48 - Homecoming
The Triad
Tharkad City, Bremen Continent
Tharkad, Donegal Province
Lyran Commonwealth
14 April 3143
The familiar snowy environs and icy air greeted Trillian upon her disembarking from the Eisenberg. She drew in a breath of the cool air with relish, a momentary delight before the dangerous business that was about to unfold. Vedet and Maurer are waiting.
She had quite the assemblage behind her. Roderick Steiner, Jasek Kelswa-Steiner, Martin Kell and his daughter Callandre, Patrik Fetladral, Hiram Brewer, Julian Davion, and Sandra Fenlon. They had, between them, command of five regiments of BattleMechs already on or over Tharkad, many more that were elsewhere and vital to the Commonwealth's defense, and the connections to command the loyalties of at least half the other units already on Tharkad. I should not need raw military power at my back; and I certainly hope I don’t have to call in the Davion Guards. Not with what I have in my briefcase. But it will at least be a helpful reminder to Maurer and his people that they do not have a monopoly on military power, if they are resistant.
A transport VTOL from the First Royal Guards picked them up right beside the DropPad and headed towards the Palace. The view from the air struck a memory in Trillian, as she'd taken about this same route when leaving Tharkad nearly two years ago. Back then it all felt so hopeless. The Falcons were rampaging, the Wolves were preparing to leap again despite Anastasia Kerensky's counterattacks, and Vedet and the LCAF Command Staff were unassailable. If not for a miracle, where would the Commonwealth be? Where would we all be? Would we even now be facing Seth Ward and Alaric on one side and Malvina Hazen on the other, the Kell Hounds long dead, and Anastasia lost as well? Would we have even a shred of hope left? She felt a pang of deep pity for that other, hypothetical Trillian facing that terrible scenario.
"We've got the Royal Guards’ support, Lady Trillian, I can promise you that," Roderick assured her. "And my Strikers and the Stormhammers are ready for trouble."
"It shouldn't come to that." God help us, it won't.
They landed at the helipad and entered the Triad proper. Technically they had escorts, more First Royal Guard infantry, but Trillian had no need or desire for them. She knew the way by heart.
She found the Command Staff gathered in the Situation Room, seated at a round table with Vedet to one side and Maurer across. Around them lower-ranked analysts and technical officers maintained the holo-projector displaying the map of the Lyran Commonwealth. Their map reflected the one Roderick showed to her. Thuban and Smolnik were lost, the survivors from those worlds still burning in. Tetersen and Gibbs flashed red, indicating Wolf attacks reported, but no confirmation as to if they were raids or attempts at conquest. The Eleventh Lyran Regulars and Eighth Donegal Guards were on those worlds, or rather, their survivors were, and given their status they might already be destroyed or burning for Tharkad.
It was sobering to see everything claimed in Wolf amber and Jade Falcon emerald, with a few burning light red spots to note the Horses' captured worlds. The latter two had at least not grown much, thanks to the confusion to their offensive brought by Malvina's fall and the failed second attack on Timkovichi, which still burned defiantly blue on the holo. The amber, however, was frustratingly large. Dar-es-Salaam Theater was gone, indeed, virtually everything between Hesperus and Bolan had fallen to the Wolves, and a few of the worlds on the exterior of this bulge into the Commonwealth flashed red; the Wolves' secondary strikes, no doubt, or at least reported ones. We should be lucky if those forces are there, as they're not coming here. Given how many worlds were lost or being attacked that were within a jump of Tharkad, there was no denying they were almost out of time. Any week now the Wolves might come.
"Lady Trillian." Maurer called out to her, drawing the attention of his peers and Vedet. Vedet, of course, was dressed in the Archon's military uniform, as befitting his ego. He appraised her and those with her with suspicion. Anastasia's loss has weakened his position. He's right to be afraid, she thought, while Maurer bowed his head slightly. "Welcome home, my Lady. You reported success?"
"Yes."
"Success in what, besides gathering what looks like an impressive following of your own?" Vedet asked. She saw his eyes tighten with fury, undoubtedly at seeing his healed cousin Hiram among her entourage. "We face imminent attack by the Wolves and you seem more interested in displaying your influence and reminding us of your disloyalty to the Commonwealth's government."
He thinks I may be here to remove him by force. He is not entirely wrong. "I am loyal to the Commonwealth, as always, and I come bearing the fruits of my journey through the Glass." She set the briefcase on the table. The click of the main lock filled the room. She opened it, drew out four portfolio folders in turn, and handed one to the nearest general. "I have here the alliance treaties signed with our neighbors on the other side, as well as the pledges of support and aid they have given to us to see the Clans driven from the Commonwealth. Indeed, as we speak, High King Nathaniel Proctor of the Arcadians is leading his army to the defense of Tharkad. He's bringing at least a dozen BattleMech regiments and supporting brigades, many near or equal to full-sized RCTs with significant amounts of Clan-equivalent weapons and technology."
That got everyone's attention.
While the portfolio folders moved on, providing copies to every member of the Staff and Vedet, Trillian continued. "If we can hold out but a little longer, our allies will help us push the enemy back across the border. Until then, I have gathered what forces I can from the Falcon front, where a truce negotiated by the late Galaxy Commander Chistu is now in place."
"We heard she was killed in the duel resulting from our agreement," Maurer said. "Analysts believe this will ensure that Malvina Hazen's followers seize further control of the Falcons. They may abrogate the truce. You risk us losing ground there."
"It is not a severe risk. The Arcadians have increased their garrison at Timkovichi and assigned a battle fleet there, with a two million ton WarShip leading the defense. Besides, the Falcons, as my documentation will show you, will have other concerns, as the other allies we have gained are not beholden to Chistu's truce."
"I do not know if I like being aligned to these social revolutionaries on the other side's Sudeten," one general growled. "By the reports they execute nobles by guillotine, very barbaric."
"Given my examination of the other Inner Sphere's history, that is most likely a myth. And even if true, I suspect that was over a hundred years ago. Nor do we have the luxury of being picky." Trillian put a slight emphasis on the last part of her reply.
The Arcadian treaty was now spread about to everyone, and the others were making their rounds, along with Trillian's data on their force strengths and the forces they were due to bring through the Glass. The expressions on every face grew lighter as every line was covered and the committed force projections read. These were drowning men and women, and Trillian had just pulled over life preservers to keep them above water.
"What is this treason?!"
Ah, he found it. Trillian turned her head and grinned at the livid expression on Vedet's face. Even with his dark skin tone he looked like he might yet turn purple with the blood rushing to his cheeks. "Lord Vedet?" she asked politely.
He cast an accusing finger at her. "These treaties are useless!" he screamed. "You signed them in Melissa's name, not mine!"
"Ah, yes." She nodded, her grin becoming a wide smile. "I did, I suppose." She glanced to Maurer, who was likewise very focused on her now, though he seemed frozen in place more than angry. The other generals were all scanning the bottom sheet of the treaties and confirming the signatures, after which they lifted their heads to face her. "Yes, I signed them in the name of Archon Melissa. I could say it was to keep the cover that the Command Staff here created, claiming you a temporary fill in, but why bother when the truth is plain? You are an usurper, Vedet, not the rightful Archon, which is why General Maurer and those present hid the truth from the Lyran people. So yes, I signed these treaties in Melissa's name, and only she, properly restored, can ratify them."
"So this is all a power play!" Vedet shouted. "This was all to unseat me!"
"No, this was to save the Commonwealth." With savage relish she immediately added, "Throwing your ass out of the throne you stole is an added benefit."
"Guards! Guards, seize the traitor!" Vedet cried, pointing a finger at her. "Trillian Steiner-Davion, you are under arrest for treason against the throne!"
"Son, don't," Roderick said, very calmly, to the one guard who'd started forward. "Just don't."
"The Royal Guards have had just about enough of your treason, Vedet," Jasek added, smiling a hard, feral smile. "You try to stop us restoring the rightful Archon, then they're going to come in shooting; so will my Stormhammers and Roderick’s Strikers."
"Gentlemen, please." Trillian held her arm up, as if to hold them back. The soldiers in the room, despite the bellowing, weren't moving a muscle.
"Hiram! Hiram, call forth the Hesperan Guards!" Vedet shouted, now facing his nephew. "Defend my throne!"
"I'm sorry, Uncle, but no," Hiram Brewer replied. "This has to end, here and now. And the fact of it is," his voice turned colder, "you've screwed this up even worse than Melissa did. I'm not killing more good men and women for the sake of your greed."
"Damn you! Damn you all!" Vedet turned his furious, crazed face on Maurer. "Dammit man, you're in charge of the LCAF, order these men to support the throne, to support me!"
Maurer drew in a breath. "Well played, Lady Trillian. Superbly played." He nodded towards her as a defeated chessmaster might towards his victorious opponent before turning his eyes to Vedet. "She has cornered us, Lord Vedet. These treaties are in Melissa's name. Only she, as Archon, can ratify them. Without her, they are null and void, and the Commonwealth—" he tilted his head towards the looming holomap and the amber mass grasping at Tharkad "—is doomed."
Vedet's fists pounded on the table. "Damn you, damn you Maurer, you put me here, put my neck on the line, and now you leave me to hang?!"
"He certainly put my neck on a line, or rather, a wire," Trillian remarked flippantly, crossing her arms. Noting she had the Leutnant-General's attention again, she glanced his way and added, "Leutnant McCarter sends her regards, General."
His lips thinned. "Ah. Well. I suppose she interpreted my orders rather stringently, I would have honestly preferred her not make such a try given how matters developed. It would appear your fortune in surviving is our fortune."
Vedet kept his head moving, looking from general to general, but finding no support amongst them. "No," he sputtered. "No, I will not stand for this! I am Archon damn you!"
"Not anymore," Maurer said. "For the future of the Commonwealth, we must accept what has occurred." He turned his head. "General Matthias, please, have Archon Melissa brought to us. Guards, do not allow Lord Vedet to leave this room, we can't afford him doing something unfortunate."
Now fear formed on Vedet's face, fear and shock and fury all mingled together in his features. As if he were not already losing the war, but only now does he look defeated, Trillian thought. "I suppose we should see about refreshments, then, as I imagine it will take some time to recover the Archon from wherever your placed her?"
"Not as long as you think, Lady Trillian." Maurer returned to reading the finer points on the various treaties.
"Well, now what could that mean?" Jasek asked. "You don't suppose they kept her here, don't you?"
Trillian didn't answer. The answer came not ten minutes later, when the far doors opened and General Matthias entered, Melissa at his side. She was in the Triad this whole time. Vedet never knew. She saw the surprise briefly break through on his face, followed by yet more fury tinged with fear. They didn't invest in you as strongly as you'd thought, did they, Vedet?
She returned her eyes to her cousin, taking in her appearance. Many years had passed since Trillian last saw Melissa. Those years had not been kind to her. Crow's feet were starting to form on the corners of Melissa's eyes. She'd lost some weight in confinement, and her court dress was both new and plainer than it might've been; clearly she'd dressed in the space of a minute or two. The old arrogant haughtiness was gone.
Not that she was broken. A certain cold fire burned in Melissa's eyes. Nor had she been denied the symbols of her rank. Over the heart she wore the Steiner fist on a gilded badge, and one of the Archon's tiaras rested on her brow, holding her locks of blond hair in place. Her eyes passed over the assembled before glancing at the holomap. The sight made her pale a little, but she quickly recovered and finished walking the distance to the table.
Trillian stepped around the table and knelt down onto one knee, as did most of those who came; Patrik, as usual, was the exception. The generals at the table, and all the occupants of the room, did likewise, until Vedet was the only non-Clansman not on a knee. Fear and fury mingled on his face as he kept his eyes on Melissa, as if he might stab her with his glare.
"Rise," Melissa ordered. They all obeyed. She smiled at Trillian. "A moment, please, while I attend to this." The smile disappeared from her face, and her eyes fixed on Maurer. "General Maurer, I see you have repented of your treason?"
"I offer my resignation, and submission to your judgment, Your Highness," Maurer said, with the air of a man ready to face the firing squad. "I removed you for the sake of the Commonwealth, and for that same reason, I restore you to your place."
"No." Melissa shook her head. "No, you aren't going to get off that lightly, Maurer." She gestured towards the holomap. "The war goes badly. And if I'm stuck trying to fix the mess we've made of the Commonwealth, so are you."
Now her eyes turned to Vedet. There’s an old saying, Trillian thought as she followed that look, that you should never do an enemy a small injury. In this case, the definition of small is leave alive, Vedet. "As for you, Lord Vedet, what am I to do with you? I am inclined towards putting a noose on your throat."
"You wouldn't dare," he snarled, though his voice shook. "Defiance would shut down all of our plants in protest. The LCAF would starve for the war machines my family provides. Nor can you admit weakness like that. To tell the people the truth would admit your overthrow, and I am not the only one who thought you unfit to rule. Others will challenge you."
"Perhaps, perhaps not." She grinned coldly at him. "Your nephew seems a loyal man. Lord Hiram?"
"I will follow the legitimate Archon, as will my forces, and the First Hesperan Guards."
"You are not their commander!" Vedet spat. "They are my troops."
"They are House Brewer's troops, Uncle, and they've seen how inept a leader you are," Hiram retorted.
"Nor am I very weak, given the allies my cousin has secured for the Commonwealth," Melissa said, noting the paperwork, and presumably briefed by General Matthias on her way to the Situation Room. "But for what it's worth, I do wish to preserve the illusion of a united front amongst us, for the sake of the Commonwealth's morale."
"The Arcadians are aware of what happened," Trillian said. "Though they have kept the secret."
"I will thank them for that, then, and plead they keep it a while longer." Melissa looked thoughtful for a moment. "Where to begin? Ah, yes. Lord Vedet, as of now, you are done when it comes to Defiance Industries. Lord Hiram, I trust your family can put someone more loyal in charge?"
"We can, Archon."
Vedet flashed an outraged glare towards Hiram, but he was answered only with a defiant glare in reply. Melissa, for her part, continued. "Defiance is vital to our war effort, and you will not be interfering in it. And while exiling you appeals, it may be a bit too merciful. And too premature, given the dangers to our morale you pose. No. I think I shall have you as my guest, Lord Vedet, until such a time as I decide whether or not to fit your neck for a noose after all." She nodded to the guardsmen present. "Guards, General Matthias, see my new guest to his rooms. I believe my former quarters will suffice. Have palace staff move my things out and bring his in."
"Yes, Your Highness," Matthias said, gesturing to the armored soldiers. They moved forward and flanked Vedet.
"I will make you regret this, Melissa."
"I have many things to regret, Vedet, but my sole one in respect of you is that I did not see what you were sooner. Now," she gestured to the guards, "take him away."
One of the soldiers put a hand on Vedet's arm. He turned, moving under his own power if just to avoid the indignity of being dragged away.
Melissa, for her part, lowered herself into the chair Vedet vacated. Her eyes glanced over the four treaties laid before her. "Ah. Lady Trillian. We will have to talk privately later. I heard of this strange portal, this 'Looking Glass', and I'm curious as to what it was like on the other side. But first, I need a pen, and you need a chair. While we are not in a position to decline these agreements, only a fool signs a contract before at least checking the terms."
"It will be my pleasure to advise you, Your Highness," Trillian replied. Another of the generals, taking the hint given Melissa's eyes turning on her, removed themselves, allowing Trillian to sit beside her. Other chairs were drawn up for those Trillian came with.
And a very short time later, Melissa Steiner's signature was in place. The Lyran Commonwealth was formally allied to the powers beyond the Glass.
Trillian found her old set of suites prepared for her, as if she'd left them just the other day. Taking up a corner of the Steiner family's traditional residences in the Triad, it was a home she had good reason to doubt returning to. Everything is as I left it, she thought, journeying past the desk where, a lifetime ago, she'd poured over course materials while earning her degrees from Tharkad University. From there to here. I return with what may be the most important treaties the Lyran Commonwealth ever negotiated. They cost much, but they are our salvation.
She walked over to the liquor cabinet and pulled a bottle of brandy and a glass out. The dark red fluid within sloshed into the glass, and the first drink burned its merry path down her throat. Outside she heard a faint roar and glanced out to see a DropShip taking off. Troops being re-deployed on-planet, she realized. For when the Wolves come.
A knock filled the room. "Come in," she called out, taking a second glass to fill.. She didn't need to turn to know who'd come.
The door opened. After several soft footsteps against the hardwood floor of the entranceway to the suite, her cousin spoke. "Trillian."
"Melissa." Trillian refilled her glass and set the bottle down, pressing the stopper back on. She took the glasses and walked to where her cousin was waiting, handing her the one she'd freshly poured. As soon as Melissa held the glass Trillian brought her own up to her chin. "To your restoration."
"To your return."
They each took a drink before journeying to the plush chairs in the middle of the parlor, where they set their glasses on the coffee table between them. "What you've done, Trillian, is one of the greatest services anyone has done an Archon," Melissa said. "Thank you for keeping faith in me, though I recognize I didn't deserve it."
"You're the rightful ruler," Trillian said. "Whatever your choices, that hadn't changed, and Vedet was certainly not the man to take your job."
"I've no doubt Maurer only picked him because you were too loyal, as was Roderick, and Jasek showed no signs of interest." Melissa sipped at the brandy. She hadn't changed clothes since their initial reunion early that day. Now she looked even more fatigued, undoubtedly from handling a fresh load of state duties after the treaties were signed and she'd returned to her rightful office. Given Trillian spent the time seeing to Julian Davion's arrangements and handling where the First Davion Guards would be billetted, she sympathized. "I am pleasantly surprised I am not dead yet. I expected Maurer to have me killed at some point."
"Vedet may have wanted you dead, but Maurer needed you alive as a way to keep Vedet under control."
"He should have known better, Vedet is a snake, and I haven't had him shot only because it really would disrupt too much. Nor can I afford to alienate Defiance Industries, even if Hiram's loyalty is true." Melissa took another drink, a deeper one. "I've had a long time to think, Trillian, so let me get this out of the way. I owe you an apology. You warned me, repeatedly, of the dangers of my plans, and instead of heeding you I belittled you, even threatened you."
"You did," Trillian said simply, recalling those tense conversations and the accusation of disloyalty. Even now, it still stung, though years old. "But apology accepted, cousin."
"I also owe you thanks," Melissa continued. "Your initiative once you learned of the Glass was beyond commendable. I will reward you, Trillian, and no, you are not wriggling out of it. You're getting a title. Maybe a world too, we still have some to give out. It's the least you deserve for bringing us these needed allies, and securing their support."
"I can't easily refuse an award, but I feel I should insist you hold off until we actually survive this. The Wolves might still beat our allies here, despite Jasek and Julian's success on Gallery. And with so much loss of confidence in our government, in our House, I'm afraid the fall of Tharkad will mean the end of the Commonwealth."
To her surprise, that triggered an outburst. "I'm such a damned fool!" Melissa set the brandy down and clasped her hands into fists. "Maurer was right that I chose poorly, and I've brought the Commonwealth to the brink of ruin. I should have never trusted the damned Clanners, or gotten mixed up trying to buy out ComStar. As things are, the only reason it is not worse is because of the Glass. If not for the other Inner Sphere and their intervention, we would likely be facing invasion from both Clans, and the Commonwealth's position would be hopeless."
"It is enough to make me wonder if we do, truly, have some divine aid on our side," Trillian admitted. "But that only holds if we stop the Wolves here."
"We have to. Whatever happens to us, to me, the Commonwealth must endure." Melissa's eyes focused on Trillian, and the intensity in them sent a chill down Trillian's back. "Promise me, cousin. Promise me that you'll do what you have to, to save the Commonwealth, whatever happens to me."
The chill worsened. Trillian felt her mouth go dry as she realized just what Melissa was saying. "Melissa, what did you do?"
"What I had to, what you've earned," Melissa replied. "You are my Heir-Designate now, Trillian. When the Wolves come here, they will come for my head. Whatever happens, the Commonwealth must survive my mistakes, and I'm counting on you to see to it."
"Melissa, it…" She wanted to say "it won't come to that", but she knew better. The Wolves wanted revenge for Melissa's treatment of their civilians. They would come for her. Her mind searched for a way to reply beyond the promise asked, one she had no desire to have to fulfill. I don't want the throne. Especially not like that. But denying Melissa would be cruel, and given their history, utterly wrong. "I promise."
Melissa let out a sigh of relief. "Thank you." She retrieved her glass. "I read your reports, some of them, on the other side. But I'd like to hear more. What are these people like? It sounds like they are part Lyran and part Leaguer, but neither at the same time."
"They're… both and neither, yes." Trillian flashed back to all she'd seen in her journey to Arcadia and her months there. Everything from her first meeting with General Singh and Captain Hanson at Timkovichi to her departure from Arcadia. "The Arcadian Federation has both, but what unites them is something new to us." The coronation flashed through her mind again, the imagery, the words.
"With all that talk of a Sword of Liberation, and that they have these Proctor Guard units, I imagine they may be a bit Davion, too?"
"Their Proctor Guards were certainly inspired by their timeline's version of the Davion Brigade of Guards, that much they admit, but even there, I can't say that. House Proctor and their Federation have an identity unlike anything we know. The same with some of the other Houses on that side, and some of the Successor States there aren't even governed by a single House."
"Still, they will fight well, at least, that much Timkovichi showed."
"Indeed. More than that." She remembered Nathaniel's speech at his coronation. The sheer frenzy and energy of the crowd of his people who heard his words, and the reported response across the rest of the Federation. "To be honest, it makes me a little nervous, the way they feel about this. They're our allies, and they mean to help us, but the way they view the Clans and what the Clans are… this is a crusade, Melissa. That's how they view it. A holy war to save all those taken as bondsmen and return them to their homes and to liberate every world conquered by the Clans. And from what I've heard, the Communalists and the Rasalhaguans don't see it much differently."
"I see." Melissa nodded quietly. Trillian watched her eyes tighten; undoubtedly, she too was thinking of their Inner Sphere's history of such conflicts.
A fresh series of growing roars drew their attention to the window. The night sky over the Triad, normally blank of stars given the lights of Tharkad City, was lit with burning white light. DropShips landing at Mount Wotan, Trillian realized. More survivors from the losses at Thuban and Smolnik.
Melissa watched the ships land with somber quiet. When the roar faded, she spoke again. "Whatever their motivations, they've given us a chance. If it is the price of survival, then I say let the Clans reap the whirlwind of the coming crusade. They have more than earned it."
The story of the Inner Spheres of the Dark Age and the Concert will continue in Book 2, "Crusade"
