Just as the galaxy commander had predicted.

Just as it had in the previous two battles.

“Let them go,” he ordered, hot colas burning in his lungs as he sucked in great braths of the scorching air. He turned his lasers against a smaller Owens which lagged behind the main company as they all followed the Executioner. Two of the sapphire lances scored into the small ‘Mech, coring past armor and into its back, but unfortunately finding no critical equipment. Then his enemy were gone, and his star held the field alone.

With the Inner Sphere forces commanding faster ‘Mechs, the Jaguar leader had little choice but to hunt them this way; harrying their advance toward the peninsula and taking them a small piece at a time. It didn’t matter. In the end he would have them all. They would never make contact with the survivors of the first DropShip, those few ‘Mechs still operating on the peninsula were easy targets for Ratache Osis while Brendon Corbett claimed the greater victory -- and the greater glory -- by smashing this stronger company. Could he make all 12 kills personally? Perhaps that would be the crowning achievement here that would vault him above all others when the Smoke Jaguars finally chose a new Khan. Finally chose him as the new Khan. Strength, that was what mattered. Strength and individual achievement.

It was the way of the Clans.

* * *

Good news, Lieutenant. We’ve made two more contacts. Epona Rhi from Team Three and Keith Andrew, from our own commando.