Katarina Steele

Katarina Steele
Character Profile
Born 2832[1]
Affiliation Clan Coyote
Rank saKhan
Profession MechWarrior

Katarina Steele was a saKhan of Clan Coyote during the Golden Century. She would command the Coyote's 100th Assault Cluster during the downfall of Kindraa Smythe-Jewel on Foster.[2]


History[edit]

Katarina Steele was a Trueborn MechWarrior of Clan Coyote. She served in Alpha Galaxy in her youth. Her combat abilities and talent for diplomacy brought her to the attention of the aging Khan Gerek Tchernovkov. Khan Tchernovkov was one of the last Freeborns still in a leadership role in the Clan. To appease the younger Trueborn elitists, Khan Tchernovkov backed Steele to become saKhan. She fought numerous Trials of Possession to defend her Clan's gains during the Golden Century.[1]

SaKhan Steele's string of victories ended when she lost a Trial of Possession for OmniMech technology against Kindraa Smythe-Jewel's 84th Smythe Assault Cluster in 2864.[1][3] The Smythe-Jewels had altered the configuration of their 'Mech forces, employing double-strength Stars in their Trinaries, making their bid of two Trinaries seem smaller than it actually was.[4][3][5] Further the Smythe-Jewel commander, then-Star Captain William Smythe deliberately misrepresented the weight classes of his 'Mechs and the skill level of his warriors.[4][1] After saKhan Steele's defeat, the Coyotes protested the Smythe-Jewel bidding practices to the ilKhan, but he deemed the Trial to have been a fair one.[5] Steele's defeat at the hands of Kindraa Smythe-Jewel tarnished her reputation, and Manfred Hollifield was elected Khan over her as a result.[1]

End of the Smythe-Jewels[edit]

After the Coyotes and Hell's Horses agreed to attack Kindraa Smythe-Jewel together in revenge for losses against the dishonorable Kindraa earlier in the Golden Century, Khan Manfred Hollifield would assign saKhan Steel to lead the Coyote's 100th Assault Cluster, along with smaller support units, to the task force assembled by Hell's Horses Khan, Eric Amirault. SaKhan Steele gladly accepted this assignment to obtain vengeance against the Fire Mandrills who had humiliated her. This would mark the first use of what would come to be called "contract bidding" among the Clans. She would go on to lead her Cluster against the main body of Smythe-Jewel forces, while the Horse 'Mechs and Armor pounded the Kindraa's flanks. Khan Amirault would later offer heartfelt thanks to Khan Hollifield and saKhan Steele for the roles they played in the victory over the treacherous Kindraa.[2][5][6][1]

Legacy[edit]

One of the earliest Steele Bloodnamed warriors, Katarina Steele's genetic legacy would help to breed warriors for all branches of the Clan Coyote touman, and one day would help to spawn some of Coyote's most dynamic leaders.[7]

BattleMechs[edit]

During the 2872 assault against Kindraa Smythe-Jewel, saKhan Steele piloted a Spirit Walker OmniMech.[1][8]

References[edit]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Turning Points: Foster, p. 8: Commanders
  2. 2.0 2.1 Field Manual: Crusader Clans, pp. 54-56, "Hell's Fury"
  3. 3.0 3.1 Turning Points: Foster, p. 10: Kindraa Smythe-Jewel Force Composition
  4. 4.0 4.1 Turning Points: Foster, p. 7: The Dark Forest of Gems
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 Field Manual: Warden Clans, pp. 41-42, "Righteous Vengeance"
  6. Era Digest: Golden Century, p. 9, "Bad Blood"
  7. Field Manual: Warden Clans, p. 39, "Clan Coyote, Exclusive Bloodnames"
  8. Turning Points: Foster, p. 19: BattleMechs

Bibliography[edit]