AUTHOR'S NOTES: Originally I had another part of the story in mind, as this is increasingly taking the focus off the main characters...but Senefa Malthus is a main character in her own way, so more Clan goodness (or badness) this time around.

This takes some liberties with the Battletech canon timeline, but not unbelievable ones, I think.

Eyrie of the Falcons

Strana Mechty, Clan Homeworlds

25 April 3051

Senefa Malthus leaned back in her chair and steepled her fingers in thought. She then reached out and touched the screen in front of her, swiping to the left to rewind the recording, trying to learn more from the battle footage.

It was of a battle recently undertaken by Phelan Wolf against three other adversaries from Clan Wolf. All four were in Kit Foxes, so there was no advantage regarding type: it would be down to the skill of the MechWarriors. It was only a training session in any case, done with powered-down lasers and dummy ammunition, and something the Wolves normally would never have shared with the Jade Falcons—nor would the Falcons have found it particularly interesting. Senefa did, however, and made it part of the Trial of Grievance she had with the Wolf Elemental that had insulted her. Both of her arms still felt a little sore from the trial and she had a bit of a limp from a twisted ankle, but she would take the soreness and limping without complaint. The Elemental was dead, impaled on Senefa's staff, but dead from hubris as well: the Elemental had disdained a weapon to fight unaugumented, thinking she could kill Senefa with her bare hands. She had been fatally wrong.

Senefa put her foot up to ease the pain in her ankle, then watched the battle again for the fourth time. Fascinating, she thought. Our doctrine is to assume the defensive at three to one odds, while engaging only one opponent at a time. Phelan instead attacked, engaging all three at once, throwing his opponents off-balance by engaging all of them. That is what the Inner Sphere does. It is dishonorable, but effective. Phelan had still lost, but he had destroyed two of his opponents before the third finished him off after a game of cat-and-mouse. Senefa checked the name on the battlerom: Star Captain Ranna. She smiled. It was no great secret that Phelan and Ranna were lovers. It gave her an edge in combat, Senefa considered, having a truly intimate familiarity with her opponent. Or is there more there? What has Ranna learned? She is a skilled MechWarrior. Perhaps there is a secret there to learn as well. Senefa once more rewound the battlerom to watch it again.

"Are you still watching that, Star Colonel? I think perhaps you may be a little obsessed."

Senefa paused the recording and turned in the chair to face the speaker. "I am, Star Captain Henderson. Do you require the computer?"

Star Captain Athena Henderson shook her head. "Not at all, Star Colonel. I was hoping I might have a few moments of your time, quiaff?"

Senefa nodded, shut off the recording and stood, wincing a little with pain. "Aff, Star Captain; I could stretch my legs. Let us walk, quiaff? I think more clearly when doing so." Henderson nodded back and both left the Jade Falcons' complex. Outside, the air was still crisp, but noticeably warmer; Senefa no longer needed to wear a jacket. Strana Mechty was in its summer, though it promised to be a colder one that usual. While Senefa found the planet pleasant, she preferred her homeworld of Ironhold. She especially preferred Ironhold for its lack of internecine Clan politics.

"Do you find your quarters and position adequate, Star Captain?" Senefa asked, more out of politeness than anything else, regarding her new executive officer. She had nothing against Athena Henderson, despite Athena originally being from Clan Nova Cat; she had been captured in battle shortly before the invasion of the Inner Sphere. Being abtakha, adopted, into a new Clan was considered no dishonor, and Athena was a superb MechWarrior, serving with the 7th Falcon Regulars, quickly winning promotion to first Star Commander and then Star Captain. Senefa had needed a new second-in-command, and Athena had been assigned to the 133rd Falcon Fusiliers. Senefa had no issue with Athena, though she regarded Star Captain Kazumi as her first choice, but Kazumi was in his forties and unblooded, so he would be forced into retirement soon. Athena was tall, slim, and beautiful, wearing her blonde hair the same length as Senefa's. It was her eyes that were the most arresting, Senefa decided: a washed-out blue, the color of glacial ice.

"More than adequate, Star Colonel. That is not what I wished to talk about, quineg?"

There was a slight sneer to Athena's voice, and Senefa did not know if it was a verbal tic or intentional. "Neg, Star Captain. I assumed not. What is on your mind?"

"The Wolves, Star Colonel."

"What about them?" Senefa asked.

"They accused you of cheating in that Trial of Grievance."

Senefa shrugged. "I do not care. Let the Wolves think what they wish. If it concerns them enough, they will challenge me again, and lose." It was said without an ounce of conceit; Senefa was simply sure that no Clanfolk could beat her. Inner Spherians seem to be another matter, she groused to herself, but she was not interested in Wolf jealousy. Their Elemental had challenged fairly and died fairly, if stupidly.

Athena refused to let it go. "All the same, Star Colonel, it seems that the Wolves are bent on heaping more insults on us. I have heard rumors that they wish to bring in the stravag Steel Vipers—and put them in our invasion corridor!"

Senefa gave the information another shrug. "It should not come as a surprise, quiaff? We are the Wolves' chief rivals. The Ghost Bears plod along, more afraid of losing than winning; the Smoke Jaguars are idiots as usual. So the Wolves seek to slow the Jade Falcons down." She paused. "There is also the fact that we and the Jaguars are the only Clans to suffer a defeat—and embarrassing ones at that."

Athena snorted. "The Spherian freebirths were lucky. Alder Malthus marched the Falcon Guards into an obvious trap. He was a damned fool." Abruptly, she remembered whose Bloodname Senefa now carried. "I…I apologize, Star Colonel. I had forgotten."

Senefa's lips quirked into a brief smile. "No need to apologize, Star Captain, because you are entirely correct about Adler Malthus. However, had this Kai Allard-Liao not turned our own traditions against us and had the Falcon Guards broken through on Twycross, we would be praising Adler for his audacity."

"The freebirths learn quickly, it is true," Athena agreed. "As on—" She once more stopped, once more embarrassed.

"As on Planting," Senefa finished. "I am as guilty as Adler was of hubris, Star Captain. That is why I keep watching Phelan Wolf's battlerom. I wish to find a weakness I can exploit in Inner Sphere tactics, as they found a weakness in ours." She kept her voice even, but one of her fingers twitched in remembered pain. She made me scream. I can accept losing to that freebirth, but not that dishonor!

"Still, Star Captain," Athena persisted, "it is hard to merely ignore the Wolves' insults. I am glad you killed that fool of an Elemental, but there will be more Trials. It grows tiresome, quiaff?" Athena sighed. "I hear that the Wolves may censure Khan Ulric Kerensky."

"Why?" Senefa wondered. "Why should someone be censured for success?" She sniffed a laugh. "Because Ulric has made all of us look like fools, quiaff? Politics and jealousy. A terrible combination."

"Aff, Star Colonel. It is the Crusaders—they wish to strip him of power or depose him altogether."

"Then they are fools as well. For the leader of the Warden faction, Ulric is showing remarkable ability to conquer the Inner Sphere," Senefa pointed out.

"Aff," Athena repeated, "but there are some who say he is being far too gentle with the Inner Sphere, despite conquering those worlds. Look at his allies and advisors—that ancient crone Natasha Kerensky, and that freebirth Phelan Wolf!" Athena spit. "Someone should kill that one. I do not trust him."

Senefa fought down another sigh. She was getting tired of the conversation. "Because he is a freebirth or because he is abtakha?" She knew that barb would hit home. Senefa normally did not bait people, much less ambitious subordinates, but Athena could not take the hint that Senefa was completely uninterested in rumors, much less among the Wolves.

"Because he is a freebirth!" Athena snapped, taking the bait. "He is not one of us. He knows too much. Were he like me, Clan—and a trueborn at that—then perhaps this would not be an issue. Yet I believe he will skedaddle back to the Inner Sphere's side at the first opportunity."

"There is an old saying, Star Captain," Senefa said. "There is nothing more fanatic than a convert. I think that applies to Phelan Wolf." And you, she added to herself. Athena had certainly been trying to be more Jade Falcon than the Jade Falcons. The Nova Cats had a reputation as mystics, making strategic decisions based on what they saw in vision quests. With her Bloodname, Athena had almost certainly participated in those, but whenever the subject was brought up, she angrily dismissed it as superstition and nonsense. "In any case," Senefa continued, "Phelan will be undergoing his Trial of Position soon. I am sure the Wolves would not mind if you requested to be one of his opponents, quiaff? Then you could kill him yourself." Athena piloted a Warhawk, an 85-ton assault 'Mech.

Athena smiled hungrily. "Not a bad idea, Star Colonel." She watched Senefa as they turned back towards the Eyrie." "What is your opinion on the Great Question, Star Colonel? I have never asked. Are you a Warden or Crusader?"

"Does it make a difference? I am no Warden to sit on my ass and gaze at my navel, Star Captain." Athena laughed at that. "But I am no Crusader. I go where the Clan orders me, nothing more. I see no reason to abuse the Spheroids—after all, I am not a Smoke Jaguar."

"Then you do not see us as liberators?" Athena asked.

"No, Star Captain. We are conquerors, and we should not fool ourselves into thinking otherwise."

A few hours later, Senefa had watched Phelan Wolf's battlerom twice more, then worked out at the Eyrie's gym. During her workout, she had watched the holovid, which showed that Ulric Kerensky had avoided censure from Clan Wolf. A Jade Falcon MechWarrior had immediately challenged the Wolves to a Trial of Grievance against the failed censure, only for the Jade Falcon to be quickly dispatched by Star Colonel Katya Kerensky of the Wolves. Senefa had listened to the other warriors in the gym complain about Kerensky's use of a Timber Wolf equipped with jumpjets, calling it "Spheroid tactics." Senefa shook her head at that; her own Summoner used jumpjets. Yet another Trial of Grievance was in the works against the Wolves, this time for cheating. Senefa had left the gym, showered, and put on a fresh uniform, concealing her fury at her own Clan. There was no cheating: Kerensky merely took advantage of her opponent's lack of imagination.

Senefa came to saKhan Cavell Malthus' office and knocked on the door. "Come in," he said, and she walked in, coming to attention at the prescribed three paces from his desk. He was leaning back in an ancient leather chair that had to date back to the Exodus, reading from a book; it never ceased to amaze Senefa just how large Cavell's book collection was, or what a voracious reader he was. Though recreational reading was not discouraged among most of the Clans, it was not encouraged either, and many Clan MechWarriors disdained it, rarely reading more than battle reports and the Remembrance, the Clans' epic ongoing poem. Senefa herself was not particularly well-read beyond science journals. She noted some of the titles on Cavell's bookshelves: Starship Troopers, Space Cadet, Uhura's Song, On Basilisk Station. She knew those were science fiction titles. "Star Colonel Senefa," he addressed her, breaking her out of her distraction. "What can I do for you?"

"Ovkhan, if I could have a moment of your time—"

"Of course, Senefa."

"It is about these Trials we are fighting with the Wolves."

Cavell's face darkened with anger. "Aff, Senefa. I hope you are not planning to issue any challenges—you just came off of a Trial, quiaff?"

"Neg, ovkhan. I believe they are a waste. We are losing valuable warriors—both us and the Wolves—to little more than imagined insults and jealousy. Aff, I did participate in one, but I was the one challenged, and could hardly refuse. All the same, we are killing ourselves faster than the Inner Sphere is."

Cavell nodded. "And there is the problem, Senefa. I agree that the Trials are wasteful, especially when we're already facing the Steel Vipers over Khan Crichell's blood legacy. Most of this controversy is manufactured. This business about Khan Ulric has nothing to do with the Jade Falcons. I am not fond of Ulric, but unless the Wolves are defying the Grand Council, Wolf internal politics should never have been challenged by the Jade Falcons. Had I known sooner, I would have quashed it—I am acting Khan until Crichell returns." Assuming he returns, Senefa thought. If Crichell died against the Steel Vipers, Cavell would be permanent Khan, but she doubted that Crichell's allies—namely Vandervahn Chistu—would allow it. She doubted in any case that Crichell would die against the Vipers; the man had more lives than the proverbial cat. "Despite that," Cavell continued, "I cannot simply ban Trials—there are some cases, such as yours, when they are necessary."

"I know, ovkhan, but I propose a solution." She crossed over to a small holoprojector in one corner of Cavell's office, and switched in on. Using her fingers, she scrolled "down" to the Inner Sphere, finding the border between the Jade Falcons' and the Wolves' invasion corridors. The former's conquests burned green, the Wolves' brown, while the Federated Commonwealth's worlds showed blue and the Free Rasalhague Republic's were purple. Sticking like a thumb into the Jade Falcons' zone were the planets of Twycross and Planting. Senefa pointed to the latter. "Part of the reason why we agreed to leave Planting was because we had essentially stolen it from the Wolves' corridor. We put up enough of a fight to preserve our honor, and now the Wolves will have to retake a planet filled with angry and determined Inner Sphere defenders."

"True," Cavell agreed. He got up and walked over to the projector, standing next to her. He glanced at her. The Jade Falcon duty uniform did hug Senefa's curves quite well, and she was an attractive woman. He found himself first tempted by, and then almost nauseated at the idle thought of coupling with her, almost as if he was her biological father in the same way Calla Bighorn-Vlata was Sheila Arla-Vlata's. While Senefa did have some of Cavell's DNA, they were not blood related—but Cavell was both amused at and enjoyed the thought of Senefa being his actual daughter.

"I think we should isolate Planting from being used as a base for further offensives into Clan territory," Senefa was saying, unaware of Cavell's attention. Her finger moved down to Vantaa, which lay at the base of the Planting thumb. "Vantaa is close to our invasion corridor borders as well. The Wolves are slated to take the planet eventually. I say we channel the frustration of our two Clans and offer a Trial of Possession for Vantaa."

Cavell looked at the map. "When?"

"For the Trial? We should challenge immediately, to nip all these other useless Trials in the bud. The actual Trial should probably take place within a month or two," Senefa explained.

"We are not supposed to renew the offensive until after we have elected a new ilKhan, Senefa. That will likely be either in August or September."

"My Khan, doing that means surrendering the initiative to the Inner Sphere for another four months, at least. That could be fatal. From what ComStar has told us about Hanse Davion and Theodore Kurita, our primary opponents, they will counterattack whenever and wherever they can. Aff, it means that some of our Bloodnamed warriors may not be able to vote for ilKhan, but what is that next to letting the Spherians determine our next battlefields, or worse, allowing them to retake planets they have already lost, quiaff?"

"You make a lot of sense, Senefa," Cavell said. He went back to his desk and picked up his datapad, scanning for the information they needed. "Hmm. The latest information we have about Vantaa is that there are four battalions onplanet from the 10th Donegal Guards and the 12th Star Guards—both units were badly handled by the Wolves. It is doubtful they have rebuilt, but even four understrength battalions is enough of a challenge to be worth the effort, without being too difficult. It would also allow us to make a spoiling attack against the Federated Commonwealth."

"Aff, ovkhan," Senefa agreed. "The Wolves will also agree because it could pin forces that would otherwise either rebuild in time for the renewal of the conflict, or those that might be used to reinforce Planting."

Cavell smiled and shut off the holoprojector. "I think it is time we pay Khan Ulric a social call, quiaff?"

Khan Ulric Kerensky was a tall man; his slender build made him seem even taller. His hair and goatee had gone prematurely gray, almost snow-white, but that only added to the man's charisma. Senefa had never met him personally until this moment, but she could see on first meeting why Ulric commanded respect and loyalty, even from those who did not like him.

To their surprise, Ulric had offered to come to the Eyrie rather than hold the meeting in the Wolves' hall or on neutral ground. The magnanimous gesture had confused the Jade Falcons, and he had further unsettled his rivals by bringing Natasha Kerensky to the meeting. Finally, both Wolves wore fatigues, whereas Senefa and Cavell had changed into formal uniforms, making the Jade Falcons look overdressed. All the same, when Ulric and Natasha walked into the briefing room, Cavell stepped forward and offered his hand. "Khan Ulric. I was glad to hear that you avoided censure."

Ulric smiled. "I believe that you genuinely mean that, Khan Cavell." The two men shook hands, testing each other just for a moment. "I do not know if you have met Natasha Kerensky, Khan Cavell."

"I have not." The two did not shake hands, mainly because Natasha mulishly kept hers at her sides. "Your reputation precedes you, Natasha."

"I'm sure it does." Natasha's voice was filled with contempt. Cavell's smile got larger; he was reminded of Marion Rhialla, the older Sentinel woman that had delivered Calla's challenge on Planting. "Both of you are familiar with Star Colonel Senefa Malthus, quiaff? She is the one responsible for our meeting tonight."

Senefa inclined her head to the two Wolves. "Good evening, Khan Ulric—Colonel Kerensky." Natasha's eyebrows went up at that: Senefa had addressed her by her rank among Wolf's Dragoons. "Please be seated, and I shall begin." Senefa waited until all three were in their seats, then switched on the holotank in the center of the room. "It has come to our Clan's attention that the spate of Trials of Grievance and so on have begun to spiral out of control. When our invasion resumes, we need trained and qualified warriors far too much to allow them to kill each other over minor and imagined insults."

Ulric folded his hands in front of him on the table. "That is true. I am pleased to hear the Jade Falcons feel the same way."

"We also believe that surrendering the initiative to the Inner Sphere for almost a year is a delay that only helps our enemies. When we return to the Inner Sphere, we will face enemies more experienced, better trained, and more familiar with our tactics. It is not beyond expectation that they may even be able to reverse engineer some of our battle technology thanks to 'Mechs captured on Twycross, Planting and Wolcott. With both factors in mind, I propose that we not only channel our rivalry against our common enemy—in this case, the Federated Commonwealth—but launch limited offensives to keep our enemy off-balance."

Senefa activated the holotank and made the same pitch to Ulric and Natasha that she had made to Cavell. "Four battalions of enemy 'Mechs is a worthy adversary, but not too large to cause limited resources to be committed to taking the planet. Taking Vantaa also isolates Planting and threatens Twycross. Finally, it will forestall further Inner Sphere counterattacks into Jade Falcon and Wolf territory." She shrugged. "What they do to the Ghost Bears and Smoke Jaguars is none of our concern." She did not laugh, but the others did, even Natasha.

Ulric leaned back in his chair, stroking his goatee in thought. "That is indeed an interesting idea," he said. "In fact, I think I can add to this plan."

"Oh?" Cavell asked.

"Aff. Vantaa is theoretically assigned to the Wolves—as I am sure you are aware of—but I have no problem with a Trial of Grievance for the planet. However, as Vantaa is assigned to us, I am privy to more information about it that the Jade Falcons are." Ulric closed his eyes in thought. "Star Colonel, your assessment of four battalions is correct—we would be facing the remnants of the 10th Donegal Guards and the 12th Star Guards."

"That is exactly correct, ovkhan," Senefa answered. She wondered if Ulric had either anticipated this or simply had an amazing memory.

"What you do not know is that ComStar sent us a last, long-range transmission before the Dire Wolf jumped for Strana Mechty a few months ago." Senefa noticed Natasha was fighting back a grin, which meant whatever was coming would be bad for the Jade Falcons. "The Vantaa garrison was reinforced shortly before we left. Apparently our enemies have recognized the same threat."

"That is logical," Senefa replied. "I take it that you know the identity of the reinforcements?"

"I do," Ulric answered, without a trace of smugness; that was more than could be said for Natasha, who was now unabashedly grinning like her Clan's namesake. "It is the three battalions of the Sentinels Regimental Combined Arms Team. They are likely understrength as well after Planting."

It took every ounce of Senefa's willpower not to let the surprise show on her face. She knew the Wolves intended her to be rocked to the core by the revelation—which she was. If the Sentinels are there, so is Sheila Arla-Vlata. "I see," she said placidly. "That does change matters, quiaff? I had initially believed that the bidding should have a ceiling of a single Cluster. The Sentinels, however, are one of the more experienced units in the Federated Commonwealth's touman, and their commanders are quite skilled, from the regimental to company level."

Ulric got up from his chair; if he was disappointed in the lack of reaction by Senefa, he gave no sign. Cavell's eyes had widened, but that was all the emotion he had displayed—she wondered if he too had anticipated this. He walked down to the holotank and touched the dot that represented Vantaa. This caused the dot to expand to a globe that filled the holofield, slowly rotating. Vantaa only had one major continent, a large one shaped like a L lying on its long side. Ulric pointed to main population and industrial centers. "I would expect the Federated Commonwealth to concentrate their forces around these areas—Rissala, the planetary capital, along the Kuopio River. North of Rissala is the Shaitan Valley, a large desert. The main industrial areas, however, are here, around Cold Harbor." He pointed to the base of the L, which curved to the north.

"To approach Rissala from the north," Senefa took up the briefing, "one would have to cross the Shaitan Valley and the Kuopio River; from the west and east, there are several small lakes and deep glacial valleys, such as Spider's Climb and Duncan's Rift. Cold Harbor is slightly better ground for the offense, as the Anna River is not particularly deep, though there are a number of rivers and ridges to the north, and swamps to the east." Her hand swept to the west of Cold Harbor. "There seems to be an easier approach here, through the Massanutten Valley."

Ulric nodded, clasping his hands behind his back. "I agree that we should set a minimum of one Cluster for each Clan. The objective for each Clan should be either Rissala or Cold Harbor." He turned to Cavell. "Khan Cavell, since the Jade Falcons proposed this Trial, I cede to you the choice of objectives."

Cavell got up and walked to the holotank, studying it. He pointed to Cold Harbor. "Here. That is our objective."

"Very well. The Wolves will take Rissala. Bargained well and done." The two Khans shook hands. "I will notify you of our bidding by the end of the week."

"Of course, Khan Ulric. Thank you for your consideration." The two men exchanged more pleasantries, then Ulric and Natasha left. Natasha threw Senefa one last amused look; Senefa merely regarded the older woman with bored indifference, which she knew would anger Natasha more than anger or contempt. Once the Wolves were gone, Senefa looked at Cavell. "I am not disappointed with our choice of objectives, ovkhan, but I am surprised. Why Cold Harbor?"

"The names of towns and cities through here, Senefa." Cavell used his hands to expand the area. "Shepherdstown. Sharpsburg. Leesburg. Mechanicsville. Port Royal. Cold Harbor."

"I am confused, my Khan. What does it mean?"

Cavell smiled. "It would appear that the settlers of northeast Vantaa originally came from the tidewater Eastern Seaboard of the ancient United States of America, a place called Virginia—elsewhere, the towns and cities bear the name of those in Finland, another old nation in Terra." He pointed to the map again. "A geographer might simply find that interesting, but it provides the clue where the Sentinels are. Calla Bighorn-Vlata is a student of history. He will choose this ground because it is named for battles of the First American Civil War. He will know that…as I do."

Senefa studied the map closer, but seemed still mystified. She glanced at him. "Then it appears, ovkhan, that I am not the only one to wish a rematch."