Command Center, Daylam
Santander V, Rasalhague Dominion
8 October, 3094

Jasen stepped into Star Commander Orson's office and came to attention, waiting. Glancing up from his computer terminal, the young officer motioned Jasen to a chair. There was an air of annoyance in Orson’s actions, which Jasen picked up on immediately.

"Prompt arrival, Jasen," Orson commented. "An oddity for you."

Jasen shrugged at the barb. 

"Even a broken clock can be right occasionally," he replied. 

"So it is said," Orson agreed. "But time is not a luxury you have."

Jasen frowned, not comprehending.

"This is Santander," he said in reply. "The only thing we have a lot of is time."

"That is true of the world," Orson sighed. "But no longer of you. The Susquehanna is lifting off in an hour. You will be aboard. Go pack your kit and get to the Tarmac."

Jasen rocked back, gaping in shock.

"I don't understand," he stuttered when he found his words again. "I'm being sent to another post?"

He couldn't imagine a post worse than Santander. 

Sure, Red Mule has offered some respite from Daylam but it's still just sand and dust storms. I must have been an Amaris in a past life to warrant worse than this hell hole.

"Aff," Orson replied with a touch of bitterness. "Star Colonel Cade has requested your transfer to the 12th Bear Guards, over my objections. He lost a pilot in the last fight with the pirates and wants you to take over the posting."

"You resisted my transfer?" 

Jasen stared unbelieving at his commander.

"Aff," Orson spat. "It is a position too prestigious for a backwater Freebirth. You are to be a part of Arcadia Star, piloting an Arctic Cheetah on recon. Why, I do not know. You were barely worthy of the Mongoose. This position should be offered to a true warrior, not a second rate freeborn."

He shook his head in frustration. 

"But it is done," Orson said bitterly. "You are released from my command. Get out of my sight and off this world. I do not want to have to see your face."

Without another word, Jasen rose, saluted and strolled from the office. He did not look back at the commanding officer he respected but who had always hated him. Despite everything, he was leaving Santander...to be a Growling Bear no less. 

As he jogged across the street toward the barracks he was certain he didn't need the Susquehanna to wait for him. He felt high enough to link up with the jump ship all by himself.
Jogging towards his quarters he thought of Tamir, just now recovering from the injuries from the fighting against pirates on Santander. He’d only been released from the infirmary days before. 
I’ll miss him. He wasn’t bad for a Trueborn. 
Jasen pulled up short. 
An hour is plenty of time to stop by to visit Tamir and still make it to the ship. 
Shifting course, he set off again to Tamir’s quarters. Tamir opened the door on the second knock, frowning. 
“You need something, surrat?”
Jasen took no offense. Tamir was always gruff. Being nearly thirty and assigned to the literal back end of space gave him the right. 
“Need, no,” Jasen answered. “Want, yes. I came to say goodbye.”
The frown deepened. 
“You are leaving, quineg?”
“Aff,” Jasen said, glancing toward the distant dropships sitting on the tarmac. “I have been transferred to the Twelfth Bear Guards, effective immediately.”
Tamir shook his head. 
“If this is a joke, it is a bad one.”
“It is not, Tamir,” Jasen replied. “Star Colonel Cade MacKenzie apparently requested it.”
Tamir still looked unconvinced. 
“A Guards unit will not have you piloting a Mongoose.”
“Neg,” Jasen agreed. “I am to pilot an Arctic Cheetah with Arcadia Star in the 173rd.”
Tamir’s expression eased slightly. 
“Star Commander Ilsa,” he replied. “She is also a freeborn. That would make more sense.”
Jasen rolled his eyes. 
“I don’t think that’s the only reason, but if it is I still will not complain,” he replied. “Regardless, I wish you the best my friend. I hope you recover quickly.”
He extended his hand to the old Trueborn. For a moment, Tamir merely glanced at it. Then he clasped Jasen’s hand and pumped it twice. 
“Good luck, Jasen,” he said. “You are not bad…for a freebirth. I do not know why you were chosen, but fight well or die gloriously. Do not suffer the indignation of getting old.”
Jasen said nothing else, merely nodding with a grin. It was the best answer he would ever get from Tamir and it showed that Tamir actually did care, in his own way. 
I fought beside you only briefly but both you and Orson earned my respect. I suppose I earned yours as well when it really comes down to it. Now I just have to do the same for Arcadia and the Growling Bears. 

Silverdale, Alshain 
Rasalhague Dominion 
May 12, 3095

"Saying things are changing is the understatement of the decade," Cade commented, turning his gaze to the assembly of warriors sitting across from him in the small amphitheater. Though designed to hold nearly two hundred, fewer than twenty five men and women occupied the lowest section of the theater. "In the past two years, we have overhauled the entire government of the Dominion. Our house needs to keep up with progress."

"Not all change is good," Star Commander Dominic MacKenzie replied, his deep voice reverberating through the chamber. The Elemental's face remained impassive as he regarded Cade. 

"And some would say you have done more than enough to change this house," Star Captain Vincent MacKenzie commented darkly. 

"You can't possibly be referring to Cade's removing Mikhail from his position," Anya, the fiery fighter pilot to Cade's right laughed shortly. 

"His 'removal'?" Vincent shot a look at Anya. "You mean his murder."

"Aff," Cade replied evenly. "Though perhaps if he'd spent as much time honing his skills as he did running his mouth it might have resembled a Trial more than a killing. His lack of ability begs the question how he ever earned a bloodname unless it was rigged for him."

He met the dark glares from several other warriors. Yet he also noted more seemed to support him than oppose. 

"That could be a discussion for another time. Let us keep on track."

The strong voice of Jon, a Star Captain with the Rasalhague Bears drew the attention of the assembly. 

"Cade rightly points out that the Dominion is moving forward, whether we all agree with it or not," he intoned, giving a slight nod to Cade. "The question we are faced with is how this house must evolve with that progress."

There was a silence as the bloodnamed warriors considered. Cade leaned back, watching his contemporaries. Jon, powerfully built and radiating his well known calm, leaned in to place his elbows on the rail in front of him, content to wait on the others.

Cade could not help but think he already had an answer to the question he'd posed.

"I know there are many here who think poorly of Mikhail MacKenzie," Aaron's smooth voice spoke up. Though not loud, his tone drew the attention of the assembly with a practiced ease. "Yet he had several plans in motion. Some of these could still be quite useful. Perhaps we should revisit them."

Jon frowned, turning slowly in his chair to face Aaron.

"Plans like what?"

Aaron steepled his fingers, a wry grin settling on his face.

"Mikhail had set up a number of connections with other houses," he explained. "Several prominent members of these houses owe their success to us setting up the order of warriors they would face and guaranteeing powerful rivals were never nominated for their trials. They owe us more than a few favors."

"What?!" Anya spat, appalled at what Aaron suggested. “That is not the way of Kerensky!”

"This gives us a stronger hand in the ruling of the nation than most realize," Aaron continued through the outburst. "We can also move to have more of our new warriors given prestigious positions through this influence. Get more warriors in Alpha and Beta Galaxies and we have a solid hand in military matters as well as civil."

The silence as he finished was tense and uncomfortable. Though Anya, Jon and many others were clearly shocked, several other warriors looked unperturbed. 

They obviously had a hand in the plans and manipulation so far, Cade thought. 

"That is despicable," Lori growled. The auburn haired fighter jock looked as though she were moments from challenging Aaron outright.

Aaron shrugged. 

"This is politics," he said. "It is not as clean as a Trial but it must be done. If you want a say in this new government of the Dominion, this is what our house must do."

There was a murmur of disagreement.

"You are right about gaining influence," Cade spoke up. The murmur died down as the assembled warriors turned their attention his way. "But your methods are as dishonest as Aramis."

Aaron stood abruptly at the comparison and the warriors on either side of him jumped in alarm. Cade waved him towards his seat contemptuously.

"Sit down Aaron. You're not going to do anything," Cade remarked. "Much as I'm loathe to admit it, Aaron is a professional politician and knows what he's talking about. However, I think we have a better way...an honorable way, to establish our house."

"You have my attention," Jon said, gesturing for Cade to continue.

Cade stood, turning to see all his contemporaries.

"We are not the Halls, nor Bekkers nor Kabrinski’s. Our house has always been secondary to the more prominent Bloodhouses. With the new government in the Dominion, we have an opportunity to change that…to establish ourselves as a leader from the start.”

“The first step will be easy, at least for now," he stated, crossing his arms. "As Star Colonel of a Guards Cluster, I can see to it that MacKenzie warriors are assigned to my unit. However, I will need assistance from all of you."

Cade glanced at Aaron as he continued, noticing the calculating look the Star Captain gave his allies. 

"The Growling Bears were established by a MacKenzie and led by one from their inception. I intend to see our name intimately tied to this unit," Cade said. "I will need recommendations from you on the best warriors of our house, those on the verge of bloodname nomination. We place the best and brightest in the Growling Bears and we establish a tradition of MacKenzie service with the 12th Bear Guards."

Aaron nodded, grinning slyly.

"And our clan loves tradition," he added. "They will work to keep this tradition alive once it is established. Nice Cade. You play the game better than I give you credit for."

Not sure if I should be complimented or insulted by that.

"It is a start," Jon nodded sagely. "Though it is not enough for our entire house. You have other ideas as well?"

Cade nodded in agreement.

This is the part they won't like. 

"There is more we need to do," Cade said, drawing attention back to himself as he remained standing. "Something other houses may be loathe to do. We should start watching for standout freeborn warriors...and challenge for their genetic legacies if they become available."

The torrent of outrage was even stronger than Cade had predicted. 

"You would dilute our genes like that?" Vincent, one of Mikhail's former supporters, stood angrily. "This is your view of the future? Tainting our house with this filth?!"

"Saving it from stagnation!" Cade snapped back. "Fresh DNA in bloodlines is needed. We all know this. It is how things are done. It is also not unheard of for standout freeborns to have their genes added to those of the Trueborn."

“But this has always been the exception, not the rule,” Lori replied. “You would have us actively look to add freeborn blood. It is a slippery slope until we start justifying less and less able warriors.”

“Neg,” Cade said. “That is what I need you all for. They must be true standouts. Good is not enough. Great is not enough. We need those freeborns who consistently perform above the standards of Trueborns. Those, I assure you, are rare.”

Cade looked around at the other warriors. Many looked livid but a handful seemed to be considering his words thoughtfully.

"Our Touman remains strong because of our Rasalhague brothers, who are no less willing to shed blood to defend the Dominion than we are," he continued. "I am not saying we take every warrior and let them add their giftake. But the best of these warriors should be considered. This will happen regardless of our preferences. I accept this as a future which is inevitable. It is only a matter of time until the Dominion Council moves to add their legacies to ours and more firmly cement out people together.”

"There is advantage from taking this step. On one hand, the freeborn members of the council will have a better opinion of our house for being accepting. We will also be seen as the pioneers of this idea, even though it is inevitable,” Cade added. “In addition, we give Rasalhague Warriors something to strive for, something that can advance them in prestige. They will train all the harder in pursuit of this goal and the civilians will take pride in their warriors."

"I think you overestimate their concern for their honor," Vincent replied cynically. "They will not give a Stravag about this."

Cade grinned. 

"If they do not, they were never the ones we were looking for anyway," he said. 

Jon rose, drawing the attention of the MacKenzie warriors. Standing opposite Cade, he nodded respectfully to the Growling Bear.

"Trothkin, these proposals are certainly unconventional," he said steadily. "Many of us our traditionalist and such change is uncomfortable to us. Yet, I believe we are all agreed change is necessary. I propose we put this to a vote. Will we accept these ideas? Shall we begin a watch for skilled freeborns to add their genes to the House of MacKenzie?"

Cade watched as the matter was put to a vote. His was the first 'Yea' vote. Though there were detractors, the vote passed with sixty percent of the Bloodhouse in favor.

Better than I expected.

As the last votes were tallied, Aaron rose. Cade grinned, having expected the challenge. 

"Trothkin, it seems clear most of you are in favor of this plan," Aaron's measured voice carried through the the chamber. "While it is not one I would have come up with, there is a truth in Jon's words. Change is needed to keep us powerful. I will not challenge this decision."

Cade looked up sharply, taken by surprise. Aaron was staring at him as he continued. 

"In the spirit of cooperation, I believe we should proceed with this plan and let it succeed or fail on its own merits," he said. With a slight bow, Aaron regained his seat, leaving Cade to wonder what he was up to. 

As the meeting wrapped up an hour later, Cade had a thought. He waited at his station while the other Bloodnamed filed out. Jacqueline joined him there. 

"An interesting meeting to say the least," she remarked as Cade scooped up his mask and tucked it under his arm. "What do you make of Aaron's sudden acceptance of your plan?"

Cade narrowed his eyes. 

"He knows he's outmaneuvered in the Bloodhouse council," he said. "So I think he's going to shift the battlefield. I just do not know how yet." 


Star Colonel Cade MacKenzie
12th Bear Guards (Growling Bears)
Beta Galaxy
Rasalhague Dominion



Star Colonel Cade MacKenzie
12th Bear Guards (Growling Bears)
Beta Galaxy
Rasalhague Dominion

Council Chamber
Silverdale, Alshain
Rasalhague Dominion 
3095

"The information has been reviewed by our own Watch analysts. They confirm its authenticity and accuracy," Ragnar Magnusson said, looking out at the assembly of warriors. "After debate, we have decided that war is the only option. The Combine has been waging shadow wars with us and playing us for fools with false flag operations, all designed to weaken us and the Wolves."

Outraged shouts and calls for action erupted from the seats of the council chamber. Cade found himself agreeing with their anger.

"Despite their efforts, they have succeeded only in making our claws sharper. We have taken our losses but we have also had victories in recent years that should have warned them against risking open war with us," Ragnar continued. "Instead, they have pushed us to war. Even more foolish, they have heaped indignity and insult upon Clan Snow Raven. Raven Khan Sydney Magnus assures us that we will not fight alone against the Combine's treachery."

Cade watched Magnusson, enthralled by the power the man conveyed. He had met the former Sakhan a number of times but had never seen him step forward in this manner. Cade knew him as a shrewd military leader. Apparently he was equally gifted as an orator, something Cade had not yet witnessed from the typically reserved warrior. 

"Together, we will strike against the Draconis Combine," Ragnar explained. "As we drive deeper from our borders, the Snow Ravens will stab into the Combine from their periphery border. The ultimate objective is to create a corridor between our nations, a bridge across the stars to allow free movement and trade between ourselves and the Snow Ravens."

Ragnar looked to his right, nodding to the Khan of the Ghost Bears who stood just outside the circle of light shining on the speakers podium. 

"As this is a military matter, I turn things over to Khan Sarah Vishio."

Sarah Vishio, lithe and muscular as ever, stepped forward to take Ragnar's place at the podium. In her late forties, the Khan of the Ghost Bears showed no sign of slowing down despite her age. 

"Warriors, we have a lot of work to do," Sarah Visio said as she looked up at the blood named commanders. "Khan Sydney Magnus and I intend to begin our attacks in three months. Get your commands ready for a fight. You will all have a part to play. This will be the largest military operation the Dominion has conducted to date."

Sarah Vishio hit several keys on the keyboard, bringing up a large holomap of the Draconis Combine behind her. Striking another key, a jagged line of systems flashed blue, bisecting the Combine and connecting Dominion space to that of Clan Snow Raven. 

"Our tentative plan is to take the following systems to create our star bridge," she said. "In the coming days, this will be finalized. We will coordinate our strikes with the Snow Ravens to force the Combine to fight on two fronts. It is also possible one of the Inner Sphere nations will take advantage of our war and strike at the Combine, dividing their defenses even more though we can not count on this."

Cade nodded, looking at the map and considering the proposed offensive. 

"Which units will strike where has not yet been determined," Khan Vishio said. "However the first wave of the attack will strike heavily to overwhelm the defenders as quickly as possible." 

Cade pushed a button on the console before him, signaling to the Khan he wished to speak. Vishio noticed the request and turned toward him.

"Star Colonel Cade Mackenzie?"

Cade removed his enameled Ghost Bear mask and set it aside. He stood, taking in the other warriors with a glance. 

"My Khan, I support this attack fully but I want to know we are prepared for it," he said. "The Combine will never tolerate their nation being cut in half. Their retribution will be fast and will hit hard. Are we ready for that?"

"Aff, Star Colonel," Sarah replied. "Your question, as ever, is a valid one. In this case, we are not only prepared for their response, we are counting on it."

"Holding the worlds we take will be hard," she explained. "But we intend to garrison the worlds with entire clusters or more, waiting for the counter attack. The key is not taking the worlds, but blooding the Combine's counterattack so savagely that they have to consider diplomacy."

Ragnar stepped up beside Khan Vishio. 

"To make the loss more acceptable to the Combine, the Dominion Council has agreed to extend generous rights to them," he said. "Any non-military ship may pass through these systems without interference. It is the very courtesy they refused to grant us."

"The devil will be in the details," Sarah added. "Our Star Colonels and Galaxy Commanders will meet tomorrow to plan." 

With the dismissal, the Dominion officers rose with a murmur, already talking over the day's events with one another. Cade tucked his mask under an arm and rose to join them when a young Star Commander stepped up to his place in the chamber.

"Star Colonel Cade, the Khan would like to speak with you a moment," he reported crisply. 

That Cade did not know the Star Commander meant he was unblooded. That he served the Khan directly meant he had done some impressive work already. 

"Aff," Cade replied. "I will wait in her office."

The Star Commander shook his head. 

"Not necessary, Star Colonel. She will speak with you here."

Nodding his understanding, Cade regained his seat and waited while Khan Vishio and Ragnar Magnusson finished their conversation. The Star Commander made himself scarce after delivering the message so when Ragnar left the chamber only Cade and the Khan remained.

For a long moment, Sarah Vishio stared up at the slowly revolving holomap. 

"Well, Cade, what do you think?"

Standing, Cade strolled down the stairs to the floor of the chamber, replying as he did. 

"This will be a true war, not just another skirmish, Sarah" he said. "The Combine will throw everything they have at us."

"Aff," Sarah agreed. "I would be lying if I did not admit to having some concerns myself. In your opinion, can it be done?"

Cade again considered the holomap.

"Aff," he replied slowly. "But only if we strike fast and give the Combine no time to breathe. Our logistics must be secured and replacement parts, ammunition and warriors must be on each world as soon as they are taken. The garrison forces will have to be strong, as you said, so frontline clusters backed by garrison clusters."

He turned to face the Khan. 
“A further concern is our reserves and replacements,” Cade continued. “For this operation, veteran warriors should be released from other units, ready to rotate in as replacements. Ideally, this should be done at the Star level, so when replacements are rotated in they are comfortable working together already.”
Sarah considered that, pursing her lips in thought. 
“Many warriors will not be happy being rotated to reserve, though there is merit in what you propose,” she said. “I will consider it.”
Cade nodded. 
“At the least, Star Captains and Colonels should have a say in choosing their replacement warriors,” he said. “Even if only the Star Captains know their replacements in advance, it is less time a Star or Trinary needs to coalesce into a cohesive unit.”

"There is difficulty to be sure,” he added. “It means the Star Colonels of the frontline units cooperate with the Star Colonels of the garrison clusters for defense," he added. "The frontline commanders cannot be glory hounds and be dismissive of units they may need to work with when the Combine counterattacks."
Cade paused, considering. 
“There is a secondary advantage of rotating units,” he said. “If we pull the best of our second line Stars as replacements during the war, then rotate them back afterward, we create a corps of veteran warriors serving in the second line. We also facilitate cooperation between frontline and second line units, as warriors who fight together come to respect one another.”

Sarah Vishio grinned.

"And just like that you highlight my reasoning for including Beta Galaxy in the upcoming battle," she said. "We will discuss which world will be taken by them, but you will be the spearhead of the assault. That much I am certain of."

Star Colonel Cade MacKenzie
12th Bear Guards (Growling Bears)
Beta Galaxy
Rasalhague Dominion

Silverdale, Alshain 
Rasalhague Dominion
May 27, 3095

The cool night air brought a chill to Cade as he breathed it in, looking up at the familiar Constellations of Alshain. He pushed his thoughts of the cold aside as he studied the distant stars. 

Each has a story, he thought. Some more interesting than others. 

He found the pinpoint of light he knew to be Luthien. From there, he moved right until he found a dull star shining with a bluish light. 

There it is. Schuyler, where the war will begin for the Growling Bears. 

Off to the west a new pinpoint of light appeared, burning across the sky. He studied it for a moment. 

Another cargo dropship burning toward Asgard. More supplies for the first wave,* Cade thought, watching the ship track across the night sky. *We have learned a lot from the mistakes of the Invasion. 

As the drive flare faded into the horizon, Cade looked back up at the stars. The chill of the night made his left arm feel stiff and he clenched and unclenched his hand into a fist, rotating his shoulder slowly. The web of scars across his arm and down his chest was a bit more sensitive to the cold and damp, reminding him of his unsuccessful clawing ritual. 
One of my failures, he thought. But an honorable one at least…unlike others that plague me. 

"Bear Krona for your thoughts, Star Colonel?"

Cade smiled at Judea's voice. Looking back he saw the lithe, dark skinned warrior emerge from the inky night. Clad in a steel gray jumpsuit and combat boots, she seemed immune to the cold of the evening. Her long braids writhed as she moved, brushing along her shoulders. 

"Just enjoying the peace of the night," Cade replied. "Recently I've found the quiet nights on Alshain very appealing."

Judea stepped up beside him, slipping an arm around his waist. 

"You do not need to make up stories, Cade," she said quietly. "Not with me. It is the dreams again."

Cade responded with a wistful half smile.

"I was not lying. I DO find myself enjoying the nights here," he said. "But yes, the dreams play a part as well."

"I know they torture you," Judea said, leaning into him as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "What is it you dream about?"

Cade glanced up at the stars overhead.

"Orestes," he said quietly, staring at the distant star that world orbited so many light years away. 

"It was a hard fight," Judea agreed. "Too many lives were lost...for nothing."

"For foolish pride," Cade corrected. "A mad vision of the Rasalhague Republic reborn as it once was."

Judea shook her head, sighing. 

"In a twisted way, they helped the Dominion," Cade commented. "After the attack, to pull people together we went after Rasalhague. It united us as a nation."

"We are getting off the subject, quiaff?" Judea replied. "What do you see when you dream of Orestes?"

"The trees of the forests," Cade said, thinking of the massive trees on the world. "The chaos of the first attacks as we were cut off....the dead clansmen in the streets....Jordan's mech, burning under Inferno rounds."

"It was not your fault, quineg?" Judea said. "It was the dezgra stravags that fired on him."

"I see them dying...the Frihet," he said quietly. "I killed them with the antimissile systems on my Summoner...I was out of fifty cal rounds...the rounds touched off one of their Inferno rounds.....they burned as they fell from the rooftop...."

Judea squeezed him around the waist. 

"You cannot blame yourself for killing those who would have killed you," she said. 

"I do not blame myself for that," Cade replied. "But I let them burn rather than granting them a fast death. That...I am to blame for. It was an act of cruelty, not one of a warrior."

Judea turned Cade to face her. 

"Stop, Cade," she said sternly. "You are one of the greatest warriors in the Dominion. No one faults you for the rage of battle. It takes us all at times and no one is immune."
"It's admirable that you hold yourself to such a high standard. But you are still human. Try to remember that."

Cade forced a half smile and nodded. 

"I guess the thought comes from knowing the civilians of the Combine may very well take up arms against us," he replied. "I do not relish fighting street to street like in Orestes." 

Judea nodded in understanding. She looked up at the star that marked Schyuler. 

"Nor do I," she said. "We will have to strike hard and fast, move to eliminate organized opposition in the first days. If the leaders of the Combine are dealt with quickly, they will be unable to rally their people to fight us."

She traced a hand along Cade's jawline. 

"There is nothing that can be accomplished wasting the night thinking of it now," she said huskily. "But if you are having trouble sleeping, I recommend some exercise..."

Cade accepted her offer by pulling her close. His mouth found hers and the concerns of Schyuler suddenly seemed a world away....


Star Colonel Cade MacKenzie
12th Bear Guards (Growling Bears)
Beta Galaxy
Rasalhague Dominion


Dropship Hartford
Schuyler System, Draconis Combine
28 July, 3095

Cian double checked his systems on the holographic display illuminating his cockpit with a faint greenish hue. The wave of nausea from the recent jump hadn't fully dissipated but he pushed past the uncomfortableness, swallowing hard. 

Streak launchers are good, he thought, checking their ammunition loads. Fully stocked. Nose medium pulse is at full charge. Wing mounted mediums show the same. Reactor operating at 100 percent. Ready as I can be.

His communication display lit up. 

"All fighters are go for launch!" Star Captain Tashira's voice announced. "Good hunting!"

Aff, Cian thought, keying the code to control signaling he was ready. And here....we....go!

He was shoved back in his command couch as the Hartford's catapult hurled the fighter down the magnetic launch tube, accelerating it like a gauss slug leaving the barrel. As soon as he cleared the launch tube, Cian hit the thrusters and pulled up in a loop that took him away from the Hartfords broadside. 

Lasers and missiles crisscrossed the inky blanket of space around him as the invasion fleet took fire. 

What the hell? We're already under attack?!

"Stay on me Hamilton," he called, banking his fighter to get a look at the enemy. 

A pair of Jumpships hung in space, solar sails deployed. One sail displayed the dragon head emblem of the Draconis Combine. Before them, three dropships were angling toward the Dominion fleet. 

"The combine had a convoy at the jump point," Star Captain Farrell's voice cut across the comm. "Two Achilles and an Okinawa."

Two assault ships and a fighter carrier, Cian thought. Which means...

"We have multiple launches from the Okinawa!"

There it is. 


Dropship Serene Night
Schyuler System, Draconis Combine 

"Where in the nine hells did they come from!?" 

Chu-i Hitome Webber looked up from the sensor display he'd been leaning over as Captain Shin Jokira propelled himself through the hatch. The captain had been asleep until a few minutes ago. Hitome noted he'd taken just enough time to get into a jumpsuit but his feet remained bare. 

"They just jumped in, sir," Hitome replied. "I have numerous jumpships and what I'm pretty certain is a warship. Sensors tag half of them as unknown but the IDs we're certain of are all Rasalhague Dominion."

Shin looked at his second officer, then past him at the sensors. 

"An invasion force?"

"Hai," Hitome nodded grimly. "Far too large for anything else."

Shin spun in space and pointed to his communications officer. 

"Chu-i Ranato, send a message to Schuyler," he barked. "Tell them the Ghost Bears are headed their way. Send all sensor data we have."

"Hitome, release us from the Jumpship," he ordered. "Bring us up to combat speed and launch fighters."

For a moment Hitome hesitated. The orders were suicide. But looking into Shin's eyes, Hitome knew his captain was well aware of this. They could only hope to buy time.

"Captain," Renato called. "Chu-i Simmons has released his Achilles and is powering toward the Dominion fleet."

Shin nodded. 

"The Dragon will shed many tears today," he whispered. "But we will make the Ghost Bears pay dearly for this attack."


Cian's Sulla D

The fighters, a mix of Sai and Samurai class, split by pairs as they slashed toward the Dominion fleet. Though initially an impressive swarm, Cian's sensors counted only a dozen fighters coming in. Against the fighters launched by the 12th Bear Guards and 140th Stikers they were hopelessly outnumbered. 

Twisting his fighter into a half roll, Cian dropped the holographic crosshairs over one of the rapidly closing Combine fighters, a Sai. 

*Head to head. Let's see your courage.*

Cian held his fighter level for a heartbeat then juked hard to port. He was rewarded when the extended range PPC mounted in the Sai's nose slashed through the space he'd just vacated, narrowly missing down his right side. 

Then the crosshairs glowed a solid gold and a tone sounded through his helmet speakers signifying a target lock. Cian's fingers tightened on the firing studs, letting loose with his trio of medium lasers. 

One burned a long trench across the Sai's fuselage while a second passed beneath the hurtling fighter. The last caught a wing and expertly sliced off the last three inches. 

In atmo that would give him serious trouble. Out here, it doesn't matter much. 

The two fighters tore past each other and a pair of medium laser beams cut into Cian's fighter as the Sai's wingman took a potshot. The damage display showed the hits were to armor only as Cian pushed his fighter over in a loop, straining against the gees he pulled. His vision narrowed but cleared as he came out chasing the Combine fighters.

"Still with me, Hamilton?"

"Aff! You cannot lose me so easily," Hamilton barked back. 

Beyond the dogfight, Cian caught a glimpse of the fight shaping up between the dropships. The Hartford connected to an Achilles with ruby and emerald beams as the carrier side slipped the Combine ships rush. Silvery flashes, nearly too fast to see, blasted toward the Achilles. Even from a distance, Cian saw chunks of the Achilles cave in under the Gauss Rifle slugs. 

Beyond that exchange a pair of dropships from the 140th maneuvered down the port side of the second Achilles. Coordinating their attack they raked fire down the Combine ship, tearing into it savagely. 


Gritzia Airfield,
Schyuler, Draconis Combine 
28 July 3095

The shriek of air raid sirens filled the air as Benjamin Zhou jogged into the command center at the base of the control tower. He was still zipping up his jumpsuit as he entered. 

"Tai-i Zhou," the high voice of Sho-sa Nakara called over the flurry of activity in the center. 

"Sir," Zhou replied, coming to attention. "What's going on, sir?"

"It seems the Dominion wants a fight," Nakura replied, gesturing to the screens before the technicians. "We have word from a convoy at a pirate point. An invasion force is on its way. Get your squadron ready. They do not land unopposed."

"Hai, Sho-sa!"

Star Colonel Cade MacKenzie
12th Bear Guards (Growling Bears)
Beta Galaxy
Rasalhague Dominion

Dropship Aletha's Legacy 
Schyuler, Draconis Combine 
28 July 3095

The dropship shook violently as a combine fighter made a pass on the descending vessel. From his cockpit command couch, Cade MacKenzie watched a monitor linked to the Legacy's bridge battle computer. Another pair of red triangles banked and twisted toward the ship. Over his neurohelmet speakers he heard Star Captain Farrell. 

"We have two Samurai making another run," he called over a battle net already filled with the din of war. 

Somehow, someone heard the call. 

"Roger that Legacy," Cian replied. "I've got them."

On the monitor, a pair of blue triangles whipped onto an intercept course as Cian and Hamilton threw their Sullas into harms way. A moment later, a red triangle winked out. 

"Ten minutes until drop," a computerized voice reminded Cade. 

"If we make it there," Cade whispered. 

The assault on the Combine had been intended as a surprise attack. Every effort had been made to keep the deployment of the various Clusters involved a secret. As far as Cade knew, they had succeeded. 

But that did not mean the attack would be easy. The Combine maintained a high degree of readiness for just such an occasion. 

Even arriving at a pirate point only a scant few hours from the world, hadn't helped. By chance a convoy had been at the jump point. Though the fleet had made short work of them, a wave of fighters launched from the planet had started an attack as they made atmosphere.

"First dropship down in thirty seconds," Star Captain Farrell reported. "Iron Jarl reports no direct opposition at LZ."

"Acknowledged," Cade replied. "Feed the scout information through my auxiliary channel as it comes in."

"Aff, Six," Farrell said. Cade's auxiliary monitor immediately lit, streaming the incoming data. 

Dropship Iron Jarl
Schyuler, Draconis Combine
28 July 3095

Jasen took a deep, steadying breath as he watched the holographic countdown in the corner of his display. As the last seconds ticked down his world vibrated violently, signaling the final burst of the Confederates thrusters as the dropship settled onto the planet. 

A moment later the darkness visible through his viewport was broken as the door retracted into the hull of the ship, giving him a view of the inky black night with the faintest trace of light on the horizon. 

Dawn was coming to Schuyler, and with it, war.

Throttling up, Jasen jogged his Arctic Cheetah C down the ramp then juked left as the next Omnimech moved up. Sensors reached out in all directions, updating his holographic display as they scanned the surrounding areas. 

As planned, he moved southeast from the landing zone, searching for threats while other members of Arcadia Star fanned out on other vectors. 

Though he performed each action mechanically, the result of years of training, Jasen was fully conscious of the pounding of his pulse. 

Relax Jay, he thought. This isn't exactly your first time in a mech. You've been under fire before. By the numbers here.

Behind his Omnimech, another dropship flared its thrusters as it landed, illuminating the night. 

On the other hand, I've never been in a planetary assault before, let alone the point man for one.

Off to his left, something exploded in the sky. 

Hope that wasn't ours.

Moving forward, he scanned ahead, engaging a mapping program that marked prominent landmarks and highlighted potential trouble spots. As the information was compiled, his onboard computer relayed it back to the Tactical Operations Room aboard the Aletha's Legacy. From there, plans and approaches would be refined and additional orders given by Growling Bear command.

Except Cade MacKenzie won't be there by now, he thought. Sure he's in his Summoner by now. 

A tone sounded through his neurohelmet speakers, indicating a sensor contact. At the same time, a red triangle appeared on the screen, joined quickly by a second. 

"Arcadia Three to control," he radioed in, focusing the advanced sensors of the Omnimech toward the ridge the contacts had appeared on. "I have Combine armor assets on Junsan's Ridge, three kilometers distance."

He winced as he detected a nervous tremor in his own voice. 

Keep it together! This is no different than reporting to Orson. Besides, Star Commander Ilsa is a freeborn warrior too. Nothing to be nervous about.

Jasen kept his mech moving, angling parallel to the ridge as he waited for a reply. His sensors updated the identity of the contacts.

"Arcadia Three, two harasser hover tanks on ridge."

"Arcadia Three, Alshain Six," Cade's steady voice replied instead of Ilsa's . "Sweep out around the ridge. We need to know if anything is waiting on the far side."

Jasen swung the *Arctic Cheetah* around, directing the machine toward a saddle in the ridge line. Moments later a pair of Sulla omnifighters darted through the night sky. As they corkscrewed overhead, they cut loose with laser and missile fire, bathing the ridge in fire. Even from several kilometers distance, Jasen saw explosions backlight one of the hovertanks and knew damage had been done.

His Omnimech slowed perceptibly as he directed it up and over the saddle of the ridge. Scrambling over the top as quickly as he could to avoid skylining his mech, Jasen turned parallel to his initial course, sensors again stabbing out ahead to provide more data. 

Another pair of contacts flashed onto the sensor screen as his holographic tagged them in the distance. Two more Harraser hovertanks were skimming their way his direction, using the ridge for cover. They slowed incrementally as they caught sight of the Dominion mech. 

Despite the nerves he'd been feeling, Jasen reacted automatically. Dragging his crosshairs over the highlighted outline of the lead Harasser, he toggled his weapons over to the first Target Interlock Circuit, encompassing two extended range medium lasers. The crosshairs flashed gold and a tone sounded almost immediately to indicate a solid lock. 

Pulling both triggers, Jasen lit up the early morning darkness with kilojoules of ruby energy. One beam burned into the sharply etched nose of the vehicle while the other cut at its side, barely connecting. Though the first shot was more solid it was the second beam that did the more telling damage. 

Burning through the thin armor over the tanks hoverskirt, the energy sliced through the crucial motive component of the machine. The Harasser lurched to the left as half its lift spilled through the damaged skirt. Skidding sideways, one fender clipped a large Boulder and the tank was shoved sideways. Its partner slowed and dodged right as the lead tank slid out of control and crashed against a pair of thick boled trees. 

"Arcadia Three," Jasen announced. "Two additional Harrassers beyond ridge. Engaged."

The second tank accelerated then turned and cut back towards its wrecked companion. The gunner let fly a volley of missiles even though the range was too great to connect with Jasen's mech. They exploded harmlessly sixty meters shy of the mark. 

Jasen understood the reasoning for the shot regardless.

The second tank slowed to a crawl as it passed the damaged lead vehicle. The Arctic Cheetahs advanced sensors and optics picked up several forms hastily scrambling aboard the slow moving Harasser. 

*Cover fire while they retrieve the crew. *

Jasen moved his fingers off the firing studs.

They're just trying to save their friends and escape, he thought, watching. I won't kill them for that. Let them die fighting another day. 

"Arcadia Three, one tank destroyed, second retreating."
First shots towards proving Orson wrong. I do belong here, Freeborn or not.

Star Colonel Cade MacKenzie
12th Bear Guards (Growling Bears)
Beta Galaxy
Rasalhague Dominion


Mech Bay Two
RDS SUSQUEHANNA, Union-C DropShip
Schuyler, Albiero Prefecture
Pesht Military District, Draconis Combine
28 May 3095

Star Commander Brett felt his grip on his controls tighten unconsciously as the SUSQUEHANNA shuddered under multiple impacts from enemy Aerospace forces. His eyes wandered the command board of his Hellbringer automatically after each hit and cursed at himself mentally each time he did. While the impacts were being made against the DropShip around him instead of against his own Mech, the instinct to look at his damage displays was automatic. 

“Instinct is not enough. One must take control of one’s mind.” Brett murmured to himself, repeating a maxim that one of his Sibko instructors, Martin, repeated often. Martin had been one of his favorite instructors until the man had died after a fall from an observation tower. Brett shuddered slightly at the thought of dying both at such an advanced age and so mundanely. 

[[Are you well, Star Commander?]] asked Star Captain Darian, the commander of the 101st Battle Binary.

Brett’s eyes flew open in panic as he first thought his speaking aloud old Martin’s maxim had been broadcast. When he realized that was not the case and the Star Captain was contacting him on a private channel, Brett relaxed slightly then flicked open a commchannel. “Aff, Star Captain. I am well.”

[[First drop jitters are nothing to be ashamed of, Brett.]] Darius said. [[I believe that I nearly threw up the first time that I dropped onto a hostile planet. Mind you, I was ill and the explosions in the air were thick enough to walk my Mech across, but still it was an honest reaction.]]

As Brett had yet to get a good enough handle on the Star Captain to decide if he was being serious or teasing, he opted to ignore the comments and attend to the battle at hand. “What is our drop order, Star Captain?”

[[As my Star is in Mech Bay One, yours is in Mech Bay Two, and as it will minimize the exposure of the SUSQUEHANNA to ground fire; we shall jump together. Our LZ is approximately three klicks east of the main LZ where the 173rd grounded. Our force is to clear and cover the east of the main LZ then push any opposing forces away to best establish our beach head.]]

“Our secondary objective, sir?” 

[[Shoot them until they no longer stand back up, quiaff?]]

Despite himself, Brett grinned slightly. “Aff.”

[[Good. Drop in 30 seconds. Good hunting, Star Commander.]] 

Brett nodded to himself as the channel closed. One of the secondary screens on his command flashed a green screen with a countdown in large white letters, showing the seconds until the Mech Bay doors would open and his star would launch itself out and into the air of Schuyler.

“Brett to Kempten Star… sound off.” 

[[Anderson here, Star Commander.]] Brett knew Anderson would be the first to sound off. He was the “old man” of the unit, nearing his 30s and with more than a few battles under his belt. He had shown himself to be a steady man both in and out of his Mad Dog B.

[[Rebecka here, Star Commander.]] Like Brett himself, this was Rebecka’s first drop into a combat zone. Unlike Brett, she had at least seen some combat before, helping to defend Ghost Bear holdings against Kuritian raiders. Her Huntsman C mismatched LRM batteries would be critical in adding support to the rest of the Binary.

[[MechWarrior Mason, reporting as ordered, Star Commander.]] Brett frowned unconsciously. He and Mason had yet to come to terms with the fact that Brett had beaten Mason in the Trial to obtain command of the star. Add in the salt that Brett was both without combat experience and new to the 12th Bear Guards only made the wound sting more fiercely. Mason was dealing with the situation by being as “by the book” as possible, perhaps looking to trip Brett up on something; of that Brett was not sure. Still, Brett knew from experience that anyone that fought against Mason in his Crossbow A would find themselves dealing with a tenacious opponent.

[[Raze here.]] came the raspy voice of the last member of his Star. MechWarrior Raze always spoke in brief bursts but Brett had yet to decide if that was because of damage the freeborn MechWarrior had sustained from a fire in his cockpit or if it was another indication of the man’s anti-social tendencies. Either way, Raze was another veteran in the Star and an excellent scout in his Cougar D.

Brett’s eyes flicked to the countdown display; noting that there was less than ten seconds left. “Good hunting Kempten Star. Let us ravage the Dragon’s lackeys with the claws of the Ghost Bear.”

The Mech Bay doors opened, exposing the Mech Bay to the daylight of Schuyler’s sun with an almost blinding beam. The cockpit transplex of his Hellbringer darkened automatically as Brett started the OmniMech forward, his throttle up to full. Lacking integral jump jets, the Hellbringer had been equipped with a set of bolt-on jump jets that would allow the OmniMech to make its descent safely.

Brett flexed his hands around his control sticks and grimaced. “Well, as safe as one can get in a 65-ton walking tank that is jumping into hostile territory from a giant metal ball while under enemy fire.” 

With that last verbal thought, Brett launched himself out of the SUSQUEHANNA. As he cleared the DropShip, the Hellbringer’s sensors came alive as it searched the area for targets. A column of Combine armored vehicles was plowing through the forest, laden down with infantry and support weapons. He counted near a company’s worth of vehicles continuing their way towards the main landing zone while eight vehicles turned towards the hovering SUSQUEHANNA. 

Raze’s more than slightly disturbing chuckle came over the commline as he gave his opinion of the Star’s opposition. [[Fresh meat.]]

While Brett privately agreed with the sentiment, armored vehicles were seldom a match for a Clan OmniMech, unless they had overwhelming numbers, he didn’t want to underestimate his foes. “Target the lead vehicles and scatter their formations. If they do not combine their firepower, they have little chance of defeating us.”

[[Acknowledged.]] Mason replied. Brett was still deciding if there was a mocking tone to the man’s reply when his Hellbringer touched ground. Automatically, Brett flexed the Mech’s knees to compensate for the fall and was striding forward even as his temporary jump jets were ejecting from his Mech, explosive bolts tossing them aside. 

The lead vehicle opened fire on Brett as he began moving, the large laser from the Bulldog tank cut through the air only a meter or so to Brett’s left while eight SRMs corkscrewed their way towards the OmniMech. The AMS mounted just in front of and below the Hellbringer’s cockpit started chattering away, going through a hundred rounds in a matter of moments. 

Of the eight short-range missiles that had been launched, only five had achieved a solid lock on the Hellbringer. Of the five that had achieved a lock, three were chewed into scrap by the AMS. The remaining two SRMs impacted on the Hellbringer’s right leg and left arm, respectively. The Bulldog was turning hard to the right as the SRMs hit, it’s turret twisting as the gunner tried to keep the OmniMech in his sights even as the driver attempted to get the tank out of harm’s way. 

Brett took note of the damage automatically and smirked slightly as he brought his weapons to bear. His crosshairs pulsed gold almost as soon as they touched the Bulldog and Brett opened fire with both Hellbringer’s arm-mounted ER PPCs. Man-made lighting arced out and battered the armored vehicle with heat, energy, and kinetic force. Armor plating shattered and melted under the touch of the ER PPC’s hellish energies. 

One of the Bulldog’s tracks shattered and the bits remaining flew off the drive wheels, sending debris in nearly every direction. The turret took a hit as well, locking in place but not exploding. Brett noted the direction the turret had locked in and barely had time to clear the vehicle’s more limited field of fire before a scarlet beam of energy slid through the spot he’d just been standing in.

Growling like his Clan’s namesake and ignoring the heat that was swimming through his cockpit, Brett opened fire with the trio of ER medium lasers mounted in the Hellbringer’s left torso. Two of the beams carved into the vehicle’s armor, melting away more of the plating but doing little else in the way of harm to it. Despite that, the crew began bailing out of the Bulldog, heading away from the battle. 

Brett’s crosshairs caressed the area where the crew were running and he almost opened fire with the machine guns on the Hellbringer’s right torso. However, he didn’t. The thought flashed through his mind to mow them down but something inside his mind said that such an act was dishonorable even if these men were the enemy and had just tried to kill him. Besides, they posed little threat to his Star at this point.

Eight of the Bulldogs, including the one he’d engaged, had come roaring in against Kempten Star only twenty second ago. Now, three of them were making their best speed as they zig-zagged their way through the scattered trees. Two of the tanks were smoking craters from the volume of firepower they received from Star Captain Darian and his Jezerko Star, comprised of heavy Mechs plus Darian’s assault class Executioner-E. The remaining three tanks were in various states of destruction and were immobile on the battle field, such as it was. 

[[Excellent work, 101st.]] Star Captain Darius exclaimed across the commline. [[Now, press forward and let us drive the rest of these stravag Draconians farther from our landing zones.]]

“Star Captain… what of the column of vehicles in infantry heading towards the main LZ?”

[[Send the information to Arcadia Star… they are scouting the area ahead of the rest of that trinary.]] Darius ordered. [[Jezerko Star, form on me and we shall sweep our right flank to make sure the area is clear. Kempten Star, hold this position for the time being… you shall be the anvil to our hammer, if we have any of these ‘Snakes’ to herd your way.]] 

“Aff, Star Captain.” Brett responded. “Kempten Star, hold your ground and harassing fire on those vehicles and anyone else that comes into our area of responsibility.”

Orders given to his people, Brett opened a channel to the command trinary for the 12th Bear Guard. “Kempten Star actual to Arcadia Star… you have a company strength armored column with infantry support incoming from LZ Tango. Repeat… one-two armored vehicles with infantry support incoming from LZ Tango.”


Star Commander Brett
Hellbringer Prime
Kempten Star, 101st Battle Binary
12th Bear Guards (The Growling Bears)

Junsan's Ridge (LZ Alpha)
Schyuler, Draconis Combine 
2320 Hours 

Jasen sighed wearily as the Arctic Fox shut down. The sudden silence as the thrumming of the fusion engine died away was almost unnerving. After sixteen hours in the cockpit Jasen had become quite accustomed to the sound. 

Pulling his neurohelmet off, he shook out his sweat soaked hair. Fatigued muscles protested as he reached above the command couch to stow the helmet. Slapping the hatch release he reveled in the hiss of depressurization and the slight discomfort as his ears popped. 

Climbing out of the Omnimech, Jasen made his way to the ground. Torn and battered armor decorated his mech with fresh battle scars. Technicians were already swarming the machine with data pads, checking the damage and requisitioning replacement armor and ammo. 

This was the beating heart of the Dominion, everything coming together like clockwork, a well-oiled machine. 

In the distance, the staccato chatter of autocannons sounded. 

More Combine armor most likely, Jasen thought. Probably still fighting near Sarasota. 

"Jasen."

Jasen turned at the sound of his name. Star Commander Ilsa, clad in boots and a steel gray jumpsuit, crossed the open area between their mechs. Her ice blue eyes flashed but there was a hint of a grin on her face. 

"Damn fine work today," Ilsa said as she joined him. "Nice work driving off the tanks. Elementals checked their wreckage. They were set to act as spotters for artillery. Could have really made the landing hell."

"Thank you, ma'am," he replied. 

Ilsa shook her head.

"Drop the 'ma'am ' stuff," she replied. "Ilsa, unless you’re feeling unnecessarily formal. Then the rank will work."

She glanced up at the Arctic Cheetah. Jasen followed her gaze

"I'll admit, I had my reservations about you," Ilsa said. "Joining us from a backwater world with no large scale combat experience and only a couple months before we jumped out? Seemed crazy to me. Worse that Cade took a personal interest in you joining my star."

She grinned.

"Guess he knows what he's doing though. You're a hell of a scout."

The star commander studied the damage on the Omnimech.

"Looks like you took a few hits," she said. "They'll get it fixed up."

"No doubt, Star Commander," Jasen replied, feeling pleased with himself. "How'd everyone else make out?"

"Not bad," Ilsa replied. "We all made it through. Valek's Dasher lost an arm and Natalie needs some armor. Eran didn't get touched...again. Don't know how the surrat does it." 

Jasen chuckled. 

"Maybe his luck will rub off, quiaff?"

"One could hope," Ilsa responded, catching sight of another warrior approaching them. 

Jasen turned to the newcomer, a tall and muscular woman with short buzzed black hair. With broad shoulders and a narrow waist that flared into shapely hips, Natalie was the image most had of a Trueborn warrior. 

"Star Commander Ilsa...Jasen...I see you both survived so far," she said as she joined them. 

"You are surprised, quineg?" Ilsa arched an eyebrow. 

"For you, neg," Natalie replied, glancing at Jasen with an exaggeratedly harsh glare. "This surrat...I was not so sure."

"He took less damage than you," Ilsa pointed out. 

"So would anyone who didn't fight," Natalie shot back evenly. However, her smile stripped any insult from the goading. 

"I have word from the Star Colonel," Natalie said, turning serious once more. "Cade says we should get some rest while we can. Tomorrow we'll push out from Sarasota."

"The city is ours?"

Natalie nodded in response to Jasen's question. 

"Combine troops are staging a fighting withdrawal but Locke's Elementals destroyed their command post," she explained. "Either their commander wasn't there or these are disciplined troops. They are pulling back but fighting as an organized force."

"Then we'll be fighting them in the morning," Ilsa said. "After they've had a night to dig in." 

She looked from one warrior to the other.

"Rest is definitely needed, for both of you," she said. "Go get some."

Ilsa turned, heading toward her techs, leaving Natalie and Jasen standing there. Jasen shrugged off his cooling vest, tossing it over a shoulder. 

“I do not really know you, Jasen,” Natalie said, looking towards him. “But I would like to. Care to couple? After a battle I could do with some stress relief.”

Jasen gave her a sly grin. 

“I like how you think, Natalie.”


Star Colonel Cade MacKenzie
12th Bear Guards (Growling Bears)
Beta Galaxy
Rasalhague Dominion


Taiho Base, Fumaro
Schyuler, Draconis Combine
28 July 3095
2200 Hours 

Aaron took a long swig of coffee, taking a certain satisfaction in the pain of drinking steaming hot caffeine. The stimulant had taken affect twenty minutes before but the first reports had been enough to cut through the fog of his unexpected wake up call. 

Looking across the holotable at the assembly of sleep deprived Mechwarriors he silently cursed the abysmal timing of it all. 

Twenty hours ago we finished a three day training exercise. To simulate combat, none of my men slept during the last day of training. After only a few hours rest we get word that the Dominion is attacking for real. Damn it all. 

He noted Gunsho Nubata Tanero waving the last warrior into the small briefing theater. As the Mechwarrior moved toward a seat, Aaron cleared his throat. 

"Don't bother to sit," Aaron called, waving his mechwarriors closer. "Gather around the holotable."

With none of the usual grumbling, the warriors filed in around the table. A few techs stayed along the wall, curiously watching the meeting. They hadn’t been called in, though they knew Aaron was accepting of his personnel knowing as much as possible about operations.  If they were not to be there, he would tell them.

Bad sign though, he thought. They're all too tired right now to even gripe about being called in. 

Aaron struck a few keys, bringing up a map of the region two hundred kilometers south. Several oblong areas were shaded in red, the largest centered on the geographical feature known as Junsan's Ridge. 
The shading stretched out and covered the city of Sarasota. 
"Several hours ago, Rasalhague Dominion troops landed on Schyuler," Aaron announced without preamble. "Initially it was believed to be a local raid but it has been confirmed as a major assault involving multiple clusters. Intel has identified three of them as the 140th Striker Cluster, the 14th Battle Cluster and the 12th Bear Guards."

Chu-i Samuel Hojiro raised a hand and Aaron motioned him to speak. 

"Tai-i, I understand the heavy training schedule," he said. "But there is such a thing as too much. Don't you think a rest for a day might be a wise idea?"

Aaron shook his head and tapped another key. 
The map vanished, replaced by several displays showing gun camera footage. Clan Omnimechs stalked across the landscape ripping up Combine tanks on one. On another, Elementals moved through city streets, advancing from cover point to cover point. A third showed a view of dogfighting aerospace fighters as dropships burned in beyond. 

The Mechwarriors murmured as they studied the images.

"I would like nothing more than to give you a rest," Aaron said. "But the Dominion is not keen on cooperating. This isn’t a drill."

He switched the display back to the map. 

"The Dominion fleet jumped in at a pirate point yesterday and destroyed a supply convoy there," he said. "Our brothers sold themselves dearly, dying as warriors and getting word to us of the invasion force. None survived however. It is up to us to avenge their sacrifice."

Aaron noted Gunsho Tanero nodding slowly behind the others. 

"The Defense Forces are mobilizing and moving to stop the advance," Aaron continued. "Orders went out to the techs on duty two hours ago to get your mechs ready. I gave the rest of you as much rest as I could."

There were appreciative nods at that. 

"We're moving to support the defense of the Wakizashi Enterprises plant," he said. "We have a long march ahead. Get your kits and be ready to move in an hour."

An hour later, Aaron climbed the ladder to his Shugenja. Looking back across the mech hanger he felt pride as the other members of his company mounted up. 

As he climbed into the cockpit he wondered how many would be alive in two days. In all honesty, he suspected not many.


Star Colonel Cade MacKenzie
12th Bear Guards (Growling Bears)
Beta Galaxy
Rasalhague Dominion


Sarasota, Schuyler 
Draconis Combine 
29 July 3095 (D plus One)
0540 Hours

Cade marched his Summoner through the wide streets of Sarasota. The small city was well maintained and its wide streets were lined with trees in an artistic fashion. Cade found it quite a peaceful and relaxing setting. Urban planners had done their jobs well. 

Silently he was grateful the Schuyler Defense Force had chosen to declare it an open city and save it from destruction. Locke's Elementals had already seized the small military post on the southern edge of the city. It had been emptied of everything useful and only a few civilian contractors had been on hand to surrender it to the Dominion. 

It's a start. I didn't really think the Defense Force would stand and fight us here. The real prize is off to the west.

60 kilometers from Sarasota stood the massive factory complexes of Wakizashi Enterprises. The factories turned out Sai and Shogalar aerospace fighters. Cade was certain Sarasota had been abandoned so defenses could be concentrated near the factories. 

The light resistance to the landing further confirmed his belief.

A single armor company hit the LZ. Barely enough to disrupt landings for a few minutes but certainly sufficient to get a good look at the Dominion forces. Though the Combine pulled back from Sarasota, they had exchanged fire outside the city before withdrawing again. 

They don't offer determined resistance, just enough of a fight to get a look at us. 

On his 360-degree holographic display, Cade noted another mech step into the street behind him. Even in the dim dawn light, massive, boxy missile launchers over its shark-like torso identified the machine and by default, the pilot. There was only one Timber Wolf in the Growling Bears. 

Cade switched to the private frequency he shared with her. 

"How do you like your new ride, Judea?"

The Timber Wolf stepped almost gingerly past cars parked on the street. 

"It has taken some getting used to," Star Captain Judea Radick replied. "Over a year piloting the Summoner I was unused to bird-legged mechs."

Cade chuckled. 

"You seem quite graceful to me," he said. 

"I said it took some getting used to, not that I am not used to it now," Judea quipped. "My Trinary has finished with repairs and reloading. They are all standing by."

"Good," Cade nodded. "Send Arcadia out when they are ready. Let your other warriors rest another hour. I do not expect this advance to go unopposed."

"Neg," Judea agreed. "The prize is too great. They will not let the factories go easily. What of the 101st?"

Cade grinned, glancing at a secondary display. 

"Our newest Binary is making steady advances on the north flank, some opposition so far but nothing they cannot handle," he said. "Star Captain Darian is driving his people hard."

"Of course," Judea chuckled. "He wants to live up to the faith you have shown him." 

"That may be some of it," Cade agreed. 

A light on his console indicated an incoming call on the command frequency. 

"Hold a moment," he said then switched over. "Alshain Six, go ahead."

"Legacy to Alshain Six," Arianna's voice was clear on the comm. "Biras of the Watch wants to speak with you."

Cade did not know who Biras was, but the Watch rarely let themselves be known unless necessary.

"Patch him through," Cade replied. A moment later a gravelly voice took over from Arianna. 

"Alshain Six, I have an updated report on enemy movements," Biras said without preamble. "Analysis of battleroms indicate you have faced elements of the 3rd and 5th battalions of the Schuyler Guards. The third is a battlemech unit, the fifth makes use of hovertanks."

There was a pause and Cade heard distant weapons fire over the comm line. 

"The watch believes an additional force of mechs and a second armor battalion may be moving to block you," Biras said. "The mechs appear from the 8th Pesht Regulars."

Cade frowned. 

"The Pesht Regulars are on world? That is considerably more opposition than we were advised of," he replied. 

"Unknown Six," Biras answered, no trace of concern in his voice. "We have no indication the entire Pesht Regular unit is on world. Other reports place them elsewhere. It seems this is a small detachment."

Another burst of weapons fire, closer this time, bled over the comm.

"Opposing your advance on Wakizashi Enterprises are at least one battlemech company and two companies of armor," he continued. "Our assessments do not include conventional infantry but I am certain some will be present. If the new forces intercept, they will add a reinforced battalion to your opposition."

That is a formidable force but not enough to stop our advance.

"Understood," Cade replied. "Where are the remaining forces?"

"Another force of battlemechs are staging out of Nakura, supported by armor," Biras reported. "They are opposing the 18th Battle." 

The spy paused again and Cade thought he heard the clacking of computer keys punctuated by gunshots.

"A full battalion of armor, mostly hover vehicles, has been harassing the 332nd Assault and slowing their advance on Tsurara City. We suspect this is the Fourth Guards." Biras added. "Other mech and armor forces are deployed in small groups though some are moving to consolidate near Gritzia Air base. No large formation of Battle Armor has been located yet. It is possible they are split among the commands."

Cade considered that likely as well. 

"Any information on types of vehicles, mechs or battle armor?"

"Mixed light through heavy mechs," Biras replied. "Mostly older Inner Sphere equipment with a few isorla Dominion mechs. Vehicles predominantly hover though some conventional tanks as well. Accurate reports say the battle armor is Raiden models with a few Kanazuchis."

Cade nodded in his cockpit. 

"Understood, Biras," he replied. "Thanks for the update."

"Good hunting, Six. Biras out."

Switching over to the channel he'd shared with Judea, Cade couldn't help but be impressed by the Watch. 

Somewhere on this rock, Biras is under fire but still taking time to calmly update me on our opponents. I know the Clans do not like spies but there is something admirable about the devotion of our intelligence service. 

"Better let your warriors know we have a harder fight than expected coming up," Cade told Judea. "The Watch thinks a reinforced battalion is being thrown in our way."

"Let us hope they know how to fight, quiaff?"

Judea's Timberwolf stalked forward menacingly. Beyond her mech Cade caught a glimpse of two other members of her star. They fell in with her, marching toward war along quiet streets.

"Aff," Cade replied instinctively. 

In his heart however, he wished for a good fight but not a hard one. 

We have a lot of fighting to go through in this new war. For Kerensky's sake, let them have the wisdom to know they are beaten...



Star Colonel Cade MacKenzie
12th Bear Guards (Growling Bears)
Beta Galaxy
Rasalhague Dominion

10 kilometers from Sarasota
Schyuler, Draconis Combine 
29 July 3095 (D plus One)
10:25 hours

We should be right on top of them.

Cade glanced at the navigation map on the holographic display before him. The nav point Ilsa had marked was half a klick away. 

Still no sign of the Schyuler Guards. That almost certainly means they are lying in wait. 

Keying his mic, Cade twisted the torso of his Summoner slowly as he scanned the lightly forested hills ahead. 

"Arcadia had a sensor contact here," he said. "They are here, looking to ambush us."

"Aff, Six," Anike replied. "But I have nothing on sensors."

"Four, anything?" Cade asked, moving his Summoner forward along the creek winding between the hills. 

"Neg, Six," Shane replied. "If they are here, they are jamming or shut down." 

"We could call in a fly by," Anike suggested though without conviction. 

"Neg," Cade answered. "I do not want to tip our hand. Throttle up, wedge formation. Stay alert." 

"Two has point," Dillon growled over the comm. The former Jade Falcon marched his Summoner forward aggressively. 

"Next time ask, warrior," Cade said firmly, moving his own Omnimech to position on Dillon's right. "Request granted...this time."

The Falcon said nothing in reply, stalking forward and swiveling his mechs torso as he checked for threats. He was just passing the second copse of trees on the ridge when missile contrails leapt from the dense underbrush. 

A half dozen SRMs soared through the air, detonating against the broad chest and left arm of Dillon's mech. Unfazed, Dillon turned his mech and retaliated with a large pulse laser, slicing into the woods and brush with kilojoules of energy. 

It looked impressive but Cade doubted it had done much damage. Lasers were hardly ideal weapons to deal with infantry.

"Infantry with SRM launchers," the deep voice of Marcus cut across the line. "Permission to deploy?"

"Go!" Star Commander Locke replied. "All Elementals deploy!"

Across the quintet of Omnimechs, a series of controlled eruptions signaled the triggering of Elemental jump jets. The armored infantrymen leapt clear of the mechs they'd used as transportation. 

One fast acting Combine soldier fired another SRM, clipping an Elemental and knocking him out of the air. However the rest were already firing machine guns as they landed, rushing the tree line in the face of withering but ineffective small arms fire. 

Cade was watching the uneven battle develop when his speakers crackled with an alarmed cry. 

"Contact rear!"

Reflexively, Cade sidestepped his mech, turning to see the first hovertanks emerging from disguised dugouts. The lead tanks, both Salladin class, opened fire as they broke from cover. One shot missed wide but the other sanded off armor across Dillon's Summoner. The shotgun-like LB-20s weakened armor everywhere on the Omni, though most of damage was concentrated on his exposed left flank. 

Fortunate he was already turning. 

Cade slid his crosshairs over the outline of the nearer tank as it started to accelerate. Not waiting for a lock, he fired as soon as it lined up. His left weapons pod wasn't in line yet and missed wide. The right large laser cut deep into the tanks armor but only scorched away a half ton of protection. 

The pair of tanks darted away. Cade's mech rocked as SRMs struck him from the left, announcing a Harasser appearing from another pit. 

Stravag! Where did you come from?
All around the embattled Star, hovertanks and infantry poured fire on them. Eleven tanks broke from their ambush positions, firing then racing away. A twelfth emerged from hiding only to be blasted to scrap by Anike and her mechs 203mm autocannon. 
A full company of armor. Score one for the Watch, warning us of this trap.

Cade dodged left and punched the jump jets. His Summoner leapt into the air, evading another set of missiles from one Harasser but taking laser hits from a Drillson skirting across the creek. 

A Condor skidded past, firing at Dillon. Cade's advanced targeting computer gave him a lock as the hover tank held in place a moment, the driver changing direction. With a solid tone, Cade tied his mediums in with his larges and fired the quartet of lasers. 

One medium missed, passing below the hovertank harmlessly but the other three carved into the Combine machine. Armor ran from its flank as kilojoules of energy boiled away the protection in an instant. Burning through the armor, emerald beams slashed into the sensitive guts of the tank. Something exploded under the assault, throwing the tanks sideways into a tree. 

The damage was too much for the tanks systems, fried by the laser fire. Its fusion engine a wreck, the tanks hover skirt failed and the machine crashed to the ground, smoke and flames emerging from the hole burned in its hide. Hatches popped, allowing more smoke to billow out as the crew crawled from their wrecked machine. 

Cade had already turned, searching for new targets. SRMs corkscrewed toward him as the Harasser made another high speed pass. This time the Summoners antimissile system kicked on, spitting out hundreds of rounds and swatting several missiles from the air. A trio connected, blasting divots in armor over the mechs chest and leg. 

"One down," Dillon announced triumphantly. 

On the holographic display, Cade could see the ruin of a Salladin. Dillon's mech looked distinctly worse for wear however. 

"New contacts," Shane called out. "Battlemechs coming in from the north."

"Roger," Cade replied, throttling his Summoner up to a run and twisting the torso to bring another tank into his firing arc. 

The Harasser clearly noticed. Its pilot danced the craft behind some trees. Cade turned in search of other prey and keyed his mic again. 

"Thule Lead, bring them in," he ordered. 

"About time," Judea replied. The volume of her voice weakened as she switched to a broadband transmission. "Thule, Stanzach, hit them! Arcadia, hem them in."

Along the ridge to the east ten omnimechs skylined themselves climbing the reverse slope. They held a moment, a terrifying image of Dominion power centered on Judea's Timber Wolf.  

Around Cade the Combine hovertanks seemed to slow as they spotted the new arrivals. North of Cade, two lances of Combine Battlemechs exchanged long range fire with Alshain. They faltered as their commander realized their ambush had been countered by Cade's own. 

Led by Judea, the Dominion mechs rushed to engage the Combine forces. Clan missiles and lasers, outraging the Combine weapons, sliced into the Kurita mechs. Two, a Komodo and a Dragon, went down from the first volley. 
The hover tanks sped up, breaking away from their assault as the Clan forces cut at them. The Combine mechs halted their advance and began backpedaling, laying fire for their withdrawal. 

A mistake, Cade mused, tagging a Drillson with his large lasers and burning deep cuts in its armor. We have range on them. By backing away we can still hit them and they struggle to hit us. 

Clearly Judea thought the same. She slowed her advance to match the speed of the Combine withdrawal, holding the range open. It would be over in a matter of minutes. 

The tanks and infantry seemed to think so as well. Under assault by Elementals, the embattled infantry attempted to load up into Saxon and Maxim APCs. Not enough tried to hold off the Dominion armored infantry. Locke's troops let few escape. 

Spotting one Saxon lift from the ground, Cade dropped his crosshairs over it. As they glowed gold, his large and medium lasers washed over it, destroying control surfaces and gutting the engine. The personnel carrier crashed to the ground and erupted in a massive fireball as machine gun ammunition cooked off. 

Unlike the Condor, there would be no survivors in the APC. 

The handful of tanks still moving darted off, angling away from Cade's Star and the ongoing battle between Judea's mechs and their own. They accelerated, protecting the trio of APCs that had embarked their troops. Fleeing at high speed, they ran straight into Arcadia Star, circling around the flank of the battlefield. 

Cade saw Ilsa's Dragonfly riddle the lead Drillson with laser and missile fire, knocking it to the ground. 

To the north, the Combine mechs had pulled back to the top of a hill. Only three still stood, firing every weapon they had at Judea's warriors. It was a valiant last stand, worthy of samurai. It was also futile. 

Judea marched her battle scarred Timber Wolf up the hill, lashing out with missiles and lasers. The lead Combine machine, a Dragon Fire, staggered under the assault but kept its feet and responded with lasers and a Gauss rifle slug that shattered the last armor from the Timber Wolfs right arm. The impact spun Judea's mech but she stabilized it and cut loose again. 

This time extended range large lasers cut the right leg from the Kurita mech, dropping the mortally wounded machine to the ground. Moments later, the dying fusion reactor tripped the emergency containment protocols. Shields slammed down, severing the connection and shutting down the mech. 

As Cade's computer updated the mechs status he realized Judea's warriors had brought down the last mechs while he'd watched the duel. Arcadia had vanished, in pursuit of the fleeing tanks. Below, Locke's Elementals had several dozen tattered and bloodied infantry kneeling on the ground, hands on their heads. More were being added every few minutes as the Elementals rounded up the survivors. 

I didn't much like being bait, but I can't deny the effectiveness. 

Keying his mic, he marched his Summoner toward Judea's position. 

"Arianna, let command know the Combine force is neutralized and we're moving toward Wakizashi Industries," he said. "And tell Biras that after this is over, I'm buying him a drink. His Intel about the ambush was spot on."
“Marcus, find me that Dragonfire pilot,” Judea added in, voice flush with the exhilaration of the fight. “A warrior with that kind of spirit is worthy of being a bondsman.”
“Aff, Star Captain,” the gruff Elemental replied. On Cade’s monitor, a pair of Elementals jetted toward the downed mech. 
A few more victories like this and we can secure this world. We just need to keep the Combine off balance long enough that they decide to retreat. 

Cade hoped again they’d realize they'd already lost.
Knowing the stubbornness of the Combine, they’ll kill a lot more of their own people in a suicidal defense. I admire their courage but a warrior should know when they are beaten.  

Star Colonel Cade MacKenzie
12th Bear Guards (Growling Bears)
Beta Galaxy
Rasalhague Dominion

Command Bunker, Ujimo 
Schyuler, Draconis Combine
29 July 3095 (D plus One)
10:50 Hours


Greenish light from holo displays blended with the red over head lights to give the command bunker a surreal feeling. The sons of the Dragon worked at various terminals, linking communications, relaying information and trying desperately to coordinate defense in the face of an overwhelming attack. 
As Aaron Yamato watched, he was moved by their devotion to their duty. 

Many of these men and women have not slept any more than the frontline troops have in the past two days. Though Mechwarriors look down on them for staying safe behind the lines, we could not fight a battle without them.

On the primary display, Clan Omnimechs moved through the wreckage of a recent battle. Smoke still drifted over the shattered hulk of tanks and mechs. 

Yamato turned his attention to General Noiru Kitamura, overall commander of the Schyuler Guards. A solidly built warrior, Kitamura carried his seventy years with the vitality of a man much younger. Though his hair was leeched through with white and deep lines etched his face he seemed tireless even amidst crisis. 

"Bad luck, General," Chu-sa Rinze Omata commented, shaking his head. "By the Dragon these devils are viscous. I'll get them next time."

Aaron narrowed his eyes. 

"With what, Chu-sa," he asked. "That was nearly two battalions of troops gone. We can't afford those kind of mistakes."

Omata turned slowly, fixing Aaron with a disdainful glare. 

"Silence! Who are you to question me," Omata nearly spat, his face flushing scarlet. "You forget your place, Tai-i!"

"It is a warrior’s duty to question his commander if it is for the good of the war," Aaron replied. 

"You impudent..."

The remaining insult was cut off by Kitamura's calm words. 

"He's right."

Omata turned to the general in shock. 

"You masterminded this ambush, Omata," he continued. "I approved it. The tactics were sound. However, you then moved Aaron's company out of the mission and replaced it with a guard unit to increase your glory. Green warriors were not up to the task."

"We were sold out," Omata protested. "They were ready for us."

"Hai, they were," Aaron agreed. "But that could have been good recon rather than betrayal. Even in death your warriors might have accomplished their mission but they failed that as well."

"They struck the Thor a blow!" Omata fumed. "They may well have wounded the commander of the Bear Guards."

"No," Aaron shook his head. "Through their inexperience they targeted the wrong Thor."

Omata frowned, looking confused.

"What do you mean?"

Aaron turned to a nearby tech. 

"Bring up the footage of the first moments of the attack," he said. 

As the images played across the main screen, a Summoner marched forward as SRMs arced out toward it. As it turned toward the infantry, the image captured the rest of the Dominion Star. 

"Pause," Aaron ordered, studying the mechs. "Magnify the chest of the other Thor."

As the image zoomed in, the grainy picture showed something painted over the mechs left torso. A moment later the tech cleaned it up and the picture showed a stylized woman, topless but turned away pin-up style, carrying a Zeus heavy rifle.

"THIS is Star Colonel Cade MacKenzie," Aaron said. "Your ambushers attacked the wrong target." 

Aaron turned back to Omata. 

"Even if they didn't recognize the paint, which is hard to miss, they should recognize a Thor D versus a Thor A. If you'd studied the briefing material we had, Chu-sa, you'd have known that Cade almost exclusively pilots a Delta variant."

Omata looked apoplectic with anger at being dressed down by the Tai-i from the Regulars. Before he could find his voice again, Kitamura directed the conversation elsewhere.

"Who is highest remaining officer in that force?" Kitamura spoke in a level voice but it seemed to carry through the room, breaking the tension. Techs turned to their monitors as his words compelled them to action.

"No officers, sir," one of the technicians spoke up. "I have Gunso Watanabe. He's the highest rank remaining."

Kitamura nodded. 

"Patch him through," he ordered. 

After a moment, the tech signaled that the line was live. 

"Gunso Watanabe, this is Daito Lead," Kitamura said. "Report."

"Gone sir! Our commander is gone," Watanabe said, his voice tinged with panic. "They slaughtered us! They're demons!"

Aaron noted the disgust on Omata's face as the terrified soldier babbled on. 

"Watanabe," Kitamura barked. "Current position."

At the sharp command, training kicked in. 

"Sector 9, heading Southwest," he replied. 

"Good," Kitamura said. "What is the condition of your command, Chu-i Watanabe?"

"One Condor, one Harasser and two APCs," Watanabe replied. "All are damaged and some carry wounded."

After a moment, Kitamura's words caught up with Watanabe.

"Chu-i?"

"Hai, Watanabe," the general responded. "A Lance requires an officer. Now get your men to safety, samurai."

"Hai sir! Watanabe out!"

As the line went dead, Kitamura looked to Omata. 

"Good soldiers can still be overwhelmed by war, especially in their first battle," he said calmly. "Give them purpose however, and their training will take over."

"That man is unfit for command," Omata replied. "You heard him! He was clearly panicking."

"He merely required direction," Kitamura disagreed, looking to the communications tech. "He is a well maintained tool to be used. However, the tool does not perform its work without the hand of the artisan.”
Kitamura glanced at the communication tech.
“Delete the audio log of Watanabe's initial reply. Let him not lose face."

The tech nodded, grinning. Aaron fought to keep the same grin from his face. 

A general who cares for his men and is above personal honor is rare. It's no wonder he is so well respected for an armor commander. Once news of today's actions get out, as they inevitably will, his men will move mountains for him. 

To defeat the clans, they may need to do exactly that.

Star Colonel Cade MacKenzie
12th Bear Guards (Growling Bears)
Beta Galaxy
Rasalhague Dominion

27 kilometers from Sarasota
Schyuler, Draconis Combine
Wakizashi Industries 
29 July 3095 (D plus One)
1507 hours

Star Commander Brett brought his Hellbringer Prime forward slowly, swivelling the Mech’s torso left and right, searching for a target. He knew that his sensors would find anything out there much faster than he would spot them himself, but the movement was a comfort to him and seemed better than just waiting for the radar to tell him that something was out there. Besides, if something did pop up, he would have a good chance of having his weapons facing towards it. 

The Combine forces had scattered under the assault of the 12th Bear Guards, going to the four winds under the pressure the Ghost Bears had placed on them. Their scattering had opened the way for the Growling Bears to advance on Wakizashi Industries’ factory complex. The complex itself was now sprawling across the landscape behind him… he and the rest of Kempten Star had drawn the short straw and were now patrolling the area around the complex.

Brett deployed himself and MechWarrior Anderson in his Mad Dog B to the outside of the star’s formation, farthest away from the complex. MechWarrior Rebecka in her Huntsman C and MechWarrior Mason in his Crossbow A were deployed closer to the complex, covering the other two Clan Mechs with their LRMs. MechWarrior Raze in his Cougar D was loping along not too far ahead of Brett’s position but in between the other four Mechs, hopefully keeping himself under the cover of both element’s LRMs.

[[This is a waste of time.]] MechWarrior Mason growled out. Again.

“We are doing the work of the Clan.” Brett replied. Again.

[[You keep saying that, Star Commander.]]

“Only because you keep complaining, MechWarrior.” Brett emphasized Mason’s rank, hoping to shut the man up.

There was silence on the commline for several long moments before Mason spoke again. [[Perhaps I have reason to complain.]]

“Then you will have every opportunity to address any of your reasons to complain directly when we return to base.” Brett replied harshly, letting his temper get the best of him. “I only hope that you fight better this time. Quiaff?”

The silence hit again and Brett waited for Mason to come back with something. He had purposely goaded Mason with the memory of the man’s failure to achieve the rank that Brett held in the Trial of Position that Mason had lost. Brett almost hoped the man would do something stupid right now and give him an excuse to reduce Mason to ash in the cockpit of his OmniMech.

A moment later, Mason replied with a tight. “Aff.”

Brett noticed the indicator for a private communication and selected the icon to open the channel with a flick of his eyes. “Brett here.”

[[Star Commander… perhaps you should not attempt to goad Mason into a Trial while we are on a combat operation?]] MechWarrior Anderson said.

“You are correct, Anderson. It was foolish of me.” Brett paused and grinned inside his neurohelmet. “But he has not complained again.”

Another pause before Anderson’s voice came back on the commchannel. [[True. So, perhaps it was worth it.]]

“We shall see. Thank you for your concern, Anderson. I shall attempt to control my anger better in the future.”

[[A wise course of action.]]

Brett was finished with the conversation so closed the channel. “Kempten Six to Kempten Five… SITREP.”

MechWarrior Raze’s voice came over the comm, raspy as ever. [[No contacts. Continuing my sweep.]]

“Acknowledged.” Brett replied and sighed slightly when the commchannel closed. The biggest problem he had with Mason at the moment was that the man was right.


Star Commander Brett
Hellbringer Prime
Kempten Star, 101st Battle Binary
12th Bear Guards (The Growling Bears)



Twenty Kilometers from Wakizashi Enterprises Beta Complex
Schyuler, Draconis Combine 
30 July 3095 (D plus 2)
0745 Hours 

Cian rolled his fighter in salute as he flashed past the mech column moving through the valley below. His holographic display tagged the mechs below with identifiers. Cade's Summoner was in the first star of omnimechs. 

Always respect a man who leads from the front. 

Cian turned his attention promptly back to his sensors. Behind his Sulla D, three other fighters flew in formation with him. A counter in his display rapidly worked its way down to zero. 

"Look alive," he said over the Star frequency. "One minute to target."

"Aff, lead," Hamilton replied. 

Simple mission. Drop to the deck and get a lock on defenses at the airbase. Pick them apart and soften them up for Cade. Not as glamorous as the strike on the Gritzia complex but still necessary.

The thought was barely completed when his heads up display flashed to life, warning him that sensors below were trying to paint his omnifighter for a lock. 

"Automated defenses trying to paint us," Cian called out. "Make it tough for 'em."

Weaving and rolling, Cian bounced the fighter around erratically to combat the targeting systems. The holodisplay began tagging targets ahead; LRM launchers mounted on the ridge between the mechs and a small airbase. 

As he directed his targeting reticle over the first launchers, a new series of targets appeared across the runways.

What the hell?

A feeling of elation mixed with alarm hit him with physical force. 

"Heads up! Combine fighters on the field," he called out. "New target priority. Kill them on the ground!"

"Roger that," Hamilton replied. 

"Our mission is the defenses," Davyd protested. 

"I'm making an executive decision," Cian replied, dodging left as he dropped the crosshairs over the lead Combine fighter on the runway. "Those turrets aren't going anywhere."

"Kerensky but your language is offensive," Tanya laughed. "Lead on, Cian."

The crosshairs flashed gold as he took the aerospace fighter in at close to maximum speed. In the blink of an eye the targets vanished as he whipped across the length of the base in a wave of sonic booms. Cian had already triggered his weapons though, lashing out with a trio of medium lasers and a dozen SRMs. 

His sensors painted an image of the fighter on the ground then updated the damage projected by his strike. The holographic display showed strikes across the wing and fuselage of the Defender II. The display faded to black as a roiling fireball appeared in the rear arc of Cian's circular display. 

"Good strike," Tanya reported. 

Behind Cian the rest of the Dominion pilots pummeled the flight line with laser and missile fire. 

Banking away from his run, Cian throttled back. Winging over he started a second run, this time to survey the damage from altitude. 

A pair of Defender IIs scrambled off the runway, darting away low and fast. Three burning wrecks littered the runway and taxiway. Another fighter sat minus a wing, the pilot scrabbling out of his crippled bird. 

"Status," Cian called out. "How's everyone doing?"

"Minor hit to my wing," Hamilton replied. "Lost a medium laser."

"I was hit too," Davyd reported. "Engine output down six percent and I have a jam in the feed for my starboard LRM. Can only fire one more volley with it."

Boosting the signal, Cian throttled back into full speed.

"Warhawk Seven to Alshain Six," Cian broadcast over the general frequency. "Caught some Combine fighters on the airstrip. Four destroyed, two bugging out. Two of ours are damaged, both minor."

"Roger that, Warhawk Seven," Cade replied. "We're taking fire from the ridge. Hit the emplacements."

"Aff, Six," Cian said, threading his fighter through groundside autocannon fire. "Coming around."

"Damnit Cian," Davyd said, the message coming in fuzzy. Clearly the freeborn pilot had chopped the power so Cade wouldn't hear even on general frequency. "We had orders and because of you, the Star Colonel is taking damage!"

Cian shrugged as he lined up on the LRM launchers firing as quickly as they could cycle.

"A little damage is nothing the Colonel can't handle, Davyd," he replied. "If he's upset about his mechs paint getting scratched, I'll meet him in a Circle of Equals."

Cian paused, grinning. 

"And if you don't like my orders, you can meet me in one as well," he said with a laugh. 

"Keep it up, pretty boy," Davyd spat back. "I just might."

Star Colonel Cade MacKenzie
12th Bear Guards (Growling Bears)
Beta Galaxy
Rasalhague Dominion

Nakura
Schyuler, Draconis Combine 
30 July 3095 (D plus 2)

Dusky twilight made it difficult to discern the types of war machines moving across the plains east of Nakura. The city, usually a relatively quiet, cosmopolitan locale full of shops, coffee houses and art galleries, was silent as the sun set. Houses had been boarded up hastily and most shops were dark. Word had reached Nakura the day before that a Dominion force moving their way. Wisely, most residents had packed up and got out of the way of the oncoming war. 

It had turned into an accurate rumor when the lead elements of the 18th Battle Cluster stamped over the horizon. Ten mechs, a binary, marched in two diamond formations. Their lines of advance paralleled one another as they moved past the last small hamlet and broke out across the wide plains for the city proper. 

Nakura was a fairly condensed city, with little in the way of suburbs. Most of the residents favored apartments over shops or in high rise complexes. The lack of suburbs sprawling away from the city created a beautiful image of a city scape seeming to emerge directly from the rolling plains. 

To the Combine city planners it was a work of art. 

It is a subtle art, Aaron Yamato thought, watching the lead Dominion Ryoken advance. One citizens can appreciate on a daily basis. It's said you can see for miles from any window in the city.

"They are in the zone, Tai-i," Gunsho Taniro reported diligently. 

"Hai," Aaron agreed. "Patience, Gunsho."

Aaron hoped his nervousness had not bled into his voice. It would not do for his company to think he was anything but confident of success. 

Best they not know our odds are not good even with an ambush. 

To the left of the Ryoken, a Bear Cub moved along with the advance. Aaron mentally marked it as his initial target. 

There are bigger threats out there but I have a chance of killing it in one volley. That would be one less clanner on the field. 

A Koshi slowed its advance in the second star. As it did so, it turned its torso off as though looking at something. 

As the mech slowed, warning bells went off in Aaron's mind. 

He's seen it! He’s picked up the defenses.

"Commence firing," he ordered immediately. "Regulars, weapons hot and pick targets."

Out on the plains, concealed turrets rose from the ground around the clan mechs. As soon as they broke from cover they were firing, filling the darkening sky with missile and laser fire. Light flashed like an intense lighting storm, highlighting the war machines caught in the open on the plain.

Aaron gave the Dominion warriors credit. They reacted quickly. As the first barrage of missiles were arching out toward the clan mechs two turrets erupted in flame and smoke, targeted by the Dominion Mechwarriors. 

Then Aaron's targeting computer was online. Throttling his Shugenja up to a run he dropped the crosshairs over the Bear Cub he'd picked out earlier. The mech turned toward him as his crosshairs switched from green to gold. 

Pulling the triggers, Aaron sent a flight of MRMs soaring toward the light mech. He backed up the missiles with a shot from the Lord's Light 2 ER PPC. The cerulean beam cut deep into the light mechs heart, vaporizing armor and breeching into internal structure. 

Before the Clanner could reply the flight of Mid-range missiles battered his stricken machine. Missiles detonated across the head and torso of the Dominion mech, knocking it to the ground. It hit hard and was slow to move.
Pilot stunned most likely.

Suddenly aware of the new threat racing at them, the Dominion forces tried to rally to confront the Pescht Regular advance. There were simply too many threats in the area, however. Every way they turned, lasers lashed, autocannons barked and missiles howled.  

Turrets fired continuously, pouring damage into the clan mechs. They were not well aimed shots. The turrets were automated to fire at the center of mass. Even so, medium laser and SRM shots in large numbers were making short work of the clansmen. 

The lead Ryoken staggered under the assault even as it slagged a turret with large laser fire. Aaron switched his TIC to his paired large lasers and struck at the beleaguered warrior. 
The Bear Cub he’d targeted first started to get to its feet but more autocannon rounds pounded it. Shells smashed through the chest of the mech, detonating beyond it. With the fusion engine holed in a half dozen places, the light mech collapsed onto its back, dead.

Ruby beams burned into the Ryokens left leg and arm. Compounding damage already taken there, the shot to the leg shredded the last of the armor, superheating the endosteel thigh bone and warping it badly. 

Somehow the warrior kept to his feet despite the ferocious damage. He returned fire with an ER large laser, scoring a solid hit on Aaron's mech but damaging only armor. 

Aaron heard and felt the missile reloads fall into place in his mechs launchers. Acting without thought, he triggered their launch without waiting for a lock. Fully half of the missiles landed directly on target. 

Shattered armor rained from the Ryoken. As the explosions subsided, Aaron saw the mechs left arm was gone. Blackened, cracked armor clung to its hide in patches, offering no real protection now. 

Yet still the warrior stands...

That fact struck a chord with Aaron. He keyed his mic. 

"Cease firing! City and Regular forces," he called. "Cease firing."

The mechs and turrets fell silent. Only the Ryoken and two other mechs stood. All were ruined as fighting machines. 

"I am Aaron Yamato, Tai-i in the 6th Pesht Regulars," Aaron broadcast in the clear. "The field is mine but I offer you the chance to withdraw. You are skilled warriors and I would not see such killed unnecessarily."

For a moment there was silence. Then the comm crackled to life. 

"Aaron, I am Star Commander Quentin of the 18th Battle Cluster," the Ryoken pilot answered. "You ambush us then offer hegira?"

"This is war, Star Commander," Aaron replied. "Ambush tactics are part of warfare. Still, your skill impresses me. There is no honor in you dying here when the battle is already decided. Do you accept my offer?"

There was another pause. Then the three remaining clan mechs began to back away. 

"Aff, Aaron," Quentin said. "When we come for this city again, I will seek you out."

"Understood, Ghost Bear," Aaron grinned in his cockpit. "I would have it no other way." 
As the mechs pulled back, Aaron’s comm pinged with a new message. He switched over to a private line.
“Tai-I Yamato,” the voice of Chu-sa Rinze Omata barked. “What do you think you are doing? Why do you order my people to cease firing?”
The man’s voice alone was like nails on a chalkboard to Aaron. 
“You were listening, Chu-sa,” he replied. “They are skilled warriors. Beating a man when he is down is not the way of the Dragon.”
Anger was evident in Omata’s reply. 
“Your job is to destroy the Coordinator’s enemies! Kill those Clan scum.”
“No,” Aaron replied. “I am a warrior and a samurai of House Kurita. These warriors are worthy of respect. I’ll not execute them when the battle is lost. Besides…letting them live may be more valuable than killing them. Let them return to their lines and tell how we slaughtered their comrades. It will be demoralizing.”
“If you wish to fight this war as a fool, fine,” Omata said. “But do not ever presume to order my soldiers again, Tai-i.”
Aaron felt his temper rising. 
“You are a higher ranking officer on paper, Omata,” he replied. “But I am from a line unit. You are mere militia. I will give orders as I see fit…and your people will carry them out. That is how our military works. You do not have to like it, but know that the General will see it my way.” 


Star Colonel Cade MacKenzie
12th Bear Guards (Growling Bears)
Beta Galaxy
Rasalhague Dominion

Schyuler, Draconis Combine 
12th Bear Guards HQ
31 July 3095 (D-plus 3)


Cade wiped sweat from his face as he studied the portable holomap. Wind rustled in the tent which acted as advanced HQ for the 12th Bear Guards. The distant rumble of autocannon rounds served as a soundtrack to the impromptu meeting with a handful of other Growling Bear commanders. 

A flatscreen to one side displayed a shaky image of Loremaster Boris Jorgenson. From the background, Cade knew he was at a similar advanced headquarters somewhere else on Schyuler.

As the last of Cade's immediate subordinates ducked inside the flap of the hastily set up tent, he turned to Boris. 

"We're all here, sir," he nodded.

Boris looked up from a conversation with an aide. With a final nod he sent the man off.

"Sorry to call you in from the front," he began. "But there is a situation at Nakura. The 18th Battle have run into heavy resistance. As the city is crucial for supply lines, I want the Growling Bears to detach a force to assist in its capture."

Cade's eyes narrowed. 

"Star Colonel Xavier Hall will not like that," he replied.

On the screen, Boris shrugged. 

"This objective is too important for personal glory to get in the way," he said. "Hall has been ordered to detach a Trinary to hold the Combines attention there while the rest of the unit presses on to the next objective. I need your Cluster to secure the city."

"Understood, Galaxy Commander," Cade nodded. "What opposition is at Nakura?"

Boris glanced off screen.

"Intelligence says a mech company and a scattering of armor is all that is assigned to the city," he said, shaking his head. "But they must have received reinforcement. I have reports of enough mechs to field a reinforced company as well as some armor and a full company of armored infantry."

That makes for a tough fight, Cade thought. Not impossible though. 

"The real issue is a series of automated defensive positions intelligence did not know of," Boris continued. "The pop up turrets are aligned in a defense in depth along the southern and eastern approaches. Hall's troops took a pounding walking into their killing zones."

"If they have automated defenses, they must be coordinated somewhere," Cade replied.

"Aff," Boris agreed. "But we have no idea where. Hall's first plan was to simply bombard the city. It is crude but would get results. Khan Vishio, however, would rather not do this."

So instead she gives me a chance to take the city without leveling it, Cade nodded. If we fail, it can still be bombed. If we succeed the city is ours and the glory goes to the Growling Bears. 

"I will begin planning immediately," Cade answered. 

"Good," Boris said. His face took on a somber look. "Get this done Cade. A lot rests on your success."

As the screen image of Boris Jorgenson winked out, Cade turned to his Star Commanders. 

"You all heard," he said. "The problem requires intelligence more than brute strength. We do not have the luxury of time and our resources are needed elsewhere as well. Thoughts?"

Star Commander Ilsa, commander of Arcadia Star spoke up first.

"My mechs can cross the open areas fastest," she pointed out. "We can get in and find the command center for the defenses and destroy it." 

"Neg," Star Commander Locke replied. "You could destroy it but we do not know where it is. You are fast but the city will slow you down. Enemy mechs will be able to hem you in. Without a known target, your idea will not work."

Cade nodded his agreement with Locke. 

"Locke is right," he said. "Time is a factor in a quick strike. However, we could buy you some."

With a few strikes on the keyboard, Cade zoomed the holographic map in on Nakura. 

"If we coordinate a feint from the 18th, it will draw the Combines attention," he said. "While they are distracted, Arcadia can make their strike."

"It will have to be convincing," Judea added, striding over to the holomap. "A few mechs milling around will not be enough."

"Aff," Locke agreed. "Perhaps I can attach my Elementals to their diversion. If we are moving from position to position, seemingly in an attempt to knock out the turrets one at a time, it would be a plausible attack." 

Cade shook his head. 

"I can not release you for that," he said. "Because I intend for you to accompany Arcadia on their raid."

Looking back to the map, Cade continued.

"Arcadia will split up, each mech carrying a point of Elementals for added firepower. You are to avoid combat if possible and concentrate on locating the command and communications centers," he ordered, looking to Ilsa. "With five teams rushing through the the streets at night it will be much more difficult to pin you down. Do not waste time with targets of opportunity but mark their locations."

Cade nodded to Locke. 

"I'll ask the 18th for additional Elementals," he continued. "Your idea on the diversion is a good one. I'll keep Alshains mechs back as a reserve. Once you knock out the turrets, fall back and we will cover you. We will deploy air assets to knock out the targets you marked and a coordinated drive with the 18th just before dawn should crack the city."


Star Colonel Cade MacKenzie
12th Bear Guards (Growling Bears)
Beta Galaxy
Rasalhague Dominion


Outskirts of Nakura
Schyuler, Draconis Combine 
1 August 3095 (D plus 4)

Autocannon and missile fire raced through the night as the automated defenses of Nakura fired at a quintet of speeding omnimechs. 

Star Commander Ilsa fought against the rocking gait of the *Dragonfly* as she sprinted the war machine toward the suburbs of the city. The bird legged mech was fast and nimble. It was an exceptional reconnaissance mech or raider. Hers, set in the alpha configuration, was geared as the latter. 

She still wasn't fully used to it. Her previous mech had been humanoid.

*But this is an Omni*. 

That alone made it better than her last ride. There were very few freeborn warriors who piloted the front line omnimechs, even with how far the dominion had come toward equality in its warrior caste. 

It had taken four years in the 2nd Kavelleri piloting a second line mech before someone noticed she was being wasted on such duty. 

*Now I'm leading my own Star in the 12th Bear Guards. All those who said I'd wash out can bite me. *

Light autocannon rounds skipped off the right leg, sheering away armor but doing no real damage. Ahead, a flare arced into the night sky as the Combine defenders tried to get a better view of what was happening. 

"Keep moving, Arcadia!" Ilsa shoved at her throttle as though she could coax more speed from the Dragonfly. 

Her sensors showed four additional blue triangles advancing in a wide wedge centered on her position. Numerous red triangles marked the defending turrets. 

Only our speed is keeping us alive out here, Ilsa thought. The sheer volume of fire from these turrets would rip up slower units. Even trying to destroy the turrets would be costly just because there are so many. 

Ilsa's 360 display gave her a glimpse of the two mechs nearest her in the mad dash for the city. To her right, Valek dodged his Fire Moth to the left around a turret. As he corrected his course a flight of missiles staggered his twenty ton mech, nearly bowling it over. 

Valek recovered smoothly, sidestepping with the blow to absorb the impact. It didn't matter. The damage was done. For just a moment his Fire Moth held a relatively stationary position. 

Autocannon and laser turrets zeroed in on the damaged mech. A laser burned off the left arm while autocannon rounds ripped through the belly and torso. 

With their ride savaged, Elementals bailed off. Jetting away they created as much distance as they could from the wounded war machine. 

Another pair of lasers amputated the left leg as more autocannon rounds tore at the mechs body. Ilsa saw the Fire Moths head split as Valek ejected. A roiling fireball burst from the mech as it fell adding more illumination to the night. 

Ilsa could do nothing but push on and mark the coordinates where Valek's mech went down. Moments later she caught a glimpse of his Elementals jetting toward the area his ejection carried him.

Hope they find him. 

With one more intense burst of fire Ilsa was past the final line of turrets. Her sensors lit up as they picked out a pair of tanks lurking near the edge of the suburbs. She angled away from the Combine fighters and dodged between a pair of two story homes. Seconds later she was on a side street lined with two and three story offices and stores. 

"Arcadia lead, I'm in," Ilsa reported over the comms. "Arcadia, sound off."

"Two here, in the zone."

"Three. Took some hits but I'm through."

"Five's inside. Four bought it."

Ilsa nodded but pushed concern for Valek from her mind. If he was dead there would be time to mourn later. 

"Split up and keep alert," Ilsa ordered her star. "Find their control center and eliminate it. The clock's ticking, kids."

Growling Bears staging area

Cade MacKenzie watched Arcadia's progress in the darkened cockpit of his Summoner. He noted the intense volume of fire poured out by line after line of turrets. 

Nakura is meant to be a strong point. The Combine knows it will not stop us but it can slow us down. It's comparable to Bir Hakim during the second Terran World War. A handful of well-fortified defenders slowed an entire offensive for days. It turned the tide as reinforcements could be brought in.

I cannot be Rommel here. We have to break the city, as much for the city residents as for our offensive. 

"Arcadia Lead," Ilsa's voice crackled over the comms. "I'm in."

Cade grinned at the report from the platinum blonde warrior. She was new to his command but he'd fought beside her years earlier. So far she was exceeding his high expectations as a commander. 

If she pulls this off she may become the first freeborn Star Captain in the Growling Bears. 


Suburbs of Nakura

"Ilsa, you have infantry to the left," Locke's deep voice was barely a whisper on the comm line but it caught Ilsa's full attention. She throttled up and hurried the Dragonfly through a darkened intersection. 

"I read, Locke," she replied. "You're my eyes out there."

"Aff," Locke said. "There is a lot of activity but little military so far."

A heat signature flared to life on Ilsa's sensors then vanished. 

Damn. Mech somewhere ahead. 

"Did you see that, Ilsa?"

"Aff," Ilsa was already turning to a new course. "Mech heat signature. Couldn't get an ID."

"Partial ID," Locke remarked. "Fifty tons."

"Not a fit we need," Ilsa said as she moved the Omnimech across a main street, checking for opposition. The intersection was still. 

Somewhere to the west flashes of laser fire lit the heart of the city. An explosion blossomed into the air, casting an orange light as something burned fiercely. 

"Three encountering sharp resistance," came the call over the comm. "Tanks and armored infantry guarding a hardened building."

Coordinates flashed on Ilsa's sensor screen. 

Ten blocks away. Could be it. 

"Moving to assist," she replied. "Two, Five, continue search."

Turning the Dragonfly at the next intersection, Ilsa sprinted her mech toward the firefight illuminating the darkened city. 


Near city center


Jasen ducked his Arctic Cheetah left, placing a parking garage between himself and the Combine Bulldog tank. Weapons fire chipped the corner off the structure. 

Across the street his Elemental team were locked in a running firefight with combine armored troopers. It was a testament to the quality of Elemental armor that he already counted a pair of Raiden suits downed. 

"Three, that tank is moving on you," Marcus, the Elemental point leader, reported. 

Take the initiative. 

Jasen lined up his mech on the alleyway across from him, twisted the machines torso and sprinted across the embattled street. As he rushed across he triggered his lasers at the advancing tank. With no time for a weapons lock, it was a snapshot. 

One ruby medium laser beam missed, scorching the ferrocrete beside the tank. The second cut at the front of the Bulldog but didn't penetrate its armor. Caught by surprise the tankers were a second too slow. Jasen was back behind cover when the return fire lit the street. 

Turning the Arctic Cheetah back toward the street, Jasen gave his lasers a moment to recharge. 

"Tank still moving, quiaff?"

"Aff, Jasen," Marcus replied. "Sixty meters from you."

Here we go.

Jasen stepped his mech into the street, throttling into a run as he cleared the building that had shielded him. Lasers flashed again as he stabbed at the Bulldog. More armor ran from its sloped nose. 

Then he was past the tank and turning down a side street. The Arctic Cheetah rocked as SRMs hit it, blasting armor from the left leg and torso. Jasen concentrated on finding cover, casting a glance at the damage monitor long enough to confirm nothing was critical. 

Well damn. So much for my first plan. 

The alley was a dead end. 

Turning the mech back to the entrance to the alley, Jasen got ready for another sprint. The tank reversed across the entrance, turret already trained down the narrow street. Staring down the barrel of the main gun was intimidating in the extreme. 

However the pair of Elementals on the turret systematically ripping the armor plate from the Bulldog with their claws meant the tank crew had other things to think about. As Jasen watched, one Elemental ripped the turret hatch away while the other thrust his laser arm inside and triggered bursts that lit up the tanks viewports. 

"Thanks for the assist, Marcus," Jasen keyed his mic. "I owe you one."

"Consider it payment for the ride," Marcus remarked. 

"Bargained well and done," Jasen laughed. 

The pair of Elementals jumped clear of the gutted tank as small arms fire pinged off their armor. Moments later more Combine armored infantry raced up the street in pursuit. Hand on the throttle, Jasen dropped his crosshairs over the third armored suit and cut loose with another volley. 


Near city center

Ilsa rounded the corner at a run, sparks flying as her mechs feet skidded on the ferrocrete. Three blocks ahead, the building Jasen had marked stood out vividly. SRM launchers guarded the corners and machine gun nests were perched atop the reinforced structure. 

"That is it," Ilsa called out. "Deploy and destroy."

"Aff, Star Commander," Locke was already jetting over Ilsa's cockpit as he replied. 

The defense turrets swung toward Ilsa's Dragonfly, letting loose with quad missile racks. Ilsa tried dodging left but managed only to shoulder check the building beside her. Missiles detonated against the right arm, flank and torso. 

No serious damage but there's no room to maneuver here. 

Standing her ground in the medium Omnimech, Ilsa drifted the crosshairs over a SRM turret and tied three lasers into the firing circuit. Getting a solid lock she fired, melting armor on the turret then mangling the launchers themselves. 

As the launcher exploded, it backlit the street. The forms of five Elementals jetting up to the roof were highlighted in mid jump. Landing smoothly on the rooftop, the armored infantrymen cut loose with machine guns and lasers. Combine troopers fell as each machine gun nest was rapidly silenced. 

Locke tore the roof hatch free and two of his Elementals dropped into the building. 

As another set of missiles rocked her mech, Ilsa locked on the second turret and reduced it to slag. With the launchers both smoking ruins, Ilsa turned her attention to the building itself. Tying missiles into her target interlock circuit, Ilsa stitched fire into the first level of the building. 

The hardened structure held up well against the onslaught. Lasers pitted reinforced ferrocrete walls and missiles blew chunks from the building, shattering the bullet resistant windows. 

"I gave them something to think about, Locke," Ilsa said glancing at her sensors. "I've got hostiles incoming. Moving off."

"Understood," Locke replied, weapons fire carrying over the comm. "We will make our way to rally point bravo."


Turret control facility

Locke triggered the right arm laser on his suit, burning through the armored door before him. The mech grade laser cut through the steel as though a hot knife through butter. Whitaker took up position, ready to fire when the door gave way. Thrusting his claw hand through the gap he'd burned in the steel, Locke peeled the white hot metal back. 

Whitaker thrust his own claw hand into the hole and triggered a long machine gun burst while Locke rent the door apart. Shouldering past the remnants, Whitaker pushed into the room. Another burst of fire rattled through the building as he cleared the room and Locke made it inside. 

Blood splattered the walls and a pile of Combine personnel lay grouped around the door across the room. They'd fallen trying to get away from the Elementals. 

Computer consoles and a holotank dominated the room and a bank of screens showed the fight shaping up with the 18th. A separate group of monitors provided information on the turrets and the ammunition levels. 

"Find the central controls for the turrets," Locke ordered, stepping to the nearest console. "Shut them down then destroy the terminals."

Star Colonel Cade MacKenzie
12th Bear Guards (Growling Bears)
Beta Galaxy
Rasalhague Dominion

Nakura City
Schyuler, Draconis Combine 
1 August 3095 (D plus four)

The flash of laser fire lit sections of Nakura as Arcadia Star clashed with defenders in the black city streets. From comm traffic he knew Ilsa and Jasen were battling near the center of the city. Eran and Natalie were each in running battles as they scoured the city for the control center directing the auto turrets. 

"Star Commander Locke to Alshain Six," Locke's deep voice broke over the channel. "Control center destroyed."

Cade grinned at the news. 

"Alshain Six to Thule and Stanzach," he called out. "Begin your advance. Move up fast, drive Combine troops from the city. Arcadia, disengage and pull back."

"Moving up, Six," Judea replied. In the distance Cade could just make out the silhouette of her Timber Wolf leading the advance. 

"Claymores, move up," Star Colonel Xavier Hall's voice barked. "Advance! Double Time!"

Cade frowned deeply. 

"Claymore Lead, Alshain Lead," Cade said. "What are you doing?"

Laser and missile fire flashed from a new sector of the city. Despite the distance, Cade noted the one sidedness of the new volleys.

"You think I will let your Guards steal the glory of taking Nakura? Not likely," Hall replied. "The Combine has an ambush to pay for."

"Do not lose your head, Xavier," Cade warned. "Ambush is part of warfare."

Hall didn't reply. On the 18ths approach, new weapons fire arced out from the city. It was only light resistance but the Combine was not giving up the city without a fight.

Ahead, a Dragonfly and Mist Lynx broke from Nakura, throttling toward Judea's mechs. A quick glance told Cade they each carried Elementals, including Star Commander Locke. 

Cade had just turned his attention back to Nakura itself when he saw movement on the plains. Stalled turrets were moving again and new ones were rising from their shelters. 

"Turrets still operational!"

Over the intensifying fire and calls for support, Xavier Hall's voice cut in. 

"Claymores, Battle axes, charge forward!" He ordered boldly. "Get into that city!"

"Stravag idiots!" Cade cursed as he heard the cries of alarm over the comm channels. "Thule Lead, keep up pressure here. Arcadia, back into the city! Eliminate as many static targets as you can. Sow chaos. Alshain on me. Maybe we can save them from themselves."

With his throttle already against the physical stop, Cade could only silently urge the Summoner on to greater speeds. The seventy-ton Omnimech thundered forward in a pounding eighty kilometer per hour sprint. Behind him, the rest of Alshain star fell into a wedge as they charged. 

It took five agonizing minutes to cross into the suburbs of the city. With the fighting on the far side, the city skyline was bathed in the greens, reds and blues of laser and PPC fire. Radio calls on the general frequency were far from encouraging. 

"Four additional contacts coming from the north," a warrior called. "Heavy and medium mechs."

That makes at least two lances AND the turrets. They're hemmed in.

Cade had heard all he wanted to. Dominion warriors were dying. Though it was from their own bad tactics, he had to save them if he could. He switched to Alshains private channel. 

"The 18th Strikers are in trouble," he said simply. "We're going to punch into the city and make as much noise as we can to draw the Combines attention. Do not stop to duel. Hit and move...and watch your shots. Try not to level the city as we go."

Rushing through the darkened streets, Cade dodged past houses and businesses as he headed toward the downtown area. Despite his efforts, several roads in he crushed a car in his haste to get into the fight. 

"Six, I have a contact," Anike reported. "Looks like Arcadia Three a few streets over."

"I read Alshain Three," Cade replied. "Two, direct him to fall in with us."

'Aff, Six", Dillon answered immediately. 

Jasen's mech isn't the most powerful, but we could use his Elementals.

Somewhere in the distance a brilliant explosion lit the city for several seconds. Even without witnessing it, Cade knew it was the eruption of an uncontainable fusion engine. He could only hope it was the death of a Combine mech. 

"Contact, south," Anike chimed in. "Hold one...three contacts."

Mechs. 

"Confirm three," Cade barked.

"Aff, three contacts," Anike repeated. "Tremor readings indicate battlemechs."

"Weapons free," Cade replied. "Pick your targets and destroy them quickly."

Switching his sensors to infrared signature scanning, he immediately picked up the set of heat spikes moving toward him. As one of the Combine mechs passed between a pair of houses Cade's advanced targeting computer tagged it with an identifier. 

A Warhammer. An old design but it still has teeth, he thought as he marked it his primary target.

As the venerable mech again passed between buildings Cade's computer gave him the solid tone of a weapons lock. Switching the medium lasers out of the T.I.C. with a practiced motion he tightened his fingers on the firing studs. 

Twin lines of emerald energy lit the dawn darkness, stabbing through the narrow space between homes to cut into the Warhammer. One struck across the mechs boxy torso, scoring a deep welt in the armor. The other burned a black scar across the mechs right thigh. 

The Warhammer staggered under the beams as the sudden loss of over a ton of armor threw the pilot's balance off. Still, the Combine warrior kept the machine on its feet as it ducked behind more buildings.

Behind Cade, Kyra's Mad Dog stumbled as missiles detonated against its thick hide. Kyra turned the mechs own LRM launcher loose at her antagonist. In the backlight of the weapons Cade noted it was an Argus. Though it outweighed Kyra in sheer size the Mad Dog was on a different level in terms of firepower. 

"Contact left!" Judea's shouted warning came as Cade spotted the movement in his 360 sensor display. 

A Combine Avatar stepped from cover, weapons already turning toward the Dominion Omnimechs. Before it could fire however, the mech rocked back as Anike cut loose with a barrage of fire from her Cauldron Born.

The 200 millimeter autocannon burned through rounds as Anike drilled them into the Combine machine. Lasers added to the enemy mechs misery and the Avatar stumbled badly. As it backpedalled the heels hit the side of a house and the mech pitched backwards.

Seventy tons of metal smashed down onto the building and Cade found himself hoping it had been evacuated.

A PPC beam slashed across his mechs flank as the Warhammer stepped back into the alleyway. Though Cade applauded the warriors audacity, it was a fool notion to give up cover for a glancing hit. 

Cade cut back at him with twin ER large lasers. Both evaporated armor over the torso, pealing away its protection. One beam stabbed deep into the guts of the Combine mech, filling the wound with molten metal which leaked out like blood. 

Still, the Combine warrior was not dead yet. Game for a fight, he returned fire with an ER PPC that burned a deep trench across the armor on the Summoners arm. 

Inside the cockpit of the cool running Omni, Cade leaned right, using his sense of balance to influence his mech. The Summoner mimicked his movement as he snapped up the right arm and cut the left out of the TIC. 

The brilliant emerald beam honed in on the damaged torso and savaged the Warhammer. Fiery tendrils of plasma erupted from the wound. For a moment Cade thought the Combine mech was losing containment but the emergency shields slammed down, killing the engine and preventing an explosion. 

As the mech tottered, the head split and the Combine warrior ejected, riding his command couch on a thruster until his parafoil deployed. 

One down but there's a hell of a battle left to fight.

"Additional contacts, moving around the flank," Anike called out. Cade's battle computer updated as his sensors picked up a Combine Mad Dog two hundred meters distant. 

"Moving to engage," Shane replied. "With me, Five?"

"Aff, Four," Kyra chimed in. "I read a Dragon and an Akuma in the lead."

"Got them. I will take the Akuma," Shane announced. 

On Cade's sensor screen the blue triangle representing Shane's Karhu accelerated toward a pair of red contacts. 

Trusting them to hold the flank, Cade slid the targeting reticle over the outline of the oncoming Mad Dog. His sensors read it as the primary configuration a moment before twin clouds of white smoke burst from its missile launchers, a wall of forty warheads spiraling out toward him.

Cade sidestepped his mech and braced for the impacts he knew were coming. Even his twin anti missile systems could not cut down that many contacts before they hit him. 

The rapid fire point defense guns shredded a quarter of the missiles. Another quarter missed wide, leveling a house and demolishing the top floor of a four story commercial building. The remainder slammed into his Summoner with the vengeance of a terrible God. 

Missiles exploded across the omnimechs torso, left arm and leg. A trio of warheads detonated against the domed cockpit of the mech, staggering Cade and throwing him against his seat restraints. 

Behind him, something exploded and a shower of sparks erupted into the cockpit. He caught a whiff of hot electronics and burning insulation as his onboard computer casually informed him the ejection system was offline. 

Looking out through the now cracked viewport, Cade saw the Combine warrior stalk forward, twin gun barrel arms converging to fire on him. 

The Combine warrior took a moment too long. The holographic crosshairs glowed gold and Cade flicked all four lasers back into his TIC. Depressing the firing studs he sent beams of ruby and emerald light slashing back at the Omnimech.

Are you truly worthy of the machine you ride in? Let's find out!

Lasers burned into the thick armor over the Mad Dogs left leg, hip and left torso. Both mediums combined to make armor run over the mechs heart but the well armored war machine held up, as Cade expected it would. 

Still, the loss of over two tons of armor unbalanced the Mad Dog and it stumbled, spoiling its return fire. One laser burned more armor from the flank of Cade's ride but a second started fires in a building behind him. 

Stomping down on the foot pedals, Cade launched his Summoner into the air. He jetted forward, leaping a three story building and setting down in an alley. On his sensor display the Mad Dog turned to stalk after him.

Turning his mech so its back was to a wall, Cade knelt his war machine and extended the left arm straight out to cover the street entrance. Tying only his left arm weapons into the TIC, he waited for the aggressive samurai to chase him. 

The Mad Dog burst around the corner, kicking up sparks as its feet slipped on the pavement. Still it held its balance, the pilot turning into the alley with weapons already blazing. 

Not having anticipated Cade's strange position, the twin large lasers passed the mech without hitting. It was still close enough that Cade felt the hairs on his neck rise from the electricity. 

Triggering his own weapons, Cade sent ruby and emerald beams into the left leg. Already damaged by the earlier hit, the limb withered beneath the new assault. Armor ran, the endo steel femur went from grey to red to white, twisted and snapped. With a horrible scream of tearing metal armor and myomer ripped apart and the limb fell away. 

The Mad Dog twisted, gun barrel arms flailing as the Combine pilot lost the battle with gravity. Rebounding off a building, an impact that crushed a corner, the mech crashed hard onto its back. 

Raising his own mech back to its feet, Cade directed the crosshairs over the outline of the Mad Dog. Locking his advanced computer onto the crotch of the downed machine he fired again. A large and medium beam slagged the thin armor where the legs met the torso. Heat spiked on the Combine mech as the beams trashed the engine and killed the machines heart. 

Then he was moving again, coming out of the alley and catching a tank moving onto the same street. In the midst of a turn, the tankers were caught unawares and unable to react quickly to the threat behind them. 

Cade heard the indicating sound of lasers recharging and fired. Beams demolished the armor over the Bulldogs aft, gutting it easily and leaving the tank a smoking wreck. Two crewmen scrambled out, hands up. 

Cade ignored them. 

"Alshain Six, Arcadia Three," Jasen's message came in as a tight beam. "I have a communications trailer in sector three Charlie. Could be a secondary control center."

Glancing at his sensor display, Cade keyed his mic on the general frequency. 

"Alshain Four, break off and help Arcadia Three."

"Aff, Six," Shane replied. "Moving to assist." 

"Six, Thule Lead," Judea's voice cut in. "In the city with four. Where do you want us."

Cade ducked his mech back into an alley as he coordinated the ad hoc force he had in Nakura. 

"Arcadia Two, link with Thule," he ordered, directing the nearest scout to Judea's force. "Lead them to any military targets of opportunity you spotted. Work your way toward Hall's sector."

"Aff, Six. Moving."

Something to the northeast exploded.

"Target eliminated," Shane announced. "We're drawing a lot of attention though."

"Pull back," Cade called. "Alshain Two and Five on me. We're their back up. Three, coordinate the rest of Thule and Stanzach as they get in."

Throttling up, Cade led Dillon and Kyra into the darkened streets which were being lit more and more frequently by fires. 

"Turrets are down again," Xavier called. "Claymore, Battle Axe, get out of this killing field!"

In his cockpit, Cade forced the rage and frustration down, detachedly blasting an APC to slag as he moved up. 

Damn it Xavier Hall. This didn't have to be so messy. 


Heart of Nakura


Aaron wiped sweat from his face as he moved his battered Shugenja through the streets of Nakura. Fires and laser discharges gave the city any eerie glow like an electrical storm. In his wake lay a Dominion Ryoken whose pilot wouldn't see another dawn. Further out a Arcas lay burning in an intersection. 

But they were costly victories. Aaron's computer indicated only six other Regular mechs still active. The Dominion was inside the city and the Combine lacked the forces to push them out. 

"Tai-i Yamato, do you copy?" 

Aaron keyed the mic. 

"Yamato here," he replied. "Go ahead."

"The Dominion is closing a net around the city," General Kitamura answered. "Get your company out. Rendezvous with Chu-i Watanabe's lance and get clear. The city defenders will buy you time."

Aaron frowned. 

"I would stay and fight, sir," he replied. "These men are to valiant to abandon."

"Hai, Yamato," Kitamura agreed. "But they will fight all the more fiercely if they believe their sacrifice is to save a respected leader. You cannot be lost yet. There's nothing more you can do here. The turrets are offline and the city is breached. You are ordered to withdraw."

Aaron gritted his teeth in frustration.

"Yes sir, pulling back."

He had no sooner said it then a Clan Omnimech the corner only a block away. The low, squat form of the Mad Dog sent alarms screaming in his mind. Though battle scarred, Aaron could see there was nothing wrong with the twin barreled lasers and dual Long range missile launchers it carried. 

It was a perfect moment of mushin. Aaron's hands moved without thought, his mind locked in the moment. Weapons came up, the crosshairs fell over the Clan machines form. Aaron was not conscious of pulling the triggers yet lasers and missiles leapt from his machine to pummel and cut at the Dominion warrior. 

Missiles scattered over the machine, rattling it and buckling armor plates. Lasers melted into the torso and left arm, savaging armor. But the most telling blow was a scattering of missiles slamming directly into the side of the mechs head. The canopy already showed signs of damage and Aaron saw the ferroglass shatter under the barrage. 

The Mad Dog slumped into a building, rebounded and collapsed onto its belly. It twitched once, like a death spasm, then lay still. 

As the realization of his actions caught up with him, Aaron found his voice again. 

"Sixth, pull back," he ordered. "Break contact and get out of Nakura."

After two turns to get him away from the advancing mechs his sensors warned him of, Aaron throttled the Shugenja into a run, leading his tattered command away from the fight. 

As he broke from the city, sprinting past the powerless turrets, realization set in. 

That was my fifth kill. I'm an ace...and all against the Clans. 

Star Colonel Cade MacKenzie
12th Bear Guards (Growling Bears)
Beta Galaxy
Rasalhague Dominion


Two kilometers north of Nakura
Schyuler, Draconis Combine 
2 August 3095 (D plus five)

Cade stared out over the wide river valley reaching out to the north. Wind blew a chill breeze which he barely noticed in his lightweight duty uniform. That same wind nearly concealed the sound of boots on gravel. 

The footsteps stopped a short distance away. 

They know I heard them. They let me acknowledge their presence when I choose to. 

A faint smile played across his features but even that small effort seemed to leave him fatigued. Five days of fighting had given the Growling Bears little chance for rest. Standing up Cade forced the weariness he felt out of his muscles. 

Turning crisply, he nodded to Judea. She stood at ease with the newly taken city of Nakura in the distance. 

"Cade, I have our readiness report," she said, glancing at the noteputer in her left hand. 

"Kyra's status?"

Judea kept her face impassive but Cade saw the pain in her eyes. 

"They could not save her leg," she said quietly. "Conrad says she is an excellent candidate to regrow the limb and is prepared to start the budding in ten days if there are no other complications."

"Stravag," Cade said, shaking his head in frustration. "I'm glad she'll make a recovery but we could not afford to lose her right now." 

With a sigh, Judea nodded. Taking a seat beside Cade she looked out over the valley. 

"Aff," she said. "Locke also reports three killed and four wounded though two of those will be back in action within a few days."

Cade glanced to his aide. 

"Who did we lose?"

"Parker, Montrose and Unisa," she replied. 

Cade nodded solemnly. 

"We will see to it they are honored after the world is ours," he said. 

"They saved a lot of lives though the city does not know it," Judea agreed. "Still, I wish they were not gone. If these surrats would fight as warriors instead of hiding in cities I would hold no grudge against them. But they use their civilians as shields and we must fight among the defenseless."

Cade shrugged. 

"It is their way," he said. "Though the Combine claims to be honorable warriors, that honor lasts only as long as it is to their advantage."

Wearily, Judea nodded. 

"I know," she replied. "I suppose I was being naive thinking it would be otherwise."

"Perhaps," Cade commented. "But perhaps not. Some of their warriors truly are honorable and conduct battle in such fashion. The Mad Dog pilot I faced had a warrior's death. Then others are little better than bandits. I've faced both. For a time we had a few bondsmen from the 8th Sword of Light with us."

"Ah yes, from the battle for Richmond," Judea thought back. "But then there was Orestes..."

Cade nodded solemnly.

"The Frihet did not care about civilians," he said darkly. "Those affiliated with the Dominion were all guilty."

Cade saw the wave of anger and revulsion wash over her. 

"We have face a lot of dishonorable enemies," she remarked quietly. 

"Aff," Cade agreed. "And because we have, our people in the Dominion worlds have been shielded from them."

Judea smirked. 

"You have a way with philosophy, Cade MacKenzie," she laughed lightly.

"I'm a romantic at heart," he shrugged. 

She laughed again.

"While I know that's true, we have a war to win Romeo," Judea replied, standing up. "We will be called on to fight again soon. You need to rest."

She offered him a hand.

Had there been others around, he would not have accepted it and the potential weakness it would appear to be. As there were not, Cade was grateful. He let her pull him to his feet with a weary nod.

"You are correct," he said. "Have someone wake me in five hours...unless the Combine makes trouble."

Star Colonel Cade MacKenzie
12th Bear Guards (Growling Bears)
Beta Galaxy
Rasalhague Dominion

Fort Tsugara, Ujimo City
Schyuler, Draconis Combine 
2 August 3095


Aaron Yamato sipped tea in an attempt to relax. His tired muscles, battered by hour after hour in the cockpit, ached from his ordeal. For the time being however, he was off the line. 

With the fall of Nakura, the Combine forces had withdrawn to a new line of defense. Aaron's company, down to half strength, was being repaired and his pilots getting what rest they could. In the meantime, he was serving in an advisory position in General Kitamura's headquarters.

There had been little good news in the time Aaron had been at HQ. Though the Combine forces were trying to establish a new line, the Dominion Warriors were pressing on their heels, giving them no time to organize a defense.

"Kitamura, we have mech contacts four kilometers from the line," Colonel Daniel Kwuntung reported as General Noiru Kitamura strode through the command center. "Scouts will have visual feed in thirty seconds."

Kitamura nodded and turned to the main screen, silently waiting. The command staff understood his unspoken request and the screen shifted from scrolling lines of data to a grainy view of the battlefield forty kilometers distant. 

Despite the low quality resolution of the image, he clearly picked out a Summoner, Timber Wolf and Karhu leading the oncoming formation. 

"Have the scouts send the coordinates to the artillery batteries directly," Kitamura ordered softly. "Then order them to pull back five klicks."

The staff officers leapt into action carrying out Kitamura's commands. Daniel Kwuntung stepped over to his superior.

"General, should we truly abandon the line so easily," he asked too quietly for others to hear. 

Kitamura did not meet his gaze but spoke in a similar tone as though at a funeral.

"We have been deprived of reliable air support and the Ghost Bears took Shimota during the night," he said. "Our flank is exposed and we must retreat. But I do not want our soldiers to know this."

Daniel nodded his agreement.

"It would be bad for morale," he said. 

Kitamura glanced at him, eyes slightly wide. 

"Morale would recover," he said. "But tell green troops the enemy is behind them and they will panic."

Aaron pushed away from the wall, looking up at the mechs on the screen. 

"That's a Thor D," he said, just loud enough for the senior officers to hear. Kwuntung and Kitamura both turned to him. 

"And what does that have to do with anything, Tai-i Yamato?" Kwuntung frowned deeply. 

"It is the leader of the Bear Guards," Kitamura said, looking back at the screen. "Star Colonel Cade MacKenzie."

Kwuntung turned swiftly. 

"It is a second chance to deal with him," he announced. "What forces can we throw at his Star?"

"That time has passed," Kitamura said, shaking his head. "We do not have troops to spare."

Kitamura paused, studying a nearby holomap. Small, numbered Combine emblems moved slowly across the projection, giving ground to the bear headed symbol of the Dominion. 

"It is time to begin evacuating Schyuler," he said solemnly.

"Iie!" Kwuntung spat angrily. "We cannot give up the world. It is our duty to defend the Dragon's holdings!"

"There are times honor must be sacrificed for duty," Kitamura replied evenly. "We can not hold Schyuler, so our duty becomes saving what we can so the Dragon may one day retake this world. If the Coordinator feels we have failed, it will be my responsibility."

Kwuntung looked mutinous.

"Think of the victory we can claim if we kill MacKenzie," he said. "It would salve the loss of this world to behead an elite Dominion unit."

Kitamura again shook his head. 

"It might," he admitted. "But it does not matter. We still have no forces to commit to a strike."

"We have him," Kwuntung said, pointing to Aaron. "His company and a few other mechs and tanks, maybe a few fighters. It would be enough."

Aaron set his tea aside. 

"If General Kitamura-san believes my death will serve the Combine, I and my warriors will go," he said. 

I'll die for certain but it would be a warrior's death. Still, I want my life to count for something...not be thrown away for Daniel Kwuntung to salve his own ego. 

"No," Kitamura repeated. "Advise all units to prepare to withdraw to our secondary line. Bravo company of the 5th Guards covers the retreat."

Men and women at consoles busied themselves with his orders. Kitamura looked to the fuming Kwuntung. 

"There may be another chance to kill this Ghost Bear," Kitamura said. "But I can't risk the entire line for it."

"You are too cautious, General," Kwuntung shook his head. "I'll return to my headquarters. The First Guards need a fight, sir."

Without another word, Kwuntung marched out.

"Sir," Aaron stepped up. "If you feel we could make a difference striking at Cade..."

"I may yet have need of your Regulars," Kitamura replied. "Go get some sleep. In a few hours you'll be back in the cockpit."

Star Colonel Cade MacKenzie
12th Bear Guards (Growling Bears)
Beta Galaxy
Rasalhague Dominion

0345
2 August, 3095
NAV Tango 4
20 km east of Testsu Akii Bridge
Schuyler, Draconis Combine

The ten BattleMechs that made up the 101st Battle Binary stood inside a line of towering trees, watching as a line of Draconis Combine scout vehicles went by not five kilometers away from them. The ten Clan-built Mechs were operating at their lowest possible level of power at that point and barely emitting any sort of electromagnetic or heat signature because of it. 

Operational orders from above had been to power off the Mechs entirely when they reached this NAV point, but Star Captain Darian had quietly canceled those orders when the unit had reached the indicated NAV point. There was stealth and operational security and then there was survival in a combat zone. No one wanted to have to try and power back up a shut down BattleMech while a horde of angry samurai was charging them. 

Inside the BattleMechs, the MechWarriors of the 101st Battle Binary quietly sat in their cockpits as their commanding officer gave the rest of the briefing information that he was unable to share previously with his unit. Most believed him when Darian claimed the intelligence was ever changing so the last-minute briefing was necessary. Those that were not enamored of their commander thought the man just liked to hear himself talk, so scheduled another chance to do so.

Star Commander Brett, commanding Kempten Star, sat in the command couch of his Hellbringer Prime and listened as Star Captain Darian spoke. He was only slightly distracted from the Star Captain’s speech as he cycled through the colors of his heads-up display.

[[Approximately 20 klicks ahead of us is the Testu Akii Bridge. This bridge is the only bridge that is capable of supporting BattleMechs over 75 tons in weight and leads to the capital city of Tsurara City. Intelligence believes that this is because of the closeness of a garrison post that was near this area at one point in time, but no longer is.]] 

[[ No matter the reasoning for the bridge’s placement or construction, it is the only bridge that can possibly support the advancing 332nd Assault Cluster’s Mechs and it needs to be taken intact.]]
[[Star Captain… why does the 332nd not take the bridge then?]] MechWarrior Charles, one of the two Grizzly BattleMech pilots of Jezersko Star, asked. Brett pictured the man in his head and sighed… Charles’ thin and looming build always reminded Brett of a librarian he’d once seen in the Dominion and the similarity between the two people had stuck in Brett’s brain.

[[Their Mechs are assault class Mechs and slow. Besides that, we are in the area and can secure the bridge before the 332nd arrive, giving them a clear shot at Tsurara City.]] Darian explained. [[While the 332nd could indeed take the bridge, by the time they got here all sense of strategic surprise would be lost and the Combine will have either increased their defenses or destroyed the bridge.]]

“Speaking of defenses, Star Captain…” Brett asked, trying to get past the briefing as quickly as possible so he could get back into the combat he felt himself craving. “… what sort of defenses will be at this bridge?”

[[Satellites have indicated no less than twenty turrets at the site, each armed with either autocannons or missile launchers. No Gauss rifle turrets or energy weapon turrets have been identified so far. In addition, a battalion of motorized infantry with their vehicles have begun digging into defensive positions on both sides of the bridge. You may expect interlocking fields of fire from the turrets, infantry, and combat vehicles as you approach.]]

“No Mechs?” Brett asked. 

[[Not so far. The motorized infantry battalion that is there only arrived late yesterday in response to the 332nd’s shifted line of advance. It is possible that BattleMechs would be sent to help guard or take this strategic bridge, but we are applying heavy pressure across the entire front to try and keep those Mech forces entangled and unable to reply our assault on the bridge.]]

[[The defenses seem very light for such an important asset, Star Captain.]] MechWarrior Anastasia observed.

[[They are, but they could become much worse with the passing of time. So, it is imperative that we advance quickly to engage the enemy then secure the bridge at both sides. As the satellites were able to get good photos of the motorized battalion there, we have an idea of the disposition of their forces and will be able to act accordingly.]]

“You have a plan, Star Captain?” Brett asked. Being the second of two officers in the binary, he knew when to feed his commanding officer straight lines during a briefing.

[[I do.]] Darius replied and a moment later, a tactical map appeared on the HUDs of each of the MechWarriors in the binary. [[The battalion has divided itself into four main elements. Their VTOL units have dispersed to the rear of this combat zone, operating from one of two air bases that are in the area. They are Section Tango.]]

[[Their heavier armor units are occupying a position north of the bridge where the flat and open terrain is situated and best suited for their operations. I have designated this area as Section Bravo.]]

[[The final elements of the battalion are the infantry and their combat vehicles, situated at both the north and south ends of the bridge. These will be the forces that we shall have to truly worry about the most as they are the ones in position to destroy the bridge. The north end of the bridge is Section Echo and the south end is Section Juliet.]]

[[Will they not simply do so once we are spotted advancing towards them?]] MechWarrior Victor, the Orion IIC MechWarrior of Jezersko Star asked. 

[[Neg. The soldiers on the north end of the bridge will not destroy it as this will cut them off from retreat to the city behind them. The soldiers to the south of the bridge will not doom their comrades to death by destroying the bridge. The high command wishes to use the bridge for their own forces, so will order the destruction of it only as a last resort.]] Darian explained.

“We are certain of this?” Brett asked, feeling somewhat skeptical of the thought processes involved in the operation.

[[As certain as we can be, Star Commander.]] Darian replied, his tone and choice of words indicating the Star Captain’s own doubts about the reactions of the Combine soldiers. None of the members of the binary or even the entire cluster had not personally seen the bravery and willingness to die from the Combine soldiers, even in the face of insurmountable odds. [[So, that is what we shall continue to believe until proven otherwise.]] 

Darian continued before Brett could add anything else. [[My plan is this: Jezersko Star will move and engage the heavy armor located in Section Bravo. This will draw fire from the VTOLs as they move to support the armor, engaging them there so they cannot support the infantry and combat vehicles in Sections Echo and Juliet.]]

Brett closed his eyes at the orders that he knew Darian was going to give now, not wanting to think about trying to push through several companies of infantry plus their attending vehicles not to mention the turret defenses located all around the bridge.

[[Kempten Star will assault the bridge defenses. Your job, Star Commander, is to destroy or disrupt the enemy forces at the bridge and destroy the defenses that are there. I would suspect that long range fire would be the most efficient use of your unit during this assault but I caution you that the bridge must remain intact and capable of supporting the 332nd’s BattleMechs.]]

Brett closed his eyes and nodded. “Yes, Star Captain. We will destroy the Combine’s forces and sweep them away from the bridge, as you have commanded.”

Darian continued with his briefing as if Brett had not even spoke, but Brett could see the man nodding his agreement even as he continued. [[Jezersko Star will come and support Kempten Star’s assault on the bridge as soon as we have shattered the armored units in Section Bravo or at least pushed them away from their positions.]]

Brett nodded, somewhat reassured by the additional support his star would receive at some point in the battle. “When do we begin the operation?”

[[We shall being moving at 0550 and begin engaging the enemy at 0615.]]

“Any additional orders, Star Captain?” Brett asked as he continued to study the map in front of him.

[[Yes, kill them until they are all dead.]]

Star Commander Brett
Hellbringer Prime
Kempten Star, 101st Battle Binary
12th Bear Guards (The Growling Bears)


0622
2 August, 3095
Testsu Akii Bridge
47 km SE of Tsurara City
Schuyler, Draconis Combine

Star Commander Brett gritted his teeth and rode out the punishment being dealt to his Hellbringer Prime. The 60-ton OmniMech shuddered under the sustained autocannon fire, but it was more from the continued, rapid banging of the high-explosive shells against its armor plating rather than from actual damage the shells caused. The autocannon that was firing on the Mech was a low-caliber weapon, meant more for dealing with infantry than a BattleMechs… especially when that BattleMechs was a Clan OmniMech. 

Still, it was there and it was causing some damage plus it was being a nuisance to him and possibly worse than a nuisance to any Elementals that might be following up Kempten Star’s advance. Brett lined up both the left and right ER PPCs that were housed in the blocky pods that ended each of the Hellbringer’s arms and opened fire. The chattering of the autocannon continued until the twin bolts of man-made lightning impacted against the turret, sending it to whatever Hell these Draconis Combine soldiers believed in.

Something impacted against the transplex of his cockpit, startling Brett for a moment because he hadn’t seen anything coming. His scanners searched the area for a target and picked up a single figure standing outside the remains of the turret. Brett zoomed in on the man with the image intensifier built into the OmniMech’s heads-up-display or HUD just as the man fired another shot, pinging a second small caliber bullet off the transplex.

A single Draconis Combine soldier was standing… wobbling, but still on his feet at this point… and firing an archaic looking sidearm at the Hellbringer. Above and beyond the brave absurdity of firing the weapon at the OmniMech in front of him, the man was also missing his left arm from just above the elbow. He’d somehow survived the destruction of the turret, but lost his limb in the process and was still eager to fight.

Silently, Brett applauded the soldier’s bravery and audacity even as another round pinged off the cockpit. Plus, the man was a decent shot given that all three rounds he’d fired so far had hit the cockpit. Especially given he’d lost a limb and must be in a state of severe shock at this point. Still, there was bravery and there was stupidity… there was no way a sidearm of any caliber was ever going to break through the transplex.

“Ah… but it might distract you…” said the voice of Star Captain Warren, one of his Sibko teachers from long, long ago. The man was treacherous and borderline dishonorable in his tactics, which went a long way to explaining how he’d survived to the ripe old age of 43 with nearly no battle scars to show for it.

No sooner had the thought passed through his mind than Brett’s battle computer cried out warnings of target locks and incoming missiles. Snarling, Brett shoved the throttle of his Hellbringer forward, trying to get away from the targeted area and hopefully from the incoming missiles. The OmniMech’s left foot turned the body of the single Combine soldier into a red smear just after the man fell over, likely from loss of blood. Some part of Brett’s mind made a note of the coordinates so he could see if the hand gun survived its owner’s passing and collect it as a trophy.
LRMs rained down on the Hellbringer… some missing their target and others plucked from the sky by the rapid-firing AMS system mounted on the Hellbringer’s head. Brett almost hated firing the anti-missile system as the high-pitched whine of the Gatling gun almost always interfered with his communications suite, but there was something positive to be said for anything that killed missiles before they killed him.

Brett let his gaze go over his HUD, finding the turret that fired the storm of LRMs at him. It was lit up in a bright red circle that flashed slightly, showing the turret continued to have a target lock on Brett’s Hellbringer. Brett flicked an eye to an icon showing on his helmet HUD, activating the electronic countermeasures suite that he’d kept off so far to not reveal his advance quite so obviously. Now that the enemy knew he was there though, the need for a somewhat stealthy approach was long past.
The circle on the turret continued to be red, but stopped flashing… which meant the turret had lost its missile lock, but it was still a threat. Brett’s eyes flicked to his heat gauge first and then to the recycle timers on his twin ER PPCs. Both ER PPCs were cycled through their recharge time and ready to fire again. 

Smiling, Brett dropped his crosshairs over the turret and waited for first the golden pulse of his HUD locking onto the turret and then the flashing gold triangle that appeared on his crosshairs. This indicated that his targeting computer had a lock, almost insuring a hit with both ER PPCs. Brett caressed the target interlock circuit that would fire both ER PPCs and braced himself for the waste heat that the weapons would create.

The interior of the cockpit instantly turned into a sauna, leaving Brett gasping for breath as he both moved the Hellbringer to the left and watched the LRM turret explode as both ER PPCs bolts slammed into it. The left LRM launcher just exploded where it sat, attached to the turret’s body. The right LRM launcher cartwheeled away, crashing back down some 20 meters to the turret’s right side and bouncing down the rise the turret was situated on. 

The satisfied smile that was starting to creep over Brett’s face died the minute his commline opened with the sound of MechWarrior Mason’s sneering voice coming through a private commchannel. [[A glorious and honorable set of kills, Star Commander. Two turrets and a single Combine soldier with a pop gun and missing an arm. Certainly, these challenges are worthy of a warrior such as yourself.]]

“We shall discuss that in a Circle of Equals later, MechWarrior.” Brett growled out as he searched across his area of responsibility for more targets. “For now, watch for more targets.”

[[As you command, Star Commander.]] Mason replied. 

“And while you are searching, MechWarrior…” Brett emphasized the man’s rank as he spoke, knowing that the fact that Brett had beaten him in a trial of position for command of Kempten Star still brought the man’s ire forward. “… see if you can find someone that can truly be my equal when I stand in the Circle this time. Your past four attempts have shown that you are certainly not.”

There was no reply and the commline went dead, bringing that satisfied smile back on Brett’s face. While it was more than a little childish to prod and poke at Mason’s obvious mental and emotional wounds, it did bring a certain sense of satisfaction with it, despite the childishness of it. Or perhaps because of it; Brett had yet to decide and certainly did not care. The smile widened a bit and Brett was honest with his inner self: he did not care… much.
Movement across his HUD brought Brett’s attention more to the battle around him rather than the skirmish in his mind. Several squads of soldiers were advancing on the bridge in pairs, carrying large containers between them. Other soldiers and the APCs that had brought them to the bridge were getting set into covering positions that would support the advance of the paired teams. 

Brett frowned… he had no idea what these large totes might mean for the bridge or for Kempten Star, but it was most likely not good. In fact, these totes were most likely explosives meant to rob the Growling Bears of the use of the bridge they were attempting to take. Deciding that this should not stand, the Star Commander opened a channel that would contact each of the four MechWarriors in his command then transmitted coordinates along the same channel. 

“Kempten Six to Kempten Star… fire on the coordinates that I am sending with all available LRMs. There are several infantry squads and armored vehicles attempting to provide cover for some sappers heading to the bridge.”

[[Air bursts, Star Commander?]] asked MechWarrior Anderson. 

Brett nodded, despite knowing the Mad Dog pilot wouldn’t see it and advanced his Hellbringer forward. 

“Aff, MechWarrior… two waves of air burst then high explosive after that. I am moving to engage the sappers.”

[[Copy that, Six. Keep your head down.]]

“I shall. MechWarrior Raze, move up to support me. Those sappers cannot reach the bridge.”

[[Aff, Star Commander.]] Raze replied, his voice even and neutral.

As Brett advanced, he could see the LRMs fired from three of the five OmniMechs in his Star spiraling across the sky. In addition to Anderson’s Mad Dog B, MechWarrior Rebecka’s Huntsman C and MechWarrior Mason’s Crossbow A were both equipped with LRM racks and were adding the weight of those to Anderson’s LRMs. 

The missiles exploded above the Combine’s line of soldiers, sending down clouds of shrapnel into the lightly armored troopers below. The Combine’s defensive line dissolved as the troopers ran for cover or were cut down. The shrapnel would do little against the combat vehicles that were now trying to relocate their positions, but despite the lack of damage, the scramble of the vehicles was causing more than enough chaos for the Combine’s officers to attempt to sort through.

A single green triangle appeared on Brett’s radar, indicating that MechWarrior Raze in his Cougar D was indeed moving forward at the fast pace that the MechWarrior preferred to do everything. The smaller Mech would be essential in a support role in this operation acting as a screen for Brett’s larger Mech against both combat vehicles and any Mechs the DCMS might throw at them. 

Forgetting both the waves of LRMs that were still coming as well as the incoming fire from the few armored vehicles that were attempting to continue to provide the sappers some fire support; Brett homed in on the sappers themselves. The squads were well disciplined and brave… Brett had yet to meet the Combine soldier that seemed to lack bravery in a good measure… but when the Hellbringer’s ER PPCs raked across the front of their advance, turning the first two squads into ash even as their explosive packages detonated, their nerve broke. 

Brett continued his advance, making himself the first Growling Bear across the oh so essential bridge and making himself a target at the same time. Still, he ignored the incoming fire and began sweeping across the ranks of the sappers with his trio of ER medium lasers and machine guns. The few that he missed with both the beam weapons and chattering large caliber machine gun bullets were tossed into the air as a swarm of SRMs impacted all around them. Multiple explosions from the explosives that were touched off by the carnage centered around them tossed more bodies and body parts into the air. Knowing that the sappers were done for and the bridge was almost secure, Brett turned his attention on 
the combat vehicles. 

His left ER PPC fired a bolt of azure lightning through the view screen of an APC, rupturing the vehicle from the inside out; Brett later decided he’d touched off the vehicles ammunition stores. The right ER PPC and chest mounted lasers charred a Bulldog medium tank’s armor before something important was hit and the vehicle’s turret was tossed into the air. A swarm of SRMs turned a Warrior VTOL into a fireball that fell into the ranks of its own troops when the missiles destroyed the cockpit and rotor of the fragile but lethal vehicle. 

Brett ignored the heat warnings, except to slap the override button, as he continued to fire his weapons into the Combine’s ranks. He didn’t know when Raze’s Cougar appeared beside him to add more fuel to the firestorm, but it did. He also didn’t know when Jezersko Assault Star arrived to help push the last of the tenacious vehicles and troopers away from the bridge. All Brett knew for several minutes was a red rage that he directed towards the enemy forces that dared to fight against the Growling Bears. 

Finally, the enemy force broke and retreated away from the bridge head that Brett had established and the command star of the 101st Battle Binary had secured with their heavy BattleMechs. As the last of the Combine forces withdrew under the cover of smoke, chaff, and a swarm of VTOLs; Brett took a deep breath and looked around as he tried to recover himself.

[[You are well, Star Commander, quiaff?]] Star Captain Darian asked. 

“Aff, Star Captain.” Brett gasped out and watched as the heat monitors of his Mech slowly bled down from the red line. “The Dragon seems to be in retreat.” 

[[Agreed, Star Commander.]] Darian replied, a wry tone in his voice as he continued. [[But do not worry… I am certain that more will be coming to keep us entertained. The 332nd has been delayed by a minefield they found and are being harried by enemy forces as they attempt to navigate through the minefield. We shall hold the bridge until they arrive, quiaff?]]

Brett had nothing to say to that so nodded his head as he gave the only reply he could: “Aff.”

Star Commander Brett
Hellbringer Prime
Kempten Star, 101st Battle Binary
12th Bear Guards (The Growling Bears)

Command Bunker, Ujimo 
Schyuler, Draconis Combine 
3 August 3095 (D plus six)


Cade stood in the command bunker in Ujimo. It was strange to him to be commanding his forces from a bunker rather than a cockpit. Even more strange was to command from a bunker that had been his enemy's command center days before. 

"Arcadia lead to Alshain Six," Ilsa checked in. "Still nothing. But they have to be close."

"Aff, Lead," Cade replied. "Push forward another klick."

Glancing at the holomap, he noted the indicators for the entire 12th Bear Guards. On the left, the 181st Striker Binary moved up slowly, making occasional visual contact with a force of hovercraft. Cade didn't trust that for a moment. It seemed far too tantalizing of a target. 

In the center, the 101st Battle Binary advanced steadily. Star Captain Darian stood at the head of the wedge, his Executioner anchoring the center of the line. Around him, the Grizzly, Grizzly II, Ursus and Orion IIC of his star prowled. They had been in fierce fighting to capture the bridge leading to the capital. 

Even on the miniature holographic images of the mechs Cade could make out the sections of unpainted armor marking recent repairs. Darian's warriors had been working hard to build a reputation in the Growling Bears. They had certainly made an impression.

To the right, Judea's 173rd Supernova Trinary overbalanced the line in terms of sheer fire and numbers. Though not the heaviest machines on the field, they were some of the most powerful. Combined with veteran Elemental support, the 173rd was there to exploit any weakness in the Combine defenses. 

Both Arcadia and Dagda Stars were ahead of the line in a wide arc, scouting. Star Commander Feng's Dagda Star were the mechs getting intermittent contacts. 

"Contact," Feng reported. "Harasser hovertank at four kilometers due east."

Seconds ticked by as the recon elements continued probing the constantly withdrawing line. Cade glanced at the range from the line to the objective, Fort Calsdan. At the time of the Clan Invasion, Calsdan was merely a ruin, long since stripped of anything of value and left to disrepair. 

That changed with the invasion. Clan Smoke Jaguar had poured resources into rebuilding the Star League fortress. The structure was repaired and reinforced, missile, air defense and laser turrets were installed and a state of the art communication center added. The fortress was capable of commanding the defenses of the entire world, a fact the Schyuler Guards noted. 

It tells me a lot that the Combine commander didn't just set up shop there. He recognized the problem of a static command center and so has staged from various locations, such as this bunker, to keep us from hunting him down.

A small city had sprung up around the Star League era fortification since its reconstruction. From Arcadia and Dagda Stars mechs it was only fifty kilometers to the outskirts. 

Whatever the Combine has planned, they better do it fast. They're running out of room. 

"New contact, bearing 238," Jasen called out. "Two battlemechs. Sensors read a Daimyio and a Crusader."

Cade turned, looking to Arianna. 

"Patch in his visual on monitor three," he ordered, heart rate elevating. 

Mechs, and not recon units. Maybe we've finally found their line. 

"Arcadia Three, maintain visual but stay at range," Cade ordered. "Thule Lead, get some backup for him."

"Aff, Six, already on it."

On the holomap, Stanzach star accelerated, moving to support Jasen. Stanzach, a fast and hard hitting striker star, was more than a match for the pair of Combine mechs though Cade expected there were more nearby. 

"Alshain Six, Dagda Two," a new warrior sounded off. "Additional contacts. Mechs and dug in infantry."

Dug in infantry? The Combine knows better than that.

"Confirmed, Six," Feng added. "I have infantry and armor. Visual on two Von Luckners."

Heavy armor and infantry. This is a static line. 

Cade glanced to Arianna. 

"Any activity with the 14th?"

"Aff," she replied. "Contact with armor at range."

Cade looked back to the holomap. He didn't trust the battle that was shaping up. His instincts told him something was wrong. 

"101st, hold position," he ordered. "173rd, hit that line but keep Stanzach back to deal with any counter attack.."

"Aff, Six," Judea replied. 

"On it, Six," Darian answered. "101st, hold but be ready. Anything comes out from that defensive line it dies in seconds."

Stravag but that man loves to hear himself talk, Cade thought absently. Still, he and Brett get me results.

Judea's star advanced as Arcadia held its position. As the two icons overlapped, they began a concerted drive on the Combine position. 

"Thule, spread out," Judea ordered. "Arcadia, fill in the gaps. Open fire as you come in range but stay at my pace."

There was no verbal reply but Cade could see her orders being carried out on holoscreens and the map. Visual images also showed the 101st reaching out with long range weapons to harry the line. Laser and missile fire retaliated at them but in less volume than the Dominion warriors were pouring on them.

The first trouble came from Stanzach, holding to their rear. 

"Stanzach Lead! Fire incoming!"

Cade keyed the mic. 

"Sector, Stanzach?"

On the commline the rumble of explosions sounded. Moments later, Star Commander Edan replied. 

"Unknown. Taking artillery fire," he said. "Stanzach, disperse!"

"Aff, the 101st is being targeted as well," Darian added. "Scatter. Orders, Alshain Six?"

Cade threw a glance at the terrain. 

"Thule, take that line. Drop your Elementals and push past," he ordered. "Stanzach, assist. Arcadia, Dagda, get out front. Break through, find that artillery and neutralize it."

"Aff, Cade," Judea answered. "Thule, drive up and shift left. Edan, move up on our right. Best speed, all mechs. Covering fire."

"Darian, take those tanks and mechs," Cade continued. "Get on top of them. Mix with them so they can't fire without hitting each other."

"Moving, Six," Darian replied, for once keeping his response short and to the point. 

"Toffen, circle wide left," Cade said. "Get around their line if you can. Pressure a different section of it if you can't."

On the holomap, the insignia of Toffen star throttled up as they bolted left. Visual images from the gun cameras being fed to the command center showed the omnimechs sprinting across the field, slashing at the trenches with PPC and LRM fire. 

Aggressive as usual. 

"Star Colonel," Shane said quietly from behind him. "Should Alshain mount up, quiaff?"

Cade shook his head, watching the battle begin to unfold. 

"Neg, Shane," he replied. "This will be decided long before we could get there."

On the holomap the icons for Thule and Arcadia overran the line of dragon emblems, signifying a breakthrough. Thule slowed past the breach, spreading out. Stanzach joined a minute later. Arcadia burst past the fortifications, pushing on like hounds released from their chains. 

Dagda was moments behind. 

"Alshain Six, I have tracked the fall of the rounds," Jasen remarked. "Sending approximate location of artillery."

"Well done, Arcadia Three," Cade responded. "Silence it."

"Second line behind the first," Judea replied. "Defense in depth. Second line has mechs."

On a wall monitor, a visual image from Judea's Timber Wolf winked into existence. Cade motioned for it to be moved to the main screen. 

The slightly grainy image was easily recognizable as a Dragon Fire. On the left leg, the image of a shield with twin Katanas over a Roman numeral "I" was proudly displayed. 

"The first Schyuler Guards," Cade said. "The best the world has to offer."

"Jazersko Lead," Cade called out. "Status?"

"Enemy driven back. Tanks destroyed, two mechs retreating," Darian replied. "Three of ours moderately damaged."

"Move to support Judea's assault on the second line," he ordered. 

The 101st surged forward. One of the visual images winked out as a Dagda mech vanished, victim of a direct hit from an artillery round. The image changed view slightly as another Dagda Mechwarrior took the place of her fallen comrade.

"Around the line, Six," came the report from Toffen. 

"Drive deep then turn back toward the battle line," Cade replied. "Strafe the line. Cause confusion. I want you everywhere at once behind them."

"With pleasure Star Colonel."

Glancing back to Arianna, Cade caught her attention.

"Status on the 14ths line of advance?"

She checked the console beside her. 

"Weak resistance, falling back," she said. "They're advancing steadily."

"Advise them they may take our opponents in the flank if they cut back our way," Cade said. "Tell them it's the first Guards."

Dillon stalked up beside Cade. Until that moment, Cade had forgotten the former Jade Falcon was there. 

"Star Colonel Dietrich Forrester will use this to say you needed his help," Dillon growled. "He will try to steal your glory."

Cade shrugged. 

"Audio logs will prove we did not need his assistance," he replied. "By cooperating, we crush the Combine more quickly, saving both civilian and warrior lives. I have acted in the best interest of the Dominion."

"Visual on artillery," Ilsa called out. "Engaging defenders and deploying Elementals."

For a moment Cade was surprised. 

I thought Arcadia dropped their Elementals at the first line! If they still have some, all the better.

On the main screen, once again a view of the battlefield, artillery lessened and stopped. Streams of infantry and light vehicles scattered away from the defensive line the Growling Bears had rent asunder. Laser beams slashed between the advancing Omnimechs and their Combine opponents. Missile contrails leapt back and forth between the lines and the thunder of autocannon shook the landscape.
Another lance of mechs rushed up to engage Judea’s Star. An Akuma lead the new arrivals, supported by a Berserker, Thug and Daikyu. The mix of heavy and assault machines drove straight toward Judea’s command but the former Wolf scored the first hits, stabbing out with both large lasers and carving deep scars in the Akumas armor. 
The Thug dodged left, bringing both PPCs to bear but only connecting with one against Reece’s Cauldron Born. The cerulean beam burned armor from the left shin but the squat Omnimech had plenty to spare. Matching like for like, Reece hit back with his own paired ER PPCs, connecting with both and burning deep into the Thugs armored torsos. The loss of so much armor threw the Combine pilot off balance and the assault mech staggered sideways then crashed to the ground, landing half on the torn up trenches. 
“Konbanwa, pilot of the Daikyu,” a voice announced across broadband transmissions. “I am Takano of the Rasalhague Dominion. I challenge you to single combat, warrior to warrior.”
Cade turned his attention to the Nova piloted by the former Combine Warrior. Takano, formerly of the 8th Sword of Light, was captured during the fighting on Last Frontier. She had only recently been elevated from beyond the rank of Bondsman and she seemed to revel in fighting against her former comrades. 
“You are no samurai,” came the sneering reply. “But I grant your request. I am Hokane Jinjiro of Guereset prefecture. My family has been warriors since before Kerensky left the Inner Sphere. I will grant you the death in combat your people so desire.”
Takano’s laughter carried over the comms.
“I am Takano, formerly of the Mitsunari Clan,” she replied. “My family were Samurai from before humanity left Terra. I graduated from Sun Zhang near the top of my class and served with the 8th Sword of Light before being taken Bondsman by Star Colonel Cade MacKenzie on Last Frontier. I earned my warrior status once more through my dedication and have defeated three Combine warriors on this world already.”
“You are a traitor!” Jinjiro spat. “And I will kill you because you are a traitor. May you die more honorably than you lived!”
The Daikyu lurched forward, arms snapping up. The Ultra autocannons spat shells at double rate as the Combine pilot cut at Takano’s Nova. Rounds sparked off the armor plates of the venerable Omnimech, chewing divots in the protection and rattling the machine. Takano ignored the hits. Bringing both arms up she retaliated with the arsenal of lasers her prime variant mech carried. 
Cade couldn’t tell how many of the medium lasers she used. It was at least half a dozen but between their flare and the fuzzy gun camera image it was impossible to tell. The effect however, was easy to note. 
Ruby beams made armor run like melting butter. Yellowish green coolant burst from the torso, instantly evaporating into mist as one laser demolished a heat sink. The Combine warrior dropped to a knee from the sudden loss of armor. From a single volley, the Daikyu looked as though it had been in battle for hours.
Sluggishly, Takano’s Nova stepped sideways, keeping the Combine machine in front. Thin trails of light smoke were just barely visible on the monitor, a clear indication that Takano’s bold strike had sent her heat levels soaring. 
Jinjiro fired back with his ER PPC but the shot missed wide by several meters. Cade imagined he was pretty shaken from the damage he’d taken in the opening exchange. Takano was not giving him a chance to recover.
Despite the sluggish movement of her overtaxed reactor, she continued circling to make Jinjiro’s shots more difficult. He managed to tag her with a medium laser and more autocannon rounds but the hits only chipped armor. She ignored them, continuing to stalk as she let her ride cool. 

Left of the main battle and Takano’s duel, firing erupted behind the line as Toffen hit the flank of the Combine and subjected it to murderous fire. Staggered, the Combine troops tried to hold. Cade witnessed a lance of heavy mechs turning to stem the assault by Toffen. As the two forces fired ranging volleys, a lucky hit smashed into a Maelstrom. With engine containment lost, the mech erupted in a fusion driven explosion. 
Takano’s second blazing strike drew Cade’s attention back to her. Another half dozen or more lasers lashed out, most connecting and playing hell with Jinjiro’s machine. One severed the left arm from the mech, dropping an Ultra Autocannon to the ground. Another played across the forward jutting cockpit, melting all but the last protection there and momentarily staggering the Combine warrior. 
Coolant ran down the mechs chest like greenish blood and coal black smoke poured from rents in the once expertly formed armor. The Daikyu took two more drunken steps forward then collapsed onto its face. Feebly, it attempted to stand.
Damaged Gyro and likely engine hits. Getting the mech to its feet will be a miracle. 
Takano was leaving nothing to chance. She slowly walked her machine forward, raising a single laser ringed arm.

"Mechs are mostly dealt with," Judea stated over the comms. “All tanks destroyed.”

Cade glanced to separate screen as her Timber Wolf marched past the wreckage of a Von Luckners. 

"Cade, the 14th has pivoted," Arianna said. "They're rolling up the right flank. A company of mechs has turned to meet them."
On the monitor, Takano fired an expertly armed shot, severing the Daikyu’s right leg at the hip. The mech lay on its face, crippled with too much damage to rise again. Contemptuously, the former samurai marched past, looking for more targets. 
There were few.

"One company is not enough," Cade remarked, turning his attention to the map showing the 14th on the move. "Dietrich will chew them up."

"Combine forces withdrawing across the line," Arianna announced. "The mechs remaining are in good order but the conventional forces are routing."

Cade nodded. 

"All Growling Bears," he said to the mic. "Keep together and continue the advance. Press them right up to the city if you can but stay concentrated."

"Do not worry, Cade," Judea Radick replied. "We have them."

Cade nodded, smiling. He kept his stance powerful and commanding until he strode from the room. Once alone in the corridor, he slouched in exhaustion.

How I miss the days when I only had to worry about pulling a trigger...

Star Colonel Cade MacKenzie
12th Bear Guards (Growling Bears)
Beta Galaxy
Rasalhague Dominion

Union Dropship Imperial Vision, Fort Calsdan star port 
Schyuler, Draconis Combine 
4 August 3095

Tai-i Aaron Yamato stood atop the massive Dropship, staring out at the lush rolling hills reaching out to the horizon. The Dominion mechs were not yet in sight, but the thunder of autocannon fire seemed to be getting closer every moment. 

Streaming in from the hills, a weary column of Draconis Combine soldiers trudged toward the city. Some drove battered tanks and APCs, others marched along in exhaustion. 

Aaron tightened his grip on the katana in his belt. It galled his samurai nature to see his brothers in defeat. 

"I am not surprised to find you here, Tai-i," Noiru Kitamura's drifted above the wind, startling Aaron. 

The old general, looking tired yet maintaining an air of serenity as he always did, stood beside the young Tai-i. 

"I used to sit upon the top of my dropship for meditation," he continued. "Clarity is found when not surrounded by technology."

"Hai," Aaron replied, recovering from the shock of finding himself standing with the worlds commanding general. "Though what is clearly visible here is not a welcome sight."

Kitamura looked out over the plains. 

"It is not a vision I like," he agreed. "Yet it is not so dark as it could be. Our forces are defeated but not destroyed. Many will escape to fight the Dominion again."

"It could be years before that happens," Aaron shook his head. "Any counterattack will be by elite troops, not defeated militia forces. These men will serve as guards somewhere."

Kitamura continued watching the column advancing toward him. 

"I received word early this morning," he said quietly. "The Dominion has launched a full scale invasion of the Combine. Other worlds are under assault too."

Aaron turned, narrowing his eyes. 

"We are at war?"

"Yes. And it will be a vicious contest," the general replied. "The men leaving Schyuler will be reorganized into a mixed regiment to aid in defense. I expect they'll see action far too soon."

Another loud roll of autocannon fire thundered somewhere out of sight. 

"Do you think the First will survive its rearguard to lead the new regiment?"

Kitamura shook his head slowly. 

"Daniel Kwuntung has not reported in," he said. "His defenses were remarkably short sighted. He based his entire defense on concentrated artillery and the ability to hold the Dominion in place long enough to shatter them. It was amateurish."

Aaron shook his head. 

"A graduate of Sun Zhang should have known better," he remarked. "Static warfare against the Clans has never worked. The invasion in 3050 proved that."

"Hai, but Kwuntung was a stubborn man. He could think of battle only in one way and that was archaic," Kitamura replied. "His battalion paid the price of his foolishness. Few, if any, will return. I have already received word that Kwuntung himself was felled by a Mad Cat in the opening minutes. His Akuma never stood a chance."

Aaron nodded. 

"His meddling in plans cost the Dragon many tears," he said.

"Hai," Kitamura agreed. "But we cannot dwell on past failures."

He stared down at the stream of troops trudging toward the star port.

"Not all of these men will escape Schyuler," Kitamura said solemnly. "There is not enough room. Some will form a rear guard. I will stay as long as I can though I intend to leave on the last ship so I may take responsibility for my failure."

He pulled a data disk from his pocket and handed it to Aaron. 

"This is the intelligence we gathered on the Dominion forces, their composition, tactics and leader profiles," Kitamura explained. "If I do not make it off Schyuler, see to it this disk is delivered to the Coordinator."

Aaron nodded, accepting the disk. 

"Why me? There are more senior officers in the Guards," he pointed out. 

"Yes, but some would seek to alter the contents to show themselves in a more positive light," Kitamura replied. "And you are outside their chain of command, so they cannot order you to turn the disk over to them."

"I understand, sir."

"Good," Kitamura glanced back as a Seeker lifted off. "Get below. The Imperial Vision has orders to lift off the moment I leave."

Star Colonel Cade MacKenzie
12th Bear Guards (Growling Bears)
Beta Galaxy
Rasalhague Dominion

Fort Calsdan Command Center
Schyuler, Rasalhague Dominion 
10 August 3095

The buzz of conversation died away as Loremaster Boris Jorgenson entered the briefing room. Designed as a theater in the round with the speaker at the lowest point to be seen, the briefing room could accommodate an impressive number of personnel. Presently, it was half full with the commanders and staff of Beta Galaxy. 

Cade MacKenzie turned to watch the Loremaster stride down to the podium. 

The last time I saw Boris was the day the combine forces surrendered. Two warriors who hadn't slept in a few days and hadn't showered in even longer having a celebratory drink. We're both looking a bit less ragged today. 

Star Colonel Chyanne Kabrinski nudged Cade, directing his attention to Star Colonel Dietrich Forrester. The commander of the 14th Battle Cluster still had a purplish bruise on the left side of his face from a recent attempted raid on the city. Currently, Dietrich glared daggers at Boris while continuing to talk with a pair of his Star Commanders. 

"Looks like Dietrich likes Boris about as much as he cares for you," Chyanne remarked. 

Cade shook his head slightly. 

"He is just bitter," he replied. "When General Kitamura's final counterattack hit his flank it killed his cluster's momentum. He would have gotten to Tsurara first. As it was he wanted to level the town the Guards staged their attack from."

"Boris would never allow that heavy handed an approach," Chyanne replied. 

"Aff. And Dietrich knows that," Cade said. "I think he did it to paint Boris as weak in the eyes of the 14th Battle."

"Establishing a stronger support base?"

Cade nodded. 

"First steps toward Loremaster perhaps?"

"I would hope not," Star Captain Judea Radick spoke up beside Cade. "I do not see him acting the best interests of the Dominion."

"Agreed," the Elemental Star Colonel replied. "Yet he carries weight with the conservative faction of the warrior caste...and some scientists from what I hear."

Cade frowned. 

"Scientists? Really?"

"Aff," Chyanne replied. "There seems to be a small group of scientists that believes our technological development has stagnated in recent years. They are opposed to the Satander missions and other internal development of the Dominion as it takes funding and manpower from developing new weapons."

"Did they learn nothing of Clan Smoke Jaguar? Ignoring internal development led to their demise," Cade said, shaking his head. 

"Not all know history as you, Cade," Chyanne replied. “For one, Xavier Hall supports him.”
Cade resisted the urge to laugh derisively. 
“I am not surprised by that,” he said quietly. “Though Xavier has no love for us right now. The 18th took more damage than any other unit in Beta.”
“Aff,” Chyanne agreed, glancing at the brooding warrior further down the chamber. “His stock is not high right now. His troops marched into one ambush then charged into another to avenge the first. A lot of our warriors noted that you saved him from his own folly.”
“And some have already told me I should have let him die,” Cade remarked. 
“I tend to agree with them.”
Cade smirked but shook his head.
“If it were only him, perhaps,” he said. “But his warriors did not deserve to die for his foolish pride. I moved to save them, not necessarily him.”
Chyanne nodded her understanding. 
“Still, he lost a lot of face in this fight,” she said. “His 18th Battle has a fierce reputation as one of the finest units in Beta. He was outperformed by everyone. That my 140th took less damage and acquitted ourselves so well galls him.”
She shook her head as she considered. 
“Dietrich Forrester’s hatred of you is well known. Xavier and him forming an alliance through their mutual dislike of you makes a power bloc in Beta,” Chyanne continued. “If they rally another Star Colonel…say Ariel Bekker, to their side it could be a serious blow for Boris and you.”
“Aff,” Cade nodded. “Fortunately, Ariel Bekker is a level headed commander. She will not be easily swayed and she has worked with Boris for a long time. I believe Dietrich and Xavier’s power bloc is as strong as it can get barring the death of a Star Colonel. They can influence a bit but they can not control the Loremaster.”

Below, Boris stopped to converse with a pair of aides. 

"Who are Dietrich's enforcers?" Judea asked, interjecting. She was studying the pair of warriors in conversation with Dietrich as she asked. "I have not met either."

"The Elemental is Star Commander Dravis. He commanded a Star in the 14th’s support Trinary," Chyanne said. "With Star Captain Nero dead, he is a good candidate to take over the Trinary."

"What do you know about him?"

"Strong as an ox and about as bright as one," Chyanne shrugged. "He is no tactical genius but is a solid warrior. Insanely courageous and has the respect of most Elementals. He is also completely ruthless."

"Perfect match for Dietrich," Cade commented. "And the Mechwarrior?"

"He is more of an unknown," Chyanne admitted. "I think his name is Leigh. A bit of a Ristar, he only tested as a warrior last year and served with Dietrich when he was a Star Captain. Seems to be Dietrich's protégé."

"Have too keep an eye on that one," Judea remarked. 

Below, Boris stepped up to the podium and cleared his throat. The attention of the assembled warriors turned to him at once. 

"Warriors of Beta Galaxy," he called out. "My congratulations to you all. Despite the Draconis Combine's spirited defense, the world of Schyuler belongs to the Rasalhague Dominion. The first stage of our road across the Combine has begun."

A holomap projection appeared above and behind the Loremaster, slowly rotating so all could see it. 
The Starmap projection showed the border between the Combine and the Dominion. 

"As we struck here, Alpha and Polar Galaxies have launched assaults on Luzerne and Polcinegro," Boris continued. Behind him, the worlds in question flashed. "Both worlds continue to resist but our kinsmen are making solid progress. On Polcinegro, the 8th Bear Cuirassiers and the 73rd Battle Cluster have engaged the 6th Pesht Regulars. Fighting has been fierce but our most recent reports indicate the 6th is withdrawing toward the starport after heavy losses. By the end of the week the world should fall. Luzerne resisted savagely at first but the 2nd Kavalleri caught the command company of the 7th Pesht Regulars moving between units and wiped them out. The 7th has all but lost command integrity and has gone to ground. The Kavalleri has been hunting down small units that remain."

Murmurs of appreciation spread through the chamber. Cade felt a swell of pride for the accomplishments of the 2nd Kavalleri.
In our early days we did not always agree with the Kav, but several of my best warriors came from that unit. The Growling Bears feel a certain affinity with them even if they are a second line cluster. When it comes down to it, they fight and they fight well. I’ll have to send a message to Star Colonel Caleb to congratulate him on a job well done.
Below, Boris shifted tack.
"Our objectives on Schyuler were to seize the military and industrial centers intact so our Dominion may use them," Boris continued. "Ragnar Magnusson has sent his thanks at you succeeding beyond his expectations. The Sai factory here was seized entirely intact and this fortress is a major boon for staging our next wave."

"Because of the importance of Wakizashi Enterprises, Magnon Aerospace Facilities and Galileo Instruments factories, your commands will be posted to defend these installations until defense units can take over. Some resistance remains on world but it is increasingly disorganized, little more than pirate-like raids. 

"This is just the beginning, trothkin," Boris said, leaning forward on the podium. "There is much more work to do. The Dominion council has chosen our next target but that is a discussion for later. For now, see to the rebuilding of your units."

The holomap shifted to a display of Schyuler.

"The 140th Strikers will stage from the Gritzia Airbase," he said. A flashing light indicated the location on the world. "Star Colonel Chyanne Kabrinski, your troops will also oversee the shifting of material from the LZ to other areas of operation."

"Understood, Loremaster," Chyanne called down. "What of my request for replacements?"

"Warriors and machines are en route to bring all units up to battle strength, numerically at least," Boris said. "Integrating new warriors in is up to you."

Cade detected a trace of a rebuke in Boris' words. If Chyanne did, and he was certain she had not missed it, she paid it no mind. 

"The 18th Battle will take up guard of the Wakizashi Industries complex," Boris said. "There are several facilities so do what you can to spread out and cover them, Star Colonel Xavier Hall."

There was no hiding the rebuke in that statement.
"Aff, Loremaster."

Still, Xavier merely agreed and like Chyanne, ignored the barb. Cade gave him credit for that at least. His performance in combat had not been great but he had the good sense to not react to the criticism.
Too bad really. I’d have loved to see him lose his composure and cost him even more sway in the officer corps of Beta.
"The 14th will remain on station at Dasintos, guarding supplies and convoys to other locations. In addition, there has been heavy resistance activities there. You are authorized to hunt down these rebels should you have opportunities."

Dietrich nodded curtly, not suppressing his grin.

"That's a dangerous order," Judea commented lowly. 

"Could be," Cade agreed. 

It does seem like Boris is giving Dietrich a very free hand. If Xavier and Dietrich are as close as Chyanne suspects that does not bode well for civilians caught in the crossfire of their hunt for resistance fighters.
"Star Colonel Ariel Bekker, your 332nd will defend Fort Calsdan and Tsurara city."
Bekker, stoic as always, nodded curtly in acknowledgement of the order.

No one thought it would be any different. The assault mechs had less mobility but their mere presence in the capital served to deter any attack. 

Boris looked to Cade last. 

"The 12th Bear Guards will deploy to protect the Magnon and Galileo factories," he said. "A science team is en route to evaluate the possibility of retooling the factories for building new models of fighters. You will provide guards for them as well."

"It shall be done, Loremaster," Cade replied. 

Boris paused, scanning the assembled warriors. 

"This war is just beginning," he said. "The hard fights are coming. We all know it. Rest up while you can. Soon enough we will need Beta Galaxy in the field again."

"That is all for now," he continued. "See to your units. In the coming days I will meet with the commanders of each Cluster for a full brief on your actions here."

As he stepped away from the podium, the assembly watched Boris. Shaking hands with retainers, he made his way up the stairs as a low rumble of conversation began once more. 

"Things will get interesting once we start moving again," Cade remarked to Judea. "We are going to need better tactics, good warriors and new gear for our next fight. Next time we face a fully prepared Dragon, and I want us ready for it."

Judea nodded.

"Thoughts?"

"Switching the 101st to a Trinary and getting more Elementals assigned in general," Cade replied. 

"Always a good plan," Chyanne smirked. 

"It is," Cade agreed. "Even if your opinion is biased."

Chyanne shrugged, still grinning. 

"Biased, but neither uninformed nor incorrect."

"Seyla," Cade replied. 

As Chyanne took her leave, Judea watched the Elemental stalk away. 
“That is a fine warrior,” she remarked. “Even in Clan Wolf, where we did not hold Elementals in such high regard, she would have likely made Star Colonel. I hope she is at our side again as this war continues.”
Cade nodded. 
“Boris and Khan Sarah Visio know what they are doing,” he remarked. “I’m certain we are teamed with the 140th because they have the Aerospace support we lack and our heavier units can assist their lighter assets.”
Judea nodded, flicking a few braids behind her shoulder. 
“You seem impressed with the 101st,” she said. “What of my 173rd?”
A grin played over Cade’s features. 
“The 173rd was my first command,” he said. “Though the warriors have changed since its inception, they are still the pride of the Growling Bears, perhaps moreso with you in command. You performed as well if not better than I could have.”
“That is flattery, Cade.”
Cade shook his head. 
“Though I rarely miss the opportunity to get on your good side, my love, in this case it is simple truth,” he replied. “My evaluation of your command and the performance of the 173rd is sincere. You did well and they responded well to your leadership. They accomplished their tasks quickly and efficiently. You raised hell with the Combine and I am sure they are cursing the idea of facing you again.” 



Star Colonel Cade MacKenzie
12th Bear Guards (Growling Bears)
Beta Galaxy
Rasalhague Dominion