Opalescent Reflections
Full House
Chapter 17
Hilton Head, North America
Terra, Sol System
1 March 3059There were a few unusual additions to the DRUM meeting. Normally it was attended by the four heads of the departments that served as ComStar’s eyes and ears, perhaps as many members of the First Circuit and then the Primus and Precentor-Martial if either or both of them could spare time from their other duties.
Today the room was almost full, with observers from various Star League members lining the seats along one wall. Precentor-Advocate Shaffi of Irurzun wasn’t usually among the First Circuit attendees but he was here today, wearing the signs of the hastily organized command circuit that had brought him here from the Combine capital.
Morgan Hasek-Davion sat at the table beside the Precentor-Martial, representing the SLDF, and Danai Centrella was on Wei’s own left - attending on behalf of her mother. The Chair of the Star League Council was on Canopus IV, and didn’t plan on rushing the hundreds of light years to Terra unless a face-to-face meeting of the council was called for.
“I believe we’re all here,” Wei decided, looking down the table. “I hope everyone remembered to get a full night’s sleep? I don’t hold with the idea that exhaustion makes people more efficient. Possibly happier, depending on the nature of the exhaustion, but not more efficient.”
“Thank you, Primus. I have reminded my analysts to take a full day off now that they’ve handed in their assessments,” Elswick Cameron declared.
Shaffi shook his head. “I hate sleeping on dropships,” he explained. “I’ll be going to bed after this meeting though, my body clock isn’t lined up yet.”
“Alright. Why don’t we start with your account then.”
The precentor raked one hand through his hair. “I haven’t been to the Imperial City since before the events in question, so I’m not sure how useful I can be. On the eighteenth, we noticed communication issues with their comm centers - there are civil and military facilities. It’s not unusual for one to be delayed in responding - usually due to someone thinking they can throw their weight around - but both is unusual. A little over an hour later, there was a planetary security lockdown. At that point I ordered all staff to return to the HPG station and we carried our our own lockdown.”
“Do you have an enclave around the HPG station?” asked Danai.
“Not really,” Shaffi admitted. “Irurzun’s not that near to the border - Hanse Davion’s Galtor campaign in the mid-3020s brought the border fairly close but that only lasted a few years. Besides the HPG station proper we have an informal shared administration over the hospice, a housing district for our staff and the park between them. It’s just part of the old planetary capital though, not even two square kilometers with no barriers to entry except to the HPG itself.”
The Canopian princess seemed satisfied so the precentor continued: “The Voice of the Dragon made an announcement that the Ryuken barracks had been attacked and that the lockdown was expected to end the following day except in the vicinity. However, at around the same time we got reports that there had been explosions at the Imperial City.” He paused. “On the way to the jump point, we got some long range images of the Imperial City. A large portion of the core palace is gone.”
He took a deep breath. “That was when I sent the first priority message to Terra. The following morning there was an official declaration that the Coordinator had been assassinated by his brother Franklin. Angus Kurita formally stated his succession to the office immediately afterwards. We don’t know exactly where the broadcast came from, but it almost certainly wasn’t the Imperial City.”
“I don’t recognise the name,” Wei admitted. “Who is he?”
“A third cousin, once removed,” Elswick Cameeron told her. “That’s not as distant as it might seem - besides his sister and half brother, Minoru Kurita’s next nearest relative is a female second cousin. Angus is the only great-grandson of the late and unlamented Marcus Kurita, which does make him the senior member of the cadet branch descending from Hugai Kurita’s younger son Undell.”
“Does he have any accomplishments of note?”
“None.” The speaker was Dahlia Erin of humint. “He was due to attend Sun Zhang academy but after the loss of the academy he completed military education via private tutors and has no combat record. Since then he was mainly found around the fringes of the court.” The head of ComStar’s human intelligence specialists smiled thinly. “There are no thoughts in Angus Kurita’s head except those put there by his great-grandfather’s traditional allies in the conservative fringes of the Combine’s nobility.”
A puppet ruler, Wei thought. “Is this a first hand report, Dahlia?”
“From one of our adepts who met him a few years ago.” The peaceful-looking woman spread her hands slightly. “He wasn’t judged important enough for me to take a personal interest.”
“So you’re a field operative?” asked Morgan Hasek-Davion curiously.
Dahlia’s eyes twinkled. “I used to be a food reviewer for CNN. It’s a good way to meet members of the nobility and a wide range of connections is useful in diplomatic circles.” She paused and gave him a consoling look. “The world of intelligence gathering is often shockingly mundane, Marshal.”
“Moving on?” Wei asked politely and looked over at Shaffi.
The precentor sighed. “I left for Terra the next day. No one tried to stop the shuttle but there was a polite request to inspect it in case any fugitives were aboard. We declined, of course.”
“Do you have any idea who they are looking for?”
Shaffi smiled at Danai Centrella. “I do. Our jumpship received a tightbeam message from another shuttle, one the crew wisely did not retransmit. The message was from Chandrasekhar Kurita - an even more distant cousin, but one who made rather more of himself than Angus - and Director Ninyu Indrahar of the ISF. They sent a copy of a message from the Coordinator where he formally abdicated in favor of his half-brother Franklin, charging him to purge the Combine of traitors who had him trapped within his own palace.”
The two royals in the room both pulled identical faces, perhaps seeing their own families in those shoes.
The Precentor-Martial simply steepled his fingers. “That does cast significant doubt on the accusations against Franklin Kurita. Besides which, I believe he is currently commanding DCMS forces on Sverdlovsk - part of the wider campaign for Galedon V. Not precisely the position of someone attempting a coup.”
“We are not here to decide the succession of the Draconis Combine,” Danai pointed out. “What are the implications for the Star League?”
Wei held up her hand. “Elswick, what has happened since Shaffi left Iruzun?”
“A flood of messages from both Irurzun and two sources traveling across the Combine,” the head of DRUM’s analysts reported. “Usually with a similar list of recipients Angus Kurita is naturally seeking endorsement and support from the nobility and the military, while we can safely say that his opponents are doing the same. Chandrasekhar Kurita headed for Hachiman first, that being his personal stronghold, but we believe he will move on to join forces with Franklin shortly.”
“Not to make his own bid for power?” asked Morgan curiously.
Dahlia laughed quietly. “No.”
“You’re quite sure?”
“Absolutely. Unlike Angus Kurita, I have met Lord Chandrasekhar and while his palate is superb, he is entirely focused on enriching himself and the Combine. Make no mistake, he is a patriot, but he lacks the traditional military virtues and cannot even pretend to have them. He will be a valuable ally for Franklin, particularly because he could never amass the support to become a rival.”
Elswick nodded. “That is our own assessment. While Warlord Li Dok To is broadly conservative, he is also intensely loyal to Minoru Kurita and has an excellent working relationship with Franklin. It is unlikely that he will support an usurper.”
The commander of the SLDF smiled slightly. “A soldier of the old school. So Franklin will have economic and military support from Galedon military district.”
“At the moment, we believe that is largely going to be the case. Benjamin district is currently leaderless, with Warlord Petrov believed to be dead - likely each world and regiment will be deciding their loyalties on their own. The second source of messages is moving towards Dieron. Most probably this is Director Indrahar and it is likely he will have a warm welcome from Daniel Sorenson.”
“Then Angus’ faction is caught between Galedon and Dieron?”
“Not so clearly,” Elswick admitted. “Warlord Sorenson has a good hold on the rimwards worlds of Dieron military district, but the new Vega and Kessel prefecture are conservative strongholds and we expect the nobles and military forces there to support Angus Kurita - it is entirely possible that this is where the conspiracy sprang from. We expect the district to be a major conflict zone between the two sides.”
A war on Terra’s doorstep, and just as serious progress was being made against the Clans. Wei shook her head in despair. “What are the military implications?”
“It essentially removes all pressure from the Diamond Sharks and Ghost Bears,” admitted Hasek-Davion. “There have been reports from Task Force Ruby that DCMS regiments have ceased all action and are consolidated. Most likely they are preparing to pull back and take sides.”
“With the loss of the Alshain Avengers, is that a huge blow?”
“It depends on the mercenary contingent and the Shin Legion. It could be as much as a third of Task Force Ruby.” The marshal raked his long hair back. “Under the circumstances, I intend to issue orders disbanding the Task Force and rolling them into Task Force Emerald - we have to assume that their supply lines will be affected. For that matter, we cannot count on any supplies going through Dieron District now, so we’ll have to direct everything through the Isle of Skye.”
“And that also leaves us the problem of securing worlds already liberated,” Focht noted. “The Combine is hardly in a position to uphold their previous offer of protection to the Rasalhague government, perhaps not even to their own worlds in the salient.”
“I may have to reorganize a task group out of Emerald for that purpose,” Morgan agreed. “I see no option but for me to go there in person. If we can keep the Kungsarme, the Wolf Dragoons and the Shin Legion in position then we have the core of a force to cover that flank of our advance into the Wolf Occupation Zone. Even so, this is going to slow progress.”
Wei looked over at Danai. “Please ask your mother to put the issue of reaching out diplomatically to the Bears and Sharks to the Council. We cannot reasonably pursue military action against either Clan, so keeping them from taking advantage is our next best option.”
“I’ll do that,” the younger woman agreed. “But the question of which Coordinator casts the Combine’s vote may take precedence.”
The Triad, Tharkad
Donegal March, Federated Commonwealth
8 March 3059While the Triad referred to the three main buildings of the royal court, there were hundreds of buildings, large and small, across the grounds. The Combine embassy was one of the larger ones, a guest house intended for visiting ducal houses. Save for the flag that flapped from the pole outside, it would have been hard to tell its current purpose - the presence of a member of House Kurita on Tharkad was tolerated but not popular.
It had been a long walk from Victor’s own quarters out here and the snow that had fallen along the way clung to his great-coat. His boots were coated in it and despite scraping them at the door, a servant politely forced slippers on him once he entered, whisking the boots away to dry somewhere.
He found Omi Kurita leaving her rooms, servants visible inside and packing her possessions away. “Victor,” she said quietly and closed the door behind her. “I wasn’t sure you would return from Melissia before I left.”
“Nor was I,” he admitted, drinking in her presence. Sorrow hung over her and he was reminded of his mother when he was a boy, when gramma Katrina was no longer with them. “I heard. I’m so sorry.”
Omi looked away. “Let’s find somewhere we won’t be in the way.”
She said nothing to him as they walked the short distance to one of the small lounges. Victor noted a few changes to the decorations, and realized that this room had already been stripped of the small reminders of home that Omi brought with her. “Are you going to Galedon?” he asked, hoping guiltily that she would not be heading for Hachiman: the industrial world had been raided by Angus Kurita’s forces and it was likely it would be the next battlefield between the two rival Coordinators.
“Dieron,” she said simply. “Franklin cannot be present there and someone must keep the prefectures from thinking they are fighting just for their new privileges. I am supposed to be Keeper of the House Honor but my duties here have left me little time for the Order of Five Pillars… I must take them in hand.”
“Daniel Sorenson is a good man. He is clever and he has principles.”
“And distant kin. House Sorenson’s ties to us go back to before the Star League.” She looked up at him and he saw the beginnings of tears. “But he is not a Kurita.”
Victor was halfway to extending an arm to her when she drew back and walked to one of the armchairs.
“I would offer to go with you, but we both know I can’t do that.” He went to the chair next to hers, angled so that they could easily look at each other.
“Your handling of the Nova Cats was well done,” Omi told him sincerely. “I think you will find that their ambitions make them a problem in the long run, but for now the Jade Falcons are your priority.”
“That’s true, but I was thinking more that Angus is appealing to those who are suspicious of the Star League. Having a Steiner-Davion fighting for him would likely taint Franklin in the eyes of your people.”
Omi closed her eyes, face pained. “You speak the truth.”
“I’m sorry,” Victor said, feeling the words inadequate.
“Do not apologize for a hard truth.” Omi paused and gathered herself. “My head tells me that you did what you must, that to think you would - much less should - place the Combine ahead of those you have sworn oaths to protect, is to commit to the same arrogance as the Black Dragons. That you would not be the man I care so much for if your duty did not drive you.”
He heard the implied but, and watched in silence as the usually eloquent Omi searched for words.
“My heart believes that had you not swayed the Star League to commit forces against the Wolves, Minoru’s position would have been stronger. That the Black Dragons would not have dared to strike a Coordinator who had seen the Bears crushed and the Diamond Sharks humbled.”
Victor opened his lips to speak, found no words. Closed them again.
Omi reached out and touched his hand briefly. “My heart is wrong, but it is hard.”
The prince tried to see it from her perspective. Imagined some fanatic blaming his parents for a large AFFC deployment to help the DCMS win back Luthien, of one or both of them choosing death over captivity. A shiver went through Victor. “I would probably feel the same way.”
She managed to smile. “And then there is a part of me that hurts twice over, because I am still drawn to you. How can I not love a man with such steel… and a heart of gold?”
Now Victor looked away, embarrassed. “I’ll do what I can for you. I can’t claim the credit, but mother has spoken to Duchess Aten and Duke Sandoval. The garrisons along the border are being spread out to cover against raids, at least near the prefectures that stand for Franklin. It should free more of their forces for him.”
Vega and Kessel were still a threat to the SLDF’s supply lines, but Dieron and Algedi stood strong for Minoru’s chosen successor. Across the border in Benjamin district, the Proserpina Hussars had seized their homeworld from attempts to sway them and proclaimed a Proserpina prefecture that Franklin had granted the same privileges he had to Sorenson’s reformists.
Rumor had it that An Ting and the worlds near it were pushing for the same under the lead of the surviving An Ting Legions. How Franklin handled that and any potential rift with Li Dok To would be critical to the stability of his fledgling government - An Ting was part of Galedon district and the Coordinator could not afford to alienate the warlord, but nor could he move against the reformists that were the core of his political support.
Of course, Franklin also couldn’t afford to alienate the Federated Commonwealth. He had already promised generous trade agreements that would open the autonomous prefectures to traders and other soft influence from Victor's realm. If he didn’t manage to resolve things quickly, more would likely be asked. Politely, but with a mailed fist held in reserve. Seizing Combine worlds might shatter the new Star League, but there was a point where that risk could be deemed worthwhile...
“Your parents want us to remain a bulwark against the Diamond Sharks,” Omi said evenly. Then she laughed darkly. “They are right to fear them - the Sharks are not only artists in warfare. Did you know the ISF still cannot determine if the O-Same is orchestrating the fighting around Galedon V or fighting other Clans beyond Pesht? They are learning the arts of government… and they will not be easily dislodged.” She drew her hand back from Victor’s “I do not think I will see Luthien again.”
“I’m sure that that’s part of the decision,” he admitted. “But sometimes the personal and the political do align. They both respect you and thought highly of Minoru.” Victor hesitated once. “My grandmother told me when I was young… I’d gotten into a fight with another boy.” He shrugged in embarrassment. “She told me that the golden age of the Star League was because the great lords learned that they didn’t need to fight with each other and that we didn’t deserve it back until we learned the same.”
Omi sat back in her seat and glanced up at the ceiling. “And here we are. Part of a new Star League.”
“Until that is forgotten again,” he allowed. “All I can offer is to rule my people when that time comes and try to pass that lesson on to the next generation.”
“And wisdom as well.” A tear crawled down her cheek. “Do you have to be so desirable, Victor?”
He rose to his feet, meaning to give her space but she also stood and then their arms were around each other. Omi was warm in Victor’s arms. He felt the salty tear against his own cheek and thought he could hear her heart beat as fast as his own.
Temptation dangled between them.
And they both stepped back, Omi’s smile sad but some of the darkness gone from her gaze.
“I have been told,” Victor said carefully, “That one’s first love is not always the last. My father lost his first love on the battlefield, long before he met my mother.”
She nodded. “I do not know how much of his heart my father gave to Franklin’s mother. Or her to him.”
“If our feelings cannot survive these partings or…” He gestured helplessly to indicate the complicated emotions she had confessed to. “Then public attention would certainly kill them.”
“There is no knowing if we will ever meet again.”
Victor nodded jerkily. “But if you need me, I’ll be with Task Force Emerald, a staff posting. ComStar will get word to me.”
Omi nodded in understanding. “Victor, whatever we feel in the future, I want you to know…”
He looked at her questioningly, and then her arms were around him again. Her lips touched his, pressed against them and in the searing heat of the moment he almost crushed her against him, tried to hold onto her against all the pressures of the universe.
Then she released him and he knew that she knew. Breathless, he watched her whirl and flee the room. Afraid, as he was, that otherwise they might forget all reason, all caution…
Victor Steiner-Davion straightened his collar and checked his reflection in a small mirror to make sure there was no obvious evidence to betray them, before going to collect his boots. Perhaps the cold of Tharkad’s weather would chill the heat of his passions to something that he could carry with him without it boiling over. “From what I’ve tasted of desire…” he murmured to himself as he walked, then chastised himself for giving voice to those thoughts.
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