Alright Ladies and Gentlemen (there has to be a couple of each on here surely) after a short hiatus here's the August update
Mechbay
Hamilton, Hell’s Horses OZ
8th August 3110 “It preformed well within our expected perametres” The technicial said looking up at the BattleMech “we are ready to move to the next stage of development, Star Colonel Colin.”
“It is up to the Khan’s choice” the younger lightly skinned man said looking up at the Parash BattleMech “you are correct it did well after years of testing it was nice to see it at war.”
“Not just your Khan’s” a third darker skinned woman said on her uniform she wore the insignia of Clan Wolf. “Remember, Star Colonel, Clan Wolf helped bring this technology into the fold it is only right that my Clan sees the benefits of it also. We wish to see the full development of this technology.”
“For all of the Clans” Star Colonel Colin replied as the tech looked between the two Clan warriors “that was the plan to bring this technology to all of the Clans quiaff?”
“Aff, I believe that was the Khan’s plan. Once the Wolves and Horses benefit then all Clans will see the rewards of our labours and we will be remembered.” The female warrior replied “however plans can change” she admitted “I was assigned here to oversee the development of this technology the victories here and elsewhere prove its worthiness.”
“I wonder why you did not develop this in your own Occupation Zone? You have plenty combat opportunities there.”
“Aff, but opportunities too close to those who may steal it, we have no interest in the enemies of the Clans gaining access to this technology.”
“I thought this technology originated in the Inner Sphere?” The tech said gaining a glare from both of the warriors “of course I may be wrong.” He said making a hasty retreat.
“You will have to have him and the other techs eliminated.” The female warrior said “we cannot have the Clans believing this technology is not ours.”
“The truth will come our eventually, Star Colonel Kya, if we do that then the project will be delayed while further technicians are trained.”
“Aff, I understand but secrecy must be maintained.” The Hells Horse Star Colonel nodded they would have to begin again.
High Command Meeting
Imperial Palace, New Samarkand
Military District of Midway, Draconis Combine
10th August 3110 “Coordinator, the Nova Cats are in a precarious position and are far from their core territories. If we were to strike them at the right position we could break their supply lines drive them from our Periphery regions before they become too entrenched.” Warlord Minamoto Yoshitsune of Pesht said.
“Are you trying to counter my commands?” Coordinator Akira Kurita demanded looking at the man. “We have already deployed troops to the Federated Suns border their focus is on Benjamin our troops are ready to fall on their lines.”
“The Nova Cats threaten the stability of my region Coordinator. I must do my duty to the people of Pesht and the people of the Draconis Combine.” The older man said “however the decision is ultimately yours.” He said bowing his head.
“Gunji-no-Kanrei Kurita your suggestion for our course of action?”
“While Warlord Yoshitsune’s council is wise” he said looking at the other Warlord who nodded his thanks “our troops are already in position to strike the Federated Suns to have them move again would delay any offensive by a matter of weeks.”
“And in weeks the Federated Suns could be on Benjamin! We need to turn them away.” Warlord Tsion Ben-Judah of Benjamin said he was still angry that the Coordinator had not deployed troops to Benjamin to begin the counter-offensive. He had settled for another attack on the Draconis March.
“I agree Pesht is a large region” Akira Kurita said “we need the forces based there ready to counter the Bears, Ravens and Nova Cats an offensive at this time. We will support Pesht’s defence but for now we need to break House Davion’s assault into our territory.” He said turning from Warlord Yoshitsune to Gunji-no-Kanrei Kurita “command the assault to go ahead as planned.” He commanded making his decision final. Hours later regiments launched into the Federated Suns attacking Capra, Cassias, McGehee and Udibi by the end of August the weak mercenary defensive line is shattered by the Draconis Combine’s offensive with two units Aaron’s Eradicators and the Second Dismal Disinherited are completely destroyed in the fighting and several others driven back.
Estate’s Generals
Tharkad, Donegal Province
Lyran Commonwealth
14th August 3110 At a meeting of the Estates Generals on Tharkad Archon Jessica Steiner receives the support of the worlds of the Lyran Commonwealth but she realizes that her realm cannot continue to take the losses that it has over the last few years. In an effort to bring the Estates Generals back on side Archon Jessica Steiner authorizes assaults by Lyran and mercenary forces against five worlds still held by the Stone Spirits and two held by Clan Jade Falcon. The Lyrans are successful in capturing all five Stone Spirit systems and Clermont from the Jade Falcons unfortunately these successes does not reduce the threat to Coventry, Donegal, Tharkad, Odessa or Arcturus.
In an effort to appease the Estate Generals and the Provincial leaders Archon Jessica Steiner agrees not to form additional Lyran Guard or Lyran Regular units and instead, with money taken directly from the Steiner family funds, she forms new units named for the Provincial capitals. As a result the Coventry Cuirassier’s, the Alarion Airborne Assault and the Halfway Mechanized units are all added to Lyran rosters though each is only two regiments in strength and they are among the weakest in all of the Lyran Commonwealth Armed Force’s.
Caesar’s Hearth (Overlord-class DropShip)
Deep Space, Periphery
20th August 3110Aboard the Overlord Dropship the MDS Caesar’s Hearth there was a mixture of nervous fear and nervous excitement. Ahead the tugs moving the THS C. Sagan fired their thrusters one last time, bringing the ship to a halt before moving to a safe distance. One old Leopard remained attached to the ship’s hull it was home to the repair crews working inside the partially active ship.
Whilst her hull plating still needed to be painted the decontamination and replacement of the main hull was finally complete and tech’s had been swarming over her insides, rewiring the vessel, they were replacing time worn computer cores and data systems with those the Marian Hegemony had acquired, stolen or purchased at considerable expense.
“My Caesar, we can begin at any time.” Caesar Aleksandr Ward nodded at Sister Cassandra’s voice and gentle hand upon his shoulder. She was just as excited as he was, but like the leader of the Marian Hegemony, she wasn’t showing her emotions.
“The word is given, begin single reaction ignition.”
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“Alright! We’ve got the go ahead. Make sure the Fomalhaut’s Blade has a steady feed, we don’t want a bloody power surge, not now!”
A chorus of affirmatives answered the Chief engineer, watching the techroom a raised platform above the reconditioned reactor room. Four of the ancient GE-2000 ‘Millennium’ type reactors dominated the chamber, old tokomak types that were so integral to the ship that simply removing them would have meant more time and resources consumed. So, the Marians and their support from Interstellar Expeditions had instead set to getting the old reactors working bringing the ancient ship alive.
Several hundred tons of superconducting magnets that would have powered regiments worth of gauss rifles were painstakingly installed and fitted over a period of months once the aft section was at least air tight. All they needed was one, just one to work.
“Systems check!”
“Coolant systems online.”
“Fuel pumps active and in lockdown.”
“Magnetic fields building their charge.”
“Computer systems online, all good!”
The chief engineer grinned ‘Well, no guts, no galaxy…’ he thought “begin fuel feed!” There was a soft rumble as the fuel pumps activated, feeding a stream of massively pressurized hydrogen into the heart of the reactor. The partially metallic hydrogen slush was grabbed by the reactors magnetic coils, twisting the gas into invisible torus shapes in the pressurized chamber of the reactor.
“Initiating laser ignition in 3…. 2.... 1!” There was a warm blue flash from within the reactor and a steadily rising hum that seemed to run through the whole ship.
“Report!”
“We have plasma ignition! Magnetic field is holding! Temperature at… 200 million Kelvin and going nowhere!” The tech reported triumphantly. That was the number they needed to hear, the reaction was self-sustaining, a helical blaze of blue light held in place by immensely strong magnetic fields, fed by super pressurized hydrogen. “Sir, do we have permission to feed into the ship.”
“Damn right you do! Bring it up to 50% and let’s get some life into the old girl!” The Chief engineer said whilst quietly praying ‘please don’t blow up… please don’t blow up…’
“Roger! Disengaging batteries… now! Activating feed… now!” The lights across the C. Sagan dimmed for a moment before blazing once more, re-wired computers came online and the whine of the reactor changed its pitch to a dull deep rumble as the C. Sagan came to life once more.
Outside the ship’s running lights came on, the lights that illuminated her name blazed whilst the massive rotating section started to move. Aboard the Caesar's Hearth there was cheering, applause and toasts to the Caesar, his wisdom and of course to the Marian Hegemony.
“My Caesar! This is a great day, the Sagan lives.” A fawning minister said, bowing as low as his age would allow.
“No, not the C. Sagan, the Stellaris Rex lives.” Caesar Aleksandr Ward replied his eyes fixed on the battered hull of his ship, already thinking of what he could do with his prize. And then he glanced at Cassandra, and he knew she was thinking exactly the same thing.
She glanced down as she felt her hand taken in the Caesar’s and she nodded. “A good name my Caesar.”
“Well I can’t call her Cassandra’s Might… perhaps an escort vessel for her though…”
“Oh so you see me as an escort hmm…?”
The younger man snorted “Never.” Cassandra squeezed Aleksandr Ward’s hand slightly and the younger man turned looking at his assembled ministers. “Gentlemen, ladies, this is a great day for the Hegemony and for us all. Aaron I want to know who was the engineer responsible for today’s test?”
“A Chief O’Brien my Lord.”
“Promote him two ranks, and everyone on his staff up a rank, I think some lands could be given to the Engineer in reward for his hard work and dedication.”
“My Caesar is generous.”
“Hah, no, your Caesar understands that hard work should be rewarded, unless you disagree.”
“Never my Lord!” The minister of Finance said, eyes bulging in alarm.
“Good. See that you don’t.” Ward said, looking back out at the Hegemony’s greatest achievement under his guiding hand, a cold smile on his lips.
SLDF Conference Room, Intelligence Center
Milligan’s World
Shared World, Star League Defence Force/Raven Alliance
25th August 3110Major General Aaron Scarborough entered the conference room to a lack of military decorum he was used to while hundreds of light years from the Star League Protectorate he still expected SLDF officers to act like professionals especially those on the front-line. Commanding the Third Special Operations Group of the Blackhearts division had been the best years of his life his assignment to Milligan’s World and the Combine/Raven border felt very much like a demotion, though his rank said otherwise. He had managed to retain a company of the Third SOG in his reassignment. The strange virus which the Ravens quickly dispatched had raised eyebrows back on Terra, and a one of the First SOG’s NBC groups had been temporarily assigned to him to study the make up and origins of the virus.
But he was here to receive a report from one of the units assigned to surveil the trials, settlement, and construction of Nexus Ri. Captain Delanie nodded as he entered, “Welcome, sir, thank you for coming on such short notice.”
“Thank you, Captain, we’ll exchange pleasantries later perhaps you can now get on with your report” Aaron sighed taking a seat.
“This may change things, there appears to be more going on between the Ravens and the Combine than we expected.” Aaron sat up straighter, his curiosity piqued, and waited for the Captain to continue.
“As you know the Ravens and Combine set up Nexus Ri as a way to combat their differences in a way less destructive than their last couple of... spats. While we currently believe the trials here have been winding up, we don’t think they’ve reached their peak yet - there are still a half a dozen worlds the Ravens are likely to trial over and at least three the Combine wants back. In the last trial, over the world of Brasha, we noted something strange, if you’d please look to the screen.” Delanie motioned to one of the walls, turning on a screen taking up much of the its area.
On the screen around 20 clan ‘Mechs exchanged fire with a battalion of Combine ‘Mechs displaying the insignia of the Fourth Sun Tzang. Interspersed here and there, were battle armored troopers of both sides, what appeared to be a short star’s worth against a company of Kuritans, including a platoon of Kishi battle armor.
“I didn’t think the Kishi were being assigned to training units.” Aaron noted.
“They aren’t, or they shouldn’t be, their production is still very limited and the disruption caused by Sceptre didn’t help matters any. If you look closer,” the screen zoomed in on one of the Kishi, “the paint here around the unit crest is newer than that further away, and if you notice, the BattleMechs on both sides are pointedly ignoring the battle armor. Often, in similar situations a BattleMech will take pot shots at battle armor, but there is none of that here.”
“So, the BattleMech trial was a cover for another trial - that doesn’t seem particularly clan-like. This looks flimsy to me; you wouldn’t have brought me in on this unless you had more.”
“Yes, within hours of the Ravens ‘winning’ Brasha back to the Alliance, the star lord-class DCS Dragon’s Maw jumped out of system on its normal schedule back to New Samarkand. It never made it, instead, an identical ship arrived on its schedule, but its IFF codes returned DCS Shadow of Luna. We were able to retrieve some grainy images from a spysat we have near the transit point, showing this” Delanie indicates the screen again.
A pair of massive DropShips detached from the Star Lord, at first glance appearing to be run-of-the-mill Behemoth-class dropships, but there was something different about them, the lines were smoother, and the engines seemed slightly more efficient. Then it clicked, “those weren’t made in the Inner Sphere, what happened to them?”
“We don’t know, Behemoths can’t land and take off from planets repeatedly so typically they will drop their cargo at an orbiting supply station. We have eyes on all of these and didn’t see the DropShips approach any of them. New Samarkand is a very heavily populated system though, and they could have ended up nearly anywhere.”
“Redouble your efforts in the New Samarkand system, figure out where those two DropShips went. We need a better presence in Nexus Ri, and I have just the idea for how we can do that.” Maybe this assignment won't be so quiet after all.
In the coming week Nexus Ri had hosted another pair of trials, in addition to the one mentioned above, none of it bode well for the Combine. They lost both Brasha and Cerberus while failing to retake Tabayama. In response, to this the Combine surprises the Raven units as they are changing defenders assigned to the planet resulting in a mixed battle including both the leaving Ninth Garrison and the arriving Second Garrison. Lack of coordination results in the Combine succeeding in taking ownership of Weisau.
Early in September, the SLDF trials for an enclave, and while neither the Combine nor the Ravens want them they acquiesce to the trial, though the potential enclave is very heavily limited. The SLDF unit backed by members of the Third SOG who disrupt the Raven and Combine formations, striking at officers with extreme precision and winning the day.
My thanks to Vition (Raven) and marauder (Marian) stories. The contributions are most welcome.