Ebon Keshik

Ebon Keshik
Affiliation Grand Council
Parent Command Independent

The Ebon Keshik is a Keshik of black-clad Elementals that shares loyalty to all Clans instead of one. The Keshik is responsible for guarding the sites of every Blood Chapel of the Clans and controlling physical access to Hall of Khans in the Grand Council. The Ebon Keshik only answers to the ilKhan and the Grand Council as a whole. An invitation to join this Keshik is rare, but is only given to Elementals. Most of them see this as the high honor and respect the Ebon Keshik as their accolades.[1]

History[edit]

In February 3076, an unknown force was activated, the same day as the McKenna's Pride had just returned to Strana Mechty after annihilating Clan Steel Viper. On the 5th of April, Operation SPATHA II and PILUM were launched. The Wraith's 'Mechs left, for first and last time, the secret Wolf cache where they've been training, and after walking to the outskirts of Katyusha City, submerged into the Andery River, Undetected, they reach the center of the capital with nobody even suspected their presence until a foot patrol saw them emerge from the water and head to the North side of the city. Immediately, Dark Caste observers executed Operation Archer and blew up the three major bridges across Andery River to delay the reinforcement's arrival. The Wraiths divided into three teams and head to their targets.

The first opposition that the Wraiths faced was a Star of the Katyusha Keshik, composed of a Hellfire, Glass Spider, Stalking Spider, Grizzly, and a Flashman. They never had a chance: the Wraith command Star combined their fire on them and destroyed them in seconds before continuing their advance.[2]

Soon later, the two remaining Stars of the Katyusha Keshik Command Trinary engaged the Wraiths, but both were destroyed without even downing a single Wraith's 'Mech. IlKhan Hannibal Banacek sent all available reinforcements to the area, but they were minutes away from arriving.

After the almost complete destruction of the Keshik Trinary, there were no more opposition in the Wraith's way. They then proceeded to attack their targets, and even the building's defenses could not even delay them. Taking care to preserve their ammunition, they destroyed all the communication systems and set the buildings ablaze. As Spatha II had already boarded and take the McKenna's Pride, the Wraiths had already succeeded and gathered to make a last stand in a little park near the demolished Ebon Keshik HQ. For a half hour, they suffered the full might of both Clan Star Adder's Keshiks and the remnants of the Katyusha Keshik Guard, being attacked from all sides.

One after other, they fell, until only seven Wraith's Mechs stood. Stas, after destroying a Timber Wolf, received and offer of rendition to be taken alive for interrogation from ilKhan Banacek. Stas only laugh at the offer, and told the ilKhan why the Wraiths hated the Great Council so much.

The next assault was the last for the Wraiths: one after another, they fell, until only Stas' Mech was on foot. He destroyed a Night Gyr, his last prey, before suffering all concentrated firepower of the attackers. Stas was the last Wraith to die.[3]

References[edit]

  1. The Clans: Warriors of Kerensky, p. 53
  2. Icons of War, p. 94
  3. Icons of War, p. 123

Bibliography[edit]