Saga of a New Nation
Rim Republic Army Secret Meeting Hall
Planet Ylemelke
Rim World Republic
April 2575
"Those Idiots", yelled Jason Alexander, head of Ylemelke's RRA contingent as he watched a news broadcast of the workers strike at the Diplass Mech production facilities on Apollo. This will only give the pompous Amaris Family the ammunition to crack down on us more. Jason called for his aide Rolando Adame, who was in the next room watching the broadcast on another vid screen. Rolando, we need to start operations to get our families and friends into hiding. Get our contacts in the AsRoc to procure false papers for everyone. I don't think we will have a lot of time.
Nadir Jumppoint
Planet Amminadav, Lyran Commonwealth
Dropship Maryanna's Pride, March 3027
"DAD" yelled Gregory, waking up from a bad dream. Gregory lay on his bunk confused, sweating and filled with despair. He had been dreaming of his father's death. His father had been killed on Edirne, while fulfilling Hathaway's Hitters current mission. Douglas Hathaway, Commanding Officer of Hathaway's Hitters, a Battalion sized Combined Arms Unit, the corporate security unit of Hathaway Truck Corporation (HTC). He was killed while rescuing HTC workers that were kidnapped while on a survey mission. Gregory and his sister Alexis, who had been left at home on Ormstown to look after the business, have inherited the corporation, the unit and a transport company, that their family had built up on Ormstown, their next jump and final destination for the rescued hostages. They had eight more hours until the energy cells were charged completely and the jumpsail was stored. Gregory knew he would not be able to sleep anymore so he got dressed and made his way thru the corridors of the Overlord Dropship to the galley. There he got a cup of coffee and sat down to think about what to do next. He now had two dropships full of former hostages and Orphans; besides what was left of Hathaway's Hitters to deliver to Ormstown and make sure they were taken care of. This is where Lt. Daniel Naret, Executive Officer and Lt. James Farragot, the Infantry Commander of Hathaway Hitter's, found him a half hour later.
"Gregory", can we talked to you asked Daniel?
Gregory looked up from his coffee to see Daniel and James standing over him. Sure, have a seat.
Daniel looked around to see other people in the galley, "Can we talk in your stateroom"
"Sure", let's go.
"Come In", I have been meaning to get with you two and discuss the unit. I know both of you have been with my father since the start of the unit, I have talked with Alexis and we have decided not to disband the unit. Dad started the unit not only to protect the company assets but to help other people if it was in his power to do so. Alexis and I still want that to continue, but I'm not sure if I could or should lead them. Dad even talked about expanding the unit. I would like to get your input and how the rest of the unit feels.
Gregory, I am happy to hear that, Daniel said. But I have something you need to see and hear before you make any more decisions. Your father made a video recording before the mission.
What? Why didn't you give it to me earlier? Shouted Gregory.
I wanted to make sure you had time to absorb what has happened and not to do something stupid, Daniel said.
What do you mean something stupid?
Sit and calm down yelled Daniel, watch the video and it will all be explained.
All right, play the video.
Gregory, If you are watching this video, it means that I am dead and you are about to find out a whole lot of things that are going to be hard to believe. But believe me they are true and how you proceed from here can have far reaching affects. There are only a limited number of people who know the full story about what you are going to hear. That has been for operational security and your protection. I was going to brief you next year any way. Daniel and James are the only two people you have available to discuss this with so talk with them before making any decisions. Where to start? You know from your studies that our family history traces back to the Rim World Republic and a member of the Rim Republic Army. Our ancestors had to flee their home world of Ylemelke in 2595, when SLDF forces were cracking down on rebels of the Rim Provisional Government. They escaped deep into the Periphery where they hid from both the SLDF and Rim Worlds Republic assassins. During the following years they started a new society and they grew. For a century and a half they prospered and secretly maintained contacts in the Rim Worlds Republic. They also infiltrated the armed forces and government in order to keep track of any situations involving the former RRA and any of its former members. Other people were sent to other planets in the Inner Sphere to open small businesses to keep track of the economies and military technologies. The Hathaway family was one of these groups sent into the Inner Sphere after the fall of the Star League. The vehicle factory was originally one of the RWR defense industries. During the SLDF vengeful march thru the RWR, the factory was thought to have been destroyed. It wasn't and the Hathaway family was tasked with uncovering and refurbishing it. Once it was in operation, it also acts as a front for other activities.
So your probably wondering where you come in. Well, you and your sister are the children of our President. Your parents were killed during a transit between worlds in the realm and you were sent to us to raise and protect. I think you have known or suspected something of this when your mother, sorry, step-mother got sick when you were twelve and you couldn't donate blood because it wasn't the same type. We wanted to tell you but were ordered not to until you turned 18.
Well, now with my death we have to tell you, I just didn't want to do it this way. You will be sent home now to take your rightful place as the president. I know this doesn't cover everything that has happened. I want you to know that your step-mother and I both loved you as our own and that you and your sister have always made us proud with everything you did. Daniel and James know all about this and they will continue to protect you and your sister. They are also the only ones you should talk to about any of this. Do not linger on the past, take care of your sister and have a good life. The vid screen went blank.
Gregory stared at the blank screen.
Gregory called Daniel. Are you ok?
NO… Yeah. I don't know. I have just been told everything I have been taught and told is a lie. That's a lot to take in.
You don't know even half of it yet, replied Daniel. I know you are confused and may have a lot of questions, take this data pad and go thru it. It will help you understand and will give you an overview of the current situation. Then we can sit down and discuss everything.
Is Alexis aware of any of this?
No, your step-father was told to keep both of you out of it for another year; I guess we can discuss telling her later.
Thanks Daniel. If this is so hot where can we discuss it?
We have another six hours before the jump and then the inbound time to planet side. Once we are on Ormstown, the only place that is available and safe, is your step-father's base office. We'll discuss all the additional security matters after you have a chance to go thru that data pad.
Inbound
Planet Ormstown, Lyran Commonwealth
Dropship Maryanna's Pride, March 3027
Gregory's Stateroom
Ok Daniel,
I have been thru the data pad and reading between the lines I can see that there is a lot that isn't in here. Like who are we, I know dad said we were the children of the president and that I was now the president. But President of what and where are we suppose to be sent back to.
Well, you will get a complete briefing later but I will give you a crash course now. Your parents were Shaun and Kristin Alexander. Shaun was the president of the Hellenic Republic. It is a hereditary title passed down from father to son, being the son of Shaun Alexander; you are now the President of the Hellenic Republic. Jason Alexander left the Rim Worlds Republic with over a million people and fled deep into the periphery. They located a star system with five habitable planets. Instead of dividing up the group they all settled on one. In the following years and as they prospered they colonized the other four planets. They continued to help people escape from the RWR and other worlds all thru the Amaris coup, The SLDF occupation of the RWR and liberation of the Terran Hegemony. The Republic now spans 27 planets in sixteen star systems.
Why haven't we heard about the Republic before; Asked Gregory.
Well Gregory, think for a minute. What has been going on in the Inner Sphere the last few years? War. What do you think would happen if the Great Houses of the Inner Sphere heard that there was another nation of former Rim World Republic citizens? Whether or not these citizens had anything to do with the most hated man in history!
Look at what happened to the worlds that were left behind when the SLDF left. All the worlds with production facilities were taken by the Lyran's and Combine and the rest were left on their own That is why people like the Hathaway's had been sent to the Inner Sphere. To protect our existence we have to remain hidden and the Inner Sphere monitored. If we are ever to come out into the open, we will need to be stronger. But that will have to be a decision for you and the government to make. Hathaway Truck Corporation and the shipping company are legitimate but they are also fronts for other activities.
Alright I get your point. I didn't see anything about what operations are going on. Is there a list or "The Big Picture" I can see that will tell me.
Yes, in your step-father's office. When we land and get everything taken care of we can get together and I will show you everything. After that we can discuss the future of you and Alexis.
Planet Ormstown, Lyran Commonwealth
Base Headquarters
April 3027
It has been three long weeks since the unit has returned home. Gregory and Alexis had a tear filled reunion and then came the funeral arrangements for their step-father, as well as all the work to locate family for the Orphans. Alexis had done a lot of the prelim work but so far there has not been anybody found. The children were being kept at a hastily established orphanage to keep them together. The citizens of Ormstown capital of Mecklenburg generosity flowed to help the Orphans and the former hostages. The children received new clothes, toys, and anything they needed, the hostages were given places to stay until they decided what they wanted to do. The Governor wanted to give Douglas a state funeral but Gregory went against it. It would not be something his step-father would have wanted. The funeral was a quite affair attended by unit members, family and friends. That still left enough people attending that the services had to be held outdoors on the base parade field. He was laid to rest in the family cemetery next to their step-mother. The corporate offices had been shut down for a week, but it was time to go back to work.
The base was located a quarter mile from the corporate headquarters. It consisted of the one story headquarters building, the battlemech hanger, vehicle hanger, two barracks for the infantry and three warehouses. There was a small drop-port attached to support four dropships and an aircraft hanger for the fighters. Gregory had called Daniel to set up a meeting with him, James, and Alexis. Gregory picked up Alexis on his way to the meeting that was being held in his father's office, his office now that he thought about it. The office was on the west end of the headquarters building. As he arrived he saw Daniel with some the corporate security personal waiting to change all the access codes for him. Once that was taken care of they entered his office.
Gregory, are you sure you want Alexis in on everything?
Yeah, you said dad was going to tell her next year at the same time as me so I don't think it will be an issue to have it done now. We discuss a lot of things together and she will be a good sounding board for any ideas I may have.
Alright, I just wanted make sure. Daniel walked over to one of the book shelves and removed a book, opened it and pressed some buttons. The book shelf slid away revealing an elevator door. "WOW", Gregory said. As many times as I have been in dad's office I have never seen this.
That is the point, said Daniel.
Well, if you two are ready follow me. James will come down when he gets here.
The elevator took Gregory, Alexis and Daniel to a basement area. There was a security detail behind a set of security doors. Daniel punched in the access code and the doors opened to a central control room.
There were approx 30 people manning computer consoles and a dozen large displays mounted on one wall.
This is the nerve center for all our operations. Access can be gained thru the headquarters building and as you have seen thru your office. There is a security squad assigned for each entrance. The headquarters building, your office and this room are equipped with electronic dampers to help prevent electronic eaves dropping. They are also checked daily for bugs.
The displays show where all our units are and their status. They also show all the operations in progress and their status also.
"Follow Me" Daniel said and he led them into a large conference room. The room held a large circular conference table centered on a holotable, a large desk off to the side, and book shelf's all around the room. This was your father's third office. This is where he kept all the hand written journals that have been done thru out the years. Alexis finally out of frustration said, "Would someone please tell me what is going on". Both Daniel and Gregory looked at her, then at each other. Sorry Gregory finally said. Let's sit down and Daniel can go thru the whole story.
Alright, this is going to be a quick history lesson. In 2595, your ancestors had to flee the Rim Worlds Republic. They were members of the Rim Republic Army and Rim provisional government, who were being rounded up and killed. They escaped to the deep periphery, where they established new colonies. While in hiding they developed plans to try and overthrow the Amaris Dynasty. In the years of their exile they positioned people into the citizenship of Ormstown and other planets of the Inner Sphere where they started some small business. The plan was to save what they could and hire mercenaries for the coup of the government. Well they never got the chance. You have learned about the Amaris Coup and the SLDF's history to destroy Amaris. In the fighting the RWR soldier's used chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons on the SLDF. The planet Sidon was one of those worlds that were unfortunate to have a large concentration of RWR forces on planet. When the SLDF started its walk thru the RWR and take back Terra, the RWR forces on planet unleashed the WMDs. Everybody on the planet died, civilians, RWR forces and even the SLDF. Warning satellites were dropped in orbit and the planet was abandoned. In 2786 the exiles started planning salvage operations, within 5 years they had bought an old jumpship, two mammoth and two behemoth dropships. They hired and trained crews in decontamination procedures and the salvage operations started. They had started with all the precious metals like gold and silver, materials that could be sold on the market and not raise to many suspicions. They used this to uncover and refurbish the vehicle factory here on Ormstown. The profits have been used to continue the salvage operations and to expand them. While the factory was being refurbished, large vaults were built to hold other material salvaged. We will go over all of that later.
The exiles prospered and their society grew into a new nation called the Hellenic Republic. Jason Alexander was the first President and the hereditary title passes from father to son. Douglas Hathaway was your foster father. Your real father was the last President of the Republic which makes Gregory the current President.
Currently there are three planets that the corporation is conducting salvage operations on. The planets are Sidon, Kermen, and Janina, and they are all within one jump from Ormstown. The ultimate goal of the exiles was to return the RWR back to a democracy, well we all know that isn't going to happen and I don't think with all that has happened in the past it would be a good idea. That is basically the whole story and since you and Gregory are the next generation, the responsibilities fall on you.
Alexis sat stunned, Gregory having heard most of it already got up and sat by Alexis.
Alexis are you ok. Talk to me, said Gregory
How long have you known, Alexis asked?
I got told on the way back. Dad left me a video explaining some things. Daniel filled in some of the rest, Replied Gregory.
How can this be, Alexis asked looking at Daniel.
I can only tell you so much said Daniel. The Republic is sending a group of people here to brief you both. They will be here in three months. I know this is hard on both of you but I need you to know that I will help in any way I can and so will James. But you also can not talk about this outside this complex.
Ok, we now that we know some of this, what are we suppose to be doing now, asked Gregory.
Well, the crew of the Surveyor are all Hellenic Republic personnel, which is why your step-father was sent to rescue them. We couldn't let them get interrogated. Their missions were to scout old SLDF and RWR bases and research centers that we knew of and see if there was anything that could be salvaged. Most of the bases were stripped bare when the SLDF left but every now and then they come across something.
We have accumulated so much equipment that we are in need of another place to store it. We found records of a couple planets that sounded suitable and they were going to check them out. I would suggest that we complete that and then go from there.
I would also like to go over all that has been recovered and the current operations that are ongoing.
Gregory, Alexis, and Daniel sat in the conference room for the next seven hours going over inventories and details, finally stopping when they were left speechless by the mention of warships.