MASTER TIMELINE OF THE JIHAD (CLAN WARS OF REAVING ASPECT)

Key to parenthetical section references: Color Key: (Merc) = Mercenary Red Text – New/Modified Data (or Campaign Track) (LA) = Lyran Alliance Blue Text – Article Date (FS) = Federated Suns Yellow Highlight – For Review/Potential Change (DC) = Draconis Combine Aqua Highlight – Covered in Dawn of the Jihad and (FW) = Free Worlds League Jihad Hot Spots: 3070 (CC) = Capellan Confederation No Highlight – Covered in Jihad Hot Spots: 3072 (CS) = ComStar (and WoB, if applicable) Blue Highlight – Covered in Jihad Hot Spots: 3074 (WB) = Word of Blake Gray Highlight – Covered in Jihad Hot Spots: 3076 (Clan) = Clan (Any) Teal Highlight – Covered in Fall of the Jihad* (Per), (MoC), (MH), (OA), or (TC) = Periphery No Highlight – Covered in post-Jihad sources (Other) = Unassigned Data *Tentative Titles

PRE-JIHAD CSA forms Upsilon Galaxy for a three-fold reason:

1.) to guard CSA’s small colony world in the Tanite system that harbors most of the Burrock scientists, technicians, merchants and laborers

2.) to spy on other Clan movements throughout the Deep Periphery, especially those of CDS and CHH

3.) to scout supply systems for the Invader Clans, in preparation for the time ahead when a coalition of HW clans would push to remove the Invaders (this is a future consideration, not considered during its formation).

CSA and CSV form a ‘back room’ coalition in preparation to remove the Invader Clans from the homeworlds. CSA would support the Vipers push to remove the ‘tainted clans’ and the Vipers would assist the Adders in a call for Annihilating the Spirits. Neither Clan has the power block to further their agenda at the moment but is watchful for opportunity.

3065

Sept 8 – (CSV, CSR) Vipers hit Lum and hold the planet for 5 weeks. The operation is deemed a success as the Vipers seize loads of natural resources as well as the plans for the Leviathan-class Warship and other experimental technology. The seizure of the plans and prototypes is considered a ‘broad and liberal’ usage of Clan Trial verbiage by Raven lower-castemen (specifically the scientist caste, which infuriates the Society). The Vipers withdraw as the Ravens return with reinforcements and a coincidental arrival by Falcon forces.

Oct 12 – (CSV) Khan Zalman is killed during the withdrawal as his DropShip explodes, taking with it a Society prototype for a Super Heavy Protomech.

3066

November – (CSV) The Viper shipyards at New Kent have been expanded since ’61 and are now completed when two WarShip slips go online. Because the Vipers used Wolf resources to originally upgrade the yards, a large number of Mercer-class DropShips are given to the Wolves in addition to the upgrading of Dire Wolf. The Wolf WarShip will leave the new yard in ’67.

At this time, the Coyotes become aware of the Viper’s new yard capabilities (thanks to the Society) and clamor to have their two Sovietskii Soyuz WarShips upgraded as well. The resources offered by the Coyotes are perfectly suited for the building of the Viper’s new Leviathan, which is taking place at a separate slip that was built in secret at the far end of the New Kent system. Ironically, the plans used to build the secret Masters Shipyard is the same as those used to build the Titan yards in the Terra system, allowing ships to jump to them from the New Kent nadir point. The Viper ego swells as they are able to build their new battleship right under the noses of the Wolf and Coyote Watch.

(CHH, CGS) The Horses reclaim Tokasha from the Scorpions.

3067 (Time covered by Dawn of the Jihad) Nov 3 – (CSR/Per) Clan Snow Raven forces attack Antallos. Nov 3 – “Target Practice on the Rim” transcript by CSR forces attacking Antallos, and “Borrowed Time

(Message 1)” message from Strana Mechty Embassy (Victory Trials) Nov 21 – (CHH) Clan Hell’s Horses 82nd Mechanized Cavalry Trial with Clan Wolf for territory on Tiber.

Galaxy Commander Nowa Vickers with her Red Keshik immediately breaks her bid and uses inferno missiles against Horse tanks, ignores zellbrigen, and generally misbehaves. 82nd takes grievous casualties. Horses get pissed off. Additional Horses units are deployed including the 65th Mechanized Strike, 229th Mechanized Strike, 53rd BattleMech Cluster, and 85th BattleMech Cluster. They kill the Red Keshik and elements of the 6th Wolf Garrison Cluster of Tau Galaxy off to the last man. Tiber 100% in Clan Hell’s Horses control. [HELL ON TIBER EVENT]

Dec 12 – (Clans) The Clans hold an emergency Council session to discuss the fall of the Star league.

Many Clans see its collapse as sufficient reason to cancel the Great Refusal, particularly Clan Ice Hellion. Clan Steel Viper calls for the election of an ilKhan as a means to control the issue and guide the Clans, and nominates Garret Sianze of Clan Fire Mandrill, confident that the vote will not be carried. Not surprisingly, he and all other nominees fail to gather sufficient votes, but the Council does agree –by the barest of margins - that the Great Refusal remains intact once all nominees have been rejected. The Clans decide that this Jihad does not concern the Clans, and is merely another expression of the corruption of the Inner Sphere. The CSA/CSV Khans note the obvious polarization that occurs during the vote and begin to prepare as they sense their time is near.

Voting for the motion to interfere in the unfolding Jihad: For: CGB, CSR, CBS, CIH Against: CSA,

CSV, CGS, CCC, CDS Abstain: CHH (by their absence), CW, CJF, CFM (a political ploy by Sainze)

Dec 17 – (CHH-CSA) By this time, Clan Hell’s Horses has diverted considerable resources and even

Lower Castemen away from their Homeworlds to Nouveaux Paris in preparation of their invasion of the Wolf Clan Occupation Zone. These diversions are starting to attract notice among other Clans, specifically CDS, CSA, and CGS. Elements of Clan Star Adder’s Upsilon Galaxy jump in to the Nouveaux Paris system, engaging Hell’s Horses forces for supplies. The Horses select a remote moon as the site for the Trials, avoiding detection, although the Star Adders do note increased traffic in the system. Khan N’Buta is informed and with the information available to him by the Adder Watch, puts two and two together.

Dec 20-21 – (CNC) Clan Nova Cat forces on Tukayyid and elsewhere in Combine space, including their

attached WarShips, pull out and return to the Irece Prefecture as their Clan, shocked at the dissolution of the Star League and the dramatic events unfolding throughout the Inner Sphere, turns inward.

Dec 20 – (CHH, CSA) Khan James Cobb of Clan Hell’s Horses and Khan Stanislav NButa of Clan Star

Adder discuss Nouveaux Paris. NButa indicates that he believes the Horses are preparing an assault on the Inner Sphere.

Cobb offers to support the efforts of CSA’s Upsilon Galaxy in return for continued secrecy, but does explain his intentions to attack the Wolf Clan. Cobb additionally discusses the possibilities of transitioning their enclave on Hoard to the Star Adders in return for a resource and materials stream. NButa accepts, admiring Cobb’s ability to work with other Clans, but expresses his concerns about returning to the Inner Sphere too early as other Clans have done. The enclave will be transferred once the Horses attack the Wolves.

3068 Jan 12 –Clan Grand Council transcript (Victory Trials) Note: This transcript is from 12 Dec 3067 (see

entry for this date). Feb 12 – (Clans) Clan Hell’s Horses Watch units based out of Noveaux Paris raid Rasalhague, claiming

a handful of ‘Mechs and several Elementals of the Third Claw Cluster—including Star Captain Jake Kabrinski—as isorla.

Mar 20 –(LA/Clans) Now forced to deal with a hostile border situation as well as the ongoing Blakist

siege against Tharkad and other worlds, Adam Steiner strips forces from the Jade Falcon border to support internal fronts and cover the renegade Skye/Bolan actions. Citing the terms of the Arc-Royal Accords, he requests Clan Wolf-in-Exile cover the Falcon front while LAAF troops shift elsewhere, believing the region secure due to odd reports that the Falcons and Crusader Wolves are engaged in conflicts of their own. (Note: these reports, it is later revealed, are in error, or just merely overstated.)

May – (CDS) The Sharks, sensing profit from the maneuverings of the Falcons and Horses, begin

slowly relocating their touman into the Deep Periphery and Inner Sphere holdings. Jul (8-14) – (Clans/DC) Clan Snow Raven’s Swift Wing Galaxy Naval Star (with the attached First

Raven Phalanx and supporting elements from the First Alliance Air Wing and the Second Long Road Legion) hits the undefended Draconis Combine worlds of Enif, Galedon, and Tabayama in a wave of reprisal strikes for the loss of the White Cloud. The closest DCMS forces—the 19th and 21st

Galedon Regulars—will be unable to interdict these attacks, but will relocate to Tabayama and Galedon V, respectively, as a result.

Sep 21 – (Clans) Clan Ice Hellion’s saKhan Connor Rood approaches the Hell’s Horses about a

possible alliance between the two Clans, presuming that the Horses’ increased traffic is a sign that the Clan intends to strike against the Wolves in the Inner Sphere, or in Clan space. He is stonewalled by Cobb, who is distressed that his designs may have been compromised well in advance of the moment he is comfortable with striking. He immediately pairs back preparations at Nouveaux Paris, bumping back his timetable by more than a year to allow for reduced traffic. To cover the recent activity, he orders an assault by Alpha Galaxy on Tranquil.

Sept 30 – (CBS, CSR, CSA) CBS fights a trial with the Ravens for a large contigent of ProtoMechs and

their pilots – basically a Harvest Trial type of battle – and then bargains for the Raven force to escort the newly gained reinforcements to York (the Spirit fleet is decimated at this time and cannot hope to run the CSA blockade). CSA fights the Ravens but lose badly when a lucky strike breaks the Adder flagship in half. Incensed by the ‘dirty tricks’ of the Ravens (a matter of perspective), the Adders swear revenge.

Oct 1–Jan 16 – (Clans) Clan Wolf faces the 11th and 22nd Mechanized Clusters on Tranquil with the

Green Keshik and the 1st Wolf Regulars Cluster. Clever bidding and use of the available terrain allows Galaxy Commander Warren Stiles to severely curtail Alpha Galaxy’s advantage in skill and material. He calls up numerous Trinaries from the 2nd, 12th and 13th Wolf Regulars, as well as the 5th Wolf Cavalry Cluster to augment her defenses. Alpha Galaxy is under orders to prolong the engagement, burning up resources, but while reducing the price of manpower at all cost. Stiles’ strategies, which mimic the style of defense he has become familiar with in the Inner Sphere, assist these efforts. After more than two months of combat and constant changing of territory ownership, the two Alpha Galaxy Clusters leave for Niles, their ranks significantly depleted of warmachines. At Niles, however, the Clusters find immediate replacements waiting in warehouses for them, stockpiled during their months of deployment. Galaxy Commander Stiles meanwhile declares a major victory, while the Horses appear humiliated. Attention is shifted to other issues, although several Fire Mandrill Kindraa start raiding numerous Horse assets to take advantage of the perceived weakness. Cobb allows numerous gains, but ultimately succeeds in regaining all losses before the end of January.

Oct 7 – (Clans/LA) Clan Jade Falcon hits Graus, hoping to snag some territory from the now-distracted Lyran Alliance.

3068, Continued (Covered by Jihad Hot Spots: 3070) Nov (15-21) – (Clan/Per) After their raids into Combine space, the Snow Raven task force returns to the

Outworlds Alliance shipyards at Ramora for rest, refit, and resupply.

Dec – (Clan/FS) The Federated Suns completes a top-secret deal with Clan Diamond Shark, obtaining Undine battlesuits for study.

(Clan) Clan Nova Cat develops SM1 Tank Destroyer (CSR, CGS, CSA) Prompted by their CSA allies, CGS drops their naval star into Lum, intent

on seizing assets much as the Vipers did a few years prior. The fighting is brutal, with the Scorpions savaging the Raven aerospace fighters and DropShips and badly damaging two of the three defending WarShips, at the cost of nearly their entire Star. As the Scorpions are retreating, an Adder naval star enters the system, intent on a revenge strike for the Raven interference at York a month ago. In his overexuberance, the CSA Star Admiral declares a Trial of Annihilation of the Lum yards, rather than one of Possession. The Ravens, enraged by the stubbornness of the Adder Admiral (who refuses to recant and stands by his declaration), declares the entire system’s assets as its defense.

The Adders easily win, losing one WarShip and critically damaging another. As the Adder ships begin to systematically destroy the Lum yards, Adder scientists and technicians loot the spaceborne facility one step ahead of the warrior caste.

The Ravens swear revenge, though the threat is hollow as half the Raven fleet is currently in the Deep Periphery escorting a resource convoy to the borders of the OA. The Raven saKhan swears to take the ‘mistake’ up with the Grand Council.

The Lum yards are effectively destroyed.

3069 Jan (1-7) – (Clan/DC) While preparing for a second sortie of raids into Combine space, the entire Snow

Raven naval Star at Ramora is sabotaged and destroyed by Dante’s Inferno terrorists, but given the fate of the White Cloud years before, and the similar treachery that brought it about, the Ravens conclude that the attack was actually carried out by DCMS commandos. A joint investigation is launched, however, by Raven and Outworlds intelligence.

The Raven leadership is in near-panic, as news of the Lum yards’ destruction reaches them. Certain their time is numbered, the khans contemplate relocating whatever they can to Antallos and another colony world, and hopefully to the OA.

Jan (8-21) – (Clan/LA) Emboldened by the lack of resistance, the Jade Falcons take Black Earth,

Blackjack, Blue Hole, and Roadside. Lyran defenders, distracted and demoralized, fall back in the face of the determined Clan offensive. In desperation, General Adam Steiner drafts plans for an effort to liberate the capital (or at least the Archon).

Mar (21-28) –(Clan) Clan Nova Cat, still entrenched in their Irece Prefecture enclaves, debuts the

Ocelot.

Mar 22 – (CBS, WOB) Out of consumables and in dire need of repair, three Word of Blake JumpShips

arrive at an uncharted system two jumps from York. They can go no farther, as one of the ships blows its helium seals. Filled with True Believers on the run after Blaine’s mysterious disappearance and the shocking events carried out by the current Word leadership, the crew manage to commandeer a JumpShip from Gibson and make their way towards the Lyran – Periphery border. Along the way, the refugees join up with an “Explorer Corps” group recent from the Deep Periphery. (The two-vessel group is actually a WOB-ROM convoy incoming from the Hanseatic League; the Precentor takes the initiative to use the refugee story as a cover and make their way towards Clanspace. By falsifying the starcharts and murdering the fleeing JS captain – as ROM can do – the fleeing TBs have no idea they’re patsies for an ad-hoc deep-cover recon force of the Clan Homeworlds. After all, once the WOB seizes control of the Inner Sphere, the Clans are next, right?) During the trip, the ROM slowly cultivates the TBs and subverts most of them – not into Toyamists, but a merging of the two.

Mar 23 – James Cobb communicates with the Snow Ravens about transferring the Bearclaw enclave to

the Snow Ravens in return for which the Snow Ravens will construct a shipyard that can be transported and built in the Inner Sphere. While this yard will not be capable of constructing anything save the smallest of DropShips and fighters, its primary purpose will be the maintenance of the Hell’s Horses naval assets while that far removed from the Homeworlds. Eventually, the yard might be optimized to produce large DropShips, JumpShips, and even WarShips, but this would depend on the infrastructure of the planet the yard will be deployed at. The Ravens accept in secret, and begin constructing the yard, requiring 10 months to complete – as the Ravens overestimate the resources needed in order to build one of their own. The transfer of the enclave

will occur when the yard is delivered to the Horses, who will use one of their Potemkins to transfer the yard.

Apr (1-7) – (Clan/Per) The arrival of a second naval Star in the Outworlds Alliance comes as the Raven

forces still there are agitating for payback over the loss of the first fleet. Still convinced that the Combine is to blame, the Raven ships immediately make for Combine space.

May (1-14) – (Clan/DC) Clan Snow Raven ships attack and seize the Combine worlds of Valentina,

Budingen, Weisau, and Schirmeck. The worlds are effectively stripped of all resources (basically taking anything the corporations had already processed, mined, manufactured, or refined and sending the economies of these worlds into a massive spin. They won’t recover for nearly fifty years as they receive little assistance from the Combine government – which also makes them ripe for dissent and the Black Dragons.)

May (20-24) – (CBS) A CBS merchant and labor vessel runs across the small WOB refugee force, of

which nearly half have died trying to establish a rough colony on a brutal planet. The refugees are captured (willingly) and taken to York, where they are debriefed and held. Karianna Schmidt takes a curious like to her ‘pet Spheroids’; likewise the ROM Precentor to the Khan. The technical plans and schematics hidden in the refugee databanks are discovered and CBS scientists go mad with the unusual and ground-breaking theories stored on them. Fearing possible Clan reprisals, the refugees are hidden in silence.

June (1-7) – (Clan/DC) Clan Snow Raven forces capture Goubellat (doing the same here as above)

and arrive in the Galedon system with a full Naval Star. Having left the majority of their ground forces and supporting vessels behind to hold their new conquests, the fleet and its fighters are all the force the ravens have left to punish Galedon, which they promptly begin to do with “warning bombardments” that shatter military bases and strike near population centers. The “civilian castes of Galedon” are given one week to evacuate the planet.

June (7-14) – (Clan/LA) Clan Jade Falcon captures Mkuranga (where the First Falcon Strikers shattered

the 25th Arcturan Guards), and Pasig (mauling the Second Wolf Legion). June 16 – (Clan/DC) The Raven fleet at Galedon initiates a massive bombardment of the planet

surface, city by city, achieving a level of carnage surpassing the Kentares Massacre. Planetary infrastructure collapses. Combined with the loss of planetary administration, most transportation, and government controls, the deadly plague released during the earlier FedSuns/Combine fighting begins to spread among the survivors. Only about 30,000 Galedonians escape from the planet surface, only to become Raven isorla, many of these survivors carry the plague. (Most are packed aboard the Ravens’ Carrack, their DropShips scuttled by WarShip guns.)

June (23-30) – (DC/Clan/Per) The Raven fleet begins its trek home as a mysterious plague breaks out

through contact with the captured Galedonians. Raven medics are baffled, and some among the crews suspect that the “Curse of Galedon” is, in essence, another filthy Spheroid plot, sacrificing their own people as biological weapons. To contain the plague, over a thousand Galedonians are dumped into space after the first jump.

July (1-14) (LA/Clan) On Deia, the battered the Knights of St. Cameron), along with elements of

Archer’s Avengers, and the Second Wolf Legion regroup and attempt to hold off a Falcon assault. July 16 – (Clan) Despite their best medical efforts, three of the Snow Raven ships departing from the

Galedon assault are heavily infected by the mysterious “Curse of Galedon” plague, and the remaining vessels have purged their holds of anyone showing signs of the infection. In desperation, the Raven fleet commander orders the plagued ships destroyed, regretfully declaring a Trial of Annihilation against comrades, to save the Clan. (The result is a naval battle that pits Raven against Raven when the commander of at least one of the condemned ships vows not to go down readily.)

Aug 15 – (LA/Clan) The arrival of the First Falcon Striker Cluster ends the brief stalemate on Dea,

forcing the survivors of the Knights of St. Cameron, Archer’s Avengers, and the Second Wolf Legion to flee to Great X. Anticipating a Falcon assault, the combined forces begin fortifying the world against the coming attack.

Aug 28 – (CIH) A small Hellion merchant fleet jumps into the Tanite system in need of repairs. The Cobra patrol force on station obliterates it without warning. Interpreting the action as a probing attempt they inform the Adder leadership of their findings, who steps up Watch efforts against the Hellions.

Sept (19-25) – (Clan/Per) Clan Snow Raven and Outworlds Alliance forces lay siege to Dante,

effectively shattering the Dante’s Inferno terror group. The heavy-handed act inflames secessionist sentiments noticeably on worlds like Baliggora and Raldamax, creating a political crisis for the Avellars. In the aftermath, Raven representatives begin overtures to expand on the Raven-Outworlds alliance, ostensibly in anticipation of Combine reprisals for the recent attack of Galedon V, citing the outbreak of the “Curse of Galedon” plague as proof of what the Combine is capable of.

Sept (21-30)/Oct (1-7) – (Clan/LA) Clan Wolf hits La Grave, Domain, Orkney, Jabuka, and Rasalgethi,

shadowing the Falcon advance toward Terra while simultaneously forcing the Falcons deeper into Lyran space.

Oct 1 – (CSA) Through the Adder Watch, N’Buta is informed that several of the Hellion’s second-line

units have ‘disappeared’, along with nearly half of the Hellion’s transport assets. N’Buta can accurately guess where they’ve gone and that the remaining forces in the HW are more a shell game than a true threat, so the Khans decide to position themselves to take advantage of the situation. Stripping their forces from the Spirit front on York – leaving a token force more to occupy the Spirits than anything – they reposition their entire touman to within striking distance of several of the Hellion enclaves. The sudden influx of material would bolster Adder forces and help them get over the hump to finally destroy the Spirits.

The Blood Spirits are given a reprieve as Adder forces withdraw, and slowly consolidate their forces.

Oct 7 – (Clan) Clan Wolf’s attack on Rasalgethi begins. (CDS) By this time, half of the Diamond Shark touman has been removed from the

Homeworlds and divided between Itibania, Twycross, and the Shark’s Deep Periphery holdings, including a world on the border of the Chainlane Isles, where the Sharks install a small orbital station and ground facilities. This world is inhabited by a small colony of outcasts and pirates, who are subdued before they even know what hit them. Little intelligence is gathered on the Isles; enough to know the Sharks stood little chance of discovery.

Oct (7-14) – (Clan) Clan Ghost Bear (finally) activates the Leviathan II-class Rasalhague, and

immediately places the Leviathan in drydock for a refit to the Leviathan II configuration. The McKenna-class Great Bear also returns to port for final repairs and refit.

Oct 14 – (CJF/CSV) Clan Jade Falcon’s elite 2nd Falcon Velites engage the equally elite Viper Fusiliers

of CSV’s Beta Galaxy on Marshall, trying to underline the relevance of the Homeworld garrison now that Inner Sphere units are reaping glory against the Lyrans. Initially, the Vipers begin to gain the upper hand, but then the Falcons break their bid and call in artillery support. A sizable contingent of Viper Fusiliers is grouped together when the bombardment begins, and losses are significant. The Fusiliers are forced to retreat with little more than a Trinary worth of ‘Mechs and Elementals left operational. The Viper bring their grievance before the Grand Council, but their motion is defeated handily by the Viper’s enemies (numerous) and the more pragmatic view a majority of the Home Clans now hold to warfare. Use of artillery in Trials was not unknown to the Clans prior to the invasion. But by now, to many (particularly the Vipers) its use, especially in “ambush”, is considered an expression of to what extent the Clans have deviated from the true path. Beta Galaxy, outnumbering the surviving Falcons four to one, clamor for a Trial of Grievance over the incident, but are reigned in by Khan Brett Andrews, who promises that the time for retribution is nigh.

Nov 5-January – (Clans) On Exodus Day, Clan Steel Viper announces that Clan Jade Falcon as a

whole has been corrupted by their exposure to the Inner Sphere, requiring the ejection of this Clan from the Homeworlds to prevent additional taint. The declaration causes an uproar in the Grand Council, but finds support in principle by numerous Clans, including the Coyote’s, Blood Spirits and Star Adders, the latter of whom find themselves agreeing on something for once. Reminded of Vlad’s words of the corruption concerns he had towards Victor Steiner-Davion back after the Great Refusal, Vlad sneers, and endorses the suggestion that the Falcons have deteriorated, while also slamming the Steel Vipers who have also had contact with the Inner Sphere. The Vipers respond that they have primarily engaged the Falcons, and have been free of the Inner Sphere’s influences for almost nine years. The shouting continues, the Grand Council once again fails to agree on anything (a theme that is now persistent; the Grand Council cannot be relied on anymore to provide guidance to the Clans – though this is in part due to Adder influence, who destabilizes the vote

without their Viper allies noticing) and the Steel Vipers simply begin their assaults on Jade Falcon holdings.

Ironhold comes under attack by Alpha Galaxy, who engage the 12th Talon and Zeta Solahma Clusters. The Falcons, pissed off to no end by the Vipers, engage the incoming Vipers with the Emerald Talon Assault Star. While the Steel Vipers brought the Dark Asp (Nightlord) Zalman’s Endeavour (Cameron) Steel Python (Aegis) Snake Pit (Lola III) and Snake-in-the-Grass (Whirlwind) for this party, several DropShips from all Clusters are blasted before the Jade Falcon WarShips are driven off by Steel Viper WarShips and abundant fighters. The survivors of the three Steel Viper Clusters (Alpha Newt stayed home for this one) find their opposing Jade Falcons a difficult nut to crack, but after a month of combat, the Vipers control Ironhold.

Beta Galaxy crushes the remaining 2nd Falcon Velites on Marshall, using a display of overwhelming force not seen in the Homeworlds since the Exodus Civil War.

Gamma Galaxy lands the 428th Assault, 94th Battle and 57th Striker Clusters on Eden, where they face the 1st Falcon Dragoons and 3rd Falcon Velites. The superior Steel Viper DropShips and fighters have no trouble securing landing zones for the Viper troops, who promptly engage the Falcon forces. While the job requires two weeks to finish, the Vipers succeed in securing Eden.

On Huntress, the 3rd Falcon Dragoons face the 93rd Assault Cluster. While more familiar with the mountainous terrain, the greater firepower available to the 93rd, and their constant redeploying via DropShips ultimately allow them to destroy the 3rd Dragoons.

The 61st Striker Cluster attacks the Falcon’s Sigma Solahma on Tokasha. The majority of the Solahma lack the patience (and will to live) for a campaign that might grind the 61st down, and engage in an all-out assault. While this allows them to inflict considerable damage to the 61st, Sigma is destroyed entirely by the day’s end.

At Gatekeeper, the 53 Battle Cluster engages the 14th Viper Regulars. The battle drags on as both Clusters are evenly matched, but ultimately the Falcons are defeated after three months of combat. Not much of the 14th remains.

The 131st Phalanx attacks the 109th Striker Cluster on Barcella, where a combination of costly mistakes by the Falcon commander, and good use of low-altitude air-dropped infantry quickly results in the destruction of the 109th.

The 104th Assault Cluster faces the 2nd Falcon Dragoons on Glory, where the elite assault forces of the 104th have little difficulty in destroying the equally elite Dragoons. Both Clusters attack each other in a fairly straight forward format, and the superior weight and firepower of the 104th simply wins out in the end.

On Strana Mechty, the 3rd Battle Cluster represents the pinnacle of the Falcons in the Homeworlds, but they cannot stand up to Brett Andrews Triash Keshik. The battle lasts only a single day, but the Keshik removes the Jade Falcon presence from Strana Mechty in a powerful political move. Strana Mechty has always been divided equally among the Clans, and the holdings of the Burrocks, Smoke Jaguars and Nova Cats were all divided among each of the Clans despite the conditions of their destruction. Brett does not hang on to these holdings however, turning them over to the Grand Council for redistribution, a measure which is defeated in the Grand Council. While now devoid of a defensive force, the Jade Falcon Strana Mechty enclaves remain theirs.

When the last shots are fired in January of 3070 on Gatekeeper, only the 74th Battle Cluster remains as Clan Jade Falcon’s Homeworld Touman. Marthe Pryde promises the Vipers a vengeance they will not survive this time.

While it is not yet known as such, the War of Reaving has begun. Nov (14-21) – (Clan) Clan Hell’s Horses debuts the Bellona tank in a number of dwindling homeworld

actions. The design is offered to the Adders, who fight a nominal trial for the production plans.

3070 Jan (15-30) – (Clan/LA) The Jade Falcon offensive into Lyran territory turns toward Arc-Royal as Wolf

Clan troops cut deeper into Lyran space (Borghese, Ft. Louden, Kelenfold, Tomans), spoiling their corridor toward Terra.

Feb – (Clans) Clan Steel Viper’s Beta Galaxy attacks the Falcon holdings on Lum. Supported by

several Steel Viper WarShips, numerous DropShips and a large aerospace fighter escort, they skirmish lightly with the Snow Ravens still present, whose dislike of the Falcons inspires them to not engage the large Viper force merely to further their own hatred of the Viper Clan. The 74th Battle Cluster, while it does not face the entirety of Beta Galaxy, does not last long. Its anger at the Viper actions guides them on to Viper guns and Elementals. The Jade Falcons now no longer have holdings in Clan space beyond Strana Mechty.

Mar – (CSV/CSA/CSR) News of Galedon makes it to the Clans. The majority of those in the Grand Council are shocked by the Ravens actions on Galedon, and the Adders see their opening. Several Clans are convinced by the Ravens that they are merely retaliating in kind given the attacks. The Adders pin the Ravens on the fact that they were initially wrong as to who caused those attacks, and state that their actions at Galedon where thus likewise dishonorable. The Vipers, seizing their chance, call for a trial of Abjurement, stealing the Adder thunder. The Abjurement vote fails – again – with the Wolves, Cobras and Mandrills abstaining. Disgusted, the Vipers then move to force a Trial of Absorption of the Ravens. This time, they find help from the Star Adders and their power bloc of the Cobras, Scorpions, Hellions and Horses (Cobb attends via HPG and throws tacit support to the Adders in a shocking move) and all are surprised when Vlad abstains. The Vipers’ vote of Absorption fails in the resulting deadlock (Clans Coyote, Jade Falcon, Ghost Bear, and Fire Mandrill back the Ravens, as do the Blood Spirits [to oppose the Adders], and with the Sharks absent and Wolf’s abstention no majority can be reached). In the aftermath, all of the present Khans are troubled. Disgusted with the Council’s inaction, the Vipers leave the room in a huff, determined to carry out their own war, if necessary.

The Viper Touman still needs time to recover from their assault on the Falcons, and their navy’s in no shape to challenge the entirety of the Raven assets yet, but the Star Adders are in a position where they can break open what remains of the Snow Raven navy. Snow Raven assets on Bearclaw, Brim and Hellgate are assaulted in turn by StarAdder/Steel Viper/Cobra contingents. Bearclaw, lacking the StormCrow Pursuit Star in defense, falls relatively quickly before the superior MechWarriors of Steel Viper and Star Adder. While the Cobras succeed in landing some troops on Brim and Hellgate, they are not successful in sustaining their assaults until Adder assistance arrives and additional Snow Raven vessels consolidate the system’s blockades. The combined campaign is reduced to a series of raids that last for months while the Grand Council watches indecisively.

Mar 22 – (Clans) Khan James Cobb communicates with the Horses ancient ally, Clan Diamond Shark

about trading the Horses’ enclave on Strato Domingo to the Diamond Sharks in return for a regular resource stream. This would free up four Clusters and reduce the Kerensky Cluster holdings the Horses will have to defend while attacking the Wolves. The transfer would begin once the invasion starts. The Diamond Sharks accept, although they have been ditching their non-essential holdings in the Clan Homeworlds, moving their economy more to that of a trader than a producer. The development is not a total surprise to them, but it is disappointing, as they had hoped to transfer numerous resources to the Hell’s Horses.

Mar 24 – (Clans) James Cobb also communicates with the Coyotes about transferring the entire world

of Kirin and Tiber to the Coyotes, who would allow the Horses to withdraw all the Technicians and Scientists from these worlds, but all manufacturing would remain undisturbed. In return, 50% of the output of both worlds would be transferred to the Hell’s Horses for 10 years, and the Coyotes promise to make a substantial payment in resources and war material.

Cobb hopes to retain the worlds of Niles, and the enclaves on Tokasha and Eden. With almost a Galaxy worth of troops on each, they would be well defended, and with Tokasha a mere jump away, forces from Niles could be dispatched swiftly in defense, and vice versa. Ultimately, even the Tokasha MechWorks will be traded away by Cobb in an effort to consolidate, but only once production in the Inner Sphere would allow him to do so. His deal with the Coyotes is designed to support his Clan in the interim.

For a Clan that prizes its compassion for its lower Castes, these trades will be a heavy blow to morale, and are likely to result in numerous challenges once his campaign against the Wolves begins to lose steam.

Mar 30 – (CBS) Alarmed at the escalating rhetoric of the Vipers in the Council chambers and concerned

that the Spirits would be targeted next if her hidden Spheroid “prisoners” were discovered, Khan Schmidt detaches part of the Spirit Watch and a few Clusters of troops to escort the “refugees” to a known habitable world nearby. (A world held in reserve in case the Spirits needed a ‘back door’ to escape the Clan Homeworlds, it is capable of supporting life and resource rich but undeveloped.) The Society manages to assign its few Spirit scientist members to the world as well, in order to subvert the refugees – or at the least, steal their knowledge.

April – (Clans) Reacting to the Star Adder’s war on the Snow Ravens, the Blood Spirit and a few Fire

Mandrill Kindraas assault numerous Star Adder holdings partially in opportunistic attack, and partially as indirect support to their Snow Raven allies. In turn, the Cobras turn and hit specific Spirit targets “suggested” by the Adders. This further hampers Star Adder operations against the Snow Ravens, dragging that conflict out even further. The Coyotes also engage in a few opportunistic land grabs and in the process, begin to notice the strange absence of key Hellion clusters.

Apr 14 – (Clans) Clan Hell’s Horses final invasion forces leave the Homeworlds bound for Nouveaux

Paris and then, the Inner Sphere. Cobb notifies his allies of his timetable and assures they will honor their deals.

May 25 – (Clans) Through the Outworlds Alliance, the Snow Ravens learn of the production and

deployment of the Hauberk Battle Armor by the Federated Suns. Connecting the dots on the Diamond Shark’s acquisition of the Undine Battle Armor almost two years ago, they present this to the Grand Council as further proof of the Diamond Shark’s corruption, to hopefully deflect the attention of Clan’s Steel Viper and Star Adder elsewhere. The Council fails to agree on anything, but the Snow Ravens’ ultimate objective is met, as numerous Clans now turn against Diamond Shark Holdings.

The Snow Ravens by this time have also come to the conclusion that they cannot hope to sustain a war with both the Vipers and Star Adders, even with them distracted by their allies, and by the Diamond Sharks, while also continuing their efforts in the Outworld Alliance. They arrive at the same conclusion as Cobb (who they now admire a bit more), and make plans to withdraw from Clan space. They reach out to the Coyote’s and Cloud Cobra’s.

June – (Clans) Steel Viper forces, supported to some extent by the Star Adders, direct their pent up

frustration for the “merchant Clan” on the Diamond Sharks, and assault several of their holdings. The Diamond Sharks have been moving significant assets to the Inner Sphere, and have only 15 (admittedly rather elite) Clusters in the Homeworlds when the Vipers begin their assault in force. Already planning to dispense of their Homeworld assets for quite some time, the Sharks bargain strategic advantage in favor of losing terrain, and allow both assailants significant gains, causing them to overextend. Effectively employing guerilla tactics on a strategic scale, the Diamond Sharks rapidly reduce their profile, while enlarging that of their enemies. By this time, this is proving particularly troubling for the Star Adders, who find themselves engaged with numerous Clans at the same time – a situation not desired at all by the Adder leadership, who begins to take steps to reduce their conflict level. The Diamond Sharks further take a page out of the Snow Raven’s book, using their naval assets to guard themselves. The Steel Vipers have used significant momentum while engaging the Falcons and Ravens, and the Star Adders likewise find their assets stretched, so this strategy is working. However, the Sharks realize that their position is inevitably untenable, and begin bargaining with the Coyotes and Goliath Scorpions for Cobb-like transfers of assets.

By this time, the Vipers’ frustration and anger has led them to dispense of zellbrigen at the slightest provocation is also prompting them to do the same in combat with the Snow Ravens and Diamond Sharks. The Vipers realize that without their Leviathan to break the stalemates in space, their campaign will be doomed.

Jun (1-28) – (Clan/LA) Jade Falcon forces (the 5th Talon and 305th Assault Clusters) attack Zanderij,

squaring off against the Tooth of Ymir and a motley collection of local militia. Jul – (Clans) Clan Coyote begins to move in on Diamond Shark and Snow Raven territory as they

notice Adder withdrawals. Though seen as upstarts by both the Adders and the Vipers, their “support” is welcome in keeping the pressure up. The Cloud Cobras also indicate they will attack Snow Raven positions. The Snow Ravens attempt to transfer their Arcadia holdings to the Blood Spirits, and their Brim holdings to the Cobras. The Star Adder forces are powerless to intervene in Arcadia’s case, and unwilling to engage their allies in Brim’s instance. The Snow Ravens intend to hang on to Albion, Circe and Lum while they can, with the majority of their industry active on those worlds. They offer Hellgate up to the Coyotes. The Steel Vipers learn of this, and decide to join the fun on Brim and Hellgate, only to find themselves in a Burrock Absorption style situation, with the Coyotes and Cobras actively defending “their” new assets from the Vipers. The Vipers engage both Clans and the fighting rages for almost three months before the Vipers withdraw after taking moderate losses (and damaging their reputation with both the Coyotes and the Cobras).

Jul (7-14) – (WB/Clan) Ghost Bear forces arrive at Tukayyid and destroy the Word of Blake ships there,

as a prelude to their eventual overtures to absorb the remaining FRR worlds. The McKenna-class Blake’s Sword is salvaged but—unable to jump—it is kept in orbit around an outer world for later repairs.

Jul (14-21) – (Clan/Per) The Snow Ravens receive a third fleet in Outworlds space, and Raven

representatives begin efforts to cement a long-standing alliance with the Outworlds, for mutual protection. (A certain level of urgency here is obvious to the Alliance council, who bargain hard for Raven concessions, including new factory updates and production lines. In return, the Ravens are ‘given’ Ravenna, Quatre Bell, and holdings on other Alliance worlds.) The Ravens make plans to

build a new shipyard complex at Quatre Bell, as currently they have no refit platforms since Lum has been destroyed.

Aug – (Clans) The Diamond Sharks begin transferring their resources on Babylon to the Cloud Cobras

and Coyotes, on Barcella to the Fire Mandrills, Paxon to Wolf, Tathis to Coyote, and Strato Domingo to the Goliath Scorpions, who bring two Galaxies and a large portion of their WarShips in defense. The transfer occurs with the Ice Hellions (a token force), Star Adders and even Blood Spirits snapping at the Shark’s heels, but by and large the transfer occur as the Sharks have planned. Only their capitol on Strana Mechty remains. They gather their remaining Clusters there (now all at two-thirds strength or worse after months of combat) and their Homeworld WarShips, while they prepare to take delivery of the bulk resources promised by each of the Clans they made deals with. Some resource transports are intercepted and trialed for by Cobra and Adder forces; the Sharks manage to gather only 2/3rds of their promised supplies.

Aug 12 – (LA/Clan) On Zanderij, the mercenary Greenburg’s Godzillas, using Steel Viper colors, turn

the tide of battle against the attacking Falcon forces. Aug (14-28) – (WB/Clan) Reacting to the horrendous damage discovered on Tukayyid and increasing

demand by their dominantly Rasalhagian lesser castes, Clan Ghost Bear moves to claim the remnants of the Free Rasalhague Republic diplomatically, sending Ragnar Magnusson to Orestes to begin negotiations. Ragnar arrives aboard the Rasalhague as part of a statement about the

power of the Bears and their respect for the people of the FRR. Sep-Oct – (Clans) Clan Steel Viper reveals the Leviathan Prime-class Battleship Perigard Zalman at

Strana Mechty, where it—backed up by a small flotilla of assault DropShips—immediately engages a surprised Diamond Shark fleet. The vessel inflicts a horrible toll on the Diamond Sharks, who withdraw their remaining assets in a hurry, losing one-third of their total fleet (including transports). As the majority of the vessels had already fully charged cores, and was merely taking in the last of the Diamond Shark castemen and supplies, the majority managed to make a timely retreat, but several WarShips do not survive even a single salvo of the mammoth WarShip. The Diamond Sharks leave Clan space, bound for their ‘undiscovered’ base in the Chainlanes.

[Dev note: There is some debate over whether the Leviathan (transport) or the Leviathan II (battleship) were ever the “intended” configurations of the Leviathan; to sidestep the debate, I have unilaterally named this the Leviathan Prime class, leaving it suggestive of being the initial-planned fleet-killer model while leaving the door open to the possibility that the Vipers tweaked the design]

The Zalman was rushed into service, so its interplanetary drive functions at barely 50% of

maximum, further reducing its ability to give chase. Wasting no time on repairs, the Steel Vipers next move the Zalman towards Lum, and the

remnant of the Snow Raven fleet near a target they will not surrender. At Lum, the Leviathan is attacked by all Snow Raven vessels there (10 WarShips, numerous

DropShips, hundreds of fighters) and takes a tremendous pounding. Its supporting craft and its tremendous endurance and staying power allow it to survive the battle, leaving only four damaged Snow Raven WarShips alive (which limp away to regroup at Circe, where the bulk of the Raven transports are hurriedly packing up everything possible). The price for the Steel Vipers is almost half of their aerospace power, but after winning Lum, there are not many who can challenge them. They drop three Galaxies of troops (by now, largely second line, even if some Clusters only have an upgrade in status on paper) on Lum, and succeed in securing the world plus an enormous stockpile of Raven war material. Included in this are several Clusters of ProtoMechs and their pilots, who are taken as isorla. The Leviathan Prime, needing heavy repairs, returns to New Kent

and takes up the entirety of the shipyard for repairs. The Snow Ravens, meanwhile, organize a counterattack, with their still-damaged vessels

jumping in-system at a pirate-point on September 30th. The Steel Vipers spend every last minute making repairs on the Leviathan Prime, with the last lower-castemen jumping off the hull from the

maneuvering WarShips literally as the first incoming missiles begin impacting its hull. The battle of New Kent sees hundreds of fighters and DropShips – literally everything the Ravens have left to fight with (even jury-rigging weapons onto small craft) almost prove too much for the Leviathan, which suffers multiple breeches of its armor thanks to two successful broadside ramming attacks by dying Raven WarShips, and suffers damage to several subsystems. Ultimately, the decade the Steel Vipers have spent preparing, and the decades of experience fighting Snow Ravens in space pay off, and the lone surviving Raven WarShip flees the system, heavily damaged. Nearly every fighter and DropShip is destroyed in the attack, with the Vipers rounding up survivors and demoting them to laborcastemen. The follow-up ground troops never enter the system, as the lone Raven WarShip manages to warn them off. The Snow Ravens now know their days in the Kerensky Cluster are numbered, as they are in a position to be Absorbed – and the decision is made to evacuate the Homeworlds at once, leaving over three-quarters of their lower caste behind.

Sep 3 – (CHH CIH) Clan Ice Hellion forces attack Nouveaux Paris, believing it to be mostly abandoned,

but a suitable base for their impending invasion. Not only do they find a large Hell’s Horses garrison including WarShip support, they find Khan Cobb there. Their Trial of Possession finds the Nouveaux Paris system defended by a bid of almost four Galaxies worth of troops and two WarShips. The Hellions do not cancel the Trial, but instead bid down to a single MechWarrior, Galaxy Commander Damon Hawkins of Delta Galaxy. He faces Khan Cobb alone, who defeats Damon. Afterwards, he and Cobb speak, with Cobb intent on knowing whether his preparations will now become common knowledge.

Damon reveals the purpose of the Hellion’s visit, realizing why the Horses are here. Soon after, via HPG, Cobb and Khan Riana Montose have a discussion about their mutual interests. They agree to a pact, sealed by the honor and word of both Khans that they will not engage each other’s Inner Sphere holdings for a period of five years after they have both set foot there, and come to terms about their objectives. The Hellions were prepared to take on both Clan Jade Falcon and Clan Wolf, to see whichever ended up being the weakest of the two. Cobb has been preparing to engage Wolf alone, and convinced Montose to focus on the Jade Falcons. He realizes that at the very least, they’ll keep his Jade Falcon border secure even more than the Lyrans and Wolves in Exile will already do. The Horses allow the Hellions the use of Nouveaux Paris as a jump-ff point for their own invasion, allowing Montose to bump up her invasion plans, given Nouveaux Paris’ facilities. The last couple of years have been spent raising another Galaxy (Theta Prime) worth of troops to help secure the homeworlds while Alpha, Beta, Delta and Zeta Galaxies along with all 13 of her WarShips are assigned to the invasion.

Sept 30 – (CSR) The last of the Raven fleet leaves the Pentagon worlds, leaving over 2/3rds of their

resources and castemen behind. A feeding frenzy continues with the Scorpions and Cobras seizing the last larger holdings of the Ravens. At this point, only scattered small holdings remain of the Ravens.

Oct – (Clans) Following up the amazing development of the Leviathan Prime BattleShip by their

comrades–in-arms, the Star Adders mount an assault on Albion. There they find the reason of their respite from Blood Spirit attacks the last few weeks: they were gathering their forces to take over this Snow Raven enclave. A massive CBS-CSA battle ensues on the surface of Albion, with the Star Adders brushing aside Blood Spirit and Snow Raven (such as they remain) aerospace assets. The Star Adders seem to care little for kicking the Snow Ravens off compared to kicking Spirit butt, and when they’re fully engaged, they even tell the Snow Ravens to just get lost, and not to expect Star Adder interference. After a month worth of vicious combat, the borders on Albion appear drawn.

Nov (14-28) – (Clan) Clan Hell’s Horses returns to the Inner Sphere with the capture of Nyserta and

Oberon VI from Clan Wolf. At this time, both of the Horses’ Keshiks, as well as Alpha, Beta, Delta and Kappa Galaxies are engaged in the Inner Sphere.

Initial deployment to those two worlds ensures that the Horses are able to hold both worlds, either of which could function as a drop-off point for continued activity if a heavy Wolf counterattack would occur immediately. Surrounding worlds are ignored at this time, as they lack significant garrisons and infrastructure, and defending two worlds is considerably easier to accomplish.

Epsilon, Zeta, Eta and Iota Galaxies are tasked with the protection of the remaining Hell’s Horse assets, including Nouveaux Paris whose importance is reducing rapidly now that its supplies are being transferred to Oberon IV, and the Ice Hellions have begun amassing there. Elements from all Galaxies are divided up among each remaining asset to supplement each other’s abilities. Theta Galaxy is en-route to join the efforts in the Inner Sphere.

The transfer of assets to Clan Star Adder, Coyote and Diamond Shark begins and proceeds relatively swiftly. Homeworld Warriors, particularly those among Iota begin griping about these changes.

Dec (1-14) – (Clan) The Hell’s Horses Clan takes Palus Prime from Clan Wolf. The Horses only engaged Omega Galaxy so far, with the Dark Keshik and the 11th Battle

Cluster on Oberon, the 2nd Wolf Guards Grenadiers on Nyserta and the 1st Wolf Guards Grenadiers on Paulus Prime. Omega Galaxy contains all remaining Wardens in Vlad’s Wolves. They are all great Warriors, but have been dumped to hunt pirates. Cobb knows this, and while he has an overwhelming force available, he realizes he can issue a Harvest Trial to Galaxy Commander Stevic Hawker, which he does in person at Oberon.

Stevic accepts, and orders each Cluster of his command to make its own arrangements. On Oberon, Cobb himself faces Stevic’s Command Star, and narrowly defeats him. The fight Paulus Prime is also hard fought, but net the Horses some experienced Wardens that will quickly be able to join the Horse ranks. The second Wolf Guards Grenadiers Cluster on Nyserta does not engage

in Harvest Trials, and instead faces the Horses head on. After almost three weeks of non-stop engagements with the 77th Mechanized cavalry, the remaining 2nd Grenadiers forces retreat from Nyserta. (See also HS3070 artles, Admission of Honor, page 113)

Cobb immediately creates a new Galaxy, Omega, on Oberon IV, starting with Stevic Hawker. Cobb places all of the Wolf Bondsmen under Stevic’s authority, allowing Stevic to filter out any malcontents to the rolls of Iota if he deems this necessary. Fortunately, Vlad has already done the job of filtering out potential troublemaker Crusaders for Cobb and Hawker, leaving the majority of surviving Warriors in suitable condition.

Dec (28-31) – (Clan/WB) Blakist forces launch a nuclear attack on Tamar, “scouring” the planet in the

hopes of enraging the Wolves further against the nearest Inner Sphere powers. A similar, attempted attack on Arc-Royal (on Dec 28) is intercepted when an alert Wolf-in-Exile WarShip destroys the nuke-laden WoB DropShip.

3071 (Time covered by Jihad Hot Spots: 3072) Jan 4 – (CS/LA/Clan) As part of a growing effort to contain the various border conflicts and coordinate a

mutual defense strategy, Victor Steiner-Davion travels to Arc-Royal to meet with General Adam Steiner and Wolf (in-Exile) Khan Phelan Kell. At the secret strategy session, Adam confides that he has a plan to liberate Tharkad that is already underway, while Kell shares data suggesting that a Word of Blake strike has indeed hit Tamar.

Jan 10 – (CSA / CBS, CFM) Conflict begins anew on Albion, with kindraa Mick-Kline-Kreese arriving to

assist the Spirits – and breaking the tenuous zellbrigen. Enraged, the Adders open up with everything, including orbital bombardment by their supporting WarShip, and nearly destroy the Mandrill – Spirit forces. The retreating Spirits and Mandrills ask and are denied hegira, with the saKhan declaring all participant forces dezgra. Taking horrendous losses both on the ground and in the air while withdrawing, the Spirits and Mandrills escape with barely a Cluster each.

Jan 13 – (LA/Clan) Clan Jade Falcon’s Delta Galaxy assaults Great X, but the fortified world quickly

becomes a quagmire. Jan 15 – “Falcons on Guard” intercept from Jade Falcons by INN (JHS72, Hell Unleashed) Jan (21-28) – (Clan) Having claimed the bulk of Clan Wolf’s Omega Galaxy and re-forged it as the

Hell’s Horses’ Omega Galaxy, the Horses—still largely unaware of the events on Tamar (and unable to hold back their assault plans even if they knew)—secure their holdings on Oberon IV, Paulus Prime and Nyserta. The arrival of Theta Galaxy also allows them to annex the surrounding systems of Manaringaine, Elissa, Ferris, The Rock, Drask’s Den, Crellacor, Gustrell, Placidia, Sigurd, Blackstone and Butte Hold. Meanwhile, the Horses advance with their Keshiks, supported by Alpha, Beta, and Kappa to attack Steelton, New Caledonia, and Star’s End.

Feb (1-14) – (LA/Clan) The Jade Falcons’ Delta Galaxy assaults Morges, severely mauling the Dioscuri

mercenary unit. Feb 4 – (Clan/LA) Vlad Ward, reporting a “scouring” on Tamar that has cost the lives of over a Galaxy

of Wolf Clan forces—including saKhan Marialle Raddick—(and likely on the advice of Bondswoman Katherine) sends his Delta Galaxy Commander Katya Kerensky to Arc-Royal to propose a truce with the Lyrans.

Betting that the Grand Council would once again prove powerless, Vlad begins preparations to withdraw the remaining Wolf forces from the Homeworlds. He begins negotiations with the Coyotes for transportation assistance. He manages to bargain for several JumpShips and a full Galaxy of Coyote troops; in return, Vlad transfers the remaining Wolf enclaves and lowercastemen to the Coyotes, save Wolf technicians.

Feb 7 – (LA/WB/Clan) Security on Arc-Royal is ratcheted up another notch after two suicide bombings

occur in as many weeks, targeting the mini-summit of military leaders there. The second bombing—a kamikaze car bombing aimed at Gavin Dow’s motorcade in Old Connaught—leaves the ComStar Primus seriously wounded and hospitalized for a month. For the sake of security (and to draw any more terror attacks away from civilian areas), the allied leaders reconvene their meetings to the Wolf-in-Exile WarShip Werewolf. (At this time, the still-battered Invisible Truth is

docked for a much-needed overhaul and repair at the Exiles’ mobile fleet base.)

Feb (21-28) to (Mar [1-7]) – (Clans) – The Horses’ 30th Mechanized Strike Cluster faces the 13th Wolf Regulars on Steelton, but after Siobahn Cooper is forced to break her bid to secure a victory, the Horses’ commander attempts to salvage her honor by granting the Wolves heigira. Beta Galaxy’s

Command Trinary faces the 33rd Wolf Champions Cluster on New Caledonia, while the 333rd Mechanized Cluster hits the 1st Wolf Garrison Cluster on Star’s End. The depleted 33rd Champions flees New Caledonia after two weeks of fighting, while only a third of the First Wolf Garrison Cluster survives the initial Horses’ assault on Star’s End to flee after another day of hit and run tactics. Meanwhile, the Horses’ Kappa Galaxy secures a foothold on Outpost against the 1st Wolf Hussars Cluster. The Hussars do not withdraw, however, and must be rooted out by the relatively young Kappas, who suffer heavy losses for the effort, but eventually carry the day.

The Horses spend the next month (March) consolidating their gains, including the annexations of Skallevol, Icar, Chateua and The Edge.

Feb 27 – (Clans) [UNREPORTED TO THE INNER SPHERE!] The Clans hold another Grand Council

meeting to consider the impact of the Blakist nuclear attack on Tamar. Calls for a new ilKhan to lead a unified response are made, as well as a vote to repudiate the Great Refusal. To everyone’s surprise, Garret Sainze of the Fire Mandrills (nominated by the Vipers and the Adders specifically because they expected his vote to fail) wins the ilKhanship, but the Great Refusal is upheld by a

combination of Adder politics and the large number of abstentions. The Council session quickly dissolves into chaos, however, when the Goliath Scorpions call a Refusal against Sainze’s ilKhanship (due more to Adder prompting as an act of revenge from the Mandrill interference on Albion).

During the Scorpions’ Refusal Trial, Sainze is killed on Shadow. This outcome forces a new Grand Council meeting. The Adders ‘withdraw’ from a portion of their newly gained enclave on Albion and the Scorpions settle in.

Seeing the writing on the wall and thoroughly disgusted with the ‘filthy politics’ of the Council, the Ghost Bear khans remove their small enclave from Strana Mechty, leaving only their Loremaster and a Star of warriors to guard the blood chapels and their attendant scientists. From this point on, only the sakhan would attend any Council meetings, and only virtually.

Mar 4 – (Clans) [UNREPORTED IN THE INNER SPHERE!] With bickering in the Council reaching a

new high so soon after Sainze’s death, the Grand Council fails to elect a new ilKhan. Worse, as the Wolves still reel from the dual impacts of the Horses encroachment and the aftermath of the Tamar strike—as well as revelations that they have sent envoys to the Exiles—many voices now suggest the attack on Tamar is a sign of the Wolves’ weakness. Accusations soon fly against all Invading and encroaching Clans (including the Horses and the Ravens), until the Council dissolves in anarchy. Vlad walks out of the Council without a word and prepares to bring the rest of his people – and his new Galaxy of troops, thanks to the Coyotes – home.

Mar (7-14) – (FR/Clan) Despite promising initial reactions, many Rasalhagians openly resist the coming

of the Ghost Bear forces in the remnant section of the Free Rasalhague Republic. At the Frihet Training Facility on Grumium, matters turn particularly ugly when panicked cadets overrun the academy in protest over the government’s talks with the “Clan scourge”, forcing the First Grumium Armored Militia to forcibly remove their own countrymen.

Mar 11 – (Clan/Per) A Snow Raven flotilla of three WarShips in the Dante system hosts a virtual

conclave with the rest of the Raven council to discuss the next stages of their encroachment and reaction to reported Blakist attacks on other Clans in the Inner Sphere. Without warning, the vessel is crippled when a suicide JumpShip materializes less than 10 meters away. A small flotilla of nuke-armed Pocket WarShips engages the WarShip’s escorts, destroying the Raven flagship and damaging both escorts in an action that also kills off the Clan’s saKhan and close to a Galaxy of troops. The action deepens a political divide in the Alliance between those who see the Ravens as invaders who brought this upon themselves, and pro-alliance elements who see the Ravens as defenders who are taking a beating on the Outworlds’ behalf.

Apr 5-18 – (CFM) kindraa Mick-Kline-Kreese absorb the remains of the shattered Sainze kindraa after

the debacle on Shadow. The move is more of self-preservation than a change of politics; Khan Amanda Carroll calls the Clan together for a Council to try one more time to pull the Clan together.

Apr 2 – (Clan/LA) Jade Falcon incursion into Lyran space stalls as the Clan faces repercussions of the

Homeworld crises and assesses the extent of a Word of Blake attack on the neighboring Wolves. No cease-fire is declared.

Apr 10 – (CW) The last of the ‘new’ Clan Wolf forces prepare to leave the Homeworlds. Shockingly, the entire genetic stock of Wolf exclusive bloodnames (and those in use by the Wolves) are removed from the master genetic chapels on Strana Mechty. The Society is unfazed, since they already have genetic copies stored on their secret facility in the Tanite system.

Enraged, several Clan warriors go on a rampage, rounding up any remaining Wolf scientists (there are a handful who remained) and others who are in the wrong place at the wrong time and execute them. A brawl breaks out among several Clan warriors in attendance, and the blood rage spills into the streets among the lower castemen as well, sparking a riot that lasts several hours before the Ebon Keshik is brought in for crowd control. In the end, hundreds of castemen are killed – and only a few warriors. Those who brought about the executions are exonerated by the Grand Council, a rare unanimous vote of those that remain.

Apr 12 – (LA/Clan) A small Jade Falcon force—no greater than a Binary in size—arrives on Arc-Royal

under a flag of truce. Even though Falcon units remain engaged elsewhere on the Lyran border, this envoy force (led by a Star Captain Tara Helmer) this force is dispatched under orders of Khan Marthe Pryde to investigate the true nature of this Word of Blake Jihad.

Apr 15 – (Clans) The other Clans, after sorting out the entire mess of the removal of the genetic

legacies of the Wolf bloodnames – including the holy Kerensky – Abjure the Wolves in the Grand Council. Vlad, already on his way back to the Inner Sphere, ‘honors’ the Council with his presence long enough to tell them where exactly to stick their Abjuration, and signs off.

Enraged, the Council ends in chaos. Several Clans follow the Vipers lead and launch immediate attacks to claim Wolf holdings. Meanwhile, Vlad orders the remaining Wolf warriors in the Homeworlds – those assigned to continue loading as much resource and clansmen as possible – to sell themselves dearly; their defense of their holdings is worthy of the Rememberance. Though the Wolves do end up losing, they do serious damage to several Clan Clusters, including the Cobras, Vipers, Adders and Scorpions. Absent of the landgrab is the Mandrills and the Coyotes.

Apr (21-30) – (Clans) The Ice Hellions deploy their Alpha, Beta, Delta and Zeta Galaxies—along with all

13 of their WarShips in a series of lighting swift strikes along the Jade Falcon OZ. The 16 Clusters fan out only concentrating on Falcon garrisons, which are thin and depleted this far Coreward in their Occupation Zone (a rough line from Bone-Norman through Tolland and “north”). Significant resistance is initially encountered only on Bone Norman, where the Falcons’ Eleventh PGC uses creative tactics to ambush and frustrate the Hellions, all but destroying the Hellions’ elite 200th Assault led by saKhan Connor Rood. Within two weeks, the Hellions overrun 13 Falcon-held worlds, bonding few of the captured warriors. Although the Hellions are already stretched thin, Riana Montose does not adjust her invasion timetable.

May 12 – “Omega Rides Again” intercept from Clan Wolf (JHS72, Hell Unleashed) Jun (7-28) – (Clans) The Horses have slowed down their attacks somewhat, diverting forces back to

reclaim Steelton from the Falcons even as the Falcons hit back on Seiduts. The Horses advance only a few more worlds toward Tamar, taking Liezen, Harvest, and Planting—each with stiff Wolf resistance.

Meanwhile, the Ice Hellions invade the Falcon-held worlds of Golandrinas, Dark Nebula, Wotan, Winfield, and Persistence. The Falcon resistance, still noticeably weak as most Falcon units are pushing into the Inner Sphere, is nonetheless tougher than anticipated, and the Hellions suffer significant losses.

June 24 – (Clans) The last of the Wolf holdings – those on Niles – fall to the Adders. At this time, the

Wolves are no longer present in the Homeworlds. Jun 25 – (FR/CS/Clans) Although the Ghost Bears have tolerated their presence for some time,

ComStar is informed that it will soon be asked to remove its presence from the Rasalhague Republic as the Rasalhagians and Ghost Bears continue to hammer out the terms of a “mutual defense pact”.

Jul (1-30) – (Clan) The Ice Hellion advance hits more turbulence when Falcon units reclaim Bone-

Norman, Somerset, Golandrinas, and Wotan. Hellion saKhan Connor Rood redeploys his forces to retake these worlds, while Khan Montose stalls in her advance with heavy clashes on Derf, Trell I, and Romulus.

Jul 15-31 – (CGS) The Scorpions raid Coyote enclaves as the Coyotes – having absorbed so much

territory – are stretched thin. The Coyotes reinforce their holdings by stripping Tamarind of all its defenses, relying on the Ancestral Home and her escort as its only defense.

Jul 21 – (Clan) Clan Hell’s Horses placates the Ghost Bears in advance of their imminent assault by

sending a “special envoy” to Rasalhague in the form of Nova Captain Jake Kabrinsky, who has been converted to the Horses since his 3068 capture in a Watch raid. [Note: Kabrinsky’s injuries during his capture forced the Horses to install cybernetics into his body, but he also bears the Mark of the Horse—a high honor earned during his conversion in a special Branding Rite. The changes unsettle many of his closest living Ghost Bear associates.]

Aug (14-28) – (Clans) By this point, Wolf Clan forces are arrayed in a “line of death” from Ferleiten to

Ridderkerk to Zoetermeer. Slowing his invasion down to a crawl now, Cobb’s Horses focus instead on consolidation even as Ghost Bear forces launch Trials on Balsta, Hermagor, and Dawn (the trials are arranged as a goodwill gesture between the Horses and Bears).

Sept – (CBS, WOB) Precentor Meritor, the ROM leader of the deep-cover mission, assists Spirit

scientists in creating a viral strain that attacks a particular genetic strand. The assistance comes in the form of the encrypted data the WOB had with them from their own lab experiments on Hansa, merged with the Clan’s extensive genetic knowledge library.

Having developed a close relationship with the scientists and warriors assigned to guard them, the ROM team convinces the Clan scientists to keep the knowledge of such a deadly disease secret – “for the good of the Clan”. (This they would have no problem with, because the biological equivalent of a surgical-strike WMD like this would bring the wrath of all Clans down on anyone even remotely connected to such an experiment!) The Society, however, manages to acquire the completed lab results and passes it on for further testing.

Oct (1-28) – (Clans) The Horses attempt to break Vlad’s line of death with assaults on Ridderkerk,

Basiliano, and Hohenems, but only succeed in establishing footholds on Basiliano and Hohenems. The Wolves repulse the Horses attack on Ridderkerk and even plant troops on Mozirje and Unzmarkt, threatening deeper pushes against Cobb’s growing OZ.

Marthe Pryde, realizing the implications of the War of Reaving on her Clan, the Horses, the Ice Hellions and the Wolves, communicates with Cobb. Promising him a future in which the Horses will find themselves bled dry in a war of attrition, just as the Hellions are realizing they may have bit off more than they can chew (as their assault has rapidly stalled in a series of bloody stalemates). Without admitting it, Cobb agrees that his Clan is not yet at a point where such a war of attrition could be reasonably won, and so he secretly agrees to join Marthe in ejecting the Ice Hellions from the Inner Sphere. Though he realizes that the Falcons could get the job done on their own, at least now (he reasons) they will owe him a favor.

Meanwhile, the Hellions have managed to inch forward along their “invasion corridor”. Once more focusing on the Falcon/Wolf/Horse border, they have managed to place troops on Maxie’s Planet, Romulus, and Evciler, even as the Falcon forces retake Erewhon, Anywhere, and Lackhove.

Oct 2 – (FS/Per/Clan) FedSuns mercenaries (the Screaming Eagles) attack the Outworlds Alliance

world of Ramora under false orders and planted intelligence, damaging elements of Clan Snow Raven and the Outworlds Alliance Borderers.

Oct 18 – “The Sell-Out” intercept from Flacons and Horses from INN (JHS72, Cracks in the Façade) Oct 19-31 (Clans) A lull of activity spreads across the Homeworlds as the remaining Clans consolidate

their new holdings – and then notice the lack of activity from the Hellions. Various Watch reports then confirm that the bulk of the Hellion touman is indeed out of the Homeworlds – and near the Inner Sphere.

The various Khans settle in to see how the Hellions fare. (CFM) The remaining Mandrill kindraas consolidate their holdings and for once, determine

that their survival is predicated on the dissolution of kindraa rivalry. An attempt is made to unify the remaining kindraa, and the Mandrill touman is reorganized.

A new saKhan is chosen. Oct 21 – (Clan/Stone) Clan Nova Cat finally comes out of their isolation to support Devlin Stone. (A

young Tyrina Drummond appoints herself Stone’s personal bodyguard.) The Nova Cats’ decision comes from a vision—shared by the Cat leadership and Minoru Kurita—of “they envision a new home, a bright star, a beacon that seems to come from the heart of the Inner Sphere. A beacon born by a messiah who was not of the Nova Cat, but a hero of the Spheroids”

Oct 29 – “Nova Cats Redeploy, No Explanation Given” article by Voice of the Dragon (JHS72, Cracks in

the Façade)

Oct 31 – “New Visions?” article by The Drake (JHS72, Cracks in the Façade) Nov 1 – “Visions of Purpose” intercept from Nova Cats by INN (JHS72, Cracks in the Façade) Nov (1-14) – (FS/Per/Clan) The Ravens and Outworlds Alliance respond to the attack on Ramora by

backtracking the Eagles to their base on Kilbourne and besieging the planet there. The FedSuns forces win out, destroying the Ravens’ 6th Battle Cluster, but not without significant damage.

(Clans) Vlad Ward’s Wolves force the Horses off Basiliano and Hohenems and completely retake Mozirje, Feltre, and Unzmarkt. Additional Wolf strikes carve footholds on Planting as the Horses’ efforts suddenly shift toward the Falcon/Hellion front. The use of front line forces broadcasts a clear message to the Horses backed up by a direct HPG transmission from Vlad to Cobb: The Horses have advanced far enough at his sufferance.

The Horses, in the meantime, hit the Ice Hellion-controlled holdings on Von Stang’s World, Toland, Bensinger, and Apollo.

Nov (15-30) – (Clan/Per) Omniss terrorists on Alpheratz set off a thermonuclear device in the heart of

the Outworlds Alliance capital city of Farmindas. The attack at the center of the Alliance creates a massive outrage but fails to truly decapitate the Alliance leadership as President Avellar was meeting with Raven officials in space at the time (discussing the ramifications of the Kilbourne attack). Rather than cowing the Alliance into submission, the attack galvanizes the Alliance people. Those who were on the fence regarding the Raven ties now see the Ravens as a powerful ally against attacks. Though dissent remains, political and military expediency have forced the Alliance leadership to accept Raven protection; indeed, for a time, key Alliance leaders—including Mitchell Avellar himself—are “housed” on board a Raven WarShip for their protection.

Nov 17 – (CS/FR/Clans) The Com Guard forces remaining in the Free Rasalhague Republic begin

preparations to depart. Dec 1 – (Clans) A new Grand Council is convened. Attending (live and virtually) are the Spirits,

Mandrills, Cobras, Scorpions, Adders, Vipers, Coyotes, Bears, Falcons, Hellions, Horses, Ravens and Sharks. Once again, a vote to refute the Great Refusal is called; this time, it passes – barely. Voting for it are the Spirits, Mandrills, Ravens (all three doing so to avoid calling attention to themselves and their now meager holdings in the HW), Scorpions, Falcons (who are now taking the Jihad seriously – and with the Hellion issue, can see the benefit of having a renewed Invasion to bring pressure against the WOB, as the Falcons know they cannot do it alone), and Vipers. Voting against it are the Bears, Hellions (who want their own glory), Horses (who don’t need the competition in the Wolf Zone), and Coyotes. Abstaining are the Star Adders.

With the Refusal now refuted, a call for an ilKhan is made. Two nominations are brought forward: Brett Andrews of the Vipers, and Stanislov N’Buta of the Adders. Playing the long game, N’Buta backs out, and Andrews is voted in as ilKhan. In protest, the Falcons cut their connection – and miss Andrew’s first act as ilKhan.

To remove the fullness of the taint of the Spheroids and to ensure the success of the Clan invasion this time around, Andrews declares that all Bloodnames/ Bloodhouses of those Clans who currently reside within the Inner Sphere are tainted, and therefore worthless.

And thus, are to be Reaved. The bombshell dropped, the Council dissolves into chaos as Andrews declares a Trial of

Reaving against Shark saKhan Lebov – a cross-Clan declaration with precedent. Astonished, Lebov accepts the Trial in a moment of rash decision and declares the Trial to occur “immediately”. With one swift motion, Andrews draws a pistol – a violation of the Grand Council rules – and shoots him dead.

The Council disbands and Reaving declarations come fast and furious from the Vipers – and then their allies join in. The Adders are strangely silent.

As word spreads across the Clan Homeworlds, the Society conducts an emergency meeting. Deciding that a line has been crossed by the warrior caste – clearly, they have no idea the supreme ramifications of their declarations – the Society decides to initiate a planned revolt (something that has been “in the wings’ for a few years now but still hastily put into play) designed to remove the warriors from power, and place the scientists on top. Hasty plans are put into motion.

Dec (7-21) – (Clans) Embattled now on two fronts, the Hellions’ advance into the Inner Sphere is cut

into two segments, one commanded by saKhan Rood and the other by Khan Montose. Rood’s holdings—Botany Bay, Last Chance, Gotterdammerung, Lackove, and Here—are assaulted by the Horses. Montose’s forward zone—a thin line along the Falcon/Horse border from Winfield and Persistence to Evciler—is largely assailed by Falcon units. Desperate, Montose attacks Seiduts and Vantaa, bitterly accusing the Horses of “freebirth treachery”.

Dec 10 – (CGS, CGB) After winning a Bloodname Reaving trial (names to be determined later) between

themselves and the Scorpions, the Ghost Bears—angry at the “adolescent tantrums” being displayed—pack up and leave. Note that all Reaving calls against those Bear warriors in HW space are either ignored – Kabrinsky calls the GC a ‘sham’ and a ‘horrid miscarriage of the Great Father’s original purpose’ – or flat-out won by those Bears who accept. (Note – there are maybe less than 10 Bloodnamed warriors with Kabrinsky in the HW, so the calls are minimal.)

Dec 11 – Various bloodfeuds erupt, with the Vipers declaring the most Reaving Trials. There is no

conflict between the Adders, Cobras, Scorpions and Vipers, nor the Spirits, Mandrills and Ravens (what’s left of them). As the Feuds escalate, the Reavings are widened to include full sibkos of warriors, includes those warriors who failed their Trials of Position and occupy various ranks among the lower castes. The peak of the frenzy comes on Dec 29, when a bloody purge on Strana Mechty goes out of control and two entire Bloodhouse Chapels are leveled from orbit by a Mandrill WarShip. This action indicates to the Society that rebellion is necessary and the destruction of genetic material is tantamount to treason. Therefore, the warriors MUST be stopped.

Meanwhile, action against the Mandrill ship is swift – it is destroyed by Viper and Coyote vessels – and the Coyotes and Cobras (both Clans who lose the most in the devastation) declare an Annihilation of the genes of the kindraa who controlled the vessel. A small fleet embarks for Shadow within the week.

Dec 20 – (Clan/Per/CS) By this time, Clan Snow Raven has (somewhat peacefully) bent the Outworlds

Alliance to its will. The Ravens claim the world of Dante as their central enclave pending a more complete integration in the future. The remaining Raven homeworld fleets begin a massive migration. The Snow Ravens also begin forcibly rounding up and evicting the ComStar HPG operators in the Alliance, suspecting possible Word of Blake turncoats among them. Raven techs take over the HPGs as JumpShips loaded with ComStar administrators are sent out to FedSuns space.

3072 Jan (1-10) – (Clans) Society leadership – also influential Coyotes (as the scientists rule Clan Coyote,

much the same way merchants rule the Sharks) – introduces new ProtoMech designs in the Annihilation of a Mandrill kindraa on Shadow. Once complete, the force then turns on the Vipers. The Scientist Rebellion begins with this action.

Jan 11 – (LA/Clans/WB) A Lyran attack force led by General Adam Steiner, augmented by elements of

Clan Wolf (in-Exile), the Kell Hounds, Wolf’s Dragoons, and even a token Jade Falcon force commanded by Star Captain Tara Helmer (MWDA Liao Incursion Dossier on Leala Banach, Jupiter #124), hits Tharkad, with the LAS Fylgia and the recently recovered LAS Yggdrassil in the lead. In a daring operation, Loki/Seventh Kommando operatives manage to capture the LCS Invincible, but not before the barely battle-ready Yggdrasil is rendered crippled (initial reports suggest scuttling her

as blazes erupt throughout the ship). Tharkad’s liberation is lauded as a victory for all Lyrans, and the Brotherhood of Cincinnatus plays up this victory as proof in Adam Steiner’s true place as Lyran Archon.

Jan (12 – 20) – (Clan) Viper troops on Ironhold find themselves overrun with SuperProtos and Coyote

warriors, who manage to inflict nearly 95% casualties before they can withdraw. Other surprise attacks hit various enclaves on Circe, Daghda, Huntress, and Babylon. Most of the surprise attacks use SuperProto and hyper-enhanced Advanced Elementals, along with OmniMechs mounting some experimental weapons. No Clan Bloodnamed warrior survives; those unblooded or freeborn are rounded up and detained.

Jan (14-31) – (Clan) The Wolves fully push the Horses off Planting, Mozirje, Feltre, and Unzmarkt.

Khans Cobb and Ward agree to a cease-fire as both sides attempt to consolidate their holdings. Montose’s Ice Hellions lose Persistence, Winfield, and Romulus to the Falcons. Desperate

to consolidate, she calls all her remaining Hellions to Evciler, Seiduts, and Vantaa. Jan 21 – (CS/FRR/Clans) – ComStar’s military forces begin to leave the Rasalhague Republic at the

request of the Rasalhagian government, bound for the Lyran Alliance’s Arc-Royal Theater. Jan 24 - (CSA) Upsilon Galaxy, upon rearming / refitting at the Tanite worlds, shed their Adder skin and

the Burrock Zeta Galaxy is born. Purged of any Adder warriors who refuse to join them, they then

submit to Society rule and then begin purging Cobra warriors from the rest of the Tanite worlds. (Because of the previous independent nature of Upsilon, it will be months before the Adder Khans realize the Galaxy has gone missing.)

Feb (1-20) – (Clans) Confused with the suddenness of the Society’s attacks and the continuing Reaving

trials, the various Clans find themselves in differing levels of turmoil. Coyotes are nearly unaffected, since the scientists have had a silent grip on the Clan for several decades. The Vipers are the most disrupted, since their Clan had little Society involvement as well as Andrew’s declaration has incensed the Society to target them. Scientific labs and research stations are sabotaged with network viruses and hammered with Society raiding.

HPGs go down on Strana Mechty, Huntress, Daghda, and New Kent. A viral flu incapacitates most of the CGS warriors on Roche as a ‘test strain’ is targeted in the foodstuffs.

Chaos is rampant, and confusion reigns. In this, the Society grabs several key installations and floods the Chatterweb with propaganda to the castes; the message is simple enough – this is a war of the castes, with the Society’s pledge to protect the lesser castes as much as possible.

Brim burns as a Raven WarShip turns its guns on a Raven scientific complex that sets underground fuel tanks and other toxic chemicals off. The capital becomes a toxic graveyard and the fallout affects part of the Adder enclave. Because of this action, the Adders declare a Trial of Reaving on the Star Admiral and win. Adder scientists, however, refuse to carry out the action and a bloodbath erupts on Circe between Adder warriors and Raven / Society scientists. The Adder troops are eliminated when a force of SuperProtos and hyper-Ele’s take down the saKhan’s binary.

Feb 14 – (LA/WB/CS/Clan) A coalition force comprised of ComStar, LAAF, and Wolf-in-Exile units,

under the command of Victor Steiner-Davion, assaults and liberates Donegal from Word of Blake blockade forces.

Feb (14-28) – (Clans) The Falcons retake Evciler and the Horses take Seiduts back, leaving only

Vantaa in Ice Hellion Khan Montose’s hands, while her saKhan gathers his forces to a final holdout in the Dark Nebula.

Feb 20 – (Burrock) The Tanite worlds are now firmly under Society control as the last of the Cobras are

destroyed. Feb (21-28) – (DC/Clan) In reaction to increasing reports of Nova Cat forces mobilizing in the Irece

Prefecture (by now at least one Galaxy has been confirmed AWOL to join Stone), two DCMS WarShips go renegade from their border patrols and appear in the Irece Prefecture, where they begin targeting the Clan’s Carracks (ostensibly to keep the Cats from abandoning the DCMS wholesale). By the time Kanrei Minamoto orders loyalist WarShips to intercept, two Nova Cat heavy transports and a host of DropShips and conventional JumpShips have been “sunk”. Relations between Nova Cat leadership and Minamoto grow strained.

Feb 28 – (CHH) More Reaving continues on Niles, where swaths of Horse sibkos are executed. Mar (1-30) – (Clans) The Horses shatter the last of saKhan Rood’s holdings with a final assault in the

Dark Nebula. Rood accepts hegira with his forces and attempts to flee back to the Homeworlds. Falcon and Horses units jointly land on Vantaa to take on the Hellion Khan. Cobb also extends an offer of hegira, but the enraged Montose defiantly refuses.

Mar 25 – “Surkai” intercept from Clan Wolf-in-Exile (JHS72, Desperate Times) Apr 2 – (CBS) The Blood Spirits offer to Absorb the Mandrills, as two more kindraa are wiped out – one

to a mysterious ‘blood disease’ (actually a test run of the Society’s version of the CBS/WOB virus). The Mandrills, having lost Shadow to the Society and Clan Coyote, accept.

Apr 10 – (CSA, CBS) The Adders, taking advantage of the situation swirling around, hit York and are

shocked when they find a newly beefed up Spirit force entrenched on the planet. After two weeks and severe losses, the Adders withdraw.

Apr (14-30) – (Clans) During the final endgame on Vantaa, the Ice Hellion forces under Khan Montose

are shattered by the combined might of Clans Hell’s Horses and Jade Falcon. The final battle is spread out across several locales on the planet, including several chemical plants and water refineries used to support the planet’s sole inhabited continent. In addition, the Hellions’ remaining naval assets are torn apart by a Falcon fleet assault, backed up by Horses DropShips and aerospace fighters. At the end of the battle, scarcely two Clusters of Hellions and four of their WarShips survive to be taken as isorla—evenly divided among the Horses and Falcons. Although

the two victorious Clans plan initially to divide Vantaa as well, the ecological and infrastructure damage caused by their final battle (combined with the planet’s low value and population), lead them to abandon the planet by the end of the year.

Apr 29 – (CJF) Etinenne Balzac, concerned that with the Hellion threat now neutralized Khan Pryde will

turn her focus to the Falcon scientists (because by now, the Khan has had vague reports of the uprising in the HW), decides to execute a pre-emptive strike. Having acquired the beta strains of the CBS bloodvirus, he has it tailored to hit the Mattlov and Chistu bloodlines. The airborne virus is released over the course of the next month and is deadly only to the genetic sequences it is tailored to.

Warriors with Chistu and Mattlov blood legacies begin suffering and dying, with nearly 50% casualties by the end of June.

May 16 – (CS/LA/Clans) The relocated Com Guard forces from the Free Rasalhague Republic take up

station on several worlds bordering the Jade Falcon and Wolf Occupation Zones as an added safeguard against further invasion.

May 22-30 – (CDS) The Diamond Sharks lose three outposts to Society attacks, with one small flotilla

wiped out by a ‘mysterious ship’ – actually a Davion-class cruiser that sports some experimental technology. Unfortunately, the Nikolai Tesla suffers major damage and as it jumps out, the drive

malfunctions and it misjumps, taking one of the Society’s ranking Council members with it. Jun 1-15 (CIH) The fleeing forces under Khan Rood run right into the Burrock’s Zeta Galaxy, which now

includes Protos, SuperProtos and HyperEles. The running naval fight is a rout, and the Hellion ships jump as they gain charges. The Hellions are scattered as Rood’s flagship is gutted.

Jun 2 – (CJF) Balzac’s forces hit two Galaxy command headquarters (worlds determined later) with an

advanced protoMech army, killing one Galaxy Commander in the diversion and seizing the Falcon repository and backup facilities. Knowing the bloodvirus has begun to spread, he issues a moratorium to Khan Pryde: surrender power, step down as Khan, and relinquish control to the scientists.

Not surprisingly, Marthe refuses. Jun 19 – (Clan/DC/WB) In an effort to magnify the worsening tensions between Clan Nova Cat and the

DCMS, the Word of Blake’s 42nd Shadow Division delivers multiple nuclear attacks against Irece that claim at least one orbiting WarShip and damages the capital city. However, the Blakists underestimate the sophistication of the Nova Cat sensor grid, which identifies the attacking DropShips as Word of Blake fare, rather than DCA vessels. Enraged, the Cats send an expedition to Luthien after confirming a sighting of 42nd Shadow units on that world.

Jun 19 – “Agents Provocateurs” intercept from Nova Cats (JHS72, Desperate Times) Jun (20-30) – (CCC) Cobra forces seize Mount Zazbo on Huntress with Scorpion assistance; the

Jaguar repository is razed and then collapsed from the inside, which serves two purposes – a Reaving of the Jaguar legacy, and eliminating a Society stronghold. Society forces go ballistic, but are unable to do anything as their forces are stretched thin.

Society Council members authorize the release of a Bloodvirus on the genetic lines of Morales, Becket and Eacker, all Cobra exclusive names.

Jun (21-28) – (FS/OA/Clan) Third Crucis Lancers BattleMech and aerospace forces (they left their

armor and infantry home) launch a “heavy raid” on Tellman IV in search of suspected Blakist command centers. The Raven/Outworlds forces there have not been fully fortified yet, and the Lancers inflict serious casualties against the defenders in space and on the ground. A Raven WarShip at Ramora, backed up by heavy aerospace and DropShip support, swiftly arrive, however, and destroy or capture the AFFS transports in space, stranding the Lancers in system. The fierce fighting as the AFFS forces try to escape claims over a battalion of Lancer ’Mechs in their DropShips, while FedSuns fighters are cut in half by the vengeful Ravens and Outworlders. The Lancers surrender, rather than face annihilation.

(TC/CP/Per) Pirate forces staging from the Haven attack Tyrrhenia, smashing vital Calderon Protectorate staging bases there. Additional raids hit Lastpost and Oscar in this time, forcing the Protectorate to recall its own raiding parties to defend the tiny realm.

Jul 5 – (FS/OA/Clan) In the FedSuns, Tancred Sandoval restrains the remaining AFFS and merc troops

before the situation deteriorates further, and even offers a formal apology to the Raven/Alliance to forestall another Clan counterstrike.

July 6 – (Burrock, CDS) Zeta Galaxy hits two more Shark outposts, severely damaging several ships

(War, Jump, & Drop) and establishing a refit / resupply base outside the Tanites. Jul 9 – (Clans) Clan Ghost Bear gets the Leviathan (now in Lev-II configuration) and the Ursa Major

back into service. The remaining CGB forces arrive from the Homeworlds with news of the insanity. SaKhan Kabrinsky orders an immediate investigation and purge of the Bear scientists (which nets very few, as the Bears were one of the few Clans barely affected by the Society’s claws).

Jul (14-21) – (Clan/WB/DC) Three Clusters of vengeful Nova Cats from Irece attempt to run the

blockade over Luthien to destroy the 42nd Shadow Division, but the Nova Cat naval assets (three WarShips and a squadron of DropShips) are immediately engaged by Blakist aerospace forces armed with Alamo and Santa Ana missiles, as well as a Luthien battlesat network now operated and reconfigured by Blakist gunners. The Cats succeed in destroying the Sword of Promise, the Light of Hope, and a dozen battlesats, and even land forces on Black Luthien, but their attack force

is utterly destroyed for the effort, with the last Nova Cat elements ground up by Manei Domini forces amid the ruins of the Buda Imperial Weapons factory.

(CJF) Balzac’s forces conduct numerous strikes against key Falcon installations, headhunting as many commanders as possible. The fighting is murderous, and no one is safe. Several metropolis burn, killing and wounding thousands on each world.

Jul 24 – (DC/Clan) After months of hunting, during which time a wave of grassroots support has DC

citizens cheering on the ronin and cursing the Nova Cats, Minamoto’s “loyalist” ships intercept and destroy one Ronin WarShip and wound the other during an engagement that also costs the Nova Cats one more Carrack and batters one of their escort WarShips. The wounded ronin WarShip

manages to escape. Jul 29 – (CB, CSR) Zeta Galaxy intercepts a major Raven convoy – which happens to be loaded to the

gills with civilians and supplies (it is the final Ravne convoy out of the HWs, as the Ravens are in full retreat). Zeta completely destroys it; not one ship escapes. Several DropShips are seized as isorla and transported back to the Tanites to be either absorbed, experimented on, and/or sold to the Dark Caste.

Jul 30 – (CJF) After careful consideration and thought, Khan Marthe Pryde declares a Trial of

Annihilation against the entire scientist caste. She is convinced it is the only way to rid the Falcon of the poison; she also begins negotiations with Khans Cobb and Jorgensson to “Harvest” a nest of scientists to rebuild with.

It will take decades for the Falcons to recover from this order. Aug (1 – 30) – (CSA, CBS) Dispensing with their original bid, the Star Adders destroy the defending

ships over York, then begin orbitally bombarding Spirit installations and units. The planet’s ecosystem begins to fail under the month-long destruction.

Aug 4 (CC, CSV) Khan Kufal faces down Khan Brett Andrews on New Kent; Andrews kills Kufal. The

Society elevates a Trueborn Scientist into the Khan’s position as the Coyotes retreat. Aug 16 (CGS, CSV, CCC) Word filters back regarding the Hellion’s destruction and disappearance; the

Scorpions, Vipers and Cobras – all in dire need of resources after the last few months of brutal fighting and guerilla attacks – each declare a Trial of Absorption and systematically begin to seize Hellion assets.

Initially, the takeover is bloodless, until a Viper contingent hits Hoard. Due to the smaller concentration of Society cells within the Hellions that were contained / maneuvered to Hoard, the scientists have formed a passable defense. Though the newly-minted Society defenders attempt to conduct standard Rules of Engagement, the Vipers hold no compunction and proceed to obliterate the defenders – and half the capitol city.

Aug 24 – “Nova Cats Assault Luthien” article by The Drake (JHS72, The Curtain Falls) Sep (2-18) – (Clans) Vipers and Cobra forces snap up more Hellion enclaves as Scorpions and Sharks

slam into Babylon. A major running battle explodes, as the Coyotes / Society forces fight back with unmatched ferocity. By the end of September, it remains a draw.

(CJF) The majority of the zone falls into various stages of disruption, as the warriors break down and fight scientists, even down to the city-by-city level. Infrastructure is destroyed on a few worlds; most scientists end up joining the Society forces just to stay alive and save their research.

The Falcons are paralyzed as most of their second-line forces, still beaten up from the Hellion invasion, are scrambling to return to the inner worlds of the zone.

Sep 16 – (OA/Clan) The Snow Ravens receive their fourth and final fleet—the Fleet Command Star—at

Quatre Belle, along with a half dozen civilian JumpShips loaded to the hilt with cargo and passengers. Although the Clan Council has vowed “swift and lasting justice” against the Word, the Clan leadership plans to first establish its initial enclaves and secure the integrity of the “Raven Alliance”, a plan that calls for at least two more naval stars to arrive.

(CSR) The small cells of Society members evacuated from the HW begin to connect, rebuilding a disrupted network. Rumors of full-scale annihilations in the Falcon zone and wild exaggerations of the ilKhan’s directive fuel the more hot-headed members’ anger.

A small exploratory team of Society members manage to slip out of the OA in search of a secret enclave.

Oct-Dec – (Clans) [UNREPORTED IN THE INNER SPHERE!] As the Hellions did not maintain enough

military presence in the homeworlds during their excursion, what few forces survive the retreat to the Kerensky Cluster are subsequently destroyed or absorbed in the swirling chaos of the Wars of Reaving.

During this time, most HW Clans are paralyzed by the inter-caste warfare that sweeps across nearly every system. A few Hellion enclaves are snapped up, as are the last of the Raven ones. The Burrock Zeta Galaxy ‘owns’ the space in the Deep Periphery, and begins to make contact with various ‘forgotten’ Dark Caste colonies, as the Burrocks did in years past.

The Society makes some headway, as the Scorpions and Sharks are pushed off Bablyon. The Coyotes tangle with an Adder Galaxy on Talitha and maul each other; the Ancestral Home is used in defending the planet and puts down an Adder WarShip. Hints of new defenses are seen on the Home at this time.

The Adders also discover Upsilon’s treachery and when an exploratory force is sent to the Tanites (and is destroyed), determine to put an end to the Burrock problem once and for all. N’Buta leads Alpha Galaxy on a chase across the Deep Periphery and discovers just how bad the situation is.

Dec 16 – (DC/WB/Clan) DCMS forces trapped on Benjamin receive unexpected aid in the form of a

Nova Cat flotilla and ground forces, which arrive via pirate point to savagely annihilate the Blakist forces, allowing the Kuritans to complete their recapture of the world. Without even waiting for acknowledgement, the Nova Cat force departs again, leaving the battered DCMS troops to fend off any future reprisals without support.

Dec 27 – (CSV) The Society unleashes a Bloodvirus tailored to the Breen, Mercer, and Tamm legacies.

Additionally, a self-replicating virus crashes the system’s network, practically shutting down the entire world. The virus spreads to the Viper’s transports as navigational data is wiped out and control systems become unreliable. Intent on keeping this weakness from the others, the Vipers do not ask for help.

Dec 30 – “Nova Cats Seen on Capellan Front” article by NSNN (JHS72, The Curtain Falls)

3073 (Time covered by Jihad Hot Spots: 3074)

Jan 22 – (WB/FS/LA/DC/FW/CS/Clan) Having extensively X-rayed Donner and confirmed no apparent implants, booby traps, and the like, Caradoc Trevena and Galen Cox bring a “debriefed” Fritz Donner before a gathering of leaders from across several allied factions, as well as representatives from Clans Jade Falcon, Wolf (both halves) and Ghost Bear. Donner, who somehow resisted being made “into one of them” (confirming rumors that the WoB has enacted a policy of forced creation of

Manei Domini “zombies”). The closed session (only a few observers are present thanks to extensive secrecy) on Arc-Royal includes: [Lyrans: Grand Duke Morgan Kell, LAAF Pandora Theater Margrave General Thanom Hammerskjold, LAAF Leutnant-General Sabine Steiner (early favorite for Lyran General of the Armies)]; [Combine: Franklin Sakamoto, Shin Yodama (?), and ISF head Shakir Jerrar]; [FedSuns: Tancred Sandoval-Davion, AFFS Draconis March Theater CO Field Marshall Vanessa Bisla, and MI2 Marshall Daniel Darwith]; [FreeWorlds: Alys Rousset-Marik and Reginald Brett-Marik]; [ComStar: Precentor-Martial Victor Steiner-Davion, Galen Cox, Caradoc Trevena, and former Precentor-Martial Focht]; [Mercs: General Meave Wolf (Dragoons), Rhonda Snord (Snord’s Irregulars), Akira Brahe (Kell Hounds)]; [Clans: Khan Phelan Kell and saKhan Marko Hall (Wolves in Exile), Star Colonel Ragnar Magnusson and Khan

Bjorn Jorgennson (Ghost Bears), Nova Captain Jake Kabrinski (Hell’s Horses/Ghost Bear), Khan Vlad Ward and Bondswoman Katrina Steiner-Davion (Crusader Wolves), Star Colonel Diana Pryde and Star Captain Tara Helmer (Jade Falcons)]; and INN special observers Michael Bosworth and Bertram Habeas.

Unfortunately, despite his best intentions and hopes, Victor sees the gathering swiftly devolve into recriminations—most aimed at ComStar and himself, personally—over what was known and/or could’ve been done that could’ve prevented the hell everyone’s now enduring. With more than enough blame to go around, it becomes excruciatingly difficult to even get the representatives to listen, but eventually, there is enough calm to get to some items on the agenda, the first of which is to reveal that the capture of Donner has netted a lot of apparently good intel on the Word’s strengths, weaknesses, and plans. But as Donner himself is called before the leaders, a super-HPG transmission comes in, transmitted straight from Gibson to Arc-Royal by Apollyon himself. At the end of what amounts to a rant about the futility of defying the Master, Apollyon uses his “Key” to send a second carrier signal through that sets off suicide implants that have been cleverly transplanted into Donner and made to resemble his own bones (placed in his body over a year ago, the only indication of these carefully laced and manufactured plastic-explosive implants is Donner’s rather anemic blood, which was easily passed off as the result of his 6 years in captivity; even Donner doesn’t remember the implantations). Many of the gathered leaders are killed or badly injured in the explosion, including CGB Khan Bjorn Jorgensson.

Feb – June – (CJF) As the Purging continues, Balzac authorizes a network virus that selectively

crashes several world networks, and inadvertently yanks all the Clan’s HPG’s offline. Unable to communicate with their forces, the Falcon worlds are cut off. Shipping comes to a standstill as the virus spreads to the civilian transport fleet (military vessels are unaffected, due to their security protocols). Incensed with the escalation, the merchant caste begins to take matters into their own hands as well, siding with the warriors and going after scientists.

As the bloody purges continue, many worlds begin to find massive food shortages, and a plague erupts on at least one world, severely decimating the population. Khan Pryde authorizes the use of military vessels as cargo transports – some Clusters are moved around, but by and large, most shipments now contain foodstuffs and medicine, not warriors.

By late June, a small contingent of Wolf scientists – ‘acquired’ by Marthe – manage to create an anti-viral program that stops the spread of the network virus. Most HPGs are brought back online, though a few worlds do lose them.

Mar – June – (CW, CHH) Both Clans begin a systematic purge of their scientists, though the order

never reaches back to the Horses that had remained in the HW. Though the Wolves had few cells – only one major incident occurs (planet to be determined)

where a small cell unleashes a chemical attack against the warrior’s barracks. The research facility is burned to the ground within minutes.

Within the Horses, however, the situation is direr. Several cells have managed to gather on Nouveaux Paris, and in a surprise attack, manage to capture most of the warriors, killing the rest. A call is then sent out towards the HW to reinforce their position. This draws the attention of the Burrock’s Zeta Galaxy – and its pursuing Adder Alphas.

May-July – (DC/Stone/Clan) In an effort to curtail a rising tide of defecting Nova Cat forces, Minamoto

(through Hohiro) makes it a condition of DC support for his cause that Stone agree to refuse aid from half of the Nova Cat touman, sending them back to guard the DC/GB front. Stone reluctantly agrees, but must win a Trial of Refusal with the Cat forces to force them to comply. Their defeat causes an early sign of the CNC split that will form the Spirit Cats, with Stone’s advocates noting that his prowess and foresight are proven in battle, while skeptics claim that his victory goes against the vision’s promise of a new home.

July (3-9) – (CHH / CB / CSA) The Burrock Zetas arrive to reinforce the Society enclave on Nouveaux

Paris and are attacked within a day by an arriving force of Horses, who noted the absence of their lone supply strongpoint. The Horses, surprised by the reappearance of the Burrocks, attack with vigor but are soon defeated by overwhelming force. Within 24 hours, however, the Adders jump in and without preamble, open up on the Burrocks. In the ensuing battle, the Horse enclave is destroyed and stockpiles of supplies go up in flames.

Both forces manage to inflict serious damage but the Adders retreat when N’Buta suffers a near-fatal injury, allowing the Burrocks to escape with two DropShips worth of supplies. And a version of the Society’s Bloodvirus, which the Society commander decides to hatch a desperate plan.

July-Dec – By this point, the Hell’s Horses advance has cut deep into Wolf territory, largely because of

the sheer exhaustion from a campaign that effectively began in the homeworlds before the Clan’s

relocation. The Wolves’ preoccupation with the Falcon front and the chaos caused by the bombing of Tamar has left them unable to effectively hold back the Horses’ assaults, which is closing on Tamar.

Aug (16 – 30) (CB / CGB) Working quickly to rearm, the Zetas – cut off from the Deep Periphery, thanks

to the closing in Alphas – hit fringe Bear worlds without warning using Horse colors. On Thule, the Adder’s Alpha manages to catch up and hits the Burrocks during a firefight with the system’s defenders. Ignoring zell, the Adders cause a three-way conflagration that sets fire to Thule’s largest spaceport.

Sensing the imminent demise of the Burrock force, the Society leaders release the Bloodvirus into Thule’s water supply; this one is tailored to the Tseng legacy. It is hoped that the Bears would blame either the Horses or Adders for the eventual discovery. The Bloodvirus starts out slow and isn’t detected for at least four months – by which time, the virus will be spread across much of the Dominion; nearly all of the Tseng bloodline will be eliminated.

Aug - Nov – (Clans) As major engagements wind down, the battle between Society forces and the Clan

warriors becomes more guerilla-type affairs, with strike-fades occurring with regularity over supplies and resources. The Society’s “army” isn’t very large but is effective, but the Clan toumans are still significantly larger and will win a war of attritition.

Thus the Society does everything it can and “unstops the cork” with other types of attacks – flu plagues, chemical incapacitation, tailored network and system viruses. Some cells keep the disruptions to their castemen to a minimum, but by and large most of the cells go all out, and end up destroying more in collateral damage.

The individual Clans attempt to regain control one enclave at a time – basically, it becomes a house-to-house fight. With dwindling supplies and increasing unrest among the other castes, fighting begins to peter out and in some cases, a status quo settles in among the smaller Clans.

The Vipers are ruthless in hitting Society bases. Once New Kent is on the road to recovery, the ilKhan uses his authority to set the Vipers – and then others – to other worlds to ‘assist’ in reclaiming them for the original Clan. The vipers are seen as a savior of sorts, which only increases Andrew’s popularity as ilKhan.

Aug 28 – (CSR / OA) The small Society exploratory ship comes into contact with Dante’s Ninth Ring,

the last surviving members of the Dante terrorist network. After some discussion, the two groups enter a wary alliance, and a black market underground is established over the next year into the OA. (this effectively ends Society activity within the Ravens as defined by the Rebellion and sets up any interesting plot devices or even further Periphery nations in the future.)

Sep (5-15) (CSV) With New Kent severely crippled from several months of isolation, the Vipers finally

ask for help from the Sharks, who have been evacuating as much material as possible as the wars swirl around them. The Sharks, still holding a grudge, tell the Vipers to basically ‘piss off’ and then inform several Clans of the Viper weakness. Too caught up in their own various purges and mini-wars, no one takes advantage of the Viper weakness.

Viper scientists do manage to contain the network virus by the end of the month, though purging various systems will take to the end of the year before any semblance of operation returns.

Oct – Nov (Clans) At this time, the Sharks manage to retreat from the HomeWorlds, writing off their

remaining assets as “acceptable losses” and retreat to their refit world on the edge of the Chainlaines. The few enclaves remaining fall to various Clan and Society forces.

The Adders conduct a ruthless purge of their ranks; all Burrock-blooded warriors are Reaved. The Tanite worlds are visited and for the next few months, a ‘secret war’ develops as the Adders wipe out Society and Dark Caste pockets, seizing technology and resources. The Cobras are spared and the Khans of both Clans discuss the Tanite situation; in the end, the Cobras retain two enclaves and give the Adders two WarShips in return for their continued silence regarding the Burrock problem.

Nov - (CJF) Diligent efforts by the Falcon Watch locate Balzac’s secret facilities in the Deep Periphery.

Dispatching Alpha Galaxy, the Falcons fall on the scientist’s stronghold with a vengeance that borders on insanity. Rather than take the new technology discovered there, the Khan decides to eliminate it from Falcon memory and orders it bombarded from orbit into subatomic particles.

Dec (7-27) (Clans) As the last pockets of Society occupation is removed, the fullness of the Coyote

complicity is revealed. Seeing Talitha as the last Society stronghold, the ilKhan prepares a major battleforce and invades.

In the ensuing battle, the Zalman and a coalition of Clan vessels confront the modified Home and the rest of the Coyote fleet. The massive battle ends with the Home ramming into the Zalman

at full speed, obliterating both vessels. This opens the system to a multi-Clan invasion force, which annihilates the Society, but manages to keep from eviscerating the Coyote warrior caste. Less than four Clusters of Coyote troops remain; these proved their worth by turning on their fellows at a pivotal point in the battle. None of the survivors are Bloodnamed.

A new Grand Council is called in order to address the disastrous situations found across the Clans.

3074 Jan-Mar – Through his contacts within ComStar, Anastasius Focht leaks information to Clan

Ghost Bear that identifies ties between the Word of Blake and Clan Wolverine. As one of the only powers not currently under siege by the Word of Blake’s campaign of terror, Clan Ghost Bear immediately moves to liberate Blakist-held worlds within the Combine. Unfortunately, not all the border forces present recognize the Bears’ intent, and several Combine-loyal units are destroyed in the face of the initial Ghost Bear advance.

Feb (CJF) The last vestiges of the scientist caste are Annihilated in Clan Jade Falcon. Most worlds

have recovered by this time, though a few will be without HPGs for years. Khan Pryde orders that the borders be closed and all communication severed from the HW,

as clearly they have lost their Way. The Falcon – and to a lesser extent, the Horses, Wolves and Bears (who have all earned her respect by this time) are the true heirs of Kerensky’s Way, and the decision is made to sever all ties with the other Clans. The Sharks will be tolerated, but not respected.

MISC: Clans Sea Fox/Blood Spirit introduce Crimson Hawk BattleMech (Clans) Cleanup from the Scientist Rebellion continues, with many clans purging up to 80% of their

scientist caste, crippling Clan technological development for decades. During a Grand Council session (near the end of the year), the Coyotes are spared

Absorption and Annihilation calls – the reasoning being the Clan was corrupted from an ‘outside influence’ and through no fault of their own. They retain Talitha, but nothing more as the rest of their enclaves fall to other damaged Clans.

The Sharks, Ravens, Bears, Horses and Falcons are all Abjured (in absentia); the Hellions are declared Annihilated as the last enclaves fell at the beginning of the year. With the power bloc much reduced, Andrews settles in for a long tenure as ilKhan; plans to crash-course a rebuilding program are laid. A goal date of 3080 is set for a renewed invasion.

At this time, the Adders – who were not nearly as decimated as the rest of the Clans – declare that there is one final Clan with Inner Sphere taint that needs Reaving. N’Buta stands and points directly at khan Andrews, declaring the ilKhan and his Clan still tainted – and thus, must be Reaved.

Andrews, in shock, declares a Trial of Refusal, which N’Buta accepts. Once again, in violation of Council rules, the ilKhan pulls out a weapon and guns him down. This time, however, the reaction is a cold silence. Remembering his actions of two years prior, the Cobras declare that the Vipers are indeed tainted, that the taint goes farther than just a simple Reaving. The Adder saKhan, enraged, bellows a declaration of a Trial of Annihilation – which is seconded by the Cobras – and the race is on. The ilKhan is then stripped of his power by a quick vote; Andrews dies in the corridor as the Adder sakhan breaks his neck.

Appealing to the rest of the Khans in the corridor, the Adder Khan opens up the Trial to all Clans, as the purging must be a unified effort. In complete agreement, the Khans then separate to carry out their own battle plans.

(CGB) The Bear scientists finally discover the Tseng Bloodvirus and manage to isolate it, saving two

legacy lines. Further investigation (with limited resources, thanks to the current focus on the Wolverine / WOB Annihilation) and eventual communication with the Falcons reveal the Society’s involvement and not Adder / Horse action from earlier. The decision is made to close the Bear’s Periphery border, as clearly the HW Clans have not only lost the Way, they’ve lost their sanity. The action is taken in order to prevent further taint from entering the Dominion.

3075 (Time covered by Jihad Hot Spots: 3076) ) MISC: Clan Ghost Bear introduces Ryoken II BattleMech Clan Hell’s Horses introduces Cygnus and seeks alliance with Wolf-in-Exile.

(Clans) A long, protracted Annihilation is brought against the Vipers. Because the Clans do not have a united battle plan, and because of the horrendous losses taken in the previous few years, the campaign is greatly protracted. The Vipers and the Adders are the two largest Clans at this point, but the Adders are reluctant to throw everything at the Vipers; they rather stoke the fires of the others, and progress slowly through the Viper’s enclaves – which are greatly enhanced, thanks to them snapping up Hellion assets like mad.

During this time, the Spirits slowly retreat to their secret colony world, inserting only a token force into the Annihilation fleet. The Spirits reach out to the battered Scorpions, who are also reluctant to fight due to massive warrior losses by scientist hands.

The inexorable march of the Clans lasts nearly two years, with the Vipers making nominal gains – and gathering what they can to commit a new Exodus.

3076 (Clans) Towards the middle of the year, the Adders call for a new Grand Council; the Adder Khan is

elected ilKhan. Gathering up the remaining Clan forces into a coalition, the ilKhan executes a lightning attack on the Viper’s last two strongholds; Circe, and New Kent. The fighting is fierce. In the end, both worlds fall, the Viper Khans are killed – and data is recovered showing where the Viper remnant was fleeing. The Adders send the Scorpions and Spirits to hunt them down, which takes another month. Both the Scorpions and Spirits are severely damaged but victorious, with the last Viper ships destroyed.

At this time, the Scorpion and Spirit khans decide to merge the two Clans and withdraw from active Clanspace.

The Adders give the Tanite worlds to the Cobras in exchange for all but one Cobra WarShip and several years of resource production.

The War of Reaving effectively comes to an end. The Spirits / Scorpions will eventually form the Triumvirate with the remaining Mandrill kindraa (only one survives the Rebellion). The Coyotes are effectively neutered, with little force, little voice, and little power. The Cobras flourish as a vassal state to the Adders, but cannot hope to challenge that power, and the Adders sit on a propped-up Council of five Clans (after the Mandrills cease to exist), guiding the rebuilding efforts for a renewed invasion.

3077 (Time covered by Fall of the Jihad) Combine and Ghost Bear forces reclaim Dieron. NWH brought in for “mop up”. By this time, Clan Ghost Bear’s navy is “devastated” and two full front-line Galaxies no

longer exist. (TtS)

3078 . MISC: Ghost Bears and native Rasalhaguian population draft new joint government. JES II missile carrier enters service (Clans) The Triumvirate is formed from the shattered remains of the Scorpions, Spirits, and Mandrills.

With tacit support from the Coyotes, the Triumvirate challenges the ilKhan and ends up leaving the “sham of a Council”, declaring that they would ‘find their own way’.

The Triumvirate then executes a brilliant series of attacks that seize some key assets of the Adders. With the Cobras essentially declaring themselves neutral (and threatening to disclose the Burrock shame), the Adders go to war with a vengeance but quickly bogs down due to a hard lack of resources. The Triumvirate doesn’t have enough power to destroy the Adders – but enough to seriously hurt them if the Adders tried. The Adders find the castemen underneath them rumbling loudly in discontent, and find themselves too fearful of another Burrock/Societal-type of revolt, and back off.

3079 (Clans) After a year of skirmishes and raids, the two powers settle into a détente, with Coyotes

becoming mediators and the Cobras settling into an isolationist policy.