Part Seven - Silver Hawks Coalition

What if eye for an eye?

What if your words could be judged like a crime?

Chapter 43

Saunders, Saiph

Saiph Triumvirate, Chaos March

5 December 3066

What was left of the drop-port couldn't provide ground control for the descending dropships, but fortunately military dropships rarely depended on such signals and the landing pads themselves were largely intact. Intended to withstand the ravening fusion torches of dropships taking off and landing, it would have taken a truly impressive level of firepower to do more than chip inconsequentially away at them.

Sabine Steiner emerged from the first dropship to land, a towering Excalibur-class vessel, and led the reinforcements out from the cockpit of her Barghest, but the 'Mech only needed to travel a handful of kilometres to reach Isis' temporary command post in the city. The general's command lance joined the battered guard force while Sabine entered what was usually a high school gymnasium.

"You arrived in the nick of time," Isis said in greeting. She didn't return the salute she was offered, instead taking Sabine's forearms and pulling her forward into a hasty half-hug. "Thank you."

"I gather it was close." The tall blonde really did look a lot like her famous great-aunt. The Lyran-blue jumpsuit of a dismounted mechwarrior suited her, but Isis suspected that most clothes did.

Galen did salute. "I'm not saying we were about to collapse, but we were beginning to reach the point of having to make some decisions that would have been costly even in military terms."

Even the lightest of military costs was measured in lives, Isis knew. "I take it the Lucien Davion made its escape."

Sabine nodded. "The Capellan dropships will be in system for several more days but with their warship bailing, I doubt they'll consider turning around." She lowered her voice. "Which is probably for the best."

Isis nodded and drew her aside. "Some tea is within our resources," she offered. "Let's step out of the command centre and discuss what happens next."

Unlike the gymnasium, which was cluttered with tables and staff officers compiling the damage done and available resources to make it good, the classroom block being used as accommodations was quiet. A simple screen cut the room Isis was living out of in half. Cots for her immediate staff and herself to sleep in were beyond the screen but that left room for tables and chairs. One table had an electric kettle and the makings for tea and coffee.

Galen pulled chairs back for the two women. "How did you get the warships from the Blakists?"

"Mansdottir cut a deal," the Lyran officer told him wearily. "And Alys managed to pin both myself and Van Creveld down that they'd be used first to relieve your position. It's fortunate that the enemy withdrew because we don't have the crew for an actual naval engagement. Or the troops on hand for a major ground campaign."

"You're not short on dropships…?"

"Loaded with combat engineers and relief supplies. I had to strip dropships and jumpships of personnel to get scratch crews together for the warships and priority after that was filling out the carrier's aerospace bays - it wasn't easy to scrape two hundred or so fighters together on short notice but it's the only real offensive force we have."

"I hadn't considered that," Galen admitted, looking a little chastened. "The original crew weren't with the warships?"

"Enough for a cadre but we needed more than two thousand more personnel and I'm told it's made quite a hole in the crews for Marshal van Creveld's supply lines," Sabine explained.

"As much as that will annoy her, stopping Sun-Tzu was probably worth it," observed Isis, stirring her mug of hot chocolate. It wasn't very good, even with all the cream she'd poured into it. "What deal did Mansdottir have to agree to?"

"Don't shoot the messenger." Sabine wrapped her hands around her own coffee. "The Blakists are keeping three of the warships in repayment of their investment in getting the warship fleet built up in the first place."

Isis felt a scream nearly escape her throat and barely reined it in. "They basically robbed the treasury for over a decade and now they've demanded more?" That was still a bit shrill and she felt Galen's hand on her elbow. A deep breath and then a mouthful of sweet, sugary hot chocolate also helped a little. "I suppose three ships down for three ships here is still better than dying or being captured by the CCAF. Which ships did they take?"

"The Nueva Badajoz, the Olympic and the Xanthos."

She rubbed the bridge of her nose. "Those are all old SLDF vessels, unless I'm mistaken. Two old Aegis-class cruisers and… oh the Xanthos is going to sting!" The latter was a reconditioned battlecruiser of the Black Lion-class and one of the heaviest warships in the FWLN. Even after the Thera-class had been launched the Xanthos was still seen as the pride of the fleet.

"Look on the bright side, at least they're not taking any of the newer construction," Galen comforted her. "I'm a bit more curious about the larger picture though. How far has Sun-Tzu got? Without access to the HPG, our outside news has been limited."

Sabine leant back, apparently considering this a safer subject. "I think he bit off more than he could chew. With his best regiments tied down here, he's not really had the forces to secure New Canton or Tall Trees."

"That'll reassure Count Balatine."

"On the less promising side," the blonde warned - though she nodded in agreement - "The reason that he wasn't pulling more forces forwards was so that he could consolidate his position in what used to be Zion and Ohrenson Provinces. What resistance remained after the federal forces withdrew has been destroyed. You'll have quite a fight on your hands if you want to take those worlds back."

"And that isn't covered by our agreement with the Star League?" Isis asked rhetorically.

"Correct." Sabine swallowed a mouthful of coffee. "I can move the rest of my RCT over to help push the Capellans off the rest of the Triumvirate, but neither of the two provinces occupied were part of the Coalition and no one senior enough to try to make a convincing retroactive claim is available."

"And our warships aren't going to be a reliable counter to the Capellan navy for a while," Isis noted a little bleakly. "Although the longer it is before he notices that, the better our chances get. I hope someone gets their act together - he's taken six worlds but as many more are at risk before he runs into Orloff, the Protectorate or Corinne's holdings."

"Now there I have -"

Sabine's words were cut off as there was a knock on the door of the room. All three of them turned and looked, seeing a shadowy shape through the frosted glass. "Come in?" Isis called.

The door admitted Cindy Meyer, the Marik Militia colonel in fatigues - although she was wearing her dress sabre at her side, which wasn't normal outside of a few of the more eccentric regiments. "I'm sorry to interrupt you," she said politely, "But this is best done as soon as possible."

"...what is?"

Meyer wrapped one hand around the hilt of the sabre, fingers white. Isis let her hand dip out of view below the table to the sidearm she'd never fired except on the practise range, still in a watertight holster at her own hip. She could see Galen and Sabine both tensing.

"Your grace." Meyer's voice was tight. "When Corinne Marik proclaimed herself captain-general, I was relieved. I thought we had a hope of sane and responsible leadership. When Thomas Halas escaped, when Kirc Cameron-Jones proclaimed himself her rival I thought they would readily be brought to heel and I was disappointed that more officers didn't see it that way. When I heard that you and your cousin were holding dozens of regiments away from Corinne's cause, I -" Her voice almost broke. "I thought you were a half-step from being traitors."

She raised her hand, drawing the sabre in a reverse grip. "And when Sun-Tzu Liao sent his army and navy to seize entire provinces that had sworn themselves to her, my Captain-General did nothing!"

Isis stared at Meyer. There was resolve in the older woman's eyes, but not any impulse to violence.

"But you did," Meyer continued, painfully. "Even if it was a single regiment you came yourself. Rallied resistance to draw the line. And as much as I want to believe that you could have done this on Zion, the fact is that if we'd tried there we wouldn't have had the Disinherited to even the numbers. And more than that, you came yourself."

"I did." Isis rose slowly to her feet, removing her hand from the holster, although gripping the back of her chair as a readier weapon if Meyer was indeed going to do something rash. "As Alys did on Marik - or my uncle Jeremy on Arcadia."

Cindy Meyer placed the sword upon the table, releasing its hilt to fall heavily on the surface, between the mugs. "As a Marik should." Her shoulders slumped slightly. "I've spoken to my officers, those who remain. And the senior survivors of the Third Legionnaires and the First Militia. And they agree with me. My sword, and theirs, are yours to command."

Isis felt her jaw drop slightly. She swallowed. "You realise I have no intention of going to Atreus, or claiming the throne my father was once voted onto."

"It's enough that you'll use us to guard the League," Cindy Meyer told her.

"Colonel Meyer's forces aren't the only ones that have confidence in you," interjected Sabine Steiner. "I've also been asked to convey that Bernardo, Park Place and Ibstock - the worlds most at risk if Sun-Tzu pushes further into the League - have requested membership of the Silver Hawks Coalition. While I gather it requires your signature to be formal, the Tornadoes Regiment and the Hematite Guards are both being deployed to reinforce the new border."

Isis lowered her eyes. So this was victory. It still tasted bitter… but perhaps there was just a little sweetness beneath that. She lifted the sword and was about to hand it back to Meyer in acceptance of what it bespoke, but the officer unclipped the scabbard and handed that over again.

"Keep it," she told Isis. "Maybe it'll remind the next people you're talking to, that you've got true steel in you."

Sabine cleared her throat. "There's one more thing… about your Uncle Jeremy…"

Chapter 44

Castle Davion, New Avalon

Crucis March, Federated Commonwealth

20 December 3066

"How is Tamarind holding up without Jeremy Brett?" asked Peter as the briefing on the situation of what now looked increasingly like the former Free Worlds League began.

"Photon Brett-Marik has stepped into his father's shoes as the military leader of their alliance," Quintus reported. "That wouldn't be my preferred way of mourning, but his credentials are excellent and no one can doubt his commitment to fighting the Marians."

The Marshal of Tamarind had managed to save Kendall and its factories, swaying the world and its neighbours to join defensive pact that he and his wife had formed. However, war played no favorites and an air strike by Marian fighters had caught his command post on the move as his regiments pressed forwards towards the enemy landing zones. Arguably, his death had allowed the invaders to escape with less in the way of losses but it was still a bloody nose for House O'Reilly's ambitions to take advantage of the Free Worlds League's civil war.

Catherine folded her hands together on the table in front of her. "How are the rest of the Brett-Mariks?"

"The duchess is taking it hard." Quintus consulted his notes. "She's cut back her public appearances, with some of the more critical ones handled by her elder son Reginald."

Peter rubbed his jaw. "Are we looking at any potential clashes between Reginald and Photon? Therese Marik seems to have been promoting her younger son's career over his brother's."

"It seems unlikely. Reginald Marik may be the formal heir to the ducal title but he appears to prefer taking a background role. Our expectation is that he'll stand aside when the time comes for his mother to hand over political power."

"I suppose there's precedent for elder brothers doing that," George Hasek noted from his place at the table.

"Reginald and Photon are considerably older than my siblings," Peter reminded him. "I suppose they know their minds at this point. Are either of them likely to take an adversarial stance towards us?"

Quintus shook his head. "They're hardly our friends, but they're both very much aware that they have a great deal to lose if they wind up at odds with the Federated Commonwealth. Even reinforcing garrisons along our shared border would put them in a difficult position unless they can build their forces up further."

"If Bernstein's raids move into that area we may not have a choice, but for now we have enough concerns." The Archon-Prince sat back in his chair. "What other new developments are we seeing?"

"Thomas Halas has convened a parliament on Oriente, representing all the worlds that currently recognise him as Captain-General, along with a few that don't." Quintus' smile was cynical. "We expect similar from Corinne Marik and Kirc Cameron-Jones - whether the latter will use Atreus or Regulus is unclear. Until now they've all held off in hopes of bringing together a full representation to sanction them as Captain-General but Halas seems to recognise that there's no short-term likelihood of that. Or medium-term. We may be seeing the current divisions normalising."

"In principle I deplore civil wars," muttered Peter, "But in practical terms, a divided League is almost entirely to our benefit."

"The Mosiro worlds have elected to join the Duchy of Andurien," continued the intelligence officer. "That frees them to push further towards worlds that haven't picked a side so far. Both Emma Centralla and Sun-Tzu Liao have extended formal recognition of the Duchy's independence but, at least so far, the Duchess is keeping a good chunk of her armed forces facing them."

"The gift of Saiph keeps giving?" enquired George Hasek, getting a nod of agreement from Felsner. The older duke was overseeing the delicate consideration of whether Peter should follow the lead of Centralla and Liao in opening relations with the breakaway duchy, and on what terms. The Duke of New Syrtis tugged on his cavalry mustache. "I didn't think much of Isis Marik, but she's the first person in a long time to tell Chancellor Liao no and make it stick."

"I can't exactly give her a medal, as much as the notion appeals," Peter told him. "I can probably arrange something for Sabine Steiner though. Hohiro Kurita wasn't delighted by her initiative but he knows damn well that it serves him better to have this reported as a successful SLDF operation than as House troops going rogue while on Star League service." He took a deep breath. "Anything else urgent going on in the League quadrant?"

"Those are the major points, sire."

He nodded. "Alright, let's move onto the Capellans."

"Chancellor Liao continues to deny any knowledge of the identity of the cruiser that was supporting his forces on Saiph. Allegedly they simply arrived with credentials that were accepted at face value."

"I suppose we can take this to mean that he'd rather be taken for a fool than for an active conspirator," muttered Hasek.

"That's been his pattern of behaviour since Outreach," Quintus pointed out, apparently unconcerned that he was discussing his own first cousin.

Then again, it hadn't been conclusively proven that Kathrina wasn't Peter's biological sister so who was he to complain about someone else's family? "Does it seem likely he'll be pressing further?"

"At this time he seems more inclined to consolidate. Six more worlds for the Confederation lets him paint it as a triumph and our sources suggest that he's wary that our troop movements are preparations for an invasion."

Hasek made a face. "If only he was right."

Peter sighed. "There are only two things restraining me from going ahead with that, George. Firstly, there's a very real chance that Clan Wolf will resume Operation Revival in May - and if they get any traction the Jade Falcons and Ghost Bears will likely join in just to keep Vladimir Ward from getting to Terra before them."

"In name only," mumbled Catherine.

"Pardon?" Duke Felsner looked baffled at the non sequitur.

"Oh, sorry. I was thinking that since we have Clan Wolf-in-Exile already, the other half of the Clan should be called Clan Wolf-in-Name-Only."

Several people in the room were obviously restraining themselves from laughing. Peter didn't bother and once he'd broken ranks the meeting was interrupted by some much welcome amusement. Catherine didn't seem offended, instead looking rather satisfied.

"I must tell Khan Kell that next time we talk," mused Peter. "Where was I… oh yes, the Star League would probably complain if we invaded the Capellans on a grand scale. So as much as I'd like to re-enact Operation Rat, the most I can offer right now, George, is that if we get a decent excuse then I'll authorise localised offensives - the sort of thing that James managed against the Combine a few years ago."

"I'll have plans ready." The Duke of New Syrtis looked anticipatory. "After all, if you have the bulk of the AFFC facing the Clans, he may think he has an opportunity."

"If that happens," Peter told him, "you have first call on our strategic reserve, and you can draw on forces from the units in the Chaos March and Outworlds March as well. That'll give you more or less equal numbers to the entire Capellan Confederation Armed Forces."

Honestly, unless Sun-Tzu Liao stripped his borders with Andurien, Oriente and (now) the Silver Hawks Coalition, he'd be hard pressed to match the thirty-plus commands that would be remaining in the Capellan March, backed up by six warships.

"And if he is that foolish, then as soon as we have the Clans neutralised, I'll send reserves back to reinforce you," he continued. "I am quite done with Sun-Tzu Liao and it would be very satisfying to find out what part, if any, he had in Kathrina's madness by tearing the secrets out of his own palace."

"You're planning on crushing them then?"

Peter nodded. "They're occupying worlds of the Federated Commonwealth and the Jade Falcons have invaded us twice despite the Truce of Tukkayid. If Clan Wolf doesn't start something by the time of the next Whitting Conference, I don't see any reason that I shouldn't deal with the Falcons at the minimum. Victor and I discussed this after their last attacks and we're confident that they haven't recovered yet from the losses that they took then. I've no intention of giving them the time to do so." He paused and looked at George Hasek. "And with the Falcons neutered, I'll have a much freer hand with Sun-Tzu Liao."

Chapter 45

Little Paris, Dieudonne

Silver Hawks Coalition, Free Worlds League

20 January 3067

The Silver Hawks Coalition had never had a formal gathering place previously, but with dozens of new provinces represented the need was there. A permanent capital was still in question but for now the problem had been handled by taking a leaf from House Davion's book and buying out an entire resort.

Isis hadn't believed Victor at first when he'd told her that his father's ancestral home had been an Arthurian resort at one time, but research had borne it out. Lucien Davion, the legendary first President of the Federated Suns, had been one of the backers of the project (which had assumed vastly greater interstellar tourism than had actually resulted from the formation of interstellar realm) and when the consortium faced bankruptcy, the other partners had been bailed out by Lucien's son Reynard.

Little Paris was nothing like as grandiose. The owners had hoped to appeal to young couples, with a romantic setting based on fanciful ideas of the fabled city of lights, but they'd also only really expected to draw tourists from the rest of Dieudonne. Nonetheless, the tides of war meant that they'd been having trouble staying in the black financially and purchasing the site had been a relative pittance. While Isis hadn't checked the books personally, she'd been informeded that it had cost almost as much to upgrade the security.

As a result, the Coalition's leadership were gathered in a palace modelled on Versailles. By modern standards it was tiny and lacked basic amenities like a 'Mech hangar but it wasn't as if Isis felt that lack personally. Marshal Van Creveld still had a lance standing at the ready outside the building - a not entirely ceremonial role.

Rhys de Bruys called the meeting to order at a podium set where a ceremonial throne had been placed at one time. Diplomacy had required that the chair be removed - unless speaking the three heads of the coalition sat together on the window side of the hall, while the other members of the council were seated facing the podium. Isis would have enjoyed having the light from the windows behind her but it was simply reflected into her eyes by the mirrors on the wall across from her.

"Duchess Marik, I believe that this matter falls in your bailiwick," the President of Danais concluded and stepped aside graciously.

Rising to her feet, Isis went up the low steps to the podium and turned to face the crowd. Good lord, when had they reached the point of being a crowd? It hadn't been that long since they were a scant few men and women gathered in the Marshal's garden.

"My lords, we have been presented an offer." She looked around, seeing allies and obstacles. Those who would welcome what she had to present and those that would object. In the darkness of the night she was sometimes unclear which side she stood on the matter and therefore who she counted as her side. Which presumably left her in the middle ground that would sway until the matter was decided. She saw Alys among those seated. Another undecided - her cousin saw the logic but it was hard, so hard…

Isis tried to hide her nerves. "As you were all briefed before this meeting, Archon-Prince Peter Steiner-Davion has offered us full recognition as representing the interests of the Free Worlds League in regards to our worlds and provinces. While our representation on the Star League Council is not his to decree, this would include the mutual defense and trade treaties under the Star League and a guarantee of our borders."

She saw Count Balatine stiffen, understandably so. Saiph had always been within a jump of the Federated Commonwealth's stronghold on Nanking. But with Elgin and Hsien rejoining the massive state, the Triumvirate was now cut off from what little remained of the Chaos March.

"It also includes a partial resumption of payments towards the loans taken out by the Federated Commonwealth in 3051," she continued. Those payments had been suspended when it was no longer clear which government should be receiving them - the three Captain-Generals would undoubtedly have claimed the income for their warchests. "Specifically twenty percent of the repayments will be directed to the Coalition. My understanding is that other parts of the Free Worlds League will similarly receive portions of the repayment."

Isis could see a few heads move as that was considered. Greed was perhaps understandable - the economy of the entire League was struggling with the loss of trade. It was naive to think that an influx of cash would solve the matter but it was also very human. "However, this would be taking a strong stride towards sovereignty of the Coalition in it's own right as a state, rather than as part of the Free Worlds League. I therefore propose that we should consider our alternative options before voting on the offer."

"Are you suggesting we join the Regulans?" a querulous voice objected.

She turned her head slightly to the direction, as if she had seen the speaker. "Given Prince Kirc Cameron-Jones is stripping away provincial authority in favour of his own I doubt that such a measure would have great support but we should at least put the matter to a vote. May I have a show of hands by those in favour of recognising the prince as our Captain-General."

Not a single hand rose.

"Against?"

If anyone abstained, Isis didn't see them. The opposition to the Regulans should warm Corinne Marik's heart: if that had passed then it wouldn't have guaranteed a victory for Cameron-Jones but it would have almost certainly have left the Marik-Stewart faction crushed between the Silver Hawks and the Regulans.

"I don't think that anyone this side of Regulus is surprised to find that the motion fails," De Bruys muttered from behind Isis, who had to restrain a laugh.

She confirmed the outcome with a deadpan expression that left a few of the council laughing in her place. "To be fair then, let us consider the other candidates. Next is Corinne Marik, our nearest neighbour. We have, of course, had a difficult history so far with her faction but it has been established that this is likely not something she can be blamed for." Isis saw Alys wince at that. "If anyone feels that we should throw our weight behind her, please raise your hands."

A few hands actually did go up, invariably from representatives of democratic provinces whose representatives had insufficient influence to move their governments towards Corinne instead of the Coalition - or who might be reconsidering their choices now that it looked as if the conflict wasn't going to resolve quickly.

Isis nodded. "And those against." Once again, there was an overwhelming vote against. "Motion fails. And now we come to Thomas Halas, who did rule quite well for more than two decades."

"It's also his fault we're in this situation," Marshal van Creveld declared, clearly audible although she wasn't at the podium. There was a rumble of agreement from several parts of the room.

"Nonetheless, a vote please. Those who feel it is time to intervene and on the side of Oriente…?"

Once again the idea of throwing support behind one of the would-be Captain-Generals failed to secure any but the most tenuous of support from the Silver Hawks Coalition. While the region wasn't the largest in territory, the Hawks now included many wealthy worlds and a good fraction of the League's military output. If they had a shipyard to support their small warship fleet they'd be effectively self-sufficient in that regard and Isis knew that Marshal van Creveld wanted to create just such a yard with the funds promised by Peter Steiner-Davion.

Alys rose to her feet. "Ministers, fellow representatives. While I know that he is not actively seeking the post, may I impose upon you to similarly vote on the question of asking Photon Brett-Marik to serve as our Captain-General, uniting our coalition with that centred on Tamarind."

"Out of order," the Sirian representative snapped.

Isis raised her hand. "True, but not off topic." The two statelets covered almost all the Lyran border, only excluding the Trinity Worlds, a tiny federation of worlds at the far edge that had decided for reasons that presumably made sense to them, to remain a distinct body and recall a regiment of mercenaries largely hailing from their worlds to act as their defenders. If the Rim Commonality was also swayed then such an alliance could very plausibly force Corinne Marik to the negotiating table. "All in favour of asking the Marshal of Tamarind to serve as Captain-General."

Alys raised her hand and others went up around the room, almost twenty of them.

"And opposed, please."

More hands rose, somewhat more hesitant than before and some of those present chose to abstain. But with substantially more than half of those present opposed, that killed the notion. "Motion fails," Isis declared firmly, glad that there was at least a strong consensus. She would have hated to have to be casting a deciding vote.

Rhys de Bruys rose and moved to flank Isis, joined a moment later by the Marshal. "We now come to the proposed treaty with the Federated Commonwealth. I remind you all," the president informed the assembly soberly, "That in accepting this treaty we will be formally expressing our sovereignty, if on a conditional level. While we aren't going as far as House Humphreys of Andurien, to approve this treaty will render the Coalition effectively independent of the rest of the League until a single Parliament and Captain-General emerge."

"If they ever do," Anne-Marie van Creveld added harshly.

Isis gripped the podium with both hands. "The vote please. A show of hands to accept the proposed treaty with the Federated Commonwealth."

Hands began to rise even before she had finished speaking.

Chapter 46

Saunders, Saiph

Saiph Triumvirate, Chaos March

18 February 3067

It wasn't the first time Sabine Steiner had met the Capellan officer sent to handle the exchange of prisoners taken by both sides during the fighting over the Triumvirate worlds. On the previous occasions he hadn't been wearing the uniforms of a CCAF Sang-Shao. The St Ives Concordat had called the rank a Colonel (like any other sensible military, she thought with an amused recollection that for two decades her own service had called regimental commanders Leutnant-Generals) and before that he'd actually worn the uniform of the AFFC.

"General Steiner." Kai Allard-Liao had less of the calm resolve she'd seen in him on Tharkad during the First Whitting Conference, but also less of the hollow-eyed grief of the victory celebrations on that same world in 3052. His return from being caught behind the lines of the Clan Invasion - presumed dead in fact - had been much heralded but Sabine had thought at the time that it had been a macabre juxtaposition with learning of his father's assassination.

"Sang-Shao Allard-Liao." She gestured for him to take a seat with her at a table set apart from the main conference room by a soundproof glass partition. "I'm sure our subordinates can handle the details of exchanging our respective captives."

"So long as we make sure they don't fall out." He let the door close and noted the sudden lack of sound from outside. "Well, that won't make my watch-dogs happy."

"You have spies in your own staff?" Sabine asked, surprised less at the fact and more at how calmly the man was taking it. Then again, it was possible that LIC or MIIO had someone in her staff just to make sure that she didn't get too ambitious. Her grandmother had been Kathrina Steiner-Davion's strong right hand, after all.

Kai shrugged. "Three that I know of, and I don't think two of them realise they've been made. It's not how I'd like to handle things but it would be naive to expect anything else. The question is who they work for."

"Is me speaking to you privately going to make trouble for you?"

"Not really. Sun-Tzu has guards around my family so I doubt he'd do anything precipitous. We're never going to be friends, but I'm his best guarantee against his sister and he's mine against her too."

Sabine considered that prospect - Kali Liao was clinically insane but there was little doubt she still had the charisma and connections to be immensely dangerous - and shuddered. "And it shouldn't surprise him that we want to know about the Lucien Davion."

The New Avalon-born Capellan officer spread his hands. "I'd like some answers myself, but he's not showing me any cards he has hidden. My sister Cassandra was here -" She had a battalion command slot in the Second St Ives Lancers "- and there was nothing official or unofficial circulated to say that it was anything other than the Alexander Davion, sent here to co-operate on the pacification of the Chaos March under Star League authority. The selection of the Second Lancers was even explicitly said to be because it was felt they'd be less prone to friction with a FCN vessel. Not that there was much interaction."

"Why the hell would we ever have agreed to work with the Capellans? No offense."

He gave her a surprisingly dark look. "No personal offense taken, general. However, your liege's interest in re-taking worlds of the Chaos March is hardly a secret. The scuttlebutt - circulated from official sources but never actually endorsed - was that the Chancellor had negotiated a free hand with Saiph, the League provinces and perhaps a few other worlds in exchange for agreeing not to contest the Archon-Prince over the rest of the Chaos March."

Sabine gave him a perplexed look. "Who would believe that Peter Steiner-Davion would make deals with Chancellor Liao?"

"His sister did."

There was a pause.

"Don't take this personally, General Steiner, but whatever you call her, she gave Sun-Tzu Liao a free hand to reconquer my mother's realm. If Victor was in charge then I could trust that such deals weren't made again, but I don't know Peter half as well."

I didn't exactly grow up with the man either, Sabine thought. "And we came to defend Saiph."

"Yes." He grimaced. "Objectively, that suggests to me that if he'd been in charge then he would have at a minimum have allowed George Hasek to support us fully. Subjectively… it stings a little."

"In practical terms," Sabine told him, picking her words carefully, "Saiph's situation means that the Federated Commonwealth will retake most of the remaining independent worlds. Pro-Liao factions on the contested worlds pushed hard when it looked like Saiph would be a springboard for a new Capellan presence but without that support…"

"And Peter's moved five regiments of 'Mechs and more infantry and armour than I can readily recall the numbers for in, backing the pro-Davion factions on those worlds." Kai smiled slightly, "It's predictable what'll happen without significant support being sent from the Liao Commonality. No one would confide in me if that was to happen but I doubt it."

She agreed - there was every likelihood that the only independent worlds left in the region by the end of the year would be Outreach and Northwind, whatever Sun-Tzu Liao did. And he was probably not going to double-down when he'd already pulled back from Saiph. It would taint his victory over Ohrenson and Zion. "The Chancellor could hardly have been unaware that there was no secret treaty."

"If, that is, he was aware that that was the story being circulated." Kai sighed. "The Word of Blake has the contract to handle HPG communications in the Capellan Confederation and their central control is considerably weaker than a lot of people believe. It's not impossible that one of their factions tampered with correspondence."

Sabine straightened. "Surely that would be easy to prove!"

"If they co-operated. And if my cousin was willing to push them hard on the matter. His sister is on cordial terms with a senior member of one of the more extreme Toyamaist factions. If they wanted to manufacture a civil war with her in the lead… you need to understand that only a comparatively tiny number of people actually know that she was exonerated of war crimes against St Ives because she wasn't mentally fit rather than out of any doubt about her actions. The public just knows that the court didn't convict her."

"Are you sure you don't want to take your family and visit Victor on Tharkad for a little while - like forever?" She was only half-joking.

"And that would be why I have watch-dogs," Kai told her. His eyes narrowed and he sat a little more squarely. "Since we're asking personal questions, General, I know from my uncle's contacts on Tharkad that you were made an offer back after Kathrina dropped out of sight."

Sabine stiffened. That wasn't something that was widely known. Then again, this was Justin Xiang Allard's son. Intelligence work was something of a family trait - his brother was high in Peter's councils and there was probably a conduit there as well as to Tormano Liao's myriad of connections. "Yes," she admitted, seeing no likelihood that lying would be worthwhile.

"Why did you turn them down?" he asked. "Kathrina was out of the picture, Nondi was bleeding public support and Victor's position was far from strong enough to make a difference. The chances are pretty good that you could have been Archon now."

She sighed. "What's clear now wasn't so much at the time… although if I'd known then what I know now then I'd probably have taken them up on it just long enough to hand it over to Peter. He's done right by the Federated Commonwealth so far. Maybe third time's the charm with Hanse and aunt Melissa's children."

"Maybe. But back then…?"

"I'd have had to make a choice between doing so at a cost of jumping into bed with some of Kathrina's supporters, who were hardly savory, or of basically opening the door to Victor. Peter wasn't even a factor, just about everything I heard suggested that he was like his brother and it was Ardan Sortek that had carried him to victory on New Avalon. And Victor coming back… the smartest thing he ever did was decide not to try to rule again."

Kai nodded. "So you did nothing."

"So I advocated keeping out of things until matters became clearer. Kathrina could have made another appearance, I still have no idea why she didn't. Whether she's a fraud or not, she could have rallied far more support. But by the time it was clear Peter could stand on his own, Esteban's task force was headed in towards Tharkad and the window of opportunity had closed." Sabine spread her hands. "If I'd been more ambitious than I was cautious, maybe I could have sat on the Archon's throne. But I'm not prepared to say that I did the wrong thing, looking back."

Her guest nodded. "And that's why I'll be keeping my family on St Ives for now."

Chapter 47

Hyppo, Augustine

Silver Hawks Coalition

1 March 3067

Alys had avoided public appearances since returning from the Coalition Council meeting on Augustine. After accepting the treaty with House Steiner-Davion, the council had taken the logical next step and elections were being prepared for. By the start of next year, a two hundred strong Parliament would exist to advise and restrain their triumvirate leadership. Their first task would be to confirm or replace all three of the current leaders, but that seemed unlikely.

She had no heart for it.

All her life, Alys Rousset-Marik had intended to serve the Free Worlds League. Her siblings had joined the Krushers, but the mercenary lifestyle hadn't called to her in the same way. Irony being what it was, the regiment was being reborn as a regular part of the military… just serving a fragment of the realm that she'd taken such pride in.

Yanking the controls of her Perseus around she let fly with first one PPC and then the second at simulated targets. Even dialled down to training power levels, the weapons punched through the holographic simulations of Capellan 'Mechs with what felt like satisfying impacts. A wave of heat went through her cockpit as a Vindicator seemed to reel, plates of armour ripped open across its chest. The Raven next to it bowed forwards and drove its nose into the ground as one leg was blasted apart, the hologram winking out a moment later.

Alys kept her 'Mech moving, twisting to fire a vicious salvo of SRMs into the remaining target at close range. Enough of them found the gaping hole her first shot had caused that the target range's computers determined the Vindicator was out of action and the 'Mech toppled backwards.

Ignoring the 'Mech disappearing, Alys brought the Perseus to a halt and reached over to open one of the cockpit lockers. Flipping open the visor of her neurohelmet, she popped the cap of the bottle she'd found and deployed the built in straw. While a little elaborate, the cap let her sip the energy drink without removing her helmet or potentially spilling the contents over her face - the visor really wasn't large enough for full access to her mouth.

"Range control," she instructed once the temperature of the cockpit had settled back to normal and the inside of her mouth was less parched. The computer opened a channel in response to the verbal command and pinged in confirmation. "Control, this is Colonel Rousset-Marik. Does anyone else want the range or can I get another run in today?"

"There's a Ranger officer wanting some practise, colonel," the range-sergeant reported a moment later. "But he said he'd be happy to share if necessary."

Shrugging her shoulders to re-settle the weight of her cooling vest, Alys glanced at the map. "I'd be up for a two 'Mech run if he is."

She'd stowed the bottle and closed her visor again before the reply came in. "Understood colonel, he'll be waiting for you at starting position kappa."

"Affirmative, Range Control. Thanks." She closed the channel and started the heavy 'Mech marching towards the designated zone. The target range was beachfront territory, cut off from the rest of Hyppo's main military base by cliffs too high for most 'Mechs to scale. A cargo dropship had crashed into the area long ago and was still visible just off shore despite decades of salvage work pulling the contents, surviving crew and valuable components off it. That was one of the few signs that humanity had ever been here though. The range buildings were clustered under the cliff, screened from view of the water by a lower ridge of stone.

Wading along the sandy shore, Alys found the other 'Mech waiting for her at the southern end of the range, a dark-red 'Mech with the arms painted black. Light blue highlights confirmed that it was from the Twenty-Fifth Skye Rangers but for a moment she couldn't place the design - it was bird-legged like a Marauder but the arms ended in blunt fingers rather than the usual weapon pods. Her battle-computer scanned it and came back with a 'Viper / Black Python' designation that clued her in that it was a Clan design. A trophy from Operation Bulldog perhaps? It wasn't one of the frontline Clan OmniMechs that she knew offhand.

"Greetings, Colonel." The familiar voice of Reinhart Steiner came across the general channel. "I was hoping to run into you today, finding you on the range saves me a trip to your office later."

"I hope you would have showered first," she answered in a voice that had less humour than she had intended. "My apologies, that was intended as a jest."

The Viper pilot twitched one of the 'Mechs arms dismissively. "I suppose it's no day for humour. I gather that my message has been preceded."

"If you mean Serge, then yes." The Coalition's fledgling intelligence service wasn't comparable to SAFE but it was quite up to picking up headline news from across the border.

"I see." Reinhart sounded sympathetic rather than triumphant. "If you would rather not discuss it..."

Alys turned her Perseus towards the range. "I get the feeling I'll want to shoot at something. Tell me as we go." Her information had been fairly scant, after all. Just news that the 'scourge' that had been raiding Lyran worlds had been defeated 'at last'. She didn't think her brother-in-law would have been taken alive though.

The Viper strutted forwards - no, that was unfair, it was just the natural gait of it's bird-like legs. The 'Mech was faster than hers, but Reinhart stayed anchored to her flank as they roamed into the dunes, heading for the first waypoint. "I regret to inform you that Major Bernstein's dropship was brought down by AFFC aerospace fighters over Caledonia four days ago."

Caledonia? Serge, you damned fool!

The world had little note in and of itself, but it was one jump away from the well-fortified factory world of Hesperus II. More than one expedition of the FWLM had used it as a waypoint for attacking that target in the past so it was no surprise that Caledonia was well protected.

A Wolfhound light 'Mech popped up on the threat display, followed a moment later by a Valkyrie and two Commandos. A standard AFFC recon lance.

Alys fed her right hand PPC into one of the Commandos and saw the little 'Mech disintegrate under the impact before her LRMs could reach it. Reinhart had targeted the Valkyrie and twin pulse lasers ripped deep into it, just a little off centre. Holographic explosions suggested that the LRM storage had been struck as the two simulated opponents vanished from the scope.

"The dropship made a forced landing," Reinhart continued. "When offered the opportunity to surrender, Major Bernstein declined. The local militia surrounded the site and observed 'Mechs active and establishing fortifications around the dropship. Uncertain if the dropship could still fight or perhaps take off again, the local commander ordered an artillery bombardment."

The Wolfhound raked lasers across the chest of Alys' Mech, inflicting light damage as it tried to escape. Before she could bring it down, the Viper reached range for its medium pulse lasers and tore leg off the 'Mech with a pinpoint barrage of fire.

She returned the favour and fired both PPCs at the other Commando, which was trying to close in on Reinhart. One PPC had the capacitor still charged and the twenty-five ton scout 'Mech simply ceased to exist. The holograms winked out and a new waypoint appeared.

"I take it that Serge tried a breakout?" Alys asked as her 'Mech cooled.

"He did," agreed Reinhart seriously. "However, he was facing a battalion of the Tenth Lyran Guards."

She winced at the thought. Victor Steiner-Davion's most famous command and one of the most elite regimental combat teams in the Federated Commonwealth. Reinhart himself had served with them during the Federated Commonwealth Civil War.

"Major Bernstein's Albatross was brought down early in the engagement," the Lyran continued gently. "His cockpit was lightly penetrated and it appears he was knocked unconscious, bleeding out before rescue personnel could reach him. If it's any consolation, it seems unlikely that he had any chance to feel it."

Alys wrenched the Perseus to a halt, hands shaking as she removed them from the controls.

"Colonel? Alys?"

"He'd been feeling dead since Arcadia," she snapped. "Since Ana… Since they died. Something was lost then, inside him. You… your comrades only killed the half a man that was left."

Reinhart said nothing, simply halting his Viper next to Alys' Perseus.

It was several minutes before she could be sure she was speaking clearly. "My apologies, again. I must… inform my nephew of his father's death. I've been out here trying to vent so that I could bring myself to do so without it… well. I am sure you've had to deal with loss before."

"I have," he admitted. "And for that reason, you have no need to apologise to me."

"I am not only mourning Serge," she added. "My entire nation is dying. And I suppose having dodged that by a hair, you must have faced that fear as well." It was curiously liberating for her to admit that, even to a damned Steiner. The enemy across the border through her childhood, the employers that had turned on her mother.

Though he had no place in any of that, she reminded herself. Reinhart's career had never brought him up against the Free Worlds League.

"It seems that we have reached the season for civil wars," he admitted. "I hope yours resolves before more damage is done."

"You had a civil war," she spat. "We have a succession war. And history shows that they don't end quickly. Or easily." She took a hard, wracking breath. "I'm sorry, I should not try to pilot like this. Range control!" The computer pinged. "Please abort this run," she ordered, forcing courtesy as a layer against her range. "I'm returning to the hangar. Colonel Steiner has free use of the range if he wants to continue."

Chapter 48

Resaurius Keep, Tharkad

Donegal Province, Federated Commonwealth

12 March 3067

Despite Yvonne's steady presence and regular HPG communication, there had been a flood of meetings for Peter to attend after returning to Tharkad. Objectively few of them had actually needed his presence, but subjectively the fact that he was there and listening seemed to make a difference. It had been exhausting though and he'd been glad to take a full day off, capping it with a family dinner.

"What's on your mind?" asked Victor while Omi was putting Kit to bed.

They were one of the lounges, dressed comfortably rather than for court. Of course, for Victor that meant he was wearing a jumpsuit over 'Mechwarrior togs but that was apparently what he was comfortable in. Given Peter was wrapped in a warm robe against the winter's cold, he had no basis to criticise. "I was thinking about mom and dad."

His brother nodded. "They'd be proud of you, Peter."

"I hope so. But it was more… I wish I could compare notes with them. See if their experiences were the same as mine."

"It might be in some ways. But don't get bogged down trying to be them. You're your own man, and you're doing a fine job of leading the Federated Commonwealth."

"So far." He looked over at Yvonne, who was cradling little Arthur on her lap. Victor and Omi's second child was still sleeping at least half the time, which in Peter's opinion was his more attractive state. He had a healthy set of lungs on him and his face went practically crimson when he was unhappy, which seemed to be most of the time. "Practising for one of your own?"

She looked up from the baby in her lap. "Maybe. I don't see you doing anything to provide the next generation of House Steiner-Davion."

"I barely have the time." Peter raised his hand to forestall the inevitable. "Yes, I know approximately a third of the unattached women in the Federated Commonwealth would love to throw themselves at me but forming any sort of meaningful relationship would take time."

"Maybe you should ask Victor to assign Tiaret to your security detail."

He threw back his head and laughed. Tiaret Nevversan was a former Smoke Jaguar warrior, an elemental who had surrendered to Victor personally on Huntress back in 3060 on his assurance that children under her protection wouldn't be executed, as was Clan custom during annihilation…

Suddenly sobered, Peter looked down at his sleeping nephew, reminded of yet another reason that he wanted the Clans bordering him to be gone. He was going to have to have a serious talk to his cousin Phelan Kell as well - if the man's adopted Clan were going to continue living within the Federated Commonwealth, there needed to be better ground rules. He didn't suspect the exiled Wolves of endorsing such practises, but who knew what sort of leadership they might have in the next generation.

"We don't have that sort of relationship," he told his sister, returning to the subject of the conversation. Although the Archon-Prince was the tallest of his siblings, Tiaret towered more than thirty centimetres over him. They'd gone a few rounds on the practise mats when Peter was exercising and she'd pinned him every single time.

"At least you have a relationship."

"I don't think she'd go for it," Victor told them. "Tiaret's fond of children, but not so much politics. What about you, Tancred? Does fatherhood call to you?"

The lean heir to Robinson eyed Peter's brother for a moment and then nodded quietly. "Very much."

"Speaking of politics, what do you have coming up next week?" Victor asked. "I wanted to talk about the situation with the Hells Horses but your secretary said you were full up unless something urgent came up, and since they don't seem to be going anywhere…"

"You could have called."

"You're swamped and it's not as if anything's on fire."

Peter sighed. "The High Council has finally signed off on a form for the Senate that they're happy to transfer their powers to and disband. Which means now I need to see if I can convince the Estates-General to agree as well, or if we're going to go for another round of proposed changes."

The Senate was the agreed name for the new legislative body that would replace the High Council and Estates-General, providing advice to the Archon-Prince and hopefully some restraint if there was another ruler like Kathrina. Unfortunately the name was one of the few things that they had agreed on after more than two years of wrangling.

"Did the High Council give up on hereditary seats for worlds with hereditary rulers or are we going to have to fight that again?" Yvonne pinched the bridge of her nose. "Because they have to know by now that the Estates-Generals will fight tooth and nail to keep everyone above a Baron out."

Omi opened the door and entered, closing it quietly to avoid waking her younger son. "What's this?"

"The senate again."

Victor's wife in all but name nodded. "You need that sorted before November," she warned Peter sagely. "If you can't unload some of your work to them then being First Lord as well will be take more hours than there are in a day."

"It's by no means written that I'll be elected," he said weakly. A case could be made for elevating the Magestrix or the Protector, since their realms hadn't held the office yet, but the self-destruction of the Free Worlds League had left the reunited Federated Commonwealth as the only founding realm who hadn't seen one of their leaders in the hot seat.

Yvonne shook her head. "There would be a nasty backlash if you don't take it. Not disastrous, but the public are very well aware that the rest of the Star League Council deliberately kept Victor and Kathrina from becoming First Star Lord. If they seem to be doing the same now, then the question of what the Star League is doing for us will be raised again.

"I never wanted it," the oldest of the Steiner-Davions pointed out.

"And that would be you disdaining the legacy of both sides of our family," she responded tartly.

Peter sighed. "Anyway, to answer your question, Yvonne; the new proposal is for a unicameral body with every planetary government choosing a representative - whether that's a hereditary ruler or a nominee - and also a system of elected members, so everyone is in theory represented twice."

"Two members from every world?" Victor enquired. "That sounds a little unwieldy."

"A little?" It would be almost eighteen hundred people now and closer to two thousand if his plans to retake the Clan Occupation Zones went through. "But it may be worth it to get this settled. And not quite every world - districts will be by population, so some worlds will share an elected member while heavily populated planets could have multiple districts."

"Like Tharkad and New Avalon."

"Oh yes." The two worlds each had populations of around seven billion, partly the cause and partly the result of their own importance.

"I think they could go for it," Yvonne observed thoughtfully. "Something for everyone - although we can't possibly fit two thousand people into the current chambers. Just getting them together on a single world will be a logistical snarl."

"Particularly given it'll be on Tharkad half the time and New Avalon the other half. We're looking at scheduling them to coincide with the Royal Court season at least, which is one thing everyone's agreed to. Well, almost everyone." Peter imagined for a moment the complexity of his scheduling if the majority of both the current elected bodies hadn't accepted that. His staff had worked out a six year rotating schedule of presences on each capital and then started pencilling in various predictable events. He knew that some of his public appearances were tentatively marked down even though they were over a decade ahead - the eighth Whitting Conference in November 3079 would coincide with the three hundredth anniversary of Stefan Amaris' forces laying down their arms to Aleksandr Kerensky, and this would apparently be cause for a Sphere-wide series of memorials.

Peter was gloomily convinced that the same staff members would have a lifetime itinerary planned for any children he had before the poor brats were even born and would complain bitterly if said births weren't on schedule.

"At least there'll be a clear reward if they do agree to it," Tancred observed. "Is the Capellan ambassador still protesting that they don't know where the Lucien Davion went?"

"It's a little late for them to change their tune there," Peter admitted. "It's even remotely possible that Kathrina is working with Kali Liao and not Sun-Tzu."

Yvonne shivered. "Now there's a merry thought. Two women each equally convinced of their own divinity." Arthur stirred in her lap and the youngest Steiner-Davion picked him up and started rocking the boy. "Shush now."

"I'll take him." Omi stepped in and retrieved her child. "It's best he sleep in the nursery anyway. He needs to get used to not having all the attention he wants. And with Kathrina as a subject of conversation, you may wake him."

"He recognises the name?" asked Victor.

Omi kissed his cheek. "No, just the venom when you all mention her."

Peter watched his sister-in-law leave and then looked for another topic of conversation. It had been a nice evening and he didn't want Kathrina spoiling it. "The Hells Horses?"

His brother shook his head. "Yes, we finally got news via Phelan of what shook out from their clashes with the Ghost Bears and Wolves over the last few years. Apparently the reason we haven't heard from them is that they won trials of possession for worlds of the old Oberon Confederation and Elysian Fields… oh, and one of the Greater Valkyriate worlds. Basically, the Wolves have pulled back to the old Federated Commonwealth border and let the Horses take fourteen marginal worlds that have already been stripped of most of their population and resources."

"Hmm." He rubbed his jaw. "On the one hand, that doesn't sound as if they'll be bothering us much. But it also suggests that Khan Ward is consolidating his forces and that just increases the chances that he's planning what we were expecting."

"I don't like his chances," Tancred told them flatly. "He only has five galaxies as I understand it. That'd be a match for around ten of our frontline commands and with the reshuffling of regiments, we'll have something like seventy commands there, including some of the very best."

One military bureaucrat had even been planning to send the Fourteenth Federated-Commonwealth RCT to join them but Peter had overridden that - every other RCT in the formation was already participating and one unit should be held back as cadre to rebuild in the event of a disaster. Besides, Yvonne might resign as regent if he sent Tancred to the frontlines before her wedding. Or stab him. He wasn't sure which was more intimidating. In any case, the Fourteenth would remain as the joint garrison of Tharkad along with the First Royal Guards. That should be entirely sufficient for ceremonial purposes or if the capital somehow came under attack.

"I'm sure he knows that. I have to assume that if he's going to start a war then he has a plan. And if it deters him then we can take the initiative ourselves."

"Do you think Sun-Tzu will try anything while you have the bulk of our best units up here?"

Peter looked back at Victor. "I doubt it. He knows George Hasek is eager for any excuse and we have enough forces on his border to stall just about anything long enough to rush a reserve force back. And we're already holding half our warship fleet in the Suns State Command - unless the Combine decides to jump in with him, eighteen warships should be enough to annihilate his navy and tear strips off his commerce."

And I sent him a warning about pulling out of the Star League, he added to himself. He didn't want word getting back to George Hasek about this and Victor had no need to know. Catherine's visions had told her that Sun-Tzu would have neglected to attend the Fourth Whitting Conference, taking the Confederation out and setting off the withdrawal of the Lyran Alliance and Federated Suns. Of course, the political situation was drastically different now, but even so. The note had simply reminded the Chancellor that his mother had never actually signed a treaty with the Federated Commonwealth, so without the agreements made when the Second Star League was formed, a case could be made that the Fourth Succession War wasn't over.

Resuming a war more than thirty years after the last battle would raise a few eyebrows, but Peter wouldn't hesitate if it came to that. The rest of the Star League Council might even approve as long as he put one of the other Liaos onto the Chancellor's throne and didn't annex the entire Confederation.

Chapter 49

Kirin River, Irian

Silver Hawks Coalition

27 March 3067

"Once again, my congratulations," Galen heard as he entered the ante-chamber to Isis' office.

The SLDF had relocated their headquarters after Sabine Steiner had moved to intervene at Saiph, with leadership of the disparate task force transferred to Laura Nelson of the Genyosha. Officially, just to allow Sabine to focus on her new area of concern but command hadn't been returned to her after it was clear that Sun-Tzu Liao's overconfidence wasn't quite suicidal enough to attack an actual SLDF deployment.

It was a bit of a mixed message though - Tai-sa Nelson had made it clear she'd cheerfully move her command, Reinhart Steiner's and the mercenary elements of the SLDF to Saiph and take a crack at the CCAF given half an excuse. Not because she was rabidly anti-Capellan, just because she thought peacekeeping was blunting the Genyosha's edge and some combat might correct that.

Galen would be perfectly happy to give her the chance if it came to that. He hadn't lost the battle but nor had he covered himself with glory.

Sigmund Hughes left Isis' office before Galen had found a seat to wait for his chance to meet with Irian's duchess. The industrial magnate gave him what was probably a sincere smile. "Ah, Colonel Cox. May I hope that you're here with more business for my company?"

"Not today, sir. But I expect that I'll be in touch shortly. Our peacekeeping role here in the League doesn't seem to be about to go away."

"Just send word to me if there's anything I can do to smooth the way," Hughes assured him. "The SLDF will have our very highest priority as a customer."

As opposed to the Silver Hawks Coalition? wondered Galen privately. "I believe we can do business."

"That's the name of the game," the older man boomed and made an exit.

Galen glanced after him for a moment and wondered if Hughes had managed to get access to his recent messages from Hohiro Kurita. The SLDF's other Regimental Combat Team was already on its way into the Free Worlds League now that the Rim Commonality had requested support, and plans to split the First RCT to create the Second RCT had been adjusted to reflect carrying out the expansion on site.

Now that had been changed again, with the core of a fourth Regimental Combat Team to be established in the next year. It would mean hiring two regiments of mercenaries on a semi-permanent basis and, even with that, both RCTs would be understrength through to at least 3070. But even so, it would mean an increasing amount of the SLDF's budget being spent in the Rim Commonality, the Duchy of Tamarind and - especially - the Silver Hawks Coalition, which had the most robust military manufacturing sector of the three.

Lookiing at Isis' secretary, Galen was waved in and he entered the office, closing the door behind him. The duchess behind the desk had a professional mask on her but the expression fell away once she saw it was him. "A busy day?" he enquired kindly.

"You have no idea… except you probably do," she corrected herself. "What with Victor and all that."

"It's something like that. Commiserations on being elected as the head of Irian's planetary government."

Isis slumped back in her chair. "That sounds so much more sincere than the congratulations I've been receiving so far. Sometimes it's hard to remember that this is what I came back to the League for."

"Oh?" Galen looked at the chair facing Isis and then went past it to lean against the end of her desk. "I knew you'd spoken to Halas and to Omi before deciding to come here."

"I wanted the wealth and power to be my own person." She adopted a whiny tone. "Why did no one warn me that it came with responsibilities?"

"The previous decade or so wasn't sufficient warning?"

Isis laughed at that. "I may be a little slow at times." Then the amusement drained away from her. "Do you think less of me? That I came back out of ambition?"

"Power isn't evil in and of itself." Galen folded his arms. "It's what you do with it - and what you do to obtain it - that can be… wrong."

"Like Kathrina."

That still sent a pang through him. Partly anger at how she'd sent him to what had nearly been his death, partly disappointment that she hadn't been the person he thought she was - in character and perhaps even identity. And partly irritation at himself that despite ten years she still had enough hold on him that it hurt. "That's certainly an example, although I can think of others."

"I carved a slice of my home nation - my father's nation - away and I've seceded in all but name. The parallels have been on my mind."

Galen shook his head. "Don't let Hughes or your other detractors do that to you. You've got people around you - Alys and Lloyd for examples - who will tell you if you're letting power go to your head. Trust them, not the people who have a vested interest in tearing you down."

Isis looked up at him, then pushed her chair back and got to her feet. Galen stepped back a little but she moved towards the window. "Would you be one of those people, Galen?"

He swallowed and then walked over to join her at the window, looking over at the garden. Staff were still putting the lawn back in order after it had been used as an impromptu parking lot. "I could be. If you want me to."

She sighed. "Thank you. You'll have to let me know what your next posting is. At least I can afford my own HPG charges now."

That was a slight exaggeration, Galen knew. Even before she was a duchess, Isis had access to some Marik funds. Enough for any normal person to live in reasonable comfort. The problem was that she'd not been a normal person and her royal status required a level of security that she'd had to lean on patrons before. And now, the woman next to him was in a position where she could be the one offering that protection to others.

"Probably not so many of those," he told her. "Hohiro isn't stupid - at least for the next few years this is likely to be the SLDF's major deployment. He's asked me to serve as liaison officer to the Silver Hawks Irregulars - or should that be Silver Hawk Regulars now?"

Isis leant over and threaded her arm through his. "Marshal van Creveld is still arguing with General Thrall over that. I think we'll see distinct brigades forming again now that we need something more permanent, but it's unlikely I'll have to get involved."

"But, my point is, I'm not going anywhere in the next few years. After that, well…"

"A soldier's life."

"I've come a long way from the farm back on Tamar," he agreed and felt her pull closer against him.

"Will you ever go back? Even I can see that the Archon-Prince is angling for a confrontation there."

'Even you'? I think you under-rate yourself, Isis. Even Hohiro seems to think that the recent AFFC deployments are just precautionary. "No, my family there has been dead since 3039 and the farm was in different hands by the time the Clans arrived. There's not really much left for me there - the SLDF may send me back if we get involved, but that's all. And as a liaison officer..."

"Would you be satisfied with that? There's going to be room for command opportunities with the way the SLDF is expanding."

Galen smiled slightly. "I've spent more time in a staff role than in command. There's been some mention I might get a brigade in a few years but after Saiph I'm in no hurry."

"Are you blaming yourself for that now?" she asked, looking up at him. "Everyone else seems aware that you did wonders holding the defenders together for months under the pressure that we were under."

"I seem to remember a few other people doing a lot of that." He shrugged. "I've not lost my nerve, but it came very close to being not enough."

"You can't make your life on what might have been," she said wisely. "If so, I might still be hung up on Sun-Tzu."

"Well I wouldn't want that."

Galen Cox yielded to impulse and leant down towards her. Isis Marik moved closer to meet his lips and nothing more was said in words.