'd usually met them at least once beforehand.  Star Colonel McEvedy's hate was a palpable thing, and seemed only to grow as she surveyed the patches and insignias on Natasha's cooling suit.

Natasha cleared her throat.  "Are you, truly, the survivors of The N— of Clan. . . Clan Wolverine?" she asked.

"We are," Lilly answered.

"How?"

"Your history is lies," Lilly answered spitefully.  "The Annihilation failed, though your Clans, especially Wolf, gave it their all.  Many escaped the murder parties after the final battle was done, scouting task forces and stragglers were missed along the Exodus Road, and Sarah McEvedy was not killed in battle, but marooned at the battle site, after being given a full account of the supposed death of her Clan by Nicholas Kerensky."  Lilly spat the name out as though it were foul-tasting poison.

Natasha nodded.  Much of that lined up with the information in the journals, though much did not.  Natasha supposed that even Nicholas Kerensky hadn't known everything, despite the tendency of some in the Clans to treat him like a prophet and messiah.

"Why have you returned now, after all this time?  What do you want?"

Lilly shrugged.  "Why, after all this time, have the Clans returned to the Inner Sphere?  What do you want?"

"The Crusaders want to conquer the Inner Sphere and restore the Star League.  The Wardens believe it is the duty of the Clans to protect the Inner Sphere from external threats, even the Clans themselves, should we become one."

Lilly smiled sardonically.  "And let me guess:  you count yourselves as these 'Wardens,' query affirmative?"

Natasha blinked at the archaic turn of phrase.  "Aff."

"So this is how you defend the Inner Sphere, by penetrating it harder and faster than any other?  This is how you protect it, by being its most successful conquerors?"

"There's more to it than that," Natasha snapped, growing irritated.  "The Wolves were forced to take part in the invasion, but by beating the Crusaders at their own game, we've got openings to--"

Lilly held up her hand.  "I really don't care."

"Fine," Natasha snarled.  "But you haven't answered my question.  What do you want?"

"What we want — what I want — is to force your people to remember us.  I want to take the truth of Clan Wolverine and shove it down your throats until you choke.  I want you to look the lies and treachery your perfect society is built on in the eye, I want you to see your 'glorious founder' for the unbridled monster he really was."

Phelan felt his face flush red with rage.  He looked to Natasha, expecting to see her in a similar fury, and stopped, staring.  Natasha's face had drained of color, her jaw slack, her body reeling back as though the words had been physical blows.  "You can't be serious."

"I am, Natasha Kerensky."

Natasha cleared her throat.  "Very well.  I'll take your. . . message back to the ilKhan.  I. . . I'm sure he'll be interested in meeting with you to discuss the matter further.”

Lilly said nothing, just watched the Wolf warriors like a predator, the unsettling gleam of pure hatred simmering in her eyes.

"Then, if there's nothing else, we'll be on our way," Natasha said, breaking the tense silence.

"There is one more thing," Lilly said.  "You are the same Natasha Kerensky who is the Black Widow of the Wolf's Dragoons, query affirmative?"

"Aff, I am."

Lilly let her gaze roam again over Natasha's cooling suit.  "You proudly display an abundance of spider iconography.  Does this indicate a tie to Clan Widowmaker?"

Natasha nodded.  "Clan Widowmaker was Absorbed by Clan Wolf not long after — well, what happened to your Clan.  There is no shame in acknowledging my descent from them; their Absorption strengthens Clan Wolf."

"Oh, but there is shame," Lilly replied, her voice seething coldly.  "Clan Wolf may have pulled the trigger, but Clan Widowmaker aimed the gun, and Nicholas Kerensky, whose heritage you also claim, gave the order to fire.  Three times over, you represent that which caused untold suffering to my people.  Natasha Kerensky, Khan of Clan Wolf and descendant of Clan Widowmaker, I, Star Colonel Lilly McEvedy of Clan Wolverine, challenge you to a Trial of Grievance."

Natasha immediately recognized the older, informal version of the Trial was at play, one since technically outlawed but still practiced frequently for minor disputes.  She could refuse.  A matter this important, involving a warrior of her position, was a matter for Grand Council, not a brawl between two warriors.  And Clan Wolverine had no legal standing under Clan law anyway.  But Natasha also realized this Lilly McEvedy had no intention of just letting Natasha walk away. . . not without venting some of her considerable (and not wholly unjustified) rage.

"I accept," Natasha said.  "As challenger, how shall we fight?"

Lilly grinned wickedly.  "Hand to hand," she said, unfastening her gunbelt and handing it to the woman next to her, who wore the pins of a Star Captain.

Natasha nodded.  "Very well.  As challenged, I declare we shall fight here and now.  Bring out your warriors to form a Circle of Equals.  Phelan, you play Loremaster."

The Star Captain — Robina MacLeish, according to her nameplate — murmured into her radio, and the vehicle crews dismounted and surrounded the soon-to-be combatants.  Phelan felt a shiver run up his spine at the cold, quiet hatred of dozens of Wolverines directed at the pair of Wolves.

As they stripped off their cooling suits, revealing the tank tops and shorts that were standard MechWarrior undergarments, Natasha sized up her opponent.  She was young, mid to late twenties at a guess.  Lithe and lean, well-muscled but supple as a whipcord, speaking to a training and exercise regimen befitting any Clan warrior.  An ornate tattoo spread across her breast- and collarbones, a curved, sweeping tribal design that framed the crest of Clan Wolverine.  Other tattoos decorated her arms and legs, no doubt meaningful to Lilly McEvedy, nothing but an eyesore to Natasha Kerensky.

It was neither her years nor her fitness that gave Natasha cause for concern.  It was the icy rage burning in her sharp blue eyes.  Natasha liked it when her opponents were enraged, rage made you stupid.  But this woman was in an entirely different state altogether.  She was possessed of a cold, hard fury that made her more dangerous, not less.

Phelan started the fight, and Lilly attacked in a feral frenzy with lethal cunning.  Natasha had long since lost count of the number of brawls she'd been in, but this woman pressed her to her limit.  She had youth, speed, strength, exceptional training, and an unyielding desire to pulp Natasha Kerensky with her bare hands.  Natasha had age and experience.

She spotted the faintest of openings in Lilly's furious assault, struck hard and fast.  All but impervious to pain in her wrath, Lilly kept up her attack, but Natasha's strike had the desired effect.  She'd injured Lilly's right side, her attacks from there were weaker, her guards to there slower.  Fractionally, but it was something, a foundation to build upon.  Natasha kept on the defensive, conserving her strength, letting Lilly wear out her fury.

Lilly recognized the tactic, however, and slowed her attack, refusing to let Natasha exhaust her into defeat.

This whelp is good, Natasha mused.

Natasha began to pant in only mostly-feigned fatigue, goading Lilly into thinking Natasha's strategy had backfired, that she'd worn out herself instead of her opponent.  Sensing victory, Lilly lunged forward to end it.  Natasha met her head-on, seized and twisted—

And Lilly tumbled to the ground outside the Circle, her warriors giving way as their commander landed on her rump in the dirt.

Natasha stood over Lilly.  "It's over."  She extended her hand to the vanquished Wolverine.

Lilly's eyes flashed like PPCs, as if she could fire pure rage and hate at Natasha Kerensky, burn her to a cinder through sheer force of will.  Finally, grudgingly, Lilly accepted the hand, and Natasha hauled the young warrior to her feet.

"Now that's settled, may we depart to deliver your message?"

"Get out of here," Lilly snarled.  "And don't forget what I've said."

"I won't."

Back in their 'Mechs on their way to the DropShip, Natasha asked Phelan for his read.

"They hate us.  I think Romano Liao has warmer feelings for Justin Allard."

"Sounds about right."

"Is what she said true?  Is the Clan history all lies?"

Natasha was silent for a time.  "Not for me to say.  We'll see what Ulric wants to do."

"I will bet you all the beer on Tharkad he already has three ways to turn this to his advantage."

Natasha laughed.  "That's a sucker's bet, kid.  What about their leader, what did you make of her?"

"Scary.  Like ‘I’d-rather-go-after-an-Atlas-with-a-slingshot’ scary.  But I like her.  She kind of reminds me of you."

"Bite your tongue, whelp."  But Phelan's jest caused something to click into place, something that had been bothering Natasha since she first laid eyes on Star Colonel Lilly McEvedy.

She was a lot like Natasha had been in her youth. . . and still was, if she was being honest with herself.  And if Natasha put herself in McEvedy's place, thought about what she'd do, what she'd be prepared to do, if Clan Wolf had suffered the fate of Clan Wolverine. . .

Natasha shuddered.  The official story of The Not-Named Clan had frightened her back in the sibko.  The reality, and what it had grown into now, was terrifying.

[SulliMike23]

Yeah, needless to say; the Clans are gonna be paying the devil's due. It makes me wonder what will happen when ComStar finds out.

[ErikModi]

Yeah, needless to say; the Clans are gonna be paying the devil's due. It makes me wonder what will happen when ComStar finds out.

I have a plan.

[mikecj]

I have a plan.

So did the Cylons  ;D ;D ;D

Nicely written and good characterization.  Thanks for sharing.

[Daryk]

VERY interesting... I'll definitely be reading this thread as you add to it, as much as I dislike the whole clan thing...

[ErikModi]

So did the Cylons  ;D ;D ;D

Nicely written and good characterization.  Thanks for sharing.

Thank you.  I was worried people would think Natasha was out-of-character here, but I figured if anything could frighten the Black Widow, it would be the Ghost of Clans Past.

[Daryk]

Personally, I thought her reactions made perfect sense (not to mention old age and treachery triumphing in the end)...  8)

[ErikModi]

Personally, I thought her reactions made perfect sense (not to mention old age and treachery triumphing in the end)...  8)

Yeah. . . Lilly did not know who she was fooling with.

[Siden Pryde]

Very enjoyable.  Looking forward to the next installment.

[Daryk]

Lilly is going to have ISSUES dealing with Natasha beating her AND being gracious about it...

[ErikModi]

Very enjoyable.  Looking forward to the next installment.

Two, maybe three more chapters (depending on what all shakes out. . . Lilly's yanked the narrative in unanticipated directions twice now, and I get the sense she's not done yet), probably an epilogue, and this will be finished.

[kelgar04]

Interesting chapter

I'm curious to how FedCom will react to Clan Wolverine appearing in the IS, the Dracs will probably brown trouser.

FedCom/FedSun fanboy here.

[ErikModi]

-7-

Cameron-Class Battlecruiser Sarah McEvedy, Zenith Jump Point
Rasalhague, Clan Wolf Occupation Zone
December 20th, 3051

The shuttle, painted a mottled gray and bearing the crest of Clan Wolf, settled into the docking bay.  The space doors closed, the bay was repressurized, and the access hatch slid open.  Lilly McEvedy, flanked by a Point of Ferals in their W2 BattleArmor, strode into the docking bay.  The shuttle's ramp lowered, and ilKhan Ulric Kerensky emerged, accompanied by a Point of BattleArmor-clad Elementals.

Ulric wore an impressive dress uniform, light olive and dark brown with red highlights and a cape, trimmed in genuine wolf fur.  Lilly found it ostentatious.  She wore black and gray Wolverine fatigues, the only decoration her rank pins on the lapels, the Clan Wolverine patch on her left shoulder, the Remembrance Cluster patch on her right.

Ulric approached and bowed gracefully.  "You must be Star Colonel Lilly McEvedy.  Khan Natasha Kerensky's description was detailed, though it hardly does you justice.  I am ilKhan Ulric Kerensky, permission to come aboard?"  Ulric straightened, an amused smile playing beneath his neatly trimmed goatee.

With great effort, Lilly resisted the urge to wipe that smile off his face with her fist, and nodded as respectfully as she was able.  "Permission granted.  I have orders to escort you to our Khan.  Follow me."

"My honor guard may accompany us, quiaff?"

"Affirmative," Lilly replied, spinning on her heel and marching out of the docking bay.  The heavy clomp of ten armored feet told her the Elementals, at least, were following.

Apparently without any undignified rush, Ulric managed to fall into step beside her, and the Ferals formed an honor guard around them and the Elementals.

"An impressive ship," Ulric said.  "Your Clan flagship, if I am not mistaken, quiaff?"

"That would be classified military intelligence," Lilly replied curtly.

"I am merely making conversation, I intend no disrespect," Ulric said smoothly.

Lilly suppressed a snarl.  If she didn't know better, she'd say Ulric knew exactly how much his attempts to be charming were pissing her off, and he was enjoying it.

The trip to the Khan's office seemed to take forever, with Lilly deflecting or ignoring Ulric's attempts to "make conversation."  Through it all, his sly smile never wavered.

He is enjoying this, the bastard.

Finally, Lilly knocked on the Khan's door, opened it at the command of "Enter," and ushered Ulric inside, motioning for the Ferals and Elementals to wait in the corridor.  Stepping inside, she closed the door.

Ulric didn't break stride as he approached the Khan's desk, but seemed to take in the room's Spartan appointment at a glance and give the faintest nod of approval.

From behind her desk, the Khan rose.  "I am Jennifer McEvedy, Khan of Clan Wolverine."

"Ulric Kerensky, ilKhan of the Clans, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance."  Ulric flashed the briefest of looks back at Lilly, immediately noting the family resemblance.

"Be seated," Jennifer said coolly.  She waited until Ulric sat before sitting herself.  "Why have you come, Ulric Kerensky?"

"Straight to the point, then," Ulric said.  Lilly still stood near the door of the Khan's office, but if Ulric was unnerved having an angry Wolverine at his back, he gave no sign.  In fact, he still seemed to find the whole thing entertaining.  Even Natasha Kerensky, the infamous Black Widow, had been unsettled at coming face-to-face with Clan Wolverine, but Ulric. . .

Ulric seemed to think it was funny.

What does he know that we do not? Lilly wondered.

"Khan Natasha informed me of your request.  I am here to commence negotiations to the end of you -- shoving the truth down our throats until we choke, I believe is how the Star Colonel put it."

"Why should you want to offer any assistance to The Not-Named Clan?" Jennifer asked, her voice dripping with sarcastic scorn.

"The truth is always in everyone's best interest," Ulric replied innocently.  "Why should I rest before seeing it brought to light?"

"I do not buy it," Jennifer shot back.  "You have an angle in this, Ulric Kerensky.  What is it, what do you have to gain?"

"The truth, as I have said."

"Then dispense with your half-lies."

Ulric paused, sizing up Khan Jennifer McEvedy once more.  He stroked his goatee, beneath it, his smile widened.  "Very well.  The unvarnished truth it shall be.  Bargained well and done."

Ulric paused, seeming to collect his thoughts.  "If Star Colonel McEvedy's report to you was as thorough as Khan Natasha's was to me, then you know the Clans have been split into two distinct political factions."

Jennifer nodded.  "Wardens and Crusaders.  And let me agree with my daughter's assessment:  We really don't care."

Ulric nodded.  "Understandable.  But for me to explain why I am interested in assisting you, you must understand:  I am a Warden, and the Crusader agenda is toxic to me."

Jennifer shrugged.  "Then go fight over your ideology, kill each other off, and leave the rest of us out of it."

For the first time, Ulric frowned.  "That would be wasteful, and surely you are not so divorced from our founding that you do not understand how awful wastefulness is."

"And invading the Inner Sphere is less wasteful. . . how, exactly?"

"I did not say that.  In fact, it is part of why I find the Crusader agenda so offensive.  But allow me to explain.  In the two-hundred fifty years since you left--"

"Since we were Annihilated," Jennifer corrected harshly.

"--the Clans have grown arrogant, self-confident.  Self-destructively so.  We fight according to the honorable rules of Trial laid down by Nicholas Kerensky, and we win because of our technological superiority over the forces of the Inner Sphere.  But already they are narrowing that advantage, and have learned to use the batchall and zellbrigen against us.  We have suffered defeats, been turned back, lost warriors and equipment.  Should the invasion continue as it is, it is only a matter of time before the tactics and strategy of the Inner Sphere destroys the Clans. . . or the rage of the Clans at being dishonored destroys the Inner Sphere."

"We are neither of the Clans nor the Inner Sphere.  This matters not to us."

"I don't believe that," Ulric replied.  "We have a technological edge on the Inner Sphere -- one you seem to share -- because the Inner Sphere lost much in two and a half centuries of brutal, total warfare.  The Clans are as practiced at the type of war the Inner Sphere brings as we are at decorating pastries."

"If you have a point, Ulric Kerensky, please come to it."

"You have met my Khan, Natasha Kerensky.  She is nearly eighty, hopelessly outmatched by warriors eight and nine generations improved on her in our breeding program, yet she continually bests them in all fields of battle.  The young man with her, Phelan Wolf, is a freeborn from the Inner Sphere, and one of my most promising ristars.  With these two exceptional warriors, I mean to strike at the very foundation of Clan society, to prove the perceived superiority our breeding program affords is precisely that:  perceived superiority."

"So what?"

"You also seek to strike at the foundation of Clan society, the veneration of Nicholas Kerensky and his vision, the awe in which he is held, his status as a savior and prophet and messiah.  I am no fool; I know he was but a man, and had his flaws and ambitions, his prides and prejudices, and I know your people paid the price for them.  I will help you set the record straight; you will help me save the Clans from themselves."

"And what if we're content to watch the Clans destroy themselves?"

Ulric smiled.  "You seek justice for the crimes done to your people.  How does becoming the monsters the stories make you out to be advance that goal?"

To Lilly's surprise, Jennifer smiled in return.  "Is being a good judge of character a trait for which the Clans select?"

"It should be."

"What do you propose?" Jennifer asked.

"I expect the invasion will take a significant," Ulric's grin widened, "and entirely unexpected, turn within thirty days.  Cease your attacks, pull your troops out of the Occupation Zones.  The Grand Council has decreed I should put a stop to the threat of so-called bandits purporting to be of The Not-Named Clan, this will see that task completed.  Then, by the middle of next year, I should be able to get you in front of the Grand Council, to say to them whatever you wish."

Jennifer looked at Lilly.  "Thoughts, Star Colonel?"

Lilly grappled with herself.  The thought of retreating, of running, was repellent.  Yet she knew she had enjoyed success so far because of isolating and smashing small units with superior tactics and firepower, then vanishing before an overwhelming force could react.  But since Turtle Bay, since she'd changed strategy from striking hard then fading away to destroying every Jaguar unit she could find, the increased pitch of combat had taken its toll in machines and warriors.  Despite being assigned another reinforced Trinary of heavy and assault 'Mechs, Pochtli tanks, and Ferals, the repairs to her equipment were increasingly slapdash, her warriors fatigued, injured, even killed.  The Inner Sphere and Clans had both taken almost a year off from the fighting and come back with fresh troops and improved weapons.  The Wolverines had not.

Perhaps it was time to rest, resupply, and rearm.

"That. . . is acceptable, my Khan," Lilly said at last.

Jennifer nodded.  "Then, as you say, it is bargained well and done.  We will return to our staging area and await your word."  Jennifer's icy blue eyes glittered dangerously.  "Do not betray us, ilKhan Kerensky.  Be it the last thing we do in the universe, we will make you regret it."

Ulric Kerensky grinned wolfishly.  "I wouldn't dream of it, Khan McEvedy."

As Lilly escorted Ulric out of the Khan's office, they found the Elementals and Ferals engrossed in deep discussion about the benefits and drawbacks of their respective BattleArmor designs.  Technical specifications and jargon flew past faster than laser fire.

"I believe the saying goes, 'I think this is the start of a beautiful friendship,'" Ulric said with a grin.

Lilly wondered if the ilKhan's Crusader opponents wanted to punch him as frequently as she did.

[Daryk]

Lilly IS a bit of a crusader, in her own way...  ::)

[Siden Pryde]

Nice chapter.  Wonder what Ulric has planned.  What ever it is, the Grand Council is likely gonna hate it.  Also, I am loving Trollric here.

[VhenRa]

Ulric Kerensky always has an angle. And its usually not exactly obvious at first glance.

[ErikModi]

Lilly IS a bit of a crusader, in her own way...  ::)

Yeah. . . the word "Crusade" started popping up in relation to Lilly's quest against the Clans, and I embraced it.  She's really not so different from them as she likes to think, as this chapter should highlight (despite her, literally, being in the background for the bulk of it).

Edit: I also wasn't sure what Ulric had up his sleeve, but. . . he's Ulric Mother Kerensky, he's got the whole deck plus three aces.

[ErikModi]

-8-

WarShip Dire Wolf, Transfer Orbit
Diosd, Clan Wolf Occupation Zone
June 12th, 3052

The Grand Council, fourteen Khans of the invading Clans attending in person, the others via real-time HPG relay from the homeworlds, had just decided to honor ilKhan Ulric Kerensky's truce with ComStar and retain him in the office of ilKhan.  Lilly had all but laughed at some of their arguments, particularly that Ulric "has assured his dominance over us in a way that Nicholas Kerensky never intended when he created the office of ilKhan."  Knowing what she did about how Nicholas had used his authority as ilKhan, that assertion was hilariously ignorant.

"There is one more piece of business this Grand Council should resolve before adjourning," Ulric said.  "I was tasked by this Council with resolving the threat of bandits purporting to be of The Not-Named Clan.  I have done this, and ascertained the truth behind them.  To ensure the Council is properly informed to decide how best to respond moving forward, to give testimony before this Council I present Star Colonel Lilly McEvedy of Clan Wolverine."

Gasps of shock and cries of outrage met the taboo name, and Phelan would swear Ulric had taken a perverse pleasure in speaking it out loud before the assembled Khans.

A door opened, and Lilly entered the chamber.  The sight of the assembled Khans in their ceremonial leathers and Clan totem masks stunned her momentarily, made her feel inadequately attired for the occasion, until she wrapped her military bearing and training about herself.  I wear the fatigues of a true warrior, not the ceremonial garb of one who plays at war through ritual.

Everyone in the chamber was too stunned to make any objection until Lilly had mounted the dais beside the ilKhan.  Then, however, they came fast and furious.  The shouts mingled together in a cacophony, with only a few single words intelligible.  Words like "treason," "traitor," "monster," and "annihilation."

"She cannot speak here!" Khan Lincoln Osis managed to be heard above the others, largely due to his sheer lung capacity as an Elemental.  "The Not-Named Clan was Annihilated!  They no longer exist!  They have no standing and must be killed on sight!  THAT IS THE LAW!"

Ulric stroked his goatee, waiting patiently for the Khans to exhaust themselves.  Once they were reduced to venomous glares through their enameled masks, Ulric spoke calmly.  "We are still under the Martial Code as set forth by Nicholas Kerensky.  As such, any individual, regardless of their current standing under Clan law, may give testimony before the Grand Council at the discretion of the ilKhan.  This is to prevent petty politics from keeping this body from hearing that which it needs to hear."

"I refuse!" the Snow Raven Khan shouted through the viewscreen.  "Refuse!  Refuse refuse refuse!"  Lilly had to stifle a smile as she pictured him petulantly stomping his foot outside the view of the camera.

"Declare all the Trials you wish," Ulric replied.  "Once the testimony has been heard, and there is something to declare a Trial against."

Uproar again filled the chamber, and Ulric and Lilly again waited patiently for it to die down.  Lilly had known walking into the lion's den -- or Wolf's den, as the case may be -- stood a good chance of being a one-way trip, but this. . . this was worth it.

Finally, the noise in the chamber died down again.  "Now, if you are all quite finished, I give Star Colonel McEvedy the floor."

It was several more minutes of caterwauling before Lilly could speak, and when she did, she launched into the story of Clan Wolverine -- the real story.  It was a tale she knew by heart, and she had refreshed herself on it again and again on her journey here, to ensure she told it as completely and accurately as possible.  Shouts of protest arose at several points, but Lilly refused to rest until she'd told the whole story. . . even the parts where the Wolverines were, unequivocally, at fault.  The truth was of greatest importance to Clan Wolverine.

Immediately after finishing her story, the accusations flew.

"There is no proof!" the Snow Raven Khan cried.  "It is lies, lies made to cover their evil!"

"Actually, there is," Ulric said, holding up a holodisc.  "The private diaries of Nicholas Kerensky have long been the sole property of Clan Wolf, available to its Khans.  They paint a somewhat different picture than Star Colonel McEvedy. . . and a drastically different one than the official history.  But they corroborate much of what the Star Colonel says, and the discrepancies are easily attributed to Nicholas Kerensky not being in possession of all the facts.  After all, if he had known in what numbers Clan Wolverine escaped his judgment, they would not have."

"They were Annihilated!" Lincoln Osis shouted, pounding his massive fist on the table.  "They are The Not-Named Clan!  We will not recognize them!"

"As if we want to be part of your collective of bellicose arrogance," Lilly shot back.  "We are quite happy with what we have made for ourselves, far from you and the so-called 'great vision' of Nicholas Kerensky.  But remember this well:" Lilly leveled a finger at the assembled Khans.  "You made us monsters.  You made us your nightmare.  Reject the truth now, and you abdicate your right to complain when we embrace it.  In the black gulf between stars, we lurk.  Behind the next hill of every world, we wait.  Every time you claim a prize, you can lie awake at night wondering when Clan Wolverine will come and take it away."

"We are the Clans!" Osis roared.  "We are seventeen, you are but one!  You cannot hope to match our breeding, our training, our equipment!  You have no chance to stand against us!"

"Yeah," Lilly replied with a sadistically gleeful grin.  "And doesn't that just scare you to death, query affirmative?"

No outrage or shouting answered.  Only stunned, fearful silence.

"I believe that is sufficient," Ulric said into the silence.  "The witness is excused."

"She is not!" Lincoln Osis snapped.  "I declare--"

"Star Colonel McEvedy, I offer you hegira."

Everyone in the chamber gaped at Natasha Kerensky, thoroughly confused.

With a grin, Natasha elaborated.  "Star Colonel McEvedy challenged me to a Trial of Grievance over this very matter when we first met, when I was gathering intelligence on the Wolverines for the ilKhan.  I won.  That means it is my right, and mine alone, to grant her safe passage from this place."

Lincoln Osis' fists knotted, he looked on the verge of a rage-induced stroke.  "That's not how hegira works!"

"Isn't it?" Natasha asked calmly.

Lilly nodded.  "I accept your offer, Khan Natasha Kerensky."  Lilly made her way out of the chamber with as much haste as dignity allowed, leaving Lincoln Osis and his apoplectic rage far behind.

Castle Brian, Codename "Tiki"
Cabanatuan, Clan Wolverine Staging Area
August 7th, 3052

"Mommy!"

Grinning from ear to ear, Lilly slipped her bag from her shoulder and knelt to catch her daughter in her arms.  Alexia had grown so much in the years apart, Lilly could scarcely believe it.

Rising, cuddling not-so-little Alexia close, she leaned in to kiss Andrei on the cheek.  "I am glad you made it."

"It was a long trip, but we are glad to be here."

"I can see that," Lilly replied, nuzzling her daughter's cute little nose.

Andrei moved to pry Alexia from Lilly's arms, something the MechWarrior resisted.  "The Khan permitted us to greet you only if I passed on the message that, before you can begin your leave, she must meet with you."

Lilly snarled.  "I'll make it as quick as I can."

Andrei smiled, finally wresting the pouting Alexia from her mother's grasp.  "I have no doubt."

Ten Minutes Later

"You asked to see me, my Khan?" Lilly asked.

"I did.  I first want to congratulate you again for your behavior before the Clan Grand Council.  You certainly gave them something to think about."

"Were they prone to thinking, I would agree."

Jennifer McEvedy smiled.  "True.  In your absence, there has been much interest directed our way.  See for yourself."  The Khan cued up the holodisc player, tilting the screen toward Lilly.

A tall, slender man, aged with long white hair, an eyepatch over his right eye and dressed in flowing white robes appeared.  "I am Precentor Martial Anastasius Focht of ComStar.  I extend greetings to the warriors known as Clan Wolverine.  It has come to my attention that you have persecuted your own private war against the Clans during their invasion.  I hereby invite your leader, or such delegates as you see fit, to visit Terra under my personal pledge of safe conduct, there to discuss with myself and the new Primus potential alliance and response to Clan aggression, now and in the future.  Should you not wish to travel so far, I am prepared to meet with you personally on any world you care to name.  I eagerly await your reply."

The message ended and another began, this one featuring a young man whose uniform, proud military bearing, and short blonde hair made him look as though he could be Lilly's younger brother if she had one.  "Hello, I am Prince Victor Steiner-Davion sending this message on behalf of Archon-Princess Melissa Steiner of the Federated Commonwealth.  I understand I was mistaken to believe only I had the boldness to take the fight to the Clans.  I would very much like to discuss tactics, strategy, logistics, and equipment with your forces in preparation for renewed hostilities with the Clans.  Working together, we can safeguard not just the Federated Commonwealth, but the whole of the Inner Sphere."

Another message, this one from a severe but serene-looking Japanese man.  "Greetings.  I am Theodore Kurita, gunji-no-kanrei of the Draconis Combine Mustered Soldiery.  It has come to my attention that you have attacked Smoke Jaguar targets on worlds they have taken from the Combine.  This pleases me.  I should like to meet with you to discuss the terms by which I shall permit you to move freely through Combine space to continue your raids, as well as joint operations against the Smoke Jaguars on worlds formerly belonging to the Combine.  Sumimasen."

Yet another, now from a young Chinese man.  "I am Sun-Tzu Liao, and I bring greetings from the Celestial Throne of the Capellan Confederation.  Pay no mind to any rumors you may have heard of me or my realm; the Confederation remains strong, willing and able to defend itself.  I believe there is much we can offer each other through trade of information and technology.  We have much in common, I think, upon which to build a true and lasting friendship in these uncertain times.  Should we become such friends, I assure you, any gains for the Capellan Confederation would be gains for Clan Wolverine."

When no new message appeared, Lilly raised her eyebrows.  "Three. . . well, technically four heads of Successor States, plus the man who personally embarrassed the Clans off Tukayyid.  What did we do to get so popular?"

The Khan shrugged.  "We are a wild card, which makes us the most valuable one in a deck everyone knows by heart.  The question is, how shall we respond?"

Lilly kept her promise to keep the meeting as short as possible, which meant it was late the next day before she saw her little girl again.

[Daryk]

Wild card indeed!  ;D  :thumbsup:

[mikecj]

And... let the insanity begin as 16 Clans lose their minds.

[gladius]

Damn. A certain Baroness would actually like the cut of these Wolvie jibs ... and be a bit (quietly) jealous of how the Scrap Lords are rushing to woo them.

Although she would be rather disappointed in Lilly’s little brawl with Natasha. “You had the chance to end her, and you lost by playing by the rules. Next time, just shoot the bitch.”

[ErikModi]

Damn. A certain Baroness would actually like the cut of these Wolvie jibs ... and be a bit (quietly) jealous of how the Scrap Lords are rushing to woo them.

Although she would be rather disappointed in Lilly’s little brawl with Natasha. “You had the chance to end her, and you lost by playing by the rules. Next time, just shoot the bitch.”

Are we talking a BattleTech Baroness, or someone else altogether?

But Lilly needed Natasha and Phelan to carry her message to the Clans.  Rearranging Natasha's face was a purely personal endeavor.

Not that the Wolverines expected someone from the Clans to come and parlay with them, or that the would get the chance to tell their side of things before the Grand Council.  The point of the operation, once Lilly started sigil spamming the Wolverine emblem, was to force the Clans to recognize that their history may not be as accurate as they think.  They were basically hoping to make the Clans take a good hard look at themselves, and then maybe the truth would come out.  Ulric helped them do it in a way they never imagined.

[ErikModi]

Epilogue

Text Message, HPG Relay Broadcast
The Inner Sphere
August 12th, 3052

We are Clan Wolverine.

Yes, we have attacked the Clans, mostly Smoke Jaguar, in their occupation zones.  Yes, we will continue to do so.  Our reasons for this, our goals, our history, who we were, who we have become, and why, is for us and us alone.

We care not for Wardens and Crusaders, Successor Lords and Succession Wars, First Lords and Star Leagues.  We stand apart, to walk our own path.  It may intersect with yours, but we will not be drawn into the politics and squabbles and infighting that have dominated humanity for so long.  One day, perhaps, humanity will again be ready for the great dream that was the Star League.  On that day, perhaps, we will become again what we once were:  The 331st “North American” Royal BattleMech Division of the Star League Defense Force.  But that day is not today.

Do not seek us out; we will not be found.  Do not try to negotiate with us; we will not hear you.  Do not stand in our way; we will not spare you.

We are Clan Wolverine.  We stand alone, and proudly so.

Annihilation Shrine
Barbados
The Deep Periphery
June 23rd, 3058

“And Clan Wolf forms the keystone of the arch,” Galaxy Commander Lilly McEvedy Walter said, pointing at the top stone.

“Why does it have two symbols?” Alexia asked.

Lilly smiled at the freshly-carved addition to the capstone.  “Because of Clan Wolf-In-Exile.  Like us, they oppose the Clans.  But whether we have anything else in common. . . well, time will tell.”

“That is why it is not marked out like the other symbols, query affirmative?”

“Affirmative.  We may yet etch out the sigil of Clan Wolf-In-Exile.  But. . . we may not.”

Turtle Bay
June 25th, 3059

“Komban-wa, Jinjiro MacLeod-san.”

“Komban-wa, Khan Lilly McEvedy-sama.”

“Your crops seem to be doing well.”

“Thanks to your assistance.  Our struggle to survive has been made much easier by your relief, we owe you a debt we cannot repay.”

“The debt is ours,” Lilly answered.  “We have parted ways, but the Clans are still our people, we bear the shame of their actions.”

“No,” MacLeod replied.  “You do not.”

“My Khan!” Galaxy Commander Robina MacLeish Jung-Ja interrupted, running up.  “JumpShips in-system, they’ve launched DropShips which are burning for Turtle Bay!”

“Comms?” Lilly asked.

“None as yet,” Robina replied, following as Lilly marched into the Great Hope.  Upon reaching the bridge, she found that communications had just been established.

“This is Colonel Tikov Recardni of the Star League Defense Force.  With what forces shall you defend the world of Turtle Bay?”

Lilly smiled, having heard news of this “Second Star League” and their intent to drive off the Clans once and for all.  “This is saKhan Lilly McEvedy Walter of Clan Wolverine, and we decline to contest the Star League claim on this planet.  You may begin landing your forces at your discretion.”

Exiting the Great Hope, Lilly found Jinjiro MacLeod once more.  “It appears,” she said with a smile, “our work here is finally done.  Your liberation is incoming.”

Jinjiro bowed.  “Arigato, Khan Lilly McEvedy-sama.  Know that Clan Wolverine shall always be welcome on Turtle Bay.”

Radstadt, Clan Wolf Occupation Zone
March 7th, 3061

“Bandits are still incoming.”

“I can see that!” Star Commander Borris snapped.  “I need identification!  Tell me who they are!”  Tell me it is not them.

MechWarrior Sergei deftly zipped his Ice Ferret forward, into a small stand of trees, his ‘Mech’s sensors reaching out towards the hostile forces approaching the scout Star.  “It is them, Star Commander,” he said at last.  “The ‘Mechs and tanks bear the crest and colors of The Not-Named Clan.”

Borris switched immediately to the Cluster’s emergency frequency.  “This is Star Commander Borris of Dagger Star, requesting immediate reinforcements to sector 0707, we are under attack.  Repeat--”

“Yell all you like, Star Commander,” a voice broke in on an open channel.  “It will do you no good.”

“We are Clan Wolf!” Borris shot back.  “We will not be intimidated by the likes of you!  We Annihilated you once, we will do it again!”

“Affirmative, you are Wolves.  But what are we?”

“WOLVERINES!”

[gladius]

Are we talking a BattleTech Baroness, or someone else altogether?

But Lilly needed Natasha and Phelan to carry her message to the Clans.  Rearranging Natasha's face was a purely personal endeavor.

Not that the Wolverines expected someone from the Clans to come and parlay with them, or that the would get the chance to tell their side of things before the Grand Council.  The point of the operation, once Lilly started sigil spamming the Wolverine emblem, was to force the Clans to recognize that their history may not be as accurate as they think.  They were basically hoping to make the Clans take a good hard look at themselves, and then maybe the truth would come out.  Ulric helped them do it in a way they never imagined.

Apologies, was referencing my Baroness Juliette von Strang OC, surviving heir to Von Strang’s World, borderline sociopath and very ruthless anti Clan crusader.

She’d likely be a little confused by the sentiment. “Who cares what that bunch of pirates and animals think about your ancestors? You know the truth. Kill them or don’t. Fight them or don’t. But don’t play with them, and especially not by their rules: that only plays into their hands, where they have the advantage. And whatever you do, don’t show weakness ... like throwing a tantrum, challenging a legendary warrior to a fistfight then LOSING to an octogenarian. Just shoot her and move on, if it means that much to you. Find something more productive to do, like hamstring their supply lines.”

... sorry, didn’t mean to derail. Excellent story, and I’m keen to see more.

[ErikModi]

Apologies, was referencing my Baroness Juliette von Strang OC, surviving heir to Von Strang’s World, borderline sociopath and very ruthless anti Clan crusader.

She’d likely be a little confused by the sentiment. “Who cares what that bunch of pirates and animals think about your ancestors? You know the truth. Kill them or don’t. Fight them or don’t. But don’t play with them, and especially not by their rules: that only plays into their hands, where they have the advantage. And whatever you do, don’t show weakness ... like throwing a tantrum, challenging a legendary warrior to a fistfight then LOSING to an octogenarian. Just shoot her and move on, if it means that much to you. Find something more productive to do, like hamstring their supply lines.”

... sorry, didn’t mean to derail. Excellent story, and I’m keen to see more.

Hmm, sounds interesting!

And no worries.  But I think this story is finished.  I'm not up on my BT history past the Great Refusal, and it took me way too long to even get caught up that far (Twilight of the Clans is rather a wade).

[gladius]

True: I never really bothered to read past the FedCom civil war ... it just ... eh.

[Daryk]

Sorry to see it end, but that's a good epilogue.  :thumbsup:

[DOC_Agren]

 :'( :'( :'(  sad to see this is the end
But it was a good story

[ErikModi]

Thank you all, I'm very glad you enjoyed.

Apologies, was referencing my Baroness Juliette von Strang OC, surviving heir to Von Strang’s World, borderline sociopath and very ruthless anti Clan crusader.

And yes. . . Juliette and Lilly would either be best friends, or try and kill each other.  Or be best friends who only occasionally try to kill each other affectionately.

[ErikModi]

So, for those who care, a little OOC update on what the Wolverines get up to technologically during and after the Clan invasion.

They don't upgrade to Omni technology.  The supply line issues are a problem; they have considerable, but not unlimited, resources, and upgrading their whole force to Omni technology would be an extreme burden.  They're happy with their Wolverine-tech upgrades to Inner Sphere 'Mech designs and their own in-house constructions, like the Pulverizer.  And they're in love with the C3 system, since it works perfectly for their kind of "high-efficiency" combat style, and those are a bit hard to find in OmniPods.

Speaking of, Wolverine Scientists are working on improving the C3 system.  A prototype Master computer weighs only three tons and takes only three crits, but they're buggy and temperamental and not ready for deployment anytime soon.  They're also working on a "Trinary C3" that would network fifteen units (especially once BattleArmor C3 becomes available, the offboard artillery get no benefit from C3 so don't mount it), but are making zero progress.

They also don't get past Light BattleArmor.  I had what I thought was a cool design for a Medium Feral suit, managing to keep the Stealth Armor, upgrade to Manipulators, and keep the Support PPC, putting two Mauser 960s in Anti-Personnel mounts, one on each arm.  Then I realized BattleArmor can only make one Anti-Personnel attack (even if they're attacking 'Mechs) so dual-wielding Mausers against Clan 'Mechs, while awesome, was impossible.  Oh, well.  Plus, without a breeding program to create an Elemental phenotype, I figure Light BattleArmor is the best practical choice for anyone in Clan Wolverine who wants to be infantry.

But the standard Wolverine order of battle becomes based on the "Reinforced Trinary:"  Two Stars of 'Mechs or 'Mechs and vehicles, an Artillery Star, and a Feral Star.  It's not quite the Clans' Supernova Trinary (which assigns a BattleArmor Star to each 'Mech Star), but more than a regular Trinary. . . technically, it's a "Quadrinary" or something.  Oh, minor organizational note (and you may have picked up on this if you were paying really close attention):  Clan Wolverine discards a lot of the Clan Cultural Posturing designation of Points.  By which I mean, only an idiot thinks something like a Demolisher tank is worth half a BattleMech.  So for Clan Wolverine, a Star is five 'Mechs, vehicles, or AeroSpace fighters (though that one still doesn't quite sit well with me. . . a big deal in fighter combat is "never, ever leave your wingman," and base five means there's always someone without a wingman.  Not sure if they just coordinate those five fighters really well to the point they function as one, or what. Upon reflection and working with AeroSpace fighters in MegaMek, they still consider a Point two fighters, like the Clans.  It just doesn't work out any other way.)  So technically, the Reinforced Trinary is just a Trinary if one of the Stars and the Artillery Star are vehicles, because that would be one Star by "proper" Clan reckoning.  This makes Wolverine Trinaries really flexible:  put some fast vehicles in with Assault 'Mechs for flanking and spotting (as with the two Zephyrs in Lilly's Command Trinary), back up some fast Medium 'Mechs with a wall of barely-mobile vehicular slaughter (as in Striker Trinary), you know, whatever works.  And those stealthy little Ferals are always a big surprise for any fast unit who thinks it can score a cheap shot at someone's rear.

Otherwise, they'll pretty much keep up with the tech developments post-Invasion, buying, salvaging, or stealing bits of shiny that catch their fancy.

[Daryk]

The one aspect of Omni technology I'd think they'd go for would be the ability to carry BA for free.  Call them Omnis, but have all the equipment be fixed...  ^-^

[Sir Chaos]

Regarding fighters... maybe the base unit of deployment of fighters is the binary, not the star - i.e. 10 fighters instead of 5.

[Daryk]

They're iconoclasts, so maybe a Fighter Star is six units instead of five...

[ErikModi]

Or, if they must split, they split in two and three. . . *shrug* I dunno, I don't get AeroSpace (hence the complete lack of space combat here).

[gladius]

They're iconoclasts, so maybe a Fighter Star is six units instead of five...

Fighter Stars are usually ten units, as a Point is two fighters.

[Daryk]

Right, but he was saying they don't do that.

[ErikModi]

Because, really, AeroSpace fighters are one of the few units, ton for ton, that's just as effective as a BattleMech (and not usually hampered by rules designed to decrease their effectiveness vis-a-vis 'Mechs).

[Daryk]

That makes total sense, and using six in a "Star" would fit perfectly in a Leopard CV.

[VhenRa]

And there is actually a clan amongst the clanners who deploy 5 ASF stars.

Steel Vipers IIRC.

[ErikModi]

Yeah. . . I like the base 5 because it soothes my particular brand of mild OCD.  Five is just a nice, stable, easy number.

[gladius]

Yeah. . . I like the base 5 because it soothes my particular brand of mild OCD.  Five is just a nice, stable, easy number.

And reinforces the Clan philosophy of individual combat, because with an odd number of pilots, you can’t have wingmen. Which puts the Tankers at a firm disadvantage against anyone working in pairs: aerospace combat is a team sport.

[VhenRa]

And reinforces the Clan philosophy of individual combat, because with an odd number of pilots, you can’t have wingmen. Which puts the Tankers at a firm disadvantage against anyone working in pairs: aerospace combat is a team sport.

War is a team sport in general. Though, in general most aspects of society are a team sport so that isn't a big surprise.

[gladius]

War is a team sport in general. Though, in general most aspects of society are a team sport so that isn't a big surprise.

Tell that to Kerensky’s little cult.

[ErikModi]

To Hold Back The Dark

Homeworld, Clan Wolverine Space
The Deep Periphery, Spinward of the Inner Sphere
March 12th, 3086

Lilly McEvedy Walter, Khan of Clan Wolverine, tasted bile in the back of her throat as she read the report.  Her stomach churned violently, cold sweat popped on her forehead.  Just when she thought she had plumbed the absolute depth of madness, depravity, and barbarism, she turned the page, and her horizons expanded in the most horrific way possible.

For hours, she poured over the document on her noteputer.  It took her nearly three times as long to read as it should have, for she often found herself utterly unwilling to read one more word of it.  And yet, it kept drawing her back, loathsomely fascinating, and important knowledge that must be shared with her people.

Finally finished, she stood and paced her office, digesting what she’d read like a rancid and unhealthy meal.

I did this.  I brought this about.  My pride, my arrogance, my vanity.

No.  The Inner Sphere and its Second Star League struck fear deep into the heart of the Clans.  Unable to cope with it, they tore themselves asunder.

Yet I was the first to make the Clans face the nightmares of their past.  I set the first foot on this path, so I’m ultimately responsible for where it leads.

The Clans could have backed down.  Thought their way through, used logic and wisdom to forge a future instead lashing out like terrified children with terrible weapons.  They could have thought rationally for a moment, and avoided this.

Could they?

Shaking her head to clear her circular argument, Lilly touched the ‘comm panel at her desk.  “Yes, my Khan?” the voice came back promptly.

“I am finished.”

“I will be right in.”

True to her word, saKhan Robina MacLeish Jung-Ja stepped into the Khan’s office within five minutes, Star Colonel Alexia McEvedy in tow.  Lilly flashed her daughter a brief, small smile she didn’t really feel as the two sat in front of Lilly’s desk.

“Well,” Lilly said, indicating the noteputer.  “What do you make of it?”

“Disgusting,” Robina snarled.  “All that they laid at our feet, all they accused us of to mortar the cracks in the foundation of their perfect society, and then a few bloody noses and they sink to levels of barbarism even the Succession Wars couldn’t hope to match.”

“Horrible,” Alexia said, shaking her head.  “So many needless, pointless deaths. . . such waste.”

Lilly nodded.  “Agreed.  Now, the question is, what shall we do about it?”

Robina pursed her lips and looked to Alexia.  Alexia took a moment to realize she’d apparently been volunteered to speak first.  “I. . . I do not think there is anything we can do.  A new status quo seems to have settled in, and I think our presence would just reignite the still-smoldering violence.  They might not survive. . . but we definitely wouldn’t.”

Robina nodded, crossing her arms over her chest.  “This is the bunk they made for themselves, now they have to sleep in it.”

Lilly nodded again.  “I agree.  Even if they would accept our help, I do not think there is anything we can offer that would be of assistance.  They certainly would not be interested in learning and converting to our ways. . . they just gutted themselves to maintain the right to gut themselves over questions of honor.”

“Damn fools,” Robina muttered.

“If only we’d known earlier,” Alexia said.

Lilly shook her head.  “No.  We still couldn’t have gotten there in time, and even if we did, all we’d be able to do is give them all a convenient target to shoot at.  And I have no intention of making Clan Wolverine the common foe to unite the Clans despite themselves ever again.”  Lilly levelled a finger at her daughter.  “And neither do you.”

“Yes, mother.”

Lilly leaned back in her chair, steepling her fingers.  “Now. . . what do we do about our guests?”

Robina grimaced, and Alexia cast her gaze to the carpet.  They had known this question could only be put off so long, and had no good answers, only lesser degrees of bad ones.

“He is waiting to see you, my Khan,” Robina replied.  “He’s been camped in the outer office.”

Lilly raised an eyebrow.  “For how long?”

“Since delivering the report.  He’s declared his intention to wait as long as it takes for you to obtain all the information you need to hear his case and make your ruling.”

“Very well.  Bring him in.”

Robina nodded to Alexia, who left the office.  Robina stood and took a position at Lilly’s right shoulder.  Alexia returned after a few minutes, leading a man into the office.

He was tall and well-built, handsome in a cold sort of way, wearing functional military fatigues.  But his proud military bearing, his warrior’s strength and grace could not conceal the haggard cast to his features, the worn rumpledness of his uniform, or the incompletely-masked flicker of desperation in his eyes.

“Khan James Vargras,” Lilly said, more formally than pleasantly.  “Be seated.”

Vargras sat, retaining his precise posture, though Lilly noted he relaxed, almost imperceptibly, at finally being granted some small measure of rest.  “Thank you for seeing me, Khan McEvedy.”  Impressive, he did not falter at all.  Has he been practicing saying my forbidden name in a mirror?  “You have read my report, quiaff?”

“I have,” Lilly replied, not bothering to hide the distaste with which she glanced at the noteputer.  “It is. . . sick and appalling.  But we have only your word to go on.  Can this report be corroborated?”

Khan Vargras snorted.  “Get in touch with the Diamond Sharks.  I am sure they have their own version, and will sell you a copy.”

Lilly doubted the Diamond Sharks would do business with Clan Wolverine -- but with their trade agreements with the Successor States, who knows -- but decided not to argue the point.  “Perhaps I will.  But for now, tell me how you came to be here.”

Khan Vargras motioned to the noteputer.  “It is all in the report.”

“I wish to hear it from you.”

Vargras sighed, then leaned forward.  “After the Wars of Reaving, Clan Blood Spirit knew its days were numbered.  Retreating to our hidden worlds Haven and Honor was a move of desperation, hoping against hope that we could rebuild, rearm, grow strong and respected among the Clans again.  Our touman was gutted to almost nothing, our genetic repository all but useless, what resources and infrastructure remained in the Kerensky Cluster all but destroyed as the Clans fought over them like scraps.  It would take very little for another Clan to decide we were some scraps worth fighting over.

“When the Stone Lions found our hidden system, we knew the end was near.  We began our preparations, fought to hold on to what we could, but when that fighting grew too pitched, and the other Clans objected to the dishonor of letting our civilians fight for their own lives and fates. . . we knew we had failed.  Khan Bryce Schmitt led the bulk of our warriors and as many civilians as wished to stay and fight in delaying the Star Adders, who had come to Absorb us in name and Annihilate us in fact, while I led the rest away from the Kerensky Cluster, away from the Clans.  Compiling reports of your raids throughout the Invasion Corridors, we had an educated guess where we might find you.  Or as it turns out, your forward staging area.  I thank you again for bringing my people here, that I might meet with you.”

Robina fixed the Blood Spirit Khan with an icy glare.  “Why us?  Why would the noble and honorable Clan Blood Spirit stoop to asking assistance of The Not-Named Clan?”

Vargras snorted.  “The Way of Kerensky is dead, murdered by Inner Sphere barbarians and the greed and lust for power of Warden and Crusader alike.  Or perhaps it truly died with Nicholas, and the last three centuries have been but its death throes.  It makes no difference.  Speaking plainly, we have nowhere else to go.  The Clans of the Homeworlds would Annihilate us, the Clans of the Inner Sphere would Absorb us, and the Successor States would corrupt and wither us away to nothing.  What we were, what we wanted to be, is dead.  Our only choice now is what we will be, and only among Clan Wolverine can we hope to find a new way, one that honors the old but is not strangled by it, as you have.”

“A stirring reply,” Lilly said.  “But our ways are not your ways.  You will have to learn and adapt to live among us.”

“Our ways are over.  Survival is about adaptation, and we are prepared to survive.”

“We have no breeding program, no trueborns.  My daughter was born of the iron womb, but from the combination of myself and the man I chose to be my husband.  My son I carried in my own womb.  We will not permit scorn or prejudice based upon manner of birth into our society.”

“Our genetic legacies are all but destroyed, trueborns may well be a thing of the past,” Vargras replied.  “We will attempt to salvage what we can. . . Elementals and ProtoMech Pilots require, at least for a time, some kind of breeding program. . . but we have long held that results and skill outweigh manner of birth.”

“Our castes are looser than you are used to,” Lilly continued.  “A person is free to choose what they will be, and alter that choice as suits their own drives and dreams.  And all castes. . . Warrior, Scientist, Technician, Merchant, Laborer. . . are equals, brothers and sisters.  Above all, Clan Wolverine is family, and all will fight as viciously and uncompromisingly as our namesake to defend their family.”

For the first time since he’d arrived, Khan James Vargras of Clan Blood Spirit smiled.  “We can work with that.”

-----

... and for many decades they have been working with a missing Wolverine group.  Strained relations at first, but the need for survival and secrecy buried the hatchet for many issues.  Perhaps, included is also Widowmaker remains.  As the Invasion and eventually the Wars of Reaving began to spark, other clan enclaves and groups may have secreted away.

There could be representatives from almost every clan.  There would have to be some sort of serious integration process, that is a lot of history and hate to put together.

It's this guy's fault.

Well, not entirely.  I'm finally forcing myself to catch up on BT history post Great Refusal (partly to see if there was inspiration to continue this), and started with Wars of Reaving.  I immediately imagined Lilly. . . well, basically reading the Wars of Reaving sourcebook, and reacting to it much like I suspect many BT fans did on first reading.  But the more I read, the more apparent it became that it was going to be difficult, if not impossible, for Lilly to have any idea what's happened in Clan Space.  She has no spies in the Kerensky Cluster, and it's not like the Clans would broadcast their Rolling Stone level of issues into the Inner Sphere.  In fact, at least twice the Clans HPG networks are compromised, making communication outside of or even within the Kerensky Cluster all but impossible.

Then I read this bit, and the idea of some Clan survivors deliberately seeking out my Clan Wolverine so they could try and survive in some fashion struck with me.  I actually debated long and hard about it being the Blood Spirits, but I went with them for a few reasons.  Since they technically survived the Wars of Reaving, they'd have a complete picture of what happened.  Their mentality seems to be closest to the "soldier" type among the Clans, instead of the "warrior" type (or, as a wise man once said, "Out-honor the honorable honor for honor's sake.  Honor on the side, hold the honor, with extra honor.")  Even the Hell's Horses, the other "soldier" type Clan, seems more about "honorably" proving conventional vehicles still have a place on the battlefield then believing that war is a means to an end, not an end of itself.  Finally, the Blood Spirit's insular nature and close ties among Clanmembers works very, very well with Clan Wolverine's "we are a family" theme.  There's going to be some rocky times ahead (I still need to figure out what the Jihad was all about), but Clan Blood Spirit and Clan Wolverine should integrate, in some way, without too much fuss and confusion.  If nothing else, they're both still familiar enough with Clan society to take the beneficial parts. . . we have an issue we can't resolve, solve it with two 'Mechs fighting way the heck far away from anything and everything valuable.

[ErikModi]

They don't upgrade to Omni technology.  The supply line issues are a problem; they have considerable, but not unlimited, resources, and upgrading their whole force to Omni technology would be an extreme burden.  They're happy with their Wolverine-tech upgrades to Inner Sphere 'Mech designs and their own in-house constructions, like the Pulverizer.  And they're in love with the C3 system, since it works perfectly for their kind of "high-efficiency" combat style, and those are a bit hard to find in OmniPods.

I've been rethinking this.  Because. . .

The one aspect of Omni technology I'd think they'd go for would be the ability to carry BA for free.  Call them Omnis, but have all the equipment be fixed...  ^-^

And I can't for the life of me disagree.  So long about 3052, they'll start retooling and upgrading everything to Omni technology, 'Mechs and Vehicles.

Wolverines aren't big on variants.  They mostly stick with the "stock" chassis (or whatever "Royal" variants they absconded with from Clan space back in the day) and upgraded them to their (Clan) tech spec.  But the main draw of Omni technology remains. . . individual pilots can swap weapons and equipment to benefit their fighting style.  Even the TAG and C3 aren't fixed (though I debated about that).  You might want to swap the TAG for Light Tag to eat up that annoying little half ton I always seem to have in my designs, a unit might be deployed where those systems aren't beneficial, you might swap a W2 (actually WO-A) Stalker (which has C3) for a W3 (actually WO-B, which doesn't, because artillery). . . you know, whatever works.

Beyond that. . . I think they'd fall in love with the ATM system long about 3056.  I can imagine them replacing all basic missile launchers with ATMs (or iATMs, if you really what them to be nightmarish) of relative mass/space, to add flexibility.  All units can provide long-range support missiles and have highly-damaging close-up options.  Manys the time tons of SRM ammo go completely unfired because my opponents refuse to get within SRM range.  And this is where Omni technology really helps out. . . converting all LRMs to ATMs for something like a Rhino may not be the best idea, as it will rarely get close enough that LRMs are not the better option.  But something like a Highlander being able to launch nearly-equivalent volleys of LRMs from its two missile launchers, and a LOT more (and more damaging) SRMs should things get close?  Yes, please.  Thus, an Omni Rhino with ATMs, and if you don't like it, repod it for LRMs.  An Omni Highlander with the standard LRM-20 and SRM-6, or two ATM-9s.

[Artifex]

I feared for this story to be over since you already posted an Epilogue ... but this pick up seems to fit really nicely and allows for a sequel I guess. :thumbsup: Looking forwards to what you're going to go with in the future - especially related to Jihad and the foundation of the RotS

[Daryk]

Don't forget that clan LRMs have no minimum range...  ^-^

[ErikModi]

I feared for this story to be over since you already posted an Epilogue ... but this pick up seems to fit really nicely and allows for a sequel I guess. :thumbsup: Looking forwards to what you're going to go with in the future - especially related to Jihad and the foundation of the RotS

I wasn't planning to do more. . . but, the response here (and over on Spacebattles) got me thinking. . . maybe it's high time I stop living in the Clan Invasion and see what the Inner Sphere got up to afterwards.  And maybe there's some cool hooks to do something fun with my take on Clan Wolverine.  So. . . yeah, you guys convinced me to look into the Jihad and Wars of Reaving and all that jazz.  I hold you all responsible.

Don't forget that clan LRMs have no minimum range...  ^-^

Oh, yes, I'm well aware :D  Which is why I say something meant to be a long-range fire support platform, like a Rhino, may not benefit from switching to ATMs.  But a Highlander sacrificing 2 missiles at long range to double what it can pump out at short range?  That makes sense.  Or a Spartan or Wolverine, which normally only has SRMs, adding some more extra-long range punch while retaining impeccable brawling ability?  That's where I, at least, see Wolverines looking at ATMs and going *yoink!*

[SulliMike23]

I'm guessing the Word of Blake won't go into anything with the Wolverines and I guess the Wolverines won't take part in retaking Terra from the Blakists either?

[ErikModi]

My current thinking is that Clan Wolverine is going to look at the Jihad and say "Nope, not getting involved in that ----show."  Subject to change as I actually read up on it and see if they might choose to get involved (or be involved in something else that draws them in by default).  I'll have to figure out something with the little white lie Uncle Chandy fed the Ghost Bears about Word of Blake actually having been founded by Clan Wolverine back in the day. . .

[consequences]

My current thinking is that Clan Wolverine is going to look at the Jihad and say "Nope, not getting involved in that ----show."  Subject to change as I actually read up on it and see if they might choose to get involved (or be involved in something else that draws them in by default).  I'll have to figure out something with the little white lie Uncle Chandy fed the Ghost Bears about Word of Blake actually having been founded by Clan Wolverine back in the day. . .

Presuming you want things to play out about the same in the Jihad, you just need to come up with another excuse for Ghost Bear to come in and kill everyone between them and burning all the evidence of their potential misdeeds.

I favor a maximally cynical approach, considering that the Blakists seem to have radiologically salted the earth(if they were feeling nice) at every warship yard they could reach that was not owned by the Ghost Bears or Snow Ravens. Remember your American Gods: 'All of the best cons are two man jobs.'

[ErikModi]

-2-

Hachiman Taro Electronics
Hachiman, Draconis Combine
May 2nd, 3070

Star Captain Alexia McEvedy grunted as her Warhammer IIC was violently rocked by autocannon shells from the Blakist Legacy.  Snarling, she flipped her ATM-3 to Standard warheads.  “Wolverines, you son of a spider,” she spat before opening up with both ER Large Lasers, three of her four Medium Pulse Lasers, and the ATM launcher.

The lasers melted armor across the Blakist machine’s chest and arms, with one of the Larges boring into its kneecap.  But the ATMs clustered right into its face, one striking the joint between cockpit and left torso.  The ‘Mech reeled from the rapid-fire impacts swayed like a punch-drunk boxer, then faceplanted on the ground, the pilot knocked out by shock to his canopy.

Alexia backed her Warhammer through the gently rolling hills, a pair of light gauss slugs whizzing through the space she’d just left.  Switching back to Extended-Range missiles, she fired her ATM and ER lasers at the offending Vanquisher, to no effect.

“Keep up cover fire,” Star Colonel Kary Patrick ordered from his Hatamoto-Chi.  “Lightning Star, are you away?”

“Almost,” Lightning One replied.  “We can drop more shells to keep them busy.”

“Negative,” Kary replied.  “Flank speed back to Great Hope.  We are leaving.”

It’s about time, Alexia thought.  It has not been a nice day.

In response to Clan Snow Raven’s “limited Annihilation” on the Combine world of Galedon, Khan McEvedy Walter had ordered a task force into Combine space to intercept any further Snow Raven aggression.  Instead, they found themselves caught in the third Word of Blake attack on Hachiman’s central computer manufactory.  The Blakists were hitting her Reinforced Trinary with a lance each of assault ‘Mechs, heavy ‘Mechs, assorted vehicles, and BattleArmor.  Except Blakist lances were constructed on base six, giving them numerical superiority.

They’d also targeted their attacks with uncanny luck or downright creepy skill.  A few concentrated salvos had blown off the right torso of Sword Four, a captured Clan Dire Wolf, cutting most of Sword Star out of the C3 network.  Two more barrages destroyed Thunder One, a Fury Command Tank, nexus of the C3 network.  Finally, the Rhino that connected the rest of Thunder Star went up in a blaze of LRM and gauss rifle fire.

With the Wolverine’s coordination crippled, the Blakists attacked in earnest.  It was quickly clear that they had the same level of coordination the Wolverines had formerly enjoyed, though the network seemed to lack any exploitable nexus.  ‘Mechs and vehicles savaged by combined fire, Star Colonel Patrick ordered a withdrawal, though they had to wait for the slow-moving Pochtli artillery tanks, well behind their main line, to fall far enough back to not be caught in the running battle.

A Stygian Strike Tank zipped up behind Kary’s Hatamoto.  The Exterminator, Lancelot, and White Flame moved to flank.  A brutal crossfire erupted as the Word of Blake forces seemed to have identified their next target.

Star Colonel Kary Patrick had no time to pass on any final orders as his ‘Mech was shredded by laser, missile, and gauss fire.  Too late to do any good, Alexia obliterated the Stygian with her lasers.

“Keep falling back,” she ordered.  “Fire for effect as you have shots.  Pure pell-mell, we’re just keeping them busy.  Lightning Star, I need an ETA, now.”

“In sight of Great Hope.  Her weapons are hot.”

“Copy with relief, Lightning One.  Sword Star, Thunder Star, Feral Star, best speed back home without giving them our backs.”  Feral Star were the only ones so far to be spared Blakist savaging.  Apparently, even their tech couldn’t quite pierce the suit’s stealth armor.

The Ferals lept to intercept and mount up where they could aboard the Wolverine OmniMechs and Vehicles.  The running firefight lasted nearly a full kilometer, before the Blakists broke off rather than risk coming in weapons’ range of Great Hope and Den Mother.

Three combat vehicles and two ‘Mechs left behind on the field, Alexia McEvedy led what remained of her Trinary into the DropShip.

Great Hope was, for all practical purposes, a completely different vessel than it had been during her mother’s crusade against the Smoke Jaguars.  The designs for the Fortress II had been on the drawing board for decades before Alexia had even been born, yet Clan Wolverine lacked a reason to commit the necessary resources.  With the return of the Clans to the Inner Sphere, that motivation had materialized.

Great Hope was now twice the mass she had been previously, her bays expanded to hold twenty-five each of BattleMechs, combat vehicles, and BattleArmor infantry.  With Den Mother likewise rebuilt to Fortress II spec, and two regular Fortress-class DropShips and a Behemoth, it was far more transport capacity than the Remembrance Cluster strictly needed, though it was helpful for transporting, breaking down, or refurbishing isorla from successful battles.

No risk of that this time, Alexia scowled as she dismounted her Warhammer.  The techs were swarming the machines, securing them for liftoff and securing any damage that couldn’t safely wait.

Looking around, Alexia saw the shocked and weary faces of her Trinary -- it really was her Trinary now, at least for the next few days -- not precisely looking back at her.  While the Wolverines hadn’t always known victory, it had come more often than not, and never had they been beaten so soundly, lost so much so quickly.  Not since they fled the Clans nearly three hundred years ago.

Star Colonel Kary was dead.  Alexia was now the ranking officer.  It was her duty to lead, to command, to inspire her brothers and sisters into putting this defeat behind them, preparing them to be led to victory next time.

Instead, she stormed out of the bay, eyes stinging.

Eight Days Later

Alexia never found the words to motivate her people, the right speech with the right delivery at the right time to instantly rebuild them as a fighting unit.  Instead, she flung herself into overseeing repairs, visiting the injured in the infirmary and making sure they were recovering, compiling the BattleROMs into useful simulations, meticulously noting where different decisions, even a different initial deployment, may have turned the tide, made the retreat less costly or even yielded victory.  And slowly, seeing her example, the troops regained some of their spirit.

Now, they were finally in view of the flotilla that had brought them here.  It was almost identical to the one that had accompanied her mother twenty years earlier: the Cameron-class Sarah McEvedy, Carrack-class Ebon Fury, Lola III-class Ashes of Remembrance, Whirlwind-class Widow’s Made.  The only change was, instead of the Invader-class JumpShip Switchback, they were accompanied by the Texas-class battleship Bismark.

“Where are you going?” Alexia asked the pilot as she noted them veering off from Bismark.

“We have orders from the Khan to dock with Sarah McEvedy.”

Alexia bit her lower lip.  Her mother wanted to talk to her.

Khan Lilly McEvedy Walter was waiting inside the docking collar for Alexia to disembark.  “How are you?” she asked.

Alexia nodded.  “As well as can be expected, mother.  We lost. . . we lost too many.  We will have to return to Cabanatuan, or Homeworld, to rebuild Command Trinary.  My report is almost ready, I will send it to you when I have it finished.”

Lilly waved her hand.  “That can wait.  Just tell me for now, in your best estimation, what happened?”

Alexia slumped.  “We were caught off-guard.  We did not pick our enemy and our ground, we fought on their terms, and we paid for it.  They hammered us. . . well, exactly like you hammered the Smoke Jaguars.  The only thing they didn’t throw at us was artillery and air support.”

Lilly nodded.  “It is much the same, I am beginning to gather, around the Inner Sphere.  This Word of Blake is attacking everyone, either outright or under the guise of other nations, sowing conflict, confusion, and chaos everywhere.  We’re lucky to have avoided being drawn in as long as we have.”

Alexia blinked.  “Do you think they staged the Snow Raven attack to draw us out?”

“Unlikely.  The whole thing was. . . well. . . it was just too Snow Raven to be fabricated.  But I am sure the Word of Blake relished the chance to bloody our nose a bit, add us as one more piece of kindling on the fire they are building throughout the Inner Sphere.”

“So what do we do about it?”

Lilly shook her head.  “We will not be drawn into yet more petty squabbling.  Always it has been the foremost goal of Clan Wolverine to maintain some sense of human decency, some vestige of the dream of Star League, no matter what.  By the time the fractious forces of the Inner Sphere come together to deal with the Blakists, too much damage will have been done.  If they can ever unite against them.  If they cannot, we need to remain apart, to guard ourselves and our dream.”  The Khan took a deep breath.  “I am ordering all Wolverine units to cease activities in the Inner Sphere, and return home.  We are done here, at least for the time being.”

“Mother. . . you can’t.”  Lilly arched an eyebrow, but Alexia continued.  “My Trinary just got clobbered.  They’ll think it’s a reflection on them, that you don’t think they can handle it.  They’ll be devastated if they don’t get to prove they can handle whatever this is!”

“It’s not a reflection on them, or on you.  You did well, very well, in an impossible situation.  Which is exactly what this is.  Soon, maybe, we will return and engage these Blakists again.  But for now, we need to do what is best for the whole of Clan Wolverine, for humanity, and for the future.”  Lilly withdrew a small box from her fatigues, and opened it.  “Do you agree, Star Colonel?”

Alexia reached for the insignia, withdrew her hand.  “No, my Khan, I do not.”

Lilly gripped Alexia’s hand, pushing the box into it.  “That does not affect my decision.  Actually, it does.  It makes me more certain of it.”

[Kyryst]

I would have thought the best move would be to gather intelligence on the WoB. Figuring out how their C3 Network works, weaknesses in training or hardware. Withdrawing gains them none of that. If the WoB tracks them down, then the fighting and genocides will be on Wolverine ground and still without intelligence. Know thyself, and know thy enemy.

[Daryk]

Figuring out the WoB's C3 capabilities doesn't require fruitless battle... there are other ways to get that...  ^-^

[ErikModi]

Especially since the Wobbies stole it from ComStar. . .

[Artifex]

Well, from the way and manner how ComStar disabled the C3-capabilities of Alexia's Trinary I would assume that they have some means of determining where and what unit is carrying a C3 node ... And that makes dealing with that rather ... bothersome. Especially given that the Wolverines were not able to identify the Wobbies C3 node carriers.

[ErikModi]

It was more a bit of logic.  C3 Masters take a lot of space and tons.  So, the 100-ton Dire Wolf that seems a bit underarmed for 100 tons?  Probably got a Master.  The 80-to Fury tank with only one Gauss Rifle and ER Large Laser?  Probably has two.  The Rhino with 3 ATM-9s sitting next to a Rhino with 5 ATM-6s?  Probably a Master.

The Blakists were using C3i to network the individual Level IIs together, but with everything moving about and being under rather overwhelming fire, the Wolverines didn't really have a chance to realize the network didn't encompass the whole force.

I'm having some thoughts about the Wolverines learning C3i in the not-too-distant future.  If they could expand it to network ten units instead of six, that would be perfect for their style of deployment.  Or. . . and this one's really out there. . . a regular C3i, but network one BattleMech with a Point of ProtoMechs (once Blood Spirit brings those in and convinces the Wolverines they're worth it).  You lose cohesion among the 'Mech Star, but get a 'Mech and five ProtoMechs all fighting as one unit.  That could be pretty scary.

[alex blood spirit]

 love the story line of the wolverine's and clan Blood Spirit's would love to read more

[ErikModi]

-3-

Cameron-Class Battlecruiser Sarah McEvedy
Geosynchronous Orbit, Cabanatuan
Clan Wolverine Staging Area
January 12th, 3074

Since Lilly had begun her assaults on Clan Smoke Jaguar back in 3050, the Castle Brian on Cabanatuan, codenamed Tiki, had changed dramatically.  Resources, materiel, and personnel from Homeworld and its surrounding systems had flowed to Cabanatuan, long-dormant sections of the Castle had been refurbished, reactivated, and brought online.  New Clan Wolverine built OmniMechs -- mostly conversions of the Inner Sphere designs they'd been using -- and equipment sealed in OmniPods rolled out of the Castle's factory.

For twenty-two years, Tiki Castle had been transformed from a forward staging and resupply post to a fully-fledged and heavily invested holding of Clan Wolverine.  Now that Lilly had decided to abandon the Inner Sphere once more, that holding needed to be painstakingly disassembled and shipped back to Homeworld, one slow JumpShip circuit at a time.  It was a time-consuming process.  The JumpShip traffic needed to be carefully timed and plotted so as not to rouse suspicion or provide data points leading to Cabanatuan, or even worse, to Homeworld itself.  Anything that might provide intelligence on the Clan had to be packed and transported or carefully and thoroughly destroyed.  And the Castle had to be carefully and methodically put back in standby mode, to await the day the Wolverines might have need of it again.

Clan Wolverine’s Beta Galaxy had been effectively permanently stationed there, and while the Clan had operated in the Inner Sphere had been critical to its defense.  Now they too would need to be packed up and relocated along with their families, following the very last shipments back to Wolverine space.  It would also be a slow process.  Three hundred years ago, Operation Switchback had been an inspired but desperate attempt to save the Wolverines, now the time and resources were available to carefully, quietly, and as a result very, very slowly fade back into the mists of unknown space.

As critical as Beta Galaxy was to the system's security, they were not as critical as the system’s secrecy.  Cabanatuan had long been forgotten by the rest of the Inner Sphere, providing security, resources, and proximity for Clan Wolverine to once more make their presence known.

Thus, the sensor officer’s announcement was met with no small amount of consternation.

“Vessel appearing, zenith jump point!”

“Do we have anything scheduled?” Lilly McEvedy Walter asked, though she was certain she already knew the answer.

“Negative, no arrivals scheduled for today.”

“Get me an ID.  Star Admiral, set Condition One.”

“Working.”  Tense moments passed.  “It’s the DCS Satsuma, Yamato-class battleship.”

“They’re hailing us,” the communications officer added.

“Accept.”

The transmission came through over the bridge speakers.  “This is Sho-sho Ifukube, commanding DCS Satsuma.  We come with no hostile intent.  I wish to speak with the highest available authority of Clan Wolverine.”

Lilly approached the audio pickup.  “This is Khan Lilly McEvedy Walter of Clan Wolverine.  You have my attention, Sho-sho Ifukube.”

“Stand by for real-time HPG transmission.”

Lilly raised an eyebrow.  So far as she was aware, the Clans were the only ones who maintained the network and knowledge to make real-time, two-way HPG communication possible.  Either the DCS was full of surprises, or ComStar was assisting them (and had some surprises of their own up their robes, which was more or less a given).

Or the Word of Blake replaced ComStar in this particular equation.

A round, smiling Japanese face soon appeared.  "Ah, hello," the man said in a deep, cheerful voice.  "I understand I have the honor of speaking with Khan Lilly McEvedy Walter of Clan Wolverine.  I am Chandrasekhar Kurita, pleased to meet you."

"Likewise," Lilly replied cautiously.  She knew of the Combine's richest businessman and most capable freelance spymaster, of course.  "How did you find us?"

Chandrasekhar clucked his tongue.  "I narrowed down your forward base to a handful of potential systems back in 3053.  I simply kept it to myself, since you clearly had good reasons to not want to be found."

"I see," Lilly replied.  "Then why seek us out now?"

"I have something to show you, something I think you can help me with."  Chandrasekhar's image was replaced by that of a McKenna-class battleship in Word of Blake colors.  "This is the WBS Blake's Sword.  According to the records I could find, they found an old, damaged, disabled McKenna WarShip in the Deep Periphery, rimward of the Outworlds Alliance, in 3061.  They towed it back, repaired it, and rechristened it Blake's Sword.  What I cannot figure out is what such a vessel was doing out there."  The image of the Blake's Sword stowed in Sarah McEvedy's computers, Chandrasekhar's face reappeared, wearing a sly smile.  "I hoped perhaps you might be able to shed some light on that."

Oh, Lilly certainly could at that.  While nearly 300 McKennas had been constructed before the fall of the Star League, only 18 remained operational after the intense fighting of the Amaris Civil War, and all of those had left on the Exodus.  Which had gone coreward, not spinward-rimward.  Only one group with a McKenna had been active near the area Chandrasekhar described, and they had been forced to finally abandon it in that area when the aging, battered old girl could go no further.

"It's Zughoffer Weir."

"Oh?" Chandrasekhar put on a show of being surprised.  "You do know this ship, then?"

Lilly nodded.  "She carried us on the Exodus, our flight from Annihilation, stood at Barbados, regrouped with the survivors, and carried us toward what became Homeworld."  Lilly's smile turned faintly sinister.  "She brought the Minnesota Tribe to sack your worlds, then helped them vanish."

Chandra laughed as though at a good joke.  "Ah, I suspected as much."

"And now the Blakists have her."

"If it is any consolation, Clan Ghost Bear rendered the ship unsalvageably inoperable over Tukayyid."

"It is not," Lilly replied coldly.

Chandra smiled indulgently.  "Well, if you wish to redress this dishonor, I think I can help.  I know a man, goes by the name Devlin Stone.  He is building a coalition to strike back at the Blakists and eliminate them from the Inner Sphere.  I'm doing much the same, mostly involving assorted mercenaries.  The might, will, and skill of Clan Wolverine would only be a boon to either of our efforts."

So that's what you're after.  Truth be told, Lilly had been doubting her decision to fall back to Homeworld.  Should the Word of Blake emerge victorious, sooner or later they would seek out and find the Wolverines.  If war was inevitable, it was preferable to fight on worlds that were not yours.  If these coalitions were serious, they might just drive back the Blakists in defeat.  And given the lengths and expense Chandrasekhar had gone to motivate Lilly to bring her Wolverines in, they seemed quite serious.

"Who does this Stone have backing him so far?" Lilly asked.

"Clan Nova Cat, Clan Wolf-In-Exile, the Lyran Commonwealth, ComStar, and the Draconis Combine."

Lilly smirked.  "And you think us showing up won't drive the Cats and Wolves to leave?"

Chandrasekhar's face grew gravely serious.  "I think these are desperate times, Khan McEvedy, and we are all well past the point of realizing they require desperate measures."

"I would not argue that.  I simply do not trust the other Clans not to argue it, either."

"Arguing does seem a popular Clan pastime, especially when it can be done with bullets.  But I have faith that, if you approach Stone and offer to join, he will ensure the other Clans accept you as allies.  For the duration of the Blakist threat, at least."

Lilly scoffed.  "How can he possibly?"

"He has this way about him.  Trust me.  Speak with him, you'll see what I mean."

Now Lilly was very curious.  Which, she suspected, was exactly what Chandrasekhar had intended.  "Alright.  How can I reach him?"

Chandra supplied a route to get a message to Stone without Blakist interception.  "Oh, one more thing, if I may," he asked.  "I have noted one of your DropShips, present for nearly all your actions against the Clans, goes by the name Arcadian Mercy.  What is the meaning behind that name?"

Lilly smiled, discerning the hidden intent behind the question.  "Having some Ghost Bear troubles, query affirmative?"

Chandrasekhar smiled, the smile a man makes when his chess opponent makes a brilliantly unexpected move.  "After a fashion.  They have gone quite berserk on Blakist forces, which is good, though they have no problems punching through non-Blakists to get to them, which is somewhat less so."

Lilly pursed her lips.  When she had gone before the Grand Council twenty-two years ago, she had told them the whole, entire, and complete truth about the Wolverine Annihilation, leaving nothing out.

Except she had.  She had left in those parts of the story that made the Wolverines look bad, but she had not elaborated on the precise numbers of Wolverine survivors, or the particulars of how they had escaped.  Mostly, she had felt those details were not relevant to the story.  Part of it had been an admittedly irrational fear that, if the Clans learned how the Wolverines had survived, they might learn how to correct that mistake.  Some of it stemmed from the pleasure she felt at increasing the Wolverine's mystique, and thus the fear they triggered in the Clans.

But she had not discharged her duty to the full, complete, and honest truth.  Now, she was being granted a second chance to do so, and one that might benefit the whole Inner Sphere.

So, Lilly cleared her throat, took a deep breath, and told the story.  Of how a Wolverine sibko and their instructor, fleeing the Annihilation, had set down on a moon of the Ghost Bear world of Arcadia to repair and supply their ship.  How a Ghost Bear warrior had challenged them, only to decide that killing children in cold blood was not warrior’s work.

"We named the ship Arcadian Mercy to always remember that even in the darkest time, despite his best efforts, Nicholas Kerensky had not driven conscience, decency, and humanity from his Clans completely," Lilly finished.

"A moving story, Khan McEvedy.  Thank you."

"And does it help you, Kurita-san?"

"I believe it does.  Thank you for your time, Khan McEvedy."

"Kurita-san, about our location?"

"I see no reason to share that information at present.  I trust you have no intention of supplying one."

"We have no interest in hostilities with the Combine, no."

"Good.  The crew of Satsuma does not know precisely where they are, not even her captain.  Only the navigator, and I have utmost faith in his discretion."

"Thank you."

"Thank you.  Farewell, Khan McEvedy."

The transmission ended, and minutes later, Satsuma discharged its LF battery, jumping away.

"What are your thoughts, my Khan?" Star Admiral Benedict Rodriguez Fjor asked.

Lilly remained silent for some time, and while everyone was anxious to hear her decision, they did not intrude upon her thoughts.

"Continue the evacuation as scheduled.  I will contact this Devlin Stone, and if I do not like what he has to say, we will go through with leaving the Inner Sphere.  Again."

"And if you do like what he has to say?" Benedict asked.

Lilly smiled.  "Then the Clan will be very upset with me when I ask them to redo what they have spent the last four years undoing."

Author's Notes

Sorry for the wait.  Researching the Jihad to make sense of it is nigh-on impossible.  I kept hoping somebody would put out a YouTube video or something explaining it. . . a Tex Talks BattleTech about it would be ideal, but I doubt that'll happen. . . so this chapter languished for far too long as I tried to make sure my Wolverines could be fit in around what actually happened.  Which means understanding what actually happened.  Which is more of a moving target than a Dasher with active MASC.

For the record, when I earlier mentioned that the Wolverines might sit out the Jihad, it was partly due to my own difficulties making heads or tails of anything that happened during it.  But then I did try to start making sense of it, and something about the Word of Blake continually attacking Hachiman Electronics, and one of these attacks happening around the same time as Clan Snow Raven's "limited Annihilation" on the Combine, seemed an excellent way to draw the Wolverines into the conflict.  But then I had to figure out what to do with them.  Getting them in on the coalition forces was obvious, then I needed to figure out how.  Someone on Spacebattles, where I cross-posted this, mentioned the Blake's Sword/Zughoffer Weir, and it supposedly being evidence that Word of Blake was actually Clan Wolverine to get the Ghost Bears to focus and join the coalition, so I decided to use that as motivation to get the actual Wolverine's on board.  But then I needed to figure out something for the Bears.

The best I'd been able to come up with something along the lines of Stone saying "Aw, come on, we've got the Wolverines on board.  Don't tell me the Wolverines are more honorable than the Ghost Bears?"  Then inspiration struck.  There is, indeed, a passage in Betrayal of Ideals detailing a Wolverine sibko being spared by a Ghost Bear warrior on a moon of Arcadia because shooting holes in children wearing spacesuits on an airless moon is more than he can stomach.  So I named a Wolverine DropShip "Arcadian Mercy."  Now, bringing that story back to the Ghost Bears -- who famously have a Remembrance passage talking about the Wolverines will never escape them again -- should remind the Bears of the, shall we say, better angels of their nature, and get them on board.

I know roughly where I want the rest of the Jihad-era stuff to go, and I think I know what I'll do with the Wolverines come the founding of the Republic of the Sphere, but I'll need to look into that a bit to again make sure everything fits.

[Wrangler]

Sweet! I missed this story.

[DOC_Agren]

glad to see more, and interesting dropship naming

[Artifex]

Is this TAG still working?

... it appears to do so...

Alright sonny, keep it painted on this very target, you read me?

Sir, yes, sir.


Glad to see this story back! :thumbsup:

[Tyler Jorgensson]

Following

[Daryk]

Glad to see it again indeed!  :thumbsup:

[alex blood spirit]

is there anything more of this storyline

[Wrangler]

He gone quiet for bit.   I've collected all his stories on the Battletech Fanon Wiki along with mechs he introduced like the Stalker / Arrow IV variant.

[Tyler Jorgensson]

He was talking about some work on this AU and force sizes a while back… and he is still ‘active’-ish posting last month.

[ErikModi]

I think I know what the next chapter is.  Skipping a lot, because again the Jihad is a quagmire of incomprehensibility, but I have ideas.  Just need to get to writing them.

And been reading Hour of the Wolf, so ideas for how my Wolverines will respond to the ilClan. . .

[Wrangler]

That's fantastic, ErikModi!

[namar13766]

I think I know what the next chapter is.  Skipping a lot, because again the Jihad is a quagmire of incomprehensibility, but I have ideas.  Just need to get to writing them.

And been reading Hour of the Wolf, so ideas for how my Wolverines will respond to the ilClan. . .

After hearing the Pollux Proclamation 2.0, they'd probably say "You're serious? Let me laugh harder."

[ErikModi]

After hearing the Pollux Proclamation 2.0, they'd probably say "You're serious? Let me laugh harder."

Just finished Hour of the Wolf today.  Apparently, I need to read the next book. . .