HidHop-2

Chapter 2 – Heritage and Heresy

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Trial of Possession

08/01/3051 - 02:30 | Astrapolis, Free Rasalhague Republic

A spheroid dropship streaked out of orbit, thermonuclear thrusters shedding light on the darkened lake and town below. Its thrusters roared on approach creating vibrations in their wake on the previously still lake and set the amphibians living in it into an uproar of croaking before it landed on a darkened landing pad. The people of Astrapolis looked in awe as it passed over them waking them from their slumber either in their houses or outside on the summer grass beneath the moon and stars clad only in nature.

The faithful rushed to their telescopes to peer at the new arrival whose running lights on four stumpy legs partially illuminated was a prominent crimson symbol resembling a Cameron Starburst, the symbol of The Star League. Unlike the normal Starburst however this one’s long side pointed down, like a dagger, and reached from the top quarter deck to amidships on two sides. Cheers erupted from more than a few at the sight. On the other sides and beneath ‘CGB LAZUK BCS-2958713’ in white stenciled letters were two other markings; a curious spiral motif featuring six white bear legs and a muzzle on the gunmetal gray paint; beside it was a golden laurel crown and sunburst with the Greek letter Alpha centered in black neatly marking the four doors that opened as the ground cooled beneath them to merely steaming hot.

Ten Battlemechs disembarked from these ramps, three resembled Warhammers and strode toward the HPG. Two walked and looked like King Crabs with similar cannon-like arms which maintained vigil over their vessel. Another three were more like Griffins or Wolverines, and the final two were Panther sized but more than twice as swift on their digitigrade legs. These two sprinted to the HPG twisting and shattering photovoltaics and their stands in the process.

They stopped outside allowing smaller humanoid shapes to detach, jump jets flared in the dark as they landed on the damp earth outside COMSTAR’s fenced perimeter which had large warning signs every thirty meters. The first dozen shapes snapped four metal poles with their tri-clawed arm then walked over the fallen cyclone fencing. With rapid reinforcement from similar units the invaders overpowered the defenders with few shots fired and minimal damage to the facility.

One of the ‘Wolverines’ towered over the gate as COMSTAR’s personnel were ordered out by the armored goliaths standing almost three feet taller than them. “Which one of you is the Precentor?” boomed over the PA as a woman in a white nightdress was pushed forward.

“I am Precentor Christina Andalo. Whoever you are, this flagrant violation of COMSTAR’s sanctity will not go unanswered.”

“I expected you would say that, Precentor. Your brethren on Columbus and Oberon said similarly. Yet we took them as isorla all the same.”

The Mech switched to wide radio broadcast amplified by his dropship’s systems in addition to PA. “I Star Commander Cote declare that Elissa and its inhabitants are now isorla of Clan Ghost Bear unless someone is willing to accept my batchall.”

Captain Michael Wilson’s voice responded from across the Starport where 222's lances of Battlemechs stood in front of their dugout. “I don’t know what the hell a batchall is son, But if it’s a fight you’re looking for. Consider The Kell Hounds at your service.”

---

Meeting the Enemy

Vasily turned to face the challengers but gestured his mech’s hands to the power armored infantry who maintained their position, “The Kell Hounds?
We have heard of you. Perhaps this will not be a wasted experience after all.
With your defeat I will certainly be sponsored for promotion.”

“We get around, and our well-earned reputation goes ever further. If you know what you are looking at.”
Michael’s Marauder stepped forward and waved one of its PPCs back toward the dropship. “Why don’t you get back in your ship and off this world.”

“That is not how this will work Captain. I have eight mechs and you have eight mechs. You do not know our ways, but we prefer duels.”

“A Kurita might command Second Regiment, but we don’t duel. You fight one of us, you’ll fight the whole pack.” The Hound’s four Aerospace Fighters jumped into the sky, their thrusters lighting up the ground below as they gained altitude and wheeling back.

“If you were not rounders, I would commend your Warrior spirit.
Messy it is then.”

Vasily switched over his Binary’s Battlenet, “Engage at will but take them alive if possible. Our Krakens will clear the sky if necessary. Quiaff?”

Green lights lit up signaling off and understood.

Phelen felt sweat pooling at his arm band as ‘Grinner’ took up position on the right flank alongside Lieutenant Tang while Captain Wilson took command of the left side. The enemy, these Ghost Bears, apparently mocked them by mirroring their distribution. His Warbook couldn’t identify the enemy mechs, but they appeared to be Wolverine or Warhammer-adjacent except for the little ‘devils’ on either side or the big lunks with too many cannons next to their dropship.

JagerMech Heavy 'Mech

Grinner shot off in pursuit of one of these speedy ‘devils’ as the main battle line probed the enemy formation with long range fires. Missiles arced into the sky from 222’s Longbow supported by direct fires from their Jagermech DDa, Teng’s Clint, and Cicada while Captain Wilson’s Marauder ‘Vagabond’ and a Gallowglas unleashed their ‘Enhanced’ PPCs. Their PPCs weren’t the only thing enhanced, 2nd Regiment Kell Hounds’ last rotation to Outreach had seen a major armament modernization courtesy of Allied Mercenary Command’s Blackwell Heavy Industries. Although this would to his best knowledge be their first taste of combat, and if he could cross his fingers he would.

His Exostar Pinnacle flashed but missed as his enemy went from in front of him to behind him closing the effective range of the long range laser in seconds. Grinner’s sensors registered thermal plume and armor damage almost equivalent to being hit by all four of 2nd Regiment’s CO Akira Brahe’s CGR-SB’s lasers, a mech that at least massed double whatever this thing was.

Charger Assault 'Mech

“How is this possible?”

The Ghost Bears aimed for maiming with deadly accuracy that immobilized the Cicada as if it were standing still, the Jagermech was next its spindly limbs cut through by laser pulses. Then the right arms of both the Marauder and Gallowglas. Although slowed by the heat permeating its myomer Phelen’s devil was still faster than his Wolfhound and even though they fired less often it’s lasers cut deep into Grinner’s structure while his own were barely able to track the machine.

Hound Pilots executed air strikes, but deadly flak spat out of the larger mech’s barrels shredding their wings in the process and forcing one to crash into the forest. Its pilot ejected and deployed their chute partially illuminated by the Ghost Bear’s spotlights. 222 was forced backward as their armament was stripped away with their armor. Despite the AMC’s best training and technology, they were no match for their more mobile, better armed, and equally skilled adversary.

Cicada Medium 'Mech

Grinner went down with a crash onto the starport’s ferrocrete like the rest of 222 which were immediately set upon by the Ghost Bears. His devil set one of its feet on Grinner’s shoulder and a man’s voice crackled onto the short range comms. “Stay in your cockpit, MechWarrior.
Our Elementals will collect you and your machine for processing shortly.”

Phelen put the pistol and knife attached to his cooling vest out a small hatch and onto the ferrocrete, then pulled out a well-worn 5 Kroner coin with the image of Katrina Steiner and Commonwealth Gauntlet stamped on it. “Elissa is easy money, Patrick said.”

The stomping boots of power armored ‘Elementals’ could be heard nearby before they crouched to peer into the open canopy to see Phelen raising his hands in surrender. “Easy money. Nothing will happen he said.”

---

Delcaration of who we are

05:00

Star Commander Cote, his 9 other pilots, their Omnimechs, and the 50 Elemental Suits of the 312th Assault Supernova of Clan Ghost Bear stood by the lakeside. Precentor Andalo, any HPG staff discovered during the blitz, and the Mercenaries of Kell Hounds’ 222 shuffled nervously as they were lined up in the pre-dawn mist. Some of them sported light injuries from the early morning blitz but were given medical assistance while being processed by Cote’s overworked MedTechs which calmed them.

Vasily walked the line his scrimshawed bone medallions clacked dully over his vest, his tattoos, scars, and braided blonde hair reminiscent of some Viking Warlord of old. His MechWarriors however had the same distribution of appearance as any other merc or pirate outfit in the Inner Sphere, although none of them possessed a surname on their vests.

“You are all now Isorla of Clan Ghost Bear, along with this planet.
Know that we did not come here to kill you. In fact, we hope that you will cooperate and aid us in the rebirth of the Star League as The IlClan, of which we are only its humble harbingers.”

One of the Mu Adepts spoke up, “Why should we cooperate with you? You are just going to abduct or kill us. Like you did my brother on Columbus."

The Ghost Bear strode over toward him, standing above him by a head. “Some people died on Columbus yes, and we did take them away. However, if you brother still lives then he can be located, and you can be reunited if you would like and INTER-LOGI can arrange the work assignments.

I too lost one on my sibko mates fighting the COMGuards in the opening actions on Columbus.”

‘Sibko? Like the Dragoons?’ Phelen thought but tried not to betray this feeling of something familiar as the Star Commander walked by and his soldiers watched them intently.

Visigoth Medium OmniFighter

“His Visigoth was disabled by its SDS and burned up in the atmosphere.
It was not a good way to die, but we rarely get a choice.
However, I am giving you one, cooperation will be far less painful for all involved. Think about it.

Until then all of you will be confined to the HPG compound under guard, all armories will be emptied, and my omnimechs will occupy the former Kell Hounds’ barracks while we wait for reinforcements from the Steel Vipers.

No tricks, I understand enough about the HPGs to know what is required to transmit and my Elementals will guard your HPG sanctum.

You will only transmit what I desire.” Vasily loomed over the smaller Precentor, “Failure to abide by this will be harshly punished. Quiaff?”

“Aff…” Christina answered shakily, eyes down.
“As we are both representatives of the past Star League, I presently extend my trust to you.
Do not disappoint me.”

Vasily stood before the assembled group and removed a note from his pocket, “Which one of you is the one known as Sigma Acolyte Jacobs?”

A young man tensed up and other’s eyes betrayed him. Jasper Jacobs was pulled forward ‘gently’ by one of the Elementals. He immediately went to his knees, “I’m so sorry I hung up on you. Don’t hurt me.”

“You sicken me with your pathetic whimpering, and Refused my Batchall.
Throw him in the lake Point Leader.”

From within the suit came a deep bass voice, “How far Star Commander?”
“Enough that it will be amusing to watch him flail his way back to shore, but not enough that he will drown.”

Jasper was walked out a dozen meters into the lake until the nine-foot-tall Elemental was waist deep then tossed a further four. COMSTAR and the Kell Hounds watched as he flailed back, returning to the shore and group sodden and winded. Vasily pulled another note from his pocket and handed it to the Precentor, “Now arrange for a transmission to these coordinates.”

“The Zenith of Drask’ Den?”

“Yes, someone will be listening.”

“How many worlds have you already taken?”

“More than a few but this is just practice Precentor.
The real battle has not even begun yet.”

---

Mounting Frustration

06:30

Star Commander Cote sat in front of a camera while the COMSTAR Adepts finished their work.

“Everything will be ready shortly, Star Commander.” They said nervously under the careful eyes of Keoni whose head even without the suit almost touched the ceiling and whose shoulders just fit into the door. He loomed over them with arms crossed wearing an armored vest over the flexible, and slightly less protective Aketon bodysuit Elementals wore under their suits containing the integral cooling and medical equipment that helped them survive catastrophic injuries well enough to stay in the Touman.

Vasily looked at himself in the monitor and stroked his chin, “I look good.”
Keoni nodded then touched the ear of his soft cap, “Star Commander, there is a situation outside.”

His own earpiece hung from a necklace just like his Ghost Bear claw, “Sitrep, Sub-Commander?”
“The civilians are gathering and approaching our perimeter. ETA fifteen. How would you like me to proceed?”

“Are they armed, Nilo?”
“They are carrying things, and waving flags, but I am unable to discern if they are a threat.”
“Maintain the perimeter and await my arrival.”

After he was certain the line was clear, “By the Great Father! I cannot accomplish anything with all these needy rounders about. Point Leader tell your men to keep an eye on them and the Precentor. If anyone tries something feel free to break,” Vasily paused a moment and stared at the Ghost Bears, “fingers?” The gathered Acolytes eyes went wide with fear, “Yes, fingers are a good place to start. You four will call a group meeting to warn the others, Quiaff?”

“Aff.” They said in unison as the Point Leader ushered them away from the transmission equipment to make a group announcement. As he strode outside Cote passed a group of Kell Hounds urged onward by the machine guns of two Elementals toward the Cloister with ‘pup’ tents in hand. Two of his Ship’s Crew supervised the Psi Acolytes repairing the fence outside which his Conjurer and Emma’s Kraken waited. He ascended the chain ladder into the kneeling mech and donned his neurohelmet.

Symbol of Clan Ghost Bear

The Conjurer powered up, the Clan Daggerstar, Alpha Galaxy, and Ghost Bear emblem as well as his Bearclaw leaving no ambiguity of who operated this machine wherever it trekked. “Shall I join you, Star Commander?”

Emma said over the radio, “Neg. I need you here to pick off anyone foolish enough to think they can escape with your cannons.”

Hellbringer Heavy OmniMech

“There is no honor in that.”
“Nor is there in running. You will get your chance, MechWarrior.”

“Nilo, what is going on?” Vasily’s Conjurer stood beside Nilo’s Hellbringer at the point of contact where throngs of townspeople waved flags and cheered as his Omnimechs approached. Elementals stood by at their feet weapons ready unsure of what to make of the encroaching mass.
“The one below the blue Cameron star flag wishes to speak to our leader.”
A man in brightly embroidered robes stood beneath the banner gesticulating wildly toward the crowd like an orchestra conductor.
“Regarding?”
“They wish to welcome you. Apparently, they were expecting us.”

---

Confrontation with the People

07:15

The one star banner flapped in the early morning breeze above the High Visionary as his procession of the faithful watched as one of the strange mechs took a knee onto the grass. A man hopped down from the chain ladder lowered from its cockpit and stepped past the metal goliaths. He signaled to them; they lowered their arms which possessed some kind of machine gun fed from a drum magazine. An odd stranger stopped several paces away from him with a hand on a pistol attached to his cooling vest. His bone talismans and blonde braids shifted in the wind that carried his voice to the gathering crowd.

“I am Star Commander Vasily Cote, Bloodnamed of Clan Ghost Bear,” The man looked at the banner above him, a blue Cameron Star, once the symbol of the Star League. “An inheritor of our Great Father Aleksandr Kerensky’s Exodus Fleet.

Who are you to request my audience? And parade symbols of the Star League as if they have meaning to you?”

The High Visionary briefly genuflected before him followed by the others, sudden movement that caused the armored goliaths to raise their weapons.
“I am High Visionary Egan Telosa, the leader of the One Star Faith that settled this world. Although we have millions of adherents throughout the Commonwealth and beyond.”

Vasily looked back toward his people who lowered their weapons, “You were anticipating our arrival? How?
For how long?
Who told you?
Was it the Dragoons?”

Egan’s movements were grand, accentuated by his colorful robes, and the large star on its back, his tone exuberant. He got close, too close apparently as Vasily politely kept him away with a stiff arm. “I have so much to say and ask of you, Star Commander.

My people have been waiting for your return almost as long as yours have been absent from the Inner Sphere. We never lost faith that you would return one day and by divine providence we are here to witness this glorious event. Kerensky’s heirs returning to bring about a revival of the Star League whose absence has left the Inner Sphere in darkness.

Would you and your people accept a feast in your honor this evening?”

Despite the joyous atmosphere Vasily’s response was slow and required several inquiring glances toward his retinue. “Tomorrow is better. I have much to do today and my people need rest.”

“Of course, the Star League was not built in a day or even a decade. Consider Astrapolis and my people at your service, Star Commander. Please accept these gifts on our behalf.”

A dozen attractive youths offered baskets of gifts at the Star Commander’s feet and some even caught his eye and he theirs. The civilians cheered and waved as they processed back to town skipping through the water with joy.

Cote watched them depart and scratched his head as one of his Elementals stood beside him and removed the blanket on top the baskets. “A fruit basket and pastries?
What is going on, Star Commander?”

“Our glorious work is recognized at least by these ‘odd’ rounders.” Vasily lifted another basket of stone fruit. It looked rough, handmade, and fragile, “However, I will have Marika test these for poison first.”

---

Sizing up their Wardens

13:49
“Looks like its going to be a hot day, Phelen.”

“I could use a cold beer.”
Roy chuckled at their inside joke, “I think we all could. What do you think they want with us?”
“Ransom, maybe? We seem to be a side show compared to COMSTAR.”

Phelen wiped his brow as the sun beat down on him and his fellow Kell Hounds seated or squatting beside tents pitched in COMSTAR’s cloister.
“Do you think they can actually do it?” “Bring about the return of the Star League? No one has been able to do it for almost three centuries, and to many people have tried.”

Ghost Bear Elementals patrolled the arcade although they shed their powered armor with laser rifles in hand, wearing some kind of flexible full body armor, and helmets, watching everything, ready for anything.

“Although if they possess an army of those guys and the kind of tech that can cut through our crew like butter. Well I don’t know, maybe they can if there are enough of them.”

---

Where Dmitri?

16:00

The bell rang signaling the evening meal as the Kell Hounds and their COMSTAR ‘hosts’ passed under the eyes of the Ghost Bears to the refectory past the library and other sub-components of the complex. Phelen watched the faces of Blake’s faithful as they showed little appetite as they ate from the stainless steel buffet trays. He stood next to a table of dirty Psi Acolytes in their gray dungarees, “Hope you don’t mind me sitting here.”

Eyes shifted toward Emma, a fierce looking Ghost Bear MechWarrior, approaching with arms covered in tattoos and scars, and a hand on her gun belt. Emma brushed past Phelen and continued her route through the refectory’s aisles to recantations of The Word of Blake read from an elevated pulpit by Demi-Precentor Roza.
“No go ahead, you are our guest after all, MechWarrior.” “Have you guys seen Dmitri?”
“Dmitri?”
“Yeah, Psi Adept, bald, prosthetic arm, wears surprisingly fashionable sunglasses.” “He’s not with us.”
“Like he died…or.”
“No,” one of the Adepts leaned in, “He’s ROM and the Ghost Bears still haven’t released them from the penitent cells.”
“Dungeon?”
“It’s not a dungeon but it is unpleasant, and just like a ship’s brig, it's mostly for drunks. Unlike them though he’s absent from the computer roster too. We don’t know what happened to him, or what he’s doing.”

“Why did he lie?”
“He’s ROM. That’s eighty percent of the job.”

---

Chat over a Meal

08/02/3051

Sub-Commander Nilos said as the Ghost Bears walked through the festive atmosphere and aroma of grilled meat and vegetables onto Astrapolis’ central plaza.
"It is a massive Cameron Star.”

“Did you not say you used it for orientation, Cobble?”

Cobble was shorter and leaner than Nilos and all three were dwarfed by the two Senior Elemental Point Leaders that accompanied them, each wearing their formal uniforms. Elementals carried ceremonial Claymore style swords on their backs while the other Warriors had pistols on their dress gun belt. More of their Warriors trickled in behind them although ‘enough’ remained behind to keep watch on their bondsmen and the HPG that could ruin the Clan’s grand strategy.

“It aligns perfectly. I of course used instruments as well.”

Vasily watched as the setting sun lined up closely with the long end of the Star League’s most iconic symbol, one which the Clans and COMSTAR still used, in addition to this strange One Star Faith.

“There was nothing in the Columbus datacore about these people, Commander.”
“I know, Cobble, it also failed to tell us that this world possesses an HPG. Yet I used it yesterday. Filling in the intel gaps is why we are conducting these reconnaissance raids after all.”

“We seem to have a major revelation as well, Commander. My technicians suspect the Dragoons retain the ability to manufacture Golden Century era equipment after analyzing the Kell Hounds’ machines.
It would require more thorough analysis aboard the Tokasha to completely confirm if they manufactured it or if it was just left over.”

“We knew they and Kerlin were traitors, but the Khans will no doubt be pleased to hear they chose righteously. The Wolves almost killed the Clans once; we will not give their lessers a second opportunity when we face them.”

Great tables had been laid out on the plaza and those reserved for the Clan were loaded with abundance. Abundance that disappeared to the giant appetites of the equally large Elementals. Egan Telosa sat across from the Star Commander, “How do you feed those ‘Elementals’?”

“They get five ration packs compared to our three, and that is only if we are working hard. If you ever are unfortunate enough to see them in action, you will understand why they need it.”

“Remarkable, there must be so much around the One Star that the Exodus Fleet protects.”

Star Commander Cote, looked around to Cobble and Nilos, then confidently proclaimed “We call it Strana Mechty.”

“A lovely name.”

“How is it that you know so much about us, High Visionary?” Vasily pointed toward the observatory just visible in the fading light of the sun, “Our home world Is very distant and beyond even your mighty telescope.”
“I saw this Strana Mechty in a vision while I was ill with meningitis but then I shortly recovered.”

The Ghost Bear barely avoided spitting up his drink, although he did cough out. “A similar thing happened to Nicholas Kerensky, the founder of the Clans.”

“What a remarkable convergence, that I would have so much in common with someone so far away in time and space.

People thought I was mad, but I convinced the Elders of the One Star Faith that it was a vision and rekindled their dwindling faith that your people might return some day from paradise. Then I did the same to millions, perhaps even billions. Even the Archon supported us in our move to Elissa.”

Vasily paused, taking a bite out of the kebab, and swallowed it.
“The Archon you say?”

“I grew up on Tharkad in the Triad.
Melissa and I were close friends once but then we both grew up and moved on.
If it were possible for me to speak with your Elders as well. I would be so delighted.”

“I will request a meeting, but I cannot promise you anything.”

“Just the opportunity to serve is all that I require.”
“I think the Council will find your faith in them compelling, and reward you appropriately.”

---

Priority Message

08/07/3051

An immense figure walked through the quiet corridors within the Union-C(entury) CGB Lazuk to its infirmary, a pentagonal patch on his upper arm showed a red cross, three white stripes, and below it a ‘Paramedic’ patch. Two pairs of beds, one massive and one smaller were built into the walls with arcane assemblies of wires and tubes coiled just outside.

Sitting at the bench opposite was a woman with a similar pentagonal patch, although with two blue stripes and ‘Flight Nurse’ patch, pipetted liquids into vials, capped them, finally stacking them neatly onto a metal tray crammed awkwardly on a bench dominated by a purring centrifuge and steaming autoclave.

“Marco, the only reason you should be interrupting me is if one of your fellow Elementals cut their arm off while playing with a Claymore.”
“The Aketon should prevent that, quiaff?”
“It is meant to stop spall, low caliber bullets, and small thrusting blades, not a Claymore.” “Is the Doctor in, Marika?”
“No, he is on a house call to Astrapolis. Working his ‘bedside’ manner or so he says, while I am doing all the work,” she locked in the auto-sampling tray into a machine beside her, “as usual. What did you want to talk to him about?”

“I thought we were to limit our exposure to the Rounders. Yet the Warriors are out there every day near them and have taken their quarters.”

“I appreciate the quiet of their absence. We all got our shots. Columbus was a pathology goldmine. Everyone in Medical Command rested much easier once that endeavor was complete.
Are you afraid the Vipers will ruin the whole thing with their obsession of ‘purity’?”

“Of course, I am concerned that the Vipers will ruin everything. The Ghost Bears did not need a partner, we are the mightiest of the Clans.”
“The Vipers believe the same. That is why we are paired with them out of all the worse choices.”

A ding from the sampling machine caught Marika and Marco’s attention. The Elemental looked over her shoulder. She parsed the interface to see a blood sample had a hit on the mitochondrial DNA that determined bloodnames.

‘Kell, Phelen, MechWarrior Bondsman.’

“Marika, you should tell the Star Commander about this.”
“I will wait for it to finish and run it again. Vasily will need to consult the Khan, perhaps even the Council.”

‘Ward Bloodhouse. Tagged for Annihilation by order of The ilKhan July 3020’

---

Sins of our forefathers

08/11/3051

Phelen Kell woke to a dim light shining through the reflectors above him on the arched ceiling cruelly mimicking dawn. He sat up then looked around the COMSTAR penitent cell toward the padded metal door with its narrow slot where a meal would occasionally come, its narrow metal camode, and felt his back twinge from the firm cot beneath him. A growl came from his stomach, one of the only certain ways to time his detention. “Two days, maybe, if the light is telling me the truth.”

His loose-fitting white outfit rustled as he stepped barefoot onto the smooth, cool floor. “I’ve been through worse!

You hear me!

I’ve been through worse!”

The shouts disappeared into the anechoic coatings on the walls, replaced with disquieting silence. Seventh Commando’s SERE course on Outreach had been a living hell, but that was training. If Elissa’s ROM contingent were still down here, in their second week of confinement and hadn’t lost their minds, then they had gained his respect. Or they might be dead, quietly immured in their own concrete barrels below this installation just like he might be, soon.

A new thought sprang from his musings to occupy his mind. Does COMSTAR have anchorites? Members that would willingly isolate themselves from the world to contemplate their place in the universe. Despite their omnipresence he had never actually thought to find out more about them. They just were and seemingly had always been even though the Order was only a few centuries old. Well, those had been long centuries since the fall of the Star League and now Aleksandr Kerensky’s heirs, Clan Ghost Bear at least and who knows how many more, want to bring it back.

He sat on the floor and pulled the chained hardcover of The Word of Blake toward him. “There has to be something about Kerensky in here, he left Jerome Blake in charge after the Exodus.”

Pages and time flew by as Phelen worked his way through the oft obtuse writings of Jerome Blake and Conrad Toyama. The door opened to the outside although a trio of Ghost Bears stood between him and freedom, including MechWarrior Emma with an odd-looking object on her hip, and an older man with a bag and younger man, an Elemental by look but smaller and not a Warrior, he was unfamiliar with. The men each had a pentagonal cross patch on their uniform marked ‘Flight Surgeon’ and ‘Paramedic’ below.

“I have a few questions for you. Get up or I will drag you.”

“Will there be lunch?”
Her face contorted at the remark and her hand reached for the coil at her hip, “Only If you cooperate bondsman. Otherwise, an empty stomach will be the least of your concerns.”

Phelen paid her little attention as he moved the bookmark to his current page, “But this is a good part.”

“Wrong answer, bondsman.”

With a fluid motion the neural whip flicked out making everywhere the slender foil touched feel like liquid fire was poured right into his muscles. His cries of pain ablated away onto the wall as he was pulled toward the interrogation room. Phelen winced as the worst of it elapsed as he was shackled to the table.

“Damn!” He breathed deep and focused on relaxing his spasms, “You bitch. I thought the Star League outlawed neural whips, even the Capellan Confederation doesn’t use them.”

She stood opposite him and put the Neural Whip just outside his view on the metal table between them, “We are not the Star League, and this device was ROMs.
Our version can seek for and stop your heart. Would you like to see?”

“I think I’ll pass.”

“Explain this!”

Emma slapped a copy of MechJock magazine onto the table. The cover story being the formation of the Allied Mercenary Command and modernization efforts of Blackwell Heavy Industries. It featured a full spread of the Kell Hounds (The whole Kell Clan as well as Yorinaga-sama and Akira Brahe), Wolf’s Dragoons (Jaime, Mack, and Maeve), Elders of the Northwind Highlanders, and Brevet-General Ariana Winston of the Eridani Light Horse. A centerfold spilled out from Emma’s sudden violence showing a naked Japanese woman covered by just a fan beside a forest lake.

“I read it for the articles.
What are you, my mom?”
“Actually, your mother, is suddenly a very relevant part of you to us.”
If it were possible, he would have scratched his forehead at the curious statement, “I don’t understand.”

“No, you would not.” She pointed toward her name patch on the uniform, “I do not possess a bloodname yet, but somehow you have potential claim to one. The Ward Bloodname, a former owner of which built the Dragoons and sent them to the Inner Sphere. To spy on your kind.”

“My mother was a Ward. What are you talking about with the Dragoons? Spies, I don’t believe you.”

“You do not need to believe in the truth for it to still be true. They were spies for many years before Kerlin Ward betrayed the Clans and ordered them to prepare for our eventual arrival.

We found out about it then ended him and his line because as our Founder once said, ‘Those who break faith with the Unity shall go down into darkness.’”

“What does that mean for me?”

“That remains to be determined but know that two Clans died in that struggle so that the rest could live. We have spent almost two generations rebuilding what was destroyed by the Wolves and we will not stop until the Star League had returned under our control and the Dragoons have been destroyed.

Courtesy of your Hounds we have confirmed that the Dragoons have indeed betrayed us, so our retribution will be righteous.”

“How have the Dragoons betrayed you?”
“This advanced technology that your machines are equipped with, that the Dragoons claimed was theirs. It was ours first. The Clans developed the improved versions of your weapons centuries ago.”

“Everything was developed with the NAIS.”
“You can believe that boy, but you are mistaken.”

Now tell me what they are planning!”

“I don’t know!”

“Wrong answer.” She reached over to the neural whip

---

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