Loxley
District of Donegal, Lyran Commonwealth
December 10th 3051
Hauptmann Wendy Sylvester felt sick to her stomach, and soon the contents of last night's dinner found itself coming out.
What is wrong with me. I am of course concerned for the upcoming battle, but this isn't my first.
Her eyes suddenly widened with sudden panic. Could she be pregnant? She had taken her regular pills to prevent that, but none of those systems were perfect. She took deep breaths. If she was right, she was carrying her husband's baby, and she was about to go into a dangerous battle.
The two Marshals were still arguing about the final unit composition of the 35 who would face the Snow Ravens. Marshal Bryan demanded it be an equal number, but Marshal Adelmana had correctly pointed out that her Davion Heavy Guards had better equipment. It was not just the Dire Wolfs that Wendy and Victor piloted. Kai's custom Caesar had significant amounts of Clan tech, and they had almost two companies of entirely rebuilt Clan second-line 'Mechs like IIC Marauder, Rifleman, and Warhammer variations.
Thank your princess, without those 'Mechs we would probably be completely screwed.
Wendy knew her own role was important. She wasn't as good as Victor, but she was pretty damned good, and no one else had the experience practicing extensively in the Dire Wolf like she did. Kai would probably pilot it just fine, but there was a real argument to be made that he was even deadlier in the Caesar with how he handled the hatchet his 'Mech was equipped with.
The solution to her problems came to her, though it felt like a betrayal. She wouldn't confirm if she was pregnant or not. She wouldn't tell Kai. If he knew, it might distract him. They couldn't afford to lose here. This was one of the highest-stakes battles the Inner Sphere had known in the invasion. The Snow Raven Khan had forced them to accept a batchall or be blown apart in the skies. The loss of a whole RCT and the Prince would have been devastating. Losing the trial would give the Snow Ravens a huge advantage. While they claimed the vehicles weren't that valuable, reports from other Clan-conquered territories disputed that. The Wolves had even used Inner Sphere models in their offensive pushes lately.
Wendy rejoined the others. Victor was pacing furiously. Kai was studying his noteputer. Galen was frowning. Leftenant Annie Calendri was chatting with one of her lance-mates. Wendy liked Annie—she commanded Charlie Lance of Wendy's company. Her 'Mech was the fearsome Warhammer IIC; at 80 tons, it was atypical for the Davion Heavy Guards. Typically, only a Kommandant or above piloted assault 'Mechs, but since this was the Prince's bodyguard unit, exceptions were made.
Kai saw her and immediately rose. Softly, he asked, "Is everything ok?"
She nodded, hoping her poker face was good.
"Yup, the drop was more worrying than I let on. I don't fear battle, but the thought of getting blown from the skies shook me. But I'm fine now," she said with a quick grin and then a peck on Kai's lips.
She took her seat, and Galen chided Victor over wearing the floor out with his marching. The reason for his nervous energy, beyond the obvious, was that the Marshal was speaking with the 11th Lyran and coming up with the final pilots assigned to the trial. Adelmana had the final say, but there were considerations. The 11th Lyran was a good unit, with some great pilots. The other complication was how they were to structure the five-man groups, as some preferred to keep lances together where they could, while others thought they should create elite sets of 'Stars.'
And then of course there is the politics. This is a Lyran world and the 11th Lyran wants to be the one to defend it.
A tech came in and confirmed all 'Mechs were operating at 100% save for one of the Rifleman IICs. The lower leg actuator that they thought had been fixed was now acting up again. Wendy paid attention as it was the 'Mech being piloted by one of Kai's lance members.
They were interrupted by Marshal Adelmana summoning them for a meeting. Wendy always felt guilty when she attended some meetings that her husband did not get to. Kai was the better MechWarrior and it felt as if she had taken his rightful place. She knew there were reasons for it, she knew the members of the Davion Heavy Guards since childhood, and Galen had said that Kai was better used as the weapon that struck than the hand that guided it, but still.
Their CO kept it brief.
"Marshal Bryan will be contributing 15, or 3 Stars of the seven we will be fighting. Those three Stars will be exclusively 11th Lyran so we will be having 4 Stars of exclusive Davion Heavy Guards." She looked at Prince Victor, then the others. "I won't sugar coat this. We are up against the Clans in a fighting style that they are used to with only a 16% edge in manpower. Most simulations show unless an Inner Sphere unit has a 100% edge, or double the numbers, we typically don't stand a chance."
She let that awful statement hang in the air for a moment.
"But we aren't just any Inner Sphere Unit. We are the Strength of the Davions!"
Wendy felt her heart swell. Since the beginning of House Davion, the Davion Heavy Guards had been the First Prince's bodyguard regiment. However, over the years the reality was that the First Prince could not personally be involved in fighting all the time and still rule a nation. At the same time one of the most elite regiments – and later RCT – of the Federated Suns could not just sit idle. But here on Loxley they would be defending the Archon-Prince Designate. Patriotic fervor and pride pushed down her anxiety over her potential pregnancy.
"We also have something the Clans have learned to fear. A Steiner-Davion. From Twycross, to Butler, the Clans have known the taste of defeat most often when a Steiner-Davion takes the field. If victory was not already on a knife's edge, I would bench him, despite earning his eternal enmity for doing so."
Wendy and the others chuckled despite Victor's annoyed look.
"He's the future of the Federated Commonwealth, but also one of the best 'Mech pilots ever produced by House Davion. You know the 'Mech he is piloting. Gifted to him by Jaime Wolf in recognition for his skill. Within the next six hours we will be finalizing assignments. 1st Battalion will have the bulk as they have the most Clan 'Mechs in their org. Those not participating, look sharp – the Clans seem to honor agreements, but stay ready for anything, just in case."
The broader meeting adjourned Wendy next found herself along with Victor, Galen, Kai, Adelmana, Amit, Annie, and 13 other gathered together to discuss strategy.
"Marshal Adelmana, I should not be the reserve Star." Victor was saying. "We want to come out swinging as hard as we can. Demoralize the enemy, show them they we can equal them in skill and technology."
"You are lucky you are even participating, Colonel Steiner-Davion. The only reason you are is that you and your 'Mech might be the difference between victory and defeat, but there's no sense in taking unnecessary chances."
The current roster had Wendy, Victor, Kai, Galen, and Amit as one Star. Marshal Adelmana was joining Leftenant Calendri's lance. Stacking Victor's lance with two Dire Wolves, Kai's Caesar, Amit's Marauder IIC, and Galen's upgraded Crusader was a tremendous amount of firepower. Even greater than Marshal Adelmana's which included her own Banshee, Annie's Warhammer IIC, two Rifleman IIC's, and Kommandant Becker's Devastator. The Devastator was not Clan tech, but it was a 100-ton assault 'Mech and ironically the design was built on Loxley itself.
The other two groups from the Davion Heavy Guards were less powerfully equipped. Guillotine IICs, Rifleman IICs, and default Caesars made up their sections. The drop-off was considerable. Wendy wasn't sure what strategy was best, but she leaned toward Victor's assessment.
"We should also concern ourselves with our morale and that of the 11th – their 'Mechs aren't the best for this." Wendy said with confidence. "We know that they have some great assault 'Mechs, but some of those have not been updated with new technology, let alone the Clan technology we have. An Atlas is still an Atlas, but regular heat sinks and weaker weaponry is not ideal. Marshal Bryan's Banshee is the 5S model, but her Kommandant leading their 2nd Star's Stalker is the original variant. One of their Stars should be held in reserve."
Victor gave her a silent nod of thanks.
Adelmana's lips grew taut as after Wendy had spoken others agreed. Kai was the last one who simply said, "Put us in, when we reconstitute the Stars after the first rounds of battle, we can always adjust strategy. If our Star does lose in our first match, then there was no hope for victory in the first place."
"On one condition," she said sternly. "When the individual one-on-ones are completed and there are still foes there, Colonel Steiner-Davion is not to engage the next foe if someone else in his group can do so."
Victor didn't like that, but he acquiesced in light of it being a requirement to not regulate his command into the reserve Star position. Wendy calmed her jittery nerves and tried not to think about her roiling stomach. Two days, and then it would be showtime.
***
Blackjack
Tamar March, Lyran Commonwealth
December 11th 3051
Ainsworth heard the scream from inside Katherine's office and instantly rushed in. Her team always swept the room prior to Katherine's entry, and there was only one entrance. Electronic and physical security was added to every possible access point to the ventilation system, and that was just the start of the layered defenses her team had taken to ensure no threats could get close.
As she burst in the princess was shouting. "No! No! No! They can't just attempt to copy my batchall approach and think they can win! What are they thinking?"
Ainsworth told her team to stand down and closed the door.
"Highness, what is wrong?"
"Haven't they learned from Ridderkerk?"
Ainsworth cleared her throat. "It would help if I knew what you were referring to."
She was familiar with Ridderkerk, everyone was. An RCT commander practically giving away their entire command in an attempt to repeat what Katherine had done. It had been a triple blow as the RCT was lost from the AFFC, the would-be resources expended from the Clan in a proper fight had not been lost, and Clan Wolf had gained all that military hardware. The First Prince had made it clear that the sort of high-stakes batchall should not be done by his commanders. Allowance was made for conditions on the field, but if the flag officers wanted to ever command a unit again, they would need to have extreme justification in doing so.
Katherine has not been a good example. I wonder if other commanders see her success and veneration as a reason to attempt similar feats.
"Loxley! Not even a full battalion against two Trinaries! Who thought that was a good idea? Those would be long odds even for my unit. And they are gambling their entire RCT!"
In a rare, no, in a never before Ainsworth witnessed event, she saw the princess lose her cool. She picked up her chair and hurled it into the wall. Her breath was ragged and then she closed her eyes for several seconds. She re-opened them and looked to Ainsworth.
"My apologies, that was unbecoming."
Ainsworth picked up the chair.
"Loxley, I see. I had heard your brother was on Coventry, I take it that he is part of that operation?"
Katherine nodded. "Victor, Kai, and Wendy. I… I received his message just a few moments ago. I tried to see if there was any way an ad hoc command circuit could be put together so I could get there, but that is literally impossible. I can't fix this and I don't see how they can win."
She can't lose someone else after Aiko. But she's right, there's no way we can fix it from here.
"Highness, some things to consider. Victor is piloting one of the greatest Clan 'Mechs ever. So is Wendy. You've told me about the raw talent Kai Allard-Liao has. With such a limited fight, without artillery, bombers, mines, and the like – even if a 'Mech is destroyed it doesn't mean the MechWarrior will be slain. In the event they lose, they may very well survive and with the way the Clans think they would be highly prized bondsmen."
Katherine nodded. "Yes, you are correct. And we can do Trials of Possession for bondsmen… I have duties here but if my brother were captured, I could see about contacting the Snow Ravens for a trial."
Let's not be hasty.
Out loud she said, "Correct. I would recommend you speak with your bondsmen and begin learning more about the Snow Ravens. In the meantime, the worst can always come about – we both know that. In your response, please be sure to tell your brother and your friends what they mean to you."
The stoic princess froze in place for a moment and a slight quiver underneath the eye betrayed the emotions churning under the surface. Ainsworth gave a slight bow of her head and then left the princess to process her thoughts and feelings.
We call her Ice, but dig deep enough and there is more.
After her shift, she reviewed the organizational plans with Gustav. They were to have five levels of information classification that would also double as rank. Epsilon operatives were assets who did not know they were part of Black Watch. These could be individuals hired under the belief they worked for someone else, informants providing information for money to anonymous Black Watch agents, or even blackmailed individuals.
Delta level was for those who believed they were part of the public Black Watch, Katherine's bodyguard unit. At this level, these were agents who were not in a supervisory capacity. Charlie level was for those who also believed they were just part of Black Watch's protective detail, but who had more autonomy and power, managing individuals beneath them.
Beta level was for those who knew Black Watch was a true intelligence agency. And finally, Alpha level was reserved for those trusted with the highest level of secrets. Ultimately, department heads would all be Alpha level. The more she dug into building the structure of Black Watch, the more she realized that it would be an undertaking that would take decades. In the interim, she would continue to lean heavily on FCIS – of which she was still a part, of course – for actual intelligence work.
Ultimately, Black Watch will be loyal to Princess Katherine. In whatever role she wished, and one day the organization may even be passed on to her descendants.
***
Jabuka System
Skandia Province, Free Rasalhague Republic
December 11th 3051
Khan Ulric Kerensky was surprised by the news from his saKhan, Garth Radick. Ulric had assigned Star Captain Phelan to take Jabuka and Quarell, while Radick was tasked with securing Nox, Skandia, and Maule with Beta Galaxy. The message from Radick reported unexpected resistance from the defenders.
Scanning the report, Ulric noted that four separate forces were present on the planet. Warriors of the St. Ives Compact fought alongside the Free Rasalhague Republic, while Natasha Kerensky and the Wolf's Dragoons were bolstered by a significant number of Com Guards.
The batchall had failed to produce an agreement and had devolved into an ugly fiasco. Radick was familiar with the tricks Spheroids used, but the campaign had become a slow slog—terrain, mines, ambushes, traps, and relentless artillery fire all impeded his advance. He had already been forced to break his bid, yet still made less progress than desired. This meant planned attacks on Skandia and Maule would have to be delayed, or he would need to redirect additional forces.
Ulric decided to deploy Epsilon Galaxy, accompanied by the newly formed Oslo Garrison Cluster, which consisted solely of armor, conventional infantry, artillery, and a binary of Aerospace fighters. The full strength of Epsilon was unnecessary; instead, only Choyer Garrison Cluster and Dorbeng Garrison Cluster would be sent.
His thoughts were interrupted by Khan Severen Leroux of the Nova Cats. The ancient Khan greeted Ulric before moving to his true purpose—his desire to attack Tukayyid.
"I have no objections, Khan Leroux. Our partnership has helped keep the Steel Vipers from becoming difficult."
Keeping the Nova Cats on my side would be crucial. Without them, I would lose my ability to manipulate the bidding – an advantage that allowed me to secure any world where both I and the Steel Vipers laid claim.
"Good. We also wish to withdraw from Tamar, but will delay it until after the conclusion of this next wave."
Ulric looked surprised. "But why? You contributed more than my own Wolves did."
"Aff. Yet it is a poisoned chalice. The people may, in time – on a scale of generations – adapt to life under Clan rule, but not within my lifetime. Tamar is yours, and to balance the scales, we will take Hainfeld."
Ulric nodded. "Bargained well and done."
Inwardly, however, Ulric was annoyed. Tamar was rife with resistance and the worst sorts of atrocious actions. The people had been driven into a fervor of hatred toward the Clans, and the extensive bombing campaign had been broadcast all over the world. The Nova Cats had left three Clusters to garrison it, and it seemed they were tired of the burden.
I will need to move three PGCs as well and see what I can salvage of this. While I outnumber the other Clans greatly, I am stretched over a larger area. Coordination will be key. If I overextend, I risk losing key footholds.
"I know you do not take much stock in dreams, Khan Kerensky, but several of our warriors have had one of late and…"
"Neg."
Khan Leroux looked puzzled. "Neg?"
"Aff, Neg. I do not wish to belittle your traditions, but dreams and portents will prove distracting to my own thoughts. I would prefer if you did not share."
The elder warrior regarded him for a time and then turned away.
"I cannot know if that is to good or ill, but as you wish."
Ulric watched him walk away and wondered how long the Nova Cats would remain reliable. He had worked carefully to avoid lording it over the Steel Vipers in their situation and had not sabotaged their advance. He had even given Khan Breen intelligence from the Watch. Annoyingly, the Steel Vipers continued to be prickly and onerous.
It was time to prepare young Phelan for the attack. After this wave, they would hold the Ward Bloodright Trial, and it would determine just how far young Phelan could rise. If he obtained his Bloodname, he would be given an opportunity to become a Star Colonel. That would be as high as he could rise given his current blind spots, but it would be sufficient to prove an example to other potential Spheroids that they too could become important figures in the new Clan-based hierarchy.
***
Loxley
District of Donegal, Lyran Commonwealth
December 12th 3051
Galaxy Commander Thorsten Magnus had only held his title as Galaxy Commander for a year before challenging the prior Galaxy Commander of Alpha Galaxy. Khan McKenna had allowed the Trial of Position due to lapses in some of the conflicts with Clan Coyote immediately prior to Operation: REVIVAL. Abandoning the Garrison Galaxy for the premier Alpha Galaxy cemented his position as one of the most powerful figures in the Clan.
He was grateful to his Khan but had been irritated by her overly cautious approach. The current Trial of Possession would be one where very little honor was gained. The Inner Sphere was weak, and the 7th Crucis Lancers had offered only a morsel of serious fighting. They had been brave enough, but the Snow Ravens fought with all three elements in perfect union. Aerospace, BattleMech, and Elemental forces were used to enhance each other's strengths and minimize their vulnerabilities.
Little honor in the battle, but the defeat of the future Khan of the Federated Commonwealth may yet be worth a line in the Remembrance.
Thorsten had been forbidden from allowing any sort of bidding that would diminish their fighting prowess. Therefore, the honor of order required a different sort of bid. Instead of battling each other in trials prior to the confrontation or bidding away weapon systems, they would instead bid away personal possessions.
The Snow Ravens were fiercely territorial. They rarely shared with one another unless driven by military necessity or personal favors. Once claimed, a lower-caste tech favored for maintaining their 'Mechs, a lower-caste bedmate, or physical possessions like bunk placement or a sidearm were off-limits—untouchable without a Trial of Possession. Such trials, however, had been outlawed by their Khan for all warriors within the Inner Sphere.
That was how Thorsten would allow his warriors to bid for their placement. The specific warriors and 'Mechs were already portioned out. His Khan was overly concerned with losses and insisted only heavy and assault-class 'Mechs would be allowed. From Mad Dogs to Executioners and every weight range in between, his elite MechWarriors were ready.
Things were not that simple, as his canny Ravens brewed doubt in each other by attempting to suggest where Steiner-Davion, the top prize, and Allard-Liao, the secondary prize, would fight. Each side would secretly select the order in which the Stars would fight for the round in total before the battle began.
Some argued that they would naturally be up first, while others suggested the Spheroid barbarians would often try to protect their commanders and important figures. Had not the Khans of the Federated Commonwealth refused to take part in any battle since the beginning of Operation: REVIVAL? Complicating things further was the possibility that Steiner-Davion would sit out the first round completely, making the second-round placement more important.
I love my Clan, but only we could overcomplicate this… though I am partially to blame. Arguing what was more valuable – a favored Merchant Caste coupling partner or a trophy sidearm captured from a Spheroid in terms of bidding value – had already caused endless argumentation.
For his own part, he opted not to lose anything, which meant his own Command Star would likely be in the middle. This was fine with him because he had control over the reconstituting of Stars after the first round—his plan there would be to join the leading Star for round two, maximizing his chance at glory against one of the two heirs. He knew there was a possibility they would all fail in the first round, but if they fell that easily, there would be limited honor gains regardless. He was content with the strategy.
The first Stars entered the field. They would begin a bit further than 300 meters apart, but it would only be weapons-free at 300 meters when both passed the demarcation point. The enemy Star was led by a Banshee. Filling in to her left and right were an Atlas, Cyclops, Archer, and Warhammer. Facing the enemy was an Executioner, Warhawk, Timber Wolf, and two Summoners.
The battle began with an orgy of destruction, and Thorsten gave a grunt of surprise as the Spheroid pilots managed to land some telling blows. The Atlas was a deadly foe, even more so than the central figure on the field, the Banshee. He zoomed in the magnification on his 'Mech and saw the Atlas expertly stitch a line of death with its booming AC/20 across a Summoner's center torso. The Clan responses were just as skilled, and the Timber Wolf flayed the Archer in an unceasing barrage of missiles and lasers. The Archer wobbled and twisted in a vain attempt to remain standing.
It was futile, and the Timber Wolf stalked in for the kill. Elsewhere, the Warhammer and Summoner exchanged blows as they circled.
The Cyclops floundered against the Warhawk, and the duel between the Banshee and Executioner turned ugly as the Banshee pilot struck the Executioner in the right arm with its Gauss Rifle, following up with a heavy punch to the same arm. The blow badly damaged it, preventing the Executioner from aiming properly.
A booming explosion turned the Galaxy Commander's attention back to the Archer, which had its ammo explode, ripping through practically the entire 'Mech – including the cockpit.
Such inferior technology.
The Atlas leveled an entire Alpha Strike upon the wounded Summoner, piercing its core with well-placed shots. The Atlas and the Timber Wolf now squared off at long range, with the Timber Wolf wisely walking backward while firing its lasers and pair of LRM-20s. The enemy Atlas could only respond with one LRM-20.
The Warhawk proved the superior warrior and put down the enemy Cyclops. Meanwhile, the Banshee pressed its advantage in weaponry against the damaged primary arm of the Executioner. The Summoner and Warhammer seemed evenly matched, though the Warhammer was blazing on infrared sensors.
The Banshee fired its Gauss Rifle again, and a solid ball of hypersonic metal crumpled more armor protecting the torso of the Executioner.
The Star Captain is going to lose; pathetic.
Elsewhere, the Atlas lost the torso carrying its LRMs and fired when it finally entered long range with its shorter-ranged weapons. It was too little, too late. Though it stripped away more of the Timber Wolf's armor—leaving nearly all its vitals guarded by tissue-thin plating—it finally succumbed to an engine shot, forcing the pilot to eject.
That one will make a worthy bondsman.
The Warhammer went down, the Summoner losing a weapon system and possessing even less armor than the Timber Wolf. The Banshee was pockmarked and scarred, but the Executioner lay in pieces on the ground before it. The Warhawk took up the challenge with confidence. It led with large lasers, opening holes in the armor that were soon filled with LBX cluster munitions, LRMs, and SRMs. Engine hit. Gyro hit. Head hit. The Banshee flailed, and the pilot ejected before the 'Mech could tumble down.
Two of the Spheroids had died, but the Banshee, Atlas, and Warhammer pilots lived. When the Snow Ravens won the trial, they could take them as bondsmen. While it had been a victory, it was somewhat worrisome, as the Timber Wolf and Summoner would fall quickly if forced to fight a fresh 'Mech. The Warhawk was mostly intact, but the Inner Sphere warriors had performed far better than expected.
The second set of Stars took their place. He was surprised to see Clan technology taking the field against his Snow Ravens. A pair of Guillotine IICs marched out alongside two Inner Sphere designs that did not match anything in his battle computer. Each weighed 70 tons, and he easily recognized the Gauss Rifle barrel of the new design. The final 'Mech was a Black Knight from before the time of the Exodus.
This fight turned out to be much better for the Snow Ravens, as Star Colonel Siegel used his Gargoyle to devastating effect. The C variant was perfect for this sort of in-close brawl. The rest of his Star performed admirably, but the second Guillotine won a very close fight against a Hellbringer. It was easy prey for the Star Colonel's Gargoyle to mop up. The Snow Raven Star left the field with four 'Mechs.
That is more like it.
He was smug until he saw the next five enemy 'Mechs take the field. Two mighty Dire Wolves approached. The Dire Wolf was widely considered the most powerful OmniMech the Clans had ever produced.
How did they obtain two of those?
He realized their identifiers indicated that this group contained both Victor Steiner-Davion and Kai Allard-Liao. Along with the two Dire Wolves, there was a Marauder IIC, a Crusader, and a 70-ton 'Mech wielding a hatchet.
"Careful," he told the Star Captain leading this Star. "They are Spheroids, but a Dire Wolf is still a Dire Wolf."
"Aff. Apologies for taking your prize, Galaxy Commander, but the Steiner-Davion is mine."
Thorsten's eyes stayed locked on the battle. A Dire Wolf against a Timber Wolf. The roar of a powerful Ultra Autocannon/20 collapsed armor as easily as a flamer burns a tree. The Archon-Prince Designate was not at all unskilled. The accuracy of his punishing weapons fire was near perfect.
The Timber Wolf gamely returned fire, but the difference in output was obvious. The comms channel buzzed with activity, and he clicked it on out of curiosity.
"The cockpit was destroyed in one blow!"
"What must be the engine size for it to move that swiftly?"
"The 'Mech runs hot – does it not have enough heat sinks?"
Perplexed, Thorsten glanced at the other duels, and to his shock, he saw a Summoner's head caved in by the 70-ton 'Mech's hatchet.
What an idiot Star Commander, to have let such an obvious weapon through without an attempt to dodge.
As his eyes wandered back to the important battle, he noticed the second Dire Wolf also laying down a punishing barrage of accurate pulse fire.
Both Dire Wolf pilots are skilled!
The Marauder IIC and Crusader fights were closer, but the Spheroid pilots fought with the skill of Clan warriors. As the catastrophic battle continued to rage, Thorsten understood that this Snow Raven Star would certainly lose.
First, the AC/20-equipped Dire Wolf won. Then the second Dire Wolf. The Crusader was badly damaged across its armor but had suffered only a minor engine hit before winning its battle. The Marauder IIC also won a solid victory, though one of its deadly ER PPCs was out of commission.
It was the most one-sided victory of the contest so far. 5-0. Every member of Prince Victor Steiner-Davion's Star had won.
Perhaps Khan McKenna's bid was not too conservative. Strange how a WarShip commander could so easily distill the strength of an enemy's MechWarrior pilots. She is a Khan for a reason.