an alternate Elizabeth... (ngoverse tangent, short.)

[Daryk]

That's a win for Nguyen!  8)

And I'm surprised the Coasties didn't do more damage to the falcons...  ???

[glitterboy2098]

the day is young

[EAGLE 7]

Damn Cannonshop, you you you.... How do you keep creating a new Liz Ngo and make her stories better and different each time?
     You know some where,  some place, some time, a ROB is going to bring all these different Liz personna into the same universe, just for the giggles.

[Red Pins]

This is exactly how I envision my New Clans to fight.  Dirty, all or nothing, in-your-face, and COMPETENT.

Even the logistical prep, using as few resources, designs, chassis, and making an ENORMOUS number of them.

Gosh help them if the dezClans ever find and attack them.

[Dave Talley]

and yet again, you started a "short" story about Liz,
this one is probably hitting 50

[Daryk]

One can only hope...  :)

[Sharpnel]

and the germans lost a lot of F-104G pilots in the process. mostly to "controlled flight into terrain"

That's because they were using the wrong aircraft for that ground attack role. This is the reason the Tornado was created.

[Cannonshop]

"I assume you have radio direction finding equipment.  I assume this, because you are the degenerate descendants of Aleksandr Kerensky's deserters."  the pallet of foodstuffs was moved and a padded seat was revealed, making the job of being the 'voice of Kowloon' a little easier.  Elizabeth appreciated it.

this of course, was likely not something considered by the Clanners maneuvering their way into Kowloon orbit.

"So, I'm pretty sure you want to shut me up.  All you have to do, is follow the signal baby, come find me.  For the boys and girls of the One Seventy first, I've gotten a request on the call in line, it's an oldie and a goodie, Stavros Lien and the Iron Mountain Boys playing the bluegrass classic, 'Post Hole Digger'.  You boys stay safe now, it's getting hot out there."

she switched to the music file and it began broadcasting.

Liz turned to Radioman 1st Class Mao.  "Well, what's their reaction?"

"Their fighter escorts are heading toward the Ocean in a standard triangulation pattern, and their warship's released droppers and is shifting orbit to come in behind them."

"Oh, good."  she listened for a moment to the file playing through her headset.  "You know, this song is incredibly perverted?"

Mao grinned wider, and then laughed, "Yeah, yeah, it really is."

"How did they get it on the General Broadcast??"

"Nobody pays attention to the lyrics, of course." he said, "Especially with regional styles like that-the offworlders just think it's a 'quaint folk song'."

"Silly of them...any requests on our request line?" she asked.

"Yeah, one of the units on the Plateau has called in requesting Jimenez-Tuco 'Two minutes'."

"Someone up there loves their Haus Tekno."  Liz sighed, "I'll queue it up...gawd, if we could surface I'd be up on the sail getting a smoke right now."

"Devilweed's a killer, ma'am." the Radioman said.

"I have New Avalon Red Leaf." she told him, "probably the killerest of the killer devil's weed."

"You need to try some southie Natural then." he told her, "that shit will ****** even you up."

"Let's hope the Falcons don't burn the fields then...I thought everyone in the Coast Guard were Cleanies?"

"not everyone abstains from the devilgrass or evil gin, there's regs against being unfit for duty, nothing says you can't get high in your off time."

the sub shook.

"Now hear this! all hands, stand by for launch depth. Lieutenant Ngo to fire control!"

"looks like they took the bait." Liz got to her feet and headed for the hatchway between the radioroom, and the main CIC.  She paused for a moment, "Mao, could you queue up 'Elbar Toothpick' on the broadcast?  The New Saigon boys Chorus cut from '35?"

"Aye Mum."

Liz went to her station, relieving Lt. Huang.  "Range, one twenty and closing..."

[Cannonshop]

Momentum.  There is a certain point where you see the disaster looming, where you know for a fact that you've completely screwed up and you're not going to be able to recover.

It's the feeling when you pull the D-ring and your reserve chute tangles in your harness instead of deploying, where the truck's bumper is looming in front of your bike and you won't lay it down in time, when the rock face splinters in your fingers instead of taking your weight, or when the spouse you didn't know exists plants a hand on your shoulder in the bar.

Momentum.

It's when she tells you 'I missed my period and the test is positive' and you have to decide how to explain it to your wife.  When the cops park in a semi-circle outside the bank and nobody's died yet.  when the crowd down the street start throwing rocks and running at you while you were minding your own business.

Momentum.

It's when you've been pricked and goaded into an ambush that you KNOW is an ambush, but your anger has control of your feet.  The 'Voice of Kowloon' has been hitting the Jade Falcon forces on whole spectra of broadcast channels, overriding jamming with sheer transmitter power and rebroadcast from a thousand directions, flooding comm frequencies with music, mockery, monologues and provocation.

Star Colonel Nathan Roshak grounded with his command cluster outside Nha Tranh, while their warship and Naval support went west, far overhead, to try to silence the source of the Kowloonese propaganda.

but he felt it in his gut-the momentum of the situation wasn't in the Clan's favor.

[Daryk]

Even this Roshak has that much of a clue...

[Cannonshop]

Coventry...

The 'mechs were definitely Clanner, even if the markings hadn't given it away.

Jimmy cradled up to his Mk.14E21, letting his joints align and lock into 'fine motor' settings, the rail-gun was shrouded by an active camo-blanket, with a 'dust mat' laid down and camouflaged as well.

Jade green uniforms strutted in the former construction yard below, while suited Elementals patrolled the perimeter.

Jimmy Qua was waiting for something very specific.  The owner of the chickenwalker-legged Omnimech to come out of the latrine.

He used the time while he was waiting to scan through the rest of the area.  There were a few Elementals recharging off one of the support trucks-that one would be Chao's target. 

He waited a little longer, dialing down the velocity on his rifle to something that wouldn't reveal him too quick.  This was about working their nerves, triggering a response, putting them on edge, and keeping them there.

his target stepped out of the field latrine, he laid the crosshairs on the target's head.

the recoil wasn't even detectible through his armor's support, the railgun just spat.

down in the temporary cantonment, the whole flock was freaking out, as their highest ranking officer's head became a neck-up pink spray.

half a kilometer along the ridge away, almost opposite Jimmy's hide, PFC Chao saw who was giving directions, and chose the one who seemed to be most in charge, before releasing his own hypervelocity round.  The woman who was apparently getting them organized and pointed, disappeared from about her shoulders to her hips-her entire torso slammed by relativistic projectiles, the bullet-resistant uniforms of the Clanners were nothing more than a shockwave containment for railgun rounds, amplifying the already significant hydrostatic shock into something truly sickening.

methodically, Qua and Chao worked through the Clanner platoon, shooting anyone with a sidearm, or decorations, or who was giving directions and being obeyed.

They couldn't sustain it for long-but they sustained it for long enough.  Five bodies with coolant vests and whom had previously been carrying neurohelmets lay on the ground, watermelon-sized holes replacing various critical body parts where such parts hadn't simply exploded from hydrostatic shockwaves.  a few people lay screaming with missing limbs from the overpenetration of sniper shots, and the Elementals were running in every direction, lighting up the treeline and ridges at random with fire.  It was time to move out before they were triangulated on.

[Cannonshop]

Nha Tranh, Kowloon...

The streets were empty, as Star Colonel Nathan Roshak walked his Summoner into the city itself.  Wide avenues, the urban planners here had done a superb job of building a city for living in, and the buildings were, for the most part, low, with five stories being about the tallest in sensor range.

The city sprawled out, this was clearly not a highly centralized urban culture, as the whole place was laid out in a fashion that discouraged efficient railway transport and encouraged personal motor carriages.

The big, main drag through town was marked in four languages as 'Street of Lanterns' and paralleled the river for most of its length.

everywhere, there were balloons, and his sensors detected a metallic confetti had been spread liberally around, like chaff, but in bright, festive colors.  Someone had painted every building along the Street a particularly lurid shade of red, which spread to the sidewalks.

Thermals showed nobody in the buildings along the street.  "Check the structures." he ordered, and his Elementals dismounted from his 'mech, to sweep the buildings.

Reports came back quickly, "It looks like a very orderly evacuation, OvKhan, there are no signs of residents."

momentum.  he could feel it.  "Keep looking."

His Cluster spread out into the adjoining streets, sweeping carefully for some sign, any sign, of resistance on the ground, or of presence in the ghost town he found himself in.

Nathan advanced, reaching the city's soccer field, where tables had been set, in long rows, with table-cloths, napkins, and dishes.

and a banner.

"Celebrating 290 years of freedom from the Rim Worlds Republic"

dummies had been fixed on stakes around the picnic, mannequins dressed in Rim Worlds uniforms. impaled or hanging in effigy.  "What day is today?" Nathan asked.

"Today is the fifth of July, Ovkhan...you should know that."

"No, what day is it to them?" he had a bad feeling.

after a moment, Star Commander Morgan Icaza's voice came over the channel.  "To these people? Today is the commemoration of the day they threw off the Rim Worlds Republic.  In 2767, on the fifth of July, the Kowloonese launched their final revolt against House Amaris."

it all made sense.  "They expect us to remember, quineg?"

"Aff, I thnk they do."

a buzzing cut into the comm channel, and then..

"Storm Warning, all coastal areas, Tsunami watch is in effect, for our guests and visitors from the Star League, if you look to the west, there's one hell of a fireworks display over the Western Ocean. Tune to UHF Channel 131S for live feed of today's independence day fireworks display!"

"Fireworks."

"That was sent in english, Ovkhan, it was meant for us."

Nathan tapped his command console and picked up the frequency announced.

He could see the Emerald Roost, a Congress-class frigate and the remaining warship in his command's transport star, over an expanse of glittering blue-green, marred by clouds of steam from the bombardment it was unleashing.  the imagery was from above.

"Savashri!"

Bright lights rose amid the duelling sparks of aerospace fighters from some source far below. they rose...and rose...

and the camera went blank.

and then, the comm distortion and constant prattle was gone.

"Attention Jade Falcon personnel grounded on Kowloon.  We have sunk your battleship."

the image came back up, and he could see the crippled warship, plunging down with re-entry heat, falling into the distant sea.

HER voice again, "Happy Independence Day!"

[Daryk]

"You are NOT leaving here..."  >:D

[JA Baker]

I'm torn between "Surf's Up, Big Kahuna!" and "Clanners don't surf!"

[idea weenie]

      How do you add a Liz touch to a Hop-Pop-Run ambush of clanner logistic ships by KCG cutters?
    Cutters drop a few escape pods with the nukes missiles. Intermittent beacon, with some signs of radiation bleed off from the escape pod.
 What would be a better surprise to the recovery teams? A nuke or a few of Liz’s Van Neumann machines?
    Nukes give light shows, but VN machines programmed to hitch rides on hull of ships until they get to a JS or WS, has horror movie potential.
    Imagine the Galaxy Commander who has to explain we he destroyed his own Warship because little machine started eating, while broadcasting “Eat the Buddgies.......Eat the Budgies”. 

I'd argue against laving such surprises in escape pods, as rescuing escape pods is a Coast Guard job.  If Kowloon leaves surprises in escape pods, the Jade Falcons will consider those escape pods as legitimate targets, and open fire on them.

So in the rare case where the Jade Falcons win, there would be no survivors because Kowloon taught them to never take survivors.

But sending missiles into the JS/WS swarm to put a flat-pack EM system so the KF drive cannot trigger due to the safeties erroring out, that would be a good idea.


Of course, one other detail has me interested.  All this industrial growth on Kowloon, how many other worlds are looking at Kowloon with greedy eyes?  How many poor worlds are seeing the industrial growth and wanting that?  How many wealthy worlds are seeing the industrial production as competition, and making plans?

[EAGLE 7]

I'd argue against laving such surprises in escape pods, as rescuing escape pods is a Coast Guard job.  If Kowloon leaves surprises in escape pods, the Jade Falcons will consider those escape pods as legitimate targets, and open fire on them.

So in the rare case where the Jade Falcons win, there would be no survivors because Kowloon taught them to never take survivors.

Idea Weenie, my bad I was not clear, escape pods that look like Jade Falcon escape pods.
   When the cutter jumps in launches missiles, at the JF warship, the cutter launches a Q-escape pod made to look like it is from JF warship.

But sending missiles into the JS/WS swarm to put a flat-pack EM system so the KF drive cannot trigger due to the safeties erroring out, that would be a good idea.


Of course, one other detail has me interested.  All this industrial growth on Kowloon, how many other worlds are looking at Kowloon with greedy eyes?  How many poor worlds are seeing the industrial growth and wanting that?  How many wealthy worlds are seeing the industrial production as competition, and making plans?

   Might Liz think ahead to create an economic SFAT program, to uplift her neighboring planets.  That would possibly cause more negative attention to Kowloon. How dare these Kowloon upstarts bring these un-Lyra ideas to other planets just because they work at making life better for the peons?
     Plus groups like Com* would be against improved technology in general. 
Hmmmm...

   Can you imagine the response Liz would have if they caught ROM trying to actively sabotage Kowloons war efforts against the clans? This Liz would reproduce mobile HPG’s and improve on them. Better range, no cool down, ability to live receive and broadcast simultaneously, and in a form factor small enough to fit in Shipping container or a Heavy Mech. Then build a few hundred to distribute around the FedCom, then start her own HPG comms company....    Ngo-Com delivering 300 year old technology at affordable prices, because we are not wankers in robes!

   

[Daryk]

Uplifting the neighbors was exactly what she was talking Pat into a few posts ago...

[JA Baker]

   Can you imagine the response Liz would have if they caught ROM trying to actively sabotage Kowloons war efforts against the clans? This Liz would reproduce mobile HPG’s and improve on them. Better range, no cool down, ability to live receive and broadcast simultaneously, and in a form factor small enough to fit in Shipping container or a Heavy Mech. Then build a few hundred to distribute around the FedCom, then start her own HPG comms company....    Ngo-Com delivering 300 year old technology at affordable prices, because we are not wankers in robes!

Just tell the nearest Steiner scout lance that there's an Octoberfest party at the local HPG. ComStar will get the message.

[Cannonshop]

Honor isn't in the oaths you TAKE, it's the ones you uphold.

you see, there were escape pods launched from the falling Clanner warship, and it fell mostly intact...well, mostly enough that it was at least possible that there would be survivors.

Honor isn't the oath you make.

"Tracking incoming wreckage, estimate falling velocity of one hundred twenty KPH, temperature passing two thousand degrees C..."  Elizabeth could interpret sensor data, and she could make herself stay calm, as she read off what the combination of the submarine's own sensors, bouys and the overall tactical network were saying.  "Captain, recommend heading change up angle three five degrees and a south-southwest bearing at maximum speed to ride out the shockwave."

"Helm, up angle three five, heading south-southwest bearing two-seven-seven degrees neutral azimuth, increase output to one one one five percent safe temperature!" Captain Voss barked.

"Aye Mum!"

Honor isn't in the oaths you take...

***

"Star Colonel Nathan Roshak, this is Duke Patrick Ngo, as you have been informed, your congress-class warship is currently on its way to a rough landing on my ocean.  Do you agree that this is a fact, Over?"

Nathan paused before answering. "Yes, Duke Ngo, our warship is crashing, what of it?"

"Do you value the lives of the people in those escape pods? or the lives of anyone who might have survived the inflicted loss of engine power and the subsequent crash, because if you don't, we don't have anything to talk about, over."

"Of course I value them!! what kind of animal do you think I am?" Roshak spat.

"Good.  I propose a temporary cease fire, so that my professional search and rescue people can save the lives of your clanmates.  They will not be detained as prisoners of war if you agree, but will be given aid and medical treatment, do you accept this offer of a cease fire, over?"

"And if I refuse?"

"My people will still try to save as many as possible, but they might drag their feet, and the ones we do recover will be interned under the Ares Conventions as enemy combatants for the duration of this war, do you understand the difference, over?"

"You used nuclear ordnance to destroy our warship, and now you insist on a cease fire to save my people?" Nathan scoffed.

"Point of order, Star Colonel, I didn't. My little sister did, with a submarine that only comes in a little over one hundred thousand tons, and she's out there planning to coordinate the rescue of your people-if you're going to be confused, be confused about the right ones."

"Why..?"

"because the oaths you uphold are a surer measure of your honor, than the ones you take.  Liz took an oath when she joined the Coast Guard, and she is very stubborn about some of it-I just don't want her having to dodge your fighters while she's trying to save your people.  if you refuse, I will do whatever it takes to let my little sister do the job she's set herself to doing, do you understand, Over?"

"I agree to your cease fire offer, and I counter with the offer of Clan medical personnel to assist with the efforts." Nathan replied.

"Then we have an accord."

"Bargained well, and done." Nathan said.  what else could he do? he was no monster, and they were offering to expend resources and lives to save the lives of his trothkin.

[Cannonshop]

Coventry...

The big-shots were parlaying with the Clanner leadership.  Jimmy waited patiently in his hide, ready in case someone broke the temporary cease-fire while the Archon-Prince confronted quite possibly the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen.

"not sure I could take this shot, Chao."

"you should like boys like I do, it makes it a lot easier." Chao teased.

there was a brief conversation, and nods.  then the Archon Prince shook the enemy commander's hand.

"Holy shit...is it over?"

the Clanners boarded their 'mechs without Jimmy getting the engage signal, and moved off.

The 'rally' icon lit in the corner of his peripheral vision, with a route map overlay showing where they were to report to.

"It's over." Chao said.

"******' ay.  Let's get out of here."






[Mod EDIT: Censortron ate a sentence/some formatting]

[Cannonshop]

Coast Guard Lighthouse Whale island, Southeastern shore, Keighor continent, Kowloon...

Elizabeth leaned on the iron railings as the SAR vessels from the Oceanic fleet flew in and out.  for the most part, the storm systems caused by the fight with the Clanner Warship were subsiding, though there were still several tropical storms going on to the north.

U-One was already tucked into the sub pens on the Headland.  Liz was here because of a broken arm, concussion, and overextended left knee, these being the result when fifty six thousand tons of ballistic missile submarine decide to try flying instead of swimming, only to fail at the flying part.

That was two weeks ago, and recovery teams were still searching for survivors from the crash...and finding them.

she rolled a J using dry papers and some of the remains of her dope supply, stuck it in her mouth, lit it, and breathed in the fragrant stink of it.

The pot had stopped working, but it tasted better than the tobacco. 

"Hey little bit." she turned, to find Patrick had somehow snuck up on her. 

"Pat.  the Admiral told you how the rescue work's going?"

"I was briefed." he said, "Gawd, Liz, that stuff smells horrible."

"Sorry, ran out of the New Avalon leaf about a week ago, this is Southie weed and it's not doing a damn thing for me besides killing some of the tremors."

"You're...dammit, Liz.  How would I explain it to..."

"I'm safe." she said.

"So you are.  What do you think?"

"I think it's a good investment." she said, "Might even be good PR.  We shot down a warship with a submarine, then, we rescued the survivors so they can tell their people that we shot down a warship with a submarine."

"You ready for the next step, Lizzie?" he asked.

"What next step?"

"They landed troops. we've got a cease-fire...for now."

she sighed.  "I kind of overplayed it with the broadcast, didn't I?"

He held his fingers apart, "Maybe a little." he told her, "i'm going to have...fun...rolling that back."

"Um..."

"I have a plan." he told her.  "Not as crazy and risky as YOUR plans, but a plan. have you actually spoken to any of them?"

she shook her head.  "nope. Their culture is weird, I don't think I have anything to say to any of them."

"You might be surprised."

"meaning?"

"just that you might be surprised, come on, I need an aide and you're a junior officer."

"Patient status!"

"Overridden, this isn't strenuous, doesn't violate your profile."  she sighed, and fell into the junior officer's position, limping with her cane while he walked just slow enough to let her keep up.

"Where are we going?" she asked.

"Meet with the enemy commander to discuss how we're going to end the Cease Fire." he told her.

[georgiaboy]

So, how many Mechs and non-head parts of elemental suits did the Loonies reposes from the deserters on Coventry?


Since all the SLDF in Exile equipment was originated from SLDF Tooling.

[Daryk]

There's no way the Falcons have enough force on planet to win this...

[Cannonshop]

Kiribati Island, Golden Lake district, Kowloon...

"Okay, let's get to particulars.  You have, roughly, a Clan Galaxy left."  Patrick said, sitting down at the table, "And you want to know what we've got available to fight you for this planet, is that about right?"

"I think the fight has already begun." Star Colonel Nathan Roshak observed.

"And how has that been going for you-be honest with yourself before you answer." Pat said.  "Keep in mind the destroyed Aegis class and the Fredasa, as well as last week's experiment with trying to OrBom a submarine. But we have a cease-fire right now, and we can do something called 'negotiation' before resuming hostilities, since going all-in hasn't gone all that well for your side of the discussion thus far.  You've lost something like half your forces."

"A little more than half."

"Would you like to know what percentage of my forces have been lost, Star Colonel?" Patrick asked.

"Enlighten me, please."

"Five percent of pre-emergency active duty forces.  That isn't including the regiment sent to Coventry to deal with your Clan's forces there." Pat explained, "and we've got enough reinforcing some of the smaller, neighbouring worlds, that a recall can push that under half a percent. You guys are configured culturally and by your own traditions to fighting limited conflicts over achievable objectives using tailored forces.  Tell me I am wrong?"

"You are not."

"So, how about this...I'm going to offer you the kind of fight you can win."

Elizabeth's eyes widened, "PATRICK!! no, don't play their game!"

"I know what I'm doing, Liz." he turned to the Jade Falcon Star Colonel, "She's the person who sank your battleship,just by the way-my little sister.  Here is your offer; we fight for the planet, like you wanted, only if you lose, you have to give us something."

"What?"

"My sister is dying, Star Colonel.  She has something called Cholmann's Syndrome, she's twenty and by the time she's thirty five, she'll be in untreatable agony, unable to go into shock, unable to control her movements, and insane.  they say patients in the terminal phase are completely conscious as their nervous system and immune systems tear their bodies apart, that they can't even pass out, just...agony until their organs finally fail.  I want doctors and medical scientists, yours. The Clans have the most advanced medicine known to man right now, I want to fix her."

"Patrick this is wrong, it won't work...don't do this." Elizabeth muttered.

"The science of the Clans can defeat anything."  Roshak asserted, "I will ta-"

"You can't fix me!" Liz scowled, and despite being the smallest person there, she managed to somehow loom.  "this, this is a trap, it's a sucker's wager! one on one you people-" she pointed at Roshak, "-are bred, conditioned and trained from birth, equipped with advanced weapons and completely at home waging!"

"Elizabeth, don't-"

"I'm not done." she turned to Roshak, "we gave you a taste of what the people of the star league suffered for three centuries while your people were perfecting your perfect system of duels.  it was just a taste.  the plan that destroyed your warships and most of your transports? I designed that plan.  It was approved by others, modified by others, but I wrote the damn doctrine.  I didn't do it alone, I stood on the shoulders of titans to see how to crush your fleet, and it worked, but this? this is stupidity.  right now, you have slightly over ten thousand viable combatants,  on a world with one billion citizens in a star system with last census says one billion, five hundred million six hundred eighty two thousand residents, of which we have one percent that are in uniform...rounded down.  we have removed your ability to erase cities from orbit on an order.  I have a fleet that we built, that I designed, of which you have defeated forty eight fighters, six dropships and three Cutters...which is right around four percent of what can be brought to bear...and we're honestly not the largest or best armed planet in the Inner Sphere.  You don't get to take my people's home on a bet."

"I have a counter offer." Roshak said, "First, is what she said true?"

"Oh, mostly..." Patrick agreed.

"Then, we will stage a proper, honorable Trial, if I win, we get Her-" he pointed at Elizabeth, "Plus anyone my forces defeat, as isorla.  if you win, we'll bring the medical scientists and the doctors."

"Me? you're making this about me?"

"He made it about you first." Roshak countered, "but I have a nose for..talent, Oh, and I want Hegira if we lose...or if we win, because she is right, one Galaxy will not be enough to subdue this star system."

Patrick hesitated.  "Done." he said.

The female Warrior accompanying Roshak looked Liz over, and said, "You will look stunning in Green."

[Daryk]

Patrick is a ****** idiot, and Liz knows it... If she was truly ALL IN, she'd shoot him now, and take over these negotiations.

[Cannonshop]

Jade Falcon landing Zone Hue, Hue City, golden Lake region...

"a bet with a terminal patient as the prize?"  Morgan smirked, "What is your real objective, Star Colonel."

"Get our forces and survivors out of here mostly intact." Nathan stated, "Prove to that little harridan that we are not the 'degenerate descendents of deserters'?"

the big elemental leveled a finger at his commander, "You saw something in her, quiaff?"

"Aff."  They climbed the steps of Hue's city Hall.  "I did, it's the Crusade, Morgan."

"The Crusade in a crippled young woman?"

"No, people like her? they are why it is necessary."  Nathan paused, "Do you suppose we can arrange a means to keep this city?"

"Next you will be talking about retiring here!"

"I like the ambiance.  Much more than the 'hellscape' they left in their Capital for us. It probably has to do with how not everyone in the city evacuated."

"It is nicer.  The views are spectacular." Morgan agreed, "and the climate is nice."

"Well, he didn't ask for no more trials, and once the precedent is set..." Nathan noted.

"Enclave? Part of a planet?"

"It is not unprecedented, and I can see several ways it can hamper the Lyrans if we are here...'legally'." Nathan noted.

"Suppose the little harridan has seen that as well, quiaff?"

"Aff, inevitably so." Nathan said, "She will be so angry." He added with a grin.

"I doubt they will simply trial for the land..."

"No, we trial for the right to own it-for the CLAN to own it." Nathan said, "Or have the merchant caste work out some means of arranging the trial rules so that we have clear title in both Clan, and Inner Sphere realms.  It gives us a listening post, and maybe a chance to prove we are not criminals and brutes to these people before they are taken in-the Wolves have their advantage, the Jade Falcons need one. It is not enough to take territory, we must conquer their imagination."

"How do you intend to play the trial out?"

"We will meet again, this time without little Elizabeth's interference, to bid forces out." Nathan stated, "and to select a battleground for the trial.  Then set a time for the battle, then conduct the battle, once it is over, most of our warriors will be able to return to Jade Falcon territory with at least a minor victory, I will either have the girl, or I will have arranged for her treatment and care as an intermediary-either way is a propaganda win for the Clan if it is presented correctly."

"What will you do with her if you win?"

"Get her treatment." Nathan stated, "on the flight back, I looked up what 'Cholmann's syndrome' is, and, Morgan, it is truly horrible what it does to a victim, and what they have to endure.  I would not wish that on a radical Warden."

"That bad, quineg?"

"Worse than that bad.  I imagine it focuses her mind knowing within roughly a month how long she will live and knowing she will die in absolute agony if she is not killed outright first, but I dislike the idea that such a syndrome can even exist, much less go uncured for nearly a thousand years.  OUR medicine is better than that, and if we prove it, it brings final victory in the Great Crusade that much closer."

[Daryk]

Those reasons Roshak just outlined are excellent reasons for Liz to commit suicide before handing herself over AS A SLAVE to the clans...  I reiterate Patrick was an idiot for agreeing to a trial, and know Liz agrees...  :-\

[georgiaboy]

If I was in Liz's place. I would ask what percentage of original forces are you bringing, or If I had to answer first, I would give a percentage. Since a pure Loon mech force would make up mostly less than 5 to 10 percent of original forces.


I would do a mixed force, heavy on the armored infantry. a battalion of them using the pentagonal manning used by the deserters, would mean five five man fire teams per point/platoon. then 5 point/platoons per star/company. Since the Despoilers run trinaries predominantly. a Trinary/company team would be an armored infantry star/company then a vehicle star with 2 vehicle/point would have 10 vehicles in the star, then mixed star of ASF/Artillery or pure ASF, either is 2 per point with 10 for the star, to make up the trinary.


or trade the vehicle or fighter star for mechs. though I would go with the Mech/Inf/ASF trinary.


Those armored railgun inf will chew up the elementals and then cut the legs off the mechs.


If the guys can get targeting help, could probably make do as AAA. that is if the mechs and asf are not also carrying the railguns. Think of what larger design would do. Obviously did not have a Capital railgun ready yet, not even in prototype cause Liz would have one shot the Congress with it at the moons orbital path with it.


Dang, I am rambling, my eng/tech mind is just going crazy with the possibilities from Liz's toy box.


She could release her pet Von Neumann onto them, and sit back and eat the chips and popcorn.

[Daryk]

If Liz was negotiating this "trial", the falcons would be wiped out to a man, and there would be no other possible outcome.

[jonen c]

If Liz was negotiating this "trial", the falcons would be wiped out to a man, and there would be no other possible outcome.

To be fair the only kind of trial this Liz would be willing to negotiate is a live fire trial of whatever new weapons she's designed to kill the Clanners.