AN: don't own anything not of my own creation…so nothing out of the ordinary here.

Texray: Thanks for the review. It's good to know that I do have some readers out there interested in the story. Don't worry about the heavy hardware ;-)

Lucas: Again, thanks for reading. Hope you are enjoying the sequel so far and thanks for the meter scale, much appreciated.

RougeBaron: I feel honored that you think so highly of my story. I will definitely look into that website. I didn't realize there was another one out there, and hadn't really since the Archivist closed the old "unofficial fanfiction site".

----Chapter 10----

New Baltimore Militia Base
Marduk, Draconis Combine
February 14, 3059

An infantryman strode purposefully into the administrative complex on the Militia Base's grounds. Walking through a pair of checkpoints and up a flight of stairs, he found himself standing outside an ornately carved wooden door. Knocking, he heard acknowledgement and entered. Walking up to the desk, the soldier knelt down before the middle-aged man with graying hair.

The soldier then spoke, "Sir Charrow, New Baltimore has been secured. As per your orders, most of the pro-Kurita citizens have been rounded up and are currently being held under guard outside the base walls."

"Excellent" responded Sir Charrow. "Set up the cameras and execute them. We will purge this planet of its oppressors. Has there been any word from our operatives in New Pontiac?"

"Yes, Sire. New Pontiac is still reeling from our bombings. The death toll is over 30,000 and still climbing. The city's infrastructure in the Combine quarter is crippled."

"Then all is going according to plan. What news from our other forces? Has Sir Baldwin's force made its presence known?"

"No sir. Sir Baldwin's force still has not hit its objectives. They claim that their mechs have suffered severe actuator problems, either due to a bad shipment or sabotage, but it is unknown which is the cause. Our forces on the other continent report success in all their objectives to date. They are now concentrating political power and amassing their troops to lay siege to the Militia base at Dexter. The task forces at Brownstown and Karta have hit unexpected resistance and are bogged down. 90 of our assassination attempts have been successful, but security has been too tight around the planetary Advisory Council to complete our objectives."

"No matter" replied the commander, "there is enough chaos to suite our needs. Continue to round up as many Kurita supporters as you can and eliminate them. We need to hold on and destroy as many of our opponents and their forces as we can before we can initiate our final phase."

"As you wish, Sir Charrow." With that, the soldier stood back up, replaced his helmet on his head, and made his way outside. Mere moments later, gunshots could be heard as Order of Saint George soldiers slaughtered the hundreds of Kurita supporters that had been rounded up.

-------.-------

Thermopylae Base
Marduk, Draconis Combine
February 15, 3059

"Why can't things ever be routine or quiet?" asked Ice as he slammed his head into his desk repeatedly. Just that morning the Order of Saint George had broadcast its execution of Kurita loyalists in and around New Baltimore. Toriyama had been outraged at seeing the video clip and had made no secret that he would be calling on the Spartans for help in the near future.

Having seized New Baltimore, the Order was in a good position to defend itself and to carry out its goals. The smaller continent of Assyr was, for all purposes, a lost cause. The Order had taken the key cities there and were laying siege to the Militia garrison posted on the far side of the planet, a third of which had already been destroyed or surrendered. Their forces were already advancing on New Pontiac, killing as many of Kurita descent as they could find as they made their way to the planetary capital. Despite his despair at the situation, Ice couldn't help but admire the Order's planning and organization. They had shown the strength of a Davion Regimental Combat Team but yet none of their forces had invaded. As far as anyone in intelligence could tell, their entire force had been on planet and had emerged from caves, tunnels, and forests en mass. Most of the forces the Order was fielding had to either have been shipped in piece by piece and reassembled or they must have been lying in wait for years…some of the machines maybe even decades from when Davion lost Marduk in the 4th Succession War.

The disaster that was New Pontiac was still out of hand. The fires were finally starting to burn themselves out, but the body count was closing in on 50,000 and showed no signs of slowing down. Many survivors from the Kurita quarter had fled to the countryside or off planet, if they could afford passage. There was a great fear that the Order of Saint George would soon overrun Marduk and those of Kuritan loyalties or descent would meet the same fate as so many of the citizens of Kentares IV had decades earlier.

Now Ice was waiting in his office. Governor Adkins was scheduled to give a speech in just a few moments to address the crisis that was plaguing Marduk. Frankly he didn't expect much to come of this speech or from the Governor…that fat waste of space. The only good news that Ice had had al day was that he'd managed to get a message out to the district capital of Benjamin about the situation on planet, detailing the Order of Saint George, its actions, and the ineptitude of the planetary government.

He'd also gotten word that two Jumpships had appeared in-system and disgorged a number of dropships, now heading towards Marduk at a 3G burn to arrive in a matter of days instead of a trip of almost a week at a 1G burn. Having over half a dozen dropships making a high gravity burn might be disconcerting for Ice if they hadn't been filled with troops, machines, and supplies for the Spartans. Apparently Frank had sensed trouble brewing on the border and sent what people and machines he'd managed to acquire on the fastest Jumpship route he could afford…at least that's what the message relayed from the dropships had mentioned. The rest of the growing Spartan force wouldn't arrive until sometime in May or June with Frank.

Ice was snapped out of his musings as the vid-screen was filling with the large image of Adkins trying to stand entirely behind a podium, and failing miserably. Ice noticed that there wasn't the traditional seal of the Draconis Combine behind the man.

"Citizens of Marduk," began Adkins, "I come before you today to address the crisis that is gripping our beloved planet. Five days ago the Order of Saint George attacked New Pontiac. Since then they have attacked the planetary government and have begun to seize power for themselves. As evidenced by this morning's broadcast, the Order is actively targeting those of Combine ancestry and loyalty. They have also taken control of large portions of the planet. I am not here to lie to you this day, my fellow citizens, we are in dire times. The forces and resources provided to us by the Draconis Combine are proving themselves to be woefully inadequate to face this threat. So that we might preserve our planet with the least amount of destruction, I order all Marduk Militia to stand down and surrender their personnel and equipment to the Order of Saint George.

Today we enter a new era. We will cast off the tyranny of the Draconis Combine and return to the protection of the Federated Suns. Today, with the guidance and protection of the Order of Saint George, we make a new path for Marduk! We will make this proud planet a powerhouse once more! By my authority as Governor of Marduk, I hereby nationalize Norse Battlemech Works and order its surrender to Order and government personnel. I also demand that any Kurita forces, regular or mercenary, as well as any loyalists or citizens to leave Marduk within the next 14 days or you will be subject to imprisonment and/or execution under Order law and authority. Rise up, my brethren, and help the Order of Saint George seize what belongs to us. God Bless House Davion!" With that the transmission faded out to an image of the Federated Suns.

Ice sat their, mute and disbelieving of what he had just witnessed and heard. "That son of a bitch…"

----.----

Ice burst into the Command and Control center. Rushing into the back wall, he pulled open a plexi-glass case and slammed his fist down on the Red Alert button. All across the base sirens began to wail. Ice picked up a microphone set and activated the circuit for all of the loudspeakers across the base.

"Attention all Spartan personnel, this is Captain Olsen. As of ten minutes ago, we are in a state of war with Marduk's renegade government and the Order of Saint George. Prep for extended combat operations. That is all."

Turning around, Ice caught a glimpse of Rommy hurrying in through the door. "Rommy, get on over here" he called. "I need you to get everything set up for base defense. We've gone over the drills over three dozen times so far, but you are on par with anyone here with your eye for defense. Map out the hides again, talk to Kastor and make sure he knows where to set up, and draw up patrol schedules. Make sure to extend the list to include another company's worth of mechs at least. I didn't get exact strength numbers or composition from the dropships, but considering that it could have been intercepted, that's not surprising."

"Alright Chief," she responded, "I'll get right on that A.S.A.P. Toriyama called right before I came in. He wanted me to relay to you that the New Pontiac base may be untenable. Said most of the Drac citizens were either evacuated or scattering. Also said his scouts picked up a strong mech force coming in from the north. Couldn't get exact numbers, but at least two battalions of mechs and unknown armor and infantry. One of his scout cars got picked off by VTOLs so we know they have air support as well."

"Damn. Alright then, I wasn't counting on them having air support. I need to go over to Norse and set up some plans face-to-face. You have command until I get back. If anything big comes up, my personal comm-link is on" said Ice as he gathered up printouts from the tables around him and exited the room.

---.---

Norse Battlemech Works
Marduk, Draconis Combine
February 15, 3059

20 minutes later, Ice came flying through the front gate of Norse Battlemech Works and pulled up to a stop in front of the main factory. Getting out, he walked right past the guards and into the massive assembly plant. No one stopped him. They all knew who he was, or at least what unit he was with. It was impossible for anyone to mistake the red dress shirt marked with the insignia of a Captain as well as the blood-red cape for anyone else of any other unit. They knew he was a Spartan.

He skirted the edge of the assembly lines, passing a pair of 55 ton Griffin battlemechs that were nearing completion. Walking up a flight of steel stairs, Ice strode down the gantry and up to the door of a corner office. Knocking, he heard acknowledgement and entered.

"Ah, Captain Olsen. What brings you to our humble establishment this afternoon?" asked Norse administrator Relina Morimoto.

"Ms. Morimoto" replied Ice in acknowledgement. "I'm here to talk business with you. Without a doubt you've heard from our beloved Governor." Relina nodded an affirmative. "I'm also under the assumption that you have no intention of surrendering your establishment to that psychopath…"

Relina gave Ice a withering glare. "Captain, the Marduk Division of Norse Battlemech Works has been under the supervision and administration of my line, as well as those of the other two governing families, since the days of the Star League. Houses have invaded. Planetary Governments and garrisons have been replaced. Norse Battlemechs has remained the same. We have never, and will NEVER surrender this facility to direct outside influence. I would see this plant destroyed before that happens…"

The vehemence in Relina's voice took Ice by surprise. The threat she had just made was not an idle one. To destroy a battlemech plant, much less one of the most self-sufficient plants in the whole of the Inner Sphere would be an incredible and irreparable blow to everyone.

"I have no doubt about that Ms. Morimoto. That's why I'm here to talk to you. The Spartans stand by their contract to defend Norse Battlemechs, though we also must honor our portion of the contract to help defend the planet as a whole. We can not easily do both with our current manpower, though the burden will be eased somewhat by reinforcements arriving within the next three days. If we're to win, we'll need to keep the Order and Adkins off balance and on their guard. To do that, I'm going to need your help, Relina."

Relina grinned. "Indeed, Captain. I have told you before that I would be willing to share access to the Norse defense force with you. I also have invited you to tour our facility and to see the 'surprise' I've been keeping for you should this type of situation arise. Please, walk with me Captain" said Relina as she rose from behind her desk and moved out onto the gantry.

Reline continued to speak as they walked along the gantry overlooking the Mech assembly bays. "We have been making mechs here for over 300 years, Captain. There is a very strong and very proud tradition that Norse Battlemechs can take care of itself and deliver quality service and machines to our customers. I am a bit ashamed to admit it, but this is one of the few periods in time where we can not totally defend ourselves. That is partially where you and your Spartans come in. Since the capture of Marduk by the Combine during the 4th Succession War, Norse and the Combine have achieved a profitable working relationship. They provide us protection and planetary stability, and we provide them an active seller of quality medium-mechs.

The Coordinator took a gamble recently with stripping away most of Marduk's garrison forces for the offensive against the Smoke Jaguars. It appears that this has had unforeseen consequences. We've known that resistance cells on planet had mech assets, but we didn't know how many until now. And now that we know they have almost 5 mech regiments, I know that Norse can not stand alone. I had a strong hand in choosing to offer you and your unit this contract, Captain Olsen. The Coordinator sent out contract offers to the handful of units that I personally recommended, though I will admit I had hoped the Spartans would accept the contract. I'd reviewed your records, Captain. I'd even seen battle footage from your recent foray with the Federated Suns. You stood and fought against a force that had shattered your support and even sent the professionals you were assisting running for outer space. You are honorable, Captain. You are trustworthy and you will do your damnedest to fulfill the tasks required of you and your people. That is the kind of person and unit that I can trust with the defense of Norse."

Ice nodded and they walked silently for a few moments, exiting the factory and walking onto the grounds. "I appreciate your vote of confidence Ms. Morimoto. It's always been my policy to see commitments through, no matter the odds. I have no intention of backing down this time either."

The pair walked through the archway that made up one of the entrances into the mine itself. Down, into the dim light of the tunnel. As they walked further into the shaft, they passed side passages that lead to housing, storage for equipment, and even caverns that held gantries, vehicles, and mechs for the Norse defense force. After nearly 700 meters, Relina turned down a large, dark side-tunnel. After another 100 meters, she stopped in front of a large durasteel door, almost the size of one found on a dropship. Punching in an access code and submitting to a retinal scan, the door began to slide open.

"Come, Captain Olsen. Welcome to what we affectionately refer to as Valhalla" said Relina as she took Ice's arm and pulled him though the doorway.

All Ice could do was stop and stare. Before him stood a company of Star League era battlemechs. A handful of techs were busy doing maintenance on the nearest Crab, but the hanger was mostly devoid of human life.

"This is absolutely unbelievable" stammered Ice.

"I told you, Captain, that we have been administering this facility since the time of the Star League. The other two governing families had very strong ties with the Star League military. It was only natural then that when General Kerensky fled the Inner Sphere, that Norse Battlemechs would be used as a cache for materials they could not take. I am showing you this as a sign of trust, and I must have your vow that you will share this with no one. Norse is a large enough target as is. I do not need every House military unit within 60 light years coming to attempt to seize these" said Relina as she gestured to the machines.

She continued "There are more than this, but these mechs were the most serviceable out of the lot. These are my family's personal technicians…they are the only ones trustworthy enough right now to fix up these relics. Even so, the first few mechs should be ready within the next week or so and more will follow. Our only problem is that we do not have pilots trained for these chassis or skilled enough to handle this advanced technology. And that leads me to my other surprise for you Captain. Since we are business partners I will not hide more than I need to from you. Now I feel it is time to show you our defense force's trainers."

"Trainers? You say that like there's something amusing. Why does that not comfort me?"

"You'll see, Captain, though I think that you might get along well with them, especially considering your sense of honor."

Walking back out to the main mine tunnel, the pair made their way back up to the Defense Force cavern, where Ice had noticed the mechs and vehicles on the way down. Following Relina in, Ice surveyed the scene before him. In the gantries that lined the cavern walls, there was the full battalion of mechs that Norse officially claimed for self-defense. One of the companies appeared to be made up of an assortment of different chassis and configurations, likely salvaged from the multiple attempts over the years to seize the factory. The other two companies seemed to be mainly a mix of the Griffin and Wolverine chassis that Norse was praised for, as well as a few other mediums.

Of the armor assets, only one of three companies was at its resting places, the other two likely on patrol and guard duty. A flash of activity in the far corner of the cavern caught Ice's eye. Looking over, he nearly tripped and fell. Stacked away in corner gantries was a full star of clan mechs!

"Relina, why do you have a star of clan mechs here with your defense force?" asked a tentative Ice.

This earned a haughty laugh from Relina. "Captain, don't worry. One of Norse's newest buyers is Phelan Ward and his Clan Wolf-in-Exile as well as the rest of the ARDC military. Khan Ward has, as a gesture of goodwill, sent a star of mechwarriors and elementals to train our pilots and to defend our facility. Let me introduce you to the Star Commander."

Nearing the clan mechs, Relina walked straight up to a very large man with close-cropped hair, dressed in shorts and a cooling vest, who looked as if he had just spent the last few hours in a simulator. He was taller than Ice by just a few inches, but must have out-massed him by at least 10 kilos.

"Star Commander Fenris Ward, greetings. I trust you enjoyed your afternoon in the simulators, quiaff?" said Relina.

"Aff, Relina Morimoto. It was a good afternoon in the simulator, though I do miss piloting a real mech into combat" replied the Star Captain.

Ice was shocked yet again. A clanner was showing Relina amazing respect by using her surname. He had spent part of his spare time on Outreach researching the Clans and their technology since he was more likely to encounter clan-tech or perhaps some bondsmen in the Combine. The last thing he expected was to meet free clanners protecting an Inner Sphere facility of their own free will.

Relina continued to speak. "Star Commander, I would like to introduce you to Captain Jacob Olsen, commander of the Stuart's Spartans, our other line of defense."

"Pleasure to meet you Captain. I must say I have been looking forward to this since seeing the holo-vids of your fight in New Pontiac. It was most entertaining for us to watch. Likely some of the most fun we have had in the last six months here."

"I can imagine, Star Commander. It is an honor to meet a blooded warrior of Clan Wolf" replied Ice. The Star Commander nodded his head in acknowledgement of the respect paid to him. "It does come as a surprise to me to find warriors of your caliber here. If I had known of your duties, I would have come by already to spar, if you would be willing."

"Aff, Captain. It would be most enjoyable to spar with a freeborn warrior of your skill. I have not seen an axe used with such skill in years. Perhaps I should begin to use my blades again, eh?" the clanner let out a booming laugh at this. Ice had to chuckle as well at the clanner's sense of humor.

Ice's commlink started going off. Excusing himself, he walked a few meters away and answered. "What's the news Leslie?"

"BIG news Chief. Toriyama has started his withdrawal from New Pontiac. A second force appeared from the south and forced his hand. They're getting set to blow the Militia Base so the Order can't use it, but they're going to need some help. They won't make it all the way here before this new column gets to them since they're already moving to cut off the road. We're going to need to move out and set up. I've already plotted out an intercept and ambush point but we need to move fast. Only about two hours to get out there and set up."

"Roger Leslie, I'm on my way back. Get the techs to warm up my mech. I want Hoplon, Lightning, and Rain staying home to guard the base. Send out word that Thunder, Spatha, Beast, Jackman's Cavaliers, and McDougal's bunch are to gear up and get ready to head out. I'll be back at Thermopylae within 25."

Ice walked back over to the conversation between Relina and the Star Commander. "I am sorry to interrupt, but the Order is on the move. They are trying to cut off Toriyama before he can get back here to safety. Relina, I need to take you up that offer of assistance, preferably one of the heavier medium companies you can spare. Star Commander, I do believe I recall you mentioning a 'lack of action'. Interested in a cut of the fun?"

Fenris Ward looked down at Jacob Olsen with an almost feral grin. "Indeed, Captain, I did. Where do I sign up?" replied the clanner as klaxons began to sound and warriors ran to their mechs.

----End Chapter----

AN: Sorry it took so long to get this chapter up and posted, but I had a term paper due that took up a lot more time than I had anticipated. To make it up to y'all, I made this one my longest chapter yet. Hopefully I'll be able to stick to the goal of a chapter a week without too many interruptions. Enjoy, and don't forget to read and review 