As we make our preparations, I get an idea. I look over the Inner Sphere bondsmen records and choose one I feel is trustworthy to come with us. After speculation, I decide on former Captain Greg of the 12th Lyran Regulars. I bring him up before my impromptu command council, and we question him in hopes of obtaining another perspective on the IS. He gives us some additional information, but he has never been to Solaris before. He comments, "Aff, Solaris fights are pretty well known through the Inner Sphere. They are probably the biggest, most well known form of organized competition, Sphere wide. True, there are some pretty well known sports leagues, such as the National Football League, and the Winston Cup Series of Racing, but for the most part, those are not well known outside of the state in which they are based. The Solaris Fights are broadcast pretty much everywhere, at least the fights between the better known fighters. I don't think the Draconis Combine allows broadcast, though."

I ask, "Why not?"

"Something to do with the structures of their society; warriors fighting without a sponsor are not considered honorable, or something like that. I do not really know."

Slightly disappointed, I say, "Well, it hopefully should not -- shouldn't -- matter. Who is considered the ruler of Solaris?"

"The Federated Commonwealth is nominally in control of Solaris, meaning that the planet is within FedCom borders. There is a local ruler, but the true "rulers" are the owners of the larger fighting stables."

I think for a moment. "We might have to deal with them. What is the best way of obtaining information from such people?" We continue our discussion for some time, covering topics both mundane and detailed.

I request and receive permission from Khan Natasha to take Greg along, and leave orders that he is to remain under guard and never leave the dropship.

Just before leaving, I call one final meeting of everyone who is going. In the meeting, we finalize our story: who we are, etc. Among the more noteworthy attendees are Michael Winson, Pactrick, Kelly, Sara, Klen Kerensky, Livengood, Grell, Natasha, Randell, and the DropShip/Jumpship captians.

Michael asks, somewhat flippantly, "So, Adrian, what is our story? Oops, ‘what's’ our story?"

I respond, "I was a captain in Crane's Crusaders, a merc group hit hard by Clan Wolf. Their leader (a colonel) was captured by the Clan."

Natasha interrupts, "Crane's Crusaders? Has anyone in the IS ever heard of that merc group?"

"They were a minor group we destroyed early in the fighting."

"Ok, I wasn't sure of that. Must have happened before the year of truce, right?"

I nodded.  "In the first year of the war. They were bandit-hunting in the Periphery when we hit, similarly to the Kell Hounds. They were only a company strong, but their leader had pretensions and called himself a colonel, and lance leaders were captains."

Natasha: "Those are pretty big pretensions..."

"I believe that ‘Colonel’ Crane was actually captured. He was taken to Strana Mechty for extended interrogation.

"I see. I hope ‘Colonel’ Crane is enjoying the World of Dreams."

I chuckle. "At any rate, I was able to lead the survivors off-planet, and with a few others, we were able to purchase travel to Solaris. Here we hope to earn enough money to return to Outreach and reform the group."

Michael: "So we're supposed to like fight and stuff, win some battles, win some cash."

"Yes -- but keep it low-key, we don't want to attract attention. We're just another group of losers."

Randel chimes in, "Yeah, I've got all your Mechs configured as IS refits. Should stand up to examination. I also went ahead and wired them for the diagnostics that the arena mechs on Solaris are fitted with. That'll save some time, money, and keep anyone from doing any real work on the Mechs. I talked a little with some of the bondsmen we have. All Mechs fighting in the certified arenas on Solaris are wired to send various diagnostic info to the control people. This way the bettors can keep track of the mechs, etc."

I quickly ask, "Will that raise any suspicion? Not all Mechs have these diagnostics."

Randel replies, "It shouldn’t. There are independent contractors on the planet who do such work for a fee."

"Good. Michael, you were a lieutenant in the unit. Sara, you could be a captain if you choose -- or will you go as an independent?"

Sara: "I think that I was the chief of security for the Crusaders. I'll be around."

"Very well. All right, to the issue of names. Michael and I can keep our bloodnames, but Klen, yours will attract attention. The rest will have to choose last names."

Klen chuckles, "Will it? I seem to recall that Khan Natasha here spent many a year kicking ass and taking names as Major Natasha Kerensky of the Wolf's Dragoons."

I retort, "Yes -- and look at the notoriety that gained her! We need to remain low-key. No offense, Khan Natasha."

The Khan smiles ruefully. "None taken."

"If we mention your name, it could raise unwanted questions. We need to have some other name for you, that we get used to using."

Klen wisecracks, "Hey, is it my fault that I was born into the best house?" He smilies and winks.

I grimace comically. "Don't start, Klen."

Natasha interrupts, "Hey, don't try to disaffirm the facts, Nova Captain Spoint. It's true." She smiles and laughs loudly.

I chuckle, "Yes, my Khan"

Natasha: "That's better. Remember to respect your elders!"

Klen adds, "Yeah, but I'm supposed to stay on ship anyway. Can't really have a genetically engineered Elemental running around on an IS world. People my size aren't all that common in the IS, eh?"

Michael deadpans, "How's about Klen takes on the surname Wolf. I don't think that'll draw too many inquiries..." Then he breaks out laughing as my jaw hits the table in disbelief.

Finally, I pull myself together. "The rest of you, pick names that make you happy. I doubt our first names will cause any problems, so we can keep those." Everyone eventually comes up with non-conspicuous family names. Things like Jones, Smith, and so on. Someone actually suggested Mitzlepletzeck as a candidate!

Klen decides, "I'll take the surname of Schwarzenegger. I believe he was a fairly musclebound late 20th cen Terran actor." He flexes impressively.

"Very well." [The reference goes right over Adrian's head.]

I turn to the ship's Captain. "Have you decided on appropriate ships, and do you have all the necessary preparations?" The Captain starts recounting all the relevant logistical data, and I nod in the right places (!).

Eventually I ask, "Will the crews be granted shore leave?"

The Senior Ship Captain replies, "Your decision. It would be nice for everyone to get off of the ships for a day or two every now and then, but I understand about security."

Michael offers, "Adrian, why don't we wait and see what it's like on Solaris before you nix shore leave?" Natasha agrees.

"Very well. We'll wait and see. Any last questions, comments, or ideas?"

We cover some more mundane details, such as the chain of command, language, equipment, and so on.

After a few minutes of this discussion, Michael suddenly asks, "Hey, what are we going to do about money?"

"We have been allocated some funds by the ilKhan's special command that should cover any necessary expenses. Besides, we're supposed to be poor."

Michael: "Like how much? C-bills?"

Natasha: "Plenty. Adrian has access."

The door into the conference room opens, and ilKhan Ulric steps in. Everyone except Natasha snaps to attention.

Ulric only stays long enough to say, "Adrian, I need you to take care of some business dealings for me while you are on Solaris. Stop by my office later today."

"Yes, Sir." We all relax.

Natasha mutters to herself, "I was wondering who he was going to have do that..."

"My Khan?"

"Oh, nothing. Ulric'll tell you what you need to know."

The discussion moves on, and eventually we get to the actual choice of Mechs.

Randel summarizes the situation for us: "Kelly's got a Marksman variant, Grell's in the Maurader, Michael's got his Axeman, Livengood's running around in a modified Archer, and you still need to select your mech."

I sound a note of caution. "Marksman?"

"Yeah, I took an 85 ton Mech chassis, and modified it to something resembling the Marksman’s specs."

"Good."

"So, what are you going to use?"

I think for moment. "Actually, I like the look of the Phoenix Hawk IIc."

Randel chuckles, "Problem with that is that it realy doesn't resemble the IS versions of the Phoenix Hawk too well. Kind of a 40 ton difference, ya know?"

"That could be problematic ... " I agree.

Natasha gets up, saying, "I've got to get going, Adrian. Contact me if you have any other questions or problems." We all salute again.

We decide to set up meetings the next day to finalize Mech selections, and the meeting breaks up.

Afterwards, I go to Ulric's office, and report to his aide de campe. We set a meeting time, and I return a few minutes before the appointment. Presently, I an shown in to the ilKhan. As I walk in, I see a female with long red hair leaving through another door. I recognize Sara.

I salute, and Ulric invites me to sit. He opens, "You will recall that some time ago, Khan Natasha made a purchase of several thousand cases of Timbiqui Dark for the Clan."

I smile. "Yes, ilKhan. It has been making the rounds, so to speak."

"Those cases were rapidly consumed by the battle-thirsty warriors of Clan Wolf, and now we need more. Since we are drinking so much of the brew, it makes sense to invest in the brewing company, does it not, quiaff?"

I was slightly surprised, but then remembered a news circular that I had received some time back. "Aff, sir. Though it would be unusual."

The ilKhan continues, "Solaris, in addition to being a gaming world, is also an economic center. I will provide you with several million c-bills from the Clan account, with which you are to purchase as much stock in the Timbiqui Brewing Co. as you can. The only problem is that the Wolf Clan cannot be listed as being the owner of the shares. I hate to make life more difficult for you, but I need you to figure out a way around this problem."

I had already read up on various ways to move money around in the Solaris economy while avoiding detection, and I had a ready solution. "Yes, sir. I have read something of Solaris in my studies. We can create what is called a "dummy corporation" and make the investment in its name. It is a common practice on Solaris, used to hide the true origin of certain funds."

Ulric grins. "Very well. Make it so. Oh, and while you are at it, arrange for several thousand more cases of Timbiqui Dark to be shipped back here."

"Yes, sir."

"Thank you for your time Nova Captain. If you have any other questions, give my office a call."

"Yes, sir. I will arrange to have them returned with us -- or would you prefer us to use Drop-off Gamma? [This is the usual way for transporting IS stuff to Clan space]

"Use Drop-off Gamma. You may be on Solaris for several months, and we will run out of the brew well before that."

I hide a smile. "Yes sir."

"Good luck, Captain."

"Thank you, sir." I salute and leave. I spend the rest of the day researching "dummy corporations" in greater detail.