Earthwerks Wins Cataphract Contract

Tikonov, Tikonov Commonality, Capellan Confederation

Earthwerks Limited reported that they have won a contract to build a new heavy Battlemech for use by the Capellan Armed Forces. Their Cataphract design beat out other designs by Hellespont Industrials and Kallon Industries. The multibillion C-bill contract will eventually mean hundreds of new jobs for the Tikonov economy.

"We are pleased to have garnered this important contract," said Duke Jacob Ling, President and CEO of Earthwerks. "Our record with the Vindicator was the deciding factor. We have the proven technical expertise for such a large project. We hope to have the Battlemechs in full production within ten years."

Mixed News From the Taurian Front

Larsha, Sian Commonality, Capellan Confederation

The Death Commandos and support units returned from their long campaign on New Vandenberg. The Commandos had been on New Vandenberg conducting a diversionary raid to occupy the Taurian Concordat armed forces as the CAF conducted invasions to retake worlds captured by the Taurians earlier this year. After four months of heavy fighting the Commandos were forced to retreat but not before doing extensive damage New Vandenberg.

Meanwhile, the counteroffensive has dragged on. Only Ward and Rollis have been recaptured. Sporadic fighting continues on Larsha and Hurik where the Taurian forces are deeply entrenched. Even with support from the populace the CAF forces can't seem to break the Taurian defensive line.

Some fear that the Capellans inability to defend itself against a periphery power will entice one of the nearby nations to launch an invasion. Officials in the CAF say that the Armed Forces are ready to repel any adventurism from the Free Worlds League or the Federated Suns.

Federated Suns and Lyran Commonwealth Conducting Trade Talks

New Avalon, Crucis March, Federated Suns

Confirming earlier rumors, the Federated Suns announced that they are conducting trade talks with the Lyran Commonwealth. The talks have been going on for the last few months and are progressing slowly. FS officials say that a final announcement will probably be made early next year.

A trade treaty between the two Inner Sphere powers will be detrimental to the other three. The Lyran Commonwealth has the largest industrial base in the IS, but most of their core worlds are running out of raw materials. The Federated Suns has many undeveloped worlds near the Lyran Commonwealth. These worlds can provide the raw materials needed by the Lyran industry.

Diverting trade to the Lyran Commonwealth will hurt the Free Worlds League as they also need raw materials for their industries. The war materials that the Lyrans can produce for the Federated Suns can be used against both the Draconis Combine and the Free Worlds League.

Mercenary's Epitaph

These, in the day when heaven was falling,
The hour when earth's foundations fled,
Followed their mercenary calling
And took their wages and are dead.

Their shoulders held the sky suspended,
They stood, and earth's foundations stay;
What God abandoned, these defended,
And saved the sum of things for pay.

-- Epitaph on an Army of Mercenaries, A.E. Houseman.