Kai Allard-Liao Plunges to Death

BattleTechnology News From the Front

by Hilary Ayer

January 5, 3052, was a day of catastrophes; in addition to the attack on Luthien, here is what was happening:

January 5, 3052: Alyina, Federated Commonwealth

Archer and Crusader from 10th Lyran Guard on patrol near Kiev, Alyina

They were the two best MechWarriors of their generation. Growing up in proud MechWarrior families, they had a chance to learn early, and to polish their skills against the best of the best. Victor Steiner Davion was practicing against cadets from NAIS and The Nagelring when he was 13 years old. Kai Allard-Liao fought simulator battles against his father, a former Solaris Champion, and his mother, one of the prime MechWarriors of House Liao in her generation.

They were the two best MechWarriors of their generation. During their first cadet year together at NAIS, before Prince Victor transferred to the Nagelring, they outfought their classmates, and each succeeded in outfighting instructors. Their simulator battles ended in a draw two times in three,

They were very different men. Prince Victor has been encouraged to assess his abilities and flaws honestly. During a press conference in 3051, he explained, "I'm better at strategic-level thinking, but in BattleMech combat, Kai is a genius. He has a gift which I doubt even his father in his heyday could have matched, as if he had been bred for it."

Kai didn't think as well of his own abilities. Upon leaving NAIS, cadets are asked to rate themselves. He rated himself as category 'fair', only one step above 'poor'. It seems that he had been measuring himself against his parents and their friends since he was a youth. He thought of Victor as a far better warrior than himself.

The two men, who could have been rivals for a crown only nature can confer, instead became loyal friends. During the long wait on Alyina, knowing that this prime planet must be attacked yet never knowing when, the friends celebrated Christmas together. It was their last.

In a fight today with the Jade Falcons, Kai Allard-Liao gave his life to save Prince Victor. Near the shores of Mar Negro, two stars of Jade Falcon 'Mechs trapped Prince Victor's Command Lance. As elements of the lance retreated, the four remaining Jade Flacon 'Mechs concentrated fire on Prince Victor's Daishi. Kai Allard-Liao, leading the Fire Lance, attacked the Clanners from the rear to give the Prince time to retreat. During the resultant chaos, Kai's Centurion, the famous Yen-lo-Wang, wrestled with a Hagetaka at the edge of a high cliff. The edge of the cliff broke off and both 'Mechs fell into kilometer-deep water. Both transponder beacons cut off when they hit the water.

Prince Victor was successfully evacuated.

No statement from Prince Victor is available at this time.

Archon-Princess Melissa Steiner Davion sent a priority message to the surviving sisters and young brother of Kai Allard-Liao. The message reads, "It is some consolation to realize that your parents never knew of the death of your beloved brother, nor the loss of Yen-lo-Wang. Neither did Kai know of the dastardly assassination of your parents. The two of them would certainly have chosen to die together if they'd had the choice. we grieve with you in your losses."

BattleTechnology News From the Front

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