Clans Duel ComStar:
We Win a Truce

BattleTechnology News Service

by Hilary Ayer

Tukayyid, May 20,3052

Tukayyid was a minorworld in the Skandia province of Rasalhague. It is owned by a conglomerate of agrocombines which grow cereal crops on its wide plains. It has several major types of terrain, ranging from the plains to high mountains. The other main 'owners' are religious communes, which control areas in the mountains and on the coasts. One major religious center is actually under the sea. The population is small, and either very rich or under vows of poverty.

The first groupwere responsive to financial arrangements, while the second group agreed to allow their world to become a battleground in the interests of peace. ComStar evacuated all but essential personnel; one of the four cities was declared a neutral zone, where essential services to the world could be maintained. The Clan Council and ComStar set up a fund to repair damage after the war. Tukayyid would belong to the winner; the population to be resettled at the winner's discretion.

Since both sides had been boasting that in an all-out fight they could make sausage out of each other, the Precentor Martial had little trouble getting an agreement out of the IlKhan and his council. They would each commit an agreed-on force to an all-out war on Tukayy1d. If the Clans won, they got Terra. If ComStar won, the inner Sphere got a fifteen year truce during which Clans forces agree not to attack us.

The battle ended today after twenty days of bitter and expert fighting.

Other publications will cover every aspect of the Tukayyid War exhaustively. Let us simply give you the numbers. Seven Regiments of the Smoke Jaguars, three from the Diamond Sharks, four from the Ghost Bears, three from the Nova Cats, three, from the Steel Vipers, and six from the Wolf Clan took part in the battle. Numbers for the Jade Falcons are unconfirmed.

Although IllKhan Ulric of the Wolf Clan was in ultimate charge of the battle, he was forced to bid away an early arrival of his own Clans forces to keep the balance of honor in his army. Against them were twelve ComStar Armies, with three more in reserve. Precentor Martial Anastasius Focht's strategy seems to have been predicated on the observation that the Clans are trained for quick, decisive, limited battles. He therefore forced an extended fight, keeping Clans forces on the run, using up ammunition and supplies, wearing them down.

In the end, Clans forces suffered a 35% death rate overall. ComStar forces lost 30%. "it was a ghastly war of attrition." explained the drawn-faced Precentor Martial. "The only excuse for such a slaughter is that it was necessary. The InnerSphere has to have the time." The Precentor Martial gave his interview on the battlefield near the Pozoristu Mountains, insisting that reporters record the terrible carnage that was the cost of this battle.

The Precentor Martial intends to remain in-system just long enough to witness a 'Blood Name Rite' at the invitation of the IlKhan, then he takes a fast JumpShip to Terra. No doubt he has a lot to report to Primus Myndo Waterly.

BattleTechnology News From the Front

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