Elson Novacat

Elson Novacat was a Freeborn Elemental of Clan Nova Cat taken as a bondsman by Wolf's Dragoons during the Battle of Luthien in 3052.

Early Dragoon Career

Within months of being taken bondsman by the Wolf's Dragoons, Elson was able to test into the position of officer in the Dragoon's Elemental Program. He was offered the Honorname 'Wolfson' but declined it flatly, and was allowed to keep his 'Novacat' surname. Despite his Freeborn origins, something that was highly unusual for an Elemental, Elson's politics were that of a staunch Crusader and follower of the Clan way of doing things. Among other accomplishments during this period, his unit's performance was key in the battle of Morges in 3053 against Clan Jade Falcon.

Not satisfied with the Dragoon's organization and commanders, as well as frustrations at his feelings of being held back, Elson decided to reforge the Dragoons into his own vision. Soon enough he found a tool with which to accomplish his scheme: an impressionable and equally dissatisfied Alpin Wolf, the son of Mackenzie Wolf and grandson of Jaime Wolf, the Dragoons legendary commander. Through promises of greater glory, subtle manipulation, and political jockeying, Elson soon developed a cult-like following throughout the ranks of younger Dragoons, using his point of view as a newcomer to take advantage of tensions within a unit with a diverse makeup. After the death of Mackenzie Wolf on a Periphery run to a cache of battlemechs and jumpships in mothball orbit around a small, distant star called Bristol, Elson successfully used Clan challenges to remove Jaime Wolf from command.

Dragoon Civil War

The result was the Dragoon Civil War, where Alpin and Elson's supporters were opposed by elements of the Dragoons still loyal to Jaime Wolf. After several weeks of fighting, Alpin was killed in a duel with Maeve Wolf when he was provoked into single combat. Elson himself was defeated when he took a PPC hit to his battle armor from a Clint. Shortly thereafter, the conflict ended with Jaime Wolf returning to command.

Aftermath

As a result of the conflict, Jaime Wolf imposed new rules declaring that none of his descendants would inherit command. Elson himself survived his injuries, and after accepting Jaime as his worthy commander, became the commander of a special Dragoons Elemental unit (nicknamed "Toads from Hell", much to Elson's chagrin).

Jihad and Death

Elson's Elemental Strike Cluster was one of the few Dragoons units to remain on Outreach relatively intact in the early years of the Jihad. They were successful against the Word of Blake occupiers, rescuing Major Tara Lucas, formerly of Zeta Battalion, and Elson was successful in "de-programming" her of Blakist influence. Elson himself was eventually killed in a skirmish in 3070.

Notes

• It was taken as a given by many of Elson's subordinates that he would dispose of Alpin once Jaime Wolf's rebellion was crushed. He himself did not deny the suggestion. Indeed, much later, the event would be remembered by the Dragoons as "Elson's Challenge".

Bibliography

• Wolf Pack
• Mercenary's Handbook 3055
• Starterbook: Wolf and Blake