Rikkard Nova Cat

Rikkard Nova Cat – 32nd Century trueborn Clan mechwarrior belonging to the Nova Cat sub-faction known as the Spirit Cats. He holds the rank of Star Colonel and commands a Cluster within the Spirit Cats Clan. He is good friend to his Clan’s leader Galaxy Commander Kev Rosse after saving his life.

He known for his patience and determination behind Galaxy Commander Rosse’s vision to save the Spirit Cats by finding a sanctuary from event which commander has predicted.

Character History

In March 3135, the Spirit Cats had landed on Mallory’s World in search for a sanctuary. During this time, Rikkard had been drawn to the last battlefield of the late First Prince Ian Davion. After learning Ian’s famous battle in Desolate Pass where Ian sacrificed his life to save his command from the oncoming Kurita forces. Rikkard had sought to evoke the late Ian’s spirit to give him strength so he could fight for his people’s survival. Rosse and Rikkard try to have vision to what their people should do next to find answer to their problem.

With urgency of Rosse repetitively getting visions of coming of “predatory bird astride a tornado moving across an endless, hot and dry landscape.” He had assigned Rikkard to head expedition to seek out sanctuary for the Spirit Cats in Prefecture VII.

Rikkard’s force after arriving in orbit of Irian in June. There he determined that he needs to lead his restless people beyond the Republic’s borders to find sanctuary.

In March 3136, after months of travelling to various worlds, Rikkard contacted Clan Sea Fox. He struck a bargain with OvKhan Petr Kalasa, commander of the Sea Foxes’ CargoShip, Voidswimmer to transport his people to the world of Marik.

In October, Rikkard’s force lands and invades the Marik against Marik-Stewart Commonwealth forces led by General Daniella Briggs. Rikkard tried to show by example to his people that no matter how dirty the Commonwealth force might fight, he would fight like a Clansman and not stoop to their level.

By November Rikkard led his forces to the metropolis of Dormuth. His people see full extend of city becoming huge trap. This becoming apparent when at one point his one his fiery Star Commander, leads charge into city center to only have an ancient skyscaper dropped on her Star.

The Battle for Marik is drawn out for months, Rikkard desperately hoping his reinforcements would arrive to help his forces secure the planet. In February of 3137, Lady Julietta Marik arrives as emissary for Oriente Protectorate whom offers alliance between the two powers to help secure the planet from the Commonwealth. Within the time of her arrival, Rikkard had been informed that Spirit Cat’s leader, Rosse had been assassinated and that Nova Cat Mystic Kisho had called upon all Nova Cats living in the Republic to return home to the Clan. This left Rikkard’s force isolated and with no reinforcements coming. Rikkard refused to take up Kisho’s offer and also reaffirmed his belief that his vision of Marik being a sanctuary was worth fighting for. He agreed to take the offer of Oriente’s alliance, despite the arrival of reinforcements for Commonwealth forces.

By April, no Protectorate forces have and Rikkard’s Spirit Cat had become desperate. Arguing with Lady Marik, learns that’s they were not immediately arriving and they were only to interdict the planet. Angered, he strikes out frustration. There, fiery Star Commander Janice called for a Trial of Annihilation on Lady Marik for not living up to the bargain she had struck with Rikkard. Rikkard defends Julietta from Janice and fights her to the death. He felt he had failed, that he had to resort to killing Janice. He dwelled on his situation with new-found clarity as he stood over Janice's body, and saw a vision of strength that he been seeking ever since Mallory’s World. He found strength in a most unlikely place: in the actions of the timid Julietta Marik. He saw strength behind her eyes and actions, sticking to her duty to her people regardless of the personal cost. By seeing and examine his mind of actions of her and he sees that he has self-delusion of finding glory to be found in securing world for the Spirit Cats. By seeing her determination and strength, he found the will to do what he must in order for his people to survive.

He dispatched a courier to the orbiting Voidswimmer, where he bargains a deal where his Spirit Cats would share Marik together with the Sea Foxes if they send reinforcements to help him secure the world. Lady Julietta returned home with her newly arrived sister, Nikol, to report status of the situation on Marik.

Rikkard subsequently learned that Lady Julietta was gravely injured by an assassination attempt after arriving home. He led a medical team to save her life and returned with her back to Marik. There after recovering, she decided to join Rikkard's people and became their guide to the ways of the Free Worlds League.

In 3138, at the suggestion of Lady Julietta, Rikkard led an expedition to surrounding worlds around Marik to bring them under the protection of his Clan conclave, forming what would become known as the Clan Protectorate.

July 3139, Rikkard and others arrived on Atreus for the swearing-in of Jessica Marik as the new Captain-General of the reborn Free Worlds League.

Character Notes

• Rikkard was a noted Shadow Hawk IIC 4 pilot. He fought in the Battle for Marik in February to March of 3137. In his earlier career, he piloted a Firestarter BattleMech which he named "Soulbearer".

Bibliography

• MWDA Novel: Pandora's Gambit
• MWDA Novel: To Ride the Chimera
• Spirit Cats - Rikkard Nova Cat - Dossier