Resurgence - ilKhan of Nothing

== ilKhan of Nothing ==
October 3152
Alaric’s fury at seeing Stone’s face, mocking him one last time, had not settled since he left the dead man’s former cryo chamber. His head buzzed with questions as to what Stone’s plans were… Shadowed Depths… Discordant Mantle… Lightsbane…  What were all those names listed?  What was Hell’s Breach?  How was there a camera view into his new office?! He punched the bulkhead directly in front of his seat viciously as he stared ahead, baring his teeth. 
His Leopard was flying at maximum velocity to return to Unity City.  No rest found its way to him and it was not likely to find Chance Vickers either. Before departing the facility he sent a message ahead to Chance.  There was a severe lapse in security and intelligence about the Inner Sphere around them.  His forces were crippled – the remainder of his Wolves, Jade Falcons, and the Smoke Jaguars that did not remain with the Republic survivors that escaped.
It was time for Chance to fix this issue and he would see it done. 
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His arrival at the Stellar Court was not subtle and the structure was very active, which was an odd sight given it was the middle of the night.  Everyone inside knew something was wrong and had been verbally torn to shreds by saKhan Vickers in the hours before the ilKhan’s arrival.  Alaric entered the building, flanked by two Elementals, stopped and found a utility room.  Throwing open the door, two janitorial staff members jumped in shock, going to a rigid attention, clearly shaking.
Spotting a ladder, he grabbed it, as well as a small sledgehammer, and marched back out the door.  Continuing through the building he reached his office and threw the doors open, both slamming into the walls behind them.  As he barged in the room carrying the ladder, Chance was standing next to his desk, as well as the head of the Stellar Court’s security. Both shot to attention as well, clearly quizzical looks on their faces seeing the ilKhan with a ladder and sledgehammer.
He threw the ladder up hard against the wall, chipping off some pieces.  Rung by rung he ascended, then when he reached the upper moulding, he began hammering, knocking chunks of the pristine wood from the ceiling. Thousands of C-Bills were destroyed in seconds as he struck over and over.
Chance could see in her peripherals that the Security Officer beside her shifted to try to say something.  She immediately took hold of his forearm and glanced a death glare at him, causing him to shift back to attention.  Both Elementals also took a step back as both had begun to take his motion forward as a potential threat to the occupied ilKhan.
“Dezgra scum!” Alaric spat as he threw the sledgehammer to the ground. It slammed down, bouncing off the now cracked tile flooring. He reached up and grabbed something, then realized it was being held in place. Bracing on the ladder, he yanked and some sparks flashed.  As he knew, there it was, a camera hidden within the moulding. He took a moment as he stood at the top of the ladder, trying to compose himself.
How should he react? He is the first ilKhan on Terra, the first ilKhan of the ilClan, the First Lord of the Star League! Yet, for who knows how long a massive security breach has existed in his own office! Who had a chance to see the recordings? How would they be used against him? His blood was boiling and adrenaline surged through his body and he began to descend the ladder.
When he reached the floor he turned to Chance and the officer at her side.  Slowly, he stepped forward until he was directly in front of the security officer. He glared into the officer’s face, the officer staring directly ahead, not making eye contact.  While the Watch was always lurking about to ensure the ilKhan’s safety, he had made some adjustments to bring spheroid personnel into the ilClan’s ranks.  He now severely regretted that decision, even though this one originated from the Wolf Empire, he would be replaced with a trueborn warrior.
“I will ask you one time.” Alaric paused for greater effect, he could see beads of sweat on the man’s forehead. “How did this camera end up in my office and how long has it been there?”  He held the camera up, almost between them.
Now, visibly shaking, the officer looked down, searching for an answer that would appease the First Lord.  He knew none would and began to open his mouth, his jaw shaking, to form words.  He even slightly leaned, trying to position himself behind the camera the ilKhan was holding. 
“So that is it then?” Alaric asked rhetorically, cocking his head slightly with an inquisitive look on his scarred face. “Nothing?” Alaric asked, shrugging.
Giving it a painful second after second, Alaric stood and stared at the man.  He could see Chance begin to open her mouth, but he started first, “Well then, you are stripped of your rank and will be tried for treason.  Further, you and I will meet in a Circle of Equals for a Trial of Grievance.”
Alaric thought a physical beating would send a message.  While the officer was about Alaric’s height, he was not muscular and Alaric doubted he actively trained in martial arts anywhere near the degree he himself did. Within seconds, the officer’s face went white and he collapsed into a heap on the floor.
Looking toward the Elementals, Alaric stepped back as they rushed over and grabbed the body of the unconscious man to take him out of the office.  As they exited the doors, Alaric reached over and pressed the button on his desk to close and lock them.  Now, at least he hoped, the room would be secure as it was meant to be.
Ignoring the ladder and mess made, he walked over behind his desk.  As he moved towards his chair and began seating himself he spoke, “Chance, take a seat, you are just about the only one I trust at this point.”
Slowly, she came out from rigid attention and began to move toward the seat across the ilKhan’s desk.  Out of the side of her eye she could see Alaric slump into his seat from frustration, slightly spinning so his back was half towards her as he looked out a window.  Without looking at him she made sure her files and holopad were in order as she slowly sat down, careful not to push the ilKhan too hard.  She knew he was angry but when this briefing was over…
“Chance, seeing that… tomb… seeing the cameras activate, his face one more time, as if he knew he would be able to get the last word in…” he shook his head, then ran his hand up his face, leaving his palm on his forehead, his fingers were run into his hair.  After a few seconds he continued, “Now I have more questions and got next to no answers.”
“ilKhan, Devlin was all tricks and secrets, many of his secrets may just be nothing at all, we have already found that to be the case with a handful of ‘operations’ within the old Republic computers.”
“Yes, Chance, I understand what you mean. But, this was different. That facility had received communications from outside the Fortress wall.  You saw the list of worlds that I could recall.”
“Which brings us to the first point of business, ilKhan.  Something is happening outside of ilClan space.  Multiple nations, including the Wolf Empire have begun striking at each other. So far, communication being limited from the HPG network not functioning, we have determined that our own Wolf Empire units, Capellan Confederation, Free Worlds League, and Lyran Commonwealth forces have crossed borders and begun to engage.”
Alaric dropped his hand, an intense, curious look took over his facial expression, spinning back toward her, his voice raised with each question.  “Lyrans, Free Worlds, and Capellans have invaded the Wolf Empire? And our units have crossed the borders in return?  Under whose orders?!”
“At this point, it looks like falsified orders ilKhan, some were retaliatory, Star Colonel Othar has confirmed he gave no such order and is issuing a full recall.  However, the Lyrans and Free Worlds have taken a significant amount of our territory.  Combined with the Wolf’s Dragoons efforts against us and the Empire is facing a similar position to the outer Republic when the wall originally went up.” Responded Chance, trying to give as much of a picture as possible.
“They do not respect my authority or my nation, fair enough!” he scoffed, “We will immediately begin to prepare the first message from their First Lord.  When we muster the strength, there will be retaliation and their inevitable submission.” Alaric said, sounding like his mind was shifting towards a conquering position.
“I would caution you ilKhan, if our units deployed with false orders, there may be a possibility the same happened to those nations.  It all happened in the same timeframe as this ‘Hell’s Breach’.  Drastic retaliation may not be the best course at this moment. The Reunification War was a bloody event, to give some historical perspective.”
“This is why I seek your council Chance, thank you.” Alaric said, somewhat cooling off from his blood boiling frustration. 
“Aff, ilKhan, there are some other events taking place that we have been able to confirm. Specifically, with the Capellans, they are attacking both the Federated Suns and Free Worlds League.” Chance replied, pausing to see Alaric’s response.
Alaric squinted his eyes, completely shocked by the information, looking up at Chance.
“It turns out that Sian is gone, destroyed.” Chance continued, “As far as we can tell, Chancellor Daoshen Liao is dead.” Chance could see the visible shock on Alaric’s face as he now leaned in and over his desk.  “If a planet is destroyed, we only know of one ship that had ever been capable of pulling that off… and who it belonged to, at least the last time it was seen.”
Taking a second to gather his thoughts on the news, he looked to the ceiling and side to side.  “How do you think we could use this to our advantage? Clearly, the attacks are retaliatory so, did the Free Worlds or FedSuns capture that ship and keep it hidden? Were they working together?  On top of that, now our Rimward border should be in a more relaxed position, we may even be able to push back Capellan control…”
“Yes, ilKhan, I have already begun preparing various strategies in that area of the Inner Sphere.  However, it is no secret that the Word of Blake was not fully destroyed, I made sure to review compiled reports of their known numbers with confirmed kills, there was also rumored to be a Hidden World within the Capellan Confederation they stopped searching for decades ago.  Perhaps that oversight was their undoing.  Danai Liao-Centrella is currently Chancellor and is the one who issued the orders to strike at their neighbors.”
“Along with the messages to the Lyrans and Free Worlders we will need to reach out to Chancellor Danai as well.  Perhaps I can put an end to their endless desire to take Terra.” Alaric said, seeing Chance hit a couple buttons on her holopad to note down what he said.
Chance continued to review something on the holopad for a few more seconds before looking up at Alaric, then continued, “A final point to discuss is the Rasalhague Dominion.  We have known for some time that there was significant unrest over their upcoming vote if they wanted to “join” the ilClan.  Well, at one of the deciding meetings on the matter, a major event took place.  As Prince Hjalmer Miraborg firmly supports us as ilClan he has sent us some word and the Watch has also gathered some additional intel.”
Looking down, Chance hit the holopad a couple times and the screen on the wall beside the desk activated.  It showed the council chamber on Rasalhague and a number of faces they both recognized – Hjalmer Miraborg, Lars Magnusson, Dalia Bekker to start.  Freeborn Hjalmer Miraborg was berating Lars Magnusson, a trueborn, Bloodnamed, Alpha Galaxy commander; something unheard of in Clan society.  Then as Lars’ head was turned toward Dalia, Hjalmer stabbed him. Even though Chance had seen the video before, it still shocked her and Alaric jumped up from his chair.
“You said Prince Miraborg sent us a message?” asked Alaric, still staring at the screen, now showing the armed infantry keeping Hjalmer from being swarmed by the unarmed Clan personnel.
“Yes, ilKhan.” She said, the screen going black for a couple seconds before showing the Prince in full formal attire.
“First Lord Alaric Ward, I hope this message finds you well. The people of the Rasalhague Dominion have spoken, we have decided as a joint people – both Clan and Spheroid alike to join the Star League. I will be en route to Terra and will await your invitation to pass the Fortress Wall so we may discuss the goals of the Dominion going forward in support of your ilClan and our Star League.”
After the message ended, as this was the first time Chance watched it, she quickly glanced to Alaric to see his immediate body language.  Alaric was clearly making a face that one could believe would represent ‘what the hell?’. She remained quiet, letting him think.
“Did I just hear that right? He strikes to kill his own nation’s Alpha Galaxy Commander in front of his own nation’s leadership, then holds them at gunpoint to force them to join my Star League?” Alaric asked himself, slowly turning to Chance.
“Exactly, extremely dishonorable tactics on his part, ilKhan. Also, I would take into consideration the forces at his command, given our precarious position since the battle for Terra. His actions also echo your own with Khan Ward before you, he may be useful for now.  Additionally, Alpha Galaxy is no longer within the Dominion. We can only guess as to where they went.”
“Fair enough, you make excellent points, Chance. I would also expect an Alpha Galaxy to hold certain standards and if that is what their leadership is doing, then I can see why they vanished.” Responded Alaric. Changing topics, he continued, “Excellent debriefing saKhan Vickers, this is all important information.  Our immediate priorities are to get messages circuited to the Lyrans, Free Worlds, and Capellan Confederation.  I want the Watch to put their efforts into finding out who ordered the attacks on both sides, if this is treachery, we cannot let it stand.  Also, I will be reviewing our current TO&E as we need to ensure we do not lose anymore worlds and in fact need to start bringing the Operational Zone Jade Falcons into the ilClan.”
“Yes, ilKhan, I will immediately begin scripting and preparing for these efforts.” Responded Chance as she continued to input data to her holopad. 
Alaric remained standing, his fists on his hips as he stared towards the main doors to his office staying quiet, listening to Chance’s tapping.  Deep in thought he considered the state of his Star League, of the Inner Sphere he was here to forge a future for.
For some reason units are potentially crossing borders with false orders.  A capital world has been destroyed.  There is unrest in the Dominion.  Wolf Empire, now ilClan, worlds are being stripped away.  Stone’s many plans yet still elude him.  While he would never venture to say this out loud, he felt in these days like he had accomplished nothing and being ilKhan and First Lord meant nothing to any of the Inner Sphere…
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Category:Resurgence
Category:Works by Minis&Dumbbells