The Journal of Michael Bekker

by Ulquiorra9000

Entry 974: October 30th, 3062

War has touched the Ghost Bear Dominion in earnest, journal. I refrained from writing more on this topic earlier, but by now, it is clear what the Kuritans want from us: their former lands.

The Alshain Regulars unit suffered great lesses during Operation REVIVAL, and now, during the chaos of what is called the FedCom Civil War, the Regulars burned a hot trail for Dominion space and struck. But they were not alone! Clan Nova Cat, whose Warriors seem increasingly comfortable living here in the Inner Sphere, launched their own flanking maneuver against the Alshain Regulars. I heard all this straight from Star Colonel Vreena Jorgensson and Galaxy Commander Laurie Tseng, and their intel has always been solid in my eyes. It would seem that the Cats intercepted and destroyed an entire regiment of Regulars forces even before the Regulars set foot on their target, Alshain. Where I currently reside.

What is the meaning of this? I had hoped that Ghost Bear-House Kurita relations had reached a plateau of if not friendship, then mutual nonaggression. How can the Warlord of the Combine launch such an attack? Is he really such a foolish opportunist? Or... and this is a hunc so far on Galaxy Commander Tseng's part... the Alshain Regulars are acting on their own volition, perhaps spurred on by anti-Clan radicals within Draconis Combine space. Part of me hopes that this is so. If Theodore Kurita or any of his associates authorized this, there could be many more attacks in succession, with the weight of perhaps the entire DCMS thrown against the Bears! Our Warriors are great, but the DCMS is quite large. Suppose, if they had enough numbers to bring to bear against us, they could make significant gains? It is not terribly likely, but one must consider such things. More likely, however, House Kurita would suffer much more greatly than my Clan in outright war.

Soon, very soon, the Alshain Regulars will enter our system and attempt their assault, despite losing one of their four regiments. Ghost Bear naval assets are on standby, Galaxy Commander Tseng reassured us, and they shall keep the interloping Regulars at bay.

I share her confidence, as did most of the Clan Ghost Bear Council when we convened the day before yesterday to discuss our Clan's response to this aggression. Just who ordered the Alshain Regulars to strike? Some among us insist that Theodore Kurita, and anyone else close to him, masterminded this attack while planning to claim that the Regulars are acting on their own, motivated by vengeance. It is not an implausible scenario, but, as I argued in the Council, Theodore risks much by having Kuritan forces attack us, officially sanctioned or not. The Inner Sphere powers are closing the technology gap, but the training and superior machines of we Clanners gives us a serious advantage even in this decade.

Now, with nearly the whole of Clan Ghost Bear in this territory, would Theodore Kurita really risk our ire, quineg? Some in the Council were unswayed by my words, but others were of a similar mind, prominent among them Star Colonel Vreena Jorgennson. Ah, Vreena! Ever my friend on the battlefield and here in the Council. She, too, argued that no Inner Sphere power, not even the honorable Kuritans, would so casually make war with the Clans.

What is the end result of our meeting, you may wonder? What you may expect: our touman is on high alert and prepared to defend Alshain, along with other border worlds such as Jarett and Marawle. My own Beta Galaxy is slated to defend Alshain from the interloping Alshain Regulars any day now, and I am sure that within two weeks, we will meet them on the field of battle. The Bear's claws are sharp, its nostrils flared with the scent of its enemy. Let the Dragon come!

I should also say, on a lighter note, that already, political cartoons of this situation are circling about. One such cartoon shows Theodore Kurita looking alarmed, shouting "No! Stop!" as three squat samurai, their armor decorated with the Alshain Regulars insignia, approach a slumbering white bear with their swords held high. I have to wonder, though: why is my Clan usually represented by a sleeping bear in these political cartoons? Is it because we do not launch overtly aggressive campaigns like Clan Jade Falcon, quiaff? Better a slumbering giant than a dead fool!

Until next time, journal.

Entry 976: November 12th, 3062

The defense of Alshain was a bloody one, and fortunately for my fellows, most of that blood was drawn from Kuritan forces during their foolish attack. My the Clan be praised! By now, many in the Ghost Bear Council, especially myself, are sure that the Alshain Regulars acted on their own accord. Either way, the 32nd Bears Assault Cluster, alongside other units such as the 243rd Battle Cluster, broke the main push of the Alshain Regulars' assault, almost by the book. Before then, the Ghost Bear navy inflicted considerable losses on the attackers, but that is outside my expertise. I can only say that even with a limited navy, my Clan is mighty on all battlefields.

There is so much more to say! Events are still unfolding, journal, but it seems that the Ghost Bear Dominion and the Draconis Combine are being drawn into a larger conflict like a whirlpool. Here on Alshain, the Alshain Regulars have scattered into the wilderness to launch guerrilla raids against us, and for a change, a small part of me relishes the challenges. These are not stravag bandits; the samurai of the DCMS must surely have some greater plan. If they do not... then I look forward to the day when I meet them on a proper battlefield! For now, however, I led my Trinary under Star Colonel Jorgensson's command, and I personally dueled and struck down an enemy Grand Dragon in my Stormcrow-A, a satisfying victory on my part.

I attempted to duel several more enemy 'Mechs, including a heavily-modified Trebuchet and an Argus, a brand-new Inner Sphere 'Mech with considerable firepower and armor. What a design it is! Unfortunately, I cannot say much more, because its dezgra pilot retreated after only a few blows were exchanged! I look forward to studying new Inner Sphere models as they walk off the assembly line. But it will not be here and now.

I am here at a base camp, and from here I can see several plateaus in the near distance under the stars' light, and some sweeping pine forests elsewhere. It seems so tranquil. And it is home. These ronin MechWarriors (a Kuritan term) will not make fools of us in the bear's den! Nor will Clan Wolf, or any other enemy who rises to meet the bear!

Sorry. I get carried away, especially on a battlefield like this. I will write soon. I expect that this defensive campaign will be over by then.