Clan Nova Cat Touman

The Clan Nova Cat touman comprises all military assets owned by Clan Nova Cat. Once one of the strongest Clan toumans, recent changes caused by the Nova Cats' Abjuration and other conflicts have left it a shell of its former self. Rebuilding difficulties have been compounded by a lack of resources.

History[edit]

Being led by their Warrior Castes, the history of the Nova Cat touman is intrinsically tied to the history of Clan Nova Cat.

Overview[edit]

Clan Nova Cat warriors place a high priority on accuracy and were known to challenge the Goliath Scorpions for marksmanship prior to the Nova Cat Abjuration. Nova Cat Warriors have a marked preference for laser-armed designs, a practice that originated from the Nova Cats perfecting the ER Lasers in use by Clan forces to this day. Recently^[when?], Nova Cat warriors have cross-trained across a wide variety of unit types, the better to disguise the touman's issue with low resources.

Nova Cat commanders prize flexibility in tactical doctrine. They are quick to adapt to what works, regardless of origin, and are known to study the tactics of their rivals. The Nova Cats particularly prize the 'Hover-Drop' maneuver. In the 'hover-drop', Nova Cat 'Mechs will deploy from their DropShips while still in the lower atmosphere, removing the need for reentry cocoons. While dangerous, it allows the 'Mechs to fire while descending and minimizes enemy reaction time. In some cases, Nova Cat 'Mechs are known to disembark at a low level, allowing the DropShip to engage with its own weapon and provide additional cover fire.^[1] Nova Cat units have also seen an increase in the use of combined arms tactics, more out of necessity than want.^[when?]^{[citation needed]}

Clan Nova Cat is opportunistic when it comes to Clan honor. They still adhere to zellbrigen when possible, but are quick to drop it when refused.

Ground Forces[edit]

Traditionally, Nova Cat Clusters were standardized into one of eight types. Nova Cat units were focused on 'Mechs, specifically the OmniMech, as the core of their touman. Their forces appeared to favor medium and light designs, and those types continue to be the predominant 'Mech size seen in Nova Cat units. Clan Nova Cat maintained a typical Clan distribution of units, with front-line units using OmniMechs, second-line units using standard BattleMechs, and with vehicles being reserved for solahma units. The use of armored infantry was unpopular with the Nova Cats, but not forgotten.

Since their Abjuration, heavy losses, combined with a lack of resources, have radically changed the makeup of a Nova Cat Cluster. The Nova Cats are no longer able to maintain any sort of purity with their forces, with standard BattleMechs, and even vehicles now appearing in front-line formations. It has also seen the increased use of older machines, taken from Brian Caches, as well as Inner Sphere designs imported from outside governments. Nova Cat forces have also started the use of ProtoMechs and seen an increased focus on armored infantry.^[when?]^{[citation needed]}

Aerospace Forces[edit]

The Nova Cats prize the flexibility and strength of aerospace units. Because of this, Nova Cat commanders are likely to keep a higher ratio of fighters in their bidding compared to most Clans.^{[citation needed]}

Organization (Including Historical: Units)[edit]

Touman Standard Scheme[edit]

Most Nova Cat galaxies, with exception to Xi Provisional Galaxy and Alpha Galaxy, paint their equipment in approipriate camoflauge. After all, the Nova Cat is a subtle hunter.^[2]

Former Galaxies[edit]

In 3143, the Nova Cats would fight in a Kurita Rebellion. After backing the wrong side in the war, the Nova Cat touman was destroyed as a result.

The touman in 3079.^[3]^[4]^[5]

Alpha Galaxy (Victory Over Delusion)[edit]

Alpha Galaxy
	3051-57 Vision Keshik First Nova Cat Guards 449th Assault Cluster 489th Assault Cluster	3060 NovaStar Keshik First Nova Cat Guards 449th Assault Cluster 489th Assault Cluster	3067 NovaStar Keshik First Nova Cat Guards 449th Assault Cluster 489th Assault Cluster Nova Cat Grenadiers Cluster Dragonsfang Cluster

Delta Galaxy (Ways of Seeing)[edit]

Delta Galaxy
	3062-67 Shiva Keshik Fourth Nova Cat Guards (The Oracles) Forty-Fourth Nova Cat Cavaliers (The Five Actions) Forty-Sixth Nova Cat Cavaliers (Fateful June) 119th Striker Cluster (Self Harmony)	3079 Shiva Keshik Fourth Nova Cat Guards Forty-Fourth Nova Cat Cavaliers Forty-Sixth Nova Cat Cavaliers 246th Battle Cluster

Tau Galaxy (A New Path)[edit]

Tau Galaxy
	3060-79 Vision Keshik Ninth Nova Cat Regulars Twelfth Nova Cat Regulars 100th Striker Cluster 274th Battle Cluster

Xi Galaxy (Rossei's Faithful Followers)[edit]

Xi Galaxy
	3054 First Garrison Cluster Third Garrison Cluster	3062 First Garrison Cluster Third Garrison Cluster Fifth Garrison Cluster	3067 Rossei Keshik^[6] First Garrison Cluster First Carabinieri Cluster Second Carabinieri Cluster Nova Cat Irregulars Cluster Nova Cat Renegades Cluster Dragonscales Cluster

Note that this Galaxy had Provisional status in 3062, upgraded to frontline status after Combine-Ghost Bear War.^[7]^[8]

Note that all Clusters have been renamed in 3067, so the names above are no longer accurate. Two additional Clusters and a Keshik have also been added. The new Cluster names are: First & Second Nova Cat Carabinieri Clusters, Nova Cat Irregulars Cluster, Nova Cat Renegades Cluster and Dragonscales Cluster.^[9]

Lambda Galaxy (Seishin-no Nekoryu)[edit]

Lambda Galaxy
	Activated in august 3067.^[8]	3067-85 Nekoryu Keshik Nova Cat Hussars Nova Cat Fusiliers

Omicron Provisional Galaxy[edit]

Omicron Provisional Galaxy
	3054 Fifth Garrison Cluster Sixth Garrison Cluster Fourth Nova Cat Regulars Fifth Nova Cat Regulars Sixth Nova Cat Regulars	3067 Thundercats Keshik Nova Cat Jaegers Cluster Nova Cat Legers Cluster Nova Cat Rangers Cluster Nova Cat Dragoons Cluster	3079-85 Nova Cat Jaegers Cluster Nova Cat Legers Cluster Nova Cat Rangers Cluster Nova Cat Dragoons Cluster

Note that all Clusters has been renamed in 3067, so the names below are no longer accurate. The new names are Nova Cat Jaegers Cluster, Nova Cat Legers Cluster, Nova Cat Rangers Cluster and Nova Cat Dragoons Cluster.^[9]

Fallen Galaxies[edit]

Beta Galaxy (Spiritual Vision)[edit]

Beta Galaxy (Spiritual Vision)
	3051 Lachesis Keshik Nova Cat Lancers 179th Striker Cluster Forty-Fourth Nova Cat Cavaliers 200th Aggressor Cluster

Gamma Galaxy (Revelations)[edit]

Gamma Galaxy (Revelations)
	3052 Twelfth Nova Cat Cavaliers Nova Cat Grenadiers

Kappa Galaxy[edit]

Kappa Galaxy
	3060 Fourth Provisional Garrison Cluster Seventeenth Provisional Garrison Cluster Forty-ninth Provisional Garrison Cluster

Destroyed in 3060 during the Nova Cat Abjurement.

Rho Provisional Galaxy[edit]

Rho Galaxy
	3060 Unknown

Destroyed during the Nova Cat Abjurement in 3060.

Upsilon Provisional Galaxy[edit]

Upsilon Galaxy
	3060 Unknown

Destroyed during the Nova Cat Abjurement in 3060.

Sigma Galaxy (Spiritual Vision)[edit]

Sigma Galaxy
	3059 Lachesis Keshik Nova Cat Lancers 179th Striker Cluster 246th Battle Cluster 189th Striker Cluster	3067 Lachesis Keshik Nova Cat Lancers (The Path of Right) 179th Striker Cluster (Circle of Power) 246th Battle Cluster (Truth of Ages) 189th Striker Cluster (Hold to the Path) Dragonsclaw Cluster Added in 3060s.^[6]

Chi Provisional Galaxy[edit]

Chi Provisional Galaxy
	3054-3059 Tenth Garrison Cluster (Onward) Eleventh Garrison Cluster (No Misstep) Twelfth Garrison Cluster (Integral Truth) 115th Garrison Cluster 153rd Garrison Cluster (Eternal Power)	3060-3062 Tenth Garrison Cluster Eleventh Garrison Cluster Twelfth Garrison Cluster 153rd Garrison Cluster

Destroyed in 3062 during Combine-Ghost Bear War^[10]

Omega Provisional Galaxy[edit]

Omega Provisional Galaxy
	3054-3059 Thirteenth Garrison Cluster (Reflections) Fourteenth Garrison Cluster (A Thousand Years) Fifteenth Garrison Cluster (Freedom of Right) Ninth Nova Cat Regulars Twelfth Nova Cat Regulars	3060-3062 Thirteenth Garrison Cluster Fourteenth Garrison Cluster Fifteenth Garrison Cluster 115th Garrison Cluster

Destroyed in 3062 during Combine-Ghost Bear War^[10]

Zeta Provisional Galaxy[edit]

Zeta Provisional Galaxy
	3062 Thirty-Seventh Garrison Cluster (Lost Ones) Forty-Fourth Garrison Cluster (The Fallen) Sixty-Seventh Garrison Cluster (Heretics) 167th Garrison Cluster (Long Road) First Dragoncat Cluster

Mauled during Combine-Ghost Bear War, the survivors deserted in 3062 and the Galaxy was struck from the rolls.^[10]

Unassigned Clusters deployed during Operation Revival[edit]

Naval Assets[edit]

The Nova Cats maintained a Naval Tradition that rivals the Snow Ravens, and while they have never made WarShips as high a priority, they maintained one of the larger fleets among the Clans. The losses due to the Trial of Retribution, the Jihad, and the defection of much of their touman to the Republic of the Sphere left them with only a DropShip and Merchant Fleet of Carrack-class vessels, but no naval assets for offensive use by 3085.

RSS Auspicium, Aegis-class Heavy Cruiser - former NCS Blade
RSS Triumphus, Lola III-class Destroyer - former NCS Hunter

^[11]

Uniform[edit]

Field and Dress Uniform[edit]

The field uniform of the Nova Cats consisted of a charcoal grey, full-length body suit with a banded collar. Glossy black patches, mimicking the pattern of a Nova Cat's fur, form shoulder pads. A thin black line runs down the body and left arm of the uniform. Footwear consists of a moccasin-like black boot. While not officially part of the uniform, many Nova Cat warriors also add a leather pouch to carry vineers from past battles.

The Nova Cat dress uniform adds a black cape and cowl to the field uniform.

SLDF Pattern[edit]

When the Second Star League was still active, the Field uniform of the Nova Cats underwent a change. This version of the Nova Cat uniform merged the SLDF uniform with elements of the traditional Clan Nova Cat uniform.

Ceremonial Uniform[edit]

Worn only during ritual functions and Council meetings, the ceremonial uniform consists of shorts, a vest with a studded collar, and fingerless gloves. These pieces are made of black leather. Laced leggings are added when footwear is desired, but this is considered optional. The uniform also adds an intricate headpiece, styled after a nova cat head, worn when called on by the Oathmaster or during Grand Council Meetings.

An alternate version of the ceremonial uniform, worn in the presence of other Clans, replaces the shorts and vest with a full-length body suit.

Insignia[edit]

Nova Cat warriors wear a colored Dagger Star pin on the right side of their collar, denoting their branch of service. A pin on the left side of their collar denotes their Point position in a Star. A shoulder patch on the right shoulder denotes a warrior's rank, while the left shoulder shows his Galaxy and Cluster assignment. Finally, the insignia of Clan Nova Cat is worn as a patch on the left breast.

Ranks[edit]

While abjured, Clan Nova Cat maintains standard Clan Military Organization and ranks.

Point positions
Point 1	Point 2	Point 3	Point 4	Point 5

Rank	Unit	Insignia
MechWarrior Point Commander	Point
Star Commander	Star
Star Captain	Binary/Trinary
Star Colonel/ Star Commodore (Naval Equivalent)	Cluster
Galaxy Commander/ Star Admiral (Naval Equivalent)	Galaxy
saKhan
Khan	Clan Nova Cat touman

Notes[edit]

The Luthien scenario pack lists a Fourth Nova Cat Assault Galaxy and a 183rd Nova Cat Assault Galaxy as being involved in the Battle of Luthien in 3052. However, these two names are in error as the developers have stated that the book does not use the proper unit naming conventions for Clan Galaxies. The name of the Galaxies involved on Luthien are unclear at this time.

References[edit]

↑ Strategic Operations, p. 90: "Punitive Strike"
↑ Field Manual: ComStar, pg.113
↑ Field Manual: ComStar, pp. 116–124
↑ Field Manual: Updates, pp. 95–97, 100
↑ Field Report: Clans, p. 17
↑ ^6.0 ^6.1 Field Manual: Updates, p. 100
↑ Field Manual: ComStar, p. 120
↑ ^8.0 ^8.1 Field Manual: Updates, p. 97
↑ ^9.0 ^9.1 Field Manual: Updates, p. 101
↑ ^10.0 ^10.1 ^10.2 Field Manual: Updates, p. 96
↑ Field Manual: 3085, p. 185: "Republic Navy"

Bibliography[edit]

[1] Strategic Operations, p. 90: "Punitive Strike"

[2] Field Manual: ComStar, pg.113

[3] Field Manual: ComStar, pp. 116–124

[4] Field Manual: Updates, pp. 95–97, 100

[5] Field Report: Clans, p. 17

[FMUp100-6] 6.0 ^6.1 Field Manual: Updates, p. 100

[7] Field Manual: ComStar, p. 120

[FMUp97-8] 8.0 ^8.1 Field Manual: Updates, p. 97

[FMUp101-9] 9.0 ^9.1 Field Manual: Updates, p. 101

[FMUp96-10] 10.0 ^10.1 ^10.2 Field Manual: Updates, p. 96

[FM:3085p185-11] Field Manual: 3085, p. 185: "Republic Navy"

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