Skye Gardens, New Glasgow, Skye,
Federation of Skye, Lyran Commonwealth,
17 May, 3023.
Katrina Steiner stood upon the speaker’s platform that looked out across the enormous botanical gardens of New Glasgow, the capital of the world of Skye. The ancient plantings from many worlds, which created a large and most impressive avenue before her, provided her listeners shade from the hot noon sun, as well as giving her security detail fits, as they were forced to watch what they called too many dead spots and potential hides.
Katrina knew it was a calculated risk, yet by the day’s end, she hoped to be hailed as an Archon who backed her word and was a friend of Skye. No one, not the people gathered before her, not the commanders of the Skye Rangers, the nobles of Skye and most satisfactorily, Aldo Lestrade and Frederick Steiner, could oppose her for her actions this day. Lestrade, more than any other opponent in the Commonwealth, even Alessandro Steiner, was the bane of Katrina’s rule. The self-appointed leader of the disaffected Federation of Skye nobles had manipulated her cousin Frederick and many others into opposition through all kinds of propaganda, but it was all for his own power, not for the people of Skye as he claimed. Should Katrina fall, Frederick and Aldo would try to prevent her daughter Melissa ascending to the throne to ensure Frederick would become Archon. What Frederick failed to realise was that he would become Aldo’s puppet.
The surprise that was coming would be all the sweeter as Aldo, his crippled frame held in a pose of haughty contempt, and Frederick, ever the picture of military bearing, were on the platform with her. Their presence, along with many others of the Skye nobility, lent unknowing support to her plans for the day. Not all those behind her were against her however; General of the Armies, Edward Regis, his drawn face seemly as melancholy as ever; and Duchess of the planet of Skye Margret Aten, the dark skinned, forceful and forthright adopted daughter of the last Duke and Duchess, stood in full support of Katrina. Duchess Aten was a particularly valuable ally whose poor origins, radical social reforms and support of the Archon had caused an uproar in the upper classes of Skye.
Katrina breathed in deeply to bring her speech to its conclusion, the small light on the solid wooden podium before her blinking now, warning her that her surprise was only minutes away. “Long have I, and those who held the Archonship before me, been accused of ignoring the people of Skye. As Kurita and Marik march against your borders, as your worlds fall to foreigners, as your industries are broken and thrown down, as your sons and daughters are sent to distant fronts to fight for worlds they have never heard of and as your industrial and output and personal wealth are taken and taxed for the benefit for the rest of the Commonwealth, nothing is done for Skye. I have been accused of all these things, whilst doing nothing for Skye, whilst forgetting you, the people of Skye. This is an untruth of the highest order. Long have I thought of the people of Skye, as people of the Commonwealth, as those who it is my responsibility to protect, something I think on day and night. I know the importance of what you do for the future of all the Lyran peoples. Without Skye, we would not be Lyrans, yet without Donegal and Tamar, there would be no Skye.
I have long supported your new Duchess, Margaret Aten, in the program of social improvement for all those living in Skye. This program is one designed to benefit the many, not the few, the few who would seek to maintain their iron grip upon the wealth of Skye and prevent her people from gaining their fair share. It is these few who lead the calls against me, who seek to have the Commonwealth government driven from Skye for their own enrichment. I oppose these few, on your behalf, to help your Duchess make a better Skye for all.” Katrina could fell the platform begin to shake a little as her surprise approached. Now Frederick, Aldo, you will see my actions, actions you must support or ostracise yourself from the people you say you speak for. If only I could see your faces.
“To show the people of Skye that I can and will continue to make concrete actions to strengthen Skye against both internal and external threats, I present to you today the first of these.” Katrina outstretched her arms, forcing the crowed to turn. Arising over a hill at the rear of the gardens, along the wide granite paved road that ran straight to the podium, two BattleMechs, an Atlas and a new model Banshee, strode towards the platform, the area through the centre of the crowed cleared of onlookers preventing any chance of an accident. Both BattleMechs were painted in the colours of the Skye Rangers, red with black arms. For those with an eye for detail and the requisite knowledge, the trim colours of the two Mechs were highly unusual. The Atlas sported an iridescent emerald green trim, whilst the Banshee was trimmed with gleaming silver. Both wore the Steiner fist and the Skye Rangers emblem of the yellow sun breaking through white clouds. The Atlas also bore the personnel emblem of House McQuiston, the planet of Skye on a green shield, surrounded by seven white stars. The Banshee’s unique emblem was one of a BattleMech in the robes of a Templar Knight.
“Before you stand the first of two formations, long lost from the roles of the sworn defenders of the people of Skye; the Skye Rangers. The General of the Armies and I, have today signed the documents reincorporating the First and Second Skye Rangers.” The roar from the crowd was intense. It was like a wave that hit the podium as the crowed began screaming and cheering. It felt magnificent; it always did when a crowd cheered Katrina. It was addictive and today even more so. Aldo and Frederick would be forced to clap, support and toe the line. Any support they gave strengthened her, any opposition weakened them.
“The reformation of these two ancient regiments by the LCAF, at my express order, are meant to firstly assure the people of Skye that Tharkad has not and never will forget you; and to ensure that those who seek to injure Skye will have to do so against the best we, as Lyrans standing together, can offer.”
The crowed continued to cheer and holler as Katrina held her hands above her head for quiet. Although the crowed continued to murmur, the sound diminished to a level that she could be heard over. “This is not all, however, as the Commonwealth is more than just Skye. Next year, again at my order, the LCAF will reform the Tamar Tigers and the 2nd Brigade of Winfield’s Brigade, to show the same commitment and support to Tamar, that today I have shown for Skye.”
Katrina stood back from the podium as the crowed again cheered and yelled, turning to smile at the others on the platform and finally see the fixed, and no doubt agonised, smiles that Aldo and Frederick wore. Katrina bowed to the assembled nobles, who returned the gesture, some more deeply than others. Katrina then turned and descended from the steps, followed by General Regis and Duchess Aten and a swarm of LIC security agents. Katrina proceeded to walk along the barriers, greeting members of the crowed before getting into her hover limousine where Simon Johnson, head of the LIC, awaited her and her two companions.
Once all four were settled and the car, Johnson spoke. “An impressive performance Archon and one I am sure Dukes Lestrade and Steiner did not enjoy.”
“Thank you Simon. I must admit, it was the highlight of this tour to do so. I am sure there will be some opposition, but we can only gain from this.” She finished talking as she waved at the crowds as the limo moved past the massed onlookers.
“We also gain four combat commands in frontline regions over the next two years that will go some way to countermanding the expansion of the FWLM and DCMS.” Said the General in his low voice. “A way that will have general support from the people.”
Katrina nodded. “There is not much I can do beyond these two gestures, what with the expansion of the aerospace and conventional arms to meet the requirements of the new RCT program. We are going to be a little stretched for the next two years if we see major action. Which reminds me Simon, have you determined what is going on in the DCMS and FWLM?”
Johnson shook his head. “Not in the DCMS. However, my operatives in the FWLM have determined that despite the formation of three regiments early this year and three more scheduled for July, the FWLM depots are still full. This concerns us as either someone is supplying the League, they have managed to stockpile far more efficiently than anyone thought possible, or they have a new and unknown production capacity.”
Katarina looked grim. “Any of which is off extreme concern to the Lyran state. Spare no effort or resource. This now becomes a priority. We must know what our enemies are doing, or we will be caught flat footed when the time comes. We cannot match, even with our industrial output, the formation of six BattleMech regiments a year by the FWLM, let alone what the DCMS is producing.”
“It will be as you command Archon. I will see what I can work in with MIO and DMI as well, we need all the information we can get.”
Duchess Aten lent forward, a frown on her face. “I apologise for changing the topic Archon, but the two new regiments will soon be overrun by Sanglamore Academy graduates from here on Skye, many of whom will listen to Lestrade before you.”
Katrina smiled at her ally and placed her hand upon the other woman’s. “Thank you for your justifiable concern. I agree that these two regiments cannot become weapons for Lestrade. As part of their formation, and that of the Tigers and 2nd Winfield, each regiment will have a third of its people drawn from Donegal, Tamar and Skye, with the officers being handpicked by General Regis and Simon here. There will be little chance of using these units against us. I also intend to assign the 1st Rangers as your personal regiment, so you will have a hand in selecting its people. I want these regiments loyal to the Commonwealth and its people, not the nobles of Lestrade’s disaffected following.”
The Duchess nodded and smiled, “That will go some way to alleviating the problem, though I expect we will need to remain vigilant against the machinations of Lestrade and his agitators in the Skye Rangers?”
“Yes, Duchess, we will, as ever, but if the Dragon or the Eagle move, the Rangers will have far more to worry about than getting postings in the 1st and 2nd, as there will be holes enough in their own rosters at that point.”
Duchess Aten nodded sadly “That war could come all too soon, and cost many lives.”
“I expect it will.” Answered Katrina, “The build-up of our foes has been rapid and unexpected, and the placement of many of these new regiments can only be understood in the context of a planned invasion. Both Bolan and Tamar look to be the main concerns for us, but should both realms strike, then Skye too will be in danger. We are strong, but I am not sure if we will be strong enough to meet and drive off the combined forces of Marik and Kurita.”
