Fort Bourgogne, Marlette
Crucis March, Federated Suns
16 May 2779
Baltazar Liao had never seen one of the fabled Castles Brian that guarded the Terran Hegemony. It was extraordinary to think that they must be far more heavily fortified than Fort Bourgogne, which burrowed into the ground beneath the ring of surface defences.
His escort, in theory an honour guard but more likely to make sure he didn’t wander off and get lost in the tunnels, brought him through a bewildering maze to the command post. While he’d gone through passages narrow enough that only two men could go abreast, there must be larger routes since the post was a tower that stretched from the floor to the ceiling of a wider cavern, and a pair of BattleMechs stood guard on it. Granted, only thirty-ton UrbanMechs but anyone who came down here with dismounted infantry would find themselves faced with a dreadful challenge.
One of the ‘Mechs moved over and authenticated their credentials before the Confederation heir was allowed into the tower itself.
General Lucas’ office was mid-way up the tower, an unassuming room. Of course, it was a captured Federated Suns facility rather than a SLDF stronghold intended to house the Commanding General so allowances should be made.
“General Lucas,” he greeted the man. “May I present my mother’s compliments?”
Lucas gave him a thoughtful look. “Literal compliments?”
“More specifically, she has decided to ennoble you into the ranks of Capellan nobility,” Baltazar explained warmly. “The title of Mandrinn and some estates on Almach to be specific. A rare honour for someone born outside the Confederation.”
“Rare indeed. I am deeply honoured by the Chancellor’s regard, but I fear it would conflict with my duties as Commanding General to accept such a title and estate. Please assure her that declining these… compliments is in no sense a detriment to the regard in which I hold your lady mother.”
“Of course, General, I would not wish to place you in a difficult position and I am sure my mother will understand.” Also, he’d won five hundred dollars off his brother Barnabas who’d thought Lucas would accept the offer but not remain bought. Baltazar had had confidence that the Commanding General had learned a great deal of politics over the past few years.
Lucas gestured to the coffee table and the comfortable seats around it. Freshly brewed tea and coffee sat upon it. “I realise this hospitality can’t compare to that available on New Earth, but we can at least sit down.”
Accepting some of the green tea – something of a national stereotype, Baltazar admitted – the young lord took a seat. “While this may not quite be the frontlines, naturally the conditions on campaign lack a little of the comforts of home.”
“I imagine I’ll be moving forwards to Markesan before the end of the year,” Lucas confided. “May I hope that Capellan forces have been enjoying similar successes?”
Damn him, he knows. “Regrettably not. We have suffered an unfortunate reverse over Tikonov.”
“I heard that. I must say that I feel it was ill advised to make the attempt with so little escort.”
“We were led to believe that only one carrier group would be able to respond. The presence of the Prinz Eugen was outside of our calculations. And yet troops were landed successfully. The operation came closer to success than you might think.”
“In my experience, Lord Liao, the closer one feels one is to success then the higher losses are likely to be. Only actual victory can validate such a belief and the fact is that the troops landed on Tikograd were encircled and destroyed.”
Baltazar clenched his fist. “Had we had just a few more ships or regiments then we would have retaken the world – and secured your flank.” The Prinz Eugen, a Texas-class battleship, had made short work of CCAF destroyers and corvettes seeking to close with the carrier she was escorting, while the two Soyal class cruisers that might have equalled the fight had fallen prey to the fighters from that same carrier. Ironically, both the Eugen and the Renata Dokovic were ships provided to the FSN by the SLDF, if in different fashions.
“As the Laconians once told a Macedonian: if.” Lucas sipped on his own coffee. “What is it you want of me, Lord Liao?”
“We are mustering our forces for a second liberation force of Tikonov. Doubtless Davion’s spies will have told him of this, but he would not expect it if you were to reinforce our own with a second task force. I know that you have a fresh reserve of soldiers – the four Corps of the Sixteenth Army that have withdrawn from the Free Worlds League.”
“Those Corps are heavily understrength,” Lucas pointed out. “And I need them as reinforcements for my own operations.”
“But if the SLDF worked with us, the threat from Tikonov would let you draw down the garrisons on your flank and -”
“By God, you are shameless!” the general exclaimed, putting his coffee mug down firmly. “Do you forget already that General al-Tarawneh committed all that remained of V Corps to your attack on Tikonov. Not one of those three divisions managed to escape!”
“Sir,” Baltazar pointed out. “If we do not take Tikonov then the brave General and his people died for nothing.”
“That is much my opinion already. No, I will not send more SLDF forces to the Confederation so your recruiters can subvert them. I’m sure I’m not the only officer who’s been offered titles and estates by the Chancellor, so many have left the ranks to take Capellan service. General Ros has informed me that she’s having to consolidate the remaining forces of the Eighteenth Army into a single Corps to make good their losses in that regard.”
“I regret to suggest this of the general, sir, but having served so long in the Free Worlds League it’s possible a certain antipathy to the Confederation has crept into her view. We have sincerely welcomed your weary veterans to our worlds and there can surely be nothing sinister that some have chosen to retire.”
“You don’t know General Ros very well if you think she’s fond of the League. I remember hearing stories of how her division had to all but scavenge for supplies when they were stationed on Irian, the Mariks all but strangling their supply lines through legal dodges – Irian, one of the largest sources of military supplies in the Free Worlds League! I can assure you that the Federated Suns never treated our soldiers as shabbily.”
Lucas rose to his feet. “No, Lord Liao. If you can persuade General Ros to support your operations further then I will not second-guess her decisions. But I will not force her to join in if she feels your preparations will be as inadequate as they must have been in the previous operation.”
Baltazar bit back his first response and took a deep breath. “If that is your final decision, then I have no choice but to accept it. I hope that your continued operations will indeed bring us victory over the Federated Suns.”
“And I hope that your own operations find some success,” conceded Lucas. “Or at least can avoid the mistakes made by House Kurita.”
“I can assure you we have no intention of causing such atrocities, even were we not fighting for one of our own worlds.” Damn Kurita, his idiocy had soured relationships between the SLDF and all the House Militaries, despite the fact that only the DCMS had been so savage as to actually turn on civilians.
“I’m pleased to hear your commitment to that,” the Commanding General agreed. “Only the Hegemony Armed Forces have thus far taken such a stance.”
Baltazar paused. “Lord Marik and Lord Steiner have not?”
“They have not. I would hesitate to express an opinion as to why.”
Marik is too proud and Steiner too paranoid, the younger man thought. “I suppose it would be impolitic of me to speculate. Thank you for your time, General. I appreciate you’re busy so with your permission I’ll discuss the other matters I came here for, the munitions contracts that have been offered, with your logistics staff directly.”
.o0O0o.
Huston, Robinson
Draconis March, Federated Suns
5 June 2779
It would be easy for Jack to throw himself into the reconstruction of Canaan. To spend his time helping Susan Sandoval to put her world back in order. There were refugees seeking to return to homes that might not exist and tens of thousands of bereaved who wanted – needed – to know that their suffering had not been forgotten. He’d spent more than a month coordinating recovery efforts as it was, while the new leadership of the Draconis March settled into their roles.
But there was also the wider Federated Suns to think about, as Hanse reminded him. The news from the Crucis March wasn’t getting any better. If Markesan fell to the SLDF then they’d be almost as close to New Avalon as the DCMS had been at the height of the First Succession War – and while it had taken Jinjiro more than a decade in that history, Jack Lucas had managed it with the SLDF in less than two years.
“I hope your plan works, sire.” Thomas-Green Davion had arrived two days before, two days mostly spent introducing him – or reintroducing him – to the people he’d be working with. Of course, having served in the War of Davion Succession and holding an estate on the border he wasn’t a stranger to the Draconis March but now he would be heading their government, second only to the First Prince in his civil authority over more than a hundred worlds. “There’s only so much our soldiers can offer and casualties are beginning to rise.”
John swirled the dregs around the bottom of his glass. “It’s a gamble. If the special units perform as expected then we have a good chance. Francesca Reznick confirms that the cracks are there – hit them hard enough and it all comes apart.”
“Strange to be on this side of the issue. Ten years ago, we were trying to save the Star League and now…”
“The irony is enough to choke me sometimes.” John set the glass down. “Nicoletta Calderon seems to appreciate it, to judge by the diplomatic correspondence I get from the Taurians.”
Thomas reached over to the decanter and offered his cousin a refill. “What did that bitter old viper have to say?”
“She asked how my feet felt, being crammed into her shoes.” He declined and reached for the water jug instead. He’d be leaving in the morning and taking off with a hangover didn’t sound like a great idea. Alternating water with the brandy should spare him the worst of it.
“What did you say?”
“That I was doing this for my people’s sake and she’d done it for Amaris’ sake.”
Thomas had just sipped on his own brandy and his eyes went wide, manfully trying not to spit it over the table. He coughed and hammered on his chest with the heel of one hand. “You didn’t!”
“No, but it was tempting.” John sat back. “I just ignored it. Let her think what she likes.”
“Long may she reign. I’ve met her son Semyon and he’s not even half as intelligent.” The older man set his half-finished glass down and took a fresh glass to fill with cold water. “Dammit John, I almost did myself an injury there. And wasted some very good brandy.” He sipped. “Hell, she’s twenty years younger than I am. What am I worried about?”
“Are you feeling them?”
“More and more. I can handle this for a few more years but I don’t think I could take a battlefield command again.”
John nodded. “Susan seems like safe hands for the military side of things. And I can only stall a few years before the High Council confirms her brother as Minister – they’re not happy with the precedent but none of them want to have to explain to Edwina why they’re siding with someone who tried to strangle Joshua.”
Thomas grunted. “Is that why you’re out here and not on New Avalon? She’s not going to be happy with you, either.”
“I’d rather get that over with. It’s not as if she’s got no right to be angry.” He sipped on the water again. “Hopefully the Combine’s in such confusion that they’ll be out of the war for the immediate future.”
“Retaking Marduk will finish pushing them back across the border. Are you sure Mark’s ready for the responsibility? There are SLDF troops there as of the last report.”
John nodded. “That’s why I sent him with the Davion Guards – with a couple of years as the liaison to Kerensky he’s had more contact with Fifteenth Army than most of my officers have. And if they want a fight the Guards are the best equipped to handle them.”
“Carrot and stick.”
“It’s old but it -”
Both men turned to the door as someone knocked on it. Unless it was urgent or very important, no one should be interrupting them. John saw Hanse walk through the door, face twisted into an amused smile. Not bad news then, or at least not for us.
“Come in,” John called and the door opened to reveal Susan Sandoval.
“Sire, sorry to interrupt your drinking.”
“Take the weight off your feet,” Thomas offered, gesturing to a free chair and pouring two fingers of brandy into another glass. “Whatever it is, the Prince won’t actually bite your head off.”
John rolled his eyes. “We’ll probably be working together for years, Field Marshal Sandoval. I don’t insist on formality in private.”
She closed the door behind her. “I’m not entirely sure what to make of the news we’ve just had sir, but it seemed like something you’d want to know right away.” She accepted the glass and sat down.
“Well don’t keep me on tenterhooks.”
“Several SLDF warships jumped into Hoff’s star system earlier today. To be more specific, five SLDF warships and one DCA ship, DCS Trondheim.”
John frowned. “An invasion force?”
“No, sir. Although there was more than a brigade of combat troops and most of a division’s support staff in dropships with them.” Susan sniffed the brandy and then sipped cautiously. “They offered their surrender, sir. From what they say – and the local commander believes them – they had to fight their way out of the Combine.”
“Fight their way out?”
She nodded earnestly. “They claim to be what’s left of the 311th BattleMech Division and their transports.”
“I thought they were with Eighteenth Army,” Thomas said in surprise. “Shouldn’t they be in Capellan space?”
“Their corps was reassigned to the Fifteenth Army after Terra was liberated,” John told him. “What the hell’s going on?”
“They were apparently on their way to Iijima, sir.”
“That’s deep inside the Combine. Why were they headed there and what took them to Hoff instead?”
“To the first question, sir, General Nakazono has apparently ordered the Fifteenth to regroup with a view to removing House Kurita. He wasn’t at all happy about what happened here.”
“Could that work?” Thomas asked. “An SLDF army would cut through the DCMS -”
John shook his head. “A pre-war army, yes, but he has three understrength Corps and they’re scattered across four hundred light years.”
Susan nodded. “Apparently, they were ambushed on the way by a squadron of DCA warships, including one of their cruisers refitted as a carrier. All that got away was one troop cruiser and a handful of escorts.”
“How did they get a DCA warship with them? Pursuit?”
“No, apparently Captain Matsui and his crew were broadly in agreement with General Nakazono and in dock when they heard the news. They smuggled their families aboard and threw in with the 311th, but after the bulk of their escort was wiped out they decided it was safer to take refuge in the Suns.”
“If Kurita’s started shooting at the SLDF… Lucas might take that badly.”
“Technically they’re mutineers,” John said slowly. “But even so…” He frowned in thought.
Hanse nodded eagerly. “The DCMS are demoralised and have to focus on stopping Nakazono. This is our chance to finish this front of the war off.”
“I don’t think they’re going to collapse,” John told Susan, “But it means we’ve got a very good chance of getting our occupied worlds back and securing our grip around Proserpina. I can’t give you the resources for more than that…”
Susan raised her glass. “That’s more than enough sir. Confusion to the Dracs!”
“I’ll drink to that,” said Hanse, although he was the only one who couldn’t and didn’t.
.o0O0o.
Imperial City, Luthien
Pesht District, Draconis Combine
16 June 2779
The holograms around Zabu Kurita showed him the magnificence of the Star League Council’s chamber, with its marble floor and columned walls. Yet those who sat at the table were curiously shrunken in comparison to its grandeur.
Including himself, only five sat at the table, which should have held ten. Captain-General Kenyon Marik was to Zabu’s left, then Director-General James McEvedy followed by Chancellor Barbara Liao and then Archon Robert Steiner. Although the Star League still claimed the fealty of the Rim Worlds, their Protector’s image wasn’t displayed in their customary seat.
“Welcome, Coordinator,” Chancellor Liao greeted him. She was of his mother’s generation and had led the Capellan Confederation since he was a small child. “There was concern that you might not attend this meeting.”
He inclined his head sufficiently to indicate humility, though not submission. He was junior here in both years and experience. “Your concern is kind but unnecessary. The Draconis Combine’s commitment to the Star League has not wavered with my accession to the Dragon Throne.” He turned to look across the table. “Are we awaiting Protector Kerensky?”
“We are not,” Robert Steiner grated. “He has no vote here, this council is for the Star League’s member states.”
“And yet he remains loyal, as others have not,” pointed out McEvedy. “Though they are a territory, the Rim Worlds should have a voice here.”
It had the air of a tired argument that the others had heard before. Liao raised her hand. “Gentlemen. Let us not bicker and instead put this to a vote. A vote of aye to approve the Protector’s participation and a vote of nay to oppose it. Your votes?”
“Nay,” said Steiner immediately and Marik was only a breath behind.
McEvedy voted “Aye” and looked to Zabu.
The young man considered the question. Honour should be granted to the general who had rid the universe of Amaris, a man his father and grandfather had respected. And yet, if Kerensky were to condemn the actions of Zabu’s father then James McEvedy – and worse, the SLDF’s current commander Jack Lucas – might be inclined to give support to Nakazono’s forces. “Let us not disturb the General’s retirement unless he is specifically needed,” he counselled. “The Combine votes nay.”
“Three votes of nay, the motion fails,” Liao concluded without casting her own vote.
Both Steiner and Marik seemed to relax. Not unpredictable, given their histories with Aleksandr Kerensky, thought Zabu. And HPG communication to the Rim Worlds must inevitably pass through the Lyran Commonwealth so I suspect that if we had invited him, technical difficulties would have ensued.
McEvedy opened the folder in front of him. “I believe our first topic today is a complaint made by Minister Blake. Coordinator, there have been reports of interference in the Ministry of Communications’ operations in the Draconis Combine.”
“Yes, there have been some distressing terrorist actions which we believe have been sponsored by House Davion.” Which was true, but nothing to do with the question that had been asked. Factories on Alshain and New Oslo had been seriously damaged with so-called ‘suitcase nukes’, which would slow the production of Alshain Weapons’ Panther BattleMech to a trickle. “The DCMS and SLDF units have moved to secure the HPG stations against future attacks and technical personnel are assisting Minister Blake’s people, such that I am able to attend this meeting. Normal service should, I am told, resume within a month or two.”
“Do you have specifics on the attacks?” asked Liao. “It would be concerning if we were to face similar terrorist activity.”
“I would have thought Minister Blake would have provided the details,” Zabu deflected. “The most distressing was Iijima of course, where the station was completely destroyed. If the Minister hasn’t informed you then my staff will send you all the data.” All of which would support his position, as the Voice of the Dragon did from within the media.
McEvedy narrowed his eyes. “And what of the reports that General Nakazono’s Fifteenth Army has been fired upon by the DCMS?”
“I hadn’t realised that I was to face an inquisition as to the internal affairs of my realm,” replied Zabu coolly. “There have unfortunately been elements of the Fifteenth Army who, like the Fourth and Sixth Armies two years ago, who have mutinied and offered their services to House Davion. Naturally loyal forces have moved to disarm the units in question and to establish which of their personnel are traitors and which simply saw no choice but to go along with the comrades around them.”
“Why haven’t we heard from Nakazono then?” asked Steiner.
“I couldn’t say, I’d assumed he was reporting directly to General Lucas. I know the General was relocating his headquarters when the HPG net was disrupted and we haven’t had further communications. I’ve been anticipating further contact, I hope he hasn’t encountered Davion raiders.” That would in fact be massively inconvenient. If General Nakazono started coordinating his campaign with the AFFS then both Benjamin and Galedon Districts would be in grave danger.
“He should hope not,” Steiner conceded gruffly. “One of his damn carrier groups made it as far as New Kyoto two weeks ago. How many of those things does he have?”
“Rather more than we had expected – but surely it must have been well defended, that’s one of your major shipyards, isn’t it?” noted Liao.
“They slipped in via a non-standard jump point – a carrier and two Aegis-class escorts and launched a long-range fighter strike.” Steiner grimaced. “The defenders took out almost all of the fighters but one of them caught a battlecruiser re-fuelling. Four thousand tons of hydrogen were released right as oxygen from the Invincible and its dock was leaking into the same space.”
“That must be terrible,” Marik said with what almost seemed like sympathy. “I hope casualties weren’t heavy – we lost thousands of people when his saboteurs attacked our SelaSys yards.”
“Heavy enough. It’ll be six months before Invincible is fit for service again and two slips need complete reconstruction.”
“Did you manage to catch the task force responsible?” asked McEvedy. “If they try to cross the Hegemony we might be able to catch them on their way home.”
“Two cruisers traced the fighters’ route back to the jump point but they were only in time to see the escorts jumping out,” Steiner replied bitterly.
Zabu leant back in his chair. “We’ve long believed that John Davion used the construction of the Boeing Megaplex at Galax to cover for the creation of a hidden shipyard deep inside the Crucis March. If that’s true then it’s hard to have a definite idea of how many warships he may have been building over the last few years.”
Liao nodded in agreement. “With the refit programme he was running and supporting SLDF maintenance requirements from his shipyards, he’s certainly added more ships – and new ships at that - than we can account for out of the three publicly known yards. A fourth shipyard would make the most sense.”
“Alas, in almost fifteen years of searching we haven’t managed to pin down a location for it.” The young coordinator steepled his fingers. “Of course, we know where his other three yards are. It’s unfortunate that with the loss of further warships around Robinson I can’t spare the ships from my realm’s defences to launch the sort of deep strike needed at this time.”
“We’ve also taken losses at Tikonov of late,” Liao murmured. “Still, perhaps with SLDF support something can be arranged. The McKenna yards at Kathil are only a few jumps from Capellan worlds.”
