Sarna News: Bad 'Mechs - Icestorm

Editing Nicholas Kerensky

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{{otheruses|the ilKhan|the ''Texas''-class WarShip|Nicholas Kerensky (Texas)}}
 
{{Update Needed|[[Fall from Glory]]|[[Visions of Rebirth]]|[[Land of Dreams]]|[[Field Manual: Warden Clans]]|[[Operational Turning Points: Widowmaker Absorption]]}}
 
{{Update Needed|[[Fall from Glory]]|[[Visions of Rebirth]]|[[Land of Dreams]]|[[Field Manual: Warden Clans]]|[[Operational Turning Points: Widowmaker Absorption]]}}
{{otheruses|the ilKhan|the battleship|Nicholas Kerensky (Individual Texas-class WarShip)}}
 
 
 
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| image              = Nicholas Kerensky BTL.jpg
 
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[[Operation SABLE SUN]] was launched to gather intelligence about the state of affairs in the Pentagon Worlds.<ref name=HOKp40>''Historical: Operation Klondike'', p. 40</ref>  Using this information, Clan space forces jumped in and secured the jump points and naval caches and neutralized the hostile spacegoing vessels and stations in each system.<ref name=HOKp41-46>''Historical: Operation Klondike'', pp. 41–46</ref>
 
[[Operation SABLE SUN]] was launched to gather intelligence about the state of affairs in the Pentagon Worlds.<ref name=HOKp40>''Historical: Operation Klondike'', p. 40</ref>  Using this information, Clan space forces jumped in and secured the jump points and naval caches and neutralized the hostile spacegoing vessels and stations in each system.<ref name=HOKp41-46>''Historical: Operation Klondike'', pp. 41–46</ref>
  
Each world was to be invaded simultaneously by four Clans on 2 July 2821.  Technical problems with a [[JumpShip]] delayed the [[Dagda (Clan System)|Dagda]] operation until 22 July, however.  Kerensky, now [[ilKhan]], sent orders via [[HPG]]<ref name=HOKp82>''Historical: Operation Klondike'', p. 82</ref> and also traveled to observe the different campaigns.  On [[Circe]] he oversaw a good-natured competition between [[Clan Mongoose]] and [[Clan Nova Cat]],<ref name=HOKp77>''Historical: Operation Klondike'', p. 77</ref> and he visited the siege of [[The Chosen]] by [[Clan Goliath Scorpion]] on Dagda.<ref name=HOKp82>''Historical: Operation Klondike'', p. 82</ref>  He took personal command of the invasion of [[Novy Moscva]] on [[Eden]], occupying his father's old command bunker.<ref name=HOKp95-96>''Historical: Operation Klondike'', pp. 95–96</ref>  After Eden was secured, he led [[Clan Jade Falcon]] and [[Clan Wolf]] to finish the assault on Dagda, taking to the field in his ''[[Atlas (BattleMech)|Atlas]]'' in the siege of the [[Black Brian]].<ref name=HOKp86>''Historical: Operation Klondike'', p. 86</ref>  On the day the Black Brian finally fell, he gathered the [[Grand Council of the Clans]] and declared Operation KLONDIKE concluded.<ref name=HOKp87>''Historical: Operation Klondike'', p. 87</ref>
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Each world was to be invaded simultaneously by four Clans on 2 July 2821.  Technical problems with a [[JumpShip]] delayed the [[Dagda]] operation until 22 July, however.  Kerensky, now [[ilKhan]], sent orders via [[HPG]]<ref name=HOKp82>''Historical: Operation Klondike'', p. 82</ref> and also traveled to observe the different campaigns.  On [[Circe]] he oversaw a good-natured competition between [[Clan Mongoose]] and [[Clan Nova Cat]],<ref name=HOKp77>''Historical: Operation Klondike'', p. 77</ref> and he visited the siege of [[The Chosen]] by [[Clan Goliath Scorpion]] on Dagda.<ref name=HOKp82>''Historical: Operation Klondike'', p. 82</ref>  He took personal command of the invasion of [[Novy Moscva]] on [[Eden]], occupying his father's old command bunker.<ref name=HOKp95-96>''Historical: Operation Klondike'', pp. 95–96</ref>  After Eden was secured, he led [[Clan Jade Falcon]] and [[Clan Wolf]] to finish the assault on Dagda, taking to the field in his ''[[Atlas]]'' in the siege of the [[Black Brian]].<ref name=HOKp86>''Historical: Operation Klondike'', p. 86</ref>  On the day the Black Brian finally fell, he gathered the [[Grand Council of the Clans]] and declared Operation KLONDIKE concluded.<ref name=HOKp87>''Historical: Operation Klondike'', p. 87</ref>
  
 
===The Culling===
 
===The Culling===
{{main|Clan Jade Falcon#The Culling}}
 
 
[[Clan Jade Falcon]] expected that the Kerensky [[Bloodnames]] would join with their Clan.  Instead, the Kerensky names passed to [[Clan Wolf]].  Dissatisfaction with this decision grew into debates about Kerensky's agenda, and some even proposed secession.  The Jade Falcon Khans executed the leaders of this movement and sent the others on punitive "exploration missions", quelling the discontent.  But another problem arose very soon after, with a different Clan.<ref name=HOKp99>''Historical: Operation Klondike'', p. 99</ref>
 
[[Clan Jade Falcon]] expected that the Kerensky [[Bloodnames]] would join with their Clan.  Instead, the Kerensky names passed to [[Clan Wolf]].  Dissatisfaction with this decision grew into debates about Kerensky's agenda, and some even proposed secession.  The Jade Falcon Khans executed the leaders of this movement and sent the others on punitive "exploration missions", quelling the discontent.  But another problem arose very soon after, with a different Clan.<ref name=HOKp99>''Historical: Operation Klondike'', p. 99</ref>
  
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This would not be the last time that Clans Wolverine and Jade Falcon clashed - a fact that Nicholas Kerensky used to his advantage in his eventual project to use Clan Wolverine as a target for his scheme to solidify his control over the Clans. When a hitherto-unknown [[Brian Cache]] was discovered on the border between Wolverine and Jade Falcon territory in mid-[[2823]], the Jade Falcons laid claim to the cache despite it technically lying within Wolverine territory.<ref>''Betrayal of Ideals'', p. 58</ref> After a perfunctory [[Trial of Possession]] ended in a decisive Wolverine victory, the matter was brought to the [[Grand Council]] - there it was discovered that the cache contained old, but functional, nuclear weapons of mass destruction. Kerensky ruled that the contents of the cache were too valuable to be owned by a single Clan and would be distributed equitably amongst all twenty.<ref>''Betrayal of Ideals'', p. 77</ref> When McEvedy protested the matter and called for a [[Trial of Refusal]], Clan Widowmaker won the bid to represent Kerensky's ruling - the Widowmakers defeated the Wolverines, slaying Wolverine [[saKhan]] [[Dwight Robertson]] in the process.<ref>''Betrayal of Ideals'', p. 87</ref>
 
This would not be the last time that Clans Wolverine and Jade Falcon clashed - a fact that Nicholas Kerensky used to his advantage in his eventual project to use Clan Wolverine as a target for his scheme to solidify his control over the Clans. When a hitherto-unknown [[Brian Cache]] was discovered on the border between Wolverine and Jade Falcon territory in mid-[[2823]], the Jade Falcons laid claim to the cache despite it technically lying within Wolverine territory.<ref>''Betrayal of Ideals'', p. 58</ref> After a perfunctory [[Trial of Possession]] ended in a decisive Wolverine victory, the matter was brought to the [[Grand Council]] - there it was discovered that the cache contained old, but functional, nuclear weapons of mass destruction. Kerensky ruled that the contents of the cache were too valuable to be owned by a single Clan and would be distributed equitably amongst all twenty.<ref>''Betrayal of Ideals'', p. 77</ref> When McEvedy protested the matter and called for a [[Trial of Refusal]], Clan Widowmaker won the bid to represent Kerensky's ruling - the Widowmakers defeated the Wolverines, slaying Wolverine [[saKhan]] [[Dwight Robertson]] in the process.<ref>''Betrayal of Ideals'', p. 87</ref>
  
Despite her defeat, McEvedy continued to resist the decision to redistribute the contents of the Brian Cache at the next meeting of the Grand Council, even bringing up the activities of Kerensky's Watch, but her accusations fell on deaf ears and she walked out of the meeting in protest, to Kerenky's anger.<ref>''Betrayal of Ideals'', p. 99</ref> At the meeting after that, McEvedy introduced her new saKhan, [[Franklin Hallis]], whose position Kerensky refused to recognize since he had not been elected through a formal combat Trial that the ilKhan had overseen - another breach of Clan customs that further sullied the Wolverines' reputation with the other Clans. McEvedy walked out of that meeting as well, suggesting that Clan Wolverine would no longer heed the rulings of Kerensky or the Grand Council,<ref>''Betrayal of Ideals'', pp. 113–115</ref> despite the warnings given to her by her friend [[Joyce Merrell]], saKhan of [[Clan Snow Raven]].
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Despite her defeat, McEvedy continued to resist the decision to redistribute the contents of the Brian Cache at the next meeting of the Grand Council, even bringing up the activities of Kerensky's Watch, but her accusations fell on deaf ears and she walked out of the meeting in protest, to Kerenky's anger.<ref>''Betrayal of Ideals'', p. 99</ref> At the meeting after that, McEvedy introduced her new saKhan, [[Franklin Hallis]], whose position Kerensky refused to recognize since he had not been elected through a formal combat Trial that the ilKhan had overseen - another breach of Clan customs that further sullied the Wolverines' reputation with the other Clans. McEvedy walked out of that meeting as well, suggesting that Clan Wolverine would no longer heed the rulings of Kerensky or the Grand Council,<ref>''Betrayal of Ideals'', pp. 113–115</ref> despite the warnings given to her by her friend [[Joyce Merrell]], the saKhan of [[Clan Snow Raven]].
  
 
Later, Kerensky spoke privately to McEvedy, admitting that he was aware that the other Clans were conspiring against the Wolverines and confessing that the real reason he was allowing the Wolverines to be made into the enemy of the Grand Council was in order to prevent the Clans' stagnation and to give them a common enemy to restore their sense of purpose, while simultaneously making an example of a Clan that presumed to ignore or change the ilKhan's laws as they saw fit.<ref>''Betrayal of Ideals'', p. 120</ref>
 
Later, Kerensky spoke privately to McEvedy, admitting that he was aware that the other Clans were conspiring against the Wolverines and confessing that the real reason he was allowing the Wolverines to be made into the enemy of the Grand Council was in order to prevent the Clans' stagnation and to give them a common enemy to restore their sense of purpose, while simultaneously making an example of a Clan that presumed to ignore or change the ilKhan's laws as they saw fit.<ref>''Betrayal of Ideals'', p. 120</ref>
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The remainder of Clan Wolverine fled, but the Grand Fleet of the Clans caught them at [[Barbados]] and they were defeated by Clan Wolf. Franklin Hallis, now Khan of the Wolverines, was cornered and summarily executed, but not before Kerensky allowed Hallis to personally kill Widowmaker Khan Karrige for his role in the Great Hope incident, which Kerensky had discovered the truth of from McEvedy.<ref>''Betrayal of Ideals'', pp. 209–210</ref>
 
The remainder of Clan Wolverine fled, but the Grand Fleet of the Clans caught them at [[Barbados]] and they were defeated by Clan Wolf. Franklin Hallis, now Khan of the Wolverines, was cornered and summarily executed, but not before Kerensky allowed Hallis to personally kill Widowmaker Khan Karrige for his role in the Great Hope incident, which Kerensky had discovered the truth of from McEvedy.<ref>''Betrayal of Ideals'', pp. 209–210</ref>
  
On the way back from Barbados, Kerensky orchestrated a grand revision of history, manipulating and in many cases outright fabricating evidence in order to give the impression that the Wolverines were a dangerous menace to Clan society, that McEvedy was planning to assassinate Kerensky, and that the Wolverines were responsible for the destruction of Dehra Dun (Great Hope was purged from historical record, as Kerensky did not want the place to become a symbolic rallying point for resistance to his leadership.) Even afterwards, Kerensky slowly began to introduce some of the social reforms that the Wolverines had originally implemented, since they were proven to increase stability and productivity.<ref>''Betrayal of Ideals'', p. 215</ref> He also, with her consent, promised to Joyce Merrell that he would alter the records to show that she died during the Pentagon Civil War, preventing her from being associated with the demise of her close friend's Clan - Merrell knew the truth of Dehra Dun, and while she was unwilling to go against the ilKhan's revision of history, she felt such extreme regret over the cover-up that she suffered repeated and intense nightmares of Dehra Dun's destruction.<ref>''Betrayal of Ideals'', pp. 225–226</ref>
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On the way back from Barbados, Kerensky orchestrated a grand revision of history, manipulating and in many cases outright fabricating evidence in order to give the impression that the Wolverines were a dangerous menace to Clan society, that McEvedy was planning to assassinate Kerensky, and that the Wolverines were responsible for the destruction of Dehra Dun (Great Hope was purged from historical record, as Kerensky did not want the place to become a symbolic rallying point for resistance to his leadership.) Even afterwards, Kerensky slowly began to introduce some of the social reforms that the Wolverines had originally implemented, since they were proven to increase stability and productivity.<ref>''Betrayal of Ideals'', p. 215</ref> He also, with her consent, promised to Joyce Merrell that he would alter the records to show that she died during the Pentagon Civil War, preventing her from being associated with the demise of her close friend's Clan - Merrell knew the truth of Dehra Dun, and while she was unwilling to go against the ilKhan's revision of history, she felt such extreme regret over the cover-up that she suffered repeated and intense nightmares of Dehra Dun's destruction.<ref>''Betrayal of Ideals'', p. 225–226</ref>
  
 
===Viper treachery===
 
===Viper treachery===
 
Shortly after the founding of [[Clan Steel Viper]], the first [[Khan of Clan Steel Viper|Khan]] of that Clan, [[Ellie Kinnison]], hatched a mad plot to assassinate ilKhan Kerensky's wife, Jennifer Winson.<ref name=HOKp113>''Historical: Operation Klondike'', p. 113</ref> Kinnison, known to be mentally unstable and fanatically obsessed with Kerensky, reasoned that once Jennifer was dead, a grieving Nicholas would have no choice but to turn to Kinnison for comfort and love.
 
Shortly after the founding of [[Clan Steel Viper]], the first [[Khan of Clan Steel Viper|Khan]] of that Clan, [[Ellie Kinnison]], hatched a mad plot to assassinate ilKhan Kerensky's wife, Jennifer Winson.<ref name=HOKp113>''Historical: Operation Klondike'', p. 113</ref> Kinnison, known to be mentally unstable and fanatically obsessed with Kerensky, reasoned that once Jennifer was dead, a grieving Nicholas would have no choice but to turn to Kinnison for comfort and love.
  
Kerensky and Winson decided to take a vacation on [[Arcadia (Clan System)|Arcadia]], but also intended to investigate accusations made against the Vipers, particularly Khan Kinnison's policies. When the ilKhan and his wife disembarked from their [[DropShip]], Viper [[saKhan of Clan Steel Viper|saKhan]] [[Steven Breen]], who had discovered his Khan's insane plan, opened fire on Kinnison, who had come to greet the ilKhan. During the resulting confusion, only Breen and Winson saw Kinnison draw her own sidearm and aim it at Winson. Breen's next shot killed Kinnison.
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Kerensky and Winson decided to take a vacation on [[Arcadia (Clan)|Arcadia]], but also intended to investigate accusations made against the Vipers, particularly Khan Kinnison's policies. When the ilKhan and his wife disembarked from their [[DropShip]], Viper [[saKhan of Clan Steel Viper|saKhan]] [[Steven Breen]], who had discovered his Khan's insane plan, opened fire on Kinnison, who had come to greet the ilKhan. During the resulting confusion, only Breen and Winson saw Kinnison draw her own sidearm and aim it at Winson. Breen's next shot killed Kinnison.
  
 
For his heroism, Steven Breen was elected as the second Khan of Clan Steel Viper. On ilKhan Kerensky's orders, Ellie Kinnison's name was stricken from all Clan records, and her genetic legacy was destroyed.<ref>''Invading Clans'', pp. 80–82</ref>
 
For his heroism, Steven Breen was elected as the second Khan of Clan Steel Viper. On ilKhan Kerensky's orders, Ellie Kinnison's name was stricken from all Clan records, and her genetic legacy was destroyed.<ref>''Invading Clans'', pp. 80–82</ref>
  
 
===Death===
 
===Death===
Nicholas was killed on 7 October 2834 during the [[Clan Widowmaker]] [[Trial of Absorption]] by Widowmaker Khan [[Cal Jorgensson]] in what was an apparent accident. Clan Widowmaker had called for a Trial of Refusal against their absorption by Clan Wolf, and during the fighting Cal Jorgensson wound up dueling Wolf Khan [[Jerome Winson]]. Winson was on the verge of winning when a Star of Widowmaker 'Mechs violated the [[Circle of Equals]]. As Nicholas Kerensky, piloting his ''[[Atlas II]]'', stepped in, his cockpit was incinerated by a stray shot from Jorgensson's ''[[Highlander]]''. When his body was extracted from the cockpit, he was already dead.<ref name=HOKp101>''Historical: Operation Klondike'', p. 101{{cn}}</ref><!--This substantiates the event but not the details.  Please cite more sources.-->
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Nicholas was killed on October 7, 2834, during the [[Clan Widowmaker]] [[Trial of Absorption]] by Widowmaker Khan [[Cal Jorgensson]] in what was an apparent accident. Clan Widowmaker had called for a Trial of Refusal against their absorption by Clan Wolf, and during the fighting Cal Jorgensson wound up dueling Wolf Khan [[Jerome Winson]]. Winson was on the verge of winning when a Star of Widowmaker 'Mechs violated the [[Circle of Equals]]. As Nicholas Kerensky, piloting his ''[[Atlas II]]'', stepped in, his cockpit was incinerated by a stray shot from Jorgensson's ''[[Highlander]]''. When his body was extracted from the cockpit, he was already dead.<ref name=HOKp101>''Historical: Operation Klondike'', p. 101{{cn}}</ref><!--This substantiates the event but not the details.  Please cite more sources.-->
  
 
==Legacy==
 
==Legacy==
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Two centuries later, in a museum in Strana Mechty dedicated to the Pentagon Wars was preserved a coolant vest of Nicholas Kerensky. As it was bloodstained, it may be assumed it was the one he was wearing when he was killed.<ref>''Forever Faithful'', p. 58</ref>
 
Two centuries later, in a museum in Strana Mechty dedicated to the Pentagon Wars was preserved a coolant vest of Nicholas Kerensky. As it was bloodstained, it may be assumed it was the one he was wearing when he was killed.<ref>''Forever Faithful'', p. 58</ref>
His diaries, relating to the Exodus and Clan's foundation, were held still by Clan Wolf in the thirty-first century.<ref>''The Clans: Warriors of Kerensky'', p. 6</ref>
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His diaries, relating to the Exodus and Clan's foundation, were held still by Clan Wolf in the 31th century.<ref>''The Clans: Warriors of Kerensky'', p. 6</ref>
  
 
==BattleMechs==
 
==BattleMechs==
Nicholas Kerensky was known to pilot an ''[[Atlas II]]'', which he named ''Unity'', and was piloting it during the Trial that resulted in his death. But in the battle of Barbados, during the Clan Wolverine Annihilation, he appears to have switched to a ''[[Highlander]]''.<ref>''Betrayal of Ideals'', p. 206</ref>
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Nicholas Kerensky was known to pilot an ''[[Atlas II]]'', which he named ''Unity'', and was piloting it during the Trial that resulted in his death. But in the battle of Barbados, during the Clan Wolverine annihilation, he appears to have switched to a ''[[Highlander]]''.<ref>''Betrayal of Ideals'', p. 206</ref>
  
 
The ''Atlas II'', after his death, was put in a place of honor, the annex to the Great Hall of the Khans, watched by the [[Ebon Keshik]], and remained there as a sacred relic, despite numerous [[Trial of Possession|Trials of Possession]] by [[Clan Goliath Scorpion]] [[Seeker]]s desperate to add it to their [[Temple of the Nine Muses]].<ref>''BattleTech: Legends'', p. 71</ref> The Goliath Scorpions were successful in obtaining a twenty centimeter piece of head armor that was partially melted by the laser blast, "Unity" apparently having the damage repaired before becoming a display piece.<ref>''Fragments of History'', p. 3</ref>
 
The ''Atlas II'', after his death, was put in a place of honor, the annex to the Great Hall of the Khans, watched by the [[Ebon Keshik]], and remained there as a sacred relic, despite numerous [[Trial of Possession|Trials of Possession]] by [[Clan Goliath Scorpion]] [[Seeker]]s desperate to add it to their [[Temple of the Nine Muses]].<ref>''BattleTech: Legends'', p. 71</ref> The Goliath Scorpions were successful in obtaining a twenty centimeter piece of head armor that was partially melted by the laser blast, "Unity" apparently having the damage repaired before becoming a display piece.<ref>''Fragments of History'', p. 3</ref>
  
 
==Quotes==
 
==Quotes==
{{quote|We will purge our old ideals and ethics; those belong to the corrupt stars of the Inner Sphere, and will not serve as we begin anew. Now, while our minds are open and yearning for new insight, we must remold them and fill them with the truth of our destiny. For we are destined not only to be different from those we left behind, but also better. My father knew this, and saved us from the holocaust of the Inner Sphere. I accept it as truth, and have returned to lead you, the survivors of this most bitter trial.
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{{quote|We will purge our old ideals and ethics; those belong to the corrupt stars of the Inner Sphere, and will not serve as we begin anew. Now, while our minds are open and yearning for new insight, we must remold them and fill them with the truth of our destiny. For we are destined not only to be different from those we left behind, but also better. My father knew this, and saved us from the holocaust of the Inner Sphere. I accept it as truth, and have returned to lead you, the survivors of this most bitter trial. |Nicholas Kerensky to his loyalists on Strana Mechty, 2802<ref>''Touring the Stars'', p. 11: "Trials and Glory" – Ways of the Wolf Clan</ref>}}
|Nicholas Kerensky to his loyalists on Strana Mechty, 2802<ref>''Touring the Stars'', p. 11: "Trials and Glory" – Ways of the Wolf Clan</ref>}}
 
  
{{quote|True warriors do not follow paths, they make them. It is not just their desire, it is their nature.
 
|Nicholas Kerensky{{cn}}}}
 
  
{{quote|Combat begins long before armed forces clash on the battlefield.
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{{quote|True warriors do not follow paths, they make them. It is not just their desire, it is their nature.{{cn}}}}
|Nicholas Kerensky<ref name=FMCC12>''Field Manual: Crusader Clans'', p. 12</ref>}}
 
  
{{quote|A warrior never stops learning, never stops pushing to be the best, and never takes anything for granted.
 
|Nicholas Kerensky<ref>''Elements of Treason: Honor'', ch. 2</ref>}}
 
  
{{quote|Our victories here have proved the rightness of the Way of the Clans; let it always be so among those of the True Faith. Let these few words always announce our coming and portend our victory.|Nicholas Kerensky, Speaking on ''Clan Liberation Day'', May 26, 2822}}
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{{quote|A magnificent beast, the smoke jaguar. It is ferocity unbound, tenacity without limit. Once it locks its powerful jaws around the throat of its prey, it never lets go. The greatest of warriors might be shamed by comparing himself to such fierce courage...
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My Clans might learn much from this beast. Like us, it came from Nature, but has been improved by human hands. And now the great cat born on [[Terra]] thrives on a world so many light-years away from the planet of its birth that the human mind shudders to contemplate it...as we must. As we will...
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The smoke jaguar fights like a true warrior. No deceit, no subterfuge – a single, brutal assault, both open and deadly. A powerful spring from above, a slash of its huge claws across its victim's throat, and its prey lies dead before it. So should all of us fight our enemies – openly, but with overwhelming force. Thus we may win true glory, by defeating the foe in honorable combat. Truly, this great cat is a finer warrior than any human being I have ever seen on the field of battle...!|From ''[[Birth of a New Society: The Collected Writings of Nicholas Kerensky]]'', [[Strana Mechty Press]], 3025<ref>''Invading Clans'', p. 47</ref>}}
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{{quote|A truly fearsome beast, the great viper of Arcadia possesses strength and tenacity unmatched by any other predator on that world. It coils around its prey in a crushing embrace, then finishes its kill with a deadly poison. The warriors of the Clan I name [[Clan Steel Viper|Steel Viper]] show remarkable tenacity in battle and in their service to our great mission. May they continue to serve with unshakable faith, and may their opponents learn to fear the fangs of the Steel Vipers.|From ''Birth of a New Society: The Collected Writings of Nicholas Kerensky'', Strana Mechty Press, 3025<ref>''Invading Clans'', p. 79</ref>}}
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{{quote|It seems inconceivable that everything we have accomplished can be threatened by the actions of individuals within our highest ranks. Khan Kinnison acted against everything the Clans represent and all we strive to achieve. ...It is just such aberrations that Clan society will prevent and control. Fortunately, the Steel Viper ranks also produced an individual capable of seeing and believing in the evil harbored in another's heart, and who acted selflessly to dispense proper justice to such a traitor. Count yourselves fortunate, Steel Vipers, that your Clan survives by virtue of a pure majority. ...I nominate Star Colonel Steven Breen as Khan of Clan Steel Viper. ...As your ilKhan, I claim the right to strike the name Kinnison forever from all records past and present. The tainted genes of that accursed line shall be cast out and destroyed as well.|Origin of the [[Trial of Abjuration]], after an assassination attempt on Nicholas Kerensky's wife, Jennifer Winson<ref>''Invading Clans'', p. 82</ref>}}
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{{quote|Our victories here have proved the rightness of the Way of the Clans; let it always be so among those of the True Faith. Let these few words always announce our coming and portend our victory.|Speaking on ''Clan Liberation Day'', May 26, 2822}}
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{{quote|Kerensky [ilKhan]: My honorable friend, the [[Khan]] from [[Clan Wolverine]], continues to ignore the decisions of this body as verified by the recent Trial. I do not care that the cache is of the [[331st Royal BattleMech Division|331st Royal Division]], her father's command. This body is agreed that the caches are a resource belonging to the Clans as a whole. In the old order, her paternal loyalty would be commended, but this not the old order. We are the Clans. We stand on our own merits, not those of our ancestors.
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[[Sarah McEvedy]] [Wolverine]: Except you.
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Kerensky [ilKhan]: I beg your pardon?
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McEvedy: I said, except you. You seem perfectly happy to bask in your father's achievements. He was a visionary who sought justice and peace for all. You seek control.
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[[Mitchell Loris]] [Mongoose]: Khan McEvedy, you go too far.
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McEvedy: Do I? I know many of you in this chamber found our ilKhan's actions to secure control of the Pentagon population offensive. The [[Star League]] did not believe in torture and brutality. Those are the tools of power hungry madmen. Is that what you have become, Nicholas Kerensky? A power hungry madman?
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[Raised voices from all parties]
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Kerensky: SILENCE! McEvedy, Khan of Clan Wolverine, I, Nicholas Kerensky, ilKhan of the Clans, do call for a [[Trial of Grievance]]. By our law, you may...
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McEvedy: Hang your laws. Does the truth hurt so much, Nicholas?
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Kerensky: Fellow Khans, our colleague is clearly overwrought. I call for a vote of censure. [[Loremaster]] Ward, please...
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McEvedy: Don't bother, Nicholas. I'll leave. In fact, we'll all leave. Clan Wolverine no longer recognizes the authority of the ilKhan or the [[Grand Council]]. From this point forward, we are an independent power. We decide our own fate, fairly and according to the morals and standards of the Star League.
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Kerensky: You cannot do this.
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McEvedy: I can and I have.
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[McEvedy moves to leave.]
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Kerensky: Arrest her!
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[McEvedy draws her pistol; the Khans and security guards back off. A detachment of Wolverine troops arrives.]
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McEvedy: If you want to face us, fine. But we will not hold back. Prepare to reap the whirlwind.
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[McEvedy storms out]
 +
 
 +
Kerensky: My Khans, we face a serious decision...|Excerpt from Grand Council security tape (uncensored version), October 8, 2823, as recorded in Clan Wolf records and reported by Phelan Kell.<ref>''The Clans: Warriors of Kerensky'', pp. 13–14</ref> (Note: Official record was doctored on orders of Nicholas Kerensky.)}}
 +
 
 +
 
 +
{{quote|Those who break faith with the Unity shall go down to darkness.|The [[Grand Council]] votes for a [[Trial of Annihilation]] against Clan Wolverine, October 11, 2823}}
 +
 
  
 
{{quote|''The darkness is behind us, the light is ahead.''<br />
 
{{quote|''The darkness is behind us, the light is ahead.''<br />
Line 121: Line 169:
 
Nicholas Kerensky OpKlondike.jpg|Kerensky at age 57 from ''[[Historical: Operation Klondike|Hist:Op Klondike]]
 
Nicholas Kerensky OpKlondike.jpg|Kerensky at age 57 from ''[[Historical: Operation Klondike|Hist:Op Klondike]]
 
Nicholas Kerensky BTL.jpg|Kerensky from ''[[BattleTech: Legends|BT:Legends]]''
 
Nicholas Kerensky BTL.jpg|Kerensky from ''[[BattleTech: Legends|BT:Legends]]''
Atlas II (Unity) BTLegends.jpg|Kerensky's ''Atlas II'' ''Unity'' from ''BT:Legends''
 
 
Nicholas Kerensky Death.JPG|Destruction of Kerensky's 'Mech by Khan Cal Jorgensson
 
Nicholas Kerensky Death.JPG|Destruction of Kerensky's 'Mech by Khan Cal Jorgensson
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
Line 129: Line 176:
  
 
==Bibliography==
 
==Bibliography==
{{div col|colwidth=25em}}
+
* ''[[BattleTech: Legends]]''
* ''[[BattleTech: Legends]]'' (sourcebook)
 
 
* ''[[Betrayal of Ideals]]'' (novel)
 
* ''[[Betrayal of Ideals]]'' (novel)
 
* ''[[The Clans: Warriors of Kerensky]]'' (sourcebook)
 
* ''[[The Clans: Warriors of Kerensky]]'' (sourcebook)
 
* ''[[Dark Age: Touring the Stars (3130)]]''
 
* ''[[Dark Age: Touring the Stars (3130)]]''
* ''[[Elements of Treason: Honor]]'' (novella)
+
* ''[[The Founding of the Clans]]'' trilogy:
* ''[[The Founding of the Clans]]'' trilogy:  
+
** ''[[Fall from Glory]]'' (German: ''Clangründer: Abkehr'')
** ''[[Fall from Glory]]'' (German: ''Clangründer: Abkehr'') (novella)
+
** ''[[Visions of Rebirth]]'' (German: ''Clangründer: Traum'')
** ''[[Visions of Rebirth]]'' (German: ''Clangründer: Traum'') (novella)
+
** ''[[Forging of Blood]]'' (German: ''Clangründer: Bande'')
** ''[[Forging of Blood]]'' (German: ''Clangründer: Bande'') (novella)
 
 
* ''[[Fragments of History]]''
 
* ''[[Fragments of History]]''
 
* ''[[Historical: Operation Klondike]]'' (sourcebook)
 
* ''[[Historical: Operation Klondike]]'' (sourcebook)
 
* ''[[Invading Clans (sourcebook)|Invading Clans]]'' (sourcebook)
 
* ''[[Invading Clans (sourcebook)|Invading Clans]]'' (sourcebook)
* ''[[Jade Falcon Sourcebook]]'' (sourcebook)
 
 
* ''[[Operational Turning Points: Widowmaker Absorption]]''
 
* ''[[Operational Turning Points: Widowmaker Absorption]]''
* ''[[Wolf Clan Sourcebook]]'' (sourcebook)
+
* ''[[Wolf Clan Sourcebook]]''
{{div col end}}
+
 
  
 
[[Category:ilKhans|Kerensky, Nicholas]]
 
[[Category:ilKhans|Kerensky, Nicholas]]

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