18 June 3063
Terra
First Lord Candace Liao called the High Council Meeting to order. The Council had changed dramatically in the last year. For the first time, H.R. McIntyre was representing the Circinus Federation as a non voting observer, Julius O'Reilly was representing the Marion Hegemony and Grover Shraplen was representing the Taurian Concordat. saKhan Santin West was representing Clan Nova Cat.
"This High Council Meeting is now in order, there have been several proposed items already scheduled by several Council Members, so let us get to work. Mitchell Avellar, I believe you have a proposal to make to the High Council today?" First Lord Candace Liao said
"Thank you First Lord, High Council members, I would like to propose that Clan Wolf in Exile be granted non voting observer status in recognition of their unwavering contribution in assisting the Star League, first in liberating worlds from the Falcons and Vipers and now assisting in the removal of the Jaguars." Mitchell Avellar said
"A proposal to admit Clan Wolf in Exile has been put forward, do I have a second?" First Lord Liao asked
"I will second the motion First Lord." Haakon Magnusson, representing the Free Rasalhague Republic said
"The proposal has been seconded and is now open for discussion." First Lord Liao stated
"Why should we allow another group from the Clans into the Star League in any way? All they want to do is make war, they do not know the meaning of peace. Peace to them is rearming for the next war." Julius O'Reilly said
saKhan Santin West decided to answer "While I cannot speak for Clan Wolf in Exile, I can speak for most Clan's in general. I am going to assume Clan WiE wants the same as Clan Nova Cat, a voice in how things should be. We are now a part of the Inner Sphere as a whole. Both Clan WiE and Clan Nova Cat have been removed from the Clan Home Worlds. Both of us have renounced the Invasion as a whole and Clan Nova Cat has promised to help defend the Inner Sphere, which we are doing at this time."
"All well and good, but that still does not answer the claim that you Clan folks just want a war." Julius O'Reilly said
This time Kai Allard Liao, representing the Capellan Confederation spoke up "From what I see, there is really no difference in either Clan Nova Cat and Clan WiE than there is in any of our nations. Take for example your nation Julius O'Reilly, your father was doing away with slavery, yet you have brought it roaring back. Where he once confessed to planning a war against the Illyrian Palatinate and then cancelling it, now I have seen reports that your nation is preparing to fulfill that plan of invasion. It is in the Star League charter and constitution that slavery is outlawed. Therefore you are in violation and in risk of being removed from the Star League."
This caught Julius O'Reilly by surprise, he had not given the charter nor the Star League constitution a second thought nor even read it. Before he could speak, Kia Allard Liao spoke again, "First Lord Liao, Council members, we have a voting member in this Council whose nation he represents in clear violation of not only the Star League Charter but also the Star League Constitution. The Marion Hegemony is in clear violation and is continuing the barbaric act of allowing slavery within it's borders. I ask for censure and possible removal from this esteemed body."
"You have no right to ask any such thing. The Marion Hegemony was a founding member of this Star League." Julius O'Reilly protested loudly
"Yes it was, and your father signed and agreed with everything in those very documents YOU are ignoring. YOU have put your nation in violation of both the charter and the constitution. Both of which your father was trying so hard to uphold and improve before his death at your hands." Coordinator Theodore Kurita stated forcefully
"Then why is Clan Nova Cat here, they have enslaved the entire Tortuga Dominions under their rule?" Julius O'Reilly countered
"Clan Nova Cat has not enslaved anyone in the Tortuga Dominions. We have even transported 73,000 civilians who did not want to live under Clan Nova Cat rule to the Federated Commonwealth's Outer March per their request. All of those who live under Clan Nova Cat rule have free access to our medical treatment facilities at no charge to them, they have jobs, their standard of living is increasing monthly." saKhan West said, but he was growing very weary of this man heaping lies at his Clan.
"The conquered a nation and tossed out the unwanted." Julius O'Reilly tried again
"Actually, the Federated Commonwealth seized the Tortuga Dominions after my nation suffered a unprovoked attack by elements based there. We then ceded the worlds to Clan Nova Cat with no objections from any member in this High Council, your father included. It was a nation in name only, it was a pirate nest." Archon Prince Victor Steiner Davion said
"Okay, Prince Davion, what about this loose cannon you have in charge of your Outer March. I am sure everyone here saw that broadcast last night. He all but threatened war against the Word of Blake. Do you condone what he said?" Julius O'Reilly tossed down the gauntlet
Victor knew this very thing was going to come up in the Council Meeting, well best get it out of the way. "I have March Lords say stuff all the time, do I condone everything they say, no. But that is an internal matter and none of your business or the Council's business in how I handle that particular matter. So, let me go ahead and put this thought in your mind, the Federated Commonwealth will be offering the Illyrian Palatinate a mutual defense pact very soon. If the Marion Hegemony attacks the Illyrian Palatinate, I will offer to liberate their worlds for them and return them to the people of the Illyrian Palatinate."
This caused Captain General Thomas Marik to flinch, the last thing he wanted was the Federated Commonwealth on another of his borders. This young fool was deliberately provoking Archon Prince Victor Steiner Davion. Time to put a stop to this quickly, but before he could speak, saKhan West spoke.
"Clan Nova Cat stands ready to assist in keeping this Illyrian Palatinate a free nation." saKhan West declared
Shit, that was worse than having the AFFC on my damned border, sure as shit the WoB will strike at them. Thomas Marik thought before speaking "The Free Worlds League offers to deploy the Knight of the Inner Sphere to protect the Illyrian Palatinate from aggression. Both Regiments. I can have them in place much faster than you Prince Davion or you saKhan West. The Free Worlds League does not wish to see a war so close to our borders."
"That is very kind of you Captain General Marik, if you would prefer to deploy your Knights of the Inner Sphere to safeguard the Illyrian Palatinate, that makes things much better." Victor said, that is probably the only force you can say is truly loyal, plus now you have pissed off Julius enough that his vote is not a guarantee anymore.
Victor was right, Julius was pissed at Marik for butting in. The Illyrian Palatinate was far enough from the Federated Commonwealth or the Tortuga Dominions that he was confident his forces could handle what ever token force they tried to deploy there, but the Free Worlds League was right next door. Should have stayed quiet Marik, you will pay for this.
"Enough, let us return to the proposal at hand." First Lord Liao said "If there are no other objections, let us vote on this proposal allowing Clan Wolf in Exile as a non voting observer status.
"First Lord, I have to object. Clan Wolf in Exile is not a nation state unlike Clan Nova Cat's status. If I am correct, Clan Wolf in Exile resides on Arc-Royal under asylum by the Federated Commonwealth." Captain General Thomas Marik said
Mitchell Avellar inwardly cringed damn, I did not even think about that argument at all. "I believe Captain General Marik is correct First Lord, I must withdraw my proposal."
"The proposal is withdrawn. Next order of business?" First Lord Liao asked
"I propose we allow the Word of Blake in as a non voting observer." Thomas Marik said, might as well ride the wave a bit more.
"Correct me if I am wrong Captain General, but the Word of Blake is not a nation state either. That is the argument you just used. Or have you ceded some of YOUR worlds to them and I missed that in my intel reports? Because if my intel missed that, some heads are going to roll back home." Victor said
Shit, I did not even think that thru, dammit. Captain General Thomas Marik thought "You are correct Prince Davion, forgive me, I withdraw my proposal."
"First Lord, I would like to return to my proposal for censure of the Marion Hegemony and possible removal from this body for clear violations of the Star League Charter and Constitution by allowing slavery to be both legal and encouraged. A clear violation of both." Kai Allard Liao said
Julius O'Reilly had thought what Kai Allard Liao had said would have been forgotten, but no, he had to go and bring it back to life. Shit. Julius looked for some kind of support around the large table, but he only found hard eyes looking back at him. Screw it, at least we got a couple of warships and the ability to build shipyards out of this brief venture.
"I second the proposal from the Capellan Confederation." Mitchell Avellar said
"Objections?" First Lord Liao asked, she was met by silence "The motion to find the Marion Hegemony in violation of both the Star League Charter and Constitution is open for voting at this time the accused does not have a vote."
Guilty of Violating the Star League Charter and Constitution
Outworlds Alliance
Draconis Combine
Capellan Confederation
Federated Commonwealth
Free Rasalhague Republic
Taurian Concordat
Free Worlds League
Magistracy of Canopus
"The vote is unanimous, Guilty. I Candace Liao, First Lord of the Star League on receiving a guilty verdict from the High Council hereby declare the Marion Hegemony removed from the High Council and the Star League until such time as they renounce slavery and reaffirm their willingness to abide by the laws set forth in both the Charter and the Constitution. Julius O'Reilly, you are hereby ordered to depart this chamber." First Lord Liao said
"Screw all of you high and mighty people!!! What right do any of you have in telling my nation what we can and cannot have? You can all go to hell!!!" Julius O'Reilly yelled as he quickly stood up and pounded his fist on the table before storming out of the room.
"First Lord, the SLDF has the 472nd Division deployed in the Marion Hegemony at this time, I think it prudent that we have the SLDF redeploy the 472nd Division possibly to the Illyrian Palatinate to ward against hostile acts." Kai Allard Liao said
"I second that idea" Victor said
"I concur." Thomas Marik said, at least then I can keep the Knights close to home.
"It will be so ordered. I will have our intentions communicated to the Illyrian Palatinate at once, per their agreement the 472nd Division will be redeployed." First Lord Liao said
The briefing on the status of Operation Neutered Jaguar took up the rest of the morning until they broke for lunch.
"saKhan West, care to join us for lunch?" Archon Prince Victor Davion asked
"I would be honored Prince Davion. It is technically Khan now, but until my warriors return from the front, it remains saKhan. Normally we would do a full recall, but I feel this mission is more important at this time. Khan Lucien Carns would have agreed with me." saKhan West said
Altona
Escorted by the 4 Tarawa LF Transports, the 3rd SLDF RCT dropships burned for the planet below. A standing CAP of 24 Aerospace Fighters from the 3rd SLDF RCT led the way.
Gravenhage
Khan Lincoln Osis and his 5 Clusters slammed into the defensive lines of the 10th Pesht Regulars which threw the first assault back but just barely. Chu-sa Dirk Hundingson, was worried, they had just barely been able to hold the line on that last attack. He quickly called Marshal Stephan Cooper of the Davion Assault Guards RCT for advice. "Marshal, we barely beat off that attack, the next is liable to break thru our lines, I must ask, do you have suggestions?"
"Hold what you have Hundingson, we are on the way. We have kept our fighters on the ground until now, I think it is time to let them off their leash and raise some hell." Marshal Stephan Cooper said
"I will give the order. We will hold until your arrival." Chu-sa Dirk Hundingson said
Khan Lincoln Osis, was amazed that his troops had not breached the line. His Clusters had lost 42 Omni Mechs in that assault. The Inner Sphere troops are no longer the push overs they once were. But he was confident his forces would breach the lines in the next assault.