Chapter 38

38

Ramsau

Skandia Province, Free Rasalhague Republic

July 28th 3051

Prince Ragnar was assigned to the Fourth Kavalleri, which had been moved up to Ramsau. His father had agreed not to send additional 'Mechs to the very frontlines but felt he could not simply leave the international relief force to fight all the battles. Ramsau was close enough that it could come under attack within the next two months and certainly before the end of the year unless a miracle occurred.

Along with the Fourth Kavalleri regiment, they were joined by the 1st St. Ives Lancers. Ragnar's personal Timber Wolf OmniMech, outclassed anything the Lancers had, but everything else the Lancers were equipped with far outclassed what the Kavalleri had.

Half our 'Mech regiment consists of bug 'Mechs with no new tech whatsoever.

The local militia was the First Ramsau Irregulars, consisting of a few battalions of infantry and one old Vedette. If the world were attacked, it was doubtful they could accomplish anything worthwhile. Rangar felt horrible thinking that, but it was true. Infantry could not stand up to 'Mechs and were easy prey for Elementals.

Currently, the Irregulars were guarding the HPG facility, creating a buffer between the Com Guards and the enraged crowd of FRR citizens baying for ComStar blood. Rangar had mixed feelings, and they came to the fore as Colonel Caroline Seng approached him while they watched the holovid of the demonstration.

"Prince Magnusson, it may help if you did something to calm down the crowds," she said respectfully.

"What should I say? That I wish to join them and remove the blight upon their nation?"

Her almond-shaped eyes narrowed slightly. "I understand well your feelings, but your father has commanded the ComStar facilities not to be attacked. He does not wish to weaken any of your nation's units before they face the Clans."

"I have difficulty speaking falsehoods to my people. ComStar must be destroyed. They tried to murder an innocent child. They are helping the Clans annihilate my nation!"

"I don't disagree, but what is going on outside their HPG facility doesn't help anyone. Saying a few words about how their time could be better spent preparing to defend this world against the Clans could do much to pacify the angry crowds. Two of the Irregulars have concussions, one has a broken finger, and another has a mild burn. Nothing major at all, but if it grows worse… half the militia would prefer to join the crowd, and having to guard the hated ComStar facility only saps their morale further."

Ragnar winced. He knew she had a point.

"All right, you make some good points. I don't know how able I'll be… but I'll try."

Colonel Seng offered to help him find the words, and he was grateful for her assistance. Ragnar had always gotten on well with Kai on Outreach, and it seemed like Kai's people were also good. He was honored to be able to fight by their side, and he hoped he could put to use what he learned on Outreach when the Clans came for this world.

***

Blackjack

Tamar March, Lyran Commonwealth

August 3rd 3051

Most of what could be repaired had been. Once again, the Clan techs, along with Nick Westfield, proved to be incredibly talented. The Clans believed in reuse and recycling. Abhorring waste, they knew how to fix our 'Mechs in unintuitive ways that left my own techs amazed. In terms of Clan 'Mechs, we were once again ahead of where we had been prior to the fighting. Not as much as I'd like, but solid progress. Lautner's Atlas was as good as new, and I knew my battle maniacs were itching for a fight.

That was why I had gathered my command staff to discuss our options. With the Snow Ravens appearing and seemingly headed for Coventry, some of the reinforcements bound for Sudeten had to be diverted. I couldn't rest on my laurels – I had to keep the enemy on the backfoot.

"We know that the Jade Falcons have made no move to recapture the worlds we took back. I can only conclude they don't have the manpower."

"They have more Clusters on Twycross than before, according to our agents. Over five Clusters, the enemy still has resources," Marshal Orsina countered.

"I think it's desperation, actually," Leftenant General Redburn replied. "They're worried we'll hit them on Twycross, so they're gathering what they have left. We know they called in the Diamond Sharks because they needed help. We have no idea how long their supply lines stretch, but I'd wager that, outside of their forward units that hit the three FedCom worlds last wave, they don't have much left."

I nod in his direction. "I agree. That's why I think it's safe to strike out at Black Earth and Golandrinas. They'll almost certainly be lightly defended, and then we can give ComStar a choice: surrender the HPG stations on those worlds, or be destroyed. Either way, we blind the enemy and free more of our people. Best-case scenario, we get some free 'Mechs and combat vehicles."

Leftenant General Alicia Mason, who had looked visibly haggard after the news of Tamar's fall reached them, agreed.

"We can't sit idle while other worlds fall. The sooner we defeat these Falcons and Sharks – the sooner we can fight the Wolves."

Well, I didn't like that sentiment as much, but I understood where it came from. The Wolves had conquered the world that her husband and son were on.

Hauptmann General Anne Sung of the 2nd Crucis Lancers shrugged. "My unit can't really help, so I'm leery of saying we should go for it. But… well, it gnaws at me that any of our citizens are stuck under ComStar rule."

Lautner grinned. "You know my answer, Highness."

"It sounds like we won't need to send a large force," Ainsworth began. "Which means you should stay on Blackjack, Katherine."

If only I could.

I give her a smile. "I appreciate how you always look out for my safety, but if we can get the garrison commanders to agree to a localized duel through batchall, it should be me."

"No, it shouldn't be." She looked at me with a stubborn expression. "Risking your life for small gain, when you can send multiple battalions and just crush an enemy, isn't a good risk-reward ratio."

Redburn nodded. "I must agree with Agent Ainsworth. No one doubts your courage, Highness, but there's no sense in risking you in this when we have capable people to do it. For a small-scale operation, let us take the reins."

Lautner looked sympathetic. "I am forced to agree with my colleagues. Put your trust in the 1st Royal FedCom Guards. We can take the reinforced command company that you've organized as a Trinary for batchall battles, along with one of our battalions. We can take a battalion from the Kathil Uhlans, an armored regiment, and two regiments of infantry with artillery support. If we are correct, they will likely not have more than a Trinary. Then we deal with ComStar – nothing to it."

Huh… could I get away with it? Not have to fight on the frontlines?

I felt like I needed to be there in case something went wrong, but if all my officers agreed to it, I finally relented.

"Fine, this time, I won't go. Don't ruin my Clan tech, and try to get ComStar to lay down their arms. Leftenant General Redburn, you and Colonel Lautner are in command of this operation."

Leftenant General Mason interjected. "I want to go too. It will give me a chance to try out my new Summoner 'Mech."

Battle maniacs the lot of them. While the same logic that applied to me would go to her as well, I did owe her for those Demolisher tanks.

"I'll allow it."

We wrapped up a few more discussion items and afterwards Ainsworth stayed behind.

"Thank you for agreeing not to put yourself at risk. I know how much you enjoy being out there, but there will be other battles."

After all these years, she still doesn't understand me? I suppose that's for the best. If even Ainsworth thinks I'm one of those battle maniacs, no one will ever believe I prefer to stay off the front line!

"I do listen to advice, on occasion," I said with a tinge of humor.

"Speaking of… I know you are wary of letting Drack become a warrior, but I believe you should. By every measure I can think of, once he gives his loyalty, it will be absolute. Unlike nearly everyone else in the Inner Sphere, we can know with 100% certainty that he isn't a deep-cover agent working for another Great House or ComStar. He would be a perfect addition to Black Watch."

I still didn't like it. The Clans had such an alien mindset. I understood what made them tick, but it was odd being inside their heads. Drack still thought the Clan way of life was a good one, that it represented a higher ideal the Inner Sphere should adopt. It was something I could never get behind. However, I also knew he would likely be loyal, and if I fired him at an enemy like an LRM, he would hard-lock and do everything he could to fulfill the mission parameters.

"Go ahead and induct him in. Obviously, we won't be advertising it outside of the unit, but he will be able to participate in the upcoming conflict. It will be interesting to see his BattleROM afterward."

"What's this? Two for two today? Perhaps this is the day I should ask for a raise…" Ainsworth chuckled as she made her jest, and I just shooed her away.

I was oddly melancholy about my soldiers going off to fight in a battle that I was not involved in. After doing a self-examination of my assumptions and rational logic, I concluded that it was because I simply didn't like ComStar. While I would never yearn for battle, I did seem to have a strong desire for vengeance for the attack on Ainsworth's life when I was a child. My father using it as a propaganda piece had brought back those memories, and the realization that my ardent protector had nearly lost her life filled me with justified anger.

Yes, that must be the reason I'm disappointed I won't be going.

***

Domain

Tamar March, Lyran Commonwealth

August 11th 3051

Star Captain Phelan Wolf had been instructed by his Khan to bid hard and win. The Wolf Clan had a far more liberal mindset about Freeborns compared to the other Clans, but prejudices still ran deep. Having won his Trial of Position by defeating three opponents in a row, he now found himself leading a Trinary.

A pity Vlad couldn't be part of the Trial, like he had threatened. I had looked forward to beating that bastard.

As a Star Captain, he could have piloted a larger 'Mech; Ulric had given him the choice to, but he had also provided the refitted Grinner, the name of his old Wolfhound 'Mech. Only now, it had essentially double the firepower of the old configuration. Completely rebuilt with all the bells and whistles of Clan technology, it sported 1 ER large laser, 1 ER medium laser, and three medium pulse lasers. With the double heat sinks, his heat meter barely budged, even when using an Alpha Strike. At only 35 tons, it was well-armored, fast, and so much deadlier than it had been.

The bidding for the world of Domain had been fierce. Their opponents were the 2nd Knights of St. Cameron. The unit claimed to have actively recruited from the descendants of those who had once served in the SLDF. Prior to the troubles ComStar was facing, they were listed as a regiment of Inner Sphere 'Mechs guarding the world of Domain. The world was also defended by a relatively large militia, but the so-called brigades were a bit of a paper army.

Part-time warriors using Federated Long Rifles and lacking 'Mechs or proper combat vehicles won't be much help to them.

The cutdown had been three Trinaries, and it had gotten close to that. Ultimately, Phelan had won with three Trinaries and a single Star. The next best bid had been three Trinaries, a Star, and two Points, which was a bit of a lark, since an extra two 'Mechs would likely not change the circumstances.

His force composition was 30 aerospace fighters, 30 'Mechs, and 25 Elementals. The Clans were very strange in how they weighed aerospace fighters, considering a single Point of aerospace fighters included two of them. The enemy did outnumber him three to one in 'Mechs, but he had the technological edge.

And I've only gotten better since joining Clan Wolf.

His time as a bondsman had been a challenging one. His interrogation involved the heavy use of drugs, and he had given up everything he knew about his home. It had felt like a betrayal, and despite his efforts to avoid giving up information, in the end, he had only prolonged the suffering. Afterwards, things had gotten better, and as he learned more about the Clans, he started to respect them.

Unlike in the Inner Sphere, the Clans were not wasteful. They didn't allow politicians to enrich themselves at the expense of the whole. Outside of the Trueborn/Freeborn dynamic, there was no bigotry, especially not along racial and gendered lines.

My sister's brother-in-law faced racism for his half-Capellan features for much of his early life. That sort of thing never happens within the Clans. Genetic heritage can form the basis of insults, but it is never directed at an ethnicity as a whole.

When he had first met them, they seemed like harsh, violent, and horrible people. But as he grew to know and interact with Ranna and the others, his perceptions changed. Ranna could be as tender and sweet as any Inner Sphere woman, despite being far deadlier. Their lovemaking had been a source of great comfort to Phelan.

Perhaps the biggest reason why he had chosen to embrace the Clans was that it was a meritocracy. The best rose to the top. The political appointees at the Nagelring who had stood in judgment of him could never equal him as a MechWarrior, and yet they had decided his fate. The Clan system, in so many ways, was better.

Sometimes he still felt like a traitor, but he realized that the Clans could not be stopped. They were a warrior people. Their entire society was bent on perfecting their technology and fighting prowess. If a Clan like the Jade Falcons, or even worse, the Smoke Jaguars, reached Terra first, the Inner Sphere would suffer. If the Clans were to win in any event, why should Phelan oppose them, when he could ensure a Warden Clan became the ilClan? Ulric Kerensky had promised that he would do all he could to limit the disruption and hardship on the Inner Sphere.

Tamar was an anomaly. Ulric tried to get the Duke of Tamar to see reason and fight an honorable battle, but he left my Khan no choice.

The death toll had been atrocious, and even knowing the necessity of those actions, it made him sick to his stomach. Ulric had said that the sooner they pushed onto Terra, the faster these sorts of battles could end. With that in mind, Phelan knew he had to win decisively. Ranna had told him that their Khan needed him to be successful, to become a Ristar and show that even Spheroids could become respected members of the Clan. It would give the conquered FRR and FedCom people a symbol to cling to and encourage them to also serve Clan Wolf.

They had dropped to the world and Phelan issued his first batchall.

"This is Star Captain Phelan Wolf. I wish to minimize the loss of life and harm to the people of Domain. Who is in command, and who will face me? I offer a batchall. State your forces, and we will decide the fate of this world."

Colonel Mortimer Dewey had responded, and they had hashed out the details. The rules regarding prepared ground were set, and Colonel Dewey had agreed to abide by them. The terms were straightforward: they would meet in the hilled area of one of the smaller cities on Domain. If they lost, the militia brigades would surrender and minimize the loss of life. However, if they won, they wanted two Stars of OmniMechs.

"Bargained well and done!" Phelan said, though Ranna later chided him over such generous terms.

It only matters if I lose.

***

Blackjack

Tamar March, Lyran Commonwealth

August 18th 3051

With my meat shields off-planet, I diverted some of my attention to my new duties as Duchess of Blackjack. Like many worlds in the Lyran Commonwealth, it had a legislature. Most planets in the Commonwealth had one, even if their power was often just symbolic. Wise rulers rarely overruled their legislature, but then in many cases, like with the Estates General, votes didn't happen without first being approved by those in charge.

I had mixed feelings about it, but ultimately, I did have a mandate, so I intended to use it. There were a few things I planned to tackle. The first was looking for ways to both improve the economy and enhance the military situation. Militarily, I had already done quite a bit, and those efforts were still underway. One area that meshed well with the illicit trade that Blackjack engaged in was the medical and pharmaceutical fields.

We had quite a few war-wounded, and like any world, we had hospitals. We had doctors and physical therapists. We had artificial limbs and skin grafts. But it wasn't cutting edge; it wasn't NAIS – hell, it wasn't even close. That was what I wanted to change. Unlike BattleMech construction, the medical field did not require nearly as much heavy machinery and rare metals. It required knowledge, skilled doctors, and facilities for research. That would be my focus.

I planned on creating a medical research university and was prepared to pay top dollar for high-quality surgeons, doctors, and researchers – the best in their fields. This would involve some poaching from NAIS, but in the future, I didn't want to have to send some of my best MechWarriors to NAIS for treatment; I wanted it done right here on Blackjack.

Bringing in talent when, in less than two years, this might be a warzone again is borderline negligent, but if I have my way, Blackjack won't even be attacked again.

Plans were in motion for headhunting to occur, generous research grants, and the beginnings of state-of-the-art medical equipment had been made. I then turned to the education curriculum. I was a firm believer in catering to top talent, so I would provide incentives for those who could demonstrate their talent at an early age. Scholarships, specialized recognition such as dinner with the Duchess for academic contest winners, and the like would be promoted.

One of the key ideas I was borrowing from was the Pareto Principle. Vilfredo Pareto had been a brilliant economic thinker and had made some interesting observations. What later generations would take from it was that 80% of consequences came from 20% of the causes. 80% of your sales came from 20% of your people. From an organizational perspective, 80% of your progress and production comes from 20% of your best contributors.

Identifying, nurturing, and recruiting the top innate talent of Blackjack would be key to its economic progress. Programs catering to the lowest common denominator were the stupidest of all, but those that catered to the mediocre average also produced inferior outcomes. Segregating the best and brightest and advancing them up the educational – or martial – flagpole in quick fashion was more important than ensuring everyone was on track. Natural talent, and not just reincarnated people like myself, had no need to waste time treading through material they could easily master. No, they should be pushed, enriched, and propelled to the top of Blackjack society.

Beyond that, I had some qualms about the curriculum itself, especially as it pertained to the veneration of the Star League. The foolish and overly rosy view of the Star League came from the savagery of the 1st and 2nd Succession Wars. With massacres, biological, and nuclear weapons raining down everywhere, it was a nightmarish hell. Naturally, people would pine for the time before the outbreak of total and devastating war occurred.

The problem was two-fold for me. One, it was bullshit. The Star League had been a corrupt and brutal regime. It covered itself in high ideals and then regularly violated them with glee. One of the most offensive events was the Reunification War. Blackjack currently taught that it was a just war that had been needed to stop the predation of the Periphery. Insanity.

In principle, I opposed the teaching of lies because I believed history was a great teacher. More practically, and thus more importantly, I believed the focus on the past glory of the Star League was what drove so much of the war in the Inner Sphere. Everyone, including my father, was obsessed with reuniting the Star League.

Count me out. Not only is it unlikely to ever occur, but it would be abominable to most of the people if it is not their preferred ruler running it.

I couldn't just begin ranting about how bad the Star League was, but I could start with something small. I could begin by removing the shine from it with one small step within the educational system of one moderately populated world. And then, maybe the surrounding worlds. Even the Clans were obsessed with the Star League, and their impetus for invasion was to recreate it. Lasting peace could only come if people gave up on the irrational dream of a Star League born anew.

My third focus would be to fix the ludicrously lax insider trading laws. This was, of course, quite hypocritical of me, but I was not going to allow a few oligarchs to skew the market and cheat the system. I would grant a generous pardon to individuals like Leftenant Harris and Cadet Harris' father, who had been one of the biggest culprits on the planet.

Loyalty has its rewards. He'll get a blanket pardon for past behavior, but if he keeps doing it, well, my mercy only extends so far.

Much of what I was doing would not change the current military situation, but I always kept an eye out for the future and my eventual retirement. I would take a few days to work with specialists in their fields and then push through the legislation to rubber-stamp it. I'd do a few interviews as well, opining on my ideas, and then it was back to training.

I also intended to keep abreast of the various fronts of the war. I would send some letters back home through the now-safe HPG terminal system. Peter was at the Nagelring now, and I needed to get an update on how he was doing. Arthur and Yvonne had been somewhat neglected by me, and I wished to amend that. And, of course, keeping up with Kai's sisters and Isis could also be important politically. I may not be on the warpath, but my days would be quite busy!

***

Nox

Skandia Province, Free Rasalhague Republic

September 4th 3051

Natasha Kerensky grinned as her plan came together. The batchall had come from the Loremaster and Galaxy Commander Laurie Tseng, and Natasha had been the one to answer it. She had been rude, disrespectful, and had deliberately used contractions. Tseng had quickly grown annoyed, but the agreement for the location of the battle had been made.

Natasha had been scrupulous and specific about what she was defending with. She sent the information over for her own Black Widow Battalion, as well as the 1st St. Ives Cheveau-Légers, the First Nox Tank Regiment, the First Nox Infantry Regiment, and the Second Nox Infantry Regiment. She had agreed that the ground not be prepared and that nothing would be asked for in case the opposing side lost.

The location selected was a mountainous region full of sharp changes in elevation and winding passages. She had selected it for a reason. There were no planted explosives, no mines, nothing of the sort. However, the FRR knew exactly where rockslides were common and how easy they were to trigger.

The enemy had quickly filtered into the trap, and after a few sharp skirmishes, they retreated and triggered the trap by firing missiles into the mountainside, sending massive boulders and a wave of lesser rocks down upon the Ghost Bear OmniMechs. With the trap sprung, Natasha used the jump jets in her fresh OmniMech, a Summoner, and led the counterattack over the buried enemy.

The fighting was fierce, and despite the enemy's technological edge, the 1st St. Ives Cheveau-Légers fought with incredible heart. The Ghost Bears had lost over 30 'Mechs in the landslide and at least a Star of Elementals. That sort of loss, after what had probably been some fierce bidding that had left them outnumbered before the landslide, meant the Ghost Bears' hopes had evaporated. The comm channel opened, and an angry voice raged.

"You betray your honor with that filthy trick!"

"Neg, Loremaster. Is using cover Dezgra?"

"You know what you did, Natasha. This was dishonorable and not a proper battle."

"You wish for honor? Face me in a duel. If you win, my Black Widow Battalion is yours. If I win, the remaining 'Mechs, Elementals, and warriors here on this planet are mine. Come, face me!"

A long-drawn-out silence seemed to echo in its quiet as Natasha waited for a response.

"Neg. We will withdraw."

"You think I would let you withdraw after refusing an honor duel? No Hegira is granted!"

A small portion of her Black Widow Battalion, along with a company of tanks, had circled around, and the enemy 'Mechs took a vicious beating as they tried to rush back to the DropShips. Natasha pursued and took down several more of the fleeing Ghost Bears, but it was difficult for everyone to follow closely. Around a Trinary had escaped, but Nox was unquestionably still under FRR control.

She broadcast the refusal of the Loremaster to duel her on a wide beam to all retreating Ghost Bears, as well as routed it through HQ to the enemy naval vessels above. The shame would be delicious and would enrage the Bears even further.

Natasha reveled in her victory. Gamma Regiment of the Wolf's Dragoons had been completely destroyed, but Beta Regiment had won their battle. Natasha now had two wins against the Ghost Bears and was eager for a third. The Wolves were howling, and Natasha wondered if she would have to fight her old Clan next.

They took Carse, as well as several FedCom worlds in the last month or so, with the Ghost Bears only now lumbering out of their den to get bloodied. My Clan always was the best.

Natasha did not wish for the Wolves to be successful, but she took pride in it all the same. Her victory had come with some losses, but nothing drastic. She would be able to fight again without an extended period for repairs. The salvage beneath the rubble would be useful as well. The FRR was on its knees, but the Wolf's Dragoons were keeping them in the fight.

Jaime was holding Alpha Regiment in reserve for a decisive play here or in the Federated Commonwealth. Given how nasty Katherine turned out to be, the FRR is probably where he should bring his regiment. But that's his call to make.

Natasha was just happy to be fighting. Crushing Inner Sphere opponents was all well and good, but now she was fighting against the best. It was a thrill and an honor to learn that she still had it when compared to the Clans.