Clan Homeworlds
5 January 3055
Star Captain David stood motionless as he scanned the assembled warriors. Most within the circle had their heads bowed in defeat. His eyes lingered momentarily on the gaps in the circle, places where once a living warrior stood. He smiled as his eyes landed on the sole other person in the ring whose head was held high.
Khan Elias Crichell spoke from the dias above the assembled ring. “Thirty two of you have fought to claim the Pryde bloodname, late of Star Colonel Dal. Only two remain: David, his aide-de-camp and chosen heir and Raisa of the 5th Falcon Veilites. Now is the final challenge in this Trial of Bloodright.
“Bring forth the coin. Heads shall give advantage to David and he may name the nature of the trial, leaving Raisa to state his venue. Tails gives the advantage to Raisa.” The Khan accepted the coin and tossed it skyward. It landed at the center of the circle. David and Raisa both walked forward.
“It is heads.” admitted Raisa.
“Then we shall fight augmented.”
“So be it.” said Raisa. “For the Pryde name!”
Raldamax
Outworlds Alliance
1 June 3055
“Your protest is noted, Star Commander.” Said the operation’s leader. “But the fact remains that we cannot expand further without additional manpower.”
“But to take slaves? This is against everything the Great Father believed.”
“Desperate times, my friend.” The leader glanced down at her mech’s sensor monitors. “Cut the chatter. I’ve got a fast mover closing on our position fast. Radio silence, people.”
The comm chat went silent as the dropship roared past. The leader watched as it flashed past for the horizon.
“Do you think they saw us?” asked the Star Commander, risking a tight-beam message.
“Did you see that ship, Commander?”
“Yes, looked like a Confederate class.”
“Database ID confirms that. Outworlds Alliance is believed to largely armed with pre-Star League technology. What is an advanced Star League era dropship doing flying over one of their worlds?”
“Perhaps our intelligence is wrong, my Khan.”
“Or something else is going on here. That dropship was on final approach, so it landed less than ten klicks from our position. Too close for my comfort. Hold position here. I am advancing to investigate. If you do not hear from me within the hour, continue with your mission.”
“My Khan, you should not risk yourself.”
“You have your orders.” She pushed the throttle of her mech forward. Raldamax was, like most Outworlds planets, a largely agrarian planet. The Khan’s raiding force had landed in a remote area, far from any would be defenders, but near enough to a few settlements that their planned abduction should go off without a hitch. Now the appearance of a dropship that should not even be within the Outworld’s limited military, let alone here on this planet, had thrown the Khan’s plan into question.
The Khan was thankful for two things. One, that they had landed in such a remote area that any defenders would likely be lax, and two, the heavy forest served to conceal her BattleMechs from any who might be looking anyway. Her mech, an old Star League era Thorn, carried more than enough firepower to get her out of any trouble spots. But still it paid to be cautious and she periodically glanced down at her sensor monitor as she advanced along the path towards the dropship’s destination.
As her mech advanced through the forest, her sensor monitor lit up. Contacts, lots of them. The computer ID’d most of them as construction vehicles, civilian craft that were no threat to even her light BattleMech.
“What are they building out here?” she mused to herself, as she pulled back on the throttle for a more cautious approach. The forest would shield her from ground-based radars, but if she got too close magnetic sensors and others would reveal her presence. She pulled her mech to a complete stop and popped open the hatch. She climbed down to make the rest of her journey on foot.
The forest came to an abrupt end after less than a kilometer of walking. She kept to the trees as she watched a ForestryMech clearing timber nearby. The old primitive WorkMech was not an unusual sight, even on a primitive world such as this, but what lay beyond its work area was. Construction vehicles dashed about new ferrocrete pad, upon which sat the newly landed dropship. Now with a good long look, the Khan could confirm what her instincts and computer had told her earlier; It was indeed an old Star League era Confederate.
But the insignia on its side was not that of the Outworlds Alliance.
“Great Kerensky’s ghost,” swore saKhan Leighanna Hallis, “as if the Falcons were not bad enough. Now they are here.” She stumbled backwards into the shade of the trees, her eyes never leaving the dropship’s emblem, the insignia of Clan Snow Raven.
Conspiracy Intelligence Headquarters, Georgia
Northwind
Conspiracy Occupation Zone
15 August 3055
“So Antoine, what have you been up to?” Richard O’Malley’s fingers danced across the keyboard of his computer terminal. “Why so secretive?”
File Access Log (01/01/55 – 15/08/55) for Anderson, Antoine
KS4231
TS7982
“Only two files in the past eight months? I wonder what they contain.”
Enter Access Code for File KS4231:
Delta Omega Access Only
Of course, on one level, it seemed rather silly for the Director of Conspiracy Intelligence to have to sneak about in his own headquarters. But lately, things had been changing. His old war buddy and fellow spy, Antoine had been growing increasingly distant of late. Richard might have chalked that up to the disintegrating war effort, but he had known Antoine for over 20 years. Richard was also well-trained to detect deception, and he knew that Antoine’s behavior was a mask for something else.
“So what are you up to?” O’Malley repeated in his mind. “If you think some fake security clearance is going stop me from finding out what, you’re sadly mistaken. I’m the Director of ConsInt. Who’s going to tell me I don’t have authorization to view this file, even if I don’t have Delta Omega clearance?” O’Malley sat down to work. His extensive training did not stop with recognizing people’s ticks, it included BattleMech combat, interrogation techniques, and, thankfully, computer security skills. It did not take him long to crack through the file’s security encryption.
“Oh, my God.” He said aloud as he read the first few paragraphs of the document. Without hesitation, his hands moved across the keyboard, giving the computer the command to print. “What have I uncovered here?”
He quickly gathered the documents from the printer and stuffed them into a dossier folder. He would review the rest later, in a location more secure than here. Even deep within the archives, he feared detection.
Just as he finished clearing the logs from the terminal he had logged in on, covering his tracks well enough he hoped to avoid Antoine discovering his files had been compromised, he heard a sound from the stairwell outside the archive room. Richard flipped off the computer and quickly made for the door, trying to look casual.
He opened the door to see Juan Miranda coming down the stairs towards him. He quickly tucked the dossier under him arm and extended his hand to his other old friend and comrade-at-arms; again, trying to look and act casual.
“Well, this is a surprise,” said Richard, “although I had heard you were on Northwind. What brings you to ConsInt Headquarters, Juan?”
“Trying to get some information. See if we know anything about what Prince Victor might throw at us.” said Juan. “If I’m going into battle, it might help if I knew against who.”
Richard could see through Juan’s lie too, but at the moment, he didn’t care. “Unfortunately, our operations have become a bit more limited. Most have given up already.” He responded nonchalantly.
“Have you?” pressed Juan, making things personal.
After what he had seen, Richard wondered at the question. He chose his next words more carefully. “There’s more going on than you know, Juan.” He said grimly. “The Conspiracy is finished. Your best bet is to get your folks off-world while there’s still time.”
“I can’t believe I’m hearing this from you. I thought you’d go down with the ship.”
“I will. Nothing can stop that now. Either your former boss will kill me…” he paused. “…or they will.”
“They?” asked Juan.
“That’s a question you’re better off not knowing the answer to.” With that, he brushed past his friend and up the stairs.
Outside Georgia
Northwind
Draconis March, Federated Commonwealth
2 September 3055
Baron Ian O’Malley looked out across the horizon through the pre-dawn light. Despite the darkness, one thing could be seen clearly: the fires burning in Georgia, the capital city of Northwind. He sighed and watched as the city he called home for most of his life blazed away before his eyes.
“The damage could have been worse, mi’lord.” Said the steward of his manor, Greg O’Neil. “In the end, it was probably good that we did not oppose Prince Victor’s landing.” It was odd for a servant to speak so boldly, but O’Neil had been with the O’Malley family for nearly all his life. He saw the pensive look on his lord’s face, and sensed grim regrets behind it.
“True.” Said the Baron, ignoring his servant’s audacity. “Northwind will survive this, whereas it might not have had we faced the full brunt of the Prince’s wrath. But what of us? Look, Greg, to the southwest. The manor burns.”
“It is as we feared. The Star Swords have set fire to the manor.”
“They are seeking the child as we speak. No doubt, my son is dead.” Ian paused. He was too numb to feel any sorrow or remorse at the death of Richard. His only solace was the toddler Richard had brought to them just a few months before. The child now slept quietly in a nearby tent with his aunt, Ian’s only remaining child, his daughter Celine.
“This has been a fool’s errand, this Conspiracy.” The Baron continued, spitting out the last word with contempt. “Look what it has cost us. Our lands, our home, my son…” He let out his breath. “I have lived too long to see such days as these.”
“Soon they will come for us. Mi’lord, this camp will not hide us forever. Soon, the Prince will negotiate for the return of Northwind to Davion rule. When that happens, the Star Swords will be released from the pact that binds them to the city and they will find us.”
“I know that. But Richard did say to await a signal, confirmation that he had found passage for us off-world.”
“It seems strange that Lord Richard would ask us to run. To leave Northwind.”
“Daniel is now my only male heir. We will not win a legal challenge against Messer and his wife for custody, not with the power of Prince Victor behind him. If our line is to survive, we must seek our fortunes elsewhere. And there was more…”
“More, sir?”
“Richard had his suspicions about the true nature of the Conspiracy. Suspicions he had hoped to confirm. Things we might use as leverage to help us regain what is ours.”
“Then let us hope he was successful, mi’lord.”
A ground car drove up a nearby road, its headlights cutting through the pre-dawn mist. It stopped just short of the tent where Daniel and Celine were sleeping. A single figure disembarked and began to walk toward Greg and Ian.
“Perhaps now, we find out.” Said the Baron sidelong to O’Neil. “Identify yourself.” He barked at the newcomer, his hand instinctively going for his sidearm.
“I am Hiroshi Takagi from ConsInt. I was an associate of your son, Baron O’Malley.”
“What business have you here?”
“Richard O’Malley fell in battle against elements of the 1st Star Swords yesterday. My condolences to you and your family on your loss. In the event he did not survive, my orders were to deliver this into your hands.” He held out his arm to reveal a leather attaché case.
“What is it?” asked Ian.
“I do not know. I was only given instructions to give it to you in the event of Richard’s death. I have not reviewed its contents.”
“Give it to me and be on your way.”
“As you wish.” Takagi turned over the case to O’Malley and turned to depart.
“Well, let us see what my son’s final gift to us is.” He popped open the case and looked inside. Within was a large stack of papers and several computer data chips in sealed plastic containers. They were labeled JA2342, KS4231, SS0001, and so forth. Sitting on top of the papers was a handwritten note. Ian recognized the script as Richard’s. It read:
Father,
I know it sounds clichéd, but if you’re reading this, I must be dead. Contained within are two sets of documents and files, both dealing with certain enemies of ours. The files and documents labeled SS concern the Star Swords and their leaders. These so-called heroes have a number of secrets that they do not want to become public knowledge. Use this information to incriminate them. This is leverage we can use to retain custody of Daniel, who you know by now is your sole heir.
Secondly, the other files concern Ryan Steiner’s conspiracy. As I had suspected, Steiner is not the true force behind the conspiracy. We’ve all been duped by his secret master, a woman known by the code name of “Duchess.” This was never about stopping the alliance between the FedCom and the snakes. It was her plan to rise to power. Within is all the information about her plan, including her true identity. Guard this information well. The future of the Inner Sphere could depend upon it.
I know this is not an easy burden for me to put upon you. But the people who have brought about my demise cannot go unpunished. Both the Star Swords and the Conspiracy represent some of the greatest threats to the Inner Sphere, greater perhaps than even the Clans. Use this information wisely. Guard it with your life. Both parties will seek you for its contents. Your best bet is to flee Northwind as soon as possible. Take it to Tharkad or New Avalon and deliver it directly.Ian quickly closed the case. He turned to O’Neil. “Go wake up Celine and the child.”
“Yes, mi’lord.” Replied O’Neil. He then paused, his boldness returning. “Mi’lord, should we not consider turning this over to Prince Victor while he is here?”
“The others who seek this case and its contents will never let us get close enough to the Prince to deliver it. We must get off world and soon. Richard’s given us a cursed gift. If anyone seeking this case finds us, we’re all as good as dead.”
Pattison
Draconis March, Federated Commonwealth
2 September 3055
“I’m telling you, you have got to listen to this.” Corporal Michael Lee held out his portable digital music player to his friend and fellow soldier Private Kelly Rodgers.
“Michael, enough. I’m sure its good, but that’s not the sort of music I enjoy.” She gave him a playful shove and turned to park her self on the front of their old Manticore battle tank. The two of them had known each other since childhood and had enlisted together into the planetary militia just a few short months earlier.
“You never did have any good taste.” Grumbled Lee, putting the speakers back over his ears. But he had barely pressed play when the klaxon sounded.
“What the?”
“Pirate raid.” Said Rodgers nervously. Neither of them had ever faced real combat and this far out into the Federated Suns “outback” they likely never would. But pirates and raiders were an ever present, if rare, threat.
The other two members of their four-man tank crew came dashing out of the nearby building. “Enemy mech force approaching. They’re only a few klicks out.” Barked one, his voice pitched higher with anxiety.
“How’d they get so close without us knowing?” asked Lee.
“Crappy backwater sensors.” Snarled Rodgers. “It’s not like the AFFC bothers much with worlds like ours.”
The four of them pulled themselves into their tank, taking up their positions. Rodgers slid into the drivers seat and flipped the switches to bring the tank’s sophisticated fusion engine online. “At least, we have a good tank.” She said.
Rodgers activated the drive train and the tank sped out into the plains. Behind her, the rest of their tank squad fell into line. Against a light battlemech force, they were a force to be reckoned with. Aside from the powerful 60 ton Manticore, there was also a Vendette, a Bulldog, and a formidable Patton. That was enough firepower to make even a heavy mech force sit up and take notice.
“Contact. Enemy BattleMech at 2 o’clock. Distance 1.6 kilometers. Computer is unable to ID.” Reported Lee from his position as tank commander.
“What?” exclaimed Rodgers. She glanced over at the mech on her viewscreen. It was a strange mech, similar in shape to a Thunderbolt.
“I know what that is.” Said one of the other tankers with a shudder of fear. “That’s a Thor. It’s a Clan mech.”
“Oh, hell.” Said Lee. “Enemy will be in range in less than a minute.”
“And he’ll hit us before we can hit him.”
“Four other contacts. Falling in behind the Thor. Confirm Clan Star formation. My God, what are the Clans doing here?”
“We’re the only thing standing between them and Byron City.” Said Lee. “Look sharp people. We have a job to do.”
Another mech, another that the computer could not identify but having the look of a cobra, pulled ahead of the Thor. “Ok, folks, there’s our target!” barked Lee. “Sight him up and let him have it.”
The Manticore’s PPC lined up and laced a bolt of electric fire at the cobra-like mech. The bolt tore into the mech’s left arm. Lee let out a cry of elation, ignoring the fact that the tank’s other weapons missed the target.
Then the Clan mechs opened fire. Most of them focused on the Patton behind them, shredding its treads with laser and missile fire. The Patton was now immobilized, but could still fire.
Then the cobra mech opened up, raining LRM fire down on their Manticore. Missiles peppered the mech’s heavy armor. “Don’t worry!” said Lee over the din of the impacts. “We can take this.”
“Motive damage, Michael.” Said Rodgers in a panic. “We’re crippled.”
Lee looked up crestfallen as the Thor closed the distance. Behind it came one of the Clan lights, a mech he recognized from his history class in high school, a Mongoose scout mech. “Take the Mongoose. Damnit, we’ll take one of them with us.”
The Manticore opened up on the advancing Mongoose. The PPC missed, but SRM volley spattered across its light armor. The Mongoose emerged from the smoke and fire damaged, but unbowed.
Another LRM volley slammed into the Manticore from the cobra mech. Shrapnel tore through the crew compartment. Lee was astonished that somehow he managed to avoid being hit. “Kelly, are you alright?”
She was unconscious across the control stick. Lee leaned over to reach for her as another impact struck the crippled tank. The crew compartment filled with smoke and fire. Lee grabbed Rodgers and pulled her from her seat. He forced open the hatch and pulled her and himself out of the burning tank.
The five Clan mechs continued their assault, pouring immense firepower into the Vendette and the Bulldog. Nearby, the Patton was aflame; it too now destroyed and out of the fight. “Who the hell are these people? They annihilated us in less than a minute.” Mused Lee as he desperately tried to awaken his unconscious friend. His eyes glanced upward to see the massive cobra mech walk past his demolished tank, its insignia of a three clawed animal paw burning in his mind.
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