Book Three

Three things never trust in: a maiden sworn as pure,

The vows a king has given, and the ambush that is sure.

- Threes, Mercedes Lackey

.o0o.

Chapter Nine

Warlord's Palace, Enzo

Pesht, Smoke Jaguar Occupation Zone

30 April 3051

The archaic timbers and wooden floors of the great hall were a sharp contrast to the last few Grand Council meetings, much less to the stark marble of the Council Hall on Strana Mechty.

To celebrate the recent string of victories – not least the fall of this world to the Smoke Jaguars but also of Alshain to the Ghost Bears and what appeared to be the end of the deadlock against the Federated Commonwealth - the ilKhan had decreed two days of festivities before the formal meeting of the Clans.

With the warriors of seven Clans – for the leading elements of both Clan Nova Cat and Clan Diamond Shark had reached the Inner Sphere – gathered in one place, it was certainly an unrivalled venue for the Invaders to let off steam, exchange boasts and no doubt indulge in unofficial couplings and trials of grievance.

So long as the latter didn't reach the point of undermining their readiness to fight against the Inner Sphere, Ulric didn't really mind it. In fact, he rather expected his escort to give better than they received.

"I'm sure this place has seen no end of back-door dealings over the centuries," he told Charles Dinour as they sat opposite each other in one of the side-chambers, waiting for their fellow guest to arrive. "But deliberately setting aside time for it seems almost decadent of the ilKhan."

"It is not as if we have not been indulging in that ourselves. What else are we here for?"

"Aff. But all the groundwork has been laid already. Showers would usually have everything already lined up for his gambit – this is unusual."

There was a discreet knock and one of the on duty warriors ushered Lynn McKenna into chamber. At least the Smoke Jaguars were taking no chances with the security of the site – all the existing staff had been replaced with unarmoured infantry from a garrison cluster.

"Khan McKenna." Ulric rose and greeted the slim, white-haired Khan warmly.

She smiled, with a shrewd glint in her eyes. "Ulric, I see that your vigorous campaign has not exhausted you any more than the demanded revels have."

"We Wolves breed for stamina, among other things."

She laughed. "And you are Charles Dinour. Interesting that you have risen so far despite your Goliath Scorpion blood."

"After so many surprises here in the Inner Sphere, the Clan Council favoured a new perspective," he replied. "You have spent much time with the Jade Falcons, perhaps you have seen the same with their new saKhan?"

"Vandervahn Chistu does not innovate in any fashion I care for." McKenna took a seat. "You have a bargain in mind, Ulric. But what do you think you can offer us when Elias Crichell has already offered us access to much of his Clan's wealth in return for our shipping supporting their supply-lines."

"And without that assistance, I suspect they would be faring less well," Ulric agreed calmly. "Given our commitments here in the Inner Sphere and the end of the implicit ban on Trials of Possession involving invading Clans, our Clan Council are open to discussing the consolidation of our holdings in the Home Worlds to more defensible enclaves."

"I can understand why you might feel, with dozens of rich worlds here, that some of your enclaves are less valuable, but why would the Snow Ravens want your leavings?"

"My specific consideration is to the portion of Circe we hold."

McKenna blinked – as well she might. The five Pentagon worlds – Arcadia, Babylon, Circe, Dagda and Eden – were somewhat inhospitable but they were also the original worlds settled by the SLDF after their Exodus and as such they had a disproportionately large share of the Clans' industry and population. Clan Wolf's enclaves there were formidable and neighboured some of the oldest of the Snow Ravens'. "You would expect much in return for such a prize, Ulric."

"I will take the liberty of reminding you of the investment that you and two of the previous Ghost Bear Khans made into certain warship hulls – before it became clear that the Inner Sphere had no fleets worthy of such investment. As I understand it, the vessels remain incomplete and the resources spent on them are effectively wasted."

"Your point, Ulric?"

"I am ordering a substantial shipment from our home enclaves – including thousands of our civilian castes to help administer our new holdings here in the Inner Sphere. And yes, some will come from Circe – although hardly a drop in the well compared to the millions who will remain there. However, such a large convoy will stretch our shipping – and our ability to defend it from Clans who might consider those personnel and the material goods to be an asset to enclaves in the Home Worlds or in other occupation zones." He spread his hands. "I could devote a large portion of our naval forces to escort them, but I could also acquire four very large vessels that can be adapted to carry some of those goods and contract the defence to the finest aerospace warriors among the Clans."

"Your flattery is as golden as your Keshik, but remember, those four ships are also in part the property of Clan Ghost Bear."

"The Ghost Bears are the clan that legitimised Trials of Possession against – and therefore by – the invading Clans." Dinour grinned toothily. "They have very little grounds for protest and since there will be some excess capacity if we add these ships to our intended convoy, we are prepared to offer them the use of it for their own supplies to soften the blow – if we have to."

McKenna nodded. "You should not underestimate how deep the investment we have both made in these vessels."

"Some return on that is better than no return – certainly you or the Ghost Bears could complete the ships as transports now that we have proposed the idea... but that will take more of your resources and then demand crews that I doubt either of you can spare."

"You make a convincing argument. Do not hold me accountable, however, if the Ghost Bears wish to deal more frugally with you."

"I have bargained with Bjorn Jorgenssen before. I am confident that he will bargain more shrewdly now that he has more experience as a Khan."

She chuckled. "Yes, and no doubt you have something in mind to sweeten the taste of this for him. Very well. In principle I am amenable to bargaining for a Trial of Possession for your holdings on Circe and separately a Trial of Possession for you to take over our claims on the four vessels in question – so long as you undertake to complete them in your own shipyards and at your own expense. Three bouts between Stars in each case, with the winner of the most bouts being deemed victorious?"

"On the tenth day of May perhaps?" Ulric suggested. "I am sure you can send a trinary across Circe on short notice but we will need to ship a suitable force to your shipyards at Lum."

"Not to mention evacuating your best personnel and equipment from Circe. The tenth for Lum, but the fifth on Circe."

Ulric met her gaze for a moment. "That is acceptable." He offered his hand. "Bargained well and done."

"Aff." Mckenna took his hand. "I take it that your removal of key assets from Circe is already well underway, that being the case."

"Some, but not all. Your Clan will be enriched, I promise you."

The slightly younger Khan shook her head and looked around. "We lay claim to part of a world, Khan Ulric, but you are carving out an entire empire for your Clan."

Charles Dinour scowled. "And now we must fight to retain it."

.o0o.

Warlord's Palace, Enzo

Pesht, Smoke Jaguar Occupation Zone

1 May 3051

Anastasius Focht paused at the entrance to Ulric's suite of rooms in the palace, seeing that the Khan already had a guest. "Khan Carns."

"Please enter." The dark-skinned junior Khan of the Nova Cats remained seated. "Our Loremaster may have been precipitous in his greeting to you, but if you are destined to be our nemesis then I can at least offer you the respect due a fellow warrior."

"If it's... it is all the same to you, I hope that I am not the subject of these visions."

Carns smiled. "Our ways disturb you?"

"I wasted much of my youth chasing dreams that led me nowhere."

Ulric gestured for the Precentor-Martial to take another of the chairs. "If you would like refreshments, you can call for them," he advised. "I have one small matter further to discuss with Khan Carns before we are both ready for the conversation we want to have with you."

"Should I leave the room?"

"It is not confidential." Ulric turned to Lucien. "Marshal Richard is of some value to us. I feel that asking you stake the genetic legacy of your gene-sire for paternal use is a reasonable stake for you to offer as forfeit if your champions fail the trial."

"Would that be Marshal Richard Steiner?"

Both Khans turned their heads to look at Focht. "Aff. The officer captured on Tamar by the Wolf Hunter Cluster."

Focht nodded. "Ah. I was merely curious, as he was once an initiate of my Order. His vocation lay elsewhere, however."

The Nova Cat leant forwards. "Interesting. I was unaware of that."

"It is interesting that you claim that reason for being curious, Precentor Martial." Ulric's eyes were mischievous. "After all, according to the blood sample we took from you in case of medical emergency, you and Marshal Steiner are directly related through the maternal line."

It took considerable self-control for Anastasius Focht to refrain from cursing. "My entry into ComStar was much like being taken as a bondsman and then adopted into a Clan. My past before that had no value and I rarely think of it."

Carns eyed Focht for a moment and then nodded. "Bargained well, Ulric Kerensky. I agree to your proposed terms. I will send my forces to Rasalhague to contend for the prize of Marshal Richard of the Steiners."

"Done." The Wolf Khan leant back in his chair, seemingly amused at having ruffled Focht's feathers with his earlier revelation. "On to the matter I invited you here for, Precentor Martial. I believe you have had some meetings recently with ilKhan Showers and Khan Osis of Clan Smoke Jaguar?"

"That is correct."

Carns frowned. "And Khan Ian Hawker of the Diamond Sharks was also present."

Focht nodded slowly.

"Damn them." Carns hammered one hand down on the arm of his chair. "They know we have precedence here."

"They also know that there is bad blood between the Jaguars and your Clan." Ulric steepled his fingers. "The topic of your conversations with the Khans was Luthien, was it not?"

"Yes. Given their recent conquests it is no surprise that Khan Osis intends to seize the Black Pearl of the Draconis Combine. The defences are formidable, however."

"We have faced formidable defences before." Ulric paused. "Which have given us some difficulty, I concede. The DCMS lack the technological parity that the AFFC can sometimes bring to bear."

"They do have considerable numbers and with the Luthien Armor Works located on the capital, logistics is not a problem." Focht didn't need to consult any other sources, the information was still fresh in his mind. "Luthien is always guarded by two Sword of Light Regiments and the Otomo. In addition, six District Regular regiments have been assembled in the defence of the capital and Luthien is also the fall back location of many regiments which have been fighting the Smoke Jaguars over the last year – the Yurei regiments are consolidating their forces into two full-strength brigades and a third brigade from the Ryuken regiments is assembling."

"I don't recall any world in my lifetime that has needed such a formidable defensive army but Khan Osis is facing the prospect of having to defeat at least eighteen regular BattleMech regiments along with conventional support and probably a considerable number of militia units assembled from the nobility of the Combine – there are hundreds of 'MechWarrior families on Luthien who may be called on as a last resort. And it is entirely possible that the Kanrei has additional forces on the way."

"I see why you consider this force formidable," admitted Lucien Carns. "And why Khan Osis would want reinforcements."

"Reinforcements yes, a rival in his invasion corridor is another matter, quiaff?"

"Aff. Ian Hawker is very much influenced by Khan Crichell. I had envisaged that we would be activated to support Clan Smoke Jaguar and the Diamond Sharks to fight alongside the Jade Falcons."

"Hawker is Crichell's creature but their Clans are commercial rivals. Besides, Vandervahn Chistu already has to share their invasion corridor with the Steel Vipers. He would be opposed to a third Clan joining them."

"And do you anticipate needing a reserve Clan?"

"If I thought we did, I would be honoured to fight alongside Clan Nova Cat. However, we have our Invasion Corridor well in hand. If you were activated to join us, the only opportunity for you would be to crash headlong into the AFFC's best defences and much as it might please Khan Osis, I do not feel that is in the best interests of the Clans."

"And the Ghost Bears, of course, are the closest to Terra. They certainly will claim no need for us except to bolster their garrisons – at best!" Carns scowled. "I will not stand for this, Ulric. The Nova Cats will not be slighted in this fashion."

Ulric nodded. "I agree, Khan Carns. Clan Nova Cat has the right to be activated prior to Clan Diamond Shark for the invasion. On any vote to alter that, my vote and Khan Dinour's will be in support of you. If the Smoke Jaguars are so determined to buy the Diamond Sharks' aid instead though, why not consider what price they – and the ilKhan – may be willing to offer you for your consent?"

The Nova Cat's eyes narrowed and then he swung sharply to Focht. "Tell me, what do the Smoke Jaguars offer the Sharks for their support on Luthien?"

Focht considered. None of the other Khans had asked for his silence on the matter and thinking back… perhaps that was intentional on Leo Showers' part. He was an adept politician and if he thought that Khan Ulric would use the information to obtain the Nova Cat's agreement for him…

"Firstly, what I understand to be very generous commercial access to Smoke Jaguar worlds within their invasion corridor. Secondly, temporary staging areas within Smoke Jaguar territory for the attack on Luthien. Thirdly, a division of the Invasion Corridor onwards from Luthien…" he began to detail crisply.

.o0o.

Warlord's Palace, Enzo

Pesht, Smoke Jaguar Occupation Zone

2 May 3051

"This will be a most glorious battle," Lincoln Osis completed his detailing of Luthien's defences. "The finest warriors in the most warlike of the Successor States are gathered to face us and it is entirely probable that we will also encounter a hostile warship for the first time in the invasion."

"It must be recognised that Clan Smoke Jaguar must also retain control over our occupation zone and therefore, devoting the full force of our touman to this would be impractical. Therefore I request that the ilKhan activate Clan Diamond Shark from reserve to participate in this operation."

Sevren Leroux rose to his feet. "Khan Hawker," he interjected. "Does your Clan stand prepared to come to the Smoke Jaguar's aid?"

"You are out of order," called the Smoke Jaguar's new saKhan, Kincaid Furey. "Khan Osis addressed the ilKhan."

"And in doing so he insults my Clan and seeks to circumvent a ruling of this Council." The Nova Cat leader's voice was unruffled. "You may decide for yourself which you find more offensive. Do you have an answer for me, Khan Hawker… or should I allow you time to consult with Khan Crichell?"

"We are ready willing and able to join this battle, Leroux!"

"If," Barbara Sennet added sharply from her seat next to the senior Khan of the Diamond Sharks, "The Grand Council approves, of course."

"Of course." Leroux smiled thinly. "The ilKhan is - of course - wise enough to know that he may not overrule the Grand Council. And the Grand Council recognised following a Trial of Refusal by my own Clan and Khan Sennet's, that of the three Reserve Clans for the invasion the Steel Vipers had won the first right to be activated and after that, Clan Nova Cat. Clan Diamond Shark may be activated only if both the other reserve Clans have already been called on."

"Do you then wish to fight on Luthien alongside Clan Smoke Jaguar?" asked Showers from his throne.

Carns chuckled, a deep and dangerous sound deep in his throat. "After they insult us by seeking the Diamond Sharks first? Not even if they begged us on bended knee."

"But nor will we allow our rights and honour to be slighted," added Leroux. "If you grant Khan Osis the Sharks then the Cats must also be activated."

Showers nodded. "You make a strong point. Yet where will you serve? Khan Jorgenssen, do you seek the support of the Nova Cats?"

Jorgenssen stood and bowed to the Nova Cats. "Of all the invading Clans, we stand the nearest to Terra. If there was a need, you would be welcome, but there is no such need and I will not insult you by offering you service as garrisons." He looked over at Osis and Furey. "They speak truly though – to activate Clan Diamond Shark before them would be to break the dictates of this Council."

"Khan Ulric?"

"I have discussed this with Khan Carns," Ulric confirmed. "We are not seeking the activation of any reserve Clan at this time. And the law supports the Nova Cat's position."

"I am aware of the law." The ilKhan glared. "Are you sure you would not give them the opportunity to strike at Tamar, at Laurent? I see a gap forming between you and Clan Steel Viper."

"That matter is well in hand. If Clan Steel Viper are concerned, they may challenge us for the right to those worlds. Otherwise we shall take them when we find it convenient."

"And if I order their activation for that purpose?"

"Then we will demand a Trial of Refusal," shouted Lucien Carns. "To be fought in the Smoke Jaguar Corridor – the full might of our Clan against theirs. We will not be your dagger against Kerensky's Clan! We would rather seize our own corridor and expel those that hold it than be used in such a fashion."

"Peace!" called Cassius N'Buta from the Star Adder desk. "Is this what our invasion has come to? Petty squabbles between the leaders of our Clans?"

"Khan Crichell, Khan Breen." Leo Showers turned to the leaders of the final Invasion Corridor. "Do you seek the support of Clan Nova Cat?"

"The corridor is already crammed with our existing forces," Vandervahn Chistu spoke up. "When we move forward for the next wave of attacks, Clan Jade Falcon will already have to extend our corridor's limits or be penned behind the Vipers. I would not deny the Nova Cats the opportunity for honourable battle, but two Clans is all that a Corridor can accommodate."

Unspoken was that if the Nova Cats did join the Steel Vipers and Jade Falcons, by default they would have to bypass both Clans placing them in the lead.

"Then let them have their own corridor," suggested Charles Dinour quietly, before the ilKhan could make any further move.

"What do you propose?" asked Leroux.

"The Federated Commonwealth is by any measure the most dangerous adversary we face. They have a depth of resources and reserves unmatched in the Inner Sphere. I propose that Clan Nova Cat be activated with a special mission beyond the Invasion Corridors. Tharkad and the industrial heartlands of the Lyran half of the Federated Commonwealth are less than two hundred light years from the edge of the Jade Falcon occupation zone. A concerted campaign towards those worlds would force them to thin their defences in front of Clan Wolf, Clan Steel Viper and Clan Jade Falcon."

"The goal of our invasion is Terra," protested Kincaid Furey. "That takes the Nova Cats away from the motherworld."

"I was under the impression that your Clan did not want the Nova Cats near them?" jabbed Perigard Zalman. "I like this plan."

The ilKhan rose to his feet. "Be silent," he ordered. "This proposal has merit. Let us examine a map of the Inner Sphere."

A holographic display sprang to life before them, marking out the realms of the Successor Lords and the zones liberated from them by the Clans.

"Khan Dinour, show us in more detail what you have in mind."

The Khan activated controls on one of the terminals provided when the Grand Council gathered. "Let the Nova Cats make temporary use of Alyina, here in the Jade Falcon zone," he proposed. "From here they can strike through the thin line of Tamar March worlds along our flank and into the Donegal March. Their objective would be the triangle of worlds defined by Coventry, Donegal and Alarion – a triangle that includes Tharkad – a prize equal to Luthien."

Sevren Leroux nodded. "Subject to two conditions, this is acceptable to my Clan."

"Conditions?"

"Firstly, so long as we do not impede any of your invasion corridors, we retain the right to make our way to Terra. There has been discussion of the Clan to first arrive becoming the ilClan and that is not a prize we would relinquish."

"I have no objection to this," agreed Ulric and the other Khans nodded wisely. After all, the Nova Cats would have to carve their way through the densely populated Isle of Skye to reach Terra from Tharkad.

"Secondly, I will have no question that Clan Nova Cat was activated first. We will make our first assault on the Inner Sphere before the end of the month. But Clan Diamond Shark may make no attack until the beginning of June."

"Outrageous!" shouted Ian Hawker. "You have no say in another Clan's military operations!"

"This is not a matter of your military operations. This is a matter of the date your Clan is activated."

"Since both Clans will need most of this month simply to reach their initial objectives, this seems a small detail – a matter of only a few days delay at most" Bjorn Jorgensson gestured to the ilKhan. "If Khan Leroux agrees that any failure by his Clan to meet their intended date to begin operations need not delay any action by Clan Smoke Jaguar or Clan Diamond Shark then I also support this measure."

Leo Showers nodded, smiling thinly. "I call the Council to vote on this matter. Let a vote of aye be approval of Khan Dinour's proposal, as modified by Khan Leroux and Khan Jorgenssen. Let a vote of nay be rejection of that plan."

The vote in favour was overwhelming.

"Khan Leroux, your Clan is activated from the reserve. Please present your preliminary operations plan to the Grand Council tomorrow. Khan Hawker, your Clan will be activated on the first day of June. Coordinate your plans with Khan Osis and be ready to present a joint operations plan after Khan Leroux."

.o0o.

The Triad, Tharkad

Donegal March, Lyran Commonwealth

24 May 3051

"Your highness, Defensive Line Gamma has fallen."

Melissa Steiner-Davion looked up from her breakfast. "Good morning, Aunt Nondi." She raised her glass and sipped from it. "Ardan, you look like you've both been up all night. Why don't you both take seats and have something to eat. It won't do morale any good if two Marshals of the Armies are walking around like zombies."

The two Marshals in question exchanged looks and accepted seats. The discreet staff served up plates of food before withdrawing out of earshot.

"Very well now." Melissa pointed her fork at Nondi. "Are you suggesting Tamar is under threat?"

Ardan poured out two large cups of coffee from the carafe and passed one, unsweetened, to Nondi. "Let me." He sipped from his own cup. "We've received two updates from the Clan front overnight. Firstly, a sixth Clan has made an appearance – Clan Nova Cat has elements of three Galaxies inbound over Mkuranga."

"Alright, that is concerning. We knew they were in reserve and that some of their forces were expected to arrive in the Inner Sphere, but throwing them directly into battle suggests the Clans are rather desperate, wouldn't you say?"

"Possibly, but it also means that they're digging deep into reserves – they aren't backing down. Melissa… Mkuranga is technically part of Defence Line Gamma but since it wasn't attacked last year we've stripped it to bolster other parts of the line – it won't withstand the Nova Cats for long."

"I assume that we'll be withdrawing those troops as expeditiously as possible?"

"That's correct. We've already pulled off Moritz and Skokie is only holding on because Natasha Kerensky is playing bait and pulling every Wolf unit that gets a sniff of her after her like dogs in heat."

The Archon raised her eyebrows. "In other words, Natasha's usual relationship with the opposite gender?"

There wasn't even the slightest quirk of humour in Ardan's face. "Usually they aren't shooting at her."

"That isn't the way I hear it. Never mind. I understand you're taking the opportunity to withdraw everything possible from Skokie while the Wolves are distracted. Do try to evacuate Natasha's command if possible."

"I'll do what I can. That only really leaves Sevren and Tamar of the original defence line and Sevren has also been stripped of troops to prop up other worlds. There's a strong garrison on Tamar but if the Wolves are willing to pay the price then they can take it."

"You don't think they'll take that bait though?"

Nondi re-entered the conversation, cup empty. "Unfortunately, the Wolf Khan is this Ulric Kerensky and he has more brains than practically all of the Steel Vipers combined. He's moving at Volders and Kobe, striking out of the old Rasalhague worlds. If he keeps that up then he'll link up with the Vipers and Tamar will be cut off."

"Tamar is largely self-sufficient."

"But it doesn't have any major military production. Without shipments from the rest of the Commonwealth, the garrison will slowly lose effectiveness. We've got six regiments there now – and as long as the Wolves decline to attack they're effectively out of the war."

"So are the garrisons that Ulric will need to place on worlds around Tamar in case we use them as the base for a counter-attack. If it looks like the supply lines will be cut then I agree, reducing Tamar's garrison would make sense – but for now, leave them there. You need the shipping for evacuating Skokie anyway."

Ardan nodded. "And we'll need more here."

"Oh?"

"That's the second piece of news. The Jade Falcons are on the move – they're striking at Babaeski and Antares. That means they're – at least for now – not following their original axis of advance. If they do keep going then they and the Nova Cats are going to enter the Donegal March within the next month or two – and we don't have a defensive line to stop them, the way we have in the Tamar March."

"We knew we could never be strong everywhere, Ardan. So what do we have?"

Nondi pulled out a map of the Commonwealth. "The danger zone is a breakthrough of Coventry or Summit PDZ. Either of them would give them a route through to Tharkad. We've been building up an army group in the area to act as support if we went on the offensive, but they haven't received a lot of the upgraded equipment – we've been prioritizing units positioned on factory worlds and in the Tamar March."

"Also we've been trying not to move RCTs since they take up so much shipping, so a lot of the army group is made up of mercenaries and independent regiments," warned Ardan.

"Such as?"

Ardan pointed at the tip of Summit PDZ, the worlds nearest to the Jade Falcons. "The backbone of our forces here are the Illician Lancers. Four 'Mech regiments, concentrated here on Bountiful Harvest. There are another four regiments on Esteros but that's a shakier brigade – the Fourth Skye Rangers, the Second Albion Cadet Cadre, the Aragon Borderers and Warrior House Hiritsu. Without conventional troops or upgrades, they're going to have real trouble if the Clans hit there – and it's very likely that they will."

"Coventry PDZ – and possibly Neerabup PDZ if for some reason they go in that direction aren't much better although we might be able to pull in more units from near the Periphery." Nondi took over the map. "There's another Albion Cadet Cadre on Zhongshan and a mercenary regiment on Blumenort but that's a very thin line of defence if they turn back. If they go straight for Coventry – which seems more likely, we have only the Argyle Lancers, the Third Republicans and a short regiment of mercenaries, the Armored Horde, as our first line of defence. And no, I hadn't heard of them either. Newly formed, newly hired, no idea how good they'll turn out to be."

"What about Coventry itself? That's a factory world so the garrison should have been getting a share of modern equipment."

Nondi nodded. "The local March Militia is there and the Twelfth Donegal Guards. Also the Seventeenth Recon Regiment – mercenaries but they have been getting upgrades."

"They were the ones who gave us our first warning that the invasion was coming," Melissa reminded her aunt. "They earned that and if the Clans reach Coventry then I think we can rely on Colonel Camacho to fight hard against them."

She sat back and started buttering a slice of toast. "So now that you've spoiled my appetite, what do you suggest?"

"Essentially we'll need to look for the existing units to buy time for us to position reinforcements." Nondi moved her finger on the map from Coventry up to Chahar PDZ. "We can move most of the forces here down to set up defences on a line from Summit, through Arc-Royal to New Capetown. Morgan Kell's regiments have been withdrawn already so we can send them, as well as any other units that can be spared from Tamar."

"It means losing Chahar if the Clans go for it but that's better than losing Tharkad," agreed Ardan. "I also want to prioritise these regiments for equipment coming from Coventry and Tharkad – they're the closest factories so it's our best shot at building up the capacity to fight the Clans."

"That will include giving the new technology to mercenaries and to some of the more fanatical Capellan regiments," warned Nondi. "At the very least, two of the Warrior Houses."

"If they're willing to fight for Lyran worlds then I'm willing to arm them," the Archon instructed. "I approve those plans. And send additional fighter wings to those worlds – if the Nova Cats and Jade Falcons bring their warships into play I'm issuing a pre-emptive authorisation to engage them with nuclear warheads."

.o0o.

Haversfjord, Skokie

Tamar March, Lyran Commonwealth

30 May 3051

Black dropships were in the sky over the valley as Vlad's Wolf Hunters stormed over the ridge and down towards the village that sat in the sheltered inlet – but the dropships were coming in to land which meant that the Wolf Dragoons hadn't made their escape yet.

There weren't any orders to give – the Wolves could see their prey now, turning outside the village to make their stand. Thirty-seven 'Mechs strong, Elementals clinging to their flanks, the Wolf Hunters broke into a spontaneous charge and the surviving Beta Regiment 'Mechs came to meet them, numbering only one 'Mech more.

Right at the heart of the Dragoon line was the Cyclops, its black paint marked with a web-like array of crimson lines. The Black Widow wasn't hiding her position now and Vlad angled towards her.

Seeing Vlad's 'Mech moving in, a Dragoon 'Mech stepped up to shield their leader. Vlad had learned the design was called a Wolfhound and abstractly he appreciated the design as one that might one day have a role in the Wolves' touman. Today he snarled at its presumption as the MechWarrior fired its large laser up the slope and scored a line down the blocky leg of the Orion.

Vlad had two such lasers at his disposal though and he raked fire down on the interloper – adding his Gauss Rifle and LRMs to the salvo. Ducking and weaving, the Wolfhound managed to avoid the lasers and missiles but the Gauss Rifle caught it high in the chest, smashing through armour and into the internals.

The Wolfhound half-spun under the impact and then crashed to the mossy ground. That cleared the line of fire for the Black Widow though and her lasers and missiles were as potent as Vlad's own – not to mention his weapons were still cycling from taking down the Wolfhound.

Almost a ton and a half of armour shielded the left flank of the Orion but the wily old Dragoon caught it with one of her lasers, and her autocannon, although her missiles only scattered across the 'Mech and the second laser missed entirely. She knows this design, Vlad reminded himself. And that meant she knows that all the missile storage is in the left side of the chest.

Both 'Mechs were running warm after the salvos but Vlad forced the Orion to keep closing in, angling the chest to one side to defend the vulnerable left. It meant he could fire only his gauss rifle and one laser, which at least let his heatsinks reduce the internal temperature. Both shots hit – the Cyclops wasn't remotely as agile as the Wolfhound had been – and plates of armour flaked away from both legs.

I'm not going to try to take out your ammunition, Vlad thought as if Kerensky could read those thoughts. I just need to cripple you so you can't get away from me.

Her own return fire spared her lasers in order to cool but she spread LRMs, SRMs and cluster ammunition from her autocannon across the Orion. Despite his best efforts at least some damage was done to the left side of Vlad's 'Mech and he saw that the SRM launcher was out of action.

"Vlad, the dropships!" shouted Ranna.

Looking up he saw that the dropships were still coming down to land, immediately behind the embattled Wolf Dragoons and their turrets were pouring fire into the Wolf Hunters.

"We can take it," he decided. "Keep at them!"

He fired again, unloading everything into the legs of Kerensky's Cyclops. Like most assault 'Mechs they were heavily armoured but the impact of twelve LRMs, a gauss slug and two more lasers was shaving them bare.

Kerensky fired back but he'd turned in time after firing to keep his left flank shielded and although armour fell away from the Orion it was nothing that the 'Mech couldn't manage.

Then armoured panels blew away and the Orion lurched violently. Vlad felt the feet skid on the ground and barely braced it against a fall that could have sent him rolling down the slope. Missile launcher dead. Left arm systems severed.

What, had someone...?

The Wolfhound rose up – in bypassing it he'd left his flank open.

With a cry of frustration, Vlad fired into it. The Gauss Rifle blew off the right arm with its large laser and his remaining laser skewered the penetration caused by his earlier shot, blowing apart the medium laser mounted there and leaving the Wolfhound's left arm hanging loose in imitation of his Orion's arm.

With a roar of jump-jets, Ranna's Wakazashi slammed down next to Vlad, barely absorbing another salvo from the Black Widow's Cyclops.

The Wolfhound fired back fearlessly, flensing more armour away from the much larger Orion. An instant later a salvo of LRMs from one of the dropships crashed down and Vlad realised his armour was paper-thin now around the cockpit.

With a snarl he brought his Gauss Rifle to bear and slammed a shot squarely into the chest of the Wolfhound. It staggered and the head exploded upwards, detaching as the light 'Mech crashed to the ground. A whole-head ejection system. Conceptually brilliant, Vlad had to admit.

Then Natasha Kerensky skipped her 'Mech a half-step to one side and poured a salvo into his Orion's right side. Something penetrated and the Gauss Rifle capacitor discharged, frying the electronics on that side of the 'Mech.

Disarmed in all but the most literal sense, Vlad was reduced to a spectator. "Ranna, I will block her fire – finish her!"

There was a chuckle and it wasn't Ranna. "You've balls, kid. No brains, but big brass balls. You going to do that, girl?"

"It is an order from my Star Colonel, great-grandmother."

The Black Widow paused. "Well there's a thing. But sometimes orders don't make any damn sense." Her Cyclops spread its arms. "Look around you, Star Colonel. You might kill me – but there's enough Dragoons left to destroy every last one of you, even without the dropships."

She was right, Vlad realised with a sinking feeling. Only about a binary was left of his Cluster – at least of those immediately combat worthy. The Dragoons, somehow, had half-again their number still standing. The 'Mechs had drawn apart slightly and ceased fire as their leaders conversed, but it would take only a word for the carnage to resume.

He hesitated... but that very hesitation was a decision.

"I offer you hegira, Natasha Kerensky."

"What!?"

His lips drew back. "This planet – is ours! This battlefield – is ours! You may leave with your warriors and your honour. But remember, you do so because I – because Clan Wolf - chooses to allow it."

"Maybe you do have a brain in there after all," the Black Widow admitted. Her Cyclops crossed to where the Wolfhound's cockpit had landed. Now that the stress of battle had faded, Vlad saw that a jagged teeth arrangement had been marked out in metal on the face of the cockpit, so that it would appear on magscan. "Star Colonel... what is your name?"

"Vladimir Ward."

"I'll remember it," the Black Widow noted and it sounded much less threatening than he thought it should. "Very well, Star Colonel Ward. I accept your offer of hegira."

Lifting the Wolfhound's head in both hands the Cyclops turned and walked to where the dropships were setting down. It wouldn't take all of them to lift what was left of the Wolf Dragoon's Beta Regiment off Skokie any more.

"We will meet again."

"When I was younger and dumber, I would have said that too!" the Black Widow called before her Cyclops disappeared from view.

.o0o.

Tairahana Plains, Luthien

Pesht District, Draconis Combine

3 June 3051

Shin Yodama watched the horizon through his cockpit and wished, somewhat disloyally, he admitted, that Takashi Kurita was not in command of the capital's defence.

Unfortunately, the only man who might possibly have persuaded Takashi to take a secondary role wasn't even present – Theodore Kurita, the Gunji no Kanrei, hadn't returned since the celebrations of Hohiro's victory on Albiero concluded.

"Are your forces ready, grandson?" demanded the old man from the cockpit of his Battlemaster, the words crackling across the open channel.

Hohiro's voice was steady. "My regiments are prepared."

This would not be like the river delta. The Clans had landed on the south side of the Tairahana plains and Takashi had simply formed his own forces into a triple line on the north side. Six regiments of District Regulars made up the bulk of the front line – the Dieron regulars to the east, the Galedon Regulars to the west and the Benjamin Regulars in the centre. Between the three regional commands stood two of the heavily reinforced Sword of Light regiments and screening them from any surprise assault were all available hover tank battalions.

To the rear, the Otomo regiment and an irregular regiment of Takashi's old cronies – the Dragon's Claws – held the Kadoguchi valley, the widest route through the hills to the Imperial City. They were backed by the heavy tank battalions and infantry regiments dug into the hills to either side – the final line of defence.

Between these two lines was Hohiro's command – two brigades consolidating what had once been eleven regiments of Yurei warriors occupying the centre and the west of the line and to the east three regiments of the Ryuken – once the students of the Wolf's Dragoons and still deemed somewhat irregular. Additional militia regiments scraped together from various noble entourages occupied the extreme ends of the line, stiffened by the two surviving Genyosha battalions.

The retreat from Albiero to Luthien had cost the Smoke Jaguars time and machines... but it had also gutted the core of Theodore's 'new model army' within the DCMS.

"So is history," Takashi proclaimed. "Twenty-four entire regiments of BattleMechs on one field against the ultimate foe. We are the divine wind of our ancestors and we shall sweep all before us."

Hohiro's voice sounded weary. "Let us be more the mighty mountain home of the Dragon. The waves may crash at us, but when they recede, the mountain remains."

"Ha! Perhaps you have a little poetry in you after all."

Shin opened a private channel to Hohiro. "Sir, please tell me he wasn't about to order a charge."

"I believe he was tempted, Shin." The Tai-sho sighed deeply. "He looks at us and sees two and a half thousand BattleMechs – no one in living memory has assembled such an army in one place. But based on the incoming dropships, we're looking at over a thousand Clan BattleMechs and the spirits alone know how many of their Elementals."

"And on Albiero we needed almost three to one odds to succeed."

"Three to one on good ground." And this, they both knew, was not good ground. Not with Clan weapons significantly outranging those used by most of the regiments here. "I hope you have taken care of all the necessary preparations... just in case."

Shin nodded. "Hai."

"Good. That's... good."

'Good' was not a word that most would have chosen for Shin's preparations. But if the worst came to the worst...

"My sister," continued Hohiro, "Has great confidence in grandfather's plan." The negative karma for that lie would probably haunt the prince for several reincarnations. Omi Kurita had been extremely helpful in making preparations for the worst case scenario. "And so she has declined evacuation and will remain in the Imperial City during the battle."

"Then I look forward to accompanying you to inform her of the Dragon's victory."

"That would be pleasant, Shin. However, it is not foreordained that all samurai will survive, even in victory. Since my brother and father don't have the privilege of standing with us today, if for any reason I am unable to in the future – please do me the favour of protecting her in my place."

"I am not truly a samurai, Hohiro. But come what may, you and your family shall have my faithful service."

There was a crackle on the general channel and then: "All DCMS units, this is the central command centre. Helicopter scouts have detected Clan ground forces on the move near Basin Lake. Seven sub-formations have been identified – it appears that Smoke Jaguar units will encounter our left flank with units tentatively identified as belonging to Clan Diamond Shark moving on our right and centre."

"It seems we won't have the pleasure of Clan Smoke Jaguar's company today," Shin observed lightly. "They will be terribly disappointed."

"This could be a long day." Hohiro switched channels to the general one. "Coordinator, perhaps now might be an appropriate time to launch our fighters. The Clan's aerospace assets are likely to try to engage us before their comrades on the ground enter the range for a melee."

.o0o.

Imperial City, Luthien

Pesht District, Draconis Combine

3 June 3051

"Concentrate fire on that Hellbringer!" shouted Shin, firing his own lasers into the heavy 'Mech. PPCs, LRMs and light autocannon tore into the 'Mech but not before its paired PPCs gutted an unfortunate Whitworth.

The rest of the Diamond Shark Star weren't backwards in bringing their fire to bear either – the Warhawk in the lead had chosen a Quickdraw as its particular target and it fired all four of its over-powered PPCs into the 'Mech's chest, tearing away every shred of armour and burning into the interior systems. By some miracle the ammunition didn't explode, but the 'Mech wouldn't survive another such salvo.

Shin highlighted one of the two Mad Dogs as the next target and scored on it with his large laser as it speared a Jenner with the pulse lasers in its arms.

The one benefit of Takashi's deployment was that the Clans had expended the lion's share of their ammunition in breaking through the first line.

'Breaking through'. They'd torn the line to shreds and eight of the finest regiments in the DCMS had died almost to a man for pitifully little accomplishment.

Even Takashi had been shocked out of his delusions.

"I'm beginning to think the Coordinator was right to charge," Shin confessed as he saw Hohiro's Hatamoto-Kaze firing PPCs and missiles into the Mad Dog. "At least they haven't had a chance to reload."

"Something for the military historians to argue about," grunted the Tai-sho. "Ah, got you!" he added as the Mad Dog fell.

The other Mad Dog was also down but that still left the Warhawk and a Gargoyle to bring down, the two 'Mechs both currently engaging a Kintaro and a Crab respectively. "Take down the Warhawk!" called out Hohiro and the tattered remains of the battalion brought their guns obediently to bear.

Despite the staggering firepower being directed at it, the eight-five ton war machine survived the initial barrage. Raising its one remaining arm it fired both PPCs – but rather than the Kintaro, it was aiming them for Hohiro's Hatamoto-Kaze.

"Nooooo!" screamed Shin as one shot intersected the 'Mech's cockpit.

The fury was echoed by other voices and Shin fired his jump-jets, shooting his Phoenix Hawk forwards on an arc towards the larger 'Mech. Shots slammed into the agile 'Mech, some of them wildly fired by his own comrades, but nothing would stop him from driving the right fist (the only remaining fist) of his 'Mech through the cockpit of the Clan warrior.

The impact smashed his large laser but it also tore half the cockpit – and half the 'MechWarrior within – away from the Warhawk.

The Gargoyle was retreating, and since the 'Mech was fully capable of a startling degree of speed for its size, Shin was inclined to let it go.

"Command Centre, this is Tai-sa Yodama, of the Nineteenth Yurei Regiment. The Clans are withdrawing from our vicinity. I believe they intend to regroup and renew the attack. Over."

There was nothing on the channel.

"Command Centre, do you read me?"

Still nothing. A cold chill went down Shin's spine and he switched to another frequency. "Coordinator, this is Tai-sa Yodama. The Command Centre isn't responding. A headhunter unit may have penetrated our lines."

"How would they have done that, Tai-sa? We have the hills secured."

"Elementals can be surprisingly stealthy, sire. Or they may have carried out an air drop. With our fighters engaged over the battlefield, they could have slipped past. In any case, unless they resume contact, our coordination will suffer."

"Hah." The old man grunted. "I am told the Clans are falling back. You are that criminal my grandson took as his aide. Get him on this frequency so I can discuss pressing the attack."

"Tai-sho Kurita is dead." Shin could tell that his own voice was dead – fatigue, grief... and anger. "His cockpit took a direct hit. Pressing the attack is futile – the Clans' have faster 'Mechs than we do – they'll reach their staging areas and rearm before we can catch up."

"Damn you for a coward, Yodama."

"All of your samurai are dead, Lord Kurita. If anyone will win this battle for you now it will have to be gutter warriors like me because there is no one else left."

Takashi Kurita's voice was sour with frustration and – yes, with grief. "I should put your head on a spike, Yodama, but you are right. Very well. I will give the commands."

A moment later, as good as his words, the Coordinator spoke on the command channel. "All warriors of the DCMS, disengage from the enemy and regroup on the hills. Tai-sa Asano will command our left flank and Tai-sa Yodama will command the right. Units in the centre, report to me directly."

At least Narimasa Asano was alive – that was something.

The battalion, little more than a company left and they had done better than some units, formed up around Shin as he led them back towards the hills. Four of the largest 'Mechs had each seized one limb of Hohiro's Hatamoto and they were carrying it, which slowed them down but that didn't seem to matter right now.

Carefully flipping through the regimental and battalion frequencies, Shin pieced together what strength remained to his flank and directed them all to use the frequencies previously allocated only to the Nineteenth Yurei Regiment.

It would simplify matters and besides... there really wasn't much more than a regiment left.

"Yodama, what is your force strength?" There was more humanity to Takashi's words than there had been earlier.

"One hundred thirty-eight 'Mechs operational, most in need of reloading and repair. Some of those operational 'Mechs are marginal at best but they can at least move and shoot with something. Of that count, seven 'Mechs are survivors of the Galedon Regulars and fourteen of the Genyosha. The rest are Yurei – not one of the militia 'Mechs reported in although I suppose some of them might simply not care to."

The extremes of the second line had come apart despite the best efforts of the Genyosha, once again proving that the ancient military maxim 'you cannot stiffen spit with buck-shot'. Warriors who had not served since even before the Fourth Succession War or who had not yet entered a formal academy were almost never ready for the shock of fighting the Clans, particularly when most of their 'Mechs were barely fit for battle to begin with.

"Very well. Our technical crews and reloading teams are on their way to the designated points – a contingency Hohiro set up. We may have time to apply armour patches and refill some magazines before the Clans return."

"Yes sir." He hesitated. "I request permission to notify your grand-daughter of her brother's death."

"Don't over-reach yourself, Yodama."

Well, that wasn't a specific prohibition... The channel he switched to wasn't military, but it was one that should be monitored by Omi Kurita's servants amid the Order of Five Pillars.

"Shada, this is Sanyu. Please respond, over." Shada, the disloyal daughter of the founder of the Kurita dynasty and Sanyu, the founder of the Order of Five Pillars – not a complex code but one easy to remember, if deeply ironic with some of the choices of name.

The response was quick and Omi's own voice. "Sanyu, this is Shada. We are short one crate. Status report please."

"Victor is negative," he reported. Crate meant the command centre – confirmation it had been taken out somehow. "Shiro positive. Is Urizen available?"

"Understood. I confirm Victor negative, Shiro positive. Urizen is unavailable. Is delivery still possible?"

Shin grimaced. He didn't have a count on the casualties among the Clans, but he doubted that they were above fifty percent from the parts of the battle he'd seen – and the battalion around he and Hohiro had been among the most successful. "Not unless the weather changes."

"Weather report remains stable, Sanyu. Shall I arrange collection?"

"If you leave now, you should be able to collect by sunset."

Omi's voice was frosty. "I will send someone at sunset. Shada, out."

Shin sighed. "Sanyu out."

So Theodore had still not been heard from and no reinforcements were arriving. Worse, Omi had declined to leave the Imperial City and even if he deserted his post and made best speed back to the city in his 'Mech, the chances of finding her were negligible.

"Can't save your world, can't save your sister," he apologised in the privacy of his cockpit to the ghost of Hohiro. "All I can do is deny them the wealth of Luthien to your enemies."

His radio chirped for attention. "Yodama."

"Tai-sa Yodama." Narimasa Asano's calm voice might have been a balm under any other circumstances. "I have discussed our tactical situation with the Coordinator. My estimation is that the Clans retain at least four hundred operational BattleMechs – rough parity with our own forces. I have recommended allowing them to cross the plains and engaging among the hills. Our remaining artillery and air cover will do what they can to soften their forces up as the cross the plains. Do you concur?"

"I concur, Tai-sa. My forces are consolidated into four understrength battalions. I propose to send one of them to reinforce the Coordinator's position in the Kadoguchi valley. Given typical Clan directness, it is likely this will be their primary objective."

"A reasonable assessment. Unfortunately, I have under one hundred BattleMechs available so I cannot provide similar reinforcements."

Oh sweet Buddha. "Good luck, Tai-sa."

"It has been an honour to serve alongside a samurai of your calibre, Tai-sa."

Shin blinked. "Er..."

"The worth of a samurai is not their blade or their blood, it is their deeds." Asano cut the channel abruptly.

"Well that was surreal." Shin looked out of his cockpit and saw that the sun was still high in the sky. "Well, perhaps I have time to compose a death haiku before the next attack."

.o0o.

Personal Communication – Precentor Martial A. Focht to Primus M. Waterly

Classified – Urgent – Primus

I regret to advise you that the Luthien HPG station has been destroyed and the majority of our personnel there have been killed. This appears to have been the result of confusion during the Battle of Luthien with the ComGuards garrison mistaken by a Clan Diamond Shark unit for elements of the DCMS.

In the event that a detailed report of the battle has not reached you, the combined forces of Clan Smoke Jaguar and Clan Diamond Shark successfully defeated the defenders – led directly by Coordinator Takashi Kurita – in two large scale engagements on 3 June. DCMS losses were near total, including the loss of two Sword of Light and six District Regular regiments along with the surviving members of the Genyosha regiments, the Otomo and at least eight regiments of militia and yakuza MechWarriors.

Out of seven galaxies committed to the attack – essentially all available frontline forces from the two Clans – final losses appear to be approximately fifty-five percent, with heavier proportionate losses among the Diamond Sharks, who had no previous experience of fighting against the Inner Sphere. Much of this will be recoverable through salvage as well as continuing shipments of personnel and war material from the Clan Home worlds.

Coordinator Takashi Kurita's body was recovered from the battlefield and subsequently disposed of. Prince Hohiro Kurita's body has not been recovered but there are reports from multiple reliable sources that he was reported dead during the first of the two engagements. Theodore Kurita does not appear to have been present, although sundry junior members of House Kurita are unaccounted for.

The only noteworthy casualty among the Clans was Khan Ian Hawker of Clan Diamond Shark. It is expected that junior Khan Barbara Sennet will be elevated to replace him. While Khan Sennet is generally level-headed, she has also indicated that she does not intend to rely on ComStar to handle their communications. Pending your approval I have alerted ComGuard garrisons and HPG staff in Clan Diamond Shark's likely path to be prepared to disable their facilities and evacuate should the need arise. There are some indications I may be able to arrange free passage for such evacuations.

Despite efforts by both sides to confine the conflict to undeveloped regions of Luthien, the collateral damage has been severe. Upon reports of Coordinator Kurita's death, there appears to have been rioting in several cities and a large portion of the Imperial City burned to the ground, including the drop port, numerous administration buildings and the residences of most of the Coordinator's close relatives.

In addition, the Luthien Armor Works complex came under attack by an unidentified third party at approximately the same time. With their heavy combat units co-opted by the Coordinator, LAW security was unable to prevent two-thirds of their facilities from being over-run and the attackers appear to have been carrying literally hundreds of demolition charges. It is estimated that it will take at least five years to restore the factories to full production.

A similar attack caused lesser but still considerable damage to an auxiliary LAW complex (previously owned by Wells Technologies). Both cases are almost certainly ISF-backed operations set up to deny the use of the facilities to the Clans. I have not yet been able to determine whether there were similar attacks on other industrial sites – certainly non-military production has been affected by the rioting which may not have been spontaneous.

At this time, Clan Diamond Shark and Clan Smoke Jaguar are in joint control of Luthien. My understanding is that Clan Diamond Shark will shortly depart to establish their own occupation zone. The heavy casualties taken and the loss of many of the anticipated resources have caused considerable friction between to the two Clans, which may have led to the Sharks' departure being brought forwards. In light of the time needed to make good their losses, I anticipate relatively limited operations from both Clans over the next few months.