Blood on the Horizon (Battletech SI)

[MarkWarrior]

Late January, 3012 Graham IV FWLM

“Thud, thud, thud,” The footsteps echoed behind the young woman running, and when she thought she was out of energy, the footsteps drove her to run away even faster. But she was tiring, and she could tell the man was gaining on her and so she screamed when she tripped and fell sprawled out on the ground. Rolling over to face her attacker she drove her boot into his crotch when he tried to pin her down and rolled over on top of him to try and strangle him while he was temporarily immobilized.

Unfortunately for her, she couldn’t maintain a solid grip while he was writhing around and she ended up being slammed against an alley wall until she let go.

“You Bitch!” The man yelled out. “I was just gonna have some fun with ya, but now… Bang!”

The woman lowered the small concealed weapon she had stolen from him in the middle of the fight before going to his body and rifling through the pockets, looking for anything that she might be able to use. She had thought getting to the Federated Suns would be easy, but instead she had discovered that her father had frozen all of the funds that she thought she had squirelled away in secret. This left her with nothing but what she had on her back and that was not all that much.

“Bastard” she swore in Chinese while spitting on the dead man's face. She kept the weapon she had stolen and all of the things that might be useful to her, like both the pocketknife and the Marik Eagles that he had in his wallet.

Walking away, she found a small convenience store and walked in, asking to use their restroom where she sat on the toilet and began to cry. Big heaving sobs echoed in the bathroom while she tried to calm herself down. After fifteen minutes, she put herself back together enough to apply some makeup to cover up the worst of the bruises on her face and neck. When she left, she made sure to buy a bottle of water and a couple of meal replacement bars. Who knew when she was going to be able to eat again.




Early February 3012 Graham IV FWLM

“How much for passage?” She asked the man in charge of passengers for this dropship.

“Well, we’ll take a hundred and fifty M-Bills or around one hundred C-bills.” The man started the negotiating process.

“I’ll give you seventy-five M-Bills or fifty C-Bills.” She countered.

“A hundred and twenty M-Bills or Seventy-Five C-Bills.” He continued

“A hundred M-Bills or Seventy C-Bills, and not a bit more.” She stated.

“You got yourself a deal there.” They shook on it and signed a standard passenger contract. “We leave on Monday, so make sure you’re here before departure or you’ll forfeit any funds paid.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll be here.” She said.

 

[MarkWarrior]

Romano’s story: Chapter Three
Northwind, FS Early May 3012

She had never felt so weak in her life. After getting passage to the Federated Suns, she had thought that her troubles would cease, but no one who would be able to help her get a semblance of her life back would even see her. And so she was reduced to this, starving in an empty alleyway and struggling to keep warm.

“Frank, come here.” Echoed through the alleyway, and two decently dressed young men and a woman came to where she was. “She needs help.” They gently tried to coax her out of the small overhang she was using for shelter to no avail.

“Miss, my brother and Sister-in-law only want to help you.” One of the men said. “We can see that you’re not eating well and that you’re homeless, we run a shelter and soup kitchen to provide aid for that sort of thing.”

The woman just snarled at them and retreated back into herself until she had fallen asleep.

“Joe, I’m going to go grab the car and see if we have any coats that will fit her.” Frank told his brother. “Callie, I think she might be a rape victim, I can see some of the bruises on her face and neck.”

“So I need to be present, and Callie needs to help coax her out of her shell.” Joe sighed. “I’ll back off a bit Callie.” He retreated to a spot where he was barely in sight, but was able to help Callie out if she needed it.

Callie waited until Frank brought over a thick jacket before approaching the woman.

“Honey, I need you to wake up.” She said, “I’ve got this coat that will help you warm up.” She shook the woman awake and helped her put the coat on while she was still slightly out of it. “Come on, we’ll get you someplace warm and get some food into you.”

The young woman didn’t resist as they helped her into the warm car, and was silent during the entire drive to the shelter that they ran.

“Here,” Joe handed the woman a towel. “The shower is in the first room on the left, and we’ll have some fresh clothes for you when you get out.”





“Joe, I’m going to need you to keep an eye on her until we can get her an appointment with Nancy.” Frank told his brother. “She’s got the same look that the Gentleman we helped out last year had before he committed suicide.”

“I know Frank,” Joe sighed in response. “I’m going to do what I can to make sure she lives, I’m not sure I would be able to handle another suicide like that one.”

“I’ll have Callie call Nancy and try and have her come over.” Frank told his brother. “If she doesn’t shy away from you anymore, see if you can get some of her wounds treated and some food set out for her.”

“I know the drill Frank,” Joe rolled his eyes at his brother. “It’s not like I’m the one who started this nonprofit after all.”

“I’m just helping you out bro.” Frank drove a fist into his little brother's shoulder. “If I don’t do it, then you know mom will just send dad over.”

“I got it Frank, go get things set up for the medical side please.” Joe said while making his way to the shelter’s kitchen. “Thanks for your help though.”




She was warm, and she was full again. She wasn’t quite sure why these people were even helping her. She wasn’t valuable anymore. Any information that she had once had was by now too far out of date, and she wasn’t a worthwhile hostage either. She had no money, the last of her money had been spent on food weeks ago, and the trash had barely kept her able to survive.

But now she was warm and fed, and she didn’t know what to do, or how to respond.

“Hey,” One of the men who had helped her said. “We’ve got someone who specializes in care, and we think you could use some help.” She hadn’t let him come close enough to treat some of her wounds.

“This is Nancy, She’s a doctor, and she’ll be able to help you with some of those bruises.” He said as the woman stepped forward.

“Hello there,” The woman greeted her with a medical kit opened in her hands. “I’m Dr. Nancy Davis, and I’m a practicing Physician and licensed mental health care provider.” She explained. “I can help you take care of those if you’d like.” She indicated the bruises on her neck and shoulders.

“I will allow it.” She told the doctor. “But I’m not letting him out of my sight. “She pointed to the man who had first helped her.

“That’s perfectly fine,” Nancy told her. “I just need to see what I’m working with.”





“Joe, you got your work cut out for you on this one.” Nancy told her friend. “She’s clearly an almost rape victim, I didn’t see any of the signs of the actual rape being done, but it definitely messed her up, and I can see signs of some sort of untreated mental illness.”

“I’m not doing this because I enjoy it.” Joe told her for what felt like the thousandth time. “I do this because I think it’s the right thing to do, and because I feel like this is what I’m supposed to do.”

“I know.” Nancy smiled at her friend. “I’m just letting you know that she’s going to need more time than most of the people you help.”

“And that’s perfectly fine,” Joe responded confidently. “I’ve never put a time limit on helping people, they can stay as long as they need in order to get back on their feet.”

“You know that Frank worries about you right?” Nancy asked. “He thinks that you’ll never settle down because you’re married to doing what he thinks is an impossible mission.”

“It may be impossible.” Joe shrugged in response. “But that just makes it even more worthwhile to try.”



Author's note: I've now reached over 100k words in a little under five weeks. What started as an attempt to get my writing kickstarted back up again has turned into something quite a bit more massive then originally intended, with almost 500 people watching the fic, and a lot of you offering advice and helping me improve on my writing. Thank y'all for that. I plan to end the regular fic after the clan invasion. (I've got some ideas for a pretty cool crossover.)

 

[MarkWarrior]

Romano’s Story: Chapter Four

Northwind, FS Early August 3012

“I am not crazy!” The woman snarled at Joe and his brother. “I have no need for a psychiatrist or therapist.”

“Roma, we’re not saying that you’re crazy, we’re trying to help you deal with the trauma of almost being raped.” Joe said calmly. “We’ve made such good progress recently, please, just talk to her. Nancy is the one who recommended you talk to her, remember?” Joe asked. “Nancy, Callie, Frank, and I are all trying to help you here Roma, please just speak to her.” Joe coaxed.

“Fine.” She responded after his pleas.” I will speak to this therapist that Nancy recommended, but do not expect any significant changes.” And she finally entered the room as Joe sagged against the wall in relief.

“Whew.” Joe wiped some imaginary sweat off of his brow. “At least it’s a step in the right direction.”




After a couple of hours….

“Well?” Joe asked as he pulled up to the building in his car and Roma got in. “Was it as bad as you feared?”

“No, it was not.” The woman answered. “I will be returning next week.”

“See, I’m just trying to help you.” Joe said earnestly. “It’s something I do.”

“Yes, I know that you help people.” The young woman responded. “I do not understand you and why you do this, nor do I trust you.”

“That’s fine.” Joe shrugged. “Lots of people don’t understand me or what I do at first.” He chuckled. “Especially those who knew me and my brother in our childhood, but eventually, they understand it.” He pulled back into the parking lot of the shelter. “Or they never do, and it doesn’t bother me either way.”

“What do you get out of it?” The woman seated behind him in the car finally asked. “What do you get that makes you continue to do this?”

“I don’t get material wealth if that’s what you mean.” Joe replied. “In fact, I barely make ends meet some months, but I get the satisfaction of helping a fellow human being stay alive, and I have the goal of ending homelessness on Northwind for good.”




Late December 3012

“Thank you for continuing to come to your appointments.” Dr. Jennifer Gump said. “I’m very proud of the progress we have made.”

“Thank you for the prescription.” The woman smiled slightly. “I feel like I can think straight for the first time ever.”

“It’s more than just the meds dear.” Dr. Gump replied. “It’s being consistent in working through the things that we cover here, and both coming to terms with and dealing with previous trauma and the chemical imbalances that you had.” Dr. Gump got up and fixed some tea. “I’m hoping that over time, we’ll be able to not only lower the dosage, but that eventually we’ll be able to take you off of the meds entirely.”

“I’m not certain that is a good idea.” The young woman replied. “I don’t think I am capable of overcoming the issues by myself yet.”

“That’s the point.” Dr. Gump said. “The operative word that you used there is yet. There’s still time to work through things. For now though, we can change the subject.” Dr. Gump took a sip of her tea. “How goes the job with the Militia?”

“Oh!” The woman responded, “It’s actually going really well, and Joe was extremely helpful in finding a small apartment to rent.”




January 3013

“Frank, Callie.” The young woman greeted two of the people who rescued her. “Welcome, can I get you anything to drink?”

“Not today Roma.” Callie answered for the two of them. “We come bearing bad news.”

“What happened?” She brought them in and they sat around her small table. “It’s Joe isn’t it?”

“Yes,” Frank hung his head as he answered her. “He was shot three times while helping someone and is in critical condition at the hospital.”

“I have a training shift for the rest of the day and then I can go visit.” She replied. “I still haven’t paid him back for all of his help.”

“He wouldn’t want you to pay him back with anything but getting better.” Callie said with a sad smile. “He loves seeing people step out and get their lives back together.”

“I’m still going to go visit him.” The woman replied. “I’ll try and get some time off to make sure that he gets properly taken care of.”




Next day…

“There’s a line of how many people to see Joe?” Callie asked her husband Frank. “I never knew he had helped that many.”

“Apparently he did, because there’s two hundred people from over the years that have sent money to both keep the shelter up and running and to help cover his medical bills.” Frank shook his head. “One of the people he helped is a local millionaire that is donating half of his wealth to the shelter and to help build more of them.”

“Poor Roma,” Callie sighed sadly. “She’s going to have to wait in line for an hour in order to see Joe.” She snickered a bit. “I don’t even think she realizes that she’s smitten with him.”

“Well, I think that won’t be a problem soon.” Frank smirked, “I’m pretty sure Roma is the kind of person who doesn’t let life knock her around anymore.”

 

[MarkWarrior]

Romano’s Story: Chapter Five
July 10th, 3014 Northwind

“Just hold on a little bit longer, Militia.” The comms system said. “We’ve got reinforcements coming but it’ll take a bit to get them there.”

“Fucking Bullshit.” The young NCO swore and tossed the receiver back to the militiaman manning it. “Looks like we’re holding here.” She told the rest of the infantry company she now commanded. “I estimate we have about two hours before the Drac armor and infantry get here.” She picked up her trenching shovel in one hand and a set of explosives in the other. “Let’s get to work.”

In two hours, they had dug a minefield and a decent set of trenches that were manned by nothing. They had left their crew manned autocannon and PPC tied to a couple of traps and pre-sighted in. Meanwhile, she had taken the company and swung wide, hoping to flank them and pin them against the trap and her company.

While they might have been issued slightly out of date equipment, Romano had made sure that they had the best explosives she could find. And when the crew mounted guns started firing and the IED’s started going off she gave a wicked smile. “Let’s hit em.” She said as they came out of the woods out of sight of the column of tanks and infantry that were assaulting the empty position. When her company had everything sighted in and set, they let loose with their rifles and shoulder fired SRM’s. They decimated the Infantry part of the Drac Column and bolted into the woods, taking comfort in the fact that they had at least knocked the treads off of some of the heavier Tanks and mission killed some of the hovercraft




July 15th, 3014

“We’re going to have to give that woman a promotion.” Colonel Graham told his XO. “That’s the second column of Armor and Infantry she’s held off with a short company in two weeks.”

“Yes sir.” His XO replied. “She managed to buy us time to help out the Highlanders.”

“And don’t forget that lance of the 5th SOL she vanished in the woods.” A staff officer chimed in. “I’m pretty sure that Lance had the XO for the 5th SOL among them.”

“All we heard from that area was chatter and explosions.” The XO said with some fear in her voice. “A mixed lance gone in a fireball.”

“There was some good salvage too,” The staff officer offered again. “The Highlanders were able to get them back into the fight nary a week later.”

“What was her name though?” Graham said. “Roma Lee is what is listed on her file, but she was a homeless vagrant refugee a couple of years ago according to the Joe Hardy Foundation.”

“But doesn’t she look like Romano Liao?” The XO said, taking a sold look at the picture from the file. “We’ve all heard of her banishment by now, could she have been hiding here?”

“Doesn’t matter.” Graham said after a minute. “Right now, we need to fight off the Dracs before we do anything else. Besides, she’s been a model citizen of Northwind for almost a year and a half, that makes her a Fedsuns citizen regardless of how we feel.”





“Come on people, move it move it!” Romano yelled at her short company. “We are right in the path for the 5th SoL, and we need to evac before they hit us.” She picked up a limping soldier, threw him over her shoulder and sprinted over to the nearest APC. “Load him in there.” She commanded them. “We don’t exactly have a lot of time left.”

After she said that, a Locust made an appearance.

“Hammer it!” She yelled to the QRF she had on standby. “We need that thing down before it gives away our position.” A fireteam fired some SRM’s at the Locust, causing it to stumble a bit. “Hit the cockpit!” Romano yelled, and a trio of SRM’s impacted the cockpit, dropping the Locust on its back. “Go go go!” Romano climbed into the APC and they rolled away.




August 12th, 3014
“Hello Miss Romano.” Colonel Timothy Senn greeted the banished daughter of Maximillian Liao. “I’d say it’s a pleasure seeing you again, but we seem to be fighting some Dracs at the moment.”

“Colonel.” Romano replied. “I’ve got an infantry company to command, so can we make this quick?”

“Sure.” Senn replied. “Militia are transfering you and your company to the Highlanders for the rest of the campaign, and we’re giving you priority for anything you need insofar as explosives and other things are concerned.”

“Give me three days, and two lances of fire support ‘Mechs.” Romano replied. “I’m going to hurt the 5th SoL and make them retreat from the battlefield.”

“I can give you two Catapults, Two Trebuchet, and an Archer.” Senn replied, “That’s all we have left to spare at the moment that you could use.”

“I’ll make it work.” Romano replied. “Permission to go set a trap sir?”

“Permission granted.” Colonel Senn replied. “I look forward to seeing what you come up with.”

 

[MarkWarrior]

Romano’s Story: Chapter Six
August 15th, Northwind

“Captain, the 5th SoL is approaching our position.” her new XO told Romano. “Do you think it’ll work?”

“If it doesn’t work Lieutenant, you won’t need to worry about it anymore.” She told him a little coldly. “None of us will, because we will be dead.” She cocked her head to the side a bit and let out a dark chuckle. “If it does work, we’ll be the heroes of Northwind and the destroyers of most of the Fifth Sword of light.” She gave a small shrug. “Either way, it’ll be hell.”

“Sargeant! She called one of the senior NCO’s over. “We got everything buried?”

“Yes Ma’am, everything is rigged to this detonator.” He replied. “There’s a lot of volatile stuff in there ma’am.”

“I know Sarge, that’s what I’m counting on.” She smirked. “Get the nonessentials out of here, and bring me the APC’s, we’re going to need a speedy getaway.”

A locust rounded the bend in the trees that she and her men had created. It was in Highlander colors and was broadcasting insults to the Samurai that would have made a sailor blush in embarrassment.

“Please let it be a whole battalion.” Romano whispered to herself under her breath. When two Companies of mechs showed up chasing the Locust, she decided that would have to be good enough. “Hit it with the Narc!” She called out on the Comms. And a Narc beacon tagged the lead Dragon. “Get us out of here!” She yelled to the APC driver as she triggered the buried explosives, scattering Inferno Gel throughout the trees and starting a localized wildfire.

Most of the Mechs were covered in flames, and very few of them managed to prevent themselves from overheating. But that didn’t make one lick of difference as they started to get hammered with LRM’s while they couldn’t move. And within minutes, there were two companies of mechs lying on the forest floor covered in flames and Inferno Gel.

“What did Conti drive again?” Romano asked. “Because I’m not sure if we got him or not.”

“Conti pilots a Banshee.” Came the response, “We’ve only seen two of them in the 5th SoL ranks.”

“Then we got one of them.” Romano said. “We’ll have to learn whether it was Conti or not.”




August 20th, 3014
“Colonel, the remnants of the 5th SoL are withdrawing.” An aide brought Senn a readout. “The 18th Dieron have mauled the 2nd Kearny, but are beginning to withdraw as well.”

“Good man.” Senn replied. “And the 9th Benjamin Regulars, are they pulling back as well?”

“Yes sir, they’re just going about it in a more orderly fashion.” The aide said. “The 5th SoL is down to a battalion, the 18th Dieron are still mostly intact, but the 9th Benjamin are down to two Battalions.”

“And their support elements?” Senn asked. “What about them?”

“Supporting elements have been reduced to three mixed infantry and Vehicle regiments.” The aide reported.

“Well, we’ll let them withdraw, we need to start salvage and recovery operations though, so keep an eye on anything that they might try at the last minute.”

“Aye sir.” The aide said. “I’ll pass it along the chain.”




October 15th, 3014

“Captain Romano Liao.” Hanse Davion said on the stage. “For efforts well above and beyond in service to the Federated Suns and Northwind we award you the Badge of Valor and the Federated Suns Star for your exceptional leadership abilities demonstrated. We also grant you the full rank of Captain of the Armed Forces of the Federated Suns, and entrust you with all the duties inherent thereof.”

“Thank you sir.” Romano saluted Hanse Davion when he saluted her. “I expect to have a thorough debriefing later?”

“You got that right, Captain.” Hanse chuckled. “I’ll be seeing you later.”





“Wait?!” Frank yelled at the Tri-Vid at the expense of his wife’s ears. “She was The Banished Princess, Romano Liao?!”




Sian, Capellan Confederation, October 16th, 3014

“I should have executed her when I had the chance!” Max snarled and hurled the small Tri-Vid screen away from himself. “Bring me Candace and the head of the Maskirovka, I want her dead and her head at my feet.”

“What is it Father?” Candace asked as she walked in only to stop when she saw what was being displayed on the Comstar News Network. “Oh.”

“Whatever you need, father it shall be done.” Candace knelt at her fathers feet, hoping to be spared some of his current wrath. “It shall be done.”




“Ian, that’s your second bottle of Glengary Black Label today.” Dana said as she maneuvered around her brother in law. “I’m cutting you off.”

“Fine, it won’t fix the headache anyway.” Ian replied.


Author's note: Now, I can finally move on with the main story now that most of my muse for the Romano bit is gone. She'll make appearances throughout from now on, but I don't think I am going to focus on her exclusively like this again.

 

[MarkWarrior]

Romano’s Story: Finale
October 20th, 3014 Northwind

“You did it Joe.” Romano said. “Aside from some few holdouts who refuse to accept help you solved homelessness on Northwind.” She knelt by his gravesite as tears flowed freely down her face.

“Thank you,” She said. “I never told you that while you were alive, but thanks to you and your family, I was able to get the help I needed to be human instead of a monster.” At this point she was openly weeping.

“I will never be able to repay the debt I owe to you, Frank, and Callie.” She finally said after standing up and wiping her eyes. “But I’m going to do the best that I can to defend your legacy, one of helping everyone that needs it to get a second chance.”




October 25th, 3014 Northwind

“You ready to go Ms. Romano?” Hanse asked the banished princess. “We have some more things we thought we should discuss.”

“I already said all of my goodbyes.” She said with an expressionless face. “I have closure, now I just want to help the rest of the Confederation find the freedom that I have.” She met Hanse Davion’s eyes. “My father and sister are going to be sending people after me. I want the Hardy family and everyone I interacted with protected for the rest of their lives.”

“We can do that.” Hanse said without hesitation. “I’ll have MIIO put people on it immediately.”

“Then let’s get this over with.” Romano said. “I have an infantry company to break in.”

 

[MarkWarrior]

Jaime and Natasha’s Adventures in Clan Space! (With guest appearances from…)
February 15th, 3015

“Why did I agree to this again?” Natasha Kerensky asked herself as she got out of the hard mattress bunk that she had been assigned. “I was enjoying my personal body pillow(Read Husband) just fine before.” She got into a clean set of underwear and a set of workout gear. Just because she was on a Dropships with the Wolf’s Dragoons, didn’t mean that she could slack off. In fact, it meant that she should push herself even harder.

“You.” She grabbed Joshua Wolf from what he was doing and physically dragged him out to the gym. “You are my punching bag and training dummy for the day.”

“Why is that?” Joshua asked as he ducked away from a fist. “I have not done anything worth your wrath in the recent past have I?” He started questioning himself.

“No, I just miss my bed.” Natasha threw a kick that connected with Joshua’s shoulder. “I miss my body pillow,” she used him grabbing her leg connected with his shoulder to spin around him and throw him over her. “And I miss my son.” She wrapped Joshua in a choke hold until he tapped out. “And you are the one that will suffer my wrath until you find a replacement for it.”




March 30th, 3015

“Next.” Natasha said as she worked her way through the able bodied men and women of the Wolf’s Dragoons. “You need to learn how to do this better.” She started instructing one of the infantrymen that the Dragoons had. “It is almost like you have never done this before.” She said as she worked him through some of the things she was teaching.

“Kerensky!” Jaime Wolf called out. “Why are you sending my men to the medbay?”

“Because I am bored, and none of you are capable of keeping me entertained?” Kerensky asked with a smirk on her face. “Unless you have something to distract me?




November 12th, 3015

“Finally.” Natasha said to herself as they completed their final jump to the system that the Dragoons had been using for resupply. “I do not remember it taking this long originally to get to the Inner Sphere from here.”

“Well, it did.” Joshua said in response. “And you left most of us with more pride and less injuries the first time around.”

“Eh, Pride is overrated.” Natasha said. “Unless you are as good as me of course.”

“I am sincerely glad that it is not my job to reign you in anymore.” Joshua said. “I have now passed that torch on to Hull.”

“Yes, at least he can keep up.” Natasha gave Joshua a side glance. “In multiple ways, unlike someone else I know.”




November 15th, 3015

“Colonel Wolf, Star Colonel Kerensky.” Khan Kerlin Ward greeted the two of them. “ I take it you need resupply and to give us your current reports.” He paused. “Kerensky, you missed the last report, I am looking forward to what you have for me considering that you have spent time with other groups in the Inner Sphere.”




Later that day…

“Hmm.” Ward stroked his chin in thought. “I will need some time to consider this.” He glanced up. “Kerensky, walk with me. Wolf, go take a break.”

“I am surprised by you Kerensky.” Ward said as she walked with him. “When you left us to join the Dragoon Compromise you were akin to a wildfire out of control, and here I find you instead a controlled flame that seems to consider its actions before moving to engulf an area in fire. What has changed?”

“I have learned some things that I think can not be learned in the Clans.” She said after a couple of moments in thought. “I do not believe that The Clans will be able to succeed in the end against the Inner Sphere.”

“Why is that Star Colonel?” the Khan asked. “Based on the reports that Wolf has provided, I would say that we have a much better ability to conquer them militarily.”

“Khan,” Natasha said as she stopped walking and met his eyes. “Even if The Clans won a war of conquest they would end up losing the war of culture.”

“Explain.” Khan Ward said. “I am curious to see your take on this.”

“There is such a diverse mix of cultures in the Inner Sphere that even if we won a war of conquest, we would then have to sustain the Clans culture over their own. Suppressing generations of their family oriented culture with our own will simply not work. And in the end, The Clans will simply be absorbed by whatever nation they join unless we manage to remain as a completely separate entity.” She inhaled. “Even if we manage to stay separate, we will no longer be the Clans that we once were.”

“So you believe that we shall fail in the end?” Ward asked. “What would you have us do in order to avoid this?”

“Either move to join one of the current Inner Sphere nations as a protectorate, or remain as the Clans are.” She said, “That would be the only solution I can think of at this point in time, and with Comstar having the capability to destroy the communications of any singular nation and lead to their destruction. Not to mention the fact that they have been building up forces in order to subjugate the Inner Sphere.”

“Interesting.” The Khan responded. “What is it that you think is the biggest threat to the Inner Sphere right now?”

“Comstar.” She replied. “They are currently planning several things that would bring the Inner Sphere to its knees.

“Allow me some time to think on this.” Khan Ward said. “I would like to meet with you again tomorrow in order to discern some things that I have further questions about.

 

[MarkWarrior]

Natasha’s Adventures in Clan space! (With guest appearances from…)

December 1st, 3015

“Kerensky.” Khan Ward greeted the woman. “ I have had some amount of time to consider all that we have discussed over the last few weeks.” He paused and sighed. “I am… Aware of the problems with our society, as is my hopeful successor, Ulric.” He said. “Clan Goliath Scorpion has helped us to understand the way that the Clans have adapted, and we find that we are not superior in any way to the Inner Sphere aside from our individual warriors. We are weak in long term strategy, and do not understand how to wage a war of hearts and minds that would eventually turn people to our way of life.”

“Why are you informing me of this? Natasha asked. “What is your intention?”

“I think your analysis of how a war would go is correct.” He said after a moment. “Our people do not understand war as it is waged in the Inner Sphere.” He paused. “I am trying to remember the phrase that you said a couple of weeks ago, I believe it went something like. “There is no such thing as a fair fight. All vulnerabilities must be exploited.” If that is true and that is the way that war is truly waged then we will lose.” The Khan gave a sad smile. “So I am going to send the Dragoons back with their reinforcements, and I am going to ask you to accompany me to the rest of the Clans. I have need of your talents.”

“What are you planning?” Natasha asked, her curiosity taking over.

“You shall have to wait and see.” Khan Ward said. “For now, I must meet with the Wolf brothers, and give them the new orders I have for them.”




Hours later…

“Khan Ward.” The two Wolf brothers stood up when he entered the room they were using as an office.

“Sit.” Ward said. “I have orders to give, and things to see being done.”

“We await your command sir.” Joshua replied.

“I am sending everyone here at this location with you back to the Inner Sphere.” He said. “You are to prepare the Inner Sphere for an invasion of the Crusader Clans. I am going to give you the means to transport the civilians here, and to ensure the survival of the Dragoons.” He sighed. “I am taking Star Colonel Kerensky with me to the main worlds, where we are going to be doing what we can to delay any invasion attempt. I need you to find someone who can use what I am about to give you to take with you.”

“What are you talking about sir?” Jaime asked. “What are you about to give us?”

“I have two data cores with me containing all of the research and development that Clan Wolf has at its disposal. I am hoping that you will either make use of these yourselves, or entrust them to someone who can make use of them.” He said with finality in his voice. “I will be purging your databanks of the actual way to Clan Space.” He told them, “I do not recommend many of you return. For I fear that you and your people would be killed, or reduced back to the labor castes or Solahma.”

“We will carry these orders out to the best of our ability.” Jaime Wolf replied. “And we will hope that you are successful in your mission to stall the Crusader Clans.”

 

[MarkWarrior]

Natasha’s Adventures in Clan space! (The Side quest begins)

November 13th, 3016

“If I have to spend another year in space I will kill someone.” Natasha said. “I am… disappointed in the status of the Warriors that you have Khan.” She scoffed. “They are younglings scratching at the feet of their betters, believing that they are superior just because they are younger.”

“It is a failing of our system.” Khan Ward agreed. “I have tried to curtail it in Clan Wolf, but Clans Goliath Scorpion and Nova Cat seem to be the only ones who treasure old age over youth.”

“It is a failure.” Natasha said bluntly. “Age brings about experience and the ability to read an enemy's possible movements and to predict where they will be.”


“We will arrive on Strana Mechty within the week.” Kerlin Ward said. “Where we will have to give an account of the intelligence that the Dragoons have brought.” He sighed. “I am going to give them the entire truth of the matter, and we will stand in refusal when they call for an invasion.”

“I expect that after we have won our Trial of Refusal, that the rest of the Clans will attempt to war against both us and Clan Coyote, who have been standing with us against the Crusader Clans.” Khan Ward said. “I believe we may even face a Trial of Absorption, and so I have plans to move much of the Clan to the Inner Sphere.” He paused trying to think of how to word his next thought. “I expect them to help prepare the Inner Sphere for the invasion that Will be coming.”

“And what do you have need of me for?” Natasha asked bluntly. “I have people awaiting me back in the Inner Sphere.”

“Why, I need you to help win the Trial of Refusal.” Khan Ward chuckled. “You have only increased in skill since you left us, and I will be assigning you command of a Cluster, and I expect us to win before we evacuate Clan space before retaliation.”




December 20th, 3016

“That is all of the intelligence brought to us by the Dragoon Compromise.” Khan Ward finished his presentation.

“We should return to the inner Sphere at once.” Khan Yvonne Hazen said. “ I call for a vote of the Grand Council to invade the Inner Sphere.”


Out of the Seventeen Clans voting, nine of them voted to invade.

“I call for a Trial of Refusal.” Khan Ward stated.



December 31st, 3016

“Four to one odds.” Natasha told Khan Ward. “If we do not win this you understand that this will be the end of Clan Wolf?” She asked.

“Clan Wolf will end regardless of this trial.” Ward said with finality. “I have already instructed Ulric to begin taking our civilians and the ones who were not bid in this Trial to the Inner Sphere.”

“If I die here you understand that my husband will stop at nothing until all of the Clans are destroyed.” Natasha stated with confidence. “He is not one to take lightly.”

“Then we will have to win.” Ward shrugged. “I had the technicians refit the Warhammer you brought with what you asked for, it should be ready for you when it comes time for the Trial.”

 

[MarkWarrior]

Natasha’s Adventures in Clan Space! (Trial of Refusal)

January 15th, 3017

This was the third day of the Trial of Refusal, and Natasha’s cluster was exhausted. They had already managed to hold off two clusters, and now there was a third on the way…

“This is Khan Yvonne Hazen of the Jade Falcon Clan.” Came through the Warhammer’s communications system. “Who challenges us on this day?”

“This is Star Colonel Natasha Hull-Kerensky of Clan Wolf.” She responded. “I am here with a Cluster, and am ready to bring you trashborn to your knees.”

“I shall crush you beneath my talons, and make you all my bondsman.” Khan Hazen replied, and three to four mechs and vehicles for every member of Natasha’s Cluster were supposed to be present in the area. “Was your Khan not willing to face me?” Hazen taunted. “All I see before me is trashborn scum.”

“Well come and face me then.” Natasha taunted back, wading through the river that she stood alone in. “Or are you not able to handle a mere Star Colonel.”

“You shall pay for your insolence!” Echoed through as an Atlas II stepped out of the trees a couple of kilometers away, accompanied by a trio of ‘mechs. Two Summoners and a Storm Crow. “And you face me with an outdated machine such as this?”


“It may be old.” Natasha taunted as she lashed out with her ERPPC’s just out of range of everything except Hazen’s LRM’s. Her PPC’s joined in and connected with the right knee of the Atlas II and Natasha began to walk backwards, keeping just out of range of everything except the LRM’s, trusting in her AMS to handle the missiles that came her way as she wore down the armor on the Khan’s mech. "But it is enough to handle you."

While she was keeping the Khan busy, she had sent out a signal to the rest of the Binary that it was time to spring their trap. And the Star of Elementals who had been powered down in the trees emerged behind the Storm Crow and swarmed the trio of ‘mechs. Bringing down the Storm Crow and distracting the Summoners until the remaining four mechs of Natasha’s star had emerged. There, the Elementals left the Summoners alone to face the mechs, while they finished off the Storm Crow.

Meanwhile, Natasha had finally begun to close the distance between herself and Khan Hazen, knowing that reinforcements wouldn’t be far behind. She had worried the armor on the Atlas II until she was confident in closing the range. When Hazen threw Autocannon fire at her she dodged with an almost prescient grace, sliding around the Atlas II and seemingly avoiding everything that Khan Hazen threw her way. She got behind the Khan and lashed out with a kick, causing the Jade Falcon MechWarrior to nearly lose her footing on the bank of the river, and after her medium lasers had connected with the knee joints, she unknowingly echoed what Hull had done to Major Barton’s Atlas almost a decade ago by breaking the actuator in the knee. When the Atlas II’s knee gave way, Khan Hazen proved why she was still Khan by remaining standing on one foot, and finally connecting all of her weapons onto Natasha’s borrowed Warhammer. Unfortunately for the Khan, she didn’t manage to concentrate any of the fire, and the recoil of the LBX combined with a kick from Natasha had her crashing to the ground. Then Natasha placed her foot on the Khan’s mech and pointed her full array of weapons at the cockpit. “Khan Yvonne Hazen, I hereby claim you as my Bondsman.”




January 20th, 3017

“We have lost much.” Khan Ward said to Natasha. “But we are victorious, and have shattered much of the enemy forces. It will take them many years to replace the personnel that they lost. And I am claiming a good portion of their machines as Isorla.”

“Aff.” Natasha said with a smirk. “I am keeping my Bondsman and will be introducing them to the Marksman method of training that I underwent.”

“As I expected you would.” Khan Ward said in response. “We have just bought time, I predict we will have fifty years before the Crusaders are strong enough to accomplish an invasion of any sort.”

“Now take me home, Khan.” Natasha said bluntly. “I have people to return to, and Bondsmen to break in…”