Resurgence - Cataclysm Chapter 22 War Party 4
December 27th, 3152
Kentares System, Nadir Jump Point
“I don’t know what to say, somehow he knew.” Mason says, completely baffled.
“I’m at a loss,” Janella adds.
Exarch Jonah Levin is holding his head with his fingers through his hair. Do not stay in the Tybalt system. Oathmaster Kisho had told Levin this multiple times as they raced across the Capellan Confederation. Heeding the word of his new ally Levin altered the jump and recharge planning chart.
Good thing he did too. Moments before War Party departed the Tybalt system a Draconis Combine invasion fleet jumped into the system. “They’ve completely cut off the Federated Suns from Terra.” Levin says aloud. As he normally does, he hits the button to speak with the Captain who confirms that the Kentares system is safe to refuel and resupply for now.
“Ok, Captain lets prepare to head to the planet to get food and other supplies, Levin out.”
“Looks like we have fourteen days of travel time.” Janella informs everyone.
“What is with all the border battles going on? On Arc-Royal both the Falcons and Lyrans were fighting. When we left Free Worlds League space them and the Capellans were killing each other. There were Federated Suns and Capellans fighting along the Capellan March and now we see the Combine is attacking the Federated Suns? Something does not add up at all. It is very unlikely that the fool on Terra managed to get the entire Inner Sphere to destroy itself.” Mason says as he leans back in his chair, putting his hands behind his head as he stares at the overhead.
Normally more reserved, Justin Hall chimes in. He helped Mia Fowler and Jack Traver to found The Cheetahs. After he found out they had met with the Nomads that morning months ago he raced over to the spaceport to make contact. “Didn’t the Oathmaster have another vision about a sword? One spearing through all the nation’s emblems? And a Spirit Cat saw a predator stalking the Inner Sphere?”
“You’re right.” Mason responds, “That’s what he told the Exarch during the ceremony on the Dream Claw”.
“But, those are all different nations battling. From our last reports the Federated Suns is heavily lacking forces and the Capellans have only attacked their neighbors – as far as national emblems with blades are concerned.” Janella adds.
That last statement floats in the air for a moment before the Exarch stands. He looks at the various Nomad leadership present, “Well I am tired of this war room and am going to go for a stroll through the hangar. Janella, I need you to make sure we have lists of military material we need, this planet has a substantial industry. Ariana, I need you to help do the same and be the liaison for the Kell Hounds and Nova Cats with the planet. Mason and Justin, you two need to work your connections and see if you can gather ANY intel on if there are connections between all these border wars. Other than that, we will meet for our evening briefing at the usual time, don’t worry about the mid-day one, Dismissed.”
The Paladins and Knights all jump to attention and Jonah leaves the room for the nearest lift. He descends to the hangar bay. The lift’s hatch opens, allowing the hangar’s floodlights to enter. He walks over and stands next to his Atlas C 2. Just taking a moment and looking up at the war machine gives him a sense of hope and resolve. To the left of it is Janella’s Tundra Wolf and beyond hers is Mason’s Mad Cat III. After the Clan mechs is Ariana’s Malice.
Jonah looks down. His head feels heavy as he contemplates so many different thoughts. Slowly, he brings his eyes up to the right of his Atlas. He can see the black and white feet. His eyes follow the skeleton pattern up and takes in the Atlas II standing next to his, a lone female is working in the cockpit, must be Mia. Phantom, it is damn good to have you with us. He admires and takes in everything the Battlemech stands for. Everything the Battlemech has been through.
To think that it marched across Terra and ripped humanity’s homeworld from the greatest darkness the Inner Sphere had ever known. Yet now, it and all it stands for has been cast off Terra and into the unknown. The greatest act of defiance that remains is to make sure that the flame of the Republic does not die. We will take care of Phantom for you, old friend.
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***
January 11, 3153
Endurnyja City Spaceport, Kentares IV
0800
Taking in the crisp morning air, Janella stands at the top of the Stone’s hangar ramp. She is off to the side to avoid other foot traffic, maintenance vehicles, and loader mechs. Mason vanished earlier in the morning, leaving Janella to sleep in to 0500. He and Justin seemed to just disappear off the grid before morning reveille at 0630. Once we get to our new home, I hope to see the days of waking up alone behind us.
Descending the ramp she meets the Port’s Head Longshoreman. “Goodmorning, Lady Lakewood. It’s a real honor meeting someone like you, we don’t often see high profile people and ships. The Stone here is fantastic. My name is David Leman.” He brushes his rough and somewhat dirty hand off on his overalls before extending for a handshake.
Janella grasps his hand and returns the shake without hesitation. “Thank you for your kind welcome. We are looking to spend a couple weeks here, maybe give your tourism industry a little boost!” she jokes with him.
“We would love that! Since that useless hunk-a-junk HPG broke down we haven’t had too much activity except when a fleet rolls through.” He points with his thumb at a large satellite dish a few kilometers away toward the central part of the Capital City, Endurnyja.
“Any fleets roll through here recently?” She asks, pulling on that thread.
“Nothing more than usual. Last year around Feb…May…June…? Somewhere around there I coulda sworn we saw some other Republic ships. But, yeah other than some FedSuns troop movements along the border its been pretty quiet.” He is distracted by a loader mech walking by that he points to really quick before checking off something on his clipboard.
Janella lets the silence hold for a few moments as she looks up the ramp. At the top she can see Ariana Zou talking to Phantom’s tech, Mia Fowler of The Cheetahs as they descend toward her. Jonah Levin is following behind them. “Hey, lady!” a shout comes from behind Janella, causing her to nearly jump. She turns to see the most unlikely pair walking up – Callandre Kell and Kisho Nova Cat. They must have found each other walking over from their ships.
“So, Janella, what are we doing for breakfast chow? I’m guessing our crews have all ransacked the port’s chowhall.” Callandre says in a joking tone.
“For that, we are grateful. Cycle out all that crap they have been feeding us for weeks for some fresh chow!” Chimes in the Longshoreman sighing with relief.
“A wise perspective, considering the delicacy that is typical chow hall food.” Kisho adds in the driest humor imaginable. This results in the Longshoreman keeling over in laughter, which causes everyone else to laugh. Kisho keeps a straight face. Callandre leans in toward him and looks his face over as he refuses to make eye contact.
“I can tell, let it out Oathmaster!” His cheeks and mouth quiver in a desperate attempt to keep a straight face and firm expression. “He’s too damn good at this!” Callandre shouts in a high pitched and playful frustration when she can’t get him to crack.
“Comon, you lot, let’s stop hogging the Longshoreman’s time.” Jonah waves them off as he walks by following the designated walkway to the terminal. He is shaking his head as he smiles.
As the rest move to keep up with Jonah the Longshoreman continues to laugh uncontrollably.
***
January 11, 3153
Endurnyja, Kentares Memorial, Kentares IV
1100
Mason and Justin take in the vastness of the memorial for all those that died during the Kentares Massacre. This is the first time either of them had laid eyes on the monument. Even to this day, three hundred fifty-six years later the monument has hundreds of people visiting it. Even to this day the Inner Sphere thirsts for war and death. Mason considers as the two men stand and look over the grounds.
“I’m moving to three o’clock.” Justin says quietly as he begins strolling away. Mason can tell from a quick glance who Justin’s contact is. After the two men meet, Justin rejoins Mason and they move off to find a secluded bench under some trees.
“So, what’s the news?” Mason asks as he observes passersby a few meters ahead on the walkway.
“Hmmm… It looks like Homefleet did pass by but only picked up supplies last year around May. They did spot a ship named Refuge. Although there is a lot more here than I expected.”
Mason turns his head and says, “Go on.” Then proceeds to nonchalantly look around for eyes watching them.
“Ok, here we go. The rumors of fighting among nations is everywhere. DCMS versus Ravens, DCMS versus FedSuns, FedSuns versus Capellans, etc. etc. across the Inner Sphere. However, there are reports of attacks from the Periphery…” Justin visibly makes a face that what he is reading is absurd. “Ok… There are rumors that the Federated Suns is massing troops at the borders? Nothing has been heard from the Magistracy of Canopus in over a year. Hmmm… Rumors of a Snow Raven Warship in FedSuns space. Overall, there are lots of claims that something is happening between the Raven Alliance all along the FedSuns periphery border to the Taurians and Capellans.” Justin looks up at Mason, then turns and stares out into the memorial grounds.
“We can confirm there is some military action going on in the Federated Suns. What that is, who knows. Homefleet should already have been out in the periphery before most, if not all of this started happening.” Mason states reassuringly.
“That makes sense. While I understand that the AFFS couldn’t help us and wouldn’t have even arrived in time to crush that Alaric coward, I can’t help but feel some resentment, at least toward their command for not being there when we needed them.” Justin says frustratedly.
Trying to bring some hope into the conversation, Mason ends with, “We will build a new home soon enough. Only this time we won’t be betrayed from within and surrounded by vultures looking to consume their neighbor.”