the other option kfs book 1

7/28/2019 The Other Option KFS Book 1

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THE OTHEROPTION

KAPTEYNS FIRST STRIKEBOOK 1

Plans within plans


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THEOTHEROPTION:KAPTEYNSFIRSTSTRIKEBook1:PlansWithinPlans

1

WritersNote:Thisisanalternatetimelinestorysetin3022,whichrewritestheleaduptoo,

andoutbreakofthe4th

SuccessionWar. Itisbasedfirstlyonthesidebaronpage57ofthe

original House Marik Sourcebook, but quickly diverges into an alternate reaction by

ComStarandtheKapteynpowers. Theresultsofthe invasionswillbegamedoutandthe

storyof

the

alternate

war

slowly

written

as

Iprogress

the

results

of

the

war,

using

my

own

highly detailed version of SuccessionWars/Inner Sphere in Flames. Dont think ImVSD

hateroranythinglikethat,IamastaunchLyranandknowtheywillhaveeventualmastery

overknownspace. ItsjustthatIwantedtoseewhatwouldhappeniftheKapteynpowers

hadmannedupalittle.


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2

Book1

PlansWithinPlans


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3

Chapter1

Elmau,Bavaria,Terra.

15September,3022.

TheoldestSuccessorLordintheInnerSphereseemedbowedoverbytheweight

of his bitter experience, bowed by Civil War, the betrayal of siblings and the loss of

children. Althoughapparentlystillstrong,hisevergrowingburdenswerereadilyapparent

to the other man in the room, a man whose bolt straight stature and strong physique

bespokeofamaninhisprime,whobelievedinnotonlyinhiscurrentself,buthispersonal

visionofhisowndestiny.

TakashiKuritaextendedhishandtograspthatoftheother,thetiredone,andfor

amoment,twoofthemostpowerfulmen inexistencestoodtoetotoe,one intherose

pleated,longsleevejacket,withbuffstripedwhitestirruppants,ofamemberoftheFree

WorldsGuards,

whilst

the

stronger

of

the

two

wore

agarb

consisting

of

ahigh

collared

white tunic with orange stripes down its arms and centre, set against red striped black

pantsandhighleatherboots.

CaptainGeneral Marik, it is a good to meet you at last. We have much of

importancetodiscuss.

Theman inpurple,CapitanGeneralJanosMarik, thought foramomentbefore

breaking their grip and replying. Yes Coordinator, we have much to discuss and many

problemstoresolve,althoughIamsureourmeetingswillbeproductiveandbeneficial.

Takashiturnedhishead,showingthegreythatwasslowlyencroachinguponhis

jet

black

temples

and

looked

out

across

the

vista

that

the

spartan

and

little

furnished

room

provided. I trust your journey here was as pleasant as the vistas our destination

provides.

YesLordKurita,amost pleasantjourney. Ithasbeenmanyyears since I last

visitedmyancestralhomeland. Imustthankyouforchoosingthisregionforourmeeting;I

havemanypleasantmemoriesofitfrommyyouth. Willyoubevisitingyourownpeoples

landwhilsthere?

Takashi paused before answering. Should I visit the Land of the Rising Sun, I

wouldbecompelledbyhonourandduty topaymy respects to theEmperor,something

that Iamsurewouldbecomepublicknowledge inasmallamountoftime. Idonotwish

eitherthe

Steiners

or

Davions

to

learn

of

our

meeting

so

easily.

Abruptly, Kurita turned, and, fixing the Marikwith an expression that was half

wryhumourandhalfsadisticamusement,said,"Itisprobablytimethatwewelcomedour

third partner." Before Janos Marik could reply, the pair of oak doors at the rear of the

room swung wide, and Maximilian Liao walked into the room, his perfectly tailored

uniformablazewithmilitaryribbonsanddecorations,someofthemclearlyfromthelong

warbetweentheCapellansandtheFreeWorldsLeague.

MarikglaredatKurita,thenatLiao,thenbackatKurita."Whatishedoinghere?"

hefinallyasked.


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4

"Heisheretonegotiatepeace,ofcourse,"Kuritareplied,extendingahandtothe

small Capellan. "He is here because he is an enemy of our enemy, Hanse Davion." He

droppedLiao'shandandturnedtofaceMarikoncemore."Heisalsoaloadedgun,friend

Janos.Itisbettertotakesuchweaponsinhandandpointthemawayfromonesself,then

toleave

them

for

an

enemy

to

pick

up.

I'm

sure

you

agree."

Liao

flinched

at

the

metaphor,

butsmiled,showingarowofperfectteeth.

"Youwouldmakethisanecessaryconditionofourownalliance?"Marikasked.

"Iwould."

"AndifIdonotchoosetonegotiatewithsuchashim?"

Thenyourrealmwillbearthebruntofthecomingwarandtherewillbe littleI

candotosaveyouoryourpeoplesaidanewvoicebehindJanos.

The Marik spun around to see the red robes of a ComStar Precentor and the

visageherecognisedasthatofMyndoWaterly,PrecentorDieron,hergoldhairframingher

facelikeaniridescenthalo,aneffecthewassureshehadtakenmuchtimetocreate.

Savemy

realm?

How

do

you

propose

to

undertake

such

an

action

and

more

importantly still, what makes you think my realm will bear the brunt of any attack

Precentor?

Shouldournoblefriendsheretoday,negotiateanalliancebetweeneachother,

ourmutualenemy,HanseDavionwillbehemmedinandhiscoursesofactionlimited. He

wouldthenbeforcedtocompeltheLyranstoconsummatetheirnewalliancewithastrike

into,andthrough,yourTerranholdingsinanefforttounitetheLyranCommonwealthand

Federated Suns. I am also most sure, that given such a tempting situation and with no

treatyasabreakonhisactions,ChancellorLiaowouldhavelittlecompunctioninfinishing

you

off.

ThePrecentorsmiledbenignlyattheCaptainGeneralandthepredatorysmileon

thefaceofMaximillianLiaoonlyemphasisedherpoint. That littleLiaobastardwoulddo

anything to reclaim what we have takenfrom his realm over the centuries. Precentor

Dieroniscorrectanddammherforbeingso.

JanossmiledandbowedhisheadinMyndosdirection.Asalways,ComStarsees

totheheartof thematterathandwithclarity that iseveromniscient.Pleaseexcusemy

rudeness,Ididnotexpectsomanytobepartofourdiscussion.

MyndobowedinreturnPleaseCaptainGeneral,youhavecommittednowrong,

my vehemence is fuelled only by the great threat that confronts us all. Should Hanse

Davionand

Katrina

Steiner

pull

their

alliance

together,

we

are

all

in

grave

danger,

hence

whythePrimushasdirectedmetoseethatthesenegotiationsareasfruitfulaspossible.

ThePrecentorextendedahand to take inthestuffedcouches thatsurrounded

the low table in theroomscentrePleasegentlemen,makeyourselvescomfortable,we

havemuchtodiscussandonlysomuchtimetodoso.

The foursat themselvesat thecardinalpointsof the table,nonewishing tobe

tooclosetoaneighbour. MarikandLiaosatfacingeachother,somethingtobeexpected

giventhecircumstances.

Myndobeganspeakingonceall fourweresettled,slowlymovinghergazefrom

one

Successor

Lord

to

the

next.

I

wish

to

take

some

time

to

explain

the

course

of

action


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5

whichmustbefollowedbyallheretoensureoursurvivalinthecomingyears. Shouldwe

falteronthispath,ourendsatthehandsofthenascentFederatedCommonwealthwillbe

swiftindeed.

TakashiKuritarespondedastheothertwoLordsnoddedPleasePrecentor,take

allthe

time

necessary.

ThankyouLordKurita. AsyouareallawareHanseDavionandKatrinaSteiner

have concluded an alliance between the Federated Suns and the Lyran Commonwealth,

whichhasbeendubbedtheFederatedCommonwealthAlliance. Eachofyouwillalready

haveseensomeresultsofthisalliancethroughthetradeandintelligenceexchangeswhich

havestrengthenedbothrealms?Allthreenoddedinagreement.

Whatyoumaynotbeawareofarecertainsecretclauseswithinthe

FC Alliance document that could spell the end of the balance of power in the Inner

Sphere. Thethreemen,despitethemselves,allleanedforward,eventhestoicKurita.

WhentheAlliancewassigned inMay,itprovidedformorethanjusttradeand

intelligence.

Secretclauses

provide

for

the

merger

of

the

two

realms

into

asingle

super

statethatwillbecementedbythemarriageofHanseDavionandMelissaSteineruponher

reachinghereighteenthbirthday.

Thiswouldmeandisaster!ExclaimedLiao.Wewouldbeexterminatedoneby

one.WhyhasComStarwaitedthislongtotelltheotherpowersoftheseprovisions? Have

youtakensidesagainstus?

ComStar still has not told you of this. I have told you of this, and at great

personalrisk. ThePrimusdoesnotbelieveyouyetneedtoknow.

Silence fell across the table. You mean to tell us that your organisation has

allowed

the

greatest

threat

to

the

Inner

Spheres

future

to

come

to

fruition

and

then

decidedtotakenoactiontocounterit?Kuritaaskedleaningacrossthetableaskewering

Myndowitha lookthatshewassurepresagedthedeathofanyother itcouldhavebeen

directedat.

Myndopaused,tosteadyherself.Yesandatthesametimeno.

Isensetherearedeepfactionalpoliticsatwork inyourorganisation,arethere

notPrecentorDieron?askedJanos.

Yes CaptainGeneral, there are. There are many, like myself, who believe

Primus Tiepolo has lost site of Blakes blessed vision and is leading us down a path to

disaster. Thisfactionhasappointedmetobetheirheadandensurethatyourstatesare

informedof

events

and

provided

with

the

means

and

methods

to

counter

this

coming

storm.

That isall welland good Precentor, buthow doyou propose to livepast this

meeting?IamsurethePrimuswillviewyouractionsandthoseofyouralliesdimly?said

TheMarik.

Iwillsurvivebecausehewillnothereofit. ROMisloyaltoPrecentorROMand

PrecentorROMisloyaltome.

Iseeyouensuredyourpathwassecurebeforetakingit,andifyourintelligence

apparatusisloyaltoyouthroughPrecentorROM,thenyoucanreportwhatyoulikeofour

meetings.

I

feel

some

confidence

in

what

we

plan

here

now.

Said

the

Liao.


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6

Takashiimmediatelyretorted,DonotbesoquicktogloatMaximillian,shortofa

couporthePrimussteppingdownforsomereason,thiswillcometoaheadandwhenthat

happens,shouldPrecentorDieronsfactioncomeouttheworseforit,wewillbeleftoutin

thecold.

Youare

correct

Lord

Kurita,

that

what

you

speak

of

is

apossibility.

However,

measures are being taken and can be enacted that will assure you will receive the full

supportofourorderinyourendeavours.

Very well, I will accept your word for now. However, should at any time I

believeyouhavebeencompromised, Iwillensure that theCombinewill takeno further

partinyourefforts. So,whatofyourplan?WhatdoyouproposethatwillhaltthisSteiner

Daviondemon?askedKurita.

Myndo smiled gracefully and looked up In January of 3025, twentyseven

months fromnow,withassistance inthe formoftransport, intelligenceandmercenaries

fromComStar,yourthreerealmswill launchacoordinated invasionoftheTerranregions

ofthe

Federated

Suns

and

Lyran

Commonwealth,

ensuring

that

they

have

no

chance

of

everphysicallyunitingtheirrealmsandshowingtheirallianceforthefictionitis.


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7

Chapter2


16September,3022.

JanosMarikstaredoutoverthepristinevistaoftheBavarianAlpsasheawaited

theotherstojoinhimforthedaysmeetings. Heenjoyedthetimeherebyhimself,soaking

inTerrasfundamentalbeauty. Therewassomethingabouthumanitiesmotherworldthat

broughtpeacetohimwhenhevisited. Othershadspokenofthesamephenomena,with

doctorscomingtotheconsensusthatdespitehumanshavingbeensettledonotherstars

fornearly1000yearstheirbodies,controlledbytheirgeneticcodeandshapedbyabillion

yearsofevolutiononTerra,knewwhentheywerehome.ThePeaceofTerrawasthename

forthephenomenon. Itwasagreatironyindeed,thatwhilstfeelingthisinnerpeaceJanos

andtheotherSuccessorLordspresent,wereplanningforwar.

PrecentorDierons

announcement

the

day

before

had

effectively

ended

the

meetingassherequestedeachofthemtothinkontheproposalofpreemptivewar. Janos

wasagainst it,against ituntilhisownsonThomas,stillpartofComStarandhissecretly

designated heir, visitedhim and convinced him of the necessity for the war and certain

measures thatcouldbe taken toensure theFreeWorldsLeagues future safetyand the

Marik families hold upon power in the League. Thomass plan was not only bold, but

would force the ever bickering League Provinces to fully support the CaptainGeneral in

their own enfeeblement. That still left Liao, that scheming monster who had turned

JanossownbrotherAntonagainsthim in3015, tearing theLeagueapart inyetanother

Civil

War.

Unless

Precentor

Dieron

could

hobble

the

little

wretch,

Janos

had

resolved

that

theLeaguewouldtakenopartinthewar.

The oak doors opened behind Janos and he turned to see Maximillian and

Takashienter. Greetingswereexchanged, forciblywithLiao, formallywithKuritaandall

three bowed as Precentor Waterly entered the room. All four sat quickly and the

SuccessorLordslookedtoMyndotostartproceedings.

I trustyouhaveallhad time todigestwhat Ipresentedyesterdayandagain I

apologise for startling you with the boldness of my plan, but again I must stress that

dangeroustimescallfordangerousmethods.

Marik spokeIam sureweallagreewithyouPrecentor,but Imustmakeone

thingplainly

clear.

If

Iam

to

launch

awar

of

aggression

Imust

ensure

certain

conditions

aremet.

Myndonodded,causingthehoodofherrobeto fall fromherheadPlease fell

freetoairyourconcerns.

Thankyou Janos began The Free Worlds League is, as you well know,

technically ruled by a Parliament composed of Representatives of the multitude of

Provinces of the League. I must either neutralise Parliament in some fashion, or gain

sufficientadditionalforcesandsuppliestomaketheirsupportirrelevant. MysonThomas

hasaplan,oneIcanenactquicklyonmyreturn,butIwillstillrequireadditionalsourcesof

supply

and

quite

possibly

additional

mercenary

troops

to

either

support

a

full

scale


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8

invasion of Steiner space or protect League worlds whose garrisons are at the front.

Secondly,duetosevencenturiesofmutualdistrust,Ineedmorethanapaperagreement

withtheCapellanConfederationtoprotectmyback. IdonottrusttheChancellorandIam

suretheChancellordoesnottrustme.

Thehalf

smile,

half

sneer

on

Maximillians

face

was

enough

to

conform

Janoss

theory. Perhaps you should crush your Parliament and behave like a true Successor

Lord?snappedLiao.

Andgiveyouanexcuse to takeadvantageof thechaos thatwouldensuemy

Lord?Notlikely!Marikshotback.

Enough bickering declared Kurita I am sure the esteemed Precentor Dieron

hasthoughtaheadtosuchmattersandcanexplainherthoughtstous?

ThankyouLordKurita, Ican. ComStarwillensurethat,shouldallthreerealms

launch a coordinated strike, supplies be furnished in a timely fashion that will allow for

extended combat operations. Eyebrows around the table were raised at this.

Additionally,ComStar

will

provide

mercenary

troops

to

garrison

vacated

worlds

on

the

Capellan/Leaguebordertomaintainthestatusquo. Anyaltercation,startedbyeitherside

on the border, will see both realms suffer the effects of a border long communication

interdiction,effectivelyplacing theregion in limbo. Wewillencourage thesmallermore

belligerentPeripherypowerstostepuptheirownraidsandassaultsand lastly,butmost

importantly, ComStar will provide the means for all three realms to raiseadditional line

regimentstosupportanyassault.

WhatdoyoumeanbyComStarprovidingforcesandsupplies? Wherewillthese

comefrom?Weallknowyouhaveasmallmilitaryarm,butnothingthatcanconceivably

support

what

you

plan.

What

dark

secrets

do

you

hide

here

on

Terra?

Growled

Takashi.

Myndocentredherself.Nowforthegreatlie. Althoughlikeanylieitisbasedon

a truth. As you know, when General Kerensky took Terra, many Rim Worlds troops

surrenderedweretheystood. Itwasnevermadepublicexactlyhowmanysurrenderedor

whatequipmentwastaken fromthem. KerenskyhadtheRimWorldsmaterialplaced in

storage, a storage that was left behind in favour of more modern equipment when he

departedontheExodus. Seventyfiveyearsago,thiscacheofequipmentwasdiscovered

in Antarctica by ComStar science teams and it formed the basis for equipping our small

forceofComGuards. However,thesizeofthecachewas,andis,beyondanythingComStar

requires. Iproposetousethisunderutilisedresourcetoequipyourarmiestoalevelthat

willenable

you

to

conduct

effective

offensive

operations.

The

equipment

is

roughly

analogoustowhatyourtroopspossessnow,Kerenskyhavingstrippedanyhightechnology

items from thecache,and the limitedsupport facilitieshereonTerra,suchasmunitions

factoriesandthelike,thatsurvivedtheUsurperswarwillbeusedtosupplyyourforces.

A bold plan Precentor muttered Liao and what will your Primus, not to

mentiontherestofyourordersaywhenyoudropthatbombshellonthem?Youexpectus

tobelievethatyoucanarrangefortheFirstCircuittoswallowthisnonsense.

Theywillbecauseyouwillenablemeto.ShotMyndo


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9

Andhowso,littlePrecentor? Byfirst invadingtheTerransystemperhaps? Or

wouldyoulikeustoassassinatethePrimusforyou?Ifyouhavebroughtusheretotellus

fairytalesIwillreturntoSiantonight!ShoutedLiao.

Myndosvoicedroppedtoawhisper.DonotmockmeChancellor. ThePrimus

andthe

First

Circuit

will

join

us

one

way

or

the

other,

Iwill

see

to

that.

The

information

Iaskedyoutoprovidemewillensuremyplanforthiswarwillbefollowed. WithPrecentor

Sianeliminatedasarival itwillbeeasytodiscreditPrecentorsTharkadandNewAvalon.

MyvisionprotectsComStarbyfollowingthebasictenantsofBlakesblessedvision;thisis

apparenttoany inourorderwhofollowhisword. WhenPrecentorSianfalls,thePrimus

willhavenochoicebuttobackme,orhetoowillfall.

WhatisthisinformationofwhichyouspeakPrecentor?AskedJanos.

Precentor Sian has been using his access to the HPG network to dabble in

insidertradingontheSianstockexchangesothathecanenjoythecomfortstowhichhe

believeshimselfentitled. IaskedtheChancellortousehiscontroloftheexchangetobring

informationregarding

Precentor

Sians

activities

to

this

meeting

in

exchange

for

ComStars

help. AsPrecentorSianwasappointedbyPrimusTiepoloandhasbeenastaunchbackerof

him recently, the Primus must distance himself or fall with his man. I will inform the

Primus inadvanceofmy intentionsandensurethatnotonlydoesheallowmynominee

therightfulplaceofPrecentorSian,butthatheprovidesawholeheartedbackingofour

plan.

YouseemsmuglyconfidantthatthePrimuswillbackyourplay. Hecanmerely

washhishandsofPrecentorSianandchoosetoblockyourplanshouldhewish.

No Lord Kurita, he cannot, for he has been the recipient of several rare and

precious

gifts

from

Precentor

Sian,

all

acquired

through

his

elicit

dealings.

The

Primuss

handsaredirtyandhewillknow it. Hewillhaveonlytwooptions:backme;orgodown

withPrecentorSian.


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10

Chapter3

HiltonHeadIsland,NorthAmerica,Terra.

20September,3022.

Primus JulianTiepolo lookedacrosshisdesk,hisduncolouredrobeseeming to

mergewiththewood.YouhavebeenplayinggamesMyndo,haveyounot?Myndofroze.

Whatdoesheknow? Howappropriatethatyoumake itappearthatyoucanmergewith

theverysceneryitself.

IdonotplaygamesPrimus,mytimeisfartoovaluableforthat.

OhbutyoudoMyndoandyoualwayshave. Youareamasterofthegamesof

politicsandpoweranditwasforthatveryreasonthatItookyouasmyprotge. Itseems

oflatehowever,thatyouhavebeguntoplaydirectlyagainstme. Ialwaysexpectedyouto

gettothispoint;infactIwouldhavedisposedofyoueventuallyifyouhadnot. Ihadnot

expectedyou

to

be

so

bold

so

quickly,

but

of

course,

you

have

never

been

one

for

toleratingthatwhichyoudisagreewith. ThePrimusplacedhiselbowsonthedeskand

interlaced his fingers, resting his chin upon them as he stared over the top of his old

fashionedglasses,hisbaldheadshininginthehalflightofhisspaciousoffice.

Ifmyactionsare likegamestoyouPrimusthenweare ingraverdangerthanI

believed!Myndosnarled.HowmanytimeshaveItriedtowarnyouofthedangerofthe

Federated Commonwealth Alliance? You continue to try andjustify your actions as a

balancingact,butyouhaveoverbalancedthescalesandtheyrequireComStarsfirmhand

tobringthembackintoorder.

The

Primus

immediately

retorted,

his

own

voice

growing

in

volume

Precentor,

your tirades on this subject are beginning to grate. Your vision of ComStar is one I am

beginningtobelieveisdangerousandonethatgoesagainstthewordsoftheBlessedBlake

himself.

Myndo steadied herself. I go against Blakes teachings? How can you even

insinuate that? I am not the one who has allowed the two most powerful states in the

InnerSphere tounite. Thesame twostateswhoviewourorderwithmoredisdain than

anyothers.

ThePrimusstood, fixingMyndowithaharshstare.Itooktheaction Ideemed

necessary as Primus to ensure the continued survival of our order. This alliance would

havehappened

regardless

of

our

actions.

Isaw

it

in

our

interest

to

have

ahand

in

its

formation so thatwe were fully informedof theSteinersandDavions intentions. What

wouldyouhavepreferredmetodo?WouldyouhavepreferredthatComStarstoodidlyby

whilstthissuperstatecameintoexistence?

Myndo spoke witha forcedandmeasured calmas shepointeda fingerat the

Primus.IwouldhavepreferredyoutoactlikethePrimusofourBlessedOrder,insteadof

HanseDavionslapdog!

ThePrimussfacegrewredasheansweredIamnomanslapdog!Hepaused.

Igrowtiredofyouaccusations. DoyouwishfacemedownintheFirstCircuit? Isthetime


12/68


11

of our confrontation at hand Myndo? If it has then I think your ambition has finally

overreacheditself.

Soyouforcemyhandoldfool. Hownarrowyourviewofmycapabilities.Myndo

smiledIthinkitistimewediscussthegamesIhavebeenplaying.

Isee

no

need

now

Precentor.

Iknow

you

have

informed

Marik,

Liao

and

Kurita

ofthemarriageclause. Nodoubtitgalvanisedtheirsupportforthealliancewewishthem

toform. Ofcourse,theneedtousethis informationsosoonshowsmethatyouarenot

thenegotiatoryouwouldhaveusallbelieveyouare. ThePrimussat,obviouslyplanning

togoon.Myndohoweverspokebeforehecouldcontinue.

Thatwasmerelyoneaction I took,and theoneof leastconcern toyou. The

actionItookregardingPrecentorSianisoffarmoreimportance.

ThePrimusseyesnarrowed.WhatofPrecentorSian. ItrustVilliustoundertake

hisdutiesinthecorrectmannerashealwayshas. Iappointedhimtohispositionbasedon

hisstandingandhissupportforthetruepathwemustalltake.

ThankyouPrimus.

You

have

made

my

task

so

much

easier.

I

have

Primus,

in

my

possession, certified records from the Capellan Confederation that prove, beyond a

shadow of doubt, that, as you put it, your most trustworthy Man in Sian, has been

interferingintheCapellanstockmarketforhisownpersonaladvantage.

ThePrimusquicklystoodagainWhat itthisoutrageyouhavefabricated? You

have never liked Precentor Sian for his support of my polices, support that has often

hinderedyourownplansoflate.

Myndo took great pleasure in the course the conversation had taken for she

knewsheheldall thecards in this littlegameThis isno fabricationonmypartPrimus.

These

documents

come

from

the

Chancellor

himself.

We

are

lucky

that

the

Chancellor

is

more circumscribed than Villius Tejh, as this outrage could stain the credibility of our

Blessed Order for years. A Precentor interfering with the working of a sovereign stock

exchange. WhatwouldtheotherGreatHousesmakeofthis?

The Primus moved to the ceiling length windows of his office and looked out

acrosstheviewtowardsthesunset,contemplatinghisreply.Itseems,ifthisinformation

iscorrect,thatwemustcutPrecentorSianloose.Quietlyofcourse.Myndonodded.How

quickly you move to cover yourself Primus As Primus I will have to find a suitable

replacementforhim.WhatdoesChancellorLiaowantinreturn?

Myndosmiled inwardlyassheprepared topull therugout fromunderherold

mentorPrimus,

the

Chancellor

simply

wants

that

which

Iwant.

The

Primus

turned

to

facehisPrecentorChancellorLiaoishappyforComStartodealwithPrecentorSianinany

waywewish,aslongasyoudotwothings.

The Primus nodded to Myndo And pray Precentor Dieron; what might his

requestsbe?

Myndo crossed her arms into the sleeves of her long robe before answering.

Firstly,thenewPrecentorSianwillbesomeonehecan trust,someoneselectedbyme

Myndo held up a hand as the Primusprepared to interjectAnd secondly; ComStar will

support Houses Liao, Kurita and Marik in their impending preemptive strike upon the

Lyran

Commonwealth

and

Federated

Suns

in

any

way

we

can.


13/68


12

ThePrimusseyeswidenedashedrewadeepbreathAreyoumadPrecentor?

YouthinkthatyoucandictateComStarpolicytome? YouwillfacemeintheFirstCircuit

tonight and I will see that you are stripped of your rank and excommunicated for

encouragingsuchoutrageousdemandsfromHouseLords!

Myndoapproached

the

Primus

until

she

stood

within

inches

of

him,

lowering

her

voice toawhisper.Youwilldonosuch thingPrimus. Unlessofcourseyouwish to fall

withPrecentorSian?

Sweat broke out on the Primuss forehead before he spoke What do you

insinuatenowPrecentor?

MyndosmiledathersuperiorIalsohaveinformationandevidencethatclearly

points to you being a direct beneficiary of Precentor Sians actions. I merely have to

mentionthisintheFirstCircuitandyourreignasPrimuswillbefinished. Iwillbehailedas

a saviour who stood up to ensure our orders purity when our own Primus had sold his

soul.

ThePrimus

lowered

his

head.

So

you

wish

to

be

Primus

and

see

the

end

of

me?

MyndostoodbackastepIwishnosuchthingoldfriend.

Thenwhatisityouwant?

You willbackmy candidate for the positionofPrecentor Sian, Alethea Lynch,

andyouwillpresenttheplanthatIandthethreeHouseLordshavecomeupwith. Youwill

receiveoursupportandyoucandeclarethatthisisjustanotherstepinyourplantokeep

theHousesatwarand inbalanceuntilweare ready to leadmankindback to salvation.

There will beopposition, probably fromEversonandVandel,butyouwillmaintain your

dignity

as

Primus

as

they

will

believe

you

ordered

this

and

have

the

support

of

my

faction.

Additionally,youwillplacemeinchargeoforganisingthesupportforthethreeHousesand

subordinatePrecentorsSianandAtreusdirectlytomeinregardstothis.

ThePrimusmovedtohisdeskAndifIdonotagree?

YourreignasPrimuswillendtonight.

The Primus sat back, his shoulders sagging slightly as he massaged his left

shoulderwith his righthandVerywellMyndo, youwillhaveyourway. But remember

this:WestandapartnowandIwillnolongertakeactiontoprotectyoufromyourpeers.

MyndosneeredIneednoprotection. IamprotectedbytheWordofBlake!

With thatMyndoturnedand left theroomstridingdown thehallway fromthe

Primussoffice.

Dont

worry

old

fool

she

thought

to

herself

Istill

need

you

for

now

as

my

baseofpowerisnotsufficienttowinthePrimacyshouldyoufall. However,whicheverway

thiswarturnsoutitwillbethelastactofyourtermtoseeitsconclusion. AnysuccessIwill

makemyownandanyfailurewillbethatofyourofficealone.


14/68


13

Chapter4


20September,3022.

PrimusJulianTiepolo lookedacrosstheFirstCircuitchamberwhereeachmemberofthe

First Circuit stoodbehind their crystal podiums, resplendent in their red robes of office.

Resplendent,apartfromthelooksofopenshockonmostoftheirfaces.

ThePrimusspokeIaskyouagainPrecentorSian. Canyoudenythechargesof

corruptionIhavelaidbeforetheFirstCircuitheretoday,regardingyourillegalinterference

inthestockexchangeofasovereignpowerforyourownmaterialbenefit?

PrecentorSian,VilliusTejh lookedstricken. PartofthePrimusfeltsorryforhis

old friend. Anotherpartheldnothingbut contempt. Contempt for hisactions,andyet

morecontempt forbeing stupidenough togetcaughtand place theofficeofPrimus in

suchdanger.

Old

friend,

you

are

finished.

Please

go

with

dignity,

at

least

that

way

we

can

belenient.

Precentor Tejh looked the Primus in the face and spoke as though from a

thousandmilesawayNoPrimus Icannot.Therewasnotasound inthechamberashe

continued,Iwouldtendermyresignationimmediatelyandthrowmyselfuponthemercy

ofmypeersinjudgingme.

Before the Primus could reply Precentor Dieron spoke Excuse me Primus for

interrupting,butthisnewsisdeeplyshockingandgoesagainstallthatBlaketeachesus. I

foroneacceptPrecentorSiansresignation,ashehasdemonstratedthatheinnowayfitto

any

longer

hold

his

office.

However,

Precentor

Sian

was

long

a

dedicated

servant

of

ComStarbeforehiswaywardactionsandIbelievethatthatserviceshouldberecognised. I

wouldsuggest,andofcourse theFirstCircuitmaynotagreewithme,that in lightofhis

previousserviceandbackground,thatVilliusbepermanentlyexiledtotheExplorerCorps

toserveout the remainderofhisdays inusefulserviceexpandingourknowledgeof the

knownuniverse.

PrecentorSianwasnottheonlyoneto lookatPrecentorDieroninsurprise. All

knewherdislikeofthemanbutonlythePrimusknewthetruereasonforheraction.You

seektomakeyourselfappearamoderateheretonightandyouractionsjustnowwillgive

youspacetomanoeuvreinthedebatetocomeoveryourplans.Myplansnow. Imustfind

someway,

some

hole

in

your

plan,

through

which

Ican

undo

you

and

remove

your

new

powerfrombehindmythrone.

Precentor Tharkad, Ulthan Everson spoke next If Precentor Dieron wishes to

makeherstatementamotionIwillsecondit. VilliuswaslongafaithfulservantofComStar

andshouldbegiventhechancetoserveouthisdaysatoningforhismisdemeanours.

MyndospokeupIdosomakeitamotion.

AndthereforeIdosecondit.

ThePrimuslookedaroundthechamberArethereanydissentingvoices?When

no one spoke he continued. Villius Tejh, for your action in interfering with a sovereign

power

for

your

own

material

ends

you

are

striped

of

your

rank

as

Precentor

and

demoted


15/68


14

toAdept. Theusualsentence forsuchactionwouldnormallybedeath,butdue toyour

previoussterlingrecordofservicewithinourBlessedOrder,youarehearbyexiledtothe

Explorer Corps Exploration Arm for active service beginning immediately. Villius merely

noddedhishead,hisfiguredrainedofallitsoncepowerfulpresence. Guards,escortthe

Adeptto

his

quarters

and

assist

him

in

preparing

for

his

journey.

NothingwassaidastheformerPrecentorwasleadfromtheroom. Eachperson

thererealisinghowcloseeachstoodtooblivionshouldtheirpeersturnonthem.

OncethedoorsclosedthePrimuslookedacrosstheroomNowforthenextfarce

IwouldthrowopentheroomtonominationsforPrecentorSian.

Tiepolo had hardly finished when Myndo spoke up. I would first like to place

intonomination thenameofAletheaLynch,currentlymydeputyonDieron. Herrecord

andacumenspeakforthemselvesandIcanthinkofnobettercandidatefortheposition.

There was a pause before Precentor New Avalon, Huthrin Vandel spoke up. I

wouldplacethenameofArkadySimonivich,deputyofNewAvaloninnomination. Hetoo

isof

remarkable

character

and

unimpeachable

integrity.

He

would

bring

honour

and

dignitytothepostofPrecentorSian.

Myndosmiled toherself.Alreadyyouseek tocementwhatyoubelieveasyour

rightfulplaceasheirapparenttothethrone. Youalwayshavebeenalittletooenamoured

ofyourselfHuthrin. Yourhumiliationshouldbemostenjoyabletowatch.

After a minute the Primus spoke again. As there are no more nominations I

wouldplacethenamesofAletheaLynchandArkadySimonivichtoyoualltovote. Those

supportingLynchneedraisetheirrighthand,thosesupportingSimonivichtheirleft.

As the Primus looked at the raised arms of those before him he saw his

nightmare

scenario

come

to

light.

A

drawn

vote.

HuthrinVandel,anunholygrinspreadingacrosshisfeatureslookedtothePrimus

YouhavethecastingvotePrimus. Whodoyoubelievewillbethebestinthisrole.

DammyouWaterly!Ihaveeliminatedonesupportertonightandnowyouforce

metoalienateanother.Ibelievethat,havingknownbothcandidatesforsometimethat

theonemostsuitedtothepositionofPrecentorSianisAletheaLynch.

ItwasallMyndocoulddotonotlaughatthelookthatcontortedVandalsface. I

willrememberthisnightforever,ithasbeensuchapleasure.

ThePrimusstoodtohisfullheight. Ihavehadenoughofthis.Wewilladjourn

untilthemorningwhenPrecentorSiancanjoinus. Mattersfordiscussionthenwillrequire

theentire

First

Circuit.

The

Peace

of

Blake

be

with

you

all.

ThePrimushardlyheardtheirreturnIneedtorest,tothink. Imustgaincontrol

ofthisdisaster.


16/68


15

Chapter5


21September,3022.

You plan to do WHAT!? shouted Precentor New Avalon. Primus, have you

gonecompletelymad? YouseektoembroilourorderdirectlyintheSuccessionWars. This

goesagainsteverythingBlaketeachesus.

Myndo lookedacrossatthered faceofHuthrinVandelThePrimus istheonly

oneherenotmadPrecentorNewAvalon. Thinkonthis:Wherehaveouractionsgotusin

the last100years? Weare further fromourgoalnow thanwewereat theendof the

SecondSuccessionWar. ThePrimusseeksawayinwhichtocompletelyhobbletheGreat

Housesandputthem insuchapositionofdebttousand insuchastateofdisarraythat

theywillneedallourhelpjusttosurvive. Doyounotseethebrillianceofhisplan? The

GreatHouses

will

hammer

each

other

into

the

ground,

each

alliance

too

strong

to

fall

but

toweaktoconquer.

Vandel answered I see no such thing. Others in the room nodded.

Youseektoopenlysupportonefaction. Ourcredibilitywillbegoneandwewillbeopen

toassaultfromallsides.

MyndospokewithscorninhervoiceYoufoolishblindoldman. Ifwedonotact

soon theSteinerDavionAlliancewillbecomeadirect threat tous. Already theydonot

trust us despite their use of Terra for their negotiations. Davions NAIS is the greatest

threat I can imagine and we have allowed to become allied with the mercantile

pragmatism

of

the

Lyrans.

We

must

take

action

or

we

will

fall!

The Primus thought to himself quietly as the debate went back and forth for

what seemed like hours This is just going in circles now, time to end this nightmare

sequence. As he massaged his now ever sore left arm with his right under his robe he

began tospeak. Youhavealldebated thisplan longenoughand Iplace itasamotion

beforetheFirstCircuit. Wewillvoteon itnowandaccepttheverdict.Hebegangoing

aroundthechamberoneatatime,askingeachPrecentorfortheirvote.

Eventually he came around to Precentor Sian with the nays being one vote

ahead.NowweseehowloyalyouaretoyoursponsorPrecentorSian,howdoyouvote?

IvoteforthemotionPrimusWeareallgoingtohellbecauseofyourmistress

girl.Ihope

you

find

it

warm

there.

The Primus paused as the last act in his humiliation by his protg reached

fruition.HowdoyouvotePrecentorDieron?

Ivoteforthemotion.


17/68


16

Chapter6


23September,3022.

Janoscouldnothelpbutcontinuetobeamazedandnota littletakenabackby

thespeedatwhichmattershaddeveloped. ThemorehecametoknowPrecentorDieron

themoreherespectedherandthelesssurehewasofevertrustingher. Thiswomanisthe

mostaccomplishedpoliticianIhaveevermet. IcantevertrustherandImustmakesureI

never crossher. Unlessof course Ihaveheraloneand Ihavea loadedgun. Averybig

loadedgun.

He looked across the table at Precentor Waterly and Takashi Kurita who sat

oppositeMaximillianLiaoandthenewPrecentorSian,AletheaLynch. PrecentorSianwas

theantithesisofLiao. WereLiaowasthinandpossessedalookofcunningandguile,Lynch

was,to

put

it

politely,

portly

and

somewhat

dull

looking.

She

had

however,

proved

herself

to be anything but dull in the ongoing conversations regarding the coming war and its

organisation. HertruetestwouldnodoubtbethatofkeepingMaximillianLiaoonaleash

and it was for this reason that Janos has sought to cultivate her acquaintance and

friendshipasmuchaswaspossible,muchasMaxwastryingwithPrecentorAtreus,who

satatJanossright.

PrecentorAtreus,BernardWoolley,wasaplainlookingmanwithapleasantface

thatbespokeofafriendlyattitudewhichwastoppedbyshortdarkhair. Hisapparentgood

natured and somewhat bumbling manner hid a razor sharp intellect and instinct for

intrigue

that

had

done

great

service

for

ComStar

during

his

time

dealing

with

Free

Worlds

politicsonAtreus.

PrecentorDieronbegantosummarisetheirbasicplansofarbeforethemeeting

brokeup.Soweareagreedthen? TheDCMSwilllaunchaninitialassaultagainstboththe

GaltorandMoresbyThumbs todrawFC forcesaway fromtheTerranregion. Following

this, FWLM and CCAF forces will launch feints against the outer half of the Lyran

Commonwealth and Federated Suns respectively to draw off further forces. Once the

alliedforceshavereactedtotheseattacks,astrikeenmasseagainsttheTerranregionsof

bothrealmswillbeundertakenutilisingtheremaining forcesoftheDCMS,supportedby

ComStar hired mercenaries and newly raised troops and by the FWLM and CCAF using

forcesstripped

from

their

mutual

border.

TakashinoddedThat isthebasicplanyes,but itremains tobeseenwhatour

highcommandswillmakeofitandhowreadilyimplementabletheplanwillbe.

Maximillian continued Of course the plan can only be successful if ComStar

provides the promised supplies, Mechs and transport assets as well as additional

intelligence on our targets. And what of the Periphery realms? You have spoken of

involvingthembeforePrecentor,butyouhaveaddedlittletothatoverthelastweek.

MyndonoddedherheadatbothmenIdonotthinkitprudenttoencouragethe

Peripheryrealmsuntilwearereadytomove. Theirintelligencenetworksarenotassecure


18/68


17

asoursandapreemptivestrikebytheFCAllianceisthe lastthingwewouldwishforas

yourtroopsareintransit.

JanoslookedatPrecentorDieronIagreewithyourassessmentofthePeriphery.

However,Istilldonotbelievewewillgaincompletesurprise. TheLIC,DMIandMIIOwill

determinesomething

is

amiss

and

both

realms

will

reinforce

to

some

degree.

Although

my

esteemedcolleaguesbelievethatwecantakemostoftheFederationofSkyeanddrivethe

FederatedSunsbacktoMarlette,Istillthinkwearebeingoverlyambitious. Weshouldset

ourselves more limited goals that can be exploited later if we are successful, instead of

overreachingandopeningourselvestoadangerouscounterattack.

MaximillianLiao lookedoverat JanosandmutteredIfyouhadbehavedmore

boldlybefore3015,perhapsyourbrothermightstillhaveremainedloyal.

Janos shot to his feet You wretched cur! How dare you call my reason into

disrepute with your poisoned barbs. One day you will receive the reckoning that you

deserveforthedamageyouhavedonetomyrealm!

PrecentorWoolley

stood

as

well

Please

Captain

General,

you

must

remain

calm.

Heseekstoangeryou. Donotstooptohislevel.

Liao looked at Woolley Never forget yourplacePrecentor. I am the Celestial

Paragon of theCapellanEmpire. Noonecan lower themselves tomy level asnoneare

aboveme!

MyndostoodandraisedhervoiceabovethedinENOUGH! Thisbickeringserves

but one purpose That of the SteinerDavion alliance. Unless you can see reason and

decencyinyourconversationsandinourplanning,thereislittlehopeforthefutureofany

ofyourrealms.

Takashi,

impassive

throughout

the

exchange,

spoke

up

Perhaps,

Precentor

Dieron,itistimewerecessedfortheday?

PerhapsyouarerightCoordinator. Myndo lookedtotheotherswhonodded

their assent. Until tomorrow then gentlemen. Pleasantries were exchanged as the

Successor Lords and Precentor Atreus departed. Myndo looked at Precentor Lynch

Alethea,wouldyoupleasesendinColonelHamiltonwhenyouleave?

Precentor Sian bowed as she answered Yes Precentor. She paused Do you

really believe these bickering children will cooperate long enough to make this plan

succeed?

TheplanhasonlytopartiallysucceedAlethea. Thefightingwillbogdownand

allfive

realms

will

exhaust

each

other.

Liao

will

eventually

turn

on

Marik

and

in

the

end

we

willbethatmuchclosertooureventualgoalofunitingmankindunderourbanner.

AsyousayMyndo. IwillsendinColonelHamilton. MaythePeaceofBlakebe

withyou.

And with you Precentor Sian. Myndo mulled over the myriad outcomes the

coming war would produce and most placed ComStar in an unassailable position of

strength.Andnowtoensurewecanbackupthatstrengthwithforce.


19/68


18

Chapter7


23September,3022.

Colonel Hamilton, the technical commander of the ComGuards and Terran

Defence Force, was an impressive looking man of 55, whose twenty years of service in

various mercenary commands had given him a weathered look that suited his role as a

commander admirably. He was tall, well over six feet in height and built strong, like

someone who worked himself hard on a daily basis. His bearing was reserved and

composed, but there seemed to be a slight hint of mischief in his eyes, something that

caughtPrecentorWaterlybysurprise.

GoodeveningColonel.BeganMyndoIamgladyoucouldmake thejourney

overfromSandhursttomeetwithme.

Itis

apleasure

Precentor.

The

current

class

of

cadets

graduated

yesterday

and

theyarestillcelebrating. MuchasIwouldliketojointhemImustadmittonotbeingable

toenjoymyselfintheirmannerthewayIoncecould.

Precentor Dieron smiled in return I understand entirely Colonel. I myself am

takenwithmoreleisurelypursuitsasIaccumulateyears. Myndostoodbeforecontinuing

andcrossed to theColonel, takinghishand.Imustconfess toonepieceof information

thatintriguesmeaboutyou,ColonelHamilton. WhydoyoucallyourselfColonelandnot

Precentor?

ColonelHamiltonlaughed,aratherloudbutaltogetherunforcedsound

That

was

not

entirely

of

my

doing.

For

many

years

my

Executive

Officer

Pat

Millray

and

I

jokedaboutbecomingColonelsofourownmercenaryregiments. Afterwesignedonwith

ComStarandwereeventuallyaccepted intotheComGuards, itseemedthatdreamwould

never happen. When I was promoted to Precentor last year, Pat gave a speech at the

ceremony a said that since Precentor was about as good as a Colonel and that I had

reachedthatrankfirst,hewouldjusthavetocallmeColoneltofulfilourdream. Hekept

callingmethatandthetroopsseemtohavecaughton. Before Iknew iteveryone,even

thePrimus,wasaddressingmeasColonelandnomatterwhatIsaid,itstuck.

Myndosmiledwarmlyinreturnandretookherseat,indicatingfortheColonelto

dothesame. Itmustbequiteamarkofrespectforyourmentoembraceyourinformal

titlein

such

away.

She

suddenly

turned

serious

Do

you

believe

you

are

deserving

of

such

respect?

The Colonel though for a moment As I have not been tested in my new

command as yet I cannot answer that question. However, I would like to think the

experienceIhavegainedovertheyearswillstandme ingoodsteadwhenthetimetobe

testedcomes.

Myndo looked the Colonel directly in the eyes Well then General

Hamilton,letsseehowyoufacethattestnowshallwe?

ColonelHamiltonlookedatMyndoquizzicallyTest?Whattestdoyou

speak

of?

And

also

Precentor,

my

rank

is

Colonel,

General

is

dream

beyond

my

scope.


20/68


19

ThetestIspeakistheformationofanewComGuardsArmy,onethat

can effectivelyprotect Terraand strike out preemptively in force should the need ever

arise. Ihavebeenappointedby thePrimus tocoordinatethisrebirthoftheComGuards

andyouwillassistmedirectlyinimplementingit. IalsoassureyouGeneralHamiltonthatI

willhave

no

mere

Colonel

in

command

of

such

an

organisation.

Ihad

selected

the

title

of

PrecentorMartialforyou,andofcoursethiswillbeyourofficialtitle,butIhavelittledoubt

afterhearingyour story that theComGuardswill start referring toyouasGeneralwhen

wordofyourpromotiongetsout.


21/68


20

Chapter8

AtreusCity,Atreus,

MarikCommonwealth,FreeWorldsLeague

28October,

3022.

CaptainGeneralJanosMarikwalkedquicklydownthelongcorridorsoftheFree

WorldsLeagueMilitariesmainadministrationbuilding. Hewouldhave tomove fast,as

Thomaswas introducing thenewActs ina littleovertwohours. Walkingahead, Janoss

aideopenedadoorlabelledCorpsandRegimentalAdministrationColonelJamesHudson.

JanosenteredtheroomwhereaColonelandthreesergeantsstoodatattention,

saluting. Thegreyhairedman,whowasobviouslyColonel Hudson spoke firstCaptain

General,itisanhonourtomeetyousir.

JanossalutedandtooktheColonelshandThankyouColonel,doyouhavethe

paperworkIrequested

ready?

Yessir,allthatremainsisforsignature inseveralplacesforeachdocumentand

theregimentalgroupsbecomeactive.

ThankyouColonel,youhavedonetheLeagueagreatservicetoday. Whereare

thedocuments?

Inhere, inmyofficesir. Theyarearranged inorderandready foryou. Please

takeas longasyouneed,youwillnotbedisturbed. TheColonelpointedtheway intoa

smallofficethathadobviouslyseenaveryrecentandverythoroughclean.

ThankyouColonel, Iwontbe long. Marikenteredtheoffice,closedthedoor

and

sat

at

the

small

utilitarian,

pressboard

desk.

Staring

up

from

a

pile

was

the

first

folder

with its title emblazoned above the Marik Eagle: Commissioning/Recommissioning

Instructionsfor the 4th

FreeWorldsGuards. Marik smiled to himself. Thefirst step in

humblingParliamentandensuringthesurvivaloftheLeagueandmyfamily. Thankyoufor

thinkingofthisThomas,youhavereaffirmedwhyIchoseyouasmysuccessor.

Janosopenedthedocumentatthefirsttagandsignedhisnameandtitletothe

document. He did so at seven other places. Continuing on to the next folder labelled:

Commissioning/Recommissioning Instructionsfor the 5th

Free Worlds Guards he smiled

again.

Hecontinuedonthroughthetwelve folders:6th

Guards,3rd

,7th

,11th

,12th

,14th

,

and16th

Marik

Militias,

2nd,

3rd

and

4th

Atrean

Dragoons

and

the

2nd

Atrean

Hussars.

Ashesignedthefinalplacefortheactivationofthe2nd

Hussarshelaughedand

stood,drawinganenvelopefromhisbreastpocket. Hewalkedtothedoorandopenedit.

Colonel,pleasehaveoneofyourmenhavethesefiledandinputtedintotheLCCCsystem

immediately.

YesCaptainGeneral. SergeantCho,seeto itstraightaway. Oneof

thesergeantssalutedandquicklymovedpastJanostocollectthefoldersbeforehurrying

outof theofficeandoffdownthecorridor. Theyshouldbe in thesystemwithin thirty

minutessir.SaidHudson.


22/68


21

Janos lookedat theclock.Withanhour to spare.Now it isup toyouThomas.

Colonel Hudson, you were once a line officer before being shunted into your current

position. IbelieveyoutoldasuperiorofficerwhatyouthoughofhisplanataGeneralStaff

meetingandeffectivelyendedyouractivecommandcareer?

TheColonel

looked

somewhat

glum

as

he

replied.

Yes

sir,

Iwas

alittle

too

opinionatedandcostmyselfthechancetoeffectivelyleadaregimentoftheLeague.

Janos smiledandhanded theenvelopehewasholding to the Colonel.I think

youhaveservedasufficientpenanceinthisofficeandyourrecordpriortothateventwas

exemplary. The Colonel took the envelope. Contained in that set of orders is your

transfertoanactivecommand. Additionalorderswillarrivetomorrowandthenweshall

seejusthowgoodyoureallyare?

The Colonel looked stunned Reactivation Sir? To what unit? The

currentpromotionscycleisonlyhalfwaycomplete?

JanosstaredattheColonelhardForyourservicesinstrengtheningtheLeague,

ColonelHudson,

you

are

to

be

the

first

commander

of

the

newly

commissioned

2nd

Atrean

Hussars. Currentlytheyhaveastrengthofoneman You. Thatwillchangequicklyandwill

bethefirstchallengeofyournewcommand.

**** **** **** **** **** **** **** ****

**** ****

Anhour laterThomasstoodbefore the fullyassembledParliamentof theFree

Worlds League to speak on behalf of his father. The myriad costumes of the various

Provinces

were

like

a

wild

rainbow

gone

mad.

He

would

soon

bring

order

to

this

chaos

and

havethemalldancingtohistune. HelookedacrossattheDukeofOriente,theonlyother

manwhoknewhisplanandnoddedonce.Herewego

Thomas began Esteemed Members of Parliament, I have been asked by my

Father,JanosMarik,CaptainGeneraloftheFreeWorldsLeague,ashisactingdeputyinthis

matter,tobringbeforeParliamenttwopiecesof legislationthat, it ishoped,willassist in

furtherhealingtherifts thathaveexistedbetween theofficeofCaptainGeneraland the

Parliamentinthepast. Speaker,ifImaypresentthefirstbilltothehouse?

The Speaker of Parliament, Hector Stewart, his long hair swaying as he spoke,

lookedquizzicallyatThomas.ThisishighlyirregularThomas.

Thomaslooked

to

the

speaker

But

not

unprecedented

Speaker

and

Iam

sure

theHousewillwelcometheBill.

Weavers small eyes narrowed as he thought Very well Thomas, but tread

cautiously.

ThomasbowedhisheadslightlyThankyouSpeaker. Esteemedmembersofthe

House,youwill find in thedocumentsbeinghanded toyouat themomentadocument

entitledAffirmationoftheHomeDefenceAct. Thisdocumentseekstoendthestrifethat

hasexistedbetweenParliamentandtheCaptainGeneralovertheuseofProvincialforces.

Basically it states that all Provincial forces, barring the Fusiliers of Oriente, he nodded

again

to

Duke

Halas

will

be

allowed

to

return

home

over

the

coming

twenty

four

month


23/68


22

periodandtobereplacedontheborderswithFederaltroops. AnyProvincethatcannot

meetitsdefenceneedswillbeprovidedwithFederaltroopstoassistinthedefenceofthe

border. Thomass announcement was greeted by silence and then a moment later by

uproar,mainly fromtheMarikbenchesastheybegantoshoutthattheMarikshadsold

outtheir

office.

AsthespeakershoutedforsilenceThomascontinuedPleaseallowmetofinish

andallyyourfears.HesaidashefacedhissupportersbenchesWedonotseektosellout

the League. The second bill before you is entitled the Temporary Diversion of War

MaterialsBill.ThisBillstatesthatoverthecomingtwentyfourmonths,astheprovisionsof

theAffirmationoftheHomeDefenceActcomeintoeffect,warmaterialswillbedivertedto

bring existing Federal forces up to full strength as they will be required to shoulder a

greaterburdenofthedefenceoftheLeague. Thisbillonlyhasalifeoftwentyfourmonths

anditsprovisionswillendthen,restoringthestandardLCCCresupplymethods.

Dame Catherine Humphries of Andurien stood and was recognised by the

speaker.The

old

dame

skewered

Thomas

with

her

piercing

gaze

So

boy

What

stops

you

andyour father from raisingadditional regimentsandcreatinganarmy todominate the

Provinces?

TheActDuchess,specificallyforbidstheraisingofnewregimentsbytheFederal

Government during thatperiod,unless theunitwasdestroyed ordisbandedduring that

time. Theonlyactions theLCCCcan takeare those tobringexistingFederalunitsup to

strength.

CatherinecontinuedSoyouwant togive theProvinces their armiesback and

takeontheburdenofdefencethroughtheFederalforces?Why?

Because

that

was

the

intention

of

the

original

FWLM,

something

we

have

all

forgottenovertheyears. Myfatherand IseethecomingallianceoftheFederatedSuns

andLyranCommonwealthasagrave threat. We wish to ensure thatwhen thealliance

moves, it isagainstaunitedandpeacefulLeaguethat ispreparedtomeetthethreaton

bothaProvincialandFederallevel.

Catherinenoddedandsat. ThomassataswellandParliamentbegandebating

theprosandConsofthebills. Itbecamereadilyapparentthatselfinterestwouldwinthe

day, as the Provinces believed they would gain more autonomy. With Thomas and

ChristopherHalasbackingthebillandReguluseagertohavegreatercontroloverittroops,

thebillsweresuretopass.

Threehours

later

both

bills

did

pass

with

an

overwhelming

majority,

in

time

for

theMembersofParliamenttoseetheeveningnewsbriefsthatannouncedtherestoration

orformationoftwelveFederalBattleMechregimentsthatverymorning.


24/68


23

Chapter9

ImperialCity,Luthien,

PeshtMilitaryDistrict,DraconisCombine

1November,

3022.

CoordinatorTheodoreKuritastaredatthedoorsattheendofthethroneroom,

waitingforthemtoopenandadmithisguests,allthewhilemullingoverthemadseriesof

eventsthathadbroughthimtothisexultedposition. Hisfatherwasdead,deadasaresult

ofthecatastrophic impactaspeedingchunkofspacerockhadcausedwhen itstruckhis

Dropshipwithincredibleforce. Thepowerfulimpactwasstrongenoughtosetofachainof

sympatheticdetonationsthattoretheCoordinatorsDropshipapartshortlyafteritsarrival

intheLuthiensystem. Therewasnothingthatanyonecoulddobutstandhelplesslybyas

theshipblewitselftopiecesandendedthereignofTakashiKurita.

Wellfather,

we

never

have

to

clash

again.

Iinstead,

will

have

to

clash

with

your

legacyasIseektoestablishmyown. Uponhearingofhisfathersdeath,andinaneffortto

stymieanyeffortshistreacherousrelativeMiesKuritamightmakeinapushforthethrone,

TheodoreusedhisYakuzacontactswithintheLegionsofVegatoensurethatacommand

circuitofmerchantDropShipswas inplacewithindaysofhis fathersdeathtospeedhis

journeytoLuthienandtoarrivebeforeanyonecouldhaverealisticallyexpectedhim. Two

days later, a little over three weeks ago, he had been confirmed as Coordinator of the

DraconisCombine. Thatwaswhenthesurpriseshadreallybegun.

Thevisit fromMyndoWaterly,ComStarsPrecentorDieron,wasconfronting to

say

the

least.

His

fathers

actions

had

committed

the

Combine

to

a

bold

move,

one

he

agreed was necessary. His fathers initial planning was, however, far too conservative,

stuck in outmoded methods, incorrect assumptions and outdated planning techniques.

Changeswillneedtobemadeandtheystartheretoday. TheWarlordsoftheDragonhad

arrivedonLuthienquicklyafterhesummonedthem,ashadhisotherguests,andallwere

nowabouttobegintoappreciatehisvisionfortheDragon.

The large doors at the end of the room swung open, pushed aside by two

membersoftheOtomo,thehouseholdguards. Leadingtheprocessionintotheroomwere

the five Warlords of the Draconis Combine. Fat, abrasive and arrogant as ever, Vasily

Cherenkoff,WarlordofDieron, ledtheprocession,followedcloselybyIvanSorenson,the

balding

Warlord

of

Rasalhague.

Behind

these

two

was

Grieg

Samsonov,

Warlord

of

Galedon, his ever present sneer readily apparent as he glared at Cherenkoffs back.

EnteringtogetherweretheWarlordsofBenjaminandPesht;HirushiShotogamaandKester

HsiunChi,bothmencarryingthemselveswithfargreaterreservethanthethreeWarlords

infrontofthem.

Behind the Warlords came four others, the first two entering with a presence

that was awe inspiring. Yorinaga Kurita, Theodores second cousin, grave of visage as

alwaysanddressedinasimpleblackkimonoenteredatthesideofablackmanTheodore

recognised as Minobu Tetsuhara, the highly successful liaison officer assigned to Wolfs

Dragoons

who

had

begun

the

process

of

creating

the

Ryuken,

the

DCMSs

clone

of

the


25/68


24

Dragoons. With these twomenwereGeneralsFydorMarkt andSotei Ganacheho,both

appearingoutofplaceinsuchagathering.

All nine men bowed to Theodore and he returned the gesture. Once all had

arrangedthemselvesbeforetheDragonThronehebeganspeaking. Asyouallnowaware,

myfather

has

committed

the

Combine

to

awar

against

the

FCAlliance.

The

planning

so

farconductedhasbeenoflittlevalueandismiredinthemisconceptionsofoldtheoriesof

war. IrequirethisplantobechangedsothatTheDragoncanunleashthefullpotentialof

itspower.

Warlord Cherenkoff sneered before speaking What do you know of strategy

Theodore. Youthinkthatbyremovingyourboyishlocksandmoustacheandsittingonthat

throne you have the right to disparage the plan your father and his best Warlords

created?

AhVasily,yourarrogancewillbeyourundoing. Youalwaysunderestimatedme

asyouthought IwasjustaPrincelyfop,butyouforgetyourhistory. OdaNobunagawas

seenas

afool

as

well,

yet

when

he

emerged

from

his

disguise

he

became

the

founder

of

a

newandpowerfulorder,muchas I intend.Theodoresatback into the throneandspoke

quietly IcanquestionwhateverIwish,forIamTheDragonandmywordislaw.Iexist

toprotecttheCombinefromthreatsbothwithinandwithout. Thisplan,thismockeryof

propermilitaryscienceisathreattothefuturesecurityoftheDragon. Youseektodivert

the Federated Suns and Lyran Commonwealth with direct assaults against the thumbs.

Anyplannerwithsensewouldsee thatattacking inamannerwhichseeks thecut these

salientsoffwouldelicitafargreaterresponsefromourenemies.

GriegSamsonovansweredYouwishus toslinkaroundbehind theenemy like

cowards.

True

Samurai

face

their

enemy

front

on,

with

honour;

they

do

not

hide

behind

shadowstrategies. Thisplanwasyourfathersplan,createdwiththeadviceofmyselfand

WarlordCherenkoffinthetruetraditionofTheDragon. Weservedhisvisionthenandwe

servehimnow. Wewillnotletsomepuffedupyoungwhelptellushowtocommandthe

armiesoftheDragon!

Youservemyfatherstill? TheodorelookedatCherenkoffandSamsonov.

BothstoodforwardWedo.

TheodoresmiledThenitisbestyoumoveonwardsoyoucanservehimallthe

moreclosely.

CherenkofffalteredMmoveon?

Theodorevoice

dropped

low

and

menacing

Yes

you

coward,

move

onwards.

RemoveyourselfandWarlordSamsonovandshowyourtrueloyaltytomyfather,anything

lessandyouwouldnotbetrueSamurai.

BothWarlordsstoodstunnedasTheodorelookedupandcalledtotheOtomoat

theendsoftheroom.Otomo,escorttheWarlordsofDieronandBenjamintothe Inner

Garden and provide them with all the necessary assistance to commit seppuku. They

intendtoshowthearmiesofTheDragonwhattrueloyaltyis.

AstheOtomomoveddownthehallandemergedfrombehindthethrone,both

officersbeganprotestingbutwerecutoffbyTheodore. ComportyourselfaswarriorsorI

will

have

executed

as

traitors

and

your

heads

displayed

before

the

Imperial

Palace!


26/68


25

Theguardsquicklymovedthetwostunnedmenfromtheroomasanotherman

moved frombehind a small alcove behind the throne. Subhash Indrahar, known as the

smilingone,theheadoftheInternalSecurityForce,wasdressedinasimpleredandgold

Kimonothathidhisphysiqueandmadehim looksomewhatmonkish. Acreativeoption

myLord.

You

surprised

me.

Ihad

believed

it

would

take

more

than

that

to

lead

those

two

totheendyourequired. IftheywerethatsimpletomanipulateitisofgreatbenefittoThe

Dragonthattheyaregone.

Theodore nodded, Yes Director, now we can deal with more serious matters.

WarlordSorenson.TheodorelookedatthenownervousWarlordofRasalhagueYouhad

a part in this plan. Do you wish to support it or are you willing to revise your input to

ensureitssuccess?

Sorenson bowed deeply to Theodore I live to serve The Dragons will

Coordinator.

TheodoresmiledatSorensonYourdedication isa fineexample toallSamurai

Ivan.

ThankyouCoordinator,IwilldowhatIcantoassistwiththenewplan.

TheodorethenlookedacrossathiscousinwhobowedasTheodorespokeIthas

beenalongtimesinceyouhavewalkeduponthesoiloftheBlackPearlcousin. Iapologise

fordisturbingyouinyourretreatonEchoandforbeingforcedtodenyyourrequesttotake

yourlife,butTheDragonisinneedofonesuchasyourself.

YorinagastraitenedandansweredTheDragonswillismyownCoordinator,but

youplacetoomuchfaithintheabilitiesofasimplehermit.

Too littlefaithhasbeenplaced inyoubyothers,tothegreatdetrimentofthe

Combine.

Your

action

on

Mallorys

World

should

have

been

used

as

an

example

to

all

in

the Combine that personal honor can be sacrificed for the greater good of The Dragon.

What was forgotten is that the Dragon must return that honour to the warrior for his

actionsandnotcasthimaside.

Yorinagabowed again You pay me too much respect Coordinator. My honor

waslostwhenKelldefeatedme;thereisnopathbackfromthatdisgrace.

TheodorestoodanddescendedthestepsbeforetheDragonThroneTheDragon

owesyouadebtofhonorYorinagasanthatcannotberepaidinsimpleways. Iwillrefuse

anyrequestforyoutocommitseppukuasIbelieveyouhavenothingtoatonefor. Willyou

acceptmydecisionastoyourfateandtothedutiesIwishforyoutoundertake?

Yorinagabowed

low

again

I

will

do

as

The

Dragon

directs.

Verywellthen. Thereisatitle,aposition,whichgoesbacktotheveryearliest

daysofournation. Thispositionwasheldbyonlyoneotherandisoneofgreathonorand

prestige. Its holder has the power to shape the Armies of The Dragon as he and the

Coordinatorseefit. Iwishforyou,KuritaYorinaga,toacceptthepositionasmydeputy,as

GunjinoKanrei. Youwillhelpmereshape theDCMS into theweapon itneeds tobe to

assurethesafetyofourpeople. Indoingso,youwillalsoformanewunit,drawnfromthe

bestoftheDCMStobethesymbolforallinourarmiestoaspireto.Eachwarrioristobe

moulded inyour imageand trained tobe likeyouyourself inbattle. Doyouaccept this

small

attempt

at

honouring

the

Dragons

debt

to

you?


27/68


26

AnyhonortheDragonbestowsuponmeismorethanIdeserveCoordinator,but

Iwillaccept. Ihavehowever,butonequestion. WhatofKell?

TheodorethoughtforamomentOnceyourdutiesarecompleteandourarmies

reforged,shouldyoustillwishit,Iwillreleaseyoutofaceyourpast.

Thankyou

Coordinator.

Said

Yorinaga

as

he

bowed

again

and

Theodorereturnedthegesture.

Theodore turned slightly to his right and looked at Minobu Tetsuhara Your

actions regarding Wolfs Dragoons and your previous service have made you stand out

amongstyourpeers. However,theyseemnottohaverecognisedyourabilities.

Minobu bowed low My abilities are of little worth my lord, I have only ever

soughttoserveTheDragoninwhatsimplewaysIcould.

Theodore moved to the front of Minobu. Your attributes and abilities are

greaterthanyourealise. Youtoounderstandtheneedforgreaterthoughtinourmilitary

processesand theneed toconsiderplans thatothersmay thinkdonotgarnersufficient

honorin

the

traditional

way.

You

understand

the

need

to

respect

all

those

who

serve

The

Dragon. Mypeople,andthoseofDirectorIndrahar,havewatchedyouforsometimeand

greatlyrespectyourabilities.

Minobu,stilllookingdownstraightenedYouhonormeCoordinator.

IhaveadutyforyouaswellMinobu. YouwillreplaceSamsonovasWarlordof

Galedon.TheodorewavedawaytheprotestthatwasformingAndyouwillcontinueyour

work with Wolfs Dragoons. You will work with Kanrei Kurita to modify our plans and

ensurethatyourRyukenregimentsarereadyandabletotakepartinthecomingwar. You

mustalsoensurethatWolfsDragoonsremainhappyintheserviceoftheCombineaswe

will

need

their

expertise

when

the

time

comes.

Minoruwashardpressed toconcealhisshockYouask toomuchCoordinator.

PromotingamereChusatothisrankisunheardof. WhatoftheGenerals,whatwillthey

say?

Theodore lookedMinobustraight inthe faceTheywilldoas I,andyou,order

them. IamTheDragonandmywordislaw.

MinobuboweddeeplyagainYouhonourmemorethanyouknowCoordinator,I

willnotfailyou.

Theodore then looked at the two other Warlords Warlord Shotogama, your

serviceinBenjaminhasbeenamarkofhonourtoyou. Irequireyoutoremaininyourpost

andprepare

your

district

in

accordance

with

our

plans.

Shotogama

bowed

deeply

as

Theodore continued Warlord Hsiun Chi, you will move to Dieron to take up command

there. Itrustthiswillbeachallengefinallyworthyofyourabilities?

The old man bowed to Theodore You honor an old mans fading abilities my

lord,Iwillserveyouasbestmylimitedskillsallow.

TheodorethenfacedtheothertwomenGeneralMarkt,youwilltakecommand

of thedistrictofPeshtasWarlord,yourservice todatemerits this.GeneralGanacheho,

youwillbepersonalaidetotheKanrei. Youhavedisplayedapenchantforunconventional

thinkingthatwillbeofbenefittoourplanning.

Both

men

bowed

low

and

answered

together

The

Dragons

will

is

my

own.


28/68


27

Theodore then cast his eyes across the entire group Let us eat together now

beforewebeginformingourplans. PlanstogiveourbelovedCombinethenewstrength

thatisworthyofitsgreatname.


29/68


28

Chapter10

ForbiddenCity,Sian,

SianCommonality,CapellanConfederation

2November,

3022.

Yes father, I would be honoured to provide Senior Colonel Ridzik with the

operational room he requires to launch the strike against the Terran regions. Said

CandaceLiaoasshestoodbesideherfatherlookingoutacrossthePalacesvastgardensI

amnotsurewhatmysisterwillsaytothis. Shewillbelievesheisdeservingoftherightto

commandsuchforces.

MaximillianLiaolookedathiseldestdaughter,turningfromtheviewthebalcony

providedofthegardenssurroundingthepalace. YoursisterwillserveundertheSenior

Colonel,bothneedtobewatchedandtheycanwatcheachother. Iseenoreasonforher

tocomplain

of

your

independent

command.

You

will

lead

adiversionary

strike,

intended

towinwhatyoucanforSt.IvesandSian. Meanwhile,shewillbepartofourmaineffortto

crushDavionsforces.

Candace shrugged, in a lopsided way due to her damaged and scarred right

shoulder.Shewillnotsee itso. Sheseesslightswhere therearenoneandwilloppose

anythingshefeelsmakeshersubordinatetome.

Maximillian, his patience thin at the best of times regarding his daughters

bickeringsnappedbackShewilldoassheisorderedorshewilltakenopartinthisplan.

Very Well father. Candace knew she had pushed far enough. What of

Tormana,

will

he

have

any

part

to

play?

Candace

knew

she

was

pushing

another

button

butwishedtoknowherfathersplansforherbrother.

Hecandoashewishes,Inolongercare.Maximillianturnedbacktotheviewof

thegardens.

Candacepushedagain,as thebreezeblewupblowingherdarkhairabout ina

haphazardwayMayheserveonmystaff?

Ifyouthinkyoucanfindauseforthedisappointment,youcandoasyoulike.

Thankyoufather.Itwashightimetochangesubjects. Shechoseonesheknew

would humour her father What of McCarrons strike against the Federated Suns? How

doesheprogress?

Maximilliansface

changed

remarkably

as

it

lit

up

with

ahuge

grin

So

far

McCarronhas struck successfullyatMuskegon,Marlette,Kathil, Farwelland Tawas. His

lastmessagehashimheadingbackonhistrailforGoshenandBetenKaitos.Ifonlymyline

forceswoulddisplaysuchdaringandcommitmentasthesemercenaries.

Of course, the new regiments we raise with ComStars aid may be what you

seek?

Maximillian continued to smile Yes, perhaps you are right. We need fearless

soldierswhoholddaring in theirheart. McCarronwillnotbeback in time toundertake

theirtrainingthough.


30/68


29

Candace leapedon theopportunityPerhaps Imightbeofassistance father. I

have studiedMcCarrons methods indetailand believe I cannot only instil them inour

newforcesbutalsoimproveuponthem. Iwouldcreateaforceloyalanddedicatedtoyour

vision,loyaltoyoufatherandtheavatarsofyourwillonthebattlefield.

Maximillianturned

with

alook

of

predatory

glee

on

his

face

that

unnerved

Candace.Takingherhandhesaid.Yesbeloveddaughter,thatwouldbeawonderfulgift

indeed. Youwillhavethesetroopsreadyformyneedswhenthetimecomes. Theyshall

betheChancellorsOwnGrenadiers,madeinmyhonorandinMcCarronsimage.

Candace watched as her father turned and left the balcony. Yesfather, Iwill

create a counterweight against Rizdiks loyal Tikonov forces and my sisters Thuggee

followers. With thesenew regimentsandmyownforces inSt. Ivessoclose toSian,any

developmentintheheartofourrealminthefuturewillbedeterminedbyme.


31/68


30

Chapter11

SandhurstMilitaryAcademy,

England,Terra

5November,

3022.

NicebirthdayjokeColonelImsorry,ImeantGeneralHamilton! PatMillrays

brightfacelitupliketheglossinessofhisbaldheadashesmiledathisoldfriend. Where

inthislittlejokedoesComStarhideallthesefancifultoysyousaytheyhave?

General (Precentor Martial) Hamilton kept his face passive, even though he

wanted tosmileathisold friend,anaction thatwouldmakePat think itreallywasalla

joke. ItsforrealPat. ComStarreallydoeshaveallthishardwarelyingabout.

Patstaredattheinformationinhishands,hishalfopenmouthshowingthehole

where the front toothhe lost fightingonLoriconcewas. This isawholebloodyarmy.

Mechs,Fighters,

Tanks

and

enough

infantry

gear

to

start

afair

sized

revolution.

Where

did

allthiscomefrom?

TheGeneralsatbackinhishighbackedchairandsmiledasherememberedhow

his own reaction was almost identical. You ever hear the tales of the lost Divisions?

ThoseSLDFunitsthathistorianslosttrackofduringtheExodusera?

Pat looked up Yeah, I think so. Arent they the ones that a lot of historians

reckon were actually lost taking Terra from the Usurper, but were hushed up to make

Kerenskylookbetter?

Yeah,thoseones. WelltheysurvivedanddecidedtonotfollowtheGeneralout

of

known

space.

They

stayed

to

help

protect

Terra

and

over

the

years

were

demobilised

andtheirequipmentmothballed. Thecurrentunitswecommandcomefrompartofthat

haul,butasyoucanseetheyareonlyamerefraction.

Pat stood up and walked across to the wall map of Terra and began marking

depotswithpins. Sowhyare they tellingus thisnow? Theywantustobuildtheman

armyorsomesuch?

TheGeneralsmiledagainPrettymuch.

Pat stopped putting pins in the map and leant his head against the wall. Got

anythingtodrink?

Youknowwhereeverythingiskept.

Patwalked

across

the

small

office

and

rummaged

around

in

the

small

bar

fridge

tuckedawayinsideacabinetandcameoutwithtwobottlesofTerrasownChimayRouge

fineBelgianbeer.Patlookedatthebottle,Ialwayslikedyourtasteinales. Sowhatare

wemeanttodo?

Angusstoodupandtooktheofferedbeerfromhisfriendandtookaswigofthe

strongdarkbeer.Godthisstuffisgood.PrecentorDieron istooverseeusundertakethe

supply of Kurita, Marik and Liao forces to the tune of approximately twenty plus

BattleMechregimentsbetweenthem,alongwithadditionalsupportingassets. Wealso,at

thesametime,havetobeginarapidexpansionofComStarsownmilitaryarm.


32/68


31

Pats dark face crinkled as he frowned Expand their military arm? By how

much?

Totheequivalentoftwentysevenregiments.

Youreoffyourhead.

Intwo

years.

Haveyoubeendrinkingheavilylately?

PrecentorDieronwantedfortyeightregimentsinthesametimeframe.

Sheshouldbecommitted.

Imanagedtoconvinceherthattwentysevenwasmorerealistic.

Arentyouasaint?

TheGeneralssmilebroadenedCmonPat,itsnotimpossible. Besides,itsnot

myproblem;itsyours.

Pat floppedhimself intothechairoppositehisold friend.Myproblem? What

areyoutalkingabout? PatseyetookonashrewdlookashestaredhardattheGeneral.

GeneralHamilton

stood

to

his

full

height

at

attention.

As

of

this

moment,

Demi

PrecentorIVPatrickNathanMillray,youarepromotedtofullPrecentorasaidedecampto

thePrecentorMartialandgivencommandofSandhurstRoyalMilitaryAcademyinorderto

begintherecruitmentandtrainingofthenewComGuards.HappyBirthday.

Pat stared long at his friend, his face expressionless. You complete and utter

bastard!

Angus sat, taking great pleasure in his friends shock. You always wanted

command Pat. Now its time to see if you can put your money where that enormous

mouthofyoursis.

Pat

took

a

long

swig

from

his

beer

before

responding.

Im

not

going

to

forgive

you for putting me through this andjust so we are clear, ifyou try and interfere in my

trainingschemeIlltellyourwifeaboutthattimewewereonSirius.

Angus sat back and nodded, Alright you have a deal. But Ill need you have

somethingreadytopresenttomyselfandPrecentorDieroninthreeweekswhenshevisits

Sandhurst.

Patlookedathisfriendwithsomethingakintovenomousmalice.Itjustdoesnt

stopwithyoudoesit? MaybeIlljusttellyourmissusaboutSiriusanyway.

TheGeneralputhislonglegsup,restinghisdarkbootsonthedesktop.Playnice

Pat.

Why?Your

not.

He

suddenly

turned

serious.

Why

us?

There

have

to

be

other,

moreindoctrinated,soldiersabouttogivethisto.

Angusputhisbeerdown. IaskedPrecentorWaterlythesamething. Shesaid

becausewewerethebestComStarhas. Shesaidshewascomfortablewithusbecausewe

werebornonTerraandbothreturnedhome. ComStarknowsofouropendistasteforthe

Successor States from our time as mercenaries and there is no one else with the

experience the two of us have. She did say she would prefer us to have a little more

obviousfaithinComStarsvision,butunderstandsthatthirtyyearsassoldiershasprobably

causedustobecomesomewhatcynical.


33/68


32

PatsnortedCynical isjust thehalfof it. Youand Ibestmakesure that these

technopriestsdontgettoouppitywhenwestartwhippingthisarmyintoshape. Theypay

well,ImbackhomeandIlikethework,butIhaveneverreallyfeltcomfortablearoundthe

higherups.

TheGeneral

picked

up

his

beer

again.

Oh

come

on

Pat,

youve

never

been

happy

aroundthehigherupsofanystripe.

Pat looked thoughtful forasecond.Probablyexplainswhy Inevercouldstand

you.Bothmenlaughed.


34/68


33

Chapter12

Triad,Tharkad,

DistrictofDonegal,LyranCommonwealth

12November,

3022.

SimonJohnson lookedacrossthedeskatArchonKatrinaSteinerasherepeated

himselfYesArchon, itwouldappear that theFreeWorldsLeague is in somewhatofan

uproar. Janos Marik and his son Thomas have pulled off somethingof acoup. Acoup

incidentally, thatcould threatenusdirectlyonce the effectsof theiractionsbegin tobe

felt.Additionally,TheodorehasrearrangedthepowerstructureoftheCombine inaway

thatismostalarmingtooutGenerals

Katrina,radiantasalwaysanddressed inheruniformasaGeneraloftheLCAF,

flickedthroughthe intelligencedocumentsbeforeher.Janos isgoingtohavesomething

akinto

aCivil

War

on

his

hands

again

if

he

is

not

careful.

SimonJohnsonfrownedWecanonlyhope,butIthinkthatiswishfulthinkingon

ourpart.

Explain.

My experts on the League, and the intelligence we are getting from there,

indicatethatthereisnothingParliamentcanrealisticallydo. TheGeneralpopulationhave

respondedwell,tooboththeirownunitscominghomeandanoverallstrengtheningofthe

FederalforcesfordutyagainsttheLeaguesfoes. JanosandThomaswerealsoveryclever

withhow theyplayed thisone. They followedprocedureproperly,albeit ina truncated

form,

but

that

is

not

unprecedented.

Parliament

voted

unanimously

to

support

their

effortsandcannottryandoverturntheruling,astheyhavelongcriedoutfortheCaptain

Generals to be more dedicated to following the dictates of Parliament. Even if Janoss

opposition did try and strike down the bill with new legislation, he has enough support

from Marik, Oriente and many of the smaller Provinces to ensure it does not happen.

AndurienandReguluscanscreamall they like,buthehasgiventhemwhattheywanted

andtheyarejustgoingtohavetoswallowit. Itsquitemasterful.

Katrina tossed the folder down on her desk. Im glad you approve. How long

untilthenewregimentsareallonline?

Johnsonthoughtforamomentashisamazingmindsiftedthroughthemyriadof

memorisedreports

that

were

held

in

there.

His

ability

to

commit

material

to

memory

and

recall itatwill isfrightening.ThoughtKatrina.Iwouldguess,with theLeaguescurrent

production levels,and iftheir lossesremainconstant,that itwouldtakeat leastsixyears

for these regiments tocomeon line. That isofcourseavariablenumberdependingon

circumstance. Itdoespresentuswithanopportunity. TheProvincialforceswillbewithin

theirhometerritoriesintwoyears,givingusavaluabletwoyearwindowtoexploitbefore

allthenewregimentsareactive.

Katrinafoldedherhands inher lap.True.ButwhywouldJanosexposehimself

likethat? Hemustknowwewilltakeadvantageofthis?


35/68


34

Perhapshe feels the freedomhegains fromParliament isworth the lossofa

fewworlds. Orworse,hehasnewproductionfacilitiesorstorehouseswearenotaware

of.

Katrinamadeadecision.FindoutSimon.Eitherwayweneedtoensurewecan

keepthe

League

in

check.

The

Combine

is

still

the

greater

threat,

especially

now

with

their

newcommandarrangements.

Simonlookedgraveasheanswered.ItismoreseriousthanthatArchon.

Itmustbetogiveyoupause.

Johnson put another folder on the table. The rearrangement of the High

CommandoftheDCMS isseriousenough. Themennow inchargeareallnotedfortheir

ability to thinkoutside theSamuraibox. All,apart fromperhaps IvanSorensen,havean

aptitudefordetailedandinnovativeplanningandarenowinpositionsthatwillallowthat

skill to permeate the DCMS. But that is not all. The Coordinator has authorised the

formationofeightnewregiments. One inhonourofhisfatherandbasedonhisfathers

oldguard.

They

are

to

be

known

as

the

Dragons

Claws.

Another,

perhaps

the other option kfs book 1

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