CS3056-18

=Chapter 18= 
==Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War==
Prologue, Book 2, The Hammer Falls
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===Omake: Cracking an Egg===
October 3056
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"Damn. They're dug in deeper than a Sian tick." observed General Harrison Bradford, as the holotank zoomed into the schematics of the island that the Falcons had turned into a fortress. A simulated attack run by DropShips screened by fighters was met with a barrage of naval-scale lasers, PPCs and swarms of more conventional missiles. "With those turrets, there's no way we can drop a force big enough to dig them out: it's like a mini Castle Brian!"
"Hitting them from the sea is out too, they've got a sensor net that would warn them of our approach along the sea bed." added Colonel Cooper, the commander of the 3rd Royal Guard's 'Mech regiment, tapping on his noteputer. "And those walls are too heavy for even our massed artillery to smash through, anyway. Best way in is the docks ... and they've got at least a Trinary of 'Mechs and hundreds of Solahma infantry massed there, under cover."
"All in all, they've got the better part of two Clusters in there, made up of garritroopers and Solahma 'Mechs for the most part and the remnants of the ****** Doberung." Bradford continued, referring to the brutal and bloody Garrison Cluster who had murdered the crews of the ferries that had transported them to Maakar island, "but according to Wolf, there's at least a full Trinary of front line 'Mechs: Khan Chistu's bodyguard."
"******." said an aide in the background, and no one complained. They were all thinking it.
If it were simply a field battle, they certainly had the forces to overwhelm the Falcon troops. However, the fortifications, the heavy weapon turrets and the isolation of the island meant that even getting boots on the ground would be a bloody and expensive affair ...
"Isn't this Zeta Battalion's fort?" asked one officer, but the commanding general shook his head.
"Wolf says they took heavy casualties routing the Guards. They're still reconstituting, and won't be ready for combat this heavy any time soon."
"But don't we have WarShips in orbit? I mean, I'm all for the Ares Conventions, but surely a limited bombardment aimed at a military installation that's removed from any population center -"
"That too came up when I was talking to Wolf." Bradford sighed. "He pointed out that with the sibko elements being used as riflemen by the Falcons ... by a strict reading of the Ares Conventions and the rules of war, we are prohibited from simply flattening the place from orbit."
"That's ... ridiculous, sir!"
"Maybe, but I conferred over HPG with Marshal Steiner. She agreed with the mercenary." He shook his head: having so much of the Sudeten task force's might being under control of a mercenary, and a former Clansman at that, frustrated him. Surely Commonwealth forces would have been more reliable ... "He did offer the Athena's guns to reduce those turrets ... but even without them, any regiment we drop on Maakar will be on their own until reinforcements can be moved up against a small Galaxy of Falcon troops. It's basically a forlorn hope, and that's why I've been hoping Wolf's ultimatum would work. Damned Chistu virtually spat in his face, but we had to make the offer."
Cooper picked up his noteputer again. "Alright. I guess I'll start drawing up a list of volunteers, pull together a scratch regiment so we can -"
"No, Colonel, I'm afraid that's not happening either." The colonel blinked, looking over at his superior's dark expression. "When I conferred with Marshal Steiner, I received orders direct from the Archon, co-signed by the Archon Prince Designate. A fresh unit is being deployed to assault the island, dig us out a foothold, then hold until our troops can land."
"... permission to speak freely, sir?"
"Granted." General allowed
"What kind of luinatics did the Archon dig up to send on a forlorn hope mission like that?"
"Us."
The officers and staff in the command center turned to see a petite redhead in a light-eatingly black uniform approach. Upon recognition more than one officer recoiled, making way as she strode confidently across the room, to stand in front of the General. Instead of saluting, in a typically disrespectful display of mercenary contempt for tradition and good orders, she smiled, showing off small but clearly sharp fangs. "Juliette von Strang, General. My lunatics, madmen and monsters are ready to deploy.
"We have a Khan to kill."
;*Chapter Section written by Galdius
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===Escaping the Coming Storm===
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Dropship DCA Shigure
Outbound to Luthien V L1 Pirate Point
Luthien, Draconis Combine
October 11th, 3056
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To all appearances, the Shigure was nothing special. A humble Mule, she and thousands of her sisters could be seen transporting cargo and passengers along the space lanes of the Inner Sphere. Perhaps a little more battered and worn than most, she was also proof of the saying that appearances were deceiving.
Behind a false bulkhead in the #1 Fuel Tank, a hidden compartment contained the best ELINT gear that the Combine could manufacture, buy, or steal. Likewise, her transponder had been subtly altered to broadcast a variety of different identities upon request. FSS Wildfire, LCS Niederbayern, CCS Tan Yang, and a double dozen more were identities that she had carried across the Inner Sphere for her actual masters in the ISF. While her stock in trade had been to be the all-seeing eye of the Combine, listening and watching for scraps of information, she had over the decades also engaged in other actions. Delivery and pickup of agents and even DEST commando teams were not uncommon, along with smuggling proscribed items of technology to serve the Dragon.
Now she served the needs of the Dragon once more as the transport for a princess fleeing her homeworld. One of dozens of dropships that had left the planet ahead of the battle, she was broadcasting a routine flight plan to the asteroid mining facilities in the outer system to pick up a load of refined ore for Luthien's hungry industries.
Omiko Kurita grasped the welded bar above the hatch at the top of the ladder that she had climbed and used it to swing into the small compartment feet first. Unlike her time in court, she was in plain tan shipboard coveralls marked with the insignia of a junior assistant navigator and the stenciled name 'A. Nakamura'. The bass rumble of the fusion drive sending her away from her homeworld and toward the Jumpship that had been hastily called to transport her deeper into the Combine faded to a dull roar as she then closed and locked the hatch down inexpertly.
The man strapped into the seat in the small lounge bowed to her from where he had been cleaning a Mauser & Gray Flechette Pistol on the holotable set into the deck. Like her he was dressed in shipboard coveralls with the sleeves rolled up, showing his heavily tattooed forearms. He gave her an inquisitive look as she returned the bow before sliding into the seat opposite him and buckling herself in.
"How is Lady Fiona handling the demands of the trip?"
Omi sighed. "Sleeping now, with the aid of a mild sedative that the doctor provided. She cried herself to sleep when she learned that Hohiro had confided to me in private that he planned to ask her father for her hand in marriage at the Autumn Full-Moon Festival. Inconsiderate and uncourteous of the Jaguars to interrupt my brother's happiness, neh?"
Shin Yodama nodded slowly in turn as he continued to work on his firearm. "Quite. Quite. He had expressed some admiration of her to me in private. Now...for them is is only the teahouse on the slopes of Death Mountain that awaits their love."
Omi gave a very sad smile as she quoted from the death poem that her brother had passed her at their leave taking, her eyes gleaming with unshed tears. "Surely there's a teahouse/with a view of plum trees/on the Mountain of Death, too. At least she has some comfort from those words in her grief. I admire his use of the plum blossom in it as a reference to the mon of her family's company. Quite artistic of him, not that I would have admitted it to him growing up. Oniisan was insufferable enough at the time, or so it seemed to me when he taught me the basics of poetry as a young girl."
Yodama gave a deep sigh as he spoke in turn. "When I first met him, I was concerned that someone of his youth as a Sho-sa commanding me would be giving orders based on flower arrangement or similar pursuits. A failing of mine, for the blood of the Dragon flows true in him, as it does in you. Now I follow my orders from him to keep you safe on your travels until he relieves me. Wherever they may take us." He cocked an eyebrow at her in silent inquiry.
Omi gave a nod of acknowledgement in return as she spoke in a voice full of fatigue. "First to Benjamin, my brother Minoru will meet us there. Father sent messages to Warlord Dieron to release him from his service obligation and provide him transport from his posting on Dieron. Once I discharge my sworn duty to the House...."
Omi's voice trailed off and she looked distant, biting her lip absently before speaking once more in a hushed voice. "Once I transport what I carry to Minoru and take counsel with him. Father recommended that I find a safe haven to continue the bloodline. We may fall but the Dragon must endure to fulfill our destiny. Father in his wisdom made arrangements with the Fox to give me sanctuary on New Avalon if needed. If Luthien falls and with the increased activities of...disloyal elements opposed to what I plan to do...I shall make my way to the Suns. Far better that way than to be a brood mare for the Black Dragon Society's intrigues."
Shin Yodama's jaw dropped as he stared at the clearly nervous girl across from him as she lowered her head to stare at her hands. He had observed the clear bond between her and the blond-headed Archon-Prince on Outreach, but to think that she would leave her homeland willingly....
He then collected his thoughts, using the familiar routine of assembling the pistol to provide a framework as his hands automatically moved. "Well, Tai-sa Kurita's orders were very specific and unambiguous. I am to keep "my little sister"-his exact words-safe and assist her in her travels. I shall need to speak to some 'acquaintances' in the Kuromaku-gumi who have a trading license when we arrive on Benjamin, but I am certain that something can be arranged for travel across the border. More trade happens there than one may expect at first glance. Sho-sa Galen Cox was the person who introduced me to Tharkad Hefelweisen, and it would be discourteous not to thank him for such sage advice, no? I also feel disinclined to disturb the Bureau of Interstellar Trade with such a minor matter in their greater concerns."
Omi's smile at his words and the message behind them lit up her face. "Indeed not. I also shall have certain funds available to me as needed to arrange for matters to be handled swiftly and discreetly by your 'acquaintances'. I bow to your expertise in such matters, save to say such friends such as those you mention should be richly rewarded for their assistance. My brother trusted his life to you, and my father trusted his plan to defend Luthien to you, I shall trust my happiness to you in turn."
Omi's words were cut short by the warning chime of the intercom.
The voice of the sensor officer spoke without preamble. "We have received a transmission from Luthien that you may wish to observe. Channel three."
Shin punched in the command and an image formed. Theodore Kurita was there in military dress uniform, flanked by his wife Tomoe, son Hohiro and daughter Omi as he stood on the reviewing stand overlooking the Sanethia Kurita Parade Grounds. Rank upon rank of Battlemechs stood behind him painted the scarlet of the Sword of Light and the midnight black of the Otomo and Genyosha as he raised a hand.
"People of Luthien! I bring news of victory! The cowardly Smoke Jaguar warship that bombarded Skytower City yesterday in an act of barbarity is no more! My Samurai have struck it from the sky and the degenerate mewling kittens crewing it burn in the Dragon's Breath! The honorless barbarians that attack us have yet to challenge us, perhaps they are afraid of defeat once more, no? Take heart, support your children, siblings, neighbors, and parents who serve as my samurai, and with unified heart we shall cleanse the stain of Kerensky's degenerate descendants from our just dominion!"
The transmission froze on the Coordinator lifting his right fist, mirrored by the ranks of Battlemechs raising their right arms in salute. Shin Yodama looked a question at Omi, who spoke with quiet pride in her voice. "Chu-i Mariko Ishikawa, from the 40th Dieron Regulars, has a remarkable resemblance to me. When asked to serve as a body double for me, she volunteered to be transferred from her regiment to 'special duty'. The Bureau of Substitution agreed with her request and the ISF cleared her after a rigorous loyalty check and some minor cosmetic surgeries. I have spoken with her a few times, and swore to her that I would strive to be worthy of all that she is sacrificing for me."
*; Chapter Section by Yellowhammer, Flight of Omi Kurita
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