15

Chapter 15 Prologue: A look around the Sphere.

3025

Part 1. House Steiner.

Katrina Steiner

Tharkad

The Triad.

"How is the other project going Nondi?"

"The double heatsink factory is producing. The foreman tells us that within a few years he will be producing enough to satisfy any requirements the LCAF have." Nondi looked quite pleased at that. As of now, the fact they were producing them again was a state secret. There wasn't just one factory either. Multiple factories all over the Commonwealth were adjusting to make the change. This was just the first to be ready.

"No problems?"

"None. The data on their production, as well as the course on repair on the Memory core solved all of the problems that came up."

"It still strikes me at times."

"I as well. I was speaking to Lisa the other day and I had to stop myself from admitting we know how to fashion endo-steel again. She was taking a course on it in college. A history course."

"Hopefully within a few years we can reveal the full extent of the memory core. It would be nice to see our colleges full of young students learning something real."

"That it would… Speaking of learning. The Libraries. Are you sure you don't want to do anything?"

"Victoria has kept to her end of the agreement. Everything in the libraries is already known knowledge, or just on the edge of it. Nothing that will drastically shift academia, without some time for the knowledge to be processed. So far the knowledge hasn't caused any disruptions."

"The girl is trouble. She told you to your face she will release the full Memory core."

"She also told me, she wouldn't until we lost control of it anyways."

"You are too soft on her sister. I don't like it."

Katrina couldn't help but nod. "I probably am. Consider it the payment for the Memory core for single handedly altering the Commonwealth forever."

"I still don't like it Sister. She refused to take a title. A Duchess? No one does that."

"Commander Victoria Eisen-Blume does."

"That's what makes it a problem! I refuse to accept that girl doesn't have some backer guiding her along. She has to! She could be a plant."

"From whom? And why? Nondi. The thought she was some Combine plant has already been thrown out. She gave us the Memory Core."

"I know." Nondi sighed, Katrina felt for her Sister. Nondi had always been Katrina's right hand. And it was her job to be even more suspicious than Katrina herself is.

"She asked for nothing Nondi. Nothing. I may not understand it. But I can't help but feel something when a girl barely older than Melissa walks into my office and tells me she is going to change the Inner Shere…"

"She has changed the Inner Sphere."

"I know. But I wonder, does she? Does she realize the changes that have already started? In a few years the Commonwealth will supply more equipment to our forces in a month, than we could have in a year."

"I doubt it. We are keeping that secret."

"For now. For now. But enough about Victoria, I can already feel the headache coming on. Tell me your thoughts on the Alliance Games. I know you watched the vids."

"We were defeated badly. Embarrassed. Only some of our men tried to adapt the FedSuns tactics."

"Enough of them?"

"Maybe." Nondi shrugged. "They are going through a few practice battles with just Lyran officers to see."

"I hope it spreads. We need to do better. Be better."

"We will. Besides, The news coming back from Epsilon Eridani was good. They found it after all."

Katrina felt that headache coming on once again. How a girl could know so many secret places in the Inner Sphere, still caused Katrina nightmares. "It was confirmed?"

"As far as the last message through courier stated. An SLDF depot was found in the 'Shamus' mountains. She was right about the Irish name even."

A groan erupted out of Katrina's throat. "How will we ever pay this girl back for this?"

"Pray she never comes to collect?"

"I do. Every day."

—--

Melissa Steiner

Tharkad

Nagelring

Melissa wasn't sure how she got to this point. She hadn't ever considered becoming a Mechwarrior. But it was starting to grow on her, plus she was actually having fun. It did help that she was running around in a Lostech Atlas. A gift on her birthday from Vicky.

Melissa wasn't sure what Vicky had been thinking. She is a Steiner. She could have any mech she wanted. But Vicky had sent her one anyway. Without a word to why, other than a note left in the Cockpit.

Happy Birthday.

If you are going to run around in a mech, it should be something with battlefists so you don't ruin a Gauss rifle. Had this as an extra.

Vicky

The Atlas II still had a Gauss rifle, just like Vickys Nightstar, and Melissa had spent plenty of hours practicing aiming with it. Which was already a bit shocking.

She had never expected to enjoy the experience. Her Atlas was still slow, but it wasn't sluggish like mechs were before she got her new neurohelm.

It moved at her whim. Shifting on its feet without any hesitation whenever she needed. Melissa was starting to become a fair mechwarrior. The few times Uncle Morgan had offered her some lessons he had said she was skilled for her age.

That was why she was here now. The Nagelring. She was taking classes, and working to earn her rank when she got old enough. Originally she had intended on going through the infantry track, but then… Everything changed with Vicky.

"Princess! Wake up. It's your move." The Drill sergeant stirred her on and she stepped out into field. She was here for a lesson today. Apparently. There was a new push towards training everyone to get used to Lostech.

Both double heatsinks, and longer more powerful weapons needed special training to be prepared for. So Melissa, as the only student that had a Lostech ride, was often chosen to help out.

It was nice. It meant she got extra stick time compared to everyone else.

"This is Princess. Moving to engage." She spoke over the radio, although even the drill sergeant was grimacing. She was smiling again. That poor kid in the Hunchback was about to be taught a lesson about getting too close to an Atlas.

—-

Part 2. House Davion

Hanse Davion

New Avalon

"Hanse. Please stop fiddling with that."

"Sorry Dear." Hanse Davion teased his friend although he did take his hands away from the Memory Core.

The look Ardan gave to his prince made even the Prince offer a silent apology. "I'm still surprised Katrina handed that over."

"We do have an alliance. It included research."

"We both know that handing over a Memory Core with that much data on it, is a completely different beast from handing over what the NAIS comes up with."

Hanse was quiet for a moment, his fingers back to fiddling with the Memory Core. "I know. Katrina truly is a unique woman."

"Unhappy with Melissa?"

"She is young. But not what I mean, and you know it."

Ardan nodded. "The departments that were read in on the Memory Core have been showing massive improvements. It's almost a shame though. We spent how many years trying to get Freezers to work?"

"More than I care to admit. It's the Pounds we spent that I am more unhappy about. At least we won't have to worry about it in the future."

"No. I suppose not." Ardan admitted both of them had spent months working on the upgrade plan to start up old factories and get production running again. All while trying to keep it hidden from the rest of the Inner Sphere. Funnily enough, having LIC on their side did make the job easier.

"All at the hands of one no name orphan." Hanse muttered his mind roiling. To think, the entire future of the Federated Suns would be thanks to a single girl.

"Ah yes. Victoria Eisen-Blume. Commander of the ISDF."

Hanse snorts despite himself. ISDF? That was a name for a merc company that had plenty of connotations and it was asking to run into all sorts of problems. "I'm almost glad she is Katrina's problem. How did she describe her? 'A girl that offers insults in one hand, and treasure in the other?' something like that."

"She sounds like a delight. Perhaps we should invite her here."

"Don't tempt me! Who knows maybe she will drop a few lostech caches in my lap too instead of giving them all to Katrina."

"Didn't Katrina tell us that the girl said the Steiner family was just as responsible for the state of the Inner Sphere as house Kurita? Could your ego handle her?"

"Hah! For a batch of Lostech battlemechs and a Memory Core? I would let her say whatever she wants, and make it her house words."

"Ah yes. House Eisen-Blume. 'We will insult you as much as we please.' A firm name."

Hanse laughed. "Yes exactly… Tell me how is the plan going for the wedding gift?"

"As always Hanse. Slowly. Secretly. And steadily."

"Good! Come I feel like taking a walk around the NAIS. I hear there will be a viewing of "Gauss Rifles and you." In the secret department. Apparently the SLDF had a sense of humor. I hear the man repairing the weapon gets horribly maimed constantly, as a warning to the watchers."

"Sounds Entertaining."

—-

Part 3 House Marik.

Janos Marik

"This is it?"

"Yes Captain-General. It is a direct copy, sent by courier. The first Minister of Amity was quite swift in bringing a copy to us."

"And it has nothing strange? No tricks?"

"None that we have found. Although the classes are SLDF. They start from absolute beginnings to around highschool courses… some of them did contain knowledge we didn't know."

"Truly? Why? What would the Lyrans gain by giving this to us?"

"I can't be sure Captain-General. Although it was a Lyran Mercenary company, rather than anyone attached to the LCAF directly."

"Nonsense. The girl. The Commander, what was her name?"

"Victoria Eisen-Blume."

"That's the one. She is a Steiner Bastard. I was given a copy of a message the girl sent to Katrina. She called the woman 'Aunt Katrina.' So she is not some unattached girl. She is obviously a Steiner plant. Someone they can use without their name attached."

"Then that makes her actions make even less sense on Amity. She not only defeated the pirates, but she protected the factory they had been ransacking. I got eye witness confirmation. They didn't take a single thing from the factory. Even returning some of the equipment stolen by the Pirates previously."

"For a Library. Yes I remember the meeting too." Janos shook his head. It was a trap. Had to be. It was the only thing that makes sense. "They were going to use them to recruit, right?"

"Yes. The report is here. Apparently the ISDF recruits orphans, and others through the libraries."

"Something long term then? What could they possibly be planning for with a bunch of orphans? If they want spies there are easier ways."

"That is something we have SAFE working on. Their report isn't complete yet, but they are exploring the library on Amity as we speak."

"Good. I want an explanation for what the Lyrans are thinking. Katrina obviously has some scheme in mind."

"Yes Captain-General. One last note… What should we do about their request?"

"Request? Ah. The 'ISDF' wants to build more libraries."

"Yes."

"Let them. If they want to spend the money to build, let them, but I want each library checked."

"I will add that into the orders!"

—-

Part 4 House Liao

Romano Liao

Sian

"It is our belief Grand Chancellor that the Steiners have recovered at least some knowledge. Too many connections exist to be anything other than reactivation of factories."

Father pondered these words. As always his wisdom was greater than these fools could imagine.

"If they have gained this knowledge, why has it not been retrieved? I notice all of your reports carry no true facts."

"Forgive us Chancellor. This information only recently came to light. We have already begun efforts to uncover both where the Commonwealth attained this information, and to attain it for the benefit of the Confederation."

"Don't bother." Romano offered almost before thinking. But at her fathers quirked eyebrow she continued on. "I am already aware of where the knowledge came from. It all makes sense now." She nods to herself. She should have realized!

"Daughter?"

"Forgive me Father, but this fills in the steps to a puzzle I had been contemplating. The knowledge could only have come from one source. The SLDF." She nods at that. That should be enough for Father to understand. Although a moment later she realized the fool despite being a member of the Maskirovka had no clue.

"I am afraid this one does not share your wisdom, Duchess."

"Of course not! If you did this would already be solved!" She hissed at him before straightening, her Fathers eyes on her. "The SLDF brought the knowledge and gave it to the Lyrans, for what reason I do not know. But that is where the knowledge stems from." She informs the fool, turning to her Father to see if she had gotten it right.

His face as blank as always gave nothing away.

"Forgive me Duchess. I still do not understand. The SLDF has been gone since the exodus."

"You are not aware? Why am I the one telling you this? The SLDF has returned. They call themselves the ISDF now, a transparent attempt to hide their origins. They appeared in Lyran space, with lostech long lost. They are the source of the Steiners' new boon."

"Hmm. Tell me what do we know about these ISDF?" Father asked, and Romano kept herself quiet, wanting to see what these agents would know.

"Ah. Forgive me Chancellor. I am unaware of… the SLDF Returned. I will have a report brought up for you immediately."

"Hmph. Daughter?"

"Of course father. The ISDF first appeared in 3020. They called themselves the Iron Blooded Orphans. As they recruited only orphans at the time. They were inconsequential. But they swiftly showed their true power. Once they had recruited enough men. They suddenly re-appeared with equipment thought lost. They pilot a Colossus dropship, and their leader. Who many believe may be a final daughter of house Cameron, pilots a Nightstar. The Phantom of the SLDF."

"Oh? Why have I not heard of this?"

"Chancellor! The Duchess in her wisdom has reminded this one about who she speaks! They are a Mercenary company out of Lyran space. We did not realize they were the SLDF returned! Truly the Duchess Liao's vision is greater than ours!"

"Of course it is! Father. You have seen her face. We watched the Immortal Warrior and the Phantom of the SLDF together did we not?"

Her Father stirred. "That is where you know this from Daughter? Was this not a Movie?"

"Of course Father! They tried to hide themselves by appearing in a Movie. But they bluffed their real hand! It is obvious!" Romano looked quite proud, as her father slowly nodded, his hands stroking down his chin thoughtfully, his eyes stuck on Romano as he appraised her. She was sure father was contemplating her brilliance!

"Look into this. I wish to know what this ISDF heralds, and find if they are the ones responsible for the return of knowledge."

"Your will be done Chancellor."

Romano nodded. Of course Father would understand! Everyone else was too blinded to realize that the ISDF were the SLDF returned! They were growing quickly, and soon they would align with house Liao! The true Heirs to the StarLeague! Romano could imagine it walking into Terra as the First Lord! She smiled. Wondering what the SLDF were doing now? She considered sending another letter. They hadn't replied to the others, but surely they would this time? She was just asking them to come to Sian and swear their loyalty to her Father, the true First Lord.

Someone was probably stealing her mail again. Perhaps she would have to find out who and kill them! Then the Commander, Heir of the SLDF and the Last Daughter of House Cameron could swear themselves to House Liao. Completing the destiny House Liao had set itself upon!

—-

Part 5. House Kurita

Takashi Kurita

Luthien

The Coordinator was not pleased. "Explain again. How the Lyrans have managed to restart factories on multiple worlds. Without any hint of it happening, until they are already producing?"

"Forgive me Coordinator. We had rumors, but nothing that we believed to be factual until recently. These pictures were taken by an agent. Showing production of Double Heat Sinks. It is the first confirmed sighting."

Takashi sighed. This was a colossal blunder. A mistake that very well may shift the balance of power. Especially with the alliance between Lyran and Fedsuns.

Even with the Concord. He had no faith in the Capellans, or League. Once more the dragon would be forced to bare its claws. "A disappointment."

The ISF agent, was new. Not one that often reported to him. He now knew why. A failure would have to be punished, and truly this was a grave failure. "We do believe we know where the knowledge to restart the factories came from Coordinator." the man offered falling into a full Dogeza before Takashi.

"Explain."

"We traced the supply once we realized what was happening, Coordinator. The timing matches up. There was Lostech find by a Mercenary Company. They call themselves the ISDF. They appeared on Tharkad only months before the supplies began moving. They carried Lostech equipment, including a Nightstar. Soon after they appeared with a Colossus. We believe they are the finders of this knowledge."

"Hmm." Takashi let that information flow through. Meditating silently. What was the path? "Do you have any proof of this?"

"We have only the timeline matching perfectly Coordinator."

"Then it appears we must gather more information… Find out from these ISDF. In any method needed."

"Understood!"

"Do not fail me again."

—--

Part 6. ComStar

Julian Tiepolo

Terra

"You have spread the knowledge to the other houses?"

"We have. All have been given the data they need to discover the factories on their own."

Julian sighed, rubbing his old eyes. "We failed."

"Only in part Primus. Operation Holy Shroud was-"

"A failure. We allowed this to slip through our fingers. Now the Steiner and Davions are restarting production on equipment they should not have. The Fourth Succession war will be brutal, and may very well be the last."

"Surely not! Our order stands as strong as ever."

"Tojo. Rom failed in their mission to keep the great houses weak. They will undoubtedly make steps to ensure that their loss of knowledge never happens again. We have two of the great houses merging together in the next few years. And despite my efforts the Concord of Kapteyn is as useless as the paper it is written on. We will have to act more overtly than I like in the next few years to retain any semblance of balance."

"I don't believe that is the case, Primus. There is always another option."

"Oh? Do you have an idea Tojo?"

"Of course Primus, that is my job. We failed to keep the knowledge out of the hands of the great houses, but we can always rebalance the board. If the Davions, and Steiners believe the technology will give them the overwhelming advantage, we simply balance the board once more."

"You believe we should give the others houses the same? I hate it. But Holy Shroud is a failure. You may be right. Rebalancing may be our only hope."

"Thank you Primus. I have a few ideas that may work. Although I believe you will agree, it would be best if we can simply ensure the other great houses a copy of what Steiner found. It would certainly make things simpler."

"That may not be possible. Their security has been solid. Even with our best efforts we only managed to get confirmation on their production into the hands of ISF by burning an agent."

"I see." Julian sighed. This was a disaster. To have so much fail directly under his watch? He wondered how long it would be before the first circuit called for his resignation? It was unlikely, but always possible.

"Primus?"

"Go… Go formulate a collection of technology that we can balance the board with. We will have to run it through the first circuit but I would like to have something to offer them." He looked out into the city, the city he had sworn would never be touched by the 'successor houses' He could only hope he would find the path forward for Blakes will.

"Go Tojo I have much to think about."

"Yes Primus."

—-

Part 7. Alessa Barony.

Arthur Alessa

Zaniah III

Arthur tossed the stack of flowers into the trash. Another attempt, another complete stonewall. "Courting a non-noblewoman shouldn't be this hard." He grumbled. He used to have his pick of women. All of them wanted to be the next Lady Alessa. All of them wanted his power, his future.

Victoria Eisen-Blume didn't even rebuff him, no it was worse.

The girl still didn't realize he was trying to court her.

"You know maybe if you actually told her bluntly you are interested she would finally get the picture?"

"Vincent. Shut up." He grumbled. He had tried that. Not that he was going to admit that to his brother. He hadn't even managed to get through the whole conversation before she had somehow talked him into another damnable training session.

The look he had received over her head from the other boy, Benny, had infuriated Arthur. That bastard was fully aware of his intentions, and doing his best to never reveal it to the girl.

"Come on brother, shall we go try to solve the mysteries of the Commander at the bottom of a glass again?"

"Vincent. Shut up." His younger brother was being particularly obnoxious today. No getting drunk would make him feel better in the short term, but would just be a waste. He wouldn't be able to enjoy it with this bitter taste in his mouth.

"Oh my perfect older brother ignored by a teenager! The shame!"

"How is Sasha doing?" Arthur questioned aloud, and his brother so loud and brash is suddenly very quiet.

"I don't know what you are talking about."

"Funny you said, what and not who." Arthur could see Vincents ears go red, an old tell with his brother.

"Arthur shut up."

"Oh? Now you want peace and quiet? When I turn it around to your Orphan girl, suddenly you don't want to talk about it?" Arthur teased.

Vincent sighed. "How did you find out?"

"Oh it was simple enough. I do end up in training sessions with the Orphans at least once a week, do you think they wouldn't share the stories of my little brother making a fool of himself?"

"Fuck off. I'm not making a fool of myself."

"No. You are just doing your best to court an uninterested orphan… We truly are brothers." Arthur offered as an apology.

Vincent snorted, nodding along. "What is it with us? Our luck can't be this bad."

"Oh I don't know, I think our luck in life is quite good. It's only in girls that it seems to fail us."

"I heard that one. I do need a drink."

"I wasn't planning on it, but I find the idea more appealing now than it was before. Shall we?"

"Sure. Just don't try to set me up with anyone again. You already screwed it up."

"Nonsense! I am an impeccable wingman!"

Vincent reached over and slugged his brother in the shoulder. "That's for letting your head get so big. C'mon I need a drink."

Laughing Arthur followed along. That night the two brothers would drown their sorrows.

—-

Part 8. Iron Blooded Orphans.

Sandra Nelson

Isaribi En-route to Lyons

"Sandy! How much longer?"

"..."

"SIGH Captain Nelson. How much longer?"

"Another few days Lieutenant." Captain Sandra Nelson offered with a grin. Kim was a friend, and it was a daily interaction between the two of them fighting over whether they would use their first names or ranks.

There was very little else to do on the weeks-long jumps between worlds.

"Ugh. I sometimes want to kick Vicky in the shins for convincing us that the Library engineers force was the place for me. 'Go to foreign worlds. Travel the Inner Sphere. See amazing sights.' She never bothered to mention, being stuck in a dropship for weeks at a time, and only staying on worlds for like a month while working before jumping to the next."

"I don't know why you always complain. The pay is great. The benefits, better."

"Yes I am sure the Captain has plenty of benefits us lowly workers don't get." Kim grumbled nudging her friend as the two of them settled on the bridge. They were on their way to Lyons, a planet on the border of the Combine, and Commonwealth. It was actually the furthest the Library Engineers had gone. The furthest from home any of them had been.

"Could be worse. We could be stuck on Redbase. It's summer right now."

"Ugh. Even with the armor I don't want to deal with a Zaniah Summer again. So I guess you got me there. That's a benefit I can get behind. Until we land on a volcanic world or something."

"I'll tell the Commander we refuse any volcano worlds."

"Thank you. Captain. You truly are the best of us."

"It's what I am-" The alert sounded and Captain Nelson felt her stomach clench. She was still a rookie captain. She had been trained enough to be on her own, but she was green. Still learning. In charge only because the Commander believed she had enough learning that she now needed experience.

She wasn't sure she was ready for a battle.

"Captain! We have three spheroid dropships on an intercept course! They are releasing ASF forces!" Her communications officer called out, after she hit the alert.

"How many ASF?"

"I am reading at least six lances Captain!"

Twelve fighters? That didn't make sense, unless they were planning on targeting a dropship from the get go. "Intercept time?"

"Less than an hour."

"Open a call to the Planetary Guard! We need to alert them we are under attack."

"Working on it now Captain!"

She stalled then. A realization. She had just left the jump point. If they were already on her ass? They were at least a few days away from rescue. Worse? They only had two ASF fighters. That wasn't enough to take out twelve no matter what they did.

"Sandra?"

She jerked. Realizing she had been circling. She took a deep breath and let it out. Adjusting her hat. She grabbed a radio accessing the PA system.

"This is your Captain speaking. We are under attack. The enemy forces outnumber us, and likely there will be no rescue in time. As of this moment I am activating Ragnarok Protocol. I repeat. Ragnarok Protocol is in effect. We will give them nothing."

"And take everything." The words were repeated back to her from every person on the ship. Some whispered in fear. Some roared in courage.

"I am afraid we are in for a rough few months or longer. But we are Iron Blooded. She will come, and these pirates will regret their actions today. So this is an order to all members. Survive. Believe in rescue. She will come." The last words were spoken in a whisper.

God Sandra hoped she would come.

In the deep dark of space, an hour later a few lights of battle could be seen.

Then, as if returning to its natural state.

Chapter 15.1 All's Fair

3025

Zaniah

RedBase

It was a warm afternoon like many days were on Zaniah. I was looking over my new batch of recruits. A good many of them were even from Amity. I could just make out Valerie running along. Our first League kid. I was proud. Our numbers now exceeded any amount I could have dreamed. Over the last two years of building up, we had only gone out to battle a few times. Most of it was spent spreading across Lyran space. The Isaribi had been relegated completely to library building.

It was a good feeling. Libraries spread across world after world. Each of them spreading knowledge. Letting people get an education that had been thought lost.

But this was the Inner Sphere. And nothing peaceful ever lasted.

"Vicky!"

"Benny?" His voice was angry. Not just annoyed, not frustrated. This was anger. Hatred.

"We got an HPG message. From Lyons."

It took me a second to remember the planet on the edge of Lyran and Combine space was where the Isaribi was.

"What happened?"

"The Isaribi was captured. Come on, the message… There was an attachment. It will tell you the rest." Benny was seething. I on the other hand just felt my stomach drop out from under me.

I started running. The command center in the middle of our Castle Brian was abuzz. And I could see more than a few nearly tear filled faces looking to me for answers.

"Play it." I demanded, taking control. I kept my back straight. As the message began playing. A video message at that.

The man Sitting seiza in front of the camera was very very Kuritan. Although he had non japanese features, he wore a kimono and there was a Katana on the floor beside his hip.

"Good evening Commander Eisen-Blume. This one has the Honor of being Governor Kagemuchi Ito of Ko. Your people have been captured. Your Dropship and all its inhabitants are currently my guests."

My teeth clenched. Everyone knew that being a guest of a Kuritan, was just another way of saying tortured every day. Or worse.

"I have heard you feel close to all those under your command. So this one is afraid a deal must be offered. Their lives, for your Colossus Dropship. The Coordinator wishes to own this vessel, along with the Lostech Battlemechs. Come to Ko with your holds full, and you will be allowed to leave with your people. I await your response."

"Do we have any confirmation that this is real?" I demanded and Benny was at my elbow nodding. "The 12th Star Guards were on Lyons. They sent a message about the raid. The Isaribi was the target."

"I see."

"Commander?"

The paused image of the man that currently had my kids was burned into my mind. I didn't want this. The fact of the matter is I wanted to avoid fighting the houses anymore than I already had. I needed a neutral reputation to be able to spread across the states.

But I also had a responsibility to my kids. One that I would happily throw away anything else for.

"Fine." I stepped over to the base wide PA system. Flipping a button. Which sent out an alert to the entire Castle Brian including the surface area. The PA system releasing a few notes, alerting everyone to an emergency message.

"Attention. This is Commander Eisen-Blume. We have just been informed, our Library engineering detachment on the Isaribi have been taken in a Combine Raid above Lyons. The Governor of Ko has accepted responsibility for this. Our people are currently imprisoned in the Combine."

I took a deep breath. Fuck me. I wanted to avoid this. I wanted to not end up pulling a fucking Wolfs Dragoons.

"They demand our equipment. If this was all I would gladly turn it over. But I do not believe in Combine Honor. I don't believe when I hand over what they want that our people will be returned. As such there is only one choice. I will head to Ko. I will fight. I will recover our people, or die trying."

I turned, looking around the command station. Benny nodded. As the older brother to everyone. He couldn't allow this anymore than I could.

"This mission… Will be volunteer only. We will begin gathering everyone soon. If you have anyone you know on the Isaribi. We will rescue them. No matter what. Every one of them. This, for the first time, is a point we will all remember. We will not be fighting pirates, or a raid. This is not an act that has no other meaning. Iron Blooded. This is an act of War. Prepare yourselves. For when we march to war. The Sphere will tremble. Eisen-Blume out."

"You do know everyone is going to want to go."

"I know. Damn me. But I know." I shook it off. "Benny. We aren't going with just the WhiteBase. I'm breaking out the Emergency equipment. Find the best mechwarriors and put them in mechs… I need to make some HPG calls."

"Understood Commander!" Benny was all teeth. It wasn't a grin. We were all too angry for that. But it was a promise.

The ISDF. The Iron Blooded Orphans go to war.

—-

I didn't sleep that night, Or the next.

That first day I sent out multiple HPG messages. Some requested additional assistance. Mostly to ASF forces. O'Connors Corsairs had decided to come to Ko with us. At first they had been hesitant, but then they saw what was really going on, and their desire to kick some snakes in the nuts overruled any hesitancy.

The fact I promised all of them, every single pilot they had a Royal ASF ride, had something to do with it too.

But we did get a few interested responses back. It would be nice to have some extra experienced pilots. We would pick them up along the way. The Clementine the Invader Jumpship was being contracted to pick us up for the whole way.

I had an express package to be delivered by ComStar as well. I paid the 'super express tier' payment. That basically means it gets transported with all due haste.

The box was sent straight to Ko. A message for Governor Kagemuchi.

It would only arrive maybe a week or so before we did since we were still preparing, but that was fine.

Finally I had to send a message to the Archon. It was handed off to Marcus, who would be staying behind, even if for the first time since we had our underground meeting about what the Homeguard entailed, he actually felt the regret of joining. Just like all the kids. And I do mean all of them.

He wanted to fight.

But he agreed to stay. To protect our home when it would be the emptiest it ever has been.

The message to the Archon would be sent only as we were getting very close to dropping on Ko. I didn't want ComStar nonsense to give any advantage to the Combine. As I said. The Iron Blooded were now at war. That meant we had to act as if all of our enemies were enemies.

—-

{Recording Begins}

"Aunt Katrina. Sorry. The ISDF is going to the planet Ko. They kidnapped some of my kids… I'm not asking for any assistance. We should be okay with what I have, but I will owe you an apology. See I lied to you. I know you are probably frowning right now, but I did have a few more Lostech caches that I could open up. And well… You will probably hear the rumors start soon, but I wanted to tell you myself. And… When this is all over. I will of course be happy to hand over some equipment. I have been a bit greedy about it."

The girl took a deep breath and then exhaled, as if gathering strength.

"The ISDF is not a Battalion strength Company. That only accounts for one Colossus."

"We have three."

"Aunt Katrina. As of this moment. The ISDF RCT is going to war with the Combine. Sorry if this messes up any plans."

{Recording Ends}

—-

I couldn't leave it as just a message on the radio. So two days before we were planning on leaving. I had a full company meeting. One of the big interior bays was opened up, and more of my people gathered together than ever before. This bay was meant to hold a dropship.

It just barely was big enough for all of the people. It was a startling thought. This may be the last time I am ever able to hold a meeting with 100% turnout. After this, the ISDF may be too big for it.

I strode through the crowd, as one of them. They easily made way for me, but quite a few asked questions, which if I could I would answer back. Even more reached out for some interaction. A pat on the shoulder. A fist touch. Some of the kids needed the assurance.

Because everyone was definitely upset. I was here to try and help that. To give them focus.

By the time I strode up onto the foot of my Nightstar which was acting as my stage the kids had quieted down. A few had noticed the oddities I had left in the hall. But none had messed with them yet.

"Iron Blooded Orphans!" I called out. My voice increased with the speakers installed in the hall. I spoke loudly even so. "That is what I called us so many years ago. Some of you were even there." I joke looking over the crowds. "But it doesn't mean we are some great warriors. We aren't destined to defeat the villains. That's for heroes. We aren't the heroes."

"Heroes Die!"

I let that echo around the room for a while. "Warriors become heroes because they take risks. We will never be that. We don't take risks. We are soldiers. We don't fight like warriors. We fight whenever the enemy has a disadvantage, and we have an advantage. We don't sacrifice our lives to take out just one more enemy mech. We retreat, regroup. Fight again the next day. We are the slow inexorable army that crushes those that we fight."

It was quiet for a while. My kids not all happy with what I was saying, but most were getting it. "Our goal is to save our brothers and sisters. To do that we will take risks. That is War, but we will do our best to come home again. If we die out there on some forsaken world. Our family will mourn us. Our friends will miss us. Their lives will grow darker without our light. So today. We will set upon our souls a reminder."

Beside the Nightstar and in a few spots in the hangar barrels had been placed. Yes. I was being theatrical. But dammit these were my kids. If a little theater would remind them to keep themselves alive while fighting the God Damned Combine. I would pick a fucking totem animal and start screaming nonsense words at them. Maybe Kaplah? Eh it was better than Batchall.

Inside the barrel was a dark red liquid. It was actually… Well I had Gauge make the original bit.

But it was basically future space paint. Also magic. I was pretty sure it was magic.

I dipped my hands into the paint, every eye in the hall on me as I streaked the red paint on my face. From the side of my nose, under my eye and down my cheek. A streak of what looked like blood. Then I did the other side.

"A reminder. A Physical reminder of what will happen to those around you if you die. We will all shed tears of blood for your loss. All of you. Join in. When the Iron Blooded Orphans go to war. We should all do this. A reminder that our loss, Our life means something to each other."

It was a solemn moment as many of the kids did so. Joining me in my symbol. Benny was the first to alter the path. He swiped it up and over his nose. Hanna joined in his symbol. Soon others were picking their own way of doing it. Some chose streaks down their cheeks. Some across. One had three across his cheeks. And my instinct to call them a weeb was there, But I contained it. That anime didn't exist I think, plus I had no room to talk. My Battle Angel Alita face paint was plainly visible.

It of course did start getting a little rowdy. "Hey! Don't mess around, don't get any in your eyes! I don't care if he messed up your symbol. We have a cleaner you can use to start over!"

But in the end. Every one of my soldiers had a red streak on their face. Already it was drying and the effect came in. The light hitting the blood red markings would make the color shift from red. To the color of Iron.

"We still have work to do. Dismissed!"

—-

"Commander. I heard a rumor…"

"It's true." I say plainly. I didn't have time for this. So I was making it plain. I was standing out on the tarmac to where Whitebase was being loaded up. Both Lady Alessa, and her sons were standing beside me. The three had come probably wondering what was going on. The almost frantic energy of my kids had been noticed by the people of Zaniah.

"You are going to war? With the Combine?"

"Governess. We are going to war with everyone if I have to, until my kids are home safe. I am a little busy. Can I help you with something?" I prompt aggressively. My hands were a little full with this.

The Governess blinked, and she looked almost a little startled at how I was acting. It could be the red face paint, but I suppose this is the first time she had ever seen me truly angry before.

It was a first for many of my kids too.

"We would like to assist in any way we can." She finally admitted as I turned away from another status report that had just been handed to me, looking it over I nodded. And sent the runner away. We were going to need more AC/20 ammo.

"Governess. Unless you have another dropship, you will only get in our way."

"We do have a leopard. If an additional Lance of mechs could be of assistance?" She offered, and I was actually forced to turn and look at her.

"You aren't usually this supportive, what are you plotting? I frankly don't have time at the moment to figure it out."

She looked a little affronted for a moment before nodding. "You will need additional forces if you are planning on taking on the Combine. We have an extra dropship and mechwarriors… Of course if we are going to assist you surely a few improvements to our Battlemech forces wouldn't be out of hand?"

Ah there was the self-serving Governess I knew.

"I don't have time to prep a jumpship. You get your people in a dropship and on their way to Ko, and I will give you a Lance of Lostech machines. If you fight, you can keep them and any salvage you take on the planet. We aren't going there for salvage."

Vincent. Actually gasped, at my offer but it was Arthur that had the first word. "We accept Commander. I will join you myself."

"No." The Governess cut in instantly. "Arthur. I can't have both of you go. You are my heirs. Vincent will go. I already know I couldn't talk him out of it. Arthur you will stay here and keep the planet's defense."

"Great. Figure it out. I have other things to deal with. If you'll excuse me?" I demand, basically glaring at them to leave as I turn back to the preparations. This was going to be messy. We didn't have the experience to handle this without some sort of fuckup. I was just trying to find it before it exploded in our face.

—-

"Can we do it?"

Captain Andre Gilbert was the Lieutenant that I had hired on to be a semi-permanent captain for the Isaribi. Eventually he had taken over Whitebase because we needed someone with experience to cover a Colossus.

"It's going to be tight Commander. Without… Captain Nelson. We are going to struggle to crew three dropships… Much less three Colossus." The man still seemed to be having trouble wrapping his head around the fact there were two more Colossus in Redbase.

I hadn't bothered to answer any questions about where they came from, or how they had gotten to Redbase without anyone knowing.

That was going to be a fun 'secret' to lead people around with.

"Can it be done relatively safely?"

"No. Not with your current crew, they aren't experienced enough. Dropping in a warzone is not the same as landing on a normal approach."

"What do we need?"

"At least a few experienced officers."

"Get them. Either here on Zaniah, or recruit them and let us pick them up on the way. Captain as far as I am concerned money is no object. Get the three dropships ready."

"Commander. I wasn't exactly a high ranked officer before. Anyone we recruit…"

"I don't care, Captain. You have the most experience in the entire Inner Sphere at the head of a Colossus. You are in charge. Can you handle this?"

The younger man hesitated before his face firmed he adjusted his hat. The same hat that I had picked out for my Iron Blooded Naval officers. He didn't wear the armor, but he did deserve the hat.

"Commander, I will take care of it. We will have a crew ready for the Ko landing."

I nod. Everything was coming together.

—-

It took a week for everything to be readied. That included me creating an absurd amount of equipment we would be taking with.

And on a bright Summer day on Zaniah. On the 13th of September. The people of Zaniah were treated to sight that hadn't been possible in over Two-Hundred and Fifty years.

Redbase heaved as two massive openings in the desert appeared, and slowly two Colossus rose ro join the third on the surface on massive freight elevators. Once the elevators were locked in. The three Colossus, all painted like concrete, erupted as three fusion drives ignited. Three Colossus dropships roared into the sky over Zaniah.

The rumors of what happened had spread quickly across the desert planet, and as one the people, Lyran, or Spies from around the Sphere, knew that something big had just happened.

But all I could think was the time it would take.

Four jumps.

—-

Fifty days later. A package arrived on Ko. This package had a very strange destination. But ComStar had been paid exceptionally well to ensure it ended up in the right hands. So in a bit of an odd situation. A ComStar Acolyte walked into the Governor's palace on Ko. A box the color of concrete held before him. A large red flower sigil stamped on the top.

It took the acolyte some time before he was allowed to see the Governor. Security check after security check, not on him of course, but the box. To ensure no bomb or poison, or viral agent was detected. Finally he was allowed through stepping into an ostentatious throne room. This governor Yamada knew, would probably not last long.

Already stirring among the people about their hatred of this man. ComStar had picked up plenty of worried messages going out about the unrest of the planet. Of course the Governor blamed it on Lyran agitators. And not on his own failures.

"When I heard a package was arriving carried by a ComStar Adept I was quite surprised! Come, show me what is so important, someone would pay so much to your company to have it hand delivered."

"I am simply an Acolyte Governor Kagemuchi, But this is the package." Yamada placed the package on the table before the Governor, watching as the man smirked slightly. The large red symbol of the ISDF, or the Iron Blooded Orphans, or just the Iron Blooded displayed on the front.

"Ah. I was wondering when they would get back to me. Why they sent this through a package instead of an HPG message I will never know. Lyrans."

Yamada had looked into what exactly the package meant, and had discovered the situation going on with the Mercenary company with delusions of grandeur and the Governor. He couldn't help but wonder if the Governor was ready for an angry mercenary company coming for blood. The Governor opened the box. The package revealed an odd thing.

It was a flower. Sort of. Blood red. Quite literally as it had been scanned and revealed to literally be coated in dried blood. An iron flower coated in blood. What was more interesting is that this Commander was a woman of few words. No letter, no note. Just a flower in a box.

Yamada wasn't a military man, but even he could see the connotations. With his duty done he bowed lightly and turned, leaving the governor to stare at the package in solitude.

—-

Finally, In a burst of oddness leaving me feeling for a second like I could hear the taste of my lunch we burst into Ko space. It had been a hurried, almost frantic trip. The Clementine had agreed to this mission but it had cost me. Recruiting competent officers to man my dropships? That had cost me.

Everything was costing me something. I only hoped this wouldn't end up costing me my dream.

"We are clear. Whitebase, Pegasus, and TrojanHorse are all confirmed green. Commander?" The Captain asked.

"Initiate the action." I confirm, feeling the drive systems engage after we disengaged from the Clementine. We were far outside any lagless transmission range yet. It would be a few days before that. Seven more days.

"No enemy orbital defenses. Same as the official reports. But that may not last Commander. Good chance they will try to contest our re-entry."

"I know Captain. That's what the ASF forces are for. Plus our own weapons."

Captain Gilbert nodded in agreement with that. "Our weapons are good, but if they throw enough at us…"

"We will make it through. I have full confidence in the crew's skills, and our defenses. Captain." I offered a farewell as I headed through the dropship. There was a sense of anxiety on the ship. Not one for fear of what comes next. My kids were confident. No, the worry was for our captured crew.

I walked past the room Rough Squad currently had commandeered. They eventually had decided to become a raiding force.

I had told Lenden he was being an idiot, that there was no need for that. But it had been an idea he liked. So now Rough Squad… Which was a bit bigger than a squad at this point, but the name stuck, had been training for infiltration and mech theft.

Since there were only so many mechs we could take with us. Their idea had been to steal mechs from the enemy once they had landed. In a way massively increasing our offensive force on a campaign.

Absolutely stupid. They were going to get themselves all killed. Which is why I had first refused. Until a year later, I realized they were still going to fucking do it.

Lenden had eventually 'stolen' a bunch of Nighthawks a year or so back. They had just so 'happened' to appear in a storage room that the idiots used as a hangout room. I had of course 'wrote off' the missing Nighthawks.

After some tutelage from Delta, Rough Squad had learned how to use them. At least now they had a chance. Eventually Rough Squad had become almost a subset of Delta. I had dropped the whole problem on Carl's lap.

He hadn't looked nearly irritated enough though. Fucker.

Rough squad was ready. All of them were hanging out partying like their life was ending. Considering the morons would be trying to sneak onto a Combine base to steal their mechs… Well it likely was. I didn't stop in. I was just walking to have something to do. Any prep was basically already done. Now it was just the long wait.

I moved on. There was plenty of activity on Whitebase. Plenty of kids wandering around. Their nerves just as active as mine. I passed a lot of them patting shoulders, or giving nods. Letting them know I believed in them.

It wasn't them I was worried about.

It was me that I wasn't sure I believed in.

Could I do this? I had… I had wanted to do more than just be another group killing people in the Inner Sphere. I had such high hopes.

But I shook that away. Hopes were good. Dreams were great. But reality was reality. I wasn't doing this because I wanted to. Because I had some aspirations of conquering a planet.

I was doing this to rescue my kids. The memory of the Combine having comfort women struck me.

If they raped even one of my kids. I would burn the Combine to ash. I would fuck this entire Inner sphere. A million mechs and jumpships would fall into the hands of the Commonwealth. Let's see how the Combine like that.

I turned a corner. A small section of the ship that was quiet as I put my head against the cold hull. "Damn it." I wanted to rage. My stomach felt like fire, and every breath I took felt like I was expelling fire.

It took a few minutes before I had control of myself again. No. I wasn't going to go down that path of rage and anger. That is how wars like the succession wars happen. I had to be better. No. It wasn't that.

I wanted to be better.

"Commander?" I blinked. Turning to see Sasha of all people. Why was this girl so good at finding me when I was freaking out?"

"Sasha. I'm okay."

"Sure. And I'll go on that date with Vincent he keeps hinting at." The older woman, at this point, she was closer to thirty than not moved in, and despite the armor pulled me into a hug.

"I mean it. I'm… Just freaking out because of the wait."

"I figured. You aren't the only one that doesn't handle the wait before the battle well. Micky didn't either… He was on the Isaribi you know?"

I bit my lip. Damn. I had promised to keep her little brothers safe. And now just like the rest of my kids, they were hostage to the Combine.

"No. None of that. I can feel you spiraling. I just meant… He was proud to serve as an engineer. He was the first of my little brothers to find a place for himself. He always wanted to travel. He got to see a ton of worlds. And hopefully he will see even more. You didn't hesitate Commander. As soon as you heard they were taken, you moved. We move with you. All of us know you will bring them home. Alive, or dead. It doesn't matter. Because we know that you will do it."

"I would really prefer bringing them home alive."

"Me too. But we are prepared for the opposite. I didn't get it, you know? The whole cult of personality you have. When I first joined I only did it to try and keep my brothers safe, but I understand Commander. This life… It's better than anything we could have hoped for before. We are valued, each and every one of us. So we will follow you. I will follow you."

"That only makes it worse. How many will end up dying because of what I decide?"

"I think you asked me something similar before. Vicky. People die. Everywhere. All the time. Very few get to die doing something they believe in. Fewer still get to die doing it not just because they believe, but because they know they are changing the universe for the better."

"I don't even know if we are changing the universe for the better." I mumble out, The commonwealth could do wonderful things in the future, The Federated Commonwealth even more so. But it could also crash and burn just as badly, if not worse than it did.

"I do. Because my little brother got to learn how to be an engineer. Another is becoming a pilot. A good one, with a good ASF that won't fall apart under him. Another became a Mechwarrior… His father had been a mechwarrior. And his grandfather. We used to hear the stories he would tell of his family's battles. Then his father died. His Mech disappeared, he lost that. You gave it back to him. You gave all of us something." She ruffled my hair lightly with a soft smile. "Good job Vicky."

"Ugh. Don't… say it like that I already feel like I'm a failure."

"No. You need to hear this sometimes too Commander. You won me over. I'm not here because I like combat. I'm here because you put out the call. And if I die. Then I will die doing something I believe is right."

"Thanks Sasha."

"Anytime Commander. C'mon, I hear that Rough squad is going to be holding a 'ritual' in their own words in the mechbay. They brought the NeuroHelm. You know the one?"

"Oh I told them to leave that thing back on Zaniah! Damn it. Let's go see what they are up to."

We walked shoulder to shoulder back to the Mechbay. Where Rough squad had started a party.

And so on the first night of our burn towards a battle.

Everyone on Whitebase made merry.

For the War would start soon.

—-

Seven days. That's about how long it took for us to burn towards Ko. Without a word. Nothing stopped us, although that doesn't mean we hadn't been noticed. We definitely had. But nothing yet. But hours away from final re-entry. I was called to the bridge.

Seems the shitlord finally decided to act.

"Commander? Call for you."

"Play it. Let's see what they want."

The system spun up and suddenly I was looking at a 3d image of the man that had kidnapped my kids.

"This one is Governor Kagemuchi. So you have come. With more than I expected. If you hand over your three dropships. You will be allowed to leave along with your captured people. Any refusal could lead to… Unfortunate consequences for them."

I didn't say anything. Didn't need to. My people surrounding me? We had already decided on our course.

The many hard faces around me spoke of one fact. We would not give in. I let the silence drift. Simply staring into the eyes of the man that had harmed my people. Finally my silence seemed to get the better of him.

"If you do not accept I will kill one of your people for every minute that-"

"Go ahead." I stated clearly and loudly, and not a twitch of refusal ran through my command staff on the bridge. Captain Gilbert, one of the few not wearing our armor, was even with us. Standing firm. "We are here to rescue our people. If you hand them over now. We will turn around. That will be the end of it." I took a step forward. Which admittedly, had less function through a holovid reader, but I think it still worked.

"You will rescue nothing if you do not-"

"Then we will avenge them." I cut this fool off. I was done with this. "My people will not be used as bargaining chips. If you think we will crumple. If you think you have any control here. Then Governor. You don't know us at all."

"You have until we hit the atmosphere. If you call before then, and offer a truce, to hand over my people. Then once we have them we will leave."

"The Dragons claws do not surrender to idle threats! You children will be killed, your equipment taken for the good of the Dragon. You have no chance! The soldiers of the dragon are not like those weaklings you have faced in the past. You will not succeed."

"Then we will die fighting."

I flipped the switch, turning off the call.

I didn't turn, staring into the spot the man's image had once been.

The bridge was silent. As we waited the time ticking down.

He never did call back.

Instead as we drew closer, an alert sounded. ASF were on the way to stop us.

It was now or never. I switched to the PA system. "This is Vicky. I know all of you are feeling a little bit of everything. Scared. Angry. Nervous. That's okay. We have the advantage here. We hold every card. They don't know the rain of fire coming down upon them."

I looked to my right. Benny and Hanna weren't here, but Gauge was. He nodded. The boy least likely to want to fight, was firm in his conviction. How could I be any less?

"The Governor who kidnapped our family called us children. To outsiders we may seem that way. They see us as inexperienced. We are. But they don't see the hours of blood and sweat we gave. The effort it took to get up every morning muscles still sore, to keep practicing. The hours upon hours we spent firing our guns."

I was tapping my fingers on the console. I was definitely in the nervous camp. I wasn't scared so much. But nervous? That I would make a mistake? That my family would be killed because of something I did? Yeah.

"I am issuing one rule. Don't die. If you are in danger, retreat. Only to save another's life should you risk your own. So don't die. I don't want to have to plant any Eisen-Blume across this world. Not some snake filled hellhole. So live. Commander Eisen-Blume out."