Periphery planet of Dueros, on the border of Combine Space, 3049:
The Red Hand Mercenary Company, on contract with House Kurita, lands to investigate the apparent destruction of a listening post by unknown forces.
A sizable force drops and takes the military facility without incident. While the buildings have taken extensive damage, the inhabitants have vanished.
"Commander," came a panicked voice from their VTOL scouts, "we have five unknown silhouettes moving on our position!"
"This is Star Commander Owens of Alpha Star. This world is now the territory of Clan Smoke Jaguar. Withdraw or be destroyed."
Clan Smoke whatnow? Who are these guys?
Clan Smoke Jaguar advances...
Goblins unload their squads while two heavy Demolisher Tanks move up to meet the threat.
The Clan's long range weaponry quickly destroy the treads on one of the Demolishers, reducing it to a pillbox, and surprise the enemy by giving ground to keep their range. The tanks give chance, leaving their infantry behind. Meanwhile, a Karnov Transport VTOL circles behind.
Risking perhaps too much, the MadCat moves up to finish the Demolisher at close range. It takes two AC-20 hits which mess it up bad.
The mercenaries hold back in cover, a critical mistake allowing their support vehicles to be wiped out.
The Karnov makes its move, dropping two platoons of infantry on zip lines. One of the platoons lands wide, but the other manages to get purchase on the Madcat, ready to set explosive charges.
As they come into range, their radio belches to life "This is Mechwarrior Clive in the Bruin. I challenge the mechwarrior piloting the Stalker to combat under the sacred rules of Zellbriggen. In this solemn matter let none interfere!"
The inner sphere mercenaries have no idea what he's talking about. Several mechs open fire on the challenging mech, met with return fire and cries of "Dezgren scum!" from the Clan warrior.
The Madcat, looking to shake the infantry, drops prone, taking light damage. The infantry are dislodged before they can set charges on the mech's cockpit. The Madcat's machine guns finish off both platoons as the other mechs eliminate both Goblins. With the armor and most of the infantry out of the picture, they are ready to focus on the mechs. Unfortunately, the Madcat took extensive damage from the conventional forces. It cannot be expected to last much longer. Yet unlike the Inners they oppose, Clan Smoke Jaguar cannot withdraw in the face of such an inferior enemy.
The main enemy force begins its advance, firing their LRMS.
The Clan rallies forward, with the exception of the Madcat, which hangs back looking for an advantageous opportunity to reengage.
After several ineffective shots, the Longbow gets hit with the Bruin's impressive long range armaments, shredding it's torso armor. Knowing another hit will ignite the ammo, it becomes the first Inner Sphere mech to withdraw. Keeping to their code even when their enemies ignore it, the Smoke Jaguars allow any retreating mech free passage.
Long range weapon fire finally downs the MadCat which attempted to reengage to help his clanmates. I believe it was an LRM carrier that took it out at the same time as the Madcat destroyed it.
Things get ugly as the opposing forces close to near point-blank range. The Inners keep pushing forward hoping to use their fists, but the Clan mechs continue to slowly walk backwards, forcing the inners to give chase.
The Bruin, heavily damaged at this point, offers support fire to the rapidly overheating MadDog/Vulture withdrawing into the forest. The enemy Grasshopper rushes up to do what it does best.
The Bruin doesn't let it get close enough to use its fists.
With the Bruin's torso armor shredded, the mercenaries once again concentrate their fire on it. Slower than the other Clan mechs, the Bruin's jump jets save it here, allowing it to jump into the forest for cover.
The Mercenary's commander in his Stalker gives chase, walking into fire from both the Bruin and the Vulture. After a round of half-fire to cool down the mech, the Vulture discharges everything on the enemy commander.
Two missile volleys clip the cockpit, and the mechwarrior inside takes a neurohelmet surge that renders him unconscious inside his still functional mech. The massive Stalkers stops moving in the middle of the firefight.
The Smoke Jaguar warriors honorably turn away from the incapacitated mech towards what few mechs remain of their opponents. The Red Hand's 2nd in command in the Battlemaster gives the retreat order, and Clan Smoke Jaguar honors it, allowing them to withdraw so long as they cease fire. They will have a terrifying tale to tell when they report to their Kurita masters... Soon the entire Inner Sphere will come to fear Clan Smoke Jaguar!
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