NationStates Jolt Archive

"Arriving in orbit over Terra...now."

The expected Clan fleet soon began to arrive in groups of five JumpShips, with a total of sixty ships arriving. It took a fair amount of time for each group to get into their assigned positions around Earth SSR, and DropShips soon began to deploy from JumpShips, descending to designated locations around the planet, as per the agreement.

"Earth control, this is Delivery One. Ee tee ay to Camp Pendleton is five minutes. Please have our drop zones clear." More than three dozen DropShips were en route to this location, their cargo of Mechs and Techs to be delivered to the Dornalian Red Army.

"Earth control, Delivery Two descending to Fort Lauderdale. Ee tee ay is seven minutes." This group of DropShips, consisting of a similar number of DropShips. Their cargo consisted of a large group of the Scientist Caste, as well as many more Mechs and Techs to be delivered to the Red Army, and a large shipment of Ferro Fibrous armour.

"Delivery Three descending to Travis Air Force Base. Ee tee ay is nine minutes." This group, however, had no cargo, as it was designated to loading several pre-fabricated hyperdrive reactors and a large quantity of resources, mostly heavy metals required to operate Clan weapons, ships, and other devices.

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Aboard the lead JumpShip, Star Colonel Jaime Kerensky observed the deliveries as the DropShips went to and from the planet, the large amount of cargo from each JumpShip taking a suprisingly short amount of time to load onto each DropShip. Such was the efficiency of the Clans' Labor and Tech Castes, who worked diligently and without complaint. It took no genius to realize that these workers enjoyed their lot in life, as they chatted and bantered with one another while they worked, their work efficiency never dropping. The question was, Jaime thought, would the Dornalians be used to working at such a high pace as these two Castes were?

"Arno," Jaime said.

"Aff, Star Colonel?"

"Take command here," Jaime ordered. "I will be in my quarters if I am needed in an emergency."

"Aff, Star Colonel."

It took Jaime little time to get to his quarters, as his quarters were located no more than ten meters and two decks from the command bridge. He stepped into his quarters, ordering the computer to lock the door, and he sat down at his desk, opening a comm-channel.

Query: command?

"Open a channel for Prime Minister MacIntyre," Jaime stated.

Function: processing command...

Los Angeles, CA, Earth SSR

"Sir? SIR!?"

Robert MacIntyre was awoken by the angry sound of a rapping at his door. Having previously been sleeping off a recent encounter with his favorite friend, "Ms. Glenlivet," he sluggishly got up and rubbed his head. The effects of the alcohol binge made the loud noises seem even more obnoxious, and he could only wince and yell, "Alright, Alright!"

He got up and staggered to the door. Opening it up, he looked at the Adjutant with bloodshot eyes, morning breath and what appeared to be a mangled collar. He then said, wincing, "Ms. Sixpence, what is so important that you had to interrupt my..." His eyes glazed over for a moment, and then after looking about, he then said, "Private Reflection Time?"

Sixpence understood the meaning of "Private Reflection Time." She smiled and said, "If by Private Time, you mean Time with 'Ms. Glenlivet,' then yes. It is that important. That Star Admiral from the Hollywood Hills Conference is here. Jaime Kerensky, his name was?"

MacIntyre looked about and thought for a moment. In his barely awakened stupor, his memory was about as trustworthy as that of a goldfish. He then put a finger up and said, "Ah yes. Star Admiral Kerensky. Tell the good Star Admiral that I have to spend a few moments freshening up."

Sixpence laughed and said, "Well, he's on the line right now. Seems the message is quite urgent."

MacIntyre then nodded and darted off to a private washroom in his office, where he proceeded to get a new shirt on, fix his tie, and put in some nano-tech bloodshot hiding eyedrops--all within record time. "Good thing I've short hair, or else I'd be fucked!" he thought to himself. Work was stressful these days.

He then sat down in front of the desk, and after hiding the evidence, patched the signal to his computer. He then beamed and folded his hands in a professional manner, saying, "Hello, Star Admiral Kerensky! I presume you're here about that trade?"

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JRCCC, San Diego, CA, Earth SSR

The monitors lit up with activity, men scurrying about and trying to figure out what in the blue hell was going on. One of the monitoring officers in the JRCCC screamed, "Commissar! We've got activity!"

Jack Cortes, on his eternal walk throughout the cavernous War Room, with its banks of monitors feeding information of all sorts from everywhere, walked to the screaming man. He then sipped his coffee and said, "Where is it?"

The frantic officer replied, "North America, sir. Ft. Lauderdale, Travis AFB, Camp Pendleton."

Cortes motioned with his coffee cup for the man to zoom in, and thus, one of the large monitors in the War Room zoomed in on North America. Three large red blips on the screen showed up at the spots where the aforementioned locations were.

Jack Cortes looked at the screen, and then said, laughing, "You scared me! Those are just the Clan emissaries coming in for a trade. We're expecting them, so you can get your finger off the trigger. Look again."

The man looked at the screen, and sure enough, the readings on the objects landing at the bases were showing up on the IFF as Friendly. The man breathed a sigh of relief, though wondered why nobody told him.

--------------------------------

Across the three sites, men from the Commissariat of Science, the various Military Laboratories, and the usual Dornalian Honor Guard assembled to greet the incoming Clanners, doing so with a salute when they arrived.

Travis AFB

The team of Dornalian Naval Engineers stood around the crates, led by one man who was somewhat largely built, smoked a Cuban cigar and had a stride a mile wide, the splitting image of John Wayne.

Marked "MOST SECRET--SENSITIVE PARTS! HANDLE LIKE EGGS! PRODUCT OF FT. HENRY MACALLISTER, NEW TERRITORIES SAR" in English, Spanish and Russian, with all sorts of myriad warning labels, the crates contained none other than the FTL-4 Pinball Wizard drives. Using Dornalian Bosun Jump tech, the drives could fold space-time, without worries of a Red Line like with systems such as the Colonial Fold Drives. Next to the crates were more crates. Pallets upon pallets, in particular, of heavy metals needed by the Clans to make and operate their machines. Some came from Earth, but the Earth's somewhat low resources led to a lot of materials being imported from Mars, the New Territories and the Asteroid Belt. Those were hard to get, and the cost certainly made a lot of PC's unhappy. Only the promise of the Clans providing advanced weaponry and MacIntyre's support for the elimination of the National Sales Tax in exchange made them somewhat satiated.

When the Clanners arrived, the man walked up to the Clanners with a smile, saluting them and saying, "Welcome to Travis Air Force Base. I'm Lieutenant Kinnison. The goods are right behind me."

Camp Pendleton

The head of the Base here, used for training Powered Armor recruits was an Asian man, tall, with a uniform that showed him the veteran of many campaigns and a walking stick that he leaned on. Before the ships landed, he could be seen rousing a new class of men up with these words:

"QUESTION! HOW MANY OF YOU THINK THAT CELEBRITIES GENUINELY CARE ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT!? SHOW OF HANDS, NOW!"

The men raised their hands, snapping them up high.

He then cocked his fist forward and said, "Well--YOU'RE WRONG! Celebrities only pretend to care about the environment, in order to protect their phony-baloney reputations and to distract us from their failings!"

An adjutant then whispered in his ear, and then he bowed and said, "Excuse me for a moment. Colonel LeDouche here will take over."

As a short, sniveling man took command, the Asian arrived on the tarmac where the Clanners were coming in. After the ceremonies, he saluted the Clanners and then said, "Welcome to Camp Pendleton Recruit Depot! I'm General Mike Tenneal, head of the Powered Armor School, the finest in the Workers State. I suppose you're here to deliver our new Mechs?"

Ft. Lauderdale

Here, the persons in command walked out onto the field where the Clanners landed, after straightening up her office and packing a suitcase. This being Florida, large crowds had come to see the new arrivals. Observing the action, she mumbled, "Oh me, oh my." As they came out of their ships, they would be met with a very businesslike woman in a Red Army dress uniform and a beret with a suitcase.

The businesslike demeanor would continue, as she saluted them and gave them a 45 degree bow, before extending her hand and saying, "Commander Joanna Alcott, Red Army. Ft. Lauderdale Aerospace Defense Command Center Co-Commander." She was then followed by a short catgirl in a blue dress uniform that then gave a salute, clicking her heels. The catgirl then said, "Commodore Aisha Jacinta-chibi, People's Navy. Co-Commander."

"You are correct, Prime Minister," Jaime replied with an equal smile. "I can assure you that this is only the first of many shipments to come, and there are three more fleets of equal number inbound on Terra, as well as a pair of gifts for your Navy. I am quite sure that both you and your joint chiefs of staff will be very pleased with these new acquisitions."

Jaime then tapped a few keys, and a file would then be sent to MacIntyre.

"Furthermoe, in regards to the embassies requested, we have five more additions to your defense grid," Jaime continued. "I briefed you before in regards to them, but I am sure that you will want to have documentation on them prior to the arrival of our construction crews." Within the file, several link branched off to the individual objects he spoke of: the Excalibur (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superweapons_of_Ace_Combat#Excalibur), the Megalith (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superweapons_of_Ace_Combat#Megalith), the Meson Cannon (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superweapons_of_Ace_Combat#Meson_Cannon), the Stonehenge (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superweapons_of_Ace_Combat#Stonehenge), and the Chandelier (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superweapons_of_Ace_Combat#The_Chandelier).

"As you might remember, all of our planets have similar means of defense," Jaime stated. "While we only offer singular examples of such weapons to your planet's own defense grid, their power is no different to the numerous ones we employ in our own territory. I surmise that you will find these weapons most...satisfactory."

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"I am Star Captain Jameson of Clan Ghost Bear," replied the Clanner in charge of the exchange at Travis, saluting to the Dornalian officer. He resembled Cary Grant, in a way. "I shall take charge of these supplies from here. I thank you for your cooperation and any assistance you can render."

Jameson then turned to the DropShips behind him and made a motion with his arm, and soon, dozens of forklifts and other lifting equipment disembarked from the DropShips, each carrying many crates at a time as they filled the DropShips to the brim with the supplies. Even modified Elementals assisted in carrying the crates, their laborer operators of equal stature to their warrior kin. For the first time ever since the Great Refusal, outsiders would be able to lay their eyes upon the laborer and the warrior caste working with one another.

------------------------

"The first group of many," replied the Clanner. She resembled Susan Ivanova from the popular series, Babylon 5, and she sounded just like her. "I am Star Captain Nataliya of Clan Wolf, known amongst my kin as the Berserker Wolf. I participated at Caligula, and I train our sibkos to fight against foes similar to what we faced at Caligula."

Nataliya then procured a small device that unfolded, activating a holopad. "I am here to deliver the following: one thousand Gurkhas, one thousand Owens, one thousand Ullers, five hundred Uziels, seven hundred Daimyos, and three hundred Bushwackers. Each Mech is set to basic ay eye functions, so the Mechs that we deliver will form appropriate lines, sparing you the trouble of organizing them. I trust that is status quo, General?"

--------------------------

A rather tall, muscular man fairly resembling the Rock addressed the two women, whom he dwarfed. He was flanked by two smaller gentlemen; one in a lab coat, and another practically covered head to toe in grease and oil.

"I am Star Colonel Marcus of Clan Star Adder," stated the tall man. "These are Doctor Richard Tesla and Tech Adept William. They will be your liasons to our Scientist and Tech Castes, who will assist your military with the use of neurohelmets."

"How do you do," inquired Dr. Tesla, offering a warm smile and a hand shake to each of the women. Dr. Tesla was quite an elderly man, but he was fit.

"'Lo." That was the only sound William made. His build was not quite that of Marcus, but he was rather large in respects to the two women.

"Furthermore, I am to deliver the following units to this base," continued Marcus. "Five hundred Cauldron Born, two hundred fifty Catapults, two hundred fifty Riflemen, one hundred Mad Cat Mark Twos, one hundred Sunders, and fifty Kodiaks. Furthermore, an equivalent amount of neurohelmets to the total amount of Mechs we are delivering to both this base and Camp Pendleton will be delivered in this shipment, as well as three hundred Techs and one hundred Scientists."

"You are correct, Prime Minister," Jaime replied with an equal smile. "I can assure you that this is only the first of many shipments to come, and there are three more fleets of equal number inbound on Terra, as well as a pair of gifts for your Navy. I am quite sure that both you and your joint chiefs of staff will be very pleased with these new acquisitions."

Jaime then tapped a few keys, and a file would then be sent to MacIntyre.

"Furthermoe, in regards to the embassies requested, we have five more additions to your defense grid," Jaime continued. "I briefed you before in regards to them, but I am sure that you will want to have documentation on them prior to the arrival of our construction crews." Within the file, several link branched off to the individual objects he spoke of: the Excalibur (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superweapons_of_Ace_Combat#Excalibur), the Megalith (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superweapons_of_Ace_Combat#Megalith), the Meson Cannon (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superweapons_of_Ace_Combat#Meson_Cannon), the Stonehenge (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superweapons_of_Ace_Combat#Stonehenge), and the Chandelier (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superweapons_of_Ace_Combat#The_Chandelier).

"As you might remember, all of our planets have similar means of defense," Jaime stated. "While we only offer singular examples of such weapons to your planet's own defense grid, their power is no different to the numerous ones we employ in our own territory. I surmise that you will find these weapons most...satisfactory."

MacIntyre perused the files quickly. The defenses seemed promising, as he had understood them before. But he was wondering why the Clanners needed so much land to get their business done in terms of Embassy work. Now, he saw why. These were massive structures, each dedicated to a single superweapon. It seemed...like a video game. But, given the Clans and their sophistication in the ways of battlefield technology, he trusted them to do a lot of hurt.

MacIntyre then replied, and said, eyes widening, "Oh yes, Star Admiral. They're quite good. They'll make excellent defenses." He then quipped, "Not sure how the neighbors next to them will think, though--or the electric company!" He then chuckled, emphasizing the humorous nature of his remark.

He then interjected, "Oh, it's Premier, or Comrade Premier. Not Prime Minister."

"I am Star Captain Jameson of Clan Ghost Bear," replied the Clanner in charge of the exchange at Travis, saluting to the Dornalian officer. He resembled Cary Grant, in a way. "I shall take charge of these supplies from here. I thank you for your cooperation and any assistance you can render."

Jameson then turned to the DropShips behind him and made a motion with his arm, and soon, dozens of forklifts and other lifting equipment disembarked from the DropShips, each carrying many crates at a time as they filled the DropShips to the brim with the supplies. Even modified Elementals assisted in carrying the crates, their laborer operators of equal stature to their warrior kin. For the first time ever since the Great Refusal, outsiders would be able to lay their eyes upon the laborer and the warrior caste working with one another.

The base personnel watched as the Clanners swarmed upon the supplies with ease. They looked at each other, before the John Wayne lookalike yelled, "Let's get these supplies moving!" The base personnel then began moving out, using their antigrav trolleys and other tools to get the crates going to their destination. The Army Engineers and the Naval SeaBees moved fast, to get things moving.

"The first group of many," replied the Clanner. She resembled Susan Ivanova from the popular series, Babylon 5, and she sounded just like her. "I am Star Captain Nataliya of Clan Wolf, known amongst my kin as the Berserker Wolf. I participated at Caligula, and I train our sibkos to fight against foes similar to what we faced at Caligula."

Nataliya then procured a small device that unfolded, activating a holopad. "I am here to deliver the following: one thousand Gurkhas, one thousand Owens, one thousand Ullers, five hundred Uziels, seven hundred Daimyos, and three hundred Bushwackers. Each Mech is set to basic ay eye functions, so the Mechs that we deliver will form appropriate lines, sparing you the trouble of organizing them. I trust that is status quo, General?"

General Tenneal nodded as he listened to Nataliya speak; here was somebody with plenty of combat experience who knew their mecha inside and out. Shame it had to be a woman. Alas, this woman looked like she could break him in two. So, he kept silent, as General Tenneal replied, "I served during the anti-Yevonese campaign and the war versus the United Mankind, scoring plenty of kills in a Kurosawa Powered Armor unit. Many of my instructors also were former Naval Mobile Suit pilots. So we have command of armored tactics here at Powered Armor School. Though, to be honest, I will welcome your experience."

General Tenneal thought for a moment. Well, the AI bit wasn't standard issue--the Kurosawa and Daltrey units the Powered Armor school normally used didn't have automatic parking--but the promise of kickass mecha was. He then replied, in a voice filled with conviction, "Well, to be honest, not really--our Armored Cavalry students park their own mechs. However, this will be just fine for now."

A rather tall, muscular man fairly resembling the Rock addressed the two women, whom he dwarfed. He was flanked by two smaller gentlemen; one in a lab coat, and another practically covered head to toe in grease and oil.

"I am Star Colonel Marcus of Clan Star Adder," stated the tall man. "These are Doctor Richard Tesla and Tech Adept William. They will be your liasons to our Scientist and Tech Castes, who will assist your military with the use of neurohelmets."

"How do you do," inquired Dr. Tesla, offering a warm smile and a hand shake to each of the women. Dr. Tesla was quite an elderly man, but he was fit.

"'Lo." That was the only sound William made. His build was not quite that of Marcus, but he was rather large in respects to the two women.

"Furthermore, I am to deliver the following units to this base," continued Marcus. "Five hundred Cauldron Born, two hundred fifty Catapults, two hundred fifty Riflemen, one hundred Mad Cat Mark Twos, one hundred Sunders, and fifty Kodiaks. Furthermore, an equivalent amount of neurohelmets to the total amount of Mechs we are delivering to both this base and Camp Pendleton will be delivered in this shipment, as well as three hundred Techs and one hundred Scientists."

Commander Alcott and Commodore Jacinta-chibi nodded, and shook Dr. Tesla's hand. The old man seemed friendly enough. Commander Alcott simply replied, "We look forward to a productive relationship with your Tech and Scientist castes."

Jacinta-chibi, meanwhile, asked Dr. Tesla, "Did you say...neurohelmets?"

Jaime understood the humour, chuckling as well. "Ah, excuse me if I insulted you, then," he replied. "And if we're going to get into specifics, it is 'Star Colonel,' not 'Star Admiral.'"

Suddenly, there was a beep as a second transmission arrived from the bridge, and it diverted Jaime's attention slightly. "If you'll hold one moment, Premier...yes, Arno?"

"My apologies, Star Colonel," said Jaime's second. "I am to inform you that the...gifts...will be arriving in just a few moments."

"Thank you, Arno," replied Jaime. "Continue with your duties." Jaime then cut the transmission, and redirected his attention to the Premier. The transmission had been allowed for both parties, so it was obvious that the Premier would hear the conversation.

"I think I shall redirect the video link to the external cameras," Jaime said. "I am quite sure this will be an agreeable site for you."

The picture would then instantly transfer to an external camera on the starboard hull of the JumpShip. Before them both, they would see two large energy rifts explode into being, and two of the most massive ships in existence would appear. They were both Kerensky-class Clan Battleships, each nearly the size of the infamous Executor-class Super Star Destroyer, and each armed with nearly twice the weaponry. Each gun gleamed in the light of the sun, poised as if they were about to attack, but stationary, taking in no targets. Both ships' names were printed in bold along the port and starboard-side hulls.

"I present to you, Comrade Premier, your two latest editions to the Red Fleet," said the voice of Jaime. "They are the Karl Marx and the Valdimir Lenin. I took time to learn the names of important figures of Terra's Twentieth Century, and these two came to my attention almost immediately. I am sure you know these names quite well."

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DropShips came and went from Travis Airforce Base quickly and efficiently. Accidents were non-existant among them or their crews as each DropShip came and went, and how the Clans kept their DropShips from colliding with one another will be a mystery for the Dornalians to never quite discover in full truth.

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"Oh, I do not intend to stay, General," replied Nataliya. "I am only here to deliver the Mechs. The individual whom you will meet with to discuss training regimens will arrive tomorrow, by your time. My advice to you: give him your utmost respect, and do not question him in his means of training."

Nataliya then turned her focus to the DropShips she commanded, and she saw a Mech moving astray from its designated path. She groaned. "If you will excuse me, General. Hey! What do you think you are doing?!" 'Twould be the first and last time the General would ever hear of Nataliya.

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"Yes," replied Dr. Tesla. "The neurohelmet is a marvel of our modern science, a machine that taps into the neural pathways of the brain, allowing a minor amount of control over the machine at a pseudo-telepathic level. It's how we managed to remove the need for such things as foot controls, thereby eliminating a very distracting operation of our Mechs. But I'm getting ahead of myself. Come! I must show you how our Mechs are designed, and how they function! It's quite fascinating, really!"

William groaned quietly, but Tesla picked up the noise, accustomed to hearing William groan almost all the time.

"Oh, hush up, William," Dr. Tesla said. "We must be courteous to our new allies and show them our respect and trust in these matters. Come along!"

Thus, Commodore Jacinta-chibi would be almost quite literally dragged away by the over-eager scientist, and what can only be described as a very detailed description of how BattleMechs work and how the neurohelmets tied into them would ensue.

"I present to you, Comrade Premier, your two latest editions to the Red Fleet," said the voice of Jaime. "They are the Karl Marx and the Valdimir Lenin. I took time to learn the names of important figures of Terra's Twentieth Century, and these two came to my attention almost immediately. I am sure you know these names quite well."

Robert's jaw dropped, and he had to contain his surprise at the massive battleships that now appeared in orbit, meant for the People's Navy and meant as a gift, obviously, of some sort. This wasn't the kind of gift you couldn't repay with a simple USD$20 card to Sears, either, come Secret Santa day. This was serious business.

A simple, "Wow" emerged from MacIntyre's lips. He then replied, dumbstruck, "Star Colonel, this is.....wow.....very generous. I don't know how to thank you. Really."


"Oh, I do not intend to stay, General," replied Nataliya. "I am only here to deliver the Mechs. The individual whom you will meet with to discuss training regimens will arrive tomorrow, by your time. My advice to you: give him your utmost respect, and do not question him in his means of training."

Nataliya then turned her focus to the DropShips she commanded, and she saw a Mech moving astray from its designated path. She groaned. "If you will excuse me, General. Hey! What do you think you are doing?!" 'Twould be the first and last time the General would ever hear of Nataliya.

General Tenneal nodded, saying, "Very well, Star Captain. I am sure he will be as experienced as you are." A shame the woman didn't stay. Ah well. Tenneal would miss her company.

He did however, notice the symphony of Mechs moving about in formation. As he witnessed the titanic war machines assembling in order--well, except for the one Nataliya was screaming at--he was overawed....and gulped somewhat. The old Obstacle Course, with its rolling logs, its false steppingstones, its pole vaulting and other myriad challenges seemingly more at home at a Japanese game show, somehow felt inadequate to train the pilots who were going to be using them.

"Yes," replied Dr. Tesla. "The neurohelmet is a marvel of our modern science, a machine that taps into the neural pathways of the brain, allowing a minor amount of control over the machine at a pseudo-telepathic level. It's how we managed to remove the need for such things as foot controls, thereby eliminating a very distracting operation of our Mechs. But I'm getting ahead of myself. Come! I must show you how our Mechs are designed, and how they function! It's quite fascinating, really!"

William groaned quietly, but Tesla picked up the noise, accustomed to hearing William groan almost all the time.

"Oh, hush up, William," Dr. Tesla said. "We must be courteous to our new allies and show them our respect and trust in these matters. Come along!"

Thus, Commodore Jacinta-chibi would be almost quite literally dragged away by the over-eager scientist, and what can only be described as a very detailed description of how BattleMechs work and how the neurohelmets tied into them would ensue.

"Woah! Ay, Dios mio!" Aisha managed to get these words out as she was moved to the side by the overeager scientist, and she found herself writing things down on her PDA with the stylus, barely keeping up with his detailed description.

Alcott meanwhile continued to speak with Star Colonel Marcus, quipping with some disapproval, "Does Dr. Tesla always do this?"

"No thanks is required, Premier," Jaime replied, his face now taking a corner of Robert's screen. "I am sure you will need these in the future. They are powerful machines, and obviously know no subtlety. Their major weapons are quite obvious, although the smaller laser batteries, missile batteries, and point-defense weaponry are kept within the confines of the ship until needed. They shall serve you well."

In the meantime, the two mighty ships would make procedures to align themselves with any defense fleets in orbit, their sheer size making anyone who eyed this spectacle wonder how such enormous ships could be so damn fast.

-------------

It wasn't long before a young man (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/th/5/59/Fate_averruncus.jpg) came wandering about. His outfit looked to be that of a Japanese school boy's uniform. He walked slowly from the DropShip he came from until he spotted the General. He then wasted no time, using the shunpo instant-move technique to appear just behind and to the left of the General.

"I take it that you are my liason here?"

--------------

Marcus sighed, putting his palm to his face and rubbing his right cheek.

"Unfortunately so," he replied. "Do not worry. Once he is hard at work, he tones down. Just do not leave any one person in the room with him. He has a tendency to talk their ears off."

Marcus then returned his attention to Commander Alcott. "Anyways, I shall be taking my leave," he said. "Your liason for training in the use of our Mechs will be here in the next shipment of Mechs. Good day to you, Commander."

And with that, Marcus strode off to oversee the Mechs delivery.

"No thanks is required, Premier," Jaime replied, his face now taking a corner of Robert's screen. "I am sure you will need these in the future. They are powerful machines, and obviously know no subtlety. Their major weapons are quite obvious, although the smaller laser batteries, missile batteries, and point-defense weaponry are kept within the confines of the ship until needed. They shall serve you well."

In the meantime, the two mighty ships would make procedures to align themselves with any defense fleets in orbit, their sheer size making anyone who eyed this spectacle wonder how such enormous ships could be so damn fast.

Robert then pulled out the bottle of Glenlivet and poured a shot of whisky, then raised it and said, "To the fruitful use of these ships. L'chaim!" Downing the whisky, he then replied with a smile, "I won't expect anything less, Star Colonel."

In orbit, meanwhile, the Naval Home Guard units assigned to defend Earth witnessed the massive ships moving with the grace of a ballerina. As they moved into position, a ship of the Mao Zedong Mark IV class came up to meet them.

"This is Admiral Katarzyna Wachowski, of the Back In Black. In the name of the Workers and Peasants of New Dornalia, I welcome you to Earth, fellow soldiers."

It wasn't long before a young man (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/th/5/59/Fate_averruncus.jpg) came wandering about. His outfit looked to be that of a Japanese school boy's uniform. He walked slowly from the DropShip he came from until he spotted the General. He then wasted no time, using the shunpo instant-move technique to appear just behind and to the left of the General.

"I take it that you are my liason here?"

General Tenneal was surprised by the boy. Generally, it was thought only Coredians used "boy wonders" and other such examples of volunteer youths who showed exceptional skill. However, this one seemed to be the exception. Tenneal was caught somewhat offguard by the move, and he nearly raised his cane when he finally noticed the man.

Tenneal wiped his brow, and said, "Well there. I'm General Mike Tenneal, head of the Powered Armor School here at Camp Pendelton." Recovering, he continued with, "You must be somebody special, using magic powers like that."

Marcus sighed, putting his palm to his face and rubbing his right cheek.

"Unfortunately so," he replied. "Do not worry. Once he is hard at work, he tones down. Just do not leave any one person in the room with him. He has a tendency to talk their ears off."

Marcus then returned his attention to Commander Alcott. "Anyways, I shall be taking my leave," he said. "Your liason for training in the use of our Mechs will be here in the next shipment of Mechs. Good day to you, Commander."

And with that, Marcus strode off to oversee the Mechs delivery.

Alcott nodded, and then walked to where Aisha and the Doctor were. Alcott then interjected to try and stop the conversation, "Doctor Tesla, I must commend your people for their work. However, the Commodore is needed to speak with the incoming advisor, and we must take our leave for now."

She then briskly grabbed Aisha's hand, and moved out of that spot to the loading area, before whispering to Aisha, "Next time, go with a buddy when he tries to talk to you. Trust me on this one."

Jaime chuckled at the Premier. He was quite the interesting man, and seemed to love alcohol. He made note that he should attend a gala with the man at some point, or maybe just go to a local bar of some kind.

"Here here, Comrade," Jaime said, raising his hand as if he were holding a glass himself. It was more the gesture that mattered rather than the drink itself.

In the meantime, the Star Captains in charge of the new battleships both replied in unison. "In Kerensky's name, we shall serve our allies as brothers in arms. So has it been ordered of us by our ilKhan."

------------

"Please do not treat me as you would a child, General," replied the boy. "I am old enough to be ten times your grandfather, and have more combat experience than your entire military combined. I am Fate Averruncus, the God-Hand of War, and I will be training you and your men in the use of BattleMechs until such time as your own troops are experienced enough to teach their successors."

------------

"But I-" But it was too late. By now, the Commodore and the Commander had taken their leave. "Oh, blast. I hadn't even begun to explain how there is a possibility that one can control the entire machine with ones mind alone...Oh well. Come, William! We have much work ahead of us!"

With that, the two men departed to a different area of the base to assist in explanations, examples, et al.

Meanwhile, the liason (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/th/d/d8/Eishun_konoe.jpg) to the two women had just arrived, stepping down from the ramp, Mechs tromping down it alongside him. He looked around the base with a content smile, and then ventured out into this new unknown, intent to find his contacts while exploring at the same time.

Jaime chuckled at the Premier. He was quite the interesting man, and seemed to love alcohol. He made note that he should attend a gala with the man at some point, or maybe just go to a local bar of some kind.

"Here here, Comrade," Jaime said, raising his hand as if he were holding a glass himself. It was more the gesture that mattered rather than the drink itself.

In the meantime, the Star Captains in charge of the new battleships both replied in unison. "In Kerensky's name, we shall serve our allies as brothers in arms. So has it been ordered of us by our ilKhan."

If only the good Star Colonel knew the depth of the Dornalian love of hard alcohol--and the extent to which it gripped the good Comrade Premier as he grappled with the numerous diplomatic crises that seemed to consume his administration as of late. MacIntyre nodded, saying, "But moving on. These battleships will prove valuable assets in the defense of our nation. And certainly, these weapons, if I remember correctly, are very potent."

Typing in a few keystrokes, MacIntyre brought up the stats for the new ships, which mentioned the Hyper PPCs. He then said, "Here we go. Hyper PPCs. These certainly sound very powerful indeed."

"Please do not treat me as you would a child, General," replied the boy. "I am old enough to be ten times your grandfather, and have more combat experience than your entire military combined. I am Fate Averruncus, the God-Hand of War, and I will be training you and your men in the use of BattleMechs until such time as your own troops are experienced enough to teach their successors."

Tenneal was taken aback by the candor of this man. Well, as much of a man as his appearance belied--something about him suddenly made Tenneal take him very seriously though. Judging by his use of some sort of psykery, he wasn't willing to mess with him. Though his snarky attitude left a lot to be desired, in Tenneal's eyes.

Tenneal folded his arms and replied, his tone somewhat soured, "Very well. Let's get moving. Do you want to see the facilities, or the people who will be trained? Or something else altogether?" He would have added, "your Highness," as a sarcastic end, but then he was above that. He was the General.


"But I-" But it was too late. By now, the Commodore and the Commander had taken their leave. "Oh, blast. I hadn't even begun to explain how there is a possibility that one can control the entire machine with ones mind alone...Oh well. Come, William! We have much work ahead of us!"

With that, the two men departed to a different area of the base to assist in explanations, examples, et al.

Meanwhile, the liason (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/th/d/d8/Eishun_konoe.jpg) to the two women had just arrived, stepping down from the ramp, Mechs tromping down it alongside him. He looked around the base with a content smile, and then ventured out into this new unknown, intent to find his contacts while exploring at the same time.

Commodore Jacinta-chibi spotted the advisor, and holding her hand to her eyes as a sort of visor, she squinted to try and get a better view of the man exiting the ramp in the Florida sun.

"Is that our man?" she said, pointing to the distant figure. Alcott visored her hand and squinted as well. After several minutes, Alcott could be heard to say, "By jove. It is. Let's go, little buddy." Moving to intercept the man, they walked up to him and saluted. Then, Commander Alcott extended her hand, saying in a businesslike manner, "Commander Joanna Alcott, Red Army. This is Commodore Aisha Jacinta-chibi, People's Navy. Welcome to Fort Lauderdale."

"They are quite powerful indeed, Premier," Jaime stated. "These powerful weapons are meant for planet glassing and tectonic plate cracking. We usually use them only for anti-ship duty, however, as we prefer a good land engagement. Only thrice in our recent history, that is, within the last four thousand years, have we ever used these weapons for such means as anti-planetary weapons. We prefer our Behemoth lasers for our bombardment means, though. They are powerful enough to leave a crater roughly seventy kilometers in diameter, and are superb when used against smaller ship classes, such as cruisers and frigates. To be frank and honest, Premier, I very highly doubt that another entity mass produces ships of this caliber like we do, and intend to do within the next decade. If we continue to receive supplies from you on a regular basis in exchange for Mech training and continued Mech deliveries, that in five years, I can guarantee that we will have one hundred of these ships with twenty more to spare as gifts to both you and the Woodians."

----------------

"I would first like to see the facilities," Fate replied, his eyes wandering around the base's campus. "Afterwards, I would like to meet your troops, and to speak with them as well."

Fate could tell the General didn't like him. That was good, he thought. He wasn't here to be liked. He was here to grill the first set of troops on the means of pre-neurohelmet training for Mech combat. It was the second stage of training at--oh, what was it called...Fort Lauderdale?--headed by Eishun that would be the nicer part of training.

----------------

"Thank you, Commander, Commodore," replied the man with a warm smile and a bow. "I am Eishun Konoe. I will be your BattleMech training instructor for advanced Mech combat and neurohelmet applications. I will be training your advanced mobile suit pilots who have volunteered for Mech training, am I correct?"

Eishun was currently wearing his usual robes that he wore when acting as a Maho Caste Advisor (remember the ones he wore in the Kyoto arc?), but it wasn't like either the Commander or the Commodore even knew of this part of Clan culture. They'd probably find it odd in comparison to the clean-cut uniforms of the Clan Warriors.

"They are quite powerful indeed, Premier," Jaime stated. "These powerful weapons are meant for planet glassing and tectonic plate cracking. We usually use them only for anti-ship duty, however, as we prefer a good land engagement. Only thrice in our recent history, that is, within the last four thousand years, have we ever used these weapons for such means as anti-planetary weapons. We prefer our Behemoth lasers for our bombardment means, though. They are powerful enough to leave a crater roughly seventy kilometers in diameter, and are superb when used against smaller ship classes, such as cruisers and frigates. To be frank and honest, Premier, I very highly doubt that another entity mass produces ships of this caliber like we do, and intend to do within the next decade. If we continue to receive supplies from you on a regular basis in exchange for Mech training and continued Mech deliveries, that in five years, I can guarantee that we will have one hundred of these ships with twenty more to spare as gifts to both you and the Woodians."

Robert nodded at the mention of Woodians, stiffening up a little inside. He hated Woodians with a passion. Elleayovskii was nice enough, but the rest of them didn't share his flexibility and pragmatic approach to conducting foreign affairs. Not to mention, they were one of the reasons he was hitting the sauce so hard. Especially that...thorazine? Thalidomide? Whatever the fuck his name was. He hated that rat bastard. Only the need to keep good relations kept Robert from trying to end his journalism career.

Good thing he didn't bring it up. What he did reply to was the Star Colonel's assertion of Clan tactics, and MacIntyre nodded. He then replied, "Ah, Star Colonel. I see. They are excellent vessels. They could even give our Mao Zedong Mark IVs a run for their money."

"I would first like to see the facilities," Fate replied, his eyes wandering around the base's campus. "Afterwards, I would like to meet your troops, and to speak with them as well."

Fate could tell the General didn't like him. That was good, he thought. He wasn't here to be liked. He was here to grill the first set of troops on the means of pre-neurohelmet training for Mech combat. It was the second stage of training at--oh, what was it called...Fort Lauderdale?--headed by Eishun that would be the nicer part of training.

"Well, let's go then, shall we?"

General Tenneal motioned with his walking stick away from the airbase and landing pad--which he pointed out, to the various parts of the base, such as the parade ground, the boxing ring, the barracks, and the usual, mundane parts of Camp Pendleton. It was when he got into the Powered Armor School things would get funny.

Pointing to a large series of garages and warehouses with Kurosawa Powered Armor suits, he said, "That there's the Motor Pool. Here, Powered Armor units and mecha get the finest care anywhere. Here, students also learn how to perform basic care on their mecha. We're adding an addition soon, to accomidate the new Mechs."

Walking further on the campus, he then pointed to a long two story building with a large tract of land with what appeared to be a bombed out reproduction of a small town out back, saying "That is the Educational Building. Here, students learn tactics on the use of Powered Armor in the classroom, and practice on simulators and out back in the Proving Range."

He then walked to a high point on the campus, with a flagpole and a statue honoring Robert A. Heinlein. Beaming, Tenneal said, "That's Robert A. Heinlein. A legendary science fiction author who postulated the existence of mecha in his book Starship Troopers, he's one of our heroes and a damn fine person. Showed us how it could be possible to win wars with Powered Armor. Showed those tank jockeys who was boss."

Tenneal then pointed to a very large obstacle course below, featuring large bodies of water and exotic items such as rolling logs and what looked like steppingstones, as well as rope bridges. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MXC#Challenges) "That's the Powered Armor School's Obstacle Course. You have to pass that in order to graduate."


"Thank you, Commander, Commodore," replied the man with a warm smile and a bow. "I am Eishun Konoe. I will be your BattleMech training instructor for advanced Mech combat and neurohelmet applications. I will be training your advanced mobile suit pilots who have volunteered for Mech training, am I correct?"

Eishun was currently wearing his usual robes that he wore when acting as a Maho Caste Advisor (remember the ones he wore in the Kyoto arc?), but it wasn't like either the Commander or the Commodore even knew of this part of Clan culture. They'd probably find it odd in comparison to the clean-cut uniforms of the Clan Warriors.

The two of them looked at one another. Was this guy from a samurai movie or something? Odd fellow indeed, to be wearing such clothes. Especially in the Florida heat. The Commander nodded and said, "Yes. I believe you were assigned to that role. There's also men from the Powered Armor School who have volunteered as well."

Jaime nodded. "I am sure they would, Premier," he said. "Now, on to other business. Through some secondary and tertiary conversations that I have heard, there seems to be a common enemy that you, the Coredians, and the Woodians share. I believe they are called the Empire?"

--------------

Fate kept quiet as he observed the facility, nodding to the General's comments. He recognized the statue of Heinlein from various texts and documents he had read on his off-time, trying to learn a bit about Terra's and New Dornalia's history. It seemed that the Dornalians shared a common interest in powered armour, although he was pretty sure that these Kurosawa units were no where close to the caliber of the Elementals his people employed. Finally, he spoke up.

"A decent training facility," he said. "I will have to observe the powered armour more closely the next time I see them. Rest assured, though, that your powered armour troops are going to learn that using BattleMechs is a whole other ball field in comparison. I suspect that I will end up flushing over seventy percent of them out of the training program before they even get to touch their first Mech, let alone learn what a neurohelmet is."

Fate took one last look at the statue of Heinlein, smirking, and then turned back to the General, his face now blank. "Now, let us see to your troops, General," he said.

------------

"Good," Eishun replied. "I am sure that I won't be disappointed with them. I'm ahead of myself, though. Come, let us discuss what I will be teaching, and what my expectations are. I've brought tea, fresh rice balls, and a few dipping sauces to go with them." Eishun then procured two bags from the interior of his robes, one obviously marked 'Tea' while the other was unmarked.

Jaime nodded. "I am sure they would, Premier," he said. "Now, on to other business. Through some secondary and tertiary conversations that I have heard, there seems to be a common enemy that you, the Coredians, and the Woodians share. I believe they are called the Empire?"

Robert shuddered at the mention of the Empire. Another reason to make him drink. They were the root cause of all his stresses as of late....

He then found himself reaching for the Glenlivet, but stopped just short of doing so, his hand luckily a bit away from the bottle containing the water of life and stopping over a pen. Shuddering again, he mumbled, "Wow" to himself, amazed at how quickly he aimed for that bottle. And not in a good way.

He then turned to the Star Colonel, and said, "Sorry. Had to get a pen. Yes, despite our disputes, the Woodians, the Coredians and the Workers State are all aligned against the Galactic Empire. Why do you ask?"

Fate kept quiet as he observed the facility, nodding to the General's comments. He recognized the statue of Heinlein from various texts and documents he had read on his off-time, trying to learn a bit about Terra's and New Dornalia's history. It seemed that the Dornalians shared a common interest in powered armour, although he was pretty sure that these Kurosawa units were no where close to the caliber of the Elementals his people employed. Finally, he spoke up.

"A decent training facility," he said. "I will have to observe the powered armour more closely the next time I see them. Rest assured, though, that your powered armour troops are going to learn that using BattleMechs is a whole other ball field in comparison. I suspect that I will end up flushing over seventy percent of them out of the training program before they even get to touch their first Mech, let alone learn what a neurohelmet is."

Fate took one last look at the statue of Heinlein, smirking, and then turned back to the General, his face now blank. "Now, let us see to your troops, General," he said.

Tenneal smiled. Okay, so maybe this guy wasn't so bad after all. He did seem to share a flair for exacting tests and a love of exacting standards. Something Tenneal could agree on. He then motioned with his cane and said, "Right this way."

He led Fate to a group of waiting cadets at the gate of the Obstacle Course. Dressed in green fatigues and wearing safety helmets, wit special orange armbands denoting their status as Mech cadets, he walked up to the platoon of recruits, and stood proud in front of them. Holding his hands behind his back in an at ease position, he barked, "ATTENSHUN!"

They all stood ramrod straight.

The General then began speaking to the recruits, saying, "Recruits, I would like you to meet someone new here on the base today. This is Fate Averruncus, our advisor from the Clans. He is here to get you educated on the fine art of piloting a Mech, and using it to destroy the greedy, worthless scum that are enemies of the Workers State. Now, before we begin, its time for the question of the day."

He coughed and then asked, "QUESTION!? How many of you feel that vegetarianism is a viable alternative to a normal diet, and that it has health benefits!? SHOW OF HANDS, NOW!"

The assembled party rose their hands, some more reluctantly than others. They were obviously used to this.

Tenneal then shouted, "WELL, YOU'RE WRONG! Animals are here for our benefit. It's called the food chain, and the General's at the top! Besides, everybody knows vegans and vegetarians are skinny peace hippies who shirk their National Service."

He then turned to Fate, saying, "Now, we go to Mr. Averruncus. Mr. Averruncus?"




"Good," Eishun replied. "I am sure that I won't be disappointed with them. I'm ahead of myself, though. Come, let us discuss what I will be teaching, and what my expectations are. I've brought tea, fresh rice balls, and a few dipping sauces to go with them." Eishun then procured two bags from the interior of his robes, one obviously marked 'Tea' while the other was unmarked.

The Commander nodded, and the two women looked at one another. A handsome fellow, a polite fellow, and one who brought food? These Clanners knew how to handle business! The Commodore and the Commander started at once, but then they caught each other trying to speak at the same time. So, Commander Alcott simply scratched her head, and then coughed and said, "Commodore?"

Commodore Jacinta-chibi nodded and said to Eishun, "Mr. Konoe. We thank you for the food; you didn't have to do that, you know!" She blushed a little, taken aback by the gifts. She then led the party to the Officers' Mess, and excused the wait staff from the room as they sat down. The room itself was modestly furnished, but was definetly more luxurious than where the noncoms and the regulars ate. It had individual tables, with tablecloths colored blue and a small vase in the middle with faux flowers, along with a small buffet line at the end for the meal of the day. It was undergoing matenance, so right now there wasn't anything.

"It has come to my attention that, regardless of your combined armies, it seems that you're at a bit of a stalemate with the Empire." Jaime leaned back into his chair, placing his hands together. "As you know, my people are bred for combat. Nothing more, and nothing less. While my intelligence and data are rather limited on them, you could provide this necessary data to us. I think you know where I am going with this conversation, Premier."

---------------

By the time the General had addressed Fate, he was looking down at the ground, trying not to laugh. He agreed whole heartedly with the General on his opinion, but to laugh in front of the cadets was to lose respect. Taking a moment to compose himself, then lifted his head, his face cold and emotionless. He happened to be staring straight into the eyes of an unlucky cadet right in front of him, his gaze as cold as the inhospitable surface of Hoth during a blizzard at night.

"I will make two points perfectly clear, scum buckets," Fate spat. "Point one: you fuck with me, I will not hesitate to make you push the earth for five hours straight or until you collapse. Point two: if you collapse, you will strip your clothing off and run an eighty kilometer marathon in the nude in any direction from where you stand; fourty kilometers one way, fourty kilometers back. Am I perfectly clear?!"

--------------------

"Oh, it's my token of graditude for being allowed to stay here," Eishun replied with a smile. Having followed the two to the officer's mess, he took a seat across from his two hosts, and he quickly set up three Japanese-style tea cups. He then set up a mini-stove to his left, procuring a bottomless pot of water, inserted the tea, and set it to boil. Afterwards, he opened the bag, presenting the two career-military women with three rice balls no larger than a golf ball each with three bottomless sauce dishes.

"These three sauces are a wonder of our Maho Caste's cooking group," Eishun then said. "The one on the left will taste like your favortie bitter food, the one on the right will taste like your favorite sweet food, and the center will taste like your favorite 'just right' food. I highly encourage tasting them. I guarantee that there will be no regrets on your part.

"Now, on to business," he said. "My training regimen will not be harsh like the beginning cadets at Camp Pendleton will be going through. I will present to those under my instruction Star-based combat by dividing them up into teams of five, or, as we call them, Stars. These Stars will be united from the beginning of their careers as Mech pilots until they either retire or choose to train other cadets after I have left. Furthermore, with the assistance of Dr. Tesla and Tech Adept William, we will also introduce the functions of the neurohelmet and how to use them. After neurohelmet synthesis is completed and those who cannot use the system are flushed out, we will engage in large-scale combat exercises and explain the use of the C3 Master Computer Network and how it works. Finally, using Clan-provided Mechs, the cadets will graduate after their Star has completed a non-lethal live-fire engagement against Clan Mech Warriors."

"It has come to my attention that, regardless of your combined armies, it seems that you're at a bit of a stalemate with the Empire." Jaime leaned back into his chair, placing his hands together. "As you know, my people are bred for combat. Nothing more, and nothing less. While my intelligence and data are rather limited on them, you could provide this necessary data to us. I think you know where I am going with this conversation, Premier."

Robert nodded and leaned his head on his hand, smiling with thoughtful...we don't know what. He knew what they wanted, and it was with that, Robert Ellison MacIntyre declared, "You want me to provide information on the Galactic Empire, in order to ensure that you can help us fight them. Hell, so you can even get stuck in yourselves."

Robert leaned in and said, "It won't be easy, Star Colonel, to hit the GE. They're not just one nation, though there is a nation at its core called the Galactic Empire. But a collection of likeminded scoundrels, all of them militaristic, all of them eager to flex their muscles and shoot somebody. Their biggest members are the Huntarian Empire, the Galactic Empire, and the Imperium of Chronosia, along with the Tenetians. The Tenetians are the Coredians darker half. Nasty sort of people.

Intel says they've got some massive yards. The GE possesses Kuat Drive Yards, a massive shipbuilding facility that's ringed with FTL Inhibitors. We tried assaulting that with the rest of the GFFA a while back. No go. They also have the Huntarian facilities, which are especially productive. After all, they do all those export sales. I don't know them off the top of my head, but here's what I got."

He then produced links to Intelligence databanks. Typing some keywords to let the Star Colonel in, they were entries on the Huntarians (http://www.freewebs.com/huntaer/index.htm), and on known Imperial facilities, including Kuat (http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Kuat_Drive_Yards).

OOC: Be aware of the Huntarian site. May have some SIC content there.


By the time the General had addressed Fate, he was looking down at the ground, trying not to laugh. He agreed whole heartedly with the General on his opinion, but to laugh in front of the cadets was to lose respect. Taking a moment to compose himself, then lifted his head, his face cold and emotionless. He happened to be staring straight into the eyes of an unlucky cadet right in front of him, his gaze as cold as the inhospitable surface of Hoth during a blizzard at night.

"I will make two points perfectly clear, scum buckets," Fate spat. "Point one: you fuck with me, I will not hesitate to make you push the earth for five hours straight or until you collapse. Point two: if you collapse, you will strip your clothing off and run an eighty kilometer marathon in the nude in any direction from where you stand; fourty kilometers one way, fourty kilometers back. Am I perfectly clear?!"

The recruits, who were giggling and groaning alternatively at the General's ballsy and somewhat offensive opinion, suddenly stopped doing both when Fate made his points clear as the sky on a good day. They sat stone cold, wondering who the hell the General had brought. And they knew that the General, as bad as he could be, was probably not as bad as this guy.

The General then called out to the men, saying, "Well?"

They all stood ramrod straight and said, "SIR YES SIR!" and saluted. There wasn't really any other choice, was there?


"Oh, it's my token of graditude for being allowed to stay here," Eishun replied with a smile. Having followed the two to the officer's mess, he took a seat across from his two hosts, and he quickly set up three Japanese-style tea cups. He then set up a mini-stove to his left, procuring a bottomless pot of water, inserted the tea, and set it to boil. Afterwards, he opened the bag, presenting the two career-military women with three rice balls no larger than a golf ball each with three bottomless sauce dishes.

"These three sauces are a wonder of our Maho Caste's cooking group," Eishun then said. "The one on the left will taste like your favortie bitter food, the one on the right will taste like your favorite sweet food, and the center will taste like your favorite 'just right' food. I highly encourage tasting them. I guarantee that there will be no regrets on your part.

"Now, on to business," he said. "My training regimen will not be harsh like the beginning cadets at Camp Pendleton will be going through. I will present to those under my instruction Star-based combat by dividing them up into teams of five, or, as we call them, Stars. These Stars will be united from the beginning of their careers as Mech pilots until they either retire or choose to train other cadets after I have left. Furthermore, with the assistance of Dr. Tesla and Tech Adept William, we will also introduce the functions of the neurohelmet and how to use them. After neurohelmet synthesis is completed and those who cannot use the system are flushed out, we will engage in large-scale combat exercises and explain the use of the C3 Master Computer Network and how it works. Finally, using Clan-provided Mechs, the cadets will graduate after their Star has completed a non-lethal live-fire engagement against Clan Mech Warriors."

The ladies nodded as Mr. Konoe explained the basics of the training regimen to them, and enjoyed the tea. Not a bad tea, Commander Alcott was more of a guzzler of black coffee--so it was to Konoe's credit that this was something she enjoyed. She sipped it, thinking to herself, "Not bad. Not bad at all." As for Commodore Jacinta-chibi, she tried the "sweet" sauce first with her riceball. Popping it into her mouth as she heard the part about neurohelmets, she was confronted with the taste of...maple syrup? No, Vermont Maple Candy, like her sister up in Vermont sent her. Damn, this guy was right. She poked Commander Alcott, and whispered to her, "Try the sweet sauce. It really works!"

Commander Alcott shrugged, and dipped the ball in, rolling around for a bit before sampling it. What followed was the taste of a Ghiradelli Milk Chocolate bar. And considering she was infamous around the office for having her friends back in California mass-mail her Ghiradelli chocolate from the factory itself, one could call that her favorite sweet. "Mmm..." she let out, quiet as t not disturb, but still an expression of joy.

As Konoe finished his speech, Alcott replied with, businesslike as usual: "I see, Mr. Konoe. So after an initial basic training at Camp Pendleton's Powered Armor School, the cadets who make it will be sent to Ft. Lauderdale for advanced training in the Neurohelmet and electronic equipment, and then participate in practical exercises." Rolling a ball in the bitter sauce and promptly recieving the taste of Smoked Gouda cheese, she then said, "Not a bad regimen." Turning to the Commodore, Alcott asked, "What about you?" Distracted by the amazing sauces, the Commodore only cursorily declared, "We can do that, yeah."

"Thank you, Premier," Jaime replied. "I'll be sure to bring this to the Council of Khans for review. If it is no too much trouble, I would also like a detailed map of the Empire's territories so that I can begin conducting intelligence and raids. I very much intend to begin this conflict as soon as possible."

It was obvious that Jaime was highly confident. He held no fear of these future foes, but who could say that any of the Clanners were afraid of anything? Even the most average of Clanners trained just as much and just as hard your average Space Marine, and they were just as battle hardened as the best of them.

---------------

"Good." Fate smiled openly, a dark smile that could probably even scare the hell out of a Chronosian Daemon. "My rules are simple. I am your God, your Lord and Master for the next six monthes, soldiers," he continued. "You will not speak unless spoken to, nor will you ask questions. You will not talk amongst yourselves when I am present unless given expressed permission, and any slanderous comments that I hear of that are in regards to me will result in the entire platoon making an eighty kilometer marathon. Mocking me in any form will result in the instant punishment of the platoon via drinking a bottle of the hottest food sauce that your planet can provide straight from the bottle."

Fate had been pacing the front row of soldiers up and down until he came to a stop at the center.

"I am not here to be loved," Fate stated. "I am here to put the fear of whatever deity you believe in into you. I demand more respect than you give your mother who gave birth to your sorry, pathetic, in-bred asses. You will follow all of my orders to the pixel that makes up the first letter of your alphabet. You may think that General Tenneal was a hard-ass, but I am the Devil Incarnate in comparison. While General Tenneal had excellent standards of combat, and by his soul I give him credit for it, but you are training under me now. There are excellent standards, and then there are Clan standards. Which standards will you conform to, cadets?!"

--------------------

"I am quite sure that no problems will arise during the course of training," Eishun responded. "Oh, how do you like the sauces. Superb, are they not?"

"Thank you, Premier," Jaime replied. "I'll be sure to bring this to the Council of Khans for review. If it is no too much trouble, I would also like a detailed map of the Empire's territories so that I can begin conducting intelligence and raids. I very much intend to begin this conflict as soon as possible."

It was obvious that Jaime was highly confident. He held no fear of these future foes, but who could say that any of the Clanners were afraid of anything? Even the most average of Clanners trained just as much and just as hard your average Space Marine, and they were just as battle hardened as the best of them.

MacIntyre rapped his fingers on the desk for a moment, and leaned back in his chair as he contemplated the Clanner's request. The Huntarian data entry had plenty of info on their worlds, but as for detailed maps of the Imperial worlds, those were sketchy, and Chronosia was somewhat mysterious. After all, worlds inhabited by daemons didn't make for easy cartography. For that, MacIntyre would have to tell the truth.

He leaned forward and replied, "Well, that is where we have some difficulty. Our databanks have maps provided by the Huntarian Alliance and the Coredians about the Imperials; but besides this I cannot say much more. Lemme show you what we've got. It might not be as detailed as you like though. The GE is tight lipped."

Typing in a command, he brought up the right maps....


"Good." Fate smiled openly, a dark smile that could probably even scare the hell out of a Chronosian Daemon. "My rules are simple. I am your God, your Lord and Master for the next six monthes, soldiers," he continued. "You will not speak unless spoken to, nor will you ask questions. You will not talk amongst yourselves when I am present unless given expressed permission, and any slanderous comments that I hear of that are in regards to me will result in the entire platoon making an eighty kilometer marathon. Mocking me in any form will result in the instant punishment of the platoon via drinking a bottle of the hottest food sauce that your planet can provide straight from the bottle."

Fate had been pacing the front row of soldiers up and down until he came to a stop at the center.

"I am not here to be loved," Fate stated. "I am here to put the fear of whatever deity you believe in into you. I demand more respect than you give your mother who gave birth to your sorry, pathetic, in-bred asses. You will follow all of my orders to the pixel that makes up the first letter of your alphabet. You may think that General Tenneal was a hard-ass, but I am the Devil Incarnate in comparison. While General Tenneal had excellent standards of combat, and by his soul I give him credit for it, but you are training under me now. There are excellent standards, and then there are Clan standards. Which standards will you conform to, cadets?!"

A single, massive sound not unlike a "gulp" was heard throughout the lines of cadets, as they were given another shock. This time, Fate's speech made clear his regimen, and though it seemed like the usual DI ranting, something about it was different. Maybe it was the irony of the rant being so forcefully delivered by such a short, slight man. Maybe it was the tone of voice. Maybe it was the rules on talking. But something about this guy meant business, and the men were eager to listen up and not piss this guy off. Even the General was taken aback at the candor of Fate. This guy was a hardass. Not that he would say it.

They all screamed at once, "SIR, CLAN STANDARDS SIR!" Not many knew what Clan standards were. Probably even those who knew only had the fuzziest idea, gleaned from Woodian records. But something told the assembled that Clan standards meant that there was going to be a LOT of time on the Obstacle Course. More than usual.....

"I am quite sure that no problems will arise during the course of training," Eishun responded. "Oh, how do you like the sauces. Superb, are they not?"

Jacinta-chibi replied, with a nod and a smile: "Oh yes, si. They replicate the taste quite well, as expected. Rather comforting, if you ask me. If only I had this when I was eating my veggies as a kid...."

Alcott looked at Jacinta-chibi, and with that, the Commodore shrugged. Not knowing why Alcott thought it strange, Jacinta-chibi merely replied, "What? I merely think the sauce excellent." Alcott replied, "Didn't imply anything. That's all." She then turned to Konoe, raising a finger up and asking, "Now, Mr. Konoe--you said Maho Caste? Judging by their cooking capacity, it can be surmised they are somewhat like our People's Acolytes, or the Coredian Jedi. Is that right?"

"Thank you Premier," Jaime replied, downloading the data maps. "This will help greatly in our campaign. I will keep you posted on our progress. For now, I must bid you a goodbye. The last of the cargo has been loaded onto our JumpShips, and our production facilities back home are in dire need of these resources. One last thing before I leave."

Jaime then quickly uploaded a file for the Premier. It was a detailed map of Clan space with every system, outpost, and hyperlane mapped out, with even the the bordering temporal/nebula wall and the Caligula wormhole mapped out as well.

-----------------

"That is what I want to hear," Fate said calmly. "One more rule! You are not to speak to me directly! You are to speak as if you are talking to the air around you!" He scanned over the front line of soldiers, and then stepped a to one Cadet Jenkins.

"Tell me, Cadet Jenkins," he began. "What is the record time for a non-stop run in the obstacle course? You have permission to speak to me directly this once."

-----------------

"I guess you could say that," Eishun replied. "We have our...ways, and none of them are quite the same. For instance, we have two paths to choose. The Path of the Shinmei, and the Path of the Magi. The Path of the Shinmei study under the teachings of the Shinmei Ryu School of Swordsmanship, and are thoroughly trained in the art of ki control, Onmyouji, and how to use their preferred weapon properly. I, myself, am a high-ranking master of the Shinmei Ryu."

He stopped for a moment, sipping a bit of tea before continuing.

"The Path of the Magi is more complicated," he said. "Under their teachings, one must take a considerable amount of time to discover their elemental affinity. Once that has been done, they are divided into their separate schools. The School of Light, the School of Darkness, the School of Fire, the School of Ice, the School of Water, the School of Lightning, the School of Wind, the School of Earth, and the School of Gravity. The rarest of elemental affinities is the ability to control gravity magic. Such a power is highly sought after, and only seven Magi in our history have had this as their main element.

"However, should one not be capable of controlling magic, they are diverted to the School of Pactio, a school that is devoted to the study of pactio cards. Here, they learn what it is to be a Magi's partner, and are trained in many forms of combat to assist in defending their Magister Magi, or Master Mage. Those that become the partners of Magi are called Minister Magi, or Mage Protector. Their job is to follow the commands of the Magister Magi, providing a first line of defense while Magister Magi combats the enemy."

Eishun then laughed, sipping a bit more tea. "I would continue on, but I would keep you here for hours just explaining how the Maho Caste works, but as you can tell by what I said, yes, we are the equivalent to your People's Acolytes and the Coredian Jedi."

"Thank you Premier," Jaime replied, downloading the data maps. "This will help greatly in our campaign. I will keep you posted on our progress. For now, I must bid you a goodbye. The last of the cargo has been loaded onto our JumpShips, and our production facilities back home are in dire need of these resources. One last thing before I leave."

Jaime then quickly uploaded a file for the Premier. It was a detailed map of Clan space with every system, outpost, and hyperlane mapped out, with even the the bordering temporal/nebula wall and the Caligula wormhole mapped out as well.

Comrade Premier MacIntyre examined the map, and thanked the Star Colonel for the map. He then finished with, "Godspeed, comrade. It was a pleasure doing business with you, Star Colonel Kerensky."


"That is what I want to hear," Fate said calmly. "One more rule! You are not to speak to me directly! You are to speak as if you are talking to the air around you!" He scanned over the front line of soldiers, and then stepped a to one Cadet Jenkins.

"Tell me, Cadet Jenkins," he began. "What is the record time for a non-stop run in the obstacle course? You have permission to speak to me directly this once."

Cadet Jenkins replied, turning to face Fate, "Sir, seven hours as accomplished by Captain Elliot Harlow in a lucky fluke, SIR!" He didn't quite make eye contact with the new DI though. The thought of even looking into the eyes of that fierce monster of a man made him shudder. And he didn't really want to be seen shuddering. Not now. Though the story of "Lucky" Harlow was known throughout the Powered Armor School. He was said to be the only guy to have made it through the course all at once, nonstop, without failing once--all in seven hours. Legend had it he had trained for that, meditating and drawing on a regimen from his old high school track and field days to get things done....



"I guess you could say that," Eishun replied. "We have our...ways, and none of them are quite the same. For instance, we have two paths to choose. The Path of the Shinmei, and the Path of the Magi. The Path of the Shinmei study under the teachings of the Shinmei Ryu School of Swordsmanship, and are thoroughly trained in the art of ki control, Onmyouji, and how to use their preferred weapon properly. I, myself, am a high-ranking master of the Shinmei Ryu."

The two nodded and stopped for a moment. Their eyes grew to the size of dinner plates, as they looked at one another. Did that guy just say Shinmei? SHINMEI!? Both of them seemed to be thinking the same thing, and they nodded, seeming to have an almost spiritual bond which let them get the same thing.

The Commodore turned back to Mr. Konoe, asking, "Mr. Konoe...did you just mention the Shinmei-ryu?" Alcott popped in with a somewhat nervous, "Because the People's Acolytes have a Shinmei School as well."

The cargo had all been transferred by the time that Jaime and the Premier had finished talking. No sooner had it been finished, the entirety of the cargo fleet was packed up, and with a bright flash, disappeared, making the long trek back to Clan space.

-----------------

"Seven hours," Fate repeated, turning on his heel, nodding and walking some five steps away from Jenkins. He whirled around quickly to face the cadets once more. "I will not accept such mediocrity. The whole lot of you will train on this obstacle course every week non-stop for twelve hours a day for the next two monthes until you can do it in four and a half hours. If you cannot meet that quota by the end of these next two months, consider yourself removed from Mech training. I will not have cadets with a lack of coordination and motor skills touching a single Mech. Until you can become like our sibkos, or sibling companies, you won't even get to see the inside of a Mech at all! Am I perfectly clear, cadets?!"

------------------

Eishun had a look of complete surprise, and then laughed. "Is that so? Well, I'll be, this is quite the small universe, now isn't it? Hahahahaha! I guess I had better pay this Shinmei-ryu school a visit while I'm here, shouldn't I?"

Eishun was internally shocked, however. Could it be that they had forgotten someone on Earth all those years ago? Is it possible that these People's Acolytes held the same power that he and his kin held? This was one mystery he was going to have to delve in to, but first, the training of the Dornalian Red Army had to be completed enough so that others could train the next batch in his stead.

"But I guess that can wait for now," Eishun continued. "Right now, training your army in Mech combat is my top priority. Once I feel that the first batch is sufficiently trained enough to teach the next, I will take my leave of absence to meet the head teacher of you nation's Shinmei-ryu Acolytes."

"Seven hours," Fate repeated, turning on his heel, nodding and walking some five steps away from Jenkins. He whirled around quickly to face the cadets once more. "I will not accept such mediocrity. The whole lot of you will train on this obstacle course every week non-stop for twelve hours a day for the next two monthes until you can do it in four and a half hours. If you cannot meet that quota by the end of these next two months, consider yourself removed from Mech training. I will not have cadets with a lack of coordination and motor skills touching a single Mech. Until you can become like our sibkos, or sibling companies, you won't even get to see the inside of a Mech at all! Am I perfectly clear, cadets?!"

A nearly universal opinion of "Oh shit...." could be seen in the faces of the men Fate had now taken into his hands. Four and a half? On the "Eliminator," with its false steppingstones, rolling logs, pole vaults, holds for dear life and humiliating kiddy car races?! This was some serious shit they had gotten into. And even the General was a little scared of the man he was now with.

Nervously, they all quivered, but not before General Tenneal glared at them, saying, "Before any of you complain, bear in mind that he has my permission to do this! I am trusting you not to fail him! And you know what happens when you cross with the General, dontcha!?"

The men then stiffened up; General Tenneal indeed incorporated a humiliating variety of punishments and physical endurance trials for those who decided to test their luck. The men then stood up and declared wholeheartedly, showing their loyalty to the General and their new boss: "SIR YES SIR!" IF they wouldn't do it for Fate, they'd do it for the General.


Eishun had a look of complete surprise, and then laughed. "Is that so? Well, I'll be, this is quite the small universe, now isn't it? Hahahahaha! I guess I had better pay this Shinmei-ryu school a visit while I'm here, shouldn't I?"

Eishun was internally shocked, however. Could it be that they had forgotten someone on Earth all those years ago? Is it possible that these People's Acolytes held the same power that he and his kin held? This was one mystery he was going to have to delve in to, but first, the training of the Dornalian Red Army had to be completed enough so that others could train the next batch in his stead.

"But I guess that can wait for now," Eishun continued. "Right now, training your army in Mech combat is my top priority. Once I feel that the first batch is sufficiently trained enough to teach the next, I will take my leave of absence to meet the head teacher of you nation's Shinmei-ryu Acolytes."

Aisha's sixth sense was tingling somewhat. Most of her kind had that sorta quality about them that helped them get out of sticky situations. And it sensed that from Mr. Konoe, a reaction of sorts was piqued about the existence of the Dornalian Shinmei School. And it was a most unusual one. Of course, it wasn't precise.

Alcott, in this respect, had no special powers. With that, she just shrugged at Aisha's assumptive look and said, "That is true. Busines before pleasure, of course."

"Thank you, General," Fate said, bowing to the General. Fate may be the Lord and Master of these cadets for the next six months, but General Tenneal was the Emperor of Camp Pendleton. Some show of respect was required of Fate to the General. "For now, it is currently oh nine thirty hours. At twelve hundred hours, you cadets will report back to me here at the obstacle course for eight hours of non-stop training, and for the next two months, you will get up at oh four hundred hours, run two miles to wake your asses up, shower up, eat breakfast, and then train on the obstacle course from oh six hundred to twelve hundred, break an hour for lunch, and then return at thirteen hundred hours for another six hours of training on the obstacle course. At nineteen hundred hours, you will break for dinner. At twenty hundred hours, you will report back to me, where I will teach you about the history of BattleMechs. At twenty two hundred hours, you will shower and hit the sack, and then repeat that same routine until the two months are up. No leave will be taken under any circumstance except if your planet is invaded. Should you fall ill or cripple yourself, you will be removed from Mech training."

Fate then looked at the General. "They're all yours 'til twelve, General. In the meantime, I will be in the officer's mess finding something to eat. I had no time to eat before I arrived, and food is necessary for me at this point." And Fate then promptly left to search out the mess hall, not even waiting for a response.

-----------------

"Right," Eishun replied. "Now, you absolutely must introduce me to your candidates. I am very eager to meet them." Eishun smiled again, his usual warm smile that was only possible for an elderly, positive man to make.

"Thank you, General," Fate said, bowing to the General. Fate may be the Lord and Master of these cadets for the next six months, but General Tenneal was the Emperor of Camp Pendleton. Some show of respect was required of Fate to the General. "For now, it is currently oh nine thirty hours. At twelve hundred hours, you cadets will report back to me here at the obstacle course for eight hours of non-stop training, and for the next two months, you will get up at oh four hundred hours, run two miles to wake your asses up, shower up, eat breakfast, and then train on the obstacle course from oh six hundred to twelve hundred, break an hour for lunch, and then return at thirteen hundred hours for another six hours of training on the obstacle course. At nineteen hundred hours, you will break for dinner. At twenty hundred hours, you will report back to me, where I will teach you about the history of BattleMechs. At twenty two hundred hours, you will shower and hit the sack, and then repeat that same routine until the two months are up. No leave will be taken under any circumstance except if your planet is invaded. Should you fall ill or cripple yourself, you will be removed from Mech training."

Fate then looked at the General. "They're all yours 'til twelve, General. In the meantime, I will be in the officer's mess finding something to eat. I had no time to eat before I arrived, and food is necessary for me at this point." And Fate then promptly left to search out the mess hall, not even waiting for a response.

General Tenneal nodded, acknowledging Fate's handing over of responsibilities to him for now, and said to the assembled men, "All righty. Now, assuming you've had your meals for today and are all ready to go try for a faster time....."

He then waved his cane to the entrance to the course as it opened up, a loud rock theme playing, and cried out: "LET'S GO!!!!" The men then ran into the first part of the course, the General needing to issue no other command as the men understood the meaning of the ritual. The General did that, it was time for a Run. First up, the infamous "Sinkers and Floaters" steppingstone course, where one had to cross the river of sludge without falling in...the challenge being that among the steppingstones, there were a number of unstable fakes to send a man plummeting down.....

As this occurred, Fate would find Pendleton's Officer's mess after a few minutes. Like Ft. Lauderdale's, it was somewhat well furnished, with individual tables with green tablecloths, a thin vase with fake flowers in the middle, a sign announcing the meal of the day--in this case, being breakfast, it was Eggs Benedict, Sausage Patties, Waffles and Hash Browns--and a small buffet line where other officers were lining up for their meal.

"Right," Eishun replied. "Now, you absolutely must introduce me to your candidates. I am very eager to meet them." Eishun smiled again, his usual warm smile that was only possible for an elderly, positive man to make.

Alcott and Jacinta-chibi nodded, and having finished their meals, said, "Right" all at once. They looked at each other for having spoken both at once, their unusually intertwined working relationship causing some confusion. Both scratching their heads, they nodded as if nothing had happened and then got up from the table. Alcott then replied, "Mr. Konoe, follow me, please."

The party left the Officer's Mess to lead Mr. Konoe to a section of Ft. Lauderdale marked by two spare longish buildings and a building marked "Educational Facility." Out front were two lines of recruits.

Alcott walked in front of them, as they stood ramrod straight. As she did so, Jacinta-chibi said to Konoe, "Many of these fellows were men handpicked from the best of the Powered Armor School. General Tenneal selected only the best, and I'm generally inclined to follow his opinion. He runs the school after all, si-nya? Also, we have some ex-Mobile Suit operators as well. They volunteered to join the project."

Fate walked slowly to the rear of the officer's line, saying nothing to the other officers. He merely waited his turn to ask for food. Any odd looks from any of the other officers would warrant an absent, yet frightening, look from Fate. He may be no taller than a twelve year old, but he had lived long enough to know how to make even the most hardened war veteran cringe in fear.

------------

"Splendid," Eishun replied. "Hello, ladies and gentlemen. I am Konoe Eishun-san. I will be your instructor in the use of BattleMechs. From today on, I would like you to refer to me as Konoe-sensei. I ask of you only your best, and demand of you only your respect to me. Be thankful that none of you will have had to go through the first half of the training back at Camp Pendleton. Those cadets will be in for one helluva training session."

Eishun then stepped forth, and he then opened his robe, revealing an odachi, which he drew forth. He pointed at ten of the fifty cadets before him.

"To those whom I have just pointed at, please step forward in front of your peers."

Fate walked slowly to the rear of the officer's line, saying nothing to the other officers. He merely waited his turn to ask for food. Any odd looks from any of the other officers would warrant an absent, yet frightening, look from Fate. He may be no taller than a twelve year old, but he had lived long enough to know how to make even the most hardened war veteran cringe in fear.

Fate wouldn't have to ask for food. In front of him would be a simple buffet line. Plates first, on official Red Army china, then little stations where one got their appropriate food. The only thing different than the self-serve nature of the place was the man working an omelet bar down the way, serving up some omelets on a small griddle.


"Splendid," Eishun replied. "Hello, ladies and gentlemen. I am Konoe Eishun-san. I will be your instructor in the use of BattleMechs. From today on, I would like you to refer to me as Konoe-sensei. I ask of you only your best, and demand of you only your respect to me. Be thankful that none of you will have had to go through the first half of the training back at Camp Pendleton. Those cadets will be in for one helluva training session."

Eishun then stepped forth, and he then opened his robe, revealing an odachi, which he drew forth. He pointed at ten of the fifty cadets before him.

"To those whom I have just pointed at, please step forward in front of your peers."

The cadets sneaked glances at one another, and thought the same thoughts the two women commanders initially did. "Did this guy step out of a samurai flick?" seemed to be the thought of the moment, as Konoe spoke. The candidates he pointed at then stepped forward, standing ramrod straight and saluting.

Fate quickly retrieved a small meal on a single plate, consisting of four pieces of bacon, two waffles with syurup and butter, eggs, and a side cup of coffee, and then went over to a table and sat by himself. He closed his eyes, praying to the deity he believed in, and then proceeded to eat slowly, enjoying the food he had.

--------------

Eishun nodded at them, stepping forth to each one individually, his sword coming within mere inches of their chests each time he stepped in front of them.

"Each of you are now Star Commanders," he said. "Each of you will receive four members for your Star to make a unit of five. From today on, each of you will be responsible for the actions of your Star, and your Star's overall performance. When your Star performs well, it will reflect on your leadership skills, and vice versa. Each of you will choose your members accordingly. Do so right now."

Fate quickly retrieved a small meal on a single plate, consisting of four pieces of bacon, two waffles with syurup and butter, eggs, and a side cup of coffee, and then went over to a table and sat by himself. He closed his eyes, praying to the deity he believed in, and then proceeded to eat slowly, enjoying the food he had.

The recruits would not be treated so easily. So far, a number of them had washed out of the course already, tripping over the steppingstones and later failing the rolling log challenge, with only about 20-25 making it. The General could be heard barking, "No, no, no! Let's go! Let's get some backbone into it, you lazy dogs! MOVE!" gesturing with his stick. Army policy forbade him to hit the guys, but he could talk up a storm, and he was doing so now.

None of the other officers gave him funny looks. Well, almost none, those that did looked at Fate out of the corner of their eye, and wondered what a kid was doing here.


Eishun nodded at them, stepping forth to each one individually, his sword coming within mere inches of their chests each time he stepped in front of them.

"Each of you are now Star Commanders," he said. "Each of you will receive four members for your Star to make a unit of five. From today on, each of you will be responsible for the actions of your Star, and your Star's overall performance. When your Star performs well, it will reflect on your leadership skills, and vice versa. Each of you will choose your members accordingly. Do so right now."

The newly appointed Star Commanders went out among their men, and eventually gathered those they could trust and who had the best ability out of them. This wasn't an arbitrary choice, as many of them had graduated from the Powered Armor School together, with the exception of the Mobile Suit Pilots, who had gone to the now-defunct Mobile Armor Academy in Luxembourgia. So they knew who was good and who was not.

Once they made their choices, the Star Commanders presented their choices to Konoe-sensei.

Upon finishing his meal, Fate cleaned his dishes up, returning them to their proper area, and then returned outside, taking a slow walk back to the obstacle course. He could hear the General shoutting from even this distance, and he chuckled when he heard him. He definitely like General Tenneal.

----------------

Eishun nodded, sheathing his blade, which would then disappear underneath his robes once more, defying the laws of physics by making no indentation or viewable hump in the robes that even indicated it was there.

"Good," he said. "If you will follow me, I will give you your first introduction to a BattleMech." And with that, Eishun turned and walked towards where the Mechs had been placed.

Upon finishing his meal, Fate cleaned his dishes up, returning them to their proper area, and then returned outside, taking a slow walk back to the obstacle course. He could hear the General shoutting from even this distance, and he chuckled when he heard him. He definitely like General Tenneal.

As General Tenneal was marshaling the remaining fifteen recruits through the Tumbling Dominoes of Doom and watching several of them fall flat on their backs to the tune of winces on his part and giggles on the part of the orderlies who rescued the falling men, Tenneal could be heard yelling, "Take a salt tablet!" As the dominoes were reset for the next man to run across, Tenneal saw Fate coming back in the distance. Hopefully the meal was sufficent. Then, he heard a cry, and turning around he saw it was one of his men who actually passed the course. He yelled at the man, "Hey! This isn't football! Keep going!" motioning for the man to keep going to the next challenge on the course.

Eishun nodded, sheathing his blade, which would then disappear underneath his robes once more, defying the laws of physics by making no indentation or viewable hump in the robes that even indicated it was there.

"Good," he said. "If you will follow me, I will give you your first introduction to a BattleMech." And with that, Eishun turned and walked towards where the Mechs had been placed.

The new Star Commanders and their charges followed their new boss to the awaiting mechs. As they got closer to them, the size of the war machines daunted the men who weren't Mobile Suit pilots previously.

One of the Star Commanders, a tallish Cajun man, with a moderately fit build, some scars from General Tenneal's Obstacle Course, and glasses, speaks his mind. "Holy jesus," he mutters, shaking his head in disbelief at the enormous size of a Mad Cat Mark II. "And I thought Tenneal's Obstacle Course was hard."

Fate walked up in time to watch the General chastise rather than praise the man who had barely managed to complete that portion of the course. He chuckled mildly at the chastism, as he found it amusing, and merely continued to watch. He said nothing as he observed that one man who had cheered.

------------

Eishun walked up to the Mad Cat in question, dwarfed by its immense size. He patted the ferro-fibrous hull of the Mech twice, and then turned to face the assembled trainees.

"Tell me," he began, "What is the first rule of battling mecha of equivalent size to your own?"

Fate walked up in time to watch the General chastise rather than praise the man who had barely managed to complete that portion of the course. He chuckled mildly at the chastism, as he found it amusing, and merely continued to watch. He said nothing as he observed that one man who had cheered.

General Tenneal turned around, and said as more men succeeded and continued to the next part of the challenge, a run through a gauntlet of falling boulders with little safety slots, "Ah! Mr. Averruncus! How was your meal?"

Eishun walked up to the Mad Cat in question, dwarfed by its immense size. He patted the ferro-fibrous hull of the Mech twice, and then turned to face the assembled trainees.

"Tell me," he began, "What is the first rule of battling mecha of equivalent size to your own?"

One man raised his hand and replied, attempting to say, "Sir, we learned in Powered Armor School to stand off at a distance and use weapons, tactics and mobility on the enemy to engage similarily sized forces, sir!"

"It was good, General," Fate replied, his tone suggesting that it was. "How have the troops been holding out? It seems that some of them are doing fairly well. A surprise, really."

--------------------

"Excellent answer," Eishun replied. "Not the one I was looking for. When in mecha combat against units of similar size comparison, always make sure that your team is backing you up. Without your team, you are nothing. The Mech may be an extension of your combat abilities, and it may make you feel that you are invincible. This has proven to be the downfall of warriors amongst even the Clans. Never allow yourself to over-estimate your own combat abilities. Even the most expertly trained veteran can be overwhelmed by larger numbers of fresh recruits. The number one rule is this; do not fight alone and try to be a hero unless you've no other choice."

Eishun then turned and walked to the ladder of the kneeling Mech, and grabbed onto a rail, pulling himself up until he was in the Mech. The cockpit would then seal behind him as he fastened the neurohelmet onto his head. He could feel himself become one with the Mech, and no sooner had he thought to stand up, the Mech stood up. He flipped on the exterior voice amplifier, and continued to speak.

"A Mech is like a mobile suit or a battle armour," he said. "It is an extension of one's own body. Your thoughts control the Mech's movement, as well as the movements you make in the cockpit. The only difference is that the BattleMech is nowhere near as maneuverable as the mobile suit or battle armour. Even so, the Mech relies upon your own sense of balance to stand. Observe."

Eishun then thought the Mech to move, stepping backwards to avoid stepping on the recruits. He then turned the Mech, and then drove it forward, its immense size creating vibrations in the ground. He then increased the speed of the Mech up to its max speed, going about two hundred meters before turning sharply. The Mech slid along the ground, tipping over as if it were going to fall, but it easily recovered its balance and began moving back to the recruits, stopping just a couple dozen meters from them.

"As you can see, the Mech wanted to tip over," Eishun continued. "But, because my sense of balance was superbly set, the Mech completely up-righted itself without a problem. While I would let you each test a Mech for yourself, you are not yet ready for a neurohelmet. We'll get to that some other time."

Eishun then opened up the hatch to the cockpit which automatically triggered the Mech to kneel and extend the ladder. However, rather than use the ladder, Eishun dropped down, landing on his feet without a problem, and then faced the recruits. "Questions?"

"It was good, General," Fate replied, his tone suggesting that it was. "How have the troops been holding out? It seems that some of them are doing fairly well. A surprise, really."

The General was somewhat surprised at Fate's assessment, as to him it seemed a little optimistic. With a shrug, he said: "Mr. Averruncus, I can say that so far, 15 out of fifty people have survived the initial challenges. That's a bit less than usual, considering at least twenty make it out of the initial stage intact. Ah well." He then smiled and looked to the next stage of the challenges, as the trainees had to sit inside tricycles that looked like giant whales and manuever around a tight, silly looking course. "Ah yes. Look at them go."

As the trainees then kept moving around the track, one of them flopped face first and rolled off the track into some bushes, the clumsy trike tripping over a small obstacle. With that, the General yelled to the man on a megaphone, "Come on, you pathetic loveless loser! Get up and start over again! After you get a salt tablet, of course."

He then shook his head, and said, "Meh. That's natural selection for ya."



Eishun then opened up the hatch to the cockpit which automatically triggered the Mech to kneel and extend the ladder. However, rather than use the ladder, Eishun dropped down, landing on his feet without a problem, and then faced the recruits. "Questions?"

The recruits and the Star Commanders listened carefully.

The emphasis on teamwork was one they could get, as was the idea that the Mech was an extension of them. Working in kill-teams and in concert with Infantry was something taught to Mobile Suit pilots and Kurosawa pilots alike. So that wasn't so bad. Same with the emphasis on knowing your limits. A lesson on not being complaicent had been drilled into most of them thanks to Tenneal's Obstacle Course, and in the classroom too. Besides, it was all common sense.

The Kurosawa Powered Armor suits had built-in gyroscopic balancing systems (the Mobile Suits too, to a lesser extent), so balance, whilst important, wasn't necessarily a concern for the trainees as they went about their work. However, these Mechs obviously demanded a keen sense of balance, something the Mobile Suit pilots understood and something which made the pilots slightly nervous.

One guy raised his hand saying, "So the Mech doesn't have internal gyro-balancers, like the Kurosawa does?"

"Quite," Fate said, rather disappointed in the soldier who had fallen. "So, how many have already flushed out of the course?"

------------

"Quite the opposite," Eishun replied. "The stabilizers are there, but because of the neurohelmet tapping into your own sense of balance through your neural pathways, the Mech's stabilizers react the same way you would have, thereby keeping the Mech balanced. This removes the use for computers to do the actual calculations and try to keep the Mech balance, which would put undue stress on the computing power of the Mech, and it allows you to keep focused on fighting rather than keeping the Mech balanced."

"Quite," Fate said, rather disappointed in the soldier who had fallen. "So, how many have already flushed out of the course?"

General Tenneal said, shaking his head, "Oh my."

Pointing to a section off the course where orderlies were treating the various injuries of the cadets, "Well, that's about 35 so far that didn't make it past stage one, I'm afraid. This is out of fifty cadets. This might be one of their off days. Some days, only ten washout. Hell, you should've seen them when they started."

Meanwhile, the guy got up and ran off the course, down the Loser's Road, to the beginning of the Course to do it all over again.....the rest of them passed the silly whale challenge and now donned horse costumes with rollerskates, and began the same thing over again on a different track.

"Quite the opposite," Eishun replied. "The stabilizers are there, but because of the neurohelmet tapping into your own sense of balance through your neural pathways, the Mech's stabilizers react the same way you would have, thereby keeping the Mech balanced. This removes the use for computers to do the actual calculations and try to keep the Mech balance, which would put undue stress on the computing power of the Mech, and it allows you to keep focused on fighting rather than keeping the Mech balanced."

The people nodded and looked at each other, better understanding the nature of the thing they were dealing with. Then, one of the Star Commanders said, "We have no further questions."

"Hmmm." Fate observed the washouts closely, then began to walk over to them. Once he got to them, he stood quietly and ominously next to them before asking his question to the first cadet.

"What kind of injury have you sustained, Cadet?"

------------

"Good," Eishun replied. "You're hereby dismissed until tomorrow. We'll then begin your first class on BattleMech history at oh nine hundred hours, and you'll receive your first course on neurohelmet applications. Good day to you, ladies and gentlemen."

"Hmmm." Fate observed the washouts closely, then began to walk over to them. Once he got to them, he stood quietly and ominously next to them before asking his question to the first cadet.

"What kind of injury have you sustained, Cadet?"

The man then said, wincing and grabbing his upper left arm, "Ah....fuck...."

The orderly next to him said, pointing to bits of bone sticking out of his arm and his legs, "That there's a compound fracture. Got it on the Log Drop. Who knew rolling logs could break a man's limbs that violently? I mean jesus. The man's almost a fucking piece of putty.'

He then said nonchalantly, "Also pulled a muscle in his groin."

"Good," Eishun replied. "You're hereby dismissed until tomorrow. We'll then begin your first class on BattleMech history at oh nine hundred hours, and you'll receive your first course on neurohelmet applications. Good day to you, ladies and gentlemen."

The men and women then saluted, and ran to their jobs, families, and various bars around the area. As this occurred, the two women commanders walked up to Konoe-sensei, and said, "So, what now?" speaking all at once and not missing a beat.

"Lay him flat," Fate ordered, rolling up his sleeves. "You'll not be flushed out this easily. Set his arm while you're at it."

-----------

"Well, I cannot see why I should not take the rest of the day off," Eishun said. "Before this short lesson, I'd been working all day, every day for the last week during the trip here. I haven't had an hour of sleep since. I think I shall retire until tomorrow."

"Lay him flat," Fate ordered, rolling up his sleeves. "You'll not be flushed out this easily. Set his arm while you're at it."

The medic nodded, replying simply, "Three steps ahead of you, sir." He proceeded to stabilize the limbs, setting the limbs and then applying splints, nanotech fast-healing solution and a bandage before saying, "There we go. Medical nanites should have him up and running soon."

"Well, I cannot see why I should not take the rest of the day off," Eishun said. "Before this short lesson, I'd been working all day, every day for the last week during the trip here. I haven't had an hour of sleep since. I think I shall retire until tomorrow."

The women then turned to one another, and nodded. Alcott then said, "Right this way. We'll show you to your facilties. Once you get squared away with those, you can go around town." Alcott then motioned for a staff car to come up, and sure enough, a jeep pulled up with the markings of an Officers transport. After everyone got in, Konoe-sensei would be then driven to B Barracks, where the Officers stayed. As they pulled up, Konoe would notice B Barracks was pretty well furnished. And, Jacinta-chibi said this, saying, "Here at B Barracks, Officers stay here if they choose on base housing. It's comfortable. Not luxurious, but comfy. Officers use the common facilities on base, but also there's a pool and a small rec area here too."

Fate then kneeled over the wounded cadet. "Not fast enough," he said as he grabbed onto the cadet's broken arm. He muttered something in ancient Greek, and in a flash of light, the cadet's arm would heal itself within seconds, as would the wound in his groin. It would also revitalize the cadet, giving him renewed strength. "Now, cadet, get back in there and do it again. This time, don't fail."

--------------

"Thank you, Commodore," Eishun replied. "I'm quite sure it'll suffice." Eishun then stepped out of the vehicle, taking a few steps from the vehicle and observing the building. He then turned around and smiled to the two commanding officers, bowing at the waist, and then turned to enter the building for a night's rest.

Fate then kneeled over the wounded cadet. "Not fast enough," he said as he grabbed onto the cadet's broken arm. He muttered something in ancient Greek, and in a flash of light, the cadet's arm would heal itself within seconds, as would the wound in his groin. It would also revitalize the cadet, giving him renewed strength. "Now, cadet, get back in there and do it again. This time, don't fail."

Grateful, the Cadet got up, fit as a fiddle. He then, without thinking, saluted Fate with a hearty "SIR YES SIR!" After a few seconds, he realized he still had the splints and such, and as such, the medics assisted him in their removal. Sighing as they saw one of their charges about to go back onto the Course once more, the man ran off and began the steppingstone challenge once more.....

Meanwhile, the rest of the brutal racing challenges finished, it was time for a maze. Not as painful as the others, but it could get annoying.

"Thank you, Commodore," Eishun replied. "I'm quite sure it'll suffice." Eishun then stepped out of the vehicle, taking a few steps from the vehicle and observing the building. He then turned around and smiled to the two commanding officers, bowing at the waist, and then turned to enter the building for a night's rest.

After dropping him off, the two ladies drove back to their office, the jeep dropping them off and leaving them and their equipment.

They shared an office, with two desks facing one another, with computers, papers, drawers of stuff and pictures of loved ones. An arrangement somehow befitting the way these two worked almost as if they were one mind. Novaens would recognize the way these two worked in harmony. They weren't quite bonded from a young age, like they were. But something about them when they first met clicked, and they found themselves finishing each others' sentences and (to the dismay of JRCCC) each others' reports.

Here they would work into the night, and chat up a storm. Usually about the events of the day and other such things. But today, all they could talk about was Konoe-sensei. He was quite a character, to say the least.

Fate nodded at the cadet as he returned to the Course. He was pleased that the cadet was now so willing to return to training, and he expected this soldier not to disappoint him in the future. Still, much would come of this day, and he had yet to see it all. He just had to keep his eyes, ears, and mind open for the next six months.

As for Eishun, much would occur in the next few months for him as he trained the experienced war forces of the Dornalians in the art of BattleMech combat. He was proud of this achievement, taking personal pleasure in the fact that he had passed on a great legacy to others who would use it for years to come. Yet, his reports to Magicus Mundus would result in a devastating cultural conflict between the Maho Caste and the People's Acolytes that would forever change the Maho Caste's means of operation.

((Using this post as a prelude to a new RP in the future. I'll work out the details with you later.))