Davion & Davion (Deceased)

by drakensis

When Prince John Davion dreamed of a distant descendant, he never expected to meet the ghost of that man outside his bathroom the next day. What Hanse Davion has to tell him is a nightmare. Together the two princes, man and ghost, are faced with a nigh-impossible challenge: save the Star League or see billions die in the fires of the Succession Wars.

39. Secessionist 1

Davion and Davion (Deceased)

Book 3 - Secessionist

Sickening, weakening

Don't let another sombre pariah consume your soul

You need strengthening, toughening

It takes a bit of dark to rekindle the fire burning in you

Ignite the fire within you

When you think all is forsaken,

Listen to me now

Hope's not forsaken

You need never feel broken again

Sometimes darkness can show you the light

Don't ignore, listen to me now

You need never feel broken again

Sometimes darkness

Can show you the light

The Light, Disturbed

Unity City, Terra

Alliance Core, Terran Hegemony

10 July 2776

"He can't be serious about seceding from the Star League!" Keith Cameron exclaimed. "Why isn't someone on New Avalon restraining him?"

It was a day since John Davion's transmission. In that time every member of the Star League Council had viewed the holovid repeatedly. Now five of them had gathered in the council chamber to do so again, together. With John's absence, half the seats at the table were vacant.

Minoru Kurita cleared his throat. "While the First Prince can be quite… shall we say irrational? …on certain subjects, he is no fool. He will have ensured that his ministers and High Council stand behind him before taking such a drastic step."

"He's bluffing, of course." Captain-General Kenyon Marik shook his head in admiration. "But what a bluff, I didn't think the old man had it in him."

"Are you sure of that?" asked Cameron, hopefully. The Director-General had bags under his eyes.

"Of course. He's served with the SLDF, as I have. He knows the AFFS would stand no chance against the full force of their armies. The SLDF has an entire army within his borders already. No, this is an attempt to stampede us."

Barbara Liao nodded. "Davion has always been good at… shifting his goals. He did it on Valexa and then on Al Na'ir. Set out with one goal, preferably with someone else as the frontman, then when they've failed step in and claim some far lesser goal was the objective all the time, claiming victory once he has secured that."

"It could be unfortunate if you are mistaken," the Coordinator said quietly.

"I believe the Chancellor is correct," Robert Steiner said at last. "No First Lord or alternative leadership arrangements. He's leaving a loophole for negotiations."

Cameron shook his head in relief. "And it would all be moot if we agree on a First Lord."

"We shouldn't be stampeded by this ultimatum," Marik murmured. "That's doubtless his goal."

"There are really three outcomes," Steiner pointed out. "As the Director-General said, we could come to a consensus by Davion's deadline, at which point we lose nothing. Secondly, we come to some form of face-saving agreement – appointing a head of the BSLA or one of the other measures he's been chasing as vital – so he can back down without seeming to."

"Or we are faced with a hostile state upon our borders," Kurita noted. "Should we consult with the Commanding General against that circumstance?"

"As a precaution," agreed Liao. "It doesn't hurt to have the eventualities explored."

"I thought you said he was bluffing?"

"Lord Marik said that," she corrected Cameron. "And while I agree, I prefer also to be sure that calling that bluff is an option."

The summons was issued and the five lords looked at each other as they waited. "Do you suppose," Kurita asked mildly, "That Davion hopes to be nominated himself?"

Cameron shook his head. "It seems unlikely. When did he put himself forward for the position?"

"He said he would serve if elected," Marik said slowly. "And he did nominate himself once. I don't see how he'd reconcile claiming he would leave the Star League with taking leadership of it."

"Ah, but we are the proud arrogant lords who he castigates. Surely he, as the worthy lord to point out our failings is the right and just choice?" Kurita pointed out wryly.

"Hah!" Steiner shook his head. "That would be just like the self-righteous fool. But he'll get no vote from me."

"Nor I," agreed Liao. "Nor any concession more than the minimum needed to let him back down gracefully."

"You think that we should offer such a concession?"

"Something judicious," she agreed. "The Federated Suns remains a powerful state and we should of course appear willing to make a reasonable agreement rather than go to war."

Cameron nodded quickly. "Some temporary arrangement, perhaps. Appointing the Commanding General as a moderator to break ties, perhaps?"

"Not that," Marik said firmly. "Not DeChevilier. He's a Feddie himself, remember."

"Oh yes." Liao touched one fingertip to her lips. "From… where was it, Kestrel?"

"A farming world near New Avalon," agreed Kurita.

"How positively bucolic." The captain-general sneered at the concept. "We can discount that idea, Director-General."

Cameron made a conciliatory gesture but before conversation could proceed further, the guards at the door came to full attention. "My lords, Commanding General Aaron DeChevilier."

The doors opened to admit the man himself, in full uniform. "My lords," he said drily and stepped forward to stand within the arc of the tables. "How may I serve you?"

Marik leant forwards. "I'm sure you've heard Lord Davion's… threat by now."

"Threat?" DeChevilier hmmed. "Interesting term for it. I've seen yesterday's holovid, yes."

"We are…" Kurita moved his hand slightly as if looking for a word. "We are considering the various circumstances that may result from this."

"Very wise you, my lords. And of course, the Star League Defense Forces stand ready to serve whoever you elect as the new First Star Lord."

"I have no doubt of that," Liao assured him. "However, just in case of… difficulties, it seemed sensible to determine the SLDF's readiness should Davion act rashly and your services should be required."

"I'm afraid you're not being entirely clear, Lord Liao. Required in what context?"

Steiner coughed sharply and fumbled for a handkerchief. "Don't be obtuse," he snapped after a moment. "If the Federated Suns rebels, can the SLDF put down the rebellion?"

DeChevilier eyed the Archon thoughtfully. "I take it that this is the official position of the Star League Council?"

"We really can't allow the Suns to secede," Kurita observed. "Obviously we would prefer to avoid the matter arising."

"I'm pleased to hear that, Lord Kurita."

"But should diplomacy for some reason fail, I think we would resort to military action rather than see the Star League fall apart."

The Commanding General looked around the room. He didn't have the terrible fierceness of Kerensky but all the same he stared at each of the Council until they nodded their heads in agreement. "I'm not convinced that the Federated Suns leaving the Star League would make them hostile towards the League's members," he said solemnly. "And you have it within your power to avoid the circumstances by electing -"

Marik brought his fist down on the table. "General DeChevilier, can the SLDF bring the Federated Suns to heel or not?"

"As matters stand, no."

"No?"

DeChevilier sighed deeply. "I appreciate that your military career was rather short, Captain-General, but -"

"I will not be spoken to like that."

Liao smiled sardonically. "Let the man speak, Kenyon."

"My own career was also quite short," Cameron offered in a pacifying tone. "The SLDF seems to be both larger and better equipped than the AFFS, General DeChevilier. Please explain the issues you see in terms you feel I'd understand with my limited experience."

"In simple terms, Lord Cameron, we can't afford to go to war with the Federated Suns."

"I'm not sure we can afford not to."

"What the Council can afford, Lord Steiner, and what the SLDF can afford are unfortunately two very different things. The Federated Suns currently provides more than a third of our funding. Just keeping the SLDF's forces intact on their bases costs billions of dollars every month. We have to feed the soldiers and pay them. We must cover pensions – our medical pensions are a debt of honour to our wounded comrades that we cannot default upon, but they've unavoidably grown with hundreds of thousands of severely wounded soldiers. And then there are the thousands of other costs for fuel, maintenance, training…"

"I see." Kurita looked grave. "Naturally I understood there to be these costs but do you mean that losing the Federated Suns would make it impossible to meet those costs."

"Not necessarily. It could be difficult, and those costs are relatively fixed so we can't readily reduce them, but we could cut expenditure in some areas. Unfortunately, those areas are the ones that would factor into any military action. Fuel costs would rise, munitions would need to be purchased… we've fought not one but two wars on unprecedented scale in the last twelve years and the logistical stockpiles we could once rely on have been largely exhausted. And since SLDF warehousing and bases in the Federated Suns are unscathed, such stockpiles as we've begun to rebuild are to some degree located inside their borders… well, a war would mean they'd be seized immediately."

"You have an entire army based in the Federated Suns," Marik protested. "Couldn't they guard the stores until relieved?"

DeChevilier shook his head. "Sixth Army is the smallest of our armies, they're stationed in the Federated Suns because that's where there's been the least likelihood of problems historically. General Chudzik only has eight divisions - call it thirty 'Mech regiments and fifty infantry regiments – available. If they spread out to secure the stockpiles they'd be wiped out in detail. If it came to war he'd have to consolidate into defensible castles or even withdraw from the Federated Suns."

"That's an alarming picture," Barbara Liao mused. "I hadn't realised you were so dependent upon the Federated Suns."

"It isn't something that we widely advertise," DeChevilier admitted. "However, the financial information is available to all of you through the BSLA. The damage to the Hegemony and the Rim Worlds means that we're only receiving a trickle of funding from them compared to the pre-war situation – more than from the Free Worlds and the Combine," he added with a dry look at the Coordinator. "So the Lyran Commonwealth, Capellan Confederation and Federated Suns have been providing the bulk of our revenue."

"How very interesting," Kurita said blandly. "I appreciate your forthrightness, General. Hopefully this will all prove to have been unnecessary speculation, but I'd hope that by the end of the year you're able to give us a more positive answer to the question if we have to ask it again."

"That will very much depend on you, Lord Kurita."

"We'll make the financing of the SLDF our very next point of discussion," Robert Steiner agreed with a sly look across the table at the two lords whose realms had withheld their taxes for a decade. "Perhaps that will convince Lord Davion that whatever he may think, we are truly committed to the future of the Star League."

"That would be very good news," Aaron DeChevilier agreed with no more than a trace of sarcasm.

.o0O0o.

Avalon City, New Avalon

Crucis March, Federated Suns

12 August 2776

Privy Council meetings had been tense for the last month, which didn't surprise John. The High Council wouldn't assemble until next month and that would be the crunch time but there was still uncertainty.

The double doors of the meeting room were still open and Joshua Davion entered with Bennett Green alongside him. The state administrator of the BSLA within the Federated Suns had been on Terra when John announced his decision to leave the Star League should no First Lord be elected by the end of the year. The First Prince rose to welcome him. "Bennett, it's good to see you. How was the voyage?"

"It was a commercial jumpship route," the bureaucrat said ruefully. "And the ship was crammed with refugees. I gather the other lords haven't come to their senses since I left Terra?"

"If you mean elected someone, no."

"That's a shame. Not a surprise, but a shame." Green opened his attaché case and laid a data chip on the table. "I've been asked to convey this to you by the Director-General."

John looked at the chip and then around the room. "We have a few minutes, I think. Francesca has been delayed slightly."

"I thought it might be appropriate for Bennett to sit in on the meeting of the Privy Council." Joshua was less tentative about the suggestion than he would have been when he first sat in. John's son and heir had grown into the ministerial role. Somewhere along the way he'd crossed the line that John hadn't even recognised until it was reached: the point where the Prince Imperial was ready to wield the authority of the First Prince.

He simply nodded. "Of course. Please take a seat, Bennett."

Inserting the chip into the panel built into the table, John brought up a menu of the contents. There wasn't much, just a single encoded document. The palace computers checked for viruses and concluded it was safe - too short to contain any deceptive software. Already loaded with John's security codes, they deciphered the contents and brought up the document on the holo-display.

Lord John,

I understand your frustration with the Council. I won't insult you by promising we'll have a First Lord elected by your deadline, although I'll certainly try.

You suggested alternative leadership arrangements and I recall some solutions you presented during the meetings such as appointing a moderator to break ties or granting Lord Kerensky a vote. I assume these would be acceptable if they can be instated?

Regards

Director-General Keith Cameron

"It's to the point," Michael Stopec said bluntly. "He doesn't mention what he'll do if we do secede."

"He'd play those cards close to his chest," Joel Parks told him. The Minister of Ways and Means was his colourless self and hadn't given an opinion one way or another on his feelings about secession from the Star League.

Bennett leant forwards. "I know that the Council called DeChevilier in the day after the news reached Terra of your ultimatum, sire."

"He must be disappointed in me," noted John ruefully. "I haven't heard from him."

"I couldn't say, but the last I heard before it seemed best to leave Terra was that the Free Worlds League and Draconis Combine would be advancing tax money into the Star League treasury next month."

Joshua snorted. "It took them long enough. Almost ten years of their worlds withholding taxes. Amaris would have been defeated years ago if they'd contributed."

"Perhaps. It's hard to say what might have happened," John told him. "You were pressured to leave, Bennett?"

"I get the impression that my loyalties are doubted by the Council. One way or another it seems unlikely that I'll be representing the Bureau for very much longer." Green smiled ruefully. "I've held the post for a while anyway. Perhaps it's for the best."

Stopec's golden cybernetic eyes turned to the bureaucrat. "And should your loyalties be in doubt?"

"I believe in the ideals of the Star League," the man said quietly. "I… no longer believe that I can serve those ideals on Terra."

"You and your family have served the Star League very well. If that's no longer possible then the fault doesn't lie with the Greens, or with the families that have led the other state administrations. In many ways you've done your jobs better than the Council Lords."

"As you said, sire, there's plenty of blame to spread around." Green gave him a sad look. "I'll stay on to hand over to my replacement, whether they're appointed from Terra or by you. I assume you'd not be simply dissolving the Bureau's apparatus if the worst comes to the worst."

"If it comes to that, I'll be looking at gradually transferring the BSLA's departments into the applicable Ministries of the government," John advised him. "I doubt the High Council would accept my maintaining a separate but parallel government outside of their control. I've assured them and will continue to assure them that I won't be using this to remove their traditional rights and authorities."

"I suppose that you're right. May I ask, since Minister Reznick hasn't arrived yet, what timeframe you're looking at?"

"If the Star League is willing to co-exist peacefully with us then three to five years seems reasonable." Before John could comment on how likely or unlikely it was that they would have those years of peace, Francesca Reznick entered the room abruptly.

"I'm sorry for keeping you waiting," the Minister of Intelligence declared. "Fresh news just arrived."

"From Terra?" asked Joshua hopefully.

She shook her head, taking her seat. "No, from Remagen and Victoria."

Most of the looks directed at her were puzzled. What was the significance of those worlds? Both were in the Crucis March, part of New Avalon's own administrative district.

"The SLDF garrisons?" asked Stopec grimly. "What have they done?"

"General Murphy has reported to General Chudzik that he doesn't believe that the divisions there can be withdrawn before the end of the year," Reznick reported with relish.

"I'm not sure I follow," Parks admitted coolly. "Surely they've only been in place for months."

"That's right. The 262nd BattleMech Division on Victoria and the Forty-Ninth Mechanized Infantry Division on Remagen both saw heavy service in the Periphery and the Hegemony, they were replenished repeatedly with fresh recruits from the Federated Suns and they served under Prince Davion in the latter case."

"Do you mean what I think you're implying, Francesca?"

"They didn't use the word mutiny, but the reason isn't logistics. The majority of the personnel in those divisions have indicated that if it comes to a break with the Star League they'll stand by us, not the League!"

"My god." John wasn't sure who said that.

"Is that likely to affect other elements of the SLDF?" asked Joshua.

"I think the response he got is indicative," the Minister of Intelligence replied. "General Chudzik ordered General Murphy to transfer personnel between the divisions of his Corps so that members of the two divisions… he doesn't say rebels, but that's the implications, those who don't stand by that can be withdrawn with the other two divisions while anyone in those divisions who wants to stay can shift to the Forty-Ninth and 262nd."

"He's handing them to you on a platter," Green exclaimed. "That's eighteen regiments of experienced soldiers."

"Probably less than that overall, unit cohesion is a powerful force so there won't be as many going into those divisions as will leave." John rubbed his chin. "The other corps in Sixth Army is LII Corps, they used to be in Second Army, stationed here in the Suns before the Coup."

"You don't think the entire Sixth Army could turn their coats?" asked Joshua in surprise.

The First Prince shook his head. "Most likely not, but it's a sign that we still have friends within the SLDF and that's good news."

"I don't know that the Star League Council will see it that way," Reznick told him with a smirk.

.o0O0o.

Terra Prime, Apollo

Apollo Province, Rim Worlds Republic

2 September 2776

The 18th Royals had chosen to join Kerensky in the Rim Worlds and they once again provided security around the Presidential Palace. There had been changes since the first time Phillip Drummond had come here though – most of the elaborate furniture had been removed and replaced with more functional chairs and tables.

"Eventually, I think, this might serve as a museum," Kerensky informed them. "There are too many associations with Amaris here."

"I'm not sure we have the budget for a new government complex," warned Lucien Dormax. "We were hoping for some slack once the SLDF secured Terra but almost every penny of tax collected above the planetary level is still going to the Star League."

"And they're going to be sensitive about us reducing the taxes they get from the Rim Worlds now that the Federated Suns is on the brink of secession," Drummond pointed out.

Kerensky nodded but said nothing. An uneasy silence filled the room – the Protector had said nothing on the topic of John Davion's announcement, refused to discuss it in fact. After almost two months the elephant in the room had grown to mammoth proportions.

"Everything depends on the foundations." Cyrus Elam said at last. The engineering officer had retired to take up a nebulously defined post in the new government, primarily focusing on the Rim Worlds' infrastructure. "If they're sound then we can proceed without them."

"Yes. And we cannot wait indefinitely," Kerensky admitted. "Minister Dormax, please make preparations to move our payments to the Star League back to the more regular levels from before the Coup starting from the beginning of 2777 and provide an estimation of what budget we can expect to be working on at that point."

"Is that to include the amended taxes from '52 and '63?" the politician asked reservedly.

"Of course."

Drummond held up one finger. "It would be interesting to know how much a difference it would make if those taxes were to be revoked. Merely as data for comparison of course."

"I can provide an estimation alongside the main one," agreed Dormax. As a fellow Rim Worlder, he had been quite cordial towards Drummond once Kerensky's party reached Apollo.

"Moving on to the military front, the Lyrans still have a large number of troops along our border and there have been some raids. Eleventh Army simply can't be everywhere and we don't have more than a Corps of our own in practical terms."

Jerome Winson nodded seriously. The young officer was officially Kerensky's aide but in practical terms he was emerging as something of a military alter ego for the Protector, representing him at military discussions that government demands prevented the old man from attending. "The troops are still coalescing into their new formations as well. We've sixty regiments on paper and the soldiers are veterans but it'll take time before they're really ready for action. In the meanwhile, the Lyrans have almost fifty of their regiments along the border, each of them more than twice the size of ours."

"That may not be entirely correct," Drummond advised. "That's their paper strength but a lot of bases that they supposedly have a regiment or battalion in are actually held by smaller forces. Either there's a shell game going on to hide troop movements or Steiner's claiming to have more troops than he actually does."

"Could he be mustering soldiers for an invasion?" asked Dormax.

Kerensky drummed his fingers on the table. "I would like to say that the SLDF would have to react if he tried, but with the Council paralyzed and no First Lord…"

"At this stage I cannot rule it out," Drummond admitted. "And we'd be hard pressed to focus on an invasion when a lot of the outlying worlds are still shaky. Some of the raiders around the edge of the periphery are pro-Amaris."

"We need victories," the Protector said. "Victories will bind those worlds to us and they will dismay our enemies."

"The best I can offer right now is a lead on Von Strang. Courtesy of John Davion, in fact."

"That damn Ministry of Intelligence of his," Dormax exclaimed. "How do they know more of events here than we do?"

"Let's just be glad he's still sharing. I suspect we won't be hearing much from the Federated Suns next year."

"The lead?" Kerensky enquired firmly.

"Apparently their analysis suggests that the Baron's base of operations is on Erin, one of the colonies coreward of us. We don't have confirmation yet, but the numbers he has to support it are reasonably plausible when it comes to travel times."

"Good." The old man ran one hand back over his scalp. "I… hmm. Jerome, handle this personally. Pick the three regiments you consider most fit for action and one of the frigates. Officially I'll name one of the colonels as the commander but I want you to represent me."

"Understood, sir."

Drummond raised an eyebrow. Winson was very young and very junior for such a role. Barely in his twenties.

"On the Lyran front." Kerensky leant forwards. "Where are we seeing most raids? I believe that we shall lay a trap for the Lyrans. Robert Steiner was most unhappy that I received warships from the former Rim Worlds fleet. We will send a corvette upon a patrol in the…?" He arched an eyebrow towards Drummond.

"I'd suggest the Kowloon system, sir. They only have a planetary militia on the surface but the orbital stations would make a logical starting point for a naval base should one be needed in the area. I assume that you'd like the patrol route to be leaked?"

"Indeed so. And I will speak to General Helmick to locate some of his own warships in position to respond. The SLDF will receive the credit for catching the 'pirates', the Lyrans will find their forces weakened and the Kowloonese will have a reminder that independence from the Republic will only mean they are open to outside attack."

"Assuming that it works out. We could lose the corvette."

"That is unfortunately a risk that must be taken. If we can't place our ships in harm's way then there is little point in having them to begin with."

"Are there any other military matters to discuss?" asked Dormax, glancing up at the clock.

"Those are the concerns at the moment. More discussion can take place with the Protectorate Armed Forces command. I suppose you wish to discuss elections?"

"Yes, sir."

Kerensky nodded. "What has been agreed then?"

"At the moment we have most of the major worlds in agreement over the basic structure," the Rim Republican advised. "Their disagreements are mostly in the order of loyal opposition, things that can be worked with. Worlds with populations of more than a million will elect a planetary senate of 99 seats and a governor to head their own internal affairs. The senate will then appoint a representative to the Rim Worlds Congress."

"And worlds with populations below a million souls?" asked Elam. "Do they get votes?"

"They will be grouped into districts of between four and nine worlds, with a district senate whose membership is divided based on relative population. Each planet will still elect its own governor."

"That sounds like it could lead to squabbling between the worlds."

"It already has," Dormax assured the engineer. "District boundaries are still being fought over. But it's an acceptable compromise between giving every world a representative or appointing the representatives solely on population – which would give many worlds no voice at all in the Congress."

"So, when may we expect a Rim Worlds Congress to convene?" Kerensky sounded more resigned than hopeful.

"Less than a year as things stand. April or May of 2777 would be my estimation."

"A lot of things can change by then," Drummond observed. "Let us hope they're for the better."

.o0O0o.

Avalon City, New Avalon

Crucis March, Federated Suns

24 September 2776

John slumped in his chair, ignoring the Italian opera with long practise. "Well it was always a slim chance."

Hanse nodded. "It was absolutely worth the try, but the Star League's fundamental premise makes leaving outside states alone very unlikely. If the Council doesn't send the SLDF to force you back into the League they'd be tacitly accepting that their own realms will be doing the same."

"Aaron said that the Captain-General and Coordinator have even sent payments towards the upkeep of the SLDF. Apparently, the threat of the throne they're after not meaning anything anymore motivates them more than it being occupied by a usurper." John shrugged wearily. "But they're not willing to take the one step more to avert this."

"Quite honestly, if I was looking at the lords of my own time… I wouldn't want Maximilian Liao or his younger daughter on the throne. Or Takashi Kurita although I might bend as far as one of the Mariks." Hanse shrugged. "Things are swinging pretty heavily towards the SLDF crossing the border next year to take us back by force."

"I knew it could happen. I planned for it. I just never wanted it."

The redhead nodded. "Well, we'll be looking at another fourteen regiments and their supporting elements if the Forty-Ninth and the 262nd defect – half 'Mechs, half infantry for the line units. Call it seven brigades by our standards."

"It would be chancy to have them fight the SLDF though," John noted. "That could be asking too much. There are garrisons further from the Hegemony where they can free up soldiers."

"That makes sense. Give them longer to build up roots and reorganise." Hanse hummed along with the opera for a while.

"Everyone seems to agree that if the SLDF comes in that I can expect house troops, at least from the Combine and Confederation," John said at last. "It's not clear where they'll strike though."

"Historically, the Capellans went for the worlds around Chesterton and Jinjiro cut through Clovis and then broke open the border as far as Sakhara V."

Clovis was near the Terran Hegemony while Sakhara V was about halfway to the Outworlds Alliance. "And as deep as Odell and Delavan, we'll have to do better this time." Those worlds were only a single jump away from New Avalon.

Hanse leant forwards. "The SLDF will be pushing out from the Hegemony most probably – their bases in the Combine are a mess and the Confederation's really aren't any better. I'd expect their goal will be to push as far as New Avalon and hope that taking the capital forces you to capitulate."

"If Barbara and Minoru are trying to support that strategy then the most direct routes would be past Robinson in the Draconis March and Kathil in the Capellan March." John considered. "I suspect they'd be thinking back to the worlds annexed during the Reunification War and keeping an eye out for what they might be able to take and keep."

"More than likely. If that's the case then the chances are that they won't want to bypass the Chesterton region or Marduk. The political and industrial gains would look too promising."

"I think we can stop them. I'm not so sure that we can stop the SLDF though," John admitted. "Just the idea of going up against men and women we've been working with for so long is going to be very hard on morale in the AFFS. And then there's the numbers."

"Then probably the best idea is not to fight them. Have troops withdraw ahead of them or go to ground, while hammering the Combine and the Confederation." Hanse rubbed his chin. "The impression I get is that the funding isn't there to throw the SLDF at us full scale. If we can inflict severe reverses on the flanking thrusts, perhaps even counter-attack, then they'll be screaming for the SLDF to support them, which they won't be able to do without either abandoning their offensive or getting more funding and supplies."

John nodded. "Which they won't be getting from Kenyon Marik or Robert Steiner. Possibly not even from Kerensky. Putting the Rim Worlds taxes back on a regular basis means less money for the Star League treasury from that direction. Would the Council dare send the SLDF to demand that he keep paying basically his entire federal tax revenue into their coffers?"

"Maybe if they weren't also having to look at us," said Hanse. "As it is, if the Star League does come apart, I'd expect Eleventh Army to defect to him immediately. He's got that much prestige, unlike the other Council Lords."

Picking up his noteputer, John scrolled through the data there. "Of course, if the SLDF throws a fleet directly at New Avalon we have big problems. They could blockade us, pick off the HPG stations in range of New Avalon and then the army can sweep up rest of Suns while they're not getting any directions from us."

"It wouldn't be in line with SLDF doctrine," Hanse noted. "As long as DeChevilier kept the DCMS and CCAF out of the fighting that could work, but it won't succeed if they cross the border. There's no chance that Vasily or Rita would back down with Capellans or Draconians in their Marches. You should set up a fall-back capital for Joshua, just in case though."

"If it comes to a major naval campaign against the Star League, we're going to have to throw nuclear weapons at them like fire crackers. I'm not sure we have enough in stock," the First Prince noted dourly. "Even with the production we've been building up over the last ten years we'll badly need the SLDF stockpiles."

"If that succeeds then we'll be fine but I agree it's not something to count on. Perhaps the Tortuga factories can be expanded. One thing we can rely upon is that this won't be a quick war."

"Not unless I surrender." He looked up and saw Hanse giving him a questioning look. "I don't think I can do that though. If they can't govern the Star League, how could I justify putting the Federated Suns into their hands?"

"Given the back-channel diplomacy we've had, there's a narrow majority who're trying to find some sort of compromise," his descendant said. "Unfortunately, they can't agree on what to do as a compromise."

"And we haven't had any feelers from Sian or from Luthien, which I suppose shows where the war faction is centred."

"That really shouldn't surprise you, John." Hanse slumped into his chair. "You'd better start looking at directing your diplomacy towards the SLDF rather than the lords. Maybe you can peel a few more divisions away from the SLDF. Nineteenth Army was disbanded into Third and Fourth Armies – that might provide a pool of favourably inclined troops."

"I think Jack Lucas would order firing squads for anyone trying to convince his troops to defect," John pointed out. "Fourth Army though… that's McGuinness still, and Baptiste before her. They know the Federated Suns."

"There's a better than average chance they'll be called on as the core of the Star League's task force. They're stationed in Lockdale province, which leaves them the closest to the Suns now that Sixth Army is withdrawing."

The two Davions exchanged looks and the corner of John's lips quirked upwards. "That could work," he said quietly.

"It wouldn't win the war but it would rock them back on their heels," Hanse agreed. "Assuming that we're on the same page and you're not just thinking about painting all their 'Mechs with a sunburst and claiming ownership."

"Something a little more subtle. We can't win this war by force of arms. It has to be in their hearts and minds."

John would only realise much later that at some point in the conversation he'd let go of the idea that he could avoid a war with the Star League. For better or for worse, the dice had been cast and all he could do now was see how they came down.