Gerek Tchernovkov
Sarna News
Gerek Tchernovkov (born 2777[1] - died 28??) was a warrior of Clan Coyote who would go alone to negotiate the surrender of the city of Versailles on Babylon during Operation Klondike. He would eventually rise to the position of saKhan and then Khan of his Clan, overseeing the introduction of the OmniMech into his Clan's Touman.
Contents
Biography
Early Life
Gerek Tchernovkov was born on Tikonov in the Capellan Confederation. As a descendant of General Ivan Tchernovkov, the first SLDF division commander to not be a MechWarrior, his family's tradition of service in the Armor Corps of the Star League Defense Force was long-standing. The twin brother of Richard Tchernovkov, their father would die during the Liberation of Terra, leaving their mother to take them both on the Exodus.[1]
Life on the Exodus Road
Gerek Tchernovkov would enroll at the military academy on Babylon for warrior training, while his brother Richard went into Engineering, a field that he excelled at. Gerek would graduate with honors, and had his choice of assignments. In deference to his family's tradition, he would initially choose to go into the Armor Corps, serving in General Nicholas Kerensky's own 146th Royal BattleMech Division. By the time of the Second Exodus, Gerek Tchernovkov would command one of the twelve regiments in the division. He would stay in close communication with his brother, especially after the death of their mother in 2799, but when rebellion broke out the two lost contact with one another. Gerek would go on to Strana Mechty with Nicholas Kerensky and the loyal 800, leaving on the last DropShip off-world and feeling truly alone for the first time in his life.[1]
On Strana Mechty, Kerensky would reorganize the Regular Army into twenty Clans. The Coyotes, who were to be led by Khan Dana Kufahl and saKhan Kesar Jerricho, would be assigned Gerek Tchernovkov to assist them in the leadership of the Clan. He would be elected by his troops to be the Coyote's first Pack Master, a position that would soon evolve into the position of Clan Loremaster, recording the events of the Clan from the earliest days.[1]
Operation Klondike
When the Clans returned to the Pentagon Worlds in 2821, Gerek Tchernovkov held the rank of Star Captain, in addition to to holding a position equal to Loremaster. Clan Coyote would be chosen to hit the world of Babylon along with three other Clans. Their force was almost totally comprised of heavy and assault BattleMechs.[2]
Babylon: Abyssinia
The Coyotes carried out their assault on the continent of Abyssinia with a three pronged effort in order to subdue the multitude of small settlements that dotted the desolate, mountainous landscape. Tchernovkov would command a Binary detached from the rest of his Clan. After victories by Khan Dana Kufahl at Ponomia, and saKhan Kesar Jerricho at Luyden,[3] he would receive an invitation to meet with the leaders of the city of Versailles, high in the mountains. The invitation was directed specifically to Gerek Tchernovkov. A bit puzzled by the invitation--and quietly suspicious of the intent--Tchernovkov would lead his Binary to the city to listen to what their negotiators had to say.[4]
Babylon: Reunion
Upon reaching the city, Gerek Tchernovkov would unexpectedly be greeted by his long-lost brother Richard, the leader of Versailles. The brothers would talk all that day and all the next. The negotiations would yield total surrender of the scientific and technological enclave on the condition that they be treated as equals. On the third day, Gerek would send an invitation to his Khans to come and tour the city.[4]
“I bid one warrior, unaugmented with BattleMech or other machine, to secure the city of Versailles.” --Message from Star Captain Gerek Tchernovkov to Khan Dana Kufahl [4]
Ahead of the Pack
After Operation Klondike, the Coyotes would race ahead of most Clans with growth in all areas under the guidance of their leaders. The Coyote Khans would back their allies Clan Wolf against the Not-Named Clan, and again in the Absorption of [[Clan Widowmaker]. All the while they developed a booming industrial base, and fought many trials against other Clans to defend their gains and expand their vast holdings, as well as support a robust Touman.[5]
Golden Century Challenges
In recognition of the need for new technologies to aid this growth, Khan Jerricho and Loremaster Tchernovkov would commission BattleMech new designs often. The first of their Clan's new designs came in 2829, but these were little more than upgrades or reconfigurations of existing models. By the time Tchernovkov became saKhan in 2845 more had been added, but still they would strive to improve designs to meet their warrior's demands for more flexibility in both their 'Mechs and Aerospace Fighters. Two years later (at some point ascending to the position of Khan), Khan Tchernovkov's brother, now called Scientist Richard (Remer),[6] made a tremendous breakthrough: A 'Mech with fully interchangeable weaponry and equipment. The OmniMech was born. After more than a decade of further development, aided by Clan Sea Fox, the revolutionary design was unveiled in 2859, allowing a new wave of expansion and growth for the Clan.[5][6]
Khan Tchernovkov often had to oversee the defense of his Clan's new invention over the next four years. Despite their vigorous defense of this technology, in 2863, Clan Jade Falcon would wrest control of the design from Coyote in a Trial of Possession. Khan Tchernovkov took that opportunity to inform Clan Wolf of the unit that had obtained the plans, allowing their Wolf allies to procure the designs for themselves. The Wolf Khans would repay his favor in kind later after their development of Elemental Battle Armor, when again the loathed Jade Falcons were first to win the design, this time from Clan Wolf. The information provided by the Wolf Khans would allow their Coyote allies to win the design without having to challenge the Wolves for it.[7]
Legacy
As the Khan that helped to usher in the OmniMech, Gerek Tchernovkov's legacy extends to all Clans and has affected billions and billions of lives.
As the founder of the Tchernovkov Bloodname House, his genetic legacy produces outstanding warriors in all branches of the warrior caste. His most famous descendent by far would have to be Corian Tchernovkov, a renowned warrior who became her Clan's Khan before ascending to the station of ilKhan. She would be secretly murdered by Tobias Khatib, who then succeeded her as ilKhan. Eventually, evidence would come to light of his misdeed, leading to his execution for Treason.[8]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Field Manual: Warden Clans, p. 39, "Gerek Tchernovkov"
- ↑ Historical:Operation Klondike, p. 62, Primary Forces Committed to Babylon
- ↑ Historical: Operation Klondike, p. 67, "Over the Hills"
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Historical: Operation Klondike, p. 67, 68, "Celebration Day"
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Field Manual: Warden Clans, p. 40, 41, "Birth of the Titans"
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Field Manual: Warden Clans, p. 41, 42, Crusade of the Valiant
- ↑ Field Manual: Warden Clans, p. 41, "The Renaissance Spreads"
- ↑ Field Manual: Warden Clans, p. 42, "Righteous Vengeance"