Editing Rikkard Nova Cat

{{Cleanup|reason=review needed|date=September 2023}}
{{InfoBoxCharacter
| image               = 
| caption             = 
| name                = Rikkard
| birthdate           = 9 August [[3098]]<ref name=DADossiers41>''MechWarrior: Dark Age - Dossiers and Pilot Cards'', p. 41: "Rikkard Nova Cat"</ref>
| died                = 
| othernames          = 
| affiliation         = [[Spirit Cats]]
| profession          = [[Galaxy Commander]]
| parents             = 
| siblings            = 
| spouse              = 
| children            = 
}}
'''Rikkard Nova Cat''' was a [[thirty-second-century]] [[trueborn]] [[Clan]] [[MechWarrior (pilot)|MechWarrior]] of the [[Spirit Cats]] who achieved the rank of [[Star Colonel]].  He was a good friend to his Clan's leader [[Galaxy Commander]] [[Kev Rosse]] after saving his life.  His support for Kev Rosse was well-known within the Clan, which made him a target of Spirit Cat warriors such as [[Janis Nova Cat]].

Rikkard believed it essential that the Spirit Cats find a sanctuary amidst the coming Dark Age, to ensure their survival.

==History==
He served in [[Shiva Keshik (Clan Protectorate)|Shiva Keshik]].

In early [[3133]] Rikkard led a Trinary of Spirit Cats against forces of [[Bannson's Raiders]] on the planet of [[Ozawa]].  Using hit and run tactics and lighting the nearby forests on fire, Rikkard forced the Bannson's forces off-world in defeat.

In March [[3135]], a contingent of Spirit Cat warriors under Kev Rosse and Rikkard were exploring [[Mallory's World]].  Rikkard was particularly drawn to the world due to its history.  Finding himself in Desolate Pass, where First Prince [[Ian Davion]] had sacrificed his life to save his men, Rikkard soul-searched for some inspiration.  Kev Rosse and Rikkard discussed at length a vision of Rikkard's, that of "a predatory bird astride a tornado moving across an endless, hot and dry landscape."  Kev suggested to Rikkard that he would not find his answer on Mallory's World, but to instead search in [[Prefecture VII]] of the Republic.  Before Rikkard left, he used his canteen to scoop up some sand from the pass.

Rikkard's force arrived and stationed itself on Irian in June.  Rikkard began gathering up various Spirit Cat commands in preparation for his search.  During an argument with Star Commander [[Janis Nova Cat]], he became inspired to look "beyond" the [[Republic of the Sphere|Republic]]'s borders for his people's sanctuary.

In March [[3136]], after months of traveling to various worlds, Rikkard contacted [[Clan Sea Fox]].  He struck a bargain with [[ovKhan]] [[Petr Kalasa]], commander of the Sea Foxes' [[CargoShip]], ''[[Voidswimmer]]'' to transport his people to the world of [[Marik]].

===Battle of Marik===
In October, Rikkard's Clusters invaded planet [[Marik]], owned by the [[Marik-Stewart Commonwealth]]. His efforts were opposed by General [[Daniella Briggs]].  Rikkard tried to show by example that no matter how dirty the Commonwealth force might fight, he would fight like a Clansman and not stoop to their level.

By November, Rikkard led his forces to the metropolis of Dormuth.  His warriors quickly bogged down trying to take the city, as Commonwealth forces used guerrilla tactics and sabotage to tie down his forces.  The Battle for Marik dragged out over months, as both sides counted on reinforcements to give them some edge over their opponents.

In February of [[3137]], Lady [[Julietta Halas-Hughes Marik|Julietta Marik]] arrived to negotiate with Star Colonel Rikkard.  She offered an alliance in order to wrest the planet from the Commonwealth and [[Anson Marik]], above all else.  Rikkard initially rejected the offer, but when news reached him of Kev Rosse's assassination and Clan Nova Cat calling all Nova Cats in the Republic home, he realized no reinforcements would be coming.  Rikkard was demoralized by the news of his friend's death, and saw the alliance with the [[Oriente Protectorate]] as the only way to save his people from death on Marik.  Rikkard also reaffirmed his commitment to take Marik as a sanctuary for the Spirit Cats.

By April, no Protectorate forces had arrived and the Spirit Cat position had become desperate.  Julietta Marik then revealed that Oriente would not be sending ground reinforcements, having never clarified originally what kind of assistance her realm could offer.  Angered by the duplicity, Rikkard struck Julietta.  Rikkard was then challenged by Janis Nova Cat to a [[Trial of Grievance]] over his hesitation and dealmaking with the Oriente Protectorate.  Defeating her, Rikkard was forced to kill Janis as she refused to yield and accept the Trial's outcome.  In his moment of great despair, Rikkard drew inspiration from Julietta and her duty to her nation.  Rikkard realized his honor in winning Marik was only worthwhile if it helped his people, not in how he conducted himself.

Dispatching a courier to the orbiting Sea Fox ''[[Voidswimmer]]'', Rikkard struck a deal with the Sea Foxes.  They would give Clan Sea Fox warehouse rights on the planet if they provided reinforcements to defeat the Commonwealth forces.  [[OvKhan]] [[Petr Kalasa]] agreed and together the Spirit Cats and Sea Foxes were able to overwhelm and wipe out their opposition.

When Julietta Marik was gravely injured from an assassination attempt, Rikkard ventured to Oriente with Clan scientists in order to save her life.  Julietta was taken back to Marik in order to continue her recovery with the assistance of Clan medicine; she would become an advisor to the Spirit Cats on customs and culture within the Free Worlds League.

===Leader of the Protectorate===
In [[3138]], at the suggestion of [[Julietta Halas-Hughes Marik|Lady Julietta]], Rikkard led an expedition to the worlds around Marik to bring them under the protection of his Clan [[conclave]], forming what would become known as the [[Clan Protectorate]].

In July [[3139]], Rikkard and others arrived on [[Atreus (FWL)|Atreus]] for the swearing-in of Jessica Marik as the new Captain-General of the reborn Free Worlds League.

As of [[3145]], Rikkard Nova Cat held the rank of [[Galaxy Commander]], and was the undisputed leader of the [[Spirit Cats]]. Still actively leading military forces, Rikkard commanded the Clan Protectorate's [[Shiva Keshik (Clan Protectorate)|Shiva Keshik]] Cluster and led the unit in more than one [[Trial of Possession]] against the [[Wolf Empire]]'s Clan Wolf forces.<ref>''Field Manual: 3145'', pp. 109, 116: Clan Protectorate Military - Rikkard still in command of Shiva Keshik</ref>

In [[3147]], the Protectorate suffered a direct attack from forces of the [[Principality of Regulus]]. Codenamed ''Task Force Hunger Strike'', the Regulan forces arrived in the Marik system on 25 July. The Hussars' three regiments split, trying to secure several key locations; one of them, the [[Fourth Regulan Hussars]], targeted the ''Winter Palace'' on Dormuth, ancestral home of House Marik and seat of power of the Protectorate's provincial government. Rikkard Nova Cat led the defense. The Nova Cat leader challenged the Fourth's commander, [[Colonel]] [[Juliette Mejia]], to a duel.
She ignored the challenge and ordered her lance to mass fire on Rikkard's ''Firestarter''. His 'Mech was shot down, but he survived. The dishonorable attack made Shiva Keshik attack the Regulans with unbridled ferocity, sending them into retreat.<ref>''Shattered Fortress'', p. 37</ref>
More Regulan reinforcements sent to Marik were destroyed in space by Sea Fox ships. Rikkard extended ''hegira'' to the remaining Regulan invaders on Marik, allowing them to return to Regulus.<ref>''Shattered Fortress'', p. 38</ref>

===IlClan Era===

==BattleMech==
Rikkard was a noted [[Shadow_Hawk_IIC#Variants|''Shadow Hawk IIC'' 4]], and also routinely used a ''[[Firestarter]]'' named ''Soulbearer''.<ref name=PGc16>''Pandora's Gambit'', ch. 16</ref><ref name=DADossiers41/><ref>''Shattered Fortress'', p. 37</ref>

==Notes==
* After the Nova Cats' annihilation, Rikkard become the ''de facto'' military leader of all Spirit Cats and Nova Cat survivors. It is unknown why he didn't claim the Khanship of his Clan.

==Gallery==
<gallery>
RikkardPin.png|''[[Visions of Fire: The Battle for Ozawa!]]'' pin design
</gallery>

==References==
<references />

==Bibliography==
* ''[[Empire Alone]]'' (sourcebook)
* ''[[Field Manual: 3145]]''
* ''[[MechWarrior: Dark Age - Dossiers and Pilot Cards]]''
* ''[[Pandora's Gambit]]'' (novel)
* ''[[Shattered Fortress]]'' (sourcebook)
* ''[[To Ride the Chimera]]'' (novel)


[[Category:Republic of the Sphere Characters|Nova Cat, Rikkard]]
[[Category:Free Worlds League Characters|Nova Cat, Rikkard]]
[[Category:Clan Spirit Cat Characters|Nova Cat, Rikkard]]