Chronicles of The NBT4 Jade Falcon's Continued...

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Coldrill Valley Neegdye District Strana Mechty 27 January 3069

Khan Judgement Steel maneuvered his Thor across the valley floor closing the range to DK. As he brought the targeting recital over Thastus opposing Thor he recognized he would win this contest. In a stunning move Judge triggered an alpha barrage that sent armor chunks flying off of DK's mech slamming DK around inside his cockpit. In response Thastus battered back at Steele's Omnimech blowing huge peices of armor away causing it to sway unsteadily. Most of those watching in the observation room gasped sharply as they expected Judge's Thor to topple to the ground. DK moved towards the slope of the valley trying to gain a height advantage over his opponent using his Medium Lasers to chip away armor from Judge as he moved. Judgment’s control of his Thor was skillful his mech seemed to dance across the rocky terrain fearlessly facing the frantic fire of DK Thastus. Judge held his fire until he was in short range ignoring the successful laser and autocannon hits Thastus was scoring. Judgement then launched about as devastating an onslaught as many of those watching the contest had ever seen. DK's Thor stumbled belching black and gray smoke from several holes in the center torso, it now seemed destined to go down. Suddenly a successful shot by one of Judge's AC10's into the now Former Jade Falcon Khan DarkKnight Thastus's cored center torso cracked the vulnerable reactor shielding causing it to go super critical. Firing wildly in a vain attempt to dissipate the unstoppable heat build up Former Khan Thastus was sent flying out the back of his mech by the auto eject system ending the Trial.
As DK was taken by a stretcher carried by two lowercast men he struggled to maintain consciousness. At least I am still a Star Captain, he thought and finally succumbed to his injuries slipping into a coma. New Jade Falcon Khan Judgement Steele watched DK be loaded into a med vehicle. Turning to his Friend and New Jade Falcon SaKhan NightWight Steele he began to bark out orders. Night was well versed in the plan they had already drawn up; the Trial had only been a formality for the Grand Councils sake. The actual process of integrating both Clan’s assets had already began. Judgement smiled to himself thinking of what the leader of the Lyran Alliance Traxxes will say when he finds out. A Grand Council hovercraft came zipping up to Judge on a cushion of compressed air. Climbing onboard he was whisked to the confirmation ceremony and the Jade Falcons. There was a command circuit of jumpships waiting to whisk Judge back to the Inner Sphere. There was much work to be done and they would need the strength of all the Falcons warriors to survive. Several hours later the Keshiks Dropship Golden Turkina II lifted off for rendezvous with the first leg of the command circuit Khan Anjinn stood watching the launch," I will be waiting for you to return my friend."
Judge had spent many hours with IlKhan Jugger hammering out an alliance amongst the Clans, they would now work together if any IS house attacked any of the Clans. Ten Years ago the Falcons and Wolves fought the refusal war, both Clans were almost wiped out. Now they stood shoulder to shoulder, a strong friendship between their Khans and an alliance had brought the two closer together than ever before in the history of the Clans. Many had called it a friendship of convenience at first but as the years rolled by and the two Clans grew closer together most of the doubters were silenced. Word had reached New Jade Falcon Khan Judgment Steele from the Falcons intelligence service, The Clan Watch, that Inner Sphere mercs were preparing to raid all along the JF/LA border. He had hurriedly finished up business on Strana Mechty and was now speeding to the Jade Falcon Occupation Zone. The Falcons Khan had a lot of work to do and little did he realize almost no time in which to do it.

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Jade Falcon Hall Sudeten Clan Occupation Zone,
29 January 3069
Jade Falcon LoreMaster Deejay Mattlov sat in his office reading the evenings HPG reports that had just been delivered. Tenderly shifting in his seat to read DJ was still sore from winning his Mattlov Blood Name. DJ had defeated all his opponents with ease up until the final Trial. He had to fight newly Blooded Falconer IronQueen Mattlov and she had been difficult almost costing DJ the win. IQ was by far the best looking female warrior DJ had ever scene but she had displayed an almost instant dislike for him from the moment they had met. Khan DK Thastus had not sent any word back from the Home worlds concerning the state of the Falcon/Coyote merger, DJ had sent un update on Watch reports of IS mercs. The top report was marked with the ilKhans seal; DJ quickly opened it and read its contents. Scowling at the official Grand Council Ruling the Falcon LoreMaster knew there would be many Trials of Refusal against this decree. I had better get this to information to JP. Let him know he is reverted back to a Star Colonel and we again have a new Khan. Mattlov hobbled over to the ornately carved Rasalhagian coat rack. Choosing a heavy fur necked trench style coat DJ bundled up for the walk to JP's office. Pulling the thick fur lined collar of his military trench coat tighter to keep the cold January wind out. Jade Falcon LoreMaster Deejay Mattlov stepped out into the cold snowy day. It was the middle of the winter on the northern continent of the Falcons occupation zone capital world of Sudeten. While walking to former SaKhan JP Lewis's office DJ read about the betrayal of the Ghost Bears. A rouge GB unit had somehow managed to attack and take Terra and was now to the shame of all declaring it for the Clans, The Inner sphere nations would not allow that for long. DJ now had several pressing political developments to talk with JP about. These new reports and the disappearance of several close friends weighed heavily on his mind as he sped through the snow packed streets to see JP. Humm I do know a Star Colonel in the Black Bears maybe now I can visit Terra he thought to himself. Many hours later on that night after several HPG conversations. LoreMaster Deejay Mattlov was happily humming to himself as he packed his travel duffle bags. Grabbing his triD camcorder and lots of extra blank disks, he paused to make sure there was enough battery paks. "Can not be with out enough power," DJ said to the empty room. Adding the Camera bag to the growing pile in the center of the room the Falcon Warrior was interrupted by a slight knock from his door. Deejay could tell it was his aid Demetri from the soft rap on the hard oaken door. Sure enough opening it revealed his stooped frame and desperate look." Umm sorry to bother you so late while you are packing for your trip sir but, umm, this just came in, and well, I thought you should see it before morning..."
Loosing patience with the lowercast man Deejay grabbed the paper from his hand. Waving in the pest of a secretary LoreMaster Mattlov shut the heavy door behind him and focused on the Paper.
-----HPG------------
ComStar has attacked Terra...
Black Bears defending with honor, expected to loose battle. All travel into Terran system is Halted until further notice..
----------------------
After reading that line DJ sulked down onto one of his suitcases. Looking at the massive pile of luggage on the floor his mind dulled to a stop.
No trip to Terra for DJ, he thought to himself. Earlier that day when word had reached him from Khan Judgment of the Grand Councils decision to include the Black Bears problem in the Clans annual meetings and the Ghost Bears insistence it was an internal matter. The Grand Council had decided to send personnel to negotiate with the BlackBears. Deejay had been overjoyed and had begun to plan a trip to Terra almost from the moment he received word he was to be included in the Black Bears Diplomatic trip. Now his trip would not go forward, Deejay was bitterly disappointed. With a deep sigh he continued to read the remainder of the post. Clan units stand on ready to move to assist Black Bears if should need be to hold Terra. Grand Council Watch reports ComStar is not prepared to allow the Clans access to Terra....End
Crumpling up the offending peice of paper DJ looked at his aide. Hitting Demetri in the forehead with the balled up note DJ ordered the lacky to put everything away while DJ logged some late nighttime in the mech simulator.
Echoing down the barracks hall mutterings could be heard," Never get to Terra, grumble, and see the Effile Tower, more grumble, tombs of Egypt."
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Jade Falcons Landing Zone: Mogyorod Lyran Alliance
29 January 3069

True born Warrior Ram Pryde halted his Cougar in the shadow of several evergreen trees. Using his Omnimechs sensor array Ram passively scanned the surrounding terrain for hostile units. Ram had been sent to scout the hills north west of the Falcon landing zone. It was a cold overcast morning. With a strong wind blowing hard across the forest terrain. Ram could here the branches of the nearby evergreen trees scraping against his mech. The units on Mogyorod were being withdrawn to combat operations in other areas of the Jade Falcon Occupation Zone. Ram Pryde was to be one of the last to leave; the job of keeping his commanders appraised of enemy movements required him to stay until the last Dropship left.
He would make sure his Nav points were clear of enemy activity, checking his screens again Ram reported in,” Ram Pryde reporting in Nav point C clear moving to Nave Point D.”
Ram had been on so many scouting missions in the last few days it seemed he was living inside his Battlemech. Many of the units deployed on Mogyorod had already been reassigned there was a general reshuffling of units and Warriors going on. Ram had lived through three Khans and had seen each one-move units around in the Touman. It was no surprise to Ram after all he would have done the same. Each new Falcon Khan had their own opinion on what the Touman should be. A blip on his passive radar screen brought Ram’s full attention back to the mission. It was Mechwarrior Phillip also in a Cougar he to was on a scouting mission similar to Rams. One Nav point in each scouting pattern brought the two Falcon warriors close together. Phillip was of the Mattlov Blood line like Warriors K-Rock and newly blooded IronQueen Mattlov. The very thought of IronQueen made Rams blood run hot, she was by far one of the finest looking warriors in the Falcon Touman. Although thinking IronQueen was all looks and no brawn was a mistake in the highest order. She defiantly was of the Mattlov bloodline very strong willed with a quick temper. The Mattlov’s lost several Bloodnamed warriors in the destruction of the former Khans dropship, the Golden Wing. Phillip and K-Rock both had impressive battle records both would receive sponsorship and Falconer IronQueen had already Won a Mattlov Blood name. K-Rock and Phillip would get both a shot at a Mattlov Bloodname of that Ram was sure. There was also the new LoreMaster Deejay Mattlov; he to had recently won his Blood name. It was said DJ could speak to the Jade Falcon birds themselves. Being one of the Clan Elders meant it was Rams Job to think of such things. He was duty bound to keep the Jade Falcons on the true path of Nicholas Kerensky's vision. Many of the younger Warriors thought Ram should be reassigned to a Solahama unit and not be in a front line formation. Speaking such thoughts in Ram’s presents usually earned the opinionated Warrior a trip to the infirmary.

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Movement far off to Ram’s left caught his eye. Zooming in on his secondary monitor there was a Lyran Alliance Raven standing between a Cliffside and some pine trees. Phillip was still nearby Ram could still see the blip on his passive radar screen. A plan began to take shape in Rams mind making him smile at its simplicity. Ram tuned his comm system to direct laser link and targeted Phillip’s Cougar.
The Comm light on Phillip’s front console suddenly blinked to red indicating an incoming laser transmission. Phillip activated the receive switch on his comm and listened to the incoming message.
“ Ram Pryde to MechWarrior Phillip there is an enemy Raven NW 780 Meters from your position. I will flank to the east of him, I suggest you move around the Cliffside to his west and we give him a rude surprise.”
Phillip responded positively to Rams plan and accelerated his Omnimech to its full speed.
Ram watched the blip on his screen that marked Phillip’s Cougars progress. Several seconds passed before Ram started his own mech forward giving Phillip time to close the distance to the enemy’s location. By coordinating their attack in Inner Sphere fashion Ram hoped to take the Lyran pilot by surprise. Both Falcon warriors knew the LA mech could be the bait for a trap, having an attack come from both sides might foil any enemy plans.
Lyran Alliance Pilot SlitScan took his hands from his Raven's control sticks stripped off his fire-proof nomax gloves and rubbed his palms together to try to warm up his hands. It was a cold morning and Slit had his Mechs internal heaters offline to try to keep his thermal signature down. It had started to rain and the wind had picked up to a steady twenty miles an hour.
A few hundred meters away submerged in a small lake were the rest of his Lance, Senior Corporal Hawk in a Thantos, and warriors Maximus and Serilion both in Uziel’s. They had moved into place under cover of darkness and had made the journey unseen. His hands finally warming up SlitScan pulled on the thin close fitting gloves and settled back to wait. He knew it would not be long. A pair of large lasers suddenly scored deeply into the thin armor covering the chest of Slit’s Raven making the little machine stagger. Twisting his machine at the waist Slit located his tormentor Jade Falcon Warrior Ram Pryd's bird like Cougar. SlitScan was treated to a second stuttering blast of heavy laser fire that ripped armor from the battered Raven. Jade Falcon MechWarrior Phillips shot was too much for the tiny Lyran mech to take and it exploded in a colorful display of fireworks. Rocketing out of the top of the explosion was Slit scan’s ejection module. The Falcons attack had been so swift Slit had not been able to get off a call to spring the Lyrans trap. Both Ram and Phillip returned to their landing zone and soon after all Falcon Units left Mogyorod. To this Day those three other Lyran mechs are still waiting for SlitScans call.

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Jade Falcon Hall Sudeten Clan Occupation Zone,
30 January 3069

Samantha Cleese looked at the logistics report on her desk with a satisfied smile. The new Jade Falcon Khan Judgement Steele would tear out his hair in frustration when he received the information she now possessed.
Star Colonel Cleese had manipulated the Khans orders to the point of total confusion in the lower casts. After winning the Trial of Possession for Falcon Khanship Judge had ordered massive amounts of men and materials to be moved into the Jade Falcon occupation zone. Many of the lower casts were speculating that the Falcons would soon move their entire Clan population into the Inner Sphere much like the Ghost Bears had done years before. Samantha knew the real reason for the resource and troop movements, her contacts had told her the new Keshik was planning an all out invasion of the Lyran Alliance. They would attack Lyran worlds above the Turkkeyed truce line. Her direct interference through special contacts throughout all the casts had units and supplies moving from the Occupation Zone to the Kerensky Cluster worlds in reverse of the Khans orders. As could be expected this was causing total havoc. Samantha was fully aware her actions were unclan like and if she were to be found out she would be abjured for Clan Jade Falcon. That did not matter to Cleese any longer the demotion and assignment to Delta Galaxy and the treatment by other Falcon Warriors had completely soured her faith in The Way of the Clans. Now revenge on Khan Judgement Steele and SaKhan NightWight Steele was all she lived for. Samantha felt she had a hand in removing Former Khan DK Thastus for his office; She was thrilled he had only held the position for a short while. Many of the officers serving under Samantha had no idea how far her hatred had grown. They mistakenly still felt she was true to the Ideals first laid down by Nicholas Kerensky. The disgruntled Star Colonel still had many ways to keep and eye on the new Keshik. It was her plan to discredit the new leaders in front of all the other Falcon Warriors and then Samantha Cleese herself would swoop into claim the Khan ship, which she felt was rightfully hers. Looking back at the stolen HPG report Cleese laughed out loud at the words. Star Captains Knctrnl Roshak and Sebastian Roshak had both challenged the new Khan Judgement to a Trial of Refusal upon Judges arrival on Sudeten. Jade Falcon Khan Judgement Steele proved why he is Khan in two brutal one on one-zellbigen matches. Unfortunately for the Clan both Roshak Warriors were badly injured in the contests. House Roshak might need a new house leader she laughed gleefully.
“I drove one Khan out, I can drive another one out just as easily.” Samantha Cleese squealed happily flinging the HPG reports throughout her office
HAHAHAHA,

Clan Blood Spirit War room, Deep under Mt. Blood, Strana Mechty 30 January 3069
SaKhan Bloodlust walked slowly into the darkened War room his Khan was standing of front of a floor to ceiling Halo projection of the Inner Sphere and Clan Space. Anjinn turned to his friend, "Soon we will have our chance at absorbing the Jade Falcons and then we shall drive to Terra. I believe we now have the backing of the Grand Council, with the information unwittingly provided by Falcon Star Colonel Cleese we have all we need to discredit Judgement and absorb the Falcons." Turning back to look at the glowing green section of Jade Falcon space Anjin again smiled. "Soon." The Trial of merger was a new development in the Clans and many were seeking to have it barred as unclan like. Many of the Clans were seeing the new Trial as a means of getting into the Inner Sphere. The ilKhan and Grand Council were trying to keep the Clan ranks filled by reinstating several merged Clans. Bloodlust also smiled at the prospect of battle and honor,” We are ready my Khan, it shall be as you command."

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Pirate Jump Point Alpha: Sudeten Clan Occupation Zone, 02 March 3069

The alarm klaxon sounded three times signaling that All was clear the jump was complete. The Jumpship ,"BoldWing," transporting many of the new Jade Falcon warriors to Sudeten had made a successful jump to the Pirate jump point. The Sudeten systems primary jump points were filled to dangerously crowded levels with Falcon Jump ships bringing troops and supplies. The pirate jump point was only three days at a 1G burn from Sudeten but at a full speed combat burn of 2G's they would be on the ground in 28hours. Unlike the standard jump points witch were a three-week journey the pirate jump points were only used in combat situations. Shaking off the affects of jumpsickness Trueborn Warrior Dragonknight unbuckled his restraining harness with unsteady hands. Dragon attempted to get up from his jumpseat slowly swinging his legs over the side. He immediately regretted the action as his head spun in the opposite direction. Closing his eyes tightly and gritting his teeth Dragon willed his body to obey. The rest of his unit was rising from their jumpseats although with much more vigor. The rest of the unit headed for the mechbays. Jumpsickness struck only one in one-hundred-thousand people, much to his dislike; Dragon was blessed to be one of the lucky ones.
"The man can engage a Dashi in a Cougar with no fear but he cannot stand to jump a few light years,”Archmore's comforting voice penetrated Dragon's misery. MechWarrior ArchMore walked up behind his friend and spoke quietly, offering his hand for support.
Opening his eyes Dragon Smiled at his friend and took his offered hand.
"Thank you my friend, just tell me this? If Clan scientists can regrow lost limbs and keep horribly mutilated warriors alive. Then why can they not cure jumpsickness?" Coming up behind Dragon Mechwarrior Redeye Clapped him sharply on the shoulder knowing it would make Dragon's head spin.
"Is he going to live Arch ?"
Dragon took the good natured jibs at his weakness from his friends in good spirit knowing they were only trying to keep his attention off of his discomfort until it passed. In the many years they had served together Dragon's trothkin always looked out for him during the few moments after a jump while he regained his composure.
The effects of jumpsickness usually passed quickly and had no lasting after effects. Feeling his legs growing stronger Dragon stood up steady and took a step forward.
"I am feeling better, I am ok now," Dragon assured his Clanmates.
None to soon the wall speaker blared," Warriors to your mech bay, Dropship separations to begin in sixty seconds."
Knowing they would again be together on the surface of their new home Sudeten the three Falcon Warriors clasped hands.
Running the three Clan Warrior made it to the mech bay the rest of their units was already there waiting for them. Climbing into his cockpit Dragon did a final check of all systems before the Dropship separated from the Jumpship. They would land near the capital city and be put into action almost immediately. The Falcon Occupation Zone capital was under attack by the mercenary unit the Gray Death Legion. The Legion attacking the Falcon capital of Sudeten was only one of many new attacks launched across the border with LA by several different mercenary groups. Jade Falcon commanders were starting to think it was the prelimenary attacks for a greater campaign still to come.

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Western Forest. Continent of Dargoth, Sudeten: Clan Occupation Zone, 05 March 3069
The Vtol was flying over the evergreen trees barley skimming their sharp tops. Several large flying creatures were disturbed from roost by the passage of the craft. On one side of the Vtols interior Warriors WalkenCarpet and TrueRavage pressed their faces against the view ports, competing to spot activity or personnel on the landscape below. MacIrons looked out of his window and noted that they were passing over a small lake; several lower cast fishing boats could be seen hard at work. Mac looked back into the Vtol cabin at the seated warriors before him. We shall do well as Jade Falcon Warriors he thought to himself. They had landed on Sudeten with Khan Judgment Steele and SaKhan NightWight Steele and had quickly found out their mechs had been sent to the wrong location. Upon SaKhan Night's orders Mac was moving to retrieve them for the upcoming battle with the Inner Sphere scum Grey Death Legion.
The Vtol landed near a long squat building with what looked like a large pit with a ramp at the far end. The entire area was surrounded by rugged mountainous terrain and dense evergreen forest. After entering what seemed like a normal door Mechwarrior Gorby emerged onto a walkway that stretched across a massive pit followed by his friends. They stood at a railing and looked over the edge at the wonders below. New Falcon warriors, WalkenCarpet, Stalefish, Casius, and TrueRavage were all trying to take in the activity in the mammoth chamber in one glance. Way down below surrounded by a network of complex machinery and hundreds of technicians was a whole Binary of freshly green painted Omnimechs most of them standing tall with the heads of the Thor's and Lokie's a meter or so from the level of the walkway. Off to the side several Mad cats and a Vulture stood squat legged and silent as they also were attended to and far to the left stood two NovaCats proudly still bearing Clan Coyote markings. It was their mech's and most had already been adorned in Jade Falcon colors. The smell of the place was of oil and heat and acid paint left a bitter taste in WalkenCarpets mouth he could not wait to get into a mech and its filtered interior. Turning to Satlefish, Carpert ordered him to contact SaKhan NightWight and inform him the Omnimechs had been recovered and they would proceed to the preplanned nav points once all mechs were powered up and ready to move out. They would coordinate their movements with the landing of Kaenath, Tarrant, and Gorby's unit. Then once linked up they would defeat the Inner Sphere Mercs Gray Death Legion. In responce to the growing number of cross border attacks by the lyrans and their surats merc units Falcon leaders had moblized the entire touman. The trial of Merger with Clan Coyote was completed and their additional warriors were a great addition to the mobliziation effort. However not all of the Coyote's had became Jade Falcon's several front line and second line Galaxy's had called for a Trial of Refusal and had won. Those units had taken several Coyote world's and a significant number of it's lower cast men and reformed Clan Coyote. The new Coyote Khans were Khan The_Wolf and SaKhan Ron McDeath.

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Jade Falcon Hall Sudeten Clan Occupation Zone, 18 March 3069

The deep clicks of Falcon SaKhan NightWights boots hitting the polished tile floor echoed down the long hallway setting up a rhythm of their own. NightWight was lost in thought about his fromer comrads that had decided not to become Jade Falcon's oblivious to the sound. The Falcon Occupation Capital of Sudeten was being raided by IS mercenaries, in fact the IS scum were attacking all along te JF/LA border. It was Night's job to make sure everything was ready to meet the incoming enemy mechs. Some how the new Keshiks Omnimechs had been sent to a location on the other side of the planet. The new SaKhan was finding out just how really messed up Falcon logistics were. Luckily a Dropship loaded with Former Coyote Warriors had landed nearby the mechs and retrieved them. They had regrouped and were ready for combat against the IS scum. Night was delivering the location of the GDL Dropships directly to Khan Judgement with the intention of being assigned to lead the assault on it. The GDL forces had landed near the port city of Webster on the Dargoth continent. In the few weeks they had been on Sudeten Night had learned to like the world and its people and he now took great offense to the IS merc’s raiding. Stopping at the Large Dark mahogany double doors SaKhan NightWight Steele knocked softly. Entering he saw Judge looking out the large picture window overlooking the parade grounds. The Office was still very plush with thick carpet and heavily padded furniture, Khan Steele had not had it replaced yet. Looking over Judgments shoulder NightWight could see Falconer IronQueen Mattlov drilling several fledglings, it looked to him like they were using their bodies as mechs. Each Cadet was carrying a simulated weapons pack. IronQueen was yelling at OsDaDa pushing his phony weapons down and screaming in his face. She made them all do the drill again, yelling at each as they set up again. Night knew it was the final phase of training and next the cadets would take a ToE. Judge turned around and looked at his friend an amused look on his face.
“I would have let the Jade Falcons take me as a bondsman just to be able to look at IronQueens Ass,” Judge laughed as he walked over to his new desk. Night glanced back out the window at IronQueen, Thinking her Chest was equally as nice as her Ass. It stood out ten inches like two sharp missile nosecones. It was said she had to be fitted with a special coolant vest. Momentarily lost in his thought train NightWight looked to the floor coughing to clear his throat and mind.
”We have Warriors in position to intercept the Gray Death Legions raid and attempt to drive them off planet. I request permission to lead the assault; I will use a mix of forces to better foster o sense of one unit. I request permission to use Star Colonel's Scturi Hazen and JP Lewis.”
"Bargained and well done my friend, I will come also and you shall lead us to our first victory as Falcons. Let this be the start of a glorious new destiny for our Clan." Smiling Judge stepped over to Night and clapped him on the shoulder. "Well let's go. We can not let Carpet and Mac have all the fun."
Both Khans left the offices and hopped aboard a waiting Hilo. Soon they too were on their way to the upcoming battle with the Grey Death Legion.

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Main Medical Facility, intensive care ward. Capital City. Sudeten, Clan Occupation Zone, 19 March 3069

The soft whoosh/wheeze filled the quiet sterile room its only occupant was oblivious to the machinery. Former Jade Falcon Khan DarkKnight Thastus lay peacefully hooked up to various medical machines. Still in a coma from his injuries sustained in the Trial to lead Clan Jade Falcon DK was deep in a fantasy world of his minds own making. Thastus was oblivious to the passage of time and the visits by IronQueen, at first she had come by to see him every day then less and less as IQ realized DK might never wake up and rejoin the Falcons. Med techs attending to DK would hear him muttering strange words that to some sounded like Japanese, checks into his codex revealed DK Thastus spoke only Star League standard. If only Those techs could peer deep into DK's mind what would they see,,,,,,Daito Kurita, samurai and coordinator of mighty Black Dragons, is celebrating his forty-first birthday today. Hundreds of thousands have turned out to celebrate this joyous occasion. The normally black, immensely tall iron gates to the capital looked washed in red - garments worn by the crowds of Combine citizens that have gathered to catch a glimpse of their beloved coordinator.
Topping the guest list is the elite Dragon's Fire regiment, fresh from the front lines of control, granted a short leave of their combat duties to participate in the festivities. To be sure, "The Dragon's Fire" regiment are indeed the elite of the Black Dragons. Every element that makes up the unit, including choice of personnel, training, and equipment, is calculated to raise its abilities one step higher, one step better than more typical 'Mech regiments.
The symbol of the Dragon's fire is an ancient one with roots in the Buddhist, Hindu, and even Christian religions of ancient times. The Flaming Dragon originally represented enlightenment, which burns through ignorance. Under the flag of the Black Dragons, the crest has come to symbolize the assertion of Kurita's will.
The Imperial City is one of the most breathtaking cities in the Inner Sphere. Buildings made of teak and marble rise majestically, the Daimyo canal flows gently through the city, and parks with grand sequoias and birch trees surround the Imperial Palace. The palace itself is a grand feat of engineering, composed solely of teak. The city is a rare example of serenity and beauty in the ruins of the Successor States.
Sake drinkers and common pedestrians litter the main yard of the of unity palace, a hexagon of grass covered fields surrounding the barren center concrete-grey parade ground. The geishas huddle in their groups along the edges of the massive palace walls; the yakuza have largely finished their business and have come to pay their respects. Even the all-seeing eyes of the metsuke-the operatives of the Internal Security Force-are half shut, with such a military presence in the area. Pale rose petals form a blanket over the entire area, the same delicate shade of water lilies that grace Siriwan's Peace Pool that rests on either side of the Coordinator's review gazebo. Set high above the scene, the throne rests on a massive stairway leading from the center of the parade ground,
Civil servants scurry to their jobs around the Coordinator, salary men bolt down cups of tea and bowls of cold noodles on their way to their VIP seats. Well-dressed servants of the upper class scurry around their masters, their sharp voices rising through air scented with cherry blossoms. The roar of the Dragon's citizen’s surrounds as the Coordinator makes his first appearance of the day. Cheers and laughter of men, women and children mix with the low hum of five SL-17 Shilones flying a wedge formation overhead…. dropping thousands of rose pedals on the parade ground below. They gently fall to the ground, some resting on the heads of the enthusiastic Combine spectators. Daito Kurita, hero, Coordinator of the Black Dragons smiles and raises this right hand to the crowd, acknowledging their presence. As the Cheers die down the whoosh/ wheeze of the wind remind Diato of another life and another time.
(Special Guest chapter by DK Thastus)

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Hills surrounding Webster City, Sudeten Clan Occupation Zone,
20 March 3069

SaKhan NightWight Steele had deployed his lighter, faster mech's in ambush for the GDL attackers along the grassy tree covered hills surrounding the port city of Webster. The remaining Falcon heavy mech's headed into Webster itself to set their end of the trap. Led by Star Commander MacIrons in his Loki the Heavy star set up a garrison like parameter, DJ Mattlov in a Thor was covering IronQueen Mattlov who much to her own dismay had been assigned an Uller. The Plan had been for the visible Heavy Omnimechs to draw the Death Legion mechs into the city then the lights would ambush them from behind. Sudden radio chatter from the smaller mechs on the outskirts of town alerted the Heavy's that the enemy was attacking them and not entering the city. MechWarrior Tarrant and LoreMaster Deejay both in Thor’s moved to provide aide to the beleaguered smaller mechs. IronQueen being fastest in her light Uller moved out down the tight city streets to try to help. Glad to have the little mechs extra speed, mixed with two clan extended range large lasers it was a deadly little machine. Piloted by an expert like herself the Uller was lethal to enemy mechs twice its size. SaKhan Steel was leading the campaign from a Mobile Command HQ the nerve center of Falcon combat operations. The idea of a mobile headquarters has existed ever since the days when a commander roamed over the battlefield giving orders to officers and dispatching horse-mounted messengers. As technology grew, the design of Mobil headquarters evolved from messengers on horseback to vans with radio sets. The Mobil headquarters’ map/communications room was dominated by a large holotable where SaKhan NightWight Steel was gathered with his command staff. The HQ's computers gathered information from satellites, mech communications, and the tracking devices each mech and soldier carried, and then projected it as a map on the tables clear surface. Using a triD holo device buried in the tabletop, the terrain and individual troop members appeared as solid symbols and surfaces. Known enemy positions were also displayed on the table. Night could see the GDL mechs converging on the Light mechs outside the city and he knew the others would not arrive in time. Night switched the comm over to MechWarrior Archmore's combat channel; the speaker was silent for a moment then crackled with life.
"Talk to me Ravage," Archmore ordered Cougar pilot TrueRavage.
"I got a glimpse of two enemy Scats on the ridge across from us, 70 degrees," Ravage responded to his commander.
"If we can catch them alone we can take them down, light star move out form up on Ravage,"Drop Commander Archmore’s strong voice carried throughout all five mechs in his unit. The hills surrounding Webster did not offer much in the way of cover or protection for Omnimechs. The occasional stand of Pine trees like the one currently shielding their approach was about it. Warrior Redeye's Cougar emerged from the cover of the pines first and he was surprised to find several enemy mechs waiting for him. The flash of laser fire and the sound of autocannon rapport accompanied Red’s frantic report. Newly promoted Star Colonel JP Lewis's forty five ton ShadowCat cleared the trees and he got his first look at the enemy dropping his cross hairs onto the first enemy Scat JP unleashed a devastating alpha strike knocking the enemy machine to the ground. Gouging up a huge mound of dirt the downed Scat began to flop its legs while twisting its torso in an obvious attempt to stand up. Seeing the stricken GDL mech Drop Commander Archmore blasted it into scrap metal. MechWarrior Phillip was in his preferred mech the Cougar a very deadly little mech in his hands. The Light Omni's design had been commissioned many years ago in 3057 by then Jade Falcon Khan Marthe Pryde.

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Former Khan Pryde had wanted to bring a new and deadly machine to the field of battle as quickly as possible. Rather than totally building a new light Omnimech Marthe had ordered Falcon scientist to redesign the already proven chassis of the Puma. In half the normal development time the Falcon Touman had managed to field virtually new design. Taking advantage of the designs speed Phillip had run his Cougar to the right of his star mates and had came out of the tree line farther down the enemies location putting Phillip in a flanking position.
A Grey Death Legion Uller was firing at Red’s limping Cougar; Phillip fired his Extended range large laser into its side attempting to aide his friend. Redeye’s Mech careened to the ground crushing the front section; Redeye ejected out the top of the light mech. Phillip continued to pump laser fire into the enemy Ullers side. The pilot seemed to finally grasp the danger of his situation turning his mech away from the direction of attack and accelerating. Phillip had anticipated the move and was ready for it, spearing the GDL mech in laser light momentarily before it exploded.
JP Had tried to keep to the outside of the melee that had ensued when the Falcon mech’s had came rushing out of the trees at full speed. Firing at enemy targets as they presented themselves he was starting to run low on ammunition. After reducing an enemy Shadowcat’s center torso armor to tatters JP was once again robbed of his kill as Ravage also fired on the stricken Scats CT. JP barley got a chance to express anger a the loss of a second kill because the auto ejection system kicked in and sent him rocketing out the roof of his mech. A GDL Cougar had snuck up behind him and with a lucky shot caused his Omnis reactor to instantly go super critical. Lewis’s rode the shock wave of the expanding fireball several hundred meters into the air before the landing chute and stabilization jets fired. From his vantage point high above the battlefield he watched TrueRavage enact a similar scene as JP had just done. Ravages mech did not explode so he did not rocket as high before his chute opened. Galaxy Commander JP Lewis was mentally tallying how much it would cost to replace the mech lost during this campaign while he watched the enemy mech’s disengage. While floating serenely Lewis was thinking of ways to maximize the movement of men and materials in the Falcon Occupation zone. It was JP’s new job to over see Falcon production and distribution and it was one he relished. From the direction the enemy mech’s were moving JP guessed they would try to intercept the other JF mechs that were located in the city of Webster. Khan Judgment had taken Command and on last report they were moving to help the Light Star. They would move into an ambush and also be wiped out if they were not warned somehow.
SaKhan NightWight Steele watched the icons on the holotable representing the light mechs wink out one by one only to be replaced with downed mech symbols. The icons of the converging heavy mech were getting with in firing range. Turning his comm channel to Khan Judgment and Star Commander MacIrons open line Night warned them of the trap and loss of the light mechs.
Lifting his Thor’s right arm Jade Falcon Khan Judgment tapped the firing trigger unleashing his large lasers finishing off the enemy light mech attempting to withdraw. The light mech staggered on several more steps before falling to the ground plowing forward into the earth with its momentum. Firing a second volley Judge could see the endo-steel framework of the mech glowing faintly where the lasers had burned through the relatively thin armor. The mauled enemy, now a smoking ruin, mech lay in it a grave of its own making. IronQueen Mattlov moved her Uller to the right of her Khans Thor. She saw him destroy the fleeing enemy and was about to cheer when she noticed the line of enemy assault and heavy mechs the light mech had been retreating towards. The explosion of their comrade alerted the GDL heavy mech to the presents of the Falcons. They had been in passive radar mode depending on the destroyed scout to tell them when to spring the ambush. Now they went full active and lit up the Falcon mechs in invisible radar beams. IQ fired her Large Lasers into a GDL Thantos causing its shots at Deejay to go wide. Swinging her speedy mechs torso around for a second volley she could see DJ’s Thor taking an awful beating.

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Deejay Mattlov cleared the city and moved off to Khan Judge’s left following the lead of Mac and Tarrant. Thinking back to just before they had mounted their mechs DJ recalled the conversation with Judge. Khan Steele had confided in his friend that the Lyran Lackeys, the Grey Death Legion, Kell Hounds, and Wolves in Exile had been raiding all along the LA/JF border in an obvious attempt to weaken the Falcons garrisons. Judge had moved units to raid the GDL world of Barcalona to hurt them and make then think twice before attacking the Falcons again. As they entered the low hills and sparse evergreen tree stands the heavy Star mechs spread out to the left of Judgments Omnimech in a line-a-breast formation. Far off to DJ's right he could see several smoking mech ruins on the slope of a small hill. Out in front of Judge an enemy light exploded in a bright fireball setting nearby trees a blaze. DJ was completely unprepared for the sustained fire of the hiding enemy GDL heavy mechs. His Thor was rocked by repeated hits from the GDL mech’s finally spinning his Thor around and to the ground. Strangely reminiscent of the battle with deceased Khan Roz Hazen DJ found his omni face down in the dirt.
This time however DJ was certain his mech was out of action, all the interior lights and systems were offline. The machines controls were none responsive and the comm line was dead, not even static came out of the earpiece. DJ unfastened his harness and jumped lightly onto the canopy that was now the floor. Many Hours later Falcon Labor caste men using cutting tools and pry bars were able to cut DJ out of his temporary entombment. Stepping into the Mobil Command Headquarters conference room DJ could see the strain of the last few weeks on Judges face. Outside the window the wreckage of SaKhan NightWight's Mobil Command still burned
" You ok," Judge asked his friend," I would hate to have to find a new LoreMaster too," hinting at Night's death.
"Yes I am fine, only my ego is bruised," DJ handed Judge a large cup of carbonated beverage.
"Here read this," Judge said handing DJ an HPG report, "I just received it."
--------HPG-----------
From: Garrison Commander Darrel, Blair-Athol, Jade Falcon Occupation Zone.
-Lyran Alliance Invasion Force Dropship’s burning for planet-
-Attacking force sufficient to take planet suggest you send reinforcements-
-Await your command-
-------------------------
"So it is War with the Lyrans, We are ready Quaiff." DJ inquired looking up from the paper.
"Aff, we shall teach the Inner Sphere surats a lesion in humility. I must take this information back to the Grand Council and use it to rally the remaining Clans for a new invasion of the IS. We must hurt the Lyrans badly this time and hold the rocks we take. Archon Traxxes will not know what hit him when the might of the Clan Invasion Alliance rolls over him. Humm C.I.A, I like that. I will have to use it. I want you to arrange a Command circuit of Jumpships and Warships to get us back to the Home Worlds as fast as possible. If we can take this before the Grand Council BY the 1st of May then we could have the entire alliance attacking the Lyran's by June."
The vibrations of the Mobil HQs engines" could be felt through the floor of the conference room. DJ stepped to the room’s door and yelled a few curt orders to the pilot diverting their destination to the Star Port. Using the Radio DJ began to carry out Judges orders. They now were on their way to the Star Port where a Dropship was waiting to transport Judge back to Clan space.
" I swear I spend more time these days in Dropship than in mechs." Judge complained to DJ who only smiled in reply as he hung up the transmitter mike.
DJ could see the depression of loosing his friend and SaKhan NightWight was starting to leave Judge to be replaced with a new conviction to teach the IS surats a lesson they would soon not forget. During the ride to the Star Port Judge told DJ that Star Colonel JP Lewis would now be reassuming SaKhan Duties. DJ wondered if this strain would be too much for Judge, The loss of over half his former Clan and now the loss of his oldest friend. Clan warrior's were suppost to be above such things but DJ knew from experiance most were not. DJ began to make alternate plans in case Judge become unbalanced and should do somthing dangerous to the Clan. Many years ago when he was young in the Hell's Horses DJ had witnessed first hand the damage a Mad Khan can do.

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Dropship Golden Wings II , Inbound Strana Mechty Kerensky Cluster Clan
Space 03 May 3069

Jade Falcon Khan Judgment Steel stood silently on the bridge of the Falcons newest Dropship looking out the forward observation ports. The blue-green world filled the view rapidly spinning below as the craft braked for final approach. It had takeen Judge and DJ just under seven weeks to make it to Clan Space using a command circut of Warships and Jumpships. The smallest of the temperate landmasses Novy Terra was passing below its forests and plains clearly visible. They were fast approaching their destination the Capital City of the Clans Katyusha. The City was near the far edge of the continuant just visible on the horizon. The landing thrusters began to fire changing their angle of decent for last minuet maneuvers. Katyusa's outskirts could be seen and far to the left of the city was the star port, they would be landing soon. The system was under nominal Jade Falcon control but all the Clans were allowed to maintain embassies in the Capital City. All the Crusader Clans had responded to LoreMaster DJ's call for an emergency meeting to discuss the developments in the Clan Home worlds and Inner Sphere. The Issue of warden Clans attacking Crusader Clans would be dealt with. Judge loved the Capital City of the Clans, to him it was the best and the worst the Clan had to offer. He had spent time there while still in his sibko and had grown fond of the city and planet. The ground shook as the six mammoth engines of the Jade Falcon Khans Dropship slowed it decent to the tarmac. Once it was secured on its massive landing pads huge clouds of gas vented outward from the craft.
A large ramp telescoped down from one of the vessels lower doors. Standing in the open hatch Judgment Steel took a deep breath of Strana Mechty air; even laced with the chemical smell of the venting Dropship he could tell it was the air of home. Smiling broadly Khan Steel walked down the ramp onto his world. As Judgment reached the tarmac a hover car came speeding up beside the end of the ramp. Half a kilometer away another Dropship was lifting off it also was one of the new designs a JFOutpost Class. In the early 3060s, Clan Hell's Horses finally realized that their naval forces were filled with versions of the Union-C and Overlord-C class DropShips that had been converted on a case-by-case basis for combined-arms use. Unsatisfied with this patchwork approach, the Clan put in motion plans to rectify the situation once and for all. The complete ground-up design and construction of a new transport vessel, built expressly to carry a truly mixed military force of armor, infantry, aerospace, and BattleMech forces, was commissioned on the orders of SaKhan Tanya DeLaurel in 3061. Clan Jade Falcon won several prototype Outposts in a Trial of Possession just before Hell's Horses began full-scale production.
The Falcons' techs reverse engineered nearly every positive aspect of the new design and added improvements of their own. Dubbed the JFOutpost-class, the seven thousand ton assault DropShip can outgun, out-maneuver, and outlast almost any other combat transport in use among the Clans, giving the Falcons a powerful new advantage during combat drop engagements. The massive vessel rose slowly over the landing pad where Judge stood. The hot wind from its atomic engines washed over him warming his outer jacket and making a slight sweat break out on his brow. Back at the top of the Exit ramp LoreMaster Deejay Mattlov was struggling to carry several armloads of luggage. The downdraft of the departing Dropship threatened to blow DJ from the ramp.
Looking back over his shoulder Judge yelled to his friend,” Hurry up I want to get to the Grand Council hall before dark."
Knowing full well it was only noon and many hours until night fell DJ simply replied, "Aff my Khan."
DJ dropped several small cases that began to roll down the ramp gaining speed as they went. The first one continued out onto the tarmac for several hundred feet, the second one hit the side of the waiting hover car bursting open. All sorts of brightly colored sox and under garments began to flutter about in the still lingering down draft.

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Reaching the end of the ramp DJ knew he was in big trouble once again when he saw his Khan standing next to the hover car. Judge was standing with his arms crossed in front of his massive chest several multi colored sox and under garments were draped around him at various places on his body. A scowl covered his tanned face knitting his formidable brow together. His eyes glowed with the strength of a Khan,” I am displeased," he rumbled in a deep angry voice. Dropping the other bags DJ quickly sprang forth and plucked all the offending undergarments from Judge's less than dignified body.
"Hurry up, if any of the other Khans see me....," he motivated DJ with a kick to the right shin. Hopping on his left foot the Falcon LoreMaster finished the job,” sorry, sorry."
Pausing in midpluck DJ looked up at Judge, his lip was quivering in effort to keep from Smiling, When their eyes met both burst out laughing loudly handing DJ the last of the clothes Judge helped him stuff them back into the tiny suitcase. While DJ retrieved the last case Khan Steel began to lash his friends luggage to the top of the hover car.
" If this is any indication, I think this is going to be an interesting trip. Did I ever tell you about the Labor cast women on the south side of town? They look as good as IronQueen and do not hit half as hard." Slapping DJ on the back Judge followed his LoreMaster into the hover car.
A few moments later, with luggage tied to the top, the hover car sped from the tarmac towards the Grand Council Hall. No one noticed the trail of baggage falling from the speeding car.
Standing near the huge clear aluminum blast widows of the Star Port terminal Blood Spirit Khan Anjinn watched Jade Falcon Khan Judgement and his LoreMaster DJ fiddle around their waiting hover car and finally depart heading off to the north. Smiling to himself Anjinn pulled out a small transceiver hunching over as he spoke several words in a hushed voice, straightening up Anjinn returned the device to his jackets inner pocket.
Smiling he walked towards the terminals exit to his first meeting this day he also had other meetings with the ilKhan and several Crusader Clan Khans to attend to. This will be a very interesting visit Judge my friend, very interesting indeed Anjinn thought. His first person to meet with this afternoon was standing near the exit; Star Colonel Samantha Cleese fell into step with Khan Anjinn.
"Ahh Star Colonel, I believe we were discussing your future last time we spoke...."

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Grand Council Chamber, Clan Capital Strana Mechty 04 May 3069

The ilKhan entered the Grand Chamber flanked by two Elementals in black wolf armor. Juggernaut Ward marched to the small dais just to the side of a high bench. Stepping onto the black marble stand added at least another head to his formidable height, but still left him that much shorter than the giants to either side. Looking out at the Khans gathered in the dimly lit, semi-circular chamber the ilKhan could see them in their ceremonial masks ready to perform their pre-meeting rituals. The places for member Khans were carved from granite, with red velvet cushions on the seats and backs. They were arranged in five rows of eight with the center aisle splitting the rows in half. The black stone used for their desktops was streaked with a pattern of white that looked like a luminescent nebula cloud and stars as seen from deep space. The slate wall paneling and recessed lighting increased the gloom even the colorful clan banners hanging down from the ceiling and behind each desk did not break the graveyard mood of the room. IlKhan Ward motioned the Elementals to seal the room then the session began and most of the masks were removed and set on the ornate desktops before them. Instead of the usual formal debates ilKhan Juggernaut ward called his Khans to order.
" Khan Judgment Steel of the Jade Falcons has called us all here for a council of war. In the time since we received his call other developments have more than justified our meeting today. We must consider the misguided actions of the Ice Hellions, and Widomakers and take action. We also acknowledge the new reborn Clans, Steel Viper, Star Adder, and Coyote's and finally The Ghost Bears Honor returned by the destruction of the Black Bears."
Via HPG the old Clans had voted to bring back several absorbed Clans, all the old Clans had donated worlds and materials to give the reborn Clans a head start.
Juggernaut Ward looked slowly around the hall looking at each Khan and SaKhan present: Clan Blood Spirit Khan =Anjin=, SaKhan =BloodLust=, Clan Diamond Shark Khan Tinman, SaKhan Haze Kalasa, Clan Fire mandrill Khan NightHawk Tanaga, Clan Jade Falcon Khan Judgment Steele, Clan Wolf SaKhan Killjoy Vulkanis smiling broadly. Returning to his scan Jugg ignored his friend, looking at the new Khans Clan Coyote Khan The wolf, SaKhan Ron Mcdeath, Clan Hell's Horses Khan Christof Kabrinski, Sakhan Jaden Delaurl, Clan Ghost Bear Khan Kilbourn Jorgensen, SaKhan Zhokov Kabrinski, and finally Snow Raven Khan Striker and SaKhan Radik. Warden Clan's Goliath Scorpion Khan Robert Scott and SaKhan Lion Kirov, Steel Viper Khan Griffion and SaKhan Maxpain, Clan Ice Hellion Khan Ben Dwelley and SaKhan OsaDa Taney. The ilKhans glare was stern and unforgiving and each man he looked at shuddered to think of that inner power being directed at him or his Clan.
"Tonight we shall hammer out a Grand strategy for all the alliance to lead us to victory. Esteemed Khan Judgment Steele you may have the floor," ilKhan Juggernaut Ward moved up several stairs to sit beside Killjoy. Jugg poked Killjoy in the ribs as he sat down. A quiet "pssst" was heard in the chamber as Killjoy passed Jugg a fresh cold Wolf Gunnies. Most of the other Khans were drinking the new rage in Clan space, Falcon Ale (it's green), brewed at the Falcons new massive brewery complex south of the Capital City. Taking a long draw from his Ale Judge confidently walked down to the raised floor platform. Clearing his throat Judge spoke clearly projecting his voice throughout the Chamber. At the top of the hall a tech with a trivid camera focused in on Judges speech, this was part of LoreMaster Deejays propaganda plans.

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"You all know the Inner sphere is decadent and lost. And it was the will of our founder to reclaim their lost souls thru the reestablishment of the Star league. The Falcons and the Wolves have tried to live in peace with the IS nations and they have picked at our bones with their Dezgra mercenaries. All the while claiming innocence, Clan Jade Falcon has attacked the merc unit Grey Death Legions base world of Barcelona. The Lyrans have responded by attacking the Falcon world of Blair atoll with over a Galaxy of front line troops. We have responded by attacking them all along our border. My Fellow Khans the Lyrans have continued to break their word and now have attacked us in an all out assault. It is war my Khans." The room erupted into Cheers as the surrounding Khans began to clap wildly and chant "WAR,WAR". As the chant died down Judge continued," The allies of the Lyrans have come to their aide and the FedCom, St Ives and the Capellan Confederation have attacked us. We are pushing back or routing all the enemy units and have initiated counter attacks back across the border at LA staging areas and we shall take the world of Pandora from them. Blood Spirit Khan =Anjinn= stood up and raised his hand for attention," Khan Steel are you asking for our help? I believe this is a case similar to the former Smoke Jaguars, an internal matter. I go one step farther my Khans and propose the Jade Falcons are unable to stop the Lyrans." Stepping out onto the staircase and walking several steps down Khan Anjinn handed one of the ilKhans elemental warriors several data disks. "There you have the latest reports from the front. They have lost both Blair Athol and the attack on Pandora and IS scum merc's are capturing massive amounts of Clan Isorla. I call for a Trial of Merger between Clans Blood Spirit and Jade Falcon." The chamber erupted into chaos as everyone began shouting at the same time. Everyone except Judge and Anjinn, looking at Anjinn Judge nodded once, Honor given, and Anjin nodded in return, Honor received and returned. After Many many hours they finally broke for the night a series of Trials would be fought in the coming weeks for control of Clan Jade Falcon. Shortly after the meeting devolved into a screaming match Falcon LoreMaster DJ left the Chambers upper levels to have the Trideo of Judges speech edited and sent back to the Falcon Occupation Zone. The edited version would be sent out over all the HPG and small satellites would broadcast it thought the Lyran Alliance overriding all Trideo and radio. DJ then went to meet with several Falcon warriors recuperating in Strana Mechty,s extensive limb/organ replacements wards. Deturing to the HPG station nearby DJ sent out several messages to activating prearranged plans. DJ was determined not to let all he had worked for be in vain, but he had a radical plan. All he needed was a few good warriors and some old friends.

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Deep within the Lyran Alliance, 06 May 3069

An old man sits slowly down into his soft leather easy chair. The cushions seem to sigh with his relief and comfort. His wife of many years walks into the room and sets down on the sofa beside him turning on the trivid with a remote. "Good evening and welcome to the evening news," The speakers boom out. Smiling to himself he is amazed how well she always times it.
"Tonight headline story Lyran Alliance sons and daughter's are attacking the Hated Jade Falcons on the world. ZZZGGGFFF. The screen broke up into static and a piercing whine emitted from the speakers. He was half way to the box to check the rear connections when the screen and sound cleared.
Standing proud behind a podium with a richly decorated green cloak around his shoulders and green jungle camos with several bright gold medals adorning the chest was a well muscled man in his mid twenties. Behind him blazed the emblem of the Clan Jade Falcon. The wife mirroring her husband’s confusion tried to turn the channel on the trivid, but to no avail it was on every one. Slowly the man on the screen began to speak.
" Citizens of the Lyran Alliance you have been deceived by your leaders, They have told you that Clan Jade Falcon is to blame for this war and that we struck first. I am LoreMaster Deejay Mattlov and i will show you the truth." The trivid screen changed to a list of worlds slowly scrolling down, Bone-Norman, Benfled, Botany Bay, Denizli, Apolakkia, Roadside, Baker3, Black-Earth, AnyWhere, Gotterdamrung, Malibu. Then it was followed by a list of thousands of Jade Falcon Lower castes harmed in the attacks. Then followed video footage of all the attacks. It each it was clearly visible the Falcon mech were defending and trying to save civilian lives. And it was also clearly visible the attacking mechs had Lyran, KH, GDL and WX markings and they were destroying and raiding unhindered in the supposed Cease-fire time. During the entire time the Jade Falcons had launched no raids across the borders and the Raid on Barcelona was an attempt to do what the Lyrans could not seem to do. Te whole time the Falcon leadership was told by Lyran leadership,” Its only mercs we will rein them in we are sorry." In reality they were waging a Shadow war on Clan Jade Falcon wearing down the defenders and spreading them out so they would be unprepared for a Lyran Attack.
"Sit down, Honey," the wife said to her man who was still standing half way to the Trivid. Turning obediently he sat down beside his wife and took her hand. " Our Archon wouldn’t really do that would he," the man looked to his wife for comfort. She mealy raised one eyebrow and looked back to the monitor.
The picture had shifted to huge roman looking chamber with people sitting at various tiers around it. Each tier had a different clan banner behind it. Zooming in to the man standing on a raised pedestal in the center.
"My Fellow Khans the Lyrans have continued to break their word and now have attacked us in an all out assault. It is war my Khans." The room erupted into Cheers as the surrounding Khans began to clap wildly and chant "WAR,WAR". The screen shifted again to a massive landing field with several overlord dropships in launch pit could be seen. Once again the camera zoomed in to show a long line of pristine clan Omnimechs being loaded.
The couple sat and watched the show for several hours and more than once found themselves nodding in agreement. The next morning the man found everyone at his work was talking about it. He was surprised to find his long time buddy Hank, an avid Archon fan, was talking about the crimes done to the Jade Falcons, and how some one should pay. The mood across the Alliance seemed to shift many in low places began to ask why had their leaders deceived them and started another war. They had been told they were on a just Cause to liberate worlds from the Cursed Draconis Combine and now they were at war with Clan Jade Falcon.

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Lyran Alliance Landing Zone: Blair Atoll
09 May 3069

Ok HQ. The last battle I was in went VERY well. I was in a missile boat Ryoken. All was going well, I attacked a LA/Shadowcat that everyone was attacking and killed it with 80 missiles. Then some JF's went over a hill and started to drop like flies we got separated, Communications was spotty. So I was all alone because I saw no friendlys near me. I noticed movement to my left and thought it was my other JF wings. I was wrong. It was another Lyran Shadowcat and he had seen me. I moved to attack it, and as I rounded the side of a flat hill I saw an enemy Thor round the bend toward me. "Ah hell" I thought to myself. So I attacked the Thor while the Shadowcat took a shot at me, I must have hit the head because the Thor exploded in my first alpha strike, splashing me and the other ShadowCat. Luckily I had all my weapons and I believe he did not. The strange thing is, the ShadowCat hardly shot at me and every time I got a lock and fired my missile at close range, the ShadowCat would jump. We did the fire-and-jump-dance about 3 or 4 times. Then I got a lucky break, the Shadowcat was turning and not jumping. So I got a lock on and pumped 80 missiles into it. The ShadowCat blew up but splashed me. I only had 3 more shot of ammo, I only had one leg, and the rest of the mech was badly damaged. Now I was alone with two smoldering mech behind me. I cycled my radar to friendly only and found out it was Red Eye and myself left. He was reporting only one enemy, Luckily for me, Red killed it and we held our lines today. (Guest Paragraph by Phillip Mattlov)

Star Commander (pro-field promotion) Phillip Mattlov finished up his personal briefing of the days battle, pressing save on the noteputer he handed it to the waiting lower cast man, who would see it was delivered to the Falcon leadership. Phillip was tired he had been fighting for several weeks and he was worn out. The Falcons were preparing to leave Blair Athol and all nonessential personnel were being transferred at once. One more world lost to the Lyrans he thought bitterly. The Jade Falcons were not doing well in their war with the Lyrans several worlds in addition to Blair Atoll were in jeopardy of being lost. LA sponsored Mercs were raiding all along the border causing supply shortages. "Sleeping on the Job?" K-Rock Mattlov said to his house brother as he walked up behind him. Spinning around on the office style chair he was sitting on Phillip smiled and stood up.
"You made it," he exclaimed as he gripped K-Rocks hand firmly. "But of course! I told you if there was the slightest chance I could find a way to come over and see you I would." K-rock had been posted to the fighting on the other side of the planet and had somehow managed the impossible by making his way to see Phillip.
"How," Phillip asked the obvious question, " How."
Star Commander Phillips long time friend turned and pointed out a window to an old Kharnov VTOL transport parked in the middle of the buildings parking lot.
" I have received a very important HPG message from DJ and you need to here it." Noting his friends change in tone Phillip moved to the Halo reader K-Rock followed pulling a data disk from his inner jacket pocket. Once at the reader K-Rock slipped the disk into the reading slot with the ease of experience, pressing the read icon on the touch screen he grabbed a stool for himself and Phillip.

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Grand Council Chamber, Clan Capital Strana Mechty 18 May 3069

DJ Mattlov had never stood on the center dais of the Grand Council Chamber before. Looking slowly around DJ thought of how his friend and former Jade Falcon Khan DK Thastus had felt the first time he to had stood here. Just before the last council meeting had broke up DJ had gone to find DK in the Clans intensive care unit located in the main hospital complex of the warrior section of Katyusha. The lower cast clerk on duty had reported DK Thastus was released on May 3rd, the day DJ and Judgement had arrived on Strana Mechty. After the decision of the Grand Council DJ had contacted several older Falcon warriors and had called in all of the favors ever owed to him by the leaders of the other Clans. He was waiting here now because of one of those very messages, DJ had received a reply to meet an unknown person here. Some of DJ's most trusted friends had answered his call, DarkStryfe Heller, Ender, and Retic Steele all soon to be released from limb regen and ready for combat DragonKnight, Tib and Timur Malthus and of course the Mattlov’s Arch, K-Rock and Phillip with several other warriors DJ almost had an elite Trinary. IronQueen Mattlov had decided to stay with the Jade Falcons she did not want any part in politics. Looking down at his wrist chrono he had to squint to read the dial in the darkened chamber. A shaft of bright light suddenly stabbed into the room when a door on one of the upper tiers opened. Standing illuminated form behind was the figure of a man and he began to descend the ornate marble staircase. Blinking several times to clear the spots from his eyes DJ could not identify the man at first. Finally, his eyes readjusted to the dark DJ could see his visitors face clearly and he blinked one more time just make sure he was seeing who he thought he was.
"DK?", DJ said in an unsure voice, "Is that you?"
Laughing DK Thastus took one last mighty stride and wrapped his old friend in a massive bear hug
"Of course it is me, Who else can help you do this crazy thing you propose."
Dropping DJ to the floor DK stepped back to look at his friend. Electro muscle stimulus had long been perfected in the Clans to the point where DK was fully fit and ready for duty.
"So you really want to go through with this." DK asked his friend walking over and sitting down on the nearby dark oak railing.
"Yes," DJ replied without hesitation,” This is the best way for all of us."
"Good. I believe you are right and I will follow you. I have already talked to a few friends and we have more than enough support in the Grand Council. I met with the ilKhan and Galaxy Commander Hunter Lewis of Clan Blood Spirit a few hours ago and the formal Trial will be later this evening between myself and Hunter. It is only a formality but we must Honor the founders intentions or we would be no better than the Inner Sphere. Khan Anjinn will retain control of Clan Jade Falcon and You will be Khan of Clan Blood Spirit."
DJ stood silent for a moment absorbing all he had heard form his friend, his mind racing with possibilities.
"hummph,,It is a good story for the Inner Sphere media. The Dezgra Warrior who would be Khan. Think of it DK when I first met you back in October of 67 I was a bondsman, a lowly former Hell's Horses LoreMaster drummed out of his Clan by politics. Now I am to be the Khan of Clan Blood Spirit. It makes me wonder sometimes if maybe the Goliath Scorpions and Nova cats are really on to something with all their mysticism."
DK smiled and put his arm around his friend and now Khan guiding him towards the stairs.
" Come on we have a meeting with destiny in an hour and I am hungry."

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Grand Council Chamber, Clan Capital Strana Mechty 01 June 3069

DJ Mattlov and DK Thastus stood in the hall behind the double doors leading into the Grand Council Chambers. Inside waited all the gathered Clan leaders, Khans and SaKhan. DJ could hear the ilKhans voice booming throughout the chamber as he informed them all of the results of the Merger Trials. Instead of Clans Jade Falcon and Blood Spirit merging, Khan Anjinn would become leader of the Falcons and DJ would become Khan of the new Blood Spirits.
" Our little bit of Intel about the Ice Hellions should really stir thing up a bit," DJ said turning around to face DK. Before officially giving up his duties as Jade Falcon LoreMaster DJ had received a confirmed report that the Ice Hellions had joined the Northern Inner Sphere alliance and were planning on a small Exodus of their own. The FedCom had agreed give them worlds and was already providing funding. The Grand Council already knew about the funds and had warned the Hellions in the last meeting.
Suddenly the huge doors opened and two huge suited elemental warriors stepped out both had their missile rack removed but they were still more than impressive.
"YOU MAY ENTER," a voice boomed from one of the suited warriors chest speaker.
Of all the Clans the Blood Spirits had chosen not to hide their faces behind masks and now both DJ and DK walked proudly into the now well lit Chamber heads unadorned by masks. Moving to their new place under the Blood Spirits banner DJ and DK both acknowledged the round of applause given by their fellow Khans.
Raising his arms in response DJ spoke to the awaiting Clan leaders." most Honored Khans I have come before you several times in the past to do your bidding as a LoreMaster for both Clans Jade Falcon and Hell's Horses. I now stand before you as an equal, a Khan. I thank you all for your support and you're greeting although there are those among you that do not have reason to rejoice at my being here."
Not expecting such words from a new Khan the other Leaders began to shift about restlessly. Stepping out from behind his new desk DJ Walked to the edge of the stairs and looked to the IlKhan who was standing on the center dais.
"If I may my IlKhan."
"Of course let us hear your words Khan Mattlov," IlKhan Juggernaut stepped down and moved to his own ornate chair and desk.
Relishing the act of stepping up on to the dais DJ slowly stepped into the spotlight, he stood silent for a moment basking in the heat of the light. Turning to a raised podium at the edge of the dais he inserted a data disk. Pressing several icons on the touch screen DJ brought up 3 floating holographic windows, all three slowly rotating around the edge of the raised platform making them easily readable by all the other Khans.
" Here is confirmed evidence that Clan Ice Hellion has betrayed us all, they have joined the Inner Sphere Northern Alliance and are planning on moving their entire Clan into the Inner Sphere. They have betrayed the ideals set forth by our founder Nicholas Kerensky and they need to pay the ultimate price like the Not named Clan."
The night before DK, DJ and Hunter had practiced what to say in the council meeting to make sure they got the most from the Ice Hellion information. The exchange of power had gone smoothly and DJ, DK and Hunter were firmly in control of Clan Blood Spirit they had already moved forces to raid the Ice Hellions. The Spirits would now be a Warden Clan and DJ was quickly building alliances with all of the other Clans Wardens and Crusader alike.
The great room erupted into a fury of screams and shouts as the other Khans reacted to DJs announcement and the floating data displayed for all to see. Ice Hellion Khan whispered something to his SaKhan OsDada who quickly got up and rushed from the chamber unseen by the others. In the ensuing frenzy new Blood Spirit Khans DJ and DK managed to win the right to Annihilate the Ice Hellions Clan but before anyone could move to stop the Hellions Khan. In a strange replay of events that transpired before the Not-Named-Clan was Annihilated Hellion troops led by Ice hellion SaKhan OsDada burst into the Council Chamber and withdrew with their Khan keeping the remaining Khans at gunpoint.

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Clan Blood Spirit Capital, 22 June 3069
Pushing the half broken door with all his considerable might New Blood Spirit Khan DJ Mattlov finally gained access to former BS Khan Anjin’s office. The room like the rest of the military complex was stripped and badly damaged. Part of the ceiling had collapsed in the far corner, evidence of a grenade going off in that section of office. Grey ash and dust covered all that remained of the fire-damaged furnishings still in the room. Soon after the Ice Hellion's Khan's had fled the Grand Council Chambers they had fled Clan Space completely. While in route to their new Clan Capital DJ and DK had received word from the Blood Watch confirming that Khan Ben and SaKhan OsDada had gone over to the IS FedCom taking a sizeable amount of the Hellions Warship/Jumpship assets. The remaining Ice Hellions had asked the Grand Council to rescind their Annihilation order and have provided information on the activities of their Black Khans. The information showed it was solely the disgraced leaders plot and not their entire Clan. In light of the new information the Clans agreed as a whole and now Clan Ice Hellion would be held in trust until new leadership took over. Kicking over the soot blackened desk Khan Mattlov doubted they would find anything of value left in the entire base. The former Blood Spirit leadership had been very thorough in their scorched earth policy. The leadership switch officially consisted of a trinary from each Keshik. Anjin had not been happy to find out that he would not be Khan of a combined Clan but only the Jade Falcons so DJ was not surprised at the condition of the Keshik’s primary base. Winning the Honor of Annihilating the Hellions even though it was now canceled was a huge political success for DJ and his new Clan. The Blood Spirits had traditionally been an isolationist Clan but with the new leadership the older Blood warriors were excited at the new prospects for combat. A yell from Thastus brought DJ’s thoughts back to the present and he turned to leave the charred blackened room. Shame he thought glancing back out the smudged cracked Plexiglas, nice view.
The new Blood Keshik had set up a prefabricated base on the outskirts of the Capital City of Yorktown almost an hours travel by hovercraft from the abandoned former leaders base. Warrior Martok Keller stood nearby the waiting hovercraft griping his a3 laser rifle tightly. Martok felt naked out in the open without his Dire Wolf. Being one of the best 100 ton mech pilots tended to give him a since of strength but the pea shooter in his hands now just made him mad. Wishing was unclan like he knew but he was now wishing the Khans would hurry up so they could leave this accursed place. The entire former base had been badly damaged by set explosive charges left by the departing trinary. They had been very precise and the place was unusable and dangerous. Emerging from a nearby bunkers low entrance DJ and DK looked ashen and gray both covered with a fine dust. As they approached Martok notice a strange look of conviction in both men’s eyes.
“This will not happen again, ”DJ spoke in a low gravelly voice.
“ I want that place leveled and a park or school built on it. No memory is to be left of it. Let us return to the city.”
Following his new Khan into the now powering up hovercraft Martok was impressed by the look he had seen in DJ’s eyes. Several kilometers away newly promoted Galaxy Commander DarkStryfe Heller joined Star Captain Ender standing near an huge dropship ramp watching their new Blood Kite assault mechs be unloaded from a newly arrived Dropship. Despite the disaster of the Absorption War Clan Blood Spirit has continued to field several new designs of mech the newest of witch a star was now unloading.
Since its debut in 3065 the Crimson Langur has appeared in every Galaxy with in the Blood Spirits. A popular medium Omnimech with a top speed of 120kph, it is fast for its size. Surprisingly the Langur has been spotted with the Goliath Scorpions signifing a new alliance between these two Clans. New Blood Spirit OathMaster DragonKnight pointed out a new Arcaida Class Dropship near a far terminal. The new design was the pride of the Spirits Protomech program. Named for the Blood Spirit’s enclave on the pentagon world of the same name, the Arcaida-class Dropship was designed for one purpose: Trials of Possession. Taking full advantage of the newest weaponry available to the Clans, the Arcaida mounts a blistering array of advanced Tactical missiles and heavy lasers. Once the Dropship has reached its target it can deploy up to 15 Protomech’s to quickly take their objective.( Information provided by Technical Readout 3067)
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Lyran Alliance Landing Zone: Blair Atoll 24 June 3069

IronQueen Mattlov looked out at the hustle and bustle of the Jade Falcon’s Primary base on Blair Atoll with mixed feelings. Absently rubbing the old scar on her buttocks IQ was thinking of the past few month’s battles. The Falcon’s and the Lyran’s had been battling continuously for the last 6 months and the fighting had ground down to mostly raiding on both sides. IronQueen had received the old scar during former Jade Falcon LoreMaster and House Mattlov leader Deejay Mattlov’s Trial of Blood rite. DJ was now Khan of Clan Blood Spirit having won his new position by challenging that Clans former Khan in a Trial of Grievance. Several of IQ’s House brothers had followed him into the new clan, Archmore, K-Rock and Phillip had moved but IQ had chosen to remain a Jade falcon Warrior. DJ’s Blood rite seemed like a lifetime ago when IQ thought of all the fighting the Falcons had done since then. She had been posted to Blair Atoll soon after the war with the Lyrans had started and IQ had made it her personal quest to bring the base up to her high combat standards. IQ thought of DK Thastus and she became both angry and hurt, Thastus had left with DJ to reform the Spirits Touman and had not even said goodbye. She had not even been informed he had awakened from the long coma. Clenching her fists so hard her razor sharp nails bit deep into her palms. IQ vowed to do two things to Thastas when or if she ever saw him again and the order depended on where the encounter took place. One was screw the hell out of him and the other was beat the hell out of him and at this point she could not decide witch she would enjoy the most. Realizing she was rubbing her butt scar IQ began to reevaluate her thinking of DJ. In fact she realized he had been in her thoughts more often these days. He was a Khan now and had more than proven himself a capable House leader. Maybe I will just beat the shit out of Thastus for fun and check out my House leader for the other IQ said aloud. Continuing to consider coupling with DJ more and more IQ watched several of the Jade Falcon’s new 35-ton Mech the Spirit walk by in formation. Produced entirely within the Falcons occupation zone with final assembly at the Olivetti Weapons facility on the Capital of Sudeten. Ironic IQ mused the name of the new Mech considering all that had recently gone on between the Jade Falcon’s and the Blood Spirit’s. So far all the new design had done well in the dozens of actions fought all along the JF/LA border. IQ was not sure what direction the War was going but she had heard roomers of help by several other Clans including Clans Wolf, Goliath Scorpions and Fire Mandrill. An immensely bright flash of crimson light interrupted IQ’s thoughts as the two Mechs’s she had been watching vaporized in an instant. Her mind began to process the meaning of the sight when the thunder clap following the navel grade laser slammed her back through the doorframe she had moments before been standing in. Vibrations in the floor told her more fire was raining down on the base. Struggling to her knees IQ looked out the door she had occupied only a few seconds before. What she could see stunned her; twisted ruins and a huge fire were all that remained of the row of barracks on the far side of the parade grounds. The parade ground itself was pocketed with craters and strewn with rubble. Several burning APC’s surrounded by unmoving body’s could be seen. There had been a report that a Lyran Warship had entered the system but the Falcon’s new SaKhan Bloodlust had assured them it would not be a factor in the battle for the planet. IronQueen’s leg was broken and it was difficult for her to breath indicating a possible broken rib. A new round of floor vibrations and explosions heralded another wave of navel bombardment. Forgetting the pain in her leg and ribs IQ dived under her huge mahogany desk just as a round of laser fire hit IQ’s barracks. A deafening roar followed by the complete collapse of the building buried IQ under tons of debris. Close to dawn the following morning IQ was discover by lower cast search crews, unconscious and hurt but alive. The base was totally destroyed and many Falcon personnel were unaccounted for including former Falcon officers Scturi Hazen and JP Lewis.

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Clan Blood Spirit Capital, 29 June 3069

Clan Blood Spirit LoreMaster Archmore Mattlov leaned back from his mountain of paperwork and rubbed his tired bloodshot eyes. After spending several hours completing LoreMaster paperwork Arch had finally started his Blood Watch report to Khan Mattlov. At the beginning of 3069 the once thought extinct Widomakers reemerged and took control of Clan Ghost Bears Inner sphere assets. The Bears Alpha Galaxy made it back to Clan space and was given six worlds in the newly opened Hansitic league area. Another surviving unit called themselves the Black Bears and retook Terra from the Word of Blake forces. ComStar quickly moved to retake the all important birth world of humanity. There was all the infighting between the Clans before the current non-agression pacts were signed Arch did not feel he needed to include all of that. He thought about adding that the Jade Falcons had gone trough 3 Khans in less than six months but Arch knew DJ was more than familiar with that information. There was also the formation of the Inner Sphere Northern Alliance, consisting of the Draconis Combine, The FedCom, and the Lyran’s.
A few other smaller units were included in it but they did not matter. The NA right from the start started trying to get the Nova cats and Widomakers to join and after extensive bribing both did so. Shortly there after the NA approached the other Warden Clans in an attempt to bribe one of them in to joining the Northern Alliance.
None of them would listen to the NAs arguments or so it was thought. In May of 3069 while DJ still had access to the Jade Falcon Watch intelligence network he uncovered evidence that the Ice Hellions were preparing to join the NA and move all of their population into the Inner Sphere. After taking control of Clan Blood spirit in a brutal Trial of Grievance Now Khan DJ Mattlov had brought the Ice Hellion information before the Grand Council. The ensuing Trial of Annihilation was awarded to Clan Blood Spirit. The former leaders of the Hellions Fled to the FedCom with most of the Ice Hellion’s Touman, Jumpships and Warships. The doomed warriors of Clan Ice Hellion showed the Grand Council that it was the tainted corruption of a few not their entire Clan that was to blame. The Council agreed and now holds the Hellions in trust until Warriors NiftyTaz and Diablo can assume leadership. There was of course the Jade Falcon / Lyran Alliance War going on but once again Arch knew DJ was fully aware of that information. Rubbing his temples vigorously Arch thought about just sending up the raw data and let DJ figure it out on his own. After all he has been a LoreMaster before he can do all this Arch thought to himself.
Letting a deep sigh escape his chest Arch leaned forward and began to type into the noteputer. The steady tap, tap tap, tap rhythm continued on for many hours after the local sun had set down. Arch had much about the past six months history and the current status of all the Blood Spirits other contacts from Inner Sphere to Clan to put into his report not to mention who and what had followed DJ from the Flacon's. Several times during the night a bent wrinkled lower cast cleaning woman refilled Arch’s thirty two ounce 7-11 Star Wars cup with Jolt cola.
“ Twice the Sugar and Three times the Caffeine”
He barley noticed her silent presence so deep into concentration was he. There was also the information about all the Clans aiding the Falcons by counter attacking the NA members along a broad front, Arch defiantly did not want to forget that information. Former Jade Falcon Khan Judgement Steel had been killed recently in a Trial of Greviance Arch knew DJ was aware of it but wanted his report to be complete so he added it into the vast database he was creating.
Something cold and slimy and wet on my face was the first conscious though Archmore had as he awoke in a pool of his own saliva. Lifting his almost frozen neck muscles Arch realized he and fallen asleep at his desk again. Looking over the edge he spied his noteputer on the floor still on but in standby mode. Standing up and stretching Arch noticed a note stuck to his lamp. Grabbing it up he read: ‘My friend I can wait a day or two for your Blood watch report. Take your time and do it right and do not leave out any details. I am counting on you.
Khan Mattlov’
Crumpling up the suddenly offending piece of paper Arch sat back down in his chair, I could have slept in a real bed and taken my time, he thought wearily.


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Clan Blood Spirit Capital Blood Plateau,01 July 3069

Blood Spirit Khan DJ Mattlov could sense many eyes on him as he sat in the observation deck watching the halovid transmission of the Trial of Possession for thr Rank of SaKhan between saKhan DK Thastus and Galaxy Commander DarkStryfe Heller. DarkSrtye felt DK was not doing his duty to the Clan and in an ensuing argument they called each other to the field of combat. As Khan DJ could have stopped the combat but as there was a new war brewing with Clan Ghost Bear ,DJ felt it would not be good for moral to intervien.
Blood Plateau was bordered on three sides by a half kilometer drope off and on the last side by rocky slopping terrain. As dark manuvered his Madcat along the edge of the plateau his advanced piloting skill were evedent. Skirting the edge Dark seem oblivious to the danger, pivoting his Madcats torso DarkStryfe unleashe six large lasers at Thastuses aproaching thor. Armor boilded off both sides of the Thor's torso opening up several holes in the now wasted armor. In response DK battered the center torso of Dark's mech with his twin large lasers. Dancing his omnimech alng the edge Dark withered the laser fire and moved inward away from the edge attempting to circle around the oncomming Thor. Not yet in LBX range DK pushed his mech's speed to maximum hoping to get close before Dark unleashed another alpha strike of lasers.
DK would get no such luck. Zooming his targeting screen to full gain Darkstryfe Heller aimed his shot at a large hole just next to the enemy machines left brest. triggering the fire button Dark was greeted to the sight of DK's Thor loosing it's left arm and flopping to the ground. The arm and part of the torso bounced to a stop digging a trench in the smoking dirt. DK's Thor suddently unbalanced by several tons could not stay upright and it spun violently in the oppset direction as the arm had gone, crashing to the ground it crushed its remaining arm and destroyed the shoulder missle rack.
There was a noticable gasp from everyone in the room when DK went down. Khan Mattlov simply sat in his chair watching the events. DJ liked both DK and DarkStryfe having met both when he was a Bondsman for Jade Falcon many Years ago. Closing his eyes DJ did not want to watch either of his friends be hurt. More gasps from the crowd forced DJ to open his eyes just in time to see DK's Prone Thor explode in a miniture mushroom cloud. The fall must have ruptured the containment feilds on the machines reactor. No one reported seeing an ejection module confirming SaKhan DK Thastus was dead. Thatuses genes would be put into the Blood Spirit's breeding program at once bypassing the normal waiting period. In a meeting with his new SaKhan after the match DJ and Dark discissed the Ghost Bears attack on the Spirit's allie Clan Goliath Scorpion and what their response should be. Both agreed to send Galaxy Commander Hunter Lewis and the Alpha Galaxy to Plantary Assault the Ghost Bears world of Hamberg. There was also a unconfirmed report from LoreMaster Archmore's Blood Watch stating the CIA was breaking up. Both men walked out onto an open terrace extending out from the confrance room they were using. The vast expance of the capital city was lost in the shadows of the setting sun. its Blood red glow basking the city in reddish twilight.
DJ could not help but think it a good omen. the new Touman was in order, the new Keshik was complete. His hold on Clan Blood Spirit was complete..The new War would bring new opertunities to Clan Blood Spirit.


Page 55.End Page.

More always coming in the Next Book Chronicals of Clan Blood Spirit.


Credit: Clan's Jade Falcon and Blood Spirit NBT4

David J McManus (Khan DJ Mattlov)