Visions of Rebirth

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Traum
Product information
Type Novel
Author Randall N. Bills
Pages 272
Cover Artwork Franz Vohwinkel
Publication information
Publisher Fantasy Productions
Product code 31003
First published January 2006
ISBN-10 3890645976
ISBN-13 978-3890645971
MSRP 9.00 €
Content
Era Star League era
Timeline 8 June 2802-9 June2815
Series Founding of the Clans
Preceded by Fall from Glory
Followed by Forging of Blood

Published by FanPro as the fifth of their German-only line of Classic BattleTech novels in January 2006, Clangründer: Traum ("Clan Founders: Dream") is a translation of a novel by Randall N. Bills. The second part of the Founding of the Clans trilogy, the original English language text was announced for publication via BattleCorps in 2007 but failed to materialize.

From the back cover (translated from German)

The dream of a Star League in exile has failed. Nicholas Kerensky is unable to prevent war from spilling over from the Pentagon worlds. He decides to lead his followers on a second Exodus, like his father once did who left the Inner Sphere with his fleet. But Nicholas choses a different path: He wants to do away with all that was and dreams of creating an entirely new society.
The bonds of society dating back millenia cannot be shed so easily. Resistance must be overcome and blood must flow before Nicholas' dream can come true. But without his brother Andrey's help the entire venture is doomed.
Brothers, however, don't always pursue the same goals. Andery finds that, as the last vestiges of civilisation are purged in this new society, humanness wanes as well. Can he stop this development?

Canonicity

Being published in German only, Clangründer: Traum does not technically meet the criteria for Canon in the BattleTech universe and must therefore be considered apocryphal.

Plot Summary

As the Second Exodus fleet makes planetfall on Strana Mechty on 8 June 2802, Raymond Sainze and Windham Khatib discuss their feelings of anxiety about the whole idea of a second exodus. They agree that they need Nicholas Kerensky to lead them, but also need Andery Kerensky to keep his brother Nicholas in check in this.

Nicholas sets up a bivouac near the Strana Prime colony and bluntly tells the local governor that they are here to stay, then proceeds to erect the city—Katyusha, the future capital. Nicholas, together with his girlfriend Jennifer Winson, has grandiose plans about submitting the SLDF troops to ruthless live-fire tests, to weed out the weak and form a core of elite soldiers. He uses their reverence of the late Alexandr Kerensky and begins to build a cult around himself, gradually becoming a sect leader more than a military commander. Andery is alarmed by the numerous subtle changes instigated by Nicholas, and gets increasingly jealous because his girlfriend Dana Kufahl is among Nicholas' most ardent supporters.

During one of the live-fire trials, Andery accidentially kills another MechWarrior, Captain Johann Keyes. Shocked over the unneccessary death he powers down his own 'Mech, and two years later to the day (on 1 May 2805) he climbs Simon Mons and pours the man's ashes in the wind, noting the man had no relatives and only few friends and thus would not be remembered for the ultimate sacrifice he gave for Nicholas' dream.

By 2807, Andery is a rifleman training instructor again. He is uncomfortable with the young age of his charges and about the foster family program that is now in place. His students are among the most successful in the tests, and his casual use of "Aff" is adopted as part of a new speaking pattern Nicholas models.

Windham Khatib meanwhile is worried that his church had to make room for the city's construction, and Nicholas Kerensky seems unlikely to keep Jennifer Winson's promise to rebuild it eventually. He shares his sorrow with Andery who is unable to help him, realizing that Nicholas will not tolerate prayers to another god.

On 11 June 2807 Nicholas Kerensky delivers a speech where he announces the formation of the Clans from a core of eight hundred elite warriors, and his intention to return to the Pentagon worlds to reconquer and pacify them. He concludes his speech with "Seyla", the word his and Andery's mother had used to utter at the conclusion of her prayers. Four days later, he is called to an improvised wedding ceremony between Nicholas and Jennifer during the night.

On 29 December 2807 Andery is tasked with bringing Sandra Tseng and Hans Jorgensson back from the polar region, after they refused to be separated and turned their backs on Nicholas Kerensky instead, a mission he succeeds in on 5 January 2808.

Dana Kufahl has meanwhile been elevated to the rank of Khan of Clan Coyote. Her decision to follow a vision and lead her Clan away into the Broken Sea desert causes a rift between them. Sarah McEvedy is becoming a friend to Andery in Dana's stead.

As envoy to the non-military castes, Andery is confronted with serious discord in late 2814 because the foster family program has been massively extended and has now been made mandatory. Senior Laborer Justin makes it clear that the civilians will not tolerate this perceived attack on family bonds. Andery realizes he is being set up as a catalyst for a possible uprising again, like for the Prinz Eugen Mutiny, and tries to talk the civilians out of their evident plans for rebellion. Still, an attempt on Nicholas' life is made during a parade on 27 December of that year that wounds several warriors and kills Andery's friend James Carson, among others. Justin is found dead, obviously in an attempt to appease Nicholas who had expected the attack (wearing a bullet-proof vest) and is now ruthlessly exploiting it for his agenda, with a wounded Andery a helpless bystander.

On 9 June 2815 Nicholas finally declares himself ilKhan and announces their return to the Pentagon. Andery had a very bad feeling about Nicholas' lies and manipulations, which have established him as something resembling a prophet or sect leader. In a meeting on that evening, Jennifer Winson reveals herself to be Jes Cole, having undergone plastic surgery. She is both a glowing follower of Nicholas' ideas and a driving force for him, sharing his ideas and claiming to have served him as a loyal soldier since the occupation.

Notes