BOOK 2
A GATHERING OF SPITE
Chapter 23
Elmau, Bavaria, Terra,
15 September, 3023 Candace Liao looked around the conference table once everyone had seated themselves. To her right, was Senior Colonel Pavel Ridzik, well turned out in his CCAF dress uniform, but nevertheless, looking like he felt a little overawed. Candace had had to pull the Colonel into line twice already during the conferences regarding the coming war. Since the attempted assassination on the Liao family through poisoning, Candace had been required to assume a greater role in the leadership of her nation, hence her presence here. Her father was still a wreck, the doctors believing that his recovery would take two years and never be a complete one. Romano had recovered quickly, although the paranoia the attack generated had sent her further down the spiral of distrust and manic reaction to perceived threats.
The little bitch bore watching before, now I have to double my caution. Her assault on Chesterton may have to be made a little harder than she anticipated, ensuring her glorious end as a martyr for the Capellan state. Candace still felt poorly of a morning, but each day since the attempt three months ago, she had felt a slight improvement. The worst part was that there was as yet no evidence as to who had perpetrated the attempt.
To Candace’s left sat Precentor Sian, her plain features masking her keen intellect and ability to see to the heart of issues quickly and clearly. Candace valued her insight to a point, but knew better than to trust the ComStar Precentor too far.
Across from the Liao group was the Marik contingent, consisting of Captain-General Janos Marik, appearing to be more life-like than she had been led to believe he could. Her advisors had put this recovery down to his recent wins over Parliament and the return and assistance of his son Thomas. Thomas, quiet and reserved, sat next to his father, leafing through the documents that sat before him, as they did before each person at the table. Candace knew Thomas would bear watching, as his assistance to his father so far had born the League new strength, strength that would one day be turned against the Capellan people. Completing the group opposite Candace was the ever present, yet ever demure, Precentor Atreus, a man almost as forgettable as Precentor Sian, but also just as effective.
The group to Candace’s right consisted of the party from the Draconis Combine. The young Coordinator, Theodore, had an air of confidence and power, one that despite its natural strength, paled next to that of his military advisor, Yorainaga Kurita. The man had an immense aura, it could almost be felt. Without even trying he dominated the table, but in a way that offered no threat or malice, it was just simply there. Candace suspected that Pavel’s ill humour was due to his own feeling of inadequacy compared to the presence of his equal from the Combine. Precentor Waterly had placed her aide as Precentor Dieron, Precentor Nishara Singh, a dark-skinned waif of a woman of extraordinary beauty, with the Combine delegation.
The final group was that of ComStar, consisting of Precentor Myndo Waterly of Dieron herself, as self-righteous and self-assured as her father had said she would be. Precentor Dieron was flanked by her military advisors, the powerful looking Precentor Martial Angus Hamilton, a man who had so far not only impressed the three leaders present, but just as importantly their military advisors as well. The other man was simply introduced as Precentor Grahame Neville. He seemed to be subordinate to Hamilton, but was treated with great respect by the Precentor Martial. He was responsible for the supply and transport of ComStar and allied supplies and troops and a man that Candace knew she could not afford to offend for any reason. Hence why she had been forced to stomp on Senior Colonel Ridzik, as the Colonel had developed an intense dislike of Precentor Neville.
For a leader of men Colonel Ridzik you can be the pettiest of individuals. Well Pavel, you will be tolerated until such time as I am Chancellor. At that point you can retire, in whatever manner you choose, or force me to choose for you.
Precentor Martial Hamilton took the lead, as it seemed that Precentor Waterly was happy to accede to his military experience. “I hope, this afternoon, to go over what we have discussed to date before we move into more detailed planning over the next few days. Should anyone have additional comments or ideas, now will be the best time to air them so that they can be incorporated into the planning sessions to come.”
The Precentor Martial brought up a holographic image that showed the Inner Sphere, with Terra at its centre and the Lyran Commonwealth/Draconis Combine border running to the maps top. “I will start with the Combine’s planned operations if that is acceptable Coordinator, Kanrei?”
Theodore nodded whilst answering “Of course Precentor Martial.” Yorinaga made an almost imperceptible bow to indicate his own assent.
“Thankyou. Operation URIZEN, the assault on the Lyran border was, as you rightly pointed out Kanrei, to have been originally launched too close to Skye to effectively draw off Lyran reinforcements from the Terran region. Although the Moesby Thumb is a tempting target, the area immediately below Tamar that Coordinator Kurita has identified should suit our purposes admirably.”
Theodore spoke up. “Yes, I agree. We have the further option of threatening or later assaulting Tamar should we require it. The Lyrans cannot afford to ignore this strike.”
Angus focused the map on the region below Tamar. “Exactly Coordinator. By striking from Volders, Wheel and Quarrel at Maestu, Cusset, Biota, Montmarault, La Grave and Orkney, the DCMS will be able to isolate a string of seven border worlds from Kobe to Carse for later reduction. The threat to Tamar comes through the potential to close off its access to the Commonwealth through Laurent and Severn. We anticipate that reserves in the Tamar district, as well as part of the strategic reserve at Tharkad, would be mobilised to assist.”
“They have to react. If they don’t, they will allow the DCMS to overrun the heart of the Tamar region.” Said Colonel Ridzik in a voice full of self-assurance.
Angus accepted the Colonel’s point as he continued. “A point we all agree on. This brings us to Operation SHIRO. The DCMS plans a similar strike, based upon the original salient cutting concept that Duchess Liao produced last year, to cut off Galtor. As the Kanrei pointed out, as long as the strike is weighted from Galedon, the AFFS should shift to protect their spinward flank, especially if Wolf’s Dragoons are there in reserve. We cannot prevent the reinforcement of Robinson, but the plan to move the Dragoons rapidly towards Terra using a command circuit for the main invasion, should catch the AFFS by surprise.” The map jumped to Galtor at the Precentor’s command as he continued. “Using forces from Galtor and the Ryuken regiments, the DCMS will strike from Tripoli, Thestria and later from Misery to take Eldiere IV, Glenmora, Bergman’s Planet, Harrow’s Sun, Bennet III, Crossing, Lima, Royal and Breed. This will isolate the remaining six planets of the Galtor region for reduction as required.”
Moving the map again, the Precentor brought up the Capellan/FedSuns border in the St. Ives region. Candace got skewered by the penetrating look that the Precentor Martial had when directly engaging a person. It would have been unbalancing had Candace not been trained to deal with such situations. “Duchess Liao, your Operation WUHAN and Operation CANTON are designed to cut off the Kittery and Ziliang salients and were the catalyst for the other plans. I must again commend you on the simplicity and directness of your planning, it has allowed us to expand your concept to assist in other areas.” Candace nodded her thanks.
It is always nice to have one’s ass kissed in public. The Precentor Martial continued. “Initial strikes from St. Ives, Warlock, Teng, Mitchell and Jacson will land on Shoreham, Royalston, Happajarvi, Corella, Hadnall, Safe Port, Sirdar, Glentworth, Cotocallo and Courcellete to begin the isolation of the salients. Follow up strikes from St. Ives, Maladar, Texlos, and Xieng Khouang will complete the isolation and allow you to reduce the remaining eleven worlds at your leisure. Combined with the strike on Galtor, the AFFS will be forced to commit the bulk of its reserves if it wishes to have any real chance of stopping the assaults.”
“We can only hope the Fox sees the situation that way. He may well see our ruse and sacrifice the salients to protect his link with Terra.” Yorinaga stared at the projection before him as he spoke.
“We must therefore assure that our plan survives contact with him.” Said Thomas Marik.
“Yes, Captain-General, that we must. Which brings me to the final initial strike: The Free Worlds League’s Operation THRESHER. I must thank you Captain-General for allowing Thomas and I to modify the initial plan. Should the strikes through the border near Hyde have gone in, the reinforcements for the LCAF would have been too close to Terra for the second phase of attacks to have avoided them. The new plan is before you now.” The map zoomed to the part of the Free Worlds/Lyran border where it met the Periphery. “The strike will now be launched from four worlds and include forces to hold the first set of targets whilst the assault forces move onto their second objectives. The jump off worlds and their targets are; Galisteo-Pecander-Abramkovo, Griffith-Timbiqui-Zdice, Epsilon-Penobscot-Kamenz and Promised Land-Cavanaugh II-Bolan via the now abandoned Tylarzka system. This strike, with the one aimed at Tamar, will pull in many of the reserves that are close enough to influence any assault on the Skye region near Terra.”
Before continuing, the Precentor Martial looked around the table and saw that all the leaders were enthralled. “As these strikes begin in January 3025 and develop through to June, they will incorporate reserves that each of your enemies knows of from your own central reserve areas. The allocation of these units should convince them of the assaults validity. Once the F-C reserves are committed, the main assaults will commence in July of 3025 using the remaining forces the Combine can muster and the forces stripped from the Free Worlds/Capellan border. During this first phase, ComStar will begin the movement of our troops to the League/Capellan border and place transports in various systems to expedite ours and your own troop’s redeployment. This second phase will be the main focus of our discussions over the coming days. Does anyone have any questions?”
Janos Marik spoke up before the others had a chance. “We have been receiving supplies from ComStar at the rate specified, but have begun to note that the Lyrans and Davions have determined that our depots are full as we build new regiments. Your hand may soon be revealed. How will we counter this if the F-C Alliance strikes out against us early?”
Precentor Hamilton turned to Precentor Neville “Grahame, if you would be so kind.”
“Yes, Precentor Martial,” answered the naval Precentor, “My Pleasure. To ally your fears, Captain-General, each ship that leaves Terra does not go out full as it heads into your realms. The ships take a roundabout course and offload their cargos in unsettled systems to ships that then appear to move from the interior of your realms fully loaded. To all intents and purposes, the Steiners and Davions will come to the conclusion that you have increased your production bases. Any other conclusion, especially one involving our supply of your efforts, will seem too farfetched.”
Janos let a small smile creep onto his features. “A clever ruse. As long as the F-C powers do not begin a crash armaments industry expansion to compensate, we should be safe with your ploy for the short term.”
Candace eyes flickered across the group.
That’s all very well Marik, but what happens after the war? ComStar won’t support us once we get the upper hand. They will turn around and pull out the rugs from under all our feet. Father was too glib in his assessment of this plan, it all fits too well. I believe Yorinaga sees it and therefore so does Theodore. Pavel refuses to see a major problem and Thomas is too ComStar to question it. Janos’s reliance on his son has clouded his judgement. I have to plan more than just this war; I need to plan its aftermath. Romano must be the first obstacle removed. Perhaps a nice asylum on some half-forgotten world where the native predators are a little too free with the inmate’s mortal coil. Then there is father. What to do with you and this disgusting little Colonel you have saddled me with?The meeting dragged on as the conversation became more involved in specific details, all the while with twelve minds all working on many different levels.
