Chapter Two
Gette City, Lost
Star Adder Dominion
15 March 3050"Two days." Star Colonel Eleni Riaz didn't look up at first as Oskar stood at attention before her, a weak power play in his opinion. "We have been assigned as the planet's garrison for two days and you are already fighting the local populace."
Fighting was perhaps too strong a word, Oskar thought. No one had been seriously hurt and the bar patrons had mostly suffered the consequences of not knowing how to roll with a punch or kick. None of his group had needed more than a couple of minutes with a first aid kit.
"Do you think that I will reassign you to the frontlines, if you become enough of a problem, quineg?"
"Neg, Star Colonel."
"Did you miss my orders not to inflame the situation, quiaff?"
"Neg, Star Colonel."
Eleni slammed the datapad she was holding down on the table. "Then account for yourself, Point Commander!"
"Myself and two of my warriors went out for a drink. Meeting local civilians on a social basis is encouraged in the guidelines issued for garrisons."
"I am aware," the Star Colonel confirmed with forced calm.
"There was, as I later determined, some form of misunderstanding as to our identity. It appears that our uniforms resemble the customary garb of a criminal group. Warrior Ernest attempted to defuse the situation, and appears to have inadvertently provoked anger. The bondswoman I have taken assaulted him and we defended ourselves."
Eleni Riaz rubbed her temples. "The security footage from the bar confirms this, fortunately. Something that has averted an immediate conflict with local law enforcement. Nonetheless, your experience raises two concerns."
Oskar frowned. "I still do not understand the provocation Ernest caused," he confessed. "How many similar misunderstandings will we cause?"
"That is one. For the record, Spheroid populations appear to place more social weight on sexual propositions than we do. Similar incidents are on record between Cloud Cobra and Tanite populations before the Absorption War. By the time Clan Star Adder took over the Tanite worlds, the differences were at least understood and we appear to have overlooked the extent of this."
"I see."
"Secondly, these people's major contact with groups outside the Lyran Commonwealth are periphery bandits." The Star Colonel paused. "Bandits who among other things carry out slave raids on populated worlds. Do you -"
Oskar slapped his face. "They will think that by taking her as a bondswoman that I am behaving as a bandit!"
"...worse." She glared at him. "They will assume that of all of us. Removing the warriors we have captured is one thing. Picking out civilians is another."
"I offer surkai." He bowed his head. "How may I make this right?"
"We need to reframe this." The Star Colonel pushed her chair back. "I am due to make a transmission today, introducing us formally to those we rule. Since we cannot change what has happened, we can only affect what they learn of it. That means that you and your bondswoman have been promoted to a leading role. I hope for your sake that she is still presentable."
Oskar coughed. "More presentable than two of my warriors. She went for their faces."
"At least yours is unmarked. Bring her in."
Obediently, Oskar exited the office. Bondswoman Helen was still on one of the waiting room couches. Having sat on one of them earlier, Oskar was sure that many of the more aggressive Clans would deem them almost criminally comfortable. Of course, most of their warriors wouldn't live long enough to learn that there was no particular virtue in being uncomfortable when you did not have to be.
"Are you asleep, Helen?"
"Very nearly," she answered in a surly tone. "For some reason I didn't get much sleep."
Oskar reached down and tapped her on the underside of her chin with one finger. "Do not contract your words, it is disrespectful."
"Why should I respect you?"
"It is always wise to respect an adversary," he counselled her. She was older than he had thought at first, perhaps due to an easy life or perhaps good genes. The combinations that led to that were not particularly prized in the breeding programme for most of the Star Adder's history, a preference for warriors that burned bright and fast having crept in. It would take generations to repair that miscalculation... and perhaps fresh blood would help. "I have no illusions that you like me, bondswoman. But you have much to gain if you can overcome the challenges I set you. I and the Star Colonel, that is. Come with me."
Giving her credit, the young woman came easily to her feet and followed him into the office with no further backchat - she even came to something approaching attention as the Star Colonel looked her over. Interesting.
Eleni had her datapad in her hand. "You are Helen... Candidy, quiaff?" she began, visibly forcing herself to use the second name.
Helen frowned. "Yes."
"A grocer, quiaff?"
"Yes."
"For reference," Oskar advised in a low voice, "Aff is the customary response."
Eleni waved her hand. "She can learn to speak like a Clanswoman later, Oskar. Or so I hope. Where did you have military training, Helencandidy?" Merging the two names seemed easier for her.
The Lost native hesitated, then: "I served in the militia for a few years."
"Excellent." Eleni leant forwards. "Has the position of bondswoman been explained to you?"
"In some terms," she admitted cautiously. "How accurate my understanding is, I don't... do not know."
"Hmm." The Star Colonel examined her. "For those who face defeat at the hands of our Clan, there are three fates. Firstly, one may die. Unfortunate and sometimes wasteful, but battle is a strenuous test and for those who fail, the consequences are generally dire."
"Yeah. I guess a lot of my militia buddies got that."
"A warrior's death for warriors. Their defense will be honoured."
"Oh I'm sure that'll make everything alright."
Oskar frowned and stepped forwards to take Helen by her shoulder. "None of us are claiming that. They faced the same chances all of us take on the battlefield."
"A battlefield that happened to be a city? Do you know how many civilians died when you dropped 'Mechs on the city. I saw people trampled trying to get away."
Eleni Riaz turned her datapad around. It showed Helen Candidy on a street in the city, tending to a fallen woman. "A situation not unique to our arrival on this planet, I gather. This was in your police file."
Helen gulped, face paling.
"As I understand your laws, you could face time in prison for assaulting my personnel," Riaz informed her, almost cheerfully. "However, I am inclined to write that off as a mere cultural misunderstanding. Fortunately, no one on either side of that little fracas was too badly injured. Our medical staff assure me that everyone will make a quick and complete recovery."
The woman's shoulders slumped. "But? Don't tell me that there isn't a catch. Is not a catch." She paused. "Quiaff?"
"Aff," Eleni said cheerfully. "There are two other fates for those we defeat. Firstly, we conclude they are unworthy and release them. For a warrior, this would be considered shameful. Our culture encourages us to be useful, to contribute. To be told that you are unfit or unwanted is a disgrace. Some even end their own lives."
Although bondsref was more often used to avoid becoming a bondsman of an enemy one deemed unworthy, Oskar thought. He could recall some examples of that as well.
"And finally there are those we take as bondsmen, or in your case, bondswoman. Those we believe have potential to rise from their defeat and become stronger. Who may one day stand alongside us as equals." Eleni rose from her desk and walked around it to face the bondswoman. "In our lights, Oskar is complimenting you by taking you as a bondswoman."
"That isn't exactly how I see it."
"That is a shame." The Clanswoman shrugged. "As his commander, I can override his decision if I see fit. I would be disagreeing with his evaluation of you and, at best, declaring that you are too much trouble to educate. It would be... contemptuous."
"I could live with your contempt."
"Do you really wish us to treat your people with contempt?" asked Riaz, sounding sincerely curious. "Your world has been conquered, yes. But I have no wish to oppress you. Just looking out of this window I can see a world that has fallen far from the prosperity it once knew under the Star League. We have returned to rebuild that and, fortunately or unfortunately, that means removing the rule of the Successor Lords."
Helen snorted. "Yeah, good luck. This is just one world, a long way from the centre of power. It might take the FedCom a while to get forces out here, but they'll be coming at you with a lot more than some second-rate mercenaries."
Oskar cleared his throat and gave Eleni a meaningful look, to which the Star Colonel nodded. "Lost is one world, aff," he confirmed calmly. "But it is not the only world that we have taken possession of, Helen. In the last week, dozens of worlds have fallen to the Clans and we are only beginning our campaign. The forces of the Federated Commonwealth will not have to come to us, we are going to go to them."
She shook her head. "And you think you can win?"
"As ever, battle will decide that." Riaz stepped back in. "Nonetheless, the fact is that Lost is now part of the Star Adder Dominion. It is certainly within our power to rule over you, to treat the people of this world as a conquered people... but that would be wasteful. I, and the other members of our ruling body, would prefer to rule with yours. To establish councils in the manner of our Clan, men and women elected by your people to govern them and to represent them to Clan Star Adder, not as outsiders but as new members of our Clan. To learn from our ways, which I admit we largely consider superior, but also to bring new perspectives and ideas... because we know that we can still become better."
"We fought," Oskar offered, "Because we did not understand each other. I would rather that such fights not repeat. If nothing else, it makes it hard to get a drink."
That brought the beginnings of a smile to Helen's face. "Oh, a practical concern."
Oskar shrugged. "Big things are made of small things."
"So what do you want of me? To accept becoming his bondswoman? And what does that even involve?"
Eleni leant against the window frame. "We must build bridges between our peoples. I believe that Oskar is right, that you could be one of those bridges. However, that will only work if you are willing. So if you wish, I will dismiss the bond. You will released, taken home and we will say nothing more of the matter."
She paused and when Helen opened her mouth, she raised her hand. "Or, you may join myself and Oskar as I introduce our Clan and some of our ways to the people of Lost. I understand that your current employment is of low status, but if you complete your bond, you can potentially earn a high place among us."
"As a price for selling them out."
"Betraying your people will earn you nothing but our contempt. Show us instead their - and your - virtues. That we will respect."
The local woman stared at her and then shook her head. "I have no idea why you think I would -"
Oskar interrupted her before she could say anything that might be offensive. "Helen, ask yourself this: how many times have you looked at this world, today or last week, and bemoaned the way that it is?"
She said nothing, but her face answered the question.
"We are offering you the chance - just the chance - to have a hand in shaping your world and many more besides. It would take extraordinary success for you to have the same influence as Star Colonel Riaz, who is part of the Clan Council, but you could at least equal my own status, and very possibly exceed that."
Helen's gaze flicked to Riaz who nodded. "It is very rare, but not unheard of, to award a new bloodhouse. However, besides his rank, Oskar has attracted the patronage of Bloodhouse Moreau -"
Oskar stiffened. Had he now? That was news!
"And we are a meritocracy at heart. If you have the skill and will, you can attain rank and attract such interest, which comes with the opportunity to advise the Clan Council. Even if all you do is qualify as a Warrior, you will have a vote and a say in the Warrior Councils, you might even be elected to them. We can teach you the skill, the question is: do you have the will?"
There was a long pause. "And I would do... what?"
"You would be sent to one of our worlds for training. Given your prior experience, it would take months, perhaps a year. Then you would need to pass a test of position, as all of our warriors do."
"And I'd have to be a warrior?"
"Warriors risk their lives for their Clan," Oskar told her. "For that reason, we are accorded the highest status among the Clans. If your training and bent is for another Caste, you would be trained for that, but I believe you have the heart of a warrior."
She nodded. "And I don't have to... sleep with you?"
"What?" He frowned. "What would that have to do with anything? Besides, I will be here on Lost. It would be difficult to share sleeping quarters when we are light years apart."
Helen stared at him and then sighed. "I mean sex."
"That sounds like a terrible basis for decision making," he said frankly.
For some reason she found that intensely amusing and had to lean against the window frame, mirroring the Star Colonel.
"Is that agreement?" asked Riaz when the spheroid woman had stopped laughing to wipe her face.
"I think I’ll regret this," she said, "But I guess you're making me an offer I really can't - cannot refuse."
S A S
Maroo, Gillfillan's Gold
Rim Collection
7 April 3050
If this was a trap, then Roderick rated his chances of escaping as perhaps ten percent, if that. The Rim Collection had very few professional soldiers, outside of Major Able's battalion, but the security around this mansion was considerable and with six worlds contributing, even a relatively small military could bring a lot of people to bear.
The guard dogs were perhaps excessive. Roderick was not among those of the warrior caste who kept a pet. He wouldn't feel bad if he had to kill a dog to escape, but he wasn't particularly sure what the right approach would be.
There were two guards flanking the door ahead of him. They came to attention, wearing some kind of formal uniform not combat gear, as Roderick approached. Their weapons looked entirely functional though. Needlers, he noted. His uniform pants and jacket would resist but not necessarily stop shots from them. If they hit his head... well, it would be quick at least.
Jerry Able, commander of Able's Aces - the mercenaries who were also effectively the 'Mech element of the Rim Collections Militia - quickened his pace and extended his identity card. To Roderick's approval, the guards didn't take Able's identity for granted. One stepped forwards and checked the card, making sure not to block his comrade's line of fire while he did so.
Apparently satisfied, the guard returned to the door and knocked on it with his knuckles. "Major Able and guest," he reported when the door opened a crack.
The door swung open and a suited man - not someone Roderick had seen in his briefings - looked them over and then stepped aside before ushering them in.
It was a comfortable room, well-furnished but with care taken to also keep it functional. The man at the door exited behind them. An aide or secretary perhaps? Roderick might need to find out, but for now it was the other two men waiting inside that mattered.
"So... Khan Irons, is that the right title?"
Roderick drew himself up. "It is, President Moroney. And this would be Planetary Councilman Roberts?" He refrained from adding quiaff as they wouldn't know what he meant.
James Moroney didn't act like a scientist. He was a professional educator, which had informed Roderick's expectations. He'd watched the man's speeches well before the invasion was confirmed, but he realised he'd assumed that the dynamism was only seen in those.
"Shall we begin with whatever ultimatum you are here to deliver?" the president proposed calmly, not rising from behind his desk. There were other chairs but none facing the desk. Neither Roberts or Able moved for them.
That certainly wasn't as expected. "I am not here to offer an ultimatum, Mr President."
"Then what brings you here?"
Roderick smiled slightly. He liked the directness. "I am here to correct some misconceptions and put our relations on a more honest basis."
"You mean the fact that your people, this Black Buck Company, have lied to us for decades."
Roderick smiled toothily. "I could ask you now what we have told you that it was false but you refer to lies of omission, q... do you not?" His tongue had slipped.
"We had merchants on Langhorne when Black Buck dropships disgorged an invasion force," Roberts pointed out sharply.
"Were your merchants harmed? I assume since they have reported to you that they were allowed to leave."
Moroney raised his hand before Roberts could reply. "The point being made, Khan, is that we are concerned of the same happening on Caldarium." Or here, he implicitly added. Gillfillan's Gold was more than a hundred light years rimwards of Black Buck's trade network - the planet's own handful of trading ships had played a key role in bringing the small state together over the last decade and the two fleets had worked out a loose agreement only to overlap at Caldarium, the most coreward world in the Rim Collection. Each had their own sphere of influence and they could trade with each other.
Of course, that was when they were perceived as functional equals.
"Not under our current leadership," Roderick replied in a reasonable tone.
"And if your leadership changes?" shot back Roberts immediately.
"I can assure you that our leadership will change eventually, as will yours. None of us live forever, after all. Whether that will lead to a change in policies towards the Rim Collection..." He shrugged. "It is impossible for me to predict with certainty."
Able folded his arms. "Where are you coming from?" he asked. "I mean, in terms of why you are willing to assure us you don't plan to invade us when you're clearly doing that to the Lyrans... although where you actually come from is just as fair a question."
"That is a fair question." And not an unexpected one, Roderick noted. "We are here to end the Succession Wars. That involves removing the Successor States and governing the Inner Sphere, which is rather a large task and likely to keep us busy for quite a long time."
"You're fond of understatement, I see." Moroney's voice was dry as a desert.
"The Successor States are old and ossified, nothing less than force will change their path at this time. Even the Federated Commonwealth is little more than a family connection at their highest levels. We have visited many of their systems over the last few decades and found no real change as a result of that alliance."
"The Inner Sphere has been at peace for around ten years now." Able gave him a challenging look. "That's the longest time that's been the case since, something like the 2860s if I recall correctly."
"Are you familiar with the world of Aubisson?" asked Roderick. "I have never been there personally."
"One of the worlds the Commonwealth took off the Combine twenty years ago."
"Correct, Major. According to ComStar's news broadcasts, which seem broadly accurate at least, the world is currently being fought over by the DCMS and AFFC. Peace, in the Inner Sphere, is a relative term."
Of course, Trials of Possession would take place even in the event that the ilKhan's plans worked. A reborn Star League would hardly be without conflict. But those Trials would be regulated and restrained, compared to the warfare of the Succession Wars.
Probably, a little voice murmured inside the Khan's head. He ignored it.
"And you don't see yourself as trying to change us as well?"
"We will change you, one way or another. We will be a new, large and wealthy neighbour. Even if you sever all ties to the rest of the galaxy to try to avoid us, that will itself be a change." Roderick looked the President in the eye. "The fact that you are facing me as president of a united nation, not one of six disparate worlds, shows that change need not be for the worse."
Roberts harrumphed. "What place do we have in this new order you proclaim then? We still remember the Pollux Proclamation. High ideals, with naked steele beneath."
The Khan turned towards him. "We will face the Lyrans and the other Successor States for years, perhaps even generations. In war and also in what passes for peace. It would be helpful to have a neutral party, a state neighbouring both of us that can act as an intermediary at times when it is... difficult for us to interact directly."
"Most people use ComStar for that."
"I said neutral."
All three of the spheroids... they would probably be offended if he called them that. All three Rim Collection representatives frowned at that. "That's an unusual position to take," Moroney said diplomatically.
"I do not intend to entrust our interstellar communications to an outside group," explained Roderick patiently. "Their representatives do not seem to appreciate it when we take over their HPGs."
"How will you operate them? Much less maintain them?"
"The same way that we do our own, Councilman." He saw that sink in and nodded in confirmation. Yes, we have our own HPGs. We do not need ComStar.
"You are the Khan of Clan Star Adder," observed Moroney, changing the subject. "That implies other Clans. Do you speak for them as well."
"I am a Khan of the Star Adders. One of two," he clarified.
"Something like the Consuls of Rome?" the president asked.
"I would have to know more of their history to be sure of that." Rome had had emperors, had they not? He would have to check that. What was a consul? "And no, I cannot speak on behalf of other Clans."
"Then can we expect them to be so restrained?" asked Roberts. "It's all very well for you to say that you won't invade us, but if another Clan turns up tomorrow..."
"That is unlikely, but not impossible," Roderick admitted. "However, in that case... I will need to give you some background. To answer the Major's earlier question, our homeworlds are located quite some distance away. During roughly the same time period as the First Succession Wars, there were savage wars between factions on our initial colony worlds. The Clans were formed to end them, eventually bringing the other factions down because we settled our conflicts in a regulated fashion, which proved less wasteful and thus we were more efficient."
"I see," Major Able said slowly. "But how does this apply to us?"
"As a neutral political group, positioned between Clan Star Adder and the Federated Commonwealth, naturally we will compete for influence within your nation, each wishing to have your favour. At least, that is my understanding."
Roberts seemed dubious but Moroney nodded cautiously.
"It's much how Hendrik Grimm prospered so long," Able explained to the Councilman. "The Lyrans and Draconians could have easily crushed him, but neither was willing to let the other do so, leaving them buying him off to stop him willingly siding with the others."
"Indeed. We would categorize that as a Trial of Possession. While such trials may be decided by military force, it is equally valid for there to be other terms: in this case, our merchants will be completing with the Lyrans to win you over through trade and diplomacy." It was Virgilia's idea, but Roderick had been won over to it after reading Black Buck’s intelligence reports about the same Hendrik Grimm that Major Able had mentioned. "And it would be terribly bad form for another Clan to interfere when we are engaged in a Trial of Possession. We would be entirely justified in fighting them off for you - even in working together with the Lyrans to do so if it came to that."
"Just like that? But surely there's some limit?"
"Myself and my fellow Khan think that a potential back-channel to the Lyrans, and not having to divert forces from facing them to occupy your worlds, is well worth keeping the Trial going indefinitely. If we die or are removed from power then you'd have to deal with our successors."
"So what you're saying is," the Councilman decided after a moment's thought, "Is that you want us to extort bribes from you to remain neutral. Does that seem backwards to anyone?"
"That's politics for you," Moroney sighed with what sounded like acceptance to Roderick. Of the principle of their bargain, at least. There would be many details to establish.