Resurgence - Cataclysm Chapter 6
January 1st, 3153
Kathil System, Nadir Point Shipyard
0600
All three leaders sit down around the table and are served breakfast. “Happy New Year, gentlemen. Have your ships been repaired and refitted with the station’s resources to your satisfaction?” the Chancellor asks as she takes a bite of some of her favorite breakfast food, eggs over medium.
“Yes, thank you, Happy New Year to you as well Chancellor. This has been an informative time learning more about yourself and your nation while we have been in the Kathil system.” States Dominic as Erik had a bite of toast in his mouth when she asked. “Right now our resources feel extremely limited however, the hospitality you have provided has given us a much a needed buffer.” He adds graciously.
“I concur, while the Federated Suns ships took minimal damage, the extra efforts are greatly appreciated.” Erik responds before chomping on another piece of toast.
“That is pleasing to hear,” says Danai. “I am planning to bring the 1st and 5th MAC with me when we go to New Avalon. This is purely a protective measure to ensure that another ‘Sian’ type event is less likely to happen so soon. The Maskirovka do not wish to take any risks.”
“That is completely expected, Chancellor,” Erik responds. “Your people will be treated with respect.”
Hearing this, Danai nods in approval and they all spend a few minutes eating their food. The Prince’s Champion has changed, it seems. Since we first met, he has demonstrated excellent leadership even among two other leaders with far more military might at their current disposal.
Erik raises a finger to get the attention of the others who are eating, “If I may ask, should the Blakists arrive while we are on New Avalon, do you know what you would do Chancellor?”
Danai’s body language and expression in response seems of shock and concern for a brief moment; which betrays some of her thoughts, they don’t know yet and now is not yet the time. She recomposes herself with a gulp of water and sitting more upright. “Forgive me, while I have considered the possibility, actually discussing fighting this evil is still a shocking thought for me. I know you two have faced them and shown me the BattleROMs but, still…” she pauses. “I cannot say at this time. I will not lead my people to slaughter. But, fighting among allies when we know there are multiple fronts may be necessary. We will see, should the time come.”
Hmm, what was that reaction? “Thank you, Chancellor. You make very reasonable points. New Avalon is the homeworld of the Federated Suns, it is our responsibility to hold or lose it. Just know that we would welcome aid, if it is offered.” Erik continues to be as diplomatic as possible.
Finishing their meal, the table is cleared by the staff. Between the three of them they discuss the final fleet formation and what ships will be travelling to New Avalon. With a group such as this, especially with the Chancellor of the Capellan Confederation, they need to make sure it all looks professional, not like a pursuit and invasion. Later that day the first two jumps toward New Avalon take place before having to recharge.
***
January 6th, 3153
Freisland System, Nadir Point
1300
Assembled on the bridge of the Raven’s Nest, both Galaxy Commander Dominic McKenna and Prince’s Champion Erik Sandoval-Groell stand alongside a hologram of Chancellor Danai Liao. They are awaiting the navigation crew confirmation before jumping to the New Avalon System.
“Galaxy Commander, we are getting strange readings around the sun in the New Avalon system, our computers are trying to work through the data.”
“Aff, nav. Let us not have any mistakes.” Responds Dominic McKenna as he turns to his XO. “Star Admiral Sukhanov, when the coordinates are ready, jump us.”
“Aff, Galaxy Commander” she responds, working on some data in her Captain’s chair.
“New Avalon’s sun has a reputation for being testy with nav equipment due to solar flares and such.” Erik adds in reassuringly as he looks at Dominic and Danai.
A sizeable fleet formation exists between them with the remaining Warships of the Conqueror Naval star and Danai’s own Warship. The attendant fleets are impressive as well, between the Stormhawk Galaxy, 1st and 5th MAC, and Erik’s Federated Suns detachment.
“Galaxy Commander, we are a go for jump.” Sukhanov states aloud. “Three… Two… One…”
***
January 6th, 3153
New Avalon System, Nadir Point
1245
“Do they really think they will bring us down?!” asks Lars Magnusson in a mocking manner over his Star’s comms channel. His Karhu ‘D’ variant takes aim at a Blakist Rusalka strafing the side of the Ursidae, the Aesir Command Dropship. Both Clan ER PPCs punch right into the nose of the fighter. One right after the other, setting off a missile ammo bin and turning it into a fireball flying off into space causing other dogfighting aerospace fighters to avoid it.
His star’s mechs are magnetically held to the hull of the Ursidae. The dropship closely flanks the Leviathan II of the Ghost Bear Alpha Galaxy fleet formation, the Rasalhague. It is a daunting engineering marvel. Two point five million tons of death and rage from a furious warship of elite Ghost Bears. Fighters of all classes pour forth from the hangars – Kirghiz, Visigoth, Jengiz fighters and more.
Surrounded by his star they aid the dropship guns in shooting at the enemy fighters. Upon their arrival in the New Avalon system they were greeted with dozens of fighters and multiple assault dropships. Ready to taste blood and surrounded by the rest of the fleet, the Mechwarriors inside multiple Ghost Bear ships decided they weren’t going to allow the aerospace and naval crews have all the fun.
Waves of fire from the Ghost Bears devastated the Word of Blake forces in minutes, they barely had time to scramble, let alone make an actual defensive action. A nuclear weapon is fired from one of the Blakist Assault dropships that has been severely damaged. Like a cone of death, every energy weapon on the port side of the Leviathan hones in on the flare of the missile’s rocket. It explodes just seconds from leaving the tube. The shockwave finishes off the Blakist ship and vaporizes a handful of nearby fighters and dropships in a defensive formation.
By now, a single Assault dropship is breaking contact as well as the remaining couple fighters. “Alpha Galaxy bears have tasted blood! Let us find more!” shouts Lars Magnusson over the open channel. The cheering on the open channel resembles more roaring than cheering. Across the Ghost Bear ships the Battlemechs turn to re-enter the hangars. Some of the fighters begin to return to the hangars but, some remain deployed, with a new posting to the defensive formation around the larger vessels as the Ghost Bears prepare to move toward New Avalon.
Bright flashes begin to appear around them as jumpships emerge and Warships appear. Pausing their movement, it is unknown if the next minutes would be deadly or not; most of the mechs stop moving as the pilots watch the new ships arriving. “What are the IFFs?” Lars asks hurriedly to the command channel.
“Galaxy Commander, there are three nations present… Federated Suns ships… Clan Snow Raven… the.. the.. Conqueror Naval Star… even the Capellan Confederation! Looks like three Snow Raven Warships and one from the Capellan Confederation.” Responds his XO, Rulia Vong, clear shock in her voice. As an Elemental, she did not have a role to play on the combat side of this aerospace engagement against the Blakists.
“Are they hailing us?” Lars asks. As he finishes his sentence, he can see drive flares lighting up. All of the ships begin to move forward, away from the jump point. As the final handful of jumpships arrive, dropships begin continue to disembark and move toward the bulk of the formation. He can even see bay doors opening as aerospace fighters are deploying but, only defensively around the ships.
“Yes, Galaxy Commander, apparently the Snow Raven Galaxy Commander, Prince’s Champion, and Chancellor are very interested in our presence. In fact, we are receiving data to join their formation.” Vong states curiously.
“Something much bigger is at play here, join the formation and prepare the comms in the bridge war room, I will speak with them after dismounting.” Orders Lars. His Karhu continues to march along the Ursidae’s hull toward the hangar.
***
Standing his full uniform, still somewhat looser than he would like, Lars Magnusson nods to Rulia Vong to activate the holograms to bring him into a meeting with the three other leaders. They all appear before him. Danai Liao looks up from her own holopad as she is seated in her command chair. Prince’s Champion Erik Sandoval-Groell is finishing his turn to look at Lars. Dominic McKenna is already looking Lars directly in the eyes.
“Galaxy Commander Lars Magnusson, the Prince’s Champion has filled us in on your situation. You are a welcome sight in the chaos of this invasion by the Word of Blake.” Dominic begins.
“Aff Galaxy Commander, we have our first taste of Blakist blood. It seems we could not arrive before the Blakists set their sights on New Avalon. Is the First Prince on the planet?” Lars asks, looking toward Erik.
“Yes, Galaxy Commander. Firstly, it is excellent to see you here with such fortuitous timing and that you are emitting such strength after the attack on you. Secondly, we have all discussed that we can go on a first name basis, spending time on titles in such crucial communications is a waste. Thirdly, yes, Julian Davion is on New Avalon. He is there with the Nomad Republic survivors. Other than that, the Blakists have destroyed all facilities en route or are blocking all communications with the planet.”
“Those terms are acceptable. You are on the Raven’s Nest with Dominic quiaff?” Lars asks curiously.
“Yes, Lars. We came into contact with each other at Point Barrow. My orders from the First Prince were to try to hold Point Barrow. As the Raven Alliance was assaulted by the Word of Blake and they were pushed out of Alliance space, I have authorized Dominic to work alongside the Federated Suns as allies and we will assist them with repairs and resources. That being said, I do not have a warship of my own, my dropship is docked on the Raven’s Nest.”
“I am sure there is a lot more to this story. On our way to New Avalon I would like to hear about what has happened to the Raven Alliance and the Federated Suns in more detail.” Lars responds then looks to Danai who is watching intently.
“Danai Liao, I am surprised to see you here given the history with the Federated Suns and the Capellan Confederation. Last I have heard, you are in command of the Big MAC?”
“Your information was correct when it was printed, however, I am now Chancellor of the Capellan Confederation. The Blakists attacked Sian with what we all assume was the Erinyes. The planet was destroyed.” Lars’ eyes show that he is in shock hearing of the use of such a weapon. Responding to his reaction, “Yes, such waste of life and resources. In my rage I bought the planted evidence by the Blakists that the Free Worlds League and Federated Suns conspired to destabilize my realm. My first action as Chancellor was to attack both nations.”
“I must guess that the attack has ended, quiaff?”
“Aff, Lars. At least in places Erik and my truce announcement has reached. Without the HPG grid our forces and especially those on the border with the Free Worlds League will be fighting for some time more. Both Dominic and Erik are to be commended for their courage and restraint.” She raises a hand toward the two of them. “While I was trying to slaughter their fleet, they did not return fire as Erik sought after peace, rather than blood and retribution. Erik proved beyond a shadow of a doubt to myself and my Maskirovka guard that he and the Suns were not behind the destruction of Sian.”
“Commendable actions by both of you, well done.” Adds Lars before switching to his main, immediate questions. “So, as of now we cannot reach the First Prince, New Avalon is under attack, and we have about seven days before we reach the planet?”
“Aff.” Responds Dominic. “We have much to fill you in on as we approach the planet. These Blakists are all the same and worse.”