Rikkard Nova Cat

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Rikkard
Character Profile
Born 9 August 3098[1]
Affiliation Spirit Cats
Profession Galaxy Commander

Rikkard Nova Cat was a thirty-second-century trueborn Clan MechWarrior of the Spirit Cats who achieved the rank of Star Colonel. He was a good friend to his Clan's leader Galaxy Commander Kev Rosse after saving his life. His support for Kev Rosse was well-known within the Clan, which made him a target of Spirit Cat warriors such as Janis Nova Cat.

Rikkard believed it essential that the Spirit Cats find a sanctuary amidst the coming Dark Age, to ensure their survival.

History[edit]

He served in Shiva Keshik.

In early 3133 Rikkard led a Trinary of Spirit Cats against forces of Bannson's Raiders on the planet of Ozawa. Using hit and run tactics and lighting the nearby forests on fire, Rikkard forced the Bannson's forces off-world in defeat.

In March 3135, a contingent of Spirit Cat warriors under Kev Rosse and Rikkard were exploring Mallory's World. Rikkard was particularly drawn to the world due to its history. Finding himself in Desolate Pass, where First Prince Ian Davion had sacrificed his life to save his men, Rikkard soul-searched for some inspiration. Kev Rosse and Rikkard discussed at length a vision of Rikkard's, that of "a predatory bird astride a tornado moving across an endless, hot and dry landscape." Kev suggested to Rikkard that he would not find his answer on Mallory's World, but to instead search in Prefecture VII of the Republic. Before Rikkard left, he used his canteen to scoop up some sand from the pass.

Rikkard's force arrived and stationed itself on Irian in June. Rikkard began gathering up various Spirit Cat commands in preparation for his search. During an argument with Star Commander Janis Nova Cat, he became inspired to look "beyond" the Republic's borders for his people's sanctuary.

In March 3136, after months of traveling to various worlds, Rikkard contacted Clan Sea Fox. He struck a bargain with ovKhan Petr Kalasa, commander of the Sea Foxes' CargoShip, Voidswimmer to transport his people to the world of Marik.

Battle of Marik[edit]

In October, Rikkard's Clusters invaded planet Marik, owned by the Marik-Stewart Commonwealth. His efforts were opposed by General Daniella Briggs. Rikkard tried to show by example that no matter how dirty the Commonwealth force might fight, he would fight like a Clansman and not stoop to their level.

By November, Rikkard led his forces to the metropolis of Dormuth. His warriors quickly bogged down trying to take the city, as Commonwealth forces used guerrilla tactics and sabotage to tie down his forces. The Battle for Marik dragged out over months, as both sides counted on reinforcements to give them some edge over their opponents.

In February of 3137, Lady Julietta Marik arrived to negotiate with Star Colonel Rikkard. She offered an alliance in order to wrest the planet from the Commonwealth and Anson Marik, above all else. Rikkard initially rejected the offer, but when news reached him of Kev Rosse's assassination and Clan Nova Cat calling all Nova Cats in the Republic home, he realized no reinforcements would be coming. Rikkard was demoralized by the news of his friend's death, and saw the alliance with the Oriente Protectorate as the only way to save his people from death on Marik. Rikkard also reaffirmed his commitment to take Marik as a sanctuary for the Spirit Cats.

By April, no Protectorate forces had arrived and the Spirit Cat position had become desperate. Julietta Marik then revealed that Oriente would not be sending ground reinforcements, having never clarified originally what kind of assistance her realm could offer. Angered by the duplicity, Rikkard struck Julietta. Rikkard was then challenged by Janis Nova Cat to a Trial of Grievance over his hesitation and dealmaking with the Oriente Protectorate. Defeating her, Rikkard was forced to kill Janis as she refused to yield and accept the Trial's outcome. In his moment of great despair, Rikkard drew inspiration from Julietta and her duty to her nation. Rikkard realized his honor in winning Marik was only worthwhile if it helped his people, not in how he conducted himself.

Dispatching a courier to the orbiting Sea Fox Voidswimmer, Rikkard struck a deal with the Sea Foxes. They would give Clan Sea Fox warehouse rights on the planet if they provided reinforcements to defeat the Commonwealth forces. OvKhan Petr Kalasa agreed and together the Spirit Cats and Sea Foxes were able to overwhelm and wipe out their opposition.

When Julietta Marik was gravely injured from an assassination attempt, Rikkard ventured to Oriente with Clan scientists in order to save her life. Julietta was taken back to Marik in order to continue her recovery with the assistance of Clan medicine; she would become an advisor to the Spirit Cats on customs and culture within the Free Worlds League.

Leader of the Protectorate[edit]

In 3138, at the suggestion of Lady Julietta, Rikkard led an expedition to the worlds around Marik to bring them under the protection of his Clan conclave, forming what would become known as the Clan Protectorate.

In July 3139, Rikkard and others arrived on Atreus for the swearing-in of Jessica Marik as the new Captain-General of the reborn Free Worlds League.

As of 3145, Rikkard Nova Cat held the rank of Galaxy Commander, and was the undisputed leader of the Spirit Cats. Still actively leading military forces, Rikkard commanded the Clan Protectorate's Shiva Keshik Cluster and led the unit in more than one Trial of Possession against the Wolf Empire's Clan Wolf forces.[2]

In 3147, the Protectorate suffered a direct attack from forces of the Principality of Regulus. Codenamed Task Force Hunger Strike, the Regulan forces arrived in the Marik system on 25 July. The Hussars' three regiments split, trying to secure several key locations; one of them, the Fourth Regulan Hussars, targeted the Winter Palace on Dormuth, ancestral home of House Marik and seat of power of the Protectorate's provincial government. Rikkard Nova Cat led the defense. The Nova Cat leader challenged the Fourth's commander, Colonel Juliette Mejia, to a duel. She ignored the challenge and ordered her lance to mass fire on Rikkard's Firestarter. His 'Mech was shot down, but he survived. The dishonorable attack made Shiva Keshik attack the Regulans with unbridled ferocity, sending them into retreat.[3] More Regulan reinforcements sent to Marik were destroyed in space by Sea Fox ships. Rikkard extended hegira to the remaining Regulan invaders on Marik, allowing them to return to Regulus.[4]

IlClan Era[edit]

The dawn of IlClan Era brought drastic changes to the Protectorate. After Clan Wolf became the IlClan, the Sea Fox SaKhan Petr Kalasa, on a meeting the 27 June 3151, attempted to manipulate the Spirit Cats to help defend the Wolf Empire against attacks of the Free Worlds League, but Rikkard refused, unless the Foxes defeat the Cats in a Trial of Possession. As they lost it, Rikkard pledged his support.[5]

BattleMech[edit]

Rikkard was a noted Shadow Hawk IIC 4, and also routinely used a Firestarter named Soulbearer.[6][1][7]

Notes[edit]

  • After the Nova Cats' annihilation, Rikkard become the de facto military leader of all Spirit Cats and Nova Cat survivors. It is unknown why he didn't claim the Khanship of his Clan.

Gallery[edit]

References[edit]

  1. 1.0 1.1 MechWarrior: Dark Age Dossier
  2. Field Manual: 3145, pp. 109, 116: Clan Protectorate Military - Rikkard still in command of Shiva Keshik
  3. Shattered Fortress, p. 37
  4. Shattered Fortress, p. 38
  5. Empire Alone, p. 10-12
  6. Pandora's Gambit, ch. 16
  7. Shattered Fortress, p. 37

Bibliography[edit]