February 9th, 3020
Imperial Palace, Luthien
To say Subhash Indrahar was worried was untrue. As Director of the ISF, showing any sort of weakness in the cutthroat world of Combine politics was tantamount to a death sentence. Hence his typical expression of neutral fondness that garnered him the moniker of 'the Smiling One'.
The report from Galedon however was cause for concern. Despite the skill and reputation of the 3rd Prosperina and their numerical advantage, Indrahar could tell the battle was soon to be lost if it hadn't been already.
The 'Mechs Duke Hull and his guard were piloting had been described as 'Oni from the Depths of Hell.'
"My Lord." he simply stated, bowing deeply before his childhood friend. "I bring news from Galedon."
A simple nod and gesture of the Coordinators' hand bade him to continue.
"The fight goes poorly. Despite the courage of our samurai and their willingness to die for the Dragon's Honor, I do not expect our forces to hold. With the other raids along our border, we cannot spare reinforcements to arrive in a timely fashion."
Takashi frowned "This vexes me. How can this have happened?"
"I beg forgiveness, for I cannot answer. The machines the Davion ronin field seem truly fantastical." With that he gestured to the holodisplay.
"Duke Hull's personal Warhammer we have determined as being some modified variant of a Royal 6Rk. Faster and better armored, it is... the least unusual of the 'Mechs they field."
"His wife pilots what we have determined to be a Nightstar. Again, modified somehow, as the energy weapons seem far more powerful than they should be for something of Star League manufacture."
"This is the last 'Mech we could Identify. An Atlas II, which we could only find in the historical records. Every known example apparently left with General Kerensky after the Amaris War. It is jump capable and also possesses superior laser weapons."
"These however, are completely unknown to us. The 80-tonner has the speed of a Charger, yet it's lasers are vastly more potent." (Gargoyle D)
"This one, what we have named the Hagetaka, is the lightest of them, but still outclasses an Archer as a fire support 'Mech." (Mad Dog Prime)
"It is usually paired with this one, which I can only describe as a Warhammerdesigned by a madman." (Hellbringer A)
"What appears to be a uptonned Thunderbolt is possibly the weakest of the them. While clearly an elite pilot, whomever they are is notably less skilled than the rest of the unit." (Summoner Prime)
"Finally, we have something that seems physically impossible. The unholy spawn of a Marauder and a Catapult. Every analyst I have consulted with agrees there is simply no known way of such a 'Mech being able to exist..." (Timber Wolf Prime)
"Your conclusion?"
"Duke Hull has claimed that he is timelost. A victim of a MisJump that cast him from the eve of the Star League to the present day. That is most certainly a lie. He is the product of whatever the SLDF-in-Exile have become, as are the Wolf's Dragoons. The timing of both of their arrivals can be no coincidence."