LITTLE DRAGON

by Ulquiorra9000

Chapter 10

Celestial Palace, Zi-Jin Cheng (Forbidden City), Sian

Capellan Confederation

April 5, 3040

"Chancellor! I have news most dire!"

The well-armed guards in the Palace's throne room admitted one frantic Maskirovka agent who panted as he passed through the doors. He clenched a few papers in his shaking hand.

Romano Liao, chancellor of the Confederation, perked up in her ornate throne. She narrowed her eyes like a predator. "How dare you storm in here? You were not invited!" She motioned for the guards to remove the agent.

"No! Wait!" The agent squirmed as two guards seized his upper arms. He raised his voice and it rang through the room. "Bianjiang is about to secede from the Confederation and join the St. Ives Compact!"

"I beg your pardon?" Romano's voice became deadly soft and she made another hand motion. This time, the guards released the agent and the agent slowly approached the chancellor.

"Yes," the agent said grimly. He straightened his uniform. "The news just came in. There's no doubt about it. Candace Liao has approved Bianjiang's petition for membership in the Compact."

Romano made a noise like an angry cat. Situated just a jump away from St. Ives Compact space, the world known as Bianjiang had a number of industrial and scientific facilities that Romano didn't like the idea of losing. The people there had stayed with the Confederation during the Fourth Succession War, but over time, their dissatisfaction with House Liao had grown. If they left, House Liao would lose yet another vital asset while surrounded by the likes of the Federated Suns and St. Ives Compact.

"It seems my troubles are never over," Romano muttered to herself. Her heart raced with hatred as she thought of her sister Candace sitting smugly on St. Ives, greedily taking another world while monsters like Justin Allard and Hanse Davion backed her up.

Something had to be done. Now.

"Chancellor? Madam?" the Maskirovka agent asked tentatively. He fiddled with the papers in his hands.

"Give me those," Romano snapped, irritated by the papers rustling. Once the agent handed them over, Romano quickly scanned them and confirmed her worst fears. Anymore, House Liao was a joke among the Successor States, and if Bianjiang was lost, that would be another show of weakness that Romano couldn't afford. If Bianjiang went, what would be next? It wouldn't be long before House Davion swallowed up the entire Confederation, reducing it to a mere memory!

Romano thrust the papers back at the Maskirovka agent and cleared her throat. "Though it pains me, I will attempt negotiations with the St. Ives Compact and the Bianjiant planetary government. If those fail, I shall rein in that world by force."

"A diplomatic team will be sent at once, chancellor."

"Excellent. And one more thing." Romano gripped the throne's arm rests tightly. "Have the Death Commandos been reestablished as a unit?"

"The trial company is ready for action, I believe."

"Good. Send them too. This is as good a time as any to put them back on the map... and inspire fear in my enemies."

*o*o*o*o*

Death Commando Garrison, Zi-Jen Cheng, Sian

Capellan Confederation

May 12, 3040

It was exhilerating, and a little scary, to stand in the garrison's 'mech bay for a briefing while twelve 'mechs stood against the walls. Surrounded by scaffolding, the 'mechs had been painted jet-black with green trim, and Chen noted how much leaner his Vindicator looked with this new paint job. Mei's Phoenix Hawk stood next to it, equally fearsome.

"Death Commandos!" Major Jin barked once he entered the room. At his words, eleven Mechwarriors snapped to attention.

Chen lifted his chin, like the others, and tried to hide his excitement. He had done nothing but simulator drills with the others so far, and he could tell that Major Jin had something different in mind today. A real mission? Please let it be real action!

The Major swallowed, took a second to compose his thoughts, and launched into his briefing. "As of April 5, the planet Bianjiang announced its intentions to join the St. Ives Compact, after years of popular support for the movement and denouncements of House Liao. Candace Liao has accepted the petition and plans to annex the world and all its assets."

The Death Commandos made no sound, but Chen was sure that they were as shocked as he felt. A world was turning traitor? How could it be? After years of hardship, this was one blow too many. Chen glanced sideways at Mei, but she didn't meet his eye.

Major Jin went on, "Negotiations with the St. Ives Compact have failed. The chancellor has decreed that several units are to garrison the world and prevent its secession, and that includes us." Jin raised his voice, and it became hard as iron. "We have been reborn for one purpose: to defend House Liao and its interests! By the chancellor's celestial wisdom, we shall not allow Candace Liao to make fools of us. We will ship out to Bianjiang first thing in the morning and prepare to meet anything that the St. Ives Compact should throw at us. It's likely that the Compact will be moved to violence, and we will be prepared for it. Do you understand me?"

"Yes, sir!" eleven voices shouted.

"Very good. Remember your training. You're going to need it. Dismissed." Major Jin turned and stalked out of the room.

The Commandos relaxed and Chen turned to Mei. "Is another war what we need?" he asked her as the others talked amongst themselves.

Mei's eyes wavered. "I don't know. But you know how vulnerable the Confederation looks on the outside. If Bianjiang leaves so easily..."

Chen nodded. "It invites others to prey on us, or at least, that's a possibility we have to prepare for."

"Yes. But still, I wish there was another way," Mei said sadly. "Now that we're in the Commandos, Chen, it's changed how I think about our role in the universe. With our fighting prowess, we're supposed to minimize destruction and only draw our swords when truly needed. Abused power is no power at all."

There was merit to what Mei was saying, but Chen was alarmed by Mei's tone. He held her shoulders tightly and looked into her eyes. "It's okay, Mei. The people need us! If Bianjiang similar worlds leave us, the chancellor becomes that less capable of maintaining this realm. If a battle or two keeps the Confederation united and strong, is that so bad?"

Mei glanced away, deflated. "Well... no."

"Come here." Chen let go of Mei's shoulders and embraced her, enjoying the warmth of her body. "We're doing the right thing, Mei. Don't lose sight of our loyalty to House Liao. A lot of people are counting on us."

For the last few years, Mei and Chen had been professionaly distant from each other, but for just a moment, Mei let that go. She hugged Chen back, praying that their future mission would bring them fortune. After House Liao's many defeats at the hands of others, they needed a win.

"Hey, Chen. Got yourself a girlfriend?" A Death Commando nick-named "Red" made a wolf whistle and the others chuckled. He was known for his frighteningly high 'mech kill count during service in the CCAF, and Major Jin seemed to favor him.

Chen scowled and let Mei go. "Shove off." Absent-mindedly, he reached up and touched his wooden necklace charm that read "Little Dragon".

Red grinned. "Take it easy, man. Anyway, I bet I can kill at least a lance of St. Ives goons on our first day. What do you say?"

"First day of...?"

"Come on, don't be dense. You know there'll be a battle." Red adjusted his uniform collar and turned to the others. "Am I right, people? Are we gong to kick some asses?"

"Yeah!" the others chanted.

Chen's scowl darkened.

Mei shrugged and clapped a hand to Chen's shoulder. "See you in the morning," she told him, and walked off.

Chen watched her go. Red may have the highest kill count among the Death Commando tryout members, but he realized that Mei was right. Violence was a last resort, a grim act of necessity. If he lost sight of that, he wouldn't be a noble dragon anymore. Just a demon.