Nova Cat Watch Base
Raider‘s Roost, Tortuga Prime
Nova Cat’s Den, Periphery
7th July 3062 The burn in system to Tortuga was uneventful the Melissa Davion moved into orbit of the planet while the two Nova Cat Aegis remained in a higher orbit, now the Federated Suns cruiser was trapped, even if the Avalon wanted to leave now it would have to break orbit before even trying to activate its jump drive, a manoeuvre that would be suicide at the moment. Leaving was not high on the agenda however, from the Melissa Davion’s ventral hull a single Excalibur-class DropShip detached and began descending towards the planet surface with an entire squadron of six Federated Suns Aerospace fighters escorting.
Once inside the planet’s atmosphere they were joined by ten Nova Cat OmniFighters, all weighing seventy-five tons or more, below one hundred metres the Federated Suns fighters were instructed to break off and return to the Melissa Davion while the Nova Cat Fighters broke off just after them also returning to their vessels in orbit.
On the ground the DropShip was met by several groups of ground forces, a pair of Federated Suns OmniMechs, a fifty-five ton Men Shen and a ninety ton Sunder, exited first providing security for the DropShip. Although painted in Federated Suns colours these Mechs were actually of Capellan and Draconis Combine origin, the Men Shen captured in a raid on the Capellan Confederation, the Draconis Combine Sunder built under licence in the Federated Suns, they were still powerful designs that could provide basic protection if trouble erupted although considering the Nova Cat‘s Naval support options any trouble or resistance would be short lived. Yvonne’s Armoured Limousine exited the Excalibur’s lower cargo bay next and stopped just ahead of the two guarding OmniMechs waiting for the next pair of escort Mechs.
The first of the second pair of Mechs was a seventy-five ton P1 Perseus from the Free Worlds League, the OmniMech was the only one owned by the AFFS and by order of the First Prince had been added to this detail, the next Mech to exit the DropShip was another OmniMech this time a Lyran-built ninety ton Hauptmann, one of the most hardy and effective Inner Sphere OmniMechs. Normally that would be the end of it however the AFFS command had one last surprise for the Nova Cats. The fifth OmniMech was brand-new and had never seen real combat, this actual Mech was the first of its type to leave the Kathil Assembly Lines in the Capellan March, and was the Federated Suns first and so far only home-grown OmniMech an eighty-five ton Templar.
Sitting there the Federated Suns reinforced Lance surrounded Yvonne’s Limo protectively as the Nova Cats stood waiting for orders. An unknown Clan OmniMech moved forward and the communication system in all the Federated Suns units crackled to life “I am Star Colonel Canin Rosse, please follow me, be warned there is over a cluster of Nova Cats at this facility and more units in the city.” He said the first Nova Cats moved out an OmniMech, four OmniVehicles and two points of Elementals. Next was the five Federated Suns OmniMechs and the Yvonne’s car in the centre. Canin Rosse’s Mech moved silently along side it as did two vehicles on either side, behind them were two Armoured Personnel Carriers. Rounding out the convoy was another Mech, four armoured vehicles and two more APCs.
As the moved through the city Yvonne looked out the windows at the former pirate city, Ross McKinnon’s report had placed only around five hundred civilians in the city however Yvonne could see significantly more population moving around and engineering teams working on several of the buildings, obviously the Nova Cats had not abandoned the city completely as they had when the Fox’s Teeth were held here.
Yvonne also looked at Canin’s Mech during the journey, although not a member of the military she had seen pictures of many Clan Mechs and this one looked like none she had ever seen before. The Mech was the same as most others built around a humanoid body with two legs and two arms. It looked like a heavy or assault Mech from it’s size and from the thickness of the armour and it easily kept pace with the convoy as they moved at roughly fifty kilometres per hour. Yvonne suspected that the Nova Cats had developed this design here and that it was one of a new breed of Clan OmniMechs and made a point to ask the Star Colonel more about the design if negotiations went well.
They arrived at the base within about thirty minutes and although some of the Nova Cats remained on guard duty, mostly Elementals in Battle Armour of various types, most of the Nova Cats moved to a massive Mechbay that looked quite new and out of place in the generally old base. The Fox’s Teeth had reported the Nova Cats had made little effort to repair the base and were still using the former pirate bases as their own. Yvonne stepped out of her limousine, she was dressed in a cream one piece jumpsuit with her long blonde-brown hair tied up in a bun, as soon as she stepped clear of the vehicle Yvonne could feel the warm, dry Tortuga air wrap her and the sun quickly made her began to sweat. The five guarding OmniMechs remained standing guarding their torso’s in constant movement watching the area for potential threats. A female Nova Cat officer flanked by two Elementals approached “I will show you to the command bunker.” She said abruptly, Yvonne could not tell if she was just like that all the time or if she did not care.
“What of the Mechs? I could be here a while.” Yvonne said hopefully, the woman made a strange face then turned to one of the Elementals.
“Once you are comfortable the MechWarriors will be taken to a more comfortable waiting place.” The Nova Cat officer said Yvonne nodded, there was little point arguing the Nova Cats out numbered the Federated Suns troops by quite a bit, Yvonne signalled she was ready to follow. The Nova Cat officer moved off without another word and Yvonne followed the two Nova Cats smartly turned as Yvonne passed and followed at a distance.
“I noticed there was quite a lot of work going on, the last time any of our people were here the city was abandoned.”
“Aff, there are more here now.” Was all the woman said she did not look interested but Yvonne did not let it go that easily.
“I’m Yvonne Steiner-Davion, Duchess of New Avalon.” She said extending a hand in offer of a hand-shake.
“I am Star Commander Jennifer, nice to meet you Yvonne.” The Nova Cat said, Yvonne noted that she had no Bloodname but then she was also very young, by Yvonne’s guess work Jennifer looked like she was still a teenager, it was also evident that the Nova Cats had no respect for her name or title.
“I hope you’re not offended but can I ask how old are you? You look very young to be a warrior.
“Neg, I am not offended, the only thing that offends me, other than you not being a bondsman to our Clan, is your use of Contractions. Speak using full words and speak plainly to gain our respect. I am eighteen years old in two months.” Jennifer said, she was only seventeen years old and already drafted into the military! Yvonne did not know if that was Clan custom or if the Nova Cats were desperate for troops to recruit teenagers into their forces. The continued to walk the entering a large office the two Elementals remained outside as the two women walked in. “Star Colonel Rosse will be in soon, if you need anything ask the guards, other than that make yourself comfortable.” Jennifer said walking out of the room leaving Yvonne alone as the doors closed.
Yvonne had a look around the spacious office it was a very plain sight the only two things that stood out was the Clan Nova Cat insignia on a flag on one side of the centre window and a large cartoon character picture on the other side inside an expensive looking wooden frame. The cartoon was badly faded but it appeared to be a yellow character with some sort of waist coat and a hat, there was a metal plate on the bottom of the fame which was slightly dirty. Yvonne began cleaning the plate revealing the name as the side door of the office opened Yvonne continued to clean the plate revealing two words, ‘Top-cat,’ she assumed it was the character’s name.
Turning around satisfied she had cleaned it as much as she could she saw the half naked Star Colonel Canin Rosse wriggle into a black shirt, although slightly embarrassed she was still seeing him dress Yvonne did notice that the Nova Cat Star Colonel was well muscled and had multiple scars on his body despite his young age. “Now where were we?” Canin asked sitting down on the chair behind the desk as if nothing had happened since their last encounter. Yvonne took the seat opposite “it is good to see you again Regent Yvonne.” Canin said showing he had remembered him.
“It’s…” she began then caught herself “it is just Yvonne now, Star Colonel, Victor returned safe and well from the Refusal War in Clan Space.” She said opening the door for him to use her first name as he had done so when they were together last.
“I heard, and please it is Canin while we are alone.” He said taking up her offer with his own. “You have arrived with something far more impressive this time than we encountered in the New Avalon system, you have come far.”
“The Avalon was in production before you arrived, if you had come to New Avalon a couple of months later there would have been three of them as well as the other vessels.” She said then realised she had just given him some tactical information without receiving anything in return, this could be a long costly day.
“Well we would have arrived in more force if that was the case, a few of our nine Aegis should have been sufficient.” He said quietly thinking, Yvonne involuntarily smiled he had given her something in return, the Nova Cats were being friendly or Canin was as bad at negotiating as she was. If the Nova Cats did have nine Aegis-class Heavy Cruisers they had little to fear from the Federated Suns three Avalons she caught herself a moment later the Nova Cats had given them a Battleship.
'Given!' she thought why would they ever have anything to fear from three cruisers if they were willing to give away a Battleship? She had to remind herself that although the Nova Cats were playing nice they were as powerful as any other major Clan and any of the Successor States and could cause a lot of damage to the Federated Suns. “So down to the reason for your visit. ‘peace and trade’ I believe your message said. We have peace established and now you want trade? This is quite a relationship we are developing.” He said smiling.
“Well first we wanted to give you something in return for your gift last time.” She said referring to the Thunderchild.
“Unnecessary, we could not utilise it so it was an open trade. The only thing we could do with it is destroy it or break it down for parts and the Clans hate waste.”
“Well our gift is similar. On board my DropShip we have twenty-four ProtoMechs developed by Clan Smoke Jaguar on Huntress. My brother was able to secure them from the SLDF when he arrived in Clan Space and was able to secure the ProtoMech pilots as well. We have been unable to reverse-engineer them like we have other Clan technologies and the it is unlikely the pilots would ever be accepted in the Federated Suns so we turn them and their bond oath over to the Nova Cats and hope that you can use them and their technology.” She said Yvonne personally liked the symmetry the Nova Cats did not have the resources to renovate the Thunderchild so they gave it to the Federated Suns the Federated Suns could not use the ProtoMech technology so they had given most of it away, two ProtoMechs remained on New Avalon at NAIS as the scientists there tried to make sense of them and a way to counter them before the next Clan push against Inner Sphere holdings.
“Thank you, that is quite a gift.” Canin said, he was impressed that these Inner Sphere barbarians would give anyone anything especially a people they considered to be mortal enemies of the Inner Sphere, the Nova Cats had never expected something to be given as payment for the Thunderchild and had given it away lessen the load on the Nova Cat‘s limited resources, the Tortuga worlds had more resources than the Clan Homeworld Territories but it was still limited compared to the size of the Nova Cat‘s ever growing population. "I am sure the former Smoke Jaguars will be very pleased to be in Clan Nova Cat's care" he said smirking but not expanding, Yvonne wondered what she had just dropped those warriors into.
“I have one other gift for you, Canin”
“Something else?” Canin asked surprised as if ProtoMechs was not enough.
“It is personnel, from Major Ross McKinnon and Captain Rachel Montgomery.” Yvonne said handing Canin a small note, Canin was happy to hear they had been treated well and been promoted upon returning to the Federated Suns. He opened the note which said:
‘Star Colonel Canin Rosse, Clan Nova Cat Watch Cluster
You are cordially invited, with your unit, to attend the formal wedding reception of
Major Ross McKinnon, Fox’s Teeth Company, Third Crucis Lancers RCT
And
Captain Rachel Montgomery, Department of Military Intelligence, MI6 Branch
To be held at an unset time and location
We really hope you can attend, we would not be together without you.’
The Nova Cat Star Colonel fingered the not then looked to Yvonne slightly stunned “I was their captor not a guest for their wedding.” He said Yvonne nodded it was probably the biggest case of Stockholm Syndrome in history, the entire Fox’s Teeth and Rabid Fox detachment believed the Nova Cats could do no wrong.
“I would agree but Ross McKinnon went directly to the First Prince and was quite forward with his wishes. The wedding will likely be on New Avalon either at the end of this year or near the beginning of the next.”
“New Avalon? How am I supposed to make the wedding on New Avalon, it is the capital of a foreign realm, your realm.”
“You reached the capital of a foreign realm quite easily before.” Yvonne said it felt strange speaking of the Federated Suns in such a way, and she did not feel comfortable pointing out how easily the Nova Cats had slipped in before. “However I may have a way that allows you and your unit to be there officially.” Canin looked interested “the second reason for my visit. The Federated Suns would like to officially invite a detachment from Clan Nova Cat within our borders. You would be allowed to train against any unit in the AFFS you wished, have full access to our training facilities and be able to operate covertly within AFFS units involved in combat against the Federated Suns enemies in live-fire real combat.” Canin blinked shocked, this had not been expected, the Khan had guessed the Federated Suns would be looking for trade of Clan OmniMechs or Battle Armour for the latest Inner Sphere technology nothing like this had ever come up.
“And what would we have to pay for this?”
“The services of three Nova Cat WarShips for non-combat guard duty of the three Federated Suns WarShip yards.” She noticed Canin’s confusion “you heard of the nuclear attack against New Syrtis JumpShip yards?” Canin nodded “we are afraid of similar attacks. For additional security for one year we would fully support your WarShips and give them full access to our facilities if needed as well as tours of any Federated Suns WarShip they wanted.” Canin was shocked, the Federated Suns really wanted the use of the Nova Cat’s WarShip fleet and for what could be a non-combat mission they were willing to give a lot back to the Nova Cats. To Canin it was a good deal however he would contact the Khan before giving Yvonne an answer.
“I think I must confer with New Barcella before I can say anymore. I will have a tech take you and your MechWarriors on a tour of the facilities we have here on Tortuga, and I will catch up with you in an hour.” Yvonne nodded and left the room by the main exit Canin activated the laser communication system with one of the orbiting WarShips which in turn would contact New Barcella and the Khan.
After almost two hours of talking to the Khan on New Barcella Canin had gone looking for the Federated Suns group finding them in the MechWarrior Virtual Centre, the five Federated Suns MechWarriors were in five of the pods while Five Nova Cat MechWarriors faced them Yvonne was standing in the observation booth. Watching from the entrance of the room Canin was surprised to see her there instead of in a pod with the troops then realised he had never seen her in a Mech or even a combat vehicle. Walking into the booth Canin browsed the monitors seeing that the techs had loaded the statistics of the five OmniMechs the Federated Suns troopers had taken with them into the machines, the five Inner Sphere OmniMechs were facing five Nova Cat Omnis including one pilot using a Mech of the same type as Canin’s new ride. “Who is winning?” He murmured looking at the screens within minutes he could tell that although it was close the Nova Cat warriors were winning having already taken down two Federated Sun Mechs and lost none of their own, he was pleased to see that both sides were adhering to traditional Clan duelling rules.
“They are both fighting well, but I believe your men are winning today.” She said not looking from the screens, she was constantly looking from one screen to another keeping in touch with the ever changing situation.
“Not tempted to suit up yourself, Duchess?” Canin asked, he was curious and it opened the door.
“I have never formally trained as a MechWarrior, wouldn’t…” she corrected herself again “I would not know where to start. In time of war I am afraid to say I would be quite useless.” Canin was impressed that she was catching on so quickly and making an effort. When the Fox’s Teeth had been here none had tried to fit in with the Nova Cats as much as Yvonne was.
“I am sure that is not true. Being a MechWarrior is simple, tell me did you ever play MechWarrior games when you were younger?”
“Yes, with my brothers, I was not very good neither was Katherine” she said, when they had been very young they had spent sometime together as a real family then as they grew up they travelled around the Federated Commonwealth going to different schools and not seeing each other for months maybe even years Yvonne missed those times and wondered if her parents had realised that their separation would end up destroying the Federated Commonwealth as they all had plans of their own and one of them was willing to sacrifice all the others to get what she wanted.
“Well just because you were not very good then does not mean you could not be a MechWarrior now.” Canin said “there is an auxiliary training room in the other side of the base, we could…” his voice trailed off as he noticed Yvonne’s interest growing “I can inform the techs here to bring the MechWarriors to us when you are done.”
“I would prefer if we met them away from a simulator. I am not sure it would do my image any favours if they saw that the first time I was in a real Mech simulator was in on a Clan base in Clan territory.”
“Fine with me, I will have them taken to the mess where we will meet them later before continuing negotiations.” He said offering her his hand leading her from the room, Yvonne wrapped her arms around his as they walked. “Are you cold?” He asked quietly as they walked through the near abandoned halls of the Nova Cat base.
“A little” she said in but a whisper Canin reacted by removing his black jacket and wrapping it around her, Yvonne continued to put the jacket on fully as they walked and Canin made no complaint or effort to stop her, the jacket's material seemed to be some sort of leather but was very warm and extremely comfortable to wear, not at all how she expected it to feel. If the Federated Suns troopers would not think much of her in a Clan simulator then what would they think of her in a Nova Cat uniform? Canin wondered silently as the entered the next room, there were no simulators just Mechs. “What is this?” She demanded suddenly feeling vulnerable alone with the Nova Cat Warrior.
“Best way to learn is from up there.” Canin said pointing up to a nearby eighty-five ton Crockett Yvonne had seen the same type of Mech in Federated Suns and Lyran Alliance colleges for years.
“I have never spent a minute in a real Mech simulator let alone a real Mech, how can I pilot a Mech just like that.”
“Have faith and believe that you can do it.” Canin said holding both her hands in his.
“But…” she said softly
“Trust me, you can do it.” He said softly she nodded, she would at least try. “Good, now we need to get you stripped.”
“Excuse me!” Yvonne said surprised grabbing Canin‘s black jacket closer to her, she hadn’t expected him to go that quickly to get her naked.
“What you have on is good for being outside but inside a Mech cockpit is like being in a furnace, the less you have on the better. Trust me” he said quietly Yvonne nodded so Canin led her over to the changing and shower area which was thankfully empty. Yvonne disappeared behind a screen.
“What should I keep on?” Yvonne’s muffled voice asked.
“Underwear and or a light top, then we will get you into a coolant suit.” Moments later Yvonne emerged wearing only her underwear Canin was taken aback, she was gorgeous, even though he had seen naked women his entire life Yvonne looked stunning and something to behold and admire.
“Yeah, deal with the heat right and put on a show.” She said quietly Canin snapped out of it.
“Sorry, Duchess, but you look great.” He stammered Yvonne smiled embarrassed, she hadn’t expected such a straight answer. “Here put this on” he said giving her an Advanced Clan Coolant suit, the suit was made up of dozens of tubes that circled the suit around the chest and down the arms. Yvonne struggled into the suit.
“I can not believe I’m doing this.” She managed as she dressed, Canin joined her behind the screens and quickly removed almost all his clothes dressing just a pair of shorts and a suit similar to her own one.
“Trust me, you will be fine.” He said leading her over to the Crockett a small two man lift rose until it was alongside the Crockett’s cockpit which opened as soon as they were close.
“Oh my lord!” She exclaimed looking into the cramped cockpit and all the controls, then she noticed the Mech had been modified with a second seat in behind, the second seat had almost the exact same controls as the front controls. “You are coming with me?” She asked relieved Canin nodded, he would get her started but would do little else once she was started.
“Climb in” Canin instructed Yvonne climbed onto the Crockett and squeezed into the cockpit Canin followed her inside, with the two of them there it was very cramped even with the second console “you comfortable, anything rubbing uncomfortably?” Canin asked Yvonne shook her head “good I am going to tighten these harnesses, they will be hard but they have to be combat can throw you around a bit.” Yvonne nodded nervously Canin climbed into the front of the cockpit resting on the controls right in front of her. Half standing he reached over Yvonne and pulled the back belts and pulled them down her front locking them into a central lock between her legs. Canin then reached around the sides and locked the two side ones as well. “How is that?” He asked looking at her Yvonne tried to move and it was tight but she still had some movement and both her arms and legs were free to reach the controls “good” Canin said reaching down to her side pulling up a group of three tubes “this is the coolant feed, I am going to attach them now.” He said showing her as he screwed them onto her suit and locked them. “Now, when I switch this on you are going to feel a chill that will run the length of your body, it will be like nothing you have ever felt before but it will pass.” He said activating the coolant feed, coolant fluid ran into the suit that circled Yvonne’s body, as it ran the course of her body Yvonne reached out and snagged Canin’s hand “are you okay?” He asked Yvonne nodded after a few seconds as she began to adjust to the coolness of the fluid “trust me you won’t be cold for long.” He said she released his hand as he brought down the last part of the puzzle a Light Clan Neuralhelmet, Yvonne had seen some inner sphere models which were two or three times the size. “This needs time to set to your brain patterns, the more still you are the quicker it will be” he said lowering it onto her head and connecting the under chin strap, he then raised the visor so there was nothing in front of her eyes, if she had to eject this would close and protect her eyes from the ejection blast. “I am going to be in the back connecting up” he said passing by her into the rear chair, a seasoned veteran MechWarrior Canin was connected up in less than two minutes, he instantly brought the Mech’s Fusion power plant up to eighty percent power and the cockpit was filled with heat “How is that?” He asked.
“I can see why you need the suit.” Yvonne said back activating the helmet comm. instead of shouting like many rookie pilots. This Mech had been captured by Kappa Galaxy a couple of months before an because of the general Clan disdain for multiple cockpit Mechs it had ended up here with the Watch, two undesirable elements together, Canin had never been in a multiple Mech in his life so this was completely new to him as well. There was a constant tone from Yvonne’s neuralhelmet informing them that she was connected to the Mech Canin felt a new pull to the controls as the Mech tried to decide who was in command.
“Ready?”
“No” Yvonne said honestly “but let’s go for it.” She said
“Alright I have control” he said brining the fusion engine up to one hundred percent and standing the Crockett up fully away from the Mechbay wall. The Mech took its first steps as a Clan Mech as Canin carefully guided the Mech clear of the gantries and out of the building, because Yvonne was in front he had to use monitors that fed images from cameras placed around the Mech.
