Rikkard Nova Cat

Rikkard Nova Cat – 32nd Century trueborn Clan mechwarrior belonging to the Nova Cat sub-faction known as the Spirit Cats. He holds the rank of Star Colonel and commands a Cluster within the Spirit Cats Clan. He is good friend to his Clan’s leader Galaxy Commander Kev Rosse after saving his life.

He known for his patience and determination behind Galaxy Commander Rosse’s vision to save the Spirit Cats by finding a sanctuary from event which commander has predicted.

Character History

In March 3135, the Spirit Cats had landed on Mallory’s World in search for sanctuary. During this time Rikkard had been drawn last battlefield of late First Prince Ian Davion. After learning Ian’s famous battle in Desolate Pass where Ian sacrificed his life to save his command from the oncoming Kurita forces. Rikkard had sought to evoke late Ian’s spirit to give him strength so he could fight for his people’s survival. Rosse and Rikkard try to have vision to what their people should do next to find answer to their problem.

With urgency of Rosse repetitively getting visions of coming of “predatory bird astride a tornado moving across an endless, hot and dry landscape.” He had assigned Rikkard to head expedition to seek out sanctuary for the Spirit Cats in Prefecture VII.

Rikkard’s force after arriving in orbit of Irian in June. There he determined that he needs to lead his restless people beyond the Republic’s borders to find sanctuary.

In March 3136, after months of travelling to various worlds, Rikkard contacts Clan Sea Fox to strike deal with them. He strikes a bargain OvKhan Petr Kalasa, commander of Sea Foxes’ CargoShip, Voidswimmer to transport his people to world of Marik.

In October, Rikkard’s force lands and invades the Marik against Marik-Stewart Commonwealth forces lead by General Daniella Briggs. Rikkard tries to show by example to his people that no matter how dirty the Commonwealth force fight, he would fight like Clanman and not stoop to their level.

By November the Rikkard leads his forces to metropolis of Dormuth. His people see full extend of city becoming huge trap. This becoming apparent when at one point his one his fiery Star Commander, leads charge into city center to only have ancient skyscaper dropped on her Star.

The Battle for Marik is drawn out for months, Rikkard desperately hoping his reinforcements would arrive to help his forces secure the planet. In February of 3137, Lady Julietta Marik arrives as emissary for Oriente Protectorate whom offers alliance between the two powers to help secure the planet from Commonwealth. Within the time of her arrival, Rikkard had been informed that Spirit Cat’s leader, Rosse had been assassinated and that Nova Cat Mystic Kisho called on all Nova Cat living in Republic to return home to the Clan. Leaving Rikkard’s force isolated and no reinforcement coming. Rikkard refuses take Kisho’s offer and also refirms his belief that his vision of Marik being sanctuary was worth fighting for. He agrees to take offer of Orient’s alliance, despite arrival of reinforcements for Commonwealth forces.

By April, no Protectorate forces have and Rikkard’s Spirit Cat had become desperate. Arguing with Lady Marik, learns that’s they were not immediately arriving and they were only to interdict the planet. Angered, he strikes out frustration. There, fiery Star Commander Janice calls for Trial of Annihilation on Lady Marik for not living up to bargain she had struck with Rikkard. Rikkard defends Julietta from Janice and fights her to the death. Feeling he had failed, that he had to resort to killing Janice. He dwells on his situation with new found clarity as stand over her and see vision of strength that he been seeking since Mallory’s World. He finds strength, where in unlikely place, in actions of timid Julietta Marik. He sees strength behind her eyes and actions, sticking to her duty to her people regardless of the cost. By seeing and examine his mind of actions of her and he sees that he has self-delusion of finding glory to be found in securing world for the Spirit Cats. By seeing her determination and strength, he finds will to do what he must do in order for his people to survive.

He dispatches courier to orbiting Voidswimmer, where he bargains a deal where his Spirit Cats would share Marik together with Sea Foxes if they send reinforcements to help him secure the world. Lady Juietta returns home with her newly arrived sister, Nikol, to report status of situation on Marik.

Rikkard learns of Lady Juietta is gravelly injured after assassination attempt on her after arriving home. He leads a medical team to save her life and returns her back to Marik. There after recovering, she decides to join Rikkard's people and becomes their guide to ways of the Free Worlds League.

In 3138, under suggestion of Lady Julietta, Rikkard lead expedition to surrounding worlds around Marik to bring to them under protection of his clan conclave forming what becomes known as Clan Protectorate.

July 3139, Rikkard and others arrives on Atreus for swearing in of Jessica Marik as new Captain-General of reborn Free Worlds League.

Character Notes

• Rikkard is noted Shadow Hawk IIC 4 pilot. He used his Battlemech during Battle for Marik in February to March of 3137. In his earlier career, he piloted a Firestarter BattleMech which named "Soulbearer". When the Spirit Cats were first formed, he was noted for piloting a Firestarter which was also named "Soulbearer".

Bibliography

• MWDA Novel: Pandora's Gambit
• MWDA Novel: To Ride the Chimera
• Spirit Cats - Rikkard Nova Cat - Dossier