NationStates Jolt Archive

((OOC Thread. Please sign up here if interested.)) (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=569963)

((Please do not post until I have given absolute confirmation that the RP is fully up and ready to go. Thank you.))

All things in this universe have a purpose.

Stars...

Planets...

Black Holes...

Living creatures...

And this tiny little probe orbiting a solitary star. This star lived up to its purpose, providing warmth to a planet nearby, which was also living up to its purpose of providing a home for a civilization of living creatures. These creatures, which were humanoid, resembled humans in all aspects except an extra pair of arms and a different biological structure. Either way, they were much like humanity was in the year 1940: disorganized and in the midst of a world war with much the same technology that humanity had.

Now, this probe was detailing the events that were unfolding on this planet. Every transmission, every battle, every piece of propaganda and radio commercial. All of it was recorded, and then sent out towards the edge of the galaxy. This transmission would transmit directly towards a very large, very peculiar nebula that rarely saw any visitors, but there were some things about this nebula that many within the universe had no knowledge of.

The first bit of knowledge that was unknown was that the nebula was hollow, containing several dozen stars that were in relative proximity to one another. These stars had planets surrounding them, mostly lifeless balls of rock with the rare gas giant appearing with tens of moons surrounding it. There were a few exceptions, though. Many of these stars, although not all, housed planets that were capable of sustaining life. Several were very odd that they could manage such a feat, as they were either entirely ice or entirely desert. There were, however, Earth-like worlds that existed that housed several different climates and had such a diverse biosphere, the only difference that could even possibly keep them from being confused with Terra was that they had different tectonic and continental structures.

Now, many of you are probably wondering, "Why is he rambling on about such trivialities? Why doesn't he just get on with the RP?"

Well, here's your answer.

This sector of space has a purpose that was preordained countless millenia ago: to be a safe haven to those who created it. However, those who created it were destroyed before they could even use it, and it was forgotten to time. Those who came across it merely ignored it, thinking it to be a rarity amongst nebulae. However, there were those who ventured into this nebula millenia after its creators had vanished into the threads of time.

And these creatures were humans.

And they were known as the Clans...

((First of many. Please be patient.))

The Clans.

An odd assortment of humans, their society runs similarly to the ancient Japanese feudal system, where everyone is segregated into castes and can have their caste changed by the whims of either a batchall, a ritualistic trial between an antagonist and a protagonist, by the higher orders within the Clans' political hierarchy, or, if they were children, by how well they tested in Battle Academy.

Another odd trait to them is their secondary social hierarchy, which leads to further complications within the first social hierarchy. This is the division between Trueborn and Freeborn.

Trueborn are those who are born of the Iron Wombs, which are essentially over-glorified test tubes. Freeborn are...well, you get the picture on that one. However, the major difference between them is that the Trueborn are the ruling class, and they frown upon those that are of natural birth, feeling them to be inferior due to their ability to contract genetic anomalies. This has spawned a hatred between the two 'birth' classes, and animosity is the prevailing emotion amongst both 'birth' classes within the Warrior caste. However, despite this animosity, the Clans flourish.

Until recently...

Having lived for several millenia within the hidden confines of their little corner of space, the Clans slowly began to run out of resources until they finally became desperate and began resorting to mass-recycling of dead machinery. While this process wasn't foreign to the Clans, it became their only source of resources for their machines of war, causing a panic within the Warrior caste.

In a last, desperate attempt to search for a new resource node, the Scientist caste brought forth a new technology to their fold: a wormhole generator. Despite the warnings of the Scientists that the technology wasn't exact, the Warrior caste quickly seized the new piece of technology, creating a wormhole without even so much as plugging in an exact coordinate, and then quickly raced through the wormhole to seize whatever territory they could get their hands upon.

This event is what lead to the Battle of Caligula (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=539131) against the Core Worlds, but this is a tale for another time...

After the Battle of Caligula, much transpired...

In an attempt to help mediate both the conflict between the Clans and the Coredians and the Coredians and the Woodians, the nation of New Dornalia stepped forth to provide neutral grounds for all parties. The treaty between the Clans and the Coredians was the simple part, leading to a trading agreement between both parties plus with New Dornalia and Evil Woody Thoughts.

This helped to bolster the Clan economic structure, which had been collapsing in the face of the resource crisis. In what is considered an economic miracle, the Clan economy went back to normal without even a single issue, as if nothing had happened. Much time passed, and again, the Clans came into conflict with yet another nation, but inside of the Milky Way this time. This nation was the Principality of Zeon.

The conflict was short-lived, however, as the intervention of the Maho Caste, which acts similarly to Core Worlds' own Jedi Order, brought upon a hasty treaty with their leader, Sovreign Garma Zabi. This lead to a beneficial trade relation between both nations, providing the Clans with more resources while providing the Principality with new technology for which they could defend themselves with.

However, the Warrior caste was becoming rather irritated. They were having to rely on foreigners for their resources, and it did not sit well with them that these sources of income weren't one hundred percent under their control. Thus, a plan to end their complete dependency on foreign products began, and for several months, the Council of Khans remained within their chambers, planning out their next method of conquest...

"Hmmm...this world has potential, both in man power and resources."

"Aff. The Probe around Vestria is reporting high concentrations of Nurelium, Lightonium, and Adamantium. It is also rich with water, precious gems, oil, and petroleum, all of which can be utilized."

"Vestria shall be priority one in the initial invasion plan." The image switched over to another planet, one that lacked the amount of water Vestria did. "What of Mirial?"

"Mirial is a world that has just recently deployed its first interstellar star ships, but they have not left their own star system yet. Low tech, but definitely a world that shall pose a challenge to conquer."

"What of the resources?"

"Basic resources have been all but depleted, but Mirial Two and Three, the closest of the moons, are highly rich in Adamantium and Vibranium. Mirial One and Four are solid methane balls, much like ancient Pluto."

"Then Mirial will be priority one as well. Make sure to emphasize the use of gunboats and fighters over the actual warships."

"Aff." The picture then changed once more. "Now, for the last planet, Milok."

The planet that showed up was unlike the last two. It was covered in a dense, planet-wide forest with no water source in sight. However, obviously artificial cities sprawled atop these trees. "Milok is a dense forest world inhabited by an avian race that has just entered into the digital age, and a serpent race that co-exists with them that lives mostly on the floor. They, too, have just entered the digital age, and the two races are divided much like Ancient Terra was in terms of nations. A planet-wide network has been established for public use, and from what we can gather, they are going through a turbulent time involving religious terrorism and economic implosion through some of the nations."

"Hmph. Quite the mockery of human history, quiaff?"

"Aff. As for resources, the moon, which is roughly one third the size of the planet, is almost completely comprised of Lightonium, and the planet has several untapped oil reserves deep beneath the surface. However, it will be difficult to reach them due to the planet-forest."

"Then we will burn down the forest to reach the resources if we need to." The screen then went blank, the room dark for just a few moments, and then the light upon the ceiling illuminated the room once more. IlKhan Mason Roshak looked upon the new Wolf Khan, Jaime Kerensky. "If all else fails, we will obliterate the forest from orbit, quiaff?"

Jaime looked concerned at the statement, but he shook his head. "Aff, although I think we should avoid such extremities, ilKhan Mason Roshak."

Mason nodded. "Do what must be done, Khan Jaime Kerensky. Make no excuses and do not avoid your duty."

"Aff, ilKhan Mason Roshak," Jaime replied. "I shall do what must be done."

"Good," Mason said, obviously pleased. "Then we are adjourned. May the Founder watch over us."

"Seyla," was the unison reply of the Council.

Miranda...

A bleak world of little vegetation. At one point, this planet had been a thriving world, full of jungles, temperate forests, rivers, oceans, all of it teeming with native fauna. When Star Adder colonized this planet, everything changed. The forests were harvested within months thanks to the Clan's Forestry 'Mechs. Specialized Elemental teams, equipped with chemical weapons, were dispatched to the population centers of animals to kill them off, strip them of their meat, and then return the meat to nearby mobile meat processing and curing facilities, all in the name of progress.

Thanks to Star Adder, all that was left were the oceans and entire continents of sand. Surprisingly, despite all their best efforts, the Clan couldn't harvest the fish all at once, so the underwater ecosystem managed to maintain its balance. Later, it turned out that they had lied to their allies and that there was - is - a sentient race existing below the surface of the ocean and that they had been fighting a bloody war down on the planet for decades without any headway. Eventually, the Maho Caste intervened and came to form a truce with the creatures, called the Riaga. These squid-like creatures were open to the idea of a truce, as their own people were suffering horribly from the war. Later, after the truce had been formed, the Riaga died of a plague of unknown origins, effectively erasing their existence in everything except Star Adder and Maho archives.

Today, this world stood as one of the many Interstellar Highway transfer points, as well as the largest fishing and forge world that the Clans had at their disposal. Rich in mineral resources, Miranda had no need for common supplies to make basic materials. There were special shipments that were sent that couldn't been obtained unless obtained off-world, but that mattered little. Miranda was meant for building the majority of the Clans' standard, freeborn-issue battle vehicles, and since it didn't require special resources to produce them, it was chosen as the main staging area for the coming campaign...

Miranda seemed like it was in total chaos. Tanks, battle armors, and 'Mechs moved about in enormous formations, as if they were performing battle maneuvers to counter some threat. DropShips and the new Assault Ships were pulling troops off the surface to transfer them to their assigned landing clusters. The clusters, each with formatted Patriot-class JumpShip carriers, had been positioned on an island off the coast of one of the major continents due to size constraints regarding landing zones, so the ferrying ships had to do all the work in regards to getting everyone situated and ready to go.

"Is everything progressing smoothly?" Star Admiral Jessica Jorgensen, a Ghost Bear Clansman and the only Clanner to obtain her rank, spoke quietly, but firmly, to the man who stood on the observation deck of the main landing Patriot of Galaxy Two, Cluster Two, Trinary Two.

"Aff, Star Admiral," replied Jaime Kerensky. While he was a Khan, he held no authority over the Star Admiral. In fact, for this entire operation, she was the actual commanding officer, and this irritated Jaime. "There were a few confusions in the beginning, but everything is progressing smoothly now."

"Good," she replied, standing beside the Khan. "Then we should be off-world by tomorrow."

"That is all dependent on when the supply fleets arrive," Jaime stated.

"Aff. The Nova Cats tend to slack off when they have a schedule." They both laughed.

Three weeks had passed since the fleet had been gathered...

Below the fleet was the planet, Vestria. The blue-green ball, closely resembling Earth in every aspect except tectonic shifting, was embroiled in a struggle for supremacy. The probe that was orbiting Vestria, having been picked up by the Clans upon their arrival in-system, gave further details on the goings-on of the planet.

Apparently, during their two week wait, six day trip through the nebula, and the single, instantaneous jump between the outer edge of the nebula to Vestria itself, three of the eight major alliances had held a conference to form a peace treaty. During the conference, the five remaining alliances declared themselves unified and launched a massive, synchronized campaign into the three other alliances' territories. These three alliances, now under siege by a mutual threat, created what is now called the Triumvirate, and they began their own counter campaign, trying desperately to stem the tide of what the Clans called the Pentagon Alliance.

"What do you make of it all, Khan Jaime Kerensky?" Star Admiral Jessica Jorgensen was staring directly at the information display panel as well as the many different holovids that were coming through in real time. Battles raged across the main continent as the Pentagon Alliance smashed division after division of Triumvirate forces.

"Well, from what I can tell of this situation, it would seem prudent to join in on the side of the Triumvirate." Jaime was watching the same video footage and data collection scroll across his own screen aboard his own ship.

"Why do you suggest that?" Jessica looked at the micro-screen of Jaime with a questionable look.

"Well, based upon the data we are receiving, the Pentagon Alliance holds the upper hand," Jaime said. "While this may be the case, just because they are winning does not mean they are honorable. Further data that is being collected by our insertion teams suggests that the Pentagon Alliance is performing acts of genocide based upon a doctrine of ethnic cleansing. This is highly dishonorable, even by the standards of the Inner Sphere, quiaff?"

"Aff," replied Jessica. "I can see your point. Very well, then. Shall we commence landing or should we throw the Pentagon Alliance into disarray with an orbital bombardment?"

"The latter, and then the former," Jaime replied. "Focus on their main columns first, and make sure that you do not cause too much collateral damage."

"But of course," Jessica replied with a smile and a wink to the Khan...

The Vestrians had been embroiled in this world conflict for decades. Many nations fell out of existence during that course of history, watching several fall and others rise from the ashes.

Yet, no part of this war had been as bloody as the recent past battles. Everywhere, the Triumvirate was losing ground, being forced to fall back towards their own territories. While their avenue of retreat was easy, courtesy of their nations straddling one another, the devastation that was being wrought by the Pentagon Alliance was proving disastrous. As the Triumvirate armies fled their territory, the civilians that were left behind were left to the genocidal Pentagon troops, who gladly took any chance they could get to rape, murder, or publicly flog those who were in their path to victory.

Now, all hope seemed to be lost for the Triumvirate. They had been run down to their last few cities, each clustered tightly within their own individual territory, and the remnants of their armies were dug in for a long siege that looked to be a lost cause. The Pentagon Army was no more than two hundred kilometers away, and their columns of tanks, infantry, and artillery had become visible dots upon the horizon as they descended the natural mountain range that separated all three nations from one another, and provided the defense necessary to delay them until the major cities had been fortified sufficiently.

Fighting along the range's edge and within the mountain towns and road blockades was fierce, but short-lived as the Triumvirate continued to give ground, holding back the Pentagon Army as best they could, their own forces easily outnumbered twelve to one. It was a matter of hours before the Pentagon Army broke through the first blockade, and then, as soon as the first one fell, so did the next one, and the next one, until finally they had broken through entirely, descending upon the border towns like jackals upon carrion. The border towns, while barely reinforced with the retreating blockade forces, were putting up a valiant fight...

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

Border town of Levin, Federation of Mikaal...

"Gods damn it all!" Captain Mai-chaul Du'ustnof of the First Heavy Infantry Company of the Third Mikaalian Marine Division was fighting alongside his men, his command center having been over run just moments earlier. He held an interesting weapon almost resembling the old AK-47 used by Soviet Union of Ancient Terra. He ducked out of cover, squeezing off several rounds, trying to provide cover support for others in his company who were still trying to retreat out of the town.

"Sir, we need to get the hell out of here!" His subordinate, Lieutenant Miider Mus'khafka leaned around the corner, repeating his CO's action with a rifle of the same model.

"Not until every man we can get out of the city is behind us, you understand?" A flurry of bullets tore into nearby low wall, forcing several of his soldiers to cover. "Grr...covering fire!" At his command, those of his squad who could immediately trained their weapons on the light machine gun in a window no more than fifteen meters away, their bullets tearing into the wooden wall between them and their target, perforating the machine gun's crew.

Several more rounds responded to them in kind, bullets ringing around them as they ducked back into cover, a light tank rolling around the corner to greet them with both machine gun and auto cannon fire. The troops behind the low wall were decimated as they tried to flee the onslaught, their Captain shouting orders to retreat. Nearly a dozen men were reduced to three as the tank gave pursuit to the remaining soldiers and their officers.

As they fled, a shot resounded in the air, and a bullet plucked the back of the Captain, dropping him to the ground as he shouted in anger and agonizing pain, the bullet of a sniper having torn through his upper back, lodging the deadly light explosive round. Thankfully for the Captain, the round had been a dud. His men heard their commander fall, and they were quick to turn back, his Lieutenant and a one of the other soldiers hoisting him up as the other two soldiers shot at the light tank, hoping to deter it.

"Fall back! Just fall back!" Miider shouted to the two men to fall back as he and the third soldier pulled the Captain into a blast crater from an artillery shell, but it was too late. No sooner had the men begun moving did the auto cannon turn them into mere slabs of meat, and Miider had to keep himself from regurgitating stomach acid as he watched. However, what happened next, he could not explain.

A blinding flash of green light suddenly appeared from what seemed like nowhere, striking alongside the tank. Apparently, the tank crew must have seen it as well because the vehicle began rolling backwards. Another flash of green left a hole where the tank had been moments before, and then two more struck along both sides until, finally, one struck through the center of the tanks turret. Miider watched in shock and amazement as the tank turned to slag in an instant before erupting into a ball of flame as the ammunition and the fuel for the vehicle ignited, sending slagged metal across the entire boulevard, forcing Miider to duck.

After a few moments of shock, the Lieutenant looked back over the edge of the crater, staring at the wreckage of the former light tank. His mouth was slack, his mind still trying to comprehend what had just happened...

...and that's when he saw it...

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

Across the front line, Pentagon troops were being thrown into disarray as searing beams of green light struck from the heavens, cutting down huge swathes of infantry and vehicles within seconds. The Triumvirate, however, just stood in shock as their enemies were torn to pieces in front of them, and, within minutes, the battle that had been was silenced.

However, what occurred next baffled all who were present. Moments after the unexplained phenomenon, hundreds of spherical objects began to descend from the skies, more flashes of green emitting from these oddly-shaped objects, accompanied with what they could only explain as blue lightning spheres. These attacks were directed at the fleeing Pentagon Army, the destructive power of these outlandish weapons continuing to decimate their number like no Vestrian had seen before.

As the 'Flaming Spheres of Doom' finally completed their descent, they began to crack open, humongous ramps thumping into the ground as large, bi-pedal machines, tanks, and two-armed aliens began to pour out of these Spheres, their numbers charging into the retreating Pentagon lines and slaughtering them wholesale. No Pentagon soldier was left standing as these alien warriors took to the defense of the Triumvirate.

The reports that were being fed from the front lines were causing a commotion on both sides of the war. The Pentagon was panicking as their primary assault force was decimated in practically an hour, while the Triumvirate was in a mixed state of joy and absolute terror as these aliens came to their rescue completely unannounced. However, those within the Triumvirate were sure of one thing.

Their saviors had arrived...

First Far Sectoral Expeditionary Force Command ShipNDS Kurt Tank

Admiral Momoko Yamashita was quite possibly the most far-ranging Dornalian officer en route to hostile territory since whenever. Probes sent by the Commissariat of Science had stumbled upon massed activity by MacIntyre's new friends, the Clans, in some lonely corner of the universe.

Officially, Yamashita was being sent as part of an expedition to map and explore the areas where the probes had gone, just like any other. Unofficially, the Inner Circle of the Dornalian Government knew damn well what those probes had reallyseen--the records Yamashita and the CoS men had seen had all Clan references expunged and altered. Something involving the Clans--who were officially nonexistent to all public records. He didn't quite know what it was, but Yamashita was sent to figure it out.

Looking at her battle orders, she knew that her deployment force of ten Mao Zedongs, with appropriate Marines, and two CoS Explorer Ships, was alrady bigger than the usual exploration mission. What was going on? Why send them into the middle of a hot zone? Well, her Gracie said, "Admiral, we've arrived," so she was about to find out.....

She then said, softly, "Onscreen." Several light years away from Vestria, they detected ship fire and other things.....Yamashita said, "Proceed with caution, don't engage until fired upon, don't hailed until hailed."

"Report from the front line, Wolf Khan Jaime Kerensky," stated the tactical officer, handing him a clip board with several pieces of paperwork and micro-sized data pads.

"Thank you," the Khan replied, taking them from her to go over them. He smiled with satisfaction as he read the reports.

The battles upon the planet had, thus far, gone quite easily. It was like a mirror image of the Pentagon Alliances own campaign against the Triumvirate. However, the only major change was the lack of genocide. Instead, civilians from both the Pentagon and the Triumvirate were being taken in as refugees, and were being segregated to keep them from fighting until some sort of arrangement had been made to fully assimilate the Vestrians into the Clan population.

Furthermore, in only twelve hours time, the Clans had managed to push back the Pentagon to well out of range of the Triumvirate's territory, some twelve hundred kilometers, in fact. At around that point, the Clan field commanders had chosen to consolidate the ground they had taken, forming a large defensive perimeter that would effectively prevent the Pentagon Army from trying to re-initiate their offensive while the assembled Clan forces mopped up what hadn't managed to escape their onslaught.

A beep sounded as a secure communications channel was opened between the joint leadership, and this made Jaime look up from what he was doing to see the face of the Star Admiral. She didn't seem to be pleased.

"Star Admiral Jessica Jorgensen. What can I do for you?"

"It seems that we have visitors," she replied, a second window rising into view as her own was switched to a pip screen. The new screen showed Jaime what was nearby. His eyes widened as he noticed their markings.

"Dornalians?"

"Aff. What action would you have me take?"

"Take no action, Star Admiral Jessica Jorgensen. I shall see to it. Thank you for informing me. Seyla." He nodded to her in respect.

"But of course, Wolf Khan Jaime Kerensky. Seyla." With a curt nod, her screen disappeared, leaving Jaime with only the screen of the Dornalian ships.

He looked over to his communications officer. "Open a secure channel to the Dornalian fleet. Video and audio."

"Aff, lead." The communications officer was quick to carry out his orders, and it wasn't long before a screen was forcibly turned on to show the aged face of the Wolf Khan.

"Greetings from the Clans, fellow Dornalians. To what do we owe the pleasure of your presence in this sector of space?"

"Aff, lead." The communications officer was quick to carry out his orders, and it wasn't long before a screen was forcibly turned on to show the aged face of the Wolf Khan.

"Greetings from the Clans, fellow Dornalians. To what do we owe the pleasure of your presence in this sector of space?"

Yamashita looked at the man and said with a stiff bow, "I am Admiral Momoko Yamashita, New Dornalian People's Navy, on the NDS Kurt Tank. I am here on an investigation of some activity probes from our nation have found. Why?"

Her tone of voice was friendly enough, although it became clear that the policy of hiding the existence of the Clans from public and regularly secret access didn't help much in this case--it would seem that true to the word given by Maccy at Hollywood Hills, only Momoko's bosses and Maccy himself knew who these dudes were. These folks seemed to recognize these "Clanners" spoke a little like Woodians and Red Army Armored Cav teams, along with their somewhat unusual compatriots who occasionally showed up--who were also apparently "Woodian," although frankly some of the biggest and most pragmatic Woodians anybody had seen in ever.

One man whispered to his compatriot, "That a Woodian?"

"Nah, ese. He said he was a Clanner." the man replied, shrugging.

"What's that? Is that like a Woodian?"

Jaime looked upon the Admiral in a neutral manner, secretly hiding the fact that he was annoyed at the question. He mentally sighed before he replied.

"We are currently conducting a campaign to expand our sphere of influence within our sector of space. Is there a problem with us doing such a thing?"

Momoko replied, waving her hands in front of her face defensively as she grew sheepish, "No, no. No problem at all. I was just inquiring. I mean, our government was just inquiring. We don't usually pick up that much activity on long distance probes and such, is all--so I guess our government figured it would be worth looking into." It was obvious Momoko could tell that Jaime was at best, somewhat suspicious as to why Momoko would need to ask such a thing.

Then again, being outside of the Inner Circle, Momoko was bound to be doubly curious. Though the Political Officer onboard the Kurt Tank however, for the crew's sake, really knew who the clanners were--he was part of that Inner Circle. Not that he was on the bridge at the moment; although being Political Officer, he was observing the scene off to the side, working on a nearby console but looking at it all from the side of his eye.

Jaime nodded at her reply. He wasn't stupid. At an age of almost two hundred years old - he had lived most of his life traveling between planets in a DropShip, which had no gravity - one came to be able to read others of most social classes. Still, he couldn't let her know that he knew what this was really about.

"Very well, then. I am fairly certain you have a diplomat on board your vessel here to inquire as to what is specifically occurring in here at Vestria. You may approach our fleet as necessary to deploy a shuttle to my flagship, the Takashi. Our coordinates have been sent as necessary. Please make sure that he or she is prepared for a First Contact scenario, as well."

And with that, the communication cut out, leaving the Dornalians to view the space around their warship.

Jaime nodded at her reply. He wasn't stupid. At an age of almost two hundred years old - he had lived most of his life traveling between planets in a DropShip, which had no gravity - one came to be able to read others of most social classes. Still, he couldn't let her know that he knew what this was really about.

"Very well, then. I am fairly certain you have a diplomat on board your vessel here to inquire as to what is specifically occurring in here at Vestria. You may approach our fleet as necessary to deploy a shuttle to my flagship, the Takashi. Our coordinates have been sent as necessary. Please make sure that he or she is prepared for a First Contact scenario, as well."

And with that, the communication cut out, leaving the Dornalians to view the space around their warship.

Momoko paused for a moment, and then said, shrugging, "Very well then." Straightening her uniform and finding Jaime's attitude somewhat odd, she then said, "I elect to go to the Clan ship, per my rights as a People's Navy officer to represent the Workers State."

The Political Officer, then, promptly said, "With your permission, I would like to follow you to the Takashi."

"But what about the vessel? You need to watch the vessel, right?" Momoko replied. She was curious as to why the Political Officer, of all people, needed to be the one participating in negotiations.

"Then, by that logic, you should be here, and I should be the one doing the negotiations. Besides, that custom you invoked can involve a second being sent in your place, when there's risk involved. And it looks like there is risk." That being the PO's reply, Momoko sighed and said, "Go."

The PO, then turned, picked up a guard, and proceeded to a shuttle. The Clans would then be able to see a Gagarin II shuttle flying towards the Takashi, hailing them thusly.

"Attention Takashi, and Star Colonel Jaime Kerensky. This is Political Officer Michael Menard, of the Kurt Tank. I've come, representing the Workers State on behalf of my superiors using the Right of Field Representation, as authorized by the Code of Justice of the Revolutionary Armed Forces. Permission to come aboard?"

The response came from Jaime himself.

"You may come aboard, Political Officer Michael Menard. Be advised, however, that whatever official laws or accords that you follow hold no meaning to us. You are here in Clan territory - where the rules have changed."

Menard understood that much. Being a member of that Inner Circle, he knew that the Clans did play by different rules. Usually, these were martial in nature. Though he was rusty on the specifics, the Woodians had a form of them, mainly involving bidding on trials by combat to resolve dispute. Woodians being Clan-lite in nature, it wasn't much of a step to imagine that the Clans would be stricter. He wasn't that big, but it was good he had done fairly well in the Navy's Close Combat Training program, and he had passed the MacGyverism program--officially the Survival, Evasion, Adaptation and Escape program--ensuring that he could get tricky if the situation demanded--as long as it was within the limits of the bid.

Parking his ship on the Takashi, he quickly assembled his duty uniform and walked out, to greet his hosts with a snappy Dornalian salute.

Jaime was there to meet him, flanked by a guard of five - yes five - Elemental decked out in full battle armor. Jaime saluted Menard in the normal Clan manner, showing a semblance of respect, and then motioned for him to follow.

"We are on a tight schedule, Michael Menard. I suggest you step lively and speak while walking."

Jaime was there to meet him, flanked by a guard of five - yes five - Elemental decked out in full battle armor. Jaime saluted Menard in the normal Clan manner, showing a semblance of respect, and then motioned for him to follow.

"We are on a tight schedule, Michael Menard. I suggest you step lively and speak while walking."

Menard replied, snappily, "Aff." He proceeded to walk briskly, following Jaime as he began to speak.

"Star Colonel, my people were sent on a mission to investigate activity recorded by Commissariat of Science probes that had passed through the area. They detected large numbers of Clan vessels mobilizing, battling some unknown force. Fortunately, for Admiral Yamashita's sake, we in the privelieged Inner Circle who can know of the Clans' existence had the probe data censored, excising the Clan references in the data before commissioning the expedition to investigate the area.

Now, it seems that we know why that's the case--classic expansionism. Nothing that the Workers State isn't familiar with. We don't mind it, personally--we've done it a few times, especially in Nova Louisiana.

My point here, Star Colonel, since your time is precious, is that we in the Workers State, considering the situation, would like to remind you that expansionism can be difficult. After all, not all planets are gonna be easy to garrison and control. Some do have higher tech levels, and buddies with ships, as the Native Nova Louisianans did. And, to prevent this from being, to use the common parlance, a 'total buzzkill,' we in New Dornalia would like to render assistance. After all, we've got capable MechWarriors of our own--though in official parlance, they're known as Armored Cavalrymen. I'm sure they could be of some use."

Jaime stopped for a moment, his two guard stopping with him in synchronization. He turned to look at Michael closely.

"The way you speak, it sounds as if Dornalia has little faith in our abilities to do war. May I remind you that we are masters of that specific trade."

He then continued to move, walking amongst huge troop formations and between fighter craft, his guards following him wherever he went.

Jaime stopped for a moment, his two guard stopping with him in synchronization. He turned to look at Michael closely.

"The way you speak, it sounds as if Dornalia has little faith in our abilities to do war. May I remind you that we are masters of that specific trade."

He then continued to move, walking amongst huge troop formations and between fighter craft, his guards following him wherever he went.

Michael replied with a cough, a stern look and a simple, "On the contrary. My superiors have every faith in the Clans' ability to do battle with the forces arrayed against your men and women. We have seen as much from Caligula and from the war machines now in service in the Red Army." He then continued with, as he followed Jaime and walked briskly, keeping eye contact and speaking tersely and frankly, "However, let me rephrase my statement into one that portrays my point more clearly, without so much of the arrogance. New Dornalia would like to assist in this crusade. We too, are experts in the art of battle, and we would like to help a fellow martial culture in any way we can."

Jaime paused at the ramp to a Firefly-class transport, his Elemental guards passing him to rejoin their Star. He then turned to Michael.

"Very well, then. However, we shall have to discuss the Workers States involvement in our campaign more fully when we return. For now, I would suggest that you join me, Michael Menard. We have a first contact meeting to attend planet side."

Jaime then motioned for the Political Officer to follow him, walking into the cargo bay of the ship as the ramp began to ascend and close.

Jaime paused at the ramp to a Firefly-class transport, his Elemental guards passing him to rejoin their Star. He then turned to Michael.

"Very well, then. However, we shall have to discuss the Workers States involvement in our campaign more fully when we return. For now, I would suggest that you join me, Michael Menard. We have a first contact meeting to attend planet side."

Jaime then motioned for the Political Officer to follow him, walking into the cargo bay of the ship as the ramp began to ascend and close.

PO Menard followed Jaime onboard the vessel, adding simply, "Aff." He figured he had done well enough so far. However, first contact was always risky, and if push came to shove, he didn't have much except his kung-fu skills and his railpistol. Then again, his railpistol was pretty good at killing enemies--as long as he could get in a couple of good shots.

The small shuttle-transport quickly sealed behind the two men as the ship began to ascend into the air, rotating in place before it began moving towards the hangar bay opening. Slowly, but surely, it began burning into the atmosphere, descending at a typical modern space shuttle descent path, its small frame flanked by dozens upon dozens of DropShips whose vectors were only slightly different in comparison. Whereas the DropShips were descending upon the recently halted front line, the Firefly transport descended upon the largest of the Triumvirate's cities, coming to a calm, non-jarring stop near what appeared to be a legislative building resembling that of what ancient United States used to use during their heyday.

As the ramp descended towards the street they had chosen to land in, several armed Vestrians could be seen flanking three ornately-dressed political figures. The Vestrians were obviously frightened to the core as they saw Jaime descend the ramp with twenty five enormous soldiers flanking him and the Dornalian representative. As per their customs, the three Vestrians political officials bowed to Jaime, to which Jaime, surprisingly, returned the bow in what could have been construed as either mockery or equal respect. There was a brief silence as, again, per the customs of the Vestrians, the four officials stared at one another for roughly thirty seconds before Jaime presented four headsets, three for the Vestrians and one for Menard. Once everyone had taken one, Jaime would secure his own upon his head.

"On behalf of the Trinarium*, we welcome those of the stars and offer peace and friendship," said the leader of the three Vestrians.

"On behalf of the Clans, I accept peace and friendship from the Trinarium," Jaime replied. "May our new bonds of brotherhood bring your people unto the stars amongst us."

"Blessed are those who would bring us from our destruction, even if for personal gain," stated a second official, her voice demure in comparison to her two female colleagues.

"You are too kind, madam," Jaime replied, bowing once more.

"I am Kresh To'van, Prime Minister of the People's Republic of Min'tar," the first official said. "My colleagues are High Priestess Shi'iva Dar'kl'na of the Holy Dominion of Vi'er and President Jo'nan Va'kez of the Federation of Daul."

"I am Jaime Kerensky, Wolf Khan of Clan Wolf and presiding representative in place of ilKhan Mason Roshak, leader of our Survivor Clans." Jaime then motioned for Menard to step forward to introduce himself.

((*: Trinarium is their native word for Triumvirate, but it is untranslatable due to it being used for several different version of the word and number three.))

Menard stepped forth and then bowed. He then said, "I am People's Navy Political Officer Michael Menard, from the Workers State of New Dornalia. I am duly authorized to represent my commanding officer, Admiral Momoko Yamashita, who has Rights of Diplomacy under the laws of the Workers State. Thank you."

He then said nothing, eager to let Jaime make the next move....

Jaime nodded as Menard passed the baton once more. "We, the Clans, understand the right to sovereignty, despite being a crusading warrior culture. The Great War, which has plagued your planet for over a century, has taken a heavy toll upon your people."

"All too tragic," responded the Priestess. "May Sha'yna bring their souls into the light."

"Seyla," Jaime responded. "As it stands, the Trinarium is incapable of continuing this war, having been spent both physically and mentally. We, the Clans, have decided to step in to end this pointless conflict."

There was silence for a moment as the three Vestrians looked at one another.

"How do you intend to do this," the President asked. "Surely you do not mean committing genocide?"

"Of course not," Jaime replied, looking quite peeved that such a question was asked. "Obviously you have heard that we have already pushed the opposing force many, many kilometers away from here."

"I think that you are forgetting that we currently have no infrastructure with which to check such things," the Prime Minister responded. "We have only your word and the words of those who have fled to the safety behind your lines in order to obtain information."

"That would be a problem," Jaime said, nodding. "Needless to say, it is something that we can help you with, should you need it."

"Our present concern is your people's intentions, Khan Kerensky," stated the President, who looked less than pleased at the moment.

"Then I shall not lie to you," Jaime replied. "Our intent in this situation is to induct your world into our fold."

The President barked out a short laugh. "And you expect us to do so willingly? You are absurd, sir."

Jaime glared down the woman. "We could have easily annihilated your race from orbit, if we had chosen to. I think it is gracious to say that we value your lives more than we wish to take this planet for ourselves."

At this point, the Prime Minister interjected. "While we are grateful that your people have saved us from our own doom, Khan Kerensky, I think it is safe to say that we will have to discuss this amongst ourselves first. Such an action would be historical in itself, if your arrival to our world does not speak a text book to itself." She looked over to Menard. "Would you agree, comrade?"

At this point, the Prime Minister interjected. "While we are grateful that your people have saved us from our own doom, Khan Kerensky, I think it is safe to say that we will have to discuss this amongst ourselves first. Such an action would be historical in itself, if your arrival to our world does not speak a text book to itself." She looked over to Menard. "Would you agree, comrade?"

Menard nodded and replied, in a firm, commanding tone, "Any instance of first contact with a species not of one's own world, especially in circumstances like this, is worthy of note. However, I would suggest that in your discussions, you keep in mind what Khan Kerensky has stated. There is no need to repeat what he said, such would be redundant and ponderous. But as someone who has known the Clans the Khan represents, I can confirm the veracity of his claims. Especially since the forces present now are but a fraction of what he can muster."

The last part rolled out due to sheer improvisation, and he wondered how much of it was a bluff. But, if he was unsure of his words, Menard showed nothing, only resolution and committment to his words.

The Prime Minister nodded to Menard. It was hard to tell if she was scared or not. She sure didn't seem to show it if she was. "Be that as it may, we must still converse with our respective governments on how we should proceed upon your actions, although, personally, I do not find the idea of such a request to be entirely horrible. While it would take away many, many years of our own personal technological development away from us, it would possibly bring us out of these dark times."

The President stared upon the Prime Minister with a look of appalled shock on her face, but she was kept quiet by the touch of the High Priestess to her shoulder.

Jaime nodded at the words of the Prime Minister. "Very well, then. We shall adjourn until your respective governments have discussed this issue. Until then, you shall find me commanding our landing forces personally." Jaime bowed respectfully to the three women. "May the Founder guide your decisions."

The three women bowed in return, the High Priestess returning his sentiment. "And may Sha'yna bless your soldiers in battle." And with that, the three women quickly left the scene, their guards attending them as necessary. Jaime nodded, obviously irritated, and then turned to walk up the ramp of the transport once more, his entourage following him.

"Come, Political Officer Michael Menard," Jaime said as he ascended the ramp. "We have a war to end."

"Come, Political Officer Michael Menard," Jaime said as he ascended the ramp. "We have a war to end."

Menard nodded and followed Jaime onto the ramp. He had a feeling that they now left a contentious assembly of people--one who would see reason, the other who would fight, and another who just wanted some peace and quiet. Jaime was definetly right--they had a war to end. How it would end was anybody's guess.

The flight to the front lines had taken longer than anticipated. The Pentagon forces had actually been setting up for a counter offensive, and, surprisingly, they succeeded in their endeavors, if only for a short while. Apparently, they had managed to push in a bulge along one section of the front line that had been less than fortified, surrounding several trinaries of freeborn infantry. Now, the reason why the flight had been delayed was because the enemy had brought up several anti-air companies, and the command echelons had decided that it was far too dangerous to allow air traffic anywhere near the area due to the amount of flak.

With the ship having been diverted to another section of the line, it took about an extra hour of time, since several DropShips and transport ships had been coming and going within the detour area, so it was like having to play a game of 'red-light-green-light' with all the different ships coming and going. Eventually, the transport would land at the new command center, and Jaime would descend quickly, walking into the prefabricated building and immediately taking command.

"What is the situation?" Jaime pointed at the bulge area.

"At approximately thirteen hundred forty two hours, local time, a massed enemy offensive performed a blitz maneuver into the sector known as D9S, encompassing the entire grid-square of roughly seventy kilometers." The field commander was illustrating the movements using an image pen, drawing the bulge into a now-active holomap.

"Casualties?" Jaime looked intently at movements on the map, observing the complex blitz maneuvers that had been performed by the Pentagon forces.

"Few, Lead," replied the field officer. "None are killed in action, about three hundred are wounded due to artillery and cannon fire."

"Redirect Cluster Three of Galaxy Two-Twenty to the bulge," Jaime ordered, directing the movements on the holomap with his own image pen, having procured it from a pocket in his pants. "Tell Cluster Three to imprison the freebirth commander in charge of that section of the line and bring him to my ship. Likewise, direct all participating forces to begin advancing again as soon as I give the word. We are taking this world by tomorrow. Inform orbital control to have my Command Star delivered, and..." He glanced over at the Dornalian for a moment. "...and bring the Political Officer a combat suit. He is going to need it."

"Redirect Cluster Three of Galaxy Two-Twenty to the bulge," Jaime ordered, directing the movements on the holomap with his own image pen, having procured it from a pocket in his pants. "Tell Cluster Three to imprison the freebirth commander in charge of that section of the line and bring him to my ship. Likewise, direct all participating forces to begin advancing again as soon as I give the word. We are taking this world by tomorrow. Inform orbital control to have my Command Star delivered, and..." He glanced over at the Dornalian for a moment. "...and bring the Political Officer a combat suit. He is going to need it."

The PO raised an eyebrow, and said simply, "A Combat Suit?" He stroked his chin. He was not offended at the idea of going into combat. He was admittedly, however, somewhat disbelieving of the idea he was to go into combat with power armor, "It's been a while since I've donned power armor, but I'm sure I can adapt."

Menard then asked, "What does it look like?"

Jaime pointed to a nearby Warrior, who immediately stood to attention .

"Warrior, remove your armor," he ordered.

"Aff, Wolf Khan Jaime Kerensky," the warrior replied, who immediately removed his armor and over-wear to reveal what looked to be a black jumpsuit. The only obvious feature to this jumpsuit that made it stand out was that it had its own musculature over the warrior's naturally muscled physique.

Jaime then returned his look to Menard. "These are nano-muscle combat suits, developed in the old United States to be used by their Special Forces teams for all operational fields. When the Star League left the Inner Sphere, they took with them all of these combat suits with them and, over time, our Scientist Caste has refined them to a single purpose of hardened defense."

Jaime then gestured at Menard, returning his visual attention to the map at hand as he drew up advancement plans. "If you would like to test the suit's defensive capability, you may fire one round of your pistol at the warrior present."

The warrior in question obviously gulped, but he kept to attention, the black muscle suit still exposed for Menard to see.

Menard then unholstered his pistol, leveled it, and said, with some skepticism, "Here we go. One Seven Point Six Two Millimeter Railpistol Slug." He then fired a shot at the armor, sending it screeching at the Nano Muscle Suit.

The round smacked the warrior square in the chest, causing the man to stumble back with a loud grunt of pain, holding himself for a moment. The round, however, dropped flat to the ground, the front end squashed to fold back over itself. Jaime would then place his pen down and walk over to the round, rolling it on the ground with his foot for a moment to make sure it wasn't hot, and then bent over and picked it off the ground. He would then walk over to the political officer and present the round to him in person.

"Suffice to say, our Scientist Caste has been successful in its endeavors to creating the near-perfect armor. Given time, I am quite sure that they will find a way to make the current muscle suit design much stronger than it is already."

The round smacked the warrior square in the chest, causing the man to stumble back with a loud grunt of pain, holding himself for a moment. The round, however, dropped flat to the ground, the front end squashed to fold back over itself. Jaime would then place his pen down and walk over to the round, rolling it on the ground with his foot for a moment to make sure it wasn't hot, and then bent over and picked it off the ground. He would then walk over to the political officer and present the round to him in person.

"Suffice to say, our Scientist Caste has been successful in its endeavors to creating the near-perfect armor. Given time, I am quite sure that they will find a way to make the current muscle suit design much stronger than it is already."

Menard nodded as he recieved the round. He had witnessed the scene with astonishment, the usual sort when something extraordinary occurred like the survival of the Clanner. But, whatever amazement he had had before was obscured now under a stoic nod, as he said, "Excellent. I have nothing but the utmost confidence in their abilities, and the abilities of this suit."

He then said, "Right. I think I'm ready for the suit."

Jaime nodded, motioning for the man Menard had just shot. The warrior approached the Khan with a warrior's resolve. Apparently, being shot and living through it had solidified his resolve in his own people's technology. He must have been green.

"Take Political Officer Michael Menard to the quarter master," Jaime ordered. "Tell the quarter master that if he complains, I will be expecting his Trial of Refusal posthaste."

"Aff, Wolf Khan Jaime Kerensky," the warrior replied, and then turned to the political officer. "Please follow me quickly and closely."

With that, the warrior turned on his heel and strode for the door, caring little if the political officer was following him immediately or not.

With that, the warrior turned on his heel and strode for the door, caring little if the political officer was following him immediately or not.

Menard quickly followed the man he had just shot, eager to obtain a suit of this armor for himself. The man seemed alright, but he didn't seem like the kind to make small talk with, so he kept his mouth shut.

It was a fairly short walk to the quarter masters tent, albeit a little confusing. While it had been short, there were a lot of twists and turns as through the camp, and it almost looked like they had doubled back three times, but about ten minutes later, the two men would walk into a large prefabbed building.

The warrior guiding Menard was quick to approach the man who was obviously the quarter master, and there was a short, quiet conversation between them that wasn't discernible to general hearing over the loud roar of a transport ship. The warrior would then turn and address Menard.

"Please step on the raised platform at the back of the building," he said. "Strip your clothing of unnecessary objects, and then hold your arms out to either side and close your eyes. Do not move while the machine is in progress if you value your own well being."

It was a fairly short walk to the quarter masters tent, albeit a little confusing. While it had been short, there were a lot of twists and turns as through the camp, and it almost looked like they had doubled back three times, but about ten minutes later, the two men would walk into a large prefabbed building.

The warrior guiding Menard was quick to approach the man who was obviously the quarter master, and there was a short, quiet conversation between them that wasn't discernible to general hearing over the loud roar of a transport ship. The warrior would then turn and address Menard.

"Please step on the raised platform at the back of the building," he said. "Strip your clothing of unnecessary objects, and then hold your arms out to either side and close your eyes. Do not move while the machine is in progress if you value your own well being."

Obeying, Menard stripped down to the bare essentials, and then went to the machine. He then held out his arms and closed his eyes, and then tried his hardest not to move as he underwent the process. All the while, he wondered, "Gee....this kinda stings."

The process of applying the muscle suit was...tedious. Several mechanical arms were quick to descend upon Menard, each one providing stimulant injections that focused the nerve center towards a state of calmness as a ring-like machine began to ascend over the political officer. As it ascended, a thin-layer body suit soon began to replace whatever clothing was left over, tightening around the man's form. As time progressed, the ring would eventually stop at the neck, leaving everything but the head covered.

After a few moments, several more mechanical arms would descend upon Menard, placing more pieces onto the body suit, which would then mold into it, sealing to the shape of his musculature. The pseudo-musculature would then jam several needles into Menard's relaxed body, causing it to tense up slightly as nanites were injected into his blood stream, synchronizing Menard's own muscle structure to the pseudo-muscle structure.

When finished, Menard would twice as large as he did before, his body weight having increased by nearly fifty percent, and he would also begin to feel the pseudo-musculature become part of his natural physique.

As the mechanical arms retreated, the Warrior would stand before Menard. "Take a few moments to adjust to the muscle suit. When you feel that you are ready to continue, please see me and we will return to Wolf Khan Jaime Kerensky."

As the mechanical arms retreated, the Warrior would stand before Menard. "Take a few moments to adjust to the muscle suit. When you feel that you are ready to continue, please see me and we will return to Wolf Khan Jaime Kerensky."

The Political Officer got out of the machine with a nod, and then began to crick his neck, and flex about. The suit was somewhat clumsy, initially, but then he learned to manuever deftly in it after doing some jogs, trots, and skips around the room. He even did a few Elvis-style kung fu movements and a Robot dance, to get into the swing of things. Having embarassed himself duly, he then walked to the man and said, "Ready."

Once acknowledged, he would collect his gear and get moving, ready for the next job.