The Wings (Stage Left)
General Motors El Dorado
Plata, El Dorado
El Dorado System, Federated Suns Space
17 April 3027
Three years of prototyping, low-rate production, and field testing had borne fruit. General Motors had won the contract to produce House Davion's newest heavy 'mech, the Ares. They had licensed technology from the Independent Systems Alliance and now had what was shaping up to be one of the finest designs in the Inner Sphere. Nimble, durable, reliable, and relatively easy to maintain, the ARS-1 model of the Ares was described by 'MechWarriors as 'a Marauder but angrier.' The design was a true national affair, as parts and technology were manufactured all over the Federated Suns.
The lasers were provided by Precision Weaponry. They had perfected the manufacture of focusing arrays provided by the New Avalon Institute of Science and rolled out extended range lasers using existing designs. The LRM-10s were provided by Corean Enterprises, an upgrade of the existing Devastator Series of missile launchers. Chassis and armor materials were done in-house, as GM had begun refined endo steel production and ferro-fibrous composite at their satellite facilities. The results were astounding and were incorporated into the production line. A brand-new active protection system was produced by Achernar BattleMechs licensed from ISA company Israeli Military Industries they called Crown. Achernar managed to secure a key component contract and be the secondary supplier of the Ares if the need arose to increase production numbers. They were already producing spare parts and other vital components in anticipation of increased need. The three-hundred rated fusion engine was produced in-house, design licensed from Malakitona State Industries from the ISA. The powerplant was as light as the extralight engines of old without the bulk, heat, or vulnerability concerns. Jump Jets were General Motors own 200AFVTA design, a complete overhaul of their 100AFVTA model. Double the size, but increased range and less waste heat over the existing model. The electronics and computing systems were done in cooperation with Apple Computers Interstellar as they had the most experience with highly sophisticated systems and sought to break into the defense market. Heat mitigation systems were provided by Achernar, a hybrid of double heat sinks of lostech and active cooling systems of that long-lost era. This impressive collection of technology was well combined into the seventy-five-ton machine that sought to be the frontline BattleMech of the Armed Forces of the Federated Suns.
General Motors had rushed a battalion's worth of Ares for the AFFS in their low-rate production run and worked out the major problems in the production line. They went to the reforming First Avalon Hussars and participated in border skirmishes with the Draconis Combine. They had performed admirably and exposed some of the issues with the first deployed 'mechs. The LRM pods had some dodgy linkages and were subject to damage if the pilot maneuvered aggressively. The arm-mounted lasers had issues with performance if fired after a melee engagement. Cooling issues were addressed as it was found that continuous fire and maneuver would trigger the automatic active cooling response to the point of exhaustion before active regeneration. The lack of autocannons was a sticking point for some pilots, but the capabilities of the first model overrode those prejudices. Despite the initial teething issues, the Ares was a formidable 'mech with both 'MechWarriors and technicians heralding it as a new age for the armed forces. Significant concerns were raised by very powerful people and organizations that they were rushing the deployment of these new 'mechs, but those concerns were allayed through monetary and diplomatic means. The personal stamp of Hanse Davion virtually ensured at least initial deliveries of full production Ares 'mechs to the battlefield. Concerns of potential attacks against El Dorado were dissuaded by a subtle increase in garrison strength along with increased activity by both the Ministry of Information, Intelligence, and Operations and the Department of Military Intelligence. They increased surveillance on other major manufacturing facilities and new manufacturing sites designed to ensure that no one factory was so strategically important that its loss would cripple their supply of former lostech.
Above the planet, technologies applied to BattleMech design were being scaled up for JumpShip and DropShip use. New Syrtis Shipyards was working on multiple projects for NAIS and needed the industrial capacity for material that GM and other defense companies could provide. They received funding to expand refined endo-steel and ferro-fibrous composite production far beyond what was anticipated for even a wartime footing. It mattered little to GM. They were the current centerpiece of the Davion military industrial complex and if the AFFS went to war, all the better for their profit margins.
GM engineers worked closely with the originators of the design from NAIS. It was in their national interest, and the interests of their shareholders, to get the Ares on the battlefield as fault-free as possible. They compared notes, reviewed test results, read reports from the technicians and 'mechwarriors in the field who used and maintained the first production variants, and collated the data into real-world engineering. High stress points, common faults, manufacturing time and cost, logistics concerns, the ad-hoc think tank poured over everything. Cost-per-unit was a concern. They concluded that when full-scale production was underway, they could get the cost down to between six and a half and ten million c-bills per unit including spare parts. That was projected to be in a few years' time, as new arms projects tended to fall victim to cost and time overruns. This suited the AFFS just fine, as they already had a frontline unit with the 'mechs and even at the initial production numbers, they could have enough to outfit another battalion in a reasonable amount of time. Hanse Davion and Katrina Steiner would delay the wedding if they had to. For House Davion, time was on their side.
Luthien Armor Works New Samarkand
Fusō, New Samarkand
New Samarkand System, Draconis Combine Space
21 April 3027
This day was an auspicious one. It was a culmination of diplomatic maneuvering, political kowtowing, and economic incentives. From the highest halls of power, the Dragon commanded that they push forth into the future even if it meant making some concessions to outsiders. Recent skirmishes with the Federated Suns in the Galedon Military District revealed a new threat to the Combine, a brand new 'mech design that annihilated everything that encountered it. The Internal Security Force struggled to gather any actionable intel on numbers in service, what unit piloted them, armament, anything beyond rumor and speculation. What the Coordinator dictated was to develop a countermeasure, a 'mech that could meet its Davion foe in battle and vanquish it. Thus, a two-stage program was born.
Today, New Samarkand would be the production line for a refit program for the venerable Dragon heavy 'mech. Luthien Armor Works had licensed a bevy of technologies from a number of defense firms in the Independent Systems Alliance. They had maintained and refined several technologies lost through the Succession Wars. Technologies better produced by other Combine-based companies would be sublicensed to produce components for the project. The refit package would replace the three hundred rated Vlar engine with a licensed version of the same rating from MSI. Nissan General Industries would be in charge of production as the premier fusion engine manufacturer in the Combine. The lasers would be upgraded with focusing arrays found in the Jenners exported from Antallos. Diverse Optics Incorporated handled the manufacturing of the arrays and had reverse-engineered the design after years of study of the export JE1-A. The second medium laser would also be refitted to be forward facing so more firepower would face the enemy. The Imperator-A autocannon would be replaced by an upgraded version of the design which allowed for a more rapid and consistent reload of the weapon while maintaining the same general profile. The Shigunga LRM launcher remained unchanged. The computers and electronics were handled by Amau Electronics who got the honor of manufacturing licensed designs from the ISA and incorporating them into the Dragon refit project. The heatsinks were upgraded to lostech double heatsink standards, the design licensed smaller and more efficient than original pre-Succession War spec. Armor would be increased as the lighter engine allowed for additional protection. The hip actuator problems would be addressed to reduce maintenance time and increase readiness levels. Other small adjustments to the design were to be implemented toward that goal.
Concurrently, the Grand Dragon project, started two years prior, sought to incorporate the new technologies into a brand-new design. The Grand Dragon was set to incorporate refined ferro-fibrous and endo-steel techniques obtained in negotiations with the ISA. This allowed them to maintain the increased armor profile of the upgraded Dragon while also freeing up more space for larger and more weapons systems. LAW was already underway in efforts to miniaturize and optimize their LRM design to allow the inclusion of two launchers in the Grand Dragon using new material science techniques. Both arms were set to utilize a total of four medium lasers and completely drop the autocannon to reduce ammunition dependency and increase battlefield longevity. The process of building the facilities to construct production-grade refined endo-steel and ferro-fibrous would be an immense undertaking, but the Dragon acknowledged the capital and material cost. The Combine invested readily in the program, and encouraged LAW to diversify the manufacturing locations to ensure that the technology they licensed and developed would not become lostech again. The Succession Wars taught harsh lessons to the great houses and though it took some centuries they finally took hold.
Alliance Defenders Limited
Famindas, Alpheratz
Alpheratz System, Outworlds Alliance Space
In a stunning turn of events, the parliament of the Outworlds Alliance agreed to treaty with the Independent Systems Alliance. Unlike the agreements signed with other powers in the galaxy, the OA was most interested in agricultural and medical technology. In return, the ISA pumped resources into defense firms within the OA to provide them with arms. Being the closest Periphery power with a significant industrial base, they sought to establish a full 'mech production line up to ISA frontline standards. That included a technology transfer to allow Alliance Defenders Limited and the relevant subcontractors in Outworlds Alliance space to manufacture all components for what the ISA called the Quasimodo. The 'mech was exceedingly similar to the Hunchback, but five tons heavier and a generational leap from its forebearer. Energy shields, a rail gun, pulse lasers, ferro-fibrous armor, endo-steel chassis, advanced computers, the only thing normal was the massive and ancient machine gun design they placed in the head of the 'mech.
Alliance Defenders Limited was tasked with expanding their BattleMech line to accommodate the new design. This was a massive task, but the technology transfer also included tooling schematics and technicians to assist them. Survey missions from OA mining companies conducted initial surveys on promising worlds to obtain the materials needed for construction. ADL had laid down the framework for the ferro-fibrous and endo-steel facilities in orbit to manufacture the components natively. Until their completion, they would import the components from the ISA at favorable rates as soon as the production lines were online. That would take years, but the ISA was willing to wait for additional industrial capacity.
The agricultural and medical assistance was more immediate. Within months of the treaty's signing, JumpShips and DropShips of the ISA were hawking their wares. From John Deere and Monsanto to Siemens and Philips. A transfusion of machines for the fields at reasonable prices to medical equipment of a quality not seen since the Star League were revitalizing the listless state. It was not charity, as the companies involved looked to make a healthy profit from the people of the Outworlds Alliance. Compared to what they had, it looked like a fire sale. Tractors, fertilizers, and strains of crops were purchased by the DropShip. Medical and pharmaceutical companies were forced to dramatically increase production on Earth and Cradle to keep up with demand. Earth-based companies found a market hungry for their goods, figuratively and literally. Soon followed more companies, consumer goods and electronics for the population at large. The only thing that kept the potential trade imbalance in check was the massive investment directly from the ISA into the defense sector.
President Neil Avellar II foresaw this as the end of the decline of the Outworlds Alliance, and Alliance Defenders Limited would make it so.
ROM Headquarters
Hilton Head Complex, Terra
Sol System, ComStar Space
30 April 3027
The shipment from the Rimward Periphery had finally arrived. On board were battlefield recoveries from the Aurigan Civil War. The chaos in the region had allowed a very small ROM contingent to scour the battlefields of the cataclysmic war for samples of technology not recovered by the Aurigan Coalition and their mercenary forces. Examples of high technology were sparse, but enough wreckage of Aurigan forces existed for study of the new technologies shown in battlefield footage and propaganda reels. ROM Agents and ComStar engineers spent the day sorting through and categorizing the examples sent.
The startling materials were ferro-fibrous armor and endo-steel structure. From pieces of blown of 'mech limbs and vehicle panels, the engineers were shocked to discover that a backwater Periphery nation had access to such lostech in abundance. The composites of these materials were also more sophisticated, with evidence that whoever manufactured these for the Aurigans had advanced materials science capabilities. Salvaged lasers had a new focusing array that had to be tested. Autocannons recovered had a revolutionary rotary autoloading system that held the potential of increased fire rate and reliability. A PPC which somehow came off a severed 'mech arm intact was an extended range model of unknown manufacture. It had to undergo extensive testing to see its destructive capability. A gauss rifle, slightly damaged, was radically different than any they had in inventory. ROM agents in the reformed Coalition could not obtain intact samples of reported ECM, ECCM, and 'energy shield' components in wide use with Coalition forces throughout the civil war. The weapons and armor would have to suffice.
The existence of such war making capacity in the hands of a mere Periphery power indicated a shift in the technological status quo. The Coalition and surrounding powers did not have the manufacturing capacity for such advanced equipment, let alone fielding them in such numbers. Another player must have supplied them with the materiel. Tojo Jarlath, Precentor ROM, examined the reports out of the Magistracy of Canopus. They had recently revitalized their arms industry, and other aspects of their economy were undergoing a bit of a renaissance. With no immediate threat on the horizon, and close ties with the Arano line, it made sense that the MoC would bankroll and supply the Coalition with the arms and logistics they needed to prosecute and win their civil war in record time. What bothered him was there had been no indication over the years that the Magistracy had made any significant strides technologically to stave off their stagnation. Another power was at play here.
The most obvious was the Independent Systems Alliance. They had a production agreement with Luthien Armor Works for a Jenner factory on Antallos that produced a new variant of the scout 'mech of exceptionally high quality. The JE1-A had given that nascent, possibly old Star Leage-era power, a massive boon in terms of BattleMech manufacturing. The biggest issue with that theory was one of distance. The Magistracy was hundreds of light years away from Antallos and even though they possessed a formal diplomatic presence on that world there was no real reason to invest in a potential ally so far away. There was little chance for timely mutual support in case of war, and reinforcements would be very easily intercepted by enemy forces, rendering them effectively useless. His focus turned to the Federated Suns. The presence of the New Avalon Institute of Science made them potentially the most advanced Successor State in the Inner Sphere. The looming alliance with the Lyran Commonwealth to create a potential superstate the spanned the whole of known space was a terrifying thought, and reports from the Combine-Suns border reinforced that fear. New production 'mechs of unknown design had been spotted in border raids in the Galedon Military District that completely outclassed anything the Combine threw at them. They fought their enemy, destroyed them utterly, raided supplies, and withdrew in a classic cavalry raid-type tactic. Reports from ROM agents in both the Combine and the Suns indicated a force of at least two companies of advanced, unknown 'mechs that House Davion obviously had to deployed to test in combat. If they had established a technological exchange with the ISA, then with their immense industrial capacity they could develop and export a new 'mech model in record time. The Combine was not left out in the cold, as they had been the first beneficiary of ISA-level technology. The export Jenners had engines as light as 'lostech' extralight models without the additional bulk or heat concerns. The lasers were highly advanced, and computer systems exceeded anything in current Inner Sphere production. With House Davion so close, however, it only made sense that they would release materiel aid to test new machines in battle. The Independent Systems Alliance may have been the progenitor, but others were taking their technology and sprinting with it, damn the consequences.
That was the sanest explanation. House Davion had supplied the Magistracy with the money, materials, and technology to revitalize their arms industry. With that industry established, they had encouraged the Magistracy to support the Aurigan Coalition with the arms and logistics capacity they needed to win their war, thus securing their border with the Capellans and giving the Taurians another problem to worry about besides themselves. They had the industrial capacity for such an effort, and it would make the most sense to deploy new weapons systems in a strategically unimportant war to test their capabilities. It was curious that they allowed one of their own mercenary companies to support the Directorate, but that would be rational as well. To see how new weapons would be used against better trained and equipped units that a peer or near peer opponent possessed. Only then would you directly use them against a potential enemy.
Jarlath was convinced. He had to step up ROM efforts in the Federated Suns to determine how advanced their industrial base was progressing and thwart their advance. If a Successor State was exporting such capability across the Inner Sphere, then the potential for the shattering of the status quo would spell an even further regression for humanity at large. He, and the rest of ComStar, had a responsibility to ensure the survival of their species by any means necessary.
Graus University
New Paris, Graus
Graus System, Lyran Commonwealth Space
9 June 3027
It had taken some effort to convince the local government of Graus to land a small contingent of military forces on the planet. The pacifist government wanted nothing to do with any active military presence after the destruction of the previous three Succession Wars. Only through rigorous assurances and the word of the Archon herself that their presence was temporary did Graus allow passage of a company of the Lyran Commonwealth Armed Forces. They had a single mission: to discover the location of a secret data cache left on world by the Star League. MIIO had informed them of the location after obtaining it through unknown means. Archon Katrina Steiner observed this as a gesture of implicit trust between the Commonwealth and the Suns and knew that success was the only option here.
In truth, the LCAF company was entirely staffed by operatives of the Lyran Intelligence Corps. Chancellor of the LIC Simon Hauer personally signed off on the mission brief and delivered it himself. It underlined the importance of the operation and the vitality of success here. In his own words, 'The recovery of this data will drag us out of the dark for the first time since the First Succession War.' Every operative had that drilled into them.
Just a few scant days after they began their search in the archives of Graus University, the LIC Company struck gold.
"Hauptmann!" A young Corporal called from the deep archives, "Come look at this!"
Hauptmann Lynette Travis was a few rows down, deep in the physical directory when the yell registered. She rushed to the Corporal and stood behind them. It was another row of books, yet something was strange about them.
"What is it, Corporal?" She asked.
"Ma'am, these three are made of metal." They pointed to three books on the shelves.
She examined the floor and the shelf itself. She knocked on the metal books to test the veracity of the Corporal's claim. Fiddling with the three, she attempted to pull them off the shelf. To her surprise, the shelf moved itself away and revealed a staircase not listed in the University blueprints. She stepped back and began barking orders.
"Corporal, summon the rest of the company to this floor and bring the First Sergeant to me."
"Well, Hauptmann, this is certainly a surprise." First Sergeant Norton Haward stared at the staircase as operatives of the First Platoon flanked him.
"Astute observation, Sergeant Haward." Travis nodded, "Put the Corporal in for a citation. Awareness like this is to be rewarded in the LIC."
"Of course, Hauptmann." Haward approached the staircase, "How do you want to proceed?"
"Ask for volunteers for point. Treat it like building clearance. Careful and by the numbers. The rest of First Platoon will follow. We will enter only after a secure foothold is established."
Haward saluted and gathered First Platoon for this assignment. The entire company immediately volunteered. This mission was delivered by the Chancellor himself. To show one's devotion to their duty may lead to promotion in spite of purchased commissions. Haward smiled and picked two of the more promising enlisted operatives. With selections made, First Platoon checked their gear. He returned to his CO.
"We will be ready to proceed as soon as you give the order, Hauptmann." Haward nodded.
"Good, Sergeant. On your own time. We will find the secrets that the Commonwealth requires.
It had taken an hour, but the lower level had been deemed secure by Haward and his platoon. Hauptmann Travis entered the most secure room in the level with an escort of two soldiers and a technician squad. What lay before her she did not know, but she could feel its gravity.
The two soldiers nodded to the guards at the door as they shepherded their Hauptmann further in. Within they found a computer mainframe emblazoned with the Cameron star. The technicians behind her shivered in anticipation.
"Sweep for electronic countermeasures, then access the database." She ordered. With no prompting, the tech squad began their work. Noteputers carrying the finest LIC counter-malware were plugged into the mainframe. When the screens turned green, the techs accessed the mainframe proper. What they found astonished them.
"Ma'am," one of them beckoned her over, "I can't believe it…"
"What is it?" She asked as she strode behind them.
"This is a memory core, ma'am… This is the Star League's insurance policy in case something like the Succession Wars happened…"
She looked at the screen. Before her were files on files, from agricultural, medical, and BattleMech technologies with all the basics. From first principles to assembled final product. Her eyes widened.
"What you see here does not leave this room." She ordered, "Download everything, make copies, and prepare for our immediate withdrawal. We need to keep this site secure as well. We will keep a platoon here as close guard until relieved by the LIC proper. This needs to reach the Archon."
Royal Palace
Tharkad
Tharkad System, Lyran Commonwealth Space
1 July 3027
The Lyran Commonwealth had not stood idle. While the Federated Suns had developed and delivered a functional new 'mech design into the hands of their 'MechWarriors, the Commonwealth still had issues replicating their success. It was not for naught, however. Defiance Industries had expanded their orbital foundries and were finally producing usable refined ferro-fibrous and endo-steel. Weapons manufacturers all over the Commonwealth were assisting in new weapons development from data that the Federated Suns had sent. Computer systems were in the process of development now that Apple Interstellar and General Motors had a process they could use. The biggest issue is that scientists and technicians were having trouble grasping the underlying principles of the technology.
Archon Katrina Steiner read the noteputer manifest on her desk. It had finally arrived, a sign of the future. It was a single line item on the manifest: Noteputer crate, marked for immediate transport to the College of Ancient Studies of Tharkad University. Within that college was a newly established school of ancient computer technology, founded after the shipment of computer hardware from Antallos. This particular crate held the product of a mission to Graus by the Lyran Intelligence Corps. Within days, they would decompile the data within and grant the budding Federated Commonwealth the thing they needed to accelerate the restoration of their realm: Star League fundamentals. She knew how Hanse Davion obtained the information. It was a deal with the Independent Systems Alliance who shared the location after considerable concessions from the Davion delegation. The ISA had obtained significant floor space on several Suns factories to accelerate their own weapons production. For such a small nation, what they required was enormous. There were also significant trade agreements that allowed ISA companies to sell their goods in Suns space with favorable import rates. If not for the defense investments, it would have been an extremely lopsided deal.
She got glimpses of the data to verify its veracity. The medical data alone would save the lives of billions of Commonwealth citizens. The 'sun shield' schematics as used on Venus could turn barren husks of worlds into oases in space. Copies of the data were already sent to NAIS and other universities across Suns and Commonwealth space. It was a safeguard, to ensure that the technological backslide of the Succession Wars would never happen again. A beep at her door snapped her focus.
"Enter."
In walked Chancellor Simon Hauer, head of her LIC, "Archon." He glanced down at the noteputer in her hand, "I see you're reviewing the manifest."
"Correct, Simon." She beckoned him to sit down, "If this glimpse is anything like the data contained within, then the new Federated Commonwealth will be the forerunner of the Inner Sphere for decades to come."
"Without a doubt, my Archon." He nodded, "Still, even with such concessions out of House Davion, why would the ISA divulge such a decisive advantage to us? Would it not be in their best interests to hold such technology close to their chest?"
Steiner looked up in thought, "You make a very good point, Simon. Makes me think they still have a tremendous technological edge that they deem these technologies suitable for trade." She scratched her head, "You ever hear of something called the 'Mother Doctrine?'"
"I'm familiar with the concept. The Terran Hegemony had various technologies and products that they deemed suitable for export by their companies. They would leverage such advantages politically and diplomatically given their position in the Inner Sphere."
"It may be something similar here." The Archon concluded, "Nevertheless, Hanse would've been foolish not to take such an opportunity, especially with NAIS already developing technology at the rate they have been."
"Indeed." He glanced out the window, "Makes me wonder…"
"About what?"
"How did the ISA even know about this database? Where could they have gathered such information? Are they descendants of General Kerensky or the result of another covert Star League project? It would explain the technological gulf between us and them. What are their intentions? Why spread-out defense investments the way they have?"
"Explain." The Archon was fully focused now.
"The ISA has formally licensed its technology to the Federated Suns, the Draconis Combine, and the Outworlds Alliance. It appears that they have done the same with the Magistracy of Canopus, though that is speculation. From what we've been able to glean with our cooperation with MIIO, they do not possess many worlds in their cluster and their cluster seems to mirror Terra proper. Again, this is speculation, but if they were in an area that mirrored Terra then perhaps they are just as industrialized as the heartworld of humanity. From that observation that means they have access to multiple habitable worlds with tremendous resources. Why would they need so many states to carry the industrial burden for them?"
"If they've been around as long as the Star League, then perhaps they ran into the same problem. Many of the Terran Hegemony's surrounding worlds have been stripped clean of usable resources. The Mother Doctrine enabled the Hegemony to acquire what they needed to survive and thrive in the heart of the Inner Sphere. With their emergence onto the galactic stage, they may have found an opportunity to reverse their industrial bottleneck and rearm to a level they see sufficient."
"You may be right, Archon. It makes some sense. Explains why they've only recently emerged out of hiding. Hmm." He shifted focus, "Anyway, in regards to the data, we should have it decompiled within the day. Our scientists will collate and prioritize research and development efforts. Once we get word from New Avalon that they've received their copy, the Federated Commonwealth will be ready to emerge as the power in the Inner Sphere."
Coalition of Sovereign Nations Headquarters
New York City, United States of America, Earth
Sol System, Independent Systems Alliance Space
8 September 867 AS/2012/3027
An important discussion between the two Councilors of the ISA and the Supreme Bashar was scheduled for the day. The implementation of the Beacon Doctrine was in full effect and technologies derived from the Star League were formally in the hands of four powers. They were sure that the fifth would have them soon or already did. That was not unexpected. What was on the agenda was the extent of technology transfer. The Outworlds Alliance and the Magistracy of Canopus had access to technologies deemed sensitive to the ISA and the approval of their transfer shocked lawmakers on Earth. The major nations of Earth questioned why Periphery nations like them would be privy to such powerful, status-quo shattering technology. That was the first item of discussion.
Councilors Jack Ryan and Metzli Glass with their respective staves at their places at the round table in a conference room in CSN HQ. They awaited the arrival of Supreme Bashar Robert Merlow. The two Councilors had already begun some discussions on civilian matters when the Supreme Bashar entered with Bashar Superior Marcus Scarman.
"I apologize for the wait, Councilors." Merlow nodded to the pair as he and Scarman sat in their seats. The holographic image in the center of the table changed from the CSN logo, adopted from the former United Nations, and replaced it with the logo of the ISA's golden eagle, "Well, shall we get to business?"
"Of course, Robert." Glass blinked and changed the image to that of the Magistracy and the Outworlds Alliance, "First on the block is our implementation of the Beacon Doctrine. I know your reasons for sharing our more sensitive technologies with the Outworlds Alliance and the Magistracy of Canopus, but if you would be so kind as to give all of us here a quick overview."
"Okay, to recap:" Merlow changed the image to that of the Inner Sphere and highlighted the nations in question, "Being Periphery powers, the Magistracy of Canopus and the Outworlds Alliance both have immense untapped potential out of the direct line of fire when the Clans come knocking. Just from a cursory overview of the current worlds under their governance, they both have resources to leverage and human capital to utilize. The Outworlds Alliance is a strategic partnership that will allow us to rearm sufficiently to bring the fight to Clans and secure our own interests when we expand further than three systems. The Magistracy of Canopus represents a strategic reserve for Earth designs to quickly reinforce the front with equipment when we take inevitable losses. Are they vulnerable to Inner Sphere houses? Of course, but that is why we bartered technology to the Combine and the Suns. In the Suns we've gotten space in their production lines for components, spares, equipment, and the like. We've hashed out a similar deal with the Combine. The Federated Suns, we shared the location of the Graus Memory Core to jumpstart the Federated Commonwealth, as the Triple-S project Hanse Davion and the future Melissa Steiner-Davion will prove to be a much saner government than any of the other three. The Combine did not receive the same treatment, but we need them as a buffer against the Clans so better they begin development as soon as they can."
Ryan stared at the holo-image, "What about our own industrial capacity? How does it benefit our own military industrial complex?"
"Oh, our companies are getting front row seats in how the rest of the Inner Sphere handles weapons manufacturing and other areas of interest." Scarman interjected, "The technology transfer goes both ways."
"I worry such activity will garner the attention of ComStar." Glass stated with some concern, "The technological baseline has risen across the Inner Sphere, and I'm sure that ROM will attempt to wrangle the Inner Sphere back into their vision."
"Absolutely, Councilor," Scarman tapped the side of his nose, "but we generally know how they'll react. A surreptitious hint here, a suspicious package there, we can help mitigate their impact."
"Eventually we will have to stamp out that threat." Merlow said with finality, "We need to wrest control of communications away from that cabal and either supplement it or replace it completely. Haven't worked that part out yet, but our research efforts will give us something to work with, I'm sure."
Ryan scratched his chin, "We must be careful in that regard. The Jihad as written was unbelievably destructive. If we are to take down ComStar, we have to find the Five. Their hidden worlds were the lynchpin to their strategic success."
"Those efforts are ongoing, Councilor Ryan." Scarman assured him, "We'll cross-reference our archives once we can get our hands on ComStar's own. Once we're ready, you'll know."
"I believe that wraps up our concerns about Beacon Doctrine. Jack?" Glass asked their counterpart, who nodded, "Good. Now, colonization efforts. We have updated information that shows Lapu-Lapu is receiving new colonists. The population is currently half a million, a touch behind the projected million people at the end of last year. Our own vessels are just now entering service in the merchant marines and various civilian companies, but we are still very reliant on Inner Sphere JumpShips and DropShips. Our deals with the Combine and the Suns are helping alleviate this shortfall as it is much faster to refit IS vessels to our spec, but that still adds a link in the logistical chain that is currently overstretched. Do we have a timeline to accelerate our colonization efforts?"
A member of Ryan's staff leaned forward, "Yes, Councilor." The holo-image changed to Earth's shipyards which grew by the day, "Companies from around the world are expanding their orbital manufacturing capabilities as we speak. The number of industrial fabricators on Earth, Luna, and in orbit are allowing state and private enterprises to build the infrastructure needed to manufacture naval vessels. New shipyards should be online in the next couple of years, with new hulls laid down soon after construction. There are multiple designs from multiple companies, but the dictate on parts interchangeability will allow maintenance crews a sign of relief as certain parts can be shared across manufacturers. With the ink dry from our agreements with the Federated Suns and the Draconis Combine, we have a line on Inner Sphere DropShips and JumpShips. As you stated, they still need to be refitted to our standards, but it is quicker than waiting for our shipyards to come online."
Merlow grinned, "Defense investments pay off handsomely."
"As do the trade benefits." The staff member added, "Currently, we're on track to alleviate the overcrowding issues on Earth within a decade. The incentives we've stated to trek out into the unknown have fueled our efforts, which is why we're so bottlenecked at the moment. We have a proposal to use recently imported Inner Sphere vessels until they can get a place in drydock to undergo their overhauls to get people and products where they need to be. When it comes to terraformation efforts in the Sol system, they continue apace. Venus is the most promising, as the solar shield concept used by the Star League was in the Memory Cores. Mars will be faster, but not as ideal for future generations of humans given the surface gravity, though that can be compensated for. All of these proposals and plans are in the works."
"I approve." Glass replied, "We need those ships in transit. Cradle's own shipbuilding capacity is expanding apace, as is our population support, but we need these ships in service until we can get them upgraded. Venus and Mars are longer-term solutions, so the ships are priority one."
"Agreed." Ryan nodded, "This'll be fast-tracked through the CSN. I'm sure the bidding to refit the ships is already underway."
"Antallos." Glass changed the holo-image to the semi-secure world, "Our diplomatic efforts have been somewhat effective, but we see an increase in hostile action on world. Some of our surface trade missions have been raided by the unaligned city-states. What is the overall situation on the ground?"
As if summoned, a holo-image of Bashar Superior Thomas Serov appeared at the table and took a seat beside Merlow, "Allow me." He changed the image on the table to Antallos, "General Davis and I have been looking into the hostile actions. Patrols in the wastes, satellite, and drone recon, we have a pretty good picture of the movements of unaligned city-state forces. We haven't isolated which city-states are participating in the raids yet, but with the help of Marcus and his people we're very close. Our own forces have redirected efforts to assist caravans travelling between our directly administered city-states and those who have decided to throw their lot in with us. I gotta thank your efforts, Jack." His image nodded to Ryan, "Earth companies have stepped up in a big way to expand our capabilities on Antallos. Aerospace cover is growing, and our ground forces are phasing out our first-generation gear in favor of modern equipment. Our 'second line' forces with our first-gen gear could stand toe-to-toe with any Inner Sphere military, and I've been doing this for a long time."
"What is your plan for dealing with the aggressive city-states, Bashar?" Ryan asked.
"We've extended the olive branch multiple times." Serov shrugged, "If there's another hostile act, well, we will respond proportionally."
FOB San Diego
Thirty Kilometers of the coast of Rages, Antallos
Antallos System, Independent Systems Alliance Provisional Space
11 October 867 AS/2012/3027
The Systems Security Service had finally found the city-state responsible for organizing and rallying the other against them after more than half flocked to the protection of the ISA. Rages, one of Port Kirin's closest neighbors and the only city-state with any real combat capacity had utilized their proximity to Port Kirin and their remaining war materiel to lead raids against traders from the allied city-states. They kept a low profile, utilized the terrain, and only attacked city-state caravans. It was a shrewd move. To attack an ISA caravan would engender a rapid military response, not to mention they always left with an escort. The allied city-states lacked the materiel and manpower to reliably escort their caravans and were easy pickings for the raiders. It also undermined ISA authority as it raised questions of their dominion and reliability. Ambassador Smith and the Diplomatic Corps worked to smooth relations with the affected city-states, but the military apparatus had to provide a more permanent solution.
Months ago, the ISA Marine Engineers began construction of Forward Operating Base San Diego, just thirty kilometers off the coast of Rages. Officially, it was a water purification platform and refueling point for sea-bound traffic to and from Port Kirin. Unofficially, it was an observation post and rapid response platform for aerospace and light green-water surface vessels. The ISA identified the need for a nimble surface vessel force and transported some modified ships from Earth to Antallos. It put military shipbuilders to work and deployed an oft unused portion of combat power into a theatre that could use it. Earth-based manufacturers were eager to see if their upgrades and new weapons would perform well in the harsh conditions of such a hostile world.
Today marked the beginning of another major offensive against the militant city-states that stood against the ISA. The ISV Stilgar and Chani were on standby to conduct combat drops and provide additional aerospace support. DropShips of the First Combined Army were in orbit, shipped there over the past few weeks in preparation for their assault. Aerospace patrols were ready to switch to their pre-planned attack runs, carefully planned so as not to alert their targets. Special Operations teams were implanted across the city-states, providing on-the-ground ISR to command. The principal surface combatants of the Tali Sea, the ISSV Kaszub and the ISSV Yangjiang, led their squadrons on patrol out of visual range of Rage. On board they were equipped with the latest in long range missile fires from China and NATO.
At precisely 05:06, the assault began. The green-water navy began the attack with an initial ripple of BGM-110N Gryphon-M and CJ-10M cruise missiles. A total of fourteen cruise missiles were flung from their tubes and hugged the terrain to their predetermined targets. The now pervasive Antallos Positioning System guided these missiles just tens of kilometers to hundreds of kilometers away to strike military and communications targets in Rage and the closest city-state aggressors. What the Inner Sphere called Arrow artillery missiles, thought thoroughly extinct, made their glorious return as tens of millions of c-bills worth of munitions fell on 'mech bays, vehicle mustering points, barracks, communications stations, docks, anything considered operationally important to resist an offensive. Minutes afterward, aerospace assets unleashed their own arsenals as AGM-158 JASSMs, Storm Shadows, and KH-555 cruise missiles along with smart gravity bombs followed up these strikes with more tonnage of munitions carried by Earth and ISA designed aerospace craft. DropShips and Balisets fell upon the hostile city-states as their armed forces disappeared in an explosive monsoon. Power-armored infantry and lighter 'mech forces deployed directly into the cities as their immediate vehicle support landed just a few kilometers outside each city to provide fire support and cordon off any retreating forces. In their first combat deployment with mainline ISA forces, PA-500 Erinyes-equipped forces dropped from Balisets and sprinted out of DropShips under sparse fire. What little militia resistance was able to meet the 'mechs and power armored infantry were cut down even in their somewhat discordant state.
Secondary targets started to receive fire as the aerospace craft and green water navy reloaded their ordnance. More cruise missiles struck power generation sites, identified secondary command and control points, and centers of government as artillery crews hammered troop concentrations and armored targets after quickly setting themselves up. Light and medium ISA 'mechs jumped from streets to rooftops, hunting enemy forces. There were a few unlucky incidents as some of the aged structures gave way to the impact of fifty-five tons of metal slamming into the roof and buried the 'mechs in debris. Rages itself had a more organized resistance, as a singular BLR-1G BattleMaster led two lances of light and medium Inner Sphere 'mechs against overwhelming odds. A Black Panther platoon identified the threat and marked them for destruction. They lured the two lances through a vicious street fight, as their rotary cannons threw one-hundred-five-millimeter armor-piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot DTW3 rounds slammed into their enemy. The BattleMaster and supporting lances fired back as the Black Panthers released multi-spectral smoke missiles to cover the jumping retreat. As Rages' 'mechs followed, other platoons of ISA 'mechs gathered at impromptu rally points to set up a kill box. Gundams, Pantyukhovs, Nergals, and other Black Panthers diverted from their infantry support roles to deal with the more lethal threat. At a crossroads on the eastern end of the city, the 'bait' Black Panther platoon continued their feigned retreat to the kill box. They entered the open area, shields collapsed, and bits of their armor worn from the fighting. At this point, the pilots of these Chinese-designed weapons of war were well familiar with the capabilities of their machines. The networked battlefield allowed them to see their comrades in arms ready to unleash violence on those that wished them harm. A Spider was the first to cross into the kill box as the 'bait' platoon withdrew to allied lines. It was blissfully unaware as it landed behind some buildings and reported the location of the known Black Panther platoon. Close behind, their support entered the scene. The leader of Rages' second BattleMech lance, an exceedingly rare MAD-2R Marauder, pulled up alongside the Spider and surveyed the situation with their own sensor suite. Ancient Dalban HiRez systems, kept operational through centuries of scavenging, attempted to pierce the fog of war. The rest of the two lances paid no heed and pushed forth into the fray. The BattleMaster of the first lance charged headlong into the kill box. They were followed by the other light and medium 'mechs of the two combined lances to hunt down the interlopers they had chased here. When the Jenner of the lances crossed into the crossroads, hell fell upon them.
The Spider and Marauder watched in horror as the BattleMaster faced the full might of four ISA 'mechs simultaneously unleashing their full weapons complement on it. Two rail gun slugs smashed into the torso, cratering the armor, and disabling some of the lasers the venerable platform carried. Lasers slashed across the kill box and melted armor and stripped into the inner structure. Then the missiles finally arrived, their payloads exploded their shaped charges into the weakened torso armor. Jets of metal-plasma dug further into the cratered armor, with two missiles managing to force their jets into the structure of the assault 'mech. The combined firepower of four 'mechs overcame the armor of the ancient design and pierced the fusion reactor. In moments, it fell over, useless. The other 'mechs in the formation attempted to scatter as one of their leaders fell, but they were well within the kill box. Cannon fire, lasers, missiles, and supreme violence filled the crossroads. Confusion reigned as armor ablated, shattered, 'mech limbs went flying, and their own weapons fire went wild. Shops collapsed, windows shattered, and homes went up in smoke as Rages' 'mechs attempted to extricate themselves from the nightmare they couldn't wake from. Some pilots were smart, they ejected after a limb was lost or their armor was completely annihilated. Others were lucky, their fusion reactors powered down as their housings were shattered by weapons fire. An unlucky trio found out the hard way why blowout panels existed in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries as their ammunition cooked off and mangled them in their own 'mechs.
"This is Captain Lou Fábián of the Rages Militia to the leader of the forces attacking the city." The Marauder pilot transmitted on an open channel, voice strained, "On behalf of the Rager lances, we surrender."
"Captain Fábián, Major Dansel." A voice replied, "Power down your 'mechs and surrender with your hands above your head. Our forces will take you into custody. Copy, over."
He took a breath to steady himself, "Major Dansel, confirmed. Will power down 'mechs and stand with hands above our heads, over."
"Good. Our soldiers will take good care of you, out."
The battle for Rages and the rest of Antallos lasted for another day as the Combined City-State Milita Command refused to surrender. Brutal street fighting leveled homes, businesses, and lives. With the mass adoption of power armor for frontline ISA infantry, their casualty rate was remarkably low. Where even the best of the ISA Marines took a forty percent casualty rate when they seized the Argo, the massive assault to end resistance on Antallos garnered a little less than ten percent, with about two percent dead. The enemy was just as hard, as determined, and ruthless as the pirates who held the ancient DropShip but a fully encased shielded soldier was just more resilient in the face of pirate firepower. Numbers, technology, tactics, operational and strategic superiority won the battle. Now lay the long road to true unification.
Office of the Precentor
Antallos HPG Facility
1 November 3027/2012/867 AS
Precentor Hadrian Long, ROM Precentor Dorji Style, and head of the local ComGuard detachment Precentor Hunter Cockburn sat in silence as they reviewed the events of the past month. The ISA had achieved what many considered to be impossible: united Antallos under one banner. Militarily, it was a foregone conclusion. On world, they had enough firepower to not only defend themselves but shatter any resistance they saw fit. It was the careful, measured way in which they applied such force. The initial push, the one that secured Port Kirin, was savage and undeniable, a message to all that to oppose them on the field of battle was a fruitless endeavor. Then the second wave, when attempted insurgencies threatened stability, they created problems of their own and swooped in as bringers of law and order. Their diplomats leveraged their military superiority to secure the loyalty of more city-states and tightened their control not only with force but through extensive public works and private investments. The old playbook of overwhelming force was brought back out and applied just last month as they revealed more capabilities to the galaxy. The Arrow IV artillery missiles, lostech to the Inner Sphere, were in ISA inventory in great numbers. They even deployed them off aerospace craft, which was a shock to them as they watched the battles unfold.
Cockburn read the news reports and analysis from his own combat leaders. Style reviewed ROM's examination of the events that led to the final assault. Long scrutinized the long list of infrastructure, governmental, and civil developments since the arrival of the ISA. In less than a decade, this 'backwater' had become one of the most important worlds ComStar needed to keep an eye on. Long looked up from his noteputer and sheaf of papers.
"Gentlemen," he began, "what are your thoughts?"
Cockburn shrugged, "Only been here for a few months, but these people fight fiercer than Kerensky slaying the traitor Amaris. Sure, these are their 'COIN' operations, but it sends a message to the rest of the powers that be: This is our world. Don't try anything stupid."
"I agree." Style leaned back in his chair, "Their capabilities and capacity for war has only grown as the years have gone on here. What were once cities on the edge of collapse from within, constantly at odds without, are now blossoming into a proper civilization."
"Very true, but the buildup of their combat power here is worrying." Cockburn warned, "I've not seen so many proper surface ships ever. They didn't build them here, they transported them from their Earth. The sheer logistical capacity to bring a naval vessel from one of their worlds here is astounding. That sends a cold shiver down my spine."
"It's not as if they only transport military goods." Long offered, "The consumer goods, their industry, they've expanded the road networks and have reactivated the Star League-era water purification facilities to provide for their ever-expanding population."
"With that infrastructure also came more patrols." Cockburn stared at his own noteputer, "The Free Zones have been the safest they've ever seen since the collapse of the Star League. Raids on trade caravans only occurred on non-ISA signatory city-states. The gangers learned very quickly what happened when they tried to assault an ISA caravan." He shuddered, "It was like they never existed."
"Gangers are a desperate folk." Style dismissed, "It's better for civilization if the ISA does the dirty work of ridding this world of their stench. No, more alarming is how ready they are to share technology with their neighbors."
"To expand their industrial capacity," Long nodded, "I read the report. The Combine, Suns, Outworlds Alliance, and Magistracy all have treaties and technology transfer agreements in exchange for a number of concessions."
"They have already proven to have more industrial capacity than any other Periphery nation." Style stroked his chin, "They're preparing for something."
"Large scale military operations." Cockburn stated confidently, "To provide for their First Combined Army is one thing. To maintain a trans-galactic force requires an industry that spans multiple worlds, worlds that the ISA may not have developed for such a purpose yet. I would assume that they seek logistical flexibility and scale they cannot provide for themselves."
"By investing in all these powers, it also diversifies their suppliers in the event that a few cannot or will not make their deliveries." Style observed, "The question is, what is their overall goal here? They wouldn't invest in a potential enemy and give them the capability to resist you, but it's obvious that they seek to expand their materiel production. The Outworlds Alliance seems like a possible diplomatic expansion vector, the level of investment is consistent with that goal. From what we've seen of the discourse between the two powers, trade has expanded exponentially from the ISA into the OA, offset somewhat by the defense investments. This puts them under significant ISA influence, that makes sense. They also purchase favor from the Combine and the Suns with similar accords, but neither power would be willing to release worlds to ISA control no matter how advanced they are. Those arrangements smell like soft power plays. Now, the treaties with the MoC are the most mysterious to me and our analysts. That is a supply line that could be easily interdicted by potentially hostile forces. Also, even with the dearth of technology and the abundance of now unclaimed worlds in the rimward Periphery, the distances would make governing such worlds by the ISA difficult to say the least. It would make sense if the ISA wanted to make a play in the region, but they're so far removed…"
"Something is missing from this picture…" Long stroked his chin, "The local geopolitical landscape does not match the actions taken by this burgeoning power. It seems to me that they're playing on the stage proper and outfitting themselves accordingly. Do they have the ability to project power? Do they have WarShips? There's been evidence of one in orbit, even if we can't spot it. They're not reliant on our HPG network, so we have no idea of their inner correspondence. Even what little traffic we've delivered to Luthien indicates nothing of real significance. Their diplomatic missives to their embassy there are devoid of substance and even evidence of cryptography, correct Precentor Style?"
Style nodded in confirmation, "I've sent the messages to Terra for analysis and our best cryptographers detect nothing in the messages. They did theorize that they possess a different kind of FTL communication, but that is not confirmed at this time. We have yet to gain access to an ISA vessel to examine their communications equipment. I suspect the unknown model of JumpShip they brought to Luthien has a mobile HPG on it, as do their DropShips and military base here on Antallos. Still, they would repeaters to send transmissions from Luthien to Antallos, requiring the use of the HPG network. They cannot rely on command circuit there, there's just too many jumps and they only brought one JumpShip that has remained in orbit on Luthien. There is no evidence of an ISA presence in the Draconis Combine except their diplomatic mission."
"Makes you wonder, huh." Cockburn observed.
"With confusion and frustration, Precentor." Style shook his head, "We don't know what their overall aim is, what their next move is, or how they play to carry it out." He sighed in resignation, "We're reaching at straws in the dark, gentlemen."
"Then we must rely on the light of the Blessed Blake to guide us." Long concluded.
ROM Analysis Wing
Precentor Mulligan Fox poured over the data available concerning the ISA and surrounding powers. Defense investment was their preferred tool of diplomatic control, a method as old as Terra itself. It tied more industrially poor nations to them, and those that had the industry it purchased favor in the halls of power. The Adepts that worked under him were obsessed with ISA technology, primarily their shields, but those were only surface level. Military might meant nothing if one could not project power. Hard and soft power alike swayed nations and the ISA were wielding their hard power and exporting their soft power. Trade deals did not only export goods, but ideas. Culture, values, the seeds to sway worlds and have them carry out your will of their own accord. He let them gawk at the powerful machines and innumerable consumer computers that the ISA displayed and sold. It was the contents that he was interested in. Their music, their art, their ideals. He saw parallels to the Free Worlds League. There was ample evidence that the ISA was not a monolithic nation, but the overarching governing body of many nation-states that had their own interests to balance with those of the supranational organization. How they governed the city-states, allowing free elections and surprising autonomy in the face of what they were before. Their propaganda was as refined as any of the other nations of the Inner Sphere and Periphery. Clearly old hat, a clear sign of an experienced master of the craft.
It was the mission of ComStar to protect the Inner Sphere from itself, and the order attempted to do this by stifling technological discovery and rediscovery. ComStar wielded hard power to this end to capture scientists, destroy scientific progress, and maintain the status quo. What he observed from the ISA was a soft power play, one that traded hard power for soft power. ComStar engaged in soft power plays, sure. The sigma branch of the Blessed Order were specialists in spreading their ideals, but ComStar recruitment policies were extremely stringent and only allowed the finest individuals to serve in the order. He observed the parallels between the two organizations, and their differences. The ISA was not just rearming. To do that would only require the additional output of the Outworlds Alliance, as weak as it was. No, they aimed for something else. Something greater. The question was what. What would warrant the industrial and technological revitalization of major houses to achieve?
Something was afoot, something was coming. He could sense it.
Office of the Systems Security Service
First Combined Army Headquarters
"We're getting close to the start date." Fleet Captain Maeda stated, worried, "I'm concerned that we won't be able to influence events sufficiently to gain an optimal outcome."
"How so?" Bashar Superior Marcus Scarman's image asked of her, "The Federated Suns are reindustrializing, I'm sure that the Lyran Commonwealth has obtained the Memory Core and are putting that information to good use, and the Combine is in a similar state. With the hardware at their disposal, I'm sure the Suns can achieve not only the results as written, but a more complete conclusion."
"Forgive me, sir, but is the complete absorption of the Capellan Confederation one we want?" She asked, "The balance of power will irrevocably shift with them off the board."
"From what we've seen and what we have written, the Confederation is not a state that deserves its continued existence. From their invasion of the Taurian Concordat shortly after Tintavel to their society having two distinct tiers of 'citizen' and 'state servitor,' I won't weep when that state falls."
"What about the balance of the Inner Sphere? What will happen when the Federated Commonwealth becomes the superpower that we know it will be?" She questioned her superior.
"We're not ComStar, Captain." Scarman emphasized, "We are here to ensure the Inner Sphere is ready and to define our place in it. We have the ability to change the course of what was considered history. We already have. Look at the Aurigan Coalition. That war wrapped up faster than what was observed in an as of yet unreleased video game. We used our resources to not only keep that nation more whole than it would have been otherwise, but also saved lives. The Taurians never got involved, preserving their strength for more relevant matters. Civilian casualties were reduced, famine was avoided, and two Periphery nations stand poised to be a potential backbone of a war effort we are preparing for. We are already adding a third in there, though we may have to become more involved if the Clans hit them at all. Also, we need the Taurians on board if we want to form a proper power bloc to balance this version of Humanity."
"It just worries me, Bashar." She gazed out her office window, "Our settlement is tenuous at best. We still have millions of people that need to be reintegrated into society, yet here we are dictating the terms of a universe we hardly know."
"It is for those people we do what we do, Captain Maeda." Scarman's image walked through her desk, "Settlement efforts on Lapu-Lapu and Cradle are already expanding. Those millions are already coming off ice and into this universe, hand in hand with a world we thought we would never see. Is it ideal? No, but nothing ever is. What we can do is make this new home as hospitable and welcoming as we can. So, we will influence this universe for that goal, Captain. It's the best we can do."
A sliver of a smile passed over her face, "Thank you, Bashar. Sometimes you get lost in the grass and have to poke your head up to see the horizon."
"The horizon's easy." Scarman laughed, "It's seeing beyond it that gets difficult. That's what we're paid to do."
"Speaking of which, sir, do you think the Fourth Succession War will kick off the same way?"
Scarman shrugged, "That's an open question, Captain. With their newfound technology, I anticipate they will hold off for a couple more years, probably until thirty-thirty by their calendar. Gives their industry and logisticians enough time to get new equipment to the front and enough spares to keep them running. Would also allow them time to muster more military force to more vulnerable regions. In the chaos, I anticipate a Combine play for Antallos under the pretext of 'protecting Combine interests.' We'll have to prepare for such an event."
"We're already keeping a close eye on our Combine friends, Bashar, though perhaps we could persuade them to switch sides if the shit hits the metaphorical fan."
"That's a tall order, Captain." Scarman gave her a glance, "Even if they're friendly, they have a duty to the state and their Coordinator above all."
"What if the play goes against the will of their Coordinator?" the Captain asked innocently, "What if whoever makes the play was not ordered to do so 'by the will of the Dragon?'"
Scarman smiled, "You know, that's why we put you here, Maeda. Talk to the new General of Antallos' forces once he arrives. I'm sure he'll have some suggestions."
Port Kirin Military Airfield
17 November 3027/2012/867 AS
General Gennady Bondarenko stepped off the Dragon DropShip into the harsh light of Antallos escorted by his staff and marine escort. His sunglasses protected his eyes as they adjusted to the new conditions. He had been chosen by the Coalition of Sovereign Nations to lead Antallos' forces after General Davis was recalled to Earth for mandated leave and probably reassignment to one of two of the ISA's new settlements. What was needed was an experienced theatre commander, one who had combat recent experience and could integrate into a new command structure. General Bondarenko was the obvious choice. He held off the Chinese advance in the early two-thousands and commanded the force that repelled and captured the DropShips that invaded Russia. His experience with NATO aided in his rapid integration into the ISA command structure. On the ground, a heavily modified BMW limo awaited him along with an armored escort.
They know how to greet a man. He thought to himself as he and his staff entered the limo. His guards split off and loaded into a Vernius IFV that flanked the VIP vehicle. The convoy underway, his staff reviewed the events of the day. The agenda for the day was full. First, was to meet with General Don Davis and Bashar Superior Thomas Serov to officially receive command of Antallos' First Combined Army. Then, an official briefing from the departing command, Bashar Serov and other staffers. The handing over ceremony, in full dress uniforms for all involved. He was not looking forward to that. A tour of the First Combined Army Headquarters would follow, to examine his new command. He would finally meet the COs of the exemplary Foreign Legion and 'Mech Battalions. There were other functions the rest of the day, and indeed the rest of the week, but these were the events of greatest import on the opening day of his command.
Distracted by the review, he was surprised to find themselves already at the entrance of the main building of the headquarters. In a deliberately unceremonious manner, General Bondarenko was ushered within by his staff and marines. Within, staff were hard at work preparing for the day. Salutes sprang up all around, but overall the soldiers remained focused on their tasks. Bondarenko remembered how it required an invasion of the motherland to enact reform in his country. With the deterioration of the nineties, the military of the Russian Federation was in decline for over two decades until a few years ago. Russia's ascension to NATO and the subsequent investment into their military-industrial complex by NATO countries were what finally reversed the backwards slide. It was fortunate, as it gave them enough time to revitalize the admittedly antiquated military structure into a leaner, more efficient fighting force.
He arrived at the door of what would be his office. Ushered inside, Bashar Serov and General Davis were there to greet him. Handshakes and salutes were shared all around as his staff had split off for their own briefings. Serov ushered the trio to take their seats around a comfortable trio of couches and armchairs.
"The legend in the flesh at last." Serov said with a smile, "I read your dossier: Hero of the Russian Federation; head of NATO integration efforts; the man who captured an intact company of Inner Sphere 'mechs and absolutely leveling another. Hell of a 'recent achievements' on your CV, General."
"Please, Bashar Serov." Bondarenko leaned forward to pour himself a glass of water, "You grant me recognition beyond my station."
"Nonsense." General Davis insisted as he took a sip from his own glass, "You're exactly the right person to take command here."
"From what I have seen, you have done a praiseworthy job here on Antallos." He raised his glass, "Not only that, but you have also made history as the first of our world to develop and implement working 'mech tactics and operations to real battlefield application."
Davis finished his water and poured himself another glass, "We were lucky is all. Besides, you get the unenviable job of command during multiple transitional governments." He chuckled, "Glad I got to dodge that bullet."
"I will do what I can with what you have left me, Davis." Bondarenko acknowledged, "Bashar, I have read the reports, but do we have sufficient aerospace coverage if the planetary carriers leave orbit?"
"Not the best, I'll be the first to admit that." Serov allowed himself a hint of a sigh, "Wolf's Dragoons are providing some orbital coverage with their Hephaestus station, and we've laid the foundation for our own. That should be done in a couple years, hopefully uninterrupted by the Fourth Succession War. Other Earth and Cradle-based companies are establishing themselves here, giving us a very hopeful industrial outlook and perhaps accelerating that timetable but we're eager to redeploy our planetary carriers. They're strategic assets that we need as flexible as possible. So, we're working on it."
"I am sure that I will get a more in depth briefing later today, yes?"
"Correct, Bondarenko." Davis said with a nod, "Your staff is getting up to snuff as we speak. Handing over an entire planetary command, it's gonna be a little messy. We've put in as much work as we could to make it as smooth as possible."
An hour passed as the men discussed lighter topics as their staves prepared the official briefing. Soon enough, they were summoned to a conference room where a holo projector displayed Antallos in the center of the table. Serov bade them all sit as the staves took their places and other relevant members of the ISA military apparatus filtered in. The table and surrounding chairs filled with people and the briefing began. Serov stood up and zoomed the image into the headquarters.
"Alright, everyone," Serov began, "first off, let's give a warm welcome to General Bondarenko and his staff." Brief applause filled the room before returning to silence, "They'll be taking over for General Davis and his staff going forward. The task at hand won't be easy, never is really, but the times we find ourselves in are going to be interesting to say the least. First off, the good news. Major organized resistance on Antallos has ceased. We have destroyed or captured major military assets in the last hostile city-states, and we are now shifting to large-scale COIN operations. This does not mean an end to hostilities. I'm sure General Bondarenko knows better than most what a 'graveyard of empires' means and this world has the potential to become one. The biggest advantage we have over say the Rheinland's time in the Eighty-Years War or the Soviet campaign in Afghanistan is the support of the people. Many of the lower strata of the population are in favor of our governance and the changes we're bringing to the world. That saves us from some serious headaches. What we do have to worry about is the free zones. After we militarily ousted previous city-state administrations, they fled to the free zones with what wealth and equipment they could pilfer from the cities they once governed. They have purchased the support of the gangs out there and have preyed on allied city-state convoys in the past. With additional support now a distant memory, we can expect them to become more desperate. We have some plans going forward to address the situation and quell that issue once and for all. Earth and Cradle have already redoubled their support for our operations and have additional equipment and personnel forthcoming to ensure our success. The biggest gap in our inventory is permanently stationed aerospace craft. We have some of Earth's first production Su-60s, MiG-50s and Lightning-IIIs, but to fill the gap we're getting new aerospace assets. They're already proving to be lower maintenance than the three stealth type craft in inventory. Our orbital presence is also expanding, with the construction of the Antallos Orbital Defense Headquarters underway and additional orbital platforms to ensure full coverage of our world. We predict that these projects will be done by 870 AS, 2015, or 3030 depending on which calendar we're using. That brings us to an uncomfortable reality we're going to be dealing with in that timeframe. General Bondarenko, you have the floor."
Bondarenko stood up and cleared his throat, "Thank you, Bashar. First of all, I appreciate the opportunity to work with the best soldiers that our combined strength can muster. You all have experienced combat in the Inner Sphere and I look forward to learning the intricacies of warfare in this new theatre. Now, I wanted to show you all something." He mentally commanded the table to bring up three different bunker-base complex images, "These are the Star League Castles of Helm, New Dallas, and Artru. Against full-scale orbital bombardment, using Inner Sphere nuclear weapons, they are projected to hold out for months with zero resupply in sight. Conventional assaults would be shorter, but significantly bloodier. Fighting through the maze-like structures would make the battles of Stalingrad or Berlin look as idyllic as the plains of Ukraine. Before my arrival, I submitted a proposal to the Basharate to construct something similar in the more treacherous regions of the Free Zones to exert control over the planet and as our bastion in the event of attack. This would be a fundamental shift in how we conduct operations on Antallos, a shift for the better. This proposal has not been approved, but something that could alter how we carry out operations was something I deemed worthy of informing my new command. We will conduct simulations and studies on how this will impact operations in the future." He changed the image to that of the Inner Sphere, zoomed in on the area around Antallos, "The Fourth Succession War is something we have assigned a great deal of resources in analyzing how this will affect us and the geopolitical situation at large. Our most immediate concern will be from the direction of the Combine, I believe the Inner Sphere refers to it as anti-spinward. The Triple-S and our combined intelligence apparatus on Earth have been analyzing the Galedon Military District and its Warlord Grieg Samsonov. We are already well aware of how valuable Antallos now is in the eyes of the Combine. The leased Five Bridges Factory represents one of the Dragon's most successful investments outside of the Combine itself. We have multiple official assurances from the Draconis Combine that our sovereignty is respected and there are no concerns with the current arrangements between our governments. What we are also aware of are potential contingency plans to take direct control of the factory and planetary administration in the event of an existential threat to production. We fear that the Fourth Succession War may be enough legal cover to tempt an ambitious Warlord on our doorstep to attempt to seize the Jenner factory. What we want to do is limit potential engagements to Samsonov and the forces of the Galedon Military District. We do not want to embroil our neighbor in the… rimward… direction, the Federated Suns, in the conflict. That would cause undue damage and force us and our political masters to align ourselves with the new Federated Commonwealth. Our aim will be defending our world and possibly counterattacking Combine formations. We have new equipment that will be delivered in the coming years to facilitate such action without committing strategic formations like our naval strike groups. Kitsune and United-class JumpShips will be made available to us as will a number of Gram, Citadel, Dragon, and Wyvern-class DropShips to completely replace our stock of Inner Sphere equipment. We will be conducting exercises for large scale planetary operations as soon as we are settled in."
Serov nodded to the General, "Thank you, General. Fleet Captain Maeda, I believe you had some input concerning the Combine?"
Maeda shook her head, "It's something to be discussed with the General at a later time, sir."
First Combined Army 'Mech Hangars
Finally, after a couple hours, the ceremonial transition of power concluded. General Bondarenko and a few members of his staff made their way to the 'mech hangars and began their official tour of the base. Led by Lieutenant Commander Ichirou Sato, they arrived at the 1st 'Mech Battalion, Foreign Legion hangar. Awaiting them were Major Tony Dansel and Master Sergeant Dania Jasper, the CO and First Sergeant of the 1st Mech Battalion. They saluted, which Bondarenko returned in kind. Dansel extended his hand and Bondarenko shook it in turn.
"General," Dansel greeted, "welcome to the 1st 'Mech Battalion. The soldiers are out on patrol, sir." They began to lead the General and their entourage further into the hangars.
Bondarenko smiled, "It is good to meet a proper hero of the invasion, Major. I have read the reports of your exploits and seen the combat footage. You are quite adept behind the controls of a BattleMech."
Dansel laughed nervously, "Heh, it's not that big a deal, sir."
"Triple ace, Major." Bondarenko emphasized, "You are a legend even among those in the Inner Sphere from what I was able to gather. How did you manage such a feat?"
"Heh, luck sir. A whole hell of a lot of it." Dansel scratched the back of his head.
"Victory is the intersection of luck and skill, Major. That, and a healthy disregard for personal safety. You must have given your previous commanders a headache." Bondarenko grinned.
"I dunno, sir. I just did what I thought was right."
"I can see why they put you in command here, Dansel." Bondarenko gazed up at a docked Awesome platoon, "I assume this 'mech is yours, Major."
"Yes, sir. We're slated to turn these in for Kartikeyas. Not gonna lie, I'll miss these beasts." Dansel said wistfully.
"I have only been on the receiving end on these machines in combat and commanded them in exercises at the ITC. How are they on the battlefield, from one soldier to another."
"Never felt more invincible than in the cockpit of a 'mech, sir. I've been in the modified Hunchback Quasimodo and this beast right here. Named 'er Applegate. Gonna have to come up with a new name for my new baby."
Bondarenko cocked his head to the side, "Applegate?"
"Kinda reminded me of a good horse name and the author K. A. Applegate 'cause war is hell."
He nodded in approval, "I may have to read some of their works." His gaze passed over the upgraded icon of the Inner Sphere, "These machines have proven to be such a tactical and operational boon. I was surprised at their mobility."
"They don't move like you'd think." Dansel walked closer thoughtfully, "With the neural interface, you move much more organically. Add on ISA implants and, well, you pretty much don't need the screens in the cockpit. I've been able to do some admittedly ridiculous things thanks to just the upgraded neurohelmet tech."
"I have seen the combat footage and AARs from the second invasion." Bondarenko glanced at the Major, "You were able to perform some incredible feats." He searched his internal database, "If I recall correctly, you took a severed limb from an opponent and thrashed a light 'mech with it."
Dansel searched his memories, "Oh yeah. It was pretty standard stuff, really. I was waiting for the rail gun to reload, and the enemy was charging me. Did what I had to."
Bondarenko laughed, "If that is standard for you, I understand some other powers interest in your capabilities."
"Forgive me, General, Major." Master Sergeant Jasper interrupted, "The rest of the unit is waiting for you."
"Of course, Sergeant." Bondarenko nodded, "Lead the way."
War Room, Royal Palace
Avalon City, New Avalon
New Avalon System, Federated Suns Space
1 December 3027
"Give it to me straight, Field Marshal." First Prince Hanse Davion began the council, "Will we have enough to prosecute this war?"
Field Marshal Yvonne Davion examined the data before her and the holo map in the center of the table, "Give me two more years and I can ensure proper logistical support and enough equipment to shore up the Combine front. The Capellan March is now well supplied, and front-line units are already equipped and trained with the new Ares BattleMechs. Two more years will solidify our front against the DCMS and may even provide some territorial gains in the coreward direction."
Hanse stroked his chin, "We haven't solidified the date for the wedding yet, right?"
Head of the Ministry of Information, Intelligence, and operations Quintus Allard nodded, "Correct, First Prince. We can schedule it whenever it suits us."
The fourth member of the council, Ardan Sortek, Knight of the Realm, made an observation, "Should we not initiate an operation similar to GALAHAD on the Combine border to gauge DCMS response?"
"You have a point, Sortek." Field Marshal Davion responded, "GALAHAD gave us a valuable yardstick to see how our opponents would respond. Operation THOR by the LCAF has also yielded spectacular results, though the FLWM went to a full wartime footing in response."
"We shall conduct GALAHAD for the next two years, then." Hanse concluded, "Do we have enough in the defense budget to cover this?"
"Fortunately, yes." Field Marshal Davion confirmed, "Even with new expenditures with General Motors and other defense contractors, we will have enough to pay for this endeavor. If deliveries of new JumpShips and DropShips are met, it will actually get cheaper the second time around."
"That's good to know." Hans changed the focus of the discussion, "Quintus, I trust you've gained some ground with our neighbors?"
"Yes, we have." Allard nodded, "The situation with the Confederation has developed more favorably than I could've hoped. Even with the past two GALAHAD exercises, Maskirovka has focused their efforts on their rimward border. The conclusion of the Aurigan Civil War and a resurgent Magistracy of Canopus has spooked them some. I suppose we have the ISA to thank for that."
Hanse raised an eyebrow, "Explain."
"Similar to the treaties with us and the Combine, the ISA has signed agreements with powers across the Inner Sphere and the Periphery. The Outworlds Alliance has had resources aplenty pumped into their defense sector along with goods and services from the ISA. A similar situation seems to be happening in the Magistracy with Majesty Metals and Manufacturing reinvigorated and producing new materiel including BattleMechs. These new models, only seen on Antallos previously, were spotted in great numbers during the Aurigan Civil War. These models were also equipped with technology featured on Antallos, including the energy shield that we saw in action during their initial invasion. There are also rumors of not only ISA technology but recovered lostech in the hands of Kamea Arano's forces, with pristine Star League-era technology in her force structure. It has garnered the attention of SAFE, TMI, Maskirovka and very obviously ROM. These realms are now closer than ever in terms of relations, and a potential new union between the powers has stoked a bit of paranoia from the Free Worlds League and the Capellan Confederation. Their attention diverted; it has allowed us to get deeper into Maskirovka. Their presence in the organization has revealed Duke Michael Hasek-Davion's duplicity as ruler of the Capellan March. We would do well to exploit the 'leak.' I do anticipate a response from our friendly neighborhood telecom company, though we don't know what form that will take. I have increased the MIIO presence around NAIS and our defense contractors to ensure the security of our industry and research. We have a distinct edge over our opponents, and we don't want to lose it to the phone company."
"Agreed. Yvonne, how about DMI? Are they ready for such an operations tempo?"
She nodded, "Thanks to GALAHAD, we've shaken off some cobwebs and rehearsed procedures for large scale peer conflict. In cooperation with MIIO, we are confident in our abilities to coordinate with our compatriots in the LCAF and get a detailed picture of enemy disposition and capabilities."
"I will admit I am concerned about the LCAF and their abilities." Hanse admitted, "They have the industry to prosecute a war, but their strategic minds are not terribly sound."
"There is one, First Prince." Sortek noted, "Federick Steiner. He is a man of great martial prowess but a bit misguided in the halls of Lyran politics."
"Hmm…" Hanse thought on it, "Let me contact Katrina and gain an audience with Frederick. He may prove to be exactly what the LCAF needs when the realms unite."
Palace of the Warlord
Masamori, Hachiman
Hachiman System, Draconis Combine Space
19 December 3027
Warlord Grieg Samsonov sat in silence as he reviewed the most recent developments of the Combine's newest and most productive neighbor, the Independent Systems Alliance. The riches of such a world belonged to him, and by extension the Dragon. He was hampered at every turn by their overtures of friendship and technology. It was because of them that the Combine could manufacture ferro-fibrous armor and endo-steel structure. They provided a plethora of technologies in exchange for highly favorable trade deals into the realm of the Dragon. That put them in exceedingly good standing with the Coordinator. The false cousin Chou Kurita was a frequent guest at the Imperial Palace, with word of a possible expansion of diplomatic ties. This simply would not do for a man like Samsonov. He had ambitions and wanted to be the provider of all things good for the Dragon.
His adjutant Sho-sa Jerry Akuma had passed on relevant information concerning the ISA and their presence on Luthien. Their lostech was flaunted in their embassy-fortress in the capital, their intelligence services refused the Internal Security Force, and their military had reportedly done the unthinkable of conquering Antallos outright. Their diplomatic tendrils spread from the Combine all the way out to the Magistracy of Canopus, seeding defense investments in exchange for trade concessions. If such wealth were to fall into his hands, he could be considered second only to the Coordinator in terms of power and projection. Thus, he began to hatch a plan.
He had orders, in the event of an existential threat, to ensure the security of the Five Bridges Factory on Antallos by military and diplomatic means and safeguard the production line from any undue stoppages. The problem he saw was the limitations of when and how he could safeguard a precious logistical line. The Coordinator did not want to alienate thew blossoming state and wanted them to see the light of joining hand in hand with the Dragon to a prosperous future. Samsonov foresaw something different. They did not just invest in the Combine, they invested in the Federated Suns, the Outworlds Alliance, even a far-off power like the Magistracy of Canopus. They were not submitting to the will of the Dragon, but advancing their own agenda, whatever that agenda may be. Antallos was becoming an industrial powerhouse, and such a world belonged in the Galedon Military District.
He tasked his staff with formulating a proper plan for 'factory security.' The consensus was to have any chance of seizing a foothold on the planet, there needed to be a simultaneous assault from the free zones and a drop straight into the starport. The problem was the sheer amount of military force the ISA now possessed on world. They had thousands of personnel on Antallos, and what seemed like complete orbital coverage of the world. To land directly on the starport would be folly as any DropShip would be pounded and join the deserts. The free zones would allow him freedom of movement, but the ISA demonstrated that their intelligence coverage was near absolute. There was a recommendation for an infiltration mission to decapitate ISA command and secure the factory and the world. The problem again was even if the First Combined Army Headquarters were taken out of action, to take and hold Antallos would take a massive military force. He stroked his chin.
His door beeped and interrupted his thoughts.
"Enter."
In came Chu-i Yuki Nagato of the Draconis Combine Admiralty. She was sent by Sho-sa Akuma as a stand-in adjutant. He was suspicious of her, she reeked of ISF, but there was an advantage to having the Internal Security Force so close. He made sure to subtly trim her access to information and feed her what he wanted the ISF to see. Just enough information to keep them happy and off his back. She bowed.
"Tai-shu," she greeted, "I bring word from Luthien."
"I see." Samsonov nodded, "Proceed."
"The Coordinator has commanded a state of increased readiness across the border districts and has directed the strengthening of logistics to support the effort."
"I trust that you have begun the process here?"
"Of course, Tai-shu. I have directed the resources necessary to ensure we meet the Coordinator's will."
An idea popped into his mind, "Chu-i, increase logistical support to our spinward border."
"Tai-shu?" she cocked her head in confusion.
"In the event of war, we should be prepared for a concentrated assault against the Federated Suns." He said with confidence, "We cannot be strong everywhere, Chu-i. If the honorless Suns strike, we must be ready to drive deep into their territory. In the chaos, other opportunities may arise in that theatre that would garner great glory for the Dragon."
Nagato nodded solemnly, "It will be as you command, Tai-shu."
"Make it so, for the glory of the Dragon." He ordered.
She bowed once more and left his office. His mind returned to Antallos. If he could guarantee solid logistical support, a campaign may be in the cards against what used to be a pirate hive. He made a note to increase intelligence funding and oversight on Antallos. If necessary, he would replace Ulysses on the ISA stronghold. He needed absolute loyalty to him, and the good Tai-sa may not be up to the task.
Nagato made her way back to her office and engaged all security protocols. It seemed that Samsonov acted even more presumptuously than they had anticipated. He did not need any prompting to divert resources toward Antallos, he had already set his sights on the world. She smiled. The Kokuryu-kai had to be notified of the latest developments. She keyed her computer and set up an HPG link with Luthien. He knew the procedure: Code words and phrases so that the order who inevitably recorded and listened to all traffic could not properly decipher their meaning. ComStar put her through to her superiors. The communication was audio only.
"Fuyu." A distorted voice greeted her, "I trust you have news."
"Yes, honored one." She bowed to the voice, "The spring brings a bountiful harvest."
"Ah…" The voice paused, "What is the yield, young one?"
"One that will last at least a year, honored one. We are aiming to increase the yield over the next two years so none will go hungry."
A momentary silence filled her office, "Such fortune. How did the farmer react to such a harvest?"
"They planted the fields themselves. No fertilizer needed."
She could almost hear the smile on the other end, "Excellent, young one. Help the farmer in their next harvest and please let the family know if they need any assistance."
"Of course, honored one."
The transmission ended. She breathed a sigh of relief as the society was pleased with the progress. There was more work to be done, but she allowed herself a moment of respite. She decided to put on some music. It was one of the synthesized voice banks out of the ISA. They had gotten quite popular in the Combine.
Say what you will about these pretenders, she thought to herself as a song called Rollin' Girl came on, these songs are quite catchy, yet quite sad.