Crucis March
Federated Suns
July 4, 3219
"You've done well, Edward," said Anderson Davion to the officer standing before him in the Fox's Den. "Better than anyone could have expected, given the circumstances. I'm afraid we just didn't anticipate what that idiot Corrigan would do."
Edward Davion stared at his cousin. "That is an understatement, my lord," he said finally. "The Star League is now at war with the Free Worlds Republic and the Capellan Confederation. And it wouldn't surprise me if some of the Clans went over to their side. Yes, I would say that things went unexpectedly." He hesitated. "Any word of General Steiner?"
Lara Steiner had been captured by the Capellans at Bharat, the only world in the Tikonov Principality that the Confederation still held. After routing the attack on Tikonov, Edward had consolidated his forces and had been on the verge of mounting an assault when the Star League had recalled him. Now, battles had erupted on dozens of worlds between Capellan and Free Worlder forces and the Star League Army, primarily Com Guard garrisons. The situation had gone from bad to worse to hell in a hand basket in the span of six weeks.
Anderson shifted uncomfortably. "Ah, yes. The Capellans sentenced her to death for war crimes. Her execution is scheduled for the first of next year." He raised a hopeful glance at his cousin. "Don't worry, Edward, we've got plenty of time to get her back, even if we have to go to Sian to do it."
Edward Davion, who had recently been named Commander-in-Chief of the Star League Defense Forces in replacement of Precentor Martial Kurita-Davion (who had accepted full responsibility for the situation's deterioration even though the responsibility was not his, and who had resigned his position as Commander-in-Chief), just nodded. "You're right, Anderson, we'll get her back—I'll get her back. This is far from over."
Prince's Palace, TikonovTikonov Principality
July 5, 3219
Charlemagne Kerensky-Liao was quite pleased with himself. While he certainly hadn't intended to set off an interstellar war, he had accomplished what he had meant to do, and accomplished it very neatly. The people of the Principality were firmly behind him, resolute against the Capellan menace that loomed on the horizon.
He wasn't happy with the loss of Bharat, but it was only one world. His allies in House Davion would eventually conquer it for him anyway, so what was to be gained by fretting over one planet?
Charlemagne was surprised by a knocking on his office door. He had specifically instructed his orderly to screen all but the most urgent of calls. If this was anything short of an all-out invasion of Tikonov, he was going to be extremely angry.
"What?"
The door opened enough to allow Mr. Zander to slip in. Charlemagne's agent was dressed as he always did, in unrelenting black that gave his brusque demeanor even more exaggeration.
"What is it, Zander?" Charlemagne asked impatiently.
"Why don't you have a seat, Prince?" Zander said, taking a chair himself. "You know, I always thought your office was too small. I'll have to change that."
"What are you talking about?"
Zander smiled wickedly. "Oh, you didn't know? There's going to be a change in management. Specifically, on the executive level."
Charlemagne laughed. "You can't possibly believe that the people would support you. They love me! They're having parades in the street in my honor! You must be mad if you think that any kind of coup will work!"
"I would certainly agree that I couldn't hope to maintain control if I simply overthrew you, Charlemagne, but then, I don't have to." Zander's smile grew as he kept talking. "You see, Prince, just yesterday I sent out evidence indicating your complicity in the death of your wife to every world in the Principality—including Bharat—and, of course, all the Inner Sphere capitals. About now, that news should be going public, and the people will be outraged at your betrayal."
"You bastard, you know I had nothing to do with my wife's death!" Charlemagne growled. "I wanted her alive, it would have been easier with her alive!"
"Oh, I know that my accusations are completely false," said Zander. "And you know why? Because I'm the one who arranged for Lady Janice to be just a little late in leaving. I'm the one that killed her, Charlemagne, and you never suspected, did you?"
"Son of a bitch . . . wait!" Charlemagne sat straight up, suddenly seeing a way out. "You wouldn't dare try me now, I'd tell that in court in a heartbeat! The only way out I can see is for us to cut a deal. I'll let you have the Principality, and you give me . . . forty-eight hours before sending the authorities."
"I'm certain that arrangement works for you, Charlemagne, but it doesn't happen to fit with my plans." Zander reached into his coat, removing a large pistol. "Being even more horrified than the average citizen, I went immediately with Captain Jeffers and her mercenaries to apprehend you. It's too bad that you resisted arrest . . . and it is with a heavy heart that I, next in line in the government, must accept the title of Prince myself." Charlemagne's eyes widened as he realized how thoroughly he had been duped, and Zander raised the pistol to level with the Clanner's forehead.
"Call it a Trial of Succession. You lose."
He fired once.
THE END . . . but Edward Davion will return.