Private Office of the Primus of the Word of Blake
Harrisburg City, Gibson
Free Worlds League
January 18th, 3057
The Precentor Martial's office was a spartan, but comfortable place, with a small stone fireplace a concession to Gibson's brutal winters, and furnished simply, with furniture that screamed "generic office furniture." The walls were decorated sparingly, with a half dozen holographic images that portrayed the highlights of William Blane, Primus of the Word of Blake's career. Outside, the wind howled like a banshee, and snow swirled past the armorplast windows, which had recently been reinforced in the wake of an attempt on the life of the Primus, the official line was that it had been the act of some rebels left over from the rebellion of '55, but quietly, both the Precentor Martial and Precentor ROM suspected that it was the work of the Federated Commonwealth. The office was furthermore in the only permanent building in the encampment that the planetary government had "given" the Blakists upon their arrival 2 years before. The building itself was a 2 story, non-descript, brick and mortar affair, that screamed "generic."
But, as things went, it was the most secure building on the Blakist "campus". Thus, it was felt best that the meeting be held in the Primus's office, rather than the "temporary" briefing room that had been set up in a converted shipping container.
In attendance at the meeting was no less than Primus William Blane, Precentor Martial Trent Arian, and Precentor ROM Alexander Kernoff, as of now, they were watching a presentation on the state of the Capellan/Marik offensive against the Fedcom, and their moods were…mixed.
"So, Mulvanney, how goes Operation CORONET DAWN?" inquired Blane.
Mulvanney exhaled deeply, she hadn't been a big fan of CORONET DAWN in the first place, as it seemed to be a plan in search of a goal. It made sense on paper, humble the Fedcom, restore a measure of the balance of power in the Inner Sphere, and create conditions that would make the Capellan Confederation to be more amenable to assisting in Operation ODYSSEUS that was due to kick off next year. Yes, I am so sure the Capellans are ready to thank us now. Mulvanney's mind roared, we put them in the gunsights of a very vengeful Federated Commonwealth, of course, they could have said no to our offer? Fact was, one of her subordinates who was a poker player put it best. "We're asking the Capellans to bet it all on a pair of 8s, and promising them we'll back 1% of their bet? Who the hell is crazy to take those terms?"
As it turned out, the Capellans were. Or maybe it was simple desperation. Either way, Sun-Tsu jumped in with both feet, when by all rights, he really should have known better. Oh well, we're getting what we want either way.
"It goes reasonably well, Primus. We have managed to help the Capellans achieve their goals, and our raids and covert operations in the Sarna and Capellan Marches have assisted in making sure that this war will be long and bloody indeed. While Katherine Steiner-Davion talks a good game, most of the Marik and Capellan assets she has managed to assassinate are lower level individuals, whose usefulness has frankly, come to an end…"
Precentor ROM Kernoff shot to his feet, his aged features dark with rage at the suggestion just put forward. "Spoken like a member of the Militia, the loss of every one of those assets is a setback for ROM's efforts here in the League. If we are to achieve SKYLARK on schedule, then we must have those agents in place- "
"Silence, Kernoff. This office isn't secure enough to discuss SKYLARK, and you know that."
Kernoff shrugged and sat back down. His features were still a picture of rage, but they had become crossed with a measure of embarrassment. For an intelligence professional, Kernoff is a bit of a hothead, and that is cause for..concern. I'd groom Arian's aide for the job, but ROM would never accept her, as she came up through the Militia.
"Anyhow, our efforts, Mulvanney?" Blane intoned as he turned his gaze back to the aide making the presentation.
Mulvanney gestured to a holomap being projected in the center of the office, the map was a 3-D projection of the Capellan-Fedcom border regions, with Capellan held planets being colored in green, Fedcom in blue, and planets were fighting continued in red.
"So far, Primus, by the Blessed Blake, EAST SEA has gone about as well as projected for the Capellans, LATTIKIA's supporting operations on the part of our Marik hosts has allowed the Capellans to complete EAST SEA on schedule, and the Capellans are digging in, but the Captain-General has expressed some concerns about her control over the armed forces of late. During our last meeting with her, she pointed out the unsanctioned assaults by the Sirian Lancers on their worlds currently under Fedcom control."
"Did we bring up how badly these assaults had turned out, and that all she had to do was withhold any support as a message to any other idiots who pull something like this?" Arian interjected, his tone betraying the exasperation he felt at the antics of their "hosts."
"It was mentioned, Primus, but according to my people, it did not seem she was…reassured by that idea." Mulvanney shrugged, her short brunette hair waving as she turned her head back to the holo map. "Currently, we are beginning to see signs the Fedcom is recovering, and they have setup a new command post on Foot Fall to coordinate everything. We project the Fedcom's going to try to break out of the "pocket" they're in with an assault on Sarna. On it's face, it sounds foolish, slamming the wall against a dug-in McCarron's Armored Cavalry, but, it does serve to pin them down and not cause mischief elsewhere."
"And our sources in ROM suggest that this ACTIVE PANTHER we hear rumblings of will not be ready much before March or April?" Blane asked, turning to Kernoff.
Kernoff nodded. "The Fedcom is rightly wrapping up matters with the Falcons, and our people amongst our former brethren feel that while the Fedcom is detaching troops already for shipment to the Capellan front, those units won't be ready to fight for some time, even close to half a year. A better revision of our estimates might be June or July, but again, that's some conjecture, and it's based on the current rate of the Falcon collapse, that could happen slower or faster, depending on circumstances we may not even be aware of."
Blane exhaled. "So, the question remains, what do we do? Ultimately, we know there are those amongst our hosts who would like to be rid of us, and Corrine has bought time for other operations, but the fact is, I am not certain she will be the long-term future of the League. The circumstances of her assumption of the Captain-Generalcy has left a bad taste in the mouths of the body politic of the League, a bad taste that some might seek to expunge, violently. And if that happens…"
Trent finished the statement unbidden "..then we make very good targets."
Blane nodded "Kernoff, how much trouble could your fanatics make to cover our escape if it came to that?"
Kernoff smiled evilly. "As operations in the Fedcom illustrate, I have quite a few options amongst my 6th of June cells, as I did not commit the entire organization to the effort, but I do have some options with them, and the Blake's Wrath people I have available. You know, we could reinstall the Master..he is the rightful heir..?"
"Whom the people of the League will literally die in job lots to oppose, due to the bionic prejudices, not to mention we'd have come to power in a manner very reminiscent of the whole 'Scourge of Death' business the Mariks back in the 27th Century, further playing into the whole 'rampant paranoia mess' bionics supposedly cause." Blane sighed. "We are not going to play kingmaker here any more than we have to. We will prop up Corrine, but if she falls? We run, that simple. There are plenty of contingencies, and we have everything in place to execute any we wish. Is everyone clear on this?"
A series of nods and murmurs by all present let Blane know he had the support of those in the room. At least, I hope so. But I need someone to watch Kernoff and his 6th of June nutcases, Bad enough they talked me into DARK MIRROR, why the hell did I let him kill 6000 people to decapitate the Federated Commonwealth, sure, it made military sense, but all our projections stated Katherine Steiner-Davion would not do what she is doing now! We can't get near her to remove her from the playing field. The Fedcom isn't that dumb. And her successor would probably authorize the AFFC to turn Gibson to radioactive glass in response. No, Kernoff has had his day, now its time for him to do his job.
Arian cleared his throat "Primus, forgive my interruption, but what of CORONET DAWN, the Capellans can only lose the war now, as it seems, they have done all they could and not driven the Davions to the negotiating table, and the Fedcom rage will probably only be slaked when Sian itself is in flames. Their vengeance has already hit us and will increase only as time goes on. So, when will it be time to end our participation in Sun-Tsu's war?"
Blane smiled, Excellent point, Precentor Martial. "I intend for us to back Sun-Tsu with supplies and advisors from now on. Our troops have been sufficiently blooded, and we now have enough experienced cadre to train our expanding militia. We will only intervene if the Fedcom, or their stooges actually land on Sian. And I want to just keep it close there. Let both sides bleed themselves white and let Sun-Tsu become more 'dependent' on our good graces to keep his sorry ass on the Celestial Throne. I think, lady and gentlemen, we have the beginnings of a very good new year."
Star Adder Clan Council Hall
Sheridan
Clan Space
February 1st, 3057
"Warriors, trothkin, we must have order! We are not confused surats, we are the bloodnamed warriors of Clan Star Adder!" roared Dagmar Lahiri, loremaster of Clan Star Adder. His ebon features were furrowed with a mixture of exasperation and rage as he banged his gavel again fruitlessly, trying to regain control of the chaotic mess the Clan Council had descended into after Star Captain Sarah Guidice, head of the Star Adder Watch, had made her report on the true state of Clan Smoke Jaguar after the second battle of Luthien.
The report had been more than a little illuminating, to say the least. Through a series of agents-in-place, and other sources and methods that Guidice refused to name, even under threat of a Trial of Refusal, the Smoke Jaguars, if the report was accurate, had underreported their casualties on Luthien by at least 20%. And more damning, they had left out the bit that they had been the instigators of the shameful use of orbital bombardment on Luthien. Cassisus N'Buta thought as he watched the chaos unfold, his face expressionless, his arms folded. Keep your cards closely held, Cassisus, until it is time to play them.
Cassius nodded to his saKhan, Dante Truscott, and rose, his arms outstretched and his smile wide. "Peace trothkin! I promise you war and glory soon enough, but for now, peace while we warriors of the Adder digest this news." The hall slowly quieted as the murmurs of the assembled warriors died down, and then ceased. Truscott paused for a few pregnant moments, then continued.
"My Warriors. We have never been a friend of the Jaguar. Though they be great warriors, they are also a warrior too close to their namesake. They are all about the hunt, and the kill. And that, my warriors, is the problem. The Smoke Jaguars are bloodthirsty fanatics who use the memory of the Kerenskys to justify their slaughter of those who cannot defend themselves. We told them and the rest of the invading clans what it would take to subdue the Inner Sphere. We told them, and they chose not to listen, and now, their adventurism has led the Clans to the precipice, and has led to the invading Clans becoming so desperate, that one would submit false information to the Grand Council itself!"
"We could move to absorb the Falcons, and the Vipers. They would be more suited to our ways in some respects, but why bother? The bidding will be fierce for both clans and would lead down a road of madness that could sunder the Clans themselves. No, my trothkin, we will not act as our enemies expect us to, this is folly. We know what we must do. And you know it as well."
The chant began in the back of the hall, but it wasn't long before it filled the hall "Jaguars", "Jaguars", "JAGUARS!" It could be felt in the fiber of everyone present.
"You have spoken my trothkin, and I think we can dispense with a formal vote! Can we Loremaster?"
The loremaster nodded sheepishly, but then one warrior stated, "My Khan, what of the rest of the Grand Council, surely they will try to stop us from absorbing the Jaguars?"
N'Buta threw back his head and laughed. "Ah yes, the same Grand Council that took the bold-faced lies of murdering surats as gospel? Oh yes, I am sure we will stop to ask them for permission. No, my trothkin, better we ask for forgiveness after the deed is done. It is not as if they will be in any position to stop us, as they will all be tripping all over themselves to bid on the carcasses of the Vipers and Falcons."
Cantonment of the 341st Assault Cluster
Asab
Ramsau
Clan Wolf Occupation Zone.
February 19th, 3057
The Warrior's Club for the 341st was a small affair, and spartan, with cheap pressed wood furniture and barstools, and a holoviewer in the corner. The alcohol stock being limited to mostly captured Inner Sphere brands of rail quality, but it did what most bars did, it aided socialization and camaraderie, and right now, the officers of the saKhan's Silver Keshik and the 341st were "debriefing" their recent exercise.
"Star Colonel Sender, I was impressed the way you led your warriors in the recent exercise. I am having discussions with the Khan this month, and we will be figuring out which units will be garrisoning our new holdings in what used to be the Jade Falcon Occupation Zone. Your men are fine warriors, and good ambassadors of the Clan Way as well." Phelan Kell smiled as he praised Star Colonel Sender and his staff.
"Point 5 of our Command Supernova has done well to assist in our efforts to keep things peaceful on Ramsau. They have revitalized lacrosse here on Ramsau with their organization of the youth league, but we realized early on, to play with Clan rules was a bit hard on Spheroid youth. But we have decided the best way to get the loyalty of these people is to give them a future to aspire to, ovKhan." Sender replied with a sense of pride in his voice.
"Hence your joint patrols with the civilian law enforcement and militia?" Phelan asked.
"Aff, we feel Elementals with no suits, immaculately turned out, and with sidearms only has had a better result in joint patrols with the local law enforcement officers than anything else. So much so, we only must dedicate one or two binaries depending on the time of year. We have even had the local government ask us for extra help with crowd control during the local festivals. That's mostly dealing with local drunks and the occasional fight or medical emergency." Sender stated.
"Your methods will I think, do more to prevent the kind of insurgencies we saw cripple the Vipers and Falcons. We must win, as the ancient Americans put it, 'their hearts and minds' through persuasion and decency, as we will never win it by force." Phelan winked conspiratorially
"Aff, I have even punished some warriors for egregious behavior with regards to the locals. It has met with surprising acclaim amongst my warriors. I would have thought it would have had me the recipient of a Trial of Refusal?" Sender intoned, a bit of surprise in his voice. "My men and women have embraced the people of this world. As have I."
"Are the rumors true about you and a local girl, Sender?" Phelan smiled.
Sender nodded. "Aff, she is the daughter of a prominent businessman, I was recently invited to her parents for dinner. Khan Phelan, a question about this? Why is she so nervous about this? She's already given me three different instructions on how to behave and what to wear? I will admit, this is all so much more complicated than our way, but yet, I was never interested in such things..till I met Veronica."
Phelan laughed and shook his head "You're meeting her parents, and it's part of a freeborn ritual where the lady in the relationship gets the seal of approval from her parents about her choice of mate."
"And if her family approves, my Khan?"
"Then you, Star Colonel, are probably going to get hints about getting married."
Ramon Sender blanched. "Me, a married Clan Warrior? Why what would the rest of the Clan think?"
Phelan laughed. "Star Colonel, I would hold you and your wife up as symbols of the new future we must embrace. And embrace it we will. So, you take a holo with this girl?"
It was then that Phelan heard the clearing of a throat behind him, it was one of his young unblooded aides, and he had a look on his face that he had news he'd rather have died than delivered. He was short for a warrior, barely 1.5 meters tall, lanky, with a large adams apple that seemed to sway every time the boy spoke.
"Yes, Tanis, what is it?"
"My Khan, we have gotten word of a massive Fedcom assault on Tamar. Estimates are 8 plus regiments have dropped on the world. Khan Kerensky has organized a defense with the Golden Keshik and the 4th Guards…but casualties have been heavy."
"What is enroute to relive Tamar?"
"So far, the 24th Wolf Rangers, the Doberung and Choyer Garrison Clusters, and the 352nd Assault Cluster. They have also requested our Keshik as well."
"Aff, we will board ship within the hour. Let's cut this party short. If you will excuse me, Star Colonel?"
"Khan Phelan, I can send a Supernova of my warriors if you require it?"
"Neg, Star Colonel, last thing we need to do is give any of our neighbors ideas. By the way, Tanis? What of the rest of the frontier, anything?"
"Neg, my Khan. The rest of the frontier has been quiet. One significant thing, or at least the Watch thought so when they informed us, initial BattleROM analysis suggests the units facing us on Tamar are from the Fedcom's Skye Ranger brigade, and several hired mercenary outfits."
And immediately, the answer presents itself. "Tanis, send a message to Khan Kerensky, she has probably figured this out already, but in case she has not..tell her that I do not think this was an act by the Federated Commonwealth at large, but by Skye..and those loyal to her."
"My Khan?" Tanis blanched.
"Send the message, Tanis, then get everyone boarded. We need to be on our way within the hour."
