Difference between revisions of "Battle of Arc-Royal (3146)"
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==Overview==
 
==Overview==
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On 5 September [[3146]] five Clusters of [[Clan Jade Falcon]] landed on [[Arc-Royal]] with the objective of ending the [[Clan Wolf-in-Exile]] and [[Kell Hounds]] thorns in [[Khan]] [[Malvina Hazen|Malvina Hazen's]] side once ad for all.  Opposing them were the three Clusters of Exiles, Kell Hounds, and several mercenary commands from the local hiring halls.  The [[Arc-Royal Militia]], which routinely moved bases every few years, was in the process of relocating from their facility on Gutheim to one in a remote area of northern Grunwald when the invasion occurred. <ref name=SFp25>''Shattered Fortress'', pp. 25-26: "Send in the Hounds"</ref><ref name=TRp36>''Tamar Rising'', p. 36: "Gerechtland: First Blood for the Hounds"</ref> Due to their Abjured status, Malvina declared the Wolves unworthy of zellbrigen and focused fire indiscriminately, and honor the Wolves bestowed on the Falcons in return. The full extent of Malvina's ferocity was reserved for Kell Hounds, both military and civilian, which she sought to personally exterminate in her green and black Shrike.<ref name=SFp25/><ref name=RG13p13>''Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 13'', p. 13: "Hunchback IIC"</ref>
+
On 5 September [[3146]] five Clusters of [[Clan Jade Falcon]] landed on [[Arc-Royal]] with the objective of ending the [[Clan Wolf-in-Exile]] and [[Kell Hounds]] thorns in [[Khan]] [[Malvina Hazen|Malvina Hazen's]] side once ad for all.  Opposing them were the three Clusters of Exiles, Kell Hounds, and several mercenary commands from the local hiring halls.  The [[Arc-Royal Militia]], which routinely moved bases every few years, was in the process of relocating from their facility on Gutheim to one in a remote area of northern Grunwald when the invasion occurred. <ref name=SFp25>''Shattered Fortress'', pp. 25–26: "Send in the Hounds"</ref><ref name=TRp36>''Tamar Rising'', p. 36: "Gerechtland: First Blood for the Hounds"</ref> Due to their Abjured status, Malvina declared the Wolves unworthy of zellbrigen and focused fire indiscriminately, and honor the Wolves bestowed on the Falcons in return. The full extent of Malvina's ferocity was reserved for Kell Hounds, both military and civilian, which she sought to personally exterminate in her green and black Shrike.<ref name=SFp25/><ref name=RG13p13>''Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 13'', p. 13: "Hunchback IIC"</ref>
  
 
Landings would take place on all three continents and were violently opposed, with many Falcon Trinaries forced to use combat drops in order to protect their transports.<ref name=SFp25/>  [[Star Captain]] [[Andrei]] of [[Sixth Falcon Striker]] had such a hot landing zone that they were forced to paradrop their [[Nacon]]s. While most of his Binary reached the group, the ''[[Union-C]]'' [[DropShip]] transporting them was destroyed moments later.<ref name=TRO3150p32>''Technical Readout: 3150'', p. 32: "Nacon Armored Scout"</ref> One of the defenders, [[Jason Jackowski]] was piloting a ''[[Glass Spider|Glass Spider 2]]'' which engaged Falcon fighters until the barrels of his lasers glowed though he accounted for multiple Points of aerospace fighters.<ref name=RG13p10>''Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 13'', p. 10: "Glass Spider (Galahad)"</ref>
 
Landings would take place on all three continents and were violently opposed, with many Falcon Trinaries forced to use combat drops in order to protect their transports.<ref name=SFp25/>  [[Star Captain]] [[Andrei]] of [[Sixth Falcon Striker]] had such a hot landing zone that they were forced to paradrop their [[Nacon]]s. While most of his Binary reached the group, the ''[[Union-C]]'' [[DropShip]] transporting them was destroyed moments later.<ref name=TRO3150p32>''Technical Readout: 3150'', p. 32: "Nacon Armored Scout"</ref> One of the defenders, [[Jason Jackowski]] was piloting a ''[[Glass Spider|Glass Spider 2]]'' which engaged Falcon fighters until the barrels of his lasers glowed though he accounted for multiple Points of aerospace fighters.<ref name=RG13p10>''Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 13'', p. 10: "Glass Spider (Galahad)"</ref>
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During the second week, the [[Fifty-third Falcon Talon]] felt the defenses of Old Connaught had been softened enough and began their assault on the city.<ref name=SFp25/> Star Captain Andrei's Nacons were among the Warriors chosen to make the initial thrust into the city. The tactical doctrine had Nacon Stars rush into the fray to identify targets, hit hard and scatter.  Defenders would lose unit cohesion just as the sledgehammer of BattleMechs hit them.<ref name=TRO3150p32/> During the fighting, Jackowski linked up with [[Lieutenant]] [[Jen Youngblood]] and her BZK-D3 ''[[Hollander III]]''. Together they managed a fighting withdrawal.<ref name=RG13p10/><ref name=TRO3150p128>''Technical Readout: 3150'', p. 128: "BZK-D1 Hollander III"</ref> [[Captain]] [[Christopher Lange]] had his family ''[[Uziel]]'' shot out from under him, later claiming the ''[[Firefly]]'' of a fallen friend. <ref name=RG29p12>''Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 29'', p. 12: "Firefly"</ref> Lieutenant [[Mat Arkemisis]] commanded an assault lance from the cockpit of his ''[[Nova Cat (OmniMech)|Nova Cat]]'' and waded into a Binary of light Falcon ’Mechs.  He was last seen surrounded by the wreckage of several Falcons.<ref name=RG23p12>''Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 23'', p. 12: "Nova Cat"</ref>
 
During the second week, the [[Fifty-third Falcon Talon]] felt the defenses of Old Connaught had been softened enough and began their assault on the city.<ref name=SFp25/> Star Captain Andrei's Nacons were among the Warriors chosen to make the initial thrust into the city. The tactical doctrine had Nacon Stars rush into the fray to identify targets, hit hard and scatter.  Defenders would lose unit cohesion just as the sledgehammer of BattleMechs hit them.<ref name=TRO3150p32/> During the fighting, Jackowski linked up with [[Lieutenant]] [[Jen Youngblood]] and her BZK-D3 ''[[Hollander III]]''. Together they managed a fighting withdrawal.<ref name=RG13p10/><ref name=TRO3150p128>''Technical Readout: 3150'', p. 128: "BZK-D1 Hollander III"</ref> [[Captain]] [[Christopher Lange]] had his family ''[[Uziel]]'' shot out from under him, later claiming the ''[[Firefly]]'' of a fallen friend. <ref name=RG29p12>''Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 29'', p. 12: "Firefly"</ref> Lieutenant [[Mat Arkemisis]] commanded an assault lance from the cockpit of his ''[[Nova Cat (OmniMech)|Nova Cat]]'' and waded into a Binary of light Falcon ’Mechs.  He was last seen surrounded by the wreckage of several Falcons.<ref name=RG23p12>''Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 23'', p. 12: "Nova Cat"</ref>
  
−
The fall of Old Connaught was punctuated by two vital events that could have had lasting repercussions had they transpired differently. The first occurred when [[Sergeant]] [[Brinella MacKenna |Brinella MacKenna's]] ''[[Hunchback IIC|Hunchback IIC 5]]'' and her lance encountered a star of light ’Mechs which they proceeded to tear through.  The balance suddenly shifted when a black and green ''Shrike'' jumped into the fray and destroyed two lancemates within seconds. Outmassed MacKenna desperately grappled the ''Shrike'' and forced it to the ground, firing her two [[LB-20X]]s into the ''Shrike'' until her magazines ran dry and she was forced to eject leaving an enraged Khan Hazen pinned under her ''Hunchback''.<ref name=RG13p13>''Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 13'', p. 13: "Hunchback IIC"</ref> The second occurred on or shortly before 19 September; the Falcons were hunting [[Duke]] [[Martin Kell]].  Several stars were sent after him, including Headhunter [[Elemental (Battle Armor)|Elementals]]. [[Kommandant]] [[Jayson Vettel]] and his [[battle armor]] detachment encountered the Headhunters as they were trying to reach the ducal palace.  Vettel watched his entire team die around him as they bought time for Duke Kell's escape.  When it became clear he would die as well Vettel overloaded the [[ER Medium Pulse Laser]] on his Cuchulainn battle armor, taking three Elementals with him in the blast.<ref name=TRO3150p16>''Technical Readout: 3150'', p. 16: "Cuchulainn Support Armor"</ref>  A star of Falcon ''[[Nova]]s'' intercepted a screening force of the [[First Wolf Legion]] that was intended to escort the Duke to safety, seriously depleting the forces traveling with the Duke.<ref name=RG14p12>''Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 14'', p. 12: "Nova (Black Hawk)"</ref> The Duke was being driven in a [[Knox (Combat Vehicle)|Knox Armor Car]] and escorted by Star Captain [[Tuco]] in a ''[[Timber Wolf]]'' and at least one star of BattleMechs which included MechWarrior [[Chiana Wolf]] in her ''[[Linebacker]]''.  While enroute through the Van Der Waals district towards the Fred T. Berry Naval Base to effect an blue-water exfiltration the star encountered a contact ahead of them.  Chiana leapt forward and engaged the contact, a ''Shrike'', either destroying or crippling the OmniMech.  When she returned to the convoy she saw Tuco's ''Timber Wolf'' covered in inferno gel and engaging a ''[[Flamberge|Flamberge A]]''.  A stray [[ER PPC]] from the ''Flamberge'' struck the Knox and sent it careening into a building.  The next salvo from the Falcon ’Mech core the ''Timber Wolf'' and Chiana was ordered by Star Captain [[Ansella Ward]] to withdraw.  The Knox was later recovered and Duke Kell was confirmed to have been killed by PPC burns and blunt force trauma. <ref name=SFp27B>''Shattered Fortress'', p. 25-26: "A Hero Falls"</ref>
+
The fall of Old Connaught was punctuated by two vital events that could have had lasting repercussions had they transpired differently. The first occurred when [[Sergeant]] [[Brinella MacKenna |Brinella MacKenna's]] ''[[Hunchback IIC|Hunchback IIC 5]]'' and her lance encountered a star of light ’Mechs which they proceeded to tear through.  The balance suddenly shifted when a black and green ''Shrike'' jumped into the fray and destroyed two lancemates within seconds. Outmassed MacKenna desperately grappled the ''Shrike'' and forced it to the ground, firing her two [[LB-20X]]s into the ''Shrike'' until her magazines ran dry and she was forced to eject leaving an enraged Khan Hazen pinned under her ''Hunchback''.<ref name=RG13p13>''Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 13'', p. 13: "Hunchback IIC"</ref> The second occurred on or shortly before 19 September; the Falcons were hunting [[Duke]] [[Martin Kell]].  Several stars were sent after him, including Headhunter [[Elemental (Battle Armor)|Elementals]]. [[Kommandant]] [[Jayson Vettel]] and his [[battle armor]] detachment encountered the Headhunters as they were trying to reach the ducal palace.  Vettel watched his entire team die around him as they bought time for Duke Kell's escape.  When it became clear he would die as well Vettel overloaded the [[ER Medium Pulse Laser]] on his Cuchulainn battle armor, taking three Elementals with him in the blast.<ref name=TRO3150p16>''Technical Readout: 3150'', p. 16: "Cuchulainn Support Armor"</ref>  A star of Falcon ''[[Nova]]s'' intercepted a screening force of the [[First Wolf Legion]] that was intended to escort the Duke to safety, seriously depleting the forces traveling with the Duke.<ref name=RG14p12>''Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 14'', p. 12: "Nova (Black Hawk)"</ref> The Duke was being driven in a [[Knox (Combat Vehicle)|Knox Armor Car]] and escorted by Star Captain [[Tuco]] in a ''[[Timber Wolf]]'' and at least one star of BattleMechs which included MechWarrior [[Chiana Wolf]] in her ''[[Linebacker]]''.  While enroute through the Van Der Waals district towards the Fred T. Berry Naval Base to effect an blue-water exfiltration the star encountered a contact ahead of them.  Chiana leapt forward and engaged the contact, a ''Shrike'', either destroying or crippling the OmniMech.  When she returned to the convoy she saw Tuco's ''Timber Wolf'' covered in inferno gel and engaging a ''[[Flamberge|Flamberge A]]''.  A stray [[ER PPC]] from the ''Flamberge'' struck the Knox and sent it careening into a building.  The next salvo from the Falcon ’Mech core the ''Timber Wolf'' and Chiana was ordered by Star Captain [[Ansella Ward]] to withdraw.  The Knox was later recovered and Duke Kell was confirmed to have been killed by PPC burns and blunt force trauma.<ref name=SFp27B>''Shattered Fortress'', pp. 25–26: "A Hero Falls"</ref>
  
−
With Old Connaught in Falcon hands, Malvina closed the noose tighter around Wolf City.  Many of the Kell Hounds had managed to escape off planet already, but a sizable portion had withdrawn into Wolf City for a final stand.  On 24 September, Malvina sent a Star of Elementals to infiltrate the city with one objective; the genetic repository and any ''sibkos'' and ''creches''. During the carnage Trainer [[Dara]] and [[Lowella]], a trueborn MechWarrior still in the creche years, encountered a Falcon Elemental. Dara was able to impair the Elemental through a combination of fire and sledgehammer assaults, though it was ultimately it was an [[Anat|Anat Armored Personnel Carrier]] ramming the Elemental that allowed them to escape. Many others were not so lucky, with over five ''sibkos'' worth of embryos and cadets cut down in the rampage.  [[Vicka]], a ''sibko'' member of the Raddick Bloodhouse managed to escape the slaughter of her ''sibkin''.<ref name=SFp25/><ref name=PoB>''Protector of the Blood''</ref><ref name=RG2p8>''Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 2'', p. 8: "Sojourner"</ref>
+
With Old Connaught in Falcon hands, Malvina closed the noose tighter around Wolf City.  Many of the Kell Hounds had managed to escape off planet already, but a sizable portion had withdrawn into Wolf City for a final stand.  On 24 September, Malvina sent a Star of Elementals to infiltrate the city with one objective; the genetic repository and any ''sibkos'' and ''creches''. During the carnage Trainer [[Dara (Elemental)|Dara]] and [[Lowella]], a trueborn MechWarrior still in the creche years, encountered a Falcon Elemental. Dara was able to impair the Elemental through a combination of fire and sledgehammer assaults, though it was ultimately it was an [[Anat|Anat Armored Personnel Carrier]] ramming the Elemental that allowed them to escape. Many others were not so lucky, with over five ''sibkos'' worth of embryos and cadets cut down in the rampage.  [[Vicka]], a ''sibko'' member of the Raddick Bloodhouse managed to escape the slaughter of her ''sibkin''.<ref name=SFp25/><ref name=PoB>''Protector of the Blood''</ref><ref name=RG2p8>''Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 2'', p. 8: "Sojourner"</ref>
  
 
So outraged by this ''dezgra'' behavior, on 27 September Khan [[Patrik Fetladral]] challenged Malvina to a duel during a lull in the combat.  In response, Malvina ordered her command star of [[Raptor Keshik]] to focus fire on the Elemental, killing him. <ref name=SFp25/>  The Wolf forces were barely able to be restrained by [[saKhan]] [[Miriam Shaw]] from going on a rampage and instead pulled back further into Wolf City.  Fully aware Malvina would never grant ''[[hegira]]'' the saKhan ordered the First Wolf Legion to serve as rearguard as the Exiles gathered every vital resource they could into fleeing DropShips.  
 
So outraged by this ''dezgra'' behavior, on 27 September Khan [[Patrik Fetladral]] challenged Malvina to a duel during a lull in the combat.  In response, Malvina ordered her command star of [[Raptor Keshik]] to focus fire on the Elemental, killing him. <ref name=SFp25/>  The Wolf forces were barely able to be restrained by [[saKhan]] [[Miriam Shaw]] from going on a rampage and instead pulled back further into Wolf City.  Fully aware Malvina would never grant ''[[hegira]]'' the saKhan ordered the First Wolf Legion to serve as rearguard as the Exiles gathered every vital resource they could into fleeing DropShips.  
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==Aftermath==
 
==Aftermath==
−
After the fall of Arc-Royal, the surviving groups went their separate ways.  Clan Wolf-in-Exile went to [[Donegal]] while many of the Kell Hounds linked up with [[Callandre Kell]] and disappeared into the Periphery.<ref name=SFp25/> MechWarrior Vicka demanded a Trial of Positiono despite being a year too young.  When her trainer refused she nearly killed him in a Trial of Refusal and then went on to defeat all three opponents in her Trial of Position to become youngest Star Captain on record.<ref name=RG2p8/> [[Cornelius]] was a former Warrior turned Technician who requested new Trial of Position to help fill the depleted Wolf roster.  Despite achieving two kills, he only claimed the Warrior rank as he had no desire to command.<ref name=RG2p8/> For her actions, Rhena was nominated for the Vickers Bloodname Vickers, and won both it and a promotion to Star Commander.<ref name=RG4p10/> Dara and Lowella escaped on a Kell Hounds civilian DropShip, the ''[[Dog Leg (Individual DropShip)|Dog Leg]]''.<ref name=PoB/> MechWarrior James joined First Wolf Strike Grenadiers and fought a Trial of Position to become Star Commander.<ref name=RG26p10/> Khan [[Alaric Ward]] of [[Clan Wolf]] offered the Exiles amnesty if they rejoined the fold, but this was an offer few would accept then. <ref name=SFp27A>''Shattered Fortress'', p. 27: "An Offer of Amnesty"</ref>
+
After the fall of Arc-Royal, the surviving groups went their separate ways.  Clan Wolf-in-Exile went to [[Donegal]] while many of the Kell Hounds linked up with [[Callandre Kell]] and disappeared into the Periphery.<ref name=SFp25/> MechWarrior Vicka demanded a Trial of Positiono despite being a year too young.  When her trainer refused she nearly killed him in a Trial of Refusal and then went on to defeat all three opponents in her Trial of Position to become youngest Star Captain on record.<ref name=RG2p8/> [[Cornelius]] was a former Warrior turned Technician who requested new Trial of Position to help fill the depleted Wolf roster.  Despite achieving two kills, he only claimed the Warrior rank as he had no desire to command.<ref name=RG2p8/> For her actions, Rhena was nominated for the Vickers Bloodname Vickers, and won both it and a promotion to Star Commander.<ref name=RG4p10/> Dara and Lowella escaped on a Kell Hounds civilian DropShip, the ''[[Dog Leg]]''.<ref name=PoB/> MechWarrior James joined First Wolf Strike Grenadiers and fought a Trial of Position to become Star Commander.<ref name=RG26p10/> Khan [[Alaric Ward]] of [[Clan Wolf]] offered the Exiles amnesty if they rejoined the fold, but this was an offer few would accept then. <ref name=SFp27A>''Shattered Fortress'', p. 27: "An Offer of Amnesty"</ref>
  
 
Now piloting his friend's ''Firefly'', Captain Lange joined the Kell Hounds in the Periphery.<ref name=RG29p12/> Jackowski and Youngblood however elected to leave the Hounds in favor of the [[Crescent Hawks]]<ref name=RG13p10/>. Six months after Arc-Royal fell, a pirate band named Grave Mold began operating.  Because they have unusual tactics, skills, and factory fresh [[DI Multipurpose VTOL]]s many believe they might be Kell Hound survivors.<ref name=TRO3150p38>''Technical Readout: 3150'', p. 38: "DI Multipurpose VTOL"</ref>
 
Now piloting his friend's ''Firefly'', Captain Lange joined the Kell Hounds in the Periphery.<ref name=RG29p12/> Jackowski and Youngblood however elected to leave the Hounds in favor of the [[Crescent Hawks]]<ref name=RG13p10/>. Six months after Arc-Royal fell, a pirate band named Grave Mold began operating.  Because they have unusual tactics, skills, and factory fresh [[DI Multipurpose VTOL]]s many believe they might be Kell Hound survivors.<ref name=TRO3150p38>''Technical Readout: 3150'', p. 38: "DI Multipurpose VTOL"</ref>
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==Bibliography==
 
==Bibliography==
−
* ''[[BattleTech: Legends]]'' (sourcebook)
+
{{div col|colwidth=25em}}
 +
* ''[[BattleTech: Legends]]''
 
* ''[[Elements of Treason: Honor]]'' (novela)
 
* ''[[Elements of Treason: Honor]]'' (novela)
−
* ''[[Handbook: House Steiner]]'' (sourcebook)
+
* ''[[Handbook: House Steiner]]''
−
* ''[[Objectives: The Clans]]'' (sourcebook)
+
* ''[[Objectives: The Clans]]''
 
* ''[[Protector of the Blood]]'' (short story)
 
* ''[[Protector of the Blood]]'' (short story)
 
* ''[[Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 2]]''
 
* ''[[Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 2]]''
Line 72: Line 73:
 
* ''[[Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 26]]''
 
* ''[[Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 26]]''
 
* ''[[Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 29]]''
 
* ''[[Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 29]]''
−
* ''[[Shattered Fortress]]'' (sourcebook)
+
* ''[[Shattered Fortress]]''
−
* ''[[Tamar Rising]]'' (sourcebook)
+
* ''[[Tamar Rising]]''
 
* ''[[Technical Readout: 3150]]''
 
* ''[[Technical Readout: 3150]]''
 +
{{div col end}}
  
 
[[Category:Late Dark Age Era Military Operations|Arc-Royal (3146)]]
 
[[Category:Late Dark Age Era Military Operations|Arc-Royal (3146)]]

Revision as of 23:46, 28 February 2024

Battle of Arc-Royal (3146)
Conflict details
Part of Dark Age
Attacking Forces
Affiliation Clan Jade Falcon
Commanding Officer(s) Khan Malvina Hazen
Command(s) Raptor Keshik
Fifty-third Falcon Talon
Sixth Falcon Striker
Two (or three) other Clusters
Defending Forces
Affiliation Clan Wolf-in-Exile
Kell Hounds
Arc-Royal Militia
Commanding Officer(s) Khan Patrik Fetladral
Grand Duke Martin Kell
Command(s) Golden Keshik
First Wolf Legion
First Wolf Strike Grenadiers
Kell Hounds
Other Forces

Overview

On 5 September 3146 five Clusters of Clan Jade Falcon landed on Arc-Royal with the objective of ending the Clan Wolf-in-Exile and Kell Hounds thorns in Khan Malvina Hazen's side once ad for all. Opposing them were the three Clusters of Exiles, Kell Hounds, and several mercenary commands from the local hiring halls. The Arc-Royal Militia, which routinely moved bases every few years, was in the process of relocating from their facility on Gutheim to one in a remote area of northern Grunwald when the invasion occurred. [1][2] Due to their Abjured status, Malvina declared the Wolves unworthy of zellbrigen and focused fire indiscriminately, and honor the Wolves bestowed on the Falcons in return. The full extent of Malvina's ferocity was reserved for Kell Hounds, both military and civilian, which she sought to personally exterminate in her green and black Shrike.[1][3]

Landings would take place on all three continents and were violently opposed, with many Falcon Trinaries forced to use combat drops in order to protect their transports.[1] Star Captain Andrei of Sixth Falcon Striker had such a hot landing zone that they were forced to paradrop their Nacons. While most of his Binary reached the group, the Union-C DropShip transporting them was destroyed moments later.[4] One of the defenders, Jason Jackowski was piloting a Glass Spider 2 which engaged Falcon fighters until the barrels of his lasers glowed though he accounted for multiple Points of aerospace fighters.[5]

As the end of the first week drew to a close, the defenders remained stubbornly dug in to both Old Connaught and Wolf City, two industrial centers separated by 100 km.[1][6] The rest of the planet however fell before the Falcon onslaught. In Crashtest, the site of the WC Site 3 factory a Binary of Ice Ferrets held off a Trinary of Falcons that sought to seize the factory and it's BattleMech output as isorla.[7] The Binary's holding action was able to delay the Falcons long enough for vital equipment to be evacuated, at which point the Binary turned their weapons on the facility. The Binary was ultimately destroyed, but so was the factory and any hopes of isorla. [8] In the desperate defense, dozens of Horned Owls piloted by underage cadets were put on the line and fell before the Falcons.[9] On the mountainous continent of Gerechtland Kell Hound Cougars were outclassed and torn apart by the more nimble Eyries. [10] Star Commander Maria Hazen commanded a full Star of Sekhmet Assault Vehicles that were upgraded to Streak LRMs in order to provide a stronger punch in the assault.[11] Both Morgan Kell's Archer and Phelan Kell's Wolfhound IIC had been turned into museum pieces in Old Connaught.[12][13] During an orbital strike, Morgan's Archer was vaporized[12]

During the second week, the Fifty-third Falcon Talon felt the defenses of Old Connaught had been softened enough and began their assault on the city.[1] Star Captain Andrei's Nacons were among the Warriors chosen to make the initial thrust into the city. The tactical doctrine had Nacon Stars rush into the fray to identify targets, hit hard and scatter. Defenders would lose unit cohesion just as the sledgehammer of BattleMechs hit them.[4] During the fighting, Jackowski linked up with Lieutenant Jen Youngblood and her BZK-D3 Hollander III. Together they managed a fighting withdrawal.[5][14] Captain Christopher Lange had his family Uziel shot out from under him, later claiming the Firefly of a fallen friend. [15] Lieutenant Mat Arkemisis commanded an assault lance from the cockpit of his Nova Cat and waded into a Binary of light Falcon ’Mechs. He was last seen surrounded by the wreckage of several Falcons.[16]

The fall of Old Connaught was punctuated by two vital events that could have had lasting repercussions had they transpired differently. The first occurred when Sergeant Brinella MacKenna's Hunchback IIC 5 and her lance encountered a star of light ’Mechs which they proceeded to tear through. The balance suddenly shifted when a black and green Shrike jumped into the fray and destroyed two lancemates within seconds. Outmassed MacKenna desperately grappled the Shrike and forced it to the ground, firing her two LB-20Xs into the Shrike until her magazines ran dry and she was forced to eject leaving an enraged Khan Hazen pinned under her Hunchback.[3] The second occurred on or shortly before 19 September; the Falcons were hunting Duke Martin Kell. Several stars were sent after him, including Headhunter Elementals. Kommandant Jayson Vettel and his battle armor detachment encountered the Headhunters as they were trying to reach the ducal palace. Vettel watched his entire team die around him as they bought time for Duke Kell's escape. When it became clear he would die as well Vettel overloaded the ER Medium Pulse Laser on his Cuchulainn battle armor, taking three Elementals with him in the blast.[17] A star of Falcon Novas intercepted a screening force of the First Wolf Legion that was intended to escort the Duke to safety, seriously depleting the forces traveling with the Duke.[18] The Duke was being driven in a Knox Armor Car and escorted by Star Captain Tuco in a Timber Wolf and at least one star of BattleMechs which included MechWarrior Chiana Wolf in her Linebacker. While enroute through the Van Der Waals district towards the Fred T. Berry Naval Base to effect an blue-water exfiltration the star encountered a contact ahead of them. Chiana leapt forward and engaged the contact, a Shrike, either destroying or crippling the OmniMech. When she returned to the convoy she saw Tuco's Timber Wolf covered in inferno gel and engaging a Flamberge A. A stray ER PPC from the Flamberge struck the Knox and sent it careening into a building. The next salvo from the Falcon ’Mech core the Timber Wolf and Chiana was ordered by Star Captain Ansella Ward to withdraw. The Knox was later recovered and Duke Kell was confirmed to have been killed by PPC burns and blunt force trauma.[19]

With Old Connaught in Falcon hands, Malvina closed the noose tighter around Wolf City. Many of the Kell Hounds had managed to escape off planet already, but a sizable portion had withdrawn into Wolf City for a final stand. On 24 September, Malvina sent a Star of Elementals to infiltrate the city with one objective; the genetic repository and any sibkos and creches. During the carnage Trainer Dara and Lowella, a trueborn MechWarrior still in the creche years, encountered a Falcon Elemental. Dara was able to impair the Elemental through a combination of fire and sledgehammer assaults, though it was ultimately it was an Anat Armored Personnel Carrier ramming the Elemental that allowed them to escape. Many others were not so lucky, with over five sibkos worth of embryos and cadets cut down in the rampage. Vicka, a sibko member of the Raddick Bloodhouse managed to escape the slaughter of her sibkin.[1][20][21]

So outraged by this dezgra behavior, on 27 September Khan Patrik Fetladral challenged Malvina to a duel during a lull in the combat. In response, Malvina ordered her command star of Raptor Keshik to focus fire on the Elemental, killing him. [1] The Wolf forces were barely able to be restrained by saKhan Miriam Shaw from going on a rampage and instead pulled back further into Wolf City. Fully aware Malvina would never grant hegira the saKhan ordered the First Wolf Legion to serve as rearguard as the Exiles gathered every vital resource they could into fleeing DropShips.

MechWarrior Rhena fought bravely before boarding her transport, as did MechWarrior James who had the distinction of fighting his way through Falcon lines in his Naga II to make it to the spaceport. [22][23] Kell Hound Captain George Frank in his MAD-6C Marauder II stood alongside the Legion to buy more evacuation time.[24] The battle around the spaceport raged for several hours and ground the First Wolf Legion, Fifty-third Falcon Talon, and the Sixth Falcon Strikers down. That was when Malvina poured the fresher Raptor Keshik into the fray and smashed through the Wolf lines only to discover the rest of the Clan had already escaped. Only three Legion members survived to be made bondsmen.[1][25]

Aftermath

After the fall of Arc-Royal, the surviving groups went their separate ways. Clan Wolf-in-Exile went to Donegal while many of the Kell Hounds linked up with Callandre Kell and disappeared into the Periphery.[1] MechWarrior Vicka demanded a Trial of Positiono despite being a year too young. When her trainer refused she nearly killed him in a Trial of Refusal and then went on to defeat all three opponents in her Trial of Position to become youngest Star Captain on record.[21] Cornelius was a former Warrior turned Technician who requested new Trial of Position to help fill the depleted Wolf roster. Despite achieving two kills, he only claimed the Warrior rank as he had no desire to command.[21] For her actions, Rhena was nominated for the Vickers Bloodname Vickers, and won both it and a promotion to Star Commander.[22] Dara and Lowella escaped on a Kell Hounds civilian DropShip, the Dog Leg.[20] MechWarrior James joined First Wolf Strike Grenadiers and fought a Trial of Position to become Star Commander.[23] Khan Alaric Ward of Clan Wolf offered the Exiles amnesty if they rejoined the fold, but this was an offer few would accept then. [26]

Now piloting his friend's Firefly, Captain Lange joined the Kell Hounds in the Periphery.[15] Jackowski and Youngblood however elected to leave the Hounds in favor of the Crescent Hawks[5]. Six months after Arc-Royal fell, a pirate band named Grave Mold began operating. Because they have unusual tactics, skills, and factory fresh DI Multipurpose VTOLs many believe they might be Kell Hound survivors.[27]

Arc-Royal was far from pacified, with some Arc-Royal Militia ’Mechs still harassing the Falcons. One particularly troublesome Archer nicknamed "Morgan's Ghost" frustrated them until MechWarrior Strike set an ambush with his Battle Cobra and sprang a trap. The Archer was destroyed though no pilot was recovered. [28] The Arc-Royal Militia base in Grunwald remained undetected until the world was liberated five years later by the reformed Kell Hounds in[28][2]

The fate of Khan Phelan Kell's 'Mech "Grinner" is unknown.[13]

The slaughtering of sibkos by the Falcons had other consequences: Clan Hell's Horses Khan Gottfried Amirault, fearing Hazen attempted to target his Clan's sibkos, ordered the widely spreading of their training camps, to prevent major losses of sibis in a single strike.[29]

Notes

  • The only reference to orbital bombardment appears in BattleTech: Legends and is not mentioned in the battle's write up in Shattered Fortress.
  • Shattered Fortress states five Clusters assaulted Arc-Royal but only identifies two. It is also unclear if Raptor Keshik is included in those five as it is not a Cluster.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 Shattered Fortress, pp. 25–26: "Send in the Hounds"
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Tamar Rising, p. 36: "Gerechtland: First Blood for the Hounds"
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 13, p. 13: "Hunchback IIC"
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Technical Readout: 3150, p. 32: "Nacon Armored Scout"
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 13, p. 10: "Glass Spider (Galahad)"
  6. ↑ Handbook: House Steiner, p. 84: "Arc-Royal"
  7. ↑ Objectives: The Clans, p. 31: "WC Site 3"
  8. ↑ Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 4, p. 12: "Ice Ferret (Fenris)"
  9. ↑ Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 11, p. 6: "Horned Owl (Peregrine)"
  10. ↑ Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 19, p. 12: "Cougar"
  11. ↑ Technical Readout: 3150, p. 82: "Sekhmet Assault Vehicle"
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 BattleTech: Legends, p. 45: "Morgan Kell"
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 BattleTech: Legends, p. 75: "Phelan Kell"
  14. ↑ Technical Readout: 3150, p. 128: "BZK-D1 Hollander III"
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 29, p. 12: "Firefly"
  16. ↑ Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 23, p. 12: "Nova Cat"
  17. ↑ Technical Readout: 3150, p. 16: "Cuchulainn Support Armor"
  18. ↑ Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 14, p. 12: "Nova (Black Hawk)"
  19. ↑ Shattered Fortress, pp. 25–26: "A Hero Falls"
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 Protector of the Blood
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 2, p. 8: "Sojourner"
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 4, p. 10: "Warhammer IIC"
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 26, p. 10: "Naga II"
  24. ↑ Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 5, p. 10: "Marauder II"
  25. ↑ Shattered Fortress, p. 108: "Touchpoint: Arc-Royal"
  26. ↑ Shattered Fortress, p. 27: "An Offer of Amnesty"
  27. ↑ Technical Readout: 3150, p. 38: "DI Multipurpose VTOL"
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 22, p. 12: "Battle Cobra"
  29. ↑ Elements of Treason: Honor, ch. 15: "Phelan Kell"

Bibliography

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