SotU2 Chpt 10

=Chapter 10=
==State of the Union - Book 2==
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Kirin River, Irian
Free Worlds League
29th December, 3064
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Isis wondered if Sigmund Hughes was planning to bore her to sleep before she could play any part in the Director’s meeting. The seat she had in the second tier of the room was certainly comfortable enough - although that might just be part of the general decor. Irian was a huge and well-established corporation and while its central administration wasn’t quite as lavish as an equivalent noble manor might be, the practical comforts lacked nothing of that.
The central seats were filled by the major administrative officers and heads of the major divisions, including Irian BattleMechs Unlimited and - amusingly in a dark way, the Planetary Administrator. The place of the planet Irian’s government as just one more part of the corporation - and hardly the most important - was evident.
Galen Cox had smuggled a self-heating carafe in with him, and once the review of the potential SLDF contract was complete - provisionally the agreement was that he would be looking at their Hermes II, Tempest and Albatross ‘Mechs with a view to picking up four of each - he poured a cup for himself and then a second for her. “Not as well catered as some of our staff meetings back in the day.” He kept his voice low.
“At least the drinks bar isn’t serving.” she replied under her breath as she accepted the cup. The hot, thick coffee took her back to the frigid wastes of north Bremen again.
If the tedium of the meeting was aimed at her, it was poorly planned. She’d sat through worse during the fighting over St. Ives and then as an aide without official duties during Victor’s campaigning against Katrina.
“We come next to the wider political situation,” Hughes declared. “the political uncertainty on Atreus has led to an upswing in proposed orders from provincial authorities. This rather exceeds our current capacity so there is some question of who we must disappoint.”'
Isis tapped the remote by her chair, a request to be heard on the topic. It wasn’t obligatory that the Board allow her to speak but as a major shareholder they wouldn’t want to offend her either. In this case, Hughes barely looked down at his display before nodding. “Duchess Marik, I believe you wish to address this matter.”
“Thank you.” She rose to her feet and heads turned as directors and other major shareholders (or their representatives) took what was probably their first look at her. Isis had adopted a business suit, not wanting to stand out too visibly. “Some of you may remember the previous occasions when civil war rocked the Free Worlds League. The Andurien Secession was kind to Irian… but Anton Marik’s treason was not.”
That hit home with those old enough to have clear memories of 3014. Sigmund was among them - he’d taken over in the aftermath of significant damage to Irian’s primary battlemech plant when loyalists reclaimed them from a rebel special operations group.
“We are accustomed to thinking of factories as semi-sacrosanct due to the difficulties in maintaining them through the Succession Wars,” she continued. “but those difficulties are less now than they have been for centuries, and civil wars are no respecters of normal limits to warfare. We have seen this in the last few years with fighting on major industrial worlds of the Federated Commonwealth in my own case, I had the unfortunate privilege of seeing Coventry Metal Works after the fighting there.”
Nathaniel Rivarez, the Director of the BattleMechs Unlimited division, snorted. “We have two FWLM brigades here, Duchess. Besides our own security.”
“What if those regiments take different sides?” Isis asked him coolly. “As happened on Kathil. And that was with just two sides fighting - we’re looking at at least four distinct factions forming. The Captain-General, my cousin Corinne, the Regulans, and Duchess Humphreys of Andurien.”
“I wasn’t aware that Andurien was seeking the Captain-General’s office.” someone muttered.
Sigmund cleared his throat. “I believe Duchess Marik is suggesting a new attempt at independence, which is plausible given her interest in purchasing military supplies from us. I would ask, however, do you also see a claim in your own future? I know that your aunt Theresa is seeking alliances.”
Isis shook her head. “I have no such aspirations. I would prefer that as much of the League remains uninvolved, to mitigate the damage that this power struggle will cause. Starting here, on Irian.”
“How do you propose that we should achieve this… admirable goal?” Rivarez demanded. “From what you say, Irian will be a major target for all of the rising factions.”
“Should we offer our support to someone who can ensure our security?” asked the head of IMB Systems, Mirka Kjellsdottir.
Hughes scowled. “And if that faction should fail? We would become a target for the winners.”
“Who will win?”
Isis couldn’t tell who asked that, but it was clearly the question on everyone’s mind. “There is no way to predict that at this time,” she warned. “I therefore propose that Irian and any other worlds we can influence should take a neutral position. Offer to supply any units, federal or provincial that are standing aside to guard the League against outside threats. Ensuring that whoever wins there is something left for that victor to rule.”
“If we are no one’s ally then we are everyone’s enemy,” challenged Kjellsdottor sharply. “the garrison units here could be ordered to seize our factories.”
“And what of the outside threats…” Rivarez glared suspiciously in the direction of Galen. “Will the Federated Commonwealth take advantage?”
Galen cleared his throat and Isis gestured invitingly for him to speak up. Rising, the blond man shook his head slightly when she started to sit. “To the best of my knowledge, the Archon-Prince has no interest in expanding his realm through opportunism. He has more than a year of civil war to recover from, after all, and a hazardous border with Clan Jade Falcon. The new First Lord and Commanding General have discussed committing the SLDF to deter such attacks and it is likely other members of the Star League would be willing to unite against House Steiner-Davion.”
“However,” he continued before the tension could fade. “it’s not possible for any Great House to exercise tight control over their borders. The recent clashes between the Draconis March and Draconis Combine are an example. Both sides drawn into conflict by raids none of the rulers desired. The provinces of Bolan and Skye remain turbulent… and there is of course, the League’s other major border.”
Isis found the reference to the Capellan Confederation and her former fiancé Sun-Tzu Liao less raw that it once had. The end of that engagement had removed one of the barriers to a war between the League and the Confederation. “The current Chancellor has built much of his reputation on reclaiming worlds lost to the Federated Commonwealth. I am sure he would not mind taking back worlds the Capellans have lost to the League over the years.”
Sigmund Hughes held up his hand for silence. “I believe the Duchess has outlined a viable course of action. We cannot reasonably support all sides, so the choice is between backing one faction or following a policy of neutrality. And this must be armed neutrality, establishing ties to military units that will be both our customers and our protectors. Does anyone wish to propose a likely claimant that we can rely on to successfully secure our influence.”
“Thomas Marik has done well by us,” offered Rivarez, but then his shoulders slumped. “but whether he will rally the way his father did against insurrection?”
“If he’s even Janos’ son.”
Kjellsdottor’s words set more people looking towards Isis. She smiled sadly. “The current Captain-General has been very able, but my grandfather was able to rally support or at least acquiescence to him through legitimacy. With the current suspicions, it’s clear that this isn't a factor we can rely on. If a political solution can be found, he may endure, but once fighting begins…” She spread her hands.
“May I ask for a quick poll in favor of the policy of armed neutrality?” Hughes’ voice made it an order not a request.
There was a flurry of hands raised slightly in approval and the chairman nodded. “I don’t believe we need a full vote of shareholders at this point. Duchess, I understand that you’ll be meeting with the commanders of our garrisons socially soon. I would appreciate a fresh perspective of their intentions if civil war should begin.”
Isis nodded in agreement and took a seat, trying to hide her relief at how well that had gone. Galen also sat, touching her elbow with his hand as he did so. When she looked at him, he gave her a wink of approval.
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