Chapter Two

The Triad, Tharkad

Donegal March, Lyran Commonwealth

13 November 3049

"Phase one redeployments of the AFFC are underway," Ardan Sortek reported, using a pointer to illuminate locations on the map of the Inner Sphere in the centre of the table. "By the end of the year we'll have four Ceti Hussar, five Deneb Light Cavalry and ten of the Federated Commonwealth Regimental Combat Teams in the Tamar March, supported by the Federated Suns Armored Cavalry and four regiments of the Wolf Dragoons."

He lifted his pointer and looked up at Hanse and Melissa. "We've reached the point where we need to decide on our defensive line and whether phase two redeployments go to Tamar or if we need to reinforce the outer end of the Draconis March."

"Thank you, Ardan." Hanse looked at the map and then over at Justin. "I think the second question takes priority here. Justin, what information do we have?"

"Very little at this point." The Minister of Intelligence tapped controls and two stars lit up on the map. "There's been no pirate activity, or communication of any kind from the Valkyrate, the Oberon Confederation or even the Elysian Fields. Two exploratory parties are on their way to drop by on Von Strang's World and Star's End. Unfortunately, the likelihood of their managing to return data is fairly slim if the Clans really are present. Both parties have been fully briefed on Clan traditions and hopefully if they do make contact they can… bargain for favourable terms of combat."

"So the only actual evidence we have of the Clans is one set of recordings from a mercenary regiment?" asked Nondi Steiner.

"That and the atypical silence out of the bandit kingdoms."

"And we're sure this isn't faked somehow?"

"Colonel Camacho's people had absolutely no idea what they encountered. They only shared the data in the hope of salvaging something from what was otherwise a pretty bad defeat. They wouldn't have the information to construct such a fraud." Justin shook his head. "It's possible, of course, that the reasons for the Clans' presence on Gotterdammerung aren't what we believe, but they were definitely present."

"Most probably they're waiting for their frontline forces."

Heads turned to where Natasha Kerensky was sitting, chair propped back and boot heels on the side of her workstation.

"Could you expand on that?" asked Ardan mildly.

She swung her feet down and leant forwards. "They're dealing with bandits. That isn't prestigious enough for the Clans to deploy their best troops. In their view there's no honour to securing forward bases and getting rid of vermin like Morgaine or Ryan. So they probably sent second tier units ahead to clear the way for them. I'm surprised we're even seeing OmniMechs in use, at a guess they wanted to blood some of their newer warriors on something easy so they could see what they were made of before giving them a chance at joining the invasion force."

"You're saying that these are their equivalent of a training cadre?"

"Something like that. Probably they've got solahma units to do the infantry work, but most of them are probably right out of the sibkos."

Nondi shook her head. "Those… kids… tore up two to one odds pretty handily."

"They got into a city fight they had no business trying for and got at least one warrior killed and two 'Mechs badly damaged. Granted that the Jade Falcons have never been the sharpest tools in the box, but if they'd more experience they'd have fanned out to control the perimeter and called in either air strikes or some Elementals."

"Thank you, Natasha. However, to get back on point, is there anything similar happening near the Outworlds Alliance. Justin?"

"Not that we've been able to determine." Justin lit up the portion of the map where the border between the Federated Suns and the Draconis Combine met the Outworlds Alliance. "We've contacted the Outworlds government per the anti-piracy treaty we arranged back in 3042 and they haven't had any unusual activity. We shared the data from Gotterdammerung just in case anything turns up."

"In that case I think that for now we have to work on the basis that the major threat is going to be to the Tamar March," Melissa observed. "What would the phase two redeployments involve?"

"It's primarily made up of large mercenary units. The 12 Star Guards from Tamarind March, the Dioscuri from the Terran March, the Dismal Disinherited from Draconis March and the Screaming Eagles from the Crucis March. Also the Kell Hounds, two of the Royal Guards RCTs and three Lyran Regular regiments."

"Most of them aren't refitted but if we're going to stop the Clans we need to defend in depth and numbers are going to count there." Hanse nodded. "Approved, Ardan. Get them on the move as soon as possible. The next decision is where exactly we draw the line. Nondi?"

The Lyran Commonwealth Marshal of the Armies focused the map in on her command area. "I think we've already discarded Defensive Line Alpha, right at the edge of the Inner Sphere," she concluded.

"Correct. We can retake those worlds if we stop the Clans but we can't stop them there. We've too little information to concentrate our forces in the right places and with our current force strengths we need to bleed them before we slam the door."

"Line Beta writes off all of Wotan PDZ and draws the line from Kolovraty in the Donegal March through Blackjack and to Planting, on the border with the Free Rasalhague Republic." Nondi hesitated and then shook her head. "If we could be sure Rasalhague would also hold them, I'd recommend this line but that isn't my take on their situation."

"I agree." Melissa looked regretful. "Even if we gave them full access to our information there's simply no way that they could upgrade to the point they were ready for this in less than five years."

"We did consider it," her husband reminded her. "At the time, the chance of it becoming public knowledge and triggering an invasion seemed too much of a risk. Let's not get bogged down by hindsight."

"That takes us to Defensive Line Gamma." Nondi lit them up. "It's a longer line, right into the Radstadt salient, but it covers the factories on Sudeten and there's also the political cost if we had to write off Tamar itself. I'm not going to deny we'll be stretched if they push further into the Donegal March but I think this is the best choice. If absolutely necessary, we can hold reserves at Defensive Line Delta, the Benfled line, and either fall back on it or move them forward to plug gaps."

"What's built on Sudeten?" Hanse asked, checking his notes.

"Besides Olivetti's Warhammer factory? It's one of our major factories for upgraded tanks. Sturmfeur and Demolishers as well as J. Edgar hover tanks."

Ardan and Hanse exchanged looks. "Well we don't want to lose those factories. Do we have contingencies?"

"We have alternative component manufacture set up under Project Mulberry. The main assembly unit is another matter, we'd be looking at weeks to take it apart and months to set it up again."

"I think we can all agree on Defensive Line Gamma," Melissa said firmly.

"And warships?" asked Nondi.

"I'm sorry, we're sticking with the existing plans there. I'll authorise tactical nuclear strikes if need be but unless the situation changes we'll be keeping those in reserve to keep Marik and Kurita honest while we're focused on the Clans."

"Not Liao?" asked Nondi snidely.

"That's still under discussion," Hanse said quietly. "Depending on the outcome, you may have some additional units to deploy along Line Gamma."

"There is one more decision to make, your highnesses." Ardan looked over at Nondi. "Meaning no offense, Marshal, but under the circumstances I feel…"

"If you're referring to the Court, Ardan, I believe we're on the same page. It's entirely possible the Clans might decide to launch a deep strike at our command centre her on Tharkad. Under the circumstances, I recommend moving as many Court functions as possible to New Avalon." Marshal Steiner turned to Hanse and Melissa. "That includes both of you and your children."

"That puts us a long and expensive HPG connection away from the frontlines."

"It'll be far less expensive than switching to a regency until Victor's old enough to inherit, particularly with an ongoing war." Ardan looked at Hanse appealingly. "Trust us to do our jobs, Hanse. That little bit of extra security could mean all the difference."

.o0o.

Ducal Palace, St Ives

St Ives Compact

15 November 3049

Victor swore under his breath and stuck the left arm of his namesake 'Mech out of cover to fire the lasers at the 'Mech overlooking his position.

For a change, one of the lasers scored a hit and his displays suggested a second hit to the left arm would penetrate. Unfortunately, the Centurion he was facing didn't have anything particularly significant in that arm. At this range, all that would reach him in her weapon suite were the LRMs and with fiendish accuracy, a flight of five smacked against the armour of his own left arm.

Granting that Victor's armour was considerably thicker, it would have been significantly more use if that hadn't been the first shot he'd landed on Cassandra.

"Your sister," he advised, "Is a witch."

Kuan-yin Allard-Liao, also in a Victor, triggered her autocannon at the incoming heavy 'Mechs piloted by her mother and younger brother. "Prince Victor, after knowing my sister all our lives, I can assure you she is simply that skilled." Then she added something in mandarin that Victor thought he should probably not repeat in polite company. "Although I'll admit she's diabolical in father's 'Mech."

"Want some support?"

"I'd love it. But if you move then Cassandra will be all over our rears and believe me, that isn't something either of us need."

Victor grimaced and conceded the point. The advanced assault autocannon mounted in the right arm of each of their Victors was absolutely devastating at point blank ranges, but Yen-lo-Wang had been upgraded to mount one as well. In fact, the famous duelling 'Mech had been brought up to the standard of a new construction Centurion fresh out of Corean's New Avalon production lines. "Point taken, but if we don't do something about the Cataphracts…"

"We are in rather an unfavourable position." She paused. "Quintus can be occasionally reckless. I'll give him what seems to be an opportunity. When I give the word, please join me and we'll concentrate our fire on him."

"Sounds like a plan."

Checking his display, Victor tried to pick out Cassandra's position in the rubble and broken buildings of the simulated battlefield. It wasn't easy – there was too much metal for magscan to be useful and she wasn't firing enough to seriously strain the powerful heatsinks built into her reactor.

Okay, if sensors aren't going to work, try to get inside her head… What would be the worst possible place for her to be…?

Victor scanned the surroundings and then picked out the best route for approaching under cover, behind a crumbling brick wall easily twice the height of a BattleMech. There was a crackle of static on his sensors that gave away that Quintus was moving close enough for this ECM suite to start affecting targeting. If they were co-ordinating – and why wouldn't they? – then Cassandra might feel she had the opportunity to get close before being detected. In which case…

He raked the base of the wall with his autocannon, the powerful shells tearing a gouge out that was certainly more than the structural integrity of the bricks could withstand. It was about even dice which way the wall would fall but Victor loaded the dice by firing both his SRM launchers and several tons of bricks crashed on top of Yen-lo-Wang.

"Victor! Now!"

Slamming his feet down on the jump jets, Victor brought the Victor around and over the cover behind him to reveal Quintus blazing away at Kuan-Yin's position with his own autocannon and his PPC at a range of under three hundred metres. Victor squared the crosshairs as the knees of his 'Mech absorbed the impact of the landing and fired everything.

The temperature soared – even with the powerful heatsinks fitted to the eighty-ton machine, a full alpha strike pushed it well into the red zone and Victor felt sweat dripping down his face as he slapped the override switch to prevent the reactor from shutting him down.

Quintus reacted quickly, the teenager throwing up both of his Cataphract's arms to shield himself. It worked, but at a cost – the limbs were reduced to skeletal stubs by the combined fire of Victor and his elder sister.

That was when Candace stepped her own Cataphract out of cover and unlimbered her own weapons directly into Victor's already damaged left arm. The status display flickered and then updated: one laser gone, not to mention that significant actuator damage would make aiming the remaining laser somewhat challenging.

Victor feathered his jump-jets to move back into cover and came face to face with Yen-lo-Wang. His reflexive snap-shot with the autocannon hammered into the cityscape behind her while her muzzle tracked un-erringly into the face plate of his 'Mech.

The simulator rocked sharply and the main lights went out, controls dead in Victor's hands. "BattleMech destroyed," a recorded voice announced as the temperature inside began to drop now that heaters were no longer simulating the sensations of an overheating 'Mech.

With a groan he started to unstrap himself from the seat, removing the medical sensors from his biceps and thighs. Only when the safety harness was completely removed did he take off the heavy neurohelmet and set that on its shelf above.

The hatch of the simulator hissed as it opened – in another aspect of the verisimilitude of the pods, they over-pressurised in the same way as a real cockpit would – and Victor clambered out and onto the gantry. As he made his way along it towards the locker room, two more pods opened and he saw Quintus start to emerge from his own simulator. Victor paused and bowed slightly to the third pod when Kuan-Yin's head was visible. "Sorry that didn't go better for us."

She smiled and started unpinning her long dark hair from the bun she wore it in under a neurohelmet. "Even with these new technologies, three on two is a difficult proposition, Victor. If you'll excuse me, I'd rather shower before mother and Cassandra are done, otherwise the after-action debriefing will start in the locker room."

Kuan-Yin turned and walked away from Victor and Quintus, the two locker rooms being at either end of the gantry.

"Your mother and Cassandra aren't done yet?"

"Last 'Mech standing rule," Quintus explained. "Once one team are eliminated, the winners turn on each other. Father doesn't particularly like that but mother says it's 'part of our political education'."

"Ah." Liao, Victor reminded himself and wondered if that was how Candace had interacted with her own siblings. Tormano Liao was a not infrequent visitor to Tharkad, having taken up the role of St Ives ambassador to the Archon's court when he wasn't busy expanding House Liao's financial portfolio in the Commonwealth. Somehow it was hard to see that smooth, cultured man engaged in political infighting.

That might explain why the dominance of the House fell to his sisters, of course, but equally it might simply be that he has a very good façade.

Thoughts such as this followed Victor through his shower and he was halfway dressed when his personal comm started to vibrate. "Victor," he answered curtly.

"No debriefing today, your highness." Candace's voice held a note of tension. "Please come to my office with Quintus. I've had a message from New Avalon that I wish to discuss."

While the 'Mech simulators were one of the many palace facilities buried in among the deep bunkers of the ducal palace, Candace Liao's office was on the second floor of one of the central spires. Rebuilt after a Second Succession War raid by the same Davion Assault Guards regiment Victor was now part of, the palace was heavily fortified and many of the granite and marble pagodas hid concealed weapon emplacements. Candace's own windows looked out on a modest garden in the chinese style.

Candace herself sat with her back to this view, behind the large mahogany desk that she handled most correspondence at. The room's two couches had been moved from the walls to form a V-shape with the desk at the wider end. Cassandra and Kuan-Yin had claimed one of the two couches so Quintus and Victor seated themselves opposite the girls.

"Victor, your father's asked me to inform you of the reasons that the recent war games were cancelled. If the situation continues, it's likely that the rest of your regiment will be briefed in soon, but he wanted you to have advance notice."

"I've been wondering."

"He also apologises to you and I that certain latitudes he's been able to permit until now may no longer be feasible. I've had almost two decades to consider that possibility and I suspect he would have rather explained them to you himself. Unfortunately, the situation doesn't permit."

Victor frowned. "I don't follow that."

"It'll make sense soon." Candace looked at her own children. "Strictly speaking I don't need to inform you of this, but I think it's important you know. Until I give you permission, you aren't to mention our conversation today to anyone outside this room. This is serious business and the consequences of a leak would be extremely damaging. Do you understand?"

The girls nodded and Quintus piped up: "Is this about Kai taking Legendkiller with him instead of Yen-lo-Wang?"

"It's related, after a fashion." Candace raised one eyebrow. "So, can you keep a secret?"

"I probably shouldn't tell you about the secrets I'm already keeping," the boy quipped. "It wouldn't make me seem trustworthy."

His mother nodded with a hint of amusement. "Very well then. Are you all sitting comfortably?"

Victor smiled at the parental expression. Then he saw Candace's expression and the smile slipped off his face.

"Yes, this is a story, your highness. It's also very real. It begins in 2784, when General Kerensky led the SLDF out of the Inner Sphere and out of our known history. It's generally understood that he foresaw the Succession Wars and wanted to remove his armies before they broke up and joined the warring armies of Successor Lords – such as my ancestor Barbara Liao, or your ancestors Jennifer Steiner and John Davion. The process had already begun – the Crucis Lancers and Deneb Light Cavalry descend from soldiers who offered their services to House Davion, while the Northwind Highlanders are the heirs to an SLDF division that Barbara Liao won to her cause."

"In 3005, more than two centuries after their departure, descendants of Kerensky's exodus fleet returned to the Inner Sphere, although no one was sure of their identity for another quarter of a century."

3005? What had happened in that year? Victor thought back and then straightened on the couch. "Wolf's Dragoons?"

"The Wolf Dragoons, yes. Not 'Wolf's Dragoons' as some mistakenly refer to them. While it isn't an uncommon custom for a unit to take their name from their leaders, in this case Jaime and Joshua Wolf, in this case the Dragoons and the Wolf brothers both took their name from the same source, a group known as Clan Wolf. Clan Wolf had sent the Dragoons, equipped out of stockpiles of equipment left over from the SLDF, to gather information on the Inner Sphere."

"To give some background," Candace continued, "Kerensky's armies colonised several worlds a considerable distance from the Inner Sphere – at least a thousand light years away from the edge of the Draconis Combine. We don't know the exact location, since the Dragoons purged their navigational data, but we currently believe these worlds are core-wards of Rasalhague. Unfortunately, tensions between soldiers from different states combined with the fact that they were soldiers - rather than farmers or factory workers who might have been more suited to establishing new colonies - flared into civil unrest."

"Kerensky wasn't a young man, of course, and he died without resolving the problem. Even worse, his deputy had been killed in action shortly before and this left the question of who would succeed Kerensky undetermined. Ironically, having left the Inner Sphere to avoid the Succession Wars, the SLDF now faced a succession crisis of their own."

"One of the contenders was Kerensky's son Nicholas. While we don't have detailed information, he appears to have been both charismatic and ruthlessly efficient. As a relatively junior officer he wasn't able to establish his authority immediately. Instead, he gathered his supporters and while the five principal colonies – the Pentagon worlds - fell into civil war, he retreated to outlying colony worlds with smaller populations but resources that remained untapped. It seems he was able to bring them under his control quite easily and rather than returning to the Pentagon, he elected to reshape the society of his domain and build a new culture and military."

"Part of this vision was to divide his followers into twenty Clans, each of which would be mostly independent and cut across the old national lines. Each would have its own military and its own culture, bound together by a general code of law and guided when necessary by a grand council of the leaders of all the Clans. A new Star League in miniature, you might say. After twenty years of training and preparation, Nicholas Kerensky led his followers back to the Pentagon worlds where decades of conflict had left the other factions exhausted and wearied. He crushed them decisively and spent the rest of his life integrating them into his new society."

"It's not clear how much the Clans have changed over the last two centuries. What is clear is that there's a very stratified caste system, not entirely dissimilar to traditional Capellan society in some ways. The warrior caste are the top and they're led by councils claiming descent directly from the warriors who initially followed Nicholas Kerensky in the conquest of the Pentagon. Rather than traditional dynasties, however, the Clans warriors are conceived in test tubes with genetic material from previous generations and raised in crèches."

"Sounds like the Warrior Houses."

"There are similarities – they're fanatically loyal and they're ferociously skilled." Candace paused. "General Natasha Kerensky is the product of that system, in fact she's a direct descendant of Nicholas Kerensky. Meanwhile, Jaime and Joshua Wolf were the natural born children of a Clan warrior with one of the civilian castes and entered the warrior caste on merit. Some Clans don't permit that, but Clan Wolf are allegedly relatively liberal in that regard."

"Relatively?" asked Victor.

"Relative to other Clans, that is. Their leaders don't have quite the theoretically absolute power wielded by your parents, instead being elected out of the councils. And in general, the caste system is enforced approximately as brutally as my sister's regime in the Capellan Confederation. I believe Justin put it best after discussing the various Clans with Natasha years ago: there are no 'good' Clans, just some Clans that are worse than others."

"It seems probable that there have been changes over time, it's unlikely that the Clans today are exactly as Nicholas Kerensky intended – or even quite the same Clans who sent the Dragoons almost five decades away. Interpretation of their Founder's writings and his father's are one of the few scholarly traditions that survive, other than the science behind the arming and the breeding of their armed forces. The most pressing point here is the interpretation that some of the Clans place on some of those writings."

"It's impossible not to see a parallel between Aleksandr Kerensky's Exodus out of the Star League and his son's withdrawal from the Pentagon worlds. In fact, Clan histories explicitly refer to them as the First Exodus and the Second Exodus. Some of them feel that the parallel should be extended further and argue that just as the Clans eventually returned to the Pentagon worlds and rebuilt them in their own image, so the Clans ought to now be doing the same to the Inner Sphere."

Victor's jaw dropped. "That's… ambitious."

"It isn't entirely clear if they have the ability to fulfil that ambition or not. The Clans certainly don't have the numbers of the old SLDF at their disposal – overall their colonies are relatively small and self-contained. On the other hand, while the Inner Sphere lost access to much of our more advanced military technology over the Succession Wars, the Clans retained the best of the SLDF's hardware and even improved upon it."

"But we've been improving our technology – look at the 'Mechs we were using in the simulators. They're generations ahead of…" Cassandra's eyes widened. "Oh."

Candace nodded. "As you've guessed, a lot of our recent advances – not all – were replicating some of the technology that the Wolf Dragoons provided to us. Back in 3005 we were just beginning to slowly recover. The Dragoons had been sent as a compromise between the pro-Invasion faction and their political opponents. Kerlin Ward, the leader of Clan Wolf, was very much opposed to the invasion and felt that the years it would take for the Dragoons to reach the Inner Sphere and gather information would let the issue fade in priorities."

"What no one particularly foresaw was that the Dragoons, predominantly drawn from natural born warriors and out of contact with the Clans for years on end found that their sympathies lay more with the people of the Inner Sphere – not so much the Great Houses, as the general population. This was crystallised during one of their excursions out of the Inner Sphere when they received new instructions from Kerlin Ward. He advised them that while there was no immediate danger of the Clans invading, the issue wasn't fading away. And however many times the motion was defeated in the Clans' Grand Council, it would only take one successful vote for the invasion to be ordered."

"Kerlin Ward ordered the Dragoons to stop sending reports and instead to do everything they could to prepare us to resist an invasion." Candace steepled her fingers. "And until recently, that's the last that was heard from the Clans?"

"Until recently? Then there's been new contact? Is that why so many regiments are moving towards Tamar?"

"Very good, Prince Victor. A mercenary company carrying out anti-piracy operations in the Greater Valkyrate encountered five 'Mechs from Clan Jade Falcon. The Clans defeated them fairly easily, but not before the mercenaries transmitted full recordings to their dropship which made its escape and fortunately had the sense to forward it to the local AFFC commanders."

"Kai."

Victor looked over at Kuan-Yin and then realised what she had. "The Eleventh Lyran Guards are deployed in that area – Twycross PDZ. If this is an invasion, they'll be right in their path."

"That's correct." Candace placed her hands flat on the desk. "We've always known that if the Clans attacked the Federated Commonwealth their most likely path was either through the Outworlds Alliance and into the Draconis March or through Rasalhague and into the Tamar March. Kai requesting a change of assignment to the Eleventh Lyran Guards instead of the Davion Heavy Guards was unexpected – he couldn't take Yen-lo-Wang with him since the Lyran Guards regiments aren't upgraded with such advanced equipment or the logistics to support it yet. But there was, at the time, no reason to expect the Clans would invade."

"The Eleventh are a very good regiment," Victor offered in weak support.

"Yes. But whether they're good enough…"

"So does that mean the Assault Guards will be redeployed?"

Candace shook her head. "I recall what it's like to be a young firebrand." She reached up and touched her shoulder. "I also remember the price for that. The contingency plans for redeployments to face the Clans are built around moving rapid response forces initially. The Assault Guards, with all their heavy equipment and being oversized even as a Regimental Combat team, would take up a lot more dropships than other units so you're a low priority for shipping to Tamar."

Victor felt his face flush.

"On the other hand, if the Clans do arrive anywhere near the Draconis March as well, the Capellan March will have to be stripped to send reinforcements. And that raises a problem of its own."

"Aunt Romano," guessed Cassandra. "She'd see it as a chance to reclaim St Ives."

Candace nodded. "It seems very likely. Victor's parents and I discussed this a long time ago. At the time, my thinking was that if I seized power from Romano, it would leave the Confederation exposed to House Marik by removing the admittedly tenuous protection of the Kapteyn Pact. Even if the Captain-General himself didn't approve, Andurien and Oriente would be eager to use their provincial forces and even combined the full resources of the Confederation and St Ives would be stretched. The likelihood seemed that I'd then have little choice but to accept further support from the Federated Commonwealth."

"Even if that didn't kick off a new Succession War, you'd still be destroying Capellan independence," Victor concluded. "Meanwhile, with St Ives' independence and the prestige of the worlds father ceded to you, you had the best of both worlds."

"Essentially, yes," she admitted frankly. "There was also the factor that none of us were sure how the Clans would react if their other sources of information about the Inner Sphere – deep periphery traders and the like – reported that the Inner Sphere was being reunited without their intervention. That was certainly one of the factors in your father's decision not to follow up the Fourth Succession War with a similarly overwhelming offensive against the Draconis Combine."

"Of course, none of us realised quite how barbaric Romano's rule would be. And to be fair, Thomas Marik is a far stronger Captain-General – and much less prone to military adventurism – than his predecessors. Still, the fact remains that if I liberate the Confederation from my sister, I'd need the direct support of the Federated Commonwealth to ensure our external security while I dismantle my sister's government."

The four younger people in the room exchanged looks. "Mother, what exactly did you agree to as a price for the worlds Hanse Davion ceded to the Compact in 3030?"

"In return for concrete support and concessions at the time, I agreed that if the Clans did invade and if the Capellan leadership did pose a threat that could distract the Federated Commonwealth from dealing with the Clans, that I would give my full support to seizing control of the Confederation and to integrating the Compact and the Confederation into the Federated Commonwealth as equal members."

"It isn't ideal, but however similar Clan society is to some aspects of Capellan culture, the Federated Commonwealth remains vastly preferable." Candace looked at Victor whose face was paling. "And yes, Prince Victor, while it isn't an absolute requirement, our agreement does include the possibility of transferring the Liao claim upon the First Lord's throne to House Steiner-Davion by way of marriage."

"Mother!"

"Did you think I'd been joking, all of these years, Cassandra?"

.o0o.

Eleventh Lyran Guards Headquarters, Maxie's Planet

Tamar March, Lyran Commonwealth

3 January 3050

"Did you know about this?" asked Dave Jewell quietly as the briefing officer began to go into a more detailed explanation of the Clan menace.

Kai shook his head. The general policy of the Eleventh Lyran Guards was to assign a company's most senior NCO to the same lance as the most junior Leutenant – at least until he'd found his feet. Kai felt fortunate in finding that Dave Jewell was not only a fine MechWarrior and more than diplomatic in guiding Kai through the sometimes labyrinthine regimental traditions… he'd also found a friend.

It might also be that Dave was lonely after his family's departure but whatever the cause, Kai felt relieved that his new lance were gelling well together. Another tradition of the Guards was to shuffle lances regularly so a new Leutenant never felt that he was moving into empty boots.

"My father doesn't bring work home with him. If he did, there probably wouldn't have been any family time at all when I was younger. Plus, he works enough hours when work takes him away that working more would probably kill him."

"Sounds like a good policy." Dave glanced up at the screen. "Do you think those Elementals really are that large? They look like they wrestle BattleMechs for a living."

"I don't think it'd be in the briefing if it wasn't as accurate as possible." Squinting at the numbers, Kai shook his head. "If I was in a Wasp or similar, I'm not entirely sure I'd bet on the 'Mech either."

"Eh, I bet we can take them." MechWarrior Jack Delancie folded his arms confidently. "They've just been playing duelling games out there in the Periphery, they don't know what war's really like."

The other MechWarrior in their lance shook her head slowly. Helen O'Connell-O'Bannon was the oldest of the four by a good many years and she'd earned the nickname 'Double-O' not only for her double-barrelled surname but also with a string of disciplinary reports involving her, alcohol and enlisted personnel from anywhere but the Isle of Skye. "The snakes are pretty keen on turning everything into one-on-one duels when they can get away with it, and they know war pretty damn well. Besides, how much do you know of it? You didn't graduate until '45, Jack."

"Settle down," Kai warned them quietly, realising they weren't the only MechWarriors discussing the situation while the briefing was still on, but also aware that as the regiment's most junior lance commander he was the most likely one to be called on it. "Unless they jump in system tomorrow, we'll have plenty of time to talk after we've heard the whole briefing."

Jack and Helen subsided while Dave shot Kai a quick thumbs up before he also leant back in his seat. Kai took a moment to consider Helen before he turned his head forward again. According to her record, she'd been part of the raid on Dromini VI, one of the last military actions of the Fourth Succession War. There had been raids since but no battles where regiments faced off with their full force – not until now.

Am I ready for this? Is anyone in the regiment, except our handful of veterans, ready? We're rated as an elite unit but that hasn't been put to the test yet.

Sunk in thoughts of this nature, Kai barely noticed that the official presentation had concluded. With the recordings out of the way, General Bryan took the podium.

"That's our new enemy, boys and girls. They sound pretty tough and I'm sure they think they're pretty tough too. But we've got a long history of puncturing that sort of confidence. The Eleventh have done that to the DCMS, to the FWLM, hell I think we even bloodied the AFFS once or twice back before my time. These Clans have come an awful long way to get the same lesson so we'll be ready to give them a warm welcome."

"You heard what the Archon said about not worrying about holding onto ground. She's absolutely, one hundred percent nailed it. There isn't going to be any holding ground going on – Marshal Steiner posted us here because she knows we're the best. When the Clans come – if they don't have a rush of brains and turn themselves around – we're going to hit them hard, hit them fast and keep hitting them until they're crying for their mommies – or their test tubes, whatever."

Kai blinked. That wasn't exactly his take on the orders – he'd gathered that the Archon envisaged more of a fighting retreat to a prepared defensive line well behind Maxie's Planet. He shook his head. What was he thinking? The general had years of experience on him, who was he to second-guess her? Probably she was just firing up the troops, or she had more detailed instructions to work from.

"We've had a couple of months to make good any equipment deficiencies," Sharon Bryan continued at the podium. "Now we're going to shake things out – heavy sweeps through the hills around Frankfurt to make sure everyone's familiar with the ground. If we have any deficiencies, we're going to find them and fix them now."

"And from now on, I want all 'Mechs fully loaded with live ammo. No training rounds. We're going to be at 100% readiness for anything and anyone. No weak links, people. I'm counting on every last one of you to uphold the honour of the Eleventh Lyran Guards."

Kai felt the weight of doom settle on his shoulders. Maybe you should quit now, a traitorous voice whispered inside his head. Head back to St Ives where you can't let anyone down on the battlefield.

.o0o.

ComStar Compound, Hilton Head

North America, Terra

9 January 3050

Real-time HPG communication was expensive, even to ComStar. The Primus' signal was being routed through a chain of stations along the Lyran side of the border and the Precentor-Martial's replies were sent back through a similar chain on the Draconian side. Literally tens of thousands of messages were being delayed in favour of this conversation, not to mention the impact on maintenance schedules and the equipment wear of sustained signals rather than short bursts of compressed data.

Nonetheless, Myndo Waterly considered the effort worthwhile and was she not the ultimate arbiter of that?

"Hanse Davion has issued pre-prepared briefings to regiments all through the Federated Commonwealth," she informed Focht without any preliminary courtesies. "He's specifically identified their enemy as 'the descendants of Kerensky's SLDF' and claims to anticipate an invasion of the Inner Sphere within the next twelve months."

To her satisfaction, Focht's brow furrowed and he picked out the key word immediately. "Pre-prepared? Then this can hardly come as a surprise to him. There must have been prior contact of some kind, maybe years ago."

She nodded sharply. "I've analysts investigating previous pirate activity to check for anything that could match the 'Clans', as he's identified them. Unfortunately we only have a verbal testimony of one of our sources at this time. A transcript should be with you shortly, you may find it useful."

"Thank you, Primus. Do you have any changes to my instructions at this time?"

"The information suggests that these Clans consider warriors to be of primary significance in their society, which suggests your role as our Order's emissary to them is fortunately apt. If they are indeed the heirs to General Kerensky, then it may be that our shared heritage in the Star League could open opportunities to move beyond merely neutrality. Naturally, I don't wish to take the Fox's word at face value."

Focht nodded. "Nor would I suggest it. No doubt even if the information is largely accurate, it will have been shaded to a form which favours his goals."

"Precisely so, Precentor Martial. Indeed, it may be some action by the Federated Commonwealth which has drawn them to return at this time. Your primary goal remains to establish our neutrality and second only to that, gather information about them so that we may draw up more effective policies to manage them. In the meanwhile, I'm sending instructions to all our garrisons, reminding them to be cooperative and non-confrontational should the government of the worlds they're operating from… change hands."

"That seems entirely prudent, Primus. In the event that these Clans object to the defensive forces at our compounds, is it your preference that I should order their withdrawal or would this be considered necessary to our neutrality?"

Waterly frowned at this. "A good point. If absolutely necessary, you may negotiate a withdrawal. Our operative suggests that there are some customs peculiar to the Clans that would allow for such an actions. Since Davion mentions multiple Clans rather than one single entity and suggests that it's unlikely that more than half of the Clans will be participating in the invasion, you may find some Clans more cooperative than others."

"Indeed." Focht nodded. "I regret to advise you that two further Explorer Corps vessels have failed to report in. While it isn't unusual for ships to be occasionally overdue with the vagaries of recharge times in unmapped systems, it does suggest that they may have run into elements of the Clans already. If so, I'll see if they can be recovered."

"So long as it doesn't jeopardize your primary mission, of course."

"Naturally. After all, they may have information applicable to my secondary objective."

"Quite." Waterly tugged on her pale hair. "It's possible Davion will also share the information he has with Haakon Magnusson or even Thomas Marik. In the former case, the Elected Prince may make an approach to you. Under the circumstances it might be best for you to be unavailable."

"With your permission, I can arrange to take a small escort to inspect our security on worlds along the Commonwealth border. If I'm on the move…"

"That will do nicely." She relaxed slightly.

"If I may," the Precentor Martial offered slowly. "It is possible that Hanse Davion will see merit in giving Theodore Kurita advance warning of the Clans."

"Why in the world would he do that?"

"If it were merely Takashi Kurita, I wouldn't expect it. However, if these Clans are indeed coming from somewhere beyond Rasalhague, it's entirely possible he would want the DCMS to put up the best possible fight, grinding themselves down along with any Clans who might otherwise reach the Draconis March."

"Do you really think that the Clans could advance that far?"

"I don't have enough information to judge that, Primus. And in any event, the key question is -"

"Whether Davion feels that they may reach that point. Well-reasoned. I will discuss this with Sharilar Mori. It may be wise to inform Kurita of those ourselves – the father that is, not the son. Theodore Kurita has re-negotiated deals before to our detriment. Takashi is at least predictable."

Anastasius Focht touched the scars that stretched up beneath his eye-patch. "I fear that the Coordinator is unlikely to give much credence to such a report."

"Quite. But he will at least seek to verify it and what the ISF discover may very well be worth our time to acquire."

"You are, as ever, several steps ahead of me, Primus." He glanced aside. "If I pack immediately, I can be on a shuttle off Rasalhague within the hour."

"Then I will not keep you. Blake's blessing upon you, Precentor-Martial Focht."

The holo projector shut off and Waterly turned back to her desk and the next task that awaited her, selecting a suitable replacement for Focht should he fail to return from this mission.

.o0o.

CSJS Streaking Mist

Santander System, Periphery

18 February 3050

"My congratulations on your conquest of Santander V." Ulric Kerensky kept his face steady as he spoke to the saKhan of Clan Smoke Jaguar.

Sarah Weaver nodded curtly and then, with evident effort replied: "Clan Wolf's bandit hunting was notably… efficient."

Ulric returned the nod and then moved on to take his seat next to his own saKhan.

"Did you have to bait her, Ulric?"

"Neg. I chose to do that. When Khan Weaver is angry she makes mistakes. Admittedly, as a Smoke Jaguar she is almost always angry but why take the chance her brain might be functioning normally? Reminding her of how she let a mere pirate kill half the Shroud Keshik from ambush simply eliminates that possibility."

Garth Radick looked like he wanted to sigh. On the one hand, Sarah Weaver was a fellow Crusader and both their clans were here to share in the glory of bringing the Inner Sphere under their reign. On the other hand…

"Since we are bound to this Crusade, Clan Wolf should show we are fit to take the lead in it, quiaff."

"…aff." Ulric always did have the annoying habit of knowing what he was thinking, Radick noted. "Has there been any response from the Dragoons?"

"None." Kerensky looked thoughtful. "Interrogation of some of the bandits we've captured suggests strongly that they took extremely heavy casualties fighting the Draconis Combine some decades ago. Possibly they were wiped out or at least lost most of their leadership."

"It would be good to confirm that. It would give the matter closure and allow the Scientists to make a final judgement on the value of their genetic material."

"Some of their genetic material has already proven extremely valuable."

"And then there's Natasha Kerensky's bloodright."

Ulric nodded. "It might be quite heavily contested if she is dead."

Their conversation was cut short as ilKhan Leo Showers entered the room and took his place on the throne. Although the room was hardly the Hall of Khans on Strana Mechty, the Smoke Jaguars had duplicated the general layout and the presence of so many Khans provided more than sufficient gravitas. More than thirty were present in person. Only Timur Malthus, saKhan of Clan Jade Falcon, and the two Nova Cat Khans weren't present and attended via holo-projection through HPG chains laid out by the advance parties.

"We are convened here at a time of war," Showers reminded them, giving each word weight as his intense gaze swept across the room – measuring each of them. "Everything we do shall be governed under the Code of Martial Conduct." Garth wasn't surprised when the ilKhan's gaze lingered upon Ulric longest of them all. They had an old rivalry. Not just Wolf versus Smoke Jaguar but something more personal.

Ulric is his greatest enemy within the Council. Leo Showers yearns to destroy him, personally, with his own hands if the opportunity presents himself. There was no condemnation in the thought. The ilKhan's feelings were completely understandable to Radick – such rivalry brought out the best in warriors for both men would do their utmost to ensure that they, and their Clans, dominated. "Seyla," murmured Garth along with the other Khans, partly in agreement with Showers but also partly in affirmation of his own thoughts.

"We have reached the threshold of the Inner Sphere. I am assured by the leaders of all four of the Invading Clans that their toumans stand ready to carry out the first wave of Operation Revival. It is not the way of the Smoke Jaguars to draw back before we leap, but as your leader I must speak for all Clans and all Clans must look to me. So I give you all the opportunity to speak, before us all. If anyone sees anything more that should be done, say it now."

Ulric Kerensky rose to his feet and placed his wolfshead helm upon the desk in front of him.

A ripple of noise – less murmuring and more frustrated growls – touched the room but then they fell silent again.

"I am sure, ilKhan, that few here desire anything but the command to begin operations – even if a few units may not be quite in place yet. Not to mention the occasional supply chain to straighten out. I see no reason though, that these problems will not be resolved by the date that has been decided upon for us all to begin operations."

"Your vote of confidence is appreciated."

"Indeed, ilKhan. Yet there is one measure more I believe should be enacted."

"Then you have my undivided attention." Showers' eyes were wary as he looked for what he was sure must be a trap.

Ulric turned to look at one of the other benches. "Khan Breen, Khan Zalman. Your Clan has earned the right to stand as reserve, should any of the four invading Clans falter. While Clan Nova Cat and Clan Diamond Shark may also be called, you stand first in this regard. I submit that it is not sufficient for your forces to remain in the Home Worlds where any such need cannot be filled for between six to nine months. I therefore propose that you assemble the forces you have bid and transport them here as quickly as you can."

"Do you expect it to be your own Clan to fail in this charge?" half-accused Elias Crichell.

"The Grand Council has with great consideration assigned my Clan the corridor with the least likely opposition. I suspect - for various reasons - that other Clans may find that the honour of the other corridors will be harder to win than they believe. If I am wrong, then no serious hardship is caused, but if I am right… Operation Revival is planned to take two years. If there is a need for us to call on our reserves, let us not need to wait more than a quarter of that time between calling upon Clan Steel Viper and their arrival." Ulric bowed his head respectfully and took his seat once more.

"What are you up to?" hissed Garth under his breath.

Ulric's reply was equally quiet. "How much would you wager that the Steel Vipers will bargain for access to existing supply and transit shipping rather than establishing their own jump-chains?"

Khan Natalie Breen had risen to her feet upon Ulric's ceding the floor. "Clan Steel Viper stands ready to fulfil our obligations. The three Galaxies of our invasion force can be here by September of this year, if the Grand Council but gives the word."

"I see no need for such a word." Karl Bourjon was as blunt as he appeared. "Four Clans is already more than sufficient. If one Clan cannot keep the pace then I am sure the others will more than make up for it."

"You're not going to offer them our supply ships, are you?" asked Radick.

"Of course not. The Falcons, Bears and Jaguars want the invasion – let them pay the cost."

The holographic image of Lucien Carns rose. "Clan Nova Cat has made preparations to bring our forces forward if called for. I approve of Khan Ulric's proposal. We all know that the battlefield may change swiftly – reserves that are unavailable might as well not have been bid."

"And if we do not come forward, you will?" suggested Breen angrily. "You have no right to participate in the invasion unless the Steel Vipers do so first!"

"I do not care where the Vipers galaxies are, for we will not need them," bragged Sarah Weaver. "Let us vote now and be done with this."

There was general acclaim at the motion and along with Ulric, Garth cast his vote in favour. While the motion was opposed by the other three invading clans, the Steel Vipers and their traditional allies – the Cloud Cobras and the Star Adders – balanced them out, while the addition of the Wolf, Nova Cat and Diamond Shark votes was followed swiftly by further support by nine of the other Khans.

"The vote is in favour of calling forward Clan Steel Viper by twenty-one to eleven." Showers didn't show any sign of disappointment. "Any Trial of Refusal on this matter will be at odds of 2.1 to 1.1, does anyone wish to call for such a Trial?"

There was no reply so the ilKhan nodded. "So be it. Clan Steel Viper is hereby ordered to deploy their forces to the edge of the Inner Sphere by the end of September 3050. Your final bid to participate in Operation Revival was Alpha Galaxy, Gamma Galaxy and Zeta Galaxy. I am sure the Khans of the four Clans will bear this in mind in deciding when or if to call on you."

"What worlds will we use as our staging grounds?"

Ulric smiled thinly at the Steel Viper Khan. "Whichever worlds you care to take, Khan Breen. Whether it is from one of us or some marginal colony we have not found yet matters little to me."

Garth could practically hear the ilKhan's teeth grinding. Clan Wolf, not hampered by the need to bid for participation after the Grand Council voted that as the Clan of Kerensky's bloodline they must participate, had brought a substantial number of garrison units to secure new holdings. The other invaders hadn't – and now they had to envisage the Steel Vipers descending on lightly guarded worlds to their rear…

.o0o.

ComStar Internal Document

ROM Report #3042-5848796/F-L

Non-Classified

The combination of the Lyran Commonwealth Armed Forces (LCAF) and the Armed Forces of the Federated Suns (AFFS) has necessitated a common table of ranks. In order to manage what is now the largest single military force in the Inner Sphere since at least the end of the First Succession War, the Armed Forces of the Federated Commonwealth (AFFC) have adopted a slight rationalisation of the LCAF ranks for officers, with a total of twelve officer ranks. Enlisted ranks compromise between the nine LCAF enlisted ranks as compared to four for the AFFS so the AFFC has six ranks for enlisted soldiers. They've also extended the previous German-tradition military ranks of the LCAF from officers to enlisted, whereas previously both nations used English-tradition rank titles for enlisted.

The most junior enlisted rank is Soldat (literally: Soldier) which is accorded upon completion of basic training. This is equivalent to the previous rank of Private in the AFFS and LCAF. Relatively few soldiers, even limited term draftees, remain at Soldat for their full career as barring significant misdemeanour, promotion to Gefreiter (lit: Exempted) is automatic after one year of service, which usually includes advanced training of some kind. Usually at least half of any infantry squad or vehicle crew will hold the rank of Gefreiter, which is equivalent to AFFS Corporals or LCAF Privates First Class.

The first rank at which leadership is expected of a soldier is that of Stabsgefreiter (lit: Staff-Exempted). This is the rank of a crew or squad leader and therefore also the rank held by an Academy graduate who hasn't completed a command course, which is the case for many MechWarriors or Aerospace pilots. The position is roughly equivalent to Sergeant in either precursor militaries or a LCAF Senior Corporal.

To provide an experienced non-commissioned officer to the leadership of every company or equivalent organisation, experienced soldiers may rise to the rank of Feldwebel (lit: field usher) which is roughly equivalent to an LCAF Staff Sergeant. At the battalion level, this position requires the rank of Stabsfeldwebel (lit: staff field usher) and each regiment has a single Oberstabsfeldwebel (lit: over staff field usher). As such, these positions are roughly equivalent to the various grades of Sergeant Major in other militaries.

Officer ranks begin with Leutenant (lit: lieutenant) which unlike the LCAF rank of the same name is considered a commissioned rank. With the exception of field promotions in a time of war, all Leutenants must have completed a command course at an academy or a specialised command school. Leutenants are assigned command of a Lance or Platoon. The next step is promotion to OberLeutenant (lit: over lieutenant) and service as second in command of a company. In most units this includes command of a Lance as well – the propensity of units such as the Federated Commonwealth RCTs to operate reinforced companies with four lances can leave an OberLeutenant in independent command of a short company for extended periods.

Command of a company is usually assigned to a Hauptmann (lit: head man) although some specialist companies may be commanded by a Kommandant (lit: commandant). More commonly a Kommandant will be in command of a battalion or filling a staff position in a RCT or regional headquarters. The old LCAF rank of Hauptmann-Kommandant has been abolished and the second-in-command of a regiment is now always ranked as a Leutenant-Colonel whether they operate as the senior battalion commander or as chief of staff.

The one rank which was the same in name and responsibilities for both the AFFS and the LCAF was Colonel and this remains the case for the AFFC, which reserves the rank for regimental commanders. This is the most senior rank to which an officer can rise without attendance at one of the AFFC's two General Staff Colleges (attached respectively to the Nagelring academy on Tharkad and Sakhara Academy in the Draconis March). It also acts as a gateway rank in that no officer who hasn't commanded a regiment will be considered for promotion to greater responsibility. With this rank the AFFC hopes to prevent the rise of new generations of 'social generals'.

Having studied at a General Staff College and served as a regimental commander, an officer can expect to be promoted to Leutenant-General and serve in a staff or administrative role. The most prized roles are to act as aide to a Marshal or to be chief of staff in a RCT. The former is an opportunity to attract patronage for future advancement while the latter is likely to be the last opportunity to directly participate in combat, although such chances are slim.

Roughly equivalent to an AFFS Major General or LCAF Hauptmann-General, the AFFC Kommandant-Generals take charge of specific combat commands within those RCTs which maintain permanent sub-formations or head up an entire March Militia. For example, the Federated Commonwealth Corp RCTs each operate three combat commands built around a mechanized infantry regiment and reinforced battalions of BattleMechs, hover tanks and heavy tanks. Command of a complete frontline RCT is the responsibility of a General although such officers may also take charge of a major administrative department.

The three remaining ranks of the AFFC are concerned not with individual units but geographic region. Marshals command all forces active within a Polymorphous Defence Zone or an Operational Area. Field Marshals command all forces active within an entire March, of which there are seven at this time. At this stage the ranks begin to cross the line from military to political positions: the latest update to Burke's Peerage states that Marshals hold the honorary title of Marquis/Margrave while Field Marshals are deemed honorary Dukes. In addition, in the Draconis March and Capellan March the Dukes of Robinson and New Syrtis respectively hold 'first refusal' rights on the position of Field Marshal, a precedent which the Duke of Tamar is eager to adopt with regard to his own hereditary domain.

The most senior rank in the AFFC is Marshal of the Armies, which is the rank held by the commanders of the two State Commands and the commander of the AFFC as a whole. Ardan Sortek, previously Prince's Champion, fills the latter role while Archon Melissa Steiner's aunt, Nondi Steiner, heads Lyran State Command. Her counterpart in the Federated Suns State Command is First Prince Hanse Davion's nephew: Morgan Hasek-Davion, formerly Field Marshal of the Capellan March.

.o0o.

Imperial City, Luthien

Pesht District, Draconis Combine

14 March 3050

Takashi Kurita sat upon the throne of his ancestors and contemplated the weakening brought on by time. When he was a younger man he would have sat in seiza on the floor as a samurai should. But aging joints no longer permitted and thus the Dragon Throne, previously reserved for ceremonial occasions, was now used every day.

Before him sat Subhash Indrahar, his strong left hand. Age had touched him even more heavily than his master for while Takashi might find the need on occasion for a suitably regal walking cane, the chief of the Internal Security Force was now confined to a wheelchair. And the years had not only withered away at his limbs. Takashi refrained from baring his teeth. The Dragon needed no friends. It was unfortunate, nonetheless, that the loyalty of the spy was at best now divided between the Dragon and the Dragon's heir.

And that took him to the third man in the room. His son, Theodore.

His failure.

Certainly he was not yet fit for the throne – too soft – and might never be. He was no samurai, not in his heart. Still, it was worthy of note that the younger Kurita was not entirely without skill. The vanity of youth was less pronounced and his actions fighting the Steiners twenty years before had been acceptable. A shame there had been no opportunity to test him against Davion or even against the Wolf. But Takashi was growing used to disappointment. Perhaps there remained some hope for his grandsons to show promise…

"The Gunji no Kanrei has lost track of three of my regiments," he enquired with careful dispassion. "And in an area that sees only bandits and the upstart Rasalhaguans? Most curious."

Theodore had not yet broached the subject of the meeting, nor reported those losses, but he ignored the implied reprimand. "It would seem that bandits and Rasalhaguans are no longer the only opponents the DCMS faces in this area."

"The First Alshain Regulars, the Fourth and the Seventh Pesht Regulars… I recall that the District Regulars might be considered the stalwarts of the Combine. Faithful to their Warlords and to the throne." Takashi sat back. "Yet it seems that they may have been neglected if they have been so easily swept aside." And where would the blame lie for that?

"My father is correct to question this," Theodore agreed blandly. "With the Federated Commonwealth mobilising and our long border with his realm, it may be that regiments elsewhere may not have received the same share of the limited resources available to me as your deputy."

Takashi considered in his mind's eye the map of the Draconis Combine that stood behind his throne. Every world on it was marked by precious stones and it was updated at all times. Many worlds once marked out at his accession now had been removed as a result of the Lyran offensive twenty years ago. The worlds claimed from the Federated Suns did not adequately recompense for this, and that was before his son allowed Rasalhague to go its own way. Now five more worlds might need to be removed.

"And how does the Gunji no Kanrei propose that the Dragon will address this affront?"

Theodore turned his head slightly. "The Dragon's eyes and ears may first inform him as to the nature of this adversary."

"As they should. Speak, Director."

Subhash's famous smile was reserved for social occasions and now he was all business. "My lord, we have first received information from within the Federated Commonwealth. This information, we believe, was leaked to us deliberately by Davion's Minister of Intelligence although whether it is to mislead or to inform us remains unclear."

"Prince Davion has had his soldiers instructed that the redeployments being carried out – which we know from other sources are assembling a very sizeable army in the region of Tamar – are to meet with the degenerate descendants of General Kerensky's armies. He claims that these descendants have developed martial skill and military technologies on par with or exceeding those available anywhere in the Inner Sphere but at the cost that they have lost sight of civilised mores entirely."

"The specific data he provides to describe these clans is largely in agreement with the reports we have received from Richmond, Rockland, Schwartz, Tarnby and Altona. The invaders' general organisation and equipment, including BattleMechs never previously encountered and a form of armoured infantry that has significantly challenged our samurai is much as Davion informs us. There is some minor deviation as he cites an encounter with a group known as 'Clan Jade Falcon' while the challenges issued to our commanders speak of 'Clan Smoke Jaguar'. This is accommodated by the data, which indicates that these Clans are in alliance to some degree."

"Are you suggesting that we take this information 'gifted' to us by the Fox at face value?"

"The Dragon's words, as ever, cut to the heart of the matter. This is very nearly too convenient. While it would be foolish to rule out the possibility that Hanse Davion may sincerely desire that we are informed accurately of these Clans, it would be a very well executed gambit if these were instead soldiers of the AFFC carrying out these attacks. Should we devote our attention to this matter and weaken our defences elsewhere, we could find ourselves exposed to invasion. Should we ignore it then the troops built up at Tamar can use the Radstadt salient to assault Alshain and thus threaten the heartlands of the Combine from two directions. Converging thrusts from the Periphery and Tamar could meet directly here."

"The one flaw in that argument is that if these are AFFC troops then they have a significant advantage in equipment. We've obtained samples of SLDF equipment overlooked by ComStar when they delivered entire regiments of BattleMechs to us in exchange for permitting the creation of the Free Rasalhague Republic." Theodore shook his head. "Even compared to the reverse-engineered technologies from this, the invaders have significant advantages in the power, range and even weight of their weapon systems. There have also been reports – admittedly, unconfirmed - that the invasion forces arrived in system escorted by warships of Star League design."

Takashi froze. "No warships have been used since the last of our fleet was destroyed facing the last Lyran warship centuries ago. Surely this report is mistaken."

"There have been reports of major construction taking place at several of House Davion and House Steiner's major shipyards, for several years – Galax, Shipil, Alarion… even Panpour. The conclusion drawn at the time was that this was to support the significant increase in construction of Overlord-class dropships. However, with the financial resources of two Great Houses, it is possible – barely – that more ambitious projects could have taken place." Indrahar bowed his head. "My analysts do not think that powerful vessels could have been built, but possibly ships previously considered uneconomic to restore to service may have been reconsidered."

"If the Federated Commonwealth does have such a fleet," Theodore observed, "Not to mention a significant number of regiments with highly advanced technology and soldiers who might possibly be as skilled as our own Sword of Light, then there would be little need for such a complex plan. It would be extremely difficult to prevent him from simply breaking our defences around Dieron and Benjamin, isolating well-defended worlds and overwhelming their defences one at a time with overwhelming force."

The Gunji no Kanrei reached to his face, as if to tweak the moustache he no longer wore. "This hangs on limited information, of course. If we are facing the descendants of the SLDF then they would certainly have access to warships of these types. And the Fourth Succession War has shown at great cost how unwise it is to under-estimate Hanse Davion, as Maximilian Liao did."

Takashi stroked his chin. "Your intentions then?"

"We have, as yet, no indication that the Ministry of Intelligence has successfully identified the extent and disposition of the hidden regiments over the last two decades. Since Hanse Davion has shown his hand to some extent, I intend to respond with these regiments. Thus there will be no obvious reduction in our border defences. Once we have prisoners and samples of the invaders technology we will be able to verify their origins and establish longer term plans to deal with them."

"You appear to have considerable faith in these Yurei regiments of yours. Yet none of them have seen true action and it will take weeks or months to bring them to bear."

"All soldiers must face their first battles at some point and I can hardly offer them greater motivation that to say the Combine may stand or fall depending on their performance. In addition, it's my intention to deploy them as massed brigades."

"Hmm." Takashi dismissed that concern for now. "And there is one further point of concern."

Theodore looked at the map, at Turtle Bay, only one jump from Rockland. "Soon it will be your grandson's first battle. Make sure he knows we want prisoners." And victory, for if he cannot deliver that then I must begin to prepare his brother as a successor.

.o0o.

Forbidden City, Sian

Sian Commonality, Capellan Confederation

1 April 3050

There should have been alarms going off.

The sound of gunfire – small arms nearby and larger weapons further away – should not have happened without warning. Security around Chancellor Romano Liao and her family was extensive and intrusive at all times. Death Commandos, Warrior House 'Mechs and infantry, the entire Red Lancers regiment…

Sun-Tzu Liao found it more than a little distressing that all these precautions came to essentially nothing.

The first clue he'd had of danger was when he was dragged out of bed by a security detail. Not towards one of the evacuation routes but deeper into the administrative sections of the Forbidden City. The fog of sleep hadn't lasted long and it was entirely gone before two Imarra infantry caught hold of his wrists and a third used clippers to sever the longer fingernails on three fingers of his left hand.

They'd had to use metal clippers since, like his father, he'd had them reinforced and edged to use as a weapon of last resort. If it had been to disguise him for an escape they'd have at least asked. So Imarra was compromised. Not good.

Now he was sat in a relatively modest office, one full of dust and shadows. He'd never been in the room before but he knew what it was.

Justin Xiang's office. The room where the downfall of the Confederation had been plotted out. It had been sealed long ago on the orders of Sun-Tzu's mother for reasons that she'd never explained. So far as he knew, she'd never come here.

"I apologise for the dust. Housekeeping seems to have been a low priority since I was last here." The owner of the office was sat in his old chair as if nothing had changed in the last twenty-one years. A subdued suit, one gloved hand. A touch of grey in the hair perhaps. "We haven't met before, but I'm sure you know who I am."

So that was how it was going to be. "Your name's come up once or twice, Justin Allard."

"Hmm." The dark eyes settled on him measuringly. "My wife and your mother are settling their differences. It seems to me it's not wise for men to get involved in that sort of conversation so I've arranged for us to be out of the way."

Sun-Tzu nodded silently. There was wisdom in those words – but not much reassurance.

"I'm not sure your father takes the same view. If he survives tonight, perhaps we can ask him." Justin reached down – not into a drawer but instead an open case beside him. "Would you like some water? I brought my own."

"Thank you." Sun-Tzu caught the bottle and removed the cap. His fingernails still glittered and he considered what his mother would expect him to do right now. Kill the spy and avenge… sundry wrongdoings. Just accepting this water would probably be treason in her eyes. "How long has this been planned, if you don't mind my asking?"

"Long before I was a factor. Candace and your mother have hated each other since they were children. I imagine that if Candace was Chancellor that your mother would have had plans for a coup underway as a matter of course. No way to raise a family in my opinion, but your grandfather only ever had very selective interest in my advice."

"And you told him what he wanted to hear."

"Most of the time, yes. Wouldn't you have?"

"You realise that if things go wrong for… Aunt Candace that you'll probably die? Me too, of course, but…"

"Well I married her for better or for worse. And my presence is probably worth a few percentage points in shifting the chances in her favour so…"

Sun-Tzu inclined his head. "I admire your devotion to her."

"No, you don't." Justin smiled. "In many ways you remind me of your grandfather's better traits. But you strike me, nephew, as one thing that he wasn't."

"Oh?"

"You're a survivor. Which suggests to me that you might see some benefit in coming to an accommodation with the new Chancellor. There would be plenty of room for an able government minister who happens to be the Chancellor's nephew. Who else do you intend to look to for support? Thomas Marik? Thomas Calderon? I think we can rule out Emma Centralla and after that the list gets a bit short."

Sun-Tzu nodded slowly. "I'm surprised that your Prince permitted this… adventure, given what I'm informed is something of a crisis developing on the Rasalhague border."

"Actually that crisis is exactly why Prince Davion and my wife decided this was necessary. You see, it's going to necessitate stripping the Capellan March and the St Ives Compact of much of their garrisons. Quite honestly, I couldn't quite see Romano passing up on the opportunity to try to… reacquire certain worlds and settle their sibling feud in her own favour."

"So my mother's being killed because she's a nuisance."

Justin considered and nodded. "And we're imposing a new Chancellor because the most likely alternative to us doing so is Thomas Marik doing exactly the same. You'll excuse me for a little bias in thinking that this is the best of some less than optimal choices."

"I can understand that position."

"Something tells me your sister won't, but fortunately that won't be my problem." Justin turned his head towards the door and Sun-Tzu realised the sounds of gunfire inside the palace had died down.

The door opened to reveal Candace Liao, dressed simply and carrying a laser rifle slung on her shoulder.

"Candace."

She smiled slightly at her husband and then turned to Sun-Tzu. "I trust Justin has explained the situation, nephew?"

"In outline," he conceded and rose from his chair. He hesitated a moment and then bowed his head to the woman who had just killed his mother. "Chancellor Liao."