Crag Gorge
Richmond
8 October 3059
15:47:00 local time
"Panther, move to hold the left flank," Star Colonel Christopher Showers barked as he slowly backed away from the advancing SLDF force, firing his remaining 2 ER Large lasers and one ER medium laser in a rhythmic pattern as soon as they cycled.
"Aff," came the response immediately. The 65-ton Hellbringer moved purposely in the direction commanded.
"Valkyrie, take your Star and pull back to the dropship perimeter, then provide cover until my star reaches you." The Star Colonel growled into the comm again, lobbing one of his remaining 6 rounds of LRMs at the approaching enemies.
"Aff," Valkyrie responded immediately, off to the right Valkyrie's 100-ton Dire Wolf, followed by her Star warriors, backed over a low hill, firing as they went, then turned to move at speed to the rally point.
He despised engaging multiple targets simultaneously, but the enemy gave him little choice. They are pressing like he was covering the extraction of the ilKhan himself, instead of a sibko Binary and a freebirth second-line Trinary.
Christopher's Timber Wolf staggered under another withering attack. AC/20 shells blew fresh holes all along his omnimech's right side, knocking his right LRM launcher offline. "Damn these dezgra freebirths!" he swore to his mech. Opening up his comm again, "Kat 1, prepare to launch as soon as my unit boards. All units, execute Nova 1 Alpha, Kat 1 provide close cover once the enemy is within range!"
A glancing strike from a Gauss slug sheered the left side of his cockpit armour away, peppering Christopher with hot shrapnel and leaving him open to the air. His Timber Wolf lurched left with the sudden loss of a ton of armour, but the Colonel wrenched the Mech back on task. Arms and chest burning, he continued firing with all available weapons backing slowly to the point where the dropship could provide some cover for the final retreat.
Christopher had lost a complete Trinary of OmniMechs getting to this extraction point deep in the Crag Gorge, the deepest gorge on Richmond. The area had the advantage of a controllable pass. However, the inner sphere forces were relentless, and they seemed dedicated to their objective of wiping out his clan.
A large laser hit on his left side cooked the skin on his left side as the scorching heat washed over him through the open cockpit. Never did he waiver. Barking orders in a steady stream, the Jaguars slowly withdrew.
Nadir Jump point
Bazaar System
Periphery
11 October 3059
07:30:00 ship time
"Report!" Star Colonel Christopher Showers ordered, stepping into the war room aboard the Bear Pelt, the Overlord-C Dropship that had been serving as his command ship. Shirtless, Christopher was still stim-bandaged over his left arm, the left side of his face, and most of his upper torso as the skin grew back from the devastating withdrawal from Richmond. Yet, despite his bandages, he still projected a commanding aura palatable to those gathered.
The leaders assembled stood facing each other around the inactive holotank in the center of the war room.
"We will be ready for the next jump series in 3 hours. We should reach Huntress System in 3 more weeks, Star Colonel!" Replied the Jumpship Captain.
"Aff," Christopher responded.
"My unit will be ready," declared the Sibko Star Captain, Jonathan, standing a little too straight. At 19 he was an impressive Kit, but tried a little too hard to stand out before senior officers.
"Aff," Christopher replied, taking some of the edge out of his normal tone these days, "You will get your fill of combat soon, Star Captain. We all will. I knew your Kit Master; he was a good warrior. I am sure you will continue his legacy."
"My Trinary is refit, Star Colonel; all Mechs are ready. However, two of my warriors have succumbed to their injuries." Star Captain Karen Corbett, freebirth leader of the second-line Trinary, stated plainly.
"Your warriors should have been able to hold the Inner Sphere imposters at bay," Jonathan spat. It still burned him that this freebirth was bloodnamed, and he was not. "Why must we suffer these freebirths at all, Star Colonel?"
"I would happily meet you in a Trial of Grievance, Kit," Karen responded in an even tone, locking eyes with the upstart cadet.
"ENOUGH!" Roared Christopher, "All warriors of Clan Smoke Jaguar have a singular task: to defend our Clan! There is no honour without our Clan. Our Clan is being threatened with annihilation!" anger soaring at the notion of any officers of Clan Smoke Jaguar losing sight of their current reality. Rounding on the young Star Captain, he vented, "IF YOU CHALLENGE ANOTHER WARRIOR, LET ALONE A BLOODNAMED WARRIOR, TO SOOTH YOUR PETTY EGO AGAIN I WILL KILL YOU WHERE YOU STAND. AM I UNDERSTOOD?"
"A, a, Affirmative," The young warrior stammered in the face of Christopher's rage.
"As much as we have placed faith in our trueborn nature, I will remind you, Kit, that it is a freeborn army that is currently wiping our Clan from existence with disturbing success," Christopher admitted reluctantly, in a slightly lower tone, as much to himself as to the young cadet.
"Star Colonel!" Exclaimed a communications tech from across the room, "Incoming communication from Galaxy Commander Brendon Corbett!"
"Connect me!" Christopher commanded.
The holotank sprang to life, a moment later, the 3D holo projection of the upper half of Galaxy Commander Brendon Corbett, senior most officer in charge of all Inner Sphere Jaguar forces, appeared.
"Greetings, Star Colonel, status." The Galaxy Commander ordered without preamble.
Christopher gave a complete account of the unit, the actions leading up to now, and their intended plan to return to Huntress at best speed.
"I have new orders Star Colonel." Corbett began somberly, "I need you and your unit to disappear."
"To what?" Christopher replied, genuinely taken aback.
"The Clan is being swept from the Inner Sphere, as you know. These new Star League forces are much larger than we anticipated. I expect that we will be driven from the Inner Sphere shortly. We will regather on Huntress and plan our return once we have reorganized." Corbett paused just a moment.
"However, we will need reliable intelligence on what is happening in the Inner Sphere in our absence. We can clearly not rely upon the other Clans in this matter. You, Star Colonel, have the most extensive experience operating in covert in the Inner Sphere. I am sending you two Trinaries to augment your current contingent. Take your unit and position yourself to keep the ilKhan and me appraised of the situation and changes occurring in our absence. This assignment requires you to think outside our norms, but I know you are best equipped to accept this challenge, Star Colonel. You will report directly to the ilKhan, myself, and us alone," The Galaxy Commander finished matter of factly.
"What are my operational parameters?" Christopher asked, eyes locked with the Galaxy Commander.
"Wildcat protocol," the Galaxy Commander replied without blinking.
Christopher stood, staring for a moment, carefully considering the implications, mentally going through any possible questions before he and his unit effectively separated from their Clan. The Star Captains shifted nervously, uncertain where this apparent standoff would take them.
"What of the sibko?" He asked finally.
"Take them, teach them," Corbett replied without hesitation, "I believe Clan Smoke Jaguar will need more warriors like you, Star Colonel, if we are to thrive in the future."
Christopher nodded; the Galaxy Commander finished with, "Good hunting, Star Colonel," and signed off, ending the transmission.
"Summon all the unit leaders," Christopher ordered, "and someone find businessman Jason Kotare and bring him here."
Nadir Jump point
Bazaar System
Periphery
11 October 3059
8:43:00 ship time
The Star Colonel finished his briefing to the assembled leaders and the oddly attired businessman Jason Kotare. The group stood silently, a range of emotions from passive to outraged written on the faces of these Clan warriors who had just learned they would not be rejoining their Clan. Possibly, forever. Jason Kotare, for his part, seemed deep in thought, brow furrowed, his normal jovial demeanour replaced by a look Christopher had come to know well.
"Speak," Christopher commanded.
"Can we issue a Trial of Refusal?" Came the first response from a Star Commander Christopher knew to be reactionary and quick to anger.
"Neg," he replied simply, "the Galaxy Commander and ilKhan have issued the wildcat protocol. This means all our records have been sealed. Our Clansmen, nor any Clan, would not recognize a challenge from any of us. I answer only to the Galaxy Commander and ilKhan; if both were killed today, we would simply have no proof that we were ever in Clan Smoke Jaguar."
The implications of that protocol hit all the junior officers like a brick in the face. No one moved. No one else spoke.
"How will we accomplish this task," Star Captain Corbett asked plainly into the silence.
"We could attempt to join another Clan in the inner Sphere," suggested another Star Commander.
"They would suspect we are either cowards deserting our Clan, or spies. Either way, they would destroy us on sight," the Star Captain responded as though it were obvious.
"Is there a world where we could lay in wait, out of the notice of our enemies, gather the information and wait?" A third Star Commander asked.
"Jason Kotare?" Christopher said, drawing all eyes to the businessman, whose attire looked like a Picasso exploded in a clothing shop.
Jason looked up, "Ahh, it would be difficult. I believe the Inner Sphere itself would be improbable. Even if this Star League army ignores us, the Great Houses will hunt us down and destroy us." He paused a moment, "It might be possible if we chose a Periphery planet. However, it would have to be populous enough to have an HPG station so we could gather information on what is happening. Which means ComStar would know we were there immediately. As would their allies, our enemies."
"Why are we consulting a business caste on these critical matters?" Asked a junior Star Commander.
"Because, in matters like these, I have learned Jason Kotare is a reliable source of information and provides great insight into matters warriors do not normally become involved in," Christopher stated in a tone that told all gathered, further discussion along these lines will not be tolerated.
Turning to address Jason, "Jason Kotare, is there any way for us to conceal ourselves to accomplish the task at hand?"
"I am trying to see a way, Star Colonel. We could disband, individually or in small groups. However, in my experience, Inner Sphere people are particularly good at identifying people of the Clans. And they are infinitely paranoid; there are almost as many spies as there are people in the Inner Sphere. Separated, some of us may accomplish the task, but without each other, most will be rounded up easily." Jason replied.
"Could we attempt to masquerade as mercenaries? As the wolves did?" Asked the young sibko Star Captain, adding, "Given we've been told to operate in any manner necessary." The young cadet was very aware mercenaries are deeply disliked by the Clan but wanted to add some option to the discussion.
"Neg," Christopher replied, "a force of our size, with all Clan technology and warriors, we would be identified as Smoke Jaguar and hunted." Seeing the slight crestfallen look in the young Captain's eyes, he added, "A good idea, but we would hardly be mercenaries if no one would hire us." A rare joke, which did get some laughs from around the assembly.
"Unless," Jason Kotare said aloud.
"Yes, Jason Kotare, you have something?" Christopher said.
"We could not be mercenaries, but if we could join a mercenary group that already exists, particularly if we had a believable story. Then we could operate with relative freedom."
"We have no allies; where would we find such a group?" Christopher asked, interest piqued.
"True, we have no allies, but there is one that might be," he said knowingly, locking eyes with the Star Colonel.
"Who?" Christopher began, "The ones from Astrokaszy?" he said, starting to see what Jason was getting at.
"Aff Star Colonel," Jason replied, leaving Christopher to drive the next round of the conversation.
"It is a stretch to think they would be an ally," he started, pieces of possibility sliding into place. "And they were a small unit, last we met."
"So were we, when last we met," Jason countered. "I believe their Ryan Praska has all the necessary insight and connections to convince the Inner Sphere we joined their group. And their Captain seems capable and flexible enough in his thinking to at least discuss the possibility. Also, you have a ready means of contacting him."
"Hmm," The Star Colonel started.
"Our warriors would not accept an Inner Sphere mercenary leader." Star Captain Corbett interjected.
"Not unless we lost a Trial of Possession," Star Captain Natalie Freelander, Christopher's XO, and Dire Wolf pilot, said. "In that event, most of our warriors need not know our true mission. Adding credibility to our cause, if anyone asks our warriors for information."
"Sound reasoning," Christopher replied, "but you suggest we intentionally lose a Trial of Possession? Our warriors would immediately recongise such as dishonourable thing."
"No, Star Colonel. But in that unit, there was one who would win."
Christopher thought momentarily, and knew just who she was talking about.
"Aff. That would do." He said.
Antelope Union Class Dropship
Zenith Jump Point
Sarpsborg system
Federated Commonwealth
22 October 3059
19:23:00 ship time
If they wanted to stop the Clan invasion, they should have given a toddler a teddy bear and set her loose on their lead Jumpship! Allen thought, exhausted in the aftermath of Chrissy Green's campaign of terror. It had taken the entire Unit and 3 ship crews to finally capture the wayward toddler and end the chaos!
A dropship ejected from the Jumpship, every door on the Jumpship emergency locked, and a near miss-jump with a toddler at the Nav controls! And that was just the first wave of chaos! Three times they caught her; three times, she magically escaped!
Whoever thinks a stuffed toy is not a weapon has never encountered a hyperactive toddler in zero-G! During failed attempt number 2, two of Ryan's Ghosts, special forces, tried capturing Chrissy in Mech Bay 1 and were shown the business end of Mr Cuddles. Medics say they should be up and around in a week!
Allen rubbed his eyes. It's been one of those days! He thought. And still, the actual work I was supposed to do 12 hours ago is still waiting!
The Privateers had just finished a short contract for the Fed-Com, which was particularly lucrative. Since the formation of the new Star League, the availability of Company size and larger mercenary units was almost non-existent. The Astrokaszy contract had ended just at the right time to have their pick of assignments. So, naturally, Allen chose the easiest with the highest pay. And the pay for most contracts was double or triple what they were even last year!
We may need to spend it all on repairs if John and June don't find a way to keep Chrissy under guard! Allen mused.
Allen opened up the short list of contracts Jess had compiled for his review. At the top of the list was a new SLDF garrison duty. Interesting, he thought, reading the details. So, a minimum of 8 mechs, a small rural outpost on Asgard. Way behind the contested front lines, even outside the major cities of Asgard. And fantastic pay, with 100% salvage rights!
I guess they assume there won't be any salvage in the backwoods of Asgard, with the SLDF garrison sitting in the capital. Good place to park the new battalion, rotate a company at a time through the garrison duties, and get our house in order. That one looks like a winner after the past year!
Allen hit the accept button and keyed in the necessary approvals for ComStar.
In the 5 months since Astrokaszy, the Privateers had grown from an understrength Company, coming out of the nightmare that was getting off that desert world alive, to nearly a full Battalion. Stray warriors and small merc units from around the Periphery, Free Worlds League, and even 2 small units from Capellian space, all flocked to the Barrett's Privateers after some reporters interviewed survivors from Astrokaszy City.
While their tales were half-baked fantasy, having discovered a regiment's worth of scrap metal lining a mountainside, plus another battalion up in the mountain. Plus rumors that they had bested a Clan ballation before they left! While technically true they'd destroyed the regiment, the locals seemed to have a real flair for the dramatic in their retelling! Either way, Allen had to admit the press was great for recruitment!
Well, that's done. I should try to get some sleep before little Chrissy gets up from her nap and scuttles us on some remote world! Allen thought wryly.
As he stood, stretching his aching back, a blinking light from the shelf above his desk caught his attention. The mysterious device, given to him by the Clan Star Captain on Astrokaszy before they each went their separate ways, was flashing rhythmically.
Allen reached for the device tentatively; retrieving it, he placed it on his desk and pressed the smooth obsidian surface. Immediately, a Holovid projected the Star Captain; no, the rank insignia is wrong! Star Colonel! Allen waved his hand through the projection to start the playback.
"Greetings, Mercenary Captain, " Christopher Showers began, "I am Star Colonel Christopher Showers," like Allen would have forgotten. "I have an unorthodox proposal," he continued unbroken and proceeded to outline what may have been the most insane proposal Allen had ever heard! Finishing with, "If you are agreeable, I would like to discuss the details in person. Meet me at the jump coordinates attached to this message. You can signal your acceptance or rejection using the device I provided." And promptly ended the recording.
Allen reached for his comm, "Ryan, Jess, please report to my office!"