This thread is for roleplaying on the part of warriors/operatives of the InterClan Watch, based on Strana Mechty for the Homeworlds, and Sudeten for the Inner Sphere.
Jade Falcon Occupation Zone
Patterson City, Sudeten
Interclan Watch; IS Headquarters Building
Star Colonel Darrel Pershaw walked into the newly rennovated building, the newly painted walls a near perfect white. The floors where unscuffed white tile, the doors newly hung, and freshly cut from the wood mills mere kilometeres to the northwest. He noted the roar of the engines of the dropship that had carried him down here to Patterson City. He had traveled most of the month to get here so fast. Being appointed to command the recently re-instituted Inter-Clan Watch was an enormous honor, despite the lack of glory he would get. He was honored that not only did his Khan think him worthy, but the ilKhan had immediatly agreed. He assumed it was because of his genefather, Kael Pershaw, the infamous Spymaster of the Clans.
He walked into the 4 story building, thinking about what he could accomplish once his staff finally arrived. He stood in the open atrium of the building, the double staircase leading to the second floor, seemingly held up by statues of dueling battlemechs, a Summoner and a Timber Wolf, a fitting and yet odd peice of adornment for a Clan structure. He turned quickly, hand on his sidearm, as he heard the door open and footsteps echo as someone entered behind him...
So he came to the Watch, where he had spent the past half decade in political exile, waiting for the moment to strike. He had used his skill and power to make the Watch a potent tool, and one that aided the Mandrill's millitary innitives though out the inntal stages of the war. But the withdraw of one Clan after another left his Watch a shell of its former self, untill its remaining personel were re-abosrbed into the Camels as their intel arm.
Now, he saw another chance to do something difrent. The ilKhan, ignorent freebirth that she was, had appointed an inexperanced warrior to the post of Watch director. How could he stand for that, after all his hard work? He would see to it that this Watch was run right...
Darrel Pershaw watched the building's courtyard from his 4th floor office. Floor to ceiling windows, about 4 meters wide, afforded him an excellent view of not only the courtyard, but also Patterson City. Of course, the windows were not simply glass; made from a special type of the armor that made up a battlemech's cockpit glass, the armorglass that made his office window was over 10cm thick, double paned with a shock-absorbing clear gel sandwhiched inbetween. The glass could take a direct hit from a Gauss Rifle, or PPC without breaking(atleast on the first shot). The outside was polarized and mirrored, meaning that even a long-angle lense off a satelite, taking pictures from the horizon wouldn't be able to actually see through into his office. It was the same principles used to protect the windows in most offices used by Khans, or Sucessor Lords.
The building itself was also armored, the outer walls were an endo steel skeleton, ferrocrete over a metere thick, and Lamellor Ferro-Carbide sheath: the walls were armored like a warship. The ilKhan had decided that this bastion of information and secrets would be impregnible to combat, meaning that those inside would need to be equally as difficult to penetrate. He as okay with that. He knew that the ilKhan had assigned Reinhardt to his staff, as a staff aide and also as the department head of Advanced Individualized Training, meaning he ran all the courses that the various agents would be taking to brush up and equalize their skills. Coming from the Lyran LIC, he had more experiance than many of the Clan Watch operatives here, despite their genetic superiority. Of course, none would be made aware of Reinhardt's origins except a select few.
Pershaw settled into his office. It was spartan, as befitted a Clan warrior. Despite being a warrior, he had spent the majority of his relativly short career in the Watch. His latest op, Shadow, had been a resounding success, resulting in this post. He was somewhat worried about Drax Mattila, of the Camels, knowing that the man had probably more experiance than anyone else in the new program except for Reinhardt, but he didn't know if the man's ego would push him to a direct challenge. He doubted it. And even if he did, Darrel was confident enough that he could defend himself and his position.
[ooc: so what is the position of Drax Mattila]
Lan Nghien, the representative of Clan Star Adder to the Inter-Clan Watch, stood at the door to the Directors Office. As a convert to the Way of the Clans, Lan had the convictions of a fanatic. He had been instrumental in refining operational procedures for the Adders. His experience and background as part of an assortment of Lyran special operations invaluable and unmatched by anyone within the Clan made him the ideal candidate to either lead or assist in the SpecOp Branch of the ICW.
He wasn't fond at having to sever all ties to his adopted Clan, but after having the situation and purpose behind the need for his non-Clan mindset and upbringing explained to him by the Adder ISIA Cassius Adderson, Lan agreed that none from any of the other Clans would be able to do what he could without a conflict of honor.
Lan knocks thrice on the door, silently counts to five, then enters, addressing the Director respectfully, "Mister Lan Nghien, formerly of Clan Star Adder, reporting for duty, Sir, as Director, or Deputy Director, of Special Operations. Lan holds out a plain manila envelope, "My records, or codex if you prefer," he states.
Darrel looked up from his desk, a large L shaped mahogany monster, already piled high with classified paperwork. The holo-projector in the short arm ofhe L to his right switched off as soon as the door was opened- a very nifty peice of software, Darrel thought.
"Welcome Mister Nghien." He took the profered manilla envelope and opened it, quickly scanning through the man's Codex. He was impressed, the man obviously knew his business well. "From the looks of your Codex, you've seen some more than your fair share of black bag operations. That'll definetly be a skill that will be put to good use within this agency. I know that the Ghost Bears are sending us some of their elite counter-insurgency, counter-terror and military special forces teams. I know that my own Jade Falcons have sent 2 of their elite Midnight Falcon strike teams. You will be working with some of the best trained soldiers in history." He closed the file, and walked over to a large titanium filing cabinet. After pressing his thumb to the fingerprint scanner, he typed in the 12 digit numerical code to unlock the drawers. He opened the middle of the 5, and droped the file into a slot. He then turned to face Nghien.
"Welcome to the InterClan Watch, Mister Nghien. I am assigning you to the homeworlds, as Deputy Director of Operations. That fits your qualifications and requirements, quiaff?"
Operative Reinhardt was walking along the 4th floor, going to see Darrel Pershaw about a few minor funding issues for the training department, when he spotted Drax Mattila walking with the purposeful, tunnel vision look of a Clansmen whose honor has been slighted, and he must answer the slight. Instantly knowing what was about to happen, and the odds of it going the way Drax thought it would, he immediately double-timed it over to intercept Drax before he could get to Pershaw's office door.
"Whoa there Clansmen, I've seen that firey look before. Trust me, it wont go the way you think it will...here, follow me, we'll talk somewhere a bit more private." Reinhardt led Drax off to one of the high security conference rooms, 100% sound proofed, bug shielded and setuo a small sonic disruptor. Drax quielt followed, wondering what this ex-Loki agent had to say to him. Reinhardt was well known to Drax, as the ilKhan's primary troubleshooter in the intelligence world. Small wonder he was assigned here.
After locking the door and making sure the sonic disruptor was setup, Reinhardt turned to face Drax, who had folded his arms and was leaning against a filing cabinet against the wall. He had yet to say a word to Reinhardt.
"I know you Drax Mattila: Star Colonel of Clan Camel, and also the commander of the now defunct Joint Watch. One of the more effective Clan intelligence agents. And I assume you know me, but incase you don't, I am Reinhardt, ex-LIC, Loki specificlly, and a bondsman of ilKhan Diana Pryde. I was a gift to the ilKhan after Sudeten was retaken by the Clans from the Terran Hegemony." Drax detected a slight curl of the lips when Reinhardt mentioned the Hegemony: obviously the ex-LIC agent had no love for the Terrans, one of the few traits the two men shared.
"Look, I'll get straight to the point: you want to run the show, because your advancement within the Camels has been essentially blocked off by Amy Lynn. I understand that: to be held back by those above you, despite being at the least equal, and more likly superior, but circumstance working against you. It happened to me in LIC, and to a lesser degree here in my life as a Clan intelligence operative. However, this new InterClan Watch presents us both with an oportunity." He tried to gauge Drax's reaction, but seeing nothing, continued on.
"No doubt you would like that pup, Pershaw, out of the lead spot as much as I do: the ilKhan would've put me there if she could've, but knew that it would never go over with the trueborns to have not only a freeborn, but a Lyran bondsman heading the intelligence agency. So she chose someone else she that she knew would do as she wished and give her as little grief as possible. I'm not saying that Darrel is a bad operative, but he doesn't have half the experiance of you or I, or even a few of the others that'll most likly be joining up soon. However, his work on Shadow gives him credability, and thats enough for now. But if you storm in there and challenege him, it'll accomplish two things: first, it will show the ilKhan who has designs on the top slot in this organization, and second, it will allow her to rid herself of that person. You think she'll allow a Trial to remove her lapdog? I don't think so, and if you think about it, I know you will agree with me. However, if we make no immedaite moves and bide our time, we will have our moment." Reinhardt saw that Drax was considering his words, although he still had yet to make any overt agreement or disagreement.
"I have the ear of the ilKhan, and also the trust of Pershaw. You have the respect of the vast majority of the Clan intelligence community, and have the ability to take any position without large opposition, something that I lack by virtue of birth. So here is what I propose: you take the position of Director of Intelligence Operations, essentially making you in charge of the largest of the 3 arms of the InterClan Watch. I have the ear of the ilKhan and Darrel Pershaw both. I can ensure that you get everything you need to make your operations go smoothly, and also I can assist you in securing your position against anoyone else that has designs on your job...or just wants you out of the picture personally. In return, you need to lay low, don't make any moves against Pershaw untill I let you know it's time to take him down. And we can't go after him directly: we need to make sure theres a reason he has to go, and it needs to be you that replaces him, quiaff?"
Drax Mattila stared at Reinhardt for a few more seconds, weighing his options. The ex-Lyran bondsman had a point: with the ilKhan's direct support, he doubted there was anything he could do, for now, to replace him. And his plan was well thought out.
"Verywell Reinhardt, I will play the part of the loyal spy. But don't forget: I will be in charge of the arm that sees and hears everything that happens in Clan space. And I will be watching you. You are known to me, both from your time in Loki, and also during your tenure within the Jade Falcon Watch these past few years, and greater men than you have fallen before me." Reinhardt merely smiled at the thinly veiled threat. He expected no less from one as ambitious as Drax Matilla.
"We shall see if Pershaw is as malleable as you seem to think, bondsman. If he proves to be difficult to control well...I'm sure that your special talents from Loki will be of use in ensuring our continued friendship." With that, Drax left the room as Reinhardt turned off the sonic disruptor. Standing in the doorway, he saw Drax begin walking twords Pershaw's office, much more calm and loose than before. He didn't really trust Drax, however the man's naked ambition would keep him from doing anything to make Pershaw suspicious.
Reinhardt left the office a few minutes later, deciding to approach Pershaw later about the funding issues. They could wait, and he had other things he had to do right at the moment.
Quote from: Daemonknight on June 29, 2010, 07:15:27 AM
Darrel looked up from his desk, a large L shaped mahogany monster, already piled high with classified paperwork. The holo-projector in the short arm ofhe L to his right switched off as soon as the door was opened- a very nifty peice of software, Darrel thought.
"Welcome Mister Nghien." He took the profered manilla envelope and opened it, quickly scanning through the man's Codex. He was impressed, the man obviously knew his business well. "From the looks of your Codex, you've seen some more than your fair share of black bag operations. That'll definetly be a skill that will be put to good use within this agency. I know that the Ghost Bears are sending us some of their elite counter-insurgency, counter-terror and military special forces teams. I know that my own Jade Falcons have sent 2 of their elite Midnight Falcon strike teams. You will be working with some of the best trained soldiers in history." He closed the file, and walked over to a large titanium filing cabinet. After pressing his thumb to the fingerprint scanner, he typed in the 12 digit numerical code to unlock the drawers. He opened the middle of the 5, and droped the file into a slot. He then turned to face Nghien.
"Welcome to the InterClan Watch, Mister Nghien. I am assigning you to the homeworlds, as Deputy Director of Operations. That fits your qualifications and requirements, quiaff?"
"I will serve where needed," Lan says quietly, "if you perceive the need is greater in the Homeworlds," Lan's voice carries a longing in it, one that is familiar to the Star Colonel, which he finds very surprising since the man's dossier indicates that he is from the Lyran world of Kowloon, "then I shall serve in the Homeworlds, Sir. I can be prepared and onboard the next DropShip bound for Strana Mechty within fifteen minutes."
A women of no remarkable features, except that she seemed physically fit, what was expected for Clan Warriors, was about to enter the Sudeten compound where she would meet her new superior. Her new posting.
Her age was hard to guess, right now she looked perhaps older than 30, but the stress of a Command Circuit does that sometimes to a human. Her movements were still smooth, if not with grace. The way from the Shuttle to the building, she had enough time to gather her thoughts and to visit the streets of the city as well as possible ways to overcome security.
Her big bag on her back showed, that she could move under heavy load. A last glance up to the building and she entered. She would either fulfill her duty, now for all loyal Clans, or die. Loremaster Philippe Lienet had personally appointed her.
She would not disappoint him.
"Darrel Pershaw," Drax Mattila greeted the Falcon warrior on entering his office, speaking the words flatly, emotionlessly. Pershaw was staring off into empty space over his desk; to Drax he had the apperance of someone with brain damage.
"Drax Mattila," the Watch's new head replied.
"I am here to ensure that this venture goes down to as much succeess as the last one did, and that this agency can be effective in helping the Clans to victory over their enemies. Your performance over my former brothers won you some renown, but I know the mesure of the Mandrill's intel aperatus, and lately I have been able to gague the mesure of the Consperacy's; I am unimpressed. Again ROM, against Loki, against the ISF, the Mask, even the FWL's stupid and ineffectual VINH, the Clans need someone who knows how to deal with a true threat. I have ferretted out information from the deepest crevasses, the darkest holes. I have located secret bases, penitrated to learn the defences of sacred Terra its self.
"We need a proven opperator as Intel Director, and I am here to assume that post."
Quote from: GraeGor on June 29, 2010, 10:12:37 AM
"I will serve where needed," Lan says quietly, "if you perceive the need is greater in the Homeworlds," Lan's voice carries a longing in it, one that is familiar to the Star Colonel, which he finds very surprising since the man's dossier indicates that he is from the Lyran world of Kowloon, "then I shall serve in the Homeworlds, Sir. I can be prepared and onboard the next DropShip bound for Strana Mechty within fifteen minutes."
After a few moments of waiting for a reply from the man who is to be his superior officer, Lan adds, "If you ask for my preference, I would choose to remain in the Inner Sphere, Sir. I will accept any and all challenges to the post of Director personally, though I will tell you now, that I will use any means at my disposal to win. Special Operation teams cannot and do not have the luxury of playing by any rules as they would operate outside of them in the course of a mission."
"The end result is all that matters, the greatest amount of chaos with the least amount of resources is a Clan motto. For SpecOps, it is even more applicable, with the addition of
with whatever materials are at hand. They will have to rely on improvised tools and equipment, on deception and lies, of being entirely expendable with no hope of rescue should they be captured and unable to end their lives. To be caught is a certain death sentence, to fail is a death sentence, even to succeed is a death sentence should escape after the mission not be possible."
"I know this for I have lived it," Lan says, "how many others from any Clan will be able to state the same. I oversaw the training of all Clan Star Adder teams, of which only a third at best lived to become active operatives. I know what it will take to make the ICW a threat to the Counter Intelligence Agencies of the Inner Sphere. Others may contribute more than the Adders, others may have been more active, but none will have the knowledge I have, from both sides."
Star Captain Nikita now had reached the building. She knew that her "Team" was on the move as well. Her two aides were with here, but were recovering still from the many jumps they had to endure.
She went to see the Star Colonel Darren Pershaw who seemed to run this new Watch to assume her post. She could not be denied. Despite her posting and function, she was still a warrior.
She knocked and then stepped in in confidence. She had endured much. More than many Warriors had. And she had come out on top. It was good that the Watch was now installed. It gave her consolation that she would not be able to advance in the Touman of her Clan.
She greeted him with a respectful nod.
"Star Colonel Darren Pershaw, I am Star Captain Nikita, Clan Ice Hellion Watch. I am here to be your new Director of Security Operations. I was personally appointed for this by Loremaster Philippe Lienet."
Star Colonel Pershaw looked at Lan one more time, sizing him up.
"Very well. If you think you are upto the challenge. You are hereby given a provisional promotion to Directior of Special Operations. I must warn you however, that if others come knock looking for this position, you will be epxected to defend it. This is not a combat posting, so not through a Circle of Equals. Your strategic and tactical thinking will be put to use. We shall see if your reputation is enough to hold onto your position however. Untill then, make yourself at home.
*****************************************************************
Pershaw looked at Drax Mattila, the blank look on his face stemmed from the lack of emotion concerning the man standing infront of him. There was obviously no love lost between the two: Drax didn't like working below someone he felt superior too, and Pershaw didn't like having someone below him with an ego bigger than the building they were working in.
"Your office is down the end of the west wing, last on the right. I doubt anyone else will challenge you for Director of Intelligence Operations, but just incase, i'd do some preliminary recon work in the area.
*****************************************************************
Star Colonel Pershaw greeted Star Captain Nikita warmly. He could already tell that it was only the tip of the iceberg, knowing that not even half of the positions on the InterClan Watch's Council had been filled so far, and most of the operatives had yet to arrive, let along the special forces teams(infact, the only teams present were the Midnight Falcona and Camel teams). Pershaw could not wait untill this was over and he could get down to his real job of battling the intelligence agencies of the various Inner Sphere nations.
"Star Captain, I am honored that the Loremaster felt he could part with your services and spare you for our uses. Your office is right this way." Darrel once again led the way for one of his new Directors. Now he had the top 3 on the ICW Council, even though they didn't have their seconds. What did that mean? The Inner Sphere operational theater could begin immediate operations, but the Homeworlds could not, not yet anyways. In time, he thought.
******************************************************************
Darrel Pershaw sat down in his chair hard. He knew that today had been simply meeting and greeting his upper-tier staff, the next few days would find the rest of the personnel coming in to flesh out the newly form InterClan Watch. He looked out the windows and saw the sun was finally setting over the edges of the cityscape. He decided that it was just as good a time to go to his new small home as any. He lived on-based, and expecting essentially a barracks-styled single room, he was quite suprised to find himself in possession of a townhouse, obviously a leftover from the time when this building had been the location of a Lyran business of some type. Oh well, rank had its perks. That bastard Drax would be even madder should he see this, haha.
He walked into his new house, and was immediatly somewhat disgusted with it. Why did anyone need this? Even the Khans didn't live like this. Large fireplace in the corner, overstuffed sofas and seats, a huge kitten with stovetop space for 10 items. Darrel decided he would most likly trade with that Reinhardt man. He would appreciate a place like this.
A woman walked into the room from the study, wearing a black jumpsuit, and dragging a small cart full of cleaning supplies behind her. She was muscled, but still very attractive. Her flame red hair hung below her shoulders in small ringlets, and she smelled slightly of jasmine. He caught sight of a bondcord on her arm. Perhaps he could become accustomed to the place...
Drax settled into his office, a courner office, he noticed. The archects were spheroids, with notions of offices as status symbols. Symbols were powerful things, Drax knew, and he could apprecate that. It was his job now, after all, to observe, something the weekling Pershaw didn't understand. Reinhardt had mentioned to him as he was getting unpacked that Darrel had actualy offered him the big director's house. Didn't he see that his very appointment was just a show, a symbol, a cherade of putting a bloodnamed Falcon officer as the figure head? How could he give up that trappings of that and still be effective?
No matter, Drax though as he turned on his fireplace. It was gas fired, he saw, but he'd have that feature eliminated in his wing of the building. He'd looked over too many plans to blow up a gas line to assassinate someone to be at ease with a gas fireplace. Wood would be better; Drax had always liked the smell. But, for the meantime, it was nice to have an office with heat, unlike the little monk's cell he worked from at Kenshin's crazy mountian top HQ on New Caledonia.
The former Mandrill mech warrior settled into his chair. He'd brough it with him, as it had been custom formed to have the same ergonomics as the seat in his first mech, a Mist Lynx. He'd used that type of seat in each of his mechs, from his Adder to his proto-type Crimson Languar to his current Cualdron Born, and even away from battle, it just fit him so well. Or else he fit it. He had been a Cluster commander, a Warship captian, a politician, a scheamer, a spy, a sneek, and what ever else he needed to be. But at the end of the day, he was still a warrior, he knew.
It was just a matter of how his battles were fought.
The coded message he had received to hand over his current assignment and meet up with the Horses liaison on Sudeten had been somewhat of a surprise. His team had honed their arts for the last several months on the world, waiting for the inevitable strike by the unseen, but known, enemy. The meeting had been short, and immediately following, he had traveled to Patterson City and the headquarters of this new Watch in the Inner Sphere.
Arriving, he had had to pass through several checkpoint before arriving at what could only be termed a reception. "The name is Hasso of the Blackhearts. Inform Star Colonel Pershaw that his Director of Special Operations is here."
Star Colonel Darrel Pershaw went down to the building's atrium to meet the new Special Operations Director.
"Welcome to the InterClan Watch Star Captain. I have heard good things about your men. No doubt Star Captain Reinhardt will be using many of your men's methods in his training sessions." Pershaw led the Star Captain in a short tour of the facility: the first floor held the motor pool, archives, a gymnasium with locker room, and next to the motor pool was a mission locker room that held the SO team's mission equipment(except for their weapons, which were stored in the armory in the basement, alongside the training and shooting ranges).
The upper floors had offices, holding cells, interrogation and conference rooms, and various computer and mainframe rooms for the considerable technical specalists that were required to operate a modern intelligence service.
"Any questions Star Captain?"
Nikita had wandered the floors of the building and checked the entrance frequently. She felt a bit lonely, not wanting to interrupt the already settled Directors and officeholders. Also, her work so far was done, as her personnel was still very few. Perhaps it would change soon. Ah, the entrance. A new male was arriving and the "Boss" was already welcoming him. She decided to hear over this. Also, Pershaw led him around the area, even outside which he did not deem necessary when she made her appearance. At least now she could take some looks, taking it as a training in stealth. He outfit was not specially tailored for this task, but her boots were somewhat lighter than most and would help.
Lan had met briefly with the Hell's Horseman that would serve as his immediate superior within the ICW, and while he was moderately hurt that someone other than himself was made Director, at least this Clansman hadn't talked down to him after he reviewed Lan's "credentials".
In fact, he seemed surprised that Lan wasn't made Director instead, his experience, going all the way back to his youth, began at an age that was younger than Clan Warriors began their basic military training, he even went so far as to say so directly, "Mister Lan, this," he says holding the Adder's records up, "tells me that by all rights, my position should have been yours. Your former life is probably what made them decide to put me in this chair instead of you."
"Regardless, I am damn proud to have you working with me, rather than against me," sincerity evident as he speaks, "I have the feeling I may be calling upon your knowledge somewhat frequently," he extends his hand across the desk, Lan accepts it, the two Warriors, albeit of differing approaches, form a bond then and there, one that will prove as strong as if the two were actual brothers, "The Homeworld Clans will not know what hit them with you directing Operations there," a feral smile on his face.
"Thank you, Sir," is Lan only reply, anything, if there was more that the former Lyran was going to say is interrupted by a messenger.
"Director," he says, addressing the superior officer of the two, before turning to Lan, "Deputy Director. I have a message from you. Forwarded from the Union of Independent Worlds for you. Point of origin, Arluna."
Lan's complexion paled, he hadn't expected to ever receive any form of communications from that area again. last he heard he had been disowned by his family for his betrayal by their traditions and standards. And he had reluctantly agreed that they were in a sense right, but then he felt, and still feels, that what he did was right. He has learned to live with it.
Lan accepts the message, reading it quickly at first, then going back and rereading it much more slowly. As he reads it the second time, his Commander notices a profound change in his demeanor, it softens dramatically, even the hint of tears forming in his subordinate's eyes isn't missed by the Director of Special Operations.
"Something serious," he remarks, "judging from your reaction Mister Lan."
"Aff, Sir," Lan replies, "By your leave, Sir, I must send a response before the DropShip lifts off. It is a family matter," the way Lan says family revealing a sense of loss, gain, and loss again in those three syllables.
"Then by all means, do what you must," is about the only thing the Director can think to say.
Lan stands, salutes, waits for the Director to salute in return, then turns sharply on his heel, his first step already in motion before he completes it. He manages to retain his composure for about twenty paces before breaking into a jog, he ignores the elevators, instead taking the stairs, running the flights at a breakneck pace. He bursts through the doors, startling the other applicants and staff, more than a few drawing weapons and pointing them at him as he streaks through the lobby, out the door, and all the way to the HPG Station.
His mind races with replies almost as fast as his legs carry him across roads, intersections and sidewalks. Only the look on his face prevent any from stopping him, the few that notice his insignia glad that they didn't make the effort.
In short order, Lan reaches his destination, though he pauses for many minutes, steeling his resolve. What to say after all this time, how to say it, should he even bother are some of the thoughts that boil in his mind. Finally, having decided how to best do it, he enters.
Minutes later he leaves, his lot in life is that which he chose, and what he has done he can only hope and pray that everyone will understand....
The silence of the day began to be disturbed as the unmistakable rumble of a number of large vehicles approached the headquarters of the ICW. Around the bend spectators could pick out the distinctive profile of an Indra Infantry Transport, followed by two identical vehicles. The Indras bore the generic paint scheme and markings of Clan Steel Viper. The three vehicles stopped after forming a semi-circle. The doors opened on all three vehicles. Out of the two outer vehicles, four points of Steel Viper Trueborn Infantry poured out, with a fifth point exiting the center vehicle. After the Viper troopers, came a score of disheveled looking individuals, all shackled by their wrists and feet, followed by another three points of Infantry.
Four of the seven points of Infantry fanned out forming an outer perimeter away from the prisoners, being covered by the machine guns of the Indra's turrets. The final three points fanned out and covered their cargo with their auto-rifles and sub-machine guns. In the advent that the troops had to fire, the rounds would strike the armored hides of the fighting vehicles, and not fly off into nowhere.
Out of the middle armored vehicle, an average looking man wearing ablative-flak armor over a Steel Viper combat uniform. He walked with a purposeful stride towards the security personnel heading towards the unexpected arrival.
"I am Star Captain Klaus. I need a security detail to take possession of these prisoners and a flag officer to verigraph their receipt.".
Star Commander Jirou was heading the guard detail on the morning that the Steel Vipers brought forth their group of prisoners for the ICW. First batch to arrive for the interrogation tanks.
"Star Captain Klaus, I am Star Commander Jirou. I shall take these prisoners off your hands." As the younger officer moved to verify the transfer, he spoke quiet orders into his headset radio, and within moments, the minute roar of jump jets could be heard as a point of Elementals jumped to within 200m of the prisoner exchange. After the Star Commander finished the verigraph, the Steel Viper soldiers quickly herded the prisoners foreward, where the Elementals surrounded them in a wall of ferro-fibrous armor, and led them around to the side-entrance to the holding cells.
"Good day Star Captain."
Non-stop since the nuclear attack at Tamar, the Watch had been rushing to determine who had been behind it. They studied every inflection of every word in the transmited message, looking at every detail of every fighter, studied the signatues of the nukes. At least as much as they could do in a few days; exuastive testing was under way, but would take a month to bear fruit.
For now, they had a quick answer, and Drax Mattila was still unhappy with it. "I can not take this to the Grand Council. Yes, is says who did not do it, but not anything about who did. That is what Khans care about!"
The poor watch analyst shrank back. "We simply don't have that sort of data at this time."
"Then do a probability study. Get me something positive, and not just negitives."
"Aff. I will see what can be done."
Darrel Pershaw was tired.
Then again, so wasn't everyone else in the complex. The nuclear attacks at Tamar had at least tripled the work flow for the ICWatch, which was already considerable with their various operations. Drax Mattila had his Intelligence section running double-time, trying to sift facts from the relative lack of information available. So far, he hadn't produced much, but that was because there was little to be sifted through. Investigations take time, even when not hampered by massive conflict in the area. Pershaw had total faith in Mattila's ability to produce results, were he given suitable material to work with. However, the Khans would be far less forgiving, but that was the nature of intelligence within the Clans: only the ones who had done it before understood that you couldn't investigate a problem with a PPC.
Pershaw looked at the timepiece on his desk: 0345. He had been awake for the better part of 3 days, trying to organize a task force to investigate the Tamar incident. Drax Mattila would be personally in charge of the group, but Pershaw would be drawing on resources from the Falcons to assist his efforts. saKhan Pryde had proven to be a rare gem in the Clans: a warrior who understood the importance of intelligence work, and who possessed the patience to see it resolve. He had already promised resources to this particular task, in addition to the current Jade Falcon contribution.
The translated message bothered him however. It was ironic: he had been reviewing the message in conjunction with the intelligence reports on Tamar when the Falcon Watch had contacted him. Star Commander Lucia had asked him about the supposed rebel group: how did such a small group, not even known to the Watch, acquire 7 nuclear weapons, and sneak them to the homeworld of the Exiles, with the might of the true Wolves also there? After their talk, Lucia had confirmed it was saKhan Pryde who had made the initial inquiry. An intelligent man, the saKhan. Pershaw once more had the thought that Khan Sonoma might need to worry about her position.
Pershaw wrote a quick note in his computer, and fired it off to Drax, requesting he come to Pershaw's office. They had to discuss how best to use the supplemental Falcon funds.
After a sizeable delay, Drax made his way to see Darrel, grumbling the whole way about his feckless puppydog of a boss. Reaching the Falcon warrior, he asked simply, "I presume this relates to our ongoing investigation, quiaff?"
"Aff. The Jade Falcons are requesting to be directly involved in the Tamar investigation, at the behest of saKhan Brian Pryde. I have decided to agree to their request. You will be recieving additional funding, aswell as access to Jade Falcon personnel to conduct operations involving any leads about the nuclear attack. It is to be treated as equally important as finding the home base of the rouge Scientists and their lackeys."
Pershaw impassivly watched Mattila. He knew the man didn't like him, and the feeling was mutual. He decided that in this case, directing the man's actions would only escalate the problem, a situation he thought to avoid by offering outside assistance.
"Very well. We could use all the help. But be sure the Falcons understand that this is to be done as our opperation, my way. If we want to preserve our nutrality, if we want to do this right, then that is how it must be. If not, let us just save the effort and I will make a report that says the Wolves did it, or the Bears, or the Jaguars or Coyotes or Terrans or Niopsians or whoever you want."
"The mission is at your discretion Star Colonel. You will have no trouble with the Jade Falcon Watch."
QuoteFrom: Klaus Harper, Loremaster of Clan Snow Raven
To: Darrel Pershaw, Head of the Inter-Clan Watch
Subject: A Raven Contribution
Star Colonel Pershaw,
Pursuant to my Khans decree that the we should provide a team to the Inter-Clan Watch versed in the protocols of the Raven Watch. It became apparant to me that this team would need a name. Based on the purpose of the Clans to one day establish a new Star League devoid of the House Lords influence, one name came to me nearly immediately. The Star Leagues symbol was a Daggerstar, the dagger being the sybolic icon of the subterfuge, and the clans have adopted the star long ago. Hence I recommend use this opportunity to bind us further to our past by adopting the term for our Inter-Clan special operatives teams.
The Ravens would like to request the name Daggerstar Rho for the Raven team.
Loremaster Klaus Harper
Head of the Snow Raven Watch
To: Klaus Harper, Loremaster of Clan Snow Raven
From: Star Colonel Darrel Pershaw
Subject: Daggerstar Rho
It would be my honor to accept your team into the Inter-Clan Watch, Loremaster Harper. I find your naming scheme quite agreeable, and I think perhaps it will be adopted by the rest of our Teams in the near future. Rho will be reserved for the Snow Raven team at your request.
Sudeten
01. November 3069
Nikita, after reviewing reports, was shellshocked. 'That must be discussed.' She hurried to the Star Colonel's office after taking some stuff with her.
Just knocking once, there was no time for courtesies, she entered.
"Star Colonel, I need to talk to you. This has been promoted via the News. I already have put a message to the Ice Hellions if this was true, but you might know already. Is it? It will seriously hamper our efforts and open up a new round of infiltration, this time with this as justification."
She handed over her datapad to Pershaw.
QuoteILKHANS ORDER FOR GENOCIDE: REVEALED
31 October 3069 (The Starling Report)
Helloooooooo Rim Worlders, looks like its time to start shopping for that new home on Robinson. Why? Because Diana Pryde doesn't like you. She doesn't like you a lot. Don't believe me? Read the order yourself. Where did I get it you ask? Well, lets just say a lot of Clan butt got kicked on Morges and they left a few things behind they shouldn't have.
Quote
SECRET ALPHA GOLD
GENERAL ORDERS FOR ALL COMMANDS ALL CLANS
FROM: ILKHAN DIANA PRYDE
TO: ALL GALAXY COMMANDERS
SUBJECT: DISPOSITION OF AMARIS BLOODLINE
THE WATCH HAS DETERMINED THAT SOME ELEMENTS OF THE RIM WORLDS REPUBLIC POPULATION MAY BEAR
THE ACCURSED BLOOD OF AMARIS THE USURPER. AS ALL RECORDS OF THE USURPER WERE DESTROYED THERE
IS NO REPEAT NO RELIABLE DNA TEST FOR THE TAINT.
FOLLOWING THE EXAMPLE OF THE GREAT FATHER ALL MEMBERS OF THE AMARIS BLOODLINE SHALL BE PUT TO
DEATH. AUTHORIZED METHODS OF DISPOSITION ARE:
FIRING SQUAD
HANGING
DEATH BY STARVATION IN CONJUNCTION WITH HARD LABOR
LETHAL INJECTION
EJECTION INTO VACUUM
DUE TO THE INABILITY TO FILTER POPULATION FOR AMARIS BLOODLINE ALL RESIDENTS OF RIM WORLDS REPUBLIC
REGARDLESS OF PERPORTED BLOOD HERITAGE ARE TO BE CONSIDERED AMARIS DESCENDANTS. NO EXCEPTIONS
ARE ALLOWED TO THIS ORDER.
THIS ORDER IS NOT TO BE DISSEMINATED TO FREEBORN PERSONNEL.
QUOTE
DIANA
So I don't know about you, but I'm cancelling this year's vacation on New Apollo.
Disclaimer: INN does not fund, produce, or exercise editorial control over the Starling Report. The opinions expressed on this program are not those of INN, Our Blessed Order, or the Terran Hegemony government.
Pershaw looked at the datapad briefly, seemingly already aware of it's contents. He didn't speak though, instead looking over Nikita's shoulder. When the warrior turned, she was suprised by the person who greeted her.
"I can assure you, no such order was ever given, nor would it ever be." ilKhan Diana Pryde had just come out of the Star Colonel's private bathroom, and walked slowly to the two ICWatch agents.
"Even if such an order were indeed to be given, I would not be so stupid to put it in writing. Besides, does it look like a Clan-style order? Since when do we kill civilians on a whim? This is mere propoganda, once more attempting to reinforce that the Clans are the 'true enemy' of the Inner Sphere. After all, thats the only thing they have against us. The average citizen has not seen the Trial system, they are so used to the total warfare style of the Succession Wars, that they are perfectly willing to accept us as bloodthirsty savages, who kill for pleasure. What is your sugestion, to counter this article?"
Both the ilKhan and Star Colonel Pershaw were looking intently at Nikita, awaiting her answer.
After her first surprise, she quickly snapped a salute to her highest Commander and then spoke.
"I had thought and hoped so. The source of this revelation is known to be a propaganda tool, but I had to make sure. Now, we have not much we can do about that but we should try to counter those propaganda by our own. Thanks to our restrictions on HPG-Messages, most planets under our protection will not likely hear this, but there is still a chance that those things can lead to extremist elements going violent. And even if most of the Spheroid realms know better, this gives them a new chance of promoting action against us and rally. Although their martial ability is not to underestimate, their subterfuge skills are. Twycross is just the tip of the iceberg.
I propose the following: we should create a news agency on our own to feed the INN network. It should possibly be an established one from our territories, if we cannot find a reliable one in the IS, that would work with us, which is of course in doubt. If we lose this kind of propaganda war, our new successes on the martial front will be hampered. We must paint a better picture of the Clans. The Star Adders were on the right path with this, which gained them a huge swath of worlds rather freely. The Flu could be the first part of this war to be won."
Star Colonel Montgomery Seigel picked up the letter and shook his head. "The grammer is well enough for most spheroids to believe it. However, They perpetrators of this fraud invite derision by making one crucial mistake. The spheroid tendancy to use informal declarations when writing exposes this fraud quite clearly." He flipped the page around. " What Clan Warrior would ever leave off their Blood Name in a signature? I mean come on. They did not even try here. No listing of rank, Clan... this is... well this is just lazy of them."
OP: I assume he was already there?
IC: "While you are right with your assessment, Star Colonel, it matters little in this. She took the Pad again and flipped forth.. ah, there it was.
QuoteAn Open Letter to the Star League
First Lord Undomniel, Lords of the Star League, and Citizens of the Inner Sphere,
Greetings. I wish that my words, as they have so often in the past, will request peace amongst us. That noble purpose must now be set aside, for the evil of the Clan way of life has once more raised its ugly head.
I know that some of you revile me, my nation, and the patriots who have made it possible, but even the most callous and hard-hearted of our opponents in the Inner Sphere know that genocide is wrong. The whispers of Auschwitz and Landsberg may be lost to many of us, but the screams of Elbar and Kentares still ring in our collective mind, and not one of us should ever seek to see such a horrible event occur ever again.
Yet this is exactly the threat that now hangs, like the Sword of Damocles, above the necks of all the people who have raised the flag of the Republic. The enemy of us all has ordered the deaths of every man, woman, and child in the Rim Worlds Republic. And for what? To eradicate a taint that does not exist! The Usurper and all his ilk are long dead, even their bones now gone to ashes and dust, yet still the Clans seek to punish the free peoples of the Republic for the terrible actions of one insane man.
We are not the Republic of Amaris. We are the land of the free, a home to the brave, and we will never bow down to the tyrants from beyond that seek not only our conquest -- but our annihilation! I am asking now that all of you set aside whatever disdain you may have for the Rim Worlds Republic and hear our plea. The Clans are not coming for us -- they are already here. Our military will fight to the death in the defense of our people, but we are outnumbered. I ask the Star League Council, and the First Lord who watches over us all, to send whatever aide you can. . . and if you do not, you are just as culpable in the mass-murder of my people than those who pulled the trigger.
Daphne Rowe
President pro-tem
Rim Worlds Republic
Showing the message around, she continued: "Already those RWR have fears of annihilation. The Clan course on them is not set to my knowledge, but fact is, we are losing the propaganda war. We need to counter. A certain way to proliferate messages, if not via the HPG network of the enemy would rather be with Naval Reconnaissance elements that either jump into border systems with that purpose, or those who try to do recon and fail could stream that on broadband. I know Clans Ice Hellion and Star Adder have the measures to do this and at least one of them will certainly agree. All we need are now messages that promise some impact on the regular Spheroid and on the waivering to try it with our path. Who knows, if we can back up our arguments with fact, they might decide to put faith in their own hands, without relying on their nobles. Those following Adder-Steiner already did."
((OOC: I just read Ingra's posts about Diana back over Sudeten for the first time today... I think it's time for THAT Diana to return. Here we go...))
ilKhan Pryde hid her anger well. Those simpering, dezgra, stravags in the Inner Sphere would consider their foolish propoganda would stall any Clan efforts was stupidity at its worst. She heard the other Inter-Clan Watch officers debating the best way to combat this misinformation campaign, but she didn't really hear them. She felt a slight headache coming on, and strode to Star Colonel Pershaw's desk, leaning against it's bulk. She looked down at the reports on his desk, when suddenly a name sprang out at her.
THS SARAH MCEVEDY
Sarah McEvedy, that stupidly foolish Terran woman? They had found it? STRAVAGS!!!
The assembled officers in the Star Colonel's office paused and watched the ilKhan, suprised by her sudden outburst. Apparently, she had yelled 'stravags' at the top of her lungs. She whirled on Star Colonel Pershaw, grabbing his collar with one hand and twisting, as if she were attacking a hated enemy, her face just inches from his. Pershaw was unable to notice the scar on her face and neckline, now an angry red color.
"Where is this ship? WHERE!?"
Somewhat taken aback by the ilKhan's anger, he was unable to remember he should be affronted by her physical attack.
"It was last seen around Pandora, some months ago. Why, ilKhan, is it important?" Diana released him and stepped back.
"Important? IMPORTANT?! I killed that bitch once, and they name a ship, a STOLEN ship after her! You are damn right it is important! I will not have that stavag coward, who did not even have the decency to die with her men, idolized forever as a ship in the Terran fleets! Find it, and fast! I will burn the whole sector down if thats what it takes. I want a status report on the Clan ship elements in the area by 1030 tommarow."
Diana was striding out of the room at this point, the officers following her, somewhat baffled by the sudden change from nonchalant coordinatior to the firey warrior they had last seen over Sudeten. She had been far to removed for far to long, she decided. It was time to show these Clansmen what a true warrior could do. No more hiding on Strana Mechty trying to keep the Clans together. It was time to lead by example, as she should have done from the beginning.
"I will find that ship, and either retake it for the Clans, or see it burned to the keel, to naught but ash! I want a location, and an assessment of the strength of its attendant fleet." The officers didn't immedaitly jump to obey. "DO IT!!" This time, they moved as if jolted. She looked around.
"You! Star Colonel, I have need of you." She had indicated Star Colonel Drax Mattila. "Progress on the nuclear attack at Tamar. Did the Wolves indeed launch or supply the nuclear weapons? I want them finished, and now it is only to be decided between annihilation as dezgra scum, or fought honorablly as wayward warriors." Mattilla could easily see the fire that burned within Diana's eyes once more. Her posture had changed, she now stood tall, her shoulders back and the heat from her gaze could melt ferro-fibrous armor.
Sudeten System, Nadir
A Sleek Jumpship appeared, a sole Dropship on its waist.
"Sudeten Control, this is the CIHS "Needle". We have an important Transport on board. Request security level Rho and information of the Watch Officer on Duty. Copy. "Needle" out."
Sudeten Control answered and the Watch put up a secure vector for the Dropship. It was a small Fury, usually transporting Vehicles and Infantry. This time however, the freight was living flesh, fresh from Great X. From an HPG Compound. A rare find, because all three of them were of the Blood...
Under direct orders from the ilKhan(through Star Colonel Pryde), the three prisoners are to be split up, and each interrogated seperatly. The CIH segment of the ICW's interrogation department is assigned the task of breaking the men. ilKhan Pryde will be personally present for the interrogations, and expects results.
An Ice Hellion JumpShip appears over Strana Mechty, however this time it brings some former Goliath Scorpions, whose presence was finally deleted from the Homeworlds. Forever, perhaps.
The Clan Watch would have to talk to those individuals. Perhaps, they would spit out some more information?
Sudeten
30 December 3069
A sleek JumpShip in Spirit Cat Colors appears.
Star Captain Ellis is moving in to take up duty as liaison to the Inter Clan Watch. With him he has Kerenskys and Resources as commitment for the Watch. The Cats, after the Scorpion incident that killed their saKhan and betrayed them their isorla, obviously had a change of mind on the Watch. Now they were part of it and Ellis would see that they profited from it.
Sudeten
31 December 3069
Star Captain Nikita was not well.
It seemed that besides the horrible Nuke-Attack on the Snow Raven Ships over Tamar, there was also a SpecOps Team of some kind that blew up at least one ShipYard over Tamar. True, the Watch had no grasp over the Wolves that were now decreasing in number, but still, when taking over Tamar after a bloody fight, this should not have happened.
The worst thing was, that she did not know what exactly happened and how many infrastructure was hit.
At least the Snow Ravens had not made much ado about it, so it might be less destructive than she feared. But it was time to contact the Star Colonel again. Talk to him. Perhaps he was openminded to celebrate the fading and coming year?
Except for meetings and official talks, she had not had much contacts here. She felt alone. How would it be on Hector?
So, she went to his office. At least there would be enough official to talk about. It occured to her that some parts of the Watch still worked under their limits..
Star Colonel Pershaw was at his desk, mostly clean of files, with an open bottle of amber liquor, about 1/4 gone. He was sitting in his chair, half-facing the window behind the desk, looking out over Patterson City, and admiring the view. Something about a changing year always brought calmness to his mind, despite the many whirling issues that prevailed upon him. He still had yet to hear from Reinhardt about Tharkad, although apparently, a Star Colonel Icaza had escaped with the Archon. An interesting development to be sure. And Tamar contined to be a source of headaches, with little progress being made there either.
The issues could wait for a day or so, however. He required a few hours of relaxation.
He heard the footsteps of someone approaching his open door, and looked up to see Star Captain Nikita walking in. He smiled, being of a mind that nobody should ever celebrate anything alone.
"Greetings Star Captain. Care to join me for a drink, to welcome the new year?"
She nodded, nearly enthusiastically.
"I had hoped you would celebrate with me. Or, have time, at least." She sat down, pouring some of his drink into a glass. 'This must be high percentage alcohol.'
"So, Star Colonel, do we have something to celebrate, other than a changing year? I feel that I have accomplished few in the time with the Watch. The Clans are bogged down in the Lyran realm, and the Scorpions are somewhere out there, while the Terrans build up further, ready to strike finally. Do you think, we will survive?"
"I believe we will. The ilKhan seems to be doing what she can to un-bog us from the sorry state of affairs the Lyrans have fallen into, although I think she is nursing a growing dislike for these Arc Royalists. The Free Worlds Leauge has lost it's Trials to 3 of the Clans, granting us SafCon through their space. If we wished, we could strike Terran worlds within a few months, although I do not believe anything but the full might of all remaining Clans could do more than dent their defenses. Perhaps with the aid of the FWL... I am not a politican, but I could see the ilKhan enticing the Leauge to assist us in hitting the Hegemony." He drained the last of his glass and refilled it.
"If there is anything to celebrate other than the new year, it would be that perhaps we are finally making some headway against the Terrans. With the Adders consuming half of the Lyran nation, the Arc Royalists allowing us SafCon, and the FWL allowing us SafCon, and potentially more if they wish, we are closer than ever to our ultimate goal or eradicating the Terrans and liberating Terra, as our ancestors did under Kerensky."
She weighed his words carefully, yes, the Clans Raven, Falcons and Ice Hellions had proven superior over some of the best the FWL had to offer and they could strike against the Terrans. However, would this mass just get angry and just obliterate any one Clan or even some?
She would need hard numbers to see what was plausible. But what kind of force the Terrans could throw around had showed on Sudeten. While the Allied Clans had dented the Naval side, the Ground forces went away unmolested, and they had been countless. No hard numbers existed. At all.
So she was not really consoled, and gulped down her drink.