Guðlaug Jónasdóttir (good-lig yorha-s-scottir... or something) hummed to herself.
Meeting her father, she waved.
Ruefully shaking his head, he waved back.
Both of their IndustrialMechs returned to what they had been doing prior. Hands falling down to moving construction supplies about the site.
Here on Romulus, Guðlaug had shifted some of her workforce, spreading them out across the Lyran Commonwealth.
All the better to build the Construction Union throughout the Lyran Commonwealth as the Fortress Hexes became more prevalent in number and scale.
After the annihilation of three Combine Regiments here on Romulus, they were now building a memorial... and further defences to prevent such an event ever happening again in the future.
It was also here that Guðlaug Jónasdóttir, scion of Clan Wolverine had decided to make her future.
Spread throughout the Lyran Commonwealth were those that had fled the Clans. Those that had seen the betrayal of the great vision. How each of the clans had betrayed their own Honour Road with the annihilation of Clan Widowmaker for a simple accident.
How the Clans had demonstrated they had no honour. If mere emotion was enough to see them shatter the bonds that held them together, the bonds that held their very society together!
All of it gone!
Over a single action.
If there was something all of Clan Wolverine could agree to, it was that the Clans for all their ideals were still as disgusting as the Successor States which had descended into war as the SLDF had left.
Leaving in an exodus as the clans bickered over what to do with the carcass of Clan Widowmaker, a great many, from all the Clans had left. Had decided that if the Clans were of such filth, that Clan Wolverine, the not-named Clan had been correct.
The Clans were nothing but failures, aping the great Nicholas Kerensky's vision, not understanding what it meant, failing with their very existence.
They would take on the mantle of Clan Wolverine, the annihilated, the destroyed, the truth-seekers.
They would leave.
They would recreate the Clans elsewhere, for it was not with material things that a Clanner was born, it was in the heart.
They would uphold Nicholas' vision in his stead, to spread it not amongst the incestuous Pentagon worlds, but in the Inner Sphere.
Desperately in need for guidance.
Throughout the Inner Sphere many had fled, yet many settled in the Lyran Commonwealth, there was more freedom to practice their ways here. Not like that of the Draconis Combine, where for all its resemblance to Clan culture, was instead as alien to them as the Pentagon Clans were.
It was the closest, it was the simplest... and a great many had decided to settle, to build themselves anew, to practice their ways and develop their skills. Carrying with them technologies stolen from the Pentagon Clans, the Spheroid Clan Wolverine (for they were all Wolverines this day), proselytised Nicholas' vision.
In some cases, it had the opposite effect of what had been planned. Some in the Federated Suns had taken it to mean the superiority of the Mechwarrior over all. Forming Mechwarrior cabals and killing the First Prince when he had come to tell them to stand down. They were annihilated to the last.
Mistakes were made.
Yet they continued with their crusade.
To teach the ways laid down by Nicholas, as mutated as they were.
There had been others that had arrived, those on the border worlds having gotten experienced in identifying the 'exiles' as they were known. Incorporating them into the Clan, teaching them of the truth and giving them a home once more.
None of Clan Wolverine had any misconceptions about what it was that they were preaching. For they understood that the teachings had to evolve to meet the times and circumstances.
After all, they had found out the truth. That for all Kerensky's wisdom regarding the future, his eyes had been blinded by the present, by the deceptions that had led to the annihilation of the original Clan Wolverine.
Which led to why she was here on Romulus.
They had found another Nicholas Kerensky, one with eyes firmly set on the future. Yet blinded by the present.
The songs of remembrance had passed this one. Of a dreamer with eyes to the sky, ignoring those that were seeking to stab him in the back.
Guðlaug Jónasdóttir had seen the events playing out once more and had sent out the call. Using the codes that had been prepared by the first of those that had gone on the exodus.
Over the last five months there had been many that had come to discuss the matter with her.
The dream born anew some had thought of the matter. Someone who was trying to bring an end to the wars of annihilation, to bring about a better way of living.
Some had more definitive ideas on the subject. That with everyone living in a Fortress, battles would become like that of the Clans, trials held in the open to prevent bloodshed.
Others still wondered what they were even doing here.
Moving her IndustrialMech into the warehouse, itself home to the salvage that had been collected from the battlefield of Romulus.
The portion that was available to the EDF had been collated here, the other three LCAF regiments having left with their pieces long prior.
The EDF, being made up of infantry, infantry that were now mechanising due to availability of vehicles, had left them with difficulties in assembling high-tech equipment and weaponry. Such as that of Battlemechs, modern AFVs, and aerospace.
That which the Clans had retained, their secret experiences, their technical skills, passed down from parent to child. Out here in the Inner Sphere there was no distinction made between Trueborn and Freebirth as had been explained was occurring in the Pentagon Clans.
Stupidity.
Yet more proof that the Pentagon Clans had forgotten Nicholas' vision, bound themselves in rules, had turned themselves... dezgra as the new Clan inductees has introduced.
The letter of the law over the spirit, weakening themselves appropriately.
Regardless, the Wolverine focused herself.
Introducing herself to Marzio Cocci as a Mechwarrior trained Aspirant, someone wished to take over the role of getting the wrecks up and running again.
As a member of Eggers General Utility, from Blackjack itself, he had been happy to give her free reign in the matter.
Free reign and messages that had culminated in this situation.
Hundreds of individuals were here. Technicians, Scientists, Mechwarriors, Astrotechs. There were no caste distinctions here, not in the Inner Sphere where such concerns would mark them as divergent, subjects to be investigated.
Standing at the head of the group, Guðlaug climbed out of the IndustrialMech, onto the shoulder, ready to address the crowd.
"I am Guðlaug Jónasdóttir, Wolverine. You are all Wolverines. You have been given material regarding Huu Eggers. You know now, as much as I know. You know that he is a visionary, trying to change the world, to prevent the excesses of the Succession Wars. You know that he is doing his very best to make this world we live in, a better place. You know that he is like the Great Father, Nicholas Kerensky. You know that his eyes do not watch his back, do not watch those around him. You know that he is vulnerable, of being misled as the Great Father was. You know he needs defenders, eyes, ears, those loyal not just to him, but to his vision. You know that this is necessary to prevent the Pentagon Clans repeating themselves here, now."
The assembled personages of Clan Wolverine did not say anything.
Guðlaug was not worried.
Like all Wolverines, they did not bark, they did not bray. For when they were serious, intent, focused... was when they went in for the kill.
She had their attention and she had their focus, for they agreed with her. Those that did not would have already issued a challenge.
A trial against her words.
"I have been given leave by Duchess Eggers, the LCAF, and Eggers Defence to form a bodyguard unit to ensure that Huu Eggers, the great visionary of this age is protected from harm. His body is weak, yet his vision is strong! It must be protected." Again, there was no dissent.
"However, that is not to say all of us will be going, rather we have another mission entrusted to us by the Visionary. To repair these machines, to demonstrate our capabilities... and to teach, to spread this knowledge. For change is coming and we must be like the Wolverine. We must protect what is ours!"
Nods of approval.
"We must now settle who will be leaving to join the Visionary Little Boss."
Everyone who was even slightly trained in martial combat separated out immediately. Finding space, looking wary at those around them.
In the manner of the Clans, they would trial this, battle for supremacy, to demonstrate their strength over all.
There were already Eggers retainers guarding the Little Boss. Guðlaug was not worried, the Clan Wolverine was still the best, regardless of whether it was here or the Pentagon worlds.