Editing BattleTech: The Crescent Hawks' Revenge/Luthien

'''January, 3052'''

'''Luthien'''

'''Draconis Combine'''

==Briefing with Morgan Kell==

[[Luthien]].  Capital system of [[House Kurita]].  This world represents everything you have hated since you were a child.  Now you are to ally with them in a joint effort to repel and uncommon common enemy.

Once planetside, Morgan demands you see him immediately.

''If [[Kaesong]] city mission avoided:''

'''Morgan:''' "Jason, how could you leave the city undefended?  Yes, you followed orders, but you should have more sense!  Many innocent lives and a repair center were lost due to your shortsightedness!"

''If Kaesong city defended:''

'''Morgan:''' "Jason, how could you disobey my orders?  Yes, you did the right thing in defending the city, but you weren't thinking about the big picture!  What if the Clans had arrived before you did?"

''In either case:''

'''Morgan:''' "However, your actions to save the [[Blazing Aces]] were justified.  [[Gideon Braver Vandenburg|Gideon Vandenburg]] will be sorely missed."

'''Morgan:''' "Here is the situation.  The [[Kell Hounds]] and [[Wolf's Dragoons]] are already deployed.  I need you to help defend the perimeter, a command under Kurita jurisdiction."

'''Morgan:''' "You are to obey your Kurita superior as you would me.  Show him the respect his rank deserves."

'''Morgan:''' "Now go to the briefing room to receive your orders from your new commander.  Good luck, Jason."

==Briefing with Chiun==

'''Chiun:''' "Youngblood, enter.  I have waited a long time for this."

You look at the face, the eyes, and the decorations on his uniform.  There is no doubt that it is Chiun.

'''Chiun:''' "If you thought I was dead, you have been mistaken, for I have not forgotten our last encounter.  Imagine my surprise when they put your file on my desk, under my command."

Your years of training allow you to mask your true feelings towards Chiun.  He is, by Morgan's order, your superior.

'''Chiun:''' "Youngblood, do not fear me.  It is now the Clans who are our enemy.  We must put our past behind us, now.  I need you to show the same cunning and prowess against the Clans as you did me so many years ago."

'''Chiun:''' "These are your orders…"

==Munitions Convoy Defense==

'''Chiun:''' "You are to protect a shipment of military munitions being routed to Imperial City for its defense.  You will use your own Scout Lance, and you will command a lance of Light 'Mechs.  Your Heavy 'Mechs are to remain here for use later in our defense."

'''Chiun:''' "The transports are part of the [[Sword of Light]] regiment, and are not under your command.  They will leave on the western road when they have fully loaded.  You are to protect them at all costs, using the satellite uplink and aerospace fighter support to your advantage."

==Behind Enemy Lines==

'''Chiun:''' "Excellent work, Youngblood.  However, it appears that forward elements of the Clan assault have cut off your retreat route.  The transports are safe, but you are not."

'''Chiun:''' "We are sending a [[Planetlifter]] Air Transport to retrieve you.  I have also dispatched an assault lance to assist you.  Both will arrive soon.  You must defend yourself against the Clans until the assault lance appears.  The assault lance will direct you to the coordinates of the Planetlifter."

'''Chiun:''' "Youngblood, be careful.  The Clans have sworn to eliminate you.  We will attempt to keep the satellite uplink active at all times, and we will provide as much air cover as we can.

''If the mission is successful:''

As your units approach the westernmost ridge, you hear the whine of jets overhead.  The Planetlifter transports have arrived.  While fighters overhead keep the Clans back, the remains of your company are loaded and flown back to the Kurita command post.

==Kado-guchi River Valley==

'''Chiun:''' "Due to your performance in the field, you are being relocated to support the Kell Hound defense.  You are to anchor the Hounds' northern flank, holding the river valley that leads to the Imperial City.  We expect the Clans to use the main road, but they may attempt to outflank us.

'''Chiun:''' "You are to use both your command and fire lances, plus a Kurita assault lance.  Be advised, Youngblood, my son is in this lance.  See that you treat him with respect.  The satellite uplink may go down sporadically, so do your best."

''If the mission is successful:''

'''Chiun:''' "Victory is in our grasp!  At this moment, the Coordinator and his unit, the Dragon's Claws, are engaging the Clans."

'''Chiun:''' "Return to the command post for further orders."

==Northern Plains==

'''Chiun:''' "You are to hold back the Clans at all costs.  The [[Coordinator]] is leading the point attack, and his flank must be guarded.  You will use your Command and Fire lances again, as well as the Sword of Light Assault lance to defend the northern plains.  You are the buffer between the Clans and the Imperial City."

'''Chiun:''' "Artillery is under your command, as well as direct access to the uplink.  The Clans will also be using their artillery, so keep moving!  The Clans must not get through."

'''Chiun:''' "I trust you to do this, Jason-san."

==Capture the Galaxy Commander==

'''Chiun:''' "You have succeeded in defending the Imperial City!  Our Coordinator has also struck the fatal blow against the invaders.  Now, we must finish the work he has begun!"

'''Chiun:''' "The Clans are retreating to their DropShips.  It is expected, if the Gods are willing, that we could conceivably capture their [[Galaxy Commander]].  Otherwise, we are to decimate their 'Mechs in true samurai form."

'''Chiun:''' "This is our chance to avenge our slain brothers and our honor.  You, Jason Youngblood, will lead your remaining 'Mech reserves and the Kell Hounds, and attempt to capture the Galaxy Commander."

''If the mission is successful:''

You have succeeded in disabling the Galaxy Commander's BattleMech!  [[Takashi Kurita]] and the [[Dragon's Claws]] surround the [[Mad Cat]] as a lone figure climbs out of the 'Mech's cockpit and addresses the Coordinator.

'''Ilnay Techus:''' "I am Galaxy Commander [[Ilnay Techus]].  I salute you, [[Takashi Kurita]], and your brave warriors, for the ferocity of their combat.  I admit my defeat, and yield my command to you."

'''Takashi's voice fills your cabin:'''  "I accept your defeat, Techus.  I will take what is rightfully mine, and your forces will now leave this planet."

'''Techus:''' "And what of my children?  Must they be destroyed?"

You've heard rumors that Clansmen negotiate the lives of their families as terms of surrender.  Will the Coordinator be as merciless as the Clans?

'''Takashi:''' "Your children are to survive, as it is dishonorable for us to order such a thing, unlike your barbaric culture."

The Galaxy Commander visibly stiffens.

'''Techus:''' "What Clan are my men and I to be bonded to?"

'''Takashi's voice sounds unsure as he speaks:''' "We do not want you or your kind on Luthien!  Now, leave my homeland, and tell your [[ilKhan]] of your defeat!"

With those words, the Clans retrieve their commander and leave Luthien.

==Award Ceremony==

After the defeat of the Clans, a massive celebration commences.  During the ceremonies of commemoration to the warriors who saved Luthien, Takashi Kurita calls the Crescent Hawks to accept tribute for your defense of Luthien.  According to tradition, your men approach, lay their personal weapons before him, and kneel.

'''Takashi:''' "In recognition of your loyalty to House Kurita against the Clan assault, I am honored to present to the Crescent Hawks the [[Bushido Blade]].  We present this medal to those warriors who have demonstrated great courage on the battlefield.  Combating the technological superiority of the Clans required such courage."

The following members of the Crescent Hawks are presented the Bushido Blade:

Clark Barth

Carmen Ledesma

Chuck Hunter

Nance Tatum

Tomas Bellamy

Mitchel Latham

Donald Louie

“Brain” Moriarty

Christopher Christman

Wade Townsend

Jason Youngblood

“Grease” Anderson

Jen Pearce

'''Takashi:''' "The [[Order of the Dragon]] is our highest honor.  Normally, it is presented to our warriors who have made significant territorial gains.  However, this one time, we will make an exception, due to the tremendous leadership our commanders have shown in preserving our territory.  For this, we are most grateful."

The Order of the Dragon is presented with great honor to:

Jason Youngblood

“Grease” Anderson

Jen Pearce

'''Takashi:''' "In reverence, we offer the [[Watcher of the Dragon's Eye]] posthumously to those who so bravely gave their lives in defense of our own.  There is no greater honor than to die protecting those who would die for you."

Those MechWarriors are:

''Any Crescent Hawk MechWarriors who died are listed here.''

==DropShip==

After the ceremony, you are called to the bridge of your DropShip, where Morgan Kell is waiting to give you an urgent message.

'''Morgan:''' "Jason, you have made your father, Melissa Steiner, and myself proud of all you have done.  You have turned out not only to be an excellent MechWarrior and brilliant tactician, but also a true leader of men."

'''Morgan:''' "Jason, when the Clans return, they will strike as we have never seen, and we need to be prepared.  The Crescent Hawks, under your command, can help combat them, but you are only one man.  What we need is for you to use your gift of teaching by example to show other MechWarriors what tactics to take in any circumstance."

'''Morgan:''' "[[Melissa Steiner-Davion|Melissa]] is asking you to return to [[Pacifica]] to become the Training Instructor there.  There, you can choose almost any combination of 'Mechs to run company training drills.  They have even programmed the computers to simulate the [[OmniMech]]s you fought.  Enjoy your tenure there, as every battle you simulate may help a MechWarrior in the future."

'''Morgan:''' "I will contact [[Maria Vandenburg]] and tell her the sad news of her father's death, and pass on the cryptic message Gideon gave to you.  I'll also tell her you'll be at Pacifica, in case she needs to get in touch with you."

'''Morgan:''' "Until fate brings us together again, Jason Youngblood.  It has been a rewarding experience to have you under my command.  I will always remember these times.  Good luck, my friend."

Before you leave Luthien, you reflect on the irony of your situation.  Your adventures first began on the training grounds of Pacifica, and twenty years later, they led you back again.  Becoming T.I. would mean a lot of changes, including the removal of the Crescent Hawks from active combat status.

But that thought is replaced by a better one.  You would be responsible for shaping the minds of future MechWarriors…MechWarriors who will have to fight the Clans again one day soon.  With the help of your pupils, the [[Inner Sphere]] may finally defeat the Clan invasion.  Only time will tell…

The End


[[Category: Crescent Hawks' Revenge Transcript]]