Now I could say I cocked up with the unit assignments... but I didn't. There was supposed to be a scene explaining why there was both on that planet and I might have accidentally removed it from the timeline thinking I didn't need it then forgot about the units. Just maybe... :-[
Border conflicts
Disputed Region
Periphery
8th May 3105
As the Magistracy of Canopus celebrate the birth of Magestix Ilsa Centrella’s third child Duke Albert Centrella the Magistracy of Canopus launches a major push into the disputed region between it and the Marian Hegemony. Many of the worlds recently colonized as humanity spread across the periphery become battle grounds between the two periphery states.
The Magistracy of Canopus successfully claim Sundown, Cronkee, Ealen IV and Green hills while the Marians continue to hold Ruthersburg, Vixen and Monarch. Fighting continues between the two states in a half a dozen other systems while pirate attacks continue to be at their highest in the area for more than thirty years. The result of these increased pirate attacks sees the independent periphery systems of Oquiu and Caramaine abandoned due to the damage caused by pirates. The Magistracy take both dead worlds as protectorates vowing to have both worlds recolonized by the end of the decade.
Clan Council
Council Chambers, City of Andrey
Tukayyid, Independent Clan Territory
14th May 3105
“The Rasalhague Dominion has the strongest of our Toumans which makes them believe that they can flaunt our ways” Khan Carl Heller said angrily looking around the chambers at his fellow Khans. “Clan Coyote holds incontrovertible proof that Clan Ghost Bear has been experimenting with the use of command and coordination software.”
“That has been used against Inner Sphere targets only” Ragnar Magnesson Khan of the Gost Bears answered.
“You do not even deny it?” Carl Heller said surprised at Magnesson’s admission.
“Neg, I do not deny the truth, Clan Ghost Bear has developed technology to combat the Inner Sphere.”
“C3 technology?” Khan Teresia Cooper asked curious at Magnesson’s open admission.
“Aff the Inner Sphere has used it against us for years why should we not explore this technology?”
“Asks a freebirth” Khan Evangeline Clarke said quietly “he forgets to tell us that the Manei Domini used C3 technology…” She said naming the destructive faction.
“Or that the Society still does” Carl Heller stated looking around the other Khans “the Society which took our Homeworlds uses a type of C3 known as the Nova CEWS.” He said looking around them “it is what gives them an advantage when fighting against the true Clans of Kerensky.”
“How do you know this for fact Carl Heller?” Canin Rosse of the Nova Cats asked
“Because a former Coyote Scientist helped develop the technology and has helped the Society to develop other weapons. My Clan was unable to eliminate him before we retreated to the Inner Sphere.” He admitted lowering his head.
“The Coyotes assisted the Society” Jana Pryde hissed angrily
“Neg, elements of my Clan’s Scientific Caste did. They have been abjured from our Clan.” He said looking around the room the shame of the Coyote association clear to the others.
“You will provide each of our Clans with data on this system Quiaff?”Amina Kerensky demanded she knew of the Coyotes history in the Homeworlds but the defection of Coyote scientists had been kept a secret.
“Aff we shall” Heller said
“Clan Coyote’s point on the C3 systems should stand” Teresia Cooper said nodding at the Coyote leader her Clan had lost nearly two Galaxies when the Clans abandoned the homeworlds.
“I agree development of C3 technology should not be pursued.” Canin Rosse agreed Evangeline Clarke did not look convince but also nodded her agreement.
“We all agree the technology should be abandoned it has no place within our Clans” Khan Jana Pryde said looking at Khan Ragnar Magnesson “Khan Magnesson it is your right to declare a Trial of Refusal on our decision?”
“Neg, we will not contest this decision, I will order the technology and all units using it to be placed in a Brian Cache and sealed away.” Magnesson said nodding to the other Clans showing that the Bears despite their strength were willing to abide by decision made by all of the Clans.
Occupied Militia Base, Oro
El Dorado, New Avalon Operational Area
Crucis March, Federated Suns
18th May 3105
The majority of Warrior House Sortek, their tech staff and DropShip crew were in one of the main briefing rooms of the main Administration block while those who were on duty were connected by commlink and could add their comments and thoughts if they wished. For the last three hours they had gone in circles. “They could be lying to us Kathil is determined to separate our house or it could be a plot off Robinson to forward the goals of the traitor.” Captain Richard Winnie, one of the oldest members of the command said.
“How can you say that? We have unrestricted access to their communications grid. Unless these people have subverted the communications of an entire world everything points to the Federated Suns existing as a nation with New Syrtis, Robinson and New Avalon all still under Davion…”
“Steiner-Davion” another interrupted him “according to their history Hanse Davion married Melissa Steiner in the past.” She said
“Not at all an example of cradle-snatching if I’ve ever heard of one” Vincent Sortek Imarra’s younger brother said gaining an annoyed look from the Warrior House Leader. “What?” He asked feigning innocence “she was eighteen and good old Hanse was forty-five why he didn’t marry that battle-axe Katrina I don’t understand.” Imarra noted that her brother had accepted the history provided to them and was ready to move on others didn’t look convinced.
“And the Succession Lords allowed the rebirth of the Terran Hegemony? Can anyone really say that makes sense the rebirth of a nation that has sapped worlds from each of the states around them?” Leftenant Chin Li Sunn the unit’s political officer said, he was one of the largest voices in the command that their place was in the Confederation regardless of who was running it. “One of the most recent discussions was about the transfer of Elgin, Hsien and Zurich to the control and protection of the Star League Defence Force.” He said glancing around “not through combat but through trade! This nation is led by a man who willingly gives up control over his planets releasing them to another nation.”
“It’s not quite the same thing” Vincent Sortek complained “the Federated Suns is part of the Star League they will still have access to the planets and freedom of travel there. This simply allows them to redeploy defences to other areas of the nation.”
“If the Star League was so good then they wouldn’t need to redeploy their forces” Li Sunn pointed out.
“Well unfortunately Kerensky wasn’t assassinated so his descendants are causing problems for the people here and the Capellan Confederation fell out with the Star League. So maybe they are redeploying to smack some of you bastards around the face.” Vincent said raising to his face Li Sunn immediately was on his feet as well his hand on the hilt of his ceremonial boa sword his eyes on Imarra looking for support away from the oppressive political policies of the Confederated Suns her brother’s anti-Sian/Liao views were released. She knew that this divide extended throughout her unit with the majority dedicated to House Sortek and reclaiming their homeland on New Avalon while others thought the Confederated Suns should concentrate on holding what worlds it still had, which were less and less of the Federated Suns core territories as time went by.
“Where we are and where we are going are less important than keeping true to each other” Imarra said rising to her feet “if this Warrior House turns on itself then we each betray our oaths to each other and ourselves.” She said looking at each of them “for myself I wish to see home after that my choice about my future will be made.” She said she was torn between her loyalty to the Chancellor Prince and her desire to see a New Avalon untouched by war.
Border trials
Draconis Combine/Raven Alliance fighting
20th May 3105
After several months of Trials contesting Pondicherry and Valentina with the Raven Alliance the Draconis Combine and Snow Ravens agree for Pondicherry to remain a Combine holding while Valentina becomes a world of the Raven Alliance. During the time the two worlds had been contested by the two nations the fighting had been fought according to the Clan Dueling laws of Zellbrigen and the fighting had barely made the news and the Snow Ravens had allowed any Combine citizen who wished to leave Valentina to do so. This solution that the two nations had found had stopped the prospect of total war but allowed their forces to flex their muscles and train with live weapons against their neighbours.
Tour Krupp Armament Works
Stutgart, Germany
Terra, Star League Protectorate
26th May 3105
Walking around the the Krupp Armament Works Prince Burton Davion looked at the line of Nyx Light BattleMechs that were in the final stages of checks before being deployed to the SLDF. The trip was a nice break from the physical therapy he was still undergoing with his replaced arm the smell of the BattleMech factory of metal and oil reminding him of being with a regiment on the field of battle. The tour guide spoke about the Nyx BattleMechs and Krupp’s evolving production line as they walked around Burton tried to show he was fully interested in what was being said while going through the hand excersises with his myomer replacement limb the doctors assured him that in time he wouldn’t notice the difference between the limb and his flesh and blood arm but he wasn’t convinced. As he flexed the wrist fully he heard and felt a a series gunshots as his guide and both Davion Guardsmen that were wish him were cut down by an assailant who was moving down from one of the Nyx BattleMechs “We don’t need you here Succession Lord scum! Free Terra!” The man shouted raising the gun towards Burton the Prince reflexisvely raised his left arm and charged the man as gun shots rang out they slammed into the Myomer arm Burton felt the shots hit his arm and his brain registed he was being shot at but he didn’t feel the pain associated with real shots. As he reached the attacker Burton swung out with his flesh and blood right arm striking the man over the face with a punch the man recoiled then tried to come back at him but Burton was already in motion punching out with his left arm hooking the man in the face he lost grip of the gun and it went flying to the side but was not done yet kicking out catching Burton in the ribs.
“I’m no threat to you” Burton said raising his hands to defend himself trying to defuse the situation.
“Your presence here is not wanted Terra is not a place for you. Blake’s will demand I defend our holy ground!” The man shouted he sounded like he was reading from a religious text or something.
“I don’t care about your holy ground!” Burton shouted back the anger building in him.
“Exactly you cannot appreciate this world for what it is, the birthplace of humanity, the crowning glory of all we have accomplished.” He said drawing a knife at Burton slashing it at him cutting through Burton’s blue business suit. The Prince was completely unarmed not expecting to get into a fight today. He knew both of the Guardsmen had weapons but by the time he got their weapons he’d be dead instead he lashed out with his right arm punching the man again then swung out with his left arm attempting to knock the attacker’s knife arm away. As he did he grabbed at the man’s arm but failed to grip it instead he raked his fingers over the man’s arm forcing it and the knife away. The man recoiled suddenly raising his arm Burton could see several cuts running down his arm. “What the hell are you?!” He screamed looking at the Prince. Burton was just as shocked as he looked at the arm from each of the fingers claws had extended from the finger tips.
“Your nightmare” Burton said trying to act like he knew about the claws before now “stand down or else” he said the man did not stop instead coming in with another kick. Deflecting the blow with his left arm he raked the claws over the man’s leg ripping open the coverall “stand down!” He demanded but the man kept coming. Burton and his attacker continued to circle for several moments exchanging blows as Krupp Corporate Security rushed to the site. “Stand the hell down!” Burton shouted again as the Security Guards raised their weapons the attacker however ripped oven the front of his coveralls revealing a suicide vest underneath Burton and the others dived out of the way behind equipment and tool boxes as suddenly the would be assassin exploded turning the man into a short lived fireball.
Several hours later Burton was sitting in the lounge of his villa in the south of France with Sterling McKenna-Davion in his arms. He didn’t know if it was conscious or not but she was on his right side away from the myomer limb. “Apparently it is a feature of the model they fitted me with it’s designed to be used as a climbing tool.”
“And they did not tell you?” Sterling asked angrily
“It was supposed to be disabled electronically but the doctors said that each arm adapted differently to its host body.” He said raising the arm in front of him with the palm facing him a moment later the claws extended he felt them extend and he felt Sterling jump a little bit seeing the claws for the first time. “Apparently the more I use them the more I will be able to control it” he said retracting the claws his myomer skin covering the slits automatically before activating them again. “I’ve had this arm for weeks but now it feels more foreign than ever. I don’t know if I can control it.”
“It is still yours, your mind controls it, and you would never do anything to hurt us.” Sterling said reaching out with her own right arm as her arm approached his the claws retracted allowing her fingers to slip between his Burton not realizing he’d retracted the claws. “You are in control of them” she promised her husband “you’d better be” she said turning his arm bringing his hand down onto her belly showing she trusted him. “We are going to need all four hands for three” she said. Burton looked at his hand, Sterling’s belly and then at his wife’s face. “It seems like we had an accident on Terra” she said blushing slightly as her lips curled into a smile.
“But your service time?” He said thinking about her recent decision to join the Federated Suns Navy on a more full time basis she’d been looking forward to returning to the military life something she’d been missing since leaving the Snow Ravens.
“I guess it will just have to wait a little longer” she said leaning into him “I am alright with this” she whispered to him. “But I think our time on Terra has come to an end.” She said looking at his replacement arm “the people back home can help you as much as the people here.” Burton nodded he didn’t trust the people on Terra after the revelation of the claws but he was glad to hear his wife refer to the Federated Suns as home.
