Author's Notes: This is the story of my primary Battletech character, Star Captain Axunari Kabrinski. It was originally intended to be a collaborative effort, but after many delays and pauses, I just decided to continue and finish the story myself. Updates will come as soon as I find the time to write them and when I get the urge to write.

Yes, I'm well aware that there will be mistakes regarding events and technical issues, but if you're that picky, loosen up. :P

Anyways, enjoy the read, please leave some reviews, and so forth. A writer lives or dies depending on the feedback he receives. :)

Bearclaw
The Kerensky Cluster

Though the temperature was well below freezing, the clear night sky and gentle winds made for a rather pleasant evening. Countless pinpricks of light dotted the black void, and a swirl of glowing dots marked the edge of the Caliban Nebula. Strana Mechty's single moon glowed brightly off towards the west, hovering above the bright lights of the Ghost Bear compound.

A brief gust of wind, its payload of light snow scattering across the white field, caused Axunari to shiver, and the new Ghost Bear warrior wrapped his cloak tighter around himself. His gaze remained fixed upon a rising star, the white globe soaring over the compound. From the way the star moved and its flickering tail, Axunari knew it was an ascending DropShip, and not a natural ball of burning gas.

The warrior took a deep breath of the cold air and sighed, letting his breath gather around his head in a small puff of condensed moisture. His body ached and his cheek still burned from where a jet of molten glass had seared it. But these physical discomforts were really nothing compared to the turmoil spinning in his mind.

He wasn't sure why he felt so down. Hours ago, he had emerged victorious from the grueling three-on-one duel that made up his graduation exam. Not only did he pass, but also he had managed two kills, guaranteeing him an officer position in whatever frontline unit he so chose. And yet, despite his obvious success, Axunari couldn't feel anything but shame. After all, he had lost to that final Hellbringer.

Another DropShip lit up the night sky, though this one's drive flare burned bright as it descended on nuclear fire. Axunari's eyes followed the ball of light, but his minded was replaying his Trial of Position, going over the details of what had essentially been a failure.

His first opponent, a 20-ton Fire Moth had been dispatched fairly easily. Even the heavier Viper didn't prove to be much trouble. But his final opponent, a Hellbringer bristling with weapons, ended his Trial. The heavy 'Mech came in with weapons blazing, and in the first volley of fire, Ax had been knocked out. Try as he might, the Ghost Bear couldn't remember what had happened after that first burst of particle cannon fire. He knew his opponent's lasers had slashed into his cockpit, but after that, he couldn't remember.

Axunari sighed, his face burning with shame from his defeat to the Hellbringer. The battle ROMs indicated he hadn't even managed a salvo of return fire. The knowledge that he had so disgraced his blood heritage almost caused him to vomit. Failure. Dishonorable surat.

The sound of snow crunching underfoot broke his reverie, and Axunari tensed before identifying the soft footsteps as belonging to his sibmate Jeana. She stepped up to his right and laid a gloved hand on his shoulder. "You are a hard person to find, Baloo," she said looking up at his eyes.

Ax did not return her look, but only shifted his gaze to the snow-covered ground. "This is true," he muttered, not bothering to give any real response.

"What is wrong?" She shook his shoulder to get his attention, but he refused to meet her eyes. "You scored two kills in your Trial, an astounding feat. What is bothering you?" When he didn't respond, she took a step back and forcefully grabbed his chin to raise his face to hers. "You are kicking yourself for not beating that Hellbringer, quineg? Listen, Baloo. Do not be so tough on yourself. There was no way you could have even scratched that 'Mech's paint. It is enough that you killed two 'Mechs."

"No, it is not," Baloo muttered. He jerked his head from her grip, again looking up into the sky. "It's not that scoring two kills does not mean anything to me. I know it is good. But, without that third kill, it just seems I did nothing. I just barely made it. I am a disgrace."

The blow came completely unexpected, and rocketed Axunari to the ground. He quickly rolled to his feet and clutched at his cheek, tasting blood in his mouth. "What the hell was that!" he exclaimed as he glared at Jeana. She hadn't slapped him, he realized, but had instead slugged him. "What was that for?"

"That was to knock some sense into you." Jeana's eyes burned with fury, but they quickly softened, and she knelt to help him to his feet. "Listen, Baloo, you need to stop being so hard on yourself. You are a good warrior, and no matter what other people or Umar have said, it is true." She sighed and wiped a trickle of blood from his mouth. "Do you remember years ago when we had that exercise to capture the flag? Our team was pinned down but you came up with that daring plan and it worked. You see? You do not give yourself enough credit."

Axunari was unconvinced and now his jaw ached. "I do not know. Doing something stupid like that does not really prove that I am a good warrior."

"Ax, you know that you are a good warrior. Most cadets do not even survive this long. And when they do, most washout without a single kill." He could hear the frustration in her reply, for they had this conversation many times. Jeana paused, as if considering what she would say. "You know, we have spoken about this many times, and you and I both know I cannot convince you of your skills. The fact is, you scored two points, and that gives you your choice of assignments. Where will you be posted?"

Axunari briefly smiled, glad that Jeana had changed the subject. "I am considering challenging for a star in the Third Guard." At Jean's look of surprise, he quickly added, "I know it is ambitious, but I am going for it. I think I can redeem myself if I succeed."

His sibmate nodded and returned his smile. "Then go for it. I will support you and follow you to the ilKhan's Shield."

The aching in his jaw gradually faded, and Axunari wrapped an arm around Jeana as the two continued to watch the myriad ocean of stars. As the DropShips soared up into space and back down to earth, Ax knew that his destiny belonged in the stars.