Resurgence - Cataclysm Chapter 21 War Party 3
Berenson, Contested System
September 12, 3152
Arriving at Berenson’s Zenith jump point War Party finds it a bit crowded. Jonah Levin sits among his increasingly large council in the war room as the holotable shows a large number of jump and dropships present. Nearly all of them are civilian ships. The Nomad Republic Captains move the fleet to gain some space and the ships all begin to move a few kilometers out from the recharge station and the congestion.
“What do you suppose is going on here?” Mason asks aloud, speaking for everyone observing the external cameras and holotable projection.
Jonah triggers the comms line to the Captain, “Captain, what is the situation at the jump point?”
“Sir, we have moved away from the crowded jump point to begin recharging, solar sails are deploying now. What we have learned so far is that there is an extended battle taking place between the Free Worlds League and Capella Confederation at the Nadir jump point.”
“Right now, we are not within targeting range of any combatants?” Jonah confirms.
“Correct, sir. At this distance it would take days for any of their ships to get over here. The Free Worlds League military assets still remaining at the Zenith point have assured us that as long as we do not act aggressively, they will not move against us.”
“Keep me posted with any new updates. Let’s get some aerospace squadrons out on patrol, Levin out.” Jonah sits back in his seat and looks back up at the hologram. Several of the other leaders are talking. It is incredible seeing so many faces when before it was just Janella and myself. Hopefully the Fidelis Custos will join the council sooner than later.
***
Berenson system, Asteroid field near Zenith jump point
Dream Claw
September 12, 3152
“Oathmaster, just as you foresaw.” States Star Colonel Izan Nostra, in surprise.
“Then let us greet them.” Oathmaster Kisho Nova Cat responds.
Having been running on minimum power, the Nekohono'o comes to life for the first time in a few days. Full lighting floods the decks and hangar. Moments later the bridge crew reports on deck and they begin activating their stations. Izan and Kisho can see the crewmen glancing up at Kisho with murmurs about visions and telling of the future.
Kisho thinks on the situation at hand, Before now I could call everything coincidence. I didn’t even share my full vision with the Star Colonel, just that after the fall of Terra, in September of 3152, a Republic fleet will arrive in the Berenson system and we should meet them. The full vision told me that a Stone and a Hound would be present. And there it is, a Conquistador named “Stone” and the Kell Hounds are with them. I cannot run from it; I have this gift and must use it for my people.
“Comms, hail the Stone and put me through to them.” Kisho orders.
***
Berenson, Contested System
Stone
September 12, 3152
Jonah hits the flashing comms button from the Captain, “Yes, Captain.”
“Exarch, we are being hailed from a dropship in the nearby asteroid field. Ship’s name is Dream Claw. I am getting Nova Cat IFF signatures. Put it through?” the Captain asks. The rest of his staff in the war room are looking on with curious expression. While the Nova Cats and the Republic of the Sphere mostly got along the Spirit Cats caused more than a few problems.
Huh? The Nova Cats out here? I thought they would be in the Protectorate worlds… “We aren’t going anywhere, put them through Captain.” Jonah responds as he stands up and makes sure his uniform is tidy. He positions himself and hits a glowing button that activates the hologram.
Before Jonah appears the hologram of a man wearing a traditional Clan Nova Cat dress uniform. A charcoal grey uniform with shoulder pads that have a glossy black sheen to them. “Greetings Exarch Jonah Levin.”
Knowing exactly who Jonah was caught him off-guard, “Well met Nova Cat warrior, have we met before?”
“No, Exarch. My time came after our nations were on good terms and when the dragon sought to exterminate my people. I am Oathmaster Kisho Nova Cat. Apart from those lost brothers in the Clan Protectorate and those sterilized under the dragon, we are all that remain.”
“We were aware that the Combine was looking for escaped Nova Cats. It almost seems like you were… waiting for us to arrive?” Jonah suggests.
“It is not lost on me how bizarre that sounds but somehow, I see things and they happen from time to time. Part of a ‘vision’ or ‘dream’ I had showed me that a Stone and Hound would be arriving here and I was drawn to this place to meet. Even now, I have a recurring dream of a shrouded sword coated in blood stabbing through all the emblems of each House and Clan. The Spirit Cat Galaxy Commander Kev Rosse spoke of his own vision where a large predator stalked the Inner Sphere, I fear they are the same warning.”
“There has been a lot of fighting we have stumbled upon in our travels. We have seen multiple nations battling along the borders and only barely showed up in time to save the Kell Hounds from a combined attack from the Jade Falcons and Lyrans.” Jonah states specifically to let Kisho know he is willing to share some information as Kisho has been sharing his own personal experiences. Good relations with these guys means I need to be genuine and forthcoming with information while keeping specific details back.
“With the Republic no longer in control of Terra, what are your goals?” Kisho inquires.
“To find a new home, for now we are the Nomad Republic. We have been seeking out scattered and lost citizens to bring them with us to a previously uncharted planet outside the Inner Sphere.”
“That is what we seek as well. But, in our current state we do not have the resources or means to survive without violating our Clan beliefs. It would be dezgra to turn to mercenary work and our forebears made so many poor decisions.” Kisho expresses in hopes that Jonah will see his meaning.
“My people are short on allies. Do you wish to join us in our travel across the Inner Sphere? As allies any combat you experience would be part of Nomad Republic, not as mercenaries.” Jonah can just catch beyond the hologram that Mason and Reynard bump fists. Well this was not on my 3152 card…
“Yes, as allies. I will remain as Oathmaster and the Nova Cats will remain a detached force but as part of your overall strategy for the Nomad Republic. You want us to cover a flank, tell us where and we will handle it.” Kisho responds.
“How many warriors do you bring?” Jonah asks, curious what type of troops he would gain in his fleet.
“We are a total force of a Supernova Binary. Ten Battlemechs, fifty Battle Armor, three dropships, and fourteen aerospace fighters. The dropships are the Nekohono'o, which I am on right now called the Dream Claw, a Noruff dropship the Sacred Rite, and a Gazelle called Starfall.” He stops as he looks off screen, “Hopefully those numbers just increased, Exarch, if I may have a moment I will mute my end.”
“Certainly, Jonah nods.” He turns and looks at the other leaders around the war room.
“Hounds hate cats but to have some damn Nova Cats on our side ain’t such a bad deal.” Callandre blurts out. Both Ariana and Janella nod along.
“The Spirit Cats were a tough force to fight, if these are full on Nova Cats, they could be very helpful if we run into anything big on our way to our new home,” adds in Reynard.
Mia Fowler gives a thumbs up. She is still a bit intimidated being among such titans in the Inner Sphere.
“Ahem, Exarch?”
Jonah didn’t notice that war room hatch had opened. Standing in the doorway stands the Fidelis Custos, Caracal Osis. “Ah, yes, Custos?”
“I am aware of who you are making contact with. After your conversation I would request a meeting with you.”
“Of course, Custos. I will let you know when I am free here in a bit.”
Caracal nods and he leaves the room.
The rest of the council converses among each other as Jonah reviews some data on his holoscreen. For a few minutes the Oathmaster is speaking to someone outside the hologram’s view. Kisho turns back toward Jonah.
“Pardon the interruption, Exarch. Would your leadership be interested in attending our Chronicle of Battles this evening?”
“I will have my head of security, Mason Dunne, reach out to your staff to verify everything looks good. I have heard of these ceremonies. It would be an honor to attend.” Jonah graciously accepts the invitation.
“Well bargained, Exarch Jonah Levin. I look forward to meeting you in person, Kisho out.” With that the hologram dissipates and Jonah turns back to the looks of excited faces.
“So, who would like to go?” he asks the room and every single hand shoots up.
***
Berenson, Contested System
Dream Claw
September 12, 3152
2400
Boom… Sitting on the outside of the gathering of Nova Cats the leadership from War Party awaits the first viewing of such a ceremony. Boom… The spacious hangar of the Dream Claw provides adequate room for the large platform above a realistic hologram of a raging bonfire. Boom… While not all of the mech gantries are occupied a handful of mechs are present. Boom…
A Nova Cat, Wendigo, Avalanche, Boom… Cave Lion, and Vision Quest are the closest mechs. Boom… four points of Thunderbird Battle Armor troopers stand around the gathering as a ceremonial guard. Boom… In unison the hangar lighting dims until the lights are off. Boom… The glow of the bonfire hologram acts exactly as the real thing does. Boom… The bright orange glow illuminates and rolls in waves across the Nova Cat troopers and mechs, filling the hangar space. Boom…
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With each strike of the ceremonial drums they send shivers down the spines of the War Party leaders. Boom… All of them are excited to experience such a rare event, unique to this Clan. Boom… The Oathmaster, Kisho Nova Cat stands. Boom… He makes a series of ritualistic poses as he begins to go around the raging bonfire. Boom… With the exceptions of the echoing drums and hums of fusion engines the hangar is dead quiet. Boom…
Kisho is wearing the leather ceremonial garb of his Clan with a headpiece in the shape of a Nova Cat’s head. Boom… He begins to ascend the ramp up to the platform while stopping to make ritual poses. Boom… Another sound catches everyone unaware. Boom… It is the sound of a roar, the Nova Cat roar. Boom. Kisho reaches the top of the platform and stops in a final pose. Boom… The drums cease and the sound of the Nova Cat’s roar ends.
“Behold, our legacy shall be restored!” Kisho yells. He raises his hands up and the bonfire vanishes to reveal a large enclosure that rose from the deck containing two Nova Cats within, one of them being a female and being very pregnant. Both animals calmly sit and watch the Clan gathering.
The Nova Cat personnel all around roar in celebration, cheering on the soon to be new life from their totem animals. Even the Battle Armor troopers and Mechwarriors raise their mechanical arms. The Battlemechs begin playing recorded roaring sounds used for intimidation on the battlefield. Callandre joins in the cheering first and one by one the War Party leaders add their voices. After a few moments of cheering for the animals, they descend into the deck and the bonfire is restored.
“Silence!” Kisho yells in a thunderous voice with his hands raised, a much deeper sound than his stature would suggest he possesses. The room goes silent as he commanded. “The Nova Cat has lost its way.” Kisho begins as he strides back and forth across the platform while he speaks and making ritualistic poses every couple sentences.
“Once a deadly Clan, a Crusader. Turning to a protector, a Warden. Removed again to the worlds of the Dragon. Nova Cat being the first Clan to help our protected break the sword of our enemy. Great honor the Nova Cat found in the battles over Bryant, New Home, and Terra.
“A great divide. Some galaxies go. Some galaxies stay. Both lose their way. Those that go become feral. Those that stay become targets. Those that stay, bloodlines end. A purge of Nova Cats. A vision of safety. Irece, safe no more. A small group flees to survive…”
***
Berenson, Contested System
Dream Claw
September 13, 3152
0200
“…Lost brothers are found. New allies emerge. A dark future for all. Nova Cat joins Stone and Hound. New home yet to be found.” Kisho ends with a pose that seems to imply another would follow and holds it. His message is that they are continuing their journey.
Seconds tick by as the entire gathering contemplates the ritual. Kisho sits down with his legs crossed Indian style on the platform. About fifteen minutes pass by and a final ‘Boom…’ from a drum echoes through the hangar. Slowly Nova Cat personnel begin to stand and quietly depart the hangar still lit by the raging hologram bonfire. A couple of Nova Cats ascend the ramp and sit next to Kisho as they seek his council and wisdom. Reynard, Mia, Janella, and Mason stand and leave together. Jonah, Custos Osis, and Callandre are all that remain.
One by one the Battlemechs and Battle Armor power down. The Mechwarriors and troopers disembark their equipment. With only a handful of Nova Cats remaining around the bonfire, Callandre stands to leave. Jonah notices she has a tear on the edge of her eye but she shows no body language signs of what she may be feeling.
Finally, with the only remaining personnel outside two Fidelis troopers in Kage Battle Armor as guards, Jonah, Caracal, and Kisho all rise at the same time. Kisho descends the ramp and walks directly toward them. He speaks first, “I am honored that War Party’s leadership attended this Chronicle of Battles.”
“We are proud to have come and thankful that you allowed us to experience such a ceremony.” Jonah responds.
“Aff, Mystic. This is something unique that is lucky to have survived such turmoil.” Caracal states, catching Jonah offguard, not expecting Caracal to say anything given their private conversation.
“You speak as a Clan warrior.” Kisho inquires.
“Indeed, Kisho Nova Cat. I am Custos Caracal Osis of the Fidelis or more accurately, Clan Smoke Jaguar.”
This is a surprise to Kisho. He knows that the Republic had a number of Clan warriors join their ranks over the years but to talk to the current leader of the Smoke Jaguars was completely unexpected. “Welcome aboard the Dream Claw Custos Osis. This makes much more sense now… In my vision I saw a stone with claw marks slashed in it, your presence here further confirms the vision.”
“While highly coincidental, I do not put my faith in the visions. Though you have handled your Clan well.” Caracal compliments Kisho.
“In time you may just change your mind.” Kisho returns. “Where were the Smoke Jaguars all this time?”
“We thrived on New Earth. Taking on a role within the Republic of the Sphere as elite shock troopers. However, when the Wolf Khan came knocking on the door our former Custos sided with him and against those who gave us a home. That same Khan broke his bid of the entire Wolf touman against the entire Republic touman and took Terra with dezgra conduct. When the time came to decide if we would stay or depart over fifty percent departed. Returning to the light under such dezgra conduct is not the way of the Smoke Jaguar. It almost mirrors the way that the Spirit Cats moved so far from the Nova Cat way.” Caracal explains.
“I can understand your position. The pompous nature of the current self-entitled ‘ilKhan’ may very well be his own downfall. I sincerely hope that we can respect the past and you and I can build a relationship between our Clans based on who we are and what we are doing right now.”
“Aff, Oathmaster. That is my intention in speaking with you. We must now ensure our commands share the same sentiment.”
“Agreed, I will speak to my touman. Even better now as we have new recruits.” Kisho turns and calls out, “Star Colonel, you may join us.”
A woman comes jogging across the hangar to join the conversation. Jonah had caught a glimpse of her emerging from a hatch moments before. “Star Colonel Janus, this is Custos Caracal and Exarch Levin, this is Star Colonel Janus. She had her own vision and arrived here just today, a couple hours after your fleet. Tell us about your situation.” Kisho shifts the conversation to her as all three watch.
“Aff, Oathmaster. We are the First Nova Cat Provisionals originating from the Clan Protectorate in Free Worlds League space. In an attempt to seek the favor of the ilKhan we looked to take action on behalf of the Wolf Empire and ilClan. Unfortunately, we found disaster. A Clan Sea Fox detachment vanished in shame. However, we sought out surkai. Only instead of punishment, the Spirit Cats and Sea Foxes sought to permanently end the Nova Cats… and they are fully supportive of the ilKhan.” Janus scoffs. “While they discussed the matter I escaped with my men. And yes, I did have a vision telling me to come to this system, no matter how bizarre that sounds.” Janus finishes and nods to the Oathmaster.
“That is a hard decision to make. You left because your own people were at risk by those you treated as leaders. It even looks as though the ilKhan would be opposed to you. It may feel shameful to abandon them but, it is the honorable act. Here, with those left of the Nova Cat Clan, you will be welcome.” Kisho reassures her.
“Aff, welcome home.” Caracal adds in as support while Jonah nods.
“Well with that incredible ceremony even I as a spheroid have much to contemplate. Thank you again for your invitation to join.” Jonah thanks Kisho then shakes the two Nova Cat’s hands.
After the group gives their final regards Jonah and Caracal move toward the airlock to travel back to the Stone.
***
Berenson, Contested System
Stone
September 16, 3152
After the final charging takes place thanks to slots opening in the recharge station at the Zenith jump point the ever-growing War Party is ready to depart the system. Thankfully the forces fighting stayed at the Nadir point. This alliance of nations shows the spirit of Devlin Stone’s Republic lives on. Jonah could not be prouder when he reviews the readout of those present. The Nomads and the recovered RAF personnel, Seychelles Stonehearts, The Cheetahs, Kell Hounds, Fidelis, and now Clan Nova Cat all within their ranks.
I am no Devlin Stone but, this is his legacy. Not losing Terra. Not the side effects of cryo sleep. The uniting of nations and peoples in peril. His effort to find a new home is why we have the hope to push on.
Jonah Levin sits in his seat in the War Room on the Stone and watches through the forward observation panel to see the jump out of the Berenson system.