WoWS3 Chpt 44

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==Weapons of War Saga: The Final March- Chapter 44 - ==
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===Wolves hunger charge forwards===
War room
Gieneh, Wolf Empire
December 20th, 3144
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“We have the location of the Star League in Exile. So now our debate is how do we defeat them.” Khan Alaric Ward looked at Sukhanov.
“My Khan, we know where they are, but we do not have full cartographical data. With what we know of their Naval forces I would prefer not to engage without at least a solid set of maps." Admiral Sukhanov explained
"What is there to know? We know the jump coordinates…" saKhan Garner Kerensky's objection was delivered in a mocking tone, "...is that not supposed to be 'enough'? They can not Possibly catch us on the back foot because we jumped like the Jaguars at shadows and stories without a real battle plan?"
"So both of you are urging caution." Alaric observed.
"Was I being too obvious with my sarcasm? We know roughly where the system is and that is really all we actually know."
“Aff, my Khan. It would be a recipe for ambush and harrying attacks since we would not know where the non-standard points would be.” Sukhanov nodded.
"If Liam Ward had not screwed up seizing that Spacer's vessel, we might have useful information." Garner complained
"Oh, trotting out the old legends? You too?? Looking for what? Legends from the past? But we all know legends are legendary because they stopped being real...what isn't unreal, is that a ship we do not own, has seen every staging area along the Republic front, and is now reputedly sitting in Helena Cameron's sitting room with the kind of information your Watch would kill or die to collect on an enemy." Sukhanov said.
“I do not like the idea of taking the time to do the proper recon as we need to produce units suitable for the purpose. But we could possibly draw her forces into a system we do know already.” Alaric placed his index finger on Terra.
Garner snorted, "Alaric, did we suddenly grow a dozen warships with experienced commanders overnight? Has the Loremaster found the specifications for the special jamming equipment that let the Great Father defeat Caspars in the Sol system? Has the Tech caste leadership managed to put it into production and installation and nobody bothered telling either one of us? From what I recall as of our last contact with Sterling McKenna, she is still balking at joining your..as she put it, 'Crusade'. She wants results, but the Snow Ravens are ever better at protecting their own interests than committing to a distant, foreign conflict or three. We can make use of time, My Khan, to build our fleet and get them trained and integrated while conducting a proper search and recon." she crossed her arms, "The last thing we need to do here, is rush in without proper preparation or invite a defeat in detail."
“We have all but two of Clan Jade Falcon’s ships in our touman now. Our truce is expiring. The warriors grow restless. Hence we make our plan now. So we can be ready.” Alaric answered.
"Then what we need, is to actually prepare for a naval campaign, and do you really trust Malvina's madmen not to make the kind of series of errors that led to their defeat in the first place? Experience is worthless if it is coupled with crippled judgment." explained Sukhanov.
“We have been addressing that as best we can. That too though is part of why we cannot wait. We cannot address it fast enough.”
"Then use them up, we can fight Helena in a manner the Touman is ill suited to fight, or we can break the Fortress and go after the true objective in a fight we are prepared to win."
“Aff, which is why I suggest we draw her there. We will know the system, we will with luck have the ships, and if we take Titan as well we may even have a station for repairs and possibly expansion.” Sukhanov explained
"You had an insight, quiaff?" Garner suddenly looked thoughtful, "You had an insight into her thinking..."
“Aff. She is bound to her allies, Terra in particular. She would not have included them in her peace treaty otherwise, as she could have trusted their Fortress Wall to handle that for her. She is a Cameron in the end.” Alaric nodded. “If we take it she will have to come. Everything points to that outcome.” Alaric said.
Garner looked thoughtful, then, frowned. "I take it the negotiation with the Exiles went well, quiaff? Otherwise even with the Falcon abtakha, we are still undermanned."
"Sixty percent." Alaric confessed, "A majority, but not enough to trial for possession of the entire 'Clan' of Exiles, but too many for them to refuse us entirely."
"Five Clusters?"
"A full Galaxy of forces, Aff." Alaric agreed. "And a sweetener."
"A..'sweetener'?"
"Clan Hell's Horses, their Alpha Galaxy has…seen reason." he told them.
"But that is not the 'sweetener', quineg?"
"Wolf's…Dragoons." Alaric said. "All of them…at least, all of them that are worth having."
"How did you do that?" Garner asked.
"The ones not motivated by money were turned by the simple offer of coming home." Alaric said, "Of finally not being the permanent outsider. It helps that they were not treated well by their last few employers."
"And we have a means to pierce the Fortress, quiaff?"
"Aff…and we can thank Helena Cameron for it-the device to pierce the wall is her 'fix' for the Hyperpulse Generators…"
"How did you get that?" Garner probed.
Alaric smirked, "I know people."
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===Baiting a Trap===
Private Office of the Archon 
Tharkad, Lyran Commonwealth
20th December, 3144
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"You did what??" Lori was appalled.
"I gave Alaric the means to breach the Fortress, I handed him the schematics for our new Hyperpulse Generator tech…" 
"WHY??"
"Because he'll attack the Republic, instead of attacking the Commonwealth, and he will lose against The Republic, while at present, he could beat the Commonwealth like an unwanted stepchild." Trillian enunciated, "I love Helena, and I love you, as my friends, just as I love Cousin Julian as a comrade and near brother, but I have to put my nation ahead of my personal affections. The Republic…abandoned us for decades now. Protecting them is not in the national interest of the Lyran Commonwealth, and neither is having Alaric Ward come rolling in as a pretender to the throne with a composite army that includes nearly the entire Jade Falcon touman in addition to his own. We lost Lori..and even with Roderick's reforms and everything you've done for us, we're in worse shape to repel him now, than we were when he left." Trillian explained
“I actually understand that, but a heads up you were going to do that would have been nice.” Lori grumped.
"I need him to believe he can win." Trillian stated, "Alaric's got factions and spies inside my nation, inside my government, Lori, we don't know all of them, but we know enough to know that warning you too soon, would get back to HIM before he was ready to make his move..and then he would turn in our direction, because your Mother, being a decent person, would warn the Republic and fortify their border."
“The Wolves now outnumber the Republic in ground forces, Warships, and to stop him we’re going to have to pull every dirty trick we can.” Lori shook her head.
"You won't be pulling it alone." Trillian told her. "When he is earlobes-deep, when he has to commit the reserves he'll have to commit, then we can strike. I estimate it will take his people at least four months to fully commit, and they will have to."
“Puts him close to the end of the truce. Which he’ll probably break now.” Lori stated
"He was always going to. I worked with him before, during the Republic Civil War and during the beginnings of Hammerfall. Alaric will break the truce because he must, it's who he breaks it on that matters." Trillian explain her thoughts.
“Yeah. You’re right. Guess we were just hoping that we’d have a little more time to shore up a few weak spots.” Lori conceded 
"Our spies in the Wolf Empire estimate he'll begin in February." Trillian told Lori.
“Well should have your first graduating class of midshipmen from our joint school about then.” Lori commented 
"You will have the Kell Hounds by January…if your mother approves." Trillian told her.
“Kidding, she will just for the chance to meet Callandra. She’s a bit of a fan since Callandra earned the nickname ‘Calamity’.” Lori commented.
"Good…I'm glad you're taking this well, Lori, It's been eating at me since July-how to stop Alaric, how to secure the Realm…" Trillian said.
“It helps I cut my teeth serving on Avellar’s staff with Snow Ravens. Talk about political animals…” Lori shook her head. 
"Speaking of political animals, I..have a land-grant to transfer, to the Star League...if your mother wishes it, it is not close to Lazarus, but then, there will be a time when we are not fighting the same old fights on the same old battlefields." 
"What is it?" Lori asked.
"The main inhabited colony is called 'Spider Moon', it used to be Kowloon, there is a…history there, but the system is defensible and well suited for future expansion efforts." Trillian told her
“That could actually be quite helpful in another matter she is dealing with. So I’m certain she will accept.”
"Tell Dinh Mosovich he needs to swear to the Hegemony, and pass my compliments to Truk Cu'ong's daughter." Trillian said craftily, "she never swore to the Throne, now she can swear to your mother instead."
“Thanks Trillian. I hope our Finance Committee didn’t beat your guys up too much clearing that debt.” Lori said
"It was…intriguing to hear their reports, especially after the Auditor finished." Trillian commented with a smile, "if I could keep Alice as the auditor, you know I would…but she would not be happy trapped in such an office, I wager."
“I’m a little surprised she’s still hanging around to be honest. She used to be all about exploring.” Lori commented
"She likes shopping." Trillian said, "We have some superb stores, and after I introduced her to Gagnon, she was delighted."
“Now that tracks. She’s only up to about teenager maturity wise now. Which means she’s about due for her first real crush. That could get interesting.” Lori said with smile.
"Gawd help us, I never recovered from mine." Trillian confessed. "First loves are the WORST…"
“Especially since she has several overly protective Aunts.” Lori commented
"Just remember-a shotgun is an infantry weapon, even scattershot from a naval cannon is a traumatic event for bystanders!" Trillian chuckled.
“Hehe. Of course the boy will have to get past Maximus first and foremost.”
"Speaking of shotguns, Vedet has agreed. It took a bit of convincing to bring him around, I first had to convince him I was not simply going to have him killed…then convincing him his son would still inherit on Hesperus, and that his…lover would not be terminated."
“Congratulations.” Lori told Archon.
"Yes, I've destroyed an enemy and gained his resources." Trillian said tightly, "It is not a love match, Lori, this wedding is pure politics. He will have his lovers, and I will have mine."
“I know Trillian. And I know as Helena’s daughter that will eventually be my role too.” Lori said
"Except you and Roderick seem to have at least mutual respect, if not true affection."
“He has his moments I grant.” Lori smiled. “At least he’s not so much older than me for it to be completely weird.”
"Good. Treasure them." Trillian cautioned. "Of course, as my current heir's beloved, I can hardly refuse if your mother were to…say…call for aid in her fight with Clan Wolf. That would be…bad optics." Trillian added craftily, "My meaning is plain?"
“I do believe so.” Lori nodded.
"Gut." Trillian commented
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===Fallout of the Lyrans moves and New Marching Orders Issued===
Office of Director-General 
New Lazarus, Star League in Exile
21st December, 3144
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Lori's report from Tharkad arrived over the restored HPG service, with full files and video.
"I think you got played." Amanda Roberts sat on the far side of the desk, after the report finished. "I think you got played hard."
“Honestly it wasn’t unexpected. More than anything else I needed them to take up the burden of bringing stability to the former Falcon OZ.” Helena Cameron said finally.
"Yeah. I get that." Amanda said, "She's setting up Alaric to kill the Republic, and you to kill Alaric. That's my read on this…and she bribed you with a state marriage and a ruin."
“Which is why I sent a diplomatic mission to the Free Worlds League too, quietly.” Helena commented
"So that's where Peri went off to?" Amanda asked
"And Allison Hazen, yeah." Helena nodded. “When Alaric makes his move it should be simple enough to get two Great Houses to move on his exposed flanks and that will take a lot of pressure off us finishing this fight.”
"Who did you send with Peri and Allie then?" Amanda asked, "Because I KNOW you didn't leave it all in the hands of my daughters."
“I sent Nathan. I framed it as challenging him to think of it as building a whole nation. I was honestly a bit shocked when he came back but he said he had finished building that hospital he was working on. Glad to have him.”
"So maybe you'll have Nikol as an in-law too." Amanda mused.
“Is it weird that I hope they do hit it off? No, that would be both good politics and good luck. I know I shouldn’t count on both being true though.” Helena said
"She's accomplished, smart, prettier than I am and powerful. I think I'll hope too." Amanda said, "even knowing my own feelings about the Star League's past, your future may be brighter."
“It has to be. I can’t stop until it is. Too many people have paid the blood price for me to fail now.” Helena nodded.
"Failure is inevitable, it's how you recover that decides if it stops you from succeeding." Amanda intoned.
“True, but we’re still at a stage where recovery might not be possible despite our best efforts. Alaric’s fleet isn’t very big but he’s got a lot of good ships, good enough even my AIs with their ATACs advantage could be hard pressed to take on without taking a lot of losses and they have those Isegrims that they use to supplement their screening power.”
"That's why you're getting Cruisers and escorts, Helena." Amanda noted, "Some should be arriving soon."
“Good. I know your promotion board went a little sideways. I want to thank you what you did during that, Amanda, Thomas is an old and dear friend.” Helena commented
"Yeah, it did. Do I get to watch her face when you tell Annie Cu'ong that she's got her home back, or do you want to keep that private when you offer her a Title and Landhold?"
“You’ve earned it. Okay last item of business then. We now have a pretty good idea when Alaric is going to come. We know he’s going to break the truce. He has to. His major fleet bases are Bolan and Dieron. Draw me up plans for pre-emptive strikes.”
"Ah. Have you broached the idea of bringing Julian Davion into this?" Amanda asked, "Because if we can Anaconda their bases it would be nice, and Dieron's just enough off-axis…"
“Yeah, I’ll have to send out feelers his direction, he’s got an uphill battle. The Combine might be possible to broker a peace with once we figure out how to help Yori Kurita without causing her other problems.”
"It might also draw the Warlord holding Yori's strings, if he thinks Dieron is going to be vulnerable." Amanda added. "In fact, drawing the combine that direction could take pressure off the Feds."
"And the pre-emptive strikes I wanted?" Helena pressed.
"I'm having an idea, but I'll need to do some preliminary homework, I'll try to have it in front of you and Dave by the end of the week." Amanda commented
“Okay. I’ll trust you and feel free to see if we can plant some seeds to get the Combine to take another run at Dieron themselves to take some more pressure off Julian. We should also look into the Confederation situation in more detail as well. I get the sense we just might be able to get Daoshen off Julian too. And draw up those strikes anyway. Even if our allies are reliable I’d rather have and not need then need and not have.”
Amanda's natural eye seemed to glitter, "I think I know how to get Daoshen's pants on fire, Helena." she grinned, "But it means lying our asses off."
“Deception is a time honored tradition. What do you have in mind?"
"I intend to 'leak' the intelligence that Devlin Stone has returned from retirement." Amanda stated, "and that he's been advising the Wolves. Daoshen Liao will believe it, because the Republic under Stone had deep history with both factions of Clan Wolf, and he'll believe it because he's paranoid about AI infiltrating human society."
“Combined with what we did on Sheraton and Fletcher that just might work.” Helena nodded. “Do it. Get with Juanita for any intel agents you need to carry it out. Then have the Fourth Division hit another target so we can again show that the Confederation is facing only human opponents. Should further divide him and his Colonels.”
"Alright , I guess I have a lot of staff work to be doing…" Amanda got up, "By your Leave, Madame Director-General?"
“Dismissed.”
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===Orders are Orders===
Juanita’s office
CONTROL HQ - Port Lazarus Station
New Lazarus System, Star League in Exile
22nd December, 3144
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“Sorry Amanda, but it is overly predicated on assumptions and Daoshen acting exactly how we want. It could just as easily turn a two way fight into a three way. I know you and Helena think it could work but… Really it’s far too wishful thinking.” Juanita shook her head.
“But the Combine operation to get them to make another run at Dieron?” Amanda seemed confused.
“That is a lot more feasible. Dieron has been a part of the Combine for a long time now. Add in that Alaric has taken the Dragoons from them and it becomes a matter of honor. The Dragon has to respond now, in strength. Indeed we may not even have to do anything at all there. This will give Julian a lot of breathing space.”
“So we do nothing?” Amanda looked sour.
“I didn’t say that. I’ll dispatch some agents to make sure we stay informed and maybe apply a little pressure here and there. Meanwhile Helena’s orders still stand. She’s smart enough to know even if our allies are reliable we should have contingencies in place to carry out preemptive strikes at Bolan and Dieron ourselves. On your next rest period though maybe you should go spend some time with Petra. I can handle my parts of these operations.” Juanita nodded.
“Okay, that is a little weird coming from you, concern over making sure I spend time with my family. Something’s up.”
“Direct orders from Helena. I am just doing my duty.”
“Okay that makes a lot more sense. But fine, I’ll take the hint and grab the next shuttle down.”
“Good girl.” The words seemed Helena’s despite coming from Juanita.
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===Confronting a Reluctant Cameron===
Khan Sterling McKenna’s Office
Dante, Raven Alliance
25th December, 3144
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David Cameron felt nervous as he walked into the office.
“Hello, David. I’m glad you accepted my invitation.” Sterling said coldly.
“I got the impression it wasn’t an invitation I could decline.” David composed himself.
“True after a fashion. But I did wish to talk to you.”
“Why me? I’m just a simple explorer. I like being out on the frontier, mapping new systems.” David answered.
“Because I actually have need of a Cameron.” Sterling focused her eyes right into what felt like David’s soul.
“I’m…” David began to talk.
“Oh I know you deny it, trying to hide your lineage. I don’t blame you because, I know you’re not doing it out of shame or due to a feud with your family. I know you want to be your own man, making your own way.” Sterling said
“Okay. Fine. We both know who I really am. But I really don’t find myself keen on partaking in the family past time. I really would rather be out there on the frontiers exploring until I physically can’t anymore.”
“If it were that simple. No you’re a Cameron and that means like it or not you’re a player in the game too.”
“So what do you need from me?”
“I’d like you to officially replace your aunt. I know she’s looking for an out. I want to give her one. Let her disappear to one of the new colonies she’s helped setup and fade into history. But I need someone with the right pedigree to keep her client state together.”
“Me.”
“You. True thanks to your mother and Amanda, I have trueborns with the right genetics but they will never be accepted.”
“Why now?” he asked
“Because in that position you can also help me. If nothing else it keeps that realm stable. That is important given what is happening right now. Too simply put it gives me one more reason to tell Alaric to ****** off.” Sterling growled.
“You want me to be your puppet is that it?” he asked.
“While you will officially answer to me and the Sea Foxes will probably bend you over the barrel every chance you give them, no. In fact the opposite is the point. I need someone who I don’t have to direct. Someone who I don’t have to hand hold.” Sterling explain
“I’m still not a politician.” he commented
“That’s the other part of why now. Your aunt will teach you before she departs.” Khan told him.
“If I say no then I become the bad guy. Fine you win.” he conceited 
“Cheer up, David. I’ve just made you a very eligible bachelor. You’ll have tons of pretty young noble ladies throwing themselves at you now.” Sterling chuckled.
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===Arranging a Meeting===
Levin’s office - The Bullet
Terra, Republic of the Sphere
27th December, 3144
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It was Jonah’s worst fears. All the mistakes he’d made in the past were now coming back with interest.
The Fortress Wall was now all but useless. The fix to the HPG nets to bring them back online had made it far too unstable to keep operational around much more than Sol and even then it burned up cores at a prodigious rate.
So there was no point now.
The upside is now that trade was coming back in, the riots were quieting down.
Small victories.
“Only if Devlin or Redburn hadn’t left…” Jonah looked at the reports.
There was no doubt. Soon Alaric would be on him.
“It is time. I have to meet with Helena herself.” Jonah sipped the amber colored liquid in his glass.
He typed a request to meet with Illiana into the computer system.
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A few hours later
Illiana looked at Jonah Levin with a blank expression.
“You wanted this meeting.” Illiana told him
“Yes. First I wish to reiterate my gratitude that Helena Cameron included the Republic of the Sphere in her truce with the Wolf Empire.” Jonah stated
“We are quite aware.” Illiana said impassively.
“I wish to arrange a meeting with Helena Cameron directly.”
“Now that Redburn knows it was you who ordered the raid he’s telling you to get bent and without Stone around you’re looking for someone to pull your ass out of the fire.” Illiana let her facade drop, showing her contempt for Levin.
“But… You said you knew and would help despite it.”
“Oh Helena will. She’ll meet with you. But she’s not a fool.” Illiana explained
“When should I expect her?” Jonah asked.
“Oh no Levin. You’re the one that needs to make travel plans.”
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